Chapter 23

Netizens discovered that in the past seven days, the person Qin Wei criticized the most wasn’t Lin Qiqi, but internet celebrity Su Xiaoxiao.

Some even edited together clips of her criticizing Su Xiaoxiao into a mini segment:

Su Xiaoxiao: "Everyone, if you retire from the industry, what do you want to do next?"

During lunch time, Su Xiaoxiao started some casual chat, and everyone naturally chimed in.

Lin Qiqi was the first to say:

"I’ll learn design and open a clothing store! I can model the clothes myself while selling them too."

Su Xiaoxiao put down her bowl and applauded her:

"Sister Qiqi will definitely be able to do it. I've sold clothes too, when I first started university I set up a roadside stall at night, for several hours at a time, and didn't manage to sell a single item. But over 20 boys came to add me on WeChat. Am I that useless?"

No one answered, only Qin Wei nodded in agreement while eating:

"Yes."

...

While Qin Wei was feeding sheep grass, Su Xiaoxiao came over and asked:

"Sister Qin Wei, your make-up looks so nice today!"

Qin Wei smiled: "Thank you for the compliment."

Su Xiaoxiao turned her head and saw Lin Qiqi:

"Sister Qiqi, your make-up is very Western style today, did you do it yourself?"

Lin Qiqi nodded. Having been a model before, she had tried all kinds of make-up looks and had been exploring different techniques herself.

Su Xiaoxiao exclaimed:

"Wow, amazing! Sister have you studied make-up before?"

Lin Qiqi didn't deny it: "I've learned a bit, but mainly through practicing myself."

Su Xiaoxiao sighed:

"I want to learn too. I'm still young so it's fine for now, but I can't go barefaced forever! Oh I'm so stupid, I don't know how to do make-up."

Lin Qiqi understood what she meant and was immediately annoyed.

At that moment, laughter came from Qin Wei beside them.

The two turned to look at her. Qin Wei looked at Su Xiaoxiao and said:

"Pfft hahahaha, you're so stupid. Make-up just takes hands, doesn't it?"

...

There were many more similar clips as the show went on, and they even kept increasing. Some netizens hoped Qin Wei would make a tutorial to teach everyone how to criticize people like Su Xiaoxiao around them.

Watching the post-production, Director A sighed repeatedly. Based on his experience, it was unlikely anyone's performance would produce viral highlights. His hopes of using Qin Wei to stir up hype were also dashed.

This lady was really different from what he saw on TV... She was just too chill in real life...

But Director A also resigned himself to it. This variety show was destined to only fleece some subscribers on the platform. He felt a little bad for President Xu of Anxing Entertainment, who had invested money to get Qin Wei to come.

Yet he was also asked to keep it confidential...

Director A didn't understand what rich people were thinking.

... Unlike when she arrived, Qin Wei dragged her luggage out to see her agent Li Yao waiting for her - the one she hadn't seen for days.

Li Yao opened his arms to hug her, then helped carry her luggage into the car.

After Qin Wei got in the car, she still felt a little dazed.

"How have you been, my little ancestor?" Li Yao asked while driving.

Qin Wei replied:

"It was a bit like being in disguise. I've endured all the bitterness possible, and the network reception wasn't great either. I was cut off from the world for a week."

Li Yao secretly glanced at Qin Wei in the rearview mirror:

"Did you see the hot search? It said Shen Kai has a new girlfriend, Shen Qingqing. You might not know her... Don't take it too hard, just let the past be the past..."

Li Yao hesitated several times, seemingly wanting to say more but stopping himself. Qin Wei impatiently waved her hand to signal him to focus on driving, while she herself frowned and concentrated on her phone.

Her mood, Li Yao seemed to understand.

Although they didn't announce it publicly, the two did briefly date. But Shen Kai broke up with her very quickly, which gave Qin Wei no small blow.

Li Yao felt very sorry for her, but the other party was a top A-lister and sought-after double Best Actor winner. His background was quite formidable. Even at her peak, Qin Wei couldn't compare.

That was how this industry worked. Sometimes, background was more important than anything.

Qin Wei opened up her search engine and typed:

"Used villas for sale in the city area"

She thought to herself, selling this villa, plus the remuneration from this job should be enough for food and shelter for life, right?

Should she pick a third-tier city, or second-tier? Buy a small apartment, or a single-story house?

Or should she just go back to her hometown where housing prices hadn't risen yet...

"Qin Wei, I know it's hard to forget someone, but Shen Kai was never meant for you after all..."

Qin Wei looked up, confused because she wasn't paying attention to what he was saying:

"Who's Shen Kai?"

... Looks like she doesn't want to talk about him, pretending to have amnesia here...

Seeing Qin Wei in the rearview mirror, Li Yao decided not to poke at her pain points. So he changed the subject:

"Nevermind, it's got nothing to do with us... Right, there are some shows casting lately. I'll try my best to get you in. Go home and adjust your state, get ready to start working."

"No need."

Without looking up from her phone, Qin Wei said seriously:

"After this show finishes airing my parts, find an opportunity to hold a press conference for me. I'm retiring."

"What did you say?"

"Retiring, exiting the entertainment industry!"

Li Yao slammed the brakes. If not for her seatbelt, Qin Wei would've flown out already.

"Li Yao, be careful when you drive..."

"Little ancestor, have you gone crazy? Is it because of recent matters? I won't try to persuade you yet, calm down and think it over."

"No need to calm down,"

Qin Wei casually tidied her messy hair,

"No matter how hard I try, there won't be much splash. I'm retiring, my decision is made."

...

Li Yao didn't continue arguing with her. He started the car and drove straight to Qin Wei's villa in the city, sent her home without another word, then drove away.

He was angry, Qin Wei could tell, and she understood why.

But Qin Wei didn't have much choice either.

Although she didn't have the original host's memories, the internet had memories. Qin Wei had looked up the original's situation. She debuted 7-8 years ago, and had some quality works, but too few, mostly concentrated in the early years. And she had a ton of flaws, as well as ongoing problems with her public image.

Her roles were limited, she relied on her past works, was unprofessional, played diva, offended colleagues, was lovesick, willful, bad temper...

She had stepped on all the landmines, and her sustained popularity for so many years was entirely thanks to her good looks.

But there was no lack of beauties in the industry. That could only count as getting a foot in the door. Being endlessly hyped by fans as a "Peerless Beauty" didn't convince anyone anymore.

It was already a miracle she had such a smooth career for so long.

In short, she had just muddled along.

From her experience, there was no saving the situation.

Qin Wei also considered some options, like how the original debuted early so she was still young now. She could go back to being a trainee and re-debut through a talent competition show, but there was no precedent for that in China yet. Logically, since she already debuted, re-debuting might not be accepted.

Plus, reputation and popularity were equally important for idol stars.

Even if she tirelessly trained her singing and dancing for years to make up for the original's lack of skills, she had no platform to showcase it.

An actress switching tracks to become an idol, even she felt it wasn't viable.

It was too tiring. In her previous life, she never got to properly enjoy life. Heaven gave her a chance to start over, did she still need to fight fiercely for fame and profit?

She might as well take advantage of her youth and money on hand to do something else, start up a career.