In the room.
Sunlight slipped through the gaps in the curtains.
The originally quiet space was shattered by two screams.
The girls' commotion also woke Martin.
He opened his eyes, noticing someone in his arms still shrieking, and instinctively silenced her with a kiss.
The person in his embrace immediately stopped making noise, her eyes widening, her mind going blank.
Yang Mi fell silent too.
After the initial shock, she realized she wasn't entirely opposed to her best friend and boyfriend hooking up. After all, hadn't she and Emma done the same before?
Hmm, does this mean I have my own faction in Martin's harem now?
Right, I should team up with Zeng Ni and Hu Jing too (Martin woman from China)—that makes four of us.
Oh, and count that bitch Emma for now; that's five.
Hehe, when you think about it, my influence is pretty strong!!!
Martin started moving, beginning his morning workout—Fucking.
Liu Yifei's eyes bulged.
Again!
With Yang Mi watching!!!
At that thought, she couldn't help turning her head toward her best friend, only to see a face smirking faintly, staring blankly at them.
Ah, did Yang Mi get scared stupid?
Then she heard Yang Mi call out: "Ah, count me in—morning threesome!!!"
"What the hell!!!"
Liu Yifei widened her eyes once more.
She felt like the shocks from this one day outnumbered all the ones in her entire life combined!!!
......
At noon, Martin took the two girls for a stroll nearby and found a decent restaurant for a seafood meal.
Liu Yifei was still a bit unadjusted.
It was all so strange.
Why wasn't Yang Mi the least bit angry?
And why didn't she feel too upset herself?
Seriously.
The three ate and chatted.
In the conversation, they learned Liu Yifei was preparing to audition for The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom. Martin couldn't help asking: "Feifei, who picked this project for you?"
Liu Yifei honestly replied: "My mom."
After thinking for a moment, Martin still advised: "I suggest you don't take it. Honestly, someone approached me to invest in this project; I read the script—it's a total flop."
Liu Yifei was stunned. "It, it's a flop? But, doesn't it have Nicolas Cage?"
Martin laughed. "I've heard Ching Chong fans really love Nicolas, but I didn't realize the rose-tinted glasses were this thick. Nicolas Cage is a good actor, but not every film he takes is good—especially now that he's bankrupt and desperate to pay off debts. He'll take anything."
"Ah, he's bankrupt?!"
"You didn't know? The news broke ages ago. Wait, you don't know, and your mom, who's managing you, doesn't either?"
Martin couldn't help grumbling.
Honestly, in the original timeline, Liu Yifei good hand got played to pieces, and her mom bore a big chunk of the blame.
"Then, what do I do?"
"I advise you not to take this one. Filming too many big flops won't do you any good—don't ruin your audience appeal for a paycheck!" Martin sincerely suggested.
At that moment, Yang Mi suddenly said: "Martin, don't you have a new project next year? Any roles suitable for Feifei?"
Ever since the idea of building her own faction in Martin's harem popped up, Yang Mi seemed infused with a sense of responsibility, eagerly stepping up to advise Liu Yifei.
Martin pondered. "You mean Suicide Squad—the DC comic 'Suicide Squad' adaptation. There are a few female roles, but 'Harley Quinn' requires flashy, sexy exposure—not a fit. The witch wouldn't stand out much. There is 'Katana,' but she's Japanese."
"I want to play it." Liu Yifei said.
Martin nodded. "That's no issue."
"That sounds great—why not her? Feifei, skip auditioning for White Haired Witch and do Martin's film. Even if it's a supporting role, his movies are guaranteed hits, and he'll make you shine."
Liu Yifei was tempted.
[GodOfReader: Martin planned to change it to chinese character, but with my power as a translator that's not happening.]
......
A few days later, Liu Mom finished her business in Ching Chong and flew to Los Angeles.
Liu Yifei drove her Porsche to pick her up.
The moment she saw her daughter, Liu Mom sensed something off—her daughter's complexion seemed exceptionally radiant, her features delicate and glowing, her spirits high. Was LA's weather that nourishing?
Liu Mom instinctively looked up at the sky.
Bright sunshine, a bit glaring—she quickly lowered her head.
"Mom, hurry and get in."
"Ah, ah."
Liu Mom didn't think much of it and slid into the passenger seat.
"How's the audition prep going?"
On the way back, Liu Mom asked.
Liu Yifei guiltily glanced at her mom out of the corner of her eye, then cautiously said: "Mom, I don't want to audition for White Haired Witch."
"What?" Liu Mom's volume shot up. "What are you thinking? I pulled so many strings to get this audition!"
Then, in a grave tone: "Daughter, Mom's doing this for your own good. It's a Hollywood film—with that big star, that Nic-whats-his-name Lars Cage."
"Mom, it's Nicolas Cage. But he's bankrupt now—not a top star in Hollywood anymore. To pay debts, he's taking all sorts of flops."
"What? Where'd you hear that? You can't trust tabloid gossip." Liu Mom said, baffled. "Trust Mom."
Liu Yifei sighed inwardly, recalling Martin's words: "The headaches come from those who mess things up in the name of 'your own good,' because they truly believe they're helping—so you have to be firm, have your own opinions."
Honestly, Liu Yifei was the classic "mama's girl"—her mom had called the shots on everything since childhood. She'd thought about rebelling, but it always stayed at "thinking."
But this time—
"Mom, I insist—I don't want this role."
She found it odd; somehow, after that with Martin, she suddenly had a bit more strength.
Is this what growing from girl to woman feels like?
"You stubborn girl, why so headstrong? Listen to Mom—you haven't had a standout role in ages. That Four Famous Catchers got your scenes stolen by that Yang girl on purpose. When will you fix this non-competitive attitude!?"
Liu Mom scolded, a bit frustrated at her lack of drive.
But Liu Yifei shot her mom a slightly annoyed glance. "Mom, you say I'm non-competitive, but aren't I competing with you right now?"
Well, her "first fight in life" aimed at her mom—Liu Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Then her daughter's next words stunned her.
"Mom, actually, I found a suitable role—in Martin's new project next year. Even if it's supporting, his films are way better than some no-name director's White Haired Witch!"