Chapter 246: Strong Woman, Weak Man

Xia Mu placed great importance on this scene.

Over the past few days, she had observed the performances of both the male and female leads and was generally satisfied. However, the chemistry between two actors on screen could create an entirely new dynamic, different from their individual performances. Today, she wanted to see firsthand what kind of energy Jiang Xiaobai and Bai Chen would generate when acting together.

Every screenwriter or author has a mental image when crafting a story, but this vision is subjective. What Xia Mu imagined might differ from others, and translating that vision into a performance was even more challenging. She wanted to know if there would be any deviations and, if so, how to correct them.

“Using the Phantom Stone can help you confront it directly, as it prevents its surprise attacks. The Dark Wolf King’s ambushes can be quite dangerous. If you manage to defeat it in a fair fight, you’ll still be able to obtain the Purple Wolf Fur,” Luo Tian explained.

“Then don’t you know that the Purple Wolf Fur dropped under these two conditions is different?” Yun Xuan raised an eyebrow, her mocking expression seemingly grinding Luo Tian into the ground, making his face flush with anger.

Xia Mu’s eyes flickered, and her hands unconsciously tightened.

“Ha, ridiculous. I’ve been playing this game for years, and I’ve never heard of any difference between the two types of wolf fur. Not only do I not know, but no one on the entire game forum has mentioned it. Did you just make this up?” Luo Tian scolded. “Little girl, if you don’t know how to play, don’t talk nonsense. Misleading others isn’t good.”

“Summer insects cannot speak of ice,” Yun Xuan snorted lightly.

“Boss, don’t argue. Luo Tian is really amazing,” Da Mao gently tugged at Yun Xuan’s sleeve.

“Luo Tian?” Yun Xuan looked puzzled.

“Yes, Luo Tian the Great!”

“You’re Luo Tian?” Yun Xuan looked at Luo Tian as if she’d seen a ghost.

“I am Luo Tian. Now you know who you’ve been talking to?” Luo Tian raised his chin, trying to intimidate her with his height and presence. “Do you understand now that some lies shouldn’t be told? I’m just letting it slide, but if your words were posted on the forum, do you know the consequences?”

Yun Xuan laughed, looking Luo Tian up and down before shaking her head. “I didn’t expect you to be Luo Tian. What a disappointment! It seems the world is foolish, and their words are far from the truth.”

“You!”

Their argument caused chaos in the E-Sports club.

Everyone knew Yun Xuan was skilled at gaming, but no one knew her in-game ID since she never played in teams. Thus, they had no idea that the top-ranked player “Cloud God” was their school’s Yun Xuan.

But they knew Luo Tian!

Luo Tian’s reputation had been legendary for a long time. Anyone who played Peach Blossom Spring knew of him. He was a myth. So, when he clashed with Yun Xuan, everyone except Da Mao sided with Luo Tian.

“A bunch of idiots,” Yun Xuan rolled her eyes, not even glancing at Luo Tian as she turned and left.

“Cut!”

After the scene, Director Zhang frowned, his gaze shifting between Jiang Xiaobai and Bai Chen.

“Director, is there a problem?” Jiang Xiaobai walked over, feeling uneasy. She thought the scene had gone well, but why was Director Zhang reacting this way?

Bai Chen, on the other hand, seemed to sense something. He glanced at Jiang Xiaobai, hesitating to speak, and decided to wait for Director Zhang’s feedback.

“Between the two of you… it feels a bit like the woman is stronger, and the man is weaker,” Director Zhang said hesitantly.

Hearing this, Xia Mu’s eyes flickered.

“Strong woman, weak man? But isn’t that what the script requires?” Jiang Xiaobai was stunned. “The female lead is supposed to be a boss lady.”

Yun Xuan’s introduction in the game was her dominating the battlefield, followed by the scene where she protected her brother from drunkards. She was a character who didn’t hesitate to confront others, had followers at school, and her roommate Tuan Tuan was her devoted admirer, looking up to her with admiration.

Only she could bully others; no one dared to bully her.

Well, Yun Xuan didn’t actively bully anyone. It was more like people provoked her, and she’d shut them down so hard they couldn’t recover.

Although Luo Tian was also strong, Yun Xuan’s personality was more decisive, and their gaming skills were evenly matched.

When Jiang Xiaobai first read the script, she made notes to understand the female lead’s personality. For example, Yun Xuan was skilled, straightforward, protective, kind-hearted, and responded better to softness than aggression.

Based on these traits, Jiang Xiaobai had built a mental image of Yun Xuan and was now portraying her accordingly.

In fact, Jiang Xiaobai noticed that Yun Xuan’s character was very similar to the original host of her body, both in appearance and personality. This was likely why Zhao Xiulun had wanted her for the role.

If the original host were still alive, Jiang Xiaobai believed she would have taken her acting to the next level with this role and possibly skyrocketed to fame through this drama.

Unfortunately…

“The female lead is strong, but the male lead isn’t weak either,” Director Zhang shook his head. “Setting aside their personalities and gaming skills, their interactions should be balanced. But between the two of you… Bai Chen’s presence is clearly overshadowed, making him seem weaker.”

Bai Chen, a former male model, had an impeccable physique and presence. He had just played a “domineering CEO” role, so logically, he shouldn’t be overshadowed by Jiang Xiaobai. Yet, it had happened.

Bai Chen smiled wryly. “I actually felt it too…”

During their dialogue, he had sensed Jiang Xiaobai’s overwhelming presence. Even though she was shorter, her aura far surpassed his.

“Then… should I tone it down?” Jiang Xiaobai tentatively asked.

