Chapter 176
In the end, the two didn't go to the movie theater.
Since they had decided not to go public for now, they couldn't act too brazenly. They must not underestimate netizens nowadays - even if they were wrapped up like zongzi, netizens with fiery eyes could still recognize them. It just so happened that there was also a home theater in the courtyard, so watching at home would be the same.
Zhong Ruanxing had loved watching comedies since she was little. She had seen many, many reruns of the works of comedians from China and abroad. She really never got tired of them.
After the lights were turned off, the basement home theater immediately became pitch black. The projector clicked as it started operating, projecting a clear picture onto the screen.
When Song Jinxing came in carrying the washed fruit, Zhong Ruanxing had already adjusted the picture. She asked him, "Have you seen this one?"
He took a look and shook his head.
Zhong Ruanxing was shocked. "You haven't even seen such a classic movie?" She switched to another one. "How about this?"
Song Jinxing said, "Haven't seen that one either."
Zhong Ruanxing looked down on him disdainfully. "You're so uncultured."
She reached out and pulled him to sit next to her. With their bodies swapped, their strength was really unequal. Song Jinxing helplessly allowed himself to be bundled into her arms. "Does it have to be in this position?"
Zhong Ruanxing nuzzled his forehead with her chin, looking very satisfied. "Mm-hmm, it's comfortable to hold you like this."
Finding it rather uncomfortable and awkward instead, Song Jinxing could only go along with her.
Zhong Ruanxing picked her favorite comedy with the remote control. "Today I'll broaden your horizons. Pay close attention. After you've watched it, write a thousand-word review."
Song Jinxing: "......" He was silent for two seconds. "Do I really have to write it?"
Zhong Ruanxing: "Hahaha, just kidding!" She leaned down and kissed his face with a loud smack. "Baby, you're so gullible."
The corner of Song Jinxing's eye twitched. He closed his eyes in exasperation for a moment before opening them again. In the dim projected light, his cold eyes glinted with faint dangerous signals. He called her name in a low voice, "Zhong Ruanxing." His tone was chilly. "You're quite brazen right now."
She pouted, hearing the implicit threat in his words. "You'd better pray that we never swap back."
Zhong Ruanxing finally behaved herself.
As the saying goes, always leave yourself a way out for the future. She shouldn't take advantage of the body swap to do as she pleased. She bundled him into her arms again and sat up straight. "Alright alright, let's watch the movie."
Song Jinxing laughed silently.
The happy days flew by in the blink of an eye.
They didn't have many days off to begin with, and time passed even faster with the two of them together. When Ran Ting called, Song Jinxing knew their vacation was over.
The Zhong Ruanxing now was no longer the arrogant nobody she once was. From the reactions of the people around her as they entered the company building, it was evident she now had the status of the company's top actress.
From the moment they entered the elevator, every person they met enthusiastically and politely greeted Song Jinxing.
Some called her Sister Ruanxing, some called her Teacher Zhong. She now clearly enjoyed the treatment of the company's number one actress.
Before this, the number one actress at Shèng Entertainment was Cheng Xitian under Weng Hanzhi. Previously, for Cheng Xitian's sake, Weng Hanzhi had let Zhong Ruanxing do as she pleased. She never expected the tide to turn, and now Zhong Ruanxing had become the company's hottest actress. Weng Hanzhi went from resentment to regret, watching Ran Ting rocket upwards with Zhong Ruanxing. Her intestines were turning green with envy.
All this status, glory, fame, benefits - they should have belonged to her!
Seeing Ran Ting walking into the office beaming, holding a huge stack of documents, Cheng Xitian said sarcastically, "Sister Weng, don't just watch. Now the company's best resources have all been taken by Ran Ting, leaving us only the leftovers that others didn't want. You should fight for some for me too."
Weng Hanzhi was already annoyed, and Cheng Xitian's sarcasm made her even more irritated. She frowned and spoke unpleasantly, "I do want to fight for you, but you have to prove yourself first. Look at the state of your data now - it's plummeting. If you had Zhong Ruanxing's popularity, of course I could help you get resources. Isn't it your own incompetence?"
Cheng Xitian became popular as soon as she debuted. At that time, Weng Hanzhi had treated her like a little princess.
Now seeing her popularity decline, Weng Hanzhi's attitude had turned 180 degrees. Cheng Xitian gave a cold laugh. "If I had Zhong Ruanxing's ability, what would I need you for? Oh, when I was popular, you relied on my popularity to get resources and make business deals - that was thanks to you? Now that I'm not popular, you can't get me any resources at all. What kind of agent are you? You might as well go be a leech instead."
Weng Hanzhi was already familiar with her princess temper. When it wasn't directed at her, she didn't care. Experiencing it for the first time now, she was so angry she slammed the table. "Cheng Xitian! What's your attitude when talking to me? You still think you're the company's number one?"
Cheng Xitian was also furious. "I was pushed from the number one spot by Zhong Ruanxing. All these years I still haven't been able to make it to first-tier. That's because you're incompetent! You didn't take Zhong Ruanxing seriously before, and now you regret it? Let me tell you, if you don't take me seriously now, in the future I'll also make you regret it!"
Weng Hanzhi was so angry her body shook twice, stumbling back into the office chair behind her.
But Cheng Xitian's words sobered her from her previous jealous regret. Things were already so bad between her and Zhong Ruanxing that their relationship could no longer be salvaged. Right now, the only card she still had to compete with Zhong Ruanxing was Cheng Xitian. If she lost even this card, then she would have really lost.
Weng Hanzhi was indeed a veteran of the industry. She quickly calmed herself and squeezed out a smile. "Little Tian, I misspoke earlier. We shouldn't be adversaries. You're right that I should be fighting for these resources for you. Our interests are aligned - we can't fight among ourselves."
Cheng Xitian huffed. Sitting on the sofa, she crossed her legs and said, "As long as you know. Right now, Zhong Ruanxing and I are in an uneven match. For her resources, we'll take what we can get, and what we can't get, we can't let her obtain so easily. I heard that huge IP adaptation that the company invested in, Ran Ting fought to get it for her. But on the production side, they haven't finalized the casting yet."
Weng Hanzhi fell into thought. "You mean 'The Female Investigator'?"
Cheng Xitian nodded. "Right, that novel became super popular. With such a huge IP, as long as the script isn't botched, an adapted drama is likely to explode. Even if the company favors Zhong Ruanxing, as long as the producers haven't finalized it, we still have a chance. Set up a situation for me to meet the production team."
Weng Hanzhi smiled. "No problem, leave this to me."
While they were discussing this IP "The Female Investigator", in the office on the other side, Ran Ting was handing the script of "The Female Investigator" to Song Jinxing.
"This is the biggest drama investment by the company this year. The original novel already has high popularity. It's a palace power struggle drama centered around the main female lead, and many young actresses are vying for this role. Although our company has a small investment share and no decision-making power, I've discussed with the company that at least no one from our side will compete with you for this role. I've contacted the production team, and they want to meet you."
Song Jinxing briefly looked through the script. The main female lead role was indeed suitable for Zhong Ruanxing's future development. "Then let's meet them."
Ran Ting looked grave. "But from my investigation, this producer doesn't seem to have a good reputation. We should fight for this opportunity, but if it touches any bottom lines, it's better to give up this chance."
Song Jinxing neither agreed nor disagreed. "Since they want to meet me, we'll meet them."
Whether they were friend or foe, they would naturally find out upon meeting. If there really were shameless people trying to cross the line, he didn't mind loosening their joints a bit.