Huayu: This celebrity doesn't follow the rules.

Chapter 121 New Drama's Lead and Second Lead Actresses Confirmed
The afternoon sun slanted through the pomegranate trees in the courtyard, casting dappled shadows on the blue brick ground.

Lin Jianjun strolled around the courtyard with his hands behind his back, his fingers brushing against the gray brick wall covered with vines. He couldn't help but click his tongue and say, "Xiao Ye, you've really done a great job building this courtyard. Why don't you leave a side room for your uncle too?"

Jiang Ye was directing the staff to move tables, not even turning his head: "It's inconvenient."

"Why is it inconvenient?" Lin Jianjun persisted.

“Uncle,” Jiang Ye interrupted him, “are you here today to be a judge or to ask for a house?”

Lin Jianjun awkwardly touched his nose and turned to check the equipment.

Soon after, Wang Pu arrived with several company executives.

The staff set up several rosewood wooden tables in the center of the courtyard, covered them with dark blue tablecloths, and used them as judges' seats.

A simple whiteboard was set up next to them, with the character settings and audition process for "A Thousand Years of Songs" posted on it.

They even set up a camera on the side.

"The conditions are a bit basic," Wang Pu wiped his sweat, "but it's quiet and undisturbed by outsiders."

"It's alright, we're all company employees, no need for such formalities."

He glanced at his watch: "It starts in half an hour. Have all the artists arrived?"

"We've arrived. They're all in that small meeting room in the west wing!"

"No rush, let them prepare a little longer."

West Wing - Small Meeting Room Before the Audition

The air conditioner was blowing warm air, but it couldn't dispel the subtle tension in the room.

The four people on the sofa seemed to sit down casually, but they were subtly sizing each other up out of the corner of their eyes, and even their breaths seemed to be vying for attention.

Meng Ziyi sat comfortably in the center of the sofa with her legs crossed, wearing a bright yellow Dior early spring collection dress, exaggerated Chanel pearl earrings dangling from her earlobes, her red lips slightly upturned, exuding a powerful aura.

Her gaze swept over the other three people before finally settling on Zhou Ye.

"Xiao Ye, are you nervous?" she asked with a smile.

Zhou Ye nodded obediently upon hearing this: "A little... Sister Meng, do you think it will be difficult later?"

"What are you afraid of?" Meng Ziyi reached out and pinched her cheek, jokingly saying, "You've already called Jiang Ye 'Uncle,' how could she not give you face?"

Bai Lu sat on a single sofa nearby, her makeup light.

She glanced up at Meng Ziyi, a polite smile playing on her lips: "Sister Meng, you're joking. Auditions are all about ability, and our boss is always fair."

“Yes, yes,” Zhou Ye quickly chimed in, “I believe Uncle Jiang will make a fair decision!”

Tian Xiwei, who was leaning against the window flipping through a script, couldn't help but scoff when she heard this.

Meng Ziyi raised an eyebrow: "Xiao Tian, ​​do you have a problem with that?"

Tian Xi closed the script and raised her chin: "I have no objection, but I feel that some people haven't even auditioned yet, and they're already calling me Uncle Jiang this and Uncle Jiang that. I don't think it's appropriate to address people like that in the company."

She was a little angry. As for Meng Ziyi, there was a big gap between them at the moment, and she couldn't beat her.

But what's going on with Zhou Ye?

He's the same age as her, yet he calls Jiang Ye "Uncle"?

What do you mean? I call you brother, and you call me uncle, so am I older than you?
She's a generation older than her? How could she have the nerve to do that?

How shameless!
Zhou Ye was taken aback, then looked at Meng Ziyi with a pitiful expression: "Sister Meng, that's not what I meant..."

"Hey, Xiaotian, what are you doing?"

Meng Ziyi protectively put her arm around Zhou Ye's shoulder, "Xiao Ye is so innocent, why are you yelling at her?"

Bai Lu interjected at the right moment, speaking in a gentle tone: "Xiao Tian is just nervous, everyone, don't take it too seriously."

Tian Xi rolled her eyes: "Why would I be nervous? I don't have any connections."

This statement immediately ignited a powder keg.

Meng Ziyi narrowed her eyes: "What do you mean by that?"

"The literal meaning!" Tian Xiwei refused to back down.

She was never a good girl; she even dared to trick Jiang Ye back then.

However... they were dealt with quite badly later on.

She's behaving herself in front of Jiang Ye now, but that doesn't mean she's easy to mess with.

Check out the Sichuan-Chongqing Little Tyrannosaurus Rex...

Besides, she's not without connections!
This company will belong to her family in the future, so what is she afraid of?

Aside from Sister Bailu, she thought she was alright, but she couldn't get used to Meng Ziyi and Zhou Ye.

When she was filming "Princess," she didn't even know how to kiss properly, and the director had to demonstrate it for her!
During a Chinese New Year dinner, someone told a lame joke that wasn't funny at all!

Isn't it all to get Jiang Ye's attention?

Just as the atmosphere became awkward, a staff member pushed the door open and said, "Teacher Meng, it's your turn."

