Forced to Act out a Strange Script with a Rival - Chapter 51

At what point does the anchor of a person’s soul finally settle firmly into the deep sea of destiny?

Wen Xiuzhen often pondered this. Perhaps she was born with a hint of “maturity” that was slightly out of sync with her peers.

At the age of fifteen, when ordinary girls were still troubled by schoolwork and vague feelings of affection, a flame had already ignited within her heart, clearly reflecting the outline of her life’s ambition.

And in that same year, 《Bronze Sparrow Interlude》 became a massive hit across the nation.

That work was the first deep imprint, and the only one, etched onto the rings of her soul.

It was not merely a production; it was the irreplaceable “White Moonlight” in the hearts of countless people.

The world it constructed was magnificent, bizarre, and rife with undercurrents. The characters it sculpted were complex, profound, and entangled in love and hate. Every gaze, every whispered line of dialogue, seemed to carry the echo of fate.

Wen Xiuzhen’s dream found its most solid foundation in this amber of intertwining light and shadow.

It was precisely that youthful surge of emotion that gave a heart to her, who felt like a puppet on a string.

It led her to choose the film industry without hesitation.

“To let the audience hear the echo of their own souls in the darkness.”

Group Chat: [Xiao Ting Fans Support Group 108]

[Did We Ship Today]: The new episodes of King of Singers and Actor go online tonight, why do I feel so empty (⊙o⊙)

[What If I’m Hated by All]: Our two Da Ren (masters) were eliminated last episode, ┭┮﹏┮, it’s already over.

[Did We Ship Today]: This lousy show just wanted to piggyback on the hype.

[My CP is a Match Made in Heaven]: Does anyone have any insider news? Didn’t the host say last time that the competition format was changing and there were new arrangements for the eliminated players? Are they trying to latch onto the two Da Ren’s popularity again? But the live broadcast is about to start, so why haven’t the two Da Ren done any promotion?

[Xiao Xiao is the World’s Number One]: @JustWon’tStop, Group owner, any inside scoop? Give us some news.

Inside scoop? Yes, there is some. Might as well let the group members cheer up in advance.

Wen Xiuzhen, holding her phone, leaned back on the soft sofa, her fingertips gliding over the constantly refreshing group messages. Watching the anxious string of @s, a faint but pleasant smile unconsciously bloomed on her lips.

She stood up, her bare feet stepping on the warm, soft top-grade cashmere carpet, and slowly walked toward the enormous floor-to-ceiling window that took up the entire wall.

Below her feet lay the glittering night view of the city’s most bustling heart, where neon lights flowed like a river of stars, and car headlights were streaks of light traversing the scene.

To own a residence with such a view in this extremely expensive location had long transcended the measure of money; it was a silent badge of status and connections.

She lowered her gaze, her fingertips tapping lightly on the phone screen.

[JustWon’tStop]: Xiao Ting is not in the live broadcast.

This immediately set the group chat on fire. Group members began to wail, and the entire group was rapidly flooded with “crying” emoticons, the speed of which was dizzying.

Wen Xiuzhen had just taken a bottle of ’82 Lafite from the cabinet when the thread in the group chat had already exceeded 999+.

These people!

Wen Xiuzhen felt helpless; these people wouldn’t even let her finish her sentence.

So, while she twisted open the cork and poured the deep ruby-red liquid into a decanter, she used the group owner’s almighty privilege to post a pinned announcement.

[Group Announcement]: Xiao Ting’s collaboration in the new program, “See You Again, Friend,” will premiere tonight at 7:00 PM as a special behind-the-scenes feature on Lemon Net.

[I’ll Ship Anything]: ??? A paid feature? Does my CP have such high status?

[A-Man is Heaven]: Lemon TV, you know how to make money, even trying to latch onto this cut-off popularity.

[My CP is a Match Made in Heaven]: I’m going for it! The two Da Ren are on screen together again after seven years. I have a hunch tonight’s number one hot topic will be this.

[Xiao Xiao is the World’s Number One]: Group Owner Da Ren! How long is the feature? Is the fee for a single view or a membership? Please tell us the details! (rubbing hands.jpg)

No one in the group doubted the authenticity of the news.

After all, they knew their group owner was a wealthy woman with many connections in the entertainment industry, and there was no need to lie about information that could be verified immediately.

Wen Xiuzhen finished pouring the red wine, then walked to the center of the living room, lightly touching the remote control to turn on the top-of-the-line projector. The premium 4K laser projection screen, which spanned the entire wall, silently dropped down. She had already bought 10,000 pre-orders for “See You Again, Friend” and then sent 9,999 of them into the fan group.

As a result, the group was once again filled with a chorus of “Thank you, Boss,” and an outpouring of frantic messages.

As an industry insider, Wen Xiuzhen naturally knew some of the related processes and arrangements for the two shows, Singer and Actor, in advance. With a heavy investment of money, she also gained the right to propose suggestions for the show’s procedures.

Thus, she immediately proposed a paid spin-off where the last-place contestants from both reality shows would record a special episode together.

With Xiao Xiao’s terrible singing, she was naturally the undisputed last-place contestant in Singer. Getting Li Ting into the last place spot, however, required some maneuvering.

As the prized student of Director Yan Yun, she had discussed actors in the entertainment industry with her mentor many times, especially mentioning Li Ting.

Her mentor had affirmed Li Ting’s talent but also expressed some regret.