She still felt her performance was fine and didn’t want to weaken it, but if it was the director’s decision, as an actor, she couldn’t argue.

“No, don’t change,” Xia Mu suddenly spoke up. “Let’s do the scene again. Jiang Xiaobai, stay the same. Bai Chen, this time, be more assertive. Let’s see how it turns out.”

“Alright!” Bai Chen nodded, taking a deep breath to adjust his state.

The scene began again.

…

“I didn’t expect you to be Luo Tian. What a disappointment! It seems the world is foolish, and their words are far from the truth.”

“You!”

…

“Cut!” The scene ended, and the director called for a stop.

 

Chapter 247: The Princess and the Pea

After filming, Jiang Xiaobai and Bai Chen walked over.

At this moment, Director Zhang’s brows were still tightly furrowed, while Xia Mu appeared deep in thought, her gaze lingering on Jiang Xiaobai.

“Director Zhang, how was it just now?” Bai Chen asked.

In truth, he didn’t need to ask—he could already sense something was off. Earlier, although Jiang Xiaobai’s presence had overshadowed his, their interaction felt natural, likely because her performance had drawn him into the scene.

But this time, when he tried to assert himself forcefully, it felt awkward, as if he were putting on a tough front without substance.

“It’s not good. Acting like that makes the male lead seem too harsh and lacking in grace,” Director Zhang shook his head.

He wasn’t a girl, but he understood what girls liked. If Bai Chen continued to act this way, the drama would be ruined, and female fans would flee.

“So how should I act…” Bai Chen was also at a loss.

“Just act as you did before. Don’t worry about the rest,” Xia Mu said, already having a plan in mind but needing to observe further.

Bai Chen and Jiang Xiaobai nodded, though Director Zhang seemed hesitant.

If they acted as before… it didn’t seem to align with the final plot setup…

After finishing the scenes with Bai Chen, there was an evening scene with Zhao Chenyu. Surprisingly, Zhao Chenyu knocked on the door and entered while Jiang Xiaobai was still in the makeup room.

These days on set, Linglong had been learning makeup from Brother Ma, but she was still a bit clumsy with the game-themed looks. Seeing her skill with modern makeup, Brother Ma had entrusted her with that part while he focused on the game makeup.

At this moment, Brother Ma wasn’t in the makeup room—only Linglong, Ming Zhu, and Jiang Xiaobai were there. When Zhao Chenyu arrived, Ming Zhu immediately went on guard.

Here she comes! What does she want?

“Miss Jiang, isn’t Sister Ran here today?” Zhao Chenyu smiled politely at Jiang Xiaobai, her demeanor elegant and gentle, exuding an intellectual charm.

“She’s not on set. If you’re looking for her, you might have to wait a few days,” Jiang Xiaobai replied, looking into the mirror as Linglong continued applying her eye makeup.

“It’s alright. Since Sister Ran isn’t here, finding you is just as good.”

Zhao Chenyu approached Jiang Xiaobai and placed a gift bag on the table, smiling as she said, “There are two scarves inside. I felt they matched your and Sister Ran’s styles perfectly, so I bought them for you. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Gifts are appropriate in a few situations,” Jiang Xiaobai glanced at the exquisite bag, then turned her gaze back to the mirror. “First, between friends; second, as a gesture to elders or superiors; third, when asking for a favor. Miss Zhao, since we have no relationship, I wonder which of these this gift represents?”

Though she spoke politely, her meaning was clear—she was implying Zhao Chenyu’s motive was the third.

Zhao Chenyu’s smile remained unchanged. “We’re working together on the same set, and colleagues can be friends. Isn’t it reasonable to give a gift? Making more connections is always beneficial in our industry. Don’t you think so, Miss Jiang?”

“Colleagues are friends… By that logic, shouldn’t Bai Chen and Gao Hao also give me gifts? Otherwise, it would be unreasonable?” Jiang Xiaobai glanced at her coolly.

Zhao Chenyu’s smile stiffened slightly. “That’s not what I meant. I just feel a connection with you and wanted to be friends.”

“A connection is hard to claim. Miss Zhao, you should know that with Sister Ran in the picture, I can’t possibly have a favorable impression of you. There’s no need to put on this act in front of me. In fact, your repeated appearances only make me uncomfortable.”

The makeup was done. Jiang Xiaobai checked herself in the mirror and, satisfied, stood up. “We’re not children anymore. You have to take responsibility for your actions. When you chose Shenghuang back then, you should have known you were abandoning Sister Ran. If you could betray her, why would I want to be friends with you?”

Jiang Xiaobai turned to face Zhao Chenyu directly. She was slightly taller, and the close proximity created a sense of pressure. Jiang Xiaobai clearly noticed Zhao Chenyu’s instinct to step back.

“I know I’ve done wrong, but Xiaobai, you must understand that as artists, we’re often at the mercy of circumstances. Contracts can bind us for ten or twenty years. As newcomers, resources are scarce, and it takes years to make a name for ourselves. As women, we can’t afford to waste our youth.”

Zhao Chenyu let out a bitter laugh, her voice low and filled with resignation. “I’m a few years older than you, so I’m like your elder sister. I’ve walked this path longer than you. In the future… you’ll understand my struggles.”

“First, the friend route didn’t work, so now you’re trying the sister route?” Jiang Xiaobai chuckled, pleased to see Zhao Chenyu’s expression stiffen. “No need to say more. The more you try to explain your ‘hardships,’ the more I feel Sister Ran’s betrayal was undeserved.”

“Xiaobai, it’s almost time. The next scene is about to start,” Ming Zhu interjected, eager to leave now that Zhao Chenyu was here.

