How To Deal With Being Transmigrated As The Scumbag Ex-Wife - Chapter 17

17: Ming Yin: Are You Free Today, Zhizhi…

Yu Qingjia’s response was like pouring fuel on the fire of this verbal war. A transitioning director casually claiming a 1 billion box office? Yu Xing took to Weibo, mocking her for being clueless about her limits.

Star Making Plan and Beacon Beauty dominated the trending lists for a week. Some troublemaking marketing accounts even launched a poll asking audiences which movie they’d watch, with options including Star Making Plan, Beacon Beauty, and other Lunar New Year hits like Back to High School and Life’s Adventures. Over a million voted, with Beacon Beauty leading at 47.6%, followed by Back to High School at 31.1%. Star Making Plan trailed at the bottom.

Noticing the poll, Pan Xing shared it on Weibo, urging fans to support her big-screen debut. When Yu Qingjia called to check in, she learned Pan Xing was so stressed she’d developed mouth ulcers.

“I don’t know how you’re so relaxed.” Pan Xing said in a video call, speaking carefully to avoid aggravating her ulcers.

Yu Qingjia sighed helplessly. “Don’t take those polls seriously. Real audiences don’t care about this stuff. Most decide what to watch at the theater. The poll’s just for clout.”

Seeing her carefree attitude, Pan Xing wanted to yank her out of the screen. “You remember saying 1 billion yuan, right? What if it flops?”

“Then I’ll quit the industry,” Yu Qingjia shrugged. Why worry? If it came to that, she’d study abroad or pivot to another country’s market.

Pan Xing rolled her eyes ungracefully. “So I worried for nothing.” How was this woman so unflappable?

“Forget that. I sent you a new script—take a look,” Yu Qingjia said, cutting to business. Online noise was less important than prepping her next film.

Though the premiere revealed she was working on a new project, Pan Xing was still shocked to receive the script so soon. “How are you this fast?”

At this pace, Yu Qingjia could churn out two films a year. What director does that?

Yu Qingjia tapped her temple, smirking mysteriously. “Got ideas up here.”

Pan Xing: …

Ugh, why is she suddenly so annoying?

On February 1, Beacon Beauty premiered, grossing 70 million yuan on its first day. At that rate, with decent quality and normal drop-off, it could hit 800 million yuan—a success for an 80 million yuan investment.

This stunned the industry. The previous domestic opening-day record was 50 million yuan; Beacon Beauty shattered it.

Its supporters celebrated online. By day two, the total box office reached 130 million yuan, with promotional buzz flooding the internet. Many remarked—

Director Yuan Jing thrived after leaving Tianyue. Though older, Tianyue was declining. The new wave overtakes the old, and Huayue was the future’s hope.

Some even egged Huayue on to poach Tianyue’s A-list stars, saying they deserved better.

Yu Xing posted a Weibo taunting Yu Qingjia and Tianyue:

“@YuXingV: I get it, who hasn’t been young and reckless? Some get propped up by capital and think they’re hot stuff. But put a crown on a donkey, and it’s still a donkey, right? @YuQingjia”

The post blew up online.

“Yu Xing’s harsh, man. Yu Qingjia lost, but that’s a low blow.”

“Hahaha, it’s harsh but true. Props to Yu Xing /like.”

“She’s just a young woman, that’s too much!”

“Wasn’t gonna watch Star Making Plan, but this post makes me want to support the second princess /smile.”

Yu Qingyi could shrug off earlier news, even Huayue’s attempts to poach Tianyue’s stars, but Yu Xing’s post nearly made her smash her tablet. “That’s too far!” she fumed.

That old jerk was way too full of himself.

Yu Qingjia, doodling a script, glanced over and saw Yu Qingyi’s livid face—scary enough to make kids cry.

“What’s got you so mad?” She reached for the tablet, but Yu Qingyi swiftly locked it and stuffed it in a drawer with a loud thud, making Yu Qingjia wonder if it’d break.

Not letting her see and getting this mad?

