Sheng Yunlan glanced at the sight of her taking notes in a notebook, worried she might forget Luo Yu’s earlier performance. He restrained the upward curve of his lips and said calmly, “The audition is not over yet. It’s like when we saw He Mu earlier—you thought he was impressive. Then, seeing Liang Shengqiu, you felt he was very suitable for Wen Yuchi. Now, having seen Luo Yu, you think he’s amazing, fearing that if you let this opportunity pass, you might not find another like him. Perhaps, in the upcoming auditions, there will be even more extraordinary performances.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

The producer and the assistant director exchanged glances and shook their heads helplessly, unsure if Sheng Yunlan’s high standards were genuine or if he was just acting composed.

Who knew that Gu Xiaowei, putting down his thermos, said, “None of you mentioned that Luo Yu was impressive just now.”

Sheng Yunlan acted as if he hadn’t heard and continued looking at the resume of the next auditionee.

The assistant director and producer paused for a moment and suddenly realized the implication of Gu Xiaowei’s words—since none of them had called Luo Yu impressive, it must be Sheng Yunlan’s personal opinion.

Well, even at this age, playing coy still happens.

As expected, with Luo Yu’s performance setting the bar so high, others really did seem “not cloud-like compared to Wushan.”

Finally, the audition was over. Xia Tan quickly said goodbye, saying she had script revisions to make, and left.

The assistant director stretched and noticed Sheng Yunlan was still looking at Luo Yu’s resume.

Gu Xiaowei nodded to the assistant director and said, “The audition is over now, so I’ll head back.”

“Oh, Xiao Wei, you’ve had a long day. Go get some rest.”

Gu Xiaowei opened the door and walked toward the elevator, his pace quickening, the hem of his coat swaying with his strides.

Passing staff members couldn’t help but look in his direction, wondering what could make Gu Xiaowei so anxious.

At that moment, Luo Yu was in a small bookstore two streets away from the hotel.

The bookstore had narrow aisles and was packed with old books, including novels from thirty years ago priced at one yuan and ninety-eight cents each.

The shopkeeper was an elderly man with graying hair, wearing reading glasses, sitting at the counter near the entrance, reading a newspaper.

Luo Yu picked up a book and sat on a small plastic stool at the back of the store, reading.

After flipping through the book for over an hour, he looked around and still saw few customers.

No wonder he received a message from Gu Xiaowei when he left, asking him to wait in this little bookstore.

Luo Yu checked his phone and saw Gu Xiaowei’s first message: [The auditions should be ending soon. Can you wait for me to have a meal together?]

At that moment, Luo Yu recalled Gu Xiaowei’s last glance when he closed the audition room door—there was no expression, but the moisture in his eyes conveyed the purest anticipation.

It seemed this guy really liked his portrayal of Wen Yuchi.

Luo Yu smiled and replied: [Should I wait for you in the hotel’s underground parking lot?]

Gu Xiaowei responded: [The parking lot is too stuffy. Wait for me at the bookstore on Huaihua North Road. There aren’t many people there.]

So, Luo Yu clicked open the map, found the bookstore, and indeed, as Gu Xiaowei had said, there were no customers, and no media disturbances. He could easily find a spot to sit, hidden by the bookshelves.

To Luo Yu’s delight, he found a set of comics he had read as a child, and upon closer inspection, it turned out to be authentic original editions. He sat on the small stool, flipping through them, and time passed.

After an unknown period, someone entered the bookstore, quickly walked to the first row of bookshelves, found no one there, and proceeded to search the second and third rows until he finally spotted Luo Yu sitting on the small stool at the back.

Luo Yu’s long legs were folded, resting the book on his knees, deeply engrossed in reading until someone came in front of him, blocking his light.

“Hm?”

Luo Yu looked up and met Gu Xiaowei’s eyes.

They seemed to be flowing with intense emotions, as if they would flood to the ends of the world if not given a place to settle.

The next moment, Luo Yu was tightly embraced by Gu Xiaowei.

He could hear Gu Xiaowei’s breath, anxious and suppressed, like branches sprouting from his bones, wanting to merge into another’s breath and heartbeat.

Luo Yu raised his hand and gently patted his back, understanding why Gu Xiaowei was like this.

“Gu Xiaowei, do you still find Lu Pingfeng difficult to play?”

“If you are Wen Yuchi, then it’s not difficult.”

Luo Yu initially wanted to say that Gu Xiaowei should reconsider his excessive empathy with roles, but then realized that it wasn’t a flaw but an advantage that made him stand out as an actor.

“Were you also troubled by Lu Pingfeng’s doubts in the script these days?”

Gu Xiaowei didn’t let go of Luo Yu and continued to hold him. “Yes.”

The faint plum blossom scent still lingered, and Luo Yu suddenly thought that the scent on Gu Xiaowei’s hair had not dissipated after so long. He must have been wandering in the courtyard all night, pondering that unsolvable question—does Lu Pingfeng have a beast within him?

“Next time, if you encounter a role you can’t figure out, remember to come find me.”

Just as you encouraged me in my past life to boldly pursue what I wanted, and play the roles I desired.

“Okay,” Gu Xiaowei replied.

He seemed to be buried in Luo Yu’s neck, his warm breath seeping into Luo Yu’s blood, subtly warming his heart.

“Gu Xiaowei, are you… acting coy now?” Luo Yu asked, half-jokingly.

“Will you tell others?” Gu Xiaowei finally let go of Luo Yu and asked seriously.

“Tell whom? The marketing accounts don’t pay me.”

Luo Yu slowly stood up, carrying the set of now out-of-print comics, and went to the elderly shopkeeper. “Sir, how much for this set of books?”

The shopkeeper glanced at it and casually said, “Fifteen hundred.”

“Fifteen hundred? Aren’t they old books?”

The shopkeeper replied, “But they are also out-of-print books.”

Upon hearing “out-of-print,” Luo Yu felt the books weren’t so expensive after all.

After Luo Yu scanned the payment code, the shopkeeper took out a large piece of kraft paper from below the counter and wrapped the comics, advising, “These are very old books. Keep them well after you get home. In the future… they might not be available anymore.”

“Thank you.”

Gu Xiaowei’s car was parked in a small alley next to the bookstore. Luo Yu carried the books and got into his car.

