The President Made Me Trend

Before the scandal, there might have been a chance, but now Shen Meng couldn’t believe such luck would come her way.

The director, flashing a grin full of yellowed teeth, replied, “I believe every valuable actor experiences some gossip in their career. While it may seem like ridicule, it also greatly increases their fame. Miss Shen, you’re exactly the right fit for what I’m looking for. So, what do you think?”

“Of course, I’m willing,” Shen Meng blurted out eagerly, grasping the director’s hand in gratitude. “Thank you for still believing in me. I can only repay you by proving with my acting skills that you made the right choice.”

However, her gesture gave the director an opportunity. He immediately clasped her soft hand, a satisfied expression on his face. “No wonder you’re a famous actress; your hands are so well-maintained, they feel different from other women’s.”

“Director, please…” Shen Meng realized her mistake, but it was too late to pull her hand back as he held it tightly, chuckling.

“Please what? Didn’t you just say you couldn’t repay my kindness? Actually, there’s something I forgot to mention. I have a rule for casting: before filming starts, there’s a need for a ‘rehearsal’ night. Since you’re such an excellent actress, you wouldn’t refuse, right?”

Rehearsal? Shen Meng knew the director’s intentions were far from innocent. She withdrew her hand with disgust, wiping it repeatedly. “What do you mean?”

She should have known. The goddess of fortune was too distant to suddenly favor her. The director’s real intention was to take advantage of her, not to offer her a role.

The director, no longer hiding his intentions, sneered, “Miss Shen, since you’re smart, let’s not beat around the bush. No one else is offering you roles, and you need to make a living. I can provide that opportunity, but you’ll need to spend a night with me to earn it.”

Feeling humiliated, Shen Meng stood up and splashed the cold water from her glass onto his face, cursing, “Get lost, you filthy scoundrel! Even if I starve, I won’t trade my body for a role. Look at yourself, thinking you can have a swan when you’re just a toad!”

With that, Shen Meng left the café with her head held high, ignoring the director’s angry face. But once she got back to her car, her arrogance vanished. She collapsed onto the steering wheel, tears streaming down her face, questioning why her life had come to this, why she had to endure such humiliation just to act.

Her agent, hearing about the incident, worried Shen Meng might do something rash, came to visit. She found Shen Meng with swollen eyes, holding a drink, clearly intoxicated and hopeless.

Sighing, the agent advised, “Shen Meng-Jie, maybe you should make peace with Mo Qinghuan. Her status in showbiz was already significant, and now, as Mr. Lu’s wife, if she gives you a chance, you’ll have a shot at a comeback.”

“What? You want me to beg her? How could you even suggest that?” Shen Meng shattered her glass, looking at her agent with disdain. “Even you look down on me now? You think I have to grovel to Mo Qinghuan to survive?”

“That’s not what I meant,” the agent quickly explained. “But everyone knows Mo Qinghuan is this year’s Best Actress contender. If she speaks up, which director would dare refuse her?”

This wasn’t just the agent’s suggestion; it was a decision made after much deliberation within the company. If Shen Meng wanted to continue in the industry, she couldn’t afford to be at odds with Mo Qinghuan, who was now out of her league.

The next morning.

Mo Qinghuan was still resting when her phone rang with a call from Huo-Jie. As soon as she answered, Huo-Jie’s slightly mischievous laughter came through. “Haha, Qinghuan, sorry to wake you so early, but I couldn’t wait to share some news.”

“What is it, Huo-Jie?” Mo Qinghuan’s voice carried a hint of reluctance. After all, who wants to be woken up early during their honeymoon?

However, her years as an actress instilled a discipline that made her sit up, glancing at Lu Yucheng, who seemed to be waking up as well. Mo Qinghuan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety for Huo-Jie, who was notoriously afraid of Lu Yucheng. If she knew he was also woken up by the call, would she be scared enough to toss her phone away?

Unaware of the situation, Huo-Jie eagerly shared, “Ever since Shen Meng’s reputation plummeted, she’s been so desperate for money that a director demanded she spend a night with him for a role. Isn’t that hilarious? Imagine how high and mighty she used to be. She probably never dreamed she’d end up like this.”

“Perhaps the director knew she was desperate for work and took advantage,” Mo Qinghuan replied nonchalantly, though she found it unnecessary for Huo-Jie to call so early to share such trivial news. The chaos in showbiz was no secret, with more and more unscrupulous individuals posing as directors to exploit actors.

“By the way, Qinghuan, if Shen Meng comes to you for help, what will you do?” Huo-Jie hadn’t admitted to tipping off Mrs. Li, but she was curious about how Mo Qinghuan would handle Shen Meng’s plea for mercy.

With a cold smile, Mo Qinghuan responded firmly, “Even if Shen Meng’s situation worsens, I won’t lend a hand. I’m not so kind-hearted as to forgive everyone.”

Recalling how Shen Meng not only tarnished her reputation but also insulted Little Bun, Mo Qinghuan resolved to watch her fade from showbiz without lifting a finger.

Hearing this, Huo-Jie seemed relieved. They had worked hard to ruin Shen Meng’s reputation and didn’t want her to have a chance at a comeback. Otherwise, all their efforts would have been in vain.

As Huo-Jie continued to chat, Lu Yucheng’s voice finally broke through with irritation, “You’re not at the company, so Huo-Jie and the others must be quite free to make long-distance calls for a chat. If they’re really that idle, I could assign them more work, so they know what it’s like to be woken up from a deep sleep.”

Though his voice sounded lazy to Mo Qinghuan, to Huo-Jie, it was the most terrifying tone imaginable!