Villainous Movie Star (8)
Song Xuyi finally accepted the red envelope money while feeling a little dizzy.
That night, she had another dream.
In the dream, it seemed to be her own memory, yet also like a hazy illusion. She tightly held a pair of hands in the darkness, drawing strength from them and constantly transmitting her own courage to those hands, saying, “We must all keep going, everything will be better…”
The next day, Song Xuyi woke up to the praising voice of the system, “Xuyi, Happy New Year! On the first day of the new year, congratulations on advancing further in your mission progress…”
Song Xuyi was a little confused by the sudden congratulations from the system, until she belatedly remembered what had happened after she drank alcohol yesterday:
She showed the fireworks to Zhao Qingyu, and Zhao Qingyu smiled. She smiled more beautifully than ever before, and at that moment, Song Xuyi couldn’t resist it and completely immersed herself in her beauty…
Looking back at her appearance at that time, Song Xuyi wished she could disappear. She was almost certain that if Zhao Qingyu had asked her to jump off a building back then, she might have obediently run over and jumped…
But Zhao Qingyu only coaxed her into accepting the red envelope money she had sent, expressing her gratitude for Song Xuyi’s consistent support during this time. Finally, she happily stated that their relationship had changed from that of a fan and the main character to becoming friends.
If Song Xuyi had been in a clear state of mind, she would have noticed something strange. However, at that moment, Song Xuyi was completely enchanted by Zhao Qingyu’s smile. Without hesitation, she agreed. Even when Zhao Qingyu asked her with a half-smile, “Xuyi, you won’t regret it tomorrow,” her head was hot, and she sent Zhao Qingyu a passionately worded commitment:
【I, Song Xuyi, am especially willing to become Sister Qingyu’s friend. I will remember to care for Sister Qingyu every day, share daily life with Sister Qingyu, and be Sister Qingyu’s fan for a lifetime…】
Song Xuyi looked at the commitment she had made at the first moment of the new year and felt regret in her gut. For a brief moment, she even wanted to live in a different world.
It was just too embarrassing!
She didn’t believe that Zhao Qingyu couldn’t tell she was drunk last night, yet cunningly coaxed her into making such a promise.
What did she really want?
Song Xuyi couldn’t figure out Zhao Qingyu’s intentions.
(Originally translated on littlepandatranslations.com, let's go!)
However, now that the words had been spoken, Song Xuyi could only fulfill her promise:
It was the first day of being Zhao Qingyu’s friend and being required to “check-in.” What should she send to her?
Song Xuyi felt embarrassed to treat Zhao Qingyu as a tree hole again. After thinking for a while, she finally asked someone to donate all the red envelopes she had received the previous day in Zhao Qingyu’s name.
Song Xuyi took a photo of the donation receipt and sent it to Zhao Qingyu. Then, she searched online for a piece of inspirational content.
【Sister Qingyu, a gift for the new year.】
【Giving happiness, kindness, and sincerity is the most valuable virtue. May Sister Qingyu always be kind and sincere. [Happy]】
After sending the message, Song Xuyi was taken by her parents to visit relatives for the New Year. The Song family had many relatives, with complicated relationships intertwined. The family split into two groups, with her two older brothers going one way, and Song Xuyi going with her parents.
Song Xuyi didn’t understand the business dealings among the elders, so she stood obediently on the side, playing the role of a well-behaved doll. She rarely spoke unless called upon, focusing on smiling and greeting people.
However, despite this different approach compared to previous years, Song Xuyi was well-liked by the elders. More than one elder hinted to her about introducing high-quality potential partners.
Whenever faced with such a topic, Song Xuyi would smile and excuse herself, saying, “No need, I’m still young.”
“I am currently focused on studying…”
On the side, Father Song and Mother Song had complex expressions and didn’t join in.
On the way back home, the enthusiasm of Father Song and Mother Song noticeably diminished, and they looked at Song Xuyi with words on the tip of their tongues.
“Mom and Dad, I really don’t have any thoughts of being in a relationship right now,” Song Xuyi had to take the initiative to speak. She felt a little uncomfortable in her heart but maintained an innocent smile on her face. “In case I can’t get married in the future, please don’t look down on me for being an old maid…”
“You’re saying that…”
Father Song remained silent, while Mother Song’s gaze fell on the red birthmark on Song Xuyi’s wrist. She scolded her with her mouth, but tears almost welled up in her eyes, barely under control.
Song Xuyi sighed inwardly and decided to have the driver take them to the cinema.
It was difficult to book a whole theater on the first day of the Lunar New Year, but Father Song and Mother Song weren’t burdened by such concerns. They bought movie tickets and went in with Song Xuyi.
Once the lights dimmed, Song Xuyi could clearly hear the faint sobbing sound beside her. Father Song gently patted Mother Song’s shoulder to comfort her silently. Song Xuyi glanced over for a moment but quickly averted her gaze, pretending not to have seen anything and focusing “intently” on the movie.
The screen portrayed Zhao Qingyu, both familiar and unfamiliar to Song Xuyi.
The female protagonist played by Zhao Qingyu was originally a beloved junior sister in a declining sect. Unexpectedly, overnight, the sect was annihilated by a masked assailant. The childhood sweetheart senior brother, in an attempt to protect the female lead, tragically died at the hands of the enemy. The female lead grew overnight, determined to uncover the truth behind the sect’s destruction and seek revenge for her loved ones.
