As he spoke, he started walking toward Little Tangtang.

"What do you think you're doing?" Seeing the frightened girl, Xia Liang stepped forward to block the man.

Upon witnessing this, Chang Ge growled at him. "Yue Qing, I'm telling you one last time, get lost."

Yue Qing looked at Xia Liang, who was half a head taller and wore an emotionless expression. He felt a bit intimidated, but Chang Ge's words made him angry again. He couldn't understand it. He at least had some acting skills and had worked so hard, so why was he being replaced by a complete amateur?

"What do I want to do?" Yue Qing said in a snide tone. "The kid has no manners. If you adults won't discipline her, then I will." He then reached out to push Xia Liang.

Hiding in Wen Qiong's arms, Little Tangtang spoke in a small voice, "Uncle Xia, I didn't do it on purpose."

Xia Liang grabbed Yue Qing's outstretched wrist and slowly tightened his grip. "Our child isn't someone just anyone can teach. Especially not someone like you, without a hint of masculinity. No wonder she couldn't tell what gender you are."

"It's okay, Little Tangtang, don't be afraid." Wen Qiong hugged the girl and patted her gently.

"Aah! It hurts! It hurts!" Yue Qing yelped, the pain in his wrist intensifying. He turned his head toward Chang Ge, pleading for help. "Director, look how rough he is! How could he possibly be worthy of acting for you?"

Chang Ge ignored Yue Qing. She'd been watching his soft, weak act all day and was sick to her stomach of it. "Who I choose for a role is my business. If I say he's suitable, he's suitable. It has nothing to do with you."

Then, Chang Ge turned to Little Tangtang. "Hey, sweetie, he scared you, so this big sister will apologize. Don't be afraid anymore, okay?"

Only after hearing Chang Ge apologize did Xia Liang release Yue Qing, whose face had gone pale. Xia Liang then wiped his hand with a tissue, disgusted. He hadn't expected the effeminate man to have put makeup powder on his hands. It was absolutely sickening.

"How can it have nothing to do with me? The role you want him for is the one I'm playing right now! If you give it to him, what about me? I've been waiting here all day!" Seeing that Chang Ge had apparently made up her mind, Yue Qing was deeply dissatisfied.

Yue Qing rubbed his reddened wrist. When he saw Xia Liang's disgusted expression, he flew into a rage. "Ugh! How can someone as brutish as you exist in this world? A person like you wants to act? Don't be disgusting!"

"You're the one who's disgusting! My Uncle Xia just doesn't want to act. If he did, he'd be a thousand times better than you!" Little Tangtang, who had just been comforted by Wen Qiong and Chang Ge, was instantly upset by his words.

Hearing Little Tangtang's defense, Yue Qing grew arrogant again. She's just a kid, daring to be so insolent with me. "Heh, him?" he sneered. "I bet he doesn't even know how to write the word 'acting,' let alone do it. He should piss in a puddle and take a good look at himself before he even thinks about it."

As Xia Liang remained silent, Yue Qing's words grew even more brazen. So what if he's taller than me? So what if he's stronger? He's still just a spineless coward who doesn't dare to say a word.

Seeing Little Tangtang's cheeks puff up with anger, her face bright red, Chang Ge shot Yue Qing a glare. "Yue Qing, watch yourself. You should know that if you piss me off, I can make sure you never get another role in this lifetime."

But Yue Qing didn't seem to get the message. Although bewildered by Chang Ge's threat, he continued to plead desperately. "Director, I've been studying this role all day! I feel like I've really settled into the character. You don't need to find someone else. Just give me one last chance. I'll definitely pass this time, believe me!" He also didn't forget to disparage Xia Liang. "Someone as dense-looking as him? What kind of good role could he possibly play? It would just be a waste of time."

Wen Qiong couldn't hold back any longer as Yue Qing slandered Xia Liang. "He couldn't possibly waste more time than you have. Someone like you isn't even worthy of being compared to Xia Liang!" she shot back.

"You... you..." Yue Qing stammered.

