My Landlord is an Idol Singer - Chapter 149

Liu Nian noticed Gu Zhinan’s serious expression and couldn’t help but ask, “Zhinan, what’s wrong?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing, nothing.” Gu Zhinan looked a little awkward as he glanced at the lively Yun Yinxue. “Um, Miss Yun—”

“Just call me Xiaoxue! Why do you look so familiar to me?”

Before Gu Zhinan could say anything else, Yun Yinxue suddenly leaned in, studying his face closely. Her sudden approach startled Gu Zhinan, and the sweet face so unexpectedly near made him instinctively shrink back into the sofa.

“Gu Zhinan! You’re that Straight Man!” Yun Yinxue suddenly shouted excitedly. She immediately circled the tea table, plopped down beside him on the sofa, and grabbed his arm, her face slightly flushed. “I’m a huge fan of Sword and Fairy!!!”

“…” Gu Zhinan awkwardly pulled his arm away, looking a little embarrassed. 

Unbelievable!!

“Xiaoxue! You’re a girl, stop pulling at people like that! It’s improper!” Liu Nian couldn’t help but scold. His niece was simply too energetic! What others called lively and spirited, he only saw as noisy.

“Right, right, let’s talk about the script! You’ll have plenty of chances to fangirl later!” Gu Zhinan hurried to smooth things over.

“Okay.” Yun Yinxue stuck out her tongue playfully, looking utterly adorable, then returned to sit beside Liu Nian. She peeked at Gu Zhinan with sparkling eyes and grinned.

“Nice to meet you, Director Gu! My name’s Yun Yinxue, I’m eighteen this year, and I’ve been acting since I was eight. I’ve starred in major films like Walker and Rescue Vanguard, and most recently in the TV drama Confession. I’m currently a pending-signature actress at Hengqiu Media Group!”

“Pending-signature?” Gu Zhinan was confused. He knew about Hengqiu Media, one of the top four companies, but what did pending-signature mean?

“It means she’s waiting for her official contract,” Lai Jingming explained.

Yun Yinxue was young but had already played solid roles in famous films. It wasn’t surprising Hengqiu had offered her a contract, plus, their headquarters was right here in the capital.

“It’s like this, Xiaoxue’s a dance major because her mother is a professional dance instructor. She had to wait until she turned eighteen this year before she could formally sign. Her parents aren’t very supportive of her acting career,” Liu Nian explained.

“But I love acting!” Yun Yinxue said brightly. “I think playing different personalities is so fulfilling!”

“So you’re studying at Beijing Film Academy now? And also a dance major on the side?”

“Aiya, Director Gu, just call me Xiaoxue!”

“…Then you can call me Gu Zhinan.”

“Hmm… I’ll call you Director Gu!”

Gu Zhinan sighed. Well, that was better than “Young Master Gu,” at least.

“I can’t afford to pay you a high fee. Our crew is really strapped, we only have a total budget of four million. So not only can we not offer you a big paycheck, but we also can’t provide luxurious conditions. All I can promise is that you’ll get a share of the box office revenue once the film is released.”

Gu Zhinan decided to be upfront. An actress of her level was way beyond the reach of their humble production. Even without having seen her films, just from what Lai Jingming said, he knew she wasn’t ordinary.

Lai Jingming sighed, it really was a shame, but there was no helping it. That was the reality of their struggling crew. “He’s right. We simply can’t afford you,” Lai Jingming added.

Yun Yinxue nodded sweetly and smiled, while Liu Nian shook his head, he clearly knew what his niece was about to say.

“When I first read the script Uncle gave me last night, I was curious. What kind of youth film could catch Uncle’s eye? But after I finished reading, I was hooked.” She looked at Gu Zhinan, eyes shining. “I didn’t know who wrote the script until now. It turns out it’s the author of my favorite novel! I love Sword and Fairy! So I don’t want any pay!”

Bang!

Lai Jingming slapped the table hard, breathing heavily as he stared at Yun Yinxue with burning eyes. “Really?!” 

His reaction startled everyone, even Liu Nian and Gu Zhinan. Gu Zhinan smacked the back of his head. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Lai Jingming clutched his head, looking aggrieved. “You don’t get it, if she plays the female lead, it’ll be perfect!”

Lai Jingming knew exactly how good Yun Yinxue’s acting was! “I don’t get it? Who’s the main director here, huh?”

“You are.”

“Then shut it.” Gu Zhinan scolded him while Yun Yinxue giggled softly. When Gu Zhinan glanced over, she quickly sat up straight, remembering this was still like an audition.

“Ahem. Anyway, Miss Yun—”

“Call me Xiaoxue!” Yun Yinxue insisted. Liu Nian covered his face helplessly. This habit of being overly familiar with everyone was something she had to fix. He’d have to talk to her parents later.

“Xiaoxue,” Gu Zhinan said seriously, then calmly continued, “I know you’re very talented, but we’re serious about making this film. I need to see how well you match the female lead.”

“Do you want me to audition right now?” Yun Yinxue immediately understood his meaning.

Gu Zhinan nodded. Lai Jingming tugged at his sleeve, clearly signaling What audition? Just take her already!

But Gu Zhinan ignored him. What did he know? How could he explain that he already had a perfect version of the character in his head?

Seeing how serious Gu Zhinan was, Liu Nian found himself admiring him a little. Yun Yinxue also grew more focused.

“Okay.” She stood up, moved to the open space, and bowed politely.

“Hello, Director. My name is Yun Yinxue, and I’d like to audition for the role of Xiaoshui in A Little Thing Called First Love.”

Liu Nian and Lai Jingming watched curiously to see what kind of audition Gu Zhinan would ask for. Gu Zhinan rubbed his chin, then smiled. “Show me the moment Xiaoshui meets the male lead A’Liang for the first time and falls for him at first sight.”

Yun Yinxue’s serious expression instantly turned shy and red. She transformed into a bashful young girl in a heartbeat, fingers nervously twisting, her every move radiating shyness. Every word and gesture captured that feeling perfectly.

A natural-born actress!

Lai Jingming clenched his fists, praying Gu Zhinan wouldn’t do anything stupid and pass on her!

Gu Zhinan was amazed too. She slipped into character in a second. And why did she also have the same habit as the landlady, twisting her fingers when nervous?

“Now show me fear.”

One moment she was a bashful girl, the next, her whole expression shifted to terror. Her face filled with fear as her body trembled and backed away like something terrifying was really standing before her.

Chills ran down Gu Zhinan’s spine.

“One last thing. Cry for me, real tears, within one minute.”

Yun Yinxue froze slightly, then her expression slowly turned to sorrow. She whimpered once and tears welled in her big eyes, streaming down like raindrops, her whole face pitiful and heart-wrenching.

“Enough, enough.” Gu Zhinan surrendered with a raised hand. They’d found a gem! But then a thought struck him, the landlady had this gift too. Back when she’d tricked him into pretending to be her boyfriend, her acting skills had been off the charts!

Liu Nian chuckled while Yun Yinxue wiped her nose hurriedly with a tissue, casting Gu Zhinan a slightly aggrieved look. But Gu Zhinan wasn’t paying attention. He was staring seriously at Liu Nian.

“Thank you, Elder Liu.” He’d thought this old man was trying to scam him by recommending his niece. But now he realized, not only was he not trying to scam him, he’d given him a priceless treasure.

Gu Zhinan was now sure that Yun Yinxue was perfect for the role of Xiaoshui!