Translated by Serena Love

Edited by Azure

Chapter 34: Spicy and Sour Lemon Duck

"Who is that? Did she come out of the Great Depression?"

"She looks so earthly."

"Does she think she can be selected if she is dressed like this? It's a big joke." 

When Tang Qiaoqiao entered the audition's waiting room, many people saw her. After seeing the way she dressed, people started whispering and pointing at her.

It was like a cold winter for the film and television industry. Many first and second-line actors didn’t have any good scripts, so they could either pick their feet at home or show their faces in reality shows.

In the historical drama "Our Family", apart from the male and female protagonists and the roles for a few older generations, there were many young roles that needed to be auditioned. As soon as the news came out, it immediately attracted both famous and unknown actors.

After Tang Qiaoqiao got the script from Brother Qian, she went home and read it carefully. The more she read the play, the more she liked it. She really wanted to be able to play in this drama.

She even specifically asked Aunt Wang about what life was like in the 1970s and 1980s. When Aunt Wang learned that she was going to audition for historical dramas, she also contributed her clothes at the bottom of her box, which were popular in the 1980s. She had kept them treasured to this day.

In order to give the director a fresh feeling among many actors, Tang Qiaoqiao appeared on the set wearing a Qingliang-brand gray shirt and blue coarse trousers.

"Qiaoqiao, there are so many people, and they are all watching you." Fang Yuan whispered in Tang Qiaoqiao's ear.

Fang Yuan was the new assistant arranged for her by Brother Qian. Her body was round, and she smiled with two round dimples on both sides of her mouth.

"It's okay, I won't lose anything from it." Tang Qiaoqiao ignored those malicious eyes. She looked around the lounge, and randomly found an empty place to sit down.

At this moment, a girl with short hair sitting next to her suddenly leaned forward to talk to her.

"Hey, which role are you here to audition for?"

Tang Qiaoqiao felt that there was nothing to hide, so she frankly replied, "The third female lead, Zhao Xiaozhen."

The girl with short hair curled her lips. "Then you will be okay."

"Why do you say this?" Tang Qiaoqiao asked.

She gestured with her eyes to the woman who sat on the innermost chair, and said in a low voice, "It is said that the second female lead has been booked. It is set as Wang Xing'er. Everyone else will be cannon fodder."

Wang Xing'er was a young flower who had been gaining momentum for the past two years. She occupied the largest makeup mirror in the lounge. Although her styling was extremely exquisite, she still asked the makeup artist to constantly touch up her makeup, pull up her hair, and make sure that there were no flaws.

Tang Qiaoqiao glanced at her and didn't care. After waiting for a while, it was finally her turn.

"Tang Qiaoqiao," the casting director shouted at the room with the list, "Go to Room 9."

Tang Qiaoqiao: "Where is Room 9?"

He casually pointed into the corridor. "Just go straight ahead and then just turn around."

Tang Qiaoqiao followed the direction he pointed and came to Room 9. Inside, there were five people sitting side by side. Director Wu in the middle was the show's director.

As soon as he saw her dress, Director Wu's eyes lit up. "You dressed up like this for the audition?"

Tang Qiaoqiao honestly said, "Yes."

"It's useless to engage in these little tricks." The producer couldn't help but ridicule.

The director squinted at him, and said to Tang Qiaoqiao, "What are you going to perform?" 

He had auditioned several actors in a row, and he was a little numb. He was too lazy to ask any more, and would let the actors act for a while before deciding.

Tang Qiaoqiao put her backpack on the table against the wall at random, and then started her performance without any physical props.

The background of this drama would take place in the rural areas of Northern China. To show the life of that era, it was inevitable to show scenes of eating and drinking.

At that time, it was difficult for people in rural areas to eat fine grains. Most of them ate coarse pancakes, wowotou, with some porridge, wild vegetable noodle soup, and the like.

[T/N: Wowotou is a type of buns from northern China, made from cornmeal or other coarse grain. The name means "nest," they come in many shapes and are usually stuffed with whatever the cook decided, i.e. pickles, meat, wild vegetables, etc.]

