Chapter 134 - Graceful Demeanor
"Haha, this is really - Just look her up, her style, her dress. Doesn't strike odd?" That was a rhetorical question.
Her words were heard by many. Out of curiosity, they looked at Chen Yi only to find themselves agreeing with the woman.
Among all the auditionees, Chen Yi's style did stand out.
Some would call it odd. Some would call it classy. Some would call it an embarrassing attempt at standing out.
"Indeed, something's very different about her whole styling."
"That's not mainstream...Was she trying to stand out with this?"
"Must have gotten some cheap, third-class stylist. They leave loose strings like this. Even I can do better than that!"
"Come to think of it. I heard this artist is a total newbie and she never had good financial backing."
"Is it what you heard? I heard she was homeless a few days ago."
"Auditioners need to update their screening process, if people like her can slip in, it only reflects badly on us."
"How did she even get hired?"
"People use all sorts of methods to enter the industry. I don't need to clarify this." Each word Zhao Hua spoke, each word full of meaning, provoking another storm of violent speculations among the listener's brains.
'Who had she seduced?'
'What connections she had used?'
All sorts of gossips ensued.
A word or two drifted to Chen Yi's ears, she made out what the fuss was about. With a bitter expression, she opted to ignore at first, her impatient eyes lifting towards the fancy wall clock.
What was taking the Directors so long?
She had been styled to bring out the vibe of an antagonist in the dark, the dark of the audition Hall. Fu Jianguo had misunderstood for the same reason, her styling indeed appeared excessive in the light of the day.
It was not mainstream.
"You know what? Some people really need to have a look in the mirror before setting foot out of their home." People passing by Chen Yi threw offhand comments. Not the slightest attempt at toning down her voice.
"What is she even waiting for? Would she not leave before making a total fool out of herself?" They whispered among themselves.
Chen Yi heard the words well. Whatever rumors Zhao Hua had fed everyone led people to speak against her with no fear. It was getting worse with each passing moment.
"Can we inquire about the name of your stylist?" When Chen Yi continued to pretend to have deaf ears, someone was emboldened enough to mock her directly. "You know, I might need their contact number to—"
"You won't be able to hire her." Chen Yi gave her a sharp look timely interrupting the girl before she could say something that would burst everyone into an episode of laughter.
The girl blinked, unprepared for Chen Yi to counteract. She must have assumed Chen Yi would stay passive. Passive like she had been for long, silent to the toxic criticisms. "Oh, really, how can I not hire her? What is her price, is she that expensive?" She put her hands over her waist and asked with a mean, satirical expression.
"She won't entertain just anyone. Let's not even talk about the price."
The girl was shocked. "What kind of joke are you playing? Do you think we are blind?"
"I used to think people exaggerated when they said such 'thick skins' existed. Today, I have seen one with my own eyes!"
"If it was me, I would have already left to save myself some face."
...
Director Song was in a foul mood. He had just engaged in an intense, no fanatical, discussion with the Producer, the end result of which left him frustrated.
"What's this fuss about?" Calling over an attendant he inquired about the clamor at the waiting room. His expressions altered from tired frustration to solemnity, finally culminating into a dark shade of anger as he listened to the attendant's narration.
"Look, Director Song is here!" Someone among the crowd, who had not busied himself with the exaggerated drama, noticed and pointed out.
"He doesn't look happy. Don't tell me none of us had been able to meet his expectations?"
"With how many serious things I have heard about Director Song, Yes. That's entirely possible."
"Now you are being unreal. If Director Song was unsatisfied with today's auditions, he wouldn't have come personally. He would just have sent a worker to send us off. Other than that, there's still Zhao Hua. There is no chance she won't be able to meet his criteria."
As people spoke, more heard. Gradually the faces turned, everyone was now looking at Directors with fervid expectation.
They may have lost hope with Zhao Hua in their competition. But there was still a couple of those auditionees who believed they were special.
The frown line between Chen Yi's brows smoothened when the raging cluster of satirical and derogatory eyes was averted away from her. No longer feeling like the target aimed with countless insults that were going to stretch to God knew how long Chen Yi, straightened and looked in the Director's direction, grateful for his appearance.
"Zhao Hua, buckle up. Director's Song came out personally to give you the happy news." The assistant didn't forget to shoot Chen Yi another mocking look before turning away back to Zhao Hua. "Congrats, you managed to move him. Do you know what it means? This is just a low-budget movie but Director Song controls many big projects. If you get on his good side then consider yourself the next big name!"
Zhao Hua nodded in agreement, her happiness was unbounded.
"If not to strike an acquaintance with Director Song, I would never have so easily agreed for this movie. Director Song has led countless starlets to stardom."
The assistant looked at Zhao Hua, eyes widening as if she just had an epiphany. "That's why you readily accepted Manager Qin words to audition for this third class movie?" Just as Zhao Hua had stuck close to Qin Chanpu, steadily climbing up the career ladder with his special 'favor', the assistant could see her sticking close - very close - to Director Song and climbing up the stardom ladder with unbridled momentum. "Zhao Hua, don't forget me when you hit famous, okay?"
Zhao Hua laughed.
"Now you see? Your annoying nagging to have her rehearse the script was pointless."
"I had only insisted on Manager Qin's directions but now, well, it does seem unnecessary." Xuan Wen thought things went smoothly than anticipation.
While Director Song heard the incident from the same worker, his eyes scanned the room. Everywhere, everyone looked like they were constraining bubbling excitement. Their big smiles, trembling hands, unstoppable chattering.
Ungraceful.
His eyes looked at everyone until they settled at a peculiarity. Chen Yi.. She was stood still, with the same small smile with which she had swooped off everyone in the team.