Nine out of ten interviews started with this kind of dialogue, and Jiang Tang had already become somewhat numb to it. She remembered that when she first went for auditions, there was never any follow-up because they wouldn't even ask her any questions.
Seeing this opening, Jiang Tang felt discouraged, knowing she had likely wasted another trip. She didn't mind for herself, but she felt her sister would be very disappointed, given how much she had been looking forward to this.
"You're Jiang Tang, right?" The person in front suddenly spoke up.
Jiang Tang, who had been looking down, was completely caught off guard by being called on. Like a student caught daydreaming, her eyes showed panic and guilt.
"I'm Jiang Tang," she answered, raising her hand like a schoolgirl.
The casting director sitting in front flipped through her resume a couple of times. "You've acted in quite a few things."
Jiang Tang's eyebrows raised involuntarily. She was about to say something when the person in front put down her resume and asked, "You're with Cheng Yuan now, right?"
"Ah... yes," Jiang Tang replied. The situation was heading in an unpredictable direction.
The director wore a hat, and perhaps because the brim blocked his vision, he tilted his chin up high. With his arms crossed, leaning back in his chair, he looked down his nose at Jiang Tang. "How much do you weigh now?"
Jiang Tang immediately recalled her most recent weigh-in. In those brief two seconds, she even debated whether to embellish her weight a bit, but what if they asked her to step on a scale right there? In the end, she reported the true number: "My height is 166 cm, and I weigh 49 kg."
The director pondered for a moment after hearing this. "...Can you get down to 44 kg before filming starts?"
In that instant, Jiang Tang's mind went blank, and she saw fireworks explode before her eyes. But as soon as she came to her senses, she immediately exclaimed loudly, "I can do it!"
"Alright, go home and wait for our notification. Call in the next group."
After standing up, Jiang Tang continued, "Thank you, director! Thank you, sir!"
The people sitting there looked puzzled and laughed at her. "Nothing's set in stone yet."
But she kept saying, "Thank you, sir!"
This was the first time in Jiang Tang's life that she had been asked questions during an audition. In all her previous attempts, just like the actor sitting at the other end earlier, she hadn't even been mentioned, always being the person who was there just to make up the numbers.
All those acting experiences listed on her resume were ones she had fought for herself in Hengdian. At that time, she had gone to Hengdian alone and worked as a background actor for several months, then passed tests to become a featured extra with some lines. Only then did she have experiences worth putting on her resume.
After coming out, Jiang Tang's mood was still difficult to describe.
Jiang Juyou, who walked over with her phone, looked at her sister cautiously. "...How did it go?"
"They said to go home and wait for news," Jiang Tang shared with her sister.
Judging from her sister's expression, Jiang Juyou could tell that she must have performed well inside. Hearing this, she felt relieved. "That's good. Cheng Yuan should be able to secure it."
After she said this, Jiang Tang's expression changed.
Busy looking at her phone, Jiang Juyou didn't notice. She linked arms with her sister and said as they walked out, "Cheng Yuan said the next few auditions are for non-overlapping productions, so if you get all of them, you can do them all."
Just as they exited the production studio's main door, Jiang Tang grabbed her sister's arm and asked with furrowed brows, "What do you mean?"
Jiang Juyou was taken aback, then tried to recall if there was anything wrong with what she had just said. "...Just that, if you get them all, you can do them all... but if you think the schedule is too tight, we can adjust it. Cheng Yuan only gave rough timelines."
Standing in front of her, Jiang Tang suddenly deflated, her expression no longer as bright as before.
Jiang Tang let go of the sleeve she was gripping and exhaled deeply, as if trying to expel all the frustration from her chest. "...Never mind, it's nothing."
"What's wrong?" Jiang Juyou asked carefully.
Perhaps sensing that her sister wasn't in a good mood, she even hunched her shoulders as she asked, afraid that a too-assertive posture might upset her sister again.
"It's nothing, just that I've let go of my pride and become someone I used to hate... but also someone I really want to be."
Jiang Tang used to criticize these people with connections very harshly, even crying while cursing them before. Now that she had become the kind of person she used to despise, that sense of burden only lasted for a few minutes before she quickly accepted it.
Having entered this world of fame and fortune, it was time to put aside that useless self-respect. Only climbing to the top was the truth.
