Chapter 51: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not – Enlightenment
“Sorry, just a joke,” Yu Shuangwei quickly changed the subject and looked at Song Mingzhi, “If you’re here to audition for You Su Changying, you can leave.”
Yu Shuangwei pulled a chair, sat down, crossed her legs, and said casually but firmly: “You’re not the You Su Changying in my mind, you’re far from it.”
Yu Shuangwei was a very capricious director, so capricious that even investors couldn’t control her. She only filmed what she wanted, and if she couldn’t find the feeling she wanted, she would rather shelve the project or film different versions repeatedly. She once said that if she couldn’t find the right actors, she would rather not film at all.
Dong Ling, being her fan, knew this about her, but she still wanted to try: “Director Yu, why not give her a chance before rejecting her?”
Dong Ling didn’t mention how hard Song Mingzhi had prepared, because in the professional world, there was no need for such words, only results mattered.
Yu Shuangwei raised an eyebrow, looked at Song Mingzhi for a while, then nodded.
She had been observing Song Mingzhi’s expression. Whether she directly rejected her or gave her a chance to audition, this actress named Song Mingzhi remained very calm, so calm that it seemed almost indifferent, giving people a very complex feeling. She had seen countless actors, thousands, each with their own unique qualities, but Song Mingzhi was someone she couldn’t read.
She felt even more strongly that she was suitable for the role of Liang Jin’an. If this movie didn’t work out, adapting it into a biography of Liang Jin’an wouldn’t be bad either.
Normally, there shouldn’t be anyone else present during auditions, but since Yu Shuangwei agreed to the audition without saying anything else, Zuo Zhen and Dong Ling didn’t leave, standing in a corner of the room, observing.
Song Mingzhi was indeed well-prepared, far exceeding Yu Shuangwei’s expectations. She watched with an ambiguous expression and asked Song Mingzhi to perform another scene.
Dong Ling watched anxiously, she thought Song Mingzhi performed well, only slightly hampered by her modern attire, but Yu Shuangwei kept frowning, it probably wasn’t going well.
It didn’t really matter if this movie didn’t work out, Dong Ling was already thinking about finding another script.
“That’s enough.”
Yu Shuangwei called a stop and shook her head at Song Mingzhi.
“I only directly tell those whose performance is truly terrible, I’ll have the others wait for news. Your performance isn’t bad, but you’re not suitable.” Yu Shuangwei placed the script on the table behind her, frowned, and commented, “You only have the form, not the essence, you’re detaching yourself from the character quickly, because you’re not immersed in it at all, you understand a lot, but you haven’t become her, there’s no resonance.”
“Your emotions are lacking. You might become a very good actress in time, but you can’t play someone like You Su Changying. Because you don’t have that fragile, pitiful side, you can’t portray it. When facing the fall of her kingdom, You Su Changying’s emotions were grief, helplessness, and fear, not knowing where to go, why did Liang Jin’an notice her when she entered the palace? Because fourteen-year-old You Su Changying didn’t dare to commit suicide, she was afraid of death, she didn’t know what she would face if she didn’t die, but your performance…”
Yu Shuangwei paused, gave a thumbs-up, and said: “Makes me think you’ll kill them all later, you look like Goujian, the King of Yue, waiting for his revenge.” (Goujian was a king who endured humiliation and hardship to eventually restore his kingdom.)
Yu Shuangwei’s comments were very direct, even Dong Ling, who had a positive bias towards Song Mingzhi, had to admit she was right.
“Why did Liang Jin’an take a liking to You Su Changying? Historical records state that ‘The Empress Dowager favored those with beautiful appearances, with the rich and noble aura of a peony,’ so the beauties in her harem were all pampered young ladies, even the male favorites were as beautiful as women, your face and temperament don’t match You Su Changying’s image, your boss, on the other hand, is very suitable.”
Yu Shuangwei brought the topic back to Dong Ling, looking at Dong Ling’s face with regret.
Such a naturally beautiful and noble flower, it was something those actresses couldn’t portray even if they tried.
Yu Shuangwei approached Dong Ling and asked sincerely again: “Miss, won’t you reconsider? I think you’re perfect for this role, you’re the most suitable candidate I’ve seen so far, I can start filming immediately for you, and I’ll agree to any requests you have.”
The other person standing in the room, the screenwriter of this movie, couldn’t help but gasp, for Yu Shuangwei, who had severe procrastination, saying she could start filming immediately showed her determination.
Yu Shuangwei had told him three years ago that she wanted to film this script, she had already done a lot of research at that time, and in the past three years, she had repeatedly revised and rewritten it with him, he had written eighteen versions of the script, and now that Yu Shuangwei had finally decided to film it, she spent more than half a month on casting, incredibly picky.
Dong Ling wasn’t tempted at all. If it was a world-renowned musician inviting her to collaborate, she would probably have lost control, but unfortunately, even though Yu Shuangwei was her favorite director, her main job wasn’t acting.
“I’m sorry, Director Yu, I really can’t act, I have no basic skills, I’m a complete outsider.”
Dong Ling was already thinking about other scripts suitable for Song Mingzhi, feeling sorry for Song Mingzhi, who had prepared for half a month but didn’t get the opportunity.
Yu Shuangwei asked: “So you just think you can’t act, not that you’re not interested? It’s okay, I can teach you, guide you step by step, help you immerse yourself in the role.”
Dong Ling was about to politely refuse when she heard the mechanical voice in her mind.
