Chapter One: Unfulfilled Ambition

  Lin Xiao felt that Chen Daoming, who was slowly standing up at this moment, was like a great mountain. His movements were slow, but the pressure was getting bigger and bigger. For the first time acting with the movie emperor, he finally understood why the man went out earlier and got his back wet. Even he, an artist who had been in the industry for many years, felt as if he was being crushed by a mountain.

  However, he was exceptionally calm in his heart. He came in like this only because he thought that as the imperial son, Yinzhen would not have come in like a stray dog under the watchful eyes of many loyal ministers. This not only lost the morale of the soldiers who conquered Galdan, but also made Kangxi lose face greatly.

  So he changed his mind and walked in with a dignified air. Unexpectedly, Chen Daoming took an interest and even started playing along with him!

  Unexpectedly, his heart now has an inexplicable will to fight!

  Good timing! He said in his heart, isn't this exactly what he had expected countless times?

  In front of him, Chen Daoming was waiting for his answer ahead.

  In his mind, thoughts flashed through millions of times. Suddenly, he was enlightened and spoke out "Your son is willing to accept punishment, but please give your son a chance to redeem himself with merit. Let your son lead the cavalry again, and he will surely defeat Galdan!"

  Fatso was already stunned, if this person hadn't calculated in advance that Chen Daoming would ask such a question, he must be a genius! Given time, he will definitely become a great talent!

  "Being able to withstand the pressure from Director Chen, not being led astray by the drama, and still managing to come up with such a response on the spot - I've never seen an actor as young as him achieve this!"

  The hall was silent, and Chen Ming's face was solemn. Lin Xiao was already fully immersed in this atmosphere, waiting anxiously for the emperor's reprimand.

  A moment later, he suddenly heard Chen Daoming laugh and say, "Not bad, the response was a bit stiff, but at this age, it's rare. Especially when acting with me, not nervous, there are really few people in the new generation."

  "You... are praising him?" Fatso asked incredulously.

  "I rarely praise people." Chen Daoming glanced at his opponent.

  Fat boy is bitter, how can he be praised! The first few didn't directly make them roll over are already good!

  However, this person... He looked at Lin Xiao with a complex gaze and secretly praised him in his heart. He knew that although these few words might seem ordinary on TV, without any waves, this kind of improvisation relied on experience and wit.

  "What's your name?" Chen Daoming asked as he turned his head around.

  Lin Xiao was stunned, only then realizing that the assessment had already ended. His heart was still racing a bit fast, this moment of directly acting with the Shadow Emperor was priceless, and the pressure was even more unimaginable.

  "Lin Xiao."

  "What movies have you acted in before?"

  "No, I used to be in a band."

  "Oh?" Chen's eyes sparkled "Then you must really enjoy thinking about movies."

  All the majesty on his body was gone, and at this moment, he looked like a kind old neighbor. Far from the mighty Kangxi Emperor of the nine heavens just now.

  Come and go freely, antelopes hang their horns. Lin Xiao secretly praised in her heart, and replied with her mouth "Yes, now I have signed a contract with Huaxia Entertainment, specializing in film and television."

  "Great, such a good seedling. It's a pity if he doesn't enter the film industry." Chen nodded and said to the fat man beside him, "Just him, call the others and tell them not to come."

  "Ah?" The fat man hadn't come back to his senses yet, and the others also gave their support. How could he not say anything? He hastily said, "Old Chen, aren't you being a bit too hasty? Maybe there will be better actors tomorrow? It's not too late to take another look."

  "I can roughly guess why he came in like that. As a noble, how could he lose face in front of his subordinates? Indeed, this is the demeanor that the eldest brother should have. With this thought in mind, I also think it's right to give this young man an opportunity. This role is settled then." After finishing speaking, Chen Daoming took a sip of tea and walked away to the small hut on the side, as he passed by Lin Xiao's side, he patted his shoulder "Continue working hard, you have high comprehension and good ideas. If you can grasp this scene, it will be very helpful for you."

  This is praise from Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige-level figures. Lin Xiao clenched his fists tightly.

  As soon as I walked out of the house, several people outside cast their "ardent" gaze over.

  He still smiled and said nothing, leaving the grand hall.

  "I said... he won't make it, will he?" a brother asked in doubt.

  "Don't think you can get away with no expression, the one sitting inside is Old Chen." Another brother said "I've been watching that guy for a while, he came in with this mysterious and profound look. His expression hasn't changed at all. And he hasn't spoken a word either."

  "Why didn't he say anything?"

  Everyone else looked at him with a stunned expression, and after a while, someone clicked their tongue and said, "Brother, you're new here, right? Have you ever seen anyone reveal to another competitor during the trial mirror?"

  Just then, the door creaked open and Fatso walked out with a bad attitude. The opportunity to fill his own little treasure chest had been ruined, and he still had to think of an explanation for everyone else.

  He himself did not expect that the election could be so quick, and his previous praise for Lin Xiao had now turned into a belly full of anger. Seeing the few people left at the door staring at him with eager eyes, he felt an inexplicable sense of annoyance.

