Chapter 22: The Heroine?

Unlike the "scratch-team" production of *Better Days*, Lu Yang had his own established crew from *My Spectacular Theatre* for the filming of *Brotherhood of Blades*.

However, since this film required the backing of Zhang Qianjun, the two parties coordinated to appoint Han Qiming as director of photography and Li Kai as executive producer and head of the second lighting unit. Initially, they considered Liu Chang, but as a director with a box office hit exceeding 100 million, he now carried an "idol burden" and could not bring himself to serve as Lu Yang's deputy, so that idea was dropped.

Regarding the cast, Jin Shijie was retained as Wei Zhongxian, and Nie Yuan was invited to play Zhao Jingzhong. As for Ding Xiu, Zhou Yiwei was naturally the obvious choice; he was part of the original *My Spectacular Theatre* team, and the "Money-Loving Hermit" had become the most iconic role of the film—using him was non-negotiable. For the eldest brother, Lu Jianxing, an invitation was sent to Wang Qianyuan; his acting was superb, and he was affordable—his price hike would only come years later.

But when it came to choosing the third brother, Jin Yichuan, a clear disagreement arose between the two. Lu Yang wanted to cast his classmate from the performance department, Li Dongxue, noting that Li had appeared in *Empresses in the Palace*, which was set to air on major networks by the end of the year and would surely be a hit, thereby providing a promotional boost to the film.

Zhang Qianjun’s reason for refusal was straightforward: Li Dongxue was born in 1982, ten years older than him, making him unsuitable to play his younger brother. Zhang explicitly requested an actor born after 1985 who looked young, and he recommended his fellow alumnus, Zhu Yilong.

This time, it was Lu Yang’s turn to refuse. While Zhu Yilong’s age, image, and acting skills were perfect, he had just worked with Zhang Qianjun on a film. If Zhang’s next project also featured Zhu in a supporting role, the back-to-back collaboration would feel repetitive and distracting for the audience.

Zhang Qianjun agreed and excluded actors from his previous project from the candidate list for *Brotherhood of Blades*.

After successively ruling out Dr. Zhai and Li Xian, Lu Yang proposed Chen Xiao, a student of his father’s at the Central Academy of Drama, pointing out that he looked handsome and youthful in period costumes. Zhang Qianjun recalled Chen’s period appearance, decided it was indeed solid, and gave his consent.

With the male roles settled, they moved on to the female roles.

The lead actress, Zhou Miaotong, was still undecided. Lu Yang said he would try to secure "Liu Tianxian" (Liu Yifei) and bring in someone from China Film Group to assist. If that failed, they would canvas the "Three Beauties of Chinese Paladin."

For the second female lead, Wei Ting, Lu Yang recommended Reiza, an actress from *My Spectacular Theatre*. At this point, Zhang Qianjun had a concern.

"Doesn't Reiza look a bit... not like a Han Chinese?"

Lu Yang hesitated slightly but insisted that with proper makeup, it shouldn't be an issue, adding that she was a fine actress.

Zhang Qianjun narrowed his eyes and asked a question that made Lu Yang jump.

"Are you two having an affair?"

Lu Yang hurriedly denied it. "Damn, don't talk nonsense! That’s not it at all. If my wife hears that, how am I supposed to live?"

"Senior, you're married?"

"Yes, the screenwriter for the film, Chen, is my wife."

"I see. Alright then, let’s go with Reiza. She’s a bit short, though—have her wear high-heeled boots."

As for the "very moist" girl, Zhang Yan, Lu Yang didn't even mention her; there were so few shots that they could just find someone young and pretty later.

Just then, Lu Yang's phone rang. After a brief conversation, he hung up.

"It was Cai Yinong from Tangren. She wants to bring Liu Shishi over for a visit."

*Hmm, the 'Little Liu Tianxian' is coming?* Zhang Qianjun wondered, *Could she end up being the choice after all?*

That afternoon, Zhang Qianjun and Lu Yang met the business-minded Cai Yinong and her "Little Liu Tianxian."

"Director Lu, Mr. Zhang, please excuse our intrusion. Shishi and I happen to be in Beijing, and hearing that your production was looking for a lead actress, we asked a mutual acquaintance to introduce us."

Zhang Qianjun sized up the two. Cai Yinong was irrelevant to the discussion. As for the "Blind Sister" (Liu Shishi), he gasped inwardly. *Why does she look less attractive than Ren Ruyi in 'A Journey to Love'? Could modern beauty filters really be powerful enough to defy time?*

Lu Yang remained silent because, in his view, the female lead was just a tool; they just needed a famous young star to bring in popularity. Whether it was "Little Liu Shishi," "Little Liu Tianxian," or "Da Mimi," it didn't matter to him as long as the price was right. Seeking Liu Yifei was merely because she had a track record in film.

Seeing Lu Yang remain silent, Zhang Qianjun had to speak.

"Hello, Ms. Cai. Hello, Ms. Liu Shishi."

When this address was made, Liu Shishi burst into laughter. Seeing Zhang looking at her, she quickly apologized.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't laughing at you. It's just that it's the first time someone has called me that. Why don't you just call me Shishi?"

Cai Yinong also hurriedly smoothed things over. "Exactly, no need to be so formal. We call her Shishi all the time. And don't call me Ms. Cai; I’m a few years older than you, so if you don't mind, just call me Sister K."

"That works. You guys can just call me Qianjun."

Afterward, Zhang Qianjun looked at Liu Shishi. "Shishi, have you played similar roles before?"

