Join a Dating Reality Show with the Aloof, Fishing-Style Richest Man - Chapter 14

Lu Zhao froze in place, momentarily stuck in an awkward dilemma of whether to advance or retreat.

“Lu Zhao, didn’t you say that even if we couldn’t be lovers, we could still be friends? Why do I get the feeling you really don’t want to come in right now?” A youthful male voice rang out.

Lu Zhao: “…”

Can’t you at least try to hide it?

And that was just being polite! You actually believed me?!

“Not at all. I was just surprised; I didn’t expect to run into you here.” Lu Zhao put on a professional smile and greeted the director and producer.

The director looked pleasant and slightly plump, resembling a smiling Maitreya Buddha. Lu Zhao’s first impression of him was quite good.

“Humph. If you really wanted to see me, why haven’t you taken me off your blacklist yet?” The man speaking had a buzz cut and wore a loose-fitting suit. He had several piercings in his ears and wore numerous rings on his fingers—the quintessential image of a playboy.

He was handsome enough, and while he looked like a wild partier on the outside, he acted like a literal “puppy dog” in front of Lu Zhao.

The others present were surprised to hear this. They hadn’t expected this wealthy young master to have so little status in Lu Zhao’s eyes.

Lu Zhao felt an immediate wave of embarrassment. After years of not seeing him, he was still as blunt as ever.

The director, sensing her awkwardness, smiled and spoke up: “As you know, the role of the second female lead for this audition is quite difficult. Do you have confidence in yourself?”

“Her acting is great!” the man couldn’t help but interject.

Lu Zhao gave the director an awkward smile. “It’s alright. You can test me.”

The director’s eyes sparked with interest. She was the first person to openly suggest being tested.

“Alright then. Try the scene where the second female lead goes to the male lead’s company to have lunch with him, only to walk in on him and the female lead together.”

Lu Zhao had read the script thoroughly the day before. As soon as the director mentioned it, she knew exactly which scene he meant. She immediately composed her thoughts and began to perform.

“Brother Chen, why is she here!”

Lu Zhao performed without props or anyone to act against, playing the scene out of thin air.

The director was used to this. Watching her performance, he nodded initially, thinking it seemed decent enough. However, the more he watched, the more his “Maitreya Buddha” facade began to crack, gradually giving way to a look of utter bewilderment.

“This won’t do! Where is your love-hate struggle for the male lead?! You’re a villainous second lead, but you can’t just be purely evil. you have to have complex emotions for him!”

“Emotions! Haven’t you ever been in love?!”

The director’s voice was like a booming bell. In an instant, he transformed from a smiling Buddha into a frustrated old man from Northeast China, a total personality shift.

Lu Zhao was stunned by his shouting. Did I really not show any emotion for the male lead? But then again, I really haven’t been in love!

“Does… does being a ‘simp’ count?” Lu Zhao asked cautiously.

Surely that was somewhat related to romance?

The room fell silent for a moment after she said that. Clearly, everyone was remembering her history of “simping” for Ji Zhaoxi.

The man’s expression soured slightly upon hearing her mention being a simp.

“Yes! That’s the feeling!”

“Simp!” the director affirmed.

“The feeling is here!” Lu Zhao’s face turned serious. This was a business she was very familiar with!

When she performed again, the vibe was completely different. It was as if life had been breathed into the role; the character became vivid in an instant!

The director’s eyes lit up, his round face full of pleasant surprise.

“Good, good, good! This kid has talent!”

“Work hard! We might just make a run for an Oscar in the future!”

The director grew more excited as he spoke. This kid had great intuition—she understood immediately with just a little guidance. To be able to adjust that quickly, if she wasn’t a natural-born actor, what was she!

Having her “simping skills” validated—and being told she could aim for an Oscar—Lu Zhao felt a fire ignite in her heart.

That’s right! I am the best!

Seeing the director praise Lu Zhao, the man beside him got excited as if he were the one being complimented.

“Told you! I said Lu Zhao’s acting was great! She just had bad luck before and couldn’t get famous!”

Lu Zhao, who was still basking in the joy of being recognized, lost her smile when she heard him. Can’t this guy just say a few less words? What does any of this have to do with him!

“Alright, there’s no need to audition anyone else for the second female lead. It’s you!” the director decided on the spot. With someone this talented, even if she struggled occasionally, she would get it immediately with a little coaching!

Hearing that the role was hers, Lu Zhao ignored the man’s shouting and immediately accepted, thanking everyone seated.

With the role secured, Lu Zhao had no reason to linger. After saying goodbye to the director, she headed out. However, the man ignored what anyone else might think and chased after her.

“Qiao Yang, can you please stop following me? I have things to do,” Lu Zhao said helplessly to the person sticking to her side. He was preventing her from sharing the good news of her successful audition with Sister Li.

Meeting Sister Li’s questioning gaze, Lu Zhao could only offer a helpless, bitter smile.

“I’m going to follow you!” Qiao Yang’s face crumpled in defiance. “What exactly is wrong with me? You’d rather simp for Ji Zhaoxi than be with me.”

“Think about it! I like you so much—if you’re with me, then I’ll be the one simping for you!”

The others still waiting for their auditions looked over in shock.

Is simping the new trend lately?

Seeing the situation, Lu Zhao hurried away. Sister Li followed closely. Qiao Yang, unwilling to let them go, naturally kept up the chase.

It wasn’t until they reached a secluded corridor that Lu Zhao turned back to face Qiao Yang. The young man’s face still held a hint of boyishness; he looked like a pampered young master who acted without restraint.

“Qiao Yang, you know that when it comes to feelings, things aren’t always clear-cut.”

Lu Zhao tried to be the voice of reason. Back when she was still in school, this wealthy and idle young master would often come looking for her, forcing her to move through campus like a thief—constantly watching in all directions.

“How is it not clear? I don’t think I look any worse than her! I want to compete with her!” Qiao Yang was fuming. As soon as he returned to the country, he found his crush chasing after someone else. How could he not be angry!

Listening to their conversation, Sister Li eventually stepped up and silently patted Qiao Yang on the shoulder.

Qiao Yang turned to look at her in confusion.

Sister Li swallowed hard and asked tentatively, “Do you think… is there a possibility that you lost because of gender? That Lu Zhao likes women?”

Qiao Yang: “…”

Lu Zhao gave Sister Li a quiet thumbs-up. Truly my manager!

Qiao Yang frowned and looked at Lu Zhao. “You really like women?”

Lu Zhao nodded vigorously, her face full of incredible sincerity.

Qiao Yang: “…”

His brow furrowed deeply, as if he were undergoing a massive internal struggle. Finally, he pulled out his phone to make a call.

“Wait, what are you doing?” Lu Zhao watched him closely, afraid he was calling people to come beat her up.

“Calling a friend in Thailand to have him arrange a hospital!”

Lu Zhao’s eyes widened instantly.

Sister Li immediately turned to face the wall, pressing her palms together in prayer.

“My sins, my sins…”

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