After Transmigrating into the Role of the Villain Forced to Pamper the Heroine of an Angsty Novel - Chapter 15

Gu Ruolan’s ability to win so many Best Actress awards was due to her innate talent, but naturally, it was also inseparable from the foundational skills she accumulated daily. From the day she first touched acting, she had developed the habit of observing people meticulously.

Observation wasn’t enough; whenever she was free, she liked to ponder a character from multiple perspectives. Language, demeanor, and movement—nothing was overlooked. Over time, these became her creative database and her second nature.

But today, as she stood by the window recalling everything about Meng Qiuran, she could only reach a contradictory conclusion.

She occasionally felt bits of care and kindness from the woman, but she couldn’t deny that some of Meng Qiuran’s actions made her uncomfortable. Moreover, she found it hard to believe the woman’s rhetoric.

Gu Ruolan wasn’t deaf to the olive branch Meng Qiuran had extended earlier, but she couldn’t trust it, nor did she want to.

Xiao Yan finished her tasks and walked up behind Gu Ruolan, hesitating over whether to interrupt. Sister Lan loved to look out the window when she was thinking, and she hated being disturbed. However, this was about tomorrow’s shoot; if she said it too late, it might cause trouble.

“Sister Lan, when you were seeing Miss Meng out just now, Director Hu sent word for you to head over at 7:00 AM tomorrow.”

Director Hu was the assistant director in charge of scheduling; he was usually the one to relay changes in the filming arrangements.

Gu Ruolan turned around, her face unreadable. “Why moved up two hours?”

“Apparently, Yu Yimeng is feeling unwell, so her scenes are moved to the afternoon.”

Gu Ruolan nodded. Such occurrences were not rare.

Seeing that her expression had returned to normal, Xiao Yan curiously piped up: “Sister Lan, are you very close with Miss Meng? She came all the way here to talk about a collaboration in person.”

Gu Ruolan paused, then shook her head. “Not close.”

They had only met once when she helped Gu out of a predicament, and once when she disrupted a siege at a dinner party. Gu wasn’t sure if they were even.

Meng Qiuran returned to the company directly from the studio. There was some traffic on the way, so by the time she reached her office, the meeting was almost over.

Hearing she was back, Yuan Yi didn’t even wait to organize her files; she grabbed her small notebook and knocked on the door.

“Group Lead, I’ve noted down all the key points. Do you want to take a look?”

Meng Qiuran glanced at the notebook, which was filled to the brim. “No rush. Give it to me tomorrow.”

Yuan Yi tucked the notebook back, preparing to head out and work a bit of overtime to get the minutes organized.

“Wait.”

Yuan Yi turned back to see Meng Qiuran pull a notebook from her bag. It looked brand new.

“I said I’d bring you something good.”

Yuan Yi blinked. “Didn’t you say tomorrow?” But the anticipation in her eyes was nearly overflowing.

Meng Qiuran curled her lips and handed it over. “I got back early, so I’m giving it to you early.”

Yuan Yi was stunned to see it was a notebook. It was exquisite, certainly more expensive than standard office supplies, but… did this really qualify as “something good” that needed special emphasis?

Still, she couldn’t tell Meng Qiuran she didn’t need the thing. She took it with both hands and smiled. “Thank you, Group Lead.”

“Open it and see.”

Yuan Yi joked, “Did you tuck some cash inside?”

As the words left her mouth, she saw the page, and her entire being froze. She couldn’t say a word, her lips trembling. Her hands began to shake as she gripped the notebook tightly, terrified of dropping it.

“A fresh, personal autograph. Do you like it?”

Yuan Yi’s eyes didn’t leave the writing for a second. She was beyond excited. “I love it! I absolutely love it!”

She felt incredibly lucky. She had gotten Gu Ruolan’s autograph before, but that was just joining a crowd where she only got the name “Gu Ruolan.” Today was different; there was the signature, plus words written specifically for her. This was hers alone; even just looking at the text made her feel like she was face-to-face with her idol.

Yuan Yi carefully closed the notebook, rounded the desk, and gave Meng Qiuran a big hug.

This startled Meng Qiuran; she hadn’t expected Yuan Yi to have such a passionate side. On second thought, it was her idol’s autograph; it would be weirder if she wasn’t excited.

“You’re going to choke me to death.” Meng Qiuran let her hug for a moment, but the grip was getting surprisingly strong.

Yuan Yi snapped out of it and quickly let go, her face flushed bright red. “I’m sorry, Group Lead, I’m just too happy.”

