Chapter 17

The moment the message was sent, Song Zhi suddenly felt a great sense of relief.

It was as if she had woken up from a wild and absurd dream. Though waking up brought sadness, it also meant facing reality.

Intangible things were impossible to hold onto.

She buried her head in the crook of her arm and cried until her shoulders shook.

Even though she knew this was the right decision, it still hurt deeply. She couldn’t let go easily.

She missed Jiang Yanzhou’s warm embrace and his tender whispers.

Thinking that all of these would no longer belong to her made her heart ache unbearably.

The taxi driver noticed something was wrong and kindly handed her a box of tissues: “Here, wipe your tears.”

She thanked him and took the tissues to dry her eyes.

The driver sighed: “You’re still young and beautiful. There’s no need to hang yourself on one tree.”

Young people crying so hard could only mean they were heartbroken.

He seemed to have his own story: “When I was your age, my first love cheated on me. I thought I couldn’t live without her, but look at me now—I’m doing just fine.”

Song Zhi nodded through her tears: “I can definitely live without him...”

Her voice quivered as she continued: “I will definitely be able to live well!”

Hearing this, the taxi driver finally relaxed and nodded: “That’s the spirit! There are plenty of men out there; you won’t run out of options.”

________________________________________

Given the current situation, Song Zhi naturally couldn’t return to that home. She asked the driver to take her to a hotel.

Jiang Yanzhou only knew that she often stayed in hotels during filming but didn’t know which one. Because filming locations varied, so did the hotels.

Her body hadn’t fully recovered, and her sudden emotional downturn left her feeling utterly exhausted.

She collapsed on the sofa, too weak to move.

Her phone kept ringing beside her. With great effort, she picked it up.

The caller ID showed Tang Xiaoyan.

After a moment of silence, she pressed answer.

Tang Xiaoyan’s voice was low, as if trying to avoid someone: “Song Zhi, what happened between you and Jiang Yanzhou?”

Song Zhi didn’t want to hear that name right now. After taking a deep breath, she remained silent.

Tang Xiaoyan continued: “Just now, he came over looking for me with such a dark expression. He looked awful. Do you know how scared I was? This is the first time I’ve seen him like this.”

Song Zhi shrugged nonchalantly: “Nothing much. We broke up.”

Tang Xiaoyan sighed in relief: “Thank goodness. I thought you did something to upset him again.”

After catching her breath, she suddenly exclaimed: “What? You guys broke up!?”

Song Zhi wasn’t in the mood to explain everything, so she simply replied: “Yeah, I’m a bit tired and want to rest. Talk later.”

Then she hung up.

A person who usually cared so much about cleanliness that she would shower even after going out for a quick delivery didn’t even feel like removing her makeup now.

Extreme sadness truly made one fall into despair.

This saying was no exaggeration.

Song Zhi didn’t know how long she slept. When she regained some consciousness, half her body was almost off the sofa.

She rubbed her messy hair, dragged her weary body to the bathroom.

In the mirror, her dark circles were noticeable, especially against her porcelain skin.

She looked like she hadn’t slept for days.

Despite wearing makeup to bed, her face only appeared more pale and lifeless than usual, but otherwise, it wasn’t too bad.

She splashed cold water on her face, forcing herself to snap out of it.

Today was the scheduled audition. Men could be replaced, but missed opportunities might never come again.

Song Zhi went to the dressing table to remove her makeup and then took a shower.

Xia Wanyue knew her quirks and called early in the morning to remind her to arrive early and make a good impression on Director Luo.

“By the way, don’t forget to bring your painting.”

Song Zhi was applying a mask, trying to salvage her skin.

Upon hearing Xia Wanyue’s words, she felt a headache coming on. At a time like this, she certainly wouldn’t contact Jiang Yanzhou, nor would she go to his house.

“I had a bit of an issue. I might not be able to bring it today.”

Xia Wanyue had already guessed: “I knew you wouldn’t make things easy for me. I’ve already talked to Director Luo. The painting isn’t urgent. Focus on the audition first.”

Song Zhi nodded and didn’t say anything more.

After a pause, Xia Wanyue said: “Why do you sound so weak? Didn’t you sleep well last night?”

