The next morning, Xinan woke up in Cheng Yi's arms.
Xinan extricated her small abdomen from his hand and then sat up, intending to get out of bed, but her wrist was caught.
How could his sleep be so light?
"Where are you going?" His voice was lazy, probably because he had just woken up.
"I have an audition for a movie today."
Cheng Yi opened his eyes. "When?"
"About ten o'clock."
"Where?"
Xinan pulled up the audition address that Ding Lan had sent her the day before and handed her phone to Cheng Yi.
Cheng Yi glanced at it, released Xinan's hand, and then got out of bed, "I'll take you there."
While he was buttoning up his shirt, he added, "It's on the way."
Xinan had intended to skip breakfast to look good on camera, but Cheng Yi insisted on buying five or six breakfasts, forcing her to finish the leftovers.
So, in the end, not only did Xinan have breakfast, but she was also quite full.
Cheng Yi wasn't lying to her; the audition place was really on his way, as it was near his company.
After watching Xinan walk away, Cheng Yi didn't rush to drive away. He rolled down the car window, took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.
After finishing his cigarette, Cheng Yi then took out his phone and dialed a number.
The call connected quickly. Cheng Yi tapped his fingers patiently as he waited.
After less than two rings, the other party answered, "Mr. Yi?"
Upon hearing the voice, Cheng Yi lifted the phone and got straight to the point, "I heard you're auditioning actresses for the female lead in a new movie?"
The person on the other side was taken aback for two seconds, then answered with a laugh, "What, does Mr. Yi have someone to recommend?"
"Yes, there's an actress named Xinan auditioning today who I think is quite good."
Having said this, someone as shrewd as Lu Jiang understood perfectly, but the female lead had already been preselected... The audition was merely a formality.
But defying Cheng Yi, someone who had funded most of his previous films and greatly contributed to his awards, was unthinkable; if he offended Cheng Yi, he wouldn't be able to survive in the film industry.
Cheng Yi usually didn't meddle in these matters, but now he suddenly wanted to promote a female star.
However, the female lead for this movie had already been decided by the investors, and she was the perfect candidate in his mind.
After hesitating for a while, Lu Jiang said, "Mr. Yi, look, I have another movie next year, maybe..."
Cheng Yi put out his cigarette and narrowed his eyes, "Lu Jiang, I think you're starting to lose sight of the situation..."
Hearing this, Lu Jiang immediately panicked and had no choice but to be frank, "Mr. Yi, let me be straight with you, the investor for this movie is Han Jibai, and he's already chosen Ran Shasha as the female lead."
Han Jibai? Indeed, fate has a way of bringing enemies together! Cheng Yi adopted a more stern tone, "Change the female lead, I'll fund the whole movie; I've got your back."
With Cheng Yi making his intentions clear, Lu Jiang couldn't say much more. Who could argue with money?
—
Because Director Lu Jiang aimed for natural beauty, Xinan only wore a light makeup.
In addition to some newcomers to the entertainment industry, many experienced lead actors had also come to audition today, indicating a fierce competition.
Ding Lan went to get a glass of water and on his return, he saw Xinan sitting on the couch with a script on her lap, "Xinan, don't be nervous when you go in."
"Mm-hmm."
Actually, Xinan wasn't very nervous. Regardless of success or failure, all that mattered was that she did her best.
Suddenly, a commotion arose nearby, and Xinan and Ding Lan looked over.
Unlike their calm, Meng Qiu was much more excited, gripping Xinan's arm tightly, extremely thrilled, "Sister Xinan, that seems to be Ran Shasha, she's here for the audition too."
Meng Qiu's excitement was understandable to Xinan; after all, Ran Shasha was a well-known actress whose debut film had swept major domestic awards, and her name dominated the entertainment headlines overnight, achieving instant fame.
Although Xinan was also surprised, she quickly regained her composure. Wasn't she supposed to be developing her career in Hollywood? Why had she returned?
Then Brother Ji Bai must have come back too...
Meng Qiu: "She seems to be looking over here!"
"She's coming this way!"
"..."
Ran Shasha walked over with a sensual sway, each movement exuding charm, making it difficult to look away.
"Nannan, long time no see."
Xinan didn't expect Ran Shasha to greet her in such a public setting; she paused before responding with a smile, "Long time no see, Sister Shasha."
Ran Shasha was three years older than her and they had grown up in the same complex.
As soon as she spoke, Ding Lan and Meng Qiu were startled, especially Ding Lan; she had been Xinan's agent for many years and had no idea that Xinan knew Ran Shasha.
Ran Shasha flashed a very warm smile, even the curvature of her lips was perfect, "I've always heard that you were developing your career in the entertainment industry too, and it seems to be true. I remember you telling me from middle school that you wanted to be an actress, and seeing your dream realized now, I'm quite happy for you."
Xinan smiled knowingly, "Thank you."
Xinan couldn't remember if she had ever said that to Ran Shasha, but it was true that she had always dreamed of becoming an actress.
She remembered envying Ran Shasha when she heard in high school about her filming movies; she once idolized her so much that she had even bragged to Cheng Yi that she would become famous all over the region just like her.
She had expected Cheng Yi to mock her, but unexpectedly, the usually sarcastic man had remained silent, just staring into the distance.
"Next month, Ji Bai and I are planning our engagement," Ran Shasha leaned over to sit next to Xinan, saying this without minding Ding Lan and Meng Qiu nearby.
When she heard this news, a hint of surprise flashed through Xinan's eyes, but more than that, she felt happy for them. After all, Ran Shasha and Han Jibai had been together since college; they were a well-matched couple, known as a golden pair in the circle.
"Really? Then let me congratulate you and Brother Ji Bai in advance," Xinan sincerely expressed her happiness for them, as Brother Ji Bai and Sister Shasha were finally getting their happy ending.