The event had already started when Xiong Zhi arrived.
She had a seat reserved for her in the investors' group on the front row by the corner.
While she was led forward to the front row by the head staff, she straightaway spotted Song Xuantin and Xiao Mei.
Her eyes scanned the seats in the front area quietly, until she found the person she was looking for at the other end of the row. Only then did she finally sat down on her seat.
The writer of the original novel where the film was adapted from was on the stage, currently giving a brief overview of the plot, the characters, and the inspiration of the movie.
The media was focused on recording what was happening on the stage while sometimes focusing on the main leads.
Thus, Xiong Zhi's silent entrance did not take much attention with the deliberate arrangement of the staff.
The media's eyes were all on the movie's casting. After all, this was the first Chinese-Hollywood movie of this scale, and this was expected to become a huge event in the future.
The main production team were experienced in producing many Hollywood movies and often cooperates with international level studios. The special effects team were also top-tier in the world and had produced international box-office hero, adventure, and fantasy films.
Almost the entire backstage of the film consisted of foreign and international experts, with the teams from the domestic industry mainly interspersed to assist in the production and planning.
With such super-powered international teams backing up the mainly Chinese cast of the film, once this was broadcasted to the public, the whole country would definitely boil with passion, curiosity, and pride. It would arouse much public attention and anticipation.
As journalists, it was their honor to be able to present first-hand coverage and information to the public!
"Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Write. Thank you for sharing your inspiration, Mr. Write. I am sure that this movie will become a spectacular hit in the industry. Now, everyone, I would like to ask for your attention. Let us welcome, the cast of the Sino-American Hollywood film production, 'Lone Star and Its Night'."
The crowd applauded.
The invited media and the celebrity guests, who attended the event to buy soy sauce and brush up their presence, all looked at the front.
Finally, the highlight of the event.
The journalists prepared their notepads and cameras to capture this moment. This would be the first time that the production team would announce to the public the characters and the leading roles. They must grab the front seat and release their articles as soon as possible.
The announcement of the cast began, starting from the minor leads and slowly moving up.
"Let's invite Mr. Yang Gun to the stage, for the role of the 'god of goodness'..."
Many names were mentioned.
Soon, Su Lin's turn also came up. After announcing the minor leads who were mainly experienced but no longer popular actors, the secondary leads who climbed to the stage were renowned people who were currently very prestigious and with great skill. Only a few were relatively new but had great potential, like Su Lin.
The media enthusiastically recorded everything.
They did not raise their voices to ask questions but inwardly speculated as to which actors must have used backstage to secure the role.
Everyone came up on stage and soon, the first few rows near the stage became sparsely populated. The actors and actresses were lined up at the stage.
Now, there were only two main roles left unannounced.
"I know you are excited to meet our leading roles. Prepare your horses..." The host looked at the shining eyes of the journalists and could not help adding up to the atmosphere.
Xiong Wuyue gulped with anticipation. An eyebrow rose in arrogance.
Two people…
Who would be the lucky person to work with her?
She just hoped that it was someone who had lots of fame and good reputation.
It was important so that their CP would boost her popularity and good image.
"The actor for the role of 'Night' is the new rising King of Entertainment! I think we all know who he is."
The journalists' eyes shone bright. They already knew who it was. But they still waited for the person name's to come out from the host's mouth.
"Let's invite Mr. Liu De on the stage!"
Liu De, a tall and handsome young man who had a beautiful face and was oozing with hormones, stood up and waved to the crowd.
Xiong Wuyue looked at the man scrutinizingly before nodding in approval. She was at ease to know that this was the person she would be working with.
This Hollywood movie was really a great opportunity.
The male lead was even the King of Entertainment, the 'National Husband'. He was befitting enough for her, the rising Queen of Entertainment.
It was a good match up. The public relations could use this to rile up more speculation and if controlled well, they could expand and strengthen their influence.
