I became a movie star at the age of three; Dilraba and I are childhood sweethearts.

After hanging up the phone, Xiao Chen regained his composure.

He sat quietly on the sofa, too lazy to even pick up the apple he had just dropped.

Farewell My Concubine...

Having transmigrated to this world, Xiao Chen has completely figured out the film and television industry here.

The timeline here is completely chaotic, and many classic elements don't even appear here.

Therefore, what Xiao Chen needs to do is not to remain shocked, but to quickly make good use of his information gap and seize the opportunity.

And the role he wants to play is none other than this.

It was a small bean.

That is, Cheng Dieyi's childhood.

That tragic character who had his extra finger cruelly chopped off by his mother and thrown into a professional acting school, forcibly altering his gender identity, and living his entire life in the world of acting.

He was determined to get this role!

Over the next two days, Xiao Chen became a completely different person.

Wang Jinhua sent me the information for the audition role.

It includes Xiaodouzi, the young tyrant Xiaoshitou, and several minor characters from professional acting schools.

Xiao Chen didn't look at anything else; his gaze was fixed on the three words "Little Bean".

He locked himself in his room, replaying the movie over and over again.

He even found materials on Peking Opera, listened to the singing style, and imitated the movements and gestures of female roles.

Ye Huimei peeked through the crack in the door several times and was always horrified.

The child sat in front of the mirror, facing the air, and recited in a very soft voice.

His demeanor and charm were nothing like that of a child playing around.

She didn't understand it, but she was deeply shocked.

……

Two days later, at the Beijing Film Studio.

The old factory area exudes a solemn sense of history.

The room outside the audition room was already packed with people, mostly parents with their children.

The older children were around ten years old, while the younger ones were about the same age as Xiao Chen.

The chattering sounds were mixed with the parents' anxious instructions.

"Quick, show the director another set of punches!"

"Don't be nervous when you sing later, just give it your best!"

When Wang Jinhua led Xiao Chen out, the corridor instantly fell silent.

Someone recognized Xiao Chen.

"Isn't that Xiao Chen? The one who acted in 'Shaolin Popeye'!"

"I remember he hasn't appeared on screen for a long time, how come he's gotten even more handsome?!"

"It's all over! If he comes, how will our child have a chance?"

"He hasn't acted in so many years, who knows if he can still act? What if he's just a pretty face!"

Whispers of envy and jealousy rose and fell, but Xiao Chen paid no attention.

He was dressed simply today, in a white turtleneck sweater with a black overcoat over it.

It made her already exquisite face appear even more radiant with her red lips and white teeth.

He followed quietly beside Wang Jinhua, his eyes slightly lowered, exuding a clean yet aloof air.

As soon as I walked in, a man in a military overcoat came to greet me.

"Jin Hua, you've finally arrived!"

The man is the director of this film, Chen Kaige.

Wang Jinhua's connections in China far surpass those in Hollywood. She smiled and patted Chen Kaige's arm.

"Old Chen, it's really hard to get a meeting with a big director like you."

"I heard you were looking for child actors, so I quickly brought my precious one to you."

As she spoke, she pushed Xiao Chen forward.

Chen Kaige's gaze fell on Xiao Chen, his expression full of scrutiny.

He had heard of Xiao Chen's name before, and he had seen her photos and videos; she was indeed an incredibly beautiful child.

But beauty is the least valuable thing in his eyes.

What he wanted was inspiration, something that would allow the audience to see the soul of the character at a glance.

Chen Kaige said half-jokingly.

"Jin Hua, you've sent me a big star!"

"But let me make this clear first, my film is different."

"If this kid doesn't have that drive, even if the King of Heaven himself recommended him, I wouldn't use him."

These words were barbed, and the surrounding parents showed a hint of schadenfreude on their faces.

So what if you're famous?

Big-name directors don't buy into that at all!

Wang Jinhua was also on tenterhooks.

She knew Chen Kaige's temperament; he was notoriously stubborn and picky when it came to art.

She was about to say a few polite words when she saw Xiao Chen slightly raise his head.

The boy's gaze met Chen Kaige's scrutinizing eyes, without the slightest hint of fear or ingratiation.

"Hello, Director Chen."

This sound shut up Chen Kaige's prepared second half of the sentence.

My interest in the child actually grew stronger.

He pointed to the room inside.

"Go in, you're next."

Xiao Chen nodded and went inside.

The audition room was very simple, with just a table and a few chairs. The director, assistant director, and producer sat behind the table.

He stood in the center of the room, his small figure appearing somewhat frail.

The assistant director asked a formulaic question.

"What's your name? Which role would you like to try out for?"

Xiao Chen answered softly.

"Xiao Chen".

"I want to try the small beans."

Chen Kaige tapped his fingers on the table, still scrutinizing the boy in front of him.

What talent have you prepared?

Everyone thought that Xiao Chen would be like other children, practicing a set of boxing moves or singing a song.

However, Xiao Chen simply stood there quietly.

Time ticked by, and the assistant director frowned, thinking the child was so nervous that he forgot his talent.

Just as he was about to urge him, Xiao Chen made a move.

He slowly raised his head, and a layer of complex moisture welled up in his clear eyes.

Xiao Chen looked at Chen Kaige, his lips moved a few times, but no sound came out.

Immediately afterwards, a mumbled monologue drifted out of his mouth.

"I was born... a man..."

The voice was very soft, but the last syllable trembled slightly, as if it were about to shatter at any moment.

He paused, his small chest heaving violently, and then he suddenly raised his voice.

"She's not some delicate young lady!"

An eerie silence filled the room.

Everyone's mouths involuntarily gaped open.

Chen Kaige froze, his eyes fixed on Xiao Chen, his face filled with disbelief.

Chen Kaige hadn't had high hopes for today.

Actors are a rare find, especially child actors.

But he saw it in Xiao Chen!

He saw Xiaodouzi, who suffered all kinds of bullying in the opera troupe, desperately trying to hold on to the last bit of dignity of being a man, but was ruthlessly crushed by fate.

Not like.

It was Xiao Chen who was the one.

With just two lines of dialogue, he vividly brought the soul of the character Xiaodouzi to life for Chen Kaige.

This child is nowhere near seven years old!

He's clearly a genius born for acting!

Chen Kaige spent almost two months just selecting child actors.

He had met quite a few children, but he always felt that something was missing.

Only now did he realize what was missing.

What's missing is this conviction—the ability to seamlessly blend reality and fiction!

Chen Kaige stood up from his chair, walked a few steps to Xiao Chen, and grabbed the boy's thin shoulders with both hands.

"You...you read it again."

"Look at me and say it again!"

He wasn't giving orders; he was making requests.

A famous director is making a request to a seven-year-old child.

The sorrowful emotion in Xiao Chen's eyes had not completely faded when two lines of clear tears slid down his cheeks without warning.

He did not speak again.

But this one tear speaks louder than a thousand words.

Chen Kaige's breathing stopped.

enough!

That's more than enough!

He released his grip and turned to give instructions to the assistant director behind him.

"Pass down the word: Xiaodouzi's audition is now over."