Act 7 was over but the audience couldnt tear themselves away from the plot immediately. Cheng Xias crying had been too realistic. This type of depressed crying was more moving than shouts. Zhou Yan stood in the corner and her eyes were wet. She couldnt believe that the young man who just acted was a newcomer!

The one-week closed training allowed him to make such big progress? Perhaps this was the so-called understanding and talent. It was the same training classes but Cheng Xia immediately understood and quickly applied them better than the newcomers of the same period as him.

Zhou Yan took a deep breath and stared at the young man in the middle in a complicated manner.

Cheng Xia adjusted for a moment before he freed himself from the plot. Then he turned and bowed to Director Zhu. I have finished my performance. Thank you, Teachers.

Zhu Zheng didnt know what to say. This young man had been too involved in the acting just now so he was brought in. It wasnt easy to perform to this level in the absence of items and the set, not to mention this young man was a newcomer. Everything was surprising from the position of the entry, the details of his performance and the final infectious crying scene, and the trembling of forcibly suppressed emotions.

Director Zhu hadnt looked good earlier. He thought that after Shu Yue withdrew from the circle, Pei Shaoze had casually sent an omega actor from Tianxuan. He didnt expect the newcomer sent by President Pei to be so strong!

Director Zhu looked at Cheng Xia with a warmer attitude. Cheng Xia, can you tell me what you were thinking about when you were crying?

Cheng Xia hadnt wiped away all his tears and his voice was still a bit choked up. I thought about my own relatives. If one day I go home and find my parents lying in a pool of blood and dismembered, I would be very broken

Zhu Zheng exchanged a look with the deputy director and screenwriter.

The easiest and most effective way to find emotions was through association. However, few actors could do this. Some people thought it was too much. They lost control during the performance and it was common for them to forget their lines. It was the most difficult thing to find the feelings through association, integrate the association with the character, and clearly remember the content you want to perform.

However, Cheng Xia did it.

After watching the chaotic crying and howling all day, Director Zhus ears were about to be numb from these alphas. Cheng Xias performance was like a breath of fresh air. The silent, suppressed cry of pain was the effect Zhu Zheng wanted the most.

Zhu Zheng joked. Youre a very talented actor. Wipe your tears away first. Otherwise, if you go out then other people will think I scolded you until you cried.

The deputy director and screenwriter laughed. Cheng Xia smiled with embarrassment. Zhou Yan hurried forward to hand him a tissue. Cheng Xia wiped away his tears. His eyes were red but he was very sunny and lovely. Zhu Zheng couldnt believe that an omega could play the alpha trainee police officer without the slightest sense of violation. Zhu Zheng nodded with relief and said, Go back. We will discuss it and notify you as soon as there is a result.

Cheng Xia bowed to them. Thank you, Director Zhu. Thank you, teachers.

He followed Zhou Yan and left.

Zhou Yan took him back to the door of the lounge and gave him a thumbs up. Cheng Xia, you were really amazing just now. As an agent, she was very proud. It didnt matter if Cheng Xia was selected this time. With his talent and age, he would definitely have a bright future. Cheng Xia might become the most popular star she ever looked after.

Cheng Xia smiled shyly at the agents praise. Sister Yan, I actually didnt act perfectly.

Zhou Yan patted him on the shoulder. Dont be modest. You were really great. I will go and see what actors are after you.

Cheng Xia nodded and pushed open the door, entering alone.

In the lounge, Pei Shaoze was on the sofa. He saw that Cheng Xias eyes were red and there seemed to be tears in the corners. Pei Shaozes heart immediately softened and he stepped forward. Whats wrong? You just cried?

Cheng Xia sniffed. There was a crying scene. Perhaps I was too involved in the scene just now. Im still a bit sad. His closest relatives were tortured and killed and he saw the bloody corpses with his own eyes. Xu Ziyang is really miserable.

Pei Shaoze reached out and gently helped wipe the tears from the corners of this young mans eyes. Then he gently held Cheng Xia in his arms. Its okay. You arent Xu Ziyang and your family hasnt been killed. Youre Cheng Xia now. Dont think about it.

