Upon returning to the imperial capital, Aurora had already announced its latest brand ambassador, and its May issue magazine hit the shelves as May arrived.
As Su Qinian had expected, her agent, Ji Xian, had picked a rather ordinary ancient idol drama script for her. It was a cliché that the audience had already grown tired of, with no highlights. The show was likely to have mediocre popularity once it aired.
The male lead was an unknown young actor. Lin Jinran remembered what Su Qinian had said.
"I reckon a lot of scripts will be sent to you in the next few days. There's no way Ji Xian won't let you act. But the script she picks for you might be mediocre and not suitable for you. It doesn't matter. Just agree to sign the contract first. I'll take care of everything later."
Lin Jinran trusted Su Qinian and signed the contract without hesitation.
After the live broadcast of "Crazy Crush" ended last time, her fan count, measured in tens of thousands, had risen from double - digits to triple - digits and was about to break through the four - digit mark.
Some time ago, the wedding of Su Qinian's former friends, Xie Wanyu and Jiang Xiubin, was photographed by someone with an ulterior motive and posted online, triggering another round of heated discussions.
[The CP I've been shipping is really together! They went to their friend's wedding together, and Lin Jinran even caught the bridal bouquet. I wish them a long - lasting relationship.]
[Isn't this just arranged by the show's producers? They're just creating a romantic atmosphere to deceive you lovestruck people.]
[I was the bride's bridesmaid. It was my first time seeing Lin Jinran. Her face is even smaller and more beautiful than on screen. She's really worth supporting. Let me whisper a secret: the bride, the groom, Su Qinian, and Lin Jinran were high - school classmates.]
[I really love the plot of a relationship going from campus to the wedding. It feels so beautiful and full of love. This is true love.]
[Their interactions don't seem scripted at all. It seems like they genuinely like each other.]
[When will "Crazy Crush" be edited? I want to relive the "Seven - Year Crush CP" again.]
Soon, the opening ceremony of the ancient idol drama "The Pretty Face and the Blossoming Peach" arrived.
As spring was coming to an end and the temperature was rising, Lin Jinran, wearing layers of ancient costumes, held three incense sticks. She bowed with the other actors and the director, then inserted the incense. After that, the producer gave a speech.
After the speech, Lin Jinran stood beside the male lead and took a group photo with everyone as a memento of the opening ceremony.
After all the procedures were completed, "The Pretty Face and the Blossoming Peach" officially entered the shooting stage.
But the next day, the director came to announce that the male lead was being replaced.
Lin Jinran was stunned. She had experienced replacements of the second male lead, the second female lead, the third male lead, and the third female lead, but she had never experienced a last - minute replacement of the male lead after the shooting had already started. How much capital must be behind this new actor?
She considered herself unlucky. Most of yesterday's scenes had basically been shot in vain.
The director also claimed that the script's investor was not satisfied. The costumes and props were not exquisite enough and needed to be completely replaced. A well - known screenwriter in the industry was invited to rewrite the script while shooting. New costumes and props would be purchased. The high - quality ones from before would be used first to avoid delaying the progress.
In the built ancient mansion, Lin Jinran's assistant, Xiao Jiang, fanned her with a fan, and the makeup artist carefully touched up her makeup while they were waiting to start shooting.
"Welcome, sir. All the scenes and equipment have been set up, and the actress who will act opposite you is also waiting here..." The producer's respectful voice drifted in and out.
Lin Jinran suddenly opened her eyes and met a pair of clear, jet - black eyes that seemed to have been washed by rain. There was a hint of a smile in those eyes. The owner of the eyes nodded slightly at her and then turned away.
It was Su Qinian. The new male actor that the crew had been complaining about, the one backed by capital, was Su Qinian.
Lin Jinran was slightly dazed. She stared in disbelief at the tall and straight back, standing upright with an outstanding air.
Everyone was shocked when they saw the new male actor.
She remembered what Su Qinian had told her not to worry about. In a flash, she understood everything.
Su Qinian had forcefully intervened with his capital, replaced the male actor, and took on the role himself to expand the show's influence.
Knowing that Ji Xian wouldn't pick a good script, he had invited a well - known screenwriter to rewrite it according to market preferences.
Due to the tight budget, cheap costumes and props had been rented. But now that Su Qinian was here, he had invested heavily to improve the quality of the costumes and props.
A small - scale B - level TV drama was very likely to be transformed into an S - level TV drama by force because of Su Qinian.
They had rarely seen each other recently. Su Qinian was too busy, and Lin Jinran had been preparing for "The Pretty Face and the Blossoming Peach".
They chatted online from time to time, but they rarely had the chance to meet in person.
Now that Su Qinian had come to see her openly on "business", a smile involuntarily appeared on Lin Jinran's lips. She looked tenderly at his figure.
Su Qinian stood on the simply built stage and scanned the crowd. "Hello, everyone. I'm Su Qinian. I'll be playing the male lead from now on. The female lead of 'The Pretty Face and the Blossoming Peach' is my girlfriend. I hope you can take good care of her. I've prepared some fruits and snacks. You can help yourselves. We'll start shooting in an hour."
The people below cheered.
They were all low - level actors and had never dared to dream that they would act in the same show as the top - tier star Su Qinian one day.
With his support, the popularity of this show was bound to increase. If they seized this opportunity, their future paths would be even brighter.
Su Qinian stepped down from the stage and headed straight for Lin Jinran.
"Mr. Su is really impressive today." Lin Jinran teased. Xiao Jiang and the makeup artist beside her sensibly left, giving them some private space.
Su Qinian pouted and gave her a look. He said aggrievedly, "If I hadn't come, would you have forgotten about me, Ranran?"
Lin Jinran burst out laughing. The Su Qinian who had been speaking so calmly and confidently in the crowd just now had instantly turned into a lovesick man.
"How could I? I think about you every day. It's just that I'm busy, and someone is even busier. I didn't even dare to bother you for fear of disturbing your rest."
Lin Jinran pretended to sigh and shook her head.
"Su Qinian, tell me the truth. Won't it have any negative impact on you to replace the pre - determined male lead like this?" After the joking, Lin Jinran looked serious. She leaned closer and whispered to him.
"No. The original male actor has a chaotic private life and bad moral character. If something goes wrong with him, the whole TV drama might be affected and could even never be aired. The crew will claim that he left for personal reasons."
Su Qinian had made thorough preparations.
"This drama doesn't have many episodes. I've also made arrangements. Once it's shot and edited, it will be aired. If everything goes smoothly, it might even be broadcast on a satellite channel."
Lin Jinran nodded thoughtfully. She understood that Su Qinian was using all his resources to promote her.
"Ranran, by then, all the evidence will be presented, and you'll have a certain influence. The truth you've been longing for will soon come to light."
Su Qinian said firmly. His eyes were shining brightly, as if filled with a sky full of stars, bright and dazzling.
There was a noisy chatter around them. Some fragmented sunlight fell on the man's face, gilding it. Her heart skipped a beat. She reached out and touched Su Qinian's face, whispering, "It will definitely."