Chapter 4: You're Overthinking It

Cao Yang’s ideal leading lady needed to possess allure while also evoking empathy from the audience. He wanted viewers to truly feel the heroine’s forced smiles, sorrow, loneliness, and carefree spirit, to ride the waves of her emotions as she did. Of course, this was the ideal scenario.

Naturally, the first person Cao Yang thought of was Gong Li. With her acting skills and her similar life experiences, she could definitely bring that immersive authenticity to the role. The second was Xun Ge’er. Her acting was excellent too, and with some polishing plus immersive experience, she had a good chance of achieving the desired effect. Moreover, since Xun Ge’er hadn’t yet risen to fame, the chances of getting her on board were quite high.

However, both of them lacked the very essence Cao Yang was after—seductive charm. Yes, charm. It was hard to describe with words, but it was that kind of feeling where a man glances once and wants to look again and again... A glance that sparked wild fantasies and an unbearable itch in the heart. A desire to protect her, cherish her, possess her.

The main reason Cao Yang wanted Gong Li for the lead was her fame and extensive connections—having her on board would significantly increase the film’s chances of winning awards, a huge advantage. If this film were made ten or eight years later, Cao Yang’s first choice would undoubtedly be Gao Yuanyuan, without hesitation.

Gao Yuanyuan, in her early thirties, exuded the seductive charm of a mature woman, perfectly fitting the heroine’s character. Thinking along those lines, if Gao Yuanyuan ten years hence could embody that, then Li Xiaoran—whose acting was comparable—might be a good choice at present.

If they could find a way to help Li Xiaoran empathize deeply and immerse herself in the role, then add immersive experience to that, the effect Cao Yang wanted might just emerge.

“Senior, have someone call Li Xiaoran. If she can clear six months of her schedule, the lead role is hers.”

...

Li Xiaoran was having dinner with Xu Huanhuan. They had met while filming "Like Rain, Like Mist, Like Wind," and through their mutual friend Chen Kun, they had become close friends. Xu Huanhuan and Chen Kun were classmates, both from the 1996 acting class at the Beijing Film Academy.

Chen Kun had been Li Xiaoran’s colleague and close friend at the Song and Dance Troupe. It was Chen Kun who recommended Li Xiaoran to Zhao Baogang for the role in "Like Rain, Like Mist, Like Wind." Zhao Baogang then signed Li Xiaoran to Xin Baoyuan, a company he co-founded with Hai Yan.

“Huanhuan, aren’t you going to ‘Love in the Sunshine’?” Xu Huanhuan asked.

"Love in the Sunshine" had extended an invitation, hoping to use the cast from "Like Rain, Like Mist, Like Wind," with Chen Kun as the male lead and Li Xiaoran as the female lead. This was Li Xiaoran’s first lead role in a TV drama, paired with a familiar co-star, clearly a valuable opportunity.

Li Xiaoran’s mind was troubled. She had also passed the audition for a film lead role, which required a six-month commitment. Due to scheduling conflicts, she had to choose between the two and was undecided.

The TV role had a familiar partner and posed less risk. The film was directed by a young student in his twenties, which seemed quite risky.

Zhang Jie, the agency manager, dismissed the film option without hesitation and advised her to take the TV role.

But as an actress, who didn’t dream of the big screen?

Xu Huanhuan chuckled lightly, “Schedule clash. I already signed a contract for another project that’s about to start filming.”

“Your company is great, one contract after another.”

Li Xiaoran felt a twinge of envy. She used to freelance, going from one crew to another for auditions—it was truly difficult.

“You just signed with Xin Baoyuan; why worry about no offers? Now you have a lead in a TV drama. I’m so jealous!” Xu Huanhuan teased, giving Li Xiaoran a playful nudge.

Li Xiaoran smiled, feeling a bit sentimental. That was how it was—no offers meant worries, but when offers came, worries persisted all the same.

“Huanhuan, I want to ask you something. Do you know Cao Yang? He’s from the 1998 directing class at Beijing Film Academy.”

“Oh, Xiaoran, quite charming, huh? A talented guy from BFA pursuing you? Spill it, how do you know him?”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. He’s making a film, and I went to audition. I just wanted to check with you to make sure it wasn’t a scam.”

“He’s making a film? Wow, that’s impressive for a junior.”

“What kind of person is he? Reliable?”

“He’s the youngest in the 1998 directing class. Despite his age, he topped the professional exam to get in—straight from high school. That caused quite a stir at the time,” Xu Huanhuan praised.

“That impressive!”

Li Xiaoran knew a bit about it. The directing department was the hardest to get into at BFA. Many students studied for years or took the exam after working, and very few fresh high school graduates got in due to the lack of professional knowledge.

To enter as the top candidate straight from high school was truly remarkable!

“Of course.”

Xu Huanhuan straightened up proudly, “By sophomore year, he casually shot a public service short film that was aired on CCTV. Pretty amazing.”

“He invited me to play his heroine. Should I accept?”

“Slap!”

Xu Huanhuan’s hand hit the table, startling Li Xiaoran.

“Go! You must go! I’m rooting for him. He’s handsome and talented, and even if his first film flops, having him on your side is a huge plus.”

She winked and reached out playfully into the air.

“Cut it out, you flirt. I’m being serious.”

Li Xiaoran laughed and swatted away her outstretched hand, then said, “My agent wants me to do the TV drama. She thinks it’s safer.”

Xu Huanhuan nodded, “If I were your agent, I’d want you to do the TV drama too. It’s the safest route.”

After a pause, Xu Huanhuan laughed again, “But honestly, I hope you do the film. If you turn it down, I might get the lead in the drama instead, haha...”

“Stop joking, give me some real advice.”

“Sis, it’s hard to advise you. Cao Yang may be a genius, but he hasn’t made a feature film yet or proven himself. Feature films are different from shorts, and the risk is high.”

She shrugged and continued, “If you don’t take the drama, I’ll probably benefit since they might offer me the lead. I wouldn’t say no.”

“If I tell you to do the film and it doesn’t go well, and I end up with the drama lead instead, will we still be friends? Just follow your own heart.”

“Alright, Huanhuan, I think I know what to do. I’ll recommend you too. You talk to Kun and get his opinion—double insurance.”

Li Xiaoran mimicked Xu Huanhuan’s earlier gesture, squinting as she reached into the air and then clenched her fist.

“Sis is now the film heroine. Next, per the director’s request, I’ll be living the luxurious life in a seaside villa rented on Ludong Island, all expenses paid. Sunshine, beach, big villa—you’ll be so jealous, haha...”