Chapter 7
“I don’t know how to play.” Yan Shiqiu lied with a straight face.
“Liar!” The young man said. “You watched me play for a long time just now, with such a conflicted expression. Occasionally when you looked at me, your eyes were practically screaming ‘How can this person be so stupid? I can’t stand watching this, ahhh I’m going crazy, I really want to take over for him.’”
Yan Shiqiu: “…”
So his eyes were like a projector?
“Carry me!” The young man suddenly leaned over, blinking his eyes and looking at him earnestly, practically wagging an invisible tail.
“No.”
The young man’s eyes turned pitiful. “Please?”
Yan Shiqiu somewhat regretted speaking up earlier.
He seemed to have found himself some trouble.
“…We’ll talk after the audition.” He rubbed his forehead and sighed, which counted as agreeing.
The young man’s expression changed instantly, beaming with joy. “Then it’s settled. I’m Fu Baiqing, what about you?”
“Yan Shiqiu.”
Fu Baiqing nodded, then pulled up a WeChat QR code and handed over his phone. “Then Yan Shiqiu, let’s add each other on WeChat. Otherwise, if you run off after your audition, I won’t be able to find you.”
Yan Shiqiu thought about it and didn’t refuse.
Having one more friend in a completely unfamiliar world was fortunate.
He didn’t dislike Fu Baiqing. Though they’d just met, as he’d said before, eyes were windows to the soul and couldn’t lie. Fu Baiqing’s gaze was very pure, displaying almost all his emotions on the surface.
After adding each other on WeChat, Fu Baiqing contentedly put away his phone, then looked at him curiously and asked: “What rank are you?”
“Stop. We’ll talk about the game after the audition.”
“But there’s nothing to do now. We don’t have anything—how can we prepare?” He lowered his voice and nodded his chin toward the other people not far away. “Should we just get nervous like them?”
Yan Shiqiu shook his head and said: “You could study Director Chen’s past works and summarize the character settings in his scripts. You could also review your own acting skills to find weak points for improvement. Or you could choose to rest and conserve your energy.”
Fu Baiqing: “…”
At that moment, the waiting room door opened and a staff member walked in. He held a list and called out names—both Yan Shiqiu and Fu Baiqing were called.
After calling five names, he put down the list: “The five people above, please come with me.”
After hearing this, Fu Baiqing said: “We’re in the same group. Perfect—now I don’t have to worry about you running off on your promise.”
Yan Shiqiu was utterly speechless.
Following the staff member out of the waiting room, they walked down the corridor to the end and entered a room.
“Before drawing your audition scenes, please sign a confidentiality agreement.” The staff member said, handing over a contract. “Please sign in the bottom right corner.”
Yan Shiqiu wasn’t surprised. For this kind of “open casting”, if they didn’t sign script confidentiality agreements, there was a high chance the script would be leaked early.
He was the first to sign his name.
After a while, the other four also finished signing, and the staff member brought over a box for them to draw their audition scenes.
After drawing, Yan Shiqiu took his script to a corner to sit down and read it carefully.
Fu Baiqing also put away his earlier playful attitude, becoming serious and no longer talking.
The five people each occupied a corner, and the room fell silent.
The audition scene consisted of two excerpted scenes. The script wasn’t long—just a few hundred words—and Yan Shiqiu finished reading quickly. He felt his luck was good; the two scenes he’d drawn happened to be contrasting, which could highlight the character.
One scene was about killing someone, the other about sparing someone.
Although the script was fragmentary without context and the plot wasn’t complete, making it impossible to deduce the character’s full personality, Yan Shiqiu had some guesses. He had an idea.
Ten minutes passed quickly, and the staff member came in again to take them to the adjacent audition room.
Yan Shiqiu was the last to enter, closing the door behind him.
Five people sat in the room. Yan Shiqiu had researched beforehand and immediately recognized the slightly overweight middle-aged man in the center as Chen Hangsheng. The woman to his left was Xu Ling, an award-winning screenwriter who had collaborated with him several times, followed by the producer. To his right were the female lead He Qian and male lead Xie Zhaoli.
After brief introductions, the auditions began. He Qian and Xie Zhaoli would help with scene work and supporting roles.
Yan Shiqiu was scheduled last. He retreated to a corner, carefully observing the others’ auditions, using their performances to further complete his character conception.
Finally, Fu Baiqing finished his performance, and it was Yan Shiqiu’s turn.
As they passed each other, Fu Baiqing smiled at him. “Good luck.”
He returned a genuine smile. “Mm.”
He Qian would be doing the scene with him. She was very beautiful, with an intelligent beauty. She smiled and said: “Don’t be nervous.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you ready?” Chen Hangsheng asked.
Yan Shiqiu nodded. “I’m ready.”
“Action—”
As Chen Hangsheng’s words fell, Yan Shiqiu had already entered character, becoming the second prince Chu Yuexuan from the script.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he tilted his face up slightly, gazing at the moonlight with an expressionless face, though his eyes held a hint of confusion. Hearing movement behind him, he blinked, a flash of guilt crossing his features before being replaced by determination and resolve.
“Master.”
“Mm.” He turned around, stepped over the threshold, and entered the room. Inside, the crown prince lay in a pool of blood, already dying.
“You…” The prince’s voice was barely audible, almost just breath.
Before he could finish, he died.
“Imperial brother.” He crouched down and placed his hand over the prince’s unblinking eyes, “when I reach the underworld in the future, I will certainly beg your forgiveness.”
Releasing his hand, he stood up and walked toward a girl nearby who had been struck mute.
