The audience was silent and no one spoke.
Bai Yun's scenes and settings weren't considered outstanding among the scripts. In fact, because modern dramas lacked shocking plots, the scenes tended not to be exciting.
However, from the moment Bai Yun stood on the stage, the ruthlessness she exuded and the redness in her eyes made it impossible for people to look away. Lin Qu was one of them.
She remembered the first time, Bai Yun had stammered for a long time in class, unable to say a complete line.
However, at this moment, Bai Yun had suppressed the atmosphere with those short lines. It was as if everyone had been knocked to the ground by her and could only look up at her.
Unfortunately, not even their decadent shadows could be seen in those eyes. It was nothing in her eyes—an abuser having no inkling of the abuse inflicted. It was as though she had done all this simply because it made her happy, completely disregarding all rules.
The smoke lingering on Bai Yun's fingertips hid her expression as she stood there. With the unfinished cigarette between her lips, the color of her lips appeared so faint in the white fog.
It was clearly the end of a play, but there was some charm to it. The young girl held the cigarette in her mouth in the lightless alley amid the mist, as if it was astringent and sweet.
She extinguished the long cigarette ash. As if she heard a car leaving the alley, she lowered her eyes and her lips curled into an indifferent smile. Meanwhile, the cigarette butt was crushed upon the non-existent supporting character and pressed against the back of his hand for a long time. Bai Yun's expression did not change at all; she did not even blink.
Having finally teased her silent, non-existent prey enough, she threw away her cigarette and calmly said as she walked out of the alley with her hands in her pockets, "Rotten brat, take a detour if you see me in the future." Her shadow was elongated by the setting sun, and no one dared to argue in spite of her thin frame.
Bai Yun turned around and waved, perhaps to bid farewell to this role today.
In just ten minutes, having acted to her heart's content, she bowed to the judges. "The performance is over. Thank you, Teachers."
The teachers at the judges' table looked at each other. They were indeed distracted at first, but in an instant, their attention focused upon the performing Bai Yun. Every step she took had her own unique insights.
That was an actor's ability to show empathy towards their characters, and not everyone had such a talent.
Bai Yun, who was unanimously thought to not even reach C-grade previously, successfully used her ability to interpret this sinister character.
When this script was released, the judges were not optimistic about the flat villain abuser character. Many young actors tended to stereotype their characters and more or less acted the same way. At most, they would just add a little detail to distinguish themselves. However, they did not expect Bai Yun to be able to unearth those extra details in such a role.
As they watched the performance, they were fascinated by her blank stare—It was the sight of a hunter catching their prey. Because she despised it all, she felt that everything could be devoured.
While the teachers were still deliberating, a rustling discussion began below the stage.
"Is that Bai Yun? Is she that good at acting?"
"That's not right. Didn't they say that she acts like she has facial paralysis? But that performance was great!"
One of them could not help but mock, "Doesn't this character have facial paralysis? She was expressionless the entire time. That's just her staying in her comfort zone."
"That's right. Do you really think that a little hype can cover up the flaws in one's acting?"
"Don't give praise where it's not warranted. She merely kept a cold face and you call it good acting?"
Seated in the middle of the discussion, Lin Qu couldn't take it anymore. "There are always people in this world who eat sour grapes. It's fine if you lie to yourself, but how can you expect others to believe your lies?"
After glancing at the grades on their chests, she couldn't help but shake her head and sigh. "Tsk tsk, no wonder you feel that she didn't act well. Are you even capable of judging when you barely got a C yourself?"
She was never one to beat around the bush. To put it bluntly, she was a little brainless, but she was also kind of protective of her people.
Even if she did have some conflicts with Bai Yun in the past, they were from the same company after all. How could she let outsiders bully someone from her company? Especially when the company was in dire straits, and Bai Yun's acting skills were considered excellent. Why should Bai Yun be humiliated by these people who could only get a C?
Lin Qu at least had some prestige among this group of people. Though not as hyped as Bai Yun, she was considered a somewhat popular artiste. Aside from that, she was considered the leader of her clique. Thus, when she spoke up to defend Bai Yun, no one dared to continue whispering, but they all exchanged tacit glances.
Wasn't it just seeking benefits and avoiding harm? They felt that Lin Qu was merely aligning herself with whoever was popular at the moment, and didn't think she was all that noble.