I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

Qi Yu, dressed in a simple white T-shirt and black jacket, walked in looking travel-worn.

He bowed slightly to Director Fei as he entered, saying, "Director Fei, I apologize for being late."

Qi Yu straightened up, his gaze swept across the private room, lingered on Shu Zi's face for a moment, then curved the corners of his mouth into a smile and nodded to her as a greeting.

Shu Zi returned a polite smile.

Director Fei waved his hand: "It's alright, it's alright, you've come at the perfect time, please have a seat."

Qi Yu sat down in an empty seat opposite him, and as soon as he sat down, he turned his head to look at Shu Zi:

"Teacher Shu, it's nice to see you again."

Shu Zi smiled and said, "Don't call me teacher, it makes me nervous."

Qi Yu grinned, revealing a set of white teeth: "Then I'll call you Sister Zizi."

Upon hearing this, Director Fei glanced between the two men and asked with a smile, "So, you two know each other?"

Shu Zi explained with a smile, "We collaborated on the cover shoot yesterday."

Qi Yu nodded and added, "I'm a fan of Sister Zizi."

Shu Zi chuckled at his remark and quickly waved her hand.

"Alright, alright, I know you are. I felt it when we were shooting the cover yesterday. If you emphasize it again, Director Fei will think I brought my own fans to the set."

Director Fei laughed and was about to reply when the door to the private room was pushed open again.

All eyes turned to that direction simultaneously.

Qu Xuan stood at the door, wearing a neatly tailored beige suit jacket over a matching camisole.

Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her makeup was exquisite yet not overly heavy, giving her a clean and neat demeanor.

Shu Zi's gaze lingered on her for a moment, and she silently sighed in her heart, "She's even prettier in person than in the photos."

Then he added, "Gu Yan really has high standards."

After entering, Qu Xuan nodded slightly to Director Fei, her tone apologetic: "Director Fei, I'm sorry, the traffic was terrible on the way."

Director Fei smiled and waved his hand, gesturing for her to sit down: "It's alright, it's alright, please sit down, we've been waiting for you."

Qu Xuan nodded and sat down in the empty seat next to Qi Yu.

The waiter refilled her teacup, and she picked up the cup, took a small sip, and then put it down, her gaze naturally falling on Shu Zi across from her.

Director Fei followed her gaze and began to introduce with a smile:

"This is Shu Zi. You two are co-leads in this drama, and your roles are quite significant."

He then looked at Shu Zi:

"This is Qu Xuan. She just returned from abroad. You two will have many scenes together in the future, so this is a good opportunity to get to know each other better. Young people like you will become familiar with each other by chatting more."

Qu Xuan looked at Shu Zi and smiled politely: "Hello, Qu Xuan."

Shu Zi smiled and nodded in response, "Hello, Shu Zi, please take care of me in the future."

Director Fei smiled and nodded after the two had greeted each other, then raised his teacup:

"Alright, everyone's here. Let's start with tea instead of wine to wish for a successful collaboration."

Everyone raised their glasses, and the atmosphere in the private room gradually warmed up.

Shu Zi drank a few sips of tea during the meal, chatted with Director Fei about the script, and then got up to go to the restroom during the break between serving the dishes.

She came out of the cubicle and walked to the sink. Just as she turned on the tap, she caught a glimpse of a figure walking out from the side.

She looked up at herself in the mirror and saw Qu Xuan walking out of the cubicle behind her.

Shu Zi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled at her and greeted her naturally, "What a coincidence."

Qu Xuan walked to the sink next to her and smiled slightly: "Mm."

After washing her hands, Shu Zi took a tissue to dry them and was about to turn and leave when Qu Xuan's voice came from behind her:

"Shu Zi".

She stopped and turned around.

Qu Xuan stood in front of the sink, looking at her through the mirror, and said calmly, "I know you."

Shu Zi looked at her without saying anything.

Qu Xuan turned off the tap, turned around, and looked directly at her: "I knew about you two years ago."

Shu Zi raised an eyebrow: "Because of Gu Yan?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Qu Xuan's eyes: "You knew?"

Shu Zi smiled but didn't explain further.

Qu Xuan didn't press further, leaning against the sink and talking to herself:

"At that time, I was abroad. At a friend's gathering, someone casually mentioned your name. Gu Yan hadn't said much until he heard your name, then he looked up at the person."

She paused here:

"I still remember his gaze. He was very focused, as if he was listening to some important news."

"I've known him for so long, and I've never seen him show that kind of expression because of a name."

Shu Zi listened quietly without responding.

Qu Xuan looked at her and continued:

"Later, I asked him privately, and he only said four words: 'She's different.'"

"I only started paying attention to your work after that."

Qu Xuan paused, her gaze frank:

"To be honest, even without Gu Yan's connection, I would have noticed you sooner or later. You have a real talent for acting."

Shu Zi smiled and said, "Thank you."

Qu Xuan smiled, and after a moment of silence, asked, "Are you two together?"

Shu Zi nodded.

Qu Xuan then asked, "You knew I used to have a crush on him?"

Shu Zi nodded again: "He told me."

"What did he say?"

Shu Zi considered it for a moment and said, "He said you are a very outstanding person, but you are not suitable."

Qu Xuan raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "You're actually giving me face."

She stared at Shu Zi for a few seconds, then suddenly asked, "Don't you have anything you want to ask me?"

Shu Zi shrugged:

"What's there to ask? Everyone has the right to pursue someone, and everyone has a past. Besides, you have good taste in men."

She paused, then smiled, "It's a pity he has better taste."

Qu Xuan paused for a moment, then laughed: "Are you praising me or yourself?"

Shu Zi replied calmly, "It was just a small thing."

Qu Xuan smiled and shook his head, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before shifting away, his tone becoming more serious:

"That's great. I've always been curious about what kind of person Gu Yan would say is different from her. Now that I've met her, she really is different."

"You are excellent, but not because of him, you are excellent on your own."

Shu Zi met her gaze and nodded in agreement: "Thank you for the compliment. I also think I am very excellent."

Qu Xuan chuckled at her self-righteous attitude, crossed her arms, and looked at her.

"You're not humble at all."

Shu Zi tilted her head:

"I learned it from you. Look at you, impressive resume, great acting skills, good looks too. You just stand there and act like you're so great."

"If I weren't confident, how could I possibly be paired with you as one of the two female leads?"

Qu Xuan raised an eyebrow: "You've got a sharp tongue too."

"Same to you."

Shu Zi thought for a moment, then added, "Oh, right, about the first and second rounds..."