Jin Ying’s eyes widened, and her hand, hidden beneath the table, secretly tugged at Song Xi’s clothes.
Lou Yu Ming took a sip of tea, his lips curving upwards.
Director Pang paused, slowly placing his teacup on the table, a flicker of interest in his eyes. “What would you like to drink?”
Song Xi answered truthfully, “What do you think, Director Pang?”
“How about trying bitter tea? I hear that’s something you young actresses quite enjoy. It was once called ‘beauty tea’ and ‘slimming tea’ online.”
Song Xi nodded faintly, her gaze never leaving Director Pang throughout their conversation.
Her boldness did surprise Director Pang.
What was her name again? Song Xi?
While the staff were preparing the tea, blocking their view, Jin Ying felt uneasy about Song Xi’s bold statement earlier.
She thought Song Xi was too impulsive. If she accidentally displeased Director Pang, it would be over.
But Song Xi felt Jin Ying was being too cautious. “We’re not in an audition right now, there’s no need to be timid. Since we’re here, we should boldly express ourselves and show Director Pang our confidence and poise. That way, we can leave a good impression.”
Jin Ying was taken aback when she heard this.
What she said… actually made some sense.
As expected of Song Xi, her mind worked so fast!
After a series of tedious steps, a cup of tea was finally brewed and placed before Song Xi and Jin Ying.
Director Pang encouraged them, “Try it. See how it tastes?”
After hearing Song Xi’s words, Jin Ying was determined to show Director Pang her strengths. Without a word, she picked up the teacup and downed it.
In an instant, the bitterness stimulated her taste buds, and the scalding temperature made Jin Ying want to vomit, yet she dared not. She had to swallow it forcefully. By the time she recovered, small blood blisters had formed on her tongue from the burn.
Her face contorted in pain, unable to accept the bitterness.
Director Pang saw her expression and chuckled, shaking his head.
She wasn’t suitable. Mo Yin in *The Mirror’s Solitude* wasn’t someone who acted rashly and impulsively. She should have been calm and composed, completing her mission with a steady demeanor even with a sword hanging over her head.
Director Pang felt a bit disappointed. Although this wasn’t a formal interview, he still hoped to find an actress who truly suited the role of Mo Yin, the female lead.
He thought Song Xi would be the same and had almost dismissed her. But then, a glance from the corner of his eye caught her subtle movement.
Her fingers traced circles along the rim of the cup. Only when his gaze fell upon her did she lift the teacup. She drank slowly, or rather, she savored it. She was tasting the tea.
Unlike the other woman who had gulped it down in one go, she first inhaled the fragrance of the tea before taking a small sip. After experiencing the bitterness of the first sip, she took another. The initial sweetness and the subsequent bitterness intertwined, creating a multi-layered blend that made the tea infinitely captivating.
Although she didn’t understand tea, her entire demeanor conveyed a serious appreciation for the beverage.
Director Pang asked, “How is it?”
Song Xi placed the teacup down and smiled faintly. “It has a lingering aftertaste.”
In that moment, it was as if behind Song Xi stood a lush bamboo forest, a breeze rustling, lifting the black veil of the cloak she wore, revealing her sharp, chivalrous black eyes.
After finishing the bowl of tea, the waiter behind her asked, “Young hero, how was the tea?”
“It has a lingering aftertaste.”
With those words, the woman vanished into the bamboo forest with her sword.
A bowl of tea, a perfectly timed snack, a deep bamboo forest, a flash of crimson.
Mo Yin from the book, in that instant, had come alive before Director Pang’s eyes.
“Director Pang?”
Lou Yu Ming’s deep voice pulled Director Pang back to reality.
Director Pang stared blankly at Song Xi, seeing countless shadows of Mo Yin within her.
A flicker of joy crossed his eyes, but he tried his best to maintain his composure, not wanting to appear too eager.
It was just a cup of tea.
Director Pang told himself not to be too impulsive. He needed to observe further.
Director Pang didn’t notice that Lou Yu Ming, sitting opposite him, was quietly observing his reaction.