The birth of an actor

Chapter 43 Er Kang Ben Kang
"Oh, Anxin, you're here too? What a coincidence."

Inside the Beijing Film Studio, outside the office building.

After waiting a while, the girl who was allowed to enter for the audition saw An Xin and, with a familiar and natural smile, took her mother Zhang Chuanmei's arm and introduced her:

"Mom, it's An Xin. He's my classmate in acting class... Oh, what a coincidence, you're here for the audition too."

"..."

An Xin remained silent, and politely nodded to the girl, meeting Zhang Chuanmei's surprised gaze.
Hello, Fan Bing.

"..."

Fan Bingbing's lip twitched.

I almost burst out laughing.

But they immediately noticed something strange.

Why has he suddenly become so unfamiliar after not seeing him for a week?
Her appearance hasn't changed, but...

Why is it different from before?
But I can't quite put my finger on why it's different; it's just a feeling. This sense of peace at this moment... has a strange, warm quality to it.

He seemed very reliable and well-mannered.

?

A big question popped into her mind.

What happened this week?
She was surprised, and Zhang Chuanmei was equally surprised.

She had no recollection of the child, not even remembering when the girl had mentioned him or what she had said. However, based on the child's explanation, she knew he must be a classmate from the acting class her daughter had enrolled in.

But these weren't the points that surprised her.

What truly surprised her was the child's face...

Why does it look so lovable?

He's handsome, like a big star. And... he has a natural quality that makes people feel incredibly comfortable and close to him.

She fell in love with it at first sight.

This kid is pleasing to the eye.

Just as I was thinking this, I saw the child greet the daughter and then look at me:
"Hello, Auntie, my name is An Xin. I'm Fan Bing's classmate. It's nice to meet you."

Oh dear, look at this.

This child is so adorable.

So polite.

Then look at my own daughter, she's like a wild child...

With this thought in mind, a smile appeared on her face:

"Hello, don't worry."

"Hey, how's your preparation going?"

Hearing the girl's question, Anxin nodded slightly:

"It's alright, I'm going over there to prepare. Good luck, goodbye Auntie."

"Well, come on."

Under Fan Bing's strange gaze, Zhang Chuanmei watched An Xin leave and couldn't help but say to her daughter:

"Look at him, how polite he is. What a nice kid. How old is he?"

"Uh... I don't know. But they should be about my age."

"Then you should still be in high school, right?"

"..."

Fan Bing opened her mouth, and reluctantly agreed:
"should be."

"Yes, he's good-looking and polite. If you can find a boyfriend like him in the future, Mom will be laughing in her sleep."

Fan Bingbing's face instantly turned bright red:

"mom!!"

"Haha, look at you, blushing?...Alright, save it. Such an outstanding kid, he wouldn't even look at you."

"..."

Fan Bing's face turned even redder.

I was embarrassed just now, but I'm angry now.

But... for some reason, she didn't refute it.

I even somewhat agree with it.

Absolutely... She's a top student who got into Renmin University at sixteen. And she's so beautiful, even more so with makeup. And so talented...

Compared to him, how could he possibly be interested in someone like me who dropped out of high school?

Thinking of this, a sense of loss inexplicably arose in her heart.

He subconsciously stole a glance in Anxin's direction.

He was already standing in the corner, leaning against the wall, seemingly lost in thought.

His eyes showed neither sorrow nor joy.

of course.

She wasn't there either.

……

The audition is scheduled for 9 o'clock, but that doesn't mean it starts at 9 o'clock.

On the contrary, it gives time to audition and casting directors.

People just need to arrive before 9 o'clock. As for when to start, that depends on when the director feels it's appropriate.

By 8:50 a.m., more than one hundred auditionees for various roles had gathered in front of the Beijing Film Studio's office building. Among them were not only actors, but also some who clearly looked like agents.

It seemed noisy and chaotic.

In fact, Anxin also had no idea how these people knew about the audition for "My Fair Princess".

He's not an insider and doesn't really understand how things work out here.

He didn't even know how these people decided on their audition roles. But he was oblivious to everything else at the moment, simply watching quietly.

Until a staff member came to the door and called out:
"Everyone, come here to collect your audition lines for your respective roles."

Upon hearing this, Anxin quickly followed the restless crowd into the building, only to find that the table by the door was already piled with several stacks of documents.

"The male actors are on the left, and the female actors are on the right. Line up, one per person..." Under the staff's instructions, everyone lined up.

One by one, the crowd went in and left, and soon they arrived at Anxin.

Fu Erkang.

Fu Ertai.

Liu Qing.

Furen.

Xiao Zhuozi.

Small stool...

There's hardly any fairness to speak of; Fu Erkang and Fu Ertai have the fewest scripts left. Clearly, everyone's going for these two "main characters."

