82: Choose between the gang boss and the war-damaged emperor

After Chen Fang finished his self-introduction, Director Sun Yunyi nodded slightly, "Thank you, Teacher Chen. We are quite familiar with you and have learned about your performance on variety shows over the past half month. Today, we will not test your comprehensive qualities such as stage performance or verbal expression. Instead, we will focus on your professional abilities to save your time, okay?"

"You're too kind, Director Sun. I have no problem with that."

"Then please choose a song and sing it a cappella now."

"Alright." Chen Fang stood up and walked to the microphone.

This segment was to test his timbre, vocal range, and emotional expression. He needed to find a relatively difficult piece of music.

After a moment of thought, Chen Fang chose a song from this world called "Fleeting."

Over the next half hour, during the vocal ability test, Chen Fang specifically chose sad songs, either with soaring melodies or deep, suppressed ones, singing through various music styles like pop, rock, and folk.

He used few techniques but poured all his emotions into the performance.

The dozen or so judges listened, feeling either sad or suppressed.

But no one said anything. No one had the nerve to ask him to sing a happier song.

Firstly, because the person in front of them had just endured a month of online bullying. Asking him to sing a joyful song now would be like rubbing salt in his wounds.

But the most important reason was the second one: the level of skill he was demonstrating was already enough to prove his ability.

His voice had great penetration, and his mid-to-low range was very thick, sounding powerful. His pitch was stable, maintaining accuracy even during large vocal leaps. His vocal turns, falsetto, and breath control were also excellent.

But his strongest asset was his emotional expression.

If other aspects were S-rank, then his emotional expression could be described as SSS-rank.

Finally, the half-hour ordeal ended.

Director Sun Yunyi took a breath, suppressing the longing in his heart for the dog he had as a child, and forced a smile, "Alright, thank you, Teacher Chen, for your wonderful performance in the singing segment. Next, we would like to know if you have any experience in dance?"

Chen Fang stated directly, "I'm not very good at that."

His goal was to produce representative works, accumulate awards, gain opportunities for investment projects, and then join the ranks of capital.

Therefore, showcasing his abilities also needed to be in the right direction.

For example, singing ability could help him become a Heavenly King. Good acting could make him a Film Emperor. High directorial skill could win him international awards.

Dancing exceptionally well could also win awards, but its influence and recognition were not as significant as the former. For achieving his goals, the cost-effectiveness was low. He wouldn't show it, wouldn't display it, to avoid the company pushing him down that path.

"Hmm, alright, no problem. You just mentioned you wanted to become an actor, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"We also hope to further understand your talent in acting, so let's move on to the acting assessment segment." With that, Director Sun Yunyi gave a look to his assistant nearby.

Chen Fang turned his head and saw the assistant holding a lottery box with the poster for "Actors, Please Take Your Seats Season 2" printed on it, most likely temporarily borrowed from the show's prop room.

Director Sun Yunyi continued, "Teacher Chen, please draw your acting role. You have 30 minutes of preparation time. During this time, please design the character information and plot yourself, and go to the prop room next door to find suitable costumes and props. The styling assistant will help you complete your look according to your requirements. The two supporting actors and assistant here can also cooperate with your performance. The timer starts when you enter the prop room. After 30 minutes, please leave the prop room and return here to begin your performance, which is limited to 5 minutes."

After explaining the rules, Director Sun Yunyi gave a look to the assistant and then looked at Chen Fang, "Teacher Chen, please."

The assistant walked to Chen Fang.

"Alright." Chen Fang reached in.

Inside were small spheres.

He randomly grabbed one, pulled it out, and saw four large characters written on it: Gangster Boss.

The assistant read it out for him, "Teacher Chen has drawn: Gangster Boss."

The interviewers not far away exchanged glances.

Tang Chen immediately looked at Director Sun Yunyi, giving him a meaningful look. The decision to strengthen the acting assessment over the weekend meant time was tight, so they used the lottery box from "Actors, Please Take Your Seats." That was fine, but at least they should have picked it carefully, leaving a path for young idols, right?

Gangster Boss roles were usually played by actors over thirty. Even those in their thirties were rare. Testing him with this?

Director Sun Yunyi then looked at Deputy General Manager Yang.

Deputy General Manager Yang's expression was calm, and he nodded slightly.

Director Sun Yunyi looked at Chen Fang and said with a smile, "Teacher Chen, you can draw again, a choice of two."

"Okay, thank you."

Chen Fang was actually quite satisfied with the Gangster Boss role. After all, he had recently drawn advanced acting skills in the evil, ruthless, and supernatural horror direction.

But drawing again was fine too. What if he drew a sinister and vicious ghost? That would be even more suited to his skills.

Chen Fang reached in and pulled out a sphere, looked at it, and felt a little disappointed.

The assistant helped read it out, "Teacher Chen has drawn: Battle-Damaged Emperor."

Tang Chen pursed his lips, placed his pen on the table, and leaned back in his chair.

This one was good!

Chen Fang's appearance suited immortal-themed idol dramas, and a Battle-Damaged Emperor needed a sense of brokenness. He had just experienced the darkest moment of his life, so he should be able to portray that sense of brokenness.

His appearance and experience matched; his luck was good.

Just then, Chen Fang's voice came from the front: "I choose the first one, Gangster Boss."

Tang Chen was about to smile slightly when he suddenly realized, did he say, Gangster Boss?

He didn't choose Battle-Damaged Emperor, but Gangster Boss?

Tang Chen looked at Chen Fang in disbelief, but he was remarkably calm, with no hint of emotion on his face.

A hint of surprise also flashed through Director Sun Yunyi's mind, but he calmly said, "Alright, Teacher Chen, please follow the assistant to the next room to prepare."

They also needed to discuss here first and then, while everyone was still present, hold a short meeting about another company matter.

"Alright," Chen Fang paused, "May I ask if the copyright for the segment I create will belong to me?"

"It's yours, it's yours."

Director Sun Yunyi smiled. Thinking of Chen Fang saying he also wanted to be an author, he understood. This young man must have fantasized about a Gangster Boss plot himself, right?

"Alright, thank you, Director Sun." Chen Fang nodded to the two supporting actors, took them, and followed the assistant, leaving the office.

As soon as the door closed, Deputy General Manager Yang looked at Director Sun Yunyi: "Has he ever played a similar role before?"

"No," Director Sun Yunyi replied.

Beside him, Wu Zhengxuan raised an eyebrow.

A Gangster Boss is not just a cool role. They usually have multiple facets, possessing both a cold and ruthless side and complex emotional motivations.

They also need to exude a powerful aura and presence. Emotional outbursts must be impactful yet maintain a certain degree of control. This is no small test for professional actors of Chen Fang's age.

This won't be easy.

If Chen Fang had chosen Battle-Damaged Emperor, he could have just glossed over it.

But choosing a high-difficulty role like Gangster Boss, he couldn't just half-heartedly give feedback.

Wu Zhengxuan folded his arms and smiled helplessly, pursing his lips.

All day long, this wasn't testing the young man; it was clearly testing his own acting skills as an old man.