Chapter 14: My Melon Has Fallen

Chapter 14: My Melon Has Fallen

The chattering cliques of young ladies fell silent, a tense atmosphere filling the air. Many of them secretly speculated that Tang Fei wouldn't secure the role. With veteran actors on board and the script receiving praise within the industry, if Tang Fei were to join with her rigid, doll-like expression, it would be an ill-fitting match. Director Wang, known for his commitment to quality, wouldn't likely choose her.

Tang Fei composed herself and mentally prepared to embody Xu Wan's various emotional stages, seeking the quickest way to immerse herself in character.

She tuned out the whispers and gazes of others around her.

Her current objective was to land the role, join the production, earn money, and support that card-drawing game with only two buttons. Although the game seemed like a money pit, she found the rewards she obtained to be worth the expense.

Without a makeup card, she had no bridge to quickly improve her acting skills from being a complete novice.

"Number 13, Tang Fei."

The door opened, and a staff member poked his head in to call out her name.

Tang Fei stood up, smiled at the staff member, nodded her thanks, then took a deep breath and stepped outside.

The staff member glanced at Tang Fei and then at his small group chat, a WeChat group where they gossiped about eating watermelon and melon seeds. In the group, they were still discussing Tang Fei, how her assistant was pleading with others, but no one dared to work with Tang Fei due to both fear of Yao Hui and the actress herself.

I possess immense strength; once, a guy from a film crew tried to take advantage of Tang Fei herself! Mind you, it was me, and I pushed him over, leaving him on the ground where even three people struggled to help him up.

That guy must have weighed at least 200 pounds. Imagine that kind of strength.

Skill-wise, I'm lacking; connection-wise, I'm empty-handed, and my background is nothing to boast about.

On top of that, my temper is terrible.

He typed, "It's Tang Fei's turn now. She's really beautiful, but there's nothing extraordinary about her. She even thanked me, very polite."

The group chat exploded.

Gossiping Spectator 007: "Don't be deceived by appearances, buddy! Hold your ground!"

Soda and Ice Cream Vendor: "The girl is too gorgeous; you must be wearing a filter of eight thousand degrees!"

Buddhist Gossip Fan: "Better not provoke, better not provoke. Keep a low profile."

Lifting the small stool, she declared, "Record it! I want to witness acting that even top-notch visuals can't save."

BBQ Hot Pot Crawfish: "When Tang Fei's acting is mentioned, the reputation of acting itself becomes the victim."

Citizen Gossip 007: "This is the worst bashing acting has ever received."

The staff member slowly typed, "I'll send you all the on-site video later. Keep it low-key while enjoying the drama."

Following Tang Fei, the staff entered the audition room and found a decent spot to sit. Tang Fei was surprised to see producer Pan Boqiao. The original owner recalled that Pan Boqiao had been supporting new directors in recent years, typically attaching his name as a producer to help secure investments and assemble casts. He rarely made appearances at casting auditions.

Wang Hongying seemed to be more than just a newcomer transitioning into directing.

Tang Fei bowed to everyone, addressing them, "Hello, teachers. I'm candidate number 13, Tang Fei."

Sitting in the center, Pan Boqiao frowned at Tang Fei, clearly aware of her reputation and dissatisfied with her as a person.

Tang Fei felt a bit nervous but quickly regained her composure. She had nothing left to lose and was fighting with her back against the wall. Whether people liked or disliked her, she just needed to showcase her best.

Someone like Pan Boqiao, from the older generation, detested idols like Tang Fei who suddenly emerged, relied on marketing and poorly-made romantic dramas for fame and popularity, and then exploited their fans for profit.

But so what? One's background cannot be altered; what can be changed is constant self-improvement. As long as she outperforms everyone else and triumphs in the auditions, does her origin truly matter?

"You'll be performing this scene."

Another crew member handed her a script. Xu Wan was to portray a scene where she flirts with Wang Sheng, the partner of security guard An Qiu, only to reject him on the spot, leading to Wang Sheng's resignation. This part of the story was relatively straightforward.

In this phase of the narrative, Xu Wan had just started working at the Happiness Hotel. She found Wang Sheng to appear refined and honest, claiming to be slow to warm up and seeking a girlfriend who shared common interests, definitely not someone he would choose solely based on appearance.

Xu Wan became curious. If such a boy existed, perhaps she would be willing to step out of her gloom.

However, Wang Sheng's words were merely boasts exchanged between him and An Qiu, untested theories. Xu Wan's actions made Wang Sheng realize that he was, in fact, a platinum member of the "looks-first" club.

After being rejected, Wang Sheng left in embarrassment. The hotel owner, Lan Yi, specifically approached Xu Wan to advise her against such behavior in the hotel. Hiring was already difficult, and driving away more staff would jeopardize the hotel's operation.

This introduction provided context for the actors, allowing them to perform accurately, unlike many productions that would randomly assign scenes, leaving performers to rely on luck.

The young crew member who had entered was recording on his phone.

In the video, Tang Fei was studying the script. After about five or six minutes, she closed her eyes, taking a dozen seconds to compose herself.

The group began its real-time commentary.

Picked Up the Small Stool: "Beautiful face, graceful figure, a natural beauty."

