Translator: Vian
Editor: Shem
When Rong Xu came out of the dressing room, several staff members in the vicinity all made a very loud clamor of surprise.
Regardless of whether it was men or women, everyone's attention was on what could only be described as handsome and charming. The white adorned young man's elegant and refined temperament was what all of those people's heart yearned for and they could not help but focus all their attention on him. Not to mention, this young man carried a warm atmosphere that makes one want to get close to him, nothing like the cold and arrogant attitudes of many big celebrities, which instantly received the good wills of many.
Generally speaking, people was still a species that judged by looks.
Luo Zhentao deeply felt that if the one he first met was the Rong Xu in front of him now, he probably couldn't have helped but treat the other as a friend, not like before whereas it was a purely beneficial relationship and him simply never putting the other in his eyes.
As far as it was of any concerns to Rong Xu, since the makeup and costume were already done, it was time for the audition.
"Vie for Supremacy" was Huaxia Entertainment's major project investment of the year. The director was the country's top drama Director Gou Long, the lead actress was the 'Queen of Ratings' Tang Menglan, and the male lead was also a currently popular young actor with a bunch of crazy fans. The crew and cast investment was nearly three hundred million, with just over one hundred million spent on the costumes alone, it could not not be said to be grand and meticulous.
—
"Vie for Supremacy" was about when the world was in chaos with heroes in all directions, vying for the land under heaven; that kind of story.
In this world, Liang Empire, Wei Country, and Chu State, these three balance of powers held everything when the heaven and earth benefited the people. The main storyline takes place in Chu State. The male lead, Xie Jingxian, was Chu State's Crown Prince. However, ever since the great war between Chu State and Liang Empire nine years ago, Chu State was defeated and steadily deteriorated from the three major powers, their strength gradually becoming inferior to the remaining two countries.
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The Crown Prince was young and had a wild ambition to dominate the whole world, and so began Chu State's long and endless resistance conquest battle.
And unlike other turbulent times plotlines usually found in these dramas, the difference in this one was that Tang Menglan, acting as Xiao Xiang, was not the traditional soap opera love interest. Instead, she took on more than just being the love interest in the film, she was the main plotline of the story——
Chu State's famous and outstanding female general, Xiao Xiang!
The Xiao Family for many generations had been loyal and devoted. During the war nine years ago, her four brothers as well as her father, General Xiao, all died on the battlefield. Xiao Xiang who was only 13 years old at the time had to take on the burden of upholding the Xiao Family's banner and commanding the Xiao Family army. Henceforth, there was no longer a young miss from the Xiao Family in the world, only General Xiao.
As a result, the plotline and romance came naturally. Xie Jingxian and Xiao Xiang slowly formed mutual feelings but neither of them ever showed it. For them, the most important thing now was Chu State.
Chu State's position was in a precarious situation, only by dominating could it avoid the possibility of being annexed by the two other major powers.
The character Rong Xu was going to play, Wanqi Yao, was to appear in this kind of situation:
There was a hearsay in the world; whoever gets Wanqi, gets the world.
Teacher Wanqi have lived on Yun Meng Lake for a long time and setted up three chess boards. Chess players could enter the pavilion to see, however, no one in the world had ever yet managed to solve the second chess board, let alone the legendary third chess board.
Chu State's military power was waning but it had fertile lands and wealth it had accumulated over a hundred years. Compared to those smaller countries, Liang Empire paid it much more attention. Even if Xie Jingxian was however wise and full of stratagems, however Xiao Xiang was brave and skilled at warfare, with only their strengths alone, it could not change this precarious plight of Chu State's in a short amount of time.
Ergo on this day, a small ship sailed up to Yun Meng Lake, stopping before Wang Qiu Pavilion.
The heroic and valiant female general led more than twenty of Chu State's chess masters to come before Wang Qiu Pavilion.
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It just happened that Tang Menglan was also there today, so the drama audition was set for when Wanqi Yao and Xiao Xiang first meet.
—
Director Guo Long came in while the assistant director was doing the final check on the character's makeup. When he heard a loud gasping sound, Director Guo turned to look and suddenly saw the white-clad youth. Director Guo's eyes brightened and repeatedly nodded in satisfaction. Waiting till Rong Xu walked up to him, he studied him up and down a few times then beckoned towards Tang Menglan: "Menglan, do you mind being his partner?"
Tang Menglan smiled and nodded: "No problem."
