Chapter 1814: Chapter 1814: Rising Star (16)

Chuzheng stood among the crowd, her figure not as tall and imposing as those behind her, yet she gave the impression of being at the center, never appearing petite or easily overlooked.

She possessed an aura of authority typically belonging to someone in power, as if her boss, Liang Muyun, was standing right in front of him.

"Stop!!" The director shouted to halt: "Xing Chen, why are you standing there?"

Fu Xingchen snapped back to reality, sincerely apologizing: "Sorry."

"It’s alright, let’s do it again." The director gently suggested another take.

Chuzheng remained motionless in her spot. Fu Xingchen returned to his position, glancing at the elevator. The doors were slowly closing, and Fu Xingchen furrowed his brows slightly.

The second time, Fu Xingchen’s state improved significantly.

Standing outside the elevator, seeing so many people, a look of surprise appeared on Fu Xingchen’s face as he seemed hesitant to enter.

A person inside the elevator said to him: "Wait for the next one." As they spoke, they reached to press the button.

Chuzheng glanced at the people outside and casually said: "Let him in."

The person next to her immediately gestured for Fu Xingchen to hurry inside, and Fu Xingchen squeezed in, nodding politely at them.

Fu Xingchen had reached this position, his acting naturally beyond question.

Listening to the elevator occupants debating one point after another, from thoughts to hesitant silence, his body language and expressions were impeccable.

Finally, at the right moment, Fu Xingchen voiced his opinion.

The elevator’s occupants fell silent, each looking at one another. Chuzheng expressionlessly glanced at him: "Do you think your plan is feasible?"

Chuzheng’s gaze was cold and calm, like a still pool of water, with no ripples.

Fu Xingchen, suddenly confronted by such eyes, completely forgot the next lines.

"Cut!"

The director’s voice came across, and Fu Xingchen’s expression immediately became somewhat unsightly.

He actually forgot his lines, and inexplicably felt suffocated by her presence.

This feeling was different from the kind of pressure from seasoned veterans; it was simply suffocating, unable to recall the ensuing lines in his head.

Recalling his previous words, Fu Xingchen’s face felt a burning shame.

With her acting this good, why has she remained a mere extra for so long?

Chuzheng wasn’t just talented; she was effortlessly portraying the role.

The subsequent takes resulted in several more NGs, and eventually, the shoot barely passed.

"Mr. Fu, is this your expertise?" Chuzheng seized the opportunity to mock Fu Xingchen, even though she merely took advantage of the role.

Fu Xingchen: "..."

After filming, Nian Yue immediately brought over hot water: "Xing Chen, have some water."

Fu Xingchen took the water, but his gaze was fixed on Chuzheng’s back, filled with doubts and suspicions.

Nian Yue’s eyes followed Fu Xingchen’s line of sight, a sliver of unusual brightness flashing in her eyes.

She walked forward a few steps, speaking gently: "Xing Chen, let’s take a rest for now."

Fu Xingchen withdrew his gaze and followed Nian Yue back to the dressing room.

Outside the crew, many were discussing Chuzheng.

"Who is she exactly? I don’t have any impression of her."

"I Googled her name, there’s absolutely no information, she must be a newcomer."

"Probably slipped in by some investor, but she seems quite talented in acting, even Fu Xingchen had several NGs just now."

"Don’t you think she was really impressive just now, like truly seeing President Liang?"

"Yeah, it felt like President Liang was right there in front of us, that sensation, oh my god! Completely holding her own against veteran actors!"

"Does she have a Weibo?"

"No idea, let me check..."

"Seems like she doesn’t have one."

The original entered the entertainment circle not to fulfill dreams, so hadn’t bothered with social media, and Chuzheng didn’t care enough to create any, hence impossible to find.

Even though they didn’t know how Chuzheng got in, her acting online had the cast being relatively friendly.

Listening to the crew’s discussions, Nian Yue was tempted several times to confront Chuzheng.

But thinking it over, what was there to say even if she went?

So she restrained herself each time.

-

Since Chuzheng joined, every time Fu Xingchen filmed with her, it marked the beginning of torment, racking up more NGs than he typically had in one year.

Yet, when Chuzheng wasn’t around, Fu Xingchen reverted back to his normal state.

Thus, whenever filming scenes with Fu Xingchen and Chuzheng, everyone felt the tension in the air.

Why would a newcomer with no searchable works surpass a trending star in such a manner? Is it a moral decay or a distortion of humanity.

That day, when Chuzheng entered the crew, she noticed people looking at her strangely. Chuzheng turned her head to glance at the glass beside her.

Her clothes were fine, hairstyle fine, face normal, still looking good... What are they staring at me for?

Feeling immensely uneasy inside.

"Miss Qin."

A girl who usually ran errands for Chuzheng dashed over, pulling her aside to a corner.

"A rumor has emerged from somewhere, saying..." The girl hesitated whether to share.

Chuzheng asked calmly: "Saying what?"

The girl whispered: "It... it says you slept your way to get this role."

"Just that?"

Chuzheng’s composed response surprised the girl, who swallowed with difficulty: "Miss Qin, isn’t that serious? The entire crew is spreading it around; if the paparazzi finds out, it’ll become a black mark..."

Chuzheng asked sincerely: "Do you think I’m the type to randomly sleep with others?" Talking about the Good Person Card, maybe she could barely... forget it, she couldn’t.

A boss like that wouldn’t go around sleeping with just anyone!!!

This question from Chuzheng left the girl momentarily stunned, eventually shaking her head.

Miss Qin appeared to be a very well-bred individual, and her acting was indeed good, portraying Liang Muyun vividly.

Of course, acting skill doesn’t mean one couldn’t be engaged in such behavior.

But she gave the impression of someone who wouldn’t do such things, possessing a pride and confidence others lacked.

"Miss Qin, my belief isn’t enough." The girl found herself exasperated: "The crew is spreading this, and if you become popular and the paparazzi dig it up, you’ll have no way to explain, no matter how truthful."

Chuzheng scratched her hand inside her pocket: "Who started it?"

The girl shook her head: "Unknown, it was already being said when I arrived."

"Any evidence?"

The girl seemed to recall something, frantically rummaging for her phone: "There’s a photo."

The photo showed Chuzheng standing in a corridor outside a door.

Inside the door was a man whose face was halfway visible; many in the crew recognized him, as one of the film’s investors, having visited the set before.

Both appearing in the same photo, the man being an investor, naturally led to endless speculation.

Upon joining the crew, speculation existed about her being planted by an investor, but lacking evidence, most kept silent, never daring to voice extreme claims.

With this photo now as proof, the gossip naturally escalated.,