Rebirth from the Ashes

That night, it took Yun Jinping a while before she fell asleep. Her thoughts brought her far away, back to the time she and her husband adopted Shen Xi; from when she was a baby, then a babbling toddler, to her first steps until her adulthood.

There was nothing more moving or fulfilling than seeing a child grow up. Moreover, her daughter turned out to be the best.

Regardless of who Shen Xi’s biological family was, she would always be Yun Jinping and Old Shen’s daughter and the apple of their eye.

Fu Qingli only called once and had not contacted her since. Occupied with the latest seasonal collection, Yun Jinping shoved those thoughts to the back of her mind.

The summer holidays quickly went by amid all the busyness.

Now a college freshman, Shen Xi had to report to school on the 23rd of August for a two-week military training that was exclusive for new students.

Three days before school began, on the 20th of August before school began, was the audition for Screenwriter Cloud Seven’s latest TV series. It was a buzz online and in showbiz. Actors, fans, and viewers were looking forward to that day.

To this day, there had not been a peep about Screenwriter Cloud Seven’s new TV series. No one even knew what the series was going to be about.

No one except Cloud Seven in the whole entertainment scene had the guts to pull such a move as they would face some serious tongue-wagging for being cocky and pretentious!

No actors would want to sign on the series if it were any other screenwriter either. They were acclaimed actors. Even the D-listers, let alone the A-listers, would not bother to audition without reading the script beforehand.

However, it was a different story with Mr. Cloud Seven. He broke the record for the highest viewership in TV history and found fame for many nameless actors with a single drama. Three of the actors even skyrocketed to the A list. Cloud Seven was not at all pretentious, he was a true bad*ss.

Cloud Seven’s presence itself was a guarantee of the script’s substance and viewership in the TV series circle.

The viewers were in anticipation brought on by the sense of mystery. There had been chatter since news traveled that Cloud Seven’s latest show was going to be shot during the second half of the year. Now that the audition was around the corner, the topic was viral every day.

The low-profile actors who had received an invitation to audition merely disclosed to their fans about it while others kept a high profile by buying their way up the trending list and paying off marketing accounts to tell the world they were on Mr. Cloud Seven’s list to audition. They were just one step away from saying that they got the leading roles.

It was definitely a showbiz wonder. Usually, TV series’ production teams would draw the actors, fans, and public in with the popularity of the actors selected.

Yet now, the actors were trying to sensationalize themselves with Cloud Seven’s latest series. It was as though the invitation to audition was an outstanding honor and proof of their good acting skills.

There was a war on Weibo among the celebrities who were invited for the audition as they fought to be on top of the trending list.

The CEO’s office of Cosmos Entertainment.

Shen Xi was feasting on a watermelon while she scrolled on Weibo. Acting like a bystander, she watched the viral war in wonder.

Yuan Yu opened the door to find the girl leisurely crossing her legs as she scrolled her phone with intrigue. He said, “Lil’ Chairman Shen, I told you to work at home. Why are you here? Isn’t it the same doing it at home?”

The audition for Cloud Seven’s latest series was such a big deal that all the major celebrities in showbiz were gathered at Cosmos Entertainment. There were also fans surrounding the company’s entrance. It was a wondrous sight to behold.

Yet, the culprit who started this was enjoying her melon while watching the Weibo battle among actors. She seemed to be having a blast.

“There’s no one at home except for me.” Shen Xi lifted her chin and chuckled at him before pointing at the remaining half of the watermelon. “For you. It’s still cold.”

“I’m not hungry.” Feeling a headache coming, Yuan Yu kneaded between his brows. He approached the window and looked down to find the fans downstairs increasing in numbers. The fans were going to take up the road across.

Traffic police just came by to tell Cosmos Entertainment to evacuate the fans from occupying the road as it was an obstruction to traffic. However, how was he supposed to control these crazy fans?

“Big Brother, is everyone here?” Shen Xi got down to business.

“More or less. Su Ruowan and Li Jingran are here.” Looking rather impressed, Yuan Yu gave her the thumbs up. “Chairman Shen, I’ve got to give it to you on the marketing campaign.”

Shen Xi was doubtlessly No. 1 in showbiz. Just look at the way things had progressed. Be it online or offline, she created a buzz that tantalized the audience and had them wanting more for over a month.

“Su Ruowan underwent cosmetic surgery, right?” Shen Xi offhandedly inquired an unrelated question.

With a frown, Yuan Yu gave it a thought. “I hadn’t noticed.”

He had not seen Su Ruowan in person, only through the surveillance footage. Hence, he was here to inform Shen Xi. Yuan Yu was surprised that Su Ruowan and Li Jingran would attend the audition despite knowing that he was the owner behind Cosmos Entertainment.

“She went under the knife.” Shen Xi gave a firm answer.

Shen Xi realized Su Ruowan’s face was unnatural when she bumped into the latter at Cream of the Crop. Su Ruowan definitely underwent plastic surgery.

Yuan Yu, “…”

Why ask him when she was so sure?

Shen Xi continued to have a good time, enjoying her watermelon and the sensation online.

Yuan Yu turned on the office projector for video conferences, made some adjustments, and placed the microphone on the desk in front of Shen Xi. He urged her, “I got the tele-interview ready. Be careful not to press on the webcam.

She would expose herself if she hit the switch.

As the screenwriter, Shen Xi did not need to audition the actors in person. Nevertheless, she could still participate in the interviews by audio. After all, there were other roles to be selected in the audition, apart from the first supporting actress that Su Ruowan was vying for and a minor character Li Jingran wanted to play.

“I’m not stupid.” Shen Xi looked up at him. “Aren’t you going to join me?”

Yuan Yu replied, “I need to go down there and see if there are any potential talents to take in.”

The well-known actors were not the only ones invited to audition. The attendees also consisted of fresh faces who went through the executives’ evaluation, and many of them were talented students of film academies.

“Okay,” Shen Xi responded with a nod.

Yuan Yu was just about to head out when a commotion was heard outside. A woman’s voice bearing arrogance and anger penetrated the door.. “Where’s Yuan Yu? If he’s not coming to me, I’m going to him!”