In the end, after all, this was for taking the character posters so Tang Menglan also changed into a robust attire and makeup.
It was at this time that Rong Xu saw Luo Zhentao. He smiled and nodded at him, his eyes flashed with a meaningful understanding before it was quickly covered up without Luo Zhentao ever noticing it.
However, at this moment Luo Zhentao was absent-minded, where did he have the time to notice Rong Xu?
It seems Rong Xu's image was even more fitting than Zhong Yi's, getting Director Guo's approval. If he was Rong Xu's manager, he would have already thought of several ways to promote this youth and at least within half a year he would rise up to be a second-tier actor!
"Don't worry, he already changed into costume, had his makeup done, and Tang Menglan is also there. That Rong Xu will definitely be able to do well." He didn't know when Assistant Director Wang came over and carefreely said: "The audition this time is really too easy, it looks like Director Guo is extremely satisfied with Rong Xu's appearance."
Once he heard these words, Luo Zhentao's originally overactive mind suddenly pulled to a stop.
Luo Zhentao gave a bitter smile: "I hope..."
Let Rong Xu become an actor? The premise is that he can act! I'm afraid after about five minutes, Director Guo would be furious enough to make Rong Xu beat it.
While Luo Zhentao was thinking this, the audition has already started over on the other side.
***
It was almost time to take the character posters yet they were starting the auditions now, it was indeed a bit odd. Many members of the crew all gathered around, even the second male lead came over to watch from the sidelines. Director Guo casually sat in the director's chair, his eyes focused, gleaming with a certain light and was intensely staring at Tang Menglan and Rong Xu at the center of the scene.
Appearing as if she brought along a chilly gale, the austere and formidable female general took big strides, quickly arriving before the low table. Her back never once bending when she sat down cross-legged. An ice-cold and somber atmosphere instantly swept across everyone present.
They then heard Tang Menglan solemnly began with a composed look: "Teacher, the second chessboard has already been solved down below, may I ask where the third chessboard is at?"
It clearly was just an upright back, yet it let everyone present feel the grandeur of the young female general. Tang Menglan really deserves to be Tang Menglan, to be able to earn the name "Queen of Ratings" was definitely not an undeserved reputation.
Guo Long smiled with satisfaction.
On the other side, Luo Zhentao was also somewhat relaxed: Tang Menglan's acting was superb, definitely belonging to the upper elites of female actors within the industry. Presumably, with such a person as his partner, perhaps...Rong Xu could also show a passing performance?
Thinking like this, Luo Zhentao turned his head over to look at Rong Xu. The moment his line of sight saw the other's impressive stillness, Luo Zhentao involuntarily stared at the hand comparable to a jade sculpture, only watching Rong Xu gently pouring tea.
His action of pouring tea was very steady, a clear viridescent-colored tea flowed out from the spout of the emerald jade teapot, drawing a beautiful arc in the air. He seemed to have not heard the words of the other, his white figure isolated from the rest of the world. His handsome mien that was like an immortal caused people to not dare to have any offensive thoughts and could only look on at this refined and unhurried young man gently smiling as he steeps the tea.
A faint intangible aura coming from Rong Xu's person spread out, causing everyone in the studio to tremble.
This didn't belong to the cold and stern countenance of the female general, but a kind that was seemed far from the secular world, a tranquility that comes from rejecting worldly affairs.
It was as if everyone was looking at a deeply hidden and dignified hermit of the immortal realm rather than a young boy. To describe it as perfect was not at all an exaggeration!
Director Guo was startled at first, then his eyes widened in surprise.
Tang Menglan also didn't expect that she would be so intimidated by the other's aura, but she was, after all, Tang Menglan. In merely a second, she already recovered. Composed and suave brows, Tang Menglan placed down her sword on the tea table and said in a neither loud nor soft voice.
"Teacher, may I dare to ask where is the third chessboard?"
At this point, Rong Xu has already finished steeping the tea. He gently pushed the white porcelain teacup in front of Tang Menglan and when she was ready to ask for the third time, he raised his head to look at this female general.
In that instant, that pair of abstruse, inky black eyes attracted the attention of everyone.
Differing from his young appearance, this pair of eyes shows that he had walked through all the vicissitudes of life, making Luo Zhentao stupefied from the shock. Rong Xu was obviously just a child that has yet to mature, how could he have such deep, profound eyes? Could it be...could it be that his acting has excelled to this level?!
