CHAPTER 25 (PART 2)

Only after finishing her own audition did Song Qingzhi finally relax. Screenwriter Liu was sitting inside and even smiled at her a few times. That helped steady her nerves—and gave her room to start watching for Gu Sheng’s flop.

“Gu-jiejie~” Her face sweet and innocent, she pretended to be helpful. “You might not know this, but the casting director always starts with self-introductions, and might ask about past works. You should prepare something ahead of time, okay?”

Gu Sheng was more than familiar with this. She nodded blandly: “Mm.”

Still not seeing Wen Heng anywhere, Song Qingzhi assumed he really wasn’t helping Gu Sheng. The two CPs were rivals on Four Laws of Happiness anyway. Her smile got even sweeter: “Teacher Wen isn’t here, but don’t feel bad. Just do your best, jiejie~”

Gu Sheng gave her a quick glance, just as staff came to call her in.

Inside, a camera was set up facing her. Behind it, the core production team was seated. The main director wasn’t present—it was mostly the casting director and producer observing.

“Is this Wen Heng’s wife?”

“Yeah, she really is gorgeous…”

She was probably the most beautiful actress to come audition today.

Unfortunately, a total rookie.

But the moment Gu Sheng stepped in front of the camera, she quieted.

All the chatter and noise outside faded. She had finally stepped into the place where she belonged.

After her self-introduction, the casting director began asking questions.

“Have you participated in any film or television shoots before?—No? Alright.”

“Then how would you describe the character of Li Shuang? If you were playing her, who would you want to act as Si Ye?”

“Why are you so confident about auditioning for Li Shuang? You’re very beautiful, yes, but you have no experience…”

The casting director’s voice wasn’t harsh, but the questions were sharp.

Gu Sheng met everyone’s scrutinizing gazes head-on, completely composed. “If you avoid chasing opportunities just because you don’t have past work, isn’t that the same as trapping yourself in a cage?”

The casting director paused for a second, then nodded. “Alright, let’s try a few scenes.”

“Sadness and sorrow from missing someone—”

“Shock at something unbelievable—”

“Unable to accept reality, consumed with anxiety—”

Facing the camera, Gu Sheng’s expressions shifted rapidly and naturally, without the slightest awkwardness or self-consciousness. It was as if she had practiced a thousand times. Every expression was vivid—and every expression was stunning.

“Very good,” the casting director couldn’t help but praise. “One more—joy at seeing your boyfriend.”

Gu Sheng’s face lit up instantly.

The anxious look from just now vanished completely. Her peach blossom eyes sparkled like a sky full of stars, her lips gently curved, and a dimple appeared on her cheek—so sweet it was almost intoxicating. Expectation, nervousness, shyness—all expressed cleanly and clearly.

A few staff members in the back row clutched their chests: Damn, this is way too sweet!!

By this point, no one even remembered she was a newcomer. The director excitedly began discussing the scene with her, pointing out a segment from Li Shuang’s role.

Gu Sheng nodded and closed her eyes for a moment.

When she opened them again, she was already in the scene.

…

At that moment, chief director Feng Yan was actually in another room, watching through the monitor.

Seated beside him was the aloof and proud film emperor.

As Gu Sheng began performing Li Shuang’s scene, an aura of brilliance burst forth.

It was just like when Zheng Bin first saw Farewell to My Lord—Feng Yan suddenly shifted in his seat.

It wasn’t until Gu Sheng finished her scene that he turned his head and questioned, “You didn’t teach her this, right?”

Wen Heng had already reached this level? Able to teach someone from scratch to be this gifted and solid? They had to invite him to teach at X Academy next year!

“No.” Wen Heng had been staring at the monitor the whole time, and only now did he smile a little.

“She’s just… naturally gifted.”

–

Two days later, news came of the next round of screen tests and makeup trials.

Jin Yueyao was full of confidence, while Song Qingzhi was both nervous and hopeful.

The entire internet was also waiting eagerly for results, and soon a gossip account brought real information—

《Return》 Second Round of Auditions
Lead female role, Li Shuang. Final candidates: Gu Sheng, Jin Yueyao.

—That’s it.

Song Qingzhi nearly passed out at Yao Ying Entertainment. She didn’t even dare leave the company building, her face burning with shame.