“By the way, how did you know about this bookstore?”

“During a filming location search, we couldn’t find any bookstore with such a vintage and atmospheric feel. Later, a staff member mentioned this place. By the time we came to film, the bookstore was about to close down.”

“Close down? I sat inside for a long time and saw no customers. It isn’t closing down now, so why was it closing down back then?”

“The bookstore was originally run by an elderly couple. The old lady passed away, and the old man didn’t want to continue running it. But after our TV drama was filmed, more people started visiting. The old man changed his business approach, allowing people to consign old or out-of-print books there, many of which he had collected himself. He also allowed customers to read books in the store.”

“But now, with the internet so developed, digital books can be sold online.”

“That’s probably a sentiment toward old books,” Gu Xiaowei said, looking at Luo Yu. “Is there any better way to make you develop a desire to collect than letting you touch those old books yourself?”

Luo Yu smiled. “That’s true.”

“Do you want to have lunch together?” Gu Xiaowei asked.

“You asked me to wait for you, and now you don’t want to have lunch together? Are you asking for a beating?” Luo Yu said, half-joking.

“You can’t beat me.”

Luo Yu paused, feeling a competitive spark ignited by Gu Xiaowei’s casual tone.

“Gu Xiaowei, you’re usually so low-key and cautious. I didn’t expect you to be so boastful. You think I can’t beat you? How about we find a place to practice?”

The car happened to stop at an intersection. While waiting for the red light, Gu Xiaowei placed his hands on the steering wheel and looked at Luo Yu. “Are you sure?”

“What, I’m only a year older than you, and you think I’m too old?”

Gu Xiaowei shook his head, his voice soft as if worried about scaring Luo Yu. “I’m a seventh-degree black belt in sanda. And you?”

Luo Yu froze, wanting to say how many years he had trained in martial arts, but actually most of it had faded from his memory.

“I don’t have a rank, so let’s skip the fight. After all, we’ve been out of the film academy for many years. Reuniting and getting along well, how can we hurt our feelings with a fight?” Luo Yu said with a smile.

Gu Xiaowei’s lips curved up. “Senior Brother, you really can adapt to different situations.”

At that moment, Luo Yu’s phone rang, and the screen displayed the name “Sister Cui” on the screen.

“Sister Cui, is there something wrong?”

“I need to tell you that President Jiang has arranged a variety show appearance for you—‘Burn, Little Cosmos’. With ‘Counterattack’ nearing its countdown to airing, President Jiang hopes you can use this variety show to build up anticipation! Since it wasn’t confirmed earlier to avoid affecting your audition mood, President Jiang didn’t let you know. Now that the audition is over, the guest appearance has also been confirmed!”

“Ah? ‘Burn, Little Cosmos’? That sounds familiar.” Luo Yu didn’t follow variety shows much, and he could say he was entirely unaware of the popular shows on various platforms or TV stations.

Coincidentally, Gu Xiaowei was also a variety show noob, and he said, “Isn’t that the animation from when we were kids?”

“What?”

“The one about the Saints.”

“Oh oh oh!” Luo Yu’s face lit up with realization.

Sister Cui on the other end nearly had a heart attack; she recognized Gu Xiaowei’s voice. It seemed Luo Yu was waiting for Gu Xiaowei after the audition.

She didn’t expect Gu Xiaowei to know about “Saint Seiya”. No, that’s not the point!

“Saint Seiya” is an old relic from hundreds of years ago!

“It’s not an animation! It’s a variety show! An outdoor variety show! It was quite popular last year, but its popularity has started to decline this year. One of their regular guests injured their back while rock climbing in the last episode. The director is well-acquainted with President Jiang, so President Jiang suggested you be a guest star for one episode.”

“Oh. But I don’t have much of a variety show sense, not funny or humorous, no jokes or interesting persona… If I go, I’ll probably end up with very few shots,” Luo Yu doubted the usefulness of this variety show in heating up his upcoming drama.

Sister Cui said helplessly, “What variety sense? If you can win at those small games and competitions, great. If you can’t, just go with the flow. President Jiang isn’t expecting you to become famous through variety shows. Besides, the director will give President Jiang face and won’t cut all your scenes. The key is…”

“What’s the key?” Luo Yu squinted.

“He Mu is a regular on the show, signed for the whole season.”

“…So the production team wants to see me, the ‘top star’s dupe,’ compete with the top star He Mu?” Luo Yu said with a smile.

It seemed that the production team was eager to use the discord between him and He Mu to stir up publicity.

“Well… President Jiang also said…” Sister Cui felt the next words were a bit hot to handle.

“What did our President Jiang say? Is he telling me to seek revenge if I have grievances?” Luo Yu asked with a smile.

“Ah, it’s pretty close to that. President Jiang’s meaning is, ‘No comparison, no truth.’ He’s confident that you will outperform He Mu in every aspect in the show. He Mu is also exploring some film and TV resources after auditioning for ‘Beast and Rose’, which conflict with President Jiang’s future development plan for you. President Jiang’s idea is simple: since he once put the ‘dupe’ label on you, let He Mu experience the power of the ‘top star’s dupe.'”

President Jiang is someone who always seeks revenge. Especially since Luo Yu is now in the same boat with him, one steering the ship and the other raising the sail, President Jiang is determined to make up for the losses Luo Yu suffered from He Mu. Variety shows are He Mu’s safe zone, and if Luo Yu can make He Mu uncomfortable even there, He Mu’s paper tiger persona will be easily exposed. Without at least a try, President Jiang’s favorite Pu’er tea wouldn’t taste as good.

“But, what does my outshining He Mu have to do with President Jiang’s confidence?”

Gu Xiaowei next to him said, “It’s about vision.”

“Ha… So if I win the role of Wen Yuchi, wouldn’t that prove President Jiang’s vision?” Luo Yu countered.

“Maybe he wants a comprehensive demonstration. Variety shows reflect an artist’s audience appeal.” Sister Cui persuaded, “Not everyone is like Teacher Gu, whose upcoming works don’t need any promotion. Even good wine fears being sold deep in the alley.”

“I also want to see you and He Mu go head-to-head to prove my vision,” Gu Xiaowei said.

“Prove what aspect of your vision?”

