After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows-Chapter 134: Meeting Jiang Xiyu Again

"I wonder what kind of format Director Wei’s audition is this time."

Jiang Lingxi was searching for her fan fiction on a newly downloaded reading app when she heard Tong Yue talking to herself. She casually replied, "What kind of format? Aren’t all auditions the same?"

Upon being asked, Tong Yue had a lot to say, "It’s really not the same. In other production teams, auditions are usually for actors to try out for the roles they want, or the director specifies which role to audition for. But Director Wei’s auditions never follow the usual rules."

Jiang Lingxi put down her phone and adopted a listening posture.

"Let me tell you about two instances I know. You must have seen the only war movie Wei directed."

Jiang Lingxi nodded. Not only had she watched it, but she had watched it just a few days ago. The movie’s plot was still vividly imprinted in her mind.

"I heard that auditioning for that movie was like a bloody storm from the start. For a war movie, actors have to endure hardship, fatigue, and dirt. So, he applied for a partially open military camp, and all the actors who wanted to audition went in to undergo military training like real soldiers. Those who persevered passed the audition, and out of more than a hundred people, less than ten were selected. Later, when the movie’s behind-the-scenes footage was released, Director Wei earned the title of the fiercest director."

"There was also a modern drama with a deaf-mute protagonist. The actresses auditioning for the lead role genuinely lived as deaf-mutes for several months. The one who ultimately succeeded even earned an advanced sign language certificate for the role. During an interview, she joked that if she couldn’t make it in the entertainment industry, she could become a teacher with that certificate since it’s a rare profession."

"Of course," Tong Yue laughed, "becoming a leading lady in a Wei-directed film, unless you commit an unforgivable error, there’s no way you won’t succeed in the industry."

"But this time it’s a historical drama, and I’m afraid the audition experiences of those before us won’t be of much use." Tong Yue thought for a moment and decided to give up. As an ordinary person, she wouldn’t trouble herself with trying to guess the mind of a genius director, patting Jiang Lingxi’s hand as consolation, "In any case, just go with the flow. It shouldn’t be too extreme, right?"

Jiang Lingxi: "..."

Is that supposed to be comforting?

The car slowed down, and Lu Zhengzheng’s voice came from the front seat, "Sister Tong, Sister Xixi, we’ve arrived at Qingliu Grand Theater."

Jiang Lingxi turned her head to look out the car window. When she saw the large building almost surrounded by willow trees, she raised her eyebrows.

She remembered this place.

She had passed by it coming and going to Xiyuan before, apparently not too far.

Having the audition here, it’s spacious enough, just a bit remote.

However, the grand theater wasn’t desolate at all at the moment.

The parking lot beside it already had quite a few large and small business and service vehicles parked. More vehicles continued to arrive, driving in slowly like theirs.

Usually occupied with flying around the world, these star actors only needed to drive over here and already saw several familiar faces frequently appearing in major hit dramas.

Tong Yue couldn’t help but take a deep breath, "I thought we got here early, but I didn’t expect everyone to be so diligent."

After driving all the way to the innermost part, they finally found a parking space. Just as they were about to pull in, a black business vehicle cut in from the side, trying to snatch the parking spot.

To ensure safety, their driver had to brake suddenly; fortunately, the speed was already low, so the passengers just jerked forward a little from inertia.

Lu Zhengzheng let out an exclamation, and Tong Yue’s face darkened.

She restrained herself from cursing out the window, suppressing her anger as she instructed, "Keep driving forward, there should be more parking spaces ahead."

The car resumed moving, and Tong Yue, looking through the rearview mirror at the car that took their space, memorized the license plate, "What’s the hurry with gaining a few minutes anyway? Do they think they’d gain Director Wei’s favor early on or something? Such lack of manners; Director Wei wouldn’t appreciate that."

This time Jiang Lingxi patted her hand in return, "No need to stoop to their level."

After finally parking, the three got out of the car and walked back towards the theater. Passing by the vehicle that had cut in, they just happened to see its back doors open.

Tong Yue paused, curious to see who this big shot on the car was!

First appeared stiletto heels sharp enough to use as a tool, followed by a champagne-colored gown with glittering rhinestones. When Tong Yue’s gaze reached Jiang Xiyu’s exquisitely made-up face, she couldn’t help but inwardly note that it’s indeed a small world.

However, compared to the unkind act of cutting in line earlier, what concerned her now was another matter, "Where did you get an audition ticket this time?"

If she remembered correctly, Jiang Xiyu had previously offended Director Wei, leaving her with no chance for the new film. How could she turn up here again?

Jiang Yuting, accompanied by Xiaotao on either side of Jiang Xiyu, snorted softly at the question, "No comment."

Seeing her smug demeanor, Tong Yue still felt puzzled but knew the most pressing matter was successfully reaching the audition venue, "Xiao Xi, Zhengzheng, let’s go."

For Jiang Xiyu to be here, she admitted that Jiang Yuting had some abilities, but beyond this, the manager’s assistance would be futile. Securing a role in Director Wei’s new film purely relied on the artist’s talent.

As Jiang Lingxi passed Jiang Xiyu, who had been staring at her since getting out of the car, she paused her steps.

She turned her head slightly, casting a sidelong glance, "What are you staring at?"

Startled by the question, Jiang Xiyu instinctively took a step back, almost tripping on her dress after her heel caught it. Fortunately, Xiaotao supported her in time.

Seeing this, Jiang Yuting’s brows furrowed, and she attempted to push Jiang Lingxi, "What’s the matter with looking? Can’t Miss Jiang be looked at? Then why become a star?"

Jiang Lingxi slightly sidestepped, easily dodging Yuting’s hand. She glanced at Jiang Xiyu, who instinctively avoided her gaze, squinting her eyes before turning towards Tong Yue and Lu Zhengzheng, who were waiting for her, "Let’s go."

If it were elsewhere, Jiang Lingxi knew she might have ways to get Jiang Xiyu to speak up. However, given the bustling parking lot, certain actions would be inappropriate there.

Walking a few steps out, Tong Yue still felt unlucky and couldn’t help but complain, "Dressed so grandly, anyone unaware would think it’s a red-carpet event."

Jiang Lingxi: "..."

If she hadn’t insisted on wearing what she had, Sister Tong might have dressed her in something grand beforehand, too.

Nevertheless, Jiang Lingxi merely pondered this inwardly, "I remember you mentioning that Jiang Xiyu offended Director Wei?"

At this mention, Tong Yue frowned, "I’m also puzzled. I wonder what connections Jiang Yuting found to obtain an audition ticket again. I hadn’t heard she would be auditioning this time; otherwise, I’d have informed you earlier. Frankly speaking, you won’t like hearing this, but the two of you do look somewhat similar. Combined with her more extensive acting experience, you truly have to give it your all this time. You cannot lose to her."

Jiang Lingxi nodded slightly, replaying in her mind the way Jiang Xiyu had looked at her earlier.

It wasn’t her being overly sensitive; she could instinctively sense something different in Jiang Xiyu’s gaze than the pure hostility from previous encounters.

There was something else in it.

As the saying goes, your enemy often knows you best. Jiang Xiyu and her original self were adversaries, essentially enemies. Could she have discerned what was odd about Jiang Lingxi all this time?