"Hello!"
"Jiang Ling, I've got a great script recently and want you to play the lead role. Are you available?"
Guan Suyun's clear and crisp voice came through the phone.
Last year, during the filming of "The Romance of the Jade Bow," Jiang Ling's pursuit of perfection in acting and Guan Suyun's dedication to flawless production created a common ground between these two women at the peak of their respective fields.
After finishing the drama, Guan Suyun and Jiang Ling became kindred spirits, maintaining close contact even after the show aired.
Therefore, Guan Suyun skipped the usual pleasantries and went straight to the point, offering Jiang Ling the lead role in a new project.
Although she had a good idea of what was coming, Jiang Ling feigned curiosity and asked, "What kind of script is it that you absolutely must have me in? If it's not good, I'm not coming!"
Guan Suyun rolled her eyes on the other end of the line. "If it weren't a good script, let alone you, even I wouldn't bother wasting my time. This is a wuxia drama that I believe is very worth filming. The male and female lead characters are incredibly compelling, and I guarantee you'll like it."
"Oh, you're that confident?"
"Of course. I'm very picky; I wouldn't approve of anything less than excellent."
"Alright, send the script over for me to see first. If it's good, I'll head over right away," Jiang Ling said with a smile.
"Okay!"
Not long after hanging up, Jiang Ling received the electronic version of the script from Guan Suyun.
The title of the electronic file prominently displayed the four characters 'Tian Jian Qun Xia.'
Jiang Ling eagerly opened it to take a look.
Male Lead: Xiao Ting
Female Lead: Tang Ruoxuan
Male Second Lead: Gu Hanyang
Female Second Lead: Huang Xiang
Supporting Roles: Flower Fairy, Lan Chou Xing Guan, Master Ping Jing, Blood Phoenix, and others.
Seeing these familiar character names, Jiang Ling was now one hundred percent certain that this was arranged by the system.
She immediately called Guan Suyun back. "I'll take this drama. When can we start filming?"
Guan Suyun was taken aback. "I just sent you the script. You probably haven't even finished reading an episode yet, so why did you agree so readily? Aren't you afraid I'll trick you?"
"I'm not afraid, because I trust you. You're not that kind of person!"
"Good, it's always a pleasure talking to you. I've pretty much arranged the cast, and all that's left is for you to take on the lead female role. Once you arrive, we'll start filming."
"I'm already in Hengdian. Send me the location," Jiang Ling said.
"Will do!"
Guan Suyun then sent Jiang Ling a location.
Hengdian has numerous film crews and occupies a vast area. Jiang Ling, following the location, hailed a taxi to get there.
It had been just over a year, and Guan Suyun's demeanor remained as vibrant as ever.
After a brief greeting and pleasantries, the two immediately got down to business, discussing the filming.
Jiang Ling said, "The female lead in this script is outwardly gentle but inwardly strong, with a very upright moral compass. She won't abandon her parents' revenge or her sense of justice for love. I like this type of female lead. You can decide the salary; my only request is to find a good-looking male lead, dressed in white with white hair, and he must be handsome. Otherwise, playing a villain like that would surely draw the audience's ire."
In this era, good looks were paramount, and people's moral judgments often followed their perception of beauty.
If the actor playing Xiao Ting hadn't been particularly handsome in her previous life, the audience would have certainly lambasted him for causing the death of the entire female lead's family.
Speaking of looks, Jiang Ling couldn't help but recall "Goodbye My Princess," and the character Li Gouzi who cruelly tormented the female lead.
When the drama aired, it was also heavily criticized by viewers. He was a scumbag of epic proportions, whose fate of dying alone was considered insufficient punishment for the public's indignation.