Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Shang Xueyan filmed another scene, this one without the male lead, featuring him, the female lead, and other actors.

After these two scenes, it was lunchtime for the crew. The box lunches from this production team were surprisingly good, offering sweet and sour pork ribs, pineapple stir-fried pork, stir-fried eggplant, and cucumber salad.

Shang Xueyan sat in a secluded corner. He had just picked up a piece of beef with his chopsticks when a man abruptly brushed past him, knocking his lunchbox to the ground. All that remained was the disposable wooden chopsticks in Shang Xueyan’s left hand.

Zheng Yu, having bumped into Shang Xueyan, didn't even pause, let alone apologize.

Shang Xueyan took a deep breath, found cleaning supplies, and tidied up the spilled food. The logistics team had no spare box lunches, and there were no nearby shops selling bread or snacks. Shang Xueyan pulled out his phone and scrolled through it for a while.

In the afternoon, they needed to relocate to film at a shopping mall. After getting off the crew’s bus, Shang Xueyan went to a nearby store and bought the cheapest loaf of bread.

Even though it was the cheapest option in the store, everything in the mall was priced higher, and Shang Xueyan couldn’t help but wince at spending ten yuan.

The bottled water he’d taken from the crew that day was finished, and there were no extras left. Holding his empty bottle, Shang Xueyan went to a water dispenser in the mall and filled it with room-temperature water.

The faucet was a bit problematic, and the room-temperature water trickled out slowly. After waiting several minutes to fill the bottle, he drank a few mouthfuls and headed back toward the crew. Just then, Zheng Yu emerged from the opposite direction holding a cup of coffee. They were going the same way, and in just a few steps, Zheng Yu was walking beside him.

Zheng Yu didn’t like him. After seeing Jiang Lan earlier that day, Shang Xueyan debated whether he should try to strike up a conversation with Zheng Yu to find out what Jiang Lan had said. After all, he still had over a week of filming left, and most of his scenes involved Zheng Yu.

Perhaps he should try to improve their relationship—this role was quite important to him.

Shang Xueyan forced a smile and opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word out, Zheng Yu suddenly stumbled beside him. The hot coffee in his hand splashed all over the white marble floor, and he fell to the ground.

Zheng Yu exclaimed in disbelief, “Shang Xueyan, what are you doing?”

Zheng Yu’s assistant, Chen Guoguang, helped him up while anxiously asking if he was okay and simultaneously scolding Shang Xueyan: “Do you even watch where you’re going? What were you trying to do? Intentionally cause harm? Our Yu Ge was injured not long ago—his legs aren’t fully healed.”

His words came like a machine gun, leaving Shang Xueyan no room to interject.

Hearing the commotion nearby, Director Lin hurried over. “What’s all the arguing about?”

“Director Lin, you came just in time. Yu Ge was tripped by Shang Xueyan, and hot coffee almost spilled on his face. Look, his hand is already red from the burn.”

“I didn’t, Director Lin. I didn’t trip Zheng Yu.”

“Are you saying I’m deliberately framing you?” Zheng Yu said furiously. “Director, I can’t work on this set with Shang Xueyan around.”

“Exactly,” Chen Guoguang chimed in. “Today it’s just a burn on Yu Ge’s hand—tomorrow, he might try to disfigure his face. We can’t work under these conditions.”

Director Lin massaged his temples in frustration and said sternly, “Shang Xueyan, apologize to Zheng Yu, now.”

Shang Xueyan’s fingertips dug into his palm. Zheng Yu glanced at him disdainfully. Shang Xueyan was sure Zheng Yu had faked the fall—it had nothing to do with him. But although this role was minor, it wasn’t just a one- or two-scene part. Filming for seven or eight days would earn him a decent paycheck, more than what he made working at a café or delivering food.

“Sorry, Yu Ge. It was an accident,” Shang Xueyan said.

Zheng Yu stared at Director Lin. “You see? His apology isn’t sincere at all, Director Lin. I really don’t dare to work on the same set as him. At noon today, I accidentally bumped into his lunchbox, and he wanted to trip me in return. Now he looks resentful—who knows how he might retaliate against me later?”

“Replace him. He’s only filmed three scenes anyway,” Zheng Yu said casually, stating his demand.

Director Lin hesitated for a moment.

Seeing this, Zheng Yu added, “Then I won’t act anymore. I don’t dare to work alongside someone who wants to harm me.”

“Shang Xueyan, you can leave,” Director Lin decided quickly and directly ordered Shang Xueyan.

Shang Xueyan looked at Director Lin. “Director Lin, this show’s only been shooting for five days, with three or four months of filming ahead. Today, Zheng Yu dislikes me and figures out a way to get me fired. But what about tomorrow, the day after, or in the future? If he takes a dislike to other actors, will he also threaten to quit…”

“Director Lin, see? He clearly holds a grudge against me. He even wants you to replace me. Fine, I’ll leave. Is that okay?” Zheng Yu sneered and turned to walk away.

Seeing Zheng Yu about to leave, Director Lin made his decision without hesitation: “Shang Xueyan, you go. Our production is too small to accommodate someone like you.”

Zheng Yu stopped walking. His gaze toward Shang Xueyan was not only malicious but also openly triumphant.

Shang Xueyan knew there was no way he could stay and continue acting. When forced to choose between the male lead and an unimportant minor character, the director had unhesitatingly chosen the male lead.

Shang Xueyan stood up for the only right he had left: “Then can I at least be paid for today’s work?”

Director Lin was furious. Shang Xueyan had filmed three scenes that day. Since he wouldn’t be continuing, those scenes would have to be reshot, wasting time, manpower, and effort. As for the conflict between him and Zheng Yu—he was just a minor actor and should’ve known his place. Who told him to offend Zheng Yu and make Zheng Yu dislike him? If he hadn’t provoked Zheng Yu’s displeasure, this mess wouldn’t have happened.

Irritated that Shang Xueyan still dared to ask for payment, Director Lin said impatiently, “Go, go, just leave quickly.”

“Director Lin, it’s the production team breaching the contract unilaterally. Besides today’s pay, you should also pay the breach-of-contract fee…” His gaze drifted toward the corridor on the second floor of the mall, and Shang Xueyan instantly forgot what he was about to say.