How perceptive, Song Zhi thought, impressed.

Knowing how nagging Xia Wanyue could be, Song Zhi chose to lie for peace.

“I’m just excited. I couldn’t sleep last night.”

Fortunately, Xia Wanyue didn’t catch on. After a moment of thought, she nodded in agreement: “Actually, I was nervous all night too. The closer the audition gets, the more surreal it feels. How did such a lucky opportunity fall into our laps?”

Song Zhi peeled off the mask that had started to dry: “I’ll wash my face. Gotta go.”

Xia Wanyue responded and reminded her again: “Whatever you do, give it your all. If you lose this role, I’ll walk back to the country to settle accounts with you.”

“Got it,” Song Zhi said dismissively, quickly hanging up.

The audition was set for 9:30 AM.

Apart from Song Zhi, there were other artists.

This wasn’t surprising—everyone wanted a piece of this pie. Acting in Director Luo’s film not only secured entry into the movie industry but also elevated one’s status significantly.

Xia Wanyue was abroad and wouldn’t be back until tonight. Xiao Xu picked Song Zhi up from the hotel.

When the door opened, he was shocked to see the haggard woman inside.

In his mind, Song Zhi was always vibrant and dazzling, every smile captivating.

But now...

Wearing a white silk nightgown, her jet-black hair cascaded down her shoulders, slightly curled at the ends, somewhat messy yet appealing.

Her already pale complexion now looked even more drained due to her recent illness and breakup, her lips lacking color.

Remembering Xia Wanyue’s specific instructions when he came to pick her up—”Make sure you keep an eye on her. If anything goes wrong with this audition or if another artist snatches it away, you better pack your bags and leave”—this being his first job after graduation, Xiao Xu was almost ready to kneel before Song Zhi.

“Waaah, Sister Song Zhi, how could you be so disheartened?”

Hearing his mournful cries, Song Zhi had the illusion that she might drop dead any second.

She knew exactly what he was worried about: “Don’t worry. A touch of light makeup will cover everything.”

Xiao Xu wiped his tears while sniffling: “Really?”

“You go sit in the living room. I’ll get ready and come out.”

Half-believing, Xiao Xu opened the door and obediently waited in the living room.

Song Zhi, who usually dawdled, surprisingly finished her makeup and changed clothes in just half an hour today.

When she emerged, seeing her radiant face restored, Xiao Xu sincerely marveled at the power of cosmetics.

Just moments ago, she looked like a sickly caged bird; now, she was the princess of a castle.

Impressive.

It was 8:30 AM, and it would take less than an hour to reach the audition venue from here.

There was still some time to prepare.

Director Luo was known for his low profile. Every film he directed was kept under wraps until shooting began. Even this audition was conducted without notifying any media.

Only the few artists invited to audition knew, and they all signed confidentiality agreements.

Though Director Luo appreciated Song Zhi’s background in traditional Chinese painting, he wouldn’t hastily cast her based solely on that.

Four artists were auditioning for the female lead role.

In the waiting room, Xiao Xu reported the intelligence he had gathered from Xia Wanyue: “Sister Wanyue said that among the three artists competing with you, one is a favor—it’s just for show. Once the drama becomes popular, she’ll announce that she once auditioned for the role to ride the wave. The other two are tough contenders: one is the award-winning actress Xia Chulan, and the other is the currently popular young star Su Yiyi.”

Song Zhi had heard of both names. The first, although not particularly stunning in an industry full of beauties, was renowned for her acting skills.

She burst onto the scene with an unlikely romance film that swept multiple awards at festivals.

Netizens praised her as having “surgery-like acting skills.”

Meaning her performance was so compelling that it overshadowed her looks.

The other, similar to Song Zhi, had elders in her family skilled in traditional Chinese painting and had been learning painting since childhood.

Most importantly, both of their acting skills far surpassed Song Zhi’s.

Xiao Xu had already started praying by drawing crosses on his chest: “God, please let Song Zhi be chosen as the female lead. I don’t want to become unemployed at such a young age.”

Song Zhi, on the other hand, wasn’t nervous at all. She lazily lounged in her chair, yawning.

Having slept less than three hours last night, she was so tired she could fall asleep standing up.

