Phoenix A has Gone Viral Across the Entire Internet! - Chapter 6

After the filming concluded, the atmosphere on the set noticeably relaxed.

A few of the bolder student extras had already pulled out the pens and paper they had prepared in advance, hoping to get an autograph from their idols to take home. As long as the artists themselves consented, the crew did not interfere with these interactions. Consequently, the scene transformed into a small fan meeting.

Yu Wanyu withdrew her gaze and remarked with a smile, “Young people really do have such energy. Ai Ying, this final scene of yours was the crowning touch.”

Inviting so many student extras at once and allowing them to improvise was undoubtedly risky. Fortunately, the final result was satisfying, allowing Deng Ai Ying to truly breathe a sigh of relief. There was still much work to be done before the movie’s official release, but for now, they could pause and let everyone relax.

“Teacher, the crew is holding a wrap party tonight. If you could attend,” Deng Ai Ying started. If her teacher went, it would surely provide invaluable opportunities for the actors.

Regrettably, Yu Wanyu had always preferred quiet. “I have some other matters tonight, so I will not be going.”

Before Deng Ai Ying could express her disappointment, Yu Wanyu changed the subject. “However, you can pass a message to that Miss Jiang for me.”

Miss Jiang? That would be Jiang Zhiwan. Her performance in all aspects had been excellent; being noticed by Yu Wanyu would be a massive boon for her.

Thinking of this, Deng Ai Ying’s lips curled into a smile. “Alright, please tell me.”

Yu Wanyu’s message was that she personally looked forward to Jiang Zhiwan’s audition in two days and hoped the performance would meet her expectations. This was both an encouragement and a sign of high regard. Everyone knew Director Yu was fastidious about casting; once she set her sights on someone, it meant that person possessed an extremely high affinity for a specific role.

Throughout the collaboration on Youth Loving You, Deng Ai Ying’s impression of Jiang Zhiwan had been very positive. She had initially thought of introducing her, but as it turned out, gold always shines; her teacher had already noticed her on her own.

After seeing her teacher off, Deng Ai Ying returned to the set. Seeing that most of the student extras had left and only the crew remained in the auditorium, she announced, “Everyone has worked hard these past days. We will be holding a wrap party tonight at 7:00 PM. Please make sure to attend.”

A good beginning deserves a good end, and it was a way to wish the finished film good luck.

Ji Xicheng sat in the corner. Noticing the large crowd surrounding the two leads compared to the lack of attention on her, she could not help but pout.

“The leads really do get all the fans while the supporting cast is ignored. Why hasn’t anyone come over specifically to ask me for an autograph?” she thought. Setting aside the importance of the roles, wasn’t her acting better than that strong male lead? They have no taste.

Shen Nian packed away a small snack bag. Seeing Ji Xicheng looking like a pathetic, neglected little cabbage, she teased, “Hey, why isn’t anyone looking for you? Did they forget our gold-medal supporting actress is also in the crew?”

Ji Xicheng was already annoyed, and with the other person talking smack next to her, she briefly entertained the dangerous thought of stuffing Shen Nian into a sack and giving her a beating. But thoughts were just thoughts; if she actually did it, there was no telling how many people would come to settle the score.

Hearing Director Deng arranging the wrap party, Ji Xicheng partially raised her eyelids and asked the annoying Alpha who kept rubbing salt in her wounds, “Since you are already here, do not say I invited you and did not feed you. There is a wrap party tonight; do you want to go together?”

A wrap party?

In the original plot provided by 432, Jiang Zhiwan would encounter a bit of trouble at this party. This would lead to her being hospitalized at the time of her scheduled audition for Director Yu’s new film two days later, nearly causing her to miss the opportunity. Director Yu was very strict about punctuality; if an actor missed an appointment, she usually defaulted to the assumption that they had refused the collaboration.

But Jiang Zhiwan truly cherished this role. Out of desperation, she would eventually choose to use Shen Nian’s connections to get a chance to explain herself. And as a malicious Alpha, Shen Nian naturally would not let such leverage go easily. That night, with wicked intentions, she demanded Jiang Zhiwan wear very little clothing and dance for her. Only if the dance satisfied her would she be willing to help.

Shen Nian had originally thought that someone as proud as Jiang Zhiwan would harshly reject her and tell her to get lost. But that night, Jiang Zhiwan actually did as she wished and performed a dance.

Ji Xicheng waited and waited, but when Shen Nian did not reply, she looked over in confusion only to find her dazing off. “Hey, what are you thinking? Are you going or not?”

Shen Nian replied decisively, “I am going!” Now that she had transmigrated here, she certainly could not blackmail the woman into doing that kind of thing.

Ji Xicheng was startled by her sudden intensity, not understanding what she was so worked up about. Following the other’s gaze, realization dawned on her. “Hey, Shen Nian, let me tell you. I invited you to visit the set to see if I could change my luck and land a lead role in the next project. I did not bring you here to scout Omegas!”

“Do not think I haven’t noticed. Your eyes have been glued to those Omega actors over there. What is that about?”

Hearing the implication, Shen Nian raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of disdain as she bluntly called the other “shallow.”

It was a strange word to hear; no one had ever called her that before. Ji Xicheng was almost laughed into a temper. She gestured and asked, “I am shallow? Who? Me?”