Gu Xiaowei turned his head, looking out the window, indicating he refused to answer such an obvious question.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

This was President Jiang’s first personally arranged appearance for Luo Yu. Although it was as a guest, Luo Yu believed President Jiang wouldn’t arrange an unworthy show.

From Sister Cui’s brief description, it was related to the outdoors, so he didn’t have to tell jokes or create a persona.

“Alright then.”

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“I think Liang Shengqiu was really good, showing the confrontation between the two characters. And he dared to face the dark side of Lu Pingfeng…” the assistant director started.

Xia Tan frowned, “Dark side? I still haven’t figured out what the real dark side of Lu Pingfeng is.”

The producer advised, “Teacher Xia, you’re being too fixated. Some things don’t need to be so clear-cut. Even after the audience sees the film, they may not notice the issues you’re concerned about.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Director Sheng Yunlan’s brows furrowed, and the sound of him putting down his thermos was somewhat heavy.

“Do you really think the dark side of Lu Pingfeng is something that shouldn’t be focused on?”

The assistant director was taken aback, sensing Sheng Yunlan’s anger, and fell silent.

But the producer, oblivious to the tension, continued, “Lu Pingfeng’s dark side… isn’t it just antisocial personality disorder? As long as someone accepts and warms him, like the ‘little rabbit’ played by He Mu… or someone like Liang Shengqiu who reminds and guards him not to cross boundaries! Isn’t that it?”

Sheng Yunlan exhaled deeply and looked at Gu Xiaowei again. “Xiao Gu, what do you think? What is the dark side of Lu Pingfeng?”

Gu Xiaowei’s gaze was fixed on the door, as if waiting for someone.

He slowly spoke, “Everyone thinks he harbors a beast in his heart, which is why they are drawn to his paintings. But is he really a beast?”

The latter part of Gu Xiaowei’s sentence was said softly, but it made the room feel eerily quiet.

Xia Tan’s fingers lightly tapped, as if she finally understood the real issue with Lu Pingfeng, grasping the exam question but still lacking the answer.

Sheng Yunlan sighed, “Next.”

Perhaps it was not just Xia Tan searching for answers; Gu Xiaowei was also seeking answers while contemplating the character Lu Pingfeng.

The door creaked open, and a man dressed in a light-colored casual shirt and khaki pants walked in.

His eyes were bright, but his gaze was gentle, with a faint smile. “Director Sheng, Director Qian, Mr. Huang, and Screenwriter Xia, hello. I am Luo Yu from Yinchuan Culture.”

Such a clear and gentle voice invigorated everyone’s weary spirits.

Xia Tan couldn’t help but keep her eyes on Luo Yu. She remembered often seeing online comparisons between Luo Yu and He Mu, but when Luo Yu appeared, Xia Tan felt a spark of brilliance. This man had a refined quality that He Mu lacked. In a single glance, Xia Tan felt as if the cool moonlight was illuminating the deep night.

…This was the Wen Yuchi she had in mind.

The producer, Huang Yun, had seen many handsome men, but upon seeing Luo Yu for the first time, he couldn’t help but exclaim—as expected of the first actor signed by Jiang Yinchuan.

And Gu Xiaowei, from the moment Luo Yu entered, kept his gaze fixed on him.

Director Sheng Yunlan nodded subtly. “If you’re ready, begin your performance.”

Luo Yu walked to the side of the sofa, casually lay down, legs slightly bent, one hand resting on his abdomen, the other near his cheek. He did not deliberately turn his face towards the back of the chair but faced Gu Xiaowei’s direction without any defense.

In just two or three seconds, Luo Yu created a state of sleep due to exhaustion.

Just like in countless previous auditions, Gu Xiaowei stood by the sofa, eyes lowered as he watched Luo Yu.

It was as if a nocturnal beast was observing its prey, listening to the unguarded breathing, seeing the flowing blood and fragile life through the shell of the body.

No one spoke around them; even the staff nearby were subconsciously breathing cautiously.

Suddenly, Luo Yu’s eyelids twitched, as if lightning had illuminated the dark apartment.

His eyelashes fluttered, and he opened his eyes. Upon meeting Gu Xiaowei’s gaze, he tensed his core to sit up.

But Gu Xiaowei acted first, gripping his neck with one hand, pressing his abdomen with a single knee, easily pushing him back onto the sofa.

As Gu Xiaowei’s handsome face came closer, the crisp fragrance of plum blossoms mixed with the scent of rain spread out. It wasn’t the smell of cologne but perhaps the plum blossoms he passed in the garden after the light rain this morning. The scent was delicate and solitary, evoking a sense of tenderness.

Luo Yu saw a pair of deep and emotionless eyes. As the other moved closer, the superior, unforgettable features became more detailed and clear. 

“Mr… Mr. Lu?” Luo Yu furrowed his brow and then exhaled, “How did you get in?”

He didn’t cower in fear like He Mu, nor did he confront Gu Xiaowei like Liang Shengqiu. Instead, seeing clearly who it was, he relaxed, showing no resistance or confrontation.

Xia Tan realized that this was the best reaction for Wen Yuchi facing Lu Pingfeng—believing that he had no ill intentions, so he neither feared nor resisted, but rather showed a sense of tolerance and reassurance.

“You didn’t close the door properly,” Gu Xiaowei’s response was as cold as before, but now it carried a hint of relaxed warmth.

Luo Yu raised his hand to cover his eyes, still in a lazy, tired state, as if contemplating whether he had really left the door ajar.

Then he smiled and gently tapped the hand still clutching his neck. “You can take your hand away now. If the power hadn’t gone out, I could have offered you some hot… instant coffee.”

The words “instant coffee” carried a teasing tone when spoken by Luo Yu.

“I’m here to kill you, just like I killed that girl,” Gu Xiaowei said.

His features were gloomy and profound, with an elusive yet deadly beauty against the backlight.

Luo Yu looked into his eyes, the smile on his lips fading slightly, and answered earnestly, “I’m a forensic scientist. I talk to corpses, and I only believe in the facts they tell me.”

Gu Xiaowei moved closer, as if trying to see through Luo Yu’s mind with his eyes. Are you saying you’re not afraid of death because you talk to corpses… or are you not afraid of me because the corpses told you I’m not the killer?