  "What's everyone gathering for? Disperse quickly, the audition is over."

  This sentence was like a thunderclap, stunning all the remaining people.

  "Manager Qian, this..." "Has the candidate been selected?" "Is it that person from just now?!"

  "Of course, he was chosen by Mr. Chen himself." The fat man said gruffly, "Let me be, I still have to make calls for other auditions."

  Watching him with a fiery head, no one dared to continue asking, until the fat man disappeared from their sight, and they looked at each other in dismay.

  "It's actually... been decided!" After a while, one of the brothers said in disbelief, "And it was Teacher Chen who made the decision on the spot. How did this person manage to pull off that performance?!"

  No one answered him, and everyone looked at the wide open gate with a sense of discontent, the empty and deserted grand hall inside made them feel even more lost.

  This circle is like this, every time it's full of expectations to audition for a certain role, and then there will be such a dark horse jumping out, kicking its hooves and doing ballet, kicking a group of people over. What's even more miserable is that before the contract was signed, some big shot expressed interest, so the newcomer who was replaced had no choice but to swallow their bitter feelings.

  Lin Dahai didn't know what would happen next, but he was in a good mood. This play not only had Chen Daoming, but also Siqin Gaowa and Gao Lanjun. No actor would mind having the opportunity to act with the movie emperor.

  He was strolling through the palace when he was about to go find CAMI, and suddenly saw a familiar face. Among a group of people in ancient costumes, she stood out even more for wearing modern clothes.

  He smiled and quietly walked behind her, gently patting her shoulder.

  "Ah!" The other person was clearly startled and turned around to see who it was, before breathing a sigh of relief.

  "Is the audition over? What's the result?" It was Sumara, the little beauty who had walked into the wrong room for her audition. He was in a good mood and went up to chat with her.

  "I... I haven't found it yet."

  What?! Lin Xiao was stunned, this place is big, but after several hours of searching, he still couldn't find the location, it's probably not a matter of taking the wrong path.

  "You... have no sense of direction?" he guessed.

  "I'm a road idiot..." The little beauty's face turned red and she lowered her head in embarrassment.

  Right! Lin Xiao cried and laughed "Didn't you ask the staff?"

  "Excuse me for asking... there are no road signs here either..."

  There's a road sign, what else can we shoot? Lin Xiao lost his smile. "Let's go, I'll take you there. If you walk, it will probably take another two hours to get there. By the way, where is your agent?"

  “……I don’t have an agent.” The little beauty slightly raised her head, sneaking a glance at Lin Xiao. In this circle, not having an agent meant that you were either the most miserable artist or the best one. Earlier, she had asked several staff members, but as soon as they heard that she didn't have an agent, they completely ignored her.

  Lin Xiao was stunned for a moment, and suddenly remembered when he first entered the circle: "Follow me, it's not far, we'll be there soon."

  The little beauty nodded hastily and followed behind in a hurry.

  "...... thank you." She said in a voice that was almost inaudible.

  After taking her to the audition point of Sumala, the two chatted for a few words, and Lin Xiao went back to change his clothes. He just thought it was doing a good deed, and had no idea of exchanging phone numbers. The crew is so big, if selected, there will naturally be time for acting together. If not selected, I'm afraid they will never see each other again.

  Just changed clothes, CAMI walked over a few steps and asked "How is it?"

  Her expression was as usual, but there was still a hint of excitement in her voice. Such an opportunity would not come often, and every chance to be chosen by the great play was a rare encounter for Huaxia.

  "It should be fine at least for now." He repeated Chen Daoming's words, and CAMI was stunned.

  "It's actually possible to get praised by the Chinese film emperor, if you take this play, pay more attention to the other person's face." CAMI finally relaxed completely and let out a long sigh.

  She thought for a moment and said "There's something else I want to tell you, if it's confirmed that it's you tomorrow, we'll put the news of your comeback on the gossip magazine."

  "This is one, secondly, during the filming period, I hope you and a few good-looking actresses can create some news. For example, go out to eat together, stroll around, etc. Everyone is new, I think the other party should also be quite happy. When the time comes, you tell me the destination, and I will ask the paparazzi to take pictures."

  Lin Xiao frowned, in his previous life he had always disliked this set.

  "This probably won't work, I don't like this."

  "You're currently lacking in exposure. Since Director Chen has acknowledged your acting skills, it shouldn't be too bad. CAMI gave him a sideways glance "Gossip is one thing, do you really think it's just a matter of wanting to get attention? Right now, others won't even bother to report on you, and our company has to spend money on it. Which celebrity didn't rise to fame gradually? Not only do they need to find news about you, but you also need to know how to create news yourself. The days when 'good wine doesn't fear the alley being deep' are long gone."

  "In short, I'm not willing." Lin Xiao still refused.

  "This is what the company means. Anyway, I will investigate your filming schedule, and when you go out, there will naturally be paparazzi. No room for negotiation. Don't forget that I am not only your agent but also your mentor." CAMI said and left without giving him a chance to refuse.