Chapter 36: A More Suitable Stage
Since she had decided to join this band, the road ahead would definitely be difficult. Although she hadn’t signed with any company yet, for Nangong Ying, that was just a matter of time. Joining a band naturally had many inconveniences, but there were also benefits. The main company behind this band was run by a company invested in and registered by Li Yuexin, meaning Li Yuexin was a shareholder. Working alongside one’s own people shouldn’t lead to being screwed over.
Even so, it was still wise to be cautious. In the mixed-bag entertainment industry, it was better to be vigilant than to trust easily.
After deciding on this matter, Nangong Ying followed Li Yuexin again, taking a plane to Beijing. Before leaving, she asked her mother to help her request leave from school. Then she rushed to catch the plane without stopping. She could already foresee where her future career center would be. Since she had already decided to enter the entertainment industry, her future aspiration was probably to attend university in Beijing.
As for Yu Linna, whether their connection could continue depended on fate’s arrangement.
Flying from the south to the north, the climate difference was quite large. Although Nangong Ying had prepared a down jacket, she still shivered a little. After getting off the plane, Li Yuexin took her into the agent’s car and drove towards the company.
“I’ll introduce two members to you later. From now on, we’ll be companions.”
Nangong Ying leaned against the back seat, listening to Li Yuexin’s enthusiastic introduction, but she herself didn’t pay much attention. She was just thinking, after joining this band, which direction would her future development take?
Towards destruction or prosperity? It was indeed a question worth pondering.
But, since Nangong Ying had made this choice, it meant she was prepared. Now, she could only hope for her future.
After getting out of the car, Li Yuexin led her into the company building. The building looked quite large from the outside, and the decoration was eye-catching enough. But after entering, she found it wasn’t as big as imagined. Nangong Ying thought maybe this company had just started not long ago, so it wasn’t that big. But for Li Yuexin to start a company with others at such a young age was already remarkable, especially since she hadn’t even graduated from university yet.
No one would doubt how great Li Yuexin’s future achievements would be.
Li Yuexin led her forward. Employees frequently greeted her, and Li Yuexin responded to each one. When they reached the rehearsal room, she pushed open the door, and a spacious training room came into view. Pianos and other musical instruments were placed there. Two women were rehearsing. Seeing Li Yuexin push the door open, they were a little surprised.
“Sister Xin, you said you’d be back today, didn’t expect it to be so fast. What, did you sort it out?”
“Yes, the result isn’t bad.”
Li Yuexin smiled, pushed Nangong Ying forward, her face full of smiles. From her face, one could see how good her mood was at this moment.
“This is Nangong Ying, you all know her, this year’s champion. Starting today, she’s our new member.”
From this day on, Nangong Ying officially joined this band, this band called “Four Leaf Clover,” marking the beginning of Nangong Ying’s life journey. Although she wouldn’t stay in this band forever in the future, the time spent in the band was an important experience for her.
“Hello, my name is Zhang Xiaohan. I’m from the same place as Yuexin.”
A woman with a ponytail stepped forward to greet her. She was quite tall, even taller than Li Yuexin, and her bust line was enviable.
“My name is Peng Xiaoxue. Hello.”
A woman with medium-length hair stepped forward, nodded, and greeted her. Her temperament was a bit androgynous; although she was a girl, she looked somewhat handsome.
“My name is Nangong Ying. Hello, seniors.”
After officially joining, Nangong Ying would be a part of this group from now on. Although she felt like she might have been tricked into joining, she had to get along well with these people in the future, and necessary politeness was required.
Although she had never joined a band before and didn’t know what a band needed to do, fortunately, everyone’s attitude was relatively friendly, and they accepted her joining. Even though Nangong Ying held the title of the National Singing Competition champion, she had never tried teaming up with others, so she was essentially a novice.
However, after a few days of training, she gradually began to get the hang of it and could slowly cooperate with the training. Nangong Ying’s foundation was already solid, and she was the champion, so her singing skills naturally wouldn’t be worse than Li Yuexin’s. Of course, the lead singer position still belonged to Li Yuexin; she was the second guitarist.
After some time, Nangong Ying had to pack her clothes and return to the south. After all, she was also a college entrance exam candidate, and she had to continue her school lessons. She certainly had a plan. She had already decided to take the college entrance exam as a music student, apply to art academies, and receive more professional training.
“Xiao Ying, are you going back?”
Seeing her packing her things, Li Yuexin came forward and asked with concern. After spending some time together, their relationship had become closer than at the beginning.
“I have to review. Falling behind too much in class isn’t good. Besides, my friend is going to participate in the Shenzhen audition soon, and I want to go see.”
“Your friend?”
