Ch 35: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Qian Yue grabbed Shen Yunxuan’s arm. “What are you doing? Are you really kicking me out?”

Shen Yunxuan replied calmly, “Qian Yue, we’re working here. Please don’t make a scene. It’s time for you to leave.”

“I’m making a scene?” Qian Yue pointed to herself in disbelief, her temper flaring. “I came here out of kindness to see you—”

Shen Yunxuan turned to Su Ye. “Go get security.” Then she lowered her voice and said to Qian Yue, “If you want to get famous, keep going. But do you think someone might snap a picture and post it online? This could end up as your black mark.”

Qian Yue instantly shut her mouth, the words caught in her throat, leaving her fuming silently. She glared at Shen Yunxuan, gritting her teeth. “You wouldn’t have this role if I hadn’t signed you up for it! You don’t even have to thank me, but why treat me like this? Aren’t you afraid people will think you’re betraying our friendship?”

Shen Yunxuan smiled faintly. “The one who betrayed our friendship is you. You know what you’ve done. And as for getting this role, I didn’t miss the audition. I earned it with my performance. Do you really want to wait here for security?”

Qian Yue glanced back and saw Su Ye already walking toward security. Her expression darkened before she huffed and left in a hurry.

Their interaction had drawn quite a bit of attention. Director Xie asked someone nearby about the commotion. That person had overheard everything and repeated the conversation verbatim, including Shen Yunxuan’s comment: “Every micro-expression contributes to the best performance.”

Director Xie chuckled. “Xiao Shen said that? Every micro-expression makes a great scene?”

The staff member nodded. “That’s what she said. Do you agree, Director? Though, to be fair, Qian Yue’s point about success being down to luck also has some truth.”

Director Xie snorted with amusement. “Luck might make you famous, but how long you stay famous is another matter. Real talent and skill? That lasts a lifetime. Too many in this industry rely on luck and neglect their craft. Xiao Shen has the right attitude. Go call her over.”

During her time on set, Shen Yunxuan had been looking for an opportunity to talk to Director Xie about the character’s romantic subplot. When they had read through the script earlier, she had briefly mentioned her concerns, but the conversation had been brushed aside since the script was already finalized.

Qian Yue’s unexpected visit seemed to have worked in Shen Yunxuan’s favor. Director Xie called her over, praised her dedication, and encouraged her to focus on honing her craft, assuring her that success would come if she remained committed.

Sensing the timing was perfect, Shen Yunxuan sat on a small stool next to him and said, “Director Xie, I’ve never thought much about fame. When I chose to study acting, it was out of love for the craft. I wanted to bring meaningful characters to life and share great stories with the audience. That’s my original aspiration, and it will never change.

My dream isn’t about how famous I become but about ensuring every project I work on avoids being labeled a flop. I want every character I play to feel real and authentic, standing the test of time. That way, I’ll know I’ve truly lived up to being an actor.”

“Well said!” Director Xie looked at her with growing admiration. “You’re still young, but you’ve got a solid mindset. That was my original dream too—to tell good stories for the audience. Thirty years have passed, and I’ve seen my share of ups and downs. Stick to your principles and don’t let the chaos of this industry blind you.”

For a veteran to offer such heartfelt words of encouragement was a rare show of care in the entertainment world. Taking this opportunity, Shen Yunxuan replied warmly, “Thank you, Director Xie. I’ll learn from you and strive to perfect every role and every story, delivering work that satisfies the audience.”

Director Xie laughed. “Now you’re just reciting slogans at me! You’re already doing well, but aiming for perfection is even better.”

“Then… can I share my thoughts about my character with you?” she asked. Seeing him nod, she cut straight to the point. “I think my character should have absolutely no romantic ambiguity with the male lead.”

Director Xie froze, his smile fading. He stared at her, realizing what she was implying. The script was already set. Was she suggesting changes?

Before he could respond, Shen Yunxuan continued, “Please hear me out before you get upset.”

