Huayu: Starting with Hextech

The Spring Festival holiday always flies by. Visiting relatives and friends, eating and drinking, and before you know it, it's the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.

The festive atmosphere of the New Year has not completely dissipated, but the rhythm of life has begun to return to normal.

Lin Xiao was helping his father organize the shelves of the small supermarket that was preparing to reopen after the New Year when his phone vibrated in his pocket.

When I took it out, the name "Yang Mi" was flashing on the screen.

He was somewhat surprised and went to the relatively quiet inner room to make the call.

"Hey, Happy New Year," Lin Xiao said first.

"Lin Xiao! Happy New Year!"

Yang Mi's clear, slightly smug voice came from the other end of the phone, sounding more familiar and intimate than usual, "Did I disturb your time with your family?"

"No, I'm helping out at home. Is something wrong, Sister Mi?" Lin Xiao asked.

"Of course something's happened, and it's good news!"

Yang Mi spoke quickly and cheerfully, "I remember you said before that you wanted to film more dramas to accumulate experience, right? Now there's a great opportunity, 'Beauty's Rival in Palace,' have you heard of it? It's a large-scale period drama produced and co-written by Yu Zheng, with a very strong cast, and Ruby Lin plays the female lead."

Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat. "Beauty's Rival in Palace"?

He certainly knew about this drama. It was one of Yu Zheng's early representative works. It was well-produced and had good ratings and reviews after it aired, making many actors famous.

Among the male characters in the drama, besides the male lead Liu Heng, the one with the most screen time and the best character design is the young general Zhou Yafu. He is loyal, brave, affectionate, and steady, making him a very outstanding second male lead.

"Yeah, I've heard of it, it's a big production," Lin Xiao replied cooperatively.

"I play Mo Xueyuan, a supporting actress with quite a lot of screen time."

Yang Mi continued, her tone carrying a hint of boasting, "Praise me!" before getting to the point.

"Then, there's a second male lead, Zhou Yafu, a young general. He has a significant role and a good character design. I mentioned you to Yu Zheng, saying you're a friend I worked with on 'Chinese Paladin 3,' with great acting skills and a perfect fit for the role. Guess what?"

She kept him in suspense, and Lin Xiao, being very accommodating, asked, "What did Teacher Yu Zheng say?"

"Teacher Yu Zheng remembers you!"

Yang Mi smiled and said, "He said he'd seen some footage of 'Chinese Paladin 3' and your promotional photos, and he was quite impressed with you, thinking you have a really good appearance and temperament. Plus, you're from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, so you're practically his junior, which is why he's interested in having you audition! How about it? Interested in coming to Beijing? It's a rare opportunity!"

coming!

The system reward of a [Film and Television Invitation Card] really came true!

Moreover, through Yang Mi, the connection was made to Yu Zheng, a figure who would dominate the television drama industry in the next few years.

"this……"

Lin Xiao suppressed his surprise and joy, his tone carrying just the right amount of gratitude and a hint of hesitation, "Sister Mi, thank you so much for thinking of me. But... as for the audition, I..."

"Oh dear, let's not do it!"

Yang Mi interrupted him, "I know you might find this sudden, or you might have other considerations. But let me tell you, Teacher Yu Zheng has high standards, and there aren't many newcomers who can interest him. There are countless people eyeing the role of Zhou Yafu."

I went to great lengths to get you this audition opportunity! Just think of it as a trip to Beijing, meeting Teacher Yu Zheng, and showcasing yourself. Whether you get the part or not is another matter, but at least you won't have any regrets!

Her words were both considerate and clear about the pros and cons, while also offering a way out, demonstrating extremely high emotional intelligence.

Lin Xiao knew that Yang Mi's recommendation played a crucial role in Yu Zheng's willingness to give him an audition opportunity, and he had to accept this favor.

"Sister Mi has helped me so much, it would be too ungrateful of me to refuse." Lin Xiao no longer hesitated and said sincerely, "Thank you, Sister Mi. I'll arrange a time and go to Beijing for the audition as soon as possible."