Liu Shishi pondered for a moment. "I haven't played a courtesan from the Jiaofangsi, but I've done many period roles. As for Ming Dynasty dramas, *The Vigilantes in Masks*, released last year, was set in the Ming underworld, and the lead character was a former Jinyiwei."

Cai Yinong added from the side, "Shishi looks great in period costumes. Qianjun, take a look." She produced a portfolio filled with Liu Shishi’s previous period looks. They were indeed quite good.

*Could this be the convergence of timelines? After all this, is the lead role still destined for her?* Zhang Qianjun was puzzled, mainly because he also felt this sister with the "bad eyesight" was unexpectedly suitable.

The only shortcoming was her fame, but Zhang knew that once *Scarlet Heart* aired, that would no longer be an issue. Using her now was truly the perfect timing.

Still, he had to consider it. After Lu Yang chatted with them a bit more and promised to give an answer after deliberation, they politely parted ways.

After seeing them off, Lu Yang asked, "What do you think?"

Zhang Qianjun thought for a moment. "My personal opinion is that she’s usable, but not the best choice."

"Yeah, same here."

Zhang Qianjun wondered, "Did no one else contact us besides her? That shouldn't be right."

Just as he said this, his phone rang. He picked it up to see an unknown number.

"Hello, who is this?"

A very strange voice came from the phone—sharp, thin, bright, yet slightly husky. The entire tone was pitched upward with a heavy nasal quality. It gave Zhang Qianjun an indescribable sense of discomfort—in his hometown dialect, it wasn't a "pleasant sound."

"Yes, who is this?" Zhang Qianjun asked, raising his volume with a hint of impatience.

"Junior, hello, I'm Yang Mi from the 05 performance class..."

After hanging up, Zhang Qianjun sat there in silence. Just as Lu Yang was wondering whether to ask or not, Zhang spoke up.

"A 'schedule-juggling queen' has arrived."

***

On the other side, after leaving Solar System Film and Television, Cai Yinong and Liu Shishi were discussing the meeting. "Shishi, you shouldn't have laughed just now," Cai said with a hint of resentment.

Liu Shishi didn't react immediately. "I shouldn't have laughed? Sister K, what do you mean?"

"When Zhang Qianjun called you 'Ms.'"

Liu Shishi looked puzzled. "I just thought that form of address was rare, so I laughed. That's not a big deal, is it?"

Cai Yinong didn't answer. After a moment, she looked at Liu Shishi again.

"Who do you think has the final say on the female lead?"

"It should be Director Lu, right?"

Cai Yinong looked up and rubbed her forehead. "Shishi, sometimes I really don't know if you're truly naive or just playing dumb. Did falling in love make your brain go mushy? Didn't you see that until Zhang Qianjun spoke, Director Lu didn't even make a sound?"

Now it was Liu Shishi's turn to be surprised. "It can't be that serious, right? Didn't this guy just finish his freshman year?"

"What were you doing when you were nineteen?"

"Filming *The Young Warriors* or *Strange Tales of Liaozhai*, I don't remember clearly."

"You weren't the lead back then. But the 19-year-old Zhang Qianjun self-funded, wrote, and starred in *Better Days*, and as the top-billed lead, it grossed 140 million. Do you know how much Zhang Qianjun made from this one film, including his share of the copyright? Shishi, you've been in the industry for so long, take a guess."

"I really don't know, but I'd guess seven or eight million?"

"Forty million to start—pure profit."

Liu Shishi’s eyes widened instantly, as if something incredible had happened.

"At least forty million," Cai Yinong said firmly. "I've asked around about him. Even though he’s been in the industry for a short time, the rumors are that he has the final say on set. In *Scarlet Heart*, your 'Brother Long' is also an investor—does he get to call the shots on set?"

Liu Shishi grabbed Cai Yinong’s arm. "Sister K, don't be like this. Didn't we agree you wouldn't interfere in my decisions?"

"Then find someone comparable! You're obsessed with someone as old as your mother."

"Sister K, Brother Monkey is younger than my mother~ Forget it. So, according to you, my chance at this film is blown?"

"That’s not necessarily true."

***

The following night, as agreed, Zhang Qianjun arrived at a high-end cafe, parked, and went upstairs.

Escorted by a waiter into a private room, Zhang found it empty and felt dissatisfied. *Mad, making an appointment and arriving late—how unreliable.*

After waiting about 15 minutes, two long-haired women entered one after the other, both wearing masks, making it impossible to tell who was who.

The one in the back took off her mask and said with a smile, "Junior, I'm so sorry, there was a traffic jam on the way. My apologies."

Zhang Qianjun sized her up. She was very pretty, though "stunning" might be an overstatement—the makeup and styling of this era couldn't compare to later years. *By the way, when does Jin Helong debut? Bringing this person under my wing would be better than signing any star.*

"It's fine, I only just arrived."

Da Mimi took off her sunglasses and said to Zhang with a smile, "Junior, I've wanted to meet and chat with you for a long time, but work has been really busy. This meeting was very rushed, please don't mind."

Zhang Qianjun chuckled. "The purpose of a meeting is the person, not what we eat. I can guess why you asked to meet me, Sister Mi, but the lead actress isn't something I can decide on my own. It depends on the director and that producer from China Film Group."

Da Mimi, sitting opposite, didn't buy it. She said in her distinct, sweet, nasal tone, "Junior, even though this is our first time meeting, do you believe me? I understand you very well. There are many comments about you at the Beijing Film Academy, but no matter what the critique is, they all share one common point."

*Oh?* Zhang Qianjun became interested. "What common point?"

Da Mimi leaned forward, blinking her large eyes at Zhang, and said with a short, light tone:

"When Zhang Qianjun does something, he means it."