How To Deal With Being Transmigrated As The Scumbag Ex-Wife - Chapter 9

9: Star Making Plan Begins

With approval secured, Yu Qingjia spent two days at home writing the script. Naturally, this wasn’t a new script but a revival of her first light comedy film, Star Making Plan, which she had directed in her previous life. The story follows an ordinary girl who unexpectedly rises to fame and faces life-altering choices. That film had clinched the annual box office crown and established her as an up-and-coming director.

She chose this film to mark the initial transformation of “Yu Qingjia’s” image. She urgently needed a project to prove her directing ability, and this was her best option.

With Yu Qingyi’s support, Yu Qingjia quickly struck a deal with Manager Zhang from Xinghui Entertainment’s production department. She also “borrowed” a professional crew from Xinghui, and within less than a week, the Star Making Plan film was officially greenlit.

To ensure the film’s quality, Manager Zhang brought in Director Liu Wu, who had collaborated with Xinghui several times, as the project’s supervisor. Yu Qingjia didn’t object. She wasn’t afraid of the supervisor meddling with her edits—if her cut didn’t meet expectations, the production team would only then let the supervisor take over.

As preparations for the Star Making Plan began, Yu Qingjia dove back into a whirlwind of work. After assembling the team, the project kicked into gear. She first worked with the core creative team to break down the script, then scouted locations to create the storyboard and shot list. Scouting was crucial—without it, issues like inaccessible camera angles could force a redo of the shot list during filming.

Fortunately, most of the Star Making Plan was set indoors. After thorough location scouting with the team, Yu Qingjia began crafting the shot list and storyboard, refining and updating them rather than copying her past work verbatim.

When the core team received the shot list and storyboard, they were stunned.

Yu Qingjia made these herself?

This not only silenced those who had looked down on her but also left the crew members who’d worked with her before in awe—

Yu Qingjia was born for this. Making her act before was a waste of her talent!

With pre-production complete, casting began. Since Xinghui, managed by Yu Qingjia’s sister, was funding the film, Yu Qingjia had full control over casting.

She first called Pan Xing to confirm her availability, then sent her the script.

Pan Xing called back, her voice brimming with excitement. “Can I really do this? I’m worried about my acting—”

Yu Qingjia cut in, “Just say if you’re in or not. If you’re not, I’ll contact someone else—”

“I’m in, I’m in!” Pan Xing interrupted, eagerly agreeing. “I’ll study the role thoroughly and won’t let you down!”

With the lead confirmed, the remaining roles were filled by Xinghui’s internal artists, quickly finalizing the cast.

After a month of urgent preparations, the Star Making Plan crew officially began filming.

To build buzz, Yu Qingjia held a launch press conference, inviting numerous media outlets with strong ties to Tianyue.

At first, the journalists weren’t surprised by the invitation. But when they looked into the project and saw Yu Qingjia listed as the director, they were floored. They remembered the uproar from her late-night Weibo post hinting at transitioning to directing, which sparked a feud between her fans and Director Li Quan, with the controversy trending for three days. Everyone except her fans had criticized her for using a ghost director and accused Tianyue of exploitation. They assumed Tianyue would dial back, but instead, they greenlit a full movie. Wasn’t this too much?

Though they disapproved of Tianyue’s tactics, the journalists eagerly attended—

Come on, how could they miss explosive news like top actress Yu Qingjia transitioning to directing?

On the day of the Star Making Plan launch press conference, the core creative team appeared one by one. When the journalists confirmed Yu Qingjia was indeed the director, they were itching to ask questions. Their excitement grew when they saw Pan Xing attending as the film’s female lead.

Good heavens, the publicity potential of this event was unimaginable!

Flashes never stopped, illuminating the venue brightly. Yu Qingjia felt her vision swimming with white spots.

During the Q&A session, nine out of ten questions were directed at her. Fortunately, the journalists, all with good relations with Tianyue, kept their questions within bounds, and Yu Qingjia, well-prepared, answered confidently.

The journalists noticed something different about her.

Was this transformation because she was switching careers?

But they had no time to dwell on it, they were racing to submit their coverage to catch the wave of attention.

Right after the press conference, a topic shot up the trending list—

#YuQingjiaDirectsStarMakingProject#

“@EntertainmentExpressV: #YuQingjiaDirectsStarMakingProject# At 9 a.m. today, Xinghui Media’s film Star Making Plan held its launch press conference, directed by Yu Qingjia and starring Pan Xing…”

Not just casual netizens, even Yu Qingjia’s fans were stunned.

This… was the “homework” Xiao Yu mentioned?

“It’s really Xiao Yu’s movie! I’ll definitely support it in theaters!”

“Oh my gosh, Xiao Yu’s becoming a director! Keep it up, Xiao Yu, your fans are behind you!”

“Can’t wait for the release! I’m bringing my friends to the theater /happy”

Her fans were uncertain deep down, but they’d never question their idol publicly. Any doubts could be discussed in private group chats. If others saw hesitation, they’d surely drag Xiao Yu down, which was unacceptable!

Even without the fans’ input, other netizens were overwhelmingly negative:

“Have I been offline too long? Yu Qingjia’s directing a movie? With Pan Xing as the lead? /confused”

“I’m done. Does Yu Qingjia have any self-awareness? Her TV dramas are garbage, and now she’s making a movie? Is she crazy?”

“Hasn’t Tianyue sucked enough bl00d? Can the real director of Love at First Sight step forward? Why hasn’t Huayue poached them?”

“My friend works at Huayue. They tried to find that director but got nowhere /gossip”

The online consensus was that Yu Qingjia was overreaching. With her lackluster skills and no film experience, this was an insult to audiences!

