Chapter One: This Life as an Actress—Better Left Behind!

Chapter One: This Entertainer—Better Not Be One at All!

"Bai Ling, don't refuse a good thing when it's offered!"

"President Wang's terms are generous enough. You have no background, no connections. Do you really think hard work alone will let you thrive in this industry?"

"It's been three years since your debut and you’re still invisible. Haven’t you learned how things work here?"

"With a figure and face like yours, why not plan accordingly? Why be so foolish?"

"I'll come pick you up later! Make sure you're clean and presentable!"

"Only when President Wang is satisfied will you be satisfied!"

"If you mess this up, you can forget about your career!"

A shrill voice rang out.

The speaker was a man, but his flamboyant attire and affectations brought to mind a madam from an old brothel.

Bai Ling's brows knitted in confusion, her eyes clouded with perplexity. Clearly, she was still digesting the memories swirling in her mind.

And upon grasping the current circumstances, the first thought that flashed through Bai Ling’s mind was—

It's over. My manhood is gone!

Yes. Bai Ling wasn’t her original name. His name was Bai Lin—a transmigrator.

A true iron-willed man! Spear in hand, galloping across the land!

But the world he now found himself in was no ordinary parallel universe.

Just yesterday, Bai Lin’s colleague had recommended a novel called "Splendor" to him. Since the main female antagonist’s name sounded like his own, Bai Lin browsed it out of curiosity.

Who would have thought that after falling asleep reading it, he’d wake up here, inhabiting a new identity—the very villainess Bai Ling from the novel!

In truth, Bai Ling was the definition of misfortune and bitter resentment. Although a villain, her story was one of endless tragedy.

The heroine breezed through the entertainment world, playing the sweet naive girl, making friends and collecting resources with ease—a perfect example of money following those who play for fun.

She even attracted the adoration of four or five men, each one head over heels for her.

Back when Bai Lin read those chapters, he could only scoff at such blatant Mary Sue wish-fulfillment.

But Bai Ling’s fate was different.

She worked tirelessly, possessed nearly flawless looks and a stunning figure, but with no connections, refused shortcuts, and could only redouble her efforts.

This world’s response was to show her: the harder you try, the crueler your fate.

Her dysfunctional family dragged her down—parasitic parents burdened her with constant psychological pressure, and her only brother was a useless layabout. In short, her life was a pit.

Repeated setbacks in life and career finally made Bai Ling give up—give in to the embrace of a powerful man.

But she hadn’t expected that those so-called powerful men were all ruthless users.

They’d pull up their trousers and vanish, leaving her with nothing.

So Bai Ling the villainess finally turned dark.

Yet, even such a pitiful beauty couldn’t withstand the heroine’s righteous declarations.

She ended her days in prison, remembered only as a wretched soul undeserving of pity.

Reading those chapters, Bai Lin had felt a touch of sympathy, but nothing more. After all, their names only sounded alike.

But now, Bai Lin could no longer stay calm.

He was to inherit this hapless woman’s life.

"Heavens, it’s bad enough you changed my gender—did you have to give me a hell-level scenario as well?"

"If only I could strike you down with a single blow!"

Bai Lin—now Bai Ling—raged internally.

But no matter how he struggled, there was no denying it—he was Bai Ling now.

"I'm talking to you, did you hear me?"

"Are you deaf?"

The madam-like man, evidently annoyed by Bai Ling’s dazed silence, moved in to give her a shove, a stern warning.

To outsiders, Bai Ling and her peers were entertainers.

But to capital, to agents like this man, an unknown artist was nothing more than goods—not even worthy of being treated as a person.

Why? Wasn’t it obvious? Every female entertainer was here to become famous. Didn’t they all have grand "ambitions"?

Society always preached that to reach the top, one must endure hardship.

So, what’s a little humiliation?

Unfortunately for this agent, the Bai Ling before him was not the same as before.

At the shove, Bai Ling instinctively froze, then her hand shot up in reflex.

She swore it was pure instinct.

But the agent stumbled back, eyes wide in disbelief, and crashed to the floor with a thud.

Bai Ling could almost hear the crack of his tailbone against the tiles, making her wince inwardly.

"Ow!"

His pained yelp startled her.

"Why are you yelping like a dog?"

Bai Ling rolled her eyes in exasperation.

She recognized this agent.

His name was Zhou Tai.

A minor character—a bad egg.

He called himself an agent, but had no real skills. His main job was to coax pretty girls into serving the company’s big bosses.

Bai Ling had no fondness for him. In fact, she would’ve gladly stomped him a few more times.

Now, Zhou Tai jumped to his feet, livid.

"What did you say?"

"Are you rebelling?"

"My god!"

"You dared push me! You actually dared push me!"

Bai Ling’s eyes nearly rolled to the ceiling.

"Don’t be such a whiny sissy. Weren’t you the one who shoved me first?"

"Getting knocked over by a woman? Are you even a man, you skinny dog?"

Zhou Tai flew into a rage. If there was one thing he couldn’t stand, it was being called a skinny dog.

"I’m going to tear you apart today!"

He lunged at her from the floor.

"Oh, you want more?"

Bai Ling slapped him—once, twice.

Even with a woman’s body, her hands stung after those slaps, but the surge of adrenaline was exhilarating.

This bastard had just told her to clean up and sleep with President Wang?

Outrageous!

"That’s for your filthy mouth!"

"That’s for laying hands on me!"

"Take that!"

The slaps left Zhou Tai utterly dazed. The last two missed his face, but still had him howling and clutching his head as he fled.

"You’re finished! Just you wait!"

"I’ll see you ruined!"

Bai Ling flexed her aching hand and spat, "You’re the one who should be worried!"

Bang!

Zhou Tai was gone, having bolted as fast as he could.

Bai Ling grabbed her bag, ready to leave.

After beating her own agent, there was no way the company would keep her. Who knew what further abuse awaited?

As for being an entertainer? Hmph! Who needs it!

A wry, dragon-king smile played on her lips. Bai Ling stretched out her long, pale legs and strode toward the exit.