How To Deal With Being Transmigrated As The Scumbag Ex-Wife - Chapter 34

34: Did Shen Ru Grow a Lovestruck Brain?

Xiao Lizhi stayed at the Yu household for three days before Ming Yin, having wrapped up her business deal, rushed back to City A to pick her up.

It was Ming Yin’s first formal visit to the Yu family, and she brought gifts for the Yu couple. To Yu Qingjia’s surprise, Ming Yin didn’t decline her mother’s dinner invitation. Though she ate sparingly, she joined them, and during the meal, Yu Qingjia realized how articulate Ming Yin could be. She not only discussed work with Old Yu but also engaged effortlessly with Mrs. Yu on beauty topics, exuding poise and charm.

The dinner significantly boosted the elders’ fondness for her, especially when they saw her occasionally checking on Xiao Lizhi. Mrs. Yu, in particular, felt sympathy for Ming Yin raising such a young child alone.

After Ming Yin and Xiao Lizhi left, Mrs. Yu pulled Yu Qingjia aside. “What’s the deal with Ming Yin’s parents?”

Caught off guard while planning her new project, Yu Qingjia paused. She’d never heard Ming Yin mention family beyond Xiao Lizhi, except for her cousin. The original story also never touched on Ming Yin’s relationship with her parents.

If Ming Yin were close to her parents, she wouldn’t have entrusted Xiao Lizhi to Yu Qingjia during such a time. Xiao Lizhi never mentioned them either.

Yu Qingjia frowned slightly. “I don’t know. How could I ask something like that?”

Since Ming Yin never brought it up, she likely didn’t want others prying. In the past, Yu Qingjia might have asked, but after that incident…

Old Yu chimed in, “I told you about the Ming family before. How’d you forget?”

He was addressing Mrs. Yu.

Yu Qingjia stopped, turning to them. “What about the Ming family?”

Mrs. Yu furrowed her brow, racking her brain but coming up blank. “When did you tell me?”

Old Yu glanced at his wife, not daring to call her forgetful, and explained again. “I told you Ming Luo was a mess, embezzling company funds to keep a mistress. When a subsidiary went bankrupt and he couldn’t hide it, it nearly sent the old man to the hospital. Ming Yin stepped in to take over the company.”

Mrs. Yu clapped her hand, recalling. “Right! I talked about it with Si Lu. His wife demanded a divorce, took her share of the assets, and immigrated abroad. How’d I forget?”

Is there such a story?

“No wonder Ming Luo’s a failure, but his daughter’s impressive.” Old Yu said, stroking his chin. “Ming Yin was so young when she filled the financial hole her father caused in just a year. Some people just have that management talent.”

Leaning against the staircase railing, Yu Qingjia listened quietly. No wonder Ming Yin never mentioned her family, it must’ve been a laughingstock in their circle. Nothing worth sharing.

“But Xiao Jia’s no slouch either.” Old Yu said, shifting topics with a grin. “Ming Yin’s got a kid, but she’s outstanding in every way, and Zhizhi adores you. You two—”

“Stop!” Yu Qingjia raised her hand, palm out. “I haven’t thought about it, and don’t you dare either.”

“Why not?” Old Yu grew anxious. “I’m not saying marriage, just date if it feels right! Right, honey?” He tugged at his wife’s hand for support.

Unlike him, Mrs. Yu didn’t push. She turned to Yu Qingjia. “It’s your choice. We won’t force you. But if everyone else has families later, what will you do alone?”

Yu Qingjia stayed silent, sighing inwardly.

If she was still in this world at forty, she might give up on returning home.

…

Look Up had been out for half a month, its box office peak passed, now stabilizing daily. The total gross just exceeded 700 million, projected to hit around 900 million by the end, making it August’s top-grossing film. In other words, Yu Qingjia clinched another box office crown.

This surprised her. She’d thought audiences wouldn’t flock to theaters for such a film, especially with Look Up’s less cheerful posters compared to others. The Sakura Award likely drove its success.

The result was dazzling—Yu Qingjia was likely the first domestic director with a cumulative box office over 2 billion, proving the domestic market’s potential to the industry. Manager Zhang mentioned that film projects had surged recently.

Yu Qingjia just smiled, saying nothing.

During the domestic film protection month in her original world, any movie could make a quick buck, leading to a flood of shoddy films. Why bother making quality work when slapdash efforts are profited?

But without that protection, the domestic market would’ve been crushed by foreign blockbusters, leaving it even weaker. It was a double-edged sword.

Back to the point, those mimicking Xinghui’s film investments needed the skill and quality to back it up. With better options, who’d watch trash?

A week after discussing with Manager Zhang, he called, saying he’d found a suitable candidate and sent their resume and work to Yu Qingjia.

Reviewing the resume, Yu Qingjia learned the candidate, Zhuang Peng, was a Capital Film Academy directing graduate and a new Xinghui-signed director from a year ago, when Xinghui partnered with the academy after losing three directors.

As a film academy graduate herself, Yu Qingjia knew directing students studied screenwriting too. Zhuang Peng was semi-professional. His college works, sent by Manager Zhang, were well-formatted and solid. She decided to meet him to discuss further.