“Yes, that girl works really hard. I’ll introduce you two someday. She seems to be participating in the audition for something called ‘Storm Seal’. Although I don’t know what kind of film it is, I want to go take a look.”
The name of this movie, as a star active in the entertainment industry, Li Yuexin certainly knew. According to friends in the circle, this movie seemed to be a female-led drama with many grand scenes, and the estimated investment would reach seventy million. But because they couldn’t find a suitable female lead within the circle, they were holding auditions nationwide.
“Xiao Ying, have you ever acted?”
“No. Why do you ask?”
“Just asking. Xiao Ying, do you want to consider auditioning? If I give the director a call, it’s no problem to let you participate directly in the screen test. Although you’re developing in the direction of a band, filming movies is also a good choice.”
“…Sister Yuexin, what are you up to, asking me to act in a movie?”
Nangong Ying stopped packing her clothes, staring at Li Yuexin with a surprised look. She really couldn’t understand why a woman who had pestered her to join her band would suggest she act in a movie.
She, Nangong Ying, didn’t think she was suitable for acting in movies.
Besides, she had no experience.
“I’ve acted in TV dramas before too. Before I acted, I had the same thoughts as you. But I believe that an artist shouldn’t just be able to sing. Multi-faceted development is necessary for long-term standing. You can sing and perform, why not try acting in a movie, even if it’s just a screen test?”
She suggested this naturally with her own thoughts. Nangong Ying was a newcomer with a lot of room for development. She shouldn’t be limited. If she went to film something, it would be beneficial for her. Although she might not be selected for the role, letting her try filming something should be a good thing.
Li Yuexin also wanted to cultivate this newcomer.
Nangong Ying fell into deep thought. Indeed, she hadn’t acted in movies, but it didn’t mean she wasn’t interested. If she also went to audition, it meant she would have to compete directly with Yu Linna. This was really…
Yu Linna had always wanted to stand out, always working hard. But Nangong Ying hadn’t slacked off either. Her efforts were no less than hers, and she had been exposed to the stage earlier than others.
Gradually, the ambition hidden deep in Nangong Ying’s heart began to awaken.
“Alright, I’ll give it a try. It sounds quite interesting.”
Since she decided to do it, she had to do her best. This was Nangong Ying’s creed.
Let’s go back to Yu Linna. After registering for the audition, she went through a long queue and had her first-round interview. Although it was her first time participating in an audition, fortunately, she had experience rehearsing at the theater and knew basic acting skills, so she passed smoothly.
She clenched her small fists, secretly encouraging herself. It was clear she had made progress, especially in acting. She had to study hard, improve herself, so she could enter the entertainment industry and follow Nangong Ying’s footsteps. She wanted to stand out.
“Next, Miss Yu Linna.”
“Here!”
The subsequent auditions were varied, including impromptu performances and talent shows. Yu Linna overcame them one by one. She was no longer the ignorant novice she used to be. With some experience, she naturally knew how to handle these situations. Of course, the main reason was that her competitors were too weak, basically all inexperienced young girls. Coupled with her sufficiently eye-catching appearance, she advanced smoothly.
Finally, she was notified that she had advanced. If things developed like this, it wasn’t impossible for her to participate in the screen test in the end. If that really happened, her life could be said to have reached its peak.
When she became famous, she would have bodyguards, fans asking for autographs on the street, and people recognizing her everywhere. And she could walk the red carpet side by side with Nangong Ying, becoming a celebrity on TV.
Such a beautiful future was what Yu Linna pursued! She wanted to become famous, become rich, so she would never be bullied again!
“Old Gao, what do you think of this girl?”
Meanwhile, behind the scenes at the judges’ table, a judge in his forties looked at Yu Linna’s profile and asked his colleague about this little girl’s situation. There was a reason they let Yu Linna advance. Yu Linna was indeed outstandingly beautiful, with a mixed-race appearance. Such people were very popular in the entertainment industry.
But, just appearance alone was not enough.
“She’s very good. Her appearance is outstanding enough, and she has ambition. But…”
“But what?”
“When she acts, she has no spark, just an empty shell. I conclude that she is not suitable to be an actress.”
He was very direct, very straightforward, but not without basis.
“Is it that serious? She’s still so young.”
“I’m never wrong about people. This child is not suitable for survival in this big dyeing vat. She has no acting skills, only good looks. If she insists on staying in this circle, she won’t achieve much. I’m not talking nonsense. I’ve been judging people for so many years, I know what kind of foundation that child has.”
Yu Linna was inherently unsuited for survival in the entertainment industry.
Coming from his mouth, no one could have imagined it. Maybe no one would believe it, but that might be the truth. This child could choose anything, but acting, really wasn’t suitable.
“She might be more suitable elsewhere. I really don’t recommend letting her stay in the entertainment industry. But this is not something I can decide.”
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