Tang Xu stood up and greeted the producer with a smile:
“Ah Song, you’re here.”
The man called “Ah Song” directly sat down beside her, and the two immediately began chatting as if they were very familiar with each other.
Their relationship was clearly far from ordinary.
Soon after, the set preparations were completed, and Tang Xu and Jiang Yumeng’s scene officially began filming.
But before they even finished a single line of dialogue, Ah Song suddenly interrupted.
He leaned back lazily, looking at the monitor with obvious dissatisfaction.
“Director Chen, this shot looks awkward no matter how I see it. Something’s off, isn’t it?”
Director Chen’s expression darkened instantly. Being interrupted mid-shoot clearly displeased him.
He glanced at the monitor.
“I don’t see anything wrong. I wonder what insight Mr. Song might have?”
“The actress’s styling is too complicated. The whole frame looks strange. I suggest changing the look.”
Xu Xiu followed his finger and realized he was pointing at Jiang Yumeng.
Hearing that he was actually giving directions, the director’s face immediately changed.
“Every actor’s styling is designed according to their character. There’s nothing wrong. She plays a favored concubine—of course her look needs to reflect that.”
But the producer, who looked rather carefree, insisted that the visual tone was inconsistent and demanded changes.
The director refused to give in either.
The set was instantly frozen in tension by the sudden argument.
The producer and assistant director tried to mediate from both sides, and even Tang Xu softly tried to explain, but “Ah Song” still refused to back down.
The director also would not make any adjustments.
The entire filming site fell into uneasy silence.
At that moment, a young man who had come with Ah Song suddenly asked:
“Who did this actress’s makeup and styling?”
He was referring to Jiang Yumeng, so everyone’s eyes quietly turned toward Xu Xiu.
“So it’s you.”
The man’s eyes flickered with a trace of surprise at her appearance, but he quickly continued:
“How about this—we compromise. Keep filming this scene as it is, but replace the makeup artist. We’ll adjust the later scenes afterward.”
Xu Xiu immediately understood what was going on.
This whole scene was aimed at her.
Her gaze subconsciously drifted toward Tang Xu.
At that moment, Tang Xu’s face showed clear hesitation and reluctance, as if she strongly disagreed with the proposal, yet felt powerless to stop it.
Xu Xiu couldn’t help but curl her lips slightly.
Quite impressive—sacrificing a small nobody like her to reconcile the investor and the director. A perfect win-win situation.
More importantly, no one could blame Tang Xu for it.
However, Jiang Yumeng’s styling would be forced back to a more modern “internet celebrity” makeup look.
Jiang Yumeng immediately objected when she realized the fire had spread to her makeup artist.
But as the investor, she had no power to resist. Her objections were naturally suppressed.
Jiang Yumeng’s face turned pale with anger.
She had finally found a look that suited her, only for it to be removed so unjustly.
It was outrageous.
She turned to the director, hoping he would intervene.
But Director Chen was also in a dilemma.
He didn’t want to continue clashing with the producer, but Xu Xiu’s makeup work really was excellent.
Moreover, the producer had come in and started dictating changes to the filming right away, which already annoyed him.
While he was still hesitating, a voice suddenly rang out.
“What are you doing if you’re not filming?”
The familiar voice made Xu Xiu’s heart jump.
She turned around.
As expected, Shen Xingyi was walking over with a group of people.
How was he here?
Before she could react, a small figure peeked out from behind his tall frame.
Xu Zhirang!
Why was he here too?
Just as the little dumpling was about to run toward her, Xu Xiu quickly gestured for him to stop.
The child understood immediately and obediently halted, standing beside Shen Xingyi.
Shen Xingyi’s cold gaze swept lightly over her direction before withdrawing.
He scanned the set once and finally stopped in front of the director’s monitor.
“Mr. Shen.”
“Mr. Shen.”
Everyone quickly reacted and greeted him.
They all instinctively made way as he walked toward the director.
“Is this what the company’s investment is for? For you all to waste time here?”
His voice was calm, but laced with cold authority. Though not loud, it carried undeniable pressure.
It made everyone instinctively tense up.
The once-arrogant producer instantly deflated, nervously standing beside him.
“Mr. Shen…”
Director Chen briefly explained what had just happened.
Shen Xingyi glanced sideways at Song Yu.
“Song Yu, since when did you become an expert in filmmaking?”
An assistant brought over a chair, and he sat down casually, his expression indifferent.
“Why don’t I relieve you of your current position so you can focus on studying film?”
Song Yu’s face instantly turned pale.
His chest heaved violently as he tried to force out a smile, but failed.
“Mr. Shen, you’re joking…”
“I never joke.”
His tone was calm as always, but the sharpness in his eyes made it clear he meant every word.
Song Yu nearly couldn’t stand.
Shen Xingyi ignored him and slightly turned his head toward his assistant.
Zhang Zhou immediately understood and called the company’s film division to relay instructions.
Just like that, Song Yu—who had been arrogant moments ago—lost his backing instantly.
The group quickly left.
The incident was resolved just like that.
Even Xu Xiu hadn’t expected things to end so easily.
Indeed, power made everything simple—decisions could be made in an instant.
For a brief moment, Shen Xingyi really did have the aura of someone who could determine life and death with a word.
Only then did she learn that the drama was fully invested in by Shen Group’s film division.
And Song Yu was a vice president of that company, who had always been arrogant because of his distant ties to the Shen family.
She subconsciously looked toward Tang Xu again.
At that moment, Tang Xu’s face showed obvious guilt, but she still kept glancing toward Shen Xingyi.
After seeing Song Yu and the others leave, she visibly relaxed.
Filming resumed.
Xu Xiu returned to her seat and saw Xu Zhirang secretly blinking at her.
She smiled and blinked back.
Shen Xingyi noticed their little exchange from the corner of his eye, and the corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly.
Meanwhile, Tang Xu looked at the child beside Shen Xingyi, her eyes filled with suspicion.
After the scene ended, she quickly picked up her phone.