Quick Transmigration: Drama Queen's Daily Life Chapter 1646 - 1635: The Villain’s Foster Mother

Besides making Ye Chuqing’s classmates and friends envious, the trending topic didn’t have much effect on her. Her schedule was packed daily, and even during the New Year’s period, she had several extracurricular classes to attend, leaving no time to chat with ordinary classmates.

This year, Ye Qiu was particularly generous, buying a lot of things for the family. The tension between the mother and daughter eased. Although Ye Qiu’s words were occasionally unpleasant, Ye Chuqing, who understood her hard work, only felt happiness.

After the New Year, the money Ye Qiu earned during the winter break was enough for her to set up a little store in the film city. The store had two floors, with the upper floor designed as elegant and private rooms for doing business with directors and actors.

Because of her excellent cooking skills, her business didn’t decline after Director Duan and others left. Instead, it thrived and gained a reputation in the circle. Almost every film crew coming to City A to shoot knew that outside the film city, there was someone named Sister Ye whose cooking was delicious and didn’t make you gain weight no matter how much you ate.

Word of mouth spread, and her business thrived, with prices gradually increasing. Some complained about the price hike, but others didn’t mind it much.

This latter group had money, so the small price increase by Ye Qiu didn’t matter to them. In comparison, with fewer people coming because of the price increase, they no longer needed to wait in long queues or struggle to book private dining, making it more convenient.

As time passed, Ye Qiu’s phone gained more and more WeChat and phone numbers from big names in the entertainment industry. Even some regular customers knew her daughter was planning to enter the industry. Many offered to let Ye Chuqing try her hand in film crews, but she turned them all down.

The reason was that her daughter was still too young and hadn’t systematically learned acting. She feared that joining a crew might cause trouble, so she wanted Ye Chuqing to gain some foundation before considering it.

Her refusal made these regulars regard her with greater respect. Moreover, Ye Chuqing’s appropriate demeanor and graceful appearance made people like the mother and daughter more. Although talk of letting Ye Chuqing act was rare, they remembered her.

For someone to refuse such temptation, they must have strong self-control. There’s a saying that fame should come early, and Ye Chuqing was indeed beautiful. It’s believed that as long as she didn’t act recklessly, she could gradually become familiar with various film crews. With a bit of luck, she might rise to fame, as such examples are not unheard of in the entertainment industry.

But the mother and daughter didn’t hesitate to reject such opportunities. Only when repeatedly asked did Ye Qiu suggest letting Ye Chuqing follow a crew during breaks to learn, even if just to help and run errands, as long as she could gain some knowledge. To achieve this, Ye Qiu used all her skills and hosted three private banquets to secure an agreement with a renowned director and some veteran actors.

Previously, Ye Qiu didn’t let Ye Chuqing enroll in performing classes for fear that the uneven quality of acting teachers would mislead her. But now, there were no such concerns. Being taught by directors and veteran actors on set was even more valuable than a year of school; some things are best learned through practice.

Ye Chuqing knew such opportunities were hard to come by and squeezed out time to head to the crew. In just a few months, she lost more than ten pounds, but she didn’t look tired; instead, she seemed more energized than ever.

By summer vacation, a crew approached her. One of their actresses had been blacklisted for scandal, leaving a role that, while not large, was crucial to the drama. The director noticed Ye Chuqing while dining at Ye Qiu’s place.

It was a palace intrigue drama, and the director wanted Ye Chuqing to play the female lead’s younger sister. Though the sister’s role was limited, she was a significant reason for the female lead’s moral corruption.

Originally, the sister grew up happy under her family’s protection, but found herself embroiled in a power struggle, eventually falling victim in a trap and dying at the hands of bandits. Her death led the once gentle and forbearing female lead to transform into someone fearless.

Ye Qiu thought the opportunity was good, perfect for Ye Chuqing to gain some experience. The role’s not too overwhelming and could be filmed during summer break without affecting her studies, so she let her take it, with Ye Qiu personally signing the contract.

Ye Chuqing was excited to receive her first role but simultaneously worried that she might not do well and let her mother’s painstaking effort go in vain.

"Director Li had high praises for you before, so what’s there to fear? This step is inevitable sooner or later. Go ahead, Director Zhao mentioned he’d look after you," Ye Qiu said, patting her on the shoulder.

"Alright." Ye Chuqing nodded firmly, then took the script she had memorized by heart and went to the crew. As she crossed the street, she turned back to see Ye Qiu still watching her, and she took a deep breath to encourage herself.

Once on set, things went better than Ye Chuqing anticipated because most of the crew had sampled her mom’s cooking and treated her kindly. She worked hard, and although it was her first time acting, she was impressively captivating.

"Cut." Director Zhao hadn’t anticipated that Ye Chuqing, chosen last minute, would pass the first scene in one take; he was thrilled, feeling it was a remarkably worthwhile decision.

With Ye Chuqing around, there was no fear of lacking good food, a notion confirmed when Ye Qiu brought delightful desserts not found on the regular menu. Without her, such surprises wouldn’t exist.

After enjoying Ye Qiu’s delectable treats, the crew became even more attentive to Ye Chuqing. The leading actress, a popular star, routinely found time to rehearse with her. The veteran actors playing her parents guided her closely. Makeup artists and cinematographers, needless to say, ensured her appearances were as stunning as the lead’s.

Ye Chuqing’s final scene involved her being assaulted by bandits and dying. Observing her expressions transition from fear to despair and finally to lifelessness, the emotionally invested crew members were teary-eyed.

Especially poignant was the scene when the female lead learned the news, rushed to the scene, and wailed over her sister’s body, inciting quiet sobs from onlookers.

"Cut, that scene’s cleared." After the director clapped the slate, people rushed to help Ye Chuqing up. A crew member handed her a large red envelope, offering congratulations.