Yuan Ting left the film crew quietly the next morning.
According to those who saw her, her eyes were swollen from crying when she left.
With a rare free morning, Nuomi yawned as she came out of her room.
"Honestly, I kind of sympathize with her. She called Sister Weiwei 'Dad' in front of so many people, and then still got fired... I’m afraid she’ll be unheard of in the film industry from now on."
Being fired by Director Zhou was tantamount to being banned from the big screen.
Song Yuan was doing a handstand in the living room, her head down, her breathing steady. "Director Zhou dismissed her because her attitude wasn't professional enough. She first posted photos of the crew on Weibo, which was already a major taboo. After that, she refused to repent. When accused of not acting seriously, she even tried to drag someone less capable than herself down with her! If she doesn't leave, who will?"
Nuomi: ...
Brother Yuan, you could have been a bit more tactful; you don't need to be so brutally honest.
"But I'm still worried that if she goes back and cries to her fans again, Sister Weiwei will be scolded! When these things happen often, it’s ultimately not good for Sister Weiwei's reputation."
Nuomi's expression became serious. "No, I need to let the 'Liang Fen' fans know. We need to prepare for the worst. I'll find some more abusive sentences online, aiming for variety so they're not repetitive!"
Song Yuan: ...
Nuomi contacted a few key fans via WeChat, briefly explaining the situation and hoping they would be mentally prepared.
After taking care of everything, she finally felt at ease.
"Alright, I'm going to pack some breakfast."
After Nuomi left, Song Yuan turned her head and looked at the actress who had been huddled on the sofa. She had gotten up early for once, only to be bored and wrestling with the remote control, flipping through TV channels one after another.
"You've been acting strange since you came back last night."
"Me? I'm fine... Maybe I've hit a career bottleneck."
Xia Weiliang's answer was a bit perfunctory.
Song Yuan raised an eyebrow. "May I ask, do you even have a career?"
Those words stung.
Soon, Nuomi returned.
"Girls, guess who I ran into when I came up just now?"
Song Yuan stood up straight and glanced at her. "Why have you started being so suspenseful, just like that husky dog across the street?"
"That's not the point!!" Nuomi said mysteriously, "I saw Brother Yi!"
The person who had been lounging on the sofa seemed to sprout antennae, her body straightening involuntarily, her ears turning towards Nuomi.
"And Chu Qiao!!"
"Who?"
Xia Weiliang scrambled up from the sofa. "Chu Qiao? As in, the Chu Qiao who always speaks sarcastically to me, clearly jealous of my beauty?!"
"Yes! She's here to visit the set, and she's visiting Brother Yi!" Nuomi said indignantly, "Brother Yi, how could you! You're a beacon of righteousness, how can you let just anyone get close to you?!"
Song Yuan wasn't as reactive as the other two and calmly sat down to eat breakfast. "Then you'll have to ask your Sister Weiwei."
"?"
Nuomi looked confused, blinking her big round eyes at Xia Weiliang.
The latter was clearly in a bad mood, her lips pursed, her eyes narrowed.
Chu Qiao is here to visit the set?
And visiting Xiao Yi's set!
Hmph, more like she's here to stir up trouble!!
She stood up abruptly. "Nuomi! Get me my battle dress!!"
The best way to defeat Chu Qiao is to be overwhelmingly beautiful myself!
Dazzle her to death!
Nuomi: "...Uh, Sister Weiwei, you said we're here to film, not to walk the runway. Comfort is key, so you didn't bring any proper battle dresses..."
Xia Weiliang faltered. No battle dress...
She immediately lifted her chin again, full of confidence. "Don't worry! Lord Liang is naturally gorgeous! Even if I wrap myself in a bedsheet and go out, I can still command the entire audience!"
"Is it just one Chu Qiao that's stimulating you like this?" Song Yuan shook her head and chuckled.
"What do you mean, 'just one Chu Qiao'!!"
Xia Weiliang decided to explain to her the relationships between characters and the dramatic conflicts between them.
