Chapter 24: The Audition (Part 1)

Rong Qing stood before the dressing mirror in simple home clothes, her proud and frosty face radiating an innate confidence. Those eyes, bright as starlight, concealed the pain of longing perfectly. At the glamorous and illustrious Imperial University, she was a confident and resilient favorite of fortune; in private, she could only secretly watch someone’s departing silhouette. She was proud, fearless, yet utterly defeated when faced with matters of the heart. She was Ling Fei, the woman who dedicated her youth to the grand years of brocade.

She restrained the flood of emotions threatening to overflow; in the next moment, she almost rushed to Chen Hao to ask, “If you had never met the fragile and lonely Li Mengjie, would you have loved me?” But she suppressed it, endured the pain, and transformed it into a calm and indifferent smile, only to murmur softly, “Chen Hao, tonight at the study room, I’ll be waiting for you…”

The slanting sun spilled through the window, casting the petite figure before the mirror in a light of solitude and isolation. The intense, repressed emotions made those outside the door ache for her; even if it was just acting, how he wished to embrace her, never letting this cursed woman torment her heart again. All afternoon, Rong Qing rehearsed inside, while someone waited outside, glancing at the exquisite watch in his hand.

So her emotions were truly remarkable…

Director Wang Zhang had scheduled the audition for the day after tomorrow, arranged by the company, saving her from the image-setting process. She arrived at the audition site in a nanny car, accompanied by Yan Lin.

The location was Director Wang Zhang’s studio, with an entire floor filled with candidates. Familiar faces were everywhere, a testament to the international director’s influence.

Rong Qing dressed very modestly, in plain casual wear, fresh and radiant. She chose a secluded spot in the corner to sit. Looking up, she saw a group of heavily made-up actresses in revealing outfits, their pungent perfume making her feel sick. Rong Qing raised her brows—hadn’t they done their homework? Ling Fei of “Years of Brocade” was a top student born in the 1980s, naturally aloof, proud and confident. Such vulgar attire was an insult to the character. Some candidates wore academic gowns from the eighties, styled their hair plainly like students, and diligently studied the script.

A newly debuted model, clutching her chest, eyes red, dashed from the audition room, as Director Wang Zhang’s furious voice thundered from within.

“If anyone dresses like this again, don’t bother polluting my film!” His roar intimidated the crowd outside, plunging the room into silence.

Just then, the sharp clatter of high heels echoed on the floor, causing a stir at the entrance. Escorted by a tall and sturdy male assistant, a woman entered in an elegant student outfit—a sky-blue skirt barely covering her thighs, her exquisite makeup drawing envious glances from all. A pair of oversized black sunglasses concealed most of Han Xiyun’s face, and she carried a brand-new designer bag, brimming with self-satisfaction. Han Xiyun surveyed the room with disdain; her previously smiling face suddenly paled, as if deeply humiliated, her lips trembling with anger.

The piercing sound of high heels drew closer to Rong Qing. Rong Qing glanced up, full of disgust. Annoying flies always find a gap to land, never giving anyone peace.

Han Xiyun had never expected Rong Qing to attend the audition. She had once been Rong Qing’s assistant and had to admit that this woman’s talent and hard work forged her exceptional acting skills. Yet this despicable woman not only wanted to steal her Chen Hao, but also ruin her career. No—she had to drive her away!

“Move,” Han Xiyun snapped at the girl beside Rong Qing. “Don’t you know who I am?”

The girl was startled by the garish makeup, a bit unwilling, her gaze stubborn and resentful as she stared at the star, yet forced to yield by the imposing presence of the tall man nearby.

Han Xiyun took the seat, constantly adjusting her posture. The sparkling diamond ring on her hand was almost blinding. “Oh, it’s no wonder ‘Master Blade One’ Alen, the styling guru, prepared my hair all morning—it’s so eye-catching now, sure to impress the director. But Chen Hao maxed out the card he gave me this morning.” Han Xiyun deliberately boasted aloud, her arrogant words echoing through the hall.

Brainless. She must have been blind to have hired such a short-circuited person as her assistant. If Director Wang Zhang saw her garish, feather-duster hairstyle, she’d be out of the entertainment industry in a day. Wearing a student uniform yet exposing her thighs and rear; originally a size B, forcibly squeezed into a D. How much must one hate herself to abuse her own image so? Only the role of a cannon-fodder villainess would suit her—a true-to-life performance.

Han Xiyun, seeing Rong Qing unmoved, fiddled repeatedly with her battered script, growing angrier. “Some people have clearly been dumped, yet shamelessly cling to my Chen Hao. Besides, Chen Hao told me that boring and cold personality of hers is just annoying.”

“Oh? I wasn’t aware that Wang Chen Hao’s tastes have grown so wild—he even goes for butterflies and public buses now.” Rong Qing smiled serenely at her, her expression full of provocation. “But then, a philanderer and a promiscuous woman, a match made in heaven. I wish you both a hundred years of happiness.”

“You—”

“What about me? Pointing fingers at others without the most basic manners,” Rong Qing retorted, leaving Han Xiyun choking with rage, her face flushed like pig’s liver.

Satisfied, Rong Qing moved to another spot. Han Xiyun was about to chase after her when Yan Lin stepped between them assertively. “Miss Han, my mistress is very tired. Please do not disturb her.” The calculating smile on her face was chilling.

“Hmph, who cares to talk to her anyway?” Han Xiyun stomped back to her seat.

—End of aside—

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