Ch 43: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

In the entertainment industry, it’s rare for celebrities to personally engage in public feuds because they need to maintain their reputation and relationships within the circle. By staying silent, they can later claim the rumors were false and attempt to salvage their image. But once they step into the ring themselves, every word and response becomes part of their history—most often, as black marks.

So, when Qian Yue publicly attacked Shen Yunxuan, people were first shocked, then began evaluating the truth of her claims. Was their fallout due to a broken friendship? Was it because Shen Yunxuan rose to fame and abandoned Qian Yue? Or was Shen Yunxuan also two-faced?

True or false?

This unfolding drama resembled a soap opera, with one twist after another, drawing widespread attention—including from those who knew Shen Yunxuan and Qian Yue personally. After all, they were both graduates of the same film academy, and their classmates and teachers, many of whom worked in the industry, naturally paid attention.

As the story escalated, many who could no longer stand Qian Yue’s antics began to speak out, exposing her facade.

“I was their roommate for four years. Whenever Shen Yunxuan went to study or practice acting, she’d always invite Qian Yue. Qian Yue never went, always saying that success was a matter of luck, then lying in bed reading novels or watching dramas. She even had Shen Yunxuan bring meals back for her. If she had worked as hard as Shen Yunxuan, maybe she wouldn’t be so jealous now. What a joke.”

“I was in line to audition for the role of Yu Wanqing right before Shen Yunxuan. I overheard their conversation. Qian Yue was telling Shen how amazing the role was, as if landing it would guarantee fame. Shen encouraged her multiple times to audition together, but Qian Yue kept saying she knew her limits and that she’d be better suited as a stunt double.

When Shen got the role on the spot, Qian Yue’s face was priceless—completely shocked. I swear she didn’t believe in the role’s potential and was just trying to trick Shen Yunxuan into auditioning.”

Su Ye also anonymously uploaded a recording of a conversation between Qian Yue and her agent, Li Tian, from the first time she met Shen Yunxuan.

“Don’t sign her. She’s no good… She’s my roommate, an orphan. You know, her luck’s just not great…”

Surprised, Shen Yunxuan asked Su Ye, “You recorded that back then?”

Su Ye smiled awkwardly. “It’s a habit of mine.”

Shen Yunxuan chuckled. “Keep that habit. It’s a good one.”

Others joined in to reveal more about Qian Yue’s lies.

“Back when Yunxuan was filming the fantasy drama, Qian Yue showed up on set claiming she had arranged a visit with Yunxuan. I believed her and let her in, only to find out Yunxuan hadn’t invited her. Our director doesn’t even allow visitors!

Yunxuan was kind enough to chat with her briefly, but when Su Ye explained the situation to me and asked her to leave, she refused. We eventually had to call security. She left in a huff and later twisted the story to say she was ‘kindly visiting’ and got kicked out. What a joke! Who wouldn’t kick her out after that stunt?”

Even the fantasy drama’s lead actors voiced their support for Shen Yunxuan.

“I’m so grateful to Yunxuan for fighting to keep the original script. This was the best project I’ve worked on in years!”

“I’m glad my scenes were cut down to remove meaningless romantic subplots. It gave my character more depth. Yunxuan made this call for the sake of the project, and I deeply admire her dedication to creating something great.”

Former classmates also weighed in.

“At our graduation ceremony, everyone was congratulating Yunxuan for landing a role in a major IP drama. Then Qian Yue chimed in with, ‘What if it flops?’ The jealousy was palpable. Now she claims Yunxuan isolated her? She was unbearable and toxic, that’s why no one liked her.”

A teaching assistant from their film academy added:

“Our professor initially thought Qian Yue was talented and had potential. But over time, her eagerness for instant success, lack of effort, and erratic behavior became apparent. She even blamed the professor for praising Yunxuan and not her, but honestly, who would recommend someone like Qian Yue to a director? Look at her now—two years into her career, and she’s already caused so much trouble.”

