Love Contract with the Queen Actress - Chapter 12

“Then,”

“Cut her scenes.”

After these words fell, a long silence ensued.

At first, no one reacted to what Liu Ruomeng had said. By the time someone realized what was happening, several screenwriters had already been summoned.

“Wait, Miss Liu, we’ve already revised the script over and over. If you remove the lady official from this scene now, the plot won’t make sense anymore!”

The assistant director was practically gritting his teeth in frustration, but since he was only one of the B-team’s assistant directors, he had no choice but to patiently explain.

Liu Ruomeng, hearing the rising tone in his voice, didn’t even need her assistants to egg her on, her temper flared instantly.

“Oh, so you’re protecting her, huh? The plot won’t make sense without the lady official? Well, what if I say cut her out entirely? Then there’d be no issue, right?”

Another heavy silence followed her words.

Director Chen’s script roll was crumpled beyond smoothing in his grip. It was clear that a few more wrong words would escalate into a full-blown disaster.

Gritting his teeth, he stood his ground. “Miss Liu, it’s normal for a production to adjust the script on-site, but from the first draft to the final version, the lady official’s role and lines have been reduced again and again. Even her highlight moment yesterday was given to you. Now all she has left is one line: ‘Your Highness, there’s a clue on the rockery.’ Even after all that, you still want to cut this pivotal scene? The plot just won’t connect. I can’t justify this to Director Gao. If you insist, then we’ll have to call him in.”

At the mention of Director Gao, Liu Ruomeng immediately turned her face away, and one of her assistants promptly handed her a mirror to check her reflection.

Another assistant, understanding the cue that the young mistress didn’t know how to respond, stepped in.

“Don’t use Director Gao to pressure us. Our artist has been in this production for over three weeks now, and the crew hasn’t been cooperating properly. Yet we haven’t complained, even when filming was deliberately delayed yesterday, our Ruomeng still stayed professional and shot countless scenes with the ‘Empress.’ Now we’re just making a minor adjustment to the script based on actual circumstances. What’s the problem with that?”

“Exactly! We’re serving the story too. What’s wrong with giving the highlight moment to the lead?”

“Besides, our Ruomeng is the first lead, well, practically the first lead. What’s wrong with giving her a bit more screen time? It’s not like we’ve charged you extra for the overtime. Be grateful.”

The assistants’ chatter left Director Chen and the other assistant director dizzy.

Finally, the other assistant director couldn’t take it anymore and turned to Su Yuchen. “Xiao Su, what do you think?”

Director Chen elbowed his colleague, about to scold him with, “What do you expect her to do?”, but before he could finish, Su Yuchen’s clear voice rang out.

“I don’t agree to cutting my role.”

The moment she spoke, all eyes turned to her.

Su Yuchen’s expression was calm and composed, yet every syllable she uttered seemed to carry weight.

Though she was easygoing, she wasn’t someone who would submit to oppression or let others bully her.

She argued where reasoning was needed and fought for what was right.

Her gaze was firm as she spoke, neither submissive nor overbearing.

“I signed a contract with the production team. If there are changes or cuts to be made, it should be the production team’s responsibility to discuss it with me. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

“At the end of the day, we’re all doing the same type of work, collaborating to get the job done. There’s no direct employer-employee relationship between you and me.”

Back when she was still in school, she had taken on gigs with fly-by-night crews to help support her family. It wasn’t the first time she’d encountered unscrupulous production teams, so she had made a point of studying labor laws.

At first, no one reacted. It wasn’t until the wardrobe team leader spoke up with a firm “Exactly!” that others began chiming in one after another.

“What?”

Liu Ruomeng’s face flushed with humiliation. She never expected Su Yuchen, a mere nobody, to stand her ground so firmly. She was so furious she nearly jumped to her feet.

Then, with an angry stomp, she snapped, “Fine, fine! So, you think you’ve got backing now and can challenge me, is that it?”

The “backing” she referred to was naturally Shen Wu, though neither Su Yuchen nor anyone else could tell whether there was any truth to her insinuation.

The male assistant sidled up again, whispering a few words into her ear.

Liu Ruomeng’s first reaction was to widen her eyes, slanting a skeptical glance at him for a full three seconds. “Are you serious about this?”

“Of course. We don’t have the leverage to go up against Shen Wu, but dealing with Su Yuchen? That’s child’s play.” The assistant’s expression darkened with malice as he shot Liu Ruomeng a sidelong look. “She’s the one who insisted on sharing the stage with you, after all.”

Liu Ruomeng still hesitated. “But… will this really work?”

“Don’t worry. When Miss Fu Mozheng hears about this plan, she’ll be thrilled.”

Thwack!

Liu Ruomeng gritted her teeth and slapped her own thigh, then pointed at Su Yuchen and declared loudly, “You still have a chance to back out. Once I count to three, there’s no turning back!”

“One…”

“Three!”

“Fine! I won’t cut you, but don’t you dare regret this.”

…

“Cut!”

From behind the monitors, Director Gao’s voice boomed through a megaphone. “That was good. Take ten, and let’s get the next scene prepped.”

The crew immediately sprang into action, bustling with energy.

Ruan Mengqing, resplendent in her elaborate costume, stepped away from her mark in front of the camera. Her assistant rushed to support her, guiding her toward a lounge chair.

As the lead in Group A’s main shooting area, she waved off the assistance, lifting the heavy hem of her gown as she made her way to the monitors instead.

“Director Gao, does this take look alright?”

Her tone was gentle, devoid of any airs, yet her every movement exuded an effortless grace. The phrase “noblewoman of high birth” fit her perfectly.