“Right. Miss Zhao, please join us. The next scene isn’t a solo act,” Jiang Xiaobai smiled at her and then led the way out of the makeup room.

From that day on, Zhao Chenyu felt her luck had taken a turn for the worse.

“Chenyu, be careful when you run. It’s just a flat path, so how did you manage to fall?”

…

“That chair was fine. You bumped into it yourself… Look, your leg is red.”

…

“Stomachache today? Alright, we’ll move your scenes to tomorrow.”

Director Zhang was also exasperated. Earlier, Zhao Chenyu had issues during the computer scenes because her hand hurt, and he’d thought she was being overly delicate. Later, during the basketball scene, she was hit and fell to the ground. After that, she’d been quiet for a few days, but now she was having problems again!

During filming, she kept having minor accidents—like tripping or bumping into things—that didn’t affect the schedule but made Director Zhang feel she was too high-maintenance.

Had he hired a princess who could feel a pea under twenty mattresses?

The one good thing about Zhao Chenyu was that unless her injuries were severe, she wouldn’t delay work. But today, for the first time, she said her stomach hurt and might not be able to continue.

Jiang Xiaobai stood nearby, watching Zhao Chenyu clutch her stomach, her face pale, and thought innocently—

This time, your stomachache really isn’t my fault!

“I’m sorry, Director Zhang. I’ll definitely continue working tomorrow,” Zhao Chenyu said, her face flushed with embarrassment.

She had a history of menstrual cramps, but they weren’t severe every month. In previous sets, if the pain wasn’t too bad, she wouldn’t take time off. But today, she truly couldn’t bear it.

Not only did Director Zhang and the crew feel this way, but even she herself felt ashamed because her accidents had become too frequent lately!

 

Chapter 248: Cuts

Zhao Chenyu went back to the hotel to rest. Since her scene was the only one left for the afternoon, Director Zhang decided to wrap up early and let everyone go home to relax.

Xia Mu approached Director Zhang, saying she needed to talk.

“What’s on your mind? I’ve noticed you’ve been off these past couple of days. It seems like you’re about to drop a bombshell,” Director Zhang chuckled as he poured Xia Mu a cup of tea.

“Yes, I’ve been brewing something. It’s been on my mind for a while,” Xia Mu replied, holding the teacup.

“Have you figured it out now?”

“Yes,” Xia Mu nodded, then dropped the bombshell. “I’m planning to revise the script.”

Director Zhang: ??

“Wait, what? Revise the script? You never mentioned this before!” He was stunned.

“I don’t want a dual-power dynamic anymore. I just want a strong female lead,” Xia Mu looked up from her teacup, her gaze distant through the steam, her eyes slightly misty. “I want to return to the original intent I had when I wrote the book.”

Director Zhang felt a pang of discomfort. He rubbed his cheek and sighed, “You creative types are always full of ideas. But listen, we’re making a TV drama here. Your novel has already been read by many. Do you think the fans will agree to these changes?”

“Will they disagree?” Xia Mu raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “First, I’m the author, and I’m the one revising the script. Second, the direction I’m taking is actually what they’d prefer to see.”

Director Zhang was still confused. He didn’t read novels; he only focused on scripts.

“Alright, tell me how you plan to revise it. Where will you start, and what’s the final outcome?” Director Zhang asked.

Xia Mu nodded, pulled out her notebook, and began explaining.

“So that’s it… You’re saying this was your original intent when writing the book? No wonder I felt something was off in the later parts of the script,” Director Zhang suddenly understood. After some thought, he didn’t oppose the idea. “This revision could work, but won’t the male fans be unhappy?”

“Why would they oppose it? It’s not like I’m making drastic changes,” Xia Mu rolled her eyes. “Besides, if it were just the novel, they might have objections. But with a TV adaptation… I believe they’ll be satisfied once the show airs.”

“You’re talking about Jiang Xiaobai…” Director Zhang thought for a moment and nodded. “Alright, go ahead and revise it as soon as possible. Once the script is ready, the actors need to familiarize themselves with it quickly.”

“I’ve got it under control. It won’t take long,” Xia Mu said.

This had been her mindset when she wrote the book, but certain events had caused her to twist the later plotlines. Many readers had criticized the inconsistencies, but she had ignored them at the time.

Now, she was simply returning to the original vision.

Xia Mu finished her tea and was about to leave when Director Zhang suddenly called her back.

“Wait… Since you’re revising the script, why not take care of this as well?”

Xia Mu looked puzzled.

The next day, Jiang Xiaobai was called into Xia Mu’s office to discuss the script changes.

“So that’s how it is… Alright, I’ll follow the script,” Jiang Xiaobai nodded after hearing the explanation.

As an actress, her job was to portray the character according to the script. The rest wasn’t her concern; she just needed to follow instructions.

Xia Mu looked at her and suddenly asked, “Do you know who the ‘King of E-Sports’ in The King of E-Sports really refers to?”

Jiang Xiaobai answered almost instinctively, “Yun Xuan.”

Only after speaking did she realize something was off. When she looked at Xia Mu, she saw her smiling brightly.

Xia Mu’s appearance was the kind that grew on you. At first glance, she seemed ordinary, but over time, her features revealed a unique charm, likely enhanced by her demeanor.

At this moment, Xia Mu was beaming, her eyes curving into crescents.

“I’m very satisfied with you portraying Yun Xuan,” Xia Mu said before standing up and leaving.

A week passed.

For Zhao Chenyu, it was the most difficult week.

It wasn’t that she had more bad luck. On the contrary, after taking a day off for her stomachache, she hadn’t been injured again. But what worried her wasn’t her physical state—it was the attitude of the crew toward her.

