Chapter 43 - Stars Twinkling Brightly

Chapter 43: Chapter 41: Stars Twinkling BrightlyThe entertainment industry is in turmoil, with everyone on edge. Since Director Li Chu showed no intention of holding a press conference, Ye Qiu quietly joined the production without making a sound.

Li Chu is an extremely talented director and screenwriter. His movie "Crime" should, by all logic, be capable of winning awards given his caliber. However, in her previous life, Ye Qiu had to exit the project due to an injury. Lin Feifei, with the strong backing of her sponsor, took over the role, which ultimately left the movie flawed and out of the running for any awards.

In this new life, Ye Qiu hopes to present the best version of the film to everyone and to spare Director Li any further regrets.

"Baby, Mommy will make those who hurt you pay." In the dim light of the children’s room, a pale and haggard woman leant against the wall, repeatedly stroking the photo in her hand with tenderness, her face adorned with a gentle smile, yet her eyes were resolute.

"Cut! That’s good, very good." Director Li smiled and waved to Ye Qiu, his tone filled with admiration, "I truly made the right choice. For next year’s film festival, I’m very confident."

"Then let me congratulate Director Li in advance." Ye Qiu sat upright as the makeup artist touched up her makeup.

"It’s still too early to say, but if everyone performs as well as you, there’s definitely hope." Director Li, now in his fifties, tall and thin, his smiling face full of creases.

"Are you implying that our acting isn’t up to scratch, Director Li!" The actor playing the male supporting role as a policeman, hearing this, teased him with a laugh.

"Off you go, always butting in," Director Li, an old friend of his, may not have had a prominent reputation, but his acting was indeed solid. On set, when Director Li got angry, besides Ye Qiu, he was often the one to save the day.

After nearly five months of closed set filming, it wasn’t until the summer vacation that he informed his followers via Weibo that the shooting for "Crime" had wrapped up and was undergoing urgent post-production.

The Weibo post contained nothing else but a single poster of Ye Qiu. In the poster, she stands on a dark street, looking gloomy, lonely, and sorrowful. Gazing into her eyes was like staring into the abyss. In the background was a building, and the words "some mental hospital" could be faintly discerned.

"Eh... with just one poster, I’m already getting goosebumps."

"I’m convinced by Ye Qiu’s acting skills."

"Ah... my favorite director and my favorite actress, I support, I definitely support them!"

"The poster looks so gloomy and scary, plus a mental hospital. Is my Qiu going to play a mentally ill person?"

"Based on the title ’Crime’, is Ye Qiu portraying a criminal?"

"My curiosity is piqued; I really want to see it released soon."

"If it’s premiering, it’ll be at the end of the year at the earliest, right?"

For a time, the enthusiastic discussions from netizens put the "Crime" production on the hot search list. Meanwhile, Ye Qiu had already flown to the other side of the Ocean to attend the premiere of "Interstellar Hero 3."

Ye Qiu now had several big productions in hand, and her popularity in Hua Country remained sky-high. Once "Star Hero" was released, her fame would not be limited to Hua Country. Some international brands had already sensed an opportunity and were approaching her one after another.

Tonight, Ye Qiu’s outfit, shoes, and jewelry were all provided by international sponsors.

She wore a brand-new haute couture from brand W, a mid-sleeve deep V-neck gown. The body-hugging design of the gown, embroidered with jewelry crystals from the chest down to the thigh area, flared into a grey-white translucent tulle at the hem. The streamlined silhouette accentuated Ye Qiu’s slender waist and long legs, especially paired with the designer’s strappy high heels, making her look absolutely stunning.

Around her neck was a classic diamond necklace from brand Q, with a main diamond of over ten carats and the tassel decorations below set with two-carat diamonds each. The necklace’s official retail price was a staggering ten million.

Tonight, Ye Qiu was destined to dazzle, becoming the goddess of the entire world.

"Let’s welcome the actress who played Dragon Girl, Ye Qiu!" Amidst the audience’s cheers, Ye Qiu slowly walked onto the stage. The moment she smiled, whether it was the audience on-site or netizens online, everyone was breathlessly astonished.

"Ye Qiu is the best Hua Country actress I’ve ever seen!"

"She perfectly embodied Dragon Girl!"

"Big Beard Director did not let us down, ’Interstellar Hero 3’ is a success!"

The next day, entertainment news pages abroad were filled with endless praises towards Ye Qiu and the ’Interstellar Hero’ crew, and just overnight, Ye Qiu made herself known to people all over the world.

Three days later, ’Interstellar Hero 3’ was officially released worldwide, and the box office on the first day reached a staggering 300 million US dollars. Two days later, over the weekend, the box office exploded to 800 million US dollars, setting a new box office record.

Ye Qiu’s portrayal as Dragon Girl won worldwide recognition, being beautiful, handsome, brave, and skilful in martial arts; in that year’s audience vote, she became one of the most beloved hero characters.

At the end of the year, Ye Qiu, together with Director Li Chu, took ’Crime’ to the international film festivals.

"The winner of the Best Actress Award at the 65th Blue Film Festival is..." The presenter deliberately created suspense, speaking particularly slowly.

"Ye Qiu, Ye Qiu..."

"Please let it be Ye Qiu!"

In Hua Country, countless fans prayed for Ye Qiu, hoping she could achieve her first International Film Queen crown in her life.

"Ye Qiu, congratulations!" The poorly spoken Hua Country language made the fans jump with excitement.

Ye Qiu stood up and bowed deeply to the crew and audience, walking up to the award stage with a confident and graceful smile.

She did it!

Her fans cheered for her; Ye Qiu, at just 22 years old, became the youngest recipient of the International Film Queen in the country.

"The winner of the Best Director of this festival is..."

"Li Chu!"

"Congratulations, you did it too!" Ye Qiu congratulated Li Chu.

"It’s all thanks to everyone’s effort!" Li Chu was very excited; although many of his films had gained attention and love from the audience, obtaining both the Best Actress and Best Director internationally at the same time was indeed unprecedented.

Ye Qiu looked at the triumphant director on stage and felt reflective; after tonight, Li Chu might just become the number one director in the industry!

After winning the big award, Ye Qiu returned to her home country, where she didn’t stop her pace, carefully choosing each movie and endorsement, actively doing charity, with most of her income used to give back to society and her fans.

A year later, she graduated from the National Film Academy as the most outstanding student and was specially appointed as a teacher.

Two years later, she was awarded the Most Popular Actor and the Best Character of the Year!

Three years on, she took her work and once again won another heavyweight International Film Queen award. Every year, her red carpet photos were rated as the best dressed.

Five years later, Ye Qiu had won all three international Film Queen awards, her name would go down in history as the youngest Grand Slam Film Queen.

At the height of her success, her past enemies were suffering the consequences of their former misdeeds.

Lin Feifei, unable to repay a huge debt, started acting in adult films and ended up isolated and abandoned.

Du Siqi, due to illegal paparazzi activities and threatening multiple artists, caused serious implications and was eventually sentenced to ten years in prison.

Ye Qiu, on the other hand, was always that star they could never reach.