Shi Xinxin was no longer confident, because she was next.
Hollywood, a place actors aspire to, a place where blockbusters are born. Shi Xinxin took a deep breath. She was the only unknown Chinese girl who left a deep impression, and she was fighting alone.
"Next." Shi Xinxin walked in after hearing the call. A few deep breaths steadied her steps. Even if the result wasn't good, she would learn a lot. Shi Xinxin walked steadily towards the director.
The director looked at Shi Xinxin's delicate yet unfamiliar face and felt a slight tremor in his heart. He seemed to have already seen a vivid character in his mind.
"What's your name?" After conferring with another director, the producer still had no impression of Shi Xinxin. To them, she was a completely new person.
"My name is Shi Xinxin, and I'm new to the film and television industry." Shi Xinxin bowed deeply, her aura strong, her breath steady as she looked at the three men behind the red tablecloth.
Shi Xinxin's mind was blank. She could no longer feel her frantic heartbeat. The staff on set looked at her in surprise, whispering among themselves and asking the same questions as the producer. XXS1
"Do you have any representative works?" The director's gaze couldn't leave Shi Xinxin's eyes; that commanding presence made it impossible for anyone to look away.
"No." As Shi Xinxin said this, she faintly heard sarcastic laughter around her. She continued to look seriously into the director's eyes. These were all experiences she had to go through, and she wasn't afraid at all.
"Please use the props behind you to showcase yourself."
Hearing the director's words, Shi Xinxin seemed to have a plan. She scanned the props around, the most prominent being a simple kitchen setup.
Shi Xinxin felt a little delighted; cooking was her forte.
Shi Xinxin walked towards the kitchen and began to stir-fry as usual. She no longer saw anyone but the food and the recipe. She was as relaxed as if she were at home, focused but also enjoying it.
"Cut." Shi Xinxin didn't hear the director call for an end. Although the set was filled with props, the tools were functional. Shi Xinxin had already finished a dish.
"That's enough." Shi Xinxin suddenly came back to her senses, quickly took off her apron, and bowed deeply. She had forgotten about the audition in her mind.
"Her temperament is excellent, very suitable." The producer conferred with the director. Shi Xinxin still stood there with dignity, awaiting the result.
"Her." The director seemed to see the character standing before him. The director's eyes sparkled as he looked at the beautifully presented dish.
The audition ended. Shi Xinxin was selected by Hollywood as the best candidate for the role of a Chinese female chef. Among all the applicants, they ultimately chose Shi Xinxin, a newcomer with no representative works. Shi Xinxin watched as a contract was handed to her.
"Here's to a fruitful collaboration." The director extended his hand. Shi Xinxin politely shook it. She was happy and fortunate. She was a complete newcomer with nothing, yet she was chosen by Hollywood, which was incredibly lucky.
"To a fruitful collaboration." Shi Xinxin reviewed the contract, and finding no issues, she signed it. Even if it wasn't the lead role, it was still an immense stroke of luck. She was embarking on the path of an actress.
When Sheng Chenjin reappeared before her, no matter how high his achievements, she would not be inferior. She was working hard, striving to become a star that could accompany Sheng Chenjin.
"Director, she's a newcomer, with nothing. What if she doesn't know how to act when she joins the crew?" After Shi Xinxin left, the supervisor approached the director. She truly didn't want Shi Xinxin, a complete novice, to ruin the drama.
"She won't. She's the Chinese Culinary God, she doesn't need to act."
The director stood with his hands on his hips, watching Shi Xinxin's retreating figure with great anticipation. He believed Shi Xinxin could act. That unique temperament was hard to find in America. A flicker of excitement appeared in the director's eyes.
The supervisor couldn't help but feel it was unfair, looking at the director's expression. All the actors auditioning for Hollywood were famous. It would surely attract unpleasant remarks when an actor unknown to anyone in America was cast. The supervisor sighed softly and turned to leave.
The sunlight gradually illuminated the dim sky. Shi Xinxin turned over in her soft bedding, her delicate face breathing evenly on the pillow. Shi Xinxin woke up, saw the time was still early, and fell back asleep.
The sky was bright, and the air was cool. During Shi Xinxin's time in America, she had been favored by the god of luck. However, Shi Xinxin knew that everyone's luck came at a price. The day she went to the company to receive her contract was the price she had to pay.
"Well, the Oriental female chef is here." A Black actor walked past Shi Xinxin, picking up his coffee and looking her up and down. His eyes conveyed a look of disdain.
"Look, our Oriental female chef is here." A white person echoed the person next to him as Shi Xinxin walked by. Shi Xinxin naturally ignored them.
"Supervisor, I..." Just as Shi Xinxin was about to speak to the editor, someone bumped into her. The Black actor's coffee spilled directly onto Shi Xinxin. Shi Xinxin swallowed her words.
"I didn't mean to." The Black actor picked up the cup and looked at Shi Xinxin's angry eyes with immense satisfaction. His expression showed no sign of apology.
Those around him joined in with laughter. Shi Xinxin took a few deep breaths. Every beginning is difficult. This was a rare opportunity for her. Shi Xinxin turned around and looked at the cheering crowd.
"It's okay, I forgive you." Shi Xinxin said calmly to the Black actor. Her eyes held no anger, but a faint politeness and a smile.
"Can I go change?"
Seeing the supervisor's encouraging nod, Shi Xinxin knew that everyone here was hostile towards her. Shi Xinxin had a clear understanding and, after the supervisor nodded, she went back to the garage, got spare clothes from the trunk, and went to the dressing room.
As the dressing room door closed, Shi Xinxin heard two people talking in the next room. Their conversation seemed to be about her. Shi Xinxin couldn't help but slow down her movements.
"What's the background of that Chinese woman the director chose yesterday?" Shi Xinxin hadn't seen the woman's face, but her voice was commanding.
"Never heard of her. When the director asked her at the scene, she actually said she had no representative works."
Then another voice, sounding like her assistant, spoke. Shi Xinxin looked at herself in the mirror. Her white top was stained with coffee, and her hair was tied up high. Looking at her reflection, was this Shi Xinxin?