Chapter 127: God-Tier Audition

Chen Nuo's current sensation is extremely strange.

He feels his consciousness wandering on the edge of losing control, yet it is held fast by a single thread of rationality.

After these four months, he seems to have officially split into two personalities.

Not "seems"—it is real.

He feels that one side of him is the Chen Nuo of now, a hypocritical scumbag and a somewhat talented actor. He can chat with Qi Yuntian, and he can also dress up as a clown to talk to Su Mingming, Zhao Liying, and the others.

But the other side of his inner self is that down-and-out comedic actor who returned every day to a cramped, dark rented room, listening to the trivialities of the neighbors upstairs and downstairs, a room without even an independent bathroom or toilet, who, when sick, could only curl up in bed and wait for death.

He does not believe in kindness, does not believe in hope; he has been abandoned by the entire world.

If he were a cowardly person, that would be one thing, but it just so happens that his genetics contain factors of madness and violence.

Just as he wrote in his final diary entry, "Hide and Seek": "My father and I loved playing hide and seek when I was little. He would lock me in the wardrobe for a whole day. He would stare at the wardrobe from the outside, and if I couldn't help but make a sound inside... my dad would turn into a ghost."

Chen Nuo's current feeling is something he actually experienced similarly when playing the mute.

That is, the day he stayed up all night and Zhang Yi exclaimed it was a miracle.

Chen Nuo now feels he is hovering in that state; it seems like only a trigger is needed to detonate it, turning him completely into someone else.

But he cannot explode now; he must maintain control.

Because there are still over two weeks until the May 28th start of filming, and he even needs to go to Cannes to attend the premiere of *My Blueberry Nights*.

Therefore, he needs a buffer zone to separate himself from that madman.

He cannot be as lonely as he was before.

Qi Yuntian had noticed Chen Nuo's problem from the moment they met, and seeing him silent now, he is even more worried.

He sighed, looked cautiously at Chen Nuo's expression, and said, "Alright, let's not talk about this for now. Let's talk about your schedule before you go to Cannes. Your parents should be arriving in Jingcheng tomorrow night; you guys can have a good talk then. We'll leave on the 12th or 13th, no problem, right?"

"Mm, no problem."

"And your two girlfriends—they are really going crazy with anxiety this time. They both say they must see you before you go to Cannes. What do you think we should do?"

Chen Nuo thought for a while. "What do you think about letting them meet each other?"

Qi Yuntian swallowed the "Are you crazy?" that was about to blurt out, coughed lightly, and said, "Wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate?"

Chen Nuo had already thought it through.

The current him and the madman are only 10% apart.

What else does he have to fear?

Chen Nuo said, "I don't think there's any problem. First of all, you and I both know what kind of person Xia Yehe is. Right?"

Some say the most suitable place in the world to discuss matters is when two people are driving on the highway.

Chen Nuo and Qi Yuntian seem to be in that situation now.

Qi Yuntian thought for a moment and said, "Yes, I understand Xia Yehe well enough. From the very beginning, when she didn't agree to be your girlfriend, she had this psychological preparation. To take a step back, even if she cries, she will hide and cry secretly by herself. And I feel she has already cried this time. When the rumors about you and Angelababy first came out of Hong Kong, she called me, and her mood was a bit off, but the next day, when I called her again, I felt she was quite normal."

Chen Nuo nodded and added, "Then what about Angelababy? Do you think she will have a problem?"

Qi Yuntian wiped his nose and said, "Come to think of it, Angelababy won't have any problems either. She's from Hong Kong, after all. In Hong Kong and Macau, people are relatively open about these things. Plus, you told her long ago; meeting up or something should be acceptable."

Some people always ask, what is the benefit of choosing a gay man as an agent?

Chen Nuo feels this is the greatest benefit.

If Qi Yuntian were a normal man, would you dare let him stay in long-term contact with your various girlfriends, chatting about intimate topics of love and affection, and comforting them back and forth?

