Two days have passed since the end of the exchange meeting. During these two days, the entertainment news has been dominated by the event, primarily featuring photos from the red carpet. The majority of the coverage was dedicated to the well-known stars, while the newcomers received scant attention. Only a few entertainment companies managed to secure special introductions for their new talents by leveraging connections with friendly media outlets, and their photos appeared separately in the entertainment news.
Interestingly, despite the numerous newcomers under Silver Fox, the only coverage was a group photo of Xia Li leading the team on the red carpet. In the crowd, Xize was barely visible, only showing the back of his head.
Post-event entertainment reports failed to mention any keywords related to Asian newcomers, even though the live audience was filled with astonished exclamations, and countless journalists were thrilled. Many witnessed Xize's promotional photos firsthand.
However, the news was deliberately suppressed, with Xia Li, the old fox, being the mastermind. He held a trump card firmly in his hand, refusing to play it. Others speculated and waited for him to reveal it, but the old fox was biding his time for the perfect moment. While everyone else was anxious, Xia Li was patiently waiting for the best opportunity to make his move.
Jane Anning and Xize were well aware of this. Xia Li had informed them early on, and Xize had no objections. Apart from his purely Asian face, he had no works to his name, making it unwise to appear in the public eye just yet. To Xize, both talent and appearance were equally important. At nineteen, he had ample time to hone his acting skills.
Thus, the biggest winner of the newcomer exchange meeting was undoubtedly Jane Anning. She garnered the most glory at the banquet, and post-event, producers and directors lined up to schedule meetings with her. Now, she not only had a trump card in the form of an Asian talent, but even former rivals like Jia En had softened their attitudes towards her.
Even Selena, who had previously abandoned her for other agents, made a special call to her.
Jane Anning was no longer the kind, considerate agent she once was. She didn't even answer Selena's call, hanging up and immediately blacklisting her.
At the time, she was personally driving Xize to Zhang Kai's for an audition, leaving no room for Selena. After hanging up, she blocked her.
Xize, sitting in the passenger seat and reading the news on his mobile light screen, remarked, "That's quite a grudge."
Jane Anning sneered, "I gave her the best resources without expecting anything in return, and she didn't even leave me a thank you when she left. We had no contact for half a year, and now, because of you, I have more resources, and she suddenly remembers me!"
Xize replied, "I heard Selena is also auditioning at Zhang Kai's today."
Jane Anning was taken aback, "How do you know?"
Xize turned the light screen towards her, enlarging a real-time entertainment news article. The headline read, "Selena, the Rising Diva, Auditions for 'Player' Today, with a Chance to Collaborate with Superstar Arnold."
Jane Anning scoffed, her face full of disdain, "A chance? The journalists sure know how to exaggerate. Besides Selena, other actresses are also auditioning. Does she really think she's the queen of divas?"
Xize remained calm, flipping through several real-time news articles. Indeed, there were numerous reports about the 'Player' auditions today, mentioning several other stars besides Selena, though Arnold's name appeared the most.
Zhang Kai, known for his high standards, required all actors, except for the pre-selected Arnold, to pass his personal interview, regardless of their status or popularity. No one could use connections to get a role.
The audition was held at one of Zhang Kai's studios, quite a distance from Silver Fox. By the time Jane Anning and Xize arrived, the parking lot was already filled with numerous nanny flying cars, indicating the high number of auditionees and the significance of Zhang Kai's upcoming show.
Jane Anning had already briefed Xize thoroughly before they arrived. Trusting him completely, she refrained from repeating herself and, holding the audition invitation, followed the staff into the studio.
Zhang Kai's studio was modest, without individual rooms for each star. Everyone waited in a single room, and when called, they went next door for their audition.
As Jane Anning and Xize entered the waiting room, they encountered Jia En and his boy band, who were also waiting.
The two groups locked eyes, both momentarily stunned.
Jia En, still wearing his flamboyant floral shirt, squinted his eyes and, in a complete turnaround from his previous mocking attitude, greeted Jane Anning with a polite smile, "So, Sister Anning is here with Xize too."
Jane Anning, in her high heels, raised her chin and responded with an aloof "Hmm."
Xize gave the group a faint smile, thinking it was enough to maintain appearances. The other side seemed to think the same.
Jia En's four boys, except for Xining, were strangers to Xize, but they curiously stared at him and quickly surrounded him with enthusiasm.
"You're Xize, right? Hello, hello, you're really a pure-blooded Asian."
"Are your eyes naturally like this? And your hair, never dyed?"
"We're also Asians, but not as pure as you. Can we exchange contact codes and be friends?"
Since the exchange meeting, Xining had been in a foul mood. He sat there coldly, his gaze like ice daggers, while Jia En was nearly driven mad by his three lively, outgoing boys.
"You're also newcomers; can't you learn to be more composed? Have some sense! Can you be a bit more reserved? You're a popular group, for crying out loud! Your tails are about to wag off!"
Jia En rolled his eyes repeatedly, feeling utterly humiliated. While he politely addressed Jane Anning as "Sister Anning," his artists were eagerly wagging their tails. He felt his dignity was in tatters.
Jane Anning initially maintained her composed demeanor, but the boys' genuine enthusiasm amused her, and Xize, surrounded by them, was visibly bemused.
The three boys, all with Asian features, eagerly talked to Xize, one even pulling out a pen and earnestly asking, "You will definitely become famous! Maybe even more than Arnold. Can you sign my shirt?"
The other two chimed in, "Yes, yes! We want one too!" and turned their backs to Xize.
Xining: "..."
Jia En: "..." Where's a gun when you need one? He wanted to drag the three eager boys back but couldn't risk offending Jane Anning now.
Xize, holding the pen, was torn between amusement and frustration. Despite his dislike for Xining and Jia En, he couldn't deny the boys' genuine enthusiasm. They seemed genuinely eager for his autograph.
After a moment's thought, he signed their shirts, adding the date. It was his first autograph since arriving in the future, an awkward but memorable moment.
Jane Anning, initially aloof in her high heels, was amused by the boys' sincerity. Simple, genuine people were indeed endearing. Seeing Xize finish signing, she approached and said, "Alright, go sit down. The interview is about to start."
The three boys, delighted with their autographs, returned to their seats, only to deflate under Jia En's stern gaze, sitting quietly like three chastised puppies.
Soon, a staff member entered, calling the newcomers for their interviews while the agents waited outside. The five auditionees followed the staff through a short corridor into a fully enclosed room.
Inside, Xize was stunned. He knew the future's technology made TV production different, with more advanced and varied presentation forms. Shows like Zhang Kai's "Exploring the Stars" or his initial audition, where he was chased by a Kaia beast without seeing a single crew member, were examples.
But this was his first time experiencing such an audition. The enclosed room resembled a laboratory more than an audition space, with machines lining one wall, ten blue screens floating mid-air, and six or seven staff members operating the equipment. In the center were seven semi-reclining chairs.
An audition? This looked more like a laboratory!
Xize wasn't the only one shocked; Xining and the three boys were equally stunned. Zhang Kai stood by a machine, his expression serious as he monitored data on a screen. After a moment, he turned and approached them.
Zhang Kai's demeanor was stern and serious, with no hint of humor. "You've signed the confidentiality agreement. Lie down. It's safe."
Xining asked first, "What do we need to do?"
Zhang Kai replied, "Lie down. The staff will instruct you."