After Redeeming the Female Lead, I Faked My Death and Escaped - Chapter 9.2

These celebrities either directly copied the real-life prototypes of officials’ children or combined several prototypes into one. Audiences would binge-watch the shows while digging up the real-life counterparts to criticize, ensuring each drama dominated the top spots on streaming platforms.

On the surface, everything seemed normal. The only thing that left Ying Xu somewhat puzzled was that, in all previous productions, Qing Hong had employed exceptionally talented actors and production teams.

In contrast, Redemption seemed like a half-hearted project, filled with privileged nepotism hires, even the director was a rookie.

With Gu Qingzhu involved, even if the show turned out disastrous, people would still tune in just to see how bad it could be. In short, if the drama received backlash, Gu Qingzhu would be the one taking the heat.

But none of that had anything to do with Ying Xu at least not for now.

Even though her role as an extra had minimal lines, Ying Xu still took it seriously, annotating her script meticulously.

To her, playing the role of “Ying Xu” was already an act. Taking on another character might even sharpen her acting skills, making it easier for her to deceive others in the future.

After two hours on set, Ying Xu gradually adjusted to the filming environment.

Coincidentally, her final scene as the lovestruck extra happened to involve an interaction with Sheng Qiuyu’s character.

Though “interaction” was an overstatement. It was more like Sheng Qiuyu performing in the foreground while Ying Xu stood in the background as part of the scenery.

But when filming was supposed to start, Sheng Qiuyu was nowhere to be seen.

Ying Xu initially thought Sheng Qiuyu had outright abandoned the role. Just as she was about to review the other characters’ lines indifferently, a car finally arrived late, pulling up in front of the set.

Sheng Qiuyu was already in full makeup, yawning as if exhausted. “Am I late? Sorry, the previous scenes took longer than expected.”

As she spoke, a woman following behind her handed out drinks to the crew with a smile.

It was only then that everyone noticed Sheng Qiuyu had practically brought an entire entourage makeup artists, assistants, bodyguards, outnumbering the entire on-set crew combined.

It looked less like a film shoot and more like an assassination scene.

The assistant director seized the moment to ask, “Miss Sheng, with so many people ”

“Don’t worry, the production won’t be footing the bill,” Sheng Qiuyu replied, having been asked this question countless times already. She found it laughable. Dismissing the concern, she finally looked up and noticed Ying Xu standing beside the director.

A flicker of confusion crossed the Omega’s face. “What are you doing here?”

After leaving the set last time, Sheng Qiuyu had immediately asked the director for Ying Xu’s contact information, only to be met with evasive excuses. She had assumed the director was siding with Gu Qingzhu and deliberately ignoring her, infuriating her so much she had to pop several sheets of bubble wrap to calm down.

The assistant director, mistaking her reaction for dislike, cautiously suggested, “Miss Sheng, she’s just an extra. If you’re not comfortable with her, we can replace her right now…”

“An extra?” Sheng Qiuyu’s expression instantly darkened. “Who assigned her this role? Gu Qingzhu?”

It wasn’t until last night that Sheng Qiuyu had finally searched Ying Xu’s name properly.

The internet was flooded with scathing hit pieces, each more vicious than the last, painting the Alpha in such an unbelievably negative light that it was shocking.

Had she not met Ying Xu in person, Sheng Qiuyu might have been fooled by those articles too.

Marketing accounts in the industry profit off celebrities, and such prolonged and persistent smear campaigns clearly have someone continuously funding them behind the scenes. Looking across the entertainment industry, who would harbor such hatred for a marginal artist, eager to trample her into the mud?

Those who couldn’t afford it wouldn’t spend the money. Those who could afford it wouldn’t even glance at Xu Ying, they wouldn’t bother with such trivial matters.

Looking back, Sheng Qiuyu could only think of Gu Qingzhu.

If Gu Qingzhu had even the slightest care or concern for Xu Ying, she would never have allowed Xu Ying’s reputation to deteriorate to this extent.

Sheng Qiuyu’s expression changed too quickly, leaving the assistant director baffled as to why she suddenly brought up Gu Qingzhu again.

