Stella continued reading, immersing herself in the script. The story’s setting followed the rules of the sect, where the one who obtained the spirit beast first had the right to choose the beast’s companion. But the spirit beast, drawn to strength, chose the heroine instead. The junior sister, who hadn’t been diligent in her cultivation, was ignored. This violated the sect’s rules, which usually allowed the bond between beast and master to develop over time. But instead of following tradition, they gave the beast to the heroine, criticizing the junior sister for her inadequacy.
It was the first time the junior sister felt such blatant bias, and the heartbreak of the situation led her to question the sect. This moment marked the beginning of her slow descent into bitterness and jealousy. The emotional tension between her innocence and growing resentment needed to be captured perfectly, as it was the key to her transformation.
Bradley gave Stella time to rehearse the lines. She practiced them a few times, memorizing the plot and getting a good grasp of the character’s emotions. After a while, she looked at him and said, “I’m ready to try now.”
Bradley nodded. “Go ahead.”
Stella took a deep breath and got into character, delivering the lines with the tone she believed suited the junior sister’s growing frustration and jealousy. She poured herself into the role, feeling the shift from innocence to resentment.
Bradley scrutinized the script in his hands, his eyes narrowing. “It’s fine,” he said, his voice flat. “But since you haven’t studied acting, there are some pronunciation errors. I’ll arrange for a tutor to work with you on your diction.”
Stella felt her stomach tighten. She wasn’t sure if that meant she could still stay in the running for the role. She turned to him, unsure of what to say, feeling a mix of relief and doubt.
Bradley, sensing her uncertainty, continued. “It’s not bad… but you’re not quite there. You started off strong, but the second half of your performance lacked the depth. You were trying, but it’s clear—you’re still Ella, not the Junior Sister.”
His words hit her harder than she expected. She nodded occasionally, absorbing the critique. Bradley’s gaze softened slightly as he noticed her seriousness. Sighing, he waved his hand, summoning one of the acting teachers. “Take her through the basic body positions first. Then, we’ll go over the scene again and see how she’s improved.”
Stella’s confidence wavered. Hearing his criticism, her initial hope began to fade. She had thought, perhaps too confidently, that her natural presence could win Bradley’s approval despite her lack of experience. But now, she was humbled, her mood sinking as she worked with the instructor, determined to improve.
Bradley, meanwhile, was incredibly busy. The movie was scheduled for a Spring Festival release, but there was still a lot of filming left to complete. With the editing team pushing for final cuts and the promotional tour looming, time was running short. The brief moments he had spared to coach Stella had already delayed his work further.
After Stella’s practice session, the assistant hurried to report her progress to Bradley, eager not to take up more of his time. When he was ready, Bradley called Stella over. It was time to get back on stage. There was no time for breaks. The intensity of the work was draining, but Stella stayed focused.
She replayed every detail the instructor had taught her, putting it into practice on stage. As she performed, Bradley remained silent, his face inscrutable. His usual stern expression made it difficult to read his thoughts. When he worked, his seriousness was almost intimidating, as if he were about to shout at anyone who faltered.
Despite his harsh demeanor, Bradley’s face held a strange allure. Stella occasionally overheard the crew whispering that if he hadn’t become a director, he would’ve made a successful actor. But his temper was legendary. He was known for being relentless, often leaving his actors in tears with his sharp critiques. No one—whether male or female—was spared from his biting words.
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