Part 4 of Chapter 66
Please Like Her 17 – <Evil> (practically official announcement) + Tenth episode recording
Lin Yanyan immediately handed a corner of the banner to Ye Lu, then pulled back, and the two of them unfolded the banner together, facing Song Zeqian.
Song Zeqian asked directly, “What is this?”
Shang Lu reminded them from behind, “It’s upside down.”
Lin Yanyan and Ye Lufei were in perfect sync and switched the banner’s position up and down.
Shang Lu : “…The direction is wrong.”
Both of them : “?!?”
Finally, the banner was placed correctly, facing Song Zeqian.
It read:
[ Staff of Xiao Taoyan Wishes for a Smooth Casting of Director Song’s New Film! Good Luck with the Filming! ]
Someone in the barrage commented :
[The program team has also given in to this nickname.]
Song Zeqian’s face turned dark.
Shang Lu suddenly understood why he had been scolding everyone today. “Is the casting not going well?”
Song Zeqian didn’t answer, which was as good as confirming it.
Shang Lu pretended to wipe away non-existent tears and said, “It’s really heartbreaking that you’re taking it out on us because of this, *sniff*…”
Song Zeqian looked at her with a wry smile, “Shang Lu, if your acting during filming is just this good, I will definitely replace you.”
Shang Lu instantly stopped crying and bowed, “I’m sorry, Director Song.”
[Shang Lu, turns out you’re the master of changing faces in modern times!]
[From a drama queen one second to apologizing the next, truly remarkable.]
Song Zeqian looked at them and said, “Come in.”
Ye Lu held up the lunchbox and said very seriously, “This half-bento is for you, I haven’t taken a bite, really.”
Song Zeqian stared at him, “Don’t give it to me, eat it all, or I’ll press it against your face.”
Ye Lu had been waiting for this, so he ate while walking, feeling his happiness doubled.
[It’s clear now, Director Song is really frustrated, haha.]
[Director Song, calm down! Most of your actors are here.]
Ye Lu approached again and asked knowingly, “I heard you’ve cast Shang Lu, Xu Ze, and Jiang Jing in your new movie?”
Song Zeqian didn’t even look at him and said, “I haven’t used idols in my films.”
Ye Lufei had a smug expression, “Who said I wanted to act? I just thought since we’ve known each other for so long, I’ll give you a favor. If you want to invite me for the OST of your new movie, I can reluctantly…”
Song Zeqian suddenly asked, “How can I contact Yu Su? Are you a team responsible for handling the work?”
[It’s really hard to get Yu Su, isn’t it?]
[But with Shang Lu in the cast, and if Ye Lu sings it, I think Yu Su will agree.]
Ye Lu : “?”
Wasn’t he volunteering himself? Why suddenly mention Yu Su?
So Ye Lu continued, “Yu Su has strong songwriting and composing skills, but I am the lead singer of our group.”
Song Zeqian’s gaze fell on him, seeming hesitant but still said, “Someone has already made a reservation.”
Ye Lu : “!”
Who beat him to it?
Ye Lu unwillingly asked, “When did he come to you?”
Song Zeqian replied, “Ou Yi, he came when he saw the trending topic.”
Ye Lu : “?”
Why Ou Yi again?
[‘Destined Rivals’]
[Maybe this is their fate as arch-enemies.]
Ye Lu jokingly said, “I can offer a discount! We’re so familiar, 50% off!”
But Song Zeqian chuckled, “He’s free.”
Everyone fell silent.
Had Ou Yi already reached this level?
Ye Lu was also shocked. Ou Yi offered free? If Ye Lu had to compete, did that mean he would have to pay for the job? That doesn’t seem right!
Wait, no, at the same price, they could compete fairly.
So Ye Lu said, “Well… then I’m free too!”
He could compete with Ou Yi in singing!
Song Zeqian patted his shoulder directly, “Deal, it’s you.”
Ye Lu felt a bit embarrassed.
In the same situation, Song Zeqian chose him over Ou Yi. Did that mean he was better than Ou Yi in Song Zeqian’s eyes?
That’s what Ye Lu thought and asked.
Then Song Zeqian gave him the friendliest smile he had ever seen.
And then Ye Lu heard the demon suddenly speak.
Song Zeqian : “No, because I lied to you. Ou Yi never approached me.”
