Chapter 2314 - 37: Three Years Later – Encountering the White Lotus Again (7)

Director Li’s gaze swept over everyone, and he first used English to thank them for coming to audition.

"Mm... it’s time to announce the result... I’m honored to welcome you to the team, Miss Gu Xiran."

Director Li slowly walked up to Gu Xiran and gracefully extended his large hand.

Wow...

Manager Ping off to the side was practically boiling over with excitement.

Gu Xiran was a bit caught off guard by the favor; weighing it carefully, she actually didn’t think her performance had been that outstanding—at best, above average.

Gu Xiran’s lips curved up as she took the initiative to extend her small hand to shake Director Li’s big hand.

"The honor is mine."

Everyone present offered their congratulations to Gu Xiran, applauding one after another in respect.

Standing beside Gu Xiran, Song Le, on the other hand, blew her top.

"Director Li... this isn’t fair... Just now, Gu Xiran... didn’t she fail to grab the rope? She almost fell. That totally doesn’t fit the setting of the second female lead as a special agent."

After snapping like that, Song Le also realized she’d gotten a bit too emotional.

"Director Li, I really liked Xiran’s performance too, I just don’t quite understand your casting decision."

Hearing what Song Le said, the others started whispering among themselves in low voices.

Director Li waved his hand at the sight and let out a light chuckle.

"It’s fine... we’re just discussing the facts..."

"Everyone did very well today, really outstanding... But, compared to everyone else, Miss Gu added a layer of improvisation."

As he said this, Director Li picked up a copy of the script and addressed the group.

"In the script, the second female lead, as the team leader, leads her subordinates to rappel down the rope..."

"I don’t know if you noticed the opening lines: the environment was high winds..."

"Under normal strong wind conditions, it’s hard to ensure a steady descent... So because of the strong wind, Miss Gu not managing to hold on to the rope is entirely reasonable."

Hearing this, Song Le couldn’t help but argue back.

"But you can’t just take that as the only standard, right? What if... what if Gu Xiran just failed to grab it herself?"

"Miss Song, you were right behind Miss Gu just now, the closest to her. I wonder if you noticed that after Miss Gu grabbed the rope again, she warned you and the people behind you by saying, ’The wind is really strong, everyone be careful and move forward, hold on tight.’ That line."

Song Le: "..."

Just now, Song Le had been laser-focused on waiting to see Gu Xiran make a fool of herself, so naturally she hadn’t noticed that much.

Song Le’s expression turned rather ugly, while the other actresses were already clapping and congratulating without being able to help themselves.

Gu Xiran really deserved it...

With a smile at the corner of his mouth, Director Li glanced at Song Le and pressed his lips together as he spoke.

"Actually, Miss Song, Miss Gu fully immersed herself in the role. Even when something unexpected happened, she could still perform well. In fact, in that moment there was also room for you to improvise—you just didn’t seize the chance."

Hearing this, Song Le’s expression shifted slightly, not quite understanding.

"Just now... after Miss Gu slipped, the two of you were teammates. If you had taken the initiative to step up and support her, then switched to leading the team... then... I might have considered choosing you."

Song Le: "..."

Gu Xiran: "..."

Gu Xiran couldn’t help but marvel at how meticulous Director Li was when it came to casting.

Very few directors can go that far.

No wonder he’s an acclaimed director who’s won at the Oscars.

Gu Xiran was full of appreciation for Director Li...

Since Director Li had already spelled it out to this extent, Song Le naturally couldn’t say anything more. She could only brace herself, force a smile, and speak to Gu Xiran.

"Xiran, congratulations... you totally deserve it..."

"Mm, thanks."

With a polite smile, Gu Xiran looked at Song Le’s fake grin and said lightly,

"Strictly speaking, I owe it to you... Thank you for your help."

If Song Le hadn’t tried to sabotage her, she wouldn’t have suddenly improvised like that and then stood out among so many people.

Listening to Gu Xiran’s words, Song Le clenched her small hands in fury, as if she wanted to crush her own bones.

She was furious with herself...

Absolutely furious.

Trying to steal a chicken and ending up losing the rice.

...

After landing the role smoothly, Gu Xiran went back to the apartment alone; Manager Ping stayed behind to handle the follow-up paperwork.

Gu Xiran had just arrived at the apartment when she got a call from Jian Ran.

"Congratulations, Tang Bao."

"Mm, thanks, Mommy... I got lucky... the people who came to audition today were all really impressive."

Gu Xiran knew Jian Ran had her ear to the ground, so she pursed her lips and asked,

"Mommy, you and Daddy didn’t help out, did you?"

"Of course not... At most we just helped make the introduction. The outcome is fair."

Jian Ran has never been pretentious; if she arranged something, she’d just say so outright, never beating around the bush.

Hearing this, Gu Xiran quietly let out a breath of relief.

"Mm, thanks, Mommy... help me thank Daddy too."

"Silly girl, what’s there to thank him for? He knows a lot of the film will be shot back home. He just wants to use this as an excuse to get you to come back."

Gu Xiran: "..."

Got it.

Parents’ hearts are the same the world over.

Something in Gu Xiran’s chest tightened a little; in a flash, she realized it had already been three years since she last went back to China.

Gu Xiran’s lips lifted slightly; she sniffed and murmured, "Mm, once I graduate, I won’t leave after I go back. I’ll stay with you and Mommy every day."

"Silly girl..."

Jian Ran doted on Tang Bao immensely. She was the apple of her eye—so well?behaved and sensible, how could anyone not love her?

Jian Ran narrowed her phoenix eyes slightly. In fact... there was another important reason she’d helped Manager Ping and Tang Bao get introduced to this film: she hoped... that Tang Bao and Qin Jin could have some overlap.

Qin Jin had already been confirmed as the official military advisor hired for this film.