[Task: Act in a movie with the female lead. Completing this task will reward 10% progress.]
Ten percent!!!
Dong Ling and 021 screamed inwardly, this was ten percent, the first time the task system offered so much!
Due to the world’s energy consumption, the current main storyline progress was 47%, adding this 10%, it would be 57%, not just over halfway, but almost a passing grade.
The words on the tip of Dong Ling’s tongue took a sharp turn, and she said: “If that’s the case, I’m willing to try, after all, I’m a fan of yours, Director Yu.”
Hearing this, Yu Shuangwei’s face lit up with joy.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be very patient, we can discuss the details later, okay?” Yu Shuangwei had a lot to say, but considering the current situation, she regretfully stopped, looked at Song Mingzhi, and asked, “Can you try Liang Jin’an?”
She had already secured You Su Changying, now she wanted to get both important roles today!
Dong Ling looked at Song Mingzhi expectantly and nodded at her.
Say yes!
The reason Dong Ling agreed was because Song Mingzhi had a chance to play Liang Jin’an. If Yu Shuangwei hadn’t asked, she would have brought it up herself, because her accepting the role of You Su Changying was conditional on Song Mingzhi playing Liang Jin’an.
“Of course.”
Song Mingzhi nodded under Dong Ling’s gaze, her expression calm, without a smile.
Song Mingzhi’s performance as Liang Jin’an amazed Yu Shuangwei, who said with an “I knew it” expression: “I said you were more suitable for Liang Jin’an, indeed, you even portrayed the ruthlessness and hidden cruelty within her arrogance, you’re just a little too reserved, Liang Jin’an is a very debauched person, you shouldn’t hold back so much.”
Zuo Zhen thought to herself, with the way Director Yu was eyeing CEO Dong, and the fact that CEO Dong agreed to act in the movie, how could Song Mingzhi, the canary, be happy? That ruthlessness was directed at Director Yu herself, unfortunately, Director Yu didn’t realize it, she was the only one who understood.
“I still have to choose the actor for the emperor, the set is already being built, it will probably take about half a month, I’ll give you some basic acting lessons during this time, don’t worry, I’ll teach you well.”
Yu Shuangwei was like a chef, looking at Dong Ling like a piece of high-quality ingredient, thinking about how to turn her into the dish she wanted.
Dong Ling and Yu Shuangwei exchanged contact information, agreed on a time to meet tomorrow, and after repeated goodbyes, Yu Shuangwei left the audition room. Song Mingzhi got into the car.
Dong Ling was so happy just thinking about the 10% progress that she hummed a tune as she got into the car.
Song Mingzhi’s expression darkened, her usually cold face could now practically freeze water.
Dong Ling sensed the change in atmosphere and looked at Song Mingzhi cautiously: “Mingzhi, are you…”
Song Mingzhi sighed inwardly, the girl seemed a little slow, but fortunately, she had noticed her unhappiness. Just as she was about to reply, she heard the girl continue.
“…more interested in the role of You Su Changying?”
Dong Ling only realized it now, she had been blinded by the reward from the task system and Yu Shuangwei’s words, so she agreed without thinking.
For Song Mingzhi, it was like the role she had been preparing for half a month slipping away. It wasn’t a big deal that someone else got the role, but the way she got it made it seem like Song Mingzhi was being looked down upon. Dong Ling put herself in her shoes and felt it wasn’t very good.
She didn’t want Song Mingzhi to be angry, she had been too presumptuous.
But after she asked, Song Mingzhi seemed even angrier, so it must be true, Dong Ling felt a little dejected.
“No.”
Song Mingzhi said curtly, gritting her teeth inwardly.
Thinking of Yu Shuangwei, she felt an inexplicable surge of irritation.
“I know you’ve prepared for a long time, I didn’t really want to play this role, you know I can’t act, I only did the cameo last time because of the screenwriter’s request, and it was a role without lines and my face wasn’t even visible… it’s just…”
Song Mingzhi thought, it’s just because Yu Shuangwei really wanted you to play the role, right?
Because Dong Ling mentioned the cameo appearance, she thought of the reason behind it.
Dong Ling thought she didn’t know, but she had actually heard, it was Dong Ling who requested to add that scene, which was why she deduced that Dong Ling liked her.
And now? Was it because Dong Ling liked Yu Shuangwei?
Although Song Mingzhi told herself that this “like” wasn’t that kind of “like,” that Yu Shuangwei was Dong Ling’s favorite director, and it was normal for her to accept such an invitation, she still felt uncomfortable.
“It’s just because you might play Liang Jin’an, if it wasn’t you playing that role, then I wouldn’t have accepted, even going back on my word with Director Yu wouldn’t be a big deal.”
Dong Ling felt a little nervous, she didn’t have much experience arguing or comforting people, it was always others trying to please her, of course, that “other” only referred to Xuan Du in the past, she never argued with Chen Shang Shang or Tang Qianxi.
Dong Ling recalled how Xuan Du acted when they were young, she reached out and grabbed Song Mingzhi’s sleeve, tugging it gently.
“It’s really just that.”
Her eyes were clear, like a shimmering lake.
Her demeanor was delicate and soft, Song Mingzhi couldn’t refuse.
Song Mingzhi couldn’t help but ask: “Because I’m playing Liang Jin’an?”
“Of course!”
Song Mingzhi’s lips curved upwards, no trace of displeasure.
She understood, the girl was still shy, she needed the excuse of acting to get close to her, to convince herself that those intimate acts were justified.
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