Director Nie was notorious in the industry for his explosive temper—fierce and unapproachable. Actors who worked under him had almost all been scolded by him at some point, with even award-winning actors and actresses being no exception.
This time, after calling “cut,” he directly threw down his walkie-talkie and began berating the third female lead.
“What the hell are you doing? Can you even act? Who told you to actually hit her? If you’re so good at slapping, why don’t you try slapping yourself a couple of times?”
Li Su’er hid behind a fake rock. “Director, since it’s a slap scene, wouldn’t a real slap look more convincing? Look at her face—it doesn’t even need makeup now. How convenient!”
Director Nie’s face darkened.
“Oh, you’re so noble and impressive, are you teaching me how to direct now? The sky’s clear, the rain’s stopped, and you think you’re all that? Who do you think you are? Do you really think sticking a scallion in your hair makes you some big shot?”
No matter how powerful a director was, they couldn’t outrank the investors. Li Su’er had been forced into the role by the investors, who had kicked out the originally cast third female lead.
Such things were common in the entertainment industry. Since the role wasn’t a major one, he hadn’t made a fuss about it.
But this Li Su’er not only had zero acting skills—relying solely on exaggerated eye-rolling and pouting—but she also deliberately caused trouble, severely delaying the entire crew’s shooting schedule.
He had always held actors to extremely high standards, and this was something he absolutely couldn’t tolerate.
Being publicly scolded by two men in a row left Li Su’er utterly humiliated.
She had thought that with her backing, the director would treat her differently. She never expected him to show her no respect at all, embarrassing her in front of so many people!
Wanqing also turned to Su Sili and asked, “Right, who is this person anyway?”
Su Sili replied with disdain, “Isn’t she just that internet celebrity who was imitating your makeup and outfits while wandering around the airport a while ago, blatantly riding on your fame?”
Although his anger had been temporarily suppressed by her, Wanqing could still sense that he was furious, even mentally plotting how to deal with Li Su’er.
“After gaining a bit of popularity, she started buying trolls to drag you down, saying your legs aren’t as long as hers, your waist isn’t as slim, and that you have no acting skills, relying entirely on stunt doubles. I even sent you screenshots back then. Have you forgotten about her?”
“Oh…” Wanqing drew out the syllable, rubbing her cheek as she tried to recall.
“That third-rate internet celebrity Fu Si Yu just signed? No wonder she reeks of cheap perfume.”
Although their conversation wasn’t particularly quiet, some nearby crew members couldn’t help but cover their mouths and snicker.
Li Su’er overheard them. She never imagined that she had considered Wanqing her rival for so long, yet Wanqing didn’t even know who she was!
The more she thought about it, the more unbalanced she felt. Like a shrew, she began smashing the filming props in the studio, making loud crashing noises. After all, this drama was funded by Mr. Fu—she could do whatever she wanted!
“Forget it, forget it! I’m so annoyed, so annoyed! I’m not filming anymore, not anymore!”
Just then, a voice came from behind—
“Su’er, what’s wrong?”
All the noise in the studio instantly died down, and everyone turned to look at the newcomer.
Shock, confusion, bewilderment, and a hint of gossipy excitement flickered in everyone’s eyes.
So this snake-faced woman was Mr. Fu’s new flame!
No wonder an unknown third-rate internet celebrity dared to openly provoke a top-tier actress—it was the new flame confronting the old love!
The commotion here was so intense that even people from the neighboring crew came over to watch.
In an instant, the entire set was surrounded by a crowd of onlookers.
Li Su’er saw Fu Si Yu arriving and immediately dropped her previous aggressive demeanor, putting on a pitiful and fragile act instead. She tugged at his sleeve and began to cry.
“Mr. Fu, you’re finally here. If you hadn’t come, I would have been bullied to death, wuwuwu…”
Wanqing: “”
Su Sili: “Damn!”
Director Nie: “What a lunatic!”
Staff: “Oh my…”
Everyone watched as Li Su’er tried to cry but couldn’t squeeze out a single tear, feeling secondhand embarrassment so intense they could dig their toes into the ground.
She couldn’t even shed tears—with skills like that, did she really think she could act?
However, they all assumed Fu Si Yu had come to back Li Su’er up, and couldn’t help but feel a cold sweat for Wanqing.
Wanqing was a regular at the film studio, and many staff members and extras had received her kindness, so she had an excellent reputation among the crowd. Many in the group were even her fans.
They didn’t want to see their goddess bullied.
Unexpectedly, Fu Si Yu glanced in Wanqing’s direction, then shook off Li Su’er’s hand and said coldly:
“Apologize.”
Li Su’er thought she had misheard. “Mr. Fu?”
“I won’t repeat myself.”
Li Su’er was going insane. She was clearly his current woman, so why wasn’t he defending her? Why were they all protecting that worn-out shoe?
But no matter how resentful she felt, she couldn’t show it in front of Fu Si Yu. Swallowing her anger, she walked up to Wanqing and reluctantly apologized.
“I’m sorry, I was too rough earlier. I’m young and don’t know any better. I hope Sister Qing won’t hold it against me.”
Wanqing smiled generously at her.
“It’s fine, I don’t blame you.”
Li Su’er was stunned for a second. Was she really that easygoing?
But the next moment, Wanqing’s smile vanished.
She raised her hand, grabbed Li Su’er’s hair, and ruthlessly slapped her twice—once on each cheek.
Slap!
Slap!
The crisp sound was refreshing to hear.
Everyone: “…”
Li Su’er was dazed by the slaps. The tears she couldn’t squeeze out earlier now began to fall, one after another.
“You looked so uncomfortable trying to cry but failing, so I kindly helped you out. How about it? Do you feel much better now?”
Wanqing’s crimson lips curved upward, beautiful as a seductive enchantress.
The red marks on her face added a touch of wild, captivating arrogance, stunning Li Su’er into a daze.
Seeing Li Su’er still frozen, Wanqing patted her shoulder and offered some well-meaning advice.
“Little sister, I suggest you stay home and make short videos or do some livestreaming. After all, acting isn’t some low-level profession—not just anyone can come and take a piece of the pie.”
Li Su’er, who hadn’t even finished elementary school, clearly couldn’t keep up. She stood there for a long time, unable to figure out what those words meant.
Was Wanqing praising her or insulting her?
_
Once the farce ended, Li Su’er trailed behind Fu Si Yu, looking dejected. Noticing the woman walking beside Fu Si Yu had a graceful figure—even the plain, boring professional suit she wore looked like high fashion—Li Su’er suddenly felt a sense of crisis.
“Hey, who are you?” she asked.
Su Wu slowed her pace, stopped, and turned to nod at her. “Miss Li, hello. I’m Mr. Fu’s assistant, Su Wu.”
Assistant Su had a small face and a gentle demeanor. She wore a capable and appropriate smile as she spoke, making anyone who saw her feel at ease.
Hearing that she was merely Fu Si Yu’s assistant, Li Su’er breathed a sigh of relief.
After watching the commotion, the other actors quickly returned to the tense filming state.
“Can you still shoot?” Director Nie asked Wanqing.
Having vented her anger, Wanqing felt her face no longer hurt. Spotting a prop sword on the ground, she kicked it up with the tip of her foot, catching it and twirling it into a beautiful sword flourish.
“Don’t worry, Director, I’m fine. An injury like this is nothing to me. Even if my leg were broken, I’d finish today’s scene with a cast on!”
Director Nie laughed heartily a few times.
This girl looked delicate, but there was something interesting about her spirit.
No wonder even Qi Yan, as busy as he was, had specifically called to check on her.