The script for the promotional video had been written long ago by the screenwriters at Xing Tang Studio. It was positive and touching, adapted from the real-life experience of a student at C University—a poor but determined girl who worked hard to get into the university and found meaning in life there.
Xing Tang wasn't particularly satisfied with this type of story, but the market demanded it. Leaders wanted something profound and innovative, but what they often produced was conventional, staying safely within familiar frameworks.
Still, the screenwriters were skilled. Even an ordinary story could become extremely moving in their hands. For a shoot like today, the studio staff could handle everything themselves. Xing Tang was only there because of Sun Yiling. The script and shots were all in capable hands, so he didn't need to hover on set constantly.
However, the unexpected appearance of Ye Qianqian changed that. For the first time, Xing Tang stood behind the camera, staring intently at her through the lens.
Seeing someone with skin and on-camera presence so perfect was like therapy for his mild obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Yet, her expressiveness left much to be desired. If it weren't for her image—the part Xing Tang valued—he wouldn't have tolerated her stiffness and poor delivery.
Only a small portion of the shots were inside the auditorium, but the entire morning was consumed by filming. The reason was simple: Xing Tang was too picky. He kept asking Ye Qianqian to redo scenes, demanding professional-level acting from someone who clearly had none.
All morning, she had been criticized in front of everyone, and her face looked terrible. If it weren't for the guarantee that the Love Buff had affected Xing Tang, she would have suspected it had malfunctioned again.
But giving Xing Tang a boost also made him overly demanding. Ye Qianqian silently wished she could remove it entirely. Still, thinking of the resources and connections behind Xing Tang, she gritted her teeth and endured.
In the afternoon, as everyone prepared to move to the school for filming, Xiao Gong leaned over to Xing Tang and whispered, "Boss, if you like that girl so much, why not sign her to our studio?"
Xing Tang paused. "Let me take another look."
Appearance aside, Ye Qianqian's professional skills were undeniably poor. Even with gradual training, she lacked something essential.
Once filming began in the afternoon, Sun Yiling kept An Ting nearby to observe and learn.
She saw firsthand how Xing Tang constantly criticized Ye Qianqian. Even a simple scene of walking up stairs was singled out.
"Do you want to twirl your skirt while going upstairs? You're playing a poor girl who's just entered university. She needs to look nervous, expectant, slightly inferior. Look at what you're doing! Flipping your hair at a 45-degree angle? I could find someone to act better than you!"
Xing Tang's tone was flat, indifferent, but the words cut deep. Ye Qianqian's eyes turned red—not from injustice, but from shame and anger at being mocked in front of so many. Worse, An Ting was watching the entire time.
Trying to cover her feelings, Ye Qianqian forced a smile. "I'm sorry, I'm not in good shape today. Maybe you can find someone else while I get back into character?"
An Ting, talking to Li Qin, felt a sudden malicious gaze and looked up to see everyone staring at her. Bewildered, she realized Ye Qianqian was subtly blaming her.
The Love Buff applied to Xing Tang worked like a Photoshop filter: flawless skin, perfect facial structure. Unlike previous simpler filters, this one was much harder to undo. Unless An Ting could somehow make Ye Qianqian's skin rough and her face deformed, the "filter" remained intact.
Seeing the blank look in An Ting's eyes, Ye Qianqian inwardly sneered. While she filmed, An Ting was chatting with Li Qin the whole time, probably just watching her embarrass herself. Did she think she was superior? At least Ye Qianqian had been filming many videos; her performance suffered only because Xing Tang's standards were insane. If it were An Ting, clueless and inexperienced, she would have been kicked off the camera instantly.
Ye Qianqian softened her voice. "An Ting is very outstanding. Though her family is poor, she works extremely hard. I can't compare. An Ting, could you act out a scene to help me get into character?"
An Ting realized what had happened. Ye Qianqian had been scolded too much and wanted someone to share the blame.
After thinking for a moment, An Ting gave a fake smile. "I've never acted before."
