Chapter 81: Playing a School Bully

The next part of the process was very simple.

The selected actors would sign a contract that specified the filming dates, remuneration, and the payment schedule.

It also included clauses regarding breach of contract and the related compensation methods.

Once signed, the contract would officially take effect.

“Wait, this isn’t right.”

“Associate Director, I heard you say earlier that there was still an audition. If we don’t pass the audition, we won’t be hired, right?”

Looking at the actor’s contract, Gu Chen didn’t see any major issues, but she still felt like something was off.

Logically speaking, shouldn’t they sign the contract officially after the audition was over?

“It’s nothing, just a formality. You aren’t playing the main leads or the secondary supporting roles; anyone can pass, so we’re just handling the paperwork ahead of time. Besides, I have high hopes for you, so I’m completely at ease.”

“The same goes for the two of you, so let’s just take care of it now.”

The Associate Director smiled, his tone sounding perfectly natural.

“Oh, okay then.”

Looking at the clause about the tenfold compensation for breach of contract, she still felt a bit apprehensive.

Could these people be the kind of crew that deliberately caused someone to breach their contract just to demand high compensation?

However, since Chu Xiaomeng had introduced them, it should be reliable.

After hesitating for a moment, Gu Chen signed her name, making it official.

The other two followed suit.

Thinking about how they would get paid in just two days, they couldn’t have been happier.

“Very good.”

A flicker of a strange look passed through the Associate Director’s eyes as he tucked away the contracts.

He then sent the three of them to the lounge, telling them he would notify them when it was time for the audition.

In the meantime, he handed out their respective scripts.

“Thank you, Director.”

Wang Meng was the most excited.

This was her first time acting in her life, and she was incredibly nervous even before things started.

She had no idea that this trap had only just begun.

***

In the lounge, Gu Chen found a corner to sit down.

Looking at the script that was only a few pages long, she thought it didn’t look that difficult.

It was only then that she realized what role she was playing, and she almost burst out laughing on the spot.

‘No way…’

‘I’m playing a… school bully!’

She was a school bully at school, and she didn’t expect that when she came out to act in a short drama, she would still have to play a school bully.

This role was practically tailor-made for her!

Was this Associate Director a psychic?

Did he actually see her potential as a school bully, which was why he insisted on keeping her?

Wang Meng and Chu Xiaomeng also stifled their laughter after seeing the script.

Well, compared to Gu Chen’s, their roles were actually more difficult.

Since they had signed the contract, they had to take it seriously.

They spent their break time reading through the entire script.

In the short drama, the school bully Gu Chen played was the simp of the female supporting lead, whom she had always admired.

Because the female supporting lead had a conflict with the female protagonist, Gu Chen’s character targeted the protagonist throughout the story.

She was essentially a character who committed all sorts of evil.

That lasted until the female lead was reborn and began her revenge, retaliating against everyone who had caused her death one by one.

The school bully would also be punished after being humiliated, serving as a flat, stereotypical character.

“It’s fine. There are only dozens of lines.”

After reading carefully, Gu Chen felt it wasn’t difficult at all.

The content of the upcoming audition was the scene where the school bully is humiliated by the reborn female lead.

She needed to memorize this section in advance.

‘Damn, the first scene is already this pathetic.’

She didn’t know who the female lead was. If an acquaintance saw this short drama, would her image be tarnished?

Thinking of this, she really didn’t want to play the part anymore.

Wang Meng and Chu Xiaomeng also worked hard to memorize their audition lines, looking extremely serious.

The entire lounge was quiet.

It wasn’t until dusk that a notification finally appeared in the group chat, telling the three of them to go for their audition.

“Let’s go.”

Facing her first time acting in her life, Gu Chen felt a bit of anticipation, wondering what the result would be.

Walking through the corridor, they quickly found the filming room.

The Associate Director was already there.

Other photographers, lighting technicians, and stagehands were all present, making the setup look quite professional.

“Gu Chen, you’ll do the first scene. You know the upcoming parts, right? Beg the female lead for mercy, and then she’ll slap you and humiliate you. Try your best to act out that feeling of fear and being bullied. I believe in you.”

The Associate Director patted her shoulder, not forgetting to cheer her on.

“Yeah, I got it.”

Gu Chen nodded grumpily.

Looking around, she couldn’t help but ask, “Where is the female lead?”

She still hadn’t seen what the protagonist looked like.

She was curious if it was a celebrity or someone like that.

But on second thought, it seemed unlikely.

Celebrities weren’t desperate enough to act in short dramas yet, unless they were some eighteenth-tier actress she wouldn’t recognize anyway.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

At that moment, the room door opened again, and a familiar voice rang out.

“Qian Zhiyu!?”

Seeing that girl suddenly appear, Gu Chen’s face filled with shock.

It really was a small world.

She actually ran into her here!

Last time, the other girl had been kidnapped and tried to harm her, only to reap the consequences of her own actions.

Now, she was even here filming a short drama.

It was the perfect definition of a ghost that refused to leave.

“Ah!?”

Chu Xiaomeng was even more frightened, taking a step back as her breathing quickened.

Her previous resistance had been fueled by the courage of being bullied to her limit.

Now that she saw Qian Zhiyu again, the fear wouldn’t vanish instantly.

“You’re here. Come on in. This is the actor who will be playing opposite you. What, do you two seem to know each other?”

The Associate Director greeted her and shouted with a smile.

He then looked at Gu Chen and Qian Zhiyu curiously, as if he knew nothing.

“Yes, we go to the same school. We’ve spoken a few times.”

Qian Zhiyu walked in.

Her eyes were fixed on Gu Chen, and a faint, mocking smile played on her lips.

Naturally, none of this was a coincidence…

When Gu Chen and the others had come for the interview, Qian Zhiyu had accidentally spotted them.

She immediately came up with a poisonous scheme!

She had the Associate Director bring Gu Chen in and even increased the pay.

Then, she could use the audition to get revenge for what happened before.

This specific scene had been carefully selected by her.

This way, she could rightfully deal with her enemy, and the other party wouldn’t dare to do anything.

After all, they were filming a scene.

“I see. Was this your plan?”

Gu Chen was not a fool.

She understood everything in an instant, her eyes sharp and cold.

She had actually fallen into a trap!

After such a long detour, the girl actually wanted to humiliate her openly.

By the time the short drama was promoted and her schoolmates saw it, it would be a total character assassination!

“Hmm? I don’t know what you mean. But I’m quite happy to run into a classmate. Let’s cooperate well later and try to get it in one take.”

Qian Zhiyu acted innocent, though she couldn’t hide the triumph in the corners of her mouth.

She gave the Associate Director an appreciative look.

After all, she still had to maintain her image in front of others.

“Since you’re classmates, that’s even better. All departments, get ready. We’re about to start. Prepare for the audition.”

The Associate Director immediately ordered everyone into action.

They checked the equipment and set up the lights.

Everything looked perfectly normal.

“Gu Chen, how many NGs do you think the slapping scene will take?”

Qian Zhiyu crossed her arms, leaning in to whisper a provocation as she passed by her.