48: Chapter 48 Audition

Wu Yue had already booked a hotel. After arriving in Shancheng, the two of them went there first to drop off their luggage, and then began contacting Zhang Wentang.

Zhang Wentang indicated that they could come find him at any time and provided an address called "Zhao Jinpeng Studio," located in a building in the old city district.

After resting for a while, the two followed the address and headed over, with Wu Yue talking the entire way.

"Zhao Jinpeng is probably 50, right... Judging by the plot of the hovering blade, it's almost certain that he's the male lead. However... he has acted in many police and crime films before, and he's considered a specialist in this genre. This time, he's not playing a cop or a criminal, so I don't know how it will turn out."

"There are only a few characters in this film. Aside from the male lead, his daughter, and a few youngsters, the role suitable for your senior brother should be the old policeman. Hmm... it doesn't seem like there's much room for performance. I guess it's a cameo appearance."

"I remember your senior brother told you... the casting for the few young actors hasn't been finalized yet, right? One is a young policeman, one is a whistleblower who didn't personally participate in the crime, one gets killed by the male lead shortly after appearing, and another bastard who survives until the end, and is also the most ruthless and outstanding one in the film. Hmm, if possible, we must prioritize getting that last role."

Lin Chuyan had already watched the Japanese version of the film on the plane and had a good idea of these characters, but he still asked Wu Yue: "What about the second choice?"

"My advice is that I'd rather you be killed by the male lead than play the whistleblower or that young policeman. These two have more screen time, but they aren't outstanding. Regardless, they are small roles; that little extra screen time isn't important at all. What's important is making people remember you."

Lin Chuyan nodded, indicating his agreement.

They soon arrived at the studio.

Zhang Wentang came out personally to greet them.

He and Lin Chuyan had only met once at their teacher's house, but because they chatted frequently on WeChat and shared the bond of being fellow disciples, they didn't seem distant at all.

"Xiao Yan, tired?"

"Not tired. I rested for quite a while at the hotel and have been ready at all times."

"It's good to be young. By the way, I haven't thanked you yet, you kid, spending money to book a cinema screening for my film."

"What's there to thank? Isn't that what fellow disciples should do? At most, when I have a film released in the future, you can book two screenings for me."

"Haha, deal." Zhang Wentang stopped beating around the bush. "Let's go, I'll introduce you to some people. The male and female leads are both seniors in the industry, and they are good people, so you can get closer to them."

The studio wasn't large. Passing through the reception desk, heading inside was just an empty hall, which seemed to have very low utilization.

It looked a bit dim in the middle of the day, giving the impression that this was just a temporary office space. The only highlight was that the walls were covered with various movie posters, framed and mounted.

They were likely all films starring Zhao Jinpeng.

Zhang Wentang took him to a conference room, and upon reaching the door, he finally heard voices coming from inside.

He pushed the door open and entered.

The entire wall of the conference room directly facing Lin Chuyan was covered with printed A4 sheets, all depicting scenes from Shancheng.

They were likely the various filming locations for the hovering blade?

A few people were scattered around sitting below; they had been chatting, but at this moment, all their gazes were fixed on Lin Chuyan.

It couldn't be helped; he was too dazzlingly handsome.

"Let me introduce him: Lin Chuyan, my junior fellow disciple; everyone can just call him Xiao Yan. This is his manager, Wu Yue."

Zhang Wentang continued to introduce them to Lin Chuyan: "Director Liu Zhi, the director of this film. You should know Teacher Zhao Jinpeng, the male lead of the film; just call him Brother Peng. The female lead, Actress Xin Ya, is also your senior; call her Sister Xin. And Chen Ke, a rookie actor who plays Teacher Zhao's daughter in the film."

Lin Chuyan stepped forward and greeted them one by one.

Zhao Jinpeng couldn't help but speak first: "Wentang, what did you just say? Your junior fellow disciple?"

His voice was deep and magnetic, attracting everyone's attention the moment he spoke. At this moment, even though he was sitting loosely in his seat, he appeared quite tall and sturdy. Coupled with his buzz cut and scruffy beard, he looked like a typical tough guy.

