Chapter 23
When Yin Zhizhi and Ji Huan got off the car together, the journalists reflexively took out their cameras and started taking pictures. They were surprised when they recognized who it was.
"Yin Zhizhi!"
"Is it Yin Zhizhi? There was no news saying that she would come for the audition."
"Yin Zhizhi has been keeping a low profile since returning to the country."
This was a great opportunity as Yin Zhizhi hadn't given any interviews since returning to the country.
The reporters eagerly crowded forward.
"Miss Yin, which role do you want to audition for? Why didn't you reveal any information earlier? Your low-profile approach after returning doesn't match your status."
Yin Zhizhi found the reporter's statement quite amusing. She was indeed a second-tier celebrity, not low-profile at all. Even after a year abroad, she still had a lot of attention in the country. But why couldn't she be low-key? Does being low-key not match her status?
What's the point of showing off?
It's not just some artists who are pathological, the media is the same.
Ji Huan raised his hand to stop the journalists and said to Yin Zhizhi, "Don't answer their questions. We can chat later when we come out. Let's go in now."
"Okay."
The journalists who were closer heard Ji Huan's words and immediately asked, "Manager Ji, what time will Miss Yin come out? We want to interview her."
Ji Huan replied, "There's no need for a separate interview. Sorry, we have other matters to attend to. Let's go in first."
Ji Huan was also well-known in the industry as a manager, and the media didn't dare to easily offend him.
Ji Huan spoke with authority, not raising his voice but exuding a strong presence. With him protecting Yin Zhizhi, there was no need for security personnel.
Ji Huan led Yin Zhizhi through the crowd and went in directly.
"You go to the lounge and rest. I'll go over there."
"Okay."
Ji Huan went to meet the director. As the biggest investor, he had to keep an eye on the audition scene.
Yin Zhizhi was taken to the lounge by the staff.
The assistant also came over and asked, "Miss Yin, have you had breakfast? Do you want me to go out and buy something?"
"No need, I had breakfast before coming."
The assistant took out a script and said, "This was brought by Manager Ji."
Yin Zhizhi took the paper and glanced at it. It contained some character descriptions and lines for Wood Spirit.
There was still an hour before she was needed. It was the preparation time given to her.
Wood Spirit had very few scenes in the movie, but she appeared throughout. She was a quiet monster who didn't like to talk and enjoyed basking in the sun. She also liked standing outside alone when other monsters were hiding from the sun or rain.
The whole movie revolved around the coexistence of humans and monsters, but there was a rift between them. When some humans mysteriously disappeared, suspicion fell on the monster forest, and the main characters were tasked with entering the forest to solve the case.
Yin Zhizhi briefly looked at the plot.
And then she looked at Wood Spirit.
Wasn't this her former self?
Yin Zhizhi loved basking in the sun and listening to the sound of rain while living in the city enchanted by nature. The rustling of the wind and the chirping of birds delighted her, but she had a deep fear of fire and insects.
"Miss Yin, may I ask which role you would like to audition for?"
The lounge was not exclusive to Yin Zhizhi alone; other celebrities also occupied the space.
Xiao Xiangyun had noticed Yin Zhizhi sitting in the corner, engrossed in reading her script.
Recalling the series of trending topics from the previous night, Xiao Xiangyun realized that Yin Zhizhi had portrayed herself as a victim, garnering sympathy from many people.
Yin Zhizhi closed her script and looked up, saying, "We'll know when it's time for the audition."
"Miss Yin, please don't be so guarded towards me. I have no ill intentions towards you. I simply want to be friends and, after all, I used to be Ji Huan's artist. I believe we have a lot to talk about."
"Talk about Ji Huan? Are you sure we have a lot to talk about?"
Xiao Xiangyun felt embarrassed. "If I said something that made you uncomfortable last night, I apologize. It's better not to make enemies in this industry. Let's be friends and help each other."
"I have no intention of making enemies with you. I just don't want to tell you which role I want to audition for. Does not telling you equate to making enemies? Don't I have the right to keep my privacy?"
Yin Zhizhi's words were not sharp, but each one countered Xiao Xiangyun's remarks.
As the two spoke, the other female actresses who were auditioning glanced in their direction, gradually realizing the tension between them.
Xiao Xiangyun was once again playing the victim, a role she was particularly skilled at, presenting herself as a pitiful flower. However, Yin Zhizhi, the daughter of a renowned actress, was not someone to be trifled with.
"Zhizhi, do you drink coffee? I noticed there's a coffee maker in the adjacent pantry. Shall we go together?"
A beautiful actress spoke up. Yin Zhizhi wasn't familiar with her, but there was an instant connection between them. She agreed to go together.
"Just a moment, I'll be right back," Yin Zhizhi said, standing up. "Miss Xiao, please excuse me."
Xiao Xiangyun remained silent.
Yin Zhizhi left with the other actress.
"I'm Jiang Li. I'm also an artist under Xingyao Entertainment. We both signed with them last year, and I've played supporting roles in several TV dramas," Jiang Li introduced herself.
"We're from the same company then. Thank you for defusing the situation," Yin Zhizhi replied.
"No need to thank me. I know that even if I hadn't spoken, you could have handled Xiao Xiangyun just fine."
"But I didn't want to waste my breath."
Jiang Li understood Yin Zhizhi's approach.
The two of them went to the pantry to make coffee and, as they emerged, they encountered Ji Huan.
Seeing Yin Zhizhi with a cup of coffee, Ji Huan asked, "How much sugar did you put in?"
"Half a teaspoon," Yin Zhizhi quickly responded.
Jiang Li observed their interaction and felt like laughing, but seeing Ji Huan's serious expression, she tactfully excused herself, saying, "Zhizhi, I'll go back to the lounge now."
She left.
Ji Huan directly took the coffee from Yin Zhizhi's hand. "The coffee here isn't good. Don't drink it."
It was all instant coffee.
"How's the script for the audition coming along?"
"I've already memorized it."
"Which scene are you planning to perform?" Ji Huan took a sip of his coffee.
The man frowned; this sweetness had at least two extra spoonfuls of sugar.
She wasn't as well-behaved as he had imagined.
Yin Zhizhi observed him drinking and noticed his expression, clearly having figured something out...
"I plan to perform the scene where Wood Spirit gets burned."
Ji Huan's eyes slightly changed, and he spoke, "Why did you choose the most challenging scene? You won't have enough time to prepare your emotions properly."
"I believe the director also wants to see this particular scene in choosing Wood Spirit."
"Alright."
Since she had made up her mind, he didn't say anything more.
Ji Huan tossed his coffee, along with the cup, into the trash can. "If you want coffee, ask the assistant to buy it for you. Don't drink the ones here."
"Oh..."
"All the previous candidates have been rejected. I've come to inform you that if you're ready, you can go for the audition now. If you're not prepared yet, you can take some more time."
"I'm ready. Let's go now." Yin Zhizhi was confident about playing the role of Wood Spirit, after all, it was a role she could relate to.
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There will be another chapter tonight. Sui Sui has gone out for some errands and will write the update when she returns in the evening.
Er Er will also have another chapter tonight~