She also admitted that the reason she used to criticize those people so harshly before was simply because she wasn't one of them. Now that her position had changed, it was time for her to experience this sense of satisfaction too.
She walked forward with a relieved expression. Jiang Juyou followed behind, mulling over her sister's words several times before understanding their meaning. She wanted to say something but in the end only moved her lips, saying nothing.
On the way back, Jiang Tang was still driving. As she drove, she grumbled, "Tch... seriously, I'm always the one driving when we go out. What use are you?"
"I have to reply to Cheng Yuan!" Jiang Juyou protested.
"You have a point," Jiang Tang conceded.
"I'll drive tomorrow, okay?"
"...I'll believe it when I see it."
Despite her words, when they passed by a convenience store, Jiang Tang asked if her sister wanted something to eat.
"No, I'm not hungry yet."
"..."
After sending her message, Jiang Juyou suddenly remembered that her sister hadn't eaten much, so she asked, "What do you want to eat? I'll go buy it."
"No need, the director wants me to lose 10 kg."
"Then let's head back. Drive faster, before rush hour... no, wait, drive slower, I get carsick."
"Tch! Say one more word and you're driving!"
"..."
Many times, Jiang Tang felt that her parents had two more daughters just to annoy her, because neither of her younger sisters had an obedient personality. But when their parents passed away, Jiang Tang had only managed to get through that period because of her sisters.
Although she was the eldest, that period was so sudden and she had never experienced anything like it before, so she was constantly in a fog, feeling that everything was very unreal, like a dream.
The subsequent matters were all handled by Jiang Juyou together with their neighbor auntie. At that time, she was only in her third year of middle school and equally clueless about everything, yet she managed everything very well.
Jiang Tang was facing the college entrance exam at that time, already anxious about her studies, and then such a thing happened at home. Basically, she cried for more than a month during that period.
During that time, Jiang Juyou's eyes were often red too, but she never cried in front of them. The only time she cried was when she went with their neighbor auntie to close their parents' accounts.
That day, Jiang Tang happened to have her college entrance exam and couldn't go, thinking she would go after the exam. She didn't expect Jiang Juyou to go with their neighbor auntie. After coming back from that, she cried continuously, as if the sky was falling.
This time, with Jiang Juyou accompanying her, although Jiang Tang often complained about her sister verbally, she felt much more at ease because of her sister's presence. At least she wasn't so anxious that she couldn't sleep.
Thinking of this, Jiang Tang turned her head to look at her sister sleeping in the passenger seat and frowned, sighing, "...What a pity, I can't free up a hand to take an ugly photo of her."
Hearing some noise, Jiang Juyou suddenly woke up. "Hm? Are we there?"
"Not yet, go back to sleep."
The obedient Jiang Juyou fell back asleep.
-
"Chief Producer Jiang Juyou: Jiang Tang's first interview is over. Sis, how's it going on your end?"
"Affairs Department Cheng Yuan: Things are going well on our side too, it's basically confirmed."
"Chief Producer Jiang Juyou: Good. As for finalizing other managers, HR is working on it, but it might still take some time."
"Affairs Department Cheng Yuan: No problem, the workload isn't very heavy right now anyway."
"Chief Producer Jiang Juyou: Alright sis, you carry on with your work. I'm going to eat now."
"Affairs Department Cheng Yuan: Go ahead."
Looking at their titles and then at their conversation, one couldn't tell at all that Jiang Juyou was actually the superior. But there was no helping it, her position spoke for itself.
The reason Cheng Yuan was so formidable was entirely because she had previously worked as a business and entertainment agent, with enough connections and resources to make others call her "mom". Of course, for big companies, the business resources in her hands might be negligible, but for Jiang Juyou, if Cheng Yuan wanted, she could be her mother.
With just a few words on WeChat, she could secure numerous audition opportunities for Jiang Tang. Even Zhai Ke'er, an artist who hadn't been in the public eye for years, could be given a leading role in a film. The skill and ability behind this weren't something that could be explained in just a few words.
She knew a bit about the audition news regarding Zhai Ke'er.
