Early the next morning, the entire team dispatched by the company caught the earliest flight back to Shanghai.

Xi Tang read the thin page of the script on the plane. The role she received was that of a Shanghai-educated youth during the tumultuous decade. The young girl came from an intellectual family background, but due to her parents’ class status, she was assigned to the most remote Construction Corps in Qinghai in 1969. That year, she was nineteen, a fresh high school graduate.

The single page of the script contained only three lines of dialogue. Xi Tang couldn’t even tell if she was the female lead.

Others had a week to prepare for their roles; Xi Tang had only one day.

Xi Tang asked the makeup artist: “Why did he suddenly look for me?”

Xin Ni said: “Those Fudan University students posted photos with you at the bookstore on Weibo. The company paid for news coverage, so someone from the creative team probably saw it suddenly.”

Xi Tang nodded.

Xin Ni said: “Master Xi, I saw those photos, and I also think your features and temperament are very suitable.”

Xi Tang huddled together with her and A Kuan, trembling slightly.

They rushed back to the company at lightning speed. The entire styling department was already waiting. Styling Director Li Ya, leading several makeup artists, immediately surrounded her and pushed her into the office.

Ni Kai Lun sat on the sofa watching her change clothes.

Li Ya personally adjusted her eyebrows, while Ni Kai Lun asked from the side: “Argon, does her hair need a trim?”

At this point, Li Ya put aside his flamboyant mannerisms, displaying a general’s demeanor, and calmly shook his head: “No need. Newly cut hair would look too deliberate.”

Having finalized the audition outfit and makeup in the shortest possible time, it was already past four in the afternoon. Ni Kai Lun told her to go home.

Xi Tang returned home and shut herself in her room, pulling out the books Ni Kai Lun had bought for her, and reviewing her previous notes once more.

After ten at night, her mother was asleep. Xi Tang put on a jacket and went downstairs to find Ni Kai Lun.

Ni Kai Lun was on the phone in her room.

Xi Tang entered and sat cross-legged on the sofa in her room, overhearing her conversation with the company’s big boss: “I’ve put in a word, but it probably won’t help much. Tang Ya Song doesn’t respond to that sort of thing.”

Whatever Master Thirteen said on the other end, Ni Kai Lun bluntly replied: “She’s just a young girl, what more do you want? Even the most popular actresses have gone, and this year’s new Best Actress has obediently cooperated with the audition.”

Ni Kai Lun had originally planned to accompany her to the film company tomorrow. Xi Tang, concerned, persuaded her to rest at home. Dr. Xie said she still needed more rest. During this period, because of Ni Kai Lun’s pregnancy, Xi Tang often called Xie Zhen Bang for consultation. For her sake, Xie Zhen Bang had relearned all the obstetrics and gynecology knowledge he had acquired during his rotation, effectively transforming a kidney specialist into an obstetrician.

Looking from her angle, Xi Tang could see that Ni Kai Lun, wearing a loose top, already had a slightly rounded belly. How miraculous—this fierce career woman was about to become a mother.

When the pregnancy was discovered, Xi Tang knew she wasn’t without hesitation. Ni Kai Lun was thirty-eight this year, at the peak of her career—a top executive at a major domestic entertainment company, traveling twenty days a month, working over fourteen hours daily, holding life-or-death power over all the company’s artists. To suddenly change her lifestyle and hit the brakes, she didn’t feel ready.

But her age was right, and suddenly she wanted a child.

Xi Tang asked: “Does he know?”

Ni Kai Lun answered: “It’s none of his business.”

“You should at least tell him.”

“He already has three children with his ex-wife. He doesn’t plan to have more children. We don’t have a relationship; this was just an accident.”

That was the only time she mentioned the child’s father.

“What do your parents think?”

“My parents are divorced and have both formed new families. Xi Tang, this is my own life.”

Xi Tang went back and told her mother, who specially came downstairs, held Ni Kai Lun’s hand, and repeatedly comforted her: “Miss Ni if you want to have the baby, don’t be afraid. As long as my health permits, Kai Lun, I’ll help you raise it.”

She spoke while tears streamed down her face.

Xi Tang wiped her mother’s tears, then began crying herself.

Ni Kai Lun looked at the mother and daughter. She knew why they were crying, and it was at that moment she decided to keep the child.

After finishing her call, Ni Kai Lun beckoned to her: “Why did you come down?”

Xi Tang looked somewhat anxious: “I’m a little nervous.”

Ni Kai Lun glared at her with an exasperated expression: “After spending years in Hengdian, what could be scarier than that?”

Xi Tang pouted miserably: “This is a real big-name director. I’ve never worked with someone like that before.”

Ni Kai Lun encouraged her: “No matter how great the director is, are his camera lenses some kind of demon-revealing mirrors? Just act your part, regardless of who he is.”

Xi Tang grinned.

Ni Kai Lun said: “Come here.”

Xi Tang walked over, lay on the bed, and gently rested her face on Ni Kai Lun’s thigh.

Ni Kai Lun stroked her hair: “Tired?”

Xi Tang shook her head: “As long as I have a role to play, I’m not afraid.”

