Ch 39: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Shen Yunxuan’s suspense drama sparked a surge in the popularity of the genre, with countless viewers finishing her series and seeking similar ones. Even older police dramas and period detective shows experienced a small ratings revival, demonstrating just how much people loved her show.

When the drama concluded, Shen Yunxuan participated in an interview. The host asked with a smile, “Previously, many people speculated why you chose to take on a suspense drama and worried you might be on a downward trajectory. Now that the drama has been so well-received, do you feel like you’ve endured hardship and finally found success? Were you ever concerned that the show flopping would harm your career?”

Shen Yunxuan answered candidly, “I wasn’t worried. Life is long, and this is just one production on the journey. The worst that could happen is that no one would offer me roles. Before filming this drama, I wasn’t getting many scripts anyway, so I used the earnings from my two prior projects and some investment profits to fund this production myself.

“This is also why I started my own company and began investing. Moving forward, I will continue to carefully select scripts, work on stories I believe are excellent, and maintain high standards for the teams I collaborate with. If this approach leaves me without offers, I’ll simply fund my own projects again.”

She smiled. “Of course, I’m not someone who charges ahead recklessly. I took on this suspense drama because I absolutely loved the script and had great confidence in Director Liu’s capabilities. That’s why we decided to proceed with it.

“Every step I take is carefully considered. The urban drama and family drama I’m currently filming are both stories I believe are excellent and provide great opportunities for actors to showcase their skills. I’ve also signed two talented actors, Lin Lan and Jiang Cheng, to star in these new projects with me. When the time comes, I hope everyone will see whether my judgment was right.”

She made a lighthearted joke, keeping the interview upbeat, but successfully conveyed her key points. She used the momentum from the suspense drama’s success to promote her two upcoming series and her company’s newly signed actors, effectively capitalizing on the buzz.

Su Ye later remarked to her, “I didn’t expect this from you, Sister Yunxuan. I thought you were the type to block out the noise and only focus on acting, but you know how to ride the wave of popularity!”

Shen Yunxuan pinched her cheek playfully. “Just because I don’t enjoy it doesn’t mean I don’t know how to do it. But in the future, these tasks should be handled by a professional PR team. You can’t keep doing everything alone. You’re meant to be a top-notch manager, not running PR campaigns. We’ll hire some talented PR professionals soon so you can focus on your strengths.”

“Got it. I’ll start scouting for the right people right away,” Su Ye replied, energized by Shen Yunxuan’s trust in her. She felt motivated, with all her prior frustrations fading away.

However, while Su Ye could move past things, others could not. Qian Yue, who had suffered a setback trying to undermine Shen Yunxuan, was still seething. She felt unlucky—what should have been a sure victory had turned into a resounding loss. Now her public reputation was poor, with netizens labeling her as a backstabbing “fake friend.” People even said her acting, character, and aura were all inferior to Shen Yunxuan’s.

Though Qian Yue couldn’t come up with a new way to directly target Shen Yunxuan, she turned her sights on Su Ye. She remembered hearing in her past life that Shen Yunxuan’s assistant had once offended someone, causing some trouble for Shen Yunxuan. Though Shen Yunxuan’s good fortune had helped them avoid disaster, it was an opportunity Qian Yue now intended to exploit.

After investigating, Qian Yue discovered the story: while in school, Su Ye had dated a powerful actress’s son, Qi Tao. Su Ye hadn’t known his identity at the time, but she eventually broke up with him because of his controlling behavior. The breakup had been messy, and Qi Tao had reportedly sought his mother’s help. The actress, Wang Xiaojing, didn’t need to take overt action; simply mentioning that Su Ye wasn’t suited to be a manager during industry gatherings was enough. The resulting rumors spread, effectively stalling Su Ye’s career and relegating her to a lowly assistant position, where she became a subject of ridicule.

Armed with this knowledge, Qian Yue reached out to Qi Tao in secret. To her, this was a golden opportunity: Wang Xiaojing’s influence could not only elevate her career but also suppress Su Ye and cause headaches for Shen Yunxuan. It was a win-win.

