Ch 36: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Thank you so much to all those who gave this novel a rating. You guys are so awesome. As promised, here’s the entire arc. Enjoy 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

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Classmates rotated in and out of the group surrounding Shen Yunxuan, eager to take photos with her and ask her not to forget their shared time in school.

No one was oblivious—Shen Yunxuan had just graduated and already had a major IP drama in post-production. The school and faculty’s evident approval of her future prospects made everyone want to chat with her a bit more.

In her previous life, during graduation, she was treated quite differently since she had only worked as an uncredited stand-in. But after experiencing countless ups and downs in her life, she now saw this as human nature. Instead of disdain, she cherished the bright, youthful smiles of her classmates at this moment—this was her graduation ceremony, a fresh and joyful memory.

Once the crowd thinned, someone wearing a hat and mask, holding a camera like a staff member, approached her and said in a low voice, “Excuse me, I’ve finally found you! Do you remember helping me find my dog a few months ago?”

Shen Yunxuan looked at her, surprised. “I remember. Why are you here?”

The person pulled down her mask, revealing her face—it was Zhao Yajing. She was clearly excited as she explained, “After the dog ran away that day, it swallowed a foreign object. Fortunately, you helped find it in time, and the vet was able to induce vomiting. Everything turned out fine. I’m so grateful to you! But I didn’t get your contact information last time and didn’t know how to find you. I thought there’d be a lot of people at the graduation ceremony, so I came to try my luck. I recognized you immediately as the student representative! Can we be friends?”

“Of course. I’ve finished here—let’s talk while walking,” Shen Yunxuan said, offering to leave campus, knowing Zhao Yajing’s identity required discretion.

Only now did she learn that the dog had swallowed something harmful. No wonder in her previous life, Zhao Yajing had been so kind to her—though she had never mentioned this incident. Perhaps in the previous timeline, the dog suffered more, and Zhao Yajing chose not to bring it up.

They moved to a nearby café and formally introduced themselves, marking the start of their acquaintance. Zhao Yajing’s impression of Shen Yunxuan, both the first and second time, was extremely positive. Shen Yunxuan, knowing her well from the past life, naturally got along easily. Their conversation quickly developed a sense of camaraderie.

Although Zhao Yajing was a rising star who had won a Best Actress award before turning thirty, she displayed no airs in front of the young newcomer. Shen Yunxuan’s straightforward attitude after learning Zhao Yajing’s identity further delighted her. The entertainment industry wasn’t a place where friendships came easily, but Zhao Yajing had a strong feeling that she and Shen Yunxuan could become great friends.

When discussing plans, Shen Yunxuan mentioned she had just finished filming a drama and hadn’t signed with any agency yet. She planned to send her resume to various crews in search of suitable roles.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Yajing suggested, “If you don’t mind, could you perform something for me? I might know of a role that would suit you.”

She quickly added, “Don’t feel pressured. Even if you don’t get it, someone else will. At most, I’ll just recommend you for an audition—it’s not a big deal.”

This stirred something in Shen Yunxuan. In her previous life, after being Zhao Yajing’s stand-in, Zhao Yajing had noticed her solid foundation and talent, often giving her acting tips and corrections. Later, when a literary film struggled to find a fitting lead actress, Zhao Yajing recommended her. While the film received critical acclaim and won Best Picture, Shen Yunxuan narrowly missed out on Best Actress due to her inexperience.

This time, her acting skills were on an entirely different level. If she could win Best Actress, it would provide her with a stronger foundation and more control over her future roles.

So, she agreed immediately and performed a classic scene from a renowned film in a more private location.

Zhao Yajing was stunned, unable to speak for a moment. Initially, she had planned to recommend Shen Yunxuan regardless of her performance, but after watching this, she was utterly amazed. Shen Yunxuan’s acting was so exceptional that she believed replacing the original actress in the classic film with her wouldn’t diminish its acclaim or reputation.

When Shen Yunxuan asked, “Do you need me to perform another impromptu scene? You can give me any scenario,” Zhao Yajing quickly stopped her.

“No need! That was incredible! Your school really knows how to hide talent. How could they keep someone with your acting skills under wraps?” Zhao Yajing exclaimed with excitement.

Shen Yunxuan, benefiting from the advantages of her rebirth, felt a bit shy. “I don’t have many hobbies—I just love acting. But I still have plenty of room for improvement.”

Covering her heart dramatically, Zhao Yajing teased, “If this is you needing improvement, how can us veterans survive? Are all young actors this talented now? It’s like you’re here to sweep us off the stage!”

