Page 13

Just as the protagonist fell into an unprecedented state of confusion, the contact he had previously lost due to an accident returned to his side. A police officer came to meet him.

This person looked so much like who he used to be, with clear, bright eyes and an unwavering commitment to justice.

His arrival was like a blazing candle, reigniting the light in the protagonist's heart that had dimmed considerably, making it shine even more brilliantly than before.

This person was the film's third male lead. After a series of tense, thrilling confrontations where they matched wits and courage, the third male lead accidentally exposed his identity and died before the protagonist. He gripped the protagonist's hand tightly, as though passing on a faith without regret.

The look in his eyes before death shook the protagonist. Tears filled his eyes, yet he wore a smile on his lips, like a seed bathed in light. Light returned to the protagonist's heart as well. In the end, the region's greatest scourge was completely eradicated. Beneath the bright sky, sunlight poured down freely as the protagonist came to the third male lead's grave with a bouquet of flowers.

After finishing the script, Cai Jinbai looked up and said to Chen Chengrong, "This is a good script. It's worth investing in."

With the soft snap of the script closing, Chen Chengrong's heart rose into his throat. Then he heard those words and was instantly overjoyed, a smile appearing on his face. "President Cai, you..."

"But I have one condition," Cai Jinbai continued.

Chen Chengrong froze, then immediately said, "Please, go ahead. As long as you invest, I'll meet any request you have."

As long as he didn't randomly shove someone into his production crew...

"For the third male lead in this film, I have someone in mind. I hope he can take the role."

Chen Chengrong's heart immediately sank. Just when he hoped for nothing, this was exactly what came. He had run into the issue of capital forcing someone into the cast again.

Before coming here, he had wondered whether he would still encounter this problem. If he really did, would he compromise for the investment?

This script was a work he had painstakingly studied and polished in order to return to the film industry. It had consumed countless nights of his effort and passion. Naturally, he could not allow anyone to interfere carelessly and ruin the integrity of the story, letting capital destroy it again like his previous film and turning it into a bad movie through poor acting.

Even if the other party only wanted the third male lead, that role was especially important. The third male lead's appearance represented the return of the protagonist's light. To some extent, casting the third male lead was even more important than casting the male lead.

Therefore, after Cai Jinbai finished speaking, Chen Chengrong's first thought was that he could not agree to this.

He was afraid of repeating the same mistake. Once he agreed, there would be a second time. He was truly terrified. If this film were ruined again, then his life as a director would be over. Finished. Perhaps he would never make another good film, and he would become disappointed in the film industry.

"I'm sorry, President Cai, I can't..." Chen Chengrong said bitterly and with difficulty.

Forget it. It seemed he would not be able to secure this investment after all...

"Director Chen, don't be so quick to refuse," Cai Jinbai said. "Money isn't an issue. However much investment you want, or whatever else you need, I can provide it. The investment will only increase, never decrease, and I have only this one request."

"It doesn't have to be the third male lead. I only hope Director Chen can give him a chance and let my candidate audition first. Whether he suits the role is still up to Director Chen. I won't force you."

Chen Chengrong took a while to process that.

Then his eyes widened. "President Cai, you mean he auditions first, and then I decide?"

He could hardly believe it. He was not being directly forced into the cast? This was not the kind of situation where someone was shoved into his crew without considering whether he suited the role or whether he could act? If he was unsuitable, Chen Chengrong could easily reject him?

"Of course," Cai Jinbai said. "I think highly of Director Chen's script. Whether the third male lead in this film is ultimately played by the person I recommend or not, the investment is guaranteed. After all, I don't want to make a losing deal."

Chen Chengrong could not help rubbing his palms together as he confirmed again and again, "President Cai, if he doesn't suit the role, I'll definitely have to replace him. You truly won't mind?"

"And if I need a certain amount of investment, or need additional funding later on... President Cai, can you really be so generous?"

He was afraid that Cai Jinbai might agree so readily now, only to change his mind later and make excuses to avoid further investment.

Cai Jinbai smiled. "Director Chen can rest assured. I'll sign a contract with you."

"As for the audition, what do you think, Director Chen? How about meeting him first?"

"Alright, alright. Let's meet him first," Chen Chengrong immediately said.

Cai Jinbai had Yuan Guangjin bring Xu Yuqing over.

Once Xu Yuqing learned what President Cai intended, he immediately realized that this was a rare opportunity President Cai had given him. If he could act in this film, he would also be able to return to the entertainment industry and the public eye. After all, this was Chen Chengrong's return as a director. In the past, Xu Yuqing might not even have been able to land such an important role as the third male lead. There was a divide between film actors and idol drama actors.

Thus, Xu Yuqing took this precious audition opportunity extremely seriously.

