Chapter 49

Wen Jiu sent the photos to Chu Wen for help checking.
Fortunately, it wasn’t the middle of the night; Chu Wen hadn’t slept yet.
Wen Jiu: Can you check if these photos are edited?
Chu Wen: Not edited, not photoshopped. Original photos.
Wen Jiu instantly felt a tingle in her head, as if her brain was expanding.
She made an international call to Song Qin. “Song Qin, were Su Yaoyao and Xie Junyu exes?”
Su Yaoyao was right next door; she could have asked her directly. But Wen Jiu didn’t know if there were any painful memories involved, so she didn’t dare go over.
After all, the author was there, asking the author was the same.
Song Qin was silent.
Wen Jiu shouted at the phone: “Don’t stay silent! This call is expensive!”
Song Qin: “......”
Song Qin: “The call cost matters that much?!”
Wen Jiu: “Eight yuan per minute.”
Song Qin took a deep breath. “Long story short, Su Yaoyao and Xie Junyu were each other’s first loves. They dated in high school. Su Yaoyao went to Nancheng for a competition, met Xie Junyu, and he pursued her.”
“When Su Yaoyao returned, Su Yan noticed her relationship and unilaterally cut off Xie Junyu’s contact, warning him: Su Yaoyao is a flower in a greenhouse; he’s not good enough.”
“From Xie Junyu’s perspective, he was belittled by a younger girl and received a photo of Su Yaoyao at a Haicheng mansion. He thought Su Yaoyao was gold-digging, because during their relationship, she had said she came from a normal family. Su Yan also didn’t say they were siblings.”
“From Su Yaoyao’s perspective, her attentive boyfriend suddenly ignored her; calls and messages went unanswered. She was never proactive, she swallowed her pain and frustration. So her imperfect first love ended abruptly, without closure.”
Wen Jiu: “Then what’s the point of writing this character?”
Song Qin naturally replied, “Xie Junyu’s return adds another battle to Su Yaoyao’s shura field! Imagine her first love coming back with misunderstandings about her being gold-digging, it’s super dramatic.”
This time, Wen Jiu was the one silent.
Although she didn’t want to admit it, back in college, she had been shallow enough to enjoy shura-field literature. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have appeared in this novel.
Still, Xie Junyu’s presence wasn’t major, she didn’t even remember reading about his interactions with Su Yaoyao in the book.
“Fine.” Hanging up, Wen Jiu still didn’t plan to find Su Yaoyao.
She directly messaged Xie Junyu on WeChat.
Xie Junyu, who had received her 100,000 yuan transfer, replied instantly.
Xie Junyu: Sis! I’m here. Little Xie, always online and standing by, awaiting orders.
Wen Jiu: ......
She couldn’t imagine what Su Yaoyao liked about Xie Junyu back then, his husky-like personality? Or maybe she was just fooled by his refined, gentlemanly face at a young age.
Wen Jiu: Have you seen the trending topic?
Xie Junyu: Trending? I got slandered?! Who paid for this?! Aaaah,
Wen Jiu’s brow twitched.
She quickly returned to Weibo. The first post she saw was from Xie Junyu.
Xie Junyu V: What dream girl or dream trio nonsense? Su Yaoyao was my first love. She’s not gold-digging or vain. When we were together, we were just students focused on studying. We broke up due to real-life reasons, college entrance exams, that’s all!!!
He even attached their exam scores.
Wen Jiu remembered the young lady saying Su Yaoyao had skipped grades. A normal person might graduate college at 22 and finish a master’s at 25. Su Yaoyao, however, was already almost a year past graduation at 22.
She had skipped 3–4 grades, equivalent to jumping an entire middle or high school.
Wen Jiu opened the comments and indeed saw Xie Junyu’s reply.
Comment from Xie Junyu V: “You really want the truth? I was 18, she was only 14. We were both in high school; who would have thought she wasn’t even 16 yet! That’s why we broke up, end of story, sob sob.”
