90: The prologue of the hero, reading the wind and cloud

Allen Parker's grand declaration, "The actor emperor road, officially begins," ignited a blazing fire in Lin Da's heart, filling him with unprecedented anticipation and fighting spirit for the future.

"chinatown stories," an epic limited series meticulously crafted by HBO, set against the backdrop of generations of feuds and grievances within a Chinese gangster family, would undoubtedly be his first, and most solid, springboard for vying for the Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards, and accumulating international prestige and a fan base.

The "Mysterious Grand Gift Pack (Epic)" awarded by the system provided him with the most top-tier "beginner's equipment" for his "actor emperor road."

Upon returning to his Los Angeles apartment, the first thing Lin Da did was immerse himself completely in the script of "chinatown stories" and the character of "Chen Ajiu," a figure brimming with tragedy and the aura of a charismatic villain.

He first activated the brand-new passive skill—Oscar Road · Script Radar (Primary).

Instantly, he felt his mind become exceptionally sharp, and his understanding of the "chinatown stories" script reached a new height.

"Ding! Oscar Road · Script Radar (Primary) analysis results:"

"Script Name: 'chinatown stories'"

"Project Potential (Emmy Awards/Golden Globe Awards): S-rank (Grand theme, excellent production, intense character conflicts, extremely high potential for awards)."

"Key points for awards: 1. Deep exploration of Chinese immigrant epic history and humanistic introspection. 2. The complexity and tragic fate of the core character Chen Ajiu. 3. Director Michael Smith's sharp narrative style and unique interpretation of violent aesthetics."

"Potential risks: The theme involves gang violence, which may cause some controversy. Extreme demands on actor performance; if the core character portrayal fails, it will directly affect the series' reputation."

S-rank award potential!

Lin Da's heart pounded once more.

He knew he had truly bet on the right horse this time!

Immediately after, he unhesitatingly used the three precious Character Soul Fragments (Chen Ajiu Exclusive).

"Ding! Character Soul Fragments (Chen Ajiu Exclusive) x3 used! Beginning to unlock character hidden traits, background story, and special emotional lines..."

As the system prompt sounded, a vast and complex stream of information surged into Lin Da's mind like a tide.

These were deeper, more unknown secrets about the character Chen Ajiu.

He saw Chen Ajiu's tumultuous childhood, scenes of him fighting with stray dogs for a cold steamed bun in the dirtiest corners of Chinatown.

He saw Chen Ajiu's fear and trembling the first time he killed, and... a heart that gradually became numb and ruthless amidst blood and violence.

He saw the endless longing deep within Chen Ajiu for his long-deceased adoptive mother, who had given him his only warmth, and... the longing for love, buried deep in his heart, that he dared not easily touch, along with... despair.

These "soul fragments" of Chen Ajiu, hidden behind the script's words, instantly brought Lin Da's understanding of the character to an unprecedented depth.

He felt as if he had truly become that tragic hero who, amidst the bloody storms of San Francisco's Chinatown, rose step by step, paving his path as a charismatic villain with blood and bones.

His eyes became deeper, and more... full of stories.

Over the next few days, Lin Da completely locked himself in his apartment, like a devout ascetic, pouring his entire being into the character of "Chen Ajiu."

He repeatedly studied the script, pondering Chen Ajiu's psychological state and behavioral logic at different periods.

He consulted a large amount of information on the history of Chinese immigration in America during that era, the development history of San Francisco's Chinatown, and Chinese gang culture, hoping to gain a deeper understanding of that era, and the living conditions and spiritual world of that group.

He even began to imitate the words and actions of gang bosses from old movies in his apartment, repeatedly practicing his gaze and... that aura of unapproachable authority, yet tinged with a hint of The bottom is fierce (underclass ruthlessness), in front of the mirror.

The Technique - Character Dimension (Beginner) skill played a huge role in this process.

He seemed able to instantly enter Chen Ajiu's "exclusive dimension," to feel his inner loneliness and longing, to experience his struggles and choices on the brink of life and death each time.

A week later, Allen Parker contacted Lin Da again, informing him that HBO had set the start date for "chinatown stories" for early next month.

At the same time, the crew would hold its first full cast script read-through next week.

"Lin, this script read-through is very important," Allen Parker's tone carried a hint of subtle gravity, "HBO has high hopes for this series and has invested enormous resources.

Attending will be not only the directors and producers, but also HBO executives, and... some competitors who are eyeing this project covetously."

"I know some people might still be holding grudges over your previous performances at the Golden Tripod Award and the Penguin Gala.

They will definitely try to create trouble for you and make you look bad at this read-through."

"Are you... ready?"

As Lin Da listened to Allen Parker's words, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

He knew those hyenas lurking in the shadows would never give up easily.

But so what?

He, Lin Da, was no longer the unknown nobody who could be easily manipulated.

"Allen," Lin Da's voice was calm and firm, yet filled with undeniable power, "Let them come."

"I want to see, under the call of this Chinatown, in the prologue of this path of the charismatic villain, who exactly is the one who will have the last laugh... the true protagonist!"

He knew a new storm was about to arrive.

And he was ready to face this new challenge, to use his strength to crush all conspiracies against him!

His actor emperor road had just begun!

A week passed quietly in Lin Da's almost "masochistic" secluded training.

When he stepped out of his apartment again, ready to head to HBO headquarters for the first full cast script read-through of "chinatown stories," his eyes were completely different from a week ago.

No longer the previous sharpness and assertiveness, but rather... a deep, introverted quality belonging to Chen Ajiu, and a hint of chilling ruthlessness and world-weariness forged in darkness.

