Chapter 353: Lin Xiaolu's Initial Path into Film (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)

In the blink of an eye, time flowed on, and it was already noon of another day.

On the set of *The Heirs* in Seoul, Lin Xiaolu, who had been busy filming since early morning, finally gained a precious moment of respite when the director shouted, "OK, two-hour break, lunchtime."

You must know, in order to make her figure appear slimmer and more photogenic in front of the camera, her breakfast every day was basically just gnawing on an apple and drinking a cup of skim Milk, so she was already famished at this moment.

Thus, when she returned to the rest area from in front of the camera, her assistant hurriedly handed over her insulated lunch box, letting her properly enjoy this late lunch.

However, before Lin Xiaolu could move her chopsticks much, two figures walked straight toward the rest area where she was located from not far away.

One of them was very familiar to Lin Xiaolu; it was the Screenwriter of this drama, and a senior who appreciated and took care of her quite a bit, Jin Enshu.

And the person walking beside Jin Enshu was a middle-aged man wearing black-rimmed glasses.

His appearance looked somewhat serious, and the corners of his mouth turned slightly downward in a natural state, giving people a sense of indifference and aloofness.

Before the two had fully approached, Lin Xiaolu had already spotted the visitors with sharp eyes.

So she immediately put down her chopsticks, stood up quickly, and bowed respectfully to greet Jin Enshu, who was walking in the lead.

"Oh, Writer Jin, hello."

Next, Lin Xiaolu's gaze turned to the bespectacled gentleman beside her; she had done her homework on the materials and photos she had received over the past two days, so she recognized this person's identity at a glance.

It was none other than the director and Screenwriter of that movie *Miss Granny*, Hwang Dong-hyuk.

After seeing the other party clearly, Lin Xiaolu bowed slightly again and greeted him politely and clearly, "Hello, Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, it is a pleasure to meet you."

"Hello, YoonA-i." Seeing Lin Xiaolu being so polite, the originally slightly serious expression on Hwang Dong-hyuk's face relaxed, revealing a warm smile.

He even didn't forget to turn his head and say to Jin Enshu, "I didn't expect YoonA-i to be able to recognize me at a glance; it is truly an honor."

Jin Enshu wore a calm smile on her face, her tone carrying a hint of praise for her junior, "This shows that YoonA did her homework in private; she is a child who takes opportunities seriously."

Just at this moment, the director of the film crew also noticed the commotion here and walked over quickly.

Afterward, Jin Enshu exchanged a few brief words with him, likely explaining her purpose and hoping he could help adjust the afternoon's filming sequence to push Lin Xiaolu's scenes back a bit.

Regarding this, the director agreed very readily.

For a Screenwriter coming in person to discuss matters, he naturally had to give enough face.

Thus, having settled the time, Jin Enshu took Lin Xiaolu and Hwang Dong-hyuk and temporarily left the slightly noisy set.

They found a restaurant nearby with a quiet environment and good privacy, and requested a quiet private room.

During this period, facing the sudden dinner engagement before her, Lin Xiaolu did not feel flustered in her heart.

She was no longer some green newcomer, and besides, Jin Enshu had called her in advance last night to tell her a bit about the situation.

The general meaning was that this dinner was likely a critical private contact and evaluation before the official audition for the movie, so she had already prepared herself mentally.

Sure enough, as the three of them sat down, they first exchanged a few pleasantries about the weather and the hardships of filming.

After ordering dishes with the waiter and the waiter left the private room, Jin Enshu, as the intermediary, naturally looked at Hwang Dong-hyuk and got straight to the point.

"Director Dong-hyuk, I have invited the actor you wanted to see. How about it? Isn't our YoonA very suitable, both in terms of image and her recent performance in the drama?"

Hwang Dong-hyuk, sitting next to her, picked up his water glass and took a sip, his gaze landing on Lin Xiaolu's increasingly exquisite face, which appeared beautiful and bright in the natural light, and he nodded quite satisfied.

"Satisfied. It is precisely because of the beauty and sense of youth that YoonA-i has that the old grandmother in the movie, named Oh Mal-soon, would have such a strong longing to 'return to the past.' And that sense of contrast from having possessed and then lost, as well as the dramatic tension after regaining what was lost, will be even stronger."

"Thank you for the director's praise," Lin Xiaolu said softly and politely, maintaining a humble posture.

However, very quickly, Hwang Dong-hyuk changed the subject, put down his water glass, and indicated.

