Chapter 11: Costume Fitting Photos
While getting her hair styled, An Wen checked Weibo and found the hashtag #YeQiaofengQingSha trending, already marked as "hot" at the tail end of the list.
The top post was a tweet from Ye Qiaofeng: "The crew has a beauty—treading on green lotus, peerless and transcendent."
The phrase "treading on green lotus, peerless and transcendent" was unmistakably describing Qing Sha.
Fans of the original novel, who had been protesting the inclusion of Qing Sha’s character for so long, were now furious to learn that not only had the role not been cut, but an actress had already been cast.
[Tell me who’s playing her—I’m ready to curse!]
[Who could possibly portray Qing Goddess? A rejection from the depths of my soul!]
[I can’t take it anymore—Director Ye, have you lost your mind?]
[Can you just leave Qing Sha alone? Or at least change the name so you can butcher it however you want!]
[Whoever plays Qing Sha, I’ll hate them for life—mindlessly!]
[I’ll smash Ye Qiaofeng’s head with a hammer!]
...
Since the casting hadn’t been officially announced, no fans came forward to claim the role, leaving the trending section entirely dominated by angry book fans.
Some marketing accounts even stirred the pot by speculating—or outright fabricating—which actresses might play Qing Sha, sparking fan wars in their comment sections.
This role was undeniably high-risk.
After finishing his scene, Ye Qiaofeng waited in the studio. When An Wen appeared in a flowing white gown with wide sleeves, her movements ethereal, her willow-like brows framing cold, aloof eyes that seemed to regard the world with indifference—for a few seconds, Ye Qiaofeng felt as if Qing Sha had stepped right out of the novel.
He had initially held low expectations for her, but now, all he hoped was that she could maintain this aura throughout the series.
"Perfect, let’s start shooting!" Ye Qiaofeng said.
Without much guidance from the photographer or Ye Qiaofeng, An Wen effortlessly slipped into character, as if she were a seasoned star accustomed to the spotlight.
Ye Qiaofeng, who had set the bar so low for her, was both shocked and delighted—and, inexplicably, even a little proud.
Once the shoot wrapped, Ye Qiaofeng, in high spirits, called An Wen over and asked, "Have you checked Weibo today?"
An Wen already knew what he was referring to. "Director, you’re trending!"
"The backlash over Qing Sha’s casting is intense and disrupting the crew’s work. So I’ve decided to officially announce your casting this afternoon once the photos are retouched. Do you have a Weibo account?"
"No." The original owner of this body didn’t use Weibo, and An Wen had only downloaded the app recently to browse entertainment news without registering.
"Then make one." Ye Qiaofeng waved Deputy Director Zhang over. With the tight production schedule and several actors struggling with their performances, he didn’t have time for lengthy discussions. "Explain everything to her," he instructed.
Only after Ye Qiaofeng left did Deputy Director Zhang speak to An Wen. "An Wen, you’re only 15, right? A first-year high school student?"
"Yes."
"With final exams coming up, the official announcement will definitely affect you. But right now, the speculation around this role is out of control—too many names have been dragged into it. This is the least damaging way to handle the situation. Do you understand?" Deputy Director Zhang asked.
The hashtag 'Who in the Entertainment Industry is Suitable to Play Qing Sha' trended for two days, with fans of the original novel vehemently criticizing any actress suggested for the role. Marketing accounts have dragged too many actresses into the controversy, and without an official announcement, the resentment from their fans could escalate. An Wen, an unknown newcomer, lacks a fanbase to counter the backlash, prompting the urgency to announce her casting.
"Director, don’t worry. I understand the situation," An Wen said.
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