Immediately after his comment, many fans rushed in to reply.
[Didn’t expect our brother to go all “sob sob”, character ruined, bro.]
[Brother, you’re surprisingly law-abiding…]
[Saw the transcript, Su Yaoyao’s grades are truly unparalleled. Totally understandable she was in 10th grade at 14.]
Originally, Wen Jiu thought that once Xie Junyu spoke up, it would spark a fan war online. Unexpectedly, things calmed down.
The “Passerby” wouldn’t give up just because of one Weibo post.
Wen Jiu felt like she was missing something and opened the original #SuYaoyaoXieJunyu# post.
The nine photos were still pinned at the top, but the comments below had changed completely. Discussion had shifted from whether Su Yan’s criticism of Su Yaoyao being Xie Junyu’s dream girl to “beauty is justice.”
[Su Yaoyao looks like this?! If I looked like her, I’d strut around. My boyfriend would change daily to match my looks. Who’d want to be a celebrity’s dream girl anyway?]
[Not kidding, with Su Yaoyao’s looks, I’d happily spend money in the entertainment industry for her. I’d lick her boots daily, be the first at every airport and offline event.]
[With her looks, she could totally pull off the “beautiful author” persona. Even after being dragged online three times, she’s still writing, she truly loves words. I’m officially converting to a fan.]
[I never insulted Su Yaoyao. I’ve claimed this face. Next life, let me experience it first.]
[Me first! Me first!]
Wen Jiu: ?
She hadn’t expected the fastest way to strike back would be for Su Yaoyao to reveal her face.
When she’d hurriedly sent the photos to Chu Wen earlier, she hadn’t properly opened them for a close look. After all, being so familiar with Su Yaoyao, sharing meals and living together, at first glance, nothing seemed remarkable.
Now seeing the comments, everything was harmonious. The massive crowd of “passersby” had washed away all the “dream girl” rhetoric, each distorted argument perfectly countered, effectively turning all the online negativity into whitewashed space.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Wen Jiu opened the photos.
The shots were taken from a third-party angle, crooked, slightly blurry, but Su Yaoyao and Xie Junyu’s faces reflected the light like studio work, becoming the most stunning presence in the dim, old background.
18-year-old Xie Junyu looked like a young man folded from paper under March peach blossoms, eyes clear and posture graceful. Compared with his current cool, sharp gentleman face, he was even more captivating.
Even Wen Jiu, who disliked his husky-like personality, couldn’t deny from the photos that he perfectly fit the gentle male second lead image. If she felt this way, imagine the passersby and fans.
Su Yaoyao had always been beautiful. Her tiny face held large, delicate features, sculpted as if Nüwa herself had painstakingly crafted them.
14-year-old Su Yaoyao was timid and soft, peach-blossom eyes brimming with shimmering autumn waters, a flower of icy elegance. These two extremes in her personality blended seamlessly. If one hadn’t seen it firsthand, it would be hard to believe such a person truly existed.
Moreover, Su Yaoyao’s aura was enchanting, like a forest sprite born from nature itself.
Wen Jiu had marveled at Su Yaoyao’s beauty the first time she met her, but seeing 14-year-old Su Yaoyao left her stunned again.
A true novel heroine-level beauty!
Wen Jiu was scrolling so much she almost forgot her task, but Su Yaoyao herself came over, making Wen Jiu realize she was supposed to present evidence to refute the dream girl controversy.
“Jiujiu, netizens are wrong. My male lead isn’t like Xie Junyu.”
Su Yaoyao squeezed onto Wen Jiu’s bed, left hand on her tablet, right hand on her laptop, pitiful and aggrieved, like a wide-eyed ragdoll cat with tears brimming in her eyes.
Wen Jiu instantly felt a wave of affection.
“I know, Xie Junyu’s personality is chaotic like a husky destroying everything, not your aloof and consistent male lead.”
