When filming wrapped up in the morning, Director Zhu gathered the entire crew together. "We're all here filming the same movie. Even if you have some personal conflicts, don't bring them into the workplace! This morning, during that long shot, someone smeared oil on the steps at the end. Who did that? Step forward now, and I'll deal with it quickly. Otherwise, I won't tolerate it!"
Everyone looked around, wondering who was behind it.
As expected, no one stepped forward.
"Cai Shan, come out here!" Director Zhu called out coldly.
At the very back of the crowd, a young woman stepped forward, her face pale and her expression guilty, and asked, "Director Zhu, what can I do for you?"
"What is it? Do I need to tell you what you've done?" Director Zhu was furious.
Sweating profusely, Cai Shan still insisted, "I don't understand... I didn't do anything."
"Really? What were you doing at 5:30 in the morning?"
"I...I'm sleeping,"
The assistant director stepped forward and said, "No, you went to the kitchen and even showed up at the well! I've investigated and it's clear that you were behind this! I don't understand why you would do this!"
Cai Shan denied it to the death, claiming she was innocent.
When the assistant director called out the eyewitnesses for questioning, she claimed that they had deliberately framed her.
Director Zhu said angrily, "Since you're so unrepentant, then we'll stick to the contract. I'll give you three days to pay the penalty. Now, pack your bags and get out of here!"
"No! Director Zhu, you can't do this to me, I really didn't do that." At this point, Cai Shan's only chance to salvage the situation was to stick to her guns and refuse to admit anything.
Director Zhu sneered: "Is that so! If you really didn't do it, why are you hiding? Why are you panicking? Do you really want the police to file a case? If the police come, you won't escape a charge of intentional injury."
Cai Shan knew Director Zhu's style of doing things. If she insisted on complaining, Director Zhu would really dare to use the power of the police. How could she have been so blinded by greed, forgetting that when Director Zhu was filming, he only cared about the play, not the people. If anyone caused trouble on his set, he would pursue them to the end at all costs.
"I'm sorry, Director Zhu, I know I was wrong." After realizing her mistake, Cai Shan immediately changed her attitude, adopting a pitiful and tearful demeanor.
But Director Zhu wasn't one to easily show mercy to women; he only asked three words: "Why?"
"I was originally supposed to play the third female lead, but with Xie Yuyao joining the cast, I ended up with an even worse role and fewer scenes." Under Director Zhu's intense gaze, Cai Shan dared not test his patience any further and choked out the reason behind it all.
If Director Zhu really kicks her out like that, her acting career will likely be over.
Ye Yinan said incredulously, "I'm the one playing the third female lead, not Yao Yao. Even if you're resentful and want revenge, you should be targeting me, not Yao Yao."
The other actors on set whispered among themselves, expressing their incomprehension.
Cai Shan's heart stirred, and she seized the opportunity to sow discord between Ye Yinan and Xie Yuyao: "I've heard that if Xie Yuyao hadn't stepped in at the last minute to play the lead role, you would have been cast, and I would still be the third lead. I don't understand, with your talent you could clearly be the lead, but Xie Yuyao snatched it away, don't you mind at all?"
"What suits you best is the best. What's there to mind? Besides, it wasn't Yao Yao who stole the role. Director Zhu already liked her." Ye Yinan wasn't fooled and bluntly said, "I think you're just bullying the weak and fearing the strong. The person you should be looking for is me, but you're venting your anger on Yao Yao, who has nothing to do with you. What kind of twisted logic is that!"
Director Zhu understood the reason and said to Cai Shan, "The role can change at any time before the contract is signed. You're not a newcomer anymore. Don't you even understand this basic industry practice? Did I say that you would be given the role of the third female lead?"
Cai Shan opened her mouth, wanting to argue again, but what came out was, "It was my fault. Please forgive me this once. I will never dare to do it again."
Director Zhu wouldn't break his principles for her sake, but considering her young age, he ultimately kept the situation under control within the crew, letting her find an excuse to leave the crew herself.
As for the penalty for breach of contract, given that she didn't have many scenes to film, Director Zhu asked the relevant person in charge of the crew to calculate the costs. As long as she paid the relevant expenses, she wouldn't have to pay three times the amount stipulated in the contract.
As she left, Director Zhu advised her that if she wanted to go far in the entertainment industry, she must rely on her own abilities and follow the right path. Otherwise, she might get into some serious trouble and regret it later.
As for Xie Yuyao, Director Zhu was afraid of affecting her mood, so he made an exception: "Yaoyao, after we finish filming this afternoon, I'll let you go out for a walk."
Xie Yuyao was surprised for a moment, then shook her head and said, "Thank you, Director Zhu, I'm fine."
Since arriving at the film crew, almost all the actors have not left the premises. Director Zhu manages the crew very strictly. In order to prevent any accidents from happening to the actors and delaying the filming schedule, he does not allow any of them to go out. If there is anything that needs to be done, a report must be submitted and a staff member must accompany them.
Ye Yinan complained about this many times in private, but it didn't matter to Xie Yuyao.
She lacked nothing in terms of material possessions and had little interest in seeing the bustling world outside. Being able to live a secluded life, immersed in movie stories and experiencing the joys and sorrows of another girl, felt like she had gained another lifetime, and she enjoyed it immensely.
In their romantic scenes, Xie Yuyao often imagines Gu Tianhe as Zhao Honghui, and the feelings of love naturally flow out, just as if she were Shen Jingwan herself.
"Go out for a walk and don't get too absorbed in the script." Director Zhu saw her rapid progress, but still advised, "It's good that you can get into character, but there's one more thing you need to remember: a story is just a story, reality is your reality."
Director Xie's last words were like a heavy blow to Xie Yuyao, waking her up.
Since she began acting in Qingshantun, her mental state has been frequently unstable. Even in her dreams, she often encounters philosophical questions that are unsolvable, such as "Who am I?", "Where did I come from?", and "Where am I going?"
This world is her reality!
No matter what hardships and difficulties she encounters, she will never forget that she must cherish the opportunity for rebirth bestowed upon her by God and live this life to the fullest with a devout heart.
Xie Yuyao smiled radiantly, "Thank you, Director Zhu, I understand!"
The editor and assistant director were dazzled by her radiant smile. It took the editor a while to come to his senses before asking, "Director Zhu, where did you find such a beautiful and alluring girl?"
The assistant director said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Don't get any funny ideas. She has a boyfriend. Director Zhu has secretly warned everyone not to cause Xie Yuyao any trouble."
The screenwriter chuckled, "What kind of schemes could a decrepit old man like me, over fifty, possibly have! But I've noticed she's been on set for so many days now, and I haven't seen her boyfriend contact her at all. Is he...?"
"I can't be," Director Zhu said, keeping quiet about Xie Yuyao's private life. The assistant director, also unaware of her situation, changed the subject, saying, "Let's get down to business. This part of the script..."
Xie Yuyao went out with Lao Zhang from the film crew to purchase supplies. She didn't expect Ye Xingchang to come to the film crew and specifically ask for her.
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