Qian Yue’s beauty and her worldly maturity, sharpened by her rebirth, made her irresistible to someone like Qi Tao. He quickly fell for her, and they began a covert relationship. Soon after, he introduced her to his mother, Wang Xiaojing.

In their presence, Qian Yue played her cards skillfully, framing her past actions as youthful impulsiveness. She claimed she had spoken carelessly on the variety show out of frustration when Shen Yunxuan, her former close friend, had allegedly distanced herself after becoming famous. She even requested a personal assistant to help her avoid future missteps, presenting herself as someone willing to learn and grow.

The tactic worked. Both Wang Xiaojing and Qi Tao grew fond of her. Qian Yue then began sowing seeds of doubt, subtly disparaging Su Ye and Shen Yunxuan. She highlighted how Shen Yunxuan’s unwavering support for Su Ye showed a lack of regard for Wang Xiaojing’s authority, ultimately planting the idea that they should make things difficult for Shen Yunxuan.

Now, Wang Xiaojing was starting to pay attention, contemplating how to handle the situation and teach Shen Yunxuan a lesson.

Shen Yunxuan suddenly found her access to resources significantly reduced. Two endorsement deals, already finalized except for the signing, abruptly fell through. While Shen Yunxuan was still on set filming, Su Ye used all her contacts to investigate and discovered that Wang Xiaojing was behind it.

Feeling deeply guilty, Su Ye went to the set and said, “Sister Yunxuan, I’ve come to resign. I didn’t expect Wang Xiaojing to be so petty and unwilling to let me go. Now I’ve dragged you into this. I’m so sorry.”

Shen Yunxuan comforted her, “Don’t say that. This isn’t your fault; it’s hers. I still need you by my side to help me.”

Su Ye lowered her head in dejection. “But you’ve only just started in this industry, and your company is still in its infancy. If Wang Xiaojing continues to target you, it’ll make things incredibly difficult. If I leave, she’ll stop coming after you.”

Grasping Su Ye’s hand firmly, Shen Yunxuan replied with determination, “When I chose you, I knew what I was doing. Don’t worry; leave it to me. As for resources, we’ll stick to quality over quantity. The current project isn’t even finished yet, so there’s no rush to take on new work.”

Su Ye’s eyes widened with worry. “Do you think this could affect your two upcoming dramas? Would Wang Xiaojing try to block them from airing?”

“She won’t have the chance,” Shen Yunxuan said with a small smile, offering no further explanation. She assured Su Ye not to worry and to focus on her work as usual.

When Shen Yunxuan hired Su Ye, she had been aware of the issues with Wang Xiaojing. It wasn’t that she had forgotten but that the time to act hadn’t arrived. In her past life, she and Su Ye struggled for years before finally stabilizing their footing after Shen Yunxuan won several awards. By then, Su Ye had already lost her ambition to become a talent manager. However, Su Ye had excellent connections, a sharp eye for opportunities, and a wealth of insider knowledge, including a particularly damning secret about Wang Xiaojing: massive tax evasion.

Years later, Su Ye had learned that Wang Xiaojing had secretly paid off the owed taxes and penalties to avoid exposure. The matter had been swept under the rug, leaving no evidence behind. However, in this timeline, Shen Yunxuan knew this black mark on Wang Xiaojing could be a death sentence in the entertainment industry. She also knew when to strike.

In April of this year, the government was set to roll out new regulations targeting misconduct in the entertainment industry, including severe penalties for tax evasion. Shen Yunxuan had been waiting for this.

She believed in decisive action against adversaries to ensure there would be no lingering consequences. Although it was still March, she could afford to wait another month.

While Shen Yunxuan stayed composed, others were more anxious on her behalf. Over the next month, her resource flow dried up entirely. Meanwhile, malicious rumors began circulating online, accusing her of relying on a “sugar daddy,” exploiting connections, faking a relationship for attention, or even engaging in witchcraft for career success.

Shen Yunxuan ignored the rumors, focusing entirely on filming. Even veteran actor Jiang Cheng, who was working with her, offered to help, saying, “Do you want me to reach out to some of my old contacts and talk to Wang Xiaojing for you?”

She shook her head. “No need. I’ve done nothing wrong and have no reason to bow to her. While compromises are sometimes necessary in this industry, I won’t abandon Su Ye to appease her, and that means reconciliation isn’t possible.”