He really is someone favored by the Heavens?!
"To have twenty people solve the chessboard together, does the General feel that it is rather improper?" A clear and piercing cold voice sounded out like a trickling stream that seeps through.
After getting surprised the first time, Tang Menglan was already on guard and would not forget herself again. She released an icy laugh and retorted back: "Could it be that Teacher has said that there needs to be only one person to solve the chessboard before?"
Rong Xu smiled: "By no means."
Tang Menglan replied as it was a matter of course: "Then this humble one can naturally invite my Chu State's many chess masters to come battle together." As her voice just faded, Tang Menglan clapped her hands and declared: "May I request my Chu State's chess masters to enter!"
This time, since they already made such preparations in front of Teacher Wanqi's face, she called in those twenty or so cheating chess masters to continue swindling for her till they solve the third chess board.
In the script, General Xiao Xiang was exactly this type of domineering and solemn person. She had already left behind her identity as a woman to lead the hundred thousand soldiers of the Xiao Family army. If she didn't go to this extent, she wouldn't have the power to shake all four corners of the world. She was Xiao Xiang, but even more so she was General Xiao, the loyal Xiao Family's last bloodline.
In the script, after Xiao Xiang clapped, there should be twenty chess masters entering Wang Qiu Pavilion.
Tang Menglan's back was facing all these masters yet it still remained upright, Rong Xu who was facing her seemed to have seen something amusing. His gaze swept through the air and appeared to have indeed seen those twenty chess masters. When he looked back at Tang Menglan, he gently shook his head and said: "Does the General believes that these twenty people can solve my third chessboard?"
Tang Menglan held out her hand: "Please try me!"
Rong Xu remained motionless, using an indifferent and dispassionate look to scrutinize her, only a long time after did he speak: "The land under Heaven divided in three, who divided it so."
Tang Menglan was slightly startled, then answered: "Kinship collapsed, so it approached separation."
Rong Xu tepidly replied: "When it is long divided, it must unite; when it is long united, it must divide. Yet it is all no more than an illusion."
Tang Menglan hesitated for a moment before saying: "The blue sea will turn into mulberry fields, the affairs of life vacillates. Yun Meng Lake presently have Wang Qiu Pavilion, a millennium years following it also does not have Wang Qiu Pavilion. Yet Wang Qiu Pavilion inevitably exists, and would likewise leave an everlasting mark in history. Wherefore does Wang Qiu Pavilion not directly fade away, in any which way, millennium after it ceases to be."
Rong Xu paused.
Suddenly, he raised his right hand, picking up a black stone and gently placed it on the chessboard in front of him.
Ta——
The piece settled onto the board, unexpectedly, it was actually placed on the Tianyuan position!
Tang Menglan was agitated but could only stare blankly at Rong Xu, merely seeing at this white adorn hermit faintly smiling and said: "You solved my two chessboards, now, for the third game there will be a komi of seven and a half. The third game will be with me and take place here. General can now start."
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Starting with Tianyuan and a komi of seven and a half!
This is already a losing position!
Arriving here, the twenty chess masters and Wanqi Yao had been continuously at it for day and night before the chess masters finally won over this favorite of the Heavens. Xiao Xiang left Wang Qiu Pavilion first, Wanqi Yao remained there for three days before also leaving.
Within the glistening lake, Wang Qiu Pavilion was casted behind him. He had nothing with him, only bringing along a small child into this chaotic chess game with warlords vying for supremacy.
In the script it went like this but of course, it would be impossible for Rong Xu to act it out down to that particular detail right now. However, when he placed down the stone, everyone who read the script before seemed to have saw that scene. Perhaps only with an unmatched, peerless talent could they bring out Wanqi Yao's distinct and cold stance.
The audition ended and absolute silence reigned in the studio.
Only a few seconds later did the crowd broke out in hushed fervent discussion.
At first Director Guo couldn't help but smile but suddenly released a few heavy sighs.
Rong Xu and Tang Menglan were still sitting at the low table. When they heard the Director's sigh, they simultaneously turned to look at him. They saw Director Guo's face full of grievance before he solemnly urged: "Rong Xu, Menglan, when it is the actual filming, you guys have to maintain this state and cannot make any mistakes, got it?!"
So it turns out he was worried that the two's performance in the official filming would be inferior to the audition's!
Tang Menglan gave a light smile: "Director Guo, please rest assure."
