Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“I just finished auditioning, and the directors have yet to decide on the final candidate for the role, so I’m not really considered as an actress per se. Besides, I’m not qualified. I really don’t understand why you would want me to be your female companion in that important dinner party.” She subtly rejected his request.
Xiao Xue was dumbfounded by Yun Shishi’s refusal.
Oh, my god. Has she turned stupid? The heavenly king, Gu Xingze, invited her as his partner to an important party, and she actually refused? Does she know that many actresses and stars are waiting for such privilege?
Gu Xingze was not offended in the least, albeit he was a little surprised. Qin Zhou, who was standing beside him, quickly clarified, “There’s going to be a signing ceremony after tomorrow night’s reception. You have been selected to sign on with our company, so please accept this offer!”
She finally understood Gu Xingze’s intention.
He wanted to boost her career with his popularity, and such a grand occasion would be the perfect way for him to announce her entry into the show business. This was an extravagant show that only he could pull off. It also showed how determined he was to support her with such an ambitious move.
Still, why is he… so good to me?
She graciously nodded her head. In a crystal clear voice that sounded melodious, she said, “Okay. If this is the decision of the company, I’ll gladly accept.”
Lin Fengtian nodded approvingly. This girl had a steady and mature disposition and was mild-mannered. She would go far in the industry.
“Let’s go Shishi. And your friend here beside you… Let me give you two a lift,” he told them.
Mo Qi, the executive director who was standing beside Lin Fengtian, had, for some reason, become alarmed to hear that Yun Shishi was selected as the female lead. He quickly pulled both of them aside. “Director Lin, Xingze, can you two come over for a while? Miss Yun, I’m sorry, but please give us a minute; I have something to discuss with these two!”
He smilingly apologized to Yun Shishi while pulling Lin Fengtian and Gu Xingze to a corner. His face lost its smile when he spoke to the two. “Director Li, pardon my frankness, but I think you’ve made this decision flippantly. She doesn’t seem suitable for this role.”
Gu Xingze smiled without a word.
Lin Fengtian went ahead and chose the female lead without discussing with the other directors about it first, and this certainly alarmed them.
Many of them, on behalf of the director team and Lin Fengtian, accepted ‘benefits’ from many famous actresses who wanted to be cast for this role. Since Lin Fengtian was known for his no-nonsense attitude and for not being swayed by favors, the actresses turned to the rest of the directors to buy their chance, instead.
Now that the female lead was given to an obscure newbie, it would be difficult for them to account for the ‘benefits’ that they had previously accepted.
Lin Fengtian, who was not privy to all this, was rather upset when the executive director questioned his decision. “Why? How is she not suitable? You’ve seen Shishi’s excellent performance earlier, right? She’s a natural talent!”
Shishi… Why is he addressing her in such an intimate fashion? Is there something going on between them?
No, that should not be the case. From what he knew of Lin Fengtian, this man was a workaholic and obsessed with his craft. He was not the same as those licentious directors.
He had never accepted a woman because of a shady connection before.
“But she’s new! She is obscure without a good background. We don’t know if the audience will like her. The investors may not agree,” he persisted.
“Her inexperience is not an issue. You’ve seen her good acting earlier. She fit the ‘Yin Xiachun’ character in the novel with her looks and acting skills. How can I let such a talent go to waste?” Lin Fengtian could not resist praising Yun Shishi.
“Don’t you remember another actress that the investors want to cast for this role? Er… Oh, yes. She’s called Yan Bingqing!”
Lin Fengtian flared up when he heard the name. “Yan Bingqing? That carpet star? She’s only a vase in any shows she was cast in. Either as white lotus or stupidly sweet Bai Tian, were there any shows she had acted well before? She only knows how to pose on the red carpet during film festivals. She only has her good looks going for her and clearly lacks talent in acting!”