How to Tame a God and the Lucky Beasts-Chapter 145 - 146: Before the Audition (Part 1)

The restaurant’s setup was somewhat special, possibly changed specifically for this audition.

Upon entering the door, there was a spacious hall. Although the place wasn’t large, the entire first floor had only a row of machines and neatly arranged tables without any other decorations.

There was less than half an hour left until the scheduled time, and Director Wang along with a few assistant directors and producers were already waiting for them in a private room.

As soon as they entered, service staff came to guide their way.

Yu Xiaozhe, holding Ruan Xiaoqi, was the first to walk through the private room’s door.

Everyone in the room was shocked by the sight of him holding a child, frozen in their seats.

It was only Director Wang, older and more experienced, who was the first to recover.

Director Wang laughed, his voice booming:

"Yu, how come you brought the gossip’s little protagonist along?"

Before they arrived, Director Wang and the others had been busy setting up the audition site and hadn’t had a chance to watch the live broadcast.

But among those present, Director Wang was the only one daring enough to joke about it with Yu Xiaozhe.

Yu Xiaozhe nodded slightly towards Director Wang, then, following the guide’s directions, carried Ruan Xiaoqi to the chair prepared for him.

"Director Wang, you’re kidding."

Yu Xiaozhe adjusted Ruan Xiaoqi’s sitting position on his lap, then, as if recalling something, spoke proactively:

"Everyone, rest assured, for today’s audition, I’m just an actor in the crew, not involved in casting decisions, holding no other identity. Please proceed with an impartial and fair selection."

Upon hearing this, most people present felt relieved.

They knew Yu Xiaozhe was not just the main actor but also the second-largest investor.

If he said: "If you don’t choose someone from my studio, I’ll withdraw investment." That would be hard to solve.

Then not only would they need a new investor, but also a new leading actor.

But with Yu Xiaozhe’s reputation as a reasonable man, no actor would dare antagonize him willfully.

They were thankful, relieved that Yu Xiaozhe wasn’t unreasonable.

Although Yang Xiaotu’s character had few scenes, his role was significant; his brother Yang Shu’s transformation in the series was primarily because of him.

It’s fortunate Yu Xiaozhe made his stance clear now, putting everyone at ease.

Yet, a small group associated with He Mingsheng scoffed at Yu Xiaozhe’s words.

This group was led by the assistant director who always clashed with Yu Xiaozhe—Qian Bo.

After Yu Xiaozhe finished speaking, Qian Bo chimed in, but what he said carried a peculiar undertone.

"Who would dare! Naturally, we’d prioritize those recommended by President Yu. After all, it’s known that he is practically President Yu’s other half, although I hear your partner isn’t particularly lucky?"

After finishing, a smug expression appeared on Qian Bo’s face, as if his plan was already secured.

The guiding service staff sneaked a glance at Qian Bo, puzzled.

Does this person really not know, or pretends not to know? Yu Xiaozhe had already openly clarified during a live broadcast; how could he act so ignorant?

Could it be that such a prominent assistant director lives in a 2G world?

Of course, Qian Bo knew, but if he didn’t exploit this issue, how would he give Li Li and them a head start?

Li Li had said the small star recommended by Yu Xiaozhe, surnamed Ruan, apart from his face being commendable, had average acting skills and particularly bad luck.

The aging Director Wang somewhat believed in such mystical things, making that small star unsuitable.

Now, Qian Bo was using the morning’s gossip to further tarnish the small star’s impression on Director Wang.

When choosing actors, old Wang Zicheng would surely be cautious because of these issues.

However, he didn’t quite understand the relationship between Wang Zicheng and Yu Xiaozhe.

Yu Xiaozhe remained impassive at Qian Bo’s words, instead focusing on taking off and tidily folding Ruan Xiaoqi’s coat.

After all, if a dog bites you, you don’t bite the dog back, do you?

Qian Bo had never been popular, so nobody else intended to weigh in.

It was still Director Wang who noticed Qian Bo’s darkened face from embarrassment due to neglect, and spoke to ease the tension:

"Alright, alright, the time is almost up, let’s get ready to start, let’s all go outside."

Once Director Wang’s words fell, everyone started moving.

Soon, the dozen people in the private room were in the hall, seated in chairs prepared for them.

"How is it? How are those two actors preparing for the audition?"

After sitting down, Director Wang asked the assistant standing behind him.

On either side of Director Wang sat Yu Xiaozhe and Qian Bo.

Hearing Director Wang’s inquiry, the assistant glanced at Qian Bo before leaning in to whisper an update.

"Bang!"

Director Wang slammed the table in front of him, followed by a shout filled with anger:

"What did you say? Is He Mingsheng overreaching?! He treats my crew like his backyard?! Sending whoever he wants? What kind of conduct is this!"

Others exchanged glances.

Due to the issue with Zeng Xu and Mingsheng Entertainment’s recent scandal, members of their crew held some disdain for Mingsheng.

If not for them, production wouldn’t have been halted for so many days, necessitating a casting redo.

"What happened now?"

"What trick is Mingsheng up to again?"

"Ah, really getting fed up with them..."

Although these voices were small, they echoed in the spacious setting.

Even Director Wang’s shout had reverberated.

The assistant whispered something else to Director Wang, who laughed angrily.

"Fine, I want to see what skills He Mingsheng’s recommendations really have!"

"Where’s the list? Let them from Mingsheng go first!"

Everyone present could see, Director Wang was truly stirred.

Normally, such auditions wouldn’t require Director Wang’s direct oversight.

Yet previously, the casting director secretly accepted bribes, replacing an actor to favor Zeng Xu.

These actions made Director Wang worried.

Director Wang knew his crew’s situation well.

Not to mention Yu Xiaozhe, but even Qian Bo and his group were dispatched from Huasheng.

They didn’t have great skills, yet always sought involvement.

And those truly capable always focused only on acting, unless it concerned themselves or the storyline, never interfering with the crew’s management.

This person was Yu Xiaozhe.

Why, despite having a great relationship with Yu Xiaozhe, did Director Wang not choose him for investing in his script?

Naturally, to consider Yu Xiaozhe’s position.

Director Wang wasn’t afraid of other people’s opinions, but if it’s because of him others bear the stigma of favoritism, that was unacceptable.

Even if Yu Xiaozhe himself didn’t mind, Wang Zicheng wouldn’t do such a thing.

Thus, they first chose the investment from Mingsheng Entertainment.