Why

"It's not the role you auditioned for today, it's the one in Young Bao Qingtian!" the voice on the other end said.

"Sister Lan, is what you're saying true? Can you say it again?!" Cao Shiyu asked urgently.

"Shiyu, listen to me. I just received a call from the Young Bao Qingtian production crew. They want you to audition again, and the sooner the better!"

"Audition again? Didn't I already-- why audition again?" Cao Shiyu's voice was anxious.

"I'm not entirely sure of the specifics, but I heard the director initially favored a singer and the role was almost set. However, the screenwriter wasn't very satisfied with this singer. Then, he pulled your file from the rejected actor submissions. In short, the director wants you to audition again to confirm if you can truly handle the role!"

"Really? Sister Lan, you're not tricking me, are you?"

"Trick you? What possible reason would I have for that? In any case, hurry back. I'll immediately arrange a time and place for the audition with them."

"Okay, okay, I'm on my way."

Cao Shiyu quickly hailed a taxi. "Driver, hurry! Qicheng Entertainment!"

It was already 2:35 PM when she arrived at Qicheng Entertainment. Cao Shiyu hurried towards her agent Sister Lan's office. Other artists, agents, and staff she passed along the way greeted her with smiles.

She vaguely overheard people discussing behind her.

"I heard she got a role in Young Bao Qingtian? Is it true?"

"It seems so. I heard the screenwriter personally picked her!"

"It's not confirmed yet. They say she has to audition again. But if she didn't get it the first time, will she get it this second time?"

"I think it's highly likely. If there was no chance, why would the production crew bother with a second audition?"

"Wow, she's really lucky. Even though Young Bao Qingtian isn't a prime-time broadcast drama, its ratings are quite good. And the Dou Miao score is incredibly high, 9.2! This is a meteoric rise for her!"

"Sigh, why don't I ever get an opportunity like this?!"

Cao Shiyu didn't have the headspace to chat with her colleagues from the company right now. She just wanted to get to Sister Lan's office as quickly as possible. She still couldn't quite believe what Sister Lan had just told her.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Come in!"

Cao Shiyu stepped into the office. Sister Lan was on the phone. Seeing Cao Shiyu, she made a shushing gesture, and Cao Shiyu obediently stood to the side.

A moment later, Sister Lan hung up the phone, a brilliant smile on her face.

"The time and place have been set. It's in Director Kong Teng's office at the Penguin Innovation Building. You need to go there immediately. Oh, and you're the only one auditioning this time. If Director Kong Teng is satisfied, the crew will depart for the film base tomorrow."

"Now?" Cao Shiyu asked nervously.

"Yes, now!" Sister Lan smiled.

Cao Shiyu's heart began to race uncontrollably.

She had failed her last audition, and this time, she hadn't prepared any better. So, she was still very apprehensive.

Sister Lan looked at Cao Shiyu and smiled, "Didn't you hear clearly? You're the only actor auditioning this time. What does it mean to only audition one person? It means as long as your acting is passable, as long as it's not too bad, the role is basically yours. Shiyu, you've been with me for two years. I once worried your luck was truly terrible, but I've never doubted your acting skills or talent."

"Go, go now. I'll be waiting for you at the company. We'll celebrate properly when you get back from your audition."

Just a few minutes after arriving at Qicheng Entertainment, Cao Shiyu was already rushing to hail another taxi, heading towards the Penguin Video Innovation Building.

At 3:50 PM, a breathless Cao Shiyu took a deep breath outside Director Kong Teng's office, calming her racing heart before knocking.

"Please come in!" a voice called from inside.

Cao Shiyu stepped into the room.

"Cao Shiyu, right?"

"Yes, Director. My name is Cao Shiyu. I'm from the Central Academy of Drama, and I'm 23 years old."

"Alright. Today, I'll be acting opposite you personally."

"Okay, Director!"

"Here are your lines. You are a girl who witnessed your parents being strangled to death as a child, so you have an inexplicable fear of ropes, scarves, and similar items. The scene we'll be rehearsing is when Bao Zheng accidentally drapes a scarf over your shoulder. This triggers your childhood trauma, causing you to react excessively. Are you ready?"

"Ready!"

Cao Shiyu pretended to hold a bowl of chicken soup. She carefully handed the soup to the director and softly called out, "Brother Bao."

The director said, "Thank you."

"Chang Yu, it's getting late. You should go back and get some sleep too!"

"Am I bothering you?"

"No!"

"I know. I'm clumsy, I can't help with anything, and I always cause trouble. Everyone's annoyed with me!"

"No, you're so considerate. Everyone likes you!"

"Really?"

"Yes, of course!"

Cao Shiyu coughed according to the script. Director Kong Teng pretended to take off the scarf around his neck and asked, "Are you cold? Here, you can wear this!"

Director Kong Teng continued, "Don't be shy, come on!"

He then pretended to drape the scarf over Cao Shiyu's shoulders.

At this moment, Cao Shiyu's eyes gradually filled with terror. The instant the scarf was placed around her neck, the fear in her eyes erupted like a volcano!

Cao Shiyu suddenly cried out, "No, no, don't!"

Then she pushed Kong Teng away.

Cao Shiyu's strength was too great, and Kong Teng stumbled and fell to the ground.

"Director, are you okay?!"

Cao Shiyu reacted and quickly helped the director up.

Kong Teng stood up and brushed himself off.

"Alright, it's settled then. Go back tonight and prepare, we'll head to the film base tomorrow."

"Director, do you mean that the role of Chang Yu is mine?"

Kong Teng smiled, "Of course. Actually, your acting is also good. Perhaps it's a little less than another candidate, but at least it's competent."

Kong Teng's words instantly calmed Cao Shiyu.

Her acting wasn't flawless; someone else was more suitable for the role.

But why was fate smiling on her so favorably this time?

"Director, since someone's acting is a little better than mine, why did you still choose me?"

At this moment, Cao Shiyu's reason told her to shut up and not cause trouble. The director told her to leave tomorrow, so she should leave tomorrow. What was the point of asking for such clarity?

But she couldn't help but want to know the details.

Kong Teng smiled, "I won't hide it from you. The other candidate is indeed very suitable, even more suitable than you in my eyes. However, the screenwriter for this drama has more faith in you. He thinks you can do it and recommended you to me. This screenwriter is no ordinary person; he's practically the soul of this drama. So, I chose to trust him."

Leaving the Penguin Innovation Building, Cao Shiyu was still in a daze.

She had suddenly become an important character in Young Bao Qingtian. This was a drama with a Dou Miao score of 9.2, and it had even received praise from official media!

"Li Xun, I don't know you at all. Why did you choose me?"