Chapter 45: Life Still Goes On
Nangong passed the screen test and was officially selected as the female lead. Subsequently, she followed the staff into the film crew and began preparations for filming. She also received the initial script. Although it wasn’t finalized, she roughly knew what it was about. The director also said that modifications would be made according to her image. The official start date for filming was one week later, and the location was in Yunnan. Nangong Ying had to fly out of the province with them again, but this was already commonplace for her. In the remaining days, besides continuing her studies and band practice, she just needed to memorize the script.
“Well, we’ll notify you of the time.”
“Okay, sure.”
Nangong Ying nodded in response. Although Nangong was now an artist, she didn’t have an agent. In the industry, she was still just a newcomer. Entering the circle for the first time, she had to be cautious. Later, she would definitely need an agent, and it was only a matter of time before she was signed by a company.
“I knew you would definitely be selected. You have the ability and the responsibility. My recommendation was indeed correct.”
During a phone call with Li Yuexin, Li Yuexin specifically picked out this sentence to express her optimism about Nangong Ying. Indeed, Nangong Ying’s future was immeasurable; she could gain a foothold no matter what she did.
She wanted to promote this newcomer, help her establish herself in the circle. She knew this little girl had great potential for future development.
“This is also an opportunity for me. I have no experience filming movies, especially action movies. I think I have a lot to learn.”
“Don’t worry, the director will arrange for action choreographers. You’ve learned martial arts before, so I think those moves shouldn’t be difficult for you. Besides, this is a female-led drama. There are few actresses who can perform martial arts, so using it as a promotional gimmick seems like a good idea too.”
“Hope so.”
A faint smile hung on Nangong Ying’s face. Being able to get this role and play the female lead still made her very happy. This time was different from the singing competition. This time, she was truly the absolute protagonist in front of the screen. She just didn’t know if she could do it well.
And Yu Linna competed head-on with her. She must be very sad after being eliminated this time. But for Nangong Ying to gain a foothold in the entertainment industry, she had to move upward. Although she felt sad for her friend, she had to keep moving forward.
The fact was, when Nangong Ying and Yu Linna stood together, the one who stood out was always Nangong Ying. Who told her name to have the character “Ying” (outstanding/heroic)?
Speaking of Yu Linna, what happened to her?
Since being eliminated, the disheartened Yu Linna returned to Guangnan City, losing the desire to climb up. She had tried hard, fought hard, but just didn’t succeed. She began to wonder if she had done something wrong.
“Sigh…”
In her small room, Yu Linna looked at the already scarce cash in her wallet. Thinking about the approaching rent due date, she felt a headache. Staying in Shenzhen had cost her too much money. She had originally hoped to get the role and receive money in advance to pay off this debt, but she didn’t get the role. In this case, let alone paying back the money, even her living expenses became a problem. What should she do?
This was a question worth pondering.
Yu Linna tossed and turned on the bed, worrying endlessly about money. Thinking that the rent due date was fast approaching, she felt increasingly insecure. In the end, there was no other way; she could only obediently go to work. She didn’t have time to be sad. Besides working to pay off debts, she really couldn’t think of a better way.
Yu Linna changed her shoes, still wearing that old-fashioned tracksuit, and just went out like that. If she had money, she would also want to change into nicer clothes, but there was no choice; she had to make do.
The girl had taken a lot of leave recently. Although she wasn’t fired immediately, she understood that if she continued like this, they would really fire her. So she obediently returned to work at the convenience store. This convenience store was one where she had worked for a relatively long time, probably starting in her sophomore year of high school until now. The boss lady had a decent relationship with her and wouldn’t fire her immediately.
Arriving at the convenience store, Fang Jianing was already working at the cash register. Seeing Yu Linna enter, she smiled and waved at her. Fang Jianing herself wasn’t short of money, but because she spent too much, her finances became tight, forcing her to take on short-term work. No choice, the summer comic convention required expenses, and she had to do this.
“Ah, Linna, I heard you took leave again. Where did you go?”
“Cough… I’m going to change clothes.”
Yu Linna didn’t really want to say what she was doing. If she told people she went to Shenzhen for a screen test, how would they look at her?
Besides, competing head-on with Nangong Ying and ultimately returning defeated – she couldn’t bring herself to say such words no matter what.
While Yu Linna was changing clothes, she peeked through the door crack at Fang Jianing sitting at the front desk. Fang Jianing was skillfully giving change to customers. After working for a period, she had already learned how to be a cashier. Involuntarily, Yu Linna thought of Nangong Ying who used to work here.