Yu Qingjia guessed quickly. “Did Beacon’s team say something? Don’t be upset, they’re only gloating for now.”

Yu Qingyi thought she meant Star Making Plan’s upcoming release would dent Beacon’s box office. Feeling exasperated, she knew Star Making was good, but the situation was tough—blind confidence wasn’t wise.

“I watched Beacon. The visuals are stunning but useless. The editing’s messy, and the story’s all over the place. It’s aiming for awards. Yuan Jing wants both box office and accolades but will grab neither,” Yu Qingjia said calmly. “It’s fresh now, so the box office looks strong. Give it a couple of days, you’ll see.”

Yu Qingyi didn’t know whether to scold her for buying a Beacon ticket or praise her calmness. Her words eased Yu Qingyi’s stress.

She shot her a look. “You’re too chill. Contributing to Beacon’s box office at a time like this?”

Yu Qingjia shrugged. “If Beacon’s good, I don’t mind losing a ticket’s worth. If it’s bad, consider it a pity to let it lose with dignity.”

“Pfft…”

A stifled laugh came from behind. Both sisters turned to see the secretary, who froze under their gaze, quickly bowing her head to work.

Yu Qingjia sighed. “Sister, your aura’s too intense, look how you scared her.”

Yu Qingyi glared. “Stop joking around. So, is Beacon good or trash?”

Yu Qingjia rubbed her chin. “My ticket was a waste. Back to High School at least made me laugh. Beacon was exhausting.”

So, trash then?

Wait—

“You watched all those films?” Yu Qingyi stared, stunned. No wonder she’d been at Xinghui daily, she was hitting the theater nearby.

Yu Qingjia nodded matter-of-factly. “Of course. Know your enemy to win every battle.”

Her composure pleased Yu Qingyi, who couldn’t resist asking, “So, how are they? What are our chances against them?”

Yu Qingjia smiled, eyes brimming with proud confidence. “The box office crown is mine!”

Yu Qingyi wasn’t the only one angered by Yu Xing’s post. Ming Yin, who’d supported the Star Making Plan with action, was also displeased—not just at Yu Xing’s disrespectful words but also out of indignation for Yu Qingjia.

She reached for her phone to message Yu Qingjia but paused.

Glancing at Zhizhi, stacking blocks on the carpet, she reconsidered, pocketing her phone. “Zhizhi, where are the photos you took with Xiao Yu the other day?”

Hearing Xiao Yu’s name, Zhizhi scrambled up, knocking over her blocks without care. She toddled to Ming Yin, diving into her arms, and pulled two photos from her little bag, showing them off proudly. “Here!”

Seeing her milk bun treasure the photos, Ming Yin’s feelings were complex. She adjusted Zhizhi’s decorative strawberry glasses, a lensless frame. Since the photo session with Yu Qingjia, Zhizhi had ditched cute onesies for pretty dresses, coats, and bags.

She looked great, but Ming Yin felt a pang, why was her milk bun copying someone else instead of her?

“Aren’t they pretty?” Zhizhi cherished the photos, pristine without a crease, showing her care.

Ming Yin glanced briefly, looking away. The duo looked too much like mother and daughter, she feared resenting Yu Qingjia. “Very pretty.”

Satisfied, Zhizhi wiped the photos gently before tucking them back in her bag. She sighed like a little adult. “But Xiao Yu’s so busy.”

“You really want to see her?” Ming Yin kissed her forehead, pulling out her phone. “I’ll ask if Xiao Yu’s free today.”

“Really?!” Zhizhi bounced, hugging Ming Yin’s arm. “I wanna play with Xiao Yu!”

“Okay, Mommy will ask.” Ming Yin said softly, her gaze tender. “What should you say?”

Zhizhi puckered up, kissing Ming Yin’s cheek. “Thank you, Mommy! I love you most!”

Satisfied, Ming Yin ruffled Zhizhi’s hair and sent Yu Qingjia a WeChat message:

“Are you free today? Zhizhi wants to have dinner with you.”