Chapter 3: Audition

Good physique and appearance are bonuses in Lai Dao's eyes, but not mandatory.

Hong Kong directors rarely care about an actor's background, like Shanji Ge, who rose to fame with the "Young and Dangerous" series back then.

In his early years, Chun Ge hadn't even finished junior high; he worked as a waiter, washed dishes, cut hair for others, and entered the entertainment industry through dancing.

But this didn't stop him from portraying many unforgettable roles, such as Wei Xiaobao, Chen Zhen, and Zhu Zhishan.

Take Wu Yanzu, Zhang Guorong, She Shiman, and a whole host of other famous Hong Kong actors.

So the barrier to entry for Hong Kong actors isn't high, but the key is whether you have the talent to push forward in this fiercely competitive industry.

Hong Kong films are famously fast-paced in shooting; directors don't have time to polish an actor's acting or lines, so the baseline requirements for actors are especially high.

Lai Shuiqing is the same—he doesn't care whether Cheng Chen is a conservatory graduate or a background extra.

As long as Cheng Chen's acting passes muster, he's willing to give him the role of Song Qingshu.

"Here are the lines—practice your costume while memorizing them."

Lai Shuiqing handed Cheng Chen a thick stack of lines.

Costume makeup for historical dramas takes longer, usually around forty minutes.

Cheng Chen glanced at the lines briefly and immediately recognized the scene—it's a climax for Song Qingshu, with heavy lines and intricate performance details.

To memorize the lines and embody the character's psychology within forty minutes is an extremely high demand on an actor.

If physique, appearance, and aura are Lai Shuiqing's first test for Cheng Chen,

then rapid line memorization and performance delivery are the second.

…

After Cheng Chen went to try on the costume, Lai Dao's office was soon knocked on again.

"Lai Dao, this is Luo Tao, Department Director in charge of film production in Yuyang District—this is his son, Luo Peng."

Casting director Wang Qiang entered and knocked, followed by two men; Wang Qiang introduced them to Lai Shuiqing.

"Lai Dao, hello—I'm a huge fan of your 1993 version of 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber.' I heard you're remaking it—I'm extremely excited!"

Luo Tao, middle-aged, smiled at everyone; his son behind him was shy and politely smiled at Lai Shuiqing.

Luo Tao launched into flattery; Lai Shuiqing exchanged a few pleasantries before understanding.

Oh, so this is about slipping someone into the crew.

The news that the actor playing Song Qingshu had dropped out and the crew had to replace him had spread throughout Yuyang.

Even the crew of "Huanzhu Tian shang renjian" next door came to inquire.

As head of Yuyang's film coordination, Luo Tao couldn't possibly be unaware—he smiled and pointed to his son behind him:

"Lai Dao, this is my son Luo Peng—a third-year acting student from Beijing Film Academy. I've known Director Wang for years, so I've come to bother you—help your crew solve this problem, hahaha."

Lai Shuiqing glanced at Wang Qiang beside Luo Tao and understood.

Looking at Luo Peng, he already had a rough idea: conservatory-trained, still in school, some connections.

Luo Peng looked decent—thick eyebrows, large eyes, dignified appearance, tall enough—but his outward conditions still fell short of Cheng Chen's.

Seeing Lai Shuiqing silent, Luo Tao chuckled:

"Sorry to trouble you, Lai Dao—if my son isn't chosen, no problem—don't feel obligated because of me. Luo Peng is still young and needs more experience; he came mainly to broaden his horizons and help out with chores."

Don't feel obligated because of me? Then why say that? It's like a reminder.

Lai Shuiqing was immediately stuck—the "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" is a co-production.

Although the Mainland side fully respects his directorial authority and the producer has declared him the lead,

he now had to consider Luo Tao's position,

after all, this is his territory.

If the crew offended the local power right after arriving, how would they handle the rest of the shoot?

Moreover, this was someone brought by casting director Wang Qiang—if he refused, he'd risk a reputation for suppressing colleagues, and Wang Qiang would harbor resentment, making future work difficult.

Publicly and privately, it was problematic.

After long thought, Lai Shuiqing slowly said: "Department Director, here's what I'll do—I also have a young man. Let both of them audition."

Hearing Lai Shuiqing's words, Luo Tao's expression darkened slightly, but he didn't lash out—only thought inwardly: Hong Kong big director doesn't read the room.

Lai Shuiqing called over his assistant to take Luo Peng for makeup and handed him the same script for Song Qingshu as Cheng Chen's scene.

This clearly meant a choice between two candidates.

At this point, Luo Tao had no recourse—if this were some obscure mainland director, he could use his authority to pressure.

But for "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," a cross-strait co-production, the higher-ups are highly invested, and Lai Shuiqing, as Dazongyan, has broad autonomy.

So he couldn't object to Lai Shuiqing pitting his son against a rival for the same role—he just hoped his conservatory-trained son would win.

Less than half an hour later, Luo Peng walked in first.

Luo Peng, true to his film academy training, looked outstanding in costume—elegant, refined, with fair, smooth skin; compared to his earlier modern attire, he now carried a delicate, feminine beauty, like a modern young heartthrob.

"Lai Dao, Song Qingshu as written by Jin Yong couldn't be more perfect." Casting director Wang Qiang smiled at Lai Shuiqing as Luo Peng entered.

Oh, this was outright self-praise!

Who knew how much Wang Qiang had been paid.

"Good." Lai Shuiqing glanced at Luo Peng's appearance, feeling a faint disappointment.

In the original, Song Qingshu, as the leading third-generation disciple of Wudang Sect and a famed young hero, shouldn't look so delicate and frail.

"Shall we just finalize Song Qingshu's casting now?" Seeing Lai Shuiqing nod, Wang Qiang pressed on.

"Not yet." Lai Shuiqing waved his hand, about to speak, when Cheng Chen walked in holding a prop sword—everyone's eyes lit up.

Cheng Chen stood calmly in the hall, his features open and clear, eyes like polished lacquer, face like piled snow, tall and imposing, with noble bearing and graceful demeanor.

His black hair was neatly coiffed into a topknot, secured in a delicate white jade hairpin, exuding literary elegance and martial heroism.

Lai Shuiqing couldn't help but silently exclaim: What a handsome young man!

Even Luo Peng beside him couldn't help casting a sideways glance, crushed by the sheer pressure of his looks.

Cheng Chen glanced at Luo Peng, who was also in costume, and instantly understood: a rival had arrived!

"Cheng Chen, extra, here to audition for Song Qingshu."

Cheng Chen said with a smile toward Luo Peng.

"Luo Peng, film academy student, also here to audition for Song Qingshu."

Luo Peng shot Cheng Chen a glance and said dismissively.

Though he couldn't compete in looks, he was sure he could hold his own in acting. As a top student at the film academy, he was confident he could beat some bit-part nobody.

"Since you're both ready, let's begin the audition. Who's going first?"

Lai Shuiqing said, sitting in his chair looking like he was all set to enjoy the show.