CH 64

TL: Hua

In Qi Xiaoyu’s busy planning, the audition day came in a blink of an eye.

Yu Xiaosheng and Li Kun both came along.

They had read all the new scripts that Qi Xiaoyu had been invited to star in, and they both agreed that, in terms of the current scripts and configurations, none was better than “The Departed.”

Qi Xiaoyu now has a popular TV series and a movie to be broadcast, but both are costume dramas and movies, so the new scripts sent to him are mainly costume movies, but Qi Xiaoyu cannot be limited to them. If he can follow it up with another type of movie, it will be much better for his development in the future.

“The Departed” happens to be a movie with a completely different style.

The director behind it, Yang Wei, has a very good reputation. Although his output rate is not high and he mainly produces art films, he has won many international awards.

The established male lead, Tang Yuning, is also very famous.

Tang Yuning entered the industry very early. At the age of sixteen, he became famous for his first appearance in Yang Wei’s art film and won the crown award at the most prestigious film festival in F country, becoming the youngest film emperor.

At the age of 18, he went to A country to develop his career, and everything went smoothly. It is said that this time he returned to China to make a movie again because of Yang Wei’s invitation.

The good script, coupled with its already determined team, attracted many actors to audition.

As soon as Qi Xiaoyu arrived at the audition set, he met many acquaintances—Cui Jing, Lu Tongtong, and Yu Zhou.

He was not surprised by the first two. When he had a wrap-up banquet with the crew of “The Evil” last time, Cui Jing expressed her interest in this movie.

In addition to filming variety shows, Lu Tongtong also took the film route.

As for Yu Zhou, he didn’t expect to see him here.

Since the competition, except for the chance encounter at the magazine shooting, he and Yu Zhou have not met again.

The last time they met, he was still being looked down upon by a makeup artist.

However, when they met again this time, the two were obviously not on the same level.

Qi Xiaoyu auditioned for the second male lead, while Yu Zhou auditioned for a horsekeeper with very few scenes.

Qi Xiaoyu nodded to the person from a distance, and Yu Zhou pulled the corner of his mouth reluctantly.

He had an average relationship with Yu Zhou in the show before, and seeing that Yu Zhou had no intention of reminiscing, he just said hello and moved on.

It just so happened that Lu Tongtong came to look for him again, so they went together.

They talked about their respective situations after the variety show ended. Lu Tongtong seemed to envy him for getting Wang Mingge’s movie, and hummed a few lines of the movie theme song in front of Qi Xiaoyu, saying that she had really listened to it many times.

The two did not talk for long before entering the audition stage.

There were quite a few actors who came to audition for the second male role, and Qi Xiaoyu was the second last in line. He listened attentively to every name called by the people in front of him, especially when he heard the name “Chen Pei.”  He paid special attention to it.

In the original book, Chen Pei was the second male lead of this movie.

Qi Xiaoyu paid close attention to Chen Pei’s appearance and performance.

Chen Pei was very good-looking, especially his eyes, which were clear and watery, basically the same as the description in the original in just two sentences.

Chen Pei’s performance was also good, decadent, and depressing, showing the feeling of the character itself.

Qi Xiaoyu also paid attention to Yang Wei’s reaction. Yang Wei’s serious face had no expression, but if you look closely, you will find that his demeanor was much more relaxed than the previous few auditions.

Qi Xiaoyu couldn’t help but think that if he didn’t come, the second male lead role would really belong to Chen Pei.

If he didn’t intervene, the plot of the original novel would always be the plot of the original novel…

After Chen Pei and two other people, it was Qi Xiaoyu’s turn to go on stage.

When Qi Xiaoyu first went to the crew of “The Legend Tang Dynasty Empress” for an audition, in addition to the push from Orange Juice Entertainment, his own performance was also recognized by the director.

Now, after training with two crews, it was even more incomparable to the past.

Especially after the crew of “The Evil,” directed by Wang Mingge, for two months.

Wang Mingge was originally known for his ability to teach actors. Otherwise, it would not be possible to bring out the beauty of actors several times just by lighting and composition.

