Who is Helping Me Win by Lying Down [Transmigration] - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

With Yan Jingchuan helping to take care of Wangcai, Chen Shu had no trouble traveling. He boarded a flight that same morning with He Qiyu to the designated film and television city.

On the way, He Qiyu gave Chen Shu a detailed introduction to the production team.

The full title of the series they were auditioning for was Moon in the Mirror. Although filming hadn’t started yet, it was in the final stages of preparation. Due to time constraints, the director had decided to wrap up auditions by the end of the week, determined to cast a male lead no matter what.

In other words, they were among the last actors to audition, and opportunities were scarce.

“Also, the director of Moon in the Mirror is Cui Jiancheng.”

Seeing that Chen Shu showed no reaction to the name, He Qiyu added, “Since you haven’t been involved in the TV drama circle before, you might not be familiar with him. Every project Cui Jiancheng takes on not only achieves above-average ratings but also wins prestigious awards and attracts widespread attention. That’s why, no matter how demanding he is, artists are eager to work with him—even in supporting roles. Just being cast in his project means you’ve earned his approval, and it looks great on a resume.”

Chen Shu understood her implication.

This meant the competition for the audition would be fierce.

He Qiyu continued, “However, he’s mostly directed serious dramas in the past. The fact that Cui Jiancheng has been persuaded to direct this kind of xianxia romance and political intrigue series shows how much the investors value it. Moreover, since the project caught his eye, its prospects must be promising. We have to do everything we can to seize this opportunity.”

At this point, she suddenly asked, “Have you finished reading the script?”

Chen Shu replied, “Yes.”

He Qiyu asked, “So, what do you think? Feeling any pressure?”

Chen Shu didn’t overstate his confidence: “It shouldn’t be too difficult.”

The plot of Moon in the Mirror was straightforward, set in a xianxia world with a main storyline centered on saving the world. The male and female leads join forces to unravel the schemes of the mastermind behind the scenes.

The role Chen Shu was auditioning for was the leader of a major sect—a character with profound cultivation and unmatched power. While leaving his sect, he is ambushed and betrayed by someone close to him, leading to severe injuries and a fall from a cliff. Though he should have died or lost all his cultivation, he is saved by the female lead, who specializes in healing. As she helps him recover, they develop feelings for each other and later join forces against their enemies.

The complexity of this character was practically zero.

Yet He Qiyu still felt Chen Shu was being overly optimistic.

Not too difficult?

She sighed inwardly.

Chen Shu probably relied too much on his strong singing and dancing skills and his experience shooting music videos, underestimating the demands of a real script.

After all, a music video could be wrapped up in two or three days, while a TV series took two to three months to film, and the depth of the characters was in no way comparable.

She believed Chen Shu had acting talent.

But his transition into acting had been rushed—he hadn’t even taken a single acting class. Now, facing a real audition, she felt far from confident.

Still, considering that confidence was a good thing before an audition, she didn’t want to dampen his spirits.

As soon as the plane landed and He Qiyu turned off airplane mode, she received a text message.

“Duan Xu?” Seeing the name in the message, her heart sank.

Was Duan Xu also auditioning for Cui Jiancheng?

He Qiyu sighed quietly.

Duan Xu was an artist under Milan Pictures, which was funded by the Li family. He himself was a distant cousin of Li Sheng, the head of the Li family. Thanks to this connection, he had landed many good opportunities, but unfortunately, his two previous series had failed to make an impact.

However, his acting skills weren’t exactly poor, Milan Film and Television was the production company of Moon in the Mirror, and with Li Sheng involved…

As a newcomer, Chen Shu’s advantages weren’t particularly obvious.

Let’s go.

Hearing Chen Shu’s voice, He Qiyu snapped back to reality, composed her expression, and followed him out of the airport.

After arriving at the Moon in the Mirror set, the staff led them to Cui Jiancheng’s office.

Someone was already waiting inside.

The director, assistant director, and producer were sitting on the sofa chatting casually. When they saw them, they proactively greeted them.

The atmosphere in the room wasn’t solemn but rather somewhat relaxed.

After the two entered, Cui Jiancheng observed Chen Shu closely.

His appearance, temperament, every gesture—

After just one glance, Cui Jiancheng exchanged a look with the producer beside him and nodded slightly.

After a few pleasantries, He Qiyu stepped out, leaving the space to Chen Shu.

