{"id":796,"date":"2025-10-09T19:44:04","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T19:44:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sakuratranslation.com\/public-entertainment-circle-08\/"},"modified":"2025-10-23T20:14:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T20:14:21","slug":"public-entertainment-circle-08","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/es_co\/chapter\/public-entertainment-circle-08\/","title":{"rendered":"Public [Entertainment Circle] 08"},"content":{"rendered":"

**Chapter 8: Extended Pullman**

The night was as thick as ink slowly dissolving from an inkstone, dividing the world into two realms\u2014one, a decadent, fragrant reality; the other, a digital world exploding over a few photos.

**#QinMangStreetShooting**
**#QinMangCheongsamGoddess**
**#QinMangDreamsofJinghuaFit**

These three hashtags surged to the top of the trending list late at night, nearly overtaking the top spot which was currently held by a popular male celebrity exposed for secretly being married with three kids.

It all started with a photography blogger known for capturing hidden beauty in street corners. He had originally intended to shoot the wisteria-covered alleyways and the nostalgic charm of an old street\u2014but unintentionally captured Qin Mang playing balloon shooting at a street stall.

In the photo:

The wisteria vines spread and cascaded like waterfalls onto the stone pavement. A gentle summer breeze stirred the flower sea into delicate ripples. A woman in a cheongsam stood gracefully with a striking side profile, her fingers holding a gun. Her red lips were slightly pursed, radiating a kind of aggressive, cutting-edge beauty.

A balloon in the distance burst.

It was as though the shot pierced the viewer’s heart.

The old street and the wisteria grove, the cheongsam and the firearm\u2014together, they painted a soul-shattering masterpiece.

Netizens were stunned\u2014

> \u201cShe single-handedly raised the cheongsam aesthetic standard in the entertainment industry.\u201d
> \u201cIt had to be Qin Mang!\u201d
> \u201cSob sob\u2026 I knew Qin Vase would never lose in the looks department!\u201d
> \u201cYesterday she was the celestial beauty in a tearjerking short video. Today she looks like a cheongsam goddess straight out of a Republican-era film. Who was it again who said Qin Mang didn\u2019t suit cheongsams?\u201d
> \u201cSis is killing me!\u201d
> \u201cShe didn\u2019t shoot the balloon, she shot my heart!\u201d
> \u201c@DreamsofJinghua official account, I take it back. Qin Mang in a cheongsam is unbeatable. Can we change the lead actress?\u201d
> \u201cHaha, the comment above\u2014what do you think this is, a veggie market where you pick out napa cabbage?\u201d

Fans of **Shen Wanyin** couldn\u2019t stay quiet:

> \u201cNo way… no way… someone\u2019s actually trying to steal the role with just one photo?\u201d
> \u201c@DreamsofJinghua, stop playing dead. Say something!\u201d

But truthfully, they didn\u2019t expect the official account to respond.

Because the bigger the buzz, the more it benefited them.

To their surprise\u2014

The official account of *Dreams of Jinghua*, which had previously stayed quiet while fans fought and brought traffic, finally posted its first female lead-related update:

> **@DreamsofJinghua Movie V:** \u201cThe female lead will be officially announced at 9 PM on the 28th. Stay tuned.\u201d

Netizens:
**What the\u2014?!**
Why did it suddenly come back to life?

In a luxury apartment downtown\u2014

**Shen Wanyin** was sitting on the sofa, coldly staring at the table.

There lay a draft of her contract for *Dreams of Jinghua.*

But now\u2026

It was void.

> \u201cWhy keep trash around?\u201d

Her manager, **Wei Qin**, picked up the voided contract, tore it in half, and tossed it into the bin.

She looked at Shen Wanyin\u2019s makeup-free face, pale and clear like spring water. Without makeup, her features lacked the striking beauty she usually flaunted\u2014more plain than dazzling.

When Shen Wanyin debuted, her team had initially positioned her as the innocent girl-next-door. But she remained lukewarm in popularity\u2014until two years ago, when Wei Qin saw a viral video of Qin Mang.

Wei Qin, one of the most sharp-eyed managers in the industry who had launched many top actresses including current A-lister **Zhou Yuan**, immediately pivoted.

At that time, there were no prominent \u201caggressively beautiful\u201d actresses in the industry. Wei Qin quickly revamped Shen Wanyin\u2019s image, pouring in resources to crown her as the \u201cbold beauty\u201d **before** Qin Mang\u2019s debut.