Between her alternate account scandal, her betrayal of Shen Yunxuan on variety shows, the malicious rumors she orchestrated, and her refusal to admit any wrongdoing, Qian Yue had burned every bridge.

Netizens were astounded: “This is one of the most ridiculous celebrity stories in years! Qian Yue had the looks and talent to at least secure a mid-tier career if she had just focused on her work. But she kept self-sabotaging with these stunts. What a waste.”

Her previous attempts to stir controversy for clout also backfired. When she played a villainous supporting role and tried to spark a fake romance with the male lead, audiences and fans were put off. Now, both viewers and the male lead’s fans were mercilessly mocking her.

Female stars she had tried to overshadow or insult in the past joined the fray, with their fans seizing the opportunity to drag her down further.

Qian Yue, once a promising actress, had finally destroyed her own career.

When the foundation collapses, everyone pushes—and this was especially true for someone like Qian Yue, whose character was so poor that no one wanted to stand by her. Even former connections, such as paparazzi and hired PR firms, leaked tidbits about her, revealing that she had frequently purchased fake trending topics and spread malicious rumors. Unsurprisingly, Shen Yunxuan was her most targeted victim, with Qian Yue having orchestrated multiple smear campaigns against her.

Netizens couldn’t help but sympathize with Shen Yunxuan, labeling her an “ultimate victim.” Her worst misfortune was crossing paths with Qian Yue, whose jealousy over Shen’s success led her to target Shen time and time again.

As for Qian Yue, many believed she was inherently malicious. Otherwise, how could she have no allies, no one willing to defend or help her? At one point, Shen Yunxuan likely considered Qian Yue a friend, but that friendship was irreparably lost.

“Qian Yue, get out of the entertainment industry!”
The hashtag trended once again, but this time, it carried the collective fury of the public. No one wanted to see Qian Yue again.

Her remaining two endorsement deals were swiftly terminated, and she faced substantial penalty fees for breaching the contracts. Having spent recklessly over the past two years, she was now drowning in debt with no means to pay. Panicked, Qian Yue deleted her previous posts and released a tearful apology video.

Her performance in the video was commendable, but netizens quickly pointed out the meticulously applied makeup, accusing her of staging the whole thing. Her former assistant then exposed her further, revealing how Qian Yue had treated staff poorly, using them as servants and belittling everyone around her. The assistant also claimed Qian Yue had mocked netizens before recording the video, saying, “They’re so gullible. After a few reality shows, they’ll forgive me.”

This revelation enraged the public further.
“Give it up already! You reap what you sow. Crying now won’t save you. Get out of the industry!”

When Qian Yue confronted her assistant for betraying her, she found that they had already resigned and disappeared. Left with no options, she turned to her company, pleading with Li Tian to give her another chance. She promised to sign a new contract, agreeing to a 30/70 split, with the company taking 70%.

Li Tian initially kept her waiting, making her grovel by pouring tea, massaging his shoulders, and begging for forgiveness. Eventually, he agreed to cover her debts, but only under the condition that she sign a heavily exploitative contract.

Qian Yue had no choice. She was drowning in debt, and no other company would take her. If she wanted to remain in the entertainment industry, she had to submit. Deep down, she knew she had no other skills and was completely unfit for any other profession.

Her previous arrogance and recklessness had left her with nothing. Now, her relationship with her company had shifted entirely—she was at their mercy, and her freedom was gone.

In the quiet of the night, Qian Yue often lay awake, seething. She questioned whether her determination to defy fate had led to this punishment. Was this the universe’s retribution for trying to rewrite her destiny?

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The saga finally came to a close, with the public exhausted from the drama. Yet this was one of the rare instances where every detail was laid bare, allowing netizens to enjoy the full picture of the scandal.

As for Shen Yunxuan, her PR success came from two key factors: uncovering Qian Yue as the orchestrator of the smear campaign, which strengthened the credibility of her claims, and her status as a company owner, which set her apart as someone who couldn’t be easily exploited. She didn’t fit the narrative of someone coerced into compromising situations.