“Chenyu, there have been some changes to the schedule. Your scenes have been pushed back, so you can take a few days off,” Director Zhang told her.

But how could Zhao Chenyu not overthink such a statement?

To any actor, those words carried one implicit meaning—

Your role is in jeopardy. The crew might be planning to replace you!

Zhao Chenyu couldn’t help but recall Director Zhang’s attitude toward her. When she first joined the crew, he had been quite friendly. The first change came after the computer scenes, and it became most apparent after she took a day off for her stomachache.

But was that enough to warrant replacing her?

Her eyes flickered as she pondered the possibilities.

She hadn’t offended the director. The only conflict she’d had in the crew was with Jiang Xiaobai and Dong Ran…

Wait.

She had seen Jiang Xiaobai meeting privately with the screenwriter. Could it be…

Zhao Chenyu hadn’t actually stayed in the hotel to rest. Afraid that the crew’s dynamics might shift in her absence, she had been coming to the set frequently to watch others film, claiming it was for learning and guidance.

Today, after watching a scene with Bai Chen, she was about to leave when she overheard a conversation among the crew members—

“I heard the female lead’s scenes have been increased. Her total screen time is now much more than the male lead’s!”

“I heard that too. I thought it was just a rumor, but it seems to be true?”

“Of course it’s true. Xia Mu has already revised the script. Many people have heard about it. It’ll probably be officially announced soon.”

“Jiang Xiaobai is really something. A novel adaptation, and the script is being revised because of her? How much influence does she have?”

“That’s just how things are in this industry. You get used to it… Oh, and not only is the male lead’s role being reduced, but the female supporting role’s scenes are also being cut.”

“Zhao Chenyu?”

At this point, they stopped talking, but they glanced in Zhao Chenyu’s direction with looks of pity.

Zhao Chenyu’s usual calm smile was on the verge of collapsing.

Not a replacement, but a reduction in screen time?

She couldn’t accept either. Her career at Shenghuang hadn’t gone as smoothly as she’d hoped, and The King of E-Sports was her biggest opportunity in recent years. If her scenes were cut, what was the point of her being in the show?

If she missed this chance, who knew how long it would take to land another good role or script? No, she couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.

Zhao Chenyu took a deep breath, her expression growing resolute. Then she walked toward Jiang Xiaobai’s makeup room.

 

Chapter 249: It Really Wasn’t Me

Jiang Xiaobai was about to leave work when she was intercepted by Zhao Chenyu.

She had just changed her clothes in the dressing room and was about to head out when she saw Zhao Chenyu approaching.

At this moment, Linglong wasn’t around, and only Ming Zhu was by her side. Seeing Zhao Chenyu again, Jiang Xiaobai couldn’t help but feel exasperated.

Why is she here again!

“Miss Zhao, is there something you need? It’s getting late, and I need to return to the hotel. If there’s nothing urgent, could you please step aside?” Jiang Xiaobai frowned.

So, this private dressing room is just for Zhao Chenyu, huh? She can come and go as she pleases, and even speak without asking others to leave?

“Jiang Xiaobai, I know I was in the wrong about that matter, but ultimately, it was a conflict between me and Dong Ran. It has nothing to do with you! Do you really have to be so ruthless?” Zhao Chenyu’s voice carried a hint of anger, and her gaze at Jiang Xiaobai was filled with dissatisfaction.

Jiang Xiaobai was completely baffled. “What are you talking about? What did I do?”

“Do you think you can keep this from me?” Zhao Chenyu let out a bitter laugh, but her tone remained controlled. She was angry, but her voice wasn’t shrill, and her expression wasn’t twisted. “Now, almost the entire crew knows that the screenwriter is adding more scenes for you. Can you deny that?”

Jiang Xiaobai blinked and corrected her, “It’s not about adding scenes, just some adjustments to the plot.”

Xia Mu hadn’t mentioned anything about adding scenes. She only said that there would be some changes in the later part of the story. For example, the most significant change was that the female lead’s strength wouldn’t be overshadowed by the male lead’s brilliance. In fact, after joining the team and participating in competitions, the female lead’s popularity would surpass that of the male lead.

The female lead came from a humble background, with unreliable parents and a younger brother to take care of. But later, she thrived through gaming and earned various prizes from competitions. Even without the male lead’s support, she was fully capable of providing a good life for her brother and moving into a big house.

However, in the original plot, these achievements were supposed to be accomplished with the male lead’s help.

This was the biggest change—highlighting the female lead’s “strength.” But Jiang Xiaobai hadn’t heard anything about additional scenes.

Moreover, even if there were added scenes, it shouldn’t concern Zhao Chenyu, right? Shouldn’t it be Bai Chen’s interests that were affected?

And Jiang Xiaobai believed that since Xia Mu had approached her, she must have also discussed this with Bai Chen. So, both parties involved were aware of the changes.

Why was Zhao Chenyu so worked up about it?

“Adjustments to the plot? If it’s that simple, why haven’t I had any work these past few days?” Zhao Chenyu sneered, both angry and upset. “To make your female lead stand out, my scenes as the second female lead have been cut. Jiang Xiaobai, you can’t be that petty, can you? Acting like this will only make you enemies, you know?”

Huh?

She hadn’t been filming these past few days because her scenes were cut?

This is…

Great news!

Jiang Xiaobai almost couldn’t help but smile, but she managed to control herself in time. “Ahem, well, this has nothing to do with me. I haven’t heard anything about it. If you have any issues, you should talk to Director Zhang.”

“You’re still denying it?” Zhao Chenyu stared at her.

