Starlet Taotie Chapter 18 (Part 1)
Chapter 18.1 Fighting Over Food
Jiang Tao was very angry, because she knew she couldn’t refuse.
Zhou Zhilan had informed her that Shen Zhiyan was the investor in this drama. If he didn’t agree, then there was no way she would be allowed into the production.
So, Jiang Tao could only take the script and go prepare.
While preparing, she cursed Shen Zhiyan repeatedly in her mind.
Nothing good ever happened whenever she ran into him.
Last time, he stole her sweet and sour fish. This time, he was blocking her chance at generously-portioned boxed meals.
This was intolerable!
Jiang Tao decided that when it came time to act, she would definitely give him a show of strength.
She would make him understand that a taotie was not to be trifled with!!
In ‘Lingxiao Chronicle’, Shen Zhiyan was making a cameo as Vaidūrya shangxian*, an immortal of extraordinary beauty. And it was because of his extraordinary beauty, Vaidūrya was forcibly taken by the ferocious beast, Yue Jia, who insisted on marrying him.
(TLN: shangxian (上仙) is a Daoist and mythological term meaning an immortal who has attained a high level of cultivation. In classical Daoist texts, it can refer to one of the highest ranks of immortals, while in modern xianxia fiction its exact status varies by setting.)
Later, the male lead would sneak into Yue Jia’s lair, kill her, and rescue Vaidūrya.
Shen Zhiyan sat in his chair, closing his eyes as he entered his role.
When he opened his eyes again, all the warmth in them had vanished, replaced entirely by a cold, aloof clarity. His temperament became otherworldly in an instant, carrying a sense of unreachable distance.
Even though he was still in modern clothing, there was not the slightest sense of incongruity.
Zhou Zhilan clenched his fist.
As expected of Shen Zhiyan; no matter what role he played, he could capture it with absolute precision.
Watching him act was truly a kind of enjoyment.
The only question was whether that young lady could keep up with him.
Jiang Tao walked in according to the script. The moment she saw Shen Zhiyan, she paused for a split second.
Mm~
So fragrant. So, so fragrant.
He was radiating such pure, clean emotions!
Jiang Tao looked almost intoxicated as she walked toward him.
Then she gently reached out and touched him.
Rich and sweet.
It was so overwhelming that Jiang Tao couldn’t help but narrow her eyes in pure, satisfied bliss.
Shen Zhiyan was just about to deliver his lines when he suddenly realized that the emotions he had just carefully built up had vanished without a trace.
“……”
“I’m sorry. I broke character. Let’s do that again.”
Zhou Zhilan was still completely immersed in Jiang Tao’s performance.
Even though she hadn’t said a single line, she had already fully conveyed Yue Jia’s obsession and fixation toward Vaidūrya.
What’s more, even though she was supposed to be a terrifying ferocious beast, the moment she touched her beloved, she revealed such a blissful smile.
That kind of contrast was almost painfully moe.
In the end, Jiang Tao actually matched Shen Zhiyan’s performance.
And instead, Shen Zhiyan failed to match hers?!
Zhou Zhilan was stunned.
That was Shen Zhiyan!
The man regarded as the pinnacle of acting in the entertainment industry!
And he had actually failed to keep up with a newbie actress like Jiang Tao?!
This was earth-shattering news!
If it got out, Weibo would probably crash.
Shen Zhiyan looked up at Jiang Tao, his words carrying a deeper meaning. “Let’s do it again.”
“After all, this audition determines whether you get the role.”
“!” Jiang Tao immediately became alert.
Shen Zhiyan sat back down and began adjusting his emotions once again.
Jiang Tao, however, could smell the continuous, overflowing fragrance coming from him.
A fierce internal struggle began in her mind.
On one side was the pure, irresistible emotion right in front of her.
On the other side was the promise of all-you-can-eat boxed meals.
So hard to choose!
Forget it!
Kids make choices; a taotie takes everything!
Jiang Tao slapped her own cheeks lightly.
Hold it together!
No matter how sweet and tempting this man was, she absolutely had to resist!
The scene began again.
Vaidūrya opened his eyes, and the moment he saw Yue Jia, a look of unbearable disgust instantly surfaced in his expression.
“You again?”
“Stay away from me!”
Jiang Tao looked at him with fascination, her breath already filled with that sweet, intoxicating scent.
Endure it!
Even though it was really, really fragrant.
This was practically a severe test of a taotie’s self-control.
