Chapter 54: A Pleasant Surprise

Stepping out of the elevator, Nan Zhi glanced at the time—only six minutes left until the second interview. She hurried toward the restroom. The interview would test not only her professional knowledge but also her appearance. Fu Sijing knew this well, which was why she had deliberately spilled coffee all over her.

Nan Zhi pressed her lips together, her expression cold as she scrubbed at the coffee stains on her clothes. After most of the stain was washed out, the wet fabric turned translucent, and her undergarments were clearly visible beneath.

"Are you here for the interview? How did your clothes end up so wet?" A gentle, sweet voice sounded from behind her.

Nan Zhi lifted her head and saw through the mirror a girl standing beside her, not yet twenty, with delicate features and a shy gaze.

"Do you need a hairdryer?" the girl asked softly, blinking, her eyes friendly and sincere.

Nan Zhi did need a hairdryer. Even if she couldn’t get her clothes completely dry, half-dry would be much better.

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me. Oh, by the way, my name is Xiaoting." The girl led Nan Zhi to a makeup room. Before entering, Nan Zhi glanced at the nameplate on the door: Lin Wanyue.

After returning to the country, Nan Zhi had learned about the current situation at the TV station. Lin Wanyue was the station’s undisputed leading lady, a household name, winner of the Golden Microphone Award, and a pillar of the broadcasting team.

"Xiaoting, is this the dressing room reserved for Senior Lin? Is it really alright for me to go in?"

"You're just borrowing the hairdryer—there's no problem."

Nan Zhi entered the makeup room, and Xiaoting handed her the hairdryer.

She was halfway through drying her clothes when the sharp, purposeful click of high heels suddenly echoed from outside.

Xiaoting’s face went pale. "Could that be Sister Lin?"

Just as Nan Zhi put down the hairdryer, the door to the dressing room was pushed open. A woman in a golden suit, her wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, strode in with authority.

Seeing Nan Zhi, the woman frowned in displeasure. "Who is she?"

Xiaoting lowered her head, her voice trembling with anxiety. "Sister Lin, she’s here for the anchor interview. Her clothes got wet and she just came in to borrow the hairdryer."

Lin Wanyue gave a cold snort, sat at the makeup table, and said in a frosty tone, "There's a live broadcast at ten that I need to host. Hurry up and touch up my makeup."

"Yes, Sister Lin."

Nan Zhi stood to the side, politely thanking both Lin Wanyue and Xiaoting.

Lin Wanyue ignored her, while Xiaoting gave her a small, encouraging nod.

Nan Zhi turned and headed for the door, but had only taken a few steps when she heard Xiaoting gasp. Instinctively, Nan Zhi looked back, just in time to see Lin Wanyue—still in her high heels—kick Xiaoting to the ground.

"Clumsy fool. You can't even manage a simple touch-up." Lin Wanyue rose from her chair and took off a massive diamond ring from her middle finger, handing it to Xiaoting. "I can't wear diamonds on air. Keep this for me. If you lose it, just wait and see how I deal with you!"

With that, Lin Wanyue clicked out of the room, her heels tapping arrogantly, never once glancing at Nan Zhi as she passed.

After Lin Wanyue left, Nan Zhi helped Xiaoting up from the floor. "Are you alright?"

Xiaoting shook her head, her face pale. "My stomach hurts a bit. Could you help me to the chair? Thank you."

"It's nothing," Nan Zhi replied. She hadn’t expected that the elegant, amiable Lin Wanyue she’d seen on screen could be so harsh and malicious in private.

At that moment, an excited shriek came from the neighboring dressing room. "Yao Yao, am I seeing things, or is that Alvis? Oh my God, why would Alvis come to our TV station in person?"

"Yao Yao, after Nan Zhi tore my dress, didn’t you call my brother? Do you think Alvis might have been invited by him? Oh my God, is the outfit his assistant is holding meant for me?"

...

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