Chapter 107: The Cruel Truth That Opened a New Path
Bai Xuan was slightly surprised.
She tilted her head and looked toward Bai Xia with faint disbelief in his eyes. The calm, unreadable expression on her face made it impossible to tell what she was thinking.
Had she gone soft?
She did not interrupt.
She simply crossed his arms lightly and chose to wait.
The hall remained silent after Bai Gin finished her performance. The faint sound of nervous breathing echoed in the vast audition room. Dozens of girls stood nervously outside, unaware that fate was currently being decided for one of them inside.
Then Bai Xia's voice rang out once more, cold, composed, and carrying unquestionable authority.
"Bai Gin."
The moment her name was called again, Bai Gin's entire body stiffened.
Her heartbeat instantly accelerated.
She had already finished her audition.
Why was she being called back?
A wave of uneasiness crashed into her chest. Under hundreds of gazes—some curious, some mocking, some jealous—she forced herself to walk forward again. Every step felt heavier than the last. Her palms were soaked in sweat, her throat dry.
She did not dare raise her head.
She did not dare look into Bai Xia's eyes.
She stood quietly in front of the judges' seats, waiting.
Then Bai Xia spoke.
Her words came without hesitation—
"Bai Gin, you can never be successful as a model."
Boom.
The hall exploded into dead silence.
Every single person froze.
The surrounding air felt as if it had been violently sucked away.
The two professional judges stiffened in shock.
Even Bai Xuan's eyes widened slightly.
No one had ever seen a judge reject a candidate in such a blunt and merciless way—let alone so publicly. It was not just refusal.
It was a direct destruction of a dream.
Bai Gin felt as if her heart had been stabbed straight through.
Her mind went blank.
Her ears rang loudly.
Her vision blurred as tears surged uncontrollably into her eyes.
So this is it…
Is she humiliating me?
Is this how she wants to repay all the wrongs I once did her?
Her chest hurt so badly that breathing became difficult. She clenched her fists tightly at her sides, nails digging deeply into her palms. She bit hard on her lower lip, forcing the tears back with all her strength.
She knew.
She deserved this.
After all, she had once schemed, framed, harmed, and betrayed people.
What she did in the past would never be erased.
If Bai Xia wanted to humiliate her…
She had no right to resist.
At least… it's still better than what Shang Shan went through.
If Bai Xia could forgive her after this humiliation…
Then she was willing to endure anything.
Yet just as despair completely swallowed her—
Bai Xia spoke again.
"You can't be a model," Bai Xia said calmly, her voice no longer sharp but steady, "but you can be an actress."
Bai Gin's trembling body froze instantly.
Her tear-filled eyes suddenly widened.
The despair that had wrapped tightly around her heart shattered in an instant.
The hall erupted into whispers.
"She can't be a model, but she can be an actress?"
"What does that mean?"
"Isn't acting even harder?"
Bai Gin raised her head slowly, disbelief and trembling hope flickering in her eyes.
Bai Xia continued, her gaze fixed on Bai Gin with piercing clarity.
"I was watching you just now. You clearly wanted to cry, but you forced it back. Your expression never collapsed. Your breathing remained steady. That kind of emotional restraint is extremely important in acting."
Bai Gin's breath hitched.
Her face flushed with embarrassment.
She had never thought someone would notice something so subtle.
Bai Xia narrowed her eyes slightly.
"And normally, you're very scheming."
The entire hall gasped again.
Bai Gin's embarrassment deepened.
Her face burned.
She lowered her head in shame.
Yet Bai Xia was not finished.
Her voice remained cold and ruthless, yet it contained undeniable certainty.
"You know how to pretend. You know how to fake weakness. You know how to manipulate expressions and emotions. Those things may not be admirable in real life, but in acting—those are weapons."
Bai Xuan's brows lifted slightly in realization.
The two judges exchanged glances.
They understood now.
Bai Xia wasn't humiliating her.
She was dissecting her.
Bai Gin's chest rose and fell violently.
She never imagined that the very traits she hated most about herself… would one day become her lifeline.
"With time and proper nurturing," Bai Xia continued, "you will definitely become better."
A trembling light burst into Bai Gin's eyes.
It was as if someone had suddenly pulled her out of a bottomless pit and placed her under the sun.
She nodded frantically.
"Yes! Yes, I will! I will work hard! I'll do anything! Thank you so much, Bai Xia!"
Her voice trembled with sincerity.
Joy.
Gratitude.
Hope.
All tangled inside her heart.
But Bai Xia's gaze immediately turned cold again.
"Don't think this means you'll get special treatment just because you're my cousin."
Bai Gin froze slightly.
Then she shook her head vigorously.
"No! Of course not! I understand! I'll follow all the rules! I won't cause trouble! I will behave!"
Only now did Bai Xia nod faintly.
"When our facilities are ready," she said, "we'll contact you to discuss the contract. For now, you may leave."
Bai Gin bowed deeply.
Her movements were sincere and full of respect.
When she turned to leave, the joy in her eyes could no longer be hidden. Even her steps felt lighter than before.
As soon as she walked out of the hall, whispers instantly filled the corridor.
"She passed!"
"She must be selected!"
"Look at how happy she is!"
The girls waiting outside suddenly straightened their backs.
Their expressions turned serious.
Some adjusted their clothes.
Some silently rehearsed their movements.
Some clenched their fists with renewed determination.
No one dared underestimate this audition any longer.
The audition continued.
More girls entered.
Some trembled in fear.
Some stood confidently.
Some failed within seconds.
Some shone brilliantly.
Time passed unnoticed.
Before anyone realized, the clock had already moved past noon.
By the time it reached 2:00 p.m., the hall was filled with exhaustion, tension, and ambition.
Stella walked quietly toward Bai Xia's side.
She leaned down slightly and whispered, "Miss, it's almost time for the auction."
Bai Xia glanced at the time.
Her eyes darkened for a second.
She nodded lightly.
But then she looked toward the door.
There were still many girls waiting outside.
After a brief silence, she said, "Wait a little longer. I want to watch a few more."
Stella hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, Miss."
She quietly stepped out again.
Another group of candidates entered.
Another twenty minutes passed.
Then suddenly—
The door burst open.
Stella rushed in again, panic written clearly across her face.
She moved quickly to Bai Xia's side and leaned down, her voice lowered to a whisper—
"Miss… it seems we have a problem outside…"