…

Xinghui Media Building, 10 a.m.

Shortly after Yu Qingjia arrived at the meeting room, the door opened, revealing a baby-faced young man in a white T-shirt, jeans, and a crossbody bag—Zhuang Peng, looking younger and more vibrant than his photo.

“Director Yu!” Zhuang Peng’s excitement was palpable. “Manager Zhang said you want to adapt a myth into a special effects blockbuster?”

His directness caught Yu Qingjia off guard, but it showed his enthusiasm for the project. She smiled, gesturing for him to sit.

Zhuang Peng, still wearing his bag, sat and unleashed a torrent of excitement. “This idea’s amazing. I think—”

“But Xinghui’s not optimistic,” Yu Qingjia cut in, tempering his enthusiasm. Passion was good, but not unchecked.

Zhuang Peng froze. He hadn’t expected Yu Qingjia—Xinghui’s president’s sister, who’d earned billions in profit—to face skepticism. Didn’t Xinghui just fund whatever she wanted?

He wasn’t wrong, but Yu Qingjia wouldn’t admit it, even if she knew.

“Myths are familiar to everyone. A bad adaptation gets trashed,” she explained. “Plus, special effects blockbusters demand high-quality VFX, especially for myths, likely requiring full green-screen shooting. The costs are huge, and Xinghui’s unsure about recouping.”

Sobered by the reality check, Zhuang Peng realized she was right. Even as Tianyue’s second daughter, she couldn’t just throw money around. A flop could tank both reputation and box office.

“Why take the risk?” he asked. With Star Making Plan in the domestic top ten, a misstep now could invite ridicule. It seemed thankless.

“I’m a director,” Yu Qingjia said with a smile. “Some directors explore humanity, others ponder life or pursue art. I want to spread culture.”

Spread culture?

Zhuang Peng recalled Star Making Plan’s remake rights sale, grasping her intent and feeling respect. He nodded seriously. “I understand. I’d love to join this project.”

Seeing his earnestness, Yu Qingjia said, “Let’s talk then.”

Spreading culture was a casual remark, but it resonated with dream-driven youths like Zhuang Peng.

Yu Qingjia knew her limits, greater ability meant greater responsibility. In her original world, she might’ve aimed for cultural export, but here, her fame and influence weren’t enough.

As Yu Qingyi said, she was a nobody in North America. But if the VFX met her expectations, this film could crack that market.

She picked a myth and asked Zhuang Peng to adapt it on the spot, with a fresh core theme—family, growth, or modernized perspectives.

Unfazed, Zhuang Peng dove in, eloquently meeting her demands. Though he tended to overextend, his skills matched her needs.

When he veered into tangents, she interrupted, “Why those changes?”

Without hesitation, he said, “To connect them.”

Connect them?

Shared-world film series weren’t uncommon, like a famous studio’s IP universe, weaving stories into one cohesive world for box office, DVDs, and merchandise.

Yu Qingjia looked at him thoughtfully. “A mythic universe?”

Zhuang Peng’s eyes lit up. “Yes, exactly! I had this idea while reading comics. Myths already form a system. If a foreign robot movie can get three films, why can’t we?”

She hadn’t pegged Zhuang Peng for such ambition, but it wasn’t impossible.

“It’s feasible,” she said. “But don’t get your hopes up. If this flops, there’s no sequel.”

“I get it!” Zhuang Peng said earnestly. Joining her project was a rare chance, he’d give it his all. A strong box office could greenlight a sequel.

A sequel he might direct…

The thought fueled his drive.

Satisfied with his skills, Yu Qingjia signed a contract on the spot, making Zhuang Peng the screenwriter for the new film.

As she saw him in the elevator, another opened, revealing Yu Qingyi’s secretary. Before Yu Qingjia could greet her, the secretary’s face lit up. “Director Yu, President Yu needs you urgently.”

…

At the president’s office, Yu Qingyi was reviewing a file, her expression grim.

Hearing the door, she looked up. “You’re here.”

Yu Qingjia pulled a chair and sat. “What’s up? Don’t tell me you’re backing out.”

“Backing out of what?” Yu Qingyi glanced at her, tossing the file on the desk. “You were right. I had it investigated. See for yourself.”

Yu Qingjia glanced at the file—investigation results, photos, and records of Shen Ru’s movements, including her spending. Most notably, Shen Ru had booked private screenings of Star Making Plan and Look Up.

“How’d you get this?” Yu Qingjia asked, amazed at Yu Qingyi’s resources.

Yu Qingyi nearly laughed at her focus. Even now, this girl wasn’t taking it seriously.

Both films were Xinghui-backed, directed by Yu Qingjia, and starred Pan Xing. Combined with Shenji Entertainment’s repeated offers to Pan Xing, plus Shen Ru’s scheme that led to Pan Xing catching Yu Qingjia in a “scandal,” it was clear Shen Ru was fixated on Pan Xing—not to target the Yu family or warn Yu Qingjia, but to break up Pan Xing and her sister!

Yu Qingyi was livid. Her perfectly fine sister developed a second personality because of this. If not for Shen Ru, she wouldn’t fear new personalities emerging or avoid love and marriage.

