Chapter 38 The List Is Announced

For the past few days, Liu Shangshang had been walking on air. Convinced that she had already secured a role in Director Chen’s new film, she moved with a newfound, breezy confidence.

Yao Ling was equally proactive, busily drafting all sorts of press releases, intent on leveraging this opportunity to propel Liu Shangshang to the next level of stardom. She had even boasted to the company that Liu Shangshang was set to star in the director’s latest project, insisting that the buzz from the film would inevitably elevate her career status. Pleased with this prospect, the company had showered Liu Shangshang with premium resources, signaling a clear intention to push her toward the top.

Soon, the official announcement for Director Chen’s new film was released, and the cast was finalized.

"Sister Ling, why do you look so pale?"

Liu Shangshang, dressed in a stylish, high-end designer gown and adorned with a diamond necklace, looked radiant with her meticulously applied makeup. Upon arriving at the office, she couldn't help but feel curious at the sight of Yao Ling’s grim expression.

Hearing Liu Shangshang’s voice, Yao Ling looked up. Her face remained dark, and her tone carried the eerie calm of a brewing storm. "Shangshang, why did you suddenly change your mind during the audition and decide to go for the role of Yang Yingying?"

Clearly caught off guard by the sudden question, Liu Shangshang paused for a moment before replying with a smile, "Well, while I was waiting there, I just started thinking about my future and wanted to prove my capabilities as soon as possible!"

"Oh, really?" Yao Ling’s tone remained unnervingly flat, as if she were speaking casually. "I thought you only changed your mind because you saw Li Chuxi vying for that same role."

A flicker of guilt darted through Liu Shangshang’s eyes, though she feigned utter astonishment. "Sister Ling, is that true? Did Chuxi go for that role too?"

"Don't you know perfectly well?" Yao Ling stared intently at her. "Do you remember what I told you? You wanted to take that gamble, but you never stopped to consider the consequences if you lost."

"Sister Ling, what’s gotten into you?"

By now, Liu Shangshang realized something was wrong. "Has something happened?" What intrigued her even more was how Yao Ling knew that Li Chuxi had auditioned for the role.

"Yes," Yao Ling nodded. "Director Chen just released the cast list. Your name isn't on it."

The once composed Liu Shangshang was instantly thrown into a panic. She forced a strained, weak smile. "Sister Ling, you... you’re joking, right?"

"Do you really think I would joke about something like this?" Yao Ling was on the verge of exploding. "The role of Yang Yingying went to Li Chuxi."

"That’s impossible!" Liu Shangshang reflexively retorted. "Sister Ling, didn't you say that your senior—"

"Liu Shangshang, you still have the nerve to talk?" Yao Ling’s voice was laced with fury. "Don't you know why things ended up like this?"

"If you had just followed my plan and auditioned for the maid’s role like a sensible person, would we be in this mess? Do you even realize what you’ve done? You were so high-profile about announcing your role in Director Chen’s new film, and now your name is nowhere to be found on the cast list."