Chapter One: Unfulfilled Ambition

  "An eye-opener! I've been in this industry for so long, but it's the first time a director has recommended a newcomer to join the crew." Li Hongtao was a bit taken aback.

  "I think it's absolutely no problem, what's the big deal about being a newcomer or an old-timer?" Wang Yuetian added, "At least with my performance just now, I'd say I've left many others in the dust. In fact, I dare say that I've even surpassed some of the past winners of certain film awards!"

  They all say so, and other newcomers are even more like they have seen an atomic bomb explode with their own eyes.

  This kind of thing didn't happen to them, but it happened to a newcomer! It really happened right in front of them! The most miserable newcomer period saw such a scene, just like seeing the dawn.

  There are countless people who are jealous and envious in their hearts. There are also countless people who have set their sights on Lin Xiao. And all the newcomers have an additional wish: they must reach this step!

  The idol effect, under Chen Jialin's unconscious catalysis, took shape. He didn't notice at all, looking at the quiet newcomers, furrowing his brow "Have you all seen it? Go back and think about how to perform well, go out first."

  Newcomers left like the ebbing tide, and the assistant hurriedly reminded "Director Chen, Li Hongtao, Wang Yetian, they have already had their next show."

  "Are you the director or am I?" Chen Jialin glared at him, dissatisfied. "Can't you see that I haven't finished speaking? Why are you in such a hurry when no one else is asking you to rush? Bring over the tea and let them wait a bit longer."

  The assistant left with a nod, and Chen Jialin turned around, her face once again filled with He Xi's smile.

  "He slowly opened his mouth, 'This film is called Blood-colored Romance. The adaptation is now just beginning, I've read a small part of it and it's perfect. However, this kind of adaptation takes time, maybe even several years. But I have a premonition that when this film is made, it will definitely be popular.'"

  "Boom!" As soon as the words fell, a loud noise suddenly sounded in Lin Xiao's mind. Immediately after, a line of purple small characters appeared on his retina: "Task chain started: Blood-colored Romance, A+ level task, System evaluation: Classic work, Road to superstar. Due to the uncertain shooting time, it cannot be accepted for now."

  Lin Xiao wasn't surprised at all. If we list the sensational TV dramas in China from 2000 to 2013, also known as "phenomenal TV dramas", there are only a few of them.

  And "Blood Romance" is one of them. Liu Ye also rose to fame with this play, reaching a new peak in his career!

  However, the system did not provide an option to accept the task at this time. He was actually envious of the system's reward.

  "If you're interested, I can recommend you to Du Liang, he's currently free and is also in charge of checking people out..."

  Chen Jialin hadn't finished speaking when a loud and clear voice suddenly interrupted him, "Don't rush to agree!"

  "This voice, everyone is familiar with it. Chen Jialin turned his head to look in the direction of the locker room, smiling and saying "Old Gao, why don't you agree? Am I not giving him a great opportunity? Hey, this is my first time giving a newcomer such an opportunity since I entered the industry."

  Gao Lan Chun had changed into a slightly thicker set of clothes and came out carrying a cup of tea. He looked very pleased with himself, chuckled and said: "The opportunity isn't bad, but I also have an opportunity here that I've been wanting to send out for a long time, but haven't been able to. Originally, I was thinking of taking advantage of the situation to get rid of some personal feelings towards Li Ruijin. However... haha, everyone knows that old Gao is someone who likes talented people."

  He came before Lin Xiao, looked him up and down with satisfaction "Tsk tsk, seeing you now I realize that the talent I thought I had, doesn't even live up to the word 'talent'. You were given an opportunity and you actually grasped it."

  It turns out that Gao Lan Chun just let himself think more about it earlier, Lin Xiao thought secretly.

  "Haha, Lao Gao, don't pretend to be innocent." Chen Jialin also became curious and jokingly said "Today is really a coincidence, the director's and actor's identities seem to have swapped. Tell me, Lao Gao, what opportunity do you have on your side?"

  Gao Lan Chun said: "You know, I and Lao Sun they are quite compatible, nothing to play mahjong..."

  "Sun Haiying and Lü Liping are a couple?" Chen Jialin smiled "Are they in a new play?"

  "There is, just in time for a role that hasn't been found. The name, everyone present are old men, I won't hide it from you, it's called Passionate Years of Burning."

  As soon as Gao Lan's words fell, Lin Xiao's mind was once again shaken by a loud noise, and another line of purple characters appeared on his retina. "Branch mission: Receive the passionate years of burning passion, level: A+, system evaluation: Classic work of the decade, recommended to receive. Reward: Acting skills +55, all values increase by 10."

  What a generous reward! Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat, but the reason for his excitement wasn't the reward itself - these numbers would eventually grow anyway. The real reason he was moved was because of this name!

  Another classic play within a decade! Although the production cost is not high, this film can open up another market! The middle-aged film and television market!

  In this era, the post-80s generation had not yet grown up, and most of them were still in college or about to graduate. The main force of viewing and evaluating was still on their parents' side. This play, which evoked nostalgia among the older generation, achieved brilliance at the tail end of the post-80s "taking power".

  However, he hesitated and knew what he wanted. The filming of this movie took a long time, if he didn't remember wrong, the play should have started in 01, and if he accepted it, he would likely miss another classic opportunity that had been ten years in the making.

