The Movie Queen's Beloved Crybaby Alpha - Chapter 78

The heavy drowsiness vanished instantly. Ye Qinglan gripped her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Perhaps the commotion was too loud, as Ning Yunshu hurried to open the door, only to find Ye Qinglan sitting up in bed clutching the blankets, her face a mix of shock and delight as she held her phone.

“Sister?” Ning Yunshu called softly.

Ye Qinglan immediately raised a finger to her lips, then beckoned Ning Yunshu over.

Puzzled, Ning Yunshu sat beside her just as Ke Ying’s voice came through the phone: “Yes, early next month! Prime time slot!” Clearly, Ke Ying was equally thrilled.

Securing a prime time slot demonstrated the higher-ups’ confidence in “Ten-Day Operation.” With this advantage and the film’s solid quality, box office success was virtually guaranteed.

This would also boost Ye Qinglan’s popularity, making her a strong contender for Best Actress at the year-end Crescent Awards.

Ye Qinglan’s excitement was palpable. She looked at Ning Yunshu with sparkling eyes, as if seeking praise, which only made Ning Yunshu want to laugh.

“By the way, your new film audition is this weekend. Don’t forget,” Ke Ying reminded.

“Don’t worry, Sister Ke, I remember,” Ye Qinglan replied.

“Good. I won’t keep you then. Bye.”

“Bye.”

After hanging up, Ye Qinglan threw herself into Ning Yunshu’s arms, laughing. “This is amazing! Prime time slot!”

Fresh out of bed and still undressed, her earlier modesty preserved by the blankets, Ye Qinglan’s sudden bare embrace left Ning Yunshu blushing furiously, unsure where to place her hands.

Realizing her impropriety, Ye Qinglan sprang back, hastily pulling the blankets over herself. “You, you go out first. I need to change,” she stammered, peeking out with darting eyes, avoiding Ning Yunshu’s gaze.

Ning Yunshu found it both amusing and regrettable, but with eggs boiling in the kitchen, she simply said, “Then get ready for breakfast, sister?”

“Okay, I’ll be right there,” Ye Qinglan replied.

Once alone, Ye Qinglan emerged fully from the covers, exhaling in relief. She dressed quickly, freshened up, and stepped out to find breakfast already set by Ning Yunshu.

Seated at the table, she recounted the entire story to Ning Yunshu.

“So that’s it. That’s wonderful news,” Ning Yunshu said with a smile. “Looks like I’ll have to treat our entire company to the movie.”

Ye Qinglan chuckled behind her hand. “Then I won’t have to worry about opening day box office?”

“Of course not,” Ning Yunshu laughed.

“But there’ll be a premiere I need to attend. Want me to get you a ticket?” Ye Qinglan asked.

Ning Yunshu grinned smugly. “No need. I already asked Director Xu for one, as your biggest fan, with the best seat where you’ll see me the moment you look up.”

Amused by her pride, Ye Qinglan smiled. “Oh? Prepared already?”

Ning Yunshu rubbed her nose. “I contacted Director Xu while you were changing.”

“You,” Ye Qinglan couldn’t help but laugh before saying, “Then let’s wait for the premiere.”

“Mm.”

“But these next two days, I need to focus on preparing for the audition first,” Ye Qinglan added.

“Then good luck, sis.”

After lunch, Ning Yunshu went to work, dropping Ye Qinglan off at her etiquette class on the way. After class, Ye Qinglan had lunch with Ning Yunshu before returning home to study the script intensively, determined to succeed in the audition.

When the weekend came and she attended the audition, her efforts paid off. She delivered her best performance, earning high praise from the director and screenwriter, who immediately confirmed her as the female lead.

Upon receiving the news, she immediately informed Ning Yunshu, much to the exasperation of Ke Ying, who had accompanied her.

“Xiao Shu, I got it!”

Ning Yunshu knew Ye Qinglan had an audition today and understood what she meant. “That’s wonderful! You’re amazing, sis,” she replied.

Ye Qinglan held her phone, her smile unrestrained. She wanted to tell Ning Yunshu she would come see her, but Ke Ying cleared her throat nearby, forcing her to change her words. “I’ll head back to the company first and come find you later.”

“Sure,” Ning Yunshu replied with a smile.

After hanging up, Ke Ying finally couldn’t hold back. “I say, Ye Qinglan, could you at least remember you’re still part of our company and not President Ning’s?”

“Ah, Ke-jie, of course I remember. I was just excited and wanted to share the news,” Ye Qinglan laughed.

Ke Ying rolled her eyes and turned to Zhou Tiantian. “Let’s head back to the company.”

“Got it,” Zhou Tiantian quickly responded.

When they returned to the company, Xiao Wenjin was already waiting in the office. Seeing their cheerful expressions, she remarked, “Looks like my star actress hasn’t let me down.”

Ye Qinglan retorted, “When have I ever let you down?”

“Never. You’re the undisputed cash cow of our company,” Xiao Wenjin joked.

