The casting for "I Am the Queen" hit a snag.
Shen Chi Yan insisted on Lin Qiu Tong playing Xu Wei Yu, while Song Qi Nian refused. The film company was caught in the middle, in a difficult position.
The matter was somehow leaked online, causing a huge stir.
First, Lin Qiu Tong's fans attacked "Qi Yan" online.
"Does the original author have a screw loose? So many scripts are after our Tong Tong, and she even deigned to act in your play, yet you dare to reject her? Do you think your work is that great, that noble!"
"One comic becomes popular, and she gets ahead of herself, looking down on our Tong Tong. If you're so capable, act in it yourself!"
"Can she act herself? She's probably an ugly monster. After all, ugly people are often troublemakers!"
"But thankfully, our Tong Tong has President Shen. I heard President Shen specifically approached that Qi Yan to get Tong Tong the role, but that woman, whether out of jealousy for our Tong Tong or thinking rejecting President Shen made her look impressive, didn't even give him face."
"Hmph, offend President Shen, and she'll be erased from existence."
Lin Qiu Tong was in the entertainment industry, and her fans naturally outnumbered Song Qi Nian's. However, Song Qi Nian's fans were not to be trifled with.
"This is hilarious. She's clearly not suitable, yet she insists on snatching the role. Is there no one else in the entertainment industry? If she's not suitable, why force it? If your sister is so amazing, why hasn't she won Best Actress yet?"
"Exactly. It's just a role. If your sister doesn't want it, why let people pressure the author? Isn't that contradictory?"
"I wasn't interested in live-action adaptations to begin with, and now I'm even less so. Our paper characters are more appealing."
Comic fans and actor fans were fiercely clashing on Weibo. Song Qi Nian offered no response, but Lin Qiu Tong couldn't sit still.
Lin Qiu Tong herself never expected that Shen Chi Yan, who hadn't contacted her in two years, would go against Song Qi Nian for a role.
When she learned Song Qi Nian had returned, her first reaction was absolute panic at the thought of Song Qi Nian and Shen Chi Yan meeting. She hadn't anticipated they would actually meet.
However, what she had imagined didn't happen; instead, Shen Chi Yan was defending her.
But before she could savor this good news, she discovered the online discourse was turning against her.
Shen Chi Yan standing up for her was a good thing, but if it were perceived that she used Shen Chi Yan to suppress Song Qi Nian, then even if she got the role, she would be criticized. And if she truly couldn't embody Xu Wei Yu, her reputation would plummet.
She didn't know who leaked the information online. It seemed to be for her benefit, but in reality, it had pushed her into an impossible situation.
Thinking this, Lin Qiu Tong, for the first time in two years, walked through the doors of Ding Sheng Group.
That day, Lin Qiu Tong specially hired a stylist, opting for an elegant look and a graceful dress to meet Shen Chi Yan.
Her heart pounded with excitement and nervousness. After taking a deep breath, she walked straight in.
"President Shen, Miss Lin has arrived."
Now, everyone needed an appointment or to announce themselves to see Shen Chi Yan. Upon hearing Lin Qiu Tong's name, Shen Chi Yan's brow furrowed slightly. Then, as if remembering something, he said calmly, "Let her in."
A moment later, Lin Qiu Tong entered Shen Chi Yan's office.
Two years.
He had finally agreed to see her.
Seeing Shen Chi Yan's handsome face, Lin Qiu Tong's long-dormant heart began to race again.
Indeed, she still loved him.
In contrast to Lin Qiu Tong's overflowing emotions, Shen Chi Yan's expression was quite detached. "Sit."
Lin Qiu Tong felt a pang of disappointment. After all their effort to meet, Shen Chi Yan's attitude was so cold.
After Lin Qiu Tong sat on the sofa, Li Nan Xun brought in a cup of coffee. She felt restless. As soon as Li Nan Xun left, she got straight to the point, "Ah Yan, thank you for helping me secure the role of Xu Wei Yu."
Seeing Shen Chi Yan remain silent, she continued, "I didn't know 'Be My Queen' was Song Qi Nian's work before. I just really loved the character Xu Wei Yu. But I didn't expect her to think I'm unsuitable for Xu Wei Yu. I don't want the two of you to quarrel because of me..."
Before Lin Qiu Tong could finish, Shen Chi Yan interrupted her calmly, "I'm not doing it for you. I just did it to make Song Qi Nian unhappy. There's no need for thanks, and no need to make this trip personally."
Shen Chi Yan's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Lin Qiu Tong. Her expression almost faltered.
"Is that so?" Lin Qiu Tong forced a bitter smile. "Then I was overthinking."
Saying this, Lin Qiu Tong began to cry, her voice filled with grievance, "Ah Yan, it's been two years. You don't see me, you don't answer my calls, you don't reply to my messages. Can we never go back to how it was?"
Shen Chi Yan knew that the events of two years ago had nothing to do with Lin Qiu Tong. Even if Lin Qiu Tong hadn't been involved, if Song Qi Nian didn't love him, she wouldn't have returned with him even if he had met her.
"There's no 'how it was.' What are you planning to do about the role?"
Seeing Shen Chi Yan change the subject, Lin Qiu Tong also didn't want to dwell on the past two years. It was rare for Shen Chi Yan to ask about her work. After some thought, she said, "I still respect Song Qi Nian. If she feels I'm not suitable for Xu Wei Yu, then I won't ruin her character. Besides, with things escalating to this point, it wouldn't be good for anyone if I accepted the role."
Shen Chi Yan simply gave a faint "Mm," saying nothing further.
Lin Qiu Tong didn't know what Shen Chi Yan's "Mm" signified, so she proceeded according to her own thoughts.
Soon, Lin Qiu Tong's studio released a statement.
"We apologize for taking up public resources and the audience's time. Regarding the recent controversy over the role of Xu Wei Yu, we must offer an explanation.
Firstly, Ms. Lin Qiu Tong greatly admires 'Call Me Queen' and the protagonist Xu Wei Yu. However, the claim that she pressured the original author to obtain the role of Xu Wei Yu is pure fabrication.
As is widely known, Tong Tong is a dedicated actress who takes on the next role only after completing the current one. Therefore, she had already signed for the movie 'The Victorious and the Vanquished' when casting for Xu Wei Yu was underway.
Collaborating with Director Chen is an honor for any actor, and Tong Tong naturally cherishes this hard-won opportunity. Therefore, we kindly ask everyone not to believe rumors or be manipulated by malicious individuals.
Secondly, we wish 'I Am the Queen' a successful production and soaring ratings."
Upon the release of this statement, public opinion overwhelmingly shifted in Lin Qiu Tong's favor. After all, "I Am the Queen" and Director Chen's "The Victorious and the Vanquished" were in different leagues.
One was a film for the big screen, while the other was a low-budget television series aimed at mass entertainment.
Especially Lin Qiu Tong's fans, they became even more jubilant.