Chapter 1: New beginnings 1

At the set of a contemporary drama.

"Where is Li Na?" Director Zhu, a plump average heighted man, in his early forties shouted from his seat behind the camera.

The set was constructed to mimic the setting of the office of a director in an entertainment company.

The male extra playing the role of the male lead Yao Chao's assistant was already in position next to the door. He would deliver his line On the director's order.

Everyone on standby was held back by the absence of Li Na who playing the role of the female supporting character Kaili.

Director Zhu was seated behind the camera dressed in a white button-down shirt, brown slacks, and sandals. 

He raised his arm and checked the time on his wristwatch. They had roughly forty minutes till the next scene. He turned to his assistant Standing by his right.

"We are already behind schedule. Xiao Zhong, please go get her"

Li Na was given the daily Call sheet with the filming schedule for the day. she was meant to hang around and wait for her next scene not pull a disappearing act.

Twenty minutes later his assistant ran over panting loudly.

"Director bad news!" Xiao Zhong cried out trying to catch his breath

While searching for Li Na, he stopped at a food cart for a few minutes to rest his legs when he was informed by an extra that Li Na had left the set.

Shocked, He ran straight to Sun Liyun, the manager from Baiyu Studio's, and informed her of the situation.

Sun Liyun was a seasoned professional in her field. She quickly called Li Na's agency and got a positive confirmation.

"What is going on Xiao Zhong, where is Li Na? Director Zhu asked, looking away from the screen.

"Li Na has left the set, director. Sister Liyun just spoke with her manager on the phone who confirmed that. Li Na won't be joining us to film again" Xiao Zhong relayed quickly.

"What!" He sat forward quickly "How can this happen, just what kind of actress is she? Give Director Shen a Call" Director spat out balling up his hands tightly. His blood was boiling in anger.

Li Na was just an average actress yet she thought she was something special. She had a lot of nerves to pull such a stunt. She dares to leave abruptly this deep in production, they had already filmed more than half of her scenes.

This is the last time he would ever work with her.

**Forty minutes later**

Shi Xiaotong walked into the set, carrying a disposable cup of coffee in one hand. She took a few sips on intervals.

The set was much more active than usual. Everyone was running around, 80% of whom were on calls. It was a madhouse.

Shi Xiaotong reduced her pace, looking around slowly. Trying to make sense of the situation. When she walked smack into Jiao Yi, her colleague at Baiyu studios.

Jiao Yi ran out of the studio at full speed while dialling a number on her phone. when they ran into each other.

The disposable cup of coffee in Xiaotong's hand overturned and its content spilled all over her jacket and hands.

"Oh my ... I am so sorry about that Xiaotong, I wasn't looking at all" Ji Yi said, pulling out a white handkerchief from her fanny pack and began to gently dab the coffee droplets on Shi Xiaotong's arm.

"Don't worry about that, It's nothing. I'm also in the wrong. I should have been looking ahead. Luckily my shirt wasn't stained just the coat. Once I remove my coat, it wouldn't be that obvious.

"As for the coffee, don't worry about that. I can get another one... eh that's right Jiao Yi what's going on, why is everyone running around, did something happen?" She asked.

She and Jiao Yi had joined the company at the same time and were both in the same department so they were a little bit close.

"Something major just happened in Xiaotong. That Diva Li Na up and quit the production without any notice.

"Everything is a mess, we are all running around trying to find a replacement", Jiao Yi replied.

"What? ....this is bad" Shi Xiaotong replied.

This was one of their company's high-budget productions, a lot of resources were put into this production.

The entire cast was carefully selected. The cast consisted of many Top-notch artists of musical origin as the story was based in the music industry.

The series had taken a while to plan and auditions were held for each role and after much consideration, Li Na had been cast as an important supporting character who had a lot of scenes.

She wasn't the most talented actress but had been cast to play the role because her voice matched the image they were going for.

Li Na was a fairly known artist with a huge fan base, even though she wasn't an A-list celebrity.

The series was titled "As long as you love me" and told the story of the marriage, divorce, and remarriage of two talented musicians who met each other when they were starting in the music industry.

They had dated briefly before getting married in a spur of the moment much earlier in their careers. Sadly shortly after they were married they drifted apart and got a divorce.