“…I really don’t know anything. I’m just an actor. How could I possibly influence the director and screenwriter to change the script for me?” Jiang Xiaobai chuckled. “You’re giving me too much credit.”

“You have the credit to be given,” Zhao Chenyu said with a hint of mockery. “Everyone knows how you got into the crew. While the rest of us were still auditioning for roles, you were already chosen by the investors as the female lead! Liu Wanting also had her eye on the role of Yun Xuan, but when she tried to compete for it, she found out you had already been chosen. Do you really think we don’t have any guesses about your background?”

There are few real secrets in the industry. Most are just unspoken understandings, kept quiet to avoid offending people.

The novel The King of E-Sports was always told from the female lead’s perspective. Everyone knew that Yun Xuan, the female lead, had the most screen time. Moreover, her character was different from the typical innocent, saintly, and fragile female leads often seen in the market. Instead, she was cool, handsome, and full of charisma, making her a compelling character.

Many people wanted this role, but before the drama even started filming, the female lead had already been decided. How could this not make people speculate?

The Liu Wanting she mentioned was a popular actress with a striking appearance, though not the sweet and cute type. She had a more aloof demeanor, which was somewhat similar to Yun Xuan.

“Speculation is your business,” Jiang Xiaobai said, looking at her. “I only know that I haven’t done anything, and I can’t control your wild guesses.”

Zhao Chenyu twitched her lips and then composed herself. “Jiang Xiaobai, I can formally apologize for what happened before and even compensate Sister Ran financially. But this is about my future. I hope you can be magnanimous and not let Xia Mu cut my scenes. Can you do that?”

Jiang Xiaobai sighed. “…It really wasn’t me. You’ve got the wrong person.”

Ming Zhu, who had been listening, couldn’t take it anymore. “Sister Xiaobai only found out about the script changes a few days ago from the screenwriter. This was the higher-ups’ decision. You’re really barking up the wrong tree!”

Not liking Zhao Chenyu was one thing, but being falsely accused was too much to bear. Ming Zhu couldn’t stand it.

“Fine, if that’s what you say, then let’s pretend I never came here.”

Zhao Chenyu exhaled, gave Jiang Xiaobai one last look, and then turned to leave.

“Sister Xiaobai, do you think she listened to our explanation?” Ming Zhu asked uncertainly.

“What do you think?”

Jiang Xiaobai felt a headache coming on. She picked up her bag. “Let’s go. She can think whatever she wants.”

Did that even need to be asked?

The cold and resentful look Zhao Chenyu gave her before leaving made it clear she hadn’t listened at all!

The next day, Director Zhang distributed the new scripts to the actors.

The earlier parts of the story remained unchanged. The adjustments were made to the later parts, where the male and female leads fell in love. The scenes where the female lead softened and compromised for love were tweaked. The changes weren’t massive, but for fans of Yun Xuan’s character, it was thrilling.

The female lead was absolutely badass!

Zhao Chenyu was called into Director Zhang’s office after receiving the new script.

“Chenyu, Xia Mu and I discussed it and felt that to highlight the female lead’s decisiveness and strength, the second female lead’s presence needed to be reduced. Otherwise, the audience might feel uncomfortable. After all, if the female lead can’t even handle the second female lead, she’ll seem ineffective. So, some of your scenes have been cut. I hope you can understand,” Director Zhang explained with a smile, while Xia Mu gave him a sidelong glance.

What do you mean we discussed it?

It was you who wanted to cut the second female lead’s scenes and told me to rewrite the script. Now you’re trying to drag me into this!

Hmph, men!

 

 

Chapter 250: Unwavering

Director Zhang noticed Xia Mu’s gaze but pretended not to see it.

It was indeed his decision to cut Zhao Chenyu’s scenes, but who could blame him? She was too delicate. Just a few days into filming, she had already sustained several injuries. If this continued, how would she handle the intense action scenes later in the game sequences? Would she end up bedridden every day?

How could the production continue like that?

Delays were one thing, but what Director Zhang feared most was the potential for negative headlines like “Zhang Weiguo mistreats actors, forcing them to work while injured.” Over the years, he had built a solid reputation, known for his humor and likability among actors. If such news broke, his hard-earned advantage would vanish.

With a good reputation, he could attract actors with lower pay, as they would overlook the modest fees for the relaxed atmosphere on set. But if word got out about actors being overworked and injured, forget about low pay—it would be a dream.

Moreover, Zhang Weiguo genuinely considered the story. The female lead’s character was somewhat annoying, and her constant meddling felt uncomfortable. If she were a fragile heroine, the female lead’s presence might have sparked the male lead’s protective instincts, but—

This was a strong female lead story!

The heroine could slap the female lead into the wall with one hand!

In this light, reducing her scenes made more sense.

Xia Mu had agreed with this decision for the same reason.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chenyu felt a chill in her heart.

This coldness had started when she received the revised script. Though she had mentally prepared herself, seeing nearly half of her scenes cut still felt like a plunge into an icy abyss.

Even though Director Zhang and Xia Mu looked at her with gentle expressions and a hint of apology, it did little to ease Zhao Chenyu’s resentment.

She took a deep breath, forced a smile, and spoke softly, “Director Zhang, Screenwriter Xia, I’ve just reviewed the script and noticed the significant cuts. I’m willing to follow the production’s arrangements, but reducing the supporting character’s scenes so drastically might not be ideal for the story. After all, few dramas focus solely on the main leads. Supporting roles still play an important part.”

“We’ve considered that, but for me, The King of E-Sports is about two people striving for their dreams together, with both hardships and joys. Tropes like jealousy and misunderstandings are overused and feel clichéd to audiences,” Xia Mu explained.

