Acting as the Movie Queen Love Rival’s Golden Finger GL - Chapter 21

On the day of the audition for Don’t Believe There Is No Fate, the sky was overcast, with a little drizzle drifting down.

Ye Ziqing brought Li Man with her to pick up Ming Xu for the audition. The car they drove had been provided by Xinghan. She joked, “Strictly speaking, a car is only assigned after the contract is officially signed. Yours was specially approved by Director Song.”

When Ming Xu thought of Song Jianzhi, her brows and eyes softened considerably.

The two of them had not seen each other these past few days. Ming Xu had been preparing for the audition, and Li Man had been taking care of her day to day.

But Song Jianzhi had said she would be there today.

This was also one of the reasons Ming Xu required herself to win this role.

The audition venue was a hotel near Xinghan. The production crew had booked the hotel’s second-floor conference hall for the audition.

The hook of a famous director collaborating once again with a giant of the literary world was enormous. Media with well-informed channels had long since gathered at the hotel entrance, lying in wait for the artists coming to audition.

Previously, Xinghan’s Qiao Xin, Bole’s Peng Zhou, and a rising young actress who had debuted last year but exploded in popularity had already gone inside. Seeing yet another good car stop in front of the hotel, clearly carrying a big-name artist, the media immediately swarmed forward.

The car door opened, and Ming Xu stepped out. Her face was cool and distant, but her eyes were bright, and her complexion was excellent.

The media abruptly fell silent. Then the reporters crowded even closer, thrusting microphones and recording pens in front of Ming Xu.

“Ming Xu, this is your first public appearance since the contract termination scandal. Is there anything you’d like to say to everyone?”

“Ming Xu, are you here to audition for Director Bei’s new film? Can you reveal when you received the audition invitation?”

Ye Ziqing, who had gotten out from the other side of the car, walked around and appeared in front of the media. The seasoned reporters immediately recognized this gold-medal manager.

“After moving to Xinghan, will Ye Ziqing be responsible for your acting career? She is Xinghan’s top manager. Do you have anything to say about this?”

Amid the constant interview calls of “Ming Xu, Ming Xu,” the group was surrounded so tightly they could barely move. Only when the hotel dispatched security did the people finally get separated from them.

Throughout the entire process, Ye Ziqing still maintained an amicable smile, and Ming Xu did not show the slightest loss of composure.

This appearance had been part of the plan.

Whether or not Ming Xu could win this role, they had to let people know that Xinghan would protect and escort her stardom, not bury her as the previous rumors claimed.

Only when Ming Xu reached the hotel’s glass doors did she turn back and accept the interview. Her words were neither hurried nor slow. “Thank you, everyone, for your concern. I’m here today to audition for a film. This is my work, and I hope there will be a good result today.”

A reporter eagerly asked, “Does that mean the contract termination will not affect your work?”

Ye Ziqing took over the topic. “At present, I am temporarily responsible for Ming Xu’s schedule arrangements and other work. I look forward to officially working with Ming Xu.”

With these words, Ming Xu’s position at Xinghan was settled.

What kind of status did Ye Ziqing have? She was one of Xinghan’s veterans, and who knew how many dazzling stars she had brought out under her hands. Her standing here was a bright, unmistakable representation of Xinghan’s attitude!

Ming Xu would not only be going to Xinghan; she would be valued at Xinghan and enjoy excellent resources!

After that, Ye Ziqing smiled politely at the reporters and led Ming Xu inside.

There were many people auditioning today. Ming Xu had a separate room as her lounge, while many young artists auditioning for smaller roles sat on the rows of chairs arranged in the hall to prepare.

When Ming Xu and her group walked past, this area also stirred with whispers.

“It’s Ming Xu. I really didn’t expect her to come.”

“She must be auditioning for the female lead, right?”

“Who knows? We still don’t even know the script.”

These murmurs were left behind by Ming Xu’s group. The person in charge delivered the room card and said, “I’m terribly sorry, Miss Ming. Originally, we were supposed to audition the female lead first at nine, but Elder Hu is currently discussing the script with Director Bei, so it has to be delayed by half an hour.”

“Please rest for a while.”

Ming Xu glanced at Conference Hall 201, where the audition was being held. “All right.”

Inside Conference Hall 201, Song Jianzhi was watching a tug-of-war between the director and the screenwriter from the sidelines.

Hu Fan was saying firmly, “I thought about it all night again yesterday, and I’ve thought it through very clearly. I must add this character. Only with this character can the insufficiency in the other characters be made up.”

Bei Hai was in his forties or fifties. Not only was he not bald, he had even dyed his hair white. At this moment, he was tugging at his thick hair and saying, “I don’t care if you add a character! But where are we supposed to find someone suitable to act it? Among the few with decent acting skills, the ones who are almost right either don’t have availability or look down on a third female lead role.”

“If we just casually make do with someone, there’s no way I’ll agree. No one is ruining this pot of congee I’ve made!” Bei Hai directly threw down his words.

At the side, assistant director Yang Liu tried to smooth things over. First, she persuaded Bei Hai. “Adding a character is a good thing. When it comes time for promotion, once everyone hears that Elder Hu personally adapted the work, we can even save quite a bit on publicity costs for the film.”

Bei Hai took a sip of mineral water and did not speak. To put it plainly, he had only become this tough after making a name for himself. In the past, it wasn’t as if investors and all kinds of people hadn’t shoved connections into his productions.

Now, he could shout so loudly and choose important roles himself because he had won quite a few directing awards and could also make money for investors. He had confidence.

