Chapter 58: I Have A Big Move Coming Up
“All of your performances have been wonderful and amazing in terms of quality and your ability to portray the character and bring the script to life. You have all been able to give us a representation of the character in many different and creative ways, but…”
“Ru-er, the scene that you had just performed was in fact the exact scene that Jiang Yuning had chosen to perform yesterday. Both of you performed the scene in very different ways and although your performance was equally captivating, all the judges agree that Jiang Yuning’s att.i.tude and expression was more suitable for this character. Do you know why? This is because the most prominent characteristic of Qin Tong is her arrogance and Jiang Yuning had expressed this characteristic perfectly in her performance yesterday and even today. Therefore, we were all very impressed with her portrayal of Qin Tong.”
“In terms of professionalism and acting skills, all of you are equally strong contenders but among the four of you, Jiang Yuning was the only one who was willing to portray the character in a way that would incur disgust and hatred. The three of you on the other hand, chose to portray the character in a more amicable and acceptable light. Do you disagree on what we have just said?”
The three young actresses wanted to refute what the judges had just said, but they had no reasons to.
This was because their judgment was correct and perfectly on point.
“Jiang Yuning might not be an extraordinary actress and her acting and performance in the past has been severely criticized, but during her first and second audition with Guangying Media, we have been pleasantly surprised with her performance. We are all convinced that she is the best person to play the role of Qin Tong. Although she has not gone through as much professional training or cla.s.ses, and even if her acting skills are not as professional as the rest of yours, she knows how to put her emotions and feelings into acting and that is why she deserves to be called your predecessor. So, why can’t the role be awarded to her? You can criticize and judge her when you finally make it to the top of the entertainment circle, but right now, you are merely students, so what is there to be proud of? Do you still have a problem with our decision?”
The three young actresses glanced at one another before they finally shook their heads.
“Teacher, we were wrong.”
The judges started laughing as soon as they heard their apologies.
“So, do you still have any objections about the role being given to Jiang Yuning?”
The three young actresses shook their heads once again.
Jiang Yuning could finally breathe a huge sigh of relief after witnessing the interaction between the judges and the other three compet.i.tors. She had not kept Lu Jingzhi up all night for no reason then. Second brother was really her lucky star. Her cute lucky star.
“Jiang Yuning, congratulations to you once again! You have really surprised us with your ability. I hope that you will be more confident in yourself in the future and that you will work harder so the rest of the world can see you for who you really are and get to see you in a new light.”
“Thank you, judges.” Jiang Yuning said as she bowed before the judges.
Subsequently, the door of the audition hall was pushed open and the artiste director of Guangying Media walked in directly. He smiled as he looked at Jiang Yuning and said, “Let’s go. Chairman Gu is waiting to see you.”
“Wouldn’t that be an inconvenience to him?” Jiang Yuning asked as she had some concerns of her own. After all, Gu Pingsheng was not her own relative, but was instead second brother’s relative.
“Of course not. You are overthinking it,” the artiste director answered affirmatively.
Jiang Yuning nodded her head and quickly followed after the artiste director. They both then entered Gu Pingsheng’s office using a private elevator and at that moment, Gu Pingsheng was enjoying a cup of tea in his office.
“Not bad,” Gu Pingsheng said, instantly giving his evaluation as soon as he caught a glimpse of Jiang Yuning. “I have also witnessed your performance during the audition through the camera. You deserve to get the role. However, I am extremely curious. Your past performances and acting…”
“Chairman Gu…”
“Call me uncle,” Gu Pingsheng replied directly.
The artiste director who was standing right behind Jiang Yuning was shocked when he found out about their relations.h.i.+p. It was no wonder why Gu Pingsheng had been so interested in Jiang Yuning’s performance. However, after watching her performance for himself, the artiste director too believed that she deserved to be awarded the role.
“Uncle, can we just forget about my acting in the past? I do not want to talk about my past anymore,” Jiang Yuning asked in a sweet pleading tone.
“Alright then. Now that you have gotten a role in the upcoming drama, I hope that you will not disappoint me,” Gu Pingsheng said as he pointed a finger at Jiang Yuning.
