Chapter 11: Audition and Dinner

On the 10th, Wei Jin received news that the script had passed review.

Teacher Jiang Wei, acting as Producer, was very responsible.

In order to help the students' work make it to the Berlin International Film Festival, this Beijing Film Academy teacher pulled out all the stops, putting in even more effort than he would for his own projects, and everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

The 12th was the day set for the meeting with Qin Hao; Wei Jin brought Ceng Li to the private room at the teahouse they had agreed upon.

Unexpectedly, Qin Hao had already arrived early.

"Qin Hao, long time no see."

Ceng Li had not seen this classmate of hers for a long time either, and she was a bit excited for a moment.

"It has been a long time, Li Zi, you're getting prettier and prettier."

Qin Hao was a relatively casual person in private, and facing the woman he had once felt a spark for during his university days, he was now filled with emotion.

"Hee hee, thanks for the compliment. Oh right, let me introduce you, this is Wei Jin."

Ever since she got together with Wei Jin, Ceng Li's mindset had become more like a young girl's, and she introduced the two with a giggle.

"Wei Jin, this is the Qin Hao I told you about, his acting is really good."

"Brother Hao, hello. Li Jie has praised your acting to the heavens."

Wei Jin followed up on his girlfriend's words with a compliment.

"Not at all, not at all, Li Zi is too kind."

After the two sides exchanged pleasantries and took their seats, Qin Hao spoke up:

"Wei Jin, what made you think of asking me to act in your film?"

When Qin Hao received Ceng Li's call, she only told him to come and try out, so he was a bit curious.

"I have a script in my hands that really tests one's acting skills. I'm not very familiar with actors in the industry, and Li Jie recommended you to me."

Seeing Qin Hao for the first time, how should he put it, he felt he was a bit plain-looking; he would have to see more.

"Thanks, Li Zi. If it's convenient, can I take a look at the script?"

When it came to business, Qin Hao looked slightly more serious.

Taking the script handed over by Wei Jin, Qin Hao began to flip through it slowly.

Wei Jin did not disturb him; he gently took Li Jie's small hand and rubbed it on his lap, earning a roll of the eyes from Ceng Li.

Their little movements did not attract Qin Hao's notice at all; his entire focus was now captured by the script.

The script for Buried was a low-budget suspense thriller film distributed by Lionsgate in his past life.

But unlike the thriller films Lionsgate usually distributed, this film did not win through gore and violence, but rather attracted attention through the oppression within a small space and the self-rescue that felt like a death countdown.

It is worth noting that beneath the appearance of a low budget, the film was also filled with deep connotations.

The metaphors for society and human nature within it far exceeded imagination, leaving one feeling incredibly oppressed and unable to calm down for a long time after watching.

The reason Wei Jin chose this film for his directorial debut, besides it being one of the few award-winning films he had seen, was also because of its low cost and its artistic attributes, which were suitable for winning awards.

Furthermore, at the beginning of writing the script, Wei Jin had already made some modifications to the original film.

This included fictionalizing the country, changing the background, and so on, mainly to facilitate passing the review.

After all, for domestic films, no matter the subject matter, censorship is the first hurdle; he did not want to be like the Sixth Generation Directors and shoot underground films.

"Phew, this script is really exciting; it will definitely be intense to act out."

After finishing the script, Qin Hao let out a long breath and said.

"It seems Brother Hao is satisfied with the script. Then, next, I would like to see your acting, Brother Hao, to see if you can bring the protagonist to life."

Choice is a two-way street; Wei Jin had great expectations for his directorial debut and proposed an audition.

Qin Hao did not say much more and began to brew his emotions and step into the character.

He performed several segments in succession; whether it was nervous, angry, desperate, or relieved, Qin Hao's performance was commendable, and Wei Jin discovered the plasticity of this actor and was basically satisfied.

"The shooting time will not exceed one month. Just leave the schedule before December to me. Brother Hao, no problem, right?"

"No problem, I'll be there whenever you call."

After reading the script, Qin Hao was already very interested and said without hesitation.

"As for the pay, how does ten thousand sound?"

As Ceng Li's classmate, Wei Jin did not treat Qin Hao unfairly; a one-month schedule for ten thousand in pay was truly quite good.

One must know that Sun Honglei only got one thousand per episode for starring in Conquest, totaling only 20,000.

And that was the price after Sun Honglei had already become a little popular in Like Fog, Like Rain, Like Wind; one can imagine how cheap ordinary actors without fame were.

"No problem, thank you, Director."

Qin Hao looked pleasantly surprised; this price had already exceeded his psychological expectations.

