Best friend turned enemy? Marrying the villain, if she runs, I'll run too.

With the assistant director taking the lead, the others followed suit.

"Yes, Director Meng, the focus of the entire drama is on the female lead, so the acting skills required of the actress are quite high. Ms. Li has no experience as the female lead before, while Ms. Du has more experience in comparison."

"The key issue is that the online sentiment towards Teacher Li isn't very positive right now. When we kicked Cheng Youjun out of the show, it already drew a lot of criticism online. If we insist on not replacing the female lead, the show might not be able to air smoothly."

"Director Meng, a drama is not only your hard work, but also the hard work of the entire crew. If we let someone with no acting experience take on the role of the female lead, all our hard work in preparing for this drama will probably be in vain."

"More importantly, if 'The Washing Away of Wrongs' flops, the investors will definitely be unhappy, and it will also affect our ability to attract investment in the future. What if no investors cooperate with us because of this?"

These people are talking back and forth, seemingly thinking about the production team, but in reality, the filming hasn't even started yet, and they're already echoing others' opinions and spreading negative rumors because of online discussions.

Du Xinyue, feigning reluctance to refuse, said, "Director Meng, although I dare not boast of my acting skills, I do have quite a bit of experience in acting."

"Of course, I'm not trying to steal the lead role. After all, I was originally cast as the lead in 'The Wrongful Conspiracy.' It was only because Teacher Cheng withdrew that Director Meng, in a fit of pique, decided to cast Teacher Li in the role."

“I understand Director Meng’s difficulties, but now that things are so messy online, the whole crew is worried that all their efforts will be in vain. Having worked with Director Meng for so long, I still have great faith in his abilities.”

Du Xinyue, with a sincere expression, clutched her chest and said, "I am still very willing to accept this task in this time of crisis and solve Director Meng's current troubles. Of course, since Teacher Li is already here, I can give up the role of the second female lead to her."

"The second female lead also has a lot of scenes. Compared to the supporting roles that Teacher Li played before, which only had a few lines, she has already been promoted. After all, none of the many extras here have had such a good opportunity as Teacher Li."

They addressed her as "Teacher Li" so affectionately, practically wearing their ambition to snatch the role on their sleeves.

The staff, led by the assistant director, all echoed and advised him.

"Yes, Director Meng. At least in the area of ​​web dramas, although Teacher Du can't compare to Teacher Cheng, he has still collaborated with Teacher Cheng quite a few times. Considering that, netizens will be willing to support him."

"Filming hasn't even started yet, so changing actors is perfect. It won't cause any losses. All we need to do is update the official Weibo account, which will also quell the anger online. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"

Listening to these people's advice, Du Xinyue's face was full of smugness.

See, she said that with just a little trickery, everyone would speak up for her.

Anyone with eyes would choose her over Li Su, rather than a nobody with terrible acting skills.

Li Su immediately realized that Du Xinyue was behind it all online, and her fists hardened.

It seems that beating this guy won't teach him a lesson.

Just as Li Su was stretching her muscles, Meng Tang glanced at her from afar, giving her a look that said, "Don't be impatient, I have a better plan."

There was no need for words between the two; Li Su instantly understood her meaning and remained standing still.

Instead of getting angry, Meng Tang laughed, "That's right, we haven't even filmed yet, how can you be so sure that Li Su is not up to the task of playing the female lead?"

"Netizens have compiled a funny compilation of all the roles she played in the past; her acting skills are just..."

Meng Tang said calmly, "The past is the past, and the present is the present. People are constantly improving and growing. Just because her acting was bad before doesn't mean it's bad now."

"However, since everyone has raised objections, it would seem that I am arbitrary and unfair if I do not listen to their suggestions."

Du Xinyue assumed that Meng Tang was going to compromise due to the opposition of the entire crew, and immediately revealed a triumphant smile.

But the smile didn't last even a second before Meng Tang continued, "How about this, let's have Li Su and Du Xinyue play the female lead roles in the first scene we're shooting today."

“Everyone here is a judge. After everyone has performed, we will vote together. Whoever gets the most votes will play the female lead. What do you all think?”

Du Xinyue's smile vanished, and she couldn't help but say, "Director Meng, I don't think this is necessary. Teacher Li's acting skills... are evident in the compilation videos online."

"I've played the lead role in quite a few dramas. If you ask me to compare my acting skills with Teacher Li, I'm afraid people will think I'm bullying a newcomer."

While speaking modestly, he was actually constantly belittling Li Su.

Li Su sneered, "I think Director Meng's suggestion is very good, and I accept it. Teacher Du doesn't accept it. Is he afraid of me?"

Everyone was surprised that Li Su had accepted Meng Tang's suggestion, and they began to whisper among themselves.

"She's really fearless, daring to compete with Teacher Du in acting?"

"With her terrible acting skills, Teacher Du could easily outshine her with a simple performance. How dare she talk such nonsense here? Isn't she afraid of biting off more than she can chew?"

"Teacher Du, why don't you compete with her? It would let some people know that you can't become a protagonist just by having money."

Amidst the cheers and encouragement of the crowd, Du Xinyue sighed, feigning difficulty, "Alright then, since Director Meng has said so, I'll give him face too. But if Teacher Li loses too badly, don't go online and complain that I, a senior, bullied you."

Li Su's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Hasn't Teacher Du heard the saying, 'Don't speak too confidently, or you'll fall harder the higher you're praised'?"

But Du Xinyue didn't take Li Su seriously at all. With Li Su's past terrible acting skills, she could easily crush her if she acted a little more seriously.

Meng Tang raised her hand, "Since Du Xinyue is the senior, let Du Xinyue go first. All departments, please get ready."

The first scene included a horseback riding scene, and the crew arranged for real horses. However, nowadays very few actors can actually ride horses. Even if they can, they simply ride on horseback slowly, like walking a dog.

As for Du Xinyue, who is delicate and frail, she naturally dared not take the risk. She chose to ride a fake horse, and a stunt double added a few more shots, which were then combined in post-production to create the horse riding scene.

This scene depicts the tragic death of the female lead's family, and her miraculous escape on horseback.

When the scene reached an emotional outburst, the camera zoomed in on Du Xinyue's face.

Du Xinyue's expression was quite sad, but her lips were trembling and twitching, yet not a single tear fell from her eyes.

"Click."

As soon as Meng Tang called for a stop, someone in the audience praised, "Teacher Du's acting skills are really solid."