“Ah, Mengqing! It’s good, rare to see someone stay so dedicated after all these years, checking every take like this.”

Ruan Mengqing’s almond-shaped eyes were striking, the outer corners slightly upturned, lending her a sharp wisdom bestowed by time. She offered Director Gao a composed smile. “It’s only right. I owe it to the character I’m playing.”

Director Gao chuckled and shook his head helplessly. “If only the other group were this easy to handle. I can’t stand going over there, it’s always chaos.”

Ruan Mengqing smiled knowingly. “Yes, I got a taste of that yesterday.”

“Let’s hope they don’t stir up any more trouble today.” Director Gao removed his glasses, rubbing his temples. “Thankfully, Group B doesn’t have much plot to cover. As long as we patch together those scattered scenes without any hiccups during editing, I’ll consider myself blessed.”

“Oh, Mengqing, you’re done for the day, right? Want to stick around and watch the other actors with me?”

Ruan Mengqing: “Since Director Gao insists, I’ll graciously accept. My daughter is coming to visit the set soon, so I’ll wait here for her.”

Director Gao: “Perfect. You can take a look at Group B’s script while you’re at it…”

The two were old acquaintances with years of experience in the film industry, each holding their own professional insights. Their conversation flowed effortlessly.

As Ruan flipped through the script, her brows furrowed.

“Why does Group B’s outline and storyboard feel so illogical?”

“Hmm? Really? Let me see.” Director Gao adjusted his glasses and took the storyboard, scrutinizing it carefully.

“You’re right. I always felt something was off with their plotline. Looking at it now, the issue seems quite significant.”

“Indeed. I wonder what the latest version of the script looks like…”

Director Gao waved over a staff member. “Call Assistant Director Chen and the head screenwriter of Group B.”

“Tell them to bring the latest script and any revised pages they have.”

Just then, a voice called out from a distance.

“Mother!”

The voice was soft and playful, carrying a teasing tone, as if the speaker had no qualms about flaunting her pride in front of everyone.

Ruan Mengqing looked up, her eyes brimming with warmth. “Mozheng, you’re here.”

But as she took in the scene behind her daughter, her relaxed expression tensed slightly once more.

Fu Mozheng was trailed by a swarm of paparazzi wielding cameras. Before she even reached her mother, the rapid-fire clicks of shutters and blinding flashes of camera lights erupted around her.

The reporters jostled for position, eager to be the first to ask questions. Several live-streamers had already pushed past Fu Mozheng, unable to contain their excitement…

“Chronicles of the Dynasty, Scene 74, Take 1, action!”

The clapperboard snapped shut, and the camera whirred to life, rolling digital film.

Su Yuchen, playing the role of Lady Qiao, stepped forward with a white jade tablet in hand and bowed gracefully to Liu Ruomeng’s princess. “This humble official greets Her Highness.”

Dressed in flowing violet robes, her skin like polished jade, her features enhanced by the makeup artists appeared exquisitely refined.

Liu Ruomeng glanced sidelong at Su Yuchen, momentarily dazzled by her beauty.

Instead of responding, she circled Su Yuchen once before stopping.

“What have you found?” She deliberately took a step forward, blocking most of Su Yuchen’s figure. “You speak with such conviction, yet to me, your words are riddled with holes. Are you truly not deceiving me?”

With such conviction…

Behind the monitor, Director Chen rubbed his temples and sighed silently.

The last half of that line had been Liu Ruomeng’s own improvisation. She’d clearly forgotten the original, more classical phrasing, and now the lip-sync in post-production would be a nightmare.

Miss Liu had striking features, though her complexion was on the darker side, but acting might not be her forte.

Just as Director Chen was about to yell “Cut!”, barely a minute into the take, Liu Ruomeng made her move.

She picked up a prop teacup from the table, lifted the lid, and splashed the contents directly onto Su Yuchen’s face.

“What exactly are you scheming? What use do I have for you?”

Splash!

The crew couldn’t help but murmur in shock. “Holy shit, that wasn’t in the script, was it?!”

“This is just too much. Liu Ruomeng was always a bit off her rocker, but how did she go completely nuts today?”

Even the usually snarky assistants exchanged bewildered glances, utterly stunned.

Only the male special assistant stood with his arms crossed, smirking coldly.

Su Yuchen’s face was drenched, water droplets rolling down her straight nose and pale cheeks, gathering at her chin before falling in clusters.

The outline of her clenched jaw muscles was visible beneath her flawless jade-like skin, yet she still gripped the ceremonial tablet, standing tall with her shoulders squared.

Deputy Director Chen finally couldn’t take it anymore and shouted, “Cut!”

“Miss Liu, what do you think you’re doing?!”

He stood up from behind the monitor, pointing at Liu Ruomeng with a script rolled into a tube.

His anger made the paper tube tremble slightly.

“Why are you yelling at me?!” Liu Ruomeng tossed aside the empty lidded bowl.

Her temper was as haughty as ever; being scolded by the director only made her snap back.

“What’s the big deal? A lowly palace maid under my command messed up. As her mistress, punishing a servant, what’s wrong with that? What’s so great about her that you’re all taking her side?!”

“You’re asking what’s wrong? Is that how it’s written in the script?”

Having already crossed the line, Liu Ruomeng doubled down when scolded, her defiance hardening.

“I warned her before to take her pay and leave, but she wouldn’t listen, insisting on playing my supporting role. She brought this on herself.”

“Today, I splashed Su Yuchen. What’s anyone gonna do about it?”