She began by highlighting why fans of the original novel loved the character. She explained how the character’s greatest appeal lay in her combination of beauty, strength, and tragedy, making her the most powerful character in the story. This balance made her dynamic with the male and female leads compelling. However, turning her into a love-struck antagonist who sabotages the leads out of unrequited love reduced her to a cliché and erased her appeal. Such a change would alienate fans, even to the point of physical disgust, and destroy the character’s integrity.

To support her argument, Shen Yunxuan presented posts from fans expressing concerns about the adaptation. They feared unnecessary romantic subplots, weakened supporting characters to elevate the leads, and portrayals that failed to capture the male lead’s strength.

Director Xie read through the posts, adjusted his hat, and chuckled. “So all that talk about your original aspiration and perfection was to soften me up, huh? You think this character’s changes have ruined her compared to the original?”

Nearby, the assistant director and other crew members froze, worried that Director Xie might lose his temper. Script changes were a touchy subject. Even if he didn’t like the finalized script, he couldn’t afford to openly oppose it when major stars demanded changes. For a rookie like Shen Yunxuan, challenging the script could lead to her being replaced altogether!

This was truly a case of youthful boldness, fearless in the face of authority!

The assistant director even shot Shen Yunxuan a look, signaling her to drop the subject. Didn’t she realize they all knew how absurd the added romance subplot was? But what could they do when the investors and producers believed the market loved melodrama?

They wanted to create a good story but had no choice but to bow to capital. Director Xie, already dissatisfied with the compromises, now had Shen Yunxuan digging further into the wound. Was she courting disaster?

Yet Shen Yunxuan acted oblivious and leaned closer to Director Xie. “Director, do you think this is better than the original? I think it falls far short!”

The assistant director, mid-sip of water, choked and erupted into a fit of coughing.

Undeterred, Shen Yunxuan added, “Right, Director Chen? You agree too, don’t you?”

The assistant director quickly waved his hands, unable to speak through his coughing fit.

Shen Yunxuan smiled and turned back to Director Xie. “I understand that compromises have to be made sometimes, but look at us—we’ve got a strong production team, sufficient funding, great direction, talented actors, and exceptional design work. Why shouldn’t we aim to make this a top-quality hit? With such a high-profile IP, if we mess it up, won’t we become a laughingstock?”

Director Xie raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. “You think it’ll flop as it is? You think we’ll embarrass ourselves?”

She nodded without hesitation. “Let’s set aside the fans and the original story. Just looking at the current script—does it even make sense for the villainess to be infatuated with the male lead? Does it align with her core motivations?”

Director Xie countered, “You’re only considering it from your character’s perspective. What about the male and female leads? If we make your character too compelling, won’t she overshadow them? Do you think they’ll be okay with that?”

Shen Yunxuan feigned surprise. “Their acting is just as good as mine, and their characters and story arcs are even stronger. How could I overshadow them? But if my character is too weak, it makes them look unconvincing too. They keep fighting me but can’t seem to defeat me—doesn’t that make everyone look foolish?

“On top of that, the drawn-out melodrama, the crying, and the endless romantic tangles—aren’t we making a fantasy drama? It’s supposed to be action-packed! The special effects are at their best during the fights, aren’t they? Leave the romance to the leads. If you really want the villainess to have a love angle, why not give her a deceased ‘white moonlight’ she mourns? It adds depth to her character without weakening her combat strength.

“In the end, shouldn’t the audience feel tension, excitement, heartbreak, and sweetness, with a sense of resolution? That’s how a story resonates.”

Director Xie found himself listening intently. Deep down, his passion had always been for creating great stories. Over the years, he had compromised for the sake of funding, but it was rare to meet an actor who had such a profound understanding of the material, digging into every layer of the story and characters. He couldn’t help but be moved.

Even the assistant director and crew stopped what they were doing, listening quietly. They could tell Shen Yunxuan wasn’t speaking off the cuff. She had thoroughly analyzed the novel, the script, and every character. Her dedication commanded respect.

