How To Deal With Being Transmigrated As The Scumbag Ex-Wife - Chapter 25

25: I’ll Definitely Stick Close to Xiao Yu!

“I just meant everyone’s excited about your new film.” Chen Ruo’s slightly exasperated voice came through the phone. She hadn’t expected Yu Qingjia to be so calm, making her seem like the impatient one.

Discussing Look Up’s editing priorities with the editor, Yu Qingjia humored her with a smile. “Uh-huh, I’m thrilled people are looking forward to my movie. Anything else?”

Chen Ruo: “…”

You’d think she was coaxing a kid!

Giving up on the topic, Chen Ruo shifted gears. “Two pieces of good news, has President Yu told you? Star Making Plan did great at the Japan and Korea box offices, over 200 million total. And Star Making Plan sold its overseas remake rights to Hayden Pictures!” Her tone grew excited, as if she’d sold the rights herself.

Yu Qingjia hadn’t paid much attention to overseas box office, focusing on the domestic market. Still, strong international numbers were welcome news. She hadn’t known about the remake rights—Xinghui handled such deals, and with Yu Qingyi in charge, there was no risk of underselling.

Recalling Hayden Pictures, Yu Qingjia nodded. A major player, second only in overseas markets, Hayden controlled numerous theater chains. Selling remake rights wasn’t unusual, especially for Star Making Plan, a story about modern youth grappling with desire and ideals—universal enough to avoid cultural barriers, making it ideal for remakes.

“That’s great news,” Yu Qingjia said, smiling, gesturing to the editor, who nodded. She stepped out of the editing room, continuing, “I’d better finish Look Up’s edit soon then. The rights sale could boost its buzz.”

Chen Ruo teased, “I thought you were all zen, not caring about netizen hype.”

Yu Qingjia felt misunderstood. She didn’t care about online popularity contests, but she wanted Look Up noticed. Even if it was aimed at awards, it still needed to recoup costs—otherwise, who’d fund her next film?

“No way, don’t I need to make money?” Leaning against the corridor railing, she eyed the floor’s glossy patterns and shadows. “I just mean don’t take those comments to heart, or you’ll drive yourself crazy.”

Chen Ruo muttered, “I’m not taking them to heart. I’m worried you’ll feel pressured.”

Yu Qingjia sighed inwardly. Hadn’t she always seemed calm?

Before Star Making Plan’s release, its online feud with Beacon Beauty stressed Pan Xing to the point of blisters, and Beacon Beauty’s early box office surge pressured everyone—yet Yu Qingjia had soothed them all. Chen Ruo underestimated her.

Despite her exasperation, her agent meant well. “Thanks for the concern, Sister Chen. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up—I’m still editing.”

After saying goodbye to Chen Ruo, Yu Qingjia turned to head back to the editing room when Pan Xing called, “Director Yu, hold on.”

Since Yu Qingjia became a director, Pan Xing started calling her “Director Yu”—initially a joke, but now genuine. With a debut that scored both critical and commercial success, who else was a director?

Pausing, thinking Pan Xing had business, Yu Qingjia looked over and saw a familiar girl behind her—clear almond eyes, high nose, fair cheeks, and a tiny red mole on her nose.

“Liu Ming?” Yu Qingjia stared, stunned, as the girl excitedly rushed over and gave her a warm hug.

“Hahaha, I’m back! Surprised, huh?” Liu Ming’s exuberant voice didn’t dispel Yu Qingjia’s shock, it amplified it.

Her gentle, meticulous friend had been rewritten like this?

Liu Ming was Yu Qingjia’s college roommate; both studied directing, Liu Ming focusing on documentaries, Yu Qingjia on films. After undergrad, Liu Ming went abroad for grad school. They rarely kept in touch—Liu Ming busy with studies, Yu Qingjia with work—but Liu Ming always met up when back in the country, making them close friends.

In this world, Liu Ming was the original host’s childhood friend. After the Liu family immigrated, contact lessened, but Liu Ming still returned to hang out with the original host.

