Huayu: Serious director, who's eavesdropping on your thoughts?

This night was destined to be sleepless for many girls who dreamed of becoming stars.

Sometimes, the cruelest thing about this industry is not the lack of opportunities, but that when opportunities are right in front of you, the barriers to entry are so high that it's despairing.

Four ironclad rules, which set the bar for height, bone structure, skin texture, and talent to the extreme, with the rule of wiping one's face with a wet towel before entering alone, deterred countless beauties who live in their heavily edited photos.

Many girls who were considered school beauties might not even make it past the first round here.

But no matter how fine the sieve or how strict the requirements, it can't stop powerful and influential people from racking their brains to sneak in.

The next day, at 8:00 AM.

In the North Building of China Film Group, in Rehearsal Room No. 3, there is a long table and three chairs.

"Xiao Zhao, most of the people on this list were selected according to your requirements, but as you know, too much affection will leave no fish in the water."

Director Zhang held up a list of twenty interviewees, with several names highlighted on it. He explained:

"These few, although their basic requirements are slightly lacking, such as being a little too tall or having slightly weaker dance skills, are all from impressive backgrounds."

This is a prized student personally recommended by the head of the department at the Central Academy of Drama; this is a promising student being groomed by the affiliated high school of the Beijing Dance Academy; and this one is a message specially delivered by the CEO of Hairun Media.

"We're in the film industry, we have all sorts of relationships, and sometimes we have to be considerate. Just do me a favor, go through the motions, what if we click?"

Zhao Huaiyuan took the list, glanced at it, nodded slightly, and showed no anger.

It's impossible to be completely devoid of interpersonal skills in this circle. As long as you can bring in truly suitable people, it's not a big deal if a few people with connections sneak in.

"Okay, let's begin."

Zhao Huaiyuan raised his hand.

...

The corridor outside the door.

The twenty girls, apart from a few who were somewhat famous, were mostly outstanding students from various universities.

Everyone was stretching and adjusting their posture; no one dared to speak loudly.

Of course, where there are women, there will be gossip and disputes.

"Hey, did you hear? The female lead for this show was originally decided beforehand." A girl in a pink practice uniform said with a pout while stretching her legs.

"Who is it? Someone with such influence?"

"Who else could it be? Liu Bei, who just played the second female lead in 'The Story of a Noble Family.' I heard she has a sugar daddy backing her up. Director Zhao's last film was to promote her, so this one is just another trap."

"Tch, so it's that so-called celestial beauty, that wooden doll. She is pretty, but she's just a pretty face. All she does is stare blankly. We, who are formally trained, have practiced hard for years, but we are not as good as her because she has a good sugar daddy. Where can we complain?"

"Huh, why isn't she here?"

"Who knows? I heard she couldn't leave the set of 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils,' and Zhang Dahuzi wouldn't let her go. Maybe he's scared, after all, this is a full investment by China Film Group, the auditions were such a big deal, and President Han is personally supervising. If her acting is too bad and exposes the truth, how can she continue to promote the 'genius girl' persona?"

"It's also possible that Director Zhao has come to a realization this time and wants to find someone who can truly act, which is why he gave them the opportunity."

"That's great! It's better if she doesn't come. As long as that 'connected' person doesn't come, we can make a living based on our own abilities. When it comes to acting skills, who does Liu Yifei even compare to?"

Such sour comments are not uncommon in the industry, and this is not the first time.

This was the state of the entertainment industry in 2002, and for the next few years.

Liu Yifei's meteoric rise to fame, coupled with his seemingly superhuman resources, naturally made him a target of public criticism.

Actresses of that era would call each other "little sister" to each other's faces, but behind each other's backs, they would hate each other and want to trample each other into the mud. Jealousy and slander were commonplace.

"Shh, stop talking, they're calling numbers."

The staff member pushed open the door and called out expressionlessly, "First one, Jiang Xin, come in."

..

The first person to walk in was Jiang Xin, who later became famous for the "one-zhang-red" punishment inflicted on Consort Hua.

She was only nineteen years old at the time, a sophomore in college, but there was already a hint of Consort Hua's arrogance between her brows.

Moreover, her height clearly exceeds the standard of 165cm, and her frame is on the larger side, making her a natural fit for the role of a leading lady.

Jiang Xin walked in and gave a graceful bow: "Hello, teachers, I am Jiang Xin."

Zhao Huaiyuan glanced at it.

[Target: Jiang Xin]

Current favorability rating: 61

[Thoughts: ...This director...is younger than I imagined...brother...hold on...]

This level of favorability did not surprise Zhao Huaiyuan.

This doesn't mean that he's so charming that he can make these girls like him at first sight.

It's just that in this circle, sometimes resources themselves are the biggest allure.

As a director who holds full funding from China Film Group and can decide the future career paths of these girls.

Even though Zhao Huaiyuan is bald now, these girls who are eager to become famous will still have a very high initial level of liking for him.

This kind of goodwill is not love, but simply a primal desire for a shortcut to fame.

Zhao Huaiyuan nodded.

A question was posed.

"The topic is simple: you are an object that has been asleep for hundreds of years. Now, you have awakened. Please begin your performance."

Jiang thought for a moment. Was it not about playing a specific character, but rather an object?

But she reacted quickly. In her opinion, if something could make China Film Group go to such lengths to cast a role, it must be priceless and of unparalleled nobility.

She is very smart.

His gaze sharpened.

