The Paranoid Film Queen Hooked Me, and I Fell in Love. (GL) - Chapter 20
After listening to Shen Buhui’s long list of demands, Zhao Yue’s expression was utterly blank.
“I never thought you had the potential for a romance-obsessed mind,” she couldn’t help but quip.
Shen Buhui neither confirmed nor denied the remark. She took a sip of water to soothe her slightly dry throat and calmly said, “In any case, just draft the contract according to what I’ve outlined.”
Zhao Yue shot her a look. Still as composed as ever.
No one would have imagined that the ever-distant, unattainable Shen Buhui would one day go to such lengths for someone. The terms she had just listed were practically a one-sided giveaway—she was all but throwing benefits at Xu Zhiyan.
She had worried about CP rumors before, but compared to this? What were a few CP rumors?
Still, Zhao Yue kept her rationality intact and reminded her, “Buhui, let me just say—what you’re doing is a bit too obvious. Even if you can convince Xu Zhiyan, you won’t be able to convince the people behind her.”
A contract with benefits this generous—Xu Zhiyan might not think much of it, but her parents certainly would.
Shen Buhui froze.
She had been so focused on giving Xu Zhiyan the best that she completely overlooked this point.
That… was a problem.
After some thought, she reluctantly said, “Fine. Adjust the profit-sharing ratio to 80-20. Everything else stays the same.”
“…”
That’s your version of a compromise?
Zhao Yue twitched at the corners of her mouth. She had no interest in watching Shen Buhui act like this anymore and swiftly made her escape with the contract documents.
The past few days had been exceptionally fulfilling for Xu Zhiyan.
During the day, she was busy on set filming, and at night, she had private coaching sessions with Shen Buhui. Her progress was improving at an incredible rate.
That night, as usual, she left Shen Buhui’s room after their session. However, just as she stepped out, she vaguely noticed a shadow flickering in the corner of the stairwell.
“Am I seeing things?” she muttered in confusion.
She didn’t dwell on it.
Tomorrow, neither she nor Shen Buhui had any scenes to film. Instead, she was scheduled to visit Shen Buhui’s studio to sign the contract.
Thinking about it, Xu Zhiyan pulled out her phone and sent the studio’s address to the other party.
With no filming in the morning, Xu Zhiyan slept in until nine.
After getting ready, she neatly tied her hair and knocked on Shen Buhui’s door.
They had agreed to go to the studio together, and she had already sent the address to Lin Ya, who had arranged for a lawyer to accompany her.
Originally, Lin Ya had planned to come along, but something unexpected came up at school, forcing her to opt out. Still, with a lawyer present, there was no concern that Xu Zhiyan would be taken advantage of.
Familiar with the routine by now, Xu Zhiyan climbed into Shen Buhui’s sleek black van. Stretching lazily, she rolled down the window slightly, inhaling the crisp morning air with a content sigh.
“I’m really looking forward to this,” she said excitedly.
Shen Buhui had been resting with her eyes closed, but at those words, she opened them and glanced at her.
“I’m looking forward to it too.”
Xu Zhiyan turned to her, eyes sparkling. “From now on, you’re not only my senior—you’re also my boss!”
Shen Buhui smiled, watching her with amused patience.
Xu Zhiyan couldn’t stop her thoughts from spiraling. “A rich boss! A rich sister!”
“…”
Shen Buhui’s lips twitched, but a second later, she smirked playfully.
“Shouldn’t you be asking me to sponsor you, then?”
Rich sister and seeking sponsorship—put together, it formed a perfect phrase.
Xu Zhiyan wasn’t fazed in the slightest.
“If you’re willing,” she grinned, “I’d gladly accept!”
Xu Zhiyan gazed at Shen Buhui’s delicate features and thought to herself—if this were really a sponsorship situation, who would actually be the one benefiting?
Shen Buhui chuckled. “You can keep dreaming. That’s never going to happen. You’re about to become my employee.”
Xu Zhiyan grinned. “Being an employee isn’t bad either. Either way, I get to be around my beautiful sister.”
At the front, Xiaofang perked up her ears, hands moving quickly as she pretended not to listen.
A flicker of surprise crossed Shen Buhui’s eyes. Casually, she asked, “Why are you being extra sweet today?”
“Maybe because I’m trying to win favor with my future boss?” Xu Zhiyan blinked, her expression sincere.
