Drama Queen Reborn as a Top Student!
Chapter 66 - 045 Divining with Fingers (2nd Update)_3

Chapter 66: 045 Divining with Fingers (2nd Update)_3

Just as Qi Baotan was hesitating, a cool, clear voice fell beside her ear.

"Do you know the whole poem?"

Qi Baotan turned her head. Shen You’an leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, Bluetooth earphones on, looking lazily carefree.

Qi Baotan hesitated for a moment. "I think I can."

She had always had a good memory since she was little.

"During the audition later, recite the entire poem. Make sure to add some emotion to it."

Qi Baotan froze for a moment and asked uncertainly, "Will that... really work?"

Shen You’an raised her eyebrow. "Why don’t you try and find out?"

Qi Baotan pressed her lips together and soon broke into a smile. "I’ll listen to you, An’an."

Shen You’an chuckled and lowered her head again.

In her previous life, Shen You’an had been brought to a dinner by He Qian, where Director Cen Shu was present—a bit out of place amidst the crowd of investors.

An investor had persistently forced her to drink, his hand roaming inappropriately. The then-naive Shen You’an had slapped him hard across the face.

The investor was infuriated and tried to retaliate, but Director Cen Shu intervened and helped her out of the situation.

He even recited a poem on the spot to entertain the crowd.

Shen You’an still remembered that poem to this day.

"Dressed splendidly, falcon in hand, one strolls vainly, airs so grand.

Unmindful of the toil of the land, the olden kings mean naught—how bland."

Ironically, those investors thought Director Cen Shu was praising them.

But Cen Shu had simply borrowed the ancient verse to scorn them as a bunch of self-indulgent, gluttonous layabouts. Even more ironic was that none of them understood the mockery.

Afterward, due to this incident, Shen You’an was blacklisted by her company. Much, much later, she accidentally found out that Director Cen Shu had proposed her for the lead role in his new film, but the company transferred the opportunity to another newcomer from the same agency.

That newcomer exploded into stardom through the role, her worth skyrocketing, ultimately becoming the most promising young actress.

The reason was nothing more than the newcomer’s willingness—willing to cater to He Qian’s whims, even to the point of sacrificing herself...

Director Cen Shu had initially disapproved of the newcomer but was ultimately forced to yield to capital pressures.

As for the stubborn Shen You’an, she was left to languish in obscurity, never seeing the light of day again.

She could never forget the newcomer’s arrogant demeanor backstage at an event post-stardom, her slip of the tongue revealing the truth in a moment of verbal carelessness.

At that time, Shen You’an had already lost hope for the industry altogether, yet Cen Shu, who had once shown her favor and recognition, remained an exceptional presence in her heart.

Reflecting on it, despite the plethora of injustices and darkness in her previous life, there were still glimpses of undeniable warmth.

A fragment of her dream flickered in her mind: a rainy cemetery, a melancholic and gaunt man...

Shen You’an pressed her lips tightly and dismissed the stray thoughts from her head.

"An’an, it’s my turn. I’m going in first."

Shen You’an smiled. "Good luck. You can do it. Believe in yourself."

Qi Baotan took a deep breath, suddenly hugged Shen You’an, then turned and ran off.

"Hello, are you also here for the audition?" A voice, as clear and melodious as the singing of an oriole, rang by her ear.

Shen You’an squinted slightly, turning to look.

Her pupils contracted imperceptibly.

The person she had just reminisced about in her mind was now standing right before her.

Shen You’an found it quite marvelous.

The girl in front looked about sixteen or seventeen, with elegantly arched brows, large almond-shaped eyes, a small cherry-like mouth—her classical beauty was captivating.

When she spoke, her expressive brows and gentle demeanor radiated warmth and endearing charm.

Duan Yingfu noticed that the girl was staring straight at her, her gaze containing an emotion she couldn’t decipher. For some reason, it instinctively filled her with dread.

Touching her cheek, Duan Yingfu instinctively asked, "Am I... do I look scary?"

Shen You’an raised an eyebrow with a slight chuckle. "Not at all. You’re quite pretty."

Duan Yingfu’s face lit up with a shy smile. "But I’m still no match for the girl who was just with you."

