“Which character did he audition?”
Xu Siyi withdrew his gaze from Zhang Zhen and replied, “The role of the young Daoist in the Water Ghost story. Assistant Director Zhang was in charge at that time.”
Hu Zhenghua recalled that the audition invitation was indeed sent to Xu Qiao. During that period, most casting was handled by the assistant director, Zhang Zhen, as the filming schedule was busy.
Zhang Zhen selected the person, and after reviewing the audition footage, thought it was good, so he made the final decision.
He remembered that the role of the young Daoist was eventually given to Li Chengxuan. He had seen the audition footage, and Li Chengxuan performed well, so there was no problem with giving him the role.
Thinking of Xu Qiao’s “vase” label, Hu Zhenghua speculated that his audition performance might not have been good enough, so Zhang Zhen decided not to choose him.
After taking a sip of water, Hu Zhenghua pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, “Siyi, you know I always choose based on skills, regardless of personal relationships. But Xu Qiao has helped us so much this time, both in terms of emotions and reason, so we should show some appreciation.”
Placing the water cup aside, Hu Zhenghua continued thoughtfully, “I’m thinking if there’s any role with slightly lower acting requirements but still has a positive and likable image, we should try to find one for him.”
The smile in Xu Siyi’s eyes faded, and he chose not to respond further.
Seeing Xu Siyi’s silence, Hu Zhenghua looked up at him. “What do you think, Siyi?”
“I think,” Xu Siyi lifted his chin slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing, “Director should personally watch Xu Qiao’s performance before making a decision.”
Hu Zhenghua didn’t grasp the meaning behind his words. After a moment of thought, he walked out of the resting room to summon Zhang Zhen.
“Director Hu, what’s going on?”
Hu Zhenghua: “Did you handle Xu Qiao’s audition?”
Zhang Zhen was momentarily puzzled, unsure why this matter was suddenly brought up. He discreetly glanced at Xu Siyi nearby, seeing no particular expression on his face, and then averted his gaze.
Controlling any hint of surprise, Zhang Zhen nodded. “Yes, he recently auditioned for the role of the young Daoist.”
Hu Zhenghua uttered an acknowledgment. “Show me the audition footage.”
Zhang Zhen sensed an impending unease, suspecting that Hu Zhenghua wanted to repay a favor since Xu Qiao had helped Ying Yuan.
“Director Hu, the roles are already finalized—”
“I just want to see how he performs,” Hu Zhenghua waved his hand, cutting him off. Seeing Zhang Zhen hesitating, his expression soured, “What, can’t I even watch it?”
Zhang Zhen stammered, “The footage, the footage might not be easily found…”
Hu Zhenghua gave a disdainful hum, sensing possibilities from Zhang Zhen’s expression. He looked at him with a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile. “Zhang Zhen, you know I detest people scheming behind my back. I trusted you, which is why I assigned the audition task to you.
“As for some insignificant supporting roles, how you arrange them privately, I can turn a blind eye. But the young Daoist, the second male lead in Water Ghost, let’s talk about that…”
Hu Zhenghua’s leisurely tone, as if chatting casually, made Zhang Zhen’s heart pound. How could he not recognize the precursor to the director’s anger?
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Zhang Zhen, filled with trepidation, kept his head low, afraid to meet his gaze.
After a moment, Hu Zhenghua chuckled. “Even this wasn’t chosen by you, Zhang Zhen. Your standards are quite high. You picked Li Chengxuan, right? Remind me, I’ve forgotten what his audition was like. Did he satisfy your expectations?”
Zhang Zhen stammered in response, “Li Chengxuan did perform well, reasonably…”
Uttering those words made him feel uncomfortably guilty. At this point, Zhang Zhen only hoped that Hu Zhenghua wouldn’t press the matter further.
However, today, the director was determined not to let him off the hook.
“Fetch Li Chengxuan’s audition footage as well.” Dropping this command, Hu Zhenghua stood up and returned to the set. “Let’s all learn together.”
Upon hearing Hu Zhenghua’s words, Zhang Zhen’s vision momentarily darkened.
If only he had known about today, he would have destroyed the audition footage or, better yet, not recorded it at all. Who could have predicted the sudden incident with Xu Qiao coming to Ying Yuan’s rescue?
Now, with Hu Zhenghua’s insistence, Zhang Zhen dared not make any underhanded moves under his watchful eyes.
Hu Zhenghua summoned the crew members, played Li Chengxuan’s audition footage first, then replayed Xu Qiao’s.
The on-set crew exchanged puzzled glances. Looking at the first one, Li Chengxuan’s performance was actually decent, standard for the role of the second male lead, portraying the young Daoist without major issues.
However, when compared to Xu Qiao’s subsequent audition, it took on a somewhat pitiful quality. The two actors’ skills were clearly not on the same level.
Xu Qiao’s performance was effortless, bringing the character of the young Daoist to life. In contrast, Li Chengxuan’s acting even seemed to have elements of imitation from Xu Qiao.
The difference between them was clear at a glance.
As for why Zhang Zhen chose Li Chengxuan, the reasons were well-known among everyone. How many benefits he received was a matter for another discussion.
Unable to withstand the pressure any longer, Zhang Zhen, with a mournful expression, finally admitted, “I’m sorry, Director Hu, I made a mistake.”
Hu Zhenghua ignored him, scanning the surroundings. “Today, I caught it in time, which is fortunate. When I didn’t catch it, did someone else do the same?”
No one dared to respond.
Hu Zhenghua fixed his gaze on Zhang Zhen. “Zhang Zhen, our small production team can no longer tolerate you.”
Zhang Zhen stared at him blankly, took a while to grasp Hu Zhenghua’s meaning, his complexion fluctuating between pale and bluish.