Ye Lu : “?”
Everyone : “!”
[Let me translate for Song Zeqian : Even though I lied to you, you’ve already agreed to do it for free, hahaha.]
[Ye Lu’s face showed confusion and contemplation about the world and human nature.]
[But when Song Zeqian said the lie, surprisingly, no one suspected anything.]
[I am a fan of Ou Yi. It wasn’t until after Song Zeqian admitted that I realized, their group’s concert is starting next week. Clearly, they’ve been in closed-door training recently, so it’s impossible for Ou Yi to be in contact with Song Zeqian! This is a lie full of loopholes!]
[Ou Yi is truly the seventh member of Xiao Taoyan, especially with his blind admiration for Shang Lu. It sounded like something he could do.]
Next, Song Zeqian took them to visit the place where he was working today.
As they walked, Shang Lu casually took a few packs of cookies and started eating them in front of Song Zeqian, who looked at her with a cold gaze. This continued until the end of today’s recording.
The staff of the show left, but Song Zeqian turned to them and said, “Since you’re already here, let’s take a look at the audition videos and give some feedback.”
Shang Lu, Xu Ze, and Jiang Jing : “…”
This class is really late, but they couldn’t leave.
Ye Lu, on the other hand, left immediately.
Of course, his race car was live-streaming! He couldn’t afford to be late!
Lin Yanyan, on the other hand, hesitated for a moment, not sure if she should stay or go.
Shang Lu waved at her. “Yanyan, wait for me.”
“Okay.” Lin Yan’s eyes lit up, and she quickly went over to sit next to Shang Lu, hugging Shang Lu’s arm tightly.
Song Zeqian showed them a few remaining audition clips for the two remaining roles and said directly, “These two roles don’t have much screen time, and I’ve already compromised my standards, but I still haven’t found anyone who satisfies me.”
According to the original shooting schedule, they had to start training half a month early, so time was running out for selecting the actors.
Jiang Jing was somewhat puzzled and asked, “I think the actresses who auditioned for the second daughter are all pretty good, and they have good reputations in the industry. What are you not satisfied with?”
Song Zeqian looked at Shang Lu and said directly, “You answer.”
Shang Lu : “?”
Huh? Wasn’t she just a spectator? Why is she suddenly being asked a question?
In an instant, Shang Lu was back to the life-or-death fear of that day when she was asked the question during the audition.
Under Song Zeqian’s cold gaze, Shang Lu’s brain raced.
In fact, just a moment ago, she had the same question as Jiang Jing, so from the third actress’s appearance, she had been paying close attention, trying to find the similarities and differences among them.
Shang Lu hesitated for a moment, not quite sure, and said, “The reason this character caught the attention of talent scouts by working as a waitress is that in the entertainment industry, most people who have established themselves for so long come from wealthy backgrounds, and no one doubts that. She should appear as if she were born into a rich family; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so successful in deceiving everyone. Just like in the movie, it deliberately focuses on the present situation of these five people instead of their miserable childhoods. It’s meant to create a disconnect between the past and the present, but they all focus too much on playing the role of a naive and sweet girl, making them seem a bit… foolish and inexperienced.”
“True,” Song Zeqian’s expression finally softened a bit, and he continued, “So, none of them are suitable.”
After some thought, Shang Lu summarized, “You want someone who can naturally portray a naive and sweet character, appear like a rich kid, but in reality, she’s from a humble background.”
Song Zeqian : “…?”
Although he found this description a bit odd, it seemed to fit.
So, Song Zeqian nodded.
Shang Lu pondered for a moment and said, “Isn’t there someone like that already?”
Song Zeqian asked, “Who?”
Shang Lu glanced at Lin Yanyan and said to Song Zeqian with sincerity, “She’s wealthy, not very bright, a perfect fit. She just needs to learn how to portray someone from a humble background.”
Song Zeqian : “?”
Lin Yanyan : “!”
Love how Song Zeqian inadvertently wrote a masterpiece that only the bunch of irritating kids he has met for almost half a year can play. His found family is annoying, weird, shameless, mismatched, contradictory, not very bright, and chaotic but he’s unconsciously portraying them one way or another in his comeback. Absolutely adorable
LMAO NOT VERY BRIGHT 😭
Is she wrong, though? 😂