Blake Shaw stood elegantly in front of the elevator, watching as the young girl walked decisively forward, with a slender waist and graceful neck, her steps unwavering, just like when he first joined the company.
Back then, he was full of dreams, fantasizing about overnight success, unaware that he would roll in the mud for many years before seeing a glimmer of hope. During his era, it was already a situation where thousands competed on a narrow bridge, but now it's likely millions competing.
Wanting to become famous is more difficult than ever.
Rosie bit her lower lip as she poked her head around searching for quite a while before finally finding the interview location.
Her appearance made the interviewees go silent for a moment. A few tall girls fixed their eyes on her, saying nothing but staring intensely. In ancient times, such looks might have meant being skewered and roasted.
The girl didn't want to stir up trouble, so she didn't pay attention to their looks. Soon after she arrived, the assistant director called a large group of people inside.
She only knew there was an interview, but she didn't know what role it was for.
It was her first time acting, and she wasn't picky; she was focused on gaining experience—after all, major stars often start with minor roles.
She believed that with enough experience, she could hope to be like Blake Shaw.
The room was crowded, and despite Rosie's decent height, there's always someone taller. The tall girls lined up, giving no chance for those behind to be visible.
Opposite the group of interviewees was a row of producers and directors. They had been selecting roles for days and were aesthetically fatigued, with no smiles on their faces; the atmosphere was solemn and tense.
To catch a glimpse of herself, Rosie straightened up and moved forward, but those towering girls blocked any chance for those behind to be seen.
Was the scheming starting even before entering the entertainment circle?
The girl squeezed left and right but had no chance, getting agitated and fixing her dark eyes on the knees of one girl.
The producer looked at the wall-like row of tall girls and rolled his eyes, "Assistant director, where did you find these reeds? I'm looking for Evelyn Namgon, a charmingly evil antagonist, the one who almost killed the lead. They're so tall that they won't fit in the camera; I really..."
Before the producer finished speaking, one tall girl unexpectedly knelt down with a thud, shocking everyone in the room.
"Why did you kick me? Are you so desperate to get famous?" The tall girl got up and pointed at Rosie's nose, barking, "With that seductive face, you're naturally suited to climbing into bed for advancement."
The producers and directors turned to look, a scene supposed to be interrupted by the producer was now overtaken by the two interviewees.
Producer Sutton was blinded by anger, while the assistant director saw the girl perpetually blocked at the back; she slightly raised her chin, looking at the tall girl like she was trash, her expression quite amusing.
"Miss Reed, you and your friends are using your height advantage to block the other interviewees behind us deliberately, aren't you?"
"Your short stature is your problem."
"So you admit to doing it on purpose?"
Several interviewees started casting peculiar glances at them, murmuring comments, making the tall girl embarrassed and glaring at Rosie, squeezing out a sentence from her teeth, "Well done, just wait."
The girl raised her eyelids slightly, a cold smile escaping the corner of her mouth, "What, plotting against me behind my back? Only someone like you would do such a despicable thing."
"You!"
"Bang!" Producer Sutton slammed the table in anger, "Where do you think you are, a place for your bickering? Do you not know what your position entails?"
"Get out!"
"Wait!"
"Wait!"
Two male voices spoke in unison, and Producer Sutton glanced at the assistant director beside him who had spoken, then all eyes turned to the door.
The door suddenly opened from outside, and a man walked in. His hair was silver-white, with a flawless face radiating vigor; the room seemed much brighter once he entered.
"Oh, Blake, you're here just in time. Help us determine who's suitable for the second female lead in our new drama." The producer, who had been imperious a moment ago, now fawned over Blake like a kitten, smiling with wrinkles around his eyes.
Rosie's mood was sunny and bright; she felt she messed up the interview. Seeing Blake made her feel even more embarrassed; she had been boasting confidently in the elevator that she would prove herself, and in just a moment, she failed.
Blake surveyed the room's situation, seeing the girl with her head bowed, his lips curling up: after all, young people don't understand the heights and depths of the world.
The producer dragged the man to sit down, "The role of Evelyn Namgon is challenging, Producer Sutton really wants to use a newcomer?"
"No choice, the lead actress wants a raise; we couldn't agree, so we're going for the supporting actress." Producer Sutton lowered his voice.
"Well, you've been selecting this role for three days without a clue, delaying my schedule as well."
Producer Sutton immediately nodded and bowed, pouring Blake a cup of water, "Oh, big shot Blake, I really can't afford to upset you, don't worry, we'll finalize the second female lead today and have a kick-off meal tomorrow, it won't affect your schedule. Please don't mention refusing to perform, we have a contract."
"I think Producer Sutton is too picky. I saw someone from today's interviewees who is very suitable for the role of Evelyn Namgon."
"Oh?"
"Evelyn Namgon is the Demon Cultivator's Empress capable of infiltrating the Immortal Realm for years with means, and being part of the Dark Path, she must be stunning." Blake said as he stood up and approached the interviewees; the tall girl was brimming with expectation as the man walked towards her, ready to speak, but he spoke first, "Please, step aside."
"..."
Rosie watched Blake come closer step by step, blinking and feeling war drums beating in her chest.
Producer Sutton also came closer to observe; was this the little girl who kicked someone down?
Having been in the entertainment industry for a long time, the producer actually disliked the troublemaking type, as it easily led to issues. However, the character being cast requires some arrogance and boldness; if someone gentle and soft were picked, it really wouldn't match.
The producers and directors sitting there exchanged glances and nodded.
Director Sutton reluctantly waved his hand, "You stay, everyone else can leave."
Rosie felt as if she were stepping on clouds, somewhat ungrounded.
She stood alone in the room, realizing how spacious it truly was only after the interviewees had dispersed. She clasped her hands in front and looked up to meet the scrutinizing eyes.
Rarely do novices dare to look directly into the eyes of directors and producers; her courage is impressive.
After a long while, the assistant director chuckled, "Originally, we wouldn't call someone with a record cleaner than a face for an interview, but you seem to be the exception."
"I believe fate works in such mysterious ways. I think she's very suitable for the role of Evelyn Namgon."
Producer Sutton nodded but furrowed his brow, "Though I don't like noisy women, you are indeed the most suitable person for Evelyn Namgon so far."