Qi Liang’s evaluation, for Tang Li, was already very crucial.
But this "crucial," of course, is not in the commendatory sense.
Feng Qi’s complexion changed immediately, but Qi Liang continued, "Don’t think that my words are harsh. You came here today prepared for any outcome."
Before Feng Qi could respond, Tang Li nodded: "You’re right, no audition is ever flawless."
This response made Qi Liang take another look at her.
Feng Qi had already stood up: "Since that’s the case, we won’t disturb Director Qi any longer."
Suddenly, Qi Liang said, "The newcomer you brought does indeed have a good look, but what I need this time is not a female special police officer, but a 17-year-old orphan who grew up on the Myanmar and Vietnam border without parents. The orphan’s eyes shouldn’t be this firm, or rather, they shouldn’t lack the emotional impact like hers."
These words made Feng Qi stop in his tracks, and Qi Liang added, "Also, her looks are not as deceptive as Lai Yuan’er’s. Both disheveled, it’s obvious that Lai Yuan’er evokes more protective instincts."
Compared to Lai Yuan’er, Tang Li’s facial features are indeed more defined.
Thus, it is almost impossible to find that naive and harmless simplicity on her face.
At the border of Myanmar and Vietnam, drug trafficking is rampant, but only the drug lords truly benefit. The people living in the nearby towns and villages still endure a life of poverty.
Girls who grew up in big cities, compared to children who live day by day in poverty, are not only shrewder but also exhibit significant differences in demeanor and stature.
"Even with makeup her skin looks too fair. I’ve met Lai Yuan’er once at a film festival, she has a genuine wheatish complexion, and is only about 160 cm tall. To portray a malnourished Chinese-Vietnamese girl, and to be a new face on the big screen, I can’t think of anyone more suitable than Lai Yuan’er right now."
Feng Qi said, "As far as I know, Lai Yuan’er has already turned down ’Mihesha River Action’."
Qi Liang nodded lightly.
Tang Li, seeing disappointment on his face, then heard Qi Liang say, "So before you came, I had already decided to revise the script."
Realizing that she probably wouldn’t get the lead role in ’Mihesha River Action’, Tang Li felt disappointed, but she wasn’t indignant, even feeling a certain relief.
After all, in the past life, the lead role of this movie eventually went to Xi He.
The answer from Qi Liang exactly confirmed this.
Tang Li followed Feng Qi out of the courtyard. Standing outside, Feng Qi looked back and said, "Being so inflexible, no wonder those investors are clamoring to withdraw funding. Changing the script and lead just before shooting, I wouldn’t be comfortable investing two hundred million either."
"You are the typical example of being angrily embarrassed," Tang Li pointed out.
Seeing her demeanor as usual and not upset about losing the role, Feng Qi’s expression softened: "The environment near the Mihesha River is harsh, and this result isn’t entirely bad. Besides, the box office of this movie is very likely to be unsatisfactory.
It was also my lack of consideration, as the first starring role for a female artist shouldn’t just focus on reputation. A good market response can at least spare you some detours in the future."
Tang Li replied, "But I think ’Mihesha River Action’ will be very successful."
Not just for high reputation.
"You still don’t understand the domestic market well enough," Feng Qi said as they walked away. "The box office of Director Qi’s previous movies wasn’t impressive."
"Maybe this movie will be Director Qi’s big comeback."
"Reason?" asked Feng Qi.
Tang Li smiled slightly, "Just my intuition, like you said yesterday, the patriotic sentiment among young people is getting stronger."