An Yihe neither agreed nor disagreed, but simply brought the screenwriter along to discuss the script with Shen Yu, who was representing the investors.
Shen Yu, Chi Li.
Shen Xunye, Shen Qiang.
By placing these four names out in the open, An Che easily figured out the relationship between these people.
He couldn't even be bothered to consider the possibility that Shen Yu wasn't one of the two men surnamed Shen's older brothers or relatives.
Therefore, it can be inferred that Chi Li, like him, is a true resource-driven individual.
However, Chi Li is probably a bit more ambitious than him.
"In a few years, I definitely won't have as much energy as I do now." After going around in circles, An Yihe finally responded to Shen Yu's earlier request. "The reason I insisted on having my good-for-nothing son star in the lead role is twofold: firstly, I want him to have a representative work in his lifetime."
An Che silently took a sip of tea.
He also has a representative work now – " My Great Director Father ".
"Secondly, as I've said before, while I still can, I absolutely must strive for perfection in this production. I'll tell everyone who auditions this premise... I don't mind putting my son through the wringer, but this guy you brought..." An Yihe finally looked at Chi Li properly, "I'm willing to go all out, but can he handle it?"
An Che secretly pursed his lips.
That old geezer, why didn't you ask him if he could even hold on?
Shen Yu, too lazy to elaborate or beat around the bush, simply said, "Let's try."
An Yihe: "..."
Does that mean all he said was for nothing?
"Then give it a try." An Che seized the opportunity and spoke up to persuade her, "Director An, please don't be prejudiced against someone just because of their appearance."
Everyone else at the table turned to look at him.
An Che was somewhat flustered. "I don't think I said anything wrong, did I?"
The person who answered him was Shen Yu: "No."
Chi Li had no choice but to respond, "I will try my best to persevere."
Actually, he was also confused today.
Shen Yu only informed him that they would have dinner together that evening; she didn't mention that she was trying to get him a role.
Perhaps she was afraid he would refuse?
His current focus is on music, and he has indeed not considered participating in major productions.
An Yihe was clearly unhappy.
He moved the glass of baijiu in front of him several times before finally deciding, "I'll give them a short script and have them act it out on the spot."
The 'they' he was referring to were An Che and Chi Li.
Shen Yu nodded slightly. "Mm."
An Che immediately stood up and said to Chi Li, "Let's go next door to prepare."
Chi Li: "."
Chi Li: "Okay."
Next to the private room was a lounge, An Che, familiar with the place, poured Chi Li a cup of tea. "I can tell, you don't really want to act."
He rarely saw someone who, when facing the old man surnamed An at a dinner party, was not in a hurry to show off.
"But I can't mess it up," Chi Li said first, then explained, "Besides, I just don't want to act now."
"Don't worry, that old man is incredibly picky." An Che chuckled softly. "Currently, I'm the only one cast in this movie, along with two minor supporting roles. At his pace, it'll be at least another year before filming officially begins."
Chi Li: "..."
It seems Shen Yu has already taken this into account.
Chi Li: "Did I send you the script?"
"Probably," An Che said, but instead of reaching into his pocket, he continued to complain, "And he also demanded that I not take on any other roles before filming starts... Tell me, isn't it tough being a 'resource-backed' actor?"
"A little," Chi Li casually echoed.
"I really don't want to rely on that old man anymore." An Che leaned back on the sofa, looking up at the ceiling. "Just seeing him annoys me."
Chi Li didn't understand why he suddenly brought this up. Adhering to the principle of not meddling in other people's affairs, he politely replied, "Director An... he must have his own reasons."
"You must be very free, right?" An Che looked at Chi Li with some envy.
I have no idea how this person got involved with Shen Xunye, and even made someone willingly participate in creating a romantic pairing between them...
Chi Li: "Hmm?"
Why did the topic suddenly shift to him?
"Can you do whatever you want?" An Che continued to ask.
"More or less," Chi Li replied simply.
"That's great, I want to be like you too." An Che. "To be a resource-rich person with backbone."
Chi Li: "..."
This person seems to have had some strange misunderstanding.
"You said..." An Che was so engrossed in his own output that he didn't care whether Chi Li spoke or not. "How about I find someone rich to date? My face may not be as pretty as yours, but it's still quite delicate and beautiful, right?"
It's clear that An Che doesn't discriminate against people who are "resource-backed" or "marry rich."
But Chi Li still explained, "I don't have experience in this area, so I can't give you any good advice."
In fact, An Che didn't need advice; he had already set his goals.
What do you think of Shen Yu?
He's an investor, younger than the old man, yet he easily commands respect; he seems generous and handsome...
It couldn't be more perfect.
Chi Li glanced at her unresponsive phone. "... I think we should talk about the script."
They keep asking these strange questions.
"There's no script." An Che took out his phone from his pocket and showed the chat window to Chi Li. "... The old man didn't like you, so naturally he won't send you a script."
When they say "audience test," it's just something they're forced into; there's nothing they can do about it.
Seeing Chi Li's displeasure, An Che slowly added, "It's no use going back to complain now. He'll most likely use it as an excuse to shut you out."
Not being a primary school student, Chi Li naturally wouldn't do something like 'telling on someone'.
not to mention...
"Don't you have a script?" Chi Li asked.
"No," An Che answered quite decisively. "The old man and the screenwriter are both people who change their minds every day, revising the script almost constantly. As for me, I was only fortunate enough to see one of the rejected drafts."
"So you've kept such a long break in your schedule for...?"
Chi Li had a gut feeling that An Che wasn't lying; his words only contained pure doubt.
"Who knows?" An Che shrugged. "Probably to show off his craftsmanship?"
Fans all thought he wasn't joining the cast because he was preparing for An Yihe's movie, but in reality, he didn't even know if the lead actor would still be called by the same name as before.
Chi Li then asked, "What about the character design?"
An Che was somewhat flustered. "... You still want to 'test'?"
Normally, shouldn't they just walk away?
Or is it that... the person in front of you isn't a normal person?
"Of course." Chi Li said matter-of-factly, "No matter how unreasonable Director An is, he won't go to such extremes and leave no way out... So, what is the protagonist's character design?"
A crucial premise for An Yihe's ability to make excuses is that there is room for such excuses.