All the Female Protagonists Who Have Been Saved Have Become Obsessed [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 28.1

A large pig’s head was placed on the offering table. The director, actors, and crew members took turns lighting incense. Zhou Xi followed, offering a stick of incense. The photographer snapped a group photo of everyone present, and the director announced the kickoff ceremony was successfully completed.

The first day’s shooting started with a simple scene for good luck.

Zhou Xi had read the script and knew some of the plot. Most of the filming was indoors with constructed sets, though some outdoor scenes required overseas travel.

The first scene featured Chunshui and Litchi. In the script, Tang Huai actively solicits a client and brings them to her home, a place that serves as both her brothel and her only residence.

“Cut! Great!” The director clapped, satisfied, and the crew joined in. The two actresses, both skilled, nailed the scene quickly. Once they finished, waiting reporters swarmed in.

“I heard it’s a dual female lead film. Who’s the first lead, and who’s the second?”

“Chunshui, you haven’t acted in three years. How does it feel to return?”

“Litchi, it’s your first time working with Chunshui. Any thoughts?”

Chunshui shed the seductive smile she used as Tang Huai, instantly becoming herself. She entered and exited her role swiftly. Litchi, still immersed in the moment of entering the house with Tang Huai, rubbed her brow and said, “Chunshui is my senior. I deeply admire Teacher Chunshui.”

Chunshui was about to leave but paused at this, her face showing a half-smile. A reporter’s microphone thrust forward, “What does the senior think?”

Chunshui smiled faintly, “I’m honored.”

“What about the lead ranking? Who’s first, who’s second?” the reporter pressed.

The director, sensing trouble, took over, “Our crew has no hierarchy. We’re all friends.”

Li Xia, standing nearby, frowned and asked Litchi’s agent, “What did I say when we invested? Litchi must be the first lead!”

The agent nodded obsequiously, “Director Zhang agreed. On the poster, Litchi’s position and name are on the left.”

Li Xia laughed, “You’ve been an agent for years and still clueless? The poster’s placement is clearly a dodge! Left side means nothing! The right side shouldn’t even be on the same poster as Litchi! Go talk to Zhang Xiu! If he doesn’t elevate Litchi’s rank, I’ll pull funding!”

Li Xia sneered at Chunshui, her smile unkind.

So what if she’s back? Last time she couldn’t take her down, but this time, she wouldn’t let Chunshui escape!

The crew politely ushered the reporters out. Chunshui sat in her designated chair, sipping water. Her gaze cut through the bustling crowd, meeting Li Xia’s. She smiled faintly and nodded.

Li Xia frowned.

No one should know what she did. Her history with Chunshui was three years ago. She arranged a meeting through someone, only to be outright rejected by Chunshui.

Li Xia’s brows tightened. Did she leave evidence? No, that driver…

Her brows relaxed. Wasn’t that driver nearing release?

Li Xia schemed. Litchi approached, happily grabbing her arm, “Sis, it’s your first time seeing me act on set! How was I?”

Li Xia replied casually, “Not bad.” Her eyes stayed on Chunshui, wondering what she was up to.

Chunshui’s gaze shifted. Li Xia followed and saw Zhou Xi.

Zhou Xi was talking to Bai SuFang, who had come after dropping off her kid. Noticeably thinner, Bai SuFang teased, “Lately, everyone’s shocked at how much weight I’ve lost. I’ve spread your hospital’s weight-loss fame, Doctor Zhou. How will you thank me?”

Zhou Xi laughed, “Extra training sessions daily?”

Bai SuFang begged for mercy.

Chunshui set down her water bottle and walked toward Zhou Xi. Li Xia grew alert, but Chunshui stood beside Zhou Xi, facing away, treating her like air.

So that nod wasn’t for her. Li Xia felt a pang of disappointment.

Litchi clung to Li Xia’s arm, curious, “Sis, what’re you looking at?”

“Nothing,” Li Xia pulled her arm free. “Act well. I’ve got company business and need to go.”

“Oh,” Litchi said, disappointed. It was Li Xia’s first time visiting her on set; she hoped she’d stay longer. She waved, “Drive safe.”

Li Xia nodded, putting on her sunglasses.

She came today to see Chunshui. Three years later, her charm remained, but since she was back, she wouldn’t escape this time.

Chunshui sensed the covert gaze vanish. Turning, Li Xia was gone. She looked back. Bai SuFang went to find Director Zhang. Zhou Xi asked deliberately, “Do you know Li Xia? She kept staring at you.”

Chunshui smiled, “Doctor Zhou observes closely.”

Her answer was watertight.

Zhou Xi knew Chunshui was hard to probe. She tested, “Leading Entertainment’s a giant in the industry. With their support, your future would be smooth.”

Chunshui laughed, “My future? My present’s already enough to handle.” Lifting her foot, she said, “Only I know if the shoe fits.” Pretending weakness, she cooed, “Doctor Zhou, my leg hurts.”

Zhou Xi frowned at her. Chunshui’s eyes twinkled, “Won’t Doctor Zhou even help me now? When we met, you’d massage my leg.”

Zhou Xi sighed, offering her arm. Chunshui took it.

Zhou Xi said, “Your leg’s not fully healed. Don’t push it. If you can’t stand, tell the director and rest.”

Chunshui just nodded.

During filming, there’s no stopping. It’s nonstop, and four hours of sleep is a luxury. She used to work early mornings and late nights to meet deadlines, but she didn’t complain to Zhou Xi, just smiled. She noticed Doctor Zhou liked her smile.

After half a month apart, Zhou Xi found Chunshui smiled more—not the mocking, cynical smiles of before, but ones that reached her eyes, seeming genuine. This made it harder for Zhou Xi to read her. Chunshui seemed to internalize all her pain, leaving little for others.

