Chapter 63 Chapter 63

After the investment was in place, the first thing was casting.

The male lead was undoubtedly Qin Wen, mainly the female lead and a few supporting roles.

The first to be auditioned were the supporting roles.

Pei Zhuo sat in the main seat, and Gu Xing Shi, as the producer of the film, sat beside him. A stack of actor resumes lay on the table in front of them, all of which had been pre-screened by the casting director.

Gu Xing Shi flipped through them and was surprised to find that the quality of the actors was much better than he had expected.

However, their crew had an unknown screenwriter and director. The only confirmed male lead, Qin Wen, although praised for his good acting skills in the industry, had mainly played supporting roles before and had not proven his box office appeal.

This configuration was not exactly a poisoned chalice in the industry, but it certainly lacked appeal.

At this time, the system spoke: "[They didn't come for this crew, they mainly came for you...]"

Gu Xing Shi: "[?]"

System: "[You've only participated in two dramas, both of which became hugely popular. In 'Six Doors Secrets', both the main and supporting characters rose to fame. As for 'Reincarnation', needless to say, the role of Sheng Yueqing has become a white moonlight representative, and as long as he doesn't collapse, it's a lifetime immunity card. Which actor wouldn't envy that! I heard many actors buy your small cards and pray every day before filming that they will 'ascend in one drama'.]"

Gu Xing Shi: "[??]"

System: "[Of course, besides those, some powerful actors want to take this opportunity to see if they can sign under you. Haven't you noticed that the actors who came this time have relatively little gossip?]"

Gu Xing Shi: "[???]"

At this time, the first group of actors entered.

Gu Xing Shi stopped gossiping with the system and focused on watching the actors' performances.

During this process, he was almost silent, leaving the audition rhythm entirely to Pei Zhuo, only occasionally making notes on paper.

Those auditioning first were supporting roles with few scenes, relatively simple, and the auditions were fast.

Almost half were finished in the morning.

At noon, Gu Xing Shi and Pei Zhuo didn't rest. They ate boxed lunches and discussed the undecided roles.

Gu Xing Shi had two resumes on his table.

These were for the fourth male lead. One actor had good acting skills, the other was more suited in appearance. They each had advantages and disadvantages. Gu Xing Shi was hesitating, when he suddenly had an idea.

He beckoned to Pei Zhuo: "Xiao Pei, come and take a look at this."

Pei Zhuo, who had been staring blankly with a disposable chopstick in his mouth, leaned over.

Gu Xing Shi: "You choose one?"

Although Pei Zhuo was somewhat puzzled, he obediently chose one.

Gu Xing Shi: "[System, this person definitely has no gossip, right?]"

System: "[Of course... wait a minute, he actually solicited prostitution, he hid it so well, I almost didn't notice!]"

Gu Xing Shi: "[...]!"

Pei Zhuo was truly a chosen one for gossip! His accuracy was even higher than the system!!

He placed two more resumes for another role in front of Pei Zhuo: "Xiao Pei, choose again."

Pei Zhuo: "Oh."

Gu Xing Shi: "[System, check again?]"

System: "[Amazing! This person also has gossip!]"

Gu Xing Shi suddenly understood.

This was the correct way to use Pei Zhuo!!

So, during the subsequent casting, whenever there were uncertain actors, Gu Xing Shi would look at Pei Zhuo kindly: "Xiao Pei, choose one?"

Pei Zhuo: "...This one?"

Gu Xing Shi immediately picked up another one: "Then it's decided, him!"

Pei Zhuo: "????"

Casting efficiency increased instantly.

When Sun Hongfei finally finished his work and came to find them, the casting was almost over.

Sun Hongfei was stunned: "It's this efficient?"

Based on his previous experience, film casting was very time-consuming. He thought it would take at least one or two months. How did they basically finish it in less than a week?

Gu Xing Shi said with a smile: "It's mainly Xiao Pei's merit!"

