Chapter 013
Xu Jingning was slightly stunned and didn't know how to answer for a moment.
He could tell that there seemed to be some other meaning in the communication between Fang Shu and Yan Xun, and he roughly understood that Yan Xun was introducing him to some connections, but when the respected senior suddenly used such a semi-ambiguous tone to communicate with him face to face, he was somewhat at a loss.
Intellectually, he had formed a well-founded guess, but emotionally, Xu Jingning couldn't believe it.
Yan Xun, teasing him.
The atmosphere was getting tense. At that moment, Fang Shu, who was sitting in the front, coughed twice: "You two, I'm still here."
Xu Jingning suddenly felt his ears burning.
Yan Xun also readily made up for it and said, "It's okay. It's really abrupt to ask people to evaluate themselves, and it's common to be unable to express yourself for a while."
Xu Jingning smiled back politely.
Then, both sides fell silent.
The car drove forward steadily. As it was closest to Xu Jingning's residence, after dropping her off, only Yan Xun and Fang Shu were left in the back seat of the car. The atmosphere suddenly changed.
Yan Xun spoke first: "Director Fang, do you think this child meets your standards?"
"Wow, you're still looking at my standards?" Fang Shu's tone was not very good, as if he was angry, but his acquaintances knew that he was just pretending to be angry. "Hasn't your role as the great actor Yan started acting? Why do you still care about my opinion?"
Yan Xun smiled and said, "You are the director, so naturally you have the final say."
Fang Shu cursed and sat up straight: "Yes, I am satisfied, very satisfied. Anyway, there is no one more suitable than him so far. You should have guessed this result a long time ago."
"So have you told him about this?"
"Well... let's take another look." For some reason, Yan Xun suddenly hesitated. He turned to the outside of the car window and looked at the rapidly changing scenery.
Thinking of Xu Jingning's performance in the primary election, Yan Xun's eyes darkened slightly.
"Wait and see how he performs in his acting career."
————
Since the last recording, everyone has been immersed in preparation for the first round of performances in two weeks. During this period, the program team will visit each group's rehearsal progress one by one and shoot some materials for one episode. Apart from that, the remaining time is decided by the guests themselves.
The members of Yan Xun's team discussed and formulated a rehearsal plan that evening. The next morning, a special car arranged by Yan Xun came to pick up the three of them and took them to a villa in the suburbs that was under Yan Xun's name.
"The environment here is good, there are not many people, and we will basically not be disturbed." Leading the four people into the house, Yan Xun introduced them one by one, "The living room has been renovated. I borrowed the scene props from the program group. They will be placed here during the rehearsal. Except that the place is a little smaller, it can basically replicate the stage."
I didn't expect that Yan Xun had accomplished so many things in just a few days, with such high efficiency and quality. This was enough to show his rigorous attitude towards work. He deserved to be so famous at such a young age.
The three students sighed in unison.
After the tour, everyone returned to the living room and started today's goal.
Although Director Chen and Yan Xun have some friendship, this is the first time they have actually collaborated.
At this moment, Director Chen, who was always strong, gave Yan Xun a rare courtesy: "Then, Yan Xun, are you going to host the reading?"
Yan Xun shook his head: "I can only offer advice from a personal professional perspective. This is your original work, so naturally it is you, Director Chen, who should lead it."
Chen Shibin nodded and waved his hand: "Okay, let's get started."
The first time, Director Chen analyzed the content of the script from his own perspective. The theme of their group was the inheritance of iron forging. The story told about a sect that made its main living by casting iron, and the inheritance story between a master and three apprentices.
Director Chen's narration process went relatively smoothly. The only change that occurred in the middle was how the roles were allocated.
According to the original script written by Director Chen, two of the three apprentices are women, and one of them has an inseparable relationship with the master. The question now is who will play the female role, Chen Zi or Xu Jingning.
We have discussed the possibility of cross-dressing before, but the performance on stage is original, and two adult men, even with girls' makeup, would somewhat destroy the atmosphere.
Finally meeting the director today, Chen Zi finally asked this question: "Director Chen, can the script be changed?"
"We can change it, but not too much." Director Chen held the script and frowned slightly. "We are definitely not the only group with conflicting roles. And sometimes, cross-dressing can also achieve unexpectedly good results."
Yan Xun reminded him, "Old Chen, look at the plot. Can this cross-dressing be good?"
Chen Shibin sighed: "Okay, let's change it."
"But I only changed the gender, and the plot requires it. I think it would be better to find a handsome boy as the protagonist."
As soon as he finished speaking, the remaining three people all looked at Xu Jingning.
Xu Jingning: "...Are you serious?"
"Ningning, make a sacrifice." Chu Xinrou pursed her lips and smiled, "Look at Chen Zi's peaceful and prosperous face, how can it be more suitable for you."
In order to avoid being called pretty, Chen Zi even admitted what Chu Xinrou said: "That's right, and Director Chen said that the gender will be changed, not that you can play the role of a cross-dresser."
Xu Jingning: “…”
You won’t miss this year’s Spring Festival Gala.
