Chapter 9: Interstellar Audition

Meng Ying: “Aren’t you on a business trip?”

Xu Dian: “Yes, I’m in the car.”

He replied so quickly. Meng Ying looked up at her reflection in the mirror and suddenly smiled. Maybe last night wasn’t a misunderstanding. That look in his eyes…

“Let’s go.” Liu Qin nudged Meng Ying. Meng Ying put her phone away. Liu Qin glanced at her. “What’s got you smiling so happily?”

Meng Ying didn’t respond, her smile lingering as she left the makeup room.

When passing by Yang Tong’s room, she could hear loud voices inside. Liu Qin clicked her tongue and chuckled, “She’s definitely mad because you stole her endorsement, haha.”

Meng Ying remained silent, her thoughts elsewhere. She headed straight to the shoot.

After finishing the shoot for the women’s magazine, Meng Ying was given two days off. Liu Qin and the others left her alone to rest. At home, Meng Ying enjoyed her downtime watching dramas, scrolling through Weibo, and cooking. She had a passion for making pastries and brewing artisanal coffee. The peaceful activities brought her joy, and she often shared her creations with fans online.

Meng Ying wasn’t one for flashy or over-the-top marketing, nor did she actively promote herself much. This was her style.

Meng Ying V: “Rare two-day break.”

Fans immediately clamored in the comments, begging her to post a selfie. “What’s the point of showing food we can’t eat? Post pictures so we can admire you! Either show yourself with the food or a picture of you eating it. Let us share in the moment!” Another fan even tagged Gu Yan.

Gu Yan liked the post and sent her a message on WeChat.

Gu Yan: “You’re so free while I’m swamped.”

Meng Ying leaned against the windowsill, smiling as she chatted with him. A short while later, her phone rang—it was Xu Dian.

Meng Ying froze for a second before answering, lowering her voice as she said hello.

On the other end, his deep voice came through, teasingly: “Resting?”

“Mm.”

“I’m coming over.”

Each word seemed to hit her heart. Meng Ying murmured softly, “Okay.”

The man chuckled lightly before hanging up.

Meng Ying wasn’t even sure how she ended the call. She stared at her phone for a few moments before putting it down. Then, quickly heading to her walk-in closet, she began pacing back and forth. In an attempt not to look too deliberate, she chose a cinched-waist blue dress and decided to put on makeup—she’d been barefaced before.

Her skin was already fair, so all she needed was to darken her brows slightly and add a touch of lipstick. When she set the lipstick down, she noticed an eyeliner pen nearby. She hesitated for a moment before picking it up, lifting her chin, and carefully applying it.

He liked it when her eyeliner was a bit longer.

She remembered how quickly he’d replied to her messages yesterday because of those photos. Soon, the eyeliner was done, the wings extending elegantly from the corners of her eyes. She squinted at herself—there was indeed a sultry edge to the look.

The sound of the door unlocking came from outside.

Meng Ying quickly stood up, set down the eyeliner, and walked out of the room. Xu Dian was by the door, untying his tie as he entered. He glanced at her, his gaze pausing momentarily when he saw the long, winged eyeliner. His fingers hesitated briefly before he continued untying his tie. Walking towards her, he casually draped it over the back of a chair. As he got closer, a smile curved on his lips, faint amusement flickering in his eyes.

Meng Ying’s heart pounded wildly. Instinctively, she took a step back. She was always utterly powerless against him.

He tipped her chin up with his fingers, a mischievous smirk playing on his face. “Not bad—your eyeliner.”

“Really?” Meng Ying suppressed her racing heart and responded with a question.

Her back was now pressed against the wall. Xu Dian, with one hand in his pocket and the other under her chin, leaned closer, his gaze filled with teasing charm.

“For future dates, do it like this,” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

Meng Ying shivered slightly and nodded with a soft “Mm.”

Before she could react, his lips were on her, first brushing against her ear, then trailing to the corner of her eye.

So, he really liked long eyeliner… Meng Ying thought, her hand resting against his shoulder.

An hour later, Meng Ying was in the kitchen with her hair tied back, cooking wontons. She had changed into a cotton house dress, though the marks on the nape of her neck, collarbone, and ears were still faintly visible.

