Hollywood, I became a legend with special effects.

Chapter 32: Not Giving Wang Zhonglei Face

November 20th, 8:00 AM.

The Beijing Film Academy campus was still shrouded in a thin mist, and frost clung to the sycamore trees outside the small auditorium of the Performing Arts Department.

More than twenty reporters were already waiting outside the school gate, their cameras and microphones pointed at the entrance.

"Will we really see Zhang Yimou today?" a young reporter asked, rubbing his hands together.

"It's hard to say. The information I heard yesterday is that Light Chaser Pictures is very strict about age restrictions."

An older reporter standing nearby, a cigarette dangling from his lips, remarked, "What if that big star is willing to lower herself and audition? She's the lead actress in a Sino-US co-production blockbuster."

"It's out! It's out!"

Everyone perked up, and the cameras all turned to a black van that was driving into the school gate.

The car door opened, and the first thing to emerge was a pair of white sneakers, followed by long, slender legs.

Yang Mi, with her hair tied in a high ponytail and wearing a black tracksuit, jumped out of the car with her face bare.

"It's Yang Mi!" The sound of camera shutters immediately filled the air.

"Mimi, look this way!" "Are you confident today?"

Yang Mi waved to the reporters, smiling brightly: "I'm just here to learn, I'm so happy to have made it to the second round!"

After saying that, he jogged into the school gate.

Several more cars arrived shortly after, carrying young faces in their early twenties, including Shu Chang, Bai Bing, Jiang Yan, and Wang Luodan. Even those with some fame, like Huang Shengyi, were still within the age range.

The more the reporters filmed, the more something seemed off.

"Where are the big stars we were promised? Li Binbin? Zhang Ziyi?"

"Could it be..."

"Damn, is Light Chaser Pictures really that tough? They say they'll stop letting anyone over the age of 25?"

At 8:00 AM sharp, a white van slowly came to a stop.

When the car door opened, all the reporters held their breath.

Liu Yifei wore a light gray knit sweater and jeans, her hair loosely tied back, and only wore light makeup.

She nodded slightly to the reporters, said nothing more, and quickly walked into the school gate accompanied by her assistant.

She had barely stepped inside when a sharp-eyed reporter exclaimed, "That car over there! It's Fan Binbin's car!"

A silver-gray Mercedes stopped, and Wang Zhonglei got out of the car himself, walked around to the other side, and opened the car door.

Fan Bingbing stepped out of the car wearing sunglasses, her red coat standing out against the morning mist.

The reporters swarmed forward like they were on steroids.

"Is Bingbing auditioning today?" "What do you think of the role of the 'Witch'?"

Fan Binbin took off his sunglasses and smiled charmingly: "Such a great project, of course I have to come and learn. But I might be a bit too old, I'm just here to soak up the atmosphere."

Despite his humble words, the fact that Wang Zhonglei personally accompanied him made it clear to everyone that Fan Binbin was determined to win.

Just as the two were about to enter, a staff member in a black suit strode out and blocked the doorway.

"Ms. Fan, I'm sorry," the staff member said politely but firmly, "You are not on our audition list today. Please understand that we strictly adhere to age requirements during the selection process."

The scene fell silent instantly.

Wang Zhonglei's expression changed, but he maintained his smile: "Young man, we only came after receiving the notification. Could you perhaps make an exception and at least let Bingbing in to meet with the production team?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Wang, this is a rule personally set by General Manager Jiang. Those who do not meet the requirements will not be received."

Fan Binbin's smile froze for a second before returning to normal: "That's a pity. I wish the project all the best."

After saying that, she turned and left, her high heels clicking loudly.

Wang Zhonglei glanced at the staff member's Light Chaser Pictures employee badge, said nothing, and got into the car.

The reporters were in an uproar.

"They really stopped them! They even stopped Fan Binbin!"

"Light Chaser Pictures' move is pretty ruthless!"

"I believe it now, they really are going to follow the rules..."

......

Backstage of the small auditorium, audition waiting area.

When Liu Yifei came in, Yang Mi immediately jumped up from her chair: "Qianqian! Over here!"

The two hugged, and Yang Mi pulled her to sit down: "You've finally arrived! I was so nervous. Did you see? Even Fan Binbin was kept outside."

Liu Yifei nodded and whispered, "I saw it in the car just now."

"Light Chaser Pictures is serious this time," Jiang Yan interjected. She was Liu Yifei's classmate. "I heard that even several of the people Han Sanye recommended were screened out."

A dozen or so girls were sitting in the waiting area; some were whispering their lines, while others were stretching.

Liu Yifei glanced around and recognized quite a few people.

Bai Bing, Wan Qian, Tang Yan, Wang Luodan, Huang Shengyi, Jing Tian... and there was a girl with short hair, whose name she remembered was Wang Zhi, a martial arts champion.

At 8:20, a staff member pushed open the door and said, "Teachers, the audition is about to begin. Please have teacher number one, Wan Qian, get ready."

Wan Qian took a deep breath, stood up, nodded to everyone, and followed the staff out.

The waiting area became even quieter the moment the door closed.

Liu Yifei took out a script excerpt from her bag. It had been distributed three days ago: an English monologue, a Chinese emotional scene, and an action scene that required improvisation.

She silently went over her lines in her mind, her fingers twisting together.

"Don't be nervous." Yang Mi nudged her arm. "Your English is so good, you have a huge advantage in that respect."

"It's hard to say, there's dialogue scenes and action scenes..." Liu Yifei pursed her lips.

She learned dance from a young age; martial arts and combat are completely different systems.

"Don't worry, it's not like you need to be able to play right now. It mainly depends on your physical coordination and learning ability."

As they were talking, the door opened again five minutes later.

When Wan Qian returned, she forced a smile at everyone before hurriedly packing her things and leaving.

"This guy seems to be more than you think..." someone whispered.

Auditions were held one after another.

Each person went in for about twenty minutes, and came out with different expressions: some were excited, some were frustrated, and some seemed thoughtful.

When it was Wang Zhi's turn, the short-haired girl stood up with great energy.

When she came out twenty minutes later, her forehead was sweaty and her eyes were bright.

Yang Mi leaned closer and whispered, "How is it?"

Wang Zhi lowered his voice: "Director Lu Yang asked me to do an impromptu fight. I used some martial arts routines, and a handsome guy next to me seemed to glance at me a couple of times."

These words made the girls nearby prick up their ears.

When it was Yang Mi's turn, she made a face at Liu Yifei and said, "Wait for my triumphant return!"

Twenty minutes later, Yang Mi came out with a flushed face and plopped down next to Liu Yifei.

"My goodness, Sisi, the guy you were rumored to be dating last time sat there without saying a word, his eyes could kill. Teacher Tian Zhuangzhuang's questions were so tricky..."

"What did you ask?"

"They asked if I was willing to cut my hair short for the role, if I could accept two months of intensive training, and also asked about my personal understanding of the concept of a witch..."

Yang Mi lowered her voice, "Director Lu Yang is quite gentle, but Teacher Wang Jinsong would suddenly ask you to improvise, and I almost couldn't keep up."

Liu Yifei's heart sank even further.

"Teacher Liu Yifei, please get ready."

It was almost 11 o'clock when the staff called her name.

Liu Yifei stood up, took a deep breath, and followed the staff to the stage of the small auditorium.

(Hoping those with monthly passes can give me some support!)