The Secret of Second Marriage

Xia Weiwei gave me a slight smile and then followed her agent, Xie Xue, to the room for the interview.

After her interview, she came out of the office, glanced at me, and a hint of disdain flashed in her arrogant eyes.

She casually said, "Ms. Jiang, may we go for a cup of coffee? It's on me."

"No"

I politely declined her offer.

Xia Weiwei and I don't have much in common.

Xia Weiwei frowned slightly in displeasure, then said "whatever" and left in a very aloof manner.

I was the last one to go in for the interview. I took a deep breath and introduced myself to the director and interviewers using very professional lines.

"Hello directors and producers! My name is Jiang Man, I am 32 years old. I have acted in a hit short drama called 'The Wife's Revenge' and a movie called 'The Vanished Wife'. I consider myself a middle-aged actress with strong acting skills."

I'm so happy to have this audition opportunity. I've been reading the script at home these past few days and I've taken lots of notes. My favorite character is the female lead, Su Yuqing..."

But before I could finish my self-introduction, I was stopped by a producer in her forties, Ms. Yang Shan. She glanced at me impatiently and said, "Jiang Man, is that right? Okay, I know you."

You look exactly like that beautiful woman who just came in for her interview, so you don't need to continue the interview. Please go home.

Seeing their condescending attitude, I took a deep breath and said, "It's your decision who gets the role in this play. But according to the rules, I still want to complete the entire interview process."

"He is a very serious and responsible actor."

The director said, "Since that's the case, why don't you give it a try? Improvise a scene about your first reaction after finding out your husband is cheating on you."

This really tests your acting skills.

I said okay, and then I started acting.

I put myself into the role, first trying to calm myself down, then I looked up, my face filled with sorrow, my eyes filled with stubbornness.

I feel like I've been betrayed.

I crouched down and buried my face in my hands. It was as if a huge wave, after the tide had risen, had crashed over me, carrying unbearable pain, sorrow, and shame, instantly engulfing me and making it hard to breathe.

I huddled in a corner, hugging my shoulders tightly, burying my head in my body as much as possible, and sobbed uncontrollably.

I cried for a long time, wiped away my tears and red, swollen eyes, then calmed down, remained silent, and stared at the ceiling!

This is a woman's first reaction after discovering her husband's infidelity and her family being destroyed by the other woman: pain, despair, sadness, resentment, and the unbearable pain of a broken home, as if the house she built with her own hands has been shattered into pieces, leaving only a mess.

Life is like a TV series.

A mocking smile played on my lips, then my gaze hardened with a resolute calm as I said in a low voice, "Jiang Man, there's nothing to hold onto. Others have hurt you; there's no need to hurt yourself too!"

At that moment, I felt both the embarrassment of a woman betrayed by her husband and a sense of calm.

"good!!!"

The director clapped while sitting in the interview room, and the other producers did the same. They looked at each other, their eyes clearly moved.

Even the female producer, Yang Shan, who had arrogantly interrupted me and tried to stop my interview, looked at me with a complicated expression.

She seemed surprised that an actress like me, who had no formal training and was a self-taught actress, could have such amazing acting skills...

A well-known female editor in the entertainment industry. She was also one of the interviewers.

Her name was Lan Tingyu. She wore a white dress and had short, neat hair. She said, "Jiang Man, is that right? It's been a long time since I've seen an actress with such good acting skills in the entertainment industry."

To be honest, your acting just now really moved me... really!

Let's exchange contact information. We can meet up for a meal sometime.

"it is good"

I was flattered.

I took my phone and went up to add Lan, a well-known female screenwriter in the industry, on WeChat.

Upon seeing this, producer Yang Shan said indifferently, "Ms. Jiang, the interview is over. You may leave now."

I greeted them politely and calmly left the actor audition office.

I am a woman of principle; even if I leave, I will leave with elegance.

It was past 11 a.m. when I left the film company's office building, and the sun was shining brightly.

It's already April, and the temperature is getting hotter and hotter.

Director Zhang Zhiwei called me to ask how the interview went.

I know my short film project is doomed.

I said, "Director Zhang, thank you so much for recommending me for this opportunity, but it seems that the director and producer have a preferred actress, so they might not be using me this time."

Director Zhang comforted me, saying, "Man, don't be discouraged. That's just how the entertainment industry is; it's quite realistic! If this film doesn't work out, we still have another one!"

I'm here to talk to you about this. I have a screenwriter who's casting actresses for a Republican-era spy drama. There's a female villain in it, and they've approached several popular actresses, but they've all rejected them.

None of the actresses wanted to play the villain, especially the second female lead. The director is very anxious now, as filming is about to start and he needs someone to fill in. He has interviewed many people, but still hasn't found a suitable actress for the role.

Or, I recommend you go for an interview.