After plating the wontons, she brought them out. Xu Dian was lounging on the couch, browsing on a tablet. Meng Ying glanced over and paused mid-step—was he ordering magazines?

As she approached, she saw that he was purchasing a hundred copies of the magazine she’d posed for the day before. Meng Ying blinked, momentarily stunned.

Had he bought her magazines before?

Cold, indifferent, refusing to make their relationship public, not replying to her messages, never initiating, pretending not to know her in public, and showing no jealousy over her interactions with Gu Yan—none of these meant he didn’t like her, right?

Once the thought took root, it spread like wildfire. Meng Ying pursed her lips, smiling faintly as she circled around the couch. Xu Dian turned his head slightly to glance at her. Meng Ying set the bowl in front of him and sat down beside him.

Xu Dian set the tablet aside, leaned forward, picked up the chopsticks, and asked, “Just one serving?”

“I’ve already eaten,” Meng Ying replied, tilting her head to look at him. His profile was sharp, like a sculpture, with well-defined lines. Despite his inherently cold features, his almond-shaped eyes gave him a touch of charm. As Xu Dian took a bite, his jaw moved slightly, making him look even more striking.

Meng Ying felt self-conscious just looking at him. She leaned back, picked up her phone, and started scrolling.

After a few bites, the phone on the table rang.

It was Xu Dian’s. He picked it up, glanced at the screen, paused briefly, and answered the call. One hand still held the chopsticks, resting casually on his knee. On the other end was a woman’s voice.

In a soft, gentle tone, she asked, “What are you doing?”

Meng Ying instinctively looked over. She saw Xu Dian set down his chopsticks, his slender fingers lightly tapping the coffee table. His deep voice, steady and warm, responded seriously, “Just arrived in Li City, having a meal.”

It sounded as if he was reporting to someone at home.

The woman on the other end said something Meng Ying couldn’t hear. Xu Dian chuckled lightly and said, “I’ll do as you say. I’ve already spoken to the original author.”

“Alright,” the woman replied before ending the call.

Xu Dian maintained his posture, waiting for the call to disconnect before placing the phone back on the table. Then, he picked up his chopsticks and resumed eating his wontons.

Meng Ying watched him, her gaze drifting back to her phone. Unable to resist, she asked, “Who was that just now?”

Xu Dian’s jaw paused mid-motion. A few seconds later, he propped his elbow on his knee, turned to look at her, and with a slight smile, enunciated slowly, “A screenwriter.”

Meng Ying’s face turned bright red. She raised her phone to hide her face. Behind her phone, Xu Dian’s faint smile faded slightly. The amusement left his almond-shaped eyes as he turned back to finish his wontons.

A few seconds later, he asked, “Why haven’t you used the card I gave you?”

Meng Ying kept her eyes on her phone and replied, “I have money to spend.”

“Oh?” Xu Dian chuckled softly but didn’t press further.

Meng Ying wasn’t short on money, but she wasn’t wealthy either. This apartment was her only refuge; she didn’t even own a car. Her family needed financial support, and when she first started her career as an entertainer, she had been very poor. Back then, she juggled part-time jobs while trying to make a name for herself, even considering giving up entirely.

Eventually, she gained some recognition, though it came with a mix of controversy. At least she was earning enough to support herself. However, the costs of being in the entertainment industry were high—wardrobe expenses alone were significant. Combined with her family’s financial needs, she lived far less comfortably than many of her peers.

But she never spent Xu Dian’s money.

It wasn’t out of pride; she simply valued this relationship deeply.

The relationship between the two seemed to have grown closer, and she cherished it even more.

After finishing his wontons, Xu Dian seemed ready to leave, much to Meng Ying’s dismay. Unexpectedly, he pulled out a tablet, selected a movie, and drew her into his arms. As he glanced down at her dramatic eyeliner, a playful smile tugged at his lips. “Want to watch a movie?”

Blushing, Meng Ying nodded, wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning against his shoulder. He held the tablet aloft with one hand, his warm breath lingering above her. She only had to glance up slightly to see his Adam’s apple. While watching the movie, the man’s hand rested against her waist, far from still.

Meng Ying’s body tensed.

