CHAPTER 183: CHAPTER 183: FAME AND JEALOUSY

Even Meng Cheng’an was given a role, which Tian Xiang truly didn’t expect.

Moreover, this role was obviously added on purpose; it wasn’t there before.

Two camera shots, one line of dialogue, from getting off the ship to reporting to the research institute, Liu Jun chased them for a full ten minutes.

After the filming ended that day, Tian Xiang said, from now on, if there are such things, tell her directly. She can voice objections and ask the director to tweak the script; he doesn’t need to do things he doesn’t like for her sake.

Meng Cheng’an doesn’t like being in the spotlight; Tian Xiang had noticed it when the two of them performed in the factory previously.

Meng Cheng’an: "I want to support your work."

Tian Xiang glanced at the "pampered wife" sign above his head and sighed, "From now on, I’ll focus on the stage. If there are such opportunities again, I’ll choose roles carefully and try to avoid these."

Meng Cheng’an chuckled, "Okay."

This filming took approximately two months, and it only ended when it was close to winter break.

The production team said that after some post-processing, it could be aired after the new year.

This is Tian Xiang’s first time on TV, and she’s quite looking forward to it.

This year, now as the daughter-in-law of the Meng Family, Tian Xiang didn’t go back to her parents’ place and spent it in Beijing, only flying back on the second day of the new year to visit her family and stayed there for a few days.

During the days she visited her parents, that TV series from last year aired.

Hu Honglian would bring out the TV every night, inviting neighbors to watch her daughter’s and son-in-law’s television debut.

There hasn’t been much of a long TV series in the past two years to watch, so ever since the airing, it has been popular, especially entering the 80s when more families in the city own televisions. More people are watching, and with enough attention, Tian Xiang quickly became famous.

Although she only acted in a few episodes, she indeed looks youthful and radiant, as beautiful as a rare beauty, directly overshadowing the popularity of the female lead.

People just thought she should continue acting.

Midway through, when the cast changed, the character seemed to grow less appealing, unable to match the youthful allure.

But then again, who doesn’t look less appealing as they grow?

Tian Xiang became famous, and following closely, Meng Cheng’an, who only had two scenes, was also remembered by everyone.

Who is this guy? He’s too handsome! He’s simply the dream lover of the majority of women, from old ladies to young girls. They’ve all been captivated by his handsome face.

This super handsome guy is actually not the main character; what a pity!

When Tian Xiang and Meng Cheng’an returned to her parents’ house, they couldn’t go out at all, as they were recognized whenever they stepped outside.

The two could only hide at home during the day and ride a bike back to the Military and Political Institute area at night after dinner. They also chose places with private rooms for gatherings with friends later on.

They endured for a few days; when they flew back, they were still recognized by many people at the airport. Fortunately, everyone was very polite, only asking for Tian Xiang and Meng Cheng’an’s autographs, and acknowledging the two as a heavenly match, saying they looked better in reality than on TV.

Tian Xiang quite enjoyed the process; she would wave her hand when someone called her, signing autographs effortlessly.

Meng Cheng’an wasn’t as good; he felt uncomfortable and a bit tense.

Seeing his struggle, Tian Xiang took out the masks she had prepared, and after putting them on, they found some peace at last.

After returning to Beijing, they also tried to go out less. Besides their workplaces, they stayed home.

For Tian Xiang, fame was no big deal; she was originally headed in this direction, so some things were inevitable.

Meng Cheng’an was somewhat affected.

Tian Xiang regretted it a little; she shouldn’t have let him on TV.

Meng Cheng’an was also troubled. Later, when Liu Jun came over again, saying he had tailored a script for him, Meng Cheng’an didn’t even look and directly chased him out of the workplace.

On Tian Xiang’s side, due to her beloved TV debut, she received many follow-up offers, with TV and movie roles alike.

However, she prioritized the big stage and her studies, only accepting roles she liked, rejecting all others.

Because of her careful selection, each role she took, even as a small supporting character, gained considerable attention. Her fame grew quickly, and in just a year, she became almost a household name in acting.

Since then, Meng Cheng’an never went on TV or movies again, developing his expertise in the research institute. Upon graduation, he smoothly stayed at the institute, becoming a researcher.

Near winter break, Meng Cheng’an accepted a task from above and went abroad with a team.

After Tian Xiang’s final exams, she entered a new film crew.

The director was Liu Jun again, and while writing the script, he was in contact with Tian Xiang, creating a role specifically for her about a woman worker in a large factory. Because of infertility and divorce, she dedicates her life to her career’s glorious achievements.

Tian Xiang felt that the role’s work setting was very similar to her work in the factory back in the day, and the growth and outcome hinted at a strong female protagonist, so she took the role.

This time, most filming locations were in the factory and residential areas; after confirming the actor list, Tian Xiang recognized several familiar names.

Since this time Liu Jun picked people from their school again, besides Tian Xiang, Chang Wan was there as well, still as the third female. Then there were Xiao Lei and Zhong Xuesong, along with classmates from some other classes, all chosen as small supporting characters.

The story centered around two sisters, aside from Tian Xiang, another lead role was taken by Pang Meiqi, a former school mate known both for her talents and beauty.

When Tian Xiang entered school, Pang Meiqi had already graduated. With the increase in screen appearances over the past two years, she had become one of the top actresses with the highest domestic recognition, not just a household name but having several representative works, won awards, with popularity surpassing Tian Xiang.

Tian Xiang had watched Pang Meiqi’s movies and TV dramas; her acting skills were good, and she was beautiful. This time the two had quite a few scenes together, Tian Xiang looked forward to learning something from her senior.

However, when filming commenced and Tian Xiang met Pang Meiqi, she found herself mostly ignored by her; outside of work, there was hardly any interaction, and when Tian Xiang sought her out for a scene, Pang Meiqi acted disdainful.

Tian Xiang felt a bit dejected and checked Pang Meiqi’s head, noticing that she wasn’t a jewel nor a minor villain, merely feeling a bit envious.

So, she envied Tian Xiang?

What was she envying? Tian Xiang’s beauty?

Tian Xiang couldn’t quite wrap her head around it.

One day, while doing a scene with Chang Wan, she mysteriously told Tian Xiang, "You probably don’t know, but Pang Meiqi once pursued Brother Cheng’an. She even wrote him love letters. Yet Brother Cheng’an didn’t respond, returned it publicly, mentioning he had a fiancée, causing Pang Meiqi to lose face."

Chang Wan seemed gleeful like reporting gossip, covering her mouth with a grin after speaking.

Tian Xiang looked at her speechlessly, "Are you happy spreading someone else’s dirt?"