She concluded with a point about marketing and fabricated romantic pairings. “Some productions rely on convoluted romantic entanglements to push ‘popular’ pairings, creating fleeting buzz through trending hashtags and clickbait. But how many of those shows truly last?

“The ones that become classics do so because of strong storytelling, well-developed characters, and stellar performances. When those elements are in place, the chemistry between characters happens naturally, and the audience will ship multiple pairings on their own. Isn’t that better than forcing it?”

Director Xie let out a laugh. “You’ve got guts, saying whatever’s on your mind!”

But he couldn’t deny that her words struck a chord. Her earlier remarks about her original aspiration and pursuit of perfection had reignited something in him. Why had he become a director? It wasn’t for money or fame—he had plenty of both. It was for the love of storytelling.

For him, whether this drama succeeded or failed wouldn’t impact his life significantly. But for Shen Yunxuan, this could make or break her acting career.

And yet, here she was, taking the risk of raising this issue over and over again—not for personal gain, but because she truly cared about the story and the characters.

Although the outcome of the series was uncertain—whether adding or removing the romance subplot would affect its reception—her timing was impeccable. Her boldness stirred the youthful passion he once had. Whether it worked or not, wasn’t it worth trying for the best possible version of the story?

Director Xie slapped his thigh decisively and grabbed Shen Yunxuan. “Come with me. Let’s hold a meeting with the decision-makers. If I can’t convince them, I’ll let you do the talking. Your enthusiasm might just win them over.”

The assistant director stayed behind to manage the ongoing shoot. Despite his initial doubts, he couldn’t help feeling excited. If they managed to rewrite the subplot, this drama could turn out to be incredible—and Shen Yunxuan would be the one to thank!

Shen Yunxuan followed Director Xie around for several days, feeling as though she had spoken more in that short time than in her entire life. Director Xie stayed out of the spotlight, leaving her to do all the talking until her mouth felt parched. But in the end, they achieved a great result: the story would follow the original plotline, incorporating all of Shen Yunxuan’s suggestions.

The male and female leads readily agreed. As top-tier actors, they knew how crucial a well-told story was.

During a celebratory meal, Director Xie gave Shen Yunxuan an extra chicken leg. She grinned and asked, “Is this my reward for charging ahead on the front lines today?”

Director Xie raised an eyebrow. “You played me once; now I’m returning the favor. We’re even.”

Shen Yunxuan clinked her glass with his and laughed. “Fair enough. But let’s make a deal: no hard feelings about my boldness earlier, and together, we’ll create a massive hit!”

“A massive hit!” Director Xie laughed heartily, feeling a long-lost enthusiasm reignite. He was so fired up he wanted to toss down his chopsticks and head straight to the set to shoot the entire series in one go.

With sufficient funding, minimal external interference, and three talented lead actors, he was bursting with excitement at the potential of this high-profile production.

The energy spread to the entire crew. They began setting up early each morning, launching into filming efficiently. During downtime, the lead actors, director, and screenwriters would gather to refine the script, ensuring every detail was polished. Even meals became opportunities to analyze and delve deeper into their characters.

When the script was fully refined, everyone realized Shen Yunxuan had been holding back in her earlier performances. Once her character was fully fleshed out, she brought Yu Wanqing to life with astonishing depth and authenticity, as though the character had stepped straight out of the pages of the novel.

That day, the original author was on set. After watching Shen Yunxuan perform two scenes, she couldn’t contain their excitement, rushing forward to hug her tightly. “Wanqing! You are my Wanqing!”

The author’s enthusiasm was no surprise. In the original novel, Yu Wanqing was beloved by readers alongside the main leads. The character’s appeal came from the author’s deep affection for her. Seeing such a vivid portrayal of their creation come to life was an overwhelming experience.