"Okay, I can go."

I say.

I really enjoy this busy filming life.

However, although the auditions for this drama were held in Beijing, filming actually took place in Hengdian…

Director Zhang gave me the address of a relatively large, reputable film and television company, including its street address, street number, and the phone number of its agent manager.

I glanced at the time; the interview was scheduled for a little after one o'clock.

I simply grabbed a quick lunch at a roadside restaurant, ate a bowl of wontons, and then took a taxi to the film company. As soon as I entered, I could tell that this company was completely different from the one that had interviewed me.

This company, Lemon Sunshine, ranks among the top three in the TV drama and film production industry.

The dramas I've filmed in recent years are all very profound TV series.

The film and television company I interviewed with this morning was clearly not as big as this company.

I entered the office lobby on the first floor and went to the actor audition room on the third floor as scheduled. I sat on a chair outside, and a staff member handed me a cup of coffee. I sat there and waited for the director to come and conduct the audition.

I waited until after 1 p.m., almost an hour, before the director finally came over to meet me.

He paused for a moment when he saw me, thinking that my features were quite beautiful and striking.

He called me into his room and briefly explained the role to me. He said I needed to portray the character's ruthlessness and unparalleled beauty; she was a villainous female agent.

I designed every move according to the director's requirements, adjusting even a glance or a casual smile to a chilling level of ruthlessness.

The director applauded my acting skills on the spot.

He said, "I looked for many actresses for this role, but I couldn't find a suitable one. Jiang Man, right? Your acting is very good, but this role is very important to this film, and I can't make the decision on my own."

I'll give you the script first.

"Come back tomorrow morning and get the company executives and producers together. After you've read the script, come back for an interview. If everyone agrees you'll take the role, then you'll be playing the female spy Gu Xiaochun."

I was very excited. I could tell that this director, who was over 50 years old with graying temples and a somewhat impatient temperament, was a very serious and responsible person.

His name is Director Wang.

Director Wang had his assistant add my contact information and then sent me the script.

I was holding a thick script, with the script for the character Gu Xiaochun written on it.

After I got it home, I locked myself in my study and read it for an entire afternoon. I was completely absorbed in it, totally engrossed. Although the role I got was a female villain, she was very cold and powerful, and she was deeply in love with the male protagonist.

Unfortunately, due to their differing stances, her final fate was tragic.

This is why many actresses are unwilling to take on this role. They feel that the character is just a vicious female villain, which cannot build popularity and will damage their own image, so they are unwilling to accept the role.

But I don't care. I'm a newcomer. As long as I get a chance, even if it's to play a villain, I'll do my best to act!

That evening, Juan invited me to a private bar/club for drinks.

The room she booked was brightly lit and decorated with a row of exquisite fruits and snacks on the seats. She also had two male models with her.

Two male college student models in their early twenties, dressed in white shirts and black suit pants, with delicate and handsome features, called her "sister" sweetly.

When Juan saw me arrive, she sent the two male models to keep me company.

I shook my head to indicate my refusal.

I'm not interested in young, cute guys, and besides, in my mind, Shen Xing is much more handsome than the two male models in front of me. I even rejected Shen Xing, let alone the other two.

The two male models laughed when they saw me like that, jokingly saying, "Sister, you're so heartless!"

I was stunned for a moment, and goosebumps rose on my skin.

Juan waved her hand, signaling the two of them to leave.

After the two male models left, only she and I remained in the private room.

In front of me, Juan finally shed her proud, strong-woman persona.

She sat on the sofa, covering her face and crying, saying, "Man, thank you for coming out to keep me company. I don't know who to call. At a time like this, I don't want any acquaintances around, not even my closest relatives, to see me in such a disheveled state."

But you're different, Man, you're my best sister in this world.

I went over to comfort her and said, "Juan, I'm here. Have a good cry, for the love of the past, for the person you used to be, and then bury it all and start over! A woman's life is wonderful, and the world is vast."

We can study, we can go rock climbing, we can travel, we can do business. Don't pin your entire life on one man, especially if that man turns out to be your husband!

Juan hugged me and cried for a long time until her eyes were red and swollen, and she couldn't shed another tear.

Her phone rang for a long time, all calls from her husband, but she didn't answer them until the phone was switched off.

I drank with Juan in a private room until late at night. Around 10 p.m., I received a call from President Jiang, who said he was coming to pick me up. He was very concerned and asked where I was.

I told him that I was at a bar/club, drinking with Juan.

President Jiang only said one sentence: It's late, you should go home.

Juan's phone was out of battery, but she thought of her beloved daughter.

She was a little drunk and looked unwell. She said to me, "Man, let's stop drinking here for today. I need to go back to see my daughter. She's the baby I carried for ten months and gave birth to."

I asked with concern, "Juan, is it alright to go back like this?"