Chapter 40: The Jade-Faced Meng Chang

Zhang Yuan closed the conference room door and went downstairs to find a cafe to rest and wait.

He definitely had to leave.

Firstly, he was too young and wasn't an official member of Huanya Company or the film crew; when they were discussing major matters, it was better for him to be tactful and step aside.

Secondly, he had to leave room for Director Yang to show off!

Staying inside would only make him look like he was trying too hard.

【Received thanks from Yang Tao: Director Fundamentals +8, Camera Techniques +5, Storyboard Design +3, Plot Understanding +4!】

See? The attributes were coming.

Zhang Yuan understood human nature well. Yang Tao was not an ungrateful person; otherwise, he wouldn't have reached the position of Deputy Chief of the Railway Art Troupe.

With people like this, the less you mention asking for help, the more they take it to heart.

With nothing else to do, and since mobile phones in this era weren't like those in the future—capable of streaming videos or playing mobile games—Zhang Yuan could only open up *Snake* to enjoy a bit of childhood nostalgia.

Not long after he started playing, a ringtone interrupted his gaming session.

The caller was Boss Zhao Decai, whom he hadn't contacted for a few days.

"President Zhao, I trust you've been well?"

"I'm doing great."

There was no need to ask further; just from the cheerful tone, Zhang Yuan knew something good had happened.

"President Zhao, I''ve done the math, and you're having a run of incredible luck lately!" Zhang Yuan quickly added.

"You can tell fortunes?" Zhao Decai replied, puzzled.

"I really do have good news." After a pause, he continued, "I found another local TV station to broadcast *Conquest*. Although the effect this time is just average, it's much better than last time."

During the last premiere, Zhao Decai had gone with Tianjin Television, and the average viewership didn't even reach 1%, a total flop.

It had left him extremely frustrated and even caused him to doubt Zhang Yuan.

But this time, having regrouped and found another local station of the same tier, they had achieved a 1.9% viewership after six episodes. While not a massive hit, it had reached the industry average.

This made Zhao Decai, who had already grown increasingly trusting of Zhang Yuan due to the World Cup incident, even more certain that Zhang Yuan was his benefactor.

After hearing Zhao Decai's words, Zhang Yuan offered repeated congratulations, but he understood exactly why the results had improved.

Because this time, *Conquest* was on the International Zhuang Television.

And the prototypes for the story of *Conquest*, including those gang bosses, were originally the local heavyweights of International Zhuang!

Home-field advantage was a massive boon!

Zhang Yuan clearly remembered that in the future, Hebei Satellite TV would rebroadcast *Conquest* countless times, with audiences watching tirelessly and viewership remaining high; International Zhuang was the capital of Hebei Province.

Zhao Decai had gotten lucky this time.

Zhang Yuan didn't point out this reason, but instead followed Zhao Decai's lead, attributing everything to the high quality of the work itself.

With the improvement in results, Fatty Zhao had hope, and to him right now, hope was as precious as a diamond.

"By the way, a friend of mine in real estate development just opened a new project in Beijing. If you're interested in buying a house, I can ask him to give you a discount."

In a great mood, Zhao Decai wanted to find an opportunity to return the favor.

"President Zhao, you overestimate me; I don't have that much money." Mentioning real estate, Zhang Yuan became more cautious. "Speaking of which, are you interested in real estate as well?"

"How did you know?" Fatty Zhao now truly suspected Zhang Yuan could divine the future.

Of course he knew; after all, in the future, Fatty Zhao would become a major contractor.

After a moment's thought, Zhang Yuan decided to steer him toward real estate.

"President Zhao, real estate is a massive market. According to economic development patterns and current national development policies, its future is immeasurable."

"Great minds think alike!" Fatty Zhao was incredibly excited; every time Zhang Yuan spoke, he hit the nail on the head.

Why was Zhang Yuan steering Fatty Zhao toward real estate? On one hand, he indeed had the potential to be a contractor; on the other hand, from a long-term perspective, Zhang Yuan needed Zhao Decai's financial support.

Real estate could generate massive amounts of capital, but it would also consume most of Old Zhao's energy. This way, he wouldn't have the time to meddle in entertainment industry affairs.

Zhang Yuan wanted him to be a hands-off manager and a "bank," while he himself would remain the one in charge.

After chatting for a few more minutes, they hung up. Zhang Yuan had already planted the seed in the other man's heart; now he only needed to wait patiently for it to take root and sprout.

After waiting a long time, Zhang Yuan received a call from Yang Tao.

His tone was even more joyful than Zhao Decai's. He informed Zhang Yuan that the meeting had concluded, there would be auditions in the afternoon, and gave him the address.

Zhang Yuan had helped Yang Tao once; now it was Director Yang's turn to repay him.

Arriving at the audition location on time, the hallway was already lined with long queues.

"Hey man, are you here for the audition too?" A dark, sturdy young man of medium height greeted Zhang Yuan warmly upon his arrival.

"Yes, hello." Zhang Yuan raised a hand in greeting.

"Then come sit here." The man picked up his backpack and cleared a small space on a crowded bench in the resting area, barely enough for one person.

"No need, thank you for the kind offer."

"Don't be so polite, come on." The man thought Zhang Yuan was just being shy.

However, Zhang Yuan's expression was somewhat unnatural because he recognized the man.

