However, Tang Tang explained the questions very clearly, no worse than the tutors Shen Huai had hired for her. So Chu Meibo was speechless for a minute before quickly accepting Tang Tang's tutoring.
But Tao Xuanxuan was not happy about it.
She has high standards and very few friends. She finally found Chu Meibo somewhat agreeable, but unexpectedly, she had to compete with Tang Tang for him every day.
She thought that Tang Tang could tutor Chu Meibo, and she herself was no less capable; she had actually studied abroad in high school and her English was quite good.
As a result, the crew members saw that the female lead and the screenwriter were both focused on the female supporting character, and no one paid any attention to the male lead.
Not only that, one day Le Jiameng came to the film set to see Chu Meibo. Who would have thought that when Chu Meibo opened the door, her eyes widened immediately: "What are you doing here?"
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Tao Xuanxuan immediately stood up and glared back like a fighting rooster: "Why can't I be here?!"
Chu Meibo could only let Le Jiameng in first.
Le Jiameng, hands on her hips, said aggressively, "Let me tell you, take it out on me! If I find out you dare to bully my sister Mei, I'll tell your brother!"
Tao Xuanxuan snorted coldly: "Still the same old trick? Can't you come up with something new? Do you really think my brother can control what I do?"
Le Jiameng: "Tao Xuanxuan!!!"
Tao Xuanxuan: "Le Jiameng!!!"
Chu Meibo pressed the veins on her forehead and said coldly, "If you two make any more noise, you're out."
Le Jiameng: "..."
Tao Xuanxuan: "..."
Neither of them dared to speak again. Taking advantage of the situation, Tao Xuanxuan shoved Le Jiameng aside and said, "Who bullied her? I'll tutor her, okay!"
Le Jiameng then noticed the textbooks on the table, and immediately: "..."
Seeing that the two were really about to start studying, Le Jiameng quickly said, "Sister Mei, I can help you with your studies too!"
Tao Xuanxuan sneered: "Make up for what? Make up for your barely passing math?"
Le Jiameng: "Tao Xuanxuan!!!"
Tao Xuanxuan: "Le Jiameng!!!"
Chu Meibo had reached her limit and was about to kick the two out when there was a knock on the door. The three of them looked over and saw Shen Huai standing outside the door.
Shen Huai chuckled and said, "It's quite lively, isn't it?"
Chu Meibo: "..."
-
Shen Huai came to take Chu Meibo to the audition.
Because of the tight schedule, Tong Yun could only pack her things slowly, while he went over with Chu Meibo first: "I've already asked the director for leave. I'm taking a flight to Mujiang City tonight, and the audition is the day after tomorrow."
Chu Meibo exclaimed in surprise, "So fast?"
Shen Huai nodded: "Director Yu is strict. If you are selected, you will have to attend classes. However, I heard that many of the supporting actors this time are veteran actors from the National Theatre of China. You should have a lot in common with them."
Chu Meibo seemed to be deep in thought.
The plane soon arrived in Mujiang City. Since it was too late, the two decided to rest first and talk about it the next morning.
The next morning, the two went out for breakfast.
Seeing that Shen Huai still wouldn't say anything, Chu Meibo lost her patience and put down her chopsticks: "Manager Shen, you have to give me an explanation."
Shen Huai always planned things out reasonably. Even if it was for an audition, he could have come today. Why did he have to rush over last night?
Shen Huai knew he couldn't hide it from her, so after breakfast he took her to their destination.
It looked like someone's courtyard, with an antique feel, but there was no signboard. However, when the two went inside, they discovered that there was another world inside. There was a two-story building in the shape of the Chinese character "回" (hui), with a tall, antique-style stage in the middle. There were many tables and benches under the stage, and many people were drinking tea and chatting.
Shen Huai led Chu Meibo to a seat, ordered tea, and then asked, "Do you know what this place is?"
Chu Meibo looked around. Actually, she felt a sense of familiarity as soon as she entered. This was exactly the appearance of a stage from the Republican era. She had initially thought it was a teahouse using a gimmick, but after looking closely at the stage, she realized that everything was meticulously designed and looked like a real stage.
Chu Meibo thought for a moment before asking, "Is this stage related to my audition?" She paused, then added, "The owner of this shop is surnamed Xue?"
Shen Huai laughed: "Yes, this is Mr. Xue's family property. Today, that 'Little Yun Zhuoyi' Xue Ling will be on stage."
Chu Meibo: "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated?"
“That’s right.” Shen Huai affirmed her, then added, “However, the Xue family is a family of opera performers, and Mr. Xue and Director Yu are close friends despite their age difference. If you can’t be significantly more outstanding than the other person in the role you’re competing for, you might not be able to get it.”
His words finally made Chu Meibo's expression turn serious.
Shen Huai continued, "Among these characters, Yun Zhuoyi has the most screen time. Xue Ling is called 'Little Yun Zhuoyi,' so she must have some talent. If she can perfectly portray Yun Zhuoyi, this position will probably belong to her."
However, after Shen Huai said that, Chu Meibo's expression gradually relaxed.
"You brought me all this way here, you couldn't have just brought me to see how strong my opponent is and undermine my confidence, could you?"
Shen Huai smiled and shook his head: "Of course not."
He looked at Chu Meibo: "I've checked the records. You studied opera at the Peking Opera Academy before, when Yun Zhuoyi wasn't famous yet. You had quite a bit of contact with her, right?"
Chu Meibo frowned, as if recalling some unpleasant memory: "That's right."
Shen Huai chuckled and said, "Whatever happened between you two in the past is in the past now. In order to get this role, you will definitely have to learn from her."