A Max-Level Film Queen Takes on the Scumbag Alpha Script [Transmigration] - Chapter 15

To live up to Yan Shu’s expectations, Jiang Baihe gave it her all at the banquet. Using her years of acting skills and social experience, she managed to leave a stellar impression on several major directors.

Following that night, Jiang Baihe settled into a routine of traveling between the company and home. At the office, she attended the acting masterclasses Song Jia had signed her up for; at home, she memorized her scripts until she knew every line by heart. Occasionally, when the mood struck, she would even take over Auntie Chen’s duties just so she could personally “feed” Little President Yan.

As the summer heat began to fade, the week-long holiday slipped away, and in the blink of an eye, the first day of filming for The Eternal Tribulation arrived.

Early that morning, Jiang Baihe packed her things and headed out, hopping into the car driven by her assistant, Xiao Xu. Traveling with them was a silent, cool-headed woman with short hair.

Xiao Xu handed Jiang Baihe a cup of soy milk she’d bought on the way, then stood there in a daze, watching the “ice queen” woman who had unceremoniously taken over the driver’s seat. Suddenly, she lunged forward and wailed while clinging to Jiang Baihe’s arm.

“Sister Baihe! I’ve braved storms and bullets for you! I’ve stood by your side through thick and thin for years! You can’t just discard me like this—”

Startled by her assistant’s sudden theatricality, Jiang Baihe nearly sent her soy milk flying. She looked at her usually mild-mannered assistant with shock. She hadn’t realized this girl was such a drama queen!

Jiang Baihe shot her a look and said, exasperated, “What are you talking about? This is the bodyguard I just hired. She’ll be in charge of our safety from now on. Now, go say hello.”

“Oh! Oh!” Realizing she’d misunderstood, Xiao Xu sheepishly let go of Jiang Baihe’s hand. She stuck out her tongue and waved at the woman. “Good morning, Sister!”

The cool bodyguard didn’t say a word, only offering a calm nod.

Watching the two of them make such a scene so early in the morning, Jiang Baihe couldn’t help but find it hilarious. In truth, the bodyguard hadn’t been hired by Jiang Baihe herself, but was personally arranged for her by Yan Shu.

Logically, given Jiang Baihe’s current low-tier status, she hardly had any fans who would harass her, let alone a need for professional security. But recalling the experience of being accosted by that Omega at the banquet, Jiang Baihe didn’t refuse Yan Shu’s kindness.

The thought that Little President Yan had actually taken her casual complaint to heart made Jiang Baihe feel warm and fuzzy inside.

She cares about me. She has me in her heart. Little President Yan is so wonderful.

With those thoughts, Jiang Baihe happily finished her soy milk, feeling energized. She beckoned Xiao Xu, and the two sat in the back of the van. The vehicle started up, carrying them toward the filming base in the outskirts.

Jiang Baihe had no previous film credits and was essentially a complete rookie in the industry. For a newcomer, the greatest taboo is acting like a “big shot.” Therefore, Jiang Baihe had intentionally moved her departure time earlier to avoid any potential morning traffic jams.

As a result, they arrived at the filming base a full hour before the official opening ceremony. Though they were early, others were clearly earlier. Looking at the staff bustling around the set, Jiang Baihe decided to find Director Song to report in. The bodyguard, after parking the car, put on a staff badge and vanished into the crowd.

Jiang Baihe knew she was lurking in a corner nearby, ready to appear at a moment’s notice if anything went wrong. Being from a professional security firm, she didn’t need instructions on the basics. Jiang Baihe trusted Yan Shu’s eye for talent completely.

“Director Song, good morning.”

The director, Song Zhishu, was perched on a small stool. When Jiang Baihe approached him, he was chewing on a piece of bread. Before he could even swallow, he barked at the staff in the distance:

“Hey! Careful with those hands! Don’t break the props! They’re expensive!!”

Only after the staff responded did he turn to Jiang Baihe. “Oh, Little Jiang! You’re early. Have you eaten?”

“I have, I have.” Jiang Baihe didn’t mind his bluntness. She took out her own folding stool, sat to his right, and watched the organized chaos of the set with him.

“Good. Have you memorized the script?”

“You sound just like my high school Chinese teacher checking our homework,” Jiang Baihe joked. “Do you want me to perform a scene for you right now?”

Song Zhishu had been a bit wary of this “rookie,” but seeing her in such high spirits, he felt relieved. It’s hard to dislike someone who is both talented and cheerful. He snorted, though a smile played on his face. “Talk is cheap. If you can’t deliver when the cameras are rolling, don’t blame me for having a sharp tongue.”

Jiang Baihe shrugged and gave a confident smile. “I won’t let you down.”

As they chatted, someone else approached. “Director Song! Morning!”

A beautiful young woman carrying her own stool walked over and gave them a lively greeting. Seeing Jiang Baihe, she squinted slightly and reached out enthusiastically. “Hello! I’m Tang Yuan. Nice to meet you!”

Jiang Baihe stood up politely and shook hands with the show’s female lead. “Hello, I’m Jiang Baihe.”

“It’s the Senior Sister!” Tang Yuan blinked in surprise at the name. “Please look after me from now on!”

Sensing Tang Yuan’s genuine kindness, Jiang Baihe smiled back. “I should be saying that to you. Please look after me, Junior Sister.”

Tang Yuan laughed happily, looked around, and set her stool down on the director’s left. Surrounded by two girls, Song Zhishu realized that if he wanted to yell at the crew now, he’d have to worry about his voice scaring the people on either side of him.

Finally, he clicked his tongue and waved them away with feigned annoyance. “Go, go! You ‘sisters’ are in my way. If you’re bored, go over there and run your lines. Come back for the opening ceremony later.”

