“Didn't you bring your brain today? What kind of acting is that in front of the camera? Concubine Hua might be lovesick, but she's not as foolish as Concubine Qi. Have you even read the script? Can you even act?”
“Director Zheng, I’ve been trying my best, but the role of Concubine Hua is truly too difficult for me. I really can’t handle it. Are there any other roles available?”
Jiang Yushuang said meekly, a wronged expression on her face as she was scolded.
“In my productions, I won’t tolerate you being picky…”
Director Zheng Xiaolong was agitated, but his peripheral vision inadvertently caught sight of the doorway.
“Director Zheng, I… I…”
“Stop with the ‘I, I’. If you can act, act. If not, scram. No more excuses.”
…
The two exchanged words, Zheng Xiaolong furious and Jiang Yushuang wronged.
Jiang Ling couldn't bear to watch any longer and walked over, saying, “Alright, stop the act!”
“Huh?”
Zheng Xiaolong and Jiang Yushuang were both stunned.
Their act had only just begun, and Jiang Ling had already agreed?
Wasn’t it supposed to be that Jiang Yushuang would be scolded until she was on the verge of tears, Jiang Ling would feel sympathetic and step in to help, and then after some back-and-forth, she would finally agree to play Concubine Hua? Damn it, why weren't they following the script?
Seeing them frozen there, Jiang Ling found it both amusing and exasperating. “Your acting is so bad, if you can endure it, I can’t watch.”
Their bluff called, Zheng Xiaolong and Jiang Yushuang chuckled awkwardly.
“Lingzi, how did you guess we were acting?” Jiang Yushuang blinked curiously.
Jiang Ling replied, “Do I even need to guess? Everyone knows your husband is Jian Fan and he’s a huge jealous type. Which crew would dare cast you in intimate scenes? Concubine Hua has many intimate scenes with the Emperor in the play. For instance, the scene where Concubine Hua playfully hooks the Emperor’s belt with her alluring eyes – if your husband saw that, even a forty-meter-long saber wouldn’t be enough to hold him back. Plus, for the past few days, many crew members have been privately discussing how hard it is to find someone for the role of Concubine Hua, and how the director has been losing sleep over it for days. Combine these two facts, and the answer is obvious, isn’t it?”
Jiang Yushuang and Zheng Xiaolong listened, their admiration growing.
Jiang Ling rolled her eyes again and said, “Your acting is so clumsy, you have the nerve to act in front of me? Don’t you find it ridiculous?”
Jiang Yushuang chuckled, “You’re so smart, it’s a shame you’re not a detective!”
Zheng Xiaolong added, “Your eyes sparkle with intelligence, you’re clearly a bright person. Playing Concubine Qi really doesn’t suit you.”
Jiang Ling, however, disagreed, shaking her head. “There’s nothing unsuitable, it depends on whether the acting can carry it. You went to all this trouble to put on this show, all because you want me to play Concubine Hua. Fine, as you wish, I’ll take on the role of Concubine Hua!”
For the past few days since joining the crew, Zheng Xiaolong had been subtly hinting at how outstanding the role of Concubine Hua was.
And there were many crew members who had privately discussed that whoever played Concubine Hua would become famous.
Don’t think she couldn’t see it; these were all deliberately spread by Zheng Xiaolong for her to hear.
Jiang Ling also knew that she was the best candidate for the role of Concubine Hua, and Zheng Xiaolong, out of appreciation for her talent, didn't want to see it wasted on the role of Concubine Qi, which was why he had orchestrated this.
Fine, their enthusiasm was hard to refuse, she would play the role.
Zheng Xiaolong was overjoyed. “Really?”
“Really, I stand by my word. Bring the contract over!”
Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiaolong quickly urged his assistant to bring the pre-drafted contract.