“I’m a painter. I talk to death, and I only believe in the certainty of death’s beauty.”

Gu Xiaowei let go of Luo Yu but kept his hand pressed to the couch by his ear, gazing at him for a long time.

Throughout the encounter, Luo Yu remained relaxed, his ease allowing him to handle Gu Xiaowei’s presence with poise. The mutual probing and back-and-forth between them intrigued the onlookers.

But just then, their performance came to an end.

Gu Xiaowei stepped back, and Luo Yu got up and walked over to the judges. “My performance is complete. Please give me your feedback on any shortcomings.”

The assistant director and producer exchanged glances, both realizing that his Wen Yuchi and Gu Xiaowei’s Lu Pingfeng were a perfect match.

“If I were to point out any shortcomings…” Sheng Yunlan looked up, and everyone turned to him. “In such a short time, I can’t pinpoint any flaws. Instead, your acting is layered like an experienced actor.”

Everyone was stunned. Sheng Yunlan’s temper was known to be unpredictable, ranging from gentle to sharp-tongued. He never praised anyone out of politeness, courtesy, or sympathy. After seeing nearly twenty actors, even Liang Shengqiu, who performed the best, hadn’t received praise from Sheng Yunlan. But for Luo Yu, he generously said “the acting is layered.”

“Thank you, Director Sheng. But getting this role won’t be so easy. Perhaps it’s time to announce the additional question,” Luo Yu said with a smile.

Actors who came for the audition were generally in awe of Sheng Yunlan, but only Luo Yu dared to speak candidly in front of him, and no one felt it was offensive.

Sheng Yunlan smiled faintly, “The additional question isn’t from me; it’s from the screenwriter, Teacher Xia.”

He then looked at Xia Tan and nodded, signaling her to ask if she had any questions.

Xia Tan felt a surge of anticipation. After seeing Luo Yu and Gu Xiaowei’s performance, she was eager to burst forth with her inspiration. She hoped to capture this spark of inspiration, which felt elusive, and maybe Luo Yu could provide a definitive answer.

“Thank you, Director Sheng, for giving me the chance to ask questions.” Xia Tan looked at Luo Yu. “Luo Yu, how do you think Wen Yuchi views the beast within Lu Pingfeng?”

“If you feel the atmosphere isn’t enough, you can address Lu Pingfeng directly,” Sheng Yunlan pointed to Gu Xiaowei, who was sitting silently on the side.

“Ah, continuing to act with Teacher Gu would be great,” Luo Yu smiled.

He sat back on the sofa, hands on his knees, leaning slightly forward to look at Gu Xiaowei.

Gu Xiaowei’s expression was cold, like a statue standing too long in the dark. Even sunlight and warmth couldn’t truly warm him.

Everyone expected Luo Yu to take a long time to prepare, but he spoke directly.

“Lu Pingfeng, I reviewed the case file of your mother at the police station.”

Luo Yu’s speech was measured and unhurried.

Gu Xiaowei, sitting five or six meters away, looked at him.

“The file contains many photos… In those photos, you were very small, with eyes full of attachment to your mother. You loved her very much, didn’t you?”

Luo Yu’s tone was gentle, not deliberately soft, but to make Lu Pingfeng believe that someone in this world cared about his emotions.

“You hoped she would love you too… You wished she would always be by your side, maybe pat your head, or give you a smile. However, the longest and kindest companionship she gave you was lying beside you—passing away in her sleep.”

Gu Xiaowei’s expression was no longer gloomy but suppressed, as if there were a quietly burning flame beneath layers of ice.

Luo Yu’s gaze was deep, his understanding of Lu Pingfeng beyond worldly definitions.

“Lu Pingfeng, I don’t think you have an antisocial personality. You just received a different kind of love from us. Just as my mother held me and took me to the hospital in the pouring rain—that’s the love I understand. The love you understand is the companionship gained from your mother’s death. It’s just a slight difference.”

Gu Xiaowei’s eyes shone, reflecting the light above him. He looked at Luo Yu with focused devotion.

“Lu Pingfeng—if someone loves you sincerely and passionately, like Icarus reaching for you with wings made of wax, or like a persistent summer cicada seeking to witness winter’s ice… you will also fall in love with the beauty of living towards death.”

In Wen Yuchi’s eyes, Lu Pingfeng had no dark side.

So there were no boundaries, no so-called limits.

Lu Pingfeng was not a beast but a young man with a heart full of roses unknown to others.

This was the true redemption.

Xia Tan finally realized, and she looked at Luo Yu, unsure how to express her gratitude. This script had filled her with passion and torment at the same time, but now she could finally move forward.

“Clap—clap—clap—”

Three claps echoed.

Everyone looked toward the sound and found it was Sheng Yunlan.

Heavens, Sheng Yunlan was actually applauding? Although his expression still bore the look of someone who felt he was owed money.

The assistant director, producer, and Xia Tan exchanged glances, realizing Sheng Yunlan was indeed very satisfied with Luo Yu.

“Your understanding of the role is very interesting and offers us a new perspective,” Sheng Yunlan said.

“Director, you flatter me. It was because of Teacher Gu’s performance that I had these ideas,” Luo Yu turned to look at Gu Xiaowei.

He noticed Gu Xiaowei’s eyelashes had a slight wetness, indicating he was still immersed in the role.

Only someone with delicate emotions could empathize with their characters.

So, Gu Xiaowei was someone who appeared cold but was actually soft-hearted.

“Alright, Luo Yu, it was a pleasure to see your performance,” the producer said with a smile. “Please pay attention to your email and phone after you go home. We will notify all auditioners of the results.”

“Okay, thank you,” Luo Yu said with a smile and left.

Hearing the producer’s words “pay attention to your email and phone,” Luo Yu knew he had likely secured the role, as the producer clearly feared he might miss the call with the audition results and wanted to ensure he was aware.

What he didn’t know was the atmosphere in the audition room after the door was closed.

The producer looked at Sheng Yunlan with a smile, “Old Sheng, it’s rare to find an actor whose image and temperament fit the role so well. Don’t let this opportunity slip away.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

The assistant director had been worried that Sheng Yunlan might be too stubborn and reject suitable candidates. But with Luo Yu’s arrival, the assistant director breathed a sigh of relief. “Old Sheng, Luo Yu is from Yinchuan Culture. You know better than us about Jiang Yinchuan. The first actor he signed certainly isn’t an embroidered pillow.”

