After a morning of rehearsing scenes, Song Xingjia finally couldn't hold back.
He restrained his tone and said, "I am the Regent, and the man you will come to love, but there isn't a trace of affection for me in your eyes. Ji Lanruo, if you're not in character, I can't teach you."
Ji Lanruo's heart tightened, and she quickly grabbed his arm, "I'm in, I'm in!"
"Then look at me," Song Xingjia commanded, his tone completely different from his usual gentleness.
Ji Lanruo raised her eyes to meet his gaze.
Song Xingjia's eyes were very beautiful.
She had studied them once; they were said to be amorous peach blossom eyes, but he himself was not at all amorous.
Ji Lanruo's thoughts began to drift, like a primary school student who promised to listen in class ten minutes beforehand but spent the next thirty minutes goofing off.
Song Xingjia slowly exhaled. Sometimes, he really wanted to know what was going on in Ji Lanruo's head.
He spoke abruptly, "Ji Lanruo, you're afraid of me."
Ji Lanruo was startled, "Nonsense! Why would I be afraid of you?"
"Then why do you never dare to look at me for more than five seconds?"
"I..." Ji Lanruo was speechless.
Song Xingjia sighed.
He opened the script, "Choose this scene for your audition. You learn that the Regent who has always doted on and protected you is actually using you, no different from anyone else."
This scene was difficult, but it was also the most fitting one to showcase acting skills.
To stand out in an audition, one had to take risks.
Song Xingjia knew it was difficult for Ji Lanruo, but diligence could compensate for a lack of talent.
Ji Lanruo nodded and said listlessly, "Okay."
"Then act it out for me now. I'll be the Regent."
Ji Lanruo put away her wandering thoughts.
When she spoke again, her voice was tinged with tears, "To think I believed I was the pearl in your palm, only to realize now that I'm just a pawn!"
Song Xingjia's gaze was indifferent, "Who taught you to eat well and dress warmly? Who taught you to personally avenge your enemies? Fish, you are too greedy."
"Yes, I am greedy! I greedily wanted your love, but how could someone like you ever know love?" Ji Lanruo said mournfully.
When she looked at Song Xingjia again, her eyes were filled with an unreadable emotion.
Tears rolled down her cheeks, making her look pitiful. "All these years, I've wanted to be your legitimate wife. You kept me hidden in the inner courtyard. When you needed me, you sent me to perform dances at banquets, to charm enemy generals. When you didn't need me, you left me in the villa, ignoring me. In the end, you only love yourself the most."
Even knowing it was an act, Song Xingjia's heart couldn't help but stir.
Their eyes met, and the despair in hers was terrifying.
Song Xingjia's throat bobbed slightly, "I can keep a place for you by my side. Fish, let's go back to how things were, won't that be good?"
Ji Lanruo shook her head, "No, I won't listen to you anymore!"
The man's expression darkened, "Jiang Yu'er, if you don't listen to me, whose words will you heed? Song Cheng? Or Prince Lan?"
His eyes held possessiveness, desire, and deep hatred.
Ji Lanruo's heart skipped a beat, she faltered...
Seeing her silence, Song Xingjia immediately resumed his normal demeanor, "That impromptu scene was excellent just now. What were you thinking about?"
Ji Lanruo came back to herself, lowered her head to look at the script, "I wasn't thinking about anything in particular."
She had merely thought of the night she confessed her feelings and was rejected.
Jiang Yu'er in the script was heartbroken when she realized she was a pawn.
She too had been heartbroken when her confession was rejected. It was a matter of giving heart for heart.
The atmosphere fell silent.
Ji Lanruo glanced around for a moment, then looked up and said, "Let's continue."
Song Xingjia's training for her was indeed rigorous.
It wasn't just about acting; her demeanor and posture were corrected several times.
Ji Lanruo, being from a wealthy family, had learned to dance from a young age.
Although she hadn't pursued that path later, she still had a foundation.
In the competition for the role of Jiang Yu'er, she still had some advantage.
For ten consecutive days, Ji Lanruo went from initial agreement to being completely numb from being scolded.
She thought that Song Xingjia's intensity would make him a great acting professor at a university.
Or perhaps, he should let his fans see him in this state of exasperation.
As she was thinking, her forehead was lightly tapped twice.
Song Xingjia looked down, "The audition is tomorrow, and you still have time to think about other things?"
Ji Lanruo snapped back to attention, and unconsciously pouted, "So, is tonight a holiday?"
"Yes, the lessons are over. You can go back and get some rest early," Song Xingjia said calmly.
Ji Lanruo knew that this period had been difficult not only for her but also for Song Xingjia.
She couldn't guarantee anything else, but she was quite confident about her portrayal of Jiang Yu'er.
She immediately got up and said, "Then I won't bother you. You should get some rest too."
"Mmm," Song Xingjia also got up to see her out.
As they reached the door, Ji Lanruo coughed, "Is there anything you want to say?"
Song Xingjia looked slightly confused, "Say what? Oh, right, wake up early tomorrow, don't be late."
"Anything else?" she coughed again.
Her bright eyes stared at him.
"Sleep early."
Ji Lanruo's expression was blank, and she snorted internally, she shouldn't have said another word to this man.
"Goodbye!" she turned away in frustration.
Behind her, Song Xingjia watched her retreating figure, a smile spreading across his eyes.
That night, Ji Lanruo tossed and turned in bed.
As soon as she closed her eyes, Jiang Yu'er filled her mind.
She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling, muttering to herself, "Am I going to be unable to sleep all night?"
Suddenly, her phone by the pillow vibrated twice.
Ji Lanruo quickly fumbled for her phone, unlocked it, and opened it.
On WeChat, Song Xingjia had sent two messages:
[Believe in yourself. Everything will go smoothly tomorrow.]
[Goodnight.]
Ji Lanruo's lips curved upwards unconsciously. She hugged her phone tightly and closed her eyes.
She silently thought: Yes! Goodnight!
The next morning.
Ji Lanruo rushed to the audition venue.
The number of participants was noticeably smaller than in the previous round.
There were only about ten people.
Ji Lanruo scanned them; they were all well-known actresses in the industry.
At least, each of them was more famous than she, the "vase."
However, her heart was exceptionally calm.
It was like a general charging into battle alone, armed with only courage.
Soon, her number was called.
Ji Lanruo stepped inside.
Her face exuded confidence, her demeanor was composed, and her eyes sparkled.
Half an hour later, the first thing Ji Lanruo did after coming out was to call Jiang Mian, "I'm done with the audition!"
It felt like a heavy burden had been lifted, and she was suddenly incredibly relaxed.
Jiang Mian's voice was filled with a smile, "Mmm, do your best and leave the rest to fate. Now that it's over, don't think about it. Just wait for the results."
Ji Lanruo said earnestly, "I have to thank Actor Song very much this time."
Although Director Ye hadn't praised her during the audition, she had seen surprise and disbelief in everyone's eyes.
She was very satisfied.
Jiang Mian said, "If you want to thank him, treat him to a meal as soon as possible. He's returning to Hong Kong City."
Ji Lanruo froze and bit her lower lip, "When?"
"Today."
Ji Lanruo didn't even have time to say goodbye before hanging up the phone and running back.
She wanted to tell Song Xingjia.
The result no longer mattered; she had performed well today and hadn't embarrassed him.
She also wanted to tell him, could he not leave?
At least, not so soon.