Huayu: Tianxian Qianmeng

Ling Yuan: "...Just call me by my name!"

Jia Nailiang took a sip of water, grinning, a hint of curiosity in his eyes, and asked, "Just who is that little girl? She's got our little Lingzi... Brother Lingyuan all smitten?"

Cao Bingkun smiled憨厚ly, didn't get involved, and focused on eating the popsicle in his hand.

Everyone else stared intently at Ling Yuan.

Ling Yuan, glared at by everyone like a knife, was both amused and exasperated. He raised his hands in surrender: "Gentlemen, please spare me! It was just a coincidence. I saw a GG sign on the street and thought it perfectly suited the role, so I mentioned it to the director. Who knew it would become a role like this?"

He then pointed to the film set: "Look, the main character is over there, you can see for yourselves."

Liu Yifei, who had just touched up her makeup, seemed to sense Ling Yuan's "summoning" and gracefully walked towards the rest area, lifting the hem of her lace skirt.

"Ling Yuan, have you seen Xiao Changchang?" Liu Yifei called out from afar.

She was wearing Bai Xiuzhu's signature exquisite dress. The sunlight shone on her, making her fair skin dazzling. She exuded an air of innocent nobility with a touch of aloofness.

Wang Luodan, Huang Shengyi, and the others, who had been so aggressive just moments before, immediately fell silent.

Wang Luodan subconsciously sat up straight, muttering softly, "...Oh my god." She even forgot to drink the cola in her hand. A woman this stunningly beautiful isn't just attractive to men; women like her too.

Huang Shengyi quietly lowered her crossed legs, the teasing in her eyes completely gone, replaced by pure amazement. She smoothed her hair and said nothing more.

Zheng Luoxi and Zhao Ke exchanged a glance, both seeing the word "admiration" in each other's eyes.

Zhao Ke whispered to Zheng Luoxi, "This...it really can't compare. Ling Yuan has a sharp eye!"

Actually, all of them are quite beautiful, especially Huang Shengyi. Anyone who can get into Beijing Film Academy is a top-notch beauty. But for some reason, when faced with 15-year-old Liu Yifei walking over, they still couldn't help but feel a little... ashamed.

As Liu Yifei approached, she saw a group of unfamiliar but distinguished young people surrounding Ling Yuan. Feeling somewhat awkward, she nodded slightly as a greeting.

Ling Yuan pointed to the east and said, "She went to the prop room over there."

"Mm." Liu Yifei nodded gently and walked quickly towards Shu Chang, leaving behind a faint, sweet fragrance of youth.

"Tsk," Jia Nailiang clicked his tongue and nudged Ling Yuan with his elbow, "Wow, Yuanzi! Your eye for talent is amazing! No wonder the director listened to you. This look is exactly like a young lady from the Republican era who stepped out of a book."

Ling Yuan quickly waved his hand: "Come on, it's just luck, pure luck."

Wang Luodan quickly steered the conversation away from the topic: "Hey, speaking of casting, have you heard about the buzz surrounding 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' next door? It's a huge production!"

Huang Shengyi immediately chimed in, her gossip-loving spirit burning brightly: "I know, I know! Senior Sister Yan Danchen went to test Wang Yuyan!"

Yan Danchen, like Chen Kun, was also a student in the 96 class of Beijing Film Academy.

Upon hearing this, Jia Nailiang deflated, his face contorted with misery: "Don't even mention it! I shamelessly tried out for Duan Yu and Xu Zhu, but... I didn't even make a splash! Then I thought I could play Duan Zhengchun, at least he's a prince, but..."

He shrugged, giving him a knowing look, and said, "They snatched it up again from someone more famous! Sigh, too many applicants for too few spots!"

Cao Bingkun finally finished his popsicle, wiped his mouth, and suggested in a simple and honest manner, "Yuanzi, you're quite good-looking too, 185cm tall, good-looking, good-figured, and you're doing a good job acting here. Why don't you give it a try? Duan Yu?" He himself felt that it was a bit unreliable after he said it, and chuckled twice.

Wang Luodan patted Cao Bingkun on the shoulder: "Come on, Da Kun, Duan Yu has to be the air of a noble young master, delicate and quiet, while Yuanzi has thick eyebrows, big eyes, and an aura of righteousness..."

She looked Ling Yuan up and down, then shook her head: "I think he'd be good at playing Qiao Feng, but I heard that Hu Jun was already cast. Hu Jun was the first actor confirmed."

Huang Shengyi: "I've heard of this. Apparently, when Hu Jun auditioned for Swordsman, the big-bearded actor felt he wasn't suitable and said he would look for him again if there were better roles later. Then, when Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils was being prepared, they contacted Brother Jun immediately. He was also the first actor signed by the production team."

Ling Yuan nodded. Hu Jun had been famous for many years, was tall and had a strong masculine presence, making him a perfect fit for Qiao Feng. Therefore, his position was unshakeable, and Qiao Feng would not consider any other candidate.

Zheng Luoxi chimed in, her tone tinged with reality: "Tianlong is a big-budget production. Big Beard said the budget is over 30 million, and if we want it to be perfect, it might go close to 50 million. A period drama with such a high budget will definitely have strict casting requirements. Yuanzi, although your acting and lines are good, and your looks are decent, you're still a newcomer. Want to get the lead role? Difficult!"

Ling Yuan smiled but didn't say anything.

Just then, Dong Jie passed by, carrying a script, seemingly heading to the restroom. She didn't stop, but her ears were clearly perked up. Hearing the words "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" and "protagonist," and then glancing at Ling Yuan being surrounded by his classmates discussing him, a barely perceptible downward smirk crossed her lips, a fleeting look of disdain flashing in her eyes. She thought to herself, "Him? He's got a death wish."

Ever since Ling Yuan recommended Liu Yifei to join the crew, Dong Jie has had a problem with Ling Yuan. At this moment, the "clack-clack" of her high heels carried a hint of disdain as she walked away quickly.

"Hey, I also heard," Zhao Ke lowered his voice and mysteriously joined in the gossip, "that Li Xiaolu has also been contacted to try out A Zi."

Mentioning "Li Xiaolu," Ling Yuan subconsciously glanced quickly at Jia Nailiang, who was still lamenting for "Duan Zhengchun," with a hint of barely perceptible sympathy. He sighed inwardly, "Liangzi, this one... you'll get what's coming to you." However, the two were completely unrelated now, so he couldn't say anything and could only swallow his words.

Huang Shengyi: "I know Li Xiaolu, but she's playing Azi? I doubt it. I feel like something's missing... Azi's wickedness and ruthlessness? It's not 'exciting' enough!"

"Wang Yuyan is the one everyone's fighting over!" Wang Luodan counted on her fingers. "Senior Sister Yan went, and I heard Liu Tao wanted to go too, I wonder if he auditioned. Chen Hao even seemed interested in playing A'Zhu! The most outrageous thing is, the investors actually want to cast Koreans! Song Hye-kyo and Kim Hee-sun, they've already sent the scripts!"

"Huh?" Jia Nailiang's eyes widened. "Let a Korean play the fairy godmother? Is that... appropriate?"

"I heard Director Zhou objected," Zheng Luoxi said. "The situation with Duan Yu is a complete mess! Lin Zhiying is asking for too much money, but the production team thinks it's too expensive; they wanted to use Ma Yuke as a replacement, but when he was paired with Jiang Xin in the makeup test, he was said to look like a page rather than a noble young master, hunched over and lacking in temperament; the investors also pushed for someone like Qiao Zhenyu, but they don't seem to be very satisfied with him either."

Wang Luodan added, "The online voting is really lively, Lu Yi, Huang Haibing, and Ren Quan have a lot of votes! But I heard that Lu Yi wants to play Qiao Feng and doesn't think much of Duan Yu."

"Zhang Chao also auditioned," Zhao Ke interjected. "Anyway, the role of Duan Yu is like a hot potato right now; a dozen people are eyeing it, and there's still no definite answer. Big Beard is only interested in Lin Zhiying's 'noble air,' but they can't agree on the price!"

Three days later, Shu Chang rushed over to Ling Yuan: "Did you know that Qianqian went to audition for the 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' TV series? It was recommended by President You!"

"That's great!" Ling Yuan had expected this; once Liu Yifei made her move, no one was more suitable for Wang Yuyan than her.

Although the competition for "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" was fierce, no less so than that for "Empresses in the Palace" in later years, with almost half of the actresses in the entertainment industry auditioning, Liu Yifei outshone everyone else when she appeared on screen.

Shu Chang was very envious and said, "Actually, I also want to go, but I don't know which role would be suitable."

Ling Yuan laughed and said, "You're great as the Heavenly Child Granny!"

Shu sang: "Get lost, then you play Xu Zhu!"