He seemed to have truly transformed into that lone wolf who, amidst the bloody storms of San Francisco's Chinatown, silently licked his wounds, yet was always ready to prey on others.

Allen Parker drove to pick him up.

When he saw Lin Da's current state, this ace agent, accustomed to the ups and downs of Hollywood, couldn't help but gasp, his eyes filled with incredible shock.

He knew Lin Da had once again... merged with the character.

"Lin," Allen Parker's voice carried a subtle hint of reverence, "Are you... are you sure you're okay? Do you need... to talk to a psychologist?"

He was somewhat worried that Lin Da might get too deeply into character and be unable to extricate himself.

Lin Da slowly raised his head, looked at Allen Parker, and a slightly mischievous smile played on his lips, his voice hoarse and low, with a hint of Chen Ajiu's characteristic cynical tone:

"Allen, I... have never felt so good."

He knew he had found... the true Chen Ajiu.

Inside the HBO headquarters conference room, the atmosphere was solemn and grave.

Around the long conference table sat the core creative team of "chinatown stories."

Gold-medal producer Mark Johnson, Chinese-American Director Li Anlan, and HBO's resident director Director Michael Smith were all present.

Their faces carried a subtle hint of anticipation and... scrutiny.

Besides them, there were over a dozen Hollywood veteran actors who would be playing important roles in the series, including several Oscar and Emmy Awards regulars.

Their gazes towards Lin Da were filled with curiosity and... a subtle hint of probing.

Lin Da's appearance did not cause much of a stir.

He simply walked quietly to his seat and silently flipped through the script in his hand.

He knew that today's script read-through was not just a simple procedure for him, but also... an important opportunity to showcase his strength to these top Hollywood figures.

It was also a... silent contest.

He could clearly feel a subtle undercurrent of... hostility directed at him in the air.

The passive effect of Eye of Truth allowed him to keenly detect that two young male actors with Asian faces, seated not far from him, were constantly casting unfriendly glances his way, their eyes filled with jealousy and... a hint of provocation.

Presumably, these two were also strong contenders for the role of "Chen Ajiu," but ultimately... lost to him, the "outsider."

And in another corner of the conference room, Vice President Huang of Tianyu Media was surprisingly present!

Although he was not a member of the crew, he was clearly invited as an "important partner" of HBO to "observe."

His gaze towards Lin Da was filled with undisguised resentment and... schadenfreude, as if he had already foreseen Lin Da's public embarrassment today.

Lin Da sneered inwardly.

It seemed some people truly had not given up their malicious intentions.

But so what?

He, Lin Da, was no longer the unknown nobody who could be easily manipulated.

"Alright, everyone, let's get started."

Director Michael Smith cleared his throat, breaking the silence in the conference room.

His gaze swept across Lin Da's face, carrying a subtle hint of... expectation.

The script read-through officially began.

The actors took turns reading their lines, their voices echoing in the spacious conference room.

Lin Da listened attentively, sensing the emotions and charm of each character.

He also occasionally marked his script with a pen, jotting down fleeting inspirations and insights.

Soon, it was time for Chen Ajiu's scenes.

It was a scene where Chen Ajiu had a fierce conflict with rival gang members on the Chinatown docks.

The lines were few, but full of tension and... raw violent aesthetics.

Lin Da took a deep breath and slowly raised his head.

At that moment, his eyes changed!

No longer the calm and gentle eyes belonging to Lin Da, but instead filled with... the ruthlessness, wildness, and a hint of chilling murderous intent honed in the midst of blades and shadows, all belonging to Chen Ajiu!

He didn't deliberately raise his voice, nor did he make any exaggerated expressions.

He simply used a slightly hoarse and disdainful tone to utter Chen Ajiu's first line:

"What? You want to snatch territory from me, Chen Ajiu? Are you... qualified?"

A simple sentence, yet it was like a knife tempered in ice, instantly piercing the tranquility of the conference room!

Under the dual blessing of Technique - Character Dimension (Beginner) and Speech Spirit (Intermediate) skills, his line was filled with suffocating oppression and undeniable dominance!

Everyone present, including those Hollywood veteran actors who were accustomed to grand scenes, involuntarily felt a hint of... trepidation!

They seemed to truly see that generation's charismatic villain, who rose step by step, decisive in killing, amidst the bloody storms of San Francisco's Chinatown!

The two Asian male actors who had previously harbored ill will towards Lin Da now turned pale, their eyes filled with incredible shock and... a hint of fear.

They knew that the gap between themselves and this young man was no longer just about acting skills, but also about... the ability to control a character's soul!

Vice President Huang's schadenfreude instantly froze.

He never expected that Lin Da could erupt with such an astonishing aura!

Inside the conference room, a strange silence fell.

Only Lin Da's slightly hoarse and disdainful voice continued to echo.

He perfectly showcased Chen Ajiu's ruthlessness, cunning, and the hidden loneliness and struggle deep within him through lines that seemed ordinary yet were full of tension.

His performance had completely transcended the words of the script, imbuing the character of Chen Ajiu with... vivid life!

When he finished his last line, slowly raised his head, and calmly swept his gaze across the room, the entire conference room remained in dead silence.

After a long while, Director Li Anlan was the first to come to his senses.

He abruptly stood up from his seat and clapped vigorously, his voice filled with uncontrollable excitement:

"Good! Excellent! Lin! You... you are Chen Ajiu! You are the most perfect Chen Ajiu in my mind!"

Thunderous applause suddenly erupted!

Everyone was completely conquered by Lin Da's explosive performance just now!

A confident smile played on Lin Da's lips.

He knew he had won this "Hongmen Banquet" again!

And his "actor emperor road" became clearer and more... anticipated because of this victory!