Page 13

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

This man was very much like who he had once been, 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, which had dimmed considerably. It shone even brighter than before.

This man was the film's third male lead. After a series of thrilling, tense battles of wits, he accidentally exposed his identity and died before the protagonist. He gripped the protagonist's hand tightly, as though passing on a belief without regret.

His gaze before death shook the protagonist. Tears filled his eyes, yet he wore a smile, like a seed bathed in light. Light returned to the protagonist's heart as well. In the end, the region's greatest cancer was completely eradicated. Beneath a bright sky, sunlight spilled freely as the protagonist arrived at 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 script is very good. It's worth investing in."

As the script closed with a soft snap, Chen Chengrong's heart rose to his throat. Then he heard those words, and joy immediately overwhelmed him. A smile appeared 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 condition you have."

As long as it wasn't stuffing someone into his crew...

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

Chen Chengrong's heart immediately sank. Just when he hoped for nothing, that very thing came knocking. He had run into the issue of investors forcing people into productions again.

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

This script was a work he had painstakingly researched and polished in order to return to the film and television industry. It had cost him countless sleepless nights of effort. Naturally, he could not allow anyone to casually interfere and damage the integrity of the plot, letting it be ruined by money again like his previous film and turned into a terrible movie by The Actors.

Even if the other party only wanted the third male lead, that role was still exceptionally important. The third male lead's appearance represented the return of light to the protagonist's life. 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 afraid. If this film were ruined too, then his life as a director would be over. Finished. Perhaps he would never make a good film again. He would lose faith in the film and television 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 either...

"Director Chen, don't rush to refuse. Money isn't a problem. However much investment you want, or whatever else you need, I can provide it. The investment will only be more, never less. And I have only this one request."

"It doesn't have to be the third male lead. I only hope Director Chen can give the person I have in mind priority for an audition. Whether he suits the role is still up to Director Chen. I won't force you."

Chen Chengrong took a moment to process that.

Then his eyes widened. "President Cai, you mean he'll audition first, and then I get to decide?"

He found it hard to believe. He wasn't being forced directly into the role? This wasn't the kind of situation where someone was shoved into his crew without considering whether he suited the role or whether The Actors 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. Regardless of whether the third male lead in this film is ultimately played by the person I recommend, the investment is guaranteed. After all, I don't want to make a losing deal."

Chen Chengrong could not help rubbing his hands 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 don't mind?"

"And if I need a certain amount of investment, or if additional funding is needed later... President Cai, will you truly be willing to provide it generously?"

He was afraid they would agree readily now, only to go back on their word later and make all sorts of excuses to avoid further investment.

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

"As for the audition, what do you think, Director Chen? Why not meet him first?"

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

Cai Jinbai then had Yuan Guangjin bring Xu Yuqing over.

Once Xu Yuqing learned what President Cai intended, he immediately realized this was a rare opportunity President Cai had given him. If he could appear in this film, he would be able to return to the entertainment industry and the public eye. After all, this was also Chen Chengrong's return to directing. In the past, he 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 The Actors.

Thus, Xu Yuqing treated this precious audition opportunity with utmost seriousness.

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

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

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

Cai Jinbai and Xuan Yu watched from the side. The equipment and set had all been properly arranged, and there were even people there to perform alongside Xu Yuqing for 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.

To give President Cai face, he let Xu Yuqing choose the audition scene.

In his mind, the other party might choose a simple scene in order to pass the audition.

But what Chen Chengrong had not expected was that Xu Yuqing would choose the most difficult scene—the moment the third male lead locked eyes with the protagonist before his death.

There was not a single line of dialogue from beginning to end. He had to rely solely on his eyes to reignite the fire in the male lead's heart, which was on the verge of going out.

Everyone knew that acting with one's eyes was the hardest kind of acting.

If one's skill was insufficient or one's control was not yet refined enough, this scene could easily turn out ridiculous or even embarrassing.

If things went slightly better, the scene might still be performed without any emotional rise or fall, without any sense of layers. The audience would not feel the atmosphere powerful enough to inspire the protagonist, nor the heart-wrenching sorrow.

As a result, it would fail to show how important the third male lead, this soul of a character, was to the protagonist, or how he served as the crucial turning point of the entire core event.

In Chen Chengrong's mind, if this scene were done 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, should we have him switch to another scene for the audition?"

If Xu Yuqing had only prepared this one scene, he 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 opportunity. Begin the audition."

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

Xu Yuqing took a deep breath and entered the role.

At that moment, his gaze changed. He truly became Zhuang Xiaowu, the young police officer in the film who upheld justice, embodied the light, and whose eyes remained clear and bright even at the brink of death. He would give everything for his beliefs and die without regret.

Chapter 12

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

This was a pedestrian shopping street, bustling with people and extremely lively. It was also one of the must-visit spots in S City. There was never a shortage of tourists here, and cars could not enter at all, so Yun Hengtong had dropped the two of them off at the outer perimeter before Cai Jinbai and Xuan Yu walked inside.

It was also the weekend, so there were even more people on the shopping street. Both men had exceptionally outstanding looks, no less striking than celebrities. As they walked along, quite a few people stared at them and marveled at their appearance.

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

Thus, the two of them smoothly reached their destination—a newly opened, trendy ice cream and bread shop on the shopping street.

Cai Jinbai compared the online photos and address, then nodded. "Mm, that's right. This is the place."

This trendy shop mainly sold ice cream, but it could be paired with bread. One particular panda bread ice cream was especially popular online and sold extremely well. There were quite a few people lined up outside the store right now, though fortunately, the owner had thoughtfully set out tables and chairs for people to rest.

When Cai Jinbai and Xuan Yu arrived, someone happened to be leaving, freeing up a seat.

Xuan Yu pulled out the chair and let Cai Jinbai sit down. "Xiaobai, wait here. I'll go buy it. What do you want to eat?"

"This one, this one, and I want this one too." He scrolled through the options on his phone and chose the three bestsellers without hesitation.

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

He turned and went to line up, not feeling that three ice creams were too many at all.

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

Although the two of them wore ordinary clothes, being there made them seem like refined gentlemen and high society figures visiting a roadside stall. They looked entirely out of place amid 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?"