Meanwhile, Xia Tan’s mind was already at her computer back home, eager to start writing. The scene between Luo Yu and Gu Xiaowei was truly exhilarating.

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After reviewing the ten or so candidates, the producer also felt their skills were fairly similar. None of them could match Gu Xiaowei’s performance, so it might be better to choose He Mu, who could also bring in box office benefits.

However, Xia Tan furrowed her brow. She knew best the kind of mental expectations Lu Pingfeng had for Wen Yuchi in the script she wrote. If the actor playing opposite Gu Xiaowei couldn’t convey this feeling, this two-way tension would be ruined, and the audience wouldn’t be able to empathize.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Sheng Yunlan calmly picked up a white porcelain cup, lightly scraping the lid on the rim of the cup. “This is only half of it. Don’t jump to conclusions before the end.”

The assistant director and producer nodded in agreement with Sheng Yunlan.

But Xia Tan sensed that Sheng Yunlan was likely very optimistic about one of the auditioners.

The door opened, and He Mu walked in. He introduced himself politely and then looked at Gu Xiaowei, who was standing by.

Gu Xiaowei was dressed in a black sweater and dark brown trousers. Despite the bright lights in the room, his gaze seemed to cast a shadow, drawing intense attention.

Director Sheng Yunlan spoke, “He Mu, are you ready?”

He Mu snapped back to attention. He had memorized the lines countless times and received special guidance on his facial expressions from his acting coach. He took a deep breath and nodded, “I’m ready.”

The assistant director and producer gave encouraging smiles, which bolstered his confidence.

In this audition scene, Wen Yuchi was lying on the sofa in an apartment, and Lu Pingfeng approached him during a power outage for a confrontation between the two.

Rather than a confrontation, it was more like Lu Pingfeng testing Wen Yuchi’s attitude towards him.

He Mu exhaled slightly and lay down on the sofa, one hand over his eyes and the other resting on the edge of the sofa. This was the action designed by his acting coach to help him avoid direct eye contact with Gu Xiaowei.

Gu Xiaowei stood by the sofa, his figure casting a gloomy shadow like a ghost despite the bright lights.

He Mu was uncertain how Gu Xiaowei would perform next, and the silence in the room made him nervous.

Time seemed to drag on. He Mu almost couldn’t hold back from removing his hand from his eyes. A very soft laugh came from above, accompanied by a slight chest resonance. He Mu’s heart raced. He didn’t forget his acting coach’s instructions to reveal a look of surprise…

But just as his expression was about to form, he met Gu Xiaowei’s cold, emotionless eyes, sending a chill through his body. In the next moment, Gu Xiaowei’s hand tightened around his throat, and his knee pressed down.

For the first time, He Mu felt like he was… an inanimate object in someone else’s eyes.

Not to mention the lines, he hadn’t even prepared his expressions, only genuine terror.

He instinctively shrank back, trying to find somewhere to escape, but there was no way out.

Lines… what were the lines again?

He Mu swallowed, feeling the pressure of Gu Xiaowei’s grip on his throat, his entire aura overwhelming He Mu to the point of blankness.

After a long moment, he finally said, “Lu… Mr. Lu, how did you get in?”

Gu Xiaowei’s voice was calm but devoid of human emotion, “You didn’t close the door properly.”

He Mu’s neck arched backward, trying to maintain a fearless expression, but his smile was forced and stiff.

“You… can you remove your hand? If there wasn’t a power outage, I could offer you some hot… instant coffee.”

Gu Xiaowei looked at He Mu with his head tilted, demeanor psychotic, “I’m here to kill you, just like I killed that girl.”

“I… I’m a forensic scientist. I talk to corpses and only believe in the facts they… tell me.” He Mu adjusted his breathing and recited the lines he had repeated countless times with a firm tone.

Gu Xiaowei’s expression remained unchanged, and his hand didn’t move from He Mu’s throat, as if he were a beast that wouldn’t let go until it had drawn blood.

“I’m an artist. I talk to death. I only believe in the certain beauty of death.”

He Mu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, his emotions still being pulled by Gu Xiaowei. It wasn’t until the assistant director spoke, “Okay. This scene is over.”

Gu Xiaowei stepped back, but the oppressive feeling didn’t fully dissipate. After a couple of seconds, He Mu managed to sit up from the sofa.

At this point, Screenwriter Xia Tan asked, “If you were Wen Yuchi, what would you say to Lu Pingfeng when you’re in danger and about to die?”

He Mu hesitated. His agent had reminded him that Sheng Yunlan’s auditions often included additional questions. He had expected a temporary performance but was surprised by a question from the screenwriter.

Is this a test of his understanding of the character?

He Mu took a deep breath, recalling online posts and industry estimates of the script. He said, “I think Wen Yuchi would firmly tell Lu Pingfeng, ‘Although there is a beast in your heart, I believe you will watch over it and confine it. Perhaps you will fight it your entire life, but I believe you will be the final victor.’”

The assistant director and producer nodded, and Sheng Yunlan gave a faint smile, “We have no more questions. The audition results will be announced in three days.”

“Thank you, everyone.” He Mu bowed respectfully to the four of them and then exited the audition room.

As he closed the door, he suddenly recalled Gu Xiaowei’s gaze and felt a bit weak in the legs.

But at least he hadn’t been completely unable to answer Xia Tan’s question.

The rest depends on Chairman Ou’s connections.

Sheng Yunlan said, “What do you think of He Mu’s performance? Let’s discuss.”

“Hmm, his reaction to being frightened seemed quite natural, and he has a clean and pure aura that contrasts sharply with Lu Pingfeng’s pathological nature. The audience should find it quite appealing,” said the producer.

The assistant director added, “Yes, yes. The contrast between strength and weakness is quite redemptive. Imagining Lu Pingfeng clawing his way up from hell for this faint glimmer of light is very fateful!”

Sheng Yunlan rested his chin on his hand, silent, glancing at Xia Tan.

Xia Tan frowned, exhaling deeply. Listening to the assistant director and producer’s comments made her feel uneasy.

