I just want to sell products, but you're forcing me to perform talents.

Chapter 198 Is Brother Xian really that influential now?

The first batch of actresses auditioning for the role of Lin Daiyu have already changed into different makeup and costumes.

During this period, designer Wang Xi worked tirelessly to produce more than a dozen costumes for Lin Daiyu, just waiting for these beauties to come and try on the makeup.

After the women put on these clothes, they looked stunning in photos and immediately became incredibly beautiful.

Li Hong had finished her makeup and had just come out when she saw her good friend Chen Xu also coming out.

"Hey, why are you dressed up too?"

Chen Xu was both annoyed and amused: "How would I know? Brother Xian saw me just now and told me to change into it too, saying he wanted to see how it looked."

Li Hong's heart tightened. The competition for this role was fierce from the start. Today was the first batch of auditions, and she heard that even more people would come tomorrow. Now that her best friend had also auditioned, wouldn't her chances be even slimmer?

Chen Xu glanced at Li Hong and knew what she was thinking. He grabbed her arm and pulled her outside, saying, "Come on, come on. I'm just going through the motions. You'd better prepare well. Did you get your lines?"

Li Hong, not having time to think about anything else, quickly picked up her lines and said, "There aren't many lines. We're given 'The Meeting of Bao and Dai.' What about you?"

Chen Xu picked up the script, glanced at it, and laughed, "Why is mine also 'The Meeting of Bao and Dai'?"

The other women also chimed in with comments: "Ours is also 'The Meeting of Bao and Dai'."

Li Hong and Chen Xu exchanged a glance, guessing that this was Lin Daiyu's most important appearance. If she performed well, she would stay; if she didn't, she would leave.

……

The number of viewers in the live stream has now exceeded 20.

The original novel of "Dream of the Red Chamber" is not well-known, but Ye Xian has transformed "Dream of the Red Chamber" into a two-dimensional work through a series of actions. He made Jia Baoyu a household name by personally taking on the role, and then gradually laid the groundwork, so that Ye Xian's fans' expectations for Lin Daiyu reached their peak.

The public audition catered to people's curiosity, so more and more fans flocked to the live stream, and many casual viewers were also attracted in.

The first person to appear was a contracted artist under the Sixth Princess. She had never acted in a TV series before, and this was her first audition. After coming up, she bowed to everyone and said, "Hello, Director, Hello, Brother Xian, my name is Liu Yunyun."

Director Jia glanced at the materials and nodded: "Let's begin."

This segment is a performance without props. Ye Xian will not go on stage to act with her. Instead, Sun Li will stand to the side and recite Jia Baoyu's lines, while Liu Yunyun will respond.

Sun Li read aloud: "Has your younger sister been to school?"

Liu Yunyun: "I only went to school for a year and know a few words."

Sun Li read aloud: "What are the characters in my younger sister's name?"

Liu Yunyun: "Daiyu".

Then Liu Yunyun stretched out her hand and wrote the character "黛" on it.

Sun Li read aloud: "What is your courtesy name?"

Liu Yunyun: "No words."

"Click!"

Director Jia shouted, then said, "Get ready, Jia Baoyu throws the jade, Lin Daiyu reacts."

Liu Yunyun's eyes widened suddenly, she let out a soft cry, took a few steps back, and abruptly sat down in the chair.

"Click!"

"Alright, you can go back now!"

Director Jia waved his hand, then turned to Ye Xian: "How do you feel?"

Ye Xian shook his head and said nothing.

To be honest, he was a little disappointed, as this was a promising talent that the Sixth Princess had specially sent over.

Reciting lines is like talking to a friend; just stare straight ahead, as if you're openly looking at Jia Baoyu.

The subsequent pantomime was even more over-the-top, completely lacking any semblance of elegance or refinement.

The fans in the live stream went wild.

[F: Holy crap, that fast? I haven't even taken my pants off yet, and it's already over?]

[There's always a foolish son trying to harm his father: What kind of acting is this? Staring blankly, reciting lines like he's reading a book.]

[Wind Blows, Egg Doesn't Cool: I feel great! This girl is so pretty!]

[Drink this bowl of period water: What's the use of being pretty if you can't even tell she has any acting skills?]

……

Director Jia, being a seasoned director, naturally knew that Liu Yunyun's performance was mediocre, so he gestured to Sun Li to call the next actress.

Ye Xian then turned to the live stream camera: "Everyone, the first auditionee was named Liu Yunyun. If you like her, please vote for her and follow her! Regardless of the final result, every performer deserves our respect. Besides, this girl is so beautiful, don't you all agree?"

[Homework Scattered Globally: Brother Xian, you've fallen from grace! You've started pimping for all sorts of girls!]

[Top Scorer: What pimping? Brother Xian was just kindly helping out a junior!]

[Even a bald man will eventually shine: So many people pay to connect with Brother Xian for a live stream but still can't get a chance. Brother Xian is actively promoting the girls who audition, which I think is great! Regardless of whether they get selected or not, at least we've gotten to know a lot of excellent actors.]

[Shan Qing Hao Han: Exactly! Don't think of it that way. I think this approach is great! If domestic movies and TV series all used this method for casting, without resorting to backroom deals, I believe the film and television industry of the Tang Dynasty would absolutely surpass that of the United States!]

……

One after another, actresses playing Lin Daiyu stepped forward to audition. Those who didn't go on stage waited in the distance, unable to watch others perform. Ye Xian grew increasingly irritated as he watched.

These actors either pronounce their lines awkwardly, or their expressions are stiff, or all they can do is stare blankly. They're not even qualified to play a character like Xiren, let alone Lin Daiyu.

The viewers in the live stream were on the verge of a breakdown, but the number of online viewers didn't decrease but increased instead, because the more this happened, the more buzz it generated, and everyone was looking forward to seeing how the next auditionee would perform.

When it was Li Hong's turn to go on stage, she saw that the previous few people had all come out looking dejected, and she felt a little uneasy.

As usual, Sun Li read the lines, but this time Li Hong was different from the previous actors. Her expression was more delicate. She did not answer Sun Li directly, but hesitated for a moment before replying, "I only went to school for a year and know a few words."

Director Jia nodded slightly; this actor did have some understanding.

Ye Xian remained noncommittal, then glanced at her reaction after Jia Baoyu smashed the jade. He saw Li Hong take a step back, cover her mouth with her hand, looking as if she wanted to scream but dared not.

"Click!"

Director Jia gestured for Li Hong to go back first, then looked at Ye Xian, who still shook his head and remained silent.

[Old Monk Only Touches Flowers, Not Grass: I feel this one is better than the previous ones, why is Brother Xian still shaking his head?]

[Night Raid on the Nunnery: Even the Director Has to Listen to Brother Xian's Opinion? Is Brother Xian That Powerful Now?]

[My Buddhist name is Kidney Deficiency: The main reason is that Brother Xian is the author, so he must have Lin Daiyu's image and voice in his mind. To be honest, I feel that these few lack any real spirit.]

[My wife's husband is so handsome: You do it if you're so good! Stop talking nonsense, I feel these guys are all professionally trained, they acted quite well! Ye Xian is being a bit nitpicky.]

……

Seeing the chaotic scene in the live stream, Ye Xian didn't offer any explanation, but simply reminded everyone to pay attention to Li Hong as a matter of routine.

"Next up, Chen Xu."

Ye Xian turned his head and saw the girl who had been eating sunflower seeds earlier walking in with small, quick steps.

Ye Xian's eyes lit up immediately.

I thought she looked similar just now, but after taking a few steps, the differences immediately became apparent.

Many actresses who act in period dramas mistake ignorance for naivety; they can't even wear a hairpin properly, and seem to want to throw it in their face.

A hairpin with a swaying ornament doesn't actually not sway, but it definitely doesn't sway randomly either.

None of the actresses auditioning for the role of Lin Daiyu today paid attention to these details; they were all very carefree, as if they were really playing a girl next door.

The problem is, Lin Daiyu was truly talented and proud, unlike your childhood sweetheart, the girl next door you fought with since you were little.

Chen Xu's demeanor as he walked in was noticeably cautious, yet his steps were light and graceful, indicating that he was already fully engaged in the moment.

Ye Xian gestured for Sun Li to recite the lines.

"Has your younger sister been to school?"

Chen Xu slightly lowered his chin and looked down, timidly saying, "I only went to school for a year and know a few words."

With just a few words and a shy, timid demeanor, she immediately aroused the protective instincts of the viewers in the live stream.

……

Ps1: Today's Recap

Haizhou aged liquor inventory: 6005 bottles

……

Ps2:

The casting is just a setup for the plot; it won't be a big deal and will end quickly. Now, let's move on to the new song.

(End of this chapter)