Author: Vanilla Muse

As voted by the readers, today’s bonus update goes to TAPAE. (Wow, this story is really popular. 😊)

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Chapter 61 – Get the Role

Yi Congqing explained to the Huayi Media representative: “It’s easy for newcomers to become stiff when they’re acting, or on the other end of the spectrum they might over act. There are also many newcomers who have just entered the industry who are superstitious about emotional and explosive acting. They think that this is the greatest affirmation for an actor, but in fact, the perfect performance is just going with the flow.”

The representative suddenly saw the light; so natural acting was the best form of acting?

Yang Chi was waiting outside the audition room. When he saw the door open, he immediately greeted Qiu Jin: “Why did it take so long?”

He stood guard by the door this entire time. He had even planned to rush in and drag Qiu Jin away if the situation went south. But as he listened, the minutes and seconds passed, yet there was no commotion from inside the room. And then the door opened to reveal Qiu Jin.

Translations are by vmnovels [dot] com, if you’re reading this anywhere else, then it was stolen.

Qiu Jin replied: “I acted out two scenes and then chatted for a bit.”

Yang Chi said: “Then let’s leave, time to head back.”

Qiu Jin raised his eyebrows: “Aren’t you going to ask me if I passed the audition?”

Yang Chi was speechless: “…”

Wasn’t the answer obvious? Why would he rush to ask? It would be easier on him if he went to find out himself instead of asking Qiu Jin directly. He wasn’t going to touch this hornet’s nest with a ten-foot pole.

But Liu Wei didn’t think too deeply into the situation. He once again displayed his skill to ignorantly mention a pot that doesn’t boil*, and he asked excitedly, “Qiu-ge, how is the result this time?”

[*T/N: “mention a pot that doesn’t boil” – Chinese idiom for “to touch a sore spot” or “to talk about somebody’s weak point.”]

Before Qiu Jin could speak, Yang Chi started to comfort him: “Hey, it’s not a big deal even if you didn’t get chosen. The audition this time was particularly difficult…”

Qiu Jin deadpanned: “I was chosen.”

“What?” Yang Chi’s words were instantly stuck in his throat.

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Just what kind of impression did Qiu Jin give people in the past? Why did his agent have no confidence in him?

Qiu Jin found it funny yet sad at the same time. Then he said again: “I won the role.”

“You’re not lying to me are you?” Yang Chi’s eyes widened. “You must know that there are many people vying for this role! I heard that Wen Mojia was also disqualified. You didn’t see how black his expression was when he came out.”

“Whose expression was black?” said a cold voice, and then Wen Mojia walked out from around the corner.

Yang Chi was just running his mouth without much thought. He didn’t think that the devil he was speaking of would be present to hear him. He really wanted to slap himself for being careless.

“We weren’t talking about you. We were talking about me.” Qiu Jin said nonchalantly. Wen Mojia’s expression was not good, so he didn’t want to interact with him any longer.

“Stop right there!”

The moment Qiu Jin walked pass, Wen Mojia pulled him to a stop.

Qiu Jin frowned, “Is something wrong?”

Wen Mojia said: “Who did you just say was selected?”

Qiu Jin glanced at his wrist and said lightly, “Let go.”

Wen Mojia not only did not let go. Instead, he applied more strength to his grip.

Are you asking for trouble, dude?

Qiu Jin sighed: “I was selected, all right? Can you let me go now?”

Wen Mojia glanced at his face with contempt, and sneered: “If you want to deceive people, then find a more believable story. You got selected?”

Qiu Jin shook off Wen Mojia’s hand. He was too lazy to waste his breath on the other guy: “Believe what you want. Let’s go.”

Yang Chi followed behind Qiu Jin with an excited expression on his face: “Damn, that was so cool just now!”

Translations by Vanilla Muse.

“You’re happy with just this?” Qiu Jin was also a little stirred up, and he couldn’t help but sigh, “If I get the best actor award, then wouldn’t you be so hyper that you can’t even stop?”

Then he saw Ji Shenxiao approaching.

Qiu Jin: “…”

Why was the situation always so awkward whenever he bumped into Ji Shenxiao? Was he so shameless?

Ji Shenxiao seemed to be there to inspect the ongoing work. He walked with Li Pingyin and there were five or six middle-aged men following him.

Qiu Jin was about to sneak away before the other party could take notice of him, but then he saw Ji Shenxiao stop and his eyes zeroed in on Qiu Jin. With an expressionless face he said, “Come here.”

Qiu Jin took a step back subconsciously: “President Ji, I still have something to do…”

Ji Shenxiao’s gaze darkened and he repeated, “Come here.”

Although he didn’t quite know what the reason was, he felt that Ji Shenxiao was angry, and now he has become the unlucky fellow that the other was going to take his anger out on.

Qiu Jin took a deep breath and walked over unwillingly. Then he stood two steps away from Ji Shenxiao, and with a business smile on his face he said: “Greetings to President Ji.”

Ji Shenxiao: “Get in the car and wait for me.”

Qiu Jin: “…I really have something to do!”

