Chapter 140. Becoming a Celebrity? The Fought-Over-by-Big-Shots Kind (16)
At home, Fu Qingman effortlessly supported Shen Wan’s slight frame upstairs.
Shen Wan appeared half-drunk, her cheeks flushed.
Fu Qingman touched her face, “Is your stomach okay?”
“It’s fine, just a bit dizzy,” Shen Wan leaned on the sofa, eyes half-closed as she observed Fu Qingman’s concerned expression. “And a little thirsty.”
“I’ll get you some water.” Fu Qingman quickly fetched a glass of warm water. Returning to find Shen Wan drowsy, she sat beside her, supporting her back. “Here’s water. You look unable to hold the glass, so I’ll help you drink.”
Shen Wan thought: Ah, how nice. Being drunk has its perks – her wife is personally helping her drink.
Witnessing this, 188 noticed a fleeting glint of cunning in Shen Wan’s half-closed eyes. He sensed she was about to pull another trick to con her little wife into taking her home.
Shen Wan obediently drank the water while leaning on Fu Qingman. “I want to take a bath.”
“I’ll go run the water for you.” Fu Qingman didn’t hesitate, not feeling any awkwardness. Though her feelings for Shen Wan had changed somewhat, she hadn’t considered that aspect.
She believed her lack of close, genuine friends in this industry was why Shen Wan’s sincere help touched her so deeply. Naturally, she’d reciprocate such genuine care.
Why did she consider Shen Wan sincere?
In this competitive industry, would rivals truly wish each other well?
Like when filming, Shen Wan’s every appearance seemed to genuinely resolve issues.
Take the arm guards she’d given her – most people wouldn’t share such valuable items.
Others might prefer to hand her high heels for mountain climbing.
Fu Qingman prepared the bath. Since Shen Wan had stayed at her place before, she still had a room here.
During her last shopping trip, Fu Qingman had subconsciously bought sleepwear, loungewear, and slippers for Shen Wan. She’d washed them and placed them in Shen Wan’s room’s wardrobe.
Finding these items now, she smiled silently. An unintentional act had proved convenient today. Bringing clean clothes and slippers downstairs, she thought about buying extras next time, in case Shen Wan stayed over occasionally.
“The bath’s ready. I’ve brought clean clothes and put them in the bathroom. Let me help you there.”
Shen Wan nodded, allowing Fu Qingman to guide her to the bathroom.
“Can you manage alone?”
Shen Wan startled, quickly nodding, “Yes, yes.” Though she wanted to linger, nothing could happen yet. This old woman clearly hadn’t realized her feelings.
No matter, there was plenty of time.
“I’ll stay here and watch. You’re quite drunk; what if you fall?” Fu Qingman said worriedly, leaving the door slightly ajar. “Call if you need anything. I’ll be right outside.”
Shen Wan blinked, hurriedly undressing and climbing into the tub. The unlocked door allowed her to see Fu Qingman bringing a chair to sit guard, likely playing on her phone.
“Qingman, thanks so much. Without you, I couldn’t have made it back.”
“Good that you realize. Don’t drink like this again. It’s bad for you, and what if I’m not around?”
“Heh, I only drink when you’re around. Knowing you’d take care of me even if I passed out, I drank freely.”
Fu Qingman set down her phone, staring at the bathroom door. “You trust me that much? We haven’t known each other long. People are unpredictable. If I had ill intentions, who knows what could happen to a young girl like you.”
This reminded her of their first meeting.
The next day, everything became clear. Mu Linshi had sent Shen Wan to that room, jealous of her and trying to please Mr. Huang. Given the circumstances, Mu Linshi didn’t fare well either, and the matter was dropped.
Having offended Mr. Huang, Mu Linshi later attached herself to another capable investor. But before that film aired, he tired of her.
Without a powerful backer and having offended Mr. Huang, Mu Linshi was now essentially shelved by her company. Fu Qingman rarely heard of her anymore. Given her circumstances, without a powerful patron, she might never rise in this industry.
New entrants harbored such schemes, yet Shen Wan trusted so carefreely, nearly falling victim.
Though pleased by Shen Wan’s trust, her nonchalant attitude worried Fu Qingman. She clearly hadn’t seen the industry’s dark side. The more she thought, the more Fu Qingman’s brow furrowed. Shen Wan would surely become famous, attracting many people’s attention. Many would target her then.
Though relationships in the industry were supposedly consensual, some harbored ill intentions, using tricks on young artists. Once things happened, what could be done? One could only grit their teeth, swallow the broken pieces, and continue struggling in this quagmire.
At this moment, Fu Qingman, too worried about Shen Wan being taken advantage of, forgot about her own extraordinary background.
“Next time, if I’m not around, don’t drink like this.” She knew some dinners inevitably involved drinking. Even she often had to drink a bit.
“If you really must drink, call me first.”
Shen Wan chuckled silently, “Alright, I’ll call you before drinking in the future. But you’re a big star, always busy. Won’t I be bothering you?”
