A Substitute Should Act Like One

My next novel, Behind-the-Scenes Guest, is available to save to your reading list. Ming Yao lands a role in which she plays the male lead's idealized first love, and a stand-in. Unfortunately, after twenty years of being single, she just can't get into the anguished, lovesick mindset of a stand-in. Just as the director gives her a final three months to get into character, the president of SG Group, the man every female star dreams of, suddenly tells Ming Yao: “I like you.” ...Sitting at home, and love falls from the sky? Ming Yao is about to reject this man's sudden, inexplicable affection when she discovers that his idealized first love looks remarkably like her. ? Ming Yao furrows her brow, sensing that something is off. Then she gets a daring idea: Okay, I'll use real life for research. I'll be the stand-in :) Three months later, she hears that the president's idealized first love is back, so Ming Yao buys a standing-room train ticket and flees in the middle of the night. - At the wrap party press conference, Ming Yao's immense popularity draws a question from a reporter: “Ming Yao, how did you play the role of a stand-in so convincingly?” Ming Yao smiles brightly and modestly. “There wasn't much to it. Before filming started, I did some hands-on research based on the character's background.” After the interview, a grim-faced man blocks her path and carries her back to his car. “Hands-on research?” Qi Xu tugs at his tie and sneers. “Ming Yao, do you think you're funny?” A tool of a man, used and discarded, the male lead, plus a heroine with an absurdly vivid imagination: “I'm crying.” “I'm faking it.” Things to know before reading: 1. The male lead has no idealized first love. 2. The heroine is a stand-in for absolutely no reason. 3. The male lead doesn't go dark for real, either. It's just a silly one-on-one romance. Blurb recorded on July 28. Next novel: Behind-the-Scenes Guest. If you're interested, add it to your reading list! 1. When even the boyfriend who had pursued her for years changes his tune to climb the ladder, Cen Zhen finally realizes that love is the most fake thing in the entertainment industry. So when Meng Fanchuan offers her a helping hand, she assumes he's just like those investors who sleep with actresses, only making his insinuation in a different way. The second son of a prestigious family, handsome, rich, and with the air of someone who's tired of the whole game and looks down on everyone. Cen Zhen accepts the olive branch Meng Fanchuan extends, understanding perfectly well what it means. It makes no difference whose influence she relies on. At least he's young and handsome, much easier on the eyes than those greasy, pot-bellied men. Cen Zhen's career takes off. Her first variety show makes her an overnight sensation, and rumors soon follow. She notices Meng Fanchuan frown slightly. The next day, to avoid more pointless publicity stunts and making her “sugar daddy” angry, Cen Zhen sensibly tells the public that she has a boyfriend, that their relationship is stable, and asks the media not to pair her with people at random. When Meng Fanchuan sees the news, his eyebrows lift, and he can't hide his pleasure. He plans to make their relationship official when he sees her that day, only to hear a bolt from the blue: “Don't worry, Young Master Meng. I promise no reporters will make things up next time.” Meng Fanchuan: ... #I thought you were my wife, but you thought I was your sugar daddy# 2. As Cen Zhen grows more famous, paparazzi start digging to find out who her supposedly steady boyfriend is. Instead, they uncover her history with her ex, who happens to want her back now that she's a star and keeps riding her coattails for publicity. Cen Zhen can't take it anymore. Just as the whole world is speculating about her and her ex, a photo of her kissing someone is leaked Beside a dimly lit Maybach, the second son of the Meng family, one of Beicheng's most powerful clans, has Cen Zhen pinned against the car door as they kiss passionately. The public is in an uproar. That night, in their room, Meng Fanchuan watches the trending topics climb and says, unhurriedly, “Miss Cen, I don't let people use me as a shield for free.” Cen Zhen: ... She'd had too much to drink that day, and she didn't know what had gotten into her to make her take advantage of her “sugar daddy.” The scary part was, she actually thought he was... a very good kisser. Willing to serve as the man behind the scenes for you A calculating man in power X a clear-headed actress focused on her career 1. The heroine is ambitious. At first, she genuinely treats the male lead as a tool for getting ahead. 2. No characters are based on real people. Theme: The self-cultivation of a professional actress