CSGM - Chapter 77
Chapter 77: Competing for Roles
Five million was a bit small compared to Ren Zhi's ten-figure assets.
Chu Xi knew this herself, so she quickly dismissed the topic as idle chatter and said casually, "Then just pretend I was kidding."
Ren Zhi nodded. "Mm, just add two more zeros, and that'll be enough."
Chu Xi's lips curved into a smile. "Alright, I'll work hard then."
After they lay down to sleep, Chu Xi didn't dare let her hands wander, because Ren Zhi had sternly told her:
"Keep them to yourself!"
She could only hum softly, rubbing her palms together as she savored the blissful sensation from before.
"What's this song called? I've never heard it, but it's quite nice," Ren Zhi said with her eyes closed.
"It's called... something a friend of mine wrote. Just these few lines, it's not released." Chu Xi had been about to say the title, With You in My Life, but she paused. She suddenly remembered it was a song she had heard in a world she'd transmigrated from; it probably didn't exist here.
No wonder Ren Zhi had never heard it.
"Your friend is quite talented, then. They could try submitting it to a company," Ren Zhi suggested.
Chu Xi hummed in agreement a few times, brushing the topic aside.
The fourth month of the training camp came to an end.
With the casting competition just around the corner, the production team would spend the remaining two months conducting specialized training for the actors based on the casting results.
The atmosphere in the training camp grew tense once more, and the trainees were filled with anxiety.
Even though the training camp was six months long, this casting at the start of the fifth month would decide their fate!
Chu Xi's time as a substitute action instructor also came to an end. Within the timeframe she had promised the director, she had perfectly met his standards.
During that last month, she had thoroughly fleeced the new actors in her class, raising her total IQ by 182 points.
With this "tuition fee," Chu Xi went on a spending spree in the System Mall, giving herself a major upgrade!
One "Primary Advancement Card," two "Intermediate Advancement Cards," two "Advanced Advancement Cards," and one "Expert Advancement Card," for a total cost of 199 points.
After the purchase, her remaining IQ balance in the mall was 17.
After spending them on her Calculation, Vision, Hearing, and Reasoning talents, the status panel calculated by the system was completely refreshed-
Name: Chu Xi.
IQ: 170.
Reasoning Talent: Master.
Creativity Talent: Advanced.
Spatial Talent: Master.
Memory Talent: Master.
Observation Talent: Expert.
Calculation Talent: Advanced.
Vision Talent: Expert.
Hearing Talent: Advanced.
Other Talents: None.
(Talent Level Progression: Primary - Intermediate - Advanced - Expert - Master - Supreme)
While ensuring all her talents developed in a balanced way, Chu Xi had also raised her three favorite talents to the 'Master' level. Still, she felt she didn't have enough IQ points to spend-the more, the better.
She wished she could quickly redeem the 'Supreme' level talents and really have some fun!
The System's boost allowed her to experience the joy of being a genius more directly. For instance, she would occasionally come across detective puzzles that netizens were heatedly debating online. A single thread might have hundreds of posts of people bickering endlessly over the answer, but she could glance at it and solve it in seconds, feeling it was beneath her to argue with those idiots.
Chu Xi derived a strange sense of satisfaction from these small moments.
Although she enjoyed exploring skills that brought about breakthrough changes, her main focus remained on the training camp.
She became even more dedicated after hearing that Ren Zhi had also invested in the film Three Kingdoms.
After all, they had provided her with food, lodging, and training for so long. She couldn't let them lose money, could she?
When the time came to compete for roles, Chu Xi made a decision that stunned everyone.
Just a minute earlier, Yu Yixue had been pouring out her troubles, telling her the company had signed a younger actress who was savvy and knew how to play the game. She had the executives wrapped around her little finger, and many of them had already decided to make the newcomer their main focus for the coming year.
In the first half of the year, Chu Xi had been the one slated to receive the company's resources.
Yu Yixue was heartbroken. Because of the training for this film, Chu Xi had lost far too much!
Having spent this time together, Chu Xi knew that Yu Yixue wasn't a bad person-she was quite principled-so she treated her with more patience.
Chu Xi: 【Don't worry. A blessing in disguise.】
Yu Yixue worried: 【What if the company stops promoting you? You won't have any notable projects to show for at the start of next year...】
It's hard to find resources on your own...
Chu Xi: 【I will. Three Kingdoms.】
Yu Yixue offered a bit of industry knowledge: 【We usually only count projects where you play the lead role as a 'notable project'...】
Chu Xi: 【Right. I'm planning to play the lead.】
Yu Yixue: 【???】
What was Chu Xi saying??
Weren't the first and second leads in this film both male roles???
Meanwhile, the executives at Qingyou Agency were in the middle of an internal meeting.
The company's newly signed actress had indeed delighted some of them. She had a certain 'star quality,' the kind of look that suggested she could become famous. Perhaps they should...
"Let's give her a good push. I think she's got what it takes! How about we give her two S-level dramas after the New Year to test the waters?"
"Alright... let's give it a shot. She's young, after all..."
"Then what about Chu Xi?"
Discussing Chu Xi, that wild horse, gave the executives a headache.
"Since she has her own ideas, just let her do as she pleases!"
