Chapter 25: The Interviews

Outside the room, a long queue of people waited for their interviews.

Given the overwhelming number of applicants and the fact that some had traveled from out of town, Cheng Cheng had extended the audition period to two days. Yet, he had not expected such a massive turnout on the very first morning.

People constantly cycled in and out of the room, their faces reflecting a spectrum of emotions—joy, disappointment, excitement, or frustration.

Inside, the room was sparsely furnished. Behind a long table sat Cheng Cheng and Beret. The table was cluttered with piles of forms, documents, and scripts, along with Beret’s thermal mug and Cheng Cheng’s iced "Happy Water."

In front of the table sat a single stool for the interviewees. Currently, a striking woman occupied it. She wore a fiery red, tight-fitting skirt that revealed her long, shapely legs through a side slit. Her stomach was flat, her bust full, and her overall presence was one of exaggerated, provocative, and alluring curves. Her thick, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, slightly curled at her forehead. Her charming eyes were half-closed, giving her a languid air, as if she were indifferent to everything.

Cheng Cheng looked down at her resume. Her name was Wen Lian, twenty-six years old, and she was auditioning for the female lead.

"Have you played many roles before? Or did you start as a child star?" Cheng Cheng asked.

"You don't know me?" Wen Lian looked stunned, then let out a laugh—it was hard to tell if she was mocking herself or Cheng Cheng. "Well, you’re a top-tier star; it’s normal that you wouldn't know me."

Cheng Cheng continued to look at her earnestly, waiting for her reply.

Slightly exasperated, Wen Lian composed herself. "Yes, I was a child star. I was in *Double Time Ballad*."

*Double Time Ballad* was a sitcom from a decade ago, centering on a married couple and their two children. One day, a genius scientist discovered a "Space-Time Transfer Device" capable of manipulating and distorting space-time. The device malfunctioned, causing a rift that led the family to encounter their counterparts from a parallel universe. In the original timeline, the family navigated a series of hilarious domestic events; the father was humorous and fun-loving, while the mother was a clever, hardworking housewife. In the parallel timeline, the father was a career-driven, successful, and busy man, while the mother was a high-powered professional. The show explored the collision between these two families from different dimensions.

Upon its release, *Double Time Ballad* became a nationwide sensation, turning Wen Lian into a household name. It was a testament to the fact that the entertainment industry in this parallel world was not lacking; the creative premise from ten years ago proved as much. Cheng Cheng had learned of this show while cramming knowledge about this world, but he hadn't remembered the cast.

"Who did you play in it?"

Wen Lian choked again. "I played Kaylin."

"The daughter?"

"Yes, the daughter."

"Then why haven't I seen much of you in recent years?"

Seeing the corner of Wen Lian's mouth twitch, signaling she might be on the verge of cursing, Beret leaned over to Cheng Cheng’s ear and whispered an explanation.

Through Beret’s account, Cheng Cheng learned of Wen Lian's current situation. She had started as a "national daughter," similar to child stars in his past life. However, she lacked conviction and was never sure if she wanted to pursue acting. After high school, she didn't apply to film school. By the time she realized her mistake and regretted it, she had already lost her momentum. Without good resources, it was difficult for a child star to transition. She took on a few "sexy" roles, which alienated the audience who had watched her grow up, leading to heavy criticism. For the past five or six years, she had been plagued by negative reviews, becoming a cautionary tale of a failed child star.

Still, as a former "national daughter," she was often invited to variety shows—not to be promoted, but to be used as a convenient tool. However, during a show similar to *The Birth of an Actor*, she had lashed out at Lu Zhuofeng, one of the country's three top directors, leaving him humiliated. After the episode aired, the internet turned against her, with numerous celebrities siding with Lu Zhuofeng.

Lu Zhuofeng had even declared in the industry that he would blacklist her, leaving her with no one willing to cast her.

Wen Lian shifted her legs and said with self-deprecating humor, "Now that you know my situation, you probably wouldn't dare hire me, right?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Cheng Cheng replied calmly. "You offended Lu Zhuofeng, not me."

He then handed her the script for "Liang Anna"—the complete character script originally played by Jin Chen in his memory. "This is the script for the female lead. You’ve passed the audition. Leave your contact information; a staff member will notify you about joining the crew in a few days."

Wen Lian looked at him in disbelief. "I passed just like that?" She hadn't even done anything yet.

Beret looked equally stunned, wondering if Cheng Cheng was being too impulsive—was he not even going to test her?

Cheng Cheng acted as if it were obvious. "What else is there? I don't think anyone is better suited for the role of Liang Anna than you. Plus, you have acting experience. Of course, if you want to perform a scene, you can."

Wen Lian asked, "But aren't you afraid of offending Lu Zhuofeng?"

Cheng Cheng countered, "What do you think?"