Tang Qiaoqiao chose to act a scene about cooking and eating.

She imagined that there were two clay stoves and woks in front of her. After the wok was heated, she scooped a spoonful of the batter and stirred it, spreading the pancakes evenly on the pan. The other wok was not idle either. She cooked noodle soup, grabbing a handful of wild vegetables with her hands, and as if she was thinking about the remaining food before throwing it down, she grabbed some and put it back in the vegetable basket.

She made a total of seven or eight coarse grain pancakes, enough for a family to eat. Then she poured a large pot of wild vegetable noodle soup.

The food was for the family's dinner. There were not many people sitting on the table. She broke a small piece of pancake, filled a half bowl of noodle soup, and went straight to the door to squat on the ground to eat.

The director was completely fascinated. Her demeanor and movements were so natural and skillful, as if she had really returned to the last century. A rural family was eating dinner, and there were only pancakes and noodle soup on the table.

The girl squatted at the door of her house, holding pancakes in one hand, taking a bite especially hard, and holding the noodle soup bowl in the other. The noodle soup is very watery, but the girl eats very carefully. She soaked the last bite of her pancake in the soup, and she couldn’t afford to waste a single drop.

After Tang Qiaoqiao swallowed her last mouthful of "noodle soup", she stood up and smiled, "Director, I'm finished."

The director excitedly asked, "What's your name?"

"My name is Tang Qiaoqiao."

A man beside him whispered a few words in his ear, and the director nodded thoughtfully.

"You can cook, can't you?"

Tang Qiaoqiao nodded, this is her line of business.

"Okay, the role of Zhao Xiaoxiang is yours." Director Wu made his decision on the spot.

This character was very good at cooking, and she would open a restaurant later. Originally, he didn't include this item in the casting criteria. He planned to find a substitute for the cooking scene. But now that there was an actress who could both act and cook, wouldn't it kill two birds with one stone?

The producer's face changed a lot when he heard his words, and he whispered, "No, director, there are a few others that haven't auditioned."

"Don't need to audition anymore, it's her."

"But," said the producer, "Mr. Chen had said that Wang Xing'er must be invited to perform. He is one of the investors of this show."

"Who did he say it to? I didn't agree." Director Wu had a bad temper and he hated the actors who walked through the back door.

The producer rubbed his hands in a hurry. He couldn't afford to offend Mr. Chen, but this director was also a thorn in his head. He was difficult to deal with.

Tang Qiaoqiao looked dumbfounded.

'Zhao Xiaoxiang?'

She weakly said, "Didn't I audition for Zhao Xiaozhen?" 

The producer yelled when he heard this, "If you auditioned for Zhao Xiaozhen, why did you run into this room?"

"The casting director asked me to come to room 9. "Tang Qiaoqiao looked innocent.

"This is obviously room 6," the producer finally found a little bit of her mistake. He was delighted, and loudly reprimanded, "Your audition doesn't count, hurry up and go."

Tang Qiaoqiao frowned. "The number at the door of your room is clearly number 9."

"You can't count? Can't even distinguish between 6 and 9?" The producer cursed.

Tang Qiaoqiao was also not convinced. She went to the door to open the door, and pointed to the number on the door panel, "It is 9."

The five people sitting in the room walked over and found out that the sign that was originally hung on the door which shows "6" fell off, and upside-down it became "9." 

The producer's face was pale. "This is an accident. Room 9 is over there. You should go to the audition right there. Don't make trouble here."

Tang Qiaoqiao was about to speak, but Director Wu clapped his hands, smiled and said: "God. This is God's will. You don't have to audition for Zhao Xiaozhen. Zhao Xiaoxiang is you."

Tang Qiaoqiao pointed to herself while dumbfounded. "You are really going to choose me?"

Director Wu affirmed to her, "That's right."

Tang Qiaoqiao was happy. She had come to audition for the third female lead and became the second female lead. Who knew if Brother Qian would jump up with joy when he heard it.