Sure enough, Qin Mang went viral soon after.

Over the next two years, Shen Wanyin\u2019s team constantly published beauty comparison articles to suppress Qin Mang and claimed the \u201cbold beauty\u201d title as her own.

Now, looking at the trending photos of Qin Mang in a cheongsam, Wei Qin could only shake her head in regret.

She leaned down and patted Shen Wanyin\u2019s shoulder meaningfully.

> \u201cDon\u2019t worry. Contracts can be voided. Roles can be recast even after filming starts. Even after a film is wrapped, there are plenty of cases where actresses get replaced before the release.\u201d

> \u201cIt\u2019s just an audition.\u201d

Shen Wanyin wasn\u2019t dumb.

She clearly understood the subtext and finally showed a bit of emotion. She poured a cup of hot tea for Wei Qin, her voice softening:

> \u201cSister Wei, I\u2019ll do my best.\u201d

The night deepened.

At some point, strong winds howled against the windows. Rain began to spatter against the glass, and soon a torrential downpour poured like a galaxy collapsing.

In the villa on the second floor of a lakeside estate, dazzling lights stayed on all night.

Qin Mang finally got her hands on the \u201cSoul-Stealing Blade\u201d she had been drooling over since seeing the photo\u2014and this was the **exclusive** deep-cut version.

Under the bright lights, her palm touched the man\u2019s cool-toned skin, which now radiated with strange heat\u2014like lava rolling under crystal ice.

The black silk robe hung loosely from his shoulders, exposing broad, chiseled muscles. In the interplay of light and shadow, his slim waist and defined abs exuded a dangerous, compelling strength. Like a perfectly sculpted statue in a museum, each muscle was carved to perfection.

Qin Mang licked her dry lips and watched as a bead of sweat slid down his throat, trailing along the defined lines of his abs, forming a sinuous waterline that sparked wild imagination.

**He was dangerously hot.**

Beautiful, yes.

But Qin Mang was spoiled, hated pain and fatigue. After a few minutes of enjoyment\u2014

She wanted to call it quits.

> \u201cI\u2019m done, I\u2019m done.\u201d
> \u201cSuch a beautiful night. Doing this is so boring\u2014let\u2019s just chat, okay?\u201d

The next second\u2014

The man pulled her back.

His usually cool voice now tinged with hoarseness.

> \u201cSure.\u201d
> \u201cLet\u2019s talk about where I was lacking.\u201d
> \u201cHere?\u201d
> \u201cOr here?\u201d
> \u201cHmm?\u201d

\u2026

Qin Mang fell back again, dazed, looking up into a pair of grey-blue eyes that seemed full of destructive desire. Her flushed face was so alluring, she bit her lower lip, breathless:

> \u201c\u2026\u201d

**Dead conversation.**

> \u201cNowhere to run.\u201d

Faced with danger, Qin Mang clutched his half-removed robe and muttered in a tiny voice.

Unexpectedly, **Mrs. He** still had the brainpower to think of something else. **He Lingji**\u2019s eyes locked onto the little red mole on her nose, now even more seductive after contact with water. His lips brushed past it casually, then moved downward\u2014

At the same time, gripping her waist, he let out a deep, magnetic chuckle:

> \u201cYou mean riding a tiger\u2026 or riding\u2014\u201d
> \u201cMe?\u201d

**AHHHHHHHHH!**

—

**The next morning.**

Qin Mang lay on her side, her black curls spread out messily on the pillow. She looked disheveled and tired as she stared accusingly at the man tying his tie in front of the full-length mirror.

The suit fit him perfectly, highlighting his tall frame and refined demeanor. His cold features, even down to the exposed wrist bone, screamed aloof elegance.

His smiling voice from last night still echoed in her ears\u2014but the moment he got out of bed, he acted as if **nothing** had happened.

> \u201cHypocrite!\u201d

What celibate aesthetic?

He was clearly a beast!

Qin Mang puffed her cheeks angrily.

Wrapped in a thin blanket, she sat cross-legged, her eyelids still blushed as if stained by rouge. Her glare wasn\u2019t angry\u2014it was more like a pout.

**He Lingji** had planned to go straight to work.

But Mrs. He\u2019s resentful little glare was too intense. He turned slightly, considered for a moment, then said calmly:

> \u201cPrepare well for your audition today.\u201d

And off he went, calm as ever.

