After Becoming a Film Queen, She Dumped Her Financial Sponsor - Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Boss Looks So Good Today

She woke up with a sore back.

Qiao Sijin propped her forehead with one hand and sighed. She had slept so poorly that her whole head felt foggy and heavy.

Her phone on the side table was still vibrating relentlessly. Lazily, she pressed on the back of the phone and swiped her thumb up to turn off the alarm.

“Just five more minutes… Just five more minutes and I’ll get up…”

Wait—no, she couldn’t sleep any longer.

Qiao Sijin pushed herself up with both hands, jolting awake as if she’d been shocked in a dream. The blanket slipped off her body, and sunlight had already streamed in from the window.

She almost forgot.

She wasn’t in the mountains anymore. She had to be on set today. Taking a deep breath, Qiao Sijin jumped out of bed.

She estimated that in a few more minutes, Li Ke would probably be knocking on her door to wake her up. She slipped her feet into her slippers and used her fingers to spread out her long hair.

Sure enough, her phone rang again—it was her ringtone this time.

“Hey, you’re up? We’re supposed to be at the set by 8, right?”

“Got it.”

After hanging up, Li Ke let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, what happened last night hadn’t affected her boss’s mood—otherwise, she wouldn’t know how to explain things.

But next time she got involved in stuff like this, she’d have to tread more carefully.

As long as her boss stayed away from romantic drama, she was usually rational and clear-headed. Focusing on her career was definitely the best path for her.

Li Ke parked the car, then habitually took the elevator up. She had the code to Qiao Sijin’s apartment, so getting in was no issue.

Still, she knocked politely.

When the door opened, she was momentarily speechless at the sight of Qiao Sijin.

Maybe it was because she knew her fans would be welcoming her today, but Qiao Sijin had clearly dressed up. Even though she didn’t look too different from usual, there was just something about her today—something irresistible.

Li Ke even pinched her thigh to snap out of it.

“Wow, boss, you look amazing today.”

“Are you trying to charm the fans?”

“I fully support this!”

Li Ke opened with a wave of compliments. Qiao Sijin just smiled slightly without saying anything. The necklace she was wearing was still the one given to her at a previous fan event.

She really liked it, so she kept it close.

That was enough. So what if the old necklace was gone? She’d find something else to replace it.

“Cut the flattery,” she said.

The two walked into the elevator. Li Ke naturally took one of Qiao Sijin’s suitcases and pressed the floor number.

“How is that flattery? Boss, I honestly didn’t expect you to bounce back so quickly this morning.”

“I thought you’d be heartbroken for days.”

Did she really come across as that fragile? Since she had already decided to let go, Qiao Sijin wasn’t going to dwell on it anymore.

The past was past.

“It won’t happen. I told you, I’m over it.”

“If anyone’s shedding tears now, it should be Fu Qingyun.”

They got into the van. Once they arrived at the film city, they likely wouldn’t return for a few days. The production team had already booked hotel rooms nearby—just grab a bag and check-in.

When they got out of the van, the entrance was already crowded with paparazzi and photo-snapping fans. Since the schedule had been shared ahead of time, there was an even larger crowd than usual.

The weather was cold today. Qiao Sijin had on two layers, but the chill still cut through, blowing strands of her long hair across her face.

“Sijin! Sijin!”

“Xiao Jin! We love you!”

She raised her hand and smiled flawlessly in response to the cheers, waving gently.

“Hi, everyone!”

“Have you eaten yet? If not, I’ve prepared some small gifts for you.”

As she finished speaking, a few bodyguards began handing out breakfast to the fans who’d been waiting outside the film city. Some of the other cast members nearby were stunned.

Seriously? That competitive?

Had they known, they would’ve prepared breakfast boxes too. Now they were completely outshined.

“Thank you! Xiao Jin! Aaaaahhh!”

“This one’s mine—don’t take it, okay!”

“I’m bringing it home! I’m keeping it forever!”

Fans were even more hyped up now, practically on the verge of fighting for the food.

“There’s enough for everyone, don’t worry.”

“Once you’ve eaten, head home. I’ve got work soon.”

She waited outside for her fan site admins to finish taking a few pictures before she went in for her shoot.

Li Ke was stunned watching all of this. She had known her boss was determined to turn over a new leaf—but she didn’t expect her to act on it this quickly.

And when had she arranged all this? Li Ke hadn’t heard a thing!

“Sijin, I didn’t expect you to prepare so much.”

“You look great, too.”

Gu Xin arrived, followed by a long string of her own fans. She had planned to sneak into the set, but as soon as she reached the gate, she saw the crowd was packed.

She had also heard yesterday that Qiao Sijin’s agency, XuanYu Culture, had been acquired. She figured Qiao Sijin wouldn’t show up today and would take a few days off to handle the company mess.

But instead, she looked like someone riding high on good news.

Gu Xin silently sounded the alarm—clearly, Fu Qingyun had no intention of letting go. She was probably getting even more entangled.

“Not bad. Morning to you, too.”

“By the way, what scenes are you shooting solo today?”

Qiao Sijin glanced at her script. Most of the big scenes today were for Gu Xin. She didn’t have any notes about Gu Xin’s role in her copy, so she wasn’t sure.

“That’s a secret.”

“You’ll see when I shoot.”

Their exchange immediately sparked another round of screams. Thanks to the film’s promo campaign, there were plenty of joint materials and appearances.

Qiao Sijin was already used to the fan service.

As the two stood close for pictures, fans began uploading photos right away.

In the past, Qiao Sijin would’ve avoided these situations for fear of upsetting Fu Qingyun. She had rejected all rumors and gossip out of concern.

But now, things were different.

Since she had decided to move on from Fu Qingyun, there was no need to hold back.

Gu Xin played along perfectly, forming half a heart shape with her hand toward Qiao Sijin. Qiao Sijin sighed—there were so many fans watching, she couldn’t very well refuse.

Besides, the movie was still in its promotion period. The last thing they needed was rumors of the leads not getting along.

So Qiao Sijin slowly raised her other hand to complete the heart—but there was still a huge gap in the middle.

This girl really doesn’t play by the rules.