Married in a Daze - Chapter 47

Chapter 47

After leaving Director Yu's house, Qin Zhenzhen breathed a sigh of relief, waiting for the notification for the final round of auditions. Meng Xin patted her shoulder: "Relax, your performance just now was very good. This final round of auditions won't happen later than this week. I'll clear your schedule."

After all, filming was set to start in early November, and there weren't many days left.

Qin Zhenzhen: "Okay."

Although she agreed, her brows remained furrowed. Meng Xin knew what she was worried about. This wasn't just a career transition; it was a crucial hurdle in her life. If she successfully overcame it, she would welcome a new chapter in her life.

If she failed, it would mean more waiting, or perhaps being left behind by time.

Meng Xin sighed: "I'll go back and find out who the other person is later."

Qin Zhenzhen didn't speak, just nodded.

The two got in the car, and Xiao Wu drove them back to the apartment. Before they reached it, Meng Xin's expression changed as she looked at her tablet, shifting from surprise to something unpleasant. Qin Zhenzhen, puzzled by her changing expression, leaned over to look. Her own expression turned complicated.

There was no need to investigate who was the first to enter that room anymore.

The paparazzi had already broken the news.

After Director Yu released the news about the auditions, people had been staking out his apartment building. For over half a month, they had finally dug up a major scoop.

'Award-Winning Actress Tang Ya Poised to Work with Director Yu Again? Power Couple Joins Forces to Reach New Heights?'

The large headline paired with a photo of Tang Ya in disguise was hard to miss.

Qin Zhenzhen scrolled down a couple of lines. She was no stranger to Tang Ya. Just last year, she had won the Best Actress award domestically, becoming a legendary three-time consecutive champion. That film had also successfully been nominated at the end of the year for one of the four major film festivals, the Shengshi International Film Festival, for Best Actress.

Although she ultimately didn't win the award, just being nominated had already put her leagues ahead of other actresses. Moreover, with her three consecutive championships and numerous awards both domestic and international, she could be considered a legendary figure in the film industry. And now, Qin Zhenzhen was about to face such a legendary figure.

What made Qin Zhenzhen's expression turn grim wasn't that illustrious resume, but Tang Ya's relationship with Yu Changlin.

Tang Ya's first film was a collaboration with Yu Changlin.

That very film was the critically acclaimed art-house classic.

Seeing her troubled expression, Meng Xin comforted her: "Tang Ya and Director Yu have an unusual relationship. Maybe she wasn't there for an audition, just visiting an old friend. Don't overthink it. Focus on studying the script."

Qin Zhenzhen looked momentarily dazed. Meng Xin placed a hand on her shoulder: "Zhenzhen, pull yourself together. You haven't even started yet. How can you face this with that kind of mindset?"

"Even if it is Tang Ya, we still have to fight for it."

Listening to Meng Xin's words, Qin Zhenzhen gripped the script in her hands, her expression gradually calming. "Okay."

After dropping Qin Zhenzhen off, Meng Xin sat in the car. In truth, she knew that Tang Ya, being so busy, wouldn't travel lightly. Unless it was for Yu Changlin's new film, there was no need for her to visit his home during such a sensitive time.

In all likelihood, nine times out of ten, Zhenzhen's opponent was her.

Feeling rather irritated, she pulled a cigarette from her pocket, lit it, then immediately stubbed it out. Looking up at Xiao Wu, she said, "Let's go."

Xiao Wu acknowledged, and the car sped away.

Qin Zhenzhen stood at the floor-to-ceiling window upstairs, looking down, lost in thought. After a long while, she finally returned to the living room, picked up the script, and began studying it.

For an entire week, Qin Zhenzhen stayed at home, not stepping out even half a step. Ji Lu brought food and drink every day. Meng Xin also contacted her a few times, explicitly telling her that this time, her opponent was Tang Ya.

Actually, this news had been gradually speculated by people on Weibo. Many were eagerly anticipating Director Yu's announcement of collaborating with Tang Ya again.

One was a superstar, the other a veteran director. A powerhouse collaboration to create another legend wasn't strange at all. They were even speculating about what Director Yu's film this time was about.

After all, information about the script online was scarce. Only a few fragments could be scraped together, completely insufficient for guessing what kind of film this would be.

