The day after Xu Mei agreed to be Young Master Cao’s girlfriend—news of her joining the Hunan-Baodao co-produced drama as a female lead was everywhere.
Coupled with her album topping the weekly sales chart—Xu Mei’s momentum was unstoppable. No one would question her status as the rookie queen from the talent show.
Previously—music critics had bashed Li Mengjiao’s album—now they were silent as mice.
Criticizing Li Mengjiao meant she still had value worth critiquing. Having no media coverage at all—that was true suppression.
What particularly infuriated Yuan Fenghui was that she’d been negotiating with Rongcheng’s fire department to make Li Mengjiao a fire safety ambassador. It was showing progress—until a slew of negative reviews about Li Mengjiao surfaced—derailing the talks completely!
“Female lead? That’s self-deception!”
Yuan Fenghui tossed her pen—sneering.
Unless—like Li Mengjiao—you funded your own drama—Baodao wouldn’t cast a mainland rookie as the female lead. Boss Guan promoted Xu Mei as a co-lead—but Baodao’s news clearly stated Xu Mei was second lead… the true female lead was another—highly favored in Baodao—currently starring in a mainland historical drama adapted from a game—now airing hot on TV!
“Teacher Yuan—was this the opportunity Boss Guan originally planned for Mengjiao?”
“Exactly. If it were Mengjiao—I’d have fought for the lead role. Xu Mei—hah—”
Yuan Fenghui’s sneer gave Wen Ying goosebumps.
Yuan Fenghui’s aura was that of a ruthless workplace queen. Those who crossed her should hide and tremble.
“Forget it—we’ll shoot our own drama. Even if Xu Mei plays the lead—her success has nothing to do with us. Only if Tianjiao’s drama gets explosive ratings can Mengjiao break through Boss Guan’s malicious freeze.”
So—this was the opportunity Boss Guan gave Xu Mei.
Wen Ying said to ignore Xu Mei’s side—but she wasn’t at ease. She knew Xu Mei’s drama was a ratings hit in her past life—neck-and-neck with Teacher Zhang’s script. Since they didn’t air in the same year—it was hard to declare a winner. But now—many things had changed. With Xu Mei’s role announced—their dramas might clash in scheduling—so Li Mengjiao and Xu Mei were bound to be compared!
Yuan Fenghui—an industry veteran—lacked Wen Ying’s foresight but was no slower in thinking.
Both dramas had Baodao production teams—Li Mengjiao as lead—Xu Mei as second lead.
Tianjiao Film funded its drama—so Li Mengjiao could sing the soundtrack. Xu Mei’s co-produced drama might get her an end-credits song at most.
By any measure—Li Mengjiao had the edge.
The catch—Tianjiao’s drama had to be a ratings blockbuster!
Yuan Fenghui now worried not only about Li Mengjiao’s acting—but also the rookie male lead—Yun Chen.
Li Mengjiao had endured grueling acting training all winter break—now it was time to train Yun Chen too!
“I hope your recommended male lead doesn’t hold us back.”
As Yuan Fenghui spoke—Wang Shuang popped his head in—grinning: “Teacher Yuan—can I borrow Wen Ying for a bit?”
Wang Shuang had performed well recently—so Yuan Fenghui smiled: “What’s it to me if you need her? She’s not my subordinate—why say ‘borrow’?”
Once the script revisions were done—Wen Ying’s screenwriter work was complete.
Her continued presence at Tianjiao was purely out of friendship. Since the script was Teacher Zhang’s—with her secondary contributions—she could help the inexperienced leads better understand it. Wen Ying wasn’t a formal Tianjiao employee—so Yuan Fenghui couldn’t dictate her actions.
Li Mengjiao and Yun Chen were much closer than yesterday—huddled together studying the script—memorizing lines—occasionally rehearsing scenes haltingly. Both showed rookie awkwardness—but their dedication was professional.
Now—a new person was in the lounge—no wonder Wang Shuang called Wen Ying over.
Wen Ying jogged over: “Xie Qian—why’re you here?”
Xie Qian had no interest in filming—never visiting Tianjiao. Wen Ying—busy with script revisions—hadn’t seen him in days. Though they texted—it was just a few messages daily.
Seeing Xie Qian—Wen Ying was thrilled but guilty—mentally checking if she’d slacked on studies.
She’d finished her winter break homework long ago.
She’d reviewed the first semester of high school.
Xie Qian had told her to preview the next semester’s material… her progress was slow.
Wen Ying’s expression shifted. She’d been so busy she nearly forgot the school start date. Was Xie Qian here to check her study progress?
Her light steps grew heavy—jogging turned to shuffling.
Xie Qian noticed her shift from running to walking—his eyes brightening—then dimming. He stifled a laugh—feigning sternness: “What—can’t I come?”
“That’s not what I meant—”
The usually sharp Screenwriter Wen stammered—her gaze darting—avoiding Xie Qian’s eyes.
Nearby—Yun Chen paused rehearsing—whispering to Li Mengjiao: “Is he another Tianjiao rookie?”
He hadn’t expected a shell company like Tianjiao to have such knack for luring talent—signing someone with such potential. Yun Chen mentally ran through the past two years’ hottest idol stars—none matched Xie Qian’s vibe. With that face and aura—no singing or acting skill was needed—he’d be a visual delight on screen without a single line.
With such a rookie—why not cast him?
Right—with Xie Qian—viewers might overlook Li Mengjiao’s lead role. His presence was too striking.
Yun Chen’s mood grew complex.
He’d always been favored for his looks—hoping others would see past them to his substance.
Now—facing someone better-looking—he couldn’t help comparing.
So—he wasn’t a saint after all!
Li Mengjiao gave Yun Chen an odd look: “Why would you think that? He’s Xie Qian—Tianjiao can’t sign him.”
Li Mengjiao wanted to enter showbiz and didn’t look down on it—but felt Xie Qian in showbiz would be a waste. Showbiz was for slackers—scholars had better options—not to compete with slackers for roles!
Not a rookie.
Yun Chen glanced again—noticing Wen Ying’s distinct attitude toward Xie Qian—smiling knowingly: “Screenwriter Wen and this Xie are dating—right?”
“…”
Li Mengjiao stared at Yun Chen—shocked.
Wen Ying and Xie Qian dating?!
No way—their guts were that big? If Wen Ying’s family found out—both were in danger!
“Don’t talk nonsense—they’re just good friends. Here’s not like Baodao—high schoolers dating is called puppy love—parents and teachers oppose it.”
Li Mengjiao convinced herself they were just friends—yet recalled Wen Ying’s different treatment of Xie Qian—her rebuttal to Yun Chen lacking conviction.
