Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Naive Director Snatches Talent Online

Upon hearing Director Li’s words, Tian Jie’s face briefly flickered with anxiety before he quickly smiled and said, “How could that be? Who knows, maybe you don’t allow actors from your crew to overlap scenes.”

Hearing this, Director Li felt relieved; as long as Tian Jie didn’t interfere with his actors, it was fine. He even asked with concern, “Didn’t you find a suitable candidate during your earlier auditions?”

“Yes, I did,” Tian Jie said with a hint of meaning. “Isn’t that why I’m still trying to secure her?”

Tian Jie did nothing all afternoon but lingered on the set. Watching the monitor, he casually asked, “Hey! That’s Bai Chenxi, right? I often see news about her. How’s her acting?”

Director Li curled his lips in disdain. “Far from good. And she’s always causing trouble for me.”

Hearing this, a spark of hope ignited in Tian Jie’s heart. He proposed, “What do you think about having her as my female lead?”

“No way,” Director Li’s expression darkened. “I wondered why you were lingering around, turns out you want to poach my actor.”

“How can it be poaching? She auditioned for our crew too. I’m satisfied, and she really likes the script.”

Director Li snorted coldly, “Who says they don’t like the script during auditions? Only fools do that.”

Thinking of his own request, Tian Jie tried to speak politely, “She’s just a supporting role in your crew with little screen time. For my sake, can’t we rearrange the schedule? Wouldn’t that solve the problem?”

“What do you mean supporting role? She’s the second female lead, with the most scenes after the male and female leads. No way,” Director Li said firmly.

“Then what does that make me? The female lead!” Everyone knows the difference between a lead and a second lead.

“My production doesn’t allow scene overlapping,” Director Li shut down Tian Jie’s argument with a single sentence.

Fuming, Tian Jie slammed the table. “You, Li Tianqi, are you deliberately opposing me?”

Director Li’s temper flared as well. “So what if I am?”

Their quarrel startled those around them. They had just been talking nicely a moment ago—how did it suddenly turn into a fight?

Bai Chenxi’s curiosity about gossip instantly flared. She poked Xiao Yu. “What do you think is going on? Is competition among directors really this fierce now?”

Bai Chenxi had overheard the brief shouting between the two. Though sparse, her imagination ran wild.

She had thought perhaps the two directors, both she’d encountered and known for their fiery tempers, were rivals so bitter they would quarrel publicly. After all, she had experienced their moods firsthand.

This only made her miss Director Wang Yehong all the more—handsome, an award-winning actor, and gentle in directing. Ah, only after entering the industry does one realize how ruthless the world truly is!

Listening to Bai Chenxi’s wild imagination, Xiao Yu thought she was truly too talented to be just an actress.

Adjusting his glasses, Xiao Yu explained the relationship between the two to prevent further fanciful speculations.

“Director Li and Director Tian are classmates. They’re known for publicly arguing and roasting each other constantly. The media has reported their feud multiple times, but they always make up quickly and even team up to call the press liars. After getting slapped down so many times, reporters stopped covering their disputes.”

Xiao Yu glanced around. “Didn’t you notice nobody else is paying attention after one glance? Everyone’s just used to it.”

His implication was clear: you’re the only one making a fuss.

Bai Chenxi reflected on herself. “Looks like I haven’t been gossiping hard enough. I need to broaden my scope.”

She couldn’t just focus on the young heartthrobs; it was too narrow-minded. The love-hate relationship between two top directors alone was captivating. She needed to dig deeper.

Bai Chenxi laughed heartily, much to Director Li’s displeasure. They were embroiled in a fierce quarrel, yet she was laughing carefree.

“Bai Chenxi, come here.” Hearing Director Li’s call, her smile froze.

“Xiao Yu, did I just imagine that? You didn’t hear anything, right?”

Xiao Yu ignored the pleading look in her eyes. “Not an illusion. Director Li just called you.”

Bai Chenxi inched forward slowly, silently wishing the path was longer—much longer. If the two greats were fighting, she hoped to avoid becoming collateral damage. Going over now meant certain sacrifice.

Despite her reluctance, she moved closer.

“Speak!” Director Li’s sudden command startled Bai Chenxi.

“Who would you rather act for, me or him?”

Here it came—the life-or-death question. In Bai Chenxi’s mind, it was as difficult as the classic “save your wife or mother if they both fall into water” dilemma.

If she said she liked both, the next question would be: “You can only choose one.”

She laughed nervously. “Both directors are excellent. It’s an honor to act in either of their works.”

Before Director Li could reply, Tian Jie interjected, “Don’t say those empty words. You can only pick one. Who do you choose?”

Director Li chimed in, threatening quietly, “You’re still shooting your scenes with me, you know.”

Tian Jie shot back, “But you’ve said you like my work.”

Huh? When did I say that? I said I liked the script! But Bai Chenxi dared not speak up.

Why did they have to call me? Someone save me.

“Director Li, I’m ready. Can we start now?”

At that critical moment, Xia Yan arrived. To Bai Chenxi, he was like an angel—how could such a good person exist?

“Let’s begin!” Although still upset, Director Li remained professional. Tian Jie no longer interrupted.

Xia Yan took the opportunity to escort Bai Chenxi out. She slapped his shoulder gratefully. “I can never repay your lifesaving kindness. From now on, you’re my Yan-ge.”

Xia Yan naturally asked, “Isn’t it usually with your body? How come no repayment?”

Bai Chenxi waved her hands jokingly. “No way! I’m not worthy.”

They didn’t dwell on the topic. Xia Yan asked, “What did the director want from you?”

Suddenly mischievous, Bai Chenxi asked, “If your wife and mother both fell into water at the same time, who would you save first?”

Hearing this classic question, Xia Yan quickly responded, “I don’t have a wife, so I reject the hypothetical.” He ended with a hint of pride.

Bai Chenxi was speechless.

“Director asked me which of the two plays I’d rather act in.”

Xia Yan suddenly understood why she had asked that earlier.

He thought for a moment. “Tian Jie probably wants you for his play. ‘Red Beauty’s Trial’ just needs a female lead before shooting can start. If he didn’t value you, why would he waste an entire afternoon here?”

“‘Red Beauty’s Trial’? Impossible,” Bai Chenxi answered firmly.

“I auditioned for it. The director was very dissatisfied.”

“Who knows?” Xia Yan replied enigmatically.

Bai Chenxi was puzzled. “How do you know so much about it?”

“My agent looked into it.” She didn’t press further.

Bai Chenxi didn’t take it seriously anyway. She still vividly remembered the director’s impatient expression back then—no way he would choose her as the lead.