Why did Qian Yue do it? The answer was simple: overwhelming jealousy.

Meanwhile, Shen Yunxuan emerged as the ultimate winner. Her fame skyrocketed, and her film topped the box office during the Spring Festival season. To celebrate, she treated her entire company to a grand feast and karaoke session, distributed generous bonuses, and gave everyone a few days off.

Compared to Qian Yue’s downfall, Shen Yunxuan’s side celebrated a bountiful harvest.

After the holiday season, Shen Yunxuan’s ability to carry box office success was firmly established. More scripts flooded her way, but none met her standards.

Fortunately, her team found a story she loved during their search for scripts and novels. She immediately acquired the rights and began assembling a new production team. She brought back the director and writer from her previous suspense drama, confident in their collaboration. For the cast, she personally invited veteran actress Yan Jie to co-star.

The story revolved around a mother facing a career crisis and her rebellious teenage daughter. Through a twist of fate, their souls were swapped, forcing them to live each other’s lives. This experience led to a deeper understanding of each other’s struggles, ultimately repairing their relationship.

By the end of the story, the mother supported her daughter’s dreams to the best of her ability, while the daughter gained a newfound appreciation for her mother’s challenges, helping her navigate them with creativity and care.

This story, while addressing tense parent-child relationships and reflecting real-life issues, ultimately shines because both the mother and daughter are portrayed as fundamentally good people, willing to change and genuinely care for one another. Their heartfelt reconciliation and mutual support by the end leave audiences deeply moved.

What sets this story apart is its presentation as a comedy. Many scenes and details are laugh-out-loud funny. Viewers who don’t focus on the underlying issues might see it as pure popcorn entertainment, laughing from start to finish. However, those who dig deeper will find thought-provoking commentary on improving parent-child relationships.

This film promises to be both entertaining and meaningful, capable of light-hearted humor and profound introspection. The most striking aspect is that it’s another dual-female-lead movie, with middle-aged actresses playing the protagonists.

When Yan Jie heard the premise, she immediately said, “I’ll take it! Absolutely! I’ll cancel everything else to do this role. Yunxuan, you have to save this part for me. I’m booking a flight to see you right away!”

During the script read-through, Yan Jie confirmed that her role was equally as important as Shen Yunxuan’s, occupying a central place in the story. Overwhelmed, she tightly held Shen Yunxuan’s hand and said, “Thank you! I never thought, at my age, I’d have the chance to star as a lead in a film again.

I’ve watched so many excellent foreign films where the leads are middle-aged or elderly. Why don’t we have movies like that? Why is it that once we age, we’re no longer given leading roles? My dreams are still unfulfilled; I still have aspirations. Why should my career end just because of my age? So many amazing actresses are forced into retirement as they age—it’s so unfair!

But today, you’ve given me such an incredible role. I suddenly feel complete. No matter the outcome of this film, I feel that all these years of perseverance were worth it, just to wait for this opportunity. And of course, I’ll give my all and won’t let you down!”

Shen Yunxuan hugged Yan Jie, fully understanding her excitement. She knew how rare opportunities like this were for older women in the workplace. That’s why she was determined to make this film exceptional—just like her previous dual-female-lead movie with Zhao Yajing. When opportunities are so rare, they deserve double the effort to ensure they showcase excellence, proving the value of such roles and paving the way for more opportunities in the future.

Yan Jie’s acting skills were widely recognized, though she had risen to fame too late to secure leading roles due to her age. However, every role she played, no matter how small, left a lasting impression. Her performances were universally acknowledged as brilliant.

On set, Yan Jie and Shen Yunxuan were both highly dedicated. Their acting was so compelling that the crew often found themselves absorbed in the scenes, with even the director forgetting to call “cut” at times.

Following the earlier controversy, Shen Yunxuan’s decision to produce another dual-female-lead film sparked some buzz. However, this time, the remarks were more lighthearted, with people joking, “Shen Yunxuan really loves dual-female-lead stories; in her films, male characters are just background props!”

