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

Summer in Hengdian always brings a sticky, humid heat. Having just finished filming today and removed her makeup, Chen Chao reached out and tugged at the towel around her neck. Sweat trickled down her neat buzz cut and onto her dark T-shirt, leaving a small damp patch.

To make it easier to wear the ancient costume wig, he had his makeup artist shave his head into a neat buzz cut three days ago. Without the hair to cover him, his already three-dimensional features became even more sharp.

"Let's go, let's go! We got most of today's scenes in one take, we have to celebrate!" Lin Gengxin hooked his arm around Chen Chao's shoulder and walked out casually. "I know a Chongqing hot pot place that's really authentic and spicy enough to cool down the temper I've built up these past few days of filming."

"I agree!" Wang Yanlin, who also put his arm around Chen Chao's shoulder, raised both hands in agreement. "I've been eating the crew's boxed lunches every day for the past few days, and my mouth is getting so bland. Today, we have to treat Geng Xin to a meal."

Chen Chao smiled and nodded, letting the two of them put their arms around his shoulders and walk towards the parking lot. Ever since the prison scene was successfully filmed and Zhao Liying completely let down her guard against him, the filming schedule of the crew had been speeding up.

His nickname "Chen Yitiao" became increasingly well-known, and even Director Wu Jingyuan's gaze towards him began to change, as if he were looking at a mascot to ward off evil spirits.

Twenty minutes later, the three of them were already sitting in the hot pot restaurant. While waiting for the food and broth, Lin Gengxin took out his phone first and said, "Want to play a game of King of Glory? Whoever loses pays."

"Bring it on, who's afraid of who!" Wang Yanlin was naturally the first to respond to this interesting idea. "But it's a deal, don't choose Lu Ban this time. Last time you gave away eight kills in ten minutes, I almost cried because of you."

"Bullshit! I was just out of form last time!" Lin Gengxin, his past exposed, immediately retorted defiantly, "Today I'll show you what the strongest Luban player in the national server really is!"

Seeing the two acting like children, Chen Chao smiled and shook his head, then quickly took out his phone and logged into the game.

After the game started, Lin Gengxin kept his promise and immediately selected Luban. Seeing this, Wang Yanlin had no choice but to select Cai Wenji as support, while Chen Chao chose Han Xin and played his best jungler.

As expected, less than four minutes into the game, Lin Gengxin was caught twice by the opposing jungler, giving up first blood and second blood.

"Damn it, why do they keep arresting me?!" After being hung up on for the second time, Lin Gengxin slammed his fist on the table in anger. "Wang Yanlin, why didn't you protect me?"

"How did I not protect you? I even gave you my milk!" Wang Yanlin couldn't help but complain about Lin Gengxin's attempt to shift the blame, "Arthur just gave you a light nudge, and you rushed over there like a little puppy."

While controlling Han Xin to achieve a triple kill in the enemy jungle, Chen Chao said without looking up, "Brother Gengxin, don't rush forward. Just clear the minions under the tower and wait for me to come."

"Okay, okay." He quickly agreed, but less than two minutes later, Lin Gengxin was killed by the opposing mid laner because of his overly aggressive positioning.

"Lin Gengxin! Can you please stop delivering?!" Seeing this, Wang Yanlin was so angry he almost threw his phone. "If you keep delivering, we'll lose!"

Just as the three were arguing, a middle-aged man wearing a black T-shirt and glasses at the next table glanced at Chen Chao's profile.

When the man saw his neat buzz cut and the unintentional arrogance and youthful spirit in his eyes as he focused on playing the game, his eyes lit up and the chopsticks in his hand stopped in mid-air.

He is Zhang Ning, the producer of "The Wandering Earth". He came to Hengdian to find some supporting actors and to meet up with some old friends. Unexpectedly, he met a young man who impressed him.

Without making a sound, Zhang Ning took out her phone, adjusted the angle, and secretly took a picture of Chen Chao's profile.

The boy in the photo has his head slightly lowered, his fingers flying across the phone screen. The light falls on his profile, outlining his strong jawline and straight nose. His eyes are sharp and focused, and he exudes a wild vitality.

After glancing at it twice, Zhang Ning sent the photo to Guo Fan with a message: "Old Guo, look at this young man, doesn't he look like Liu Qi, whom you've been looking for for almost half a year?"

After sending the message, Zhang Ning remained seated, pretending to eat while keeping an eye on Chen Chao and the others.

Less than two minutes later, Guo Fan called, his voice trembling with excitement: "Old Zhang! Where did you take this picture? Who is this? What's their name? Do you have their contact information?"

"I was eating at a hot pot restaurant in Hengdian when I bumped into him," Zhang Ning said in a low voice. "He looked like an actor, but I don't know his name. I was just about to go over and ask him."

"No, no, no! You mustn't be so abrupt!" Guo Fan quickly said. "Go over and say hello to him first, ask if he's interested in making a movie, and tell him I'm Guo Fan, and I'd like to invite him to audition for the male lead, Liu Qi, in 'The Wandering Earth'! Make sure you get his contact information! I'm flying to Hengdian tomorrow!"

"Okay, I got it." After hanging up the phone, Zhang Ning straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, and walked towards Chen Chao's table.

The game just ended, and Chen Chao's Han Xin won MVP with a score of 15-0-8, successfully leading his two terrible teammates to victory.

"Awesome, A-Chao!" Lin Gengxin excitedly patted him on the shoulder. "If it weren't for you, we would have lost again today!"

"That's right, Ah Chao, you're simply my god!" Wang Yanlin echoed.

Just then, Zhang Ning walked up to their table with a gentle smile on her face: "Excuse me, may I bother you?"

The three of them looked up at the unfamiliar middle-aged man in front of them, puzzled.

"Hello, my name is Zhang Ning, and I am a film producer." Zhang Ning took the initiative to extend his hand, first shaking hands with Chen Chao, and then greeting Lin Gengxin and Wang Yanlin in turn.

"I just happened to see this young man, and I felt that his image and temperament were perfect for the male lead in a movie that a friend of mine is currently preparing. So, I'm taking the liberty of asking if you'd be interested in auditioning?"

Chen Chao's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm and politely asked, "What movie is it?"

"It's a science fiction movie called 'The Wandering Earth,' adapted from Liu Cixin's novel of the same name," Zhang Ning said with a smile. "The director is Guo Fan. He just saw your photo and thought you were perfect for the role of Liu Qi, so he specifically asked me to invite you to audition."