Chapter 693: Chapter 36: The Cannon Fodder Actress Opposing the Slacker Female Lead (Part 36)

Liao Ming noticed something unusual about his younger brother.

He was usually indifferent to stargazing, but on that day, when he watched the live stream on his phone at home, he unexpectedly asked a question.

"Do you know this sister?"

It was like love at first sight for the little fanboy.

But Jiang Lai had been in the industry for a while with quite a few works, and his brother never seemed interested in her before. Yet now, suddenly, he became a fan because of a live stream.

And a die-hard fan at that.

The kind who could watch a three-day live stream from start to finish without missing a moment.

After watching, he’d even go online to find special compilation edits, just to watch Jiang Lai alone.

The once black, white, and gray bedroom remarkably had a giant poster on the wall.

When the whole family thought something strange had happened to him, they were unaware that this was just the beginning.

As more things about Jiang Lai were plastered in his room, and the family got a bit anxious, he suddenly announced he wanted to be a backup guest.

Nobody knew where he even got the idea about being a backup guest from; Liao Ming couldn’t do anything but take the initiative to contact the director.

With her status, she could arrange it with a single call.

The whole family worried that with Liao Yuan’s personality, he wouldn’t be able to handle the high-intensity variety show activities.

Unexpectedly, he quietly endured till the end.

After more than ten days, he lost weight, got a little tanned, and his eyes sparkled more.

"Liao Yuan, your feelings for Jiang Lai, are they that of idol and fan or..."

"Romantic feelings between a man and a woman."

Liao Yuan’s determined tone almost made Liao Ming choke on her breath in shock.

She coughed, her face turning red.

"Kiddo, romantic relationships are more complicated than you think; they’re not just typical schoolbook questions that have standard answers, beyond the understanding of someone your age."

He was only fifteen.

A full ten years younger than Jiang Lai.

To say something like that, her brother really was bold in his speech.

Liao Yuan looked at her and chose to remain silent.

Indeed, age was a gap. He’d strive to grow up, but couldn’t guarantee Jiang Lai wouldn’t date others during that time.

Thinking of this, he frowned and pondered.

"This is just a fan’s affection, she’s so pretty and has a great personality; liking her is normal, but surely it has nothing to do with romantic feelings.

Ah, even if I explain, you wouldn’t understand. Focus on your studies.

At the very least, you can only understand these when you’re an adult."

Liao Yuan calmly watched her and slowly said.

"You, a 28-year-old single since birth, what right do you have to talk to me about feelings?"

"..."

This brat, giving her no face at all.

——

After the variety show live stream ended, Jiang Lai’s online fans increased by nearly five million, and Jiang Qu’s numbers soared, going from just over one million to more than three million since the start of the stream.

With the surge in popularity, more work followed.

As soon as Jiang Lai returned from an event, her manager seamlessly sent her to the airport.

"Where to?"

"The United States."

"For what?"

"Audition."

The manager, with a face full of indescribable joy, looked at Jiang Lai and smiled.

"You’re in luck; you’ve caught the eye of a great director. If the casting goes well, you might make a direct breakthrough into Hollywood!"

Jiang Lai wasn’t particularly interested in these things, but since she was already here, she figured she might as well meet them.

She had always been quite interested in those hero series movies; from a young age, she watched many anime, animations, and their live-action adaptations.

However, she wasn’t very familiar with the hero system in this world. When she arrived at the audition site, the two casting directors each asked her two questions she didn’t know.

Such as understanding the character or even the whole film.

Until the moment before boarding the plane, Jiang Lai could barely recall from her predecessor’s lingering memories what the male lead of the movie was called.

The manager gave her a script to look at, but it was just filled with empty formal rhetoric. Jiang Lai scanned it and tossed it aside to sleep.

So when faced with these questions, she casually replied.

"I usually don’t watch these kinds of movies. I crammed last minute because you invited me for this audition, but I can’t claim to have a profound understanding of the character; I just know she’s Chinese and can fight well.

And I, well, I can fight really well.

No stunt doubles needed, no guidance necessary; I can choreograph the fight scenes for the character, with unique martial arts moves."

"Can you show us?"

Jiang Lai didn’t hesitate, standing up straightforwardly, tucked her shirt into her jeans, and tied up her long hair before stepping back two steps.

A fluid and elegant martial arts display, a seamless blend of strength and beauty.

After the performance, Jiang Lai bowed to them in thanks.

"Thank you both for giving me the opportunity to showcase."

Once it ended, everyone waited outside.

It was only outside that Jiang Lai noticed, the first auditionee was someone she knew.

Lu Huan.

She sat next to her manager, who was also her mom, incessantly telling her things.

In the original story, the female lead Lu Huan ultimately achieved great success.

The first Chinese female lead in a hero series movie, winning multiple awards and successfully entering Hollywood as a result.

A brief mention and no detailed description of how she got selected.

Seeing Jiang Lai, Lu Huan’s expression clearly darkened, yet she still took the initiative to greet her in front of so many people.

"Fancy seeing you here; you’re here for the audition too?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Otherwise? What, you think I came here for a vacation?"

Hearing that tone, Lu Huan dropped the pretense and bluntly told her.

"In that case, let me tell you, don’t waste your time. The sun’s still out, buy a ticket back; it’ll save you some hotel fees."

"No need to worry about that; I’ve got a lot of work lately and earned quite a bit of money; a few days of hotel might be fine."

Lu Huan sneered.

"I spelt it out clearly enough, haven’t you gotten it yet? Do you think this is a variety show live stream? Faking it until you make it, fooling those brainless viewers?

Don’t get carried away because of a little success; reality is harsher than you think, not just anyone can come here for fun."

"Oh, from what you’re saying, you’re predetermined then?"

Lu Huan didn’t answer.

Her smile replied to the question.

Jiang Lai nodded.

"You scared me; I almost thought you were the director, given how big your words are.

If you’re predetermined, then what are we wasting time here for?

Everyone, no need to wait, Lu Huan just said she’s already predetermined."

Hearing this, Lu Huan’s expression faltered, and she instinctively wanted to deny it.

"What nonsense?! When did I say I was predetermined?!"

Jiang Lai looked at her, calmly took out her phone, and pressed play.