No one expected that this joke would become a reality. Over time, Shen Yunxuan consistently focused on producing major female-led films, whether featuring one, two, or even three leading actresses. Her mission became clear: to create more opportunities for skilled actresses of all ages.

While Shen Yunxuan and Yan Jie were engrossed in filming, the film she starred in with Zhao Yajing swept through major film festivals, winning numerous awards. At one of the most prestigious festivals, both actresses received the Best Actress Award, resulting in a “double queen” victory. This dual recognition was the ultimate acknowledgment of their dual-lead film’s success.

During their acceptance speeches, Zhao Yajing draped an arm around Shen Yunxuan, smiling as she said, “The person I owe the most gratitude to is Yunxuan! When I first met her, she was still a student, but she was so kind. My dog ran away, and without hesitation, she helped me find it. Thanks to her quick actions, I got my dog to the vet in time to prevent it from suffering.

And luckily, she found my dog in time for me to make it to the audition for Yu Wanqing. But honestly, even if she hadn’t, I believe Yunxuan would have shone brightly in another role—she’s just that talented.

I’m so grateful I attended her graduation ceremony and found her that day.

One moment of courage brought me a lifelong best friend—and this award. I love you, Yunxuan! I’ll be your sister for life!”

Zhao Yajing leaned over and kissed Shen Yunxuan on the cheek, causing Shen to playfully push her away. The candid moment was captured and quickly went viral, becoming a trending image on social media. The public marveled at the genuine bond between the two, learning for the first time about the serendipitous way they had met.

The newfound details of their connection elevated both Shen Yunxuan and Zhao Yajing’s reputations in the film industry, further cementing their status as leading figures.

Meanwhile, Qian Yue was left in shock as she stumbled upon the trending posts. What? That’s how Shen Yunxuan and Zhao Yajing met?!

This revelation upended her long-held assumptions. It meant that long before that audition, Shen Yunxuan and Zhao Yajing already knew each other. In her previous life, Zhao Yajing hadn’t recommended Shen Yunxuan for an art-house film because of her role as a stand-in—it was because Shen Yunxuan had saved her dog!

If this was the real truth, then what was the point of her scrambling to play the stand-in role after rebirth? Why did she go through so much effort to switch her villain role with Shen Yunxuan’s stand-in role?

Had she known, she should have rushed to help Zhao Yajing find her lost dog the moment she was reborn!

And if this event was completely different from her understanding, what about everything else? Had she only scratched the surface of her past life, failing to uncover the real truth?

She thought back to how Li Tian would take her to attend drinking parties with wealthy, sleazy bosses who made her skin crawl. Each time, she’d feel sick to her stomach, and Li Tian would sarcastically remind her, “You don’t have to go. The company would never force you. But if you don’t, say goodbye to resources. You’ll have to fend for yourself in the industry.”

Could it be that Shen Yunxuan had endured the same treatment under Li Tian in their previous lives? Someone with Shen Yunxuan’s character would never agree to such things. Rejecting Li Tian would have left her without company support or resources. Perhaps all of Shen Yunxuan’s opportunities in the past were earned through her own talent and the trust of her friends and directors—not the company or Li Tian.

If that were true, wasn’t Qian Yue rushing to sign with Li Tian akin to willingly walking into a trap? And wasn’t urging Li Tian not to sign Shen Yunxuan inadvertently saving her from falling into the same pit?

The realization left Qian Yue so furious she nearly coughed up blood. But now it was too late. She was already shackled in this mess and had no way out, forced to carry on in her current predicament.

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After Shen Yunxuan’s new film wrapped up, she decided to personally oversee post-production to ensure its quality. As she didn’t find any exceptional new scripts, she stepped back from acting for a while and disappeared from the public eye. However, she secured excellent roles for Lin Lan and Jiang Cheng, signing on several overlooked actors with impressive talent:

• A married actress who had taken a break but faced betrayal and divorce.
• A grieving mother whose child’s death had left her in isolation.
• A sultry actress constantly objectified and ridiculed.

