After much difficulty finishing the meal, they finally began to talk business.
The old gentleman opened the conversation first. "Little Song, the actual reason I asked you to come today is because I have something else in mind. But since you came to audition for Shuangcheng's movie, let's have Shuangcheng talk to you about that first."
Zhang Shuangcheng cut straight to the chase: "I watched your audition tape, Miss Song. It was very good. I went back and discussed it with the screenwriters, and we had a new idea."
"We were hoping Miss Song could play a male role..."
A male role?
Xu Kai unconsciously glanced at Song Jixing sitting next to him.
Whether in terms of height or looks or other essential criteria, his client was certainly qualified to play a male role. The only potential problem was that there were many physically demanding fight scenes for the male role, so the chance of injury would be greater.
"What role?" Song Jixing asked.
Song Jixing had only seen the script they released for the fourth female lead.
"The villainous second male lead, a young man around the same age as the protagonist," explained Zhang Shuangcheng.
According to Zhang Shuangcheng, this second male lead was around the same age and martial arts skill level as the protagonist. Unlike the grassroots protagonist, the villainous second male lead was born with a silver spoon, surrounded by servants and acting wantonly every day.
However, Zhang Shuangcheng was uncertain whether Song Jixing would be able to portray the arrogance of a young master. After all, she was a young girl, so it would be quite challenging for her.
"I can try it, Director," said Song Jixing.
As long as it was a villainous role, she didn't have any particular preferences. This time she had luckily landed the second male lead, which was hitting the jackpot.
As for the arrogant second male lead the director mentioned, Song Jixing had her own understanding based on the cultivators she had encountered in the cultivation world. Their temperaments varied greatly and couldn't be simply described as profligate.
Song Jixing chose one she remembered clearly and immediately demonstrated the etiquette of a young master sitting down and a young master pouring tea.
The noble aura in her every move and expression was self-evident. More importantly was the unconsciously revealed charm in her eyes and brows.
Zhang Shuangcheng looked at Song Jixing's height and immediately confirmed her casting as the second male lead on the spot!
In the entertainment industry, it was not uncommon for actresses to play male roles. There had even been two actresses who played a husband and wife pair, carrying an entire drama as the female and male leads with their outstanding acting. That drama had become a classic.
In recent years such cases had become less common, mainly because the acting skills of the new generation were far inferior.
When Zhang Shuangcheng first heard that a young girl had an outstanding audition, he didn't have high hopes at the beginning. Finding a new actor with superb acting skills these days was like seeking gold in the sea foam.
However, after watching Song Jixing's audition tape, his thinking underwent an earth-shattering change.
"Alright, come in a few days to try on costumes and makeup for the role," Zhang Shuangcheng directly confirmed Song Jixing.
After Zhang Shuangcheng was done, it was the old man's turn.
The old man briefly introduced himself. "...I made movies years ago and directed several films, but now that I'm getting on in years, I'd like to shoot some documentaries."
The documentary the old man wanted to make was about the country's martial arts traditions, searching in modern stories for traces of what martial arts used to be. Thus, he needed an explorer to stand in front of the camera on the audience's behalf and investigate far and wide.
He did have an idea before, but after meeting Song Jixing, his thoughts were growing stronger and stronger.
So he wanted to invite Song Jixing to be the on-screen investigator in the documentary.
Song Jixing nodded. "I'm sorry, but I currently don't plan to travel for shoots. I mainly accept local jobs around Y City."
The old man listened with great bewilderment. "Is there some worry or difficulty? Please tell me if there's any trouble I could help resolve so we can discuss it!"
"...There isn't any. I just happen to like staying in Y City for now and don't plan on going elsewhere," Song Jixing declined with a smile.
Suddenly running into fellow cultivators was not a trivial issue that could be easily resolved!
None of them had encountered this kind of problem before.
The few men present looked at Song Jixing with various strange expressions.
"It has to be Y City?" the old man asked dejectedly.
Song Jixing smiled with a nod. "Yes, only Y City. Anytime you want to come find me to shoot something here, I'd be happy to welcome you."
The old man nodded. His disappointment was too obvious.
Sitting to the side, Xu Kai's mood was like being on a rollercoaster.
He had been guessing the old man's identity just now and even searched for him on his phone. After confirming it was him in person, Xu Kai's emotions rose and fell dramatically!
That old man was no ordinary director. Starring in his works, Song Jixing wouldn't have to worry about making a living for the rest of her life!
How could she decline his invitation just because she only wanted to stay in Y City?
Xu Kai was extremely anxious. If there weren't others present, he would have cried out directly. How could she turn down Director Zhang!
As soon as they stepped out of the restaurant, Xu Kai couldn't wait to open his mouth. "Do you know who that man was? You rejected him outright!"
"I don't know. Aren't you aware of my work principles?" Song Jixing asked back calmly.
Hearing this, Xu Kai instantly deflated like a pierced balloon. Of course he knew Song Jixing's work principles.
But missing out on Director Zhang's invitation was such a pity!
"Sister Song! That was Director Zhang! His films have tremendous influence around the world! If you became his leading lady, you..." Xu Kai choked up briefly before making a comparison he felt would appeal to Song Jixing.
"You could earn more money in a month than you have in the past few years! Don't you want to earn more?"
He had heard of top celebrities making over a million yuan a day. All the money Song Jixing had earned over the past few years added up probably didn't reach a million.
Of course Song Jixing was clearly aware of all this!
If there was money to be earned, why wouldn't she earn it? However, given the choice between earning money and being imprisoned, Song Jixing chose not to be imprisoned.
If she couldn't resolve suddenly running into fellow sect members, then she couldn't travel far for the time being.
That night when she left Qi Yun, Song Jixing asked if anyone else was around him. Qi Yun said that was the day for them to enter the treasure vault, so all miscellaneous people had been kept away.
The surrounding perimeter was patrolled by hundreds of handymen from the peak.
So the next time she had to put on a show, it certainly wouldn't only involve a handful of people.
"I've thought about it, but for now isn't the time to urgently chase money. We'll take it slowly, the money will come," Song Jixing said with a smile.
Xu Kai stood there with a grieving expression, unable to help sighing!
Song Jixing patted him comfortingly on the shoulder like someone who had been there. "Many things in the world can't be rushed! We have to take it step by step."
"I just feel like you're incompatible with money!"
At that moment, a motorcycle sped by at lightning speed. As it passed Xu Kai's car parked at the side of the road, it let out a muffled boom.
The car's right side mirror was knocked into the air, spinning a few times before landing in front of the car.
Xu Kai watched the whole process dumbfoundedly, an even more pained expression on his face than before.
"My new car!"
Song Jixing silently looked at the mirror that had been knocked flying, wondering if this could be considered making money in another way.
