Ji Xiaoling never dreamed things would develop like this. She fiercely tapped on the phone screen, reading the skeptical comments under the post. Her eyes filled were with bloodshot veins and her breath quickened. Her delicate and beautiful face contorted into a grotesque grimace, devoid of any beauty.

The assistant sitting nearby didn’t dare to make a sound and watched helplessly as Ji Xiaoling flung her phone. She was furious but couldn’t voice her anger.

“That b*tch Meng Zhen, why does she keep on opposing me? Are you sure the editor cut out all the wedding scenes?”

The assistant secretly rolled her eyes. If it weren’t for the good salary at Ji Xiaoling’s studio, she would have quit long ago. But for the sake of money, she patiently explained, “We’ve already discussed with the director and screenwriter. We made some changes to that part of the plot and didn’t film it exactly as it is in the novel. There shouldn’t be any problems. Besides, Meng Zhen has offended Yunlai Entertainment. Even if she clears her name, she won’t have any resources. Sis, you don’t need to worry about her.”

Hearing that, Ji Xiaoling seemed to think of something. She took out her phone from her bag, and without consulting the studio or her assistant, she directly took a photo of the script and captioned it, 【The original novel is one thing, the script is another. There is no slapping in the drama’s wedding scene at all.】

Netizens had never seen two female celebrities tearing into each other live before. Now, one by one, they grabbed their popcorn and settled in to watch.

———pr

Please only read this translation at S h a n g h a i f a n t a s y . c o m to support the translator

After practicing basic skills, Meng Zhen’s rosy and smooth cheeks were covered with a layer of fine sweat. Due to the exercise and friction, her skin was slightly flushed. Her thick black hair was tied up in a bun, and even without putting in any effort to dress up, she still looked so beautiful that it was hard for anyone to look away.

“Sister Zhenzhen, look at Weibo quickly! Someone has cleared things up for you!”

Lei Yin yelled excitedly, her round face showing a hint of excitement.

Meng Zhen’s eyes curved in a smile as she picked up her phone and scrolled through the posts. She saw the clarification statements from Dearest Rabbit Eater and her fan club. Feeling a warm surge of gratitude for her fans’ support, she liked each post before noticing Ji Xiaoling’s latest update.

After reading the other party’s post, Meng Zhen sneered inwardly. She had long known Ji Xiaoling wasn’t very smart, but she hadn’t expected her to be this foolish.

The other party had the new revised script in her hand, but did she really think Meng Zhen wouldn’t have a copy of the old script?

Meng Zhen didn’t want her supportive fans to fight alone so she also made a post and uploaded the old script’s photos she had saved on her phone. It was Ji Xiaoling’s own choice, so the other party couldn’t blame anyone else.

【I’m not sure when the script was changed. I just filmed according to the director’s instructions. In the novel, Murong Li’s elder brother loses his life because of the female lead. Murong Li slapping the female lead was a normal reaction that any person would have. I didn’t expect it to be portrayed as an act of violence.

Hengdian World Studios is the largest film and television base in the country. There are surveillance cameras in all indoor studios. Can the production team please release the unedited surveillance footage? @《Phoenix Arrives in Splendor》 web drama, @Director Zhao Chuanzi.】

The A4 paper in the photo was covered with densely packed notes highlighted with a marker, meticulously analyzing everything from the characters’ demeanor to the surrounding environment.

Meng Zhen debuted as an idol through a talent show and her popularity has been high this year. Coupled with rumors of bullying on set, it had drawn considerable attention from the public.

These netizens originally thought Meng Zhen joined the crew just to pass the time, but they didn’t expect her to analyze the script so seriously. Regardless of her acting skills, her earnest attitude had won her some goodwill.

Within less than ten minutes, Meng Zhen’s post had already made it to the trending list.

Many loyal fans were so excited upon seeing their idol’s post that they were speechless. However, there were also many professional spam accounts who, having received payment, relentlessly attacked Meng Zhen, claiming that she orchestrated the whole thing as a publicity stunt to gain attention online.

Online discussions were divided into two camps. One side believed Meng Zhen was innocent, merely following the script as designed by the screenwriter, and unfairly labeled as a bully on set. The other side held the opposite view, suggesting that while there might have been a scene involving a slap in the script, actors and actresses typically stage such actions. They argued that Meng Zhen must have deliberately targeted Ji Xiaoling, especially questioning why an actress known for her good reputation would repeatedly antagonize a lesser-known idol.

The saying there’s no smoke without a fire has always been considered a truth. Even though Meng Zhen and her fans had already posted screenshots of parts of the novel and script, those stubborn netizens still didn’t believe it.

It was as if a veil had been drawn over their eyes, otherwise, how could those eyes fail to see the truth?

Some Hazelnuts were infuriated and resorted to harsh insults, but many mature and rational fans tried to calm things down, aiming to protect Meng Zhen’s public image.

Meng Zhen’s fan club president was a somewhat well-known comic artist. She made a post, stating, 【Justice will prevail and the truth will speak for itself.

If things are as people claim, then please release the surveillance video. We will have them authenticated to confirm whether the footage has been edited. The truth will be fully presented to everyone. If the production team refuses to release the surveillance footage, it can only indicate one thing: Meng Zhen is innocent.

