After Transmigrating into the Role of the Villain Forced to Pamper the Heroine of an Angsty Novel - Chapter 24

Gu Ruolan offered a very subtle smile: “My next project probably won’t be decided that quickly.”

Regardless of Meng Qiuran’s motive for buying out The Starlight is Like You, objectively, she had indeed helped resolve the immediate crisis. However, that didn’t mean Gu intended to continue participating in whatever new project Meng Qiuran chose to invest in next.

Meng Qiuran understood her meaning, but she didn’t intend to cooperate as she had during the previous two times.

“My next project… I want to continue working with you. I wonder if that’s possible?”

Being so direct caused the credibility of the industry rumors to skyrocket. They were saying that Meng Qiuran was going to throw money at Gu Ruolan—specifically, chasing her with bags of cash just to get her to pick a script to film.

Gu Ruolan tried her best to push those thoughts aside and focus on the person in front of her. She wanted to find the answer directly from Meng Qiuran rather than judging based on others’ gossip.

“Why… why must it be me?”

Meng Qiuran pursed her lips, looking quite helpless, though her face was sincere: “I just want to see you win Best Actress sooner.”

This was her true thought, but she suspected no one would believe her if she said it aloud.

Gu Ruolan was no longer as calm as before; she actually found it somewhat absurd: “Awards are things you encounter by luck; they aren’t guaranteed just because I film something. Besides, there are so many talented actresses out there. It doesn’t necessarily have to be me.”

She detested this kind of persistence laced with resource enticement, so she wanted to speak plainly before Meng Qiuran locked onto her further. She didn’t want to have a falling out with Meng Qiuran, but she wouldn’t make an exception for her either.

Meng Qiuran felt a bit frustrated and spoke bluntly: “Don’t tell me you don’t want to win Best Actress at Venice or Cannes? Don’t tell me you don’t want to achieve the Grand Slam?”

Gu Ruolan fell silent. She thought about it every waking moment. However, what she wanted was to rely on her own efforts to reach the peak step by step, not like this—exchanging other things for resources.

“I do want it.” She lowered her eyes for a moment but quickly looked back up, meeting Meng Qiuran’s gaze with honest integrity. “But I want to earn it cleanly and fairly.”

Meng Qiuran knew she had been misunderstood. But there was no helping it; her relationship with Meng Xiayan was a fact. No matter how she explained it, she lacked credibility.

She adjusted her tone to be strictly business-like: “For the sake of profit, I am investing my resources in the actor most likely to win an award. That shouldn’t be considered ‘unclean,’ right?”

Gu Ruolan considered this for a moment and slowly shook her head. It truly wasn’t, and it was a very logical way of thinking. In this day and age, bosses who only want to make money without seeking other “benefits” are rare.

Meng Qiuran curled her lips: “I have the most faith in you, so I choose to invest in you. I stepped in too late for the last film, so losing some money doesn’t matter. For the next one, I’ll fund the entire production; I won’t let the same problems occur.”

Gu Ruolan wasn’t just learning about her “spending money without blinking” image today; she had heard about Miss Meng’s extravagant watch-buying at the Jianian gala.

Seeing her stance soften slightly, Meng Qiuran added casually: “Don’t worry, I definitely don’t have any ‘other ideas’ about you.”

Gu Ruolan looked up and met her playful gaze. At this, it was actually Gu Ruolan who felt a bit embarrassed.

“I’ll also do my best to keep my brother away from you. My investment in you has absolutely nothing to do with him.”

Seeing her speak so bluntly saved Gu Ruolan from the usual rounds of indirect probing. “If I find a suitable script, I will discuss it with you.”

This was the most cautious reply Gu Ruolan could give. Meng Qiuran thought to herself that it was at least better than before; at least she had left an opening.

The two didn’t stay at the café for long. Yu Youqing called Gu Ruolan, saying there was a new job opportunity they needed to discuss at the office.

“If you’re busy, go ahead. I’ll eat a bit more.” Meng Qiuran dabbed the corner of her mouth, gesturing for her to leave first.

“Alright, let’s keep in touch.”

Gu Ruolan left in a hurry, leaving Sister Lin only enough time for a distant wave. Meng Qiuran wandered out leisurely and placed a table napkin on the cash register.

“Keep it. No need to thank me.”

Sister Lin looked closely and found it was Gu Ruolan’s autograph. It didn’t just say “thank you”; there was even a smiley face beneath the signature. She looked at the napkin like a treasure and folded it carefully. If it hadn’t been so thick, she might have tucked it right into the cash drawer.