Cheng Xia buried his face in Pei Shaozes arms. He hugged this person tightly, his body still trembling slightly. It was normal to be unable to calm down immediately after getting too involved in acting. Pei Shaoze patiently comforted the young man in his arms.

The alphas slender fingers gently stroked Cheng Xias head as if calming a frightened little animal. The gentle movements gradually calmed Cheng Xias mood. Cheng Xia noticed that he wet this mans shirt with his tears and stepped back in embarrassment, leaving the embrace. Im sorry, I just lost control of my emotions. I

Pei Shaozes eyes were gentle. Its fine. The old actors also need to adjust for a long time after performing a crying scene. Youre a newcomer and youve done a good job.

Cheng Xia finally regained his smile. Yes, I wont think about it.

Pei Shaoze rubbed his head. The audition is over. Regardless of the result, youre the best in my eyes.

These words allowed Cheng Xia to sweep away the previous haze. His mood became completely joyful. In any case, Brother Pei thought he was very powerful. It didnt matter if the director didnt like his performance. At least Brother Pei acknowledged him.

The two of them were watching each other tenderly when there was a knock on the door.

By the time Zhou Yan entered the room, Cheng Xia was sitting on the sofa drinking water while Pei Shaoze stood to the side. Cheng Xias red eyes were much better and he was full of smiles. Sister Yan, what is going on outside? Is the audition over?

There are around 10 people left but they are all newcomers who arent famous.

Pei Shaoze told them, There might not necessarily be a result today. They will go back to discuss it. Lets first go upstairs to have a meal.

He took Cheng Xia and Zhou Yan to the fifth floor by elevator and found a private room to sit in. Not long after the meal, his phone suddenly rang. Pei Shaoze answered the phone. Hello Director Zhu? He glanced at Cheng Xia and Zhou Yan and the two people immediately listened carefully.

Pei Shaoze slightly smiled. How is the performance of our companys Cheng Xia today? Director Zhu, are you satisfied?

Zhu Zheng was solemn. I really didnt expect a newcomer to be so good. President Pei, Cheng Xia is actually the treasure you hid. Now that Shu Yue has retired, you want him to take the big brother position of Tianxuan, right?

Pei Shaoze answered, You can think of it that way. It wasnt just Tianxuan. One day, his Cheng Xia would become the most popular omega actor.

Director Zhu said, We have discussed it and decided to let Cheng Xia play Xu Ziyang. In terms of salary, should I talk to his agent or directly with President Pei?

Pei Shaoze suggested, If its convenient, should we meet tomorrow? Lets talk in person.

Cheng Xia and Zhou Yans eyes lit up when they heard these words. Once Pei Shaoze hung up, Zhou Yan asked in a trembling voice, P-President Pei, you mean our Cheng Xia was chosen?!

Pei Shaoze nodded. Yes, Director Zhu personally called me.

Zhou Yan was dizzy by the sudden surprise like she had drawn a lottery ticket worth a few million.

Cheng Xia clenched his fists happily. In order to play Xu Ziyang, he practiced madly in his apartment and cried for a while. His eyes were a bit swollen this morning and he had to use an ice pack to decrease it. Although it didnt matter if he wasnt selected since it was still a good experience. Nevertheless, he had practiced hard for so long. Did he really want to lose the audition?

In addition, Pei Shaoze did a lot for this audition. He took Cheng Xia to the police academy to find the feeling, went to the shooting range to practice with guns, and even arranged training classes for him to learn from the experience of his seniors

Now he was chosen. He made the best impression on the director in the competitive audition. He lived up to himself and the people who loved him! Cheng Xias excitement was beyond words. If it wasnt for the presence of his agent, he wouldve plunged into Pei Shaozes arms to hug the other person fiercely.

After dinner, Pei Shaoze asked the driver to take the two people back. Zhou Yans house was relatively close and she got out of the car first. Then Pei Shaoze sent Cheng Xia back to the artists apartments.

