Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s

"I think even fountain pens wouldn’t need ink anymore; just use her face-wash water directly."

Everyone was gossiping enthusiastically, leaving Yao Yu and Chen Wan dumbstruck.

What on earth was Tian Sangsang here to do?! Ji Yao’er sneered coldly and walked up to Zhao Chun, giving her advice, "How could someone like her—a Black woman—ever be suitable for acting? Kick her out."

Zhao Chun, however, was focused entirely on Tian Sangsang and didn’t quite agree with Ji Yao’er. He raised his hand slightly and said, "Yao’er, step aside for now—I’ve got this." Without even looking at her.

Ji Yao’er returned to her chair awkwardly, a tinge of insecurity and grievance bubbling in her heart. All this for Tian Sangsang? Zhao Chun had blatantly embarrassed her in public!

"You’re Tian Sangsang?" Zhao Chun was utterly astonished. What was going on? Just a few days ago, she was pale-skinned—how had she turned Black now? Truly an unpredictable enchantress.

"Yes, I’ve come to audition for the female lead." Her tone was calm and breezy.

A pitch-black complexion paired with such composure—everyone froze in place, surprisingly feeling no disharmony at all!

Zhao Chun swallowed hard. So she had turned Black, and now she was here auditioning for the female lead? No way. His female lead couldn’t possibly be that Black. Sure, he once contemplated having her act in his film, but that was when she was still pale-skinned.

He shuddered slightly, debating whether he should stand up and offer her his seat. Around Tian Sangsang, he always seemed timid. That one incident in front of the restroom—she had effortlessly hauled him up. Now what was she here for? Looking for trouble? If she pulled any stunt in broad daylight again, how would he save face? Might as well find a noodle and hang himself.

"You’re seriously here to audition for the female lead?"

Tian Sangsang rolled her eyes. "Unless I’ve come to audition for the male lead instead?"

"Uh..." Zhao Chun pondered briefly. Sounds plausible too. As long as you’re not Black.

"Actually, I wouldn’t mind cross-dressing, if Director Zhao has the need."

It seemed that she really was auditioning. Still, it was obvious she’d be eliminated instantly for being so Black, but Zhao Chun couldn’t bring himself to say no to her. His head throbbed; he decided to go through the standard audition process.

"Alright, Tian Sangsang, what skills do you have?" He asked formally.

"I can sing." Tian Sangsang smiled faintly.

"Alright then, sing something for us." Zhao Chun said, his heart secretly harboring a trace of anticipation. If memory serves, wasn’t it her who had performed "Hero Song" before?

"Are you sure you want me to sing?"

Zhao Chun flinched slightly. Could it be that her voice matched her looks?

"I’m joking." Tian Sangsang cleared her throat lightly, scanned the room lazily, and belted out in a confident voice:

"If the sea could~ Recall the love once left behind~ Let me wait a lifetime~~ If the deep passions from the past~ No longer linger in your heart~ Let them drift away with the wind~~"

"If the sea could~ Carry away my sorrows~ Just like it carries away every river~~~ All the wounds I’ve suffered~ All the tears I’ve shed~ My love~ Please take them all away~~~"

Her dazzlingly clear eyes, her soulful and sorrowful gaze, and that vast, heart-wrenching voice instantly resonated deep within those present. Such was the infectious power of music—transcending skin color, free from prejudice!

And currently, there were no songs this bold in the mainland; only in Taiwan could you find this type. These were usually listened to in secrecy.

"Bravo!" Zhao Chun was the first to clap, his face brimming with excitement. Tian Sangsang’s singing was impressive beyond expectation! To witness it once in a lifetime was worth it!

The crowd, too, forgot that the performer was someone they often scorned for her dark skin and started clapping along with Zhao Chun.

"Just one more song!" Zhao Chun requested enthusiastically.

"Exactly, one more song, sing one more!" The crowd echoed. Wait... weren’t they here for acting auditions? Had they wandered into the wrong venue??

"Just a small performance." Tian Sangsang bowed humbly, adjusting her facial expression while her mind replayed the melody. This next song required a slow build—

"Recklessly squandering love

Even when the heart shatters, what’s the point of counting regrets?

Whatever you want, I’ll let you take it away"

This happened to be one of Tian Sangsang’s favorites from a past life; she could recite it effortlessly. The original artist was Chen Guanpu. Songs from that era often carried a peculiar, unspeakable allure. Bold yet not vulgar.

"If you think freedom is joy

Love is nothing but an old, weak mistake

Why bother caring about how others think or say"

One noteworthy memory was how Tian Sangsang enjoyed "The Green Cloak Romance" from "New Shushan Swordsmen" during her teenage years. To her, that narrative frequently evoked fond adolescent memories—it was like listening while watching. Honestly, "New Shushan" wasn’t all that great overall; its standout feature was "Green Cloak Romance." Thinking back also brought memories of not only Green Cloak and Yu Yingnan but also Chen Youliang and Pei Yao, Yang Paifeng and Yelv Haonan, Ji Xiaofu and Yang Xiao, along with Bai Yuchuan, Fu Yushu, and Xiao Yan. Eventually, she realized that her skewed moral compass had started developing early on—most of these characters were indeed villains...

"Too many excuses~ Too many reasons

For love, I’ve betrayed it all~

If you want to leave me~ Do so without hesitating ~~

Too many excuses~ Too many reasons~

Don’t ask how I’ll cope when I’m heartbroken~~

Perhaps I’ll live well~ Or maybe vanish forever~~

Why do you care ~~~~~~~~~!"

(PS: From "Love Through Different Eras", "The Romantic Valet," "New Shushan Swordsmen" theme/ending song—"Too Many.")

As the song concluded, its lingering melody hung in the air, refusing to fade. Stirring fire and melancholy in the hearts of those present, there was no way to dispel the feeling. The room fell silent; no one even remembered to clap.

"Beautifully sung!" Zhao Chun sniffled, his voice slightly choked. "Tian Sangsang, right? I’ve decided—you’ve passed the first round. Go over there and prepare for the second round. Yao Yu, hand her the script for the next segment she needs to perform."

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Singing this well—even if she were just a songbird placed in the crew—it’d still be great.

"Got it." Yao Yu hesitated a moment, then stuffed a piece of paper into Tian Sangsang’s hands. Wait a sec—no, this isn’t right. Boss, have you forgotten? She’s Black! If she gets picked for the second round too, are you really going to cast a Black female lead?

"Director~~~~" Ji Yao’er’s friends protested, "Sure, she sings beautifully, but we’re selecting an actor, not a singer. She’s so Black—how could she act?"

Zhao Chun woke up as if from a dream. Right, almost got fooled by two songs.

He glanced again at Tian Sangsang, who was clutching the paper with excitement, her eyes glistening with tears. "Director Zhao, I knew it—I wasn’t wrong about you. You really don’t judge by appearances."

"Swoosh—" She lowered her head gently and reached up to peel. She pulled off the black skin, revealing a face as pure white as jade beneath.