I really don't want to make bad movies!

"I am the director."

Xia Ming spread out paper and pen, just about to record the actors' information.

Suddenly, a pair of bright, sparkling eyes appeared in front of me.

Yan Shu squatted down in front of the table, gently resting her hands on the edge of the table, tilting her head to look at Xia Ming: "Director, you are so young."

Looking down from above, the curve of her chest is rather eye-catching.

Wang Zhengchuan stared, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Xia Ming steadied himself and removed the pen cap: "Which role would you like to audition for?"

This is a crucial project for making money, and the acting skills of the five main actors are of paramount importance. We cannot let the whiteness blind us.

Yan Shu squatted down and took a few steps back, the sound of her heels hitting the ground crisp and pleasant.

She ran her hands over the rounded curves of her hips, pressed the hem of her skirt as she stood up, and said with a smile, "Director, I'd like to try out Zhao Ning."

"Inappropriate."

Zhao Ning is the leader of the main characters' group. He is not only the strategist who devised the scam, but also burdened with the desire to avenge his father.

Xia Ming bluntly stated, "Zhao Ning has a complicated background and is meticulous in her thinking; you don't seem to have that calm demeanor at all."

Yan Shu rushed to Xia Ming and pleaded, "Then I'll try An Ning."

"Which role do you want to audition for? Have you read the script synopsis?"

"I've seen it, I've seen it." Yan Shu's exquisite makeup was almost brimming with tears in her eyes. "An Ning is good at seduction and disguise. Don't you think she was tailor-made for me?"

"This role is very complex; I don't think you can play it well."

"Why don't you take a look first?"

Yan Shu blinked, her high ponytail swaying with her head.

Xia Ming had no choice but to give others a chance to perform.

"Okay, look at this script, you have one minute to prepare, and one minute to perform."

Xia Ming's task was to present a scenario similar to a honey trap, requiring the character to naturally portray the feeling of a chance encounter while subtly exuding allure.

After the deed is done, one must switch to a cold and ruthless demeanor.

If the facial expression changes too abruptly, he'll pass on it.

Yan Shu took the script, glanced at it, and a smile appeared on her lips.

She didn't even spend time preparing before starting her performance.

She started her conversation by mentioning that the script was scattered around, and when she bent down to pick it up, she forgot to cover her chest. When she stood up, she blushed and quietly lifted the fabric in front of her chest.

Every little movement seemed meticulously designed, and even the lines felt perfectly natural.

After seducing her target, the smile on her face naturally faded as she left the room, replaced by a look of disgust with subtle movements of her eyes and brows.

"How was the director? Not bad, right?"

Yan Shu put on a smiling face again, ran to Xia Ming and bowed slightly.

Xia Ming was somewhat taken aback.

This woman is born to play a vixen.

Moreover, the performance was barely noticeable.

With proper guidance and training, this character can definitely become deeply ingrained in people's minds.

"Good, go back and wait for notification. The results should be available in three days at the latest."

Xia Ming made a mark on the paper.

Yan Shu softly said goodbye~

He left in a high-profile manner amidst the admiring gazes of the crowd.

"Next." Xia Ming flipped through the roster, "Jiang—Jiang Xixi."

Xia Ming was not surprised to see a familiar name.

Jiang Xixi was naturally not going to let this opportunity pass her by, as the pay for this job was quite good.

Jiang Xixi peeked out from outside the door, repeatedly turning her head back to greet Yan Shu, before finally arriving in front of Xia Ming.

"Hello, director."

Xia Ming looked up, puzzled, and asked, "Why are you wearing a mask?"

Jiang Xixi pulled her mask down, revealing her cool and aloof features.

Ok?

Xia Ming glanced at it a couple more times.

Why does it feel like her chin has become slightly more pointed?

"Director, I'd like to try out for the role of Zhao Ning."

Jiang Xixi's speech remained as monotonous as ever.

"Let's perform a short piece first."

Xia Ming handed her a fragment of the script.

Jiang Xixi's appearance is quite suitable for Zhao Ning.

Cold and stern, he looked every bit the leader of the team.

