The Common Man's Return in Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 71 Audition for "The Promise"

Ji Qingxu smiled and kissed her, then pulled her back into his arms. "I'm not crazy. The male lead is great, but this drama has been remade so many times. I think it's pointless. Besides, I'm only a sophomore this year, and I've already filmed three dramas. If I keep filming, will I even be able to finish my studies?"

Upon hearing this, Fan Xiaopang asked curiously, "Did the school ask you to come back to study?"

Ji Qingxu smiled and nodded, "Yes, they said there were too many people reporting me, so they told me to come back and lay low for a while."

"It seems that schools aren't exactly peaceful places either."

Do you think there's a peaceful place in our industry?

"That's right. The incident at the Central Academy of Drama caused quite a stir. It's better to be safe than sorry. It's good that you came back to lay low for a while. Sigh, I thought I could work with you again."

There will be an opportunity.

"How's your co-production going?"

"It's alright."

"Just so-so?"

"Anyway, nothing is as interesting as filming with you."

"Hmph, all you do is talk big. You gave up the opportunity anyway, so why don't you just stick to studying at school from now on?"

"Okay, let's finish our second year first, then we'll look into it."

"No plans from the company?"

"Yes, but that's for next year. Don't worry, I'll recommend you if a suitable role comes along."

"Forget it, you should take care of yourself first. You don't need to worry about me."

"Really not going to?"

"No need, I won't stand on ceremony with you. You're not famous yet, but once you become famous, the company will value you more, and your words will carry more weight."

"Okay, then I'll listen to Sister Bingbing."

"That's so dismissive. You actually believed me when I said I didn't need it? Can't you take it to heart?"

"You woman, I'm going to teach you a lesson today."

"Haha...wait, let's chat for a bit first."

"Screw chatting, I just want to fuck you right now."

"Rude."

"Then don't shout later."

"Mind your own business! I'm going to yell, and I'm going to yell really loud!"

The two playfully entered the bathroom, and soon after, Fan Xiaopang's pleas for mercy could be heard from inside.

......

"Ring ring!"

"Okay... I know, I'll get up right away... Okay, bye."

After hanging up the phone, Fan Xiaopang rubbed his eyes groggily, feeling sore all over. He couldn't help but spit out, "You little rascal, you're always bullying people."

Reaching out to turn on the room light, Fan Xiaopang glanced around the bedroom and hummed a song. Thinking that she was the first woman to enter this room, Fan Xiaopang happily picked up the clothes on the bed and put them on.

After tidying up, Fan Xiaopang looked around the house, his eyes darting around.

"Ring ring!"

Upon seeing the caller ID, Fan Xiaopang stuck out his tongue and quickly answered, "Coming, coming! Don't rush me, I'll be right there."

After hanging up the phone, Fan Xiaopang looked at himself in the mirror and, finding nothing wrong, quickly walked outside.

......

Looking at the women's cup and toothbrush on the sink, Ji Qingxu raised an eyebrow slightly. Then he walked into the bedroom, opened the wardrobe, and saw the women's pajamas and clothes hanging inside. He chuckled softly. This woman is really interesting.

After closing the wardrobe, Ji Qingxu went to the living room, turned on the TV, and waited for the broadcast of "Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties". While watching TV, he thought to himself that his original plan was indeed correct. When he had money in the future, he must buy more houses. Not to mention the issue of appreciation and preservation of value, at least he must ensure that he does not have a duplicate.

"One step forward, and all directions are at peace..."

Upon hearing the familiar opening theme, Ji Qingxu turned his attention to the television; "Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties" had begun airing.

Whenever he had free time, Ji Qingxu would go home to watch this TV series. Of course, it wasn't specifically to increase the show's ratings; whether or not he watched a TV set didn't matter much. Ji Qingxu mainly wanted to see how he performed in the show.

When "Luo Cheng" appeared on the screen, Ji Qingxu couldn't help but laugh. It was really interesting to see himself appear on the TV screen. It was a wonderful feeling.

......

"Brother Chicken, big news, big news! It's definitely worth a meal at Hongbinlou Restaurant."

"hold head high."

Seeing Ji Qingxu sitting at the table with a book in his hand, responding without turning his head, Zhu Yawen immediately looked at Luo Jin and Lu Fangsheng beside her. Seeing the smiles on their faces, Zhu Yawen said disappointedly, "You both knew?"