But that didn't stop them from looking forward to Tang Ya and Yu Changlin's collaboration.

They even called this collaboration a match made in heaven.

The momentum was so great it had already overshadowed the previous buzz about Zheng Shaoyuan and Wei An.

Qin Zhenzhen had long been prepared, so hearing Meng Xin say this didn't surprise her at all, nor did it make her nervous.

No matter who it was, this was a battle she only wanted to win.

A week later, the final audition began. This time, the location was at the investor's company. Not only was Director Yu present, but also the investor's boss and the screenwriter. When Qin Zhenzhen arrived, staff were setting up the stage. Today's audition wasn't just to select the female lead, but also other roles. Today was the day for the final decision.

Yu Changlin walked with several men in sharp suits to a long table in front of the stage and sat down. The person beside Yu Changlin was the investor's boss for this project, named Sun Qian.

After sitting down, he looked at the list Yu Changlin handed him and frowned. "Old Yu, not to criticize, but the disparity between your two final candidates for the female lead is too great."

"Is there even a need for an audition?"

Whether in terms of box office or personal influence, Tang Ya completely crushed Qin Zhenzhen. In front of her, Qin Zhenzhen was like a budding flower that hadn't yet borne fruit.

With such a disparity in capability, wasn't this just a joke?

Yu Changlin stared at the list, fingers tapping on the wooden table. He turned to look at Sun Qian. "You're not wrong. But Qin Zhenzhen has very strong potential."

His words were fair, not favoring anyone. Tang Ya indeed, whether in terms of skill, box office, or personal influence, was currently at the pinnacle. One could say that for the next two years, no one could surpass her.

But such achievements had shaped her aloof demeanor, her unwillingness to step down from her pedestal. He had watched all the films and TV dramas of both Tang Ya and Qin Zhenzhen from the past year. In terms of character portrayal, Tang Ya's roles were very similar—always the haughty queen type.

Her last award-winning film was essentially her playing herself. In the industry, she was already a legend, which had also inflated her ego. Admittedly, her talent matched her ego.

But for an actor, this was fatal.

The audience didn't want to see the same type of character over and over.

As for Qin Zhenzhen, last year she only had one failed film and one upcoming TV drama. Yu Changlin had pondered over the past few days; this girl had remarkable potential. That's why he was willing to extend a hand and give her a chance to try.

The final round of auditions was scheduled for ten o'clock. Qin Zhenzhen had already changed clothes and was halfway through her makeup when she heard voices behind her. A slightly shrill voice said, "Slow down, slow down, all of you be careful! Hey, Tang Ya..."

Qin Zhenzhen turned to look and saw a woman standing at the door. She was carrying a limited-edition IH bag, wearing a fitted dress that accentuated her curvaceous figure, with a fur collar draped over her shoulders. Her makeup was exquisite, looking as if she had just stepped off a runway show.

Her assistant behind her had a sharp, shrill voice and held his hand with a delicate flourish: "Tangtang, go sit over there first. I'll have them bring the clothes over."

Tang Ya cast a haughty glance around the room, her gaze condescending. Her eyes swept over everyone, finally landing on Qin Zhenzhen. Qin Zhenzhen slightly lowered her head in greeting. Tang Ya turned and went to another makeup station.

The person sitting next to Qin Zhenzhen whispered, "That's Tang Ya, right?"

"Such an air about her."

"Of course. If you reached her level, you could have an air too. That's called having the capability."

Qin Zhenzhen lowered her eyes, listening to the hushed discussions, letting the makeup artist dab at her face. Soon, her assistant came over with clothes in hand and stood behind Tang Ya. "Tangtang, let's go change."

Tang Ya looked at the clothes in his hand: "What's this?"

The assistant stiffened: "It's for the audition later. Don't worry, I had an IH designer custom-make this. It's different from other stuff."

His sharp voice drifted into Qin Zhenzhen's ears. She acted as if she hadn't heard, still letting the makeup artist apply her makeup. It was only after the two went to change that Ji Lu muttered quietly, "That's just too arrogant."

"Zhenzhen, did you hear what he said?"

Before Qin Zhenzhen could speak, the woman doing her makeup chuckled. "Young lady, you're too naive. This is their usual tactic."