BBQ Hot Pot Crawfish: "She even makes a down jacket look fashionable."

Citizen Gossip 007: "I'm waiting for the performance to go awry. Then you'll all be begging for an unseeing pair of eyes."

After a dozen seconds, Tang Fei entered Xu Wan's mindset. As a newcomer, Xu Wan still harbored some hope that a place like Happiness Hotel might expose her to many harmonious couples, which could help heal her psychological wounds.

Encountering Wang Sheng in conversation with An Qiu, Xu Wan couldn't resist the urge to test his theories after hearing him speak.

In this scene, she was not entirely aloof, carrying a glimmer of hope. After meeting Wang Sheng and undergoing some inner turmoil, she mustered courage to nudge herself into attempting a probe. When her hopes were dashed by his rejection, she donned a cold facade, observing Wang Sheng with a critical gaze. Upon his dejected departure, she regretted losing control, for she didn't wish to test others daily. She yearned for an honest romance, seeking her own happiness.

Though seemingly straightforward, Xu Wan's emotional journey in this moment was complex. A mere portrayal of alluring charm would have been insufficient.

Tang Fei adorned herself with the guise of a captivating tavern beauty. She transformed not just her appearance but also her gait, altering the way muscles moved in her legs and the exertion in her waist and back.

Her face radiated a blend of confidence and subtly concealed aloofness, while her steps carried a slight bounce, collectively conveying a sense of novelty and anticipation.

Wang Hongying and Kong Xian sensed an abrupt shift in the person before them. Even Pan Boqiao, who had been rather indifferent, adjusted his seating posture.

The staff's WeChat group snapshot of Tang Fei indeed captured this sudden transformation, from her appearance to her aura. The moment the video was shared in the group, dozens of emojis flooded the chat.

Including those who were previously lurking, many were drawn out by the explosion of reactions.

Mom, my melon dropped.jpg

What use is this melon to me.gif

The melon in my hands suddenly ran away.jpg

...

None of the people on-site, including the staff and their online friends, had high hopes for Tang Fei's acting skills. She was called because her looks suited the character. Wang Hongying, disapproving of Yao Hui's methods, wanted to give Tang Fei a chance. This character, compared to others, seemed somewhat detached, with elements such as being a mixed-race heiress and possessing great beauty – not commonly seen in real life or among the audience. If the actor wasn't sufficiently attractive or charismatic, many plot points would be hard to convince viewers. Wang Hongying had even considered modifying the character's background if a suitable actress couldn't be found.

Now, Tang Fei's remarkable performance before any actual acting began raised everyone's expectations significantly.

Tang Fei looked in a certain direction, seemingly focusing on the conversation between Wang Sheng and An Qiu. She first listened attentively, then displayed a struggle through her body language and gaze. Her expectant look froze, and her entire body transformed from relaxed to rigid.

After a battle of inner turmoil and self-restraint, her actions and expression transformed. A mischievous curve formed on her lips, carrying an intriguing blend of anticipation and detached scrutiny that enveloped her entire demeanor.

Tang Fei was unable to convey the intricacy of her emotions all at once, so she opted for a mid-scene shift to continue. Though it wasn't a seamless transition, she effectively conveyed the evolving emotional layers of the character.

Her confident aura, enchanting expression, and alluring presence exuded from every pore.

"Hello, would you like a girlfriend?"

Tang Fei's portrayal of Xu Wan smiled at thin air, as if jesting yet sincerely fixated on something unseen.

At this moment, Wang Sheng was first startled, then perplexed. Under Xu Wan's persistent gaze, he eventually nodded, "You... Are you the new Xu Wan? Would you... be willing to..."

However, there was no Wang Sheng in the scene. Tang Fei silently counted the seconds, maintaining Xu Wan's flirtatious smile and expectant look, continuously tempting the bewildered Wang Sheng. Just as he gave his consent, she suddenly placed a finger to her lips, revealing a faintly disappointed expression as she softly said, "Now I've changed my mind. You took too long, and I've decided otherwise."

She lifted her head, turning with a radiant smile, but an indescribable sense of loss and dejection surrounded her. Her back was to the audience, yet her body language conveyed the emotions.

In a traditional sense, such a manipulative character might evoke disdain or hatred when portrayed by someone devoid of feeling. Yet, Tang Fei's performance made it much more palatable.

She astonished Wang Hongying and Pan Boqiao with her portrayal. Not only did she embody Xu Wan's seductive coldness, but also the character's internal struggle and profound loneliness. Among all the auditionees, only Tang Fei delved into this deeper dimension of the character.

From just a brief introduction and a short excerpt, Tang Fei had demonstrated remarkable intuition and understanding as an actress.

Seeing is believing; rumors truly cannot be trusted. One must witness it firsthand!

The WeChat group of the spectator crowd exploded as well.

Soda Ice Cream Vendor: "Is this Tang Fei? I've been dealt 10,000 points of damage. I'm calling the police! Officer, this person in a down jacket isn't behaving properly—she's flirting with me!"

Buddhist Casual: "Saving... saving. Will watch repeatedly."

Audience Member 007: "As soon as I walked in, I saw Tang Fei acting..."