Therefore, Wen Xiuzhen pulled some strings to ensure Li Ting drew an extremely difficult script.

As she expected, both of them ranked last and were eliminated.

The hands of the clock slowly moved toward 7:00 PM. The celebration in the fan group still hadn’t ended. Everyone eagerly anticipated the reunion of the “Bronze Sparrow Twin Beauties” and began counting down in unison.

The year Bronze Sparrow Interlude became a huge hit, Wen Xiuzhen was still a student, and her family maintained strict control, so she didn’t even have a cell phone. Later, by the time she passed her exams and negotiated the use of a phone with her parents, all the major CP fan groups were already full.

To chat with fellow fans, Wen Xiuzhen created her own fan group, but because all the good names were taken, she could only add the suffix 108 to “Xiao Ting Fans Support Group.”

Later, Director Yan Yun announced his complete retirement, and Si Xiaoxiao and Li Ting publicly broke ties and went their separate ways. All the major fan support groups announced their disbandment.

But Wen Xiuzhen could not forget the days and nights she spent chatting with her group members, discussing the series until the early morning.

Watching the names leaving the group and the accounts that no longer lit up, Wen Xiuzhen developed an obsession: she must film a movie with Xiao Ting that was no less impressive than Bronze Sparrow Interlude.

Despite the world’s clamor, she stubbornly hoped to engrave her heartbeat into the truth of 24 frames per second, elevating countless souls, dedicating a most sincere love letter to the passionate youth of that era.

Time ticked by, second by second. The 7:00 PM bell rang as promised, and the projected screen slowly unfolded.

The first thing to appear on camera was a beautiful coastline. Filming on an overseas island certainly had its advantages; at the very least, no one would interrupt the shoot, and the resulting footage was stunning.

As the camera slowly moved in, Wen Xiuzhen raised her wine glass. The deep red liquid gently swirled in the clear crystal glass, reflecting her focused eyes.

“It’s here,” she whispered to herself, her heart rate subtly quickening with the change in the scene.

Next, the scene cut to the airport. Si Xiaoxiao appeared, wearing vibrant and sophisticated makeup. Seven or eight suitcases followed behind, creating a stark contrast to her own light and quick pace, carrying only a small bag.

Fans didn’t think she was being a diva; they all knew Si Xiaoxiao would rather suffer herself than have her little dress get a speck of dust on it.

So, when Si Xiaoxiao communicated with the production crew, asking her assistant to deliver her dress to the hotel first while she filmed alone, it didn’t come as a surprise.

It was the production crew’s subsequent action that caused some controversy—requiring Si Xiaoxiao to wear a bulky panda mascot costume in the scorching outdoors.

When Wen Xiuzhen saw Si Xiaoxiao being squeezed into the enormous furry shell, clumsily moving across the hot sand, her heart also twisted.

She could imagine the hellish oven-like conditions inside. The “Mommy Fans” in the group chat immediately exploded.

[I’ll Ship Whom I Ship]: The production crew is heartless! Wearing a mascot costume in this heat! Xiao Xiao’s makeup is running!

[Baby I Love You All]: At least she only has to wear it for a little while. It’ll be fine after she meets up with A-Man.

[I Only Ship Bottom-Swap]: Little Xiao is actually very good-natured and willing to cooperate with the production crew. It’s just those anti-fans who insist Little Xiao is acting like a diva. Where does Little Xiao even have the clout to act like a diva!

Wen Xiuzhen understood the production crew’s intention to create drama, and although it was a bit tough, it was indeed a way to enhance the show’s watchability.

The variety show continued, and it was Li Ting’s turn to appear.

The shot here was beautiful, and the person in the shot was equally beautiful. Beneath the palm trees’ shade, dressed in snow-white trousers, the sea breeze lifted the fabric. Li Ting’s posture was as straight and elegant as a lonely crane, creating an extreme contrast with the anxious, clumsy panda beside her.

[My CP is a Match Made in Heaven]: Ahhhhh Li Laoshi! A goddess has descended!

[Milligram Milligram]: LOL, Xiao Xiao is being tortured, and Li Laoshi is on vacation?

[Li Li Li Li Xiao Xiao Xiao Xiao]: Damn it! Why is it like this! The production crew is biased!!!

Wen Xiuzhen couldn’t help but laugh; the contrast was indeed too miserable.

She could even imagine Si Xiaoxiao gritting her teeth inside the mascot costume.

Sure enough, the next second, the clumsy panda “aggressively” bounced up and blocked Li Ting’s path.

The cumbersome furry paws clawed in the air, and the round belly nearly touched Li Ting’s waist. The scene was both comical and had a touch of the bizarre.

Li Ting paused, gently biting her lower lip, her expression gentle and relaxed.

She must have recognized her!! Wen Xiuzhen felt that Li Laoshi’s expression was odd, and this thought was her first reaction.

And the group of sharp-eyed Sherlock Holmeses in the chat, of course, wouldn’t miss this detail.

[Today I’m Shipping the WLW]: Ah ah ah ah!!!! My CP has a telepathic connection, the Jie Jie (older sister) recognized the Mei Bao (little sister darling)!

[What If I’m Hated by All]: Spreading a rumor: My CP is already shaking the bed, I’m ready to fight for a spot as their child.

[Li Li Li Li Xiao Xiao Xiao Xiao]: Not a rumor, fighting for a spot +1!!!

How talented these people are.

Wen Xiuzhen happily continued watching.

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