"That bastard child got the role in ’Mihesha River Action’?"
Lai Yuaner lay face down on the massage table, her back bare, while a beautician performed a SPA treatment on her. Hearing Sister Wen swiping through WeChat on her tablet and mentioning this, she couldn’t help but lift her head. On her delicate little face, besides surprise, what followed was a sneer: "She actually managed to snag Qi Liang. Wonder what means she used."
Sister Wen crossed her legs, looking up while resting her tablet-holding right hand on her knee: "Ah Fan said, Qi Liang had previously met Tang Li backstage at the National Drama Festival."
Earlier this year, Lai Yuaner received an invitation to the festival but didn’t attend.
So, she wasn’t quite aware of what happened during the award ceremony.
All she knew was that after Yang Ning from the drama series ’Original Sin’ was absent, Jiahua brought in Tang Li to fill in, and that bastard child, walking arm in arm with Guan Xiao on the red carpet, probably truly believed she could go from a pheasant to a phoenix.
"You turned down the role, and ’Mihesha River Action’ hasn’t been able to find a suitable actress ever since." Now looking back, Sister Wen feels very glad she helped Lai Yuaner pass on this movie.
Qi Liang’s search for a leading lady hit roadblocks at every turn, and this was no secret in the industry.
If they’re stumbling out of the gate, how could things improve later on?
According to many in the industry, the movie’s sensitive theme, continuing with such bad luck, might not even make it into theaters for screening.
"Weren’t there already rumors that the investment funds haven’t been put in place?" Lai Yuaner laid back down on the massage table: "They got Zhang Qifeng and Deng Xian, their status is apparent, surely taking up a significant share of the budget. Giving the lead role to that bastard, Qi Liang really knows how to cut costs."
Saying so, she let out a derisive sneer.
Sister Wen shook her head: "The fact that Feng Qi agreed to let her take this movie also surprised me."
"Just because he brought up Liang Jincheng, you all revered him as a god."
Lai Yuaner’s dismissive tone dripped with disdain, her eyes closed as she continued: "He hasn’t managed any artists for over two years, who knows if he can still keep up with the entertainment industry. Besides, Feng Qi used to handle male artists, and ’Mihesha River Action’ is a tough-guy script. If he manages her like a male artist, he’ll definitely wind up burying her."
Thinking thus, Lai Yuaner couldn’t help but feel utterly relieved: "With that girl’s current momentum, she won’t even need others to smear her. She and her agent will turn on each other like dogs fighting."
"So, not everyone is cut out for this business."
Recalling the payment amount offered to Lai Yuaner by the ’Martial God’ crew, Sister Wen felt genuinely happy for her: "Next up, focus on performing in ’Martial God’. If the shooting progresses swiftly, this series could be broadcast on satellite TV in the second half of the year, which for you, is a perfect opportunity for a surge in popularity."
Although Lai Yuaner was listed online as one of the rising young starlets, Sister Wen knew full well that Lai Yuaner was missing a defining work. ’Martial God’ could undoubtedly be the work to solidify her reputation.
After Tang Li arrived in Diannan, the next day she was demanded by Qi Liang to undergo firearms training.
Several male actors arrived in Diannan last week, and they are currently receiving firearms training. Compared to her, they also had to learn a series of special training, like interacting with drug-sniffing dogs, and additionally, they needed to practice the local languages of Myanmar and Vietnam.
Not only Wu Xuehan but also Yu Sui arrived with bags big and small in tow.
"I’ve given this serious thought these past few days." Yu Sui held her backpack up against her chest, her lips slightly pursed: "You are the artist I’m supposed to take care of. It makes no sense for me, your assistant, to be slacking in the Capital while you’re out suffering at the filming location."