The Reconciliation Chapter 15

Chapter 15 – Screen Test

On top of the stage, Yu Xi turned around, her eyes blazing aflame and jaws taut, she said through gritted teeth, “The evidence?”

“This is the evidence!”

She flung her hands towards Tao Yitong’s direction, as if throwing a stack of files over. Even though there was nothing, Tao Yitong was still duped for a short while. She laughed coldly, “What evidence?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”　　

Yu Xi maintained an enraged composure on her face, “Then why don’t Manager Chen look at what that is.”

After speaking, her gaze fell on the floor, her expression stern. Tao Yitong looked down too.

The entire place fell into silence, not a sound could be heard. Director Zhao looked towards the two people on top of the platform. 

Yu Xi’s temperament was more aloof and elegant, her every movement was soaked with an air of arrogance. This was related to the environment she was raised in as well as being influenced by the industry. However, the female lead in this drama was from an ordinary family, without any connections. At first, he thought Yu Xi’s acting would be too sharp for this role, but he didn’t expect her to control the strength just right.

Standing on top of the stage, Yu Xi embodied arrogance. No matter if it was her movement, attitude, tone, or even her micro-expressions, it all matched her character perfectly. Anyone looking at her would mistake her as Zhao Xiaoke instead of Yu Xi. 

This is what an outstanding actor is like. They are able to become who they act as. It was a pity there are only a few actors like this anymore in the entertainment industry. More celebrities only know how to think about how to get more popularity in their free time, how to promote themselves, how to rack their brain to obtain more resources, and how to climb up the rankings.　　

This was due to the environment of the industry; if you have the popularity, then you’ll have a never-ending list of resources. Even if your acting is not up to standards, there’ll still be capitalists willing to invest in you.

It had been like this for a long time, thus forming this type of vicious cycle. Rich people are willing to throw money at celebrities who are popular, so everyone in the entertainment industry rack their brains for ways to gain more popularity. There really isn’t many people willing to calm down and improve their acting anymore.

Out of all of the actors Director Zhao had seen before, Yu Xi’s acting could be considered top-notch.

This was partially due to her talents for acting. With just a little guidance, she was able to master it in a short time.

As Director Zhao looked up at the stage, his eyes filled with praise. He tilted his head to the side and asked the person next to him, “President Jiang, what do you think?”

Jiang Jingbai looked at Yu Xi, her gaze burning. After hearing the person next to her, she came back to her senses and replied softly, “Pretty good.”

Director Zhao nodded. He looked towards the Tao Yitong next and said, “President Jiang, I want to add another scene, is that possible?”

It’s very common to ask for an additional test during a screen test. Usually, when a director wanted to make sure whether an actor is the one, they will add another scene on top of the original one in the screen test. Typically, it would be added at the last minute and is an impromptu performance. Jiang Jingbai was reluctant to look away from Yu Xi, replying hesitantly, “What?”

Director Zhao explained again, “This scene isn’t intense enough. I want to add another scene and see the effect.”

Jiang Jingbai nodded, “Okay.”

Director Zhao waved his hands and his assistant jogged over to his side. He whispered a few words and his assistant kept nodded. After he was done, the assistant jogged up onto the platform and said to Yu Xi and Tao Yitong, “This is scene sixty-three. Director Zhao hopes you guys can try it out.”

Yu Xi frowned. The total amount of times she needed to do additional tests in her auditions were less than five fingers. It seemed like Director Zhao was not very satisfied with their performance just now.

Tao Yitong also looked towards Jiang Jingbai and Director Zhao’s direction. Making eye contact with Director Zhao, she nodded and gave a light smile, walking off the stage with Yu Xi.

They were given time before the next break. This time was also given to other actors for their screen test. Yu Xi clasped onto the script and walked back to the waiting room. Zhong Chen followed behind and asked, “Xixi, what’s wrong?”

Yu Xi raised the script up, “Testing another scene.”

She then sat down on the sofa and opened the script.

