With global currency devaluation, I'll wear these back and take my whole family flying!

Seeing Lu Jinzhao's sincere gaze, Shen Ci nodded gently.

Just then, the salesperson finished the paperwork and handed the brand-new property certificate to Shen Ci: "Ms. Shen, the transfer is complete. Congratulations on becoming the owner of 'Wan Jia Deng Huo' (Ten Thousand Lights)."

"Thank you."

Lu Jinzhao chimed in, "Miss Shen, you may not know this, but although this house has changed hands through me, I haven't even had a chance to move in and live there for a single day. In the end, it's still practically a brand new house."

Shen Ci raised an eyebrow knowingly: "Then I have to thank Mr. Lu. If it weren't for Mr. Lu's clever move, such a well-located house would probably have been snatched up by someone else long ago. I got a bargain."

Lu Jinzhao chuckled upon hearing this: "In the end, it's just that Miss Shen has a special connection with this house. By the way, Miss Shen, since the invitation was given at the last minute, the company's invitation has already been sent out. Please send me a message when you arrive on Friday, and I'll come out to meet you."

"Ok, no problem."

Meanwhile, Longcheng Film Academy.

Large groups of students poured out of the rehearsal hall for the stage play.

"Shen Li, you acted so well just now, no wonder the casting director decided on you right away."

"You've only been in school for a few days, and Shen Li, you've already landed a role in a major IP. That's amazing."

"It's all my fault for not having read the novel 'Destined to Be a Phoenix,' otherwise I definitely could have performed even better just now."

Several girls surrounded Shen Li as she came out; they had just attended the audition for the drama "Destiny is Phoenix".

Film and television companies have long-term, in-depth collaborations with performing arts schools. Whenever a production crew needs actors, they come directly to the school to select them. A large number of new faces audition together, and many people are able to seize the opportunity to play minor roles, allowing them to gain exposure to the audience in the early stages of their acting careers.

Some are lucky enough to land important supporting roles right away, and then get signed by an agency, where they'll have a team to support them from then on.

Shen Li felt a little embarrassed by the praise, and the fact that none of her classmates had gotten roles made her feel inexplicably guilty.

She has this kind of self-destructive personality; she subconsciously takes on responsibilities that are not hers.

"I was just lucky, and it was just a maid's role. You'll definitely get better roles in the future." Shen Li forced a smile, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her clothes.

Wang Chuhan, her roommate, couldn't help but laugh at her reaction and said to the other classmates, "Look at Shen Li. She's usually so gentle and weak, but she was like a completely different person as soon as she stepped on stage."

Thinking of the scene Shen Li had just auditioned where she "strangled someone," her emotions were full and her performance was extremely moving. The students nodded in agreement: "That's right, the look in her eyes when she turned her head startled me. I even whispered to Wang Huiru, 'Is this still Shen Li?'"

"She must have been completely immersed in the role to be able to be so absorbed in it. Shen Li was born for this."

"Anyway, I'm not surprised at all that Shen Li got the role of 'Ayu,' but the other actors' performances were just so-so. I didn't find them particularly outstanding."

Upon hearing this, Shen Li hurriedly waved her hand in a flustered manner: "Don't say that, it was my first time auditioning, I just acted randomly."

Not far behind, a pretty girl looked at Shen Li's timid appearance and curled her lip in disdain: "What are you pretending for all day?"

After most of the students had come out, a physical education teacher from the academy accompanied the casting team out last.

The man at the head of the group, wearing sunglasses, was Feng Shan, the casting director for the drama "Destiny is Phoenix".

"Director Feng, you've worked hard. Our students this year are very outstanding. Please give them more opportunities in the future!" the teacher said with a smile, wanting to secure more opportunities for the students.

Feng Shan nodded, picked up the roster in his hand, and glanced at the students who had been selected: "There are indeed a few good ones."

"Because this is a big historical drama IP, there are quite a few missing maids and guards. Although they are not important roles, you know, as long as the drama is a hit, it will definitely be worth the effort. Besides, the ones I picked today are all characters who have a lot of lines throughout the entire drama."

"Yes, yes, Director Feng, don't worry. I'll definitely urge them to practice their voice, acting, and physical expression properly so they won't hold the crew back."

"Okay, let's leave now. We can discuss any issues that arise later."

As soon as the teacher and the casting team separated, the girl from before rushed forward.

"Director Feng, please wait a moment."

Feng Shan stopped and turned around upon hearing the sound. He saw a girl run up to him. She quickly tidied her hair, then smiled and said, "Hello, Director Feng, my name is Xu Zishan."

Feng Shan looked at the girl and nodded: "I know, you just auditioned. Is there something you need?"

The rest of the team frowned slightly. Having been in the industry for a long time, they had seen all kinds of people. There were quite a few who would do anything to climb up the ladder, and they had seen Xu Zishan's actions before.

How can I get close to the casting director to secure a better role for myself?

As expected, Kate Tsui was a formidable opponent; without beating around the bush, she went straight to the point: "I want the role of 'Ah Yu'."

Feng Shan was taken aback, and subconsciously glanced at the name on the booklet again: "You weren't rejected either, were you cast as 'Aru'?"

As he spoke, Feng Shan looked up at her and smiled, "Or are you trying to steal someone else's role?"

"Yes." Xu Zishan didn't deny it at all: "'Aru' is the Fourth Miss's maid. The Fourth Miss doesn't have many scenes in the original story, so her maid has even fewer scenes."

“Ayu is different; she’s the second young lady’s maid. Although she’s a villain, she has a lot of screen time and a lot of room to perform. I want to try my best, Director Feng, I’m sure I can do a good job.”

She finished speaking with a serious expression, but was met with laughter from the casting team.

Feng Shan glanced at the name Shen Li, which was originally intended for the role of "A Yu". This was the name that left the deepest impression on him, and it was also the best performance among the students who auditioned today.

"Young lady, it's good to have ambition, but you're still young. You shouldn't reveal your ambition so early. Only when you've established yourself in this industry will you be qualified to choose roles, understand?"

After saying that, Feng Shan turned to leave with his men, but Xu Zishan's next words made him stop in his tracks.

"Director Feng, what if my dad could invest money?"

Feng Shan turned to look at him, and the others also stopped smiling.

The most important thing is that the project needs money. If we can bring back some investment today, the boss will be very happy.

Feng Shan stared at her for a long time, then suddenly smiled and said, "Xu Zishan, right? I'll remember you."