Chapter 376: You Know How to Direct Better Than Me, the Director?
Just when the atmosphere was extremely tense, a sudden commotion broke out near the clubhouse entrance.
The man of the hour—Wang Jing—had finally arrived at the banquet hall.
"Director Wang is here?"
"Hello, Director Wang!"
...
Wang Jing’s mind was fixated on the Pearl of Luocheng, leaving him in no mood to entertain the small-time producers and starlets. After offering a few cursory replies, he strode briskly forward.
He had only taken a few steps when his expression darkened. A crowd had gathered up ahead, and even the security guards were involved. ’What’s going on?’
’Someone dares to cause trouble at my birthday banquet?’
’They’re courting death!!’
His face dark, Wang Jing stepped forward and asked coldly, "Can anyone tell me what’s going on here?"
The security guards quickly cleared a path, allowing Wang Jing to walk to the center of the crowd.
One had to admit, Chen Xiaotong’s acting was truly superb. A moment ago, she had been fierce and venomous, but in the blink of an eye, she managed to conjure a pitiful, wretched expression.
Anyone who didn’t know the situation would have thought she had been terribly wronged.
"Liu Qingcheng brought an unfamiliar woman over. I was worried a reporter had snuck in, so I went to ask a few questions, but this woman suddenly hit me! She broke my nose! Director Wang, you have to stand up for me!" Chen Xiaotong sobbed.
Liu Qingcheng?
An unfamiliar woman?
’Isn’t that the Pearl of Luocheng?’
Wang Jing’s expression visibly softened. He said nonchalantly, "Miss Lin is my guest. This is just a small misunderstanding. Everyone, break it up."
’Just a small misunderstanding?’
For a moment, everyone was stunned!
The other actresses were grinding their teeth in hatred. ’So it’s confirmed,’ they thought, ’that bitch really did climb into Director Wang’s bed.’
’Otherwise, why would Director Wang be so biased in her favor?’
Lin Ruoxi couldn’t help but frown.
Although this wasn’t her fault, it was a bit strange that Director Wang didn’t even ask what happened and immediately declared it a small misunderstanding.
’Could it be...’
’Were those other actresses right?’
’Does this Director Wang really have designs on me?’
Lin Ruoxi grew secretly vigilant.
Wang Jing held absolute authority on his film sets. To a certain extent, even the investors had to respect his opinions.
The actresses didn’t dare to defy Wang Jing, so they could only obediently disperse.
Only Chen Xiaotong remained rooted to the spot, looking utterly indignant!
Wang Jing said in a placating tone, "Xiaotong, to better fit your character in the movie, you actually went and broke your own nose. Such professional dedication to your craft is commendable! Don’t you worry, there’s a place for you in this major production."
’I broke my own nose?’
Chen Xiaotong was so wronged she almost burst into tears, but Wang Jing’s next words made her so excited she nearly jumped for joy!
’This is a blockbuster production worth hundreds of millions! It’s guaranteed to be a box office smash. I’ll definitely have a chance to break into the A-list!’
’What’s a little broken nose compared to that?’
’Besides, the bridge of her nose was fake anyway.’
"Thank you for the opportunity, Director Wang!"
"You’re injured. You should hurry to the hospital and get that checked."
"I’m fine, I’ll just bandage it up. How could I possibly miss your birthday party, Director Wang?"
Wang Jing shrugged, ignoring Chen Xiaotong. He turned and beamed a smile at Liu Qingcheng and Lin Ruoxi.
"Qingcheng, this must be Miss Lin, correct?"
"Yes, Director Wang."
"Miss Lin, hello. I’m Wang Jing. It’s a pleasure to meet you."
Wang Jing took the initiative and extended his hand.
Lin Ruoxi didn’t shake his hand, merely giving him a slight, polite nod. "Director Wang, hello. I’m Lin Ruoxi."
Not at all embarrassed, Wang Jing withdrew his hand. His interest in Lin Ruoxi only grew.
’I wonder,’ he thought, ’is this Miss Lin genuinely self-respecting, or just playing hard to get?’