Without further ado, she added, “Come on! My cousin is casting for a literary film and insists on hiring a newcomer. He’s been frustrated because no one fits the bill. But now that I’ve found you, you’re clearly the destined lead for his film!”

True to her decisive nature, Zhao Yajing immediately arranged for Shen Yunxuan to travel with her to Hengdian for an audition on the same day she attended her graduation ceremony.

The outcome was, of course, favorable. In her previous life, Shen Yunxuan had collaborated with Director Feng three times and had even portrayed this very role. She knew exactly what effect he wanted to achieve, and the two clicked instantly.

With the lead actress settled, auditions for the other roles quickly wrapped up, and filming began earlier than in her last life.

Meanwhile, Li Tian, the agent for Qian Yue, arranged two supporting roles as a villainous second lead in idol dramas. Qian Yue rejected both, prompting Li Tian to summon her to the office for a stern reprimand.

“Do you even want a career? You refused to drop the stand-in role when I told you to, and now I’m offering you real roles, and you still won’t take them. Why did you even sign with the company—just to waste my time?”

Qian Yue remained unbothered. “Relax, Li Ge. I know what I’m doing. I’m just waiting for the right opportunity to blow everyone away.”

Holding back his temper, Li Tian questioned, “Stop playing coy. If you have a lead, spill it. Otherwise, the company will assign you something.”

“Don’t!” Qian Yue relented, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “That stand-in role is going to be worth it—that show will be a hit. When it does, I’ll ride the wave with some press releases to boost my profile. Also, Director Feng—Zhao Yajing’s friend—is casting for a film with a new actress as the lead. I’ve got the talent and the looks. I’ve been hanging around Zhao Yajing to get her to recommend me for the role.”

Li Tian furrowed his brows, skeptical. “How do you know that show will be a hit? Even the producers wouldn’t make that claim. And it doesn’t sound like Zhao Yajing is committed to recommending you, so where’s this confidence coming from?”

Of course, Qian Yue’s confidence came from her rebirth. In her past life, Zhao Yajing had recommended Shen Yunxuan for this very role after getting to know her during filming. Since Shen Yunxuan had been a Star Entertainment newcomer back then, Qian Yue believed she was better positioned now and more deserving of the recommendation.

Feigning composure, she replied, “I’m a company-backed rookie! Everyone in the crew knows I’m from Star Entertainment. When Zhao Yajing brings up the film, she’s bound to think of me. Besides, I’ve got the talent to nail the audition. Just give me a little more time, Li Ge. If I land this role, it’ll be a massive leap forward—much better than those supporting roles. Who knows, I might even win Best Actress on my first try!”

Li Tian, though still doubtful, decided to let her try her luck. “Alright, fine. I’ll reach out to Director Feng. No need to rely on Zhao Yajing’s favor.”

But before he could take action, a notification on his phone caught his attention. Opening the group chat, he found people discussing how Director Feng’s film had already begun shooting—and the lead actress had been chosen.

Following the link, he saw the official announcement, complete with a photo of the cast at the opening ceremony. Director Feng had even expressed his satisfaction with the newcomer and his excitement for the project.

Li Tian threw his phone onto the table in frustration. “Weren’t you confident? The film started shooting today! What are you waiting for—a miracle?”

“What? Impossible!” Qian Yue grabbed the phone. When she saw Shen Yunxuan in the photo, her eyes widened in disbelief. “How can it be her? She doesn’t even know Zhao Yajing or have ties to Star Entertainment. How did she land this role?”

Li Tian sneered. “The evidence is right there. What’s so impossible? Seems to me you’ve been playing petty games with Shen Yunxuan since school, but she’s still outperformed you. The very role you’ve been obsessing over is now hers. If I’d known this earlier, I’d have signed her instead of wasting my time on you.”

The remark hit Qian Yue like a slap in the face. Furious, she shot back, “What do you mean, I’m a waste? Have you even seen my acting? With my talent and looks, I’d shine with the right resources. It’s your fault for not giving me proper opportunities!”

“And who are you that I should prioritize you? I’ve given you plenty of chances—those villain roles are solid options. Pick one, or you’ll be sidelined. If you’re so capable, go find your own roles.” Li Tian tossed a few scripts in her direction and walked off.

Qian Yue had been so fixated on replicating Shen Yunxuan’s trajectory—studying scenes from that film, believing the role was hers—that she’d ignored all other opportunities. Now, when told to seek out new ones, she was utterly lost.

Li Tian’s tough stance left Qian Yue with no choice but to back down. If she pushed back too hard, the company might blacklist her, and she knew that would make it nearly impossible to revive her career.

