You know that for a director like Song Yi'an, as long as a project isn’t a commercial film, the acting fees are never high; no matter how famous the actor is, they only receive a symbolic sum of a few hundred thousand.
Many would rather forgo a paycheck altogether just for the chance to act in his films.
Two million is a truly high salary for Director Song, and for her, at this moment, it is also incredibly, incredibly important.
Fang Tong was deeply moved. She hadn't complained to them about her hardships, yet they had been able to see the bitterness in her heart.
After the contract was signed, Lu Feier said, "I'll have finance wire you a portion of the fee, though it will take a few days."
"Alright."
Lu Feier added, "Although you've been cast as Chi Suihe, you still need to go through a formal audition. Once the others have finished, I’ll have Luoluo arrange yours."
The lead actress had been confirmed with ease, but the second lead remained elusive.
Yan Song and Wen Luoluo had shortlisted several candidates, but after watching their performances, Director Song felt they all lacked something.
"They aren't even as good as Fang Tong."
Yan Song argued, "Director Song, your standards are too high. Not everyone is a natural-born actor like Fang Tong. Wen Luoluo and I both think these candidates are quite good; in terms of both appearance and acting ability, they are already among the best in the entertainment industry."
Wen Luoluo chimed in, "Yes, Director Song, and I personally feel that Bai Xinwei is the most suitable of them all. Although she is a newcomer, she is very similar to the Fang Tong who had just debuted, and her acting lacks any sign of being over-trained. She’s a perfect fit."
Song Yi'an frowned, remaining unconvinced.
After signing her contract, Fang Tong went to prepare for the audition for Chi Suihe. As she stepped out, she ran into Xiao Yinwan, who had just finished her own audition.
Neither spoke, but Xiao Yinwan’s brow furrowed. She knew that Fang Tong hadn't been kicked out; instead, she had been invited inside by Director Song for a chat.
Now that Fang Tong was coming out, she looked visibly relaxed and happy.
Xiao Yinwan grew annoyed. She said coldly, "I underestimated you. You really do have a few tricks up your sleeve. You used to have the CEO of Chuangsheng wrapped around your finger, and now that you’ve been discarded, you’ve returned to wrap Director Song and his team around your finger as well."
Fang Tong didn't want to engage with her and walked straight to the lounge nearby.
Back in her car, Xiao Yinwan grew angrier the more she thought about it. She had spent days preparing for Director Song's film, her nerves stretched to the limit.
Her acting skills were decent enough, and she had taken on three films in the last two years, but they lacked real substance.
She had come to audition for Director Song's film hoping to finally secure a prestigious award.
Yet, before the battle had even begun, she had been intercepted by Fang Tong.
It was absolutely infuriating!
"Let's go!"
Not long after she got home, her assistant came to tell her, "Sister Yinwan, the production crew sent a message. You didn't pass the audition..."
It was expected.
But the anger and jealousy in Xiao Yinwan's eyes could not be hidden. "It must be Fang Tong!"
How dare she!
Fang Tong had left the industry under a cloud of scandal and ignored the director who had mentored her in favor of marrying into a wealthy family. Now that she was divorced, she was crawling back to him? How could Director Song accept someone so ungrateful?
Xiao Yinwan was not going to accept such a failure.
"Director Song may accept you, but what about everyone else? Do you think the internet has no memory?"
With a sinister glint in her eyes, Xiao Yinwan pulled out her phone and posted on Weibo:
[Some people think that because they are "geniuses," they can command the wind and rain, believing the internet has no memory, thinking they can quit whenever they want and reappear whenever they please. I don't mind failing an audition, but what about being blatantly robbed?]
She hadn't named anyone directly, but given her current standing and follower count, the post immediately generated intense discussion.
Many of her hardcore fans knew she was auditioning for Director Song's film, and when combined with the trending topics about Fang Tong from the previous night, the "truth" was quickly deduced.
After all, Xiao Yinwan had been quite direct: the person who stole the role was none other than the one who had quit and then resurfaced.
Who else could it be but Fang Tong?
The news that Fang Tong had snatched a role from Xiao Yinwan—and in Director Song's new film, at that—naturally blew up.
Xiao Yinwan's fans were up in arms, calling Fang Tong a "resource-grabber" who relied on Director Song and the Xu family—relying on men, in any case—while also attacking the production crew for being heartless.
Of course, it wasn't all criticism. *The Silent* was a Song Yi'an film, and since it had been in development three years ago, many people were highly anticipating its return, so the film had plenty of its own fans.
Cinephiles dug up clips of Fang Tong's audition for the lead role from three years ago, arguing that regardless of her character or whether she had been switched to a different role, her acting talent completely eclipsed Xiao Yinwan's.
They also pointed out that Director Song never used "resource-grabbers" for important roles in his films; he let talent speak for itself, and he wouldn't play favorites for Fang Tong.
So, in the eyes of the cinephiles, the only thing that could have beaten Xiao Yinwan was Fang Tong's superior acting ability.
But was Xiao Yinwan's acting really inferior to Fang Tong's? Her fans certainly didn't think so.
"The past is the past," they argued. "Xiao Yinwan's acting is currently top-tier among young actresses, while Fang Tong has been a pampered housewife for three years and hasn't filmed a thing. Her skills must have regressed."
With the addition of Fang Tong’s anti-fans joining the fray, the war of words on Weibo became uncontrollable.
Fang Tong, however, paid no attention to anything online. After blocking Xu Yizhi, she had deleted her Weibo account and hadn't been following any entertainment news at all.
The first thing she did after parting ways with Director Song and Lu Feier was to call Mu Yuning to share the good news and invite her out for hot pot that night.
Mu Yuning, having no commitments that day, happily accepted.
The two dressed modestly, wearing hats and masks as they headed out. Mu Yuning had even snuck out behind her agency's and assistant's backs.
"I'm being managed every single day, and even my food is measured by a kitchen scale. Just for today, let me indulge!"
Fang Tong laughed, "You’re heading into a production soon, you should take it easy. You don't want to end up with a swollen face on camera."
Mu Yuning stretched, "I’ve got half a month of vacation left, no rush. What about you? I remember this film starts shooting soon, too. You need to be careful."
After they sat down, Mu Yuning reached out and pinched Fang Tong’s cheek.
"Tell me, you've been out of the industry for three years, how are you still this fresh-faced? And logically, shouldn't a life of luxury have made you look a bit more... opulent? Look at this tiny waist; I'm so jealous..."
As soon as she finished speaking, she realized she had said the wrong thing.
Although Fang Tong hadn't spoken about it directly, it was obvious her marriage had hit a wall. She shouldn't have brought up such a sensitive topic.
Fang Tong didn't mind at all. She rested her face in her hands and thought for a moment before saying, "Emotions are so important. If you're in a bad mood, you don't eat well or sleep well, and naturally, you won't look your best. Besides, compared to three years ago, I definitely look much more weathered."
Mu Yuning looked at her carefully and shook her head. "Not weathered—just full of more stories. Actually, I think that three years ago, when the internet was debating the lead and second-lead roles, everyone thought you were better suited for the pure, simple character of the second lead. That might not be the case now. But it's great that you got the part—the second lead is a fantastic role."