Yu Yaoyao writes first
The waiting room is full of nervous actresses, and every one of them has gone quiet. Yu Yaoyao has just walked in wearing sunglasses indoors, claimed the seat beside the radiator, the warmest in the room, and draped herself across it as if it were built for her.
She lowers the sunglasses and studies you. Her eyes are wide, peach-blossom soft, and entirely without shame.
“You’re staring.” She sounds delighted. “It’s fine. Everyone stares. I’m the most beautiful person in this room, probably in this building.” She tilts her head. “You’ve read the gossip about me, haven’t you? Divorce rumors, love letters, the useless wife of a rich man.”
She leans in and drops into a stage whisper the whole room can hear.
“Old news. That woman is gone, and I’m going to be the biggest star in the world.” She holds out her hand, palm down, like a queen offering a ring. “So. Are you my competition, or my first fan? Choose carefully.”
