Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 93 It's all Jiang Wen's fault!

At noon, Li Xiaoran woke up groggily and found that the person next to her was empty. She vaguely remembered that Wu Yuchen had kissed her and then said he was going out.

Li Xiaoran went to the kitchen and brought out the breakfast that Wu Yuchen had left for her. When she saw the script on the table, she couldn't help but open it again and started reading it while eating.

……

Meanwhile, in a private room of a restaurant near the Central Academy of Drama, the girls from Class 96 who had been chattering and making a ruckus before actually became as quiet as quails after seeing Wu Yuchen.

It wasn't because they'd never seen a handsome guy before; it's just that Wu Yuchen is now a director who has won a major award at the Tokyo International Film Festival and a Golden Bear for Best Short Film at the Berlin International Film Festival—a genius director praised by their teachers. Facing Wu Yuchen in person, they genuinely felt a bit awkward and uncomfortable.

Wu Yuchen spoke first with a smile:

"I'm really happy to have the opportunity to meet all of you beautiful ladies today!"
I'd heard from Pear that you were all elites selected from all over the country to get into the Central Academy of Drama, and seeing you all today, I can confirm you're truly one in a million. Don't try to take this meal from me, it's definitely on me. And thank you all for taking care of Pear. Enjoy your meal!

The women breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that Wu Yuchen was not pretentious.

Mei Ting replied with a smile, "Then we're really lucky to have Zeng Li here today, we're getting a free meal from you!"

Zhang Tong also mentioned, "Actually, I have a very deep impression of you when you came to the exam venue that day. I've never seen you holding an IV drip while taking the exam. I thought you were one of the students who were interviewing with us. It turns out you're a director!"

"Exactly, no director is as good-looking as you!"

The women laughed upon hearing this, and couldn't help but turn their gazes to Zeng Li, making her blush slightly.

"Wu Yuchen, are you really only a sophomore? Our teachers say that many directors never win an award in their entire lives!"

Wu Yuchen chuckled and said, "Luck, luck~"

Faced with the various curiosities and questions from the women, Wu Yuchen remained calm and composed, occasionally cracking a joke, making the meal quite enjoyable.

Wu Yuchen discovered that only 7 out of the 8 girls in her class had come, and Yuan Quan was missing.

However, he didn't take it to heart. This girl had started to have social anxiety when she first entered the Central Academy of Drama. She would avoid any group activities if she could, and she even went to the doctor to get a sick certificate for her, not to ask for leave, but to avoid participating in the activities.

After the meal, the women relaxed in front of the director, who was about the same age as them.

"Director Wu, if you ever have a suitable role in your next film, don't forget us!"

"Haha, I..."

Wu Yuchen was about to speak when his phone rang. He gave an apologetic look, turned slightly to answer the call, and heard Han Sanping's voice:
"Director Wu, I got back to you about yesterday's matter. Gong Li has already gone to the 'Chinese Box' set to prepare. If you can wait until next year, there might be an opportunity to work together."

Wu Yuchen didn't show any emotional fluctuation upon hearing this, as he had already anticipated it yesterday. Then he asked:
"Director Han, what about Ning Jing?"

This is the goal he truly desires!

"Sigh, Ning Jing called me personally. She's getting married soon and isn't taking on any acting roles lately," Han Sanping sighed.

"Marriage?!" Wu Yuchen couldn't hold back this time.

"Yes, she got together with that foreigner during the filming of 'Red River Valley.' I didn't expect that less than a year later, they'd be talking about marriage," Han Sanping explained.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen sighed. He had been so focused on the fact that she hadn't had any notable works in the past two years that he had completely forgotten about this!

"Director Wu, do you have any other actors you like? I'll help you get in touch with them."

"Thank you for your concern, Director Han. I can't remember right now. I'll just hold an open audition."

"Okay, actually there might be some good talent among the newcomers. Look at Zhou Xun, whom you found this time, she acted very well." Han Sanping said reassuringly.

"Yes, you're right!"

After a few words, Wu Yuchen hung up the phone. Even so, he couldn't hide his disappointment at not being able to invite Ning Jing; she was truly his ideal leading lady in every way!

The women around the table had mostly overheard some of Wu Yuchen's phone conversation, which included Ning Jing and Factory Director Han. Wu Yuchen, whom they had just thought had become one of them, suddenly rose in their hearts even further.

Just like the saying "one who converses with learned scholars and associates with no commoners," a person's social circle reveals their status.

Seeing Wu Yuchen's slightly disappointed expression, none of the women dared to disturb him. It was Zeng Li, sitting next to him, who gently nudged him and asked:
"Are you making a new movie again?"

