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

"That's why Yan Xun's attitude towards Yuan Chun became so cold, even cruel, after the Nine Nether Platform incident." Li Lin sighed softly, a hint of regret in his voice. "Yuan Chun was actually very pitiful. She lived her whole life for others, yet ended up with such a tragic fate."

"Yes, both of these characters are tragic figures." Chen Chao nodded in agreement. "Whether it's Yan Xun or Yuan Chun, both of them ultimately lost themselves on the path of revenge."

The two chatted amiably, discussing everything from the characters' personalities and psychological changes to how specific scenes should be handled.

As Li Qin talked, she became more and more impressed with Chen Chao. She had originally thought that as a newcomer, even if Chen Chao had good acting skills, he could only have thoroughly figured out the character Yan Xun that he was going to play.

But she didn't expect that Chen Chao had such a thorough understanding of the character Yuan Chun, even considering many details. Even she, as the actress playing Yuan Chun, hadn't thought of so many deep-seated things.

"After talking with you, I feel that my understanding of the character Yuan Chun has deepened a bit." Smiling, Li Qin raised the lemonade in front of him and gestured to Chen Chao, "I'll toast you as an early wish for a pleasant collaboration."

"It's a pleasure working with you." Chen Chao raised his glass and lightly clinked it with hers.

The clinking of glasses created a crisp sound, and sunlight danced on their smiling faces. Their initially somewhat awkward relationship became much closer because of this in-depth discussion about the script.

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At 2:30 p.m., the script reading session for "Princess Agents" resumed.

However, unlike the relaxed atmosphere in the morning, the afternoon study session was noticeably more serious, because the content to be read in the afternoon was the most core and heavy plot of the entire play—the Nine Nether Terrace Incident.

This is a crucial turning point for Yan Xun's character and the first major climax of the entire series. All the love, hate, and grudges are completely rewritten from here.

After everyone in the conference room remained silent, Director Wu Jingyuan cleared his throat and solemnly began, "Next, we will be reading the Nine Nether Platform scene together. I think I don't need to elaborate on the importance of this scene."

"Yan Xun's temperament and emotional changes are all concentrated in this part of the story. Chen Chao, are you ready?"

"I'm all ready, Director Wu." Chen Chao let out a soft breath and closed the script in his hand. With his super memory, he had already deeply engraved every line and every emotional moment of this scene into his mind.

"In that case, let's begin!" Wu Jingyuan nodded in satisfaction and said in a deep voice.

As Wu Jingyuan finished speaking, Chen Chao slowly closed his eyes and began to adjust his emotional state.

When he opened his eyes again, his entire demeanor had changed. His once clear and bright eyes were now shrouded in a thick layer of gloom, and his face was expressionless, with only an almost deathly stillness.

But it is this calmness that makes the heartbreak of this person more palpable than any hysterical scream.

"Mother!" His voice was soft, trembling slightly, as if he had used all his strength to utter those two words.

There were no heart-wrenching roars, yet everyone present could clearly feel the deep-seated despair.

Sitting next to Chen Chao, Zhao Liying subconsciously clenched her pen. She felt that the Chen sitting next to her was no longer Chen Chao, but Yan Xun, who stood on the Nine Nether Platform and watched his entire family being slaughtered.

"My Yan clan has guarded Yanbei for generations, and has never harbored any disloyalty!" Chen Chao's voice rose higher and higher, the bloodshot in his eyes growing thicker. "By what right did you kill my entire family! By what right!"

He suddenly raised his head and looked in a certain direction, where the emperor was, his eyes filled with boundless hatred.

The conference room was deathly silent. No one spoke, and even breathing became cautious. Everyone was stunned by Chen Chao's performance.

They felt as if they were truly standing on the Nine Nether Platform, where blood flowed like rivers, watching the once dashing young man lose everything overnight and become a vengeful man filled with hatred.

Biting her lip tightly, Li Qin's eyes were slightly red. Looking at Chen Chao's lowered profile, she felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

She finally understood why Director Wu had gone against the grain and chosen Chen Chao, a newcomer, to play the role of Yan Xun. It was because Chen Chao wasn't acting as Yan Xun; he *was* Yan Xun.

After a while, Wu Jingyuan took the lead in clapping, breaking the silence of the conference room. Then, thunderous applause rang out.

"Great! Excellent!" Wu Jingyuan's voice trembled with excitement as he slammed his hand on the table. "This is the Yan Xun I wanted! Chen Chao, you've done a great job!"

Taking a deep breath, Chen Chao quickly regulated his emotions and returned to his original state before bowing slightly to everyone.

Looking at the young man in front of her, Zhao Liying exclaimed sincerely, "Chen Chao, you are really amazing. Just now, I was completely drawn into the scene. It felt like I was really standing on the Nine Nether Platform, watching Yan Xun's family be destroyed."

Sitting next to Zhao Liying, Lin Gengxin peeked out at Chen Chao, abandoning his usual lazy demeanor, and said, "You're really amazing. I was worried you might not be able to handle this role, but it seems I was overthinking it. You performed even better than during the audition."

Faced with everyone's praise, Chen Chao, who had completely recovered, maintained a humble smile and said, "You flatter me, seniors. I still have a lot to learn from you."

Looking at Chen Chao, Wu Jingyuan's eyes were practically overflowing with admiration. He knew that he had really struck gold this time. With an actor like Chen Chao playing Yan Xun, it would be hard for "Princess Agents" not to be a hit.

The subsequent study session went exceptionally smoothly. With the groundwork laid by the scene at Jiuyou Terrace, everyone was fully engaged and gained a deeper understanding of their respective roles.

The first day of script readings did not come to a successful conclusion until evening.

After leaving the conference room, Chen Chao stretched and loosened his stiff body. The entire day of script readings, even without filming, had kept him in a state of high tension, making him feel even more exhausted than filming a day of action scenes.