Pei Zhuo: "..."

Sun Hongfei looked at Pei Zhuo with both surprise and admiration.

Before, he was somewhat worried. After all, he had also heard about Pei Zhuo's reputation and was afraid that this project would also be ruined by him.

He had subtly advised President Gu, but President Gu insisted on choosing him.

Now it seems that he indeed has some skills, and President Gu has excellent judgment!

Although the early stages were smooth, there were still problems, such as the second female lead not being decided.

Although they had auditioned so many times, none of them met their ideal for the second female lead.

Sun Hongfei was getting a little anxious and couldn't help but ask Pei Zhuo and Gu Xing Shi: "None of them are suitable? I think the one who just finished the audition is quite good."

Pei Zhuo lazily flicked out a cigarette, lowered his head and took a puff before vaguely saying: "No soul."

Sun Hongfei: "?"

Gu Xing Shi frowned at the notes on the paper, then looked at the casting director: "Xiao Chen, are all the actors here?"

The casting director nodded and asked: "President Gu, should we expand the casting range, such as going to universities to look for actors?"

Gu Xing Shi pondered for a moment.

This was indeed a method, but it was time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive.

Although Sun Hongfei always seemed to have plenty of money, assuring him not to worry and to spend freely, Gu Xing Shi was very clear that this time he chose to cooperate because Wen's sincerity was sufficient.

But what about the future?

He would always have to cooperate with outside investors.

This time, in order to attract investment, Gu Xing Shi met various investors, and also realized the harsh requirements of these investors. Not everyone was as generous as Wen's, not interfering with the project.

As a newcomer to being a producer, he couldn't develop the bad habit of spending lavishly.

After figuring this out, Gu Xing Shi said to the casting director: "Send me the resumes that were initially screened out again."

First, find from the existing conditions. If they really couldn't find anyone, then expand the range.

Sun Hongfei was a little surprised.

He actually agreed with the casting director, after all, the investment from President Wen was abundant, and Gu Xing Shi really didn't need to be this thrifty.

Sure enough, President Gu said he wanted to be friends, but in his heart, he still cared about President Wen.

The casting director soon placed the discarded actor resumes in front of them.

A thick stack, the workload seemed immense.

But Gu Xing Shi was not the least bit daunted, picking up a booklet and starting to browse.

Pei Zhuo also picked up a booklet.

Sun Hongfei sighed, and could only follow their actions.

However, these resumes were really unremarkable, no wonder they didn't even pass the initial screening.

Sun Hongfei flipped through a few, lost interest, but seeing Gu Xing Shi and Pei Zhuo still carefully looking, he could only grit his teeth and continue.

At this time, Gu Xing Shi's browsing speed suddenly slowed down.

The resume in his hand was very simple.

This actress's name was Yan Xiang. She wasn't from a film school, but her acting experience stated that she had starred in fifteen short dramas since her debut.

Short dramas were a recent phenomenon, released on short video platforms, most of which were poorly made, and the actors were mostly amateurs with no acting skills.

No wonder, even though she wrote that she had starred in fifteen short dramas, she still didn't pass the initial screening.

But Gu Xing Shi was attracted by the several-page character analysis attached to the back of her resume.

She had auditioned for a small role with only five or six scenes, but she still carefully created a character biography and wrote down her thoughts on playing this role.

Although the content didn't seem professional and even had some typos, the dedication and passion between the lines still moved Gu Xing Shi deeply.

Gu Xing Shi looked at the photo on the resume.

This wasn't a formal actor's photo, but a photo of Yan Xiang taken on the set of a short drama.

In the photo, Yan Xiang wore a ridiculously simple costume and had cheap makeup. Her features were ordinary, and her complexion was somewhat dull, but her eyebrows and eyes were sharp, with a burning vitality.

Perhaps she didn't have an advantage in appearance, but this spirit was exactly the same as the second female lead.