Years later, the female Protagonist Su Ranran got into a copyright scandal that ruined her career. She was deserted by everyone except her Ex-husband Yang Chao

After suffering a major setback Su Ranran was forced to build her career once again from scratch with Yang Chao's assistance. During which they fell in love again.

Li Na had been cast as Kaili, the international music sensation that initially had feelings for the male lead. She had confessed to him but was rejected but remained good friends with the male lead.

She was quite a lovable Character that even lends the Female Protagonist a hand a few times and was solely responsible for helping both leads get back together.

The Character Kaili though not one of the lead characters was a very notable supporting character who played a major role in the series. As a good friend to both the female and Male Protagonists.

Shi Xiaotong didn't understand Li Na's reasoning at all. They had been filming for two months now, Li Na had already shot more than half of her scenes yet she suddenly abandoned her role.

"Since Kaili is such a major character we can't just remove the character completely. Where are we going to find an actress to play the role in such a short time.

"We already contacted a few actresses that auditioned for the role but they are all swamped with various activities and can't take up the role.

"Xiaotong everything is a mess, all of our bosses plus our team leader are speaking with Director Zhu to figure out a solution," Ji Yi said shaking her head and running forward.

'Kaili is getting re-casted, this was really good news. Li Na's dumb decision was going to give Liu Qiaoqiao a chance for an Epic come back' Shi Xiaotong thought as she ran in to speak with her team leader about a solution.

If everything works out well they wouldn't have to search far for an actress to play Kaili. and Liu Qiaoqiao would get a chance to shine. Which was a win-win situation for everyone.

Just as Jiao Yi said, the Executive Directors of Baiyu Studios, Shen Xue, Bai Zhenzhen, and Lu Zhiyuan were indeed speaking with Director Zhu together with their team leader Sun Liyun.

She went over to her bag and brought out her secret weapon, a notebook computer. She clicked it open and checked her video files, Everything was still in there

She walked over to her team leader and took an excuse from the other Directors. She called Sun Liyun aside

"This had better be a matter of life and death Xiaotong. I don't have any time to waste" Sun Liyun said slightly irritated

"I might have a solution to our problem"

"Hmph, I'm listening"

"I would like to recommend a friend of mine for the role of Kaili. She would be perfect for the role, she is a talented musician and has little acting experience.

"She was a former Idol so she is no stranger to the camera. I have a few videos of her singing, you can watch them and make your conclusions"

"fine I am desperate, let's see it" Sun Liyun

"Here it is," Shi Xiaotong said, handing the notepad over to Sun Liyun.

After watching the video Sun Liyun stood silent for a second then pulled her over to where the Directors were speaking.

After some introduction, she said "We don't have to search far for an actress to play Kaili. We have found a solution. Xiaotong tells them all what you told me."

"A friend of mine is a wonderful musician and would be perfect for the role. I'm not just saying because she is a friend but She's a talented singer.

"You won't be disappointed if you give her a chance. I have a few videos of her singing in my notepad if you would like to watch a few. I promise you won't be disappointed, she's really good" Shi Xiaotong said quickly.

"Let's have a look" Bai Zhenzhen, one of the Executive Directors of the company and an international Actress replied.

Shi Xiaotong quickly connected her notepad to the computer and played the video. The video left everyone speechless; this was not what they expected at all.

The singer was talented. Her voice was so refined which spoke of raw talent and years of constant training to clarify their suspicion Lu Zhiyuan another Executive Director asked

"Does she have any formal training?

"Yes she does, she was in the girl group Pretty girls which were disbanded a year and a half ago. She's currently a free artist" She replied.

"Call her over for an audition," Lu Zhiyuan said.

"Yes, sir I will quickly give her a call" She replied.

"You do that, Director Zhu, let's go on with the other scenes while we wait," Shen Xue said.

"Okay, I will inform the rest of the crew," director Zhu said.

Shi Xiaotong quickly dialled her best friend's number, after two rings she answered

"Hey Tong Tong"

"Qiao Qiao what are you doing now"

"Nothing much just came back from the gym"

"Wonderful"

"Huh?

"Please come over to the set I will send you the address. An actress just dropped out of the Production, the directors are looking for a new actress to replace her.

it's a music-oriented drama so I recommended you for the role. I played a video of you singing and they loved it. They want you to come on for a formal audition"

"Really"

"Yes you better hurry don't keep them waiting"

"I won't"

Liu Qiao Qiao changed into a thigh-length gown and boots and rushed out of her apartment.