All of them had immense talent but had faded out of the spotlight for various reasons. Shen Yunxuan gave them opportunities to shine again, pairing them with excellent projects and meaningful roles that allowed their abilities to shine.

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When Shen Yunxuan and Yan Jie’s film premiered, it immediately dominated the box office, leaving competitors far behind. Audiences marveled at how even in comedy, Shen Yunxuan’s performance was flawless. Yan Jie, too, impressed with her exceptional acting skills, delivering a performance that made the film an absolute joy to watch.

Critics heaped praise on the movie, calling for more films like it and advocating for giving middle-aged actors greater opportunities. By the end of the awards season, Shen Yunxuan and Yan Jie had jointly won Best Actress, achieving a rare double-win for the second year in a row!

For three consecutive years, Shen Yunxuan claimed the Best Actress title—an unprecedented feat. Her meteoric rise made her one of the most influential stars, while her ventures as a company owner further boosted her reputation. Despite her immense success, she retained a remarkable level of public goodwill and loyalty.

During the award ceremony, it was Yan Jie’s turn to express her gratitude. Tearfully holding the award, she said:

“This isn’t my first Best Actress trophy, but none have ever made me this happy. For years, I thought I’d never have the chance to play a lead role again simply because of my age. I believed my career had ended, but Yunxuan gave me this opportunity.

She didn’t just create this opportunity for me, but for all actresses of all ages. She showed the world that even as we age, we can still excel. We don’t have to retire prematurely; we can still chase our dreams.

Yunxuan, thank you so much! You have no idea how much this means to me.”

Shen Yunxuan embraced Yan Jie and smiled, replying:

“This honor is well-deserved, Yan Jie. I’ve always believed that an actor’s value shouldn’t be defined by their age. Likewise, a good story should not confine its protagonists to a narrow age range.

What little I can do is to continue creating works like this—ones that showcase diverse possibilities and allow our most talented actresses to continue shining brightly.”

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Their on-stage acknowledgment of the challenges faced by older actresses ignited widespread discussion within the industry. Many female actors began speaking out, calling for better scripts and more substantial roles for women.

The conversation highlighted the difficulties faced by actresses, even those with celebrated careers. While audiences lamented the absence of veteran stars, the truth was there simply weren’t enough roles for them to take on.

The movement sparked unprecedented dialogue, inspiring producers and directors to reconsider the importance of female-driven narratives. The ripple effect extended far beyond the entertainment industry, resonating with women in all walks of life.

Whether in the corporate world or other fields, women often faced similar barriers:

• Fear of hiring married women due to potential maternity leave.
• Doubts about women balancing careers and family after childbirth.
• The systemic replacement of older female employees with younger ones.

For many women, these issues struck a deep chord, and Shen Yunxuan’s advocacy brought a glimmer of hope. Her dedication to empowering women—whether through dual-female-led films or giving women center stage—became a beacon of progress.

If someone as influential as Shen Yunxuan could lead the charge for women’s rights, it would undoubtedly pave the way for incredible change.

No matter how far she could go, how long she could persevere, or whether she could ultimately succeed, everyone supported Shen Yunxuan! At least, the work she had done over the past two years had truly created more opportunities for actresses.

Shen Yunxuan’s initial motivation stemmed from her past life, where she had experienced hardship and age-related barriers firsthand. She wanted to change the status quo and help others in similar situations. She never expected to receive such overwhelming support.

Seeing the public’s encouragement filled her with a greater sense of mission. She resolved to put even more care and dedication into her efforts, making this cause her lifelong pursuit.

Later, Shen Yunxuan produced a movie similar to Up, but with an 80-year-old white-haired grandmother as the protagonist instead of an elderly man. She personally invited a retired actress, who had been out of the spotlight for 30 years, to make a comeback for the role. Although Shen Yunxuan didn’t act in this film, she worked closely with the team for two years, and the actress ultimately stood on the stage to receive the Best Actress award, 30 years after her last win.

