The filming tasks of the production crew continued.

The second actor to enter the studio was a young woman in her early twenties named Lin Xiqian.

She played the role of the Tianyan Sect’s leader’s daughter, the most prestigious cultivation sect. In the early part of the story, the character was innocent, romantic, and pure. Later, in her desperate pursuit of the second male lead, she was defiled and lost her chastity. In a single night, her character turned on the dark side, and she became one of the biggest female antagonists in the entire story.

Zhou Xiangnan disliked using heavy makeup or flamboyant styles to portray a character’s descent into darkness. Therefore, Lin Xiqian had to rely on delicate ‘white lotus’ makeup to convey the emotional transformation of her character.

It was an extremely difficult role to perform.

Most film and television productions relied on makeup and costume to emphasize a character’s personality. For example, the demon lord played by Xu Shaoyang was cruel and merciless. He always appeared in pitch-black robes, sinister dark-themed makeup, and eerie props like withered branches or skeletons.

Even if he merely stood there in silence, he could still exude the ruthless aura of a demonic king.

But Lin Xiqian had to portray a ruthless fallen immortal using the most innocent and naive ‘white lotus’ appearance.

The difficulty of this contrast was self-evident.

From the moment Zhou Xiangnan called out “Action”, Lin Xiqian was fully immersed in her role. She raised her eyes and smiled at the senior martial brother in front of her. Her smile was so sweet and pure, yet inexplicably, Xia Chengcheng saw someone else behind the clarity of those eyes.

She had been forced to lose her purity and bear the banner of the Tianyan Sect. Under the pressure of the elders and sect leaders of the immortal world, she had no choice but to collaborate with the demon lord and become a true fallen immortal.

Xia Chengcheng clearly felt the helplessness of the character, and the grievance and unwillingness hidden in Lin Xiqian’s pupils.

The scene was completed in one take.

It wasn’t until Zhou Xiangnan called out her name that Xia Chengcheng snapped back to reality. She sincerely remarked, “This girl acted really well.”

Xia Chengcheng had worked as a paparazzi for quite a while. Considering all the actors she had encountered in this life and the last, Lin Xiqian wasn’t the most technically skilled, but she was definitely the most soulful.

“But why is she just a body double for the third female lead?” Xia Chengcheng flipped through the casting list in confusion.

Zhou Xiangnan couldn’t understand either and turned to Chen Mingjie, who was crouching beside him.

Other than the main roles, casting was handled by Chen Mingjie.

Chen Mingjie quickly explained, “The third female lead has a lot of action scenes after she turns evil, so we found a stand-in to make filming easier.”

Xia Chengcheng frowned. “She acted so well, so why not let her play the third female lead?”

Chen Mingjie choked. Faced with Xia Chengcheng and Zhou Xiangnan’s questioning, he had no choice but to make up an excuse, “Her acting isn’t that great overall…… This scene just happened to come out better. Our current third female lead is Lin Qin, a fast-rising actress. She’s more famous and has better skills!”

“Is that so? But I actually think this girl’s acting is good enough.” Xia Chengcheng said with a tone that left no room for disagreement. She arched her beautiful willow brows. “Anyway, Lin Qin’s schedule is too packed. She hasn’t even come in for costume photos. Replace her with a newcomer. Lower pay, easier scheduling. What do you think, Director Zhou?”

Zhou Xiangnan stayed silent for a while.

He had always been aware of Chen Mingjie’s shady casting practices. For a big film like 《Immortal Vow》, many parties were eager to squeeze their people in. Clean casting was impossible. For minor matters, Zhou Xiangnan usually turned a blind eye. Besides, the third female lead didn’t have much screen time. Excluding background shots, the close-up scenes lasted less than ten minutes.

But since the money behind the production had spoken, Zhou Xiangnan nodded. “I think her acting is quite good. She can play the third female lead.”

Chen Mingjie immediately tried to push back, “But Director Zhou, we’ve already signed the contract for the third female lead.”

“The first and second female leads were replaced. You care that much about the third female lead?” Xia Chengcheng narrowed her eyes. Though smiling, there was no warmth in her gaze. She looked down at Chen Mingjie. “Or do you have a problem with my casting decisions?”

