Bo Yan no longer wanted to reply to messages and sat on the sofa, organizing his thoughts.
At that moment, a text from Xie Cheng came in, and he opened his phone to read the message.
[Xie Cheng: February 1, interview at Y International Hotel.]
There wasn’t any response from the other side, and Bo Yan didn’t mind; he directly called the director of "Emperor Shun of Tang," Lin Zhan.
The man in his sixties, full of vigor when he spoke, said, "You, my boy, calling me—it’s not something you often do."
Bo Yan smiled, "Director Lin, I just want to ask one thing."
Lin Zhan was intrigued, finding it rare for him to say such a thing, and asked with curiosity, "What is it?"
Bo Yan, "Director Lin, why did you consider Yuran for the second female lead, Xie Qingcheng, for the auditions? I’m very curious."
Unexpectedly asked about this, Director Lin wondered, "Why do you care about this? Do you not want to work with this girl, or is it for some other reason? Actually, when we were preparing the script, I initially planned this role for... Forget it, what do you mean by this?"
Bo Yan caught the hidden message in Lin’s words and pressed, "Preparing for whom?"
"Fu Yuran." Director Lin saw no issue in revealing this, his tone carrying a hint of regret, "You know, after watching Yuran’s acting, I think she really has the potential of a young Fu Yuran. Given time, she might even surpass Fu Yuran. Their names are so similar; it really seems fateful.
You haven’t told me, what exactly do you mean by asking all this? Do you think I’ve grown old and lost my touch in selecting actors?"
"Not at all, that’s not what I mean," Bo Yan quickly explained, "Director Lin, I want to come watch the audition that day."
Director Lin, "You’re not doubting my judgment? You’ve acted with Yuran; you should know her acting is fine. I just want to confirm one thing: the effect in the character’s promotional photo. If there’s no major issue, I reckon it will be her."
"It’s rare to hear you praise someone ."
"Get lost." Director Lin scoffed, "Count on your fingers how many times I’ve complimented you."
Bo Yan merely smiled and said, "So, Director Lin, save me a spot on the day of the auditions."
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
After being stunned for a moment, the old man said incredulously, "You’re this shameless, does the young lady know?"
Director Lin, "Quite the big movie star, and yet you have your moments."
This was definitely not something to be happy about, and Bo Yan didn’t try to salvage his image, asking resignedly, "So, do you agree or not? If you don’t agree, I’ll find my way in anyway."
Director Lin, "...You really are annoying."
"Director Lin, see you on February 1st."
After hanging up on Lin Zhan, Bo Yan suddenly felt better. The film’s observation had come to an end, and what he needed now was personal observation.
He initially wanted to go to Museli to find Yuran, but considering he had to join the filming crew of "Glory" tomorrow, he paused his steps towards the door, turned back into the living room, and gave up on disturbing her rest.
Yuran received the audition time sent by Qi Younian and was surprised for a moment. She directly called Qi Younian, "February 1st, I’ll still be with the Glory crew. How could I possibly find time for an audition?"
Qi Younian said, "Don’t worry about that. Your scenes will be crammed into the day before. We’ll shoot a few more scenes then and give you the morning off for the audition. You’ll return to the set in the afternoon. But there’s one thing I need to clarify with you, and it’s the issue you are most troubled by.
Diwai’s special system restricts you from taking excessive leaves and skipping classes. The shooting location for ’Emperor Shun of Tang’ is in Qinhan Film and Television City, outside the capital. The crew cannot adjust the schedule to fit yours. You have to choose one or the other."
"Take advantage of the ample time you currently have to consider your future plans. This will also allow me to make arrangements for you."
Yuran had never found making choices difficult, but at this moment, she truly felt its difficulty. After hanging up on Qi Younian’s call, she felt incredibly burdened.
While life and work can be coordinated and balanced, when studies clash with work, her choice is crucial. She regretted not having broadly accepted such an education in her past life. Now that she had the opportunity, she naturally prioritized her studies.
However, the script of ’Emperor Shun of Tang’ was a screenplay she rarely came across and liked, so she felt extremely conflicted.
It felt almost like a living death.
However, if choosing were not difficult, it wouldn’t be called a choice.
Without giving herself much time to consider, she replied to Qi Younian with a message.
[Yuran: If the ideal outcome cannot be coordinated, I choose to continue my education. If in the future I am fortunate enough to stand at a great height, I hope to do so on account of a comprehensive education—a performer whose character matches his station, not one who is merely superficial, decayed inside, lacking substance.
Opportunities are always present, but this phase of youth dedicated to schooling, once gone, is gone forever. I would rather give up the role of Xie Qingcheng to fulfill the persistence from my past life to this life.]
In her past life, she had no such chance. In a learning environment, she could study attentively alongside everyone else. She debuted early, became famous early, and work and appearances occupied her entire life; she had no choice.
Now having a choice, she naturally leaned toward the part she preferred.
[Qi Younian: Actually, I am not at all surprised by your answer. It’s good that you’ve decided. I support you.]
Upon seeing Qi Younian’s response, Yuran smiled.
There was no one in the world who understood her better than Qi Younian.
[Yuran: My temporary agent, thank you for your hard work.]
[Qi Younian: Heh... Why be so formal with me? It feels odd.]
Yuran felt her personality was very much laid-back now. After a period of contradiction and clearing the fog, she would stop thinking about it and then gear up to start afresh.
After making the choice, she didn’t feel much regret because she had pondered deeply over it.
She had honored her original intention, so that was that.
The filming schedule for ’Glory’ was going well. Xuan Ze and Austin collaborated, dividing the work. Because some invited international stars were unavailable for certain recordings Xuan Ze wanted, Austin had to make a trip personally.
In the capital, Xuan Ze was fully in charge. Yuran and Bo Yan’s chemistry was truly remarkable. The moment they stood before the camera, they could rapidly find and adjust to the right state for shooting.
Bo Yan was multitasking, observing Yuran’s nuances while reminiscing about Fu Yuran’s habits.
A strange coincidence.
The doubts within him grew heavier, feeling an oppressive heaviness, as if clouds obscured the blue sky, an emerging clarity weighing on his mind, complex and indescribable.
Yuran noticed that in recent days, Bo Yan’s gaze upon her had grown increasingly peculiar, occasionally looking past her at others, which she found quite perplexing.