If the scene prior was the conflict between her and Tao Yitong due to their work, the scene now is their conflict due to their relationship.

The character Tao Yitong was trying for, Chen Lele, was childhood friends with the male lead, and always considered herself to be his girlfriend. In his family’s eyes, she was also the most suitable to become his wife. They were compatible in all aspects, so everyone supported the two of them.

The male lead’s attitude towards Chen Lele wasn’t very enthusiastic, but due to his family, he was unable to ignore her completely either. When they were abroad, the two would often stay together. After they returned to the country, they worked in the same company and their families arranged them in the same apartment complex, so they would almost always be together at work and away from.

However, all of this changed after the female lead appeared. 　

The male lead very quickly drew boundaries with Chen Lele and liked the female lead instead.

In the supporting female lead’s eyes, it was due to the female lead’s appearance that the male lead would abandon her, so she hated her to the bone. She would not only harass her in the workplace, but she would also try to do everything to make her life miserable. The male lead was well aware of this and hated the supporting female lead even more. Gradually, the supporting female lead’s little tricks only helped further the two lead’s relationship, which was the reason for her outburst.

Yu Xi stared at the supporting female lead’s accusations for a long time and was a little irritated. She said to Zhong Chen, “Help me make some coffee.”

Zhong Chen looked troubled, “Xixi, you’ve already drank a cup this morning, you shouldn’t drink anymore.”

“Your stomach won’t be able to stand it.”

Yu Xi glanced at her, “It’s fine.”

Zhong Chen pouted.　　

It was obvious that it wasn’t fine. When she was reading the script, her complexion darkened numerous times, and now she was even asking for coffee.　　

Yu Xi wasn’t a coffee person. She liked eating sweets and coffee was too bitter. Usually, she would place the drink far away, but whenever she was frustrated, she would drink a little to stabilize her mind.

Zhong Chen understood her preferences, but considering her health, she really shouldn’t drink anymore.

Yu Xi pursed her lips, “Are you going or not?”

Zhong Chen looked at her cold expression and tensed tone, and couldn’t help but comply, “I’ll go.”

After drinking coffee, Yu Xi picked up the script again. She shut her eyes and took deep breaths, imagining herself as Zhao Xiaoke. She was able to very quickly get into character. By the time the staff came to invite them for the additional screen test, she was pretty much prepared.

When she was walking out of the waiting room, she bumped into Tao Yitong. She was in a waiting room next door. As they met, Tao Yitong said, “My apologies, Xixi. Director Zhao was probably not satisfied enough with my performance, so he wanted us to try another scene. I’ve troubled you.”

Yu Xi’s complexion was placid, “No problem.”

“Good luck.”

Tao Yitong smiled, “I will.”

The two walked towards the platform used for the screen test. On top of the platform, a staff was setting the stage. Director Zhao was currently faced the other way, talking to his assistant. Yu Xi casually looked towards the judging panel. Jiang Jingbai was currently staring at them, eyes bright.

She looked down. The staff ran over and asked, “Miss Yu, Miss Tao, are you ready?”

Yu Xi nodded, “Yes.”

Tao Yitong also nodded slightly.

The assistant invited the two people up the platform.

Yu Xi passed the script to Zhong Chen and discussed with Tao Yitong on top of the stage for a minute before hearing the assistant call over, “Testing, scene sixty-three, start!”

“Why!” Standing next to Yu Xi with a slight smile on her face just prior, the tender and pleasant Tao Yitong turned fierce in an instant. She roared, “Zhao Xiaoke, tell me why?”

Yu Xi met Tao Yitong’s eyes. Wrath, sorrow, unwillingness, despair, all kinds of emotions stirred in her eyes. Yu Xi took a few ragged breaths, her lips slightly opened, “Because he doesn’t like you.”

“Doesn’t like me?” Tao Yitong chuckled, attitude turning a little crazy. She repeated herself, emphasizing each word, “Doesn’t like me?”

“Right. Just because he says that he doesn’t like means that he’s able to disregard all of what I’m done for him in the past few years.”