Luo Jin grinned and said, "Old Pig, if you think about it, you already know. How could Brother Chicken not know?"

"Damn it, Mule, what you said really angered me. Only a small Sichuan meal can soothe my wounded heart."

"Damn it, you old pig, are you asking for trouble? You dare to blackmail me."

Seeing Luo Jin stand up menacingly with his fists clenched, Zhu Yawen quickly cupped her hands and begged for mercy, "Brother Mule, I was wrong, please don't hold it against me... No, aren't you guys interested? Hurry up and get ready, we'll go for the audition tomorrow."

Seeing Luo Jin and Lu Fang-sheng instinctively glancing at Ji Qingxu, Zhu Ya-wen stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, "Brother Ji, what do you say?"

Ji Qingxu smiled and turned to say, "You guys go ahead."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yawen asked in surprise, "What's going on, Brother Chicken? Aren't you tempted? This is Director Chen Kai's new film, which is said to have an investment of several hundred million. You didn't audition behind our backs again, did you?"

"Screw you, I just found out about this! Where am I supposed to audition?"

"You really aren't going?"

"No, I'm not going."

Upon hearing the confirmation, Zhu Yawen looked at Luo Jin and Lu Fangsheng, who were exchanging bewildered glances, and asked, "Could I ask why?"

"Not famous."

"??? It's that simple? No, big directors don't need fame for their films, don't they value acting skills?"

Ji Qingxu couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. "That's a few million for an art film that doesn't care about fame but about acting skills. This film has an investment of several hundred million, and you're saying it's all about acting skills? Okay, even if it's about acting skills, do you think we have an advantage?"

"Damn, Chicken Bro, now that you say that, my heart is sinking."

Luo Jin added from the side, "The key is that Brother Chicken is right. They've invested hundreds of millions, why would they choose newcomers like us? We don't have the advantage in looks or acting skills."

Zhu Yawen was silent for a while, "No, I won't give up until I go. If I get lucky and get selected, I'll be rich. Even if I only play minor roles, I can still broaden my horizons. There might not be a movie with an investment of hundreds of millions a year."

Ji Qingxu said with a smile, "Old Pig is right. You guys can all give it a try. There might not be a big production like this even once a year. It'll be good to broaden your horizons."

Zhu Yawen raised an eyebrow at the other two, "Did you hear that? Even Brother Chicken said what I said makes sense. Let's go together tomorrow."

Luo Jin and Lu Fang Sheng exchanged a glance and nodded.

"Alright, let's go and broaden our horizons tomorrow."

"What time are we going tomorrow?"

"Let's hurry up, we might as well just take the day off."

"Brother Chicken, aren't you going to check out the fun?"

"Never mind, I still have a ton of homework to do, you guys go ahead."

"Alright, we'll let you know when we get back."

"Um."

"Mule, what do you think of my clothes?"

"No, you need to dress more formally."

"More formal? A suit? Wouldn't that be too formal?"

"Put on what you wore last time..."

Watching the three of them prepare for their audition the next day, Ji Qingxu smiled inexplicably. Director Chen Kaige, who invested hundreds of millions, was a very famous director. Even as a post-95s generation in his previous life, Ji Qingxu was very familiar with this movie.

The Promise, also known as The Bloodbath Caused by a Steamed Bun.

Thinking of this movie, Ji Qingxu shook his head. No matter how big the investment or how famous it was, he had no interest in it.

There are countless bad movies in the Chinese film industry, but "The Promise" is arguably the most famous among them. If he were to pass the audition and be cast as a minor character, Ji Qingxu would have to find a way to refuse, so he simply decided not to go.

Of course, it's more likely that Chen Kaige simply doesn't think much of him. After all, even Liu Ye, who won the Golden Horse Award for Best Actor, could only play a minor role in this movie. Who does Ji Qingxu think he is in Chen Kaige's eyes?

Glancing at the three who were still discussing what clothes to wear, Ji Qingxu picked up her textbook and continued doing her homework.

......

The next afternoon, seeing the group return to their dormitory looking dejected, Ji Qingxu smiled and asked, "Did you get selected?"

Zhu Yawen threw her down jacket onto a chair and complained, "What the hell are you talking about? We haven't even gone inside."

Luo Jin then explained, "We handed in our resumes in the hallway, and then the staff there told us to come back and wait for news."

Upon hearing this, Ji Qingxu asked in surprise, "Then why are you only coming back now?"