Ch 41: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

After Qian Yue had this thought, she couldn’t stop herself from delving deeper into it, growing increasingly suspicious. Shen Yunxuan’s sudden distancing from her in the past only seemed to reinforce her doubts.

Qian Yue was deeply shaken. If she wasn’t the only reborn person in this world, what advantage did she still have? What made her special anymore?

If Shen Yunxuan had also been reborn, would she notice Qian Yue’s abnormal behavior? Would she take action against her?

Overwhelmed by fear, Qian Yue paced her room, chewing her nails. Suddenly, she stopped as she recalled how her relationship with Shen Yunxuan had grown distant after their unpleasant interaction during a set visit. They had drifted so far apart that they barely spoke anymore.

In other words, whether or not Shen Yunxuan was reborn, she hadn’t done anything to target Qian Yue. She had treated her as if she didn’t exist. Even when Qian Yue publicly dismissed Shen Yunxuan’s suspense drama on a variety show, causing a wave of criticism, Shen Yunxuan hadn’t reacted.

For the first time, Qian Yue clearly realized that Shen Yunxuan simply didn’t care about her.

While she felt relieved, an anger bubbled up within her. She had been so obsessed with Shen Yunxuan, seeing her as her greatest rival, only to discover that she was nothing in Shen Yunxuan’s eyes.

What could be more insulting than this?

In a fit of rage, Qian Yue swept all the cosmetics off her dressing table onto the floor, grinding her teeth. “Shen Yunxuan!”

At that moment, Qian Yue’s resentment toward Shen Yunxuan reached its peak. All her goals shifted to surpassing Shen Yunxuan. She couldn’t bear the thought of being reborn only to be left in the dust by her former roommate. She had to succeed, to be better than Shen Yunxuan—only then would her rebirth not be in vain.

Qian Yue hired the most expensive private investigators to dig up dirt on Shen Yunxuan—real, fabricated, or ambiguous. As long as they could find it, she was willing to pay. She didn’t believe Shen Yunxuan could escape unscathed. When she had enough dirt, it would be time to ruin Shen Yunxuan completely.

She planned to let Shen Yunxuan rise higher first. A fall from the ground wasn’t painful enough. Only a plunge from the peak would hurt to the bone.

Meanwhile, Shen Yunxuan’s urban drama achieved impressive results, and her family drama with Jiang Cheng was also broadcast soon after. Audiences, still enamored with her clear-headed, strong female role in the first drama, were stunned to see her icy, lonely, slightly misanthropic character in the new series.

The two roles were entirely different, yet no one felt a sense of disconnect. Shen Yunxuan’s superb acting drew viewers seamlessly into the new story. In the drama, Jiang Cheng played a selfish, miserly father who favored sons over daughters. Shen Yunxuan’s character grew up in this unfair environment, developing an extremely independent personality and moving out as soon as she came of age. Yet deep down, she still cared about her father and brother’s opinions of her.

This wasn’t a feel-good drama but one that resonated deeply with real-life families and individuals. As soon as it aired, it became a hot topic. Many viewers related to Shen Yunxuan’s character, sharing their own painful experiences with their families and expressing their inner scars.

As the story unfolded, audiences discovered that Jiang Cheng’s character had endured significant hardships in his youth. After losing his job, he worked tirelessly to provide for his two children, often going without sleep or proper meals. His miserly habits stemmed from those years of struggle. His favoritism toward his son wasn’t due to love but because the boy wasn’t biologically his. He was the child of a man who had saved his life, and he had vowed to care for him as his own.

Viewers started to see the father as less hateful, understanding his struggles, sense of obligation, and the tragedies imposed by life’s circumstances.

However, the damage he caused to his daughter was undeniable. Even if some of it stemmed from misunderstandings, forgiveness wasn’t something she could easily give. Why should she forgive?

The drama’s characters were all complex and contradictory, with both glaring flaws and redeeming qualities, filled with helplessness and regret. The father, now old and yearning for family bonds, desperately tried to make amends. While he managed to ease some of the tension, the daughter never forgave him entirely. In the end, she stated, “Let’s just maintain a distant yet cordial relationship.”

Many viewers found the ending satisfying, saying a father like that didn’t deserve forgiveness. Others felt saddened and regretful, wishing the father had been more attentive to his daughter’s feelings earlier or that the daughter had confronted him sooner about his faults. Perhaps then, their estrangement could have been avoided.