Zhou Xi shook her head, catching herself analyzing Chunshui again.

As Chunshui was about to sit, Director Zhang’s roar rang out, “What do you think this is? A vegetable market? I said investors follow my lead! If you don’t like it, get out! Take your actor and go! That won’t happen in my crew!”

Litchi’s agent, Xu Yangtian, flushed red. Chunshui’s gaze was mocking. Xu Yangtian’s skills were limited.

When he was her agent, he couldn’t secure top resources. Chunshui attracted them herself. After leaving her, he thought those resources were his doing. With Li Xia, his true colors showed, groveling like a lapdog.

Director Zhang fumed, “Get out!”

Xu Yangtian slunk away. He didn’t expect Director Zhang to be so unyielding, refusing to budge on small matters. He threatened, “If you don’t agree, don’t expect our money!”

When Director Zhang sought additional funding, Chunshui had Fang Yan offer full investment. Introduced to two investors for balance, Director Zhang took half from Leading Entertainment and half from Fang Yan. Fang Yan paid in full, but Leading Entertainment only sent half.

Director Zhang’s face reddened with anger. The first day of shooting, and they’re fighting over lead ranking? Compromise now, and more trouble would follow. He had to stay firm!

He shouted, “Who are you to talk? Get your boss here!”

Though unclear what happened, Chunshui sensed it involved her. Li Xia buzzed around her like a fly. She called Fang Yan, “Find time to discuss full funding with Director Zhang.”

Zhou Xi stood beside her; she didn’t hide the call.

Zhou Xi looked puzzled. Chunshui hung up, smiling, “How long will Doctor Zhou stay? We’ll film late.”

“Until you’re done,” Zhou Xi said.

“Then we can eat together,” Chunshui replied.

Lunch was boxed meals. Zhou Xi didn’t mind, nor did Chunshui, though as an actress, she ate boiled chicken br3ast and vegetable salad for the camera. Litchi had the same. But Litchi couldn’t eat much, caught between her agent’s fight with the director.

Back in the nanny van, Litchi complained to Xu Yangtian, “Didn’t you push me to take this script? Said it had award potential, that to rise like Chunshui, I need strong work. You said you’d boost me. Why fight the director today?”

The agent looked troubled, “Ms. Li ordered it, to secure your lead spot. I thought, as investors, Director Li would give face, but he’s so stubborn.”

Litchi said quietly, “Working with Chunshui is an honor. She’s my senior. Can we drop the ranking fight?”

“This…” The agent looked pained, “Depends on Ms. Li’s decision.”

Litchi got mad, “Get out. I’m calling my sister!”

Litchi, real name Li Zhi, was Li Xia’s cousin. After film school, Li Xia’s maneuvers got her to her current status. Li Xia rose with her, becoming Leading Entertainment’s executive president.

Last year, Li Xia signed a bet-on agreement with shareholders, now pushing Li Zhi’s value. The more famous Li Zhi, the higher Leading Entertainment’s stock. Li Zhi didn’t believe she’d be foolish enough to offend a renowned director.

But Li Xia was resolute, telling Li Zhi, “Leave business to me. Just act well.”

Li Zhi had never been sharp with her sister, and this time was no different. She complained, “How can I face the crew like this?”

“I’ll be the bad guy. You do your job,” Li Xia said.

Li Zhi warmed, pouting, “What if Director Li doesn’t agree?”

Li Xia said, “Small issue, depends on negotiation. Your agent’s useless.”

Li Zhi frowned, “Didn’t you recommend him?”

Li Xia said, “I thought he’d be capable, having managed someone.”

Li Zhi knew that someone was Chunshui. Biting her lip, she wanted to ask how Chunshui offended Li Xia to be so targeted but didn’t dare. Her cousin had become terrifying since joining the company, someone Li Zhi couldn’t defy.

She sat in the van, dejected, staring at the chicken salad with no appetite.

Xu Yangtian asked smugly, “So? Ms. Li didn’t agree, right?” As if he knew the outcome, even with Li Zhi as Li Xia’s sister.

Seeing his face, Li Zhi lost her appetite more.

She snapped, “You’re just Li Xia’s dog.”

Xu Yangtian’s face reddened, but he didn’t dare curse Li Zhi. Her sister Li Xia was his boss, someone even Hong Kong’s Feng Ziying wouldn’t cross.

After leaving Chunshui, Xu Yangtian realized he wasn’t as important as he thought. His resources came for Chunshui, not him. People gave him face because he was “Chunshui’s agent.” Now, he could only get minor endorsements for Litchi. If not for his obedience, industry knowledge, and time with Chunshui, Li Xia would’ve replaced him.

Xu Yangtian muttered, “Eat. I won’t disturb you.”

Litchi snorted.

Chunshui and Zhou Xi sat on stools eating boxed meals, blending in casually.

Seeing Chunshui, Director Zhang’s anger halved.

Rumors said Chunshui was a diva, disrespecting writers and directors.

But to Zhang, she was far better than Litchi; a fresh A-list festival Best Actress, she made no demands, didn’t raise her fee, and cooperated with promotion.

Litchi’s side had endless demands before shooting and fought for lead ranking on day one! So brazen, as if she matched Chunshui, who never mentioned it despite her stature!

The angrier Zhang got, the closer he came to snapping his disposable chopsticks.

The screenwriter beside him said, “Old Zhang, you know Leading Entertainment’s ways. Brush them off, but if they get serious, be careful.”

Zhang Xiu knew Leading Entertainment played dirty.

For this year’s Lunar New Year films, they squeezed their theaters to block others’ screenings and stole box office numbers.

With their own theater chain, many directors swallowed their pride, but it was suffocating!