What Should I do After Binding the Wrong System and the Female Lead comes Knocking at my Door? - Chapter 10

“Everyone, put down your work and listen to me.”

Pei Yuanxi addressed the team in Gu Qingchao’s studio. “Today is a historic moment for our studio. We have finally signed a new talent. Her name is Gu Qing.”

Gu Qing gave a slight bow. “Hello, everyone. My name is Gu Qing. I am honored to join this big family, and I look forward to working with all of you.”

Applause erupted immediately, with everyone shouting, “Welcome, welcome.”

Pei Yuanxi then stepped forward again and addressed the team. “I’ve always been grateful to all of you. Thanks to your hard work, I was able to win the Best Actress award. Originally, I thought everyone could finally take a break. At least, you wouldn’t have to work as hard as before. But then Gu Qing joined us.”

“Gu Qing,” she continued, “was in my office earlier, boasting that she would win Best Actress within five years. Naturally, I didn’t believe her, so we made a bet.”

“Now, your new goal is to help Gu Qing win Best Actress within five years and prove me wrong.”

“Of course, if you can’t do it, there’s no punishment, but if you succeed…”

Pei Yuanxi paused dramatically, teasing everyone’s curiosity before continuing, “Guess how much of a bonus I’ll give you?”

The employees immediately started whispering and joking around, trying to guess the bonus.

However, they knew Pei Yuanxi wasn’t just making empty promises. They were all well aware of her generous rewards. Just a few days ago, after she won Best Actress, she had given each of them a bonus of 200,000 yuan. With that in mind, the team felt highly motivated and excited.

After some light-hearted banter, Pei Yuanxi said, “Group leaders, come to the conference room for a meeting. Also, there’s a welcome ceremony tonight. Everyone is welcome to join if you’re interested!”

At this moment, Bai Zhou, who had been standing beside Gu Qing, spoke up. “I forgot to introduce myself earlier. I’m Bai Zhou, currently Yuanxi’s manager and will be your manager as well.”

Gu Qing nodded and obediently addressed her, “Bai Jie.”

“Just call me A Zhou,” Bai Zhou said, sipping her water. “No need for formalities.”

She had already tricked her future boss into this position, so there was no need to have her address her as ‘Jie’.

Gu Qing, still curious, asked, “A Zhou, have you always been Yuanxi’s manager?”

Bai Zhou puffed out her chest proudly. “Of course! But even though I’m just a manager, there’s a lot to worry about on a daily basis.”

Gu Qing, intrigued, asked, “What do you mean?”

Bai Zhou chuckled. “Yuanxi is a bit laid back. When there’s nothing going on, she doesn’t bother with studio matters.”

Bai Zhou exaggerated for effect, “As for me, I have to deal with both the entertainment industry and Yuanxi’s studio work. You could say that all of Yuanxi’s career these past years has been carried on my shoulders!”

Gu Qing nodded thoughtfully. “She really trusts you, doesn’t she?”

Bai Zhou sighed. “Well, it’s not exactly that she trusts me, it’s that she trusts her sister.”

She paused before continuing, “I used to be a regular secretary at Yuanxi’s sister’s company. I thought I’d have a laid-back life, but not long after, President Pei summoned me and asked me to follow her sister to work on her career. And so, I’ve been with Yuanxi ever since.”

Bai Zhou then glanced at Gu Qing, thinking, Didn’t I answer this correctly? She could tell that Gu Qing was trying to get some information out of her, but Bai Zhou was too sharp to fall for it.

Meanwhile, Gu Qing’s thoughts wandered in a different direction. She had never intended for Pei Muchan to find out that her younger sister had signed a “love contract” with someone named Gu Qing.

If Pei Muchan found out, Gu Qing could already imagine how she’d be seen in her eyes—as a troublesome person trying to take away her precious younger sister.

Gu Qing shook her head, trying to shake off the absurd thought. Bai Zhou doesn’t seem to have figured it out yet, she thought. I’d better be more careful in front of her from now on. I can’t let the “love contract” slip out.

What Gu Qing didn’t realize was that Pei Muchan had already noticed. Pei Muchan had a lot more control and was always one step ahead in protecting her sister, especially after Yuanxi’s rise in fame. Many people had ill intentions and would try to use her sister to threaten her.

If you looked closely, you’d notice that Yuanxi didn’t have bodyguards following her around. Not because she didn’t have any, but because she didn’t want others to know.

Pei Muchan wasn’t worried about her sister knowing everything—she understood that Yuanxi trusted her to take care of her. Besides, if anything were to happen to Yuanxi, Pei Muchan wouldn’t be able to bear it alone.

Gu Qing didn’t consider the possibility that Pei Muchan already knew about the contract. After all, she had never received that kind of care or attention from any family before.

“Hey, what are you two talking about?” Pei Yuanxi came out of the meeting and patted Gu Qing on the shoulder.

