Qin Ran received the video two days later. By then, Yu Shuman had returned to the filming base with her and, after resting for a day, resumed shooting. Apart from feeling down the day they came back, Yu Shuman showed no other signs of distress.
Seeing her discomfort, Qin Ran tried to comfort her, saying, "It's just that the crew lacks vision. I don't believe they can find an actor more suited to the role than you! Don't worry, even if you don't get to act in this movie, we'll make our own big production next time. I'll invest in it myself!"
Yu Shuman smiled, reaching out to pinch Qin Ran's cheek. "You only know how to sweet-talk me." The way she acted now was quite like the Empress Dowager she was portraying. Qin Ran got excited, playfully acting like a maid while fawning over Yu Shuman, saying, "Your Majesty, this servant can only use her mouth to amuse you."
Yu Shuman narrowed her eyes, gently lifting Qin Ran's chin with her finger. "Oh? How exactly will this mouth amuse me?" She had done this to Qin Ran before, but back then, it was like a flirtatious fox. Now, it was the dignified Empress Dowager.
Feeling tickled by Yu Shuman's teasing, Qin Ran pounced on her, murmuring, "This servant will certainly try to please Your Majesty..." while doing something inappropriate that made the "Empress Dowager" weak in the knees. Yu Shuman had to take another day off before returning to work.
Meanwhile, Qin Ran stayed in the hotel in a good mood, scrolling through her phone and keeping an eye on the recent happenings at 99 Entertainment. It was at this time that Sister Li sent her a video. Puzzled, Qin Ran sent a question mark back, and Sister Li's reply was quick, just three words: "Watch it first."
This video instantly ruined Qin Ran's good mood.
The footage was evidently shot by the crew during the audition, directly facing the actors. Qin Ran didn't know who was in the previous footage, but the moment the screen lit up, she saw Yu Shuman standing alone in a spacious room.
At this point, everything seemed normal, just a typical audition video. A voice, presumably the producer's, was heard. Having served as an interviewer before, Qin Ran could tell who should speak first. The producer followed protocol and asked Yu Shuman to introduce herself.
Yu Shuman smiled sweetly. "I'm Yu Shuman, an artist under 99 Entertainment. Previously, I've acted in..." She briefly introduced her past roles and expressed her interest in the part she was auditioning for.
Then, the atmosphere of the audition changed.
The producer chuckled lightly. "So, you've only played two roles since your debut, is that correct?"
Yu Shuman paused, then answered immediately, "Yes." She knew this was a time to answer directly without explaining, as any explanation would lower the producer's impression of her. But it seemed the producer's impression of her was poor from the start, and his questions felt like traps.
"Then, do you think you're better than other more experienced actors who've been in the industry for years?"
Did it really sound like that?
Qin Ran wanted to punch the producer. This wasn't a question you ask during an audition. If it had to be asked, it should have been phrased as, "You lack experience. What do you think are your strengths that make you suitable for this role?"
Yu Shuman also sensed the question's nature. Regardless of how she answered, it was a trap. Caught between offending her seniors and admitting her shortcomings, she chose the latter. "The more experienced actors surely have more experience and better acting skills than I do. I'm just looking to challenge myself."
The producer laughed again.
Though the camera didn't show the producer, Qin Ran could imagine his expression: mocking and disdainful, leaving Yu Shuman feeling awkward and making her even more nervous.
The producer continued with a series of questions, each one trickier than the last, making Yu Shuman increasingly unsure of how to respond.
After this round of questioning, the producer finally remembered this was an audition and not an interview. He asked Yu Shuman to act out a scene from the script. Yu Shuman visibly relaxed; performing was far easier than handling the producer's strange questions.
However, she relaxed too soon.
Following the script and prompts, she performed without props. In Qin Ran's opinion, Yu Shuman did a great job. On one hand, her affection might be influencing her, but even without her biased view, Qin Ran thought Yu Shuman performed well.
Yu Shuman resembled a little fox, lively and expressive before the camera.
But the producer abruptly interrupted her performance, scolding her, "What are you doing?"
Yu Shuman was bewildered. Her hands, which were still in action, paused mid-air. After being questioned, she returned to a standing position, asking the producer, "Is there something wrong?"
