The Scandalous Actress Needs to Strive GL - Chapter 23

Without Zhou Lanlan on the set, the atmosphere was unusually harmonious, as if the slow variety show vibe was finally setting in. Filming progressed smoothly. Qiu Wan looked at Mu Qingchen, who was doing things meticulously. This person’s features were so beautiful, yet always carried a sense of distance.

If not in bed, during moments of passion, when she could see the big CEO Mu’s eyes stained with desire every night, she would probably also be kept at bay by this distant feeling.

Far away in West City, Yu Baishu, while preparing for the CEO’s return tomorrow and various work tasks, managed to find time to inquire who the production team of Let’s Go See had invited to fill Zhou Lanlan’s vacancy.

She was shocked when she found out: the replacement was actually Zhou Lanlan’s older brother, the CEO of Zhou’s Entertainment. She felt a vague sense of dread and immediately called her own CEO to report the news.

On the eve of leaving the production team, Mu Qingchen washed up and returned to the room. Looking at the small bedroom, which was only a few square meters, she had initially found it crude, but now felt that even the simple furnishings had warmth, making her feel cozy inside.

She lay down on the bed, looking at the person whose eyes were a little blurry, a subtle look of indulgence surfacing in her own eyes.

“Not sleeping? Or is it that you’re leaving tomorrow and you’ll miss me, wanting that, mmm” Qiu Wan turned onto her side, her finger toying with CEO Mu’s hair on and off. Her voice, which was already lazy from sleepiness, gained a hint of hoarseness, as if it lit up the entire room with an orange-yellow glow.

“The replacement is the CEO of Zhou’s Entertainment. The original adjusted itinerary was to film here for two weeks.” Mu Qingchen was serious, allowing the hand that had moved from her hair to her ear.

“Didn’t you adjust it again before? Adjusting back and forth like this will exhaust Sister Yu, and it’s not good for your image either.” Qiu Wan smiled. What did this mean? Did she want to stay? Or did she want Qiu Wan to persuade her to stay?

“Assistant Yu won’t be exhausted. You don’t wish for me to stay?” Mu Qingchen’s tone was unchanged, but her face seemed to have an layer of frost, exuding coldness.

“Naturally, I hope so, but Qingchen also has her own work, doesn’t she? Besides, the CEO of Zhou’s wouldn’t stoop to making things difficult for me on a live broadcast, would he? If he had such little magnanimity, their company wouldn’t be almost splitting the entertainment world with your Mu Corporation.”

Qiu Wan recalled Zhou Yang. The original host’s memory had an impression of this person, and the two had even interacted. Anyone who could make the original host remember them must have been categorized as someone not to be trifled with.

It’s a pity that although the original host was exceptionally clever, she underestimated the power of capital. She thought Zhou Yang was like those difficult-to-deal-with artists; even if he had intentions, he would be mindful of his reputation in the industry and cherish his feathers.

She never expected that money makes the world go round, especially for Zhou’s Entertainment, which held a lot of sway in the industry. It’s much easier for the wealthy and powerful to act on any unsavory desires than for ordinary people.

Otherwise, a mere hint wouldn’t have been enough to force Qiu Wan’s former manager to get her drunk, to be sent to the beds of those powerful figures like a decorated pet, without a shred of dignity.

Mu Qingchen grabbed the hand that was wandering over her, preventing it from moving further down, and agreed: “Brother Zhou is different from his sister. He’s very wise and rational. He hasn’t had any negative rumors for so many years, so you can rest assured.”

“Brother Zhou? You’re very familiar?” Qiu Wan chuckled with an unclear meaning. Of course, he’s a wise person, otherwise, how could he maintain a glamorous exterior while being rotten inside?

She looked at CEO Mu, feeling a little melancholy for some reason. This person probably never harbored such thoughts, otherwise, why wouldn’t she understand that in this industry, as long as you stand high enough, no one would dare to throw dirt at you?

Negative news? Would a dignified entertainment company CEO let paparazzi catch a handle? The artists, whether willing or unwilling, who were sent to the bed, would not speak out as long as they wanted to survive in this industry. Even if they wanted to, they might not have a place to say it, or anyone to believe them.

“Yes, we’ve known each other since childhood. He’s a very steady person, you don’t need to worry.” In Mu Qingchen’s memory, Zhou Yang had always been like an older brother, introverted and unassuming, completely different from Zhou Lanlan. So, when it was decided to hand over Zhou’s to him, almost everyone felt it was natural. Even Zhou Lanlan, the competitor herself, had nothing to say, as her brother’s excellence was obvious to all, and she truly lacked the ability to compete for anything.

“Mmm.” Qiu Wan stopped dwelling on the topic. She withdrew her hand, then suddenly stroked CEO Mu’s face again, giving a cold laugh: “So, Qingchen wasn’t planning on staying from the start, was she?”

Saying all this was just to put her at ease, wasn’t it? She really is a woman who says one thing but means another.

“It’s late, hurry up and sleep.” Mu Qingchen turned and lay straight on her side. She wasn’t sure why, even though she had decided to go back, she still wanted to ask, wanted to see a hint of reluctance in this woman, and saying so many good things about Zhou Yang was nothing more than to comfort Qiu Wan while also telling herself not to worry too much.