It was a lead role, high pay, and a film aimed at awards; Qin Hao no longer had the pickiness he had before arriving—what more could he ask for?

"Happy cooperation!"

Wei Jin hammered it home.

After finishing the business, Ceng Li and Qin Hao began to talk about topics from their student days. Wei Jin listened to the gossip about the Central Academy of Drama Class of 96 from the sidelines, looking like a curious baby. There was no helping it; after all, Ceng Li rarely shared these things on a daily basis. Qin Hao was also curious about the relationship between Ceng Li and Wei Jin, but it was not easy to pry openly. However, according to his observations, these two had something going on.

Watching Ceng Li chattering away like a chatterbox, Wei Jin simply suggested they go eat together.

Ceng Li had not seen her classmates for a long time either, so she took out her phone and invited another classmate who was in Beijing.

The group went together to an old Beijing restaurant and booked a private room. Not long after, Ceng Li's other classmate arrived.

"Jingjing, you're here."

Ceng Li looked happy.

"Li Zi, what's the occasion today? It's rare for you to invite me out lately. Yo, Qin Hao is here too?"

The person who arrived was Hu Jing, who had the best relationship with Ceng Li in the Central Academy of Drama Class of 96.

"Who is this little handsome guy, Li Zi? Aren't you going to introduce him?"

At this moment, Wei Jin was also observing Hu Jing; hmm, the baby fat was very obvious, and the dimples were also very obvious.

"Hello, I am Wei Jin."

"So you're Wei Jin? You are quite handsome, no wonder you've got our Li Zi so infatuated."

Seeing there was no one else in the private room, Hu Jing spoke quite candidly.

"Jingjing, what nonsense are you spouting?"

Ceng Li looked embarrassed.

"Isn't it true? Just tell me, how many times have I asked you to go shopping in the last two months? Hmm? Have you forgotten your little sister now that you have a handsome guy?"

Hu Jing looked aggrieved, her little mouth slightly pouting.

Whoa, good grief, this acting—it made Wei Jin want to award her a prize.

"I didn't..."

Ceng Li was left speechless by the retort.

"Li Zi, you don't know, I went to a film crew a while ago, and there were quite a few stars from Hong Kong and Taiwan; man, their airs were shockingly big. In such a tiny place, I don't know what they were acting so stuck-up for."

"Uh, it's probably alright; it's better to just keep a low profile on set."

"..."

During the meal, the two little sisters chatted non-stop.

Qin Hao and Wei Jin couldn't really get a word in, so they simply started chatting about everything under the sun, and truth be told, their relationship became much more harmonious.

After the meal, Hu Jing suggested going to sing, but Qin Hao excused himself, saying he had something to attend to; Ceng Li, thinking about how she hadn't spent time with her little sister in a long while, looked at Wei Jin with a pitiful expression.

Wei Jin couldn't bear to be a killjoy, so the three of them came to a karaoke bar, got a private room, and Ceng Li went to pick songs first.

"Wei Jin, be honest, how did you win over Li Zi?"

Hu Jing started gossiping.

"Uh, Sister Jing, if I say it was by talent, would you believe me?"

Wei Jin couldn't quite handle this woman's instant familiarity.

"Hmm, it seems Li Zi does prefer talented men."

Hu Jing believed him for the moment.

"But you better not bully her, otherwise we have quite a few sisters; let's see if you're afraid."

"I know, I know, the Seven Flowers of Central Academy of Drama, right? I won't give you all the chance; Li Jie is so wonderful, I couldn't bear to."

Wei Jin raised his hand to promise.

"What are you two chatting about? Come over and sing."

Ceng Li walked over.

"Eh, this song is already available to select?"

Wei Jin was a bit surprised looking at the song title on the screen.

"You don't even know how popular this song is? Jingjing's ringtone is this, right?"

Ceng Li said with a proud show-off, "Jingjing, this song was written and composed by Wei Jin, impressive right?"

"..."

Watching her best friend's proud look, Hu Jing slapped her forehead, "Li Zi, you are truly beyond saving."

It was the first time Wei Jin picked up the microphone to sing this "Who Do You Really Love"; actually, he sang it just average, but perhaps due to the bonus of being the songwriter, Ceng Li felt every note was just right, and the way she looked at Wei Jin couldn't have been more tender.

Hu Jing must have regretted it; having been fed dog food by the two of them all night, she dragged Ceng Li away, saying they were going to have a heart-to-heart talk all night.

The two sisters left in a huddle, leaving only Wei Jin standing there in the wind, feeling disheveled.

A newbie author writing a book for the first time, kneeling and begging for follows, reading, and recommendations. Thank you everyone.

(End of this chapter)