Top Dupe CH 008 How Are You, Old Rival

Such a golden team instantly became a hot search topic.

[Originally, I wasn’t interested in this kind of TV drama where villains are brainlessly defeated! But the director is Lin Yue! ! !]

[Director Lin is the integrity of the entertainment industry, with no bad movies to his name so far!]

[Gu Xiaowei! Gu Xiaowei guarantees high ratings! Is he going to play an undercover role? I’m really looking forward to this kind of anti hero role!]

[I thought gege would have to take another half-year break before joining a new crew! I didn’t expect a seamless connection!]

[Screenwriter Hua is the god of screenwriting! The plot direction will always keep you guessing! Every episode has a hook that makes you never want to look away!]

[Screenwriter Hua can make flowers grow out of dead wood! Even a small character role can have a highlight moment!]

[Xie Shang is going to act in a mainstream drama! I really want to see jiejie in uniform! Let’s go Rainbow Feathers!] (TN: fan club name)

Cui Zhuxin, who had not heard back from several roles, was leaning on the side of the road and sighing. She didn't know how to tell Luo Yu when she went back. It was like the other film and television companies had deliberately joined forces. They didn't want to give Luo Yu even a small role.

When her phone rang, she picked it up and found out that it was the new news about "Counterattack". Looking at the cast lineup, Cui Zhuxin's eyes almost popped out.

She suddenly remembered what Luo Yu had told her before, that soon He Mu would regret giving up the role of Bai Ying. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be true——Lin Yue was directing it and Gu Xiaowei was the leading actor. This was a blockbuster booking without question.

She immediately called the crew to ask if the role of Bai Ying would be retained if "Counterattack" was restarted, and whether the director would change actors.

The other party's answer was: "Director Lin is a very contractual person, but he also has very high requirements for actors. The role of Bai Ying mainly appears in the early stages. The first version of the script for the first three episodes will be sent to you in two weeks. Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua will conduct an audition for this role. If he passes the audition, the role will belong to Luo Yu. But if he fails, the remuneration will be paid according to the contract, but the role will be given to someone else."

Sister Cui was stunned. She remembered that Luo Yu had said a few days ago that this role was likely to be auditioned, but she didn't expect that he actually hit it right on the nail.

It was just that... There were no signs in the circle, so how did Luo Yu get the news in advance?

What was even more unexpected was that a friend who had once received help from Sister Cui quietly told her that He Mu contacted the crew as soon as he learned the news and wanted to play a supporting role for zero pay, but was rejected by director Lin Yue, saying that time was tight and the task of rewriting the script was heavy, and there was no time to write a supporting role for He Mu.

However, He Mu did not give up and asked for the role of Bai Ying to be taken back. Director Lin declined again, meaning that an actor had already been contracted for this role. Unless He Mu could outperform him in the audition, the crew would not accept changing the actor.

After hearing this, He Mu immediately found an acting teacher to work overtime to practice. It could be said that he was determined to win this role.

Hearing this, Sister Cui was anxious and quickly told Luo Yu the news.

"What should we do, Luo Yu? I feel that Director Lin will not challenge Dijun Media for such a small role. The so-called audition is just a pretense of fairness——if your skills are not as good as others and you are replaced, it has nothing to do with the crew. This way it won't affect his reputation.”

Sister Cui had seen too many twists and turns from film crews, and she was really worried that Luo Yu's last chance would also be taken away.

Luo Yu comforted Cui Zhuxin: "Don't worry, no matter how turbid the entertainment world is, there will always be people with clean morals. I believe in Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua."

That's right, the last drama Luo Yu acted in in his previous life was directed by Lin Yue and written by Hua Xingyun. At that time, there were also people with strong backgrounds who wanted to secretly snatch the role from Luo Yu. It was Lin Yue and Hua Xingyun who withstood all the pressure. He believed that Luo Yu was the most suitable actor for this role, which resulted in Luo Yu winning best supporting actor.

So in this life, if Luo Yu had not missed the role of Bai Ying, he would have met his benefactor ten years earlier.

Luo Yu knew very well that he could not compete with capital. If he wants to show his potential, he must be recognized by people like Lin Yue and Hua Xingyun who have speaking power and stick to their principles.

"Then what if you are cut out?" Cui Zhuxin was afraid that Luo Yu would be like before, a role that he had prepared for a long time would be snatched away again, and he would completely spiral into depression.

"If something like that happens, Sister Cui, you can change your job and go to Honghe Film and Television. I will go to my university teacher and ask him to introduce me to stage acting. I can make a living and hone my acting skills. When Sister Cui becomes successful, don't forget to take care of me and give me some supporting roles."

Cui Zhuxin was stunned. She originally thought that this was a last-ditch battle with no retreat, but Luo Yu didn't have the tragic and anxious feeling of possible failure.

On the contrary, his calmness made Cui Zhuxin feel that... this role was definitely still his.

Not long after, Luo Yu received the script. Although there were only three episodes and also happened to cover Bai Ying's death, the entire plot rhythm was picked up. Even Bai Ying, a cannon fodder who died in three episodes, had depth.