Seeing her inadequately clothed, terrified, and trembling violently, he said nothing but removed his cloak and gently draped it over her. Then he said to his subordinate nearby: “Escort her from the palace. Under no circumstances harm her life.”
“But—”
“Do as I say.”
…
After finishing the last line, Yan Shiqiu thanked He Qian for helping with the scene, then stood properly and calmly looked toward Chen Hangsheng.
After a second, Chen Hangsheng began applauding, followed by Xu Ling, Xie Zhaoli, and the producer, all three showing amazement and delight on their faces.
“Well performed.”
For the first time since they’d entered, Chen Hangsheng smiled. He continued: “I have a few questions for you.”
“Please ask.”
Chen Hangsheng pointed at He Qian, who was still wearing his cloak. “How did you think of the action of draping the clothing?”
“I believe Chu Yuexuan has the world in his heart and possesses a saintly compassion—this isn’t meant pejoratively. He killed the crown prince because the prince was unworthy of his position, framing loyal subjects and massacring entire families for personal gain.
The prince was about to strike again at a loyal subject—a general defending the borders. With foreign enemies stirring, he had no choice but to act.
Because his nature is fundamentally kind, he didn’t kill the girl. I felt the action of draping clothing could highlight his character.”
Chen Hangsheng smiled again. “What you’ve described isn’t reflected in the script you received. How did you deduce that Chu Yuexuan has the world in his heart?”
Yan Shiqiu replied unhurriedly: “I watched most of your television dramas in general. You might not even realize it yourself, but you really like setting up characters who are kind and care about the world.
Then, after watching the previous auditions, I confirmed that Chu Yuexuan should be the character type you favor in this drama.
As for my analysis above, I deduced it from the plot content they performed earlier. You told me yourself.”
Chen Hangsheng nodded and praised: “You’re very smart. Your adaptability and observation skills are excellent. I really like your little touches.”
“Thank you.”
Chen Hangsheng turned to confer quietly with Xu Ling for a few sentences, then looked back at him and said: “Please audition one more scene.”
Yan Shiqiu suppressed his inner excitement and nodded. “Alright.”
—
Coming out of the audition room, Fu Baiqing immediately threw his arm around Yan Shiqiu’s neck in his familiar way. “Not bad! Don’t forget your friends when you’re rich and famous.”
Then he immediately said: “Okay, let’s find a place to play games. You promised to carry me!”
Yan Shiqiu: “…”
He pushed off Fu Baiqing’s arm and straightened his clothes again, then turned: “You love playing that much?”
“Not really.” Fu Baiqing was very honest. “I just hate losing.”
“Fair enough. I don’t like losing either.”
“Right?”
Fu Baiqing put on puppy dog eyes again. “So hurry up and carry me. My requirements aren’t high—just get me to Diamond rank, then I’ll be the best!”
Yan Shiqiu pretended to frown. “That might be a bit too difficult.”
“…Don’t think I didn’t hear that you’re calling me stupid in a roundabout way.”
“There was nothing roundabout about it.”
Fu Baiqing: “…”
“Behold my Meteor Fist technique!”
Caught off guard by a poke to his ticklish spot on his waist, Yan Shiqiu jumped up in surprise. Seeing his reaction, Fu Baiqing became even more enthusiastic, chasing him to tickle him more.
Fu Baiqing, being slightly taller than Yan Shiqiu and stronger, grabbed his defensive arms and kept poking his ticklish spots.
Yan Shiqiu nearly laughed until he was breathless.
The two were horsing around outside the elevator when suddenly it stopped on their floor. The doors slowly opened, and Ji Yunnian stepped out.
The next second, he came face to face with Yan Shiqiu.
Ji Yunnian: “…”
Yan Shiqiu: “…”
Right now he wanted a rocket to shoot him up to stand shoulder to shoulder with the sun!
Sensing the frozen atmosphere, Fu Baiqing quietly withdrew his hands, stepped aside, and widened his eyes, curiously looking between Yan Shiqiu and Ji Yunnian with a gossipy expression.
Ji Yunnian recovered first. He glanced at Yan Shiqiu. “Please continue.”
Yan Shiqiu: “…”
This person definitely misunderstood!
He was about to explain, then thought better of it. He had no need to explain anything to Ji Yunnian. Let him misunderstand—he and Ji Yunnian had no relationship anyway.
“Let’s go.” He said to Fu Baiqing.
Fu Baiqing was stunned for a second before following him into the elevator.
As the elevator doors closed and after a moment of weightlessness, Fu Baiqing hung his head and quietly apologized: “Sorry.”
“Hm?” Yan Shiqiu waved his hand. “It’s fine.”
“Let me treat you to cake.” He said.
Cake.
He’d wanted some earlier but hadn’t gotten any.
“Sure.” Yan Shiqiu asked, “do you have any recommended shops?”
“Of course, many!” At the mention of sweets, Fu Baiqing instantly recovered from his earlier dejection, reviving with full energy. His eyes bright, he began talking enthusiastically.
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Invited to Chen Hangsheng’s office, after Chen Hangsheng’s assistant left, Ji Yunnian suddenly spoke: “Song Qi, who was that person with Yan Shiqiu earlier?”
“I think it’s the young master of the Fu family from S City?”
He wasn’t entirely sure, so he quickly checked his phone and confirmed: “That’s him.”
The Fu family of S City.
Ha. Yan Shiqiu hadn’t changed at all.
Inexplicably, Ji Yunnian felt somewhat disappointed.
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