Su Yaoyao: “Should I release all my drafts? Then everyone would stop talking after reading them.”
“Netizens don’t know Xie Junyu’s true personality, they only believe what they see. Keep updating slowly. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
“Actually, Jiujiu, you just need to trust me. The rest doesn’t matter.” Receiving affirmation, Su Yaoyao’s eyes lit up; the tears in them shimmered beautifully, indescribably enchanting.
She obediently got off Wen Jiu’s bed, climbed onto a chair, set her laptop, and adjusted her mindset to write the final chapter.
Watching her busy back, Wen Jiu turned to message Xie Junyu.
Wen Jiu-Xie Junyu: The tide has turned, but the fundamental problem isn’t solved. We both know Su Yaoyao’s male lead is at most inspired by your face, nothing else resembles you.
Xie Junyu: ... I didn’t know she wrote this book. I haven’t read it yet. I’ll go check now.
Xie Junyu: So what? Should I join a reality show to show everyone my lively, fun soul?
Xie Junyu: I’ll reply later, I’m filming. Be right back! Really fast, one-shot reply.
Wen Jiu: ?
She was about to remark on how a top star could reply so quickly, then realized he was replying during a break from filming.
He seemed unusually invested in Su Yaoyao, he even took a few minutes to clarify things on Weibo.
An 18-year-old boy couldn’t date a 14-year-old girl, makes sense. Wen Jiu already knew from calling the author that Su Yan had broken them up.
Apparently, Xie Junyu truly hadn’t let go of Su Yaoyao.
Wen Jiu cupped her face in daze, her gaze drifting to Su Yaoyao still furiously typing.
All those classic romance novel descriptions, skin like creamy fat, waist so slim it could be grasped, were all visible in Su Yaoyao.
It was easy to understand Xie Junyu’s obsession.
Who wouldn’t be captivated by the most dazzling heroine they met in their youth? From then on, she lived in his heart.
Who dreams of whom? Not so simple.
Wen Jiu checked, Xie Junyu had never appeared on a reality show. Even for promoting works, he hadn’t gone on variety shows, only offline drama promotions. During these, his cold, sharp face remained, like a cunning hero who can spot traps instantly.
No wonder the fans hadn’t seen his true personality.
Xie Junyu’s rigid persona was deeply ingrained.
If he suddenly showed his real personality, the manager would freak out. Fans might even unfollow in droves.
Wen Jiu didn’t chase idols, so she couldn’t relate to fans, but she could relate to someone working hard.
She needed to contact Xie Junyu’s manager.
An hour later, Su Yaoyao finished the last 6,000 words. She stretched, walked over, hugged Wen Jiu, nuzzling her face softly. “Jiujiu, I’m so happy you trust me. While writing, I realized I don’t care what others think.
I heard your thoughts earlier. I don’t need Xie Junyu on a reality show to prove his personality. I’ve decided to turn my novel into a drama. Anyone who watches it won’t equate the male lead with Xie Junyu.”
Wen Jiu stroked Su Yaoyao’s soft hair.
Her fingers glided smoothly, sinking down, real, silky hair. Wen Jiu had only seen this kind of hair in TV ads before.
“Yaoyao, you’re amazing. Soon, you’ll truly live the life you want.” Free from being confined, she could escape the plot.
Su Yaoyao closed her eyes, relishing Wen Jiu combing her hair.
“Who do you plan to cast as the male lead?”
Su Yaoyao was innocent, but being a young lady, she would invest in the drama herself, she’d choose the leads.
“Ji Yanting, Actor Ji!” Su Yaoyao pointed firmly into the air.
Wen Jiu: “The female lead isn’t Yue Ling, right?”
Su Yaoyao nodded. “I chose Yue Ling first, then Ji Yanting. Yue Ling agreed, and the actor will return because I won’t change the intimate scenes.