  Conquest! The play he most wants to perform now! A play that challenges his acting skills to the limit!

  Two plays, with almost the same schedule, in the first one, Sun Haiying and his wife established the image of "Shi Guangrong" for many years, while in the second one, Sun Honglei established the ruthless and cunning image of "Liu Huaqiang".

  Choosing two plays is equivalent to choosing two markets, one for middle-aged people and the other for young people. What's giving him a headache is that Gao Lan Chun's recommendation will undoubtedly be useful, but if he recommends himself to director Gao Jun, will the other party take him seriously?

  "Please confirm whether to accept?" The system prompts again.

  "No!" He steeled himself and finally declined. Next year, one great play after another, in his impression, "Conquest", "Li Wei Becomes an Official", "Black Hole", "Big Shot", which one wasn't a great play? Declining this one, although the reward was very tempting, but he believed that the market he chose was correct.

  "How about it, Kobayashi? Have you given it some thought?" asked Takashima.

  "There's nothing to consider. Lao Gao, this arrogant guy, recommended a play that's definitely not bad. What new people lack is opportunity, right? If I were you, I'd immediately agree!" Yao Chang'an said.

  "Lao Gao, what about this one? Are you afraid that my play will conflict with his schedule, so you say wait and see? Actually, I think that revising the script won't take less than a year or two. This one isn't short either, adding and cutting, who knows when it'll be done?"

  "Aren't you being overly cautious? I haven't had a chance to show off my skills in a long time, so just indulge me this once, Old Chen." Gao Lan Chun teased.

  Li Hongtao and Wang Yetian were stunned, what's going on? The director turned into a salesperson?! How is it that a newcomer is so popular now?!

  Just as they were chatting and laughing, Lin Xiao finally spoke up: "Director Chen, Teacher Gao, I've thought it through."

  "Oh?" "Tell me, which one?"

  "I'd like to see a bloody romance." He said sincerely "I've heard that Teacher Sun is very strict, I'm afraid..."

  "You might as well say he's old-fashioned." Gao Lan Chun smiled and said, "Actually, he's a good person, willing to guide new people, especially those with potential, but..."

  "But indeed it's a bit old-fashioned." Yao Chang'an continued, laughing loudly.

  Lin Xiao also smiled, he naturally knew that Sun Haiying and his wife were notoriously conservative. Years later, a remark by the other party - "Homosexuality is a crime, they should be burned to death" - sparked a huge online backlash.

  "Kobayashi, you'd better think carefully. Since 'Blood Romance' is Director Chen's recommendation, the script must be good. But as you've also heard, being a screenwriter is a long-term thing. Even if they're looking for talent, how will you spend your time in the meantime? There are many variables." Gao Lan Chun said with concern, today's rehearsal had really made him cherish his talent.

  "Thank you, Teacher Gao, for your concern. However, I've read the original novel of Blood Romance and found it quite interesting. Zhong Yue Min has always been a character I liked. I think... maybe I can try to challenge the main character?" Lin Xiao replied sincerely.

  "Good kid! Not a small ambition!" Xue Zhongrui took a deep breath "Just starting out and already wants to be the main character, quite ambitious indeed."

  "Alright, since you insist, I'll grant it." Gao Lan Chun smiled wryly "But don't regret it later, the opera I recommended is one of a kind, and there won't be another like it after this village."

  "Hey, Old Gao, everyone has chosen, you can stop now." Chen Jialin smiled and said "Alright, alright, let's stop here for today. Li Hongtao and Little Wang are probably waiting anxiously, we still have another scene to shoot."

  After hearing this sentence, everyone dispersed tactfully. However, Lin Xiao had just walked out of the scene when he was immediately blocked by someone.

  "Brother Xiao! You're finally out?" "We've been waiting for you for a long time!"

  Several new actors immediately came up with a smile, about five or six people.

  "Excuse me, who are you? I was busy with something just now."

  "Haha, we're all newcomers! Normally when I see those old-timers, they're so arrogant! Do you know Wang Lin who played Qi Gongzi? And a few others. They don't take us seriously, but after seeing your footage today, guess what?! One by one, their faces turned deathly pale! It was exhilarating to watch!"

  "Really! Ah! Xiao Ge, how did you manage to do it?! That's Gao Laoshi (Teacher Gao)!! I've always thought he wasn't worse than Chen Daoming! It's just that his luck was a bit bad!"

  "You can actually make a move under Teacher Gao's hands and still be so brilliant! Really... too awesome!"

  Lin Xiao laughed and said "It's just good luck, really, I don't even know how I got into character."

  "Xiao Ge, don't be modest, we just want you to give us some pointers on how to act." "Yes, my scenes, I've been stuck so many times, one scene was stuck five times! Five times! I'm about to collapse!"

  Lin Xiao was stunned for a moment "This topic... I'm afraid it won't be finished in a short while?"

  Several newcomers exchanged a glance and burst out laughing "Right! We can't finish talking about it. Let's eat and chat at the same time!"

  "Alright, I've got the bill for Xiao Ge!"

  "What's there to say? I proposed it, so I'll pay for it!"

  Lin Xiao bitterly smiled "I didn't mean it like that..."

  "It's okay, you didn't mean it, but this meal is on us!"