Director Guo looked towards Rong Xu: "And you, Rong Xu?"
Rong Xu's lip curved up and asked in reply: "Director Guo, I take it that I passed the audition?"
Director Guo raised his eyebrow: "Still asking me? You say if you passed or not." After he finished saying that, without waiting for Rong Xu's reply, he suddenly laughed out loud by himself.
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Luo Zhentao had followed Director Guo's team twice before and had rarely seen him laugh so happily. Guo Long had always been serious, never one to speak much or smile and even had a history of scolding actors till they cry within the studio. Now for him to be so happy...it looks like he was very satisfied with the audition!
Luo Zhentao heart quivered, suddenly filled with a surprising idea: Perhaps…Rong Xu could really become a good actor?
As for what came next, no one gave Luo Zhentao any thinking time before a few actors at the scene started the photoshoot.
As long as Rong Xu stood in front of the camera, he could capture the whole audience's attention. Whether it was a solo shot or a double shoot with Tang Menglan or even with the second male lead, Wanqi Yao's shixiong in the drama, he was still that elegant and distinct Teacher Wanqi Yao who was praised as someone without compare.
Luo Zhentao quietly waited at the side, taking in every scene.
***
The photoshoot finally finished by evening, Rong Xu also officially signed the contract and could join the cast in ten days to start shooting his own scenes. The opening ceremony would take place in seven days. Rong Xu's role didn't have many scenes and he wasn't famous so the director let him choose for himself whether to came or not as it didn't matter much either way.
In the evening, Rong Xu and the crew all said goodbye, several makeup artists that helped him even smiled and said: "See you later in ten days."
He just stepped out of the studio door when he saw Luo Zhentao who had been waiting at the side for who knows how long.
Rong Xu calmly called him: "Luo ge."
When Luo Zhentao heard his voice, he immediately snapped back from his daze and said: "Hey! Rong Xu, you…you're also here ah?"
Rong Xu didn't expose his lie.
The two walked out of the Film City Studio together. As they walked, Luo Zhentao tried to find some kind of topic to talk about: " "Vie for Supremacy" is a very good drama, it's this winter's biggest blockbuster film and its copyrights have already been brought by three satellite TV companies. The selling price was quite high, the network broadcasting of a single episode costs over ten million."
Rong Xu lightly nodded: "It's quite good."
Luo Zhentao continued: "I saw your audition today. It was amazing, I didn't expect your acting skills would be so good. I remember that the first month of filming can be completed in the studio but for the filming two months later, it seems they need to go to Hengdian and Xiangshan. And they still have to go to some scenic spots too. That… Rong Xu, do your scenes also need you to go to Hengdian or a scenic area?"
Rong Xu made no comment and only lifted his gaze to look at Luo Zhentao with a smile.
"To follow the crew by yourself, it doesn't seem suitable…" Luo Zhentao grew a bit bolder: "Have you ever thought about...genuinely entering the entertainment circle?"
Rong Xu, for a time, didn't answer Luo Zhentao's question but also didn't reject it. As they came out of Film City Studio, Steward Duan had already been waiting with the car at the gate for a while now. Rong Xu quickly got on the car and offered Luo Zhentao a lift but he drove over in his own car so he could only smile awkwardly to decline Rong Xu's good intentions.
As he watched the car leave, Luo Zhentao still felt it was somewhat unreal. He subconsciously went to push up his glasses but realized that he was wearing contact lenses today.
"Rong Xu… Rong Xu ah, it's really like two different people compared to before… "
***
After getting in the car, Rong Xu slowly closed his eyes, the smile that had been hanging on his lips also disappeared.
B-city's night slowly fell and the city started lighting up. Ten thousand house lights passed through the brown window tint and reflected upon the youth's delicate and exquisite face, making it appear like even more of an obscure beauty.
What Luo Zhentao wanted to say, Rong Xu naturally understood but he wouldn't immediately give the other a reply.
According to the original owner's memory, Luo Zhentao seems to have been recently busy trying to persuade that big time actor of his to not quit. Although Huaxia Entertainment was certainly good, there were also many bright stars there. There, if you were not an unique peerless talent with absolute strength, you can never be number one nor would the best resources ever reach your hands. On the other hand, if you started up a studio as a boss, you can still be a big fish in a small pond instead of a small fish in a big pond and get more room for development.
