BDB Chapter 14

The impact of written words couldn’t compare to that of spoken language.

When the lines from the script materialized in reality, Jiang Rao sensed that something was off.

Why did these lines sound so familiar?

Before she could even think about where she might have heard or seen these lines, the director in front of her began to clap, saying, “Your performance in this scene…”

“Eliminate her.” A voice came through the earpiece.

The director’s expression froze. “It wasn’t bad. But I want to see your performance after you remove your makeup.”

Jiang Rao knew her own situation and didn’t believe she had any acting skills.

Especially when she looked up at the camera, there was a noticeable moment of awkwardness and tension. Although she quickly adjusted to the dark lens staring back at her, she had no idea what expression to show. It was only when she remembered the word “smile” marked in front of her line that she forced a stiff movement at the corner of her lips. After that, her eyes remained completely still as she mechanically recited the line verbatim.

Because of this, Jiang Rao felt that the director’s “not bad” was just to spare her feelings. Despite that, the director still seemed intent on making things difficult for her.

Was it really possible for someone’s acting to improve qualitatively before and after removing makeup? Since there wouldn’t be a qualitative improvement, why insist on seeing her without makeup?

Seeing that she remained silent for a while, and hearing a light cough through the earpiece, the director hurriedly said, “If you don’t agree to remove your makeup for the audition, I think we’ll have no need for further collaboration.”

Jiang Rao was taken aback.

…This was actually perfect!

The director said, “Then you can go wait for further notice.”

Jiang Rao had just graduated from university not long before entering the book. She was young and had little experience in the entertainment industry, but she had considerable job-seeking experience.

Typically, for someone like her who performed average in a job interview and was then dismissed with a “wait for further notice,” the chance of getting the position was less than one percent.

She was very satisfied with this result. So, although she snorted coldly in line with Jiang Tang’s persona, her expression remained calm and unchanged once she turned away, looking serious and composed.

Sister Wang, who was waiting outside, wasn’t overly concerned about her performance.

After all, Jiang Tang had been an acting child star since a young age. Although her acting was often criticized by haters as being monotonous with no variation—laughing with a “ha ha ha” and crying with a “wu wu wu”—it still met the industry’s acceptable standards. Some younger stars needed to use mustard or artificial tears to shed a tear, but Jiang Tang didn’t.

Seeing Jiang Rao’s confident expression now, Sister Wang’s face lit up with joy.

This type of film might not be very profitable, might not have a broad audience, and might even be cut down or only show the parts that were cautionary and positive if released domestically.

However, it could definitely be sent internationally for awards consideration.

If she could get one, two, three, four, five, six, or seven nominations because of this, Jiang Tang’s status would definitely rise.

Sister Wang was delighted, but none of the young girls waiting for their audition outside could smile.

As expected, shortly after the two left, a contestant who had just entered the audition room came out with red eyes.

She informed them of a fact, “The director said today’s auditions are temporarily over. If there are roles needed in the future, we’ll call everyone.”

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expressions varied. Since they were competitors now and would be in the future, if anyone wanted to make it in this industry, unless their connections were exceptionally strong, they would always be competitors.

No one was foolish enough to vent their dissatisfaction. The crowd dispersed quickly, like birds and beasts. Shortly after they left, the director pushed open the room door alone.

He then hurriedly climbed the stairs to the second floor with his not-so-strong short legs.

Standing outside a room, the director adjusted his clothes and said, “President Li, I’m up here.”

“Enter.”

Upon entering the room, he saw the man sitting in front of the computer screen, engrossed in the footage. If it weren’t for the side view showing that the footage was from the infrared camera recording Jiang Tang’s audition, the director might have thought the man was watching something scandalous in broad daylight.

But that raised a puzzling question.

If President Li was satisfied with Jiang Tang’s performance, why did he still want to eliminate her? And why wasn’t he given a specific rejection explanation but instead told to inform her to wait for further notice?

It was clear that President Li had initially specified Jiang Tang as the lead actress when investing in the film.

Why, when Jiang Tang had delivered an outstanding performance, capturing the complex, conflicted emotions of Yanyan that required deliberate charm, did President Li change his mind?

Before he could voice his confusion, President Li asked, “Does your film have bed scenes or kissing scenes?”

The director replied, “Yes, as you know, the pivotal scene in this film is the night of the forced marriage, so bed scenes are essential. As for kissing scenes, there will definitely be one or two during the scenes of coercion.”

“Who is the male lead?”

“The actor is Zhao Lin, the film emperor, who is considering a comeback. If we can’t secure him, my backup choice is the seasoned actor Tang Dong.”

“How old are they?”

“Huh?”

“I asked how old these two men are.”

“One is in his forties, and the other…” Seeing President Li’s expression darken, the director’s heart skipped a beat. “He’s in his… thirties. Is there a problem, President Li?”

Li Jueyan finally looked away from the screen.

He leaned back against the seat, crossing one leg over the other at the knee. His arms rested on either side of the chair, with the index fingers of both hands occasionally touching and separating, as if he were deep in thought.

After a moment, he slowly raised his head. “Do you think this is a good script?”

The topic had changed as abruptly as a tornado.

The director was stunned. “Y-yes.”

From both the plot conflicts and real-world significance, it was indeed a good script.

Li Jueyan leaned forward, grabbed the stack of script pages from the table, and slapped them against the director’s chest. “Take your script to a red-light district in Japan and find a woman twenty years older than you. If you can cuddle up in her arms, act all coy and pleading, and finish every single kissing and bed scene without skipping a beat, I’ll add a billion to the investment. Deal?”

The director laughed awkwardly. “Please, don’t joke. My tigress will kill me if she finds out.”

Li Jueyan gave a light hum. “Find a newcomer for your good script. Tell Jiang Tang that she didn’t pass the audition. Negotiate with her agent for a resource swap, and get her on a good variety show as compensation.”

“Why, President Li?” The director couldn’t help but voice his confusion. “I think Miss Jiang’s acting skills are more than adequate for this role.”

Li Jueyan’s expression was inscrutable.

Her acting was good.

So good that he had recently been like a paranoid lunatic, doubting her identity one moment and then convinced of it the next.

But to have her use her excellent acting skills to cuddle, kiss, and beg in another man’s arms?

Just thinking about it made him…

“Are you tired of living?”

——