As the elevator display reached the twenty-sixth floor, it stopped and began to descend slowly. Hearing the voice, Chu Yan’s back stiffened for a moment before he slowly turned around, revealing the figure of Xu Linshen about three meters behind him.
Xu Linshen was dressed very formally today, wearing a tailored, high-end suit that fit snugly. The metal cufflinks on his wrist glinted with a silvery light in the cool-toned lighting. His expression was as cold as water, and his features were sharp and composed. The dim light in the corridor fell on his face, accentuating the depth of his contours, yet there was an indescribable emotion in his gaze.
Chu Yan slipped his hands into his pants pockets and looked up at him. After a moment, he gracefully and politely smiled at him, “Mr. Xu, what a coincidence… I never expected to run into you here.”
Xu Linshen also gave him a once-over, and in a brief moment of restrained silence, he slightly curved his lips into a smile, his elegant eyebrows raising slightly, “Indeed, quite a coincidence.”
Chu Yan looked at him and couldn’t help but recall the scene he had witnessed just a moment ago. He let out a cold chuckle in his heart, realizing that he used to believe it was all just coincidences…
Chu Yan quickly lowered his head to glance at his watch, hesitated for a moment, and then continued, “It’s about time. My assistant is waiting for me downstairs…”
Before he could finish his sentence, as he lifted his head, he saw someone approaching from the direction of the lounge, far off in the distance. He instinctively fell silent.
In the dim light, the person’s light brown hair stood out against their fair skin, giving them an eye-catching appearance. Their slender figure was noticeable, and as they came closer, it became evident that their features were also delicate and captivating.
In just this short moment, Chu Yan had already recognized who he was.
Le Huo, the other protagonist of this world. He made his debut alongside Chu Yan on “Voice of the Stars” last year, and after the competition, they both signed with Starlight Entertainment. While Le Huo’s appearance was also quite appealing and his dance and singing abilities were impressive—he had even trained as a trainee at an entertainment company for three years—perhaps due to the high degree of overlap in his looks and style with Chu Yan, the company’s resources were limited, and it was not feasible to promote two similar male artists simultaneously. Plus, there were other factors at play. Unlike Chu Yan, who skyrocketed to fame within a year, Le Huo had remained in a lukewarm state.
Of course, over the past year, Le Huo has taken on a few low-budget web dramas. Thanks to his good looks, he managed to make a small splash.
Le Huo approached and stood next to Xu Linshen. He greeted Xu Linshen first before looking at Chu Yan, who was standing by the elevator. In just a split second, he felt an indescribable emotion fill his heart.
The dim light in the corridor cast a soft glow, partially shrouding Le Huo’s profile in its warm hue. The wall lamp above his head created a subtle shadow on his nose, highlighting the smooth and delicate contours of his face, as if it were meticulously drawn in a painting. When his expressionless gaze turned towards them, he emitted a dazzling aura that seemed capable of captivating anyone’s heart and soul.
Le Huo’s breath hitched for a moment, and a strong sense of unease surged through his body. Even his heartbeat seemed to tighten unknowingly.
Amid the silence that held everyone’s breath, Xu Linshen stared at Chu Yan. After a while, he spoke with a playful smile, breaking the tense atmosphere, “What’s this, little Le, no greeting? I remember you’re from the same school too, aren’t you?”
Le Huo finally regained his composure, his eyes slightly widened as he looked at Xu Linshen, and he offered a slightly awkward smile. “Ah, yes, Mr. Xu. It’s just… I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Xu Linshen chuckled softly, his gaze shifting back to Chu Yan for a moment before returning to Le Huo. “Coincidences do happen. Speaking of which, I’ve heard about your recent works. Not bad.”
Le Huo’s expression relaxed a bit, and he nodded in gratitude. “Thank you, Mr. Xu.”
Chu Yan, who had been silently observing the interaction, felt a mixture of emotions. The encounter felt surreal, and he couldn’t help but wonder what Xu Linshen’s intentions were.
Xu Linshen’s words were directed at Le Huo, but his gaze remained firmly fixed on Chu Yan. Le Huo nodded in response to Xu Linshen’s comment, explaining, “Yes, that’s right. We debuted together last year.” He then turned his head to look at Chu Yan, who was standing by the elevator doors.