I painted with Yue Ling and mentioned it to her. She agreed. Back then, I didn’t know if I could sell another film copyright, so I just mentioned it casually.
Now I’m buying the film rights myself and filming. Jiujiu, you’re the producer.
I remember you said Chu Yan has a cousin who studies photography. Let her be the director!”
Chu Wen’s figure flickered in Wen Jiu’s mind, and she silently corrected, “It’s his cousin, not cousin sister.”
“That works too.”
Su Yaoyao covered her laughing face, happily hugging her tablet and laptop, and ran out to find the young lady.
Wen Jiu stroked her chin.
She felt Su Yaoyao was starting to become a little scheming.
Just now, had Su Yaoyao tricked her? When Su Yaoyao cried, she genuinely wanted to drag Xie Junyu onto a live variety show.
But the overworked manager could finally rest a little.
Not long after Su Yaoyao left, Xie Junyu sent a message to Wen Jiu.
Xie Junyu: I can join a live variety show. What do you think, sis?
Wen Jiu: Let me ask first, are you entering showbiz to make Su Yaoyao see you and fall for you, then regret not chasing you?
If so, she’d no longer consider him a little brother, they’d go separate ways.
Xie Junyu: Sis, how could you think that of me! I want her to see me, but not to chase me. I want enough capital to pursue her.
Xie Junyu: I’m not a genius, can’t excel academically, not cut out for business. The only way to cross from Nancheng to Haicheng and gain enough capital is to be a celebrity.
Xie Junyu: That’s why I’ve been acting, so one day I can stand proudly by Su Yaoyao’s side.
Xie Junyu: I knew early on she’s the daughter of the wealthy Su family, not gold-digging. Even if she seemed that way, it’s because I wasn’t enough, so she didn’t like me.
The devoted husky was almost too much to bear.
Wen Jiu only knew how to give rainbow compliments; comforting a girl was tricky enough, let alone a husky.
Wen Jiu: Got it, I’ll say something nice to you.
At that moment, she felt like she was wearing the robes of a grand eunuch, ready to court favor with the Empress Su, tactfully praising Consort Xie to make the Empress grant her a token of favor.
Wen Jiu: ……
Quickly shoving those absurd thoughts out of her head, Wen Jiu typed on.
Wen Jiu: Sis, I think you should try another approach; otherwise, you won’t win back your ex.
Su Yaoyao went full schemer, she could totally turn Xie Junyu into her plaything.
Wait, he was already licking her boots anyway.
Wen Jiu: Forget it, just keep doing what you’re doing. Maybe Yaoyao likes it.
Wen Jiu: Focus on acting, skip the variety shows. Yaoyao plans to adapt her novel into a drama herself.
Xie Junyu: Male lead is…?
Wen Jiu: Ji Yanting.
Wen Jiu: Little brother, work harder.
Even through the screen, typing manually, Wen Jiu could almost hear Xie Junyu’s heartbreak.
The young lady was trying on dresses in the wardrobe, drawing Wen Jiu over.
“Yaoyao wants to produce her drama herself. You’ll be the producer, I think that’s doable.”
“So I just got the film rights for her first book from Li Xuan. You’ll be the producer for this drama too. That book probably won’t start filming for another three to five months, but this drama can start this week. By the time we finish, you can move on to the next project.”
Short and concise, yet Wen Jiu could already imagine the grueling schedule awaiting her over the next six months.
She swallowed nervously and quickly changed the subject: “This dress on the young lady is gorgeous, the colors are perfect, it’s the cherry on top, showing off all her facial features.”
Her mouth ran ahead while her brain struggled to catch up.
Dazed under the wardrobe’s colored lighting, Wen Jiu hardly knew what she was saying.
“Well said, I like it.” The young lady lifted her elegant fingers and handed Wen Jiu a velvet box.
“Open it, see if you like it.”
Of course Wen Jiu opened it.
The instant she lifted the lid, a dazzling light blinded her eyes.