Gu Xing Shi suddenly became interested, took out the resume, and handed it to the casting director: "Notify her to come for an audition."

Sun Hongfei, who was also dizzy from looking, couldn't pick out one. Seeing that Gu Xing Shi had really picked someone, he couldn't help but feel curious.

However, at a glance, he was stunned: "This... President Gu, did you make a mistake?"

Those from film schools were looked down upon by President Gu, yet he actually chose an amateur who filmed short dramas?!

Sun Hongfei couldn't help but earnestly say: "President Gu, we really have enough funds! You don't need to be so frugal!"

Gu Xing Shi was puzzled: "I'm not being frugal, she's just very suitable."

Sun Hongfei: "..."

He waited with suspicion until the next day.

That night, they chose seven people from the pile of resumes, four of whom were chosen by Sun Hongfei, emphasizing quantity over quality.

Gu Xing Shi chose the fewest, after selecting Yan Xiang, he didn't continue, seemingly confident in Yan Xiang.

The three sat down, and the casting director let the actors come in one by one for auditions.

However, the first actor's audition made the three of them simultaneously show pained expressions, almost shouting "stop" in unison.

After the actor left, Sun Hongfei wiped the sweat from his forehead.

After all, the one just now was the one he picked.

Fortunately, the following actors were more normal, but still unsatisfactory.

Sun Hongfei's initial anticipation turned into listlessness, only wanting it to end quickly.

Fortunately, there was only one last actor left.

The casting director called into the corridor: "Next, Yan Xiang."

But there was no response.

The casting director called again.

The few people in the audition room also heard it.

Sun Hongfei wondered: "Did she not come?"

Just as Gu Xing Shi was puzzled, the system said: "[She actually left very early today, but her residence is too remote, it takes almost four hours to get here, and she encountered the morning rush hour on the subway, she couldn't get out for three or four stops, then got off and cycled here on a shared bicycle...]"

She could have made it, but the previous few were too bad, and it ended quickly, so the time wasn't enough.

The casting director came in: "President Gu, this Yan Xiang didn't come, or..."

Gu Xing Shi shook his head: "Let's wait a bit longer."

Five minutes later, the elevator doors opened, and a girl rushed out, panting: "I... I'm Yan Xiang, did I make it?"

The casting director breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said: "Everyone's waiting, go in quickly."

Yan Xiang nervously walked into the audition room.

This was her first time experiencing such a formal audition. The clean and tidy room, professional equipment, and reliable-looking crew were simply her dream scene.

She came from a rural area, didn't have a high education, and wasn't good-looking, but she just loved acting.

Whether it was an extra or a short drama that nobody watched, as long as it was acting, she was willing to take it.

She hadn't received professional training, so she found relevant tutorials online. Whether it was an actor, director, or screenwriter, she watched everything related. She was like a sponge, frantically absorbing all the knowledge she could see.

And after receiving a role, no matter how small the role or how absurd the script, she would prepare seriously, whether it was a character biography or her thoughts on playing the role.

Although most of the time, these things ended up in the trash.

Yan Xiang never thought that one day a miracle would come to her.

When the casting director told her that the role she was going to audition for was the second female lead, her first reaction was that it was a scam, until she confirmed the other party's identity. Her mind seemed to be instantly blown blank by joyful fireworks.

She didn't sleep all night, diligently studying the second female lead's role, writing down more than ten pages of thoughts.

She took out her expensive makeup samples that she had been reluctant to use, carefully put on makeup, and left before dawn, braving the cold wind to take the earliest bus.

She was full of hope, but was shattered during the morning rush hour.

Now she was sweating profusely, her makeup was ruined, her limbs were weak from cycling and running, and she had lost a shoe.

She had ruined her most anticipated scene.

Just as Yan Xiang was feeling helpless, a hand suddenly reached out, holding a box of tissues.

