Huayu: This top star doesn't play by the rules.

After sending the message, Li Yitong didn't wait for Chen Chao's reply and put her phone back in her pocket. Actually, she didn't really want Chen Chao to use his connections; she just wanted to say hello to someone.

After all, she was well aware that although Chen Chao was currently very popular and had a reputation for being able to boost the popularity of his dramas, it would still be difficult for him to interfere with the casting process at his current level.

On the other hand, Meng Ziyi, who had decided not to renew her contract with Yongle Pictures, also reached an agreement with Jia Shikai, the president of Yuekai Pictures, who had come to her door, to officially join Yuekai after the contract expires this year.

As a gesture of goodwill in inviting Meng Ziyi to join the team, Jia Shikai also provided Meng Ziyi with several scripts, namely the female lead in the S-level project "The Untamed", the supporting female role in the S+ project "Joy of Life", and some scattered A-level projects.

Of course, as a BL drama, the so-called female lead in "The Untamed" is essentially just a supporting female character. The title of female lead is only used to pass censorship.

After giving Meng Ziyi a brief analysis, Jia Shikai handed over the choice to her. "Actually, I personally recommend that you choose the female lead of 'The Untamed'. Although she's just a supporting actress with the title of female lead, she's still called the female lead, which can help you rise in status."

"Um... Boss, can I have them both?" Meng Ziyi's eyes scanned back and forth between the two scripts for a long time, and she was quite conflicted. After thinking for a moment, she gritted her teeth and boldly spoke up.

"...Although I really want you to have both, it's really impossible. The start and filming times for these two films are around the same, so you can only choose one." Shaking his head, Jia Shikai shattered Meng Ziyi's fantasy.

"Then... I choose 'Joy of Life'!" After thinking for a while, Meng Ziyi released his hand from the script of "The Untamed".

Actually, after hearing Jia Shikai's analysis, Meng Ziyi had already made her choice. She didn't know if the female lead in the BL drama would become famous, but she was clear about one thing: if she took the role, she would definitely be criticized.

However, in a drama like "Joy of Life," although she is only an important supporting actress, she won't be criticized like the female lead in "Joy of Life," and she can continue to work with Chen Chao.

Having known Chen Chao for so long, she trusted his abilities and judgment; any project he was willing to take on was bound to be of high quality.

"Since you've made your choice, let's talk about the role in 'Joy of Life.' The role I'm planning to have you try out is Si Lili." Seeing Meng Ziyi's choice, Jia Shikai nodded in agreement and took back the script for "The Untamed."

"The character Si Lili has a lot of room for development. She is a spy from Northern Qi, a courtesan, and has a charming appearance but a repressed heart. She is a standard beautiful, strong, and tragic character. If you can play her well, you should be able to gain a lot of fans."

Hearing Jia Shikai's words, Meng Ziyi nodded slightly. Her future agent's words gave her more confidence.

After seeing Jia Shikai off, Meng Ziyi picked up her phone and pondered for a long time, but ultimately decided not to send the edited message to Chen Chao.

Besides the two of them, many other actresses have also set their sights on this big production project.

Take Chen Yao from Tangren Media for example. In the past two years, Tangren Media has declined and its resources are not as good as before. Even if there are excellent resources, they are mostly given to Hu Bingqing, who is more favored by Cai Yinong. The scripts that end up in Chen Yao's hands are either web dramas or supporting roles.

Seeing her contemporaries rising in popularity while she remained stagnant, she couldn't help but feel anxious. So, upon learning about the casting for "Joy of Life," she also had her own ideas.

After briefly reviewing the requirements for each role, Chen Yao quickly focused her attention on Zhan Doudou, the Empress of Northern Qi, who was disguised as a man, exuding a heroic aura, and possessing a clear mind, rationality, and deep cunning.

This role is quite different from the ones she has played before, and if she plays this character well, she should be able to become very popular. She is completely different from the supporting actresses she has played before.

Chen Duling shares a similar view with Chen Yao. Although the title of "Campus Belle of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics" brought her attention and allowed her to debut in the entertainment industry with "The Left Ear", it also limited her.

In most people's eyes, her only impression is Li Er in "The Left Ear". Everyone thinks that she can only play innocent and pure roles, so she is basically offered the same type of roles. She wants to break through the label she has been given.

Therefore, her goal is to play a role that is completely different from herself, such as Ye Ling'er in "Joy of Life". She is the daughter of a military general, with a heroic personality, loves to fight for justice, and has a strong sense of chivalry, which is completely different from her previous image.

"I want to try out for this role." Looking at her mother and agent, Lin Hongying, Chen Duling said firmly, "It doesn't matter if it's a small role."

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October in Hengdian was getting a bit chilly. After filming a scene where Gu Tingye rode home on horseback in the rain, Chen Chao was soaked to the bone and couldn't help but wrap himself in a thick coat and go straight to the heater to warm up.

"Drink it quickly, don't catch a cold." Just then, a steaming cup of brown sugar ginger tea was handed to him, and Zhao Liying's voice rang out at the same time.

"Thanks, Sister Liying." Looking at Zhao Liying, who was still dressed as Minglan, Chen Chao smiled and nodded, took the ginger tea, took a sip, felt that the temperature was about right, and then drank the whole cup.

He also noticed that Sister Zhao's attitude towards him had changed somewhat recently. Before, it was the older sister who took care of her younger brother in a frank and direct way, but now, there was a lot of inexplicable feeling in that care.

"What are you spacing out for?" Seeing Chen Chao inexplicably drifting off into thought after finishing his ginger tea, Zhao Liying couldn't help but wave her hand in front of him. "Have you gone mad from the cold?"

"No." Coming back to his senses, Chen Chao smiled and waved his hand, immediately changing the subject to the script, "I was just thinking about tomorrow's script, the scene where Gu Tingye and Minglan have a fight."

When Chen Chao suddenly brought up the topic of filming, Zhao Liying didn't say much. She immediately followed his lead and started talking about the character. The two stood by the heater, analyzing the character's psychology back and forth, just like their countless rehearsals, professional and serious.