Never Forget - Chapter 3

“Skinny? Bottom?” Lian Rong froze for a moment before stammering, “Teacher Qin, which ‘bottom’ are you talking about?”

Qin Zhizhen glanced at her, his cool gaze sweeping over the iPad in her hands. His lips parted as if to speak, but he ultimately said nothing and turned back to the script resting on his lap.

The lush branches of the roadside trees filtered the sunlight, casting a soft shadow over his thick, dark eyelashes. As the car glided forward, the dappled light danced across the bridge of his straight nose.

Lian Rong looked from Qin Zhizhen to the video on the tablet, finally realizing he was asking about being a “bottom.”

A bottom? What a joke… Lian Rong shook her head vigorously. “Teacher Qin, you’re super alpha, totally a top! Your female fans even tell you not to limit yourself to just one gender because they all want to be Mrs. Qin.”

Qin Zhizhen did indeed look like a top. In fact, there were many fan-made “shipping” videos of him online. But only one editor had truly gone viral. It wasn’t just because of the provocatively named account, Zhenzhen, Did You Counterattack Today? It was because only in their videos was Qin Zhizhen portrayed as the bottom.

The vibrant and stunning Ye Zhuyi paired with the cool and aloof Qin Zhizhen.

A seductive and glamorous top paired with a cold and abstinent bottom. This dynamic was the complete opposite of the roles in other fan-edited videos. Oh my god, it’s so good! How could I not get hooked?

Qin Zhizhen’s hand paused as she flipped through the script. Her elegant brows furrowed almost imperceptibly as if she had just remembered something. “Let’s just keep the boundaries strict. I don’t want to deal with another Sui Xuan.”

Hearing this, Lian Rong blinked, her eyes flickering with a mix of sympathy and disdain.

Qin Zhizhen didn’t want to dwell on the topic. “What time is Director Lu’s audition for the Female Second Lead the day after tomorrow?”

Lian Rong lowered her gaze and said seriously, “The audition starts at ten, but Director Lu said we can go later.”

Qin Zhizhen nodded and held out her hand to Lian Rong. “Give me the files on the actresses auditioning for the Female Second Lead.”

Lian Rong took a folder from her bag and handed it over, her eyes fixed on the hand Qin Zhizhen used to prop up her chin.

A treat for any hand enthusiast. Many people had fantasized about this hand. The vermillion-red nails on the fingertips had been specially done for the awards ceremony.

Looking at it this way, she really does look like a bottom.

Lian Rong suddenly remembered. “Director Lu said Screenwriter Zhou added another actress to the audition, Ye Zhuyi. Her file is in the email.” She pulled up Ye Zhuyi’s information and held the iPad out to Qin Zhizhen like a precious treasure.

Qin Zhizhen glanced at it briefly.

She had debuted in a girl group after a talent show at twenty. Her acting career consisted of minor roles in obscure web dramas, with her best parts being the second or third female lead. She had no standout works to her name, only a few minor awards. At best, she was a third-tier actress, and without the popularity from her girl group days, she would have been even less known.

“Do you want to see clips from her previous work?” Lian Rong asked.

“No,” Qin Zhizhen replied, frowning slightly. “I’ve already seen them.”

The fan-made ship videos!

Lian Rong’s eyes lit up. When you’re a shipper, you start seeing things everywhere.

For every other actress, Qin Zhizhen had reviewed their professional reels. But for Ye Zhuyi, he had watched those fan-made videos.

Such special treatment, Lian Rong thought, secretly swooning over the potential couple.

Qin Zhizhen straightened his back, holding the other actresses’ profiles. His gaze was fixed on the papers, but his eyes were unfocused, lost in thought.

A resume like Ye Zhuyi’s should have been rejected in the first round of screening. Yet Zhou Wen had specifically given her an audition.

Why did she suddenly get this chance?

After returning home from Xingyao Entertainment’s headquarters, Ye Zhuyi couldn’t stop thinking about it. She needed to find a clue, to understand the reason behind this opportunity. Only then could she improve her chances of passing the audition.

Ye Zhuyi raised a hand and kneaded her stiff neck, then closed her aching eyes. She didn’t have much video material, but she had still edited a lot of clips of Qin Zhizhen. Reviewing every single one of them carefully was no easy task.

The worst part was… Ye Zhuyi opened her eyes, her gaze fixed on the computer screen. Her hand on the mouse twitched slightly.

In the video, almost all of Qin Zhizhen’s footage was from Assassination. On the screen, the female lead played by Qin Zhizhen had once again lost to the master who had trained her. Her hand, hanging by her side, gripped the sword tightly. Blood dripped from her fingertips, blossoming into a cruel, bright red flower on the muddy ground. The camera panned up, showing Qin Zhizhen’s thin lips pressed into a sharp, determined line. The defeat in her deep, pool-like eyes vanished in the blink of an eyelash, and when she looked up again, only an unyielding pride remained. She stubbornly tilted her chin up.

