Chapter 181 The Chief Personally Calls

Xi Rouer left with a dark face, filled with overwhelming anger and a burning sense of hatred. Along the way, she couldn't even bother to maintain her usual image.

Just after she left, the door to the audition room opened. Director Cheng Yijia came out in person, walked up to Yun Fu and Qiao An, and said solemnly to you: "I am very much looking forward to the surprises you will bring me."

He reached out his hand behind him, and the young man who had just come out with the box for the drawing of lots promptly handed over a script.

Cheng Yijia took it. "This is the complete script. Take it back and read it carefully. Once the male lead is finalized, we can start shooting immediately."

Yun Fu nodded, her expression indifferent and calm, showing no sign that she had just landed such a massive leading role.

Yet, this only made Cheng Yijia hold her in even higher regard.

For the rest, those who still wished to audition for the female lead could leave, or they could settle for a secondary choice and audition for supporting female roles.

In short, the female lead belonged to Yun Fu.

Along the way, Qiao An felt as if she were walking on air. When she first managed to secure the audition opportunity, she had only dared to imagine Yun Fu successfully passing it in her wildest dreams.

Yet never in her wildest dreams had she expected the sweet dream to actually come true.

Is there anything in this world that Yun Fu cannot accomplish!

Qiao An felt that even if Yun Fu were to tell her tomorrow that she knew how to build a rocket, she would believe it.

As soon as this thought crossed her mind, a wave of lingering fear washed over Qiao An—wait, Yun Fu is truly too capable; what if she gets halfway through filming this drama and suddenly decides to go do something else instead?

At this thought, Qiao An cast an uneasy glance at Yun Fu and tentatively asked, "Xiao Fu, you... you don't have any thoughts of changing careers anytime soon, right?"

Yun Fu glanced at her sideways and instantly understood what she meant.

She pulled her hand out of her pocket, took the script from Qiao An's grasp, and maintained her usual nonchalant demeanor: "No."

This job was quite nice; she had no plans to change careers for the time being.

Only then did Qiao An truly burst into elation, immediately declaring upon getting into the car that she would treat Yun Fu to a sumptuous meal.

Back at the audition venue, Director Cheng Yijia suddenly received a phone call. Seeing the caller ID, he hurriedly called a halt to the auditions.

With a respectful posture, he walked aside and answered the call: "Director Shen, how may I help you?"

The Director Shen in Cheng Yijia's mouth was not the chief of some public security bureau, but rather the Director of the National Radio and Television Administration of Huaguo—the ultimate top boss of their entire industry.

Mind you, it was only thanks to his family connections and the patriotic, politically significant themes of the television and film projects he directed that he had been fortunate enough to meet this person a few times. He never expected this heavyweight figure to personally call him today.

"Director Cheng, you began preparing for the television series *Blossoms Along the Road* two years ago. As a portrayal reflecting the most arduous years, the higher-ups are paying close attention to this drama."

Cheng Yijia said apprehensively, "Yes, yes, yes. I am well aware of this, and I will definitely treat it with the utmost seriousness."

A hearty laugh came from the other end of the line. "Director Cheng, you don't need to be nervous. I'm calling today simply to ask whether your drama is currently in the middle of casting."

Cheng Yijia's heart skipped a beat. He had only just decided on the female lead, and the higher-ups were calling him immediately—surely they weren't dissatisfied with Yun Fu as the female lead, were they?

Yet, he truly believed Yun Fu was a rare, once-in-a-generation talent. There could be no better choice for the female lead than her.

However, if the higher-ups were going to put up a strong resistance, he wasn't sure if his own opinion would carry any weight.

His thoughts spinning a thousand times a minute, Cheng Yijia answered, "Yes."

On the other end of the line, Director Shen's tone shifted, turning earnest and deep. "You also know how much importance the higher-ups place on this drama, so the actors must be deliberated over and over again. It is imperative to select the most suitable actor possible."

"Yes, Director Shen is entirely right." Though he said this, Cheng Yijia was scared out of his wits; he assumed Yun Fu must have some sort of dirt on her that the higher-ups had caught onto.

Yet he had clearly screened everyone when giving out the audition opportunities—just where could Yun Fu possibly have a problem?

If it truly came down to it, he would have no choice but to replace the female lead.

Cheng Yijia sighed inwardly.

"I do happen to know of a female actress who seems quite suitable," Director Shen finally got to the point on the other end.

Cheng Yijia sighed again. It seemed Yun Fu really was out of the running now that the higher-ups had personally intervened.

Sensing his emotional shift, Director Shen chuckled softly. "It's merely a suggestion, of course. If you feel there is someone better, you are welcome to stick with your own choice. After all, you are the professional here."

"No, no, no, Director Shen, you are the expert. But may I ask, who is this suitable actress you mentioned?"

"A young woman named Yun Fu. She is also an honorary professor at Huaqing University—highly educated, of fine moral character, and furthermore, I have seen her acting; it's quite impressive."

Cheng Yijia: "..." Isn't this precisely the female lead I chose?

Where on earth did this feeling of pie falling from the sky come from? Cheng Yijia let out a massive sigh of relief. "Director Shen, to tell you the truth, just half an hour ago, I already finalized the actress for the female lead. It is precisely Yun Fu."

The other end of the line fell silent for two seconds, and immediately, Cheng Yijia could hear the relaxed and jubilant shift in his voice.

"That is simply wonderful! In that case, this actress must indeed be exceptionally outstanding."

"Yes, she is completely the Xie Qingru of my imagination. I believe she will definitely bring us a pleasant surprise."

"Good. Since that is the case, go ahead and film earnestly. When the time comes, this side will definitely grant you a smooth passage."

Suppressing the surging excitement in his heart, Cheng Yijia exchanged a few more respectful pleasantries before hanging up the phone.

Right now, he felt an urge to enshrine Yun Fu like a deity, while also feeling immensely grateful for his choice of her.

How on earth did she manage to catch Director Shen's discerning eye, to the point where the man personally promised to clear the way for them? What did those words signify? They meant that from the moment filming started until their broadcast, their television series would enjoy a completely unobstructed path. What an exhilarating prospect!

Just what kind of extraordinary figure was Yun Fu anyway?!

Meanwhile, upon hearing Cheng Yijia state that the chosen female lead was Yun Fu, Shen Tinglin also breathed a sigh of relief.

As for why he had made this phone call, it was all thanks to a call he had received half an hour prior.

His own nephew, Shen Yuheng, had actually called to tell him that Lian Hanqi hoped Yun Fu would be the female lead of this drama.

He hadn't said it was an absolute demand, only a hope.

Instead of agreeing right away, Shen Tinglin had gone online to investigate this actress named Yun Fu, only to discover that she was truly extraordinary. It was no wonder the head of the Lian family had set his sights on her.

Consequently, he had immediately placed a call to Cheng Yijia.

He had already prepared himself to use both soft and hard tactics on Cheng Yijia if necessary, but he never expected the director to tell him that his chosen female lead was already Yun Fu. Wasn't this a win-win for everyone?

As for Cheng Yijia himself, he felt he had truly reached the pinnacle of his life today.

Just then, he received yet another phone call. The caller stated that he was the special assistant to the Lian Group, calling specifically to inquire about the casting situation and offering their investment should any be needed.

The Lian Group! That colossal titan of Huaguo—no, stretching far beyond Huaguo—the ultimate elite among the elite families! How on earth had he, Cheng Yijia, earned such a privilege?