After hanging up the call, Ji Lanruo was still pondering the meaning of Jiang Mian's words.
She removed the face mask, flipped open the script, and resumed reading under the bedside lamp.
The next morning, Ji Lanruo and her assistant arrived at Hengdian, and they settled in.
As the assistant unpacked, she asked, "Sister Ruo, why are we here so early? Director Ye won't start the auditions for another week."
Ji Lanruo stretched as she put down the script, "Opportunities always favor the prepared. Alright, let's go grab something to eat first."
The assistant nodded, her face beaming, "Okay, I'm starving too."
The two went out and walked around Hengdian for a few laps. Ji Lanruo noticed that besides the various film crews, there weren't many individual celebrities around.
She figured everyone else wasn't as idle as she was and would only come on the registration day.
She roughly confirmed the situation for Director Ye's casting day, then returned to the hotel with a bag of snacks.
For the next few days, Ji Lanruo stayed in the hotel, reading scripts. When she got tired, she would wander outside and see if there were any new developments.
Until a week later.
Ji Lanruo received the audition text message. She was scheduled eighteenth.
She woke up early, put on a pseudo-no-makeup look, and then headed to the set with a bag of soy milk and tea eggs.
Compared to other actresses who dressed modestly for auditions, trying to fit their characters, Ji Lanruo appeared much more flamboyant.
Dressed in high-end designer clothing, with an outstanding aura, carrying a few dollars' worth of breakfast did not look out of place.
She sauntered to the set ten minutes early and saw that a line had already formed.
Ji Lanruo found a stool and sat down. Anyway, staff would call out the numbers, so why should she squeeze in with them?
Just as she was about to take a sip of soy milk, a shadow fell over her.
A disdainful voice rang out, "Oh, isn't this Ji Lanruo? What? Is the 'vase' actress trying to audition today too? Haven't you looked in the mirror to see if you're even worthy?"
Ji Lanruo's good mood was ruined by half.
She looked up, squinted, and sized the other person up. She mimicked her tone, "Oh, isn't this the eighteenth-tier actress who faked a fall on the red carpet not long ago? I heard you were eventually kicked out by the organizers."
After saying that, she added a smile that was meant to infuriate.
"You... you you..." Yu Rongrong was so angry her face turned red.
"Me me me, me what? Are you a stutterer?" Ji Lanruo retorted unceremoniously.
She hated people who acted shamelessly in front of others, only to put on a wronged expression when called out. It was sickening.
Ji Lanruo suddenly felt that her breakfast had lost its taste.
Yu Rongrong was rendered speechless by the retort. She snorted coldly, "Don't get cocky. What if you came? You're just here to make up the numbers. I bet you'll be eliminated before the second round!"
Ji Lanruo perfunctorily replied, "Mhmm, you're right. But at least it's better than you making a fool of yourself."
"Me making a fool of myself?" Yu Rongrong scoffed, "Unlike you, I have self-awareness. I'm here to play the heroine's maid, do you understand!"
Ji Lanruo rolled her eyes, "How would I understand the thoughts of someone with a low IQ?"
"You..."
As they were talking, number eighteen was called. Ji Lanruo stood up, "I can't be bothered with you, get lost."
Yu Rongrong was about to curse her when she saw it was number eighteen. She immediately started laughing, "Heh heh. I'd like to see how Director Ye throws you out later!"
"Then you don't need to worry about that," Ji Lanruo pushed her aside and walked back, "Here I come, here I come."
In the temporarily erected room, the director, assistant director, and producer were all gathered around.
Ji Lanruo introduced herself first when she entered.
Director Ye flipped open her resume and asked, "Why do you want to audition for Jiang Yuer this time? You don't have any prior experience with roles like this."
Ji Lanruo told the truth, "Because this script was written by Director Ye, and I think it will be popular."
The producer next to him was struggling to suppress his reaction.
This girl was too honest.
Director Ye was also taken aback. He had never seen anyone so direct.
He quickly regained his composure and asked, "Then have you made any preparations for Jiang Yuer?"
"Yes," Ji Lanruo nodded and took out the character analysis she had brought with her, "This is a character analysis I wrote based on Jiang Yuer's life."
Director Ye took it, glanced over it, and then passed it to the next person.
Ji Lanruo waited, feigning calmness.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous. She had poured so much effort into securing this role.
Ever since she heard about it, she hadn't given up.
Finally, after the round was over, they looked at each other and engaged in quiet discussions.
At last, the producer said, "You passed the first round. Prepare for the next stage of the audition!"
Ji Lanruo was overjoyed and didn't forget to bow to everyone, "Thank you, seniors!"
As she walked out of the studio, Ji Lanruo felt as if the earth beneath her feet was floating.
Oh my god! She actually passed!
The more she thought about it, the happier she became. Ji Lanruo couldn't help but break into a big smile.
Yu Rongrong saw her triumphant smile and couldn't help but say, "What's wrong? Did you get hit by a blow and go crazy? I'd say there's no need to be so sad even if you didn't pass. At worst, you can go back to Hengdian, be an extra, and start learning from scratch, hahaha!"
Ji Lanruo grinned, "Excuse me, but this young lady passed!"
Yu Rongrong's smile froze, her face a mask of disbelief, "What did you say?"
Ji Lanruo tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, smiling charmingly, "I said, I passed. And you don't need to be too sad, after all, you're destined to be a maid."
Yu Rongrong's face turned ashen, "You actually passed the preliminary selection? What did you say to the director to get it?"
Ji Lanruo put her index finger to her lips, "Shh, it's okay for you to talk, but it's not right to talk about Director Ye. If this gets out, you won't be able to stay in this industry tomorrow!"
Yu Rongrong quickly glanced around to make sure no one else was there, then lowered her voice and said fiercely, "So what if you passed the preliminary selection? There's still the second round of auditions! I'd like to see how your terrible acting skills will get you the lead role! If someone like you can get it, then there's no justice in the world."
Ji Lanruo became serious, "What if I get the lead role?"
Yu Rongrong sneered, "I'm putting it out there today. If you get the lead role, I, Yu Rongrong, will willingly serve you diligently on set with no complaints!"
"Alright," Ji Lanruo pressed the button to end the voice recording, "I got it."
Yu Rongrong's eyes widened, "You actually recorded it?"
Ji Lanruo slowly put away her phone, "If you dare to say it, why can't I record it?"
"Fine," Yu Rongrong gritted her teeth, "Just wait until you're embarrassed! If you don't get the role, you'll have to promote me to be the female lead, do you dare?"
Ji Lanruo almost laughed out loud. Was she trying to take advantage of her wealth and good looks?
She nodded, "Deal, I accept the bet."
After making the bet, Ji Lanruo regretted it as soon as she got back to the hotel.
As far as she knew, there were three powerhouse actresses, one film empress, and several popular young actresses competing for Jiang Yuer alone. How could she possibly compete with them?