Shen You’an responded impassively, "Naturally."

Duan Yingfu hadn’t expected such bluntness and looked visibly uncomfortable.

Shen You’an noticed the role card clenched in Duan Yingfu’s hand—it was identical to Qi Baotan’s, featuring only one poem from the Mulan Poem.

If Duan Yingfu had been standing behind her all this time, then she must have overheard her conversation with Qi Baotan.

Shen You’an smiled faintly. Knowing the cheat code didn’t mean it was useful.

Duan Yingfu, someone who had slipped through the cracks of nine years of compulsory education, hadn’t even graduated middle school before entering society. If she could memorize the Mulan Poem, Shen You’an would write her name backward.

Soon, a staff member called Duan Yingfu to prepare for the audition. Duan Yingfu glanced at Shen You’an, pursed her lips, and quickly left.

Shen You’an stared at Duan Yingfu’s departing silhouette, lost in thought.

As she stepped further into the industry, she would encounter more and more familiar faces.

Yet this time, she was no longer the Shen You’an who could be trampled on at will.

Qi Baotan emerged with shimmering eyes and a joyful expression. "An’an, I met Director Cen Shu! He’s so nice—he smiled at me, praised my recital, and even asked me a few questions, which I answered honestly."

"That’s great. It’s getting late. Let’s go eat."

Just as Shen You’an was about to leave, Duan Yingfu walked over with a darkened expression.

Upon seeing Shen You’an, her eyes flickered with unease. She clenched her teeth, lowered her head, and quickly walked away.

Recalling the humiliating moment earlier, she felt like breaking down in tears.

After managing to recite the opening lines, she couldn’t continue. In that instant, she had wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.

Director Cen Shu said nothing; the staff promptly kicked her out.

If she hadn’t recited the poem, maybe she’d still have stood some chance.

This had been a hard-fought audition opportunity, squandered just like that.

The thought made her seethe with fury.

"That girl is truly peculiar," Qi Baotan muttered softly.

Shen You’an chuckled. "Let’s go. Time to celebrate early."

Qi Baotan instantly shifted her attention. "An’an, won’t it be embarrassing if I don’t get picked?"

"I predict this role is yours—no contest."

Shen You’an revealed an enigmatic smile.

Qi Baotan was thoroughly amused. "Then An’an, help me predict when I’ll win Best Actress."

"Within ten years."

"Haha! An’an, I’ll hold you to that! If I don’t snag Best Actress by then, I’ll come claim it from you."

"No problem."

The two joked and laughed as they walked away.

Luuo Yunqi then turned around, her gaze darkening as she stared at their retreating backs.

She had followed Liang Ruofan here, only to discover that he was attending an audition.

The staff, mistaking her for an auditioning actress, registered her and handed her a role card.

Luuo Yunqi clenched the card tightly, her mood soured by the pair’s jovial interactions earlier.

"Number 18, Luuo Yunqi."

The staff called out twice. Luuo Yunqi snapped back to attention and hurriedly raised her hand.

"Here."

"Prepare yourself; you’re up next."

Luuo Yunqi lifted her chin slightly, placed her hands elegantly above her waist, and strode forward gracefully.

Fate had led her here—not to be defeated.

~

During dinner, Qi Baotan suddenly said, "I think I saw Liang Ruofan earlier. Could he be the male lead for this movie?"

Shen You’an replied coolly, "No."

"Huh? An’an, can you actually predict these things?"

"That’s Liang Ruofan we’re talking about..."

Shen You’an set down her chopsticks and calmly wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Director Cen Shu isn’t interested in him."

In her previous life, Director Cen Shu didn’t cast a famous actor for the male lead in this movie but chose a newcomer instead. History proved his eye for talent to be remarkably astute.

Of course, Shen You’an thought her rebirth might trigger a butterfly effect, potentially altering this round’s casting decisions.

Qi Baotan scrutinized Shen You’an curiously and suddenly remarked, "An’an, you seem to know Director Cen Shu very well. Could it be that you actually know him?"

"I’m just a nobody. Director Cen Shu definitely wouldn’t know me. Don’t waste food. I’m keeping an eye on you until you finish."

Qi Baotan’s attention was once again successfully diverted by Shen You’an.