Chapter 29: Film Crew Makeup Test

Xu Zishan lunged forward to block the staff member who was turning to leave, asking in a low voice, "Brother, why doesn't that Shen Li have to queue? We arrived at almost the same time."

Even if someone didn't have to queue, shouldn't that person be her?

She was the daughter of an investor; didn't she have even this much privilege for joining the cast with backing?

The staff member was already dizzy from being overwhelmed and was in a foul mood. So, even though Xu Zishan's tone was relatively polite, the man frowned impatiently and said coldly, "Why are there so many 'whys'? Just do as you're arranged to do. Just obey."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for the people around them to hear clearly. Many people glanced over, their gazes carrying varying degrees of mockery and disdain.

Xu Zishan had never been treated like this in her life, but she knew she couldn't expose her identity as an "investor's daughter" here. She pulled out her phone, walked to the side, and called her father to complain, filled with grievance.

On the other side, under the envious gazes of the crowd, Shen Li entered the designated dressing room with Wang Chuhan.

The dressing room was not large. The curtains were drawn, and the lighting was somewhat dim. There were only two makeup mirror stations, and one was already occupied.

Upon seeing the person there, Wang Chuhan covered her mouth in excitement and cried out in a raspy voice, "Oh my god, Shen Li, it's Song Anyu!"

Song Anyu was a popular young actor who possessed both massive traffic and genuine talent. His team had an incredible ability to select scripts; he had not starred in a single bad drama in his three years since debut. Now, as long as he landed one more hit, he would inevitably become the next top-tier male actor.

This was also the first time Shen Li had seen a celebrity from such close proximity, and she felt a small surge of excitement and nervousness.

"Shen Li, right?"

Seeing someone enter, the makeup artist, Wen Xuan, put down her coffee and stood up to greet them.

Shen Li nodded quickly, pulling her gaze away from Song Anyu, and stepped forward politely to say hello, "Hello, Teacher."

Out of professional habit, Wen Xuan naturally scanned Shen Li's face, then smiled with satisfaction. "You have a very good foundation, little girl. Have a seat!"

Celebrity makeup artists preferred clients with good natural features, as it saved a lot of time and effort.

Since it was her first time for a makeup trial, Shen Li had no experience at all. Once she sat down, she remained as still as if she had been frozen in place.

Seeing this, Wen Xuan smiled and casually opened the makeup bag on the table. Shen Li caught a glimpse and realized it was filled with luxury brands.

What followed was a silent makeup session. Neither the two actors nor the two makeup artists spoke; the atmosphere in the small dressing room was quiet to the point of being oppressive.

The only one showing emotion was Wang Chuhan, who was sitting on a chair by the door. Her eyes were sparkling as she stared incessantly at Song Anyu, her gaze practically trying to fly onto him.

She then went to brag in their dormitory group chat; if the staff hadn't just said photography was prohibited here, she would have definitely snapped a hundred secret photos to take home.

At that moment, the door to the dressing room was pushed open, and Xu Zishan walked in with her head held high like a proud peacock.

"Which one is Teacher Wen Xuan?" Xu Zishan asked directly.

Wen Xuan glanced at her before saying, "I am."

"They told me to come find you for a makeup trial."

"What is your name?" Wen Xuan asked, picking up the roster nearby.

"Xu Zishan."

The name was not on the list of actors she was responsible for, and Wen Xuan couldn't help but frown in confusion.

She walked to the door and called out, "Lili, come here for a moment."

A staff member named Lili hurried over upon hearing the call. "Teacher Wen Xuan."

Wen Xuan pointed at the list and asked, "Xu Zishan isn't on here. Did you guys make a mistake? Don't add to my workload!"

Lili first gave Xu Zishan a meaningful look, then leaned in to whisper cautiously in Wen Xuan's ear, "Please bear with it, Teacher. She is from the investment side."

With that one sentence, Wen Xuan understood instantly. She couldn't help but roll her eyes toward the ceiling. Without wasting words, she dismissed Lili and casually closed the door.

"Just sit and wait."

She spoke impatiently to Xu Zishan before continuing to apply makeup to Shen Li.

Xu Zishan curled her lip, gave a look of disdain to Wang Chuhan sitting nearby, and moved a chair to sit on the other side.

To her surprise, when she looked up after sitting down, she realized the person applying a wig was actually Song Anyu.

"Ah—!"

Unable to help herself, she let out an excited scream. Her bottom, which had just touched the chair, bounced right back up. She covered her mouth in excitement: "Song... Song Anyu!"

Applying a wig is a long process. The reason no one had been speaking in the room originally was that Song Anyu was resting with his eyes closed, so everyone had remained quiet to maintain the peace.

As a result, Xu Zishan's outburst gave Song Anyu a sudden fright.

"Song Anyu, I'm a die-hard fan! I've been following you since 'Legend of the Ancient Path,' and I've watched everything up to 'Galloping Through the West Wind' which finished airing last month. Oh my god, can I take a photo with you?"

Xu Zishan's voice even carried a hint of a sob; she seemed to be a genuine fan.

"No photography allowed here," Song Anyu's makeup artist warned with an unhappy expression. "You are here for a makeup trial, not to chase celebrities."

Deflated, Xu Zishan could only sheepishly sit back down, though she inconspicuously nudged her chair a bit closer.

"Anyu, are you a lead? Are you the male lead or the second male lead?"

"I'm so excited. I didn't expect to work with you in my very first drama."

She spoke to herself, completely failing to notice that the expressions of Song Anyu and the two makeup artists had all changed. Finally, Wen Xuan could no longer tolerate it and snapped, "Can you be quiet?"

Xu Zishan's throat tightened. Seeing that Song Anyu didn't respond either, she finally sat obediently and shut up.

Shen Li's makeup was completed quickly, but attaching the hairpieces was time-consuming, taking nearly three hours to finish the entire look.

Once the hair ornaments were finally set, Wen Xuan nodded with satisfaction. "That's it."

Looking at herself in the mirror, Shen Li couldn't help but daze for a moment. After a long pause, she murmured, "It's so beautiful. Thank you, Teacher."

Wen Xuan smiled and instructed, "Sit aside for a moment. Someone will come to arrange for you to change clothes and take the official still photos."

Shen Li nodded, turned, and sat down next to Wang Chuhan. Wang Chuhan was so stunned by her look that she kept nodding, secretly giving her a thumbs-up: "Baby, you look gorgeous!"

Xu Zishan naturally noticed Shen Li's styling as well. The hairpiece was adorned with a white jade flowing tassel—how could that be a look for a maidservant?

Furthermore, the makeup was exceptionally exquisite, elevating Shen Li's beauty to a whole new level.

However, she didn't say anything. Instead, she felt a secret joy in her heart; if Shen Li, a maidservant to a fourth young lady, could have such a beautiful look, then she certainly wouldn't be any worse.

She sat down expectantly and took the initiative to look at Wen Xuan, saying, "Teacher, I am playing 'A-Yu,' the personal maid to the second young lady, 'Hua Xixi'."

(End of Chapter)