Audition

Cheng Sirong looked at her computer. Her phone had received congratulations from many people, but even more were asking for Su Li's contact details or an introduction.

She smiled happily. "Xiao Su deserves to be the one everyone fawns over. Feiyuan was such garbage. They really did him wrong. He was so talented, yet he never became popular, and people even looked down on him when he went on a variety show."

Gao Yiqing nodded. "Now he's a genius composer. No one dares look down on him."

"Exactly! Anyone who wants a song has to beg him for it!"

Just then, Cheng Sirong received a message from Su Li on her phone:

Little brother Xiao Su: Sister Cheng, let me know before you record next month. I have another song here.

Cheng Sirong's eyes widened when she saw the message. She held up her phone for her manager to see. "Yiqing! Xiao Su says he has another song for me next month!"

Gao Yiqing's eyes widened too. "Say yes, quick! I have a feeling these two songs will definitely top the charts too!"

Su Li and Zhou Jing were getting ready to go to an audition.

In the car, Zhou Jing filled Su Li in. "Director Tian doesn't have a very good temper. Sometimes he scolds actors if their performances aren't up to scratch. He's something of a perfectionist."

"There are quite a few people competing for this role. It is Director Tian's drama, after all. They probably invited you to audition because your appearance suits the character. Although it's only the third male lead, it feels like a pretty difficult role."

They arrived while she was still talking.

Once inside, they saw many performers, both men and women, all waiting to audition.

They looked at Su Li with strange expressions when he came in.

Isn't that Su Li? Shouldn't he be focusing on songwriting and the music industry lately? Why is he here to audition?

Su Li found a chair at random and sat down, waiting to be called in.

Before long, someone came out of the room inside and called loudly, "Is Su Li here? Please come in for your audition!"

Su Li stood up and went in under everyone's eyes.

There was a large table inside, with three people seated behind it.

From left to right were the producer, the director, and the investor's representative.

Assistant directors, production supervisors, and others sat in a row on the far left.

The moment he entered, the eyes of everyone in the room involuntarily lit up.

There was no other reason: Su Li's looks and bearing were simply outstanding. He wore a plain black T-shirt and casual trousers, but carried himself with an air of nobility and elegant poise.

Su Li gave a slight nod. "Hello, everyone. I'm Su Li, and I'm here to audition for the role of Xiao Mo."

The assistant director said to Tian Zhang, "I watched his earlier variety show and thought he had the right look. He really suits the role of Xiao Mo."

The screenwriter whispered to Tian Zhang, "I remember this one acted before. His acting wasn't very good."

Tian Zhang murmured an acknowledgment, pulled a sheet from the stack of papers in his hands, looked it over, and handed it to Su Li.

"You have five minutes. Then perform this scene."

Su Li took it and read through it. It was a scene in which Xiao Mo threatened a court official.

Five minutes later, Tian Zhang said, "Time's up. Get him a chair." This scene was to be performed sitting down.

As though dressed in ancient robes, Su Li swept his wide sleeve aside and sat down. His bearing was no different from that of an ancient prince, refined and elegant, yet he looked very gentle, with mild eyes and features.

Tian Zhang and the others looked surprised.

They all thought the same thing: This... he has the right feel.

Then Su Li seemed to lift a teacup and take a sip before setting it down, revealing a seemingly gentle smile.

He spoke softly to the space before him. "Lord Zhang, though I am merely an idle prince, I am still a member of the imperial family, and my surname is also Xiao."

"I have few men under my command and little power, but I do know which of my imperial brothers you associate with."

Then Su Li paused for several seconds, as though listening to someone kneeling before him.

He gave a soft chuckle, his thin lips curving upward, but his gentle demeanor turned chilling. "Oh? Then why did I hear that your son spent two hours in a secret discussion with one of my third imperial brother's advisers at Chunlai Restaurant a few days ago?"

His narrow eyes seemed to hold a smile, yet they were filled with icy coldness.

The people watching could not help getting goosebumps at Su Li's gaze and tone.

Su Li's voice grew even gentler. "Lord Zhang, I wonder if you have heard of a certain form of torture?"

"A skilled executioner can peel a person's skin away bit by bit, starting from the crown of the head. After twenty-four hours, the skin will come off intact, yet the person will still have a breath left, able only to slowly endure the agony of being flayed."

"I hear your son goes hunting every month, and your daughter is only sixteen, in the bloom of youth. If they were to lose all that skin..."

He spoke such cruel words, yet the smile never left his lips. His eyes were deep and sinister, and his whole body radiated a profound chill.

The crew shuddered, as though they themselves were the threatened Lord Zhang, and actually felt a little afraid.

Then, after a dozen or so seconds, Su Li returned to his gentle, refined demeanor. "As I said, Lord Zhang is loyal to his sovereign and loves his country. He is a fine official. Attendants, reward him."

"Lord Zhang, I hope you remember what I have told you today."

Su Li stood up. "Director, I'm finished."

The others had yet to recover when Tian Zhang clapped his hands. "Well done. You're exactly the Xiao Mo I envisioned!"

"The role is yours."

Su Li smiled. "Thank you, Director Tian."

Only after Su Li left did the others recover and begin discussing it. "That was incredible acting. Didn't people say his acting was terrible?"

"No idea. I was scared watching him just now. It was like he was playing himself."

When Su Li came out, Zhou Jing immediately approached him. "How did it go?"

Su Li nodded. "The role is mine."

"Really? That's wonderful!" Zhou Jing was very excited.

The other performers overheard their conversation and were stunned. He had passed just like that? Wasn't Director Tian supposed to be very strict?

In the car, Zhou Jing was still talking about it. "This is Director Tian's drama. Every television drama he makes is a huge hit. With the way your character is written, a good performance might take you to another level!"

Su Li said, "This drama should start shooting in about a week."

"That works out perfectly. I expect you'll have finished shooting your perfume commercial by then, though the YK lipstick commercial will have to wait."

Rumors that Su Li had passed Director Tian's audition appeared on Feibo, sparking discussion:

[Li Bao is going into acting instead of writing songs?]

[I remember Su Li acted before. His acting was painful to watch. How could Director Tian agree to this? Isn't he afraid of ruining his own reputation?]

[I'm so excited for Li Bao's drama!]

[If you can't act, don't ruin the whole drama!]

[Relax. Don't you know Tian Zhang? How could anyone pass if their acting was bad?]

[Must be nice having powerful backers. You can even get into a production like this.]

[Powerful backers, my ass. Li Bao started his own studio ages ago!]

A few days later, Su Li took Zheng Xing to the set to shoot his character photos.

Su Li got out of the van, and Zheng Xing held an umbrella over him to block the sun.

The crew looked toward Su Li. Many of the young women's eyes lit up, and they told the colleagues beside them, "Su Li is so beautiful. Although that adjective isn't appropriate for a man, he really is beautiful!"

A staff member approached from up ahead. "Hello, Su Li. Let me take you to your dressing room. We're shooting character photos today."

When they arrived, he said, "This is your dressing room. The production's makeup artist will be here shortly."

"Thank you." Su Li smiled in thanks, and the staff member instantly blushed.

"No need, no need."

Su Li sat on the sofa in the dressing room. Before long, the makeup artist and stylist arrived.