After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows-Chapter 143: Jiang Lingxi Doesn’t Seem to Be Acting

Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Jiang Lingxi Doesn’t Seem to Be Acting

"The general, after a hundred battles, dies..."

Five minutes later.

The audition hall returned to silence.

Wei Minmin turned her head to look at the audience, with a questioning expression.

Wei Xiao couldn’t help but raise his hand to wipe his face, nodding, "Good, that’s enough."

Before stepping off the stage, Wei Minmin glanced at Xu Qingmei, who finished the scene almost simultaneously with her.

It was the first time she had the opportunity to perform alongside this now-renowned senior in the entertainment industry, and she truly felt the other’s skill in acting and mastery of lines. Even if it was just a temporarily performed segment, it was still flawless.

However, she did not experience the kind of internal and external trembling sensation she felt when acting with Jiang Lingxi earlier.

That feeling was indescribable in words; perhaps it could only be experienced with Jiang Lingxi. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Xu Qingmei sensed Wei Minmin’s gaze and, thinking she was marveling at her acting, smiled and praised, "Minmin’s acting is quite good. I didn’t hold back in that scene, but I saw Minmin handled it with ease. Indeed, you deserve to be part of Wei’s family!"

With her status in the entertainment circle, she was fully qualified to comment on most people’s acting skills in the industry.

Hearing this, Wei Minmin couldn’t help but press her lips together.

The reason she was able to perform steadily in front of Xu Qingmei without being overshadowed by her acting was partly due to her own confidence, but also because she was still immersed in the emotions from the previous scene.

Even though Jiang Lingxi had long left her sight after the audition, she hadn’t fully withdrawn from it.

This time, performing the same segment inevitably allowed those lingering emotions to influence her.

Therefore, other people who might have been excited to hear such praise could hardly contain themselves, but she just modestly smiled, "Qingmei Sister, you’re overpraising."

Just as Xu Qingmei was about to gracefully step off the stage holding up her dress, Wei Xiao finally stopped his hand that had been drawing circles on paper and carefully looked at a name inside one of the circles, "Ms. Xu, please wait a moment."

Xu Qingmei paused in her steps.

She had noticed that other actors stayed on stage after auditions to receive a few comments; did she need to do the same?

In a deep voice, Wei Xiao said, "Ms. Xu, why not try the role of Empress Yide, Emperor Yuan Zhao’s biological mother?"

Xu Qingmei was stunned by this request.

Once she gathered her thoughts, the smile on her face faded a bit, "Empress Yide? What do you mean by this, Director Wei?"

Wei Xiao felt a little troubled but remained hopeful and patiently explained, "Empress Yide, Fu Qingshan, Emperor Yuan Zhao’s biological mother, was once a brave general’s daughter, and after entering the palace, she carried herself with imperial grace. Your audition earlier made me feel that this role might suit you better."

But Xu Qingmei didn’t feel consoled, "If I remember correctly, Fu Qingshan’s role is only the third female lead, even behind Wei Fuying."

"Ms. Xu, before you approached me, you should know that I, Wei Xiao, never cast actors based on status, but on whether the actor fits my roles."

Xu Qingmei narrowed her eyes, "So, Director Wei, have you found someone more suitable for the role of Jiang Yuanzhao than me?"

Wei Xiao said nothing, but to Xu Qingmei, his silence was an admission.

"I’m indeed curious, who is this dark horse?"

Wei Xiao slowly shook his head, "Before the key creative roles are finalized, I cannot disclose it."

Xu Qingmei slightly raised her head, "Then you can leave the role of Empress Yide for someone else, Director Wei."

She didn’t care whether the role was truly suitable for her as Wei Xiao said; she simply wouldn’t take it unless it was the leading female role.

Xu Qingmei had not returned to the country just to take a third female lead in a TV drama and be laughed at.

Swiftly, her graceful figure disappeared through the door, leaving silence in the audition hall.

Everyone had sensed the unpleasantness between Wei Xiao and Xu Qingmei just now.

