Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

Chyou walked in the set with everybody's attention snapping at her at a moment's notice.

"Queen Chyou!!!"

The whole set broke into chaos as everybody surrounded her with tears in their eyes. Behind her, people could see some reporters and paparazzi roaming around and following her for some heated debate and answers but they glared at them and shooed them away.

Don't buzz around Queen Chyou!

"Queen Chyou, we missed you!" One of the staff attendants burst into tears.

"We are so sorry for what happened, Queen. I never thought that Prince Cheng- hmph, Cheng Yin would turn out like this!"

"And on top of that, that shameless woman Qiu had the nerve to come to work here as if nothing happened!"

"Queen Chyou, you look so thin…"

"Are you not eating properly?"

"You look so tired. Don't worry, I will doll you up to be the prettiest Queen in this whole wide world!" One makeup artist proudly said.

The concern in everybody's eyes and words warmed Chyou's heart. "Everybody…Thank you so much. I really appreciate it."

"Hmph that cheater Cheng Yin doesn't deserve our Queen! Don't feel heartbroken, Queen. You will surely find a handsome and dashing prince charming soon for sure~"

"Maybe fate has already arranged for that~ Queen, queen, you should head to Director Murong's office! He has super important stuff to talk to you about!"

She nodded. "Indeed. I also came here to talk about something important about the movie," she smiled. "I will head there to meet him now. Later on today, I have arranged for a feast today so enjoy it."

"Yayyyyyy!!" Everybody's faces lit up like Christmas trees. "A treat by Queen Chyou!"

As Chyou left, one female assistant squealed hard. "I cannot wait to see what will come out of that meeting. We might just be able to see Gu Yating everyday!"

"Kyaaaa!!" The hearts popping and bursting overflowed everywhere. Single men could only cry in the corner as the hearts weren't meant for them.

"He is definitely more charming than that cheater!"

"Hehe I always found Gu Yating and Queen's chemistry more sizzling~ Ah, ah, I cannot wait!"

—

Chyou took a deep breath and steeled her heart. It was important to discuss the movie's future which she knew wouldn't work on the big screen anymore. It was impossible for the movie to be loved after Yin's stint.

Everybody has worked so hard for this movie. I cannot let anybody's efforts go to waste…

She knocked and Director Murong's zealous voice resounded. "Come in, come in!"

"..."

Why does…he sounds so excited?

It was quite the opposite reaction that she hadn't expected and for some reason, she felt a sort of foreboding coming to her.

She slowly opened the door and froze upon seeing Yating turning back from his chair at the same time. Her lips slightly parted, unsure of what expression to make.

I haven't talked to him since then…

Yating smiled with a slight strain in it. "Hey."

"Chyouuuuu! Come here! You will be so proud of me when you learn of the awesome idea that just struck me! Ahahaha!" Director Murong laughed heartily.

She blinked, puzzled.

Why do I feel that his idea will be bad for my heart?

She walked with slow, cautious steps and cleared her throat as she smiled at Yating. "Hey. That…We could-"

"Sit, sit!" Director Murong furiously patted towards the chair.

"..."

She glanced at Yating and read his complicated countenance.

Uh oh. Something is going on…

She took a seat and smiled. "Nice to see you so happy, Director Murong."

"Of course I will be happy!" His eyes gleamed and shone.

So bright, her brow twitched.

"After all, I just promoted Gu Yating!"

"Huh? Promoted?"

"Yes! Promoted from a script assistant to the lead actor of my movie."

"..."

Chyou thought she heard it wrongly.

"The lead actor is…Yin-"

"Not anymore," he chirped. "We will soon start shooting with Gu Yating taking the lead role ahahaha! I am such a brilliant man!"

Chyou remained seated like a statue. Suddenly, the meaning behind Yating's complicated expression came to her.

"Yeah that's exactly my reaction," Yating said with a dry smile. "So now only you can convince him that this is not possible."

Director Murong frowned. "Why isn't it possible? You acted just fine for the commercials!"

"Commercials are different…A whole movie is another story."

"That's right. Another story, another chance to shine~"

We are not talking the same language, he closed his eyes in defeat.

"Wait, wait," Chyou breathlessly intervened. "Please explain a bit more, Director."

"What is there to explain? The point at which we stand, the movie is for sure a goner. But, but, but! Gu Yating can save it!" His excitement rivaled that to a child's.

"H-How…?" She asked, speechless.

"By replacing Cheng Yin as the lead actor, silly what else? Gu Yating has become so famous ever since he saved you from the fire. Many, many fans actually secretly like your chemistry a lot."

She coughed. She felt her cheeks warm for a reason she didn't understand.

"So why don't we tap into it and make it a blockbuster? Many don't realize that they actually like seeing you two together a lot. In fact, when you had released the teaser of your commercial some time back, it had gotten a hell lot of traction. Imagine seeing you two together on the silver screen!" He beamed. "Can you just imagine the reaction of the audience?"

Can you please try to imagine my reaction for now? She cried.

"A movie is impossible for me, I am afraid," Yating shook his head. "These are very high expectations and I cannot see the movie turn into some sort of clown amusement because of my hardly existential acting skills."

"..."

"And then again…" he glanced at Chyou and said albeit with hesitation, "We were in a scandal. I don't know how people will take it seeing me replacing Yin as the lead actor. Maybe his fans will think about it as some plot against him. We cannot discard that line of thought process either."

"I know. I have thought about that as well. But those blind people making noise won't last for longer. Cheng Yin is completely screwed. Drugs, cheating and the humiliation he caused Chyou won't be taken lightly. Nobody will have the face to challenge the replacement decision," he sneered.

"And at the end of the day, movie making is also a business, Gu Yating. I will do what it takes to make this movie a profit and success. Surely as Gu Rong's son, you understand that, right? Same with Chyou."

They belonged to business families so if course, they understood that.

He sighed. "But still. It's important if you two are comfortable too. As much as I want for this to happen, I want you two to agree to it too. So I want you two to talk about it and decide."