She feared he might take things further, yet there was an odd sense of anticipation. However, he didn’t. A phone call pulled him away. Meng Ying had to get up to see him off. His tie hung loosely, undone, as he lazily buttoned his shirt and slipped on his shoes before heading to the door. Stopping briefly by the elevator, he turned back, lifting her chin with a smirk and gazing at her intently.

Meng Ying whispered, “Not leaving yet?”

“I really like this makeup,” he murmured, kissing her on the lips.

“Got it.”

With that, Xu Dian let her go and stepped into the elevator. Inside, he leaned against the wall, his lips still curved into a faint smile as he looked at her.

The elevator doors closed.The playful glint in his peach blossom eyes gradually faded. He pressed a finger to the corner of his eye, his thin lips tightening, deep in thought. After closing the door, Meng Ying turned back, only for her phone to ring again.

She picked it up—it was Xu Qing.

“Finally done! I’m exhausted,” Xu Qing exclaimed over the line. “I’m planning to stay in Paris for a week before heading back. Those dishes you posted on Weibo made my mouth water. When are you making them for me?”

“I’ll bring them next time if you want.”

“Great! Oh, by the way, you and Mr. Xu…” She trailed off, referring to a previous rushed WeChat conversation.

Meng Ying subconsciously touched her lips, as if the kiss lingered. She smiled slightly and shared the recent happenings with Xu Qing.

Xu Qing was silent for a moment before saying, “Is he an eyeliner enthusiast? Why is he so fond of this makeup look?”

“I don’t know. Ever since that magazine shoot, he’s been warmer toward me. But that look in his eyes that night… I felt…”

“If that look was genuine, it means he’s good at hiding his feelings. But how do you explain all those earlier things?”

The lack of initiative, the coldness…

Meng Ying paused, about to speak when another call came through. She glanced at the screen—Liu Qin. Persistent as always, Meng Ying had no choice but to pause her conversation with Xu Qing and answer Liu Qin’s call.

Excitedly, Liu Qin exclaimed, “Oh my gosh! Guess what? I got a casting card for Interstellar! There’s a perfect role for you—the fourth female lead!”

“The fourth female lead?”

“Yes! For Interstellar, you need a casting card to even audition. I looked into it, and the fourth female lead is super likable. Even though she dies halfway through, it’s for a noble cause. It’s like the role was made for you!” Liu Qin sounded as if she’d already landed the role herself.

Meng Ying chuckled, “Take it slow. Don’t choke on your excitement.”

“Choke? I won’t—cough, cough, cough.” On cue, Liu Qin did choke, making Meng Ying laugh.

After recovering, Liu Qin said, “The audition’s tomorrow. Get ready—no more holiday for you!”

“Got it.”

After hanging up, Meng Ying couldn’t resume her chat with Xu Qing, who was being dragged off by her husband to work out. Meng Ying leaned against the window with her phone, opening it slightly to let the breeze in.

Ever since the announcement of Interstellar’s adaptation, the movie had garnered significant attention. With Huaying Pictures involved, countless actors were keeping a close eye on casting opportunities. Today’s audition was packed, particularly for the fourth female lead. Over forty actresses, ranging from those more prominent than Meng Ying to those less so, had shown up. Among them were familiar faces, strangers, and mere acquaintances she’d exchanged a few words with.

Meng Ying pulled down her mask and nodded slightly to greet them.

They returned her greeting with smiles while secretly sizing each other up. Meng Ying leaned back in her chair, and Liu Qin, seated nearby, was engrossed in her phone. Before long, Meng Ying’s name was called.

The assistant motioned to the end of the hallway and said with a smile, “Ms. Meng, the black door at the end is the audition room.”

Meng Ying stood up and flashed a smile at him. She patted Liu Qin on the shoulder before walking away in her high heels. The hallway was quite long. At the end, she spotted a black door. Reaching out to push it open, she was stopped short by a gentle female voice: “This isn’t the audition room. The audition room is next door.”

Startled, Meng Ying quickly apologized, “Sorry about that.”

She stepped back out immediately but caught a quick glimpse before leaving. Inside, a woman was gently touching her belly, her face turned to the side. A flash of red at her ear caught Meng Ying’s eye as the door closed.

Pausing briefly, Meng Ying felt that the voice sounded familiar, but she dismissed the thought and turned to finally find the correct black door at the very end.

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