"Mr. Xiao, there are so many people."
Hearing the familiar voice, Jiang Li subconsciously raised her eyes. Her gaze fell on Qin Yaoyao's face.
The petite girl was being protected under the man's suit. She seemed a bit unaccustomed to such an intimate proximity, and her earlobes were tinged pink.
The two of them looked well - matched standing together.
While whispering, Qin Yaoyao looked up. The moment their eyes met Jiang Li's, a fleeting look of panic flashed across her eyes. "Sister Jiang Li."
Compared to Qin Yaoyao's uneasiness and nervousness, Jiang Li appeared much calmer. She nodded slightly as a response. "Here for the audition?"
She had a steady aura. With just a slight raise of her charming eye - tails, the sense of oppression became palpable.
Qin Yaoyao looked up at Xiao Yanzhi, took a deep breath as if to muster her courage, and then dared to speak up louder. "Yes. Mr. Xiao said I should come and give it a try. I can also learn something."
As she said this, Jiang Li happened to lock eyes with Xiao Yanzhi.
His eyes were dark and deep. He just stared at her indifferently, without the slightest hint of emotion, cold as ice.
Those around them started to speculate upon seeing this scene.
Since Jiang Li joined Jiang Entertainment, people both inside and outside the circle knew that she was not only the face of the company but also the apple of Xiao Yanzhi's eye for many years.
Over the past four years, she had firmly remained by Xiao Yanzhi's side. Coupled with her behavior in the circle over the years, it was not an exaggeration to say that she was the future boss's wife of Jiang Entertainment.
Xiao Yanzhi hardly ever cast more than a passing glance at Jiang Li. His voice was cold and flat. "I'm taking her to meet Director Zhang."
With that, he led Qin Yaoyao straight into the audition room.
Only then did everyone turn to look at Jiang Li.
One of the actors who had previously co - starred with Jiang Li came over and whispered, "Sister Jiang Li, who was that just now?"
"She's a newly - signed artist of Jiang Entertainment," Jiang Li replied casually. Then she pursed her lips and said slowly, "She has great potential and much room for development."
These words carried a deeper, thought - provoking meaning.
It seemed that Mr. Xiao was going to replace his former favorite.
Many sympathetic looks were cast in Jiang Li's direction, but she remained calm and began to review the audition script again.
Qin Yaoyao was new to the industry. She looked pure and innocent, like a blank sheet of paper. Compared to Jiang Li, who was used to being submissive and doing things in a smooth and comprehensive way, she was fresher.
Wasn't that the novelty that men liked?
If he wanted to play, let him. Sooner or later, this novelty would wear off.
She just feared that he might go too far.
Thinking of this, worried that something might go wrong, Jiang Li followed them in.
---
At the audition site.
An actor was in the middle of an audition when someone suddenly barged in. The ongoing performance had to be interrupted.
Director Zhang frowned impatiently. When he saw who it was, his eyes widened slightly. "Mr. Xiao?"
Jiang Entertainment Group was the biggest investor behind this year's New - Year blockbuster.
Normally, it was the secretary or assistant who took care of such matters. It was quite rare for the investor himself to show up, especially someone as busy as Xiao Yanzhi.
"Mr. Xiao, you've taken time out of your busy schedule. Are you here to select the cast in person?" Director Zhang was a bit flustered and quickly stepped forward.
Xiao Yanzhi raised his eyes. "Yes. I'd like to introduce a young girl to you."
With that, he pushed Qin Yaoyao, who was hiding behind him, forward.
"Say hello to Director Zhang."
Qin Yaoyao had a weak presence. Her looks were not particularly outstanding, so she was quite unnoticeable. Only after Xiao Yanzhi said this did Director Zhang notice that there was someone following behind him.
Qin Yaoyao's voice was soft and delicate. Her face was flushed red with shyness, and there was a hint of timidity in her eyes. "Hello, Director Zhang. My name is Qin Yaoyao. I just signed with Jiang Entertainment."
The girl was quite good - looking. Her figure and appearance met the standards of an actress, but there was a lack of sparkle in her eyes. She looked a bit nervous and petty.
Director Zhang had been in the film - making business for many years. He had seen a lot of people and things and could basically tell at a glance whether a person could make it in the industry based on their strength.
Obviously, Qin Yaoyao wasn't that type.
But Director Zhang was a shrewd man. He could tell that Xiao Yanzhi deliberately wanted to give her a chance to act. So he said with a big smile, "Hello, Yaoyao. Which role do you want to audition for?"
Jiang Li was standing not too far away, close enough to hear their conversation.
She heard Qin Yaoyao's clear voice, full of determination. "I'd like to audition for the leading female role."
"The... leading female role?" Director Zhang's smile froze for a second. He was a bit flustered inside.
This New - Year blockbuster was the result of all his hard work this year. Every aspect, from the scenes to the casting, had to be carefully selected. There was no room for any carelessness.
Now that it was Mr. Xiao who personally brought this girl here, directly rejecting her would definitely be an insult to him. But if he agreed, it was obvious that all his hard work would go to waste!
"Um, Mr. Xiao..." he said hesitantly. "Actually, we've already found a suitable candidate for the leading female role. But there are still many supporting roles available. How about asking Yaoyao to choose another one?"
Xiao Yanzhi frowned. Just as he was about to answer, he caught a glimpse of Jiang Li with a poker - face out of the corner of his eye. The words on the tip of his tongue suddenly changed. "Who was Director Zhang's original choice?"
"I won't hide it from you, Mr. Xiao. In fact, Miss Jiang Li is very suitable for the leading female role. She has a high influence in the industry and her acting skills are on point. So..."
"Let them both have a try," Xiao Yanzhi said, nodding his chin towards the person not far away. His tone was nonchalant. "Maybe Qin Yaoyao is more suitable than her."
Jiang Li stood still, slowly digesting his words. Her hand hanging by her side involuntarily tightened.
So in his eyes, a newbie could be more suitable than her.
The others on the set also heard Xiao Yanzhi's words. For a moment, they all turned their gazes towards Jiang Li, with different speculations in their eyes.
Seeing Jiang Li, Director Zhang seemed relieved. "Miss Jiang, you're finally here."
As he said this, he winked at her, indicating that he needed her help.
Only then did Jiang Li walk in casually. She put down the script she had been holding and pushed it in front of Qin Yaoyao. "This is the audition script for the leading female role. Go and prepare."
Seeing this, Qin Yaoyao didn't decline. She immediately picked up the script on the table happily. But the moment she opened it to the first page, her face turned pale.
This part of the audition required the character to play the transverse flute while dancing a classical dance to the music.
She couldn't dance, nor could she play the flute.
But... she had Xiao Yanzhi.