As the drama continued airing on overseas platforms, discussions about it grew increasingly heated in China:
[Is this really a Chinese drama I can watch? The blood and atmosphere are intense!]
[Why do I feel a chill running down my spine in the middle of summer? Oh, it's because of this creepy show]
Honestly, Sister Manman is terrifying. She's always polite and smiles warmly, but with her eyes... she's giving me cold sweats]
[I'm dying to know who the killer is! It feels like everyone could be a suspect]
[Isn't the lead actress already thirty-eight? It's rare to see a drama without any popular stars these days. Say no more, I'm binge-watching this now!]
Comments like these flooded Weibo. Meanwhile, some users who searched for the drama and couldn't find it on domestic platforms were confused.
[Wait, where can I watch this drama? I can't find it anywhere. Isn't this supposed to be a Chinese drama?]
This led to the show being featured on the trending list under the tag #AChineseDramaThatCantBeAiredDomestically# with some users providing a detailed history of the show and explaining why it wasn't available on domestic platforms.
Some netizens even claimed that the drama was fortunate in a way. If it were broadcast in China, many scenes would have been cut, making it impossible to air. For the actors, this situation was probably ideal, especially for the lead actress. Before this drama, she was at a point in her career where she was almost washed-up. Female actresses in Chinese dramas often face an awkward situation—once they pass thirty, they can no longer play the lead roles and are relegated to motherly roles.
Before this, the lead actress was always cast as a mother or aunt. Finally landing a lead role in this drama was a stroke of luck. However, the show's conflict with online platforms meant it couldn't be broadcast in China, making the producer and the lead actress the most anxious people in the entire production team.
But things took a turn. The drama airing on overseas platforms helped her regain popularity. Her acting skills won over viewers, attracting new scripts and business opportunities. This marked a complete resurgence for her.
When the drama later airs on television, her popularity will soar even higher.
Yu Shuman also regained her fame through her role as the third female lead. Apart from her red carpet appearances, Yu Shuman had always been low-key, mostly because she hadn't had many works to keep her in the spotlight. Previously, she had only played the role of the long princess and had since faded from public view. The broadcast of this drama showcased her progress in acting to a wider audience.
On the fan forums, the atmosphere was lively:
[Sister Manman's acting has improved so much! She feels completely different from her role as the long princess. I almost didn't recognize her]
[Oh my gosh, Sister Manman, how could you scare me like that... I really got spooked. Could Sister Manman actually be the killer?]
[She's genuinely scary. When she smiles, my knees go weak, and I feel like begging her not to kill me. But she's acting so well!]
[Is this the joy of watching a star grow? Who remembers when Sister Manman first appeared on screen and said her dream was to make money...]
[Sister Manman, you don't need to make money anymore. If it comes to that, just let your bestie support you. Little Qin can afford it]
When Qin Ran was mentioned, the atmosphere in the forum changed. The fans, like Sherlock Holmes, were always in the know about the latest gossip in the entertainment industry, especially when it involved a celebrity closely tied to their company. They had been closely following 99 Entertainment's recent struggles, all looking worried:
[99 Entertainment won't go bankrupt, right?]
[Little Qin has been throwing money around, signing so many contracts, so it shouldn't go under]
[But that's exactly why it's worrying! Little Qin is so generous to her artists, but if she spends too much, there won't be enough to go around.]
In Yu Shuman's forum, many fans of other 99 Entertainment artists were discussing the same issues. The topic quickly spread to other celebrity forums, causing widespread concern. In their eyes, 99 Entertainment was a great company that treated their idols exceptionally well.
To support 99 Entertainment, the fans began a buying spree, purchasing every product endorsed by their favorite celebrities. This not only boosted the activity for their idols' endorsements but also showed the brands the purchasing power of 99 Entertainment's artists' fans, leading to more future collaborations.
The companies were naturally pleased. After all, endorsements would only rotate within 99 Entertainment's artists. Don't ask why; it's because the same person owns both companies. They're sister companies, so of course, they support each other!
But if they could earn more, why wouldn't they be happy?
As for the companies withdrawing 99 Entertainment artists' endorsements due to the boycott... As if! That's impossible. If anyone knew how powerful Qin Ran was, it was those who worked under her.
