Chapter 71: She’s Even More Beautiful in Person Than in the Photos

The next day, Mu Ruo went to the location arranged by Director Song for her audition.

Before she even arrived, the lead actor was already hesitant: “Director Song, this woman has a very poor reputation online. Won’t using her affect the box office?”

Today’s audition not only had some of the crew present but also Wu Tong, the lead actor of “Holy Chant.”

Wu Tong and Director Song were old friends. Wu Tong was very popular in the entertainment industry, a box office heavyweight, and the lead actor in “Holy Chant.”

The role Mu Ruo was auditioning for was considered a second lead in the film, with many lines, many scenes, and some key moments.

Logically, such a role would not be given to a newcomer like Mu Ruo, who had a very poor reputation.

“She was recommended by Huo Minli. Huo Minli said her acting skills are good, and she worked on the set of ‘The Ruined Nation’ for her last project.” Director Song calmly looked at Mu Ruo’s information, “I called Director Zhao Jie, and Zhao Jie praised her as a very talented actress.”

Wu Tong had previously worked with Director Zhao.

Wu Tong was a big name in the entertainment industry. He had clashed with the hot-tempered Director Zhao on set, and their relationship remained strained until the end.

Although Wu Tong did not approve of Zhao Jie personally, he recognized the director’s work and attitude towards film.

The movie they had worked on together before had been a massive hit, and if Zhao Jie wanted to collaborate again, Wu Tong would still be willing.

Since even the notoriously picky Zhao Jie was satisfied with the newcomer, Wu Tong chose not to make further comments.

At this moment, Director Song’s phone rang.

Lu Beichen, having made a substantial profit from this variety show investment, was in high spirits and particularly happy.

“Hello, Director Song, you asked my girlfriend to come for an audition. At least give her a chance to try out, right?”

Director Song’s expression darkened: “She really doesn’t cut it; her height and appearance are both inadequate. There’s no suitable role for her.”

“You won’t even give her a try? I’ve already sent her downstairs; you wouldn’t really deny me this much face, would you?” Lu Beichen sneered, “I have relatives who review movies. If you don’t cooperate, don’t come crying to me when your film’s release is blocked.”

Director Song: “?”

Even though Director Song was usually easygoing, he was tempted to swear at that moment.

But fearing Lu Beichen’s potential retaliation, he darkened his face and said: “Since she’s already downstairs, let her come up.”

Originally, Director Song had intended for Mu Ruo to come first, but with the sudden appearance of someone cutting in, he had no choice but to let the newcomer go first.

Wu Tong, who had recently watched the popular food variety show, instantly recalled Xia Wanwan’s name: “Xia Wanwan? She’s quite beautiful, a very charming girl. I think she’s good.”

Director Song glanced at him: “Whether she’s good or not, we’ll find out after the audition.”

Mu Ruo sat on a bench outside, reading the script. After the previous auditionee came out, a staff member was about to let Mu Ruo in when her phone rang. She looked at it and said: “Sorry, Miss Mu, please wait a moment.”

Mu Ruo: “?”

At this moment, Lu Beichen, dressed impeccably, came in with Xia Wanwan.

Seeing Mu Ruo there, Xia Wanwan was a bit taken aback: “Sister Ruo, what are you doing here?”

Mu Ruo’s expression was cold: “Get lost.”

Xia Wanwan’s eyes instantly turned red: “Sister Ruo, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect people online to insult you like that… I tried to stop them, but they insisted on seeing you as a bad person.”

Mu Ruo found it amusing.

If Xia Wanwan had half of the acting skills she displayed now when facing the director, she wouldn’t have been dismissed.

Mu Ruo’s mood was irritable: “I told you to get lost. Do you think anyone wants to hear your explanation here?”

Lu Beichen didn’t expect Mu Ruo to speak to Xia Wanwan like that.

Even though Mu Ruo had looked down on Xia Wanwan before, she had always done it in a subtle way.

Now, Mu Ruo was clearly angry, and it was definitely because of him.

Thinking of this, Lu Beichen felt a bit pleased but also a bit unhappy: “Mu Ruo, how can you speak to Wanwan like that? Wanwan didn’t do it on purpose. Can’t you be less sensitive? So what if people online insult her?”

Mu Ruo lazily lifted her gaze: “You can leave too.”

Lu Beichen’s breath caught.

At this moment, the staff asked Xia Wanwan to go in.

Lu Beichen followed her in.

Upon seeing Director Song, Lu Beichen still maintained his high and mighty attitude and greeted him.

Director Song, seated and not rising, nodded slightly.

Wu Tong, seeing Xia Wanwan in person, felt a bit disappointed.

Wu Tong knew that the beauty filters on Balloon TV’s variety shows were impressive. He usually avoided such shows to maintain his image, not realizing the filters were that effective.

Xia Wanwan’s complexion was several shades darker than on camera, and her features weren’t as lively.

Of course, she was still a pretty girl when it came to her eyebrows, eyes, lips, and nose.

But to Wu Tong, who was used to seeing top-tier beauties in the entertainment industry, she was rather unremarkable, at most a modest beauty.

Xia Wanwan’s attitude wasn’t as arrogant as Lu Beichen’s. She was smiling warmly and very polite: “Hello, Director Song! Hello, Teacher Wu! I’m a fan of yours and would like to audition for the role of Feng Yue.”

Director Song, with a cold expression, handed Xia Wanwan a page of the script: “Try this scene.”

Xia Wanwan looked at it. It was a scene where Feng Yue first encounters the male lead’s group and blocks their way.

She wasn’t wearing a costume or made up to look like her character. With no one else present, she was asked to act out the scene with just the air in front of her, which made her feel a bit awkward: “Director Song, I don’t think I can perform well alone. Could Teacher Wu come up and act with me?”

This not only darkened Director Song’s face but also Wu Tong’s.

If she couldn’t even perform without props, why was she auditioning?

This was a major role in the film, a cold and glamorous character. How could she pull it off with such a mismatch?

Wu Tong gave Director Song a look and reluctantly stepped up.

Xia Wanwan had just memorized her lines but wasn’t very familiar with them. She delivered them clumsily, struggling to project a strong presence: “If you want to pass through here, you’d better ask my sword first!”

Wu Tong: “…”

Perhaps because Xia Wanwan looked a bit too youthful and innocent, she didn’t seem like the fierce and strong Feng Yue from the novel. She resembled more of an idol drama heroine trying to act aloof.

Director Song found it even harder to watch: “Alright, you can go out and wait for the results. Let the next person come in.”

Xia Wanwan and Lu Beichen were both unwilling to leave and lingered around.

Director Song ignored their persistence and directly let Mu Ruo in.

As soon as Mu Ruo entered, both Director Song and Wu Tong took a sharp breath.

Wu Tong whispered to Director Song: “She’s even more beautiful in person than in the photos.”

Director Song frowned.

Mu Ruo’s beauty exceeded the role’s requirements. He worried that if she appeared on screen, viewers might focus solely on her looks and treat her as just a pretty face.

In Zhao Jie’s film “The Ruined Nation,” the princess was meant to be a beautiful but decorative role, so beauty was acceptable.

However, Feng Yue in “Holy Chant” was a skilled character who was both stunning as a flower and cold as ice.

Mu Ruo’s appearance and demeanor, similar to Xia Wanwan’s, were more of the pure and delicate type.