For example, that so-and-so—didn't he wear a giant green straw hat just like that, unable to recover for several years, and could only go boxing to vent?

Chen Nuo said, "Then what other problems are there?"

Qi Yuntian sighed and said, "Brother Nuo, have you been hiding your identity for so long that you don't know how famous you are now? Do you know that both my phones are currently turned off, which is why I have this moment to talk to you normally in the car?"

"If I turned my phones on, you wouldn't know how busy I am. I reckon the two of us wouldn't even have ten minutes of quiet time. Right now, I'm negotiating over 10 advertisements, 7 or 8 endorsements, and countless commercial appearances; I don't even want to bother with anything under 500,000. Not to mention media interviews—if you were willing, I could schedule them all the way to the Mid-Autumn Festival..."

"Why do you think I'm still driving this piece-of-junk Mazda to pick you up today? It's because your BMW is already on the paparazzi's tracking list. As soon as I move the car from the studio, there are definitely a few cameras following my tail. So, you tell me, what's the problem? *The Return of the Condor Heroes* is so popular that kids on the street are holding wooden sticks with their hands behind their backs, calling themselves the One-Armed Guo Er."

"Even when Liu Yifei is in Japan, news about her comes back every few days. But you—four whole months, not a single word. If it weren't for your parents not coming forward, I'm afraid there would be quite a few media outlets who think you've passed away. So, once you show your face in Jingcheng, it's like dropping a bomb in a fishpond. I really can't guarantee that not a single whisper will leak out. Forget about meeting two; even meeting one might land you on the headlines the next day."

It seems that after not seeing each other for months, Qi Yuntian didn't know how long he had been holding these words in; he said them all in one breath without almost any pause.

Finally, he said earnestly, "Brother Nuo, I know you've always wanted to be an ordinary person, quietly earning money and filming, but times are different now. Everyone knows *The Return of the Condor Heroes* is bound to be a hit, but I can guarantee that even Zhang Jizhong couldn't have predicted it would be this popular."

"I regret to inform you that the days of you walking the streets of Shanghai with your hands in your pockets, openly dating Xia Yehe, are gone forever. Everyone could be a paparazzi; no matter what you do, there will be eyes watching you from behind. I've even thought about hiring a few bodyguards for you, because you really need them."

Chen Nuo said, half-threateningly and half-seriously, "If you keep making things sound so serious, I might just turn into a madman right now."

Qi Yuntian smiled and said, "But I have to say it, lest you fail to understand the current situation. You are truly famous."

Chen Nuo said, "Then what do you suggest?"

Qi Yuntian said, "Actually, if you want to meet them, there is only one way to minimize the commotion: go abroad."

Chen Nuo asked in surprise, "You mean, let them accompany me to Cannes?"

Qi Yuntian said speechlessly, "Them? You're really set on both of them? Sorry, Brother Nuo, I really didn't consider that you had such ambition; I was only thinking of one of them. You can take separate flights and meet up in France. Actually, stars in China all play like this—rent a big villa with a pool and have a world for two... or three."

Chen Nuo nodded: "Then it's settled. If we're going, let's go with both. Help them buy the tickets when the time comes. I really want them to meet; why drag it out?"

Chen Nuo is truly determined this time to be a scumbag in the clearest way possible.

Since fate has intertwined him with two women, and they both know about each other, why keep up the act?

The most critical thing is that his time is limited.

Once he joins *The Dark Knight* crew at the end of the month, this movie will be filming until October or even November. Given his situation then, it will be impossible to meet them halfway, meaning another five months of separation. No matter how much of a scumbag he is, he can't bear that.

Since the person involved has said so, Qi Yuntian has no choice but to nod. Anyway, once in France, as long as they don't wander around the streets, it should be fine.

Qi Yuntian continued, "Also, Zhang Yi has something to talk to you about."

"What is it?"

