Chapter 3: Envy
Chapter 3
…
A young woman walks towards the group of staff on the set while bowing her head to greet them. Although she showed a smile and an amiable expression on her face, she did not even apologize for being late.
But her gentle appearance seems to have made people forget that she was late and that the filming of the commercial is going to be delayed because of her.
As she strode towards the makeup room, she took a glance at Ma Liling who is already dressed up and is prepared for the filming.
As their gazes met, Ma Liling just showed her a courteous smile while slightly nodding her head.
This simple gesture made Wan Mei Mei furious deep inside her heart. She actually deliberately arrives late to show Ma Liling that even though the latter is an award-winning actress, she... Wan Mei Mei is still above the latter with her great family background and vast experience in modeling.
However, the cool reaction of Ma Liling made her really furious that as soon as Wan Mei Mei enters her dressing room she suddenly sweeps all of the things on the small makeup table.
"That! Bitch! She's so smug and irritating! I really wanted to teach her a lesson." She shouted as she began to throwing tantrum.
Her assistant following behind her just lowered her head and did not say anything. Luckily the room is soundproof, so she is not worried. She knew of the rivalry between Ma Liling and her talent.
It was the time 5 years ago when Ma Liling suddenly appears out of nowhere in an audition for a brand. At that time, Wan Mei Mei is also starting with her career and wanted to be a model. She and many others competed and they all give it their best.
However, how could they expect that out of nowhere this beautiful innocent-looking girl would walk out from the crowd of spectators and would gain the eyes of the photographer? The photographer took some pictures of the girl and was awed by her looks and figure.
Then the auditioning committee approached the girl and then gave her a chance to audition outright. After that, the audition was done and the girl was given the contract.
That was the first appearance of Ma Liling. And ever since her face came out and people saw her in magazines, hundreds of offers were given to her. Wan Mei Mei and many others from that day forth became really angry at Ma Liling. Wan Mei Mei in particular swore to be her rival and would give it everything she got when facing Ma Liling.
At first, the rivalry between them was just modeling, and then after Wan Mei Mei got her desire fame as a model, she suddenly realized that Ma Liling has a good voice and suddenly became an idol. Wan Mei Mei did not give up and gained not just fame but also develops a name for herself as a model.
Now the two of them are suddenly working in the same commercial, Wan Mei Mei swore to herself that she would not be trampled by Ma Liling again. Unlike 5 years ago when she was new and a novice, this time, she is already a veteran in the industry and knew some tricks of her own.
After venting her anger, Wan Mei Mei threw an angry gaze at her assistant who suddenly feels shivers running down her spine.
"Damn it, this woman is really feisty… if not for the good salary, I would not want to work with this spoiled brat." The assistant thought.
"Call in the makeup artist… I want to be more dazzling and more beautiful than that Ma Liling woman!…" she shouted.
The assistant panicked a little bit, but still run outside to call in the makeup artist.
2 hours later…
Everyone in the set has a look of annoyance on their faces as they waited for the whole two hours before Wan Mei Mei could finish. The director wanted to lash out but he has to hold his temper as the background of that woman is not simple.
He is just a mere director of a commercial, how could he offend someone with such a strong background. But he also knew that he could not let Ma Liling be wronged. Hence he already offered a word of apology to Ma Liling and would always talk to her every now and then along with some of the staff in the set.
When Wan Mei Mei came out of her dressing room everyone was dumbfounded by her looks.
With full makeup on her face, she looks really gorgeous, and the tight-fitting dress which insinuates her curves and full bosom is already attracting many to look at her.
However, the director is looking at her with an ugly expression on his face.
He now really wanted to shout and go wild while looking at that hateful woman. How could this woman be this stupid? She was told that the scene should portray two sisters showing their beautiful and innocent sides. Now, what Wan Mei Mei is wearing and her looks are not innocent at all. She is like someone who is going to a hostess bar.
She looks beautiful but in a bad way.
When the director was about to lose his mind, Wan Mei Mei suddenly approaches and said.
"Director Gao… Please don't be agitated... I have read the script and also the idea for the commercial shoot. It's actually good, but that would only display one side of beauty… I began thinking and I want to suggest that you should take the two sides of beauty… One has a strong personality and feisty, and the other is innocent and calm. What do you think?" Wan Mei Mei suggested with a smile.
