Chapter 19: The Reporting Controversy
I don’t know if it’s because all the pretty girls lately have gone to participate in the Miss Hong Kong pageant, but Luo Xuan has clearly noticed that it’s becoming increasingly difficult for him to find outstanding model prospects on the streets, in shops and other public places.
The few young models he had discovered and worked with for a long time gradually found better opportunities with him, and then said goodbye to him, their "manager" who had no resources.
"What, haven't you found anyone yet? We're about to start filming!" Hearing the director of this collaboration pressuring him like a man possessed, Luo Xuan anxiously made several phone calls, but still received no response.
"I'm sorry, Director Chen, I'm really busy with my male models for the time being. Could you please give me just a little bit of time? I'll contact them for you right away..." After being toughened up by society, Luo Xuan had long since suppressed his former rebellious spirit.
"Time, time! How much time have I given you?! Do you know how much the venue and equipment rental fees cost?! Every minute late means a minute of lost money, and I've already made you lose half an hour!" Director Chen shouted angrily.
"Yes, yes, sorry, sorry! I'll apologize right away..." Luo Xuan apologized again and again, sweating profusely.
Seeing Luo Xuan take off his glasses to wipe his sweat, the glossy sheen of his skin, which hadn't been completely dried, made his complexion appear even more like jade. Director Chen had a sudden thought and simply said, "Why don't you... do it yourself?"
"Huh? Me?!" Luo Xuan was a little confused.
“Anyway, you’re tall enough, and this scene doesn’t require any acting skills. You just need to stand in the right position and strike a few poses as instructed. It’s not difficult at all!” The more Director Chen talked, the more he felt that he was incredibly clever.
Luo Xuan was still a little hesitant: "But..."
"But what? Do you still want this job?!" Director Chen roared again.
Luo Xuan vaguely felt that he had heard these words somewhere before, but he didn't have time to think about it too much at the moment. After quickly going through the details in his mind, he reluctantly agreed to Director Chen's suggestion to change the general at the last minute.
Having spent so much time behind the scenes, and with the task of temporarily switching to the forefront not being particularly demanding, Luo Xuan actually managed to film the music video quite smoothly.
Before leaving, Director Chen, who was able to finish the filming within the deadline, patted Luo Xuan on the shoulder with appreciation, praising him for being photogenic and saying that they could continue to work together in the future.
Upon hearing this, Luo Xuan was both amused and exasperated: his temporary appointment...
The reason he only does part-time jobs is because he doesn't have anyone else to work for him. If he continues to do this part-time, wouldn't that mean he'll encounter more situations like this in the future?
Although he doesn't have many male models left, he still has female models—"Summer Promise" was released at midnight. With his "resume" of working with popular stars, how could he not attract some newcomers hoping to rise to the top?
At this moment, Luo Xuan, who mistook his lucky break for his true ability, was undoubtedly unaware of the saying, "Ideas are beautiful, but reality is cruel"...
Two flowers bloom, each representing a different branch.
The Miss Hong Kong pageant, an annual beauty pageant, has been the focus of attention for the entire Hong Kong population ever since the day the entry forms were released.
In Liu Street, a place where you can't go without gossips, newspapers and magazines reporting on the first round of auditions were waved by newsstand owners early in the morning, creating a vibrant scene: "The latest Miss Hong Kong audition information has been revealed! Even if you don't buy it, come and take a look!"
Early in the morning, people of all ages, regardless of gender, usually enjoy reading gossip while eating breakfast. On their way out, they might grab a few newspapers and head to Good Luck Tea Restaurant to start their day.
"Wow, this person dares to participate in the election with such an appearance. They are worlds apart from our 'beauty'. It's simply outrageous..." Compared to the working people who can only glance at the newspaper before rushing to work, these elderly people who usually hold tea parties in tea restaurants can leisurely spend a whole morning with an egg tart in one hand and a newspaper in the other.
It is only because the situation has changed today that these elderly people have started to act like they are well-informed and have begun to point and gesticulate at the newspapers in their hands.
Restaurants like Good Luck Tea Restaurant rely on word-of-mouth from the locals to build their popularity. In addition, these elderly people have been rooted in Liao Street for a long time. Not only do Li Sishi and Zhou Huichang and Zhou Huiguang, the two siblings, have to respect them, but even elders like Zhou Jiayun have to be humbled and treated like juniors in front of these elderly people.
"Hey everyone, are you watching the first round of Miss Hong Kong auditions?" Zhou Huiguang, who was about to leave for school, tied his shoelaces and peeked over.
