In the back seat, Jiang Mian watched the entire scene, her face filled with surprise. "What is she doing here?"
Sister Ning followed her gaze. "You know her? The artist Luo Fei just signed is her. Luo Fei arranged for her to be on a variety show, and after it aired, she went viral for being gentle, considerate, and emotionally intelligent. Don't tell me you didn't watch it."
Jiang Mian guiltily shook her head. "I've been busy reading scripts and catching up on Emperor Song's new drama. I haven't paid attention to that."
Sister Ning was speechless.
Jiang Mian frowned. It was Shen Tingyu. It made sense; Lu Cong had mentioned she was studying abroad, majoring in acting.
Sister Ning opened her phone and showed it to her. "Take a look yourself."
The video was a compilation from a marketing account, but it was clear that Shen Tingyu, as a regular guest on the variety show, had appropriately handled everyone's emotions.
Outsiders might not understand, but those in the industry could tell that these moments were scripted.
"The result of capital operation," Jiang Mian said indifferently.
"Regardless of whether it's true or not, this Shen Tingyu has become quite popular. This variety show has several more episodes to film. I heard Liang Qiao lost a lot of face in front of her."
Jiang Mian's gaze shifted to Liang Qiao in the car opposite. The car window was half-rolled down, revealing her beautiful face.
Sister Ning looked at Jiang Mian's attire for the day, her brow furrowed. "I told you to dress nicely today, why are you wearing this?"
Jiang Mian was dressed with extreme simplicity. Her face was unadorned by makeup, relying solely on her good features. Her clear, watery eyes and rounded nose added a touch of delicacy, making her look almost bare-faced.
Jiang Mian curved her lips. She had her own ideas about the character Chen Wenya in "Class Three High School."
"Because I think Director Wang probably dislikes people who come to audition for this role looking overly made-up."
Jiang Mian had met Shen Tingyu three times, and each time she had worn a dress. Today, however, she was wearing a warm down jacket, indicating she also understood Director Wang's preference. Yet, she hadn't reminded Liang Qiao.
Jiang Mian clicked her tongue and decided to wait and see.
Before long, Shen Tingyu went in for her audition first.
Liang Qiao stared at her retreating figure. "How did she get in before me? Did Luo Fei help her?"
Her agent comforted her. "Don't overthink it, Qiao Qiao. The order was decided randomly. President Luo wouldn't resort to such petty tactics. It's not useful."
The cast list was confidential. If Shen Tingyu hadn't appeared today, Liang Qiao wouldn't have known she was also participating in this audition.
Shen Tingyu came out quickly, a faint smile on her face. It was impossible to tell how the audition went.
She greeted the entertainment reporters generously and then left, surrounded by bodyguards.
The assistant at the door, holding the registration list, called out the next name.
Jiang Mian looked at herself in the mirror, finding nothing amiss.
She opened the car door, a gentle smile on her face. "I'm going in, Sister Ning."
Sister Ning was taken aback. The feeling Jiang Mian gave her at that moment was very much like Chen Wenya from the script.
Jiang Mian was led inside by the assistant.
Director Wang's house was large, but Jiang Mian didn't look around; she only focused on her feet.
The assistant led her to the drawing-room. "It's right here."
There were five or six people on the sofa. Jiang Mian guessed they were likely from Director Wang's production company.
Director Wang looked amiable. He stood up and gestured to the seat opposite, indicating, "Please, sit first."
...
When Jiang Mian came out, almost no one interviewed her.
There was only one entertainment reporter, with a round, delicate face. He stared at Jiang Mian, as if trying to recall a memory, and then suddenly exclaimed, "Are you Ning Yao?"
When Jiang Mian was eighteen, she had filmed a historical drama. In it, she played a princess who dared to love and hate, named Ning Yao. She was beloved by many.
Jiang Mian nodded, surprised that someone still remembered her after so long. "Yes. Thank you for remembering me."
The reporter quickly waved his hands. "You're welcome, you're welcome. I really liked your portrayal of that princess."
His eyes were expectant. "I didn't expect you to audition for Director Wang's drama too. Good luck!"
Jiang Mian's eyes curved into crescent moons. She glanced at the logo on his chest: Jianbing Entertainment.
"Thank you. I will do my best. My name is Jiang Mian. I hope we'll have the chance to meet again."
She returned to the car. Sister Ning asked, "How was it?"
Jiang Mian pondered. "Director Wang only asked me a few questions."
Director Wang's audition was unexpectedly simple, asking only the most ordinary questions.
Sister Ning handed her a bottle of water. "Don't think about it too much. The audition is over anyway. Now we just wait for the news."
The next day, Jiang Mian found herself trending on social media.
It turned out that during yesterday's audition, the tense exchange between Liang Qiao and Shen Tingyu had also captured her on camera.
#DirectorWangNewDrama#
#LiangQiaoAndShenTingyuAuditionTogether#
#ClassThreeHighSchool#
Many netizens commented.
【01258】: Can someone tell me who the woman in the white dress is? She's so beautiful.
【MochiBoboCrisp】: If you have to ask, then you're not from our generation. She's Princess Ning Yao, and also Qin Xing, the ruthless and taciturn one.
【PeekingAtTheMoon】: Oh my god, after all these years, I finally see Sister auditioning again!
【KissGoodbye】: Liang Qiao is really beautiful!! I'm so annoyed with Shen Tingyu, can she stop buying trending topics?
