Chapter 722: Jiaojiao 2
Tan You sank into thought. The Beauty System wasn’t wrong—a sense of aesthetics could be cultivated. Over the years, she had seen so many sights and met so many people, naturally forming her own artistic judgment.
’Building a scene? I could probably do a good job. Coaching an actor? I’m no actress, but I can certainly judge a performance...’
Thinking of this, Tan You’s gaze fell upon Chen Jiao. ’So, rather than letting Chen Jiao work under some second-rate director, why not polish her myself?’
’But if I do that, the whole mysterious spirit act won’t work. After all, Chen Jiao’s father, Chen Qing, is just an ordinary blue-collar worker. What would he know about film production, scriptwriting, and all that?’
In Tan You’s opinion, Chen Jiao’s face was made for the screen, be it the big screen or the small one. She was exceptionally beautiful, with bold, striking features and superb skin and bone structure. Aside from her current youthful and slightly plain style, Tan You would score her looks an 88.
That was, without a doubt, an extremely high score.
’If I made Chen Jiao my leading lady...’ At this thought, Tan You felt a long-lost rush of excitement. She absolutely loved this feeling of making a star. To watch a piece of uncut jade shine brilliantly under her guidance... the sense of accomplishment was beyond words.
Mulling this over, Tan You shifted her position on the lounge chair. The Beauty System squatted beside her head, its tail whipping furiously. The girl and her system stared intently at Chen Jiao on the set.
Chen Jiao finally managed to get through the scene. Although the director’s scolding had left her eyes red, she fought back her tears and swallowed her feelings. They were shooting a night scene, and this was her last one.
Because of her repeated NGs, everyone was anxious to go home, and some people on set were already grumbling. As soon as the director called it a wrap, the set emptied out in a flash, leaving Chen Jiao all alone.
Chen Jiao wiped her eyes and looked around the now-empty set. Thinking about her performance, and then about her difficult circumstances, she was overwhelmed by emotional turmoil. She squatted down on the spot and began to sob uncontrollably.
As her whole body trembled with sobs, she suddenly heard a voice. "Host, she’s crying her heart out. It was just a few NGs, wasn’t it? Is that really something to cry about?"
Chen Jiao’s ears twitched. She figured she was so upset she was hallucinating. But a moment later, she knew it was real, because she heard another voice—a girl’s voice, both cold and sweet. "Breaking down is just a fleeting moment. You’ll feel better once you’ve let it all out."
Chen Jiao snapped her head up. On the small lounge chair that had been on set, she saw a girl who looked to be about fourteen or fifteen. The girl had delicate features, and her waist-length hair cascaded over her shoulders and back like seaweed.
It was the night of a full moon. Bright moonlight illuminated the set, casting crooked shadows from the lounge chair, the railings, and everything else. But on the ground, there was no shadow of the girl.
The girl was currently resting her chin in one hand, gazing at her with a look of gentle compassion.
Chen Jiao sniffled. "What... who are you? Is there really a Moon Fairy?"
"If you’re going to be ignorant, you should at least read more," Tan You said, raising an eyebrow. "I’ve only ever heard of the goddess Chang’e, never a ’Moon Fairy’."
’After meeting Chen Jiao, I’ve completely thrown out my old plan. There’s no way I can pretend to be a man, not in this lifetime. That’s why I deliberately let her see my true face.’
The Beauty System said worriedly, "What should we do, Host? She doesn’t look too bright. Is this quest going to be extra hard?"
Chen Jiao’s already limited brain capacity was stretched to its breaking point. "What are you talking about? I don’t understand a thing."
Tan You beckoned to her. As if mesmerized, Chen Jiao walked over and slowly squatted down in front of her. Tan You touched a finger to the center of Chen Jiao’s forehead, and in an instant, Chen Jiao understood the entire story behind Tan You’s appearance.
However, Tan You had only revealed the reason for her presence. She didn’t breathe a word about what Chen Jiao’s future held.
She was another one with a strange train of thought. After grasping the situation, the first words out of her mouth were, "This would be amazing for memorizing scripts, right? I’d never have to worry about forgetting my lines again!"
Tan You tapped the armrest of the lounge chair. "Don’t change the subject. Let’s talk business."
Chen Jiao pouted. "I don’t know what to say. You were sent by my dad, so I’ll listen to you. My dad would never do anything to harm me."
Tan You raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You trust me that easily? Aren’t you afraid I’m completely useless?"
"No," Chen Jiao said, relying on a kind of animal instinct. "What you just did... it was so incredible. How could you possibly be useless?"
She spoke slowly. "Even if you really are useless, just having someone to talk to would be nice. It wasn’t until I got into the entertainment industry that I realized how hard it is to find a real confidant."
"That one time, I just exchanged a few words with someone, and the media..."
As she spoke, her shoulders slumped again, and she became as gloomy as a mushroom in a dark corner.
Tan You looked at the girl before her, so lost about her future. ’Well, she’s only nineteen,’ she thought. ’She was discovered by a talent scout and stumbled into the entertainment industry by a twist of fate. For the past two years, she’s been acting, but it has all just been jobs her agent arranged.’
’Her father, Chen Qing, is laid up in the hospital, and her mother passed away long ago. With no one to teach her the ways of the world, it’s understandable that she feels lost about her future.’
"Are you sure you’ll do everything I say?" Tan You preferred people who were obedient and willing to listen. Of course, she didn’t mind if they had their own ideas, as long as those ideas were constructive.
Though Chen Jiao was lost about her future, she still had a bottom line. "As long as it’s not illegal."
Tan You couldn’t help but smile, a smile like ice and snow melting away. "Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to break any laws. So, are you sure you’ll do everything I say?"
Chen Jiao nodded emphatically. "Mhm. You’re the little fairy my dad found for me. He would never do anything to hurt me. My dad is really good to me."
Tan You said, "Of course he’s good to you. To be thinking of you even in his condition..."
"Alright. Since you’ll be listening to me, go pack your things and head back to your hotel. Get a good night’s sleep. I’m going to create a detailed career plan for you. Even if you’re going to be a ’vase,’ you’re going to be the most beautiful and unique one there is."
As Chen Jiao listened, she started to get excited, even though Tan You wasn’t giving her some big pep talk. But when she heard the word "vase," she pouted unhappily. "I don’t want to be a vase."
Tan You gave her a sidelong glance. "Some people would kill for the chance to be a ’vase.’ Your beauty is a part of you, so why treat it like it’s separate? Being beautiful is your advantage, and an advantage is meant to be amplified."
𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
Chen Jiao was easily persuaded. "Okay, I’ll listen to everything you say. What should I call you? Little sis?"
Seeing Tan You’s eyes narrow, Chen Jiao tried to defend herself, her voice growing smaller and smaller, "But... you do look younger than me..."