Chapter 80: Camping

The investors’ words cannot be ignored.

The others all turned to look at the investment representative.

“He’s too tall!”

The investment representative adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and said seriously: “Both lead roles currently finalized are tall men. If we add another, won’t the visuals be unbalanced?”

“Also, perhaps because he played Zhang Wuji, Li Luo’s presence is too heavy.”

“We still need to clearly distinguish main from supporting roles.”

Zhang Zhongzhi nodded slowly; he’d felt something was off earlier, but couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Now that the other man had said it, he too sensed something was amiss.

Presence is abstract, but as seasoned industry insiders, they could clearly feel it—Li Luo’s presence was indeed too strong, nearly matching Hu Jun’s height in his role as Qiao Feng.

The two appearing together in the same frame would definitely feel unbalanced.

“Anything else?”

Zhang Zhongzhi paused, then crushed his cigarette butt firmly.

These are minor issues.

They can be adjusted with makeup and positioning.

“Personality.”

The investment representative frowned, spreading his hands: “I’m not saying Li Luo lacks good looks, but I don’t sense that noble gentleman aura—he just doesn’t feel like Duan Yu.”

“That’s my feeling.”

He tapped the table, then had a sudden idea:

“Yes—he’s more like Yang Guo!”

In the end, it all came down to one thing: he didn’t believe in Li Luo’s market value.

Of the two leads currently shortlisted, Qiao Feng has some seniority, but Xu Zhu is practically a newcomer; both lack major mainstream TV roles.

Now adding another newcomer—who could handle that?

Investing in a drama is about making money; one of the three leads must have market value.

Only then can you command a high price.

He personally preferred finding a well-known artist from Hong Kong or Taiwan to play Duan Yu.

That’s why he went to great lengths to invent several excuses.

After the investment representative rattled off those few sentences, the audition room fell silent; the veteran smokers kept puffing, their eyes darting everywhere.

Clearly, Hu Zi favored Li Luo.

But the investors had objections.

It was hard to take a stance.

“Let’s put him on the alternate list.”

Yu Min glanced around and tried to smooth things over: “Li Luo’s performance is solid, and Brother Zhang’s points aren’t without merit. We still have time—why not see who else comes next?”

“Exactly.”

“That’s the way to go.”

“See more candidates before deciding!”

The other few also began offering vague, noncommittal remarks.

“How about we take another look?”

The investment representative turned to Zhang Zhongzhi, took a deep drag on his cigarette: “Of course, your opinion still holds the most weight here.”

The matter had been laid out this far.

Zhang Zhongzhi couldn’t completely ignore the other man’s face.

He scratched his thick beard, then wrote “TBD” beside Li Luo’s name, tapped his pen lightly a few times on the small notebook, and swiftly scrawled two extremely messy characters.

Yu Min glanced at them quickly.

The handwriting was illegible, but the meaning was still faintly discernible.

Yang before, Guo after.

Leaving the audition hotel.

Li Luo returned to the parking lot and got back into his Mercedes.

Now that his fame was growing, he felt driving this car was too flashy—if the media caught him, it’d invite criticism; he’d have to get someone to find him a used car soon.

As long as it kept out wind and rain, that was enough.

Having even this much was already good—many actors still rode bicycles to auditions.

He drove around buying supplies, then returned to the Beiying housing complex for more errands; by the time he got back in the car and reached the school’s East Gate One, it was already past three in the afternoon.

The three who had no classes were already dressed in outdoor gear, waiting eagerly by the roadside.

When it’s time to work, work.

When it’s time to play, don’t sit idle.

Yesterday, Li Luo had already invited three acquaintances to go out and relax properly.

He’d done all he could.

Now, he just had to wait for news.

As the car stopped, Jia Nailiang yanked open the door and slid into the front passenger seat, eyes gleaming at the stacked gear in the back: “Why suddenly want to go out with us? Don’t you have filming today?”

Everyone was young; few didn’t love to play.

The two women who climbed in right after were also bursting with excitement—who could resist a summer outdoor barbecue and camping trip?

Especially Huang Shengyi.

This was their first meeting since she’d boldly kissed him last time.

But with others present, she could only forcibly suppress her excitement, appearing as calm as ever.

That made Bian Xiaoxin grin inwardly.

“Just finished an audition.”

Li Luo swiftly shifted gears and floored the accelerator toward the Shisanling Reservoir: “With free time left, why not? Last time filming, I saw a place with great scenery—let’s go have fun.”

“Audition?”

The other three asked in unison.

Their eyes sparkled—this kind of thing always fascinated them.

“Mm.”

Li Luo turned the steering wheel and flashed his white teeth: “Zhang Zhongzhi’s drama, but I can’t say much yet—you understand.”

“Besides, I’m not even sure I’ll get the part.”

Hearing it was Zhang Zhongzhi’s drama, their hearts quickened—Hu Zi was a golden brand; though such opportunities still felt distant, they kept up with industry news.

Everyone knew the big-bearded director was preparing something.

“Li Luo”

Jia Nailiang licked his lips and asked obliquely: “Which character from The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils do you like?”

The two women in the back nodded eagerly.

“Duan Yu.”

Li Luo smiled and shook his head: “But I like him doesn’t matter—I need others to like me too!”

Amid a chorus of envious murmurs.

The Mercedes G-Class sped toward the Shisanling Reservoir.

Trees swayed, whispering like pine winds; clear streams trickled gently.

This scene.

Made the summer heat vanish.

On the riverside grass, a sharply angular mechanical beast was parked, beside it two brightly colored tents had been pitched.

Bell-like laughter echoed through the hills.

Watching the two women splashing playfully in the knee-deep stream, Li Luo and Jia Nailiang kept hauling stones.

When night fell, the camping lanterns illuminated the surroundings.

Sparks rose from the burning charcoal, sizzling as skewers roasted above them.

Aroma drifted far on the evening breeze.

“Cheers~”

After a few cheers, four chilled beers clinked together.

The setting and atmosphere were perfect.

Even Huang Shengyi, usually obsessed with physique control, grabbed handfuls of skewers and devoured them greedily; the others were no less eager, constantly shoveling beer and skewers into their mouths.

After gorging themselves, the four chatted under the starry sky, talking about everything under the sun.

Unintentionally,

Li Luo and Jia Nailiang began drinking contests.

An hour later, they’d consumed more than half of the three cases of beer they’d brought.

“I can’t take it anymore!”

Jia Nailiang let out a loud burp, stood up from his recliner with glazed eyes, and staggered toward the tent: “Next time we’ll bring hard liquor—I swear I’ll beat you.”

The guy stumbled into the tent.

Not long after, a sawing snore rose from inside.

Thank you, Bai Fan Qunzhi, for tipping 100 coins!