"We can consider Three Kingdoms her test run, too. See if she's cut out for the big screen. It's a shame the production cycle is so long. If the movie flops, I say we don't need to bother with her anymore..."
"Ignoring her completely wouldn't be right. There's still hope at her age. If the movie doesn't work out, we can give her a lead role in a B-level drama and let her try her luck."
The outcome was still uncertain. Who could say whether Three Kingdoms would be an undisputed flop or a stunning, come-from-behind success?
To be honest, in the hearts of one or two executives, Chu Xi was already being labeled a 'lost cause.'
Unless she could truly stage a comeback and deliver a stunning performance!
The first round of the casting competition was self-nomination, where each trainee could choose the role they wanted to audition for.
There were a total of eight on-screen roles in Three Kingdoms Prequel: Yellow Turban Rebellion:
The first-billing male lead, Guan Hai, a Yellow Turban general; the co-first-billing male lead, Huangfu Song, a renowned Han general; the second-billing male supporting role, Lu Zhi, the court's Northern General; the co-second-billing male supporting role, Zhang Jiao, leader of the Yellow Turbans; the second-billing female supporting role, Qu Ying, a female Yellow Turban general; the second-billing female supporting role, the Dancer, an orphan of the chaotic era taken in by Lu Zhi's household; the third-billing male supporting role, Emperor Ling of Han; and the third-billing female supporting role, Lady Hu.
Beyond these were nameless roles with no close-ups, who would only serve as extras in wide-angle shots.
In the main hall of the training camp, the director sat at the front, megaphone in hand. He was flanked by crew members and instructors; everyone was present, treating the casting process with great importance.
The director announced the order: female roles then male, from lowest billing to highest. The first role to be called was Lady Hu.
"Anyone interested, step forward."
Encouraged by a look from Chu Xi, Little Curly Hair stepped out. Her features were gentle and harmless, making her suitable only for this role or the Dancer.
A total of five people stepped forward. After a brief discussion, the director and instructors handed out role cards to all five of them.
"There's a scene from the script on the back of your cards. Go practice. The auditions are in seven days."
The next role was the Dancer. Little Curly Hair stepped forward again. More roles meant more opportunities, and the director hadn't said they couldn't audition for more than one.
The director looked at the twelve people, then called two of the dark-skinned trainees out of the line. "I know what you're thinking," he said, rubbing his temples. "Audition for more roles, increase your odds, right? But you need to consider your own suitability when choosing a role."
The character description for the Dancer was 'an ethereal beauty, as subtle as water.' Dark skin would be a bit jarring for the role!
The audience wouldn't buy it!
That Chu Xi was among those auditioning for the Dancer was expected by the production team. As she was handed her character card, Ren Zhi smiled at her, her eyes seeming to say, You can do it.
Chu Xi nodded and returned to her spot.
Surprisingly, when the director asked for those interested in the role of the female general, Qu Ying, a full fifteen people stepped forward, but Chu Xi was not among them.
It seemed Chu Xi was dead set on playing the Dancer, a role that contrasted sharply with her image.
The director watched Chu Xi remain at the back, unmoving, and felt a pang of regret.
To think she had no interest in the female general role at all, not even giving it a try. It seemed like a waste of the physique she had built over the past few months.
The production team weeded out six actors whose dispositions didn't fit, and finally handed out nine character cards. Their auditions would also be in seven days.
Little Curly Hair stood beside Chu Xi and said with regret, "Chu Xi, why didn't you go for that card? Your disposition is a perfect fit. I was hoping to see you play that role..."
"I don't want that one," Chu Xi said bluntly, completely uninterested.
"Oh, alright. But I'm sure you'll be great as the Dancer, too. You can do it!" Little Curly Hair said, offering her trusting encouragement.
Some of the male trainees nearby turned to her. "Chu Xi, you should've taken two cards. By only taking one, you're putting a lot of pressure on the trainees who only chose the Dancer!"
He was right. Some of the female trainees who were only holding the card for the Dancer were already looking dejected.
With Chu Xi auditioning for the same role, their chances of being cast were much slimmer. After all, they were up against such a strong competitor!
"So you like playing roles that are the complete opposite of you? Alright, you're something else. Challenging yourself," the gossiping male trainees said, giving her a thumbs-up.
Chu Xi just smiled at the male trainees who were enjoying the drama.
The fire hadn't reached them yet, so they didn't feel the heat. They were still congratulating themselves on being mere classmates with Chu Xi, not competitors of the same gender. How lucky for them!
However, when the director called for trainees interested in the first-billing male lead, Guan Hai, more than forty male trainees stepped forward. Then, out of the corners of their eyes, they saw Chu Xi slowly walk into their midst. Everyone was utterly dumbfounded.
The male and female trainees, along with the entire production team, had the same reaction: "???!"
This was a male role they were auditioning for. Had Chu Xi made a mistake?
You couldn't be this desperate to be the lead!
The director raised his megaphone. "Chu Xi, what are you doing?"
Chu Xi's tone was casual. "Auditioning. Can't I?"
Everyone froze for a moment. Then the director realized, and the others followed suit-
Chu Xi was going to play a reverse role!
Of course!
How could they have forgotten?
The first role Chu Xi had auditioned for, the Dancer, was actually General Guan Hai's biological sister in the script!
Therefore, it would be perfectly fine for the same face to play both parts!
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