Chapter 358: Chapter 311: Rising Phase: 147_3
"I feel the same way," Zhou Yun said. "Maybe his boss just wants to see him fail over and over."
Through repeated setbacks, he is left with no way out.
Zhou Yun hadn’t even met Yu Zhiyang’s boss, yet she had already developed a dislike for this woman.
Zhou Lan said, "Let me inquire about it. If the conditions are right, I really want to sign Yu Zhiyang. If we use him as the male lead, He Yong won’t have any complaints."
If they could sign him, Yu Zhiyang would become an artist with Chengqian Entertainment.
Using Yu Zhiyang would mean using an artist from Chengqian, and if Yu Zhiyang becomes famous, Chengqian Entertainment would also rise in popularity.
Whoever gets the fame doesn’t matter, as long as it’s an artist from Chengqian who does, anyone is fine.
Zhou Yun said, "If it’s difficult, go and see He Yong. See if he can do anything about it, tell him I’m quite interested in having him as the male lead."
Letting He Yong know the intention would keep him informed; if Zhou Yun is interested, then to maximize benefits, He Yong’s goal would be to get Yu Zhiyang signed with Chengqian Entertainment.
While things are still not settled.
Once Yu Zhiyang is confirmed for the role, his value will rise significantly.
Zhou Lan understood what Zhou Yun meant, nodded, and said, "Okay."
However, on the day of the second-round interviews, Yu Zhiyang, who should have appeared, was absent.
The staff relayed that Yu Zhiyang had a message saying he gave up due to work arrangements.
"Gave up?" Upon hearing this, Zhou Yun immediately asked in confusion, "Why would he give up? Were there any work conflicts?"
The staff member conveying the message was suddenly taken aback, as if bewildered by Zhou Yun’s question.
Zhou Yun realized that she might have been a bit too intense.
Everyone was looking at her, with surprise written all over their faces and in their eyes.
They probably didn’t expect that she would have such a strong reaction to someone giving up on the second-round interview.
After all, she hadn’t shown a preference for anyone after the first round of auditions.
"I, I don’t know the specific reason why he won’t come; the company just mentioned work schedule conflicts," they said.
Zhou Yun nodded and responded, "Okay, I got it."
After the messenger had left, Zheng Xiaowen half-jokingly asked: "What’s wrong, Xiao Yun, is this Yu Zhiyang your preferred choice?"
Zhou Yun shook her head and said, "No, I’m just puzzled. I thought everyone wanted to be a part of this production; I didn’t expect someone to withdraw willingly."
"It’s quite common, maybe Yu Zhiyang has been specially arranged for another role by his company," a representative from Chengqian Film and Television suggested.
Zhou Yun didn’t respond but felt that there was probably more to it.
Zhou Lan gave her a look, signaling to drop the subject.
The second round of auditions began.
One by one, those who made it to the second round came in, this time each having much more time.
The procedure consisted of a self-introduction plus a talent presentation.
This format was chosen because the script was not yet available.
Zhou Yun watched them come in one after the other, occasionally recalling the commercial shoot with Yu Zhiyang.
After filming the commercial that day, she had wanted to speak with him, but when she looked back, she saw his agent whisking him away.
Not even a second’s delay.
Zhou Yun knew that the words of Zhang Guodong that day had affected her.
She couldn’t help but start focusing on Yu Zhiyang.
Probably because she had a reference point now, Zhou Yun, seeing those who came for the audition today, couldn’t help but compare each with Yu Zhiyang.
Surprisingly, not one of them measured up to Yu Zhiyang.
Zhou Lan was right; Yu Zhiyang truly was the most suitable candidate for the male lead they had in mind out of the group.
After the second round of auditions ended, He Yong took the initiative to ask, "What does everyone think of this round?"
"I quite liked Chen Jing," said the man named Luo Hengzhang first, "He fits the popular ’campus hunk’ image, sunny and handsome."
"Too mild," Zheng Xiaowen offered her opinion, "I prefer Lao Boyi and Zhou Jianfeng, they have a stronger sense of youth, like two suns."
Upon hearing these three names with only Zhou Jianfeng unrelated to Chengqian Entertainment, He Yong immediately stood up and said, "Zhou Jianfeng is indeed a good fit."
He knew who to push.
But He Yong also remembered what Zhou Lan had mentioned to him the day before.
While others were unaware, He Yong already knew that Zhou Yun’s choice was Yu Zhiyang.
Yet to everyone’s surprise, Yu Zhiyang was absent today and had directly withdrawn.
There was nothing to be done, and He Yong was glad not to deal with this trouble, ready to fully back Zhou Jianfeng.
Rather than finding a way to get Yu Zhiyang signed under him, it’s more efficient to support Zhou Jianfeng, who is already with his agency.
At this moment, he heard Zhou Yun ask, "Could we communicate with Yu Zhiyang’s company and have him come for another interview?"