Was he being asked to leave?
He had thought at most there would be a reprimand, but Hu Zhenghua’s reaction was unexpected.
……
Xu Qiao retrieved the discarded painting from the trash, flattened it, and secured it back on the board with drawing pins.
As he closed his eyes, the face of Xu Siyi flashed in his mind.
After a while, Xu Qiao opened his eyes, picked up a brush, covered the accidental stains on the painting with paint, and then outlined Xu Siyi’s features on the face of the man missing facial features in the painting.
Slightly prominent and sharply defined brow bones, sleek lines of the eyes, lips slightly pursed…
Xu Qiao scrutinized the person in the painting — riding a tall horse, hair tied up high, a dazzling red forehead band and cloak, a silver suit of armor exuding a majestic presence.
Perfectly complementing Xu Siyi’s facial features.
The phone rang, drawing Xu Qiao’s attention away from the painting. He extended his arm to pick up the phone.
After the previous trending incident, he reluctantly adopted the habit of muting his phone when doing things.
It was an unfamiliar number.
Xu Qiao hesitated for a moment before answering, “Hello. May I ask who’s calling?”
“Xu Siyi.”
Raising an eyebrow, Xu Qiao asked, “How did you get my number?”
A voice on the other end, filled with amusement, replied, “Asked around. By the way, are you free this afternoon?”
“What’s going on?”
“Director Hu wants to invite you for a meal.”
Listening to Xu Siyi’s voice on the other end, Xu Qiao focused on the painting, fiddling with the pen in his hand, and agreed to the invitation.
At three in the afternoon, when Xu Qiao entered the hotel private room, both Hu Zhenghua and Xu Siyi were already there.
Hu Zhenghua, in his fifties, slightly portly, appeared refined and amiable.
As Xu Qiao looked at Hu Zhenghua, Hu Zhenghua was also sizing him up.
Hu Zhenghua had only seen Xu Qiao in photos and videos before. He had met him in person only once on the day something happened to Ying Yuan at the set.
Back then, preoccupied with worry, he hadn’t paid much attention to Xu Qiao’s appearance. Now, he observed that Xu Qiao had a slender and flexible figure, a highly recognizable face, and clear eyes like they had been immersed in springwater.
A face well-suited for the big screen, Hu Zhenghua silently commented in his mind.
After the customary handshake and brief greetings, Xu Siyi pulled out a chair for Xu Qiao.
“Thank you,” Xu Qiao said, thinking of the drawing he made before coming. His gaze, carrying an air of scrutiny and contemplation, moved over Xu Siyi’s face.
Xu Siyi slightly furrowed his brows under Xu Qiao’s direct gaze.
Fortunately, Hu Zhenghua didn’t notice the somewhat peculiar atmosphere between the two. When he spoke, he unintentionally eased the tension.
“Xu Qiao, I didn’t have the chance to thank you earlier. Today, I want to express my gratitude formally. Ying Yuan’s situation is greatly indebted to you.” Hu Zhenghua poured a glass of wine and offered it to Xu Qiao.
Xu Qiao raised his glass, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re too kind.”
Hu Zhenghua downed his drink in one gulp, then sat down. “Come, let’s start with the dishes, and talk as we eat.”
The three of them picked up their chopsticks, though everyone knew today’s meeting wasn’t just about a simple meal. As expected, not long after they began eating, Hu Zhenghua couldn’t resist speaking up.
“Xu Qiao, today, besides Ying Yuan’s matter, there’s another thing.”
Xu Qiao looked at him. “Please go on.”
Hu Zhenghua cleared his throat lightly. “This… I just found out that you auditioned for our Hundred Ghosts production. I’ve seen the audition footage, and it’s really impressive.”
After a pause, Hu Zhenghua revealed the purpose of inviting Xu Qiao. “Would you be interested in joining our production?”
Xu Qiao thought Hu Zhenghua might be offering him the role of the young Daoist again.
The audition for this role was a test of whether he could continue staying at SSE. Initially, he didn’t have much interest in the character of the young Daoist.
Just as he was about to consider it, Hu Zhenghua’s voice promptly sounded, “Liu Wen, would you be willing to take on the role?”
Xu Qiao was somewhat surprised.
Liu Wen, a character who drowned in the script and transformed into a water ghost nurtured by the sinister energy of the lake.
The male lead in Water Ghost story. Originally, the role he favored more.
Hu Zhenghua: “Your current show hasn’t premiered yet. I talked to Jiang Wen, and he showed me a few scenes of your performances in Chatting About. Honestly, I think you’re well-suited to play a mischievous and eerie ghost.”
In his mind, the image of Xu Qiao with long, flowing hair slowly emerging from the water’s surface had already formed.
If it was the role of Liu Wen, there was no need for much hesitation. Seeing Hu Zhenghua’s expectant gaze, Xu Qiao smiled and nodded.
Soon, the male lead role for the water ghost in Hundred Ghosts was officially announced.
Simultaneously, Chatting About also revealed its official broadcast schedule.
Oho! This is exciting~
Thank you for the chapter!
I. Am. Excited!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING AWESOME!!!
Thanks for the chapter!
Waiting on tenderhooks to see MC’s former company’s faces being slapped! 😏
Thank you for the chapter! 😊
Thank you for the chapter.
It’s about to go down!
Ahhh finally good news for XQ
Thank you for the update ☺️
Thank you 💕💕💕
Yes!!! He deserved the male lead role more than anyone!
Thank you for the chapter!
Ty for the chapter <3
Dang, I couldn’t stay away! Every chapter is so good and well written!! Im looking forward to each chapter I wish there were 100 out already! Thank you!!!