Rapid Collapse (GL) - Chapter 10

She answered the call. “Hello?”

Liang Xun was already in the car, ready to pick up Han Ning from Yuhe Xingyuan and take her to the film set. He took a few sips of black coffee. “Hello, Writer Shen. Here’s the thing—last night, Director Zhou talked to me about signing a contract with you. From now on, I will be responsible for your schedule and all work-related matters.”

Shen Xi was lying on the bed, resting her eyes. She responded with a hum, “Thank you, Brother Liang. Please take care of me from now on.”

“Of course…” Liang Xun recalled something. “I heard you’re also at Yuhe Xingyuan, right?

I’ll pick you up when I get Han Ning, and we’ll go to the company to sign the contract.

Get ready and come downstairs. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.” After saying that, he hung up.

She put the phone down, struggled to push herself up with her arms, rubbed her eyes to wake up, lifted the blanket, and went to freshen up. Twenty minutes later, Liang Xun arrived on time and sent messages to both of them. They left their apartments.

Han Ning hadn’t slept well. She yawned and went downstairs without any makeup. As she walked through the central garden of the residential complex, she saw a tall, slender figure ahead that looked familiar.

She quickened her pace and called out hesitantly, “Shen Xi?”

Shen Xi turned around, smiled at Han Ning, and greeted her, “Good morning.”

Han Ning perked up and affectionately linked arms with her. “Where are you off to so early?”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m heading to the film set.”

“Oh…” Shen Xi nodded. “We’re going the same way. Soon, we might be colleagues.”

“…Huh?”

The two of them continued chatting as they left the residential complex. A black nanny van was parked at the entrance. Liang Xun was sitting in the back seat, reviewing the day’s schedule. They opened the door, got in, buckled up, and the car drove away from Yuhe Xingyuan.

Half an hour later, the van stopped at the entrance of the film set. The three of them got out. Liang Xun adjusted his clothes and instructed Han Ning, “Kou Kou is waiting for you in the makeup room. Go find her. Shen Xi, come with me.”

Before letting Han Ning go, he added seriously, “Be careful today. Nie Lan is upset about the casting change and causing trouble. Director Zhou is fed up with her. She might try to stir up drama, so don’t get into a fight with that crazy woman, okay?”

Han Ning didn’t take it to heart and muttered, “Got it, got it. I can’t be bothered with her anyway…” With that, she walked into the film set.

Shen Xi felt a bit uneasy. After all, the casting change was her suggestion. Paying the contract penalty was one thing, but Nie Lan hadn’t officially signed yet, so there was no breach of contract. She ended up losing the role for nothing. Losing the part was minor—losing face was what really drove Nie Lan mad.

Liang Xun led Shen Xi straight to Zhou Heyang’s office. When they arrived, Zhou Heyang wasn’t there. Liang Xun called him and found out he was out for breakfast but would be back in about five minutes.

After hanging up, Liang Xun told her to wait while he went to handle other matters. Shen Xi smiled and thanked him. He waved it off, “No problem. That’s just my life—always busy.”

Shen Xi walked to the window and looked down. A black sedan pulled up nearby. A tall, glamorous woman stepped out—it was Nie Lan.

Nie Lan was dressed in a black casual suit, her high ponytail swaying as she walked. She looked furious and didn’t even acknowledge the reporters’ cameras. She strode into the film set with a dark expression.

“Is she here to cause trouble?” Shen Xi had a bad feeling. Just as she was lost in thought, the door opened, and Zhou Heyang returned.

“How long have you been waiting?”

“Not long, just a few minutes.”

Zhou Heyang walked to a cabinet, searched for a moment, then took out two contracts and handed them to Shen Xi. “Take a look. If everything is fine, sign them. I’ll stamp them, and we’ll each keep a copy. After five years, if you think our company is good, we can renew. It’s similar to how your website signs authors.”

Shen Xi skimmed through the contract and chuckled. “When I signed with the website, I had to pass a test. It took me seven tries.”

“That hard?”

“Exactly…” Shen Xi finished reading, found no issues, signed her name on both copies, and handed them back. Zhou Heyang stamped them, and she kept her copy.

“I didn’t just call you here to sign the contract—there’s something else,” Zhou Heyang said, his expression turning serious. Shen Xi nodded. “Please go ahead.”

“The casting change is settled. Xu Lier has taken the role. Now, I need you to put aside other work and focus on rewriting the script. Do your best to perfect it. This drama must set a benchmark for novel adaptations.” He took a deep breath, speaking slowly but firmly.

“‘Nan Yan’ cannot fail. Absolutely not.”

For Zhou Heyang, this drama was a gamble. If it succeeded, he could compete for niche awards.

For Shen Xi, this drama was a lifeline. A hit drama would secure her status, wealth, and a chance to escape.

Their goals aligned perfectly.

Shen Xi nodded seriously, her eyes filled with ambition. “We share the same goal. I won’t let anyone ruin it.”

Ten minutes later, Zhou Heyang and Shen Xi arrived at the film set’s conference room, where the main cast, screenwriters, and Liang Xun were gathered.

Zhou Heyang introduced Shen Xi to the team again. Han Ning finally understood what she had meant earlier that morning. She was genuinely happy for Shen Xi. Now that Shen Xi would be following the team, it was the perfect chance to bond and grow closer. Overjoyed, she clapped so hard that her palms turned red…

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed outside. A few seconds later, a furious beauty stormed in.

Liang Xun sighed internally. As expected, Nie Lan had come to make trouble.

Nie Lan walked into the conference room, shut the door behind her, and glared at Zhou Heyang. But since veteran actress Shu Ningxiang was standing behind him, she didn’t dare offend her and instead sneered sarcastically, “Who whispered sweet nothings into someone’s ear and got me replaced without a word? Not even a heads-up? So I’m just disposable trash now, huh?”

Zhou Heyang ignored her and signaled Liang Xun to handle it. Liang Xun took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Miss Nie, please calm down. Let’s talk reasonably. That day, Director Zhou intended to sign with you, but you left first, so the contract was never finalized. You know that even halfway through filming, casting changes are common in this industry. You’ve been here long enough to understand.”

Nie Lan was already furious. She crossed her arms and snapped, “So you’re saying I deserved to be replaced? Don’t try those cheap tricks on me! If you really wanted to sign me, a simple phone call would have brought me back!” Her sharp gaze landed on Xu Lier, then on Shen Xi, as she mocked, “Seems like our dear screenwriter prefers fresh, juicy little sisters instead!”

Before Shen Xi could respond, Han Ning, Xu Lier, and a few others fired back at her…