Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 406 - 406 407 Selection of the Female Lead_1

Chapter 406: Chapter 407 Selection of the Female Lead_1 Chapter 406: Chapter 407 Selection of the Female Lead_1 “Alright, I have something important to discuss now, the new play is about to start shooting soon, and first I need to finalize the cast. Because the lead roles have special requirements, I’ll select them myself, while other roles can be chosen through competition. Anyone who wants to play a particular role can come to me and audition. If your performance is remarkable, the role will be yours,” Muniang announced loudly.

Everyone had already caught wind of this through the grapevine, so they weren’t surprised and uniformly responded, “Yes!”

Guo Yuehua’s lips curled into an even prouder smile, she even flaunted herself in front of Shen Dong, who trembled with rage, grinding his teeth relentlessly.

But then they heard Muniang say, “For the role of the male lead Yang Guo, Yue Guan’er will continue to play it. He fits the role in all aspects, and importantly, his popularity will help promote the play.”

As expected, no one objected.

Muniang paused, “However, the female lead’s image and temperament this time are completely different from the last, so Yuehua is not suitable. I’ll need to select someone anew and plan to recruit another actress. Yuehua, you can take a break this time and use it to hone your acting skills so you can try for more versatile roles in the future.”

Guo Yuehua’s face collapsed instantly, and her tone sank, “Why can Zhong Yulang continue while I can’t? What do you mean my image and temperament aren’t suitable? Could it be that Zhong Yulang always fits the role perfectly?”

Muniang frowned; although she knew Guo Yuehua would be unhappy, she hadn’t expected her to become so overbearing suddenly. It seemed that Madam Liu’s words had come true—having risen to fame with just one play, Yuehua really had become too full of herself. If Muniang kept indulging her, Yuehua might truly become too big for her britches.

This time, Shen Dong felt a burst of satisfaction, even better than if he had managed to unlock the governor and conception vessels. He raised his voice and said, “Why? Because my big brother’s decade and a half of hard work isn’t for nothing! Look at his cold face offstage—once he’s on, he transforms into whoever he needs to be instantly. Can you do that? Don’t forget how you only got the role of Ren Yingying by luck. If Lady had chosen the character of Little Dragon Girl last time, there wouldn’t have been a chance for you!”

Guo Yuehua’s face turned the color of liver, so angry she nearly passed out, “You! You’re simply—!”

Muniang chided Shen Dong with a light rebuke, “Dong! Don’t be rude.” She still took Guo Yuehua’s feelings into consideration.

Dong huffed and closed his mouth.

It was then Muniang approached Guo Yuehua and said, “Yuehua, Dong’s words might not sound pleasant, but he does have a point. The most important thing for an actor isn’t to fit just one role, but to be able to showcase different aspects of oneself. Since you haven’t been training since childhood, I can’t blame you. The last play mainly suited your personality, and you performed well. This time I’m not giving you this role because your current skill level can’t fully mask your own character to portray another.

Take this opportunity to learn acting from others. There will be plenty of chances to perform in the future. Our Mei Garden is going to last a long time, and there will be no shortage of plays!”

Yet Guo Yuehua still glared, retorting, “You expect me to learn from them? This bunch who can’t even land a lead role?”

Muniang’s face was already turning sour, having spoken so earnestly, yet clearly, none of it had been heard. She said coldly, “At Mei Garden, there’s always someone who might become a star overnight. Are you sure you want to offend people like this?”

Guo Yuehua’s heart seethed with even greater anger, “Not allowing me to play the leading lady is one thing, but now you want me to curry favor with others, don’t you? You’re indeed nothing but a businessman, obsessed with gain! You think I’m worthless and discard me without a second thought, even expecting me to cozy up to others. I’ll have you know that if I decide I no longer wish to stay, I’ll simply leave. Then we’ll see how many spectators Mei Garden draws without me!”

Ha! She was already making threats. Guo Yuehua obviously saw herself as the star attraction of Mei Garden, believing it couldn’t survive without her. But she never paused to consider how she rose to fame in the first place. It wasn’t that Mei Garden couldn’t survive without her; it was that without Muniang, Mei Garden wouldn’t stand a chance. As long as Muniang was around, thousands upon thousands of Guo Yuehuas could be brought into the limelight.

Thinking her harsh words would surely make Muniang beg her to stay, Muniang’s expression, however, remained serene, “You should go back and rest. I’ll say it again, hone your acting skills, and opportunities will come your way in time.”

If Guo Yuehua’s temper were not checked now, it would be unbearable later.

Stomping her foot in rage, Guo Yuehua stormed out. Zhong Yulang frowned, noting that this woman’s temper was indeed getting out of hand.

Muniang was left shaking her head helplessly; it really did have a lot to do with one’s nature. Zhong Yulang had garnered much more fame than Guo Yuehua, yet he never displayed an ounce of frivolity. On the other hand, when Guo Yuehua was down on her luck, she was humble, but now that she had been exalted, she had become disdainful.

“Enough of that, let’s talk about the issues of the other actors,” Muniang said.

“Yes!”

Even after having dealt with things, Muniang still couldn’t rest easy about Guo Yuehua and went to her residence in person. Muniang had always thought that becoming a female actor brought great pressure, so she never skimped on food or clothing and even provided her a separate courtyard to live in.

But Guo Yuehua, inflexible as ever, locked her door and refused to admit anyone. Standing outside the door, Muniang said, “If I had truly wanted to be harsh with you, I wouldn’t have bought you back from the brothel to give you everything you have today. I don’t need you for this play, but there will be opportunities in the future. Take time to reflect, and the road ahead will undoubtedly be better than the present. Yuehua, think it over. Whenever you’ve made up your mind, come find me.”

With that, she turned and left. Muniang wasn’t known for her patience, and had it not been for Yuehua’s unique situation, she wouldn’t have suppressed her irritation to come and persuade her.

No sooner had Muniang stepped out of the courtyard than Guo Yuehua smashed a cup to pieces, clearly not absorbing a single word that was said.

The new play was now in the works, and Muniang had no spare time for these distractions. Whether Guo Yuehua changed her mind or not was entirely up to her—Muniang’s persuasions would be futile.

With plenty of time on their hands, and the word of casting for a female actor already out, finding a suitable actress to play Little Dragon Girl would surely be much easier this time.

Many poor but decent families, upon hearing that Mei Garden was looking to recruit a female actor again, eagerly sent their daughters to Muniang for selection. The glamorous life led by Guo Yuehua was enviable not only to impoverished girls, but even noble ladies, despite keeping up appearances, were secretly envious. After all, which young lady didn’t harbor the dream of a Linghu Chong inside her heart?