Hearing their flattering remarks one after another, Meng Nianchu smiled politely.
Suddenly, a woman in a light - pink top leaned close to Meng Nianchu and gossiped, "I heard that when this drama was about to start shooting, all the directors said they wanted to invite Miss Meng to play the lead female role. But later, I don't know what happened. An American woman named Linda snatched the role."
"Yes, yes, I've heard that too! And I heard that this woman climbed up to a big shot in the United States. She has extremely extensive connections behind her!"
"From the photos, she looks like a vixen. Her nose is so high. It looks fake. Maybe her whole appearance is from plastic surgery!"
Once one person brought up this matter, the others immediately chimed in.
Meng Nianchu was just about to find an excuse to get away from these overly gossipy people when suddenly, the sound of a car braking came from behind.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound. A high - profile convertible sports car was parked right at the entrance of the film crew.
The woman sitting in the driver's seat had delicate features, fair skin, and was wearing a pair of large designer sunglasses.
Someone exclaimed, "Isn't this Linda?"
The moment Meng Nianchu saw her, her gaze was fixed on Linda. She watched as Linda slowly got out of the car, and inexplicably, a sense of vigilance welled up in her heart.
"Isn't this Linda! I've heard so much about you. You're very well - known in the United States. I didn't expect to be in the same drama as you. I'm so happy!"
The woman in the light - pink top, who had just been the first to speak ill of Linda, walked towards the exquisitely dressed Linda with a beaming smile and flattered her.
Seeing this, the others also stepped forward one after another, eager to use all their limited compliments on Linda.
Perhaps Linda was already used to such polite remarks. When she heard the compliments from them, she didn't show any sign of happiness. Instead, her eyes were fixed tightly on Meng Nianchu.
Then she walked slowly up to Meng Nianchu.
"Miss Meng, it's been a long time."
A long time?
Does she know me?
Although there were doubts in her heart, Meng Nianchu still smiled slightly and replied kindly, "I heard from the director that a very well - known actress would join the crew. I'm very glad to meet you."
"Oh, I can't take that compliment." There was no ill - intent in Meng Nianchu's words, but Linda's reply was sarcastic, "Miss Meng is so well - known in the country. I'm sure you must have used a lot of tricks to get to this position. I can't compare with you."
Meng Nianchu's smile gradually faded.
Linda took another step closer to her. Her eyes were gloomy, and there was a sneer on her lips. "I didn't expect that after all these years, Miss Meng is still the same. You can only play the second - lead roles that others don't want. You'll never be the lead female. Sure enough, you just don't have that fate."
Anger burned in Meng Nianchu's chest.
Meng Nianchu let out a scoff, "Miss Linda is so well - known in the United States and knows so much about me. It seems you've investigated a lot of my information. A person that Miss Linda pays so much attention to can't be that bad."
"Miss Meng really has a thick skin."
Meeting Linda's unfriendly gaze, Meng Nianchu smiled faintly, "I can't compare with Miss Linda."
The public conflict between the two well - known actresses on the first day of the filming shocked the other actresses behind them. At the same time, they were also envious. They could be so tough in their retorts because they both had backers. Even if they caused trouble, someone would clean up the mess for them.
It was well - known that Meng Nianchu's backers were the Mu and Meng families, but as for Linda's backer...
The information on the Internet was strictly controlled, and there was really no news about it for the time being.
Linda let out a cold snort and walked around Meng Nianchu into the crew.
The other actresses immediately surrounded Meng Nianchu again.
"That woman just came back from the United States. Maybe she's just used to speaking straightforwardly, so her words are a bit unpleasant. Nianchu, don't be angry with her."
"Yes, yes. I think that woman doesn't maintain herself as well as you, Nianchu. She looks two or three years older than you. She's just jealous that your skin is better than hers!"
"I know. Everyone, go in first. The filming may start soon."
No matter how angry she was, they were still in the crew. There were so many people around, and she couldn't let others catch her fault on the first day of work. Meng Nianchu forced a decent smile and suppressed the anger in her heart.
But she didn't understand at all.
Logically, this was her first meeting with Linda. Why did it seem like they had a huge grudge from a past life, making Linda so malicious towards her?
Since she couldn't figure it out, Meng Nianchu simply stopped thinking about it. A person can always find countless reasons to hate someone. As long as she had a clear conscience and hadn't done anything wrong, that was enough.
Everyone in the crew knew that Linda got into the crew through back - door connections. Due to her backer, the actors in the crew didn't want to make enemies for themselves in the future, so almost everyone would go up to flatter her and follow her words obediently.
Perhaps Linda also realized this, so she acted like a diva in the crew without any restraint!
The hot water couldn't be a bit too hot. It had to be lukewarm water at just the right temperature. Moreover, she must have her own special lounge and dressing room. The director didn't dare to refuse and could only tremble and do everything she asked.
As a result, Linda became even more arrogant.
She would use a stand - in for all the shots where her face wasn't shown. As long as she stood in front of the camera for three seconds, she thought she had made a great effort for this drama and even expected everyone in the crew to be grateful to her.
Regarding her arrogant and domineering personality, although the actors in the crew didn't dare to say anything to her face, they didn't miss many opportunities to ridicule her behind her back. They said all kinds of things, like she relied on pornographic photos to gain popularity and was the most vulgar.
After the morning filming, there was a short one - and - a - half - hour break at noon. Meng Nianchu automatically ignored the indignant remarks about Linda from the people sitting next to her. She held her lunch box, took out her phone, and made a video call to Mu Junze.
The call was answered immediately.
"Is the baby asleep?"
"Just fell asleep." In the video, Mu Junze's suit jacket was stained with a lot of white liquid. His suit was wrinkled, and his face was full of fatigue.
Meng Nianchu felt heart - ache for him. She pouted and whispered, "You've been working hard these days. I'll reward you well when I get home tonight. Remember to take more rest."
But the conversation didn't stay serious for long before it took a different turn.
As soon as Meng Nianchu finished speaking, Mu Junze slightly raised the corner of his mouth and asked rhetorically with a meaningful look, "How will you reward me?"
His deep voice seemed to be coaxing her. Meng Nianchu immediately understood the implication of his words. Her face turned red, and she said shyly, "I still have to film later. I won't talk to you anymore. Take good care of the baby, and you should also take more rest!"