But her acting skills...

Xia Ming sighed inwardly.

"I'm ready, director."

"Let's begin."

Jiang Xixi gently put down the script, took a step forward, and began her performance.

She was presenting a scenario where she was brainstorming ideas within a team, requiring clear articulation, an engaging presentation of the plan, and an expression that conveyed unwavering confidence.

Xia Ming didn't have high expectations at first, but Jiang Xixi's performance exceeded his expectations.

After a three-month hiatus, Jiang Xixi's acting skills have improved rapidly.

Not only are the eyes more expressive, but the lower half of her face, which had previously appeared listless, has also begun to show subtle adjustments.

Even the delivery of lines follows logical emphasis, meticulously.

Even Wang Zhengchuan was stunned.

Three months ago, they even acted together in "The Big Hornet".

How could he not know what kind of acting skills Jiang Xixi possessed!

But now look at this girl with the cold eyes; she gets into character instantly once she starts acting, and her performance is so natural!

What's going on?!

Why are you evolving in secret, without telling me?

Xia Ming nodded in satisfaction, made a note with his pen, and waved his hand, saying, "That's fine. Go back and wait for our notification. The results should be out in three days at the latest."

Jiang Xixi nodded and bowed deeply to Xia Ming.

She wore a white, off-the-shoulder long-sleeved top with a lotus-patterned shawl, and her delicate collarbone was visible when she looked down.

"Thank you, director!"

After saying that, Jiang Xixi put her mask back on and left.

For the rest of the day, Xia Ming sat in the classroom looking for actors.

He has very strict requirements; not only must the actor be good, but the actor must also be outstanding in appearance.

After all, the main audience of web dramas is women, and handsome men and beautiful women are the core selling points.

He spent an entire day reviewing all 120 applicants.

The first round eliminated more than a hundred auditioning actors, leaving only a handful of names on the list.

"Ming-ge, I saw an important character named Shao Zhuang in the script. Why don't you try out for this role?"

Wang Zhengchuan glanced through the list and asked curiously.

Xia Ming only allowed him to recruit five lead actors, but did not release the role of Shao Zhuang.

However, in the script, Shao Zhuang is the core character in the last three episodes. Not only is his character well-developed, but he also occupies an important role in the climax of the story.

"I already have someone in mind for this role; it's pre-selected."

Wang Zhengchuan exclaimed in surprise: "Left for me?!"

Xia Ming tidied up the materials on the table and chuckled, "Between you and Chen Kun, who's more handsome?"

After a moment's thought, Wang Zhengchuan said, "He is slightly better than me."

"So, between you and Chen Kun, who has a bigger online following?"

"If we're comparing the number of times you post in a QQ group, then I still have a slight advantage."

"Wait a minute." Wang Zhengchuan suddenly realized, "You're not going to ask Chen Kun to play Shao Zhuang, are you?"

"Even though he's our senior at Beijing Film Academy, we can't possibly give him that much face!"

"Our budget is one million, not ten million, Ming!"

Xia Ming did not answer him immediately.

To quickly become a viral sensation and generate buzz, it's difficult to achieve without the participation of popular celebrities.

Chen Kun is considered a top-tier star. The key point is that the two were introduced to each other through the production team of "Let the Bullets Fly," which led to their collaboration.

Xia Ming worked hard and diligently on set, earning the respect of the entire crew. It was time to use his prestige points.

Jiang Wen admires Xia Ming, Ma Ke has invested money as a producer, and Zhao Fei is also working as a cinematographer on the set. With layers of connections to back him up, Xia Ming has no trouble getting Chen Kun on board.

His expected price was two million, leaving a room for negotiation at one million.

The pay isn't high; it all depends on whether Chen Kun will give him the time and effort.

As for the money...

Xia Ming found Huang Xuke in his contacts and dialed the number.

"Don't worry, Brother Chuan, someone will invest money."

Wang Zhengchuan looked at him with a mixture of belief and doubt.

The call connected, and Xia Ming asked with a smile, "Senior, are you done with the meeting?"

Only two simple words came from the other end: "No chance!"