As they expected, 99 Entertainment's situation began to improve quietly. Many fans were left puzzled, wondering how the company was seemingly thriving:
[Huh? What's going on? Didn't they say 99 Entertainment was being targeted? Why is Little Qin throwing more money around?]
Yu Shuman learned about this from Xiao An. She often reported on the happenings in the fan forum. Yu Shuman would occasionally check it herself, but due to her busy schedule, she'd miss out on many discussions, so Xiao An's updates kept her informed.
When she learned about the targeting of 99 Entertainment, Yu Shuman was surprised. She then thought back to how Qin Ran had left abruptly, citing work reasons. Knowing Qin Ran, who loved sticking around her, she figured it must've been urgent.
Concerned, Yu Shuman called Qin Ran during her lunch break. Qin Ran's laughter came through, telling her not to worry, as she would handle it. After hanging up, Yu Shuman sighed. Even though Qin Ran had reassured her, she couldn't help but worry about Qin Ran and 99 Entertainment.
However, before the forum fans realized that 99 Entertainment's problems were resolved, Qin Ran had already boarded a plane to see Yu Shuman. By then, the filming on the grasslands was complete, and the crew had returned to the studio to continue shooting. Time quietly slipped from July to August.
Outside the studio, the cicadas chirped from the trees, adding to the already stifling heat. Dressed in a regal costume, Yu Shuman felt uncomfortable. During breaks, she sat in a decidedly unladylike manner, rolling up her skirt and spreading her long legs.
The cool air from the fan blew on her while Xiao An handed her an iced coffee. Despite these comforts, Yu Shuman still felt uneasy. She kept her feelings in check on set, only appearing lost during breaks.
When Qin Ran arrived, this was how she found Yu Shuman sitting. Yu Shuman was confused about why Qin Ran was there. Sister Li, who followed Qin Ran, immediately greeted everyone and had the hired help distribute cold drinks and water.
The director, seeing how hot it was and it being noon, clapped his hands and told everyone to take a break, resuming work when the sun wasn't so high.
With this announcement, the actors in heavy costumes sighed in relief, taking off their heavy layers. No one could deny the heat. Acting in period costumes made it worse. Take Yu Shuman, for example; her head was weighed down with hairpieces and accessories, making her sweat profusely.
Qin Ran approached Yu Shuman, using a tissue to dab at the sweat on her temples.
"Manman, take a break. We'll find Lucy to fix your makeup later."
Qin Ran's fingers brushed against Yu Shuman's face—a seemingly intimate gesture that made Yu Shuman relax. She realized that Qin Ran's presence meant everything was under control. Qin Ran wasn't the type to abandon work and rush to her side.
With that understanding, the tension left Yu Shuman. Even the cicadas seemed less annoying, and the heat less oppressive.
This time, Qin Ran stayed by Yu Shuman's side until the end of summer break.
During this period, Yu Shuman took a break to audition for the movie Sister Li had mentioned earlier, with Qin Ran accompanying her. This movie wasn't something Qin Ran had arranged; Sister Li found it herself. Though Qin Ran wasn't thrilled about Yu Shuman playing a seductress, this character was complex, and the movie was a big-budget production.
Though Qin Ran didn't like the character—finding it unappealing and not wanting to see Yu Shuman seduce others—she accepted it since the role had no romantic scenes apart from one failed seduction that led to true feelings. She reluctantly came to terms with it.
Qin Ran assumed that with Yu Shuman's acting skills and looks, this role would be a piece of cake. She even had her wallet ready to support the big-budget production.
But Yu Shuman didn't get the part. And the rejection came with a harsh insult—the producer called her a "resource actress," saying they didn't need such performers. Qin Ran didn't know about this until the scriptwriter secretly sent her the audition footage.
This scriptwriter had previously collaborated with 99 Entertainment on projects unrelated to Yu Shuman. Being grateful for the generous funding from 99 Entertainment, they risked getting fired by sending the audition video to Qin Ran.
Initially, Qin Ran thought the production team had simply found a better candidate. She hadn't expected this. What was more infuriating was that they hadn't even given Yu Shuman a chance to finish her performance.