If it’s clichéd, why did you write it in the novel?

Since you’ve already written it, why cut it now?

Isn’t it all just to pave the way for the female lead?

Zhao Chenyu clenched her fists on her lap, though her expression remained calm.

“But this is a TV drama, and the episode count is fixed. Cutting too much might lead to filler content later. Director Zhang, Screenwriter Xia, professionally, I want our drama to be as perfect as possible. Personally, as an actor, this is my job, and I naturally want more screen time. I know my performance earlier might not have been satisfactory, but I promise to work harder. Could you give me another chance?”

She looked at them earnestly, her eyes pleading.

Her attitude moved Director Zhang.

It’s common for scripts to change after filming begins due to issues like acting quality, budget constraints, scheduling conflicts, or episode adjustments.

But cutting an actor’s scenes so drastically doesn’t sound good, and it’s unfair to the actor. Zhao Chenyu hadn’t lashed out in anger but instead responded with understanding, which impressed Zhang Weiguo.

Still, moved as he was, the decision wouldn’t be easily reversed.

So, Director Zhang smiled apologetically, “Chenyu, your performance has been great. We’re doing this to ensure the drama’s success. Many shows now focus solely on the main leads, and they still captivate audiences. As for the episode count, we don’t need too many to make money. The final product will likely be a mid-length series.”

“Exactly. From the start, we estimated no more than 40 episodes. The story isn’t complex, and dragging it out would just make it tedious,” Xia Mu added, adjusting her glasses.

Zhao Chenyu was shocked. “No more than 40 episodes? How will the investors be satisfied?”

The production wasn’t cheap, especially with the game effects, which were a major expense.

The more the investment, the more episodes are needed to turn a profit. Otherwise, the investors wouldn’t be happy.

Most dramas nowadays exceed 50 episodes, some even reaching 70 or 80. This one was capping at 40?

But Director Zhang and Xia Mu just smiled.

“The investors won’t mind as long as we make money. We’re confident in that,” Zhang Weiguo said.

Zhao Chenyu seethed with frustration. She wanted to blurt out, “Isn’t this all because Jiang Xiaobai has investors backing her?” But her rationality kept her calm. She knew saying that would ruin everything.

So, she nodded and stood up. “I understand. I’ll familiarize myself with the new script as soon as possible.”

“Thank you for your understanding,” Director Zhang said, relieved.

As Zhao Chenyu stepped out of the room and saw the darkening sky, she suddenly laughed silently.

From that day on, Zhao Chenyu behaved normally on set. She remained gentle and composed, diligent in her work, and polite to the crew. She never met Dong Ran or Jiang Xiaobai alone again.

Jiang Xiaobai found the situation strange. Zhao Chenyu’s calm demeanor didn’t match the look she had given her that day. It was too serene. But after observing for a while, Jiang Xiaobai couldn’t figure out Zhao Chenyu’s true intentions. All she could do was stay on guard.

Jiang Xiaobai’s upcoming scenes were mostly with the male lead, Bai Chen. At first, Bai Chen was hilariously awkward. During filming, he stuck to the script, but between takes, his “domineering CEO” persona would emerge, almost like a split personality, leading to many amusing moments.

Fortunately, the intense workload eventually normalized him. He even expressed relief—

“Finally, I’ve shaken off the shadow of my last drama. It feels good to be normal again.”

Whenever he slipped into his “CEO mode,” people around him would look at him like he was insane, and he couldn’t stand it anymore!

 

Chapter 251: The Taste Wars

 

Another quiet week passed, and the episode of “The Taste Wars” featuring Jiang Xiaobai finally aired.

The premiere was on Grape TV during the prime time slot on Friday night. Jiang Xiaobai finished work early that day and sat with Dong Ran and the others in front of the hotel TV to watch the episode together.

Jiang Xiaobai found it quite amusing. It seemed that ever since her first variety show appearance, the group had developed a tacit understanding—whenever her show aired, they would gather to watch it together.

Previously, it was just Dong Ran and Ming Zhu, but now they were joined by Linglong.

Since Linglong joined the team, she had also changed a bit. Her original background made her somewhat aloof, but working with Ming Zhu over time had grounded her, and the two got along well now. Jiang Xiaobai felt very pleased to see this.

“It’s starting, it’s starting…”

Ming Zhu cheered excitedly, and then they saw Jiang Xiaobai entering the scene on TV, greeting the camera and the guests.

“Xiaobai looks so beautiful! Linglong, your makeup looks amazing; this style seems new for you,” Ming Zhu remarked as she admired Jiang Xiaobai’s hairstyle, makeup, and outfit, growing more impressed with each passing moment, giving Linglong a thumbs-up.

Linglong smiled with pursed lips, “It’s not just my credit; Sister Wen also contributed. Her design is fantastic.”

Some people are very particular about their styling and can only pull off one or two styles; anything else just doesn’t suit them.

For example, some people are suited for a cute style, and if you try to make them go for a sexy, mature look, they end up looking like a little girl wearing her mom’s high heels—just bizarre.

Others may have an alluring appearance that immediately makes one think of a “vixen.” They might pull off a mature look, but if you try to make them go for a pure and cute style…

They’d probably be criticized for “pretending to be innocent” to the point of feeling depressed.

Most celebrity stylists are indeed professionals, but some have poor judgment. Designing outfits for artists can be great in theory, but if it doesn’t match the person, the result can be quite awkward.

Fortunately, Ji Wen is both insightful and skilled. Jiang Xiaobai had never tried a cute and sweet style before, but in this episode of “The Taste Wars,” it was her first attempt, and surprisingly, it looked quite good on camera.

