A Sweet Soft Alpha and a Psycho-Beauty Go Viral Online (GL) - Chapter 41

Qiao Sanghe gracefully linked arms with Yu Wanyin as they walked to the autograph wall, where they signed their names side by side. Even at a glance, their handwriting styles were clearly distinct—Yu Wanyin’s bold and elegant strokes contrasted sharply with Qiao Sanghe’s delicate and refined script. Yet, when placed together, their signatures looked perfectly matched—complementary, as if fated.

The red carpet ceremony ended quickly, followed by the show’s grand finale banquet. Numerous reporters and media outlets swarmed the event, eager to snap photos and conduct interviews. One question came up repeatedly: what were Qiao Sanghe and Yu Wanyin’s plans after the show? It was the question fans had been dying to know.

Yu Wanyin answered graciously,

“We already have our next project lined up. Soon, the two of us will be co-starring in a xianxia (fantasy cultivation) drama. We hope everyone will stay tuned and support us!”

[Viewer Comments:]

“Wow, so the rumors were true!”

“Can we get one episode at a time, like immediately? I’d pay to watch this!”

“Please get into filming ASAP—I can’t wait anymore!”

“Please start filming! My friend is sick, and not seeing Qiao Sanghe and Yu Wanyin might make her worse! I’m begging you, think of the patients—they’d do anything to watch this drama.”

That same evening, the keyword #NianPingYun began trending on social media. Resourceful netizens soon uncovered the name and synopsis of the upcoming drama that Qiao Sanghe and Yu Wanyin were cast in.

The xianxia series tells the story of Xu Pingyun, a woman born with a demonic physique who hides her identity and joins the Taiyun Sect to uncover the truth behind her parents’ mysterious deaths. There, she becomes entangled with her senior sister Shen Nian, and the plot unfolds from their complex and evolving relationship.

Qiao Sanghe would play the protagonist, Xu Pingyun, while Yu Wanyin would portray her senior sister, Shen Nian. Interestingly, their roles are complete opposites of their actual personalities, making this an especially challenging and meaningful project. Both actresses were stepping out of their comfort zones to bring these characters to life.

After finishing the variety show, their days were filled with commercial shoots, acting lessons with the drama’s instructors, and intensive script analysis. The majority of their time and effort was now fully dedicated to this drama.

Yu Wanyin’s character, Shen Nian, is composed, mature, and quiet. Beneath her ethereal and serene exterior lies a faint touch of melancholy. In real life, however, Yu Wanyin is cheerful, lively, and outgoing—her temperament is actually a closer match to Xu Pingyun. Conversely, Qiao Sanghe’s introverted and introspective nature made her a better fit for Shen Nian, yet she would be portraying the more extroverted, free-spirited Xu Pingyun. This role reversal only deepened their motivation to succeed.

After completing various promotional events, the drama Nian Pingyun officially began filming. Qiao Sanghe and Yu Wanyin attended the launch ceremony, offering incense with the director to pray for smooth production and soaring viewership, just like the banner hanging at the venue wished.

The production team and director hadn’t initially placed high expectations on the acting skills of these two newly famous actresses. Their choice to cast Qiao and Yu was based primarily on their skyrocketing popularity. After their massive success on Midnight Fairytale, they had become national sweethearts, securing multiple endorsement deals worth billions within two months. The plan was simple: use their star power to drive ratings and create a commercial hit.

As for acting? That wasn’t the production team’s priority. If they’d cared about performance, they would’ve hired established actresses known for their craft. But instead, they went with the viral “celebrity couple”—banking on popularity and chemistry.

The drama was never meant to be a serious acting showcase. As long as the visuals were decent and the storyline passable, it would do. Plot logic didn’t matter much. Complex fight scenes? Just use stunt doubles.

The focus was all on aesthetics.

Qiao Sanghe’s styling for the role of Xu Pingyun was luxurious—her character had a total of 38 outfits over 45 episodes, averaging one new look per episode. Each costume was intricately designed with stunning detail. Yu Wanyin’s character, Shen Nian, had fewer costume changes—mostly in whites and pale blues—but each of her 29 costumes featured hand-embroidered designs crafted by renowned artisans.

Their visuals were breathtaking—each appearance like a living painting. The show’s artistic director and cinematographer were instructed to create a dreamlike, romantic atmosphere. Lighting had to make the actresses’ skin appear porcelain-smooth, almost glowing.

