Chapter 555: Meng Xue’s Mental Collapse (2)

Translator: _Min

The staff had also set up the promotional board, upon which the title “Crossing the Demon Realm” and the auspicious words “Wishing a Smooth Start” were prominently displayed.

Actors and actresses were handed incense sticks as part of the ceremony.

Meng Xue and Lin Wansu found themselves frozen in place, only moving towards the promotional board after a nudge from the staff, their steps hesitant and unsure.

As usual, Meng Xue instinctively moved towards the center.

“Hey! What are you doing?” the assistant director noticed and frowned deeply.

“The center position is reserved for the female lead. Do you think this is a fashion runway where you can just claim the spotlight?”

All eyes turned towards them, scrutinizing.

Meng Xue’s face flushed red immediately. She quickly apologized and moved to the back.

This was but a minor incident, yet it didn’t escape the attention of those around her.

Meng Xue felt as though all eyes were still on her, making her feel as if she was being pricked by needles.

Even the sunlight seemed too glaring, her complexion turning alarmingly pale.

Another minor actor offered her support, “Are you alright?”

Meng Xue managed a weak smile, “I’m fine…”

“Right, you’re playing Su He, aren’t you?” the minor actor said. “Your character has a lot of scenes, constantly following around the female lead and serving her. ”

Director Tang Haiqiu’s reputation for strictness meant no stand-ins were allowed.

Meng Xue would have to perform all her scenes personally.

The thought alone made Meng Xue’s complexion worsen.

Ifit were for Gu Zhinan, she would have willingly accepted.

But to serve Si Fuqing?!

Meng Xue felt a gnawing pain inside, as if ants were eating her from within.

She looked at Si Fuqing, standing proudly at the center and forefront, her hands trembling uncontrollably.

Meng Xue was aware of the smear campaign against        on Weibo before

the start of “Crossing the Demon Realm.”

And now, Si Fuqing was the female lead, and she was a servant to the female lead.

Her body swayed, already anticipating the ridicule she would face online.

Throughout the ceremony, Meng Xue was distracted.

The conclusion of the opening ceremony signified the official commencement of “Crossing the Demon Realm.”

“Everyone, head to the makeup room. We’ll start with the makeup photos,” the assistant director announced. “Teacher Si has several outfits to try, there are four sets to capture, so it’ll be a bit of work.”

Si Fuqing nodded in agreement, “No worries, it’s my duty.”

Sang Yanqing and Yuejian followed.

Si Fuqing’s natural beauty made the makeup artist’s job easy, and the styling was quickly completed.

“Today really feels like a triumph,” Sang Yanqing and Yuejian laughed and chatted, bursting with joy. “Yueyue, did you see Meng Xue and Lin Wansu? They looked absolutely green with envy. They deserved it for trying to smear

Qingqing.”

Yuejian nodded, “Is this common in the entertainment industry?”

“Not really, it depends on the team’s approach,” Sang Yanqing shook her head. “Some rely on smearing others to climb up. Real talent like Qingqing’s is rare, and public opinion can be lethal.”

“What a hassle,” Yuejian mused, a cold smile playing on his lips. “It would be simpler to just deal with them directly.”

Sang Yanqing was taken aback, “Deal with them?”

“I mean, we should handle this properly,” Yuejian clarified. “We should crush them with our abilities.”

“Exactly,” Sang Yanqing agreed. “True strength speaks louder than words.” Overhearing their conversation, Si Fuqing thought to herself.

Sang Yanqing might not realize that Yuejian’s idea ofstrength was more physical than metaphorical.

Evolved beings tend to be quite violent.

“Sister Sang, you’re truly impressive,” Si Fuqing sincerely complimented, giving a thumbs up. “You’re the most mentally resilient person I’ve met.”

Sang Yanqing responded with a hint of irritation, “I have to be, to manage you. Otherwise, I would have been scared to death long ago.”

After the makeup photos were taken, they were sent to the promotional team.

Soon, the official account of “Crossing the Demon Realm” released the cast photos, starting with the supporting roles.

The fans were eagerly waiting.

[Where’s Qingqing? Where’s Qingqing? Hurry up and release my wife’s makeup photo!]

