Part 44:Are you and Song really not dating?
"Are you and Song really not dating?"
At the event, Zoe bumped into Liu Qingqing, her co-star from a previous show.
Zoe chuckled helplessly. "I've clarified this so many times, Qingqing."
"Well, you two keep trending online." Qingqing shot her a skeptical glance, then added, "Or... are you two collaborating? Running a marketing stunt together?"
"It's purely coincidental. Even if Song wanted to do marketing, he wouldn't team up with me." Zoe pointed to her own face. "Would you, Qingqing, pick a newbie like me for a marketing ploy that wouldn't even help you?"
Qingqing nodded thoughtfully. "You've got a point."
Zoe silently breathed a sigh of relief.
"But it's still strange." Qingqing shook her head, intrigued. "Has Song suddenly changed his ways? Interacting with people now?"
Zoe didn't know how to respond. Apparently, everyone was puzzled about the same thing—just how distant and reserved Song used to be.
After the event, Qingqing suddenly remembered something. "Oh, by the way, I heard your company's preparing a big production. They even sent me an audition invite."
Zoe froze. "What production?"
Noticing Zoe's genuine surprise, Qingqing asked, "You don't know? It's Spring Frost, that palace drama. I thought your company would prioritize internal talents for auditions. Isn't this the company's flagship project this year? Word is they spent millions just to secure the IP. The novel is insanely popular; practically every actress is eyeing this one."
Zoe forced a smile. "Maybe my schedule didn't align, so my agent didn't tell me."
Qingqing seemed to buy the explanation. "Makes sense. You must be getting plenty of offers from external projects now."
After the event, Zoe confronted Lan. "What's the deal with Spring Frost?"
Lan didn't seem surprised, as if she'd anticipated this conversation.
"You've heard about it?"
"Qingqing asked me about it directly. I didn't even know our company was preparing such a big production." Zoe's expression turned cold. "I had no idea this was in the works."
Lan sighed softly. "It's true the project has been the center of attention. But the company doesn't want you in it."
"Why?" Zoe's voice sharpened. "The drama has so many female roles. Everyone knows it's a top-tier project, even the palace maid roles are highly coveted. And they couldn't even find me one part?"
Lan hesitated, looking at Zoe with a mix of guilt and helplessness. Finally, she said, "The company wants you to take on Yuehai TV's rom-com instead."
Zoe's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why?"
"They offered a very high paycheck and agreed to bundle three major supporting roles for the company's rookies," Lan explained. "You know the company has signed many newcomers; they need exposure."
Zoe let out a bitter laugh. "So, I'm being sacrificed for others now? I didn't realize I was capable of securing roles for others."
"Don't get too upset. I haven't agreed to anything yet. I'm still negotiating," Lan reassured her.
"Do you think negotiations will work?" Zoe asked coldly.
Lan fell silent.
"I don't even have the right to refuse, do I?" Zoe added, her voice icy.
Lan sighed heavily.
"Lan, tell me the truth," Zoe demanded. "Is the female lead for Spring Frost Wei Ruxue?"
Lan hesitated before replying, "It hasn't been finalized, but... she's the top candidate right now."
"She doesn't want me in the show, does she?"
A flicker of frost glinted in Zoe's eyes.