All day long, Sheng Xiangsi practiced with the dance troupe.
Gu Shaohua hadn't given her much time. In just two days, she had to perform for her. If approved, the troupe would begin formal rehearsals for the performance.
A little past six, Sheng Xiangsi changed her clothes, packed her bag, and hurriedly left.
"Xiangsi, want to have dinner with us tonight?"
Her colleagues invited her from the dressing room.
"Sorry, I can't."
Sheng Xiangsi checked the time. She still had a scene to shoot with the film crew tonight and couldn't afford to be late.
"You guys have fun! Bye, see you tomorrow!"
She said, jogging out of the dressing room.
"Hey, Xiangsi..."
"What is she always so busy with? She never joins us for any gatherings."
"Yeah."
Among them, a colleague named Diao Yan scoffed, "She's an air-dropped talent, a genius handpicked by Ms. Gu. Why would she bother hanging out with us?"
Mentioning Sheng Xiangsi's special treatment sparked a wave of discussion among the others.
"I heard she used to be with the RED dance troupe. She's really good."
"Yeah, I've seen her practice. She's indeed very skilled..."
"Hmph!"
Diao Yan snorted, "Skilled? As if any of us here are not skilled?"
Without some talent, could anyone make it into the Lightning dance troupe?
But while the rest were still playing minor roles, Sheng Xiangsi, who had just joined, was already the lead dancer!
To say everyone was completely convinced would be impossible.
The one most dissatisfied was Diao Yan.
She had trained under Gu Shaohua since childhood and was personally chosen by her to join the troupe.
Before Sheng Xiangsi's arrival, Diao Yan was the most favored among the younger generation.
Due to the high demand for spots in the troupe, everyone had assumed Diao Yan would be the lead dancer when the troupe added a new group for "Qinghuan Du."
Who would have thought Sheng Xiangsi would suddenly show up?
To Diao Yan, Sheng Xiangsi had stolen what was rightfully hers!
"Genius talent?"
Diao Yan sneered, "She has a man backing her, that's all."
In a place with no secrets, rumors had already spread in the troupe that Sheng Xiangsi had arrived with a wealthy man.
"She's just selling herself."
"Shh!"
Her colleague quickly covered Diao Yan's mouth, "You can't say such things! Ms. Gu hates internal conflicts!"
"Let go!"
Diao Yan pushed her colleague away but didn't dare say more.
If Ms. Gu found out she was gossiping about colleagues behind their backs, she might be kicked out of the troupe.
But she couldn't just let Sheng Xiangsi suppress her like this, could she?
Diao Yan decided to bide her time.
So, after Sheng Xiangsi left hurriedly again, Diao Yan secretly followed her.
She trailed her through bus rides and subway transfers.
"Isn't she kept by a rich man? Why does she have to travel so inconveniently?"
But after getting off, Diao Yan's sarcasm vanished.
Instead, her blood surged with excitement!
Because Sheng Xiangsi had gotten off at the film city! What was she doing there?
Diao Yan put on her mask and hat, quietly trailing behind Sheng Xiangsi.
Then, she saw Sheng Xiangsi enter a film crew.
Diao Yan didn't let her guard down, waiting patiently until she saw Sheng Xiangsi come out in full costume.
Quickly, she took out her phone and opened the camera...
"Hmph." Diao Yan sneered, "Sheng Xiangsi, you're doomed this time."
Putting away her phone, she turned and left.
On the set.
Sheng Xiangsi found Director Ren, "Director Ren, I need to discuss something with you."
"What is it? Speak up."
"It's like this." Sheng Xiangsi explained her situation with the dance troupe, "I'm finding it hard to manage both. It might be difficult to continue with the shoot."
Director Ren listened, slightly displeased.
"Xiangsi, when you joined the crew, I spoke highly of you to the director."
"I know." Sheng Xiangsi felt very apologetic, "I'm very grateful."
If she could, she wouldn't want to be seen as ungrateful.
But the Lightning dance troupe had rules—active dancers were not allowed to take private gigs.
Especially someone in her position as the lead dancer.
No exceptions, as the lead dancer was the troupe's face.
Like the entertainment industry, they were the stars.
Originally, Sheng Xiangsi wanted to resign from the film crew.
However, she had signed a contract and would have to pay a penalty if she just left.
Moreover, Director Ren had been good to her, and she couldn't just leave him in the lurch.
So, after much consideration, she only dared to ask for a reduction in her scenes.
"Director Ren, it's my fault."
Seeing her troubled expression, Director Ren softened, "Alright, I'll try. But you still have to do the key scenes."
This was non-negotiable.
"You've been paid well. Director Bai is very strict with his films. In this industry, always leave yourself some leeway, right? Who knows, there might be future opportunities to work together. Let's not burn bridges."
"Yes."
Sheng Xiangsi was extremely grateful and nodded repeatedly.
"I'll do as you say."
Director Ren's understanding and accommodation made Sheng Xiangsi feel she had truly met a benefactor.
In reality, her luck wasn't always bad.
"Thank you, Director Ren."
"You're welcome." Director Ren waved her off, "Go get ready."
"Alright."
That night, Sheng Xiangsi didn't leave the set until nearly midnight.
Back at West Twelfth Street, she was utterly exhausted. She collapsed onto her bed and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
…
The next morning, she arrived at the dance troupe.
She had just changed into her practice clothes and was about to head to the practice room.
"Sheng Xiangsi!"
A colleague called her from the door, "Ms. Gu wants to see you in her office."
"Alright, thank you!"
Sheng Xiangsi replied, locking her locker and hurriedly heading over.
She knocked and entered, "Ms. Gu, you wanted to see me?"
Gu Shaohua was sitting on the sofa, her face expressionless.
Sheng Xiangsi's heart skipped a beat, a bad feeling rising. Though Ms. Gu was usually stern, Sheng Xiangsi saw anger in her eyes this time.
"Ms. Gu."
Sheng Xiangsi instinctively pursed her lips, "Did I do something wrong?"
"Hmph."
Gu Shaohua raised an eyebrow, sneering.
She placed a phone on the coffee table, "Take a look. Is this person you?"
"Okay."
Sheng Xiangsi bent down and picked up the phone.
On it was a photo of her in costume from last night on set!
"This..."
Sheng Xiangsi looked up in horror, "Ms. Gu, I..."
"Is it you?" Gu Shaohua's gaze was sharp and unyielding.
"I..." Sheng Xiangsi's eyelashes fluttered, her hands and feet turning cold. She couldn't deny it—the person in the photo was indeed her.
Gritting her teeth, she nodded and admitted, "Yes, it's me."
"Ha."
Gu Shaohua laughed, full of ridicule.
"Sheng Xiangsi, you have some nerve!"