To be honest, for a moment Zhuang Hongyi even suspected that Liu Rulan had helped Xiao He fake his credentials or directly purchased the certificate.
But such lies would be quickly exposed once filming began. Director Ning wasn't someone with a good temper and wouldn't allow them to fool him about such matters.
There was absolutely no need to fake this kind of thing.
Moreover, Liu Rulan wasn't that type of person.
Ning Jiaqi's expression finally turned somewhat serious as he picked up his glasses from the coffee table and began carefully examining the resume Liu Rulan had placed on top.
"Graduated from Hu University? Not professionally trained?"
This made Ning Jiaqi even more surprised.
Then he looked at Xiao He's current filming experience, his eyes flickering slightly.
This time when Little Liu came to see him, she had considerably more confidence than last time.
"I know about the role of Meng Zetian."
Ning Jiaqi put down the resume, "There was quite a stir some time ago, no wonder the name sounded familiar. So it's the artist you're managing."
"Yes." Liu Rulan nodded with a smile, "Xiao He is currently in great need of such roles, and we hope Director Ning can give us an opportunity."
Although he had been working on other script projects these years, "No Bait" had been shelved for ten years and remained a lingering concern for Director Ning.
When the policy environment loosened up, Ning Jiaqi naturally paid attention to it immediately.
So his impression of Xiao He and "Starry Radiance" was quite deep.
This time Ning Jiaqi was much more straightforward, directly nodding in agreement: "Alright, but you've come a bit too early. The production team hasn't been reassembled yet. No matter how eager you are, you can't rush this moment. I'll notify you when the team is set up next year, and you can come try out then."
To be blunt, this project would become highly sought-after—by then, those coming to see Ning Jiaqi would all be contenders no weaker than Xiao He.
Who would ultimately land the male lead role in "No Bait" was no longer something Director Ning could decide privately.
Being able to leave an impression with Director Ning and secure an audition opportunity was already the best chance Liu Rulan could obtain.
As for the rest, it would depend on whether Xiao He was truly as Liu Rulan claimed—the actor most suited for the protagonist role among all candidates.
"Good, I'll definitely have Xiao He prepare thoroughly."
Liu Rulan immediately stood up with visible delight to express her thanks.
Zhuang Hongyi didn't forget to add: "Director Ning's project is certainly important, but don't neglect my project either."
Liu Rulan: "Naturally."
After Liu Rulan left, Ning Jiaqi removed his reading glasses, leaned back casually, and asked: "So how's this Xiao He kid's acting skills?"
Zhuang Hongyi: "Not bad, but—"
He thought for a moment, then continued: "But after all, he's not professionally trained. He's currently filming in Yan Shaohan's production team, playing a role quite different from his previous ones. If you're interested in him, I can have Yan Shaohan compile some footage from later shoots for you to review."
"Alright." Ning Jiaqi nodded, "Although he performed the Meng Zetian role quite well, it's vastly different from Shu Yuxiu's character image."
Shu Yuxiu was the male protagonist in the "No Bait" script.
Zhuang Hongyi sighed deeply: "Liu Rulan and them really managed to gain an advantage."
Coming specifically when he was present—wasn't that betting on him being able to put in a good word for Xiao He?
Really...
Ning Jiaqi chuckled lightly, not displeased: "Being able to get you to speak favorably is also their capability."
He knew perfectly well what kind of temper Zhuang Hongyi had. If Xiao He himself lacked ability, Zhuang Hongyi would have definitely rebuffed Liu Rulan already.
But since Zhuang Hongyi ultimately held his nose and said some good words, that meant he was genuinely decent.
This was truly—a top-tier open scheme!
----------------
"Bang—"
"I surrender, I surrender, stop hitting—"
"Bang bang—"
Yin Qi grabbed the person's hair and continued smashing it against the glass. The originally clean, transparent glass was now covered with splattered bloodstains, handprints pressed during Evan's struggle, and spiderweb-like cracks from the forceful impacts. Even Yin Qi's reflection in the glass appeared somewhat fragmented.
"Bang—"
Finally, the originally resilient tempered glass couldn't withstand the force of Evan's head impacts and shattered with a crash. Evan's head smashed straight through the broken glass.
"Alright."
Yin Lan, sitting on the sofa, finally called a halt to her younger brother's actions.
Yin Qi turned his head, glanced at his sister, and while pulling the person back, joked with her: "Sis, you have to admit, Huang Daquan's family is really wealthy. Even their floor-to-ceiling window glass takes four hits to break through."
Wu Wu nearby also curiously touched the weapons placed on the bar counter: "Indeed, these foreign gadgets—I only handled them during the war before. Never expected this guy to have collected so many good items—"
Meanwhile, Evan, who was being dragged by Yin Qi, covered his bloodied, glass-pierced face and fell awkwardly before Yin Lan.
Yin Lan looked down at the person on the ground, nudging him with her toe: "What are you pretending for? Sit up, look me in the eyes, and let's properly discuss your matters."
The guy originally named Huang Daquan, who later changed his name to Evan, pulled out the glass shards embedded in his face and smiled ingratiatingly at Yin Lan: "Sis, I really didn't know it was you guys. I thought it was bad people."
Yin Lan snorted with laughter: "Oh? Forgotten my face? I don't recall you being this forgetful."
Yin Qi's eyes lit up: "Then sis, should I help him reminisce?"
Yin Lan crossed her arms and sneered: "I think that works—"
"No, no—"
Evan was truly frightened by this perfectly coordinated sibling duo and immediately raised his hands in surrender: "I remember! I remember everything! I guarantee I'll tell you everything I know without holding anything back!"
Only then did Yin Lan stand up from the sofa, lifting the person onto the sofa to sit like a sack, and "bang" placed a teacup before him, revealing a gentle smile: "That's best then. Tell us, why have you regained your youth, and what's your relationship with that group."
Evan shrunk his head: "I'll talk, I'll talk—"
------------------
After filming this scene, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally finished.
Xiao He walked outside the set and happened to see Liu Rulan and Xiao Chen discussing something.
"Today's filming didn't go too smoothly, huh."
Liu Rulan looked up at Xiao He, asking this question first.
"Not bad." Xiao He shrugged, "With Director Fan around, things have become much easier now."
Those bizarre characters had toned down now, not daring to casually strike or put on airs anymore. Xiao He even felt the air on set had become fresher.
"That's good." Liu Rulan also relaxed somewhat, "I heard the production team kicked out an actor today. Probably Director Fan making an example to warn others. It's good that everyone can behave more properly."
"There was such a thing?"
Xiao He thought to himself: Director Fan moves really fast.
He had just complained not long ago, and the person was already expelled from the team.
But it was just as well—no need for him to waste more breath, nor worry about such people continuing to cause trouble on set.
Xiao He's mood brightened considerably.
"What about Yuan Sitong? Has she been causing trouble either?" Liu Rulan asked.
"As you can see, she's currently butting heads with Li Haoxuan."
Xiao He curled his lip, gesturing for Liu Rulan to look over there.
Liu Rulan glanced accordingly and, as expected, saw Yuan Sitong once again arguing with Li Haoxuan in complete miscommunication. Meanwhile, Yan Shaohan nearby was admiringly looking back and forth between the two, seemingly studying how they managed to connect their arguing brainwaves, while Fan Congwen on the other side stood between them trying to mediate the situation.
Liu Rulan: "...I've gotten used to it by now."