Luo Xiaolu stared in shock at her agent, who had seemed so sweet-talking just moments ago.

Liu Yu, with black-rimmed glasses and a crisp business suit, looked the very picture of a proper, rule-following office lady—polite and courteous to everyone.

Turns out she’s this fierce?!

But—

Luo Xiaolu didn’t dislike it one bit!

Agent sis is absolutely awesome, right?!

Bi’an Hua was seriously underhanded. They’d already confirmed with Shiying Agency, and now that they’d shown up at the doorstep, they suddenly backed out, claiming they’d “already chosen someone.” Treating rookie voice actors like this? Disgraceful.

Thinking this, Luo Xiaolu’s mood soured. She was a sought-after author courted by multiple novel sites and animation studios—how dare they make her feel this small just for trying out as a voice actor?!

I, a legendary homebody of the century, washed my hair, did my makeup, dressed up nicely just to meet you—and this is your welcome?

This wasn’t about whether Luo Xiaolu wanted the job anymore. It was a matter of principle!

“This is Bi’an Hua Company? Absolutely foul! You’ve betrayed our sincerity and trust, wasting our studio’s precious time!” Liu Yu continued her tirade.

“Just wait—this isn’t over! If I don’t drag your reputation through the mud, I’ll quit being an agent! Let’s see which agency dares work with you after this!” Liu Yu dropped the ultimatum. Luo Xiaolu nearly clapped.

She’d voiced every single thought Luo Xiaolu had been holding back!

“I-I’m so sorry!!! Please come up! It’s my fault!”

Aili, utterly defenseless in arguments, caved instantly, flustered.

She’d assumed a small agency and a rookie voice actor would be easy to pacify. Who knew she’d run into a shark like this?!

If Liu Yu really posted online about this, tanking the anime’s reputation before release… as sound director, Aili couldn’t shoulder that blame.

Classic bully-the-weak, fear-the-strong behavior.

“But… didn’t you already select someone?”

“The audition proceeds! We’d like to assess Ms. Zhou Shuren’s capability too. Final selection can wait,” Aili said, wiping sweat.

Liu Yu turned to Luo Xiaolu.

The call had been on speaker the whole time—Luo Xiaolu heard everything.

“Ms. Zhou Shuren, what’s your take?” Liu Yu asked gently, a complete 180 from her earlier venom-spewing self.

Luo Xiaolu adored this kind of strong woman—it reminded her of her old sisterhood crew.

“Since we’re here, let’s give it a try,” Luo Xiaolu smiled, utterly unfazed.

They entered the Bi’an Hua building and rode the elevator to the eighth floor.

The doors opened—a woman rushed forward.

“Miss Liu Yu, Ms. Zhou Shuren! I’m Aili, the sound director!”

“Hello, Liu Yu from Shiying Agency,” Liu Yu replied with a serene smile, as if nothing had happened.

*Wow. That’s literally my favorite move.*

Luo Xiaolu mused: if Liu Yu were a few years younger, she’d dominate the delinquent scene. Maybe she *was* one back in the day.

Flustered, Aili ushered them inside.

A medium-sized venue. Two or three sound staff moved about. Originally meant for Luo Xiaolu’s solo audition, it was now adjusted for two—Yu Lu included.

A man frowned, strode up to Luo Xiaolu, sized her up rudely.

“Weren’t we switching to Ms. Yu Lu? Who’s *she*?”

“This is Ms. Zhou Shuren from Shiying Agency. We had a prior agreement. Since they came all this way, sending them back would be impolite,” Aili offered an awkward smile.

*Why couldn’t you talk like this earlier?*

Yep. Naive people need society’s harsh lesson to learn humility. Luo Xiaolu knew this truth well.

“This is Mr. Kao Mianjin, illustrator of the original manga *Reincarnated as a Demon God in Another World*,” Aili introduced him.

*Do any of your creators have normal names?!*

Clearly here as the original author to supervise—but with zero filter.

Just as Luo Xiaolu opened her mouth to greet him, Kao Mianjin bluntly declared:

“No contract signed? Ghosting’s no big deal!”

“Let both voice actors audition. More options are better,” Aili firmly backed Liu Yu this time.

She’d truly pleased no one.

“What’s a rookie voice actor worth comparing? And ‘Zhou Shuren’—are you a fan of that flirt too? Ugh. Even my teacher, Da Shixiong, gets bewitched by that vixen daily!” Kao Mianjin scoffed, not caring Luo Xiaolu stood right there.

“Whatever. Aili handles it. No one suits this role better than Ms. Yu Lu!”

Said outright before another voice actor. Any ordinary creator would’ve stormed out.

But Luo Xiaolu’s blood boiled. Her delinquent spirit demanded she speak up *now*.

*Flirt? Vixen? Did this perfectly refined literary girl ever wrong you?!*

*Kao Mianjin? I’ll make sure you’re the one getting grilled!*

She activated “forced calm,” barely suppressing the urge to toss this noodle-seller-turned-artist out the window.

Liu Yu started to speak—Luo Xiaolu grabbed her hand, led her straight to a nearby sofa to rest.

Minutes remained before audition. Crews finalized equipment checks.

Luo Xiaolu skimmed the script.

An isekai anime. Alice, the female deuteragonist: Pope’s daughter, Holy Maiden of the Papal State—a sheltered pearl, starved of warmth and emotion since childhood. The epitome of an aloof young lady.

*Adorable trope. The colder she is, the more fans cheer when the MC warms her up.*

Predictable plot: male lead melts the icy saint’s heart; she falls head over heels; shameless harem journey begins.

Such clichéd isekai nonsense was utterly irreconcilable with a refined literary soul like Luo Xiaolu!

Time to channel a reference voice.

Yes—another Alice, same early-era icy persona. Voiced by Senior Kayano Ai.

*That’s the vocal style. Locked in.*