Reborn in the Hong Kong entertainment industry in the 1980s

Hu Xiaoxiao didn't know what You Na was up to, but it didn't affect her. She found a seat and waited patiently.

The male actors next to her were all acquaintances; two or three of them were Charlie's men, and they started chatting with Hu Xiaoxiao.

"Xiaoxiao, Xia Lu just went in. She's also competing for Xie Weihua. She's close to Director Qi, and I heard that Xiu had already spoken to Director Qi to arrange an important role for her. Although your image is very suitable, you'll have to suffer a bit in terms of personal connections. I guess it will be difficult for you to compete with Xia Lu."

Hu Xiaoxiao said nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter. She has connections, and I have the ability. Until the very last moment, no one can claim to be the winner."

Seeing Hu Xiaoxiao's confidence, the male actors, while agreeing with her in their hearts, didn't see it in a very realistic light. In television, sometimes talent isn't the most important thing; connections are. As long as your connections are strong enough, talent doesn't matter that much. They've seen through this after so many years in the industry.

There were fewer than ten people who auditioned in total. Did they only audition because of their good acting skills and suitable appearance? Does the company lack artists with good acting skills and good looks?

Hu Xiaoxiao agrees with some of their views, but also disagrees with some of their overly one-sided views. To do something well, you can't rely on just one aspect, but on all aspects.

They only saw her confidence, but they didn't know the effort behind it.

She is Hu Xiaoxiao, not someone else, so other people's experiences are not applicable to her.

During their casual conversation, the audition room door opened, and Xia Lu walked out with a smile, looking relaxed and happy.

It's clear that her audition was very successful and she was very confident.

This was the first time Hu Xiaoxiao had met Xia Lu in person. The Xia Lu he had seen before was from TV drama videotapes, and those dramas were filmed several years ago, so there was a clear difference between her and the Xia Lu of today.

The current Xia Lu has lost her former naivety and gained more maturity and composure, but she has also lost some of her former charm.

But she is still very beautiful, especially when she wears a cheongsam. She has a lot of charm and gives people the feeling of a woman from old Shanghai.

Xia Lu came out and saw Hu Xiaoxiao at first glance.

Hailed by the media as the most beautiful Miss Hong Kong in history, she was the first to be awarded the title of Charity Ambassador by the Hong Kong government. Her starring dramas became increasingly popular, and she was the fastest actress to win Best Actress at Hong Kong Television. However, she also had her share of scandals, with rumored boyfriends ranging from wealthy young men and company executives to popular young actors—all either rich or handsome.

Xia Lu had seen Hu Xiaoxiao's photos in magazines and newspapers, and was amazed by her beauty just by looking at the photos. Now that she had seen her in person, she was even more beautiful than she was, making her feel ashamed of herself.

Younger and more beautiful than her, and in terms of appearance... Hu Xiaoxiao's attire and demeanor were even more like those of a socialite.

Xia Lu felt an unprecedented sense of crisis, even more intense than when she experienced a dismal box office performance in the film industry.

She returned to the TV station with great ambition, wanting to regain her status as a top-tier actress. However, she faced the distinctive style of You Na in front of her and the formidable Hu Xiaoxiao behind her. What could she rely on to regain her position as a top-tier actress?

It depends on connections!

Yes, she still has connections, the connections Xiu left her.

Xia Lu looked at Hu Xiaoxiao with renewed composure, then looked up and walked past her.

After Xia Lu left, Hu Xiaoxiao asked the male actors if they wanted to go in first, since they had arrived before her.

"You should go," several male actors politely suggested.

Anyway, they and she are not competitors, so it doesn't matter whether they come first or last.

Hu Xiaoxiao didn't refuse and stood up, "Then I'll go in first."

Pushing open the door to the audition room, Hu Xiaoxiao walked in gracefully.

"Hello everyone, I'm Xie Wei'an, I'm 23 years old, and I just returned from studying in France..."

Hu Xiaoxiao confidently introduced herself—her character—to the director and the judges. At that moment, she believed she was Xie Wei'an.

The director and all the judges looked up at the woman who had entered.

She walked up to them in a Western-style dress from half a century ago, elegant and refined, as beautiful and radiant as a rose in full bloom.

When she began to speak, her manner of speaking and her demeanor were remarkably like those of a woman from that era.

Director Qi and the other judges were all mesmerized by her every move, as if they could see through her the era of war and extravagance.

"You are... Hu Xiaoxiao? Please have a seat."

After Hu Xiaoxiao finished her self-introduction, the director glanced at the materials in his hand, then looked at Hu Xiaoxiao with surprise.

Hu Xiaoxiao's practiced demeanor and every gesture exuded the unique elegance of a Shanghai socialite as she sat down in front of the director. Her confidence made her appear remarkably relaxed, and this very relaxation enhanced her dignified and noble air befitting a wealthy heiress.

The director and the judges mistakenly thought that the person sitting in front of them was not an actress, but a real lady from a prominent family in old Shanghai.

"Hello Director Qi, I'm Hu Xiaoxiao. It's a pleasure to meet you, and an honor to play an important role in your production. I believe I won't let you down," Hu Xiaoxiao said confidently and poisedly.

The director admired the beautiful and confident woman and said, "I've seen your profile and watched the TV dramas you've acted in. Your action scenes are beautiful. I think you're very suitable for the role of An Baojuan. You must know about An Baojuan; she's a woman who lives in the streets and underworld, and there are a lot of fight scenes, which require the actress to have certain skills. Hu Xiaoxiao, if you play this role, you can handle it very well."

Hu Xiaoxiao couldn't help but chuckle. "It's quite surprising that Director Qi said that. I thought it was a new director who would say something like that."

"Why do you say that?" Director Qi sensed that Hu Xiaoxiao's words implied a belittling tone towards him.

Hu Xiaoxiao said, "A first-rate director trains an actor, and a legendary director makes an actor. Only mediocre or inexperienced new directors would rely on actors. Director Qi, you think my portrayal of a woman from the martial arts world is good, so you want to use my experience in portraying women from the martial arts world to make your work better. This is really not the behavior of a legendary director, and it also makes you seem unprofessional."

Qi Weiming, whether angered by Hu Xiaoxiao or something else, burst out laughing. "According to you, how do I become professional?"

"Of course, you have to let me play a role I've never played before, and then train me successfully. That's what makes you look good, capable, and professional."

“That makes sense.” Qi Weiming nodded and said, “I agree with you. You should play Yamamoto Masako. Yamamoto Masako is Japanese, and you’ve never played a Japanese character before. This is a good opportunity for you to create a different kind of role. I also believe I have the ability to bring this character to life.”