Embarrassed afterward, the author apologized for her behavior, explaining, “I’m usually socially anxious, but I don’t know what came over me. Maybe it was being so immersed in the scene—I felt like I was truly seeing Wanqing. I couldn’t help myself. I hope you don’t mind.”

Shen Yunxuan reassured her with a smile. “Not at all. I’m thrilled that my efforts brought Wanqing to life for you. That’s the highest praise I could ever receive.”

Back home, the author couldn’t contain her excitement. Unable to share spoilers publicly, she flooded her three-person group chat with exuberant emojis.

The other two members responded with question marks.

The author excitedly typed: “I just met the real Yu Wanqing! She’s so beautiful, and I love her so much! I even hugged her! It’s like living a dream I never dared to dream!”

“What do you mean? Are you saying the actress playing Wanqing is good?”

“Exactly! She’s incredible! Honestly, the script avoided getting butchered because of her. She’s my lucky star! She’s brought my Wanqing to life. Someone who truly understands my work this deeply—I wish she could play all my characters! I’d be the happiest person in the universe!”

The other two were dying of curiosity, wondering how good this actress could be to elicit such a reaction. But with filming under wraps, they couldn’t see for themselves. The author simply told them to wait until the show aired and promised they’d watch it together the moment it came out.

Meanwhile, Shen Yunxuan remained unaware of the two other acclaimed authors now eagerly anticipating her performance. Having resolved two major issues for the production, she threw herself into filming wholeheartedly, entrusting all other matters to Su Ye.

As her assistant, Su Ye stayed by Shen Yunxuan’s side, observing and learning as they worked together. Still new to the job, she needed time to adapt. Over the past few days, however, she had been utterly shocked.

When they first met, Shen Yunxuan had mentioned there were problems with the production but claimed she could handle them. Su Ye never expected her solution would be this extraordinary.

In the entertainment industry, a supporting actress or villain character in a high-profile drama with a romantic subplot involving the male lead would usually exploit the opportunity to create buzz around their pairing. Even if the production flopped, the actor could gain visibility and secure future roles. Some would even repeat this cycle, using controversy as a stepping stone until their career hit a breakthrough.

But Shen Yunxuan had defied all expectations. She single-handedly convinced the crew, investors, and producers to scrap the romantic subplot and revert to the original storyline, making the narrative far more compelling. A complete unknown with no company backing or connections—how did she dare?

Yet she did, and Su Ye couldn’t help but admire her. It wasn’t just Shen Yunxuan’s boldness but her deep understanding of the story. She had meticulously analyzed every character arc, every plotline, and every emotional nuance. In all her years of observing the industry, Su Ye had never encountered someone as dedicated and thorough as Shen Yunxuan.

This was exactly why Shen Yunxuan succeeded in persuading them—her arguments were logical, well-founded, and compelling. She even provided the investors with a way to save face by acknowledging the importance of a romantic subplot while suggesting the addition of a “white moonlight” character. This new role, needing only a handsome appearance rather than acting skills, gave investors the freedom to cast whoever they wished to curry favor. Not only did it address the investors’ concerns, but it also enriched the story and characters. Su Ye couldn’t fathom how Shen Yunxuan had thought of such a brilliant compromise.

What amazed Su Ye even more was that Shen Yunxuan had planned everything before joining the production. She didn’t rush, kept her intentions under wraps, and executed her strategy flawlessly. To Su Ye, this was the epitome of courage and intelligence. After work, she even went to a temple to thank her past self for agreeing to work with Shen Yunxuan—it was clearly the best choice she had ever made!

The male and female leads, spurred by Shen Yunxuan’s stellar performances, elevated their own. The three frequently engaged in intense acting exchanges on set, prompting constant praise from Director Xie. Even supporting actors and extras got a taste of the excitement, soaking in the experience and learning from it daily.

While their progress was swift and smooth, the same couldn’t be said for the film production where Qian Yue had landed a role.

