After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety
Chapter 171: Triumphs and Setbacks

Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Triumphs and Setbacks

The main actors in the theater group were following the director to organize the script, while the other supporting actors were not idle either.

Some were learning Dayin Dynasty etiquette, some were practicing the ancient way of walking, sitting, and speaking, and some even needed to learn some martial arts. Instructors bustled about, making the entire training hall very lively.

Jiang Xiyu sat in a corner holding a cup and resting, but in fact, she was looking at her phone. In front of her, Xiao Tao diligently guarded against the gazes of others while gently persuading anyone who wanted to rest in that area to leave.

Until someone in the training hall shouted through a loudspeaker: "Is actress Jiang Xiyu, who plays Qing Yuan, here?"

The spacious hall immediately quieted down at the shout, and people stopped training, looking at each other, unsure of what had happened.

Xiao Tao was also taken aback. Seeing the theater crew member who shouted having a team leader badge on their chest, she quickly and tremblingly raised her hand and replied with a shaky voice, "Here, here."

At the same time, she couldn’t care less about being scolded and used her other hand to push Jiang Xiyu’s shoulder.

Jiang Xiyu was engrossed in playing on her phone; being pushed, she impatiently said, "What?" and looked up instinctively.

Then she met numerous pairs of eyes staring back at her in the hall.

Startled for a moment, her first reaction was to hand her phone to Xiao Tao.

Though she was annoyed by the tedious and dull training and wanted to laze in the corner, she had no hobby of being lazy in front of so many people.

She lightly coughed, then stood up as if nothing had happened, "I was just replying to a message, why are you all looking at me?"

No matter whether the person who came to notify believed it or not, they acted as if they hadn’t seen anything.

After all, she had been promoted from the supporting actor group to the main actor group, and as a small staff member, it was best not to provoke her.

So they spoke pleasantly, "You are Teacher Jiang Xiyu, right?"

"Yes, that’s me."

"It’s like this, I’ve come over to notify you to be in the meeting room next door for a script reading at nine o’clock sharp tomorrow morning."

With that, the hall suddenly buzzed. Someone practicing the guqin accidentally plucked a string and forgot to suppress it, causing a buzzing sound that matched the bewildered state of those present.

What’s going on here?

Most actors present weren’t newcomers, so they knew that only directors and a few main creators could participate in a script reading. As for them, even if they combined all their lines, they would barely fill a page, so there was no need for them to attend a script reading.

Thinking through this, the gaze they cast towards Jiang Xiyu was filled with a mix of complexity and envy.

How did she get so lucky?

Someone couldn’t help but feel disheartened, asking from the back of the crowd, "Is it only Teacher Jiang Xiyu?"

But before others could light up with hope, the staff member nodded, "Yes."

Finally processing the situation, Jiang Xiyu couldn’t help but laugh despite being under numerous complex and envious gazes, "Thank you for coming over to inform me, I will be there on time tomorrow morning."

Truly a turn of events, good thing she held onto this role.

Though she’s still playing a supporting role for Jiang Lingxi, at least now she’s classified among the lead actors. When the drama is broadcast, the opening and closing credits will separately feature her introduction.

Perhaps the scenes for Qing Yuan’s character might be increased as well.

That would extend her time in the drama group, which is beneficial for her in finding what she needs from Jiang Lingxi.

From any angle, it’s a good thing.

Receiving envious gazes from everyone, Jiang Xiyu surprisingly did not mind Xiao Tao pushing her earlier and left the training hall in a leisurely manner with her.

From now on, her status was entirely different from the actors in the hall!

There’s no need to stay here then.

*

Han Jiaojiao returned to the rented house under the moonlight, and as soon as she entered the door, she smelled the rich aroma of food. Looking up, she saw four dishes and one soup steaming hot on the dining table, far better than the box lunches distributed by the group during the day.

In the past, she would have cheered, washed her hands eagerly, and sat at the table ready to eat, but today, thinking about the news she heard from the group not long ago, she couldn’t bring herself to smile.

Pei Xinyuan came out of the small kitchen with a plate of cold dishes, smiling when she saw Han Jiaojiao, "You timed it just right, the meal is just done as you came back. Go wash your hands and bring two pairs of chopsticks."

Han Jiaojiao took a deep breath, trying to appear more relaxed, nodded and quietly headed to do so.

But the depression in her heart wasn’t so easily dissipated.

She absentmindedly took a few bites, and Pei Xinyuan quickly noticed something was off, handing her a piece of her favorite scallion braised pork ribs and asked with a smile, "What’s wrong, did you get scolded by the teacher at the group?"

She knew her roommate went to the group for preliminary training, and she was full of energy when she returned yesterday and excited this morning. The only thing she could think of was perhaps getting criticized by the teacher for poor performance.

"I wish it was just a scolding, it’s..." Han Jiaojiao started but words got stuck in her throat when she met Pei Xinyuan’s gentle and concerned eyes, "Let’s finish eating first, I’ll tell you after we’re done."

Right now, she couldn’t bring herself to eat, but if she spoke now, neither of them would be able to eat.

After finishing the meal, Han Jiaojiao scrambled to wash the dishes. Coming out from the small kitchen, she spotted a suitcase in the living room, with Pei Xinyuan packing clothes, and slapped her forehead, "I almost forgot, you’re joining the group tomorrow."

She hesitated while washing the dishes on whether to delay telling her, but now she realized she couldn’t avoid it.

"Yeah, tomorrow we’ll finally be able to go together."

Han Jiaojiao squatted beside Pei Xinyuan, suddenly reached out, and hugged her shoulders.

Pei Xinyuan’s hand paused in folding clothes due to her action, "Now that we’ve finished eating, tell me what’s happening."

"It’s... it’s just..." Han Jiaojiao gritted her teeth, "Today the group issued a new notice, the role of Qing Yuan has been promoted to a main actor. Xinyuan, you..."

"So that’s what you wanted to say. That role hasn’t been mine for a while, no need to be so hesitant."

Han Jiaojiao looked sideways and met Pei Xinyuan’s smiling face, relieved, "I’m glad you think so."

"Alright, alright," Pei Xinyuan pulled Han Jiaojiao up and pushed her towards the bedroom, "You’ve had a long day, go back and rest."

Before entering, Han Jiaojiao checked Pei Xinyuan’s face again, then closed the door to her bedroom.

Pei Xinyuan stood at the door for quite a while before quietly returning to the suitcase, looking at the neatly packed luggage, slowly squatting down and covering her face.

It was her opportunity, how could she not care!