Homeless on the Streets, the True Heiress Rises to Fame with Melodramatic Soap Operas

Shang Lu, a director from a military family in her previous life, transmigrates into the body of a malicious female antagonist in a Mary Sue novel titled The Entertainment Circle's Beloved Actress. In the original story, the Yan family adopted Yan Ranran, who became the beloved female lead surrounded by doting family members and romantic suitors. The biological daughter, Shang Lu, was brought back at age eighteen but was despised for her crude behavior. After being accused of pushing Yan Ranran down the stairs and breaking her legs, Shang Lu faces an ultimatum from her father, Yan Defang: leave the family with three hundred thousand yuan or have her legs broken as well. Upon regaining consciousness, Shang Lu reveals that Yan Ranran is actually Yan Defang’s illegitimate child, a secret that shocks the family. Choosing to leave, she departs with the money, cutting ties with the Yan family forever.

Shang Lu discovers that this world is a parallel universe where China’s military and economy are superior, but the entertainment industry is underdeveloped, dominated by dull, ideological content. Recognizing a market gap for melodramatic soap operas, she decides to become a director. Using her memories of popular dramas from her past life, she writes a script for a short video series called You Really Wouldn’t Have Thought. She recruits two amateur actors, Liu Tingxiang and Xing Qi, and uses school equipment to film the series in a local park. The video, characterized by its absurd humor and low-budget aesthetic, goes viral on the Doudou platform, accumulating millions of views and attracting the attention of the platform’s operations team. Despite facing backlash from established creators who accuse her of being a corporate-backed account, Shang Lu gains a significant following.

As her fame grows, Shang Lu expands her team. She recruits Sun Ruhui, a screenwriting student, to help develop her scripts. She also travels to Jingdu to enlist Tan Le, an otaku photographer and childhood friend, to handle cinematography. To secure investment and industry connections, she approaches Yu Jialin, a socially anxious heir to Huayi Film and Television. Shang Lu reveals that Yan Ranran falsely claimed credit for saving Yu Jialin in their childhood, introducing Shen Qixiao, the true savior, to clear the air. This move not only secures Yu Jialin’s support but also damages Yan Ranran’s reputation. Shang Lu also casts Ji Xue, a former child star, as the female lead for her new drama.

Concurrently, Shang Lu learns about Xin Yan, the grandson of Huasheng Group’s CEO, who is launching a new web drama platform called Huasheng Video. Recognizing the potential of web series, she seeks his investment. During a meeting at a café, Shang Lu encounters Xin Yan, who is listening to her viral video on his phone. She proposes a collaboration, aiming to produce a full-length melodramatic series that challenges the dominance of the novel’s original female lead. Meanwhile, Yan Ranran, now exposed as an adoptee and facing public scrutiny, struggles to maintain her image. Shang Lu’s rise in the entertainment industry marks a significant shift in the power dynamics, as she leverages her knowledge of future trends to build a successful career while systematically undermining the Yan family’s influence.

The story follows Shang Lu’s transition from a despised antagonist to a powerful director and producer. She navigates the complexities of the entertainment industry, dealing with jealous peers, platform algorithms, and the lingering threats from the Yan family. Her strategic alliances with Tan Le, Yu Jialin, and Xin Yan provide her with the resources needed to produce high-quality content. As she prepares to film her new drama, Shang Lu remains focused on her goal of dominating the market with engaging melodramas. The narrative highlights her intelligence, adaptability, and determination to carve out her own path in a world that initially rejected her. Through her actions, Shang Lu not only redefines her destiny but also transforms the entertainment landscape of this parallel universe.