Out of control and sinking

Jiang Ruan stuck out her tongue, her dimples deepening, making her bright and beautiful face even more captivating: "I'm just telling the truth."

"That's what everyone thinks."

"Right? Right?"

She turned to them and asked, her tone playful and adorable.

Everyone laughed at her and nodded, "Yes, yes, yes."

Bai Yi's eyes held a smile, his whole demeanor gentle and refined as he gazed at Jiang Ruan.

At that moment, a vibrant red, even more striking than the female lead's, came into view.

Li Xin walked over wearing a red halter dress and high heels, which made a clicking sound. She had bright red lips and wavy hair, and looked charming and alluring.

She was wearing heavy makeup.

Completely different from her usual attire, her dress featured a side slit, revealing her long, slender legs, making her incredibly sexy.

But for some reason, perhaps because of her appearance, her sexy outfit always gives people a strange feeling.

Especially that big, wavy hair.

I suddenly feel ten years older.

"It's been a long time, everyone." Li Xin smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I've really missed you all."

Then nobody wanted to talk to her.

Hearing this and seeing her attire, everyone couldn't help but mutter to themselves.

She's clearly the second female lead, but she's dressed like this—is she deliberately trying to steal the spotlight from the female lead?
Isn't this just asking for trouble?
I reckon tomorrow's headlines will definitely be about Li Xin in a sexy red dress, her presence overshadowing the main character.

Everyone knew Li Xin was scheming, so no one wanted to talk to her.

A minute passed.

No one has paid any attention to Li Xin yet.

Li Xin's face immediately turned pale, but she forced herself not to lash out.

Jiang Ruan looked at her with interest, seemingly finding it amusing, and said with a smile, "I miss you too."

These words directly gave Li Xin a way out.

But Li Xin didn't appreciate it.

Just then, the director came over.

Today is the press conference for the new drama, and the director is happier than anyone else: "Everyone is here!"

"Our entire crew is all together again, hahaha."

Everyone greeted them.

Bai Yi smiled and said, "Yes."

Just then, Director Zhang's surprised voice rang out: "Li Xin, why are you dressed like this?"

Director Zhang frowned, looking at Li Xin's attire, which was simply indecent!
This is a press conference for a new drama, not a modeling competition!
Is she dressed like that to deliberately intimidate someone?

When the director asked a question, everyone watched the show unfold.

Li Xin said innocently, "Director Zhang, is there a problem with me wearing this outfit? I specially chose this red color for the sake of our new drama becoming a huge hit. It's so festive!"

"Isn't it beautiful?"

The director, too lazy to watch her act, turned to Li Xin's agent and asked, "Did she bring any other dresses?"

The agent said, "No, this is the only one."

He tried to persuade her, but Li Xin wouldn't listen.

I just wanted to steal the spotlight by wearing this outfit.

He didn't bother to care.

The director gritted his teeth in anger, not even glancing at Li Xin, and told Bai Yi and Jiang Ruan to talk.

With only three people, the director finally lost his temper: "Look at what she's dressed like, showing her cleavage and legs. Anyone who didn't know better would think that the second female lead in 'The Legend of Concubine Jin' is a sexy celebrity."

The sarcastic and unforgiving tone was utterly unforgiving.

Jiang Ruan almost couldn't help but laugh. She smiled and said, "It's okay. If she dresses sexy, it'll give our new drama free publicity. She'll definitely be on the front page tomorrow."

Bai Yi continued, "It's a free headline, which is great value."

The two bantered back and forth, making the director laugh.

But looking at Jiang Ruan, he sighed again: "I'm afraid she'll steal the spotlight from you as the female lead."

"Everyone in the crew knows how Li Xin is acting, but the audience doesn't."

Not long after filming wrapped up, Li Xin's fans started criticizing Jiang Ruan online.

The two fans engaged in a heated argument, which remained a trending topic for over half a month.

The director is aware of this.

"Don't worry, Director Zhang." Jiang Ruan said wisely, her eyes bright. "What's mine can't be taken away by anyone. I believe the public has discerning eyes."

"Besides, everyone is an actor. Actors exist to make films, and everyone is the protagonist of their own story." After listening, Bai Yi exclaimed, "Well said."

"It's a good thing to have this kind of awareness; many people in the entertainment industry don't have it."

Director Zhang was also impressed by her words: "Okay, then I have no other concerns."

"Everyone, get ready, we'll probably be going on stage soon."

Bai Yi and Jiang Ruan said in unison, "Okay."

The two were both taken aback, exchanged a smile, and then went to the makeup artist to touch up their makeup.

Ten minutes later, the press conference for the new drama officially began.

The scene was packed with people.

Dozens of reporters stood in the audience, carrying cameras.

To maintain order at the scene, hundreds of security guards were stationed on all sides.

"Let's welcome all the actors from 'The Legend of Concubine Jin' to the stage," the host announced.

A burst of applause immediately erupted from the audience.

Jiang Ruan and Bai Yi were the first to go on stage, followed by Li Xin and the other actors.

The flashbulbs shone on everyone's face.

Before going on stage, Director Zhang had told everyone about the positioning. Jiang Ruan and Bai Yi were to stand in the middle, which was the center position.

Li Xin stood next to Jiang Ruan.

But after going on stage, Li Xin ran to Bai Yi's other side.

Right next to Bai Yi, Jiang Ruan and the other person sandwiched Bai Yi in the middle.

The bright red color is particularly eye-catching.

At first glance, it seems as if she is the female lead and is a couple with Bai Yi.

Li Xin smiled brightly at the camera, her red lips curving upwards, radiating a triumphant air.

Jiang Ruan glanced at her, then looked away, a faint sneer on her lips.

Seeing what was happening on stage, the fans below started discussing it amongst themselves.

"What's going on? Is Li Xin deliberately stealing the spotlight from my Jiang Ruan?"

"Exactly! Who is she trying to seduce by dressing like that for a special occasion!"

"Li Xin is so scheming!"

But I have to say, she looks pretty hot in that dress, haha, and she's so fair-skinned. You all probably know what I mean.

"Pfft, you're such a scoundrel."

What Jiang Ruan didn't expect was that the next image on the big screen, placed right next to Bai Yi, was also of Li Xin.

At first, Jiang Ruan didn't notice anything amiss; she only noticed that the color of the screen on the back had changed.

The host continued to speak.

Until the fans in the audience voiced their dissatisfaction.

"What's going on? Is Jiang Ruan or Li Xin the female lead? What kind of promotional image is this? Are you kidding me?"

Jiang Ruan then turned her head and was stunned when she saw that Li Xin was in the center of the big screen.

Turning his head, he saw Li Xin looking at him provocatively, as if to say, "What can you do to me?"
Li Xin feigned surprise: "Oh dear, what's going on with this picture? How come I'm in the very center?"

"How can this be? The female lead is Jiang Ruan."

"Director, what should we do?"

That's pretentious and affected.

Innocent and kind.

The sound was transmitted through the microphone to everyone's ears, including Director Zhang's.

Director Zhang glanced at Li Xin but ignored her.

How could I not know what she was thinking?

Jiang Ruan walked over and asked Director Zhang, "What's going on, Director?"

Director Zhang: "I don't know either, how did it turn out like this?"

"I'll go take a look."

"it is good."

Soon, the photo on the big screen was changed.

Jiang Ruan and Bai Yi ended up in the center position.

Li Xin was inconspicuous in a corner behind the crowd.