Chapter 0780 Audition

Auditions can sometimes be truly exasperating. An actor's state of mind might determine whether the entire interview goes smoothly, or the director's mood might suddenly make him feel that the actor fits his requirements or not.

Zhao Fusheng was actually a bit worried. On one hand, he feared that if the person Ye Jing brought happened to meet Gao Qun's requirements, what would happen to Yan Wang?

On the other hand, he also worried that if the other party performed poorly, Ye Jing would lose face, which would be even more awkward.

As a result, when he saw Ye Jing and the person standing beside him, he was immediately stunned.

"Fusheng, Director Gao, this is Sun Honglei, an artist from Xinbao Company." Ye Jing introduced with a smile, then pointed to the middle-aged man next to Sun Honglei: "This is Zhao Baogang, the boss of Xinbao. Fusheng, you've met him before. Director Gao, this should be your first time meeting him, right?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled, a huge weight lifted from his heart. He walked up to Zhao Baogang: "Director Zhao, long time no see."

"Yes, sorry to trouble you this time." Zhao Baogang said very politely.

Although he was a veteran in this circle and held a decent position in the Beijing circle, the problem was that this was a project invested by Future Advertising. Bringing Sun Honglei over so abruptly was indeed somewhat presumptuous.

"Director Gao, nice to meet you. I've seen your films." When he reached Gao Qun, Zhao Baogang said with a smile on his face.

Gao Qun was immediately flattered and quickly nodded: "You're too kind, too kind."

There was no help for it. Zhao Baogang's standing in the industry was far higher than Gao Qun's. The reason Zhao Fusheng didn't care was that he himself wasn't in the TV circle; he was an advertising planner and didn't need to defer to Zhao Baogang. But Gao Qun still had to make a living in this circle; how could he ignore Zhao Baogang's presence?

From "Aspirations" to "Stories from the Editorial Board," from "Addiction" to "The Imperial City," from "Never Close the Eyes" to "Love in the Rain," Zhao Baogang's achievements were evident. Just like Zhao Fusheng's current status in the advertising circle, no one dared to overlook this square-faced middle-aged man.

He was one of the earliest directors in the country to set up his own经纪公司 to cultivate stars. Compared to him, Gao Qunshu was truly a latecomer.

The subsequent conversation was much simpler. Zhao Fusheng and Ye Jing remained silent most of the time, with Zhao Baogang doing most of the talking while he and Gao Qun exchanged ideas. Both being directors, they discussed the characters more thoroughly. As for Sun Honglei, he never spoke from start to finish, sitting quietly and occasionally pouring wine for the others.

In this setting, he had no right to speak.

"This script is really good." Zhao Baogang praised sincerely: "To be honest, after I heard about it from Old Ye, I read it specially. I usually fall asleep reading scripts, but this one I read from beginning to end, and I truly couldn't put it down."

Given his status and position, being able to say such words was undoubtedly a form of affirmation for Gao Qun.

Gao Qun quickly expressed his thanks. After all, Zhao Baogang, as a top domestic TV drama director, saying this was clearly boosting him. If word got out, the fact that Gao Qun's script was so highly regarded by Zhao Baogang would also bring him some fame.

Everyone lifts the sedan chair; since the other party gave him face, he had to accept it.

"Honglei has been with me for several years and has acted in quite a few films. Director Gao, what do you think of his image?" After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, Zhao Baogang finally brought up the main topic.

Pointing at Sun Honglei, Zhao Baogang asked Gao Qun.

Hearing his boss mention him, Sun Honglei quickly sat up straight, a smile appearing on his face.

"Hmm, this..." Gao Qun looked Sun Honglei up and down, frowned, hesitated, but didn't speak immediately.

Ye Jing and Zhao Baogang exchanged a glance. Both understood that since Gao Qun hadn't made an immediate decision, it meant Sun Honglei apparently didn't satisfy him.

This was unavoidable. As the screenwriter and director, Gao Qun naturally had an advantage in choosing the male lead, since the image of the male lead was already in his mind.

"Don't smile!"

Zhao Fusheng suddenly shouted, and his target was clearly Sun Honglei, who was smiling earnestly trying to impress Gao Qun.

Sun Honglei was startled and instinctively withdrew his smile, putting on a straight face, about to explain something. Unexpectedly, Gao Qun's eyes lit up, and he suddenly laughed.

"Fusheng..." Ye Jing looked at Zhao Fusheng strangely, not understanding.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head, but his gaze was on Gao Qun.

Gao Qun laughed, pointed at Sun Honglei, and said to Zhao Baogang: "Director Zhao, let him come to the set to report later. But I'll say this upfront: our crew can't afford big stars, and his salary won't be high. If I end up slamming the table and cursing, don't be upset."

Zhao Baogang was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter: "Hahahaha, well said. I'm a director too; how could I not understand the business of filming? Don't worry, I'm handing him over to you. Use him as you see fit. As long as it's good for the role, even if you make him walk through fire, I won't have any objections."

With that, Sun Honglei as the male lead was confirmed.

As they left, Zhao Baogang shook hands with Zhao Fusheng and said sincerely: "Thank you for today."

His thanks were not only because Zhao Fusheng gave Ye Jing face by having Gao Qun audition Sun Honglei, but also because Zhao Fusheng had inadvertently helped him during the audition by telling Sun Honglei not to smile.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "Director Zhao, you're too kind. We're all friends. Brother Honglei also fits my vision for the male lead."

Hearing this, Zhao Baogang smiled, patted Zhao Fusheng on the shoulder, and said nothing more.

Favors are something to keep in mind; there's no need to voice them. Zhao Fusheng had helped him today, and someday, Zhao Baogang would surely repay this favor.

Ye Jing was naturally quite happy. He had saved face in front of his friends and found a suitable male lead; he was very pleased.

After seeing off the three, Zhao Fusheng and Gao Qun stood at the restaurant entrance. Gao Qun lit a cigarette and asked Zhao Fusheng if he wanted one. Zhao Fusheng shook his head.

"So, did I seem natural enough?" Gao Qun suddenly asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded lightly: "Very natural."

Then he added with a smile: "To be honest, I thought you would stubbornly refuse to use him."

Gao Qun shook his head: "If I were under thirty, I might have done that, being young and impetuous. But I'm not thirty anymore. To be honest, I finally have a chance to prove myself, and I won't let it go. Xinbao isn't someone we can afford to offend. This Sun Honglei's image is acceptable. Giving him the male lead is fine."

Zhao Fusheng remained silent and said nothing more. Sometimes, reality is like this. Perhaps even Gao Qun himself didn't know what this male lead would bring him.