Qi Xiaoyu’s skills were not bad, and Wang Mingge was particularly attentive to him in those two months. His acting skills, expressions, and lines were all improved.

Besides, he had personally experienced that era. Every time he looked back and moved, he could not stop the temperament and demeanor of a noble young master.

Today, he deliberately wore a small lapel sweater, plaid trousers, and a pair of shiny brogues on his feet. When Yu Xiaosheng and Li Kun saw him at the door in the morning, they praised his outfit today for being exactly the same as the character in the movie. Just now, Lu Tongtong also pulled him aside to praise him.

They’re going to perform a segment where they’re letting loose on the couch. The cannon fodder outside was deafening, but the nobleman was still indulging in his last flourish.

Qi Xiaoyu lazily went to the prop sofa, with one hand on the side of the sofa. He didn’t need to make any expressions or say much. He was just a living, decadent young man.

After his performance, the people in the waiting area were obviously depressed. Some of them had finished their performances long ago and were still standing by, waiting for the results. After Qi Xiaoyu’s performance, they all started to pack up their things.

Although Yang Wei’s expression was still the same as before, he nodded to Qi Xiaoyu several times and even said, without avoiding suspicion, “Qi Xiaoyu, right? I heard Wang Mingge and Kang Qitao mention you. You are really good.”

Other staff members present also showed satisfaction with Qi Xiaoyu.

Different roles were auditioned in different rooms. After Qi Xiaoyu finished the audition, he didn’t see Lu Tongtong and Cui Jing, so he sent messages to them separately and left first.

He made an appointment with Kang Qitao to go to the recording this afternoon. After leaving the crew, he took Li Kun straight to the recording studio.

He was afraid that he wasn’t in good enough shape after just auditioning in the morning and rushing over, so he started preparing himself while on the road by putting his hands on both sides of his cheeks, gently rubbing the muscles apart, and then flattening his tongue and repeatedly sticking it in and out to do some relaxation exercises.

Li Kun, sitting next to him, couldn’t help saying while he was resting, “This is the first time I see you prepare a gift like this. That gentleman will definitely like it when he receives it.”

Li Kun was very cautious and rarely mentioned things related to Xun Qian. But seeing that the relationship between the two people was getting better and better, and Qi Xiaoyu was also getting more and more attached, he boldly mentioned a mouthful.

Qi Xiaoyu said generously, as he did to Kang Qitao, “Well, I hope he likes it too.”

They arrived at the recording studio at 1 p.m. and didn’t finish until after 8 p.m..

Although only a ten-minute piece was recorded, in the middle, Qi Xiaoyu always felt bad, so many details were repeatedly recorded several times, even a dozen times.

It made even Kang Qitao, who was so critical, unable to bear it any longer. “Don’t worry about it. You’ve already sung the best I’ve ever heard.

If someone else records with your level, it would only take an hour.

Well, next time I’ll have to get you to record a special record. It’s a waste to record just one like you did.

Hey, Li Kun, please persuade him to go back and rest. I’ll ask the post-production team to do a good job, and I’ll make sure you’ll be satisfied.”

Although Kang Qitao said this, Qi Xiaoyu still fixed a few more details and finally felt that it was almost right.

After recording, Qi Xiaoyu and Kang Qitao said goodbye.

On the way back to Xun’s house, he received a call from the crew.

They asked him to officially join the crew tomorrow to shoot the movie.

Yang Wei and Wang Mingge are good friends. Although they have different appearances, one looks like a kind-hearted person, and the other always has a stern face. Both of them are very strict with their work.

They politely set the rules over the phone. After joining the crew, he’s not allowed to be late, take leave at will, or take multiple roles at the same time.

Qi Xiaoyu calculated that he needed to take leave for two reasons: one was the award ceremony he was going to attend with the crew of “The Legend of the Tang Dynasty Empress,”  and the other was Xun Qian’s birthday.

While talking about these on the phone, he contacted the crew in advance and asked for leave.

While Qi Xiaoyu was talking on the phone, he looked out the window.

The driver had already turned the car from the main road to the branch road leading to Xun’s house.

It was dark, but the stars were bright.

