Huayu Entertainment: It was the young actress who took the initiative.

Chapter 98 That's how true couples are, I guess.

Saturday.

BJ, a film and television base.

When Chen Mo's van entered the parking lot, the sun had just risen high in the sky.

Li Xiaoyu flipped through her tablet: "Teacher Chen Mo, the crew has arrived. Director Zhu, President Liu, and several investor representatives are all here."

Chen Mo nodded.

He opened the car door and walked into the base.

Today's audition was arranged in a special dressing room and photography studio.

Pushing open the door to the dressing room, I found someone already waiting inside.

Zhu Ruibin was the first to greet him, beaming, "Teacher Chen Mo, you're here! Thank you for your hard work!"

Chen Mo shook hands with him: "Hello, Director Zhu."

Liu Ning also came over, her attitude even more enthusiastic than when they last met: "Teacher Chen Mo, we're counting on you today."

Chen Mo smiled politely: "I'll do my best."

The makeup artist is ready.

Chen Mo sat down and began applying makeup.

Ancient costumes are much more complex than modern costumes.

First, apply foundation, then draw the eyebrows and eyes, followed by the wig, headpiece, and clothing.

A full hour and a half later.

The makeup artist put down the last brush, took two steps back, looked at Chen Mo in the mirror, and a hint of amazement flashed in her eyes: "Teacher Chen Mo, it's done."

Chen Mo opened his eyes.

The person in the mirror startled him.

He wore a black brocade robe with gold embroidery and a jade belt around his waist.

Her long hair was tied up, and she wore an exquisite jade crown.

The makeup artist made her eyebrows and eyes appear more defined, and her gaze carried a hint of nobility and arrogance.

It's Xu Feng.

It is that proud Vulcan, that affectionate phoenix.

Chen Mo stood up.

The dressing room door opened, and Zhu Ruibin poked his head in: "Teacher Chen Mo, are you done? We're here—"

'

He paused, his words trailing off.

He stood at the doorway, looking at Chen Mo, his eyes slowly widening.

Holy crap.

Chen Mo looked at him.

Zhu Ruibin snapped out of his daze and quickly stepped aside, saying, "Come on, come out and let everyone see."

Chen Mo walked out of the dressing room.

A crowd had already gathered in the photography studio.

Liu Ning, several investor representatives, the assistant director, the production manager, and several staff members.

The moment Chen Mo walked out, the entire studio fell silent for a second.

Liu Ning's eyes lit up, not in a polite way, but with genuine, heartfelt amazement.

"Teacher Chen Mo————"

He walked over, looked Chen Mo up and down, and couldn't help but sigh, "This is Xu Feng."

"This is the Second Prince of Heaven."

"This is the kind of man who can win Jinmi's heart."

Zhu Ruibin nodded repeatedly, his eyes never leaving Chen Mo: "The costume is amazing. Amazing. Even better than I imagined."

The investors' representatives also came over and whispered, "This look would definitely attract fans if it were released."

"The image is perfect; it's both noble and arrogant, yet also carries a touch of deep affection."

"Just for this look alone, this movie is worth it."

2

Chen Mo stood still, letting them look him over.

He knows his current state.

The phrase "ethereal and otherworldly" has a natural advantage in period dramas. It's an innate quality that doesn't require deliberate acting; it conveys a sense of detachment that makes one feel "otherworldly."

The beauty of light and shadow lets him know what kind of light he is in and what angle he is at.

The door to the dressing room opened again.

Li Yitong came out.

Everyone's eyes turned to that direction at the same time.

She wore a light blue gauze dress, her long hair was loose, and a few small flowers were adorning her hair.

Her makeup was light, her eyebrows and eyes were curved, and she naturally exuded a charming and lively aura.

It's Jinmi.

It was that innocent and carefree water god who knew nothing of love.

Chen Mo looked at her.

She was looking at him too.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

Li Yitong's eyes lit up, and then the corners of her mouth slowly turned up.

It was a very soft laugh, but in that laugh, there was the unconcealed joy of a young girl seeing her beloved.

Chen Mo smiled too.

The studio fell silent for a second.

Then someone whispered, "Holy crap, they're such a perfect match."

Liu Ning looked back and forth between the two, her eyes growing brighter and brighter: "This chemistry—they don't even need to act, they just stand here and they're a couple."

Zhu Ruibin was so excited that he rubbed his hands together: "Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly the feeling! This is how Xu Feng should look at Jin Mi."

Arrogant, doting, and a little helpless about her.

Jinmi's gaze towards Xu Feng should be like this.

Admiration, liking, and a little secretive urge.

"7

The investors' representatives were already whispering among themselves: "The two of them standing together look so comfortable."

