My face burned as I quickly covered my collar. "No. That's a bug bite."
Yun Si stared at me with laser-sharp eyes, her gaze so intense it could've drilled a hole through my head. Yeah… she definitely wasn't buying that.
Without a word, she grabbed my wrist, pulled me inside, and slammed the door shut behind us.
"Sit," she ordered, pointing at the bed.
Like a student waiting for her teacher's lecture, I sighed and did as told.
She crossed her arms. "Now, answer again. Is that a hickey?"
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Yes."
"You!" Her eyes widened in disbelief. She glared at me, crossing her arms even tighter. "Tell me everything you did last night. Tang Xiyu, I'm warning you—if you lie, I'll shave your eyebrows while you sleep and draw worms on your face with a marker!"
I blinked, then couldn't help but smile.
I missed this.
From our orphanage days till now, Yun Si had always used that same silly threat whenever I got into trouble. Back then, it used to scare me half to death. Now, it just made me feel warm inside.
Just as I was lost in that nostalgia, a sharp smack landed on my forehead.
"Ow!" I yelped, rubbing the spot. "What was that for?!"
"Stop smiling like an idiot," she snapped. "Start talking! What did you do last night?"
I pouted. "You promise you won't get mad?"
"I'm already mad," she said flatly.
I sighed in defeat. "Fine. I went to that club last night—"
"TANG XIYU!!!" Yun Si's voice echoed through the entire apartment. "How dare you go to that club behind my back?! What did I tell you? Have all my lessons gone straight into the drain?!"
She started pacing like an angry mother hen. "Those places are full of danger! You should never go near them! They're filled with snakes, sharks, and man-eating beasts!"
I pressed my lips together, trying hard not to laugh. It wasn't because I didn't take her seriously—I did. If I hadn't been careful last night, things could've ended badly.
I'd seen many people ruin their lives in clubs like that. In my past life, in the early days of my career, I had been naive, blind, and foolish, not realizing the darkness of the industry.
But a few months in, I realized what a hellhole the entertainment industry can become. It can either make you or break you.
Suddenly, Yun Si froze mid-rant and looked sharply at my neck. "Wait," she said slowly. "Those hickeys…" Her expression turned dark. "Don't tell me—"
Her eyes widened in horror. "Tang Xiyu! Tell me the truth! Which pot-bellied, bald-headed director or sleazy producer did you sleep with?!"
I almost choked on air. "What?! No! I didn't—"
"Who took advantage of you?" she demanded, hands on her hips. "Tell me his name! I'll skin him alive!"
"Yun Si!" I squeaked, waving my hands. "It's not like that!"
"Oh, really?" she raised an eyebrow. "Then explain those marks! Did a mosquito hold a blood donation camp on your neck last night?"
I bit back a laugh. Even when she was angry, she was still ridiculous. But I knew her anger came from love.
Finally, I lifted both hands in surrender. "No one took advantage of me," I said quickly. Then, after a pause, I added sheepishly, "But… I might've taken advantage of someone."
Yun Si blinked. Her face went blank for two seconds before she gasped. "You what?!"
"I took advantage of someone," I repeated quietly, looking down.
"Who?" she asked sharply.
"A madman," I said honestly.
She looked at me like she couldn't decide whether to slap me or call a doctor. "Explain clearly," she said through clenched teeth. "And don't leave out a single detail."
So, I did.
I told her everything—how I went to the club, how I was drugged, how I escaped, and how I accidentally ended up in a hotel room with that crazy man in a suit.
Of course, I left out the part about the marriage contract. That was a secret too embarrassing to share. And technically, I was still single, right?
When I finished, Yun Si just stared at me, speechless. Then she sighed and rubbed her temples like she had a headache.
"See? This is exactly why I warned you," she said slowly. "The entertainment industry is a jungle—full of vultures, snakes, and perverts in fancy clothes. If you're not careful, they'll eat you alive."
"Thankfully, you escaped. Otherwise, you might've been played to death by some greasy old director! Or worse, by several of them."
Knowing she was right, I lowered my head. "I'm sorry, Sisi. I'll never go to such places again."
Yun Si crossed her arms, giving me that classic I'm still mad, but you're cute, so I'll forgive you look.
"You're lucky nothing worse happened," she muttered. "But remember, Xiyu—there are no shortcuts to success. Some people rise overnight using dirty tricks, but that fame never lasts. Real success comes from hard work, honesty, and—" she tapped my forehead lightly, "—using your brain."
I nodded obediently. "I understand."
"Good." She pointed a finger at me. "And stay away from that Li Yufei. That girl's a walking disaster. Every time she smiles, an angel loses its wings."
I bit my lip, trying not to laugh. "Okay, okay. I'll stay away."
Seeing me act so obediently, Yun Si finally softened. "Fine," she sighed. "Go take a bath. I got you an audition in an hour."
I looked at her with a smile. "An audition? Is it for the villain's role in The Accidental Heiress?"
Yun Si looked stunned. "Yes. How did you know?"
I winked. "Magic."
Before she could ask more, I grabbed my towel and ran into the bathroom, leaving her standing there, looking completely dumbfounded. Of course, I knew. It was the same role I'd auditioned for in my past life.
***
One hour later.
I stood outside the studio, surrounded by a sea of nervous faces. Some were well-known actresses, others were newcomers like me.
A few were muttering their lines, while others stood confidently like the role was already theirs.
I was quietly going through my script, practicing each line. Even though I already knew the script by heart from my past life. I had played this same role. But still, I reminded myself not to get overconfident.
Nothing was guaranteed.
Yun Si had gone out to grab me a bubble tea. I was halfway through reciting my lines for the fifth time when someone suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Tang Xiyu!"
I blinked, startled, and looked up from my script.
"Li Yufei?"