Director's Office.
"Da Chun, send the script to Lin Fan and let him know the shooting location. Tell him to come by 9 AM tomorrow," instructed Director Liu.
The staff member named Da Chun nodded and went to contact Lin Fan.
Director Liu opened a cigarette box, pulled out a Furongwang, but before he could light it, his phone on the desk rang.
He glanced at it—an unknown number.
Without much thought, he held the cigarette in his mouth, swiped to answer, and fumbled for a lighter.
Click.
The flame ignited.
The call connected.
Director Liu took a drag, calm and composed.
"Hello? Who is this?"
"Xu Mo."
"I asked why you're calling, not for your real name."
Director Liu chuckled in frustration.
He couldn't be blamed.
He received countless calls daily, including those pesky salespeople.
They called a hundred times a day, asking if he wanted to buy a house or a car.
Annoying!!!!
So, for unknown numbers without a proper introduction or from outside his circle, Director Liu instinctively categorized them as spam or sales calls.
"Oh, nothing much. I'm calling to apply for the male lead role in the script you're working on with Lin An'an," Xu Mo replied lazily.
Director Liu was almost amused by the young man.
"Haha... young man, I don't know where you got the news."
"But I already have a candidate for the male lead."
"This role isn't something a third- or fourth-tier actor or a model can handle."
"Even if the role were suitable for people like you, there's only one spot, and I can't just hand it out, can I?"
Xu Mo was baffled. "When did I say I was a third- or fourth-tier actor?"
Director Liu's eyelid twitched. "Then you're not a model either?"
"Nonsense... Of course, I'm not a model."
Xu Mo had never done such a thing.
Why would he admit to it?
His physique surpassed most male models.
But he was, at his core, a rich second-generation heir.
A super wealthy rich kid.
A villain.
Who had time for part-time jobs?
And that little money they offered?
He probably wouldn't even bother.
Director Liu was getting irritated by Xu Mo's attitude.
"If you're neither an actor nor a model, why are you calling me? Are you out of your mind?"
Xu Mo: "You're the one out of your mind. I said I want to apply for the male lead role."
Director Liu: "Give up on that idea! Even if your name is Xu Mo... wait... did you say your name is Xu Mo?"
Xu Mo: "Yes, I mentioned it earlier."
Director Liu's expression suddenly turned strange.
He took a deep drag of his cigarette, and a bold guess formed in his mind.
"Xu Mo from the Xu Corporation?"
Probably not.
After all, that guy had more money than he could spend.
Why would he need to audition for an acting role?
Besides, rumors said Xu Mo was into Shen Manni.
If he wanted to pursue Lin An'an, there were other ways.
A top-tier rich second-generation heir like him didn't need to resort to this.
Director Liu tried to reassure himself.
But the next moment.
Xu Mo's response.
Made the director feel like the world was smaller than he thought.
"Yes, do you need me to confirm my identity?"
Director Liu's heart skipped a beat.
The cigarette in his hand fell to the ground.
His mind went blank.
He hadn't expected to run into the real deal.
Xu Mo, the nation's husband!!!
A walking source of traffic and buzz.
To put it bluntly.
Xu Mo was sometimes hotter than A-list male celebrities.
His family was rich?
Yes, extremely rich.
And the guy was ridiculously handsome!
These were two things most ordinary people could never achieve in their lifetime.
Director Liu's breathing grew heavier.
In an instant.
The director got excited.
The nation's husband starring in a movie?
That was a goldmine of publicity!
Xu Mo's looks alone would attract a swarm of fans.
Even if Xu Mo had zero acting skills.
And couldn't deliver a line.
Director Liu felt it didn't matter.
All he needed was Xu Mo on screen.
Reciting 'one two three four five six seven' 'seven six five four three two one'...
Just counting numbers, that's all.
They could hire a professional voice actor later.
To mimic Xu Mo's voice.
And dub the lines in.
Everything would be perfect.
These thoughts sprouted and grew.
In just a few seconds.
Director Liu quickly picked up the still-burning cigarette from the floor, "Young Master Xu, Young Master Xu, it was my fault earlier for not recognizing your greatness. I was blind and rude, please forgive me..."
Xu Mo was about to say it was no big deal.
But then.
A pained squeal came from the other end of the line.
"Ah..."
Xu Mo was stunned.
Director Liu was spitting and cursing.
This left Xu Mo utterly confused.
"What happened?"
To Xu Mo's question.
Director Liu replied awkwardly.
"Sorry, Young Master Xu, I accidentally smoked the cigarette the wrong way. I put the burning end in my mouth, so..."
What a talent!!!
This director was something else.
Naturally gifted with comedic timing.
No wonder he discovered talents like Lin An'an.
And immediately recognized the potential of Lin Fan.
Choosing him as the male lead.
Xu Mo felt deeply impressed by this reverse smoking stunt.
"It's fine. Let's continue discussing the script. If you really can't give up the role, forget it. I'm not the type to force people."
Acting and such.
Xu Mo really didn't want to get involved.
At most, he'd show up tomorrow.
Annoy the other party a bit, and that would be it.
On the other end.
Director Liu quickly said, "No, no, the male lead isn't set in stone, Young Master Xu. There's still room for discussion!"
Xu Mo, a walking source of super traffic.
Director Liu really didn't want to let him go.
Lin Fan was a nobody.
If he offended him, so be it.
Compensate him a bit afterward.
Or just cut ties altogether.
As for Xu Mo.
Director Liu truly didn't want to miss this opportunity.
He'd rather offer Xu Mo the highest compensation for an A-list star.
Director Liu didn't want to pass up the chance to work with Xu Mo.
"Alright, send me the script, and let me know when the shooting starts," Xu Mo said.
Director Liu: "We start tomorrow morning. If you find memorizing lines difficult, we have ways around it. You just need to recite 'one two three four five six seven...'"
Xu Mo's face darkened.
Damn it.
It's just a few lines.
Who do you think I am?
He might not have a photographic memory, but his recall wasn't bad.
With an innate acting talent.
He could play any role convincingly.
When had he ever been insulted like this?
Xu Mo cleared his throat, "Hmm, we can discuss it tomorrow."
Director Liu: "Add me on WeChat for easier communication. I'll send you the script as well."
Xu Mo: "Sure."
Director Liu couldn't hide his joy, though there was a small black burn mark on his lip from the cigarette.
It looked quite comical.
But the director didn't care.
"Young Master Xu, it's settled then! You must come tomorrow!"
Moshi moshi...
I've been busy with exams lately, but the holiday is coming soon. The other two books will be updated irregularly.
Happy New Year~