Yang Liu then persuaded Hu Fan. “Aiya, Elder Hu, Director Bei may speak a little stubbornly, but he’d rather go without than settle for less. Why don’t we ask whether any artist is willing to make a friendly cameo? In any case, the role doesn’t have many scenes.”

Yang Liu looked at Song Jianzhi. “If there’s really no other way, then Director Song will still have to step in. Let’s see whether Xinghan has anyone suitable and keep searching.”

Song Jianzhi hurriedly expressed her stance. “That’s fine. Xinghan will support the crew’s work.”

But right now, she was still bewildered. How had this suddenly happened? There had been nothing like this in the original novel.

The urgent priority was to finalize the female lead first. This was a major matter related to Ming Xu’s stardom. As for something like adding a character, they would naturally know more about it later.

Song Jianzhi had an open mind about it. Unexpectedly, Hu Fan looked over at her and smiled happily. “Ha, I was precisely planning to borrow someone from Xinghan.”

“Whoever you want to borrow is easy to discuss, as long as their schedule isn’t a problem,” Song Jianzhi answered readily.

Hu Fan pointed at her. “You!”

Song Jianzhi: ???

Bei Hai also froze. Elder Hu really had courage, directly naming the investor and asking her to step into the acting field?

But he quickly reacted—

Song Jianzhi did look good, but her acting was probably not even as good as an extra’s. How could she act in his film!

Bei Hai squeezed the mineral water bottle and said tactfully, “Miss Song’s status is different, and she is also Xinghan’s deputy general manager. How could she lower herself to join our crew?”

Hu Fan smiled like an old fox. “You dare look down on the investor?”

“…That’s not what I mean. Miss Song isn’t an actress.”

Song Jianzhi’s expression carried a little horror. “I also feel like I don’t know how to act. Let’s not. Whatever kind of actor you’re missing, I’ll find one for you.”

Elder Hu blew his beard and glared. “You little girl are the one who gave me the inspiration! You’re the most suitable person to act this role. Wouldn’t changing people be nonsense?”

Song Jianzhi choked: So you were planning to trap me from the start?

Bei Hai, however, heard this and pondered for a moment, deciding to properly discuss this so-called “inspiration” with Elder Hu.

After all, acting skill was one matter. Sometimes, spirit was even more important.

Hu Fan took out his notebook, opened it, and said, “Yesterday, I only told you the general positioning of the character. It took me an entire night to fully conceive it. You still haven’t heard the whole thing.”

At this point, he looked at Song Jianzhi. “Jianzhi, go change your clothes. Later, come over with Ming Xu and perform a scene for me.”

Then he instructed the staff member beside him, “Go have the costume designer bring the red dress for the second female lead for Jianzhi to use.”

Seeing that she was about to be pushed onto the stage, Song Jianzhi felt that refusing wasn’t right, but not refusing was truly enough to make her scalp go numb. Caught in a dilemma, she gritted her teeth and said:

“Elder Hu, are you certain that adding this character will be better than the original version?”

Hu Fan smiled, his face carrying the wise air only an elder could have. “Of course. This is mine. I know what it lacks and what should be added.”

“Then I’ll act,” Song Jianzhi said simply.

She was also looking forward to it. With Ming Xu as the female lead in Elder Hu’s heart, and with Elder Hu’s inspired stroke added on top, what level would this film reach?

Song Jianzhi comforted herself. Maybe once she changed into the costume and came out, Elder Hu would understand that acting should still be left to actors.

The costume designer gave her the red dress. Song Jianzhi was just about to go to a room to change when, as she passed by, Li Man happened to open the door. “Eh, Miss Song.”

Li Man very sensibly moved aside from the door. “Sister Ming Xu is inside.”

The staff member leading the way was most likely a straight man who did not browse gossip. Seeing this, he said, “So Miss Song and Miss Ming are friends. Then why not change here? It’ll save the crew a bit of money too.”

Song Jianzhi: Are you people this stingy with investors?

But opening another room just to change clothes was indeed a little wasteful. After inwardly complaining, Song Jianzhi still obediently went into the room.

Li Man subconsciously pulled the door shut behind her, leaving the space to the two people inside.

Ye Ziqing returned from making a call and asked in confusion, “Why are you guarding outside? Go in.”

Li Man linked arms with her and laughed playfully. “I didn’t eat breakfast this morning. Sister Ye, come eat something with me. Let’s go, let’s go.”

The room door was heavy. After Li Man closed it, Song Jianzhi could no longer hear the sounds outside.

She walked a couple of steps inside and saw Ming Xu sitting in an armchair by the window, looking at her.

Song Jianzhi subconsciously revealed a smile and slightly lifted the costume in her hand. “Elder Hu asked me to change into this. I’m borrowing your room for a bit.”

Ming Xu raised her brows in surprise. “What is this?”

“Elder Hu said he might add a character and wants me to act a scene with you.”

Ming Xu repeated softly, “Act a scene with me…”

Song Jianzhi had spoken vaguely, but it was enough for Ming Xu to guess a little.

Ming Xu’s mood, which had already been pleasant upon seeing Song Jianzhi, improved even more.

As Song Jianzhi spoke, she turned her eyes toward the bathroom. “I’ll borrow your bathroom to change—”

Her voice came to an abrupt stop.

Why was the bathroom separated by frosted glass?!

Wasn’t this a proper business hotel??

Ming Xu’s gaze also landed on that frosted glass wall. Through the glass, one could see the objects inside, hazy and indistinct, half-hidden and half-visible.

She paused, then sincerely suggested, “Looking at it, this is about the same. Why don’t you just change outside?”

“The costume is custom-made. If it gets stained with water or dust, it will be very difficult to handle.”

“What do you think?”