Meng Ziyi stood up, smoothed her skirt, and walked out with her head held high.

As soon as she left, the atmosphere in the meeting room immediately relaxed a bit.

Inside the courtyard, she stood before the judges' panel, a bright smile on her face.

"Hello teachers, I am Meng Ziyi, I am 170cm tall and weigh 46kg."

She paused, then added, "Hips 84-60-86."

After saying that, he even showed himself from the front, side, and back!
Jiang Ye nodded: "Let's begin."

She auditioned for the scene where the female lead confesses her love to Xiao Che on the first snow day.

“Uncle…” Meng Ziyi’s eyes were slightly red, and her voice trembled, “I really… like you very much.”

The performance wasn't bad, but something just felt off.

Jiang Ye stared at the monitor, his brows furrowed slightly.

Meng Ziyi is so beautiful, so beautiful that she's almost aggressive.

In the original version, the naivety and vulnerability typical of high school students like Ji Eun-tak were completely absent in her.

She's better suited to a bright and stubborn character like Kim Tae-ri in "Mr. Sunshine," rather than this kind of girl who needs to move the audience with her vulnerability.

"Let's try another segment," Jiang Ye suddenly said, "the segment featuring Sunny, the landlady."

Meng Ziyi was taken aback, but quickly composed herself.

This time she acted much more relaxed, and with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, that charming and dashing feeling immediately came through.

After the performance, the judges discussed in hushed tones.

"His acting skills are fine, but his temperament doesn't match," Lin Jianjun whispered to Jiang Ye.

Jiang Ye hummed in agreement and looked up at Meng Ziyi: "Thank you for your hard work. Go back and wait for our notification."

Meng Ziyi's smile froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered and nodded gracefully before leaving.

“The lead actress is definitely not suitable,” the acting coach shook his head. “She can’t portray that vulnerability.”

“The second female lead would be suitable,” Wang Pu said, flipping through the documents, “but Sunny has too few scenes, it would be a waste to give her to her.”

Jiang Ye tapped the table with his fingertips: "Let's check on the others first."

He actually had his own judgment.

If a Chinese version of "Goblin" were to be made, Zhou Dongyu would be the most suitable actress for the lead role.

Only those looks that aren't stunning but are full of spirit can carry a character that combines girlishness and vulnerability.

But he certainly won't promote other companies' talent.

As for Meng Ziyi… He glanced in the direction she left, lost in thought.

When the egret entered the yard, its steps were a few paces slower than usual.

Her makeup today was so light it was almost invisible; it was a harmless look she had specially prepared after studying the female lead.

"Hello teachers, I am Bailu, my height is..."

Jiang Ye looked up at his assistant and said, "Let's begin."

After the audition, his acting skills have indeed improved a lot since he filmed "Sito" last year!

It seems that Teacher Songwen's training was effective.

However, to put it simply, Jiang Ye felt that both roles were worth trying, but could only be considered "alternatives".

The acting is possible, but it lacks any wow factor.

"Go back and wait for our notification." Jiang Ye closed the folder, his tone indifferent.

The egret fled the yard as if escaping, almost tripping over the threshold.

Tian Xiwei was the third to push open the door and enter the courtyard.

She wore a simple white dress today, her hair was tied in a high ponytail, and she only wore light makeup, exuding a youthful and vibrant aura.

"Hello, teachers. I am Xiaotian Xiwei."

She bowed, her voice clear and bright, her smile as radiant as if she were attending a friend's gathering rather than a serious audition.

Jiang Ye glanced at her, said nothing, but gestured for her to begin.

Tian Xiwei took a deep breath and began to perform the scene from "Goblin" where Ji Eun-tak first meets Kim Shin.

"Uncle, are you a ghost?" She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling, her tone innocent and curious, just like a naive high school student.

Unfortunately, she didn't act in a campus romance drama.

Jiang Ye stared at the monitor, his brows furrowed slightly.

Tian Xiwei's performance was not bad, and could even be described as very natural, but it did not fit the character's temperament at all.

You can't see any vulnerability or loneliness in Ji Eun-tak.

Her smile is so sweet, it's like she's about to drag Kim Shin out for bubble tea, rather than praying for a miracle on the first snowy day.

"Stop." Jiang Ye raised his hand to interrupt, "You're playing a helpless high school student, not the female lead in an idol drama."

Tian Xi was slightly taken aback, and the smile on her face froze: "Huh?"

Jiang Ye didn't explain, but said directly, "Try switching to Sunny's clip."

Tian Xi bit her lip, trying to compose herself.

She put her hands on her hips, trying to portray the cool and capable woman who runs a fried chicken shop, but her features were too youthful and her voice too soft, making the charming Sunny look like a high school student pretending to be an adult.

"Guest, our shop—" She paused, suddenly forgetting her lines, and frantically looked down at her script, "...uh, we don't sell regret pills?"

The judges remained silent.

Lin Jianjun rubbed his forehead and whispered to Jiang Ye, "This girl isn't in character at all."