"But YoonA-i, an opportunity is an opportunity; in the end, it still depends on the actor's understanding and presentation of the script and the character.

Our time is a bit tight this time, but there is no way around it; the early preparation for this project has already been delayed for several months, and it must be pushed forward as soon as possible."

Speaking of this, his expression became slightly more formal, "So I still want to hear what your overall thoughts on the script are after these two days, especially what your understanding and preparation are for the character Oh Doo-ri, whom you will be playing?"

"

Here it comes.

After hearing this, Lin Xiaolu understood in her heart, knowing that the examination room had already been placed before her.

So she took a slight breath and sat up straight.

Then she slowly recounted the draft she had prepared, combined with her viewing experience from the night before last, and the insights she had gained after an in-depth discussion with Lin Yun'er.

First, she talked about her understanding of the core of the story *Miss Granny*.

It was very simple, nothing more than time, family affection, regrets, and a second choice.

Next, she expounded on her analysis of the character as a contradictory unity.

In this narration by Lin Xiaolu, she naturally integrated those delicate emotional turning points that she and Lin Chongji had analyzed together while watching the original film in the year 25 the night before last.

As well as the complex emotions she herself felt about the passage of time, having known the future in advance.

Although Lin Xiaolu dared not say she could fully grasp the entire state of mind of an old person.

But regarding that awe for time itself, she had indeed touched upon some of its edges when facing the super sci-fi phenomenon of the Time Gate.

So when Lin Xiaolu finished narrating her views with clear logic, the private room was quiet for a moment.

Hwang Dong-hyuk and Jin Enshu looked at each other, both seeing obvious satisfaction and appreciation in the other's eyes.

Although these were all general contents in the script, being able to provide an answer from her own perspective showed that Lin Xiaolu was truly reading the script seriously and had her own ideas.

Among them, Jin Enshu's face was blooming with smiles, having the pride of seeing the flower she planted growing sturdily.

A moment later, Hwang Dong-hyuk shook his head with great emotion and said in a sincere tone, "Tsk tsk, I used to carry some bias, thinking it was hard for idols to become truly good actors. But recently, seeing you, YoonA-i, and the performance of that newcomer Pei Xiuzhi, they are all quite eye-catching; it seems I was short-sighted, and the times are indeed changing."

"Not at all, Director, you flatter me."

At this, Lin Xiaolu hurriedly waved her hands modestly and directed the credit toward Jin Enshu beside her, "This is all thanks to Writer Jin's careful guidance and the tempering in this drama that I finally opened up a bit and know where I should put in the effort."

And facing the shield request thrown by Lin Xiaolu, Jin Enshu was very happy to accept this credit.

Because this could prove her eye for talent and her ability to coach actors for roles, so she very happily took up the conversation, and the atmosphere became even more harmonious.

During this period, Hwang Dong-hyuk was already used to Lin Xiaolu's humble attitude; after all, in the industry, juniors who are both capable and humble are always more likable.

So much so that after the few of them chatted a bit more, he cleared his throat and brought up the most core step of this meeting.

"Since YoonA-i—"

Just as he opened his mouth, Lin Xiaolu immediately and obediently added, "Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, you can just call me YoonA; there's no need to be so formal."

"Very well, YoonA." Hwang Dong-hyuk followed her lead, his tone becoming even more cordial, "Do you think it would be convenient to perform a short scene right here? No complex sets or props are needed; I just want to see how you would present the initial reaction of Oh Mal-soon discovering she has suddenly turned 20 again."

For this private audition, Hwang Dong-hyuk did not intend to specify a particular plot segment, only requesting to see an initial reaction following a massive change.

Because this was precisely one of the most core moments in the film, the one where the actor most needed to instantly immerse themselves and convince the audience.

And when Hwang Dong-hyuk made this request, he had actually already basically approved of Lin Xiaolu in his heart, only wanting to confirm her on-the-spot reaction and expressive power one last time.

As long as it wasn't overly exaggerated or completely off-base, there was a high probability he would settle on her.

After all, Lin Yun'er's current popularity and buzz were also a tangible boost to the film's box office.

Who could blame him for also wanting to eat from the bowl of traffic?

However, Lin Xiaolu's subsequent performance gave him a surprise that far exceeded his expectations.

Because upon hearing Hwang Dong-hyuk's request, Lin Xiaolu did not hesitate in the slightest and immediately nodded, "Okay, Director, please give me a few seconds to prepare."

