"Alright, I have no further questions. You may begin your audition."
"It's good that she cares about her reputation. The Untamed is like our own child, and I certainly don't want anyone of questionable character getting in. We have to guard the first gate strictly. As for the future, it really depends on whether these actors can stay consistent, though who can guarantee consistency in this giant dyeing vat? At least this girl seems to have her head on straight for now; let's hope she lives up to her own words."
Following the instructions, Wen Rou performed two scenes: the first was when the group enters Xuanwu Cave, where Wang Lingjiao sees the Jin family's beautiful maid-of-honor and wants to disfigure her face, and the second was the cruelty at Lotus Pier against Wei Wuxian. Immersing herself in the characters and adding her own interpretation, Wen Rou delivered a compelling performance.
A few minutes later, Wen Rou gave a slight bow to the people in the room. "Director, I have finished my performance."
The panel nodded to acknowledge this, then lowered their heads to whisper among themselves for a moment.
"Wen Rou, is it? Please leave your contact information with us first. We will get back to you within three days, so please keep an eye out for messages."
"Understood. Thank you very much, Director and teachers."
After leaving her contact information, Wen Ling bade farewell to the group and leisurely walked out of the room.
"Yuqing, let's go. To the hospital."
"Alright, let's go. Are you really feeling unwell?"
"Yeah, I accidentally took a fall during dance practice this morning." Now she was really starting to feel terrible. In fact, Wen Rou had already felt it during the audition, but she had managed to push through it. Now that her nerves had finally relaxed, waves of dizziness and a sense of nausea washed over her.
She guessed she might have suffered a mild concussion from the fall.
"Good grief, why are you only telling me now? Let's hurry. Oh right, put on your coat, we're going to see a doctor!"
"Yeah." Wen Rou nodded weakly.
Just as the two of them reached the hotel entrance, Wen Ling—who was standing on the right—was jostled by a tall boy, making her stagger.
Being fiercely protective of her friend, Lin Yuqing immediately lashed out, "How are you walking? My friend is already injured. If she falls again, are you going to take responsibility?"
Just as Wen Rou was feeling touched by her friend's warm defense, she heard a voice that was both familiar and strange. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going. Are you alright?"
Seeing the rather pale face of the girl before him, the masked boy panicked. Oh no, he had messed up!
Hearing that familiar voice, Wen Rou snapped her head up. "Are you Xiao Zhan?"
"Ah, you know me?" Even with his face so thoroughly covered, he could still be recognized? Could she be a fan of his?
"Yes, I know you, because I'm a Peter Pan too."
"Thank you. Are you feeling alright?" Delighted as he was, Xiao Zhan naturally noticed the girl's unwell expression.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. Good luck with your audition, Xiao Zhan. The Peter Pans are really looking forward to your work." Wen Rou smiled back.
"Mhm!" Xiao Zhan broke into a happy smile. That smile was still just as clean, bright, and warm as she remembered.
"It's wonderful that you are still you, even though I am no longer who I was. Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, seven years would have passed? The you from seven years ago looked even more sunny and dashing. I hope that in the future, I too can bring warmth to others just like you, stay true to my original aspirations, and keep moving forward."
"I hope we get to cross paths in the crew—from your looks-and-career fan."
Lin Yuqing, standing to the side, was completely baffled, but seeing that her best friend wasn't going to press the issue, she didn't pursue the argument either.
"Wen Rou, you know him?"
"I do, I'm a fan of his."
"Huh, how come I never knew when you became his fan? Is there even anyone famous by that name in the entertainment industry? How come I've never heard of him?"
"I only started stanning him this year. We were both busy with graduation stuff earlier, so when would I have had the time to tell you?"
"Fine, enough talk, let's get to the hospital. Your face is getting paler by the second."
...
Without any further delay, the two hurriedly rushed to the hospital. Lin Yuqing ran back and forth handling everything for her, which warmed Wen Rou's desolate heart once more. This friend truly held Wen Rou in a very high place.
"Wen Rou, don't worry, I'll take good care of her in the future too, and genuinely return her sincere friendship."
"Your friend's concussion is somewhat serious. She'll need to be hospitalized for proper rest over the next week. Her condition right now is also related to not seeking medical attention promptly—you both really need to take this seriously."
"Alright, alright, thank you for the trouble, Doctor. We will definitely cooperate fully."
"Okay, a nurse will be with you shortly to coordinate things. I'll be going now."
"Yes, take care, Doctor."
"Rourou, honestly, what am I supposed to say to you? Health is the capital of everything; no audition for any crew is more important than your health!" Lin Yuqing was genuinely furious now. This friend of hers was so stubbornly reckless that it left her entirely at a loss for words.
"Don't worry, I'll rest properly from now on. I'm still young and my body recovers quickly, it'll be fine."
"Even when you're young you have to pay attention, or else I'm going to tell your uncle, aunt, and your brother, and let them deal with you."
"Ah, it was my fault. Don't tell them just yet, wait a little bit longer. I don't want them to worry."