"That's right!" Yang Mi's laughter deepened. "I'll text you the specific time and address. Prepare yourself well. Zhou Yafu is a general, steady yet spirited. Just handle that, and you'll be fine! When you get to Beijing, I'll treat you to dinner!"

"Okay, then I'll trouble you, Sister Mi. Please also thank Teacher Yu Zheng for me."

"Don't mention it! It's settled then, see you in the capital!"

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiao held his phone with a smile on his face.

The system's rewards were indeed precise, not only giving them an opportunity but also building a bridge through Yang Mi's existing connections.

If Yu Zheng manages this line well, he will definitely have a steady stream of opportunities in the TV drama field in the next few years.

He immediately began planning his itinerary.

I had an appointment with Wang Jinhua on the tenth of the month; the audition would definitely be after that.

Perfect timing! We can take advantage of this trip to the capital to accomplish two important tasks at the same time.

In his joy, Lin Xiao did not forget the people he needed to notify.

He first sent Tang Yan a text message, briefly explaining the situation:

"Tangtang, I just got a call from Yang Mi. She recommended me to audition for the second male lead in Yu Zheng's new drama 'Beauty's Rival in Palace.' It's a good opportunity, and I'm planning to go to Beijing."

The text message was sent, and Tang Yan's reply came quite late, some time later.

"Oh... Beauty's Rival in Palace, I've heard about it. The cast is pretty strong. (smiley face)"

"Working with Mimi again... She's so good to you. (smiles)"

"Then prepare well for the audition, and good luck! (clenches fist)"

The reply seemed normal, but Lin Xiao could sense a hint of bitterness coming from the other side of the screen.

The deliberately added smile and emoticon, the phrase "She's so good to you," and the final "clenched fist" that seemed encouraging but was actually a bit of a forced effort...

Tang Yan's wariness of Yang Mi was clearly never relaxed.

Previously, Yang Mi had knocked on the door late at night to "discuss the script" during the filming of "Chinese Paladin 3". Now, she has taken the initiative to help Lin Xiao secure such a good opportunity, and the two will be working together again... Tang Yan's sense of crisis has probably soared to the red alert line.

Lin Xiao could understand her anxiety.

He thought for a moment and replied, "It's just an audition, there's no guarantee I'll get the part. Besides, this trip to Beijing is mainly to broaden my horizons, and I also have an appointment with Wang Jinhua, the director of Huayi Brothers, to discuss some matters. I'll let you know when I have definite news."

He specifically mentioned Wang Jinhua, partly out of the truth, and partly to divert Tang Yan's attention, implying that his trip to the capital was not solely for Yang Mi and "Beauty's Rival in Palace," but also for a more important career plan.

Sure enough, Tang Yan replied faster, and her tone became more concerned: "Wang Jinhua from Huayi Brothers? Is she that very capable agent? Lin Xiao, are you signing with the company?"

"We're just discussing things, not necessarily signing anything. We're just getting to know each other and see how things go," Lin Xiao replied.

"Yes, yes! It's good to do more research! But you need to be careful not to get scammed!"

"I know. You too, take good care of yourself on set, don't overwork yourself."

"Yeah! You too! Be careful on the road! (heart)"

After the conversation ended, Tang Yan seemed to have been distracted by Wang Jinhua's matter, but the jealousy and unease she felt because of Yang Mi were clearly not completely eliminated; they were just temporarily suppressed.

Lin Xiao put down his phone and rubbed his temples.

Career opportunities are coming one after another, which is very exciting.

But this delicate emotional balance seems to become even more subtle with each new collaboration and contact.

Yang Mi's initiative and enthusiasm, Tang Yan's dependence and jealousy...

And then there's the unknown Wang Jinhua and Huayi Brothers in Beijing...

And soon, we'll meet Yu Zheng, known for his "pickiness" and "star-making" skills...

The start of the new year has been truly "colorful".

Lin Xiao walked to the window, looked at the streets of the small town filled with Spring Festival decorations, and took a deep breath.

Beijing, here I come.