Overnight Hit: Vicious Stepmother and Genius Son
Chapter 158: Snatch a Deal?

Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Snatch a Deal?

Soon, three figures emerged around the corner.

They were Xiao Yi, Feige, and a man Ye Zhenzhen did not recognize.

When Xiao Yi saw Ye Zhenzhen, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, "What are you doing here?"

"I’m here for a costume fitting."

Only after hearing Ye Zhenzhen’s response did Xiao Yi notice the period costume she was wearing, with her hair and makeup also suggesting an era gone by.

Feige nodded silently to Ye Zhenzhen as a greeting.

Xiao Yi continued to ask, "Which crew?"

"’Ren Pingsheng’."

Xiao Yi was not familiar with the script, but when he looked at Ye Zhenzhen again, an idea formed in his mind. He turned to the man beside him and said, "Producer Wang, that’s enough for today, we’ll talk next time."

The man known as Producer Wang hesitated, "Brother Yi, not next time, let’s go inside and talk in detail."

Xiao Yi did not respond to Producer Wang directly but instead said to Ye Zhenzhen, "Let’s have lunch together."

Ye Zhenzhen was taken aback.

Producer Wang, thinking that Xiao Yi was tactfully refusing him, immediately spoke up with a chuckling smile, "Brother Yi, let me treat you to lunch. Whatever you want to eat, I’ll book a spot right now."

Ye Zhenzhen glanced at the man called Producer Wang beside Xiao Yi, who was also sizing her up.

Xiao Yi: "Didn’t you say you wanted to treat me to a meal? Forgot?"

Ye Zhenzhen curved her lips into a smile, "Which time? Best Actor Xiao, stop joking with me. You go ahead and talk, I’ve got things to do."

Afterward, Ye Zhenzhen quickly nodded to the group and briskly walked away.

Watching Ye Zhenzhen’s retreating figure, a thought troubled Producer Wang. Previously, the internet had been abuzz with claims that Ye Zhenzhen knew Xiao Yi.

Seeing now that Xiao Yi took the initiative to ask her to lunch, their relationship had to be more than just acquaintance.

When Ye Zhenzhen returned to the studio, the makeup of the other actors was almost finished, and the crew assistant was gathering everyone to take promotional group photos.

After all that was done, Ye Zhenzhen went back to the makeup room to remove her makeup and change out of her costume.

Liu Rui had just arrived at the Lemon Channel. As the agent, she needed to make sure every contract was in order for Ye Zhenzhen.

However, the signing process was not smooth.

They waited in the signing room for a long time, but no one came in with a contract.

Liu Rui called the producer, Qi Tao, who initially hung up on her.

Liu Rui called again.

After several attempts, he still did not pick up.

Feeling her anger rising, Liu Rui borrowed a phone from Yu Lili and called again using a different number, prompting Qi Tao to answer; "Producer Qi, you’ve finally finished to take my call," Liu Rui said, trying to maintain her composure.

On the other end of the line, when Qi Tao heard Liu Rui’s voice, he spoke helplessly, "Liu Rui, why don’t you take your artist and go back for now? I’ll have someone call you when signing is possible?"

"What do you mean call me when signing is possible? Producer Qi, today our Zhenzhen has already had her costume fitting and measurements taken. All that’s left is to sign, and now you suddenly tell me to take her and wait for news?"

Qi Tao sighed, "Liu Rui, with the relationship between us, I hope you can understand me. You know, no matter how good the actor we choose is, the production can’t start without the funds."

With that said, how could Liu Rui not understand.

The implication in Qi Tao’s words was clear: Ye Zhenzhen’s role had been snatched away by some big capital.

Someone definitely made a big behind-the-scenes cash deal in order to slot in their actor; otherwise, the production team wouldn’t have changed their tune so suddenly.

While such incidents are not uncommon in this circle, when it actually happens to oneself, it feels utterly disgusting.

The auditions were public, and there was a big hullabaloo about it on Weibo too. Just when it seemed that everything had settled, a wrench was thrown in the works at the last crucial moment.

Liu Rui pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and asked through clenched teeth, "Who is it?"

Since someone had hijacked the role, she needed to know who did it. She couldn’t just go back and wait for news without any clue.

"Han Jiangxue."

Qi Tao continued, "They’ve already confirmed on their side, and the contract is signed. I don’t want to make a big fuss over such a small matter with you, so if the fans ask, let’s just say our schedules didn’t align."

"Qi Tao, are you joking with me? Zhenzhen has already memorized the script, and now you want me to say it’s a scheduling conflict? If it was about the schedule, you should have said something earlier. We even came over today for makeup and fittings.

What do you take us for?"

"Liu Rui, we owe you an apology for this matter. Rest assured, next time, I’ll definitely find a chance to make it up to you and give your artist a good script."

Meanwhile, Weibo was already bustling;

The Weibo account for the TV series "Ren Pingsheng" had already published the main cast list, clearly stating that the role of the second female lead, Yang Huilan, would be performed by Han Jiangxue.

The promotional poster below showcased four images, one each for the first and second male and female leads.

None of the photos or group shots featuring Ye Zhenzhen just taken were included.

Ye Zhenzhen’s fan count has now far exceeded that of Han Jiangxue’s, and everyone was commenting beneath that Weibo post;

[Aren’t you clear on this? Wasn’t our Zhenzhen the second female lead? Why has it changed to Han Jiangxue?]

[Obviously, the director must’ve thought it over and decided our Xiao Xue has stronger professional abilities, which is why Ye Zhenzhen was replaced, haha!]

[Didn’t Zhenzhen confirm during her live stream that she was the second female lead for "Ren Pingsheng"? Even the screenwriter Qing Qing confirmed it on Weibo. What’s going on?]

[Can someone explain what’s happening?]

[What’s happening? What else could it be? It’s just that our Xiao Xue is more talented than Ye Zhenzhen!]

Han Jiangxue was overjoyed when she saw the announcement from the production crew.

She had just finished shooting in another studio and had already seen Ye Zhenzhen, but she hadn’t said a word.

She wanted Ye Zhenzhen to experience the plunge from the clouds into the abyss of despair at the very last hurdle, filled with hope—the same feeling she endured on the day of the audition. So, this time, she was determined to let Ye Zhenzhen taste the bitterness of a sudden loss.

Hmph, Ye Zhenzhen thinks she’s clever, but she’s still too green.

The reason Han Jiangxue was able to snatch Ye Zhenzhen’s role was all thanks to the sizable sum Shen Zhaonan gave her, which allowed her to brazenly bring funding into the production. Moreover, her remuneration was even less than Ye Zhenzhen’s, almost like a friendly cameo.

Han Jiangxue had a clear plan; she invested in the series, and whether she received a salary or not didn’t matter. Her main goal was to oust Ye Zhenzhen.

...

After returning the phone to Yu Lili, Liu Rui explained the situation to Ye Zhenzhen.

Ye Zhenzhen’s delicate face showed no emotion as she calmly said, "Han Jiangxue is like a grape gone bad, full of malice inside. Don’t blame yourself.

I was too complacent, not anticipating she would resort to this tactic."

Bringing funding into the production.