“Xia Tan, this is your work. If you have any thoughts, feel free to express them. Otherwise, you might regret not speaking up later,” Sheng Yunlan said.

Xia Tan remained silent for two seconds and then said firmly, “I think He Mu can’t handle Gu Xiaowei’s scenes at all. The fear he displayed was not acted; he was genuinely intimidated by Gu Xiaowei. Everyone, this isn’t a scenario of a white rabbit redeeming a big bad wolf. We need someone who can understand Lu Pingfeng and see into his heart. This person should not be timid; they should be an equal opponent, testing and trusting each other. He Mu… is really…”

Xia Tan shook her head, not finishing her sentence, but everyone understood her point.

“But we’ve tried so many people, and none are satisfactory. He Mu at least has a good appearance and popularity. As long as he performs decently, our box office is secured,” the producer still felt that casting He Mu would be more reliable.

Sheng Yunlan looked at Gu Xiaowei, who was sipping hot water from a thermos, and asked, “Xiao Gu, what do you think? How was it acting with He Mu?”

Gu Xiaowei seemed still immersed in the role and replied calmly, “It felt like a one-man show.”

This evaluation was very clear.

The assistant director wanted to argue for He Mu but noticed Sheng Yunlan’s expression clearly showed dissatisfaction with He Mu’s performance.

“We’ll put He Mu on hold for now. There are still a dozen more to see. In any case, we need to find someone who stands out among the rest…”

The assistant director’s words were cut short as Sheng Yunlan, with a cold expression, said, “If they’re all short, I will keep looking until I find someone who is tall enough.”

The implication was that Sheng Yunlan would not compromise on the role of Wen Yuchi.

“Director Sheng is still serious about his work. Let’s move on to the next candidate—Liang Shengqiu from Honghe Film and Television.”

The door was knocked lightly twice, and Liang Shengqiu pushed it open and walked in.

He first greeted the judges and then nodded to Gu Xiaowei. “Teacher Gu, thank you for your hard work in rehearsing with me.”

Gu Xiaowei put the thermos cup back down and nodded.

Compared to He Mu, Liang Shengqiu had a more rugged demeanor, with a serious and persistent air about him.

The assistant director and producer exchanged a glance. At present, Liang Shengqiu’s appearance might be the closest to the character Wen Yuchi in the script.

“Let’s start your performance,” Sheng Yunlan said, adjusting his glasses.

The others also focused their attention.

Liang Shengqiu adjusted his breathing and then lay down on the sofa. His posture was natural, lying on his side as if he had fallen asleep unconsciously.

Just like in the previous audition, Gu Xiaowei stood silently by the sofa, eyes lowered as he watched the person on the sofa.

Liang Shengqiu shivered slightly, portraying the feeling of lightning flashing across the windowsill on a stormy night. When he opened his eyes and met Gu Xiaowei’s gaze, his eyes trembled with surprise and alertness. At that moment, Gu Xiaowei’s hand tightened, gripping Liang Shengqiu’s neck.

The sense of danger was overwhelming. Liang Shengqiu had never experienced such a palpable sense of killing intent in anyone’s acting before.

It was as if he were a nightingale in a garden, about to lose the ability to sing.

Liang Shengqiu grabbed Gu Xiaowei’s wrist, frowning and staring into Gu Xiaowei’s deep, intimidating eyes.

“Mr. Lu… how did you get in here?”

It was like a silent duel. Liang Shengqiu restrained Gu Xiaowei’s fingers until they slightly relaxed, though still holding him down.

“You didn’t close the door properly,” Gu Xiaowei replied calmly.

“You can take your hand off now. If there was no power outage, I could offer you some hot… instant coffee,” Liang Shengqiu lifted his eyes, trying to match Gu Xiaowei’s aura, but Gu Xiaowei’s presence was hard to overshadow once it was in full force.

The confrontation became evident.

“I’m here to kill you, just like I killed that girl.”

Gu Xiaowei’s lines were calm, carrying an indifference to life.

“I am a forensic scientist. I speak with the dead, and I only trust the facts they tell me.” At this moment, Liang Shengqiu could only rely on this line to maintain “equality” with Gu Xiaowei.

Gu Xiaowei’s tone remained unhurried, with a cool detachment as if observing the decay of all things. “I am an artist. I converse with death, and I only believe in the certain beauty of death.”

After about three seconds of eye contact, applause erupted from the judging panel.

It was the producer and assistant director.

Sheng Yunlan did not look down at the materials but kept his arms crossed, looking at Liang Shengqiu.

“The audition performance is over. I have a question regarding your understanding of the character Wen Yuchi.”

Liang Shengqiu looked at Sheng Yunlan, responding politely, “Please ask, Director.”

“What do you think the relationship is between Lu Pingfeng and Wen Yuchi?”

Liang Shengqiu felt a bit nervous. This was the additional question for this audition, and he wondered how he should answer to hit the mark.

“Everyone has their own interpretation of Hamlet,” Gu Xiaowei said softly from the side.

Liang Shengqiu suddenly realized that even if his understanding differed from the director’s, if he could attract the attention of his opponent and the audience through his acting, it wouldn’t be wrong.

“I believe… Wen Yuchi’s rigorous approach to forensic work, his evidence-based attitude, and never judging the truth based on what he hears or sees… this viewpoint and method show Lu Pingfeng another understanding of death. It also gives Lu Pingfeng a chance to be understood fairly by Wen Yuchi, as Wen Yuchi would not be biased by fear or the psychologist’s assessment to make a judgment on Lu Pingfeng. If Lu Pingfeng’s understanding of death is emotional, then Wen Yuchi is rational. This contrast means Wen Yuchi is like a sentinel on the edge of a cliff, his very presence drawing Lu Pingfeng away from the precipice.”

Liang Shengqiu looked at the judges. The assistant director and producer nodded repeatedly; the screenwriter Xia Tan seemed inspired, resting her chin on her hand and pondering deeply.

Director Sheng Yunlan adjusted his glasses, and his previously tight lip line appeared somewhat relaxed.

“We noticed the handkerchief on your pocket. Is it a decoration?” the producer asked with a smile.

Liang Shengqiu explained according to Luo Yu’s suggestion, also admitting it was because the pocket had been stained by coffee.

This impromptu design made the judges nod in agreement.