Rong wasn't worried that he would be like the other newbies, hidden underneath Huaxia Entertainment's many artists. But he still had to wait a bit longer. He wants to observe whether or not Luo Zhentao could serve as a qualified manager and to also wait for that star to officially leave Huaxia Entertainment so that Luo Zhentao could wholeheartedly focus on being his manager.
In order to become a famous star, a good manager was essential.
After a while, the car left Film City Studio and entered the highway. Rong Xu recalled a certain matter he saw in the morning when he suddenly heard Steward Duan softly reminding him: "Young Master, the Second Madame returned."
Rong Xu slightly paused and after a moment, smiled: "Okay."
The Master and Madame were Rong Xu's parents and that Second Master and Second Madame were his uncle and aunt.
This aunt who went traveling to Europe for three months and didn't come back even once while her nephew was hospitalized finally decided to come back today.
When the heaven and earth benefited the people – When the time is right, geographical and social conditions are favorable, a good time to go to war
The blue sea will turn into mulberry fields – The world is always changing
Yun Meng Lake – Cloud Dream Lake
Wang Qiu Pavilion – Expecting Autumn Pavilion
Tianyuan – Center point on the chess board
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Komi – A komi is a handicap is where the black player add points to the white player's score in the beginning
Shixiong – Senior brother
Hengdian – Refers to Hengdian World Studios or Hengdian Film and TV Production City, a film studio located in the Hengdian Town that in the Zhejiang-Jiangsu-Shanghai-Fujian-Jiangxi economic circle, 160kilometers from Hangzhou and 90kilometers from Jinhua, it is the largest film studio in Asia
Xiangshan – Elephant Mountain, a mountain 183 m high that's in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Chess – While it could and usually is translated as chess, a more correct term would be 'Weiqi' which you guys most likely would have no idea what it is since it's not really a term that's used often, so I changed it to chess so you guys wouldn't be having no idea what's going for half the chapter even though I actually prefer weiqi . <.< Also, you guys might be more familiar with the more popularized Japanese term for it, 'Igo' or just 'Go'
When it is long divided, it must unite; when it is long united, it must divide – A modified (or in translation anyway) opening sentence from 'The Romance of Three Kingdoms'. The original being: "After a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide."
When the country is fractured into multiple states for too long, eventually, one of these states will manage to get powerful enough to take over the other states. That state is now strong enough to take over the rest of the country, and the other states no longer having the ability to oppose, therefore "unite". But eventually, after staying together for too long, even under the most successful emperors, someone else is going to take over, and the provinces will take the opportunity to rebel, therefore "divide."
It's really a statement on China's unique geographical situation, as the country is too big to control altogether and even the most successful dynasty can't last for more than 300 years. – NUF netizens
Tianyuan – There is a debate about starting in this position of whether or not this is a good position to start with.
In weiqi, the objective is to surround a larger total area or 'territory' of the board with your stones than your opponent. You are to attack the opponent's weak 'strings' (a group of connected stones) by surrounding them on all sides which is how you can expand your territories and to be careful not to let your opponent capture your strings instead. Now, while this might look simple, it's can actually be more difficult than actual chess 'chess'. Reason being that it's on a larger board with more scope for play and longer games with many more alternatives to consider per move as one careless move can completely kill off a string. You have to consider the formation of all stone placements, have an overall view of where the board is going and keep in mind the territory count plus captured stones since both are count at the end to determine the winner (for Territory scoring anyway, this way counts the number of empty points the player is surrounding along with the amount of stones they captured)
For why Tianyuan is considered a bad starting position, it's because weiqi is a game where it's hard to accurately determine which stones and strings would be important in the beginning and could only be told after many moves. It hard too tell whether or not starting with the center position is good or bad, just because you started there doesn't mean you can keep it, you are open and can be surrounded on all sides and it would be extremely obvious the longer the game goes on and could result in a losing position.
Komi – In China, the standard komi for weiqi is 7.5 because of their counting system (they use Area scoring, this way counts the number of points the player's stones occupy and surrounds, Japan and Korea both use Territory scoring so their std. komi is 6.5). The reason for this handicap is because black always starts first and would have a natural advantage in playing first with records of black having a higher winning percentage so this would usually happen between equal level players. Years of research shows that's it with 7.5 (for China) where both players would have more of an equal footing. The 0.5 is to avoid a draw.
^Hence, why they said it was a losing position when Rong Rong pulled that move~