"You want to audition for the third male lead too?"
The assistant director was displeased.
He had never seen such an arrogant young man, actually demanding a higher billing right to his face!
Did he really think playing Liang Fang well meant he could handle other roles?
Even a single peanut with his drinks would have kept him from getting this drunk!
"The third male lead is Chu Qing, the male lead's servant. We've already cast him," the assistant director said. "Have you read Chu Qing's script?"
Shi Wei stood ramrod straight, a smile on his exquisite face and a mischievous glint in his eyes. "No."
"Ha!" The assistant director practically laughed in anger. "You haven't read it, yet you have the nerve to ask for an audition?"
Shi Wei said, "Just give me one minute."
Give me one minute, and I'll snatch that third male lead role Xu Xirui's so proud of!
Xu Xirui, you'll be crying in panic in a minute!
One minute!?
The people seated there couldn't help snickering.
Apparently, the scandals about Shi Wei over the past two years weren't entirely false. With that rotten attitude, how could he possibly survive in the industry?
Xu Xirui felt inexplicably nervous. He couldn't help tugging at Chen Feng beside him, his eyes reddening. "Chen Feng, what am I supposed to do...?"
As one of this player's simps, how could Chen Feng let Xu Xirui suffer? He immediately squeezed his hand to reassure him.
Chen Feng turned to Shi Wei with a cold expression. "What kind of attitude is that? You think you can get higher billing just because you want it? You're showing far too little respect for the production!"
Shi Wei shrugged, looking utterly unconcerned. "Since you're scared, I won't audition, then. I thought your casting choices weren't fixed in advance, so surely you wouldn't be afraid of a challenge."
Did goading work?
It did!
Shi Wei had already thought Chen Feng was straightforward. Otherwise, why would he publicly thank Xu Xirui for getting him an audition?
Straightforward boy Chen Feng slapped the table and snapped, "Are you saying you can act better than Xirui?"
"Yes."
Shi Wei's matter-of-fact attitude left the creative team unsure whether to be angry or laugh at him for overestimating himself. Only Xu Xirui shot him a vicious glare when no one else was looking.
In another room.
Ji Hanchuan stood with his arms folded, watching Shi Wei on the screen with keen interest.
Just how many faces did this idiot have?
Yesterday, he had said in a thread of a voice that he was sad he couldn't see him. Today, he had marched into the production full of swagger to stir up trouble.
Just that morning, the idiot had even sent him voice messages.
His voice had been soft and sweet. "Good morning, hubby. Are you up yet? I've lost something very important!"
His curiosity had been slightly piqued, and he had graciously prepared to reply, only to see another voice message arrive.
"I left my heart with you. Hubby, can you keep it safe for me?"
For the first time, Ji Hanchuan understood what it meant to shudder.
The assistant director was about to throw this obscure little actor who didn't know his place out when Zhang Zixiang's voice suddenly came through his earpiece. "Let him try."
The assistant director could only say, "Fine, you can try. Give him the lines. Let's see what you can do after one minute!"
Zhang Zixiang turned to Ji Hanchuan with a faint smile. "What? Interested in this young man?"
"No." Ji Hanchuan calmly drank his tea, looking as though none of this had anything to do with him.
Zhang Zixiang: ...Then why did you ask me to give him a chance?
"It's been a long time since I've met such an interesting young man." Zhang Zixiang stared sharply at the screen. "He certainly talks big. Let's see whether his ability can back it up..."
One minute flew by.
"Begin," the assistant director said irritably.
Thud!
Shi Wei suddenly dropped to his knees before the assistant director.
The assistant director: ...Even if you know you were wrong, there's no need for such a grand gesture!
But a moment later, he realized he was the one who had been wrong, because Shi Wei was already in character.
Shi Wei looked at the assistant director with a calm, rock-steady gaze. "His Majesty is reckless, the realm is in chaos. General, if you do not rise, you will meet a grisly end!"
His gaze sent chills down the assistant director's back. This was the scene where Chu Qing, unable to bear watching treacherous officials repeatedly frame General He Ming, urged him to rebel.
Chu Qing had staked his life on these words, so he would not stop until he died.
As a loyal subject, he was urging the equally loyal and righteous He Ming to rebel. Chu Qing was tormented inside too, his eyes brimming with tears that he stubbornly refused to shed.
"His Majesty is reckless, the realm is in chaos. General, if you do not rise, you will meet a grisly end!"
"His Majesty is reckless, the realm is in chaos. General, if you do not rise, you will meet a grisly end."
"His Majesty is reckless, the realm is in chaos. General, if you do not rise, you will meet a grisly end..."
His initial unwavering resolve gave way to despair and a deadened heart.
The tears slipped down after all. Grief filled Chu Qing's eyes, and with the final word, he bowed low before the general, remaining there for a long, long time...
The same line, different emotions, each controlled with meticulous precision.
The atmosphere in the room grew despairing too. The assistant director didn't even realize he had become immersed in the scene and had forgotten to speak.
Shi Wei briskly got to his feet and wiped his tears away with his sleeve. His earlier sorrow vanished completely, and his fair, beautiful face showed no trace of having been in character.
Everyone: What were they supposed to do about this sudden feeling that Shi Wei was a scumbag who flirted and ran?
Xu Xirui stared at Shi Wei enviously, but he was genuinely starting to panic.
Since when had Shi Wei become such a good actor?
He looked at Chen Feng, only to discover, to his dismay, that Chen Feng was still staring blankly at Shi Wei.
Was Shi Wei really going to steal his role?
Chen Feng had secretly revealed to him that Ji Hanchuan would play General He Ming. This was a golden opportunity to make Ji Hanchuan fall in love with him. He absolutely could not let Shi Wei snatch it away!
Shi Wei asked everyone, "What did you think?"
The assistant director glanced at Xu Xirui, torn.
What was he supposed to do when he wanted Shi Wei to play both Liang Fang and Chu Qing?
Could one actor play two roles!?
"Enough." Zhang Zixiang suddenly pushed the door open and entered, looking seriously at Shi Wei. "You can't play Chu Qing."
Shi Wei frowned slightly. "Director Zhang, what do you mean?"
Xu Xirui was already cheering inwardly.
Serves you right! Did you think acting well in front of someone like the assistant director would be enough? The real decision-maker is the great Director Zhang!
Zhang Zixiang said, "You're too good-looking."
Shi Wei: ???
Everyone: ???
Zhang Zixiang said solemnly, "As the general's most loyal servant, Chu Qing doesn't need such threatening good looks. Honestly, if you looked a little plainer, I would consider you."
Xu Xirui: ...So he meant I wasn't good-looking enough?
He fell apart inside, secretly clenching his fists.
It had been like this when they were children too. Everyone only ever praised Shi Wei's looks. They never noticed him at all!
"Oh dear, I don't want to look like this either." Shi Wei's smile grew increasingly unrestrained as he delivered his humblebrag. "You have such a way with words, Director Zhang. Could you compliment me a little more?"
"Hahaha." Zhang Zixiang laughed at his words and took Shi Wei by the arm, leading him out. "Come with me. I thought your portrayal of Liang Fang was excellent. I'm planning to add a few scenes for you."
The assistant director and the others watched, dumbfounded.
They had worked with Zhang Zixiang for so long. The last person the great Director Zhang had voluntarily added scenes for had been Ji Hanchuan, hadn't it...?