West Continent City is by the sea, and to its south is a solitary island, which perfectly matches the description of the island in the original work.

Therefore, the entire crew will head to West Continent City to start filming.

Currently, the producers and logistics team have already arrived in West Continent City, scouting the location and planning ahead. Once the actors are in place, Xu Xingguang will also head to West Continent City.

Although Xu Xingguang had quite a stir in West Continent City, she is now on the Alliance Government’s blacklist in West Continent City.

But the main investor of this movie is a big player in the Yu Zhou City film industry, backed by the Yu Zhou City Alliance Government. They are only going to West Continent City for work, and don’t need to act according to the West Continent City’s Alliance Government’s whims.

The film is about to start shooting, but the lead actress has not been finalized yet, and the role selection is still ongoing.

Huo Lan called Xu Xingguang, hoping to invite her to the casting site to personally make the choice. After all, she is the original author, the main screenwriter of the film, and also an investor in the show.

It stands to reason that she has the qualifications to finalize the lead actress.

Over the phone, Huo Lan tactfully told Xu Xingguang, "Miss Xu, your novel is well-known in the entire suspense novel circle. As soon as the news that ’Guest on the Island’ is going to be adapted into a film spread, it ignited widespread discussion in the film industry."

"This film is also the biggest investment project of our company in the second half of the year. With you, the original author, personally supervising the filming, and the double-threat of box office and reputation success, Emperor Fang Jinsu as the male lead, everyone knows that once the film successfully releases, it will become the dark horse of the film circle next year."

"Opportunities like this are rare. Who knows how many actresses are breaking their heads trying to come and play the lead role. You know, in our circle, to stand out, you need both strength and luck. For those without luck, they have to find a strong backer to strive for that luck..."

After a pause, Huo Lan sighed helplessly, "Some benefactors have pushed a few actresses over, each one being a talented and beautiful actor. We can’t offend any of them."

"So shall I be the one to stick my neck out?" Xu Xingguang was amused by Huo Lan’s suggestion.

"Miss Xu, you’re different." Huo Lan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Li Yucheng and Xu Zeqing’s joint investment in the South City Longhu Shuilan project ended up losing everything. Li Yucheng was so devastated, he reportedly committed suicide by taking medication. Privately, it’s being spread around that you orchestrated the whole thing."

"Do you know what people in the Yujiang City business circle are secretly calling you?"

Xu Xingguang thought for a moment and curiously asked, "Venus flytrap? Femme fatale? Black-hearted?"

"No." Huo Lan said with a complicated tone, "They call you Yujiang City’s Conan."

Huo Lan chuckled softly, with a teasing note, "Wherever Conan goes, there’s a case. Whoever stands against you ends up suffering."

"No one in Yujiang City dares to offend you now."

Xu Xingguang was left speechless.

That damn Yujiang City Conan.

"Alright, I’ll be the villain then."

Xu Xingguang drove to the underground garage of Bingfeng Entertainment Building. Learning the auditions were an hour away, she figured since there was a shopping district nearby, she’d go for a stroll first.

Two streets away from Bingfeng Entertainment, there’s a commercial area where Xu Xingguang loved to shop during her teenage years.

Back then, with the little pocket money she got from Mo Yinshu, she would wander around with just a few hundred bucks, buying a cup of milk tea that could last her an hour.

She’d sip her tea while window-shopping, imagining every piece of clothing she saw was made for her.

Every time she shopped, she’d take pictures of the clothes she loved and post them on her Moments, visible only to her mom, complaining about it.

Usually, by the next day or the third day, she’d receive beautiful clothes from Mo Yinshu.

This little trick of hers never failed.

Now, grown-up, she realizes that it was never about trickery—it was her mom’s deep love for her.

Just like in her teenage days, Xu Xingguang bought a cup of milk tea, holding it as she walked and looked around. Now that she has money, she could freely shop, try things on without hesitation, and purchase them with a blink.

Yet she didn’t go inside, choosing to stand outside the display case, taking pictures of them instead.

Sitting in the mall’s rest area, Xu Xingguang opened WeChat, realizing she didn’t even have her mom’s WeChat anymore, and felt a wave of sadness wash over her.

Xu Xingguang randomly picked a photo and posted it on Moments, captioning it, "You’re a grown-up now. You can buy clothes with your own money."