The two, who had just been quietly reading their scripts, looked up in confusion, wondering what had set the director off so early. Ultimately, Jiang Baihe and Tang Yuan shared a look, shook their heads, and headed to the corner Song Zhishu had pointed out.

In the shade of a tree, Jiang Baihe and Tang Yuan sat together. They had just finished a run-through and were discussing the plot.

“Ugh, I’m going to lose my confidence,” Tang Yuan lamented, resting the script on her head and sighing. “Senior Sister, you’re terrifying. Are you sure you’ve never acted before?”

Jiang Baihe rubbed her nose, feeling a bit guilty. She had just accidentally slipped into character during their rehearsal and put a bit too much pressure on Tang Yuan; she hadn’t meant to scare her.

However, from their rehearsal, Jiang Baihe could sense Tang Yuan’s talent. She wasn’t just a “pretty face” without substance; she clearly had the skills to back up her “rising star” title. Jiang Baihe always treated serious actors with respect, so she smiled and asked, “Shall we continue?”

Tang Yuan shivered and waved her hands. “No, no more. If we keep going, I’ll lose the courage to act. The Film King, Pei, just arrived too. Let’s rest; it’s almost the ‘auspicious hour’ the director chose.”

Jiang Baihe looked at the staff carrying a ceremonial pig’s head onto the stage and nodded thoughtfully. Song Zhishu wasn’t a superstitious man; he just wanted a good omen for the shoot. The ceremony was simple: a table with the pig’s head, fresh fruit, some incense to pay respects to the heavens, and a few strings of firecrackers.

The director handed out incense to the key actors. Jiang Baihe and Tang Yuan went to greet the male lead first, then stood behind Song Zhishu. As Jiang Baihe took the incense, she heard Song Zhishu ask irritably, “Where is Shen Yun?”

A staff member hurried over, looking awkward. “I just called. She said she’s stuck in traffic…”

“Hmph, traffic!” Song Zhishu had heard every excuse in the book. On the first day, the entire crew is here except for you. What, is everyone else using a different road? He was usually easygoing, but when it came to filming, he was a powder keg. “Let her stay stuck. This crew doesn’t need her to function.”

Hearing this, Jiang Baihe looked down and felt lucky she had arrived early. With her current reputation, she couldn’t afford a “diva” scandal.

Tang Yuan had clearly overheard too. She leaned in and whispered, “Do you know Shen Yun?”

Jiang Baihe shook her head. “Is she famous?”

“The ‘Traffic Princess.’ Very popular, forced into the cast by the investors.” Tang Yuan rolled her eyes. “Her acting is about as existent as a capitalist’s conscience—none! Senior Sister, you’d better be careful…”

Before she could finish, it was their turn to step forward. They straightened their expressions, planted their incense, and once they stepped down, Tang Yuan finished her thought.

“I heard she wanted the role of Yu Wuhuan originally. Don’t let her entangle you in her drama.”

Having spent the morning with her, Tang Yuan had a great impression of Jiang Baihe. She saw her as a gifted newcomer and didn’t want her to be suppressed by someone who used underhanded tactics.

However, hearing this, Jiang Baihe didn’t look nervous. Instead, a sharp, strange light flashed in her eyes, her voice full of competitive spirit:

“If she wants to make me suffer, she’d better have the skill to back it up.”

After the ceremony, they went backstage for costume and makeup to shoot the promotional posters. Jiang Baihe sat in the chair, watching the stylist work. She couldn’t help but think of the time she got styled with Yan Shu. She wondered what the Little President was doing, but she couldn’t check her phone right now.

As the makeup brushes swept across her face, a commotion broke out behind her. Jiang Baihe looked in the mirror and saw a group of people ushering someone into the dressing room with the pomp of an imperial coronation.

She heard the stylist behind her whisper, “She’s finally here.”

Jiang Baihe knew exactly who it was: the late Shen Yun. She quietly looked away. As long as she wasn’t bothered, she didn’t care about Shen Yun’s drama. But, as Tang Yuan had warned, Shen Yun loved to stir the pot.

Shen Yun walked straight toward her. “So, you’re the rookie playing Yu Wuhuan?”

Jiang Baihe opened her eyes lazily. Because of her headpiece, she didn’t turn around, simply meeting her gaze in the mirror. “That’s me. Something the matter?”

The room went silent as everyone watched, but no one dared to speak. Shen Yun was a rising star; Jiang Baihe was a “nobody” with a tainted survival show reputation. Tang Yuan was already out with the director. Jiang Baihe was currently on her own.

Shen Yun smiled thinly. “I’ve never seen your work. You’d better work hard. Director Song doesn’t keep useless people around!”

“You’re done, you can go out now,” the stylist said softly.

Jiang Baihe looked at herself in the mirror and stood up slowly. She smoothed the folds of her red and white robe, lifted her gaze, and picked up a prop sword. An aura of cold, bloodthirsty detachment naturally radiated from her. Without saying a word, she looked exactly like Yu Wuhuan. The entire room was stunned into silence.

As she reached the door, Jiang Baihe paused. She turned her head slightly. In the play of light and shadow, she exuded a dangerous, wicked charm that made everyone’s hair stand on end.

“If you want this role, you’re welcome to try and take it. But right now, the one sitting in this position…” She paused. “Is me, not you.”

Leaving the stunned room behind, she strode toward the set. Song Zhishu was currently losing his temper at Tang Yuan and a stylist because a costume wasn’t quite right. Suddenly, both women looked behind him with expressions like they’d seen a ghost.

He turned around angrily, only to see Jiang Baihe in her red and white robes, sword in hand, walking toward him with a faint, unreadable smile.

Song Zhishu’s mouth fell open, and the lollipop he used to help him quit smoking fell straight to the ground.

“S-Senior Sister… who did you just finish ‘killing’?”