Her aura changed instantly; instead of showing confusion, she raised her chin.

[…Act as the baby…to hold the fort…okay…]

She crossed her arms in front of her and walked with the gait of a theatrical performer, her eyes sweeping over the surroundings before finally settling on Zhao Huaiyuan with an arrogant gaze.

Aren't you going to clap?

"Okay, thank you for your hard work." Zhao Huaiyuan interrupted her, pressing his throbbing temples.

"You have a strong presence, but you misinterpreted the role," Zhao Huaiyuan said bluntly.

Jiang Xin blushed, and although she was somewhat unconvinced, she could only bow and leave.

..

The second one is Tang Yan, who is 19 years old.

At that time, she had just won the beauty pageant. She had a sweet smile and two dimples, but she was too tall, over 1.7 meters.

Zhao Huaiyuan read out the question once.

[Inner monologue: ...I'm so hungry...What does this title even mean...Am I a thing?...Never mind...Just laugh it off...]

She's really naive and innocent.

Her understanding of sleeping for hundreds of years, and waking up is like stretching, the whole performance is like an elongated silly cat that has just woken up.

[Thoughts: ...Just now...at noon...chicken leg...shrimp.]

Zhao Huaiyuan was speechless. A super foodie? He was immediately rejected.

..

The third one is a nursery rhyme known as "Little Zhang Ziyi".

She does look very similar.

[Inner thoughts: ...Opportunity...seize it...become famous...no...being a stand-in...]

She acted very hard, falling to the ground several times in a row.

But what brought her fame also became her downfall. Her face made her somewhat famous, but because it was too similar to Xiao He's, she lacked her own unique characteristics.

Furthermore, the desire in her eyes was too strong, which Zhao Huaiyuan didn't like, and she wasn't suitable for Xiaoyuhu.

..

Next up is 16-year-old Yang Mi.

At that time, she had not yet been admitted to the Beijing Film Academy, but she was already working as a model for Rayli magazine.

She spoke with a slight lisp, but her signature large, fox-like eyes were quite expressive.

The moment she entered the room and saw Zhao Huaiyuan, her eyes lit up.

Wow...so handsome...sniff...such a straight nose...

After hearing the question, Yang Mi fell into deep thought.

Have they been asleep for hundreds of years and just woken up?

[Title...Escape from Britain...Overseas...Laboratory...Topic: Sleeping for a Century...Formalin...Mutation...Ben...Thawing]

understood!

She got it!

To portray a mutant that had just come back to life in the laboratory, Yang Mi lay directly on the floor, not caring about the dirt.

Her limbs twisted and turned in fits and starts, her eyes rolling back as if trying to convey the feeling that the object itself was inanimate and soulless. She also made faint hissing sounds to match.

[…I climb…I climb…Oh, it’s so cold…I’ll give it my all…]

"That's enough, stop."

Zhao Huaiyuan called for a halt, and looking at Yang Mi, who was lying on the ground exhausted, he unusually added a few words.

"You have a rich imagination, but this film is not suitable for you. Go back and study hard. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate in the future."

I really admire her. Although her performance style leans towards her maternal grandmother's style, I have to say that she is very uninhibited and doesn't have any inhibitions.

Yang Mi stuck out her tongue, realizing she had misunderstood, and ran downstairs somewhat embarrassed.

..

Several more people arrived, including the wealthy and powerful Miss Jing.

The little girl is truly beautiful; a real beauty among women.

So bored... I want to go home... My dad said... if investing doesn't work... then buy...

Zhao Huaiyuan heard it intermittently, but he roughly understood that this was a rich young lady who came out to experience life, and what she was putting on was all about being noble and spoiled.

Time passed second by second.

The actors who came in were all more beautiful and had more impressive names than the last.

A top student from the Beijing Dance Academy started spinning wildly in an attempt to express classical charm, like a runaway top, dazzling the eyes of onlookers.

Zhao Huaiyuan kept frowning.

Everyone is acting, trying to transform themselves into an object, or showing off their skills and talents.

But no one could truly capture that soul.

That kind of confusion and purity—who am I? Where am I? I want to go home.

Director Zhang's smile gradually faded. He noticed that every time someone left, Zhao Huaiyuan would draw an X on the list.

"Really, there isn't a single one that catches your eye?" Director Zhang asked.

"That girl from the Beijing Dance Academy, she spun so beautifully, was that not good enough?"

Are you feeling dizzy?

"faint.."

..

Nineteenth place, Shu Chang.

[...We must win...to prove...we're not...kids...precise...]

This might be the best performance of the entire show today.

Although she was only fifteen years old, her role as Consort Dong'e in "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang" already gave her a mature acting ability beyond her years.

She didn't make any strange movements.

She crouched quietly on the ground, like a sleeping elf.

When she woke up, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her gaze quickly shifted from blank to confused.

Then comes the fear of seeing an unfamiliar world, and finally, the desire to find someone to rely on.

"Great!" Director Zhang couldn't help but cheer in his heart.

That acting was amazing! That's what professionalism is all about!

Even the Ning ship nodded repeatedly, feeling that everything was in order.

After finishing her performance, Shu stood confidently in place, waiting for praise.

However, after a long silence...

Zhao Huaiyuan gently put down his pen, looked at her, and spoke calmly:

"You acted very well, really very well. You were the best actor today."

Shu Chang smiled.

"But I'm sorry, you're not suitable."