SWNOVELXO Chapter 5 - Joining the production as the female lead
Tang Yuan lay buried under the fluffy blanket, silently screaming, her body tangled into a mess on the bed.
“Sis, it’s time to eat.”
Tang Yuan jolted upright, her eyes fixed intently on the tall figure standing obediently at the door—it was her stupid little brother.
She came back and forgot to close the door.
She lowered her head and quietly tidied her hair, straightened her clothes, and cleared her throat softly. “Oh, stand down.”
One’s image must not be lost.
Today, Jiang Zi’s attitude towards her had taken a 180-degree turn, her tone now gentle and warm. How could such a sister be called a conquer target? She was practically her ideal type!
The gold bar had been returned to her; it appeared she wasn’t fond of it. She can’t be so insincere next time.
Tang Yuan removed the hairband from her wrist, found a fine jewellery box, and set aside the jade bracelet before carefully placing the hairband inside. Satisfied, she walked out of her room.
After going downstairs, she noticed a man in a black suit and shirt seated beside Tang Su.
He had his sleeves rolled up, revealing part of his forearms. With a strong, chiselled profile that resembled Tang Su’s, the gold-rimmed glasses softened his sharp demeanour, adding a touch of a refined scum aura.
“Tang Yuan, come here.” His voice was deep and magnetic, carrying an authoritative tone that brooked no opposition.
It was her brother Tang Gu, the domineering tycoon making waves in the business world and the villainous cannon fodder of the original plot.
Tang Gu was all about his career; his mind consumed with making money. In the later stages, he would meet an early demise due to the male lead’s sinister and ruthless tactics.
Tang Yuan sat down beside him. “Brother, why are you back?”
“Have you been acting recently?”
Tang Yuan nodded obediently. “I’ve joined a production.”
“Two, actually.”
At this, Tang Yuan pressed her lips together and remained silent.
“I’m not blaming you,” Tang Gu sighed. “There’s no need to skimp on necessary expenses. I’ll have someone keep an eye on the negative news.”
He paused before continuing, “Go ahead and have fun.”
Tang Yuan tightened her grip on the chopsticks and nodded. “Mm.”
Although Tang Gu was a career brain who only knew how to earn money, he wasn’t stingy with spending money.
How could such a good brother end up as a mere cannon fodder? It was all Chu Yu’s fault.
Tang Yuan shovelled a few more bites of food into her mouth before setting down her chopsticks. “I’m full.”
Ignoring the gazes behind her, she quickly raced upstairs and picked up her laptop to diligently study the script.
The immediate priority was undermining Chu Yu’s protagonist halo.
The next day.
Tang Yuan hurriedly wheeled her luggage toward the filming location.
As the shoot was for a period fantasy drama, extensive makeup and styling were required each day before filming began. To ensure the progress of the production, the crew decided on a closed-set approach. With only eighteen episodes, the director aimed to complete the shooting within two months, with the broadcast scheduled six months later.
Given that it was a web drama, not a major IP production, the time investment was naturally as little as possible.
“Xiao Yuan, don’t feel pressured. Just act as you normally would.”
Sitting on a rocking chair, Tang Yuan clutched the script and practised her lines, not hearing the director’s words of comfort.
Soon, it was time for her scene.
It was another scene with the second female lead.
In this drama, the female lead, Qin Yan, and the second female lead, Li Xiang, were from the same sect. Tang Yuan’s character, Qin Yan, was the senior sister of the sect, while Li Xiang was the sect leader’s closed-door disciple and the youngest junior sister in the sect.
The junior sister was arrogant and naive, doted by her senior brothers and master. Rare treasures, cultivation manuals, and high-grade magic weapons, it was always the junior sister who got to picked first.
The senior sister, on the other hand, was the pillar of the sect. Everyone revered and feared her, but no one loved her; she was merely seen as a tool to bring glory to the sect.
The senior sister disliked the little junior sister’s arrogance and extravagant behaviour, while the little junior sister found the senior sister’s adherence to rules and rigidity tiresome.
The sect disciples adored the little junior sister but viewed the senior sister as nothing more than a workhorse. Despite this, Qin Yan, the senior sister, remained devoted and diligent, tirelessly serving the sect. It was only after a major change in the sect that she left, eventually crossing paths with the male lead, leading to a tale of a love/hate relationship.
Such a female lead character is quite common in fantasy dramas. In her years of acting as a first love, she had played similar roles in such scripts.
But Jiang Zi playing the role of the junior sister, who is spoiled and arrogant?
Tang Yuan sneaks a glance, finding it hard to imagine. The personality contrast was just too stark.
And she herself playing the senior sister…
Tang Yuan straightened her back, the corner of her mouth turned up proudly; she is simply the heavenly chosen senior sister, okay!
I’ve never seen a pig run, but I’ve eaten pork. I’ve never played a senior sister, but have I never seen a senior sister?
With a little bit of imitation, she could master the essence of the role.
Before long, the director called out, “Camera positions ready, actors in place.”
“Qin Yan has returned from her training and, upon presenting the treasures she brought back to the sect leader, finds that the sect leader has casually picked out half of the best ones and gave them to Li Xiang.”
Qin Yan removed the storage pouch from her waist and placed it before the sect leader. “These are the treasures I collected in the secret realm during my training. Master, please distribute them to the disciples.”
Exuding an air of immortal grace, the white-haired Daoist on the high seat waved his hand and examined all the treasures inside the storage pouch.
He casually pulled out a few manuals and some magic weapons, handing them to the senior disciples who stood by.
“Thank you for the generous gifts, Master!”
The young girl in a pink skirt, who didn’t receive any items, immediately grew anxious. Pouting, she looked up at the sect leader with a reproachful gaze, her arms crossed and eyes filled with grievance. “Master, why didn’t I get anything? You’re being unfair!”
The sect leader couldn’t help but chuckle at her antics. The stern old man’s face softened instantly into a kind and gentle expression. “Come here.”
Once Li Xiang stood before him, the sect leader handed her the storage pouch and ruffled her hair affectionately. “When have I ever forgotten you?”
Li Xiang glanced at the pouch, gave a satisfied huff, and hung it at her waist. “That’s more like it.”
As they were enjoying their moment, an abrupt voice interrupted. “Master.”
The sect leader’s smile vanished, his expression returning to its usual calm composure. “Yan’er, is there something else?”
Qin Yan clasped her hands in a respectful salute, her tone neutral and unyielding. “The treasures I retrieved this time are numerous and could be distributed among many sect disciples to enhance our sect’s strength. Since junior sister’s cultivation is still low and some cultivation manuals are beyond her current capabilities, I will find more for her if she needs them in the future.”
“Senior Sister.” The girl had already approached her when she was speaking.
“Are you saying that Li Xiang is unworthy of these items?” The girl’s voice trembled slightly, her eyes reddening as if she had been grievously wronged.
“Enough!” The sect leader’s voice was tainted with displeasure. “If junior sister wants them, let her have them. If there are still disciples in the sect who need it, you can find more for them again.”
“Soon, the sect’s competition will be upon us. Make sure to rest well and fight for the honour of our sect.”
Qin Yan slowly lowered her hands to her sides, looked down, and turned to leave.
“Senior Sister!”
Qin Yan stopped as she exited the council hall due to the call from behind her.
It was Li Xiang who had chased after her. She stepped before Qin Yan, her pink skirt shimmering with gold.
“Senior Sister, when you go out in the future, can you bring back some pretty dresses for me? Hairpins, jewellery, and other accessories, too.”