“It’s really good; it reduces the coldness and makes her seem more relatable,” Dong Ran nodded in agreement.

The four of them continued watching the show, discussing it as they went:.

“Wow… how unfortunate! Why is she in the same group as Yao Xin?”

“…Sister Xiaobai is amazing; I really want to eat that sweet and sour pork!”

“Eh? Yao Xin actually gave Xiaobai a high score?”

In the first segment, Yao Xin’s attitude towards Jiang Xiaobai surprised Ming Zhu and the others. They had heard how unpopular Yao Xin was, but seeing it now, they thought he wasn’t so bad?

By the second segment, they were all laughing uncontrollably.

In the “Change It Up” segment, a step was skipped during filming, and they didn’t show the failed dishes’ cooking process, only presenting the finished products for the chefs to work on.

But when it officially aired, those videos were released.

The production team had rented a house on a nearby street and randomly pulled people from the street—

“Hello, we are from the ‘Taste Wars’ production team. Can we take a bit of your time?”

“What’s this about?”

“Do you know how to cook?”

“…No.”

“Really? Not at all?”

“…Definitely not.”

The person being interviewed was a young man in his twenties, dressed in a very hip-hop style, with his pants almost dragging on the ground. He wore a gold chain around his neck, and when he realized he was on camera, he felt a bit shy and couldn’t look at the lens.

“Could we trouble you to help us complete a task? Just participating will earn you a gift.”

As he spoke, the reporter shook a tote bag with the “Taste Wars” logo.

The young man agreed.

However, when he got to the kitchen and learned his task was to cook a dish, he was completely bewildered, repeatedly saying he couldn’t cook. The production team, trying to hold back laughter, said, “What we want is for you not to know how to cook.”

In the end, the young man gave in, and when he started cooking, it was truly hilarious.

He even dropped the pan once.

He attempted to stir-fry spicy tofu three times; the first two times, he turned it into a mushy mess, and the seasonings looked terrifying, almost as if he had poisoned it. It was only by the third attempt that it looked somewhat presentable.

The production team invited four people, all of whom couldn’t cook, and the video showcased their funny antics while cooking. Linglong was laughing so hard she couldn’t stand up straight.

Dong Ran was initially munching on sunflower seeds but ended up choking from laughter, coughing for quite a while before recovering. The seeds scattered everywhere, and everyone took some time picking them up.

“I’m dying of laughter! Where did they find these oddballs? I never noticed how funny this show was before; the people pulled from the street this time are all gems!”

“The chefs are amazing, turning the rotten into something magical! Wow, Sister Xiaobai looks so beautiful… haha, her actions are so cute!”

At that moment, the scene of Jiang Xiaobai rolling out the dough was on screen. When the camera zoomed in, she lifted her head to show the difference between her and Yao Xin’s dough. However, everyone was more focused on her beauty and the white flour on her face.

Later, when she wiped flour all over her face, everyone burst into laughter, and even Jiang Xiaobai felt she looked like a little calico cat.

Then a food judge came over to wipe her face. At that moment, Jiang Xiaobai stood there obediently, not moving at all, looking cute and charming. The cameraman noticed this amusing scene and zoomed in for a close-up of her face.

With her delicate features and clear eyes, it instantly captivated everyone, and the laughter faded as they watched the screen in awe.

“This episode is going to be a hit.”

Linglong murmured.

Dong Ran’s eyes sparkled as she felt incredibly grateful for making the right decision in choosing “The Taste Wars” for Jiang Xiaobai.

Once the show aired, she would surely gain popularity and attract many fans!

After the final segment aired, Ming Zhu laughed when she saw Yao Xin sending a book, “So this book is being sent at this time! I’ll go study the recipes inside and try to cook different dishes for you every day!”

The show had ended, and Dong Ran and the others were very satisfied, feeling a sense of calm.

Jiang Xiaobai, however, was deep in thought. Noticing this, Dong Ran asked her what was wrong.

“Am I just not cut out for variety shows?” Jiang Xiaobai said.

She spoke very little during the show and never actively interrupted, making her seem much quieter compared to the internet celebrity An Jiujiu.

This made Jiang Xiaobai wonder if she lacked the talent for variety shows.

 

Chapter 252: Shall We Chase Stars Together?

 

Dong Ran laughed upon hearing this, “Your variety show skills are indeed not as strong as some artists.”

 

Jiang Xiaobai felt dejected at this remark.

 

However, Dong Ran patted her shoulder and said, “But what does it matter? Only those who can’t become the center of attention in a crowd need to attract others’ attention in this way. But you, you don’t need to.”

 

With that, she opened the door and walked out.

 

“Xiaobai, what Sister Ran means is that you’re already the center of attention, so it doesn’t matter if your variety skills aren’t enough. Being too outstanding might even draw too much attention,” Ming Zhu said as she passed by Jiang Xiaobai, laughing and leaving with Linglong.

 

Jiang Xiaobai thought for a moment and felt relieved.

 

The show had gained some popularity after airing, but compared to the last show Jiang Xiaobai recorded, “A Small Family in the Town,” it was still lacking. That time had been coincidental; most viewers watched it for the old characters. This time, it relied solely on the show itself to attract viewers.

 

Moreover, Grape TV was quite poor; they hadn’t even bought trending topics.

 

However, some crew members watched this episode and came to praise Jiang Xiaobai for being adorable, claiming they had already followed her on Weibo.

 

Jiang Xiaobai noticed a slight increase in her Weibo followers, but it wasn’t significant.

 

Strangely, on the fourth day after the show aired, her fan count surged dramatically.

