Chapter 357: I Call the Shots on This Crew

Sun Yao's voice was several meters away from the phone, but he deliberately turned up the volume so that Lin Meng and everyone on the set could hear it.

In an instant, everyone was startled, and their gazes toward Lin Meng changed.

Upon hearing that funding could be withdrawn, the director was frightened and hurriedly bowed and begged Lin Meng for mercy.

Miss, please spare us; our production can't withstand losing investment.

The director begged in a low voice, obviously truly worried that the Ye Clan would withdraw funding, which would really be the end.

If it were another investor, pulling out wouldn't be hopeless; we could still seek other investments, but the other party is the Ye Clan Group.

If that happened, who else among the other investors would dare touch this project? They'd surely steer clear, and for the production that would be a disaster.

Lin Meng waved her hand at the director, signaling him to stay calm.

At that moment, Ye Chenjing spoke up directly, saying to Lin Meng:

Mengmeng, I'm handing this authority to you; you can watch and play with it yourself— is the director beside you?

Mengmeng? Lin Meng froze at the unfamiliar nickname, then couldn't help rolling her eyes.

Ye Chenjing has really been acting strange lately; even if Lin Meng were stupid, she could see something was off.

She coughed lightly and said:

I'm here; the director is right beside you, so he can hear your words.

Upon hearing that, Ye Chenjing immediately changed his attitude and said to the director in a cold tone:

Did you hear that? Lin Meng now represents the Ye Clan Group, meaning she's your production's biggest investor; her words are the Ye Clan Group's will— you must follow her arrangements, or I'll withdraw funding at any time.

The director knew a formidable figure had joined the crew, felt both startled and delighted, naturally didn't dare to defy, and quickly agreed.

After hanging up, the director promptly brought a small stool for Lin Meng to serve tea and water, his attitude as obsequious as possible.

Lin Meng pursed her lips; if it weren't for seeing that the director had been professional and conscientious while directing just now, she wouldn't like this kind of flatterer.

However, this can't be wholly blamed on the director; the martial arts film market has shrunk severely, the director isn't a big name and has average resources, so meeting such a top-tier investor as the Ye Clan Group naturally makes him try every means to seize the opportunity.

Lin Meng glanced at Xie Zhiyun sitting collapsed on the ground; she had long lost her former arrogant demeanor, her gaze dull and vacant— she'd been hit hard enough to lose her spirit.

A person who has lost their spirit is as good as dead.

Lin Meng felt no sympathy for her; this is all Xie Zhiyun's own doing— habitually overbearing and unwilling to restrain herself, she'll eventually kick against a true steel plate.

After thinking, Lin Meng said to the director:

Director, I'm not meddling; everyone can see Xie Zhiyun's behavior, and I propose removing her from the crew— she's not fit for the female lead role.

Upon hearing that, Xie Zhiyun shot her head up, but soon slumped back down.

It's useless; she used to harbor fantasies, thinking she was young and beautiful, a top‑traffic star, and though Ye Chenjing was out of reach, she believed she had an edge over other women— maybe one day the goddess of fortune would smile on her and let her marry into a wealthy family.

But the words Ye Chenjing just spoke on the phone completely shattered her years‑long fantasies and confidence.

As for the female lead, if she can't play it, she can't— it wasn't a role she liked anyway.

Yet Xie Zhiyun, glancing sideways at Lin Meng, still harbored malice in her eyes.

This woman ruined her— she won't let her have her way!

This time the director had no reason to refuse, so he immediately said:

Miss Lin, I'll do whatever you say; besides, you're right— Xie Zhiyun truly isn't suited for this role. We originally cast her only because she's a traffic star, but since the investor wants her replaced, we'll replace her!

The male lead beside him also agreed wholeheartedly; he never liked Xie Zhiyun, but now another problem arose, and he said:

If we replace Xie Zhiyun, who can step in on short notice? I really have no one to recommend.

For a moment, everyone was again at a loss, and the director worried as well.

Put bluntly, if there were a better candidate, he wouldn't have cast Xie Zhiyun in the first place.

Nowadays, actresses with combat experience are already few, and this film's female lead looks rather rough, so idol‑burdened actors wouldn't consider it.

Lin Meng, however, smiled and said:

The female lead? I think we already have someone right here in the crew— letting her play it would be quite suitable.

As Lin Meng finished speaking, she reached out and pointed to Song Zhi in the corner.

Seeing Lin Meng point at her, Song Zhi stiffened, but quickly reacted and said to Lin Meng in disbelief:

Me? Miss Lin, are you really recommending me for the female lead?

Lin Meng nodded.

I've seen your hard work; your fight scenes blend strength and softness, you're not the delicate type, and you fit the female lead's character better—I think you're very suitable.

The director hesitated; Song Zhi's reputation has always been good, but unfortunately her agency's operations team is weak, and to date she hasn't landed any major female‑lead roles.

A female lead lacking popularity isn't what he wants.

Lin Meng saw through the director's thoughts, so she stopped wasting words and laid down the decision.

It's her— she knows the script, her image fits perfectly, and more importantly, if you now go looking for a newcomer to replace her, you'd have to learn the script and arrange martial‑arts coaching; that would take months, by which time the opportunity would be gone.

In the end the director had no choice but to follow Lin Meng's idea; Song Zhi's original role was taken over by an actor who had been a fourth‑string player, minimizing the restart cost.

Three days later, the crew resumed filming.

During those three days, Xie Zhiyun was expelled from the crew, and online it quickly spread that she had been bullied by the crew and angrily quit.

Of course, this was all Xie Zhiyun's doing after she recovered— she hired internet commentators to stir up public opinion.

When Lin Meng saw those hot‑search topics, she almost laughed herself to death.

Xie Zhiyun really is bold and foolish enough to fabricate any lie.

Does she really think that whoever leaks first is in the right?

She never considers that with so many people and mouths in the crew, if anyone steps forward to reveal the truth, she'll suffer backlash.

Sure enough, after Xie Zhiyun bought internet commentators for less than half a day, the crew's official account and the male lead simultaneously posted statements accusing her of spouting lies.

Crew members also posted online comments accusing Xie Zhiyun of her misdeeds on set.

The director isn't easily pushed around either; he immediately released a clip of Xie Zhiyun practicing swordplay on set, openly saying she wanted a stunt double.

In a short time, Xie Zhiyun's reputation collapsed.

Many fans turned into anti-fans, anti-fans turned hostile, and public opinion developed in a direction unfavorable to Xie Zhiyun that was hard to control.

At this moment, the Ye Family's Ye Chenjing instructed Sun Yao:

"Go gather Xie Zhiyun's disciplinary violations over these years; I want her to completely disappear from the entertainment industry."

Sun Yao, hearing this, couldn't help but shudder, secretly lighting a candle for Xie Zhiyun in his heart.

This woman is really stupid, daring to offend Miss Lin, not even checking who Miss Lin is the beloved of.