After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Am in a Relationship with My Scummy Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother - Chapter 14

Huo Qingzhuo was naturally unaware of these developments. When she went to class the next day, she found that Shen Junfu had swapped seats with Wei Qingqing again, putting on a face that suggested he wanted nothing more to do with her.

Regarding this bratty kid, Huo Qingzhuo didn’t bother to pay him any mind. After all, the preliminary round was on Tuesday, and registration was open now. After thinking it over, Huo Qingzhuo decided to choose a piano solo with vocals. It was the only option that didn’t require bringing her own instrument. For her song, she chose a currently popular hit, aiming to win by playing it safe.

At noon, Shen Junfu mysteriously disappeared again. Huo Qingzhuo ate lunch with Wei Qingqing, only to discover that the two production crews she had contacted yesterday had both replied. Both requested an online interview before deciding whether to proceed with an in-person audition.

This followed standard procedure, so there was no reason to refuse. Since she had just finished lunch, Huo Qingzhuo asked Wei Qingqing to head back to the dormitory first while she went up to the rooftop alone to begin the online auditions.

Huo Qingzhuo chose the college student micro-film crew first. After connecting the video call, she began with a brief self-introduction.

“In other words, you have absolutely no acting experience, and you’re a high school senior?” The people on the other side were satisfied with Huo Qingzhuo’s appearance, but they hesitated after hearing her introduction.

“I’ve looked over your recruitment materials. You are still in the preparation phase, and the actual filming is planned for the seven days of the National Day holiday. Our schedules don’t conflict at all. Furthermore, I can balance work and study; I can apply for that with the school authorities myself.”

Huo Qingzhuo had already researched both crews. Given her current schedule, it wouldn’t be a problem.

“We still need to consider it. Wait for our notice.”

Hanging up the video call, Huo Qingzhuo’s brows furrowed slightly. This was essentially a rejection.

After years of being picky with scripts, she had now been rejected by a micro-film. Huo Qingzhuo took a deep breath and adjusted her state of mind. Since she was starting over, she had to be prepared to start from zero.

Adjusting herself to her best state, Huo Qingzhuo continued and contacted the person in charge of the web drama.

There were three people on the other side: a director, a screenwriter, and the original author of the novel. This web drama was an adaptation, and the original author was involved in the screenwriting and could even influence casting. There was no helping it; the author was the one putting up the money to film it—they were the biggest “Gold Provider.”

The director was a newcomer, not very old, appearing gentle and refined. The screenwriter had a messy “chicken nest” hairstyle, wore large black-rimmed glasses and a dull grey plaid shirt, and was silent and taciturn. As for the original author, she wore round silver-rimmed glasses and a black dress, leaning back in her chair with a cold and detached air.

Huo Qingzhuo introduced herself first. The director had a good temperament. After hearing she was in her senior year and asking if it would affect her studies, he gave her a scene to audition with.

The script was a mystery with a mythological background. The role Huo Qingzhuo was vying for was the female lead, a person with divine blood. Before her bloodline awakened, she was hunted multiple times and accidentally became involved in a murder case handled by the male lead.

The character was somewhat complex, primarily requiring the actress to play multiple facets: the pure human at the start, the emergence of a second personality when her family is destroyed during the pursuit, the “God” persona after the bloodline awakens, and her own dark side. Each stage of the character had massive contrasts and was highly challenging.

The scene Huo Qingzhuo auditioned with was the moment the protagonist’s bloodline awakens. As a God, she drives away the male lead who had been taking care of her, which then triggers her dark side, leading to a massacre.

The mercy of a God, the cruelty of a demon, and the stirrings of humanity were intertwined, forming a deeply contradictory performance.

In the final scene of the audition, Huo Qingzhuo withdrew her hand, her eyes downcast, cold yet filled with pity.

“It’s her.”

As the audition ended, the original author, who hadn’t spoken the whole time, lightly clapped her hands and looked at the director. Their eyes met, both filled with satisfaction. A single online audition had secured the role.

Huo Qingzhuo breathed a sigh of relief and bowed in thanks. In truth, she knew what she was doing; as long as she was given the chance to perform, she was confident she could land the role.

“How about next Saturday? We’ll start the makeup tests and discuss contract issues. You can bring people you trust. If you have any requests, you can raise them then, and we can negotiate, alright?”

Even though Huo Qingzhuo was just a high school student, the director’s sincerity was evident, showing no sign of looking down on her. Huo Qingzhuo’s performance just now proved she was worth this preferential treatment.

Huo Qingzhuo agreed. After finishing the call with them, she waited for the video to disconnect.

“Phew.”

Huo Qingzhuo finally exhaled, put away her phone, and added the contact information for the director and screenwriter, waiting for next Saturday.

“You actually know how to act? And you want to be an actress?”

Just as Huo Qingzhuo put her phone away and turned around, she saw Shen Junfu sitting on the low wall of the rooftop behind her. He was looking at her with an expression of utter disbelief and inexplicable complexity.

Huo Qingzhuo: “!!!!”

“When did you get there?!” Huo Qingzhuo was startled, a shudder running through her body as she questioned him in equal disbelief.

“Ever heard of ‘first come, first served’? I was here before you, okay?” Shen Junfu jumped down from the wall, leaning in toward Huo Qingzhuo with a mischievous smirk and patting her on the shoulder. “So afraid of people knowing, huh? Well, now I know. Are you mad?”

Huo Qingzhuo looked at Shen Junfu speechlessly. She decided to make her stance clear to prevent him from threatening her. “I have nothing to hide. There’s nothing to fear from others knowing. Do as you wish.”

“Oh? You’re a high school student who doesn’t study properly and messes around with this chaotic stuff, and you think it’s nothing? Student Huo Qingzhuo, there’s something seriously wrong with your thinking.” Shen Junfu deliberately mimicked the strange tone of their Chinese teacher, pacing around Huo Qingzhuo with his hands behind his back as he spoke.

Looking at Shen Junfu with disdain, Huo Qingzhuo let out a cold laugh. “Heh, I wonder how you have the face to say that. Skipping class and fighting are routine for you. You’ve broken every one of the hundred-plus school rules, and yet you have the nerve to say others aren’t studying or have ‘thinking problems’? I think you’re the one who’s seriously ill.”

“What do you know? This is called being strict with others and lenient with oneself. I light myself up to burn others. We’re classmates; I can’t just watch you fall into depravity.”

When it came to crooked logic, Shen Junfu had a whole set. Finally, he offered a sincere warning: “I advise you to stay away from that circle. It’s a quagmire; the water is incredibly deep. Don’t think you can ’emerge from the mud unstained’; by then, you won’t even be able to crawl out. Careful you don’t drown.”

Having spent ten years struggling in that circle, Huo Qingzhuo naturally understood what kind of place it was better than Shen Junfu. She gave him a carefree smile and looked out at the distant blue sky.

“Thanks for the advice. But not everyone is born in an ivory tower. If you want one, you have to go get it yourself. And my ivory tower just happens to be right inside that quagmire.”