Yu Shuman never thought that one day, someone would call her "sister" while trying to use her as a stepping stone to rise to fame.
At a brand event party, Yu Shuman was dressed in a gown designed for warmth. Er Yue had just wrapped up fashion week, and she was already wearing the latest piece from the collection. Thanks to Qin Ran's connections, the brand sent over the gown early, and it was tailored to Yu Shuman's exact measurements for a perfect fit. Upon Qin Ran's request, it was also modified to be extra warm. However, this made it look a bit bulkier than the usual red carpet attire.
For an ordinary person, dressing warmly in the chilly March air wouldn't be a problem—after all, everyone was bundled up in coats and scarves during the day, and still wearing heavy jackets at night in Beijing. The weather was unpredictable like that. But on the red carpet, where most celebrities donned thin, revealing gowns regardless of the temperature, Yu Shuman's outfit stood out.
She wore a two-piece ensemble: a white blouse on top paired with a layered tulle skirt that reached past her knees. A beige short boot completed the look, but the highlight was the long cape-like coat draped over her shoulders. The coat, trimmed with soft fur around the collar, was worn loosely, with her hands not even in the sleeves, giving her an effortlessly chic appearance. Her wavy hair cascaded down, adorned with a crown reminiscent of a goddess from myth. The intricate crown was crafted using filigree techniques, with layers of flowers and leaves twined together like a goddess's wreath of prosperity.
It had been a while since Yu Shuman had appeared in public, so much so that some of the newer faces in the industry seemed to forget her title as the "Red Carpet Queen." One of these newcomers, a fresh-faced starlet from Pei Qi's company, had the audacity to make snide comments about Yu Shuman being afraid of the cold.
The comments weren't made on the red carpet but in the waiting room at the event. This rising starlet, recently promoted by Pei Qi's company, was a stunning beauty with a radiant presence, her fans often affectionately calling her "sister." Perhaps it was because she had a similar image to Yu Shuman, or maybe it was the rivalry between their companies, but the young actress couldn't help but make sarcastic remarks.
Dressed in a daring red evening gown, in stark contrast to Yu Shuman's cozy attire, the starlet seemed intent on showing that she wasn't afraid of the cold. Her words were strategically spoken just loud enough for Yu Shuman to overhear.
Yu Shuman looked around and noticed that Ling Miaohan was absent. Ever since Ling Miaohan announced her engagement to Pei Qi at New Year's, her public appearances had drastically decreased. It seemed she was ready to settle into the role of future matron of the Pei family, focusing on domestic life. In a recent interview, Ling Miaohan had even mentioned plans to return to school, stating that it wasn't too late to continue her education after launching her entertainment career right after high school. Many netizens praised her decision, valuing education as an important pursuit.
Though Ling Miaohan wasn't present, Pei Qi's company still found a way to provoke Yu Shuman. It wasn't clear whether this up-and-coming actress was trying to curry favor with Ling Miaohan by taking a jab at Yu Shuman, but Yu Shuman's patience had its limits. As someone known for being straightforward, Yu Shuman wasn't one to back down when faced with provocation.
Without hesitation, she walked straight over to the actress. The room quieted down as the people nearby instinctively distanced themselves from the young starlet. Yu Shuman's recent role as an empress had left her with an air of authority, and her steps carried a commanding presence as she approached.
"Did you just say something about me?" Yu Shuman asked, standing before the actress with a slight frown.
The young starlet raised her chin defiantly. "So what if I did? Everyone else dressed up to look beautiful for the event, and here you are, acting like you're too cold to be part of it. What's so special about you? Just because you can't handle a little chill, doesn't mean you should dress like it's winter."
What a joke. Yu Shuman had been filming in scorching heat, wrapped in layers of costume on set, while this actress was likely lounging in air-conditioned studios for variety shows. Yu Shuman had endured horseback riding that left her thighs bruised and stomach churning, while this girl was likely modeling for advertisements. Even in the freezing winter, Yu Shuman had been wearing thin robes, performing intense scenes with veteran actors. Meanwhile, this actress was probably chatting away comfortably in livestreams with fans.
She could insult Yu Shuman's acting skills or accuse her of being a diva, but to call Yu Shuman unprofessional? That was something she couldn't accept.
"If you're so professional, you must have plenty of work under your belt, right?" Yu Shuman retorted, her tone sharp and cutting.
The actress found herself at a loss for words. Yu Shuman let out a cold laugh. "What other people wear is none of your business. Focus on yourself. And let me give you a piece of advice: in this industry, it's best not to make unnecessary trouble for yourself."
Yu Shuman leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "You and I share the same type of roles, right? But believe me when I say this: I could take away all the resources you currently have, leaving you with nothing."
With that, Yu Shuman flipped her hair back and walked away, leaving the actress pale and speechless.
Inwardly, Yu Shuman mused: Why is she so scared? I was only saying that to teach her a lesson.
After spending two years in the entertainment industry, Yu Shuman had witnessed far more than she ever wanted to. During her long stay at film studios, she would sometimes return to her hotel late at night, only to see certain actresses in revealing nightwear knocking on directors' or producers' doors.
At first, such scenes left her uncomfortable, disapproving of what was clearly transactional behavior. But as time went on, she learned to turn a blind eye to it. In a world where every exchange was a negotiation, some people chose to trade what should never be for sale.
Some of the directors and producers she saw doing this were even married men. To avoid such situations, Yu Shuman had her assistant change her room whenever possible, keeping her distance from those involved.
Fortunately, she had never encountered such situations on her own projects. The producers and directors she worked with remained professional. Though she didn't feel comfortable discussing these things with Qin Ran, she occasionally confided in her fellow actress, Zeng Qian. Zeng Qian, however, seemed unfazed by the industry's darker side.
"You're just lucky Xiao Qin protects you so well. That's why you haven't experienced this stuff firsthand," Zeng Qian remarked casually.
There was some truth to Zeng Qian's words. Qin Ran had indeed shielded her from much of the entertainment industry's harshest realities. But over time, Yu Shuman had grown stronger and more assertive. She had gone from politely accepting drinks at events to standing up for herself and even using the influence Qin Ran had provided her to push back against those who tried to undermine her.
Though her actions weren't always the most ethical, they were undeniably satisfying.
Yu Shuman sighed, hoping that the actress would have the sense not to provoke her again.
After a month back in the spotlight, Yu Shuman's popularity soared once more. She was like a unique flower in the entertainment world, dazzling but never gaudy, with an almost childlike innocence still visible in her eyes. During a recent interview, a reporter asked her about her time on set.
"I heard you'll be portraying a character who ages into her fifties or sixties in this new project. How do you feel about that challenge?"
Yu Shuman smiled gracefully. "At first, it was a bit daunting. After all, this is only my third role, and the complexity of this character is beyond anything I've done before. But thanks to the guidance of the director and my senior actors, I've gradually grasped the essence of the role. I'm confident the audience will appreciate my performance."
The interviewer nodded and then asked, "So far, you've only played supporting roles. Have you ever thought about taking on a lead role?"
Yu Shuman paused momentarily, her smile unwavering. "Of course, I'd love to play the lead. But I'm still young and have a lot to learn. If the right opportunity comes along, I won't hesitate to take it."
Did she want to play the lead? Absolutely. Yu Shuman aspired to win the Best Actress award, which meant she would need to take on lead roles. But she wasn't interested in playing female leads who existed solely to complement the male protagonist. She wanted to star in serious dramas. However, finding a strong female lead in contemporary Chinese dramas was a rarity.
Even so-called "strong female lead" dramas often devolved into romances where the female lead, despite her strength, still relied on the male lead to save the day. Such roles didn't interest her.
Yu Shuman didn't mind romantic elements in her roles, but she wanted stories where romance wasn't the focus—certainly nothing as saccharine as the industrial-grade "love syrup" seen in many dramas. Her standards were high, and the options were few.
But Yu Shuman was confident that one day, she would land the role she truly desired. While filming her recent historical drama, she had learned that the screenwriter was working on a new script based on the life of a female painter from history, charting the ups and downs of her life.
This artist, Gong Suoran, was largely forgotten by history, with only one of her paintings, The Lady Banished to the Frontier, surviving to the present day. That painting had been lost during wartime and was now housed in a foreign museum, a fate that would surely have devastated Gong Suoran, given her deep patriotism.
There were few records of her life, and what little was known suggested a complex figure—a Daoist priestess during the Southern Song dynasty with many layers to her character. There was so much material to draw from for a compelling story. However, the screenwriter envisioned the role of a serene, ethereal woman—a character that didn't quite align with Yu Shuman's persona.
The role seemed more suited for someone like Ling Miaohan.
But Ling Miaohan's acting skills couldn't carry such a complex character, so the screenwriter would likely need to cast a more experienced actress.
Still, during the project, Yu Shuman had seen the screenwriter gathering materials and crafting the script, and one day, she decided to boldly recommend herself for the role. She genuinely believed she could play the part. With sincerity in her eyes, Yu Shuman approached the screenwriter, and as they talked, the director overheard their conversation and expressed interest in the project as well.
"If I have the chance, I'd love to direct this," the director said.
The screenwriter hesitated. She knew the director was highly capable, but this was a film, not a TV drama. The director had only ever worked in television—could he handle such a big-screen production?
Yu Shuman, however, began persuading her. "We should all give each other a chance."
The screenwriter pursed her lips, considering the proposal. Finally, she agreed. "Alright, let's give each other a chance."