"If these two were in it, the film would be a sure thing."

Zhu Ruibin walked over and said to the two of them, "Teacher Chen Mo, Yi Tong, let's start the audition. Let's start with the first scene—the one where you feed the medicine."

Chen Mo nodded.

Li Yitong took a deep breath and nodded.

The stage crew quickly set up the scene.

A bed, a thin quilt, a small table, and a bowl of prop medicine soup on the table.

Chen Mo lay down on the bed and covered himself with the blanket.

Li Yitong stood by the bedside, holding a bowl of medicine.

Zhu Ruibin sat behind the monitor as the assistant director raised the clapperboard: "Audition scene one for 'Ashes of Love,' begin!"

Li Yitong took a deep breath and sat down on the edge of the bed.

She looked down at Chen Mo, her eyes filled with worry, heartache, and a hint of panic.

"Phoenix————"

Her voice was soft, with a slight tremor.

"You're awake? How are you feeling?"

Chen Mo opened his eyes.

He looked at Li Yitong.

He looks just like the proud god of fire.

"fine."

Chen Mo's voice was a little weak, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, with a hint of a smile.

Li Yitong looked at him, and her eyes suddenly reddened.

I was truly struck by his gaze, and a strange, indescribable emotion welled up inside me.

She quickly lowered her head to hide her embarrassment and picked up the medicine bowl: "Drink your medicine."

She scooped up a spoonful of the medicinal soup, blew on it gently, and then brought it to his lips.

Chen Mo opened his mouth and drank the spoonful of medicine.

His eyes were fixed on her.

Looking at her serious expression, her slightly furrowed brows, and her gently pursed lips because she was afraid of getting burned.

After finishing a spoonful, he suddenly spoke: "Jinmi."

Li Yitong looked up: "Hmm?"

Chen Mo frowned slightly, looking aggrieved: "My head hurts."

Li Yitong was stunned for a moment, then quickly put down the medicine bowl and reached out to touch his forehead. Just as her hand touched his forehead, Chen Mo spoke again: "Your neck hurts too."

Li Yitong paused, looking at him with suspicion in her eyes.

Chen Mo continued, his voice growing increasingly aggrieved: "My shoulders hurt. My arms hurt. My back hurts. My legs hurt. My feet hurt. Everything hurts."

Li Yitong looked at him, her eyes shifting from suspicion to helplessness, and then from helplessness to barely suppressing a smile.

She suppressed a laugh and poked his cheek: "You're a phoenix, not a porcelain doll, why are you so delicate?"

Chen Mo looked at her, his eyes as innocent as a big dog's: "I'm just in pain."

Li Yitong finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

She laughed softly, but her eyes curved into two crescent moons, and a faint blush rose on her cheeks.

She leaned down, bringing her face close to his: "What should I do? Shall I rub it for you?"

Chen Mo looked at her face as she leaned closer, at her curved eyes, and at her red lips.

He suddenly reached out and pressed down on the back of her head.

He pulled her towards him.

Li Yitong's breath caught in her throat for a moment.

Then she closed her eyes.

The two kissed.

The studio fell silent for a second.

Zhu Ruibin sat behind the monitor, his eyes wide open.

Liu Ning's mouth opened into an "O" shape.

Li Yitong's lips left Chen Mo's.

She opened her eyes, her face already flushed.

She looked at him, her eyes shining like stars, and whispered, "You—how could you—"

Chen Mo looked at her, a triumphant smile playing on his lips: "Didn't you ask me where it hurt? It hurts here."

He pointed to his lips.

"It doesn't hurt anymore."

Laughter and applause erupted in the studio.

Zhu Ruibin stood up and clapped enthusiastically: "Great! Excellent! That's exactly how it feels!"

Liu Ning also stood up, grinning from ear to ear: "Teacher Chen Mo, Yi Tong, your chemistry is amazing! This is what a real couple looks like!"

The investors nodded in agreement: "This is exactly what the audience wants to see."

Li Yitong stood up, blushing, and straightened her skirt, not daring to look at anyone.

But the smile on her lips couldn't be hidden.

Zhu Ruibin walked over and said to the two of them, "Great. We passed the first round. Next up is the second round—the one where you stab someone in the back."

"Do you need to rest for a bit? Or do you want to come right away?"

Chen Mo looked at Li Yitong.

Li Yitong raised her head, took a deep breath, and said, "Let's just go for it. While we're still feeling it."

Zhu Ruibin nodded: "Okay. Let's get started."

The stage crew quickly changed the scene.

The bed was removed, leaving an empty space.

The prop dagger is ready.