This was Ma Dongyan, a graduate of the Military Arts Academy—the same one that produced Sha Yi and Shen Teng.

Just last year, he had appeared in *The Young Zhang Sanfeng* starring Zhang Weijian and Li Bingbing, playing Yu Lianzhou, one of the Seven Heroes of Wudang and a disciple of Zhang Sanfeng.

And Zhang Yuan knew that he would also successfully audition for the *Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber* crew, playing another of the Wudang Seven, but as the youngest, Mo Shenggu.

Why was Zhang Yuan lost in thought with a strange expression?

Because the role he was aiming for was one of the villains in the series: "Jade-Faced Mengchang," Song Qingchu!

Ma Dongyan: *Nice to meet you.*

Zhang Yuan: *You're celebrating too early... I'll be killing you in a bit.*

In the series, Mo Shenggu dies at the hands of Song Qingchu.

Ma Dongyan was an outgoing person. As he stood up to pull Zhang Yuan down to sit, Yang Tao walked out of the office and spotted Zhang Yuan.

"Zhang Yuan, you're here!" Yang Tao's smile was warm and gentle, as if he were looking at a junior from a relative's family. "Follow me to the dressing room; your costume is already prepared."

"Alright." Zhang Yuan responded, then patted Ma Dongyan on the shoulder. "See you on set."

Ma Dongyan watched Zhang Yuan walking side-by-side with Yang Tao, only recovering his senses after a long moment.

"Th-that's Director Yang..."

"Ah!"

"No wonder he wouldn't sit. It wasn't that he was shy or looked down on me—it's that there was no need to sit at all!" Ma Dongyan slapped his palm, realizing he had failed to recognize a VIP.

To be personally received by the director, with a dressing room and costume prepared in advance—he was clearly a pre-selected actor.

Why would he need to squeeze into a hallway with a "job seeker" like himself?

Ma Dongyan's eyes were filled with envy, but after a moment, he laughed.

"This guy sure knows how to talk, telling me 'see you on set'."

"He's basically congratulating me on a successful audition."

【Received thanks from Ma Dongyan: Stamina +2!】

Having finished his makeup and changed into his clothes, Zhang Yuan saw this system notification and thought the man seemed quite decent.

Moreover, his skin tone suggested he did plenty of exercise; otherwise, how could he have been scouted by Wu Jing for *Wolf Warrior* later on?

Inside the large audition conference room, Yang Tao was already seated, flanked by Lai Shuiqing, other assistant directors, and a martial arts choreographer.

"Next, Zhang Yuan. Auditioning for the role of Song Qingchu."

A female staff member acted as the announcer and then stepped aside.

Although it was a large production, during *The Story of a Noble Family*, once Li Dawei had made the decision, Zhang Yuan wouldn't have had to go through such a tedious audition process.

But here, due to the mutual checks and balances between the two directors, there was inevitable maneuvering in the casting; major roles required the approval of both.

As soon as Lai Shuiqing heard the name "Zhang Yuan," his brows immediately furrowed into a knot.

This kid again...

Thinking of the face that had once left him speechless, Lai's heart gave a sudden thud.

"But this kid is as precise as he was when discussing the script—he has a knack for picking the right roles."

The major roles had already been pre-selected. Among the remaining characters suitable for Zhang Yuan's age, the one with the most screen time was Song Qingchu.

The doors pushed open, and Zhang Yuan walked in with a steady, light gait. With one hand behind his back and the other lightly clenched in front of his abdomen, he approached the "jury" with a smile.

At this moment, he wore a white cotton shirt underneath a cyan satin Wudang Taoist robe, with grey cloth shoes.

Even before he spoke, those two steps alone captivated everyone on stage.

Song Qingchu's nickname was "Jade-Faced Mengchang."

"Jade-faced" referred to his handsome appearance.

"Mengchang" described his demeanor as a refined gentleman with an elegant temperament.

Based on the character's ending, Jin Yong was known for his irony.

At this moment, Zhang Yuan perfectly embodied the meaning of those four words; he was the very picture of a refined, elegant, and exceptionally handsome young swordsman!

The role of Liu Chunjiang he played in *The Story of a Noble Family* was that of a young master; he had spent months perfecting that aura of youthful success and gentle elegance, and it was now ingrained in his bones.

Arriving before the judges, Zhang Yuan cupped his hands and performed a formal bow.

Mm... everyone except Lai Shuiqing nodded slightly.

Even without acting, Zhang Yuan already embodied the character.

As for Director Lai, he looked at Zhang Yuan's cupped hands and then, like the others, nodded in approval.

Most people are right-handed and habitually place their right hand over their left when cupping their hands, but this form is actually called a "Violent Bow."

As the *Tao Te Ching* says: "A gentleman values the left in residence, and the right in warfare."

Such a gesture is not only disrespectful to the opponent, but if performed during a martial arts duel, it signifies "deciding life and death, and determining superiority"—it is a gesture of intent to kill.

Placing the left hand on top is a "Peaceful Bow," signifying peace, friendliness, communication, respect, and congratulations.

Zhang Yuan's bow was not only correct but exceptionally standard, which was very rare among young people.

This was why Lai Shuiqing nodded; from this single movement, he understood that this young man likely knew and could do much more than he had imagined.

Coming back to his senses, Director Lai raised his hand to signal.

"Good. Please begin your performance..."