Wu Yuchen nodded: "Yes, it's an experimental avant-garde film that we plan to shoot in Hong Kong and Macau, but we haven't been able to get the female lead yet."

At this moment, Mei Ting suddenly asked, "Director Wu, if you hold a public audition, can we apply?"

The girls around her couldn't help but look at Mei Ting in surprise, because they knew that the Central Academy of Drama had a rule that freshmen couldn't go out to film!

Wu Yuchen also looked at Mei Ting, thinking of how she dropped out of college in her freshman year of college to film a movie, which indirectly saved Liu Ye and Zhang Ziyi.

Few people know that two students from the 96 class of the Central Academy of Drama were expelled in their freshman year due to failing grades. Liu Ye and Zhang Ziyi were also at the bottom of the class at the time, and it was only after Mei Ting dropped out that they were brought back.

He looked Mei Ting up and down, and to be honest, she wasn't someone he couldn't consider.

"If you've really made up your mind, you can come audition here." Wu Yuchen wouldn't try to persuade him further. He knew what his choice was, but whether he would be selected depended on the audition results.

After the meal, the women left first, while Zeng Li stood by the car talking to Wu Yuchen.

"Wu Yuchen, do you think Sister Ting is really risking being expelled from school to film this movie? I don't quite understand."

“Everyone has different experiences and different ideas. Among you, Mei Ting is currently the most mature and has the most ideas. She had already filmed Ye Daying’s ‘Bloody Childhood’ in 94 and won the Spring Swallow Award for Best Actress.”

Perhaps in her view, what she learned after enrolling in school was completely useless to her; to her, the opportunity was far more important than a piece of paper like a diploma.

Wu Yuchen glanced at Zeng Li's somewhat confused expression and said with a smile:
"Pear, don't overthink it. It's definitely the right thing to lay a solid foundation in your freshman year."

Zeng Li nodded, glancing at the girls waiting for her not far away. "Drive carefully, I'm going to find them." Wu Yuchen waved goodbye to her, then watched Zeng Li's retreating figure. Actually, Zeng Li was quite tall, with a larger frame than the average girl. If she had shorter hair, her image would be suitable for playing the female lead, Lola. However, after knowing her for so long, he understood her personality too well; she wasn't the kind of girl like Lola who was reckless and headstrong.

Seeing that they had gone far away, Wu Yuchen thought of Ning Jing again, and kicked the car tire, cursing in his heart, "It's all Jiang Wen's fault!"
He wasn't throwing a tantrum for no reason; this matter really does have something to do with Jiang Wen.

As is well known, Jiang Wen and Liu Xiaoqing fell in love while filming "Hibiscus Town," which led to Liu Xiaoqing's husband confronting the two with a knife. In the end, Liu Xiaoqing not only divorced Jiang Wen but also ruined her reputation because her ex-husband published a book that exposed the private affairs between them, making them a laughing stock for several years.

Later, in order to support Jiang Wen in making his first film, "In the Heat of the Sun," Liu Xiaoqing not only gambled away her savings but also used all her connections to seek investment for him in Hong Kong, only to end up losing both her money and her reputation.

Why? Because Jiang Wen fell in love with Ning Jing while filming the movie!

It's fair to say the two hit it off. When Liu Xiaoqing visited the set and noticed something amiss, she went to talk to Ning Jing. Ning Jing, a tough woman with a fiery temper, retorted sharply, "Why should I give you the man I like? If you want a man, you have to earn it yourself!"

After filming wrapped, seeing that Jiang Wen still hadn't changed his mind, Liu Xiaoqing knew that things were over between them.

But how could Liu Xiaoqing be willing to sacrifice everything and just let Ning Jing get the job?
She knew Jiang Wen's preferences very well, and introduced her sister Liu Xiaohong's French friend to Jiang Wen. Sure enough, Jiang Wen couldn't resist the temptation and obediently gave in and started dating this French girl again.

When Ning Jing saw this hot-tempered man, she also decided to find a foreigner, and so she threw herself into the arms of the foreigner Paul during the filming of "Red River Valley".

So, after all this, Ning Jing is about to marry a foreigner but can't film Wu Yuchen's movie, is it all Jiang Wen's fault?!

After cursing Jiang Wen a few times, Wu Yuchen had no choice but to drive back dejectedly. When he got to the company, he told everyone to get moving and prepare for the audition.