Shen Nian remained silent, maintaining an “if the shoe fits” expression.

The two were chatting animatedly when they suddenly realized that everyone’s eyes were fixed on them for some reason. Finding themselves the center of attention, Ji Xicheng raised an eyebrow and took the initiative to lead Shen Nian toward the director.

Ji Xicheng was naturally friendly, and since Deng Ai Ying was not pretentious, she spoke casually. “Director Deng, we can bring friends to the wrap party tonight, right?”

Deng Ai Ying smiled and replied, “Of course you can.”

She turned her gaze toward Shen Nian. Upon seeing her face up close, a flash of amazement crossed her eyes. Even for an Alpha, Shen Nian’s bone structure was exquisitely rare, it was practically flawless.

Deng Ai Ying recovered her composure. “This is Miss Shen Nian, right? I have heard you two have a good relationship.”

Deng Ai Ying had heard of Shen Nian before, but this was their first encounter. Given the other’s striking appearance, her first impression was quite good. She thought to herself that, acting skills aside, the fans online who praised Shen Nian for being “justifiably beautiful” were not exaggerating.

Unaware of the underlying truth, Ji Xicheng assumed it was the first time Shen Nian and Jiang Zhiwan were meeting, so she briefly introduced them. When Jiang Zhiwan had looked over earlier, she had naturally seen the Alpha standing beside Ji Xicheng. Even though they were familiar enough to live under the same roof, in front of everyone, they tactfully avoided each other and pretended to be strangers.

“By the way, Zhiwan. Director Yu was here earlier and had a very good impression of you.” Deng Ai Ying adjusted her glasses with a smile. “She asked me to tell you to do your best with the audition in two days. She is looking forward to your performance.”

Jiang Zhiwan nodded and expressed her gratitude. No one else thought much of this conversation, but when it reached Luo Shan’s ears after the crowd dispersed, the meaning changed.

“Who was with Yu Wanyu when she came?”

“Only Director Deng. Director Yu has always been low-key, so no one else recognized her.”

After listening to her assistant recount Deng Ai Ying’s message, Luo Shan could not help but raise an eyebrow and sneer. “Jiang Zhiwan certainly has her ways. No money and no background, yet she can still plot for such good resources.”

Luo Shan had wanted an audition for Director Yu’s new film for a long time. Even after her aunt pulled every string possible, she still could not get one. Why should Jiang Zhiwan get such an opportunity without even fighting for it?

Feeling increasingly indignant, Luo Shan picked up her phone, opened a chat with one of her pinned contacts, and sent a complaint. She did not have an audition for Yu Wanyu’s play, but her aunt was guaranteed a role. And her aunt was notoriously protective; as long as she lowered Jiang Zhiwan’s reputation in her aunt’s eyes beforehand, her aunt would surely settle this score for her.

After sending the message, Luo Shan slammed her phone face down on the table, her expression sour. While waiting for a reply, she suddenly remembered something. She picked up the phone again and called the manager of the hotel booked for the evening party.

Before everyone had joined the crew, they had submitted their personal data. Luo Shan remembered seeing it by chance: Jiang Zhiwan was allergic to hawthorn. Since she wanted to snatch everything from her, wasn’t it only right to send a “gift” back?

The wrap party that night was lively. Shen Nian successfully blended in using Ji Xicheng’s invitation as a pretext. To her surprise, when Ji Xicheng saw Shen Nian actually show up, she immediately voiced her doubt. “Wow, you actually came?”

Shen Nian was baffled. “Was it not you who invited me?”

Ji Xicheng held her wine glass, looking the Alpha up and down. “Just because I asked does not mean you would actually come. This does not fit your personality at all.”

After all, she had known Shen Nian for a while and had a decent understanding of her. Shen Nian was lazy to her core, a total salted fish who usually would not touch a boring party that had nothing to do with her. Given the time, she would much rather stay home and play games. Usually, Ji Xicheng did not have enough face to make her come just by asking.

Shen Nian knew exactly why Ji Xicheng was surprised but did not bother explaining much. She just casually remarked, “I do not have any announcements recently, and I got bored staying at home. I came out to clear my head. Otherwise, I would not have even acknowledged you.”

The words were a bit cold, but Ji Xicheng breathed a sigh of relief. “Ah, that sounds more like it. Otherwise, I would have suspected you had some other motive.”

She raised her glass, clinked it against Shen Nian’s, and said with a laugh, “You should go out more when you are free and hang out with friends. Especially when it is my invitation. Keep up the good work.”

Shen Nian was speechless at the other’s self-serving logic. As she drank the wine, she did not forget to let a hint of disdain show in her eyes. Internally, however, she thought that she finally managed to fool her.

That damn Ji Xicheng, how was she so sharp? She almost exposed her real goal for being so uncharacteristically helpful.

System 432 also let out a non-existent sigh of relief and praised, “Host, as expected of you!”

Shen Nian ignored the occasional flattery and reminded it directly, “432, isn’t it time to do some real work?”

Real work? What real work?

432 momentarily glitched, letting out a weak electronic sound. “Eh?”

Facing such an unreliable system, Shen Nian felt helpless. “For example, tell me, where is Jiang Zhiwan right now?”

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