Chapter 28
Liu Hanyue didn't let the driver take her. She drove her Lamborghini to Wanhua Entertainment instead.
A few days ago, she heard her mother-in-law say that Luo Zhengzheng's TV series was casting and an idea sprouted in her mind. She couldn't resist and read the novel online.
She was very interested in the empress of the founding emperor in the story. Or rather, the empress's personality was somewhat similar to hers. Although she had very few scenes, the empress involuntarily caught her eye.
She wore a red dress today. Her appearance was already dignified and elegant, and the red dress made her look even more imposing. She was very satisfied with the effect of the dress. After all, an empress must have an aura.
Luo Zhengzheng came downstairs to meet her. When she saw her outfit, her eyes lit up, and she said, "Are you dressed up to try out the role of the founding empress?"
Liu Hanyue nodded: "You understand me best."
Luo Zhengzheng naturally understood her.
Luo Zhengzheng led her upstairs. Director Lu's eyes lit up when he saw Liu Hanyue. There were many actresses with good acting skills in the entertainment industry, but it was difficult to find an actress who fits the role, especially the actress who plays the founding empress. But this lady in the red dress looked exactly like the founding empress in his mind.
Although he was a director, he was only focused on how to make the film and didn't know many of the female celebrities in the entertainment industry. Besides, Liu Hanyue had only participated in a singing competition and had some fame, but not much. Director Lu didn't know Liu Hanyue.
Director Lu looked at Luo Zhengzheng: "And who is this?"
Luo Zhengzheng smiled and said, "This is my second elder sister-in-law. She came to audition. She said she wants to earn her living through her own abilities. Just let her audition according to your own rules."
She couldn't break Director Lu's rules just for her elder sister-in-law's sake. These were his principles for filming, and if she wanted to use Director Lu, she had to respect them.
Han Yue, sitting to the side, narrowed her eyes upon hearing Luo Zhengzheng's words. Luo Zhengzheng was no ordinary person. Could her second elder sister-in-law also be an ordinary person?
Besides, she thought the woman in the red dress looked familiar. After taking a closer look, she suddenly remembered someone.
She was Liu Hanyue!
Was Liu Hanyue going to act?
Liu Hanyue was a heiress who married into the Gu Family. She was no ordinary person and couldn't possibly play a minor supporting role. So, was it possible for her to land a lead role?
She was very unwilling to accept. This drama not only had a good script, but it was also directed by Director Lu, and all the actors were talented. She pursed her lips and secretly sent a text message to Chen Ze: "Luo Zhengzheng's second elder sister-in-law is Liu Hanyue? She actually auditioned too. In that case, do I still have a chance?"
Chen Ze was puzzled when he saw her text message. How come he didn't know Liu Hanyue was going to act in a movie?
However, he still replied, "Don't you know Director Lu's temper? Let alone Liu Hanyue, even if Luo Zhengzheng wants to play a role, she still needs to pass the audition. True gold fears no fire."
Han Yue was furious. What kind of boyfriend was this? He couldn't help her at all and even made snide remarks about her behind her back. If it weren't for the fact that he was the boss, who would want to be with him?
Director Lu didn't mind Luo Zhengzheng recommending Liu Hanyue. After all, she had said that if she passes after auditioning, then use. If not, she would go home.
He turned to Liu Hanyue: "Whose role do you want to audition for?"
Liu Hanyue smiled and said, "The founding empress."
Director Lu's eyes lit up: "You have a good eye. You are a perfect fit for the role of the founding empress."
Liu Hanyue smiled slightly, raised her head, and said confidently, "Of course."
Director Lu's eyes lit up again. It was that confident demeanor that was so similar to the empress in the drama.
Han Yue breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing Liu Hanyue's words. Liu Hanyue at least had some self-awareness.
Director Lu selected a scene where the founding empress reprimanded the concubines and asked her to try acting it out.
