Why?

"It wasn't the role you auditioned for today. It was the role in Young Bao Qingtian!" came the voice from the other end of the phone.

"Sister Lan, is that really true? Could you say that again?!" Cao Shiyu asked urgently.

"Shiyu, listen to me. I just got a call from the Young Bao Qingtian production team. They want you to audition again, and as soon as possible!"

"Another audition? But it was already—why do I have to audition again?" Cao Shiyu asked anxiously.

"I don't know all the details, but I heard the director initially had his eye on a singer, and the role was practically settled. But apparently, the screenwriter wasn't happy with the singer, so he pulled your information from the files of the actors who'd been eliminated. Anyway, the director wants you to audition again to see if you're really up to the role!"

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

"Messing with you? As if I had time for that. Just get back here. I'll arrange the time and place with them right away."

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

Cao Shiyu hurriedly flagged down a taxi. "Driver, hurry! Citrus Entertainment!"

It was already 2:35 p.m. when Cao Shiyu arrived at Citrus Entertainment. She hurried toward Sister Lan's office. The other artists, agents, and staff she passed along the way all smiled and greeted her.

She vaguely heard people talking behind her.

"I heard she got a role in Young Bao Qingtian. Is that actually true?"

"Seems like it. I heard the screenwriter personally picked her!"

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

"I'd say it's practically a done deal. If she had no chance, why would the production team bother having her audition twice?"

"Sounds like she's really lucky. Young Bao Qingtian may not be airing on a satellite channel, but it's done really well. The key thing is its Dou Miao Score is incredibly high—9.2! This could send her straight to the top!"

"Ugh, why can't I ever get an opportunity like that?"

Cao Shiyu wasn't in the mood to chat with the other artists and staff at her company. All she wanted was to get to Sister Lan's office as fast 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 and made a shushing gesture, so Cao Shiyu obediently waited to the side.

A moment later, Sister Lan hung up, a radiant smile spreading across her face.

"The time and place are set. It'll be in director Kong Teng's office at the Penguin Innovation Building. Head over right away. Oh, and you're the only one auditioning this time. If director Kong Teng is satisfied, the production team will leave for the film set tomorrow."

"Right now?" Cao Shiyu asked nervously.

"Yes, right now!" Sister Lan said with a smile.

Cao Shiyu's heart began beating faster despite her best efforts.

She'd failed the last audition, and she hadn't prepared any better this time. She still felt terribly apprehensive.

Sister Lan looked at Cao Shiyu and smiled. "Didn't you hear me? You're the only actor auditioning this time. Do you know what that means? As long as your acting is passable—not too bad—the role is basically yours. Shiyu, you've been with me for two years. I used to worry that you were terribly unlucky, but I've never doubted your acting or your ability."

"Go on, right now. I'll wait here at the company. When you come back from the audition, I'll celebrate with you."

Cao Shiyu had barely been at Citrus Entertainment for a few minutes before she hurriedly hailed another taxi to the Penguin Video Innovation Building.

At 3:50 p.m., Cao Shiyu arrived at director Kong Teng's office, panting. She took a deep breath outside the door to steady her racing heart, then knocked.

"Come in!" someone called from inside.

Cao Shiyu stepped into the room.

"You're Cao Shiyu, right?"

"Yes, Director. My name is Cao Shiyu. I'm from the Central Academy of Drama, and I'm twenty-three."

"Good. I'll be acting opposite you myself today."

"Understood, Director!"

"Here are your lines. You're a girl who witnessed your parents being strangled to death when you were a child, so ropes, scarves, and things like that frighten you for no apparent reason. The scene we're trying out is where Bao Zheng accidentally drapes a scarf over your shoulders. It brings back your childhood trauma, and you react excessively. Ready?"

"I'm ready!"

Cao Shiyu pretended to hold a bowl of chicken soup. Carefully, she offered it to the director and called out gently, "Brother Bao."

The director thanked her.

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

"Am I in your way?"

"Of course not!"

"I know I'm stupid and can't help with anything. I'm always causing trouble for everyone. Everyone must be sick of me!"

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

"Really?"

"Of course!"

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

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

Then he pretended to drape the scarf over Cao Shiyu's shoulders.

Cao Shiyu's eyes gradually filled with fear. The instant the scarf touched her neck, terror erupted in her eyes like a volcano!

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

Then she shoved Kong Teng away.

Cao Shiyu was so strong that Kong Teng fell straight to the floor.

"Director, are you all right?!"

Cao Shiyu came to her senses and hurried to help the director up.

Kong Teng stood and dusted himself off.

"All right, it's settled. Go home and prepare tonight. We'll leave for the film set tomorrow."

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

Kong Teng smiled. "Of course. Your acting is good, too. You may be a little behind the other candidate, but you're certainly good enough."

Kong Teng's words instantly brought Cao Shiyu back to her senses.

Her acting wasn't flawless. Someone else was better suited to the role.

But why was fate being so kind to her this time?

"Director, if someone else is a little better at acting than I am, why did you choose me?"

At that moment, Cao Shiyu knew she should stop talking and avoid complicating things. If the director told her to leave for the set tomorrow, she should simply do that. What was the point of asking for every detail?

But she just couldn't help wanting to know.

Kong Teng smiled. "I won't hide it from you. The other candidate is a good fit, too—in fact, I think they may be a little better suited than you. But the screenwriter likes you more. He thinks you can do it, and he recommended you to me. This screenwriter is no ordinary person. You could even say he's the heart and soul of this production, so I've decided to trust him."

When Cao Shiyu left the Penguin Innovation Building, she was still in a daze.

She'd suddenly landed an important role in Young Bao Qingtian—a show with a Dou Miao Score of 9.2, one that had even earned praise from the official media!

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