At the table read, Zheng Hualian performed rather well. But there were an undeniable amount of stares from the rest of the cast.
Some admired her, some were curious, some wondered if she slept her way up, and some were jealous— like Su Meizhen.
In comparison, Su Meizhen's part was much smaller than Zheng Hualian's. In her mind, she did not feel that her talent was anyway less than the latter. She obviously pulled some strings, who knew if she did something dirty! This was the entertainment industry after all.
. . .
Fast forward to the first day of filming, Zheng Hualian was feeling extremely nervous.
Li Chuhua had reminded her of countless things to the point that there were all she could think about.
Song Liqin stood next to them, straight-faced. If not for the tremble in her hands, you would not be able to discern any agitation from her.
Zhou Lengxin arrived a bit later because she had a morning class.
"Shen Mumu and Fu Lei, prepare to shoot scene 12!"
"Hualian, that's you!" Li Chuhua was so anxious that she knocked over her water bottle for the nth time.
Zheng Hualian's face had become unrecognizable. She wore dirty clothes and her face looked hollowed out, with none of the youthful charm a 20-year-old girl should have.
She was sitting in dark alleyway, smoking.
The actor playing Fu Lei, Guan Chao, also got into position.
"Shen Mumu?"
"Hmph, why are you here? Is that pity I see? I don't need it, just like how I didn't need you all these years!"
"What happened to you?"
"What happened to me? You happened to me! My father happened! I know you're not here to apologize, so what do you want?" She sarcastically snorted.
"Mumu, I can help you." A look of helplessness flitted across his handsome face.
"Help me? No one can help me now. You want something from me. What is it?" Shen Mumu's gaunt face turned apathetic.
"Mumu, here's the thing..."
"OK, cut!" Director Ye called the end of the scene.
"That was good, let's do it again. I want more disgust in Mumu and more guilt Fu Lei. Aaaand... action!"
They redid the scene three more times until he was satisfied.
"Oh my! You did so well!" Li Chuhua handed Zheng Hualian some water. "Let me order lunch, what would you like? Oh, and Sis Song and Sis Zhou, you guys too!"
Zheng Hualian felt relieved, she wasn't sure if she would be able to perform well with others in front of the camera.
Meeting your ex-boyfriend again after many years of suffering, she could not relate. But reuniting with an ex-friend, she knew too well. It happened just before this.
. . .
The director had called roll before the shoot.
"We will be shooting scenes 1, 2, 6, and 12 this morning! Mu Yanmei, Song Yan, Fu Lei, Shen Mumu, and Shen Mian!"
"Here!" A chorus of voices answered.
Su Meizhen finished touching up her makeup, her scene today was with Guan Chao, she needed to look perfect.
"Hello Senior Guan, I'm Su Meizhen, I'm your scene partner today." She used the sweetest and loveliest voice possible.
Guan Chao was a proud individual, he did not socialize with most people.
"You're Shen Mumu?"
"Hehe, no, I'm Shen Mian, I'm with you for scene 6."
"Oh, okay."
Guan Chao immediately stopped talking to her.
'Hmph! Just wait till I become big, I won't talk to you!'