“Don’t overthink it, just call me.” Fu Qingman said nonchalantly, more concerned that Shen Wan might not call to avoid disturbing her. “Even if I can’t come personally, can’t I arrange for someone to pick you up?”
Her spontaneous words surprised Fu Qingman. On reflection, she thought it feasible. If Shen Wan wasn’t working with her and she was busy, Shen Wan could call, and she’d have her manager arrange someone to pick her up.
Then, whoever had designs on Shen Wan would have to consider her involvement.
“Since you insist, I won’t be polite.” Shen Wan said happily, “In this industry, I only trust you.”
“Alright, enough flattery. Hurry and wash up before the water gets cold. You might catch a cold. After bathing, rest early. We’ll be busy in a couple of days.”
Somehow, hearing Shen Wan say she only trusted her in this industry made Fu Qingman’s blood boil. A warm current flowed through her heart, an odd yet irresistible feeling that wouldn’t dissipate.
After finally getting Shen Wan to her room, Fu Qingman washed up and returned to her own room. Unable to sleep despite having two days off, she scrolled through Weibo, eventually landing on Shen Wan’s page.
They had followed each other earlier. Fu Qingman noticed Shen Wan mostly reposted, rarely posting original content. Her reposts were generally official well-wishes. The only post with over 10,000 comments was her repost of Jing Ge’s Weibo, accompanied by three large question marks.
Perhaps out of boredom, she liked all of Shen Wan’s Weibo posts. After browsing current discussions about Shen Wan and finding no significant news, she turned off the lights to sleep.
Little did Fu Qingman know, as she entered dreamland, night owls discovered big news: Top actress Fu Qingman had liked all of pure, unaffected “little white flower” Shen Wan’s Weibo posts in the dead of night.
Fu Qingman’s fans: “I don’t quite understand Manman’s move. But I guess she couldn’t sleep and liked them out of boredom. Manman and Shen Wan are close, what’s strange about liking her posts?”
Gossip mongers agreed. Liking dozens of posts at once seemed like boredom, and those posts were harmless reposts.
But Fu Qingman’s fame was too great. By morning, she’d trended: “Top actress likes pure, unaffected little white flower’s Weibo.”
Due to that article about a domineering CEO pursuing a little white flower, Shen Wan had earned the title “ethereally refined.” People loved adding adjectives before “little white flower.”
“Little white flower” was derogatory for others, but genuinely complimentary for her.
The next day, Shen Wan woke to news of Fu Qingman liking her Weibo posts overnight. She chuckled, “Couldn’t sleep last night?”
“Yeah, I got restless and liked all your posts.”
“How nice, trending just from liking posts. No need to buy trends. I wonder how many people are jealous.”
Fu Qingman laughed, “You’ll be able to do this too someday.”
“You’ve already done it. I wonder how many people are envious now.”
“Indeed, envious of how a little white flower artist like me is so close to a top actress.”
Because Fu Qingman was a top actress, her close relationship with Shen Wan, whom she’d recommended for a role, didn’t raise eyebrows. Both being women, people had nothing to say. Little did they know, the real mystery lay here.
After breakfast, Shen Wan received a call from Pan Yue. “Young Master Pan, want to drink again?” Shen Wan glanced at Fu Qingman, whispering, “He’s not convinced and wants another round. Qingman, will you come with me?”
Fu Qingman quickly set down her utensils. “Sure, I’ll accompany you.”
Knowing Shen Wan’s alcohol tolerance, Fu Qingman wanted to see Pan Yue admit defeat. With her there, she’d definitely carry Shen Wan back.
Pan Yue, deeply unwilling to accept defeat, called Shen Wan out again. This time, they met at a bar near his home. He didn’t mind Shen Wan bringing Fu Qingman, having already set out a row of baijiu bottles.
As Shen Wan entered, he pointed to the alcohol before them. “Come on, drink directly. If you outdrink me this time, I’ll acknowledge you as my big sister. If you lose, you’ll be my girlfriend.”
“Let’s drink. Don’t back out of your word.”
Shen Wan picked up a bottle and started drinking.
Seeing her demeanor, Pan Yue felt uneasy.
Half an hour later, Pan Yue lay on the sofa like a puddle of mud. Shen Wan sat beside him, smiling. “Little Yue,” she patted his shoulder, “We’re buddies now, but remember, I’m your big sister, got it?”
“Got it,” Pan Yue, though drunk, was still somewhat conscious. He slurred, “I won’t go back on my word.”
“Then call me Big Sister.”
“Big Sister.”
“Very good. From now on, you’re my little brother.”
Shen Wan left the bar with Fu Qingman, feeling refreshed. Fu Qingman observed her closely. In the car, she noticed Shen Wan’s face reddening and thought, what strange delayed effects.
“Qingman, I’m drunk. You have to carry me back, okay?” With that, Shen Wan collapsed onto Fu Qingman.
Fu Qingman was both amused and exasperated. She gently embraced her, “Don’t worry, I’ll carry you back. I won’t abandon you here.”
What a truly miraculous constitution.