Living with Yu Shuman made Qin Ran feel especially relaxed, and soon it was time for the release of Yu Shuman's new drama. That evening, Qin Ran eagerly pulled Yu Shuman to the couch, ready to watch it as soon as it was released. When the online platform updated, the TV app simultaneously launched the drama.
The show released two episodes a day, and Qin Ran was well-prepared, nestled comfortably on the small sofa with the coffee table full of snacks.
"Junior, don't get your hopes up too much. I barely have any scenes in the first two episodes," Yu Shuman warned Qin Ran.
But Qin Ran didn't care. "Barely any scenes" still meant some scenes. As long as Yu Shuman appeared, Qin Ran would watch.
The drama began playing on the large TV screen. After a short scene of the female lead meeting the male lead, the opening credits rolled. Qin Ran didn't skip them but watched intently, knowing this was where Yu Shuman would appear the most in these first two episodes.
In the opening credits, she saw Yu Shuman dressed in custom-made attire and accessories, gracefully stepping out of a luxurious carriage. She looked regal and poised, completely different from her usual self. The sight made Qin Ran pause the screen, freezing it on Yu Shuman's elegant exit, before quickly turning to gaze at Yu Shuman, who was curled up beside her on the sofa.
Yu Shuman, usually so carefree, felt a bit embarrassed under Qin Ran's intense gaze. She picked up a cushion and hid her face behind it. "Stop staring. There's nothing to see," she mumbled.
"You look stunning, Senior. I'm sure the fans in your group chat are all praising you," Qin Ran teased.
Yu Shuman slowly lowered the cushion but kept it partially covering her face, revealing only her bright, twinkling eyes. "Don't make fun of me," she said, urging Qin Ran to hit play and stop pausing. Qin Ran obediently resumed the show.
As expected, Yu Shuman's scenes were scarce after the opening credits.
The drama had thirty episodes in total, and Yu Shuman's character only appeared in the first eight episodes, with a few more scenes scattered throughout. The script, refined by the original novel's author and the screenwriter, had deviated from the book, even giving Yu Shuman a scene in the final episode.
When the credits rolled, it was clear that Yu Shuman's screen time was minimal. Qin Ran adjusted her expectations and watched the show like a regular drama, munching on snacks and occasionally making fun of the characters with Yu Shuman.
"Senior, the production quality of this show is really good, and they didn't skimp on the actors," Qin Ran remarked, impressed by the commitment to authenticity. The male and female leads had been heavily made up to look disheveled and haggard, to the point where the male lead's handsome features were almost unrecognizable until a scene where the female lead wiped his face to reveal them.
Yu Shuman nodded, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "Yeah, after the original female lead was replaced, the director seemed to become a different person, much stricter. Not to speak ill of others, but the male lead threw a few tantrums during filming, and the director didn't hesitate to chew him out. He even slammed his hand on the table and told the male lead that if he didn't want the role, he could leave because there were plenty of other actors who could replace him."
Qin Ran thought back to the director's demeanor during their dinner meetings and realized she hadn't seen that side of him.
Qin Ran hadn't watched the drama in advance; she had left it to Assistant Wu to review the final cut sent to Nine-Nine Entertainment. Though she had been tempted to sneak a peek at Yu Shuman's scenes, she held off, knowing it would be more fun to watch and discuss it together with her.
Thankfully, she hadn't given in to temptation. Watching it now with Yu Shuman made the experience all the more enjoyable.
Each episode lasted about forty-five minutes, and they laughed and chatted through to the end of the second episode. That's when Yu Shuman's character, the princess, finally made her entrance. At that point in the story, the male lead was bringing the female lead to the young general's mansion. Meanwhile, the princess was in the palace, speaking with the empress. Hearing that her husband had returned, her face lit up with joy.
The princess excused herself from the empress and made her way back to the mansion. The scene transitioned to her stepping out of her carriage, her hand gently supported by a maid. The camera panned down to show her flowing gown in shades of orange and red, her headdress adorned with jewels that chimed softly as she moved. Her presence was commanding, almost regal.
She held her head high, her long neck unbowed by the weight of her headdress. She exuded the pride of a phoenix, and as her gaze fell upon the young general, there was a hint of joy. But when she noticed the female lead, her expression turned to shock and hostility. She spoke coldly, "Who is she?"
Her crimson-painted nails pointed directly at the female lead, and the weight of her authority as a princess was palpable.
The second episode ended on this cliffhanger, leaving the audience eager for more. Qin Ran guessed that the next episode would show the princess challenging the female lead, who would then decide to leave the general and establish her medical clinic in the city.
Reflecting on Yu Shuman's powerful performance, Qin Ran couldn't help but praise her. "Senior, you were amazing."
Yu Shuman, flustered by the compliment, waved it off. "Enough, it's getting late. Let's go to bed. After a shower, it'll be even later."
With that, Yu Shuman hurried off, and Qin Ran sensed that she was almost fleeing in embarrassment. Qin Ran didn't linger either, turning off the TV and heading back to her room. She had no intention of sleeping just yet; there was something very important she needed to do—check the chat groups and trending topics.
