"This little kid must be Xu Yiyi. Are you his mother?" Director Wang asked.
Hearing this, Xu Qingqing nodded with a smile and explained to Director Wang. "Yes, I'm Yiyi's mom. I was worried that he might get scared being alone on the set, so I came with him."
The main reason was the incident last time when someone put essential balm in Mei Tong's contact lenses, which had left a deep shadow on Xu Qingqing. It made her worried about leaving Xu Yiyi alone, fearing that he might be hurt by someone with ill intentions.
Director Wang nodded to show his understanding. Meng Lingyao, who had been sitting there sulking just now, saw cute little Xu Yiyi and immediately rushed over, reaching out to pinch his cheeks.
"Hello, little one. I'm Sister Meng Lingyao," she said, then ran her hand through Xu Yiyi's soft short hair, with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "This kid has such a round head. He'd definitely look good with a shaved head."
Xu Qingqing felt even more annoyed upon hearing this and her face turned a bit cold. What was wrong with this actress? Who would think about shaving a kid's head right after meeting them!
Director Wang also noticed Xu Qingqing's unpleasant expression and quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile. "Lingyao, this kid is playing your younger brother in the show. He's not a cancer patient. If we shaved his head, the audience would be taken out of the story."
But Meng Lingyao didn't seem to care. "We can just change the script. Then we can make it that the younger brother shaved his head because he was so heart - broken for his sister. Wouldn't that be even more touching and make the audience cry?"
Director Wang was actually convinced by her words. It did sound like an interesting plot point.
Amy quickly stepped forward to fight for Xu Yiyi's rights. "Director, this doesn't seem right. The invitation we received didn't mention anything about shaving heads." It was almost Chinese New Year. It would be so embarrassing for Xu Yiyi to celebrate the New Year with a shaved head!
Director Wang then realized his mistake and waved his hand with an awkward laugh. "Look at my forgetful head. It's really not appropriate to suddenly ask you to shave your heads."
Hearing this, Meng Lingyao immediately pulled a long face and got angry. "So I'll be the only one with a shaved head! I don't agree!"
Xu Qingqing couldn't stand Meng Lingyao's constant tantrums anymore and tried to persuade her. "Miss Meng, I'm sure Director Wang must have clearly explained that you'd need to shave your head when you received the acting offer. There's no need for you to throw a tantrum and force others to shave their heads with you."
Xu Qingqing's words hit a sore spot for Meng Lingyao. She immediately flew into a rage, stood up and pointed at Xu Qingqing. "Who do you think you are to talk to me like this! Even the director didn't say such things to me!"
After saying that, Meng Lingyao threw the hair clipper on the ground and walked off the set, quitting the job.
Director Wang didn't dare to offend either Meng Lingyao or Xu Qingqing. After all, Xu Qingqing was the wife of the richest man.
He stood there, not daring to chase after Meng Lingyao. He looked at Xu Qingqing with a mournful face. "Miss Xu, what should we do now?"
Xu Qingqing lowered her head and asked Xu Yiyi, "Xu Yiyi, do you really like this show?"
Xu Yiyi nodded hesitantly. He had read the script. It wasn't a typical cheesy romance drama, but a story focusing on terminal cancer patients, which had great real - life significance. So he really wanted to do a good job in the show, but he thought it was wrong for the leading actress to force the staff. After all, actors should be able to play different roles and endure hardships for their jobs. The staff didn't get such high pay, so why should Meng Lingyao force them?
Seeing that her son really liked the show, Xu Qingqing looked up at Director Wang. "Did you discuss the matter of shaving heads with her when you invited her?"
Director Wang nodded gloomily. "We had a good talk at first, but who would have thought she'd go back on her word..."
"Then let's find a new leading actress," Xu Qingqing said calmly but with great authority. She took out her wallet, wrote a check and handed it to Director Wang. "Find a leading actress with good acting skills and who is obedient. You can write down all the acting fees and the losses these days on this check. It can be cashed at any bank."
Over the years, through restoring and appraising cultural relics, as well as the property her parents transferred to her, she had accumulated at least hundreds of millions. Naturally, she wanted to give the best to her son.
Director Wang was still in a daze when he received the check. A surge of excitement welled up in his heart. He looked at Xu Qingqing in shock. "Are you sure?"
Sure enough, the wife of the richest man was so generous!
"Yes, I'm sure. I'll give you 15 minutes to sort out the matters of the crew and then start shooting," Xu Qingqing said, with a half - smile on her lips and a compelling aura.
Director Wang didn't dare to refuse. He turned around and ran to talk to Meng Lingyao.
In the office, Meng Lingyao was crying her eyes out while the staff comforted her. She thought Director Wang was coming to comfort her, so she cried even louder. "Why does she get to boss me around? What's wrong with a girl loving beauty? Director, tell me, am I wrong?"
Hearing Meng Lingyao's unreasonable words, and thinking about the money he now had, Director Wang straightened his back and dared to refute her. "Meng Lingyao, it's your fault. You agreed to it in the first place."
Meng Lingyao didn't expect Director Wang to side with Xu Qingqing. Her face darkened and she spoke unpleasantly. "How dare you talk to me like this! Don't forget I'm the leading actress!" If she quit, Director Wang would be in big trouble!
"Since you don't want to shave your head, then leave the crew. I'll find a new leading actress and start shooting all over again," Director Wang said.
Meng Lingyao froze instantly. Her hand, which was wiping her tears, stayed still under her eyelids. She looked up at Director Wang in disbelief. The staff who had been trying to comfort Meng Lingyao also looked stunned for a moment, and then their eyes lit up with excitement. After all, Meng Lingyao was very difficult to serve, and they had long hoped that she would leave.
"What did you say? We've already shot half of the show, and you want to replace me! Can you afford the losses? Will your investors agree?" Meng Lingyao was aggressive, with a fierce look in her eyes, completely different from the gentle and beautiful girl she portrayed.
But Director Wang wasn't going to be submissive anymore. He waved the check Xu Qingqing had given him. "Of course I can afford the losses. I've got a new investor." He had the support of the richest man's wife. What was there to be afraid of!
Meng Lingyao realized that the new investor Director Wang mentioned must be Xu Qingqing. She clenched her fists tightly and gasped for air in anger. "You... You're being too much! Just wait to be attacked by my fans online!"