Drama Queen Reborn as a Top Student!
Chapter 70 - 046 Shen You’an: She Must Be a Charlatan (First Update)_4

Chapter 70: 046 Shen You’an: She Must Be a Charlatan (First Update)_4

"H-Hello." Pu Yutai stammered as he spoke.

Liang Ruofan stared at that face. Did Director Cen pick him solely because of his face?

Looks good, sure—but dreaming of climbing up the ladder relying on your face alone? Keep dreaming!

Pu Yutai noticed Liang Ruofan glance at him briefly, say nothing, and then walk away.

He lowered his head in disappointment. He’s merely a server—how could he ever compare to Liang Ruofan?

In the end, it was nothing but his delusion. He might as well treat it like a dream and wake up from it.

Suddenly, a woman in high heels approached, walking with elegance, and knocked on the audition room door.

Pu Yutai gasped sharply.

Wasn’t that Ru Caiying? She used to be a super famous star when he was young. She was his father’s dream woman and, for a time, his youthful emotional and aesthetic awakening.

After receiving approval, Ru Caiying pushed open the door and stepped inside.

She cut straight to the point: "Director Cen, I want to know—where exactly did I fail?"

Cen Shu glanced at her with a sigh. "I’m sorry, Caiying..."

"I don’t want to hear apologies. Instead, let’s bring out that newcomer and let the two of us perform side by side. Let’s see whose acting skills are better and whose understanding of the role is deeper."

The investors’ representative, present at today’s audition, spoke up after hearing this: "Miss Ru, your acting skills are indeed strong—but that was over a decade ago. We all need to look forward. Why cling to past glories? Besides, your age is undeniably a factor now. Director Cen is giving you courtesy by not making things explicit, but here you are questioning him. I must say—I admire your courage."

Ru Caiying let out a cold laugh and retorted mercilessly: "Since when did clueless outsiders qualify to sit here pointing fingers? If you’re so capable, why don’t YOU direct?"

"You—You’re simply unreasonable!" Zhang Kui angrily slapped the table and cursed.

"Enough!" Director Cen’s voice interrupted sharply, "Mr. Zhang, let it go where it’s possible to let it go."

After replacing Caiying as the lead actress, the investors demanded that the male protagonist be changed to a big name for ticket sales. This was why Liang Ruofan had returned for today’s audition. After Liang Ruofan left, Zhang Kui had been pressuring Director Cen, urging him to abandon the newcomer and return to using Liang Ruofan.

Cen Shu was utterly frustrated. His film felt shackled, manipulated by outsiders, and swept away by capital influences—he was genuinely exasperated to no end.

At that moment, his phone rang abruptly. It wasn’t until Wu Yun reminded him that Cen Shu snapped out of his daze and glanced at the screen—an unfamiliar number.

Initially inclined to irritably hang up, Cen Shu, surprising even himself, answered on a whim.

After all, it couldn’t get any worse.

Whatever the person on the other side said left Cen Shu wide-eyed with disbelief. "You... you’re not joking with me, are you?"

"Alright, alright, I understand. I’ll head over right away."

After hanging up, Cen Shu stood frozen in place, caught in an inexplicable fog.

"Director Cen, what happened?"

Cen Shu said nothing, grabbed his coat, and walked out.

"Director Cen, what do you mean by this?" Zhang Kui rose and questioned.

Cen Shu let out a cold scoff, his face stern, and said, "I won’t let a bunch of outsiders dictate my film. I’ll choose the most fitting actors—and not just any random nobodies who get shoved in."

Zhang Kui erupted in fury. "Are you not afraid of the company pulling out its funding?"

"Go ahead and pull the funding if you have the guts. There’ll be investors with sharp insight. I refuse to believe otherwise."

Cen Shu took a few steps toward the door, then turned back to glance at Ru Caiying. "Caiying, come with me."

Ru Caiying froze, instinctively following him.

As Cen Shu stepped out of the room, he saw Pu Yutai sitting on the bench outside, staring blankly into space, and called out loudly, "You. Come with me."

Pu Yutai snapped out of his daze immediately and stood up.

Cen Shu led the two of them as they stormed out.

Zhang Kui called Zhao Mingtian, embellishing every detail of the recent events as he recounted.

"I think we have to pull the funding. Otherwise, he’ll never grasp the severity—he’ll keep thinking we’re joking with him. When there’s no funding left, let’s see how he plans to make his movie, and in the end, he’ll have no choice but to obediently cast Miss Yu, won’t he?"

Yu Jiarui—Miss Yu—was President Zhao’s favorite. The moment she expressed interest in a role, Zhao Mingtian agreed without hesitation.

Keeping Miss Yu happy was the top priority.

"That stubborn Cen—such a tough nut to crack. If he refuses to comply, then go ahead and pull the funding."

"Oh no, President Zhao, I really like this role..."

Zhang Kui’s body practically tingled as he heard a soft, coquettish voice.

No wonder she had such a grip on President Zhao’s heart—an absolute goddess.

"Don’t worry. The role is definitely yours. I’m just putting pressure on Cen Shu. Otherwise, he’ll never surrender until the bitter end."

What followed was no longer meant for Zhang Kui’s ears.

~

Cen Shu drove to the CBD center, navigating toward S Tower based on the address he received.

A skyscraper stood tall before him, its deep blue exterior blending the cold, sharp vibes of business with a uniquely modern design. Like a colossal giant, it loomed in the heart of the business district, showcasing unparalleled prestige.

At the top of the building, the words "Tianlu Bank" shone bright and striking—day or night.

Cen Shu wiped sweat from his brow, leading Ru Caiying and Pu Yutai inside.

Here, every individual passing by wore impeccably tailored suits—even the women carried themselves with a confident, professional aura, their outfits polished and precise.

As a renowned director, Cen Shu had visited many high-end establishments. He thought he could maintain composure, yet walking into this place made him feel like Granny Liu stepping into the Grand View Garden.

Ru Caiying was visibly uneasy, and Pu Yutai—well, he was so nervous his steps were clumsy and chaotic.

"So this is Tianlu Bank’s administrative building? Truly imposing in every sense."

Ru Caiying struggled to find words to describe the sights around her. Despite being an outgoing, glamorous superstar, she felt like a bumpkin in comparison.

A few suited men entered the elevator, squeezing Ru Caiying and Director Cen into a corner.

Ru Caiying’s face—a national sensation during her heyday—went unnoticed. None of the men even spared her a glance, treating her like a stranger.

For the first time, Ru Caiying felt a strange, unwelcome sense of inadequacy.

She overheard their phone calls—projecting calm dialogues involving tens of millions, even billions, as though it were as mundane as drinking water.

A trace of envy flickered in Ru Caiying’s eyes.

This was the world of true high-intelligence elites—graduates of prestigious schools, frequenting high-profile office buildings, commanding vast sums of capital, strategizing with effortless confidence.

The elevator reached the 17th floor, and the three of them stepped out.

What Ru Caiying didn’t know was that the moment the elevator doors closed, the so-called elite men she admired burst into lively chatter.

"Wasn’t that Ru Caiying? My childhood goddess—the same as I remember her!"

"17th floor? Isn’t that where the new film investment hub is located? Last week, the president highlighted this project during a meeting, entrusting its management to Huo Lin from the Innovation and Investment Department. Seems like the president has high hopes for the entertainment industry’s prospects."

"Sunny’s pupil—no doubt the president’s investment foresight is stellar."

"I’d love the chance to meet Sunny someday..."