[Why hasn’t Qingqing’s photo been released yet?]

After the account posted the makeup photo of MO Yishan, there was still no sign of Si Fuqing.

Meng Xue’s fans began to gloat.

After they had suppressed their feelings for so many days, it was finally time to unleash them.

[Looks like some supporting characters don’t even get a makeup photo. What’s there to look forward to?]

[Meng Xue is the fifth female lead. Where’s your bias? Can’t find her anywhere, can you?]

[Only the female lead left, and Si Fuqing doesn’t have a makeup photo. Stop looking. ]

Finally, the makeup photo of the female lead was released.

[@CrossingtheDemonRealmOfficialV: A mortal against the gods! She is Sui

Yan, unyielding and resilient! @SiFuqingV]

Accompanied by four images.

The first image was Sui Yan at the start, naive and innocent.

The second image captured her as she crawls through the demon’s lair.

The third portrayed her wandering the mortal world, a paragon of chivalry, her white robes billowing in the breeze.

In the final picture, she was clad in silver armor, gripping a heavy sword, her gaze icy and piercing, as she pointed towards the celestial palace.

From a mere mortal to a remnant soul, and finally stepping into the celestial realm as a warrior goddess, her entire journey unfolded across these four images.

The post exploded with comments.

[What the…?]

[Am I blind? Someone, please pinch me awake.]

[Who said being a fan of Si Fuqing’s career has no future? I DISAGREE! Look at this career! Who can compare?]

[Ahhh, my wife is so successful! A true female lead!]

Transitioning from a pop idol to an actor was usually fraught with difficulties, but Si Fuqing’s first role was as the female lead!

Meng Xue’s fans were left speechless.

Seconds later, they began frantically deleting their comments.

[Don’t bother deleting, I’ve already taken screenshots. Let’s see if your faces are swollen yet.]

[Ah, our bias isn’t just any supporting character. She’s the female lead. Heard someone’s playing the servant?]

[I’ve never heard of Si Fuqing, but these makeup photos look promising. I’m looking forward to it.]

[I give up. Why cast an idol with no acting skills as the lead? Don’t they know these idols can’t act?]

At the same time, Gu Zhinan and her team caught sight of the official cast list released for “Crossing the Demon Realm”.

“I thought Director Tang would choose someone experienced, but it turns out to be a newcomer,” her agent expressed in disbelief. “She hasn’t even acted before. What made Director Tang choose her over you?”

Gu Zhinan pursed her lips, feeling a sting in her heart, “She’s pretty.”

“Director Tang is definitely not someone swayed by appearances, and moreover, the character Sui Yan comes from a mortal background, not even possessing exceptional beauty,” her agent scoffed with a cold laugh. “I wonder what kind of backing she has, daring to snatch your role.”

Ifit had been an actor of the same status as Gu Zhinan, it might have been acceptable.

But Si Fuqing?

A Best Actress winner losing a role to a popular idol? That was intolerable.

Gu Zhinan’s social media and fan groups were in an uproar.

The topic #SiFuqingSnatchesGuZhinanRole# quickly trended.

In terms of national popularity and the general public’s perception, Gu Zhinan, the award-winning actress, was far ahead, and her acting skills were widely recognized as superior.

[I really want to know who’s backing Si Fuqing. Which tycoon managed to sway even the upright Tang Haiqiu? Don’t tell me she doesn’t have a powerful backer. I’ll never believe it. Without one, there’s no way she could have parted ways with Tianle Media so smoothly.]

[The ones I dislike the most are those who replace genuinely talented actors by relying on their wealthy backers.]

[I just want to ask, on what basis did Si Fuqing get the lead role?!]

[I’m not watching it anymore. It’s fine for a pop idol to play a supporting role, but the lead? That’s just laughable.]

[Serial drama fan here, who is            Is she also a Best Actress?]

[The one asking before, does she deserve to be Best Actress? Just stick to singing and dancing.]

“I knew it would come to this. I didn’t want to get involved with them,” Sang Yan said with a cold laugh. “Since they’ve come knocking, they can’t blame me for stepping on them.”

With a slam of her hand on the table, she declared, “Release Qingqing’s audition tape. Buy the top spot on the trending searches.”

It was time to shock a few more people!