Chapter 504

Water too clear has no fish; a person too discerning has no followers!

Such a large conglomerate definitely has good relations with other companies in the same industry; it's inevitable and cannot be stopped.

But to still spout nonsense after he had already announced his decision on the candidate is rather courting death.

Fortunately this kid was sensible and shut up right away; otherwise he would have been fired on the spot.

The others, seeing the situation, were also sensible and refrained from mentioning the candidates recommended by the film and TV subsidiaries of internet giants like Ali and Penguin, instead praising Chen Kun's appearance, demeanor, and acting skills.

After the meeting ended, Jiang Heng had Cui Zhenzhen inform the talent agency department to have Chen Kun come sign the contract.

He then asked how the female lead audition was going.

Cui Zhenzhen said that currently, only a few provinces in East China are holding the audition, and so far over twenty thousand girls have signed up.

The reason it's not like Zhang Yimou, who would have tens of thousands of girls auditioning at a time.

Mainly because Jiang Heng's audition scope this time is small, limited to the East China region.

According to him, the perfect girl imagined by Luo Ji should be a gentle Jiangnan woman.

Even if you accidentally bump into a Northeastern beauty who says 'gaha,' she couldn't be Zhuang Yan! So there's no need for a nationwide audition; according to Jiang Heng, first look in Jiangnan, and if no suitable candidate is found, then expand the audition scope.

What cannot be said to outsiders is that he favors Zhang Ruozhu, who is likely studying at her hometown in Leqing; there's no need to expand the scope too much! Speaking of which, will she pass the preliminary? If her name isn't on the preliminary list, he'll have someone dig up the original audition registration forms.

Fortunately, that afternoon the preliminary audition list from Zhejiang arrived, and indeed it contained Zhang Ruozhu's name.

Jiang Heng saw it and was overjoyed, saying: 'Hurry up, arrange the re-audition right away!'

Cui Zhenzhen was taken aback, not knowing why Jiang Heng was so pleased; a preliminary list without photos—is that really enough?

She then said: 'When and where should we arrange it?'

'Let's put it on Wednesday, at a five-star hotel in Hangzhou.'

'Okay, I'll go arrange it now!'

Meanwhile, Zhang Ruozhu, who had returned to Leqing Vocational High School to study, was resting her chin on one hand, listlessly gazing out the window, thinking about the audition, wondering what it would be like if she were really selected—she couldn't act and had never studied it. Then she thought, could she apply for a theater major in college, since it would be closer to home?

What if she graduates and can't get any acting work—would she starve to death?

Then she'd really have to go home and rely on her parents, who would then arrange a marriage for her! Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly heard an excited shout from a girl in the neighboring class, followed by more shouts from boys and girls, and the helpless roar of the teacher.

The students in Zhang Ruozhu's class were all curious, and the bold ones went straight out into the hallway to look.

Their teacher was fairly open-minded, knowing that if they didn't find out what was going on, the students' attention wouldn't be regained.

Standing at the podium, he chuckled and asked: 'Have you figured out what's going on?'

The boy quickly replied: 'It seems a girl from their class entered the female lead audition for Three Body 2 and passed the preliminary!'

'Hey, not bad! The girl has talent and luck!'

The teacher didn't think it was a bad thing; if she actually made it, that would be defying fate! He then said: 'Are there any girls in our class who didn't go? There are a few who look pretty good!'

'Nannan went to take part!'

'Liu Na also went!'

'And Honghong!'

Before the girls could answer, a few mischievous boys chimed in first.

Because none of them had received a callback for the re-audition, several girls felt a bit embarrassed.

Some even lowered their heads, shoulders shrugging.

Just then, Zhang Ruozhu's phone rang.

She panicked for a moment, hesitating two seconds before answering.

'Hello, is this Ms. Zhang Ruozhu?' 'Yes, it's me!'

'Hello, I'm delighted to inform you that you've passed the preliminary audition for the female lead in Three Body 2. Please come to Hangzhou on Wednesday morning for the re-audition; the exact time and place will be sent to your phone via SMS later. Good luck!'

After the call ended, Zhang Ruonan still had a dazed expression, but her desk mate heard it clearly and exclaimed excitedly: 'Nannan also passed the preliminary! She passed too!'

'Oh!'

'Oh!'

The classmates immediately burst into excited cheers, while the teacher on the podium merely smiled and watched the enthusiastic students, not intervening.

Instead, he sized up Zhang Ruozhu, thinking: 'Our class won't really produce a big star, would it? That would be too lucky!'

By noon when school let out, Zhang Ruozhu learned that just in this school alone, there were over a dozen lucky ones.

Across Leqing City, all of Wenzhou, the whole Zhejiang province, who knows how many girls got that call—really nothing to be proud of.

She went home and told her mother, who didn't show ecstasy, just said lightly, 'My kid looks decent enough; at least I didn't lose face!'

She then added, 'It just so happens your dad is going to Hangzhou to stock up; let him take you tomorrow, accompany you the whole way, so you don't get tricked in a daze!'

'Mom, aren't you coming?' the younger brother asked.

Zhang's mother shouted back, 'I'm leaving; you guys have nothing to eat or drink—who's going to look after you!'

The little ones, hearing that, lowered their heads again.

Zhang Ruozhu was still somewhat excited: 'After the re-audition, can we go for a stroll around West Lake?'

Zhang's mother retorted unhappily, 'Your father is going to close shop for a day or two to accompany you—ask him if he has time to take you around West Lake!'

'Oh!'

Zhang Ruonan pursed her lips, ate in silence, but the smile at the corner of her mouth couldn't be suppressed.

In the afternoon, Zhang Ruozhu went to the homeroom teacher to ask for leave; the teacher smiled and approved, also saying she was good-looking and should strive to perform well—she might just get selected.

The next morning, Dad Zhang scrubbed the car until it shone, packed lots of snacks for the road, and then drove to Hangzhou.

Along the way, father and daughter chatted casually, watched the roadside scenery, and imagined a beautiful future, feeling quite content.

At one moment, Zhang Ruozhu suddenly felt that the beauty of the human world is roughly like this.

You want to do something, and although your family seems indifferent on the surface, they're actually full of support!

Upon arriving in Hangzhou, the two first drove to the hotel where the re-audition was held to take a look, then found a place to stay nearby.

In the evening we went for a stroll by Xihu and ate quite a few tasty things.

The next morning, the two of them walked to the five-star hotel where the callback was held.

As soon as they entered the lobby, they saw a shocking banner.

"Welcome, renowned international director Jiang Heng, to our hotel!"

"My goodness, Director Jiang actually came!"

"Director Jiang!"

"Does that mean after this callback we'll know whether we've been selected?"

"Not necessarily; there are other provinces and cities too, but if he takes a liking to you, even if you don't get the female lead role, you still have a chance to become a star."

The girls who had arrived earlier chattered away. (End of chapter)