đ Translator's Note:
Hey everyone! đIf you're enjoying 'Depressive-Style Screenwriter', don't miss 'Rebirth Begins with an Anime Adaptation' â it's by the same author and the full translation is complete! â đ
Perfect for binge-reading if you love stories about anime-to-live-action adaptations! đ„âšHappy reading~ đđ
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"?"
Shi Peihua and Shinozaki Ikumi's expressions shifted slightly upon hearing Su Yan's words.
Top in average episode views and ratings?
Even if it was just a web dramaâone overlooked by the TV station, lacking funding, cast with complete unknowns, and so desperate that the screenwriter had to play the male lead himselfâaiming for those results really did sound like a fantasy.
But then again, it was just like an athlete saying their goal was to win gold.
What, was it not even okay to say it?
Regardless of the outcome, there's no crime in wanting.
"Alright then, let's aim to dominate all our competitors next season," Shinozaki Ikumi said with a smile.
At an arts academy in Huduâ
Gu Qingyuan returned to her dorm, turned on her computer, and checked her email.
Still empty.
Her expression betrayed a flicker of disappointment.
"How'd it go, Qingyuan? Any drama crew pick you up yet?"
Her roommate, Feng Nannan, walked over with a bright smile and asked.
"No," Gu Qingyuan replied crisply.
"That's already the seventh drama group you've auditioned for lately! Not even that low-budget crew for that... what was it, 'Wandering Something Heart' drama wanted you?" Feng Nannan asked in surprise, though her eyes carried a deeply hidden hint of smugness.
Gu Qingyuan stayed calm.
"No."
"How is that even possible?" At that moment, the other two roommates in the dorm also came over.
"You're top of our class in acting. And you're one of the prettiest tooâŠ"
"Last week, we all went to audition for that online drama produced by Sakura TV, 'Prue Breeze.' The assistant director sent me a message this morning that I passed the audition. You're a better actress than I and auditioned right alongside meâhow could you not hear anything?" Feng Nannan added.
In truth, the assistant director from the 'Pure Breeze' crew had sent Gu Qingyuan some messages.
Disgusting, inappropriate messages.
She had rejected him.
Yet Feng Nannan, whose looks and acting skills weren't even as good, still got a role.
Gu Qingyuan thought about it for a second but didn't bother dwelling on it.
Everyone has their own path.
"Congrats. That just means you're more suited for the 'Pure Breeze' crew. Even though it's just a web drama, and your role is only the fourth female lead, it's still a good start."
Feng Nannan felt a pang of guiltâand irritationâwhen she saw the calm clarity in Gu Qingyuan's eyes.
Because in those eyes, she saw no envy.
None of the reaction she wanted.
What she wanted to see was not this calm, composed face!
"But there's only a month until graduation. If you still haven't found a crew to joinâŠ" Feng Nannan asked, feigning concern.
In reality, all three roommates knew the reason.
With Gu Qingyuan's looks and acting skills, the only reason she hadn't gotten a role yet was thatâ
She was too proper.
Back in junior year, someone had already tried to recruit her. But who joins a crew and won't even drink during dinner with the director and screenwriter?
"Mm, my parents are grape farmers down south. They grow dozens of acres. It might sound a little embarrassing, but if I really can't find a suitable role, I'll go home and help with the vineyard," Gu Qingyuan said with a soft smile.
"Acting is just my favorite hobby. It's not my only hobby."
Feng Nannan felt her chest tighten.
You're telling meâwith your looks and talentâyou'd go home and grow grapes?
Ridiculous.
The more she heard, the more annoyed she became.
Ding ding ding!
At that moment, a notification sound came from Gu Qingyuan's computerâa new email.
After days of auditioning for multiple dramas, even a single email was a huge deal. Gu Qingyuan immediately turned her full attention to it.
She didn't even say anything more to her roommates. She turned, sat in front of her computer, and opened the email.
The other three in the room also caught a glimpse of the screen.
The content was shortâone glance was enough. But the message was huge.
Audition approved?
The role of Yukishiro Tomoe, the female lead in 'Rurouni Kenshin', had officially been offered to Gu Qingyuan?
"That's amazing, Qingyuan!"
"I knew it! There's no way Hudu's drama crews could all be blind. Come on, we have to celebrate. Now that makes all four of us with at least one credited role before graduationâzero to one breakthrough achieved! Let's go out for dinner."
The two roommates who were on good terms with Gu Qingyuan lit up with joy and offered their congratulations.
Feng Nannan's expression flickered with reluctance and jealousy, but she still forced a smile.
Well, she was a trained actor, after all.
Hmph. Just a no-name crew's female lead.
Once it airs, it's definitely going to flop.
"Congrats, Qingyuan."
Gu Qingyuan stared at the approval notice, stunned for ten full seconds. Then a quiet, uncontainable joy spread in her heart.
Sure, going home to farm grapes wasn't a bad life either.
But being able to continue her dream as an actressâwasn't that a whole new world?
Otherwise, what was the point of four years studying acting?
On June 11th, Su Yan and Shinozaki Ikumi met Gu Qingyuan again at a prearranged location.
They handed her a contract.
Her pay for playing Yukishiro Tomoe: 13,000 yuan.
For a new graduate with no acting experience, in a short four-episode, low-budget drama, with a quick shooting cycleâ
Gu Qingyuan had no complaints at all.
The average monthly salary in Xia Country was only slightly over 3,000 yuan.
The contract signing went smoothly.
"Then, Miss Gu Qingyuan, please arrive at the outskirts of the film base of Hudu City two days from now. Be on time," Shinozaki Ikumi said with a smile.
"Your scenes might be scheduled a bit later in the shoot, so you don't need to be nervous this week. But you'll still need to come in to let the makeup team work on your styling, take character photos, and we'll give you the full script of 'Rurouni Kenshin' then. Please study it thoroughly and get into the role of Yukishiro Tomoe."
"Looking forward to working together," Su Yan said as he stood and extended his hand.
"Producer Shinozaki, Mr. Su YanâI'll do my best."
Gu Qingyuan stood up and shook hands with both of them solemnly.
On June 13th, Gu Qingyuan arrived on set for 'Rurouni Kenshin' for the first time.
Honestly, it wasn't as rundown as she'd expected.
After all, the film based on Hudu's outskirts had been built by several television stations together. There was no worry about the outdoor sets; the visual quality would hold up just fine.
As for wardrobe and makeupâ
Maybe the extras didn't get much attention, but the female lead's kimono designs and fabrics were clearly well-chosen.
The makeup artist worked for two hours.
Wearing a pure white kimono, long black hair cascading over her shoulders, her pale skin glowing with softness, and eyes bright as glass, Gu Qingyuan stepped out slowly, holding a traditional oil-paper umbrella.
She stood close to 1.7 meters tall, with long, well-proportioned legs. As soon as she appeared, Shi Peihua and Shinozaki Ikumi were visibly stunned.
Gu Qingyuan in period costume was nothing short of breathtaking.
Meanwhile, in the men's makeup roomâ
Wearing a long black wig, standing tall in costume with a sword at his waist, Su Yan walked out expressionless.
With his defined brows and sharp eyes, dressed to perfection, the 20-year-old Su Yan, thanks to the makeup artist's skill, easily gave off the vibe of a youthful swordsman.
As soon as both leads appeared, the assistant directors, script supervisors, extras, cameramen, and even crew members all turned their heads to look.
One thought echoed through nearly everyone's mind:
This may be a small production, but with leads this good-looking, it's basically top-tier for historical romance dramas.
Who knows how well the show will do once it airsâ
But at least, during filming, it'll be a visual treat.