For this story, however, the ending seemed to be the best and most realistic resolution. It mirrored the choices many people make in real life.

The drama attracted various reactions—some watched for entertainment, others felt heartbroken, and some gained new perspectives. Its popularity and acclaim soared, drawing in more viewers and earning high praise.

Shen Yunxuan’s portrayal of this conflicted, realistic character in a bittersweet drama moved many to tears and earned her even greater fame. She once again proved her acting prowess, solidifying her reputation.

Jiang Cheng, the veteran actor, also left an indelible impression with his complex and tragic role. Audiences finally remembered his name, and his fame skyrocketed. For the first time, people marveled at how such a skilled actor had spent a lifetime playing minor roles, never given a chance to shine.

Amid the current prevalence of awkward acting in the industry, an actor as talented as Jiang Cheng being overlooked for decades immediately drew significant attention from netizens.

People began digging into Jiang Cheng’s past roles, discovering that he had displayed exceptional acting skills even in his youth but had suffered from terrible luck. If it wasn’t family troubles, he was pushed aside by actors with stronger connections, never securing a good opportunity. Despite this, Jiang Cheng remained dedicated, pouring his heart into every supporting role and giving life to his characters.

Netizens shared their discoveries:

• “I know him! He was the hilarious father-in-law in XXX.”
• “I remember him! He played a villain I absolutely hated in XXX. His acting was phenomenal!”
• “Wait, he was the father of the young male lead in XXXX? I didn’t even recognize him. His transformative acting is incredible!”

Suddenly, it seemed like everyone knew Jiang Cheng and had seen his performances. At 53, he finally achieved recognition and experienced what it felt like to be in the spotlight—all thanks to the opportunity Shen Yunxuan gave him.

That year, Shen Yunxuan’s dramas earned numerous award nominations, and she won the Best Actress title, cementing her status as a leading actress.

Though Lin Lan didn’t win Best Actress, being nominated alongside Shen Yunxuan filled her with joy. To her, it was the ultimate validation of her perseverance in acting. Losing to Shen Yunxuan, a Cannes-winning actress and her mentor, wasn’t shameful; she felt proud instead.

The biggest surprise of the year came when Jiang Cheng, at 53, won Best Actor. A lifetime of supporting roles led to his first leading role, which earned him the industry’s highest honor. The announcement of his win was met with thunderous applause. Many who had worked with Jiang Cheng beamed with genuine congratulations. Overcome with emotion, Jiang Cheng hugged Shen Yunxuan, the director, and others before walking steadily onto the stage to accept his award.

In his acceptance speech, he thanked many people but concluded with a deep bow toward Shen Yunxuan, saying:
“The person I am most grateful to is my boss, Shen Yunxuan. She told me with certainty that my acting was excellent and that I deserved better opportunities. She gave me the chance to perform in such a remarkable drama. Honestly, I used to feel bitter inside, but now, that bitterness is completely gone. My efforts have been seen; my hard work has been recognized. I still have the chance to act and bring such a wonderful character to life. My life is complete. During the filming process, I learned the most valuable lesson from Shen Yunxuan: as an actor, you must deeply love your character and give your all, never compromising. The best decision I ever made was on that afternoon a few months ago when I accepted Shen Yunxuan’s invitation and joined her company.”

Jiang Cheng choked up several times, his sincerity evident to everyone. Shen Yunxuan had been his benefactor, and this honor was undeniably a result of her belief in him.

Several veteran actors in the audience, familiar with Jiang Cheng’s struggles, teared up and wholeheartedly shared his joy.

At this moment, people realized that the biggest winner in the film and television industry this year was Xuancao Entertainment, a company barely over a year old.

First, its suspense drama became a massive hit. Then Shen Yunxuan, the company’s founder and star actress, won the Cannes Best Actress award and starred in one film and two dramas that all achieved great success, earning her the Best Actress title. The second most likely candidate for the award was Lin Lan, her protégé. Meanwhile, the Best Actor award went to Jiang Cheng, another actor Shen Yunxuan had mentored and supported.

The year’s highlights in the entertainment industry all seemed to revolve around Xuancao Entertainment. Shen Yunxuan, a newcomer with no background, was seen as an unstoppable force—a rising star in the entertainment world.

