"No, this won't do—"
"It's unacceptable! Why should this happen? Our contracts are already signed, what gives you the right to replace someone just like that?"
Xiao He and Guo Xinya had been going through their lines smoothly when suddenly noisy arguments erupted from outside the main hall. Xiao He immediately snapped out of the scene and looked up toward the door.
It turned out the last main cast member had arrived.
Lu Yuxi was dressed in typical Korean boy band style—forgive Xiao He for not knowing how to describe it properly, but basically double eyelids with a heart-shaped face, panda-style eye makeup, and dark lipstick that perfectly matched his early stereotypes about those boy bands.
—Forgive him! He had tried hard not to stereotype, but the other person just fit the image too perfectly!
In the script, Lu Yuxi played a singer, which aligned well with his actual profession, which was also why the "Yu Ye" production team had invited him. It offered both appeal and buzz while requiring minimal acting—he just needed to be himself. It could be said this was a really great opportunity.
Generally speaking, with such roles, as long as the actor didn't mess things up and performed properly, they couldn't go wrong and would still earn money and popularity.
However, human complexity might lie in frequently encountering idiots like Lu Yuxi in real life.
To ruin such a sure thing and lose the opportunity through their own actions—that truly took some skill.
But clearly, Lu Yuxi was still very unconvinced right now, even bringing his agent to cause a scene at the production set.
"Ahem—"
Noticing Xiao He's distraction, Guo Xinya lightly coughed to remind him to continue with their lines.
Xiao He quickly lowered his head somewhat awkwardly and started reading from his script again.
But truthfully, it wasn't just Xiao He—almost everyone sitting in the hall had their attention focused outside.
Even Yuan Sitong secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, fortunately, fortunately they had arrived right on time, otherwise she might have been among those blocked outside and facing contract termination right now.
What a close call—
And the others sitting there were also surprised to varying degrees.
But clearly, Lu Yuxi was still very dissatisfied right now, even bringing his agent to cause a scene at the production set.
Many people gradually began recalculating their positions.
"Screech—"
The sound of someone dragging a chair came from inside the hall.
Everyone looked up and saw it was Zhuang Hongyi who had stood up.
"Ahem, I'm going out for some fresh air, you all continue."
Zhuang Hongyi lightly coughed, then turned and walked out, while Yan Shaohan tapped the table surface, signaling Xiao He to continue.
Xiao He quickly lowered his head and began reciting his lines with feigned concentration.
-
By the time the script reading session ended, Lu Yuxi and his group had long since left.
Even Zhuang Hongyi, who had said he was just going out for fresh air, had already left the set early.
The atmosphere on site finally relaxed somewhat, and people interacted with less pressure. Several familiar friends gathered to chat about daily life, but Xiao He wasn't acquainted with any of them and couldn't join their conversations, so he didn't plan to linger and prepared to pack up and leave directly.
But then a voice suddenly called out to him—
"You're Xiao He, right?"
Xiao He paused mid-step, then turned to see Gao Zhenxia carrying a canvas bag, smiling at him.
"That's me, hello Mr.Gao." Xiao He nodded and greeted her proactively.
"I've heard Mr. Zhuo Jianhua mention you." Gao Zhenxia explained, "He kept saying he met a peculiar young talent in Shanghai, and seeing you now, you do seem somewhat special."
Xiao He understood: "Ah, Brother Zhuo."
It seemed Zhuo Jianhua was also a teacher at Beijing Drama Academy, who had previously invited him to attend classes there... Indeed, senior colleagues all moved in the same circles, exchanging information and resources.
"You weren't very into character today..."
Gao Zhenxia looked Xiao He up and down, then indeed saw him visibly tense up.
Immediately, Gao Zhenxia chuckled happily and patted Xiao He: "Just teasing you—so young yet so serious-minded? Look at Director Yan—big-hearted and holds no grudges, quick-witted and sharp-tongued, isn't that quite good?"
Xiao He: "..."
Although it sounded like praise, it didn't quite seem like positive vocabulary?
"See, going quiet again."
But Gao Zhenxia found Xiao He's hesitant expressions quite amusing and was once again provoked into hearty laughter: "Just seeing that expression tells me you're definitely roasting me in your heart! Haha, I quite like rascals like you."
Xiao He: "...As long as you're happy."
Right then, Liu Rulan also returned and, seeing Gao Zhenxia, proactively greeted her: "Mr. Gao, long time no see."
"Xiao Liu, the new talent you're managing this time is quite good, quite interesting, much better than that last guy." Gao Zhenxia said with a smile.
Liu Rulan also showed a proud expression: "Naturally, my judgment has always been reliable—"
While Liu Rulan and Gao Zhenxia were talking, Xiao He spotted Guo Xinya preparing to leave alone.
Guo Xinya also met Xiao He's gaze, hesitated for a moment, then approached to thank him: "Thank you for today."
"No problem, no problem." Xiao He waved it off, "Sister Liu asked me to sit there anyway, since we're all part of the same production team. Having negative rumors circulating would ultimately affect work."
"But I still want to thank you."
Guo Xinya expressed her gratitude sincerely.
Actually, Guo Xinya had encountered those kinds of looks in production teams countless times before.
After becoming the favored actress of many major directors, her acting skills and abilities seemed to completely vanish—from then on, all people saw was her beauty.
Her resources were exchanged with her beautiful body, her fans were attracted by her beautiful face, her value could be offset by her beauty.
Because of this, Guo Xinya began obsessively resisting those voices, trying to change people's perspectives.
—It was only later that she realized some things actually weren't her problem at all.
Some people have dirty minds, so they see filth everywhere.
Guo Xinya suddenly found release.
Although this path to understanding took a long time, fortunately everything was still timely.
And she even encountered a junior like Xiao He who was willing to help her—Guo Xinya was genuinely very grateful.
Seizing the opportunity, Xiao He asked Guo Xinya: "Sister Xinya, a friend of mine has been trying to lose weight recently, but as you know, there are many fake drugs on the market. I feel more assured using something you've personally used—I wonder what channel your friend used to get that medicine? I'd like to buy some for my friend."
"Eh?" Guo Xinya was startled, not expecting Xiao He to continue asking about the weight loss medication. After struggling internally for a moment and considering that Xiao He was indeed decent, she relented and shared more: "My friend is a VIP client, so she can access better internal medications, but normally these medicines can't be given to others. This bottle I have is just the regular version sold publicly. If you're interested, I can contact my friend to see if she'd be willing to be your recommender."
VIP client?
Sales divided into internal and external channels?
Purchase requires recommendation?
Xiao He was quite surprised.
This was information he hadn't uncovered at all during his previous investigations!
"Sister Xinya... you're not a VIP?" Xiao He tentatively asked.
"My friend did want to recommend me, but I'm not very interested." Guo Xinya shrugged, "After all, all medicine has some toxicity, and I don't have such intense weight loss needs."
To sound somewhat boastful, she had never been prone to weight gain since childhood and didn't have such major weight loss anxiety.
"I see, then I'll think about it some more and not trouble you for now, Sister Xinya. If nothing works, I'll try persuading my friend to exercise for weight loss."
"I do have some diet plans and exercise routines from my weight loss period that I found quite effective—I can share them with you." Guo Xinya offered proactively, "Let's exchange contact information? I'll send them to you later."
Xiao He hadn't expected Guo Xinya to take it so seriously and quickly pulled out his phone: "Okay, thank you!"
After Guo Xinya said goodbye and left, Xiao He's expression turned serious.