Chapter 139: Even Forced Promotion Leads to a Life as a Supporting Character

Lai Jian was stunned by her sheer shamelessness. "...Little Lu, having confidence is a good thing, but you still need to be humble. After all, this is your first time as a lead actress. Just being nominated for a Magnolia Award would be quite an achievement."

Bai Lu tilted her head. "Is it that Sister Jian doesn't believe in me, or that you don't believe in Actor Lu's judgment?"

Lai Jian stammered, "I... no, I didn't mean that, don't put words in my mouth. If Ting Xiangxue finds out, I'm a dead woman! Because of Qiaoqiao, the netizens are already tearing me apart."

"I'm just teasing," Bai Lu said with a sweet smile. "Regarding variety shows, there are a few I'm quite interested in."

Lai Jian opened the notes app on her phone. "Go ahead."

"The one where they livestream running an inn..."

Lai Jian checked off *Hello, Inn*.

"And the one where they livestream farm life, helping elderly people with chores so they can go on vacation..."

Lai Jian checked off *A Family is Born*.

"The one where they livestream running a restaurant..."

Lai Jian checked off *Come Eat*.

"Yep, just those. These shows already have a fixed cast, and they invite different guests to help out each episode. Since school is on break, I can go record for a day; it's very easy to coordinate."

Lai Jian looked at the marked shows, feeling a bit confused. "Why are they all livestreaming types?"

Bai Lu blinked. "Is that a problem?"

Lai Jian replied, "Actually, it's quite good. A livestream only takes a day, unlike variety shows that require post-production, which can sometimes drag on for two or three days. It's easy to schedule and won't interfere with your return to school. Plus, the exposure is high. You get immediate buzz the day of the broadcast, unlike dramas where you finish filming and have no idea when—or if—they'll ever air. It's common for projects to never see the light of day. While you're back at school, your main goal is to maintain your visibility, not necessarily to produce new works."

Lai Jian made the call. "It's settled then. We'll scrap any drama projects; for the next six months, you'll just do variety shows during the holidays."

Shen Xinlu, sitting in the back row, grew anxious. "Sister Jian, then what about me?"

"Oh, right, you." Lai Jian nodded as if she had just noticed her. "These livestream shows are always short on labor; one more person won't hurt."

Shen Xinlu felt relieved. "Thank you, Sister Jian. Thank you, Little Lu."

Lai Jian added, "You aren't my artist, so I'm not responsible for your appearance fee. I only guarantee that you'll get on the show. As for the money, go discuss it with your own manager. No problem with that, right?"

Shen Xinlu nodded repeatedly. "No problem at all."

Shen Xinlu knew well enough that even if her reputation hadn't been tarnished, she was still a third-rate celebrity who could only get work by hitching herself to Bai Lu. Without Bai Lu, she couldn't even book a single gig; she’d be relegated to performing at low-end commercial events for peanuts. The two endorsement deals she held were only secured by forcing companies to take her as a package deal with Bai Lu.

*Want to hire Bai Lu? You have to take Shen Xinlu too.*

*Don't want her?*

*Then sorry, you won't get Bai Lu no matter how much you pay. But if you take the package, I might consider a discount.*

This was the tactic Wu Liping used to force-feed her own daughter into the industry. Even so, Shen Xinlu still had to play second fiddle to Bai Lu. Some people were born for this, and some were simply never meant to hold the bowl.

***

When they arrived at Yipin Lan, Shen Xinlu prepared to get out, but Bai Lu blocked the door. "Xiao Dan will drive you home. I won't charge you for the ride, but remember to pay him for the gas when you get out."

Shen Xinlu, bent over, froze. "Little Lu, didn't you say you'd let your sister take care of you?"

"Are you truly interested in taking care of me?" Bai Lu asked with a smile, her eyes curving in a way that carried a hint of malice.

Shen Xinlu's expression stiffened. "No, that's not it, Little Lu, I—"

Bai Lu leaned in suddenly, whispering into her ear, "I've already given you what you wanted; you'll be on every show I’m on. Shen Xinlu, you should know that you can't afford to make me unhappy in the slightest right now. Isn't that right?"

Shen Xinlu nodded, her lips trembling with a mix of grievance and fear.

Bai Lu gave a cold laugh and intentionally said, "Yu Fuqing is mine, do you understand? Don't even think about going to him; he only listens to me."

With that, her face lit up with a sweet smile. She turned and walked toward Lai Jian on the steps, affectionately linking arms with her. "Sister Jian, I have a few more things to discuss with you. Want to come over for a coffee?"

Lai Jian glanced back at Shen Xinlu from a distance. Once they turned away, she whispered, "Shen Xinlu looked wronged, but her eyes were full of venom."

Bai Lu couldn't help but laugh. "Looks like her acting really is terrible."

Lai Jian said, "Little Lu, you shouldn't have been soft-hearted and brought her along for the shows."

Xiao Dan, pushing the luggage, chimed in, "Little Lu is always too soft-hearted."

Even though she saw through the nature of the three members of the Shen family, she still couldn't bear it and kept trying to lend them a hand.

"Oh, right, I haven't seen Shen Yanghong in a long time. I wonder how he's doing." Bai Lu let go of Lai Jian's arm and turned to run back.

Lai Jian called out to her, but she didn't stop. She had no choice but to follow.

Shen Xinlu was standing by the nanny van, jogging in place to stay warm, when she heard Bai Lu call her name. She looked up to see her on the steps. "Little Lu, did you leave something in the car? Why are you back?"

"It's nothing, I just haven't seen Shen Yanghong in a long time. How is he? Where is he living since the house was sold? Is he still at the hotel?"

Shen Xinlu thought to herself, *Mom was right; Bai Lu is still that desperate little orphan craving family affection.* Although she refused to call him 'Dad' out loud, she was still worried about him.

Shen Xinlu quickly replied, "Dad and I haven't lived in the hotel for a while; we rented an apartment. Should I send you the address? Little Lu, this home will always have its doors open for you. Whenever you want to come back—"

"Send the address to my WeChat." Bai Lu interrupted, then pushed Lai Jian toward the door.

Xiao Dan was frantic; he didn't want her associating with the Shen family, but he didn't know how to bring it up. As an outsider, would saying something make her resent him?

Lai Jian let out a deep sigh, thinking that Bai Lu was beyond saving and would be bled dry by the Shen family for the rest of her life.

After dropping the luggage off at unit 444, Xiao Dan didn't even go inside; he prepared to drive Shen Xinlu home.

Bai Lu smiled and instructed him, "After you drop Shen Xinlu off, don't leave right away. Park a bit further away and wait a while. I suspect she isn't living with Shen Yanghong; she's staying at the apartment under Yu Fuqing's name. Our Mr. Yu, after all, is keeping a mistress in a golden cage."