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nCheng Xia was the last person to participate in the audition today. The moment he went out, the staff at the audition scene started to pack things up. An entire day of auditions made everyone physically and mentally exhausted. Pei Shaoze actively suggested, “You have worked hard. I will treat you tonight. Let’s have a meal together.”

nZhang Fan had already booked a nearby restaurant. Pei Shaoze called all the cast creators over and closed the door to chat while eating.

nIt was decided that Qin Nian would be played by Cheng Xia and no one had any opinion. After all, Cheng Xia’s performance was really remarkable. The author, President Pei and the director really liked him. As for other roles, Pei Shaoze asked, “Who do you think is more appropriate to play Lu Fengyang, the protagonist?” He glanced at the author Lemongrass. “Teacher Lemongrass, do you have any actors you like?”

nLemongrass recalled it carefully and shook her head. “To be honest, there are many alphas who auditioned in the morning. They are more handsome than the other but I don’t have any special impression of them.”

nThe same was true for Liu Xueyi. He took out his notebook and took a look. Then he spoke with a bitter expression. “I have scored every actor. The alphas in the morning were even messier than the afternoon. Lu Fengyang’s personality is a bit bad-tempered but most people played him as a third-rate gangster!”

nPei Shaoze thought to himself, ‘It is no problem for Cheng Xia to play the protagonist but who will play with him? If Lu Fengyang’s role isn’t chosen well it will be very embarrassing if they can’t cooperate well enough.’

nPei Shaoze didn’t particularly like the alphas in the morning. The ones who impressed him most in the audition were Ye Mingqian and Cheng Xia.

nYe Mingqian’s acting skills were really good but his appearance was too inconsistent with a cool and handsome alpha. Pei Shaoze thought for a moment before suddenly suggesting, “If it doesn’t work, look for someone from the outside. I have watched a lot of school dramas recently. Director Liu, what do you think about the alpha who starred in the drama ‘Classmate Next Door’ that you filmed the year before last?”

nLiu Xueyi was stunned for a moment. He didn’t expect President Pei to watch the small drama he made two years ago. He thought back for a moment and asked tentatively, “President Pei, are you talking about Shen Kai?” Liu Xueyi saw Pei Shaoze nodding and immediately frowned. “Shen Kai was a small, unknown star when filming with me. His acting skills are very good but he is very Buddhist. He had no works for over a year.”

nObviously, he didn’t expect President Pei to pay attention to this type of 18th tier unknown star. In fact, the reason why Pei Shaoze knew was because he watched many school dramas to find a suitable person to play with Cheng Xia like looking for a needle in a haystack.

nPei Shaoze said, “Shen Kai has worked with you once. If you cooperate again then you will be more tacit. Cheng Xia is a newcomer. If the protagonist who plays with Cheng Xia is also an inexperienced newcomer, the filming will often NG. This will delay the crew’s schedule.”

nLiu Xueyi quickly understood. “President Pei, you mean to choose an alpha actor who has already worked with me for Lu Fengyang’s role and let him lead Cheng Xia so the filming will be smoother?”

nPei Shaoze nodded. “What do you think, Director Liu?”

nLiu Xueyi thought about it carefully and felt that this method was feasible.

nIn a drama, if the two main characters were newcomers with no experience then the risk was too great. If one of them had already worked with the director and had tacit understanding then Director Liu would be able to play more smoothly. Shen Kai was now a small star and wasn’t expensive. He also had good acting skills and this was the most appropriate when thinking carefully.

nLiu Xueyi simply made the decision. “No problem, I will contact Shen Kai when I go back. This guy has been idle recently. A drama shooting for him is probably a pie from the sky.”

nPei Shaoze hummed and said, “How to arrange Ye Mingqian? How about letting him play the most handsome school omega? It might be a supporting role but the role of the second male lead is also important.”

nLemongrass remembered Ye Mingqian’s beauty and his eyes lit up. “President Pei, are you referring to Xu Fei in Folding Paper? He has a gentle personality and likes to smile. He is the dream lover of many alphas in school. He liked Qin Nian at first and confessed. Later, he learned that Qin Nian was an omega and the two became best friends.”

n“Yes, if we let Ye Mingqian play this role then the effect of playing against Cheng Xia should be good.”

nLiu Xueyi became more excited hearing this. “Two omegas, one beautiful and the other handsome. The beautiful omega confessed to the handsome omega. This is absolutely explosive! I think the alphas can step aside. If Cheng Xia and Ye Mingqian stand together then this scene is too eye-catching. Maybe people will support Cheng Xia and Ye Mingqian’s CP, hahaha.” He excitedly wrote a note in his notebook before his fingers paused. “Ye Mingqian is very popular. Will he be willing to play the supporting male lead?”

nPei Shaoze answered, “I will personally talk to his agent.”

nThis sentence immediately made Liu Xueyi feel relieved. Pei Shaoze in front of him gave him a particularly comfortable feeling. He said he would let Chen Yijun write the theme song and Liu Xueyi believed it without a doubt. He said he wanted to talk to Ye Mingqian’s agent and Liu Xueyi felt that this matter must be stable.

nLiu Xueyi asked, “President Pei, what do you think about the other supporting actors?”

nPei Shaoze said, “Zhang Xiaoheng was Qin Nian’s childhood friend and is the drama’s comedic role. You can like Qi Xiaotian, Tianxuan’s child star try it. He has a baby face and should be competent in the funny role. For the sister Qin Yue, what do you think of Xue Ling?”

