"Who are you calling mean? Ren Kui, don't bully people just because your family is rich. Is being rich that great?" Cui Min's face was contorted with anger.
Ren Kui covered his mouth and laughed heartily. He said to Zhuang Yu, who was sitting next to him, "Look, look, as soon as I said it, she started performing for us. Thanks, you've shown me what a mean person looks like."
Zhuang Yu also played along perfectly. "I've learned something new today. Thanks a lot."
Tian Cheng said with a straight face, "It's quite something for a grown man to bully a woman."
"Is she a woman? I couldn't tell at all, nor did I feel it," Zhuang Yu shrugged.
"I'll wait today. When all of you fail, I'll see what face you have to return to school," Cui Min's eyes were wide open.
Tian Cheng sneered at Ren Kui, "You signed with a newly established company and treat it like a treasure."
"My family owns mines. I have hundreds of billions in assets. My starting point is your Rome, and I can spend as I please," Ren Kui spread his hands indifferently.
Tian Cheng was rendered speechless, her face turning pale with anger.
Zhuang Yu turned back and whispered to Ren Kui, "You're killing the enemy but also harming yourself. Honestly, I also feel like hitting you." He was quite annoying.
It was Ren Kui's first time being so ostentatiously wealthy. He felt a bit embarrassed and waved his hands with a chuckle, "I forgot, I forgot everything. All the money belongs to my parents, not me."
Han Zhao glanced at the time. It was 7:55. "Time is almost up," he reminded them.
Everyone quickly adjusted their emotions and waited.
Soon, a staff member walked out and announced that the auditions were starting, beginning with the male lead.
The actors vying for the male lead all stepped forward and walked inside. Zhuang Yu patted Han Zhao's shoulder, "Bro, good luck. Give us a good start."
Han Zhao smiled gently, "I'll do my best." He followed them.
A group of people entered the inner hall. The stage was in front, and the director, producers, and others were already seated in the first row of the audience. As for the actors, they found their seats one by one. Those who knew each other sat together, while those who didn't sat alone. In total, about thirty people were scattered around.
Han Zhao didn't know anyone, so he chose a seat in the middle of the back row, which allowed him to observe the performances on stage without drawing too much attention.
Soon, everyone was seated. The waiting staff closed the main door and began distributing materials.
He Nian picked up the microphone and gave a few polite opening remarks. Finally, he said, "What you have in your hands are script excerpts. Each of you has three excerpts. During the audition, I will randomly select a small section for you to perform. Additionally, your scene partners may be the air, professional actors, or even yourselves present here."
The male actors in the back row all let out silent "ahs," whether real or feigned, and exchanged glances, showing wry smiles.
In the front row, Liu Teng began calling out the numbers.
Actor number one, Feng Maisheng, a tall man of 1.8 meters, took a few long strides and went onto the stage.
After a simple self-introduction, He Nian randomly selected a section and had a professional actor perform with Feng Maisheng.
In the audience, Liu Teng whispered to He Nian, "Feng Maisheng is an artist from Tianyu. He became popular after a hit drama last year. His acting is quite good. If we have to choose, he's definitely the best replacement for Lu Liang."
He Nian grunted, "He lacks purity and youthful spirit."
Liu Teng didn't say anything about this. If there were no better candidates, these minor issues wouldn't be issues at all.
The other actors in the back row also watched intently. Some people exclaimed with feigned or real pressure, "He's actually acting very well. Feng Maisheng is a formidable opponent."
Someone retorted, "Who here today doesn't have some skill?" Then they added, "Everyone is a formidable opponent."
They sighed and then laughed.
Since it was just a small excerpt, lasting only about two minutes, Feng Maisheng quickly finished his performance, bowed, thanked them, and excitedly left the stage.
Liu Teng called out number two.
He Nian looked at the profile of the second actor and said with a smile, "Zhang Tian is a child star. He's acted in over twenty dramas since he was young. Among everyone here, he has the longest resume, and he's only twenty-one years old. He has a promising future."
Liu Teng was also very optimistic. "He's experienced and full of youthful spirit. I'm also very optimistic about him."
"His face is a bit too youthful, like a minor. He's not suitable," He Nian said, drawing a cross on Zhang Tian's form without even watching his performance.
Liu Teng closed his mouth. Although it was true, it would be a shame to dismiss him based solely on his features without even seeing his performance.
"Child stars have a lot of popularity, and his image and persona are very good. Many people watched him grow up and follow him, bringing in many nostalgic fans. Many big-name actors don't need to audition, but our crew is strange, requiring everyone to audition regardless of their status. The fact that he could put aside his pride and come to audition shows his sincerity."
He Nian sighed, "I admit he's a good actor, but this role isn't suitable for him. He hasn't found his niche yet and accepts all kinds of roles, which is why he has a long resume but no standout works. If he wants a promising future, he must find his correct positioning instead of accepting any role from a popular IP, only to have each one flop.
His words left Liu Teng speechless again. However, Liu Teng still marked a check and gave a score on his own form.
On stage, Zhang Tian's performance also ended quickly. Afterward, actors were called to the stage one after another.
Han Zhao had been observing and learning, analyzing where each person acted well and where they fell short, and absorbing it all. As he watched, a message came in the group chat. He saw it was from his boss.
He replied: [I'm the last one, it's not my turn yet.]
As soon as he sent the message, he heard Liu Teng call out, "Number thirty-seven."
Han Zhao quickly put away his phone, adjusted his clothes, and walked to the front stage.
As he was the last one, all the other actors had already left. Thus, in the vast hall, only Han Zhao, the actor, remained.
The waiting staff couldn't help but look at Han Zhao. But with just one glance, their hearts began to race: He's too handsome. They had seen all sorts of handsome men today, but number thirty-seven could still stand out from all of them.
Han Zhao caught the staff's gaze and smiled slightly as a greeting.
The staff member immediately blushed, covering her mouth and smiling shyly as she gestured for him to proceed.
He Nian saw Han Zhao's photo and his eyebrows twitched. "Heaven has blessed him with this talent." He then looked at the company, Chuxin Culture, which was the one that recommended the male lead.
Liu Teng asked, "Is he the one Nine recommended?"
Han Zhao walked onto the stage unhurriedly, smiling, "Hello everyone, I am Han Zhao."
His voice was clear and cheerful, neither too high nor too low, exactly the voice of the male lead He Nian had imagined.
He and Liu Teng both looked up and were instantly struck by the sunny smile of the person on stage.
Both of them fell silent. As for the other judges, they held their breath.
There are some people who are born with a gift for acting. Just standing there, they exude the right aura.
It wasn't just about being handsome; it was about having a unique personal charm. Although the previous thirty-six male actors each had their own characteristics, they all lacked that youthful spirit and innocence.
Number thirty-seven was neither too young nor too mature. Especially his phoenix eyes, gentle, amorous, clean, and clear, were absolutely divine features that could make one fall in love at first sight.
Seeing no reaction from the judges below, Han Zhao took the initiative to ask, "Which part should I perform?"
"No need to perform. You are the male lead in my heart," He Nian said, standing up without thinking. He beamed with joy as if he had found a treasure.
Liu Teng let out a sigh. After a long pause, he could only manage another sigh. There was nothing he could do. His image was too outstanding and fitting; it was simply overwhelming. He couldn't even find words to object.