Chapter 225: Chapter 225 I Have a Bad Temper
Until the fourth round, everyone still seemed to be in a dazed state.
The smiling tiger, Ma Liheng, finally exploded: "If you don’t want to act, just quit and get lost right now!"
Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina were so startled by his yelling that their hearts trembled. They exchanged an awkward glance and dared not utter a single word.
Sang Ning rolled the script into a cylinder, holding one end while tapping the other on her palm, her expression showing no discernible emotion.
"Mr. Ma, Qingyue’s performance is so disengaging that it’s impossible for us to get immersed in the emotions. Please forgive us."
Sang Ning wasn’t resentful because Qingyue stole her role, nor was she deliberately trying to sabotage him—she was simply stating a fact.
Qingyue stepped forward a few paces and stood in front of Sang Ning: "Sang Ning, when it comes to acting, you and I are at best on the same level. What gives you the right to criticize me? I’m genuinely curious—what part of my performance was so disengaging to you?"
Sang Ning’s gaze shifted slightly. She held the script in her left hand, raised her right hand like a gale, and brought it down onto Qingyue’s face—a solid slap.
The crisp sound of the slap reverberated through the rehearsal room, momentarily freezing everyone into stunned silence. They widened their eyes and stared at Sang Ning.
Oh my god, is she really going this far?
Qingyue felt his brain buzzing. He raised his hand hesitantly to touch his left cheek, completely flustered.
"Sang Ning, what are you doing?" Ma Liheng was the first to snap out of it.
They hadn’t even gotten through the rehearsal, and Sang Ning was already bullying her fellow trainees—that was outright disrespectful to him as the directing teacher.
Sang Ning turned her head and stared earnestly at Ma Liheng as if seeking knowledge: "Teacher, I want to ask—did Qingyue’s performance earlier match the state of someone being slapped unexpectedly?"
"Uh... Uh-huh, perhaps it did."
Ma Liheng was stunned by Sang Ning’s pure, inquisitive eyes. His brain clearly wasn’t fast enough to keep up with his speech.
"Then that settles it."
Sang Ning nodded firmly at Ma Liheng, then turned back to Qingyue.
"Mr. Qingyue, I ask that you channel the state you just had into your acting with us.
Earlier, when the Emperor slapped you, your reaction seemed too indulgent—it had us all struggling not to laugh."
Qingyue whipped his head back, his eyes brimming with furious malice.
Sang Ning pretended not to notice. Using the rolled-up script, she tapped her palm as if beating a rhythm, signaling the group.
"Alright, Mr. Qingyue has found his state. We can proceed with the rehearsal."
"Everyone, let’s stay focused. Remember, our performance is going to be judged by the audience on screen.
Whether or not we advance, we must leave a lasting impression on the viewers—let’s make this show worth our while."
Sang Ning said this primarily to boost Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina’s confidence.
The situation was already clear—Lu Ye was openly favored by the Royal Family, while Qingyue operated under a hidden royal lineage.
This round of competition narrowed six contestants into four, meaning Lu Ye and Qingyue were guaranteed not to be eliminated.
Shen Yi was a top-tier celebrity, carrying the responsibility of rallying diehard fans. He was also certain to move on, no doubt beyond the second recording.
The only ones at risk of elimination were Sang Ning, Wang Qiuhong, and Xi Meina.
It was natural for Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina to feel dispirited—no matter how serious or diligent they were in rehearsals, chances were they’d end up as mere practice props for others.
But after hearing Sang Ning’s statement, they suddenly felt inspired again.
Indeed, so what if they were eliminated?
Wasn’t their initial goal to take advantage of this platform and get noticed by more viewers?
Even a small role, if performed with sincerity, could still leave an impression on the audience.
"Got it!" Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina responded to Sang Ning in unison, their eyes reigniting with determination.
Sang Ning responded with a slight smile, simultaneously encouraging them and herself.
Acting was a completely new domain for her, but as a strong-willed woman from China, she’d never accept defeat in her lifetime. She would conquer this challenge!
Qingyue’s gaze sharpened with escalating hostility toward Sang Ning. She leaned closer to him and lightly patted his shoulder.
"I suggest you save your energy. If you delay progress on the shoot, you’ll get a second slap from me. You don’t believe me? Go ask around—I have quite a fiery temper."
Sang Ning’s mocking tone sounded carefree, carrying not a shred of remorse.
Qingyue clenched his teeth and balled his fists tightly.
Sang Ning—she would pay for this!
In the following performance, Qingyue noticeably put more heart into his acting.
It wasn’t just the lingering effect of Sang Ning’s slap that made him nervous—
her words had also awakened him. Regardless of how highly the mentors might evaluate his performance, in the end it was the audience’s judgment that mattered.
To stand firm in the viewers’ esteem, he needed to prove himself with genuine skill.
His ambitions extended far beyond just this stage—having returned to the entertainment industry at his age, he was determined to claim the throne and reign supreme!
After the routine shoot wrapped for the day, Qingyue approached Ma Liheng for additional private guidance.
He requested critiques down to every detail—analyzing every look, every movement, every line of dialogue.
Ma Liheng, although having little regard for someone like Qingyue who relied on connections, couldn’t help but feel somewhat gratified.
At least Qingyue displayed genuine dedication and didn’t simply coast through as if his backing could allow him to slack off.
Still, someone with talent but lacking in character—who knows when they’d face public downfall...
By the next day’s rehearsal, there was a noticeable improvement in Qingyue’s performance. He began to exude glimpses of the aura befitting Jiuqiansui.
But it could only be said that there were no flaws to critique yet—he hadn’t reached the level of delivering breathtaking impact.
Qingyue’s rapid progress also inspired the rest of the cast with renewed energy. Everyone aspired to present their most impeccable states, investing far more sincerity as they walked through the scenes.
After wrapping up today’s session, the rehearsals officially came to a close. All that remained was the formal recording the following afternoon.
Although the shoot was scheduled in the afternoon, everyone arrived early at the soundstage to assemble.
This round’s group performance would be significantly more refined compared to the first recording. Every actor taking the stage had to dress meticulously for their roles.
Sang Ning arrived at the soundstage neither too early nor too late.
On her way to the makeup room, she crossed paths with five trainees already prepped in their costumes and makeup.
Just outside the makeup room, Sang Ning encountered Qin Kai. Her foot, poised to step through the door, froze in its tracks.
Qin Kai had already completed all his makeup and costume preparations. He sported a simple white shirt and jeans, complemented by clean white sneakers and a black canvas bag slung over his shoulder.
His usual slicked-back hairstyle was gone, replaced by soft bangs framing his forehead in loose, fluffy arcs.
The moment he saw Sang Ning, his slightly thin lips pressed together while his brows subtly tensed; his gaze darted awkwardly yet fleetingly upward, stealing glances at her from time to time.
His timid expression seemed to conceal an uncontrollable delight—as though he had unexpectedly bumped into his secret crush around a corner, keeping his demeanor calm while his heart rumbled like a thunderstorm.
The overwhelming aura of shy puppy-like innocence Qin Kai radiated nearly left Sang Ning in shock. She couldn’t reconcile the image of the boy in front of her with the brotherly figure she’d held in her mind.
"Kai... Brother Kai?"