Delicate Beauty in the Palm : Chapter 20 - Cigarette Smell
Chapter 20: Cigarette Smell
Early in the morning, Chen Die had to get ready for makeup. When the alarm rang, it was still dark outside.
She yawned, slowly got out of bed, washed up, sent a message to Fang Ruan, and left the room.
Half-awake and drowsy, she stepped out of the hotel and immediately heard laughter beside her.
Chen Die turned her head.
“Senior, why are you up so early?”
Lu Chuan was in a black shirt and pants, looking fresh and bright. He smiled at her and handed over a cup of soy milk and a meat bun. “I happen to need to head over early to prep the set. Let’s eat breakfast first.”
Chen Die hesitated slightly but still accepted it and thanked him.
“These soup dumplings are really good. I had a shoot here for three months before, and I basically survived on this breakfast place.”
Chen Die opened the bag and took a bite. The thin skin burst with savory soup—truly delicious.
“Senior,” she asked calmly while fanning her mouth after being scalded by the soup, “are you really just heading over to prep the set?”
Lu Chuan paused, then smiled.
“Junior,” he mimicked her tone, “you really don’t know how to play dumb, do you?”
Chen Die didn’t answer. Lu Chuan tilted his head to look at her and noticed her gaze had drifted to a corner of the flowerbed, where a few cigarette butts lay scattered. He asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Chen Die withdrew her gaze. “What were you saying?”
“Said you don’t know how to pretend to be clueless.”
Chen Die tugged at the corner of her lips. “I’m actually pretty good at playing dumb. But with you, there’s no need—we’ve known each other for so long.”
“Fair enough. I wasn’t going to prep the set. I just wanted to walk with you to the set.”
Chen Die had already guessed when she saw him at the hotel entrance.
She was heading to the set two or three hours early just for makeup. No matter how important the prep was, it didn’t require someone of Lu Chuan’s position to be there that early.
“I’m really not thinking about dating right now.”
“I know,” Lu Chuan said. “I’m not asking you to give me an answer right away. We’ve known each other as friends for four years. It’s not easy to shift roles. But I hope that no matter your past relationships, don’t shut yourself off. Try giving me a chance.”
As a director, Lu Chuan was indeed good at observing people.
Chen Die didn’t say much, but he had already figured her out completely.
She smiled and said nothing.
Just before sunrise, the film city was peaceful, filled with the faint scent of flowers drifting in from hidden corners. A crescent moon still hung faintly in the sky.
Several crew members were already on set.
Chen Die finished breakfast and went outside to wash her hands.
A black sedan was parked nearby. Cars weren’t allowed in the scenic area, so it stood out.
After washing her hands and tightening the faucet, Chen Die glanced at the car window. The tinted glass made it impossible to see inside.
She didn’t think much of it and shook the water from her hands, turning to walk away.
But just as she rounded the corner into the set, she caught sight of a familiar woman stepping out of the black car—tall, curvy.
Wang Yunxi.
Then the car window rolled down, and a man stuck his head out. Wang Yunxi leaned over, kissed him on the lips, and cooed sweetly and playfully.
Chen Die: “…”
‘…Had she just discovered some secret affair?’
Wang Yunxi was a fan-driven idol, and if she hadn’t mistaken the guy, he was also a recent idol from a survival show—less famous than Wang Yunxi, but with a strong fan base.
If this got leaked, it would be a media bloodbath.
Chen Die didn’t watch any longer and quickly went back to the makeup room.
“This makeup is so perfect, I don’t even need to cover up your dark circles,” the makeup artist clicked her tongue in mock frustration. “What a waste of good features.”
At that moment, Wang Yunxi entered, not even glancing sideways. “Xiao Wang, do my makeup first.”
The makeup artist froze, glancing at Chen Die with a conflicted look.
Chen Die patted her shoulder. “It’s fine. Let someone else do mine.”
Just then, Fang Ruan arrived on set, and the moment her back was to Wang Yunxi, she rolled her eyes dramatically.
She scooted her chair next to Chen Die and muttered, “What a diva. Everyone knows half her followers on Weibo are fake, and she really thinks she’s some big star.”
“She’s always like this?”
“She sizes people up. Total snob. But she wouldn’t dare act like this in front of Qi Cheng. No wonder she hates you. Remember that cooking show, <Wilderness Kitchen>? Everyone kept comparing you two, and you came out looking better. Wang Yunxi hates that kind of thing the most.”
Fang Ruan grew more annoyed the more she spoke. She squeezed Chen Die’s shoulder and said, “Anyway, we’re not afraid of her. We’ve got Mr. Chen behind us!”