Qi Yuntian said, "Isn't he casting the female lead for his movie? It hasn't been decided yet, and he wants you to help him pick an actor. He said on the phone that you promised to make a cameo in his new film, right?"

Chen Nuo said, "That is true, but it's been so long, and he still hasn't decided?"

Qi Yuntian went "Ah" and said, "Who's to say? Director Zhang is very prestigious now. It's already the final round, and there are still two or three actors left. He wants you to help him out so he can finally make up his mind."

Chen Nuo asked, "Final round? Zhang Yi has gone through many rounds this time?" Qi Yuntian laughed: "As many as an emperor selecting concubines, but for the specifics, you can call him directly."

Chen Nuo took his original phone and called Zhang Yi.

Upon hearing Chen Nuo's voice, Zhang Yi was almost in tears.

The first sentence was: "Brother Nuo! You've finally come out of seclusion!"

Zhang Yi had auditioned for the female lead for four full rounds.

The new film he was preparing this time was not a grassroots production like *The Zhang Zhang Yaba's House*.

There were four investors alone; besides Zhang Yi and Li Xiaotian's film company, there were Poly Huayi, Cultural China, and New Culture Group—all industry giants.

Because Zhang Yi was truly in high demand now.

Currently in China, there are very few directors like him who can get theatrical releases and also receive international recognition.

It could even be said that *The Zhang Zhang Yaba* selling over 10 million at the time cemented his status as one of the top art-house directors.

Even though Gu Changwei's *Peacock* seemed to have similar box office numbers, Poly Huayi, as the investor for *Peacock*, naturally knew that in terms of cost-to-return, the two were not in the same league.

Therefore, as soon as news of the new film came out, all parties moved at the wind. After a battle of wits and strength, these three companies finally sat at the table.

During this time, besides occasionally attending events to make some quick money—like participating in that Yahoo audition that used Chen Nuo's name to stir up trouble, which led to Zhao Liying being eliminated—Zhang Yi had poured all his heart into the preparation of the new film.

Until today, after various elimination methods, two actresses remained to compete in the final round.

Zhang Yi said on the phone: "At first there were three. I actually liked Hao Lei the most, but she told me a few days ago that she had already signed with that bastard Lou Ye, and her schedule for this year is gone. So, there are only two left now. Sigh, if you have time, come to my company tomorrow morning to help me run lines with them. I'm really begging you."

Zhang Yi had actually said "begging you"—although it was a joke, Chen Nuo found it quite strange and asked, "Why must it be me? For running lines, couldn't you just find anyone?"

Zhang Yi suddenly went silent.

After a long while, he changed his tone and said very solemnly, "Because I've discovered that I'm having some self-doubt now. I've started to fear failure; if the arrow weren't already on the string, I might not even dare to film. You know, before *The Zhang Zhang Yaba*, I was always a loser. I'm thinking, was my last success just an accidental success, one that you brought me? I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, Chen Nuo; I don't just want you to come and run lines with me, I actually hope you can help me make the final choice."

In any other state, Chen Nuo might have been able to crack a joke with Zhang Yi.

But in his current state, hearing these words from Zhang Yi, he felt empathy immediately.

"Alright, then tomorrow morning, I'll come to your company."

……

……

Zhang Yi's film company is in an art village on the outskirts of Jingcheng.

At 9:00 the next morning, when Chen Nuo and Qi Yuntian arrived, Zhang Yi and Li Xiaotian were waiting at the entrance.

Zhang Yi looked at the three cars that had followed them and stopped on the side of the road, and the long lenses extending from the car windows, and laughed: "Chen Nuo, you are truly famous now."

Chen Nuo first hugged Li Xiaotian, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, and then turned his head and said irritably: "Schadenfreude."

Zhang Yi laughed, opened his arms, gave him a hard hug, and said: "It's been over half a year since I last saw you."

After letting go, he looked him up and down and asked in surprise: "Did you get fat?"

Chen Nuo said "Mm": "I gained 20 pounds."