Her words carried the fearless resolve of youth, grounded in loyalty and integrity. While some might dismiss it as naive, Jiang Cheng felt reassured by her stance. He realized that if she wouldn’t abandon Su Ye today, she wouldn’t abandon her team tomorrow. Her loyalty and character were unwavering.

Jiang Cheng refrained from further persuasion, quietly resolving to stand by her and lend his support if needed. Though he had spent his career as a “supporting actor,” his network of contacts was still formidable.

Many others in the industry expressed regret over Shen Yunxuan’s predicament. They sympathized with her situation but were unwilling to intervene. In a competitive field, no one wanted to take risks for someone else’s battles.

When April arrived, the government introduced its new regulations to address misconduct in the entertainment industry. Most people didn’t take them seriously. However, Shen Yunxuan seized the moment and anonymously reported Wang Xiaojing’s tax evasion.

The authorities, eager for a high-profile case to set an example, immediately launched an investigation. They were shocked by the extent of Wang Xiaojing’s evasion. The evidence was overwhelming, leading to her arrest and public announcement.

Wang Xiaojing was used as a cautionary tale, facing severe penalties that included massive fines, a lifetime industry ban, and imprisonment. Her career, wealth, and reputation were utterly destroyed.

The incident caused a massive stir, sending shockwaves throughout the entertainment industry. Fear spread among celebrities, who began scrambling to address their own tax issues. While some quietly paid their dues, others hoped to evade detection, only to be caught later and face the same ruin as Wang Xiaojing.

Netizens were outraged, furious at the revelation. “We work so hard to earn a little money and pay taxes honestly, while celebrities, who are already living in mansions and driving luxury cars, evade taxes?”

The scandal dominated the trending topics, and Wang Xiaojing’s downfall was absolute. With no hope of a comeback, her past misdeeds surfaced, particularly her use of power to suppress others, with her recent targeting of Shen Yunxuan drawing the most attention.

Shen Yunxuan, a young and promising actress known for her stellar performances and professionalism, had become a favorite among viewers. Her first two projects were critically acclaimed, and she maintained a clean reputation, steering clear of rumors and controversies. Even rival fan groups struggled to find fault with her.

For such a talented newcomer to be targeted by Wang Xiaojing to the point of losing opportunities and almost being forced out of the industry was shocking. The stark contrast between Wang Xiaojing’s abuse of power and Shen Yunxuan’s steadfast dedication turned Wang Xiaojing into a symbol of corruption and oppression in the industry.

Wang Xiaojing’s assets were confiscated, and she was imprisoned. Her son, Qi Tao, was left destitute, moving into Qian Yue’s home. There, his frustration spiraled into heavy drinking, smashing bottles in drunken fits and leaving the house in chaos, driving Qian Yue to the brink of madness.

Qian Yue, still reeling, couldn’t understand how things had turned out this way. She had worked so hard to curry favor with Wang Xiaojing, securing two endorsements and a film role, only for Wang Xiaojing to be taken down shortly afterward.

“This didn’t happen in my past life!” she thought in disbelief. She knew Wang Xiaojing had avoided scandals back then. Why had the tax evasion been exposed this time?

Though she had been meticulous about staying within legal boundaries after her rebirth, the new regulations felt like a distant issue. Yet, the moment they were enacted, her newly found ally was destroyed.

The realization hit hard: her efforts to win over Wang Xiaojing and her relationship with Qi Tao were all for nothing. The meager benefits she had gained weren’t worth the stress, and now she was stuck with Qi Tao, who was impossible to shake off.

When she tried to break up with him, Qi Tao sneered, “You latched onto me like a leech when my family was doing well, and now that we’ve fallen, you can’t wait to dump me? You’re nothing but a gold digger—vain, selfish, and shallow. Who do you think you are? If I expose how you groveled to us, do you think you’ll still have a career in this industry?”

Furious and horrified, Qian Yue saw Qi Tao’s true colors. “No wonder he harassed Su Ye for years after their breakup,” she thought. But she wasn’t Su Ye, and Qi Tao was no longer the privileged son of a powerful actress.

Without hesitation, she sought help from her manager, Li Tian.

