Chapter 121 The Controlling Actor 3 (1/2)

"Could it be that Mo Jinnian issued a clarification and then casually put me in the film crew as hush money?"

"Tsk, capitalists are really like toothpaste, you can't get anything out of them unless you squeeze it out."

She narrowed her eyes. Since she had been paid, she didn't mind that people were still criticizing her for the time being.

Zi Xi replied that she would be there on time, but then suddenly remembered something and added a message.

Who recommended me?

The phone remained silent for a few minutes, then a new message appeared:

[You were recommended by Mo Jinnian Studio.]

Just as I expected.

The current Weibo is a joyous occasion for Mo Jinnian's fans, but there are still many people relentlessly criticizing Zi Xi for trying to gain popularity.

Zi Xi ignored it and slept soundly until dawn.

At 9:45 a.m., Zi Xi stood in the lobby of the Xinghui Building, looking up at the towering building that seemed to reach into the clouds.

She tightened her grip on the slightly worn canvas bag slung over her shoulder; inside were a script and a bottle of mineral water.

"18th floor..."

She whispered the numbers on the elevator buttons, her fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of the script.

This was her first audition, and she was playing the second female lead.

Inside the elevator, Zi Xi straightened her collar in front of the metal door.

She wore a simple white shirt and black suit pants today, which was the most formal outfit in her wardrobe.

For this audition, she even broke her own rule and bought a new pair of black high heels, which cost her half a month's living expenses.

With a ding, the elevator doors opened.

A dozen or so actresses with exquisite makeup were already standing in the corridor on the 18th floor, chatting in twos and threes.

Zi Xi subconsciously slowed her steps as she walked towards the registration area.

"Hello, I'm Zhao Zixi, here for the audition."

Her voice was soft, yet exceptionally clear.

"Oh, here she is, Shen Zhao, who auditioned for the second female lead, ranked 7th."

The staff at the registration desk looked up at her, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes. They clearly had no recollection of the name and had to flip through several pages of the list before finding it.

Zi Xi took the number plate and was about to thank them when she suddenly heard a commotion coming from the other end of the corridor.

She turned her head and saw Lu Xiaomi walking over surrounded by three or four assistants. She was wearing the latest pink suit, her long hair was slightly curled, and her makeup was so exquisite that she looked like she was ready to walk the red carpet at any time.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

Lu Xiaomi was clearly stunned for a moment, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes. She then looked away and quickened her pace to walk past Zi Xi, even deliberately taking a small detour, as if afraid of being touched by something dirty.

Zi Xi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a sarcastic smile.

Although she and Lu Xiaomi were just colleagues, she knew the female lead very well.

Feeling guilty is the right thing to do.

"Number 7, get ready!"

The stagehand's voice interrupted Zi Xi's thoughts.

"Smack!"

A blinding spotlight suddenly shone on, and Zi Xi squinted.

On the judging panel, Director Xu was tapping the script lightly with a pen, while several producers whispered among themselves.

"Let's begin."

Director Xu raised his chin.

Zi Xi slowly closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, the air suddenly froze.

Her fingertips traced the solid wood table, like a venomous snake slithering across a withered branch: "You think...you've won?"

The last syllable of her voice carried a sweet tenderness, but her eyes were as cold as ice.

She suddenly moved closer, her fingernails scraping against the table, as if she were about to flip the table and brandish a knife at any moment.

Suddenly she stepped back abruptly, executing a nimble backbend and slide, her ponytail sweeping across the corner of the table.

As he stood up, he loosely clenched his right fist, creating a gust of wind; he was clearly a trained martial artist.

A collective gasp rippled through the judges' panel.

After the performance ended, the room was completely silent.

Zi Xi straightened up again, resuming her usual indifferent expression.

She noticed the admiration that flashed in Director Xu's eyes, and also saw Gu Chenzhou's slightly forward-leaning body and thoughtful expression.

"Thanks."