"I'll go!"
The words burst from Bai Chenxi's lips without the slightest hesitation. Her tone was sharp, resolute, ringing with a desperate determination that startled even Hong Jie on the other end of the line.
This was not the timid, indecisive Bai Chenxi she remembered—the one who had always let Zhao Qian lead her by the nose. No, this voice carried steel.
"Have you really thought this through?" Hong Jie's tone turned grave. "This drama has almost no budget. The platform is small, the production team is average, and the role they're giving you is nothing more than a spiteful side character. It'll be exhausting, the pay is low, and… let's be honest. With your reputation in shambles, there's no guarantee they'll even pick you."
Her words were blunt, cutting straight to the truth. In today's entertainment industry, Bai Chenxi's name was synonymous with "scandal" and "washed-up."
But Chenxi didn't waver. "I've thought it through. I don't care about hardship, I don't care about pay, and I don't care if it's a villain. As long as I have a chance to act, I'll take it. Whether I get chosen or not is out of my control. But whether I try or not—that's my choice."
There was silence, heavy and thoughtful. Finally, Hong Jie exhaled.
"…Alright. Since you're so determined, I'll send you the audition time and location. I'll forward you the script excerpts too—it's only a few scenes, so study them well."
"Thank you, Hong Jie!" Chenxi's gratitude was raw and sincere.
Moments later, her phone buzzed with the files.
Title:Splendid YearsRole: Lin Weiwei—poor background, jealous heart, the classic "school beauty" turned bitter villainess who schemes against the heroine, only to bring about her own downfall.
A shallow, cliché role to most. But to Bai Chenxi in this moment, it was a lifeline.
She immediately downloaded the script onto her laptop, poring over every line.
Little Nian Nian, as though sensing Mommy was busy, played quietly with his blocks on the rug. Not a single complaint, not a single interruption.
Chenxi's gaze lingered on the text, and slowly, she sank into the character.
Years of experience as a faceless extra, combined with the pain of death and rebirth, gave her insight others lacked. She refused to treat Lin Weiwei as a cardboard villain. Instead, she sought the cracks beneath the malice—the insecurity, the desperation, the gnawing hunger for recognition.
She practiced tirelessly in front of the mirror, rehearsing lines, polishing micro-expressions, perfecting the contrast between outward innocence and hidden venom.
Each tilt of the head, each flicker of the eyes—she refined them again and again. And as she performed, Zhao Qian's false smiles and veiled malice surfaced in her mind. Chenxi channeled that poison directly into her portrayal.
Time slipped away.
By the time she tore herself out of character, the afternoon sun had dipped low, painting the room in golden light. Nian Nian had fallen asleep on the carpet, still clutching a brightly colored block in his tiny fist.
Her chest softened. She carefully gathered him into her arms, tucked him into bed, and pulled the blanket up to his chin.
Then she stood by his bedside, eyes drifting to her notes sprawled across the desk. Her gaze sharpened with determination.
This time, she wasn't chasing hollow dreams of stardom.This time, she was fighting for her son's future.
And for that, she would seize every opportunity. She would win.
The next afternoon, after scraping together her last bit of money to hire a trusted babysitter, Chenxi dressed with meticulous care and arrived punctually at the audition site.
The waiting area was already packed with hopefuls. Young women in fashionable outfits, glowing with youth and beauty, filled the rows of chairs.
A few familiar faces stood out—minor influencers who had been trending recently.
When Chenxi walked in, conversations stilled. A ripple of surprise swept the room, quickly followed by whispers. Curious, mocking, even gloating glances darted her way.
The message in their eyes was clear: What's a washed-up scandal queen doing here, fighting for scraps?
Chenxi ignored them all. She found a quiet corner, sat down, and focused on calming her breathing, immersing herself in the emotions of Lin Weiwei.
The audition room door creaked open. A staff member leaned out, clipboard in hand."Next—Number 37. Bai Chenxi, please prepare."
Chenxi rose, inhaling deeply. Her heart thudded with both nerves and iron resolve.
But just as she steadied herself, a voice rang out from behind her—mocking, loud, dripping with contempt:
"Well, well. If it isn't Bai Chenxi. Can't believe it's really you. You actually dare show your face here? With your reputation? What a joke. Did you come just to embarrass yourself?"
The familiar, loathsome voice cut through the air like a blade.
Chenxi froze mid-step, her hands curling into fists.