Chapter 40 - Extras

Two days passed and in the blink of an eye, it was the day that Xia Wei'an and Aunt Li agreed on. 

Xia Wei'an took leave from school in advance and came directly to the filming studio, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, a pair of light-colored ripped jeans, and a pair of white shoes. Her hair was tied into a ponytail, and she had a white cap on. When she walked, her ponytail would swing behind her head, and she looked youthful. 

She did not put on her usual smoky makeup and instead, went straight to the set barefaced, her beautiful features shrouded in the sunlight, but she nonetheless attracted the attention of many. There were even some who came over to talk to her using the identity of a producer or co-director. They even asked her to join their scenes, but she politely refused. 

The world was as dirty as it was glamorous, and those people who had gone to talk to her for such reasons were just trying to get something out of her. She didn't join the entertainment industry for money or fame. She just wanted to be a good actress, and the things that those people mentioned could not tempt her at all. 

She arrived at the set, looked for Aunt Li, collected a set of pink ancient costume, and then went somewhere to change. 

Background actors like them were not entitled to use the changing room, and there were no makeup artists for them either. They had to rely on themselves for everything. Since she acted as a maid and did not have many lines or scenes, she decided to just go barefaced after changing into the costume. 

It was a harem fight drama about a palace maid becoming the empress. Xia Wei'an's role was a maid of a lady who was new to the palace. Due to the fact that the female lead accidentally splashed water on the lady's skirt, she was punished. Under the instructions of the lady, Xia Wei'an insulted the female lead and told the eunuch to slap the female lead. 

It was seen by the emperor who was passing by, and they were then punished for bullying the maid. After being hit with the rod 20 times each, they were expelled from the palace. Since then, the emperor and the female lead bonded, and Xia Wei'an's part ended here.

She had long memorized the lines, and when she returned to Aunt Li's side, Aunt Li glanced at her with amazement.

She then found it a pity. 

Xia Wei'an's pretty face was suitable for the entertainment industry, but her acting skills had been awkward and awful. An actor without any outstanding works would not be able to stay in the entertainment industry for long. Besides, she had a straightforward and impulsive nature, which was really unsuitable. 

As she thought about it, the show in the hall ended while Aunt Li hurriedly entered with some water and mini fans for the artistes under her wing. She then instructed the makeup artists to touch up their makeup. 

Xia Wei'an tilted her head to see that one of the artistes under Aunt Li was Su Lu, the one who played the female protagonist of this drama and whom she had met once. 

Fortunately, she was dressed hideously the other day, with heavy makeup and a loud outfit. Otherwise, if Su Lu recognized her, she would have lost her role too. 

After taking care of Su Lu, Aunt Li approached Xia Wei'an and said gently, "Wei'an, it's going to be your turn soon. Remember, you're acting as an evil maid who's bullying the female protagonist, so when you're scolding her and making her get beaten up, you have to seem more fierce and scheming, got it?" 

Aunt Li specially came to give Xia Wei'an some instructions, afraid that she might not do a good job. 

"Yes, okay." Xia Wei'an nodded, indicating that she understood.

Aunt Li was stunned by her compliance because Xia Wei'an would usually talk back to her and rebut everything she said. When Aunt Li gave her some pointers for acting, she would find Aunt Li annoying. Hence, Aunt Li disliked her and only agreed to arrange for her to take on some small roles in consideration of Xia Wei'an's late mother.