Huayu: This celebrity doesn't follow the rules.

Chapter 120 The Company's Small Groups, Ready to Fight

In late spring, the ancient town of Mudu is still bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun. The bluestone road is warm from the daytime sun, and the old houses with black tiles and white walls are lined up on both sides. The red lanterns hanging under the eaves sway gently in the evening breeze.

The Xujiang River, flowing through the town, shimmered with light, and the sound of oars from the covered boats drifted from afar, mingling with the Suzhou storytelling tunes wafting from the shops along the street, blending the gentle charm of the Jiangnan water town into the deepening twilight.

At six o'clock in the evening, Bai Lu, wearing a beige trench coat, walked out of the film set of an old-fashioned villa in the style of the Republic of China era by the river. Her long hair was slightly curled and hung down her shoulders, and her makeup was a sophisticated urban mature style.

Her temperament is consistent with that of the voice actress Shi Yi, whom she plays in the drama.

Filming had just ended, and she was still holding the script in her hand, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the markings for a certain scene.

Tucked into the edge of the script were several notes she had made to reference the emotions in the voice acting, revealing her deep understanding of the character's nuanced feelings.

Outside the police cordon, seven or eight fans had been waiting for a long time. As soon as she came out, they immediately raised their phones and handwritten letters.

"LuLu! Did the shoot go well today?"

"Here you go, freshly baked meat mooncakes!"

Bai Lu smiled as she accepted the letter, and then took out several boxes of souvenirs prepared by the crew from the paper bag her assistant was carrying, distributing them to the fans: "These are pine nut candies, a specialty of the ancient town. They're not too sweet, so please try them."

The fans excitedly accepted it and started chatting excitedly:
"LuLu, your portrayal of Shen Yindeng was superb!"

When will "Zhou Sheng Ru Gu" air?

"Lulu, are you and Li Xian dating?"

Bai Lu paused slightly as she signed her name, then said speechlessly, "No, no, absolutely not! Don't you guys start shipping them randomly!"

"That's good!" The girl in the fisherman's hat smiled happily. "We were just worried you'd be dazzled by handsome guys! Keep up the good work, Lulu, we'll always support you!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Bailu turned and got into the RV.

She closed the door, breathed a sigh of relief, and carefully put the fans' letters into her bag.

She would take these handwritten letters back to the hotel and read them slowly.

Although she doesn't have many fans now, every single one of them genuinely likes the characters she plays, and isn't after her popularity or fame.

She changed into a simple black turtleneck sweater and jeans in the RV, put on a mask, and went to a private restaurant.

When the door to the private room was opened, Mao Deshu and Li Xian were huddled together looking at their phones.

"You're late, Teacher Bai," the cat said without looking up. "The food's all cold."

"Come on," Bai Lu took off her mask, revealing her delicate bare face. "I just removed three layers of makeup in the RV."

She pulled out a chair and sat down, her gaze falling on Cat Tree's phone. "Director Cat, what are you looking at so intently?"

Cat Tree turned the phone around, and on the screen was a character setting document for "A Thousand-Year Song".

Female lead: Su Wan
A paper-cutting inheritor who can see the persistent spirits of the deceased, a high school student who later became a kindergarten teacher.

Because his mother made a wish to General Xiao Che before her death, he became the only "key" who could see and touch the general and break his curse.

She is optimistic and resilient. Although she was surrounded by ghosts and experienced loneliness from a young age, she has always been warm and kind, and dares to love and hate.

She met General Xiao Che through a "contract," and their relationship evolved from dependence to deep love, becoming each other's "splendid salvation."

Second female lead: Sunny
The owner of a long-established Chinese restaurant.

Xiao Meishan is the reincarnation of Xiao Che's younger sister from his previous life.

In her previous life, she was a concubine who, due to the emperor's suspicion, was caught between her brother Xiao Che and her lover Wang Li, and ultimately died tragically.

After reincarnation, she is straightforward and outspoken, loves money and beauty but has a soft heart. Her memories of her past life are vague, but she becomes entangled in a fateful relationship with the underworld messenger Wang Li (her previous life emperor) because of an ancient ring.

"It came from the production department."

Cat Tree poured her a cup of hot tea. "Take a look at the information for these two roles. It should help you with your audition tomorrow!"

Bai Lu took the phone: "I heard from Sister Wang that the boss is planning to target the international market for this drama?"

“Yes!” Cat Tree lowered his voice, “The boss wants to use this drama to open up the Southeast Asian and European and American markets. If we can get this role, the subsequent overseas endorsements, fashion resources…”

He didn't finish speaking, but all three understood.

This means an opportunity to rise from a domestic rising star to an international face.

The private room fell silent for a moment.

Bai Lu leisurely picked up a piece of crab roe tofu, then suddenly asked, "Who's auditioning tomorrow?"

“All the female artists in the company are going,” Cat Tree said, taking a sip of tea. “Meng Ziyi just finished filming ‘Love O2O,’ Tian Xiwei got special permission to fly back from Qingdao, and there’s also Zhou Ye, the new artist we just signed who’s preparing for her college entrance exams.”

