Yu Shuman's acting skills improved rapidly, showcasing a completely different performance from her role in the suspense drama. Even someone like Qin Ran, an outsider unfamiliar with acting, could tell how excellent Yu Shuman's performance was.
Life quickly returned to the routine from the winter break when Qin Ran visited Yu Shuman on set. Yu Shuman would act during the day while Qin Ran stayed in the hotel, either working or playing games, waiting for Yu Shuman to return. On the first day they met, Qin Ran even brought Yu Shuman's graduation certificate, degree certificate, and a graduation photo without her in it.
Yu Shuman's fingers traced the graduation photo, and as she saw her familiar classmates, a hint of regret surfaced. Qin Ran wanted to comfort her, but Yu Shuman quickly adjusted.
"Life is about making choices, right? I was busy with filming, so I couldn't go collect these certificates myself, and I missed the graduation photo shoot. But being on set gave me so much more. It was my choice not to take leave and instead join the crew on the grasslands, seeing scenery I'd never seen before. I don't regret it."
Despite her words, Qin Ran couldn't help but recall their first meeting. Yu Shuman was the same back then, quickly adjusting her mood and smiling. Yet, beneath that smile, Qin Ran saw a fleeting moment of loss. Qin Ran could only hug Yu Shuman, telling her, "It's okay. When I take my graduation photo, you can come and join me."
Yu Shuman laughed, playfully punching her with the lightness of an annoyed kitten pawing at its owner.
Qin Ran initially wanted to spend the summer with Yu Shuman, but after Wu Assistant's relentless calls, she was forced to return to Beijing. As soon as Qin Ran landed, Wu Assistant had a driver intercept her at the airport. The first thing Wu Assistant said was, "Boss, we're being targeted."
"Okay."
99 Entertainment was facing a boycott from several major companies in the industry, and a live-streaming platform CEO even declared, "Any drama involving 99 Entertainment's artists won't be aired on our platform." Wu Assistant had explained the situation multiple times over the phone, but it was still clearer to discuss in person.
Since starting work under Qin Ran, Wu Assistant had anticipated that 99 Entertainment would eventually face a collective boycott from industry companies. After all, her boss's approach was quite aggressive. The recent incident of Qin Ran having the production team sue a streaming platform particularly incited the displeasure of three major companies.
Qin Ran reviewed the documents Wu Assistant provided. After her glasses broke, she switched to contact lenses. Without the frame in the way, Wu Assistant, sitting beside her, could see Qin Ran's eyes darting back and forth, scanning every word on the documents.
Qin Ran's reading speed was fast, especially since she had already been briefed by Wu Assistant. Now, she was just filling in the details. After finishing the document, she placed the folder on her lap and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"They're playing hardball."
The leading company boycotting 99 Entertainment was, unsurprisingly, from Pei Qi's family. It seemed that after Ling Miaohan sought help from the richest man in the country, Pei Qi believed the storm had passed and that there was profit to be made with the Ling family again. A businessman's thinking was easy to predict, which Qin Ran found amusing. Pei Qi was rallying for Ling Miaohan purely out of interest, nothing more.
As for the others, they were just opportunists, hoping to gain by leeching off the situation and splitting 99 Entertainment among themselves. These people seemed hateful but were actually the easiest to sway. They were siding with Pei Qi to curry favor with the country's richest man, aiming to seize more benefits for themselves.
"Nothing to worry about," Qin Ran said, a hint of a smile appearing as she sorted through the details. In her past life, such a predicament would have caused her to lose sleep for days, trying to devise a solution. But now, this issue seemed simple. In the business world, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.
She had analyzed it before; they were targeting 99 Entertainment because there was profit involved. All she had to do was show them that following 99 Entertainment would be more beneficial. They would turn their backs on Pei Qi and the richest man without hesitation. Qin Ran was sure the richest man knew this, but he was confident, believing his offer was tempting enough that no one could match it.
Under normal circumstances, that would be true, but not for Qin Ran. She had too many trump cards and could simply use money as a weapon. It didn't matter how much a share of Pei Corporation was worth; she could offer an irresistible price. The same went for the richest man's assets.
