Once the staff finished distributing the numbers and dismissed those who didn't need to audition, they called for the actor holding number two.
"Ms. He, please head to the lounge; a staff member will bring you the script shortly."
Ms. He looked at her number in surprise. "I'm number two. Shouldn't they call number one first?"
The staff member shook their head and turned to Fang Tong. "Ms. Fang, you are number one. Please go in for your audition now."
Xiao Yinwan was stunned. "She... she passed the screening?"
"Yes."
Fang Tong was equally bewildered. She had assumed her mentor and his wife didn't even want to see her, but it seemed that wasn't the case. Her anxiety turned to joy, and her eyes welled up involuntarily. She would make sure to give it her all.
"But I haven't even looked at the script yet."
"Ms. Fang, that is what the director requested: for you to audition immediately."
No script, no preparation time, just a straight-to-audition approach?
Xiao Yinwan was quick to react and let out a scoffing laugh. "Fang Tong, is it not obvious enough for you? Director Song doesn't intend to cast you. He's afraid you’ll pester him, so he’s making you audition without preparation to force you to retreat."
Was that it?
Fang Tong thought that if that were the case, it at least meant Director Song was willing to give her a chance. She smiled. "Alright, I'll go in now."
Surprised that Fang Tong had actually agreed, Xiao Yinwan said, "Fang Tong, if I were you and didn't want to humiliate myself, I would leave right now!"
Fang Tong glanced at her and said coolly, "That’s you, not me."
"You..." Xiao Yinwan sneered as she watched Fang Tong’s retreating figure. "Go ahead, then. I want to see how you get thrown out!"
In the audition room, Fang Tong saw the familiar faces of Yan Song and Wen Luoluo and greeted them politely.
Wen Luoluo came over and gave a brief summary of the scene. "Just perform it however you feel... He... is not an actor and won't be able to play off you, so just act accordingly."
The scene was about Li Mutian, the second female lead, learning that the protagonist was in danger and insisting on saving her, while her brother, on whom she relied, refused to let her go. It was a tug-of-war between siblings.
Fang Tong adjusted her state, nodded to the lighting technician, and stepped onto the stage.
The lighting technician truly "lived up to expectations"—he had no acting skills whatsoever. He couldn't remember his lines, didn't know how to play the scene, and recited his single line stiffly.
"Brother won't allow you to go..."
It was robotic, devoid of emotion. For Fang Tong, it was no different than acting in front of a green screen. Or rather, at least a green screen wouldn't move, whereas the technician shifted around, stood blankly, and even broke character to laugh.
Fortunately, Fang Tong adjusted her emotions and quickly entered the scene. Her eyes turned bloodshot as she glared at him, shoved him away, and let out a furious roar.
"She saved my life! If she dies, how can I go on living?"
The lines were melodramatic, but the petite woman’s explosive power was stunning, conveying raw despair and pain to the fullest.
The next part of the scene required the brother to hold her back with all his might, and for her to knock him unconscious to escape. But the lighting technician stood there blankly, not knowing how to respond; he made no move to stop her. Just as Fang Tong prepared to grab a prop to simulate knocking him out, the door to the inner room opened.
"Stop." Song Yi'an waved his hand and said to the male actor waiting on the sidelines, "You go and play the scene with her."
The actor, Shao Ping, was already cast and had been helping with the auditions for the past few days.
He channeled his emotions and stepped onto the stage. Playing opposite Fang Tong felt far more natural.
After Fang Tong delivered her explosive lines and moved to bolt, he grabbed her and held her tight. The veins in his forehead bulged; he was so immersed that tears and snot streamed down his face, yet he refused to let her go. Because he was so deep in character, he held Fang Tong firmly, and she couldn't break free, let alone grab a prop to hit him.
Fortunately, Fang Tong was quick-witted. She bit his shoulder and immediately burst into tears.
By the end of the scene, both were drenched in sweat. Shao Ping couldn't hide his excitement. He had helped several other actresses audition for the role of Li Mutian, but none had given him such a seamless, exhilarating experience. He usually found it hard to enter a scene, and it was even harder when his partner wasn't on his level. He realized that it wasn't even his own acting that was so good—he had simply been swept up by Fang Tong.
This was a pleasant surprise. After all, he was an established actor known for his craft, while Fang Tong had only ever filmed one movie and had been retired for years. Yet, the moment she started, she displayed such a powerful sense of drama.
Shao Ping reached out to shake Fang Tong's hand. "Your performance was truly excellent!"
"Thank you! You as well!"
Director Song crossed his arms and watched the playback on the monitor. Shao Ping had performed this scene many times, but this take was clearly the best—because Fang Tong’s emotions had infected him, drawing him into the scene.
As for Fang Tong, Director Song’s lips curled into an involuntary smile. She was everything he expected. She was a natural-born actor; even without preparation, even when forced to improvise, she could perform at such a high level. Even a powerhouse like Shao Ping had almost failed to keep up with her.
However, when he looked at Fang Tong, his expression remained stern.
"Come inside with me."
Wen Luoluo jumped up excitedly. "Wow, Fang Tong is a born actress! She was so good. That blend of outward softness and inner grit—did you see it? She was so three-dimensional, so moving."
Yan Song was also excited. "I told you she was perfect for Li Mutian. Director Song always said she was better suited for Chi Suihe."
Wen Luoluo checked the remaining registration forms. "If you ask me, there’s no need to audition the others. Fang Tong is better than all of them."
That might be true, but until Director Song made the final call, the auditions had to continue.
Inside, Song Yi'an sat in his chair, his face grave, remaining silent.
Lu Feier’s tone was slightly softer. "Let’s not talk about films. Let’s talk about your life all these years. Why didn't you come to find us directly?"
Fang Tong stood before them and bowed deeply. "Mentor, Ma'am, I was the one who failed you back then. I left without a word, and I never offered you an explanation afterward. It was my fault. I came here today not just because I want to be in the film, but to apologize to you in person."
Before Lu Feier could speak, Song Yi'an stood up and began to scold her. "Fang Tong, what do you think this place is? Do you think you can just come and go as you please?"
Knowing her mentor’s hot temper, Fang Tong didn't argue. She stood there obediently, listening to his reprimands.
Song Yi'an wasn't finished. "You think you can dismiss me with a hundred million? Fang Tong, who do you take me for? What, have you climbed up to a higher branch and look down on us now? Trying to brush us off with money?"
"Fang Tong, who do you think you are? Even if you were born to eat this bowl of rice, without me, Song Yi'an, what are you?"
Fang Tong listened to him berate her. Some of his words were truly cutting, but hearing them made her feel at peace. She had let them down so badly, yet they were willing to see her and scold her—which meant they were willing to accept her.
How foolish she had been, to have failed the very people who truly cared for her and looked after her.
A lump formed in Fang Tong's throat. She tried desperately to hold it back, but tears still welled up in her eyes.