After Transmigrating into the Role of the Villain Forced to Pamper the Heroine of an Angsty Novel - Chapter 17

Gu Ruolan couldn’t fathom what topic they could possibly have that required a private conversation. Last time, when Meng Qiuran visited the film set, Gu had assumed it was about those leaked photos, but based on what Meng Xiayan just said, it wasn’t really about that at all.

“Regarding the incident last time, there shouldn’t be any lingering issues.” Regardless of whether that was the reason for the visit, Gu Ruolan felt it necessary to formally state the outcome.

Meng Qiuran nodded indifferently, acknowledging the information. Her face showed no sign of joy or relief; her lack of concern made Gu Ruolan start to believe what Meng Xiayan had said.

She visited the set because of him.

At the time, Meng Qiuran’s arrival was abrupt, and Gu’s reception was hurried, so she hadn’t overthought it. No wonder she felt Meng Qiuran’s behavior was contradictory; this was why.

But why didn’t she state her true purpose?

Gu Ruolan thought of many things, but her face betrayed nothing. Regardless of how Meng Qiuran reacted, she maintained her poise.

Meng Qiuran glanced around. Gu Ruolan had been talking to Jianian executives, and their current spot was too conspicuous for the conversation she wanted to have. She tilted her head toward a corner on the right. “Let’s talk over there.”

Gu Ruolan frowned slightly. Is it really that important?

She followed Meng Qiuran. Once they settled, Meng Qiuran stopped beating around the bush. “Actually, I wanted to remind you to keep your distance from my brother as much as possible.”

Before Gu Ruolan could react, Meng Qiuran arched an eyebrow. “That man is incredibly fickle. He’s dated plenty of starlets; the honeymoon phase lasts a few months at most, then he drops them. Their shelf life is shorter than grocery store food.”

Gu Ruolan wasn’t blind to Meng Xiayan’s advances. Even before her official debut, while still at the film academy, she had plenty of wealthy second-generation heirs pursuing her. She usually handled such entanglements with the “cold treatment”—no response, no opportunity to get close.

However, seeing Meng Qiuran’s look of pure disgust while talking about her own brother was quite interesting. After leaving Qidu Mansion that night, Yu Youqing had told her various rumors about the Meng siblings.

The eldest son was a flamboyant big spender with a way with women; the daughter was pampered and rebellious, fond of arguing and contradicting others—and if provoked, she’d tear into someone without regard for appearances.

Comparing the two, the daughter seemed like the more difficult one to handle.

Gu Ruolan’s mind wandered until she realized Meng Qiuran was tilting her head, staring at her face. She snapped back to reality. Meng Qiuran didn’t know what she was thinking, but her warning wasn’t finished.

“He’s fickle, but he’s very generous—especially during the pursuit phase. He’ll give up anything.” Remembering Meng Xiayan’s mention of investing one or two hundred million, she took a deep breath. “If he says he’ll invest in a movie for you to be the lead, you can’t let yourself be tempted by the benefits and waver easily.”

Because she knew the plot, Meng Qiuran understood that Gu Ruolan’s upcoming career would be somewhat affected. Even with her own intervention, it might not be entirely avoidable. If Gu Ruolan got desperate enough to grab at a “lifeline,” anything was possible.

Because she was anxious, her warning sounded a bit harsh. Gu Ruolan’s face darkened, a flash of dissatisfaction in her heart.

She appreciated the reminder, but what was with that tone? She didn’t care what the siblings’ private dynamic was, but what right did Meng Qiuran have to assume she was someone who could be easily lured by profit?

Over the years, had there been a lack of “sugar daddies” wanting to invest in her? If she were someone who bowed easily or had a “soft waist,” why would her journey have been so difficult?

Protecting oneself in a quagmire is much harder than walking on dry land. Gu Ruolan never complained to others, but that didn’t mean she didn’t feel the bitterness or the grievance.

Looking at Meng Qiuran awaiting her reply, Gu Ruolan suppressed her surging emotions and said coldly, “Thank you for the reminder. I will be careful.”

Meng Qiuran squinted. Why did this woman’s mood change so fast? She was fine a moment ago, and now she was a walk-in freezer.

Did she want Meng Xiayan’s investment? The possibility was small, but a good production team had a lot of pull. One could only blame “money power” for being in Meng Xiayan’s hands.

Meng Qiuran cleared her throat. “What’s your next movie?”

Gu Ruolan shook her head. “I’m still choosing a script.”

She rarely jumped from set to set because getting into and out of a character took time. She was used to reviewing her performances and having periods of “input.” The Starlight is Like You was actually separated from her last award-winning work by nearly half a year.

“Then what kind of role do you want to play?”

Gu Ruolan hesitated, stealing another glance at Meng Qiuran. “I want to play challenging roles. Complex human nature, something multi-dimensional.”

Meng Qiuran thought to herself: Sister, can you be a bit more direct? So I can go find a script for you!

“Actually, I also want to…”

“Qiuran!” A soft, lingering voice made Meng Qiuran shudder.

Before she could turn around, she saw a flash of surprise in Gu Ruolan’s eyes. Then came the scent of Chanel perfume. Finally, a slender hand rested on her lower back.

“I’ve been busy until now; only just found the time to come find you.” The newcomer smiled at Meng Qiuran first, then turned to Gu Ruolan. “Do you two know each other?”

