I have a persona specifically for acting.

Tong Zhao was unaware of her stepsister’s covert actions.

Even if she knew, she couldn’t be bothered.

Since the role of Consort Chen became popular, all the comments on her Weibo were warmly calling her “Consort.” Consort Chen was quite pleased, though Han Zhi, who managed her Weibo, was a bit frustrated: “It used to be ‘brother’ only.”

Female reporter Liang Liang joked: “Not just that; there are also many men in the comments.”

The fans attracted by Consort Chen were mostly boyfriend and husband types. With ambitions of rising to fame and marrying a gentle wife, what man with big aspirations wouldn’t want a charming wife like Tong Zhao? Of course, it’s just a dream—marrying her is impossible, but enjoying her performances will have to do.

The problem is, there are no new works.

They could only revisit existing clips, getting obsessed.

[Where’s the agent? Where’s the company? Hurry up and get Consort Chen new roles. Even if there are no new dramas, variety shows and interviews would do, right? They don’t even know how to dig up treasure when it’s in their hands. I’m done with this.]

[I can’t believe no one is offering Consort Chen any palace drama roles. Could it be they are too picky?]

[I’m going to die if I don’t see Consort Chen! Consort Chen, please post a selfie soon!]

The empress is anxious, not the emperor, fearing that Tong Zhao might waste her stunning start.

Tong Zhao’s life has been quite fulfilling. Since her return, she has consistently practiced meditation and slow cultivation, finally achieving the effect of cleansing her bones and marrow. Her appearance has subtly improved again—she still looks like herself, but her skin can withstand any external damage. Even after ten hours of wind, rain, and sun, she still looks as smooth and flawless as jade in photos.

After the role of Consort Chen became popular, some former wealthy friends reached out to her, all celebrating and congratulating her. Tong Zhao found there was a bit of a generation gap between them, so she mostly laughed it off. The only message that caught her attention was from Wei Zekai, the only son of the Wei family.

“Tong Zhao, are you free to accompany me to the jewelry exhibition on Sunday?”

“Come on, please reply to my message. I told them that we’re good friends and you could be invited, but they don’t believe it.”

The Wei family is indeed very wealthy.

Wei Zekai is great in many ways, except for being narcissistic and a bit of a smart mouth. He was very loyal and had helped Tong Zhao many times in her difficult moments. However, due to Xu Zhu’s manipulations and the resulting misunderstandings between them—one being unwilling to explain and the other being sensitive and fragile—they eventually fell out.

Tong Zhao is one to remember both grudges and favors.

Not recognizing good intentions in her youth, she feels the need to repay them now that she has returned.

“Sure, but I’ve fallen out with my family, so I don’t have suitable clothes for formal occasions. You’ll have to arrange something for me.”

“No problem!”

After agreeing on the meeting time, Tong Zhao recalled the jewelry exhibition in her mind.

…

In her past life, when she had ruined the Consort Chen role and was wallowing in despair in a small apartment, Wei Zekai had come with his cleaning company to help her tidy up and find a solution. However, at that time, Tong Zhao had failed to grasp the helping hand of her friend and didn’t remember the invitation. She had never actually attended.

Now that Tong Zhao was doing well, it was understandable why Wei Zekai’s invitation was so flattering.

He probably wanted to show off.

—My friend is amazing and has become a big star!

—I heard many people want to see her but can’t? Only this young master can get her out!

—Ha, I’m so awesome.

Tong Zhao could see through his thoughts clearly and smiled.

On Sunday, Wei Zekai indeed arrived in his Lamborghini to pick up Tong Zhao.

A seven-figure sports car was parked prominently in front of the residential area, and when the person saw Tong Zhao, he frowned. “Tong Zhao, you live in a place like this? Did your salary get swallowed up and you didn’t tell me?”

Wei Zekai’s tone was arrogant and mixed with disbelief.

Tong Zhao thought about how his relationships never lasted long, likely due to his low emotional intelligence.

Interpreting his words with some understanding, it meant, “This place is too rundown for you. If your salary has been swallowed up, just say so. I can help.”

