Gorgeous Female Tenants

Chapter 205: The Trouble Caused by the Column

Ouyang Jiahui gently patted Gu Xinyan’s hand, comforting her: "You really don’t need to worry about this. I’ll tell you a little secret. I’ve interviewed Director Feng before and learned about his preferences. He doesn’t like using pretty boys or flower vases; he uses actors who can really act. Whether you’re pretty or not isn’t his focus; what he cares about is whether you can express the emotions he wants according to the script. So don’t worry, he won’t discriminate against you."

Gu Xinyan showed a relieved smile: "Thank you, Sister Jia Hui, you’re a good person."

"Let me teach you how to act, then you can go back to your room and practice in front of the mirror. Although acting can be cultivated, it also requires talent. Some people are born actors, acting without effort."

When Xu Xiangbei finished showering, wiped his somewhat damp hair, and hummed a tune, he entered the living room again. Gu Xinyan had already returned to her room, and he could hear her rehearsing lines and practicing audition scripts behind the closed door.

"That girl is really persistent, hiding in her room to practice. She’s afraid she won’t pass and might end up crying."

Ouyang Jiahui gave Xu Xiangbei a light glance: "That’s not how you should put it. Xin Yan is working hard for her dreams. Even if it doesn’t succeed, at least she’s made an effort, unlike some people who are afraid even before starting, scared of failure. Such people will never succeed."

Xu Xiangbei laughed with irritation: "Is that your indirect way of criticizing me? I’m not arguing with you. I’m just here for support; whether she succeeds or not is up to fate. Let me clarify, I’m not worried about her failing, I’m just preparing her for failure so she won’t be caught off guard."

Ouyang Jiahui rolled her eyes at Xu Xiangbei and continued typing on her laptop, the keyboard clicking loudly.

She was chewing gum, her small feet with crystal nail polish bare and on display. Despite her unappealing chaotic hair, her delicate face and jade-like feet indicated the makings of a beauty.

Xu Xiangbei sat closely next to Ouyang Jiahui, sniffing casually without obvious intent.

Smells good.

"Writing away, my dear niece?"

Ouyang Jiahui pulled slightly away from him, guarded: "Yes, I’m about to finalize my draft. I have to write an article about the Jiangcheng fashion show. My boss is skeptical about my trip to Jiangcheng; if I don’t submit an article, he’ll think I came here for fun."

Xu Xiangbei pulled out his laptop as well and began playing Ancient Moon Red Dust.

It’s a lonely game, not yet online, still in single-player testing phase.

But thinking about how Ancient Moon Red Dust might become a popular online game in Huaxia someday, earning him a pile of silver, playing it made Xu Xiangbei happy.

Suddenly, he heard Ouyang Jiahui exclaim in surprise, her eyes filled with guilt as she stared at him.

Xu Xiangbei narrowed his eyes, sensing trouble, and jokingly teased Ouyang Jiahui: "What’s going on? Did you upload my bare photos online? Seriously, if you want to look, just look; why take pictures?"

Ouyang Jiahui pushed Xu Xiangbei, her face reddening with embarrassment and urgency: "What nonsense are you spouting? I don’t have any interest in taking your pictures. Your designer girlfriend is in trouble."

Xu Xiangbei was puzzled: "What designer girlfriend of mine? You’re talking about Sun Jiajia? How is she in trouble? What’s going on? Stop keeping me in suspense and spill it."

Ouyang Jiahui grabbed Xu Xiangbei’s arm, pulling him to her seat, pointing at the computer screen: "Come, have a look."

Xu Xiangbei looked at the computer screen; it was a cover of Jade Maiden’s Rainbow Robe magazine, dated for tomorrow. It hadn’t been printed yet and would be released tomorrow.

The magazine has a section called "Newcomer’s Review," which, as its name suggests, reviews designers and models new to the industry.

Clicking on the section, Xu Xiangbei saw words that filled him with anger.

The article dismissed Sun Jiajia’s designs as worthless and mocked her for being big-chested but brainless, resorting to personal attacks.

Seeing Xu Xiangbei’s darkened expression, Ouyang Jiahui hurriedly raised her hand to explain: "I didn’t write this. Look closely, the name at the bottom is Simon, not me."

Xu Xiangbei was annoyed with Ouyang Jiahui: "I don’t care who wrote it. This is sheer nonsense. You’re the editor; you have the power to decide which articles get published in the magazine and which don’t. You need to pull this article from publication."

Ouyang Jiahui appeared troubled: "Actually, I don’t have that much authority as editor. The final decision for each issue rests with my boss. I only manage my sections, and this section belongs to Simon. I don’t have the power to retract this article."

Seeing Ouyang Jiahui’s innocent face, Xu Xiangbei realized he blamed her wrongly and softened his tone: "Who is Simon?"

Ouyang Jiahui looked confused: "He’s the editor for the Newcomer’s Review section, a pretty obnoxious guy; I don’t like him. There’s one thing I’m puzzled about. How did this guy come to focus on Sun Jiajia? He didn’t attend the Jiangcheng fashion show, yet he knows about Sun Jiajia. It’s obviously meddling, I suspect..."

Xu Xiangbei anxiously asked: "Suspect what? Someone intentionally wanted him to write this?"

Ouyang Jiahui’s face showed a confident smile: "You guessed correctly. Have to admit, you’ve got some brain after all. Do you know why I dislike him?"

Xu Xiangbei spoke irritably: "How would I know why you dislike him? He’s probably either ugly or a fool, otherwise he wouldn’t write irresponsibly."

Ouyang Jiahui smiled mysteriously: "On the contrary, he’s quite handsome and smart. I dislike him because he lacks professional ethics. For money, he’d do anything; he’s a downright villain. That’s why I avoid him except for work-related interactions. But this guy..."

Xu Xiangbei looked disdainfully at Ouyang Jiahui: "Are you about to say that despite your dislike for Simon, he’s obsessed with you and has always had a crush, trying to pursue you?"

"Ha, you must be a worm in my stomach; how do you know so much?"

Xu Xiangbei replied reluctantly: "I’m not interested in knowing your petty matters. Just tell me directly, how do we get this article pulled?"

"This magazine is set for release tomorrow morning; it’s still in drafting stage. We need to find my boss and convince him not to approve Simon’s publication of this article."

Xu Xiangbei confidently assured Ouyang Jiahui: "If you help get rid of this article, I’ll teach you the thirty-six moves of Dragon Tiger Divine Fist, plus three super ultimate moves. Then, even your grandpa couldn’t defeat you."