At that moment, Liang Shengqiu was very grateful to have met Luo Yu. Even if he lost to him, he was sincerely impressed.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

“Okay, Liang Shengqiu, the audition results will be announced in three days.”

Liang Shengqiu bid farewell to the judges and, as he left, softly thanked Gu Xiaowei.

He took a deep breath, feeling that his performance had garnered a good impression.

At this time, the judges began discussing enthusiastically.

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At this moment, Gu Xiaowei, dressed in a dark trench coat, walked through the corridor, drawing everyone’s attention. He nodded to a few actors he knew, acknowledging them.

Usually seen on TV or the big screen and never participating in variety shows, this was the first time countless eyes were able to closely observe him.

Everyone thought similarly—this man, from his face to his physique and demeanor, was flawless and annoyingly perfect.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Sister Cui had expected Gu Xiaowei to greet Luo Yu, but Gu Xiaowei merely glanced at Luo Yu from afar before entering the audition room.

Sister Cui mentally retracted her previous unrealistic guess about Gu Xiaowei posting Luo Yu’s photos to hype him up.

Most of the auditionees were in the waiting room. The hotel was not large, so the waiting room was a bit cramped.

Sister Cui sat with Luo Yu in the back row. Luo Yu wasn’t looking at the script but was chatting with Cheng Fei on his phone.

Cheng Fei had only a small part in today’s scenes and was currently sitting in an RV: [I’ve always envied you. I wanted to play the police captain in that movie! I thought I could audition for it! But no chance!]

Luo Yu: [Then strive for it. I also think you’re righteous and suited to play a police captain for life.]

Cheng Fei: [You’re just making fun of me? I can play not only a police captain but also Judge Bao!]

Luo Yu couldn’t help but chuckle softly and replied: [Then I can play the Eight Virtues King.]

After all, the official rank is higher than Cheng Fei’s role.

In front of Luo Yu was Liang Shengqiu, the rising star of Honghe Film and Television.

Hearing that low chuckle, unlike the tense atmosphere of everyone else, Liang Shengqiu was quite composed. He instinctively turned his head and caught a glimpse of Luo Yu’s lowered lashes, which made his heart skip a beat.

Isn’t this the person who appeared in Gu Xiaowei’s Weibo photos a few days ago? I think his name is Luo Yu, who has acted in TV dramas by two major directors, but they haven’t aired yet. Since the photos didn’t show his facial features, Liang Shengqiu thought Luo Yu was just another handsome face in the entertainment industry, considering he was known as He Mu’s dupe.

But in Liang Shengqiu’s eyes, He Mu was like a decorative vase—good-looking but lacking spirit.

Yet, when he glanced back, he saw a restrained grace in Luo Yu. If the glamorous men and women in the industry were vibrant colors, Luo Yu was the perfect blank space.

Liang Shengqiu, having dealt with many directors, understood that besides having a good reputation and resources, being diligent and willing to humble oneself for opportunities were crucial. He also realized that competing for a role sometimes meant that even if your lines were well delivered and expressions natural, you could still lose to someone’s natural aura.

And Luo Yu’s soft laughter increased Liang Shengqiu’s pressure exponentially.

A He Mu without acting skills was no match for him; instead, the calm and steady Luo Yu was.

Unconsciously, Liang Shengqiu had a bad thought. Each seat had a small folding table. Most had scripts or cups on them. Luo Yu’s thermos lid was only lightly placed on top. If he leaned back, he might knock it over.

The water in the thermos was still steaming. He hadn’t put the lid on, presumably waiting for the water to cool down. If the water spilled at this moment, he might get burned…

Wait, Liang Shengqiu, what are you thinking!

Even if you want to get the role of Wen Yuchi, you shouldn’t have such thoughts.

Just then, someone walked past Liang Shengqiu and accidentally bumped into his leg. As a result, coffee from the paper cup spilled out and splashed onto the front of his casual jacket.

“Oww…”

Fortunately, the jacket was thick, or Liang Shengqiu would have been burned by the coffee.

“I’m… I’m sorry, it was not intentional… I’ll clean it up for you!”

Liang Shengqiu looked up and saw that the person was probably an assistant of some artist, holding other things besides the coffee, so it was indeed unintentional.

The assistant’s companion lowered his voice and said impatiently, “Why aren’t you moving forward? Are you blocking the way for others to stare at us?”

That person was He Mu.

At this moment, He Mu looked displeased. He had originally thought that a major production like “Beast and Rose” would have a high-end audition location, but it turned out to be in a small, hostel-like hotel.

Even the waiting area was so small. He had arrived late due to traffic and found no available spots, so he had to let his makeup artist and stylist wait outside while he and his assistant went in.

The assistant turned to He Mu and said softly, “Brother Yang instructed us to get along well with other auditionees and not be too… you know…”

Brother Yang’s exact words were: “Get along well with other auditionees and don’t be too arrogant. Otherwise, if you don’t make the cut, someone might spread unflattering comments online.”

He Mu immediately understood and forced a smile towards Liang Shengqiu, “You’re Liang Shengqiu, right? It’s a surprise to meet you here. I’m really sorry for getting your jacket dirty… I’ll have my assistant send you a new one later.”

Liang Shengqiu looked at He Mu’s smile, which seemed stiff. Having acted for a while, he could tell that He Mu was trying hard to appear friendly.

Everyone in the industry understands one principle: popularity is the way to success.

Since he wasn’t as popular as He Mu, he should just go with the flow.

Liang Shengqiu smiled and said, “It’s okay. Your assistant didn’t do it on purpose.”

He Mu felt he had fulfilled his task of appearing approachable, nodded, and walked away.

At this moment, Liang Shengqiu’s agent took a tissue out of the bag to try and remove the coffee from the jacket, but the stain was very noticeable on the linen fabric.

“This was the jacket you specifically chose to fit the role! It’s bad enough that he had to walk past you, but he had to spill coffee on you too… I don’t believe it wasn’t intentional.”

Liang Shengqiu gave his agent a look, preferring to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Perhaps this was his retribution for having ill intentions towards Luo Yu.

Liang Shengqiu considered taking off the jacket and just wearing the inner sweater, but as soon as he lifted the collar, he noticed that some of the coffee had seeped through. Though only a few spots, they were particularly noticeable on the light-colored sweater.