Having said that, Lin Xiaolu lowered her head, her gaze falling on the pattern of the tablecloth in front of her, and she gently exhaled a stuffy breath, as if to purge her mind of distractions.

In her mind, the scenes from the movie she had watched the night before flashed by rapidly, and more importantly, the emotional layers and key points of micro-expression changes that Lin Chong'er had analyzed frame-by-frame for her when breaking down the film all emerged with great clarity.

A few seconds later, when Lin Xiaolu raised her head again, her entire aura and expression had undergone a subtle yet significant change.

The politeness, humility, and slight tension from their earlier conversation vanished in an instant.

In their place was a mixture of extreme shock, bewilderment, and a sense of disbelief so intense it was almost surreal.

Her pupils dilated slightly, her gaze first focusing on a point in the void before trembling violently, her lips parting unconsciously, and her breathing seeming to stall for a moment.

That sense of impact—the "this is impossible," the "I must be dreaming"—was transmitted with absolute clarity through those expressive eyes and that instantly stiffened, slightly trembling posture.

Most importantly, this highly impactful initial emotion was not something Lin Xiaolu had imagined entirely out of thin air.

She had intercepted these sentiments she had originally harvested from Lin Xiuyuan.

For example, the first time she saw Lin Yun'er in the Tavern;

The first time she learned of the existence of that parallel time-space from 25 years ago;

And the genuine shock and confusion she felt when she first crossed the Time Gate and saw various news reports on the other side.

These memory scenes were so profound that Lin Xiaolu, with the memories still fresh, was able to draw upon them at this moment and perform them with exceptional realism and credibility.

Immediately following this, flowing naturally from that shock, Lin Xiaolu added two lines of improvised dialogue in a dreamy, dazed, and uncertain tone.

"What is going on—am I—am I dreaming?"

Her voice was very soft, carrying a lingering tremor, perfectly fitting the instinctive disbelief and cautious probing of someone suddenly encountering a massive change.

The performance ended right there, perfectly timed.

There were no overly exaggerated screams or physical movements; all the shock was internalized in her eyes and subtle expressions, as well as the change in her tone, which was highly infectious.

"Clap, clap, clap—"

Hwang Dong-hyuk, sitting across from Lin Xiaolu, couldn't help but stand up directly, his face full of undisguised surprise and excitement, even breaking into applause.

"Daebak! YoonA! Your acting is amazing! It completely exceeded my expectations. With your expressive power and depth of understanding of the character, it would be a real pity to only act in dramas; the film industry needs actors like you."

Even writer Jin Enshu nodded repeatedly in surprise, her eyes filled with gratification and appreciation as she looked at Lin Xiaolu, "Indeed, YoonA, your speed of improvement is truly astonishing. The emotional layers of this performance were spot on; even I was surprised."

Just then, the door to the private room was knocked on gently, and a waiter entered carrying the first hot dish.

Although this impromptu audition was interrupted, Lin Xiaolu had already perfectly presented the most core part that tested an actor's skill.

As she watched the visually and aromatically appealing dish being placed on the table, and watched the unreservedly appreciative expressions of Hwang Dong-hyuk and Jin Enshu.

That heart of hers, which had been hanging in suspense ever since she received the script, carrying a slight sense of unease, finally settled down completely, just like the dish that had landed steadily on the table before her.

The corners of her mouth also couldn't help but curl into a relaxed and bright smile.

She knew this role was hers.

On the side of 25 years ago, in the morning.

In Siena, Italy, on the other side of the globe.

After waking up and preparing to head out to the Jiudian restaurant for breakfast, Park Hyomin finally saw that elusive Lin Xiuyuan once again.

——

Looking at the man sitting before her, Park Hyomin could finally no longer suppress the curiosity that had been building up for two days.

So, while Dalongzai and Li Juli were busy studying the menu and discussing what to eat,

She quietly shifted her chair and leaned in toward Lin Xiuyuan, who was just picking up his water glass to drink.

A probing light flickered in those beautiful fox-like eyes as she spoke in a volume only the two of them could hear, her tone laced with teasing and curiosity.

"Xiuyuan, would it be convenient to tell me exactly how many good lovers you have here that you need to take turns accompanying? It's been two or three days since you arrived in Siena, right? Aside from seeing you the first night, you've been a ghost for the last two days; it's really too hard to book your time."

Lin Xiuyuan, being asked, smiled slightly, turned his head to look at her, and then swept a glance at the other two across from them.

He gave a simple, counter-questioning reply, "That depends on how you define the identity of a lover."