"Look, this isn't me taking advantage of my age, it's just outrageous, isn't it?" Old people often have the mentality of children at the same time. As soon as Zhou Huiguang spoke, several newspapers immediately gathered around.
Looking at this group of "replicas of Nine-Taels-of-Gold", "wild versions of Crayon Shin-chan", and "bloated aircraft carriers setting sail",
"An older parent accidentally wandered into a TV station," "His chin is so sharp that even the subway doors can't contain it"... Zhou Huiguang couldn't bear to look and covered his face.
"What's going on this year... If these people can compete in Miss Hong Kong, I would have asked my cousin to participate..." Not to mention his cousin...
Even his own sister could easily defeat this group of bizarre humanoid creatures.
He'd never seen so many strange creatures before. Could it be that he went out at the wrong time? He should have gone out on July 14th—only then would he have witnessed another world?
The younger man's thoughts wandered more and more until Zhou Huichang curiously peeked over, took a few newspapers to read, and suddenly let out a scream. Only then did the surrounding crowd, who felt they had been stuffed with "pork chops" so much that morning that they were nauseous, change their previous resentment and turn to look at Zhou Huichang with concern.
"Changchang, what did you see?" Most of the people present had watched the twins grow up and regarded Zhou Huichang as one of their own juniors.
"Cousin...cousin! Cousin Sishi is in the newspaper!" Zhou Huichang stammered, her hands trembling as she held up the newspaper she was reading.
"Oh dear, it's not uncommon for our beauty to be in the newspaper... wait?"
Since Li Sishi achieved the highest overall score in Hong Kong in last year's Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination as a student of Band 3 secondary school, and was subsequently sought after by Diocesan Girls' School for intensive training, the elderly people in Liu Street have become accustomed to reports of Li Sishi winning awards in various knowledge competitions from time to time. Therefore, the first thing they thought of was that the young woman nicknamed "Beautiful" actually had another identity as the "Pride of Liu Street".
But this report is completely different from the previous ones!
"Arriving radiant and dazzling—Hong Kong's version of Audrey Hepburn appears at the audition..." Even those who squinted at the largest yellow headline wouldn't miss the smaller print below: "The youngest contestant was the top scorer in Hong Kong's secondary school examinations last year—truly a combination of beauty and brains..."
While the first part could be attributed to similarities between people, the latter "characteristics" are undoubtedly the shining light of their neighborhood.
"Why is Mei Li participating in the Miss Hong Kong pageant?"
"I don't know either, my cousin didn't tell us..."
"This newspaper is quite kind; it's all praise and no criticism, and they even directly use the word 'beauty' to refer to her. It seems they have high hopes that beauty can pass the interview and enter the training camp..."
They're all talking at once.
Chaos reigned. Zhou Jiayun and his two companions, who had heard the news, were also in a state of confusion. After quickly handling the business of the last few customers who left, they all gathered around.
"Excuse me, let me see too..." Zhou Jiayun protected his sister and wife as they squeezed into the crowded circle, took the newspaper from Zhou Huichang, and spread it on the table.
"It really is Sishi!" Zhou Jiaxian was shocked when she saw the color photo in the newspaper.
"What on earth is going on? Why did Sishi run for election?!" Liang Shao'e's face changed.
Seeing that they had finally discovered the "secret," Li Sishi, who had been waiting for her chance, took a deep breath and slowly stepped forward: "I can explain."
"What are you explaining? You're a perfectly good preparatory student, why did you go and participate in a beauty pageant!" Liang Shao'e was the first to panic when she discovered that the family's best student had suddenly had an accident.
“Calm down and listen to me…” Before anyone else could interrupt, Li Sishi immediately continued, “Actually, I’ve always wanted to participate in the Miss Hong Kong pageant.”
"So when I just met the age requirement this year, I got a registration form for the competition, intending to try my luck. Not long after, I received an invitation for an interview—so I thought I'd give it a try..."
“Your primary responsibility right now should be studying, Si Shi!” Zhou Jiayun said with great distress. “Don’t be fooled by the glamorous appearance of these beauty pageants; the waters inside are really deep!”
“That’s right. Even if you really want to try other paths, there’s no need to rush. It’s not too late to do it after you finish your studies…” Zhou Jiaxian also showed an expression of worry mixed with admonition.
“Your family is right. You’re still too young. Beauty pageants involve performing in front of a lot of people, and there’s the bikini segment… You’re too young to handle that. Listen to your family.” People around them chimed in with their advice.
Li Sishi shook her head: "Thank you for your kindness, but I've already made up my mind—and last night I received a call inviting me to the second round of interviews..."
"You're not allowed to go!" Upon hearing this, Liang Shao'e stamped her foot in frustration.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
