Chapter 3: Choosing the Female Lead

“By the way, there’s a reply from Liu Nai Cha’s side. Yesterday, Huang Lei specifically went to the directing department to explain to the professor that Liu Nai Cha couldn’t free up his schedule and, unfortunately, had to miss out.”

Tian Zhuangzhuang turned his head, raising his eyebrows and squinting, eager to gauge Cao Yang’s reaction.

Everyone was well aware of the relationship between Huang Lei and Liu Nai Cha, so inviting Liu Nai Cha through Huang Lei wasn’t an issue.

In fact, it was a favor done for Huang Lei’s sake.

Huang Lei was adept at handling relationships; he took the trouble to visit Professor Situ in the directing department to explain the situation.

That was the crux of the matter: Cao Yang had extended the invitation, but Professor Situ wasn’t involved at all. Huang Lei’s explanation to Professor Situ gave the professor plenty of face.

However, at the time, it was Cao Yang personally who went to the acting department to relay the message through Huang Lei. Normally, Huang Lei should have called back.

But did he?

Did Cao Yang not deserve even a phone call?

Apparently not.

He was simply ignored.

Even the news came through Old Tian.

“Got it,” Cao Yang said nonchalantly, flipping open his notebook and crossing out Liu Nai Cha’s name.

Liu Nai Cha wasn’t particularly attractive, but his temperament suited the role well—especially given his own experience with an extramarital affair involving his mentor, which allowed him to quickly immerse himself in the character.

He would likely perform with ease.

It was for these reasons that Cao Yang had extended the invitation to him.

Tian Zhuangzhuang skimmed through the notes and frowned with some dissatisfaction. “Only nine people have come to audition for the female lead these days? None rated above three stars, only two with three stars—that’s terrible.”

“Low investment, no publicity, a young director who looks unreliable—that weeds out most quality candidates. Only recent graduates or those struggling come to take a chance. At their stage, information is scarce, so even fewer know about our casting.”

Cao Yang stated the reasons objectively.

Tian Zhuangzhuang pondered, then said, “What do you think of Yu Feihong from our school’s alumni? I feel her temperament is quite similar to the female lead. Should I give her a call?”

Cao Yang shook his head, explaining, “I contacted her through the school a few days ago; she said she’s filming ‘Galloping West Wind’ and can’t make time. But to show support for her junior, she said she might squeeze in about ten days for a cameo.”

“Any other candidates?”

Tian Zhuangzhuang was getting anxious. As the director, how could Cao Yang sit so calmly when they couldn’t find a suitable female lead? Shouldn’t he be rushing around making calls?

“I invited Xu Jinglei from the class of ’93 through the school a while ago but haven’t heard back.”

“She’s quite suitable—temperament and appearance are fine, though her acting is a bit weak. But since her affair with Wang Shuo is well known, she has experience similar to the female lead’s, so a natural performance would work.”

Tian Zhuangzhuang picked up his phone and stood, saying, “I’ll call her and see what she thinks.”

Cao Yang tugged at his sleeve, making him sit back down. Shaking his head, he said, “No need. She has Wang Shuo and his group supporting her. It’s normal she wouldn’t look favorably on my small production. If you call, it would just put her in an awkward spot.”

“You’re too stubborn and rigid,” Tian Zhuangzhuang shook his head. He had wanted to insist but gave up after thinking it over.

Being alumni, and invited through the school, there was a sense of camaraderie; they could support each other without causing embarrassment. Even if one didn’t want to accept, a casual excuse would save face and preserve harmony.

But after so long with no reply, it was hard to justify.

Moreover, Cao Yang was Professor Situ’s student. Situ’s standing was unquestioned; he had once been the renowned class adviser of the directing department’s class of ’78.

Cao Yang could be considered the junior disciple of Tian Zhuangzhuang, Chen Kai, Xie Xiaojing, Li Shaohong, Zhang Jianya, Wu Ziniu, Hu Mei, and the others. Who would look down on him?

