Chapter 27：She Dug a Hole For Herself

Tang Xinyan, Tang Yurou and Jiang Na'er were assigned to the same group, and eventually only one would be selected as the candidate for the lead actress.

They drew lots and Jiang Na'er was first to perform for the audition.

The script revolved around the era before the Chinese government was taken over by the communists. It was an emotional film that involved a legendary woman who had lost her husband, was wronged by others and forced to become a courtesan, but she stuck to her principles and did not surrender herself to the glamor of the materialistic society. In the end, she found her long lost son and rebuilt her family.

In the script, there were scenes with lines, as well as that of singing and dancing.

Memorizing lines, and dancing were both Tang Xinyan's strengths. She could sing quite well too but was no match for Tang Yurou who had released albums before.

She was determined to give her very best for the audition. Whether she would be chosen as the lead actress or not, it was not something she could decide.

After Jiang Na'er was done with her performance, the staff led Tang Xinyan up onto the stage.

Tang Yurou and Jiang Na'er stood in a corner below the stage. Jiang Na'er whispered into Tang Yurou's ear, "I drugged her drink without anyone noticing, she will definitely embarrass herself later. Sis Yurou, you will definitely be the lead actress!" 

Tang Yurou curved her lips upward into a seemingly faint smile. "Tang Xinyan will never, ever win!"

***

Truth be told, the casting audition was not agreed upon by the investors because they had already nominated a lead actress. 

The nominated actress was actually Tang Xinyan who was about to perform on the stage.

Director Hou was one of the best movie directors in the country. He did not want to see anyone getting into his film through the backdoor. That was why he made an agreement with the investors. If Tang Xinyan's performance was not up to par, he would not choose her regardless of who was supporting her...

***

On the stage.

Tang Xinyan put down her script and glanced at Director Hou who had not looked at her from the moment she stepped onto the stage. She gave him and the other judges a bow to show her respect.

Director Hou thought that she was one of the 'vases', those who seemed pleasant but were essentially useless. He waved his hand impatiently. "Alright, just start!"

Tang Xinyan took a deep breath. She instantly gathered her focus and prepared herself for the performance.

Tang Xinyan's eyes, movements, and skills in delivering her lines were all suffused with emotions, and she was able to gain full control of them. When Director Hou saw her performance, the impatience and disdain in his eyes slowly transformed into that of surprise and joy.

At the end of her performance, Tang Xinyan wiped the tears in her eyes and stood up from the chair. Her eyes were filled with the certitude and magnanimity of someone who had gone through countless hardships. Slowly, her lips parted as she said, "As long as we are still alive, we shall never sell our own souls!"

When she was done with her lines, Tang Xinyan proceeded to the part of her singing and dancing.

When she sang and danced, her eyes were glamorous yet filled with pride, and her posture was enchanting yet noble. She was an ideal choice for Director Hou in portraying the main character so well in such a lively manner. 

Tang Yurou and Jiang Na'er who were both below the stage saw Tang Xinyan finish her performance steadily. They could not help but gawk at each other helplessly. 

"Did you really drug her? Why does she seem fine?" Tang Yurou whispered to Jiang Na'er questioningly.

"I don't know, I'm sure that I drugged her… Ouch…" Jiang Na'er wrapped her arms around her belly, and her face became pale out of a sudden.

Tang Yurou frowned. Just when she was about to reprimand Jiang Na'er who had failed her, her stomach growled and she started to feel an excruciating pain. 

At the same time, rounds of applause could be heard from the audience.

The staff then asked Tang Yurou to get ready for her turn.

"Sis Yurou, I can't hold it in anymore. My stomach hurts a lot, I need to use the bathroom." Jiang Na'er, still squeezing her belly, with legs clamped shut, ran away in a hurry.

"Number 12, Tang Yurou, you're next." the staff called out.

Tang Yurou's stomach was all messed up and her face was pale. She glared at Tang Xinyan who was walking down the stage with her bloodshot eyes.

The one who should be having a stomachache now should be Tang Xinyan. How did it end up to be herself and Jiang Na'er?