Bai Zhou jumped in before Gu Qing could speak, “Oh, nothing much. Just getting to know each other. Yuanxi, I have to say, from now on, my focus will shift to Gu Qing.”

“Of course,” Pei Yuanxi responded, “Once Gu Qing wins Best Actress, I’ll personally introduce you to a nice guy and let you have a sweet romance.”

Bai Zhou rolled her eyes. “You’re making empty promises again, boss.”

Gu Qing, wide-eyed with curiosity, asked, “A Zhou, you haven’t had a relationship yet?”

Bai Zhou froze for a moment, then quickly recovered. “Busy as I am, who has time to find a good man?”

In her mind, she was thinking, Great, I almost slipped up!

Gu Qing nodded and didn’t ask more questions. Bai Zhou was relieved.

What Bai Zhou hadn’t anticipated was that the biggest challenge was about to come from where she least expected.

Pei Yuanxi waved her hand. “This doesn’t matter. A Qing, do you have a Weibo account?”

Gu Qing nodded, pulling out her phone to show Pei Yuanxi.

“I do.”

She had initially used Weibo to get close to Yuanxi’s fan base and gather information.

Pei Yuanxi took the phone and scrolled through Gu Qing’s account, not finding anything inappropriate, and handed it back to her. “Give the account to the studio to manage. You can still use it, of course.”

Pei Yuanxi paused, then added, “You don’t plan on hiding your identity after joining my studio, right?”

Gu Qing shook her head. “No, there’s not enough time.”

Pei Yuanxi understood. It wouldn’t be possible to win Best Actress within five years while hiding her identity. No matter how good her acting was, it wouldn’t work.

“Then after the studio announces your joining tonight, you should post about it on Weibo.”

“That’s all for now. We’ll discuss more when the teams have their plans ready. You can coordinate with Bai Zhou then.”

Gu Qing had been quietly listening, but couldn’t help but ask, “What about you, Yuanxi?”

Pei Yuanxi was momentarily stunned. What should I do next?

At this point, Bai Zhou piped in. “I have a suggestion.”

Seeing both of them turn their attention to her, Bai Zhou continued, “Yuanxi, you’ve just won Best Actress, and your popularity is at an all-time high. You should take on a new role.”

Pei Yuanxi furrowed her brows. “You mean, with A Qing?”

Bai Zhou nodded.

Pei Yuanxi gave Gu Qing a hesitant glance. “But isn’t that a bit risky?”

Bai Zhou smiled. “Don’t worry, everyone will just assume you’re helping a new talent.”

Even so, Pei Yuanxi was still hesitant. “Do you think it’s too much too soon?”

She didn’t mind supporting Gu Qing, but she feared that if they acted too quickly, Gu Qing might not be able to handle it in the set. Once the movie released, the inevitable comparisons between her and Yuanxi would be a huge challenge for Gu Qing.

Gu Qing smiled confidently. “Don’t worry, I can handle it.”

“I’ll be there with you in the set, won’t I?”

Pei Yuanxi nodded. “Alright then. Bai Zhou, please inform the group, and start looking for scripts.”

“What kind of scripts are you thinking of?”

Pei Yuanxi rubbed her chin, then a lightbulb seemed to go off in her head. “I have it! A strong, tragic character!”

“Gu Qing would be perfect for this style—make her suffer to the point where she becomes the ‘white moonlight’ in everyone’s heart.”

“Got it, I’ll get started right away.”

Bai Zhou left after exchanging a look with Gu Qing.

Gu Qing, suddenly feeling bold, said, “A Zhou, you’ve been calling me Gu Qing, but from now on, you can call me A Qing.”

Bai Zhou was moved to tears. She understands my efforts now!

Her mind was racing, What will happen if Pei Yuanxi finds out that I’m secretly helping Gu Qing win over her sister?

She was in a tight spot, but for now, she had no choice but to keep it all under wraps.

Meanwhile, Pei Yuanxi observed this exchange with interest, surprised that Gu Qing, the usually cold person, was now willing to let someone call her A Qing.

“A Qing, I didn’t ask earlier—where are you staying? Since you’ll be coming here often for lessons, if your place is too far, you can stay in the staff dormitory.”

Gu Qing nodded. “I’m renting a place, but it’s not much. I can move out anytime.”

Pei Yuanxi sighed. This little ice queen, it makes me feel sorry for her. Without thinking, she gently patted Gu Qing on the head.

Both of them froze for a moment.

Pei Yuanxi cleared her throat, trying to change the subject. “So, do you want to stay in the dormitory first, or move into your current place?”

Gu Qing paused for a moment before replying, “I’ll stay there for now. I’ll find a place nearby later.”

“Alright,” Pei Yuanxi said, “I’ve got a few things to handle, but we’ll go for dinner together later tonight.”

With that, she quickly ran off.

Gu Qing watched her leave with a slight smile. I didn’t say anything, and I’m not unwilling either.

She went to the restroom and looked at herself in the mirror. She was surprised by how happy she felt…