Chapter 26: Horizon

It's already 7:40 in the morning, Elliana Lyle just got into the car heading to the set, Norman Bennett couldn't accompany her due to some issues.

She hurriedly messaged Luna to reschedule, unsurprisingly, Luna started asking for money again.

This time it wasn't much, 79 yuan for accommodation, Elliana wasn't stingy and sent over a hundred, after all, Luna really showed some skills this month.

"Miss Lyle, here are the script and the cast details of the crew, you may want to take a look," Victor King said while handing over the materials to her.

Victor King was the agent Norman Bennett found for her, a short-haired woman of twenty-seven.

She was sitting right next to her.

Presumably due to chronic lack of sleep, there were often dark circles under her eyes, her features were sharp, and her brows slightly raised, giving her quite a stern look.

"Alright, thank you," Elliana took the materials and the script, and couldn't help but inwardly criticize: this Norman Bennett prepared so thoroughly, probably he wanted her to start acting for a long time.

She first glanced at the actor details, many were familiar, having seen them on the big screen.

Up until now, Elliana didn't feel nervous, instead found it an interesting challenge.

Though Joy Lyle had mentioned that some areas in the entertainment circle were still a bit chaotic, advising her to be cautious.

She felt there was nothing to be afraid of, especially with Norman Bennett as her support, nobody dared to bully her.

Currently, she was still quite far from the set, after finishing the information, she began browsing through the South Wind Song script.

The original novel of South Wind Song is titled "Quest for the Lychee Pavilion", authored by Southland, she had skimmed it before.

9 a.m.

Arrived at the Horizon Film City where the crew was stationed, it's a place where multiple crews shoot, famed as the capital of filming.

By an ancient gateway stood a man in a vest with communications equipment and a script in hand, upon seeing Elliana arrive, he hurried forward to greet her.

"Ah, Miss Lyle is here, have you read the script I sent you?" Director Thomas Lee personally came to receive her, being quite courteous in his manners.

Originally Thomas Lee was reluctant to change actors, if he hadn't seen Elliana, he wouldn't likely agree.

Except for the height requirement, all other aspects of Elliana matched the novel's character, she was lively.

But considering the protagonist's personality change later, Thomas Lee only promised to let Elliana try, if it didn't work, they would have to find another actor.

"Hello, Director Lee." Elliana politely extended her hand.

Other actors were already in place, either rehearsing lines or conducting acting exercises.

Thomas Lee led Elliana in, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

The consensus among everyone was similar; so this was the new female lead, she looked alright and was quite famous, but since Elliana had never acted before, they feared this film might flop.

Before Elliana could meet the cast, Thomas Lee eagerly had someone bring her to the antique room, it was time for makeup and styling.

The first day did not involve shooting, just styling and getting familiar with everyone, a meet-and-greet of sorts.

Some of these individuals were currently popular stars, male lead Yates Zander was constantly topping the trending searches.

People referred to him as Zander Bro.

Elliana got along well with them, initially everyone thought she might have a prima donna attitude, unexpectedly, she had quite a pleasant temper.

Just then, Yates Zander walked over, while Elliana was chatting with two actresses who played the maid of the female lead.

The one with a slender intellectual look was Lily White, and the lively one was called Cotton Liu.

"Elliana, shall we go over the scene in chapter 26?" Yates Zander spoke by her side, such an address conveyed a bit of familiarity.

She first met Yates Zander at Norman Bennett's company, it was a fleeting encounter.

"Ah? But... I haven't seen chapter 26 yet." Elliana said as she quickly flipped through the script.

Chapter 26 was the male lead's first appearance in a poetry gathering, but it seemed... the male lead did not interact much with the female lead at the gathering.

Most shooting consisted of eye acting.

However, in filming, usually scenes with the least actors are shot first, so once filmed they can wrap up quickly.

"It's fine, just give it a try, it's our first collaboration after all." Zander's voice carried the air of a scholarly gentleman, making one feel mild, Elliana couldn't possibly refuse.

But such a gentle and graceful, eyes warm as jade man, was he really fit to play the aloof male lead Mu Changfeng?

Elliana certainly had this question.

Yet, she proved to be overthinking, once into the scene, Zander's smile faded and his presence emitted a chill.

Elliana really wanted to ask how he did it.

A few minutes later, they finished a round.

"Elliana, you did great, one take was good enough." After finishing the scene, Zander returned to his gentle demeanor, generously praising her.

Truth be told, Elliana indeed seemed to have a knack for acting, she truly felt like the female lead Christine Grey.

Perhaps it was due to the current environment, and the attire, after all, Zander today was the picture of an ancient gentleman.

"Yes, Elliana, you performed excellently earlier." Cotton Liu laughed, her eyes squinting into crescent moons, a very adorable girl.

Some were pleased, others were worried.

―――North City Central Hospital.

It was afternoon 4 o'clock, Eleanor Llyod came to the hospital upon hearing the news.

Shane Southwell's statement was already on Weibo, followed by a video of Shane Southwell injuring himself while saving a kitten, hitting the hot searches.

Netizens began dividing into factions, a dispute was about to ignite.

However, Eleanor Llyod knew Shane Southwell's character well.

"Brother Southwell, the river embankment is so dangerous, you could have asked the fire department for help instead of getting hurt, I feel distressed." Eleanor's worried voice carried a slight tremble, instantly softened Shane Southwell's heart.

Mrs. Yi had gone back to the hotel to rest after crying all morning, leaving Eleanor Llyod and Shane Southwell alone, and Cari was tactfully guarding the door.

"Snow, it's alright, actually I made you lose this opportunity." Shane Southwell spoke confusingly, straining to be understood.

Eleanor gently held the bandage shaped hand, with glistening tears hanging on her long lashes, she shook her head and said: "No blame on Brother Southwell, snow feels only a heartache for Brother Southwell."

Then Eleanor continued: "Brother Southwell, I'm not upset, sister Joy hasn't been affected, I mustn't be petty, I heard the new South Wind Song protagonist is Miss Elliana, she seems like sister Joy Lyle's cousin."

Appearing to mention casually, Eleanor had long planned this, aiming to use this chance to kick Joy Lyle out of Roland.

Among Roland Company's female artists, Joy Lyle was ahead both in fan base and the company's focus compared to Eleanor.

"Joy Lyle?" At this thought, Shane Southwell felt uneasy, immediately growling: "A traitorous thing."

"Huh? Brother Southwell, what did you say?"

"It's nothing... Snow, you go back first, I'll accompany you when I get better." Shane Southwell spoke with difficulty, his face was looking much better, you could see his original visage.

"Alright, then Snow will head back now, the assistant arranged a variety show for me, I should prepare." Saying that, Eleanor kissed Shane Southwell lightly on the forehead, then left with a flushed face.

Though Cari hadn't heard anything, Eleanor surely didn't come just to visit Shane Southwell.

"Deputy Director, would you like some water?" Seeing Shane Southwell slightly raising his hand, Cari quickly asked.

"Come here."

Cari obediently walked to the bedside.

"Terminate Joy Lyle's contract for me!"

"What? Deputy Director, that's not possible," Cari knew Eleanor's visit couldn't be innocent.

Cari persuaded: "Deputy Director, though Joy Lyle's recent online public opinion isn't great, she has a substantial fan base, maybe let her rest for a while?"