Chapter 345 - 300: The Rising Phase: 136

Words : 1335 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Chapter 345: Chapter 300: The Rising Phase: 136 Zhou Yun was really afraid of owing favors. Despite feeling that she was already friends with Gu Huaichun. She knew that asking Gu Huaichun for help would only add to his troubles. Gu Huaichun had a company, and unlike her fortunate acquisition of autonomy in filming, he wasn’t as lucky. Every film Gu Huaichun shot was arranged for him by Yuehai. Asking for his help might lead him to negotiate with the company for the sake of their friendship, but it would definitely bring him troubles, maybe even forcing him to agree to other demands from the company. A lack of control over one’s own fate. Zhou Yun could relate very well. So Zhou Yun didn’t want to make Gu Huaichun feel uncomfortable. Choosing a newcomer would be better. Zhou Yun said, "It would be best if it were a complete newcomer, with no talent agency. That way, you could sign them under your own wing." Zhou Lan nodded and said, "Of course it would be best to find someone suitable like that, but I’m afraid we might not be able to." Unexpectedly, once the news of the first audition at the end of the month was released, even more people came looking for them. What Zhou Yun didn’t expect was that even Kang Xin got in touch with her and recommended someone. Kang Xin said, "A friend’s grandson, he wants to be an actor. He really likes you, and when he knew you were looking for a male lead, he asked his grandfather to come to me. It’s awkward to refuse when it’s a friend of several decades." Even Director Kang Xin said so, naturally Zhou Yun couldn’t refuse the courtesy and directly sent out an invitation for an audition. The audition venue was set in a studio of Chengqian Entertainment. By the end of the month, the tally of people wanting to audition reached over a hundred. This was a longer list than even He Yong had expected, and it left him dumbfounded. He Yong also recommended three young males signed to the company to come audition. He had originally thought that at most about twenty people would attend the audition, but unexpectedly there were so many. Seeing the list, He Yong immediately sought out Zhou Lan, proposing to screen out some people first. "So many people auditioning, how long will it take? It’s better to weed some out based on their resumes first." Zhou Lan said, "President He, this list was decided on by Xiao Yun herself. She is interested in all these people and wants to see them in person." Bringing up Zhou Yun was always effective, upon hearing this, He Yong didn’t say anything further. On the day of the audition, Zhou Yun, Zheng Xiaowen, He Yong, Zhou Lan, and a few representatives from Chengqian Film and Television Production Company sat in the judges’ seats. Zhou Yun, looking at the group of people seated, including herself, felt even more absurdity. They were about to select actors even though the director hadn’t been confirmed yet. But Zheng Xiaowen was enthusiastic, filled with excitement about the audition that was about to begin. "I’m so looking forward to it!" Over a hundred people, a whole day, from morning until evening, with just an hour of rest at noon. The first round of auditions merely skimmed through their appearance, physique, and temperament. If someone suitable and decent was found, a chat would be initiated. This was Zhou Yun’s first time handling such a task, completely inexperienced. By the time the twentieth actor was auditioning, Zhou Yun was already feeling some impatience. Seeing so many people at once simply didn’t allow for an in-depth understanding or the capacity to remember each person’s characteristics. She circled and made notes on everyone’s resume; towards the end, she almost lost her ability to judge. She saw that the others were about the same, except for He Yong, who was faring a bit better. It wasn’t until seven in the evening that the long audition finally ended. After the last person left, Zhou Yun stretched languidly and said, "So tired." Zhou Lan said, "Let’s eat something first, take a break, and then we’ll discuss later." This suggestion was met with everyone’s endorsement. Zhou Yun went to the bathroom. Having stayed indoors all day long, she felt stuffy. After using the bathroom, Zhou Yun decided to step over to the window in the corridor for some fresh air. Night had already fallen. Standing by the window, Zhou Yun suddenly heard a hushed voice coming from somewhere. "...Yes, the audition is over." The voice sounded somewhat familiar. She looked around. No one was in the corner, and it was quiet. There were corridors on both sides without any rooms. In that case, the voice could only have floated in from outside the window. Upstairs? Downstairs? Zhou Yun didn’t poke her head out. The voice continued, and it was clear now—it was coming from upstairs. "Yu Zhiyang performed quite well, don’t worry, with me here, I’ll make sure he gets into the next round," the person said earnestly, "I think Zhou Yun and the others are also quite satisfied with Yu Zhiyang." Yu Zhiyang? Zhou Yun couldn’t remember who this name corresponded to anymore. She frowned slightly. "I’ve heard a lot of people have sent greetings this time; don’t put me in a tough spot. As to what will happen later, I really don’t have any say, but I’ll try to put in a good word for him." Zhou Yun then remembered, this person was a representative from Chengqian Film and Television. She smiled to herself, somewhat wistfully. While surprised, she wasn’t shocked. She knew that since she had so many relationship-based obligations she couldn’t refuse, others involved in the auditions surely had people reaching out to them. At that moment, Zhou Yun suddenly understood from another perspective just how difficult it was for an actor to get a role in a production. The ideal situation would, of course, involve fair competition based on ability alone, but that was clearly unfeasible. Almost everyone had undercurrents swirling behind them. This inadvertently overheard phone call made Zhou Yun remember the name Yu Zhiyang. She planned to go back later and see exactly who he was. Everyone’s boxed meals were not eaten together; they were arranged in several break rooms. Zhou Yun was in a room by herself. Naturally, Zhou Lan joined Zhou Yun. The two ate their boxed meals together, and the conversation soon turned to the audition candidates. "Did anyone particularly catch your eye?" Zhou Lan asked with a smile. Zhou Yun sipped her soup, shook her head, and said, "They’re all quite handsome, but having seen so many in one go, my eyes are spinning." Zhou Lan said, "I actually think that Yu Zhiyang is quite good." Zhou Yun was taken aback. She hadn’t expected to hear the name Yu Zhiyang again so soon. "Which one?" Zhou Yun asked. Zhou Lan put down her chopsticks and sifted through a pile of resumes to find his. "This one." Zhou Yun first looked at the photo. The boy in the photo wasn’t very handsome. His face was gaunt, his eyes staring straight into the camera as if fixating on something. Not very handsome, but with a tough yet green air of a student. Zhou Yun immediately remembered this person. He was different when he walked in, not showing the signs of trained mannerisms. At first, she thought he was a complete newcomer, but after seeing the resume, she realized he had a talent agency. "Sister Lan, why do you think he’s good?" "There’s a freshness about him, that’s the image of a young, athletic boy that we elderly aunts envision." Zhou Yun: "..." "You don’t like him?" Zhou Lan asked. "It’s not that I dislike him, but I heard someone was pulling strings for him just now, and I’m a bit curious about who he is."

Chapter 345 - 300: The Rising Phase: 136

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