Chan Ki was a star, and she sung like a star, full of unbridled confidence and she wowed the director Ban and everyone.
Still, Alix felt as if something was lacking. What she wanted was a singer that could bend, Chan Ki would not bend. She was sure of her style and she would not change it.
"Thank you so much, you will be informed when we make a decision." Alix told her.
Chan Ki recognized director Ban but she did not recognize Alix. With a frown of confusion on her face, she left the room.
Director Ban's assistant called the next participant.
"Rain." he called loudly.
A young man stood up and walked inside. As soon as the doors closed, a few bold people rushed to Chan Ki, especially the girls, including So Mi.
First to reach her was Chi Li who quickly faked a smile.
"Sister Chan, how was it?" she asked coquettishly.
With a neutral expression on her face, Chan Ki answered, "It was an audition."
She spoke with sarcasm, making it seem like this should be an obvious thing. They had been to many auditions before for different reasons and this was no different.
"I have a studio session to get to, good luck." she told them.
She stepped to the right and broke through the small crowd of four curious women and one man.
Everyone returned to their seats and their eyes once again were set on the doors. Chi Li on the other hand watched Chan Ki meet her manager and disappear from the hallway.
She leaned down and whispered to So Mi in a haughty voice.
"Hmph, it's obvious that she did not make it. They said whoever passes the audition will be told right away. If they are still calling people in then she has not made it. I hope no one is passed before my turn comes."
So Mi moved did not reply. What could she possibly say after all? Chi Li had always been selfish like this. They were not even friends, simply colleagues from Light entertainment.
Why was Chi Li latching on to her now?
The doors opened, the young singer Rain alighted and left without speaking to anyone.
"Him too!!" Chi Li exclaimed with a sly smile on her face. "It is really my lucky day. I knew sister Lin would not let me down."
"Maybe the news of the audition result will be shared after listening to everyone. It will not be fair to gather everyone here and dismiss them without giving them a chance to audition." So Mi looked at the doors nervously and said in a small voice.
Chi Li sneered and shook her head. In her mind, she thought that it was no wonder So Mi was a D list singer. This business was like a jungle, the strongest would make it and the weakest would be swallowed.
Thirty minutes passed by, the doors opened and Chi Li was finally called in.
With excitement and great expectations, she went inside with a smile on her face. Immediately, she looked at the judging panel, her eyes searching for Lin Billi's familiar face.
The woman she saw however was not Lin Billi. It was her sister, the one who married Billi's fiancé. What the hell was going on?
The smile on her face faltered and nerves set in.
"Hello, miss Chi Li. You can begin your audition now, please sing one of the songs from the piece of paper my assistant handed to you."
Chi Li smiled, a most unnatural smile and she looked at the list. Her hands trembled as thoughts of the A list singers she had said boldly did not make it set in.
If they had not made it, what guarantee was there that she would?
For an entire minute, Chi Li stood there like a frozen statue. A plethora of thoughts running through her mind as the judges waited patiently.
"Miss Chi Li are you singing or not?" Alix finally asked when she could not take it anymore.
Chi Li nodded. "I will sing, I will sing."
She opened her mouth, barely taking a second to breathe and she started singing. However, with how unsettled she was, her voice faltered.
"Sorry, can I start again?" she asked.
"No thank you, we have heard enough. You will hear from us when a decision is made." Alix told her.
"Call in the next person." Director Ban told his assistant.
Unwilling and with her fists clenched, Chi Li left the room, dragging her feet loudly.
As soon as the doors closed behind her, director Ban looked at Alix and said, "I am sure you have crossed her name out already."
"She has a poor attitude and she does not seem to be the type who is open to criticism. " Alix told him.
Besides, Alix was sure that this Chi Li was a close friend of Lin Billi. They certainly had many pictures together online, especially from Billi's concerts or out having fun.
While Chi Li had gone in with a bright smile, she came out with a tentative one.
Just as they had approached Chan Ki with questions, those who were close by approached her before she could make her escape.
"Sister Chi Li, how is it in there?" A young man asked.
"I don't know." Chi Li shouted rudely.
When everyone stared at her warily, she softened her voice and smiled.
"Sorry, I am still nervous from the audition. Anyway, it's just like Chan Ki said, it's an audition."
She looked at So Mi who had remained sitting unlike those who came to ask her about her audition.
"Sister So Mi, can you walk me out for a minute. My legs are still trembling because of nerves."
So Mi shook her head and looked at the doors.
"The assistant said we should not move around. Sister Chi Li, your manager is waiting for you at the end of the hall. You don't need me to assist you."
Chi Li's nails dug into her hands and she nodded, still with that fake smile on her face.
"Alright, good luck."
The words came out more stiffly than Chi Li intended.
As she was walking away, she turned around once more and sneered at So Mi. How dare that D lister refuse to go with her. Did she think she could sing better than her?
She recalled then that she had seen Lin Alix in the room and she hurried her steps towards her manager. How could Lin Billi not tell her about this and shamelessly accept her bracelet?
"You, give me my phone." she shouted rudely at her manager.