Zhang the screenwriter’s original script was a quintessential Mary Sue idol drama.
When Yuan Fenghui enlisted Wen Ying to revise the script, Wen Ying didn’t hold back. She kept only the refreshing highlights of the original Mary Sue vibe and reworked the setting, transforming it from an airy, unrealistic fantasy into a grounded, satisfying drama.
When it comes to writing Mary Sue stories, Taiwan’s idol dramas weren’t the only masters. In a few years, online literature would flourish, producing countless bestselling IPs with Mary Sue heroines and strong, tragic male leads who face setbacks but relentlessly rise, hitting every reader’s sweet spot. Wen Ying didn’t need to copy other stories’ plots; she just needed to master this satisfying rhythm. She might not be able to write a profound script yet, but a crowd-pleaser? That she could handle.
The script Wen Ying had previously written was also a feel-good drama, but its appeal differed from Zhang’s.
If Zhang’s script had been filmed with a full Taiwan cast and crew, it would naturally be shot in Taiwan. But with the original actress unavailable and Li Mengjiao taking the lead, filming in Rongcheng was ideal, especially since school was about to start.
To make filming convenient for Li Mengjiao and ensure she didn’t seem out of place among Taiwan actors, Wen Ying revised the script into a story about a wealthy Taiwan businessman returning to the mainland to find his lost family.
Due to a conspiracy, Li Mengjiao’s character is mistaken for the businessman’s long-lost granddaughter, sparking a series of thrilling and comedic events. The drama focuses on the heroine’s growth, with multiple plot twists and clashes between Taiwan and mainland perspectives. The theme reaches a climax at the end: after passing the businessman’s rigorous tests and being named his heir, the heroine, faced with immense wealth, chooses to confess the truth and stay with her ordinary family.
Considering Li Mengjiao’s age and student status, the romantic storyline is subtle, almost nonexistent. Rather than a love story between the leads, it’s more a back-and-forth of rivalry. The male lead, adopted by the businessman, doesn’t want the real granddaughter found, as it threatens his inheritance. Many of the heroine’s challenges are obstacles he sets.
This sets the drama apart from typical idol dramas.
In standard idol dramas, the heroine faces trouble, awaits rescue by the CEO male lead, and slaps the villains’ faces.
In this drama, 80% of the heroine’s troubles are traps set by the male lead.
No knight-in-shining-armor rescues here—the heroine even saves the male lead at times. Through their clashes, the male lead changes his stance, turning from foe to friend, and ultimately confesses, helping the businessman find his real granddaughter.
The story ends abruptly there. As the male lead accompanies the businessman back to Taiwan, he mentions on the plane that the mainland’s economy is growing fast, and he wants to shift some business there. When the businessman asks if it’s for the heroine, the male lead doesn’t answer directly, leaving an open-ended, thought-provoking conclusion.
As for the heroine, she seems to forsake great wealth by choosing honesty and staying in her world. But through the male lead’s challenges, she grows tremendously. Though still from an ordinary family, her future is destined to be extraordinary.
The plot and characters are tailored to Li Mengjiao.
The male lead isn’t a traditional domineering CEO. Caught between youth and adulthood, he’s pragmatic yet retains a young man’s sincerity. There’s much to explore in this young tycoon’s character, and a good actor could make him a fan magnet.
But the actor must fit the role and understand it. The scenes where he antagonizes the heroine, if played well, build tension and anticipation; if played poorly, they could alienate the audience.
The Taiwan star Yuan Fenghui initially wanted was at his peak, with a packed schedule. His agent didn’t want him taking a controversial role.
The agent only cared about quick money, thinking such a demanding role was a waste of time!
Lacking faith in his actor’s skills, the agent’s hesitance meant Yuan Fenghui wouldn’t cast him—good dramas require leads who complement each other. Though the script favored Li Mengjiao, a weak male lead would tank the show.
With such major changes, the drama might not be the hit Wen Ying remembered, as the revised script was far from Zhang’s original. Wen Ying hoped for high ratings but couldn’t guarantee them. Remarkably, Zhang agreed to her drastic revisions!
At this point, they couldn’t keep it from Li Mengjiao anymore.
Li Mengjiao not only knew about Tianjiao Film but also that Yuan Fenghui had resigned for her sake.
Wen Ying told her bluntly, “This is your future, but it’s not just yours anymore.”
With Li Zhentao, Wang Jun, and Qin Xianming’s investments and Yuan Fenghui betting her career, Li Mengjiao couldn’t treat this casually anymore. To honor their efforts, she had to give it her all!