Xi Tang leaned over to touch her belly: “How’s the baby?”

Ni Kai Lun smiled tenderly: “Very good.”

Ni Kai Lun pinched her cheek: “Did Dr. Xie call you on Christmas?”

Xi Tang nodded: “We arranged to have dinner after the New Year’s work is done, but now it has to be postponed until after the audition.”

Ni Kai Lun said: “When you have time, spend more time with your boyfriend. Don’t be afraid of photographers. Just deny everything if needed, as long as you two have agreed on it. Relationships need to be maintained.”

Xi Tang lowered her eyes and said quietly: “He’s not my boyfriend.”

Ni Kai Lun didn’t argue with her.

Xi Tang clung to her: “Mommy when the baby is born, can it be my godson?”

Ni Kai Lun immediately countered: “Won’t you have one of your own someday?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Ni Kai Lun suddenly remembered something. Her expression softened as she secretly glanced at Huang Xi Tang.

Xi Tang, however, continued to laugh carefreely: “Anyway, since you’re not finding him a father, what’s wrong with having one more mommy?”

Ni Kai Lun readily agreed: “Alright then, he’ll take care of both of us in our old age.”

Ni Kai Lun made light of the situation. Xi Tang wore blue coarse cotton pants and a white shirt, with almost no makeup, and brought only her assistant A Kuan to the audition.

Don’t underestimate this shirt—she had tried on at least two dozen yesterday before selecting this one.

As soon as she entered the actors’ waiting room, she found a group of people chattering inside and recognized several familiar faces.

Zhang Zhi Yin was also there, wearing an immaculate white dress paired with vivid red lips, looking exceptionally beautiful, surrounded by several assistants and makeup artists.

There were also other young women in the room, huddled together whispering. All were strikingly attractive, though unfamiliar faces—probably students from arts academies. Each girl checked her makeup in the large mirror every five minutes.

Regardless of fame, all competed on equal ground—the entertainment industry was truly ruthless.

Xi Tang sat in a chair by the door when suddenly it was pushed open and a young man in a suit walked in. Xi Tang looked up, and the man paused for a second, greeting her with slight surprise: “Miss Huang?”

Xi Tang thought his face looked familiar but couldn’t immediately recall who he was. She could only stand up and bow slightly: “Hello.”

The handsome young man smiled gracefully before being surrounded by staff and led away.

As they passed the audition waiting room, they heard Zhang Zhi Yin call out coquettishly, “Young Master Hu—” Xi Tang looked over and saw Zhang Zhi Yin flutter like a light butterfly to the man’s arm, clinging tightly. The man frivolously pinched Zhang Zhi Yin’s face: “Darling, you’re getting more beautiful.”

The surrounding group of girls immediately displayed expressions of envy and jealousy.

A Kuan, hovering nearby, suddenly said: “Oh, isn’t that the young master of Hua Film?”

Xi Tang had now remembered who he was.

She vexedly pinched her arm. If Ni Kai Lun knew how forgetful she’d been, she would surely kill her.

Xi Tang whispered to her assistant: “Don’t tell Kai Lun we saw him when we get back.”

A Kuan asked, puzzled: “Why not?”

Before Xi Tang could persuade or threaten A Kuan, she saw a door open and the executive director walk out. The girls all stood up, and the man said gruffly: “Director Tang has arrived. Everyone, go wash your faces and prepare to come in.”

The man turned back and added: “Those wearing makeup need not enter.”

The makeup room suddenly fell completely silent.

Hu Shao Lei made his way through, checking the audition preparations. He then went upstairs to his office.

After graduating and returning to China before the New Year, his father had directly placed him in the group, overseeing investment and film operations.

For this film, Hua Film was both the production company and investor. For the female lead role in Tang Ya Song’s new film, women throughout the entertainment industry who were even remotely age-appropriate were fighting tooth and nail. Various forces competed, and since the director himself was a big shot who would refuse unsuitable roles, the final decision remained pending.

Everyone came to greet him, with connections from all sides.

Hu Shao Lei didn’t want to wade into these troubled waters. He had no interest in offending various important figures and planned to leave the decision to Tang Ya Song.

Hu Shao Lei entered the company office. Less than an hour later, his secretary knocked and entered: “Young Master Hu, Director Tang has finished and requests your presence.”

Hu Shao Lei smiled: “Tell him I’m busy right now. Let Director Tang decide, just submit it for approval.”

The secretary nodded understandingly.

Hu Shao Lei asked: “How were the audition results?”

The secretary presented a stack of materials. Hu Shao Lei said: “Fine, you may go now.”

Hu Shao Lei took the documents, walked to the sofa, had a sip of water, and flipped through them with his legs crossed. Suddenly, he saw a face—completely bare, without a trace of makeup, making her features very clear: a round little face, long eyebrows, delicate and soft features, but with an upturned nose that conveyed a sense of intensity and stubbornness. Such a beautiful girl was unforgettable.

Hu Shao Lei walked to the door. His secretary was making an outgoing call and immediately stood up upon seeing him.

Hu Shao Lei said: “Xiao Qi, wait a moment.”