Just as Song Yushi expected, Qi Ke’s acting was indeed decent when playing such a one-dimensional character. She seriously ran through the scene with Qi Ke, which ended with the female lead returning a slap.
“Smack!”
The slap landed lightly on Qi Ke’s face, but Qi Ke didn’t turn her head to the side as the script dictated. Song Yushi froze for a moment, then heard the director say “Cut.” For some reason, she let out a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to pull her hand back, her wrist was grabbed.
Song Yushi froze.
Her cool palm was pressed against Qi Ke’s face. The warm, delicate skin burned her. Qi Ke stared at her without blinking.
The director was discussing the role with Meng Ying. Meng Ying’s cautious voice could be faintly heard, and it seemed no one was paying attention to them. Song Yushi silently mouthed, “What’s wrong?” trying to free her wrist.
Qi Ke tightened her grip.
Song Yushi got annoyed. She looked at Qi Ke coldly: “Let go of me.”
Qi Ke suddenly smiled. She said in a low voice, “Why so fierce? Um…” She licked her lips, their color deepening slightly, as if she were embarrassed. After a good while, she finally said slowly, “How was my acting?”
Song Yushi: “…”
That’s it?
Song Yushi pulled her hand back again. This time, Qi Ke didn’t stop her, standing obediently in place and waiting for Song Yushi’s critique. Song Yushi rubbed her wrist and, as Qi Ke wished, began her review.
Her words were cold: “Your expression was stiff, your line delivery was terrible, and your emotions were flat.”
Qi Ke: “What about a score?”
Song Yushi: “…Eight points.”
Qi Ke’s eyes lit up: “Out of ten?”
Song Yushi: “Out of a thousand.”
Qi Ke: “…”
Shouldn’t she be encouraged since she’s a total newbie!
Qi Ke was crushed. She muttered resentfully, “I’d like to see how much better Meng Ying can be than me!”
Meng Ying, after all, had some experience with film and television. Although she had only played minor roles in various dramas, she was still a bit better than a pure singer like Qi Ke. Meng Ying chose the role of Song Yushi’s best friend and also acted opposite her. Compared to Qi Ke, her performance was incredibly smooth.
Qi Ke… was depressed.
The director said he understood the situation but still needed to discuss it with the casting director, telling the two of them to wait for a notification. After saying that, he bid farewell to Song Yushi and left.
Qi Ke remained in low spirits.
Meng Ying comforted her: “But you’re a great singer! I sing off-key, my voice cracks, and sometimes I can’t even keep up with the rhythm. If I could be in a girl group, what do you have to be afraid of!”
Song Yushi: “…”
Qi Ke looked up, took Meng Ying’s hands in hers, and said sincerely, “Thank you, I feel encouraged.”
Meng Ying: “Mhm!”
Qi Ke added thoughtfully, “But if I don’t get it, I’ll just invest in the production. I refuse to believe I can’t land this role!”
Song Yushi: “…” What’s so great about the role of a villainess anyway?
Meng Ying’s eyes sparkled: “It’s so good to be rich!“
Song Yushi: “…”
A pair of idiots.
The three of them had been busy all evening. When they went downstairs, they found the place empty; the banquet was already over. The housekeeping staff was cleaning up quickly and efficiently. Meng Ying suddenly exclaimed, “Yushi, isn’t that your manager?”
Song Yushi looked over.
In the hall, Sister Fei was pacing anxiously while on the phone. Perhaps no one was picking up on the other end, because she angrily scolded Xiao Nan, who was standing nearby: “It’s already over, and you didn’t come inside to get her. What were you waiting for me for? Aren’t you afraid your boss will wake up in someone else’s bed tomorrow?”
Before Song Yushi could say anything, Qi Ke lost her composure. She frowned, “Your manager really doesn’t wish you well.”
Her voice was not too loud and not too soft, just enough for Sister Fei to hear.
Sister Fei’s expression changed. Seeing that it was Qi Ke who had spoken, her face soured even more. But she adjusted quickly, rushing forward in a few quick steps: “My dear lady, why was your phone off? You scared me to death.”
Song Yushi opened her bag and said, “Oh. It was off.”
Since there were outsiders present, Sister Fei couldn’t very well ask about work-related matters. After a few pleasantries, she was about to take Song Yushi away. Song Yushi hadn’t rested much all day and was now so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open. The thought of being questioned by Sister Fei the whole way back made her head ache.
Sister Fei pulled at her: “Let’s go, Yushi.”
Song Yushi didn’t move. She was silent for a moment, then her thin lips moved: “That’s not necessary.”
Sister Fei was confused: “Huh?”
Song Yushi looked up, her tired gaze falling on Qi Ke’s innocent face. When Qi Ke saw her looking, she returned an inquisitive glance.
Song Yushi said, “Qi Ke said she’d take me home.”
Sister Fei and Xiao Nan’s gazes simultaneously shot toward Qi Ke, sharp and somewhat murderous.
Sister Fei asked, “Is that so?”
Qi Ke: “!”
Completely unaware, utterly shocked.
