Chapter 91: As Plain as a Chrysanthemum

"I had a big scene at night and was waiting for the start. The director said he wanted a realistic snow effect, so we waited until about 12:30 to start shooting," Lan Die said. "But it's a pity, such a good scene can't be used."

"Why?"

"Because this was a scene where my character dies in the snow. But the next day I heard Hong Mei had an accident, the screenwriter urgently modified the script, so that scene of mine couldn't be used..." As she spoke, Lan Die sighed, looking very regretful.

"Are you not happy to exchange a scene for a female lead?" Qi Fei asked.

"How should I put it? Although I really want to be the female lead, I never imagined that I would get the role in this way. If I could exchange this opportunity to be the lead for Hong Mei to come back to life, I would rather not be this female lead," Lan Die said sincerely.

"Very touching, but we heard that Hong Mei once bribed paparazzi to smear you, because of which you couldn't turn over for a long time. Don't you hate her?" Qi Fei was not without suspicion.

"Of course I hate her, but I never hoped she would die. We were in the same university, same dormitory, and were once best friends, in order to get ahead in this industry. Both she and I know how difficult it is. I just didn't expect her to be so ruthless. I hate her, but I can understand her. The role of the second female lead in this drama was recommended by her. I think she wanted to compensate for what she did back then."

"You mean, your relationship eased?"

"I said, the role is more important than me, whether it's popular or not doesn't matter, as long as the play is brilliant," Lan Die said.

As she spoke, the sound of urging Lan Die to go on set came from behind.

Lan Die was wearing a flowing light blue ancient costume dress. Her back as she turned and ran back to film was fluttering, really like a blue butterfly dancing.

Wu Shanqiu couldn't help but sigh: "This Lan Die is really as plain as a chrysanthemum."

"Is she as plain as a chrysanthemum or is she acting deliberately? Who knows?" Qi Fei had a different view.

Soon Qi Fei's suspicion was dispelled in the investigation of the crew. *Divine Strategy of the Tang Dynasty* was an ancient costume drama. On the day Hong Mei was murdered, Lan Die put on makeup very early and returned to the hotel to wait. After filming started at midnight, she filmed in the snow until dawn before finishing work. The nearly five-hour journey between Lian Hu and Yun Shen Secret Realm made it impossible for Lan Die to complete such a complex murder, let alone set up the crime scene and return to film.

On the set, Lan Die was dressed in Tang Dynasty attire, performing love and hatred with the male lead. Outside the play, the female lead Hong Mei, who was loved by others, died inexplicably in the mountains. The drama was no less than the plot.

Wu Shanqiu was very excited after watching the filming: "I've been looking forward to the sequel of *Divine Strategy of the Tang Dynasty* for a long time. It's a pity that I know Xian Yao is dead now. I was originally chasing the drama for this role."

Suddenly, someone next to her leaned forward and said to her: "Xian Yao isn't dead, isn't she acting right now?"

Wu Shanqiu looked at the uncle with long hair and a big pancake face next to her and couldn't help but ask: "May I ask who you are?"

"I am the screenwriter of this drama," the uncle said.

"Ah, you are Liu Yi?"

"Yes, I am," Liu Yi said, flipping his long hair, but the picture wasn't beautiful at all.

"Ah..." Wu Shanqiu couldn't hide her disappointment.

Liu Yi asked knowingly: "Why, did you think I was a big handsome guy?"

"Someone who can write such a story must be a talented person. I always feel that it should be related to San Lang in the play..."

"Ha, it seems you are a fan of the drama. I'm sorry to disappoint you."

"No, no, it's still an honor to meet you. I heard that because of Hong Mei's matter, you worked overtime to write the manuscript. It's really hard work."

Liu Yi heard this, but there was no ripple on his face. He looked at Lan Die, who was devoted to acting in the distance, and said: "Xian Yao broke out of the cocoon and was reborn, more beautiful and stronger than before. You will definitely like it."

"It seems you approve of Lan Die's performance?"

"I often tell others that Lan Die is definitely a pearl left in the sea. She has been acting conscientiously for so many years, but she has never been popular. It's a pity. I hope this accident is her opportunity. She deserves a female lead."

"Then what about Hong Mei?"

"I am a scholar. Although the person is gone, I'm sorry I still can't tell a lie. If it weren't for the investor naming Hong Mei to continue as the female lead, as a screenwriter, she no longer fits my imagination of Xian Yao."

"How should I put this?"

"You'll know when the drama airs later. Hong Mei's face is no longer suitable for the screen. It's just that Hong Mei's popularity can guarantee ratings. In fact, everyone knows in their hearts that she is no longer the agile Xian Yao from back then."

When Liu Yi talked about this topic, the minds of several people who were at Hong Mei's autopsy scene simultaneously flashed her face that had been peeled of its epidermis. The fillers that were integrated with the flesh and blood under the skin and the scar tissue left by plastic surgery were vivid in their minds.

Indeed, as Liu Yi said, Hong Mei was not Xian Yao.

Xian Yao was just the character that Lan Die was wholeheartedly shaping on the set at this moment.

"Big Liu!" Suddenly someone appeared and called his nickname. "Why are you chatting with the police comrades?"

"Oh? You are police? I thought you were fans of *Divine Strategy of the Tang Dynasty*!" Liu Yi said.

The person who appeared in front of them was a tall man with a crew cut, looking a few years younger than Liu Yi. Seeing them, he showed a professional smile and said: "Sorry, please keep our plot secret. Such a big thing has already happened. If the plot is leaked in advance, our huge investment will be lost."

"You are?" Qi Fei asked.

"Oh, forgot to introduce myself. I am the producer of this drama, Hua Deping. You can call me Deping."

"Don't worry, we definitely won't leak the plot. Likewise, regarding the news of Hong Mei's murder, I hope you will also cooperate with our work and try to keep a low profile," Qi Fei said.

However, Hua Deping didn't agree immediately, but frowned slightly: "I think this is not something we can do just by cooperating with you. Hong Mei is currently the most popular female celebrity. You don't know how many eyes are staring at her itinerary. Now that she hasn't appeared on the set on time, her fans have already started to stir. I think this news won't be hidden for long."

Sure enough, there was a commotion on the outskirts of the crew at this time. Several little girls were shouting to see Hong Mei.

"Why didn't Hong Mei appear? We want to see Hong Mei!" Several people protested in a jumble.

"These are Hong Mei's fans. I think you'd better announce the matter. Otherwise, there will only be more and more rumors on the internet. They won't give up, believe me," Hua Deping said like someone who had been through it.

Wu Shanqiu listened and opened her phone. Sure enough, there were already many rumors about Hong Mei's disappearance on the internet. ===== CHAPTER 92 =====