Chapter 15: Crushing Power

“It’s a major IP, the novel alone has millions of devoted readers. I’ve managed to get you an audition for the third female lead. Though she’s a villain, the role is substantial and stands out. If you can land this part, it’ll take your career to the next level.”

Given her current situation, it must have taken considerable effort for her to secure such an audition for this third female lead.

Yun Fu’s eyes flickered for a moment. She replied softly, “Thank you, Sister Qiao.”

This left Qiao An momentarily at a loss.

“Oh, it’s nothing, really. It’s what I should do. By the way, the audition is the day after tomorrow. I’ll come pick you up then.”

“Alright.” Yun Fu immediately sent Qiao An an address.

Two days later, Qiao An followed the address Yun Fu had given her, growing more and more incredulous as she went. The houses around here, though not in the city’s most opulent district, were far from cheap. How could Yun Fu be living here?

Lost in thought, she spotted a figure approaching in the distance.

Swallowing her questions, Qiao An fell into step beside Yun Fu as the two headed to the audition venue.

The place was already crowded with people, all immaculately dressed and made up. In contrast, Yun Fu, with her bare face, seemed completely out of place.

Yet with a face like hers, the moment she appeared, she was the center of attention.

All the actresses in the room changed expressions at once, gritting their teeth in secret—she was clearly a formidable rival.

As eyes fixed on Yun Fu, even Qiao An, standing behind her, felt like a lamb thrown into a pack of wolves, unnerved by the atmosphere.

Yun Fu, however, strode forward with her long legs, her steps lazy yet powerful, and casually settled onto an empty bench. She pulled out a baseball cap, tugged it over her head, crossed her arms, and closed her eyes.

Such arrogance was rare.

She exuded an intimidating energy that warned others not to provoke her. At this moment, only Yun Fu and Qiao An were in this corner.

But the quiet was soon broken.

“Qiao An, you’ve brought someone for the audition too?”

At the sight of the newcomer, Qiao An’s face changed. She nodded, unwilling to say more.

The woman, however, pressed on. “I heard you were let go by the company? And now you’re managing Yun Fu?”

“With her like this, you’re hoping she’ll get the role of Qian Xuan?” Qian Xuan was the third female lead in “Stunning Radiance.”

A woman dressed in black emerged from behind her, her hair and features icy cold, her presence rebellious—very much in line with Qian Xuan’s character.

“Oh, and Weiwei used to be your artist, didn’t she? She’s been doing well lately, even landed an endorsement with L Company.”

At these words, the room buzzed with whispers. Yu Weiwei came from a privileged background and now had an L Company endorsement; she was highly likely to win the role.

Many felt a sense of defeat before the battle had even begun.

Qiao An felt the same way.

Seeing her pale face, Song Tingfang looked exceedingly pleased.

“So noisy.” Yun Fu opened her eyes, pushed up the brim of her cap, and her sleep-deprived, bloodshot eyes flashed like cold steel.

“Yun Fu?” Song Tingfang looked at the young woman before her, mildly surprised. She’d known Yun Fu was beautiful, but beauty alone didn’t guarantee success in this industry.

But this time, Yun Fu had changed—there was a new, dangerous edge to her, an unintentional magnetism.

Moreover, her aura seemed to clash with Yu Weiwei’s.

“Noisy.”

“Yun Fu, is this how you speak to me?”

Yun Fu raised her head slightly, her tone as indifferent as ever. “Who are you?”

“You—!”

Song Tingfang wanted to say more, but Yu Weiwei stopped her. “Let it go, Sister Fang. Don’t stoop to her level.”

“That’s right, this role is yours anyway. People like her, hmph!”

With that, Song Tingfang and Yu Weiwei swept out, heads held high.

As they left, whispers filled the room.

“This role is practically Yu Weiwei’s already. She’s changed agents, and the company’s backing her.”

“Exactly. Look at them. They even dared to offend Song Tingfang after being kicked out by Starshine.”

“Who doesn’t know Song Tingfang is a famous manager at Starshine? She must have nerves of steel to dare go up against her.”

Qiao An’s expression grew uglier by the minute.

She wanted to say something, but seeing Yun Fu’s impatient look, she swallowed her words.

Forget it—perhaps there’s still a chance.

Soon, it was time to line up for the audition.

Qiao An had gotten Yun Fu number 17 out of over thirty people—a pretty good spot.

“Numbers 15 to 17, please come in for your audition.”

Qiao An patted Yun Fu. “Just do your best.” Yun Fu rose unhurriedly, glanced at her, and, with an air of indifference, strode toward the room.

Just then, she saw Yu Weiwei heading in as well. Qiao An’s heart skipped a beat—Yu Weiwei was holding number 18.

“You’ll all perform this segment.” The staff handed each of them a slip of paper with the audition scene and lines.

Yun Fu glanced at it briefly before tucking it into her pocket.

The assistant director frowned. “Did you memorize it?” He clearly disliked those who thought good looks alone would make them stars.

Yun Fu nodded lazily.

“Alright, you go first.” He turned to Yu Weiwei. “Weiwei, you’ll read with her.”

The assistant director knew Yu Weiwei, and the other three actresses all lost hope.

“Alright.”

The third female lead was a richly drawn character—if played well, she could become iconic.

The scene was a confrontation between two people.

Both exuded a cold aura, but Yun Fu’s had an added hint of wild danger.

“Begin.”

In that instant, everyone in the room felt as if they were standing atop a snowy mountain, witnessing a brutal storm.

The once languid girl now had eyes tinged with blood, radiating a biting chill and violent energy.

Yu Weiwei, locked in that gaze, couldn’t utter a word.

Her knees nearly gave out.

Yun Fu recited the lines from the slip, every word, every nuance, delivered with perfect precision.

“Bravo! Bravo!” The assistant director sprang to his feet, exhilarated. “That’s exactly the Qian Xuan I imagined!”

Crushed!

That was the thought on everyone’s mind. With just a look, Yun Fu left the rest in the dust.

Yu Weiwei’s face was deathly pale.

She had lost before even performing.