Chapter 133 - A Strange Rumour

They surprised everyone. Because Chen Yi's words alluded to an odd possibility, a possibility that she had some chances at clinching the role.

"Did I hear properly, she is not joking, right?" Someone asked casting a mock look towards the corner. The corner Chen Yi had initially claimed as her silent sanctuary, but Zhao Hua had now soiled the air.

Someone laughed. 

'Let the time decide...'

'Was this woman sane?'

'Was there still anything left for time to decide?'

'All the auditionees had already yielded the position to Zhao Hua. Some of them had even approached her, offering congratulations, and looking up to see her in action.'

"Weren't we all once the same in the beginning?" A girl took it upon herself to speak. "It's likely her first-time auditioning. A dozen of rejection and that will get her head straight." She said, her cynical tone flavoring her words with a bitter taste.

"What a shame. She has such a noble, civilized mannerism at first, had me believing for once she had some..., whatever, she is just a beginner in the end."

A beginner, a novice looking for a chance. That's what they all were. They had gathered for Director Song's auditions because they had heard that this movie was a low-budget project.

They hoped no well-established actress would take notice.

It was such a pity Zhao Hua had chanced upon to have taken interest in this film.

Now they had lost their chance.

They admitted defeat yet this girl was naively holding onto the hope, she was definitely inexperienced.

One girl went further than just mocking and directly approached their corner. 

"Sister Hua, is there something wrong?" The woman wore on curious expressions, her manner was very intimate with Zhao Hua as if they were close friends. "If there is someone bothering you," she cast a meaningful glance at Chen Yi, "just let us know. We will deal with them for you. You needn't waste time with ridiculous people, it's time for you to celebrate."

Bothering her? Weren't they the ones who had approached Chen Yi? 

Even though Zhao Hua did not know the approaching woman further than the point of introduction, she smiled genially at her, welcoming her involvement in the matter that did not concern her at all. "There is nothing. Just teaching a junior from my Manager. I'm afraid, she might have been holding some grievance towards me."

"Is she targeting you?" The girl's tone was louder than necessary, her intense approach garnering the last of female attention that had yet to take notice.

She even cast Chen Yi a meaner look as if Chen Yi owed her an explanation.

"I shouldn't be speaking ill of others." Zhao Hua's response was ambiguous, leaving one's imagination open to interpretation that Chen Yi was indeed targeting her.

Chen Yi's eyes blazed with vexation.

She had not bothered with Zhao Hua. Zhao Hua approached her on her own.

Zhao Hua was inciting her. Inciting her to make a scene and ruin her impression. 

This was Chen Yi's first impression, if she ruined it, a lot would be lost.

"Sister Hua, I've dealt with many such youngsters at my agency. I have a way to educate them. If she is really getting in your way, allow me a chance at correcting her." With a face full of moral righteousness, the woman looked down upon Chen Yi. She spoke of her as if Chen Yi was not even present there.

"It doesn't concern me what she thinks..." Zhao Hua shrugged, her actions depicted as if she wasn't the one who had approached Chen Yi. Instead, Chen Yi had been pestering her. "Let's not bother with her."

Chen Yi remained silent, her insightful eyes observing everything with no intentions of involvement. 

She did not fall for their incitement.

The stunt pulled by Zhao Hua produced an accurate effect. Once alone, no one dared to approach Chen Yi. In fact, people avoided her like some plague, running away from wherever she headed, avoiding talking to her.

They did not want to offend Zhao Hua.

Some women had even believed the allusive hint that Chen Yi had a trouble-seeking personality.

No one wanted trouble. Chen Yi was best kept at a distance, she was not even spared the benefit of the doubt.

While Director Song's team was in a heated debate over the selection of the cast, repeatedly going through the arguments at whom to select after the consequential sponsorship offer, strange rumors had already started circulating outside.

First, she was ignored. 

Chen Yi was cool, even when her first opportunity to make connections was stripped of her by Zhao Hua. It was no big deal. But now, things had progressed to an even uglier state.

People would glance at Chen Yi, laughing to themselves and whispering unknown words. Even the staff had heard a word or two regarding Chen Yi.

"Sister Hua, is it true? This other girl from your Manager did not get styled by the company?" A pair of girls approached Zhao Hua, their eyes were hopeful for gossips like a child for Christmas presents. She was hardly containing her giggling, looking at Chen Yi as if she was looking at some clown.

All of sudden, Chen Yi dressing and makeup felt too odd to everyone.

"Well, I do know none of the certified stylists at our agency attended to her." Zhao Hua threw out her words in a casual manner. As if she didn't care what people talked about Chen Yi.

But underneath her eyelashes, a subtle emotion flickered. She smiled at her assistant with a meaningful glance.

The assistant passed her an imperceptible nod and straightened to chime in. "The company had nurtured Sister Hua for this role. Why would we waste resources on her? Chen Yi had come at her own initiative. Sighs, she is being such an embarrassment to 'Fu Entertainment'"

"Oh, so it was true. I was really suspicious that someone might have started the rumor without substance."

Zhao Hua feigned expressions of utter ignorance..  "What rumor you are talking of?" With mild curiosity, she inquired.