Chapter Forty-Eight: Character, Special Treatment?

Zhou Bo is a pivotal character in "Raging Waves Against the Underworld." It could be said that half the wrongdoing in Jinghai is tied to him. His storyline spans a wide period in the novel, tracing his transformation from a scrappy youth selling fish to a notorious crime lord ruling the city's underbelly.

What’s more, Zhou Bo’s arc is complex: he first appears as an honest, simple soul, gradually grows darker in the middle chapters, and by the end, becomes thoroughly deranged.

How could Lin Xing possibly portray such a character?

To Zuoming, it seemed likely that Feng Gang had simply heard him mention what a fascinating role Zhou Bo was over a meal and, with good intentions, tried to introduce the part to Lin Xing. One had the nerve to recommend, the other, the nerve to audition.

"In three days, add one more candidate to the Zhou Bo auditions. Xiao Ai, send Feng Gang the address and time later," Zuoming instructed his assistant.

For Feng Gang’s sake, Zuoming was willing to go along with this. He would just let Lin Xing audition for form’s sake.

But Feng Gang saw things differently. In his mind, Lin Xing had a real shot.

He called Lin Xing directly, "I’ve set it up with Zuoming. The audition should be in three days. I’ll let you know the exact time and place when he sends it to me."

"Thank you, Director Feng. You’re really going to a lot of trouble for me," Lin Xing replied with a smile.

"Come on, there’s no need for formality between us. But Xing, you should head into town and buy a copy of 'Jinghai Storm' to read the original novel. I haven’t read it myself, but Zuoming said the adaptation diverges a lot from the book. Still, no matter how much it changes, the core remains," Feng Gang advised. "Zuoming doesn’t care for popular idols, so whether you land the role will depend entirely on your performance."

"I understand. No matter what happens, I won’t forget this favor, Director Feng," Lin Xing responded.

Half an hour later, at the bookstore.

Lin Xing spent forty-five yuan on a copy of "Jinghai Storm." Though the "Eradicating Crime" trilogy is a series, each volume stands alone, so he only bought the first one.

Back at the hotel, Lin Xing started reading.

"Jinghai Storm" tells the story of a criminal syndicate entrenched in Jinghai City for fourteen years, how it grew unchecked and corrupted every department, and how one frontline officer, Yu Feng, remained steadfast in his quest to root out the darkness.

Yu Feng is the protagonist, but his fate is tragic: his mentor, who always protected him, is murdered and the killer is never found. Then, his comrades, his apprentice, even his beloved, are all killed. Fourteen years ago he became utterly alone.

The other thread follows Zhou Bo.

After graduating from middle school, Zhou Bo helped his father sell fish. But his father was beaten to death for refusing to pay protection money, and when Zhou Bo called the police, it was Yu Feng who took the case.

Ultimately, the racketeers were caught, and Zhou Bo continued selling fish on his own, but he was ostracized at every turn.

"Listen, Xiao Bo, Fifth Master says you’ll never sell fish in peace at this market," the same group of thugs jeered at Zhou Bo.

…

Lin Xing skimmed through the novel and grasped what the author intended with Zhou Bo. Jinghai was too dark—a place where the sun hadn’t risen in fifteen years. Good men were forced into evil, and once they tasted the thrill of wrongdoing, they transformed from victims to bullies, becoming even more ruthless than those who hurt them.

However, the novel offered little about Zhou Bo’s family or other aspects of his life. His villainy simply propelled the main plot. In short, he was a narrative device: his crimes provided the task force with clues and exposed weaknesses in Jinghai’s criminal network.

How the script would handle Zhou Bo remained to be seen.

The next day.

On the set of "Back to the Land, Celebrities!"

Thanks to Lin Xing, not only did the show finally have sponsors, but they were substantial ones at that. For sponsors, all that mattered was visibility. Before, "Back to the Land, Celebrities!" couldn’t get a single sponsor—after all, who would back a struggling variety show on the verge of cancellation?

It’s not like sponsors have money to burn.

But things had changed: now, everything on the show—food, drinks, even the chairs and accommodations—was sponsored.

As fans of the show put it, "Back to the Land" had finally made it.

During a break in filming, when everyone was tired and thirsty, they’d drink Black Bear.

"Xing, I’ve sent you the address. You can go straight there the day after tomorrow—no need to film that day. I’ll shoot the others first," Feng Gang told Lin Xing as he walked over.

"No, actually, let’s do this: film today, but take tomorrow off to prepare."

"Director Feng, I don’t need to prepare tomorrow. I skimmed 'Jinghai Storm' last night, and I’ll read it thoroughly tonight and tomorrow. Besides, the audition will be a scene from the script—I don’t even know which one yet, so there’s nothing specific to prepare," Lin Xing replied, shaking his head lightly.

"I’ll call Zuoming and ask about the audition—" Feng Gang began, but Lin Xing cut him off.

"Director Feng, please don’t. I’m already grateful for the audition opportunity. If I’m not good enough, that’s fine."

Lin Xing wasn’t being coy; he genuinely didn’t want to pull strings. Besides, reputation is earned, not handed out.

Given Zuoming’s dislike for popular idols, if Feng Gang actually requested the audition scene in advance, it might backfire.

"Alright," Feng Gang said after a moment, "then give it your best."

Two days later, Lin Xing quietly arrived in the capital and took a taxi to Zuoming’s studio.

In Beijing, most auditions took place in hotel meeting rooms—that was standard for bit parts and guest roles. Leads, supporting roles, or any part with significant screen time, especially those invited by the assistant director, were usually auditioned at the production company or the director’s own studio.

"Hello, Mr. Lin."

As soon as Lin Xing arrived and gave his name at the front desk, a staff member greeted him, "Please come with me."

"Thank you," Lin Xing nodded politely.

He was led to a lounge on the second floor.

"Please wait here. I’ll come get you when it’s your turn," the staff member said, pouring him a glass of water.

"Thank you."

Lin Xing didn’t ask further; he’d already seen a few other actors waiting to audition in another area.

"Is this special treatment?" he wondered.

Logically, he should be waiting with the other candidates.

…

…