The Scandalous Actress Needs to Strive GL - Chapter 26

Mu Qingchen looked out the car window, feeling even more stifled inside. She had never considered finding a bed partner. Then what about Qiu Wan? Why had she thought of that back then? Was it all just the suspension bridge effect at work?

She closed her eyes for a moment, took two deep breaths, and finally let out a heavy sigh. “I said before, I won’t change.”

Qiu Wan looked at the darkened phone screen, her mind still lingering on that last sentence.”I said before, I won’t change.”

But how long can a sentence that doesn’t even count as a real promise last?

After the third episode wrapped up, Zhou Yang’s goal for the trip was achieved. Before leaving, he deliberately handed his personal business card to Qiu Wan.

“Miss Qiu, may I add your contact info? Our Zhou Group just happens to have a script. You’d be perfect for one of the roles.”

Qiu Wan calmly glanced around at the staff. The livestream had ended, cameras were all down, and only a few gossip reporters were still holding up their cameras.

She smiled graciously, pulled out her phone, opened her QR code, and said, “Sure. Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Zhou.”

A trace of contempt and smugness flashed in Zhou Yang’s eyes. In this world, there’s no such thing as a cat that doesn’t eat fish. If one doesn’t, it must be because the fish isn’t fat enough. He scanned her code and clicked “Add Friend.”

Feeling proud and satisfied, he left the filming site. When his car returned to Xicheng, he pulled out his phone with a playful smirk only to find that there was no new friend request at all.

His eyes gradually turned cold.

That woman actually dared to play him.

Meanwhile, Qiu Wan glanced at the man’s profile picture before backing out of the screen. A script? She truly didn’t lack one. Even without Mu Qingchen, she wouldn’t be bound by such conditions.

The fourth episode’s guest was a survival expert, and the crew decided to film in the mountains. At the same time, the web drama “The Grand Historian of the Song Dynasty” began airing on all major platforms.

This episode also featured a male guest surname Wang. After his self-introduction, he asked everyone to call him “Brother Wang.” He seemed average in every way, but online especially in various survival shows and videos he was frequently seen.

When it was time for the guest to choose a teammate, Brother Wang looked at the delicate and calm Qiu Wan, then at the proud looking Lai Su. Without even glancing at Li Ke, he reached out to Lai Su.

Lai Su froze for a moment, then turned her head stubbornly and said, “I want to be on Qiu Wan’s team.”

After hearing Qiu Wan’s pipa performance, she had thought this woman just got lucky and had a few redeeming qualities. But after the Lady Painting incident last time, her impression had slowly changed.

Lai Su recalled what her elders at home used to say never believe all the gossip. This woman wasn’t just a pretty face with no substance. She was clearly a hidden gem.

After this realization, her admiration for Qiu Wan kept growing. How could she let go of such a gorgeous and talented friend? She was determined this sisterhood was locked in.

Brother Wang’s seemingly honest face turned slightly sour. He forced a smile and walked over to Li Ke, giving himself a way out.

“Well, I guess it’ll be just us two guys then.”

Li Ke instinctively avoided his hand, then smiled at the camera and said:

“This episode’s theme is survival. It’s best to have mixed-gender teams. If there’s any heavy lifting, it’s a man’s duty to step up. How can we let two delicate women be a team?”

His words immediately divided the comment section:

• Who’s he underestimating? The Qing Dynasty’s long gone. “Delicate women”? Please.
• Li Ke is such a man’s man. This is exactly when men should step up.
• Ugh, did everyone forget how he fawned over his CEO last time? His image already crumbled.
• Li Ke’s responsible. Like the saying goes: “men and women working together won’t get tired.”
• Am I the only one who thinks this guest is ignoring Qiu Wan?
• Wait, hold up. This “Brother Wang” guy is a hardcore fan of Meng Ranli. In “The Grand Historian of the Song Dynasty,” Qiu Wan plays the supporting role while Meng Ranli is the lead. You see it? Really think about it.

As if responding to the comments, Brother Wang’s face grew even more awkward. He scratched his nose and forced another laugh:

“Well, Miss Lai didn’t want to be my teammate, right?”

Li Ke instinctively added, “Isn’t Qiu Wan still available?” Though he also wanted to team up with Qiu Wan to complete the task Zhou Lanlan had given him, with Lai Su rejecting Brother Wang, he had no choice.

Brother Wang, who had appeared polite until now, couldn’t keep up the act any longer. His face darkened. Glancing at the live camera, he suddenly adopted a solemn expression, like he was about to make a grand declaration:

“I absolutely can’t stand talentless pretty faces. With nothing but looks, no acting skills or real talent why should such a person be an actress? Why should they be an idol?”

He recalled what a fan site moderator of Meng Ranli had told him before he joined the show: Qiu Wan had repeatedly delayed the filming of The Grand Historian of the Song Dynasty out of jealousy, making things difficult for their beloved Ranli.

Allegedly, this woman only got roles by relying on powerful backers. Otherwise, who would hire someone whose only skill was looking good?

He believed his statement, once aired, would surely reach Meng Ranli. His idol would definitely be moved maybe even remember him.

With this thought, his expression grew even more self-righteous. He had already signed a contract with the show. As a guest, he had the right to choose his own teammate. Refusing to team with Qiu Wan wouldn’t count as breaching the contract, so he wasn’t afraid at all.

The staff on set were visibly shocked. No one had expected this twist. During pre-show discussions, Brother Wang had never said he disliked Qiu Wan and now this, right in the middle of a livestream?

After the chaos from Zhou Lanlan’s incident, things just kept getting worse. Was this shoot cursed or something?

The camera kept rolling. The production team couldn’t directly interfere, so they held up cue cards to hint at him.

Qiu Wan smiled, unfazed. She walked over and took Lai Su’s arm again, then calmly looked at Brother Wang and said:

“Sorry to have offended you. It just so happens I also wanted to team up with Sister Lai. Let’s show everyone how well we work together.”

At that moment:

• Lai Su was quite pleased.
• Li Ke was frustrated.
• Brother Wang looked smug.

Comments exploded: !!!!!!!

Viewers revisited The Grand Historian of the Song Dynasty. Was Qiu Wan really a talentless actress? They couldn’t even remember that the grand princess character was played by her. If she was just a pretty face, why did the performance seem so natural?

By now, the show had reached its mid-point. The grand princess, played by Qiu Wan mentor and benefactor to the female lead had already met her dignified death. Without the protection of the princess’ household, the lead character (played by Meng Ranli) and the prince (played by Li Ke) were now developing their romantic plotline.

Though it seemed like just another moderately received web drama, the performances of the leads were decent it was, after all, their first step toward transforming their careers. The casting had been quite balanced.