The Stand-in is Exceptionally Clingy [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The CEO and Her Canary

◎Fragrance Fades, Clouds Fall◎

“I heard you’re a student at the Film Academy?”

“…Yes.”

“It must be pretty tiring, balancing your studies with acting?”

“Oh, it’s fine. I finished most of my credits last semester.”

The director’s small, round face broke into a smile, which sent a shiver down Jian Ke’s spine. “I heard you just signed with Jiaxun and don’t have much acting experience, right? It must be pretty hard to find resources and develop your career…”

Jian Ke said, “Uh… Director, you can just say what you want. You don’t have to beat around the bush.”

The director rubbed her hands together in a strategic gesture. “Then I’ll be direct. A friend of mine is currently preparing a modern urban drama, and they haven’t been able to find a suitable person for a while.”

“I think your appearance and temperament fit perfectly, so I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to give it a try.”

Jian Ke was slightly taken aback. She hadn’t even started acting yet, and the director was already feeding her a role? Just as she was about to speak, the director began to excitedly describe the script. Listening to the plot, Jian Ke finally understood why the director had been so indirect.

“So, the script is a Girls’ Love (GL) story?”

While there had been dramas with GL themes before, they were always in the subplots, very subtle and ambiguous. The definition was blurry, so they could be or not be, depending on the audience’s interpretation. However, this drama was entirely from the perspective of two women. The ambiguous tension and emotional development were so obvious even a fool could see there was more than just friendship. It couldn’t be dismissed as just a strong friendship.

Since it touched on a sensitive area, most directors wouldn’t choose to be so direct, for fear that the show would be cut or fail to pass censorship. Similarly, well-known actors weren’t willing to take such a huge risk on a script that might not even air. The only option was to look for new actors.

“Has there been a precedent for a GL-focused drama in the market? I remember last year’s The Shore had several scenes between the female leads deleted, right? And…” Jian Ke listed a few other classic dramas. To quickly complete her phase-two goal, she hadn’t put in a small amount of effort.

The director’s confidence wavered a bit. “What you’re saying is true… but The Shore‘s cuts were simply because it was too long. The trends this year are already changing.” The script was well-written, and if it was filmed well, it wouldn’t have trouble finding an audience. But this subject matter… no one could predict how it would be received. There had to be a pioneer to be the experiment.

Jian Ke squinted, resting her chin in her hand. But if she really became a pioneer, wouldn’t she be a huge step closer to fame?

The 520 stand-in system felt a bad premonition and quickly gave a warning. “Host, calm down! Same-sex marriage isn’t legal in this world yet, and the audience’s attitude toward GL dramas is unknown. If it can’t air, it will definitely hurt your path to fame!”

Jian Ke was composed. “If they really want to find an actor, there should be plenty of new actors willing to take the role, right? Why did you suddenly pick me?”

The director scratched her head awkwardly. “I wrote the script for The Foggy Sea. We’ve been auditioning actors for a long time but haven’t found a suitable one. You are the person with the most fitting temperament for Li Zhu I’ve seen so far. I don’t want to give up.”

520: “Snap out of it, don’t get carried away. Host, this is a setup. Don’t fall for it…”

The director saw Jian Ke’s hesitation and seemed to think she had a chance. She continued, “If you agree, I can also tell them to try and film it more subtly.”

“No need. Just film it as it is.” Since they were going to film it, they might as well do it well. A good production is always the strongest backing for a star. “However, this is too sudden. I have to discuss it with my manager and team first.”

The director happily left, and a stylist pulled Jian Ke to the costume room.

520: “Host, isn’t this a bit of a big gamble? I don’t think Chen Qiu will agree.”

Jian Ke said, “This isn’t a gamble. This is a genuine opportunity.” She analyzed calmly. “A new theme will feel fresh to the audience. Even if it airs and doesn’t match the audience’s taste, I will have still accomplished one thing: boosting my name recognition.”

“Of course, convincing Sister Qiu is a big problem.”

520: “But what if the show never airs? Then you would have filmed it for nothing.”

