Chapter 53: A God-Given Opportunity

Xiaoli paid no heed whatsoever to Wan Yongkun’s warning; she was consumed only by excitement and exhilaration. If the presence of Wan Yongkun and the others served any purpose, it was to impart a simple truth: no matter how outstanding a person is, there will always be those who slander them.

Her senior brother was so kind-hearted, gentle, and humble—without an ounce of arrogance—yet even he was not spared harsh words. In a fleeting moment, the image of Yaozi flashed through her mind. That person was quite kind too, though they had met only a few times; yet he still remembered her. But that thought quickly vanished.

She swiftly reached a conclusion: without the assurance of strength, mere goodwill was of little use.

Lost in such musings, her phone rang. It was Hu Wenyi, bringing good news: a sudden opportunity for a particularly excellent script titled "The Perfect Lamb." The role of the second female lead was especially suited for her.

“What about the previous script...?” Xiaoli asked hesitantly.

Hu Wenyi chuckled softly, “Do you really think having more scripts is too much? Experience comes from accumulation. Besides, you start as the second female lead; only then will taking on the lead role be legitimate. Achieving it overnight won’t do you any favors.”

Xiaoli immediately understood and was moved by her senior’s "well-intentioned care."

She timidly inquired, “When is the audition? I want to prepare...”

Hu Wenyi was silent for a moment before responding, “Sometime this week, I suppose. You really need to prepare well.”

Xiaoli replied joyfully, “Alright, alright. I won’t disappoint you, senior brother.”

Hu Wenyi, though somewhat uneasy, cautioned, “Although I’m a producer of ‘The Perfect Lamb,’ the director on site isn’t me. You need to rely on your own strength to rise. Are you confident?”

“I... I’ll do my best...” Xiaoli admitted, a bit nervous.

Hu Wenyi seemed to recall something and carefully instructed, “Don’t mention that you know me. I had my assistant recommend you; they don’t know about our connection.”

Xiaoli again replied shyly, “Got it... I’ll remember!”

Hu Wenyi suddenly relaxed into a smile, “Don’t worry too much. I believe you can make it. Don’t carry any burdens—go in lightheartedly. I’m not boasting; anyone I pick isn’t lacking in talent.”

Xiaoli failed to catch the implication behind his words and was endlessly grateful.

Hu Wenyi didn’t linger and promptly ended the call, leaving a somewhat dazed Xiaoli wandering aimlessly along the pedestrian street.

Soon after, Xiaoli snapped her fingers in triumph. She knew exactly what she needed to do.

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Whether feeling down or elated, whether good news or bad, shopping is every woman’s first choice. Xiaoli now focused on how to dress herself up beautifully, eager to shop until she was numb.

Humming a tune, she entered a high-end boutique. The saleswoman immediately sensed her queenly aura and brightened, recognizing a major client. She lavished flattery accordingly. Indeed, women’s instincts about other women never fail: when Xiaoli left the store, she had spent a total of 7,889 yuan, without even mentioning discounts.

The saleswoman respectfully escorted the "wealth goddess" out, satisfied with her work for the day.

Xiaoli entered the store looking decent but ordinary; when she stepped out, donning her new attire, she had transformed from a plain hen into a soaring phoenix.

Truly, the saying “clothes make the man” holds undeniable truth.

After leaving the clothing store, Xiaoli turned and entered a shopping mall, lingering at a cosmetics counter on the first floor. Her beautiful face needed proper care—after all, the life of an extra had taken a toll on her skin.

She didn’t hesitate to choose premium imported cosmetics, the kind that show immediate effect upon application. By the time she emerged from the mall, her card balance had dwindled considerably. She wondered, why were cosmetics more expensive than clothes?

Her family was fairly well-off, so she didn’t feel much pain over the expense. As long as the new show succeeded, this money was nothing. "The Perfect Lamb" sounded grand; it reminded her of a classic film called "The Silence of the Lambs." Having read little herself, she wasn’t confident.

