Chapter Ten: Personnel Preparation
After calling Zhu Yilong to discuss the rough schedule and sending him the script, Zhang Qianjun thought about the special cameo roles and atmosphere extras that still needed filling. He decided to reach out to his good classmates and headed toward the dormitory he hadn’t returned to even once since the military training ended.
Entering dorm 404, he immediately saw a tall, thin figure lying on the bed reading a book. The man looked up with a slightly surprised smile and said, “Boss Zhang, it’s rare to see you here. After two months, the dormitory finally gets graced by your presence again.”
Ignoring the teasing, Zhang Qianjun replied earnestly, “Xian Ge’er, I have an important task now and need your help. Can you assist me?”
Li Xian was momentarily taken aback, wondering how close they really were for Zhang to ask for help on something important. Hopefully, it wasn’t about accompanying someone to an abortion—he wasn’t about to do that kind of thing.
“Qianjun, just say it straight. What’s so formal about this?”
Zhang Qianjun looked at Li Xian with a serious expression and explained how he had invested five million yuan to make a film.
Li Xian’s expression shifted from surprise to calm, then to slight irritation.
“So you want me to contact our classmates to play little ruffians, bad students, and henchmen of the bullying girl?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Well, that’s quite an important job.”
“Enough talk. Will you do it or not?”
“Is there a payment?”
“You know I’m not stingy, and since we’re classmates, I wouldn’t shortchange any of you. Actually, this is also a chance for you all to gain experience. Talking about money is so vulgar. It’s a fully funded trip to Wudu city with food and lodging covered—what more do you want? Plus, I’ll give red envelopes according to Hengdian standards. That’s good enough, right?”
Li Xian stared at Zhang Qianjun for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
“Alright then, I’ll be the casting director for Boss Zhang.”
“We’re all friends here, so no funny business!”
“Get lost! I’m not lacking girlfriends!”
At Zhang Qianjun’s urging, Li Xian opened their QQ group chat and told the classmates about the casting call, then made a phone call.
“Zi Hou, have you heard that Zhang Qianjun is making a film?”
“I just found out. Didn’t expect the young master Zhang to become Boss Zhang so quickly.”
“The female lead is still open. You can try to approach him.”
“I don’t know him well. We’ve never even talked.”
“Even if you don’t know him well, how hard is it to look for a role? We’re all classmates and know each other. What’s unfamiliar about that?”
“So, you think I should try?”
“Try it, can’t hurt. From the looks of Boss Zhang, he’ll keep investing in films. Having connections won’t hurt.”
“Does Zhang Qianjun have any unusual quirks?”
“Honestly, no clue. Apart from being aloof and occasionally showing off, nothing else comes to mind. You’re not worried he’ll take advantage of you, right? He’s so strong and handsome—what kind of thoughts do you have?”
“What do you mean ‘what kind of thoughts’? What’s wrong with me? Anyway, I’m going.”
After hanging up, Yang Zhixin thought it couldn’t hurt to try, so she caught Zhang Qianjun after class.
“Qianjun, are you free? I have something to talk about. How about the little grove near the side gate?”
Saying this, Yang Zhixin somehow showed a hint of shyness.
---
Zhang Qianjun was taken aback. The little grove? What does she want? He glanced at Yang Zhixin and, confident in his own strength and convinced there was nothing suspicious on campus, followed her towards the grove. Not to mention, Yang Zhixin’s figure was quite appealing from behind.
At the edge of the grove, Yang Zhixin turned and looked up at Zhang Qianjun, silently admiring his good looks up close: such clear skin, that physique, those muscles—there was a palpable warmth radiating from him. No wonder he was certified handsome and strong by Li Xian.
Zhang Qianjun noticed Yang Zhixin staring silently and understood immediately.
“Xiao Zhi, my mind is fully focused on my career right now. I’m not considering romance at the moment. Don’t take it personally. We’re all good classmates. I’m busy, so I’ll head back now.”
With that, Zhang Qianjun turned and started walking back to the classroom.
Yang Zhixin was caught off guard but quickly reached out and grabbed the hem of his T-shirt.
“Wait, I haven’t even said anything yet. What are you rushing for?”
Caught off guard, Zhang Qianjun stopped.
“Xiao Zhi, it’s really not appropriate—timing’s just off.”
Yang Zhixin’s face became animated with anger as she shouted,
“Shut up and let me speak!”
“Go ahead, I’m listening.”
“I’m asking about the female lead for your new film. Where did you get off-topic?”
“Oh,” Zhang Qianjun realized, thinking, why did she drag me to the grove just to ask this? She could have asked right there.
“I have rich acting experience and a certain level of fame. My age fits too.”
“That’s not suitable.”
Yang Zhixin was interrupted again and glared at his expressionless face, furious. Didn’t he even consider her at all? Usually, people say they’ll discuss and let you know later.
“What exactly is unsuitable?”
“Besides gender and age, nothing else fits.”
“Zhang Qianjun, if you keep talking like this, none of us classmates will get a chance. That’s so hurtful!”
“Don’t be impatient. Let me explain. First, the female lead has a shaved head scene. If she really shaves, can you do it?”