Ye Zhuyi’s gaze followed the smooth curve of her jawline, landing on her snowy white, slender swan neck. If she tilted her head just a little higher…

Her gaze darkened. Ye Zhuyi closed her eyes, turned off the video, and flopped onto the carpet. She stared blankly at the ceiling, her mind going empty.

No clues, and now her head was filled with dirty thoughts.

Ye Zhuyi slowly exhaled, sat up, and shut down her computer, deciding to give herself a break for now.

Beside her, the phone screen lit up. She picked it up and saw a notification from the 4A group chat. Their group call from earlier that morning had ended abruptly, and no one had continued the conversation. They were all busy, and it was common for someone to suddenly disappear from the chat. Everyone was used to it, and they would just pick up where they left off whenever they were all free again.

Song Muran: [Smile] The production team wants us to invite a friend from the industry to record the next episode. Who’s free the day after tomorrow? Come join me on the show!

Yu Wei: …That variety show of yours is a nightmare. Can I say I’m busy?

Song Muran: [Cleaver] What do you think?

Hua Jin: Busy.

Ye Zhuyi: I’m busy too.

Yu Wei: Hahaha, this is hilarious. Give the Captain some face, guys.

Song Muran quickly found an excuse for them: Hua Hua has to go to Huajia No. 1 High School and battle it out with the tigers and wolves there. It would be weirder if she were free. Yaoyao, did you get another role?

Ye Zhuyi explained her situation: I have an audition the day after tomorrow.

Song Muran: What’s the project? What’s the role?

Ye Zhuyi: The female second lead in Jing Que.

Yu Wei: !! Wow, Yaoyao, your dream is coming true! You’ll finally get to meet your idol! Good luck, good luck! Go get that role!

Ye Zhuyi smiled. It was rare for a female lead to be involved in the casting process. Even when they were, they usually only appeared during the second round of auditions for chemistry reads. She held her phone and replied, “I probably have to pass the first round of auditions before I even get a chance to see her.”

Hua Jin: “The female second lead for Jing Que? I heard there are some romantic scenes between the female lead and the second lead. Qin Zhizhen didn’t want to take the role at first because of that. She only agreed after Lu Buping promised to let her be involved in the casting process. Maybe you’ll actually get to see her.”

Hua Jin had recently taken over her family’s business, which included Tianhua Entertainment. She heard industry news faster and more reliably than anyone else.

Ye Zhuyi’s heart skipped a beat. Would Qin Zhizhen be at the audition? Could she actually see her?

Song Muran: “[Chuckle] If you land the role of the female second lead, you’ll get to have some intimate contact with Qin Shen. So who’s going to accompany me to record the show?”

Yu Wei: “Since the Captain looks so pitiful, I’ll reluctantly agree to do it~”

Song Muran: “…You’re really putting yourself out for me!”

Yu Wei and Song Muran bickered back and forth in the group chat. Ye Zhuyi stared at the words “romantic” and “intimate contact” on the screen, biting her lower lip with her teeth.

A spark of inspiration suddenly flashed through her mind.

So, Zhou Wen saw the edited video and wants her to try out… Is she trying to see the chemistry between us?

There would be no chemistry reads in the first round of auditions. She had to pass it on her own.

Ye Zhuyi closed her eyes and reached up to grasp the heart-shaped necklace around her neck.

The weather was perfect on the day of the audition. The venue was in the suburbs of Shencheng, a one-hour drive away even without traffic.

At eight-thirty in the morning, Xiao Qiao drove the luxury van to pick up Ye Zhuyi. Ke Shu was already inside.

When Ye Zhuyi opened the door and got in, Ke Shu looked up at her. “Why aren’t you wearing any makeup?”

Ye Zhuyi was dressed in a sleeveless, cinched-waist white dress. Her chestnut hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and her face was completely bare. She rarely wore makeup, but her naturally fair skin and full, vibrant lips gave her a fresh-faced look that softened her innate glamour.

Although Ke Shu had told her it was fine if she didn’t get the part, she still hoped Ye Zhuyi would pass. This was a rare opportunity, after all. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come along in person.

Ye Zhuyi knew exactly what Ke Shu was thinking. She smiled and explained, “I don’t know the character’s vibe yet, so I didn’t want to risk the wrong look.”

Many actresses wore elaborate makeup to auditions, hoping to get the part based on their looks alone. But if the makeup clashed with the character, it could backfire.

Ke Shu nodded. She poured a glass of water and handed it to Ye Zhuyi. “This is going to be a real battle of the titans,” she warned. “Just stay calm and don’t get nervous during the audition.”

“Okay,” Ye Zhuyi forced a smile.