Of course, there was another reason. Whether on set running scenes or in private during their impromptu coaching sessions, Xu Zhiyan had always seen Shen Buhui as both a mentor and a friend.
But once they stepped off set, that rigid senior-junior dynamic seemed to blur, making Shen Buhui feel less like a distant superior and more like someone closer—someone with whom interactions felt increasingly natural and intimate.
“Well, your efforts have paid off,” Shen Buhui said with a smile. “Your future boss is pleased and has decided to treat you to lunch today.”
It was probably a good thing that Zhao Yue had left early last night. Otherwise, if she had been sitting in the car now, listening to their exchange, she might have felt even more exasperated.
The car cruised smoothly toward their destination.
By the time they arrived, the lawyer Lin Ya had arranged was already waiting.
When Xu Zhiyan received the contract, her expression flickered with shock.
She glanced between Shen Buhui and Zhao Yue, hesitant. “Are you sure this isn’t a mistake?”
The terms were ridiculously generous.
The profit split was 80-20, with the studio only taking 20%. Upon officially signing, Zhao Yue would become her manager, but Xu Zhiyan would retain complete autonomy over her career planning. The contract meticulously outlined all the benefits she would receive.
The profit split was what shocked her the most.
As a rookie, she knew that a studio would have to invest a lot of money and resources into her career at the start. She had fully expected an even 50-50 split and had mentally prepared for it.
But this… this was beyond anything she had imagined.
Shen Buhui nodded. “There’s no mistake.”
“Zhiyan, I believe in your abilities. I know you’ll go far in this industry. My reason for wanting to sign you wasn’t to profit off of you but because I see your potential. Who knows? Maybe in the future, we’ll be the ones benefiting from you.”
The room fell into a brief silence.
Moved, Xu Zhiyan looked at her. “Sister, you’re really kind.”
Shen Buhui let out a soft chuckle. “Not calling me rich sister anymore?”
Blushing, Xu Zhiyan mumbled, “Rich sister…”
Shen Buhui nodded in satisfaction, though a small trace of regret lingered in her heart.
That wasn’t quite the title she had hoped to hear.
If only the first character of those four words could be swapped for another one instead…
But now wasn’t the time for that. Not yet.
With a calm expression, she concealed the thoughts stirring in her mind.
Xu Zhiyan handed the contract to the lawyer beside her. After a careful review, confirming that everything was in order, she solemnly signed her name on the dotted line.
“Sister, I’ll work hard. I promise you won’t regret this decision.”
Shen Buhui stood up and gently ruffled Xu Zhiyan’s fluffy hair—her favorite gesture as of late.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
After signing the contract, there was still some time before their lunch reservation. Since Shen Buhui had already booked a private dining room in advance, there was no rush. Instead, she took Xu Zhiyan on a tour of her future workplace.
Along the way, she introduced her to a few key people before finally driving her to the restaurant.
This time, it was just the two of them in the car—Xu Zhiyan’s first time riding in a car driven by Shen Buhui.
“I just realized I should probably get my driver’s license too,” Xu Zhiyan remarked belatedly as she admired the car’s interior.
Glancing at her from the corner of her eye, Shen Buhui suggested, “It’s probably best to wait until after you finish filming this project.”
She made a turn, then asked, “When do you need to report for school?”
School?
Xu Zhiyan smacked her forehead, suddenly remembering.
She had been so busy with filming that she’d completely forgotten about her status as an incoming college freshman.
Recalling the date on her admission letter, she replied, “September 5th, I think.”
September 5th.
Shen Buhui silently repeated the date in her mind—though she had already known it.
“That’s less than half a month away. So you’ll be heading back to school soon?”
Xu Zhiyan chuckled. “Yeah, but since filming won’t be finished by then, I’ll probably just go for registration and come right back.”
Shen Buhui hummed softly. “Well, since I’m technically your senior, if you ever have any questions about school, feel free to ask me.”
Xu Zhiyan turned her head to look at her.
She noticed that Shen Buhui liked to keep the car window slightly open while driving. The wind rushed in, brushing against her ears and lifting the stray strands of her hair.
“Sister, I’ve realized that you’re practically capable of anything when it comes to me.”
In every possible way, it seemed like she could always rely on her.
Shen Buhui’s fingers twitched slightly as she relaxed her expression. “Is that so? I didn’t realize I was that amazing.”
Xu Zhiyan nodded firmly, offering her praise without hesitation. “You’re incredible!”
Her eyes softened, and Shen Buhui smiled, clearly in a good mood.