From another perspective, this success also reflected Shen Yunxuan’s keen eye for talent and scripts. Every project she had been involved with since her debut had been a hit. Many began to see her as a “lucky charm” for the industry.

In an industry where superstition still played a role, Shen Yunxuan’s track record added to her allure. With her proven talent, financial backing, and growing connections, collaborating with her was seen as an absolute win. As a result, both her company and reputation skyrocketed. Xuancao Entertainment received numerous résumés, with many artists hoping to sign with them.

Shen Yunxuan, her company, her productions, and her artists dominated the trending lists, signaling her firm establishment in the entertainment industry. Xuancao Entertainment had secured its place among the leading companies, joining the fierce competition for the industry’s spotlight.

Fans and industry insiders alike began referring to Shen Yunxuan not just as “Xiao Shen,” “Yunxuan,” or “Sister Xuan,” but also as “Boss Shen.” Her rapidly growing fan base transformed into a powerful community, cementing her status as an unstoppable force in entertainment.

Despite her success, Shen Yunxuan was still seen as a relatively new figure in the industry. So, when her dual-female-lead film with Zhao Yajing was scheduled for release during the highly competitive Spring Festival period, many mocked her for being overconfident. Competing against top-tier directors and actors was seen as reckless and presumptuous, with most assuming her film would earn little at the box office.

The film’s theme—a friendship-focused story with dual female leads—didn’t generate much initial interest. Its opening-day box office numbers ranked fifth among releases, further fueling criticism. People claimed that releasing the film during the Spring Festival was a mistake and suggested that her ability to carry a film’s box office success might have been a fluke.

For someone like Shen Yunxuan, whose second film’s performance would directly impact her future resources, this was a pivotal moment.

Qian Yue, who had been waiting for this opportunity, was ecstatic to see Shen Yunxuan falter. She wasted no time unleashing all the dirt she had collected, employing online trolls to spread it. The most scandalous piece was a photo of Shen Yunxuan holding hands with the director while exchanging a look.

• “No wonder Shen Yunxuan made this film—look at her private relationship with the director!”
• “Oh my god, this director is old enough to be her father. So intimate? Who’s exploiting whom here?”
• “Obviously, the director is exploiting her! She probably didn’t have many resources back then. Most films barely give female actors screen time, and she wanted to be the absolute lead. Shameless!”
• “Didn’t she get a lot of good opportunities as soon as she debuted? What if all her success was ‘earned’ in this way? Even the younger directors she worked with aren’t off the hook.”

Qian Yue’s smear campaign tied Shen Yunxuan’s success to salacious rumors, casting a shadow over all her achievements.

More allegations surfaced, such as claims that Shen Yunxuan had kicked out another female lead to replace her with her friend Zhao Yajing. It was said she had rewritten scripts, reducing the male lead’s screen time in a fantasy drama. There were accusations of her bundling her company’s artists into projects, forcing directors to compromise. Photos of her dining with cinema owners and broadcasting officials were spun as evidence of bribery and illicit dealings.

Online posts analyzed her company’s financials, estimating her expenditures far exceeded her profits. This fueled speculation about her funding—claims of exorbitant payoffs or a mysterious benefactor bankrolling her rise.

The smear campaign resonated with many netizens, who began to doubt her meteoric success, reasoning that there must be some hidden story behind it. Qian Yue was thrilled with the backlash and ordered her trolls to escalate, pushing the narrative that Shen Yunxuan didn’t have a single consistent backer—just whoever could offer her benefits at the time. The photo of her holding hands with the director was touted as undeniable proof.

Shen Yunxuan trended again, but this time for a scandal. The allegations implicated not only her but also several directors, actors, and even business and government officials, creating a significant controversy.

The situation was severe. Scandals like these were notoriously hard to dispel; even a sincere clarification wouldn’t convince everyone. Moreover, the people she was accused of involving would distance themselves to avoid unnecessary trouble, possibly blaming her for the mess.

For Shen Yunxuan and her company, this was a heavy blow.

Her public relations team held an emergency meeting to report the situation.
“Xuan jie, the scale of this attack clearly points to organized trolls,” they said. “If we release a statement claiming malicious slander, some netizens might believe us. But the photos of you with the director, cinema owners, and officials—taken from deliberately unfavorable angles—are the real challenge. They’re difficult to explain.”