However, Qin Ran didn't like being too direct. She preferred to handle her prey slowly.
She would start with small, seemingly insignificant benefits, making those following Pei Qi realize who really offered the tastier bait. Of course, only giving could inflate their ambition, making them think they could eventually devour 99 Entertainment whole. Like the young emperor in Yu Shuman's drama, who would eventually dethrone the empress dowager.
But as long as one was strong enough, there was nothing to fear.
With the system backing her, Qin Ran could fatten up these wolves until they couldn't stand. But rather than doing that, she'd set a trap, letting them enjoy the honey without realizing they were getting stuck until it was too late.
Qin Ran called Miss Zhao. "Are you interested in the entertainment industry?"
"In what way?"
Zhao Corporation's business overlapped with the Ling Corporation's. The Ling Corporation wanted to partner with Pei Corporation and that real estate mogul to establish a cinema chain. If they could do it, so could Zhao Corporation and Qin Ran.
At the auction, they hadn't succeeded in building a relationship with the businesswoman after she stepped out of the protagonist's glow. Now, Qin Ran could use the auction item to connect with her. As for the streaming platforms, that was simpler. They were already competing against each other. If she could sway just one of them, this alliance of interest would crumble instantly.
Regarding the real estate businesswoman, Qin Ran didn't think it would be hard to persuade her because... the richest man in the country was also in real estate, making them competitors. Following the principle of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend," she would likely welcome Qin Ran warmly.
Upon reaching the company, Qin Ran began implementing her plan. Led by Wu Assistant, the assistant team quickly sprang into action. Usually, when there's nothing to do, the assistants would watch dramas, snack, and chat in the office, just like any other office worker slacking off. But once a task was assigned, they'd operate like a well-oiled machine, completing their tasks swiftly and efficiently.
With far above industry-standard pay, their professional skills were indeed outstanding.
Even though handling this issue wasn't stressful, it did keep Qin Ran occupied in Beijing, unable to leave, much less head to the grasslands to be with Yu Shuman. Qin Ran could only call Yu Shuman to ease her longing.
With the summer season arriving, various dramas were fighting for audience attention. The suspense drama Yu Shuman previously filmed successfully premiered, first on an overseas platform and later on domestic TV.
The overseas platform offered two versions: one with Chinese subtitles and another with English subtitles. Though they could've included both, the main audience was domestic, and bilingual subtitles seemed redundant. If not for airing on an overseas platform, they wouldn't have bothered with English subtitles.
Before the premiere, the drama sparked some discussion but didn't maintain it for long since it couldn't be broadcast on domestic platforms, and even promotional activities like roadshows were canceled. They could only rely on future variety show appearances to attract some attention before the TV broadcast.
Once it aired, it quickly stirred enthusiastic discussions among netizens, with many spontaneously sharing clips and promoting the drama. Suspense dramas have a niche audience, but they are highly loyal, especially given the scarcity of quality domestic suspense dramas.
Though intrigued, viewers feared a later drop in quality—a common occurrence in Chinese suspense dramas. Many start strong but later falter, either losing logical coherence, forcefully adding romantic plots, or even using deus ex machina endings just to get approval. Such disappointments are countless, plaguing even the most seasoned directors, veteran actors, and emerging writers.
There are some suspense dramas that maintained high ratings from start to finish, but they are rare and mostly childhood classics that are replayed every summer break.
Despite this, audiences are always hopeful whenever a promising new suspense drama appears. They can't help but wonder: what if this one turns out great?
As it happened, this drama was indeed outstanding. Initially altered to meet domestic approval standards, with many scenes and plot points cut—especially the bloodier scenes—when the director learned it would be shown on an overseas platform, he was elated. The overseas standards being more lenient, he reinstated all the content previously cut.
The producer was anxious about the overseas airing, but the director had only one sentiment: satisfaction.
The director rubbed his hands in excitement. He used to feel constrained, but now, with this re-edit, he was almost overjoyed. He wasn't worried about making money; his only thought was: if he could always edit like this, even just airing on overseas platforms would be worth it.
Luckily, the producer wasn't privy to his thoughts. If they were, they'd probably feel the urge to hang him up and give him a beating.