002

[Host, how did you determine that Chen Mansheng would send you an audition invitation?]

The system then manifested as a phantom, hovering around Jiang Huali with the appearance of a small blue orb of light on its head.

Jiang Huali took a bite of the apple. She had seen it on the table in the living room; it probably hadn't been there long and was still edible.

She made a clicking sound and spoke slightly unclearly:

"I can't predict the future, how would I know?"

System: [You just said, 'Opportunity will always come to you, as long as you are fully prepared'?]

Jiang Huali: "That was just to scare you."

system:……

"Sizzle—"

Jiang Huali raised her hand slightly, intending to throw the remaining apple core into the trash can two meters away. The apple core drew an arc in the air and finally hit the center of the trash can.

Her eyes narrowed slightly with a smile as she picked up her phone, opened her email, and placed it on the table for the system to see.

The system does not monitor the host in real time. The Space-Time Bureau values ​​human rights and will not monitor its hosts like prisoners.

“When Chen Mansheng was filming that movie last year, she admired the original owner and left her her email address. I sent an email to Chen Mansheng, saying that I wanted to try to get an audition opportunity for the role of Jue Li in ‘Above the Clouds’.”

Although the original owner was not formally trained, she was very careful after entering the industry because she became independent at an early age. She also worked hard to improve her acting skills.

It's understandable that Chen Mansheng, who is known for his meticulous work ethic, appreciates her.

So Jiang Huali sent an email to Chen Mansheng on a whim, and to her surprise, she actually received a reply.

She needs to be at the audition at 1 p.m. the day after tomorrow.

The system asked in confusion: "When did you send this email? I didn't see it."

It had been staying by Jiang Huali's side the whole time, so it should have seen it.

Jiang Huali reached out and grabbed the small light sphere system, casually rubbed it, and said:

"This one—"

"While you were lying on the sofa fast asleep."

system:【……】

Why do I suddenly feel a little embarrassed?

It angrily retorted, "That was hibernation!"

Seeing that the system orb was about to turn from blue to red, Jiang Huali changed the subject, saying, "I'm not good at acting. What if I get eliminated?"

System: [Then let's remove it.]

The system's voice sounded rather displeased, leaving Jiang Huali both amused and exasperated.

[You have received the original owner's memories. Although this body is a replica of your information, the original owner's skills will also be inherited by you, so you don't need to worry too much.]

The system calmed itself down and quickly stopped being angry.

Jiang Huali rested her chin on her hand, seemingly deep in thought. "Although the original owner's acting skills were inspired, they were still rather raw. As you can see, there were many people competing for this audition."

The system didn't quite understand what Jiang Huali was trying to say: 【So?】

"So, shouldn't you find me a teacher?"

-

Jiang Huali has no money, so she naturally can't afford a teacher. The system is artificial intelligence, and its mechanical brain naturally doesn't know how to act.

However, it still hired a "teacher" for Jiang Huali.

[This is an employee of the Time and Space Bureau. She is very talented in acting, and the mission worlds she goes to often require acting skills. The database contains many recordings of her performances during missions. I have obtained access to the data management department and have also contacted this employee's system.]

The system perched on Jiang Huali's shoulder, with a light screen in front displaying relevant information.

She said she would be happy to be your teacher; this employee's ID number is 021.

Jiang Huali did not meet 021 in person. She and 021 communicated through the system as online friends.

However, the amount of data in 021's database is staggering; these videos alone are astonishing, demonstrating that she is a highly experienced veteran employee.

Jiang Huali watched many videos, and 021 only appeared when she raised questions.

After temporarily ending her studies, Jiang Huali grabbed the system that was sleeping nearby and lifted it up.

What is my number?

The system was activated and responded: "Your employee number is 166, as shown on the task panel."

"Am I employee number 166 of the Time and Space Bureau?" Jiang Huali asked, and then received confirmation from the system.

【yes. 】

"Then your Time and Space Bureau has a rather small number of employees."

Jiang Huali commented.

system:【……】

Of course, the host isn't like cabbage at the market, which you can grab a handful of.

In reality, even fewer employees are still working at the Time and Space Bureau; some have already returned to their original worlds.

Every time the Time and Space Bureau adds an employee, their information is added to the database. Even if an employee accumulates enough points and chooses to return to their original world and no longer undertakes time travel missions, their number will always be retained in the database.

"Really?" Jiang Huali rubbed the small, glowing system. "What's your number?"

The system does not have an assigned number; it will only be officially activated after being bound to a host. The host's number is our assigned number.

-

One o'clock in the afternoon of the third day.

There were quite a few people at the audition venue. Today's casting for "Above the Clouds" is mainly for supporting roles, but I heard that the lead actor was decided long ago.

Even for supporting roles, you can see many popular stars auditioning.

Jiang Huali stood out in the crowd. She had been sidelined for almost a year and was originally a minor celebrity in the entertainment industry, with almost no one recognizing her.

She chatted with the system in her mind, utterly bored: [System, are you there?]

Jiang Huali sighed deeply in her heart.

Actually, she didn't want to be forced into this situation, but she had no other choice.

The original owner died before she was twenty-seven. If she tries to hone her acting skills and gets sidelined for a few more years, she might not even be able to complete her mission, and she might be in her grave before she even makes a comeback.

As for why she insisted on auditioning for director Chen Mansheng's film "Above the Clouds," Jiang Huali had her own reasons.

Chen Mansheng is a well-known director in the industry, and it is said that he has a deep background, so few people can influence his thoughts.

Therefore, Chen Mansheng is probably the only person who meets the requirements and could potentially give Jiang Huali an audition opportunity.

