Chapter Eighty: Dragon Island

The story "Miss Y's Transformation" features the popular actress Rong Qing, whose involvement guarantees the success of this low-budget film. Playing the male lead, Qin Han, is the rising star Li Junming from Prosper Entertainment.

The entire film tells the story of Yang Qingqing, a university student from the countryside. Unremarkable in appearance and rigidly conservative in character, she has been shunned by relatives and friends since childhood, deepening her misery. Her timidity and inferiority make her vulnerable to unfair treatment, and she expects her life will never change. Disaster strikes when her honest, hardworking parents die in a car accident while visiting her. Even the boy she secretly admires shows contempt and disdain behind her back, leaving her utterly alone. Her world collapses; a three-day fever nearly claims her life. Yet, miraculously, she is reborn. The once ugly girl’s dark eyes now shine with the light of resilience. Overnight, the timid, cowardly girl transforms; the old Yang Qingqing is dead, and her fate now rests in her own hands.

From then on, with no tuition and no family support, Yang Qingqing resolutely drops out of school. Armed with the meager savings she possesses, she embarks on an entrepreneurial journey. She has washed dishes, scrubbed toilets, handled marketing, and even drank herself sick to win clients. From humble beginnings, she builds her own company. The fruits of her labor are hard-won; through contact with society and constant self-renewal, she achieves rebirth.

Yang Qingqing, once plain and unremarkable, gradually reveals her charm and brilliance. When the clouds part and the sun shines, the ugly duckling becomes a swan, and in her struggle she also finds true love.

Rong Qing’s portrayal of Ling Fei is pure and flawless, but in "Miss Y's Transformation," she captures Yang Qingqing’s essence with remarkable depth. The character, meant to be proud and beautiful, bows her head during the audition, like an unnoticed ugly duckling floating on mud.

Fang Ziqing, a rising director, watches Yang Qingqing’s genuine and moving performance on screen. Rong Qing once again challenges his perceptions and his recognition of acting talent. Such an extraordinary actor should not be confined to his film; she deserves a grander, more distinguished stage—she should step onto the world stage.

“Cut! Rong Qing, come rest for a while,” Fang Ziqing says gently, handing her a prepared bottle of mineral water. All morning, Rong Qing has completed her tasks with exceptional quality and speed, and, as a star, she is neither arrogant nor impatient, treating others with warmth—a trait that pleases him greatly.

Rong Qing sits in the director’s tent, watching another scene play out. The actors’ weak dialogue and lackluster acting cause both Fang Ziqing and Rong Qing to frown. “Stop! Yu Lin, come here!”

Though Fang Ziqing is gentle by nature, that does not mean he cannot lose his temper. Often, those with softer personalities are more authoritative when angry. Fang Ziqing’s face turns stern, his usually warm eyes now cold and sharp, as if gathering strength for a heavy blow.

“The Liu Yanqing in my mind is not you,” he says bluntly, causing the young actor’s expression to falter. Acting skill is an actor’s foundation; if their proudest talent is denied, it is a source of humiliation and pain.

Yu Lin, with his decent looks and medium build, stands pale-faced, gripping his pant leg anxiously. Originally an unknown newcomer, being noticed by the director is his honor. He never expected his first role would bring such embarrassment; the boy, barely in his twenties, feels deep shame.

Rong Qing looks at the nervous young man and sighs inwardly. She is, after all, his senior. Every actor must endure this process at the start of their career: being scolded by directors, gradual improvement and learning, until finally achieving mastery. She herself has been harshly reprimanded, even brought to tears. It is a necessary lesson for actors, but seeing her junior’s reddened eyes and shame-filled face, her heart softens.

“Director Fang, if you trust me, let me guide him for a few days,” Rong Qing suggests.

Fang Ziqing’s cold expression warms at her words. The crew is astonished; it is unprecedented for a star to humble herself and mentor a newcomer. The young man, previously dumbfounded by his luck, looks around with innocent eyes—was that really meant for him?

Fang Ziqing’s face softens, his smile gentle as spring breeze. “That would be perfect.” Turning to the boy he had scolded, he speaks with rare kindness: “Learn well from Rong Qing; you will benefit for a lifetime.”

“Okay!” the inexperienced boy answers quietly, unable to hide his excitement.

Rong Qing retrieves a bottle of warm water and a towel from her van and hands them to Yu Lin. The previously dejected boy now follows her like a shadow. Yu Lin has a good appearance, but in the crowded entertainment industry, he could easily be overlooked. He is competent in playing positive roles, exuding youthful energy, but when auditioning for spoiled rich boy characters, he lacks the arrogance and sharpness needed, making his portrayal weak and uninspired.