Chen Die rolled her eyes. “There’s nothing going on between me and him.”
“I don’t believe it. You all believe in Chen!”
“There are tons of people with the surname Chen. Are they all Chen Shao’s sister?”
“......”
It wasn’t until the second scene officially started filming that Chen Die truly realized what kind of person Wang Yunxi was.
—SMACK!
There was a scene in the script where she was supposed to get slapped by the second female lead. Chen Die turned her face to the side.
Although she’d had a rough life—switched at birth, adopted, found again, ran away, and now living alone for the second time—this was her first time ever getting slapped.
Especially by someone who clearly wasn’t acting, but taking the opportunity to vent her frustration.
“Oops, sorry Director,” Wang Yunxi said as she took a warm towel from her assistant and casually wiped her hands. “Let me go again.”
“Focus, and act properly,” the director frowned, clearly noticing something, and warned her.
Take two.
Smack! Even louder than before. Chen Die stumbled from the force, unable to keep her balance.
Wang Yunxi feigned surprise. “Oh no, the script says you’re not supposed to step back. Guess we’ll have to do another take.”
Even Lu Chuan, usually mild-tempered, frowned and stepped out from behind the camera. “Are you okay?” he asked Chen Die.
“I’m fine,” Chen Die shook her head.
“Wang Yunxi,” Lu Chuan looked at her sternly, “focus on the scene. I don’t want to see you mixing personal feelings into your performance.”
With that, the next take finally went smoothly.
Fang Ruan rushed over with a towel to apply to her face, worry written all over her. “Is it going to swell? It looked painful from here, that sound was brutal. Does it hurt?”
Chen Die sighed, took the towel and pressed it to her cheek herself. “What do you think?”
“She’s seriously got issues,” Fang Ruan fumed. “If Director Lu hadn’t said something, who knows how long she would’ve kept this up.”
She was so angry, she even snuck off to call Chen Shao and report the situation.
She’d expected some touching big-brother-defends-little-sister moment… but Chen Shao only replied with a flat “Oh,” and said: “You’re working with a whole crew, and you’re still not used to this kind of thing?”
“......”
Fang Ruan was now fully convinced: ‘they are definitely not siblings!!’
Wenyuan Group.
“Mr. Wen, Miss Chen left the hotel for the film set at 4:30 AM this morning,” Zhu Qicong reported in a respectful tone. “She had the standard boxed lunch for midday, and tonight, she’ll be attending a charity gala as a representative of the crew.”
He paused at the end, hesitating. “Also, one more thing…”
Wen Liang was writing something and didn’t look up. “What is it?”
“It seems Miss Chen isn’t getting along with a female star on set named Wang Yunxi. During filming today, Miss Chen was slapped several times.”
Zhu Qicong had wanted to comment that Wang Yunxi was clearly asking for trouble. Anyone with eyes could see Chen Die wasn’t someone to mess with.
He tentatively asked, “Do you want me to…?”
“No need,” Wen Liang said calmly, fingers laced together. “Consider it a lesson.”
“…Then about the charity gala—are you still going?”
“Yes.”
The charity gala that evening was hosted by the chief editor of a prestigious fashion magazine. Many in the entertainment and cultural industries were invited, along with the usual elite socialites of Yan City.
That night, the banquet hall was dazzlingly lit.
A red carpet stretching dozens of meters was laid out from the steps at the entrance. Reporters lined the sides, camera flashes going off non-stop.
The show <Hairpin Flowers> was based on a real historical figure, and the antique hairpin featured in the story would also be on display at the charity gala.
The cast’s attendance was also part of the show’s pre-release publicity.
Plenty of entertainment industry celebrities were in attendance.
The lead cast members arrived in the same car and prepared to walk the red carpet.
Originally, Chen Die and Qi Cheng were supposed to walk in together as the male and female leads. But just as the car stopped, Wang Yunxi shoved past and took the lead, forcing Chen Die aside. She then hooked her arm around Qi Cheng’s and smiled gracefully at the cameras.
Chen Die: “?”
‘What is wrong with her???’
She wasn’t exactly a patient person. From the morning in the makeup room until now, Wang Yunxi had repeatedly pissed her off.
Fang Ruan immediately widened her eyes in outrage and, taking advantage of the fact they were still in the car, let loose: “Are you fcking kidding me?! That dumb btch has zero shame!”
Chen Die replied coolly, “I’ll go take it back.”
