Lin Xiaoxiao subconsciously curved her lips into a smile, "What does Miss Li think?"
"She is Leng Xinyu." Li Xi's tone was somewhat surprised, as if she couldn't believe that she could see an actress who fit the character she wrote so perfectly.
She had previously chosen Lin Yinghou simply because she felt that Lin Yinghou's aloofness matched Leng Xinyu's character. But now, after seeing Tang Xue, Li Xi felt that this person was the Leng Xinyu she had created.
Looking at Tang Xue, Lin Xi even had the feeling that the character she created had stepped out of the world she wrote about and was now standing in front of her.
"Her name is Tang Xue?" Li Xi turned her gaze away from Tang Xue and looked at Lin Xiaoxiao with undisguised excitement and agitation.
The novel "I Want to Become a Demon" is a story that she poured countless efforts into creating. She also hoped that one day, her novel could be adapted into a TV series and brought to the screen.
So when Lin Xiaoxiao approached her and said she wanted to buy the copyright to the novel, Li Xi was very excited. But at that time, Lin Xiaoxiao was too domineering when she was talking to her about it.
Lin Xiaoxiao held the initiative throughout the conversation, and she could only be led by the nose. Therefore, she was unable to express her own opinions on either the casting or the later adaptations.
Once the copyright was bought, Li Xi belatedly began to regret it, but by then, it was too late for her to regret it.
But it was at this time that Li Zhen received an invitation from Lin Xiaoxiao to come out of seclusion, which led to the scene today where he made demands of Lin Xiaoxiao.
"Yes, her name is Tang Xue." Lin Xiaoxiao gestured for the two to enter and pushed open the gym door.
The sound of the door being pushed open startled Tang Xue, who seemed to be lost in thought. Turning her head, Tang Xue's gaze immediately focused on Lin Xiaoxiao, who was walking ahead.
A barely perceptible glint of amazement flashed in Tang Xue's eyes as she stepped forward, "President Lin."
"You recognized me." Lin Xiaoxiao's voice carried a hint of joy, and her eyes lit up with a bright smile the next second. "I thought you would hesitate when you saw me."
Lin Xiaoxiao touched her hair. "You have no idea, I was stopped by company employees down there just now."
Lin Xiaoxiao's tone became increasingly cheerful, like a child who had suddenly received the lollipop they had been longing for, her eyes crinkling with laughter and her face beaming with joy.
Tang Xue's breath hitched, and she subconsciously shifted her gaze. She was also a little confused. Lin Xiaoxiao had changed her appearance. Even people who were familiar with Lin Xiaoxiao would probably hesitate a little when they saw her.
But... why didn't I know that this person was Lin Xiaoxiao when I saw her?
Was it because of those eyes? Tang Xue asked herself in her heart. Was it because of those eyes that reflected her image when they saw her, eyes that were filled with smiles and surprise?
"Tang Xue, let me introduce you." Lin Xiaoxiao had no idea what Tang Xue was thinking, so she stepped forward and naturally took Tang Xue's arm.
Tang Xue was stunned for a moment, struggled slightly, and then let the other person hold her arm. In her heart, she was trying to justify herself.
It wasn't that she didn't want to break free, but because there were outsiders present, she couldn't refuse Lin Xiaoxiao's request.
Lin Xiaoxiao is, after all, her boss. She is currently working under Lin Xiaoxiao for a living. If she embarrasses her boss, she will inevitably be treated unfairly.
She had to compromise so that her future work would go more smoothly, not because she didn't want to break free. If there were no outsiders present, she would have shaken off Lin Xiaoxiao's arm long ago.
Just watch, once those two leave, she will definitely shake off Lin Xiaoxiao's arm without hesitation. In this way, Tang Xue found a reason for her strange attitude that even she herself could believe.
Chapter 12
==================
"Tang Xue's acting skills are absolutely top-notch, you don't need to worry about that. If Director Li decides to take on this role, we can arrange an audition." Lin Xiaoxiao had complete faith in Tang Xue's acting skills, and the reason was obvious.
Who is Tang Xue? She's the female lead! Although she's tormented to the point of death by the male lead, aside from that, she's naturally the author's darling, and all her skills are definitely maxed out.
"What if I'm not satisfied after the audition?" Li Zhen looked Tang Xue up and down, and had to admit that his first impression of Tang Xue was very good.
Needless to say, his niece was also very satisfied, but he just wanted to see if Lin Xiaoxiao was still as resolute as she was at the restaurant.
"Then there's no need to talk about it." Lin Xiaoxiao said lightly. "Director Li, I'm a straightforward person, and once I've made up my mind, I won't change it. Since I said those words, there's no going back. So, Director Li, give me a straight answer: will you take this role or not?"
