Director Li finished speaking and tossed the contract onto the table. He said to Meng Jingwei, "Here, this is your new contract. Your pay will be ten thousand per episode."
He stated this as a certainty, not as a negotiation with Meng Jingwei.
For a newcomer, a pay of ten thousand per episode was already very good.
Without overthinking it, she nodded, walked to the sofa, and sat down, signing her name on the new contract.
Meng Jingwei was already very familiar with the script. Moreover, Qi Yuying was a villainous character, likely to attract a lot of negative attention.
But that was a matter for later.
"Sister Jingwei is so lucky to be recognized by Director Li and land the role of the second female lead. Truly enviable," Tang Wanxing said from beside her, feigning congratulations to Meng Jingwei.
Meng Jingwei finished signing on the last page of the contract and pressed her thumbprint.
She pulled a tissue from the box to wipe her fingers, then looked up and casually glanced at Tang Wanxing. "Director Li certainly has a keen eye for talent. Otherwise, how else would he have found Film Empress Tang?"
The veiled barbs were understood by both of them.
Director Li and Director Zhao exchanged a look, both feeling that the two were clashing but unable to discern when their conflict had begun.
"Wanxing, 'The Orphaned Daughter of a General' is a major female lead drama. You'll have quite a few scenes with Meng Jingwei. When you have free time, you can discuss the fight choreography with Old Zhao," Director Li said with a smile.
Tang Wanxing nodded politely. "Certainly, Director Li. Don't worry." She then looked at Director Zhao and the assistant fight choreographer, Kun Kun. "Director Zhao, Kun Kun, I'll have to trouble you both."
"Hahaha, Wanxing, you're too kind."
"Sister Wanxing, please don't be polite with us. Hahaha."
Director Zhao and Kun Kun replied with laughter.
Meng Jingwei remained mostly silent throughout, as if unable to blend in, or perhaps too lazy to force it.
As she left the lounge, Director Li repeatedly emphasized that Meng Jingwei should quickly familiarize herself with Qi Yuying's lines and understand the character's personality traits, fearing she might falter in her acting.
The plan was originally to film the three’s scenes together that day, but due to the last-minute change in cast, it was delayed by another day.
Meng Jingwei was already wearing an outfit meant for a supporting role. Now, as the second female lead, she naturally had to change out of it and have her makeup redone.
Just as she emerged from the dressing room, she ran into Su Meiyi.
Su Meiyi stood before her, her face ashen with anger. Her hand trembled as she pointed at Meng Jingwei. "Meng Jingwei, I'm warning you not to go too far! Don't think you're so great just because you used improper connections and backdoor dealings to get the second female lead role!"
"If you have something to say, go to the director. What's the point of barking at me?" Meng Jingwei shot her a cold, sideways glance and turned to leave.
"You stop right there!"
Su Meiyi grabbed Meng Jingwei's sleeve and stepped forward, blocking her path.
"You just want to kick me out of the crew so you can 'get revenge,' huh? Heh, don't even think about it!" Su Meiyi believed Meng Jingwei had snatched her second female lead role and was now deliberately seeking revenge for their past grievances.
Meng Jingwei: "..."
She didn't speak, or rather, she had nothing to say.
Su Meiyi continued speaking to herself, "The director has assigned me the third female lead role and agreed to add more scenes for me. My part will be no less than yours."
"Oh, really? Congratulations." Meng Jingwei found her utterly uninteresting and walked around her again.
Her repeated lack of pleasantries infuriated Su Meiyi, who pointed at her and raged, "As long as I, Su Meiyi, am here, you'll never have it easy in this crew!"
Well, there it was!
Tang Wanxing's scheme had succeeded. She had successfully instigated the director to change the cast, and in doing so, had made Meng Jingwei completely offend Su Meiyi, igniting Su Meiyi's desire for revenge.
Life in the crew would likely be difficult from now on.