“Ordinary working-class people should live here. How much can I earn from a guest role? Just getting some furniture will do,” Tong Zhao said calmly as she got into the passenger seat, reminding him, “Last time you asked me to remind you to avoid speaking too harshly. Try using a more emotionally intelligent approach.”

Wei Zekai raised an eyebrow and thought for a moment: “The place you live… it’s quite interesting.”

Tong Zhao smiled at him indulgently.

She thought, sigh, how naïve.

Seeing Tong Zhao’s casual outfit, Wei Zekai asked her, “Where do you get your styling done? Which place do you usually use?”

Previously, when Tong Zhao had a driver, Wei Zekai was naturally unaware.

She gave him an address, and Wei Zekai took her to a well-hidden styling salon. The staff here recognized Miss Tong immediately, and a stylist she was familiar with greeted her with a smile. Tong Zhao still had a significant balance on her membership card here, but Wei Zekai, not knowing the details, worried that her balance might run out. To avoid any awkwardness if asked whether she needed a top-up, he directly charged 100,000 yuan to the account: “You’re here to accompany me, so it should be on my account.”

In reality, among this group of rich second-generation individuals, who haven’t been rebellious and had their card suspended by their family? They all rely on their friends for support. Tong Zhao found it amusing to watch Wei Zekai think he was subtly preserving her pride.

Tong Zhao lay on a massage chair, closing her eyes to relax while the makeup artist worked on her.

The makeup artist understood her intention and left the eye makeup for last.

During the waiting period, Wei Zekai went to the men’s lounge to play video games.

Just as he was about to finish a level, the revolving door behind him was pushed open: “Mr. Wei, Miss Tong is ready.”

Originally, Wei Zekai intended to just glance over and then turn back to finish the game level first.

But when he looked over, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Tong Zhao, who was already tall, looked even taller in her champagne-colored high heels, which made her legs appear exceptionally long and her aura extraordinary. Since she was only attending an exhibition and an evening event, she had dressed in a more modest pearl-white gown. Her hair, styled in soft waves cascading down her back, was dark and smooth.

Wei Zekai set down the game controller and quickly walked over to her, wanting to touch the ends of her hair to see if it felt as soft as he imagined.

“Don’t, big brother,” Tong Zhao said, stopping his hand: “It’s been set with hairspray.”

“Isn’t it naturally like this?”

“Who is born with such a perfect hairstyle? Straight men always say nonsense.”

Wei Zekai clicked his tongue in amazement, looking at Tong Zhao with the same awe as if he had discovered a new continent.

The gaze didn’t seem to be directed at a beautiful woman.

Tong Zhao was familiar with this kind of look. Wei Zekai usually had the same expression when seeing a brand-new figure model. If he stared too long, he would likely make a comment. She was curious to hear what Wei Zekai would say next, and a simple “beautiful” would probably exhaust his vocabulary.

Wei Zekai straightened up and gave a thumbs-up: “Impressive.”

……

She underestimated him; Tong Zhao realized.

The jewelry exhibition was hosted by a well-known domestic jewelry brand. It wasn’t very large, was not open to the public, and required an invitation to enter. Reporters were not allowed in, but Tong Zhao had still informed Chu Jie about it—she wanted to maintain control over her private life but also didn’t want her agent to be the last to know about the news.

Tong Zhao was accustomed to such events and saw some familiar faces.

In the past, when she attended similar events, she was the daughter of the Tong family.

People looked at her, but what they were really looking at was the Tong family; they had no curiosity about a rich young lady who was essentially a blank slate because everything was straightforward and apparent.

Now, Tong Zhao was sure that the attention she received was due to her as an individual.

“Come on, let’s go over and say hello.”

Wei Zekai accurately pinpointed where the group of rich second-generation people had gathered.

Tong Zhao secretly found it amusing and graciously activated the empress consort’s special skill, “Overwhelm the Crowd with Glamour.”

Once the buff was activated, Tong Zhao didn’t feel any different.

