Shan Wei could say with full confidence that with Chu Yao's sharp wit and stunning looks, she was destined to make it big in the industry. Combined with her already decent acting skills, it was only a matter of time before titles like "A-lister" or "Best Actress" were well within her grasp.
And yet, the girl herself was something of an enigma.
So much so that even a seasoned veteran like Shan Wei had no idea what was going on in her head.
"Sister Wei, I'm ready."
Chu Yao came out in a different outfit. This time, it was a light pink T-shirt paired with a white pleated skirt and a pair of white knee-high socks, her hair tied up in a ponytail.
The whole ensemble gave her a clean-cut, schoolgirl look.
Shan Wei's eyes lit up. The look didn't align with her personal taste, nor did it fit the industry's current trends—it was too innocent, lacking sultry charm. But it was perfect for today's audition.
They went downstairs and got into the van, where Shan Wei tossed Chu Yao a script.
"Take a look at this scene. You'll be auditioning with this one later."
Chu Yao glanced at it and immediately saw it was the female lead's scene.
"Sister Wei, I'm... auditioning for the female lead?"
Chu Yao was taken aback. Given her current standing in the entertainment world, while she wasn't a complete unknown, she couldn't even be considered a B- or C-list actress.
She had played bit parts in countless films and TV shows but had never once landed a role as the second female lead. 'And now I'm going straight for the main role?'
She hadn't forgotten to glance at the director's name just now: Gu Changning.
This was a top-tier director, a man known in the industry as the "King of Hell"—a cold, ruthless figure who never held back when berating people. But nearly every one of his films was a massive success, the kind that soared on the back of critical acclaim.
In a film by a director of his caliber, forget the lead—actresses fought tooth and nail for even the second or third supporting roles. Countless A-listers would willingly take a minor part just to be in one of his productions.
'And they're letting me audition for the female lead under these circumstances?'
Shan Wei shot her a look. "Don't you fancy yourself a breath of fresh air in this industry? Well, Director Gu is one, too. What, are you scared?"
Shan Wei's tone might have been harsh, but that was just her personality. She was genuinely good to Chu Yao—a classic case of a sharp tongue hiding a soft heart.
Chu Yao quickly plastered on a smile. "Not scared at all! As long as I'm with Sister Wei, I know I'll be taken care of. I'd go through hell and high water for you."
After speaking, she even nodded her head emphatically twice to enhance the credibility of her words.
Shan Wei let out a derisive "Pfft," playfully shoving her away. "Okay, okay, that's enough. Get back to the script. This is your shot. There's none of the usual industry nonsense with Director Gu. If you just perform well and land this role, you could become a star overnight."
"Yes, ma'am! I'll follow my commander's orders."
'You and your smart mouth,' Shan Wei thought.
All joking aside, Chu Yao became completely serious once she started reading the script.
Shan Wei didn't bother her. When the van stopped at a red light, she watched Chu Yao, who was completely engrossed and oblivious to her surroundings. A flicker of gratification appeared in Shan Wei's eyes.
Her first meeting with Chu Yao had been quite a coincidence.
In truth, given her status in the industry, she would never have taken on a recent graduate like Chu Yao.
But life can be funny like that. She happened to be at the Film Academy on business, and just as she was leaving, she got hit by a car.
And it was none other than this slender young woman who had saved her. Not only did Chu Yao use her limited student funds to help pay for some of the medical fees, but she also donated blood for her without any fear of being framed in a scam, staying by her side until her family arrived.
Back then, Shan Wei had just thought she was a naive young girl, still unjaded by the real world, who wasn't afraid of it being a setup or an extortion scam.
It was only after getting to know her that Shan Wei realized it wasn't that the young woman was ignorant of those dangers; it was that she was simply incapable of standing by and watching someone die.