Just then, someone knocked to deliver a file. The person walked in to see Yuan Yi’s face flushed red, looking shyly at Meng Qiuran, while the Group Lead was straightening her slightly disheveled clothes.

It was a scene that easily triggered certain associations, but no one was stupid enough to ask about it.

After signing the file, Meng Qiuran checked the time. “Go ahead and clock out. You can save the rest of your excitement for when you get home.”

“Group Lead, let me treat you to dinner tonight.” The look in Yuan Yi’s eyes suggested that if Meng didn’t agree, she would ask every single day.

The two chose a small, elegant bistro. Yuan Yi acted as if she had been injected with adrenaline. Meng Qiuran gave her a general summary of her visit to the studio, which made Yuan Yi incredibly envious.

“I really want to be your secretary—the personal kind,” Yuan Yi muttered.

Meng Qiuran looked at her, amused. “For what?”

“So I can go along on set visits.”

Meng Qiuran didn’t answer directly, shifting the topic back to Gu Ruolan. “She’s very thin, and she seems quite sensitive to the cold.” She mentioned the down vest.

Yuan Yi explained: “Actors maintain their figures strictly for the camera. She works out regularly; she’s actually very healthy. As for the down vest, that’s not being afraid of the cold—it’s to prevent accidents.”

“Accidents?”

“She’s filming. If she gets a cold or gets sick due to negligence, it affects the entire production schedule. She’s very disciplined; she wouldn’t allow herself to drag everyone down.”

Meng Qiuran hadn’t known that, but since Yuan Yi didn’t seem to be making up excuses, she believed it.

“Actors are all different. Look at that Xu Anying—she’s the opposite. Taking a week’s leave right when filming starts… she’s got some nerve.”

Meng Qiuran had just met that woman today and indeed had a poor impression of her. “You’ve researched her too?”

“I have no interest in her, but she’s co-starring with Gu Ruolan in this movie.” Yuan Yi sighed. “She insisted on getting a thread lift (cosmetic procedure). Does she think a few ‘micro-adjustments’ will let her win against Gu Ruolan?” She pouted and shook her head with disdain, her protective instinct for her idol on full display.

So she got a thread lift, Meng Qiuran thought. No wonder she didn’t recognize her at first.

Throughout dinner, Yuan Yi barely touched her chopsticks, non-stop educating Meng Qiuran on trivia about Gu Ruolan’s filming habits like a seasoned superfan.

An earlier thought resurfaced, and this time Meng Qiuran decided to strike: “If I were to start my own company, would you follow me?”

Yuan Yi was stunned. “Group Lead, you’re going solo?”

Meng Qiuran acted bored. “The company is a bit stifling; I want to do something I’m actually interested in.”

“Then take me with you.”

“I haven’t even said what I’m going to do, and you’ve already decided to follow?”

Yuan Yi admitted: “I’m bored at the company too. Every day is just file after file.” She touched her bag, containing her precious gift. “You’ve successfully bribed me with that autograph.”

Meng Qiuran still didn’t say what she planned to do, but she had tested Yuan Yi’s attitude.

After going home, she read the draft of the meeting minutes Yuan Yi had sent and confirmed her previous suspicion.

Meng Xiayan’s sudden request for her to visit the set wasn’t just about Gu Ruolan. He wanted to get her out of the way so she wouldn’t attend the afternoon meeting.

Today’s meeting approved several investment plans, including the ones she had explicitly opposed. With only minor modifications that didn’t change the core logic, they were passed anyway.

The next day at breakfast, Meng Xiayan asked about the set visit. Meng Qiuran gave a few key replies.

“As long as she wasn’t affected, that’s good.” Meng Xiayan nodded with satisfaction, seemingly relieved.

Meng Qiuran intentionally brought up the investment meeting. “Brother, I didn’t attend yesterday’s meeting. A few of those projects aren’t great; can we pull them back?”

“There are many experienced people in the investment department. If they think it’s feasible, it must have been carefully evaluated.”

“And if I insist on opposing them?”

Meng Xiayan set down his bowl and looked at his sister. Meng Qiuran tilted her head, refusing to back down.

He sighed. “Qiuran, how about I give you a sum of money? You can start a small company to play with, or make some investments you actually like. What do you think?”

This was exactly the effect Meng Qiuran wanted. She didn’t want to stay in that boring, rigid department for another day, but she needed startup capital. And here it was, her brother offering it on a silver platter.

“Sure. How much are you giving me?”

Meng Xiayan considered it. “Fifty million, in two installments.”

“Deal.” Meng Qiuran stood up to go upstairs and change. “I’ll submit my resignation today.