Chapter 126: Kindness
Despair befell Li Jing’s face.
The entertainment industry was big, yet at the same time, it was not hard to know it’s various players.
Networking was like a net, spreading out in all directions.
Although Chen Feng was only a small-time director, he was still a director. Naturally, he had his own strings to pull. If he put in a word with Li Tai, then Li Jing would certainly be doomed.
Li Jing knew that he had little influence. Between him and Chen Feng, their words would surely be measured differently.
“Yang Yue, do you have to be so ruthless?” Li Jing looked at Yang Yue in disbelief. He knew this woman was a heartless one, but he did not expect her to be that heartless.
“Just get lost!” Yang Yue waved her hand as though she was sweeping away a fly. “You’ll always be trash. Only then can I prove that I made the right choice!”
Li Jing pouted and ignored her, then entered the audition room.
Chen Feng’s brows frowned slightly and moved his fat body forward, getting in Li Jing’s way. “Can’t you hear what she said? Get lost!”
Li Jing gripped his fists tightly. His face turned cold, staring at Chen Feng with a knife-like gaze. “This is not your territory. What right do you have to lord me around?”
A sense of fear washed over Chen Feng, causing him to unwittingly move aside.
Li Jing’s Kungfu was the real deal. Chen Feng dared not face him head-on.
Seeing Li Jing entering the room, Chen Feng and Yang Yue’s expression turned cold, they then muttered, “Come on, let’s go have a look!”
At that time, Li Tai was sitting on the main interviewer’s desk, wearing a serious expression as he looked at the audition candidates.
Finally, it was Li Jing’s turn to take the stage.
“What role would you like to audition for?” Li Tai asked.
Li Jing calmed himself, then took a look around. Failing to see Ye Lingchen’s figure, a sense of dread gripped his heart.
However, thinking back on Ye Lingchen’s words to him the previous night, he steeled his heart. He announced clearly, “I want the role of Huo Yuanjia!”
Hush!
Immediately, everyone was looking at Li Jing in shock.
Most of the time, the important characters were already set behind the stage. The audition was just to recruit some supporting characters.
To think that Li Jing would announce his intention to audition for the role of Huo Yuanjia, that was just crazy.
“Pfft!”
Yang Yue, who was watching from the side, lost control and broke out into laughter. She looked at Li Jing as though she was looking at an idiot.
“Have you gone mad from the devastation? By what right are you here to audition for the main character? Popularity? Appearance? Or your status?” Yang Yue gave Li Jing a scornful stare. “You have nothing! Are you crazy?!”
“I have my Kungfu!” Li Jing growled through gritted teeth.
“Hahaha, what an idiot.” Chen Feng laughed out loud. He walked over to Li Tai, then threw a contemptuous look at Li Jing. “Director Li, that guy’s Li Jing. He refused a fighting scene with Wu Han and turned into this trash you see.”
“He’s Li Jing?” Li Tai gave Li Jing a weird look.
Li Tai was a new director that rose in fame recently, hence he was not familiar with Li Jing and was unable to identify him.
“Yes. He is Li Jing!” Chen Feng thought that Li Tai, like himself, was looking down on Li Jing then added, “He is now the trash of the entertainment industry. Nobody dares to work with him. To think that he would have the gall to audition for the role of Huo Yuanjia’s main character! What a joke! You should send him off and save us from this sorry sight.”
“So he’s Li Jing. He’s been persecuted for four to five years by now right?”
“Last I saw him, he was collecting trash in Hengdian Studios. What a pity.”
“Sigh, such a waste. Why did he have to piss off Wu Han?”
“I heard that even if someone ever hired him as a stuntman, it would be those difficult and demeaning scenes!”
...
In an instant, murmuring voices spread around. Each of them looked at Li Jing with a gaze that celebrated his sufferings.
The entertainment industry was as such, devoid of humanity, cruel and despicable.
Li Jing was already used to such a situation. His face turned ashen, gaze lowered, ready to accept the rejection.
As Yang Yue glanced at the dejected Li Jing, the look of delight on her face was increasingly vibrant.
“Very well, you pass.”
The sudden voice caused the entire room to fall into a deathly silence. Everyone turned their eyes towards Li Tai.
Li Jing’s body stiffened up, as though struck by lightning. He felt paralyzed on the spot from the shock.
The smile of Chen Feng’s face seized. He then looked dumbfoundedly at Li Tai, “D-d-d... Director Li, what did you just say?”
“Huo Yuanjia’s lead actor will be Li Jing!” Li Tai said in a calm, relaxed voice.
This...
Upon confirmation, everyone was stunned. They could not fathom why would Li Tai hire Li Jing.
“Director Li, perhaps I did not make myself clear. This Li Jing had crossed Wu Han!” Chen Feng explained awkwardly.
“Don’t you doubt my decision,” Li Tai gave a firm reply, then continued as he stared at Chen Feng. “You came looking for me to ask for a role in the movie right?”
“That’s right.” Chen Feng gave a patronizing smile. “This woman beside me is Yang Yue. She’s interested in the role of the blind lady Yue Ci. Could you give that some consideration?”
The reason they came to the audition room earlier was to have a word with Li Tai.
“No need for considerations. You can leave.” Li Tai answered resolutely while shaking his head.
“Director Li, what’s the meaning of this? We’re all in the entertainment industry together. Why not give me some face?” Chen Feng scowled.
“Huo Yuanjia’s actors are set. We are no longer recruiting.” Li Tai answered coldly.
“Li Tai, you’re pushing this too far!” Chen Feng seethed with rage. “Your movie is just to compete with Shi Lei. With such hasty preparations and the lack of big-name celebrities, what are you trying to flaunt here? For me to bring someone over is giving you face! Do you want me to head over to I am Hero’s crew instead?”
“By all means!” Li Tai replied nonchalantly.
“Very well! Just you wait!” Chen Feng took a deep breath. “I am Hero is the movie with the best prospects. I will put in the extra effort. I want your movie to fail miserably!”
Yang Yue too had an icy expression. She looked condescendingly at Li Jing. “Li Jing, you sure are capable. To think that you can ally yourself with Li Tai. However, this is all temporary. When compared with I am Hero, Huo Yuanjia is the trashiest of trash. Your reputation will surely be ruined with it!”
Having said their piece, both of them went out together.
“Director Li, you...” Li Jing finally recovered from his daze. He looked at Li Tai dubiously, as though it was all just a dream.
“That’s enough. Say no more. Since someone recommended you to me with his guarantee, you just do your best. Don’t let us down.” Li Tai said with a chuckle.
Li Jing’s lips trembled and his eyes watered. Though he had all the words in his mind, he only managed to let out a “Yes.” nodding heavily.
He knew who Li Tai was referring to. To have Li Tai antagonize himself with others for him, that person must have also paid quite a price!
He gripped his fists tightly. He will never forget this kindness!