Glimpse of Light - Chapter 2.1
Gao Liang originally thought that Xie Shiye would likely not go for the interview after hearing that Fu Xu would also be present. What he absolutely didn’t expect was that after hanging up the call, Xie Shiye sent him a message, saying he would cancel all his schedule for the next few days to focus on studying the script.
Truth be told, Director Zhong wasn’t very satisfied with Xie Shiye. This wasn’t a commercial film, and there was no need to care about popularity or the amount of buzz created on the internet. The main focus needed to be on the quality of the movie, and how well it was filmed and acted.
Zhong Changming gave Xie Shiye’s agent the address and timing of the interview, while also sending it to several other actors simultaneously, asking them to come for the interview together. Those actors were all small actors who have acted in lots of films, are well known and have acting skills too, but are not very popular.
These days, what’s the use of having good acting skills? One also needs popularity.
With just acting skills, a person can only play supporting roles, serving as a foil for popular male leads.
Among the several other actors who got wind of this news, one of them was Song Yi. When Song Yi heard the words of his agent, he couldn’t help but ridicule. “Xie Shiye couldn’t play IP dramas well, so he came to compete with us for a role in literary films? Is he crazy?”
The agent comforted him saying, “Zhong Changming possibly doesn’t even look up to him(appreciate him). If he’s rejected at the interview, wouldn’t he be the one being embarrassed?”
Song Yi said, “Will Director Zhong consider his popularity…”
The agent replied, “Impossible. It’d be hard to screen this film domestically unless it’s edited a lot. Director Zhong need not consider Xie Shiye’s popularity. Besides, his acting skills probably aren’t good enough.”
Song Yi said, “Wasn’t his film ‘My King’ quite popular? And he’s acted in so many movies too. I think he’s good enough.”
The agent said, ” Just being good enough won’t work. Director Zhong is notoriously picky. Acting skills that are ‘good enough’ to others will be full of flaws to him. He’s great at training actors, but Xie Shiye has been famous for so long, at his level, can he accept being criticised by the director? Zhong Changming knows what he’s doing so he definitely won’t choose Xie Shiye.”
Zhong Changming, who ‘knew what he was doing’, was currently eating hotpot with Fu Xu, drinking a small cup of wine behind his wife’s back.
Fu Xu served him a bowl of clear soup, advising him to dip the meat from the red pot in the clear soup first.
Zhong Changming waved his hand. “What’s the point of eating like this? Of course, the best way to eat it is in its original flavour!”
Fu Xu laughed. “Shifu’s wife specifically reminded me before she left that one small cup is enough for you. Any more, and she’d be able to smell it.”
Zhong Changming reluctantly put down the wine cup. “Have you read the script for ‘Chushi’*?”
*(Chushi has multiple meanings, one of which is ‘to renounce the world.’ I’m keeping the title in Chinese for now to keep it short and simple)
Fu Xu nodded. Zhong Changming rubbed his hands saying, “Alright, I know your basic skills well. Find a master to train with for a few months.”
However Fu Xu said, “I want to play the role of junior brother.”
Hearing this, Zhong Changming was stunned. He replied, “But the role of senior brother suits you more.”
To this, Fu Xu said, “I know, but this time I want to try something different.”
Zhong Changming was accustomed to always indulging him. Everyone knew about the deep master-disciple bond between him and Fu Xu. Even though Fu Xu had left willfully back then, he was back now. The child had decided to return home so how could he obstruct him.
Zhong Changming agreed and turned to ask his assistant to change the script, giving the senior brother role to some other small actor. He might even need to find new actors, as the role of senior brother required someone with an ethereal and otherworldly appearance.
They also discussed Xie Shiye, mainly Zhong Changming. Talking about this, Director Zhong took another sip of wine and said, “Say, why has Xie Shiye decided to audition as well? He’s not suitable for this movie at all.”
Fu Xu confiscated Zhong Changming’s wine cup as he listened to him. It was his first time hearing such a subjective comment about someone from Director Zhong. “You should give him a try. Otherwise, how’d you know he’s not suitable?”
