Chapter 97
The next day, the Life crew returned to the audition site for All Things Have Spirit.
It was Lin Zhiqiao’s first time auditioning for a lead role.
It would have been a lie to say he was not nervous, but more than nervous, he felt dazed—as if he were dreaming.
This windfall had fallen out of nowhere far too suddenly.
The others had not received their audition results yet, so Lin Zhiqiao stood by himself at the door, script in hand, obediently waiting in line for his turn.
Even though it was already the final day of auditions for All Things Have Spirit, the place was still packed.
By the time it was Lin Zhiqiao’s turn, it was already lunchtime.
Quite familiar with the process now, Lin Zhiqiao pushed open the door and entered. As expected, Director Zhao was still sitting behind the table with the same stern expression, the furrow between his brows deep enough to pinch a mosquito to death.
Director Zhao gave him a nod and said in a low voice, “Begin.”
After the previous day’s audition, Lin Zhiqiao was no longer fazed by Director Zhao’s attitude.
To be personally invited by Director Zhao to audition for the lead role was, no matter the final result, something almost unbelievable for someone at Lin Zhiqiao’s current level of fame.
Perhaps because he had not dared hope too much for the outcome, Lin Zhiqiao did not feel overly tense, and his performance on the spot was flawless.
When he finished, he could clearly see the surprise and satisfaction on the faces of the producer sitting beside Director Zhao, as well as several other people present.
—Though Director Zhao himself still wore that same “deadpan” expression, revealing absolutely nothing of what he thought.
In the corner of the room, a livestream camera quietly recorded the entire audition process.
“Even though Director Zhao didn’t say anything, I swear I saw the word satisfied in his eyes.”
“Director Zhao really is amazing. Lin Zhiqiao didn’t even audition for the lead originally, but he still managed to see that this role suits him.”
“This is insane. Shy on the surface but secretly mischievous underneath—isn’t that basically a role custom-made for our Xiao Qiao? He’s practically playing himself.”
“Xiao Qiao: So this overwhelming fortune finally fell on me? [crying marmot emoji]”
The moment he stepped out of the audition room, the bright sunlight outside hit him in the eyes, making him feel momentarily dazed.
Ji Ran, who had been waiting outside, immediately asked, “How did it feel?”
Lin Zhiqiao answered honestly, “I feel hungry.”
Ji Ran: “?”
Wen Li burst out laughing. “You should be hungry by now. If you go any later, there won’t even be any boxed lunches left.”
The group hurried over before meal distribution ended and each managed to snag another free lunchbox.
The audition results would not be announced until the next day.
After lunch, everyone had nothing to do, so they wandered idly around the film studio lot.
There were plenty of productions filming there, and Lin Zhiqiao was very familiar with the place. Since everyone was interested, he brought them to pick up a bit of extra work as background actors, which earned them yet another free dinner.
As evening fell, Director Fang thoughtfully booked rooms for them at a hotel next to the film studio.
After putting their things away, the group planned to stroll around a bit to work off the meal before heading back to rest.
Many places in the studio lot were still lit up. Quite a few crews had not wrapped yet and were taking advantage of the night to shoot evening scenes.
But as they wandered, Lin Zhiqiao suddenly heard a familiar voice—one he absolutely hated.
It was Lin Juezhou, his second older brother from the Lin family.
The moment Lin Zhiqiao caught sight of him, he clicked his tongue inwardly and immediately looked away.
How can I run into him everywhere… what rotten luck.
Not far away, Lin Juezhou also heard the familiar “voice.”
He looked up in the direction it came from, his brows instantly knitting together. Then, just like Lin Zhiqiao, he chose to turn his head away and pretend not to see the other.
The two of them silently ignored each other in perfect unspoken agreement, thus avoiding what could have been a century-defining battle.
The camera following Lin Zhiqiao, however, still recorded every bit of his reaction.
“Who did Xiao Qiao just see? It’s rare to see his expression look that bad.”
“Did he run into someone he really hates?”
“Don’t tell me there’s another scandal coming. [excited rubbing hands emoji]”
“One scandal hasn’t even passed and another is already on the way? The Gossip King is way too productive. [starry eyes emoji]”
The camera did not catch Lin Juezhou, but Ji Ran saw him clearly.
A member of the Lin family. Ji Ran recognized him.
The Lin family was rich, though not quite true upper-echelon nobility. Ji Ran did not know much about them.
The reason he knew of the Lin family, and of Lin Juezhou, was purely because of Lin Mubai.
