For Lin Qiutong, whether Song Qinian had eloped with Li Junshen or met with some misfortune, her sole objective was to claim everything that belonged to Song Qinian as her own.
The path to obtaining Shen Chi’an was fraught with peril and arduous, but taking over Song Qinian’s works was remarkably simple. She intended to imprint her own mark on every role meticulously crafted by Song Qinian, ensuring that whenever people discussed the comic or its characters, they would think of Lin Qiutong, not Song Qinian.
However, Lin Qiutong’s grand plan failed to materialize. She received notification that the comic’s production team deemed her unsuitable for the female lead role and had outright rejected her. Unwilling to accept this, Lin Qiutong, with her current status and fame, believed she could have any good role. She even lowered her asking price and did not quibble about the male lead being a newcomer actor. She demanded to know on what grounds they thought she was not a good fit.
“Help me schedule a meeting with the head of the comic studio; I need to have a proper talk with her.” She was determined to play this role.
That day, Lin Qiutong, dressed in a red, strappy, cinched-waist dress, styled herself like Xu Weiyu, the female protagonist of "Call Me Madam Protagonist," before heading to meet the studio head. They arranged to meet at a discreet coffee shop. When Lin Qiutong arrived, Yun Longyue was already there. After two years, Yun Longyue had risen from a junior editor to the position of editor-in-chief, a promotion undoubtedly boosted by the success of Song Qinian's manga.
Yun Longyue, clad in a sharp black suit, stood up and extended her hand to Lin Qiutong. “Miss Lin, hello.”
Lin Qiutong, with a languid gaze, appraised Yun Longyue from head to toe. She lightly touched Yun Longyue’s hand as they shook, then directly sat on the sofa. “Editor-in-Chief Yun, I’m very eager to know on what grounds you felt I was unsuitable for Xu Weiyu.” Lin Qiutong was a hot star, exuding an air of celebrity wherever she went. Her demeanor at that moment was less like a humble inquiry and more like an accusation.
Yun Longyue smiled faintly. She had been quite pleased when the manga was greenlit for a television adaptation, but casting decisions were beyond her purview. “Miss Lin has a great image, excellent temperament, acting skills, and high visibility. Collaborating with you would naturally be our fortune.”
Lin Qiutong snorted lightly. “If that’s the case, why did you…” Before Lin Qiutong could finish her sentence, Yun Longyue’s phone suddenly rang. She excused herself, “Excuse me,” and answered the call. “Have you arrived? Okay, we are in the private room on the second floor.”
Uncertain who was on the other end, Yun Longyue sounded exceptionally cheerful. After hanging up, she smiled at Lin Qiutong. “Regarding Miss Lin’s question, the original author of this manga has the final say.”
The original author, Qi Yan? Wasn’t that Song Qinian? Before Lin Qiutong could fully grasp Yun Longyue’s meaning, Yun Longyue smiled and waved towards the area behind Lin Qiutong. “This way.” Yun Longyue immediately rushed over and gave the arriving person a big hug. “Darling, I’ve missed you so much!”
“I’ve missed you too!” Lin Qiutong had not yet seen the newcomer but heard a clear, melodious voice that seemed to resonate directly with the soul. Lin Qiutong’s heart inexplicably fluttered. For some reason, in that instant, she had a bad premonition. She slowly turned her head. Her eyes met a stunning figure in a light green long dress, a figure that would make even runway models jealous. Her gaze traveled upward, finally landing on a face. It was a face she had longed to destroy even in her dreams, a face she wanted to shatter into a thousand pieces, a face she wanted to vanish from this world forever.
Song Qinian! It was really her! Hadn’t she eloped with Li Junshen? How could she be here? And she wasn't mute anymore; she could speak, and her voice was incredibly beautiful. What now? Had she and Shen Chi’an already met? Would they get back together?
While Lin Qiutong was lost in her anxious thoughts, Song Qinian had already approached her. “Miss Lin, long time no see.”
Lin Qiutong, relying on her superb acting skills, managed to face Song Qinian with composure. She curved her lips into a faint smile and extended her hand. “It’s been two years. I didn’t expect you could speak again. Congratulations!”
Song Qinian glanced indifferently at Lin Qiutong’s outstretched hand and did not take it. “There’s nothing to congratulate about being able to speak. However, Miss Lin, you’ve climbed steadily, becoming the most dazzling star in Jinghua City. That is truly something to be congratulated for.”
Lin Qiutong’s hand remained awkwardly suspended in mid-air. Her feigned composure finally cracked. Damn Song Qinian, daring to show her such disrespect! She dropped her hand as if nothing had happened. Although she was intensely curious about where Song Qinian had been for the past two years and why she had returned, she absolutely would not show any concern for Song Qinian in front of her, lest she appear diminished.
“Niannian, sit down.” Yun Longyue pulled Song Qinian to the sofa opposite them and asked the waiter for a glass of milk. Song Qinian smiled slightly. “Give me a cup of coffee.”
Yun Longyue said incredulously, “You didn’t used to like coffee, did you?” Song Qinian smiled gently. “Tastes change.”
Lin Qiutong had no interest in watching the display of sisterly affection between the two. She now understood why she had been passed over, realizing it was Song Qinian’s decision. However, having come this far, giving up easily was not her style.
Just then, Song Qinian looked at Lin Qiutong. “Miss Lin, I know your acting skills are excellent, but I’m very sorry, you are not the best candidate for Xu Weiyu in my heart.”
Lin Qiutong clenched her fists, her face still smiling. “Miss Song, do you feel I’m unsuitable for Xu Weiyu, or do you have a personal prejudice against me?”
Yun Longyue was unaware of the history between Song Qinian and Lin Qiutong. She had initially believed Lin Qiutong to be the most suitable person for Xu Weiyu. After all, Lin Qiutong had popularity, and with her, there would be no worries about investment for the drama. With a little hype, the show’s popularity and viewership would be secured. Who would have thought that Song Qinian, who had been absent for two years, would make a phone call saying she didn’t want Lin Qiutong.
Yun Longyue’s eyes darted between Song Qinian’s and Lin Qiutong’s faces. She opened her mouth to say something but was ultimately intimidated by the palpable tension between the two women and remained silent. Song Qinian looked at Lin Qiutong, a cold smile playing in her heart. After two years, Lin Qiutong’s facade had become truly flawless.
“Whatever Miss Lin thinks, that is how I feel!” Lin Qiutong’s face darkened instantly. Song Qinian couldn’t even be bothered to come up with a reason to reject her!