Downstairs, Brother Dajin naturally spotted Lord Zhou as well. He pondered for a moment and quickly grasped why a production originally slated for location shooting in Hebei had traveled all this way to scout for actors. While the lack of an extra pool at the local film studio was a factor, the main reason was almost certainly this Lord Zhou.
After waiting a while, he noticed Zhou Xun returning to her own support vehicle.
What was going on?
Was she being made to wait?
Auditions couldn't possibly be that fast, could they?
Amidst Dajin’s confusion, the extras he had brought with him walked down from the building. After glancing at them, he asked, "Guess who I saw? Zhou Xun! How about that? The crew I, Dajin, brought you to isn't some minor operation, is it?"
He peered over Xu Kang’s shoulder as he spoke. "Why didn't Chen Ming come out with you all? How did it go?"
Xu Kang lit a cigarette and said, "Brother Dajin, do you know why Zhou Xun didn't go up?"
"Why?"
"Because Chen Ming was inside."
Dajin’s expression turned absurd.
What did you say?
A single Chen Ming could make Zhou Xun wait?
You must be joking.
But seeing the unreadable look in Xu Kang’s eyes, he suddenly realized that his "little brother" Chen Ming might have actually struck gold!
"Even if you didn't get the part, the trip wasn't for nothing!"
Dajin pulled half a pack of Hongtashan cigarettes from his bag and tossed them to Xu Kang. "Split these among the guys. I’ll look for more work for you in the next few days. Keep an eye on the QQ group notifications."
Ordinarily, Dajin wouldn't be this generous; if they didn't land a part, it was their own lack of skill. He had provided the opportunity, and they had failed to seize it.
After Xu Kang left, Dajin sat in his car, smoking one cigarette after another, his eyes fixed on the hotel entrance.
***
"Fine. I’ll take this recording back to show another director. If there are no issues, you can come to Beijing to sign the contract later. Oh, and this film is being shot in Hebei and Beijing. That’s fine with you, right?"
Chen Ming, not daring to have any objections, nodded eagerly.
Jacob Cheung whispered something to the production assistant nearby. After the assistant hurried off, the director continued, "Alright, you don't have an agent, right? Make sure to keep your contact information updated. I can't tell you the specifics about the production yet; we'll discuss that once the contract is signed."
Hearing this, Chen Ming thought to himself: *You're not going to tell me? I’ve already seen right through you!*
After confirming his contact details with the staff, he bowed to express his gratitude once more before turning to leave.
The midday sun was vicious, and the corridor felt like a steaming vegetable steamer. Yet, Chen Ming didn't feel the heat; he strode toward the elevator.
The young man who had brought him in was waiting by the lift. Chen Ming was about to greet him when the elevator chimed. The young man didn't spare Chen Ming a glance, simply gesturing for him not to block the door, and then bowed slightly, waiting for the doors to slide open.
A short, slightly plump girl emerged, followed by a woman.
Lord Zhou?
In a fleeting glimpse, Chen Ming recognized her, and her identity was immediately confirmed by the young man’s words.
"Ms. Zhou, please, I’m so sorry."
Zhou Xun nodded slightly and stepped inside.
Chen Ming thought for a moment before saying, "I'll be off then, Brother Liu."
Calling him "Director Liu" in front of Zhou Xun—as Dajin did—would only put the man on the spot. After switching to a more neutral address, Chen Ming stepped into the elevator.
Just as the doors were about to close, a hand suddenly blocked them. Chen Ming stared in surprise at the slender, fair hand. As the doors slowly slid back open, it was indeed Zhou Xun holding them.
"Uh... Ms. Zhou, is something the matter?" Chen Ming was baffled.
Zhou Xun stood at the threshold, expressionless, scanning Chen Ming up and down with a piercing, scrutinizing gaze.
"So, he’s the reason I had to wait?"
Her signature raspy voice rang out. Although her eyes were fixed on Chen Ming, the slight tilt of her head made it clear she was speaking to the young man beside her.
Chen Ming had already guessed the situation. Zhou Xun was filming here, the crew had sent people out to audition and scout for specialty roles, and they had accidentally stumbled upon him today.
Before the young man could reply, Chen Ming took the initiative, bowing slightly. "Hello, Ms. Zhou. I’m afraid I’ve kept you waiting."
Zhou Xun continued to study him with a languid gaze, making no move to pull her hand back, allowing the elevator to beep incessantly.
*Is this woman a lunatic?* Chen Ming thought. *If you're angry, take it out on the director, why are you doing this to me?*
Just as Chen Ming was debating whether to apologize, Zhou Xun suddenly laughed. "You are good-looking, I suppose that explains it."
With that, she turned and left, as crisp and decisive as could be.
Chen Ming exchanged a glance with the production assistant; both saw nothing but confusion in each other's eyes. The elevator doors finally closed, and Chen Ming let out a long breath.
*Joining this crew is going to be difficult, isn't it? Have I offended her? Surely not? Are all these artists this crazy?*
Even in the August heat, Chen Ming couldn't help but shiver.
"Over here! Over here, Chen Ming!"
As soon as Dajin saw him emerge, he tossed his cigarette butt aside, climbed out of his car, and waved. As he exited, he seemed to remember something and quickly ducked back inside to start the engine, turning on the AC. To save gas, he had been keeping the windows open without running the engine of his CR-V.
Chen Ming walked toward him, and before he even reached the car, Dajin met him halfway, handing him a bottle of mineral water.
"Hungry? How about some Old Dongyang Grandma’s Vegetables or a stone-pot fish?"
Dajin was referring to an old restaurant opposite the *Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival* exhibit. The food wasn't actually that good, but many tourists flocked to it regardless.
"No need, Brother. Let’s just grab a bowl of noodles; I’m exhausted."
Only then did Chen Ming feel fatigue wash over his entire body—he wondered if it was a side effect of using the System.
Seeing Chen Ming’s exhausted expression, Dajin nodded and started the car. Only after the interior had completely cooled down did he speak.
"So? Any lines?"
"If everything goes as planned, it might be a supporting role—the kind with scenes opposite the lead."
Chen Ming revealed a little, reciprocating Dajin’s concern.
"I knew it!"
Dajin slammed his hand against the steering wheel. "You weren't going to just waste away like this! I always knew you had potential!"
Chen Ming reclined his seat a bit and lay back. "Brother Dajin, if you trust me... once I get my pay, how about we split it and invest in something?"
Dajin was still riding the wave of excitement. He was genuinely happy for Chen Ming, but he also knew Chen Ming was a man of his word—he’d helped him out plenty back when he first joined the *Curse of the Golden Flower* crew.
Think about those palace maids—who stood in the front, who stood in the back? Who got chosen and who didn't? With Chen Ming putting in a good word for him, at least he had a channel to give his gifts, didn't he?
If those people could get a clear shot as background actors in a major film, their market value would change. They could go out and claim they were coached by Director Zhang. You just had to brag a little. Even for certain social gatherings that required such people, wouldn't it be prestigious to bring along an actor who had been on a "major" set?
Big players dealt with big things; small players dealt with small things. That was just how this circle worked. If Chen Ming could really make it big, he, Old Jin, would surely catch a bit of that reflected glory.
"Speak your mind, brother. You know how your Brother Jin is. Don't worry about waiting for your pay—just tell me how much we're talking about!"
"Around two hundred thousand, give or take."
"For gifts?"
"No. We're going to buy the rights to a serialized novel."
"What kind of novel costs that much money?"
"*Love Is Not Blind: A Novel or Guide.*"