Chapter 379: New Film Press Conference

In the entertainment industry, few who struggle are as indifferent to fame and profit as the publicity claims.

More often, it's because they lack resources and backing, so they can't rise to the top.

Yan Qingchen is striking in appearance and formally trained; saying she doesn't want fame is definitely false.

But time has flown, and before she knew it she was over thirty, still without making a name for herself.

Seeing that the prime years for a female actor are about to pass, Yan Qingchen feels somewhat pessimistic.

She didn't expect Huang Xiaoming to suddenly drop such great news, leaving her momentarily unable to accept it.

"What you're saying is all true, no joke?"

Huang Xiaoming hurriedly said, "For such a big matter, how could I joke? It's absolutely true!"

Yan Qingchen also felt Huang Xiaoming wouldn't go so far as to joke about a female classmate he rarely interacts with and isn't close to.

Once she accepted the news, thinking she was likely to play the female lead, Yan Qingchen's excited breathing became a bit short.

Of course, she still had some doubts in her heart.

"Jing Tian, Liu Yifei, Yang Mi, and Tang Yan are all hot right now—how could Director Jiang not pick from among them?"

Huang Xiaoming said, "Maybe they're worried about audience aesthetic fatigue, but I think the main reason is that you playing Chang'e would be too beautiful!"

Yan Qingchen was very happy hearing that and said thank you.

After thinking, she added, "Tomorrow, if things can be settled, I'll treat you to a meal—thanks for telling me this news!"

Huang Xiaoming said, "I happen to need to go there tomorrow—let's go together!"

Yan Qingchen hesitated a moment, but thinking that Huang Xiaoming gets along well with Jiang Heng, she agreed.

The next day, Huang Xiaoming drove to pick up Yan Qingchen and brought her to Outstanding Rising Film Company.

However, it was Yan Qingchen's first time coming here in all these years, and she ended up feeling nervous.

Huang Xiaoming whispered, "Director Jiang is a great person—you don't need to be nervous!"

"I know, just... not nervous!"

Although Yan Qingchen said that, she couldn't actually control herself.

Today's audition could be said to determine her future development in the entertainment industry.

If she lands the female lead in Jiang Heng's new film, she's very likely to become a first‑tier star and enjoy fame for several years.

If not, she'll only be able to keep acting in bad films.

Yan Qingchen tried to calm her mind, but seeing Liu Yifei and Jing Tian appear in Jiang Heng's office, her composure almost collapsed.

It turned out she wasn't the only candidate after all!

"Hello, I'm Jiang Heng!"

"Director Jiang, hello, hello—I love your movies, I've seen every one!" Yan Qingchen replied quickly, appearing very nervous.

Jiang Heng smiled and had them sit down.

"Well, since time is tight, I'll skip the pleasantries. I invited you here today to ask you to play the female lead, Chang'e, in this film!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Qingchen's mouth opened slightly, and she instinctively glanced at Liu Yifei and Jing Tian beside her, as if to ask, "What about them?"

"They're here for different roles."

Jing Tian gave a faint smile, not looking very happy.

"Who would want to play a supporting role when they could be the lead?" As for Liu Yifei, her expression turned even colder.

"Oh, what about me now?"

"Go do makeup and change clothes first!" Upon hearing this, Yan Qingchen hurriedly got up and left with Cui Zhenzhen for makeup—no need to mention further.

Jiang Heng then briefly chatted with Huang Xiaoming about Xingtian's scenes.

As for Liu Yifei and Jing Tian, one plays Xihe, who is also the mother of the Golden Crows.

The other plays the Great Witch Nine Phoenix, and still has a substantial amount of screen time.

As for Nüwa, Hou Tu, Xuanming and the like, Jiang Heng already has rough candidates in mind, but hasn't finalized them yet.

After a while, the made‑up Yan Qingchen returned, and everyone in the room lit up at the sight.

Because the makeup design was created by Jiang Heng using the Super Microcomputer to extrapolate from Yan Qingchen's temperament and appearance, he sketched the concept art and had someone give it to the makeup artist, resulting in Yan Qingchen's current look.

Huang Xiaoming spoke bluntly, wearing an expression of disbelief: "This looks even more like Chang'e than in the previous *The Lotus Lantern*!"

Even Jing Tian and Liu Yifei couldn't help but praise, saying, "Really good—this is exactly how Chang'e should feel!"

Knowing the role was basically set, Yan Qingchen felt much more at ease and smiled, saying, "Thanks also to Director Jiang—I heard from the makeup sister that the concept drawing was done by you personally?"

Jiang Heng nodded with a smile, saying, "I just drew my imagined Chang'e, but I never expected it to match you so perfectly—it seems the role of Chang'e was made for you!"

"Thank you, Director Jiang—I will surely do my best to play it well!" Yan Qingchen hurriedly expressed her determination.

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "I believe you can do it well!"

Over the next few days, Jiang Heng continuously finalized the cast while also directing the script department to revise the script.

Occasionally he would summon the props department to ask how their preparations were going.

In the blink of an eye it was the end of September, and the much‑talked‑about *The War of Witches and Demons* in the entertainment industry finally began filming.

The press conference for the new film was held in a hotel not far from the Outstanding Rising Film Company Building; because many of the cast are veteran actors, the event was "brilliantly star‑studded."

Nevertheless, most of the attendees were media reporters who pointed their cameras at the film's male and female leads, Han Dong and Yan Qingchen.

In fact, the former's fame is somewhat greater, after all he has collaborated frequently with Outstanding Rising Film Company.

Even in the upcoming *One Person Under*, the extremely popular Wang Ye is played by Han Dong.

However, Han Dong hasn't taken many leading roles in recent years, and leading roles in big productions are even fewer.

Being able to play the male lead in *The War of Witches and Demons* counts as a "salty fish turning over" for Han Dong—no wonder reporters are curious! As for Yan Qingchen, it's not just ordinary curiosity; there is truly a wealth of material to dig into.

Outstanding Rising Film Company already has plenty of beautiful actresses, yet for *The War of Witches and Demons* Jiang Heng actually chose an outsider to play the female lead Chang'e, which seems somewhat abnormal.

With such heavyweight resources, how exactly were they obtained? Surely it's not just because Director Jiang thought she did too good a job as Chang'e in *The Lotus Lantern*?

The reporters, bringing these doubts, asked all sorts of questions during the speaking session, leaving Yan Qingchen barely able to cope.

After all, she had only ever seen a limited number of media reporters before, never encountering such a scene! After the new film's press conference, the entire crew moved to the China Film Digital Base, where they held a simple "opening ceremony", casually ate, took photos, and then didn't seek out the media.

"Director Jiang, can I take a photo with you?"

Yan Qingchen, dressed in Chang'e's costume, looked gorgeous and charming, and softly asked.

"Of course!"

The two posed for a photo in front of the offering table with a pig's head, then shook hands to express thanks.

In the evening, as usual, they had a meal.

Only the next day did they begin formal shooting.

"War of the Liches" will be split into upper and lower parts, to be filmed together.

However, the upper part of the film is scheduled for release next summer; the shooting task is still heavy, and most of it is filmed using green-screen techniques at the China Film Digital Base.

After entering October, "Legend of the Little Soldier" had finished screening in over a hundred countries worldwide, and the total box office results were finally out.

(End of chapter)