Jian Ke said, “It’s a short drama with a one-month filming period. Using that month to gamble for a chance to become famous is worth it.”

The opportunity was right in front of her. If she didn’t even have the guts to seize it, how could she climb the other ninety-nine steps?

Jian Ke’s scene was scheduled after Qiao Jingjing’s. She put on her costume and sat by the TV monitor in the studio, reading her script and looking at the screen. A long, continuous scene in the script was cut into individual shots during filming. Because the junior sister now had a “real person” playing her, in addition to being a slideshow background, Jian Ke also had a three-minute death scene.

A hazy gray sky emitted ominous vibes over the towering city walls, which were filled with smoke and fire. The sky was filled with a flurry of falling snow, but it couldn’t hide the heavy stench of blood. At the city gates, a graceful figure in a light purple dress stood tall, surrounded and cornered by several people. She was a beautiful sight, her flowing clothes bringing with them a murderous aura. The cold sword in her hand clanged in protest. Her long black hair, which fell to her waist, brushed against the jade pendant that symbolized the Cloud Bell Sect.

Her face, which was usually gentle and charming, had a few bloody scratches, and she wiped away the fresh blood from her lips. Although she was already exhausted and her breath was unsteady, she still stood her ground, showing no signs of fear.

Jian Ke’s eyes glanced at the bodies lying around her. A flicker of emotion appeared in her resolute eyes. The senior brothers and sisters who had come out on the mission with her were now lying cold and lifeless in pools of blood.

A large tear rolled from her reddened eye, like a pear blossom petal fluttering down from a branch—sad and withered. Jian Ke did not blink or sob, but the contained grief was conveyed through the lens, reaching the hearts of everyone present.

The director didn’t yell, “Cut.” This performance was clearly more effective for the scene than a tearful and hoarse one. No one can overcome their fear when facing death. But Jian Ke had no choice. Inside the crumbling city walls were ordinary people who were defenseless against the demons. She could hear the cries of the children and the pleas of the adults. To stand guard was their only hope.

Jian Ke took the jade pendant from her waist. Her expression was light and free. She gave a sarcastic smile to the people surrounding her and crushed the jade pendant in her hand. The fractured pieces fell to the ground, accompanied by her demise.

Jian Ke fell into the snow, her eyes vacant as she looked up at the hazy sky. A few crying birds circled in mid-air. She slowly, as if using the last of her strength, curved her lips into a smile.

The city was safe, but the Cloud Bell Sect’s youngest junior sister, who had been doted on by her senior brothers and sisters, had disappeared. The proud, willful young girl who usually acted spoiled was so brave and fearless in her final moments.

Jian Ke said, “She was actually scared. She was afraid of death. She wanted to live, to go back to the sect, to be with her senior brothers and sisters. But everyone else had sacrificed themselves. Her tears and weakness were useless.”

“She was always the little junior sister who was protected under the wings of her senior sister. She didn’t understand the great principles of upholding justice.”

“She didn’t understand responsibility, but she understood how to protect.”

The director compared the two versions of the performance and had to admit that Jian Ke was right. The perfect filming of the scene was over. The other crew members, who had expected Jian Ke to be a rookie and thought that if she couldn’t get the scene right on the first day, it would be dragged into the next, all breathed a sigh of relief. They teased the director, asking where she had found such a talented newcomer.

The director looked at Jian Ke. She was able to create such a vivid and complex character based on just a few lines of description. With such acting ability, it seemed she had found a gem.

Jian Ke changed out of her costume in the dressing room, silently said goodbye to the character, and left the set. Qiao Jingjing’s scene was scheduled to be filmed until the early morning. Jian Ke walked out of the studio alone. The sky had long since darkened. A cold wind blew over her, making her shiver. The temperature was dropping fast in the autumn.

Jian Ke rubbed her hands together and was about to hail a taxi to go home when she saw a familiar car pull up beside her. The window rolled down, revealing Lou Bianxia’s beautiful and delicate face. Her tone was cool, yet it held a soft, almost imperceptible, smiling warmth.

“Little one, want a ride?”

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