Darkstone Code-Chapter 943 - 941: Reunion
"Great performance!"
The assistant, who was in her thirties, took a towel and approached Nelly proactively, helping to wipe the sweat off her forehead and neck.
The temperature in Laridemo was rising higher and higher. Though it was just early April, the temperature had already climbed to twenty-three or twenty-four degrees, sometimes making people wonder if the Lord had made some mistake.
Nelly had just finished shooting a scene, and as soon as it was over, the assistant began to wipe the visible sweat off her face, head, and neck.
Initially, she wasn’t quite accustomed to this. She was just an ordinary girl who had to make a choice between dignity and the future. Not so long ago, she even had some... aversion to those girls who gained success by selling their dignity.
But now, she too achieved success through such means. Only when she truly integrated into this country and this industry did she realize that some things don’t come just because you try hard.
Take acting, for instance. She took it very seriously, even enrolled in evening classes. She dedicated all her passion and energy to her acting career.
Yet what she got in return was rejection after rejection. The casting office wasn’t interested in her, even though she was more beautiful, younger, more well-built, and more talented than the girls who got chosen.
She could surpass these people in every aspect, but she was always the one who got rejected because she didn’t know how to compromise.
The people at the agency didn’t care about her, only constantly asking her to borrow money from the company to attend various evening classes, recommending her to participate in various trainings, occasionally giving her a chance to audition, but each session ended hastily.
She knew very well that her failures weren’t due to her capabilities; it was because she was unwilling to compromise to the rules of Laridemo.
In this city, the most outstanding girls from the entire Federation gathered here—this refers to their physical conditions and acting talent.
Each year, Laridemo produced only so many films. Apart from those famous actresses, how many films were left for the newcomers?
With such fierce competition, how could one progress without making some sacrifices and compromises?
The so-called sacrifice and compromise was largely about abandoning some dignity.
Eventually, she did it.
Everyone must look forward; if she couldn’t succeed in a big city, she would have to marry a farmer and spend her days revolving around children and a farm.
This was an utterly cruel thing for all the beautiful girls who had seen what the big city had to offer.
Ever since she made the concession that day, everything changed.
Leading roles, first-rate celebrity treatment—all felt like a dream.
At first, she found this life uncomfortable, wasn’t used to having someone wash her hair in the shower, not used to that handsome young assistant drying her body with a towel.
She wasn’t used to lounging on luxurious sofas and soft beds, watching TV while drinking juice, snacking on fancy treats, and having someone manicure her nails.
There were many things she found discomforting. She thought it would take her a long time to adapt, but actually, she adapted quickly.
It’s not hard at all!
Slightly lifting her neck for the silk towel in the assistant’s hand to better adhere to her skin, absorbing all those sweats.
"Your performance just now was very powerful, very impressive!"
Faced with what seemed like sincere praise from the assistant, Nelly remained calm. This sort of comment was originally very heartening, but now...
The young assistant brought over fresh iced juice, and she sat on the lounger under the parasol. The assistant hurriedly swung a large towel, creating a breeze to make Nelly more comfortable.
"I asked the director earlier; you still have two scenes, after which this week’s work will be done."
"There’s a small showcase tomorrow; a jewelry store that caters to the mid-to-high-end market is opening a new store here. Their designs align well with your current market positioning, and the company has agreed."
"Tomorrow evening..."
The assistant endlessly scheduled the next two days; the busy life was likely already decided upon a week ago.
In a daze, Nelly felt somewhat unaccustomed yet very much used to it, which was contradictory.
Just then, the director and camera crew had finished reviewing the film stock of the earlier shoot, and both felt there weren’t many issues—in short, it was qualified.
They began instructing the crew to initiate work, preparing for the next shot, when suddenly, a charismatic woman approached the set.
Ordinary employees greeted her; management greeted her; even the director greeted her.
One of Fox Film Corporation’s top three celebrity brokers, holding contracts of many top stars within the company. To a certain extent, she could be said to control the future trajectories of stars.
She was also a member of the board and, moreover, a shareholder in the company.
Nelly hurriedly stood up from the lounger. She felt a bit intimidated by this broker.