Recalling their past, Yu Qingjia felt conflicted. This Liu Ming was brash, reckless, and scatterbrained.

Sure enough, Liu Ming blurted, “I wanted to surprise you, but Pan Xing said you two got divorced, and you moved out. I couldn’t get into Xinghui, so I asked her to bring me to you.”

Yu Qingjia: …

She wanted to crack open this girl’s head to see what was inside. Asking her friend’s ex-wife to escort her? Good thing she and Pan Xing parted amicably, someone less patient might’ve kicked her out.

Casting Pan Xing a helpless glance, Pan Xing shrugged casually. “No big deal. I was here to discuss an ad contract anyway, so I brought her. You two chat, I’ve got stuff to do.”

“Thanks!” Liu Ming, beside Yu Qingjia, waved cheerily at Pan Xing.

After Pan Xing entered the elevator, Yu Qingjia turned to her rewritten friend, head aching. “Why don’t you go have fun? I’ll find you when I’m done.”

“Why so formal? Like I need you to entertain me,” Liu Ming said, slapping her shoulder, winking. “I’ve never seen film editing. Can I watch?”

So unreserved.

Yu Qingjia said, “It’s tedious to watch. I suggest you go explore.”

She wasn’t worried about leaks, just that Liu Ming’s clumsiness might break something, causing real trouble.

Liu Ming pouted. “When will you be done? I haven’t had breakfast!”

“…” If not for the original host’s memories of Liu Ming’s erratic nature, Yu Qingjia would’ve thought she was whining about being ignored. Sighing, she said, “Go eat. I’ll find you when I’m done.”

Liu Ming didn’t push, sighing. “Fine, busy lady. Need me to grab you anything?”

“…No, just eat.”

Pushing her rewritten friend into the elevator, Yu Qingjia hurried back to the editing room to discuss the film’s editing focus with the editor.

Yu Qingjia lost track of time while working. When she snapped out of it, it was 3 p.m. Remembering Liu Ming, who’d come to hang out, she rushed out to find her, only to open the door and see a pink “mushroom” squatting by the window, scrolling her phone.

The “mushroom” heard her, stood quickly, but wobbled from crouching too long, nearly face-planting. Yu Qingjia steadied her just in time.

Catching her breath, Liu Ming held up a paper bag, grinning. “You skipped lunch, huh? Bet you’re starving. I got you two cream puffs to tide you over. We’ll grab food later.”

Guilt hit Yu Qingjia—she’d forgotten Liu Ming while working, yet Liu Ming worried she’d be hungry and bought her snacks.

Taking the bag, she noticed it felt light. Opening it, she found two wrappers with traces of cream.

Yu Qingjia: “…”

Catching her gaze, Liu Ming glanced in, then slapped her forehead. “Oh, I was downloading Weibo, got hungry scrolling, and ate them.” She chuckled. “C’mon, I’m still hungry—that wasn’t enough.”

Yu Qingjia gave her friend a complicated look, sighing. “Let’s go.”

…

To make up for leaving Liu Ming waiting hours, Yu Qingjia offered to treat her to dinner, letting her pick the place. Liu Ming brushed it off, dragging her to a hotpot restaurant.

Yu Qingjia had avoided the original host’s friends, not wanting to explain her sudden changes. She’d dodged several invitations citing work, distancing herself from those circles. But Liu Ming showing up unannounced was a first, she couldn’t refuse and had to go with it.

Surprisingly, Liu Ming didn’t notice her changes, finding them normal.

“Divorced people are like that—I get it.” Liu Ming said, snatching a beef roll Yu Qingjia had cooked.

“???”

Being divorced explains everything?

Suddenly grateful for Liu Ming’s obliviousness, Yu Qingjia thought she’d have had a headache otherwise.

Sweating from the spicy food, Liu Ming’s phone lit up. Glancing at it, she yelped, “Oh!”

Yu Qingjia checked other tables—luckily, it was a quiet time, and their corner spot was mostly hidden.