When a staff member came to notify her, Song Zhi forced herself to drink a cup of coffee to stay awake.

In the living room, Xia Chulan and Su Yiyi were already waiting. Their seemingly casual attire was actually carefully planned.

Every detail aligned with the character.

The female lead came from a family of traditional Chinese painters, embodying elegance and grace.

Their outfits leaned towards this style.

Hearing the noise, they both looked up simultaneously, glancing over.

Their gaze landed on Song Zhi. Xia Chulan rolled her eyes disdainfully.

Achieving fame at a young age and possessing natural talent justified her arrogance.

Especially towards someone like Song Zhi—a “vase.”

She didn’t even bother to greet her, continuing to read her lines.

Su Yiyi, around the same age as Song Zhi, had met her briefly after a program once. Now, she warmly patted the empty seat next to her: “Sit here, sit here.”

Facing her enthusiastic invitation, Song Zhi politely smiled and walked over, sitting beside her.

Each of them held a script provided by the staff, containing the lines they needed to perform for the audition.

Su Yiyi whispered: “I’m so nervous. Are you nervous?”

Song Zhi nodded: “Not really.”

Beside them, Xia Chulan, deeply immersed in understanding the character’s psychology, sneered: “Knowing she has no chance, of course she isn’t nervous.”

Hearing this, Su Yiyi felt indignant on Song Zhi’s behalf but, respecting her as a senior in the industry, only dared to mutter under her breath.

Under normal circumstances, being mocked like this, Song Zhi, the thorny rose, would have retaliated fiercely.

Unfortunately, still reeling from her recent breakup, half her soul remained in the shadows.

She had neither the interest nor the energy to argue with anyone.

________________________________________

The first to audition was the favored candidate, clearly not selected, just going through the motions.

Less than ten minutes later, she emerged.

Outside, four or five assistants rushed forward, offering coffee, carrying bags, and handing over coats.

Rumors had it that she was recently taken under the wing of a high-ranking company executive, hence the grand entourage.

Song Zhi inexplicably thought of Jiang Yanzhou.

He wasn’t just some company executive—all those companies were his.

Despite the vast difference in their statuses, the treatment Song Zhi received compared to his was like heaven and earth.

She didn’t care about this disparity, but details she hadn’t paid attention to before now revealed that Jiang Yanzhou’s attitude toward her had never changed.

Always cold and indifferent.

With the favor-seeking candidate gone, the staff pushed open the door, relaying Director Luo’s words: “All three of you come in together.”

Su Yiyi and Song Zhi exchanged glances, puzzled, and stood up.

Inside, the room was set up like an interview scene.

Director Luo sat in the middle, flanked by several investors and producers.

His gaze skimmed over the audition list briefly before slowly announcing Su Yiyi’s name.

“Perform the part where the protagonist argues with her father using your own interpretation.”

After gathering her emotions, Su Yiyi quickly got into character. Despite her young age, her performance was powerful, her lines delivered with perfect intonation, and her final sobbing particularly moving.

After her performance, Director Luo nodded, offering no evaluation.

His gaze shifted between Xia Chulan and Song Zhi before calling out Xia Chulan’s name.

Her audition segment had no lines, relying entirely on internal monologue—from discovering she wasn’t her father’s biological daughter to her artwork being stolen by her sister for a competition.

Pain, resentment, anger.

Multiple emotions intertwined, a challenging test of acting skills, yet Xia Chulan performed exceptionally.

Highly immersive, as if she were Sheng Yan herself.

Already doubting her own acting abilities, Song Zhi now felt completely defeated.

Professional actors, especially academy award winners, were worlds apart from her—a former idol turned aspiring actress.

Her acting was like the smallest flame on a lighter, nothing compared to their eternal lamp.

After Xia Chulan’s audition, she remained seated, still crying.

Even Director Luo, rarely moved, put down his pen to applaud her performance: “Good.”

Xia Chulan accepted a tissue from her assistant to wipe her tears and bowed to thank him for his recognition.

Director Luo raised his head leisurely, looking at Song Zhi: “Your turn.”

It felt like an executioner holding a guillotine blade, emotionlessly declaring: “Your turn.”

