Xiang Nuan arrived at the photography studio exactly half an hour later, barely making it on time. The moment she stepped in, she was dragged into the makeup room. Surprisingly, her manager Zheng Xuanlin didn't scold her and even greeted her warmly.
"*The White Poplar* premiered yesterday, and the response has been incredible! It trended in three hashtags overnight, and the viewership is already breaking expectations. I never thought this small web series could blow up like this. With this momentum, it's only going to get bigger. Nuan, if we play our cards right, this could be our ticket to the top!"
Xiang Nuan finally had a moment to pull out her phone and search for *The White Poplar* on Weibo. The buzz was real. She exhaled in relief. Shen Yanshi's affection might be fake, but the money she earned would always be real.
"The production team reached out this morning," Zheng Xuanlin continued. "They want to know if we're open to a promotional romance with the male lead. You know how it is—shipping couples can double a show's hype and skyrocket your fanbase. Xia Zehua's team already agreed. It's up to us now."
Xiang Nuan frowned. "But Shen Yanshi won't like it."
Her relationship with the Shen family's youngest heir was an open secret in the industry, though never publicly acknowledged. More importantly, Xiang Nuan had always played the role of Shen Yanshi's loyal sunflower, her eyes fixed adoringly on him alone. How could she suddenly fake intimacy with another man? It'd be a slap to Shen Yanshi's face. Worse, the media scrutiny from a fabricated romance might expose him—a risk the reclusive, aristocratic heir would never tolerate. If she caused him trouble, he'd discard her without hesitation.
"Can't you talk to him?" Zheng Xuanlin pressed. "This isn't just any chance. With *The White Poplar*'s current traction, a well-executed CP campaign could cement you as the rising queen of new-gen actresses. No one would overshadow you for months!"
"I'll… think about it," Xiang Nuan murmured.
After makeup, she headed to the set, only to find it occupied.
"Oh, Xiang Nuan! Here to shoot too? What a coincidence. You'll have to wait," sneered Zhuang Linna, flipping her voluminous caramel curls as her stiletto heels clacked defiantly.
Xiang Nuan kept her voice flat. "The coincidence is *yours*. This time slot is mine."
A staff member hurried over, apologetic. "Linna-jie's last shoot had some issues… We need to reshoot today, and this was the only available slot. Xiang Nuan-jie, could you… wait a little?"
"Was my booking earlier or hers?"
The staffer winced. "Yours, but—"
Zhuang Linna laughed sharply. "Who are you trying to impress, Xiang Nuan? Still acting like you're about to become Mrs. Shen? Two years as his bed warmer, and you've forgotten your place. Instead of throwing tantrums, maybe worry about how you'll survive once he dumps you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Haven't you heard?" Zhuang Linna smirked, shoving her phone in Xiang Nuan's face. A tabloid exclusive showed Shen Yanshi leaving a hotel, holding an umbrella for a woman beside him. The caption blared: **Shen Third Young Master's First Love Returns—Reunited and Closer Than Ever!**
Xiang Nuan stared. The notoriously aloof Shen Yanshi, personally shielding someone from the rain. His gaze, always cold and detached, now softened in the photo—a look she'd never seen directed at herself.