Huayu: Tianxian Qianmeng

Xiu Qin had just finished talking with the assistant director when she lifted the curtain of the audition booth and came in. She immediately saw Ling Yuan, Liu Yifei, and Shu Chang gathered in the corner.

He strode over, a hearty laugh on his face: "Hey, what are you three whispering about here?"

Ling Yuan and Shu Chang quickly greeted, "Hello, Teacher Xiu!"

"Teacher Xiuqin!" Liu Yifei greeted her obediently.

Xiu Qin waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over Ling Yuan and Shu Chang's faces with a hint of seasoned insight: "Judging from your posture... are you here to try your luck too?" He gestured with his chin toward the actors waiting to audition around him.

Ling Yuan scratched his head a little embarrassedly: "Yes, I want to try out Xu Zhu and Tianshan Tonglao."

Shu Chang immediately puffed out her little chest and added crisply, "Grandma Tong! Ling Yuan is playing Xu Zhu!"

Xiu Qin chuckled upon hearing this, raising an eyebrow. She looked at Ling Yuan's tall and imposing 185cm frame, then at Shu Chang's still-growing little face, and then at the over ninety-year-old witch. This combination... was absolutely amazing!

Xiu Qin couldn't help but chuckle, "Haha, interesting! You two are a perfect match... You've got ideas!"

He waved his hand generously and said in a low voice, "Come with me, I'll introduce you to someone. Don't just wait here." With that, he turned and led the way.

Ling Yuan and Shu Chang exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes, and quickly thanked each other, "Thank you, Teacher Xiu!"

Liu Yifei waved her little pink fist: "Ling Yuan, sing a song, good luck!"

Ling Yuan and Shu Chang quickly followed Xiu Qin's pace.

On the way, Xiu Qin walked briskly, chatting as she went: "Speaking of which, I also landed a role in this drama." Her tone carried a mixture of self-deprecation and pride.

"Oh? Teacher Xiu, who are you playing?" Shu Chang asked curiously.

"Murong Fu." Xiu Qin clicked her tongue. "Originally, Big Beard and the others preferred Jiao Enjun, but he was too proud and insisted on playing Qiao Feng, looking down on Murong Fu. Heh, isn't that a perfect opportunity for me?"

Xiu Qin patted Ling Yuan on the shoulder, offering encouragement like a senior: "If you guys really get into the crew, we might even have a chance to act together in the future, haha."

Ling Yuan: "Thank you for your kind words!"

With Xiu Qin's recommendation, Ling Yuan and Shu Chang were soon arranged to audition.

The two were taken to the dressing room by staff.

Since Ling Yuan still has scenes in the "The Story of a Noble Family" drama series, and this is just a rehearsal and not the official start of the show, he did not shave his head, but instead wore a slightly rough wig.

Then, when he puts on Xu Zhu's drab monk's robe, his 185cm height standing there, paired with his thick eyebrows and big eyes but trying hard to look simple and confused, creates a strong contrast.

Shu Chang's image is naturally even more amusing.

Not only were her tender cheeks painted with the rosy glow of the high plateau, making her look like a New Year's picture doll, but what's even funnier is that she also had three little braids sticking straight up in the sky!

This is completely different from Shu's usual singing.

The two looked at each other, staring at each other with wide eyes, and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Brother Lingyuan, your wig... looks so fake!" Shu Chang complained without holding back.

"Likewise, your hair... is hilarious!" Ling Yuan retorted.

Despite their playful banter, the two instantly got into character when the stage manager called them onto the stage.

The selected scene shows Xu Zhu carrying Tianshan Tonglao on his back as they escape, pursued by Li Qiushui. Ling Yuan bent down, and Shu Chang nimbly jumped onto his back, her little arms tightly wrapped around his neck.

"Grandma, hold on tight!" Ling Yuan lowered his voice, his eyes filled with genuine anxiety and a hint of clumsy determination. He took a step and "ran," his steps unsteady but he tried his best to keep steady, as if he were really carrying a heavy burden.

Shu Chang, perched on her back, frowned and forced out a hoarse, aged voice, tinged with a hint of imperiousness: "Stupid monk! Run faster! Haven't you eaten? That old hag is catching up!"

While she was "scolding," she deliberately patted Ling Yuan's shoulder with her small hand.

"Yes, Grandma!" Ling Yuan replied "fearfully," running even more "hard," his steps unsteady, sweat beading on his forehead, vividly portraying a simple-minded monk who possessed unparalleled internal strength but didn't know how to use it, only having brute force.

Shu Chang, on his back, would sometimes curse Li Qiushui "viciously," and sometimes cough "weakly," but her eyes always carried the scheming and ruthlessness of an old monster.

The two sang in perfect harmony, their voices blending seamlessly together.

The dialogue is absolutely brilliant.

Ling Yuan's clear and resonant voice, tinged with fear and honesty, sang in a deliberately low, hoarse, and cunning old woman's tone, with distinct rhythm and full emotion.

"Pfft—" Someone in the crowd couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Then, laughter spread like wildfire.

Liu Yifei covered her mouth, her eyes curving into crescents; Liu Tao crossed his arms, his lips also curving upwards in a smile; Xiu Qin slapped her thigh and burst into laughter: "Good! These two clowns!"

Zhang Da Huzi sat behind the monitor, his eyes wide open, watching the "desperate master and apprentice" on the screen. The more he watched, the happier and more satisfied he became.

He slammed his hand on the table and stood up excitedly: "Great! Fantastic! Xu Zhu and Tong Lao are the two of you! A perfect match! So hilarious! This is exactly the kind of performance we wanted!"

He paced back and forth excitedly, his gaze sweeping across the crowd before suddenly fixing on Liu Yifei, who was still covering her mouth and laughing. He pointed at her and exclaimed, "That girl! Liu...Liu Yifei, right? Come on, stop just watching the show, go try your luck with Wang Yuyan!"

"Huh? Me?" Liu Yifei was caught off guard by being called out. She pointed at herself with her little finger, looking completely bewildered. Then, a huge surge of joy welled up inside her, her eyes lit up, and her voice was filled with excitement, "Really? Thank you, Director!"

Like a happy little deer, she immediately followed the staff to the dressing room.

Liu Tao, standing to the side, froze instantly with a smile, her eyes dimming. She bit her lower lip and turned to leave.

"Hey! Liu Tao!" The bearded man quickly caught up with her, grabbed her arm, and said earnestly, "Liu Tao, trust me, A Zhu! A Zhu is definitely more suitable for you than Wang Yuyan! That's the kind of role that will make you shine!"

Liu Tao stopped in his tracks, but didn't turn around. His shoulders trembled slightly, clearly indicating an inner struggle.

"Think about it?" The bearded man released her hand, patted her shoulder, and softened his tone as he whispered, "Stay and see. It's not too late for you to make a decision after that girl has tried it."

Liu Tao remained silent for a few seconds, and finally, with a hint of resentment and scrutiny, slowly turned around, nodded, stood with his arms crossed, and looked towards the dressing room, as if to say, "I'll see how good it is."

Soon, the door to the dressing room opened again.

The entire film set fell silent instantly.

All eyes were drawn to the figure at the doorway, as if by a magnet.