The staff offered her a cup of tea and invited her to rest in the next room, but she declined, suppressing her inner anxiety as she waited minute by minute.

But ten minutes passed, twenty minutes passed…

He Qiyu had no choice but to go next door for some tea, forcing herself to rest, but the door still hadn’t opened.

Why was it taking so long?

Could it be that he was so nervous he kept having to start over?

That kind of situation wasn’t impossible.

Even well-known actors often get nervous during auditions.

He Qiyu paced back and forth in front of the door a few times and was about to check the time again when she heard a soft click.

The door opened.

He Qiyu hurried over to meet them.

Chen—

But the first person she saw wasn’t Chen Shu, but Cui Jiancheng.

Cui Jiancheng was smiling as he saw Chen Shu out. When he saw He Qiyu, he joked, No wonder Manager He personally escorted him all the way. So Huayuan has been hiding such a gem.

From his tone, He Qiyu immediately realized there was an eighty to ninety percent chance this would work out: Director Cui, you flatter me.

After saying this, she looked at Chen Shu in surprise.

For Cui Jiancheng to be so satisfied, it was clear that what had happened in the office was completely different from what she had imagined.

After chatting a bit more, Cui Jiancheng said, It’s already late today, and you’ve just traveled here. How about this: let Chen Shu rest tonight and come back tomorrow for the makeup test.

He Qiyu agreed: Alright.

Before they left, Cui Jiancheng couldn’t help but ask, One more thing, Chen Shu, I’d like to know, how long have you had the script?

Chen Shu said, Two days.

To be precise, a day and a half, He Qiyu corrected him.

She couldn’t guess why Cui Jiancheng was asking this. If Chen Shu had any shortcomings in his performance, she hoped Cui Jiancheng would give him more opportunities considering the short preparation time.

A day and a half! Cui Jiancheng exchanged another look with the producer and laughed with admiration. In just a day and a half, you’ve managed to grasp every stage of the character so precisely. Chen Shu, I don’t know what to say…

Chen Shu had performed all the stages during the audition?

He Qiyu was even more surprised but didn’t show it on her face.

Director Cui, Duan Xu is here, the assistant director reminded from the side.

Cui Jiancheng glanced over and apologized, Sorry about that.

He Qiyu understood: Then we won’t disturb you any further. See you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow.

As Chen Shu turned, he saw a group of people approaching from a distance.

He Qiyu leaned in slightly and lowered her voice to introduce, The one walking ahead is Duan Xu.

Although the dramas Duan Xu starred in never made much of a splash, his personal qualities were outstanding.

Tall and slender with handsome features, he stood out in the crowd with his striking fair complexion.

He strode forward first, followed closely by his assistant holding a parasol.

As he passed by Chen Shu, he glanced over, frowned slightly upon seeing Chen Shu’s face, but continued walking without stopping, heading straight for Cui Jiancheng.

He Qiyu curled her lip and waited until he was farther away before saying, That kind of young master—thankfully we have no dealings with him.

Chen Shu didn’t take it to heart either.

After arriving at a nearby hotel, he first went to the restaurant with He Qiyu for a belated lunch.

Unlike the tension before the audition, He Qiyu was now in an extremely relaxed mood.

Since the costume fitting was scheduled for tomorrow, it meant Cui Jiancheng favored Chen Shu over Duan Xu.

Moreover, judging by Cui Jiancheng’s appreciation for Chen Shu in the afternoon, Chen Shu’s acting skills were undoubtedly better than any she had seen before.

After ordering, just as He Qiyu was about to discuss the next steps with Chen Shu, she saw him take out his phone from his pocket. For some reason, upon seeing a message, he actually smiled.

She tightened her grip on the water glass.

It must be from Chen Shu’s mysterious lover!

With Chen Shu’s future looking so bright, if he kept being this obvious, it would be troublesome if paparazzi caught wind of it.

What message made you so happy? He Qiyu probed indirectly.

Chen Shu said, Nothing.

He had received a message from Yan Jingchuan.

A photo and a sentence.

The photo vaguely showed Wangcai.

Due to poor photography skills, it was mostly a blurry image with a dog bowl in front of the blur.

The dog bowl still had more than half of the dog food left.

Yan Jingchuan: Wangcai has poor appetite today.

After looking at the photo, Chen Shu replied to him.

