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

Looking at the message on the screen, Chen Chao couldn't help but smile. Having a group of friends who were genuinely happy for him around him, the feeling of being cared for made him feel warm inside.

After replying to all the messages, Chen Chao called director Jiang Jiajun separately to share the good news and thank him again for his recommendation. After all, without his recommendation, it would have been very difficult for Chen Chao to get this audition opportunity on his own.

On the other end of the phone, Jiang Jiajun laughed heartily, his tone full of pride and joy: "I knew you could do it! Don't worry, I'll have the coordinator schedule your scenes here all at once, making sure it doesn't interfere with your trip to Hengdian to join the crew. Just don't ruin my portrayal of Ouyang Ke!"

After ending the phone call with Jiang Jiajun, Chen Chao immediately booked the next high-speed train back to Xiangshan, checked out of his hotel room, and headed straight to the high-speed train station with his script and luggage.

During the three-hour drive, instead of scrolling through his phone or sleeping as usual, he carefully read the script of "Princess Agents" in his hand.

Based on the original work, the script has refined Yan Xun's character arc to a more nuanced level. His brightness and forbearance during his early years as a hostage in Chang'an, his despair and collapse during the upheaval at Jiuyoutai, and his sinister and obsessive nature after turning to the dark side are all clearly visible in the script.

Holding a pen, Chen Chao wrote dense annotations next to key plot points, indicating where to hold back, where to let go, where to use eye contact to convey emotions, and where to use body language to reveal the character's psychology.

He knew very well that getting the role was only the first step. The most important thing was whether he could bring Yan Xun to life and make the character his signature role. The experience he had accumulated over several months of film analysis, coupled with his practical experience on the set of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," had all been transformed into his understanding of the character.

As the high-speed train slowly pulled into Ningbo Station, the sky had already darkened somewhat. Hearing the station announcements over the loudspeaker, Chen Chao finally closed the script, let out a long sigh of relief, put the script away, and then dragged his suitcase toward the exit.

As soon as he stepped out of the station exit, he spotted three very conspicuous figures standing in the crowd.

Standing at the front was Meng Ziyi, wearing a white hoodie, with her hair in a high ponytail. She was slurping a cup of milk tea in her left hand and carrying a milk tea bag in her right.

When she saw Chen Chao come out, her eyes lit up instantly. She waved and ran towards him, almost bumping into his arms because she couldn't stop in time.

"Congratulations, Chen Chao!" Her cheeks were flushed, and a thin layer of sweat glistened on the tip of her nose from running so fast. She stuffed the milk tea bag into Chen Chao's hand and said with a smile, "I knew you had been on the high-speed train all afternoon, so I specially bought you a hot one with 30% sugar. You said before that you don't like sweet drinks."

As Chen Chao took the milk tea bag from her, his fingertips brushed against the back of her hand. The warm touch made them both pause for a moment. Meng Ziyi pulled her hand back as if she had been burned, and the tips of her ears turned bright red. She pretended to fix her hair and turned her face away, but couldn't help but steal glances at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Welcome back, future superstar." Li Yitong walked over with her charmingly smiling eyes, and like a good buddy, she stood on tiptoe and patted his shoulder. "Don't just stand here like an idiot. If you two want to be lovey-dovey, you'll have plenty of time once you get in the car."

Chen Xingxu silently took the luggage from Chen Chao's hands and said succinctly, "The car is over there. Let's go eat first. The restaurant has already been booked."

Chen Chao shook his head with a smile and followed the three of them toward the parking lot. Meng Ziyi walked beside him the whole way, chattering about the details of the audition, from Director Wu's attitude to the audition scenes. Her eyes were sparkling, as if she was even more excited than him, the person involved.

The celebratory banquet that evening was held at the most famous seafood restaurant in Xiangshan. In the private room by the sea, huge floor-to-ceiling windows faced the sparkling sea, with fishing lights twinkling in the night sky. The sea breeze blew in through the half-open window, carrying a faint smell of the sea.

The round table was laden with the most authentic seafood from Xiangshan: steamed swimming crabs, yellow croaker with scallion oil, and boiled mantis shrimp. The table was overflowing with light and refreshing dishes that Chen Chao loved.

"Come on, the first toast is to our future superstar, Chen Chao, who's treating us tonight. Congratulations on landing the second male lead role in 'Princess Agents.' He has a bright future ahead of him!" Li Yitong raised her glass first, smiling as she spoke.

Immediately raising his glass, Meng Ziyi smiled broadly and echoed, "Yes! Wishing the future superstar Chen Chao a bright future!"

Chen Xingxu, Chen Chao's good friend, raised his glass, looked at Chen Chao, and nodded slightly: "Congratulations."

Faced with the three people's blessings, Chen Chao smiled and raised his glass, gently clinking it against theirs. The glasses clinked together with a crisp sound. Looking at the three faces that were genuinely happy for him, he said sincerely, "Thank you for accompanying me during this time to rehearse and helping me prepare. This glass is for me to toast you."

After a glass of wine, the atmosphere in the private room became even more lively.

During the meal, Meng Ziyi kept peeling crabs for Chen Chao, piling the succulent crab meat into his bowl, but she didn't eat much herself, just staring at him. She kept saying, "You must not have been eating well in Hengdian these past two days. Eat more to replenish your energy. You still have filming to do, so you can't overwork yourself."

Chen Xingxu quietly refilled their drinks, occasionally chiming in with a word or two, always managing to hit the funny bone perfectly.

As for Li Yitong, she listened to them with a smile, occasionally teasing Chen Chao and Meng Ziyi, which made Meng Ziyi blush and retort, but the more she tried to explain, the worse it got.

Halfway through her meal, Meng Ziyi's phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the caller ID, immediately made a shushing gesture, answered the phone, and her tone instantly softened: "Hello, Sister Qian?"

After hearing something said on the other end of the phone, Meng Ziyi's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "What? You're coming to Xiangshan to visit the set tomorrow?!"

Upon hearing this, the private room fell silent for a moment. Chen Chao paused in his act of picking up food and looked up at Meng Ziyi.

"No, why did you suddenly decide to come? You didn't even tell me beforehand..." Meng Ziyi held her phone, her cheeks slightly flushed. She kept stealing glances at Chen Chao, muttering to her mother, "Okay, okay, you can come then. I'll pick you up at the high-speed rail station tomorrow... Okay, I know. I'll eat well. I have to go now. I'm having dinner with my friends. See you tomorrow."

After hanging up the phone, Meng Ziyi blushed even more at the three people staring at her. A little embarrassed, she scratched her head and said, "My mom said she's coming to Xiangshan to visit me on set tomorrow and will bring me some things from home."