Looking up at the usually clear sky after exiting the mall, she silently vowed to carefully study "The Silence of the Lambs"—one only regrets not having studied enough when the time comes to use knowledge, she mused wryly.

A “ding” came from her phone—a WeChat message from Hu Wenyi with the new director’s contact information. This senior was remarkably thorough.

She quickly called the director, who briefly introduced himself as Mr. Zhang and said he was already aware of her situation. Xiaoli happily thanked Director Zhang over the phone.

“Why don’t you come by sometime? I’ll have my assistant help you with a script reading,” the director suggested before hanging up. His voice sounded aged.

Xiaoli was eager and said she happened to have time today. He then gave her an address and ended the call.

Though hesitant about stepping fully into this new world, she didn’t linger and left the pedestrian street, flagging down a taxi headed straight for that location.

She arrived at a place that wasn’t particularly upscale. Waiting for her was a young woman with a cold expression, introducing herself as Zhao, an assistant. Xiaoli silently followed her inside. Truth be told, she felt a strange kinship with someone wearing such an expression; cheerful smiles like Hu Wenyi’s were rare.

Still, her heart was partly unsettled. She gritted her teeth and resolved: I will become famous and successful! No matter how many grievances I must endure, this is my only goal.

Since Xiaoli was an unknown young girl, the clothes available for selection in the fitting room were mostly old, with hems stained and dirty. She finally found a suitable piece, only to discover a tear—right under the armpit, about five centimeters long, easily revealing the delicate skin beneath.

Thinking it was only a script reading, she cautiously asked the young assistant if she could wear her own clothes for the scene, wondering if that would be acceptable. The assistant frowned but did not deliberately make things difficult, simply saying, “Do as you wish, as long as the acting coach has no objections.”

The acting coach in charge was a middle-aged balding man. He raised no objections about Xiaoli’s attire but told her to choose a script. With Hu Wenyi’s guidance and her prior experience, Xiaoli knew how to choose: no pure idol dramas, no anti-Japanese war dramas, no classics—only light urban family comedies like "Dwelling Narrowness," "The Son-in-Law," or "A Virtuous Wife," where she could play herself.

The acting coach glanced at her with a hint of approval in his eyes, but Xiaoli inexplicably shuddered.

Since they were casting for the second female lead, several co-actors were brought in—men and women, old and young. The atmosphere was fairly pleasant, and Xiaoli gradually relaxed.

The audition went smoothly. The acting coach remained noncommittal, and the co-actors came and went swiftly, as if fulfilling a minor task. No one spoke to her even once; they left cleanly and quietly.

By the time Xiaoli finished touching up her makeup and stepped out of the dressing room, the stage was empty.

The young female assistant emerged from around the corner, and Xiaoli hurried to meet her.

“How did it go?” She didn’t know whom else to ask.

The assistant smiled faintly, “Should be fine.”

Xiaoli was stunned as the assistant handed her a business card but said nothing further.

Puzzled, Xiaoli looked at the card. It bore the name of a high-end hotel she had never heard of. She wondered what it meant—was it a gathering?

Seeing her confusion, the assistant clarified, “8 p.m., Room 1302. The director wants to see you.”

Xiaoli froze on the spot, a chill running down her spine, her pupils contracting sharply.

She hadn’t truly heard the darker tales circulating in the industry—though with many close friends and classmates, rumors inevitably reached her. Much of her anxiety and struggle likely stemmed from that.

But with such a renowned production company and her senior brother watching over her, how could she possibly encounter the infamous sordid affairs? This left her feeling disoriented.

Could this method of “discussions” be an unspoken norm, something quite normal?

She considered seeking help from her senior brother but feared being mocked. She had just begun—should she rely on others at every turn? Xiaoli silently resolved to first see how things unfolded, calling on her senior only if matters turned dire.

After all, there are still more good people in this world!