Chapter 3: No Background, No Resources, Can't Make It in the Entertainment Industry

Ling Xiaosu, a student of the 1999 Acting Class at the Beijing Film Academy.

By the time he graduated, Qi Hui had not even enrolled yet.

His family was a literary and artistic dynasty; before the full-scale War of Resistance even began, his grandfather was already shouldering a camera to work as a director.

Before Hainan Island was liberated, his grandmother was already an international Best Actress.

His father was a cinematographer at the Xi'an Film Studio, and his mother was a director and producer at the Xi'an Film Studio.

His own career development was also excellent; in 2002, while still at school, he had already begun collaborating with Yuan Quan, Jiang Shan, and others.

Afterwards, he starred in one major drama per year, always playing the male lead, and never lacked roles to shoot.

He appeared to be rising like the sun, an unstoppable momentum... until his divorce from the "Evil Flower" and the impact of the scumbag image from "Temptation to Return Home."

Ling Xiaosu took the full brunt of all the negative public backlash.

Since then, he could be said to have been in a state of decline, whereas Yao Chen grew more and more popular.

Of course, all of this is a story for later.

"Senior brother, it's only been a few years, and you're getting more and more famous," Qi Hui smiled and said:

"I watched the 'Wrestling King' you acted in; you acted it really well. A Northwest big man playing a Shandong big man, with no flaws to be seen. And that wrestling, is it real kung fu?"

"Hahaha, Junior brother flatters me, flatters me." Ling Xiaosu laughed so hard his mouth wouldn't close; it was his proud work, collaborating with Yan Danchen, who had played Chang'e.

This junior brother is good; he looks handsome and speaks well.

I like him.

Ding~

【Host has contacted actor Ling Xiaosu, obtaining one lottery chance. Do you wish to draw now?】

Qi Hui's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he immediately drew the lottery.

【Congratulations, Host, you have obtained Acting +20 points.】

Qi Hui's face was overflowing with a smile, becoming even more sincere.

"Hey, Junior brother, you are here... and wearing this outfit..." Ling Xiaosu put away his inner satisfaction, looked at Qi Hui's white suit with some surprise, yet also with a hint of excitement.

"Senior brother makes fun of me," Qi Hui said directly: "I heard the male lead for this production hasn't been decided yet, so I came to try out."

"Is that so?" The excitement on Ling Xiaosu's face intensified, and he said directly as well: "Actually, I am the male lead they invited."

"Uh..." Qi Hui feigned surprise, looking at Ling Xiaosu with some shock.

Ling Xiaosu said: "Don't be nervous, I'll tell you the truth; I actually don't like this script, nor do I like the character Hong Shixian."

"Let's go in for the audition together later; I will introduce you to the director and let the director choose for himself." Ling Xiaosu continued.

The meaning was clear; he didn't lack roles and couldn't bring himself to love this current character.

For him, this drama was a hot potato.

But since he had already agreed before, it was not good to refuse directly.

So he was willing to give a chance.

As for whether he could get the role, that depended on Qi Hui's own ability.

"Thank you, Senior brother, I understand!" Qi Hui said gratefully; he knew he had just picked up a lucky opportunity.

Regardless of success or failure, he must remember this favor.

Ling Xiaosu smiled and waved his hand: "No need to be polite."

He also had his own considerations; if it succeeded, he would get rid of the hot potato and still earn a favor.

If it failed, he had already prepared to act before coming, so there was no loss.

Either way, he would not lose out.

"Can we add one more person?" Qi Hui's eyes rolled, and he pointed to Zhang Ruoyun not far away, saying:

"He is also from our Beijing Film Academy, a junior brother from the class of '07."

"Oh... Eh?" Ling Xiaosu took a look; without needing Qi Hui to introduce, he said with surprise: "Isn't this Old Zhang's Little Zhang?"

Zhang Ruoyun's father, Zhang Jian, was also a well-known director and producer in the industry.

Although Ling Xiaosu had never met him, he had heard of him a few times, after all, his matter with Liu Bei had caused quite a stir.

Married then divorced, divorced then remarried, making a huge fuss; it was hard not to know about it.

"Hello, Senior brother, my father told me about you." Zhang Ruoyun walked over quickly, greeting him.

"That's perfect, let's go in together then?" Ling Xiaosu's eyes lit up brightly; it seemed the probability of not acting in this drama had increased greatly.

"No, no, no need." Little Zhang hurriedly waved his hand: "My dad set up a production crew and asked me to be the third male lead, so I won't get involved."

