Chapter 24: Open Auditions! Begin!

Meeting with the Propaganda Department of Fuhai City did not go smoothly.

In fact, the Propaganda Department was quite optimistic about the script of "All In." For this meeting, they even invited a professional who, after reading the script, praised it highly.

However, the sticking point was the issue of Cheng Cheng starring in the film.

Because the infidelity scandal had not been overturned yet, Cheng Cheng was still considered a "disgraced artist." The head of the Propaganda Department was a cautious man, worried that collaborating with Cheng Cheng posed risks.

Although officially there was no definitive judgment on Cheng Cheng’s scandal, who could say for certain? Perhaps the higher-ups were already displeased with him; it just lacked an official notice.

Besides, there was the risk of public opinion. He had to consider whether this move might antagonize the masses.

Moreover, there was a particularly practical concern:

If Cheng Cheng starred in the film but it was banned from screening, then everyone’s efforts would be in vain!

Thus, the best solution was for Cheng Cheng not to appear on screen, instead staying behind the scenes as the director.

But Cheng Cheng was unwilling to just be a director. Beyond his personal wishes, if he didn’t act, no one could carry the role of Lu Bingkun. Without him, the cast would be full of minor players, making the lineup too weak.

Though Cheng Cheng was nothing special now, he was at least a former top star.

The meeting quickly reached an impasse, fortunately, Tang Biao was present.

He proposed: during the film’s production, the Propaganda Department could provide locations, allocate police cars or officers as extras, and if the film passed censorship and was released, the Fuhai City Propaganda Department would launch promotional resources and be credited as an “Honorary Producer.” If the film failed censorship, it would be as if the whole matter never happened.

Like the Bodhi Patriarch to Sun Wukong: “What repayment for kindness! If you cause trouble later, just don’t reveal me as your master.”

After Tang Biao’s strong insistence, the department chief reluctantly agreed.

After leaving the bureau, Tang Biao expressed some regret to Cheng Cheng:

“Brother Wa, sorry we didn’t get the best result. Don’t take it to heart. Our chief is just a cautious man. It’s not personal against you or the script.”

Cheng Cheng replied, “Tang Bro, I understand. I get why Chief Ma is worried. It’s because I don’t fully understand your operational realities. Honestly, I’m very satisfied with what we achieved. Everything that needed to be done has been done.”

Meaning, it was just a slight slight, and he didn’t mind it at all.

Tang Biao opened his mouth, then patted Cheng Cheng’s shoulder and said, “I believe, Brother Wa, you will make this film great.”

Cheng Cheng smiled, showing a row of bright white teeth. “I believe that too. Thanks to you, Tang Bro. Without you, this wouldn’t have happened. And you’re taking the risk.”

Tang Biao waved his hand. “What risk? To get things done, you always take risks. If your film blows up, I get the credit and glory. Besides, our department has yearly propaganda targets; this is just occupying one slot. If unused, it would be wasted.”

Cheng Cheng sincerely said, “All in all, thanks, Tang Bro.”

—

“Hey, stop thanking me! By the way!” Tang Biao suddenly changed the subject, “When are your cases going to trial?”

Not a few, but thousands.

Cheng Cheng answered, “Most are concentrated one or two months from now, with some even during the filming period.”

Tang Biao worried, “Will you have enough time?”

Cheng Cheng said, “Except for the brand and Zhang Jiao’s cases, I’ve appointed agents for all the others.”

According to the current legal system, plaintiffs should appear in court during trials, but in special circumstances, they can authorize representatives in writing to attend and act on their behalf.

Tang Biao said, “That’s good. Let’s go eat.”

—

The next day, Cheng Cheng said goodbye to Tang Biao and returned to the Imperial Capital with Beret.

The rest of the crew had already gone full throttle, entering the early preparation stage. Cheng Cheng’s first ten million had been transferred into the shared bank account, serving as the initial funding for the film.

After two days of rest, they rented a venue, and on July 6, the casting interviews officially began.

—

Imperial Capital Film Academy, dormitory.

“Xiao Gou’er, are you sure about this?” Wang Hong shouted anxiously. “Why are you auditioning for Cheng Cheng’s film? Don’t you know his reputation in the industry now? It’s rotten, ruined! Acting in his movie could destroy your career! Have you thought about this?”

Yan Gou’er’s innocent face remained unmoved. She packed her things and said, “Though Cheng Cheng’s reputation isn’t great, I believe everyone has the potential to change and grow. Besides, I’m not promising to star; I’m just auditioning. Honghong, I’ll be responsible for myself. Don’t worry about me.”

Wang Hong pleaded, “But you really shouldn’t go! You clearly have better opportunities.”

Yan Gou’er stopped her, “This is an opportunity!”

—

A certain theater troupe.

“Yang Ge, are you really going to try out for Cheng Cheng’s film? Won’t you reconsider?”

“No need to reconsider.” Li Yang stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his clothes.

Li Yang was once a hot leading man in TV dramas. At his peak, he was invited to many variety shows, nearly reaching A-list status.

—

But wealth and fame made him arrogant and conceited, which led to his reputation’s collapse. His lack of selectivity in roles meant he starred in several flops, quickly squandering his popularity and halo.

Endorsement contracts were canceled, new scripts withdrawn, and he was suddenly ignored.

After a long period of collapse, frustration, and rebuilding, he started accepting small theater roles, reconnecting with his passion for acting through dramatic characters.

But years away from the mainstream meant his connections had vanished. The entertainment industry was notorious for discarding and elevating whimsically. No one sent him scripts, and his applications fell into a void.

Now, this was the first time he had received a reply from a casting application.

—

Inside a luxury car, in the back seat.

A man gripped his phone, shouting:

“Brother Fang, don’t try to persuade me! Acting in online-only films pays, but if you do it forever, you’ll always be a second-tier internet actor, despised by the mainstream, always looked down upon. I don’t know if Cheng Cheng is just toying with us, but so what? Even if it’s a game, the only thing lost is Cheng Cheng’s own hope! He’s got less to lose than we do!

If there’s even a one in ten thousand chance this film scores above five and makes over 100 million at the box office, it’s worth it!

It won’t be worse than those online flops, will it?

I’m an online actor—do I care?”

—

At a certain train station.

A perennial extra held his ticket, gazing at the station square with ambition.

—

At a modeling agency.

A model with a perfect figure finished a photo shoot and hurriedly left.

—

The public casting for Cheng Cheng’s film was a joke in the film industry, but to some, it was profoundly important...