The notification from Fubana came very late; it was only a week after the audition that Zhang Meng was finally notified.
Zhang Meng thought Jiang Yixing had no chance, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better, and Jiang Yixing still managed to secure the endorsement.
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Meng was extremely excited. After informing Jiang Yixing, his first thought was to thank Gu Ruini, since it was she who provided the opportunity.
Jiang Yixing contacted Gu Ruini directly via WeChat, "Thanks! Recommend me to audition for Fobana!"
Gu Ruini seemed to be glued to her phone, replying the next second, "You passed the audition for Fobana?"
"It wasn't me who recommended him; it was Zhang Chang, the director of the Blex commercial."
Jiang Yixing was genuinely stunned. He recalled Zhang Chang's appearance in his mind. He had only met him once before when shooting an advertisement. Why would he recommend him?
Gu Ruini's explanation came quickly: "I heard that he is quite familiar with Director He Mang, and He Mang asked him to keep an eye out for suitable candidates. He probably thought you were a good fit, so he recommended you."
It turns out he was an acquaintance of He Mang. Did He Mang already know that he was going to audition?
No wonder he didn't seem surprised at all that day.
"I see, thank you for telling me."
"It doesn't matter."
After a long pause, Gu Ruini finally sent the message:
"Want to go out for afternoon tea this weekend?"
After sending the message, Gu Ruini felt unusually uneasy, her fingers tracing back and forth on the phone screen.
My phone vibrated, the screen lit up, and Jiang Yixing's reply popped up.
"OK."
Gu Ruini's lips curled up slightly, and Jiang Yixing's voice seemed to appear before her eyes, energetic and clear.
Just as Jiang Yixing and Zhang Meng received the notification, someone also found out that Jiang Yixing had ultimately won the endorsement deal.
15th Floor, Cangyu Media
Li Shuang's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. "What happened? Didn't you say you performed quite well?"
The smile that had been on Li Yuxiang's face disappeared. "I did perform better than Jiang Yixing."
Li Shuang took back Jiang Yixing's resume, frowning. Logically speaking, Li Yuxiang should have a better chance, right?
Li Yuxiang's eyes were unreadable as she recalled the look He Mang had given Jiang Yixing.
"Could it be..."
Li Shuang looked up, raising an eyebrow. "What?"
Li Yuxiang's gaze swept quickly over Jiang Yixing's information before returning to it just as quickly.
"I think He Mang seemed quite interested in her back then..."
Li Shuang frowned even more deeply. "Don't make things up without evidence."
After pausing for a moment, he added, "He Mang has also directed quite a few films, but he's not that kind of person."
"Forget it, don't overthink it. Let bygones be bygones. Just focus on preparing for the next interview," Li Shuang decided. She was the kind of person who could take things in stride, and one setback wouldn't affect her at all.
Li Shuang left with Jiang Yixing's information, leaving Li Yuxiang alone in the same spot, her eyes finally darkening.
Li Yuxiang was very confident in her abilities, believing herself to be much stronger than Jiang Yixing. So, she felt extremely disappointed with this result.
What upset her most was losing the opportunity to get to know He Mang. The Fobana endorsement wasn't the best choice for her; she could have landed one easily. However, He Mang, with his debut art film, won a prestigious domestic award, and was hailed as the successor to the 80s generation. Although he later took on more commercials, no one could deny his directing skills. Furthermore, Li Yuxiang learned that He Mang had been preparing a new film for a year, and casting would begin soon.
Li Yuxiang was specifically aiming for this film; regardless, building a good relationship with the director was always a good idea. She hoped to land a film that would win all three major film awards, propelling her career to a new level.
But how could it be Jiang Yixing?
She suddenly remembered that the information she had just seen indicated that Jiang Yixing graduated from the B City Film Academy, and He Mang... seemed to have graduated from the same school as well?
Li Yuxiang pulled out the information she had previously investigated about He Mang, who graduated from the Directing Department of the Film Academy in City B in 2015.
Sure enough! Li Yuxiang's thoughts wandered. He Mang's expression that day didn't seem like someone who had just met Jiang Yixing; they already knew each other!
That means the choice wasn't predetermined, it was a behind-the-scenes deal.
Li Yuxiang didn't want to miss this opportunity, so she contacted many people and finally found someone who graduated from the Film Academy of City B.
Jiang Yixing and He Mang are both prominent figures at the film academy, and their information is not difficult to find.
This investigation uncovered their past relationship.
Li Yuxiang scrolled through the chat screenshots and thought to herself, "Just as I thought."
The weekend was fast approaching, and Gu Ruini got up early to wash and dress herself, humming a song as she looked at herself in the mirror.
The cheerful singing drifted from the bathroom into the living room. Gu Ruini's parents exchanged a glance, and Gu's mother laughed, "Little Ni, is this the first time you've ever been this happy?"
"At least she has a friend now, which saves us from worrying that she'll get bored at home."
Father Gu smiled, his crow's feet at the corners of his eyes curving into lines.
The butler set out breakfast. "Master, Madam, I'll go call Miss."
"Go ahead, go ahead, you're already excited this morning even though you only went out this afternoon."
The butler pushed up his glasses and smiled, "Miss rarely goes out to play, after all."
Gu Ruini came out of the bathroom wearing a white blazer over a floral maxi dress, a slight smile on her round face.
What are you talking about?
"I'm talking to you. It's rare to see you so happy."
Gu Ruini touched her neatly styled hair. "Do I?"
"Not yet? Looks like you're about to go out and sing in the street."
"That's an exaggeration!" Gu Ruini pouted, sat down at the dining table, and picked up a pineapple bun.
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