Chapter 1294
A Star Reborn: The Queen's Return
Another person-in-charge of a smaller-scale training camp said, âItâs rare that a rich girl is so considerate and has no airs at all, what a pity that sheâs already in Imperial.â
The person beside him said, âExactly. But itâs weird, Xia Yingluo is Li Leiâs daughter, why did she come over to Imperialâs training camp when she couldâve stayed in Skyart?â Her fatherâs entertainment firm was in no way inferior to Imperial Entertainment, it made perfect sense if sheâd joined the other instead.
They were all rather stumped, and no one wouldâve guessed that back then, the naive Miss Xia Yingluo had come over to Imperial just because of Zhao Yixuanâs words. What couldâve been a beautiful love story was no longer existent, but the decisions back then were still âeffectiveâ. Onstage, Xia Yingluoâs performance wowed everyone, and the applause was thunderous as the curtains closed.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
She led the group of trainees down the stage to take their bows. The elegant and presentable movement brought about another round of applause.
The performance was a major success. Under Xia Yingluoâs lead, this batch of trainees received great reviews and comments from the various firmsâ representatives.
After the show was over, everybody was busy removing their makeup backstage when Jiang Bilian smiled and said, âYingluo, you did really well today, everyone on the floor had their eyes on you. Thanks for looking out for me during the meteor shower scene, otherwise I wouldnât have caught up.â
Xia Yingluo smiled. Although she knew that Jiang Bilian was just fawning over her, her kind words were welcomed anyway.
While removing her makeup, she said, âI saw Chu Chen in the crowd just now, and representatives from major firms. They all looked pretty impressed. I guess weâll all have a rather good career ahead.â They werenât the only cohort involved in the performance, there were seniors too, just like the male lead who was about to make his debut. His performance this time around should be good enough for him to land a few offers.
As for those who werenât due for their debut yet, leaving a good impression on the firmsâ representatives was beneficial for their future too.
Jiang Bilian said, âI wish I could just make my debut already.â
She was already 17, and sheâd be 18 the following year. Time wasnât on her side.
Imperial Entertainment did not impose a strict timeline with regards to trainees making their debut. Some of them debuted within a year of joining the training camp, while others might go back with nothing even after three to four years of training. But this cohort of trainees was outstanding. With more effort, some might even make their debut earlier.
Zhu Zhu, who was right beside Jiang Bilian, said, âMe too. Once we make our debuts, we wouldnât have to train so hard to build our foundations anymore. Itâs so tiring.â
âItâs going to be even more competitive after your debut.â A guy teased. âYouâre so lazy, itâs best you remain in the training camp.â
The room was full of joyful laughter and humorous exchanges when all of a sudden, somebody knocked on their door. The door wasnât actually closed, but the person did not enter so as not to appear rude. They turned around and saw a tall man in a neat suit.
Xia Yingluo and Jin Lingâer both recognized this man. Jin Lingâer greeted him first. âManager Du?â
The man was Du Zheng, the renowned Director of the Du Family Organization. He nodded to Xia Yingluo as a form of greeting before turning to Jin Lingâer. âDo you have some time? I need to talk to you.â
Jin Lingâer was a little stunned and she glanced at Xia Yingluo intuitively.
Xia Yingluo said, âGo on.â
Only then did Jin Lingâer follow Du Zheng out.
Once theyâd left, the whole dressing room exploded with questions and excitement. They asked Xia Yingluo, âYingluo, whoâs that? Heâs so handsome.â
Xia Yingluo told them about Du Zheng and added, âThe Dusâ entertainment firm is a pretty good choice. Their family and mine are long-time family friends. Also, Brother Du Zhengâs character is trustworthy. He wouldnât ill-treat the artistes under his wing.â
âHaha. Yingluo, I really wonder why you didnât stay in Skyart, and instead came all the way to Imperial indeed. That gives the rest of us less of a chance.â Someone teased. âOur principal really has a huge heart to accept you.â
Xia Yingluo laughed as well. âPfft, Iâm genuinely here to train well and improve.â
Jiang Bilian was busy thinking about something. âYingluo, what do you think Director Du is here for? Could he be offering her an exclusive debut contract?â Upon hearing this possibility, everybody quietened down and looked towards Xia Yingluo.
Xia Yingluo only just thought of this possibility with their reminder.
âSeriously?â She mumbled subconsciously.
To be fairly honest, Jin Lingâer was above average in the training camp, but she was nowhere near outstanding. Even if someone was to be picked to make an earlier debut, she shouldnât be considered a top choice. âMaybe, itâs something else theyâre discussing?â Xia Yingluo said with uncertainty. After all, Du Zheng and Jin Lingâer had known each other before this.
But the other trainees didnât think like her. They guessed that Jin Lingâer was lucky enough to make her debut soon.
The rest of them went about their own business.
When Xia Yingluo returned to the dorm, Jin Lingâer wasnât back yet.
She took a shower first and saw Jin Lingâer return as she was combing her hair.
âWhat was Du Zheng here for?â Xia Yingluo asked. âYou seem so happy, did he really ask for you to debut early?â
âYou got that right.â Jin Lingâer was overjoyed and couldnât stop herself from giving Xia Yingluo a tight hug. âYingluo, congratulate me! Director Du wants me to sign a contract with their firm. Heâs off to settle the paperwork, and Iâll be making my debut in no time!â
Xia Yingluo wasnât as upbeat about it as she was. Rather, she found it a little strange. âWhyâd he pick you?â
Jin Lingâer didnât mind that she was being direct, since she knew full well that her performance among this cohort of trainees wasnât especially good. âI asked Director Du that too.â Jin Lingâer said, âItâs a coincidence, actually. Director Du said that his firm is shooting a movie and theyâre short of a suitable character. They felt that Iâd be a good fit for it, so theyâre planning to sign a contract with me.â
Was that the case?
The explanation sounded reasonable, but Xia Yingluo still found it odd.
Putting this explanation aside, she looked at Jin Lingâer seriously. âLingâer, you really want to debut right now? Your foundation isnât that strong yet, Iâd suggest you stay on for another year before making your debut. Itâll be better this way.â
Jin Lingâer sighed. âItâs true that my foundation isnât very strong. I know that, too. But Director Du has come with an olive branch. If I miss it this time, I might never get another chance like this.â There was one more thing she omittedâher friend over here was so outstanding and came from a good and powerful family, how could she compare? Only by making an earlier debut in the entertainment circle and making a name for herself could she avoid othersâ spreading rumors that Xia Yingluo helped her achieve success.