Miracle Pictures is no longer an empty shell subsidiary. When Wu Yuchen came back last time, he not only bought filming equipment, but also recruited a group of people, all of whom were graduates of Beijing Film Academy and Central Academy of Drama. Some of them had worked with him for a few movies and were already impressed by him, so they continued to work for him after graduation.

This audition wasn't just for the female lead, but also for the male lead and several supporting roles, marking the first time Miracle Pictures went through the normal film preparation process.

The first round was basically reviewing resumes, photos, and materials. Wu Yuchen reviewed all the well-known figures in the industry, including students from the Central Academy of Drama and Beijing Film Academy. He handed over the review to his assistants for other schools and lesser-known actors, so that he wouldn't miss any good prospects. After this round of screenings, he had people call each of them to inform them of the official audition time.

It took a whole week of rushing to get everything done before the audition was almost here.

On the bed, Wu Yuchen saw Jiang Qinqin lying silently on his chest, so he patted her bottom and said:
"What's wrong? Are you still upset?"

"How could I dare to get emotional with you? You're an internationally renowned director!"

Jiang Qinqin hummed and whimpered, but her little hands gently scratched at Wu Yuchen's body.

"Qinqin, you've read the script. Don't say I didn't give you a chance. Come audition with me tomorrow. If the result is good, I'll make you the female lead."

Jiang Qinqin's face immediately lit up with a smile:

"Really?"

"Why did I lie to you?"

Jiang Qinqin immediately beamed with joy. She had read the complete script and felt she had an advantage over the other actors. She knew the role might not be suitable, but she wanted to give it a shot at Wu Yuchen's film.

However, Wu Yuchen now has awards and is no longer a small-time director. Filmmaking is not child's play, and Jiang Qinqin knows that she can't mess around with him. So she let her audition, and she has nothing to say if she loses.

Seeing Jiang Qinqin's appearance, Wu Yuchen knew she had rested well, so he remounted his horse and set sail again.

……

The following day, Wu Yuchen rented a hotel conference room as an audition site, where dozens of women waited at the door, taking turns to go in.

Now that Wu Yuchen has won major awards, he's gained some influence, which is why he attracted quite a few people this time. He wasn't as strict with the selection process this time; he just wanted to see if anyone could surprise him. He even put Chen Shasha on the audition list. And surprisingly, she's a better fit than Jiang Qinqin!

Jiang Qinqin walked out of the meeting room dejectedly, and Chen Shasha, who was next to her, quickly came over:
"Qinqin, how are you?"

Jiang Qinqin pouted, "Don't even mention it. He said the feeling I conveyed was off, that I was too cynical and lacked strength. In short, he picked out a whole bunch of faults about me..."

Chen Shasha pulled her aside and comforted her, "Qinqin, he only said that to you because you're close to him. Maybe..."

Jiang Qinqin shook her head: "There's no such thing as 'maybe.' I know I didn't act well. I hope you can pass, Sasha!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Shasha was overjoyed. She had learned a lot about the female lead's character from Jiang Qinqin and felt that she had performed quite well. Maybe she would make it!
At that moment, a staff member called out from the corridor, "Next, number 23!"

He called out once, but no one answered. He then shouted again, "Number 23, is Number 23 here? If you're not here..."

"coming!"

Just then, a girl came running up, panting heavily. As she got closer, Jiang Qinqin and Chen Shasha couldn't help but widen their eyes.

Wu Yuchen is in a good mood right now. The audition is more than halfway through, and none of the established stars who came are suitable, but there are a few students who seem alright.

Gong Beibi and Mei Ting from the Central Academy of Drama, and Chen Shasha from the Beijing Film Academy, are all alright, but currently they can only be ranked second in his mind.

The first one is Yu Lan from Beijing Film Academy, who later changed her name to Yu Nan. She is the girlfriend of Wang Quan'an, the one who starred in "Tuya's Marriage," and also Long Xiaoyun, the girl Leng Feng admires in "Wolf Warrior 1."

Yu Lan has a rather strong presence; both her appearance and figure exude a sense of power. Although she currently looks a bit like a country girl, she could probably look great with some styling.

In this respect, she is currently the closest to the temperament of the female protagonist, Lola.

As Wu Yuchen was pondering, the door was pushed open again, and the figure that walked in made him open his mouth in surprise.

She had medium-length fiery red hair, wore a sky-blue top, light green pants, a black leather belt around her waist, black high-top leather boots, and a silver earring.

This unique outfit is very eye-catching, and it is exactly the appearance of the female protagonist Lola in his script!

To Wu Yuchen's surprise, the person standing in his field at that moment was none other than Li Xiaoran!

(End of this chapter)