Chapter 50: Little Sister-in-law

“The original fans really have to kneel and kowtow to Yun Fu. She truly brought Qian Xuan to life, just as I imagined her!”
“Waaah, the original fans are crying. I always thought no one could portray my Qian Xuan, but who would have thought... Yun Fu, you’re my hero!”
“That gaze, that fight scene—can this really be happening?”
“Yun Fu is only nineteen this year, right? How did she manage it? Can such a young actor really convey that look?”
“I’ve watched her previous dramas. Yun Fu, where did you take an acting crash course? Please let the other actors attend as well.”
After Yunlang Media, all the major outlets that visited the set released their videos one after another.
Every clip featuring Ning Lan was edited out—no need to guess who was behind it; it was obviously Liu Jue’s handiwork.
Her scenes with Fu Shiqian should have been eye-catching, as both had improved their acting skills considerably.
But with Yun Fu shining so brightly, they simply faded into the background.
Of all the media’s set visit videos, Yun Fu’s segments took up seventy percent.
She was just too dazzling.
Even though it was the same few scenes over and over, viewers couldn’t resist clicking and watching them again and again.
Just these videos alone earned Yun Fu a wave of new fans.
It wasn’t quite overnight stardom, but it was at least a remarkable debut.
It was easy to imagine that, when the show aired, if she maintained this level of performance, her role would make her a star.
Qiao An had received a flood of offers these past few days, including several endorsements, but most were declined by Yun Fu.
She herself found them unsuitable for Yun Fu, so she let Yun Fu make her own choices.

—

On the hotel bed, Ning Lan lay breathless in Liu Jue’s arms after their recent exertion.
Her fingers traced his body flirtatiously as she coquettishly asked, “Brother Liu, what about the matter I mentioned to you before?”
Liu Jue leaned back, smoking, his body now heavy with age and indulgence.
Ning Lan suppressed her disgust, feigning adoration.
She pleased him immensely.
“Don’t worry. The company happens to have a movie coming up and a few ads. I’ll have someone arrange them for you.”
“A movie!” Ning Lan’s eyes lit up, sitting upright in a flash.
She had completely severed ties with Xingchen Company; the only reason she hadn’t terminated her contract was because Du Xingyuan feared the scandal and embarrassment. Her contract was about to expire, so they simply left her hanging.

He thought this meant her prospects were finished? Hah, now she had a film offer—once the box office soared, what would Yun Fu amount to?
Ning Lan sprawled across Liu Jue, genuinely smiling as she leaned in for a kiss. “Brother Liu, you’re so good to me.”
They tumbled together once more.
Meanwhile, Yun Fu continued as always, filming on set every day, returning to the hotel where Lian Hanqi’s people delivered her meals.
Once, Qiao An stayed behind, assuming Yun Fu was eating food from the crew, only to discover it was from Guest House.
“This…”
Yun Fu calmly handed her a portion, opening her own lunchbox as she said, “Lian Hanqi had it sent over.”
Qiao An stared at the exquisite lunchbox, momentarily lost for words.
This meal alone was worth a month’s wages for most people, and Yun Fu ate it every day—surely equivalent to her drama salary.
Seeing Qiao An hesitate, Yun Fu told her, “It tastes pretty good. You should try it.”
Ancestor, this wasn’t just ‘pretty good’; this was Guest House. For someone like Qiao An, it was a once-in-a-lifetime meal.
But watching Yun Fu eat it as casually as any boxed lunch, Qiao An suddenly felt it wasn’t such a big deal.
“By the way, a watch company contacted me for an ad recently. It’s a well-known brand, though a niche one from Country Y, but the reputation is decent. Do you want to take it?”
Yun Fu chewed her food and played her game, replying in passing, “You decide.”
Despite the previous rejections of food ads, this was clearly an approval.
“Alright, I’ll arrange it.”
After they finished eating, Qiao An tidied up and left.
Before leaving, she saw Yun Fu curled up on the sofa again, phone in hand, game sounds filling the room.
She sighed helplessly.
Eating and gaming every day—thank goodness for youth, or she’d be gaining weight.
She didn’t know Yun Fu exercised daily, enough to balance out her meals.
“The director said you have half a day off tomorrow. Rest well. If you go out, wear a mask, avoid crowds, and call me if anything happens…”
Like a parent, Qiao An gave a long list of instructions before finally leaving.
As soon as she left, Yun Fu received a message from Gu Zhishu.
It was a voice note.
“Little sister-in-law, are you free tomorrow? Let’s hang out.”
The next second, it was recalled.

But Yun Fu had already listened.
Then he sent another, “Yun Fu, are you free tomorrow? Want to hang out?”
Yun Fu: “…”
She tapped a single word: “Yes.”
“That’s great! We’ll come find you tomorrow.”
“We?”
“Yes, my brother, and Qin Yi.”
“Oh.”
Elsewhere, Gu Zhishu was sprawled on Lian Hanqi’s office sofa, tapping at his phone, complaining,
“Brother, little sister-in-law said she’s free. You must’ve known, right? Otherwise, how is it such a coincidence—you ask me to invite her the moment she gets a day off.”
“Brother, little sister-in-law is so indifferent. She didn’t react at all to you coming along. No chance for you.”
His words were cut short under Lian Hanqi’s gaze, then he quickly amended,
“Oh, women always say the opposite of what they mean. Little sister-in-law is probably thrilled to go out with you.”
Watching his cousin’s softening expression, Gu Zhishu couldn’t help but mutter inwardly: Ha, men—never afraid of their own wishful thinking.
After Gu Zhishu’s message, Yun Fu also received one from Lian Hanqi.
“Do you like CS?”
Yun Fu was about to send a question mark when she glanced down at her phone, still open on her game screen.
For this video, she’d switched to a strategy competition mobile game.
Realizing something, her expression shifted; she spun her fingers across the keyboard and replied, “It’s alright.”
“Then tomorrow I’ll take you out. Rest well tonight.”
“Mm.”
“I’ll pick you up at the hotel tomorrow at nine. No need to come down.”
“Mm.”
Yun Fu frowned and added, “Go to bed early.”