She Wants to Divorce Me

Qiao Xi’s appearance eased Chang Yu’s awkwardness. She glanced discreetly at Ji Yaoguang before turning her gaze to Qiao Xi. Who knew what these two had discussed in the room? After a moment’s hesitation, she replied, “It’s not finished over there. There’s still a scene with Li Yaoyao.” Li Yaoyao and Jiang Huai’s scenes alone had resulted in countless retakes. A hint of impatience flickered in Chang Yu’s eyes. She rubbed her temples and, without another glance at Ji Yaoguang, walked towards Li Ou.

Ji Yaoguang looked down at her hand. Chang Yu’s touch had been gentle, like a spring breeze. Some habits ingrained in one’s bones were hard to change. Chang Yu wasn’t as cold-hearted as she had imagined, was she? After a moment of self-consolation, Ji Yaoguang eagerly followed, sitting obediently to the side, back straight, hands on her knees, eyes fixed on Chang Yu.

Chang Yu, in costume, was reviewing the script, while Li Yaoyao and Jiang Huai were still in the scene. Li Ou stood beside the camera, gesticulating wildly, his occasional outbursts indicating his patience was wearing thin. Either Jiang Huai forgot his actions, or Li Yaoyao forgot her lines, not to mention their expressions. The originally deep and decisive Princess Pingyang was being portrayed by Li Yaoyao as a fragile, innocent flower. How could such a Princess Pingyang possibly vie for the Crown Prince position against her blood brother, the Prince of Su?

“They both look good, but their stiff actions and expressions are like a barely passing PowerPoint presentation,” a voice came from beside her. Ji Yaoguang turned her head to see the elusive Cheng Henian again, hands behind her head, legs crossed, mercilessly criticizing, “Li Yaoyao’s image is that of a pure, innocent flower. She’s suitable for playing those buxom but brainless Mary Sues who conquer countless domineering campus heartthrobs with just their face. Bah, she doesn’t even have a bust. Do you know Li Yaoyao? She’s Li Bin’s sister. Although Li Bin is quite talented, he doesn’t have much influence in the industry. Only Shi Kaiwen could have forced Li Yaoyao into the cast.”

Shi Kaiwen was the CEO of Huahan Media. In China’s entertainment industry, there were four major players. Besides Ji Yaoguang’s Sheng Tang Era, there were Huahan, Tianguan, and Tianzhu media companies. In recent years, Huahan had declined, but in its heyday, it had produced several award-winning actors and actresses, enjoying great prestige. As the saying goes, “a centipede dies but never falls down,” people in the industry might lament Huahan’s decline, but they dared not underestimate them.

Ji Yaoguang frowned slightly, glancing at Cheng Henian, who continued gossiping with interest: “Shi Kaiwen is Huahan’s CEO. He initially rose to power through his wife, and now that he controls the company, his wife has been angered to death. The whole company follows his surname Shi now. He’s become bolder, and many artists under Huahan have been exploited by him. Of course, his new favorite is Li Yaoyao.”

Ji Yaoguang had heard some industry gossip, but it was always discussed in hushed tones, as if afraid of being overheard. Few were as outspoken as Cheng Henian, which explained why she couldn’t survive in the music industry. Although Ji Yaoguang disliked Li Yaoyao, her feelings were more of indifference towards a stranger. She glanced at Cheng Henian and replied coolly, “Are you finished?”

Cheng Henian finally sensed Ji Yaoguang’s displeasure. She ran her hand over her mouth in a zipping motion and quietly watched the affected performances on set. This scene was simple: Prince Xiang Zhao Tiandan, smiling, recounting Yun Yanhui’s qin-smashing incident to Princess Pingyang, and ordering someone to transcribe her poems. Countless scholars had come to pay respects to Princess Pingyang, and she had seen many who were all appearance and no substance. Her emotions should change, from initial indifference to a spark of interest, then back to indifference, but different from before. Her curiosity had long been ground away by the cruel palace, and even if slightly piqued, it would quickly, subconsciously be suppressed.

“Cut!”

This shout was so loud that even Ji Yaoguang, sitting to the side, was startled. She looked towards Li Ou, who strode towards the pale-faced Li Yaoyao and began berating her: “What’s wrong with you? Can’t even remember your lines? Are you used to just moving your lips and being done with it? And you’re supposed to be professionally trained? Did you just learn to fill your brain with water and let it flow out through your eyes? We’re not filming anymore!” Li Ou’s temper was well-known, and this merciless scolding reduced Li Yaoyao to tears. Jiang Huai initially wanted to plead on her behalf but, seeing Li Ou’s expression, shuddered and decided to keep quiet for his own sake.