Chen Mo changed his clothes, leaving a small opening at the chest to allow the prop dagger to be inserted.

Li Yitong stood to the side, holding the prop dagger, mentally rehearsing the scene over and over again.

Jinmi, why did you kill him?

Because you thought he killed your father.

Her heart was pounding. Chen Mo walked over and stood in front of her.

"Are you ready?"

Li Yitong looked up at him.

His eyes were calm, as calm as a deep pool of water.

But it was this tranquility that suddenly made her feel at ease.

She nodded.

"Ready."

The two stood in the designated positions.

Zhu Ruibin sat behind the monitor as the assistant director raised the clapperboard: "Ashes of Love, Scene 2 audition, begin!"

Li Yitong held the dagger and looked at Chen Mo.

Her eyes changed.

She was no longer the charming and shy water goddess she had been moments before.

It's Jinmi.

She is Jinmi, who is blinded by hatred yet tormented by love.

Li Yitong gritted her teeth and walked towards him step by step until she stood in front of him.

She raised the dagger.

The tip of the dagger was aimed at his back.

The prop dagger pierced the opening in Chen Mo's chest, the blood pack ruptured, and blood gushed out, staining his white clothes red.

Chen Mo's body swayed slightly.

He looked down at the dagger in his chest, then looked up at her.

"Jinmi".

His voice grew softer and softer, as if it might disappear at any moment.

"Did you ever love me?"

Li Yitong looked at him.

Her vision was blurred by tears.

Her lips trembled, so much so that she couldn't speak. Then, she gritted her teeth and uttered two words: "Never."

She just watched him, watched his eyes slowly lose their light, watched his body slowly go limp.

Then two streams of clear tears flowed from his eyes.

The studio was extremely quiet.

It was so quiet you could hear everyone breathing.

Zhu Ruibin sat behind the monitor, motionless.

Liu Ning clenched her fists, somewhat excited.

The investor representatives held their breath, afraid of making a fuss.

Then Li Yitong knelt down on the ground.

She knelt beside him, looking into his closed eyes and at the glaring red patch on his chest.

Her body began to tremble.

She opened her mouth, and a hoarse cry escaped her throat.

"ah"

The cries were like a knife, piercing into everyone's heart.

Someone in the photography studio had tears in their eyes.

Someone quietly raised their hand to wipe the corner of their eye.

Zhu Ruibin stood up and shouted loudly, "Good!"

Li Yitong was kneeling on the ground, still crying.

She cried so hard she was trembling all over, and she was sobbing uncontrollably.

Chen Mo opened his eyes, sat up from the ground, looked at Li Yitong, and reached out to pull her into his arms.

"Okay, okay."

"9

He gently patted her back.

"It's all fake, it's all fake."

Li Yitong buried her face in his chest and cried, "I know—I know it's fake—"

"But—but the look in your eyes just now—"

"I thought you were really going to die—"

"I thought I really killed you—"

Chen Mo lowered his head and said softly, "I'm not dead. I'm perfectly fine."

Li Yitong nodded, but she still couldn't stop crying.

Applause erupted in the photography studio.

A warm, sincere, and heartfelt round of applause.

Zhu Ruibin walked over, his eyes a little red: "Teacher Chen Mo, Yi Tong, you acted so well."

His voice was choked with emotion.

"That's great, that's really great!"

"I was sitting behind the monitor just now, and it broke my heart."

Liu Ning also came over, wiping her eyes as she walked: "I've been a producer for so many years, I've seen at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, auditions."

"But today's performance was the best I've ever seen."

He looked at Chen Mo and Li Yitong and said seriously, "You two are Xu Feng and Jin Mi."

There is no one else.

Zhu Ruibin smiled and nodded: "Teacher Chen Mo, Yi Tong, it's settled then."

"I'll have the legal department send the contract over later."

Chen Mo stood up and extended his hand: "Thank you, Director Zhu, thank you, President Liu."

Zhu Ruibin grasped his hand and shook it forcefully: "It has nothing to do with us. It's your performance that left us with no choice."

Li Yitong also stood up, her eyes still red, but a smile had already appeared on her lips: "Thank you, Director Zhu, thank you, President Liu."

Liu Ning smiled and said, "Yitong, your performance today has really exceeded our expectations by a lot."

"Especially the second scene, that breakdown and crying scene, it was so real."

Li Yitong lowered her head shyly: "It's Chen Mo who's been a good mentor to me. The way he looks at me—I can't help myself when I see it."

Zhu Ruibin nodded: "Yes, the chemistry between you two is amazing. I didn't even expect that kiss in the first round would actually go real."

Liu Ning gave a thumbs-up: "Professional. This is what a professional actor is like."

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