CH 9.2

But what's the point? This did not distract everyone's attention from his face.

Jiang Qi's face has always been charming, otherwise, Shen Lei wouldn't have taken a glimpse of him which left a lasting impression when he was still in prison two years ago.

Yue Yuan, who was standing in the center of the lighting board saw Jiang Qi who suddenly appeared. After a moment of surprise, she was naturally attracted to him.

As the young man got closer to her step by step, Yue Yuan who was just inconspicuous became a little nervous unconsciously. The fingers hanging by her side curled up making her nails press into her delicate palm as her clear eyes stared blankly at him.

Yue Yuan saw Jiang Qi stand close to her, so his deep voice was close to her ears. Then he spoke the actor's line that she had just heard twice—

"I'll be with you, okay?"

Under Jiang Qi's complicated but gentle gaze, Yue Yuan's heart started to beat fast unwillingly.

It seems like she became immersed in the play becoming the heroine in the script. She timidly asked, "Will you always be with me?"

Jiang Qi smiled. His light-colored eyes softly looked at the girl in front of him. A look that penetrated her delicate through her soul.

He gently agreed, "Yes."

It was like coaxing a little girl.

The entire audition room fell silent as the atmosphere between the two young actors was so harmonious and beautiful just like a dream or an illusion.

Even Shen Lei didn't expect Jiang Qi to perform so well.

He has always known that this young man is talented in acting, despite Jiang Qi not having experienced any systematic training in film and television school. In fact, not even having graduated from high school. That made him afraid he will find it hard to understand the characters in the script.

But at the same time, Shen Lei also knew that Jiang Qi is gifted. One of those experiential actors who immerse themselves in the character through experience. Thus, giving the audience an overwhelming feeling.

Only this kind of actor can be called the ‘Son of Heaven’.

To put it mildly, Jiang Qi played the role of a perverted psycho who’s manic and bloodthirsty. Jiang Qi's debut movie was a Hitler-style character. A one-man show without even a supporting role.

So, Shen Lei didn't expect Jiang Qi to be so good when he was acting with the actress just now. He even showed tenderness with a hint of deceit.

Maybe this is God's gift. He faintly felt his blood vessels beating excitedly and the mountains and waters felt like flowing.

"Cut!"

While everyone was in a trance with the plot before Director Wang Zhaoqiu called out.

Jiang Qi seemed to have withdrawn from the act for a moment. His eyes suddenly became cold as he straightened up, stepped back, and walked back toward Shen Lei without saying a word.

There was an empty layer of cold air all over her body and Yue Yuan felt inexplicably lost. Her eyes chased Jiang Qiqing's thin back.

"Well, not bad." When Wang Zhaoqiu saw Jiang Qi, he stood up himself. His constantly solemn face had a look of approval.

Then, under the gazes around them, he said something earth-shattering: "Can you play the male lead?"

?!

Even Shen Lei, who always had a smug smile on his lips was shocked after hearing this.

It was a role that half of the entertainment industry had set their eyes on, even the actors waiting in the audition room…  In the end, it fell on such a rookie with a 'genius talent' but a whole lot of scandals.

Among the circles, how many do not know about the specious rumors about Jiang Qi that have appeared recently?

The producer next to him suddenly tensed up and hurriedly came over to interrupt: "That, Director Wang..."

Wang Zhaoqiu did not allow him to speak and raised his hand to signal him to shut up.

The old director just stared at Jiang Qi and didn't let him go.

Jiang Qi was also stunned for a moment, then shook his head.

He refused without hesitation: "I can't act."

.

Everyone was stunned again, perhaps this afternoon has been touched by some incomprehensible 'fantasy'.

It seemed incredible that the male protagonist of Wang Zhaoqiu's movie will be a rookie actor who is riddled with black material. What is even more incredible is that Director Wang was just rejected!

Ten minutes later, Jiang Qi was dragged by Shen Lei and forced to go to the coffee shop on the top floor of Hengdian with Wang Zhaoqiu.

Because the stars of Hengdian would come to rest on weekdays, the decoration was separated by small rooms, which are private and anyone can talk with ease.

After Jiang Qi said "can't act", Wang Zhaoqiu felt like he was being tricked. At this moment, his face looked heavy and he stared at the coffee cup without saying a word.

