"The latest word I have is that they might cast Jiang Manhua as the female lead; she's a former 'Song Girl.' Her acting skills are solid, though she is a bit on the older side, but as it stands, she seems the most suitable choice. Sigh, if you were willing to make a comeback, Director Song would certainly be thrilled."
Those words struck Fang Tong right in the heart, sending a sharp pang of pain through her entire being.
Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Mu Yuning quickly added, "Of course, you aren't doing films anymore, so never mind that."
Fang Tong looked up at her. "Yuning, do you think I would succeed if I auditioned for the second female lead?"
Mu Yuning’s eyes widened in shock. What did she say? She wanted to audition for the second lead?
"You... are you making a comeback?"
Fang Tong nodded. "Yes. I let Director Song and his team down back then. If there’s still a chance, I want to make amends."
"But you were originally going to play the female lead."
Fang Tong replied, "Back then, I was popular, and it was Director Song who built me up. I still remember a poll on Weibo at the time where everyone thought I was actually better suited for the second lead role. I... I haven't acted in three years. The female lead is too much of a challenge for me now; perhaps the second lead is more appropriate."
The female lead’s character arc was complex and deeply involved, whereas the second lead was a naive, innocent, and defenseless character. While she did have some development, it was much less significant. In fact, one could argue that the second lead existed primarily to flesh out the growth of the female lead.
Most importantly, she had wronged Director Song and his team. How could she possibly have the nerve to ask for the most important role in the film?
There was something she left unsaid: the second lead would work, or even a minor role. As long as Director Song was willing to accept her and forgive her, she would be content, even if he didn't end up casting her in this film.
Mu Yuning took a moment to process this. She didn't know the secrets of the wealthy, but there had been rumors for years about how Fang Tong had married the CEO of the Xu family. Many speculated that Fang Tong would eventually be tossed out; there were even forums dedicated to predicting the trajectory of this celebrity’s marriage into high society.
Perhaps Fang Tong’s marriage had truly hit a turning point.
Mu Yuning didn't pry. Instead, she took out her phone and said, "I’ll give you Director Song’s number. Why don't you call him first and ask?"
"Yuning, thank you for being willing to help me."
Mu Yuning smiled. "It’s just a small favor, nothing to thank me for. Director Song has always appreciated you; he’ll be glad to know you’re willing to return to acting."
When she received the number, Fang Tong felt a bit nervous. She had never been the assertive type; back when she worked with Director Song and Lu Feier, they drove everything forward, and she never had to worry about a thing. Now that she had to fight for herself, she felt a sudden urge to retreat.
But she had decided to live for herself, and she couldn't back down. She wanted to fulfill her old dreams.
The call was answered quickly, and the voice of Director Song—sounding slightly world-weary—came through: "Hello?"
Fang Tong’s heart raced. She took a deep breath and said, "Director Song, this is Fang Tong. I wanted to..."
"Fang Tong?" Director Song paused, his voice turning cold instantly. "How did you get my number?"
Before Fang Tong could answer, the call was disconnected.
Mu Yuning hadn't expected Director Song to hold such a grudge against Fang Tong, refusing to even let her finish her sentence before hanging up. Seeing Fang Tong looking dazed, she comforted her, "It’s alright, it’s alright. Director Song’s films are huge productions, after all. You’ve only just returned to the entertainment industry, so the chances were slim anyway. I’ll keep an eye out for auditions that suit you and let you know."
As she spoke, she opened WeChat to add Fang Tong.
But the moment she heard Song Yi'an’s voice, Fang Tong had changed her mind. That’s right—she didn't have much time left. She needed to live for herself, and besides distancing herself from those who drained her, she had to repay those who had genuinely been good to her.
Song Yi'an and her husband, Lu Feier, were her mentors and benefactors. They had treated her like their own daughter, and she had failed them. Was she to respond to that failure by hiding like a coward? She had spent three years hiding, but now that she was being reborn, what was left to fear?
Fang Tong added Mu Yuning on WeChat, exchanged numbers, and smiled. "I don't plan on taking any other work for now. I left things in such a mess back then, and I know I hurt Director Song and his team. I think I owe them a sincere, face-to-face apology. Besides, I still want to try my best to fight for the second lead role in this drama."
Seeing Fang Tong so determined, Mu Yuning smiled. "You know, I feel like you’ve changed a lot compared to before!"
"People always change."
Mu Yuning found the audition details and sent them to Fang Tong, urging her, "Go as early as you can; tomorrow is the last day. Tongtong, you must give it your all!"
The fallout from Fang Tong blocking Xu Yizhi that afternoon had begun to spread on a smaller scale. Although she had been away from the entertainment industry for three years and most of her fans had moved on, sometimes, "haters" are far more persistent than fans.
It’s unclear who exactly noticed, but some hater discovered that the actress—who hadn't touched her Weibo account in three years—had suddenly unfollowed the official Chuangsheng Group account. Soon, speculation ran wild on Weibo and forums that she had been kicked out of her wealthy household.
The online discourse grew heated, eventually surging to the top of the trending topics.
[Washed-up star Fang Tong gets divorced.]
[Fang Tong’s journey into high society lasts only three years!]
The haters were ecstatic, feeling that Fang Tong was finally getting what she deserved.
[Back then, Fang Tong schemed to frame the Chuangsheng CEO and used a pregnancy to climb up the social ladder. Now that she’s been dumped, it’s truly a cause for celebration!]
[It’s gratifying! If a scheming woman like her were living well, it would be insulting. Haha, Fang Tong brought this on herself. Did she really think marrying into wealth was that easy? She didn't even finish college, what right did she have?]
[Success comes from hard work, step by step. How could someone like Fang Tong understand that? Being kicked to the curb is the most natural outcome.]
Of course, some neutral observers held different views.
[Nobody knows the truth from back then, and it's normal for young people to make mistakes. If Fang Tong has truly turned a new leaf and gotten a divorce to live for herself, that’s a good thing.]
[I agree. She’s such a beautiful and talented actress; she should just shine on her own! Is she coming back? If she makes a comeback, I’ll support her again.]
The haters far outnumbered the fans, and the online vitriol was relentless.
Someone even managed to snap a photo of Fang Tong and Xiao Yinwan together that afternoon, leading many to flood Xiao Yinwan’s Weibo page, leaving comments to ask for confirmation.
Xiao Yinwan responded quickly, replying to one of the comments: [Sorry, we just ran into each other by chance. We aren't friends, and I don't know anything.]
Even though it was a statement meant to distance herself, in the eyes of the netizens, it was no different from confirming the divorce. Furthermore, observant users noticed that Xiao Yinwan had unfollowed Fang Tong that afternoon. Why would she do that for no reason? After all, when Fang Tong was buried in scandals in the past, Xiao Yinwan had never unfollowed her.
Opinions varied, but an inexplicable online frenzy had begun. Everyone seemed to have a strange fondness for the mysteries of high society, and a deep-seated desire to spit on a "scheming woman" like Fang Tong.