Her past incident wasn't really a concern within the industry. After all, in this circle, you could say almost anything and it wouldn't be a big deal. But the public opinion at the time was too severe. All her social media platforms were overrun. She thought it would blow over in a few months, but even after a year, her comment sections were still chaotic. Her fans had even given up on moderating comments due to her dating scandal, allowing netizens to attack her freely.
Afterwards, she stopped accepting any work. After finishing her undergraduate degree in China, she went abroad for further studies, only returning recently. Throughout this time, the only person she maintained contact with was Cheng Yuan.
Cheng Yuan's conditions for signing with Random Entertainment were simple: agree to sign Zhai Ke'er on top of her original salary. When Jiang Juyou heard this condition, she doubted her ears at first, thinking it was a trap. But after looking into it, she found that all of Zhai Ke'er's negative press was insignificant.
Why not agree? After all, she was still profiting. With Zhai Ke'er's conditions, she was just one marketable work away from becoming popular again.
But this windfall made Jiang Juyou rack her little brain for several days. Cheng Yuan's signing conditions weren't difficult, she could have chosen a bigger and better company, so why insist on choosing hers?
Later, Jiang Juyou figured it out. It was because her company was smaller and less established, which was exactly what Cheng Yuan needed.
Here, the only person with more authority than her was Jiang Juyou, who seemed inexperienced. If Cheng Yuan managed things well here, she could potentially become the most influential person. This was like starting a company without any risk. She only had to charge forward, while someone else bore the burden of moving forward, and that person was Jiang Juyou.
Jiang Juyou, who had been calculated into this, wasn't unhappy. On the contrary, she was glad that someone clever had joined the company. At least now she wouldn't have to grit her teeth and handle business negotiations and connections herself, and she wouldn't have to worry about being deceived.
Cheng Yuan's ambition was written all over her face. Not long after joining the company, she had planned out the future entertainment strategies for Zhai Ke'er and Jiang Tang. Jiang Tang's path was just as Jiang Juyou had said before, taking the route that could make money, while Zhai Ke'er was to develop in the direction of a critically acclaimed artist.
The role she was auditioning for this time was the female lead in an independent film. The director of this film had recently taken his short film to Cannes, and was a new director who was quite noticed in the industry.
Because of their different paths, Zhai Ke'er wouldn't be exposed to the public for a while. Cheng Yuan even said that they needed to wait for the right opportunity for her first public appearance after returning to the country. Before she had a truly acclaimed work and role, any marketing for Zhai Ke'er was prohibited.
Jiang Tang was different. After learning about her intention to apply for the Central Academy of Drama, Cheng Yuan's arrangement for her became a path that would allow her to appear frequently before the audience. According to the timeline, if she was admitted, she would start school next September. By then, the dramas she's currently filming should be about ready to air. If she takes on some roles with more screen time at the beginning of next year, she should officially have a name in this circle. With some marketing and promotion in between, getting to the third or fourth tier shouldn't be a problem.
Reality unfolded just as Cheng Yuan had planned. Jiang Tang passed all the auditions for small roles she went to. The first role was a princess used as leverage during wartime, the second was a spirit pet beside the third female lead, the third was one of the female lead's college roommates, and the fourth was the female lead's classmate.
Each role had very fragmented scenes and wouldn't take long to film, but they were all S+ projects on various platforms. Just appearing in them would significantly increase her value.
"We've been living here for half a month. Although it's been tough, at least the results have been good," Jiang Juyou sighed, rolling around on the bed. "Great Sister Cheng Yuan, she's so reliable."
Jiang Tang, sitting on the bean bag, looked up but didn't say anything.
Jiang Juyou on the bed was about to say something more when suddenly her phone on the bedside table vibrated a few times. She crawled over to grab it, saw that it was from Sister Cheng Yuan, and exclaimed, "Oh!"
She opened it and read it once, then frowned and confirmed it again before looking up to tell her sister, "...Sis, there's been a change with that princess role."
Jiang Tang, who was reading a novel, looked up. Seeing Jiang Juyou's serious expression, she seemed to understand something. She pressed her lips together and said, "If it's gone, it's gone. Aren't there other roles?"
"It's not that," Jiang Juyou said, then looked at her phone again. "Sister Cheng Yuan says a role has become vacant over there. The casting director is asking if you want to play that role. It's the maid beside the female lead, called Liu Cheng."