"Is there something wrong? You should be playing a seductive fox spirit, charming and alluring. Do you even know what seduction means? What on earth were you performing? Where is the allure you're supposed to have?"
Not seductive? Seriously? Qin Ran was almost entranced by Yu Shuman's performance. How could it not be seductive? While there was a touch of innocence in her allure, wasn't that in line with the character—a fox spirit new to the human world who hadn't fully mastered the art of seduction?
He himself chose the early scene and then complained Yu Shuman wasn't seductive enough?
Qin Ran couldn't help but hit pause, jabbing the screen with her finger. If she didn't pause now, her blood pressure might spike. After calming herself, she resumed watching.
Yu Shuman was truly polite. Even when the producer spoke so rudely, she didn't say, "What nonsense are you spouting?" Instead, she explained, "Perhaps my interpretation differs from yours. I believe this scene doesn't require overt seduction; a hint of innocence would be more fitting."
Qin Ran's "Manman" was a straightforward person, ready to point out others' mistakes bravely. She's polite but not the kind who says, "Yes, yes, you're right" to everything the producer says. However, her rebuttal angered the producer further, and Qin Ran even heard a table being slapped.
The camera was closer to their seating area, so the loud, sudden slap startled Qin Ran, and at that moment, Yu Shuman had a visible jolt, her confusion deepening.
The producer began ranting after slapping the table. "You dare talk back to me? I've seen plenty of actors like you! Just because you have some backing and investors propping you up, you think you're untouchable. I've been making movies for so many years; I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice. And now you're lecturing me?"
That previous suspense drama's director already seemed problematic to Qin Ran, but at least he treated everyone the same and didn't use his status as a director to pressure actors. This producer had a few years of experience and already had his tail in the air.
Qin Ran had seen well-established directors before. The director of the period drama Yu Shuman was currently filming, for instance, was a veteran with a big name and many works to his credit. While strict, he never said, "I'm the director; I've been making TV shows for years, so you must listen to me." On the contrary, he was open to discussing ideas with any actor who had insights.
That's the mark of the older generation, directors truly invested in creating good dramas.
Qin Ran took a deep breath. She had some knowledge of this producer, considering it was a movie Yu Shuman planned to audition for. The producer had indeed been in the industry for many years, starting behind the scenes and gradually transitioning into a producer role. Over the years, he had produced several commercially successful films.
Did he have reasons to be proud? Sure, but his pride shouldn't be based on demeaning others.
"I didn't mean it that way..." Seeing the producer twist her words, Yu Shuman's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she opened her mouth to explain.
But the producer had no intention of listening from the start. "Didn't mean it? That's exactly what you meant. Yu Shuman, right? I've heard about you before. Isn't 99 Entertainment treating you like a treasure? Acted in only a few shows and prancing around on every red carpet as a resource hog. Actors like you should be kicked out of the industry. It's people like you who ruin the reputation of actors in our film industry."
Yu Shuman took a deep breath. At this point, it was clear that this so-called industry senior had no intention of listening to her, and if this continued, she'd probably hear more unpleasant words.
No longer willing to put up with it, Yu Shuman chose to speak her mind. Worst case, she'd upset these people. Yu Shuman was a straightforward person, and since the other party hadn't shown her respect, she wasn't going to respect him either. "Sir, I've tolerated this long enough. From the moment I walked in, you've never acknowledged me as an equal. You've been mocking me from the start, with each question being a trap. Now, you're attacking my professional integrity and personal character."
"I have never done anything to ruin the reputation of this industry. I've been continually improving my acting skills. I enjoy being an actress, and while I haven't played many roles, I've always given my best. You mentioned my numerous resources. If I wanted to, I could have taken on as many projects as possible to gain the most popularity in the shortest time. But I didn't. I'm willing to spend a long time in a crew, slowly honing my acting skills."
"It's unfortunate that I won't be joining your crew. I do wish you all the best and hope the film becomes a great success. Regarding your earlier comments, I'll pretend I didn't hear them. However, if anything about me appears in the news, I will reserve the right to hold your crew accountable. Goodbye."
Qin Ran: How dare he treat Manman like this?! (Dark aura rising, about to lose her mind)