Arc 1: Part 30
"Here's the new script, everyone take a copy. I've added a new supporting role for a female character, the actress will join us in a few days. Oh, and Lan Shuer, you should read this closely because your lines have undergone significant changes."
Madame Zhang concluded the small meeting and promptly left. One by one, assistant directors, script supervisors, and actors followed suit.
Lan Shuer, however, remained motionless in her chair, until only she and Ji Yu were left in the room.
But she didn't have time for Ji Yu.
Without even opening the new script, Lan Shuer was filled with unease.
This anxiety had begun when she had unexpectedly seen Tong Su's figure at the shooting site. It had only escalated when Madame Zhang's revised scripts were handed out.
Why was Xi Tong Su here, and why was she with Madame Zhang?
Had they talked? Madame Zhang detested Xi Tong Su, why hadn't she chased her away immediately?
Could Xi Tong Su have mentioned their divisive issues? Could her actions come to light? Would she be targeted and what should she do?
Shivering in her seat, Lan Shuer clutched the script so tightly that the pages crinkled. She attempted to stand but found herself to be completely without strength.
"Shuer, have you read the script? How did the character Ji Bai Zhu get added? When you auditioned for 'Ji Qing Wan', didn't the director say Ji Bai Zhu was being cut? Who's going to play this newly added role?"
Ji Yu questioned while skimming through the script, his brow furrowed.
He didn't think Lan Shuer would know, but to his surprise, she abruptly stood up, her eyes locked on him.
Her face was pale as paper, devoid of any color. Her lips moved slightly, and she uttered a few barely audible words: "Xi... Xi Tong Su..."
"What? Speak up, I can't hear you."
"Xi Tong Su! It's Xi Tong Su!" Lan Shuer exploded suddenly, startling Ji Yu. "It's Xi Tong Su! You asked who's playing the role, it's Xi Tong Su! She's playing Ji Bai Zhu!"
Ji Yu stared at Lan Shuer as if he'd seen a ghost, stumbling backward involuntarily.
"Who? Xi Tong Su? Where did you hear that?" He shook his head and sneered, "That's impossible, she can't act."
Lan Shuer revealed a smile more wretched than a cry, slowly sat down, opened the script, and began to read word by word.
"Of course it's... Xi Tong Su."
After all, Madame Zhang initially wanted Xi Tong Su to play the role of Ji Bai Zhu.
Lan Shuer herself has fabricated those lies to defame Xi Tong Su, which had infuriated Madame Zhang and led her to entirely remove the character of Ji Bai Zhu.
Now, Xi Tong Su appeared on the set, in a merry conversation with Madame Zhang, without even involving her and Ji Yu.
Her own role in the script had drastically changed, turning into a wicked, sidelined villain, merely serving as the stepping stone for Ji Bai Zhu. Seeing this, what else could Lan Shuer not understand?
Xi Tong Su was suspicious of her and Ji Yu.
At least, she had raised her guard against the two of them!
Ji Yu was half in doubt, but before he and Lan Shuer could figure out what to do, a storm broke loose on Weibo that evening.
A flood of vulgar insults swirled up like a tidal wave, overwhelming and raging.
The daggers were pointed directly towards Lan Shuer.
This news that swept Weibo’s trending topic started with a post made by the number one entertainment circle's gossip studio "Mao Zai Studio".
It was an anonymous recording.
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