The Movie Queen is Flirtatious and Doting - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The director intended to replace the female lead. With the scandal raging and Ye Yansheng’s reputation in tatters, plus the male lead—backed by the investors—constantly clamoring for her removal, the director figured it was best to just swap her out. They could reshoot her scenes; there was still time to save the project.

The screenwriter wasn’t thrilled but had no choice. The investors had no objections and told him to handle it as he saw fit. Considering the ratings, the replacement lead couldn’t just fit the image—she needed to bring her own “traffic” and fan appeal.

Just as they were scouting for suitable actresses, Xu Feifan threw a curveball: he demanded the female lead be replaced by Gu Yinglian. Damn it! The director was fuming. How was he supposed to film this? Gu Yinglian was a complete novice with zero acting experience and zero fame. To the audience, she’d be some random girl who appeared out of thin air.

Word came from the investors as well: they wanted the male lead’s character changed to a “domineering CEO.” Xu Feifan had been overshadowed by Ye Yansheng previously—his acting skills completely eclipsed—and he was bitter. If the female lead’s acting was even worse than his, his own lack of talent wouldn’t be so glaring.

The entire crew was waiting to start. Every day of delay meant a loss of tens of thousands of yuan; the production couldn’t afford to wait.

The director summoned the screenwriter and told him to rewrite the script. Given Gu Yinglian’s image, she could easily play the “innocent and sweet” type. She was hardworking, even if she lacked experience. The director ordered the script to be changed into a cliché “Domineering CEO falls for his sweet secretary” melodrama. He said it with his mouth, but his heart bled—the original script had been so good, and Ye Yansheng’s performance had been satisfying. If not for her impulsive streak and offending the wrong people, it wouldn’t have come to this.

…

Ye Yansheng’s close friend, Zhu Mi, was holding a concert in Tokyo. Hearing about Ye Yansheng’s situation, she called immediately to check in. “Hey, Little Leaf, I heard you punched the male lead. Is that true?”

Ye Yansheng laughed softly. “It’s been all over the news for days and you’re just finding out? Your information is a bit outdated.”

Zhu Mi sighed. “I’m abroad, busy preparing for the concert. I haven’t had time for anything else. Hey, what really happened? How did that kid offend our Great Best Actress?”

Ye Yansheng replied, “It was nothing. I just didn’t like his face, so I gave him a kick.”

Zhu Mi said, “You were too reckless. You’re the hottest artist right now; you can’t just go around kicking people. If you want to ruin someone, you do it behind their back. Why do it in public?”

Ye Yansheng said, “You don’t understand. Looking at him just made my blood boil. I couldn’t hold back.”

Zhu Mi asked, “So what now? Can you still film the drama?”

“I’m out,” Ye Yansheng said. “I’m idling at home now. Which country are you in? How about I come find you? It’s been a while.”

Zhu Mi was delighted. “Great! Come over! It’ll be a good way to clear your head. I’m in Tokyo!”

And so, Ye Yansheng bought a ticket and headed for Tokyo.

…

Gu Yinglian followed the news regarding Ye Yansheng for several days, getting more frustrated by the minute. The internet was full of mindless trolls. They attacked everything from her character and her sexual orientation to her acting skills—a 360-degree bombardment. Some people even doxxed her home address, threatening to throw rotten eggs, send headless dolls, razor blades, or even excrement.

For the first time, Gu Yinglian felt the terror of cyberbullying. It wasn’t just online insults; people were directing their rage into the real world, intending to physically harm an innocent actor. Gu Yinglian was livid. No one in the entertainment industry dared to speak up for her. The fact that not a single celebrity had defended her was being used as “proof” that her character was so bad she didn’t have a single true friend.

Truly, “the water that floats the boat can also sink it.” Who would have thought that Ye Yansheng, who was at the peak of her fame last year, would suddenly become “cold” this year?

Gu Yinglian wanted to stand up for her, but she was a “nobody.” No one would believe her. If she got caught in the crossfire, people might claim she had an improper relationship with Ye Yansheng, which would only smear Ye Yansheng further.

Is waiting really the only option? Gu Yinglian wondered what Ye Yansheng was doing. Was she sad? Knowing Ye Yansheng’s personality, she couldn’t tell, but surely she wasn’t in a good mood.

While Gu Yinglian was moping at home, the director suddenly called, asking to meet and discuss the script. She had no idea she had been promoted from a supporting role to the lead.