The role of Princess Pingyang was as important as Yun Yanhui’s; it was essentially a dual female lead drama. If this forcibly inserted actress had been playing a minor role, it might have been tolerable, but she was the second female lead. In just half a day, she had filled Li Ou with fury. After his tirade, he didn’t even look at Li Yaoyao, turning away to make a phone call. The atmosphere on set suddenly became somber, with only a few people unaffected.

“I bet fifty cents Li Yaoyao is going to be replaced,” Cheng Henian spoke up again.

Ji Yaoguang replied nonchalantly, “Doesn’t she have a backer?”

Cheng Henian nodded and continued, “But she’s beyond help. Hey, if Li Yaoyao is replaced, who do you think the new second female lead will be?”

“It won’t be me, anyway,” Ji Yaoguang muttered, her gaze following Chang Yu’s figure. She longed to be by Chang Yu’s side immediately, but in reality, she could only sit anxiously to the side. Soon, Chang Yu disappeared from view. As her eyes wandered, they coincidentally caught Li Yaoyao venting her anger on her assistant.

“Tsk tsk, if this scene were filmed and put online, her pure and innocent image would crumble,” Cheng Henian followed Ji Yaoguang’s gaze, still talking incessantly.

Ji Yaoguang responded lazily, “Why don’t you take out your phone and film it if you love drama so much?”

“She’s a popular starlet. I’m afraid her fans would drown me in their spit,” Cheng Henian’s eyes darted around, clearly understanding Ji Yaoguang’s implication. She smiled and added, “I’m just talking privately here. Surely no one’s recording this? As long as it doesn’t get online, it’s fine. Who doesn’t complain a bit in private? But taking photos and posting them online is different. That’s too big a scandal for me to handle for years.”

Ji Yaoguang smiled and replied, “If you can’t handle it, just carry it with you.”

Every little incident on set was reported to Li Ou. Already frustrated with Li Yaoyao’s situation, hearing the messenger’s words only increased his irritation. After hanging up the phone and smoking a cigarette to the side, he turned to see Chang Yu approaching with a frown. Li Ou extinguished his cigarette, took a deep breath, trying to make his expression less fierce and grotesque.

“Is Director Li planning to replace her?” Chang Yu got straight to the point, not wasting words.

They had worked together before, and since his thoughts had been seen through, Li Ou didn’t hide his true feelings. He replied, “I thought Li Yaoyao could be saved, but seeing her now, she’ll only drag down the production’s progress. I didn’t want her to play Princess Pingyang from the start, but it’s too late for regrets now. This time I’m determined. Even if the investors withdraw, I’m going to replace Li Yaoyao.”

Chang Yu nodded and asked, “How will you handle the public opinion then?”

This was also Li Ou’s concern. The cast list had been confirmed, and without a reasonable explanation, simply saying her acting wasn’t up to par would invite criticism from netizens, especially Li Yaoyao’s fans. Hearing Chang Yu’s question, Li Ou didn’t dwell on it long but changed the subject, asking, “Who do you think is suitable to play Princess Pingyang? I’ve asked Shen Lan, Sheng Tao, Shen Hansheng, but their schedules are all full.” If he hadn’t been unable to find a suitable candidate, he wouldn’t have accepted Li Yaoyao when the investors pushed her forward, hoping her status as a popular, professionally trained actress would suffice.

Chang Yu looked at Li Ou impassively and replied calmly, “Ji Yaoguang.”

Li Ou’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Chang Yu, seeing she wasn’t joking. He smiled at Chang Yu, his tone lightening from the previous gloom: “I don’t need to tell you about Ji Yaoguang’s acting skills, do I? Chang Yu, don’t open doors of convenience just because she’s your partner. Ji Yaoguang, I don’t think she’s up to it. But then again, she does have talent. Although it’s in bad dramas, sometimes her spontaneous acting can truly move people, but it’s overshadowed by her face. If only she would put in the effort.” Li Ou’s words carried a hint of regret. He had actually seen potential in Ji Yaoguang before, which was why he had criticized her acting. It was a pity that you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.

“The filming schedule is already set. There’s no time to recast,” Chang Yu smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before continuing, “Ji Yaoguang is still a bit better than Li Yaoyao.”

Li Ou smiled and asked, “If she joins the cast, will you guide her?” A hint of curiosity crossed his face as he looked at Chang Yu’s mysterious expression. He lowered his voice and said, “Didn’t you two break up? The internet is buzzing about your divorce. Why are you still fighting for a role for her? And if we replace Li Yaoyao with Ji Yaoguang, aren’t you afraid she’ll be attacked by Li Yaoyao’s fans? Their fan bases don’t get along.”

Chang Yu didn’t answer. She just looked at the gossip-hungry man before her with an enigmatic smile. Li Ou felt a chill run down his spine under her gaze and quickly said, “Let’s discuss this later.”