Chapter 486: Chapter 486: Your Acting Style Isn’t Suited for Costume Dramas

The next morning, Tang Li had just arrived at the film set when she sensed something unusual about the atmosphere.

Just as she was about to head to the makeup room, the assistant director stopped her: “Don’t rush to put on makeup. Director Zhao is looking for you; you need to see him first.”

“Okay,” Tang Li nodded.

Zhao Zhenglei was sitting not far behind a monitor.

Unusually, there were no other people around him.

Noticing Tang Li coming over, Zhao Zhenglei shifted his gaze from the monitor to her, gesturing for her to sit down, his posture indicating he wanted to have a lengthy discussion with her.

“I called you over because there’s something fairly important to discuss.”

Zhao Zhenglei spoke after a moment’s thought.

Having been in the industry for over half a year, Tang Li had some inklings based on experience. Seeing Zhao Zhenglei’s expression, she interjected, “Director, you can speak frankly. Whatever it is, I’m prepared.”

After about ten seconds, Zhao Zhenglei clarified, “You’ve been with us for over a month, and your acting is indeed good, but… your style of acting is currently not quite suited for period dramas.”

Tang Li’s hands, resting on her lap, tightened slightly.

“After thinking it over last night, I’ve decided to have another actor take over your role as Mrs. Bao.” Zhao Zhenglei continued, “Your performance in ‘Original Sin’ was very successful. Even without ‘Phoenix Concubine’, there are plenty of other roles calling for you.”

As he spoke, something occurred to him: “We signed a contract before ‘Phoenix Concubine’ started filming. I’ll personally contact IMG about this, and in a few days, Finance will send over a penalty fee for breaching the contract.”

Tang Li didn’t fuss, standing up from her chair: “If that’s the case, I’ll head back to the hotel and clear out my room as soon as possible.”

Hearing this, Zhao Zhenglei nodded.

Tang Li turned and walked out.

Yuan Qin looked at her surprisingly, aware of her returning to the hotel.

Being replaced halfway through was not something Tang Li could simply brush off.

After all, she had put in effort, but now it was all gone like water downstream.

Reflecting from another angle, she had snatched this role from someone else before, and this outcome seemed like karma.

Returning to her room, Tang Li began packing her luggage.

She informed Yuan Qin before going upstairs that she would return to the Capital this afternoon.

Just as Tang Li finished packing her rolling suitcase, Feng Qi’s call came through. Without needing her to explain, Feng Qi already knew about the casting change, obviously informed by Zhao Zhenglei at IMG.

“Come back first, we’ll talk about other things later.”

Feng Qi urged on the phone.

At 11 a.m., Tang Li and Yuan Qin headed for the long-distance bus station.

Just stepping out of the hotel, someone leaped in front of her: “Give me your treasure or your beauty!”

The next second, Yu Sui, donning an Arale cap and dungarees, only saw a flash before her face slammed against a nearby glass window, deforming her lips and her hands were twisted behind her back, her toy knife falling to the ground with a clang.

Tang Li was speechless.

She asked Yuan Qin to let go of the person: “This is a classmate of mine; she’s just playing around.”

With her hands freed, Yu Sui rubbed her reddened wrists and sized up the tall, leggy young man: “Is this the bodyguard IMG assigned to you?”

Tang Li nodded: “Why didn’t you call before coming?”

“I wanted to give you a scare.”

Tang Li noticed Yu Sui’s rolling suitcase set aside: “Now that we’ve met, it saves on the hotel cost. Let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“Back to the Capital.”

Yu Sui hurriedly followed, “Aren’t you filming?”

“Technically, yes, but I got fired this morning.”

Yu Sui was speechless.

Yuan Qin was speechless.