Chapter 180: Yunfu Infused the Soul

She carried the resolute determination of a warrior marching to battle, never expecting to return.

"Mother, your child is unfilial! Yet, I have reasons that compel me to go."

She raised her head, her face displaying a moving expression. "If the sacrifice of my single self can rescue this ailing nation, what does my sacrifice amount to?

Everything I do today is not for fame in the history books, not for grand and stirring deeds, but solely—to have a clear conscience!"

With these words, she turned around. In her eyes danced a spark of eagerness, knowing she could help more people. There was also a trace of guilt toward her mother, but more than anything, it was the relief of a clear conscience.

"Thank you all, my performance concludes here."

The six judges sat in a daze for a long moment before breaking into applause.

The director, Cheng Yijia, spoke out in direct praise, "That was performed exceptionally well. At the moment of transcendence, I felt as though I truly saw that storm-tossed country embodied in you."

Xi Rou'er expressed her thanks with modesty. As she turned, she glanced toward Yun Fu, and seeing the latter still keeping her head lowered, she could not help but curl her lips into a smile.

"Yun Fu, do your best."

Yun Fu raised her gaze to look at her. That pair of eyes, seemingly capable of seeing through everything, sent a sudden jolt through Xi Rou'er.

*Hmph, Yun Fu, just wait and see. I will win, and make you submit to your defeat.*

By this point, Xi Rou'er had already regarded the female lead role as safely within her grasp, and the six judges had also mentally concluded that Xi Rou'er should undoubtedly be the heroine.

Provoked by Xi Rou'er, the other three actresses either failed to deliver the right expressions, forgot their lines, or gave up halfway through.

Cheng Yijia's face turned dark with displeasure as he impatiently dismissed them.

In the end, only Yun Fu remained, though they held little hope for her.

Xi Rou'er did not leave; she remained seated to observe, which was permitted.

"Yun Fu, is it? You may begin your performance."

Yun Fu slowly stood up. From the very moment she rose, her expression began to shift.

Seeing her movements, Cheng Yijia could not help but hold his breath.

She gripped her clothes tightly, her eyes filled with confusion, panic, and helplessness.

Indeed, the female protagonist was someone who had awakened from a dream originating in the twenty-first century, unable to accept anything in this time and space.

Yet, as she walked along her path—

It was as if she saw parents selling their children, landlords whipping their servants, beggars fighting for scraps of food...

She had never witnessed these scenes with her own eyes before, but now, she was seeing them.

She walked along, her gaze transitioning from initial confusion to subsequent struggle, then to disgust, and finally settling into a bright, clear smile.

She had figured it out. If she was destined to stay here, she had to do something.

Even if it was just a little, and even if she had to give up everything, she would gladly embrace it.

Because the prosperous streets she had once walked upon were built precisely upon the blood and corpses of the people of this era.

There were no lines, and her expression remained subdued throughout. The most pronounced expression she showed was the final smile of profound relief.

Yet Cheng Yijia felt that in her eyes, he had witnessed an entire era—a tragic era.

She had not accepted it from the very beginning; rather, guided by her past education and confronted with such wretched devastation, she had made her choice.

And there was also a slip of paper—facing death without fear, embracing it with joy.

Yun Fu lifted her eyes, and the shock in Cheng Yijia's heart defied description in words.

With just a single glance, he could sense that Xie Qingru at this stage had already been in this world for a long time.

A hint of numbness had crept into her eyes, yet they remained luminous.

She was panting heavily, as though she were fleeing.

Looking ahead, the emotions churning in her eyes held fear, worry, and steadfast resolve, lacking only regret.

Finally, she spoke, directing her gaze toward a spot beside her, where someone much shorter than her seemed to be standing.

She gently stroked that person's head, a tender smile blooming on her face. "I am going to my death today, and I know I may very well never return. But you must remember, even if I die, you must strive to live on. Only by surviving can you witness the spring."

Her eyes gleamed with the unwavering determination of one facing death. She smiled, breathtakingly beautiful, like the loveliest azalea flower of spring. "And tell them, I have never regretted this."

With those words, she lifted her foot and walked toward that destination.

Her retreating figure, though slender, radiated a formidable strength.

All six judges had reddened eyes.

They understood now: her words just then had been addressed to a child, representing hope.

"I have finished my performance." Yun Fu spoke calmly, her eyes now completely clear and serene—she was simply Yun Fu once more.

"Good!" Cheng Yijia stood up, taking the lead in applauding. "Yun Fu, the female lead role is yours!"

He believed no one else could interpret the role better than Yun Fu.

Hearing this, Xi Rou'er's expression shifted drastically. She sprang to her feet and, losing her composure, screamed out, "On what grounds!"

She regretted it the moment the words left her mouth; she should not have spoken like that.

Sure enough, Cheng Yijia glanced at her, the admiration from moments before entirely gone. "I am sorry, Xi Rou'er, but you must have seen it just now—Yun Fu performed exceptionally well.

You were somewhat too rigid. I do not deny that you acted well, but you merely endowed Xie Qingru with flesh and blood, whereas Yun Fu, she gave Xie Qingru a soul."

Xi Rou'er's face turned instantly pale.

Yes, she had to admit that Yun Fu's acting was superb, but how could that be? She had the assistance of a system; how could Yun Fu possibly perform better than her?

Unfortunately, Yun Fu would never provide her with the answer.

Because no matter how good Xi Rou'er's acting appeared, it was something artificially imposed upon her from the outside, leaving her performance rigid at its core.

Yun Fu nodded to the six judges, pushed open the door, and walked out.

Watching her depart, Cheng Yijia sighed with emotion, "We are getting old; the future belongs to the young."

He truly had not expected such a magnificent surprise today.

The screenwriter beside him also wore an excited expression. "Indeed, today's youth are formidable. I only hope the male lead we cast will be able to match her performance."

The producer slapped the table. "Raise the standards for the male lead as well! I want to make this drama a classic!"

Hearing his words, the remaining people caught their breath.

What made a true classic? It was something that, even after surviving the test of time and falling out of fashion, could still command praise.

Both Yun Fu's serenity and Xi Rou'er's desolate, soul-deprived state were witnessed by those outside.

Qiao An hurried over, handing her a bottle of water. "How was it? Did you pass?"

"Mhm."

"!!!" Not only Qiao An, but the people nearby froze in shock.

Yun Fu had passed! Then what about Xi Rou'er? Did she fail?

The gazes of the crowd felt like successive slaps across Xi Rou'er's face. She had been so confident that she would secure the role, yet what was the result?

It was Yun Fu again! Always her! Why was it always her?!

Yun Fu must die!

This was the sole thought echoing in Xi Rou'er's mind; she had completely lost her sanity.