Ling Wei was not a workaholic. In her previous life, she had always tried to balance career and personal life. She loved her profession and also wanted to manage the small family she shared with Ye Zichu.
She believed she had done well. Both work and family had made her feel fulfilled. Unfortunately, her happiness had only been an illusion carefully constructed by Ye Zichu.
No matter how long or beautiful a dream is, there comes a day when one wakes up.
Ling Wei knew that from the moment she opened her eyes in that old house, she had completely awakened from those illusory dreams.
Now she was in the prime of youth and alone, free of constraints. She could play when she wanted and enjoy herself as she pleased. It was truly a wonderful thing.
Moreover, she had cleverly found herself a powerful backer. Just thinking about it made her unable to suppress the excitement in her heart.
After all, that was Xie Qingyan, a man blessed with wealth, status, and power, a favored son of heaven. Most importantly, he perfectly matched the aesthetic standards of a severe face enthusiast. Handsome face, perfect figure, and those astonishingly long legs one could admire for an entire year.
She had never imagined that such a godlike man would be so easily talked into becoming her nominal lover. Just thinking about it felt like a dream.
Ling Wei quickly took out her phone and opened WeChat to check her contacts. When Xie Qingyan had driven her home, they had added each other. She needed to confirm that he truly existed in her contact list. Only after seeing the name Xie Qingyan did she finally breathe a sigh of relief, certain that she had not been dreaming.
Just as she was about to click into his profile to browse his Moments, Chen Xiao Ruo said beside her, “Sister Wei, look, Sister Zhao brought White Lotus.”
Ling Wei put away her phone and looked toward the door. She saw Zhao Ruyi, dressed festively, walking in from the lobby with Bai Xiaolian, who wore a cold and aloof expression. The two were chatting and laughing, clearly in a good mood. The “White Lotus” Chen Xiao Ruo referred to was Bai Xiaolian.
Today was the audition day for the drama Palace Wall Willow. Ling Wei had arrived early with Chen Xiao Ruo to wait. Because so many people had come to audition, the production team had temporarily opened a large lounge for the actors. Ling Wei quietly looked around and noticed that several fairly well known third and fourth tier actors were also present.
Palace Wall Willow was adapted from a popular novel and directed by the renowned director Guo Qi. With an investment of nearly two hundred million, it was a standard big budget production. The male and female leads were top tier stars currently at the peak of popularity. Even before filming had begun, promotional articles had already circulated in multiple waves, and various topics had flooded media platforms. It was undoubtedly a drama destined to become a hit even before airing.
Since everyone knew the show would be a success, they were all scrambling for a chance to appear in it. The roles being auditioned today were not major ones, yet even so, people were eager to compete.
Ling Wei was not surprised at all to see Zhao Ruyi arrive with Bai Xiaolian.
Zhao Ruyi managed several artists. Among them, Bai Xiaolian had the greatest fame, barely ranking as third or fourth tier. Zhao Ruyi was very satisfied with her and personally handled her affairs. Although Ling Wei was beautiful, she was not obedient enough for Zhao Ruyi’s liking, especially regarding social engagements. Ling Wei often opposed her in that regard. As a result, Zhao Ruyi not only had no intention of promoting her but would occasionally suppress her instead.
Ling Wei had obtained this audition opportunity through her own connections. Bai Xiaolian, on the other hand, had it secured for her by Zhao Ruyi. The difference in treatment was truly vast.
If it had been the old Ling Wei, she might have felt resentment and even harbored deep hatred toward Zhao Ruyi. Now, however, the two of them could no longer stir even the slightest ripple in her heart. She vaguely remembered that Bai Xiaolian had ultimately failed the audition, while she herself had successfully secured a role. Unfortunately, the part had very little screen time, and even when the drama later became a huge hit, it did little for her career.
After escorting Bai Xiaolian to the lounge entrance, Zhao Ruyi turned and walked toward the other end of the lobby, likely to meet someone.
Standing at the door, Bai Xiaolian glanced casually into the lounge and spotted Ling Wei. She looked surprised at first, but quickly composed herself and walked toward Ling Wei with a smug expression.