This incident reached Wang Xing'er's ears, and she almost exploded. After sitting there for a long time, she had become redundant. Although she originally intended to appear at the end and go through the procedures, now she didn’t even have a chance to show up.

She angrily approached the producer and said, "You are not afraid to offend Mr. Chen? He will withdraw his investment from the show." 

The producer could only spread his hands helplessly. He couldn’t do anything. Mr. Chen is just one of the investors, but if he irritated Director Wu, he would really quit. Where would he find a suitable director to take over?

Wang Xing'er couldn't swallow her anger, especially after knowing that her role was cut off by Tang Qiaoqiao. Wasn’t she the woman who was revealed to be the daughter of Tangda company's president some time ago?

'Oh, didn't she also rely on her background to get a role?'

This matter cannot be left alone. After Wang Xing'er went home, she posted on Weibo: "I lost an opportunity that I had prepared for a long time today. Sometimes this circle is so dark and helpless. Some people take away other people's role by relying on their family background. Things are like this, but please remember the words "Virtue does not match social status."

[T/N: "Virtue does not match social status" is an idiom meaning that a person's social status and the treatment s/he enjoys sometimes does not match his/her moral behavior.]

Wang Xing'er's vague Weibo quickly aroused a heated discussion.

【What happened? Her tone is so serious】

【Didn't Xing'er go to the audition today? The role was snatched away? Which cheap maidservant did it?】

【Don't be afraid, Xing'er. Tell me the name of that person. See if I don't tear her apart】

... 

A certain entertainment veteran immediately followed and posted: "Internal news of "Our family" audition today. Tang Qiaoqiao auditioned as the third female lead, but ended up the role of second female lead. Originally, Wang Xing'er was the most promising actress for this role, but you know, Tang Qiaoqiao had a strong background. She was backed by a big company, Tangda."

【Have Tang Qiaoqiao acted before? Suddenly she got a second female lead role. Who would believe it if she didn't go through the back door】 

【When I saw Tang Pupu, I hate her. She has no works, but the hot searches are all over the sky, it's annoying】

【@"Our Family" crew, quickly make it clear. Oppose the unspoken rules of going through the back door】 

【Bad actors drive out good actors. No wonder the drama nowadays is getting more and more ugly】

...

Although Wang Xing'er didn't name her, but her vague attitude and the large  water army who added fuel and jealousy pointed their finger at Tang Qiaoqiao, causing her to feel unhappy.

What she cared about most was not about people scolded her for getting the role by relationship, but because they said that she was relying on the Tang family.

Haha, if she relied on the Tang family, she could only eat farts now.

Seeing a large number of condemning comments pouring into her Weibo, and her lovely fans have to work hard to criticize and defend her. Tang Qiaoqiao thought for a while and posted on Weibo: "I want to rely on the big tree to enjoy the cool breeze. It's a pity that there is no such thing as "Virtue does not match social status!"

She attached two pictures. One shows that she and Tangda Group had never interacted with each other at all, and the second one was a copy of script of "Our Family" made by her, with densely packed notes and people's experiences.

【Wang Xinger's fans have to point at their own faces. She herself can't cook, but blamed others walking through the back door. It's disgusting】

【Your mum! I was angry when I saw Tangda's company. If you have proof, take it out. If you have no proof, shut up】

【It is the Ghost Festival, be careful when speaking】

【Damn it, I almost forgot that today was the Ghost Festival. My back is cold】

【Qiao Bao, bless you. The villain will retreat】

...

...

Wang Xing'er was swiping her phone and was happy that Tang Qiaoqiao was scolded, but she didn't expect her to dare to respond. Want her to send real proof? Tang Qiaoqiao, an actress who had never acted in a serious drama, got the second female lead at once. What else could be the reason besides going through the back door?

When Wang Xing'er was about to tear up a few words with her, another star came off the stage. This person is the short-haired girl who talked to Tang Qiaoqiao earlier. "I will also join the fun and restore the truth. I also went to audition today. Tang Qiaoqiao was indeed going to audition for the third female lead, but something funny happened."