Qin Mang:
**\u201c\u2026\u201d**

**Was he even human?!**

Did he forget what they did last night?

She was in this state, and he still remembered to remind her to go work!

Even capitalist overlords weren\u2019t this exploitative!

> \u201cThat cheongsam photo of yours is still trending. Finally, netizens have cleared their eyes. If I had known, I would\u2019ve had you shoot more cheongsam photos back then.\u201d

> \u201cOh right\u2014international top magazine *EG* is interested in inviting you for their September cover. Gold September, Silver October\u2014you know how valuable that is!\u201d

Now, they were just waiting for Qin Mang to land the female lead in *Dreams of Jinghua*.

Now, everyone is just waiting for Qin Mang to land the lead female role in *Dreams of Old Jinghua*.
If she gets it, both her fashion and film\/TV opportunities will rise to a whole new level.

**Afternoon of the 28th, in the audition makeup room.**
Qin Mang sat with her eyes half-closed while the makeup artist carefully applied makeup to her face. She moved gently, afraid of hurting her delicate skin.
Manager Meng Ting stood beside her, talking softly.

Qin Mang didn\u2019t let the sudden trending news and great resources make her lose focus. She knew very well\u2014
If she failed this audition, the higher she was praised now, the harder she would fall.

So she had no choice\u2014
She *must* succeed.

The audition would use random scenes from the script.
She didn\u2019t know what exactly she would get.
So she practiced the parts she was weakest at.

These past two days, she spent two hours a day practicing how to smoke and blow perfect smoke rings.
Her gentle, slightly hoarse voice answered, \u201cGot it.\u201d

But then\u2014
Assistant A-Tong rushed in nervously. \u201cMang-jie, something bad happened!\u201d

\u201cShen Wanyin brought a performance coach with her!\u201d

\u201cHuh?\u201d

Qin Mang was calmly playing with her long, sparkly earrings, twirling them around her fingers. She slowly lifted her eyelashes and squinted, showing a faint smile. \u201cSo what?\u201d

A-Tong was furious. \u201cIt\u2019s not just any coach\u2014it\u2019s Fu Ping! A respected old actress, and she used to teach Director Zhou at drama school!\u201d

\u201cShe basically brought a cheat code with her!\u201d

Meng Ting jumped up. \u201cWhat?!\u201d

Qin Mang exhaled slowly.
She was angry too.

While Meng Ting and A-Tong panicked, Qin Mang picked up her phone and sent a message to the \u2018Cold-blooded Capitalist\u2019.

**LittleLion\\_RoarMeow:** *Is this audition about acting or who has the better connections?* (attached: sarcastic laughing meme)

Before she could even think of what to do, someone came to call her for the audition.

She passed Shen Wanyin at the door. Just as they brushed shoulders, Shen whispered in her ear, \u201cLooking forward to seeing your acting.\u201d
Without waiting for a reply, she flipped her wavy hair and walked away like a drama queen.

Meng Ting heard that and gritted his teeth.
\u201cFu Ping is famous for being harsh and straightforward. She hates pretty-faced celebrities who rely on looks. She says whatever she wants, and no one dares to talk back because she has a high status in the industry.\u201d

\u201cShen Wanyin isn\u2019t just trying to take the role\u2014she wants you to be humiliated in front of everyone.\u201d

A-Tong said nervously, \u201cMaybe we shouldn\u2019t go in. It\u2019s just a formality anyway.\u201d

She couldn\u2019t stand the thought of her Mang-jie being insulted.

Qin Mang gave a short laugh. \u201cLet\u2019s try.\u201d
With a calm face, she pushed open the door.

Her slim figure looked weak, but her attitude was strong and proud like a little swan. Even if she lost, she wouldn\u2019t run away.

The scene felt dramatic\u2014A-Tong teared up quietly.

Right after, Meng Ting warned her:
\u201cJust act\u2014don\u2019t hit anyone.\u201d
\u201cAlso, don\u2019t shoot anyone. Killing is illegal.\u201d
\u201cThere are cameras. I won\u2019t be able to cover for you.\u201d

That instantly stopped A-Tong\u2019s tears.

To make things fair, the whole audition was being recorded.
Meng Ting\u2019s concern wasn\u2019t wrong.

Qin Mang really did get the scene with a gun.
The gun was fake, like a toy from a street stall, without any bullets.