Chen Mingjie swallowed hard. In the past, Xia Chengcheng had been just a third-tier actress, having a strong background at most. He could yell at her however he pleased.

But times had changed.

“No.” He muttered unwillingly.

“Then it’s settled!” Xia Chengcheng stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles on her skirt. “I won’t stay to watch the rest of the shoot. You all handle it yourselves.”

────ρя


After Xia Chengcheng left the studio, the crew filmed another actor’s VCR and styling photos. By then, it was already 6 p.m. Zhou Xiangnan gave a few final instructions and wrapped up the shoot.

In the office, Lin Xiqian was so overwhelmed with excitement upon hearing she had gotten the role that she could barely speak.

Xia Chengcheng had actually let her play the third female lead!

Even though the role only had about ten minutes of screen time, it was still a coveted opportunity that many actresses in the industry would fight tooth and nail for. Who would’ve thought that just one word from Xia Chengcheng could land the role in her lap?

But Lin Xiqian’s happiness didn’t last long. Chen Mingjie stormed in with a freshly printed contract and threw it on her face.

“You did ‘great’ today! Who told you to steal the spotlight in front of Producer Xia and Director Zhou?!”

Lin Xiqian shrank back, lowering her head. “I thought…… Since Sister Qin couldn’t come…… I just wanted to do my best so Director Zhou wouldn’t scold me……”

“Do your best? You think I don’t know what you were up to? You’re trying to show off and steal the role! You didn’t expect it to actually work, huh?!”

“Assistant Director Chen, I really didn’t!” Lin Xiqian clung to his sleeve and tried desperately to explain. “I was just afraid that if I acted poorly, Director Zhou would replace me! Stand-ins are easily replaced. My mother is still in the hospital. I can’t afford to lose this job!”

“Oh, so you do know your mother’s critically ill.” Chen Mingjie leaned down and pinched her chin. “Let me tell you something, don’t think Xia Chengcheng will protect you. When it comes to casting, I’m the king here. If you don’t behave, I can still take the role back.”

Lin Xiqian’s pupils trembled.

Xia Chengcheng might be the executive producer, but she was only dabbling in this project out of interest. Who knew if she’d even stay involved until filming began?

By then, casting would still be Chen Mingjie’s domain.

Lin Xiqian stared blankly at Chen Mingjie, unable to argue.

He pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and shoved it into her palm.

“8 p.m. Go to the address on that note.”

He gave a twisted smile and patted her cheek. “Do well, and the role is yours. Otherwise, don’t even think about being a stand-in.”

Tears welled in Lin Xiqian’s eyes. She trembled as she nodded. “……I understand.”

Chen Mingjie left the office.

Lin Xiqian collapsed to the floor. She hugged her knees and began sobbing softly.

The road in the entertainment industry was a brutal one.

Especially for someone without any background.

This was a world of capital and power. Most of today’s popular actresses, unless they came from money or political power, had some kind of sponsor.

Lin Xiqian could have avoided this path. But the year she graduated, her mother suffered a heart attack.

A regular nine-to-five job couldn’t possibly cover the cost of surgery.

In the end, Lin Xiqian chose the entertainment industry.

Her phone rang and she scrambled to pick it up. On the other end was her mother’s attending physician. He informed her that her mother’s condition had worsened, and surgery was urgently needed. Without it, her mother wouldn’t last the month.

Her mother’s only hope for treatment now lay in the paycheck from 《Immortal Vow》.

Lin Xiqian wiped away her tears and spoke with determination, “Doctor, please don’t worry. I’ve already gotten the role. Once I sign the contract, I’ll receive the first installment. I’ll transfer it to the hospital right away. It’ll be enough for the surgery!”

“Then hurry. Your mother’s operation can’t wait.” The doctor said before hanging up.

Lin Xiqian listened to the dial tone in a daze. Slowly, she opened her palm and looked at the paper. Her hand sweat had blurred the ink, smudging the words ‘Boli Hotel’, which were barely visible through the stains.

Lin Xiqian stared at the address and let out a bitter laugh as tears quietly filled her eyes.