Wen Lian realized then that the former top-tier star in front of her was a ruthless man who dared to stand up against entertainment giants, brands, and the general public combined! Would he care about Lu Zhuofeng? Not at all. Once you have enough lice, you stop fearing the itch!

When Wen Lian walked out of the room, she still felt dazed. The people in line outside, seeing the folder in her hand, froze.

"She passed the audition?"

"I wonder which role she got."

Wen Lian, as if she hadn't heard them, walked away on her long, beautiful legs.

***

Next, one actor after another was interviewed. Cheng Cheng didn't sign everyone, but his decisions proved sound. Wen Lian’s beauty was truly in a league of its own; no other actress compared, not even close. For those who auditioned for Liang Anna or other major roles, Cheng Cheng reassigned them to smaller parts, such as the beautiful dealer with a few lines or minor background characters. This made Beret breathe a sigh of relief; it seemed Cheng Cheng was indeed responsible when it came to his film.

It wasn't until Yan Gou'er walked into the room that both Cheng Cheng and Beret’s eyes lit up.

The girl’s qualifications were impeccable—her looks, temperament, and poise were flawless. Her appearance was like a fresh spring flowing over pebbles, a breath of crisp air that was utterly refreshing. If Wen Lian was an arsonist of the heart, representing the ultimate "woman," then Yan Gou'er was a saintess serving in a temple on a snowy mountain, untainted by dust.

"Hello, directors," Yan Gou'er said politely. "I am a junior in the acting department at the Beijing Film Academy. My name is Yan Gou'er, and I would like to audition for the role of the female lead's friend, Song Yu."

She handed her printed resume to them. Beret and Cheng Cheng exchanged a look. They had struck gold.

Cheng Cheng flipped through her resume and asked, "You have no prior acting experience?"

Yan Gou'er shook her head. "No, I’ve never had the opportunity."

Cheng Cheng: "Then why did you choose to audition for our crew? You know our situation. Aren't you afraid it will affect your future?"

Yan Gou'er replied, "Compared to that, I care more about the quality of the script."

Cheng Cheng smiled. "Then you've chosen well. This is an outstanding film about social issues. Based on thousands of real cases, it vividly and truthfully depicts the darkness and cruelty of cyber fraud and the difficulty of the struggle against it. It is a film with profound real-world significance. The plot is tightly woven, and the characters are meticulously drawn—from the scammers to the victims and their families, their contradictions and fears..."

Yan Gou'er frowned slightly, interrupting his self-promotion. "May I look at the script?"

"Yes, of course." Cheng Cheng waved a hand. "Director Dao, give her a complete version of the script."

"The complete one?" Beret confirmed.

"Yes, the complete one," Cheng Cheng said.

As he handed it to her, Beret cautioned, "Please, do not leak the plot after reading."

Yan Gou'er nodded.

Half an hour passed. When Yan Gou'er looked up, seeing the expectant expressions of Cheng Cheng and Beret, she blushed slightly. "I'm sorry, I took a bit too long."

Cheng Cheng smiled. "It's fine. Tell us your thoughts."

Yan Gou'er said, "It is a very competent commercial film. I think it's excellent. However, the character of Song Yu seems a bit thin... I’m sorry, Director, I don't mean to criticize—"

"It's fine," Cheng Cheng said. "I know what you mean, but it's a necessary trade-off."

Yan Gou'er nodded. "I understand. May I audition now?"

Cheng Cheng: "Audition? You've already passed."

Yan Gou'er looked just as confused as Wen Lian had been.

Cheng Cheng said, "I trust your professional standards. I’ve been observing you since you walked in. You must have aced your physical acting classes."

Yan Gou'er was embarrassed by the compliment.

Cheng Cheng continued, "Besides, we have half a month of training before filming. Don't worry about the acting. By the way, when does your school end for the break? When can you join the crew?"

Yan Gou'er replied, "In two days. I can join as soon as the break starts."

"Great. Fill out the form and leave your contact info. Our staff will notify you."

After she filled out the form, Cheng Cheng extended his hand. "Welcome aboard."

Yan Gou'er shook it briefly. "Thank you."

***

After Yan Gou'er left, Beret asked curiously, "Director Cheng, you seem to think very highly of her?"

Cheng Cheng said, "Of course. She’s an uncut gem. High beauty, great poise, and not yet signed to any agency. With a little bit of grooming, she could explode in popularity. I don't know why no agency has scouted her yet, but that’s even better!"

Truth be told, the moment he saw Yan Gou'er, many films and dramas flashed through his mind: *Better Days*, *You Are the Apple of My Eye*, *Our Times*, *The Return of the Condor Heroes*, *Chinese Paladin*...

However, he still needed to observe her character and personality to see if she was worth the investment.

Cheng Cheng smiled. "Director Dao, call the next one."

The next person to enter was a male actor.

"Hello, Directors. My name is Li Yang, and I am currently a stage actor..."