There's Something Wrong With My Little White Flower - Chapter 56

Chapter 56: Obscure Idol X Top Girl Group Member

April, late spring, Chicheng Film and Television Center.

“Are you done yet? You’re always the ones taking the longest.”

An impatient male voice sounded as the director’s assistant appeared at the door, his right hand slapping loudly on the door: “If you can shoot, shoot! If not, hurry up and leave! Do you know how much money a machine burns every day it’s on?”

Hearing his complaint, the young girls stood up hastily like students facing the dean, adjusting their costumes and skirts as they rushed towards the door.

“It’s obviously Du Jia who keeps having too many retakes. Her assistant is afraid we’ll laugh at them, so they chased us out here…” Zhou Wanyue, who had a small red mole near her eye, whispered her complaint. “I’m so fed up with my agency. They said joining a production like this was to hone my acting skills…”

While grumbling softly, she subtly nudged the girl beside her with her arm: “By the way, Xiao Ruan, have you sent out your audition VCR? Maybe we can be on the island together in two months. I’m completely sustained by Star Catcher for my faith right now…”

Ruan Jiyun, who was addressed, slightly pursed her lips. Her face was flushed slightly from the sun, and even in the poorly made costume, she looked vibrant and fresh, like an early blooming peach blossom. She whispered: “I sent it out last week, but our agency is small, so I don’t dare hold out much hope for getting in…”

Both she and Zhou Wanyue were newcomers and trainees pushed into the set by their agencies. They were playing minor female roles, ranking seventh or eighth or even lower, essentially helping the company earn a little money under the guise of “honing acting skills.”

When they arrived at the studio, the staff had already tidied up the set. The scene to be filmed was the female protagonist’s insistence on seeking revenge for her sect, while her fellow disciples, fearing the male protagonist’s backing, desperately tried to dissuade her from acting impulsively.

It was a drama adapted from a popular web novel. Due to low-budget production, the filming was somewhat rough and ready.

Du Jia, the female lead, was sitting on a grand chair, drinking iced mineral water, while her assistant held a small fan to blow on her. Seeing the supporting cast arrive, she said sarcastically: “I didn’t know you were all big stars, making our Jia Jia wait.”

“Sorry about that.” Zhou Wanyue and Ruan Jiyun knew they couldn’t offend him. Although this was a small web drama, Du Jia was the undeniable lead, as the production company for the web drama was Du Jia’s agency, Qingkong Film and Television. It was pointless for them, two minor artists, to argue after being subtly criticized.

The assistant wanted to make a bigger fuss, but Du Jia was the one who spoke first: “Stop wasting time, let’s shoot.”

It wasn’t out of kindness, but because she had failed multiple takes early on and was feeling embarrassed. She stood up, her willow-like brows furrowed in displeasure.

The clapper sounded, and the camera focused on the center of the set.

“Senior Sister, Xuanji Sect is already on the verge of collapse. We cannot lose you again!” Ruan Jiyun, playing the junior sister, discovered Du Jia trying to sneak down the mountain and, along with Zhou Wanyue, blocked the entrance, pleading bitterly, “You cannot take this risk…”

According to the script, Du Jia was supposed to be heartbroken over her master’s death. Seeing her junior sisters still trying to stop her, she was to use a sword technique to force them back, then forcibly break through the barrier and run out.

Since the sword technique required post-production effects, Du Jia only needed to make a gesture with her hand. Ruan Jiyun and the others were supposed to gasp and retreat.

However, Du Jia did not activate the sword technique. Instead, she raised her arm and slapped Ruan Jiyun, who was closest to her!

A crisp sound rang out, and everyone was stunned.

Ruan Jiyun was inexplicably slapped across the face. Zhou Wanyue on the side cried out: “Why did you hit her?”

“Cut! Cut! Cut!” The scene was ruined. The director loudly interrupted them. “What’s going on? And you—is that the line?”

“Director, the script doesn’t have a slap scene!” Zhou Wanyue supported Ruan Jiyun, seeing a faint red mark appearing on her face, and felt indignant. “She suddenly hit someone, which is why I…”

“I improvised a little,” Du Jia said flatly. She was already in a bad mood today. Seeing these two supporting actresses walk over, their youthful glow undeniable despite their inferior costumes and props, made her even more irritated. She unconsciously changed the scene. “I think a slap can better convey the female lead’s mix of grief and indignation at this moment.”

After saying that, she looked pointedly at the director: “You shouldn’t have any objections to this minor change, should you?”

The director hesitated. He wasn’t a famous director, having just barely managed to get this web drama job. He naturally knew that Du Jia was protected by the biggest investor in the crew. After pondering for a moment, he said: “A change… can be made, but you should have mentioned it first. Now, they didn’t catch the cue.”

“Just reshoot it,” Du Jia waved her hand carelessly. “Consider that practice. We’ll do it again now. I’ll slap you first, and then you continue with your lines. Don’t be startled again.”

Zhou Wanyue stamped her foot in anger but was desperately pulled back by Ruan Jiyun, who quietly shook her head: “Forget it. Don’t argue with them over this. You might get scolded too.”

Zhou Wanyue sighed: “Your face is a little swollen…”

A makeup artist quickly brought an ice pack. Ruan Jiyun had thin skin, and the red mark on her right cheek was particularly visible. She applied the ice pack to the injury but didn’t forget to smile and thank the makeup artist.

The minor incident quickly passed, and filming resumed. This time, Du Jia was still unreserved, landing another solid slap on Ruan Jiyun’s face.