Nangong Ying had worked here before participating in the singing competition. At that time, it was because her parents gave her too little pocket money. Introduced by Yu Linna, she came to work at this convenience store. But since winning the competition championship, she no longer needed to work here to earn money. She would definitely go to a farther stage.
Putting on the work uniform, adjusting her hat, Yu Linna pushed open the door, suppressed the last bit of sadness in her heart, and stood at the position Fang Jianing had just occupied.
“You can rest now. I’ll handle it here.”
“That’s okay, but Linna, are you really not telling me where you went?”
“…”
“Forget it. If you don’t want to say it, I won’t force you.”
The little angel didn’t continue to press her. She took the phone from the front desk table, planning to go down and change shifts.
“Wait.”
The girl suddenly called out to her.
The little angel looked at her with questioning eyes.
“I, it’s not that I don’t want to say…”
No matter how withdrawn she was, Fang Jianing had become a part of her life. This deskmate had helped her and taken care of her. Yu Linna’s feelings towards her no longer held the initial rejection. Deep down, she already considered her a friend.
“Actually, I went to participate in an actor’s screen test…”
“What?”
It was natural for Fang Jianing to be surprised because Yu Linna had never told her she was going to act.
Although Yu Linna had experience in front of the camera and had worked in a theater, and luckily snatched the screen test qualification, strictly speaking, she wasn’t an actress.
After Yu Linna briefly explained her situation, Fang Jianing was clearly intrigued, asking her to continue, but Yu Linna indicated she wasn’t willing to say more. Fang Jianing pouted in protest.
“You’re really not fair, hiding this from me. Although it’s a pity you weren’t selected, being able to get the qualification for the official screen test, I think that itself is already very good.”
Although she said that, there was still some resentment in her heart. What Yu Linna wanted was a championship.
“Linna, since you told me this, it means you consider me a friend. That’s great! Want to eat after work? My treat~”
“This, well…”
“Don’t be polite. We’re deskmates, good friends. No need to be polite~”
Fang Jianing grabbed her small hand, her eyes sparkling like stars, a look impossible to refuse. Fang Jianing was indeed good-looking in class. Although not devastatingly beautiful, her tone of voice was irresistible, and Yu Linna couldn’t possibly refuse.
Although she hadn’t planned to refuse either.
At this moment, the convenience store door opened, and a new customer arrived. Yu Linna quickly adjusted her expression and stood obediently at the front desk to greet the customer. Slacking off during work hours was absolutely unacceptable. If the boss found out, she would definitely fire her.
“Welcome… Sister Chen?”
“Hmm?”
The woman with glasses who entered was stunned at first, then saw the blonde girl standing at the front desk. This blonde girl’s attire was different from usual, and Chen Xi didn’t recognize her at first. But meeting Yu Linna here was also an accident. She pushed her glasses up, the lenses flashing white light.
“Miss Yu, are you earning pocket money here?”
“No, strictly speaking, earning living expenses.”
“I see.”
Chen Xi didn’t pay much attention to these things. She went inside, grabbed a few cans of beer, and paid. Although drinking in broad daylight wasn’t good, who cared? She just wanted to drink.
“Miss Yu, how did the audition go?”
After paying, she asked casually, just as a polite remark.
“Well, I was eliminated during the screen test stage.”
“…Then your luck is quite good.”
Chen Xi finished this sentence, then left with the few cans of beer. Regarding Yu Linna, although a bit surprised, it didn’t attract much of her attention. This child, no matter how you looked at her, seemed to rely on her face.
With her situation, letting her be an actress was indeed too much to ask.
“That sister with glasses speaks so coldly.”
“Forget it. After all, she helped me too.”
After Chen Xi left the convenience store, she took out her phone and casually made a call. Her job involved frequently contacting the authors under her charge to check their progress.
“Hello, is this Sister Chen?”
A girl’s voice came from the other end of the phone. This girl’s voice sounded slightly low, but the tone was undoubtedly female.
“Teacher Kongqi (Air), regarding the publication of your book, I’d like to discuss it face-to-face at your home. Is that okay?”
“No problem. I’ll wait for you at home. You can come over.”
As an editor, constantly monitoring the progress of the authors under her charge was a required course. That being said, going to the home of a girl who had just reached adulthood with beer in broad daylight seemed a bit…
But Chen Xi wouldn’t care so much. As long as she was happy.
A luxury car drove past on the road, brushing past Chen Xi. If Chen Xi had recognized the girl in the passenger seat, she would definitely have exclaimed. But her mind was completely elsewhere at this moment.
The girl in the passenger seat of this car was none other than Miss Ye Zhiyun.
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