「The next day.」
Under Shen Fanyun’s direction, Zhan Feng completed the company’s qualification and capital injection. At the sa ti, they brought in a top director from the industry, along with a set manager, a martial arts instructor, and more. In short, the production team had everything and everyone it needed.
Additionally, the contract with Wen Ruyue was officially finalized. For Wen Ruyue, receiving a fifty-million-yuan signing bonus was like a pie falling from the sky. Who wouldn’t be happy? It was practically free money. Moreover, Shen Fanyun, as the client, promised that if the collaboration went smoothly, he would give Wen Ruyue a ten percent share of the profits.
This was the kind of thing she would laugh herself awake from dreaming about.
However, Wen Ruyue hadn’t expected the progress on Shen Fanyun’s end to be so astonishingly fast. On the third day, she was told to head to the set and wait for filming to begin.
"So soon?" Wen Ruyue murmured, though she didn’t dwell on it. As long as there was money to be made, she didn’t need to worry about the details.
"Star Wen has arrived."
"Does anyone know who our big-shot financial backer is? He actually managed to sign Wen Ruyue and even get her to willingly play a supporting role."
"It’s my first ti seeing Star Wen in person. She really lives up to her na—absolutely beautiful."
The director, set manager, and other staff mbers were all visibly more enthusiastic to see Wen Ruyue than anyone else. If they weren’t on the clock, they would have rushed over to ask for her autograph.
"Everyone," Wen Ruyue said with a warm smile. "We have a rare opportunity to work together, so there’s no need to be so formal. Besides, I’m not the type to put on airs. Please, just be yourselves."
"I hope we have a pleasant collaboration ahead, and thank you all in advance for your hard work!"
Her words imdiately won everyone over. It was said that Wen Ruyue had achieved her current status in the industry through both her talent and her integrity. Now, seeing her up close, they knew it was true. Working with such a humble, polite, and considerate top-tier celebrity would surely beco a fond mory to look back on.
"Has the female lead arrived yet?" Wen Ruyue asked.
This collaboration had co together so quickly that the past three days felt like a dream. One mont she was recording a variety show, and the next, she had mysteriously appeared on this film set. Still, the scale of the production was grand and professional, with a first-class director, which put her at ease. At least Shen Fanyun wasn’t just fooling around; he was genuinely trying to create an enduring classic. This was a good thing. The more popular the show beca, the more she would earn, thanks to their profit-sharing agreent. Since the money and sincerity were both there, she would naturally give it her all and contribute her consummate acting skills.
When she ntioned the female lead, everyone seed a bit stunned, but the director replied smoothly, "I’ll go get her."
Frankly, everyone was confused. Lu Feiyan, a rising star, had clearly suffered a major setback. She was currently embroiled in scandal, and the public was tearing her to shreds online. Despite all this, a producer was still willing to cast her as the lead—and have Wen Ruyue play her supporting role. It was utterly baffling.
The director, nad Wang Xiao, was a portly man with a receding hairline. Lu Feiyan had actually arrived on set before Wen Ruyue and was resting in a quiet corner.
With one hand in his pocket, Wang Xiao swaggered over to Lu Feiyan and said arrogantly, "Star Wen is here. Aren’t you going to go and greet her?"
"What does it look like, hiding over here? Show so basic etiquette."
"Hurry up. You aren’t even famous yet, so what’s with the attitude? Save the prima donna act for when you’ve actually made it big!"
Wang Xiao gave Lu Feiyan a disdainful look. One was the hottest celebrity of the mont, while the other was a newcor accused of plagiarism. He knew full well who he needed to suck up to. Besides, a nobody like Lu Feiyan shouldn’t be given too much face. Newcors to the industry needed to be put in their place. In industry jargon, this was called "setting the rules," supposedly for Lu Feiyan’s own good.
What? Lu Feiyan was completely confused. When have I ever acted like a prima donna? Why is this Director Wang Xiao chewing out the mont he saw ? I don’t even know how I offended him.
"What are you standing there for? Get a move on, stop dawdling," Wang Xiao snapped impatiently.
Just then, Shen Fanyun walked over with a cigarette between his fingers. "What’s all the commotion?" he frowned.
Wang Xiao turned, saw it was the big boss, the investor, and imdiately put on a fawning smile. "Boss Shen! I was just, uh, telling Lu Feiyan to go pay her respects to the great Star Wen, hehe."
"By the way, Boss Shen, this Lu Feiyan has no sense at all. She’s not even famous yet and she’s already putting on airs," he added. "Hehe, why don’t we just replace her as the female lead? I’ve got plenty of good options I can recomnd. You can take your ti and pick one."
Shen Fanyun asked, a puzzled look on his face, "When did she put on airs? All I heard was you, throwing your weight around and berating her. Did you even give her a chance to act high and mighty?"
Wang Xiao was speechless.
