Isn't This a Contract Marriage? Why Are You Sneaking Kisses! - Chapter 22

“The author personally specified that you must play this role. Prepare yourself well; as long as you pass the audition, the role is yours.”

Upon receiving the message and script from his manager, Shen Silie was still somewhat in a daze.

After a long while, he slowly replied with a simple “Okay.”

He then took a moment to organize his thoughts. This was a drama adaptation of the novel Prejudice. It featured the ambiguous tension between a younger “puppy-like” male lead and an older female lead. The emotional arc subverted the traditional “overbearing CEO and innocent girl” trope; instead, it followed an older “wild rose” training a younger puppy.

Other novels by the same author had been sold for film and television rights one after another, making stars out of many newcomers.

After the rights to this classic novel were sold, it was picked up by Song Yuan, the daughter of the famous director Song Meihai—who was known for making anyone he filmed famous. Therefore, even though Song Yuan was a rookie director, the roles in this drama were extremely sought after.

The original plot follows the female lead, Cheng Muxia, who comes from a poor family. During her student days, she clashes with the male lead, Wan Sinian, who is in Lan City for a one-year exchange program. The two are “happy rivals” until the male lead moves back, and they are separated.

By chance, Cheng Muxia ends up working at Wan Sinian’s family company. The seeds of affection planted in their youth quietly begin to sprout after their reunion. However, Wan Sinian is a spoiled rich heir—foul-mouthed and prone to teasing. He and Cheng Muxia are at odds for quite a while until she firmly “trains” him into a better person. After a series of melodramatic events, Wan Sinian finally realizes he loves Cheng Muxia, and she eventually understands her own heart. The two end up together.

The role Shen Silie received was the “catalyst” for the leads: Song Wuyu, Cheng Muxia’s childhood friend. They grew up together in the countryside; he is an orphan with no parents and has always harbored a secret crush on her.

Shen Silie flipped forward a page. After seeing the character’s backstory, he froze, an expression of slight discomfort crossing his face.

The male lead Wan Sinian’s mother, Yu Qiuchi, had been kidnapped and trafficked in her youth. She was bought by Song Wuyu’s grandmother and gave birth to Song Wuyu with his father. Three years after Song Wuyu was born, Yu Qiuchi finally escaped the deep mountains and never looked back. Song Wuyu’s father had a congenital intellectual disability, and his grandmother had congenital heart disease; both passed away within a few years of his birth. Song Wuyu barely managed to grow up under the cold stares of the villagers, aided by Cheng Muxia’s family.

After reading the rest of the plot and the character’s ending, Shen Silie’s first reaction was: This is so melodramatic…

His phone vibrated again. Another message from his manager.

[Sister Li: Prepare well. Director Song Yuan wants to see your audition early in three days. As long as there are no major issues, the role is set.]

Shen Silie quickly shot back an “OK.”

Closing the chat, he couldn’t help but feel a lingering worry. He didn’t want a repeat of last time—preparing everything only to be replaced at the last second—but he didn’t know who to ask for confirmation.

After agonizing for a while, he sighed and decided to print the script first. He’d take it one step at a time. No sense in being anxious about things that haven’t happened yet.

Three days flew by.

Shen Silie sat in the backstage area of the set clutching his script, flipping through the now-crinkled character biography, mentally rehearsing his scenes one more time.

The person acting opposite him for the audition was Xu Tang, the already-confirmed female lead. She was a popular young actress who started as a child star. Having recently starred in two minor “idol” hits and an indie film, she was looking to switch paths with a high-profile modern idol drama.

The makeup artist was styling his hair. His overly long bangs made his forehead itch, the heavy black-rimmed glasses made the bridge of his nose ache, and he wore clothes washed to a faded white. He had transformed into a cramped, awkward nerd.

Uncomfortable, Shen Silie reached up to push his glasses, but accidentally pushed them too high, revealing his moist, shimmering eyes.

“Your eyes are truly beautiful,” the makeup artist couldn’t help but laugh. She stopped her work and gently rearranged the strands of hair falling over his forehead, partially obscuring his eyes again. “But Director Song specifically instructed me to turn you into a little dork.”

Shen Silie obediently let the woman continue.

The crisp sound of high heels suddenly echoed in the corridor. Shen Silie instinctively wanted to turn around, but the mirror already reflected a cold, indifferent face. It was a woman wearing silver-framed square glasses, her hair tied up in a high bun.

Shen Silie recognized her immediately: Director Song Yuan.

Song Yuan walked straight to the makeup table. She lifted Shen Silie’s bangs with a fingertip and then let them fall back into place. Her gaze behind her lenses was like someone inspecting a commodity.

“Have you memorized all your lines?”

Shen Silie nodded. “I have.”

Song Yuan showed no significant reaction, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. She simply gave a slight nod and checked the metal watch on her wrist.

“Before selling the rights, the original author of the novel recommended you to me. She said this character was inspired by you and hoped I would cast you.”

She ignored Shen Silie’s surprised expression. Pushing up her glasses, she said flatly, “But I won’t be the only one there in a moment. There are several judges. If your performance isn’t up to par, my promise to her naturally won’t count.”

The woman offered no comfort or affirmation, only pressure and a cold, business-like detachment. Shen Silie didn’t mind; in fact, he was quite used to it. He nodded calmly.

“I understand.”

Given his current reputation, he was lucky someone was willing to give him a chance. He didn’t expect a smooth ride through the back door.

Song Yuan said nothing more and left the dressing room.

The warm air from the heater, mixed with the midday sun, crept in through the half-open window.

Upon learning who would be acting opposite her, Xu Tang, who was already waiting on set, was visibly stunned. She shot an inquisitive look toward the judges’ table.

The people sitting near Song Yuan had varying expressions. They all knew Shen Silie was “semi-confirmed” internally, but they were also well aware of the current controversies surrounding him.

The middle-aged man sitting next to Song Yuan said in a seemingly low voice, “Little Song, that person has quite a lot of ‘black material’ online, doesn’t he?”

Song Yuan ignored him.

The others began to chime in.

“I heard from Xiao Chu that he used to act like a big shot and stood up directors. I am firmly against hiring actors with no professional ethics,” a woman wearing gemstone earrings said, her expression tinged with impatience. “Besides, using a ‘tainted’ artist… isn’t that just asking for backlash?”

Someone tried to play peacemaker: “It’s mostly just rumors; he isn’t truly ‘tainted’ by the law. And doesn’t everyone say that infamy is still fame?”

The discussion continued, but it was soon Shen Silie’s turn.

Under the scrutiny of the room, Shen Silie exchanged a glance with Xu Tang and walked slowly toward a small prop cushion in the center of the set.

The scene simulated a moment before graduation—Song Wuyu and Cheng Muxia’s birthday, the scene where these childhood friends are about to part ways.

Song Yuan’s chilly voice cut through the chatter. She tapped her finger heavily on the desk, signaling for them to begin.

Shen Silie blinked slowly. In an instant, he became a different person—timid, gloomy, and sensitive. Holding a plate of sliced watermelon, he sat down slowly beside Cheng Muxia.

In the script, it is a hot summer day. Cheng Muxia sits under a willow tree at the entrance of the village, her eyes sparkling as she stares at Song Wuyu.