Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
A few days after the events had passed, even with what Qu Wan had said a few days before, Ling Yuqing couldn’t help but feel uneasy. The few days had passed without much activity, there was no one that came to find trouble with her, so she had gradually relaxed and forgot about the event.
Even though the audition wasn’t too successful, it was a huge project. From the investors, producing company, to the director, screenwriter, they were all top-notch. With Guan Meiyi as the female lead, the preparations afterwards went along well and quickly.
On the official day of the filming, after a short but meaningful opening ceremony, the blockbuster drama “Lie Yan” – directed by Zhang Heng, written by TY, a.k.a. Ling Tianya, withGuan Meiyi as the female lead, and Yuan Teng Corporation as their investor – had officially started filming.
Because of what happened during the audition, Guan Meiyi had been intensifying her acting training. She fully knew that, putting aside the fact that Ling Tianya was the screenwriter for the drama, the work would definitely be the peak of her career. No matter what, she definitely couldn’t fail!
She especially couldn’t be looked down on by Ling Tianya. For all those years, she had maintained a state of dignity, looking down at them from above. She refused to allow herself to show any weaknesses before Ling Tianya, she would always be the Guan Meiyi that Ling Tianya had to look up to!
Even if Guan Meiyi hadn’t realized it, subconsciously, she had started to prioritize the gap between her and Ling Tianya.
In the beginning, the few scenes were relatively simple, and the filming was going great. Guan Meiyi just had to appear natural, and most shots were passed in their first go. The director looked pleased too. That gave Guan Meiyi a great boost of confidence, feeling that the acting that she had been training on had started to work.
Just as Guan Meiyi thought that she had a hold on the situation, Ling Tianya suddenly called for a ‘cut’.
Ling Tianya critically looked at Guan Meiyi, before talking to the director, Zhang Heng, “Mr. Zhang, I feel that the female lead’s image is too beautiful right now, and not plain enough. It won’t create a stunning enough contrast when she comes back glamorous.”
Listening to Ling Tianya, Guan Meiyi frowned, she looked down at her outfit – tattered rough cotton clothes, her hair free of any accessories and styling. Was she still not plain enough? Then what would be considered plain?
Just as Guan Meiyi was about to state her opinion, she saw Zhang Heng nodding in agreement, “Yes, I felt that something was missing too, but only realized that this was the issue when you brought it up. How do you think we should change it then?”
“Why don’t we give Meiyi a short-haired wig? Actually, the best idea would be to just cut her hair and use that instead, but I think Meiyi won’t agree to that, so let’s just use a wig.”
“What?!” Hearing that Ling Tianya wanted to her to cut her hair short, Guan Meiyi’s face fell, “The look was decided before we started filming, isn’t it too hasty to change it now?”
Back when they were finalizing the look, Guan Meiyi had not been too cooperative then, this current image was the limit of what she could tolerate. She felt that she was already plain enough. She refused to allow herself look worse than she did!
Ling Tianya smiled, patiently explaining things to Guan Meiyi, “Meiyi, this drama is important to every one of us, every one of us wants to make “Lie Yan” the best. I believe you, as the female lead, would like to do that too, right?”
“You–!” Guan Meiyi gritted her teeth, “Of course I do! It doesn’t require me to wear a wig, right?”
“Of course it does, since we have found the issue, we should solve it. A blockbuster requires the ultimate attention to every detail. The director has agreed with me too, hasn’t he?” Ling Tianya looked at Zhang Heng.
Zhang Heng nodded, agreeing with Ling Tianya’s suggestion, “Yes, actually. Meiyi, I think that you should cut your real hair short, what do you think? You’re the actress, you should make some sacrifices for your work.”
With Zhang Heng’s words, Guan Meiyi grabbed onto her silky hair subconsciously, her hair was her most prized asset. She absolutely refused to cut it, and neither would she wear that wretched wig either!
She was Guan Meiyi, she was the nation’s goddess, she would not be ugly! Even more, she wouldl not let Ruan Zeyan see her like that!