Two bodyguards came over.

Qiu Jin’s smile froze on his face.

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The author has something to say:

Ji Shenxiao: “You promised me three meals a day. But now you’re throwing me away after you’re done with me? You scum man.”

Qiu Jin: “…”

Ji Shenxiao: “If three meals a day is no good, then give me one day.”

Qiu Jin: “…”

As voted by the patrons, today’s bonus update goes to TAPAE. ^-^

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Chapter 60 – Get the Role

Qiu Jin walked into the audition room with a smile and introduced himself energetically. Before the director told him to start, he asked, “Is there anyone who can act out the scene with me?”

His acting skills are poor, yet he has so many requests, the producer grumbled in his head. His attention was already wandering away.

Director Yi Congqing told a staff member that came along with him: “Help him with the scene.”

A young lady with a ponytail stood up and said nervously, “I, I can’t act. Don’t blame me if it bombs.”

“It’s all right,” Qiu Jin looked into her eyes with a gentle smile, “It’s fine as long as you read the lines. It would be even better if you could take the time to look at me while you’re reading the lines.”

“I will try my best…”

Wu Yan picked up a script and read out the lines one word at a time.

Translations are by vmnovels [dot] com, if you’re reading this anywhere else, then it was stolen.

She recited the lines of Ji Yuan, the emperor of the An Dynasty. According to the character setting, he was an emperor in his forties, majestic and powerful. Wu Yan’s voice was completely different from the character image, and when listening to her reading out his lines, it was weirdly comical.

However, Qiu Jin listened very carefully. His eyes looked at her gently and intently the whole time, and the expression on his face also changed with what she said.

Yi Congqing was a little surprised. Qiu Jin’s performance was not just reciting memorized lines. When it was his turn to speak, he delivered the lines smoothly. He was listening with earnest intent and responding back to the other actor’s words and actions.

Listening respectfully, receiving stimulation from the opposing actor, and then reacting appropriately, this was the kind of rhythm that an actor ought to prepare for.

Of all the people that came to the audition before him, very few were able to show such skills, but this young man in front of him did it.

Yi Congqing was refreshed and his expression became serious.

Wu Yan read the lines according to the script. She only remembered that the other person had asked her to take the time to look at him after she had finished reciting the line. So she immediately raised her head and was caught off guard by Qiu Jin’s gentle gaze.

Those eyes were clear and bright with stars. It contained the introverted restraint of a noble son from an aristocratic family, but also the expectation of a son hopeful for his father’s love. Wu Yan felt herself being brought into the scene. She blushed inexplicably and more emotion entered her voice.

Ji Yuan first played the emotional card, then he said that the country was in a difficult situation, he analyzed the pros and cons of the situation and finally said: “Right now the Dongwu nation’s army is suppressing ours. They’re threatening to destroy our nation if we cannot present a bride for the marriage alliance, and you and Ji Yao are twins, so in my opinion…”

Needless to say, everyone knew what Ji Yuan was hinting at.

At that moment, the light of expectation in Ji He’s eyes dimmed.

He was sent away by his family when he was a baby. Today, he thought he could finally return home, only to be faced with this reality.

It felt as if his heart was being squeezed, but he did not cry, and he did not throw a tantrum. He just quickly hid his emotions. After being a hostage prince for more than ten years, this was what he was best at.

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Wu Yan opened her mouth, but couldn’t get a single word past her lips. She clearly witnessed the young man’s eyes changed from excitement to surprise, and then finally all the light in his eyes dimmed. It was as if something had been shattered inside of him and it could never be restored.

It wasn’t until she tasted something salty at the corner of her mouth that Wu Yan realized that she actually cried.

Cried?

That was impossible, right?

She immediately started to panic and stammered an apology: “I, I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me…”

Qiu Jin was still immersed in Ji He’s emotions.

Yi Congqing interjected in a timely manner, “That’s enough.”

Wu Yan breathed a sigh of relief, her expression was a bit dazed, and she felt guilty for not performing well.

She didn’t understand, but Yi Congqing could see everything clearly. Qiu Jin’s acting seemed to be relaxed and natural, but in fact, he was giving it his all. How could ordinary people resist his acting?

He hadn’t met such a good seedling for a long time. He then asked Qiu Jin to try the so-called blackening* scene. He was just as satisfied with Qiu Jin in the second scene, and he gave the role to Qiu Jin then and there.

[*T/N: blackening – when a good character turns bad]

“Why is Director Yi so excited?” After waiting for the other actors to leave, the judges in the audition room discussed in low voices. “Although his acting was quite smooth, I don’t see how it is that good.”

“It was very good,” Lu Pingyin replied, “much better than the ones that came before.”

“That’s right,” the producer nodded, “the point is that you can’t see that it is acting.”

“Huh?” This made the Huayi Media representative even more puzzled, “Why is it good if you can’t see that it is acting?”

T/N: I’m weirdly invested in the plotline for “The Rise and Fall of the World.” Kind of hoping we’ll find out more when Qiu Jin starts filming for the drama.

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