Ye Qinglan looked at her. “Alright, you called us back specifically. Do you have something to announce?”

Xiao Wenjin feigned surprise. “Wow, nothing gets past you.”

Ye Qinglan gave her a deadpan look. Xiao Wenjin coughed lightly. “Actually, I’m planning to expand and strengthen the company.”

“Wow,” Ye Qinglan responded flatly, clapping half-heartedly. “That’s quite the decision. What made you change your mind?”

“Well, actually!” Xiao Wenjin hesitated, avoiding eye contact as if struggling to explain. Under Ye Qinglan’s intense gaze, she sighed. “You know how I’ve been talking with Wei Youning, right? Her contract is about to expire, and she’s considering leaving. We discussed it privately, and she’s interested in signing with us. Also, Youyou, she wanted to debut, so…”

Ye Qinglan was overwhelmed by the flood of information. “Hold on. Wei-jie is one thing, we’re both actors. But didn’t Youyou want to debut in a band? We don’t have experience managing that kind of talent. Wouldn’t bringing her here just hold her back?”

Xiao Wenjin sighed. “Let me finish. Youyou, she’s decided against the band route. She’s switching to acting.”

Ye Qinglan blinked in confusion and let out a sound.

“Huh?”

“Ultimately, this is all your fault. That young girl idolizes you, and when she heard Teacher Wei was planning to sign with us, she said she’d abandon music for acting just to follow in your footsteps.” Xiao Wenjin spread her hands. “So this has nothing to do with me, it’s entirely your problem, Teacher Ye!”

Ye Qinglan’s lips twitched. “But she didn’t study acting, did she?”

“Oh, she plans to go straight into theater training after graduation. She said she’d give it her all so as not to disgrace your reputation,” Xiao Wenjin replied.

Ye Qinglan sighed helplessly, rubbing her forehead. “I don’t even know what to say.”

Xiao Wenjin continued, “So, the reason I called you back is twofold. First, to discuss this matter, and second, I plan to expand the company. As original shareholders, you and Sister Ke need to be informed. Also, if Sister Wei and the others join, until we find suitable agents, Sister Ke will have to manage them.”

Ke Ying rubbed her temples. “I can handle it temporarily, but if you expect me to manage three people alone long-term, Xiao Wenjin, you’d better sleep with one eye open.”

Xiao Wenjin chuckled awkwardly. “Come on, I’m not some slave driver. I wouldn’t overwork you like that.”

Ye Qinglan blinked. “So, is there anything else for me to do now?”

“Yes, of course. Don’t think you can just run off,” Xiao Wenjin shot her a look.

Foiled in her escape attempt, Ye Qinglan pouted. “I don’t have any real authority in the company anyway. Just decide everything yourselves, I’ll take the money.”

Xiao Wenjin’s face darkened. “Actually, the next thing does involve you. I want to rename our studio. Using my name all the time isn’t working anymore.”

Ye Qinglan gave her a sidelong glance. “That was your own decision back then.”

“I regret it!” Xiao Wenjin gritted her teeth.

“Besides, with the company expanding, a small studio just won’t cut it. We have enough funds now, so I figured we might as well change the company name too,” Xiao Wenjin explained.

“So, the question is, what should we rename the company?”

After listening, Ye Qinglan glanced at Ke Ying, who shrugged, signaling she’d go along with Xiao Wenjin’s idea.

“What do you want to change it to?” Ye Qinglan asked.

“That’s why I called you all here to brainstorm. I can’t come up with anything on my own,” Xiao Wenjin said, spreading her hands.

Ye Qinglan was somewhat speechless. After a moment’s thought, she blurted out without thinking, “Koi?”

Xiao Wenjin’s expression darkened. “If you mention koi again, I swear I’ll fight you.”

Ye Qinglan pouted and finally settled down to think. The group fell into silence until Ke Ying spoke up. “How about Stellar?”

“Stellar, huh?” Xiao Wenjin pondered. “Not bad.”

Ye Qinglan immediately chimed in, “Then let’s go with Stellar.”

Xiao Wenjin’s lips twitched. “Seriously, my dear award-winning actress, even if you don’t want to think, at least pretend to put in some effort. You’re not even pretending anymore?”

Ye Qinglan countered, “Don’t blame me. Our company is like a rising star in the entertainment industry bright and dazzling. I think Sister Ke’s suggestion works, and since you said it’s good, why not just settle on it?”

Xiao Wenjin was left speechless. “You make a compelling argument.”

Ye Qinglan shrugged her shoulders. Finally, Xiao Wenjin took a deep breath, as if making up her mind.

“Then it’s settled, Starlight Media Co., Ltd.! I’ll head to the business registration office tomorrow.”

Seeing Xiao Wenjin so fired up, the other two were naturally thrilled.

After all, they could already imagine how many legends the rising star “Starlight” would bring to the film industry.

Even at its worst, they still had Ye Qinglan and Wei Youning as their foundation.

These were two people other companies could only dream of having.

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