"Introduced by Sister Li? Then we really need to thank her properly."
Zhao Shumin shot Liu Mingcheng a look. "You think I don't know that? I gave her a few strips of cured pork from our hometown. She hasn't gone back in years — she probably missed the taste. When things settle down, we'll invite her and her husband out for a meal."
She paused, then added, "Actually, I've been thinking about something else. Sister Li asked me to coach a few background actors who want to take the special-contract exam. Do you think I could open a training class?"
Zhao Jun, still holding her bottle in her mouth, threw both arms and legs into the air in enthusiastic agreement.
She wanted to audit the class!
Unfortunately, her movements were ignored — and interpreted as adorable. Her mother pinched her cheek affectionately and adjusted the bottle for her.
Liu Mingcheng didn't dismiss his wife's idea as a whim. He asked seriously, "What exactly are you thinking?"
"I could teach Line Delivery. Maybe some basics of performance too. Or do crash courses specifically for the special-contract audition. If that doesn't work out, I could teach art exam prep."
Her plan wasn't fully formed yet, but the general direction was clear.
Influenced by her mother — a Chinese literature teacher — Zhao Shumin had always held teaching in high regard. Her family background was stable; both parents worked in government positions. As an only child, she had studied dance and piano from a young age, attended school as an arts-track student, and later enrolled in an arts university.
After graduation, she had planned to work at an art exam prep institution, but after discussing it with her boyfriend Liu Mingcheng, the two of them decided to come to Hengdian to chase their dreams instead.
Students of the arts inevitably entertained thoughts of entering the entertainment industry.
Actually breaking in, however, was another matter entirely.
After several years, their dream of becoming true actors had all but faded. Background acting was enough to support a modest but comfortable life for a family of three — but not much more.
"I checked the group chats again today and asked Sister Li around. Everyone says there are more and more actors now. Competition's getting fiercer. Acting is unstable — sometimes we go half a month without work. One of us needs to earn stable income, right?"
Her worries weren't unfounded.
Liu Mingcheng felt the pressure too. Hengdian had fewer male actors than female ones, so competition was lighter — but even then, roles weren't guaranteed anymore just because you were willing to work.
He nodded slowly. "Let's observe for now. Plan it out gradually… I'll ask around too. Which production are you auditioning for? I'll see if there are any roles I can try for and go with you."
Zhao Jun didn't know what her parents were planning, but a week later they brought her out for the audition.
She lay in the stroller with the canopy half lowered. She could only see a narrow strip of sky through the gap — yet even that small slice filled her with longing.
Their rental apartment was located in one of Hengdian's busier districts. After pushing the stroller for about ten minutes, Zhao Shumin arrived at the hotel where the audition was scheduled.
The audition was held in a small conference room on the second floor. The production team had also booked an adjacent suite as a waiting room.
When the family of three reached the conference room, they found it already crowded.
There were around twenty or thirty people — men and women — and more than half were familiar faces Zhao Shumin had seen at past auditions.
This time, the production was selecting two male and two female special-contract actors — minor roles with a single scene each.
Liu Mingcheng headed toward the male actors' group. He was auditioning for the role of an imperial physician.
Zhao Shumin spotted Sister Li waving and hurried over.
"Oh my, the baby looks adorable in this outfit." Sister Li bent down and gently patted Zhao Jun. Zhao Shumin had deliberately dressed her in a festive red baby outfit — suitable for a historical drama.
Zhao Jun widened her eyes and tried to look especially clever.
She really wanted her first role.
After a brief whispered exchange, Sister Li led Zhao Shumin directly into the adjacent suite, skipping the queue.
Inside the suite, a man in a baseball cap was pouring tea leaves into a thermos. Beside him stood a bald assistant flipping through forms. Several staff members in identical windbreakers moved about quietly.
"Director Pan, this is the child actor I mentioned for today's audition," Sister Li said with a polite smile.
The man in the baseball cap met Zhao Jun's gaze. He nodded and asked, "Cute kid. She won't cry, right?"
"She won't. She's very well-behaved," Zhao Shumin said proudly. She had seen many babies among relatives and on sets — regardless of age, she had never encountered one as easygoing as Zhao Jun.
Zhao Jun opened her mouth and gave a bright, sweet smile.
Unfortunately, the smile alone wasn't enough to seal the deal.
