Xiao Yi heard about the bet between Xia Weiliang and Yuan Ting to call each other "Daddy" as soon as he arrived at the set.
"This is it, this Empress's audacity is too much!"
Yan Zhi paced anxiously behind his chair. "She's only been in her first film and she dares to challenge Yuan Ting? Yuan Ting might not be the best person, but she's still an award-winning rising star! She's gotten ahead of herself, I think she's truly gotten ahead of herself!"
Xiao Yi, holding his script, looked up casually. "Are you doubting her, or are you doubting me?"
"Uh..." Yan Zhi stepped forward, looking concerned. "Although I don't think calling someone 'Daddy' is a big deal, given Empress's thick skin..."
Xiao Yi cast a subtle glance at him, and Yan Zhi immediately corrected himself: "Given Empress's unrestrained, bold, and lovable personality, even if she had to call someone 'Daddy,' she could do it with a smile and definitely wouldn't back down! She could even call you 'Daddy' with genuine emotion! But would Yuan Ting just let it go? She'd definitely try to force Empress out of the crew. Even if Director Zhou wanted to help, it would be difficult!" Su Dan Novel Network
Xiao Yi closed his script and looked up at him. "She doesn't even care, why are you worrying?"
"Empress doesn't recognize herself well enough!"
"Heh, so you understand her very well, do you?"
Hiss~
Yan Zhi gasped.
Presumptuous, absolutely presumptuous!
Understand Empress? How dare he?
Even if he did, he wouldn't admit it!
"No, no, no, Brother Yi, you misunderstood! I definitely don't understand her very well! I just have a fatherly affection for her!"
"..."
Xiao Yi pursed his lips. "Fatherly?"
"...Brother, I was wrong."
Just then, Assistant Director Wang approached.
"Brother Yi, we were looking for you. Later..."
Xiao Yi raised an eyelid. "I know."
"Got it."
Assistant Director Wang was a perceptive man. He didn't need to say anything more and walked away.
Outside the set, Xia Weiliang was squatting by the wall, cracking sunflower seeds.
Hearing her crunching happily, Nuomi frantically scratched the wall beside her. "Sister Wei, don't eat anymore! You might be packing up and leaving the crew soon! That Yuan Ting will definitely be talking badly about us~"
Song Yuan's expression remained calm, and he suddenly spoke, "I can handle her..."
Xia Weiliang's head shot up, and she echoed Nuomi, "Brother Yuan, wait!"
Nuomi continued, "It's okay, Brother Yuan! It's just a battle of acting skills, and that's what we fear the least! Our Sister Wei has been losing since childhood! She's long developed experience and her own style!"
Xia Weiliang looked up. "I thank you for that!"
She tidied up the sunflower seed shells, threw them into the trash, patted her hands, and stood up, then went to the makeup artist to touch up her makeup.
"Everything should be ready inside. Let's go."
Nuomi shook her head and sighed feebly, following behind her. "Sister Wei, you can still back out. Don't be impulsive!"
Xia Weiliang teased, "I promised to compete, do you think I'd back down? How little do you know your Liang Grandpa?"
As they walked in, the stand-in was in front, and various departments were still coordinating.
She sat down in her seat, and as she looked up, she saw the Best Actor sitting in front.
Yan Zhi waved at her from across the way, earnestly advising, "Empress, think twice!"
Xia Weiliang also waved her hand generously. "Don't worry, even if I have to leave, I'll drag her with me!"
Xiao Yi turned his head and glanced at her. "Are you confident?"
"No."
She answered quite readily.
Xiao Yi smiled, his eyes revealing a hint of casual tenderness.
Towards her, there seemed to be endless tolerance.
After the seating, the lighting, cameras, and props were all prepared.
Everyone held their breath, watching this scene.
Firstly, this was a pivotal scene for "Paper Kite" and "Lian Zhu," one of the emotional highlights of the film, and the first official on-screen appearance of the Best Actor and the rumored lead actress.
