Volume Two: Shadows of the Past, Chapter Fifty-One: The Actors Are in Position

Looking at the radiant and stunning Ling Ruohan, Chen Jing really couldn't hold it together anymore. Covering his nose, he hurriedly said, "It looks great, it looks great. Ruohan, you look good in anything."

"That’s more like it." Seeing that Chen Jing was so tactful, Ling Ruohan nodded with genuine satisfaction. Then, with a hint of bashfulness, she added, "Don't overthink it, Ah Jing. Just consider this as fulfilling the bet from 'Voice of China' earlier. Hehehe." With that, she buttoned up her coat and walked away with a light, brisk step, leaving Chen Jing standing there with a bitter smile.

Chen Jing rubbed his nose, still savoring the moment, when a thought suddenly struck him: "In the face of sexiness, cuteness is not worth mentioning." He hadn't truly understood that phrase before, but after this experience, he finally grasped it.

After Ling Ruohan left, Chen Jing didn't delay and went straight to the office he had requested from the company to audition actors. Upon entering, he saw Liu Manqiang and a fat—no, it would be more accurate to say stocky and muscular—man waiting for him.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Chen Jing said with a smile as he walked in.

Seeing Chen Jing, the two stood up. "Not at all, we just got here ourselves," Liu Manqiang said, smoothing things over before gesturing to his senior. "This is my senior brother, Wang Zhou, the lead stunt coordinator for the Wang Stunt Team."

"Hello, I’m Chen Jing." Chen Jing took the initiative to shake Wang Zhou’s hand.

"Hello, hello. I’ve long heard of your reputation, Young Master Chen. Seeing you in person today, you truly are young and accomplished." Wang Zhou was well-versed in social pleasantries, clearly a man accustomed to networking.

Chen Jing smiled and shook his head, choosing not to respond to the flattery. Once the introductions were over, they got down to business.

"Young Master Chen, I’d like to ask, is this film a project you are producing personally, or is it backed by the company?" Wang Zhou asked the question that mattered most to him. It was a crucial detail, as it concerned the future box office prospects of the film.

Chen Jing didn't hide it, answering frankly, "It’s a personal project. It has nothing to do with the company."

Hearing this, Wang Zhou understood immediately. Knowing this was a private venture and not an investment by Jingrun, he lost a bit of interest. Although he felt that Chen Jing was likely just dabbling and that the project had no real future, it was still a job, so he kept his true feelings hidden behind a professional smile.

"May I ask what genre of film you are planning to shoot? And what do you need from us?" Wang Zhou asked.

Chen Jing pulled out the script and handed it over. "This is the script. Have a look."

Liu Manqiang and Wang Zhou took the script. Seeing the title on the cover, Wang Zhou was surprised. "SPL: Sha Po Lang?" The name sounded quite imposing; he wondered if it was a historical martial arts film. With a sense of curiosity, he began to read.

Soon, both men finished. They exchanged glances; they both found the script to be rather mediocre. What surprised them even more was that Chen Jing wanted to make a martial arts action film—a police thriller at that.

In the film industry, these types of movies were usually helmed by established action stars. Someone like Chen Jing, who was more of an "idol star," typically stuck to romantic dramas or films where he could look cool and handsome.

"What do you think?" Chen Jing asked with a smile.

"The script is quite good. I didn't expect you to be interested in action films, Young Master Chen. Very bold," Wang Zhou said, though he wasn't being entirely honest. To him, the quality didn't matter as long as there was work and income, and he’d even secured an on-screen role for himself.

Liu Manqiang, however, hesitated. "That... Young Master Chen, the market for police action films hasn't been great in the last two years. Are you sure you want to go with this genre?"

Liu Manqiang actually wanted to advise Chen Jing to pick a different script. He felt that if Chen Jing stuck to this one, he would almost certainly lose money. If it were anyone else, he would have just taken the role and kept his mouth shut, but because it was Chen Jing, he couldn't help but try to persuade him.

Chen Jing looked at Liu Manqiang and nodded. "I understand what you mean, but this is my first film; it’s mainly a test of the waters." Chen Jing wasn't going to tell them he was certain the film wouldn't lose money, as they wouldn't believe him anyway.