The internet was just as shocked:

[WTF WTF WTF???]

[Never would’ve guessed?? Gu Sheng is this badass? Going head-to-head with a top-tier celeb!]

[Gu Sheng mommy I love youuuu you’re amazing T_T]

[WenSheng shippers RISE!! If they play the leads I will die from sweetness!!]

Gu Sheng remained calm, though her phone was blowing up. Yu Shanbei had just received her own notification and excitedly messaged her.

[Sheng-jie!! I passed the first round of auditions! What about you!]

[Did you make it did you did you]

Gu Sheng: [I did]

Yu Shanbei was thrilled: [What female role did you get!! Maybe we’ll have a supporting CP arc lolol]

Gu Sheng: [Lead role.]

Yu Shanbei: [??? HOLY SH—]

At the same company, Jia Lai Entertainment, Fu Shan saw Yu Shanbei’s over-the-top reaction and also learned that Gu Sheng had passed the screen test for the lead female role in Return.

He knew Gu Sheng’s talent very well—just a single V-clip had already amazed him. But the male lead of this drama was Wen Heng…

Fu Shan lowered his eyes, a flicker passing through his gaze, and called his agent.

“I’ll take on the theme song for Return.”

…

Jin Yueyao started feeling some pressure.

She had originally been certain she would land the female lead in Return—only to find Gu Sheng had become her direct competitor.

Before the second round, she had called Li Muze over to her place, hoping he could help her speak with Wen Group. But to her surprise, for some unknown reason, his rarely-at-home wife had suddenly summoned him, and he hadn’t shown up for days.

Jin Yueyao steadied herself. She knew she had the upper hand.

Her portfolio and experience spoke for themselves. Unless Gu Sheng’s performance was stunningly overwhelming, even if she landed the lead role, she’d be criticized as undeserving—a beneficiary of privileged resources!

Fan wars in this industry were vicious: they fought over roles, status, endorsements. If Gu Sheng insisted on wading into this muddy water as a newbie, then she’d better be ready to get chewed up by the system.

And “stunningly overwhelming”? From someone with zero filming experience? What a joke!

On the day of the screen test, Wen Heng asked Gu Sheng, “Nervous?”

Gu Sheng replied, “Not at all.”

She wasn’t sure why, but maybe because the male lead of Return was standing right beside her, her sense of being Li Shuang was incredibly strong.

Besides, Wen Heng hadn’t had a random pain point since the last bug incident. He was in perfect condition, and Gu Sheng had pretty much started seeing him as Si Ye (the male lead) already.

They arrived at the film company and first headed to the styling room for Li Shuang’s look. Jin Yueyao had arrived earlier, and the styling team had gone all-out on her appearance.

Gu Sheng sat still as the makeup artist fitted her with an upper and lower wig, affixed the lace edge, and shaped her beauty mark.

Bit by bit, the reflection in the mirror sharpened. A green hairpin, flowing black hair, incredibly light makeup—yet thanks to Gu Sheng’s stunning features, the look wasn’t dull at all. Her jewelry was simple, just a single strand of pearl dangling at her ear.

Her peach blossom eyes glistened with a quiet radiance—an aura of otherworldliness washed over her.

When they passed each other in the corridor this time, Jin Yueyao could no longer pretend not to see her—

This girl in costume was that beautiful?!

A sudden wave of intense crisis hit her. She’d never imagined she might be outshone.

Costume visuals were a strange art—some people looked great in modern outfits, no flaws at all, but the moment they changed into historical dress, something would just feel off. Gu Sheng, clearly, was the rare kind who looked amazing in both.

Jin Yueyao unconsciously touched her heavily made-up face, forcing herself to stay calm.

Everyone who made it to this round had been personally shortlisted by the head director—none of them were to be underestimated.

After returning home, Jin Yueyao spent two days practicing intensely, performing a crying scene in front of the camera until she was hoarse.

“Cut—” Feng Yan smiled and nodded. “Not bad.”

Jin Yueyao’s skills were solid. Originally, if it hadn’t been for Gu Sheng’s appearance, choosing her as the female lead wouldn’t have been a problem.