She immediately slammed the velvet box shut.
The unexpected action surprised the young lady. “Why did you close it?”
Wen Jiu stumbled over her words, “I… I think… I saw… a… huge diamond! And it’s pink!!”
A massive pink diamond, normally only seen at auctions in novels, usually given by the male lead to the heroine. Not just a token of love, it’s worth at least a hundred million in fictional currency.
“Really? But I clearly gave you a blue diamond. Should I open it again?”
Wen Jiu’s brain switched channels fast, from “the young lady is in love with me, I’m in Mary Sue territory” to “who swapped the diamond, mystery theater.”
Her hands steadied this time as she reopened the box.
The enormous pink diamond was even bigger and more brilliant than in her pre-entry gaming visions. Crystal-clear and pink, more romantic than a blooming rose garden.
Under the lights, it glittered brilliantly, the fire spark unique and dazzling, leaving Wen Jiu helplessly in awe.
“Miss, I’m willing to be the producer. From day one on set, I’ll wake earlier than the chickens, sleep later than the dogs, work tirelessly on the front lines, and absolutely not let anyone ruin the drama. After release, I’ll monitor the data daily and report once a day!”
After six months like this, Wen Jiu decided she would immediately retire and enjoy her retirement life, training ten college students to do the work. If the young lady wanted to tackle the high-intensity entertainment industry again, the ten could rotate shifts.
This time, every word was carefully thought out.
The young lady turned, her dress stitched with flowers swinging like a gentle autumn swing.
“If you die of exhaustion, I won’t approve.”
“Just kidding, this little diamond is for you.”
“If the drama does well, I’ll give you a blue one too. Two colors together will look perfect.”
Wen Jiu quietly gestured at the huge pink diamond with her finger.
Bigger than her thumb’s nail! And yet, according to the young lady, this was a “little diamond”?!
Wen Jiu walked out of the wardrobe, still half in shock.
Even so, she held the velvet box with the pink diamond firmly, nothing fell.
Diamonds like this weren’t on the market, no price to check, no official listing.
Wen Jiu tapped Song Qin’s chat window.
Wen Jiu: The young lady’s setup doesn’t include a family-owned mine, does it?
Song Qin: Naturally. The young lady’s family runs the top gemstone business in the country, of course they’d own a mine.
Song Qin: Hehe, actually, she has many mines, mostly overseas.
Song Qin straightened her back: Back when I wrote the story, the trend was unstoppable: secondary female leads, invincibly rich.
Wen Jiu: The young lady just gave me a huge pink diamond.
Wen Jiu suddenly mischievous: Let me show you.
The diamond, flawless and pure in color, dazzled through the camera lens, blinding Song Qin on the other end.
After a while, Song Qin replied with her usual line: “Girl, you’re so lucky. If you ever get tired of it, let me try.”
Wen Jiu: Want to act? I’m the producer
Song Qin: Sis, I haven’t forgotten you in wealth! Name the role and I’ll fly over immediately.
Wen Jiu: Yaoyao’s previous book, The Rich Family, shortened to two characters now. It’s full of fake/real older brothers, substitute sisters-in-law, evil in-laws, and wedding-snatching younger brothers, a revenge story set in a wealthy family. Dramatic, but also hilariously absurd.
Song Qin: I’ve read it! I’ll play the sister-in-law.
Wen Jiu: Why?
Song Qin: Because the substitute sister-in-law is just one face, and I get to play her alone. Then I can enjoy two handsome older brothers.
Song Qin: Don’t cut the kiss scenes, my dear Producer Wen.
Wen Jiu: ……
Once she called her “sis,” Wen Jiu had no choice but to start scouting handsome male leads.
In the novel world, handsome guys are everywhere, easier to find than chives.
Or maybe they could run a nationwide voting talent show? Within the baseline rules, contestants could show off as much as they want, and the audience chooses the male lead.