Chen Jing knew that the plot of *SPL* wasn't particularly complex. However, as a film famous for its legendary fight scenes rather than its narrative, he was confident that as long as he could perfectly replicate those combat sequences, the film would at least break even. That was why he chose *SPL* for his debut. He wasn't familiar with filmmaking, but he was intimately familiar with those fight scenes.

Seeing that he couldn't change Chen Jing's mind, Liu Manqiang gave up. After all, it was his film, and he wasn't in a position to tell him what to do.

Wang Zhou wasn't concerned with the risks; he just wanted to confirm the collaboration. "Alright then, Young Master Chen. Besides hiring the Wang Stunt Team for choreography and stunt work, do you want us to play any roles?"

Chen Jing looked them over and decided their physiques were perfect. "I want you to play the triad boss Wong Po and the cold-blooded assassin Jack..."

Recently, there had been a buzz within Jingrun regarding a special casting call. It was considered special because it wasn't a company-backed project or a film by a famous director, but a production by the rising music talent, Chen Jing.

When the news reached the company's actors, they initially thought it was a rumor. How could a musician suddenly start making movies? But after repeated confirmation, they were stunned. Chen Jing was really planning to film a movie and was holding open auditions. While many thought he had lost his mind, curiosity got the better of them, and they flocked to see what kind of movie he was planning.

However, once they learned it was a police action film, the A-list and B-list actors lost interest. Only third-tier or unknown actors remained. Most of them felt that regardless of who was making the film, getting a chance to be on screen was worth it. Who knew? Maybe the movie wouldn't be a hit, but they might become one.

Despite the lack of industry confidence, the casting process ended in less than three days.

In the office, Lin Xi looked over the list of actors Chen Jing had selected, her brows furrowed. "These are all nobodies. There isn't even a single B-list actor here."

Chen Jing was organizing the list and replied nonchalantly, "As long as their acting is up to par, why do I need famous people?"

Lin Xi shook her head. "For your first film, regardless of quality, you need to build buzz. If the company won't help us promote it, people might not even know the movie exists."

Chen Jing shrugged. "Don't worry about promotion. Someone will take care of that when the time comes."

Lin Xi raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"You'll see," Chen Jing said, keeping the mystery alive. He finished organizing the list and smiled. "Alright, everything is set. Let’s hold the opening ceremony tomorrow."

Lin Xi looked at him strangely. "So soon? Shouldn't we let the crew rehearse and get to know each other first?"

Chen Jing shrugged again. "We can get to know each other while we film."

However, before the next day arrived, news suddenly broke online that very evening: *Shocking! Musical Talent Neglects His Craft? Instead of Singing and Songwriting, He Turns to Filmmaking? What on Earth is...*

It was a classic "shock-value" headline, and the news spread across the internet in an instant.

"Isn't Chen Jing a singer? Why is he suddenly making a movie?"

"Must be fake. Chen Jing is doing great in music; why would he switch to film?"

"Exactly. The clickbaiters are getting more shameless. They'll say anything these days."

At first, Chen Jing's fans didn't believe it, assuming it was just another rumor, but the authenticity of the report was soon confirmed.

An actor who claimed to have auditioned at the site posted: "Chen Jing really is making a movie, and it’s a police action film. Here is proof."

Below the post were several candid photos of Chen Jing at the auditions, looking intensely focused as he watched the actors perform. Soon, others posted similar confirmations, and it even leaked that the title of the film was *SPL*.

Fortunately, Chen Jing had kept the plot under wraps; otherwise, that might have been leaked too. With so much "evidence" surfacing, the fans had no choice but to believe it.

"No way, Boss Jing is actually making a movie!"

"Is this a joke? A musician making a movie? Does he think he's a jack-of-all-trades?"

"Heh, youthful arrogance. I’ve always seen through him. A little bit of success and he loses sight of his true place."

"Boss Jing is making a movie? I mean, I’d love to see him on screen, but I’d much rather hear his music!"

In an instant, a wave of criticism formed online, with many flooding Chen Jing’s Weibo account to ask if he was planning to stop writing songs altogether.