After a while, unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere, Wei Minmin tiptoed over to Wei Xiao and softly called, "Uncle?"

Wei Xiao pinched the bridge of his nose and looked up at his niece, "I’m fine. In fact, when I asked Xu Qingmei that question, I guessed she wouldn’t agree."

But this was the work he poured his heart and soul into, so naturally, he wanted the actor he felt was most suitable to play the role.

Even if it meant feeling wronged by a last-minute change.

"Then," Wei Minmin glanced at the name surrounded by circles on the paper in front of him, "Uncle, does that mean you’re more inclined to cast Jiang Lingxi as the leading female role?"

"Yes." Wei Xiao had been reflecting on it for a long time. Since watching Jiang Lingxi’s audition, he had been pondering it, and until Xu Qingmei auditioned for the same segment, his heart leaned more towards Xu Qingmei, who he had initially favored.

But after witnessing Xu Qingmei’s audition, he couldn’t help but compare it with Jiang Lingxi’s earlier audition.

Indeed, Xu Qingmei’s acting prowess surpassed Jiang Lingxi’s, but sometimes, acting skill doesn’t represent everything, at least not this time.

He couldn’t explain it, but he knew that if he gave up on Jiang Lingxi and still chose Xu Qingmei, he would likely regret it.

"And you, what do you think?" Wei Xiao asked Wei Minmin in return.

Wei Minmin fiddled with her fingers, "Well, I also think Jiang Lingxi acted quite well. No, I think she wasn’t acting at all."

Wei Xiao never expected that he could gain such an epiphany from his niece.

He then looked at several professors sitting nearby, "Professors, between the two of them, who do you think fits the historical role of Emperor Yuan Zhao?"

The professors were usually engrossed in historical research and were oblivious to the popularity and status differences between Jiang Lingxi and Xu Qingmei within the circle.

Being asked for their opinion now, they discussed in low voices for a moment before the most senior professor replied, "In terms of age, the one who just left fits better. But we all agree that the young lady named Jiang Lingxi in front gave us a feeling that aligns more with the historical records of Emperor Yuan Zhao."

This conclusion undoubtedly reassured Wei Xiao, "Thank you, professors, for your opinions."

Wei Minmin couldn’t help but rejoice secretly, "Uncle, does this mean I can play Wei Fuying?"

If previously she just wanted to vie for the role of her cool and impressive ancestor, now she couldn’t wait to act opposite Jiang Lingxi again.

To avoid letting his niece become too pleased with herself, Wei Xiao splashed a bucket of cold water on her, "You’re not the only one auditioning for Wei Fuying. Your flaw is a lack of composure, and I still need to consider this."

Wei Minmin promptly stood straight, her face falling.

However, Wei Xiao wasn’t paying attention to her anymore, "We have some time before dinner, so let’s discuss the audition results of the other actors."

Although he almost had a decision about the female roles, regarding male roles, especially Shen Moqing, the most pivotal one, none of the male actors who came to audition today left him particularly satisfied!

"Let’s start with the role of Shen Moqing. Among the male actors who auditioned today, did any of them seem to fit the role, professors?"

"According to historical records, during Dayin Yuanzhao’s era, Prime Minister Shen Moqing, who came from an aristocratic family, was exceptionally talented and graceful, with remarkable looks and literary works, inspiring admiration from others. Later, rumors circulated that after Emperor Yuan Zhao’s passing, he didn’t actually die from illness but secluded himself to practice Taoism because it was said in the folklore that an immortal was seen, referring to him." The professor paused here, "Although the historical records might contain some exaggerations, it gives us a glimpse of this historical figure’s charisma. As for those who auditioned today," he slowly shook his head, "none can compare to Shen Moqing."

"However, there’s someone I know," before Wei Xiao’s eyes could light up, the professor shook his head again, "but he’s not an actor in your circle and probably doesn’t have time to act in a TV drama either."

Wei Xiao: "..."

Professor, you sure know how to keep someone in suspense!