"Lu Shui, is this news about Qiao Xiaren reliable?"
Suppressing her excitent, Huang Ningyue sought confirmation from her agent about the accuracy of the matter. Lu Shui had just returned from outside, holding onto the intel she bought from a paparazzo.
"It’s true." Lu Shui’s face lit up with a smile. "It’s not that Qiao Xiaren had a falling-out with the male lead, but rather the investors added two fairly explicit passion scenes to the movie. Our goddess Qiao finds such scenes beneath her and demanded their removal. But the investors are not people she can control easily, so it looks like she’s really set on leaving the cast."
"Ha, so self-righteous." Huang Ningyue laughed with apparent satisfaction, deep in thought. "Qiao Xiaren probably will never realize what she’ll be losing. Lu Shui, let’s go find Director Wei now. I’m willing to take on ’Phantom Kill,’ no matter what he wants to do."
At that mont, Huang Ningyue’s emotions surged. Qiao Xiaren had such amazing resources and still gave them up—serves her right if she doesn’t win awards later. It’s just two passion scenes; can’t she just deal with it?
Qiao Xiaren doesn’t even understand that, with Director Wei’s craft, he could turn a car sex scene and a wild outdoor love scene into cinematic perfection. Even if she doesn’t bag the title of international Best Actress this ti, her global reputation could explode overnight.
A cold smile curved upon her lips as Ningyue glanced at her newly done nails. Her previously despondent mood lifted into elation. After days of bad luck, it was finally ti to turn things around.
"That’s the spirit." Lu Shui looked at her artist with appreciation, nodding in approval. "Ningyue, rember this: as long as you have this kind of boldness, there’s no need to worry about overtaking Qiao Xiaren in the future. My judgnt was spot on, picking such a promising talent like you."
"Opportunity has arrived, and I absolutely won’t let it slip away." Huang Ningyue exchanged a knowing smile with Lu Shui before standing up resolutely and walking out the door without another word.
Studio
Liao Ling and Shi Ruo headed straight to Qiao Xiaren’s studio upon hearing the news.
"You’re here?"
Qiao Xiaren was conveniently seated nearby, reading a script. The director of *Crisis III* had sent her an electronic copy of the screenplay for her to audition for the role of the second lead, Anneli.
She would be challenged by three roles this ti, each with starkly different personalities, which was putting considerable pressure on her.
"Xiaren, I heard your news from Weini," Liao Ling said with a hint of helplessness. "It’s just how those investors operate; they’re all about chasing profit. Blaming them wouldn’t really get us anywhere though. If we’re being honest, Director Wei’s skills and talent are absolutely solid. Even if you did perform those passion scenes, the movie definitely wouldn’t co across as crass."
Wei Yanyuan’s talent was sothing they had all witnessed before. Except for the ti he impulsively—and rather foolishly—tried to dabble in sci-fi only to be outdone by another rising director, he hardly ever lost to anyone.
"Xiaoling, are you saying I should take on this film?" Qiao Xiaren raised her head, contemplative.
"It’s not that I think you *should* take it. I just want you to think things through—whether you do it or not should fully be your decision." Liao Ling raised an eyebrow. "The commotion inside and out of the industry surrounding this matter is huge, and you know the movie has a strong foundation. With Director Wei’s talent, he will absolutely handle the film’s level of explicitness well. When it’s all said and done, you’d pretty much be guaranteed the title of international Best Actress. What’s there to fear? If you let this go now, soone else will benefit from it."
Shi Ruo smiled and chid in, "That’s why we hope you’ll consider carefully. We don’t want you to regret this later. Winning Best Actress at one of Europe’s three major film festivals is the dream of every actor. Xiaren, are you really planning to give up your shot at it?"
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