Rebirth: I Am the Wealthy Family (GL) - Chapter 3

Today was Chen Qianyǔ’s first audition since her disappearance three months ago, and it was also Chén Ruănruăn’s first audition in her life. Ā Hé took it very seriously, so he arrived early to pick up Chen Qianyǔ, and he also brought Lǎng Yuè, Chen Qianyǔ’s exclusive makeup artist.

“Hurry up, we have to be there by 9:30. Director Zhāng hates lateness the most, you absolutely can’t be late this time! Lǎng Yuè, hurry up and do Qianyǔ’s makeup, a light, natural look is enough. She’s playing a talented woman this time, taking the fresh and artistic route.”

Lǎng Yuè immediately stepped forward to do Chen Qianyǔ’s makeup, all the while clicking her tongue in admiration: “Qianyǔ, what skincare products have you been using recently? Your skin is so good, it looks like you’ve never worn makeup before.”

Because female celebrities have to wear makeup frequently, although they look very glamorous every time they appear in public, female celebrities are often “undressed to kill” (look bad without makeup). Once the makeup is off, their faces can be unwatchable, and their skin becomes very rough due to long-term use of cosmetics. Although the former Chen Qianyǔ’s skin was slightly better than other female celebrities, it was still not as good as her current complexion.

“Lǎng Yuè, hurry up with the makeup, why so much nonsense? Look, we’re going to be late soon.”

Ā Hé promptly changed the subject. Only two people in the world knew about Chén Ruănruăn pretending to be Chen Qianyǔ: him and Chén Ruănruăn. Everyone else was kept in the dark. Lǎng Yuè naturally didn’t know, and Ā Hé didn’t want anyone else to know, to avoid gossip and prevent the secret from leaking.

“Done! After all, Qianyǔ, you have a naturally beautiful face; a little touch-up makes you a great beauty. Ā Hé, you can leave now.”

Lǎng Yuè packed up her makeup bag, and Ā Hé led Chen Qianyǔ and Lǎng Yuè downstairs. As they walked out, they ran into Gu Míngzhū, who was just about to leave. Gu Míngzhū was wearing sunglasses, a red overcoat, and holding a black handbag, looking bold and confident. Seeing Chen Qianyǔ and the others, she took off her sunglasses: “Chen Qianyǔ, what a coincidence, we meet again. Do you celebrities get up this early every day?”

“Not at all. Qianyǔ has an audition today. Thank you so much for yesterday, Director Gu. If you are free another day, would you honor us with your presence for a simple meal? I am Chen Qianyǔ’s manager—Ā Hé, this is my business card!” Ā Hé handed his business card to Gu Míngzhū with both hands.

Gu Míngzhū smiled as she took the business card and played with it in her hand: “Ā Hé, the ace manager, I’ve heard your name. A meal could be arranged if I have time. But I’ve been extremely busy lately. The elevator is here. Please go ahead!”

With that, Gu Míngzhū made a gesture to invite Chen Qianyǔ and the others to enter first.

“Actually, Director Gu, we can go down together!”

Chen Qianyǔ also had a very good impression of Gu Míngzhū, but as soon as she spoke, she saw the look Ā Hé gave her, knowing she had said the wrong thing again.

“I prefer to take the elevator alone, you go ahead.”

Gu Míngzhū maintained a smile throughout, and the elevator closed.

“Qianyǔ, if you don’t know what to say, then speak less in the future. How could someone like Gu Míngzhū be willing to ride the elevator with you? If a reporter caught a photo, who knows how they would spin the story. Moreover, it is said that people from wealthy and powerful families like theirs pay a lot of attention to their personal privacy. Did you see that? That must be Gu Míngzhū’s car, the only extended Hummer in Asia. Let’s go.”

Ā Hé couldn’t bear to criticize Chen Qianyǔ further. After all, she was a girl who had just stepped out of the ivory tower, with little life experience, and had always been well-protected by her sister. Naturally, she didn’t know the hardships of society.