Jiang Ye didn't speak, he just shook his head.

Tian Xiwei has great looks, but her acting skills are too immature and she simply can't handle such a complex role.

Moreover, she's too sweet, and her figure is just too good!

"Alright, go back and wait for our notification." Jiang Ye closed the folder, his tone calm.

Tian Xi opened her mouth slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she just lowered her head, mumbled an "oh," and turned to leave.

As she reached the door, she suddenly turned back and asked, unwillingly, "Director Jiang, do I really have absolutely no chance?"

Jiang Ye looked up at her and said calmly, "Acting skills require time to develop; they can't be improved just by smiling."

Tian Xi's eyes were slightly red, but she still nodded stubbornly, pushed open the door and walked out.

Finally, there's Zhou Ye.

When she pushed open the door, she was wearing a blue and white school uniform dress that barely reached her knees. She paired it with white socks and black leather shoes, making her stand out among the other well-dressed celebrities.

With no extra decorations, her hair was simply tied into a ponytail, and the wisps of hair on her forehead trembled slightly in the wind, but her eyes were surprisingly bright, like they held unmelted snow, and the unique naivety and aloofness of a young girl were overwhelming.

"Hello everyone, I am Zhou Ye."

Her voice sounded very nervous; this was her first audition.

Jiang Ye paused on the table with his fingertips: "Let's begin."

Zhou Ye took a deep breath and stammered as she spoke, "M-Uncle...are you...are you a ghost?"

Her eyes held a hint of fear, but not the sweet, soft curiosity of Tian Xiwei; rather, they were like those of a frightened fawn, a vulnerability that quietly crept in.

The performance was clearly immature; the actor stumbled twice while reciting his lines, his movements were somewhat stiff, and he even forgot his positioning.

Strangely enough, the judges fell silent.

The girl was so nervous she almost cried.

However, that sense of isolation and coldness found its place precisely in her.

As long as she doesn't smile, just standing there, with the hem of her school uniform skirt swaying gently in the wind, she exudes the sense of story that the character should have.

"stop."

Jiang Ye put down his pen, his gaze lingering on her for two seconds. "No need to audition for the second female lead. Go back and wait for our notification."

Zhou Ye was stunned for a moment, seemingly not realizing that the audition was over, and simply nodded obediently.

She couldn't help but look back once she reached the courtyard gate.

Uncle Jiang is terrifying when he's serious!

Thankfully, she was just there to hang out; otherwise, she probably would have been too nervous to speak.

"He's a complete greenhorn!" Lin Jianjun threw his pen on the table. "He has no acting skills or dialogue delivery at all. He's definitely a newcomer. He needs to go back to school and hone his skills."

"However, her temperament is the most suitable!"

"But did you guys notice?" Wang Pu flipped through the playback on the monitor, "She has a strong presence on camera; she's definitely a promising talent!"

The debate lasted for nearly half an hour, but Jiang Ye finally made the final decision.

"Acting skills can be honed, but talent and charisma are innate. Among the company's current artists, she is definitely the strongest in terms of youthful charm and a sense of vulnerability. Let's choose her!"

This is consistent with his initial prediction.

Of the four, Zhou Ye's image is most suitable for the female lead.

Her figure is also suitable!
Among the young actresses in the Chinese entertainment industry, the two artists with the most broken personalities are Zhang Ruonan and Zhang Jingyi!
Zhou Ye and Zhang Jingyi look very alike!
So, as long as Zhou Ye doesn't just smile foolishly, she still needs to be able to portray a sense of brokenness.

“If Zhou Ye is cast as the female lead, then Meng Ziyi will have to be chosen as the second female lead!” Lin Jianjun said confidently as he flipped through the artists’ profiles. “For such a big production, if a newcomer is cast as the female lead, then other important roles must be filled by well-known actors. Otherwise, if the entire cast is made up of newcomers, it will be difficult for brands to sign up when it comes to sponsoring projects.”

This is standard practice for film and television companies.

By pairing Meng Ziyi, who enjoys widespread national recognition, with newcomers, the influence of the veteran actress can help the newcomers get into the role.

This is definitely very beneficial for Zhou Ye; it's a classic example of a newcomer boosting someone's status!
But for Meng Ziyi, falling from a position that could have been a contender for the lead role to the second lead is inevitably a disadvantage.

If they're not from the same company, then at this point they can only rely on the actor's salary to make money!
Jiang Ye tapped his fingertips on the table and pondered, "Meng Ziyi's aura suits Sunny's cool and capable personality, and her acting skills are solid enough. As for coordination issues... since we're all from the same company, we just need to clarify the pros and cons."

He looked at Lin Jianjun and said, "I'll go talk to her. Although the second female lead has few scenes, her character is likable. With her popularity, she might just stand out after the show airs."

Lin Jianjun nodded: "Okay, it's all for the good of the project, she should be able to understand."

"Then let's wait until tomorrow and quickly finalize the casting for the male lead and second male lead, making sure they're available. We need to film this drama as fast as possible!"

"Okay, Mr. Jiang!"

(End of this chapter)