After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows-Chapter 147 Substitute for the Female Lead

The person in charge of the audition was still the same assistant director from yesterday.

When he saw Pei Xinyuan walking in from outside, he was momentarily taken aback, clearly recognizing her, but quickly returned to normal. "Pei Xinyuan, right? This young girl is quite persistent."

Before she came, Pei Xinyuan had warned herself not to act impulsively, but seeing the same assistant director who mercilessly rejected her yesterday, she couldn’t help feeling a bit unsettled.

Unable to hold back, she replied softly, "Is persistence a bad thing?"

After speaking, she regretted it, pursing her lips and glancing at the somewhat displeased face across from her, "I, I’m here to audition for the palace maid Yue Zhi this time."

Yue Zhi had the same status as Qing Yuan, both historical palace maids serving Emperor Yuan Zhao. However, Yue Zhi didn’t have as much seniority as Qing Yuan. In terms of palace maid ranking, Qing Yuan was first-class, while Yue Zhi was second-class. Naturally, the role had fewer scenes than Qing Yuan’s role, but it was the only remaining palace maid role that hadn’t been finalized yet.

The assistant director chuckled upon hearing this and waved his hand, "The role of Yue Zhi has already been cast."

Pei Xinyuan grew anxious immediately, "But I saw that the role was still marked as red on the big screen outside..."

"It’s just that we haven’t had time to change it yet. You can either choose another minor role or give up."

Watching his evasive gaze, Pei Xinyuan knew that this was likely just an excuse.

Having been in the industry for so long, she had naturally encountered some unwritten rules before.

Arguing was pointless, as it would only lead to losses for someone like her without any backing.

However, in the assistant director’s eyes, her silence was taken as discontent.

"Honestly, there’s not much worth choosing among the remaining roles. There’s maybe one or two lines at most in the whole play, and I saw your acting yesterday. Just pick any role."

"But I..."

A light cough came from the side door.

Pei Xinyuan paused her words, turning to look at the newcomer.

With thick eyebrows and a crew cut, the person looked so familiar that she hesitated to believe her eyes.

She really hadn’t expected this person to come to their little audition room.

Before she could greet him, the assistant director, who had been sitting still, quickly stood up. "Director Wei, what brings you here?"

Wei Xiao walked over to the assistant director, pressing him back down. "I came to see if you’re done over here yet. Why did I find you chatting with the young lady auditioning as soon as I arrived?"

"Just having a brief chat about her views on the crew. Director Wei, please have a seat. This young lady wants to audition for the role of palace maid Yue Zhi, but that role is already taken."

Pei Xinyuan opened her mouth, wanting to explain herself, but after seeing the warning in the assistant director’s eyes, she bit her lip and held back.

She still wanted to join the crew, so she couldn’t afford to offend someone who could decide the fate of a minor role like hers.

"I..."

Wei Xiao casually picked up the information on the table, glanced at it, and looked at the slightly stubborn young lady standing opposite. He suddenly instructed, "Pei Xinyuan, right? Let me see your side profile and back view."

Pei Xinyuan was confused for a moment but followed his instructions after snapping back to her senses.

After watching, Wei Xiao couldn’t help but nod, "I knew I wasn’t mistaken."

He had just been passing by the audition room by chance. The reason he changed his mind to walk in was that a glimpse of this back view almost made him think Jiang Lingxi had come again.

Not until seeing the front did he realize they were two completely different faces, yet the side and back view were eerily similar to Jiang Lingxi.

"Director Lin said the role you wanted to audition for has already been chosen. Would you be willing to be an understudy?"

"Understudy? What kind of understudy?"

Seeing the girl’s wary expression, Wei Xiao found it a bit amusing and explained patiently, "Not the kind of body double you might be thinking of. Just a back view double, and possibly a stand-in double."

Pei Xinyuan thought for a moment, taking a deep breath, "Can I know whose understudy I’d be?"

"The female lead, Jiang Yuanzhao."

"Okay, I’m willing."

This time, it was Wei Xiao’s turn to raise his eyebrows in surprise, "So readily? You need to know that as an understudy, you won’t be able to show your face throughout the series. Once you agree, there’s no backing out."

It could be said that aside from face doubles, other types of understudies don’t get screen time. Playing minor roles might even afford a slight chance of showing one’s face.

"As long as I can join the crew."

There was an earnest urgency in her voice, which amused Wei Xiao, "Alright then, Director Lin, remember to prepare the contract for the female lead’s understudy for her."

Director Lin quickly nodded, "Don’t worry, Director Wei. You truly are something else, finding the female lead’s understudy just like that."

"No need to flatter me, continue with your work. I’m off."

Seeing Wei Xiao leave with a wave without taking anything with him, Director Lin looked at Pei Xinyuan, who couldn’t contain her happiness, and remarked while making notes, "It’s not like there aren’t other roles for you to audition for. Though being an understudy means you’ll be with the crew, you won’t be able to show your face and won’t be listed in the cast. Yet here you are, so delighted."

Reflecting on the things he did yesterday and today, he felt a bit guilty towards this girl. Now that she caught Director Wei’s attention, even if as an understudy, at least she would be remembered. Thus, he graciously offered some advice, "But you reckon you’re already standing out in front of Director Wei this time. Being an understudy isn’t bad; there are those who’ve gained fame as understudies in this industry. Work hard."

Pei Xinyuan gave him a slight bow, "Thank you for your guidance, Assistant Director."

Whether those words were sincere or not, she had to accept them graciously.

"Go on then, you’ll be notified when it’s time to sign the contract. Keep your phone on so you don’t miss any calls."

Upon leaving the audition room, Pei Xinyuan saw Han Jiaojiao waiting outside.

"How did it go? Did you get the role of Yue Zhi?"

"No."

"Ah?" Han Jiaojiao’s face fell immediately, lowering her voice and expressing her frustration, "You passed the audition for Qing Yuan yesterday, how could you not pass for Yue Zhi? Could it be you’re jinxed with this production crew?"

Hearing the last part, Pei Xinyuan quickly covered her mouth. "Let me finish. Although I didn’t get the part for Yue Zhi, I did get the female lead’s understudy role in the audition."

"An understudy?" Han Jiaojiao was stunned. Seeing her roommate still quite happy, she couldn’t help reaching out to feel her forehead. "You’re not feverish, are you? Why on earth would you want to be an understudy? Even as a female lead’s understudy, you still won’t get any screen time."

Pei Xinyuan took Han Jiaojiao’s hand away. "I’m not sick, I wanted to."

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Han Jiaojiao, despite not fully understanding, didn’t say anything further.

"Enough about me, how about you? Was your audition successful?"

"It went okay." Han Jiaojiao touched her face, "You know my looks limit my roles. This time I managed to get the part of the third mistress of the General Mansion. I’m satisfied. I even have three lines."

"What are the three lines?"

"My lord, spare me! I acknowledge my guilt. Haha, not more than ten words in total. Not bad, right? The rest of the time, I just have to sit in the corner as a background actor. Much easier than being an understudy."

As they walked out the main door, Pei Xinyuan glanced back at the audition room she had entered twice.

Seeing this, Han Jiaojiao snorted, "When the production starts filming, that Jiang-named actress will probably be surprised to see you join under another identity. She’ll surely be in for a shock."

Pei Xinyuan turned back with a smile and shook her head, "She probably doesn’t even know who I am, so I doubt she’ll be shocked."

However, she mentally noted the role that was snatched from her hands this time.