Zhong Changming glanced at him in surprise. “Don’t you have a bad relationship with him?”
Fu Xu remained indifferent. “It’s just rumours online.”
Fu Xu and Xie Shiye graduated from the same university and could be considered fellow students. They had similar appearances and received similar resources.
When Fu Xu endorsed a watch, Xie Shiye endorsed jewellery from the same brand. When Fu Xu became an ambassador for a brand’s perfume, Xie Shiye endorsed cosmetics. When Fu Xu appeared on a fashion magazine’s cover, Xie Shiye was bound to be on the next issue’s cover.
When Fu Xu walked the red carpet, Xie Shiye would arrive with a female companion immediately after.
Especially with clothing, it was even more obvious. If Fu Xu wore black, Xie Shiye would wear white. Fu Xu wore red, Xie Shiye would wear blue. When Fu Xu cut his hair short, Xie Shiye grew his hair long. It was all as if they were deliberately opposing each other.
Some people analysed that Xie Shiye, who was in the limelight at that time, was often compared to Fu Xu because they looked somewhat alike. It was rumoured in the industry that Xie Shiye was competing with Fu Xu.
There were even rumours that Xie Shiye couldn’t stand seeing any news related to Fu Xu.
And so, a big entertainment company, for the sake of its top star Xie Shiye, had to carefully screen all the magazines, newspapers, and event photos to ensure they didn’t contain any content related to Fu Xu.
Rather than saying that the two had a bad relationship, it’d be better to say that Xie Shiye unilaterally loathed Fu Xu.
Zhong Changming said, “Are you two on good terms? Did you ever have a thing…?”
Ever since discovering that Fu Xu liked men, Zhong Changming couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild. After all, the two of them had attended the same university. Could they have had a thing going on back then?
Fu Xu was amused by his words, almost spitting out the tea he was drinking. “How could that be? He’s just a junior, that’s all.”
Zhong Changming asked, “Are you two familiar with each other?”
Fu Xu replied, “Not really. We saw each other a few times in the university, that’s it.”
Xie Shiye was his session’s top student and entered the university after passing the entrance exam with first grade. Many people knew him. Fu Xu, too, but they weren’t particularly close.
They had only rehearsed a stage play together once, and Fu Xu had given him some guidance, recognizing his junior’s talent and feeling a bit of admiration for it.
So, when Zhong Changming was adamant that Xie Shiye wasn’t suitable, Fu Xu couldn’t help but say a few words in Xie Shiye’s defence. “He was quite talented during university years. You can give him a try.”
But Zhong Changming still shook his head, “No, no, he’s too handsome.”
Fu Xu didn’t say more, picking up a piece of fatty beef from the pot with his chopsticks. Zhong Changming, however, stared at his side profile for a moment, suddenly saying, “Does he really look like you?”
Fu Xu replied, “Somewhat.”
Zhong Changming said, “Alright, just for that reason, I’ll give him a chance.”
Fu Xu didn’t expose Zhong Changming’s intentions. His master was quite shrewd. It was clear that Xie Shiye had invested in this film and had become one of the investors. He didn’t force his way into the crew, but just asked for a chance to audition.
Although Zhong Changming was a famous director, it was difficult for his films to screen domestically, making it difficult to attract investors. Having someone like Xie Shiye offering money was more than welcomed.
Considering the subtle relationship between Xie Shiye and Fu Xu, Zhong Changming had specifically asked Fu Xu out today to gauge his reaction and make it seem like he would never choose Xie Shiye, just to reassure Fu Xu.
Since Fu Xu had no objection, it was even better.
Storyteller Kara J.'s Words
I ended up somehow losing all the translation I've saved so I had to rush to squeeze out this chapter on time. Had to split up the chapter in two parts because it was so long. Next part will be uploaded tomorrow and then rest of the chapters will hopefully be published on right date.nLet me know if there are any grammatical errors and such.
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