"Is there something you need?" Xu Jiayang asked expressionlessly.
"Are you looking for a stunt double? I'd like to give it a try."
"You?" Xu Jiayang's gaze held a hint of hesitation.
His first instinct was to refuse.
Right now, Xia Weibao was mired in scandal, and anyone associated with her would end up tainted by association.
Not to mention his own reputation...
If he got involved with Xia Weibao, it wouldn't just be the two of them affected, the entire Allure crew would be drowned in saliva!
However, finding a last-minute stunt double really was difficult, and although Xia Weibao had never done a period drama, she had filmed modern action scenes and did have a martial arts background.
The additional expenses for delaying shooting were something their small production team simply couldn't afford.
Thinking of the burning costs, Xu Jiayang hesitated...
"Look, Xia Weibao is actually going up to talk to Director Xu."
"Damn! What does she want to do? She isn't trying to openly seduce Director Xu, is she?"
"Tsk, why would she need to seduce anyone? Director Xu and she are cut from the same cloth, birds of a feather."
"Listen to what they're saying – Xia Weibao wants to be a stunt double?"
"A movie queen reduced to a stunt double, tsk tsk..."
Those whispering voices were annoying to Xu Jiayang.
"You're not suita..."
Xu Jiayang hadn't finished speaking when Lin Mier interrupted him.
She approached him with a beaming smile, "Director Xu, since Senior Xia wants to be a stunt double, why not give her a chance to try?"
Xia Weibao was young, but she had become famous early on.
Initially in the entertainment industry, many indeed addressed her as 'Senior'.
But now, times had changed and calling her Senior under the cloud of her tarnished reputation was no longer respect, but sarcasm.
Nevertheless, Lin Mier acted as if unaware, continuing to smile brightly.
Xia Weibao raised an eyebrow and said nothing.
She wished they would save these little tricks instead of flaunting them before her. In the past, when she ruled over the Imperial Harem, with the Three Palaces, Six Courts, and Seventy-two Concubines, the palace intrigue plays were genuinely fascinating.
These palace maid-level shenanigans were just pitiful.
Lin Mier continued to smile, "Director Xu, consider it a favor to me, let Senior Xia try. You might be in for a pleasant surprise."
After so many years in the entertainment industry, Xu Jiayang naturally saw through Lin Mier's agenda.
He glanced at Xia Weibao and saw her standing tall and graceful, the very image of a character from a poem.
Despite her expressionless face, she had an air of a majestic phoenix overseeing her realm.
When their gazes met, Xia Weibao gave him a light nod, accompanied by a faint smile.
To Xu Jiayang's surprise, she too had seen through Lin Mier's little game.
If she didn't mind being used as a stepping stone...
"Go change your clothes."
Xia Weibao nodded gently, "Thank you, Director Xu."
That smile momentarily dazzled Xu Jiayang.
As Xia Weibao passed by Lin Mier, she gave her a meaningful smile, "Thanks, Sister Mi."
Lin Mier's smile was very friendly, "You're welcome. You helped me back in the day; now that you are having trouble, how could I just watch and do nothing?"
Xia Weibao's smile deepened.
Yes, she had indeed helped Lin Mier.
When Xia Weibao was at the pinnacle of her fame, Lin Mier was just a rookie starting out.
Due to a slight resemblance to Xia Weibao, she was referred to as Xiao Weibao.
Back then, Lin Mier, eager to curry favor with Xia Weibao, was more than willing to be the one to carry her shoes.
Seeing her ambition and willingness to work hard, Xia Weibao took the initiative to introduce her to the director.
And it was for that very film that gave the real owner the title of movie queen!
Lin Mier was the third female lead!
The third female lead! A role many actresses would fight tooth and nail for, and Xia Weibao went out of her way to negotiate more scenes for Lin Mier by arranging dinner with the director.
But, when the scandal broke out, it was Lin Mier who first came forward, wielding photos of Xia Weibao supposedly accompanying the director to a hotel for the night!
She sent her straight to Hell!
Indeed, the real owner had been to the hotel with the director, but not for what the photos suggested; it was to negotiate for Lin Mier's role over dinner!
An ungrateful wretch!