"You what?" Wen Qiong retorted. "When did the bar for acting get so low that even a stutterer can get a role? No wonder television ratings are dropping."

Wen Qiong, now at full blast, wasn't playing around. Her words made Yue Qing twitch with fury.

PFFT.

Chang Ge couldn't help but laugh at Yue Qing's reaction. She'd been telling him off all day with no effect, yet this woman crouching before him had rendered him speechless. How could she not be amused?

Even Little Tangtang was smiling at Wen Qiong. "Auntie, you're so awesome!" she said, giving a thumbs-up.

Meanwhile, Xia Liang wasn't silent, but deep in thought. After all, the System has every profession. I might as well get the actor one. Why not give it a try?

Just then, Little Tangtang turned her head. "Uncle Xia, please, will you act just this once?" Fearing rejection from her silent uncle, she put on her most winning and coquettish look.

"That's right, Xia Liang, just give it a try!" Wen Qiong chimed in. "No matter what, I'll definitely watch you." She was convinced Xia Liang would be a much better actor than the sissy standing before them.

"Don't worry," Chang Ge chimed in, seeing Wen Qiong and Little Tangtang persuading him. "As long as you're willing to act, I'll make sure no one disturbs you. And you can name your price." She completely ignored Yue Qing, who was seething with rage nearby.

"Director, trust me! Just one last time, I promise you'll be satisfied. He's a complete amateur, totally unsuitable for acting!"

Yue Qing was about to die from frustration. He was still a Z-list actor, lingering on the eighteenth tier, and had been pinning his hopes on this role in Chang Ge's production to finally make a name for himself.

After a moment of thought, Xia Liang finally nodded. "Okay, I'll give it a try."

Seeing Xia Liang actually dare to agree, Yue Qing couldn't contain his anger. "You? Someone like you dares to act? Do you even know *how* to act?"

"You don't need to worry about that," Xia Liang said, pulling Chang Ge closer as if determined to infuriate Yue Qing to death. "If I'm not good, Chang Ge will be here to teach me. Besides, compared to your effeminate act, I think I'm a much better fit for the role she wants."

Chang Ge nodded quickly in agreement.

"Hmph! I'd like to see how you two clean up this mess later!" Furious, Yue Qing spat out the threat, turned on his heel, and stormed off.

After he was gone, Xia Liang looked at Chang Ge. "Director, where are we shooting?"

Xia Liang was fairly confident in his acting abilities. Although he had never bought a related skill from the System or acquired one through a hidden quest, he had been an extra in a few productions. It wasn't much, but it had given him some experience, even if he wasn't at the level of a seasoned professional.

Seeing Xia Liang's confident expression, Chang Ge felt sure she hadn't chosen the wrong person. She led them to the filming location, explaining on the way. "The scene we're shooting now is in the small woods behind the amusement park. It's a historical drama. You're playing a worldly-ignorant, reclusive master who has just descended from his mountain retreat and is immediately embroiled in an assassination plot."

She continued, "In a single move, you kill all of them and then leave. The story truly begins with the storm of blood and gore stirred up by their deaths. So, this scene you're filming is the very beginning of the entire series. The part isn't large, but it's crucial."

Xia Liang nodded after listening. This Director Ruan Chang Ge is quite impressive, he thought. She treats even a minor role with such seriousness and dedication. No wonder every show she directs is so well-received.

Seeing him nod, Chang Ge worried her words might have put too much pressure on him. She quickly reassured him, "Actually, don't feel stressed. Your overall image is a perfect fit for the character. And to be blunt, your part is really just a turn, a glance, a flick of the hand..."

As Chang Ge spoke, they arrived at the filming location.

Taking in the scenery, Xia Liang understood why she had chosen this spot. He looked at the dense, layered bamboo forest nearby. A narrow, winding path cut right through the middle, its surface dappled with starlight as the sun filtered through the leaves. Flanked by rolling hills, it was the perfect place for an ambush. This location was a perfect match for the opening scene of the drama.

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