"I just feel angry, upset... and a little sad. Come to think of it, it's not that important people or things."
Gu Zhong's indifference made Ling Yan feel somewhat at ease, but also worried—it seemed that Gu Zhong in this world did not understand love.
"Actually, I don't think I like him. I just like the feeling of having someone who can make me happy and play with me."
Gu Zhong seemed a little confused, then turned to Ling Yan for advice, "Sister Yan, do you know what true love is?"
"I want to be with her every day, and I only wish her joy and happiness."
With an overwhelming warmth in her eyes, Ling Yan carefully revealed her deepest wish and answered with utmost seriousness.
"Is that so..."
After a moment of quiet contemplation, Gu Zhong blinked, still looking rather confused.
"It sounds wonderful... but I just don't want to be in a relationship anymore." Gu Zhong declared this in a fit of pique.
"What? You've already developed relationship PTSD?"
Knowing that she still harbored resentment towards Ge Tan and feared that she might encounter another bad person, Ling Yan couldn't help but chuckle, "Alright, now you can abide by the company contract properly."
Since the party, Ling Yan has kept her word and used all her connections to blacklist Ge Tan. At least most of Xingguang's cooperation projects will not choose him, which also means that he has missed out on most of the good resources.
With no variety shows, no works, no exposure, and only one hit work whose popularity gradually faded, Ge Tan, like countless other unknowns adrift in this industry, disappeared without a trace.
After much searching, Gu Zhong finally picked out a script from the mountain of scripts that she could barely find acceptable. When Ling Yan took it in, she found it rather difficult. It was a fantasy drama series, and the story was indeed extraordinary. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that as long as the production team was reliable, it wouldn't flop.
This leads to a problem: everyone wants a piece of this lucrative opportunity, making the competition extremely fierce.
However, this was something that even the picky expert had barely taken a liking to, and Ling Yan would never spoil her mood, even though Gu Zhong's current status was not enough to compete with those senior figures in the industry.
However, when it comes to talent, Gu Zhong is truly blessed by God. He has never received formal training, but he can perfectly perform a scene after only hearing the director explain it once.
According to Gu Zhong herself, she enjoys playing other people's roles. Acting is something she's truly in her element, and the fun of it is something that ordinary people can hardly understand.
"The casting for 'The Astrologer' is scheduled for one week from now. This is the introduction and storyboard from the director team. Gu Xiaozhong, the competition is fierce this time, so you'd better prepare well!"
Ling Yan waved the printed script in front of Gu Zhong. Because there were so many talented people, the director who was invited to direct the film was known in the industry for his impartiality and incorruptibility.
With her abilities, this was the only audition opportunity she could secure for Gu Zhong. The outcome would depend on Gu Zhong's performance, something Ling Yan shouldn't be worried about.
However, in recent years, for some reason, a group of emperors and empresses who were originally only active on the big screen have come down to earth to squeeze into the TV drama market.
Those actors are all seasoned veterans who have honed their skills over many years and possess their own unique charm and charisma. Many of them are also extremely talented and can truly portray characters from their youth to their old age.
Sometimes, unpolished talent may not be as valuable as years of accumulated experience.
"I will!"
Gu Zhong's gaze was firm, revealing a seriousness and earnestness that Ling Yan had never seen before.
"Gu Xiaozhong, you get really excited when it comes to filming."
Ling Yan leaned back on the opposite sofa, propped her chin on her hand, squinted her beautiful eyes, and looked lazily at the energetic Gu Zhong with a smile.
"How can you not devote all your passion to something you love?"
Gu Zhong answered each word with unwavering stubbornness.
How lucky it is to be enveloped by her intense passion... Lingyan couldn't help but feel a little jealous of the script in her hand.
For a whole week, Gu Zhong locked herself in her room, refusing all visitors, meticulously studying the plot and characters, even turning away Ling Yan. Calling her a drama fanatic wouldn't be an exaggeration.
On the day of the audition, Lingyan led the ambitious Gu Zhong, driving through the bustling city to a beautiful and peaceful mountain village on the outskirts of the city.
The show has not been officially released yet, and only a few people with access to information know about it.
To avoid the increasingly unscrupulous online battles over billing order and to evade the ever-present paparazzi, this audition was conducted in secret, without any of the fanfare associated with big-budget productions by renowned directors.
The set was already set up, and busy staff members were moving around without their feet touching the ground, putting all the props back in their places according to the director's instructions.
"Sister Ling."
An assistant director who knew a little about Ling Yan's identity saw them from afar and personally and warmly greeted them, attracting the attention of many people on set.
"Director Zhang, I'm sorry to trouble you."
Ling Yan gave him a perfunctory handshake, saying, "My artist."
"Miss Gu."
Director Zhang turned to Gu Zhong, his tone unchanged, but those with sensitive emotions could still sense the waning of his enthusiasm.
"Over there, Teacher Su, Teacher Qu, Teacher Li... they're all here. They're all going to try out the role of the 'Defiant of Fate' today..."
