Soon, they arrived at the filming location.
Before Xu Chao could put his social butterfly skills to use, the director tossed him into the makeup room. Less yapping, more makeup and costume changes.
Xu Chao had no objections. Makeup it was, then. Costume it was, then.
After changing into a flowing period costume, Xu Chao turned before the mirror, very pleased with his new look, then rushed out to show it off.
Meanwhile, the producer was still doggedly trying to persuade the director.
"From what I've seen, this Xu Chao is flighty, loud, and not at all composed. One look at him tells you he can't act."
"I thought Shen Xinbai, who auditioned yesterday afternoon, was quite good. He has an innocent look and a gentle presence. His acting might not be all that polished, but he has a real spark."
"Besides, Director, an investor strongly recommended Shen Xinbai. Even if you won't do it for him, you should consider the person backing him."
Just then, Xu Chao came skipping out of the makeup room.
The young man wore a vivid red robe with effortless ease, free-spirited and unrestrained.
A radiant smile bloomed across his face, his eyes bright, innocent, and carefree.
It was as though the Little Heir, showered with love and never troubled by a single worry, had run straight out of the book.
The director asked blankly, "Still think we should consider him?"
The producer stammered, "N-no, never mind. The Little Heir just ran out of the script."
The director reacted swiftly too. He grabbed the camera from the stunned photographer, switched it on, and hammered away at the button, snapping photos nonstop!
Xu Chao ran up to him and said smugly, "Director, this getup looks pretty good, right?"
The director's eyes shone, and he was thoroughly satisfied. "Good, good. It's absolutely perfect."
Xu Chao looked immensely pleased with himself. "Of course it is."
Ms. Lin Zhiya, who had come along as his assistant, clapped enthusiastically. "Chaochao, darling, you look so handsome!"
Xu Chao grew embarrassed by all the praise. "Beautiful..."
Lin Zhiya watched him with burning eyes, eagerly awaiting the rest.
Then Xu Chao lived up to expectations and called out, "Beautiful Mommy!"
Lin Zhiya nearly swooned with happiness and answered cheerfully, "Yes!"
The onlookers: "..." Wait, what had they just heard? Lin Zhiya was working as Xu Chao's assistant, and Xu Chao called Lin Zhiya Mommy? What was going on here?!
The director was curious too, but he had more pressing concerns.
He grabbed Xu Chao, who was darting all over the place.
"Stop playing around and go take your costume photos. You've still got three scenes to shoot today."
Since Xu Chao only had five days free in his schedule, Director Chen Lixin could not bear to waste a single moment. He wished they could work overtime day and night without stopping.
But Lin Zhiya was right there watching.
After a scene, if her darling Chaochao was thirsty, he needed water; if he was tired, he needed a rest; if he was sleepy, he needed a nap. She spoiled him to the bone.
Normally, Chen Lixin would have had the production coordinator throw anyone getting in the way out long ago. They were working here-what the hell was this? If she wanted to dote on her son, she could do it at home instead of making a spectacle of herself in public.
But Xu Chao nailed almost every scene in a single take. Whether it was his delivery of lines or his control over the character's emotions, he was highly skilled and seasoned.
His acting was beyond reproach, masterful and utterly natural.
This was absolutely not the level of acting a newcomer should possess.
His performance could only be called perfect!
The tablet in the producer's hands was still looping clips from some of the awful dramas "Xu Chao" had acted in before, but faced with the dazzlingly talented Little Heir before them now, none of it was remotely convincing.
Still, the task handed down from above had to be completed.
So the producer steeled himself and spoke.
"Director, Xu Chao really is good, but Shen Xinbai isn't bad either. Most importantly, Shen Xinbai has backing. If we don't cast him, that big shot will pull his investment."
The director's brows knitted tightly. This really was a major problem.
Elsewhere, Shen Xinbai asked anxiously, "Well? Have they confirmed me for the Little Heir?"
"N-no. The director still chose Xu Chao."
Hearing Xu Chao's name, Shen Xinbai could not hold back his curses. "That hateful bitch! Why does he insist on going against me? Why does he have to steal what's mine? Is he ever going to stop?!"
"Xinbai, calm down," his agent hurriedly urged.
Shen Xinbai was confident that his acting crushed Xu Chao's. The director had no reason to choose Xu Chao over him!
"He must have latched on to another investor. That has to be it! Tell Feng to invest more!"
To protect Shen Xinbai's pride, his agent had not told him what the director had said: "Even without a single cent of investment, I would still insist on casting Xu Chao, not Shen Xinbai."
She only said tactfully, "That won't work. Director Chen is stubborn. Feng just said he'd get you other opportunities."
"How could other opportunities compare to this one?" Shen Xinbai had a gut feeling that this opportunity was very important to him. If he missed it, he would lose a great, great deal.
Shen Xinbai suddenly seized his agent's hand. "Wang, you have to help me. I have to get the role of the Little Heir."
"But now..."
"There's a way. There has to be a way," Shen Xinbai murmured to himself, then suddenly stood up. "I've got an idea!"
In the middle of the night, a trending topic quietly appeared out of nowhere.
Before you continue