Three years later.
Ji Lanruo was invited to participate in a live variety show.
On the show, the host, with a smile, asked her, "Ruoruo, in the years since your debut, is there anything you'd like to say to your fans who have supported you?"
Ji Lanruo tilted her head. "Yes, I want to say, thank you for your hard work supporting me all these years."
She couldn't be considered a naturally talented actress.
In the first year of her debut, netizens found it novel that she was involved in producing dramas with her own investments.
Later, after the TV series aired, netizens all called her a "vase" actress.
Meaning, she was good-looking but useless otherwise.
But Ji Lanruo never cared what others said. She used her own money to make her own dramas, and she didn't obstruct anyone's path.
As a result, three years later, she had accumulated a group of fans who appreciated her looks.
Although being her fan was tough, often facing backlash on Weibo, Ji Lanruo felt even more motivated.
The host continued, "Well, as everyone knows, Ruoruo, you personally select the male lead for every drama you've filmed, which shows you have very high standards for them. Is there any male actor in the industry that you would be willing to partner with without hesitation?"
Ji Lanruo thought for a moment and mentioned a name that almost no one would openly say in front of others: "Song Xingjia."
The host was momentarily stunned, then regained his composure. "Indeed, Actor Song's acting skills are impeccable... Let's talk about this drama. We heard there were many interesting anecdotes during filming..."
The live broadcast of the show ended, and Ji Lanruo walked out of the television station.
Her assistant immediately followed, pulling out her phone with a worried expression. "Sister Ruoruo, look at these comments online, they've exploded again. They're all saying you're riding Actor Song's coattails."
Ji Lanruo glanced at it casually.
#Ji Lanruo's Dream Partner is Actor Song# was trending at the top of the hot search.
Sky is Azure Blue: [Is this interesting? A vase daring to cling to our actor? Try improving your acting first!]
Iced Begonia Fruit: [Can you stop buying trending topics! It's an eyesore!]
Toast: [Why does everyone in the industry want to piggyback on Song Xingjia's fame? Disgusting! I get annoyed seeing Ji Lanruo. Resource-dependent people, get out of the entertainment industry!]
Among them were also weak rebuttals from Ji Lanruo's fans.
Such as, "Ruoruo is just expressing respect for a senior, she didn't say anything wrong," or "She's a rich young lady, why can't you let her use her resources."
However, these defenses seemed particularly weak.
Ji Lanruo twitched her lips. She hadn't bought the trending topic.
Did she need to?
It was clear the production team bought it to generate buzz, using her as a gimmick.
As she walked out, she casually said, "No need to pay attention."
There was no point in arguing, it was better to focus on herself.
"Okay," the assistant put away her phone. "As long as you're not affected, Sister."
Ji Lanruo bent down and got into the van, then tilted her head to remove her heavy earrings. "Is there any news from the 'Jade Night's Slumber' production team?"
'Jade Night's Slumber' was an original script created by the renowned director Ye Zisu.
News had been released to the industry in advance that the casting for this project would be fair, just, and open, with actors selected based on comprehensive evaluations, free from personal interests.
The assistant replied dutifully, "Director Ye has announced that public auditions for the lead roles will be held next week in Hengdian."
Ji Lanruo mused, "Then let's go to Hengdian in advance and stay there. We'll leave tomorrow. Oh, and remember to print out the script excerpts he gave me."
The assistant stammered, "Sister Ruoruo, are you... are you really going to participate in the lead actress competition?"
It wasn't that she looked down on her boss.
But Director Ye's dramas carried significant weight, and with a fair selection process, actors from all over the industry would be scrambling for a chance.
Ji Lanruo, with her lack of acting skills and fan base, was hardly competitive in such a situation.
Ji Lanruo wasn't angry. She knew her assistant's concerns, but she genuinely wanted to give it a try.
"It's fine, just print it out for me."
Seeing her resolve, the assistant quickly took out the script she had prepared from her bag. "Here you go, Sister."
She took the script and flipped through a couple of pages. Initially, she only had about five percent interest, but after reading it, Ji Lanruo suddenly became intensely interested in the female lead role.
'Jade Night's Slumber' was a fictional original script.
The female lead, Jiang Yuer, was the most beautiful woman in the world. Her exquisite beauty was rumored to bring the world to whoever possessed it.
However, her beauty became both a weapon and a curse.
Such a countenance soon drew the suspicion of the current Empress. Before long, due to the incompetence of Jiang Yuer's father, the Emperor issued an edict to exterminate her entire clan.
Jiang Yuer managed to escape by sheer luck.
With a turn of fate, her beloved parents and sister all met a brutal end, their bodies left unburied. This was incredibly cruel to a girl who had just come of age.
Unwilling to accept her fate, Jiang Yuer fled to a neighboring country and met the Regent there. Under his protection, Jiang Yuer grew even more beautiful.
In the end, single-handedly, she stirred up political turmoil across four kingdoms.
After a brief read of the script, Ji Lanruo stretched, "I like this female lead."
Moreover, Jiang Yuer was beautiful, and Ji Lanruo was confident that this role was tailor-made for her.
That evening, back at her villa, Ji Lanruo put on a facial mask and lay in bed, dialing Jiang Mian's number.
"Mianmian, what's Director Ye Zisu like? Do you know him well?"
Jiang Mian was making coffee when she heard the question. Her eyebrows arched, and she immediately guessed her thoughts. "You want to participate in the lead actress competition for 'Jade Night's Slumber'?"
Ji Lanruo rolled around on the bed. "Yes, do you think I have a chance?"
"You have a chance," Jiang Mian nodded. From an appearance standpoint, she felt Ji Lanruo was a very suitable candidate for the female lead.
Ji Lanruo smiled, "Mianmian, it's so good to have you."
Whether it was genuine hope or just comfort, Ji Lanruo felt deeply touched.
Jiang Mian chuckled lightly, "Director Ye is a man of integrity. He dislikes those who use connections. He's personally invested in this drama, so he strongly opposes any backdoor dealings. He has very high standards for actors and likes those who are perceptive."
Ji Lanruo scoffed. "Then do I still have a chance?"
She wasn't exactly the perceptive type.
All the dramas she had invested in so far had failed to break even.
She sat up in bed, her tone serious. "Mianmian, do you have any quick tips for improving acting skills? Teach me."
"This..." Jiang Mian sighed helplessly. "Empathy. Haven't you noticed yourself? In the dramas you've filmed, you yourself find it difficult to get into character. How can you expect the audience to feel the character's joys and sorrows with you? First, you have to understand her, then you can empathize with her, and finally, you can portray her."
"Understand her, empathize with her..." Ji Lanruo murmured to herself. "I'll try my best."
"Yes, think about it carefully, especially the character of Jiang Yuer, her growth and change."
Jiang Mian chatted with her for a few more minutes before Ji Zhixiu called her from the side. "I have to go, I'll ask you later if I have any more questions."
Ji Lanruo nodded. "You go ahead."
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Mian walked over and leaned down to kiss Ji Zhixiu on the cheek. "What do you want me for?"
Ji Zhixiu chuckled softly. "Teacher Hengbao sent a video from school..."