Cui Zhuxin originally wanted to remind Luo Yu to cut his hair, but Luo Yu said with a smile: "I think... Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua will prefer me to keep my hair long."

The auditions were held in a hotel. In addition to the role of Bai Ying, there were several other important supporting roles being auditioned.

But there were only two competitors for Bai Ying——Luo Yu and He Mu.

Luo Yu was wore a simple white T-shirt and casual pants that day. Before entering the elevator, he happened to meet He Mu, who was surrounded by assistants, makeup artists, managers, and script teachers.

He Mu's hair was specially combed up to the back of his head, exposing his forehead to make himself look mature and intimidating. He wore a casual suit, and the collar of his shirt was deliberately opened wide, giving him the air of a sinister gang boss.

As soon as He Mu and his team entered the elevator, the assistant immediately made a no-entry gesture to others, "Please wait for the next elevator, thank you!"

It seemed polite, but in reality it was an order, not to mention that there was clearly plenty of room in the elevator.

The other guests in the hotel didn't know what was going on.

"Who was that just now? So ostentatious?"

"A celebrity, right? Afraid of being photographed or being asked for an autograph?"

"Ai, I don't even know him. Do they think we will pounce on him and bite him?"

"That's right, we don't know him either?"

Luo Yu wore a mask and stood behind these guests. They were all over forty years old and did not pay much attention to the entertainment industry. After a long time, still no one uttered He Mu's name. Making He Mu's wary attitude of guarding against fire, theft and hotel guests just now seemed a little self-conscious and hilarious.

The elevator came up from the underground garage and opened with a ding. Standing inside was a man wearing a light brown sweater and casual pants. The moment Luo Yu raised his eyes and looked at him, he was stunned.

Because that man was Gu Xiaowei.

The leading actor in Luo Yu’s last TV drama.

The refreshing feeling of pitting acting skills together came to his heart instantly, but at the moment he took the step, Luo Yu realized that this was Gu Xiaowei from ten years ago. He had never acted opposite him and almost never said anything to each other.

Luo Yu followed the other guests into the elevator, and his originally calm heart was now beating like a drum.

Because this man was not a fame chasing celebrity with the false title of movie king or TV king, but Gu Xiaowei.

A person who had lived his life as he envied from the beginning——an actor who did not surrender to fame and wealth, dared to challenge the world, stood independently, and was still invincible ten years later.

But the current Luo Yu did not yet have the capital to chat familiarly with the other.

There were a lot of guests coming in, and everyone looked at Gu Xiaowei in unison. Even if he was low-key and silent, he was a presence that could not be ignored.

There were more and more guests, and Luo Yu had to squeeze back. He was careful not to bump into Gu Xiaowei.

But at this moment, the rubber band tying Luo Yu's hair back suddenly broke.

With a "pop", his tied hair fell down in loose waves. 

Luo Yu took a deep breath. He was too careless. Why didn't he prepare an extra rubber band when he went out?

When his hair was tied up, it could give the feeling of soft toughness, but when it was let down, it just became messy. If one didn’t know, they might think he was cosplaying Mei Chaofeng. (TN: a character in the wuxia novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong)

Luo Yu took a deep breath and thought about borrowing one from someone on the floor.

The guests left the elevator one after another, and gradually only Luo Yu, Gu Xiaowei and his assistant were left in the elevator.

"Xiao Qin, do you have an extra rubber band?" Gu Xiaowei suddenly said.

Luo Yu took a deep breath, which was stuck in his throat. Why did Gu Xiaowei suddenly ask his assistant for a rubber band?

"Oh, my hair bun used two rubber bands, one can be removed." Assistant Xiao Qin said.

"Okay, thank you."

Xiao Qin took one off and handed it to Gu Xiaowei.

At this time, the elevator door opened. Luo Yu didn't know why, but he wanted to leave here quickly, feeling embarrassed for some reason.

But Gu Xiaowei stretched out his hand and patted Luo Yu on the shoulder.

"Senior, please use this to tie your hair."

His voice was like cold wine falling into the cup from a height, and his heartstrings burned instantly.

"Thanks."

Luo Yu was completely stunned.

What did Gu Xiaowei call him?

Senior?

He was wearing a mask, could Gu Xiaowei recognize him?

Moreover... Gu Xiaowei was now at the height of his career, and he still recognized him, a flopped senior?

Luo Yu, who was very composed about the audition, became nervous. When he pulled his hair back, some strands were left swinging by his ear. Gu Xiaowei directly pulled the rubber band away from his fingers and said softly: "I'll do it."

"Oh..." Luo Yu froze there motionless.

All he knew was that Gu Xiaowei's fingers were like a comb, sifting into his hair, gently pulling it back, and then tying it up.

"Done.”

Just one word, spoken just in Luo Yu's ears.

At that moment, everything became dim, and Luo Yu only felt the presence of Gu Xiaowei.

Gu Xiaowei stepped forward with his long legs and passed by Luo Yu. Only then did Luo Yu realize that it was assistant Xiao Qin who had been putting her hand between the elevator doors to keep them on this floor.

Looking at Gu Xiaowei's leaving figure, Luo Yu curled up his lips and smiled.

How are you, old rival.