Chapter 21: Sun Manni

The bodyguard rushed out from the other side of the car, quickly stripping off his jacket to wrap around me.

The assistant who had been temporarily assigned to accompany me roared, "Who did this? Are you tired of living!"

I wiped the water from my face and looked up to see a woman dressed in flamboyant clothing standing a few meters away. She was holding an empty bucket, her expression one of utter arrogance. Beside her stood her own assistant, who was busy fawning over her and saying something that clearly mocked my disheveled state.

I recognized her. She was the third female lead of this production—what was her name... Sun Manni? A small-time, C-list actress much like myself, rumored to have climbed the ladder by relying on a wealthy benefactor. She was known for being tyrannical and overbearing on set.

Sun Manni looked me up and down, then let out a contemptuous scoff. "Well, well. Such a luxurious car—I was wondering who it was. So, it's the one playing Lin Qing. Putting on such airs the moment you arrive; if I didn't know better, I'd think you were the female lead!"

Lin Qing was the protagonist's sidekick, a role so minor it was practically invisible.

I finally understood. She was currying favor with the powerful while trampling on the weak, trying to give me a display of dominance. I sneered, and without a second thought, I raised my hand and slapped her across the face.

The crisp sound of the slap rang out clearly across the film set. Sun Manni was stunned, clutching her face in shock for a few seconds before she began to shriek. "You dare hit me?! You bitch, you..."

She screamed and lunged at me, but the bodyguard caught her by the wrist.

Just then, Brother Ji, who had been busy handling some matters, hurried over.

"Sun Manni, what kind of madness is this! Is my person someone you can just touch? This is the new female lead of the production, Jiang Dian," Brother Ji scolded. "Today is the first day of filming. You’d better get your facts straight and stop inviting trouble for yourself!"

Brother Ji was a familiar face in the industry, but Sun Manni had no intention of showing him any respect.

"Jiang Dian? Which Jiang Dian? Never heard of her! A pathetic little actress, and she dares to hit me? Today I will—" Sun Manni continued to rave, then suddenly paused. "Brother Ji, if you want to protect her, at least find a decent excuse. She's the female lead? She doesn't even have a name in the script; what kind of lead is she?"

She must have assumed I had no background, which is why she dared to be so reckless.

The original female lead was Jiang Yuan, an actress on the verge of becoming a movie queen. She was famous, but according to what Gu Yan told me yesterday, Jiang Yuan had been replaced at the last minute, and the director hadn't informed everyone yet.

Sun Manni was sturdy, and she twisted her arm with force. The bodyguard, seeing she was a woman, didn't want to use too much strength and make the situation harder to handle. As soon as she was released, she stalked toward me aggressively. "Are you really the female lead?"

She shrugged with a scornful laugh. "You've got a decent face, but as for this body..."

Her scrutinizing gaze clearly labeled me a seductress. Before I could react, Sun Manni suddenly raised her hand, intending to slap me back.

"Director Chen has always been strict with his filming requirements. Even if the big shot backing you could squeeze you into the cast, you are definitely not the female lead! I'll take care of you, you little slut, for the sake of Sister Yuanyuan!"

"Sun Manni, stop this madness! She is Gu Yan's person!" Brother Ji shouted. He reached out, trying to block her path, but it was too late.

I closed my eyes, bracing for the blow.

Just then, a low voice cut through the air: "What is going on here?"

I looked up to see Sun Manni’s slender wrist held high in the air. The man who had arrived had a face as dark as a storm... it was Fu Shuhua.