Chapter 796: Shock! Ji Qingwei, Permanently Crushed (2)
“I’m preparing for an audition,” Si Fuqing said lazily. “I might need to ask you for a cameo, Mr. Mo.”
Mo Yishan: “…”
He took a deep breath and cautiously said, “Let me clarify upfront, I won’t play a playboy.”
He had been feeling a chill run down his spine from the netizens’ comments these past few days.
“Don’t worry,” Si Fuqing reassured him. “How about playing a character who dies at the beginning?”
Mo Yishan: “…”
Would that really be better?
But her comment piqued his curiosity. “What role are you auditioning for? I saw some rumors that you’re auditioning for ‘Solitary Journey.’ It’s a great drama; it would solidify your position as a serious actor.”
“I turned down ‘Solitary Journey’,” Si Fuqing paused. “I took on ‘The Nation’s Heroine.’”
“What?!” Mo Yishan was shocked. “You took on ‘The Nation’s Heroine’?”
Si Fuqing’s fox-like eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong with this drama?”
“This drama has been in the pipeline for five years,” Mo Yishan exhaled slowly. “But no one has dared to take it on. Several award-winning actresses have refused. You should know about the character.”
That was JIANG Zhaoyue.
The only female general of the nation.
At 18, she led troops into battle, steadfastly guarding the frontier.
At 22, she perished with the enemy, pierced by countless arrows, never kneeling even in death.
Though not as famous as JIANG Haiping or the nine sons of the JIANG family, her life was equally legendary.
How could such a historical hero be portrayed?
“I want to advise you to give up this drama,” Mo Yishan said seriously. “But since you’ve already accepted, you need to be fully prepared. If you succeed, this will be an iconic screen portrayal that will be remembered for fifty years. But if you fail…”
Si Fuqing smiled calmly. “I don’t like to fail.”
“Alright.” Mo Yishan took a deep breath. “If you invite me, I’ll join. I’ll risk it with you. I believe in you.”
Portraying JIANG Zhaoyue would inevitably involve depicting JIANG Haiping, the nine sons of the JIANG family, and the JIANG family soldiers. Directors had long hesitated to touch this historical epic.
An award-winning actor who played the eldest son, JIANG Xuanjin, had faded into obscurity after taking on the role, after he failed miserably in portraying the character.
Mo Yishan’s agreement indicated he was putting everything on the line.
Si Fuqing’s eyes softened. “Then let’s look forward to another victory together, Teacher Mo.”
After ending the call, she stretched and continued studying the history related to JIANG Zhaoyue.
**
Early the next morning, Si Fuqing went to Northern State No.1 Middle School to take the exam.
The principal, quite nervous, personally met with her before the test. “Student Si, don’t worry. Just do your best. Even if your score isn’t as high as last time, don’t feel pressured, okay?”
He was afraid that her perfect score of 750 last time would put too much pressure on her.
He had heard this time the questions were more challenging and worried she might not handle it well if she didn’t score as high.
“Principal, don’t worry.” Si Fuqing pulled out a lemon candy. “Have something sweet to calm your nerves.”
“Huh? Oh.” The principal took the candy.
Once we realized what happened, Si Fuqing had already walked into the exam room.
The principal: “…”
He ate the candy and decided to calm down.
The second Seven Schools Joint Examination tested literature, mathematics, English, and three comprehensive subjects.
Modeled after the college entrance exam, the questions incorporated past international joint examination questions and various academic competition problems.
Over the two days of exams, the students sharing the exam room with Si Fuqing were all numb.
They watched as Si Fuqing consistently handed in her exams early.
She either finished early or was on her way to finishing early in every exam.
After the last English exam, the director of admissions rushed over. “Student Si, don’t leave yet. There’s one more exam, just an hour long.”
Si Fuqing turned around. “The international joint exam potential assessment?”
The final list for the international joint exam would be released in April, and the next two months were for selecting candidates.
“Yes, yes.” The director of admissions clapped. “It’s starting soon, online, at a global unified time. Again, no pressure; this is just a potential assessment, not the final score.”
Si Fuqing nodded and followed the director of admissions to the computer room.
Eighteen other students from Northern State No.1 MiddleSchool were also there.
Besides Lin Jihuan, the other students were surprised to see Si Fuqing enter.
They knew she had participated in the joint exam, but since the scores weren’t publicly announced, they didn’t know how well she had done.
To qualify for the international exam potential assessment, one had to score at least 600 in the joint exam.
Si Fuqing…
The students couldn’t stay calm.
“Hurry, sit down, everyone,” the director of admissions clapped his hands. “Stop staring. Later, you can get Student Si’s autograph and take a picture.”
Hearing this, the students’ eyes lit up, and they quickly sat down in front of their computers.
Si Fuqing: “…”
She sighed. “Director, could you give me a heads-up before selling me out?”
“How is this selling you out?” The director of admissions patted her shoulder. “This is recognition of your talent. Have you prepared your next drama? I’m looking forward to it.”
Previously, he would never have imagined that one day he would follow dramas with his daughter and wife.
“I’ve accepted one,” Si Fuqing said, finding a computer and sitting down. “But it’ll be the end of the year before it’s done.”
“That’s alright. Good dramas take time,” the director of admissions said. “I’ll be waiting.”
No academic prodigies had acting skills like Si Fuqing, and no actor had her academic ability.
She was a treasure.
The director of admissions, smiling, closed the door. “Everyone, do your best. I’ll treat you afterward.”
At six o’clock, the exam began, and the computers were locked, showing only the exam page.
Si Fuqing looked at the ten additional questions and fell into thought.
A few of these seemed to be modified versions of questions she had set a few years ago?
Was it considered cheating if the question setter took the test?
With mixed feelings, Si Fuqing quickly answered the questions.
These ten additional questions were transmitted directly to the international joint examination headquarters.
Only a select few globally had the qualifications to answer these ten questions, all elite candidates aiming for the top 500.
The Great Xia Empire had only ninety-nine students qualified to answer these additional questions this time.
Globally, there were two thousand candidates. The professors graded the papers quickly.
Within half a day, all the students’ scores were uploaded into the computer for potential assessment.
Though there were only ten questions, they covered a wide range of knowledge, each question integrating multiple disciplines.
“Professor Solomon,” an assistant knocked on the door. “The potential assessment results are in. Please take a look.”
“Come in,” said the bespectacled elderly man, looking up. “Let me see.”
The assistant handed over the laptop.
Professor Solomon clicked on the filter, selecting students who scored eight or higher.
This time, eighteen students scored above eighty, a record in the past five years of the international exam.
Several names were already familiar to Professor Solomon, but he saw a few new ones as well.
Total score: 82
Potential assessment: S
Country: Great Xia Empire, Ji Qingwei
The last line showed the name and country.
Great Xia Empire?
Someone from the Great Xia Empire scored above 80 on these questions?
Professor Solomon nodded, noting Ji Qingwei’s name.
He continued scrolling, becoming increasingly excited.
One student had even scored 90, indicating the high quality of this cohort.
Until the last entry.
Total score: 100
Potential assessment: SSS
Professor Solomon’s hand paused, and he stood up abruptly, sparks flying in his mind.
He finally saw the last line of the entry.
Five words that shook him to the core.
Great Xia Empire, Si Fuqing.