Jiang Tao recited her lines in fits and starts.
Her delivery was inexperienced and slightly clumsy, but her gaze was direct and burning—so intense it felt like she might swallow the man whole.
Amazing!!
Zhou Zhilan clasped his hands together in front of his chest, his eyes sparkling.
That contrast between her awkward lines and her blazing gaze.
That collision between restraint and indulgence.
It fit Yue Jia perfectly!
Zhou Zhilan made up his mind in that moment.
He absolutely had to have Jiang Tao play Yue Jia.
Even if Shen Zhiyan refused, it wouldn’t matter.
As a director, it had been a long time since he had felt such a vivid, living performance. It reignited his creative desire completely.
Soon, the scene came to an end.
Shen Zhiyan entered the role quickly, and exited it just as quickly.
Before Jiang Tao could even snatch any lingering emotion, his presence had already turned completely clean.
Infuriating!
She shot him another resentful glare.
Although it was subtle, Shen Zhiyan still caught it.
And he almost laughed again.
Zhou Zhilan immediately grabbed him, cutting off the smile that had just begun to form. “Ge! How was it? Let’s settle on Xiao Jiang, okay?”
Shen Zhiyan nodded. “Alright.”
Zhou Zhilan finally relaxed.
He glanced at the time, it was exactly lunchtime.
In a burst of happiness, he waved his hand. “Let’s go for lunch! My treat!”
The moment Jiang Tao heard the keyword, she immediately locked in. “Lunch?”
Zhou Zhilan: “Right. Xiao Jiang, come with us too!”
“I’ll take you to a hidden gem private kitchen today. Guaranteed to surprise you all!”
Jiang Tao was deeply moved.
Tong Tong had been right, Director Zhou really was a good director!
She hadn’t even officially joined the production yet, and she already had meals lined up. There was nothing better than this!
…
The group followed Zhou Zhilan into a residential complex.
The neighborhood was quiet and elegant.
The private kitchen he mentioned was located in a small two-story Western-style house.
The owner was a married couple, and Zhou Zhilan clearly knew them well. As soon as he arrived, he began ordering with practiced ease.
Only after finishing did he remember to ask Shen Zhiyan and Jiang Tao. “What do you two want to eat?”
“Anything is fine,” Shen Zhiyan said.
“Anything can be ordered?” Jiang Tao asked at the same time.
Zhou Zhilan complained in mock anger, “After listening to you two, I feel as though I no longer recognize the word ‘anything’ anymore.”
However, the private kitchen only had one chef, which was the owner himself, so even if Jiang Tao wanted to order freely, it couldn’t be prepared on the spot. She had no choice but to let it go.
While waiting for the dishes, everyone chatted in the garden.
Jiang Tao was still holding a grudge about Shen Zhiyan retracting his emotions too quickly earlier, not letting her get a bite, so she ignored him completely and only spoke to Zhou Zhilan instead.
Zhou Zhilan was both flattered and a little overwhelmed.
Based on his past experience, as long as Shen Zhiyan was present at a scene, everyone’s attention would inevitably fall on him. No one would pay attention to anyone else.
It was truly rare to have someone like Jiang Tao, who didn’t care about appearances and instead focused on substance.
He was practically floating with pride.
Jiang Tao offered Zhou Zhilan perfunctory responses, all while her fingers flew at top speed, competing with Shen Zhiyan for the cherry tomatoes in the fruit platter.
So annoying!
Why couldn’t he be as easy to deal with as Zhou Zhilan?
Shen Zhiyan, watching her lively expressions, slowly bit into a cherry tomato. The sweet-and-sour juice burst across his tongue, yet he didn’t spit it out.
Just as he thought.
In truth, he had later returned once to Velaris Sky and ordered the same dishes prepared by Chef Shi Wenqing as before.
But after just one bite, he couldn’t continue eating.
It was then that he understood: it wasn’t the food that mattered, but the person.
Although he didn’t know the reason, Jiang Tao genuinely seemed able to cure his eating disorder.
While thinking this, he absentmindedly stole another cherry tomato from Jiang Tao.
Jiang Tao: “!!”
Zhou Zhilan spoke animatedly, talking so much that his mouth went dry. He reached casually for the fruit platter only to find it completely empty.
Jiang Tao had already stuffed two cherry tomatoes into her mouth and clapped half-heartedly. “Well said.”
Zhou Zhilan: “……”
I’ve been betrayed!!
TL Note:
