The Unexpected Rise Before My Exit from the Entertainment Industry

Chapter 11

After eating their fill, everyone went about the tasks they had arranged earlier.

The others first went to the cornfield to pick corn. Thanks to Qin Wei fixing up the three-wheeled cart, it unintentionally improved their efficiency. With Li Hanming and Shen Qingqing also helping out, after working hard all afternoon, they hauled back several cartloads of corn to the yard.

When the sun set and everyone tiredly returned to the yard, they were exhausted but full of a sense of accomplishment. Looking at the little mountain of corn piled up, Sun Dan said:

"There's at least a thousand cobs here, which can fetch over 500 yuan. We can use this money to speed up building our Peach Blossom Spring by half."

Su Xiaoxiao complained:

"Only 500 yuan for this much corn, we're letting the crew take advantage of us... When they sell it out there, they'll make a bundle."

Lin Qiqi chimed in:

"That's just the rules, nothing we can do. It's not easy for the crew either, they might not even be able to sell it all. 500, or double to 1000, could that make us rich?"

Qin Wei hadn't intended to say anything, but hearing Lin Qiqi's holier-than-thou attitude rubbed her the wrong way. She occasionally felt like she should make things difficult for Lin Qiqi too.

"Director,"

Qin Wei raised her hand, signaling the staff to come over.

"Go find us a place to sell. I want our hard work to get the greatest return."

Director A: "I guess we could do that..."

Lin Qiqi scowled, clearly expressing her displeasure:

"Teacher Qin, it's not that I don't support you, the show's staff must have other plans for tomorrow. I know you have great prestige, but shouldn't we not take things into our own hands? What if we can't sell it... No one wants to go sell corn."

Lin Qiqi wasn't stupid. She could tell Qin Wei was targeting her. She didn't expect a has-been celebrity would still dare provoke her like this. Recalling some recent incidents, she grew even angrier.

That's right, those photos have already been sent out, how come there's been no reaction yet?

Qin Wei looked utterly unconcerned, ignoring Lin Qiqi's suggestion completely:

"I can go myself, but if anyone is willing to help that'd be even better. Does anyone want to go with me?"

Everyone exchanged glances, but no one spoke up.

"I will."

Li Hanming raised his hand.

...

Su Xiaoxiao went to take a shower, leaving only Lin Qiqi alone in the bedroom. She waved at the camera, then covered it with a towel.

With no camera filming her, the true gloominess showed on her face.

She took out her phone and scrolled to the bottom of the hot search trends, but didn't see what she was looking for.

This goes back to lunchtime when they were eating hot pot.

After Qin Wei left and didn't return, Shen Qingqing naturally sat down next to her.

Lin Qiqi recognized this girl. She seemed to have some background, having started taking on various acting jobs as soon as she entered college, not only starring opposite A-list actors on the big screen, but also smoothly gaining recognition as a "brand friend" from a famous label.

What a coincidence, it just happened to be Givenchy, the brand Lin Qiqi was about to endorse.

"Sister Qiqi, the meat is cooked, I'll grab some for you if you don't mind."

Shen Qingqing's words interrupted her train of thought.

Without waiting for a response, Shen Qingqing picked up a piece of meat for her with her chopsticks.

As a result, soup dripped onto Shen Qingqing's clothes when Lin Qiqi wasn't paying attention.

"Oh no!"

Lin Qiqi hurriedly tried to wipe it away, but it was too late.

"I'm so sorry, it's my fault. I'll replace it with a new one later."

Shen Qingqing didn't seem to mind too much. On the contrary, she comforted Lin Qiqi:

"Sister Qiqi, don't worry about it. This is just PR freebies from the brand. Though I am curious, did Sister Qiqi get anything from this orchid series? They seem to have tailored different items based on everyone's style."

In fact, Lin Qiqi hadn't received anything. Shen Qingqing could tell from her expression. But she didn't say it outright, only continued:

"My friend at the company told me the boss also prepared a gift for Sister Qin Wei. Givenchy has been considerate, even though her contract ended, they didn't ask for a penny in breach fees. After all, they were long-time partners... I think they wanted to leave the door open for future collaborations."

Lin Qiqi was stunned. In just that moment, she had learned two unexpected pieces of information.

"Future... collaborations?"

Lin Qiqi found this very doubtful, but hearing it from Shen Qingqing made it seem plausible.

"Mm-hmm."

Shen Qingqing nodded.

"You haven't signed the endorsement contract yet, right? Sister Qiqi, you should prepare yourself mentally!

My friend at the company told me the execs are still observing. As long as Sister Qin Wei's reputation improves a bit, they'll re-sign her. Their partnership has been very stable...

I'm telling you this because I feel we really click. I like you a lot too. I don't want you to be too disappointed, but it's not certain either. Maybe after this show wraps, it'll be congratulations to you on snagging the endorsement. We might even get to collaborate in the future..."

Lin Qiqi felt heavier and heavier. She didn't even hear what Shen Qingqing said after that.

She cared a lot about this endorsement. Her company did too. Landing a global luxury brand endorsement meant her resources would instantly jump up several tiers.

At least she could avoid struggling for five more years!

But for a actress her age, how many five years were left?

No, she couldn't let Qin Wei snatch this endorsement out of her hands.

But she didn't know what she could do. Overhearing Shen Qingqing mumbling:

"Does Sister Qin Wei not like lamb? How come the kid doesn't either... They didn't let the camera crew follow them, what are they up to in the backyard?"

Lin Qiqi got up and hurriedly walked towards the backyard.

Watching her departing figure, Shen Qingqing revealed an imperceptible smile.

...

"Boss Xu, it's been sent out based on your instructions."

Late at night, the lights in the Anxing Entertainment CEO's office remained on. Several people busily worked on their laptops until they finally got the desired outcome.

The man addressed as "Boss Xu" leaned against the window and blandly acknowledged with an "okay." Exhaustion seeped into his tone.

He pinched the space between his brows and took the tablet his assistant handed over.

On the screen was a photo of a young man and woman sitting side by side, gazes locked, with only each other reflected in their eyes.

Without context, anyone would think they were a couple madly in love.

But Boss Xu knew the woman in the photo was none other than Qin Wei, who had gone on the show.

Staring at the image, he pointed to the boy smiling at her and asked:

"Which company's trainee is he?"

The assistant replied:

"Li Hanming from Pioneer Entertainment. He's debuted already, played some supporting roles in TV dramas that were well-received, and has quite a few fans... He's seventeen, turning eighteen in a month."

Boss Xu frowned.

"So he's still a minor. May-December romance, underage... Good thing we intercepted this. If it got exposed, the consequences would be unthinkable."

The assistant hesitated for a long while before asking:

"Boss Xu, you don't think Qin Wei would... really start liking fresh meat, do you? Does she... have that taste?"