She explained how Tang Qiaoqiao went to the wrong audition room because the room number was upside down.

After speaking out, she finally wrote, "She made a lot of preparations for the role, and even wore clothes from the 1980s ahead of time. The role was obtained by her true ability but she cut off a certain person's fixed role. It's just jealousy that turned into anger, but the person was just anxious and depraved."

As soon as the short-haired girl's clarification on Weibo was published, the comment style immediately changed. 

【My head is full of confusion. 6 has become 9???】

【Tang Qiaoqiao, you deserve it. What happened to your head? You are so silly hahaha】

【Qiaobao is a koi. Accidentally went to the wrong room and won a better role】

【What koi, Qiaoqiao has done a lot of homework. It is her own hard work. Come on, I love you!】

When Tang Qiaoqiao saw the short-haired girl's Weibo supporting her, she felt warm and thanked her privately.

Wang Xing'er is anxious. 'Which pheasant is this again?'

While she was still trying to refute, Mr. Chen suddenly called her and scolded her. He told her to stop messing up, otherwise he would not be polite.

Wang Xing'er was anxious. It was the first time she was reprimanded so severely by her gold master. In the past, she was only responsible for causing trouble.

Tang Qiaoqiao still said that she has no background?

But she dared not speak any more. She silently deleted her Weibo, and was mocked by the netizens. In the end, the crew issued a solemn statement stating that all the actors' auditions were just and fair, and that was the end of the turmoil.

"She was persuaded too quickly." Tang Qiaoqiao looked rather regretful.

Shen Yue whispered, "You think the noise isn’t big enough?"

"I, who did not use a backdoor, pressed her backdoor but she easily conceded. My punch seemed to hit cotton. It was not fun."

Shen Yue tugged the corner of his mouth downward. He didn't tell her that Wang Xing'er deleted her Weibo so quickly because he cooperated with Aoxing Investment. He asked Li Ji to make a call, and the other party quickly backed down.

Tang Qiaoqiao was very forgetful, and quickly left this matter behind. She focused on another matter. "It turned out to be the Ghost Festival today, so let's eat ducks today."

Shen Yue: ???

She changed the topic so quickly.

She geared up to the kitchen. She is now used to sharing her cooking with fans from time to time. Plus, today is another holiday, so she started the live broadcast again.

"The custom of Ghost Festival is to eat ducks to suppress all evils, so I will make a spicy and sour lemon duck today."

【Damn, any festival in China can be turned into a food festival】

【I know who Qiaoqiao called an evil monster (dog face)】

【I didn’t have duck today. Is it useful to eat its close relative, fried chicken?】

【I feel inexplicably feel that watching Tang Qiaoqiao's cooking video is particularly reassuring】

【+1, I'm driving tonight. I will watch this video overnight】

...

Tang Qiaoqiao chopped the tender duck into pieces, sautéed the dried blood in a pot, then sautéed ginger, garlic, star anise, cumin, and a little cinnamon in hot oil. The unique flavor of the mixed spices was diffused. She poured the duck, sprinkled white wine, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, etc., and continued to stir fry.

The most important thing about lemon duck was the indispensable "five sours". They were sour lotus, sour ginger, sour perilla, sour yellow fruit and sour lemon. These were all for removing fishiness and improving freshness.

Sour lotus, ginger, perilla, yellow fruits were chopped and braised together with duck. The hot and sour taste would burst out from the edge of the lid into the tip of the nose.

The fermented sour lemon was the soul of this dish, so she put it at the end. Putting it early would make the duck taste bitter. Before serving, she poured half a bowl of water mixed with starch from the side of the pan to thicken it.

The five-sour taste completely infiltrated into the duck meat. Sour, sweet, spicy, and various flavors spread out on the tip of the tongue, constantly teasing the taste buds. Lemon not only gave the duck a unique fragrance and suppressed the original fishy smell, but also made the duck softer and more fragrant.

Tang Qiaoqiao and Shen Yue enjoyed a good meal.

However, after a few days, Tang Qiaoqiao would have to join the film crew. This time it would be more than a day or two.

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