“Hell yeah!” Fang Ruan said—but then suddenly paused.
Wait a second… Chen Die’s tone had been way too calm. “…Huh?”
Chen Die didn’t say anything else and followed closely behind as she got out of the car.
It was her first time attending such an event, and she still wasn’t used to the blinding flashes of the cameras. By the time she walked the length of the red carpet, her eyes felt like they’d been seared.
Entering the venue.
Qi Cheng and Wang Yunxi were well-connected in the entertainment industry, moving through the event like fish in water. Chen Die, on the other hand, barely knew anyone.
Fortunately, she wasn’t someone who feared being alone and quietly stood off to the side.
Before long, Feng Zhi and Director Lu Chuan entered from another passage.
“How’s it going? Still adjusting?” Lu Chuan walked over and asked.
“It’s a little difficult,” Chen Die answered honestly.
She wasn’t used to the atmosphere of this world full of fame and vanity.
Lu Chuan chuckled. “No worries. There aren’t any reporters inside anyway. Just relax—no need to worry about what people outside might say.”
Chen Die looked up. “No reporters inside?”
“Right. This charity gala is fairly exclusive. The media is only allowed to shoot outside; they can’t enter the venue.”
Chen Die glanced over toward Wang Yunxi, who was now chatting and laughing with a group of glamorously dressed actresses, wine glass in hand and pinky raised.
Chen Die gave a small, inexplicable smile. “Perfect.”
“Hm?”
Chen Die shrugged. “Nothing.”
Just then, the side doors opened. A man in a sleek suit walked in with a composed and noble air, effortlessly commanding attention.
The chief editor who hosted the event immediately walked up to greet him, signaling a servant to bring a glass of champagne. “It’s like spring has arrived here with you showing up tonight, Mr. Wen. What an honor to finally have you here.”
Wen Liang took the champagne, clinked glasses with the editor, and took a small sip.
Then he looked up—and his gaze landed directly on Chen Die in the distance.
She was already looking at him.
Wen Liang calmly looked away, his expression unreadable, no surprise, no emotion. Like they were complete strangers. After chatting briefly with the editor, he turned and walked toward the opposite side of the room.
“They’re about to begin. Let’s take our seats,” Lu Chuan said.
“Alright.” Chen Die followed him to the designated table.
Wen Liang was already seated—front row, with a nameplate set before him.
He lit a cigarette, looking effortlessly elegant and distant, casually chatting with someone beside him.
Chen Die glanced at his back.
No need to guess—after what happened last night, knowing his personality, Wen Liang would probably only treat her as a stranger from now on.
Which honestly worked just fine for her.
Before long, the host went up on stage.
Chen Die couldn’t really hear what the host was saying—mostly because Wang Yunxi wouldn’t shut up, chattering away with another woman next to her.
There was none of the aloof, cool image the media had painted of her—just over-the-top fawning.
“See that guy over there?” the woman beside Wang Yunxi tilted her chin toward Wen Liang. “That’s the real power behind Wenyuan Group now.”
Wang Yunxi craned her neck. “The eldest Wen son really is that handsome?”
“Oh, absolutely. And he’s ruthless too. If someone like him took a liking to you, your future would be set.”
“He’s not married yet?” Wang Yunxi asked.
“Nope. Seems like he’s the non-marriage type. And the Wen family’s so powerful they don’t even need to marry for business alliances. I did hear, though, that he keeps a woman in his home… but I don’t know what’s going on with her now.”
Wang Yunxi propped her chin up with perfectly manicured, matte wine-red nails, lightly tapping her cheek. “A man like that… definitely not the loyal type.”
“Right?” the other woman giggled and nudged her shoulder. “But if you, the ultimate goddess, made a move—he’d fall for sure.”
Wang Yunxi giggled, shaking with laughter. “Oh stop it, sis, you’re just teasing me now.”
The noise was giving Chen Die a headache. She raised her hand and pressed her fingertips to her brow.
Lu Chuan noticed and leaned in to ask quietly, “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
He glanced at her face. Even though it was covered with makeup, he could still faintly see the swelling on her right cheek. His brows furrowed. “Does it still hurt?”
“It’s not bad. It just looks worse than it is—doesn’t hurt that much.”
Just then, a chair scraped against the floor. Wang Yunxi stood up, murmured to her friend that she was going to the restroom, and walked out the back.
“I’d heard rumors about Wang Yunxi’s temper,” Lu Chuan said. “Didn’t think she’d be this over the line. Don’t worry—I’ll talk to her before we shoot again. She’ll still give me some respect.”