“I—I can, of course. As a professional actress, it’s nothing to me.”
“The female lead needs to have a cool, aloof aura and be pale. Your apple cheeks and big dimples just don’t fit.”
Hearing this, Yang Zhixin lost her composure immediately.
“Damn it, Zhang Qianjun, that’s a personal attack right there!”
Zhang Qianjun was helpless. Didn’t she insist on asking? Telling the truth is wrong too?
“Xiao Zhi, it really doesn’t fit. If it did, I wouldn’t have asked you. Close relatives aren’t as close as neighbors, and our classmate bond is even closer than neighbors. But it really isn’t suitable.”
Yang Zhixin sulked like a goldfish, puffing out her cheeks, resembling Xiao Xue even more...
“Or we can forget about the film and talk about you wanting to date me? I think starting by getting to know each other isn’t impossible.”
Seeing Yang Zhixin angry, Zhang Qianjun changed the subject.
“Ah! Enough! Shut up! Not another word!”
With her features animated again, Yang Zhixin spun around and left at a brisk pace, like she was in a racewalk.
Watching her go, Zhang Qianjun sighed.
“Zhixin, during the startup phase, I can’t afford any slack. When I’m successful, I’ll cast you as the female lead. By then, you’ll have blossomed too. But right now, it really isn’t suitable.”
Shaking his head, he sighed again, picked up his phone, and called Nong Ge.
---
“Nong Ge, have you read the script?
Don’t worry about whether it resembles Keigo Higashino’s style. Just tell me if the role has potential. Besides, the directors Wang and Tian didn’t care about that, but you fresh graduates fuss over it every day. Just say if the script is good or not. Isn’t it a rare theme in the market? Your police role—isn’t it full of depth?
It’s a theatrical release, not a microfilm or TV drama. Isn’t that enough?
If you mess up again, I’ll have to get my mentor involved.
Two weeks? A day with a mentor is still a day with a mentor. My mentor once wanted to transfer me to Xia Shi High School. If I’d gone, I’d be his last apprentice now.
Nong Ge, aren’t you tired of always acting in low-budget TV films? Come experience the charm of the big screen!
Alright, it’s settled then. We’ll meet in Wudu city. I’ll send you the exact address later.”
Putting away his phone, Zhang Qianjun thought: Male leads one, two, and three are settled; female lead and third lead teachers and the dean are recommending; atmosphere extras are taken care of by Li Xian. The only role left is the villainous, beautiful second female lead. Beijing Film Academy, young, pretty, currently enrolled or recently graduated—combining these conditions, few come to mind.
Zheng Yuqin seems fitting, but she’s too famous to play this role. And Da Tiantian is out of the question—unsuitable in every way. Who else?
Zhang Qianjun thought hard but couldn’t recall anyone suitable, so he resorted to his old method.
He posted on the Film Academy’s forum:
“Casting for the second female lead in a youth campus theatrical film. Requirements: female, 18 to 23 years old, attractive. Interested parties please attend the audition tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Classroom 316, Building B, Acting Academy.
Acting Academy – Zhang Qianjun.”
Shortly after posting, replies flooded in:
“Who the heck is Zhang Qianjun?”
“A theatrical film now? Everyone’s just bragging with loans these days?”
“Disgusting. Demanding a pretty second female lead right off the bat—this behavior reeks of deception. Reported.”
“Agreed with the above. I’m going to the Academic Affairs Office to report this guy. Too gross!”
“The Academic Affairs Office doesn’t handle this. Go to the Discipline Inspection Department. If none exists, then the Student Affairs Department.”
“A bunch of snitches only know how to report without knowing the facts. I say bring back the Qin laws so these rats get reported for nothing.”
“Actually, according to Qin law, false accusers are punished by the crime they accuse others of. But accidental false reports don’t count as false accusations. Only intentional or negligent false accusations of murder count, with reciprocal punishment. So even Qin law didn’t let informants run wild.”
“Thanks for the history lesson!”
“I’m in the directing department. This casting call isn’t fake. People from directing and cinematography are grouping up and reportedly renting equipment from China Film. It’s a youth film, and the male lead is a first-year acting student.”
“Right, Zhang Qianjun is a first-year acting student, known as the muscular Erlang Shen. During military training, he was unbeatable in one-on-one challenges and outdid the instructors in push-ups.”
“You guys are ridiculous. If you want to know if it’s true, why not just ask? Ask a teacher. If you’re a pretty mute girl, just show up at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Acting Building B, Room 316. Would they really have a red sofa for you to sit on at an on-campus audition?”
“What’s a red sofa?”
“If you don’t know, how can you call yourself part of the Film Academy?”
“Basic questions can be googled, thanks.”
Reading the posts, Kan Qingzi thought she hadn’t had any roles recently and might as well check it out tomorrow.
Coincidentally, Huang Mengying, who had just finished shooting a commercial and returned to school, also decided to try out tomorrow. After all, as a sophomore who hadn’t even shot a microfilm, it didn’t look good on her résumé.
After posting, Zhang Qianjun tagged everyone in the “Youth” preparation group chat: “6 p.m. tonight, lamb hotpot outside the east gate to discuss project progress.”