Chapter 554 - 36: After Divorce, the Cannon Fodder Joins a Romance Variety Show

Compared to Jiang Lai, at least she didn’t get married right after graduating.

Murong Yan thought he hid this matter well, but Shang Qingrao had a system.

In order to better capture Murong Yan, the system had already helped her investigate everything about Murong Yan.

So, she knew long ago that Murong Yan’s wife was Jiang Lai.

But so what?

There was no love between them, so she could easily make Murong Yan fall for her with just a few words, making him decide to divorce without any effort.

And now, Murong Yan was still thinking about continuing to entangle with Jiang Lai!

Shang Qingrao prided herself on not easily crossing others.

If people do not offend me, I will not offend them.

She felt that Jiang Lai was overly excessive, not only embarrassing her on the show and constantly stepping on her to show off, but now deliberately juggling two men in front of her.

No wonder she didn’t want this dress, turns out she had already set her sights on something better, pretending to generously give the dress to herself while actually planning to outshine other actresses on the red carpet.

Previously, she never realized how deep Jiang Lai’s schemes were!

After the red carpet ended, Murong Yan got up to leave, but was stopped by Shang Qingrao.

"Yan, remember, we agreed to have dinner with Director Du today. Don’t forget. I’ll change clothes and come find you at home."

At home.

Previously, when hearing Shang Qingrao use this word, Murong Yan would feel warmth in his heart.

But now, hearing it only made his chest feel stifled.

"Mm."

Since he agreed, going back on his word wasn’t his style, so Murong Yan suppressed the discomfort in his heart and nodded.

On the way back, at a temporary parking spot by the commercial street, Shang Qingrao’s nanny car stopped directly in front of Murong Yan’s car.

So blatantly, coupled with the recent interview, Shang Qingrao was openly telling everyone that she was with Murong Yan.

"Let’s go back together."

Murong Yan barely spoke on the way.

On the way to the restaurant after changing clothes, Shang Qingrao changed into a simple white linen long shirt, her attire relaxed but her makeup exquisite.

Glancing at Murong Yan, she feigned a nonchalant tone.

"Did you see Jiang Lai’s speech offstage? Wasn’t she directing those words at Director Du?"

Upon mentioning Jiang Lai, Murong Yan closed the contract in front of him.

"Why do you care who she was talking to?"

Shang Qingrao frowned, suppressing her dissatisfaction.

"You know I’ve been in contact with Director Du. Everyone in the company knows that I’ve already gone through Director Du’s script.

Although the female lead hasn’t been announced, Director Du has pretty much decided on me.

Jiang Lai knows all this and still did what she did. Isn’t it a bit too much?"

Competing for resources.

This kind of thing, Murong Yan detested the most.

Being a manager, of course he hoped his artists would follow arrangements rather than scheming under his nose with ugly greed.

What Jiang Lai did just now was nothing but blatantly competing for resources.

Shang Qingrao thought Murong Yan would be irritated, disgusted.

But contrary to expectations, he just nodded.

"Yeah, the decision lies with Director Du. If she wants to fight for it, there’s nothing wrong with that."

"But Director Du already agreed to have dinner with me!"

"Qingrao, Director Du agreed to have dinner with me."

Right after he said this.

Murong Yan suddenly realized that everything he was doing now was blatantly favoring Shang Qingrao.

No matter what good resources came, she was the first he thought of.

And Jiang Lai, it seemed like it had been a long time since she had acted.

What she said on stage today must have been an act of desperation.

Otherwise, with her character, she would never have done such a thing.

Looking again at Shang Qingrao, who smoothly received several well-regarded projects under his protection, he realized the stark contrast.

Despite having a husband who controlled all the resources, Jiang Lai seemed like a bird flying against the wind, almost forgotten by the audience, sidelined by him.

Upon this sudden realization, Murong Yan felt a stabbing pain in his chest.

A dense guilt welled up within him.

Next to him, Shang Qingrao saw Murong Yan’s face turn suddenly cold, his shifting expressions making her heart tense.

Did she say something wrong again?

"Warning! Warning!

Heartbeat Value decreasing! Heartbeat Value decreasing!

Heartbeat Value drop: 22

The current Heartbeat Value is below 20, system initiating punishment mode.

Deducting points, two hundred and twenty points, insufficient balance.

Appearance, audience affinity, charm, all dropping below average.

Acting skills falling below average, currently failing."

Shang Qingrao, just about to speak: "..."

After getting out of the car, Shang Qingrao immediately put on a mask.

Murong Yan, who hadn’t been paying much attention to her, frowned and asked.

"Why are you wearing a mask to meet the director?"

"I’m catching a cold, been wanting to sneeze; can’t embarrass myself in front of Director Du."

Upon hearing this, Murong Yan found it strange but didn’t want to say more.

Anyway, after this one meal, he wouldn’t bother further.

Inside the restaurant, Director Du wanted to give Murong Yan some face.

"I’ve met Qingrao before, her appearance meets my requirements.

Let’s do this. I’ll randomly choose a scene for Qingrao to perform. If it’s good, we’ll decide on the female lead today, how about that?"

Upon hearing this, Shang Qingrao instinctively felt overjoyed.

But soon after, she felt a bit guilty and nervous.

The system just told her that her acting had fallen below average. How much is that average?

Besides, acting isn’t like appearance; you can’t just take it away like that.

With her talent, even without the system’s boost, she could still land this role.

So, Director Du picked a solo scene for the female lead from the script.

No props performance, focused mostly on expressions.

Shang Qingrao excused herself to fit the character’s appearance, briefly leaving the room to have her assistant apply some village girl makeup.

When she removed her mask, the assistant was stunned.

The words slipped out of her mouth.

"Sis, isn’t your makeup already done?"

The next second, Shang Qingrao’s expression turned unpleasant and twisted.

She coldly said.

"Yes, but I’m not satisfied; keep applying."

"Then I’ll help you remove the makeup first."

"No need to remove! Didn’t you understand me?! Just apply!"

The assistant was so frightened she froze.

Shaking, she picked up the makeup brush, applying black and gray shading for Shang Qingrao.

While applying, she was filled with doubts.

This makeup on Shang Qingrao’s face is too realistic, as if she actually looks like this.

This must be at least at the level of special effects makeup, right?

But she just got back from the red carpet, where would she find the time for special effects makeup?