"A fool knows the difference between a watermelon and a sesame seed. Our Tongtong is destined for the big screen. To say she'd vie for a small-budget role is utterly laughable."
"Where are all those people who screamed about us suppressing Qiyan? Has their swollen pride rendered them speechless?"
"Support Tongtong! Some minor authors should stay out of it. They're not famous but love to latch onto others."
Some comments were even more vile. Many of Lin Qiutong's deluded fans even photoshopped the late Song Qinian's memorial photo.
Yun Longyue was furious when she saw these comments. She immediately called Song Qinian.
Since Song Qinian could speak again, they no longer had to rely on texting. Phone calls were much more convenient.
"This is outrageous! It was Lin Qiutong who insisted on playing Xu Weiyu, and now they're painting us as fame-seekers trying to ride Lin Qiutong's coattails. Niannian, I don't know if you can swallow this, but I certainly can't."
Song Qinian also hadn't expected Lin Qiutong to pull such a stunt. It seemed Lin Qiutong had become far more cunning over the past two years.
However, one thing hadn't changed: her penchant for twisting the truth.
"Of course, I can't swallow it!"
"So what do we do? We're at a significant disadvantage. Although many of your comic fans are still defending you, the general public, influenced by Lin Qiutong's fans, are all accusing you of seeking attention. If this continues, even if the show gets made, it will be difficult for it to be well-received."
"Let me think..."
"Okay, but you need to hurry. Public opinion is the hardest thing to control, and it can easily ruin a person."
"I know!"
Not long after Song Qinian hung up, her phone suddenly rang.
It was Director Tan. The online uproar had scared away many investors. Moreover, since Shen Chiyan and Song Qinian were rivals, Director Tan dared not offend Shen Chiyan. He directly proposed a resolution to Song Qinian.
This did not count as a breach of contract on Director Tan's part, as the situation arose from Song Qinian's refusal to let Lin Qiutong play Xu Weiyu. Therefore, there was no compensation.
Misfortune never comes singly. Song Qinian felt utterly dejected.
After terminating her contract with Director Tan, Song Qinian returned home aimlessly. She had anticipated Shen Chiyan's retaliation, but not in this manner.
But if she gave up now, wouldn't that be playing right into their hands?
Absolutely not!
Just as Song Qinian was racking her brain for a solution, a call suddenly came to her phone.
Since she had changed her phone, this one didn't have anyone's number saved.
Seeing a familiar string of digits, Song Qinian answered without hesitation, "Hello, this is Song Qinian..."
The voice on the other end paused for a few seconds, then slowly spoke, "I always wondered what your voice would sound like if you could speak. It's just as I imagined."
As soon as the woman spoke, Song Qinian recognized her voice.
Gu Zhiyan.
During the years she couldn't speak, Song Qinian always called Gu Zhiyan "Mom" when she messaged her. Now that she could speak, she wasn't sure if she should still use that title.
"You don't know who I am?"
"...Yes... Yes, I do..."
Gu Zhiyan seemed to sense Song Qinian's hesitation and didn't press her. Instead, she spoke in a businesslike tone, "A friend of mine is a big fan of your 'Call Me Queen.' Are you interested in adapting your comic for the big screen?"
Song Qinian was taken aback. "A movie?"
"What? Don't you have confidence?"
"Of course not. It's just... it's so sudden."
"Then what do you think about me playing Xu Weiyu?"
Song Qinian: "..."
For a moment, Song Qinian thought she was hallucinating.
When she created this story, Gu Zhiyan was the image in her mind for Xu Weiyu. However, given Gu Zhiyan's status, and the unlikelihood of her appearing in such a drama, Song Qinian had hoped to find someone similar to Gu Zhiyan during casting.
But it was difficult. Some might fit the appearance, but temperament was innate. Without masterful acting, it was easy for viewers to be pulled out of the story.
She never imagined that Gu Zhiyan would express interest in playing Xu Weiyu at this juncture.
Seeing Song Qinian's silence, Gu Zhiyan's voice returned, "What? You think I'm not suitable either?"
"No, no, no... Of course not. I'd be delighted if you played Xu Weiyu. It's just... how come you..."
Gu Zhiyan was an award-winning actress. She received countless good scripts. Now, she could retire and enjoy her life. If she starred in "Queen" and the box office wasn't satisfactory, or the fans didn't embrace it, it might lead to labels like "a career in decline" or "an uncertain later life" being attached to her.
"I've read the comic and the script. They're quite good. And... I often play roles that are filled with sorrow and hardship. Occasionally, I want to try something different. The pressure is on you now; I respect your decision."
Bringing one's work to the big screen was the dream of every creator, and Song Qinian was no exception.
Since Gu Zhiyan wasn't afraid, why should she be?
As for the box office, she could only do her best and leave the rest to fate.
"I want to bring Xu Weiyu to the big screen."
"Alright. Let's meet tonight to finalize this."
"Okay."
That evening, Song Qinian arrived at the appointed place at the agreed time. There were two people in the private room: Gu Zhiyan and the friend she had mentioned.
As soon as Song Qinian saw her friend, her heart skipped a beat. Wasn't this Xie Luofeng, one of the four renowned directors?
He started making films at eighteen. His first movie won the highest film award in China. Every film he made since then was famous, launching several actors and actresses to stardom. His Lunar New Year film last year even topped the box office charts.
Xie Luofeng was a very mysterious person. He never attended film premieres, and the outside world didn't know what he looked like.
Song Qinian had previously assumed he was an old man like the other directors. She hadn't expected that, despite being over fifty, he would be so handsome and robust, appearing to be only thirty-eight or thirty-nine.
And Gu Zhiyan, sitting beside him, didn't look old either. The two of them sitting together made for a striking pair.
Wait, this wasn't the time to admire handsome men and beautiful women. The important thing was that Xie Luofeng was interested in her work.
This was undoubtedly a windfall for Song Qinian.
"Niannian..."
It wasn't until Gu Zhiyan spoke that Song Qinian snapped back to attention. She tried to appear calm, but her heart was pounding in her chest.
Face to face, Song Qinian wasn't sure how to address Gu Zhiyan. Given her current situation with Shen Chiyan, would calling her "Mom" make it seem like she was trying to curry favor?
Song Qinian smiled, about to speak, when Gu Zhiyan began the introductions. "This is Song Qinian, the author of 'I Am Queen.' Niannian, this is Director Xie Luofeng."
Gu Zhiyan's introduction saved Song Qinian from an awkward moment. Song Qinian was deeply grateful to her. After shaking hands with Director Xie, Gu Zhiyan pulled her to sit beside her.
Things went even more smoothly than Song Qinian had imagined. Director Xie had no airs of a great director and was very approachable...