Before she could speak, Liu Ming said, “I forgot! I saw on Weibo your new film’s hitting summer?”

“Not confirmed, but possible.” Yu Qingjia replied. Regarding the summer slot, she wasn’t worried about Zhou Jin’s February 19th. Of the eleven films releasing, it had the least edge—only its feud with Tianyue drew attention.

Her real pressure was the imported blockbuster Super Cute Pets 2. This world had no domestic film protection period, making summer and New Year slots prime for foreign split-revenue films.

The first Super Cute Pets grossed 1.2 billion domestically and 7 billion globally—two years ago, before theater and screen growth exploded. It claimed that year’s box office crown, breaking import records.

Some predicted Super Cute Pets 2 could be the first film to hit 10 billion globally. If its quality matched the original, it might make commercial film history.

Yu Qingjia wasn’t arrogant enough to think Look Up could outgross it. They were different beasts—Look Up was a genre film aimed at awards, while Super Cute Pets 2 was a pure commercial juggernaut. Audiences wanted fun and visual thrills; great effects could overshadow a weaker plot.

Super Cute Pets 2 was built to rake in cash, while Look Up chased prestige. It started miles behind.

Yu Qingjia’s challenge was carving out audience share and box office for Look Up under Super Cute Pets 2’s dominance, as most moviegoers would flock to it first.

Seeing her lost in thought, Liu Ming sneakily stole more meat, savoring it with a squint. “What are you thinking? Not eating?”

No point discussing this with Liu Ming. Yu Qingjia sighed. “Nothing, eat.”

…

Yu Qingjia thought their corner spot hid them, but she miscalculated. After driving Liu Ming home, she found herself trending—

#HotpotShopSightingofYuQingjia

The original poster said they spotted her while shopping with their boyfriend. Thinking it was a lookalike, they pointed her out, but it was Yu Qingjia. They snapped a sneaky photo, posted it, and it shot up the hot search.

Yu Qingjia sighed in relief, better a hotpot sighting than romance rumors.

Still, netizens were intrigued that Tianyue’s Second Princess loved hotpot.

“Wow, Xiao Yu’s a hotpot fan? Let’s swap menus! /shiba inu”

“Celebrity hotpot vibes! Does anyone know which shop? I’m craving. /drool”

“Hotpot in summer, iconic!”

“Holy crap, that’s me in the black tee!!! Closest I’ve ever been to Xiao Yu, and I didn’t even know!!! /sobbing /sobbing /sobbing But this place is legit tasty, sisters, try it!”

“Upstairs, brutal, but I’m cackling hahahaha. Also, tangent—this shop’s beef rolls are amazing. /drool”

The photo was taken while Liu Ming was in the bathroom, sparing her from being captured.

Yu Qingjia skimmed the comments, relieved no one asked who she was with.

Lanyuan Villa No. 7

Fresh from her bath, Zhizhi scampered to the big bed, bouncing and giggling as it jiggled. Ming Yin, handling emails, glanced at her.

Mommy’s attention thrilled Zhizhi, who bounced more, flashing her tiny teeth. “Yinyin! Time for bed!”

“Almost done. Lie down first.” Ming Yin replied, about to close her inbox when a news alert popped up—

Hotpot Shop Sighting of Yu Qingjia, Roundup of Down-to-Earth Female Stars

Before her brain could stop her, her hand clicked the article.

Ming Yin frowned, annoyed at herself, but her eyes caught the post’s timestamp—today.

Yu Qingjia went for a hotpot?

Her finger hovered over the close button but scrolled instead, landing on the photo.

A man and woman’s faces were mosaic’d with flowers. Behind them, at a hotpot shop’s window corner, sat a girl. Despite the greenery partially hiding her face, Ming Yin recognized Yu Qingjia.

It was her.

Ming Yin’s eyes narrowed. Though Yu Qingjia’s table seemed empty, the utensils and handbag suggested she was with a young, wealthy woman.

This conclusion made Ming Yin frown instinctively.