After all, the other party was considered high-up in the company. No matter how good her relationship with Lynch was, offending such a resourceful broker meant her future days wouldn’t be easy.
And she had a vague feeling that if she annoyed everyone because of her own reckless actions, Lynch might not stand by her side.
Nelly greeted in time, the broker showing a bit of a smile, "I just chatted with the director, he’s very satisfied with your performance."
"However, you need to demand more of yourself with higher scores; your future is not just about acting in ordinary films, but winning awards, understand?"
After a simple encouragement-like admonition, the broker looked at the assistant beside her, "Cancel all the schedules starting tomorrow. When to resume, you’ll be informed..."
The assistant hesitated a bit, "Some commercial activities have signed agreements, if we push these activities off, they might sue us."
She glanced at Nelly, "This isn’t good for her reputation; the public doesn’t like arrogant celebrities."
The broker frowned slightly, "Go organize these activities, negotiate with the organizers; if you can negotiate, do it, if not, then we’ll deal with it later."
Nelly couldn’t help but be curious, "Did something happen?"
The broker’s gaze contained something peculiar, she seemed to be smiling, yet not at the same time, "Mr. Lynch is coming here tomorrow..."
As she spoke, she was observing Nelly’s expression, seeing a slight change in Nelly’s expression, the corners of her mouth raised as she turned away, "Well, I’m just here to notify you about this, the director will shoot your scenes first, the sooner you finish, the sooner you can head back."
The broker had seen many such things; at first, it might seem... somewhat brutal, but having seen it often, she became numb to it and instead found it quite normal.
Is it possible to achieve success without any sacrifices?
After finishing the last shot, the assistant drove her to the company dormitory.
No one spoke along the way, the assistant and the little helper could sense that Nelly’s emotions seemed a bit off; they didn’t want to stir up trouble either.
Following a promising star, their futures were also bright.
If they followed a star without a future, they wouldn’t have much development ahead.
The car stopped in front of the villa, Nelly got out and found that people were moving into the villa across the road, and there were quite a few of them.
What surprised her the most was seeing a familiar face, her former roommate.
The roommate who was the first to see the truth of this world clearly and actively approached it.
When Nelly and that country singer were still unwilling to foot the bill for their dreams, she had already taken the first step.
Back then, she didn’t have many social resources, and they were quite basic, not selling herself at a high enough price, later some things happened between them, and they lost contact.
Unexpectedly, they met here today.
The assistant looked at her watching the people across the road, softly explained, "The company just recruited a batch of new actors, do you recognize anyone?"
Nelly nodded, "That enthusiastic-looking girl used to be my roommate."
Perhaps she stood by the roadside for too long, those girls across the road also noticed her, including her former roommate.
Her former roommate’s expression was somewhat stunned, then quickly returned to a cheerful smile; she walked over generously, called Nelly’s name, and hugged her.
"I never thought we’d meet here!"
Nelly was a bit surprised too, perhaps because success seemed "too simple," she lacked some spiritual support, the appearance of her former roommate filled that void.
People, once rich, always think about friends who suffered together before, then want to offer small favors; it’s a twisted sentiment, many people have.
She looked her over, her roommate seemed to be doing well, "Are you an actor at Fox now too?"
Her roommate nodded vigorously, "They said I barely meet their requirements, I’m lucky, you know...", her face showing a somewhat radiant smile.
If only those two men could bathe before being with her.
If only they didn’t ask her to supplement with protein and glucose.
If only the taste wasn’t so pungent... it would be better.
A lot of ifs and buts, luckily she endured, now she’s Fox’s lowest-tier contracted artist.
After entering a big company, she’ll have many chances to cameo in the company’s movies, like a passerby, clerk, ticket seller with one or two lines of dialogue, there are opportunities.
If she performs better, she can upgrade the contract and play some less important supporting roles.
Ultimately, there’re major supporting roles, second female lead, first female lead, even the absolute main character.
A bright future awaits her, everything she sacrificed before, is worth it!
She told herself this.
Nelly didn’t understand these nor wanted to know, "That’s great, we’ll have many chances to act together..."
Her roommate’s glance inadvertently noticed the house behind Nelly, larger, brighter, and more upscale than the one they were crowded in.
