From behind the group, Hu Tian saw Wen Lin coming over from the side and approached him to take the thermos in his hand. The truth is— Wen Lin returned earlier, but was unable to approach their little prince because the famous royal couple was with him.
He was surprised to see their little prince getting along with Hu Tian and Fei Lan. Both were veteran artists, who are said to have held the title of King and Queen in their youth. That is until Lu Ziyun overtook them both.
Moreover, Hu Tian is the Empire's owner's cousin. In short, he is one of the bosses within the Empire. There is no way a mere agent like Wen Lin could approach the royal couple. He only did when Hu tian gestured to him to come over while his wife pulled the little one ahead of them.
"You have to tell me everything you know about Yingying's relationship with that surnamed Lu. Anyway, who ordered you guys to withheld the reporters about what really happened in that hotel?" said Hu Tian.
"I-It's Assistant Director He, sir. He is a huge fan of Lu Ziyun which is why he is not willing to dirty his name. He made the orders thinking that the higher-ups won't think of a mere first-rate artist like the little prince so… so, they…" replied Wen Lin.
Hearing the reason Hu Tian frowned. "I will report this to the higher-ups, such corruption, I will make to to have my brother learn about this. Yingying has the potential to be a film emperor more so than Lu Ziyun. You've noticed, don't you? Yingying's aura changed. It means he is no longer willing to be put down by Lu Ziyun. He will act seriously from now on. Make sure to get a bodyguard and personal assistant for Yingying. If something happens to him, I and Lan'er will not forgive you or your department!" Said Hu Tian in enraged.
"Yes, Sir. I will definitely inform the rest!" Replied respectfully by Wen Lin.
On the other hand, his heart is in chaos, he never expected that their little prince would be able to get the adornment of the royal couple on their first meeting.
The Royal Couple might be quite young, but both are influential people. The Queen is one of the shareholders of the Empire. She has the right to make decisions for some artists if she wishes to. Hu Tian is also a shareholder, but they didn't fear him because of that. They feared him because they knew that the CEO of the Empire, Wang Tian, was his cousin.
If he said a word the Emperor of the Empire would only need one word to end a person's career in the whole entertainment world. After all, only the famed Empire's Huangdi held the reins for all endings of artists. If he likes you then you will soar. If he hates you then you will disappear. There is nothing in the Entertainment World he couldn't land a finger on.
---
Audition Room.
Fei Lan entered the room pulling the arm of Xia Ying who felt like he was some kind of baggage, having a lady who was able to pull him as he was almost hanging in the air. He could even see Hu Tian and his agent, Wen Lin, staring at them with a small smiles on their faces. Upon entering the room they were welcomed by countless pairs of eyes on them.
A group of it came from the side of the other artists who came for the audition. While a small group of it came from the table of judges. From the side of those who came for the audition, a familiar face is found. Someone who shares the same face as Xia Ying but with a brighter aura around him. The Protagonist Shou, Xia Yang.
Of course, Xia Ying paid no attention to his glare. Xia Ying now retained his cold face unlike his free expression when speaking with Hu Tian and Fei Lan.
Seeing that Xia Ying's smile disappeared as soon as they entered the audition room made Fei Lan unhappy. She started poking Xia Ying's soft cheeks gently in a doting manner.
Fei Lan, "Our baobei~ what happened? Your smile disappeared. Tell Jiejie what's wrong?"
Xia Ying just stared at the crowd ignoring the Queen who was poking his cheeks. His expression remained cold as if it cannot be moved at all. Seeing this, Hu Tian understood his reason and didn't even mind questioning him. He just treated him the same as before. Patting his head gently as he held his girlfriend's hand and stopped her from poking their little brother's face.
Hu Tian smiled at him, "Do as you wish, didi." Xia Ying nodded his head.
Only then this Fei Lan remembered that there are other people around them which is why her little baby brother returned to being a block of ice.
Fei Lan hugged him, "Jiejie will wait for you to finish. You've promised to eat lunch with us right? Baobei." Xia Ying nodded his head at her request as well.
After they've split, Xia Ying joins the group of artists who will audition. While the royal pair join the group of judges, as they were the leads of the movie, Horror Tale.
The Director of the movie named Du started his speech. Beside him, the Empire's emperor, Wang Tian, is seated like an emperor overseeing his subjects, but his eyes wander around on Xia Ying the longest as he feels that the latter is intentionally ignoring him. This action annoyed him.
Director Du spoke, "Ehem! Before we begin the audition I'm sure that everyone here has read the script for Xue Jing. According to the script the characters consist of two main leads and two support leads. The main leads were already decided. For the position of Xue Luli, Ms. Fei Lan. For the male lead, Fu Lian would be Sir Hu Tian and for the exorcist, one of the supporting leads. It was chosen to be acted by Sire here. Sir Wang Tian."
Wang Tian looked around the artists seated from the other side but none of them dared to meet his gaze. They've all blushed before lowering their heads the moment Wang Tian's gaze lands on them. Xia Yang is not much different from others in this case. Well, his reaction is the greatest, after blushing bright red as a tomato, he started fidgeting like a foolish fangirl.
On the other hand when Wang Tian and Xia Ying's eyes met, both frowned at the same time as they landed a hand on their chest in bewilderment. They've averted their eyes after a short moment of meeting, leaving the area to a much more silent and awkward atmosphere.
Even the royal couple felt bewildered by this exchange. They knew that these two had only met today, there is no way for them to hate each other yet since they were strangers.