Meng Qiuran instinctively moved two steps aside, but the person’s hand didn’t seem to have the self-awareness to retract—though it didn’t chase her, either. The distance changed the gesture from an embrace into a polite “hook.”

Once she saw clearly who this tall beauty with pinned-up hair and pearl earrings was, Meng Qiuran closed her eyes.

Rosa, the Deputy PR Director for Jianian China. A genuine beauty, and one of the original host’s many “ambiguous interests.”

Meng Qiuran felt helpless regarding the mess the original host had left her. Since returning to the country, she couldn’t remember how many times she’d declined invitations from her circle of “bad friends.” But while bad friends are easy to dodge, “rotten peach blossoms” (unwanted romances) are hard to defend against.

The original host was different from her brother; she flirted everywhere but never broke the “window paper” of commitment, enjoying the thrill of ambiguity while refusing to take responsibility. Now, Meng Qiuran had to deal with this: an ambiguous partner suddenly popping up and clinging tight.

Gu Ruolan had encountered Rosa a few times due to work; they were acquaintances at most, but certainly not close enough for Rosa to wrap an arm around someone’s waist like that. Even with Meng Qiuran moving away, she could tell the two had a deep history.

Rosa was clearly here for Meng Qiuran; the greeting to Gu was just a formality. If she stayed here as a third wheel, Gu Ruolan would have wasted her years in the industry.

She gave a faint smile and said to Rosa, “We had dinner once, we aren’t particularly close.” Then, she took a shallow sip of her juice and said to both of them, “I won’t interrupt your catch-up. I’ll take my leave.”

Meng Qiuran wanted to ask her to stay, or just follow her out, but the perfume scent was getting closer. She had to deal with this one first.

“Qiuran, why haven’t you reached out to me lately?” The “big sister” type beauty actually looked a bit aggrieved.

Meng Qiuran’s brow twitched. She gave a stiff smile. “I’ve been very busy.”

“I heard you joined the Meng Group after coming back. Is it going well?”

“Your news is outdated. I’ve already resigned.”

Rosa was surprised but adjusted quickly. “Then aren’t you very free now?”

“No. I started my own company. I’m busier.”

Meng Qiuran’s gaze never landed on Rosa. She was either looking around or down at her drink, preferring to watch the liquid swirl in her glass than look at the woman’s face.

Strange. The glass was clearly full of wine, so why was Gu Ruolan’s face appearing before her eyes?

Meng Qiuran paused, instinctively looking up to find the owner of that face.

Gu Ruolan hadn’t actually gone far. She was the star of the night; people approached her wherever she went. Freed from Meng Qiuran, she was immediately invited over by Xie Yuzong. Fortunately, Yu Youqing was there too; talking with three people was much easier than dealing with him alone.

Yu Youqing blocked most of the fawning advances. Gu Ruolan took a gap to look back at Meng Qiuran. Seeing her chatting “happily” with Rosa, managing to make the other woman glow with just a few casual words, she looked very much in her element.

Fickle. Gu Ruolan suddenly remembered Meng Qiuran using that word to describe Meng Xiayan. Now it seemed the two siblings were neck-and-neck.

Gu Ruolan was also quite surprised; she hadn’t expected Miss Meng to like women. She thought of the script Director Lin wanted her to consider.

Xie Yuzong wasn’t as arrogant as he was at Qidu Mansion, but he wasn’t as friendly as Meng Xiayan either. Gu Ruolan’s irritation grew; she wanted to leave early. She suddenly felt that although Meng Qiuran’s nagging was annoying, it was much better than entertaining Xie Yuzong here.

When Xie Yuzong finally left and Gu Ruolan looked back at the spot, Meng Qiuran and Rosa were gone.

They went on a date. That was the conclusion Gu Ruolan reached.

She never cared for others’ private affairs and wouldn’t gossip even if she knew them, but tonight, she was paying a bit too much attention.

In the van back to the film set, Gu Ruolan remained silent as usual, staring out the window. Yu Youqing asked, “What did you talk about with Meng Xiayan and Meng Qiuran tonight?”

Gu Ruolan turned back and said flatly, “Meng Xiayan said he wants to invest in a movie.”

Yu Youqing nodded. Just like Xie Yuzong—they both wanted to use film resources to bait people. “And Meng Qiuran?”

Gu Ruolan’s hesitation was noticeably longer, and her expression was a bit different. Finally, she pursed her lips. “She asked what kind of role I want to play in my next movie.”

Yu Youqing laughed. “Is she interested in film investment too? Or…” she paused, “was she asking on behalf of her brother?”

Gu Ruolan couldn’t tell. Logically, it fit, but her gut said otherwise. She felt Meng Qiuran was intentionally pushing her away from Meng Xiayan—as far away as possible.

“I don’t know what her thoughts are.”

She really didn’t know. Every time she interacted with Meng Qiuran, she felt a sense of both unfamiliarity and freshness.

Yu Youqing seemed to remember something and said with a half-smile, “Maybe the siblings are feuding and using you as a bargaining chip.”

Gu Ruolan was confused but clearly wanted to hear more.

“Didn’t Meng Qiuran resign from the Meng Group to go solo? Word is she was kicked out by Meng Xiayan.”

Gu Ruolan knew she had left, but she didn’t know that was the reason. If that was the case, it made sense for Meng Qiuran to target her brother.

But why use her as the chip?