When the director heard her words, his mind immediately went into action. How could he not know what Wan Mei Mei mean? The idea is radical and not in the script, but it is feasible according to the difference in Ma Liling and Wan Mei Mei's beauty aesthetics.
Upon thinking for a while, he looks at the others as they too nodded their heads agreeing with the suggestion.
When she saw that everyone agreed with her, she threw a side glance at Ma Liling and showed a provocative look.
...
The shoot started even though they are already almost 3 hours late.
Both Ma Liling and Wan Mei Mei began taking pictures and the comparison was made. Upon seeing that the idea is really feasible, they went with Wan Mei Mei's suggestion.
"Miss Mei Mei is really a genius… I heard from before that she would sometimes suggest such things in her previous photoshoots. I never expected it to be true... She really is a professional model."
"This is such a good suggestion…"
"I agree, both of their beauties would really surface with the contrast."
The staff began to whisper as they sing praises towards Wan Mei Mei. And these things made Wan Mei Mei's mood turn for the better. She knew that because of her suggestion, she would not be overshadowed by Ma Liling's angelic beauty.
After a while, the two needed to take a scene where they would portray a dramatic conversation between them. Director Gao wanted to see a scene where they would bring out their true inner beauties as they interact with one another.
As the two faces each other, Wan Mei Mei suddenly had a bad feeling. It was like a premonition that she would be facing a very tough opponent.
She looks at Ma Liling and shook her head as her confidence return upon seeing the calm expression on Ma Liling's face.
But as soon as their eyes met she is already in a trance.
"… Action!"
Then the sound of the movie set clapboard was the last sound she heard before her mind suddenly feels like she wanted to show a haughty and proud disposition upon seeing the innocent look on the woman in front of her.
She wanted to sneer and be snooty. Her facial expression suddenly changes and her body and action followed her mind.
She wanted to dominate this woman who looks like a frail lamb and wanted to subdue her.
Then suddenly everything ended just like that. It seems that everything for her is a conscious dream.
"Annnnnd… CUT!"
Wan Mei Mei suddenly got her mind back and looks around as if still in a daze. She then looks at Ma Liling, and just received a simple smile from her.
"Good work! You two did a good job! That was splendid…"
"Miss Mei Mei… you truly did awesomely. I didn't know you could act like that. It was truly awesome…"
"Miss Mei Mei… you did good!"
Showers of praises were given to her as the people on the set really appreciate her acting. But as she listened to their words, Wan Mei Mei's countenance went gloomy. She knew that the reason for her acting like that was not because she is good, or because she is awesome in acting. In fact, at that time she was too nervous.
She prepared for this to trample Ma Liling, she wanted them to take as many scenes as possible to expose her faults. However, how could she fall for that woman's tricks?
She then remembers her friends in the showbiz telling her about Ma Liling's ability in acting. And that one can't help but be immersed in acting when partnering with her. She thought that those were just stories and rumors and that it was unfounded gossip.
But who could have known that those things are actually true?
She shifted her gaze towards the woman, who just sits calmly and quietly on the side, and could not help but feel jealousy, envy, and anger deep in her heart.
"That woman tricked me!" she shouted in her mind.
She clenches her fist and suddenly stood up. She wanted to confront Ma Liling, she wanted to tell her that she would not give up on challenging the woman.
She may be a good actress, but, she, Wan Mei Mei can do better, and is better than Ma Liling in some ways.
As soon as she was about to walk near Ma Liling, she saw the director approaching on the other side. She suddenly hid in a corner.
"Miss Liling… you did a good job again. I thought that it would take some time before Wan Mei Mei could act alongside you… But who would have known she could nail it in one go." Director Gao said with a smile.
"You're magic really works even on newbies… Haha…" the director suddenly added with a laugh while looking sneakily from side to side.
Upon hearing this, Wan Mei Mei who has suddenly hidden on the side of some stage props clenches her fist in anger.
How could she accept such a thing? Are they looking down on her?
As she was about to lash out, she suddenly saw a tall and handsome young man walking towards the set.
Upon seeing the guy, her eyes suddenly lit up. And like a bullied little girl, she ran towards him.
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