Li Tian wasn’t inclined to help. “You made this mess yourself; clean it up. What’s the point of running to me now? You were all smug when you were cozying up to Wang Xiaojing. Handle it on your own.”

Realizing her arrogance had alienated Li Tian, Qian Yue swallowed her pride and pleaded, “Li ge, I was immature and made mistakes. Please help me this once. Qi Tao is a ticking time bomb. If he talks, it’ll ruin my career, and that’ll reflect badly on you too. I promise to work harder, earn more for the company, and even give you a bigger cut. Just get rid of him for me.”

The extra commission and Qian Yue’s potential still made her a worthwhile investment, so Li Tian agreed. Using his connections, he had Qi Tao harassed, framed for debts, and even roughed up. Terrified, Qi Tao fled the city, erasing all evidence of his relationship with Qian Yue before leaving.

Finally free from Qi Tao, Qian Yue felt drained. Late at night, she often wondered if fate was against her. Why was it so hard to change her destiny? Was she truly cursed to remain in the shadows while Shen Yunxuan thrived?

Her curiosity led her to search for news about Shen Yunxuan. To her astonishment, she discovered that Shen Yunxuan wasn’t filming but had gone to Cannes with her art film! While Qian Yue had been entangled in her crisis, Shen Yunxuan’s film had been shortlisted for the Cannes Film Festival.

“How is this possible?” Qian Yue thought in disbelief. In her past life, that film only won a domestic Best Picture award. How did it reach Cannes this time?

No wonder the film hadn’t been released yet—it was waiting for the awards season.

Cannes was a distant dream for Qian Yue, like a paradise she could never reach. Watching Shen Yunxuan walk the red carpet with her work made it feel as though history was repeating itself: Shen Yunxuan soaring to greatness while Qian Yue struggled helplessly in the mire.

When had the gap between them grown so vast? They both started out the same—fresh graduates stepping into the industry for the first time. Qian Yue had even switched their opportunities, hoping to alter their fates, yet nothing changed. If anything, Shen Yunxuan had risen even faster than in the previous life, while Qian Yue, at best, was marginally better off than before, still just a D-list actress.

Why? Was it their destinies?

Qian Yue couldn’t do anything to Shen Yunxuan now except pray fervently that she wouldn’t win at Cannes.

But fate wasn’t listening. Days later, social media was abuzz with the news: Shen Yunxuan won Best Actress at Cannes! She had become the youngest Chinese recipient of the award!

For Shen Yunxuan, who had already reached the pinnacle in her past life, this was a testament to her natural talent. She was thrilled but not overwhelmed.

Her fans, team, friends, and everyone who admired her, however, were ecstatic. Even Chinese film enthusiasts felt immense pride. The youngest Cannes Best Actress at only 23, with just a few works under her belt! The film that brought her this award wasn’t just her first-ever movie; it was her only one so far.

The internet was flooded with celebratory messages.

“Her talent was always obvious, but I never imagined she’d bring so much honor to Chinese cinema!”

Shen Yunxuan’s alma mater also publicly congratulated her. Her classmates, friends, and countless others joined in, creating an atmosphere of shared jubilation.

Overnight, Shen Yunxuan became a household name. At industry events, she was always seated in the front row. Esteemed directors and A-list stars greeted her warmly, taking photos with her. With her Cannes win, she skyrocketed into the ranks of top-tier actors—a legend among newcomers, with unmatched talent and meteoric success.

The stigma from Wang Xiaojing’s prior suppression vanished entirely. Brand endorsements, scripts, and invitations flooded in. Su Ye officially transitioned from being Shen Yunxuan’s assistant to her exclusive agent, radiating confidence and expertise, now on par with seasoned managers like Li Tian.

Within the industry, those familiar with the situation admired Shen Yunxuan’s loyalty. Despite the immense pressure from Wang Xiaojing, she had stood by Su Ye, refusing to abandon her. What once seemed like stubbornness was now celebrated as a testament to her integrity. The story spread as an inspiring tale, cementing Shen Yunxuan’s reputation not just for talent, but also for her outstanding character.