But for some reason, it was like Feng Yan had been bewitched by that kid Wen Heng. This time, he was adamant about choosing based purely on ability. Especially after the previous audition, he’d been looking forward to seeing more from Gu Sheng.

Wen Heng sat quietly in the corner, waiting.

When Gu Sheng entered, there was an audible intake of breath across the room—

They had all seen Jin Yueyao in her costume for the fantasy drama. But this fairy in front of them—this was the first time.

Gu Sheng, dressed as Li Shuang, was breathtaking—so ethereal it stunned everyone. Even Feng Yan froze for a moment, only snapping back to himself after Wen Heng gave a light cough.

“Scene thirty-eight. Li Shuang learns the truth and questions Sīyè in a broken voice.”

Wearing Li Shuang’s robes, Gu Sheng was no longer herself—she was the fairy Li Shuang.

At the Ninefold Terrace, she flicked her sleeve, tossed aside her sword, her eyes filling with a devastated, bloodshot red—

“Sīyè,” her voice was barely audible, hoarse and trembling. “If you died… would it mean… I wouldn’t have to hurt this much?”

Every word was laced with anguish, delivered with a rawness that seemed to bleed through the lines.

Originally, Director Feng Yan was supposed to read opposite her. But just as Li Shuang’s voice fell, a sorrowful reply came from Sīyè—

“But I… can’t let go.”

“Can’t bear to watch you walk toward someone else. Can’t bear to miss you even in the next life.”

Wen Heng had personally joined in the scene. With both leads present and sparking off each other, everyone in the room felt transported to the Ninefold Terrace, feeling the scorching wind around them.

“Please, believe me one last time…”

Li Shuang smiled through her tears, picked up the sword, and pointed it to her heart.

“How many mistakes must I make… to soothe ten thousand years of pain?”

Even the head director was completely immersed in the scene. What he saw before him was a furious Li Shuang, so full of emotion, so flawlessly portrayed.

So this was why Sīyè hurt so deeply…

So painfully…

“Beep beep—!”

The scene ended. While everyone was still caught in the moment, Wen Heng suddenly dropped to his knees.

“Wen-ge! Wen-ge—”

“Wen-ge, are you okay?!”

Gu Sheng let out a long breath after nailing the scene: Damn, thank goodness she was fully immersed—

That alert sound nearly yanked her out of character!

…

Two days later, Traceback’s official Weibo made an announcement.

[@TVDramaTraceback: Ten thousand years have passed, yet I turn back through time. I’ll wait for you at the end of time—Sīyè @Wen Heng, Li Shuang @Gu Sheng.]

The hashtag #TVDramaTracebackCastingConfirmed immediately shot to the trending list.

Netizens were amazed. Echo fans were thrilled beyond belief. As for the “flower” fans, as Jin Yueyao predicted, they went into full attack mode.

[Royal bloodline is royalty after all!]

[Can resource-backed nobodies stop ruining things for original novel fans?]

[Seriously? Suspiciously unfair! Jin Yueyao is a top-tier actress and still lost to newbie Gu Sheng?]

Not long into the chaos, a compilation of Traceback’s audition footage was leaked online.

The same iconic line from Li Shuang was shown side by side, comparing all the auditioning actresses.

Gu Sheng’s delivery crushed them all.

Then came footage of the actual screen test in full costume. Her stunning face, a single tear falling with the weight of eternity—not only had she stunned the directors in the room, she stunned the entire internet.

Some of the flower fans kept resisting, refusing to admit defeat:
[Well, everyone reacted that way when our Yueyao finished too!]

A top comment appeared instantly:
[Did you even watch the video to the end?]

At the end of the video, amidst a quiet room, there was a sudden muffled “thud” and a slight shake in the camera.

Then—everyone saw Wen Heng on his knees.

—Wait, did he just… kneel?!

Wen Heng was helped up, holding back the pain. “It was too good.”

That sent the internet into a frenzy.

#GuShengTracebackFemaleLeadAudition

#WenHengPraisesGuShengsActing

#GuShengActuallyActedSoWellTheFilmKingKneeled

Gu Sheng: …Thanks.

I know I’m amazing too.

But Wen God’s kneeling? That was a leg cramp.

Level 9!

---