Chapter 80: Competing for the Role

Gao Yuanyuan had originally thought that this year would be one where she would reap a double harvest in both her career and love life.

At the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year, the film she starred in, *Beijing Bicycle*, helped Wang Xiaoshuai win Best Director in one fell swoop, which seemed like a good result.

Who would have known that because the film was banned, even though it won the Silver Bear in Berlin, the one who benefited was Wang Xiaoshuai, and for the actors, including her, the boost was not significant.

Even when people in the industry mentioned her, their first reaction was: Who is Gao Yuanyuan? Only after being reminded would they realize, "Oh, so she's that 'kissing' girl."

Yes, the boost the film gave her was not even as great as a single commercial for Qingzui mints.

The big screen is truly hard to break into!

In May, she took on a small supporting role in a film, which was starred in by that... bitch Xu.

I really didn't expect that even with so many boyfriends, she could still do such a filthy thing.

A double failure in career and love!

These past few days, facing setbacks and difficulties, Gao Yuanyuan lacked the courage to confront them; instead, she numbed herself in self-pity, making herself even more depressed.

She didn't want to go anywhere, didn't want to do anything; whatever career, whatever love, it was all just bullshit that made no sense.

She even turned down several commercial shoots and an audition for a film.

The phone was ringing again.

Gao Yuanyuan glanced at it, too lazy to answer; let it ring.

She pulled out a tissue to wipe away the tears flowing down, watching the movie playing on her computer: Li Xiaoran first shook her head, then nodded, her face showing a mischievous smile that quickly faded, becoming desolate, "He said he's already married, told me to forget him, so let's punish him by making him go bald."

"Let's punish him by making him go bald!"

Gao Yuanyuan burst into a laugh, tears streaming down; laughing and crying at the same time, she whispered, "Let's punish him by making him go bald!"

Then, as Li Xiaoran on the computer gazed into the distance, her expression gradually becoming dazed, she murmured as if in a dream, "I wonder, will he miss me as much as I miss him?"

Gao Yuanyuan could no longer hold it back; she let out a wail and collapsed onto the table, sobbing loudly.

The phone rang once again.

Everyone is fucking making things worse; the whole world is against me!

Gao Yuanyuan sobbed, the grievance in her heart turning into a rage that burned brighter and brighter; no matter whose phone it was, let's see if I don't curse you to death today!

She snatched the phone up, as if dealing with the most hateful person in the world, pressed the answer button, ready to spew out some very "cultured" language, and then smash the phone to vent her anger.

"Is this Miss Gao Yuanyuan? Director Cao has a role he'd like you to..."

At this moment, all of Gao Yuanyuan's rage and all her artistic language got stuck in her throat, and she swallowed it down with force.

"Hello, hello, the signal isn't very good here, I'm sorry, I didn't hear clearly what you said just now, could you say it again?"

Gao Yuanyuan hurriedly wiped her tears while trying to speak in the gentlest tone possible, though her throat was a bit hoarse from crying, making it sound unpleasant.

"Is this Miss Gao Yuanyuan?"

"Yes, it is."

"I am Cheng Jianye, the producer for Director Cao Yang. Director Cao has an important role in his new film and would like you to audition for it. Do you have time?"

"Yes, I have..."

Gao Yuanyuan said quickly: "Hello, Producer Cheng, I have time whenever. When is the audition with Director Cao?"

"Tomorrow at ten in the morning. I'll send you an address in a moment. Try not to be late; Director Cao hates people who aren't punctual."

"Okay, Producer Cheng, I promise I won't be late. Thank you, Producer Cheng."

After hanging up, Gao Yuanyuan was stunned for a moment, staring blankly at the phone. Habitually, she reached for a tissue to wipe her tears, but only when the tissue touched her skin did she realize there were no tears left.

Immediately, she kicked her slippers off. Screw it, to hell with love or whatever; career, career, I'm going to focus on my career!

The next day, Gao Yuanyuan followed the address and arrived more than an hour early. She had been so dazed yesterday that she hadn't asked Cheng Jianye for details, so she didn't even know what role she was auditioning for, let alone how to prepare.

She hadn't slept well all night, having many dreams, waking up crying twice and laughing twice.

She felt her state was truly terrible and prayed for a good result.

Just as Gao Yuanyuan was feeling anxious, she saw the door to the audition room open. "Jin Suo" came out, not forgetting to smile and bow slightly as she said to the room: "Goodbye, Director Cao, I look forward to working with you."

Youthful, beautiful, spirited, and infinitely charming.

This was Gao Yuanyuan's assessment of Fatty Bing at that moment.

She just didn't know if they were auditioning for the same role; the competition was strong.

"Gao Yuanyuan? Come with me."

A staff member said to Gao Yuanyuan.

Gao Yuanyuan took a deep breath, her smile somewhat stiff as she said "Thank you." She knew her state was poor and felt increasingly nervous and uneasy.

"Gao Yuanyuan, you can do it."

!

After cheering herself on, Gao Yuanyuan followed the staff member into the audition room.

"Hello, Director Cao. Hello, everyone."

As soon as she entered, Gao Yuanyuan greeted them quickly. She then observed that there were six people in the room, and then saw a middle-aged woman walk out from an inner suite—seven people now. She was so nervous.

"Yuanyuan, long time no see."

Cao Yang greeted her with a smile. Cheng Jianye was right; Gao Yuanyuan's mental state was indeed not very good, and she was noticeably thinner this time.

Her eyes revealed helplessness and exhaustion, with a hint of bloodshot, clearly the result of poor sleep and heartbreak during this period.

Aside from her face looking slightly youthful, this mental state actually met Cao Yang's requirements.

"Teacher Huang, give her a styling. Make her look more capable and mature."

Cao Yang thought for a moment and added to the stylist: "The main thing is maturity. It would be best if, at first glance, people get the impression that this is a married woman living a very affluent life."

He then said to Gao Yuanyuan: "Let Teacher Huang design a hairstyle for you and change your clothes. Don't be nervous, and don't worry about how to audition later. What I value is the look; if it meets my requirements, nothing else matters."

Gao Yuanyuan breathed a sigh of relief, bowed slightly to Cao Yang, and said: "Okay, thank you, Director Cao."

"Follow me."

Teacher Huang beckoned to Gao Yuanyuan and led her inside.

Cao Yang looked at the interview notes for the day. Fatty Bing was indeed very charismatic, with delicate and three-dimensional features, a beautiful and smooth face shape, full of femininity, and very photogenic.

But after this woman signed with Huayi Brothers, her heart became strong and indifferent to worldly affairs—well, in other words, she let go.

If they had met a year earlier, when she was at her most confused and helpless, she could have played this role.

Now, it was a bit unsuitable.

Thinking of the call he received this morning from Gong Li, who was also probing about the film.

Cao Yang was a bit puzzled. Wasn't she going to film *Zhou Yu's Train*? Wouldn't the schedules clash?

And there was International Zhang, who not only had Zhang Yimou call to put in a good word but also called personally to ask about the role, almost explicitly saying that as long as she could get this role, she would be willing to pay any price.

Aren't you filming *Hero*? How can you have the nerve to ask me to wait for you?

(End of chapter)