The drama title is "Snow Leopard"; the emblem is the male lead, and he is the third male lead.

"Ahem... if only Little Zhang and I go in, the probability of success is likely low," Ling Xiaosu coughed twice and said.

"Going in together shares the fire." Qi Hui explained.

Ling Xiaosu was selected by the producer and director; pulling himself over directly would surely make the producer look displeased.

But if there were a third person, the probability of things succeeding would be very high.

"Hmm... Junior brother is right." Ling Xiaosu was somewhat surprised.

Surprised that Qi Hui understood his meaning so quickly.

This is not like a student who just graduated.

"Uh... okay, but actually, I don't really like this male lead either," Zhang Ruoyun said.

He had read the script; the male lead is a playboy who wavers between two women, a scumbag.

He didn't like such a character at all; he was too fickle.

He hates fickle people the most!

"Who isn't?" Ling Xiaosu shrugged.

He doesn't lack a male lead, nor does he lack scenes, and he truly dislikes this role.

Moreover, the main scenes of this drama belong to the female lead and the second female lead.

The male lead... one cannot say he is dispensable, but one can say he is not that important.

If the producer's sincerity hadn't been so great before (promising a high salary), he would never have agreed.

Qi Hui: "..."

So willful... indeed, without background or resources, one cannot survive in the entertainment industry!

In one room, the production team's producer Wu Zhu Jie, director Lin Tianyi, as well as the assistant director, screenwriter, female lead Qiu Chixuan, and her agent were all waiting in the room.

They were waiting for the arrival of the production team's male lead.

"Why hasn't he come yet?" The producer glanced at his watch and couldn't help but frown.

The director, however, wore a blank expression; regarding treating the audition as merely a formality, he was actually somewhat displeased.

Which director doesn't want to find an actor who fits the role?

Which director doesn't want to make his drama better?

Yet such an important matter as the audition is merely a formality.

This is even the first time he has met the male lead.

But there is no way; the production team was assembled by someone else, and he is merely an employee.

Knock, knock, knock~

At this moment, a knocking sound rang out.

The producer's eyes lit up, and he said in a deep voice, "Come in."

With a creak, the door pushed open.

Walking in was a young man in a white suit, handsome and dashing.

Director Lin Tianyi and the female lead Qiu Chixuan immediately lit up; is this the male lead?

That's quite good!

Ding~

【Host has contacted actor Qiu Chixuan, obtaining one lottery chance. Shall we draw now?】

The system sounded again; Qi Hui's eyebrows twitched slightly, his gaze sweeping past Qiu Chixuan beside him without a trace.

"Draw."

【Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the skill: Korean.】

Qi Hui instinctively pressed his lips together, somewhat speechless.

The contacts are all actors for the lottery, yet the lottery items seem to have nothing to do with actors.

"Mr., you are..." The producer frowned slightly and asked.

"Producer, he is my junior brother," Ling Xiaosu said with a smile, walking into the room together with Zhang Ruoyun.

Ling Xiaosu introduced: "Qi Hui, Class of 2005, Performance Department, Beijing Film Academy."

"Hello, Producer. Hello, Director," Qi Hui said with a smile, greeting them.

The director nodded with a smile.

Qiu Chixuan silently sized up Qi Hui.

"Zhang Ruoyun, Class of 2007, Performance Department, Beijing Film Academy," Ling Xiaosu continued introducing.

"Hello, Producer. Hello, Director," Zhang Ruoyun said with a smile, greeting them.

The producer was puzzled: "This is..."

"Hasn't the male lead been decided yet?" Ling Xiaosu smiled: "The three of us are here to audition."

"Later, whichever one you like, just pick freely; please don't be polite with me."

The producer understood his meaning; the old habit of not wanting to act had struck again.

Immediately, the producer frowned: "This is not what was agreed upon..."

"Eh, since you're here, trying out won't hurt," Director Lin Tianyi said: "The decision power is still in your hands, isn't it?"

He saw it; the originally designated male lead was somewhat unwilling to act.

This is not strange; the male lead of this drama is called the male lead, but in reality, he is a supporting role acting alongside the female lead and the second female lead.

The most important roles are still the female lead and the second female lead.

Hearing this sentence, and seeing Ling Xiaosu's playful smile, the producer slowly nodded.

That is true; for the male lead, he can decide whoever he wants.

"In that case, let's try out," the producer said, giving face to the director and Ling Xiaosu.

However... no matter how they try, it is merely a formality.