Before, Shi Yiqing was not sure whether the child in Shi Yaoguang’s belly was Quan Jinbei’s or not, but now she could be certain.
She was sure that Shi Yaoguang was indeed pregnant.
And that child was absolutely Quan Jinbei’s.
The reason Shi Yaoguang could be so arrogant was precisely because she was relying on her pregnancy, indulging in her favored status.
Shi Yiqing sneered inwardly, thinking she wants to rise on the coattails of her child?
As if she would allow it!
Shi Yiqing thought she had it all figured out, Quan Jinbei’s willingness to tolerate everything was not out of love.
He was simply avoiding making a rod for his own back.
Shi Yaoguang could be arrogant only because she was banking on the flesh in her belly.
If that flesh were gone, what awaited her would be a ruthless counterattack.
Could Lord Quan possibly not mind being treated by a woman, even wearing the green hat wouldn’t faze him?
When the time came, Shi Yaoguang would certainly not end well without Shi Yiqing having to do anything else.
What Shi Yaoguang did not know was that Shi Yiqing thought to prevent her from gaining advantage through her child before there was even a stroke drawn in their character.
The film Wang Zhehai was preparing to shoot was a modern police and criminal movie, named "Crimson Tears".
Despite the somewhat tacky name, the film’s script was exceptionally good.
Even Shi Yaoguang had to admit that it was very clever.
In the film, the lead female role played by Shi Yaoguang was a character with a blend of good and evil.
She wasn’t set up as a righteous figure; in this police and criminal movie, she wasn’t the police, but the criminal.
Initially, she was the dominant force among the criminals, but later on, she became an aid to the police.
Even in the end, she sacrificed herself for her country.
Of course, sacrificing herself for her country was just one possible ending.
Wang Zhehai’s design was for an open-ended conclusion.
Whether the lead female role played by Shi Yaoguang died in the end was left to the audience’s interpretation.
The male lead role, played by Ming Yan, was a straightforward police officer from the start.
He maintained a wholesome image throughout, and though there were no stunning twists, his role was still something to look forward to.
Shi Yiqing was the single exception.
Her character was the least likable.
As the second female lead, Shi Yiqing was portrayed as a school beauty, but due to her various manipulative actions, she caused the deaths of many people.
Her character was cursed from the moment she appeared on screen.
Shi Yaoguang, however, was thrilled about this.
It didn’t matter if Shi Yiqing’s acting was atrocious, even if her performance was explosive, the audience was going to hate her character regardless.
"Director Wang, is it really appropriate for you to arrange my role ?"
The moment Shi Yiqing received the script, her face twisted.
Wang Zhehai countered, "What’s inappropriate about it?"
Shi Yiqing bit her lip, troubled, "Even if you want to target me on purpose, is there a need to arrange it in such a manner?"
"When have I ever arranged anything?" Wang Zhehai’s attitude was very straightforward, "It’s my script, my actors. How I arrange it is my business. I don’t need your input."
Shi Yiqing clenched her fists, unable to hold back, "You know exactly how you’re scheming against me."
"I don’t understand what you’re saying," Wang Zhehai was also on guard, he couldn’t possibly say anything that might place him at the center of public controversy.
"The second female lead’s character does not fit my image. I don’t want to play it."
Shi Yiqing realized she couldn’t make things clear to him, so she had no choice but to make a new demand.
Wang Zhehai burst into laughter upon hearing this.
"You don’t want to act, and I’m supposed to listen to you?"
"Do you think the contract you signed was just for fun?"
Shi Yiqing’s face turned ugly, "I didn’t think that, I... I just..."
Wang Zhehai cut her off, "Enough, you don’t need to say anything else, the script, I gave it to you."
"As a qualified actor, you should know what to do."
Shi Yiqing wanted to say more but was interrupted by Shi Yaoguang’s sudden interjection, "Director Wang, what are you guys talking about?"
Wang Zhehai glanced at her and said, "What else could we be talking about? Some people are just too delicate, they can’t act in anything, seriously..."
Shi Yaoguang looked surprised, "Someone’s really that delicate?"
"Isn’t it expected for an actor to perform according to the script?"
As she spoke, she looked at Shi Yiqing with a face of incomprehension, "How could you do this?"
Shi Yiqing opened her mouth to defend herself, but before she could say anything, two men carrying cameras walked in.
She could see clearly that both of their cameras bore the logo of a radio station.
In other words, these two were reporters sent by the station for an interview.
Seeing them approach, Wang Zhehai stood up and exchanged pleasantries with them.
One reporter asked about the situation just now, to which Wang Zhehai replied with a tone of helplessness, "What else could it be? A newcomer doesn’t know any better, won’t even agree to film properly, it’s just that the character’s personality design doesn’t suit her, and she wants to quit."
While speaking, he shook his head helplessly, "What do you think, is this reasonable?"
The reporters shook their heads, echoing Wang Zhehai’s sentiment and criticizing Shi Yiqing.
"Young lady, landing a role in Director Wang’s production is already a stroke of great luck, if it were someone else, even getting a minor role with just a glimpse of screen time would call for celebration, don’t be unaware of the good fortune you have."
"Exactly, that’s how filming works, you shouldn’t be ungrateful..."
Listening to the reporters taking turns advising her, Shi Yiqing’s face turned green.
They didn’t understand her situation, who were they to say such things?
Shi Yiqing was seething, but Shi Yaoguang remained calm and composed.
After talking to Shi Yiqing for a while and collecting enough material, the reporters turned their attention to Shi Yaoguang.
It had to be said that compared to Shi Yiqing, Shi Yaoguang’s looks were truly stunning.
The two had done their homework prior to coming.
They knew that Shi Yaoguang had just filmed a public service advertisement.
They had, of course, watched the behind-the-scenes footage and knew that Shi Yaoguang was an almost all-round talented young lady, and they felt particularly good about her.
When filming her interview, the atmosphere was especially gentle.
This contrasted sharply with the scene of convincing Shi Yiqing.
After finally enduring the reporters’ questioning, Wang Zhehai arranged for the leads to change into their costumes.
Since it was a modern police-themed drama, the costumes were not complicated.
The makeup was only done simply, and they quickly finished changing.
Besides filming the start-of-production interviews, the reporters also managed to capture some footage of them taking their promotional photos.
Anyhow, Wang Zhehai planned to release the promotional photos directly, he wasn’t about to hide them.
Some productions, before officially wrapping up, do not reveal actor costume test photos or any other makeup and wardrobe details.
This is to prevent unscrupulous directors from learning about their preparations and deliberately shooting similar films in the same period, starting production and screening earlier to seize viewership ratings.
Wang Zhehai, however, had no such concerns.
He wasn’t worried about someone copying him; rather, he was worried about no one trying to.