Transmigration of the Famous Cyber Star

Chapter 25: Audition Photo

The other group chat Liu Man was in, which consisted of her college classmates, were also discussing over this video.

Li Xiaoru and Wang Nina left her many unread messages on WeChat,

“That video you were filmed in is being crazily forwarded in our school. Everyone’s talking about you. You’re famous!”

“There was even someone who came all the way to our dorm, looking for you. That was terrifying.”

“Where did you run off to, you’re not even answering my calls.”

“Are you still in your bed? Did you have too much fun yesterday?”

“Reply to us as soon as possible when you see our messages!”

…

Liu Man replied to her friends and continued to scroll down. At the very bottom, she saw that her friend request had been accepted by Professor Qiu. The second message was from Coco. She had sent a naughty emoji as a greeting.

It was some time after midnight when they both had passed her friend request.

Liu Man wanted to send some of her own everyday life pictures to Professor Qiu, but quickly realized that she didn’t have any appropriate pictures. The past Liu Man had a much more different style of fashion than the new Liu Man; Liu Man had started to put on makeup ever since high school. Her makeup skills were excellent, pairing with her facial features. Her style was a bit similar to a European style. Yet it wasn’t Liu Man’s current style.

Liu Man treasured the chance Professor Qiu gave her. She thought about her makeup and placed herself in front of the makeup table. According to her own style, she carefully gave herself a light layer of makeup.

Her clean white skin was lightly touched with foundation and some blush, perfecting her already beautiful skin. She didn’t put on a heavy eyeliner. The past Liu Man had many lip sticks. There were all kinds of colors, but Liu Man only chose the brightest shade. In her childhood memory, Xiao Zhao loved to put on a bright red shade of pigment. She used to always sit at the door step and gaze at the direction of the palace. She always told Liu Man that the Emperor loved bright pigments. After days and days of hearing this, Liu Man began to like bright red as well.

TL’s Note: Little Zhao = Big Zhao’s sister = Liu Man’s aunt c;

The old Liu Man preferred slightly curly hair. There were even multiple curlers in their household. However, the now Liu Man liked the solemn style better. She put half her hair down and the other half into a loosely tied bun. She then stuck in a hairpin. She looked refreshed, yet elegant.

She looked around in her closet and found a light-yellow dress with long sleeves. The dress’s hem was large. It stretched all the way down to her ankles. The dress seemed a bit classically retro. Liu Man changed into the dress, then went out of her room with Daylight in her arms.

Zhang Pei was surprised by Liu Man’s clothing, for it was deep into the winter right now, “What are you doing in that dress?”

Liu Man smiled and handed her phone to mother dearest, “It’s for a photo, I told you yesterday that the professor wanted some of my casual photos. I didn’t find anything suitable, so we just have to do it now.”

“But you took so many photos before, just send a random one. There’s no point of doing all of this if you don’t get selected in the end.”

Zhang Pei complained, but she still took over the phone.

Liu Man smiled brightly as she sat on a chair, in the balcony outside the living-room, “If I become famous one day, I’ll make you my agent so that you won’t have to try hard to find a job in the future.”

Zhang Pei smirked, “Stop with these daydreams. Now, how do you want me to take the pictures?”

“Just point towards the balcony, and remember to include both me and Daylight in the picture.”

Daylight had just finished her breakfast; this was the time when she was the most active. Daylight had made multiple attempts at slipping away from Liu Man’s hands as Zhang Pei had taken the pictures. They struggled for a long time for a successful picture, for most of the ones they took were all blurry from Daylight’s movements.

Liu Man quickly sent her picture to Professor Qiu.

Unexpectedly, Professor Qiu answered within seconds.

“Received it!”

On the other side of the screen, Qiu Jing was sitting in her office. She watched the video in her photo album and looked at the picture Liu Man had just sent.

On the couch in front of her desk, sat another person. The young and famous director, Ye Zian.

Ye Zian had real talent and skill, and he had studied in the department of directing in college. He had already directed his first movie when he had only been studying for his master’s degree. The movie had taken only 300 thousand to be shot, but its box office had exceeded 10 million. After that, every movie by Ye Zian was all somewhat successful. You could say that every movie fan, when seeing Ye Zian’s name as the director, would know that the movie, at least, wouldn’t be complete trash.

Ye Zian had quite a personality. His thoughts were unique, and his state of mind was high. He hated those backdoor actors that had terrible skills. But sadly, backdoor actors were extremely common in the entertainment circle. But, as a good director, he was an insurance for a decent box office, so the investors had to give Ye Zian some sort of respect.

They were about to shoot the movie, “Listen, It’s the Sound of the Wind.” The main characters had all been chosen. With the support of Qiu Jing, Tang Tu had easily defeated all other contestants, becoming the second male lead. But Ye Zian wasn’t satisfied with Tang Tu being the confirmed second male lead. He thought that Tang Tu was so handsome that he lacked the characteristics of his role.

Ye Zian came to Qiu Jing today because of issues with the casting of the movie. He and Qiu Jing had a conflict over the actress of the second female lead.

And now, Qiu Jing told him that she was going to pick another character before the auditions.

Qiu Jing said, “Let’s not talk about the second female lead for now. Let me show you this girl, tell me if you think she would be fitting for the actress of ‘Ji Ning.’” She sent both the short video and the photo to Ye Zian’s WeChat.

Ye Zian didn’t even turn on his phone, but instead told Qiu Jing sternly,

“Manager Qiu, I am going to tell you the truth. In my opinion, the most important character in this whole film is ‘Ji Ning.’ Although she doesn’t appear much, she is the base of the entire movie. Every character’s development revolves around her.”

Qiu Jing nodded her head, “I know, that’s why we’ve already chosen every character’s actor except for Ji Ning. I looked ages for the perfect match of Ji Ning’s role, then I met this girl. She studies in the Capital Musical University and has a clean background. She has never participated in the entertainment circle, but she has the charisma of Ji Ning.

Ye Zian’s interest peaked a little when he heard that the girl had a clean background. He opened WeChat, and like anyone else would’ve, opened the short video first.

“Is she the one wearing the pink Hanfu?” Ye Zian frowned, Coco was clearly not fit for the role.

Qiu Jing smiled and shook her head, “She comes out later in the video.”

When Liu Man came onstage, Ye Zian was stunned for a moment and mumbled to himself, “She can definitely take part in movies featuring Ancient China.”

He then opened Liu Man’s photo after seeing the girl hold a golden kitten while sitting on top of an ordinary balcony. The early sunlight coated her hair and shoulders. Half her face was covered with the golden light, yet her smile was still visible. Combined with the beauty in her eyes, the whole scene was serene yet warm. The character, ‘Ji Ning’, just like her name, should be a quiet and calm girl, just like the picture.

TL’s Note: In Chinese, ‘Ning’ has a meaning close to calm and serenity, but the name ‘Ji Ning’ doesn’t necessarily have a meaning. (There can be multiple different Chinese characters for the same spelling.)

Even as serious of a person Ye Zian was, he still smiled at Liu Man’s picture, “You’ve finally chose the right person, Qiu Jing,” He told her with a satisfied voice.

Credits: Dora, Sydney, & Kathrien