"Didn't Chen Duling come?"

"It seems there was no notification."

Bai Lu breathed a sigh of relief; she always felt that Chen Duling's chances would be even smaller if she participated.

Although Sister Meng was always by the boss's side, she had a very strange feeling.

Chen Duling holds a high position in the boss's heart.

“Old Bai,” Li Xian suddenly spoke, his eyes carrying a meaningful look, “you and the boss have always had a good relationship, how about…”

“Stop,” Bailu interrupted him, taking a tissue to wipe her mouth. “Precisely because we have a good relationship, I can’t make things difficult for him.”

She glanced at the two of them. "The company has more and more artists now, and there are more people watching them."

Cat Tree and Li Xian exchanged a glance and said nothing more.

The three of them tacitly changed the subject and started chatting about interesting anecdotes from the filming of "One Life, One Love".

But the egrets could sense that their small group was reaching a consensus without them even realizing it.

We must fight for this role.

On the way back to the hotel, Bailu looked at the neon lights flashing past the car window and unconsciously clenched her fists.

Back in her room, she practiced a few expressions in front of the mirror.

Stubborn, gentle, broken
"White egret," she whispered to herself in the mirror, "I must win this time."

I don't know when it started, but something called ambition slowly grew in Bai Lu's heart!
She wants to be a big star too!

……

Yanjing International Airport
At nine o'clock in the evening, Tian Xiwei, wearing a baseball cap and a mask, and a loose denim jacket, walked out of the arrival gate.

She was followed by her assistant, the two of them pushing a luggage cart piled with two large suitcases and several paper bags printed with the logo of the "The Best of Us" crew.

"Weiwei! Over here!"

Tian Xi looked up and saw Lin Xiaoman bouncing around at the arrival gate.

The girl was wearing a bright yellow sweatshirt, which made her stand out in the crowd. She was also holding a fluorescent sign with the words "Welcome Tian Qiwei's triumphant return" written crookedly on it.

"Why are you here?!" Tian Xi ran over and hugged her best friend tightly. "Didn't you say you were going to stay home and study hard to prepare for the college entrance exam?"

Lin Xiaoman shook her head smugly, "I've learned it, but you have to balance work and rest!"

She leaned close to Tian Xiwei's ear and whispered, "My dad rented a place in Yanjing, so I can come whenever I want now, and I don't have to put up with my brother's attitude anymore!"

The assistant tactfully handed the luggage to the driver Lin Xiaoman had brought: "Teacher Tian, ​​the company will send a car to pick you up for the audition at 1 p.m. tomorrow. Please get some rest tonight."

Chaoyang District · Lin Jianjun Apartment
The elevator went straight to the 28th floor, and Tian Xiwei smelled the rich aroma of food as soon as she entered.

In the open kitchen, Lin Jianjun was wearing an apron and stir-frying something. Hearing the noise, he glanced over and said, "Xiao Tian's here? Go wash your hands first. The last dish, braised shrimp, will be ready soon."

"Hello, Mr. Lin!" Tian Xi bowed respectfully. "Tsk," Lin Jianjun turned off the stove, turned around and glared at her, "How many times have I told you, just call me Uncle."

He looked Tian Xiwei up and down. "You've lost weight. Did you not like the boxed lunches on set?"

Lin Xiaoman had already darted to the dining table to sneak a bite: "Dad! Xiaotian is so popular on set, everyone feeds her!"

"But my brother is too stingy, so he probably never got enough to eat."

Tian Xiwei: "..."

The table was set with six dishes and a soup: sweet and sour pork ribs, braised prawns, and steamed sea bass.
Lin Jianjun even specially made a dish of spicy chicken from Chongqing.

"Wow, Uncle still remembers that I love spicy chicken?" Tian Xi's eyes lit up.

"How could I not remember?" Lin Jianjun ladled a bowl of soup for her. "You and Xiaoman were inseparable back in junior high. You would come to my house for meals every day and eat all the Lao Gan Ma chili sauce I had treasured."

The three of them ate and chatted, creating a warm atmosphere like a real family dinner.

After dinner, Lin Jianjun took a folder out of his study: "Xiao Tian, ​​take a look at this."

Tian Xiwei opened the file, which contained detailed information about the new drama "A Thousand Years of Song".

It also includes detailed character biographies of the female lead and the second female lead.

Tian Xiwei held the documents, her eyes welling up with tears: "Thank you, Uncle."

“Don’t thank me yet,” Lin Jianjun said seriously. “All the actresses in the company are vying for this role. Meng Ziyi currently has the highest profile, and Bai Lu has also been doing quite well recently.”

"Compared to them, you're definitely at a disadvantage, but it's not like you have no chance!"

"Ono values ​​the suitability of the role more. The female lead is mostly a high school student in her scenes, which is a plus for you!"

He paused for a moment, then said, "Although I watched you grow up, I won't show favoritism if you don't perform well."