During this time, Lin Lan won Best Actress in a television drama, and three other actresses signed by Shen Yunxuan’s company also achieved major recognition—one won Best Supporting Actress, while another was nominated for Best Actress.

When netizens discovered they were all under Shen Yunxuan’s company, they joked:

• “Other companies excel at making stars, but Shen Yunxuan’s company is unbeatable at reviving careers. No matter how long someone has been out of the limelight or even publicly vilified, she can bring them back!”
• “Her talent lies in spotting people with exceptional acting skills and good character.”
• “It’s heartwarming to see her help these actresses shine again. With her guidance, their past hardships are just chapters of their stories. Now, they’re ready to light up the stage!”

The sentiment was unanimous: “Women helping women is always touching, and Shen Yunxuan helps ‘girls’ of all ages.”

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For the rest of her life, Shen Yunxuan dedicated herself to this path, never wavering. She not only created numerous masterpieces for herself but also paved the way for many actresses to deliver critically acclaimed performances. Her company boasted the most award-winning talents and exclusively signed female actresses, directors, writers, and crew members.

In her later years, during an interview, she was asked:
“Many male-led stories are also compelling and could bring glory to Chinese cinema. Why did you choose to focus solely on female-led films?”

Shen Yunxuan replied:
“Advocating for actresses’ rights is incredibly challenging. It requires complete dedication to achieve even 50% of the desired impact. Diverting attention to other areas might reduce that to less than 20%.

What you see as 100% success is the result of everyone’s collective effort, and even that exceeded our expectations. I am deeply content. My final film will likely be my autobiography. This life of mine feels complete.”

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Her autobiography spanned her journey from childhood to old age, representing every stage of a woman’s life: child star, young actress, middle-aged performer, and finally an elderly actress. Shen Yunxuan only portrayed herself in the last stage of her life. The film was a celebration of her legacy, featuring female leads from every age group—all Best Actress winners. This unprecedented ensemble could only have been assembled under Shen Yunxuan’s guidance.

As she had said, her life was truly fulfilling. When she passed, she left with a smile.

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Her death was met with an outpouring of grief. She was remembered as “the greatest filmmaker of our time” and “the heavenly blessing of the film industry.” Flowers overflowed at the gates of Xuancao Entertainment, while theaters re-screened her films, earning record-breaking ticket sales once more. Shen Yunxuan may have departed, but she lived on in her works and in people’s hearts.

As for Qian Yue, she watched all of this in a state of numbness, realizing that this lifetime had brought Shen Yunxuan even greater achievements than the last. Meanwhile, she had faded into obscurity, blending into the sea of ordinary people, her life a shadow of its former self.

For Qian Yue, the most painful part was perhaps outliving Shen Yunxuan and witnessing her glory.

Everyone connected to Shen Yunxuan thrived. Looking back, Qian Yue realized she should have allied herself with Shen Yunxuan upon rebirth, staying by her side. Had she done so, she could have become Shen Yunxuan’s closest confidante and reaped the greatest benefits.

This thought brought a bitter smile to Qian Yue’s face. Even now, she was wondering how she could have done better upon rebirth. But the truth was, those destined for success would thrive regardless of rebirth.

In contrast, Qian Yue had learned so much but still accomplished nothing. Everything she thought Shen Yunxuan had gained through luck was revealed to be the product of resilience, effort, and unwavering determination. In the end, Qian Yue had stolen so much yet achieved nothing.

Finally, Qian Yue had to admit that her obsession with destiny was nothing more than an excuse for her jealousy. By attributing success to luck, she avoided blaming herself for her failures. But as her second life came to an end, she finally faced the truth: Shen Yunxuan’s success came from her own merits, not from destiny.

If she could have another chance at rebirth, Qian Yue vowed she would work hard and earn her success. But it was too late—there would be no third chance for her.

End of Arc

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