“No need.”
Chen Die suddenly laughed, her fox-like eyes curving mischievously, carrying a glint of bad intentions. She enunciated each word slowly: “I’ll go negotiate with her myself.”
With that, she got up and followed Wang Yunxi out.
The hallway outside was pitch dark. With each sharp click of high heels hitting the floor, the motion sensor lights flickered on one by one.
Wang Yunxi had just stepped out of the stall after using the restroom when she saw Chen Die standing in front of her, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.
Just seeing her irritated Wang Yunxi. She snapped impatiently, “Don’t just stand there getting in my way.”
Chen Die tilted her head. “How about we settle a score?”
Wang Yunxi froze in her tracks and turned to face her. “What score do I have to settle with you? Don’t try to act familiar with me.”
Chen Die's smile didn’t waver. She really was pretty when she smiled—even if her smile right now was enough to make someone’s blood boil. The more Wang Yunxi looked at her, the more annoyed she became. She couldn’t help recalling all the comparisons that popped up in the barrage of online comments after that show aired.
Plenty of marketing accounts even jumped in, propping Chen Die up by stepping on her.
Wang Yunxi had convinced herself that Chen Die was behind it all.
But before she could even get a sarcastic word out, Chen Die strolled slowly over and—without warning—raised her hand and slapped her. Hard.
Smack.
The blow was loud and forceful. Wang Yunxi’s ears rang for a moment, but more than anything, she was stunned.
She had just gotten slapped by some no-name rookie?
Clutching her face, she looked up and glared at Chen Die with fury: “You dared to hit me?!”
Chen Die flexed her wrist, looking relaxed. “You slapped me how many times this morning? Me giving you just one—hardly seems over the line, right?”
Wang Yunxi let out a scream and lunged at her, clawing like a wildcat.
But she clearly wasn’t a fighter. All she could manage were those typical moves in a girl fight—grabbing hair, scratching. Chen Die, however, had spent plenty of time around Wen Liang, and some instincts seemed to have rubbed off on her.
Wang Yunxi hadn’t even touched her yet when Chen Die gave her another clean slap. With her heels sliding on the floor, she stumbled and nearly fell.
Utterly humiliated.
“Chen Die!!” Wang Yunxi was so furious her eyes were turning red. “You actually hit me again?!”
Chen Die looked at her sincerely. “Do you know how to say anything else?”
“You think I won’t ruin your career in this industry?!”
Chen Die wasn’t stupid—she’d already thought about this.
Wang Yunxi didn’t have any real power behind her. Her company only backed her because of her fanbase. No matter how much she kicked and screamed, she didn’t have the clout to blacklist someone. And besides, Chen Die had Chen Shao on her side—a man who loved to stir the pot.
“What, planning to cry to your fans about how I hit you?” Chen Die chuckled. “There’s not even a security camera here. What proof do you have that I laid a hand on you?”
“And this morning, there were tons of people watching you target me on set,” she added casually, flipping her hair like it was no big deal. “My agent has the full footage. We can share it with everyone for a good laugh.”
Wang Yunxi was shaking with rage, her chest heaving violently.
But Chen Die’s two slaps had been so clean, so unhesitant, it made her seem like a lunatic—and honestly, it scared Wang Yunxi into backing down.
At that moment, footsteps echoed down the hallway outside the restroom, gradually getting closer.
Wang Yunxi latched onto the sound like it was her lifeline and started yelling for help.
Chen Die’s stomach dropped. In a place like this, if word of this got out, she probably wouldn’t walk away unscathed either.
The footsteps kept getting closer…
Closer still…
Then—BANG—the bathroom door slammed shut from the outside.
Chen Die: “...?”
‘Was someone… providing her the perfect ‘crime scene’?’
Wang Yunxi looked just as stunned. There was no wind in the hallway—it clearly wasn’t a gust that closed the door. Someone had intentionally shut them in.
Could it be the person didn’t recognize her voice?
“I’m Wang Yunxi! I’m being assaulted in here!”
Chen Die: “……”
That brainless move—her fans wouldn’t believe it was real even if they saw it with their own eyes.
Chen Die didn’t slap her again.
After all, hitting someone wasn’t exactly a graceful look.
She smoothed out her clothes and gave Wang Yunxi a final warning. “Mind your own business. If you dare mess with me again, I just might be the one who really ends your career.”
With that, she turned and walked out of the restroom.
Just as she reached the door, she caught a faint whiff of a familiar cigarette scent.
----------
If you like my translation, please support me by buying me a coffee:
0 comments: