DTBS - Chapter 46
Chapter 46: Contact Name
"Long time no see, Teacher Ming," Ming Siwen pushed open the door of the makeup room and greeted the woman sitting in front of the mirror. "I didn't expect us to work together again."
"Teacher Ming," because the makeup artist was applying lipstick for her, Qin Qingshang only slightly tilted her head and used the gap to greet her. "I really didn't expect us to work together again."
She also didn't expect Ming Siwen to return to filming TV dramas after venturing into movies and winning awards. Shouldn't she be using that momentum to continue dominating the film industry?
Ming Siwen sat down beside her, waiting for the makeup artist to apply her makeup. She stared at the woman in the mirror and said softly, "I've already restrained my fans online. I hope the IOM matter hasn't affected Teacher Qin."
"Sister Qin, can you lift your head?" The makeup artist raised her hand and gently tilted her face.
Qin Qingshang followed the makeup artist's request, slightly raising her neck, unable to speak for a moment.
Ming Siwen didn't mind and continued, "However, Jiang Yueping was wrong in this matter. Although the online public opinion hasn't completely turned around yet, I believe it won't be long before Director Ning and Director Niu's clarifications spread across the entire internet, giving Teacher Qin justice."
After finishing her makeup, Qin Qingshang thanked the makeup artist, then turned and smiled politely, "Thank you, Teacher Ming."
The makeup artist was from Director Ning's team and knew exactly what makeup suited both of them. She picked up her tools and began applying makeup for Ming Siwen. "Teacher Ming, can I use hawthorn red lipstick? It really highlights your skin tone."
"Yes," Ming Siwen nodded.
Seeing Ming Siwen close her eyes for makeup, Qin Qingshang had no desire to chat with her. She simply took out her phone and opened the chat window with Tao Qiuyun. The latest message was a picture: blue sky, white clouds, and a small river.
【Tao Qiuyi: (Scenery photo)】
【Big Cat: [Cat giving a thumbs up]】
【Big Cat: Did CEO Tao sleep well?】
【Tao Qiuyi: Slept for a long time. Miss Qin isn't filming?】
【Big Cat: Changing makeup. Ming Siwen came over this afternoon. I'm shooting promotional photos with her first [Cat thinking]】
【Tao Qiuyi: I just wanted to ask, why did Miss Qin suddenly start sending cat emojis?】
【Big Cat: Qinqin saw my phone that day and said she really liked this cat. How about it? Does CEO Tao think it's cute?】
【Big Cat: [Cat peeking]】
【Tao Qiuyi: Cute!】
Seeing the exclamation mark, Qin Qingshang smiled.
"Teacher Qin," Ming Siwen stared at the mirror, slightly raising an eyebrow. "You look very happy. Is the person you're chatting with very interesting?"
"It's nothing," Qin Qingshang put away her phone and said calmly, "I just remembered something happy."
"Did your wife give birth?" The makeup artist had gotten quite familiar with Qin Qingshang during this time and instinctively picked up on the joke, making a playful remark.
Qin Qingshang was startled, glanced at Ming Siwen in the mirror, and couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, her eyes curving into crescents: "Yes, yes, my wife gave birth."
Tao Qiuyun was a married person now. Even if it was just a contractual marriage, the marriage certificate was real and protected by law. Those with ulterior motives should stop dreaming.
Ming Siwen: "…" Why did that glance feel a little provocative?
Was it her imagination?
The makeup artist finished Ming Siwen's makeup. "Can both teachers go to the set now? I'll check the lighting and adjust it, then we can do the hairstyles."
Both actresses were very familiar with the camera and knew the impact of different lighting intensities on makeup. So they got up one after another and headed to the shooting location.
"Miss Qin, do you know Tao Qiuyun?" The makeup artist was quite far away, and after confirming she couldn't hear, Ming Siwen finally unfolded her hidden agenda.
"Of course I know her," Qin Qingshang's expression didn't change, and her voice was steady. "The CEO of Chunjin Group, I doubt anyone wouldn't know her, right?"
"You know what kind of 'knowing' I'm talking about." Ming Siwen tilted her head slightly, observing her. "Miss Qin, you are indeed very beautiful. Even in the entertainment industry, your looks are top-notch. I imagine it would be hard for anyone to resist if someone like you sincerely tried to seduce them."
"What evidence do you have that I'm seducing her?" Qin Qingshang stopped, looking at Ming Siwen. "Or is it that Miss Ming herself wants to do this but can't, so you're imagining that I would do the same?"
"When I went to IOM for a photoshoot, I heard that CEO Tao came to inspect the set on a whim," Ming Siwen also stopped, standing opposite her. "Why do you think the CEO of Chunjin Group would go to the IOM set to see an actress?"
"What, are you trying to say that CEO Tao went specifically for you?" Qin Qingshang didn't fall into her trap.
Seeing that she remained composed, Ming Siwen smiled and deliberately provoked her: "Yes, CEO Tao went specifically for me. Not only did she send afternoon tea to everyone on set, but she also invited me to her lounge to chat. Do you know? Her lounge has a bed, a very soft one."
"So you're trying to say you slept with Tao Qiuyun, is that right?" Qin Qingshang blinked. "Miss Ming, I'm not interested in your private affairs. If you want to share, I'm afraid you've found the wrong person."
Trying to sow discord? You can stop your scheming now.
She saw it clearly at the time, Ming Siwen didn't even enter the lounge. Besides, based on her actual interactions and careful observation, Tao Qiuyun was clearly a UR-level frigid person. She was the type who, if you tried to act seductive or dance naked in front of her, would take off her coat and put it on you, then say, "Dance with your clothes on." A complete blockhead.
Damn it, speaking of this, she remembered eating at West Wind Courtyard that day. She even acted spoiled, but that Tao Qiuyun still wouldn't give her meat. She had a little confidence in her looks, but Tao Qiuyun had absolutely no reaction at the time, only caring about eating meat!
Maybe she wasn't interested in women at all!
She actually once misunderstood that CEO Tao liked her. It was truly embarrassing to think about.
If it weren't for the daughter from the parallel dimension, Tao Qiuyun definitely wouldn't have gotten married, and definitely wouldn't be so good to her.
As for the meowing sounds at the Tao family old house, she now highly suspected Qinqin misheard. How could that Cold-faced Guanyin have such vulgar thoughts?
Impossible, absolutely impossible.
Seeing that she stubbornly refused to mention her relationship with Tao Qiuyun, Ming Siwen felt that she was truly capable of enduring. But then she thought, how many people in the entertainment industry aren't capable of enduring?
Most of those who can't endure don't make any waves.
"Miss Qin, actually I just went to IOM that day to reshoot some details," Ming Siwen saw that she wasn't taking the bait, so she changed tactics and said directly, "And the actress who officially announced going to shoot for the gg magazine that day was you."
"Ah?" Qin Qingshang feigned ignorance. "I don't understand what you mean, Miss Ming."
"CEO Tao went for you," Ming Siwen said with certainty. "I really didn't expect you to have a connection with CEO Tao, that you could actually be involved with the CEO of Chunjin."
"I wish I could be connected to Chunjin, then who in the industry would dare to provoke me," Qin Qingshang frowned. "Miss Ming, is spreading rumors good for you? Or spreading a rumor about a small star and the CEO of Chunjin, aren't you afraid of causing trouble for yourself?"
"Whether it's a rumor, Miss Qin knows very well in her heart," Ming Siwen softened her expression and lowered her head slightly. "It's precisely because I'm afraid of causing trouble that I'm here to apologize. I know I did something very excessive to Miss Qin in the past. I don't expect you to forgive me, I just hope I can do a little more to make it up to you. Even if you want to hit me or scold me, I have no complaints."
"You…" Qin Qingshang seemed not to have expected Ming Siwen to humble herself to her and say it so directly and clearly. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond.
"Miss Qin," the woman lowered her eyes, looking submissive. "I am truly sorry for hitting you for real during the fake scene back then. You can hit me back a thousand times, but I hope… no, I beg you, please don't complain to CEO Tao, okay?"
Ming Siwen's eyes were pitiful, and her voice was pleading: "I'm just a small person, I can't withstand CEO Tao's anger and methods. Please, I don't want to give up my beloved acting career, Qingshang, please, I'm shameless, I can't handle it, I was wrong. You can ask me to do anything, give up my dignity to serve you tea and water, or be a supporting actress or a maid, just please don't let CEO Tao know about that matter. I only ask her to let me go, okay?"
"You!" Qin Qingshang clenched her fists. Hearing these words, she felt very uncomfortable. Even though she knew Ming Siwen was likely faking it, she did feel a bit of annoyance and helplessness. "Ming Siwen, you're a great actress."
Suddenly, she had a strange feeling of sadness for a similar fate. Ming Siwen, like her, was someone who had worked her way up in the entertainment industry without a background. Tao Qiuyun could easily ruin her. It was normal for her to be afraid of Tao Qiuyun, but wasn't she herself the same?
She was just deceived by the current temporary comfort. If Tao Qiuyun didn't need her, didn't need her as Qinqin's nominal mother, how could she possibly…
"I'm sorry, Qingshang," Ming Siwen's eyes were red. "I have makeup on now, so I can't cry, but I truly know I was wrong. Later, if you want to hit me back, I can cooperate. Please don't tell CEO Tao, okay?"
"Ming Siwen, what kind of person do you take me for?" Qin Qingshang looked at her. "Leaving aside the fact that I have no relationship with CEO Tao at all, even if I did, I wouldn't be someone who bullies others by relying on power. Even if I used schemes and tactics, I wouldn't use this method. I'm not the same kind of person as her. I won't use her power to bully a peer like you. We are actors, and I know it wasn't easy for you to reach your current position."
"I will make you regret your past actions in an actor's way. When it's time to hit you, I will still hit you, without holding back." Qin Qingshang turned around. "We've wasted a lot of time. Miss Ming, I hope you and I can give our best in front of the camera. I've improved since back then. Be careful, I won't go easy."
The woman's back carried an unyielding, cold, and proud demeanor. Ming Siwen suddenly chuckled softly.
Qin Qingshang, as expected, was still that naive sweet girl who would impulsively charge through the industry when her head got hot. Play a little tragic scene, and she softens. She actually has connections but doesn't use them, relying on herself to fight for revenge. How foolish!
But…
The smile on her lips held a hint of mockery, she didn't know who she was laughing at.
If only she could truly maintain that sincere heart and pursue her acting dream like this, how wonderful would that be?
But unfortunately, she could no longer turn back, no longer maintain her original intention.
The entertainment industry has too many traps and too much superficiality. Venturing alone without a good company to protect her, the most useless things to discard are unnecessary empathy and sympathy.
She didn't need friends, she only cared about resources. If she wasn't ruthless and didn't fight for things, she would have been crushed long ago.
Survival of the fittest. If you can't change the situation, change yourself. This applies to people like her who need to fight and kill. As for Qin Qingshang…
Ming Siwen lowered her head and murmured to herself:
"I'm sorry, you're a good person."
"But I still have to use you. I know, I'm very bad."
Ever since Tao Zhuohua clarified the rumors, the various big shots felt a sense of annoyance at being played. They didn't dare to vent their anger on Young Master Tao, so they could only shift their anger. She had already experienced being sidelined these past few days, and she didn't even receive an invitation to the Night of Stars.
Instantly from heaven to hell, investors seemed to completely ignore the Golden Rooster Best Actress award, as if even the glory she had earned herself in the past had been erased.
Even though she had never admitted to being Tao Qiuyun's lover, they still believed her silence was an affirmation. Now, all the benefits she had gained in the past six months had to be returned. She had no complaints about this, but…
Those people clearly wanted more than just for her to spit out the money. They would only vent their anger on her, someone with no background or backing. If she didn't find a powerful backer, her fate would truly be miserable.
After all, those big shots weren't all good people. Many of them had coveted her but were scared away by the title of "Tao Qiuyun's lover."
Seeking Tao Qiuyun's protection through Qin Qingshang was her only way out now.
She didn't regret climbing up by stepping on every possibility in the past, but she still wanted to act, she still didn't want to give up her beloved career. She had fought for so many years, and she would absolutely not let go of this last glimmer of hope.
Ming is done for
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