Who Needs a CEO? I Choose Stardom

You could run into workplace harassment anywhere. Ni Bingyan had dealt with it many times before, but this was a first since her transmigration. She couldn’t help but look at Xu Bin as if he were some kind of rare, exotic creature.

If they were playing lovers in the movie, fine, that would at least make some sense. But they were playing a grandfather and granddaughter. Didn’t he feel the least bit awkward hitting on her so brazenly?

’When we film tomorrow, I’ll have to look at this face and call him ”Grandpa.” How disgusting is that!’

’If I can’t get into character, Wu Xi’s sharp tongue will tear me to shreds.’

’There’s always someone out to get me!’

Though exasperated, Ni Bingyan put on a genuine-looking smile.

”Oh? Calligraphy and painting? Mr. Xu, you enjoy that sort of thing too?”

Ni Bingyan acted as if she hadn’t caught his insinuation, keeping the conversation strictly on art.

’We’re on the same set,’ she thought. ’Filming isn’t over yet, and we have to see each other constantly. Making things too awkward won’t be good for my work.’

’I’ll put up with you for a few days, old man.’

Xu Bin wasn’t as old as his character, but he was still pushing fifty. He certainly had high standards, hitting on her like this. He really thought a lot of himself.

’At his age, all he can get is a supporting male role in a female-led film. His youth is long gone, he has hardly any awards to his name, and he still has no damn self-awareness.’

’If a cradle robber wants to get with a younger woman, he should at least see if she’s interested, right?’

Ni Bingyan considered herself a principled person. Even when single, she never played games with people’s feelings or treated physical intimacy lightly.

’If you don’t respect yourself, who will?’

She never flirted around even when she was single, and now that she was in a relationship, she was even more careful to avoid any questionable situations.

She was certain she had never given Xu Bin any kind of signal. For him to come on to her so strongly was just plain disrespectful.

Many actors’ marriages don’t last long, and the biggest reason is falling for a co-star.

When attractive people are in a confined environment, playing a couple for an extended period, they can get so deep into their roles that they can no longer separate fiction from reality.

That, at least, was somewhat understandable.

Then there were the disgusting types who liked to have ”set-spouses”—basically, long-term friends-with-benefits for the duration of filming.

Once filming wrapped, they’d go back to their respective families. They got to have their fun on set without disrupting their home lives—it was completely devoid of any moral compass.

Some even had the gall to call it an ”open marriage,” claiming both spouses enjoyed that kind of lifestyle.

All Ni Bingyan could do was scoff.

She planned to put up with him for a few days before dealing with him, but Xu Bin mistook her compliance for interest and happily continued the conversation.

’The pressure of work is high, you can’t bring your family to the set... what’s wrong with a couple of unmarried people having a little fun together? It’s perfect!’

So many people in the industry did it.

”Yes, my father was very strict. I’ve been practicing since I was just a few years old.”

It had to be said, Xu Bin came from a good family and wasn’t bad-looking. He was a handsome older man now, and he could be quite convincing when he put on an act.

”Oh? It seems we’re quite alike. I also started practicing when I was little. My father was strict, too.”

After some more meaningless chatter, Ni Bingyan tried to send him on his way. But a slick old dog like Xu Bin, who’d been around the block for decades, wasn’t going to be put off that easily.

A rare beauty like Ni Bingyan was a prize. Given even the slightest chance to get a taste, a lecher like him would definitely give it his all.

In a way, this was the main reason he’d taken the role in the first place.

”It’s a bit cold in the hallway. Why don’t we go to your room to sit and chat?”

Seeing that he wasn’t taking the hint and was instead pushing his luck, Ni Bingyan grew annoyed.

However, she wasn’t the type to cause a scene without thinking of the consequences.

”Oh, my room’s a bit of a mess. I was just unpacking and looking for some clothes, and now things are all over the floor. There’s nowhere to even stand. Why don’t we go to your room instead?”

’As long as I can get a little action, who cares whose room it is?’

’Even if someone saw us, I’m not worried. We have a lot of scenes together, so we could just say we were rehearsing our lines!’

’So late at night, not even sleeping during a break, but rehearsing lines instead. What a dedicated veteran actor!’

Xu Bin came from a good background; he was a second-generation celebrity. His mother was a veteran award-winning actress, and his father was a veteran award-winning actor. He’d been pulling stunts like this on film sets since he was young.

When he was young, few women cared that he wasn’t a big star because he was handsome enough. Now that he was older and had more clout, few women rejected him for his age.

After all, if you got on his good side, he would help you out with industry connections. He never took advantage of anyone for free. In the eyes of aspiring actresses trying to climb the ladder, that was a definite plus.

He had never met Ni Bingyan before and only knew that she was beautiful; he had no idea what her personality was like.

He was so used to getting his way that he didn’t see anything wrong with his actions. After all, he’d been playing this game smoothly for decades.

”We should get started early, then. We don’t want to be up too late; we have to film first thing in the morning!”

Ni Bingyan was tempted to shoot back, ’I’m sure you’ll be quick,’ but she held her tongue.

Dirty jokes were one thing when you heard them from someone else, but she’d rather not have them coming out of her own mouth.

After all, she was trying to maintain a respectable image.

What if some snake recorded her on audio or video? Forget about it being posted online—even if they just sent it to her management agency to blackmail them, Sister Wei would probably kill her.

”You head back first! I’ll just change my clothes and be right over! I’m so happy to have someone to practice with. I’ll bring my usual brush, ink, paper, and inkstone!”

Xu Bin wasn’t worried she would stand him up, so he headed off cheerfully.

They had to see each other constantly on set, after all, and there was still a long time to go before filming wrapped.

’As long as she’s on the same page, that’s all that matters!’

As soon as he was gone, Ni Bingyan went back to her room and changed into a simple T-shirt and jeans.

Carrying her calligraphy supplies, she left her room. But instead of heading for Xu Bin’s door, she turned left and knocked on Wang Biao’s.

”Brother Biao! Rise and shine! Time to party!”

Ni Bingyan was usually very proper and her jokes were always tasteful. She would never knock on his door in the middle of the night, let alone shout about partying.

Wang Biao realized something was up. He immediately sat up, threw on a T-shirt, and opened the door. ”What is it? Tell me.”

”Mr. Xu invited me to his room to ’discuss literature.’ I figured the more the merrier, and since you like poetry and all that, Brother Biao, I thought I’d invite you along.”

Ni Bingyan’s eyes were filled with pure, sincere innocence. Seeing her expression, Wang Biao had to suppress a laugh.

”You’re right! How could I miss out on the fun? Hold on, let’s give Mr. Xu a little surprise!”

Seeing him flash the same innocent smile, Ni Bingyan knew he’d understood her completely and her spirits lifted.

”Okay, Brother Biao, you go round up some more people. I’ll head to the kitchen and see if I can grab some food and drinks.”

Wang Biao suppressed a laugh. ”Alright.”

The two split up. A short while later, they led a whole group of people to Xu Bin’s door and knocked.

’I wonder what his face will look like when he opens the door to a crowd of people ready for a barbecue?’