Chapter 65: Teng Ge and Liang Yi

Regarding the theme song "Red Performer", Gu Ma is very eager to get it.

Two weeks later, the film "Mei Lanfang" will hold a launch press conference at Beiying Factory; it would be best to perform live.

Chen Ci doesn't want to miss any opportunity to ride the hype, so he naturally hopes the Sewing Machine Band can also get on stage for an appearance.

Now the problem arises: Pang Zi, Xue Er Qian, plus the newly added Xiao Yi Yi.

Still missing two: bassist Ding Jianguo, Ji Ta Da Di, and they haven't shown up yet.

Forget it, three people also need to go up.

Besides the theme song, his schedule also has another important work — audition.

On the Twisted Dough side, they were given a week to prepare their roles; it should be about ready.

By the way, there are also those bands contacted by Principal Zhang of Midi……

"Ci Ge, Wei Jie has arrived."

"Oh, please come in."

As soon as the words fell, Shi San led in a slender, tall girl.

Lately in Jingcheng, it seems fashionable to wear hot pants; what a pair of straight, slender legs — it's a shame not to ride a tricycle……

The girl before them with thick eyebrows and big eyes is indeed Qi Wei, introduced by Shi San and Lao Zhao, the renowned Qi Ge.

Chen Ci looked her up and down; she's pretty, but somehow not pretty enough; in short, she doesn't quite fit his aesthetic.

After all, Qi Ge isn't called that for nothing; Chen Ci still prefers someone a bit more feminine.

Just one glance, and Chen Ci knew this wasn't the Ding Jianguo he was looking for.

But those legs, he really doesn't want to waste.

After a simple greeting, Chen Ci turned his head: "Yi Yi, would you let this older sister play your mother?"

Chen Ci discovered that he seems to be quite popular with young girls lately.

From Mei Na to Ling Er, and now to Xiao Yi Yi, they all seem quite willing to play with him.

After symbolically completing the audition, she obediently sat beside him.

Xiao Yi Yi is indeed small now, wearing a pink dress, with a round little head and two high ponytails.

Especially that round little face with those big round eyes; honestly, Chen Ci has seen plenty of pretty eyes.

Mao Mao and Mi Mi are both top-notch, but neither leaves as deep an impression as Xiao Yi Yi.

The reason is simple: her eyes are too big.

Of course, a person's eye size is fixed from birth; as she grows up, her eyes remain that size.

But at her current age, it looks even more out of proportion; anyone who sees it can't help but wonder: Are such eyes really real?

Moreover, it's no wonder Xiao Yi Yi gets cast in melodramas; the little girl really cries at the drop of a hat, with no warning.

Once she starts crying, those watery big eyes paired with a pitiful little face make anyone feel a twinge of sympathy.

With such a talent, it would be a shame not to showcase it in the film.

Chen Ci decided on the spot upon first seeing the young lady: Xi Xi would be hers.

Just hearing Xiao Yi Yi's parents say she's recently losing her baby teeth, and the young lady loves beauty, so she doesn't laugh much or like to talk.

Chen Ci suddenly suggested letting the stranger woman in front of them play her mother; Xiao Yi Yi just quietly gave her a few more looks.

In the film, Xi Xi's mother is also the sole taekwondo black belt holder in Xihong City.

Indeed, in Chen Ci's script, the story of the Sewing Machine Band takes place in a place called Xihong City.

There's not really any special reason; he just thought the name was quite distinctive and might come in handy later.

Getting back to the role, Xi Xi's mother's most important plot point is refusing to let her daughter learn piano, and she kicks apart an electronic piano in mid-air.

When the time comes, a big close-up won't be wasting those long legs……

The audition almost lasted a whole day; overall it went fairly smoothly.

Chen Ci left plenty of roles for the Twisted Dough actors, and they all have pretty good self-awareness.

Each person picked two or three roles that suited their conditions, and they studied the script thoroughly; character traits, plot, etc., they could answer fluently.

Although they are all minor supporting roles with little screen time, each person still wrote a fairly detailed character bio.

Gu Ma was right; attitude is very important.

Although for each auditioning actor, Chen Ci would have them go back and wait for a reply.

But most of the time, he actually just needs to glance once or twice, and he already has a rough idea in his mind.

He roughly drafted a list of actor candidates in his mind, and now this draft still has only the last two names left.

They are respectively Secondhand Rose — Liang Yi, and Twisted Dough — Hao Jian.

To be honest, seeing Liang Yi's name on the band list, Chen Ci was quite surprised.

As it turns out, this famous Northeastern village rock band also operates in Jingcheng.

Indeed, a small place can't afford to support rock musicians.

Northeast — what a coincidence, the background of Chen Ci's film is also set in the Northeast.

And after meeting Liang Yi in person, they found he is indeed quite "mature", though only his face looks mature.

Clearly he's not even two years older than Shen Teng, but in both attire and demeanor he deliberately projects the effect of two generations.

Chen Ci was considering, why not give the Ji Ta Da Di role to him?

In Chen Ci's script, the Broken Guitar Band and the Big Guitar statue are both products of rock's heyday in the 80s and 90s.

That's only about ten or twenty years now, just enough to let a callow youth grow into a rough, feet‑stomping man.

Looking at it this way, although Liang Yi is only in his early thirties, his mental state fits perfectly!

The only problem is, he's never acted before; can he pull off this major role?

Chen Ci has no confidence, but he feels the guy is really a good fit……

As for Shen Teng, the reason he was still undecided was even more interesting—he had come to quit the role.

The reason is also simple: the stage version of *Crazy Stone* is about to premiere.

After the premiere, there would be additional shows and a tour; as the director, Shen Teng worried he couldn't handle both.

"No way, Brother Teng, I've already arranged the role for you."

Chen Ci certainly couldn't let him go, even not hesitating to call him "Brother."

You see, in the future comedy film industry, the "Containing Teng Bright" indicator is a fairly important one.

It affects not only reputation but also box office.

Of course, Chen Ci doesn't believe in that, but without Shen Teng he'd still feel weird.

"Just call him Hao Jian—what do you think of this name? I came up with it after working early and late."

"You play Xi Xi's dad—with such a beautiful wife and such a cute daughter, how could you bear to let them lose their husband and father?"

Chen Ci's face grew solemn, as if Shen Teng truly were a scumbag who abandons his wife and child!

Well, all of that was actually just made up on the spot; first we need to steady Shen Teng, then we'll talk.

"Cough!"

Upon hearing that, Shen Teng nearly got choked; it seems his previous understanding of Chen Ci's thick skin was still not deep enough.

Chen Ci didn't give him a chance to speak, then said: "Don't worry, the role isn't big—you can finish shooting in a day."

"One day, then…"

"That's settled then, Old Zhao—help me loosen up Director Shen."

Chen Ci worried that delays would bring complications, so he hurriedly saw him out.

Next up was thinking about how to arrange Aunt Liang…