There is even no way, Xia Ying would approach Wang Tian, not only he doesn't care about the big boss, the strangers were even treated aa non-existent. Xia Ying wouldn't waste his time getting the other's attention. He's this eccentric. Like when he didn't notice their stares while eating his cupcakes until he finished one.
"Exe, who is this man?" asked Xia Ying to his system in his mind.
[Host, that's this star's Main Antagonist. The Villain and Emperor of Empire Entertainment Corporation, Wang Tian.]
"Could you check if this man is an outsider?" asked Xia Ying to his system.
[Please wait for a moment. Host, I've checked he is the original Main Villain and a resident of this world. Is something a problem, host?]
"Nothing. I just felt weird just now…" replied Xia Ying as he looked at the hand on his chest before putting it down and calmed him nerves.
Hearing that reply from his system, Xia Ying's couldn't help but frown in silence while secretly peeking at that captivating face of this world's villain. Without him knowing that this man had been observing his little actions making the latter's lips pulled up, slightly upturned but only for a moment.
Wang Tian felt interested in someone for the first time. He could sense the meaning of the gaze coming from Xia Ying. It was unlike the usual stares of seduction or greed. His eyes remained cold but for some unknown reason, there are hints of confusion and irritation within those silver eyes.
"Sir Wang Tian, are you alright?" asked by one of the judges when they saw Wang Tian suddenly halted.
Putting down his hand nonchalantly, "Nothing. You may continue." replied Wang Tian.
Hearing this the Director restarted his speech. "As you see the role of Xue Jing is the counterpart who will act with Sir Wang as a partner. If there are some of you who aren't confident for this position you may now take your leave."
Once the director said that most of the artists who came for the audition left. They knew their level of talent. There is no way they could act with a veteran artist like Wang Tian. Not only that, but they also weren't willing to offend the emperor for being overconfident with their skills.
Those who are left were third and second-rate artists and some of the first-rate artists who were not fully confident they could act with Wang Tian as his partner in the movie.
The only third-rate actor that remained is Xia Yang. The people who are leaving were giving him a sneer for being stupid. Even the director looked ugly when he saw that Xia Yang remained. He is a director who originally works with Silver Entertainment. He knew what level of acting Xia Yang had.
To explain it in simple word, it is 'crude'. In a sentence 'not even worth mentioning'.
Even Director Du himself doesn't believe that Xia Yang's meager talent is enough to act as Xue Jing. On the other hand, his elder twin brother is perfect for it. A cold demeanor who could adjust his face in any expression he needs to portray as long as the camera is rolling. This is the kind of potential he wishes to get.
If not for the latter's blackened reputation he would have pulled the latter without even undergoing any audition. This audition is just for show, Director Du's real intention is to get Xia Ying for the role of Xue Jing.
After the others left the room, those who remained can be counted in one hand. To be exact including Xia Ying and Xia Yang there are only 5 artists left for the audition. Most of them were first-rate actors and only Xia Yang is a third-rate artist. Seeing this the Director couldn't help but look at Xia Yang.
Director Du, "Xia Yang. Do you really think you can act for the position of Xue Jing?" His expressions were serious and there's an evident frown on his old face.
Xia Yang flinched when he heard his name, "Y-Y-Yes I can… d-do it." he replied while stuttering.
"Just speaking to me, the director, made you stutter. What would you do when you acted with Sir Wang!?" said the director as he banged his hand on the table. Startling Xia Yang.
BAM!!
Hic!
Wang Tian moved his eyes and looked at Xia Yang with indifference in his eyes, "You are not worthy of Xue Jing." He said straightforwardly without mincing his words.
"Your acting talent is average. Even lesser than a normal artist in my Empire. You don't deserve to be Xue Jing. Leave the room!" said Wang Tian.
The authority in his voice is evident. There are even hints of disgust in his tone.
The emperor's words were true, straight to the point without any sugar to coat it. It was even more bitter than coffee and much more hurtful than being stabbed. Xia Yang's eyes teared when he heard Wang Tian's words. He stood up covering his face as he ran away towards the door of the room.
Before he could open the door to leave, Xia Ying spoke for him.
Xia Ying did it intentionally. There are no apparent changes on his cold face but those who knew him can see mirth within those dull silver orbs.
"Wait. I know my brother's talent isn't enough. But the confidence he had made him think so otherwise, I would like to ask Director Du and Sir Wang Tian to give him one more chance to audition."
Once Xia Ying's words were heard, silence engulfs within the room.
Silence~
The other person's eyes move from Xia Ying's to Wang Tian's. Xia Ying and Wang Tian stared at each other's eyes. They've stared at each other without averting at all. It even took a full minute as they've ignored the other people's presences in the room. Wang Tian could see the playfulness from within Xia Ying's silver eyes. Seeing that, he knew that this little devil wanted to toy with his twin brother.
It's just that this little devil's face remained cold as usual. Unmoved by anything or by everything. His interest sparked much more than when they've accidentally met each other's eyes. Looking through Xia Ying's eyes he could see what kind of personality he had. Playful and cruel. Someone who matches his appetite too badly. As much that he wanted to kidnap this playful little devil and bring him home, the currency situation is not up for it. He had to hold back hia desires for now.
A smile appeared on the corner of Wang Tian's eyes before it disappeared when his gaze moved from Xia Ying to Xia Yang.
"Very well. Those who wish to get the role of Xue Jing would have to act with me for it." Said Wang Tian as he left his chair.