Ji Lu pouted and looked at Qin Zhenzhen.

Qin Zhenzhen continued sitting calmly on the stool, getting her makeup done, occasionally instructing, "Please cover this up here."

The makeup artist smiled. "Miss Qin, your skin is very fair. This foundation will actually make it look darker."

Qin Zhenzhen looked up, her eyes smiling. "That's exactly what I want."

The makeup artist was taken aback for a moment, then nodded with a smile and quickly touched up Qin Zhenzhen's makeup.

By the time Tang Ya emerged from the changing room, Qin Zhenzhen's makeup was almost done. Tang Ya sat in front of the mirror, her wine-red wavy hair cascading down her back. She closed her eyes, letting the makeup artist begin.

Her assistant chattered beside her: "Hurry up, all of you. Tang Ya goes on first. We have a flight to catch in half an hour."

Someone asked quietly, "Won't Miss Tang wait for the results?"

Her assistant looked at Qin Zhenzhen with a condescending air, snorting disdainfully. "Wait for what? Is Director Yu really not going to choose our Tang Ya and instead pick some unknown nobody? Who knows what he's thinking, having Tang Ya come audition with her."

"This is just lowering the standard."

"Someone's going to have something to brag about later—competing with our Tangtang for a role. Not everyone gets that opportunity."

His mean-spirited tone made everyone twitch their mouths slightly, but no one responded. Tang Ya glanced at him in the mirror and said, "Alright, you go out first."

"But you..."

Tang Ya turned her head. "I'm fine."

He snorted, swayed his hips, and walked out the door. As soon as the door closed, Tang Ya turned to look at Qin Zhenzhen, a gentle smile on her face. "I'm sorry. He's just like that, speaks without thinking. He's used to being blunt."

Qin Zhenzhen smiled back. "It's fine."

'Blunt'.

Calling a power move something so innocuous, how very 'blunt'.

Hearing her response, Tang Ya tilted her head slightly to look at her. The two exchanged smiles. Half an hour later, they both stood up. Tang Ya stepped out of the makeup room first.

Qin Zhenzhen followed behind her.

She wore the costume provided by the crew—a very worn-out outfit. The pants were washed white, with even two holes near the calves. The shirt also had stains. In contrast, Tang Ya looked much brighter.

But this film.

Didn't need brightness.

A faint smile touched Qin Zhenzhen's lips. She brushed back the hair she had straightened a few days ago—jet black. Her natural hair was on the softer side, long but usually well-maintained, without split ends. For the past few days, to create a dry, split-end look at the tips, she had even used a straightening iron to damage her hair's natural quality.

Unfortunately, the effect wasn't very obvious.

On the stage, Director Yu called out, "Let's begin."

Tang Ya quickly got into character. Although Qin Zhenzhen didn't like Tang Ya because of the earlier incident, she had to admit her acting was still excellent. In just that instant of transformation, she shifted from the haughty queen to a young girl fresh from the mountains.

Yes.

The theme of Director Yu's film this time was about a girl coming down from the mountains.

The girl had lived alone in the mountains for eighteen years, unable to speak. She didn't know who she was or where to go. She only knew that when hungry, she could eat leaves, roots, and unknown fruits; when thirsty, she drank from the pond. She usually enjoyed the company of animals. She didn't think there was anything wrong with living this way.

Until one day, she met a politician.

This politician led her out of the deep mountains, began teaching her to read, write, speak, and eat. He taught her many things, while also using her identity as the "Mountain Girl" to gain more for himself.

Public opinion, fame, power, money, status—he gained it all.

Until the final prime ministerial election.

What he didn't expect was, as the saying goes, the same person who brought you success can also bring your downfall. Everything he gained was through using the Mountain Girl, and in the end, it was also because of the Mountain Girl that he lost everything.

At the end of the film, after a journey through the noisy world, the Mountain Girl returns to the mountains.

To be the Mountain Girl once more.

Today's audition scene was the female lead's first step into the noisy world. Tang Ya's eyes showed confusion, her expression tinged with fear. She shivered, huddled in a corner against a wall, arms wrapped around herself.

"Ah... ah... ah..."

