If Wen Ying didn’t agree to Yuan Fenghui, it would indeed seem a bit affected.
Everyone was pulling out all the stops for the essay competition, and as the initiator, Wen Ying not cooperating with the promotion would be dropping the ball.
Wen Ying agreed, but her parents were still in the dark. She asked Yuan Fenghui to shoot the versions with Li Mengjiao, Yun Chen, and Zhang Yangning first, so she could go home and discuss it with her parents.
Chen Ru was under exam pressure, so Wen Ying carefully chose a time after both Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong’s exams.
Usually, it was Chen Ru waiting for Wen Ying outside the exam hall. This time, Wen Ying waiting for her parents felt quite novel.
Wen Dongrong emerged first, head held high, brimming with confidence.
Did he do well?
“No difficulty at all.”
Wen Dongrong’s assessment made Wen Ying uneasy, suspecting he might have flunked.
This was classic failing-student behaviour.
Post-exam, they’d feel invincible, having filled in every answerable question, convinced they’d overperformed and had nothing to worry about!
In contrast, Chen Ru exited with steady steps, brows still furrowed, mulling over a few questions, doubting her answers.
Were they correct?
Were they complete?
Chen Ru’s mindset was already aligning with top students.
“Mum, I’ve got something to discuss. Should I agree to it…”
Wen Ying barely mentioned the “essay competition” before Chen Ru cut her off, “You’re talking about being a judge for the competition and shooting a promo, right? Decide for yourself, but don’t let it affect your studies. Shoot on weekends.”
Wen Ying stammered, “I-I haven’t even said it, and you already know?”
Not only did she know, but she also agreed.
Wen Ying had prepared a ton of arguments to convince her mum, none of which were needed. Others might feel like punching cotton, but she hadn’t even swung!
“Wang Shuang’s mum told me yesterday.”
Chen Ru said casually.
Mrs. Wang, who’d mentioned wanting Chen Ru’s financial advice, had officially handled business at the bank yesterday.
During their chat, Mrs. Wang brought up Tianjiao sponsoring the essay competition, not mentioning her own funding but praising Wen Ying lavishly.
A wealthy woman like Mrs. Wang openly envied Chen Ru for having such an outstanding daughter.
Chen Ru, whose bank job dealt with money and people, could tell genuine flattery from fake.
Mrs. Wang’s praise left Chen Ru walking on air.
In Chen Ru’s mind, an essay competition was a proper endeavour, far more legitimate than Wen Ying attending some ratings celebration. It was something a student could do!
If Chen Ru could agree to a celebration, why not an essay competition?
Wen Ying’s eyes widened.
Was this woman really her mum?
—Mum, if some stray spirit’s possessed you, give your daughter a hint!
Wen Ying didn’t know Mrs. Wang had done much to win over Manager Chen. Mrs. Wang herself was unaware.
If everything required credit, it’d be purely for profit. Mrs. Wang approached Chen Ru and Zou Weijun for her son’s sake, but after interacting, she found them genuinely worth befriending.
Regarding softening Chen Ru for Wen Ying, if asked, Mrs. Wang would be baffled.
What did she do?
She spoke only the truth!
Envying Chen Ru’s daughter and finding Wen Ying exceptional were sincere sentiments.
…
The day *The Princess’s New Clothes* finale ratings were released was Wen Ying’s first time on camera for the promo.
Due to the tight schedule, they couldn’t wait for the weekend, so they shot after school.
Li Mengjiao, Yun Chen, and Zhang Yangning had already filmed theirs. Wen Ying was last, and everyone was free to watch, including Zhang Guangzhen, who’d just returned from Hunan after successfully reclaiming owed payments.
Having won his case, Zhang Guangzhen planned to return to Taiwan. As a Tianjiao scriptwriter, he didn’t need to clock in and could write anywhere.
But right after his victory, he heard about Tianjiao sponsoring a creative essay competition. Before Yuan Fenghui could invite him, Zhang Guangzhen shamelessly came to Chengdu.
His first task was writing the promo scripts, including Wen Ying’s, which he tailored to her concerns about being on camera.
Writers could appear, but it didn’t have to be all about looks.
Wen Ying’s promo focused on her writer identity, not close-ups of her face.
Li Mengjiao, Yun Chen, and Zhang Yangning were stars; their promos aimed to draw attention to the competition.
Wen Ying, a bestselling author and scriptwriter who’d gained fame and wealth through writing, was the real draw for aspiring authors.
That’s why Yuan Fenghui insisted on featuring her!
Besides the scripts, Zhang Guangzhen brought juicy gossip from the front lines.
“Yu Tianlin’s drama has started filming. Xu Mei was indeed replaced, but her status at her company has somehow risen. Isn’t that odd?”
Wang Shuang didn’t care about Xu Mei; he was fixated on the culprit, Station Chief Duan.
Xu Mei had clawed her way to self-preservation, but was the cheating Station Chief Duan facing no consequences?
Wang Shuang knew the adult world wasn’t black-and-white, but Duan escaping unscathed felt disgusting.
—How could Professor Fang be so righteous when judging others but forgive a cheater when it was her? Such a letdown for gossip enthusiasts.
Maybe the couple reached some understanding, and Professor Fang accepted Duan’s infidelity. Outsiders couldn’t force her to divorce.
Wen Ying was disappointed by the lack of news about Pan Li.
Was Pan Li getting away clean again?
Zhang Guangzhen had no answers.
“Isn’t it time to start shooting?”
Xie Qian checked his watch, reminding everyone of the time. Under the top student’s aura, the gossiping crowd scattered, quietly watching Wen Ying’s shoot.
Xie Qian chose a perfect spot—not too close, not too far—taking in the filming dynamics, secretly pleased.
While Xie Qian watched the shoot, others watched him.
Standing under a ginkgo tree with his divine looks and unique Snow-Mountain-Rainbow aura, the promo director longed to turn the camera on him.
A beautiful person in a beautiful setting was every cinematographer’s dream. Not shooting him was heartbreaking.
What a stunning youth!
“Director, can we start?”
The director forced himself to look away.
“Shoot. Sister Yuan said to finish before dark.”
At the director’s command, the crew sprang into action.
For Wen Ying’s first time on camera, Li Mengjiao nearly shoved the director aside to personally guide her on the best angles.
Wang Shuang tugged Li Mengjiao’s sleeve, “Stop disrupting the shoot.”
—You dummy, haven’t you noticed Xie Shen watching?
—Xie Shen’s here to see his girlfriend film, and us underachievers are allowed to tag along, but we should know our place!
If Wen Ying’s promo didn’t finish today, it’d delay things, and their homework wouldn’t lighten!
Wen Ying initially struggled to find the camera. The director, with so many big shots present, didn’t dare snap at the amateur, patiently teaching her to find the lens. Later, he let her focus on movements, letting the camera capture her.
Wen Ying, a first-time outsider, got A-list treatment.
Today’s shoot focused on her writing and daily life scenes, to be edited into a smooth promo.
It was tiring but novel.
Acting wasn’t for everyone. Surrounded by people, needing to convey emotions, deliver lines, and mind body language—forget acting skill, most people freeze or dodge the camera.
How did Wen Ying overcome this?
Li Mengjiao inspired her.
Born for the stage, Li Mengjiao was carefree, unafraid of the camera or audience, exuding confidence.
In short: go for it!
Boldness, thick skin, and fearlessness—qualities Wen Ying honed as a lawyer.
As the shoot neared its end, Yuan Fenghui strode in with great news.
“The finale ratings for *The Princess’s New Clothes* are out!”