Sitting casually in her chair, she chats with him about the plot. “What kind of person is Liu Yanqing in your mind?” Liu Yanqing’s appearance is the catalyst for the entire drama. Every woman dreams of a gentle, kind prince; Yang Qingqing admires him for his gentle demeanor and for helping her in times of trouble. But when the grateful senior becomes the architect of her downfall, using the harshest words to expose her, he becomes a gentle yet cruel, hypocritical man.

Yu Lin scratches his head, embarrassed. “Um…cold, harsh, ruthless…”

“You don’t like him,” Rong Qing states.

“Of course, a man without responsibility who bullies the weak—who would respect him?” The last sentence is muttered quietly, full of frustration.

Rong Qing’s eyes flash with a stern, icy light as she says, almost harshly, “As an actor, whether you like or dislike the character, you must become him! If you can’t do even that, you’re not suited for this path.”

“What you need to do is not judge how bad he is, but immerse yourself—you are Liu Yanqing.” This is her first lesson: if he brings his own emotions into acting, he will never grow.

She expected resistance or disappointment, but Yu Lin’s response pleases her. Recognizing his shortcomings, he offers no excuses, instead silently reflecting; his young face alternates between frowning and frustration, making Rong Qing reluctant to criticize further.

“I understand. Sister Qing, I’ll go study the script carefully,” he replies cheerfully.

Soon, Yu Lin’s acting markedly improves; he is no longer just weak, but now carries an air of menace masked by false tenderness. Though not fully satisfying the director, he is finally integrating into the role of Liu Yanqing.

Rong Qing watches Yu Lin’s rapid progress. Sometimes, all it takes to succeed is a guiding hand; his future is limitless.

With Zhu Xi joining the Wu and Li family camps, the promotion of Shengshi Homeland Real Estate gains a powerful boost. Zhu Xi’s endorsements air on the national radio, and she continually praises Shengshi Homeland during her hosting segments.

“Chief Director, she’s out of control. The national radio forbids commercial advertisements.” As the leading hostess, Zhu Xi often overshadows others. She is a veteran at the station, but to be surpassed by a newcomer has long irked Fan Sisi. As expected, the chief director’s brow furrows. If not for Zhu Xi’s powerful connections, she would never have been allowed to claim the spotlight. Rumors are circulating in high society of her being blacklisted, and the chief director is considering replacing her in the prime-time slot.

Zhu Xi, still smiling, leaves the recording site, only to be stopped by the chief director. “Zhu Xi, there are a lot of programs today. Your ‘Stellar Journey’ will air in the afternoon slot.”

Her arrogant expression shifts instantly; she cannot believe he would dare to replace her. Does he not know she has powerful backing? Yet the chief director’s word is law, and no matter how domineering she is, she cannot disrespect him.

“I understand!” Zhu Xi glares bitterly at Fan Sisi. An old woman nearing forty is still fighting for position—just wait until I bring you down.

Huo Real Estate is steadily constructing the most luxurious properties in the latest district of X City. A series of classic-style buildings surround ‘Dragon Island,’ divided into five exclusive zones, occupying the city’s most prestigious locations. Over three billion has been invested in this project alone. The four luxury zones are like islands, surrounded by trees and separated by river water. The architecture adopts traditional courtyard designs, each with spacious verandas and pavilions, forming a picture of historic mansions. Every house is roofed with glazed tiles, red bricks and green trees symbolizing the pinnacle of luxury in X City. Designed by renowned local architects, the outer four islands are linked by broad bridges, leading ultimately to the central ‘Dragon Residence.’ The design echoes Jiangnan gardens, and the palace-like buildings at the heart of the lake are their crowning glory. Rare flowers and trees from around the world line the island, and even the lake’s polished pebbles are painstakingly crafted. Summer brings cool breezes, making the island a true summer retreat; in winter, underground heating fills the island with warmth.

Huo Real Estate’s grand launch, without any advertising, instantly attracts X City’s wealthy elite. Owning a home on Dragon Island is a status symbol. The massive scale of Dragon Island’s development dominates headlines as a landmark news story.

Such a vast enterprise cannot be completed by Huo Real Estate alone; X City’s family clans are eager to see if Huo will falter under the weight of such a colossal undertaking.

－－－－－－Side note－－－－－－

Dear readers, thank you for your continued support… Lanlan always struggles with the small chapter titles…