C10 Hard Work Pays off

Every day, Shan Ruoshui stayed late at the practice room, leaving Faang Xiao unable to catch even a glimpse of her. He was busy with his own commitments, often away from the company, so he reluctantly let it go.

One day, as Shan Ruoshui was practicing as usual, Gu Ya came by to tell her she had landed a role in a period drama, playing the fourth female lead. Shan Ruoshui was thrilled. Even though it was a smaller role, it was her first project since reinventing herself as Shan Ruoshui. Gu Ya mentioned that the cast was impressive, and the show was expected to have good ratings. It was a great opportunity to get some exposure and boost her future career.

Shan Ruoshui accompanied Gu Ya to meet the director. She wore a simple white dress and light makeup, her gentle features exuding a charming elegance. The director was pleased with her appearance but was unsure about her acting skills.

It wasn't until she arrived on set that she realized the drama was directed by Liu Ann and featured the renowned actor Xi Mu as the second male lead, a definite highlight. Xi Mu was a close friend who had risen to stardom alongside Jian Yan, Shan Ruoshui's former identity. They had shared many struggles, from eating instant noodles together to honing their craft, supporting each other through tough times. They had witnessed each other's rise to success.

Shan Ruoshui was uncertain about whether to reveal her true identity to Xi Mu, to tell him she had been reborn as a newcomer. After much thought, she decided to focus on her role and not reconnect with Xi Mu just yet.

The director sent her to get her makeup and costume done. With her natural beauty, Shan Ruoshui didn't need much enhancement. The makeup artist worked according to the character's requirements, gradually transforming her gentle features into a cool, refined look.

Shan Ruoshui wore a long, flowing gown in a soft blue hue, her hair styled in a simple updo with a single elegant jade hairpin. Delicate ornaments dangled gently, and her dark hair cascaded down her back. A striking ice-blue mark adorned her forehead, adding to her beauty. Once her look was complete, the crew nodded in satisfaction.

Shan Ruoshui looked stunning, perfectly embodying the character she was set to portray.

After receiving the script, Shan Ruoshui found a quiet spot to sit and immerse herself in the story. This time, she was to play a cool and graceful fairy named Shen Qingyuv, who harbored unrequited love for the second male lead, the General Mu Yu. Despite her feelings, she kept them hidden due to her status, silently loving him from afar. Throughout the story, she suffers a serious injury while saving the General but chooses to heal alone, bearing many responsibilities and pride. Her character ends up alone, a tragic figure. Though her scenes with others were limited, her solo performances demanded a strong display of acting skills, so Shan Ruoshui needed to delve deeply into the role.

A commotion broke out nearby. "Come on, Xi Mu, have a seat over here," a crew member called, guiding the tall Xi Mu toward the makeup tent. Since they were filming on location, everyone was outdoors, with the makeup and costume areas temporarily set up in the open, offering a clear view of the bustling scene.

Noticing the noise, Shan Ruoshui glanced up and froze at the sight of Xi Mu. The familiar figure seemed to belong to another lifetime. Yes, it truly felt like a lifetime ago... She then lowered her head and continued reading the script.

"Shan Ruoshui! Shan Ruoshui! It's your turn!" a crew member shouted.

Shan Ruoshui quickly gathered her skirt and jogged over. This scene required her to convey Shen Qingyuv's restrained love and inner turmoil. She needed to portray the pain of being unable to express her feelings to the one she loved, with tears that must flow, while maintaining the character's inherent elegance and dignity. It was a challenging task.

"Scene 38, Episode 15 of 'Silent Echoes,' action! Clap!"

The familiar camera focused on Ruoshui's face as she built up her emotions. Tears welled in her beautiful eyes but never fell, her gaze filled with sorrow and defiance, love and restraint. Her body trembled, one hand clenched into a fist, the other gently clutching her chest as if the pain was suffocating.

"Cut! Perfect take!"

Her brilliant performance earned applause from a few, though some remained unimpressed. Ruoshui's acting was spot on, and the director watched with satisfaction from the monitor. It seemed Faang's recommendation had real talent, not just a pretty face. Unlike some others who were quite a headache...

Ruoshui composed herself, wiped her eyes, and prepared for the next scene.

Meanwhile, the award-winning actor, Xi Mu, who had already changed costumes, watched the entire performance. He found Ruoshui vaguely familiar but couldn't quite place her. Her acting was impressive, her looks striking, and she had great potential, much like Jian Yan back in the day. Thinking of Jian Yan, Xi Mu's expression turned wistful, his eyes betraying a hint of nostalgia. But in a flash, he was back to normal, making it hard for anyone to notice the change.

Reflecting on Ruoshui's performance, he felt a sudden urge to mentor her, wanting to help this young talent avoid unnecessary detours.