The overconfidence she had felt since her rebirth came crashing down like a bucket of cold water. Jolted awake, she grudgingly chose a moderately successful idol drama from her previous life and left without saying a word to Li Tian.

Li Tian didn’t mind. Newcomers often needed to be tempered. No matter how wild they started, they eventually had to fall in line. As long as they worked and made money, that was all he cared about.

Back at home, Qian Yue meticulously listed the events from her past and current lives. She questioned herself over and over: she had followed Shen Yunxuan’s path step by step, even going out of her way to stay on good terms with Zhao Yajing, the director, and Li Tian. They had all been friendly to her, hadn’t they? So why was the result so different? Was there something she didn’t know?

Even if she could accept not being chosen for the film, why had Shen Yunxuan been picked instead?

She had gone through all the trouble to maneuver Shen Yunxuan into a fantasy drama, forcing her onto the path Qian Yue had walked in her past life. How could Shen Yunxuan possibly end up in a completely different project? The two trajectories were supposed to be worlds apart!

To her knowledge, Shen Yunxuan hadn’t even signed with an agency and had no connections with Zhao Yajing or Director Feng. So how had this happened?

Qian Yue couldn’t understand it and, more importantly, couldn’t stand it. She had worked so hard to swap their paths, eagerly waiting to see Shen Yunxuan relive her previous struggles while Qian Yue climbed to success. Yet, everything seemed to have reverted to the “correct” course, with Shen Yunxuan now starring in an arthouse film again.

Where had she gone wrong? Was Shen Yunxuan simply destined for success? Did fate decree that no matter how many obstacles Qian Yue placed in her way, Shen Yunxuan would always rise to the top? And if that was true, did it mean Qian Yue was doomed to remain a mediocre, fringe celebrity, slowly fading away as her looks diminished?

Why? They were both just people. Why was Shen Yunxuan so much luckier? Qian Yue couldn’t accept it.

Ripping her carefully prepared list to shreds, Qian Yue vented her fury, as though tearing up fate itself. She swore she would defy destiny, rise to stardom, and let nothing and no one stand in her way.

After her outburst, she calmed herself and began drafting a new list, noting down successful dramas, films, commercials, and variety shows from her previous life—especially those associated with Shen Yunxuan. These were the projects she was most familiar with, and she was determined to claim them before Shen Yunxuan could.

Shen Yunxuan had been a superstar in her past life, even earning a lifetime achievement award at the Oscars. Qian Yue now viewed stealing Shen Yunxuan’s resources as her ultimate proof of rewriting fate.

She also compiled a list of future stars who were currently unknown, planning to ally with or outmaneuver them to secure resources and climb the ranks. If necessary, she was willing to use insider information to her advantage.

As her list grew, so did her confidence. By the time she finished, her anger had dissipated, replaced by newfound determination.

One failed attempt didn’t matter. It was just an arthouse film—neither commercially successful nor likely to win Best Actress. She could afford to let it go. There were bigger and better opportunities ahead, and she would become the reigning queen of her generation.

Meanwhile, Shen Yunxuan’s work on the film progressed smoothly. Her understanding of Director Feng’s vision allowed her to execute scenes flawlessly, often nailing them in a single take. Her performance uplifted the entire cast and crew, fostering an efficient and positive atmosphere.

At the wrap party, Director Feng patted her shoulder and said, “Xiao Shen, I have a feeling this film is going to win awards. Stay grounded, don’t let this industry corrupt you, and remember—your talent will take you far.”

Shen Yunxuan smiled, touched by his sincerity. “Don’t worry, Director Feng. Nothing will distract me from acting.”

Having the chance to revisit and elevate a story she had already performed in her past life was a unique and fulfilling experience for Shen Yunxuan. However, she didn’t intend to repeat every project from her previous life. Some had been draining, despite their quality, due to poor working conditions or incompatible teams. This time, she planned to focus on good scripts and promising opportunities.

During her downtime after the film, she recalled a script for a suspense drama she had heard about in her past life. The project had been abandoned due to a lack of funding, and the screenwriter had since passed away. Director Liu, who had wanted to adapt the script, had often expressed regret over it.

Curious about the story that had captivated Director Liu for years, Shen Yunxuan decided to investigate. With two acting paychecks saved up, she asked Su Ye to look into whether Director Liu was still seeking investment.

Su Ye’s efficiency was unparalleled. She quickly uncovered details about the script, the team, and even the reputations of those involved. She also obtained Director Liu’s contact information, setting the stage for Shen Yunxuan to make her next move.

