152. She truly understood!

In the acting department of the Fengxing Entertainment building, Shu Xiaoya dragged her exhausted steps inward.

There was not a shred of color on her delicate face, and her once lively eyes were now dull and lifeless.

Just a week ago, she was still celebrating having secured the third female lead role in the movie "Undercover," even though it was merely a character with very few lines and mostly serving as background scenery.

Yet, after all, it was a film gathered with heavyweights, and the director was none other than the renowned Ji Changming. One could say this was the best role she had managed to land in her six years since entering the industry.

Pity that just two days after joining the cast, she was driven out because she had offended Zhao Jinyu, the company chairman's nephew.

"Senior Shu, I'm truly sorry. The director felt my image fits the persona of the third female lead better, so..."

Wen Wan, who had replaced Shu Xiaoya, trailed off with a hesitant look, seemingly afraid of stimulating Shu Xiaoya.

"By the way, I heard there's auditions for the crew of 'Infernal Affairs' at the Golden Emperor Hotel today. Would you like to go and try your luck?"

She said with a look of pleasant surprise, as if suddenly remembering something. "I heard the director of this movie is Zhang Yu, the one behind the currently trending film 'My Home'!"

"Is that so? Thank you, Wanwan."

Shu Xiaoya forced herself to pull it together.

She lacked connections, didn't know how to play social games, and refused unspoken rules. Every single role she had ever gotten came through relentless auditioning, and every opportunity was hard-won.

Fortunately she came to the company today, otherwise she would have missed yet another chance.

After thanking Wen Wan, she packed up her belongings and set off.

Watching Shu Xiaoya's retreating figure, Wen Wan felt immensely smug. As far as she knew, the casting for "Infernal Affairs" was strictly invitation-only.

Someone like Shu Xiaoya, who had not received an invitation notice, would likely be chased out immediately.

The entertainment industry was realistic and cruel, brimming with fierce competition and elimination.

Most of those who received Ji Fanxing's invitation rushed over as best as they could.

At the Golden Emperor Hotel, half an hour before the scheduled audition time, the area outside the conference room booked by Ji Fanxing was already packed with people.

Some kept their heads down, flipping through scripts and muttering under their breath as if brewing their emotions;

Others gathered in groups of twos and threes, whispering to each other with eyes full of anticipation and unease;

Still others paced back and forth anxiously, lifting their heads from time to time to look at the doorway as if awaiting something.

"So many people!" Shu Xiaoya exclaimed, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans that clashed with her cold, aloof temperament.

"Duh, look whose movie this is! Zhang Yu! His film 'My Home' is a massive blockbuster right now!" A skinny, bespectacled young man beside her pushed up his glasses and said excitedly.

"Director Zhang Yu's movie... If I could get selected, even for just a minor role, it would be worth it for a lifetime!" A stylishly dressed girl with exquisite makeup had a yearning gleam in her eyes.

"Tch, you? Look at you, wanting to act in Director Zhang's movie? Keep dreaming!" A tall, rugged-looking guy curled his lip in disdain.

Shu Xiaoya glanced at the surrounding crowd. Most were unfamiliar faces, and the few slightly familiar ones were even less famous than she was.

It appeared the roles being cast today weren't particularly major. With her wealth of experience, she instantly made a judgment in her heart.

After all, having once reached for the female lead in a major production, this realization left Shu Xiaoya feeling somewhat bitter.

"It doesn't matter, Shu Xiaoya. This just means your chances of passing the audition are even higher," she tried to comfort herself.

Just then, the heavy doors of the conference room swung open.

A girl wearing a mask and a duck-billed cap emerged, though neither could conceal the unique aura she exuded.

"The auditions are starting now. Please come in according to the numbers on your invitation emails. Anyone who fails to appear after being called three times will be considered to have given up."

With only a single day, Ji Fanxing gave a brief instruction before returning to the conference room to commence the auditions.

Before turning around, she cast two extra glances at the unfamiliar Shu Xiaoya.

"First person, please come in."

Ji Fanxing was exceptionally generous, renting out an entire floor directly. The hotel management also arranged for staff to assist her with simple coordination tasks.

A tall young man took a deep breath and stepped into the conference room with heavy footsteps.

As soon as he entered, Zhang Qiang felt a trace of surprise.

The scene inside the conference room was entirely different from what he had imagined.

There were only three people in the entire room: one staff member handling logistical chores, and two interviewers seated in the primary positions.

One of the interviewers was that mysterious masked woman.

If Zhang Qiang hadn't recognized that the other person was indeed Zhang Yu himself, he might have turned left out the door and called the police.

Zhang Qiang couldn't help muttering internally: What kind of backyard audition was this? Could a movie called "Infernal Affairs" possibly be legitimate?