She looked up and saw a refined and beautiful young man, gently saying to her: "Don't worry, take your time to tidy yourself up, we can wait for you."

Yan Xiang was stunned.

Then, a female staff member took her to the restroom.

Yan Xiang stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror, the clear mirror reflected a terrifying face. Her cheeks were patchy, her eyeliner was smudged, mixing with sweat and running down her cheeks like black tears. Her lips were cracked from the cold wind, with lipstick stuck in the cracks, like dried blood.

Thinking that she had appeared in front of the director and producer in this state, Yan Xiang gritted her teeth, wanting to slap herself.

But then she saw the box of tissues on the sink.

The young man's gentle voice seemed to ring again, calming the anxiety and despair in her heart like a Buddhist chant.

She suddenly calmed down, with a determined resolve to give everything.

Today's audition should have failed.

But it didn't matter, she was already satisfied to be able to perform in such a place, and for the second female lead.

She recalled the information about the second female lead.

Her name was Song Qing, Qing meaning light, but her life was anything but.

Since childhood, she had been wandering, like a leaf drifting with the current, her life seemed to be overturned at any time, yet she struggled to survive each time.

Everyone looked down on her, but she had to live her life!

Yan Xiang slowly wiped off her makeup, and as her true face appeared, her temperament seemed to change.

At this moment, she seemed to truly integrate Song Qing's soul into her body.

When she finished removing her makeup and walked out of the restroom, she found a pair of slippers placed at the entrance.

The female staff member, seeing her stunned, explained: "President Gu instructed this, don't worry, they are new slippers."

Yan Xiang instantly thought of the young man's face.

For some reason, she felt that he was the President Gu the staff member was talking about.

He saw that she had lost a shoe, but to protect her fragile self-esteem, he didn't say it, but silently sent a pair of slippers.

This gentleness and respect were so precious to Yan Xiang.

It instantly made her nose sour.

She had been so unlucky and miserable before, she hadn't cried, but now she couldn't stop her tears.

She forced the tears down, gently put on the slippers, and returned to the audition room.

She immediately saw the young man sitting beside him, who nodded at her with a smile.

Yan Xiang pursed her lips, her determination to perform well suddenly became extremely strong.

The moment she entered, Pei Zhuo's drooping eyelids suddenly lifted. He said: "Your name is Yan Xiang."

Yan Xiang nodded, looking at him calmly, and said the self-introduction she had rehearsed countless times.

Pei Zhuo didn't comment: "You've read the audition script, right? Act the second scene."

It was Song Qing's scene before her death. She desperately wanted to live, struggling to escape, but was ultimately murdered.

This was a highly explosive scene, but if not performed well, it would become very comical.

Yan Xiang sat in the chair according to the script, and the staff tied her up.

Yan Xiang moved her hands and feet, and then said to the staff: "Please tie me tighter, and the gag too."

After being tied up, Pei Zhuo signaled Yan Xiang to begin.

With the word "begin," Yan Xiang suddenly widened her eyes, looking at her surroundings with terror, even bulging veins on her forehead from the exertion.

Seeing this scene, Sun Hongfei, who had been slumped, involuntarily sat upright.

Yan Xiang struggled wildly, her body shrinking back, her face covered in tears, as if she wanted to scream, but because her mouth was gagged, she could only make "呜呜" sounds.

She didn't care about whether her expression was beautiful or not, and seemed to have forgotten that she was at an audition.

She just stared fixedly at the air in front of her, as if there was a terrifying presence in this room that everyone else couldn't see.

Sun Hongfei instantly felt his hair stand on end.

And at this moment, with Yan Xiang's desperate struggle, the chair suddenly tilted to the side. The staff member exclaimed and was about to help her, but Pei Zhuo stopped her with a stern look.

Yan Xiang, who had fallen, seemed unaware of the pain, still struggling backward, even using her face to rub against the ground.

Suddenly, her bloodshot eyes froze.

Almost everyone could feel the knife piercing her body.