He sighed and gave up struggling: "Okay."
It's better than actually making him wear a skirt.
Chu Xinrou immediately handed the female lead script to Xu Jingning: "It hasn't been revised yet, so you can just use it for now."
Xu Jingning: smile.jpg.
After a whole day of hard work, today's reading was completed smoothly and we can start formal rehearsals tomorrow.
Director Chen was also very efficient. He sent him the new version of the lines shortly after the reading ended in the afternoon. For the rest of the time, Xu Jingning only had to memorize the lines and work on his acting skills.
As soon as Xu Jingning got home, he met Xu Xingcheng.
She brought over the things Xu Jingning asked her to check.
"When we went there, the photos had already been bought. It looked like it was Teacher Yan's doing. The more troublesome thing was that the person who took the photos was not caught. Two media outlets received the photos, and they said the same thing, all anonymous emails."
"But we found out something else that's very interesting."
After saying that, Xu Xingcheng took out his mobile phone and showed him a video.
The video was shot from a hidden corner of the TV station. I guess the people in the video didn't expect that there would be surveillance cameras in this corner.
The person who appeared inside happened to have most of his face exposed, and was extremely easy to recognize.
Xu Jingning was slightly stunned: "How could it be her?"
"I checked and found out that Fu Shulan did arrive in Pingjiang that day. She came to the TV station to meet the director team and used some tricks to get a guest spot. The person who took the sneak shot should have been arranged by her."
"Fu Shulan seemed to want to take pictures of anything related to you so that she could find some dirt on you. I guess she didn't expect you to be so close to Teacher Yan."
Xu Jingning was silent for a moment: "It seems that I am the one who troubled Teacher Yan this time."
"What are you afraid of? Cheer up." Seeing that he looked a little depressed, Xu Xingcheng immediately encouraged him, "It's not the first time we have offended people. Don't worry, as long as we don't do anything wrong, don't be afraid of anyone. You still have me and Xingchuan behind you."
When he raised his head again, Xu Xingcheng saw the all-too-familiar smile on his brother's face and suddenly felt that his comfort was a little unnecessary.
"It's okay. I won't be upset by this. It's just that I know who caused the trouble, so I can take action."
"Since it's directed at me, let me handle it."
The next day, Xie Yinlan's group also began to rehearse actively. During the intermission, Shen Luogang raised his head to drink a sip of water, and he noticed someone approaching from the corner of his eye, and almost spit it out.
"Xu, Xu Jingning? What are you doing here?"
Shen Luo wiped the sweat off his face and looked at him with an uneasy expression: "We are competitors, you'd better not play tricks during the rehearsal."
"Oh, why are you talking so harshly? I just came to see you, is that not okay?" Xu Jingning had a kind smile on her face, but it only made Shen Luo more and more nervous.
Fortunately, Xie Yinlan, who followed in, saved the situation in time: "Xiao Jingning came here to deliver some things for Teacher Yan. It's a good opportunity for you people of your age to have some exchanges."
Xin Yao smiled and greeted Xu Jingning: "Hello!"
Although she was badly cheated in the last recording, she had a very good impression of Xu Jingning and admired him very much.
After the remaining female student nodded, Xu Jingning simply walked over and sat with them.
On the other hand, Shen Luo had a sour face and did not hide his disgust for Xu Jingning at all.
Xu Jingning: "If you keep gritting your teeth and frowning, you will get wrinkles."
Shen Luo relaxed subconsciously, then realized he was being teased, and left the room angrily.
Xin Yao and another female student laughed out loud.
"I finally understand why Rourou told me you are so cute." Xin Yao is also a very outgoing girl, so she started chatting naturally.
"It's okay. I'm just used to joking around. Besides, Chen Luo has a stern face all day long. He will shorten his life if he keeps looking like that."
"Oh, so you two are so close?" Xin Yao was slightly surprised. "I saw people on the Internet saying that you two are rivals."
The female student poked Xin Yao and said, "No way, you believe what they say on the Internet?"
"Hahaha, it's true that looking at his dead face will shorten my lifespan," Xu Jingning admitted openly, "I don't know if he can be considered a rival, but he does hate me, so I have no choice but to dislike him in return."
Xu Jingning blinked, and the two girls thought he was joking. However, Shen Luo, who had not actually left the room, felt very unhappy when he heard the bursts of laughter.
Unexpectedly, Xu Jingning followed him out. Since there were no outsiders around, his tone became lighter: "Let's chat?"
"We have nothing to talk about." Shen Luo said jokingly, "But if Young Master Xu wants to talk, I will have to accompany him."
"Seriously, it's one thing for us to dislike each other, but Shen Luo, I don't disapprove of your abilities."
Hearing this, Shen Luo tensed up: "What are you talking about? Do you want to forgive me? Or..."
"Forgive? I will never forgive you in my life." Xu Jingning interrupted him in time, "Just talking about the facts, Shen Luo, now we are on the same front."
Shen Luo turned his head and looked at him: "What do you mean?"
Xu Jingning shook his phone: "I have a video here, watch it first, and then think about whether you are interested in chatting with me."
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