Han Fei spoke the truth; he had to go back to gaming in the evening, and managing to make time for the audition was already a favor to Director Zhang.
For other young actors, participating in Director Zhang’s productions, even as a supporting role, was a form of recognition and honor that greatly benefited their future in film and television.
They simply couldn’t understand Han Fei; to them, his remark seemed like deliberate mockery.
Overtly, without the slightest disguise, he implied they were all trash, not worthy to compete on the same stage as him.
Even a clay figure has some anger, let alone these young actors adored by their fans.
Handsome and charismatic, whether in their companies or at events, they were always in the spotlight, basking in the praise of others. When had they ever been subjected to such treatment?
Even if some had a not-so-good reputation, at most they would be scolded online - never had anyone dared to speak to them this way in real life.
The room instantly quieted down, no one stood up to rebut Han Fei face-to-face, but everyone was bristling with indignation.
Some buried their heads in the script, preparing to perform well later and diminish Han Fei’s prestige.
Others looked on with disdain, waiting to see Han Fei make a fool of himself.
Out of everyone, Wu Li felt a bit awkward and lowered his head; he had attended the celebration banquet for "Twin Flowers" with Director Qian Cheng and knew that the actor Director Zhang truly wanted was Han Fei.
The man had the talent and confidence to back up his words.
In fact, when he first heard Acheng boasting about voluntarily giving up the lead role in "Twin Flowers," he had already fallen silent, feeling a type of embarrassment that you might call second-hand.
But his emotional intelligence was high, so not only did he not point it out, but he also nodded in agreement with a smile.
Now seeing Han Fei prepare for the audition without even taking the script, Wu Li was even more certain of his guess.
The role was tailored for Han Fei, and most people in this room were merely making up the numbers.
He felt somewhat uncomfortable inside; he had been nominated for the Best Young Actor this year, but that was all it was—a nomination, without even the chance to make an appearance on stage, making him feel like a professional also-ran.
The door opened, and Han Fei walked out without giving the other actors another glance.
That demeanour and nonchalance made Wu Li faintly envious; it seemed that the other party didn’t care about circles and relationships and devoted himself entirely to acting.
"Wu Li, let’s line up in order? We’ll go up according to the order later; it might leave a good impression on Director Zhang."
Stepping out of the green room, the staff outside were somewhat surprised, "Teacher Han? Have you finished reading the script?"
"Hmm, let’s proceed with the audition."
Guided by the staff, Han Fei walked out from behind the scenes and came onto the stage of the theater.
In the vast auditorium, only five people sat in the front row.
Wearing glasses and of a lean build, Director Zhang sat right in the middle. He wasn’t much of a talker and gave off a very strict impression.
However, upon seeing Han Fei, a trace of a smile appeared on his face.
"This is the first time I’ve gotten a comprehensive understanding of an actor through legal news. You have a quality they lack, and I hope you can fully showcase that unique quality of yours."
Director Zhang is a veteran in the film and television industry, though he hasn’t had any works in recent years, no one can shake his status in the industry.
"You should have read the script by now, right? Our play is adapted from the story of a mystery novelist from ten years ago. He’s not a famous author, and few people are familiar with his story."
"Our team visited many people, and it took enormous effort to finally restore this character."
"His brain has now been bought by Eternal Life Pharmaceutical at a high price from his adopted son, and he is also the only patient on record who has killed all his split personalities."
"His story is obscure and difficult to understand, but once you delve deeply into it, you will find that those bizarre and eerie scenes all reflect reality."
"In ’Beast Alley’, he expresses all the evils in people’s hearts in the form of beasts, showing the public the world as he sees it."
"And in the sister piece to ’Beast Alley’, ’The Butcher’s Home’, he details how he killed his other eight personalities."
"This man is full of secrets, and even the pen name he has always used—Spider—seems to be related to a certain notorious criminal."
Director Zhang personally narrated his ideas to Han Fei, who listened attentively.
In the Deep World there is also a place called ’Beast Alley’. More coincidentally, if Han Fei wants to obtain the ’Midnight Butcher’ hidden profession, he must go to Beast Alley.
In Han Fei’s view, maybe the mystery novelist known as ’Spider’ has some connection with the Deep World.
Director Zhang was very satisfied with Han Fei’s attitude, feeling that Han Fei was not just listening, but racking his brains, thinking and fully immersing himself in the role.
"The role I need you to play is Spider’s main personality, also the biggest villain. You’ll gradually kill the other eight personas," Director Zhang valued Han Fei highly, saying a lot: "This show needs nine very talented actors. These nine actors have different ages and professions. I’ve already decided on eight of them, but I can’t find the right person for this main personality. I hope you’ll bring me a surprise."
After finishing, he gestured to a man beside him to step onto the stage: "The script I prepared especially for you doesn’t have too many restrictions. You can freely showcase and express yourself."
Nodding his head, Han Fei went over the script in his mind again.
Deep inside Beast Alley, there is a dilapidated building known as The Butcher’s Home.
Nine individuals are hidden inside the building, and the main personality played by Han Fei is to kill everyone inside the building.
In the script given to him by Director Zhang, someone has already been murdered inside the building.
At this moment, people are panicking, and anyone could become the next victim.
In such circumstances, one of the alternate personalities starts to suspect the main personality played by Han Fei.
As the main personality, Han Fei’s presence isn’t strong in the early phase; he is just a supporting character.
The protagonists of this play are two other alternate personalities of Spider—a male doctor with years of clinical experience and a female teacher who loves children and is full of compassion.
The doctor tries to cure the other personalities, while the teacher constantly comforts and encourages everyone.
To the audience, these two fit the mold of the film’s male and female leads, constantly tracking down the murderer. But in fact, they are the greatest obstacles to Spider returning to normal.
For Han Fei, this scene wasn’t difficult.
The reason is simple, he had once lived in such a building himself. He possessed experiences that not even a movie would dare to depict.
Anxiety, unrest, fear—all these emotions were being forcefully suppressed. When all light faded away, Han Fei seemed to return to the pitch-dark corridors of his past once more.