Lin Xiaoman suddenly interjected, "Xiaotian, don't worry! My dad is the company's general manager now, and this position will definitely be passed on to me in the future!"

She shook her head smugly, "When I take over, I guarantee I'll give you the best resources!"

"Nonsense!" Lin Jianjun glared at his daughter, then turned to Tian Xiwei and said, "This industry is all about talent. You're getting Jiang Ye's support now because the role in 'With You' is perfect for you!"

"But if you want to go far, you have to make yourself irreplaceable."

Tian Xiwei tightened her grip on the folder, and when she looked up, her eyes shone even brighter than before: "Uncle Lin, I understand, don't worry!"

"I will fight for this role with my own abilities, and the same will be true for my future path."

"The only way to truly stand on your own two feet is through your work."

Seeing the seriousness in her eyes, Lin Jianjun's tense lips softened, and he picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip: "That's more like it. Prepare well for the audition tomorrow, don't disappoint me."

Lin Xiaoman, who was standing to the side, stuck out her tongue and secretly gave Tian Xiwei a "good luck" gesture.

……

"I'll love you even if it kills me! I won't be satisfied until I've loved you to the fullest..."

Meng Ziyi held the microphone, closed her eyes, and sang with deep emotion, but her tone fluctuated like a roller coaster. The last line, "The universe is destroyed, but my heart remains," broke her voice, hitting an unprecedented high note.

In the corner, several assistants exchanged a pained look, and one of them quietly put her finger into her ear.

When the music ended, a sparse round of applause rang out in the private room, except for Zhou Ye.

"It sounds so good, Sister Meng!"

Zhou Ye clapped her hands excitedly, her eyes sparkling, "That last high note was so powerful!"

Meng Ziyi was stunned and turned to look at Zhou Ye.

The girl's expression was so sincere that it didn't seem like she was just being polite; it even seemed to convey a sense of admiration.

"Really?" Meng Ziyi was unusually a little embarrassed. "Actually, I know my singing is a bit..."

"Really! It's incredibly captivating!" Zhou Ye said earnestly. "I'd like to sing a song too!"

She excitedly selected "A Little Happiness," and as soon as the intro started, she eagerly picked up the microphone.

I heard raindrops falling on the green grass.

As soon as Zhou Ye started singing, the assistants who had just been wearing masks of pain were all shocked.

This is even more outrageous than Meng Ziyi's...

Meng Ziyi, however, listened with a look of utter rapture, even softly harmonizing with the rhythm.

Sister Meng sings with her own rhythm, and very few people can keep up with her rhythm...

After Zhou Ye finished singing, she immediately clapped: "Xiao Ye, your voice is so beautiful! The tune is exactly the same as mine!"

The two exchanged a smile, feeling a strange sense of connection, as if they had found kindred spirits.

Halftime
Zhou Ye was munching on watermelon from the fruit plate when she suddenly remembered something: "Sister Meng, should we go back early? We have an audition tomorrow."

"What's the rush?" Meng Ziyi waved her hand dismissively and stuffed another piece of cantaloupe into her mouth. "The company has plenty of dramas to choose from. If this one doesn't work out, there's always the next one."

Zhou Ye, holding a watermelon rind, whispered, "But this is my first audition."

"Oh, you're just there to make up the number of people!"

Meng Ziyi patted her on the shoulder.

"You just need to go through the motions tomorrow; the main thing is for you to gain experience."

Zhou Ye blinked: "Really?"

"Of course!" Meng Ziyi declared confidently. "Look at you, you've never even taken an acting class, how could you possibly compete with us?"

Zhou Ye thought about it and agreed!

She's still a little dazed; the company suddenly signed a contract with her during the day!

She had no idea what had happened; it was probably because of Grandma Lin's influence.

Ever since that trip to Hangzhou and having a meal at Uncle Jiang's house, something very strange has happened.

From then on, Lin Huahua would chat with her for a few minutes every day.

In the morning, she would send a message saying, "Yaya, remember to eat breakfast," and in the evening, she would ask, "Are you tired today?" Zhou Ye would always pick up on the conversation: "Grandma, did you do your square dancing today? I found a new dance move online, I'll teach you when I get back!"

Lin Huahua: "..."

"I've written down the recipe for the osmanthus sugar cake you mentioned. I'll try making it this weekend and send it to you to try."

She also really liked this very young-looking grandmother...

This time, Uncle Jiang's willingness to sign her should also be at Grandma Lin's behest.

Thinking of this, Zhou Ye suddenly breathed a sigh of relief: "That's right!"

She relaxed completely and her smiling face returned. "Then I'll treat tomorrow as a trip!"

"That's right!" Meng Ziyi raised her juice glass with gusto. "Come on, let's toast to becoming the nightingales of the music scene in the future!"

"cheers!"

The sound of their glasses clinking was drowned out by the intro to the next song.

Zhou Ye and Sister Meng swayed happily to the rhythm, forming a stark contrast with the other two.

(End of this chapter)