Overnight Hit: Vicious Stepmother and Genius Son
Chapter 390

Chapter 390: 390

Last night, the fact that Ye Zhenzhen auditioned on the spot at the dinner gathering was quickly relayed by Sister Xia on behalf of Qiu Wanshuang, mentioning that Director Qi decided on the spot to cast Ye Zhenzhen.

To be an actor acknowledged by Director Qi, Producer Qi, and other directors in this circle is a rarity; even she herself, when in a project with Director Qi, couldn’t avoid being corrected a time or two.

Yet for Ye Zhenzhen to secure a role by just tentatively auditioning, Qiu Wanshuang found it incredible.

After all, Ye Zhenzhen’s current popularity was merely a result of the toddler variety show and coincidentally knowing Xiao Yi, who guided her into signing a movie script. If one were to talk about true acting skills, Ye Zhenzhen’s past performances, as far as she had seen, were not even on the same level as hers.

She thought, perhaps Ye Zhenzhen was just lucky, having had one or two fortuitous occasions that caught the directors’ eyes?

About the global endorsement deal with GK that Ye Zhenzhen snatched away, it was her husband’s prowess that Qiu Wanshuang conceded to; after all, she truly had no grounds for comparison.

But now, regarding the script from Director Qi’s team, Ye Zhenzhen’s husband, no matter how capable, would find no opportunity to exert influence in front of someone like Director Qi and his team, who do not fear the power of capital and value true talent above all.

With this in mind, Qiu Wanshuang promptly had her husband, Ji Ziqian, call Qi Feng.

Setting aside the big shot Song Jinze, just comparing her and Ye Zhenzhen’s capabilities, she, Qiu Wanshuang, had popularity and far surpassed Ye Zhenzhen in acting skills and talent. The two of them were simply not on the same level, so how could Director Qi’s team possibly choose Ye Zhenzhen over her?

The outcome of last night’s phone call had also satisfied her, as Producer Qi was indeed swayed, indicating that the contract was not yet signed, and they could find an excuse to back out later.

And now they were telling her that Ye Zhenzhen had already been decided upon and had signed the contract?

"Why so soon? Didn’t Producer Qi say yesterday that they could back out?" Qiu Wanshuang asked Ji Ziqian.

"Producer Qi said that last night an investor approached them with an offer they couldn’t refuse, insisting on Ye Zhenzhen for the lead role. I suspect this investor is most likely the president of Huanya, Song Jinze."

Ji Ziqian was so sure because in this circle, there were very few who could persuade the Qi brothers with funds and connections.

And for someone to go to such lengths to specifically demand Ye Zhenzhen for the lead role, besides her husband Song Jinze, it could be no other.

Qiu Wanshuang clenched her phone slightly tighter. Needless to say, such news stirred her inside.

She considered that she had no intersection with Ye Zhenzhen within the industry circles, let alone any deep grudges; there simply weren’t any.

It’s not unheard of in this circle to compete for resources, but to have someone pry away two substantial opportunities from her so bluntly and violently within three days, how could she possibly swallow that?

The lead role in "Legend of Dusk Clouds" and the global endorsement with GK were originally within her plans, but now Ye Zhenzhen’s sudden rise completely disrupted them.

She was curious to see if, aside from having a powerful husband, Ye Zhenzhen had any real talent of her own. If she did, Qiu Wanshuang could grudgingly accept it. But if it was all nothing, after these many years in the industry, Qiu Wanshuang wasn’t one to be trifled with...

Han Jiangxue might have been easily taken down by Ye Zhenzhen, but she wouldn’t be.

...

At two o’clock in the afternoon, the recording of the variety show began on schedule.

Four groups of mothers stood backstage with their babies, waiting for the host on stage to cue their names before going on stage one by one.

Except for Qiu Wanshuang, Ye Zhenzhen, An Xi, and Xu Wanjia were all familiar with each other. After simple greetings, they started small talk sentence by sentence.

An Xi was most concerned about whether Song Jinze was joining the variety show. She whispered to Ye Zhenzhen, "Zhenzhen, is your husband participating?"

Ye Zhenzhen chuckled lightly, "It’s not yet decided."

Talking to Liu Rui was one thing, but she had to be more cautious with An Xi. The comments on Weibo were quite strange. If she said today that Song Jinze would go and later he couldn’t due to work, it would generate unnecessary drama.

Might as well keep it undecided. Whether he goes or not, there’s room to maneuver.

Xiao Chen sat aside, and upon hearing his mother’s words, rolled his shiny black eyes and asked An Xi, "Auntie, will Brother Ranran’s dad be going?"

An Xi felt a bit embarrassed by Xiao Chen’s question and replied, "That’s also undecided."

Gu Liangjun was waiting to see if Song Jinze would go; if Jinze went, then he would too. That’s why An Xi was seeking an opportunity to ask Ye Zhenzhen now.

Xu Wanjia laughed, "Our Director Yang said there’s no filming starting up, so we have a few days to relax and I can spend time with Xiao Yiyi. The child had a fever after returning from Jincheng last week; she’s only just gotten better these past few days. I was so worried."

Xiao Yiyi had just turned four this year and had recently started kindergarten. It was a time when colds and fevers were common. Yang Pinghui, as a father, had seen how hard Xu Wanjia, the mother, had been working nonstop to take care of the child these past days.

That’s why he decided to join the variety show as well, so if Xiao Yiyi gets a cold or fever again, he could help take care of her.

An Xi immediately followed up on Xu Wanjia’s cue, "Ranran had a slight cold after filming the variety show, but he got better quickly, in three days. I do hope that this third episode will be filmed in a warmer place."

The snow was beautiful, yes, but she preferred a warmer place.

Qiu Wanshuang sat on the side, her face bearing a friendly smile, also participating in their conversation, "Indeed the weather has been terribly cold recently. Xiao Tuantuan caught a cold twice this month and has only just gotten better."

Xiao Yiyi and Xiao Tuantuan were about the same age, and both girls. Xu Wanjia could relate, "Raising a child is so hard, with endless worries."

"Not just raising them. It’s hard from the moment you’re pregnant. Ten months of pregnancy, giving birth, and then raising them to this age. The hardships we mothers go through can only be understood by ourselves, incomprehensible to others."

Xu Wanjia and An Xi, both mothers who had given birth, completely agreed with Qiu Wanshuang’s words and nodded along.

Qiu Wanshuang saw that Ye Zhenzhen’s face showed no particular expression, so she sighed softly, "Speaking of life, it’s not just raising children that’s tough, but also the roles we play. The audience only sees the characters we portray but has no idea how much effort we put into those roles behind the scenes.

From choosing the script at the beginning, to memorizing lines, to preparing for difficult scenes or roles in advance, to the actual filming. Diving in winter, wearing padded jackets in summer - these challenges are no less than giving birth..."

Xu Wanjia had won Best Actress awards and also raised a child—she wholeheartedly agreed with Qiu Wanshuang, "Yes, Shuangshuang, what you’re saying is absolutely right."

Qiu Wanshuang smiled faintly, "You see, Sister Jiajia, you’ve been through it, so you deeply understand. The audience or outsiders just rush to see the results, or they’d snatch away one’s achievements, never appreciating the process..."

Ye Zhenzhen’s eyes darkened as she listened for several minutes. It seemed she was beginning to catch onto something. The insinuations in Qiu Wanshuang’s words seemed to be directed at her, weren’t they?