He leaned closer and pointed to a few people who looked like the moon surrounded by stars not far away, then revealed some news that didn't sound very good.
With one TV Queen and two Film Queens, this drama is truly popular. Compared to them, Gu Zhong is really too inexperienced.
Director Zhang looked at Gu Zhong with pity in his eyes; in his view, she was just there to make up the numbers.
However, Director Zhang didn't act like the annoying person who discouraged people from leaving. Following the established procedures meticulously, he explained some matters to Gu Zhong, then took a number plate from his pocket and handed it to him. He apologized to Ling Yan and went back to his work.
Are you confident?
Lingyan was also unsure, because the competition was too strong.
"It's hard to say..."
Gu Zhong, who had been full of confidence, said this, then turned his gaze to one of the people. Ling Yan looked over and saw Qu Xiaoran, the youngest Golden Crown Best Actress in Chinese film history.
She's someone who also relies on talent, and is hardworking and lucky. Gu Zhong only sees her as a competitor, which shows his confidence.
Just then, the two heard the sound of heels clicking on the stone pavement behind them; someone else was coming.
"Huh? So any Tom, Dick, or Harry can be here now?"
It was clearly a soft, sweet voice, but the words that came out were extremely harsh.
Ling Yan turned around and saw a tall woman with long legs and a wasp waist standing there, wearing a black trench coat that accentuated her figure. Her face, with its simple and elegant makeup, was scrutinizing Gu Zhong with eyes that were originally innocent but were now filled with malice.
And standing to the side was Ge Tan, who had been silenced for a long time by Ling Yan's treatment.
He was like a tamed dog, lying quietly beside his master, staring fiercely at the two people in front of him, thinking about how to pounce on them and take a piece of flesh.
After a moment's thought, Ling Yan confirmed the identity of the woman in front of her: Liu Wanjun.
In the original storyline, Ge Tan hooked up with a wealthy playboy. I wonder if she knew that her little wolf-dog servant had also been courting men.
"Who are you?"
Before Lingyan could make a move, Gu Zhong preemptively struck.
"you!"
For someone who considers herself a top influencer and incredibly famous, nothing is more damaging than being unknown to others.
Having been in this industry for almost a year, how could he recognize Qu Xiaoran but not Liu Wanjun? Lingyan didn't believe Gu Zhong didn't do it on purpose.
Sometimes, Gu Xiaopeng looks naturally fair-skinned, but when you cut him open, he's actually dark-skinned.
"Miss Gu, Sister Ling, it's been a long time."
Ge Tan patted the woman in front of him on the shoulder reassuringly and spoke calmly.
If it weren't for the hatred in his eyes that he couldn't hide even with all his might, Lingyan would have truly thought he was a saintly father who didn't care about anything.
Having experienced the thrill of ascending to heaven, the feeling of being cast back down to earth must be unpleasant.
Lingyan felt she had already let him off the hook, and if he dared to try anything again, she wouldn't hesitate to send him straight to hell.
"Ge Tan, it's been a long time."
Ling Yan took a step forward, blocking Gu Zhong's view of her.
"What? You just happened to make a movie that became popular, and now you think you're qualified to act in Director Chen's movies? I wonder what channels you used to get these resources, and you even have the nerve to show your face here?"
Liu Wanjun, who had been ignored all along, was so angry that she couldn't wait to jump out and make her presence known.
She has always cultivated a persona of being a pampered rich girl with a straightforward personality. Her family also provides her with the means to live a carefree life, so it's understandable that she might seem a bit arrogant to outsiders.
But when harsh words are spoken to one's own people, it's not a pleasant thing. Her words were full of contempt, and she was practically pointing at Gu Zhong and accusing him of getting ahead through underhanded means.
"What do you mean?"
Ling Yan's heart skipped a beat, and she took a step forward with a cold face.
"It's nothing, just telling the truth. Everyone knows about this now, it's all over the internet."
With a smile that suggested she had won back a point, Liu Wanjun answered nonchalantly.
"..." Ge Tan's face was full of regret, and his eyes conveyed a complex emotion.
"Sister Ling, something's happened!"
A phone call from Starlight's public relations department confirmed Ling Yan's bad premonition.
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Author's Note:
Unbelievably, I've been updating daily for over a month now, which is quite an achievement for me... Suddenly I feel bad for the other author QAQ
Chapter 34 Agent and Movie Queen (Part 6)
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What are you talking about?
Gu Zhong peeked out from behind Ling Yan and asked a curious question, just like a proper bystander, even though she wasn't the center of the gossip.
"Hold on…"
Lingyan covered the receiver with her hand and shooed Gu Zhong aside.
"Gu Xiaozhong, you should read the audition script carefully and prepare for the audition."
Liu Wanjun let out a sneer, held her head high, and walked past them arrogantly. Ge Tan followed closely behind her, leaving a strange smile as she passed by.
Gu Zhong looked at them with a puzzled expression. Although he was confused, he still obeyed Ling Yan's instructions and obediently sat down under the empty umbrella.
"What's up?"
Lingyan picked up her phone again, her tone somewhat anxious.