Chapter 8: Audition for the Male Supporting Role

Yun Xingcan’s entire body stiffened, a chill running down his spine.

He had forgotten that Meng Chengxiao despised anyone prying into his life even Yun Xingcan himself was no exception.

“I was wrong.”

Meng Chengxiao stood up and approached Yun Xingcan, gripping his chin firmly.

“Yun Xingcan, don’t think that just because I like you, you can take a chicken feather as a warrant. I can allow you anything else, but my affairs are none of your business!”

Yun Xingcan’s eyes instantly reddened, not for any other reason, but because he blamed himself for being weak.

“I was wrong.”

Yun Xingcan struggled to speak, “President Meng, I overstepped.”

“Knowing you’re wrong is enough. There won’t be a next time.”

Meng Chengxiao’s expression immediately softened, as if the previous moment had been an illusion. He pulled Yun Xingcan into his arms and comforted him for a long while.

Meng Chengxiao had many romantic scandals, but only he himself knew that aside from Yun Xingcan, all of them were fabricated.

However, he had a bottom line that ordinary people couldn’t comprehend.

No one was allowed to gossip in front of him or show curiosity about these rumored “partners,” including Yun Xingcan’s jealousy.

No one knew the reason, not even Yun Xingcan.

He only knew that when he signed that contract with Meng Chengxiao, this clause was written as the first requirement under Meng Chengxiao’s terms.

This was how Yun Xingcan was in front of Meng Chengxiao; he was always soft and pliable, allowing Meng Chengxiao to mold him as he pleased.

All his joys and sorrows followed Meng Chengxiao’s mood.

“Perform well tomorrow.”

“Yes, definitely.” Yun Xingcan rested his head on Meng Chengxiao’s knee, adopting a submissive posture.

“I’ll find time to watch you.”

Yun Xingcan looked up, opening his mouth in disbelief. “You’re going tomorrow?”

“Yes, I have time. I’ve invested in this series.”

Yun Xingcan instantly understood why Lü Feifan had personally come to their home yesterday to invite him to audition.

“If I get the role, will it be considered bringing investment into the crew?”

“Your entry into the crew would be based on your ability. However, you can be very confident.”

Yun Xingcan wrapped his arms around Meng Chengxiao’s neck and straddled the man’s legs.

“You promised me you’d give me plenty of resources.”

“Yes.”

“If you break your promise…”

“What? Thinking of finding another man? Or some woman?”

Yun Xingcan used both hands to lift the corners of Meng Chengxiao’s drooping lips.

“President Meng, you’re so unfair.”

“Oh? Is it unfair that I won’t let you go to others?”

Meng Chengxiao narrowed his eyes, a storm brewing within them.

“No, you’re Peeling Zhou, a hegemon who allows officials to set fires but forbids common people to light lamps. You can be jealous, but I can’t.”

Meng Chengxiao placed a hand on the back of Yun Xingcan’s neck and pressed him down, bringing his lips close to Yun Xingcan’s ear.

“Being jealous is fine, but presuming on favor to act spoiled is your mistake.”

Yun Xingcan raised his hands in surrender. After all, his relationship with Meng Chengxiao was merely transactional.

Meng Chengxiao provided him with resources, and he exchanged his body for them. It was fair.

It was just that after learning how Meng Chengxiao liked him, Yun Xingcan often harbored unrealistic fantasies.

Yun Xingcan woke up unusually early. Meng Chengxiao was still asleep, so he quietly got ready and left the house.

Guo Meng was waiting for him downstairs.

“Brother Yun, we’re heading straight to the set.”

“Okay.”

“Brother Yun, have you eaten breakfast? Don’t let low blood sugar affect your performance later. I bought you a sandwich and a coffee on the back.”

Yun Xingcan glanced around and immediately spotted the food Guo Meng had prepared in advance.

A warmth spread through his heart. “Thank you.”

“Brother Yun, there you go again with the formalities. I’m your assistant, taking care of you is my responsibility.”

Yun Xingcan smiled faintly and took a sip of coffee. It was hot and sweet, just how he liked it.

After eating and drinking his fill, the film crew arrived.

The audition was held in a temporarily erected tin shed.

There were many people there to audition, including numerous students from professional acting schools and some who were already moderately famous.

But in Lü Feifan’s production team, everyone obediently lined up without anyone attempting to cut in line.

Compared to them, Yun Xingcan had arrived somewhat late and could only join the end of the queue.

At eight o’clock, the audition officially began.

Lü Feifan was accompanied by several people, including the male and female leads.

At the very back, a familiar face caught Yun Xingcan’s eye.

Lin Ming! He…

Yun Xingcan looked more closely at the person beside him and sure enough, he was chatting cheerfully with a man.

Yun Xingcan had some recollection of the man it was Assistant Director Yang, whom Lin Ming had mentioned yesterday.