They soon arrived at the audition venue. There were a total of four celebrities auditioning this time, including Yán Zhújiā, Zhāng Xī, who was also a former model, and Ān Xī, who had recently won a Best Actress award. These three were on par with Chen Qianyǔ in both acting experience and popularity. Yán Zhújiā, in particular, was a graduate of a prestigious domestic university, a rarity of highly educated women in the acting industry. Three people had already arrived; Ān Xī was still running late.

Director Zhāng was ready, and everyone else was prepared.

Before the audition was announced, Lín Hóng, the director’s assistant, came over and asked them to rest in the lounge. The male lead would audition first, and then it would be their turn.

“I didn’t expect Director Zhāng’s casting standards to get worse and worse. Someone who didn’t even finish high school dares to play Lín Huīyīn. It’s ridiculous! Lín Huīyīn was a great talented woman.” The speaker was Zhāng Xī. Like Chen Qianyǔ, she was a former model, but unlike her, she had attended university. The person she referred to as someone who didn’t finish high school but came out to act was, of course, Chen Qianyǔ.

In the past, Chen Qianyǔ and Chén Ruănruăn were both studying in high school, sponsored by someone. Later, the sponsor went bankrupt and could no longer support the two sisters. Chen Qianyǔ chose to drop out of school and work to support Chén Ruănruăn’s education. In fact, Chen Qianyǔ was also very academically capable, but she gave it up for Chén Ruănruăn.

When the current Chen Qianyǔ heard Zhāng Xī’s sarcasm, her heart ached terribly. She thought that when her sister came out to work before, she probably had to endure such ridicule too, but Chen Qianyǔ had never told her these things.

Seeing Chen Qianyǔ remain silent, Zhāng Xī became even more smug and said to Yán Zhújiā next to her: “Sister Jiā, I think you are the most suitable person for this role this time. You are the publicly recognized talented woman in our circle!” Since Ān Xī hadn’t arrived, Zhāng Xī chose to flatter Yán Zhújiā.

Yán Zhújiā had been in the industry for many years, always being moderately famous but never a megastar. This new drama was directed by Director Zhāng, and it was the artistic film genre she excelled at, so she was determined to get the role. She also thoroughly enjoyed Zhāng Xī’s flattery and smiled: “We’re all the same. It’s not just because I have a high degree that I can get the role. Auditions depend on real ability. Everyone has a chance, and there’s still Ān Xī; she’s a Best Actress winner. I wonder why she’s still not here. Director Zhāng hates people being late the most.”

Time ticked by, minute by minute, and Lín Hóng finally reappeared.

“The first one is Zhāng Xī. Please prepare yourself. The audition will start soon!”

As soon as Zhāng Xī heard she was going to audition, she quickly asked her makeup artist to touch up her makeup. Today she was wearing a qípáo. As a model, her figure was excellent, and the qípáo perfectly showcased her flawless body. Moreover, this was a major Republican-era drama, so wearing a qípáo was more suitable. Chen Qianyǔ was slightly less successful in her clothing choice. She was dressed like a student, wearing long trousers and a knitted top, not much different from her usual attire.

“Qianyǔ, this was my oversight. I didn’t think about preparing an outfit for you. It’s probably too late to prepare one now. You’re next. Forget it, you should just watch how Zhāng Xī performs and learn from her experience!”

Zhāng Xī had already gone for the audition. Chen Qianyǔ had also seen the main content of the female lead’s audition.

“What? Calligraphy? I, I don’t know how to do that?”

Zhāng Xī was instantly dumbfounded. How could the audition content suddenly change from what was agreed upon?

Director Zhāng showed an expression of displeasure. Lín Hóng, the director’s assistant, quickly stepped forward to explain: “Director Zhāng said the sudden change in audition content is to test the actor’s acting skills and their ability to improvise. Zhāng Xī, do you still want to continue the audition? If not, I will invite the next person.”

The entertainment industry is that cruel. If you’re unwilling to audition, there will always be someone else to take your place. Although Zhāng Xī couldn’t write calligraphy, she still went for it with a determined look.

“Okay, I’ll continue!”