Secondly, the bet between Xia Weiliang and Yuan Ting had already spread throughout the entire crew! It had even attracted the director from the neighboring set.
"I say Director Liu, why aren't you filming your own scene and coming here to join the fun?"
Director Liu, with a bulging belly, held a purple clay teapot and took sips whenever he pleased.
He glanced dismissively at Director Zhou. "Stingy! Stingy as ever for decades! If I don't watch the excitement, am I still Liu Yiyi?!"
Assistant Director Wang nodded repeatedly in agreement. "I admire Director Liu's transparent and open-minded noble character!"
Director Zhou glanced at the two of them, too lazy to say anything more, finding them distasteful. It took someone truly special to describe their love for gossip so elegantly!
As for the parties involved, Yuan Ting sat high-profile in her chair, her chin slightly raised, exuding arrogance.
She wanted to witness Xia Weiliang's clumsy acting with her own eyes!
Meanwhile, Shang Rongrong and Uncle Chen were uncharacteristically joining the spectacle.
To be honest, Uncle Chen had a good impression of this girl Xia Weiliang. It was rare to find such a diligent young actor these days.
The trend of "traffic" made artists like exquisite art pieces on an assembly line – truly beautiful, but lacking substance upon closer inspection.
Therefore, artists like Xia Weiliang seemed even more precious.
As for Yuan Ting, Uncle Chen had long had an opinion of her.
As the second female lead of this drama and the key figure who knew about the fake undercover identity, she genuinely possessed talent, but her mind was not focused on acting!
She was either plotting how to gain exposure or secretly fighting for billing and treatment! Her attitude towards her main job was not serious, and she always wanted to take shortcuts to get by!
Such an artist would likely not go far.
"What's wrong?"
Su Yuzan had just arrived on set. He had night scenes and was accustomed to arriving early to familiarize himself. Upon arrival, he noticed the unusual atmosphere.
"You don't know yet?" Assistant Director Wang quickly explained to him, not allowing anyone in such close proximity to miss out on the gossip!
"Sigh, why could she be so impulsive?"
Su Yuzan also furrowed his brows, genuinely worried.
Almost everyone believed that Xia Weiliang was destined to lose against Yuan Ting!
"Exactly! What a waste of this talent pool!"
Assistant Director Wang felt it was a terrible waste whenever it was mentioned!
Su Yuzan's gaze crossed the crowd of extras and landed on the person standing at the end of the street.
Director Zhou was helping her get into character.
It was evident that Director Zhou was taking this seriously this time, speaking animatedly and with a flushed face in front of her.
"...Remember, don't overact with your facial expressions! And don't let them run wild! Inner monologues are most important, requiring genuine emotion!! Your eyes, even the slightest movements, can trigger the emotional switch!"
Yuan Ting sat far away, her eyes filled with jealousy and hatred.
"Heh, as expected, she's his favorite daughter! He's so serious with her, even Gao Rongrong doesn't get this treatment, right?"
Assistant Xiao Qian comforted her at the opportune moment. "Isn't that because her talent is lacking? Sister Rong doesn't need Director Zhou to be so hands-on!"
Thinking about it that way, it made sense.
Yuan Ting smiled again. "Heh heh... then let's wait and see! Let's see how she performs after being coached by Director Zhou!"
Director Zhou returned to the monitor, his brow still furrowed.
Assistant Director Wang said softly beside him, "If you knew you wouldn't be able to let go, why did you propose this competition between the two of them?"
"You don't understand anything!" Director Zhou said irritably. "If she doesn't prove her strength through this and silence everyone on set, there will be all sorts of nasty rumors later! Even her achievements gained through sheer talent will be slandered!"
Assistant Director Wang was simply shocked!
"Director Zhou, you don't need to worry so much about your daughter, do you?"
"What can I do!" Director Zhou snorted with a nasal tone, casting a mournful glance at the male lead standing in the distance.