Ji Ran looked at him, then turned and glanced at Lin Zhiqiao, whose mood had visibly soured. He seemed as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, said nothing.
Lin Mubai was his idol, and Lin Juezhou was Lin Mubai’s older brother.
Since Lin Zhiqiao and Lin Juezhou clearly could not stand each other, and given all the previous stirring of public opinion by marketing accounts, did that mean Lin Zhiqiao and Lin Mubai also had a very bad relationship?
One was his idol, the other his friend. The thought that they might be at odds left Ji Ran feeling conflicted and troubled.
By the time they returned to the hotel, it was completely dark.
Director Fang had booked them rooms on the 23rd floor. The floor above was the hotel restaurant, which offered free meals around the clock.
Lin Zhiqiao had already thrown the unpleasant encounter with Lin Juezhou out of his mind. His heart was set only on the free late-night snacks, so instead of returning to his room, he headed straight for the restaurant on the 24th floor.
Only after eating and drinking his fill did the group head for the elevators to go back down.
The doors opened, and the moment Lin Zhiqiao looked up, he saw a familiar figure stepping out of the elevator opposite them—someone he most definitely did not want to meet.
Lin Zhiqiao: “…”
Lin Juezhou, who had also just stepped out: “…”
Lin Juezhou’s brows drew tightly together, and the words almost flew out of his mouth: “You’re following me?”
Lin Zhiqiao’s face filled with pure speechless disbelief.
Then Lin Juezhou noticed the others standing behind Lin Zhiqiao, along with the cameraman and the very obvious camera in his hands.
He immediately realized that he had misunderstood Lin Zhiqiao.
Lin Juezhou’s expression darkened, but even after realizing he was in the wrong, there was no way he would apologize to Lin Zhiqiao.
So he merely snorted coldly and turned to leave.
Lin Zhiqiao curled his lip.
As if I wanted to see you either. You cling like a ghost. So annoying.
“Who is that? Why was his tone so hostile right from the start? [so unlikeable emoji]”
“He looks familiar… I think I’ve seen him somewhere.”
“Isn’t that Lin Mubai’s brother? I remember he’s a director.”
“Lin Mubai’s brother is that rude? …That’s kind of hard to defend.”
“Maybe it’s because Lin Zhiqiao used to have such a bad reputation? First impressions and all?”
“Well, Lin Zhiqiao’s old marketing angle was to leech off Lin Mubai. If I were Lin Mubai’s brother, I wouldn’t like someone clinging to my little brother for attention either.”
“Don’t pin the agency’s mess on Xiao Qiao. Our Xiao Qiao is just a lazy little gossip-loving marmot. Isn’t it obvious that after he changed managers, all that nonsense disappeared?”
“He misunderstood him and still didn’t apologize, so let’s not make excuses for him. [eye roll emoji]”
Lin Zhiqiao’s good mood after eating his fill was ruined once again.
No. 888 tried to comfort him:
Host, don’t be angry. I’ll open a few scandals about him to help you cool off.
Lin Zhiqiao replied listlessly,
Go ahead, go ahead.
Lin Juezhou came to the film studio to shoot reshoots for the second male lead’s scenes in Green Spring.
Reshoots? Lin Zhiqiao thought about it for a moment.
Oh right, the original second male lead was Xu Mu’an, Ji Ran’s aunt’s boyfriend. He crashed and burned, so the drama got stuck and they had to replace him and reshoot.
Beside him, Ji Ran’s expression twisted for a split second the moment he heard the name of the scumbag who had betrayed his aunt.
Lin Zhiqiao clicked his tongue.
They’re moving pretty fast. The reshoots are almost done. Let’s just hope the actor you picked this time manages to survive until Green Spring actually airs.
…Wait, what? Holy shit?!
Lin Zhiqiao practically yelped internally.
The people around him all held their breath at once.
Judging from that tone, there was definitely another huge scandal.
Now this is really something. The previous second male lead was a fake-gay straight jerk who played with people’s feelings, and the new replacement is even better—he’s gone straight into criminal territory! Lin Zhiqiao mocked without restraint.
One’s a scumbag, the other’s a john. Impressive as always, Lin Juezhou. Your taste remains as excellent as ever.
This actor for the second male lead is in his room right now messing around with someone! He’s already joined the production and still can’t behave? He has absolutely no sense of shame!
Lin Zhiqiao marveled aloud in his head, then suddenly sucked in a sharp breath.
Holy shit, holy shit!
The police are doing a routine inspection! They’re almost at our floor already! Good lord, are we about to witness a full anti-prostitution bust in real time?!
