Chapter 9 An Acquaintance

Chapter 9: An Acquaintance

"Shall I begin?"

She clenched her fist and threw a straight punch like a bolt of lightning, only to have her arm seized in the next moment, held fast as if in a vise.

Instinct took over; she drove her elbow toward his jaw, but, unsurprisingly, he blocked it with one hand. Simultaneously, she swiftly turned and lashed out with a side kick, which was effortlessly dodged.

She had no idea how she'd pulled off that combo, but Su Mi found it quite remarkable. Her talent stat was clearly no joke.

"Sorry, just a reflex reaction..." She glanced at her captured arm.

Even as a novice, she could tell this coach wasn't a phony. That much was clear from his reaction speed alone, though it might also be because she was too weak.

Lin Yue let go of her slender wrist, giving her a meaningful look. "Have you trained before?"

A beginner might throw a combo, but they wouldn't react this quickly, including the use of angles. It was just that her technique for generating power was off.

If she hadn't trained deliberately, then she was naturally gifted.

"Does watching a couple of Wing Chun videos count?"

Su Mi took a step back, assuming a *man sau* (asking hand) stance.

He lowered his head, the corner of his mouth quirking up, and casually grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the table, tossing it to her. "No."

Su Mi caught it, unscrewed the cap, took a few sips, and rubbed her sore wrist earnestly. "So, should I just practice that set of moves from earlier? I feel my strength is too lacking. Should I do things like kicking posts or punching sandbags?"

Being too weak just wouldn't do. Besides fitness, there must be other ways to increase her strength. Once she mastered it, she wouldn't have to worry about her 'acting crazy' being interrupted.

If she could give the male lead a good beating, her 'crazy' act would surely peak, and wouldn't the luck points skyrocket?

"If your body can handle it, you can practice kicking the sandbag. Use your shin for roundhouse kicks, not the instep. When you pivot your hips, naturally raise your arms to guard your head. While attacking the enemy, also avoid being attacked."

"Haste makes waste. Take it slow for now."

Lin Yue glanced at his watch, a hint of apology on his face. "I have another client scheduled. If you have questions, contact me. We can coach you over video."

Su Mi frowned, taking another sip of water. Had he just earned his money in less than half an hour?

After a moment's thought, she held back from making a scene and instead took out her phone. "Do you scan me, or should I scan you?"

Who knew if the next one would be any good? This guy might slack off a bit, but he didn't seem like a show-off. She'd stick with him for now.

As he extended his phone, Su Mi suddenly noticed the watch on his wrist. It looked remarkably like that exclusive, limited-edition Italian luxury brand, reportedly costing millions.

Are personal trainers this wealthy nowadays?

But then again, this was probably the minority. With his proven track record, people were willing to pay his high fees. Ordinary trainers surely charged normal rates.

Moreover, with that physique and face, what wealthy woman could resist? The price naturally skyrocketed.

"If a client made some... excessive requests, would you agree?" she asked curiously.

Lin Yue glanced at her. "Such as?"

Su Mi cleared her throat, looked around furtively, then subtly glanced toward his abdominal muscles. "Like... someone with more guts than sense, wanting to touch your... body. What would you do then?"

Noticing her wandering gaze, Lin Yue's lips curved slightly as he looked at her meaningfully. "Generally, I'd refuse. But it depends on the situation."

Hearing this, Su Mi's mind instantly raced. Was he implying that with enough money, it was possible?

"I was just asking casually, no other meaning," she maintained a polite smile.

Until she'd mastered her skills, she wasn't about to get involved in any inappropriate relationships with a personal trainer, even though his physique was seriously tempting.

Lin Yue's brow twitched slightly. "Generally, I never do video calls outside of class hours. But for Miss Su... it might be an exception."

After saying this, he glanced at the slender wrist he had gripped earlier, now slightly reddened. "I didn't control my strength properly earlier. My apologies."

Watching his retreating back, Su Mi fell into deep thought. That last sentence seemed loaded with implication. Was he... hitting on her?

Did it mean others had to pay to touch him, but she could do it for free?

No wonder people said the personal training circle was messy. With his moves, what wealthy woman could withstand it?

But she only loved money. Only money could drive her to obsession. Male charm would only hinder a woman's progress. With money, what kind of man couldn't she have?

She could wholesale a dozen fresh-faced young men and have a different one every day.

Putting on the boxing gloves, she punched the sandbag repeatedly, then remembered his advice and started practicing roundhouse kicks tentatively.

Haste makes waste. For a full two hours, she practiced roundhouse kicks until her legs felt sore and numb before finally leaving the training center.

Back home, she continued studying the script. Only by thoroughly understanding the character could she better portray the role. Since she chose this profession, she had to have basic professional ethics. Relying solely on talent points wouldn't work.

Not long after, the private detective sent her a message with several photos, including one of the female lead.

So, the reason Liu Zhenyi's family suddenly became quiet wasn't out of fear, but because the female lead couldn't bear to see her biological parents harassed and paid off both families.

One had to admit the female lead was still too naive. Give an inch, they'll take a mile. Having tasted this sweetness, those people would only demand more money in the future.

But that was the female lead's business. She couldn't control how others spent their money. However, if those people harassed Zhao Yun and her family again, she wouldn't hesitate to send those bloodsuckers to jail. Extortion was enough to put them away for years, and none of them would escape.

After his migraine subsided, the old man didn't come to interrogate her again. Usually, he acted as if he didn't see her. No matter how much she provoked him, the old man no longer said harsh words. The psychologist's advice probably had an effect.

After all, she was his biological granddaughter. The old man surely didn't want to drive his own flesh and blood into genuine madness. That would disgrace the Su family.

