Rebirth from the Ashes

“The first supporting role,” the staff member spoke with absolute certainty. A pretty face was always the center of attention. The girl just now was a stunner and made for showbiz.

Sure, there were a lot of gorgeous ladies here to audition, but their beauty was overshadowed by the girl; she was Venus who came to life.

Hearing this, Su Ruowan grimaced. Still, she kept a smile on her face. “Thank you.”

The first supporting role!

Su Ruowan flipped her top.

Shen Xi always went out of her way to pick on her. That b*tch must have heard from somewhere that she was going to be the supporting actress of Screenwriter Cloud Seven’s latest TV series. Hence, Shen Xi was here to stir sh*t and make things hard for her.

Li Jingran was turning black in the face too. “Are you sure?”

It was easy to recognize Li Jingran through the mask and shades disguise. Recognizing that it was Li Jingran, the staff member took in the shock before solemnly nodding her head. “It’s the supporting role. I saw her entering the auditioning room with my own eyes.”

Li Jingran thanked her.

The staff member stopped her excitedly. “Ms. Li, I’m a fan of yours. I really like you. Can I trouble you for an autograph?”

Although Li Jingran was overwhelmed with emotions, she nodded and gave the staff her autograph. Her eyes behind the shades were fixated on the auditioning room.

In fact, she could make use of her status and authority to pry. However, Li Jingran did not want to stoop so low to do such a thing for the sake of Shen Xi.

Su Ruowan might be able to get it together then, but she lost her head the minute she found out where Shen Xi was headed. She forced a smile at Li Jingran. “Mom, I can give up the role to Shen Xi if she wants to act.”

Li Jingran’s heart was breaking to witness the bitterness in Su Ruowan’s smile and the sensibleness in her words. “What are you saying? You can’t just give away a role when you’ve acquired it on your own. The part is yours and no one can take it from you.”

Su Ruowan’s tone was raspy. “I’m fine with it. There are going to be more opportunities to come. I’m willing to do anything if it means the roles will ease the tension between Shen Xi and our family.”

Gazing at Su Ruowan, Li Jingran’s mind flew to Shen Xi. The mere thought of the brat made her see red and feel sick to her stomach. At the end of the day, the daughter she raised was the closest to her heart. Li Jingran made up her mind there and then. “Let’s go and sign the contract.”

With the contract signed, they would be bound by a contract with Screenwriter Cloud Seven, leaving Shen Xi, the defiant girl, no choice but to part ways with the role.

Su Ruowan held Li Jingran’s hand and sensibly uttered, “Mom, I don’t have to sign the contract if Shen Xi wanted the supporting role.”

“Oh, you. Why do you always pass on chances to other people?” Li Jingran helplessly sighed and gazed at her. “You can’t let other people step all over you when you go into showbiz.”

“I have you all by my side.” Letting the biggest smile, Su Ruowan sweetly answered before lowering her gaze to hide the smugness in her eyes.

Ha! Shen Xi, the b*tch, stood no chance against her for the role because Screenwriter Cloud Seven had his eyes on Su Ruowan from the start!

Li Jingran also had her fair share of deliberation. Shen Xi seemed to have a way with people and played Jiang Yini and Shu Baiyu to the palm of her hands. Li Jingran’s worst fear was the brat having Mr. Cloud Seven in a spellbind and replacing Wanwan after they were gone.

Hu Zheng remained in the meeting room, waiting for actors who got the parts to come and sign their contracts. Taken aback by Li Jingran and Su Ruowan’s swift return, Hu Zheng quickly beckoned them in and sealed the deal. He saw them off before sending Mr. Cloud Seven a message about the update.

Shen Xi was all alone in the auditioning room for the supporting role. With Hu Zheng’s text message coming in, she tauntingly curled her lips. They took the bait.

Standing by a huge floor-to-ceiling window, she looked down and caught sight of Li Jingran and Su Ruowan exiting the company. The murderous intent and indifference did not go amiss in her eyes.

Li Jingran arrived at the door and looked up at the Cosmos Entertainment building with animosity. Yuan Yu would have to go through her and her husband first for whatever he was pulling. One day, this building, this asset would be the Su family to keep.

Su Ruowan got her wish at last. Holding the contract in her hands, she could feel a weight lifted off. There went Shen Xi’s last hope.

Shen Xi took a fleeting glance before moving her gaze away. Her phone beeped. It was a text message from Yun Jinping, asking when she was expected home. Yun Jinping also mentioned that she took Toffeecito for grooming and sent a photo of it looking puffed up like Simba the lion after a blow-dry.

[Shen Xi: I’ll be back before dinner.]

[Yun Jinping: Come back soon. I’m going to get the groceries later to make your favorite.]

Shen Xi sent a kissing emoji. [Shen Xi: I love you, Mom.]

There was no question that Yun Jinping would have bought Toffeecito toys during a trip to the pet shop. She bought a whole bag of dry food, canned food, catnip, and snacks.

Unlike other cats, Toffeecito did not like to be stuck in a carrier. With its family around, it would cockily strut its stuff after meals like a dog on a leash. It feared no man.

Yun Jinping walked Toffeecito to the groomers without a carrier bag but carried it on her way back because she did not want its fur soiled after a clean wash.

Nevertheless, she needed to make a quick stop at the supermarket. Yun Jinping decided to travel on foot since the pet shop and supermarket were in the neighborhood. They went to the pet shop first before heading to the grocery store.

Looking rather majestic, Toffeecito was seated in the pull cart used by the elderly at the market. It was rather showy and caught the attention of passers-by.

Yun Jinping pulled Toffeecito to walk ahead.

While going past the community gate, Toffeecito suddenly leaped out of the cart and bolted after a man in a wheelchair. Before everyone knew it, Toffeecito had jumped onto the man’s lap.

Yun Jinping nervously pulled her cart to chase after it. She embarrassedly uttered, “I’m sorry, Sir. Our darling Toffeecito can be up to mischief.”

The man in the wheelchair lifted his chin and nodded at her. Caressing Toffeecito’s fluffy head, he smiled. “It’s okay. It’s adorable.”

At a loss for words, Yun Jinping’s breath was taken away by the man’s good looks. The man had an attractive mien to him that made her doubt that he was real. Realizing her lack of manners, Yun Jinping cleared her throat. “It’s so cheeky sometimes. I hope Toffeecito didn’t scare you..”