Silence in the Audition Studio
The room was filled with quiet tension.
Wow… why are there so many people auditioning for Lin Meixin? She's just a supporting character, Muyao thought, puzzled as she glanced around.
A sudden cough broke the silence. Heads turned instinctively, eyes scanning for whoever spoke—but no one's lips moved.
Huh? Why's everyone looking around like that? Did someone famous just walk in? Muyao wondered, frowning in confusion.
Gradually, the people nearest to her began to exchange glances… and then their gazes settled on Muyao.
Why are they looking at me? Do I have something on my face? she thought, panic starting to rise.
But her mouth was perfectly still.
The others stared at her—wide-eyed, whispering in disbelief.
They could hear her voice
Even though she hadn't said a word
Before anyone could say anything, Agent Li, who had been standing next to Muyao, whispered, "It's not usually this many people auditioning for Lin Meixin—a supporting role. But there are rumors that Oscar-winning actor Xie Jingchi will be in this film. That's why you're seeing so many B-list actresses here today."
Muyao nodded in understanding, but in her mind, she was thinking, "Huh?" Xie Jingchi is going to be in this drama? she thought, frowning. But… I remember all the characters already have actors. How does that work?
Muyao frowned, still mulling over the rumor in her mind. Where did that even come from?
Without realizing it, her thoughts slipped out loud again.
"This doesn't make any sense…"
Immediately, the room froze. Every pair of eyes turned toward her. Some mouths opened slightly, then closed. Whispers died mid-word.
Agent Li leaned closer, whispering urgently, "Muyao… did you just say that out loud?"
Muyao blinked. I didn't… I didn't say anything!
Before anyone else could react, the door to the audition room opened. The assistant director, Wu Yichen, holding a clipboard, stepped out, followed closely by someone from the production team.
"Next… Lin Muyao."
Muyao's heart skipped a beat. She adjusted her posture, trying to calm herself, and stepped forward.
As she walked into the audition room, all eyes seemed to follow her. Director Zhang Shunhua, sitting in the middle, glanced up with mild curiosity, while the original author, An Ruo, seated next to him, watched Muyao with excitement—she was the living image of Lin Meixin, exactly as An Ruo had imagined her while writing Star My Destination.
"Lin Muyao, please take the stage," the director said, his voice calm but commanding.
Muyao swallowed hard. Okay… Lin Muyao, you got this. Remember, you're the young miss of the Lin family. Be Lin Meixin. You can do this—get this role, she reminded herself.
She opened her mouth to speak—and froze. Her inner voice slipped out anyway: Why is everyone staring at me like I'm some kind of ghost?
The room went silent. On the other side of Director Zhang, a man wearing a mask and hat—casually flipping through a script—slowly looked up at Muyao, his eyes narrowing in confused interest.
It was Xie Jingchi. His dark eyes lingered on her, a flicker of recognition and surprise crossing his face.
Director Zhang blinked, frowning slightly, clearly puzzled by the sudden tension.
An Ruo, the original author, leaned forward, eyes wide. She's exactly how I imagined Lin Meixin… Excitement mixed with shock as her gaze shifted, realizing that Muyao's inner voice was audible. And that voice… it's coming from her?
Agent Li hit his forehead with his hand. "I knew it. It's literally pointless for Muyao to hide her identity while she's in the entertainment industry. Everyone can hear her inner voice—they're going to figure it out sooner or later."
Although everyone in the room was surprised that they could hear Muyao's inner voice, the audition had to continue.
"Alright, Lin Muyao, I want you to act scene 54," Director Zhang said firmly, trying to hide his shock.
Scene 54 was when Lin Meixin was sending out the final piece of evidence.
After Muyao finished acting, An Ruo grabbed the screenwriter Luo Wen's arm excitedly. "She's the living image of Lin Meixin!" Then she turned to Director Zhang. "Director, I want her. Just her, as Lin Meixin."
Normally, the original author doesn't have decision-making power in casting. However, An Ruo was Director Zhang's niece, so he had given her a one-time decision-making pass. She could choose one person to act in Star My Destination, but the person had to be suitable for the role, a good actor, and legally pay taxes.
An Ruo had been quiet the entire time during the auditions. Director Zhang thought she wouldn't use the pass—but who would have thought that Muyao would be the unexpected choice?
Director Zhang froze, staring at Muyao. He had expected deliberation, maybe even hesitation—but she had already been selected. His brow furrowed as he tried to process it.
The screenwriter, Luo Wen, blinked several times. "She… she's really going to play Lin Meixin?"
Wu Yichen, the assistant director, ran a hand through his hair. "Unexpected… but honestly, she fits the role perfectly. Can't argue with that."
Chen Qiming, the executive producer, leaned back, arms crossed, his expression a mix of shock and reluctant approval. "I can tell this is her first time acting. Not gonna say she's already talented… but I can tell she's going to be a star."
Xu Min, the casting director, lowered her pencil, still holding her clipboard. "I didn't see this coming… but she really does have the Lin Meixin vibe. Looks, presence, everything…"
Xie Jingchi, a film king himself, still sitting across the room, pulled down his mask and studied her quietly, a faint smile forming. Guess it's time for me to enter another cast. Looking forward to acting with you, Lin Muyao
Agent Li, who had been standing nearby, wore a small smile. "Who would have thought… Muyao is a dark horse."
He shook his head slightly, still amused. "Quiet, unassuming, and yet she completely steals the scene without anyone realizing it."
After a few minutes of discussion among the production staff, they reached a final decision.
"Congratulations, Lin Muyao. You've got the role," Director Zhang said with a warm smile. "You are the Lin Meixin our original author has imagined all along. We know this is your first time acting, but we can already see your potential. You're a rising star—someone who could one day become an Oscar-winning actress, a true film queen. We look forward to working with you."
Muyao froze for a moment, her heart racing. I… I got the role?
Her hands trembled slightly as disbelief and excitement washed over her. All that hard work, all those doubts… it really paid off. I'm Lin Meixin now…
Although Muyao had originally entered the entertainment industry just for fun, after these past few days, she already saw it as her future career. She wasn't the girl who only knew how to gossip anymore—she had a path, a goal, and her own ambitions.
'I have a career now,' she thought, determination shining in her eyes. 'This is more than just fun. This is my future, and I'm going to make the most of it.'
But little did Muyao know, she didn't just have a career now; there was also someone who had begun to take notice of her.
Across the room, Xie Jingchi's eyes lingered on her for just a moment longer than necessary. Calm, composed, and ever so deliberate, his gaze seemed to measure her, curious and intrigued.
Muyao, completely unaware, was still riding the high of getting the role. She adjusted her posture, straightened her notes, and prepared to leave the audition room. She had no idea that somewhere across the room, someone remarkable had already started paying attention to her every move.
This is just the beginning, she thought, determination and excitement still buzzing in her chest—unaware of the subtle ripple she had just caused.