Xiong Wuyue smiled in satisfaction. The popularity of the movie would surely grow two-fold with them as the leads.
'The Lone Star and Its Night'* had a good fantasy plot. It captured the readers' hearts when it was just a novel. It was an internationally famous Chinese-themed novel.
A lot of people had clamored for it to become a movie, wanting to see their most beloved characters come to life.
Of course, if the casting was not handled well, then the backlash would be tremendous, too.
Now that a famous Hollywood production team planned to adapt a movie from the novel, it would surely become a thunderous hit in the industry, like what the host said.
This was why Xiong Wuyue wanted to star in it. It was a huge step to further solidify her upcoming title, the Queen of Entertainment.
"Now, everyone. Let's meet our leading lady!"
Xiong Wuyue's heart thumped.
It was her turn to go to the stage.
Was her make up alright? Did her clothes look good?
She had never asked herself like this before. She never lacked courage and confidence with her appearance.
However, the image of the woman on the mirror she had seen three days ago made her worried.
They wouldn't see that same image when they look at her, would they?
Yes, they should not. She was the queen of the entertainment world. She just needed a bit of time to recuperate and she would have her fresh and beautiful body back.
For now, she had to make an appearance and let the world know that she was Xiong Wuyue, the Queen.
Xiong Wuyue's eyes shone.
"Although a few of you should have seen her come in earlier, but I guess I should still give a hint? She is a net red actress the moment she made her debut, starred in various movies, and won awards in the past two years. She had made appearances in various international movies with her charming phoenix eyes, forming an international fan base as well."
'That's me.' Xiong Wuyue straightened up and touched her phoenix eyes.
That's right. She was still the beautiful Xiong Wuyue.
"Recently, she took the protagonist role of the vicious daughter in the Cursed Family Series**."
!!!
The media was excited.
They knew that national television drama, which was shown in the official national television channel of the country in prime time.
It was a blackhorse, unexpectedly becoming very popular and even inspired a number of audience around the globe.
This drama was even bought in broadcasting rights, dubbed, and aired in nearby countries.
They knew who the 'vicious daughter' was. She was still a relatively new actress yet she already got such a huge role in a large Sino-Hollywood film?!
Contrary to their excitement, Xiong Wuyue stiffened.
Her mind blanked out, and only two phrases remained, as if the rest were selectively forgotten.
What did they say?
'Vicious Daughter?'
'Cursed Family?'
Was it about her father being jailed for the alleged attempt murder of a family member?
Was is because she was branded as the criminal's daughter?
Yes, that must be it.
Did they really need to be so vicious about the Xiong family's scandal?
Were they not afraid of the Xiong family teaching them a lesson?
Xiong Wuyue's unsteady state of mind failed to see what it was truly about and convinced herself that these people were simply too much, even daring to offend the Xiong family.
She thought that they were bullying her in purpose because of her father's crime.
However, again, her father was no longer there to protect her. She could only swallow this insult.
Once she made her comeback, she would definitely teach them a lesson.
"I know you already got the idea, so without further ado, let us invite to the stage…"
Xiong Wuyue, although annoyed, prepared herself to stand up.
She straightened out her clothes first.
"Miss Song Xuantin, our 'Lone Star'!"
Two women stood up at the same time.
******
*Your Song is My Melody: The Lone Star and It's Night- it is one of the author's upcoming novel she(I) was working at.
It was about a man who reincarnated two times and met a cursed girl whom he loved two times. Because of the tremendous amount of his good deeds, a god recruited him as a disciple. But he declined and wished instead to be reincarnated in the world where the cursed world was living in. It was to accompany her through her worst times. The 'Lone Star' was the girl and her 'Night' was the good man.
(Hopefully, it would be famous like what I've written here hehe)
** -The Cursed Family Series- The series that author(I) was working on. It was already available in , though for a few chaps only. You can search the title and check the first novel of the series; The Cursed Family Series: The Villainous Daughter.