108: Chapter 108 The Female Lead

The recruitment announcement for "Zhu Xian" was released. Within two minutes of its posting, Meng Wei's company also released a recruitment notice for their S+ level historical drama, "palace lock." Coincidentally, the interview and filming schedules for "palace lock" almost completely overlapped with those of "Zhu Xian."

The production team behind "palace lock" belonged to the top entertainment company in the industry. They had invited A-list star Pei Xingyu for Male Lead One and the popular young starlet Xie Chenchen for the female lead. The director was also someone who had helmed several hit series. Once this news was released, it sparked a massive amount of discussion and heat.

On the other hand, "Zhu Xian" was a xianxia idol drama. The director's fame couldn't compare to that of "palace lock." One of the production companies was on the verge of bankruptcy, and the other had started with short dramas. The leads hadn't been finalized, and the supporting cast consisted of characters no one had ever heard of. Not a single person was noteworthy, yet they still called it an S+ project?

Comparing the two, the only heat remaining for the "Zhu Xian" crew was the mockery directed at two small, broke companies joining forces to produce an S+ project.

Consequently, only half the expected number of actors showed up for the auditions.

Fortunately, Black Pearl, Feiyu Entertainment, and Qingcheng Entertainment had plenty of actors; their own companies provided more than half the people needed.

Wang Ning had been communicating frequently with Su Jixing lately because he discovered that Su Jixing was a true talent. Su Jixing understood many of the problems that gave Wang Ning a headache after just a few mentions and would then offer suggestions. Now, when Wang Ning didn't want to trouble Lu Qingyu, he went directly to Su Jixing.

Meng Wei's company had been intentionally or unintentionally suppressing Qingcheng Entertainment. If not for Su Jixing and Xu Dalong's help, the progress of "Zhu Xian" wouldn't have been so fast.

Without Lu Qingyu's knowledge, he himself had already been cast as Male Lead One.

The rest of the cast, except for the female lead, had also been finalized.

The candidate for the female lead was hard to find. In "Zhu Xian," the female lead, Bi Yao, is quirky, loves and hates fiercely, never admits defeat, and is someone who can sacrifice herself for her lover without reservation.

She is a witch from the Demonic Sect who acts decisively and ruthlessly, but you cannot describe her as 'evil.'

This role has a unique personal charm; it requires not only acting skills but also a certain inherent likability in the actress herself.

Over thirty people had auditioned for the female lead, but everyone was still unsatisfied.

Wang Ning had looked at the images of many popular young starlets and was interested in the acting skills of two actresses. However, with Meng Wei putting out word in the industry and the actresses hearing that they would actually have to audition for this drama, they were even less likely to come.

Coincidentally, Lu Qingyu took a liking to a young girl on a film set.

On the set of "destined lover," Lu Qingyu was waiting for a scene change at two in the afternoon. There was a car accident scene that required a background actor willing to play a pedestrian hit and killed. The entire scene lasted less than two minutes, but it required the actor to fly through the air twice and then land and 'die.'

An actor had been found in advance, but they didn't show up because of an upset stomach.

The production assistant went to the extras' area to ask who was willing to play the role for an extra 100 yuan.

This role had no lines and the filming was grueling. An extra's daily wage was 300 yuan. Most people preferred roles where they could sit around the male and female leads as background dressing, perhaps drinking coffee, or roles with lines where they could show their faces. No one wanted to play this role.

While waiting for the scene change, Lu Qingyu heard the production assistant negotiating, but everyone was unwilling. Suddenly, a young girl in the back of the crowd raised her hand. A soft, delicate voice came through, and the crowd made way for her.

The moment the girl appeared, a string snapped in Lu Qingyu's head!

Teacher... Teacher Zhao?

Holy crap, despite the youthful look, that familiar face left Lu Qingyu completely stunned.

Lu Qingyu called the production assistant over and asked, "Who is that girl who just raised her hand?"

The production assistant looked back at the girl, clearly very familiar with her.

"She's an extra here at Hengdian. Her name is Zhao Xiaodao. I worked with her when I first entered the industry six years ago. She's been an extra for at least eight years."

"Her acting is excellent, and she's hardworking and resilient."

The production assistant was not stingy with his praise for the girl. For a moment, Lu Qingyu felt his blood boiling.

He was about to land another huge bargain.

Progress on the female lead for "Zhu Xian" had stalled. Without a female lead, the crew couldn't start work. Wang Ning drank two cups of cooling tea in his office and planned to go out with the director in the afternoon to pick someone.

Just then, Lu Qingyu called. Wang Ning thought Lu Qingyu was checking on the progress, but he didn't expect him to be recommending someone.

"Brother Wang, I have someone to recommend to you. I think she's perfect for the female lead of 'Zhu Xian'."

Wang Ning's eyes lit up. Although he didn't know who it was or haven't seen her, his trust in Lu Qingyu made him feel that this would definitely work out.

Lu Qingyu gave Wang Ning the contact information he had obtained from the production assistant.

After filming the car accident scene in the afternoon, Zhao Xiaodao's waist was bruised purple from the wire harness. Back at her place, she applied medicine to herself as if she were used to it.

She wasn't professionally trained, had no good resources, no talent agency, and hadn't even gone to university. Being an actress relied entirely on her love for acting.

She had been an extra here for eight years and had tried to fight for third or fourth-tier roles, but because she had no background, most of the work she got was as a bit player.

With an income of two or three thousand yuan a month and hard work every day, she treated even the smallest roles seriously. But sometimes, she would feel lost, wondering when she would finally make it through this kind of life.

She really wanted an opportunity to interpret a work of her own.

The water in her rental room was cut off at ten o'clock every night. Seeing that it was almost time, she had to get up and stop dreaming.

Just then, a call came. Zhao Xiaodao picked up her phone; it was an unknown number. She usually answered such numbers for fear that it might be someone looking for an extra. If she didn't answer, what if she missed an opportunity?

On the other end of the line, Wang Ning heard a woman pick up the phone with a gentle voice:

"Hello?"

Wang Ning said, "Is this Miss Zhao?"

Zhao Xiaodao answered yes. Wang Ning continued, "Hello, Miss Zhao. I am the director of Qingcheng Entertainment. We are currently preparing to film a drama, and someone recommended you to us. I wonder if you have time tomorrow to come to our company for an audition?"

Hearing this, Zhao Xiaodao's breath hitched. If an audition was required, it had to be at least a third female lead role.

"Yes, yes, yes! I'm free any time tomorrow."

Wang Ning: "I will send you the address. Please come at nine o'clock tomorrow morning."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Xiaodao was instantly excited.