Chapter 131 - New Sponsor

Silence lingered in the audition Hall. 

Chen Yi rose, neither slow nor fast. She faced the front row of the people who were looking at her with a mixture of expression. Despite her decent distance from the seats, her unwavering confidence was impossible to miss. Her posture was perfect, her smile was beautiful, her eyes were gleaming.

When Chen Yi had started, the assistant Director had been like a warrior on night guard. His eyes fixed on her like a hawk ready to impale her at the first mistake she made.

Unfortunately for him, that moment never arrived.

The first time Chen Yi had diverged from the script, he had almost opened his mouth to interrupt her.

What kind of actress was she? She couldn't even memorize the script in one attempt?

But he was stopped by the Director.

The assistant had been confused. Director Song would never allow such a blatant mistake as reading the script wrong. He knew Director Song well enough to realize that Director Song would never let his prejudice skew his judgment to the point of foregoing blunders.

Unless... it was not a blunder?

Did this girl intentionally alter the words and tone of the script?

To alter the script on the spot...wasn't this young artiste being too confident?

For a moment, he let himself look at Chen Yi without the blanket of the prejudice he had worn previously. 

And there, he had felt it.

Her fluent style...the way she had given the emotionless laughter a sad undertone; it had added an extra depth to the Vampire princess character...

...something even their scriptwriter had overlooked.

"Good Job," Director Song commented. "Ms. Chen Yi, by any chance, have you read the novel 'Dawn of Eternal Bloodlust'?"

Chen Yi was prepared for this question. "Even before the Director Song team had picked out the series, I had been a follower of the author."

"That explains." Director Song wore the expressions of a proud father. He wouldn't have expected less from someone who impressed him at the first sight. 

"Go into the waiting room. The selected candidate would soon be notified." 

Chen Yi gave a respectful bow and left.

Once the stage assistant closed the door after Chen Yi, Song Wei promptly looked at his assistant. "So," He could no longer force his lips into a straight line, a sneaky smile peeked through the corner of his lips. "Does someone has doubts on how she would 'fare' in the shoot?" He stressed the exact word 'fare' his assistant had spoken.

"Alright, Director Song. This humble being can't bear the weight of having antagonized your wise words. Accept my submission." The assistant director was not being dramatic. He knew Director Song won't spare him until he heard these words from him.

Director Song laughed off his assistant words, asserting he was just joking. And there was no actual need for the assistant to perform the 'defeated' bow to him...

But Directed Song couldn't hide the subtle traces of satisfaction as he 'reluctantly' accepted the assistant's gesture.

He looked at the Producer to his right with a look that begged praise at his 'wonderful found'. "Producer Wang, I hope I didn't get your time wasted."

"What you wanna hear? Fine, I admit, I am impressed. But still, I can't really manage to decide. We are in dire need of some sponsors. This girl, she has decent looks, she has the vibe we are looking for in our character." Producer Wang sighed. Experiencing their Director's mood darkening, Producer Wang immediately said. "Well, there is still a lot of time till production. We have a decent chance of attracting the investors if we show them we have a talented cast."

"Producer Wang! Producer Wang!" Someone entered the Hall waving a phone in his hands, rapid steps echoes disrupted the peaceful environment.

"What is it Yuan Qingeng? This young lad would never let me have a breather." Producer Wang grumbled. "I told you I will be judging the cast with the Director Song team and not interrupt me."

This young assistant he had only hired recently. He was inexperienced, getting excited at little things. 

But he was also brisk and enthusiastic about his job, the reason Producer Wang had kept him in the first place. It felt nice to keep a high spirit person around.

"There is something important," The assistant fumbled with the Producer's phone, attempting to bring out a certain message. "You need to—"

"Oh, it has to be something related to that actress for you to be this excited, the same I caught you stealing pics of." Producer Wang's eyes revealed a devilish glint as he ruthlessly exposed the lad in front of everyone prompting him to blush.

The assistant gave a sheepish smile. Crouching down his head, attempting to hide from the comical looks he received. "Ahm, It's someone interested in sponsoring one of our scheduled movies."

"Oh, which one?" A glimmer of hope arose in Producer Wang's heart. 

He immediately suppressed it, not letting it dominate his emotions. 

How many times he had wished someone would take notice of 'Dawn of Eternal Bloodlust', rising its budget and bringing it to the limelight? But that stupid assistant of his would always be bringing bad news where even the previous sponsors pulled out their money. 

"It's... 'Dawn of Eternal Bloodlust'"

The Producer and the Director exchanged looks, the same thought crossing their minds.

...

Outside, at an extravagant hotel.

"Ying'er, this is your favorite place. Cheer up a little for me, okay? Listen to me, no matter what, I will always stand by your side. You should know that Grandfather still supports me. It doesn't matter if Mother opposes you." He spoke softly, rubbing the back of her hands with great affection.

"I am not upset." Chen Ying let out a weak smile. "Brother Fu stood up for me in front of Mother. What more can I ask for?" 

"Ying'er don't say it like this..."

"I just feel guilty for being the reason for discord between Brother Fu and his mother." Chen Ying put down her head, revealing her 'guilt'

The front may be flawless. But her insides were burning in scorching flames of resentment.... for she knew whose words had urged Xu Yuyan to suspect her in the first place.