The goal was clear: logic didn’t matter. As long as viewers could swoon over the stunning visuals, the show would go viral. Clips of their most beautiful scenes, set to emotional background music, would dominate the internet. This was a “pretty but shallow” production, not aiming for critical acclaim—just attention, traffic, and profit.

Qiao Sanghe and Yu Wanyin, however, were unaware of the producers’ true intentions. Had they known the drama was meant to be a shallow cash grab, they might never have agreed. Everything else—the team, the script, the production value—looked top-tier. Who would have guessed the goal was just aesthetic window-dressing?

This was Yu Wanyin’s first time participating in a formal drama shoot. Surprisingly, she wasn’t too nervous. Instead, her mind was completely immersed in the script, especially in building the persona of “Shen Nian.” She imagined herself as Shen Nian, becoming one with the character until her presence exuded that same calm power and quiet brilliance—just as the script intended.

Qiao Sanghe noticed the change in her. Yu Wanyin, once bubbly and clingy, had suddenly matured. She was less smiley, more composed. It was shocking how quickly she had grasped the essence of the role—it seemed she truly had a gift for acting.

As for Qiao Sanghe, portraying Xu Pingyun turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The character required layers—deception, vulnerability, growth. She had spent days contemplating how to convey Xu Pingyun’s evolving nature. From guarded and masked at the beginning, to increasingly open as her feelings for her senior sister blossomed. Then later, a storm of revelations: betrayal, grief, resentment, sorrow—all tangled in emotional complexity that fleshed out her arc.

It was an incredible character to portray, and Qiao Sanghe genuinely loved it.

Xu Pingyun’s love for Shen Nian, too, mirrored something of Qiao’s own feelings toward Yu Wanyin. The similarities were undeniable.

The first scene filmed was Xu Pingyun’s initiation into the sect, where Shen Nian instructs her on cultivation rules.

Shen Nian, with her cold, expressionless face, pointed a slender jade-like finger. A jade slip floated from her storage pouch toward Xu Pingyun.

“This contains the Ice Heart Technique, the core cultivation method for our sect. As an inner disciple, you are entitled to 150 premium spirit stones per month, two bottles of Qi Gathering Pills, two bottles of Spirit

Stabilization Pills, and one Beginner Spirit Condensation Jade. You may also receive a beginner-level formation array and a spiritual artifact. Additionally, you can choose a cultivation cave with rich spiritual energy from the Inner Pavilion.”

“I hope you will cultivate diligently and not disappoint our master’s trust.”

Xu Pingyun received the jade slip and respectfully acknowledged the words. Without another word, Shen Nian turned and soared away on her sword, a silhouette of ice and grace.

“Cut!”

“Great job, both of you!”

“Absolutely brilliant!”

The director’s eyes lit up with surprise. He had underestimated them. Not only were Qiao Sanghe and Yu Wanyin beautiful—they had actually studied and become their characters. This was no empty fan-service show. They were genuine actors.

At this point, he no longer worried about the show’s success. He’d struck gold—two actresses with both popularity and talent. The heavens were smiling on this production.

Then came the second scene.

Xu Pingyun, secretly investigating her parents’ deaths, unintentionally triggered a spirit beast rampage due to the demonic energy hidden in her body. Shen Nian, sensing the disturbance, arrived just in time to help—and secretly shielded Xu Pingyun from suspicion, though she grew increasingly wary of her junior’s strange aura.

The second scene included a physically intimate moment—a full-body inspection by Shen Nian, done under the guise of “investigation.” It was the most intimate scene in the drama so far.

Fully immersed in her role, Yu Wanyin’s gaze lingered on Qiao Sanghe. No matter the situation, her heart couldn’t help but flutter in her presence. That feeling remained unchanged.

Qiao Sanghe, portraying Xu Pingyun, felt tense under Yu Wanyin’s touch—her character was nervous, and she was even more so. Her pulse raced, cheeks flushed, and the scent of Yu Wanyin so close made her heart pound wildly.

Shen Nian’s voice was cool and slightly probing.

She looked at Xu Pingyun and asked quietly:

“Why are you so flustered? Do you have something to hide?”

Xu Pingyun, covering her nervousness with a smile, leaned in slightly. She blew a soft breath near Shen Nian’s ear and teased:

“It’s because Senior Sister is too beautiful. I couldn’t help myself.”