Alarm bells rang in Yun Xingcan’s mind.

From Lin Ming’s suggestion that he should cozy up to powerful patrons, it wasn’t hard to tell that Lin Ming was a repeat offender.

After what Lin Ming had implied yesterday, Yun Xingcan was worried this person might be competing with him for the role of the second male lead, leaving him feeling somewhat uncertain.

One relied on ability alone, while the other had both ability and connections.

After turning it over in his mind, Yun Xingcan grew frustrated with his own thoughts.

He whacked his head vigorously with the script to calm himself down, gradually regaining his composure after a while.

Starting from last night, Yun Xingcan had quickly skimmed through the entire script, focusing particularly on the parts involving the second male lead.

Thanks to Meng Chengxiao’s few words of advice yesterday, Yun Xingcan gained a deeper understanding of the character.

Yun Xingcan remained immersed in his own world until it was his turn to enter the audition.

The twenty or so people ahead of him had all left with dejected expressions without exception.

Yun Xingcan took a deep breath, waiting for his name to be called from inside.

“Next.”

Yun Xingcan straightened himself and entered the room.

The room was quite crowded. Yun Xingcan quickly scanned the area and spotted Lin Ming and Lü Feifan.

Finally, his gaze settled on the seat beside Lü Feifan.

Meng Chengxiao!

He had come.

Seeing him, Yun Xingcan’s previously anxious heart gradually calmed.

His eyes carried their characteristic aloofness as he looked toward Lü Feifan.

“Greetings, esteemed judges. I am Yun Xingcan, auditioning for the role of the second male lead, Han Feng.”

Lü Feifan flipped through the script in his hand and randomly selected a segment.

All the previous candidates had auditioned for the third male lead, and no one seemed surprised that Yun Xingcan was trying out for the second male lead it appeared this had been arranged in advance.

“The final scene involving the second male lead in the script: covered in blood, with bones littered at his feet, he ascends the throne. His expression is desolate as he gazes at the palace filled with corpses, his mind racing through fleeting memories. Perform this segment.”

Yun Xingcan nodded slightly. This was the scene that best captured the conflicting nature of Han Feng’s character in the play.

Yun Xingcan casually moved a chair not far away, took a deep breath, and when he looked up again, his entire demeanor had transformed.

Now, Yun Xingcan was the new emperor about to ascend the Dragon Throne.

The emperor’s body, still warm, lay trampled beneath his feet. Yun Xingcan walked step by step, head held high, moving somewhat briskly to the side of the Dragon Throne.

He lowered his head as if studying the appearance of the Dragon Throne, then bent down and gently traced the intricate patterns adorning it.

He turned around and sat down decisively with an imposing aura.

He was the new emperor of this nation!

Yun Xingcan’s narrow eyes gleamed with authority as he gazed upon the river of blood beneath his feet, a flicker of satisfaction shining through his expression.

Then his eyes shifted again, reddening slightly as a single tear clung to the corner of his eye, trembling but not falling.

Memories of the past seemed to flash before him one by one, that tear containing far too much emotion.

An arrogant king had revealed his vulnerable side.

Yet this expression held no timidity on the contrary, it radiated the satisfaction of vengeance fulfilled.

“Clap clap clap.”

Applause suddenly broke out. Yun Xingcan gradually composed himself, wiping away the tear with his palm before bowing to express gratitude to those present.

“Thank you, esteemed judges. My performance is complete.”

The applause continued unabated, spreading from one person to the entire group.

Meng Chengxiao was the first to applaud, followed immediately by Lü Feifan.

Soon the entire room erupted in resounding applause.

“Excellent. I believe this role is meant for you,” Lü Feifan declared decisively.

“Both your appearance and your understanding of this character were perfectly clear through your performance just now. This role should indeed be portrayed by you.”

Yun Xingcan hadn’t expected to receive such high praise and quickly expressed his thanks.

However, Assistant Director Yang spoke up to intervene.

“Director Lu, isn’t this too hasty? His performance was good, but his appearance…”

Lü Feifan’s expression instantly darkened.

“Assistant Director Yang, don’t make me scold you in front of everyone.”

Lü Feifan remained as blunt as ever.

Assistant Director Yang immediately fell silent. No matter how much Lin Ming tried to signal him with his eyes or plead silently, it was useless.

“Director Lu, your people really lack tact,” Meng Chengxiao suddenly remarked.

Lü Feifan shot a sharp glare toward Assistant Director Yang.

Yun Xingcan slowly exhaled. While others might not notice, Meng Chengxiao could clearly see that Yun Xingcan was in excellent spirits.

“Stay and watch for a while,” Meng Chengxiao suggested, pointing to the seat beside him.

Yun Xingcan paused, glancing at the indicated spot before looking toward Lü Feifan.

“Remain here,” Lü Feifan confirmed. “We’ll proceed with the costume test this afternoon.”

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