Director Pan glanced at one of the windbreaker-clad staff members. "Xiao Zhang, come hold the baby."
Veteran casting directors had experience dealing with child actors and their parents. If the parent were inexperienced, they could simply assert authority. But Zhao Shumin was an industry insider — not easily intimidated.
Since the baby was very young, he explained, "Let a stranger hold her for a bit. The lead actors won't have time to get familiar with the child."
Zhao Shumin nodded in understanding. She guided Xiao Zhang to adjust his arm position and hold Zhao Jun properly, then stayed close just in case.
Zhao Jun blinked curiously in Xiao Zhang's arms, showing no fear of strangers.
Director Pan was already satisfied internally, but proper procedure had to be followed.
Turning to Zhao Shumin, his tone softened. "Let Xiao Zhang hold her for now. Teacher Zhao, please prepare for your audition."
Zhao Jun watched the audition scene with intense curiosity.
Zhao Shumin received a sheet of paper, skimmed it quickly, memorized the few lines, and after a few minutes of emotional preparation said, "I'm ready."
Director Pan gestured for her to begin.
Almost instantly, Zhao Shumin's expression shifted into a mix of sorrow and joy. Her voice trembled:
"My daughter… Your Highness, this humble subject greets Your Highness."
She acted out kneeling halfway before being helped up, wiping her tears as she rose.
"This humble subject has失礼… Your Highness has received joyous news. I should not be weeping."
Though no one acted opposite her, she performed with full immersion. She mimed holding someone's hands, walked a few steps while remaining centered in the imaginary frame, then leaned forward slightly as if looking at something.
"Is this the little princess? She resembles Your Highness in childhood."
Tears welled in her eyes again.
"Cut. Not bad." Director Pan finished watching with his thermos in hand, appearing pleased. "Teacher Zhao, please wait for a bit. After today's auditions, we'll see whether the child is suitable."
The audition itself was brief, but filming would require the baby to remain quiet for extended periods.
The request was reasonable. Zhao Shumin agreed and returned with the others to the conference room, finding a stool in the corner.
The bald assistant stepped forward, clapping to gather attention.
"Please draw numbers, everyone. You're all experienced — line up according to your numbers and audition in order."
He pulled out a deck of playing cards, shuffled casually, and had each actor draw one.
"Order by number. If you draw the same number, settle it among yourselves. Imperial Physician group first, then the midwife, then the palace maid.
"Hearts Ace — number 1. Come get your lines. Number 2, prepare. Five minutes preparation time."
Roles with only one or two lines were formulaic. Most actors just needed to read the background and jump in.
Actor #1 glanced over the script a few times, stood up, and walked to the center of the room.
At that moment, Xiao Zhang adjusted his grip, holding Zhao Jun upright.
This position gave her a better view of the auditions — though it was slightly uncomfortable.
An ordinary baby might have cried.
Zhao Jun didn't.
Children's instincts were sharp. She sensed Xiao Zhang wasn't particularly fond of her — though she didn't yet know why.
The first auditioning actor was a middle-aged man with a long beard. It was unclear whether it was styled for the role or simply a result of frequent historical drama work.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" he cried, dropping to his knees with a loud thud. "Her Highness's fetus is in breech position… I fear…"
He flinched sideways as if something had been thrown at him, then prostrated himself.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
"Should we save Her Highness's unborn prince, or… I beg Your Majesty to decide."
Zhao Jun understood — the flinch must have been the emperor throwing something at the physician.
Performing such an intense scene in a plain conference room required strong conviction. Kneeling and kowtowing on command was a skill in itself.
After Actor #1 finished, the bald assistant nodded.
"You may go home and wait for notification. Whether selected or not, we'll inform you before tomorrow. Next!"
Actor #2 was older and slightly heavier. He wore a full historical costume.
His performance was similar, but in Zhao Jun's amateur view, the costume gave him an edge.
Actor #3 didn't prepare much visually, but during the moment where the emperor supposedly threw something, he stiffened his neck and didn't dodge.
That might actually be better. If the emperor was enraged, a subordinate wouldn't dare to evade.
But Zhao Jun couldn't tell what style the director preferred. From the "save the mother or save the child" plotline, the drama didn't seem particularly serious — perhaps not a rigorously historical production.
[Gained insight into character setting. +10 Analysis XP. +10 Acting XP.]