Your every joke, I always knew was false, yet couldn’t help but hope to take it seriously.” Although Luo Yingbai studied Chinese, he didn’t like reading prose, finding it affected and insipid. However, anything involving Xia Xianning suddenly became interesting. He carefully examined the text, then thought about Xia Xianning’s face that seemed at odds with the writing, and couldn’t help but laugh alone for a long time. After laughing, he felt inexplicably melancholic. This was the first time in many years that Luo Yingbai discovered there might be an unfamiliar side to Xia Xianning. This realization made him feel slightly strange – he wondered if this kid had suddenly gone literary and fallen for someone? Luo Yingbai stuffed the notebook into his pocket, ready to storm out. However, after walking a few steps, he timidly returned, placing the small notebook back beside Jiang Yujia’s pillow as if he hadn’t seen it, and said goodbye to his mother before leaving the nursing home. He didn’t go home, but went directly to the “Yan Chi Little Red Bridge” production team. Today was the day they were re-auditioning for the male second lead. ”Yan Chi Little Red Bridge” was adapted from a famous online novel, originally written by the renowned screenwriter Gai Xiao, with a large fan base and high visibility.
After selling the rights, Huaxing TV station invested heavily in the production, inviting famous directors Deng Zhen and Xiao Zhicheng to co-direct. It starred last year’s Best Actor Zhou Junyi and Best Actress Liu Ning, along with other popular stars. It was a rare big-budget historical drama, already more than half filmed, until issues arose with the male second lead.
Director Deng was nearly sixty, usually busy with work and often unkempt. Him squatting here smoking was already quite polite, not being mistaken for a scrap collector. Director Deng was self-aware and didn’t take offense, but when he heard the following question, he became annoyed.
Just the day before, someone had come looking for him, claiming to be a metaphysical master, asking precisely this question. At the time, Director Deng didn’t understand and replied “No.” That person showed a surprised expression, saying Deng’s face was filled with a dark aura, likely contaminated by contact with unclean things. He then said that only by letting him play the second male lead could the film be suppressed, otherwise it couldn’t be shot.
Director Deng had a stubborn temper. Hearing those words, he became furious and drove the person away. Later, he discovered the speaker was a third-tier minor celebrity from the audition candidates, who had learned such words from a fortune-teller to try and deceive him.
Director Deng was angry. The appreciation he had just felt for Luo Yingbai’s outstanding temperament and appearance faded. He didn’t respond, standing up and silently walking towards the audition area.
Luo Yingbai didn’t know what he meant, thinking, “Oh, this old man sure has character. How cool.”
Luo Yingbai persistently shouted at Deng Zhen’s back filled with rejection: “Big Sir, you’re covered in bad luck. Today you’re conflicting with water and fire. Be sure not to drink hot water!”
Chapter 61: Audition
Luo Yingbai had just arrived. After giving Deng Zhen a warning, he called Qiu Zipeng, learned he was at the audition site, and followed towards the most crowded place.
Outside the audition area, many people were crowded. Although no major stars had come due to repeated incidents, “Yan Chi Xiao Hong Qiao” had its prestige, and those who came were all notable artists, each with their assistants anxiously waiting outside.
Luo Yingbai wore simple jeans and a short-sleeved shirt. When he walked over, he drew many gazes. Countless eyes looked at him curiously or assessingly, but Luo Yingbai paid no mind. Arriving at the audition site’s entrance, he casually waved, and Qiu Zipeng immediately stepped out quickly.
“Master Luo, you’ve arrived so quickly!” He was full of joy upon seeing Luo Yingbai, adding, “I thought you were on the road. Why didn’t you say you were coming? I could have come out to welcome you earlier.”
Luo Yingbai said helplessly, “Please just speak normally. I’m getting goosebumps.”
“Not dare, not dare. If it weren’t for Master Luo’s protective charm saving my life, I might have been stabbed to death too. My sister and I both thank you.”
Qiu Zipeng carefully took out a tissue, opened it, with some powder inside: “After the incident, the protective charm you gave me turned to powder. I’m sure it blocked a disaster for me…”
Luo Yingbai pinched the powder, listening to his account, deep in thought.
The shattered protective charm had heavy negative energy, but with little malevolent qi, indicating Qiu Zipeng wasn’t the primary target.
Wu Yinyuan glanced at Luo Yingbai’s side profile from afar, feeling that he looked familiar but unable to recall where they had met. She said, “He’s definitely not a big shot, probably just a D-list celebrity or internet influencer. I’ve never heard of him being invited to an audition.”
“How did he even get here and know the director’s assistant?” Pan Zheyu glared at Wu Yinyuan, “I’ve already said that I’m determined to get this role and absolutely cannot make any mistakes. Can’t you take this seriously?”
Luo Yingbai’s exquisite and beautiful appearance went without saying. More importantly, the character in this role was a cold type, and his slightly aloof face was obviously more suitable for playing Yue Huan. She just didn’t know about his acting skills.
Wu Yinyuan, who hadn’t investigated this person before and saw that he seemed quite familiar with Qiu Zipeng, didn’t dare to be careless. She said, “Don’t worry. The main person selecting the role is Director Deng Zhen. That old man has a stubborn temper and hates actors using backdoors. No matter how someone tries to intervene, if they can’t pass the screen test, they won’t be able to compete with you. Stop overthinking and focus on understanding the character. I have a plan.”
She finished speaking and hurried away, returning after a while with a smile directed at Pan Ze.
Pan Ze knew Wu Yinyuan always had many tricks up her sleeve. Seeing her smile, he felt reassured and concentrated on preparing for his upcoming audition.
At that moment, a middle-aged woman walked from the other end of the corridor. She was walking very slowly, holding a full cup of hot tea, carefully moving forward and muttering for others to make way.
Everyone made way for her, but her position was not very close to Luo Yingbai and Qiu Zipeng, who were standing near the wall and continued their conversation.
However, as if her internal navigation system had suddenly malfunctioned, just as she was about to pass by, she suddenly leaned her body, and the scalding hot tea was about to splash onto Luo Yingbai.
Luo Yingbai’s top was white, and the tea was dark brown. If it really splashed on him, not only would he be burned, but his clothes would be badly stained, making it impossible to attend the audition.
In the blink of an eye, there was a collective gasp.
The only person who remained calm was Luo Yingbai himself. At the moment the tea was about to splash on him, he did not dodge but calmly reached out, supporting the woman’s wrist and gently pushing outward.
The cup that was about to tilt was stabilized, but half the tea still splashed out. The woman was pushed back two steps by Luo Yingbai’s hand, and the water that was about to splash on her instead fell to the ground. No one at the scene was burned.
Luo Yingbai could tell her actions were deliberate, but burning someone’s hand as revenge was too inelegant for his taste.
He glanced in the direction the woman instinctively looked, coincidentally catching two shocked expressions, and then smiled and nodded.
Wu Yinyuan: “…”
