Xiao Yuan hastily contacted Wilson, while Su Ding sat in the car, idly scrolling through her phone, wondering who had leaked the information.
After all, Wilson had implemented strict non-disclosure agreements on set.
The actors cast in this film had all worked hard to secure their roles and wouldn't dare openly oppose the director.
Yet, this was clearly a targeted attack against her.
Who could it be?
As Su Ding pondered this, a reporter suddenly thrust a camera towards her outside the car window. By the time she noticed, she had already been photographed.
Su Ding frowned and pulled her hat down lower.
"Wilson, we're at the plaza east of the set. There are too many reporters; we can't get in. Please send someone to pick us up quickly."
"Yes, right here. So many media outlets. We don't know who leaked it, but they're clearly targeting Ding Ding. Today is the last scene, and I didn't expect this kind of chaos."
"Okay, we'll wait here..."
Xiao Yuan finished her anxious phone call, finally feeling a bit relieved.
She patted Su Ding's hand reassuringly, a look of apology on her face. "I'm sorry, Ding Ding. I didn't expect this to happen. Don't worry, I'll stay with you. Wilson has already sent people; they'll drive these people away soon..."
"It's the last scene today. Just hold on, okay?"
Seeing Xiao Yuan's worried expression, Su Ding knew it wasn't her fault and could only say, "It's alright. Since I chose to participate, there were always risks involved. It's not your fault."
Despite saying this, Su Ding felt immense pressure.
She had experienced cyberbullying before.
Even being recognized on the street and being discussed loudly brought back that unbearable period of her life. Even though she wasn't willing, it was still an experience she found hard to speak of.
But no matter how carefully she planned, it had still come out.
"They should be here soon..."
Xiao Yuan watched the time, feeling extremely anxious.
The cameras and flashes outside continued to flicker, making them both feel incredibly stifled.
"Shameless! You have the guts to act, but not to show your face!"
"She's really good at seducing. She can even hook foreign directors. Su Ding is practically the matriarch of insider dealings in the entertainment industry!"
"Bitch! Why should someone like this still be allowed in the industry!"
"Boycott the film, clean up the domestic entertainment industry! Whore get out of China!"
...
Harsh insults continued to assault Su Ding's ears.
In a daze, she almost felt like she was back in the past, when the video of her being kidnapped and violated by Wang Yan was broadcast at her wedding.
Everyone was cursing her, calling her a slut and a whore.
No one knew she was the victim, and she had even lost her child because of it.
She had had an unprecedented argument with Jin Ye.
It was too dark; she didn't want to recall it.
"Beep beep—"
Suddenly, a few car horns blared. Several cars appeared ahead.
Several people jumped out, all security personnel from the set, followed by police cars. A large group approached the reporters.
They warned them to stop filming and to delete all videos and photos, or face legal consequences.
Before long, the aggressive reporters dispersed in a flurry.
The scene quickly returned to silence.
Xiao Yuan opened the car door, greeted the security captain, and then returned to the car to tell Su Ding to go straight in.
Upon arriving at the set, many actors were whispering amongst themselves, but when they saw Su Ding, they all fell silent.
Shao Qingqing sat among them, feeling a pang of indignation.
She really wanted to tell these people that Su Ding was not the kind of woman who would do anything to get ahead, but she was too insignificant to be heard. She could only look at Su Ding with an apologetic gaze.
Su Ding ignored their stares and went directly to the makeup room.
After her makeup was done, she began filming.
However, the actor opposite Su Ding was distracted throughout. Every time he looked at her, his facial expression and eyes would wander.
After several retakes, they finally finished.
With this, Su Ding's scenes were completely filmed. Wilson personally came to explain the day's events, stating he was unaware of what had happened but would do his best to minimize the impact on Su Ding and shift the focus of public opinion back to the film.
Su Ding didn't want to say much, simply thanked him, and returned to the makeup room to remove her makeup.
At this point, she knew that words were useless; the incident had already occurred.
What followed would be a further escalation of public opinion.
But these matters no longer concerned her. Moreover, her scenes were finished, and all she could do was not dwell on it.
Just as Su Ding was finishing her makeup and preparing to change out of her costume, someone burst into the dressing room!
"Ah!"
Su Ding was startled.
Before she could react, the person roughly pushed past her and fled.
The person was wearing a baseball cap and carrying a small video camera, clearly having been hiding there all along.
Realizing this, Su Ding immediately gave chase.