I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

The room remained quiet for a long time.

Director Fei remained silent, as did the screenwriter and producer beside him. Shu Zi maintained her posture, waiting quietly.

Then Director Fei put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, took off his glasses, and pinched the bridge of his nose with two fingers.

He remained silent for a long while before opening his eyes again and looking at Shu Zi:

"...Go back and wait for further notice."

Shu Zi stood up, bowed slightly, and turned to leave the room.

The moment the door closed gently behind her, she realized her heart was beating much faster than before.

She stood in the corridor, glanced down at her hands, which were still trembling slightly, clenched her fist, and then walked towards Lan Manwen.

Lan Manwen came forward, glanced at her, and without rushing to ask about the result, simply said in a low voice:

"Let's go, get in the car first and then we'll talk."

Shu Zi nodded and followed her into the elevator.

The elevator doors closed and it descended, neither of them speaking.

Only after she was seated in the car and the door closed, shutting out the outside noise, did Lan Manwen turn to look at her: "How was it?"

Shu Zi leaned back in her chair and exhaled, "Director Fei told me to go back and wait for further notice."

She paused, then turned to look at Lan Manwen:

"However, he added a scene for me at the last minute, which wasn't in the original script."

Lan Manwen turned her head to look at her: "Adding scenes?"

"Um."

Shu Zi nodded and gave a general account of the audition process, including the impromptu performance about "letting go of oneself".

After listening, Lan Manwen remained silent for a moment, then spoke:

"Adding scenes is a good thing; it means he sees more in you and wants to see where your boundaries lie."

She paused for a moment, then said, "There aren't many actors who could make him decide to do an extra audition on the spur of the moment, which means he has ideas."

Shu Zi leaned back in her chair, a slight smile just appearing on her lips, when Lan Manwen glanced at her:

"Don't get too excited yet; we still don't know how it will turn out."

Shu Zi's expression instantly changed, and she nodded quickly.

Her phone vibrated, and when she looked down at it, it was a message from Gu Yan.

Her girlfriend is the most beautiful, the best, and the cutest: "Is it over?"

A little girl: "Hmm~ Just got on the bus."

Her girlfriend is the most beautiful, the best, and the cutest: "How is it?"

Shu Zi stared at those three words, thought for a moment, and typed a reply:

"Director Fei told me to go back and wait for notification, but he added a scene for me at the last minute, asking me to improvise."

"I don't think... it counts as smashing."

After sending the message, she stared at the screen for a few seconds, and then received a reply: "Baby, you're so great! Tell me about it when you get back."

A little girl: "Received.jpg"

She put away her phone, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

Lan Manwen sat beside her, glancing at her expression out of the corner of her eye. She didn't say anything, but silently looked away and focused on the road ahead.

After a while, Lan Manwen spoke up: "Oh, right, there's something else."

Shu Zi turned her head to look at her: "Hmm?"

Lan Manwen: "The high-end skincare brand we contacted earlier just replied, the contract is finalized, and you will be their new brand ambassador for Greater China."

Shu Zi was taken aback for a moment, then blinked: "...When was this deal finalized? How come I didn't know?"

"It was negotiated while you were busy with live streaming and auditions."

Lanman's tone was flat:

"The brand saw your performance in 'For You I'm Moved' and said that you have good skin, a clean and refreshing temperament, and are popular with the public. They specifically asked for you."

Shu Zi took a couple of seconds to process it, then leaned back in her chair and couldn't help but laugh:

"Oh my~ Sister Wen, did you secretly bless me today? Adding scenes and endorsements, I'm getting a little cocky."

Lan Manwen glanced at her: "Floating is fine, just don't go to heaven."

She paused, then added, "Also, they're pressing you urgently; they want you to go and film today."

Shu Zi's smile faltered, and she sat bolt upright, looking at Lan Manwen: "Huh? Today? So rushed? So hasty?"

"Yeah, we were still hesitant about the process, but as soon as you went live last night and the Shu's official Weibo account claimed it, the brand immediately got restless."

Shu-Tzu: "Does it have to be today?"

Lan Manwen nodded:

"Their exact words were: 'Sign quickly, don't let her get away. She's now the genuine eldest daughter of the Shu family. If she doesn't sign soon, someone else will snatch her away.'"

After listening, Shu Zi remained silent for two seconds, then clicked her tongue.

"...It's still because of this identity that I'm affected."

She closed her eyes in despair and slumped back in her chair: "Destroy it!"

Lan Manwen remained unfazed: "Don't destroy it, I haven't finished speaking."

Shu Zi: "???"

She suddenly opened her eyes and sat up again: "...There's more?"

"Yes, the cover of WAVE, a double cover."

Lan Manwen paused for a moment, then said, "The collaborator is Qi Yu, the one from that recent popular historical drama."

"Qi Yu?"

Shu Zi searched her memory for the name and vaguely recognized it:

"Is that... 'Qi Sanlang' who's been all over the comments lately?"

"Yes, that's him."

Lan Manwen nodded:

"The schedule was also booked at the last minute. It just so happens that you two are both very popular right now, and the magazine wanted to ride that wave."

Shu Zi slumped back in her chair, turned to look at Lan Manwen, her expression indescribable:

"Sister Wen, am I here for an audition or to catch up on a gig?"

Lan Manwen remained unfazed: "Both are true. You'll get used to it. That's what happens when you become famous."

Shu Zi's eyes were vacant, and she forced a bitter smile: "There's no need for that, thank you."

Lan Manwen ignored her protest and said calmly, "So now, get some rest."

He paused, then added, "By the way, shoot the cover first, then the endorsement. It'll take an afternoon and an evening. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can call it a day."

Shu Zi was silent for two seconds, then her smile froze completely: "…………"

Don't we still have to film them all?! What difference does it make which comes first or which comes later?! Are you saying this so she can die with some dignity?!

She was speechless and could only silently take out her phone and send a message to Gu Yan:

A little girl said, "I might not get home until very late today."

The reply came almost instantly: "What's wrong?"

A young woman said, "It's a long story... I have to shoot a magazine cover this afternoon and an endorsement shoot tonight."

Two seconds later, she added, "By the way, that cover is a couple, with a guy."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then a single word came back.

Her girlfriend is the most beautiful, the best, and the cutest: "Who?"

Shu Zi stared at the word, sensing something ominous, and quickly typed: "Work, just work! I'll explain in detail when I get back!"

After sending the message, she placed her phone face down on her lap and closed her eyes.

Today is destined to be an extraordinary day; I'll have to consult the almanac next time I go out.

and many more.

Shu Zi suddenly opened her eyes:

"Huh? Wait a minute, why is it so quiet here? Where's my little gardenia? Where did she go?"

Lan Manwen spoke calmly:

"My phone broke again, so I went to get a new one. I'm probably waiting for you at the company now."

Shu Zi: "..."

She was silent for a moment, then slowly leaned her head back against the car window. She decided to give the almanac to Xiaozhi; she figured Xiaozhi needed it more.