CHAPTER 504: CHAPTER 502: THE CRITICAL ROUND

This round of the exam is crucial. She lost quite a few points in the last dance performance; if her score drops again this time, she can’t imagine the consequences.

Moreover, this is a cooperative performance. A poor showing would affect the others too.

As soon as Ji Niandong arrived at the studio, she saw everyone rehearsing diligently. When the members of the five-person group saw her, someone immediately complained, "You never find the time to rehearse, even on the exam day, you don’t come early!"

"Quit the fuss!" Jiang Chao scolded, "She has to act; it’s different for us."

"It’s so unlucky to be in a group with her!" The lowest-ranking member chimed in.

"I’m sorry!" Ji Niandong apologized awkwardly. She indeed had limited time for rehearsals and mostly contributed to discussions through the WeChat group. She had tried her best to come early this morning, but others arrived even earlier.

With that, nobody said more, and they began their tense practice.

They were performing a skit where a salesperson sells insurance to various individuals. According to the draw, Ji Niandong got the role of a career woman. Jiang Chao played a company boss, and the others played a driver and a housewife.

The member who always ranked last played the person buying insurance.

They rehearsed twice before taking a break.

Zheng MiMi came over and dragged Ji Niandong aside, saying, "I just watched you guys rehearse; everyone did great. Why am I not in your group?"

As she lamented regretfully, Ji Niandong consoled, "Your group isn’t bad either."

"Still, it’s not quite like yours!" As she spoke, she sneakily glanced at Jiang Chao and then lowered her head quietly.

Ji Niandong noticed and couldn’t help but smile, "Don’t be like that! Cheer up, or your group might think you’re not cooperating."

"I just can’t be happy!" Zheng MiMi sighed, "How about this, after the exam, Sister Tong, you and I go out and indulge in a big meal?"

"Sure, we’ll..."

"Shh!" Zheng MiMi quickly stopped her, "Just the two of us, for you to comfort my wounded heart; we’ll sneak out the back door, so they don’t see us and want to tag along."

"Okay!" Ji Niandong made a hand gesture, "It’s my treat!"

Only then did Zheng MiMi smile, "I’ll go back to our group rehearsal now!"

As Zheng MiMi walked away, Jiang Chao came over and asked, "What were you guys talking about?"

"Girl secrets!" Ji Niandong smiled and picked up a bottle of mineral water to drink.

Unexpectedly, today’s bottle cap couldn’t be twisted off, and her hand hurt from it. Jiang Chao directly snatched it from her, twisted it open, and handed it to her, "If you won’t say, then forget it!"

"Thank you!" Ji Niandong turned away to start drinking, saying nothing more.

Jiang Chao stood beside her, remaining silent.

The judges arrived one after another, and the exam was about to start. Ning Zeyan didn’t come this time.

The three groups drew lots, and Zheng MiMi’s group was first. They were performing the classic play "Thunderstorm," with Zheng MiMi playing Lu Sifeng, a role that challenged many, demonstrating considerable difficulty.

However, Zheng MiMi’s delicate and refined appearance matched Lu Sifeng’s image well.

Previously, she performed being struck by finding out the person she liked liked her sister; this time, she learned the person she liked was her biological brother.

Though seemingly similar, Zheng MiMi portrayed two completely different feelings.

The former was bashful and restrained, the sensation of early love abruptly cut off, while the latter evolved from shock, bewilderment, and breakdown to despair.

Zheng MiMi performed with extraordinary precision, seeming like a natural-born actress!

Her performance involuntarily stirred the emotions of everyone present.