At the same time, in another city.
Xuan Lili came from a poor background, was timid and self-conscious, and although she had good natural attributes, she didn't know how to dress herself up.
Now, approaching thirty, she was still a single, unsuccessful woman.
Once, by chance, Xuan Lili went to the mall with her good friend to buy lipstick. She happened to see a perfume endorsed by Jiang Ling playing on the mall's screen.
When she saw that Jiang Ling's face shape and features bore some resemblance to her own, yet she was dressed so beautifully, Xuan Lili's eyes lit up.
From then on, Xuan Lili frantically studied Jiang Ling's makeup and styling, doing her best to highlight her own features.
Jiang Ling used high-end cosmetics, with a single set costing tens of thousands. As a working person, Xuan Lili naturally couldn't afford them, but she could find dupes on Taobao and Pinduoduo.
After some study, Xuan Lili truly mastered the essence of dressing and showcased the advantages of her oval face to the fullest.
When she went out after putting on her makeup, everyone who saw her praised her beauty, as if she were a celebrity on television.
The change in her appearance made Xuan Lili more confident and optimistic. Before long, she found a kind-hearted and good-looking young man as her boyfriend, and then successfully entered into marriage.
Although they had never interacted, Xuan Lili was very grateful to Jiang Ling for inadvertently illuminating her life, transforming her from a swan into a city socialite.
Thus, Jiang Ling gained a devoted superfan.
Upon hearing that the drama she starred in, "The Jade Bow in the Sea of Clouds," was about to premiere, Xuan Lili was among the first to tune in, contributing to the ratings.
"Honey, I must say, you and this actress in the drama look quite alike," Xuan Lili's husband suddenly said.
Hearing this, Xuan Lili felt a surge of happiness and asked, "Do we look very alike?"
"Indeed, very much so. Her face shape is beautiful, the most dignified, elegant, yet still radiant traditional face shape."
"Then tell me, who is prettier, this actress or me?"
Facing his wife's fatal question, Xuan Lili's husband's survival instincts kicked in. He smiled and said, "Of course, you are prettier. The entertainment industry is full of fake faces, with double eyelid surgery, nose jobs, and even Botox. How could anyone compare to your natural beauty, my dear?"
"Hmph, that's more like it!"
Xuan Lili felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey.
Xuan Lili's husband had originally intended to use the actress in the drama to compliment his wife and deepen their marital affection.
Unexpectedly, as he watched, he was immediately captivated by the exciting fight sequences and the fluid plot.
Adult life in reality is not easy; there are elders to support and children to raise, and pressure comes from everywhere.
Martial arts novels are praised as 'adult fairy tales' for a core reason: the feeling of satisfaction they provide.
Therefore, to capture the essence of a martial arts novel on screen, exciting fight choreography and a gripping plot are indispensable.
On top of this, a touch of romance can make the story even more compelling.
It's a shame that most current production teams and directors get it backward.
They don't film proper fight scenes well, preferring to force unsuitable pairings and insert multiple romantic subplots.
Here, the male lead gets involved with a wicked childhood sweetheart supporting character, while the female lead is burdened with several infatuated, fawning second, third, and fourth male leads.
All sorts of melodramatic plots are forced in, turning a perfectly good martial arts drama into a messy stew.
Guan Suyin fully respects the original work, prioritizing martial arts combat and using romance as a supporting element, meticulously unfolding each plot thread.