With no plot triggers at home, Su Mi could only turn her attention elsewhere.

When it was time to join the crew, Sister Zhou accompanied her to the production team's dinner. She mentioned that the acting coach would give her two-hour lessons every night from now on. However, the director was quite strict and could be harsh with his words. It was best to tolerate it and not easily pick a fight with him.

Any director who cared about their work would have reservations about an unknown, connected newcomer playing their female lead.

Upon arriving at the hotel private room, it was already full of people, including producers, investors, the director, screenwriter, and main cast. Su Mi suddenly spotted a familiar face.

Clearly, the other person saw her too, momentarily stunned, as if not expecting to see her here.

"Sorry for being late, traffic was terrible. Let me introduce, Su Mi. Mimi's acting experience isn't extensive yet. If there are any shortcomings in the future, please be understanding." Sister Zhou smoothly greeted everyone.

She then pulled out a chair for Su Mi to sit, while she herself sat next to the producers, clearly having more to discuss.

Seeing Sister Zhou treat her with such respect, although the others weren't entirely clear on Su Mi's exact background, they warmly chimed in that it was only natural.

After all, Sister Zhou was the second-in-command at Yuxing Entertainment. Whoever could make her act so deferentially couldn't be an ordinary person.

"Xiao Mi's image fits the protagonist perfectly. She'll definitely deliver the most perfect performance," the screenwriter said earnestly.

Given the current state of the industry, even the best script needed investors. Today, she also needed to establish a connection with Yuxing Entertainment.

Su Mi raised a cup of tea in a toast, without much enthusiasm.

Others heaped on praise as well, but the director sat there unfazed, chatting with others without any reaction.

Knowing the director had a problem with her, Su Mi didn’t plan to curry favor at the dinner table. Sometimes, your work has to do the talking to shut people up.

"Su Mi..."

A girl beside her suddenly gave her a strange look, then her lips curved into a smile. "Long time no see."

The male lead actor would arrive at the set tomorrow. Today, only the second female lead and the second male lead were present. Coincidentally, the second female lead actress was also an acquaintance of the original host, as the original host had once worked as her body double, specifically for scenes involving cold water.

Although He Qiao was only a B-list actress, her youth and talent gave her a bright future ahead in the eyes of netizens, with top-tier status seemingly inevitable. However, her public and private personas were vastly different. On set, she often threw her weight around, was rude to the crew, and extras got it even worse. Once, an extra secretly took a photo of her from behind, and He Qiao’s assistant chewed them out for a full half-hour.

On one occasion when the original host was acting as her body double, the wind caused her skirt to flap out of place, forcing He Qiao to reshoot the scene. Afterward, He Qiao reamed her out, calling her every name in the book. It wasn’t until the assistant director stepped in to smooth things over that she finally calmed down. Even the originally agreed payment of six hundred yuan was cut to three hundred.

After that, the original host never landed another easy, well-paying body double role again, as if she had been blacklisted by all the extras’ coordinators.

Only the original host could endure such treatment. If it were her, she’d sell the story to marketing accounts and make a profit from it.

"I didn’t expect to have the chance to work with Sister Qiaoqiao again. Our last collaboration was so pleasant, so I’m sure we’ll have even better chemistry this time," she said with genuine sincerity.

Hearing this, He Qiao’s expression shifted slightly. She had no idea which big shot Su Mi had latched onto to land the female lead role. Otherwise, how could a mere extra be sitting here? But in this industry, such things weren’t uncommon. Regardless, her contract was already signed, so even if Su Mi tried to use her backers to kick her out, it wouldn’t work.

"You’ve worked together before? Isn’t this Xiao Mi’s first time acting?" a curious investor asked.

Su Mi smiled faintly. "My family didn’t allow me to act before, so I secretly went to work as an extra. I guess you could say I’ve collaborated with Sister Qiaoqiao before. I’m surprised she still remembers me."

"Yes, yes, Xiao Mi is very dedicated," He Qiao quickly chimed in.

"I need to use the restroom," Su Mi suddenly stood up.

After leaving the private room, she asked a server for directions and found the restroom. But shortly after she entered, someone followed her in—none other than He Qiao, wearing a look of contrition. Her meticulously made-up face now carried a hint of apology, a stark contrast to the person who had once pointed at the original host and berated her.

"I was working long hours back then, so my temper wasn’t the best. I’m really sorry. How about I treat you to a meal next time?" He Qiao approached with a softened tone.

Su Mi continued washing her hands without looking up. "Sure. My shoes have gotten a bit dirty. I wonder if Sister Qiaoqiao could help me wipe them."

Endure? Be magnanimous? Sorry, she didn’t have such noble qualities.

Hearing this, He Qiao’s once-pleasant features contorted with anger. Never having been treated like this before, she sneered coldly. "Who do you think you are? Just a kept woman for some big shot. The day you get dumped, you won’t even be qualified to be my body double!"

"Ding! Key plot triggered!"

Su Mi suddenly turned around, grabbed He Qiao’s long hair, and slammed her against the wall. Amid He Qiao’s frantic screams, she tore off her false eyelashes and fake bangs.

"I was wondering why this restroom smelled so bad. Turns out someone’s been spewing filth everywhere. Looks like Sister Qiaoqiao’s mouth is coated with laxatives, given how she spouts nonsense at everyone. Remember to chew on a few old cucumbers when you get back. Seems like you didn’t eat enough today."

He Qiao, unable to break free, was seething with rage, her face contorted. "You... you... how dare you say that again!"

"Looks like you’re really hungry," Su Mi said, pulling her hair and glancing toward the toilet bowl. "Lucky for you, there’s something here you’d love to eat."