Fragmented sounds escaped her mouth. Watching this scene, Qin Zhenzhen was suddenly reminded of when she and Lu Ruyun were filming Star Showdown. She had worn the same expression, struck the same pose.

For a moment, she was lost in thought. Ji Lu beside her nudged her. "Zhenzhen, it's your turn."

"Zhenzhen?"

Qin Zhenzhen turned her head, seeing the concern in Ji Lu's eyes. She quickly composed herself. "Okay."

She took a deep breath, made eye contact with Tang Ya who was walking towards her. The two nodded and smiled, the atmosphere seemingly pleasant.

Not far away, Sun Qian, who had been lowering his head to score, held his pen and said, "Was there any issue with Tang Ya's performance just now?"

At his question, the screenwriter and the others shook their heads. "No issues."

In terms of acting skill alone, it was certainly commendable.

Sun Qian, thinking this, was about to check the name on his list when Yu Changlin said gravely, "Let's watch the other one before deciding."

His expression subtly hinted at displeasure.

In fact, he had been quite unhappy from the moment he first saw Tang Ya today. Wine-red long hair, IH clothes—this was not how a girl who had just emerged from the deep mountains should look.

She looked more polished than girls from big cities.

This had soured his mood somewhat.

The others exchanged glances at his words. Finally, Sun Qian spoke up, "Old Yu, I think you're wasting time."

Yu Changlin turned to look at him. "I think watching her performance through is the most basic respect for an actor."

Sun Qian raised his hands. "OK, OK!"

"Let's begin."

He adopted a casual attitude, looking at the center of the stage. Qin Zhenzhen's jet-black hair cascaded down her back, her clothes tattered and worn, even with yellowish stain-like marks on her chest.

Yu Changlin's expression softened slightly. "Begin."

As soon as he spoke, everyone's attention fixed on the stage. Sun Qian, in a relaxed posture, one hand on his chest, the other supporting his chin, looked at Qin Zhenzhen on the stage. The person who had been facing away from them turned around and slowly looked up. Though her hair was disheveled, it couldn't hide those eyes.

Sun Qian stared blankly ahead, as if his entire being had been sucked into those bright eyes. He racked his brains for a descriptor.

Ethereal!

Yes, ethereal!

Those clear, bright eyes, holding a gaze so pure it held no other emotion, instantly captured everyone's hearts the moment they met hers. At that moment, he felt as if he himself had become that politician, facing such a girl who had just come down from the mountains.

The girl was curious, innocent, ignorant, yet with a hint of fear. But that fear gave way to wide-eyed astonishment upon touching some novel little gadgets, as if she had seen something extraordinary.

It made one unconsciously smile at her small actions. Such an expression, such a look, such a purely ethereal gaze free of any adulteration, tightly held the attention of everyone present.

Their eyes followed Qin Zhenzhen's every move, the amusement in their gazes undeniable. The atmosphere was quiet, warm.

Qin Zhenzhen's portrayal was completely different from Tang Ya's.

Tang Ya began her performance from the angle of a young girl's fear upon first encountering the world. Qin Zhenzhen did the opposite, interpreting the character from another perspective.

As everyone knew, what first moved the politician was the Mountain Girl's eyes. The beginning was a period of warmth. It was only later that the politician, blinded by greed, eventually cast dust over those bright, lively eyes.

What Qin Zhenzhen was performing was precisely that period of warmth.

Ji Lu's gaze was also firmly locked on Qin Zhenzhen. Her phone buzzed with vibration. She hurriedly looked down and, seeing the name on the screen, hesitated for a moment before answering. "Hello?"

He Shuangshuang's voice on the other end sounded urgent. "Is Qin Zhenzhen there?"

Ji Lu glanced at the person on the stage. "Zhenzhen isn't available right now."

He Shuangshuang paused. "Can you ask her to come to the hospital when she has time, OK?"

It was the first time she had spoken to her in such a pleading tone. Ji Lu, unaccustomed to it, held the phone screen in front of her eyes, confirmed it was indeed He Shuangshuang's name, and pressed her lips together. "What's wrong?"

He Shuangshuang let out a long sigh. "Ruyun is in the hospital."

Get instant access to all chapters now.

Previous Table of Contents Next