27: The male lead who fell from the sky

Li Xiuwu carefully considered the issue and felt that it was highly feasible.

However, the capital investment required would be significant. Relying solely on his current funds would not suffice; he had to achieve profitability first. Only after the profits began to circulate could he start investing.

He toyed with the idea of investing in real industries, but he was in no rush; he could plan it out slowly.

In winter, the flowers in the West Courtyard had all withered. Even with the Spirit Gathering Array, it was impossible to make them bloom all year round.

He performed winter pruning on the garden. His life became a bit monotonous again, occasionally chatting and bickering with Liu Yifei.

Shu Chang would also call Li Xiuwu to ask for advice regarding some high school knowledge.

On weekends, she would come to the Courtyard House to hang out with Liu Yifei.

"Chang Chang is going to join a crew again. She's the female lead this time." Liu Yifei broke the news that Shu Chang was going to star in "a deadly secret."

"Congratulations on landing the female lead role. This is a huge step forward." Li Xiuwu congratulated Shu Chang.

For an actress, playing the female lead was a boost in status.

"This character's screen time is a bit overshadowed by the second female lead, and she appears quite late in the story." Shu Chang told him a bit about the script.

Although Shui Sheng was the female lead, she appeared quite late, and the second female lead's role was actually more important in the early stages.

Li Xiuwu hadn't read the script, and his memory of this TV series wasn't very clear, so he didn't offer an opinion.

"Your place is still so comfortable. I'm not going back tonight." The two of them played until evening. She felt more and more comfortable in the Courtyard House and didn't want to leave.

"If you stay out overnight, be careful that your mother doesn't come and spank you," Li Xiuwu said.

"She won't, hmph." Liu Yifei huffed and took out her phone to call her mother.

"Mom, Chang Chang and I are at Li Xiuwu's place. We're not going back tonight," she said cautiously.

"No, I'm with Chang Chang. We won't be naughty."

"Chang Chang, you tell Mom." She gave Shu Chang a wink.

Shu Chang sighed helplessly and took the phone Liu Yifei handed her.

"Mom Liu Xiaoli, yes, I understand. I will stay over with her." Shu Chang said while looking at Liu Yifei.

Shu Chang then handed the phone back to Li Xiuwu.

"Xiuwu, those two are causing you trouble." Liu Xiaoli's voice came from the phone.

"It's no trouble at all, Auntie. I'm bored on my own anyway, so it's nice to have someone to talk to," Li Xiuwu said with a smile.

"Oh yeah!" After the call ended, Liu Yifei clenched her fists and cheered.

She loved Li Xiuwu's Courtyard House too much; the air was quiet and fresh, warm and pleasant. There were birds chirping on the branches, and Little Lion for company.

"Chang Chang, let's stay in the West Wing. My mom and I slept here last time; it was so comfortable." She pulled Shu Chang into the West Wing.

Liu Yifei couldn't go to school either, so she would drag Shu Chang over to stay for a night every weekend.

Until the filming of "a deadly secret" was imminent.

"What do you mean Wu Jian can't come? We're about to start filming and you're telling me the male lead can't make it?" Wang Xinming roared at the casting Wang Xinming.

"What about the contract? We signed a contract; he must arrive at the crew within the deadline." The Wang Xinming was furious.

The crew had already been assembled, and they were paying salaries every day. With the male lead suddenly breaking his promise, every day of delay meant losing tens of thousands in wasted costs for equipment rental and staff salaries.

"When we signed the contract, there was a clause allowing for contract termination in the event of force majeure. Wu Jian cited Beijing as an epidemic area and terminated the acting contract." The casting Wang Xinming hung his head, his face looking terrible.

He had been angry and had cursed, hating the other party for lacking professional ethics, but the reason for terminating the contract was valid.

"Why won't Wu Jian come?" Director Wang couldn't suppress the anger in his heart.

"It's probably the filming location issue," the casting Wang Xinming guessed.

The other party was currently at the peak of his popularity, from "journey to the west" Aftermath to "Ode to Gallantry," and you were asking him to go film on a snowy mountain at an altitude of 4,000 meters.

"Damn it." Wang Xinming slammed the table.

He knew about "Ode to Gallantry" and its male lead, Wu Jian. He had confirmed him as the male lead immediately this time. He hadn't expected him to pull this at the last minute.

"Notify the crew to continue resting for two days. Find a male lead as soon as possible."

As things stood, he could only solve the actor problem first and get the filming done as soon as possible.

Otherwise, the cost of equipment and staff alone could bankrupt the crew.

The assistant notified the actors that the press conference was postponed by two days, and Director Wang made calls to find a male actor.

Shu Chang, as the female lead, also received the notification.

"The male lead refused to act?" She immediately thought of Li Xiuwu.

Shu Chang ran to Director Wang's hotel in person.

"Director Wang, I'd like to recommend someone. His acting skills are excellent, his age is appropriate, and he's right here in Beijing."

Director Wang looked at the confident Shu Chang and subconsciously asked who it was.

"Li Xiuwu, the top scholar of the college entrance examination this year. He just returned to Beijing after finishing filming Duan Yu." Shu Chang took out her laptop and pulled up the video of Li Xiuwu's art exam online.

"He also has a foundation in action scenes; he doesn't need training for martial arts scenes."

"A newcomer, huh." Director Wang was a bit hesitant after looking at Li Xiuwu's profile.

He remembered that Zhao Jian was the martial arts Wang Xinming for "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," so he picked up his phone and dialed.

Zhao Jian was a bit surprised. Hearing that Director Wang's male lead had suddenly bailed, he asked about Li Xiuwu's acting.

"He has a martial arts foundation. The action scenes for Duan Yu were basically all done by himself. His dramatic acting is also very good. Yu Min thinks he should be making movies," Zhao Jian answered Director Wang's inquiry truthfully.

"Thank you, Wang Xinming Zhao. If he's suitable, you've done me a huge favor." Director Wang didn't care about whether he was a newcomer or not anymore; as long as he could act, it was fine.

"That guy who bailed at the last minute is named Wu Jian, right?" Zhao Jian asked. He had to remember the names of such actors; in case he encountered one someday, he needed to avoid the pitfall.

"Yes, that bastard. I just made him famous with one show, and he pulls this on me." Director Wang cursed.

This actor had screwed him over once, and it certainly wouldn't end there. Once he had some free time, he would deal with him.

"Director Wang from 'a deadly secret,' auditioning for Di Yun?" Li Xiuwu was a bit dazed after receiving the call.

"Student Li, it was Shu Chang who recommended you. We want to ask if you have time to come for an audition. If it works out, you'll join the crew for filming immediately." Director Wang called Li Xiuwu personally to invite him.

"Okay, please give me the address, Director Wang. I'll go right now." Li Xiuwu hadn't expected a role to fall from the sky.

He noted down the address, put on his coat, and drove to the hotel. At the same time, he called Shu Chang to ask for the specific reasons.

After learning the ins and outs of the matter from Shu Chang, he realized that such a thing had actually happened to "a deadly secret."

"Hello, Director Wang, I am Li Xiuwu." Li Xiuwu arrived at the hotel and introduced himself confidently.

"Welcome, Student Li." Director Wang looked at Li Xiuwu's appearance, which looked even more heroic than in the video.

"I think you already know the situation with the crew. Let's have a simple audition." Director Wang didn't say anything like he favored him or similar.

Li Xiuwu was close with Shu Chang, so the crew's affairs couldn't be hidden from him at all.

"Okay, please put me to the test, Director Wang," Li Xiuwu said confidently.