Burrowing under the covers, Qin Ran's face lit up with a smile as she quickly typed out messages, her fingers flying over the screen. The chat was buzzing with messages, and hers quickly got lost in the stream. But Qin Ran wasn't disappointed because everyone was discussing the same thing.
Yu Shuman's brief appearance in tonight's final scene had left a strong impression. She was elegant, noble, and poised, her eyes filled with love for the young general. Yet, in an instant, her gaze shifted when she saw the female lead. Qin Ran hadn't realized that Yu Shuman was so talented at acting. Despite her carefree demeanor off-screen, Yu Shuman had absorbed everything she had learned over the past months, bringing such subtle emotions to life.
As Yu Shuman's biggest fan, Qin Ran couldn't help but gush about her in the chat group. And she didn't stop there—she even launched a giveaway in the fan club. Anyone with a Super Topic level of five or higher could enter. Being financially well-off, Qin Ran didn't hesitate to put up 100 prizes of 200 yuan each. A mere 20,000 yuan was nothing to her.
After having fun in the group, Qin Ran turned her attention to the trending topics. The drama's premiere had sparked several trending discussions, both from official promotions and viewers. Fans were praising the show's production quality, the music, and the meticulous attention to detail in costumes and set design. The actress Ronghua's fans were especially active, supporting her enthusiastically across all platforms.
The next morning, Yu Shuman woke up early for her classes, leaving breakfast for Qin Ran before she left.
It wasn't something Yu Shuman had made herself—she had left too early to cook. Qin Ran guessed that Xiao An had bought it. It wasn't as good or healthy as what the housekeeper would have prepared, but since it was the same breakfast Yu Shuman had eaten, Qin Ran ate every bite with relish while checking her phone.
As the drama aired over the next few days, its popularity continued to soar. However, aside from that first night, Yu Shuman was too busy to watch it with Qin Ran. Even when she returned home, she could only offer a quick apology before retreating to her room to join her co-stars for live streams and other promotional activities.
Short video platforms and live streaming had indeed brought fans and celebrities closer, but they had also extended the working hours for the stars. Qin Ran could only grumble to herself as she hugged a pillow and watched the drama alone. Today's episode marked the end of Yu Shuman's significant early scenes, featuring one of her most iconic moments.
In the original novel, the princess was cast aside, left to collapse in despair. But the director and screenwriter felt this was out of character for the princess and worked with the author to revise the scene.
On the TV screen, Yu Shuman's princess stood alone, gripping a long sword pointed directly at the young general. The opulent palace surroundings and her resplendent attire couldn't hide the sorrow in her eyes. Her face was etched with fatigue, but her resolve remained firm. Qin Ran listened as Yu Shuman's voice, filled with trembling determination, came through the speakers.
"General, do you truly wish to sever all ties with me?" Her voice was laced with sorrow but also tinged with a steely resolve. The young general remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking, "Princess, we were never meant to be. Why should we entangle ourselves for a lifetime? My heart belongs to one, and with her, I wish to share my life."
The tip of the princess's sword pressed against the general's chest. Hearing his words, she pushed it forward, her eyes filled with anger and pain. "Fine! Fine! Fine!" she cried out, her voice growing sharper with each repetition, as if each word bled from her heart. "Then why did you marry me in the first place?!"
Her anguish, her unwillingness to let go, all culminated in that single question. She had married him in the bloom of her youth, full of joy and anticipation, donning the crimson wedding dress with pride. When he went off to battle, she had taken care of his family and managed the entire household. When she heard of his disappearance, she had been torn apart with worry but had to maintain a calm façade, not letting any word of it slip lest it jeopardize the military campaign.
Finally, she had waited for his return, only to find another woman by his side. And now, he dared to say that he had only ever loved that other woman, leaving her wondering what she had been to him all along.
Faced with the princess's questioning, the young general remained silent. The princess pushed her sword further, a tear slipping down her cheek. "Answer me!"
But all she got in response was, "I thought you understood."
The princess froze, her hand lowering as she withdrew the sword. She stood there, motionless, her shoulders beginning to shake as laughter bubbled up from her chest. Moments later, it turned into full-blown laughter, though it sounded more like weeping. Then, with a sudden motion, she flung the sword away, the clang of metal against stone echoing through the room. Still laughing, she spoke, her voice laced with bitterness, "You married me out of duty and betrayed me out of love. And what am I in all this?"
But she didn't cry, not really. She took a deep breath, composed herself, and turned her back on him. Her regal bearing returned as she calmly said, "You may leave. The divorce decree will be sent to your mansion shortly."
This marked the end of the story between the young general and the princess. When the divorce papers were delivered to the young general, he took them to the female lead, who could only stare at the document in silence.
The princess's handwriting was fierce, her words almost tearing through the paper. The female lead didn't smile, but instead sighed in melancholy.
Finally, she said something the young general couldn't understand: "As long as we're women, there are no winners."