"The lead has to pay respects to a supporting actress?" Shen Fanyun asked, feigning ignorance. "Who’s really the one throwing their weight around here?"
SMACK!
Shen Fanyun slapped Wang Xiao across the face, leaving the director stunned as a surge of anger flared in his chest.
So what if you’re the investor, the big boss? I’m still the director, one of the key people in charge here! How can he be so tyrannical? Isn’t he afraid I’ll just walk off the job and bring this whole project to a halt?
"B-Boss Shen, aren’t you going too far?" Wang Xiao stamred, holding his cheek, his tone a mix of indignation and threat.
SMACK!
Shen Fanyun slapped him again, his brows knitted fiercely. "Too far?"
"I’m paying you to film a movie. Have you forgotten who your benefactor is?"
"Your job is to direct. Who gave you the right to stir up so much trouble?"
"From the sound of it, are you trying to walk all over ? If you can’t do the job, then get the hell out!"
Wang Xiao was dumbstruck. What the hell is going on? We haven’t even started filming, and I’ve been slapped twice for no reason and given a harsh dressing-down... this is...
By now, the commotion had drawn the attention of the nearby crew mbers.
"What happened?" soone whispered.
"Director Wang got slapped a couple of tis by the client, the money guy."
"Damn, what’s going on? Did Director Wang say sothing he shouldn’t have?"
The crew exchanged silent, confused glances.
Hearing the news, Wen Ruyue frowned, completely bewildered. The client’s backer is obviously Shen Fanyun. But why on earth would he hit the director? What’s gotten into him? Why is he so angry on the first day of shooting? Besides, Wang Xiao wasn’t just so nobody; he was a well-known director in the country.
"Boss Shen, you’ve gone too far!" Wang Xiao’s composure finally shattered. He glowered at Shen Fanyun and warned, "If you don’t apologize to today, this movie isn’t getting made!"
Even now, Wang Xiao still couldn’t understand why Shen Fanyun had hit him. What had he done wrong?
"Are you threatening ?" Shen Fanyun raised an eyebrow. These people are really sothing else. To suck up to Wen Ruyue, they’re willing to ignore their real benefactor? And now he has the gall to threaten , his client, saying the movie won’t get made unless I apologize?
BOOM!
Shen Fanyun had no intention of indulging him. He lifted his leg and sent Wang Xiao flying with a powerful kick, stunning everyone present.
What the hell was happening? The film hadn’t even started, and now he was kicking the director?
Lu Feiyan was also in a daze. Shen Fanyun is too aggressive. I know this whole display is just an elaborate way to stand up for , but it’s the first day! He could at least pretend to be professional. Kicking the director without a word... This... She was at a loss for words.
Wang Xiao collapsed onto his backside and couldn’t get up for a long mont. It was clear that Shen Fanyun’s kick had been packed with force.
"Ouch, ouch... I think a bone is broken."
"You... you motherfucker! You dare to hit ? You actually dared to hit !" Wang Xiao howled in agony from his spot on the ground.
Shen Fanyun scoffed. "So, have you figured out who’s paying you to be here?"
Wang Xiao fell silent.
"So what if you’re rich? Does money give you the right to trample all over my dignity?" Wang Xiao roared, glaring venomously at Shen Fanyun.
Shen Fanyun replied coolly, "If you don’t want to film, then get out now."
Wang Xiao froze. The fee offered by Shen Fanyun’s company was ten tis his usual rate. A full ten tis. He wasn’t about to let his anger cost him that kind of money. True to form, Wang Xiao’s eyes darted about for a mont before he fell silent.
Seeing that Wang Xiao had finally shut up, Shen Fanyun folded his hands behind his back and strode over to Wen Ruyue. He looked her up and down. "You’re here?"
Wen Ruyue could clearly sense that the Shen Fanyun before her today was not the sa man from three days ago. His cold gaze and frigid tone made her extrely uncomfortable.
"Yes," she replied, eyeing him warily.
Shen Fanyun said, "You’re here to film, so just film. Don’t pull any stunts."
"Rember, your supporting role is compensation. I brought you here to act, not to see that arrogant smirk plastered on your face. So stay in line!"
Wen Ruyue was speechless.
The rest of the crew fell silent.
In all her years since making it big, no one had dared to speak to her with such a tone, let alone show her such blatant disrespect. The Shen Fanyun from three days ago had been so humble and deferential. How could he dare to scold and warn her like this now?
Was he possessed?
"What is the aning of this, Boss Shen?" Wen Ruyue’s temper flared, her eyes shooting daggers.
Shen Fanyun said nonchalantly, "It ans you should focus on your acting and not ruin my plans."
"Otherwise, my slaps are quite painful."
Wen Ruyue was once again left speechless.
"A minor supporting actress has the nerve to make the lead actress pay her respects? Who do you think you are?"
"On this set, I’m the one with the money, so I call the shots. Disobey , and you’ll get a taste of my backhand!"
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