Wei Zekai naturally led her in front of his former acquaintances. Tong Zhao knew these people, and they knew her, but the way they looked at her now was as if they had never seen her before!

Her graceful figure and the lighting at the jewelry exhibition, seemingly designed just for her, illuminated her with an otherworldly aura; she was beautiful from head to toe. Tong Zhao smiled politely at them, and the group of second-generation rich kids instantly softened.

Even though he had denied any romantic rumors, Wei Zekai still felt very proud.

His gaze at Tong Zhao now resembled Zhang Fei looking at Guan Yu—

“What a good buddy!”

At this moment, a male voice with a hint of anger came from behind them: “Tong Zhao?”

Tong Zhao turned around to see Ning Zhiyi, who was with Xu Zhu.

He looked at Tong Zhao with disapproval, as if being with someone like Wei Zekai was a very degenerate act. However, his disapproving gaze lasted less than three seconds before turning into a look of astonishment—

Had Tong Zhao always been this beautiful?

Xu Zhu nervously tugged at Ning Zhiyi’s sleeve and then timidly addressed them: “Wei Shao, Sister, what are you doing here…?”

The outward timidity belied the deep jealousy inside.

Sister was like a cunning fox; despite not having an invitation from their father, she still managed to cling to Wei Shao’s arm and show up boldly!

Tong Zhao now looked at Ning Zhiyi as if he were a stranger, focusing instead on her stepsister.

Seeing the confusion on Tong Zhao’s beautiful face, the others turned to look at them and Tong Zhao asked, “Do we look like we’re related by blood?” She then frowned slightly, showing some discomfort as if she had been offended.

The contrast between their faces was like night and day.

After stepping into the entertainment industry, Xu Zhu’s appearance improved, upgrading from a plain neighborhood girl to a small beauty. However, she was still not on the same level as Tong Zhao. Especially with the aura of her current appearance, not even the expensive jewelry on display could rival her in prominence.

In comparison…

The two didn’t look like sisters at all.

The second-generation rich kids were very straightforward and didn’t see the need to care about Xu Zhu’s feelings as an illegitimate daughter: “Not at all. Tong Zhao is much better looking.”

“I also think they don’t look alike.”

Hearing the consensus, Xu Zhu’s face showed panic. She frowned in distress, lacking the previous assertiveness she had shown when she came to confront Tong Zhao. She now played the victim. Wei Zekai was even more displeased: “Ning Zhiyi, manage your girlfriend. How did she get here? I drove her here myself.”

Hearing this, Xu Zhu became even more convinced that Tong Zhao, like the Consort, relied on men to succeed.

Tong Zhao had also said the same thing to Ning Zhiyi.

It seemed that in their mutual childhood friend’s eyes, Tong Zhao had already fallen from grace!

Ning Zhiyi looked at Tong Zhao with disappointment: “The way you appear in instinct films can’t deceive anyone. Your true nature is exactly like the Consort’s. I used to think you were different, a very independent girl.”

Well said.

If it weren’t inappropriate, Xu Zhu would have really liked to applaud him and ask him to increase the dosage.

Since the stepsister liked Ning Zhiyi, she would definitely want to prove herself after his provocation and might be more likely to take on the role in the apocalyptic film that didn’t suit her!

However, in an instant, the charming and graceful Tong Zhao changed.

While the second-generation rich kids behind her were oblivious, Ning Zhiyi, facing Tong Zhao directly, felt an overwhelming sense of hostility!

It was like an invisible sword, slicing through the air and pressing against his forehead.

Since Tong Zhao returned, she has been diligently practicing. Although she hadn’t succeeded in establishing a foundation, she had reached a state of surrounding spiritual energy. Ning Zhiyi’s words had directly awakened the dormant Lu Xianzhang within her, even making the enraged Lu Xianzhang take over her primary personality for half a minute.

Ning Zhiyi, caught off guard, was so startled by the spiritual energy that he collapsed to the ground, his knees buckling.

[Let me strike him! This person’s words are just like my ex-husband’s!]