Look at the situation now—Mr. Guan hasn’t allocated much in the way of resources to Zhang Yangning.
Not just Zhang Yangning, but the other signed talents waiting in the corridor were also neglected by Mr. Guan’s company. Xu Mei was inside auditioning, accompanied by the company’s big shots, while everyone else was left outside, clearly just there to make up the numbers.
Yuan Fenghui felt a bit of sympathy for Zhang Yangning, but she was powerless to help her now. Tianjiao was just starting out, capable of producing films and dramas but clueless about music production. If possible, Yuan Fenghui wanted to outsource Li Mengjiao’s music contract to a major record label with top-tier production teams and distribution channels.
Emotions are contagious, and Zhang Yangning sensed Yuan Fenghui’s genuine sympathy, feeling a twinge of bitterness herself, “Thank you, Teacher Yuan. I’ll keep working hard and aim for greater progress with my next album.”
Watching Zhang Yangning chat with Yuan Fenghui, the other signed talents waiting in the corridor exchanged glances: Zhang Yangning was bold, daring to cozy up to Producer Yuan. After Yuan quit, Mr. Guan had publicly called her a traitor more than once!
What was Zhang Yangning up to? Was she planning to jump ship with Producer Yuan?
Probably not.
Word was, Producer Yuan went to a newly established small company. Zhang Yangning’s signing fee might be low, but her breach-of-contract penalty was steep!
While marveling at Zhang Yangning’s guts, they couldn’t help but sneak glances at Li Mengjiao.
She’d been bashed on variety shows, her album got terrible reviews and was pulled, and Mr. Guan said he’d blacklist her, barring her from any Hunan TV events.
They thought Li Mengjiao would be in a sorry state.
But her skin was radiant, her whole demeanor vibrant—she didn’t look miserable at all!
They’d all known each other during the competition, but the lack of contact had made things awkward. One contestant couldn’t resist striking up a conversation with Li Mengjiao, “I heard you’re acting in a drama too. How’s filming? Is it tiring?”
Li Mengjiao replied casually, “It’s alright. I only film on weekends, so it’s not too exhausting. Sometimes it’s even fun.”
The drama had roles besides the female lead that suited young girls. Li Mengjiao had considered inviting these “friends” from the competition. If she asked, Yuan Fenghui and the others wouldn’t object.
But the thought that these “friends” were signed to Mr. Guan’s company, with every penny they earned getting a cut taken, made her drop the idea.
Besides, she valued the slight bond from the competition, but they might not feel the same.
After her album was pulled, none of these “friends” had messaged or called her.
Such friends weren’t worth her time—she had better ones.
With that in mind, Li Mengjiao didn’t bother talking to these contestants and leaned closer to Wen Ying.
“Wen Ying, are you coming in with me later?”
With so many people in the corridor, some talking to Yuan Fenghui, others to Li Mengjiao, no one paid Wen Ying any mind. They all saw her as a little tagalong.
Even if they were overlooked at the company, even if they were just Xu Mei’s backdrop today, they were still new talents who’d risen through the competition. They didn’t need to bother with a little follower.
Wen Ying didn’t care.
Her only concern was whether Li Mengjiao could pass the audition.
No one talking to her saved her the effort of making small talk.
Besides, playing the fool to catch the tiger, keeping her skills hidden, was always secretly satisfying!
Li Mengjiao wasn’t as steady as Wen Ying.
She wanted everyone to know how amazing Wen Ying was.
When others ignored Wen Ying, Li Mengjiao felt they lacked vision!
With the silly girl staring at her expectantly, Wen Ying fixed her hair and pulled a boxed milk from the side of her backpack, inserting a straw and handing it to Li Mengjiao, “Drink this, you’ve been running around all morning. It’ll soothe your throat. I don’t mind either way, but if you want me to watch your audition, I’ll go in.”
It wasn’t a big deal.
Yuan Fenghui turned and saw Li Mengjiao drinking the milk.
Wen Ying’s little scheme made Yuan Fenghui smile knowingly.
The boxed milk Li Mengjiao was drinking was, of course, the brand in question.
Yuan Fenghui couldn’t wait any longer.
Interrupting someone’s audition was rude, no doubt.
But what Liang Dan did to Li Mengjiao today was just as impolite!
Now was the perfect moment.
Yuan Fenghui grabbed Li Mengjiao’s arm and forcefully pushed open the audition office door.
“Teacher Yuan—”
Li Mengjiao nearly choked on her milk, still processing, but she was already standing inside the audition office. Wen Ying slipped in quickly, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.
Liang Dan already knew her subordinate had failed to delay Yuan Fenghui, but she hadn’t expected her to barge in and interrupt Xu Mei’s audition. Even though Xu Mei’s audition was nearly over… this was still a rude offense!
Seeing Li Mengjiao’s outfit, Liang Dan’s eyes flashed with regret—she shouldn’t have let her leave so easily that morning. This casual style was a masterstroke of simplicity. Frowning in displeasure, she said, “We’re still auditioning here. Can’t you wait a moment?”
Yuan Fenghui pushed Li Mengjiao to the center of the room.
“Indeed, I can’t wait, because I’ve brought the perfect spokesperson, and I’m eager for everyone to see her.”
Who was the perfect spokesperson?
Yuan Fenghui thought it was Li Mengjiao.
Wen Ying thought so too.
Liang Dan was furious. If not for the crowd in the audition office, she’d have wanted to fight Yuan Fenghui!
The audition office was spacious, with Xu Mei and her group, the dairy giant’s team, and the ad director present.
The ad director was still sizing up Li Mengjiao, while someone from the dairy giant’s team stood up, visibly excited, “This is exactly—uh—”
The perfect spokesperson they wanted.
Before he could finish, his assistant tugged his sleeve.
Boss, you’re overdoing it!
Our spokesperson selection is supposed to be fair and impartial. Acting this eager will make people think you’re taking bribes.
Even if she’s perfect, we need to go through the motions.
The assistant frantically signaled with their eyes.
Xu Mei was still holding the script for the endorsement song she’d just performed.
The ad director had been quite pleased with her, even praising her on-camera presence.
Why did Li Mengjiao have to come in now?
Just a bit later, and the endorsement would’ve been hers… And what was Li Mengjiao wearing? How could she come to an audition so casually!
Wen Ying, doubling as the stylist, was pleased with the reactions.
This was exactly the effect she wanted.
A girl with double pigtails, clear makeup, and skin with the texture of milk, whose looks held up on camera.
And Li Mengjiao wasn’t wearing a formal dress!
Wen Ying had scoured several teen brands in the mall to put together this winning outfit: a preppy plaid mini-skirt, a simple white blouse tucked into the waistband with a deliberately loose curve, black leather shoes, plain knee-high socks, and a backpack.
This wasn’t an entertainment industry star—this was a high school girl who wandered into the wrong place.
And she was holding a box of the brand’s milk.
So pure!
So full of youthful energy!
The team leader, barely restrained by the assistant, stood up again, lowering his voice to ask Li Mengjiao, “Can you sing?”