Seated at the interview panel, Zhang Yu also felt somewhat apprehensive. As someone seasoned in many battles, this was his first time auditioning in such an environment.

Was Huaxia Media reliable? Would a script as brilliant as "Infernal Affairs" genuinely end up buried by this amateur operation?

Compared to the nervousness of the other two, Ji Fanxing was as steady as a monolith, nodding faintly to Zhang Qiang. "Whenever you're ready, you may begin."

Zhang Qiang verified once more that Zhang Yu was the real deal, took a deep breath, and began his performance.

The role he was auditioning for was a minor gangster, trailing behind a boss and executing vicious methods without hesitation.

He clenched his fists tightly, his gaze turning sinister and ruthless, his tone freezing cold.

"I will make everyone who ever hurt me pay the price!"

He roared at the top of his lungs, as if trying to vent every ounce of anger and hatred accumulated within him.

Yet, Ji Fanxing merely watched him expressionlessly, without the slightest ripple of emotion.

When the performance concluded, Zhang Qiang looked nervously at Zhang Yu, awaiting his critique.

Zhang Yu was somewhat surprised; this actor had some substance, and the emotional demands of the role had been displayed surprisingly well.

"Your performance was trying too hard." At that moment, however, Ji Fanxing spoke up, hitting the nail on the head.

"You wanted to show the ruthlessness of the character, but your delivery came across as exaggerated and affected, failing to truly merge with the role.

Your gaze, your expression, your tone—they were mere imitation rather than genuine portrayal.

True acting is authenticity.

Zhang Qiang, who were you thinking of while you performed?"

Zhang Qiang was momentarily stunned by the question. During his performance, he had indeed referenced a similar real-life figure—it was a little trick he often used when acting.

He hadn't expected it to be seen through instantly by a young girl whose face he couldn't even see.

Zhang Qiang lowered his head. He felt no anger; he was merely a minor actor who spent most of his time as an extra, and over the years, this had simply become a habit.

People had often told him in the past that his acting lacked a certain edge, but no one had ever told him precisely where it fell short.

Now that the problem which had plagued him for years was finally illuminated, Zhang Qiang felt a sudden surge of clarity in his heart.

"Thank you." He bowed in gratitude. Even if he wasn't selected, this audition alone had been worth it.

"Very well, go back and wait for notification." Ji Fanxing waved her hand, signaling that he could leave.

Following that, several more actors entered the conference room one after another.

Just as Ji Fanxing had stated earlier, these actors matched the script's requirements in both acting skill and image.

In Zhang Yu's eyes, any of them could have been cast.

Yet, without exception, Ji Fanxing pointed out the flaws in each of them with unerring precision.

Her critiques were sharp and accurate, striking straight at the weaknesses of every actor and causing those who fancied themselves skilled to lower their heads in shame.

Sitting to the side, Zhang Yu watched Ji Fanxing deliver such professional critiques in utter astonishment.

For one actor to suit a script was a coincidence, but for every single actor to fit was a sign of a fiercely sharp eye.

Add in those incisive critiques...

"This Ji Fanxing... turns out she actually knows her stuff..."

Ji Fanxing's efficiency was remarkably high. Within eight hours, she had locked down all the crucial supporting roles for "Infernal Affairs."

Zhang Yu stood up and stretched his lower back. *Ah, getting older, can't sit still for too long.*

As he packed up his belongings, his attitude toward Ji Fanxing underwent a complete one-eighty turn.

"Fanxing, you've worked hard too. Come on, I'll treat you to dinner tonight."

"Don't rush, there's still one person who hasn't been interviewed." Ji Fanxing offered a mysterious smile, her gaze drifting toward the door.

"There's one more?" Zhang Yu grew even more puzzled. "Weren't all the people on the list interviewed?"

"I didn't invite her." Ji Fanxing stood up and walked toward the door. "But since she's stood guard out there for eight hours, we can't let her wait in vain."

"Eight hours?" Zhang Yu was dumbfounded. Waiting eight hours for an audition opportunity that wasn't even guaranteed?

"That's right, she's been waiting from morning until now." The corners of Ji Fanxing's lips curled up slightly. "I'd like to see just how strong her determination really is."

Ji Fanxing opened the door and immediately spotted Shu Xiaoya sitting in the corner.

She kept her head down, looking somewhat dejected, resembling a frost-bitten eggplant—drooping and wilted—completely unaware of anyone approaching.

"Hello, are you here for the audition?" Ji Fanxing asked softly.

Shu Xiaoya raised her head, saw Ji Fanxing, and froze for a moment before snapping to her senses. "Yes, I am."

"Then please come in."

Shu Xiaoya widened her eyes, finding it hard to believe.