The casting news for Star Youth stirred up the long-quiet entertainnt industry.
Many eyes were on this big opportunity, including those from big companies with strong backgrounds and top-tier stars.
After all, no one wants to miss the chance to break into the international film scene, especially with Sula, the biggest global player, offering a leg up.
Through various channels, a total of twenty actors secured interview opportunities; almost all were well-known young male stars in the industry.
Among them was the already famous Chen Shucheng.
Other male stars coming for auditions gazed at Chen Shucheng with suspicion.
With Chen Shucheng present, their chances significantly diminished.
In a large lounge, all the actors who ca for interviews gathered and maintained silence, yet Chen Shucheng couldn’t shake off his unease.
"Even though we didn’t get the script, I did so digging; the role you’re auditioning for should be modeled after Sula’s younger brother—a teenager with congenital heart disease. I’ve gathered so information about teenagers with heart disease. Take a look, find your footing."
He Qian handed the tablet to Chen Shucheng.
He spent considerable effort and thought to gather this information.
Chen Shucheng was determined to get this role, hence he approached it with greater seriousness than usual.
Actors were called in one by one for auditions, but ca out looking quite unhappy.
Chen Shucheng took a deep breath, feeling the pressure mounting.
At that mont, the lounge door was pushed open, and a young man entered.
Chen Shucheng looked at the entering young man, his eyes slightly narrowed.
A sense of unease arose spontaneously.
This face was youthful but couldn’t hide its handsoness. His dark, deep eyes carried a maturity and calmness beyond his years, making his aura so different from the rest.
This face was familiar; it belonged to the recently viral boy band leader, Rong Xianning. Despite his young age, his popularity online was staggering.
He had heard He Qian ntion that Rong Xianning’s agent was doing everything possible to secure him an audition opportunity.
His presence here proved his agent’s success.
Chen Shucheng’s brow furrowed.
He Qian was visibly shocked upon seeing Rong Xianning enter.
Ding ng followed behind Rong Xianning into the room, and upon seeing He Qian nearly popping his eyes out, grinned triumphantly.
Rong Xianning was a silent and calm person. Without glancing at anyone, he found a corner, sat down, put on his headphones, and imrsed himself in his own world.
"Mr. He, we et again." Ding ng smiled broadly.
He Qian frowned, looking at Rong Xianning. "I really underestimated you."
Ding ng plopped down across from He Qian, admiring her freshly done nails and said contentedly, "Of course, because it’s Sula’s assistant who personally called to have our Xiao Rong co for the audition."
He Qian snorted dismissively, thinking she’s just bragging. How could Sula’s assistant personally call her? It was likely that President Wu was swayed by beauty, and Ding ng shalessly went all out.
Ding ng could tell from He Qian’s expression that he didn’t believe her. She didn’t explain further and continued to smile gleefully, which to He Qian was incredibly annoying.
He observed Rong Xianning for a mont. His discerning eyes couldn’t deny that Ding ng had good taste; Rong Xianning was indeed outstanding.
His presence was a threat to Chen Shucheng.
However, Rong Xianning hadn’t studied acting, was young and inexperienced; how could he compete with Shucheng? Realizing this, He Qian settled his mind.
The auditions were nearing the end, and the staff reminded Chen Shucheng he was next, advising Rong Xianning to prepare.
Chen Shucheng went in for fifteen minutes and erged; He Qian noted his expression didn’t seem bad.
"Do you feel confident?"
Chen Shucheng replied proudly, "Sula was very satisfied with ."
He Qian grinned widely, "Well done."
The comnt was followed by a disdainful glance at Ding ng, who seed oblivious and attentively adjusted Rong Xianning’s collar like a parent seeing their child off, watching him go inside.
Chen Shucheng had other engagents to rush to and was about to leave when He Qian stopped him, "Wait a mont."
He Qian glanced at the distant door.
Chen Shucheng instantly understood He Qian’s intention and decided to sit down again.
He Qian grew increasingly uneasy the longer they waited; nearly half an hour had passed, yet Rong Xianning hadn’t co out.
From experience, the longer the audition ti, the higher the chances of success.
Chen Shucheng was unable to keep smiling as his brows furrowed, his deanor serious.
Half an hour later, Rong Xianning’s figure finally appeared.
He seed relaxed, his steps light, unchanged from before he entered; trying to read his expression was futile.
Being an artist, managing expressions is crucial; even at a young age, Rong Xianning grasped this well, making He Qian realize the boy’s excellence was beyond expectation.
Ding ng quickly opened a water bottle and handed it over, "Exhausted? Let’s go eat."
She didn’t bother asking about the audition specifics, simply led Rong Xianning away, throwing a triumphant wink as they passed He Qian and Chen Shucheng.
Rong Xianning didn’t give the two a glance, following Ding ng without looking back.
He Qian and Chen Shucheng exchanged glances, both feeling uneasy.
Now cos the wait for notifications, an endless and agonizing period, possibly lasting days or months.
After the audition, Rong Xianning’s schedule was packed with ads, magazine shoots, business appearances—he was busy constantly, sotis only having ti to grab a bite while catching flights.
At the end of June, it was the day the middle school exam results were released.
Results could be checked after ten in the morning.
That day Rong Xianning was heading to Beizhou to attend a charitable event at an orphanage; at ten, he was on the plane.
Once the plane landed and his phone turned on, it was bombarded with ssages.
"Rong Xianning, you’re amazing, Jingzhou City’s top scorer, ahhhh...!"
The phone rang with Ding ng’s exaggerated scream.
She quickly helped Rong Xianning check the exam site for his score; discovering he was the top scorer left Ding ng utterly incredulous.
She knew Rong Xianning was smart and diligent, but there are many bright minds in the world; she expected him to do well, yet never imagined he’d be the top scorer.
A trendous surprise!
Rong Xianning walked out of the airport, greeted by a warm, restless wind, unknowingly breaking into a sweat.
The corners of the boy’s mouth curved under his mask, his expression calm as ever: "I can go to De Ren."
"Forget De Ren. You can pick any high school in the country."
Being the top scorer in Jingzhou—a city with the nation’s finest educational resources—showed Rong Xianning’s brilliance.
Especially considering he spent the year consud by talent shows, and after debuting, his schedule was packed; he barely had two months to cram for exams.
Achieving such results amidst a tight schedule—genius is an understatent.
Rong Xianning ended the call and eagerly shared the good news with Shen You’an on WeChat.
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