No, no, no — I said to Wang Ruoxi, I am not gonna do this.
"But since childhood, didn't you watch dramas? You also recreated the scenes of those dramas," she said to me.
"But Ruoxi, it was just for fun. I never thought of becoming an actress or going into this field. There's a big difference between recreating scenes and actually performing one. I can't act, please don't force me."
"Please, Shiza, don't spoil my mood. There's nothing in this whole world that my Zhao Shiza can't do," she said to me, trying to convince me.
"Ok, do one thing — just you give that audition if you're so interested in it. Help yourself, don't bother me, ok?"
After saying this to her, I started moving towards our class, but she stopped me by coming in front of me.
"You know, Shiza, that Wen Qi is so possessive about me. He won't allow me; he might get jealous."
"Oh, I know, such a jerk he is."
"Hey, don't speak like that about him. Just leave him, please. At least for me, your dearest and longest one and only friend since childhood — for me, please give that audition."
While saying this and pleading with me to give that audition, she held my hand and took me in front of the room where auditions were being held. Then she took a form for me from the table there and filled it herself.
"Now just take this form and go," then she pushed me inside that room.
I entered that room with slow and steady steps. There were two persons sitting in front of me. I hesitated at first, but then one of the men sitting there said, "Please stand in the middle."
Then I stood there.
The other man said, "Please give me this form."
I handed them my form.
They said, "Okay, please take that script from the table and start reading these lines."
I obeyed them and started reading the lines written on the script. After reading it, they said, "Okay, we'll inform you about the results."
Then I said, "Thank you," to them and moved out of that room.
Wang Ruoxi was standing outside the door waiting for me.
"Tell, what happened? How was your audition?" Wang Ruoxi asked me excitedly.
"I don't know," I said.
"What? You don't know?" But I cut her conversation there and said, "See, for you I've given this audition. Now don't push me further beyond my limit, ok?" I said this to her in an ordering tone.
"Ok ok, don't get angry, my angry bird," she said.
Then we went towards our dorm, and late at night, a notification flashed on my phone. It said:
'We are glad to tell you that you are selected as our female lead in our upcoming romantic drama, and we request you to come at 12 p.m. tomorrow for the look test for further process.'
I got selected, and Wang Ruoxi peeked behind my back and saw the message, then started jumping.
"Oo wowww! My friend is going to be an actress! Wowww, I'm so, so happy for you!"
"Hey, please don't scream like that," I said to her. "First, I need to take permission from my family."
"Yes sure, do a call," she said.
I called my Bàba.
The call started — "Hello, my Qīn'ài de nǚ'ér, how are you? Don't you miss me? You never call me yourself, only I call you."
"No, Bàba, it's not like that. I just think you must be busy with your work, so…"
"Ok ok, don't give explanations. Tell me what brings you to call at this late hour — what does my daughter want?" he asked very happily.
I said, "Bàba, I gave an audition today for a drama, and I passed that round. Now I have to go tomorrow for the look test for further process."
"Ok, whatever my daughter does is right. Don't doubt yourself, ok? Just be confident like always."
I smiled lightly and said, "Ok, Bàba, Wǎn'ān, I need to sleep early. Bye bye."
And then the call ended.
I wanted to ask him about Xin Xin, but I wasn't able to, because I knew Mama must be there — and she doesn't like me calling or talking to them. I think now she hates me. A tear splashed from my eyes while thinking this in my mind. Then I went to my bed, as tomorrow is a big day. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but whatever it will be, I'll face it more strongly and fearlessly.
Then I covered myself with my blanket after saying all this to myself.
The next morning —
"It's 11:11, Shiza!" Wang Ruoxi said very excitedly.
"So what?" I asked.
"It's angel's time, don't you know? It's said that whatever you wish at that time will come true."
"I don't believe in this," I said. "Our heartfelt wishes will never come true, no matter if they're wished in angel's time or devil's time."
"Oo stop being a pessimist, Shiza. Now go, you're getting late for the look test. All the best!"
Then I hurriedly took my bag and went out of the dorm. About 45 minutes later, I reached the destination. Before entering the set, I took out my phone and opened Weibo, as usual, as my daily habit. I saw that in yesterday's video, some of his fan pages posted that it's snowing in the city where he's shooting for his drama. He's wearing a red jacket and black trousers with his usual cap and mask on his face, making him look adorable as always.
I just put my phone in my bag and started moving towards the set, praying while walking:
Please keep him safe. It's snowing there, and he already had flu. I read that when he's sick, he only wants to sleep at home. But nowadays he's shooting for too many dramas and can't get time to rest. So please take care of him — at least let this wish of mine come true.
Then I entered the set, and one of the staff members said to me, "Ma'am, please be seated here. Our male lead is arriving for the look test. Wait for 5 minutes — he's about to come."
These people were making me even more nervous. Then exactly after 5 minutes, the male lead arrived there.
And then he entered…