After being kicked out of Shen Yunxuan’s set during her visit, Qian Yue returned to the dorm and logged into her anonymous Weibo account. Using it to vent her frustrations, she targeted Shen Yunxuan with scathing comments. This account had been her outlet in her previous life whenever things didn’t go her way. Because she spread her insults across many celebrities and didn’t fixate on one target, her identity remained safe, and the account never gained much attention or heat.

She unleashed her anger, calling Shen Yunxuan cold-hearted, a traitor to friendship, and cursed her with misfortunes like being lonely and unloved for life. This venting session was her way of releasing the bitterness that had been building up.

Qian Yue still couldn’t figure out why Shen Yunxuan had suddenly cut ties with her. She had initially planned to maintain their relationship in case Shen Yunxuan found success, hoping to benefit from it herself. But after being humiliated, she decided she wouldn’t lower herself to approach Shen Yunxuan again unless Shen Yunxuan made the first move.

She consoled herself by thinking she had already altered their starting points. The two productions were entirely different paths. In her past life, the poorly made xianxia drama had flopped spectacularly, earning her years of criticism, limited resources, and wasted potential. Now, Shen Yunxuan was the one stuck with that doomed project, while Qian Yue had set herself on the right track.

Qian Yue entered the film set brimming with confidence. She greeted the director and cast warmly, exuding enthusiasm. Her company had even provided her with an assistant, and she bought milk tea for the entire crew on the first day, leaving a positive impression.

Some people whispered about how she was acting like a lead actress despite being a stunt double, but her good looks, cheerful demeanor, and generosity made her generally well-liked.

However, this goodwill didn’t last. Qian Yue often acted as though she were the lead actress, stepping into the frame when she wasn’t supposed to, and stealing focus when she wasn’t the center of attention. Her behavior caused frequent retakes, earning her increasingly stern reprimands from the director.

Worse, Qian Yue defended herself, saying, “Since I’m the lead’s stunt double, and my profile resembles hers, why not use the footage with me in it?” The crew was speechless—her role was limited to action sequences. Who asked her to act as a body double for close-up shots?

The film’s lead actress, Zhao Yajing, grew irritated with Qian Yue’s antics. Once, Qian Yue even tried to give Zhao pointers on acting. Zhao was livid—why would she need advice from a rookie who was constantly getting scolded?

Qian Yue, for her part, couldn’t understand why the crew treated her so poorly. She didn’t think she’d said or done anything egregious. Why was everyone so cold to her?

Even small things like meals felt like slights. While Zhao Yajing received better catering, Qian Yue was directed to pick up her box lunch with the extras. Frustrated, she began ordering takeout for herself every day, further isolating her from the crew.

Qian Yue’s only solace was her anonymous Weibo account, where she vented her grievances. She also searched for news about Shen Yunxuan and her xianxia drama, feeling relieved whenever she found nothing significant.

Thinking back to the day she saw Shen Yunxuan practicing micro-expressions in the mirror, Qian Yue scoffed. “I told you—it’s all about luck if you want to make it big.” In her previous life, she had at least known to stir up drama with the lead actress and tease ambiguous relationships with the male lead, leveraging controversy to raise her profile. But Shen Yunxuan? She wasn’t making any waves, and Qian Yue was convinced the xianxia drama would flop even harder this time.

It seemed that Qian Yue had successfully disrupted Shen Yunxuan’s luck. In this lifetime, Shen Yunxuan no longer had the fate of becoming famous because Qian Yue believed she had transferred all the good fortune to herself.

Although Qian Yue was having a tough time in her film crew, the thought of future opportunities and fame kept her patient with the director and Zhao Yajing. She frequently lingered around them, dropping hints about how she hoped for their support.

What she didn’t realize was that her overzealous behavior was costing her opportunities.

The director and Zhao Yajing privately discussed her. “That Qian Yue has talent and a certain spark, but she’s far too restless and unreliable. I thought about recommending her for a role, but with this attitude? Forget it,” the director said.