Ruan Jiyun endured the pain, looking at Du Jia with her watery eyes: “Senior Sister! Even if you hit me, I cannot let you leave… The Ten Thousand Red Abyss where Xiao Heng is located is extremely perilous…”

The girl, whose voice was mournful yet resolute, delivered her lines smoothly. Perhaps her pitifully appealing posture was too captivating. For a moment, the set was silent, everyone drawn into the junior sister’s helpless emotion.

Du Jia met that clear, moving gaze, and her expression involuntarily faltered for a moment. She struggled to stabilize her emotions and continued her line: “I must avenge this. If you still consider me your Senior Sister, step aside!”

Her lines were clearly a bit shaky. The assistant director subconsciously looked at the director, who gave a nearly imperceptible shake of his head, signaling to continue filming.

He had long realized that the female lead’s acting skills were truly limited, but this supporting actress quickly got into the role and might add some appeal.

Thinking this, he pushed the camera toward Ruan Jiyun, capturing a close-up of her on the verge of tears. On her clear, moist face, her eyes were sharp and sincere, perfectly conveying the image of a girl who was both worried and desperately summoning her courage.

The scene finally passed without major incident.

When all the scenes for the day were finished, Ruan Jiyun’s part in the drama was officially wrapped. A minor supporting actor ranked seventh or eighth naturally wouldn’t have a formal wrap party. She said goodbye to a few staff members and the director, packed her luggage, and prepared to catch a ride outside the film studio gates.

Zhou Wanyue volunteered to see her off. Since her only friend sharing her predicament was leaving first, she said reluctantly: “I hope we can meet on Qionghua Island in June.”

Ruan Jiyun also hoped for this but didn’t dare to be as certain as Zhou Wanyue. She smiled and replied: “I’ll work hard.”

“Hard work is only part of it. You need to get your company… to pull some strings,” Zhou Wanyue had a good impression of Ruan Jiyun and revealed, “I heard the scale of this audition is huge. You have such good conditions, you must try to get your company to push for you.”

It was getting late when she returned to the company. A girl in her dorm saw Ruan Jiyun and nudged her head toward the door: “Hurry to the cafeteria. They rarely make chicken drumsticks today. They’ll be gone if you’re late.”

Ruan Jiyun nodded to her, quickly put down her things, and hurried out the door. Her agency, Huansheng Entertainment, started by cultivating online streamers years ago. Later, with the rapid rise of audition culture, the boss seized the opportunity to launch the “Trainee Project.” Now the company managed both businesses. The trainees and streamers shared the dormitories and cafeteria.

Before she reached the elevator, Ruan Jiyun’s phone rang. She saw the name of the main manager, Sister Rong, appear on the screen and answered immediately, not daring to delay.

“Are you at the company?” Sister Rong managed dozens of trainees and spoke with a no-nonsense efficiency. “Come meet me in the large conference room.”

Ruan Jiyun hung up the phone and smiled helplessly. It seemed she was destined to miss dinner today. The elevator arrived at her floor. She reached out and pressed the button for the seventh floor, going up.

Sister Rong was waiting for her in the large conference room. Outside the French windows, the sun was setting magnificently. The sunlight was a bit dazzling. Ruan Jiyun blinked, then saw clearly that besides Sister Rong, two other people were sitting at the conference table.

“The audition list for Road to Stardom is about to be finalized,” Sister Rong tilted her chin toward her. “The company finally secured two preliminary spots, one of which is reserved for Mu Qing.”

A slim, pale-skinned girl was sitting at the long table. Ruan Jiyun had seen her once before. Mu Qing had a cold look and a distant air, seemingly uninterested in interacting with anyone. Although also a trainee, she never lived in the dorms.

The girls in the dorm had gossiped that Mu Qing came from a powerful background, likely very wealthy, and joined the company to pursue her dream of performing. Naturally, she didn’t have to struggle like they did.

Sister Rong continued: “For the other spot, we considered it for a long time and decided to recommend you.”

“Me?” Ruan Jiyun was genuinely surprised. Although she truly valued this competition, she clearly understood that she lacked an advantage. She neither had a prominent family background nor was she skilled in socializing like others. Moreover, she owed the company… Thinking of this, she asked nervously, “Is it really me?”

“You child, why would I lie to you?” Perhaps her expression was too bewildered. Sister Rong, who had dealt with countless people, couldn’t help but curve her lips into a smile: “I’ve seen your short video. Your dancing is good, but I feel a few movements are a bit rusty. You need to spend more time practicing.”

Ruan Jiyun nodded silently. How she wished she could spend more time practicing! But the company assigned her many odd jobs, like variety shows and web dramas. And for things like dance classes, trainees at Huansheng had to cover half the cost themselves. She could only manage her expenses carefully.

But now, Sister Rong was giving her such a precious spot. To Ruan Jiyun, it was like a pie falling from the sky. She nervously took a breath and said: “I will certainly work hard and live up to the company’s and your expectations, Sister Rong…”

“Don’t rush, don’t rush,” Sister Rong interrupted her with a smile. “As you probably know, the company takes this program very seriously. The audition will involve nearly three hundred trainees from dozens of companies. If you rely solely on hard work, I’m afraid you might still be cutting it close.”

Seeing Ruan Jiyun look confused, she finally spoke the key part of her sentence with a smile: “To ensure you both have a highlight, the company intends to pair you and Mu Qing as a couple (CP) to go together.”

“Mu Qing is going for the cool and aloof route, and you look sweet. You should play the role of the energetic girl pursuing love. We will arrange some topics to follow up on. Fans love this kind of CP interaction the most right now. I’m just giving you a heads-up today. If there are no issues, it’s settled!”

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