Zhang Yi clicked his tongue in wonder.

With so many paparazzi filming at the entrance, it wasn't a place for chatting, so the few didn't say much. Led by Zhang Yi and the others, Chen Nuo and Qi Yuntian walked into their company, which was full of artistic flair.

After sitting in the conference room dedicated to auditions, a beauty with long legs and black silk stockings came in to pour tea for everyone.

After Chen Nuo chatted with Zhang Yi and the others for a while, another woman, about 30 years old with long hair and delicate features, walked in hurriedly, saying repeatedly: "Sorry, sorry, I'm late."

Zhang Yi stood up with a smile and said: "It's okay, come, let me introduce you. This is my good friend Chen Nuo, and this is his agent Qi Yuntian. This is Li Yu, my girlfriend, and also a director."

Before coming, Qi Yuntian had told Chen Nuo that Zhang Yi had a girlfriend who was also a director, so he wasn't surprised and shook hands with her calmly.

But Li Yu was not very calm inside.

She is an art-house film director, and she has quite a reputation in the circle.

Since the first documentary she filmed in '96, she had won quite a few awards in China. Now, she also has some influence internationally; in 2000, *This Summer* won the Elvira Notari Prize at the Venice Film Festival, and last year her *Red Beauty* was nominated for the Golden Lion for Best Film at the 62nd Venice Film Festival. Although she missed out in the end, as one of the few female directors in the circle, it was already a proud achievement.

Through fate, she had met Zhang Yi, who was five years younger than her, some time ago and they had gotten together.

She had always heard Zhang Yi mention Chen Nuo, but they had never met, the reason being that he had spent four whole months immersing himself in a role for a part.

She found it simply incredible.

As soon as she sat down, she couldn't help but ask: "Chen Nuo, I heard from Yi that you spent four months experiencing life for this Warner movie, and only returned to Jingcheng yesterday. Is that true?"

Chen Nuo nodded, "True."

"But why?" Li Yu asked incredulously, "Is it worth it? No matter how great Warner is, no matter how famous Batman is, you're only filming a commercial blockbuster. The Joker character is just a comic book character, and a villain at that; why spend such a long time doing this? I really can't understand it; can you explain?"

In fact, Zhang Yi, her, Li Xiaotian, and even other friends in the circle had discussed this question during casual chats; no one understood why Chen Nuo would go to such lengths for a villain role in a commercial film.

Indeed, *Batman* is a powerful, world-famous superhero film, but you aren't playing Batman, just the villain; no matter how hard you act, could you possibly overshadow Batman?

Seeing Li Yu's expression was a bit agitated, Zhang Yi quickly smoothed things over: "Her personality is just like this, don't take offense. She's fine usually, but gets anxious whenever movies are mentioned, sigh."

Li Yu also realized it; indeed, she was too impatient. Who asks such aggressive questions the moment they sit down? Chen Nuo didn't owe her any money.

She tucked her hair behind her ear in embarrassment and apologized: "Sorry, it's just that I've been thinking about this question for a long time and couldn't figure it out. Sorry."

Chen Nuo discovered that Zhang Yi and the others seemed to not understand why he did this.

But he had asked himself this question countless times, and he answered: "Actually, there aren't that many complicated reasons; it's just because I like this character."

Li Yu didn't know Chen Nuo was telling the truth; she thought this was just an excuse he had come up with.

She couldn't help but sigh inwardly: sure enough, no one can escape the vanity fair.

Indeed, that is Hollywood, the dream destination for filmmakers worldwide; the money earned there is in US dollars. No matter who it is, as long as there is a chance, they will sharpen their heads to drill into it.

Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Chow Yun-fat—aren't they all like that? There's nothing strange about it.

Li Yu then stopped talking and listened to the casual chat among the men on the side.

After another ten minutes or so, the beautiful receptionist who had poured tea earlier knocked on the door and said: "Director Zhang, Fan Bingbing and her agent have arrived."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 128 =====