But all of this is contingent on Jiang Huali being selected.

Just as Jiang Huali was lamenting her tragic future, someone suddenly passed by.

"Jiang Huali? What are you doing here!"

The girl in the white dress pointed at Jiang Huali, looking at her with disbelief, her voice becoming shrill.

People nearby noticed the commotion and all looked over.

Jiang Huali's gaze fell on the girl's face, thinking to herself, "What a small world!"

This girl is named Zhuang Qian. She was a good friend of the original owner when the original owner was just an extra.

But it was only from the original owner's perspective that they were good friends.

When the original owner offended the popular actress Su Yueke because of her role and was cyberbullied, Zhuang Qian stood up and said that she never expected the original owner to be this kind of person, confirming those disgusting rumors.

Now, Zhuang Qian has also gained some fame in the entertainment industry, which is based on her pure and lovely image, and she is called the "white moonlight" of the human world by her fans.

Jiang Huali raised an eyebrow, her tone indifferent: "Who are you?"

Zhuang Qian's face turned ugly. Noticing the stares around her, she lowered her voice and said, "What are you doing here? Don't pretend you don't know me. You're not hoping to get lucky like you did a year or two ago and be noticed by Director Chen, are you?"

She scoffed and glanced at the script Jiang Huali was holding. "Don't you know your own limitations? Let me tell you, Su Yue is here today too. She's also here to audition for the role of Jue Li. If you don't want what happened a year ago to repeat itself, you'd better get out of here now."

Jiang Huali tried her best to make her tone sound less like she was talking to someone mentally challenged: "I suggest you turn left. That square object in front of you is perfect for you."

Zhuang Qian's face darkened further; there was a trash can in front of her to her left.

"What do you mean?!"

As she spoke, she reached out to push Jiang Huali.

Jiang Huali dodged Zhuang Qian's hand as it was pushed towards her, her face turning cold, as if covered with a layer of frost.

She then stepped forward and raised her right hand.

Zhuang Qian took a step back. Jiang Huali's dark eyes made her feel a sense of panic.

Zhuang Qian looked at her cautiously, a hint of guilt in her eyes. "You're not planning to hit me, are you? Let me tell you, this is an audition. If you dare to cause trouble, the media will write about you, a minor star, acting like a big shot at the audition tomorrow. You won't be able to get back up then."

Jiang Huali remained calm, patted Zhuang Qian's shoulder with the white paper in her hand, and said in a steady voice: "You are the one who should be worried."

Zhuang Qian was forced back by Jiang Huali's icy aura, her eyes filled with malice and resentment as she watched Jiang Huali walk towards the bathroom.

People around silently looked away, and whispers began to circulate.

"Jiang Huali? Is that the actress who played Hua Qi?"

"Didn't I hear she was blacklisted...?"

"Then how come she was able to audition?"

"Who knows, they might have used some shady methods again..."

Zhuang Qian snorted and took out her phone to make a call.

"Hello? Sister Su, yes, I see her..."

Jiang Huali was washing her hands in the bathroom, the water was running, and her expression was indifferent in the mirror.

The system grumbled: "What's wrong with that person? We didn't bother her at all."

Jiang Huali wiped her hands and returned to the waiting area; it was almost her turn.

I didn't expect it to be turned so quickly.

Most of the people who came out of the audition didn't look too good, so it seems this role was indeed hard to get.

A small commotion suddenly broke out in front of Jiang Huali. Looking up, she saw a group of bodyguards surrounding an arrogant woman.

Su Yueke.

Su Yueke, with her face covered in exquisite makeup, walked past Jiang Huali not far away.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Su Yueke glanced at Jiang Huali and gave her a disdainful look.

Jiang Huali ignored Su Yueke and looked away.

At this moment, the girl in front of Jiang Huali also finished her audition and came out. Jiang Huali straightened her skirt and then went in.

The lighting inside wasn't dim; as you walked in, you could see the director and other judges sitting in front of you.

Jiang Huali first introduced herself.

During this time, her gaze fell on the judges in front of her.

The chubby middle-aged man in the middle is Chen Mansheng, the director of "Above the Clouds," and the other judges are all well-known directors and screenwriters in the entertainment industry.

Jiang Huali's gaze gradually fell on the man sitting next to Chen Mansheng.

The man had a beautiful face, and he lowered his head slightly, not looking at her.

Because of the distance, Jiang Huali couldn't see clearly, but she could feel that the aura of a superior was still undeniably present in him, even though he tried to suppress it.

Meng Zhiling seemed to sense something and looked up. Jiang Huali met a pair of indifferent, dark eyes.

Director Chen Mansheng looked at the man in a suit next to her and said, "Mr. Meng, this is the one I just mentioned to you. He's a very talented person."

He sighed softly and continued:

"I was just unlucky and offended someone."

Meng Zhiling withdrew her gaze, her expression indifferent. Her long, thick eyelashes lifted slightly, and the light cast a shadow that reflected into her eyes, making it impossible to discern her expression.

He responded calmly, "Mm."

Chen Mansheng stopped speaking, and his assistant stepped forward and handed Jiang Huali a script.

Chen Mansheng said to Jiang Huali, "Try this clip."

There were five minutes to prepare before starting, and Jiang Huali carefully looked at the script in her hands.

She hasn't been idle these past two days, having pondered Jue Li's personality for a long time.

My father died in battle to protect our sect, my former fellow disciples are gone, and the world is in turmoil.

From an arrogant and naive girl in the early stages to a warrior who died fighting in the great battle, her transformation was a tragic process.

"Let's get started."