Chapter 201

At the time he was still on the Beijing Film Academy campus, and the moment he opened his eyes he saw this foxy-eyed girl leaning right up to his face.

In the summer sunlight, she wore simple sandals and denim hot pants, her long legs and little feet leaving a deep impression.

"Classmate, are you okay... are you okay?"

He had just transmigrated at the time, collapsed by the road, and was helped to the infirmary by Yang Mi.

The two were classmates, but they didn't interact much.

Later, during the Xu Can reporting incident, he contacted many insiders, wanting to file a joint report.

But everyone, wanting to avoid suspicion, refused to take part one after another.

Yang Mi did have the idea of joining in, but before she could act, Xu Can had already submitted it.

In the end Xu Can took a leave of absence and went far away to North America, and the two completely lost contact.

Now that this name came up, Xu Can felt as if a lifetime had passed.

"Yang Mi doesn't really feel right—the role calls for a certain life experience, at least over 30, to pull off that feeling of being forced by life."

Xu Can mused:

"Yang Mi's acting has a bit of spark, but she suits more girlish roles."

Besides, recently "Chinese Paladin 3" had just started filming, so Yang Mi probably had no release slot available to appear in it.

"Fine then, since Yang Mi isn't suitable, forget it." Xu Zheng said with an accommodating smile, "How about her?"

As for Song Qian beside Xu Zheng, Xu Can actually had a pretty good impression of her.

She was a proper graduate of the Central Academy of Drama, a Class One National Theatre actress,

debuted in "In the Heat of the Sun," and afterwards won the Huabiao Award and Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress.

She became known nationwide for playing Little Dragon Girl in "Spring Brightness Splendid Pig Bajie," and afterwards appeared in many film and TV dramas,

her Song Qian in "A Little Reunion" winning her several awards,

although she later had some negative news, and her face had stiffened quite a bit from cosmetic procedures,

but now in her early thirties was precisely the period of superb acting and rich "two-two-three" experience,

playing the role of the dancer Liu Sihui wouldn't be a problem.

"That works too. You can take a look at the script and get a feel for it. Once you're ready, we'll do a proper audition."

Xu Can handed the prepared script to Song Qian.

"No problem! I'll go back and study it carefully. Thank you, Director Xu."

"Nah, just call me Xu Can."

Song Qian was a full twelve years older than Xu Can; being called that made him feel ancient.

"Great, let's us brothers have one together, wishing Director Xu's new film a smooth shoot."

Xu Zheng, glowing with health, raised his glass in a toast; the clinking cups and flowing wine at the banquet need not be detailed for now.

After three rounds of drinks, hosts and guests were all in high spirits.

Ning Hao and Wen Muye were the first to hail a cab and leave,

Xu Zheng's two companions and Xu Can all stayed at the hotel next door, conveniently on adjacent floors, so the three of them headed back to the hotel together to rest.

When he got back to the room, Meimei was still binge-watching shows,

sprawled on the bed with her laptop propped in front of her face, her two little feet kicked up behind her swaying back and forth, looking just like an ordinary homebody.

Who would dare believe this was the big star Taylor Swift?

"You're back!"

The moment Xu Can walked in, Meimei flipped off the bed like a hawk, dashed over, threw her arms around him and kissed him.

"Mm? Been drinking?"

"Yeah, had some baijiu. I'll let you try Maotai someday."

"No way, I'm never tasting anything you give me again."

Meimei waved her hands hurriedly—the dou zhi from this morning had clearly given her a psychological shadow.

"Oh? What about soy milk?"

"You-naughty-devi1!!!"

Meimei couldn't hold it in anymore. "Xu Can, are you the devil?"

She turned and ran back to the bed to keep binge-watching; after finishing "The Big Bang Theory," she was now catching up on "Grey's Anatomy."

Xu Can was about to go shower, then play games with Meimei.

His phone suddenly rang—was it a text from Song Qian?

They had just added each other to their contacts, so any questions about the script could be discussed anytime.

He hadn't expected Song Qian to message him so quickly.

【Hello Director Xu, I just got back and looked over the script. There are a few parts of the character I'm not quite clear on—if you're free, would it be convenient to come by room 8106 to chat?】

Xu Can didn't think too much of it; Xu Zheng was in the room, so even at night there was no need to avoid suspicion.

"Tay, I'm stepping out for a bit, going over the script with the actress."

"Oh, okay, don't stay out too late."

Meimei was completely absorbed in her binge-watching and had no spare attention at all.

Xu Can casually threw on a T-shirt and light beach shorts, slipped into slippers, and went downstairs to find Xu Zheng's room.

He pressed the doorbell, and a moment later the one who opened the door was actually Song Qian.

She seemed to have just showered, standing at the doorway in a bathrobe,

and thanks to Xu Can's eyesight, he caught at first glance that her bathrobe wasn't buttoned properly, catching a faint glimpse of what was underneath.

Perhaps noticing Xu Can's gaze, a flush of crimson crept across Song Qian's fair, lovely oval face.

He gave an embarrassed little smile, shallow dimples showing on his cheeks.

"Come on in, sorry about the mess—I just washed up and didn't have time to tidy."

"Uh, we could wait till tomorrow if you want, I'm still going to be around for a few days."

"It's fine, I'm afraid if I wait too long I won't be able to get back into the feel of the character. Better to sort out any questions early."

"Alright then… sorry for the intrusion."

Led by Song Qian, Xu Can walked into the suite's living room, glanced left and right, and didn't see Xu Zheng.

"Is Zheng-ge already resting?"

At the mention of this, Song Qian's face showed a wry smile.

"He went out to socialize, probably won't be back tonight."

"Eh?"

This left Xu Can completely at a loss—her husband wasn't around, yet late at night she'd called him up to her room.

Something about it just felt off; it would've been hard for Xu Can not to overthink it.

"Have a seat first, I'll blow-dry my hair. Don't worry, I won't eat you."

The blushing Song Qian actually turned around and teased Xu Can.

As if anyone's scared—if you're not worried, why should I be?

Xu Can simply plopped himself down on the sofa,

Since the bathroom was clear glass, Xu Can could see her perfectly through the pane.

Especially when she was blow-drying her hair with the dryer, the bathrobe loosened a bit—the view was something else.

When Song Qian finished blow-drying her hair and came over with the graceful, slender steps of a Jiangnan woman, the whole person somehow looked years younger; saying she was in her twenties would've been believable.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"No matter, let's begin."

Song Qian glanced at Xu Can's beach shorts, her cheeks flushing faintly once more.

At first she sat properly on the single sofa beside him, asking a few questions with great seriousness.

Later, when she couldn't quite get a handle on some of the lines, Song Qian subtly shifted to sit beside Xu Can.

The faint, elusive scent of shampoo drifted over; every time Xu Can's gaze strayed to the side, he was rewarded with a view.

"Ahem, it's getting late—why don't you get some rest."

To his surprise, Song Qian's expression turned a little sorrowful:

"Director Xu, do you think I'm past my prime, that I can't play this role?"

"No, Sister Song Qian, your acting is absolutely no problem."

"Then you think I'm not charming enough?"