A second chance with my billionaire husband-Chapter 1626 - 330: Shadows of Life, Schadenfreude (Part 1)

Chapter 1626: Chapter 330: Shadows of Life, Schadenfreude (Part 1)

Standing up and tidying her costume, she walked toward the film set, only to see Zhou Xue coming out of the director’s resting tent, a simple temporary structure set up to block the sunlight and serve as a provisional place to rest.

Zhou Xue crossed her arms, giving her a mocking glance: "Miss Xue, did you not rest well last night? Why do you look so haggard?"

Her tone was full of ridicule.

Zhou Xue appeared gentle and kind in front of the camera, often dubbed as the nation’s daughter-in-law; but in reality, she was a selfish and harsh woman. Just because the director criticized Zhou Xue, this woman held a grudge against her, never missing an opportunity to sully her reputation in front of the director.

"Maybe I’ve been too busy with filming lately, staying up at night to study the script, thus my poor complexion. On the other hand, Miss Zhou, your skin looks great, fair and rosy." Zhou Xue was already thirty-six, compared to someone young like Xue Chengcheng, she was old.

This was a roundabout way of saying she didn’t study the script diligently, her own skin was nowhere as good as Xue Chengcheng’s, this woman was merely mocking her.

Zhou Xue snorted coldly: "Just you wait." She left haughtily as she said this.

Xue Chengcheng clenched her palm, having a bad feeling.

"Director, the actress recommended by the investors has arrived, do you want to meet her?" The director’s assistant said softly.

The director waved impatiently: "Don’t want to, have the assistant director meet her, give her a minor role just to send her off."

Investors always occasionally stuffed actors into the crew, it wasn’t the first time he’d encountered such a situation, these people were usually either the boss’s daughter or the boss’s lover, their acting was unwatchable.

The assistant hesitated for a moment, then said: "The assistant director has already met with them, the other party has asked to play the second female lead, what do you think...?"

"Hasn’t the second female lead position been filled already? Filming has been going on for several days, how can we change actors now? Besides, is Rulin’s role something any random actor can perform? It requires real acting skills, if they’re unwilling to act they can leave, don’t get picky with me, do they even have the ability to question it."

Xue Chengcheng was chosen by the director through auditions, she was the most suitable for the role of Rulin, her performance was natural, she was born to be an actress, and she worked hard, putting her heart into studying the role, the director was very satisfied with her.

The assistant coughed, "Director, this particular lady has quite the background, she’s from the Tianchen side, offending her might lead to discontent with the Tianchen boss, which would put us in a tough spot..." Tianchen is the main investor for this film.

"Here’s the actress’s file, take a look...." Saying so, he placed a document in front of the director.

The director glanced at it, "Xiao Zisu?"

"That’s right, although her reputation isn’t great, she’s incredibly popular, practically a trending headline generator, her acting skills have been criticized, but that’s because she hasn’t met a good director yet, with your coaching, she’ll definitely not be inferior to Xue Chengcheng, plus Xiao Zisu has quite the background, rumored to have political ties, think again about Tianchen, we can’t afford to offend such people."

Listening to the assistant, the director thought carefully, considering appearance, Xiao Zisu was more beautiful than Xue Chengcheng, and she showed no signs of cosmetic surgery, very natural, she also seemed like a naturally talented actress, but Rulin’s role required more than mere beauty.

The director, known for striving for perfection, thought about it over and over, preferring to risk offending the investors to maintain the quality of the movie, "Assign her the third female lead role." The third female lead was a captivating role, the originally chosen actress was his student, but family matters were easy to deal with.

"But Director, not to mention Xiao Zisu, even Xue Chengcheng can’t be used anymore."

The director was so busy every day that he didn’t have time to eat, never mind following the news, he subconsciously asked: "Why?"

"My dear director, take a look at yesterday’s international news." The assistant handed him the newspaper, pointing at the giant headline photo: "Who is this?"

"Yan Nanmo and his lady, I’m not senile." The director rolled his eyes.

"Now look at who is standing next to Lady Yan?"

The director raised his eyebrows, "This is...?"

"Ji Yunya, you’re familiar with the name, right?"

The director nodded. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The assistant pointed at the girl next to Zhuang Xiyue, saying: "This is Ji Yunya, undeniably Yan Nanmo’s daughter-in-law, she was revealed to be Dr. Nyx, and setting that aside for a moment, she had a dispute with Xue Chengcheng in the past, which stirred quite a sensation online, surely you’re somewhat aware."

Of course, the director knew, "So what?"

"So, Dongfang Jian was arrested, the winner was Yan Nanmo, the next election he’s the biggest contender, which means Ji Yunya is soon to be the Crown Princess, Xue Chengcheng had offended her before, if you use Xue Chengcheng prominently now, isn’t that going to irk Ji Yunya?"

The director frowned: "What’s the connection in all this? Just because they had a quarrel, does that mean Xue Chengcheng can’t have a career? What kind of logic is that?"

"My dear director, you can’t say things like that, Ji Yunya likely doesn’t care, she probably already forgot about someone like Xue Chengcheng, but others don’t think that way...."

When it involves other matters, the director has no choice but to be vigilant, his frown deepening.

"Actually, Xiao Zisu is a fine choice too, you avoid offending the investors, and additionally pacify Ji Yunya, it’s a win-win situation, why not meet Xiao Zisu in person? See her performance and then decide?"

The director nodded helplessly: "Seems only that option is left now."

Xue Chengcheng waited on set for a long time without seeing the director, she assumed the director was busy, so she stood aside rehearsing. Then, she overheard two makeup crew girls passing by, talking: "I just saw Xiao Zisu entering the director’s room, she’s even prettier in person than on TV...."

"I heard she specifically asked for the second lead role, she’s got a deep background, this time Xue Chengcheng is doomed...." Saying so, they glanced at Xue Chengcheng.

Xue Chengcheng bit her lip, suppressing the anger within, quietly sitting aside.

Xiao Zisu had lots of bad reviews mostly criticizing her poor acting and many scandals, but meeting a good director who could tap into her potential, she was also a highly adaptable actress. Before coming over, she had studied Rulin’s role, even consulting a teacher, after meeting the director, she performed a classic scene from the movie on spot, though there was still some gap with Xue Chengcheng, she wasn’t bad as rumors claimed, she had redeeming qualities, mostly portraying trophy roles before with no outlet to showcase her talent, leading the public to preconceptions, hence her poor reputation.

After much hesitation, further nudged by the assistant, the director decided to replace Xue Chengcheng with Xiao Zisu, he could gamble in his younger years, but now... he couldn’t afford it.

Xiao Zisu smiled gently: "Thank you, director, I won’t let you down."

"Xue Chengcheng, the director wants to see you." The director’s assistant came to summon her.

Xue Chengcheng was stunned for a moment, suddenly sensed a bad omen, ignoring the schadenfreude glances from those around, she straightened her dress calmly, rising up, heading toward the director’s tent.

The curtain was lifted, and a dazzling woman stepped out, her figure graceful and alluring, her aura bewitchingly captivating, every move exuding charm.

The woman raised her eyebrows and glanced over, her look was triumphant yet provocative, carrying the gaze of a victor.

Swaggering confidently as she strode away.

At that moment, although the sun was shining brightly, she felt as though she had fallen into an ice lake, chilled to the bone.