Phoenix A: Internet Sensation! ( GL , ABO) - Chapter 6
After filming wrapped, the atmosphere on set immediately became more relaxed.
A few of the bolder student extras had already pulled out pens and paper they had prepared in advance, hoping to get autographs from their idols.
As long as the artists themselves permitted it, the production team did not interfere with this kind of behavior.
The scene quickly turned into a small, impromptu fan meet-and-greet.
Yu Wanyu withdrew her gaze and smiled with admiration.
“Young people really are full of energy. Aiying, that last scene of yours truly added the perfect finishing touch.”
Bringing in so many student extras and allowing them to improvise freely had introduced a lot of unpredictability.
Fortunately, the final result was quite satisfying, which made Deng Aiying genuinely breathe a sigh of relief.
There was still a lot of work to be done before the film’s official release. But for now, it was the right time to take a break and let everyone relax.
“Professor, we’re holding a wrap party tonight with the cast and crew. Would you be able to join us?”
If Yu Wanyu could attend, it would undoubtedly be a great opportunity for the actors to connect with her.
But Yu Wanyu, who always preferred a quiet life, shook her head.
“I already have something else planned for tonight, so I won’t be going.”
Before Deng Aiying could show her disappointment, Yu Wanyu changed the subject.
“However, you could pass a message to Miss Jiang for me.”
Miss Jiang—meaning Jiang Zhiwan.
Her performance had been consistently outstanding. If someone like Director Yu had taken notice of her, that was an incredibly promising sign.
Deng Aiying smiled and nodded.
“Of course. What would you like me to say?”
Yu Wanyu left a simple message. She said she was very much looking forward to Jiang Zhiwan’s audition two days later and hoped her performance would meet expectations.
It was both encouragement and a clear show of support.
Everyone knew how particular Director Yu was when it came to casting. If she set her sights on someone, it meant that person had a near-perfect match with a role she had in mind.
After working on Youth, Loving You, Deng Aiying had already formed a great impression of Jiang Zhiwan. She had considered making a personal recommendation for her, but it turned out there was no need. True talent always shines through. Director Yu had noticed her all on her own.
After seeing her mentor off, Deng Aiying returned to the auditorium. Most of the student extras had already left. Only the core members of the crew remained.
Taking this moment, she said aloud,
“Everyone, thank you for your hard work these past few weeks. The wrap party will be at seven tonight. Please make sure to attend.”
Starting and ending strong always brought good luck to a project. It was a tradition worth keeping.
Ji Xicheng sat in a corner, sulking a bit as she compared herself to the two lead actors who were now surrounded by fans. She couldn’t help but pout slightly.
So many people were crowding around the leads. No one even came to her for an autograph.
Wasn’t her performance better than that “strong” male lead’s? Seriously, what bad taste these fans had.
Shen Nian finished packing away her snack bag and noticed Ji Xicheng looking dejected like a sad little cabbage. She teased her lightly,
“Hey, how come no one came to you? Did they forget the golden supporting role is part of the crew too?”
Already annoyed, Ji Xicheng was even more irritated by Shen Nian’s sarcastic comment. She was so tempted to drag her into an alley and rough her up a little.
Though the thought was entertaining, actually doing it would probably get her in serious trouble.
As she listened to Director Deng mention the wrap party, Ji Xicheng lazily lifted her eyes and glanced over at the annoying alpha beside her.
“Well, since you’re already here, don’t say I didn’t treat you. There’s a wrap party tonight. Want to come?”
A wrap party?
According to what 432 had told her, Jiang Zhiwan was supposed to run into a bit of trouble at this very wrap party.
Because of it, she would end up hospitalized right before her scheduled audition for Director Yu’s new film and almost miss the opportunity entirely.
Director Yu was known for her strict sense of time. If an actor bailed on an appointment, she usually took it as a refusal to cooperate.
But Jiang Zhiwan truly cherished this role. Desperate not to lose the chance, she had used Shen Nian’s connections to help explain the situation.
And Shen Nian, being the mischievous alpha she was, naturally would not let the opportunity slip by.
That night, she had demanded that Jiang Zhiwan wear something skimpy and perform a dance for her.
Only if she was satisfied with the dance would she agree to help.
Shen Nian had thought that someone as proud as Jiang Zhiwan would flat-out refuse and tell her to get lost.
But that night, Jiang Zhiwan really did dance.
Ji Xicheng waited for a response but got none. Shen Nian seemed to be completely lost in thought.
“Hey,” Ji Xicheng waved at her. “What are you thinking about? Are you coming or not?”
Shen Nian answered without hesitation.
“I’m going.”
Since she had taken over the role in this life, there was no way she would blackmail anyone like that.
Ji Xicheng was startled by her sudden decisiveness and had no idea why she was acting so intense.
Following Shen Nian’s gaze, she suddenly understood.
“Hey, Shen Nian, let me tell you. I invited you here to visit the set so I could change my luck and maybe land a lead role in the next production. Not so you could go omega-hunting.”
“Don’t think I didn’t notice. Your eyes keep wandering to those omega actors. What’s up with that?”
Hearing the implication in her words, Shen Nian raised an eyebrow and gave her a look of disdain.
“So shallow.”
It was a strange word to hear. No one had ever said that about her before. Ji Xicheng let out a laugh, half angry, half amused.
“I’m shallow? Me? Seriously?”
