The call came unexpectedly.
"Jiang Yue," Zeyan said, tapping on the door of her rehearsal booth. "You've got a meeting. Offline. Director Mu wants to see you."
She blinked.
"Director Mu… as in Mu Shengzhi?"
Zeyan nodded, eyes hard. "Yes. The Devil's Architect."
Mu Shengzhi wasn't just a legend—he was a myth soaked in fire and scandal.
He'd launched four careers to superstardom—and ruined seven others.
Once, an actress fainted mid-shoot due to dehydration. He used the clip in the final cut because her collapse "felt real."
His last two films were banned in three countries.
Yet even his enemies called him a genius.
Now, he wanted to meet Jiang Yue.
[System Alert: Industry Gatekeeper Detected – Mu Shengzhi]
Compatibility Probability (Creative Sync): 73%
Risk Profile: Red
Outcome Possibilities:
– Skill Unlock: "Cinematic Emotion Transfer"
– Career Burnout Chance (Untrained): 12.2%
Suggested Action: Proceed with Mentorship Caution
Pre-emptive Training Unlock: "Director Interaction Mastery – 4.0PP"
Zeyan had already approved the training module.
She would not walk in blind.
The meeting was at an old performance theatre—Mu's private rehearsal space.
The windows were blacked out. The floor scratched by decades of boots, heels, and tragedy.
Jiang Yue stepped onto the stage, alone, with only a chair in the center and lights aimed straight at her face.
"Sit."
The voice came from the shadows.
Deep. Measured.
"Speak the line from Riverlight. Scene 4. No mic. No tricks. Just you."
Jiang Yue obeyed.
"You think I wanted to survive you? You left me with no goodbye…"
"Stop."
Mu's voice cut in.
"Again. But this time, whisper it. Like the camera is sitting in your lungs."
She hesitated.
Then whispered.
"You left me with no goodbye…"
"Now scream it."
"YOU LEFT ME!"
"Now say it like you're dying but want them to remember only this line."
"You… left me…"
Silence.
Then a slow clap from the shadows.
Mu stepped forward, face angular, eyes tired.
"I see why the voice carries. But you're not cinema yet."
She held her ground.
"I want to be."
He stared for a long time.
Then tossed her a script.
It landed with a soft thud at her feet.
"Read it. Learn it. You have one week. If I see even one gesture you stole from another actress—I'll burn the reel myself."
[System Trigger: Legendary Director Mentorship Activated]
Skill Path Unlocked: "Cinematic Translation – Voice to Screen"
Learning Speed: 117% (due to FL acting base + system boost)
Timeframe: 7 Days
Intensity Tier: Orange (High Pressure)
Reward Potential:
– Skill: "Real-Time Emotional Calibration"
– Fame: Viral Clip Chance – 1 in 4
Risk: Emotional Burnout / Director Rejection – 9.6%
Zeyan waited outside.
When Jiang Yue exited, she looked like she hadn't breathed in hours.
"Was it bad?" he asked.
She looked at him, eyes bright.
"He didn't hate me."
"…That's the highest praise he gives," Zeyan said.
Then, more softly, "Do you want to do this? It's not voice acting anymore. This is… on-screen. Cameras. Public. Cameras."
"I do."
"Even if it exposes everything?"
"Yes."
That night, Jiang Yue started memorizing the script.
A role unlike anything she'd played before—a woman who commits a crime to protect a child, and slowly unravels under the weight of love and guilt.
Her system chimed.
[Workshop Available – "Criminal Guilt Method Training"]
Cost: 6.4 PP
Duration: 5 Days
Boost: +11% Performance Credibility
Warning: Emotional Fatigue Possible
Proceed? [Y/N]
She hit Y.
Without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Gu Yuxi sat in a lounge with Su Cheng, reading the same news Zeyan just received:
"Director Mu Approves New Talent – Mystery Voice Actress Jiang Yue Enters Film Scene?"
Yuxi smiled bitterly.
"That man trained me once."
Su Cheng, sipping a smoothie, said casually: "Then he traded you in for someone better?"
Yuxi didn't answer.
But her knuckles turned white around her wineglass.
Back at SkyInk, Zeyan watched Jiang Yue through the monitor.
She was re-recording lines—not for a contract—but to sync her past voice with her upcoming acting physicality.
He saw it clearly now.
She wasn't just evolving.
She was converging—voice and body, anonymity and fame, doubt and power.
She was becoming real.
Not just to the world.
But to him.