Chapter 123: Cheng Ge Has Plenty of Strength

Having found the actors for the few supporting roles like Wang Xiaojian, the only person left to cast for the entire film is Da Laowang.

The character of Da Laowang is defined as a mature, steady, and amiable boss with a sharp tongue but a soft heart; to play this role, one must either have a kind face or a good appearance, so that the audience feels you are a good person at first glance.

After weighing it repeatedly, Xu Heng decided to play the role himself.

There really was no one else, and finding some twenty-something youngster at the film academy might not result in a better performance than his own.

Besides, Xu Heng is a businessman himself, so he has a bit of a boss's temperament.

Ren Man stroked her chin in deep thought for a long time, and finally agreed that it would work.

Because there aren't many scenes depicting Da Laowang directly, he is basically just chatting face-to-face with the female lead.

Even if Xu Heng's acting is poor, the main focus of the shots can be kept on the female lead.

By using only side-profile shots of Xu Heng, his lack of acting skills can be concealed.

With the cast complete, Ren Man finalized the start date with Xu Heng.

The filming location was set in Jinling; after all, several supporting actors are students at Jin Da and cannot easily leave, while students from the acting department like Liu Yiyan can take long leaves as long as they report it to the school leadership.

Plus, Love is Not Blind doesn't have any grand scenes, so they can film anywhere.

For example, the hospitals, offices, and houses that appear most frequently in the movie are all very common places, so there is no need to go to places like Hengdian to rent filming sets as one would for a period drama.

As for the filming schedule, preparatory work needs to be done first, but since the script and other things are relatively complete, Ren Man estimates that they can start filming by the end of the month at the latest after some minor modifications.

As this is a major turning point in her directing career, Ren Man is very invested in Love is Not Blind.

She said she would be staying at a hotel in Jinling during this time to negotiate with others about renting land and venues for filming, and her production team would also arrive from Modu one after another.

She had only one requirement for Xu Heng: to be on call at all times, including those actors from Jin Da.

Moreover, she wants to keep Ying Ziyun by her side during this time to cultivate her, as she must build a solid foundation for her acting; she hopes Xu Heng or her roommate can inform their counselor.

"Does that mean I won't be able to attend classes?" Ying Ziyun looked somewhat conflicted.

Ren Man said indifferently: "Junior, why are you in school?"

"... To find a good job after graduation." Ying Ziyun rarely didn't mention going abroad for further studies.

"Yes, we all study to find a good job after graduation, but if you become famous by filming this movie and can earn more money than you could in a lifetime of working, do you still need to consider the path from graduation to employment?"

Ren Man extended an olive branch, saying she has an entertainment company under her, and if she signs with her company, she will not only have a base salary and bonuses every month, but the company will also fight for resources like film roles and music albums for her.

However, Ying Ziyun shook her head: "Sorry, Director, actually I'm not interested in acting, and I've never thought about becoming an actor or a star."

Ying Ziyun's refusal was beyond Ren Man's expectations; in Ren Man's heart, a girl of Ying Ziyun's age should be yearning to shine.

Who wouldn't want to stand in the center of the stage and be adored by thousands?

But Ying Ziyun actually had no such thoughts!

In fact, this is also because Ren Man knows little of the inside story; at this moment, Ying Ziyun is only thinking of Xu Heng, so how could she care about anything else?

She had already lost Xu Heng once because of her dreams; if she were to miss out on Xu Heng forever because of becoming a star, she would rather stay in a small city for the rest of her life.

Therefore, Ying Ziyun refused her temptation.

Ren Man sighed and said fine, then from now on, you come to me for three hours every day, and I will teach you the basics of acting; as for whether you continue on the path of an actor after finishing this movie, that's up to you.

She really felt it was a pity for Ying Ziyun.

Being so beautiful, if she practiced a little and was thrown into the entertainment industry, even as a mere pretty face, she could become a first-tier star like Liu Tianxian.

If such a good seedling were signed to her company, she would be a guaranteed young starlet in the future.

But since Ying Ziyun herself had no desire to be an actor, Ren Man naturally wouldn't pester or persuade her; she wasn't one of those talent scouts without moral bottom lines.

……

On the 16th, Xu Heng had just put on his pants and was preparing to go on a date with Jiang Mengyuan when he saw Cheng Huaiyu running over in a hurry.

"Old Xu, hey! Wait a second before you go, Old Xu! I have something to ask you."

"Say it quickly if you have something to say, I'm in a rush to eat dinner."

Cheng Huaiyu took two deep breaths and said: "Did you ask Yueyue to act in your movie?"

"What do you mean I asked her to act? She came to me, alright? I gave her a bit part with almost no lines just for your sake," Xu Heng said irritably.

Hearing that Xu Heng only gave Dan Yuyue a role because of him, Cheng Huaiyu couldn't help but be overjoyed.

"Then, Old Xu, does your movie still need people? I also want to act and get a bit part."

"You don't look like the type of person who would do such thankless work." Xu Heng wiped his Green Water Ghost watch, squinting at Cheng Huaiyu as if he had seen through his thoughts.

"Hehe, I've been studying recently, and the teacher taught us that to chase a girl, you have to be inseparable, giving her the illusion that I am there in any situation."

"That's called a 'lick-dog'."

"Ah?"

"It's a guy who keeps licking up to a girl, losing even his dignity, just like a dog."

"How can you call that a 'lick-dog'? This is a tactical wooing plan," Cheng Huaiyu argued.

Xu Heng spread his hands: "Even if you want to 'lick' now, my buddy, I can't give you the chance; the cast is already full, unless you're willing to be an extra for a few dozen yuan a day with no front-facing shots."

"Then forget it."

The pampered Cheng Huaiyu knew very well that he couldn't endure the hardship of being an extra; he scratched his head and grinned: "When the time comes, Old Xu, help me take good care of Yueyue on set. I've heard that many extras have sticky fingers; if you find any guys with bad intentions trying to get handsy with Yueyue, just tell me, and I'll break their legs."

Xu Heng looked up, slightly surprised: "No, Cheng Ge, what's with you? Do you really have to hang yourself on one tree? You weren't like this when you were counseling me last semester."

"Sigh, Little Xu, you don't understand, my situation is different from yours." Cheng Huaiyu patted his shoulder melancholically, "People grow up; I've matured. Although home flowers aren't as fragrant as wild ones, they are cleaner than wild ones."

"Heh." Xu Heng smiled politely, "My crew is still missing a few Prop Department staff, want to go?"

"Are there many opportunities to interact with Yueyue?"

"There should be quite a few; after all, we're all on the same crew, you'll be able to see her every day."

Hearing this, Cheng Huaiyu immediately slapped his thigh: "Damn! Old Xu, you're a real brother! Isn't the Prop Department just moving things? Your Cheng Ge has plenty of strength!"