Chapter 268: The Female Lead of Three Body

In a studio in Jingcheng, Zhang Jingchu was flipping through an old magazine; to be honest, she couldn't really appreciate the story of Three Body.

But the agent had gone to great trouble to get it, and not looking at it would be inappropriate.

Moreover, she was also somewhat moved by Jiang Heng's opportunity this time to recruit actresses.

For a globally released special-effects blockbuster, not to mention competing for the female lead, even the supporting female roles in the film are objects that countless film companies and actors eye covetously!

What's more, this time the selection criterion is acting skill, and she thinks she still has decent acting chops, so she hasn't read much of the original novel, but instead occasionally fantasizes about the wonderful scenes after being selected.

Seeing the smile hanging at the corner of her mouth, obviously lost in thought, the agent said, "Is Director Jiang handsome?"

"Handsome!"

"What are you thinking about? You're drooling!"

"Huh?"

Zhang Jingchu hurriedly wiped with the back of her hand, only to find that the agent was just teasing her.

"You……"

"My big star, can't we wait until after we're selected and join the crew to fulfill our beautiful dream? The audition is tomorrow!"

Zhang Jingchu said, "I know, I've been reading it very carefully!"

The agent said, "Do you know how fierce this competition is? Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi, Fan Bingbing, Li Bingbing... all the well-known names in the circle, actresses with some acting chops will go, and even those without will!"

"'Yeah, who wouldn't want to be in Director Jiang's film? That Jing Tian from the dance academy—she's become popular, extremely popular; where can you reason with that?' Zhang Jingchu sighed."

The agent said, "You really shouldn't underestimate her; she's always running to Director Jiang's crew, and you see, she's gotten benefits, right? There are plenty of female artists under Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company, so why did they pick her specifically?"

"How would I know?"

"Wearing leather pants over cotton pants—there must be a reason! But the key now is that you need to get close to Director Jiang; even if you don't get selected this time, you should build a relationship with him and frequently visit his side—there will definitely be benefits!"

"Got it! You always say that; I don't have the heart to keep reading!"

"Alright, alright!"

Meanwhile, when Zhang Jingchu was cramming to read Three Body at the last minute, many female artists in the circle were doing the same thing to increase their chances of success in the next day's centralized audition.

The next day, actresses gathered at the Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company building; looking around, they were all well-known female artists from the circle.

Some were relaxed, chatting together.

Some looked tense, murmuring something under their breath.

By nine in the morning, staff members successively called the actresses present to come in for the audition.

The first one called in was Fan Bingbing; the remaining people in the lounge gathered in small groups to gossip.

"She played Daji in Investiture of the Gods—how dare she come to compete for the female lead in Director Jiang's new film?"

"Judging by her appearance and demeanor, she doesn't look fit to play Ye Wenjie at all!"

……

"Hey, how did you find the original novel?"

"Don't mention it—reading it made my head swell!"

"Me too, I don't really understand it!"

Less than ten minutes later, Fan Bingbing came out, looking somewhat pleased, gave everyone a slight nod, and left.

The second was Zhou Xun; frankly, in Jiang Heng's view, Zhou Xun is definitely unsuitable to play Ye Wenjie.

But a friend recommended her, saying to let her come try an audition—who knows, she might be suitable!

Jiang Heng couldn't really say anything either; watching Zhou Xun walk to the middle of the venue, he had her go through the audition process, which included a performance without props.

How to put it? Her acting is passable, but it doesn't really match the image of Ye Wenjie.

Actresses came and went, and not long after, it was Zhang Jingchu's turn.

Looking at her before him, Jiang Heng secretly nodded; he actually had a fairly good impression of Zhang Jingchu.

Her image is not bad, and her acting is widely recognized.

Just that she hasn't had many resources in her past life, so she hasn't been very popular.

As for the fact that Zhang Ziyi, whose acting is also widely recognized and who is more famous, Jiang Heng always feels she's too sharp-edged, not very suitable.

"Let's do a self-introduction!"

"Respected Director Jiang, honored judges, hello! I am actress Zhang Jingchu!"

As expected of someone with some ability, Zhang Jingchu remained composed during her self-introduction, and in the audition performance, her portrayal of Ye Wenjie matched Jiang Heng's imagination just as well.

"Hmm, not bad—go back and wait for news; we'll give a reply within a day!"

"Thank you, Director Jiang, thank you, judges!"

Zhang Jingchu bowed in thanks; although she couldn't immediately know the result, she always felt Jiang Heng's gaze toward her was somewhat special.

"He must be acknowledging me, right?" Zhang Jingchu thought to herself.

Stepping out of the Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company building, the agent hurriedly said, "How was the performance? What do you have to say?"

"Go back and wait for news; there will be a result within a day!"

"Within a day—great, great! I hope heaven blesses me to get this role!"

Zhang Jingchu felt a bit lackluster, "Let's hope!"

The agent wondered, "Why aren't you excited?"

Zhang Jingchu said, "This kind of thing is like buying a lottery ticket—before the draw, you always fantasize about winning; once the draw happens, you don't rush to see the result, because you know the odds are low."

"Hey, you really lack confidence?"

"I'm confident in my own ability, I just can't quite believe such a good thing could happen to me! Director Jiang Heng, a special-effects blockbuster, worldwide release!"

As she said that, she became a bit excited again, "You say if I really get selected, how great would that be?"

"If that day really comes, your fate and life trajectory will be completely changed!"

"Yeah, if that day really comes, I must definitely thank Director Jiang properly!"

After they finished talking and left, they returned to the studio, completely unable to work.

One moment they fantasized about being selected, the next they imagined not being selected; the two of them were about to go crazy.

Even worse, by the time evening came and the workday ended, no one had called, and the two of them were no longer so optimistic.

The next day, the two went to the studio and did nothing; they just placed their phones on the table and stared at them from the side.

Around ten in the morning, the phone on the table suddenly rang.

Startled, the two jumped; looking over, they saw it was a landline number from Jingcheng.

Zhang Jingchu hurriedly answered, and the voice on the other side said: "Hello, may I ask if this is Ms. Zhang Jingchu? Congratulations, you have passed the audition for the Three Body production crew; we are now notifying you that tomorrow morning…"

"Wahhhhh! I actually made it, I actually got selected, I'm going to play the female lead in Director Jiang's new film—this time I'm really going to become famous!"

Zhang Jingchu was like Fan Jin passing the imperial exam, her expression somewhat manic.

The agent beside her was no better off; after all, their relationship with the agent is intertwined. The more famous the artist they serve, the more they profit!

"Well, how should we best thank Director Jiang?" Zhang Jingchu asked, her excited heart having somewhat calmed.

The agent said: "Well, naturally we look at what Director Jiang is lacking; giving gifts, we must give something that touches his heart, in order to leave a deep impression."

"What could he possibly lack, given how wealthy Director Jiang is?"

(End of chapter)