Chapter 17: The Literature of Substitutes

Jiang Yu looked at the message, a mocking smile curling at the corner of her lips.
"Keep a low profile?"
Now, with the whole world praising Fu Boyun's "sense of responsibility," she had become the scapegoat yet again. Such "discretion" was a burden she could hardly bear.
She forced down her anger, leaned back into the sofa, and rubbed her brow with a weary hand.
Closing her eyes, she tried to steady herself.

A few days later, when Jiang Yu had mostly recovered, she returned to her previous film crew.
Though there were no new scenes scheduled for her, there remained some loose ends that needed her attention.
Yet to her surprise, the moment she entered the set, she was greeted not by the familiar bustle of shooting, but by a scene that left her momentarily speechless.

Inside the studio, a freshly styled newcomer was standing under the lights, auditioning. As the camera panned across, Jiang Yu was stunned to see that the girl's face bore a striking resemblance to her own.
Jiang Yu halted mid-step, fixing her gaze on the girl, her eyes turning colder by the second.
"A stand-in?"
"Yu-jie, you’re here?"
Song Zhi Ning, busy tidying up the props, noticed Jiang Yu and called out a greeting.

"Who is that?"
"Oh, that’s Cheng Xingyu, the new artist Mr. Fu just signed. She’s here today for a magazine cover shoot."
A cold sneer flickered across Jiang Yu’s heart, but she suppressed her emotions and strode toward Fu Boyun’s office.

When she pushed open the door, she caught sight of Fu Boyun holding a file in one hand, brows slightly furrowed as he gazed at a stack of photographs on his desk.
They were headshots from new auditions, and most striking among them was the face that looked nearly identical to Jiang Yu’s own.
"Mr. Fu, you certainly spare no expense," Jiang Yu said coldly, her tone thick with irony. "This newcomer imitates me rather convincingly. You must have gone to considerable trouble."
Fu Boyun looked up, his eyes cool as he replied unhurriedly, "This is a standard company arrangement."
"A standard arrangement?" Jiang Yu arched an eyebrow, a sharp edge to her gaze. "Shouldn’t you at least give me a heads-up, so I could brace myself? Seeing my own ‘replica’ is more than a little nauseating."
Fu Boyun smiled faintly, though the smile never reached his eyes.
"Jiang Yu, you’d do well to remember—your position is not unique. There are plenty in this company who can replace you. Don’t overestimate your own importance."
His words struck her like a blade to the chest.
Her smile froze on her lips, and what little dignity she had left was trampled beneath his feet.
"Fu Boyun, you’ve truly shown me the meaning of shamelessness," Jiang Yu replied icily.

As Jiang Yu left the office and passed the studio, the newcomer emerged from the dressing room. Upon seeing Jiang Yu, she flashed a smile.
"Hello, Miss Jiang."
Her voice was sweet and clear, yet carried a subtle note of provocation.
Jiang Yu faltered for a moment, then let out a cold laugh, her eyes sweeping the girl from head to toe. "So, you’re Miss Cheng. What a coincidence. Mr. Fu does have quite the eye."
Cheng Xingyu seemed to catch the sarcasm in her tone, but remained unfazed, her smile growing even sweeter.
"You flatter me, Miss Jiang. I’m simply doing my best to learn from my seniors, and I hope I won’t disappoint Mr. Fu’s expectations."
"Seniors?" Jiang Yu’s lips curled, her gaze icy. "Then, Miss Cheng, do study well—don’t let Mr. Fu down."
Cheng Xingyu smiled demurely, a flash of pride flickering in her eyes. "Don’t worry, Miss Jiang. I’ll give it my all."
Jiang Yu shot her a cold glance, said nothing more, and strode out of the studio.
Yet even back in the dressing room, her heart was still in turmoil.