【LiangQiao'sLittleSpinach】: Shen Tingyu, a newcomer, how dare she?
Jiang Mian's fans were ecstatic. They had been waiting for Jiang Mian's comeback.
They never expected it to come so soon.
Her fans enthusiastically boosted her popularity, determined to get Jiang Mian trending.
Soon, a trending topic called #JiangMian'sClassicRolesThroughTheYears# appeared on the trending list.
When Sister Ning saw it, she called Jiang Mian, her voice tinged with a hint of regret. "I hadn't even managed to get you trending yet, and your fans already did it."
Jiang Mian was also surprised, but more than that, she was happy. The joy of being cared for.
"By the way, the trending video is a compilation of roles you've played since your debut, edited by an entertainment account," Sister Ning said.
...
Luo's Building.
32nd Floor.
Liang Qiao looked at the woman opposite her, a flicker of disgust in her eyes. "Shen Tingyu, what exactly do you want to tell me?"
She had come up to see Luo Fei, but Shen Tingyu had stopped her, saying she had something important to discuss.
Shen Tingyu took in her expression without paying it any mind and smiled. "Sister Qiao, we're from the same company. We see each other every day, so why do you have to give me such a cold shoulder? Sister Qiao is a senior in the industry, and I've always respected you."
Liang Qiao pulled out a chair and sat down. "If you respected me, you'd know not to steal my things."
"It's not that I want to steal Sister Qiao's things now, it's that someone else wants to."
Liang Qiao frowned. "Someone else?"
"Has Sister Qiao not seen the trending topics these past few days? There's also Jiang Mian, caught between us. She's been on the trending list for two days, riding on Sister Qiao's coattails."
Liang Qiao thought for a long time, unable to recall who Jiang Mian was. Just an eighteen-line celebrity, she wouldn't care.
Liang Qiao sneered. "Shen Tingyu, I don't care about this Jiang Mian or whoever else. If you're smart, you won't compete with me for this role."
Shen Tingyu sighed. "Sister Qiao, I advise you not to underestimate Jiang Mian. Perhaps Director Wang's female lead was originally intended to be you, but Jiang Mian swooped in and took it away."
As long as it caused trouble for Jiang Mian, Shen Tingyu was happy to do it.
Besides, she hadn't expected Jiang Mian to be at the audition that day. Since they would all be working in the same circle in the future, she couldn't be blamed for not being polite.
Liang Qiao raised her delicate fingernails and glanced at Shen Tingyu. "I don't care who it is, as long as it's not you."
"You're not just going against me, you're going against yourself. Sister Qiao, you don't actually believe what those people are saying, do you? Luo Fei and I are innocent."
Shen Tingyu didn't understand why Luo Fei treated her so well, but she knew that if she had the chance, she had to seize it firmly.
Liang Qiao clearly didn't believe her. "If there's nothing between you two, then why were you the guest on that variety show? Do you know, I was originally supposed to be the one?"
"If there's really nothing, then prove it to me. Don't film the remaining episodes, I'll pay your breach of contract fee."
Shen Tingyu was stunned. If she withdrew from the variety show now, how would she gain popularity later? She had only just emerged, how could she give up this opportunity?
She remained silent for a long time.
As Liang Qiao expected, she let out a cold laugh. "See? You're reluctant to give it up? Weren't you just speaking so confidently?"
"Sister Qiao, I can withdraw. As long as you tell President Luo, and he agrees, I'll have no complaints."
Liang Qiao stood up. "Enough, stop talking. I'm most annoyed by women like you who put on an act. You'd better pray that Director Wang's new play has nothing to do with you."
With that, Liang Qiao walked out of the meeting room.
...
Jiang Residence.
Jiang Cheng was not home today.
The pregnant woman had cravings, so Ji Zhilan asked a servant to make a pot of chicken soup. While the chicken soup was simmering on the stove, Ji Zhilan suddenly wanted to eat pork meatballs, so she sent the servant on an errand.
She got up to ladle soup from the kitchen. As soon as she entered, she saw Jiang's mother acting suspiciously, with her back to her.
She frowned and quickly stepped forward. "Mom, what are you doing?"
Startled by her sudden shout, Jiang's mother's wrist trembled, and the ladleful of chicken soup she had just scooped fell back in.
Beside the pot was a bowl of chicken oil. She had specifically asked the servant to skim it off because she couldn't tolerate greasy chicken soup, and now only half of it was left.
Recalling Jiang's mother's usual frugality, Ji Zhilan asked, "Mom, you didn't pour the chicken oil back in again, did you?"
Jiang's mother said in a low voice, "This oil is nutritious. Isn't it a waste not to drink it?"
Ji Zhilan was furious. She hated it when Jiang's mother acted on her own initiative, but she was an elder, so she couldn't say much.
She could only reason, "Mom, this oil is all fat and purines. It's not only useless but also leads to weight gain."
Jiang's mother retorted, "Who says? We didn't have such good conditions when we had children back then. If we had chicken soup, who would be so picky? The soup is concentrated essence. If you don't drink it, how will my grandson get the nutrients?"
"I say, you're just too picky. Since you've married into our Jiang family, you're one of us. How can you still throw tantrums like a spoiled child?"
"Mom, you don't understand at all. Can you compare our situations then and now? Please, can you stop meddling?"
Jiang's mother held her forehead, rolling her eyes upward as if about to faint. "Ah... I'm dizzy... I'm being scolded by my daughter-in-law... I really can't go on living!"