Su Ye added, “It’s no longer enough to rely on ‘truth will prevail.’ The online backlash is too intense. We must respond decisively. Otherwise, these rumors could stick and haunt you as part of your black history, damaging your reputation and future collaborations.”

Tapping her fingers on the table, Shen Yunxuan asked, “Have you figured out who’s behind this? Where did the photos originate?”

Su Ye handed her a tablet, showing their findings.
“Xuan jie, we have a lead. I suspect it’s a paparazzo. Someone mentioned seeing him bragging in a social media post about catching dirt on you. The timing matches when you had dinner with the director. However, he didn’t publish it back then and even deleted the post later.”

Shen Yunxuan pondered, “So, the photos were bought by someone and kept hidden until now, timed to be released when my movie premiered. With the movie’s underwhelming box office performance, it’s clearly an attempt to kick me while I’m down.”

Su Ye said, “I’m planning to contact the paparazzo who took the photos. It might take some money to find out who bought them.”

Shen Yunxuan frowned. “Who hates me so much? Buying the photos before filming even began and saving them until now?”

Some speculated:
“Could it be the actress who was replaced?”
“Maybe it’s an investor who was unhappy with you producing the film?”
“Could it be one of your contemporaries jealous of your fast rise?”

As they speculated, Shen Yunxuan had a thought. She pulled out her phone and searched for a low-profile Weibo account she had come across before. The latest post mocked her, saying, ‘The higher you climb, the harder you fall. She’s done for.’

She searched posts from before filming began and found an old, excited post on the account saying, ‘Just wait. I’ll make her pay and laugh at her downfall.’ Most of the account’s posts involved either slandering her as cold and unfeeling or dismissing her success as mere luck.

Shen Yunxuan smirked, placed her phone on the table, and said, “No need to guess. I know who it is. This account belongs to Qian Yue. It’s obvious she orchestrated this. Investigate this angle and draft a PR response.”

Everyone was shocked.
“Qian Yue? Is she out of her mind? You’re not even competitors. Ruining you won’t benefit her. What’s her motive?”
“Do you have some kind of grudge with her, Xuan-jie?”

Shen Yunxuan shrugged. “Not at all.”

Su Ye scoffed, “It’s probably jealousy. Back in school, you were dormmates, starting from the same point. Now, she can’t even come close to your level.”

After venting a bit, the team started drafting a PR plan. With the culprit identified, resolving the issue became much easier. Although no one understood how Shen Yunxuan connected Qian Yue to the account, they trusted her instincts.

On the third day after the film’s release, viewers who had seen it began praising it online. Several film critics posted glowing reviews, commending the leads’ stellar performances and the director’s exceptional work, calling it the best film of the Spring Festival season.

The trolls, however, quickly retaliated:

• “Clearly Shen Yunxuan is paying for good reviews. Bought critics to hype it up!”
• “Dream on if you think this will fool us into watching! How about explaining your scandal with the director first?”
• “Mistress alert. Disgusting. Get out of the entertainment industry!”

The director, worried, called Shen Yunxuan. “Xiao Shen, what do we do? Should I step forward and say something? How can they twist a simple photo like this? The person who took it clearly knows nothing happened!”

Shen Yunxuan thought, That’s exactly why the paparazzo didn’t release it themselves—they saw there was nothing salacious. Instead, they sold it to Qian Yue to twist the narrative.

She reassured him, “Don’t worry. I have a plan, and the situation will turn around soon. When it does, you can make a statement.”

“Alright. Let me know how I can help!”

Others reached out to check on her. Seeing she had a plan, they relaxed but marveled at her composure, wondering how she could remain so calm under pressure.

Shen Yunxuan wasn’t fazed. This so-called scandal was also free publicity. If she couldn’t turn things around, that was another matter. But knowing she could, the more people paid attention, the more they would learn about her new film. Already, the controversy over her allegedly “bought” reviews had driven more people to read the critiques, some of whom bought tickets out of curiosity. Positive word of mouth began to spread, creating a virtuous cycle. The film’s box office numbers were climbing steadily.

Finally, Shen Yunxuan broke her silence, making a public statement that pushed the frenzy to its peak.

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