All of us Hazelnuts believe that our favorite star isn’t as unbearable as being portrayed. If the production team does not give Meng Zhen an explanation and the company directly announces her hiatus, Hazelnuts are willing to accompany our idol. As long as Meng Zhen is innocent, we will continue to support her.】

The fan club president’s statement resonated with many netizens, prompting numerous individuals curious about the truth to urge the web drama’s production team to issue a statement.

The incident of the slap occurred at Hengdian World Studios, where other actors and crew members present that day were well aware of what happened. However, for some reason, they did not come forward to testify.

At this moment, director Zhao Chuanzi was pacing back and forth in his hotel room, scratching his head vigorously. His face was flushed and contorted with worry, clearly showing he was extremely anxious.

Seeing him like this, the assistant director couldn’t help but advise, “It’s just something between the artists, it doesn’t have much to do with you. Worst case scenario, just release the original surveillance footage.”

“You’re simplifying things too much. Once the surveillance footage is released, won’t it just prove that Ji Xiaoling was lying? When Meng Zhen was being criticized across the internet, everyone in our crew kept quiet and didn’t defend her at all. If this blows up in our faces, how will the public perceive us? How will they view our show?”

《Phoenix Arrives in Splendor》 was just a web drama, but Zhao Chuanzi had invested a lot of effort into it. As a director for many years, he could discern the quality of a script. When he first received it, Zhao Chuanzi was shaken to his core, foreseeing that the adaptation would surely be a hit.

In order to earn more money, he even sold a property located on the outskirts of the capital. If this web drama fails, his fortune, which he had spent half a lifetime building, would also be lost. Such serious consequences were something Zhao Chuanzi really couldn’t afford, which was why he was so anxious.

“Meng Zhen’s fan club has made it clear that they will have the surveillance footage authenticated. If a fake video is released, the consequences will be even more serious.”

The assistant director also found the situation difficult. However, seeing Zhao Chuanzi’s face turn red like a pig’s liver, he didn’t criticize him for his unethical actions. He only sighed.

“Alright, I’ll give Meng Zhen a call. She’s young, maybe she’ll listen to reason. Let’s resolve the issue by downplaying it.”

The assistant director had a good plan in mind, but when he opened his phone’s contacts, he realized he didn’t have Meng Zhen’s contact information.

Newly debuted artists were tightly controlled by their management companies, and Meng Zhen’s interactions with the crew were all handled through her assistant. The young woman herself was introverted and usually quiet, so how did she end up in such a situation?

The assistant director muttered to himself silently and then directly dialed Yunlai’s assistant’s phone number. “Xiao Yu, please send me Meng Zhen’s contact information. I need to discuss something with her.”

Assistant Yu turned her head and noticed Yu Jing’s gloomy expression. After receiving permission, the assistant replied, “Sure, I’ll send Meng Zhen’s phone number to your WeChat right away. It’s no trouble at all. Goodbye, Assistant Director.”

After hanging up, Yu Jing slammed her hand down on the table, feeling a sharp pain in her palm that ignited the anger simmering in her heart.

To Yu Jing, Meng Zhen was nothing but unwanted trash, and the fact that such a waste could still have a chance to turn things around seemed like an unbelievable stroke of luck.

“Sister Yu, don’t be angry. The company has already frozen all of Meng Zhen’s work. Even if she clears her name later, she won’t have a chance to film again……”

“Do you not understand? In the entertainment industry, celebrities aren’t afraid of being criticized, they fear being ignored. If nobody cares about a celebrity, they lose all commercial value. Meng Zhen’s every post trends now. Does she look like someone without commercial value to you?” Yu Jing flushed with anger, the veins on her neck visible. She had sailed smoothly at Yunlai Entertainment for over a decade, but this was the first time she tasted frustration.

It would be best if Meng Zhen could no longer film as the assistant said. Everyone would just have to wait and see!

———pr

After receiving Meng Zhen’s phone number, the assistant director dialed it immediately. Once the call connected, he straightforwardly said, “Meng Zhen, this is Assistant Director Zhou. I’m sure you’re aware of the controversies online. Instead of escalating things further, why don’t we sit down and talk about it? It’s better to resolve this amicably.”

At this moment, Meng Zhen was standing on the balcony of her apartment. The air quality in the capital wasn’t great, so she couldn’t see any stars in the night sky. Only the lights from the buildings across the street were shining into her eyes.

The evening breeze brushed through her soft, tousled hair, and the cold laughter of the young woman seemed to be carried away by the wind, barely audible and distant.

Resolved amicably?

In the eyes of these people, the online violence against a little girl was actually described by the word ‘amicable’.

The other Meng Zhen no longer existed. Now residing within her body was a soul from a different person. Such a vivid life, could a simple conversation really erase all the things she went through?

Meng Zhen watched her grow up to eighteen years old. She had endured countless grievances and pains, with only her fans giving her warm and pure love in return. It was for this reason that she fell in love with acting and performing.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t change her fate.

Robbin: Advance chapter will start from here on and I’ll unlock a chapter every Wednesday and Saturday.