Thinking of Xu Qiao's reputation as a "vase", Hu Zhenghua guessed that he probably didn't perform well in the audition and was eliminated by Zhang Zhen.
After taking a sip of water, Hu Zhenghua thought for a moment and then spoke slowly: "Si Yi, you also know that I never consider personal connections when hiring people. I only hire people based on their abilities. But Xu Qiao helped us so much this time. It is reasonable for us to show our appreciation."
Putting the cup aside, Hu Zhenghua pondered and continued, "Let me think about whether there are any roles where even poor acting skills won't have a big impact. I'll try to pick one with a positive and likable image for him."
The smile in Xu Siyi's eyes faded a lot and he didn't respond.
Seeing Xu Siyi didn't say anything, Hu Zhenghua looked up at him: "What do you think, Siyi?"
"I think." Xu Siyi raised his chin slightly, narrowing his sharp eyes, "Director, why don't you see Xu Qiao's performance in person before making a decision."
Hu Zhenghua didn't understand what he meant. After thinking about it, he walked out of the lounge and called Zhang Zhen over.
"Director Hu, what's wrong?"
Hu Zhenghua: "Xu Qiao came for the audition, were you in charge?"
Zhang Zhen was stunned, not knowing why this matter was suddenly brought up. He glanced at Xu Siyi beside him, and seeing that there was no special expression on his face, he looked away.
Trying not to show any abnormality, Zhang Zhen nodded: "Yes, he auditioned for the role of Little Taoist not long ago."
Hu Zhenghua hummed: "Show me the audition video."
Zhang Zhen had a bad feeling in his heart and guessed that he wanted to repay Xu Qiao for saving Ying Yuan this time.
"Director Hu, what are you doing? We have already decided on the roles—"
"I just want to see how good his acting is." Hu Zhenghua waved his hand to interrupt him. Seeing that Zhang Zhen had not made any move, his face looked unhappy. "Why, I can't even watch it?"
Zhang Zhen stammered, "Video, video may not be found..."
Hu Zhenghua snorted, and sensed some possibility from Zhang Zhen's expression, looking at him with a half-smile: "Zhang Zhen, you also know that I hate people doing little tricks behind my back. I gave you the audition task because I trust you.
I will turn a blind eye to the distribution of those insignificant minor roles. Little Taoist priest, that's the second male lead in "Water Ghost Scroll". What do you think..."
Zhang Zhen's heart was pounding when he heard Hu Zhenghua's slow, casual tone. How could he not know that this was a sign of the director's anger
A drop of cold sweat slid down his forehead and into his eyes. Zhang Zhen closed his eyes and said in a somewhat embarrassed tone, "I, I'll find the video right away."
Not long after, the video of Xu Qiao's audition for the role of the young Taoist priest was placed in front of Hu Zhenghua.
Hu Zhenghua watched the whole thing in silence without saying a word.
Zhang Zhen lowered his head in fear and didn't dare to look at him.
After a while, Hu Zhenghua smiled and said, "You didn't even choose this one, Zhang Zhen. You have very high standards."
"The person you picked is Li Chengxuan, right? Tell me about my memory. I have forgotten what his audition was like. Was he particularly satisfactory to you?"
Zhang Zhen replied hesitantly: "Li Chengxuan's performance is indeed OK..."
He felt guilty even when he said this. At this moment, Zhang Zhen just hoped that Hu Zhenghua would stop taking it so seriously.
However, the director will definitely not let him have his wish today.
"Find Li Chengxuan's audition video as well." Hu Zhenghua stood up and returned to the set, "Let's study together."
When Zhang Zhen heard Hu Zhenghua's words, his eyes went dark.
If I had known this would happen, I should have destroyed the audition video, or I shouldn't have recorded it at all. Who could have known that Ying Yuan would suddenly happen to the crew, and that Xu Qiao happened to save him.
Now Hu Zhenghua was determined to watch, and under his nose, Zhang Zhen didn't dare to make any small moves.
Hu Zhenghua called all the crew members over, played Li Chengxuan's audition video once, and then played Xu Qiao's.
Everyone on the set looked at each other in bewilderment. Looking at the first one alone, Li Chengxuan's performance was actually quite good, just average, and there was nothing wrong with him playing the second male lead, a young Taoist priest.
But compared with Xu Qiaoyi who came later, it was a bit tragic. The acting skills of the two were completely not on the same level.
Xu Qiao's performance was natural and natural, and he looked like a little Taoist priest. Comparing the two, one could even see that Li Chengxuan's performance imitated Xu Qiao.
It is clear at a glance which is better and which is worse.
As for why Zhang Zhen chose Li Chengxuan, everyone knew the reason, but how much benefit he received was another matter.
Zhang Zhen finally couldn't stand the pressure anymore and said with a sad face, "I'm sorry, Director Hu, I made a mistake."
Hu Zhenghua ignored him, looked around and said, "It's good that I discovered it today. But before I discovered it, did someone do the same thing?"
No one dared to answer.
Hu Zhenghua's eyes fell on Zhang Zhen: "Zhang Zhen, our small crew can't accommodate you anymore."
