Chapter 58: Jing Tian: Impossible, Absolutely Impossible! (Please Keep Reading)

“Don’t stop him, let him hit.” Zhang Li lifted his chin, his gaze defiant and proud.

He continued his performance, his tone growing sharper: “Coward, I bet you can’t even get hard.”

The five people responsible for the audition all got goosebumps.

That sound, like chalk scratching a blackboard, caused physical discomfort.

At that moment, Zhang Li’s expression shifted again; his eyes grew moist, tears welling up, his body leaning backward as he spoke with a noticeably trembling voice: “It’s not me, really not me~”

Then, his eyes blazing with fury: “Someone’s trying to frame me, definitely, absolutely!”

Bang!

Zhang Li threw away the chair and sat down hard on the floor, pretending to be dragged backward while shouting: “Ah, ah, ahhh~”

After retreating a certain distance, he trembled as he stood up, tears falling, his eyes full of pleading and fear, unable to speak, only trembling: “...”

After several seconds, he stood again, his expression returning to how it was when he first entered the room, and his voice back to normal: “Teachers, I have finished my performance.”

The five audition judges were silent.

The heads of Huayi and Starlight said they didn’t quite understand what he was acting.

But his facial expressions changed a lot, and his tone was spot on; the acting skill was there.

Gao Qunshu slowly spoke: “You performed three scenes in one go.”

“Yes, director.” Zhang Li nodded. “The first scene shows Bai Xiaonian’s framing, confidence, and cunning.”

“The second scene shows provocation, insults, and arrogance.”

“The third scene shows fear, denial, despair, and helplessness.”

“I believe these three scenes together can represent Bai Xiaonian!”

Zhang Li had thought about choosing one scene to perform properly but ultimately rejected that idea.

In his mind, he repeatedly reviewed “The Message,” where Su Youpeng’s portrayal of Bai Xiaonian was excellent—award-worthy.

Zhang Li’s acting was at an advanced level, close to mastery, but not enough to say he would definitely beat Su Youpeng.

Moreover, Su Youpeng was a famous actor, with greater recognition and a fan base that could easily overshadow him.

With no clear advantage in acting, relying on conventional competition wouldn’t give him much chance.

So he chose a different path, auditioning with this clever approach.

“Hmm, not bad.” Gao Qunshu nodded, waving his hand. “We still have more auditions to conduct; you’ll wait for the results, right?”

“Goodbye, teachers.” After a slight bow, Zhang Li left the audition room.

“What do you think of him?” Gao Qunshu asked the others.

“Young and full of ideas.” Maijia replied. “Knowing Kunqu opera is a plus, and his appearance is outstanding—more fitting for the role of Bai Xiaonian, who is kept by the commander.”

“A newcomer film actor, with more plasticity.”

A kept pretty boy must be more handsome than any woman—tough yet gentle, soft yet beautiful, beautiful yet handsome.

Maijia didn’t openly say he chose Zhang Li, but the implication was clear.

“Maijia’s right.” Chen Guofu nodded in agreement but quickly shifted tone: “Too young, and youth means inexperience. I’m afraid he can’t portray Bai Xiaonian’s life experience well.”

“His appearance is indeed better, but his popularity compared to Su Youpeng is worlds apart.”

“Since the acting doesn’t clearly surpass, overall I think Su Youpeng is a better choice.”

As a director from Bay Province, of course, he supported the local actor he recommended.

Just like Maijia spoke up for Zhang Li, perhaps there was some hometown sentiment involved.

“...” Maijia wanted to argue that Zhang Li’s recent performance didn’t match the character’s experience.

But as the screenwriter and original author, he felt no need to defend Zhang Li too much.

“Everyone, please continue the auditions for the remaining roles. I’m going to make a call.” The head of Starlight picked up the camera and left.

Meanwhile, Zhang Li suddenly paused in the corridor outside.

Among those preparing for auditions, he spotted a familiar face.

“Jiajia, long time no see.”

Zhang Li approached a woman wearing a qipao.

This woman was Deng Jiajia, who had played the spider spirit in “Chinese Paladin.”

Come to think of it, Hu was able to play “Li Xiaoyao” thanks in part to her distinctive audition voice.

“Are you...” Deng Jiajia frowned instinctively, then her eyes brightened: “Xiao Li?”

“It’s me, Jiajia.” Zhang Li nodded slightly.

“Sit, sit here.” Deng Jiajia patted the seat beside her. “I heard you got into Beijing Film Academy. Are you here auditioning today?”

Zhang Li sat down, inadvertently brushing Deng Jiajia’s arm with his fingers.

In that moment, time seemed to freeze.

[December 11, 2008, starred in the spy drama “Eighteen Years in Enemy Camp” alongside Du Chun...]

[June 2009, participated in the Shanghai Film Festival; September 29, cameo in “The Message” released...]

[2009... “Visitors from the Sui Dynasty”... “Panda Hero” released...]

[February 22, 2010, acted in the urban sitcom “Love Apartment 2”...]

“Love Apartment 2!” A flicker of light passed through Zhang Li’s eyes.

He hadn’t participated in “Love Apartment 1,” not for lack of desire, but because he couldn’t.

On one hand, the filming schedule conflicted with “The Message,” and if given the choice, he would have chosen “The Message.”

On the other, after obtaining the director Wei Zheng’s contact through connections, he learned that casting had taken place back in May, and all roles were already filled.

However, there was still a funding gap, so Zhang Li planned to invest and stipulated in the contract that he would retain a share of investment for the following seasons.

“Deng Jiajia wasn’t in ‘Love Apartment 1’ but is in ‘2,’ which means there will be additional or replacement roles.”

“When I have time, I’ll watch ‘Love Apartment 2’ in advance for reference.”

With many thoughts flashing through his mind, Zhang Li smiled and chatted briefly with Deng Jiajia.

Soon, he asked to exchange phone numbers and found an excuse to leave.

At the same time, Lu Zheng had finished watching the audition video of Zhang Li sent by his secretary.

“His looks are really good, a classic pretty boy style—no wonder Tiantian likes him.”

“His acting is quite decent; at least for the role of Bai Xiaonian, he’s up to the task.”

“Since he won’t be a liability, I can support him.”

Lu Zheng called the big boss, exchanged pleasantries, then shared his thoughts.

He also sent the audition video to the big boss.

After watching, the big boss’s opinion was similar to Lu Zheng’s. He immediately ordered: “Cast Zhang Li as Bai Xiaonian and notify him to sign the contract.”

At the same time, Jing Tian heard a voice in her mind.

[You used your financial power to secure an excellent supporting role in a major film for Zhang Li. Role foresight chance +1]

[Role foresight chance]: If you have a breakout role in the future, you gain priority knowledge of the role information closest to the current time point, including all related film and television content.

If you have no breakout role in the future, you gain foresight of one breakout role closest to the current time point that fits you.

“Foresight!”

Jing Tian nearly fell off the bed while reading.

The next moment, she decisively chose to use it.

In an instant, her face showed an expression of disbelief.

“Impossible, absolutely impossible!”