How could she not be nervous? The mere thought of Qin Zhizhen being there made her heart race like ten thousand startled deer. She couldn’t calm down, couldn’t even sit still. Taking a sip of water from the glass, Ye Zhuyi tried to steady her nerves. Recalling Ke Shu’s words, she asked, “Sister Ke, do you have the audition list?”

Ke Shu gave her a grave look.

They were all bound to be more famous and talented than an unknown like her. Ye Zhuyi smiled. “Who’s on it? Knowing now would help me prepare.”

Ke Shu agreed and began reciting the names she remembered. When she mentioned the wildly popular actress Jin Yue, the car suddenly accelerated.

“Xiao Qiao?” Ke Shu called out, startled, thinking something had happened.

The car slowed down again. Xiao Qiao steadied the steering wheel and explained calmly, “Just passed a car.”

Ke Shu didn’t question it further. “No rush, drive steadily.”

“Okay,” Xiao Qiao replied.

Ye Zhuyi glanced thoughtfully at the driver’s seat.

Traffic was heavy, and it took another hour and a half to reach the audition venue.

Many actresses had already arrived at the audition venue. The place was crowded with women, each as beautiful as a blooming flower competing for attention. They all wore polite smiles, gathered in small groups and chatting animatedly. This was a common sight in the industry: everyone wanted to be seen with the most popular and successful stars.

As an unknown third-tier actress, Ye Zhuyi found that almost no one approached her. She was actually glad for the peace and quiet. After drawing her number, she found a corner to wait silently.

Before ten o’clock, all the scheduled actresses had arrived. The auditions began early, with each person called into the room in the order they had drawn.

The first actress walked inside.

The audition room had no windows, and the door was shut tight, blocking out every sound.

Ye Zhuyi sat on a stool in the corner, glancing briefly at the door before looking down at her clenched fists. The veins on the back of her hands stood out sharply.

Suddenly, she was reminded of an oral exam from years ago. It was just like this, waiting anxiously outside, each minute feeling like a slow torture.

“Eleven, are you nervous too?”

Yes, Qin Xiaozhen…

Her heart tightened. Ye Zhuyi closed her eyes, fighting back her emotions and taking a deep breath.

Seeing her like this, Ke Shu raised her hand to pat her shoulder and offer some words of encouragement. But her hand stopped mid-air. It wasn’t that Ke Shu hadn’t accompanied Ye Zhuyi to auditions before, but this was the first time she’d seen her so nervous.

Ye Zhuyi always seemed so calm and confident about acting.

Is it just because this production is so good? Ke Shu lowered her hand and frowned. She found Ye Zhuyi more and more difficult to understand.

The first actress emerged from the room.

Instantly, everyone’s eyes were on her. The scene was reminiscent of an oral exam in their school days.

The actress was panting as if she’d just run a race. Her bangs were disheveled from sweat, her face pale, and her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

The assistant director called for the next person in a robotic tone.

As the second actress stepped inside, the others in the lobby quickly gathered around the first one, their voices a buzz of questions.

“What’s the script like?” “Who else is involved in the casting besides Director Lu?”

Ye Zhuyi watched the group.

The actress, whose nerves were clearly frayed, burst into tears and choked out, “No lines, no props. Just a dance. We only have five minutes to prepare.” She sniffled. “Besides Director Lu, Screenwriter Zhou and the Assistant Director are also there.”

“They didn’t tell us we needed to prepare a dance,” another actress complained. “And five minutes? Even without lines, that’s way too short.”

“Is that everyone?”

The actress shook her head.

Qin Zhizhen isn’t here?

Ye Zhuyi pressed her lips together, feeling a mix of disappointment and relief.

The auditions continued. Ye Zhuyi was number fifteen on the list, so she still had a long wait. With every actress who emerged from the room, the atmosphere in the lobby grew more suffocating.

At noon, the crew distributed boxed lunches, but most of the actresses had no appetite. Ye Zhuyi couldn’t eat either. She handed her lunch to Xiao Qiao and turned to Ke Shu. “Sister Ke, can I go smoke a cigarette?”

Knowing she was nervous, Ke Shu didn’t object. She raised a finger. “Just one. Watch the time. And don’t let anyone see you.”

“I will,” Ye Zhuyi nodded and stood up to head outside.

As she neared the main entrance, a commotion broke out among the actresses. Screams erupted from outside. Amidst the noise, Ye Zhuyi clearly heard the words “Qin Shen.”

Ye Zhuyi’s back stiffened, her heart pounding like a drum. She froze in place.

A woman emerged from the crowd, wearing a perfectly tailored apricot-colored casual suit. Her features were cool and aloof, and she exuded an aura that kept everyone at a distance. Standing there, she looked like a proud and beautiful swan, making everyone else seem like plain little ducklings.

Her piercing gaze swept over the crowd and settled on Ye Zhuyi.

Their eyes met.

Ye Zhuyi felt the air freeze around them.

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