Shen Nian just kept quiet, her expression saying, you know who I mean.
As the two chatted noisily, they suddenly noticed that many people nearby were looking in their direction.
Unexpectedly becoming the center of attention, Ji Xicheng raised her brows and led Shen Nian over to the director.
Ji Xicheng had always been outgoing, and Deng Aiying was also quite approachable, so her tone was casual.
“Director Deng, we’re allowed to bring friends to the wrap party, right?”
Deng Aiying smiled.
“Of course.”
She turned to look at Shen Nian, and upon seeing her face up close, there was a brief moment of surprise in her eyes.
Even as an alpha, Shen Nian’s features were refined to an extraordinary degree. Her bone structure was flawless and striking.
Deng Aiying quickly recovered and asked politely,
“This must be Miss Shen Nian, right? I’ve heard you two are close.”
Deng Aiying had indeed heard of Shen Nian before, but this was their first time meeting.
And based on her stunning appearance, Deng Aiying’s first impression was quite favorable.
At the same time, Deng Aiying was silently thinking that, putting acting ability aside, perhaps those online fans who often praised Shen Nian as “beautiful with reason” weren’t exaggerating after all.
Ji Xicheng, unaware of the full story, assumed this was the first time Shen Nian and Jiang Zhiwan had met. So she casually introduced them to each other.
When Jiang Zhiwan had looked over earlier, she had, of course, noticed the alpha standing beside her.
Even though the two of them were already familiar enough to be living under the same roof, in public they had silently agreed to avoid suspicion by pretending not to know each other.
“By the way, Zhiwan, Director Yu stopped by earlier and had a very good impression of you,” Deng Aiying said as she pushed her glasses up and smiled gently. “She asked me to pass along a message: Good luck with your audition in two days. She’s looking forward to seeing your performance.”
Jiang Zhiwan nodded in response and thanked her politely.
No one around them thought much of the brief exchange. But when the news reached Luo Shan later, it took on a very different meaning.
“Director Yu came by? Who was with her?” Luo Shan asked.
“Just Director Deng. Director Yu is always low-key. No one recognized her.”
After hearing her assistant repeat what Deng Aiying had said, Luo Shan raised an eyebrow and sneered.
“So clever, Jiang Zhiwan. No money, no background, yet she still managed to secure such a valuable opportunity.”
Luo Shan had long coveted the audition spot for Director Yu’s new film. Even after begging her influential aunt to help pull strings, she had still failed to land it.
So how could Jiang Zhiwan, without making a fuss or putting in obvious effort, end up getting that exact opportunity?
The more she thought about it, the more bitter Luo Shan felt. She picked up her phone and sent a frustrated message to one of her pinned contacts.
Though she had no part in the film’s casting, her aunt had already secured a role. And her aunt was extremely protective.
If she could subtly tarnish Jiang Zhiwan’s image in front of her aunt in advance…
Then surely her aunt would step in on her behalf.
After sending the message, Luo Shan put her phone down, face dark and cold.
As she waited for a reply, another idea came to her. She picked up the phone again and called the hotel where the crew had made a group reservation for the night’s wrap party.
Before filming began, everyone had submitted personal info. Luo Shan remembered once casually seeing something: Jiang Zhiwan was allergic to hawthorn.
If Jiang wanted to compete over everything, then this little “parting gift” was more than justified.
That evening, the wrap party was buzzing with energy. Thanks to Ji Xicheng’s invitation, Shen Nian had smoothly slipped into the event.
What she didn’t expect was Ji Xicheng’s shocked reaction when she actually showed up.
“Whoa, you really came?”
Shen Nian raised an eyebrow.
“Didn’t you invite me?”
Ji Xicheng held her wine glass and gave Shen Nian a once-over.
“Yeah, but I didn’t think you’d actually come. That’s just not like you.”
She had known Shen Nian long enough to understand her habits.
Shen Nian was the definition of laid-back. Like a proper homebody, she never attended events that had nothing to do with her. If she had free time, she’d rather be curled up at home playing video games.
Normally, Ji Xicheng didn’t have enough pull to get her to attend just by asking.
Shen Nian knew exactly what Ji Xicheng was thinking, but didn’t bother explaining. She just gave a half-hearted excuse.
“I haven’t had any jobs recently. Got bored at home, so I came out for a change of pace. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even look your way.”
Her words were blunt, but Ji Xicheng actually looked relieved.
“Good, that sounds more like you. Otherwise, I would’ve started to suspect you had some hidden motive…”
She raised her glass and lightly clinked it against Shen Nian’s.
“Still, it’s good to get out. Hang out with your friends. Especially when it’s me inviting you. Keep it up.”
Shen Nian was speechless at how quickly Ji Xicheng had turned the situation in her favor. She drank the wine with a visible hint of annoyance in her eyes.
In truth, she was just glad to have dodged suspicion.
That sharp-tongued Ji Xicheng had almost exposed her real reason for showing up.
Even 432 let out a dramatic sigh of relief and praised her proudly.
[Host, as expected of you.]
Shen Nian ignored the flattery and cut straight to the point.
“432, shouldn’t we be focusing on something more important right now?”
Important? What important thing?
432 momentarily froze, then let out a weak little digital beep.
[Uhh?]
Shen Nian sighed in exasperation.
“For example, telling me where Jiang Zhiwan is.”