After Becoming a Film Queen, She Dumped Her Financial Sponsor - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Get Off Me, Fu Qingyun

The bedroom was dim, lit only by a single warm, yellow light.

“The three-year contract is up, Qingyun… It’s time we ended this relationship.”

The voice beneath her was barely a whisper, but the tone was firm—unmistakably resolute, as if she had already made up her mind.

“You really want to leave me that badly, Qiao Sijin?”

Fu Qingyun leaned down, biting the fair, tender skin of her neck. Her teeth sank in just enough to make Qiao Sijin furrow her brows in discomfort.

“Everything you ever wanted—movies, dramas—didn’t I give them all to you?”

“What’s so wrong about keeping things the way they are?”

Her eyes were shadowed with unreadable emotion. She traced her fingers slowly along Qiao Sijin’s collarbone, feeling the rhythm of this ungrateful little cat’s heartbeat.

She’s grown up, Fu Qingyun thought.

And now she’s learned how to scratch her master.

“Get off me, Fu Qingyun.”

“I said—we’re done.”

What a biting little mutt she’d raised. Qiao Sijin lifted her knee to shove Fu Qingyun off, but was forcefully pinned down instead.

Slender fingers wrapped around Qiao Sijin’s wrists and pinned them to the pillow. Once again, she was forced into this humiliating position, facing Fu Qingyun.

Qiao Sijin simply closed her eyes, frowning slightly, unwilling to look at Fu Qingyun’s striking face.

Her lips descended—no longer soft or tender. She bit down on Qiao Sijin’s lips, drawing a faint, metallic taste of bl00d.

Reborn, Qiao Sijin swore she would never be under Fu Qingyun’s control again.

In her past life, she’d been like a golden canary, carefully kept and pampered by Fu Qingyun. All it took was a single call—she’d come running, obedient and silent.

Even if she was filming until midnight, if Fu Qingyun had a need, she had to rush to the hotel immediately and allow herself to be used however Fu Qingyun pleased.

She wasn’t even allowed to make a sound—only to obey her every command.

In return, Fu Qingyun gave her resources.

She wanted her body, her rights, her everything.

There was only a transaction between them—no feelings.
But no matter how carefully raised, a bird kept too long will eventually fall for its keeper.

Qiao Sijin admitted she had been pathetic. In her past life, she had hopelessly fallen in love with Fu Qingyun.

From the moment Fu Qingyun entered her life at twenty-two—
Qiao Sijin had only been a student at the drama academy then.

Beauty was common in arts schools, but Qiao Sijin was breathtaking. She had a kind of allure that could pull anyone under.

She juggled school and small roles in low-budget web dramas, hoping one day to land a minor part in a mainstream production.

She had suffered enough to match the number of boxed meals she had eaten on set.

Just for a two-second appearance, she was forced to reshoot over and over because the director kept nitpicking on purpose.

The burning sun beat down, its scorching rays nearly peeling off her skin.

“Good enough, Sijin.”

“This take was decent, but your overall performance today? As the director, I’m disappointed. You held up the whole crew’s schedule… How about you join us for drinks tonight and make it up to everyone?”

The director waddled over, sweaty and grinning, holding a megaphone. His stench made Qiao Sijin nauseous, but she endured it.

She bowed deeply to him, expressing her apology.

“Sorry, Director… I still have schoolwork to do. I might not make it tonight.”

She knew her place. As a lowly extra, her words didn’t carry weight.

She was likely not getting out of that gathering tonight. But she also knew full well what “drinks” actually meant.

The director had been hinting these past few days—the show’s investor had his eye on her. If she just “cooperated,”
the third female lead role could be hers.

And this drama was set to air on a major network. That kind of opportunity was priceless for a newcomer.

The male and female leads were both top stars.

“Qiao Sijin, what’s your problem? Don’t be so out of touch. Socializing helps you grow. Everyone else from the crew is coming.”

“Just join us.”

The main actors had left for another set, leaving the extras and support crew with the night off. And she was expected to comply.

“Director…”

She tried again to decline, but the flabby director’s smile vanished as he slapped the script aside.

“Listen, little girl—don’t toast with water when wine is offered. If you don’t show up tonight, I swear—
no matter how good your acting is, you won’t get a single second of screen time!”

His vicious tone genuinely scared her. She had only taken this part-time job during summer break…

“Li Jianren.”

A cool, detached voice came from behind the director. Qiao Sijin’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up and saw a stranger’s face.

Gold-rimmed glasses sat perfectly on her high nose bridge. She wore a sharply tailored suit.

Her features were striking, noble—
radiating an unapproachable aura as she coldly stared down the smug director who had been lecturing her just moments ago.

Qiao Sijin was stunned.

“Ah—President Fu… This was my mistake.”

“I was just coaching a new actress!”

The director immediately forced a smile. Years in the industry had taught him to recognize people he couldn’t afford to offend.

President Fu… Qiao Sijin quickly realized who this must be: the heir to the famous Nanshan Group, now serving as its CEO.

The very definition of a golden child.

Fu Qingyun had only come to check on the filming progress. After all, the entire film city and studio complex belonged to Nanshan Group.

Naturally, Fu Qingyun was familiar with every production under their name.

Li Jianren was a well-known director of idol dramas, and this project was tailored to mainstream trends. She hadn’t expected to stumble upon someone interesting today.

“You don’t want to drink?”

Ignoring the director, Fu Qingyun walked over and stared coolly at Qiao Sijin.

She had seen countless actresses. But only this one caught her attention—
a tightly closed flower bud, not yet in full bloom.

And once it did bloom, she was certain—
it would shake the entire entertainment industry.

“Yes.”

“I don’t want to go, President Fu.”

That was the first conversation between them.

And the first step Qiao Sijin took—
into the eye of the storm.