During her junior sister days, Zhao Qingyu smiled innocently and happily, reminding Song Xuyi of the photo on Zhao Qingyu’s WeChat profile. She wondered how Zhao Qingyu’s childhood was and if she was also this joyful.
Song Xuyi had considered privately investigating Zhao Qingyu’s background. After all, a person’s character is influenced by their family, environment, and society. In the plot, Zhao Qingyu schemed for years to frame the male lead, Song Jun, which could be related to Zhao Qingyu’s family.
However, Father Song and Mother Song were keeping a close eye on Song Xuyi. If Song Xuyi were to investigate Zhao Qingyu privately, it would likely draw the attention of her parents. Additionally, Zhao Qingyu was highly alert, making it easy for her to notice anyone investigating her.
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Therefore, Song Xuyi also let go of that thought.
The movie continued.
From discovering the true identity of her parents to uncovering that the one who killed her loved ones was the current emperor, the female lead went through a series of betrayals and setbacks, narrowly escaping death and staring into the abyss. In the end, she became the abyss herself, wielding great power. She killed the emperor and took his supreme position. However, many years later, she faced the same choice as the former emperor: whether to kill or spare a loyal general holding a secret that could overthrow the entire country.
The movie abruptly stopped at this point:
In the final scene, the heavy palace gates closed. The female lead’s gaze was deep and focused as she entered the pitch-black palace, holding the imperial edict. Masked guards emerged from the darkness, prostrating themselves beside the female lead. Her gaze fixed upon the throne, symbolizing the pinnacle of power. It was both a muddy quagmire that could cloud one’s mind and a haven that could bring solace and peace…
No one expected such an open-ended ending.
After the movie ended, the entire theater fell into silence. It took a while before someone broke the silence and began discussing:
“When I voted for her back then, I thought Zhao Qingyu was just a pretty face. Was I blind?”
“When she cried, my heart almost broke!”
“When she looked direcly at the screen, I thought she was going to kill me. It scared me so much that my legs went weak…”
These discussions were enough to prove Zhao Qingyu’s talent. Even Father Song and Mother Song, who were initially feeling down, were drawn into the plot. Finally, Father Song heaved a sigh of relief and patted Zhao Qingyu’s shoulder, saying, “You have a good eye. Your idol’s acting skills are excellent. Qingyu’s future is limitless…”
Song Xuyi smiled with her head lowered, not looking up at Father Song. She continued to send a message to Zhao Qingyu: “The movie was fantastic, really amazing. Your acting is superb. You’re definitely going to be a big hit…”
At the same time, Zhao Qingyu was in the hospital room, accompanying her mother to watch this movie with only two viewers.
As her withered mother watched the scenes of the movie, her eyes sparkled, and she enthusiastically performed the lines, gesturing with her hands and feet.
During the performance, her entire face seemed to be glowing, and in a fleeting moment, she regained the beauty and charm of her youth.
Her mother was once the most beautiful and talented student in the prestigious film academy, destined for a brilliant future…
If she hadn’t met that man…
Zhao Qingyu turned off her phone and sat in the shadows, watching her mother acting crazy, laughing and crying, allowing the dark emotions brewing within her to gradually engulf her…
She knew that her movie would likely become a success, without any surprises. Countless messages were probably flooding her phone at this moment. She was stepping steadily on the path she had planned for herself…
No one could have imagined that she, who shouldn’t have been born in the first place, would reach this position.
And she would carry their curses and her mother’s wishes, soaring higher and higher each day.
What a pity!
Perhaps it was retribution: the heartless man died a few years ago, and the old witch has already become senile.
But the old witch’s beloved grandson and daughter-in-law are still alive and well…
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It was only after the movie ended that Zhao Qingyu finally reopened her phone.
As expected, as soon as she turned on her phone, numerous missed calls and messages from friends flooded in.
This industry is so realistic: once you become popular, you are surrounded by a sea of flattery and have countless “friends.” Overnight, you gain wealth that ordinary people could never earn in their lifetime.
But Zhao Qingyu didn’t lack money.
Zhao Qingyu looked at her phone coldly, replying to each message one by one, until she noticed an unread message in the chat window with Song Xuyi.
Right, it was Song Xuyi who had promised last night to share daily life with her, luring that fake fan.
Zhao Qingyu didn’t realize it herself, but when she saw the message from Song Xuyi, her body’s hostility unconsciously subsided a bit. Her crazy mother ran over barefoot, carefully squatting next to Zhao Qingyu, caressing her thin back. “Nannan is happy, and Mom is happy too…”
“I’m not happy.”
Zhao Qingyu retorted with a stern face.
She looked at the photo of the donation certificate sent by Song Xuyi, saw the large amount written on it, and felt a twinge in her brow. Then she saw the inspirational message sent by Song Xuyi and couldn’t help but sneer. Advising her to be good, it would be better to advise a wolf to become a vegetarian…
Did this fake fan sense something?
However, the question that followed struck a chord with her.
When reaching the pinnacle of power, is the female protagonist happy?
While acting, Zhao Qingyu felt that the female protagonist was not happy. Sitting alone on a high throne, she had lost her loved ones. How could the female protagonist be happy?
However, inexplicably, she didn’t want to type those words. It felt like a kind of prediction, foreshadowing her future life after seeking revenge.
Zhao Qingyu pursed her lips and typed slowly. The sound of her tapping on the screen was loud, as if she was trying to prove her determination from the depths of her heart:
【Whether she’s happy or not, only the person who fulfills their desires will know!】
LP: Re-translated on December 6, 2023