Anxin did the same; after taking a page of Fu Ertai's paper and leaving the crowd, she saw its contents.

"Erkang wanted to elope with Ziwei, but Ertai stopped him."

Dialogue – Erkang: “Once she’s better this time, I’ll take her away.”

Ertai: Don't forget everything and throw everything away for Ziwei! If you really do that, not only will you break your father and mother's hearts, but Ziwei won't go with you either. How could she let you do such an unfilial and disloyal thing!
Erkang: Then tell me what I should do! Am I supposed to just stand here and watch Ziwei die?!

Ertai: Then let's think of a solution! You need to calm down first...

Erkang: How can you expect me to stay calm now that things have come to this! (Excited)
Ertai: Don't be like this! Calm down!
Erkang: How am I supposed to calm down! Teach me how to calm down! (Extremely agitated)
Ertai: (calmly dissuading)

If it were Anxin from two weeks ago, she would definitely be complaining in her mind right now.

But at this moment, he didn't react at all. After just one glance, he knew the cause and course of the story. So he remained completely unmoved and didn't even bother to memorize his lines.

Because... he had almost memorized all those lines.

At that moment, Fan Bing finally walked over.

Zhang Chuanmei obviously couldn't accompany the actors during auditions, so she was relatively "free".

"Hey, that was a good performance."

When her cheerful voice rang out, An Xin glanced at her and asked:

"How was last night?"

The girl was somewhat smug, then looked around and suddenly pulled Anxin aside:
"Let me tell you, the casting director for later is surnamed Cao. During the audition, there will be two TVs in front of them. Relax, they won't be watching you, they'll just be watching your performance on the TV. It will be a two-person scene, with the scripts already arranged. Don't worry about the actors you're acting with, just focus on performing your own role well. See the number on the script? You're Ertai, so Erkang should have the same number on his script. Just focus on performing. Yesterday, when I performed for Director Sun, Director He was right there, and I heard him say that an actress named An Xin would be auditioning tomorrow, and that you best fit her image of Fu Ertai. Director Cao nodded and said he understood..."

She spoke very quickly, telling Anxin everything she knew in one go.

Anxin listened attentively, nodding as she did so.

After she finished speaking, he asked:

"Then why did you come here today?"

"It's just a formality. My audition video will be uploaded after today's audition, and I'll go back to Taiwan with you all and the director. The final casting for this drama was decided by Aunt Qiong Yao..."

"Oh."

Anxin responded with a soft "yes," then suddenly remembered something and asked:
"What about your contract? What does it say?"

"hey-hey."

Upon hearing this, the girl immediately smiled, her eyes narrowing.
“My mom talked to Agent Sun a few times and thought he was reliable, so she agreed. Now we're just waiting for Aunt Qiong Yao to confirm the role, then we can sign the contract. Director He said it will be quick. After the audition today, we'll take the videotape back, and it should be in the next couple of days. After the results are out, I'll sign the contract. Oh right, I've already talked to Sister Zi, so you don't need to worry about it. After my mom leaves, I'll go back to work…”

"...How many years are you planning to sign?"

Seven years.

"...Did Auntie agree?"

"Yes, my mom also thinks seven years is appropriate."

Hearing this, Anxin stopped asking questions.

After all, their parents have agreed, so what can I say?
So he nodded, and at that moment, a staff member called out:

"All actors, prepare yourselves. Auditions begin. Erkang and Ertai, please wait..."

As he spoke, Fan Bing quickly raised her fist:
"come on!"

She looked relaxed.

"Ah."

Anxin responded with a soft "yes," then looked at the audition room across the corridor and said:
"Then I'll go."

"Uh-huh!"

……

Strictly speaking, he didn't care too much about the girl signing the contract. After all, her parents had agreed, and besides, he was currently immersed in the emotions of the character Ertai.

When the auditions began, people came and went like a passing frenzy, being called out, going in, coming out, and leaving.

Back and forth.

Time just passes by little by little.

Anxin wasn't in a hurry; she simply kept her eyes closed, pondering everything about Ertai.

until……

"Number sixteen, Erkang; number sixteen, Ertai."

Upon hearing this number, Anxin instantly opened her eyes.

After glancing at the numbers on the title page of his script, he walked straight to the door.

He can go in after the people inside come out in a while.

Just then, another person walked up to him.

Anxin didn't pay attention at first, until she heard a sentence:
"Are you number sixteen, Ertai?"

He subconsciously turned his head, then suddenly froze.

My gaze instinctively fell on the man's nostrils.

Well, not bad.

It's not as exaggerated as the meme portrays.

He's quite handsome, and also quite normal.

And this person was none other than Erkang himself.

Zhou Jie.

(End of this chapter)