Reborn Rich: Prices Dropped, My Savings Didn't novel Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: The First Scene

Jasmine Sterling shook her head and sighed. "That’s not what I’m worried about. What boy doesn’t play games? Ethan has actually been a pretty easy kid; he never used to be into this stuff."

"I’m just afraid he’ll actually want to become a professional player someday. Do you think that’s a stable career path?"

"You’re studying astronomy, and Lily’s studying acting. You’ll both have real knowledge and skills in the future. But can gaming compare? If his grades were bad, that would be one thing. But his grades are so good, and for him to end up just playing games... what a waste!"

Cecilia Sterling understood her mother, of course.

To be honest, when she remembered everything her brother had been through, she didn’t want him to go down the esports path again either, not deep down.

But if this was what her brother truly loved and was passionate about, she would still do everything in her power to help him. She was willing to help him seize the opportunities he’d once wanted but never gotten, and reach the stages he’d dreamed of but never stood upon.

This time, at least, she didn’t want her brother’s life to be filled with regrets.

However, all of this was contingent on one thing: he had to get into college.

"Mom, don’t think so poorly of esports. It’s an Olympic event now, and some universities have even started esports programs. Being a professional gamer is a real job, and it’s not easy. Not just anyone who can play a game can do it," Cecilia patiently explained, trying to dispel her mother’s prejudice against the industry.

Professional esports was one of the most fiercely competitive industries, where only the fittest survived. Very few people ever made it to the world stage, and every single one of them deserved admiration.

Jasmine Sterling looked at her daughter and asked hesitantly, "You mean you support Ethan becoming a professional player?"

"I’m offering passive support," Cecilia explained. "What I mean is, Ethan’s choice is what’s most important. If he loves it and is determined to go pro, then I’ll support him. But I’m not going to actively push him down that path."

Jasmine Sterling pursed her lips in resignation and sighed. "I’m getting old. Maybe I just can’t understand these things. I just want the three of you to get into good colleges and find stable jobs. That’s all I need to be content."

"I don’t mind Ethan playing games, but if he wants to become a professional player, I can’t say I approve."

Jasmine Sterling had made her position clear. She obviously felt that a career in professional esports wasn’t stable or secure enough.

It was normal for a mother to have such concerns. Cecilia nodded gently. "I know, Mom. But it’s still too early to worry about all this. I asked Ethan yesterday, and he said himself that the most important thing right now is the college entrance exam. Plus, he wants to major in computer science, which means he’s not completely focused on going pro just yet."

"Let’s not plan so far ahead for him. We’ll see what happens after his exam scores come out."

Jasmine Sterling nodded at her words. Having her eldest daughter by her side always put her mind at ease.

And today also happened to be the first day of shooting for `Heavenly Destiny as Phoenix`.

「Starwood Film Base」 The opening ceremony had just ended, and the set was a flurry of activity.

"Lights, sound, camera positions—final checks! We’re shooting the first scene in half an hour!"

"B-Unit, speed up the set dressing for Scene 2! We’re moving right to it after Scene 1 wraps."

"Clearing the set in ten! All departments, places, now!"

It was a major production, with nearly a hundred crew members on set. When they all got to work, it looked like a mess, but there was order to the chaos. This was a team of true professionals.

In late September, the weather was still hot. Extras gathered in whatever shade they could find, waiting for their turn, while only the main cast and key supporting actors had their own dedicated dressing rooms.

Makeup and Hair Room #9 was the shared dressing room for the key female supporting actors. Suzanne Sawyer was inside.

She was now certain that Lily Sterling had a major role, because Lily had been on stage with the main production team during the opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, all Suzanne could do was watch from a distance.

Lily stood up. This was her first scene, and she would be appearing almost bare-faced.

She was playing Flora in a group scene that took place in a bedroom after the character had nearly drowned. For this scene, she had to lie in bed the entire time, so she didn’t need full makeup—just enough to give her a pale complexion and colorless lips.

Her naturally fine features, combined with this weak and pitiful-looking makeup, perfectly captured the character’s "fragile" aesthetic.

The moment she stepped out of the dressing room, everyone who saw her couldn’t help but do a double-take, their eyes filled with unconcealed wonder.

Heidi, the original author and one of the screenwriters, knew she was Flora the moment she saw Lily. She couldn’t help but smile and remark, "It’s like Flora walked right out of the book."

When she arrived at the set for Scene 2, most of the actors were already in position. Suzanne Sawyer, standing off to the side, saw Lily arrive, and the vague unease that had been nagging at her finally turned into cold despair.

’Lily Sterling is Flora!’

’And I’m playing her maid!’

The dialogue coach quickly gathered the actors who had lines in Scene 2 and began to block out the scene.

"When the director calls ’action,’ Flora gives a weak cough, her body trembling. Jade, you kneel to confess and beg for mercy. Everyone else, deliver your lines."

"Madam Bloom angrily rebukes the servants for failing to protect her daughter. Flora, feeling sorry for her maid, pleads on her behalf. Jade, you kowtow and beg for forgiveness. The rest of you, your lines."

"The Old Madam is furious and wants to sell Jade off. Jade, you continue to kowtow and beg for mercy while slapping your own face and crying that you were wrong. Everyone else, say your lines."

After hearing the directions for the scene, Suzanne Sawyer felt her world come crashing down. ’I don’t want to do this!’