“Thank you, Miss Meng!” Sister Lin was a straightforward person; she hadn’t intended to charge them anyway, but now she really hoped the two of them would come back.

Gu Ruolan went straight from the café to the company. President Xin was in a meeting with a producer from Penguin TV, and Yu Youqing was waiting for her at the elevator.

“Penguin TV is doing a variety show about a competition for newcomer actors. They want to invite you to be a mentor. We talked about it before, but the schedules clashed, so President Xin declined. Now that your schedule has cleared up, they’ve come back for you.”

“I don’t do variety shows.” This was Gu Ruolan’s long-standing principle; she believed actors should maintain a certain distance from the audience.

“I know, and President Xin knows too.” Yu Youqing led her inside. “It’s not as a permanent cast member. Just a guest appearance for one or two episodes as a special guest.”

They arrived at the conference room. Five or six people were inside—besides President Xin and her secretary, the rest were Penguin TV staff. A middle-aged woman with short, ash-grey hair turned around. Seeing Gu Ruolan, she broke into a wide smile and stood up to greet her: “Long time no see, Ruolan.”

This was the Director of Penguin TV’s Variety Department, Xiang Jing. She had worked under Jiang Sinian before going to Penguin TV, so Gu Ruolan was fairly familiar with her. After Jiang Sinian retired, his capable lieutenants jumped ship. Gu Ruolan focused on movies, and her contact with the variety-focused Xiang Jing had lessened.

Xin Qi used to have a good relationship with Jiang Sinian. When Gu Ruolan signed under her, it was partly at Jiang’s request for her to take extra care of the girl. In recent years, Jiang Sinian had stopped appearing in public and had shown no concern for Gu Ruolan, as if he had forgotten her entirely. Without Jiang Sinian’s invisible protection, Xin Qi had started adding “personal factors” into the contract renewal talks.

Xin Qi beckoned her: “Ruolan, come over.”

As soon as Gu Ruolan sat down, Xiang Jing had an assistant hand over a script/brief: “This is our major production for the year. We’ve wanted to invite you all along. Your schedule didn’t fit before, but since you’re free now, why not give it some serious consideration?”

Gu Ruolan flipped through it; it was a high-budget production. But having just suffered a loss, she didn’t dare accept a script easily, especially for a variety show format she had never done before. “I have to read the brief thoroughly before I can decide.”

Xiang Jing wasn’t surprised at all. She smiled at Xin Qi: “Didn’t I tell you? She’d definitely say that.”

向静 wasn’t a quiet person; she was the decisive, capable career-woman type, similar to Xin Qi. “The production team, the scale of publicity, and the station’s level of priority—you don’t have to worry about any of it. It’s all top-tier.”

The platform wasn’t stupid. Inviting her so grandly was a play on her Silver Glow Movie Queen title and the gimmick of her first variety appearance.

Xin Qi also persuaded her: “The script issue recently affected your reputation quite a bit. It’s not a good thing to have too long an idle period. Doing a variety show to establish a new image and maintain exposure is necessary.”

Gu Ruolan squeezed the cover of the brief: “Fine. I’ll give you an answer as soon as possible.”

After a hot bath at home, Gu Ruolan read through the materials carefully. She only needed to record two episodes as a special mentor, which wasn’t too difficult. What attracted her most was the promise that the mentors’ choices would be fully respected, ensuring no “backdoor deals” existed.

Variety shows had been very popular lately. Many artists appeared on them when they weren’t filming because it was quick, easy money. Gu Ruolan wasn’t interested in shows that used celebrities’ daily lives as a selling point, but she cared about programs that selected next-generation actors.

There were more and more “resource-backed” people being shoved into film crews. Some didn’t even have a basic foundation in acting yet played second or third lead roles. It was no wonder the public’s evaluation of films was declining. Truly talented new actors needed a stage to display themselves.

Gu Ruolan remembered the film where Jiang Sinian had ignored all objections and insisted on her as the female lead—the start of her stunning the public. Having been helped herself, she hoped to give newcomers a hand now that she had the ability, hoping that more people who genuinely loved acting would have a chance to shine.

She gave her answer the next day: she agreed to participate.

Xin Qi and Yu Youqing were both surprised it went so smoothly. Upon receiving the news, Xiang Jing immediately had the PR department prepare materials to start the promotion once the contract was signed.

Meng Qiuran saw the news of Gu Ruolan participating in the variety show online. This aligned with the plot of the original book. However, she couldn’t figure out why a variety show about acting would involve a “wardrobe malfunction.” She knew it wouldn’t be intentional on Gu Ruolan’s part, but no matter how she looked at it, she didn’t see where the opportunity for one would be.

