Chapter 0184 The Secret of the Audition

In this world, most of the most profitable industries harm others for personal gain—this is beyond doubt, because if you don't harm others' interests, making money is actually very difficult.

Zhao Fusheng didn't know what was happening in the capital, and even if he did, he wouldn't bother to ask, because in his eyes, it was just a very ordinary and trivial matter.

The only way to be valued by others is to produce something that moves them.

In a spacious practice room at Ninghai Normal University's School of Music, an audition was being held as scheduled. A review panel of four sat behind a table facing a mirror, sizing up the six girls lined up in front of the table, frequently whispering among themselves.

"Xiao Qin, what do you think of these girls?"

"Director Li, who can tell just by looking?"

Qin Wentao, called Xiao Qin, laughed evasively. Director Li then said listlessly, "Things are really not what they used to be. In the past, during auditions, these girls were all stunningly beautiful, a real feast for the eyes. Now, they just put out a dry washbasin and have them wash their faces one by one, calling it a product demonstration. How boring."

Qin Wentao chuckled lightly without responding, instead waving for Dong Chenxi beside him to announce the start of the audition.

Zhao Fusheng frowned slightly, glanced at Director Li, then at Qin Wentao beside him, wondering why Qin Wentao had brought him here.

Today's audition was for a cosmetics ad taken on by Future Advertising. The director hired was a fairly well-known one from the provincial capital, a veteran in the advertising circle.

As for Director Li, he was poached by Zheng Yao from another ad agency. His name was Li Jianguo, also an old hand in advertising—many of the early ads in Ninghai were produced with his involvement. Now, he was responsible for the main work of the planning department.

In an ad agency, planning and creative are separate departments. Simply put, the creative department is responsible for coming up with the ad concept, while the overall product promotion, including ad shooting, is handled by the planning department.

Logically, Qin Wentao and Li Jianguo belonged to different departments, so there shouldn't be any conflict between them.

"Number seven, one minute to prepare," Dong Chenxi announced loudly.

The girl with the number seven tag on her waist walked from the door to the washbasin, first bowed to the review panel, then closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as if making a final emotional adjustment. Zhao Fusheng watched the girl intently, his expression calm, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

At that moment, Li Jianguo spoke again: "Xiao Zhao, this girl has quite a presence, doesn't she?"

As creative director, Zhao Fusheng had been brought by Qin Wentao to broaden his horizons. Li Jianguo didn't find anything unusual, since he knew Zhao Fusheng was highly regarded by Zheng Yao.

Zhao Fusheng frowned and asked curiously, "Director Li, do you know her?"

"Yes, this girl often attends ad auditions. I've seen her a few times," Li Jianguo nodded unexpectedly.

Zhao Fusheng frowned again, but before he could speak, Qin Wentao interjected, "Let's watch the performance first."

Hearing this, Zhao Fusheng said nothing more, just flipped through the resume in front of him. He learned that the fairly good-looking girl was named Yuan Lu, a student at Ninghai Film Academy, with plenty of audition experience.

Time was up. Dong Chenxi announced loudly, "Number seven, please begin. Thirty seconds limit."

At the command, Yuan Lu stepped back a few paces and lay down flat on the floor. She closed her eyes, breathing calmly, looking completely asleep.

Zhao Fusheng looked puzzled, while Qin Wentao frowned slightly, then watched more intently.

A full five seconds passed before Yuan Lu opened her eyes. She sat up, looking groggy.

She raised her arms high in a stretch, glanced sleepily at her watch, then widened her eyes, jumped up in a fluster, rushed to the washbasin, splashed her face haphazardly, wiped it with a towel, and then, checking her watch, strode briskly toward the door.

Half the time had already passed, but Yuan Lu hadn't touched the cosmetic bottle sitting by the washbasin even once. Everyone watched her in surprise. Just as she reached the door, she suddenly stopped, slapped her forehead in annoyance, turned around, and ran back to the washbasin even faster. She picked up the jar of face cream, unscrewed the lid, and applied it to her face.

Zhao Fusheng nodded and turned to look at Qin Wentao, only to find him furious, while Li Jianguo wore a broad smile.

"Time's up!" Dong Chenxi quickly announced. Yuan Lu bowed to the panel and exited.

"That girl performed well, didn't she?" Li Jianguo asked Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

Zhao Fusheng nodded noncommittally: "Not bad."

"Let's see the rest," Qin Wentao interjected, his tone tinged with impatience.

"Ah?" Li Jianguo was taken aback, then laughed and said evasively, "Alright, alright, let's continue watching."

The next few auditionees performed averagely. In Zhao Fusheng's view, Yuan Lu was clearly the best.

"We've seen everyone. Any thoughts?" Li Jianguo asked Zhao Fusheng and Qin Wentao with a smile after the last auditionee left the room.

Zhao Fusheng said nothing, his gaze fixed on Qin Wentao.

Qin Wentao sneered: "Since Director Li has already made up his mind, why bother asking us?"

Li Jianguo waved his hand with a smile: "That's not how it is, Xiao Qin. We should pool our ideas."

Qin Wentao snorted and stood up: "I have nothing to say. That's it."

With that, he walked straight out the door.

Zhao Fusheng was completely baffled. The two were both in the creative department and classmates; he couldn't just ignore it. Smiling at Li Jianguo and the ad director, Zhao Fusheng said, "I'll go check on him."

With that, he followed Qin Wentao out.

Watching their retreating figures, Li Jianguo's smile faded, replaced by a mocking expression. Turning to the director, he put on a pleasant smile and said, "Come, Director, let's discuss the specifics of the shoot..."

Outside the large classroom, Zhao Fusheng saw Qin Wentao standing in a daze at the entrance of the School of Music. Walking over, he asked curiously, "What's wrong with you today?"

He didn't understand why Qin Wentao was acting so strangely.

Qin Wentao smiled bitterly and said to Zhao Fusheng, "Do you think Yuan Lu's performance was especially good?"

Zhao Fusheng nodded. Yuan Lu's performance was indeed very good, fully meeting the ad's requirements. Was there something wrong?