Chapter 44: Auditioning for *The Story of a Noble Family*

"His acting resume can't even be called thin; it's just a blank sheet of paper!"

Liu Guoquan adjusted her glasses and pointed out a passage on the data sheet to her son:

Acting experience: CCTV's *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* production crew, Yin Zhiping.

Li Dawei’s mouth twitched. As he racked his brain for an excuse to deceive his mother, the door was suddenly knocked; it was the production assistant.

"Director, Mr. Lu has arrived."

"Oh, please ask him to come in."

With an outsider present, Liu Guoquan naturally had to give her son enough face. This was a production she was using to "help him onto the horse and escort him for a stretch" for Li Dawei, and it could not afford any mistakes.

Lu Kuan entered the office, greeted by the scrutinizing gazes of the two directors.

Liu Guoquan: Sword-like brows and starry eyes, a sharp gaze and steady gait, elegant and dashing, with a firm expression—he was indeed good material for playing a progressive student.

Li Dawei: Is this the kid that Jiang Qinqin cashed in a favor to get a role for?

In later generations, this romantic soul would have a tragic fate, passing away from cholangiocarcinoma in 2018 at the young age of 47.

It is said that on his deathbed, the name he kept muttering was none other than his first love, Jiang Qinqin, which is truly sigh-inducing.

"Hello, Lu Kuan. Let's begin the audition. First, please talk about your understanding of the character Ouyang Yujian."

Li Dawei graduated from the Beijing Film Academy’s Department of Cinematography and came from a family of professionals; having been immersed in this trade since learning from his mother in 1997, he was quite skilled in the business.

"Right. His identity is that of Leng Qingqiu’s teacher. He is a patriotic youth with progressive thoughts, profound knowledge, and high attainments in poetry and literature. He fell in love with his own student, Leng Qingqiu, which made him a rival in love when Jin Yanxi pursued her..."

Liu Guoquan nodded: "It seems you’ve put in the effort. The character biography is well-done. Let’s try a scene now."

"Certainly."

From his narration of the character’s understanding just now, Liu Guoquan saw the professionalism in his breathing rhythm and lines, so she decided to test him with a high-difficulty close-up scene.

This was the reaction after Ouyang Yujian learned that Jin Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu were engaged. It started with a close-up facial monologue, followed by pushing open a door to encounter Jin Yanxi, a scene of interaction between rivals in love.

"Start when you're ready."

Li Dawei read the narration: "Seventh Brother is getting married, we really ought to send something."

"Getting married? To whom?"

"Qingqiu, of course."

Hearing this, Lu Kuan, who was standing by the desk, first froze, pursed his lips imperceptibly as if trying his best to suppress some emotion, scanned his surroundings, then pushed the door open and walked out.

Li Dawei held the script and handed it over: "Ouyang, I invite you to attend our wedding."

Lu Kuan’s brows furrowed slightly as he took the invitation, looking somewhat relieved yet regretful: "Congratulations. Treat her well."

The performance ended.

As soon as it finished, Liu Guoquan asked hurriedly: "Little Lu, are you a professional actor by training?"

"No, I only took the art exams this year, and I applied for the Directing Department."

Liu Guoquan adjusted her glasses: "Oh, the Directing Department, Lu Kuan..."

"Wait? Are you that examinee who scolded Zhang Yimou’s script to pieces during the fourth round of exams?"

She suddenly realized; the Beijing Film Academy and the Beijing Film Academy (North Film) were only a wall apart. The gossip from that fourth round of exams had happened nearly half a month ago, yet it was still being talked about with relish in small circles.

Zhang Huijun was Zhang Yimou’s biggest "anti-fan," and he was the one who spread it the most diligently, though of course, it was for the purpose of promoting the school.

The two of them had been "foot-to-foot" brothers in the dormitory back in the day; their friendship was deep.

Li Dawei wanted to put in a good word for Lu Kuan. He now genuinely felt that this young man’s acting was quite good. If he knew this was just Lu Kuan’s improvisation, he would probably be even more surprised.

However, seeing his mother’s tightly locked brows, he was afraid of being counterproductive...

After a long while, Liu Guoquan let out a long sigh: "Little Lu, your performance is very good. To be honest, it exceeded our original..."

"Wait, Director, I have one more thing I’d like to discuss with you."

Lu Kuan knew that when she started a sentence like that, a "but" usually followed.

Perhaps the original actor had complicated connections, and his excellent performance alone wasn't enough to tip the scales of victory in his favor.

He simply interrupted her and threw out another bait: "After reading the script, I wrote a theme song for *The Story of a Noble Family*. Why don't we have a listen first?"

Li Dawei understood the implication: "Director Liu, Little Lu is a famous musical talent now. This song is worth looking forward to. Should I call San Bao over?"

Previously, they had entrusted the theme song and soundtrack work to the veteran composer San Bao, a big shot who had once composed the theme song for the Beijing Asian Games.

San Bao was currently scoring another film at the Beijing Film Studio and rushed over upon receiving the call.

He wasn't very proficient at surfing the internet and didn't pay attention to gossip, so he lacked understanding of Lu Kuan, but he didn't resist listening to the demo this young man had brought.

Artists speak through their work; anything else said is superfluous.

The prelude began, with a large combination of strings and piano elements creating an elegant atmosphere.

San Bao’s brows furrowed. It wasn't that it wasn't good—it was too good, and very familiar. It seemed this young man’s creative thinking was identical to his own.

Lu Kuan chuckled inwardly as he watched his expression. He had plagiarized a song from the original creator himself; San Bao’s evaluation was beyond doubt. He wouldn't look down on his own work, would he?

Director Liu Guoquan was much more experienced than her son; she had directed her debut film, *Hijack*, back in '83.

In '91, while filming *New Legend of the Butterfly Lovers*, she had creatively interspersed modern pop songs into a historical story, which was extremely innovative at the time.

Therefore, this female director from the Beijing Film Studio had a much deeper understanding of dubbing and scoring for film and television works.

As the song ended, San Bao took the lead in applauding, and sparse applause rang out in the office.

"Lu Kuan, right? Can you talk about your creative philosophy?" This producer, who graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music, was very curious about his arrangement ideas.

It was no exaggeration to say that he saw many shadows of himself between the lines of the music!

Lu Kuan pondered for a moment and explained slowly: "The strings are to increase the sense of layering, while the piano is to establish a gentle, lyrical tone."

"This is a drama about love, the rise and fall of a family, and social change. The lyrics and musical intent of 'Faint Fragrance' complement the theme of the drama perfectly. The steadfastness and persistence expressed in the song coincide with the main love story, so the fit will be very high."

These words made not only San Bao nod repeatedly, but Liu Guoquan and her son also did not stint on their praise.

Li Dawei curiously observed this young man who seemed to have suddenly appeared out of thin air in the domestic entertainment industry.

But wasn't this young man a bit too all-around?

Not only did he perfectly point out the script errors of the country’s number one director during the Beijing Film Academy’s fourth round of exams, but he also possessed excellent acting skills.

And he could create a theme song that fit the drama so perfectly and appropriately.

Oh, right! Wasn't he also that "Little Immortal" currently being talked about all over the entertainment industry?

Maybe I should ask him to calculate my future with Jiang...

This infatuated director fell into deep thought while watching Master Lu, who was currently speaking eloquently and passionately.

(End of chapter)