16: Facing Director Zheng, the first test of his talent

"Teacher Lin Da, please come with me first."

Qin Ya's voice broke the silence of the waiting room.

Lin Da took a deep breath and stood up from his seat. He could feel that almost everyone's eyes were focused on him, with curiosity, scrutiny, and a hint of imperceptible jealousy.

He ignored these gazes, simply nodded politely to Qin Ya, and then, with steady steps, followed her out of the waiting room.

Walking through a quiet corridor, Qin Ya led him to a heavy wooden door.

"Director Zheng and a few screenwriting teachers are inside," Qin Ya whispered, a encouraging smile on her face. "Teacher Lin Da, relax and just perform normally."

"Thank you, Producer Qin," Lin Da thanked her again, adjusting his collar.

Qin Ya gently knocked on the door, and after receiving a response from inside, she pushed the door open and made a "please" gesture.

Lin Da stepped inside.

This was a spacious and bright conference room, with a long conference table directly opposite the door. Behind the table sat several people.

In the center was a middle-aged man in his fifties, with slightly graying hair, a gaunt face, but exceptionally sharp eyes. He was wearing a simple Zhongshan suit, exuding an aura of power without needing to be angry.

Lin Da's heart subtly tightened.

Zheng Guofeng!

Even though it was their first meeting, Lin Da could feel an extreme pursuit of art and an undeniable authority from Director Zheng Guofeng's deep, ocean-like eyes.

Next to Director Zheng Guofeng sat two middle-aged people who looked like screenwriters, and a younger person who seemed to be an assistant director. They all looked up, their eyes uniformly fixed on Lin Da as he walked in.

An invisible pressure filled the air, even more intense than in the waiting room.

"Director Zheng, teachers, this is Teacher Lin Da," Qin Ya introduced briefly, then stepped aside.

Lin Da stood in the center of the conference room, bowing neither humbly nor arrogantly to everyone: "Hello, Director Zheng, hello, teachers, I am Lin Da."

His voice was calm and steady, without any tension or stage fright.

Director Zheng Guofeng's gaze lingered on Lin Da for a few seconds, with a hint of scrutiny and probing in his eyes, but he did not speak immediately.

The conference room was silent, with only Lin Da's steady breathing.

This silence, in itself, was a test.

Lin Da calmly met Director Zheng Guofeng's gaze, secretly adjusting his state. He knew that from the moment he stepped into this room, the audition had already begun.

After a full ten seconds, Director Zheng Guofeng slowly opened his mouth, his voice deep and magnetic:

"You're Lin Da, right? I've seen your performance clips in "Jianghu Xiaoxiami." You have a lot of spirit and you're very dedicated."

His tone revealed no emotion, as if he was stating an objective fact.

"Thank you for the compliment, Director Zheng," Lin Da remained calm.

"The role I've asked you to audition for today is Wei Zhongxian in "the chronicles of the great ming dynasty,"" Director Zheng Guofeng paused, his eyes becoming even sharper. "You should have read the script segment and character biography for this role, right?"

"Yes, Director Zheng, I have studied them carefully."

"Alright," Director Zheng Guofeng nodded. "Today, we're auditioning for one particular scene. It's a monologue where Wei Zhongxian, upon learning that the young prince he serves is about to be deposed, sits alone in the palace late at night, reminiscing about the past and struggling internally."

"This scene doesn't have many intense actions; it mainly relies on the actor's inner turmoil and micro-expressions to support it. The difficulty is not small. Do you... have confidence?"

Director Zheng Guofeng's gaze, like that of a hawk, tightly locked onto Lin Da, as if he wanted to see even the slightest hesitation or retreat on his face.

Lin Da met his gaze, the corners of his mouth curving slightly into a confident smile:

"Director Zheng, I will do my best."

No grand words, no excessive humility, just a simple "I will do my best," yet it conveyed an undeniable determination.

A hint of imperceptible approval flashed in Director Zheng Guofeng's eyes.

What he appreciated most were actors with ability who were not ostentatious.

"Good," Director Zheng Guofeng nodded. "There are simple props here that you can use. You have five minutes to prepare. When you're ready, you can start anytime."

With that, he said no more, simply watching Lin Da quietly, awaiting his performance.

Lin Da looked around. In a corner of the conference room, sure enough, there was an antique wooden chair and a small table with a coarse ceramic teacup on it.

He walked to the prop area and did not immediately begin preparing. Instead, he first closed his eyes, took several deep breaths, and shut out all external distractions.

In his mind, all information about the character "Wei Zhongxian" began to rapidly replay.

His background, his experiences, his personality, his emotions...

And, that scene of sitting alone late at night, struggling internally.

What kind of despair was that? What kind of unwillingness? What kind of complex emotions intertwined with loyalty and helplessness?

Lin Da completely immersed himself in the character's situation.

He seemed to feel the chill and loneliness of the late-night imperial palace, hear the ancient and tired beating of his own heart, and see the young prince's innocent yet fear-filled eyes...

Five minutes passed in an instant.

When Lin Da opened his eyes again, his gaze had changed.

It was no longer Lin Da's calmness and confidence, but rather the fatigue, vicissitudes, and a hint of deep-seated sorrow belonging to the elderly Wei Zhongxian.

His back was slightly hunched, and his steps had become somewhat unsteady.

He slowly walked to the wooden chair and sat down with deliberate movements.

In the entire conference room, everyone's eyes were focused on him.

Qin Ya held her breath, feeling both anticipation and nervousness.

The two screenwriting teachers also unconsciously straightened their backs, their eyes filled with scrutiny.

And Director Zheng Guofeng, still maintained his unruffled expression, but his slightly leaning forward body revealed his inner focus.

Lin Da did not immediately begin his performance. Instead, he first extended his slightly trembling hand and picked up the coarse ceramic teacup from the small table.

He didn't drink, but simply held the teacup in his palm, feeling the faint coolness of the long-cooled tea water through the cup wall.

This subtle action instantly conveyed the chill of the late night and the desolation in the character's heart.

Just the opening alone created an invisible tension that everyone present could feel.

This Lin Da, he was indeed not simple!