Liu Hanyue glanced at it. Scolding people, she was really good at it.
She first memorized those lines and tried to act them out. Gradually, her eyes became stern, and her aura became very imposing.
Having worked on a film set, Luo Zhengzheng could understand some acting skills. Seeing how convincingly she acted, she really resembled the Empress. She smiled slightly. Second elder sister-in-law had never acted before, yet she could act quite well. Everyone had their own talents, and perhaps second elder sister-in-law could really develop a career in the entertainment industry.
Director Lu nodded slightly: "Your eyes and lines are passable, but your movements are stiff. You need to hire a teacher to help you practice your acting and movements. Movement is especially important in period dramas."
Liu Hanyue's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes lit up with joy as she asked Director Lu, "Director Lu’s meaning is?"
Director Lu smiled and said, "You've got the role of the Empress."
A huge weight was lifted from Liu Hanyue's heart, and she happily waved her hand, "It's almost noon, shall I treat you to lunch?"
Director Lu pointed to the other actors auditioning: "Time is limited, and there are still quite a few people waiting to audition. After you finish eating, just pack one for me."
Although he declined Liu Hanyue's invitation, he didn't stand on ceremony.
After Luo Zhengzheng and Liu Hanyue left, Director Lu looked at Han Yue and said, "You just auditioned for the female lead's role, but you are still a bit lacking."
Han Yue's expression changed slightly.
He always spoke his mind. Even if Han Yue was unhappy, she had to endure it. Then he continued, "But you might be able to try the role of the Imperial Consort."
Imperial Consort?
Although she had more screen time than the Founding Empress, should a top-tier actress lower herself to play a supporting role?
Without even thinking, she refused. Then she added, "Lulu can do in the scenes when the female lead is a child."
Director Lu said, "That role is already settled."
Han Yue: "......"
She felt that many things were not going well lately, but she couldn't find a place to vent. If she continued to feel so frustrated, she would go crazy sooner or later.
Thinking about the role of the Imperial Concubine, she asked Chen Ze for his opinion. Chen Ze looked at her as if she were a fool and said, "Even a small supporting role in Director Lu's film is hard for others to get. So what if you are a top actress? How many roles do you have that you can be proud of? You have fame now, but your works are mediocre and you haven't won a single award. What's important now is to improve your skills and win some awards. Don't think that playing a supporting role is shameful. If you can humble yourself and play a supporting role, it will make people think that you are seriously studying your acting skills and have not been blinded by vanity."
After returning home, Han Yue pondered the matter carefully and felt that Chen Ze's words made some sense. After much deliberation, she dialed Director Lu's number.
Chen Ze was surprised that Liu Hanyue would go into acting. He wasn't familiar with Gu Xian, so he thought about it and called Gu Shi to invite him to get together that night. But Gu Shi said he had made plans with Luo Zhengzheng that night.
People say women were like clothes, and brothers were like limbs. But for him, brothers meant nothing in front of his wife.
He sighed and said he could only make an appointment another time.
After getting off work, Gu Shi arrived on time to pick up Luo Zhengzheng.
He first called Luo Zhengzheng and learned that she was in the audition room on the third floor, so he went directly to the audition room on the third floor.
Gu Shi's face was very distinctive and he had some fame online. In addition, he and Chen Ze were childhood friends, so many people in Wanhua Entertainment know him. When they saw him arrive, they all greeted him warmly, and he nodded slightly.
Knowing that Gu Shi would come, Chen Ze arrived at the audition room early. Upon seeing him, he cheerfully said, "Elder sister-in-law's TV series is about to start filming, and you finally made it."
Gu Shi glanced around the audition room and looked at Luo Zhengzheng: "Are you done?"
Luo Zhengzheng looked at Gu Shi and introduced him to Director Lu: "This is Director Lu."
Everyone called him Director Lu, but most people didn't know that Director Lu (Lu Dao) was actually his real name. They call him Director Lu simply because he was a director.
