"Who is Ren Kui?" Zhan Yi asked in a deep voice.
Tian Cheng immediately put on a smug look, leaned forward, and whispered in Zhan Yi's ear, "The one in the yellow clothes sitting in the second row is her."
She was actually sitting right behind the director. Was she trying to get close to the water to catch the fish? Zhan Yi gritted her teeth, feeling increasingly indignant. She had lowered her standards to come for a live audition, not to be a foil for a newcomer.
She endured it until actor number five finished his performance and left the stage. Only then did she step ahead of Liu Teng, her voice filled with anger as she shouted, "Director He, Producer Liu, is this casting process open and transparent?"
Her voice was not small, and everyone looked over.
He Nian and Liu Teng also turned their heads in the direction of the voice, but there were too many actors, and they couldn't tell who was speaking.
He Nian asked, "Who is speaking?"
Zhan Yi was not afraid. She had her own standing, and Tianhua Entertainment was her backing. She stood up, her face arrogant, "Tianhua Entertainment, Zhan Yi."
Liu Teng affirmed, "Of course, it's open and transparent."
Zhan Yi pressed on, "But I heard that someone was personally recommended by the screenwriter and brought investment into the crew, boasting everywhere that she was definitely the female lead.
Director He, I don't like to hear this. The audition has just begun, how can anyone be sure they are the female lead? But if your crew has a pre-determined female lead, and there are so many people here, everyone has squeezed out their precious time to audition. How will you explain this to everyone?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the venue erupted in an uproar, with everyone glaring angrily. They had all come with hope, but now they were told that someone was already pre-determined. What was the point of auditioning then? Wasn't this making a fool of them?
For a moment, the situation became somewhat out of control. More and more people stood up to question.
The moment Zhan Yi spoke, Ren Kui knew she was talking about her. The problem was that, strictly speaking, every word Zhan Yi said was not wrong.
She was indeed recommended by her boss, she did know that her family had invested three hundred million, and she had indeed bragged to Han Zhao, Zhuang Yu, and others that she would definitely get the female lead.
However, when these words were spoken by Zhan Yi, they sounded unpleasant, and it turned into her bringing investment into the crew and being pre-determined, with everyone else being mere supporting roles. She felt wronged, she really didn't.
Ren Kui dared not speak at this moment, because every word Zhan Yi said was the truth. Speaking now would only make things worse.
After He Nian and his group made a fuss for a while, and the noise gradually subsided, he asked with a stern face, "Are you all done?"
After all, he was a famous director, and his presence was undeniable. The actors dared not be the first to speak again, and they sat down one after another.
Zhan Yi, however, was still stubborn and maintained her strong attitude, "We are done. Director He, please give us a reasonable explanation."
He Nian asked expressionlessly, "Who is Ren Kui?"
Being called out by name, Ren Kui felt as if she had been caught daydreaming by the teacher and asked to answer a question. Her heart suddenly tightened, and she raised her hand and stood up, "I am. Director, Producer, hello everyone."
He Nian's tone was stiff and commanding, "Give everyone a reasonable explanation."
"Ah?" Director, you're really something.
Ren Kui looked innocent, "I don't know where these words are coming from. I'm just here to audition. How could someone spread such rumors and cause everyone to panic?"
That's right. Director He's reputation in the industry was well-known. Even if he had pre-determined the female lead, he would have announced it directly to the public. How could he possibly stage such a scene? It was unnecessary and would damage his reputation.
After realizing this, the actresses all looked at Zhan Yi. They had been too hasty just now, and Zhan Yi's few words had led them astray. They must not leave a bad impression on the director and producer. Those who had caused trouble regretted it immensely.
Zhan Yi also felt the accusing glances from all around. She forced herself to remain calm and said, "Where there's smoke, there's fire. I ask you, did Nine recommend you?"
Ren Kui looked as if it were a matter of course, "She is my boss, of course, she would recommend me to audition. Wouldn't your company recommend outsiders instead of you?"
Zhan Yi was slightly startled, her eyes flickered backward, and she cursed inwardly, "Damn it, I've been tricked by two little bitches."
However, the situation had already come to this. She decided to go all the way. She continued to ask, "Then, did you invest?"
Ren Kui became increasingly speechless, "There are many people who invest. My parents are businessmen. Just because I'm here to audition, do they have to avoid suspicion? Why?"
"You..." Fine, keep quibbling. Zhan Yi asked again, "Did you boast everywhere that the female lead was definitely you?"
Ren Kui scanned the room and asked, "Who among you knows me? Who has heard me boast?"
No one answered.
Ren Kui chuckled, "Is this what you call boasting? Why do I think it's you who is boasting for me? Although I'm very grateful that you think so highly of me, we shouldn't speak too confidently. We should leave ourselves a way out."
Zhan Yi's stomach ached with anger. Damn it, in this situation, shouldn't someone give her a way out? Why did every word have to be so barbed?
Zhan Yi hated Ren Kui for making her unable to back down, and she also resented the two little bitches behind her. If it weren't for those two gossips, how could she be in such a predicament now?
But if she sat down like this, not only would she lose face, but she would also become the troublemaker. Looking at He Nian's expression, even if she was good, she probably wouldn't get another chance.
The only chance was to put herself in a desperate situation and then find a way to survive.
Zhan Yi made up her mind, and decided to fight to the end.
She snorted and said, "So, my words are not wrong. The problem is, how can you prove that you are only bringing investment and will not join the crew?"
Ren Kui laughed at her, her voice not quiet, "Big sister, are you alright? Am I doing charity? Am I only responsible for paying the money, and also have to avoid suspicion to prevent you from overthinking? You're not even ashamed, how can you say such shameless things?"
"You..." Zhan Yi's face turned red with anger, "Relying on your family's investment, you're so arrogant. Do you have any respect for the seniors present?"
Ren Kui extended her hand, "Alright, you stop talking, and don't start a fight here, treating others like fools." After speaking, she couldn't be bothered to argue anymore, sat down, and turned her back to Zhan Yi.
Zhan Yi had some fame in the industry. Since becoming famous, she had never been humiliated before, let alone by a newcomer like that. At this moment, it was no longer a predicament, but she had to make that bitch look bad.
"You are sharp-tongued, I am cultivated and will not argue with you. But if you dare, you can compete with me in acting. If you are not as good as me, you will withdraw automatically. How about it, this is very fair. You are not pre-determined, so you have no worries, right?" She looked provocatively at the back of Ren Kui's head.
Ren Kui chuckled, her voice not quiet, "Your face is bigger than the director and producer's? You're arranging everyone so clearly. What, do you have the decision-making power?"
Liu Teng couldn't watch any longer, and poked He Nian with a dark expression, "Aren't you going to manage this, letting them make a scene?"
He Nian was only missing a bag of melon seeds, and looked like he was enjoying the show, "The plot comes from life. Isn't this exciting catfight more interesting than a TV series?"
Liu Teng shook his head speechlessly, displeased, "What's all this commotion? If you don't want to audition, leave. Don't waste everyone's time."
Zhan Yi knew that if she didn't persist, she would really have no chance. So she provoked further, "To show fairness, if you win, I will voluntarily go underwater for a year. How about it? I'm not deliberately making things difficult, I just want fairness."
He Nian looked very interested, picked up the microphone, and announced, "I declare that this competition is established."
??? Director, are you alright? Ren Kui looked up at He Nian's double chin.