However, the moment their eyes met, Le Huo’s words caught in his throat. He was rendered speechless by the complex expression in Chu Yan’s eyes as he glanced at Le Huo and Xu Linshen. The emotions concealed within that glance were indescribable in words. After a brief moment, Chu Yan slowly revealed an understanding smile, tinged with a hint of mockery. It seemed as though he didn’t even bother to conceal the underlying malice.
The tense atmosphere in the corridor seemed to thicken as the three of them exchanged unspoken messages through their expressions. Le Huo’s heart raced as he felt the weight of the situation. It was clear that there was a history between Chu Yan and Xu Linshen, and Le Huo found himself caught in the middle of their unspoken tension.
Chu Yan’s smile seemed to illuminate his facial features, transforming them from static sculptures into vibrant entities. Le Huo felt a strange emotion surging within him, and he instinctively bit his lip.
Perhaps he finally understood why Chu Yan could attain such a high position in the entertainment industry, despite not excelling in acting or emotional intelligence. With such a striking appearance, people would unconsciously overlook his shortcomings and imperfections…
Just then, an abrupt ringing of a cellphone shattered the silence. Chu Yan glanced at the caller ID and then silenced the phone.
“My assistant is waiting downstairs, so I have to take my leave,” he spoke up.
As soon as the words left his mouth, the number on the elevator display behind him switched from “4” to “3.” Accompanied by a “ding” sound, the elevator doors opened. Without sparing another glance at the two, Chu Yan turned around and stepped into the elevator.
The smile on Xu Linshen’s face gradually faded, replaced by tumultuous emotions in his eyes. His fingers, gripping the armrests of the wheelchair, turned pale, and the veins on the back of his hand became prominent. It was as if he were exerting a self-inflicted force, trying to break his own fingers to the bone. After an unknown amount of time, he finally closed his eyes tightly.
Was it really because of his disabled legs? Or was it that, as long as he could offer career assistance, it didn’t matter whether it was him or someone else? To him, there seemed to be no difference.
And now, his disabled and scar-ridden legs left him unwilling to continue even pretending…
Seeing his unusual expression, Le Huo hesitated for a moment before asking, “Mr. Xu?”
Xu Linshen lifted his eyelids to glance at him, his face devoid of any unnecessary emotion. He calmly spoke, his voice devoid of any fluctuations, “You can go now.”
—
When he returned to the first-floor hall, the ceremony was nearing its end, reaching the closing remarks segment.
Sitting back in his seat, his gaze passed over the first two rows and landed on Ye Jingyun, who was in the middle of the second row. Ye Jingyun seemed to be engaged in a hushed conversation with a senior colleague beside him, occasionally showing a sincere listening smile.
This award ceremony was crucial for Ye Jingyun, as it was rumored that his team intended for him to be involved in the next project directed by Director Li. Being one of the mainstream awards in the Chinese film industry, the Golden Deer Award held a significant place in the hearts of domestic filmmakers, unlike any other award.
As for Director Li, he was considered one of the top directors in China. Even back when he was making niche art films, he practically swept all the mainstream film awards in the country. Although these critically acclaimed art films didn’t garner much commercial success, the reputation he accumulated over the years equated his films with quality. Furthermore, his movies were essentially the breeding ground for cultivating award-winning actors and actresses.
During the final on-stage group photo, Ye Jingyun even greeted Chu Yan with a smile. His smile was polite and enthusiastic. When they were filming “A Wisp of Smoke” together, Ye Jingyun took care of Chu Yan in many ways. He even taught him some quick techniques to get into character when facing the camera. Not to mention, whenever Chu Yan struggled with his acting and faced numerous retakes, Ye Jingyun would step in to mediate and support him.
By the time the group photo session at the end concluded, the event was truly over.
Back at his apartment, Chu Yan fixed himself a bowl of noodles. The broth was clear, with a half-cut marinated egg resting on top, along with fresh tomatoes and vegetables. A small garnish of vibrant green scallions adorned the dish, making it visually appealing and packed with nutrition.
After taking a photo for his social media, he set his tablet aside and started eating, occasionally checking his Weibo feed.
Almost unsurprisingly, the top trending topic was about Ye Jingyun narrowly losing to Ning Ping. Ning Ping was crowned as the Best Actor at the 36th Golden Deer Awards.
In fact, this film awards ceremony encompasses numerous categories, yet every year, the media and netizens are most eager to find out who will win the titles of “Best Actor” and “Best Actress.”