Zhang Zhen stared at him blankly, and it took him a while to realize what Hu Zhenghua meant, his face turning pale.
Are you trying to drive him away
He thought it would be just a few words of criticism, but who knew Hu Zhenghua would go to such lengths because of Xu Qiao.
Xu Qiao took out the scroll that was thrown into the trash can, flattened it and pinned it back to the drawing board with thumbtacks.
He closed his eyes and Xu Siyi's face flashed through his mind.
After opening his eyes for a long time, Xu Qiao picked up a pen and used paint to cover up the stains that he had accidentally painted before. Then he outlined Xu Siyi's eyebrows and eyes on the face of the boy who was missing facial features in the painting.
Slightly highlighted brow bones, sharply defined eyes, slightly pursed lips…
Xu Qiao looked at the person in the painting. He was riding a tall horse, with his hair tied up high. The headband on his forehead and the cloak behind him were both dazzling red. He was wearing silver armor and looked majestic.
It matches Xu Siyi's facial features perfectly.
The cell phone rang. Xu Qiao withdrew his gaze from the painting and stretched out his arm to take the phone.
After the last hot search incident, he reluctantly changed his habit of silencing his phone when doing things.
It's an unfamiliar number.
Xu Qiao paused for a moment before answering: "Hello. Who is this?"
"Xu Siyi."
Xu Qiao raised an eyebrow and asked, "Where did you get my number?"
A smiling voice came from the other end: "Just ask and you'll know. By the way, are you free this afternoon?"
"What's wrong?"
"Director Hu wants to treat you to a meal."
Listening to Xu Siyi's voice on the other end, Xu Qiao stared at the painting, stroking the pen in his hand, and accepted the invitation.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, when Xu Qiao entered the hotel box, Hu Zhenghua and Xu Siyi had already arrived.
Hu Zhenghua is in his fifties, a little overweight, and looks elegant and easy-going.
When he looked at Hu Zhenghua, Hu Zhenghua was also looking at him.
I had only seen Xu Qiao in photos and videos before. I only saw him in person last time on the crew, on the day Ying Yuan got into trouble.
But I was so anxious at the time that I didn't pay attention to what Xu Qiao looked like. Now it seems that Xu Qiao has a slender and flexible figure, a very recognizable appearance, and clear eyes as if immersed in spring water.
A face suitable for the big screen, Hu Zhenghua commented in his mind.
After a polite handshake and a few words of greeting, Xu Siyi pulled out a chair for Xu Qiao.
"Thank you." Xu Qiao thought of the painting he had drawn before coming here, and his eyes moved across Xu Siyi's face with a look of scrutiny and speculation, a little more serious and profound than usual.
Xu Siyi frowned slightly at his piercing gaze.
Fortunately, Hu Zhenghua did not notice the slightly strange atmosphere between the two of them, and inadvertently helped Xu Siyi out when he spoke.
"Xu Qiao, I didn't have the chance to thank you before. Today I'd like to formally express my gratitude to you. It's all thanks to you that Ying Yuan was taken care of." Hu Zhenghua poured a glass of wine and toasted him.
Xu Qiao picked up the wine glass and smiled: "You're welcome."
Hu Zhenghua drank the wine in one gulp, sat down and said, "Come, eat the food first, and we'll talk while we eat."
The three of them picked up their chopsticks, but everyone knew they were not here just to eat. Sure enough, not long after they started eating, Hu Zhenghua couldn't help but speak.
"Xu Qiao, I asked you to come here today because of another matter besides Ying Yuan."
Xu Qiao looked at him and said, "You go ahead."
Hu Zhenghua coughed lightly and said, "Well... I just found out that you auditioned for our "Hundred Ghosts" crew. I've seen the audition video and it's really good."
After a long pause, Hu Zhenghua talked about the purpose of inviting Xu Qiao over, "Are you still willing to join our crew?"
Xu Qiao thought that Hu Zhenghua wanted to give the role of the little Taoist priest back to him.
The audition for this role was a test of whether he could continue to stay in SSE. He himself was not very interested in the role of a young Taoist priest.
Just as I was about to think about it, Hu Zhenghua's voice rang out:
"Liu Wen, are you willing to perform?"
Xu Qiao was a little surprised and raised her eyes to meet his gaze.
Liu Wen, in the script, died by drowning and became a water ghost nurtured by the negative energy of the lake.
The leading actor in "Water Ghost", the role he originally preferred.
Hu Zhenghua: "The movie you're in hasn't aired yet. I went to see Jiang Wen and he showed me some clips of your performance in 'Liao Jiang'. To be honest, I think you're very suitable for playing a ghost."
In his mind, he even had an image of Xu Qiao's long hair floating on the water and her face slowly emerging from the water.
If it was the role of Liu Wen, there would be no need to hesitate. Looking at Hu Zhenghua's expectant eyes, Xu Qiao smiled and nodded.
Soon, the leading male role in the Water Ghost Volume of "One Hundred Demons" which had been vacant for a long time was finally officially announced.