Li Mengjiao didn’t need to devote all her time to the entertainment industry, but whether singing or acting, she had to commit fully.
“So, it’s not a cameo…”
“No!”
“Teacher Yuan wanted to sign me all along?”
“Yes!”
Li Mengjiao muttered, “I knew you guys were hiding something. I guessed it! Why would Teacher Yuan be so good to me just for one album?”
Yuan Fenghui’s efforts for Li Mengjiao went far beyond producing an album.
Li Mengjiao never said it, but she’d always felt uneasy. Now that it was out in the open, she could finally relax.
As for Wen Ying asking if she’d made up her mind… her earlier hesitation stemmed from her parents’ objections. Now that her dad was investing in a film company, what was there to hesitate about?
With the variety show butchered, her album’s promotion overshadowed by Xu Mei, and critics spewing vile reviews, Li Mengjiao had had enough. Now, with a chance to fight back, she was brimming with determination.
The Taiwan male model came to Rongcheng for the audition, and seeing Tianjiao’s office, his heart sank.
A few small offices, half staffed by underage kids and half by adults, with a teenage boy greeting him… Was this really not a scam company?
The model wanted to bolt. When Wang Shuang offered him water, he didn’t dare drink it.
He feared being drugged, waking up missing organs or his virtue, or ending up in compromising photos.
It wasn’t paranoia—he was good-looking, and despite his lack of fame, he’d already been propositioned by wealthy women and men with generous offers. If not for his decent family background, he might not have resisted.
He was sure he’d been tricked.
Just as he considered fleeing, Yuan Fenghui came to meet him!
Oh god, he recognized that face!
Yuan Fenghui’s notorious reputation in Taiwan’s entertainment circle terrified him.
Yuan Fenghui frowned, “You came alone?”
She’d expected his agent to accompany him.
But this young man had potential—tall, handsome, with a youthful vibe.
Wen Ying likely recommended him after seeing his photos in a magazine, not for his fame.
Everything was good, except he was too reserved, which didn’t suit the male lead’s persona: polished on the surface but fiercely competitive underneath.
He’d need serious coaching to fit!
In the office, Wen Ying and Li Mengjiao peeked from behind the curtain. Wang Shuang, bringing water to the model, caught them spying and grumbled, “Really? He’s just okay, not as good as Xie Qian, and even a bit worse than me.”
Wow, so guys have such strong filters too?
Wen Ying had never been starstruck by celebrities, but she was Xie Qian’s fan. In her eyes, no one compared to him.
But to say the model was less than Wang Shuang… She wanted Wang Shuang to look in a mirror. The Taiwan model, though unknown now, would skyrocket in a year or two, becoming an idol star adored by countless Asian girls!
“Hey, what’s with those looks? Explain yourselves.”
Wang Shuang was unconvinced as Yuan Fenghui began sweet-talking the nervous model outside.
A script by Zhang Guangzhen.
A rising mainland star as the female lead.
Tens of millions in investment.
Guaranteed broadcast on satellite TV.
This was a role that could make anyone a star—miss it, and you’d regret it forever.
“The script is a collaboration between Zhang-laoshi and mainland screenwriter Wen. She recommended you, or you wouldn’t even have this audition.”
The model was soon swayed by Yuan Fenghui. After performing a few scenes, she decided to sign him. She got his nod, called his modeling agency to settle the fee, and pulled out a prepared contract for him to sign.
After confirming with his agency, the model dazedly signed his name.
Yuan Fenghui’s reputation in Taiwan was bad, but this opportunity was too good—a rookie model as the male lead in a multimillion production with a straightforward contract, no traps, just a low fee. Thinking this, he smiled.
His good looks had been masked by nerves, but the smile erased his hesitance, aligning perfectly with the male lead in Wen Ying’s revised script.
Yuan Fenghui tucked away the contract, “Alright, it’s signed. Go say hi to Screenwriter Wen later—she recommended you and will brief you on the role.”
The model waited obediently for Wen Ying. When she appeared, he didn’t immediately register.
Only after confirming her identity—not some errand girl but the Screenwriter Wen Yuan Fenghui mentioned—did his smile freeze.
He might be a late starter with little fame, but at 25, his youthful vibe was a gift, not a lack of judgment.
No matter how you looked at it, Wen Ying couldn’t be over twenty.
—This is Screenwriter Wen?
—This is definitely a scam company, right?!
