WBSGVS Chapter 99 V1

Over Half a Year Later

The variety show Let’s Go Travel finished filming and post-production, and as soon as it aired, Fu Qingli—who had been out of the public eye for over six months—became a sensation again!

After the misunderstanding caused by the show Dream Stage, many who had been misled by Cheng Yu’s manipulative posts and blacklisted Fu Qingli ended up apologizing after the episode aired. They even turned their criticism toward Cheng Yu.

In the episode, it was clear from the start that Cheng Yu was the one stirring up trouble. She deliberately brought up trending topics, repeatedly made excuses to skip rehearsals, and, in the end, it was obvious during the judges’ critique that she hadn’t prepared at all.

In contrast, Fu Qingli had focused on rehearsing seriously and stayed quiet throughout the ordeal.

There were even rumors that Cheng Yu had changed the script at the last minute.

Since that incident, however, Fu Qingli has avoided variety shows altogether, much to the disappointment of her fans. Many assumed her negative experience had made her hesitant to participate in any shows. And because her film projects took time to produce, there was a long period where she had no public presence.

That changed in early April, when the first episode of Let’s Go Travel aired. Fu Qingli was one of the show’s regular cast members.

When her name appeared in the credits, many viewers were momentarily stunned before recalling, “Oh, she’s the one who gained popularity last year on that horror escape show!”

However, by the 12th episode of the escape show, Fu Qingli had almost completely overcome her fears and become so adept at solving puzzles that she made things difficult for the production team. One of the directors even anonymously complained online, saying she had stressed him out so much he was losing his hair.

Naturally, Fu Qingli didn’t return for the show’s second season.

While the escape show had a niche audience, it wasn’t widely known. This made Let’s Go Travel, a mainstream travel variety show, her real breakthrough with the public.

Initially, many viewers were unfamiliar with her. But as episodes aired, that unfamiliarity vanished, and she gained a growing fanbase who showered her with praise, calling her amazing and competent.

Fu Qingli’s skills became the highlight of the show. She wasn’t just good at cooking—she was extraordinary. With basic ingredients, she could whip up incredibly delicious meals, much to the delight (and eventual weight gain) of her fellow cast members.

She also had extensive knowledge of regional cuisines. If she didn’t know how to prepare a dish, she only needed to taste it once before recreating it.

During international trips, her fluency in multiple foreign languages stood out. She could guide the group effortlessly, finding highly rated local restaurants, navigating the easiest routes, and avoiding tourist traps.

In one instance, when a drive-by thief attempted to snatch someone’s bag, Fu Qingli reacted instantly, knocking the thief off their bike and delivering them to the local police.

The show was a perfect blend of safety, fun, delicious food, and cultural exploration, creating a relaxed atmosphere that kept viewers hooked. Fans began recommending it to one another, and with strong promotional efforts, its audience grew exponentially. Fu Qingli, who had nearly faded from memory, once again became a hot topic.

When the travel show ended, the online drama Survival Guide for the Harem premiered. With the buzz Fu Qingli had generated, the show’s initial viewership was impressive, despite the rest of the cast being newcomers. The drama became an instant hit.

This marked Fu Qingli’s first true signature project.

Now, she had both popularity and a successful project to her name. Even her critics couldn’t find fault with her.

Zheng Yue, Fu Qingli’s manager, arranged for an assistant to help her but continued to handle most of her affairs personally, despite taking on other artists. Upon receiving instructions from their company’s boss, Zheng Yue immediately called Fu Qingli.

“Darling,” Zheng Yue teased, “the boss wants to upgrade your contract.”

Their company was small—so small that with Fu Qingli’s rising fame, she had effectively become their top artist. The contract between them had always been fair.

But now, with Survival Guide skyrocketing her fame, offers from other companies poured in, tempting her to leave. The boss couldn’t ignore the competition any longer.

Smiling knowingly, Fu Qingli replied, “Sister Zheng, please let the boss know I’d like a share of the company. If that’s not possible, I’ll pay the penalty fee and start my studio.”

Having anticipated this, Zheng Yue sighed, “I knew you’d say that.” She added, “I’ve already tested the waters. The boss is open to the idea—it just depends on how much you’re asking for.”

“Thirty percent,” Fu Qingli said confidently.

“That’s quite a lot,” Zheng Yue murmured. “Alright, I’ll discuss it with him.”

“Thank you, Sister Zheng,” Fu Qingli replied warmly.

Zheng Yue rolled her eyes. “Save the sweet talk. Just don’t forget me if things don’t work out, alright?”

“Never!” Fu Qingli promised.

In the end, they reached an agreement, with Fu Qingli also investing a sum of money into the company.

The explosive success of Survival Guide brought in offers from multiple platforms. Originally signed to just one streaming service under minimal terms, the show’s popularity led other platforms to compete for distribution rights. After splitting the profits among the platforms, Fu Qingli not only recouped her $3 million investment but also made several million more in profit.

Even after taxes, she had enough to start her studio and sign a few promising newcomers. However, since her original company agreed to her terms, things became much simpler.

With the contract finalized, Fu Qingli officially became a shareholder.

Meanwhile, Ye Minxing was once again arguing with his family about marrying Su Tang. Exhausted, he unlocked his phone to check the time, only to see a news notification: #FuQingliBecomesShareholder#

His brows furrowed, thinking it was some kind of scandal. Clicking on the article, he realized it was a report from an entertainment account, revealing that Fu Qingli had quietly become a shareholder in her company.

The article also noted that the company had begun signing several promising newcomers, including the male lead from Survival Guide.

It was during the release period of the web drama when the two wrapped up their promotional activities and were spotted having dinner together in private. Paparazzi caught them, stirring up a wave of relationship rumors.

She’s now a company owner.

And she’s caught up in dating rumors. Whether true or not, it was hard to say.

Ye Minxing couldn’t help but feel unsettled.

Since their divorce, they hadn’t officially met again. However, with Fu Qingli gaining popularity recently, he couldn’t help but receive updates about her, keeping track of her life.

But hearing about a romance for the first time was a different feeling altogether.