Director Lu extended his hand: "Hello, President. Gu!"
"Hello!"
Gu Shi shook his hand in return. Chen Ze suggested, "How about I treat everyone tonight, and we can all get together?"
Luo Zhengzheng looked at Gu Shi questioningly, and Gu Shi replied, "Next time."
Chen Ze could only watch them leave. Since getting married, Gu Shi had become increasingly attached to his home.
Han Yue appeared out of nowhere, looked at their retreating figures, and asked softly, "Is Luo Zhengzheng's husband President Gu of the Ye Group?"
She should have thought of it sooner. Luo Zhengzheng said that Liu Hanyue was her second elder sister-in-law and Liu Hanyue married into the Gu Family. Chen Ze and Gu Shi were childhood friends and called Luo Zhengzheng elder sister-in-law. So Luo Zhengzheng's identity was obvious and easy to guess.
Chen Ze glanced at her: "Otherwise, do you think anyone else is worth me making such a fuss over?"
Han Yue suddenly asked, "I heard that President Gu's wife comes from a farming family?"
Chen Ze's cold gaze shot towards her: "What do you want to say?"
Despite his constant calling Luo Zhengzheng a country girl, the brothers have come to accept her as their own after spending so much time with her.
Moreover, Luo Zhengzheng was a very good person and intelligent, making her easy to get along with.
Han Yue's subtle scrutiny displeased him.
Han Yue felt wronged: "I didn't say anything! That is Luo Zhengzheng’s background. Is it not allowed to talk about it?"
She thought Luo Zhengzheng had some extraordinary status, but it turned out she was just a country girl. And she had to treat her with respect! She felt a little uncomfortable.
Chen Ze felt it was time to break up again. His tone was impatient: "Luo Zhengzheng graduated from a prestigious university, and her younger brother is also a student at Tsinghua University. Even if she's a country girl, she's still better than you, isn't she?"
How could Han Yue possibly accept that? "I'm a top-tier celebrity, a popular actress."
Chen Ze scoffed: "If Luo Zhengzheng wants to make a top-tier actor famous, it's easy for her. Don't be jealous of her all the time. It will only make you repulsive and won't bring you any other benefits."
Han Yue pursed her lips: "Why would I be jealous of her?"
She didn't want to admit it, but she was jealous of Luo Zhengzheng. Before she knew Luo Zhengzheng's identity, she could still hide her jealousy.
Once she knew her true identity, her jealousy became impossible to hide.
If a country girl can marry into a wealthy family, then it's not impossible for her to do so.
She glanced at Chen Ze and secretly made a decision.
Luo Zhengzheng and Gu Shi sat in the car.
Gu Shi took her hand and glanced at her: "Busier than me?"
This was her first time investing in a TV series, so she naturally had to be cautious. She said, "I'm not that busy, am I?"
Gu Shi held her fingers tightly: "How long has it been since we ate together?"
Luo Zhengzheng recalled: "That..."
One week, or two weeks?
Gu Shi glanced at her and said helplessly, "It's been almost three weeks."
Luo Zhengzheng blinked: "Has it been that long?"
Gu Shi took out his phone: "Want me to count the days for you?"
Luo Zhengzheng quickly replied, "No need, it's been almost three weeks already."
Gu Shi looked at her: "Do you know what day next weekend is?"
Luo Zhengzheng asked him, "What day is it?"
Gu Shi gently rubbed her palm: "It's Father-in-law's birthday!"
Luo Zhengzheng exclaimed in surprise. She had even forgotten her father's birthday! Wasn't she even less filial than the son-in-law, Gu Shi?
She stared blankly at Gu Shi: "I really forgot!"
Gu Shi squeezed her hand: "How about we go back early Friday night to celebrate your father's birthday?"
Luo Zhengzheng nodded: "Let's invite Luo Can too, it's the weekend anyway."
Gu Shi hummed in agreement.