Chapter 26  The Prototype of the Yiming Song and Dance Troupe

Yiming Media.

Casting Site.

“Liuyan…”

Qu Yiming held Liuyan’s audition resume and marveled.

“There’s a minor supporting role with not many scenes. Your figure fits the character’s setup quite well. Are you willing to take it?”

“Yes, yes…”

Liuyan quickly agreed.

She had been in the industry for nearly ten years and still hadn’t made a name for herself. She’d never even played a third or fourth female lead. To get even a small role in the new film of the youngest domestic director whose works grossed over a hundred million—how could she be picky?

“Go next door to sign the contract.”

Qu Yiming swiftly wrote down the name of the role Liuyan would play and handed it to her, instructing her to go to the next room to finalize the contract with the staff.

“Thank you, Director Qu.”

Liuyan accepted the note with both hands, bowed in thanks, and turned to leave. Technically, for such minor roles, there was no need for Qu Yiming to attend the audition himself. But if he didn’t show up in person, how else could he create a few little scandalous rumors involving power dynamics and yet-to-be-famous actresses?

Qu Yiming had racked his brains and put in years of effort to become famous and start a company—wasn’t it all for this kind of fun?

I like to speak the truth.

…

“Jin Chen…”

“Li Yitong…”

Jin Chen and Li Yitong were both born in September 1990, with Li Yitong being just one day younger than Jin Chen. They were also hometown peers and classmates from the 2007 class of Beijing Dance Academy.

They had just completed their sophomore year and were wondering what to do over the summer break. They saw that Love Is Not Blind was casting and sent in their resumes, then got selected for an audition.

Jin Chen was puzzled. Shouldn’t auditions be conducted one person at a time? Why were they being auditioned together?

Li Yitong was thinking the same thing.

Fate, perhaps.

Looking at the two adorably clueless girls, Qu Yiming thought of the meme of two chipmunks hugging and suppressed his laughter, asking calmly, “Have you signed with any company?”

“No!” They replied in unison.

Qu Yiming said, “There’s still a third female lead and another supporting role with a similar number of scenes that haven’t been cast yet. If you’re willing to sign with my company, those roles will be yours.”

Unlike certain entertainment companies that make empty promises to lure girls into signing, Qu Yiming was offering something solid. Maybe not the juicy lead roles, but for two students about to enter their third year of college, it was enough to fill their bellies and fuel their dreams.

Jin Chen bravely asked, “If I join your company, can I become a lead actress in films in the future?”

Girl, you’ve got guts!

Jin Chen had voiced what Li Yitong was also wondering. She looked at Qu Yiming with anticipation—this man who, in 2009, was like a god.

Lead actress?

In the years to come, there would be one blockbuster youth film after another. Handing out a few female lead roles wouldn’t be a big deal. But then again—why should you be the one?

Qu Yiming gave a faint smile.

“That depends on your future performance.”

“Then I’m willing to sign,” Jin Chen said.

Qu Yiming nodded and looked at Li Yitong. “What about you?”

Li Yitong said, “I’m willing too. Should I sign now? Can I call my mom first?”

“Sure.”

Qu Yiming wrote down the roles they’d be playing on two slips of paper.

“Go to the next room to make the call. After that, sign the contracts. Once you’re done, come back and perform a dance for me. I want to see your potential for the future.”

He handed the notes to each of them.

“Thank you, Director Qu.”

The two girls bowed and exited the audition room with cheerful steps. Outside the room, they finally took a close look at the notes.

“‘Cici’? But isn’t the third female lead called Feng Jiaqi?”

Jin Chen was a bit confused.

Li Yitong said softly, “I’m playing Feng Jiaqi.”

“…”

Jin Chen was a bit disappointed. She put her arm around Li Yitong’s shoulder and said, “Sister, we’ll be working at the same company from now on. Let’s help each other out, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Hey, you know how to dance Northeast Yangko, right? Director Qu is from the Northeast. He’ll probably love it…”

…

Half an hour later, in the audition room, watching Jin Chen and Li Yitong dance the Northeast Yangko, Qu Yiming’s eye twitched.

Come on, if I wanted to watch Northeast Yangko, I could’ve done that back home. I came to the central region, and I’m still watching Northeast Yangko? What’s the point of moving here?

“Do a different performance. I’m tired of watching this one,” Qu Yiming said, leaving no room for argument.

Jin Chen felt a bit embarrassed for having suggested it. Li Yitong looked at her, waiting for further instructions. The two then chose a classical dance and began to dance gracefully. Now that was more like it.

Aside from not having a large enough troupe, it was nearly on par with the “Belt Troupe” (a reference to a certain well-known performance group). No wonder everyone wanted to become capital. It was simply intoxicating.

Qu Yiming watched several dance performances alone. When Jin Chen and Li Yitong’s foreheads were covered in sweat, faces flushed, and they were panting from exertion, he was finally convinced of their future potential.

Qu Yiming said, “That’s all for today. Wait for further notice regarding the filming schedule.”

“…”