Chapter 25: Shock

"Director Chen, Director Chen, there is no need for further auditions." Ling Dou'er turned to look at Chen Chan, her tone laced with excitement. "This—"

After glancing at the file on the table, she continued, "This Li Chuxi, even if she does nothing at all, just standing there makes her the living embodiment of Yang Yingying. I even feel that she is more like Yang Yingying than Yang Yingying herself."

It sounded like incoherent rambling, but everyone present understood what Ling Dou'er meant.

Yang Yingying was a character created by Ling Dou'er, so she naturally knew best what the character should be like. The reason she made such a decision now was simply because she saw the character she had written come to life, stepping right off the pages of her book.

"Calm yourself." Chen Chan glanced at Ling Dou'er with a helpless expression. "We are still in the middle of auditions! Can't you be a bit more composed?"

"I can't be composed, Director!" Ling Dou'er took a deep breath and then spoke, "I honestly don't think an audition is necessary. We should just cast her right now."

"Ms. Ling, I fully understand your excitement," the assistant director interjected. "However, this is an audition, and everyone else has auditioned according to the rules. We must treat every candidate fairly."

Ling Dou'er wanted to retort, but before she could speak, Director Chen interrupted.

"Quiet, all of you. The audition begins now."

Chen Chan looked up at Li Chuxi and said, "Perform the scene where you are killed by the male lead, Shang Yu."

Without waiting for Li Chuxi to respond, he turned to Ke Jingbo. "You will be reading with her."

Ke Jingbo nodded, offering no objection.

Li Chuxi moved to the side and began to study the script. Although she had already read it, she was still deeply moved when she looked at the scene where Yang Yingying makes her exit.

While the judges present did not discuss it, it was clear that they were very satisfied with Li Chuxi. After all, compared to the others, this Li Chuxi looked exactly like Yang Yingying—this was an inherent advantage.

The assistant director looked at the file on his desk regarding Li Chuxi, feeling a hint of concern.

Originally, he had thought that not many people would compete for the role of Yang Yingying, as it was a rather unlikable character. Liu Shangshang's acting skills were decent—at least far better than other candidates for the role. He had not expected such a dark horse to suddenly emerge.

Li Chuxi didn't need to do anything; she was the living, breathing image of Yang Yingying. This comparison made him feel that the outcome for this role might very well change.

He wanted to send another message to Yao Ling, but after some thought, he decided it would be better to wait until the dust settled before speaking to her.

A few minutes passed, and the audition officially began.

Ke Jingbo stood up, walked over to stand opposite Li Chuxi, and nodded with a smile. "I look forward to working with you."

Li Chuxi smiled back. "Likewise."

When Director Chen called "Action," the temperament of Li Chuxi changed completely. In that moment, she was Yang Yingying.

A self-deprecating smile curled on Li Chuxi's lips. She looked up at the man across from her and said, "What? Are you here today to hold me accountable?"

"Yang Yingying, it was you, wasn't it? Why would you treat Lianxue like that? She is innocent."

"Innocent?" Li Chuxi looked up, a hint of madness in her eyes. "She is innocent? Your Highness, do you truly believe she is innocent?"

"If it weren't for her father, you would still be the high and mighty Crown Prince, not a prince of a fallen nation. Your Highness, she is the daughter of your enemy. You two could never be together."

Her gaze remained frantic, yet deep within her eyes lay a profound emotion as vast as the sea, hidden in the depths of her heart, unable to be expressed.

Just by standing there, just by speaking those few words, she created a sense of suffocation that made it hard to breathe.

Ke Jingbo inadvertently locked eyes with her deep gaze. Those star-like eyes felt like a whirlpool, seemingly intent on pulling him in entirely.

He even forgot that he was in the middle of a scene; he stood there, unable to regain his composure.

"Ke Jingbo, what are you doing?" Chen Chan's voice rose several octaves, his face darkening. "Snap out of it!"

The sudden sound made Ke Jingbo blink. Realizing his lack of professionalism, he apologized to the judges. "I'm sorry, I lost focus for a moment."

In truth, it wasn't a loss of focus—he had been drawn into the performance by Li Chuxi.

He felt a secret sense of shock, for in the past, it was always he who drew others into a scene; it had never happened that he was the one pulled in by someone else.

At the same time, this proved that the girl before him was absolutely not the kind of person rumors suggested.

Although he had never met Li Chuxi in person, he had heard the stories. After all, it was rare to have such a notorious reputation in the entertainment industry.

"Arrogant, untalented, and lacking character."

These were the rumors he had heard about Li Chuxi, yet he was certain that the girl before him was absolutely nothing like that.

Because of Ke Jingbo's mistake, Li Chuxi's audition had to be repeated.

Li Chuxi had no objections.

Ke Jingbo now understood Li Chuxi's capabilities and prepared himself thoroughly, so the second attempt went very smoothly.

Finally, Ke Jingbo performed the motion of stabbing Li Chuxi.

Looking at the man filled with killing intent, the Yang Yingying played by Li Chuxi showed no sorrow. She smiled brilliantly, her hand lifting slightly—whether out of instinct or some other reason, it was hard to tell. However, her hand quickly fell, and she took two steps forward, directly into the path of the sword.

Yang Yingying fell to the ground, yet a smile remained on her face—no bitterness, no sadness, only joy and release. She tried her best to lift her hand, though not toward Shang Yu.

Finally, her smile vanished, and she lay still.

Ke Jingbo, playing Shang Yu, stepped forward involuntarily, but stopped himself in the end.

The room was deathly quiet. Everyone was stunned by the scene.

They seemed to truly see a courtesan who was mad with love, a woman who yearned for freedom until the very moment of her death. They even felt the urge to rush forward to save the girl who had smiled so brightly.