Not just netizens, but several well-known directors chimed in, including Zhou Jin, one of the three poached by Huayue:

“@ZhouJin-ZhiYuChengV: Anyone can be a director these days. People like this ruin the film market, abusing capital to do whatever they want. But I trust the audience’s judgment, neither these people nor their capital will last.”

Though he didn’t name her, it was clear he was calling Yu Qingjia unfit to direct while taking a swipe at his former employer, Tianyue.

Netizens didn’t care about his jab at Tianyue. To them, anyone criticizing Yu Qingjia or Tianyue was a kindred spirit!

The internet erupted into chaos, but Yu Qingjia’s goal of promoting the film was achieved.

Within half an hour, the official Star Making Plan Weibo account gained three million followers, a testament to the buzz.

Despite the online uproar, the Star Making Plan crew joyfully gathered for a celebratory launch dinner.

Though Yu Qingjia seemed inexperienced as a director, her performance during pre-production had impressed the core team, earning their respect. She graciously accepted their toasts, forgetting her current body wasn’t as alcohol-tolerant as her old one. After a few drinks, her head began to spin.

“You guys keep eating. I’m stepping out to sober up.”

Rejecting her assistant’s help, Yu Qingjia left the private room and headed to the restroom.

Sitting on the toilet for a bit, she felt slightly clearer. Hearing a few people enter, she decided to stay put. As a public figure, not at her best and without a mask or sunglasses, being recognized wouldn’t be ideal.

But the newcomers started chatting, about her:

“Hey, did you see it? Yu Qingjia’s making a movie, and Pan Xing’s the lead.”

“I saw it. I’m definitely not watching. It’s obviously going to be a flop.”

“Hahaha, as if I’d watch it. Her TV dramas are trash, and now she’s doing a movie? Someone actually funded her? They should give me that money instead.”

“Wake up, sister. Her dad’s Tianyue’s chairman, and her sister runs Xinghui. Making a movie’s like a game to her.”

“Being a rich kid’s nice. If I can’t be one, I’ll just have a rich kid!”

Hearing their mockery, Yu Qingjia calmly fiddled with a tissue. The two left the restroom soon after, and she waited a bit before exiting the stall.

But as she stepped out, the adjacent stall door opened.

Yu Qingjia: !

Instinctively wanting to hide her face, she caught sight of the woman emerging—strikingly beautiful with refined features, a high nose, and full, elegant lips.

“President Ming?”

It was Ming Yin.

Dressed in a fitted shirt and black trousers, Ming Yin’s long, straight legs and slim waist were accentuated.

Clearly not expecting to meet here, a flicker of surprise crossed her stunning dark eyes, followed by a faint, almost imperceptible embarrassment.

After all, they’d both overheard the women’s gossip.

Yu Qingjia, unbothered and perhaps slowed by the alcohol, didn’t dwell on it. Noticing the fair skin peeking above Ming Yin’s collar, she inexplicably recalled the smooth, silky feel from that day—

Seeing Yu Qingjia staring, Ming Yin frowned, but noting her condition and the smell of alcohol, her irritation faded. “Drunk?”

Yu Qingjia blurted, “No, I won’t let anyone trick me into bed again.”

Realizing her blunder, she pressed her lips into a tight line, awkwardly averting her gaze, only daring to glance at Ming Yin from the corner of her eye.

Ming Yin, seeing her like this, decided not to nitpick. A hint of amusement touched her eyes, her tone carrying a playful mockery. “Miss Yu should find a partner.”

Knowing she was in the wrong, Yu Qingjia didn’t argue, mumbling, “With me like this, I doubt I could.”

Catching the hint about her split personality, Ming Yin replied calmly, “Miss Yu is so talented. Someone will surely like you.”

Yu Qingjia instinctively said, “What about you?”

She immediately wanted to slap herself. What was wrong with her, blurting things out without thinking?

To cover her second blunder, she added, “I mean, have you thought about finding a new mom for Xiao Lizhi or something?”

Despite the recovery attempt, Ming Yin’s expression cooled. Washing her hands, she said, “I just want to take care of Zhizhi.”

Even with her alcohol-dulled mind, Yu Qingjia caught the double meaning—rejecting her foolish remark and answering her follow-up question.

Luckily, Yu Qingjia’s thick skin came in handy. Washing her hands, she said, “That’s nice too. Xiao Lizhi’s adorable.” She sneaked a glance at Ming Yin’s expression through the mirror.

As expected, no mother dislikes hearing their child praised. Ming Yin’s frosty demeanor warmed slightly.

Yu Qingjia sighed in relief, splashing cold water on her face to sober up. The water cleared her head but also her senses, she’d forgotten she was wearing makeup.

“Pfft…” Ming Yin let out a soft laugh, watching the stunned woman in the mirror. She handed her a handkerchief. “Wipe your face.”

Yu Qingjia took it, pretending to be calm as she dabbed her face. The handkerchief carried a faint, pleasant scent mixed with the milky sweetness she’d smelled on the little milk bun. Intending to return it, she noticed the water stains and changed her mind. “Thanks. I’ll wash it and return it to you.”

Ming Yin glanced at the handkerchief, about to say it wasn’t necessary, but seeing Yu Qingjia’s clear gaze, she said instead, “Up to you.”

The response inexplicably delighted Yu Qingjia, making her forget they were still in the restroom.

Ming Yin said, “I’m leaving. Stay safe.”

She moved past Yu Qingjia toward the door, but paused mid-step, turning back. “Wishing your movie a big box office.”