Chà Chà Novel

There was no way Fu Baihan would actually let Su Nuo go out on his own without worrying. To him, Su Nuo was still a kid who hadn’t even left school yet. If he was going out for a summer job, someone had to be there to protect him.

Su Nuo didn’t usually think about it, but once he went out with bodyguards in tow, he realized he really did look like someone a rich backer had stuffed into the cast.

He wasn’t planning to build some “elegant young master” image in show business, but he wasn’t going to hide his family background on purpose either. If he had someone this powerful offering to back him, why bother hiding it?

When he went to the banquet with Fu Baihan, Su Nuo understood clearly that his starting point in this life was completely different.

The other people auditioning naturally kept their distance. He was a new face, but one look at his entourage and they could tell he wasn’t someone to mess with.

So when Su Yujin came over to chat with him, it caught a lot of people’s attention.

They were all curious. Who exactly was this boy with the flawless face? What was his personality like?

If the role had already been decided, they wouldn’t have needed to drag their own artists here to wait for nothing.

But even if someone had connections, everyone still trusted Director Wang more. After all, this was the man who could pull out audition footage at any moment to shut down the internet.

Once, some unhinged fans flooded Director Wang’s Weibo, accusing him of rigging things when he cut their idol. Without a word, Director Wang posted a side-by-side comparison video. The popular male star’s terrible acting stayed on the trending list for three days straight. A public execution.

All of his films were solid at the box office, and he’d always been like this: if he was annoyed, he’d call you out directly; if he was happy, he’d praise you to the skies. With Wei Sinian as his go-to leading man, his place in the industry was rock solid. People only ever came running to win him over.

Heng Yu didn’t have many scenes, but to fans of the original novel, he had long been the beloved, unforgettable first love. The actor was very likely to get criticized, but it also guaranteed huge attention. Who wouldn’t be tempted?

Ever since the audition was announced, countless managers had wanted to land this role for their artists.

Seeing Su Nuo at the audition today, they wondered what his background was, but they also liked his face and wanted to hand him their business cards and ask if he’d signed with an agency yet.

The moment Su Nuo saw Su Yujin, he wanted to rip that fake face right off him, but he held back. Everything he’d been through in his past life had taught him to stay calm and play it smart.

“What else would I be here for, if not to audition?” His attitude was cold. Even if he didn’t show his hatred, he wasn’t in the mood to waste time talking with Su Yujin.

As far as Su Nuo was concerned, apart from his weird ability to attract men, Su Yujin didn’t actually have any talent or acting skills. If those people hadn’t propped him up, he’d never have gotten so many opportunities in his past life.

Not to mention, he’d gone years without winning a single award. Who knew how many people laughed at him behind his back.

Su Yujin’s expression soured for a split second. He already coveted Su Nuo’s destiny, and seeing him sitting there practically glowing, drawing everyone’s attention, he couldn’t hold back his jealousy.

If the system hadn’t malfunctioned, all of this should already have been transferred to him.

“Good luck with your audition.” Su Yujin’s smile was anything but friendly, even a little contemptuous. So what if Su Nuo was the protagonist? He was still going to lose.

Even ten minutes of the Acting Halo would be enough.

Su Nuo gave a casual nod. “Thanks.”

He didn’t like Su Yujin. Even the smell of his perfume made him sick. When he looked at Su Yujin, he saw straight through that innocent-looking shell to the rotten, filthy soul underneath.

No way. He had to go home and give his brother a proper lesson on what a “white lotus” was. Men and women both. So he wouldn’t get fooled.

After Su Yujin left, seeing that Su Nuo was open to talking, other people gradually came over. They warmly and politely asked if he’d signed with an agency, and said even if he had, they could still work together in the future.

Just like that, he ended up with a whole stack of business cards, which made Su Yujin’s eyes burn even more.

The Acting Halo Su Yujin had redeemed did its job. He chose to perform the scene right before Heng Yu dies, which demanded intense emotion. In an empty audition room, just getting into character was hard enough.

Su Yujin felt like someone had taken over his body. His soul seemed to float outside, watching “himself” perform.

Caught up in a court conspiracy, cut off from food and water for days, and then ambushed, Heng Yu had drawn the enemy away alone to save his soldiers, and was struck by several arrows. When He Yun finally arrived with reinforcements, he only made it in time to see him one last time.

The proud, high-spirited young general from his memories was now covered in blood, his armor in tatters, so thin it seemed a gust of wind could blow him away. Holding back the pain and clinging to his last breath, he gave He Yun a smile.

“He Yun… that jar of wine… drink it yourself.”

He was still keeping their promise to share a drink when he came home victorious, but he would never make it back.

The director was surprised. He really hadn’t expected someone so young to convey such heavy emotion. Based on this audition, Su Yujin clearly made the cut. Even though his first impression hadn’t been great, his outstanding performance won the director over. “Very good. Go home and wait to hear from us.”

Su Yujin smiled shyly, thanked the director, then bowed to Wei Sinian. “Best Actor Wei, you’re my idol. Could I get your autograph?”

Wei Sinian nodded, and Su Yujin came over blushing and handed him a photo. “Could you sign this?” he asked softly.

The director teased, “Sinian, how come everyone who walks in here is your fan?”

Wei Sinian signed it, capped the pen, and gave some standard encouragement. “You did great. Keep it up.”

Su Yujin acted like he’d been given a treasure, his face full of admiration and excitement. He knew this was the look that made people want to protect him the most.

But Wei Sinian was distracted and didn’t give him a second glance.

Are they really all fans? The Best Actor thought about the boy who completely ignored him and felt a little let down.

With Su Yujin performing that well, how was he supposed to put in a good word for the boy?

The director had made his preference clear from the start, but Wei Sinian knew that in the end, he’d still choose based on acting. Wei Sinian secretly hoped Su Nuo’s performance would outshine the one before.

He didn’t even remember Su Yujin’s name.

When Su Nuo walked in, everyone’s eyes lit up. He introduced himself, then chose a scene to perform.

When Wei Sinian heard he hadn’t picked the ending, the scene that best showed off acting skills, he was a little worried. But Su Nuo had no idea what Wei Sinian was feeling, and he didn’t have time to care.

Su Nuo chose the scene where Heng Yu says goodbye to He Yun before heading to battle. The young man was bright and full of spirit, brushing off He Yun’s attempts to stop him. He listened to his friend’s reasoning and warnings, then raised his hand and patted his shoulder. “I know you’re right. But I have to go.”

He swung himself onto his horse and rode off a little way, then turned back and waved. “I buried a jar of wine under the peach tree. When I come back victorious, we’ll drink it together!”

He was smiling, but his eyes were full of sorrow. Not just the sorrow of parting, but a deep love that could never be spoken.

He wanted him to understand, yet he only dared to look back once he was far enough away that he wouldn’t.