"She and I joined the company together, and we were actually on good terms. Because I'm prettier and my family has some money, it was normal for the company to promote me! But she became unhappy, saying I used connections! Okay, I admit it, I did use connections, but she got even more upset when she heard that!"
Song Yuan slowly raised her eyes. It was the first time she had seen someone admit to using connections so righteously.
"Later, you know about my family's issues. The company was afraid of bad publicity, so they wanted to shelve me. Just then, she acted in a few dramas, and the results were quite good. The company turned around and started promoting her instead."
"That's nothing! But I couldn't stand it when she subtly insulted me in interviews! She said I have no acting skills, that I can only play decorative roles, and without my family's support, I can't even play a decorative role, only a trash can..."
Song Yuan paused. "That's so precise?"
Xia Weiliang stomped her foot. "Brother Yuan! Which side are you on?"
Nuomi, however, asked another question. "Sister Qiao seems to know Brother Yi very well... When did they meet?"
Xia Weiliang suddenly fell silent again, instinctively repulsed by the question!
In short, it was very disheartening.
In the afternoon, Xia Weiliang went to the set to reshoot a few scenes. If all went smoothly, her part would be finished.
It was then that she learned Chu Qiao wasn't just visiting the set; she was directly replacing Yuan Ting to play the second female lead in "Rebuilding," Qing Nan Nan.
"Xiao Xia, long time no see."
Chu Qiao generously extended her hand to shake Xia Weiliang's. "I've missed you so much!"
She was indeed a beauty, very sexy and mature, but when in the same frame as Xia Weiliang, her beauty was automatically diminished.
Especially now, Xia Weiliang, dressed in a simple qipao, without any makeup, could still be as elegant as a daisy.
After Deputy Director Wang briefed everyone, the entire crew was aware of their discord.
Therefore, everyone who saw them together couldn't help but eagerly watch.
"Xiao Chu, I never thought we'd be in the same crew. What a coincidence~"
"Yes~ I also heard you were here, which is why I accepted Director Zhou's invitation without hesitation~"
"Really? I'm so touched~" Su Dan Novel Network
"Who let us be sisters~"
"Yes, sisters!"
The two women went back and forth, their smiles sharp with hidden barbs, as if sparks were flying around them.
"A catfight!"
Wang, the good friend of humanity, hid to the side and quietly sighed, "It's better not to provoke anyone, especially beautiful female stars!"
Recalling something, he looked up and asked Director Zhou, "Chu Qiao is from the same company as Niangniang, and they've been at odds since their debut. Brother Yi recommended her... Isn't this deliberately going against Niangniang!"
This wasn't the main point. The main point was, should they continue to promote the "good intention couple" of Brother Yi and Niangniang? He had just started a fan club, how sustainable would it be?
As the center of gossip, he was always meticulous about the gossip he broke, ensuring 100% verification and follow-up.
Director Zhou was wiping his lenses with a cloth, unhurriedly saying, "Xiao Yi has always been serious about his work. Recommending Chu Qiao was to fill the gap. Besides, I tested her acting long ago, and she's good. She can handle the role of Qing Nan Nan."
Putting his glasses back on, he glanced at the "plastic sisters" complimenting each other. "After Lian Zhu's scenes are finished, order a bouquet of flowers for that girl in my name."
Deputy Director Wang was delighted to hear this. "Are you reluctant to give up this father-daughter bond? Why don't you just adopt her as your goddaughter!"
"Forget it. If the film emperor comes looking for me to settle accounts later, I can't afford to offend him!"
Deputy Director Wang didn't understand. "Why would he settle accounts?"
Director Zhou was a big shot in the domestic film industry. How many people would wish for him to be their godfather!
Director Zhou didn't explain, just smiled inscrutably. "There's a long road ahead. We'll see."
The two women, who had just finished their mutual praise, turned around and their faces immediately cooled.
Their expressions changed so quickly!
Nuomi then gathered some sensational news and ran over to report, "Sister Weiwei, let me tell you, Sister Chu Qiao was able to participate because..."
Xia Weiliang said expressionlessly, "Because Teacher Xiao recommended her."
Nuomi froze. "You already knew?"