Chapter Three: An Enchanting Smile

But now, how was she supposed to get onto a variety show? The company she was currently with was founded by her childhood friend, Lu Jiacheng. In the beginning, the resources were indeed good, especially after Yu Tang starred in a small but successful drama; offers poured in one after another. Yet, Lu Jiacheng handed all of them to the newcomers he favored. Later, things only got worse—what should have been hers was withheld, and from time to time, she was subjected to Lu Jiacheng’s emotional manipulation.

Thinking back on all of this, Yu Tang couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. How shameless they were, using her resources to promote rookies. It seemed she couldn’t stay in this agency any longer. The only problem was she couldn’t remember the details of the contract she’d signed with them—it had been so long that her memory held only a vague impression.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she reminded herself that her priority was to complete the system’s task. As an artist, appearance was still crucial. She unlocked her phone, about to scroll for her agent’s contact, when her phone suddenly rang.

Yu Tang answered the call. “Hello?”

“Yu Tang! Where the hell have you been?! Didn’t we agree you’d come to the company today to sign the contract?” a sharp, irate female voice shouted through the receiver.

“What contract?” Yu Tang blurted out instinctively.

It had been ages since she’d had any offers—where had this one come from?

“Don’t play dumb with me! You agreed to appear on that variety show with Youran. Don’t tell me you’re backing out now?”

“I’m telling you, it’s too late to regret it. Get over here, now!” The call ended abruptly.

Yu Tang stood there, lost in thought, until she finally dug up the memory from the depths of her mind. Not long ago, Lu Jiacheng had taken a liking to another ingénue named Xiang Youran. This time, the variety show was a dating program meant to promote Xiang Youran’s drama. For reasons unknown, Lu Jiacheng insisted Yu Tang accompany her.

As for why she agreed, it seemed to be because the mistress Song Zhiyan was keeping outside was also called Xiang Youran.

So, by that logic, Xiang Youran was the so-called “true heiress” the system had mentioned…

Having sorted this out, Yu Tang broke into a delighted grin. Wasn’t this just a pillow delivered when she was dozing off? Just as she was worrying, an opportunity fell right into her lap. Once she signed up for this minor variety show, her milky, flawless skin would be back in no time. The thought alone lifted her spirits.

The only problem was, she couldn’t remember where her company was located. Ever since the original owner married Song Zhiyan, she hadn’t set foot in the office, so Yu Tang’s memories of it were only faint and fragmentary.

She crouched down and searched herself online.

There was only the briefest entry on Baidu Encyclopedia: she rose to fame young, but after a brief moment in the spotlight, vanished completely—a pity.

The photo on the page was still a still from her school drama: the female lead in a uniform, high ponytail, looking fresh and radiant. Thinking of her current sallow, wan complexion, Yu Tang sighed with regret. She copied the media company’s address from the encyclopedia and hailed a cab to the office.

The moment she stepped through the doors, the receptionist greeted her with a standard, polite smile—sweet and professional.

[Because of your low emotional intelligence and poor social skills, you’ve managed to alienate everyone in the company. Later, you even offended the receptionist.]

[After you ended up on the streets, struggling to survive, you finally managed to collect a few coins in your begging bowl—only to run into the receptionist, who took the money, making your already difficult life even harder.]

[Mission: Get the receptionist to give you a genuine, heartfelt smile. Malice will disappear.]

[Difficulty Level: Four stars.]

[Reward: A charming smile.]

Hearing the system’s words, Yu Tang was briefly stunned. She glanced at the receptionist in disbelief. The woman was still holding that polite smile. She didn’t seem to hate Yu Tang all that much, did she?

Half skeptical, Yu Tang walked up and stood in front of the desk, flashing her own standard eight-toothed smile. Not knowing the lay of the land, she decided to start with a polite question.

But with her less-than-white teeth and no longer beautiful face, her smile was actually a bit frightening.

“Miss, could you tell me how to get to Zhang Hong’s office?”

The receptionist, puzzled by Yu Tang’s strange behavior, was startled but managed to keep her professional composure.

“Twelfth floor, agent’s office. You can go up and have a look.”

Yu Tang nodded kindly and responded with a charming, bubbly tone, “Thank you.”

She then headed for the elevator.

The receptionist froze for a moment, then, belatedly, broke into a genuine smile.

[A notorious villain like you getting the receptionist to smile at you sincerely must have taken some effort.]

[Mission complete. Reward: charming smile.]

Hearing this, Yu Tang was still in the elevator. She instinctively pulled out her phone to check her reflection. Still as unremarkable as before—well, not ugly, just ordinary.

A charming smile?

She tried smiling again. Yes, it really was charming.

Just as Yu Tang was admiring her improved grin, the elevator doors slid open.

A man in a sharp suit stood at the entrance, briefcase in hand—clearly here for a business meeting.

Yu Tang immediately felt self-conscious about her exposed teeth and quickly shut her mouth. She nodded at him with a polite smile, glanced at the floor number, then hurried out of the elevator with the air of someone fleeing a scene.

The man watched her retreating figure, barely suppressing a laugh. This Yu Tang wasn’t quite as he’d heard.

Once inside the agent’s office, Yu Tang went straight to the inner room.

Zhang Hong, a top-tier agent, had her own private office.

Yu Tang knocked symbolically, then pushed the door open.

“You’re here? Come sign the contract,” Zhang Hong said, her tone noticeably softer upon seeing Yu Tang.

Yu Tang walked over and picked up the contract to read it carefully.

Seeing her so cautious, Zhang Hong rolled her eyes impatiently. “Do you even understand it? Just sign.”

Yu Tang glanced at her, raising a finger to her lips. “Shh.”

Zhang Hong fell silent instinctively. Realizing her reaction, she bristled, “I’m your agent. Would I set you up? Sign it already!”

Yu Tang smiled. After flipping through the contract—

Guest appearance, two million for a single episode.

Yu Tang froze, eyes wide.

How… how much?! Two million?!

That was what she’d gotten for variety shows in her previous life…

Eagerly, she snatched up the pen and signed. “Done.”

The system’s notification chimed immediately.

[You’ve been exiled from the entertainment circle for years, and your relationship with the true heiress is openly hostile. To get her to agree to appear with you, you must have endured great pain and made a huge decision.]

[Congratulations, host. Your skin has returned to its twenty-one-year-old state!]

As the prompt faded, Yu Tang’s skin visibly transformed—even though it was still sallow and wan, it now felt smooth and soft to the touch.

Feeling the change, and with two million guaranteed from the contract, Yu Tang couldn’t help but laugh quietly to herself. Her newly charming smile flashed, catching Zhang Hong off guard.