AShen Lei, who took the initiative to reconcile the two was embarrassed and angry. He couldn't help but wink at Jiang Qi, "Jiang Qi, what are you doing... Do you know how difficult it is to act in Director Wang's films?"

Shen Lei wanted to say, 'Do you know what you just rejected? ', but on second thought, Jiang Qi might not know about this. After all, although he is in the entertainment industry, he actually doesn't know anything about the industry.

——Also, he’s a stubborn 'strange person'1. After thinking about it, he felt that it was better to explain it clearly. But Jiang Qi didn't react when he heard his frantic words.

The young man's sharp eyebrows looked lighter after the play and he seemed a bit sleepy. He said a few polite words without emotion, "I know, but I can't act."

Wang Zhaoqiu couldn't help but be stunned.

Seeing Jiang Qi's indifference to life and death and pushing away a good opportunity which is hard to find, Shen Lei couldn't help but beat the table in anger, "Why not?"

Jiang Qi said honestly, "I'm not good at acting."

"Who said that." Shen Lei didn't believe his nonsense, "You did well in the audition just now, otherwise Director Wang wouldn't have chosen you."

Wang Zhaoqiu, who had been silent since the beginning only opened his mouth at this time and briefly agreed, "That's right."

His praise was restrained. He obviously doesn't want Jiang Qi to be too proud.  However, no matter what Shen Lei and Wang Zhaoqiu said, Jiang Qi remained indifferent.

He is very clear about his ability. Besides the high salary, the only reason Jiang Qi agreed to take the role in the movie was the character in the script is something he can portray.

A pervert, murderer, mentally challenged, like a mad dog... Isn't that himself?

It’s like driving a light car2, he is very familiar with it as if he is not acting at all.

Jiang Qi knew that he would definitely not be able to act in Wang Zhaoqiu's new film.

Jiang Qi smiled perfunctorily, but he was honest and straightforward, "I'm only suitable for psychotic characters, so I can't play a drama of falling in love with a girl."

Shen Lei naturally felt that his excuse was cursory and raised his brows, "Why?"

"Brother Shen, I really can't act." Jiang Qi's eyes were hollow as he muttered to himself, "I don't like her."

He didn't know that Yue Yuan at all and he didn't like her so how could he act ambiguously and tenderly towards her?

He just remembered Zhiqi while he was auditioning.

Besides ...

As Jiang Qi raised his eyes, his light-colored pupils stared straight at the two 'seniors' on the opposite side. His lips opened and closed gently, followed by words that sounded absurd and bizarre, which makes people laugh,  "I'm sorry, I want to quit the entertainment industry."

The apology was for Shen Lei who has always had great expectations for him and wants him promoted.

There has never been a noble person in his life and Shen Lei can be counted as one.

Nevertheless, Jiang Qi hates the entertainment industry.

He hates the environment that has countless pairs of eyes directed at him. He goes out fully armed wearing a mask and a hat. There are countless cameras pointed at him and one wrong step can cause great storms.

What's even more ridiculous is that there are always people who plausibly question whether they can influence the 'three views'3 of others.

If an adult's three views are so easily influenced by the outside world, then he should avoid and not possess the Internet or mobile phones...

This kind of environment seems to be no different from a 'prison'.

Jiang Qi hated this kind of atmosphere, so he simply wanted to stop now and take the initiative to withdraw.

"You, are you crazy?" Shen Lei and Wang Zhaoqiu can be regarded as people in the entertainment circle who has seen everything be it alive or dead, but it is the first time they met a strange person like Jiang Qi which is rare in this world.

Shen Lei's voice was a bit torn, "If you quit the entertainment industry? What would you do?"

"Well..." Jiang Qi thought about it for a while and answered very seriously, "To open a supermarket."

The remuneration he got before should be almost enough.

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1. 奇葩- Strange person a metaphor for unusual excellent literary works or very outstanding characters.

2. 轻车驾熟 – Light car driving is a metaphor for having experience, being familiar, and something easy to do.

3. 三觀- Three views- are world view, life view, and values. World view referred to people's view of the world such as idealistic and materialistic pov. Life view is the outlook, purpose, or meaning of human existence. The Values refer to the general view and fundamental view formed by people based on understanding the value of various specific things.