Then, Qin Mang finally met the legendary Fu Ping.
The old lady gave off the air of a classic actress, proud and elegant. But the moment she saw Qin Mang\u2019s face, her expression turned serious.

The big room suddenly felt quiet.
An assistant director quietly introduced Qin Mang.
Fu Ping said nothing.

She had seen too many pretty girls trying to make quick money in the industry.
They didn\u2019t deserve to be called real actors.
She already decided to make this one give up.

Director Zhou said, \u201cStart.\u201d

In the next second\u2014
Qin Mang\u2019s casual expression turned sharp and suspicious. She picked up the toy gun she\u2019d been playing with and aimed\u2014
Fu Ping was stunned.

This was what they called \u201cgetting into character in one second.\u201d

Qin Mang was fully focused, forgetting everything else.

After the scene ended,
Director Zhou casually asked, \u201cWhy is your voice hoarse?\u201d

Qin Mang blinked back to herself and explained honestly, \u201cThere\u2019s a smoking scene in the script. I thought it might come up, so I practiced for a few days. My throat\u2019s just a bit sore, it\u2019ll recover soon.\u201d

Director Zhou nodded with satisfaction.
Fu Ping didn\u2019t say anything.

She didn\u2019t give any praise or criticism.

Even when Director Zhou announced that Qin Mang got the lead role, Fu Ping stayed silent.

Where was the rumored sharp tongue?
What happened to \u201cnot tolerating pretty faces\u201d?

Qin Mang was confused.
So were Meng Ting and A-Tong.

The three of them went to the restroom to calm down and make sure they weren\u2019t dreaming.
The lead role\u2026 just like that?

Just as they turned the hallway corner,
they heard a familiar voice.

The three of them looked at each other and stopped.

\u201cYou promised to help me. Why did you back out?\u201d
\u201cAnd you always hated actresses with just a pretty face. Why did you\u2014\u201d

Fu Ping turned to look, her face very serious.
\u201cQin Mang got into character in one second. If she\u2019s just a pretty face, then what are you?\u201d

The words hit hard.

After a long pause:
\u201cNext time, focus more on acting. Don\u2019t waste your natural talent.\u201d

That last sentence was full of sarcasm.

She walked away.

Even though it was a short conversation, it said a lot.

\u201c\u2026Pfft.\u201d
A few seconds later, after Fu Ping left, Qin Mang couldn\u2019t help clapping with a smile. \u201cImpressive, Teacher Shen. No wonder people say you\u2019re so talented.\u201d

Shen Wanyin\u2019s face, pale before, now turned dark.

\u201cYou\u2014\u201d

Qin Mang slowly raised her white fingers and waved.
\u201cCareful.
I recorded it, you know.\u201d

—

Later, the audition room was already empty.
A-Tong cheered, \u201cThat was so satisfying!\u201d
\u201cMang-jie, did you really record it?\u201d
\u201cGreat! Now we\u2019ve got something on her. Did you see her face\u2014\u201d

Meng Ting knocked A-Tong\u2019s head. \u201cYou think the young lady\u2019s as silly as you?\u201d

A recording won\u2019t do much.
And it\u2019s not even Qin Mang\u2019s style. She just wanted to annoy Shen Wanyin.

The truth was\u2014her phone had been in Meng Ting\u2019s hands the whole time.

—

It was still early, only 4 p.m.
The city had many trees, and in spring and summer, flowers bloomed everywhere.

The sun shone through a big camphor tree near the entrance, leaving dappled light on the ground.

As Qin Mang walked down the steps, light landed on her fair skin.
To her sensitive skin, it felt like boiling water, and her fine brows pinched together.

She had been too caught up in the drama\u2014
Should\u2019ve asked A-Tong to borrow a parasol.

Just then, she lifted her eyes\u2014and froze.
Noticed a familiar car nearby.

It was sleek and powerful, like a black wolf lazily dozing in the sun.

**LittleLion\\_RoarMeow:** *You\u2019re outside?*
**Cold-blooded Capitalist:** *Oh, just passing by. Wanted to see who\u2019s competing with Mrs. He for best connections.*

Qin Mang hesitated on the steps, wanting to share her happy moment.

She made up her mind to run over, even under the sun.

But then\u2014
Right in front of her eyes, the long black Pullman car drove right past and left.

What? Wait\u2014
That jerk really *was* just passing by?!


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