She couldn’t help blaming Pan Xing, though she knew she was a victim too. But with her sister involved, rationality was hard.

Seeing Yu Qingjia unfazed, Yu Qingyi was about to speak when her sister said, “I suspected Shen Ru was after Pan Xing but had no proof, so I didn’t tell you.”

Her calm, rational tone made Yu Qingyi take a deep breath to steady herself. This was her second personality; she might not resent Shen Ru. Without Shen Ru’s actions, this personality might still be dormant.

Pinching her nose bridge, Yu Qingyi said coldly, “Even a suspicion, you could’ve told me. I’m not a stranger.”

“Last time I mentioned it, you didn’t believe me.” Yu Qingjia said calmly. “Only when I said Shenji kept pursuing Pan Xing did you sense something off.”

Yu Qingyi wanted to say she’d have kept an eye out, but that wasn’t the point. She moved on. “Now we have proof. What’s your plan?”

“I considered telling Pan Xing but decided against it,” Yu Qingjia said, irritation flaring. Damn that lousy novel her sister wrote. “I’m worried she’d end up with Shen Ru, I don’t want that.”

Yu Qingyi snorted, her tone mocking. “Her wife was harmed by Shen Ru. If she still goes for her, I’d overestimate her.”

Yu Qingjia looked surprised but found her sister’s anger understandable. She soothed, “You could discuss this with Ming Yin.”

Mentioning Ming Yin calmed Yu Qingyi slightly, given her sister’s future happiness was at stake.

“You know Shen Yiruo?” Yu Qingjia asked.

“The Look Up character?” Yu Qingyi replied.

Yu Qingjia grinned mischievously. “I mean Shen Yiruo, the eldest Shen daughter, the one who immigrated to North America.”

It took Yu Qingyi a second to realize Look Up’s Shen Yiruo was her sister’s doing. She laughed. “Looks like she got on your bad side.”

That petty streak was kind of cute.

Yu Qingjia neither confirmed nor denied, continuing, “That Shen Yiruo is Xiao Lizhi’s other mother, a total scumbag. She and Shen Ru teamed up to target Ming Yin and take Xiao Lizhi.”

She told Yu Qingyi everything about their scheme, omitting Xiao Lizhi’s true birth mother.

The story infuriated Yu Qingyi. “The Shen family’s a cesspool, what kind of people do they raise?”

Not entirely fair, Shen Wende and Shen Yiruo’s sister were cooperating well with Ming Yin.

Yu Qingjia didn’t clarify, as it wasn’t the point. “Shen Ru’s already targeting Shen Yiruo over the online Shen Yiruo-Lin Rui CP buzz.”

Yu Qingyi was floored. Attacking an ally over a fake CP? That wasn’t normal adult behavior. Did Shen Ru have a lovestruck brain?

If so, this got a lot simpler…

Yu Qingyi smiled after a moment’s thought. “Got it. I’ll contact Ming Yin.”

Relieved, Yu Qingjia remembered Si Lingyou. “Oh, I almost forgot. Keep an eye on Si Lingyou. If Shen Ru’s crazy enough to target her ally, she might trip up Si Lingyou too. Not fatal, but enough to cause trouble.”

With the bombshell that “Shen Ru might have a lovestruck brain,” Yu Qingyi’s mood lifted. “Don’t worry, I’ll watch her.”

Lanyuan Villa No. 7

After dinner, Zhizhi bounced around her room with a rabbit plushie nearly her size, occasionally glancing at the study. Seeing the slender figure still at the computer, she pursed her lips, turned back to the rabbit, and played alone.

She used to play like this, but after staying at Xiao Yu’s, where Grandpa and Nana played with her, and Xiao Yu too, home felt so quiet by comparison.

Tugging the rabbit’s fluffy ears, Zhizhi recalled the fun at Xiao Yu’s. Then, a gentle, elegant voice called, “Zhizhi?”

Dropping the rabbit, she dashed to the study. “Mommy!”

Scooping Zhizhi onto her lap, Ming Yin ruffled her hair. “Did you have fun at Xiao Yu’s?”

“So much fun!” Zhizhi beamed, gesturing animatedly. “Grandpa and Nana played games with me. They love me…” She waved her hands excitedly at the fun parts.

“Grandpa and Nana?” Ming Yin caught the terms. Hadn’t Zhizhi promised not to call Xiao Yu “Mommy”? Why was she calling her parents Grandpa and Nana?

Zhizhi stuck out her tongue, burrowing into Ming Yin’s arms. “Nana said I could call her that when Xiao Yu’s not around.”

Ming Yin’s heart stirred. She kissed Zhizhi’s forehead. “Time for bed.”

Wanting to talk more, Zhizhi looked disappointed but didn’t argue, knowing Mommy had work.

“Mommy will sleep with you tonight.” Ming Yin said, tapping her nose. Zhizhi’s face lit up. “Yay! I’ll wait for you!”

After Zhizhi ran out, Ming Yin resumed handling emails. Seeing one from a certain person, her eyes darkened.

Perhaps the opportunity was coming.