Chapter 172

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Chapter 172: The Standard Answer

If we must talk about *casting couch* rules—

In a way, the relationship between Ye Xiao and Jiang Shuyan could also be considered a kind of unspoken deal.

Once upon a time, what Jiang Shuyan hated the most were those actresses who didn’t work hard, who chose shortcuts, and willingly allowed themselves to be used for roles.

What she despised most were people like Director Bao, who, relying on their reputation in the entertainment industry, would casually take advantage of actresses.

But without realizing it, when Jiang Shuyan looked back, she found that she had, at some point, become the very person she used to loathe.

Yet deep down, at this moment, she felt no regret.

In her drunken state, she desperately craved someone’s validation.

And the woman who had suddenly appeared in front of her—Zhou Xinyuan—naturally became the first choice.

As for Zhou Xinyuan’s identity, her status in the entertainment world—Jiang Shuyan, muddled from drink, couldn’t care less.

Meanwhile, Zhou Xinyuan felt like ten thousand alpacas were stampeding through her mind.

What was even happening right now? How had things developed into this?

Why would some random drunk she picked up off the street suddenly question her in this arrogant tone, asking whether she’d ever had to sleep her way to the top?

Not even TV dramas went this far.

Was this woman secretly a paparazzi? Or an overzealous fan? Or maybe an enemy film company’s trap?

Whatever the case, Zhou Xinyuan’s gaze toward Jiang Shuyan grew colder. She scoffed, irritated, and stood up.

Forget it. Ignore this drunk. Just go home.

In the end, there was no need to answer a drunk’s nonsense. Whatever she said would surely be twisted and used by someone with bad intentions.

But just as Zhou Xinyuan turned to leave, the woman slumped weakly on the ground suddenly muttered something to herself.

“My agent once told me… and a director too… that if an actress doesn’t accept the hidden rules, she can’t survive. Especially for someone like me back then, just starting out. If I didn’t sell my body, I’d be eliminated. I wouldn’t get any opportunities. So… is the whole entertainment industry like this?”

Hearing those words, Zhou Xinyuan paused mid-step.

Through those slurred, mumbled words, as someone who had been in the industry for over a decade, Zhou Xinyuan suddenly understood.

She understood why this woman had gotten so drunk, why she was lying here all alone, looking like someone who had given up on herself, abandoned by society.

She too had once been a newcomer. How could she not know how hard it was for an actor to make it big, to get resources and opportunities?

Precisely because she understood, Zhou Xinyuan couldn’t bring herself to just walk away and leave Jiang Shuyan here.

She sighed inwardly, turned back, squatted down again, and gently brushed Jiang Shuyan’s hair aside, finally getting a clear look at her face.

She looked a bit familiar. Maybe someone Zhou had seen in the news years ago.

Finally, Zhou Xinyuan spoke in a soft, gentle tone:

“Then in the end, did you sell your body? Were you used? …Unknown actress?”

“Hah?! No way!!” Jiang Shuyan suddenly burst out, energy seemingly returning out of nowhere. “How could I—someone as gentle, adorable, noble, and elegant as me!”

“Hic—” Another drunk burp followed, once again making Zhou Xinyuan recoil.

Subconsciously, Jiang Shuyan may have considered giving in once, but she had never really seen her relationship with Ye Xiao as a casting-couch kind of deal.

“For someone like me—so sweet and refined—to be used by those pigs who look worse than dogs—ugh, I’d rather die!!”

Maybe she was putting on a brave front in front of Zhou Xinyuan, or maybe the alcohol had stripped away all filters—Jiang Shuyan blurted this out without hesitation.

“Looks like our little unknown actress still has some pride left!”

Zhou Xinyuan couldn’t help but laugh softly at this version of Jiang Shuyan.

The things she said were dumb, but somehow Zhou Xinyuan didn’t feel the slightest bit annoyed.

Everyone has their youthful moments of pride and rebellion. At that moment, Zhou Xinyuan seemed to see a reflection of her younger self.

“That’s good. You don’t need to give in to that kind of thing. Stick to your path—you’ll be rewarded in the end.”

Zhou Xinyuan didn’t really know how to encourage her and ended up giving a vague, generic line.

“But I’m already 24. I’ve been blacklisted from the industry. The public opinion has even affected my family. If this keeps going… I might have to start delivering takeout.”

Jiang Shuyan shook her head, her tone dark and hopeless.

Because of the alcohol, she didn’t even stop to think before pouring out her innermost thoughts—no hesitation at all.

“Hey, Zhou Xinyuan… you really never had to sleep your way to the top? Is it really possible to survive in the industry without it?”

Strictly speaking, calling a woman in her late 30s or early 40s by her full name like that, especially when she’s a senior in the same industry, was very impolite.

If anyone from the entertainment world saw this, Jiang Shuyan would probably get slapped with the “disrespecting her seniors” label again.

But at this moment, Zhou Xinyuan didn’t get mad—likely because she saw how far gone Jiang Shuyan was.

Zhou Xinyuan stayed silent for several minutes. Before knowing this girl’s background, flatly saying, “No, I got where I am with my own strength,” was the safest answer.

If the woman in front of her was a paparazzi, a rival studio’s plant, or a fan in disguise—if she slipped even a little—by tomorrow, the headlines would scream:

“Shocking Exposé: Zhou Xinyuan’s Hidden Past”

—and her career would be over.

But looking at the girl’s drunken, yet expectant eyes full of vulnerability, Zhou Xinyuan found it hard to say “no,” or spout the usual empty lines like:

“I made it because of my own efforts. If you just work hard, you’ll succeed too.”

Saying those things would be easy.

Coming from someone who had already made it, standing tall and preaching to the struggling junior from a moral high ground—that was the standard answer.

But for someone like Jiang Shuyan…

Saying something like that would only push her deeper into despair.

Because it was clear—she had tried. She had worked hard.

And yet, because she refused to compromise on something so demeaning—she was smeared, blacklisted, and driven out.

Was it really right to give her the standard answer?