’Interesting.’
"Qingcheng, Miss Lin, come with me for the screen test."
With that, Wang Jing turned and left.
Liu Qingcheng didn’t overthink it and quickly led Lin Ruoxi to follow him.
Soon, Wang Jing entered a suite within Private Room No. 9.
Liu Qingcheng knocked softly, then pushed open the door to the suite, leading Lin Ruoxi inside.
Lin Ruoxi had no experience with screen tests, so she didn’t think anything was amiss.
Liu Qingcheng, however, was starting to feel uneasy.
’Is Director Wang really holding a screen test?’
’Why isn’t there a cameraman in the suite?’
’Why aren’t there any props or set pieces?’
’There isn’t even a script!’
’How is this a screen test?’
Wang Jing was clearly a regular in this suite. He adeptly retrieved a bottle of red wine from the liquor cabinet, found three glasses, and poured.
Wang Jing raised his glass, gesturing toward Liu Qingcheng and Lin Ruoxi.
"Qingcheng, Miss Lin, come have a drink."
Liu Qingcheng’s heart sank. A bad feeling crept over her. ’This is definitely not how a normal screen test goes!’
’A screen test is like a job interview. Would an interviewer drink with you?’
’What a joke!’
Lin Ruoxi also grew wary and tactfully declined. "Director Wang, I don’t hold my liquor well. Let’s skip the drinks and get right to the screen test."
Wang Jing raised an eyebrow. ’This girl is pretty sharp.’
’A pity, though,’ he mused. ’An old fox like me has countless ways to make her submit.’
Wang Jing immediately began to spin his lie. "Miss Lin, the screen test has already started. Drinking is part of it! The female lead in the new film has many drinking scenes, so I need to see your posture and expression when you drink! Besides, Qingcheng is here. What are you afraid of, Miss Lin?"
Lin Ruoxi glanced at Liu Qingcheng and felt her worries ease. She smiled. "If it’s part of the test, then I’ll drink."
Liu Qingcheng, standing to the side, was dying of anxiety. ’Ruoxi is too naive!’
’Who holds a screen test like this?!’
Liu Qingcheng wanted desperately to give Lin Ruoxi a hint, but Wang Jing was watching her with a smirk, and she didn’t dare make a peep.
Lin Ruoxi stepped forward, gracefully picked up her glass, took a delicate sip, and then let out a long, slow sigh.
Lin Ruoxi wasn’t acting; it was all genuine emotion.
Wang Jing was transfixed!
’Beautiful! So incredibly beautiful!’
’It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a woman look so beautiful just by drinking!’
But what truly captivated Wang Jing was the flash of deep melancholy and sorrow that crossed Lin Ruoxi’s face after she swallowed. It made one’s heart ache for her.
In that moment, Wang Jing felt he would give anything for her!
"Brilliant! Miss Lin, your acting is simply too good! The role of the female lead is yours!!"
Huh?
’That’s it?’
Liu Qingcheng was stunned. She always had to give her absolute all during screen tests, terrified of making the slightest mistake!
But Ruoxi...
’Can a screen test really be this casual?’
Liu Qingcheng asked cautiously, "Director Wang, how about letting me test for a scene too?"
Wang Jing gave Liu Qingcheng a passing glance. "Qingcheng, you brought me such a fantastic female lead, so of course I have to give you a big reward. You’ll act opposite Miss Lin! The role of the second female lead is yours."
Liu Qingcheng was ecstatic. "Thank you for the opportunity, Director Wang!!"
Wang Jing waved his hand dismissively. "Qingcheng, you can head out first. I need to explain the role to Miss Lin alone, since she has no formal acting training."
Liu Qingcheng instantly became wary. ’What does Director Wang mean by keeping Ruoxi here alone?’
Liu Qingcheng forced a placating smile. "Director Wang, your birthday party is about to start. Why don’t I explain the role to Ruoxi after we get back?"
Wang Jing’s face darkened. "Liu Qingcheng, are you implying that you know how to direct a scene better than I do?"