There’s a change in schedule. I’m staying for the costume fitting tomorrow and will return after it’s done.

No response.

Probably still busy.

Just as Chen Shu was about to put away his phone, the screen lit up, and the ringtone sounded.

It was Yan Jingchuan.

Before He Qiyu could sneak a peek at the caller ID, Chen Shu had already answered the call.

Yan Jingchuan’s voice came through the receiver: You can’t come back tomorrow?

Chen Shu said, Right, there isn’t enough time.

Suddenly, there was silence on the other end.

Chen Shu said, It was a last-minute decision by the crew.

After another moment of silence.

Yan Jingchuan said, Wangcai seems very listless today without you around.

Chen Shu thought for a moment and said, After the costume fitting tomorrow, I’ll try to return that same night.

That same night? He Qiyu, who had been eavesdropping, objected, Chen Shu, that’s too exhausting.

What was wrong with this mysterious lover? They didn’t seem to care about Chen Shu’s well-being at all.

Her deliberately raised voice also reached Yan Jingchuan’s ears.

No need.

Yan Jingchuan frowned and said, I’ll figure something else out.

Chen Shu said, Sorry to trouble you to take care of him for one more day.

Yan Jingchuan said, It’s fine. I like him very much.

Chen Shu smiled. Thank you.

He Qiyu watched him end the call, wanting to discuss it but remembering what he had said before, she reluctantly held back and went upstairs with him to their respective rooms.

The next day, they met up again and arrived at the set on time.

Chen Shu’s costume fitting went more smoothly than expected, ending earlier than anticipated. After finishing the costume fitting photos, there was still plenty of time.

Before he could leave, a staff member came to invite both of them to the director’s office, saying Cui Jiancheng had something to discuss.

Something to discuss at this time?

He Qiyu looked at Chen Shu’s profile, as calm and composed as ever, her heart hanging high with anxiety.

Could something have gone wrong?

With her heart in her throat, she followed Chen Shu to Cui Jiancheng’s office. Upon hearing what the other party said, her heart settled back down steadily.

Enter the crew early?

Cui Jiancheng nodded: Yes, as you can see, we’re about to start filming soon. We still have script readings, and you actors need time for training and preparation. Time waits for no one.

He had a very favorable impression of Chen Shu and was quite amiable in his attitude.

He Qiyu looked at Chen Shu.

Chen Shu said, I need to go back tomorrow. I can join the crew the day after.

Cui Jiancheng hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, That should be fine.

By the time the crew entry date was finalized, dusk was already falling.

Chen Shu politely declined Cui Jiancheng’s invitation to dinner and went straight back to the hotel.

He Qiyu tried to persuade him along the way: Chen Shu, I know you miss your girlfriend, but what good will it do to go back just to see her? Making a round trip in one day will only exhaust you.

After Chen Shu had finally managed to get a good rest last night, making a same-day round trip would undoubtedly be exhausting and detrimental to his condition.

Once you join the crew, you won’t be able to see each other for months. What difference does one more day make?

Chen Shu didn’t explain too much to her: Book a flight for tonight. Reserve a checked baggage slot for my return ticket.

The checked baggage environment on planes is enclosed and dark, but since the journey is too long this time, Wangcai would have to endure a few hours of discomfort.

You’re bringing Wangcai along? He Qiyu quickly caught on, Isn’t there anyone at home to take care of him?

Chen Shu said, He’s shy around strangers.

He Qiyu: …

Brother, aren’t you being a bit too indulgent with your dog? This is practically spoiling him rotten!

She was momentarily speechless and simply followed Chen Shu into the hotel with a stiff expression.

As soon as they entered, a familiar figure approached.

He Qiyu blurted out, Assistant Zhang?

Zhang Shi nodded to her and looked at Chen Shu: Mr. Chen, this way please?

Seeing him, Chen Shu had already guessed the general situation.

They walked to the restaurant.

Sure enough, Yan Jingchuan was sitting at a table near the door.

Zhang Shi quietly stepped aside with He Qiyu.

When Yan Jingchuan saw Chen Shu, he stood up from the table.

Wangcai struggled to jump down from his arms and dashed to Chen Shu’s feet like the wind.

Chen Shu bent down and picked him up.

Yan Jingchuan said with a straight face: He missed you.

Chen Shu looked up at him.

Yan Jingchuan emphasized the severity: So much that he stopped eating.

That’s why he had to come.