Chapter 189: Confirming the Second Female Lead

One week later, in Feimin Entertainment's conference room, the floor-to-ceiling windows revealed Xiangjiang's glittering night view.

Xiang Fei slammed a stack of documents onto the conference table and sighed: "Three thousand resumes, two hundred auditions—and still no suitable Su Yin."

Cai Wen adjusted his glasses and flipped through the audition records: "Indeed, either their acting is clumsy, or their aura doesn't fit."

Xiang Fei rubbed his temples: "The shooting date is drawing closer; if we delay any longer, it'll disrupt the entire schedule."

Cai Wen suddenly closed his folder: "Actually... we already have a ready candidate within our company."

Xiang Fei and Zhou Huimin both turned to him.

"Li Bingbing," Cai Wen said. "She just finished shooting 'The Legend of Shang Yang'—her acting is solid, and her aura fits perfectly the role of the male lead's wife."

Zhou Huimin pondered: "She really is a good choice."

Zhou Huimin turned to Xiang Fei: "What do you think?"

Xiang Fei stood up and walked to the window: "Li Bingbing's acting is decent, but the role requires a certain..." He turned and gestured, "You know what I mean?"

Cai Wen pressed on: "Why not have her come in for a test audition?"

Zhou Huimin picked up her phone: "I'll call Dong Xiaoming right now."

Xiang Fei placed his hand over hers: "Wait." He looked at both of them. "Are you truly convinced she's the best choice?"

Cai Wen and Zhou Huimin answered in unison: "Yes!"

Xiang Fei suddenly smiled: "Alright, then—it's Li Bingbing."

Half an hour later, Li Bingbing rushed into the company.

She stood nervously at the conference room door: "Director Xiang, Director Cai, Director Zhou—you wanted to see me?"

Xiang Fei gestured for her to sit: "Bingbing, are you interested in playing the female second lead in my new drama, 'Drive My Car'?"

Li Bingbing's eyes widened: "Me? The female second lead?"

Zhou Huimin smiled and nodded: "We watched your performances—we think you're perfect for this role."

Li Bingbing's voice trembled with excitement: "B-but wasn't this role supposed to go to a newcomer...?"

Cai Wen interrupted: "We've decided to cast you."

Li Bingbing took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed deeply: "Thank you, leaders, for this opportunity—I will give it my all!"

Xiang Fei regarded her seriously: "This role requires bed scenes and nudity—you must be prepared."

Li Bingbing paused for a moment. She knew that if she took this film, she would become a massive star—after all, Xiang Fei's films were known nationwide. Her gaze hardened: "Yes, Director Xiang. Even if I don't eat or sleep, even if I stay up all night, I'll study and master this role inside and out."

Zhou Huimin smiled and handed her the script: "Take a look at the script first. In a few days, we'll begin shooting. This time, you'll be sharing scenes with Hong Jinbao and Zhou Xingxing from Xiangjiang—and of course, with me."

Li Bingbing looked at Zhou Huimin with soft, determined eyes: "Don't worry, Minjie, I'm leaving right away."

After Li Bingbing left, the three exchanged smiles.

Cai Wen stretched: "Finally, one major problem is solved."

Zhou Huimin looked at Xiang Fei: "Now that the cast is set, we can focus on preparing for filming."

Xiang Fei slowly nodded, then stood quietly by the window, his gaze piercing through the glass toward the distant, majestic Forbidden City.

His thoughts drifted back to his previous life's year, 2003—a year filled with memories and regrets, marked by two events at the beginning and end that meant he would lose two closest friends in this life—Zhang Guorong and Mei Yanfang.