“My tummy’s so soft~”

Zhizhi’s delighted voice snapped Ming Yin from her thoughts. She glanced at Zhizhi, poking her belly on the bed, her expression unreadable.

Closing the article and laptop, Ming Yin sat on the bed, ruffling Zhizhi’s hair. “Zhizhi, remember the game board Xiao Yu gave you?”

Zhizhi, hyper-sensitive to “Xiao Yu,” lit up. “I kept it in my bag!”

Her words deepened Ming Yin’s gaze, though her smile stayed gentle. “Want to play it with Xiao Yu?”

“Yes!” Zhizhi’s starry eyes sparkled, but she drooped. “But Xiao Yu’s so busy, busier than Mommy, and I have kindergarten.”

Pouting, Zhizhi looked up. “Why can’t Xiao Yu live with us?”

“Um, it’s too soon for that,” Ming Yin said after a pause. Zhizhi’s confused look prompted her to kiss her forehead. “Want to hang out with Xiao Yu?”

“Can I?!” Zhizhi scrambled up, bouncing into Ming Yin’s arms. “I wanna go! I wanna go!”

“We’ll check with Xiao Yu first, she needs to be free.”

“Okay! Thank you, Mommy! I love you!”

…

Fresh from her shower, Yu Qingjia wrapped her damp hair in a towel and entered the screening room to study this world’s classic films. Analyzing them took time, she’d be at it for a while.

Just as she settled, her phone buzzed from the sofa’s corner. Surprised, she saw Ming Yin’s video call request.

Since Zhizhi’s birthday invite, their communication had shifted to video calls?

Musing, she turned on the room’s light and accepted the call.

The screen lit up with Zhizhi’s adorable face, filling most of it, set against light blue cloud-patterned wallpaper—likely her cozy children’s room.

“Xiao Yu!” Zhizhi, clutching the tablet, stomped excitedly, shaking the camera. “Good evening!”

“Evening, Xiao Lizhi.” Yu Qingjia grinned, glancing behind her. “Where’s Mommy?”

Zhizhi set the tablet down, cupping her face, looking rounder. “Mommy’s working. I’m sneaking to call you!”

Yu Qingjia, surprised, laughed. “What’s up, Xiao Lizhi?”

Zhizhi making a video call? Too smart for her age.

Blinking her big eyes, Zhizhi said softly, “I miss you. Can I play with you?”

She missed her.

Yu Qingjia’s heart melted. Where did this little angel come from?

About to agree, she remembered Zhizhi’s kindergarten. “Don’t you have school?”

She’d planned to visit Zhizhi after wrapping work to make up for missing her birthday, but with work just calming down, Zhizhi beat her to it.

“I—” Zhizhi’s eyes darted, lighting up. “I don’t have kindergarten on Saturday!”

Missing her glance, Yu Qingjia calculated. “Saturday, huh…”

Zhizhi watched anxiously. Yu Qingjia couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Alright, I’ll come find you Saturday.”

Zhizhi’s brows shot up. “Yay, it’s a deal! Come Saturday!”

Smiling at the adorable girl, Yu Qingjia nodded. “Deal.”

A noise came through, and Zhizhi glanced nervously aside, frowning. “Mommy’s calling me! We can’t talk, she’ll catch me!”

Her sneaky antics were too cute. Yu Qingjia played along. “Quick, hide the tablet. Sleep early, okay?”

“Uh-huh, night, Xiao Yu!”

Zhizhi hung up. In the final moment, Yu Qingjia thought she heard Ming Yin’s voice. Staring at the phone, she chuckled, setting it aside.

No way Zhizhi would lie, and Ming Yin wouldn’t be that bored, right?

Watching the end call, Ming Yin gave Zhizhi a thumbs-up. “Great job, Zhizhi!”

Praised, Zhizhi puffed out her chest. “Don’t worry, Mommy, I’ll stick close to Xiao Yu and keep others away!”

Ming Yin: …

Um, that wasn’t her plan, she just wanted to know if Yu Qingjia had a new romance.