"Why?"
Xu Xia quickly found the producer, "Didn't I say to delete all of Shen Zhiyi's scenes? Why has it been increased instead?"
This script was specially invested in by the company for her, intended to make her transition to acting smooth and trouble-free, with the roles and script centered around her. How could they dare to change the script arbitrarily without considering her opinion?
The producer said, "Haven't you received the notification yet? The primary investor has now changed to Songjian Media, and the script changes were requested by them."
The production was a big-budget one, running into hundreds of millions, and naturally, to curry favor with the investors, they had to comply with their demands. Previously, Shengtang was the primary investor, and therefore, the producer had always heeded Xu Xia's opinions. But now that the primary investor had changed to another company, Xu Xia's influence was naturally diminished.
"Changed?"
Xu Xia was incredulous, "How can the investor just change like that—"
"It's Songjian Media, they've taken an eighty percent share."
The producer said impatiently, "Do you know that Shengtang can't afford to offend them?"
In terms of status, Songjian Media was a longstanding entertainment company, backed by Pei's, and had a very high level of influence throughout the entertainment industry. In terms of investment, they contributed eighty percent, as if casually splashing out the money. Could Shengtang compare to that?
Was Shengtang willing to offend Pei's just for Xu Xia? Did Shengtang have that much money to spare?
Xu Xia's face turned pale, she understood the logic, but the thought of Shen Zhiyi benefiting from this situation made her seethe with jealousy to the point of madness.
For the past seven years, Shen Zhiyi had been relentlessly criticized by malicious fans, with terrible resources. How did she suddenly become linked with Songjian Media?
"Xiaxia, what did the producer say?"
Huo Heng was waiting outside for Xu Xia, equally curious about the reasons behind such adjustments to the script.
Xu Xia repeated the producer's words, her eyes reddening with grievance, "Huo, this is supposed to be my debut as an actress. How can they just change it and delete so many of my scenes?"
"Songjian Media requested it?" Huo Heng couldn't understand, everything was fine previously. How could the investor change their mind so suddenly, and the script be altered just like that?
"Huo," Xu Xia whispered, "Could it be Sister Zhiyi—"
Huo Heng immediately thought of the two Rolls-Royces he had seen in the residential area. Could it be that Shen Zhiyi had the backing of someone from Songjian Media?
"Perhaps," Huo Heng looked troubled, "Since the investor has changed, there's nothing else we can do. But luckily, your role as the female lead hasn't been taken away. Let's just put up with this for now."
Xu Xia bit her lip and looked down, her expression sinister.
The controversy over the script changes quickly passed, and this afternoon's scenes were all focused on the interactions between Shen Zhiyi and Huo Heng—they used to be lovers and now were filming together in the same crew, sparking imaginations. Several paparazzi sneaked in to snap photos of them together, and inside the crew, there was much speculation, though somewhat off the mark.
"Didn't Huo Heng miss his cue here? His expression looks strange."
"...Yes, he clearly hesitated just now."
"Looking at it this way, Shen Zhiyi's acting is much more natural than Huo Heng, his face looks somewhat awkward on the monitor."
The onlookers felt it, and Huo Heng was aware of it too. While the director was reviewing the previous take, he spoke in a low voice, "Are you deliberately undermining me?"
Shen Zhiyi was speechless, "It's your own lack of skill."
Huo Heng wanted to say more, but the director already called everyone to wrap up.
"Huo Heng, Xu Xia, and Shen Zhiyi, stay back. You're coming with me tonight to meet the new investors."