The starry sky, which could never be seen in the city, was clear here.

Under the starlight, Qi Xiaoyu saw the starlight silver BMW he had seen twice passing by.

Qi Xiaoyu came back very late, and seeing that the light in Xun Qian’s room was dim, he didn’t look for him again.

He got up early the next morning.

The main filming location of “The Departed” is the same as that of “The Legend of the Tang Dynasty Empress,”  which is in the film and television city in the suburbs of S City. Compared with the filming of “The Evil,”  it’s much closer to Xun’s home and can be returned in more than two hours of driving.

Even though he was close by, and he was prepared to come back in ten days to accompany Xun Qian for his birthday, he still felt reluctant.

He has stayed at Xun’s house every day for half a month. He wakes up every morning to see White-browed Hero’s playfulness, reads the script on the sunny lawn every afternoon, eats three meals a day with Xun Qian in the dining room, watches TV series, and chats with Butler Cheng and Mama Li in the evening… He has gradually become accustomed to this cozy and gradually improving family life.

In the past, he regarded the troupe as his home, but there were so many people in the troupe, and the relationships were complicated. Except for occasionally playing with his master and senior sister, he had to be cautious and tense most of the time, which was naturally not as relaxed and comfortable as in Xun’s house.

Now that he suddenly has to leave here to go to the crew, it feels like going on a long journey. He was really not used to it and was reluctant.

This reluctance made Qi Xiaoyu wake up quickly that morning.

After he woke up, he walked around the room, took White-browed Hero downstairs for a walk, and then went to the kitchen to make a double sandwich, squeeze fresh orange juice, and cut fruits.

In the sandwich, there was a soft-boiled egg fried to a crispy outside and tender inside, and the fresh cucumbers and tomatoes were cut to the same thickness and neatly arranged.

After preparing breakfast and arranging the plates, it was almost eight o’clock, but Xun Qian had not come down yet.

White-browed Hero circled around Qi Xiaoyu, urging him to prepare dog food for him.

While Qi Xiaoyu poured dog food into the bowl, he looked in the direction of the elevator. Usually Xun Qian would come down, and they had breakfast at this time.

He prepared breakfast for the White-browed Hero and was about to go upstairs to take a look when he saw Butler Cheng pushing Xun Qian down.

Xun Qian’s face was paler than usual, and his pale lips looked particularly fragile, but his spirit seemed fine.

Qi Xiaoyu’s eyes swept across Xun Qian’s face, and he wanted to say something, but Xun Qian had already sat down at the table and picked up the sandwich he had made.

Xun Qian tasted the difference almost as soon as the first bite went down, and his narrow eyes, which always seemed to contain a pool of autumn water, curved slightly, “Why don’t you sleep a little longer?”

Qi Xiaoyu pulled out a chair and sat down; his attention shifted to breakfast, “I felt a little nervous about the audition, so I got up early to find the state.”

Xun Qian raised his eyebrows slightly and said, “Oh.”

Qi Xiaoyu smiled and said, “And I’m afraid that someone won’t be able to eat my breakfast even if they want to for the ten days and half a month that I’m gone.”

Xun Qian’s mouth curled up, and just as he was about to speak, White-browed Hero, who had eaten the dog food on his plate in a few bites, came out from under the table, his two front paws lying on Xun Qian’s legs, barking at him.

Xun Qian held the sandwich in his right hand and hooked the black dog’s chin with his left index finger, teasing it gently. “There’s no meat; eat your own.”

White-browed Hero refused to leave, staring at the sandwich in Xun Qian’s hand.

Qi Xiaoyu saw Xun Qian’s hand move and hurriedly stopped him.” Don’t give him food. He’s really too fat right now. Yesterday, he almost suffocated me when he laid on top of me.”

“Yeah? He’s really good at finding places to lie down.”

The two men teased the dog together and chatted for a while as usual.

Time seemed to slip to nine o’clock inadvertently.

None of them talked about filming.

It was obviously just a short separation; Xun Qian could come to visit, and Qi Xiaoyu could come back at any time, but both of them felt a faint and lingering reluctance.

Why do I feel like something bad is going to happen?