This film studio is newly built, with many projects lining up to reserve the venue.
Qi Yuan is famous, and the crew isn’t bad either, so they were the first to start shooting.
As soon as Wen Chu entered, she was dragged away to change clothes.
The makeup artist looked at her helplessly and told someone to turn the fan toward her.
At this time, Wen Chu still felt fresh.
Changing clothes was fine, but once makeup was applied, time became tight, so she headed to the set.
This scene was mainly dialogue, not difficult.
“Scene 55, take 30. Filming the flower appreciation and confession.”
Opposite was Jiang Ran, the male lead this time.
It was his first time as a male lead.
Seeing Wen Chu sit down, he was surprised.
Is this even possible?
Wen Chu sat down, picked up the script on the table, and flipped through it.
In reality, she was already very familiar with the script.
A few people gathered around her, helping tidy her makeup and discussing the scene.
Qi Yuan was also on set, but she stood on the corridor, holding her phone and talking.
Over the phone, she cursed a man’s name.
She said, “You have to come home tonight. I’m telling you, if you dare stay there overnight, you’re dead.”
“Fang Yi, get back here.”
When she cursed, she was fierce, but she looked lost and helpless.
This was her usual state when anxiety struck.
Fang Yi was her boyfriend of eight years, also a famous screenwriter in the industry.
was adapted by him, and the current costume drama of Qi Yuan was also his adaptation.
Even the female hero was his work.
A talented screenwriter.
Everyone listened to Qi Yuan scold her boyfriend.
No one dared make a sound, all pretending not to hear.
On set, no secrets could be hidden.
Qi Yuan and Fang Yi had been breaking up and making up for years, constantly arguing.
Fans outside didn’t know, always thinking Qi Yuan was single.
Occasionally, there were a few rumors, but once the drama and news faded, no one cared.
Jiang Ran hesitated and said, “There are lines and a frontal shot in this scene… How will Teacher Wen film it?”
The assistant director glanced at Jiang Ran and smiled, “Just try. Methods are found by trying.”
The director’s team wasn’t made of amateurs either; they knew how to shoot.
Given Qi Yuan’s situation, they preferred to let Wen Chu do it.
No one wanted to waste time; every day burned money.
After touching up makeup, the fan was turned off, the reflector board was raised, Wen Chu handed out the script and sat upright.
The director found the angle most resembling Qi Yuan and began filming.
Qi Yuan put away her phone, hands slightly trembling, standing outside the corridor watching the heated group filming.
She looked at Wen Chu, sitting on the stone chair, upright and beautiful, with striking features.
On camera, Wen Chu had presence equal to anyone, and most importantly, her emotions were steady.
Most of the audience would only see her back, but they naturally saw Wen Chu’s acting ability.
She remembered what Shu Mei had said.
If you don’t sign Wen Chu, in time, she’ll defeat you.
Qi Yuan’s hands trembled even more.
She squinted, tossed the phone to her assistant, straightened her clothes, and walked toward the filming site with a straight back.
As Qi Yuan approached, everyone respectfully called out “Teacher Qi.”
No matter that Qi Yuan had just argued with her boyfriend or that she returned to substitute due to a last-minute issue, everyone felt helpless, and some even rolled their eyes in secret, quietly feeling dissatisfied.
But in front of Qi Yuan, no one dared to speak.
Who told her to be popular?
Who told her company to be powerful?
Wen Chu and Jiang Ran acted opposite each other.
Jiang Ran was known in the industry as a gentle male actor, with a personality similar to his roles, making interactions naturally comfortable.
Qi Yuan crossed her arms and watched for a while.
She told the director, “I’ll film the rest.”
The director was filming seriously.
It was true that Wen Chu had good screen presence and had understood the character deeply, knowing exactly how to act.
Even if only her back, hands, and shoulders were shown, she portrayed the needed emotion.
Hearing this, the director raised his hand.
“Cut. Teacher Qi will do it herself.”
Jiang Ran was immersed in the scene, but suddenly stopped, looking stunned.
Wen Chu stood up from the chair, left the stone table, her refined makeup and costume making her look like a puppet—stopping as soon as she was told.
Qi Yuan released her arms, stepped forward and sat down.
Several makeup artists immediately approached, fixing her hair, collar, and sleeves, while her assistant knelt to smooth her skirt.
Jiang Ran had acted with Qi Yuan before, but this was the first time he felt her innate arrogance.
Once you notice a certain trait in someone, it’s impossible to see them the same way again.
Jiang Ran subconsciously glanced at Wen Chu, the stand-in actress…
The set was unbearably hot.
It was the high-temperature period.
When Wen Chu left the stone table, she was already sweating.
A makeup artist came over to wipe her down and touched up the makeup around her nose.
Shu Mei, holding a small fan and cooling herself, strolled over.
She said to Wen Chu, “Since you’re already in costume, don’t leave yet. Qi Yuan’s condition is still unstable. There might be more scenes to fill later.”
The makeup artist glanced at Shu Mei, thinking she was also part of the “accomplice” chain.
Wen Chu was long used to it.
From the moment she entered the set, she knew today wouldn’t be easy.
She sat in her spot.
Qi Yuan’s assistant, several makeup artists, and other actors also sat there.
Famous ones had their own lounges; the lesser-knowns just found a place to rest.
Wen Chu watched Qi Yuan and Jiang Ran act.
Jiang Ran stumbled once at the start, but then things went smoothly.
