Twenty minutes later.
The audition ended.
According to the plot, during this scene, the character played by Chen Feng needed to demonstrate some techniques used in a casino to the police officer played by Lin Zu.
Originally, the audition only required testing lines and overall feel.
As long as the feeling was right, it was fine.
As for the gambling table techniques, those were to be added later through special effects.
Director Mai Zijie had already used his strong Hong Kong background to find a Gambling King to help out.
They would film close-up shots of hands.
For example, the techniques for playing poker cards.
But what was the result?
Throughout the entire audition process, Chen Feng actually played poker cards with incredible skill right before everyone's eyes.
His single-handed card-cutting motion was almost indistinguishable from what's seen in films and TV shows.
It was even more impressive.
This left everyone dumbfounded.
He's really good at it?
This kid…
What's his background, exactly?
Mai Zijie was very satisfied.
Because what Chen Feng displayed was definitely the aura of a gambling master.
Although he was down and out, and in prison, the arrogance and self-confidence in his eyes, and the king-like aura he exuded when holding the poker cards, simply couldn't be hidden.
Plus, his exquisite card skills and the way he explained things.
He was clearly an old gambler.
So, after the audition, the candidate was immediately decided, and a contract for a special supporting role was signed on the spot.
It was for a week's worth of scenes.
The crew even arranged for Liu Rui and Chen Feng to stay in a relatively high-end hotel outside.
And so, Chen Feng remained in Hengdian World Studios.
…
Evening.
Lin Zu, who had finished his work with the crew, rushed to the hotel to find Chen Feng and Liu Rui.
"Azu, Junior Sister, let's go, I'll take you to meet my benefactor. I was able to join Director Mai's crew all thanks to her help. Tonight, I'm hosting a dinner for us all."
Upon hearing this, Chen Feng and Liu Rui quickly put on their clothes and followed him out.
It's good to meet new people.
In this industry, the more people you know, the more connections you have.
Half an hour later.
Lin Zu drove them to a nearby restaurant.
They went up to a private room on the second floor.
As they pushed the door open.
The lively chatter inside immediately quieted down a bit.
"They're here."
A soft female voice was heard.
The three entered the private room.
Chen Feng glanced around, and indeed, there were quite a few people inside.
Mai Zijie was also there.
And two strangers.
A man and a woman.
The man was wearing a suit and a bow tie, dressed very formally, with a very self-satisfied smile on his face.
The woman wore a light blue evening gown.
She was probably around forty years old.
Still beautiful in her maturity, with a graceful figure.
And quite charming.
After Lin Zu entered, he immediately smiled and greeted Mai Zijie and the woman: "Director Mai, Sister Song."
"Azu, you're here."
The woman's face was beaming with a bright smile, and she stood up, directly calling Lin Zu to her side and affectionately hooking her arm through his.
Her eyes were full of…
Doting?
Pampering?
Chen Feng couldn't quite understand.
Anyway, it was full of affection.
At this moment, Mai Zijie waved at Chen Feng and Liu Rui: "Come on, take a seat. Liu Rui, let me introduce you too."
Mai Zijie pointed at the woman and smiled: "Her name is Song YaWen, she's a distant relative of Teacher Song Guohui. In Hong Kong, she's also a leading luxury goods queen, with a net worth of over ten billion."
"Oh, hello."
Upon hearing this, Liu Rui quickly went over and shook hands with Song YaWen: "Hello, I'm Liu Rui. My grandfather is Liu Zhanshan, and he's an old friend of Teacher Song."
"I know."
Song YaWen, with her charming demeanor, looked at Liu Rui with a radiant smile and nodded: "I've heard my uncle talk about Elder Liu, and he's mentioned you too."
"Oh."
Liu Rui breathed a sigh of relief.
Then she smiled and said: "Then I'll call you Aunt Song."
"Don't."
Song YaWen's charming eyes flickered, and she said with a sweet laugh: "Call me Sister. Calling me 'aunt' makes me feel old."
"…Okay, Sister Song."
Liu Rui awkwardly called her 'Sister'.
She felt a little strange about it.
Song Guohui was her grandfather's generation.
Song YaWen was Song Guohui's niece, so she should be of the same generation as Liu Rui's father.
Calling her 'aunt' would be correct, wouldn't it?
Calling her 'sister'?
However, looking at Song YaWen's outfit, Liu Rui understood.
Trendy!
This woman exuded a trendy vibe from head to toe.
Even though she was in her forties, she was so well-maintained that she looked like she was in her early thirties.
Her figure was voluptuous, and her face was like a peach blossom.
She clearly looked to be in her prime.
So, perhaps she was younger in mindset.
At such times, one shouldn't be constrained by seniority; let her be called whatever she wants.
She really didn't expect to unexpectedly meet a relative of Teacher Song here, no wonder Mai Zijie asked her to make a cameo.
At this moment, Lin Zu also timely introduced Chen Feng to Song YaWen.
"Sister Song, this is Chen Feng, my university roommate. When we were in school, he was a top student in cultural subjects. Now, well, he's still trying his luck. But in today's audition, Director Mai praised him endlessly."
Song YaWen glanced at Chen Feng, smiled charmingly, and extended her hand: "Hello."
"Hello."
Chen Feng remained calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant.
After a light handshake with Song YaWen, he immediately withdrew his hand.
He had already figured it out.
Song YaWen and Lin Zu had an unusual relationship.
It was probably a romantic relationship.
Because the hint of charm in Song YaWen's eyes was obvious even to a fool.
Chen Feng couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
When he was in school, Lin Zu was also a spirited young man.
He had more than once, at a drinking table, envisioned a bright future, believing he could make a name for himself in the entertainment industry.
But what happened?
After more than a year of not seeing him, he had actually gotten involved with a rich woman.
This woman had a net worth of ten billion.
That was quite astonishing.
His ability to join Mai Zijie's crew must have been arranged by Song YaWen.
Alas!
The once youthful boy…
After introducing Song YaWen, Mai Zijie then gestured for everyone to focus on the man who had remained seated.
"Come, let me introduce you to another distinguished guest."
Mai Zijie showed great respect for the man beside him: "This is Mr. Ouyang Hua from Hong Kong. Mr. Ouyang is currently one of the two remaining seniors in Hong Kong who truly hold the title of Gambling King."
"Mr. Ouyang owns three casinos."
"He is also a member of the East Asia Global Gaming Council."
"He's here purely to help out this time."
After Mai Zijie finished speaking, Lin Zu and Liu Rui both stepped forward to greet him and shake hands.
When it was Chen Feng's turn.
Chen Feng extended his hand and said faintly: "Hello, Mr. Ouyang, I'm Chen Feng."
Ouyang Hua did not extend his hand.
He just looked at him with a half-smile, speaking in fluent Hong Kong Mandarin: "Mr. Chen is truly a hidden talent; it's surprising to see such skill at such a young age."
"You flatter me."
Seeing that the other party had no intention of shaking hands, Chen Feng simply withdrew his hand.
He could detect the probing in the other's tone.
He probably knew about his performance during the audition.
Ouyang Hua said nothing more.
His attention seemed to be entirely on Chen Feng.
So, Mai Zijie smiled and motioned for everyone to sit down.
Everyone took their seats.
Song YaWen naturally arranged Lin Zu next to her, and one hand consistently held Lin Zu's hand tightly, their fingers intertwined.
Lin Zu secretly winked at Chen Feng.
He curled his lips.
Everyone was smart.
Nothing more needed to be explained.
Regardless, Lin Zu had gotten involved with a rich woman based on his own abilities, what else could be said?
Hopefully, their relationship would last a little longer.