She met the director and screenwriter at a café. When they showed her the script, she saw that her lines had increased significantly, and most of her scenes were with the male lead. Her scenes with Ye Yansheng were now zero. Surprised, she asked, “Is this… a new rewrite?”

The director nodded. “The script was changed at the investors’ request. You are now the female lead.”

Gu Yinglian’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What? I’m the lead? Are you sure?”

The director sighed. “Under the circumstances, we have no choice. Xiao Gu, you’ll need to work hard and play the lead well. I know it’s a heavy burden, but this was requested by the investors… and by Xiao Xu.”

Xiao Xu? Xu Feifan? That beast! The thought of him made her skin crawl. He had touched her with his filthy hands; she found him utterly revolting. Not wanting to take the role because of him, she asked, “Can I choose a different character? I have no experience; I’m afraid I can’t handle such a big responsibility…”

The screenwriter said, “It’s fine. The lines are mostly the same because you’re still a secretary; that hasn’t changed. We just added more scenes—specifically romance with the male lead. Just focus and perform. I saw how natural your acting was before; just keep that up.”

Gu Yinglian was still anxious. Her original role wasn’t heavy, but this new workload felt like a mountain crushing her. Her stress stemmed from a total lack of confidence in her acting.

The director urged, “Think about it. This is a great opportunity; seize it. I heard you write songs—you can do that anytime, even during filming. Maybe acting will even give you inspiration. If the drama does well, it’s a win-win. The male lead is also relatively new; you can work hard together.”

Gu Yinglian said, “There are intimate scenes. I don’t want to do those.”

The director replied, “That’s fine. We’ll use camera angles, ‘cheat’ the shots. We can negotiate all of that.”

Seeing the director’s sincere attitude, Gu Yinglian found it hard to refuse. “Can you give me some time to think?”

“You can think, but not for long,” the director said. “The crew can’t wait. We’ve already lost millions.”

Gu Yinglian nodded. “I’ll decide as soon as possible.”

Back home, she read the script from cover to cover. There were intimate scenes, but nothing too extreme—mostly just kissing. But the thought of kissing that scumbag made her sick. The director said they’d use camera tricks, but who knew if that jerk would try to force a real kiss? He was bold enough to get handsy in broad daylight; using “acting” as an excuse to grope her was entirely possible.

But the director was right: it was an opportunity. After the Ye Yansheng incident, Gu Yinglian realized how powerless she was. Her words were like a grain of sand in the ocean. She had no backing in the industry and was stuck at home with writer’s block. Maybe if she took this chance and made a name for herself, she could finally stand side-by-side with her.

Gu Yinglian’s heart leaned toward accepting, but she was still torn. What if Xu Feifan tried something? Then again, surely he’d care about his own reputation? Looking at his Weibo, he was all about being the “cute idol”—he wouldn’t dare act out in front of so many people.

There was another reason for her hesitation: taking the lead meant replacing Ye Yansheng. Ye Yansheng had just helped her, and taking her role felt like “hitting someone while they’re down,” or even biting the hand that fed her.

She was paralyzed with indecision. She wanted to call Ye Yansheng but didn’t know what to say. If she found out, she’d surely be unhappy that Gu Yinglian had taken her place. Would she think she was a “scheming b*tch”—a girl with a pure face but a wicked heart?

After a long thought, she decided not to tell her. She called the director and quietly accepted the role.

…

Xu Feifan’s hand healed after a few days. It had only been a scratch, but he had made a huge scene out of it.

The actors were ready, and filming resumed. Soon, the trending topics about Ye Yansheng were replaced by others, like the “Female Lead Swap Controversy.” The internet was rife with speculation, people spinning tales as if they had been there in person.

Gu Yinglian had memorized her lines well enough, but she couldn’t get into character. Her gaze and expressions were off. The director tried to tell himself to be patient, but eventually, he exploded: “Xiao Gu! Put some emotion into it! What are you doing? Your eyes! Did you not sleep last night? Open your eyes!”

In truth, the male lead wasn’t much better, but the director’s tone with him was much gentler: “Xiao Xu, you too, focus. Don’t just stand there like a dazed fanboy.”

Xu Feifan looked at Gu Yinglian and sneered. “Were you out stealing chickens last night? You look lifeless. People might think you were doing… something else.”

Gu Yinglian scoffed. “You’re not any better, idiot.”

They started the scene again. “President Luo” arrives at the rival company, and Gu Yinglian approaches him. As she gets close, she is supposed to fake a stumble, and President Luo catches her—a miraculous encounter that sparks the flames of love…