Qi Yuan, with eight years of acting and formal training, acted with skilled precision.
Her every expression was just right, instantly immersing herself and interacting dynamically with Jiang Ran.
The director didn’t need to film Wen Chu like before, with the camera capturing from all angles.
Though Wen Chu wasn’t close to Qi Yuan, she couldn’t deny Qi Yuan’s acting was good.
As she sat in a daze, her phone vibrated.
She picked it up.
Gu Cheng sent a restaurant address, asking, Where are you? I’ll pick you up for dinner later.
Wen Chu pursed her lips, feeling a bit aggrieved.
She raised her phone, took a video of the set, and sent it to Gu Cheng.
Wen Chu: On set. Not sure when I’ll be free.
Gu Cheng saw Qi Yuan’s figure flash across the screen, heard the hum of the fan, and noticed his girlfriend’s tone.
Gu Cheng frowned slightly.
Wasn’t today your day off?
Wen Chu: They suddenly called me back to fill in.
Gu Cheng: It’s still early. Finish up, then come eat.
Wen Chu: Mm.
Wen Chu had her own temper too.
She decided to wait.
If in the end, she wasn’t called for more scenes, she’d quietly slip away.
At worst, Shu Mei would scold her the next day.
Around three o’clock, heavy rain suddenly poured outside.
Qi Yuan, unstable again, stood up, lit a cigarette, and smoked with her arms crossed.
A stagehand came over and called Wen Chu to take over Qi Yuan’s scenes.
Wen Chu had no choice but to stand up and take on Qi Yuan’s later scenes.
The rain didn’t cool the set; it made it more humid.
Jiang Ran took the small fan, set it to the highest speed, and blew it at his face.
Watching Wen Chu, who was now playing Qi Yuan’s scenes, he asked curiously, “Teacher Wen’s pay shouldn’t be low, right? Her screen time is catching up to Teacher Qi these days.”
The makeup artist carefully touched up his makeup and whispered, “Not sure about the pay, but the contract term isn’t short.”
Jiang Ran smiled lazily.
“Teacher Qi has a good life. High pay, best reputation, and others carrying her burdens.”
“Shh!”
His agent entered, heard Jiang Ran’s bold remarks, and immediately raised a finger to silence him.
Jiang Ran paused, smiled, and said no more.
Wen Chu was already used to filming Qi Yuan’s scenes.
Scenes without direct interactions were the easiest to shoot.
Time passed quickly during filming, and night fell, already past dinner.
In the rain, a Porsche stopped outside the set.
The wipers moved, and the man inside picked up his phone to message Wen Chu.
Everyone on set was exhausted.
They ate a few bites and then looked back to see the car.
Qi Yuan, having finished her cigarette, made another call, but it was unanswered.
Angrily, she lowered her head, editing message after message and sending them to Fang Yi’s WeChat.
After sending, she lit another cigarette and turned to see a Beijing A Porsche parked in the rain.
Such a limited edition car—besides those few heirs in Jing City, who else could have it?
With one glance at the license plate, Qi Yuan recognized it as Gu Cheng’s.
She withdrew her gaze and looked toward Wen Chu, who was still filming.
Gu Cheng really spoiled her—a girl from another city.
She was performing a waist-bending scene as a stand-in, her clothing fluttering, her waist slender as a willow.
Shu Mei once said Wen Chu’s figure was excellent—on the red carpet, she would be the most eye-catching, even more so than Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan, cigarette in mouth, squinted her eyes, watching as Wen Chu lowered her long legs, the scene ending, sweat causing her foundation to fade slightly at her neck.
She lifted her sleeve to wipe her neck and walked over to ask the director about the scenes.
Qi Yuan, sharp-eyed, saw a faint red mark on Wen Chu’s neck.
All old foxes—she knew exactly what that was.
A kiss mark.
Wen Chu’s scenes were over.
Seeing Gu Cheng had arrived, she picked up her phone, gathered her skirt, and hurried into the dressing room.
She changed out of the costume and back into her own clothes, grabbed her bag, and walked out.
Who would have thought Qi Yuan was also smoking nearby at the entrance.
Wen Chu walked straight to the car.
Gu Cheng opened the door, held an umbrella, and reached for her hand.
Looking up, he met Qi Yuan’s gaze.
Qi Yuan stared at Gu Cheng in the rain, Gu Cheng looked back at her under the porch in her costume.
They’d seen each other before at family gatherings.
Gu Cheng nodded to her.
Wen Chu was too lazy to speak to Qi Yuan.
When she first became her stand-in, she was inexperienced and admired Qi Yuan’s acting, often seeking advice.
Qi Yuan was always indifferent.
Once, Shu Mei pulled Wen Chu aside and warned her not to bother Qi Yuan.
From then on, Wen Chu understood.
She was just a stand-in—Qi Yuan wouldn’t speak kindly to her.
So she stopped trying to warm a cold heart.
Gu Cheng helped Wen Chu into the front passenger seat, buckled her seatbelt, then circled around to the driver’s side and started the car.
The headlights swept across a cigarette butt on the ground.
Qi Yuan, costume fluttering, returned inside, picked up her phone, and checked it.
Fang Yi hadn’t replied to any of her messages.
Her expression turned ugly.
She gripped her phone, then saw Gu Cheng’s profile picture in her contacts.
She raised her eyebrows.
A few seconds later, she began typing a message.