The person beside her leaned in again, holding her right arm without saying a word. She moved her left hand, placing it over her heart, feeling her heartbeat. Perhaps the suspension bridge was too long, and it would take a very long time to walk down it, but surely she could finish the walk eventually.

The next day when she left, Mu Qingchen shook hands with Lai Su and Li He respectively. Then, when Qiu Wan also extended her hand, she turned to look at the open camera, her expression still cold. Turning back, however, she lowered her gaze, hiding the tenderness in her eyes. With a cold face, she opened her arms in a serious manner, as if completing an official duty.

After a brief and gentle hug, the big CEO Mu turned and left, decisively and swiftly. The live broadcast’s bullet screen, however, burst into fireworks:

OMG, I’m shipping this, I’m shipping this,

Everyone else got a handshake, only you are different

Please two of you get married right here, lock up the Qingqiu CP

Wake up upstairs, Qiu Wan has so many suitors, someone of Mu Qingchen’s status wouldn’t allow herself to be in a grass covered head (cheated on).

You, the one upstairs, need to wake up. When did Qiu Wan ever have suitors? It’s all groundless, secretly crossing paths, purely imagined.

Jin Wen scrolled through the bullet screen and couldn’t help but speak up for her own artist. What suitors, what a grass-covered head? She might have had that impression of Qiu Wan before, but since taking over the job, she realized.

Qiu Wan’s acting was indeed poor before, but she lived with clarity. Almost every role she auditioned for was playing a vase in the drama, which could be said to be type-casting.

Knowing her limits, yet hardworking and diligent. Even if there were some scandals, it was only out of necessity. What a motivated and touching young girl, she was almost moved to tears by a fatherly feeling.

However, there was one exception: the person on the live screen, Zhou Yang, the CEO of Zhou’s Entertainment who invested in the web drama The Great Song’s Official History (《大宋長史》). It was the only time Qiu Wan was cast for a role without an audition. Most importantly, this “great princess” character in the drama was not a vase.

Jin Wen remembered Qiu Wan saying that after experiencing some things, she viewed things with more indifference, and her acting actually improved. A pang hit her heart. Could her artist have taken a wrong path before? It seemed she needed to have a good talk about this issue.

If she hadn’t taken a wrong path, then she should continue on the sunny road. If she was truly young and ignorant and made a mistake, correcting it in time would still make her a good child.

Thinking of this, she quickly focused her attention, staring closely at the two people interacting on the screen, intending to infer something from the clues.

On set, Zhou Yang greeted everyone in a familiar yet inoffensive manner. He also thoughtfully prepared gifts for the crew and the guests, even bringing out cups of hot milk tea and hot coffee from several insulated boxes. In this countryside where milk tea and coffee were nowhere to be found, he was like a Santa Claus delivering warmth.

Even the paparazzi who were staking out got a cup. They were so moved that they kept snapping pictures of him. CEO Zhou is so warm, CEO Zhou is so gentlemanly, CEO Zhou is exactly the refined, mature man you see on TV.

“Since I’m new here, although I’ve read the show’s rules, I’m bound to make mistakes, so I’ve decided to give the choice to the two beautiful ladies. It would be my honor to team up with any of the three of you.” Zhou Yang, in a wool coat, stood among a group of people wrapped in thick down jackets, yet he didn’t look out of place at all. It was as if this outfit could naturally ward off the cold.

And the audience, who were initially dissatisfied with Zhou Lanlan and consequently had a poor impression of Zhou’s Entertainment, instantly forgot their previous grievances. What kind of amazing management company is Zhou’s Entertainment to have such an excellent CEO?

/Don’t stop me, I want to have his babies/ /What kind of perfect male lead character is this, I’m jealous/ /Excuse me, this is my husband, thank you all/ /Phooey, the one upstairs is a homewrecker, this is my baby daddy/ /These two siblings are simply two extremes, no wonder CEO Zhou is the CEO, and Zhou Lanlan is only the Vice CEO/ /Am I the only one who thinks this is just for show? It’s just a variety show, we lose if we take it seriously/

Zhou Yang was actually only one year older than Mu Qingchen and four years older than the 24-year-old Qiu Wan, but he gave off the impression that he was already past thirty, being very measured and reliable in everything he did.

Among all these people, only Qiu Wan, who was outwardly smiling elegantly, was rolling her eyes internally. She glanced at Lai Su, who seemed a little tempted, and proactively walked over to hook her arm with the arrogant female singer’s arm, smiling: “I’ve admired Sister Lai Su for a long time. Before, I never had the choice and felt awkward approaching you actively. It’s rare for CEO Zhou to give up the choice. I wonder if I could team up with you?”

Lai Su was about to say she wanted to team up with Zhou Yang, but before the words could leave her mouth, she was mesmerized by Qiu Wan’s overly brilliant smile. She subconsciously nodded. When she snapped back to reality, she almost couldn’t help but pull her arm out of the woman’s embrace. What a shock!

Why did this woman have to smile so beautifully? She actually lost her composure for a second because of the beauty. Lai Su stiffened her arm, forcing a smile, crying out in agony in her heart.

On the screen, Mu Qingchen watched Qiu Wan proactively hook arms with someone else, subconsciously clenching her fist. A subtle hint of bitterness quietly arose in her heart.