Last year, Ye Jingyun secured the Best Actor award at the Tianyue Awards with his performance in “A Wisp of Smoke,” solidifying his position in the film industry. This year, being nominated again for the highly prestigious Golden Deer Award, his popularity naturally reached new heights.
It must be acknowledged that Ye Jingyun’s performance at the ceremony was impeccable. His appropriate display of disappointment upon learning he didn’t win, as well as the genuine smile and blessings he showed when Ning Ping took the stage to accept the award, demonstrated his exceptional manners and demeanor.
Videos of Ye Jingyun’s reactions and Ning Ping’s acceptance speech have been reposted numerous times. Surprisingly, the comments section under these posts is harmonious, with occasional negative comments swiftly drowned out by a wave of comforting and congratulatory messages.
Ye Jingyun’s fans expressed their heartache, but what was truly remarkable was when Ye Jingyun retweeted Ning Ping’s post and openly congratulated him. A few prominent members from Ye Jingyun’s fan club led the way, and other fans also chimed in, saying that Ning Ping’s win was well-deserved and that their “big brother” would strive harder next year.
Interestingly, this tactful response actually garnered more goodwill from onlookers for Ye Jingyun.
After closing the tablet, Chu Yan got up and took the bowl to the kitchen for washing. Later that night, after finishing his nightly routine, he sat cross-legged on the bed watching a movie he had starred in alongside Ye Jingyun. The more he watched, the more he realized just how bad his acting was back then…
It seemed that someone as talented as Little Xu was willing to invest money in even this kind of potential… That was true dedication.
System let out a sigh: [Master, if it weren’t for the plot falling apart, we wouldn’t have to work so hard like this.]
Chu An took a sip of yogurt and comforted: [Don’t worry, darling, our paycheck will increase too.]
Just as he had started watching a movie, his manager suddenly called.
“Hello, Sister Fang.”
“Next Wednesday, Director Zhao has auditions for a TV drama. I just got the script and took a look. There’s a role in there that you might be suitable for. I’ll send you the electronic version of the script later, so take a good look.”
“…Sister Fang, what’s the role for male?”
“Male supporting role number three,” replied Fang Dingyao with a huff.
“Ah.”
Hearing his tone, Fang Dingyao could easily guess what he was thinking. She resisted the urge to say something, but her tone couldn’t help but sound a bit impatient, “The character is well-written, a charming role that could gain fans’ attention. Prepare well, and remember that it’s not just you the company arranged for the audition. Don’t let others snatch it from you.”
Her implied message was quite clear. Someone like Chu Yan, who relies mostly on his youthful charm, is facing an audience with diverse tastes. Even if his current popularity hasn’t waned, without substantial content to offer, excessive artificial marketing will eventually lead to audience fatigue.
The company can’t monopolize all the good resources for him indefinitely. There needs to be room for other newcomers with good looks, talent, and ambition to have a chance to shine as well.
If Chu Yan has any sense left, he should understand what he needs to do now.
Not long after hanging up the phone, Chu Yan received an email with an attached document. It took him nearly an hour to skim through the script, and he found it quite impressive.
The story is set in a warlord era, revolving around several feudal families. It mainly depicts the dilemmas faced by several young individuals in the face of national enmity, family grievances, and romantic interests.
The character that Chu Yan is auditioning for is initially portrayed as a carefree young master who returns from overseas studies and is ignorant of the world’s hardships. After befriending the protagonist and witnessing the bloodshed and suffering of countless compatriots, he awakens from his chaotic dream and decisively gives up his comfortable life to join the revolution. Eventually, he sacrifices himself on the battlefield.
It’s a tragic role with not many scenes, but, as mentioned by Fang Dingyao, it’s a role with potential charm.
With about a week left until the audition, Chu Yan doesn’t have much to do besides promotional activities for “Longing for the Sword” This gives him the opportunity to thoroughly study the script given to him by Fang Dingyao.
As for the drama “Longing for the Sword” it has already been airing for some time. It must be said that aside from the popularity of the fantasy and idol genres, Lin Qingxuan himself is very capable of maintaining high ratings. Since its premiere, the online viewership has consistently held the top position.
The most discussed aspect is still the romantic entanglement between the female lead and the two male leads. Surprisingly, while netizens did not hold back when criticizing Chu Yan’s acting skills, it did bring him significant attention.
Especially noteworthy are Chu Yan’s later beautiful costume photos in traditional attire, which have gained considerable presence on various forums.
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