Forget it, he was here for the audition, and winning over the director and other audition judges depended on his acting, not on a jacket.

Someone lightly tapped his shoulder from behind, and a warm voice said, “Where is it dirty?”

Liang Shengqiu turned around and found it was Luo Yu. “It’s okay. My jacket is checkered, so it’s not very noticeable.”

“Not noticeable, but you must be a bit upset inside, right?” Luo Yu glanced at the stain. “If you don’t cover it up, you might subconsciously keep checking if the director or producer notices the stain during your performance, right?”

With that gentle poke from Luo Yu, Liang Shengqiu could only respond, “Even if I care, I have to force myself to act well.”

Luo Yu asked Sister Cui next to him, “Sister Cui, do you have any sturdier tissues?”

“Yes,” Sister Cui opened her bag and took out a pack of handkerchiefs.

She carried these for emergencies, such as if she needed to go to the restroom and there was no toilet paper, or if a small pack of tissues wasn’t enough; handkerchiefs were more durable.

Luo Yu took one, folded it using the crown method, and placed it into Liang Shengqiu’s chest pocket, gently smoothing it out.

“This should cover it perfectly. Luckily, your jacket has pockets; otherwise, there would be no place to cover it.”

Liang Shengqiu looked down. A handkerchief was usually used in formal settings, and he was wearing a casual jacket, which seemed a bit…

But unexpectedly, the manager said, “Oh? I thought your jacket was missing something, but with the handkerchief, it looks even better.”

“Really?”

“My sense of fashion has always been terrible. But I think a handkerchief could be a highlight. If the director asks why you have a handkerchief in your pocket, you can say it’s because Wen Yuchi is a forensic expert and might be prepared for unexpected situations, like using a handkerchief to avoid leaving fingerprints on items or to clean his hands.”

After Luo Yu finished speaking, Liang Shengqiu’s agent immediately said, “Yes, that explanation is good. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.” Luo Yu said, then lowered his head to play with his phone again.

Liang Shengqiu’s anxiety was eased by Luo Yu’s words.

But he couldn’t help himself and turned to Luo Yu, asking, “You and I are competitors for the same role. Don’t you… think it’s better if your competitor makes more mistakes?”

“Ah?” Luo Yu looked up, surprised by the question.

Liang Shengqiu’s agent quickly diffused the situation, “Our Sheng Qiu just wanted to express his gratitude, but didn’t phrase it well. Please don’t take it to heart!”

After saying this, he discreetly kicked Liang Shengqiu under the chair.

Luo Yu hadn’t expected Liang Shengqiu to be so straightforward. This honesty actually made Luo Yu like him more.

“Well, how should I put this… You really value this role, and even when minor accidents occur, your determination hasn’t wavered. When I was your age, I gave up roles that others had worked hard to secure for me for some trivial reason or other, and I regret it deeply. Although my mindset has improved a lot now, seeing what just happened to you reminded me of my own past. So I instinctively offered you some advice.”

Luo Yu spoke delicately, but Liang Shengqiu could faintly sense that Luo Yu’s “reason” involved some element of He Mu.

The fact that Luo Yu could openly express his thoughts made Liang Shengqiu develop a bit of goodwill for him.

“Let me also remind you, whether it’s for auditions or acting, be careful with the lid of your thermos. If it hadn’t been me who passed by just now, you… you’d probably have been in a worse situation.”

After saying this, Liang Shengqiu suddenly felt a lot clearer and gained a deeper understanding of the character of Wen Yuchi.

—Wen Yuchi is a very genuine person; he is also straightforward when facing Lu Pingfeng. It is precisely this straightforwardness that attracts Lu Pingfeng’s attention.

Luo Yu glanced at his thermos. Thinking that if it had fallen over, the hot water could have burned him severely, he quickly screwed the lid back on.

“Th… thank you.”

In the audition room, there were four people present: Director Sheng Yunlan, Assistant Director Qian Gang, Producer Huang Yun, and Screenwriter Xia Tan.

Xia Tan hadn’t originally planned to attend the audition. After all, both she and Director Sheng Yunlan were somewhat dissatisfied with the script—specifically, the reason why Wen Yuchi believes Lu Pingfeng could not be the murderer, which involves both technical and belief-related conclusions.

But in the current script, this belief is neither strong enough nor unique enough.

Although Sheng Yunlan invited Xia Tan to join the audition review, Xia Tan initially declined, wanting to continue refining the script.

It wasn’t until the morning a couple of days ago, when she had breakfast with Gu Xiaowei, and he explained why he wanted to personally interact with the actors auditioning for Wen Yuchi, that Xia Tan was moved.

—Because I want to interact with different versions of Wen Yuchi and find a Lu Pingfeng I haven’t discovered yet.

Thus, Xia Tan decided to attend the audition review, wanting to find Wen Yuchi’s belief about Lu Pingfeng from different portrayals. If even Gu Xiaowei is willing to draw new inspiration from different actors, why should she remain insular?

Over ten actors auditioned one after another. Their images were closely aligned with Wen Yuchi, but none provided the inspiration Xia Tan was looking for, nor could they match Gu Xiaowei’s acting.

Lu Pingfeng is someone who appears humble and polite, but conversing with him reveals his inherent indifference to life.

In this particular audition scene, Wen Yuchi, after finishing his forensic work late at night and returning to his apartment, was exhausted and lay down on the sofa.

At that moment, the power went out, and outside the apartment, there was a storm with lightning and thunder. Suddenly, Lu Pingfeng appeared by Wen Yuchi’s sofa, grasped his neck, and wanted to test if Wen Yuchi, like others, feared him and thought he might kill at any moment.

Gu Xiaowei’s powerful presence made several auditioning actors fall silent, their lines stuttering, without needing any dark or storm effects.

This caused Xia Tan to lose patience and feel sorry for Gu Xiaowei, who had spent half a day rehearsing but had not found a suitable match.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Finally, they came to He Mu’s name.

“He Mu, I heard he’s interested in pursuing an acting career and has been working hard to hone his skills recently,” said the Assistant Director.

Yesterday, Ou Juntao had called him and asked him to take care of He Mu, so the Assistant Director certainly had to give him this face.

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