Beside Ling Wei, Chen Xiao Ruo muttered through clenched teeth, “That face just begs to be slapped.”
Ling Wei patted the back of her hand, signaling her to stay calm.
Bai Xiaolian walked up to them, putting on airs, and said, “What are you doing here?”
Ling Wei felt she was asking the obvious. “Of course I’m here for the audition.”
“Did Sister Zhao send you?”
“Do you think that’s possible?”
“Well, you’re quite capable then.” Bai Xiaolian offered the remark in a mocking tone.
Ling Wei waved her hand modestly. “It’s nothing. I’m just used to relying on myself.”
“Which role are you auditioning for?”
This time Ling Wei did not answer right away. Instead she asked, “What about you? Which role?”
Bai Xiaolian frowned. “I asked you first.”
Ling Wei said smugly, “I’m afraid you might be scared if I tell you, so you go first.”
Half doubtful, Bai Xiaolian still answered honestly, “I’m auditioning for the role of Consort Ru.”
Ling Wei fell silent.
What a small world. The role Ling Wei was auditioning for happened to be Consort Ru’s maid, a minor character who tries to attract the emperor with her beauty and is eventually killed by Consort Ru. In her previous life, she had indeed secured that role.
“Is Consort Ru being auditioned today?” Ling Wei asked in confusion. Consort Ru had quite a few scenes and should have been decided internally long ago.
“It is today, but only three people were invited to audition.” Bai Xiaolian lifted her chin proudly and glanced at Ling Wei from the corner of her eye.
Ling Wei found it amusing, thinking to herself that Bai Xiaolian had not even gotten the part, so what was there to be so proud of.
Bai Xiaolian pressed on, “So which role are you auditioning for?”
“Consort Ru’s maid,” Ling Wei replied.
Bai Xiaolian’s eyes widened and she burst into laughter. “That role suits you perfectly. I hope you pass the audition. That way you might get the chance to serve me in the future.”
Chen Xiaoruo could not stand it anymore and snapped, “How can you talk like that?”
Bai Xiaolian shot her a glare. “This isn’t your place to interrupt.”
Ling Wei shielded Chen Xiaoruo behind her and said to Bai Xiaolian, “Sister Bai, don’t speak too soon. Aren’t there still two other competitors? If something goes wrong, how embarrassing would that be?”
Bai Xiaolian dismissed it lightly. “We’ll see.”
After finishing her business, Zhao Ruyi returned to find Bai Xiaolian. When she saw Ling Wei standing nearby, she was startled. “What are you doing here?”
Ling Wei did not really want to deal with her, but out of courtesy she greeted her, “Sister Zhao.”
Zhao Ruyi had no time to bother with her. She took Bai Xiaolian by the arm and walked off, saying as they went, “Director Guo arranged for you to audition first.”
Only after the two of them had gone some distance did Ling Wei let out a quiet breath. Talking to people like that was exhausting.
Chen Xiaoruo said disdainfully, “That White Lotus is so annoying. She’s not that famous, yet she acts like such a big shot.”
Ling Wei comforted her. “Just stay away from her in the future. Out of sight, out of mind.”
As they were speaking in low voices, someone called from the doorway, “Miss Ling, Miss Ling Wei.”
Thinking it was her turn to audition, Ling Wei quickly stood up and walked out. When she saw the man at the door clearly, she froze for a moment. “You are…”
The middle aged man smiled honestly and said, “Hello, Miss Ling. I’m Mr. Xie’s driver. We met at the banquet that day.”
Ling Wei remembered instantly and smiled. “Oh, it’s you. What a coincidence. How should I address you?”
“You’re too polite, Miss Ling. Just call me Old Zhang. I came specifically to see you today.”
Ling Wei was still confused and could not understand why the driver would appear here, so she asked, “Old Zhang, did Mr. Xie send you to find me?”
Old Zhang shook his head and pointed to another man beside him. “I brought Secretary Du.”
Ling Wei was completely baffled. Who was this Secretary Du? With that cold expression, he looked like someone collecting a debt.