Her eyes slowly rolled, as if trying to see clearly who had killed her, but finally fixed on this scene.

Pei Zhuo suddenly stood up, looking at Yan Xiang with surprise: "That's right! That's it!!"

The girl who desperately wanted to live was murdered, and the final look in her eyes.

Not fear, but anger!

This was the Song Qing who desperately wanted to live and didn't want to be looked down upon!

This was the Song Qing in his mind!

Gu Xing Shi called "cut," and Yan Xiang closed her eyes. The staff member quickly stepped forward to help her up and untie the ropes.

Sun Hongfei touched the goosebumps on his arm that hadn't subsided. Although he didn't quite understand what moved Pei Zhuo, Yan Xiang's explosive acting still conquered him.

For a moment, he almost wanted to call the police.

Gu Xing Shi looked approvingly at Yan Xiang, then at the two of them: "What do you think?"

Pei Zhuo nodded: "It's her, there's no one more suitable!"

Sun Hongfei had no objections.

Gu Xing Shi said to Yan Xiang: "Congratulations, the role is yours."

Yan Xiang was still wiping her nose and tears, and suddenly hearing these heavenly words, she was stunned.

She... she really got the role?!

She pinched herself hard to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

It's real!!

She cried with joy, bowing incessantly to Gu Xing Shi and Pei Zhuo: "Thank you, thank you..."

Gu Xing Shi went over to help her up: "Act well, do your best!"

Yan Xiang was then sent out by the casting director in a daze.

Sun Hongfei was a little envious. He also participated in the decision-making, why didn't they thank him...

However, he was now completely convinced by Gu Xing Shi.

President Gu's vision is amazing!!

How did he precisely discover a gem among that pile of strange resumes?

Not to mention, just the casting, his confidence is full!

Sun Hongfei suddenly became full of fighting spirit: "President Gu, Director Pei, it seems we only have the female lead left undecided, or should we seize the momentum and decide on the female lead as well?"

Gu Xing Shi seemed to remember something: "Speaking of which, I do have a candidate for the female lead..."

Sun Hongfei's eyes lit up.

To be honest, this female lead was really hard to choose.

First, the female lead must be extremely beautiful, beautiful enough to be stunning at first glance.

Second, the female lead and Qin Wen had many scenes together. If she was overshadowed by Qin Wen, the plot would be unbalanced. But to find a young actress whose acting skills were comparable to Qin Wen's would be even more difficult.

With these two requirements, Sun Hongfei racked his brains and couldn't think of anyone in the industry who could handle it.

But President Gu is indeed President Gu, he had already thought of it.

Sun Hongfei hurriedly asked: "Who is it?"

Gu Xing Shi: "Bu Qianwei."

Hearing this name, Sun Hongfei's expression went blank for a moment: "...Who?"

Gu Xing Shi: "Bu Qianwei."

Pei Zhuo had already searched, and soon a stunningly beautiful photo of a woman appeared on his phone, and with her appearance, the room seemed to brighten up.

Pei Zhuo's eyes moved slightly: "Her appearance suits the female lead."

"Wa... wait a minute!!" Sun Hongfei hurriedly stopped them, "Don't just look at the photos! Haven't you seen Bu Qianwei's acting clips?"

He quickly searched for a video titled "Suggested investigation, doesn't look like acting".

The video began with Bu Qianwei walking the red carpet, unbelievably beautiful, but the next second, it was a clip of her acting, her features all over the place, her expression twisted, completely unlike the beautiful woman in the previous clip.

It instantly gave people a feeling of mental pollution.

Sun Hongfei lamented: "President Gu! After watching this, do you still want to have her play the female lead?"

Gu Xing Shi nodded affirmatively: "Of course!"

Sun Hongfei: "..."

How could your 5.0 vision choose Yan Xiang on one hand and Bu Qianwei on the other!!!

At that moment, his confidence crumbled.