Song Zhi was quite aware of her limitations. Competing for the same role against a renowned actress, the outcome was obvious.

Still, she didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

Without trying, how would she know if she could succeed?

Her audition segment was the same as Su Yiyi’s.

Though her lines and emotional portrayal weren’t as strong as Su Yiyi’s, she managed to deliver a standard performance.

As a newcomer in the entertainment industry, she had only acted in one drama.

A fast-paced series wrapped up in two months.

After watching her performance, Director Luo hesitated, not speaking.

Beside her, Xia Chulan couldn’t resist rolling her eyes at Song Zhi, whispering loud enough for only them to hear: “Different qualities suit different roles. Go back to your trashy dramas and stop disgracing the film industry.”

Her words dripped with disdain.

She seemed confident about securing the role. Upon seeing the list of auditionees, she nearly laughed out loud on the spot.

Getting into Director Luo’s films was notoriously difficult—even top actresses fought tooth and nail for secondary roles.

Who would have thought she’d stumble upon such an opportunity.

Just the requirement of a traditional painting background eliminated many candidates. Of the remaining three, she didn’t respect any of them.

All were mere pretty faces.

Before coming, she had even instructed her agent to prepare announcements, awaiting Director Luo’s confirmation.

________________________________________

Director Luo leaned over to whisper something to the person beside him.

Ten minutes later, he hesitantly raised his eyes.

Xia Chulan confidently straightened her back, waiting for him to call her name.

Instead, his gaze shifted to Song Zhi: “Do you mind removing your makeup on the spot?”

Song Zhi was taken aback by this request but nodded: “I can.”

As soon as she agreed, a staff member arrived with makeup remover and cotton pads.

Song Zhi went into the adjacent restroom, removed her makeup, and washed her face with water.

Her bare face differed little from her made-up one, minus the seductive vibrancy.

More cold and pure.

However, due to staying up late last night, her dark circles hadn’t faded, and the aftermath of stomach pumping left her looking pale and bloodless.

Only her small, delicate earlobes retained a faint blush.

Her slender waist, she stood quietly, exuding a sense of decay from within.

Like a rose about to wither, capturing the last fleeting beauty before fading from this world.

Director Luo handed her a new script page: “Perform this section.”

This must be near the end of the script. Sheng Yan, whose depression worsened, went to see Tang Bai one last time, only to catch him with her sister.

She was like an empty shell—hollow, ethereal, devoid of life.

No lines, relying solely on eyes and expressions.

After reading the description, Song Zhi suddenly felt sympathy for Sheng Yan.

Outwardly a graceful lady, inwardly a severely depressed individual, unloved since childhood.

Graceful and poised in public, obsessive and gloomy in private.

Thinking she had finally found salvation in life, she realized she was still alone.

With her last ray of hope extinguished, she chose to end her short yet agonizing life in the cold lake.

Song Zhi’s thoughts drifted. As a granddaughter of a master painter, she shared similarities with Sheng Yan.

Their seemingly calm lives both had pivotal turning points.

For Sheng Yan, it was discovering she wasn’t a biological daughter of the Sheng family. For Song Zhi, it was the day the fire broke out at the Song residence.

Her love-built castle crumbled overnight.

After enduring the darkest period, she saw Jiang Yanzhou again.

She thought he was her savior, only to discover he dragged her into another hell.

The more she thought about it, the sadder she became, feeling as if something was blocking her chest.

Before she could pull herself together, Director Luo eagerly stood up and announced Song Zhi as the female lead of Painting .

Caught off guard, Song Zhi froze. She hadn’t even started performing, so why was the female lead suddenly decided?

Beside her, Xiao Xu was overwhelmed with excitement, pulling out his phone to share the good news with Xia Wanyue.

Xia Chulan, though displeased, didn’t dare offend Director Luo and merely asked: “Her acting is even worse than Su Yiyi’s. I don’t understand why you chose her.”

Director Luo, who had been indifferent throughout, was unusually excited: “Because she fits. There are plenty of good actors, but only Song Zhi suits this role!”

Author’s Note: Eighty-eight red packets in this chapter~

Don’t worry, focus on her career first. Next chapter, we start tormenting the old bastard~