"It's fine, just be yourself," Ye Qianqian said, biting her lip. "Director Xing, is this alright?"
Xing Tang glanced at An Ting. He had noticed her in the auditorium before—there was something attractive about her, but Ye Qianqian drew his attention completely.
"If someone's willing to act, that's enough," he said.
Ye Qianqian smiled gratefully. "Thank you for understanding, Director Xing." She turned to An Ting. "Can you help me?"
Sun Yiling hesitated. "An Ting doesn't have experience either. Qianqian, maybe find someone else?"
Ye Qianqian's eyes welled up. "Director…"
Seeing her aggrieved, Sun Yiling froze. He wanted to speak for An Ting, but the words stuck in his throat.
Li Qin, frustrated, tried to scold Ye Qianqian, but An Ting pulled her back.
"I think you need a complete newbie to help you get into character," An Ting said sympathetically. "I'm willing to help—you don't need to be so grateful."
Ye Qianqian choked, cursing her silently, but forced a smile. "I still have to thank you."
An Ting borrowed a hair tie from Li Qin and tied her hair into a simple, rustic ponytail. Then she turned to Xing Tang.
"Director, I feel this scene isn't impactful enough. We need more drama."
Xing Tang raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"The scene of the female protagonist carrying books upstairs is boring. Nine out of ten universities film it like this. Instead, she should be full of anticipation, then accidentally bump into an arrogant female classmate. The classmate's brand-new dress is stepped on, she demands compensation, a crowd forms, and the school principal intervenes. Then the twist: the girl isn't from C University but A University, igniting a friendly battle between schools. In the finale, C University makes a sincere appeal for students to apply. It's dramatic, impactful, and clever."
The lead photographer blinked. "Are you serious?"
An Ting glanced at Ye Qianqian. "She acted seriously, so I'm serious too."
Ye Qianqian flushed. "An Ting, if you don't want to help, just say so. No need to be sarcastic!"
An Ting chuckled. "Director, there have been too many takes. The set was dull, so I made a joke to lighten things up. Ready to start filming?"
Xing Tang had been watching her, and he wasn't angry. "Okay, start when you're ready."
An Ting stepped in front of the camera, clutching her books, walking up the stairs with expectation and eagerness. The cameraman captured a close-up of her eyes. Xing Tang observed, clearly seeing anticipation, longing, and determination in her gaze.
An Ting, fearless and confident, portrayed a first-year student full of vigor. The drone pulled back for an aerial shot, capturing everything in a single take. Ten seconds, one flawless shot, completely overshadowing Ye Qianqian's previous awkwardness.
An Ting loosened her hair tie and gave Ye Qianqian a disdainful glance. What a joke! She thought. She'd guided countless actors—how could this amateur dare to mock a promotional video?
Xing Tang, recovering from the emotional intensity in her eyes, realized he had overlooked a talented person.
Xiao Gong whispered, "Boss, this girl has potential."
He had never doubted his boss—until now. Ye Qianqian gave him no buffs; what he saw was her real self: flawed, unnatural, and difficult to read.
Xing Tang nodded slightly. Ye Qianqian represented perfection on screen, An Ting represented pure talent. Excellent people stand out even in a crowd.
Yet, while An Ting outshone Ye Qianqian in every way, she could not replace her. An Ting was suited for a bigger stage. Ye Qianqian's flawless appearance demanded recognition.
But then… Ye Qianqian's perfect face vanished. Acne scars covered the skin he had just praised.
Something in Xing Tang shattered, clarity returning to his gaze.
An Ting sat nearby, cupping her face, smiling at Ye Qianqian.
She hadn't planned to be so ruthless, but Ye Qianqian's repeated provocations inspired her. Using a layered combination of over a dozen images in Photoshop, she had transformed Ye Qianqian's perfect skin into a mess. Even halved by Photoshop, the effect remained striking.
A face once flawless now ruined.
Xing Tang stepped back, script trembling in hand. He looked at An Ting expressionlessly.
"I'm blind," he whispered.