Chapter 156: Chapter 142: Buy One, Get One Free! Hopeless

’But by 2022, she’d already be 28. For an actress, that’s when your competitive edge starts to decline, especially for someone who was only mid-tier. So, she switched to the short drama industry, and who would’ve guessed she’d actually blow up there.’

’Right now, it’s 2018. She’s only 24—in the prime of her beauty.’

’A girl with talent and looks like her… isn’t she the perfect choice to be the female lead for a story-driven account?’

’In the era of story-driven accounts, Tiao Yin produced quite a few female influencers with tens of millions of fans. As Second-Life Star, he naturally had to get a piece of that pie. One Lin Leqing obviously wasn’t enough. Adding Li Muchen to the mix would be perfect.’

’Although story-driven videos weren’t quite short dramas, they laid a solid foundation for them. He could give her a shortcut, saving her from a four- or five-year detour. Then, leveraging the fanbase built up from the story-driven account, she could jump straight into short dramas.’

With that thought, Chen Jincheng immediately shook Li Muchen’s hand. “Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hello,” Li Muchen replied politely, but it was *just* politeness.

She had come along with her cousin because she knew who had tricked her. She’d also looked into this Chen Jincheng and knew the guy was a total player.

No one would believe he wasn’t just after her cousin’s good looks.

’I really don’t get how my cousin fell for his tricks, abandoning a perfectly good career path as an actress.’

Seeing there were two people to pick up, Chen Jincheng felt a bit awkward. “Junior, why didn’t you tell me your cousin was coming? My car only has room for one more person.”

“I can take a cab. Just give me the address,” Li Muchen said at once.

Seeing no other option, Chen Jincheng sent the location to Lin Leqing and had her forward it to her cousin.

Once that was done, he invited Lin Leqing into the Lamborghini.

In the cramped space, Lin Leqing seemed to catch a strange scent on her senior. “Senior, what’s that weird smell on you?”

Chen Jincheng was mortified. He knew exactly what it was. He’d spent all night playing a “little secretary and the boss” game with Ximeng. After a night like that, some of her scent was bound to linger on him.

So, he could only explain awkwardly, “I was out with clients at a bar last night and got home really late. I was so exhausted I just crashed without showering. I woke up at nine and had to rush straight over to get you.”

He didn’t even expect his naive junior to believe such an excuse. After all, any man or woman with a little experience could identify that smell.

“You must have had a rough night, Senior. Thank you so much,” Lin Leqing said quickly, thanking him as if nothing was amiss.

’It seems… she believed me.’

’Well then…’

Just then, Lin Leqing’s attention was captured by the Lamborghini.

She knew, of course, that this was an expensive car. She discreetly took out her phone and started taking pictures. For most girls, riding in a luxury car was a completely new and exciting experience.

Chen Jincheng smiled. “Junior, when we get to the office, I’ll have someone from the talent assistance department help you find an apartment.”

The talent assistance department was, of course, there to help artists with their daily schedules and handle various personal matters.

However, at the moment, only three of the company’s talents—Yinyin, Jiang Xiaobai, and Sister Feiye—had been assigned dedicated personal assistants. If any of the other girls had an out-of-town event, the department would arrange for a temporary travel assistant.

And if a group needed to travel for a shoot, an assistant would naturally be there to help with arrangements.

Something like finding an apartment was a simple task for an assistant.

’Speaking of which,’ he thought, ’as my fame grows, Sister Hong did promise to help me recruit a personal assistant. I wonder how that’s going.’

’I have pretty high standards for my personal assistant, after all.’

“Thank you, Senior!” Lin Leqing was grateful for his thoughtfulness, stealing a glance at his profile as she spoke.

The car soon arrived at the Jinmao Building’s parking garage.

Shortly after Chen Jincheng and Lin Leqing got out, a taxi pulled in, and Li Muchen stepped out.

“Cousin!” Lin Leqing ran over and took her hand.

Chen Jincheng led the two women upstairs, making sure to help with the luggage. At the same time, he didn’t miss the chance to chat up Li Muchen. “So, what kind of work do you do?”

“I move between different film crews, shooting various scenes,” Li Muchen explained, phrasing it as elegantly as possible—anything to avoid admitting she was just an extra.

Chen Jincheng had to suppress a laugh. It wasn’t as if he didn’t know she was just an extra. He smiled and said, “Actually, the Tiao Yin platform is growing incredibly fast right now. I believe that in the near future, the prospects for online influencers will be huge—maybe even better than for many stars. Have you ever considered becoming an influencer? You have the potential to be a big hit.”

“Mr. Chen, is that the same line you used on my cousin?” Li Muchen asked, her gaze teasing but her smile clearly appraising him.

’So he’s trying to brainwash me, too,’ she thought. ’But I’m not as naive as my cousin. I won’t be so easily fooled.’

Besides, she’d said it deliberately for her cousin’s benefit.

’If my cousin isn’t a complete fool, she should get the hint. This player has definitely used that line on every pretty girl he’s met. It’s all a scam. Her little brain needs to wake up.’

Lin Leqing did freeze for a moment when she heard that.

Because her senior had, in fact, said something very similar to her.

But then, her face lit up with joy. She was sure her senior was right. Her cousin was so beautiful, she could definitely become a star.

So, she immediately jumped in to help persuade her. “Cousin, Senior said you have potential! He wouldn’t lie to you. Why don’t you give it a try? What’s so great about playing that role as the fifth handmaiden, anyway?”

“…” Hearing this, Li Muchen could only stare at her cousin, completely dumbfounded.

’I have no idea how this little idiot’s brain works. Did she completely miss my obvious hint? Not only is she helping this player try to convince me, but she also just exposed the fact that I’m only an extra!’

Awkward.

Incredibly awkward!

’My cousin is just like someone who’s been sucked into a pyramid scheme—the kind their family can never pull them out of, no matter how hard they try.’

’She’s a lost cause.’

“Mr. Chen, I’m sorry, but I still think acting has a better future,” Li Muchen finally said with a sigh, tactfully declining his offer.

She still believed in the path she had chosen. ’You can’t film anything with a real plot in one of those ten-second Douyin videos.’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep