Chapter 1860 - 1771: Great Director (Part 4)

Capítulo 1860: Chapter 1771: Great Director (Part 4)

“Hey, that’s just how it is. Who doesn’t want to be their own boss!” Song Xiaodong said.

“It’s so frustrating. I went through all kinds of trouble to get the Great Director, arranging the venue and people, but in the end, that Zhu Wenhua snatched the lead male role!” Xiao Yingying said, sounding displeased.

The open casting, staff selecting, Xiao Yingying and Song Xiaodong watched from the side.

“Yingying, can Qin Huai come?” Song Xiaodong asked Xiao Yingying.

“He should be able to come. Zhu Wenhua might come just to stop Qin Huai from joining the open casting. A big star still has to go through open casting, it’s quite embarrassing!”

“Do you want him to be the lead male role?” Song Xiaodong asked.

“Of course not, but it’s not up to me. Let him pass the initial test first, and we’ll ask the Great Director’s opinion when we see him tonight.”

“It’s all your fault. My waist is still hurting! It’s sore and painful!” Xiao Yingying whispered to Song Xiaodong.

“You sit down first, I’ll go to the bathroom.” Xiao Yingying turned and walked out of the audition room.

“Hello, teachers. My name is Qin Huai. I’m here to audition for the lead role in this drama.” As soon as Xiao Yingying left, Qin Huai walked in.

Qin Huai looked around, including Song Xiaodong, there were four audition teachers.

Song Xiaodong still looked at Qin Huai with disdain.

“Bully relying on connections!” Qin Huai thought.

Chapter 1774 The Open Casting

“Qin Huai?” Several audition teachers had unpleasant expressions.

Qin Huai is an artist under a rival, but he is indeed a very popular young star.

The audition teachers were also in a dilemma. If he passes, then Qin Huai won’t have any rivals, and the lead male role will almost certainly be his.

If he doesn’t pass, there are so many reporters outside, the news will spread, and it will seem that this audition isn’t quite fair, affecting the company’s image.

“Are you Qin Huai?” The supervisor teacher asked, pretending to be surprised.

“Yes.”

“A big star, interested in this drama?”

“Yes, I’ve cooperated with Director Zhang many times and am very familiar with Director Zhang’s directing methods and filming approaches.” Qin Huai said, feeling slightly proud.

“Then tell us about the works you’ve filmed before.”

“Director Zhang is filming a historical drama this time. I’ve previously worked on a costume drama ‘Still Blossoming’ with him, playing the supporting male role Li Yuanbai, and also starred as the lead male Zhang Wenbo in another costume drama ‘At Night, The Storm Sounded’.

“Yes, indeed, two quite successful works directed by Director Zhang.” Qin Huai’s statement was precisely his two representative works that made him famous, both being Director Zhang’s creations, strongly supporting his bid for the lead male role in this new drama.

The audition teachers also felt awkward.

The teachers didn’t dare decide whether to let Qin Huai pass, especially since Xiao Yingying had gone out. They had no choice but to look at Song Xiaodong with pleading eyes.

After all, everyone saw them walking in hand in hand.

Song Xiaodong quickly read the audition teachers’ materials.

“I’m quite adaptable to Director Zhang’s filming rhythm, and my current attention level is high. If I continue as the lead male role in this drama, it can be said that the drama is already half successful.” Qin Huai deliberately said to Song Xiaodong.

Song Xiaodong looked up and saw Qin Huai provocatively winking at him.

“Qin Huai, do you understand Director Zhang’s new drama?” Song Xiaodong suddenly asked.

When Qin Huai heard Song Xiaodong’s question, he was almost clenching his teeth, but his face still held a smile, “I heard it’s a historical costume drama mainly about the Ming Dynasty Emperor Jiajing and the loyal Hai Rui, and treacherous Yan Song.”

“In your opinion, what differences does this drama have compared to the two dramas you previously starred in?” Song Xiaodong continued to ask.

“I think they’re all costume dramas, just set in different times.” Qin Huai replied.

“I feel your understanding of Director Zhang’s new drama is skewed,” Song Xiaodong rebutted Qin Huai’s statement.

“I’ve filmed two dramas with Director Zhang, how can you say I don’t understand this one deeply?”

“Mr. Qin, the previous two dramas were merely idol dramas in the guise of costume dramas, aimed at young girls, right?” Song Xiaodong asked.

“Yes,” Qin Huai answered honestly.

“But this drama is different. It’s a serious historical drama. You can see the thought progression through Director Zhang’s three dramas: The first is purely an idol drama, the second a plot-driven drama, and the third a historical drama. Director Zhang aims to recreate the historical struggle between Emperor Jiajing, Hai Rui, and Yan Song. So I ask you, how would you portray Hai Rui?”

“Uh… Hai Rui is a clean official. He should be upright and resolute, with integrity.” Qin Huai answered.

“Wrong.” Song Xiaodong said decisively.

“Hmm?” Qin Huai was a bit puzzled.

“Hai Rui is indeed a clean official, but did you know he had three wives and two concubines?”

“…No, I didn’t.”

“Hai Rui’s strict adherence to the law isn’t just his official character, but his way of governance, and more importantly, his image resource. Hai Rui isn’t just a clean minister, but also a capable minister. Oversimplifying him as a stubbornly clean scholar doesn’t work.”

“Each of Director Zhang’s dramas is deeper and more serious than the last. I believe casting an idol drama actor for this drama is inappropriate, and your acting path is already fixed. You might attempt transitioning in the future, but we don’t wish you to experiment with Director Zhang’s drama; we can’t afford that risk.” Song Xiaodong continued.

Qin Huai was rendered speechless.

“Sorry, it’s a pity. I hope we can collaborate someday. You have been eliminated.” Song Xiaodong said apologetically.

Qin Huai couldn’t believe his ears.

I, a popular star, couldn’t even pass the open casting of a drama audition?

“You… you’re just an assistant. What right do you have to reject me?” Qin Huai finally erupted, his face red with anger, pointing at Song Xiaodong.

The other teachers auditioning with Song Xiaodong also felt it was inappropriate. Although he walked in hand in hand with Xiao Yingying, he was still new, and his antics were inappropriate.

They just wanted Song Xiaodong to quickly have Xiao Yingying return, not for him to directly make decisions on her behalf.

“Do you have any say in this? Quickly get your President Xiao here; I want to speak with her directly!” Qin Huai said angrily, pointing at Song Xiaodong.

Just then Xiao Yingying returned.

“President Xiao, your assistant is being outrageous. What qualification does he have to not let me pass? I’ve already talked it over with Director Zhang; if I’m not the lead, he’ll quit shooting. Can you bear such losses?” Qin Huai shouted at Xiao Yingying.

“How are you speaking to our President Xiao?” Song Xiaodong’s tone was icy.

Xiao Yingying was baffled by all the shouting.

“I’m speaking with President Xiao. What’s it got to do with you? As an assistant, tailing her like a dog, can you really speak for your master?” Qin Huai snarled, gritting his teeth and glaring at Song Xiaodong.

“President Xiao, this person couldn’t pass the open casting, has poor manners, insults others, lacks understanding of the historical background of this drama, and fails to grasp the characters accurately. I’ve made the executive decision for you.”

“Okay!” Xiao Yingying raised her head to look at Song Xiaodong’s face, filled with love in her eyes.

“You actually listen to this pretty face? Do you know the consequences of not making me the lead? Is the interview process at your film company this rigged? Once the news breaks, your company is finished!” Qin Huai was even angrier, not expecting Xiao Yingying to really heed this pretty face’s words.

“You’re threatening our President Xiao?” Song Xiaodong’s tone grew colder, his gaze deep with chilling intensity.

“You can actually tell that? So you do have some brains! I’m going straight to Director Zhang to have him terminate the collaboration with you!”

Having said that, Qin Huai stormed out.

“Let’s go too, I’ll treat you to dinner,” Song Xiaodong said.

“What did you do to make him so mad?” Xiao Yingying asked.

“Nothing much, just asked a couple of questions he couldn’t answer and he got agitated.”

“Great, now there’ll be news saying our company falsifies interview results.” Xiao Yingying playfully stuck out her tongue.