Looking at the woman whose smile had faded and who now carried a hint of coldness, Li Zhen narrowed his eyes and after a long while said with a smile, "I like straightforward people like President Lin. Li Xi is my niece. I originally thought that since this is her hard work, it would be better for me to take over it myself rather than watch someone else ruin it."
Although I dote on this niece, I will not allow actors with no acting skills to appear in the dramas I direct just because I love her.
To be frank, before making a decision, I need to see if her acting skills meet my requirements. As Mr. Lin said, if I'm not satisfied, then there's no need for us to continue talking.
If someone unfamiliar with Li Zhencheng heard these words, they would definitely think that Li Zhencheng was too arrogant. However, those present would not have such thoughts, but would think it was only natural.
“Of course.” Lin Xiaoxiao’s smile returned to her lips. “We have the same goal: to create amazing works. It’s understandable that Director Li wants to audition. Director Li, just tell me the time, and I’ll arrange it.”
"There's no time like the present, let's do it today." Li Zhen looked at Tang Xue, "Miss Tang, you should have already read the script, right?"
"I've seen it." Tang Xue nodded honestly.
"Wait a minute." Lin Xiaoxiao pulled Tang Xue behind her. "I only gave her the script yesterday. Doesn't Director Li think this is a bit too rushed?"
Li Zhen was somewhat surprised. "It must have been more than a month since President Lin got his hands on this notebook." As he spoke, he turned to look at Li Xi beside him, as if seeking confirmation.
Lin Xiaoxiao wanted to curse. She felt that Li Zhen was doing it on purpose. Lin Xiaoxiao forced herself not to turn around and look at Tang Xue. "This adaptation will take a lot of time. Director Li knows that. I also value this script. Isn't it only right to put more effort into it?"
“Mr. Lin is right.” Li Zhen agreed with Lin Xiaoxiao’s words. “Then let’s have the audition in three days. Thank you for your hospitality today, Mr. Lin. We’ll come back in three days.”
"If you two don't have anything urgent to attend to, let me invite you for afternoon tea," Lin Xiaoxiao said, letting go of Tang Xue and stepping forward to persuade her to stay.
"No, we have some things to do later. Thank you for your hospitality today, Mr. Lin." Li Zhen declined Lin Xiaoxiao's invitation to have afternoon tea together.
"In that case, I won't keep you two any longer." Lin Xiaoxiao stepped forward and pushed open the door. "Tang Xue, wait for me here for a while." Before leaving, Lin Xiaoxiao didn't forget to tell Tang Xue.
Tang Xue remained silent, looking at her arm with a slight frown, as if pondering the reason for the sense of loss that had just risen in her heart.
"Tang Xue, take some time to review the script these next few days. I'll talk to Sister Bingbing and we won't be arranging any other training for you these next couple of days. I'll have her find you an acting coach to give you some extra lessons." After seeing Li Zhen and the other man off, Lin Xiaoxiao returned to the gym.
Seeing Lin Xiaoxiao's mouth never shut since she came in, and seeing the person arranging her schedule in an orderly manner, Tang Xue suddenly felt a surge of inexplicable anger.
"Do you think my acting skills are not up to par?" Tang Xue was stunned as soon as she said it.
Seeing the person who had been so methodically arranging her schedule looking at her with their mouth slightly open and a helpless expression, Tang Xue suddenly felt a pang of regret.
She didn't know what was wrong with her. Ever since Lin Xiaoxiao saved her that night, everything seemed to be going wrong.
She didn't know what she was angry about; she was angry about the person's previous terrible attitude.
She was still angry at this person's current behavior of being so unconditionally kind to her, as if none of the previous things had ever happened, as if she had always treated her this way.
"I..." Lin Xiaoxiao opened her mouth, "Don't be angry, I didn't mean to disbelieve you, I just felt..." Lin Xiaoxiao's voice grew softer and softer, and her originally bright eyes drooped, "I didn't mean to make you angry, I'm sorry."
Lin Xiaoxiao apologized. Tang Xue felt she should be happy that the guy who used to bully her was now so humble.
After all, this was the guy who had always bullied him.
But looking at that drooping head, devoid of spirit, and seeing that the once bright and cheerful eyes had lost their former sparkle...
Seeing the helplessness in those once-proud eyes, Tang Xue felt not triumphant, but rather even more depressed, and even felt a little guilty.
Tang Xue pinched her brow hard. She felt like she was going crazy. This was the person who had been bullying her all along. How could she change her opinion of her just because of some inexplicable change in him?
Chapter 13
==================
"People say that a simp will end up with nothing. I guess I'm the female lead's loyal simp now. Do you think I can complete the mission if I keep simping until the end?" Lin Xiaoxiao sighed.
[Host, keep it up! I think it's good!] 099 cheered Lin Xiaoxiao on; that was all it could do for now.