Cheng Yuan had obviously read the original work, as she had analyzed the pros and cons of these two roles in her message to Jiang Juyou.
Jiang Juyou looked at the content on her phone and said, "The princess doesn't have many scenes, but the costume and makeup should be very glamorous. Originally, the crew wanted to find a second-tier actress for a friendly cameo, but in the end, I... uh, Sister Cheng Yuan managed to get it for us. Although there aren't many scenes, this part is at a minor climax of the drama. With good makeup and acting, it could be very memorable and easy to market. The role of Liu Cheng is more tricky. She's always by the female lead's side, with a lot of screen time but not many lines, mainly serving as a mouthpiece. The filming time might be very long. The advantage is being by the female lead's side, able to get more face time."
After she finished, she looked at her sister, "Sister Cheng Yuan is asking which one you choose?"
Jiang Tang: "..."
The world has really changed, now she even gets to choose.
Jiang Tang, who was sitting calmly before, suddenly panicked. She raised her hand to stop, "Wait, it's too sudden. Let me think for a moment."
Jiang Juyou on the other side was about to urge, "Sister Cheng Yuan says to give an answer within an hour."
After considering for just two or three seconds, Jiang Tang immediately raised her hand and said, "I choose Liu Cheng!"
"Why?" If it were Jiang Juyou, she would definitely choose the princess role. It has its own backstory, has tragic colors, and is at a minor climax. Plus, with guaranteed costume and makeup, it's a role that would leave an impression on anyone who sees it.
Jiang Tang on the other side changed her expression. She pouted, looking at Jiang Juyou as if she was looking at an idiot, "Can't you think for me? The reason the princess is taken hostage is that she's the emperor's most beloved daughter. The reason he loves her is that she's beautiful and cute. Which of these words do you think applies to me?"
"...Self-awareness," Jiang Juyou said softly.
"..." Jiang Tang heard the correct answer, but her mood wasn't pleasant at all.
Seeing her sister's expression change to one of speechlessness, Jiang Juyou quickly added, "But you look quite good. It's just that your current figure might seem a bit chubby in the entertainment industry. It'll be fine if you lose a bit more weight. Luckily, we both take after mom with our small goose egg faces. If we took after dad, you'd be a square face number one, and I'd be number two."
"That doesn't make me feel any better."
"Whatever, I'll go reply first."
Jiang Juyou, falling back onto the bed, replied to Sister Cheng Yuan, sending over Jiang Tang's choice. She was about to put down her phone when it vibrated again.
"Tsk... I'm supposed to be the one on 24-hour standby for the company." Jiang Juyou opened her phone and found that it wasn't from Sister Cheng Yuan, but from the newcomer department.
Today was the pre-check for the trainees, and seven had already been selected to perform solo stages. Jiang Juyou looked at the list and sat up in shock.
Among the top seven, the only one she was familiar with was Pei Luming.
"What's going on?" Jiang Juyou said as she sent a message to ask about the specific situation, wondering if the previous people had made mistakes during the pre-check.
It was understandable not to have Yao Shuo, but how could Ye Xing not be there? Those people had tried so hard to protect her before.
The staff member replied in the group: "No one made mistakes. They're just too competitive."
This was the first time Jiang Juyou had gone so long without inquiring about the trainees' situation. Previously, there were at least weekly meetings where someone would report on the trainees' status every Monday morning. Now that she wasn't in Beijing and the trainees weren't practicing at the company, this information seemed as distant as another galaxy, difficult to communicate.
Jiang Juyou steadied herself and replied to them, "Alright, I understand."
Jiang Tang, who was sitting on the sofa, finally dared to ask, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Juyou shook her head, "The situation with the trainees, their rankings exceeded my expectations." After saying this, she remembered something and looked up at her sister, "The survival show still needs a host. Do you want to do it?"
Jiang Tang, holding her phone, paused, "...Is there payment?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll definitely do it!" Jiang Tang said, recalling something, "I haven't met the company's trainees yet. I heard that Ye Xing is quite famous. He looks handsome in photos, how is he in real life?"
Jiang Juyou had no time to entertain her sister's questions; she was busy buying return tickets.
Jiang Juyou thought: I feel like if I don't go back soon, everything will turn upside down.
-
Today's word count has improved a little bit!
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