Chapter 26: Confidentiality

Seeing that no one spoke or called for a halt, Li Chuxi sat up on her own and then stood to her feet. "Teachers, my performance has concluded," she said.

She stood there quietly, as if waiting for a response. By now, the seductive charm she had projected just moments ago had completely vanished; she stood before them, ethereal and deeply moving.

"You just—" Chen Chan’s eyes widened, his gaze filled with shock. "From the moment you walked through that door, you were already acting, weren't you? This is your true self, isn't it?"

Once these words were spoken, the others finally realized why they had felt such a peculiar sensation coming from Li Chuxi. It turned out that it wasn't just that Li Chuxi was suited for the role of Yang Yingying; it was that she had vividly brought the character of Yang Yingying to life right before their eyes.

"Director," Ling Dou'er said, turning to look at Chen Chan. "I really think she is perfect for this role." She had a gut feeling that if Li Chuxi were cast as Yang Yingying, the character would undoubtedly become a massive hit.

Chen Chan did not look at Ling Dou'er, nor did he respond to her. Instead, he stared directly at Li Chuxi. "Tell me your understanding of the character Yang Yingying."

"Yang Yingying is, in fact, a very conflicted person," Li Chuxi stated her perspective directly. "She loves the male lead, Shang Yu, but she never expresses it. She tries to harm the female lead, Lian Xue, time and time again, yet regrets it every single time. She yearns for freedom and has the capability to leave the brothel, yet she remains there for a lifetime. She is an incredibly clever woman, able to navigate a place like a brothel with ease and preserve her innocence, but it is precisely that cleverness that leads to her downfall."

"Her life is indeed filled with tragedy, all brought about by her contradictory nature. Her ending was, in fact, destined from the very beginning. You could even say that this outcome was the best one she could have chosen for herself."

"Exactly, well said!" Ling Dou'er was so excited she stood up and applauded repeatedly. "Your understanding is truly excellent. Everyone else only sees Yang Yingying’s malice, but they never stop to consider the tragedy of her life."

Chen Chan nodded at Li Chuxi and asked, "Very good. When can you sign the contract?"

"Huh?"

This time, it was Li Chuxi who was stunned. She was a bit bewildered. "You mean... I’ve been selected?"

Did auditions usually provide notifications this quickly? Although she had never been involved in the entertainment industry, the memories of the soul that had occupied this body before her made it clear how the audition process was supposed to go. Under normal circumstances, shouldn't she have been told to go home and wait for news?

"That’s right," Chen Chan nodded. "If it’s convenient for you, we can sign the contract right now."

"Director is wise!" Ling Dou'er cheered.

"Director Chen, isn't this a bit too hasty?" the assistant director interjected, feeling a jolt of alarm. "Didn't we say earlier that we could continue to look at others? Perhaps we should see the remaining actors before making a decision."

"Assistant Director, why do I feel like you're acting strangely today?" Ling Dou'er narrowed her eyes, her expression meaningful. "The actor with the mediocre performance just now, you were adamantly pushing for us to sign her immediately. Now that we have someone with such great talent, you’re suddenly full of hesitation. Don’t you think your attitude has changed quite a bit?"

"Ling Dou'er, I feel like you’ve been targeting me all day!" the assistant director retorted, turning to face her. "No matter what opinion I put forward, you have something to say. I should be the one asking you what your problem is!"

"I am not!" Ling Dou'er nearly jumped out of her seat. "I just can't stand your inconsistent way of handling things, I—"

Li Chuxi, listening to the squabble between the assistant director and Ling Dou'er, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, a flash of realization crossing her eyes. It seemed Yao Ling had pulled strings through this assistant director. However, it appeared the assistant director didn't hold much actual sway.

That was hardly surprising. It was well known that in Director Chen's productions, he held the sole power of veto. In other words, the final decision rested entirely with him.

"Everyone, be quiet," Chen Chan commanded, cutting off their argument. Although his tone was not harsh and carried no trace of reprimand, it caused both the assistant director and Ling Dou'er to startle and immediately fall silent. The brewing conflict vanished instantly.

Director Chen looked at Li Chuxi. "You are very well-suited for this role. If you have no objections, let’s sign today."

Li Chuxi had no objections. "That’s fine."

Director Chen instructed his assistant to take Li Chuxi to sign the contract. Standardized contracts had been prepared well before the auditions began, ready to be filled out and signed the moment a suitable candidate was found. The assistant led Li Chuxi away efficiently.

Once she was gone, Ling Dou'er beamed at Chen Chan. "Director Chen is truly wise."

The assistant director’s expression remained unchanged, though he felt a surge of anxiety. He intended to send a message to Yao Ling to inform her that Li Chuxi had already been selected. However, just as he pulled out his phone, Director Chen’s voice cut through the air.

"Everyone, remember: the casting process is confidential. Until the results are announced to the public, you are not permitted to disclose any information to the outside world. Is that clear?"

"If anyone discloses information without permission, whether intentionally or unintentionally, I will hold them accountable. Do not forget the non-disclosure agreements you have signed."

The assistant director’s body stiffened, and his hand trembled as he held the phone. He immediately locked the screen, pretending as if nothing had happened. When he looked up, he locked eyes with Director Chen’s sharp, piercing gaze. Panic flared in his chest, and he quickly averted his eyes. Feeling that his reaction had been too dramatic and made him appear guilty, he looked up again, only to find that the director was no longer watching him. He let out a breath of relief.

After that scare, he certainly didn't dare to text Yao Ling, fearing the uncontrollable consequences.