The art film that won her the Cannes award was released during the summer break. Bolstered by its accolades, it drew audiences who typically didn’t watch art films, with many stating they wanted to support Chinese cinema. To their surprise, they found it to be an incredible movie.

Whether they preferred action, comedy, or blockbuster effects, audiences across the board recognized the film’s quality. Even those who wouldn’t normally choose such a genre admitted it deserved every bit of its acclaim.

The movie’s glowing reputation continued to draw audiences, earning 1.2 billion yuan at the box office, the second-highest grossing art film in history! The top spot was held by a government-sponsored film about the founding of the nation, which was heavily promoted and mandated viewing in various institutions. For Shen Yunxuan’s film to approach that record purely through critical acclaim and her star power was a phenomenal achievement.

The 1.2 billion box office revenue and Cannes accolades became a badge of honor for Shen Yunxuan. Filmmakers lined up to offer her scripts, with 80% of submitted roles tailored specifically for her. This was the privilege of being a box office draw and an award-winning talent.

When Qian Yue heard the news, she was consumed by jealousy. Her youth-focused drama had also just been released, but it flopped miserably against Shen Yunxuan’s movie, earning only 120 million yuan, just a tenth of Shen Yunxuan’s film.

While its poor reception wasn’t solely due to timing, competing against Shen Yunxuan certainly exacerbated the issue. The public revisited the past controversies between the two, mocking Qian Yue’s lack of foresight and snide remarks about Shen Yunxuan. People pointed out how Shen Yunxuan’s impeccable character was evident from her loyalty to friends, and how her deliberate decision to ignore Qian Yue’s earlier social media posts spoke volumes about Qian Yue’s own nature.

Fewer people went to watch Qian Yue’s movie, and those who did criticized her performance.

“The protagonist is supposed to be a lively college student full of youthful energy, but her expressions and mannerisms feel too mature, almost as if she’s an adult pretending to be young. It’s subtle, but by the end of the movie, it’s clear there’s no sense of genuine youthfulness.”

A youth drama without a sense of youth was doomed. Compared to Shen Yunxuan’s triumphs, Qian Yue’s efforts paled in every way. The narrative quickly shifted:

“One was crowned Best Actress at Cannes, while the other couldn’t even convincingly play a college student. Does this mean she didn’t take her studies seriously?”

This revelation sparked a wave of gossip, and some former university classmates stepped forward with their own accounts. They shared that Shen Yunxuan was always at the library reading or practicing her acting in the rehearsal rooms, firmly believing that hard work and skill were the keys to success. In contrast, Qian Yue was the opposite—skipping classes to sleep in, refusing to cooperate with classmates on performances, and often saying that success in showbiz was all about luck. With such an attitude, how could her acting improve?

Netizens immediately understood: this was a classic “top student vs. slacker” situation. No wonder Qian Yue was so jealous of Shen Yunxuan.

Many joked about Qian Yue’s predicament, remarking that you reap what you sow. Her lackluster box office performance was exactly what she deserved.

Amid this scrutiny, Qian Yue’s movie flopped unexpectedly hard, and the stark comparison to Shen Yunxuan’s success made the failure even more glaring. What’s worse, the film role she had secured through Wang Xiaojing was taken away. The producers cited her inability to carry a film as their justification, though it was clear they had been looking for an excuse to drop her after Wang Xiaojing’s downfall.

Without Wang Xiaojing’s backing, Qian Yue found herself discarded. Producers and directors no longer saw her as a viable choice, and she was unable to secure another film role. Even the TV scripts she was offered were for shows she had never heard of and held no potential.

Her career was on a downward trajectory before she even had a chance to truly rise.

Facing such brutal reality, Qian Yue had her first genuine moment of clarity since her rebirth. She realized that being reborn didn’t grant her complete control over her fate and that her new life was already diverging significantly from her previous one. Blindly relying on past memories would only lead to more failures.

For the first time, she truly stepped back, focusing on herself and her craft, no longer daring to provoke Shen Yunxuan.

Meanwhile, things on Shen Yunxuan’s side were progressing rapidly. Her company tripled its staff, finally filling all key departments with talented professionals. With her foundation secure, she began implementing her next big plan: searching for high-quality novels with strong female protagonists and acquiring the rights for adaptation!

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