“I promise that I will definitely give it my best shot,” Jiang Yuning replied confidently.
“As for the employment contract that I have promised you, I will ask Director Shen to deal with this matter. However, this is not the main reason I have called you here today. There is another reason for which I wanted you to come here,” Gu Pingsheng said as he turned around and signalled to Director Shen. “Bring her in.”
“Understood, Chairman Gu.” Director Shen then stepped out of the office immediately. When Jiang Yuning saw that Gu Pingsheng’s teacup was almost empty, she quickly stepped forward to pour him a cup of tea. Gu Pingsheng was very impressed with how she handled and served the tea.
“Do you enjoy having tea too?”
“My grandfather used to love drinking tea. That is why I know a little about serving tea,” Jiang Yuning replied as she smiled.
“Come over to my house sometimes to have tea with me.”
“Okay, uncle.”
As they were in the midst of a conversation, Director Shen suddenly entered the office with another woman. She was Huo Yuxi’s good friend who happened to be working in Guangying Media. After conducting some investigation, Director Shen had come to the conclusion that she was responsible for leaking out the information about Jiang Yuning’s invitation to partic.i.p.ate in the audition at Guangying Media. They could easily determine that she was the culprit because she had always boasted about her close relations.h.i.+p with Huo Yuxi when there were scandals surrounding Huo Yuxi and Jiang Yuning in the past.
“Chairman…Chairman Gu, are you looking for me?” The woman was overwhelmed with guilt as soon as she saw Jiang Yuning having a chat with the chairman in his office.
“Do you know why I am looking for you?” Gu Pingsheng asked as he leaned back against his chair and stared coldly at the person standing before him. “Were you the one who released the information to the media that Jiang Yuning was coming to audition at Guangying Media?”
“I…” The woman was lost for words because she was feeling extremely nervous. She had never expected that she would be called in and questioned by the chairman over something like this.
When Jiang Yuning heard this, she suddenly remembered that Lu Jingzhi had mentioned the previous night that uncle was already investigating to find out the person who had leaked the information. However, she had not expected Gu Pingsheng to treat this matter so seriously.
“Chairman Gu, I did not mean to do it. I only did it because Huo Yuxi instigated me to do so,” the woman quickly pleaded, immediately s.h.i.+fting the blame to Huo Yuxi.
“Did you hear what she just said?” Gu Pingsheng asked as he turned around to look at Jiang Yuning. “Did you hear the reason why she set you up?”
“Yes, uncle. I heard everything she said,” Jiang Yuning replied cheerfully.
As soon as the woman heard Jiang Yuning addressing Gu Pingsheng as ‘uncle’, the expression on her face changed and she was so frightened that her face turned pale immediately. “Chairman Gu, I did not know about your relations.h.i.+p with Jiang Yuning. If I had known that she was related to you, I would not have dared to do anything at all.”
“Are you telling me that you would treat everyone differently based on their status? I am embarra.s.sed to have someone like you working in my company. You are fired with immediate effect. At the same time, I hope that you will watch your mouth. If anyone else finds out about my relations.h.i.+p with Jiang Yuning, I will definitely hold you responsible for it,” Gu Pingsheng warned her. “Get lost. Get out of my sight and do not appear in front of me again.”
“I will go…I will leave now,” the woman replied, scared out of her wits.
Jiang Yuning felt extremely comforted when she saw how angry and protective Gu Pingsheng was. Although he was not her relative, he still cared so much for her.
“Uncle, do not be so angry already. If second brother finds out about this, he will blame me for causing all this trouble.”
“Do you think I believe that I would be his priority if he finds out about this matter?” Gu Pingsheng replied sarcastically. “I do not understand that actress named Huo Yuxi. Why is she still trying to set you up and harm you time and time again? Why are you not retaliating or fighting back at all?”
“I have a big move coming up,” Jiang Yuning replied with a smile on her face.
“Go home and prepare well for the upcoming role that you are going to play in the drama. As for my employee, the company will deal with her properly,” Gu Pingsheng said to Jiang Yuning. “I will also make sure to speak to the chairman of Millennium Entertainment about the actions that they should take against Huo Yuxi.”