He said he wanted to study the script carefully first, then come back to audition.

That was the normal process, and Chen Chengrong agreed. To be honest, his first impression of Xu Yuqing was fairly good. He had handsome, well-defined features; at the very least, he looked the part. Chen Chengrong only hoped his acting would not be too dreadful, so that he could give President Cai some face.

Two days later, Chen Chengrong came to Jinbai Entertainment's building again to audition Xu Yuqing.

Cai Jinbai and Xuan Yu watched from the side. The equipment and set had been properly arranged, and there were even people there to act alongside Xu Yuqing during the audition. Chen Chengrong could not help marveling inwardly at how thoroughly President Cai had prepared. The objective conditions were not a problem; now it depended on Xu Yuqing's performance.

"Which scene do you plan to audition with?" Chen Chengrong asked.

In order to give President Cai some face, he let Xu Yuqing choose the audition scene.

In his imagination, Xu Yuqing might choose a simple scene in order to pass the audition.

Yet what Chen Chengrong had not expected was that Xu Yuqing chose the most difficult scene—the moment when the third male lead and the protagonist looked into each other's eyes before the third male lead died.

There was not a single word or line of dialogue throughout. He had to rely solely on his gaze to reignite the nearly extinguished fire in the male lead's heart.

Everyone knew that eye acting was the hardest to pull off.

If an actor lacked skill or was not quite polished enough, there was a good chance the scene would become laughable, even awkward.

If things went a little better, the scene might still come off completely flat, without the slightest sense of progression. The audience would not feel the atmosphere capable of inspiring the protagonist, nor the heart-wrenching grief.

Then it would fail to show how important the third male lead, this soul of the story, was to the protagonist, and how he served as the crucial turning point of the entire core event.

In Chen Chengrong's mind, if this scene were performed well, it might become one of the most classic shots in the entire film.

Xu Yuqing had actually chosen this scene. If he failed to perform it well...

Chen Chengrong could not help looking at Cai Jinbai. "President Cai, do you think we should have him switch to another scene for the audition?"

If Xu Yuqing had only prepared this one scene, Chen Chengrong could wait another two days.

For President Cai's investment, Chen Chengrong realized he could compromise a little more.

But Cai Jinbai said, "No need. He has already been given the chance. Begin the audition."

"Alright." Following President Cai's wishes, Chen Chengrong signaled for the audition to begin.

Xu Yuqing took a deep breath and entered the role. In that instant, his gaze changed. He truly became Zhuang Xiaowu, the young police officer from the film who upheld justice, embodied light, and whose eyes remained clear and bright even at death's door—a man who gave everything for his beliefs and died without regret.

Chapter 12

"Xiaobai, is this the place you mentioned?" Xuan Yu swept his gaze around the area.

This was a pedestrian shopping street, bustling with crowds. It was also a must-visit spot in S City, never short of tourists on ordinary days. Cars could not enter at all, so after Yun Hengtong dropped them off at the outskirts, Cai Jinbai and Xuan Yu walked in.

It was the weekend, so the shopping street was even more crowded. Both men had exceptionally good looks, no less impressive than celebrities. As they walked along, quite a few people stared at them and marveled at their appearances.

But because of the aloofness around Cai Jinbai and Xuan Yu's overpowering presence, no one dared approach them to strike up a conversation.

Thus, the two smoothly reached their destination—a newly opened, internet-famous ice cream and bread shop on the shopping street.

Cai Jinbai compared the photos and address he had found online, then nodded. "Yes, this is it."

This internet-famous shop mainly sold ice cream, but it could be paired with bread. One item in particular, panda bread ice cream, was especially popular online and sold incredibly well. Quite a few people were lined up outside the shop at the moment. Fortunately, the owner had thoughtfully set out tables and chairs for people to rest.

Just as Cai Jinbai and Xuan Yu arrived, someone was leaving and freed up a seat.

Xuan Yu pulled out a chair for Cai Jinbai. "Xiaobai, wait here. I'll buy it. What do you want?"

"This one, this one, and I want this one too." He scrolled through the options on his phone and, without hesitation, picked the three best-selling items.

Xuan Yu memorized them and nodded. "Alright. Sit here and wait for me."

He turned to line up, not thinking three ice creams were too many at all.

Even if there were more, it did not matter. If Xiaobai could not finish them, he could eat the rest.

Even though they wore the most ordinary clothes, the two of them looked like distinguished nobles visiting a roadside stall, completely out of place with their surroundings. Coupled with their outstanding looks and extraordinary bearing, many people secretly glanced at them and whispered among themselves.

"Oh my God, they're so handsome."

"Can humans really look like that? They're even better-looking than celebrities."

"Could they really be celebrities?"