Old Zhang continued explaining, “That day in the car you mentioned the audition. Mr. Xie asked Secretary Du to come over and take care of things. He has already spoken with the director.”
“Spoken about what?” Ling Wei could barely keep up. The whole situation had taken a sudden, dramatic turn.
Secretary Du stepped forward and said in a voice as cold as his expression, “I’ve discussed your audition role with the director.” He handed Ling Wei two sheets of A4 paper. “Here’s a selected scene for the role. Familiarize yourself with it. As long as your acting isn’t too terrible, the role is basically yours.”
Ling Wei took the papers and glanced at them, nearly laughing out loud. The role Secretary Du had secured for her was actually Consort Ru. What a twist of fate.
Old Zhang added, “Miss Ling, Mr. Xie said he’s done you a big favor this time, so I should make sure to tell you, otherwise you wouldn’t know.”
Ling Wei was speechless.
According to the usual script, shouldn’t a good deed be done without seeking recognition? What was with this obvious claim for credit? Besides, she had not even asked him for help.
Before Ling Wei could sort out her thoughts, Old Zhang and Secretary Du were already saying goodbye. Old Zhang said cheerfully, “Miss Ling, do your best. Mr. Xie thinks highly of you.”
Ling Wei really wanted to ask Old Zhang whether the Mr. Xie who sent such playful messages through others was truly the same Mr. Xie she had met that night, or if someone had been swapped out. But before she could speak, Old Zhang and Secretary Du hurried away.
Chen Xiaoruo had been quietly standing behind Ling Wei and had heard most of the conversation. Now she asked eagerly, “Who is Mr. Xie?”
Ling Wei glanced back at her but did not answer. With mixed feelings, she held the two sheets of paper and found a quiet corner outside the lounge to carefully study the script.
Although Chen Xiaoruo was extremely curious, seeing how focused she was, she did not dare disturb her and could only play on her phone.
Chen Xiaoruo liked playing Fight the Landlord, but her luck was never very good. After finally becoming the landlord once, she was bombarded by the two farmers in turn. Just as she exited the game in utter despair, she looked up and saw Bai Xiaolian walking out of a room with a dark expression on her face.
“Wenjie, the White Lotus just came out, she looks like she’s crying.”
“She probably didn’t pass the audition,” Ling Wei said.
Chen Xiaoruo let out a snort. “Serves her right.”
From a distance, Bai Xiaolian spotted Ling Wei. After a brief pause, she quickened her pace and walked straight over. Stopping in front of her, she said coldly, “I didn’t get the role of Consort Ru. You must be very happy, aren’t you?”
Ling Wei touched her nose and answered honestly, “A little.”
Bai Xiaolian shot her a glare. “I knew you’d gloat. But even though I didn’t get Consort Ru, I did get another role. Don’t you want to know which one?”
Playing along, Ling Wei asked, “Which one?”
Bai Xiaolian gave a dry laugh. “I got the role of Consort Ru’s maid. Which means you don’t even have a chance to audition anymore.”
After saying that, Bai Xiaolian waited quietly for Ling Wei’s reaction. She had expected shock, disappointment, or anger. Instead, nothing happened. Ling Wei remained calm and composed, as steady as ever.
“You’re not surprised?” Bai Xiaolian pressed.
Ling Wei burst out laughing. “It’s just a maid role. If I don’t get it, I don’t get it. I don’t mind at all. Anyway, I have another role to choose from.”
Bai Xiaolian had not expected that. Startled, she asked, “Which role?”
Generously, Ling Wei held out the A4 sheet in her hand for her to see. “Here. The role of Consort Ru.”
Her words struck like a bolt from the blue, leaving Bai Xiaolian stunned and shaken. Her lips trembled as she stammered, “Im… impossible. They just said the role of Consort Ru was already internally decided.”
Ling Wei raised an eyebrow and smiled as she delivered the final blow. “I’m probably the one they decided on. Sister Bai, the maid role suits you quite well. You’ll have to take good care of Consort Ru from now on.”
Ling Wei returned Bai Xiaolian’s earlier words to her, unchanged.