"That's right."

Zhao Jinpeng still had a confused look on his face: "Your junior fellow disciple, that means... that means he's Master Li's disciple?!"

Zhang Wentang nodded with a smile: "Xiao Yan is very talented, and our teacher appreciates him very much."

Lin Chuyan didn't speak, but he could clearly feel that the gazes of those present had changed.

Is this what it feels like to have a master's lineage as a backing?

Beside them, Actress Xin Ya also spoke up: "I didn't expect Master Li to take on another disciple. This counts as his final disciple, right?"

Zhang Wentang nodded: "Yes, that requires fate."

Although Actress Xin Ya was the female lead, her screen time was actually not much. She was also 40 this year and had always been a frequent guest in art films. Her appearance in this role was purely a cameo. This was all out of respect for Zhao Jinpeng.

Actress Xin Ya looked at Lin Chuyan with a smile in her eyes: "Lin Chuyan, I know you. I haven't heard your name in a long time."

Lin Chuyan rubbed his nose: "I've been in seclusion for a few years. Sister Xin, please guide me in the future."

Everyone present actually knew him, but his status as an has-been idol was not a bonus, but rather a burden. But now, it was different. Li Mujian's final disciple, combined with this face—what kind of weight did that carry?

Everyone present silently calculated this in their minds, and naturally, their attitudes toward him changed.

They weren't in a hurry, inviting them to sit down and chatting for a while longer before slowly steering the conversation toward work.

Director Liu Zhi spoke up: "Thank you for the recommendation, Brother Wentang. Today, we can finally finalize one role."

Director Liu Zhi was also around 40 years old, looking chubby and quite easygoing. He hadn't directed many films, and Lin Chuyan hadn't even heard of him.

Zhang Wentang naturally wouldn't get carried away just because someone praised him. Hearing this, he immediately shook his head: "No, no. I just brought Xiao Yan over to audition. Whether he is capable or suitable, Director Liu must make the final decision."

Director Liu Zhi's decision-making power in this film was actually not very significant; Zhao Jinpeng and Zhang Wentang were both much more senior than him. The fact that the other party respected him so much was, of course, for the best.

He smiled and nodded: "Then shall we try it out now?"

Hearing this, Lin Chuyan raised his hand: "I have no problem, Director Liu. I'm ready at any time."

Director Liu Zhi tilted his chin: "Which role do you want to audition for more?"

Lin Chuyan didn't hesitate at all: "Kanno Kairu!"

This was the name from the original work; he didn't know how it was translated domestically.

"That's quite suitable." Director Liu Zhi stared at him for a while, then turned to ask Zhao Jinpeng, "What do you think, Brother Peng?"

Zhao Jinpeng nodded: "In our original setting, this character needed to be good-looking enough. If he plays it, it makes the plot quite reasonable."

"Alright, then let's audition." Director Liu Zhi thought for a moment, then looked at Chen Ke, "A-Ke, you come and help with the scene. Just act out the part where you are forcibly dragged into the room."

"Ah?"

Chen Ke was still a junior in college, and her appearance was the cute and sweet type like Shi Shilan. Both her age and looks fit the character setting of the male lead's daughter in the film perfectly.

In an occasion like this, there was originally no role for a workplace rookie like her, so she was just sitting obediently listening to people chat. She was just stealing glances at Lin Chuyan when she suddenly heard Director Liu call her name.

Director Liu Zhi repeated: "Why are you dazing off? Help with the scene."

"Oh, okay."

Director Liu Zhi gave some instructions to Lin Chuyan: "When filming officially, it will involve more restrictive/mature content, but of course, today just stop at a hint. You two can discuss how to do it specifically. I don't care about anything else; the most important thing is to let me see the character's temperament on you."

Lin Chuyan nodded, indicating no problem.

He wasn't nervous.

With the system, getting into character was super fast.

Furthermore, he had pondered over the few characters on the way here.

He glanced at the girl sitting opposite him and felt that she seemed a bit nervous...