After Becoming a Film Queen, She Dumped Her Financial Sponsor - Chapter 42

Chapter 42: #QiaoSijin #GuXin

“Tao-jie, we’ve always worked with Sijin. Do you think President Fu will come after us?”

Tao Yi sighed, looking at the line of people standing at her office door. Since early morning, they’d been stopping by to get updates—afraid of missing out on anything.

“What would he come after you for?”

“And stop gossiping about President Fu and Sijin’s relationship. That kind of talk is exactly what will get you in trouble.”

Just as she finished speaking, someone else rushed in, still holding their work badge, bent over with their hands on their knees, panting heavily.

“What’s wrong, Xiao Zhao? What’s got you in such a hurry?” someone asked, confused.

The smarter ones had already gone to the window, looking outside. Tao Yi’s office wasn’t on a very high floor, so they had a clear view of what was happening down below.

“It’s bad… President Fu is already here!”

“I came to warn you all!”

Everyone except Tao Yi panicked instantly, swallowing nervously. After all, Nanshan Group had already owned a few entertainment subsidiaries, though they hadn’t developed quickly.

Still, they had produced a few quality works.

A group of people crowded by the window, looking down.

Three luxury cars were parked outside the company entrance. The security guard rushed up to open the door of the lead car.

Fu Qingyun stepped out, dressed in formal attire. The CEO of Xuanyu Culture had known Fu Qingyun before. Now that Nanshan Group had acquired them, he didn’t think it was a bad thing.

With Nanshan Group’s support, if he could make something of himself within Xuanyu Culture, he might even be promoted into Nanshan Group’s inner circle.

Then he’d be one of Fu Qingyun’s early loyalists—and once Fu Qingyun had full control of Nanshan Group, he might already have everything he ever wanted.

A good businessman should never be short-sighted. If all you can see is the three copper coins in front of you, you’re never going to make it big.

“President Fu, please.”

“And about Miss Qiao’s fall-winter schedule—here’s the plan for your review.”

He handed over a folder he had long prepared. If it hadn’t been for Qiao Sijin, Fu Qingyun probably wouldn’t have even noticed their small-to-mid-sized company.

Fu Qingyun’s black hair was pinned up. She had a strange aura about her—a fusion of the ruthless decisiveness of a person in power and a soft elegance like silk.

The hairpin caught the sunlight and shimmered with a piercing gleam, the sunlight also falling on her black skirt suit and blazer.

“What’s your motive for guessing my intentions like that?”

Her tone was soft, and she smiled faintly. Her slender fingers took the file from the man, pulling it gently into her hand.

“Regardless of your motives, Sijin’s affairs should follow her wishes. Do not interfere too much.”

“Otherwise… you know I have a very bad temper.”

Her long hair danced in the wind. The man stepped back, still smiling.

People in high places all have their flaws—some are for power, some for love. They remain lofty, even when pretending to be considerate.

“Of course. Ever since Miss Qiao joined our company, she’s reviewed all scripts personally. We’ve never interfered in her decisions.”

“She has full autonomy.”

“Come, President Fu. Let’s not stand here in the sun—it’s quite scorching.”

He gestured politely.

Fu Qingyun didn’t say much in response. She took the folder and completely withdrew her earlier smile.

Her eyes darkened.

She used to hate it when people tried to guess her intentions. But now, she’d grown used to it. As a successful leader, she needed people to second-guess her, to fear her.

She walked through the front doors of the company.

A line of bodyguards stood behind her at the entrance—both men and women—all wearing identical black suits and sunglasses.

“President Fu… really came!”

Tao Yi, who had already seen Fu Qingyun the night before, wasn’t surprised. She stretched lazily and leaned back in her chair.

“You’re all wasting your time panicking. What’s the big deal? Besides, Sijin isn’t even in the office today. Whatever happens, it won’t affect you.”

“Now go back to your desks!”

Her office, which had felt a bit empty earlier, suddenly seemed packed with all these people squeezing in.

“Tao-jie, you don’t understand. You should’ve seen the aura President Fu gave off today. We’re seriously in danger.”

Someone quickly pulled out their phone and handed it over to Tao Yi, who looked down to see a trending post.

Qiao Sijin smiled sweetly in the photo, standing next to Gu Xin, both making a heart gesture with their hands. Although there was a gap between them, it didn’t diminish the way Gu Xin was gazing at Sijin—with raw emotion in her eyes.

Even Tao Yi, who wasn’t trained in acting, could sense the authenticity behind that look.

What’s more, Qiao Sijin had told her before about Gu Xin’s feelings. If the script hadn’t been so compelling—even Sijin herself had wanted the role—she would’ve turned it down the moment she learned Gu Xin was the co-star.

Scrolling further, Tao Yi saw the two top trending hashtags on the hot search list:

#QiaoSijin GuXin
#QiaoGuCP

Well then. She probably shouldn’t have spoken so confidently earlier.

When had Fu Qingyun ever endured this kind of humiliation?

In the past, Qiao Sijin had cared more about Fu Qingyun’s emotions than her own career. She rejected any affectionate or romantic scenes outright. If it was unavoidable, she used a body double.

Tao Yi had even advised her back then: don’t get lost in this relationship. First, Fu Qingyun didn’t care about her career, so there was no need to make so many sacrifices.

Second, Tao Yi had been blunt: their relationship wasn’t one of love—it was an affair. Given that, why should Qiao Sijin keep tiptoeing around, trying to please her?

It was always about mutual benefit anyway.

Still, she hadn’t forcefully opposed Qiao Sijin’s choices. After all, any “suggestions” from Fu Qingyun were likely things she didn’t want anyone else to know in the first place.

“I get it. You guys go back to work. If President Fu has any questions, I’ll handle them.”

“And someone keep a close eye on Sijin.”

“Make sure she doesn’t suddenly come back to the office.”

If the two of them met now, it would be like thunder crashing into dry firewood—an explosion waiting to happen.