Zhao Yajing agreed. “She’s too ambitious and overly focused on fame. It doesn’t seem like she wants to be a good actor—just a celebrity.”

“Regardless of her goals, she needs to focus on the work at hand. Always scheming won’t get her far.”

With that, they dismissed any notion of recommending Qian Yue to others. In fact, Zhao Yajing often chose to perform her own stunts to avoid interacting with Qian Yue altogether.

On the day filming wrapped, Qian Yue was still out of the loop. She wondered why nothing significant had happened—no opportunities, no offers. Did she really have to follow the same trajectory as Shen Yunxuan in her past life, taking on minor roles before waiting for Zhao Yajing’s recommendation for a movie? She even tried showcasing her talent on set, hoping to impress Zhao Yajing into recommending her sooner.

Unable to hold back, Qian Yue approached Zhao Yajing and asked, “Sister Jing, it’s been an honor to work as your stunt double and act alongside you. This is my first time acting—how did I do? Was my performance good?”

Caught off guard, Zhao Yajing hesitated, unsure how to comment on a stunt double’s acting skills. Should she say, “You matched my moves well”?

Seeing her hesitation, Qian Yue thought she hadn’t showcased enough and eagerly offered, “Let me perform another piece for you, I can—”

“No need,” Zhao Yajing quickly interjected with a polite smile. “I think you did very well. You have talent and potential—it’s promising.”

Thrilled, Qian Yue took this as high praise, convinced that Zhao Yajing would soon recommend her for a lead role. When Zhao Yajing left quickly, it didn’t dampen her spirits. She believed her time as a proper lead actress was just around the corner.

After the shoot, her school hosted its graduation ceremony. Qian Yue brought her assistant along to record the event, envisioning a grand showcase for when she became famous. Fans loved nostalgic moments, and she wanted footage of her “humble beginnings” ready to release in the future.

Her assistant was too exhausted to complain. She couldn’t even negotiate overtime pay with the company but didn’t dare resist for fear of losing her job.

Meanwhile, Shen Yunxuan also wrapped up her shoot and gave Su Ye some well-earned time off, even awarding her a bonus. She attended the graduation ceremony solo.

The event was lively and filled with excitement, as all the students, employed or not, wore smiles that reflected their youthful vigor.

The school, aware of recent student achievements, singled out Shen Yunxuan as a standout. Not only had she secured a pivotal role in a major IP drama, but she also influenced script revisions and negotiated with investors—all while staying true to her goal of delivering a stellar performance. For a graduate, this was exemplary.

The school invited Shen Yunxuan to represent her graduating class and deliver a speech, inspiring her peers to pursue their dreams while staying grounded in their principles.

Having given lectures in her previous life, Shen Yunxuan faced no stage fright. Moreover, with a lifetime of acting experience behind her, she now saw her fellow graduates as juniors just embarking on their journeys. She had heartfelt advice to share.

She spoke of an actor’s true calling, the importance of telling meaningful stories, and how life was a marathon where building a solid foundation was key to long-term success. Her words were genuine and filled with actionable wisdom.

Though some students initially thought it might be boring, they soon found themselves captivated. When she finished, thunderous applause erupted across the hall.

Qian Yue, standing in the crowd, smirked. To her, it was all just fluff—dreamy utopian ideals. “These kids haven’t faced the harsh reality of the industry yet,” she thought. “Once they’re out there, they’ll realize that hard work means nothing if you’re unlucky. Some people are born to succeed while others can’t win no matter how hard they try.”

As the event wrapped up and students posed for photos, a crowd quickly formed around Shen Yunxuan. Even her nearby classmates, including Qian Yue, were caught up in the excitement.

The admiration in everyone’s eyes was unmistakable, and their chatter was animated.

“Shen Yunxuan, it feels like you’ve come so far in just a few months! The gap between us feels huge now.”

“Yeah, you sound so professional, like a mentor. Plus, you look stunning! What’s your secret?”