 

“What’s going on? I didn’t see the show trending,” Ming Zhu wondered. She noticed the anomaly while managing Weibo daily; not only had the followers increased, but the comments and likes had also surged.

 

“Let’s check what the comments say,” Linglong leaned in.

 

The comments were quite varied, but overall, it was clear they were following Jiang Xiaobai because of “Taste Wars.”

 

This was odd; the show had aired for several days, so why were there suddenly viewers now?

 

“Hey? Look at this comment!” Linglong pointed to one.

 

【Is my Hanfu beautiful today: Came over from Luoluo, the sister is really pretty, followed!】

 

Seeing this Weibo post, Ming Zhu felt a sense of clarity, but…

 

“Who is Luoluo?” she asked Linglong in confusion.

 

Linglong shook her head.

 

Who was Luoluo? It seemed no one around was named that, and no one from that episode of “Taste Wars” had that name either.

 

“Let me search for it.”

 

Ming Zhu was persistent and typed “Luoluo” into the search bar. The first result was “Luoluo Who Loves Hanfu.”

 

This ID seemed somewhat familiar. Without thinking much, Ming Zhu clicked on “Luoluo Who Loves Hanfu’s” Weibo, where the pinned post was a video accompanied by text.

 

【Luoluo Who Loves Hanfu v: I officially announce that I’ve started chasing stars, and the star I’m chasing is this sister Xiaobai! She’s beautiful and kind, and both Xiao Ling and I really like her. By the way, we’ve become part of the “Small White Flower” fan club. Hello, vice president, please take care of us! @Da Juzi】

 

The video featured the moment Jiang Xiaobai had flour on her face during “Taste Wars.”

 

The comments below had already exceeded two thousand. Ming Zhu clicked on them and saw the reactions from Luoluo’s fans—

 

“Wow, isn’t Luoluo known for never chasing stars? I saw him accompany Xiao Ling to chase stars recently, and it ended up being a mess.”

 

“The idol Luoluo likes is my idol too, followed!”

 

“Jiang Xiaobai? She’s super pretty! I watched this episode and liked her a lot!”

 

“Is the person above serious? I never watch food shows, but now I’m going to check it out.”

 

“Luoluo, be careful! Chasing stars requires caution; don’t repeat that Ning thing’s mistake!”

 

“I saw you posted her video clip on Zhan Yin; I didn’t expect you also posted it on Weibo. You’ve really transformed into a star-chasing fanboy…”

 

Zhan Yin was currently the hottest short video platform, where Luoluo had the highest popularity, and his influence there far exceeded that of Weibo.

 

Seeing this, Ming Zhu realized that Luoluo had also posted a video on Zhan Yin, so she quickly switched apps, opened Zhan Yin, and searched for Luoluo’s account.

 

The pinned video was the same scene, and as soon as she opened it, she could see a close-up of Jiang Xiaobai’s face, creating an illusion of eye contact that momentarily took her breath away.

 

The video was accompanied by Luoluo’s text.

 

“Let me introduce this; this is my idol Jiang Xiaobai. From now on, I’m going to support her. Will you chase stars with me?”

 

This video was posted last night, and it had already garnered over 600,000 likes and more than 10,000 comments.

 

“When I first opened it, I thought she was looking at me. I was startled, and then I couldn’t take my eyes off her beauty.”

 

“She’s really beautiful! And she’s amazing too; she’s the one who caught the bad guy!”

 

“Hey, isn’t she the red-clad heroine from Chao Nan’s ‘Beyond the Illusions’?”

 

“My idol actually has an idol; does that mean she’s also my idol?”

 

“Alright, I’m going to chase stars with Luoluo!”

 

Ming Zhu and Linglong browsed through the comments, their smiles growing brighter.

 

They truly hadn’t expected such a big internet celebrity to promote Jiang Xiaobai; no wonder her follower count had increased so much today. It seemed all the new fans were coming from Luoluo.

 

Ming Zhu hurried to tell Jiang Xiaobai the news, and Jiang Xiaobai was taken aback upon hearing it.

 

“Luoluo? Is he the one who accompanied his girlfriend to chase stars at the airport?”

 

She remembered clearly; the news about Ning Ge had caused quite a stir.

 

Thinking back to a month ago, Ning Ge had suddenly risen to fame as a female star, with numerous film crews wanting to work with her and constant advertising endorsements. But who would have thought that her good fortune wouldn’t last long? She was only famous for less than a month before being dragged down into the dirt.

 

Now, Ning Ge had flopped, having been labeled as “having a bad character” right after her debut. Her original fan base was weak, and after that incident, fans distanced themselves, fearing their reputation would be tainted.

 

Sometimes it’s like this; if the idol you chase has character flaws and negative news, you’ll be scolded for being blind.

 

“Ah, yes, that’s him!” Ming Zhu realized. “So he’s helping you because he knows your identity?”

 

“That can’t be… I was all wrapped up that day…” Jiang Xiaobai found it hard to believe.

 

Wearing a hat and a mask, and not being familiar with him, how could he possibly recognize her?

 

“Wait, didn’t he mention a Da Juzi in his Weibo? I’ll go ask,” Ming Zhu thought of something.

 

“Hmm, regardless of the reason, let’s thank him,” Jiang Xiaobai nodded.

 

After telling Ming Zhu, Jiang Xiaobai prepared to continue filming.

 

The scene she was about to shoot was a conflict with the second female lead, Zhao Chenyu. According to the plot, Chen Yurou spread rumors that Yun Xuan was being kept by a rich man. When Yun Xuan found out it was her doing, she confronted her and slapped her as a lesson.