Just as the atmosphere was about to turn awkward, Xu Ying spoke up at the right moment to defuse the tension: “I wanted to act in it myself.”

Her voice was gentle, and Sheng Qiuyu’s gaze finally settled on Xu Ying’s face.

The costume design for the extras in Redemption was nothing special, but even the most ordinary outfits looked exceptional on an Alpha with a model-like figure, exuding a unique charm.

Under her sleeves, Sheng Qiuyu’s fingers unconsciously clenched, her expression softening considerably. “G-good morning.”

Two sentences, that was all it took to shift Sheng Qiuyu from the brink of an outburst to a state of calm, even prompting her to respond voluntarily. For a moment, not only was the assistant director confused, but even Liu Sui, Sheng Qiuyu’s manager standing behind her, looked surprised.

But Liu Sui didn’t speak rashly. Instead, she watched as the crew set up the cameras.

This scene wasn’t particularly long, with the spotlight still on Sheng Qiuyu. But Sheng Qiuyu was a newcomer, just delivering her lines fluently and with emotion in front of the camera was already an accomplishment. Her manager didn’t have high expectations.

In contrast, Xu Ying’s performance was nothing short of stunning.

Before the countdown began, the woman in front of the camera wore a faint smile, as if she were naturally good-natured toward everyone.

But the moment the countdown ended, the Alpha instantly slipped into character, her emotional transition startlingly swift. Not only were her lines clear and full of emotion, but more importantly, she had an exceptionally photogenic face.

Throughout the scene, Liu Sui nodded repeatedly. As a seasoned manager at Qinghong Entertainment, she knew exactly what kind of artist had potential. Her gaze toward Xu Ying softened, as if she were looking at a hidden gem buried in the vast sea.

If outsiders could sense it, Sheng Qiuyu, who was acting alongside Xu Ying, naturally felt it even more deeply. Her impression of Xu Ying grew increasingly favorable. The internet is full of nonsense, she thought. If Xu Ying’s acting is considered bad, then what does that make my performance? Child’s play?

While Sheng Qiuyu was busy building up her admiration, Xu Ying’s ears were bombarded with notifications of rising favorability from various characters.

The noise was giving her a headache. Once the scene wrapped up, bodyguards began distributing water. As Xu Ying twisted open her own bottle, she warned her system: [Next time, don’t pop up notifications while I’m acting.]

The system agreed somewhat reluctantly. Just as Xu Ying was about to take a sip, another pair of eyes landed on her hands.

Not far away, Sheng Qiuyu pursed her lips. She also held a bottle of water but had tried several times to no avail to open it. Her gaze toward Xu Ying was unmistakable like a proud, aloof cat trying to get attention without asking outright.

The Omega didn’t say a word, but everything from her eyes to her flickering expression screamed one thing,

Feed me!

Xu Ying pretended not to notice. Only after Sheng Qiuyu looked away did she finally offer the water: “Thirsty?”

She had been acting all morning, and her voice was already slightly hoarse.

Sheng Qiuyu’s gaze traveled from the water in Ying Xu’s hand to her cool, composed face. Those beautiful eyes were quietly fixed on her, filled with a hint of concern.

The corners of Sheng Qiuyu’s lips unconsciously lifted. “Aren’t you thirsty?”

Ying Xu nodded, then pointed at her right hand.

Sheng Qiuyu was a bit puzzled but instinctively extended her hand.

Ying Xu then took the unopened bottle of water from Sheng Qiuyu’s grasp and said nonchalantly, “This will do.”

As she spoke, she flashed a smile, tilting her head slightly as if out of habit.

The bottle seemed to still carry the warmth from the Alpha’s palm. Sheng Qiuyu locked eyes with Ying Xu for a few seconds before her ears suddenly flushed red.

The next moment, the system announced: [Sheng Qiuyu’s favorability -1. Current favorability: 14.]

Ying Xu:

She stared at the Omega, whose face was flushed and eyes flickering with obvious shyness: ”

How does getting shy result in losing favorability?! Do you Omegas even have any logic?!