Shen Yunxuan laughed lightly and said, “It’s not as dramatic as you think. I’ve just experienced a lot in a short time and solved many problems. That helps you grow up quickly. As for looks, I just ask makeup artists for tips—highlighting strengths and minimizing flaws. The foundation is the same as before.”

“Experience and growth really make a difference—you look like a whole new person, and you’ve got that star aura now!”

“When your drama airs, we’ll all be watching and cheering for you!”

“Yes! Let’s wish your show a massive success—it’ll be a great start for our class, setting a high standard!”

Shen Yunxuan waved her phone. “Is it because you all know I ordered milk tea for everyone? Your compliments are so sweet! If the drama really becomes a hit, I’ll send a red envelope in our group chat.”

The group burst into playful laughter, urging her to send a lucky amount like 888 yuan so everyone could share in the good fortune.

It was all lighthearted banter—no one took it seriously—until they started taking group photos and Qian Yue interjected, “You’re all saying this now, but won’t it be embarrassing if it flops?”

The lively atmosphere instantly turned awkward. After a moment of silence, someone muttered, “Qian Yue, why do you have to ruin the mood?”

Qian Yue replied, feigning innocence, “I’m just reminding everyone to keep their expectations realistic. In this industry, you have to watch your words, or the gossip blogs will have a field day mocking you later.”

Someone retorted, “If you lack tact, just stay quiet. You’re just bitter because you’re a stunt double and can’t stand Yunxuan doing well, right? What’s wrong with you?”

Frowning, Qian Yue argued, “So what if I’m a stunt double? If the movie’s good and it becomes a hit, even if I’m just in a few scenes, it’s still an honor. Shen Yunxuan’s role might have significant screen time, but if the drama flops, it’s all for nothing anyway!

You’re all just praising her because she’s doing well now. Where’s your logic? You were just saying all roles deserve respect, and now you’re belittling stunt doubles?”

“Nobody’s disrespecting stunt doubles, but why do you keep harping on Yunxuan’s drama flopping? Are you doing it on purpose? Aren’t you supposed to be her friend?”

Shen Yunxuan smiled calmly. “It’s normal for friendships to drift apart after graduation. Whether our drama succeeds or not isn’t up to a few words of ill will. Come on, let’s go take pictures and enjoy the milk tea. We can talk about our future plans afterward.”

“Exactly! Let’s go. No need to waste time arguing with someone who’s just jealous.”

“Yunxuan, I want a picture with you! Let’s go to the flowerbed over there!”

Raising her voice, Qian Yue protested, “I’m not cursing anyone, stop twisting my words! I was just being realistic—why are you all so defensive? And it’s not me who’s drifting away—it’s her!”

But no one paid her any attention. The group moved on, leaving her behind, gradually pushing her further and further away from Shen Yunxuan. She stood there, watching as Shen Yunxuan was surrounded by laughter and admiration, while she herself felt like discarded trash.

Qian Yue had so much more to say, but was there any point in chasing after them now? She had only wanted to dampen Shen Yunxuan’s overly optimistic mood—just a bit of reality to bring her down to earth. She had even tried to phrase it as objectively as possible, yet they wouldn’t even let her finish before walking away.

“Isn’t it obvious they’re just looking down on me because I’m a stunt double?”

Scoffing, Qian Yue told herself that when the movie she worked on became a hit and she moved on to star as a lead actress in another film, everyone would see how right her decisions had been. And when that xianxia drama flopped, Shen Yunxuan would be the one humiliated.

While these thoughts gave Qian Yue some satisfaction, the reality of the situation hit hard during the graduation ceremony. No one wanted to talk to her, and she stood as the most out-of-place person in the crowd. Frustrated and humiliated, she turned and left before the group photo was taken.

She left with one thought burning in her mind: she would wait for their failures. Then everyone would see that she had been right all along.

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆

Sandy: Want faster releases? Give this novel a five-star rating on NU within 24 hours! If it gets ten new five-star ratings, I’ll release the entire arc! 😊✨