nLiu Xueyi immediately nodded. “I also like Xue Ling. She has a cool temperament and is very suitable for the younger sister’s personality.”

nFor Lu Fengyang’s best friend, Pei Shaoze suggested, “Among the alpha auditions this morning, the one called Zhou Jiawen performed well. He has shot a lot of online dramas and has experience. He shouldn’t drop the ball.”

nPei Shaoze’s words spoke directly to Liu Xueyi’s heart. Liu Xueyi couldn’t help feeling, “President Pei, have you really never been a producer before? I think you have the eyes of a professional director.”

nPei Shaoze spoke calmly, “These are my personal thoughts. I only give advice and the specifics are up to Director Liu.”

nLiu Xueyi patted his thigh and simply said, “President Pei is quick to do things and I have no disagreements. Let’s set the six important roles first. I will contact Shen Kai when I go back and make the publicity announcement after he agrees.”

nPei Shaoze nodded and looked at Lemongrass with a friendly attitude. “Teacher, would you like to participate in the screenplay adaptation? Qin Nian and Lu Fengyang are your personal creations. If you can participate then we would welcome it.”

nLemongrass touched her fingers again under the table and replied softly, “I have no experience as a screenwriter.”

nXu Moran sincerely told her, “It’s fine, I am here and we can work together!”

nPei Shaoze promised. “Your name will be added as a screenwriter and Teacher Xu is experienced. He will help you with the details. You can control the overall plot trend and try not to let the plot deviate as much as possible. How about it? What do you think?”

nLemongrass immediately agreed. “Okay!” She smiled and looked at Pei Shaoze with eyes full of sincerity. “President Pei, to be honest, when Tianxuan came to ask me to come to the audition, I didn’t expect you to treat this drama so seriously. Seeing Cheng Xia’s performance today, I think he is like Qin Nian who came out of the book. I am willing to participate in the adaptation personally. I hope everyone can work together to make this drama good. Thank you President Pei for this opportunity.”

nPei Shaoze politely extended a hand. “You are polite. I should be the one thanking you for creating a lovely character like Qin Nian and giving Cheng Xia the chance to act him out personally.”

nThe important protagonists and supporting roles were set during the meal and every actor fit perfectly with the character’s image. Pei Shaoze’s vision, efficiency and decisiveness as a producer secretly surprised everyone.

nThe next day, Liu Xueyi contacted Shen Kai who had previously worked with him. Shen Kai was hit with this pie from the sky and sent a row of hug emojis. Director Liu, you actually remember me. I’m so moved!

nLiu Xueyi silently thought, ‘I almost forgot about you. You should thank President Pei for his insight.’

nOn Ye Mingqian’s side, the agent initially didn’t want him to play the second male lead. Then Pei Shaoze calmly said if the second male lead was acted out well, the fans would be no less than the male lead. Besides, the character setting was very good and there were many rivalry scenes with the protagonist. Two good-looking omegas standing together would definitely create enough of a topic.

nIn addition, the salary for the second male lead wasn’t low. The agent thought about it carefully and agreed.

nFebruary 10th was the Spring Festival so Pei Shaoze rushed to have the six stars go to Tianxuan to sign the contract in advance, lest anything change after the festival.

nZhou Yan was so happy that she wanted to go downstairs to run in a circle. All four of her artists were chosen! Cheng Xia was chosen as the main character Qin Nian, Qi Xiaotian played Qin Nian’s childhood friend, Xue Ling played Qin Nian’s sister and Zhou Jiawen played Lu Fengyang’s childhood friend. These were very important supporting roles in the drama.

nYou know, many newcomers in the entertainment industry started off as maids, servants, bodyguards and passersby. They didn’t even have a line. Meanwhile, her newcomers could play important supporting roles. There were many lines and scenes and their names would be shown in the credits!

nThis was experience. Acting skills and experience could be accumulated slowly. The newcomers were very happy and the three of them congratulated Cheng Xia one after another. They went to sign the contract with their agent.

nCheng Xia saw Ye Mingqian in President Pei’s office. Ye Mingqian wore a nice white coat. Cheng Xia smiled at him and Ye Mingqian returned it with a gentle smile.

nThe agent Ye Ping was unhappy. After all, the protagonist was taken away by the newcomer called Cheng Xia. She couldn’t understand the reason. Ye Mingqian was much better than this newcomer regardless of his fame and acting skills. Why was Cheng Xia chosen in the end?

nYe Mingqian himself didn’t mind his role being taken. He extended his hand generously. “Cheng Xia, happy cooperation.”

nCheng Xia also shook hands with him and smiled. “Please take care of me.”

nYe Mingqian turned and left. Zhou Yan took the four newcomers into the room to sign the contract. The salary of newcomers wasn’t high. It started at 100,000 yuan and it wasn’t comparable to the first-tier stars with tens of millions of yuan. Still, this was already a huge sum of money for these university students.

nThe newcomers signed happily. Pei Shaoze told them, “The Spring Festival will be in two days. You can go home for the new year. Adjust your state and it will start after the Spring Festival. I will have your agent tell you the specific time.”

nThe four of them thanked President Pei one after another.

nAfter signing the contract, Zhou Yan led them to go out. Pei Shaoze suddenly said, “Cheng Xia, you stay.”

nProofreader: Cat

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