“Any other candidates?”

Cao Yang thought for a moment, smiling, “There’s one very suitable—her acting should be fine, temperament excellent, with similar experience. She knows you well; it depends on whether you can persuade her to join.”

Tian Zhuangzhuang hesitated and whispered, “I could call her. She’d probably do me the favor, but if the professor finds out, he might call me over and scold me for being a bad disciple.”

Huh?

Cao Yang was puzzled. Even if Chen Hong was called to play the female lead, would the professor really scold anyone? If they also dragged in Brother Kai to play the extramarital director, the professor might have a few harsh words.

But most likely, he’d just complain about the directing department’s bad luck, saying the directors produced there were all prone to mischief.

“Old Tian, I’m just joking. Surely we’re not thinking of the same person?”

“Who were you thinking of?” Cao Yang asked calmly. “No way, after all this time, would the professor still scold you?”

Tian Zhuangzhuang whispered, “Xu Fan married Little Cannon last September.”

Holy moly!

Old Tian really knows how to stir things up.

Cao Yang stifled a laugh and nodded, “Then forget it, better not get you scolded again.”

Tian Zhuangzhuang sighed, “So what do we do? Everyone with good acting or a bit of fame has turned you down. You won’t let me call anyone, so we can’t just pick someone randomly, can we?”

“Then we’ll choose from the nine who auditioned.”

Cao Yang turned and smiled at Tian Zhuangzhuang, “Brother, this film is told from a female perspective. Would you believe me if I said it’s a typical role where the actress is guaranteed success? Whoever plays it decently is likely to win awards.”

Tian Zhuangzhuang agreed quietly with Cao Yang’s words.

This film wasn’t just framed from a female perspective—it revolved entirely around the female lead.

The male lead? Nonexistent.

Men in the film were reduced to mere symbols.

The camera followed the female lead’s every expression—the slightest frown or smile, her candid innocence, reckless defiance, and lonely sorrow.

It was almost a documentary about the female lead.

If this turned out well, it could genuinely win awards.

Yet those fools kept rejecting it one by one, not even bothering to read the script.

Damn frustrating.

Tian Zhuangzhuang slammed the table, fiercely declaring, “No more looking! We’ll pick from those newcomers. I don’t believe acting can’t be improved!”

He pulled out a small, exquisite Motorola V998 and was about to dial a saved number when his hand froze. He cleared his throat and looked at Cao Yang.

“Director Cao, should we call everyone back for another audition, or only notify the two with three-star ratings?”

At work, he addressed him formally.

Though reluctant, he remembered he needed to “report.”

Cao Yang was pleased. Before yesterday, Old Tian would never have consulted him—at most, he would have given a heads-up before making the call.

Looks like the only one who can tame stubborn Old Tian is Professor Situ.

Opening the memo, he saw notes on the two candidates’ basic details and pros and cons.

After a moment’s thought, Cao Yang asked, “Brother, what about Li Xiaoran?”

Tian Zhuangzhuang opened his records as well. The three-star overall rating was average, but among those who auditioned, she was one of the best two.

“Trained in dance, acted in a few TV dramas mostly as minor roles. Just finished Zhao Baogang’s ‘Like Mist, Like Rain, and Like Wind.’ It was a significant supporting role. Acting… can be considered passable.”

Tian Zhuangzhuang hesitated, pursing his lips. In the script, the female lead is around thirty.

“Isn’t she a bit young? Only twenty-four. Can she portray the allure of a mature woman? Can she carry the whole film?”

Cao Yang was also uncertain. The future Li Xiaoran would be very charming, and with some improvement in acting, she’d be fine for the role.

At this moment, though, she was indeed a bit inexperienced.

Actually, Cao Yang wasn’t too worried about her age. With a good stylist, it would be easy to give her a mature look.

His biggest concern was still her acting.