Shen Yunxuan showered Su Ye with heartfelt praise before asking her to reach out to Director Liu to express her interest in investing in his project.

When Shen Yunxuan finally received the script, she immediately understood why Director Liu had been so regretful about it. The script was a masterpiece. The suspenseful narrative was built around twelve interconnected cases, each with its own unique storyline and vibrant characters.

Despite its brilliance, the genre had fallen out of favor in recent years, with several suspense dramas flopping. As a result, even though the production didn’t require a massive budget, no investors were willing to take the risk. Director Liu, a newcomer himself, lacked both personal funds and established backing, making it impossible to produce the series. Missing the opportunity to bring such a story to life was indeed a loss—one Shen Yunxuan could empathize with.

Determined to see the project realized, she poured her entire savings into it. Touched by her gesture, both Director Liu and the screenwriter agreed to rewrite the protagonist as a female detective, offering her the lead role.

This adjustment didn’t compromise the story, though the team was initially nervous. Shen Yunxuan’s two previous projects—a major IP drama and a film—suggested she was destined for bigger productions. Compared to that, this small-scale effort felt like a downgrade.

But Shen Yunxuan was thrilled. Having fallen in love with the script, she had initially hoped for a minor role. Being offered the lead was an unexpected bonus, and she readily accepted. After finalizing their plans, the trio dove headfirst into pre-production, and soon the cameras were rolling.

Meanwhile, Su Ye came to understand Shen Yunxuan’s singular passion for acting. Unlike most in the industry, Shen Yunxuan wasn’t concerned with fame or maintaining her rank. Instead of leveraging her recent film to secure higher-profile projects, she joyfully joined this modest production, purely because she believed in its potential.

Working alongside Shen Yunxuan profoundly changed Su Ye. Once impatient and anxious, she found herself becoming more grounded and focused, adopting Shen Yunxuan’s clarity of purpose. Now fully committed to her goal of becoming a top-tier manager, Su Ye felt a new sense of peace and purpose, free from external distractions.

On the other hand, Qian Yue’s reaction to Shen Yunxuan’s choice couldn’t have been more different. When she heard that Shen Yunxuan was starring in an obscure suspense drama, she burst out laughing.

After racking her brain, she confirmed she had never even heard of this show in her past life. Delighted, she dismissed the entire venture. While Director Liu had achieved modest fame in her previous life, that didn’t mean he started strong. A rookie director tackling an unpopular genre—what could possibly come of it?

Feeling triumphant, Qian Yue approached Li Tian and pitched the next project Shen Yunxuan would have taken: a poignant youth drama. She pleaded with Li Tian to secure her an audition.

Li Tian, pleased with the buzz Qian Yue had generated for her last project, agreed. She had skillfully stirred up public interest by creating a faux love story with the lead actor, garnering nearly as much attention as the on-screen couple. Her ability to stay in the spotlight impressed Li Tian, so he arranged for her to audition.

Qian Yue, familiar with every detail of Shen Yunxuan’s original work, aced her audition by mimicking scenes from the film. She was cast as the lead in the youth drama and was elated.

On the first day of filming, she took dozens of photos and shared them in her class group chat, asking what everyone else was up to. Just imagining Shen Yunxuan seeing her success filled her with glee.

Soon, her phone buzzed with responses from her former classmates:

[“We’re all waiting for Yunxuan’s fantasy drama to air tonight at 8! So excited!”]
[“I watched the trailer—it looks amazing! Yunxuan is stunning!”]
[“She looks like a true star on screen! I can’t believe we used to see her every day in class!”]
[“Yunxuan, make sure to share some behind-the-scenes goodies with us as a treat!”]

Qian Yue’s smile froze. Annoyed, she looked up the show, realizing she had ignored its release in her rush to secure auditions. She laughed mockingly at her classmates’ enthusiasm. The series was a guaranteed flop—did they forget how disappointed viewers were in her past life? The lackluster effects and illogical romance arc between the protagonist and the antagonist had alienated even loyal fans.

She eagerly awaited 8 p.m., ready to witness their inevitable disappointment and laugh at their reactions in the group chat.

However, when she checked the chat again after the premiere, the responses stunned her:

[“This is amazing! The effects are top-notch—like blockbuster quality! And Yunxuan is killing it!”]
[“I can’t stop watching. Yunxuan, you’re about to become a star!”]

In disbelief, Qian Yue opened the first episode and was immediately floored. The visuals were breathtaking, the pacing gripping. How could this be? The effects and story were leagues ahead of her expectations!

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