WBSGVS Chapter 97 V2

Taking a deep breath, Su Tang reassured herself that Fu Qingli was just an ordinary person from a regular family. She hadn’t been famous before and couldn’t possibly hold any significant sway in this production.

After convincing herself a few times, she regained some composure and stepped forward. “Hello, Director. I’d like to audition for the scene where the supporting character first enters the palace.”

“Alright, Xiao Li, help with the scene.” Zhou Xue, relieved that Qingli hadn’t spoken up, gestured for an assistant to run lines.

Fu Qingli watched the performance with a cold and detached expression.

Su Tang, however, felt increasingly uneasy. Even the simplest lines came out stiffly. The well-rehearsed scene felt like a hot potato in her hands. Whenever she accidentally met Fu Qingli’s gaze, it seemed filled with ridicule, shaking her confidence further.

Finally, the three-minute performance ended. Su Tang felt sweat trickling down her back.

Qingli remained silent as Zhou Xue offered a few polite words of praise before asking Su Tang to leave. The results of the audition wouldn’t be announced immediately, but the indifferent reactions of the director, assistant director, and producer made Su Tang’s heart sink. She knew she had underperformed.

Unwilling to give up, Su Tang took a step forward. “Director, I heard the production still needs investment. I can bring funding to the table. How about we exchange contact information and discuss it privately?”

Zhou Xue was momentarily taken aback and shook her head. “Sorry, but we’re no longer in need of investments.”

Su Tang’s expression darkened. That didn’t make sense!

In her past life, this series had faced endless ridicule for its low-budget costumes and set designs, which hindered its success. Many had claimed that if not for the lack of funding, the show could have been even more popular.

Just as she was about to press the issue further, Fu Qingli finally spoke, her tone light but laced with a subtle arrogance. “I invested 30 million into this project myself, so there’s no need for your help, Miss Su. And if the production ever needs more, I’m happy to contribute.”

Su Tang froze, her face a mix of disbelief and indignation. “You’re lying! Where would you get that kind of money?”

After all, she had heard that Fu Qingli had left her marriage with nothing.

Qingli’s smile widened as she said playfully, “Oh, I have you to thank for that. The prize money from Terror Escape was quite generous.”

Su Tang’s eyes widened in shock, and she nearly choked on her fury.

Terror Escape!

Ever since that humiliating episode, she had done her best to erase the variety show from her memory. Yet here it was, turning into the source of Fu Qingli’s triumph, allowing her to sit above and look down on Su Tang.

“Miss Su, we need to deliberate on our casting decisions. Please wait outside.” Zhou Xue, sensing the rising tension, quickly gestured to an assistant to escort Su Tang out before things escalated.

Suppressing her anger, Su Tang pulled her hand from her assistant’s grip and stormed out.

“Big Sis, how did it go? Did you get the part?” her assistant asked eagerly.

Before they had arrived, Su Tang had been brimming with confidence, so her assistant naturally assumed they were celebrating.

“What part? Help me take off this makeup!” Su Tang snapped, yanking out the ornamental hairpin in frustration and throwing it to the ground, where it shattered into pieces. The sight of the broken accessory provided a faint sense of relief.

How could it be Fu Qingli?

Since Fu Qingli’s divorce from Ye Minxing, Su Tang had felt as though nothing in her life had been going right. In her memories, Fu Qingli had never been involved in this project. Could their divorce have altered the course of events?

But that didn’t make sense either.

Fu Qingli had no business acumen, yet she had somehow identified the potential of this series and boldly invested 30 million yuan?

A chilling realization began to form in Su Tang’s mind, one she was reluctant to accept. But she pushed it aside and reassured herself: Fu Qingli must have latched onto some wealthy patron to make such a move.

That must be it.

Back at the audition site, Zhou Xue and the others awkwardly turned to Fu Qingli. “What did you think of her?”

As the largest investor and the female lead, Fu Qingli held the power of veto. Her opinion was crucial.

“She didn’t impress me,” Qingli said with a faint smile.

Zhou Xue felt even more uncomfortable, silently cursing her friend for forcing Su Tang into this situation. “Alright, we’ll consider other candidates.”

“Mm,” Qingli nodded and left the room.

On her way out, she stopped by the restroom and, by chance, ran into Su Tang at the sink.

With most of the crew gone, the floor was nearly empty, leaving just the two of them. Their eyes met in the mirror, and Su Tang’s already dark expression grew even more menacing.

“Fu Qingli, don’t think I don’t know you only got to be an investor by clinging to someone powerful. Don’t get cocky!”

Qingli’s faint smile widened. Her voice was calm but carried a sharp edge. “I didn’t cling to anyone. I simply reported Su Corporation for its engineering violations and collected the reward money. Quite the generous payout.”

Su Tang’s head snapped toward Qingli, her face twisted with rage. “It was you?!”

Qingli didn’t deny it, her provocative smirk deepening.

Su Tang was about to explode in fury when a horrifying thought crossed her mind. Lowering her voice, she demanded, “You’re a reborn too, aren’t you?”

Otherwise, how could she have known about the Su Corporation’s downfall a year before it happened?

Qingli tilted her head, her smile taunting. “That’s right. Did you think you were the only one reborn? Su Tang, you couldn’t beat me in our last life, and you won’t beat me in this one. How pathetic.”

The sound of Su Tang grinding her teeth was almost audible, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Fu Qingli was reborn too!

The realization left her reeling. How could fate be so cruel as to let her deadliest rival be reborn alongside her?

Desperate to regain the upper hand, Su Tang sneered, “So what? Even reborn, you still got divorced by Ye Minxing. How’s that for a win?”

Qingli’s expression turned icy, her tone dripping with disdain. “Unlike you, I know when to let go of trash. If you enjoy scavenging, he’s all yours. Feeling proud of yourself? Fool.”

Scavenging?

Proud?

Was she really that foolish?

The rage and humiliation burned through Su Tang, snapping her last shred of self-control.

“I’ll kill you!” she screamed, raising her hand to strike Qingli.