Lin Xiaoxiao buried her face in the pillow and sighed heavily again. Two days had passed since she last said she would find a teacher for Tang Xue.
Tomorrow will be the third day since they made their appointment with Li Zhen. In the past few days, Lin Xiaoxiao has been there without fail, arriving at the company on time every single day.
But... I didn't see Tang Xue. Heaven help me, she just felt that Tang Xue hadn't acted in so long, so she thought of finding her a teacher to help her get back into the swing of things.
Although she knew that Tang Xue's acting skills were already at a perfect level, Li Zhen was still very strict.
Moreover, given the female lead's unfortunate constitution, who knows what might happen on the day of the audition? She was acting entirely out of kindness.
She still doesn't understand why she suddenly offended the other party; Lin Xiaoxiao truly feels incredibly wronged.
She meant well, but who knew that while she was licking, she ended up licking the dog's leg?
"Sigh, this is so difficult." Lin Xiaoxiao sighed again. She had admitted her mistake and apologized that day, but Tang Xue still slammed the door and left. Lin Xiaoxiao felt like she had nowhere to reason with.
[Host, you need to cheer up! Stop sighing and complaining. Think about life after you complete the mission!]
Seeing Lin Xiaoxiao's sighing and listless appearance, 099 couldn't bear to watch any longer.
"Alright, stop trying to give me pep talks." Lin Xiaoxiao buried her face in the pillow. "Besides cheering me on from behind, what else can you do? Don't you know that good days await me after the mission is completed?"
099 started playing dead. After all, it really had no other use besides cheering people on. 099 stopped making a sound, and Lin Xiaoxiao was too lazy to pay attention to it.
She began to organize the plot in her mind, thinking about what she needed to do to become a qualified simp.
The next morning, Lin Xiaoxiao was awakened by the incessant ringing of the telephone. Reaching for the phone, she yawned, rubbed her face in the pillow, and then answered it.
"Hey." She had been thinking about how to please the female lead and how to be a proper simp all day. She didn't even know when she fell asleep. All she knew was that she was very sleepy now.
Lin Xiaoxiao spoke up, but there was no sound from the other end of the phone for a long time. Lin Xiaoxiao picked up her phone with some doubt and glanced at it. It was an unknown number. "Who are you? Did you dial the wrong number? I'm going to hang up if you don't say anything."
"It's me, Tang Xue."
"Who?" Lin Xiaoxiao suddenly opened her eyes, her previously muddled mind instantly clearing up. "Tang Xue?" Lin Xiaoxiao asked again, somewhat uncertainly.
"Yes, it's me." Tang Xue gripped her phone tightly, exhaled softly, and blew away the inexplicable emotions she had just felt. When that soft voice rang in her ear, she suddenly felt a strange itch in her ear.
It felt like someone was gently brushing her ears with a feather, tickling her all the way to her heart. It was an unfamiliar emotion that made her feel a little bloated, even a little panicked.
"You, you..." Lin Xiaoxiao stammered for a long time, not knowing what to say next.
"Sister Bai asked me to tell you that Director Li and the others have arrived. They said if you come, we'll wait for you." No longer dwelling on her inexplicable emotions, Tang Xue immediately explained the purpose of her call.
"Come, come, come!" Lin Xiaoxiao immediately jumped out of bed. "Wait a moment, I'll be right there."
"Okay." Tang Xue replied, and without giving Lin Xiaoxiao a chance to speak, she immediately hung up the phone.
Hearing the dial tone from the other end of the phone, Lin Xiaoxiao paused for a moment, looked at the number without a name saved, and raised her eyebrows slightly. In any case, she had a phone number, and the first step towards intimacy had been officially taken.
After glancing at the time, Lin Xiaoxiao decided not to waste any more time. She quickly tidied herself up and went out. She had slept very soundly, and it was almost midnight.
Lin Xiaoxiao lived not far from the company, only a ten-minute drive away. When Lin Xiaoxiao arrived at the performance room, she saw Bai Bing talking to Li Zhen and Li Xi, while Tang Xue sat alone next to her reading the script.
"I'm so sorry for taking up so much time." Lin Xiaoxiao quickly looked away from Tang Xue.
“We just arrived not long ago. Since President Lin is here, let’s get started.” Li Zhen was a straightforward person. Seeing Lin Xiaoxiao arrive, he told Tang Xue that they could begin.
"Okay." Seeing that Tang Xue hadn't looked at her properly since she came in, Lin Xiaoxiao sighed inwardly.
It seems she's still angry. She was originally planning to go refuel and ask Tang Xue how her preparations were going, but seeing the situation, she decided to save her breath.
Lin Xiaoxiao, who was walking towards Bai Bing and the others, did not notice that Tang Xue, who had been ignoring her, turned her gaze to her when she looked away. Tang Xue's eyes were extremely complicated, as if she had a lot to say to her but did not know how to start.