Chapter Eighty-Five: Visiting the Set

The moment You Si realized she had actually been replaced, she could hardly believe it. She was an investor too—wasn't Xu Guangrong afraid she'd withdraw her funding?

When her assistant informed her at the hotel that the new investor was a studio under Zhou Jingchen's name, You Si collapsed onto the sofa.

It was over.

Even the dullest person would understand by now: Zhou Jingchen was determined not to see her anymore.

But what she hadn't anticipated was that Zhou Jingchen intended not just to banish her, but to erase her entirely. Yunbo no longer needed Yiwang's influence. It had already replaced forums and message boards as the new media platform.

From now on, Yunbo would never mention You Si again. That meant she would never gain any attention on Yunbo. Without attention, who would remember who You Si was? Without anyone remembering, where would she find resources to make a comeback?

Over the past few years, thanks to her company's promotion, You Si had earned a fair amount. But she'd also offended most of her peers, and spent much of her earnings paying breach penalties to major brands.

Now, Yu Qian and Zhou Jingchen had only pushed her to rock bottom. If Director Xu hadn't intervened, maybe she'd get lucky and turn things around someday.

What a pity—after so many years of acting, not even her first role had ever threatened anyone, yet a washed-up starlet like You Si dared threaten him.

Director Xu was not about to swallow his pride.

Xu Guangrong's position among directors in Huaguo wasn’t at the top, but he had awards, box office success, and, above all, he knew how to handle people. His network was far beyond anything You Si could imagine.

With one sentence—“she’s unusable”—at least two-thirds of directors in the circle wouldn’t even consider casting You Si.

You Si, for once thinking clearly, understood everything—her momentary impulse had ruined her future.

Only now did she realize that without her patron’s protection and her fans’ support, she was nothing in this industry.

The production had replaced her, no longer needed her investment, and not wanting to be thrown out and embarrassed, You Si quietly packed her things and left with her assistant.

At that moment, two people arrived at the set.

Zhou Jingchen looked at Yu Qian, masked, and Wen Xiu, whose expression was dark and teasing, and felt a chill run through him.

“Ahem, cutie, what brings you here…” He pretended to act innocent, his voice a little guilty.

“If I didn’t come, sheep would be grazing on my head,” Yu Qian rolled her eyes, her voice cold.

Feeling sweat trickle down his forehead, Zhou Jingchen panicked. “Qian Qian! I have nothing to do with that old woman! It’s all gossip mongers making things up!”

“Even video evidence can be faked now?” Wen Xiu added, twisting the knife.

Zhou Jingchen glared at Wen Xiu, who was only making things worse, adding fuel to the fire. “They chose the angle! If you don’t believe me, ask the crew!”

He turned, hoping Director Xu would help him out, only to find the crew watching them with gossiping eyes, and Director Xu staring at Yu Qian, his eyes shining.

The weather was turning cold, but Yu Qian, wearing a brocade coat, didn’t feel it. Yet to avoid drawing attention and to promote her own brand, she wore an outfit designed by Wen Yu.

A white, knee-length dress with mid-length sleeves, a black blazer draped over her shoulders, a spider lily embroidered on the hem, paired with obedient shoes with white uppers and red soles—a simple combination.

Yu Qian's classical aura made the ordinary outfit seem ethereal, and her temperament was exactly what Director Xu needed.

The reason he’d initially given You Si the role was because her aura suited the character better than other actresses. Now, seeing Zhou Jingchen’s young visitor, even with a mask, Director Xu felt she embodied the role.

Rubbing his hands together, Xu Guangrong smiled slyly, grateful for You Si’s self-destruction—if not for her, he wouldn’t have found someone more suitable.

“Miss, would you be interested in acting?” he asked, looking like a fox luring a rabbit, and his words stunned Zhou Jingchen and the others.

What kind of twist was this?