When Yuan Yi came in to deliver documents, she saw her boss with her chin in her hand, tilting her head this way and that in front of a 28-inch monitor. As she reached the desk, she saw Gu Ruolan’s photo on the screen. She had seen the news too and had just been chatting about it in the fan group for a while.

She thought to herself: And you say you don’t like Gu Ruolan, yet you’re staring so intensely at her photo… But her boss liking the same star was better than her liking a rival, so Yuan Yi comforted herself with that.

“Do you think this variety show is ‘hanging a sheep’s head to sell dog meat’ (false advertising)?” Meng Qiuran looked at Yuan Yi suspiciously.

“For example?”

Meng Qiuran could only guess based on the vague plot of the book: “For example… suddenly making the mentors and contestants change into swimsuits for a runway walk?”

Yuan Yi was stunned, then burst out laughing: “Do you think this is Miss Hong Kong? There are no variety shows that tacky these days.”

“Good to hear.”

“If you’re interested in variety shows, you could consider investing.”

“You can invest in variety shows too?” Hadn’t the promotion already started?

“Just buy an ad. If you’re the biggest sponsor for the show, maybe you can even go to the set and direct things.”

Oh, I can go to the set. Then I can keep watch. That way, the possibility of a malfunction can be minimized.

“Go ask how much money it would take.”

Yuan Yi was dumbfounded. She had just said it casually, yet her boss was actually considering it without even blinking. “Even for celebrity chasing… you don’t have to be this extravagant… right?”

If she had that much money, she’d also be willing to throw it all at Gu Ruolan. For a moment, she couldn’t tell if she envied Meng Qiuran or Gu Ruolan more.

“Go ask. Now.”

After Yuan Yi left, Meng Qiuran leaned back and pinched the bridge of her nose. More money to spend. She had made a lot lately, but it was indeed hard work. She missed her old partner at Shengcheng, Lu Youyou, more than once. Yuan Yi was great, but she wasn’t professional enough to provide comprehensive assistance.

[This system knows how to give missions but won’t give any gear. So stingy.]

[Aha, I’m just a bit slow, not stingy.]

Meng Qiuran snapped her eyes open. The room was empty. She closed her eyes again. Could I be so tired that I’m hallucinating?

[It’s me. Not a hallucination. I only appear after you’ve successfully solved a trouble for Gu Ruolan.]

The system only appears after clearing a stage? What a nerve.

[Don’t complain about me! I can hear you!]

Meng Qiuran continued to pinch her nose. She stopped complaining; she couldn’t change anything anyway.

[I’m here to bring you some warmth. Aren’t you short an assistant? I’m telling you, Lu Youyou has transmigrated here too.]

Meng Qiuran’s eyes snapped wide. she almost bounced out of her chair.

[She is currently Lin Mengjia’s manager, but her memories haven’t recovered yet. You must wake her up using the way you two first met.]

The system vanished after dropping that info. Meng Qiuran immediately typed “Lin Mengjia” into her computer. Seeing the Wikipedia page, she punched the desk.

Lin Mengjia. Forty-five years old. A domestic Movie Queen and TV Queen who had won almost every award. A legend. Currently semi-retired; her last film was Far Dreams eight years ago. She checked for Lu Youyou. Sure enough—Lin Mengjia’s exclusive manager.

Yuan Yi was unmatched in gathering info. Three days later, she told Meng Qiuran how much the ad placement would cost.

“Three hundred million?” Meng Qiuran began to feel her previous understanding of the industry was too shallow. It was a golden circle where capital was active, but three hundred million for an ad was truly exaggerated.

“And there are eight slots; they can’t be merged.”

Meng Qiuran smiled: “What about the title sponsorship?”

“Five million.”

“Do you know who else invested?” Meng Qiuran began calculating how much she’d need to put in.

“Xie Yuzong already signed. The specific amount wasn’t disclosed, but I heard it’s sixty million.”

He moved fast…

“And Boss Meng also seems interested. I heard he sent his secretary to Penguin TV.”

Meng Qiuran became tense. If Xie Yuzong and her brother both invested, wouldn’t they be surrounding Gu Ruolan again?

“Contact Penguin TV. I want the title sponsorship, and I want to buy ads.”

Yuan Yi could clearly feel that she was spending money for Gu Ruolan’s sake. After all, this company—which was practically a shell company—had nothing to advertise. But spending money like this was a bit scary.

“Do you want to think about it again?”

Meng Qiuran didn’t hesitate: “I’ve thought about it. Do it.”

She grabbed her coat from the rack, preparing to head to the Meng Group. She couldn’t let her brother beat her to it.