Capítulo 5: Jing Xia
An Ning wakes up early, the sunlight streaming through her window, casting a warm glow over her room. She stretches, shaking off the remnants of sleep as excitement and anxiety flutter in her stomach. Today is the day of her audition for The Flowers of the Garden, a chance she's been dreaming about for weeks. As she prepares, she carefully selects her outfit, wanting to make a good impression. Taking a deep breath, she grabs her script and heads out the door.
In the taxi, An Ning reviews the lines sent to her for today's audition, her fingers lightly tracing the paper as she mutters the words under her breath. Although she feels a knot of nerves tightening in her chest, she can't quite grasp the reason behind it. Perhaps it's the weight of this opportunity, or the fear of failure. Regardless, she tells herself to stay focused and calm.
When she arrives at the audition venue, the sight is overwhelming. The place is buzzing with people—actors of all types, each one vying for a chance to be part of this film. As she watches others enter and be called in for their turns, An Ning feels her heart race. With each passing moment, her anxiety mounts, and she silently reassures herself, "I can do this." The words echo in her mind, a mantra against the tide of self-doubt.
Minutes later, the door swings open, and a girl emerges, tears streaming down her face. An Ning feels a pang of sympathy but also a surge of anxiety as the name "An Ning" is called. It's her turn. Without hesitating, she steps forward and enters the room.
The moment she crosses the threshold, An Ning is taken aback. There, seated at the table, is Zhi Hao—the man she researched just the night before. He's even more striking in person, with an air of confidence that draws her attention. While surprise flares in her heart, she expertly masks her feelings, ensuring that nothing shows on her face.
Meanwhile, Zhi Hao is caught off guard by the mention of An Ning's name. He instantly recalls the woman who performed at the party, and a thought flits through his mind, "Could it be her?" He shakes off his surprise, but no one seems to notice his intense gaze fixed on her. An Ning, sensing someone watching her, feels an unyielding scrutiny but decides to brush it off, focusing instead on the task at hand.
The director of the film, Thomas, is American but greets her with a warm smile and fluent Mandarin, saying, "Hello, An Ning. I really enjoyed your video of you singing and playing the piano. I sent you this script because I believe you embody the character of Jing Xia in terms of appearance, but I'd like to see how you perform. Are you ready for that?"
An Ning feels a rush of relief and gratitude wash over her. She has always admired directors who appreciate talent and creativity. After thanking him, she takes a deep breath, centering herself, and transforms into Jing Xia, embracing the character's essence for her performance.
The Flowers of the Garden isn't just a romantic film; it is one filled with tension and emotion. Jing Xia, the character An Ning portrays, has a deeply tragic backstory. As an orphan, she has always relied on a childhood friend from the orphanage who cared for her. The love Jing Xia feels for him is profound, but the story takes a dark turn when she ultimately sacrifices herself to save him, Lei Yuan, from a shooting. It's a heartbreaking narrative that leaves a mark, and An Ning finds it easy to draw parallels between herself and Jing Xia—both share similar struggles and resilience.
As she pours her heart into the role, Zhi Hao watches An Ning with keen interest. He thinks to himself, "She has talent; she reminds me of a rough diamond just waiting to be polished." Her performance captivates him, and he finds himself engrossed in her portrayal of the character's pain and determination.
At the conclusion of the scene, An Ning takes a moment to compose herself, returning her emotions to a calm state as she awaits the director's feedback. Thomas looks at her with a smile and says, "You really performed well. There are a few areas for improvement, but I was genuinely impressed." He turns to Zhi Hao, asking, "What did you think?"
As their eyes meet, An Ning feels an unexpected connection. She thinks, "What a handsome man; he doesn't deserve to be in a coma," before catching herself and smiling softly, realizing, "Now I understand why Ming Hao is adopted; he's not nearly as attractive as the Hao family."
Zhi Hao observes An Ning's discreet smile and, for a moment, his breath catches. He takes a moment before responding, speaking slowly, "Good."
Encouraged by his words, An Ning smiles back at him, a spark of hope igniting within her.
Thomas chuckles, enjoying the chemistry in the room. "You can go now. Expect an email soon about whether you've passed or not," he says.
An Ning expresses her gratitude and leaves the audition room, her confidence surging as she walks away, unaware of Zhi Hao's lingering gaze following her.
After An Ning departs, the audition process continues with ten more hopefuls. Finally, as the day draws to a close, Thomas turns to Zhi Hao and asks, "What are your thoughts? Who is your favorite? After all, the chosen actress will be working closely with you on this film, especially since you are Lei Yuan."
Zhi Hao reflects on the performances, a single face emerging clearly in his mind. He replies without hesitation, "An Ning."
Thomas bursts into laughter at Zhi Hao's response. "I'm glad you liked An Ning too! I have a feeling this girl is destined for greatness. It's settled then; she'll be the one."
Zhi Hao nods thoughtfully, his mind racing with possibilities as he contemplates An Ning's potential.
Meanwhile, An Ning arrives home, her heart racing with anticipation. As she checks her email, a notification catches her eye. With trembling hands, she opens it, and her breath hitches when she reads, "Congratulations! You will be our Jing Xia."
In disbelief, An Ning reads the message over and over, unable to contain her joy. She jumps up and down, feeling a rush of excitement and hope. Her life is finally taking a turn for the better, and she can hardly believe it. With newfound determination, she begins to prepare for filming while also studying for her college entrance exams, ready to embrace whatever comes next.
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