“Zhao Xiaoke, I was the one who grew up with him! I was the one who accompanied him through all his troubles! I did everything for him, do you understand! Now, just because he says he doesn’t like me, you two want to leave and fly off together!”

“Then what about me?”

“What about everything I’ve invested into our relationship?”

As she talked, she walked next to Yu Xi and reached a hand out to grab her arm, shaking violently. She said through clenched teeth, “Tell me, all of my feelings, what are they worth!”

Yu Xi looked up and held Tao Yitong’s glare. There was sorrow in her eyes. She could see the indignance rapidly erupting from deep within, like flames, igniting her instantly. There was a burning sensation that rushed out from within her heart. Yu Xi’s eyes were slightly red, speaking softly, “Chen Lele, you need to come back to your senses.”

“Come back to my senses?” Tao Yitong laughed, “I am!”

She glared fiercely at Yu Xi, “You’re the one who needs to come back to your senses.”

Yu Xi took a step back, her hands at her side shriveling. Tao Yitong held onto both of her arms, clenching very tightly, shooting sharp pains straight up to her heart. Yu Xi’s eye rim reddened, her body rigid straight. Standing close by, Director Zhao watched the intense scene unfold and jumped up standing excitedly on the spot, “Cut!”

The moment his voice rang up, Tao Yitong quickly released Yu Xi. Yu Xi originally missed a few meals, and now after being shaken so violently, she felt dizzy. After Tao Yitong released her, her figure slumped down. Tao Yitong immediately held her up, so that she was able prop against her.

By the time Director Zhao walked up the stage with his assistant, Jiang Jingbai was already standing next to Yu Xi, “Is there something wrong?”

Yu Xi held back the moment of dizziness. Still leaning on Tao Yitong, the blurriness surrounding her eyes gradually becoming clearer. She hastily backed to the side by half a step, her voice cold, “I’m fine.”

“Thank you.”

Tao Yitong frowned, “Do you feel unwell? You didn’t eat breakfast either.”

Jiang Jingbai also looked towards Yu Xi. Her complexion was slightly pale.

Yu Xi shook her head, “I’ll be fine after resting.”

After greeting Director Zhao, he nodded and let them go.

Getting off the stage, Zhong Chen drilled her with questions that made Yu Xi’s head hurted. She tilted her head and glanced at her, Zhong Chen obediently shut up. 

After they walked back to the waiting room, Zhong Chen wanted to go buy food for Yu Xi. Walking out, she was stopped at the door. Zhong Chen recognized who it was; it was Assistant Xiao. When they were doing the screen test, Zhong Chen also saw her. The two of them even exchanged a few sentences. When she saw Zhong Chen leave the room, she asked worriedly, “Is Miss Yu okay?”

Zhong Chen nodded, “She’s doing okay.”

Assistant Xiao held out a carton of milk and a few candies. She said, “I just bought this. Miss Yu looked like she might have low blood sugar. Here’s something to eat to charge up her energy.”

Zhong Chen hurriedly nodded, “Thank you.”

Jiang Jingbai stood in the corner and watched as Zhong Chen walk back into the waiting room with the milk and candy.  As the door close, Assistant Xiao turned to walk towards Jiang Jingbai and only stopped when she reached her in the corner. She said, “President Jiang, I gave it to them.”

“Okay.”

Assistant Xiao was a little confused, “If you’re this concerned about Miss Yu, why don’t you give it to her yourself?”

Jiang Jingbai pursed her lips and didn’t make a sound, leaving the corner after a moment.

Why didn’t she send it over personally herself?

She was worried Yu Xi’s assistant would recommend her to clean her stomach after she ate it.

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Author’s note:

Jiang Jingbai: Was the candy sweet?
Yu Xi: Sweet.
Jiang Jingbai: Was the milk good?
Yu Xi: Good.
Jiang Jingbai: Can I have a taste?
Yu Xi:  Beat it.
Jiang Jingbai: …..

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