“Okay, okay, I understand.”
Feng Yaoqin hung up the phone, fuming with frustration. Learning that the role had already been promised to someone else left her feeling powerless.
Who was she to complain? She and her daughter were just ordinary people, without any connections in the industry.
It wasn't just about promised auditions disappearing without a trace. Even securing a role after a successful audition only to be replaced right before filming began was not unheard of in this industry.
Feng Yaoqin understood all too well that for people like them, with no background or fame, countless obstacles awaited on their path to success. If she allowed herself to dwell on every single setback, she might just die of frustration before seeing her daughter rise to fame.
Taking a deep breath, Feng Yaoqin looked at her daughter's innocent face, unaware of what had happened. She gathered her thoughts and explained, "Suisui, it's Mommy's fault. I should have inquired about the situation beforehand… The role I told you about has already been filled. Mommy will find you another one, okay?"
Some things were better left unsaid to a three-year-old, no matter how perceptive. Feng Yaoqin couldn't bear the thought of her daughter feeling disheartened.
Despite her best efforts to conceal her emotions, Gu Suisui picked up on her mother's distress. Her beautiful almond eyes blinked with confusion as she asked, “…Are you sad because the audition is canceled, Mommy? It’s okay. Even if this role is gone, there will be better ones.”
Little Cotton Candy was trying her best to grasp the complexities of adult emotions. This is probably similar to the feeling of someone else having the snack you had your eye on?
…That would indeed be quite upsetting.
But there are so many types of snacks, it doesn't have to be that particular one, right?
Just like me, besides potato chips, I also love jelly, chocolate, ice cream…
Seeing her daughter so warm-hearted and constantly comforting her, Feng Yaoqin felt even more guilty and sad. If only she, as a mother, wasn't so useless, this wouldn't have happened.
Speaking of new roles, Gu Suisui, who had the short memory of a child, suddenly remembered something. She took out her phone and showed a text message to her mother: "Mommy, Uncle Director just told me today that a production is looking for a child actor. He asked if I'd be willing to help out and gave me a phone number to contact them."
Gu Suisui's popularity on set was not an exaggeration. Director Chen had a very good impression of her, so when a good opportunity came up, he naturally thought of her.
It was quite a coincidence. Director Chen had recently met an old friend at a gathering. This friend happened to be preparing to shoot a new film. As they discussed the script and progress, he felt that Gu Suisui would be perfect for a particular role. Plus, his old friend hadn't found a suitable candidate yet, so he enthusiastically recommended her, showering her with praises.
With his old friend's recommendation, Gu Suisui wouldn't even need to audition. As long as she showed up, the role would be hers.
Therefore, when Feng Yaoqin arrived on the 21st floor of Tianhao Entertainment, she still felt a little unreal.
Is it really that easy to get this role?
Even though Feng Yaoqin was new to this industry, she knew that appearing in a television drama and in a film were two entirely different leagues. It wasn't easy to get on the big screen. Even securing the role of the Fallen Princess was a stroke of luck. The original child actor had fallen ill before filming, giving Feng Yaoqin the opportunity to approach Li Fugui and have him help squeeze her daughter into the crew.
Never in her wildest dreams had Feng Yaoqin imagined her daughter getting the chance to star in two major productions back-to-back.
"Are you Little Gu Suisui's mother? I'm Vivian, the staff member responsible for your contract signing today." A woman in a black business suit greeted them with a professional smile and led Feng Yaoqin to a small conference room.
The contract had already been prepared. Apart from the payment section, which allowed for some negotiation, the other terms were generally non-negotiable unless under special circumstances.
Feng Yaoqin opened the contract on the table. The pre-tax payment was 20,000 yuan. After deducting taxes, they would receive around 16,000 yuan.
Noticing Feng Yaoqin's hesitation, Vivian, the person in charge, furrowed her brow slightly but maintained her polite smile. "Ms. Feng, if you have any concerns regarding the contract, we are open to further discussion."
Since this person was recommended by Director Chen, they hadn't left much room for negotiation in the payment, as they would for other actors. This payment was already as high as they could offer. If this person wasn't satisfied, she would have to call Director He for instructions.
Feng Yaoqin came back to her senses, shook her head, "I have no objections. I'll sign now."
To ensure her daughter wouldn't be shortchanged, she had specifically learned about payment standards in the industry. For a child actor with only one film credit and no established reputation, this offer was more than generous.
The script next to the contract looked incredibly thin, suggesting a screen time of perhaps less than three minutes. To offer 20,000 yuan pre-tax for such a small role was likely due to Director Chen's influence.
The reason Feng Yaoqin hadn't immediately signed her name was mainly because her feelings were quite complex at the moment.
Director Chen was renowned in the industry for nurturing talent. His extensive network meant that actors who had worked with him often received recommendations for other projects. Even Duan Tingyan, who had won two major awards at the domestic film festival two years ago, getting the title of 'double best actor', was introduced by him for the first film he made after his comeback from a car accident.
Feng Yaoqin didn't know how well Suisui had performed in 'Dormant', but since the director of this crew had such a good impression of her and even recommended other opportunities to her, it must mean she hadn't performed poorly. Director Chen might even have intentions of nurturing her talent.
Despite her limited education, having only graduated high school, Feng Yaoqin had been navigating society long enough to understand the significance of such kind gestures.
==
While Feng Yaoqin was signing the contract, Gu Suisui, who had come along, was waiting in the rest area on the 21st floor. The staff at Tianhao Entertainment had thoughtfully prepared some snacks for the little girl.
Upon entering, Gu Suisui noticed another child, slightly older than herself. She thought for a moment, then walked over on her short legs and asked in a crisp voice, "Big Sister, are you here to sign a contract too?"
Su Yuqing looked at the little girl standing in front of her with a bright smile, her hands trembling uncontrollably.
Gu Suisui!
What is she doing here?
Unlike the crowded film set where she worked as an extra, this lounge had no surveillance cameras. The moment she saw Gu Suisui, uncontrollable malicious thoughts flashed through Su Yuqing's mind, such as pushing this person from the 21st floor.
But she quickly suppressed these thoughts. She had been given a second chance at life, a life filled with promise and a brighter future. She wouldn't throw it all away by becoming a murderer for someone like Gu Suisui.
Besides, letting her die so quickly would be far too cheap for her.
In this lifetime, she had all the time in the world to play with her 'dear sister' and that two-timing scumbag who cheated on her.
Gu Suisui, who was originally preparing to make friends, suddenly felt a strong malice from this person. She was so scared that she quickly took two steps back. Who would have thought that she bumped into the corner of the table, and the pain caused her tears to well up immediately.
She didn't want to cry, but she couldn't help it! Waaaah!
Su Yuqing, standing nearby, watched the little girl cry with a cold gaze, completely unmoved. Let alone patiently comforting her like in her previous life, she couldn't even be bothered to go outside and call for staff.
At this moment, Feng Yaoqin, who had just finished signing the contract, pushed open the door and heard the crying.
Protective of her daughter, Feng Yaoqin didn't even have time to understand what had happened when she saw her daughter crying. She quickly ran over, pushed aside the person standing in front of Suisui, hugged her daughter, and said with great distress, "Don't cry, Suisui. Mommy's here."