There were only two people left in the back row and Cheng Xia finally couldnt help jumping to Pei Shaozes arms. Pei Shaoze was actively hugged and touched the head of the young man. He asked, Why? Do you want to thank me?

Cheng Xia whispered, I was chosen this time because you helped me a lot.

I should do this. Pei Shaoze wondered, In terms of the payment, do you have a psychological price?

Cheng Xia thought about it. The pay given for Folding Paper was more than 100,000 yuan. This time, I am playing the second male lead and it should be almost the same.

Pei Shaoze nodded. Ill handle it for you.

The next day, Pei Shaoze brought the agent Zhou Yan with him and met Director Zhus team at a restaurant. In the process of waiting for the food to be served, Director Zhu simply asked, President Pei, how do you want to calculate Cheng Xias pay?

The deputy director smiled from next to him. President Pei, you should know that Shu Yues retreat had a great negative impact on us. We had to publicly audition to find roles again and spent a lot of money. Funding is really tight. Cheng Xia is playing the second male lead. Do you think a pay of 250,000 yuan is enough? There are only 12 episodes in total. One episode is 20,000 yuan which isnt bad for newcomers.

Zhou Yan didnt dare express any opinions. She felt that such pay was indeed suitable for a newcomer who hadnt had any works publicly released.

Pei Shaoze didnt answer directly and changed the subject. Shu Yue suddenly announced his retreat from the circle and this caught you off guard. Tianxuan is also responsible since we didnt coordinate it well. If your crew is tight on funds then I can give some investment.

Director Zhu and the deputy director exchanged looks with surprise.

Pei Shaoze immediately asked, Who is the producer of this drama? How much did they invest?

Director Zhu immediately replied. Linhua Films invested 10 million yuan. Other small movie and television companies jointly invested another 5 million yuan.

In other words, the current funding available for the crew is 15 million?

The deputy director sighed helplessly. It isnt that much. We spent some money on the early publicity. In addition, this public audition cost some money.

Pei Shaoze nodded. Then I will invest 10 million yuan in the name of Tianxuan. This should be enough?

Several people looked like they had been hit by an egg falling from the sky. Their eyes changed when they looked at Pei Shaoze. This boss simply scattered money!

Pei Shaoze said, Ill talk to the boss of Linhua Films about the specific details. Once the time comes, they will send a supervisor and Ill be the producer to co-produce this drama. What do you think?

If a company didnt have enough money then it would find other companies to make additional investment. There were many examples of co-productions in the circle. Linhua Films was a small investment company in the industry and it only invested in online dramas. The boss would have no reason to refuse if it could cooperate with a big company like Tianxuan.

Director Zhus always excited face became a bit excited. The drama has 12 episodes. If its an investment of 25 million then its an average of 2 million per episode! A production cost of 2 million yuan per episode of criminal investigation dramas would probably be frightening to people in the industry. They didnt need to spend so much money even if they bought a corpse from a hospital. In addition, they didnt even invite first-tier actors with high pay!

Pei Shaoze explained, If the funds are sufficient then you can use it in music and post-production. Suitable music rendering can instantly improve the atmosphere of the entire drama. We can find the most professional music studio to customize the whole process. Later, it can also be used for dubbing and props processing. For example, those corpses in this drama give many clues. We can do this in detail so that the audience cant help looking at them.

Zhu Zheng was completely excited and the previous blow of Shu Yues retreat had completely disappeared. He even felt that if he made a high-quality drama according to President Pei, his drama might be able to participate in the year-end awards!

The deputy director exclaimed excitedly, President Pei is right. The more funding, the better. Hahaha! He laughed so hard that he couldnt keep his mouth shut. He didnt expect to get 10 million yuan over a casual meal. President Pei was really someone who scattered money!

Pei Shaoze changed his words. Now your funds are abundant and the pay for artists can be increased a bit. After all, its harder to shoot criminal investigation dramas than ordinary urban or school dramas. Based on what I saw of the script, there are many heavy rain scenes?

Director Zhu immediately realized. Of course! Cheng Xia might be the second male lead but his scenes in the drama are very important. The entire drama is launched around the murder of his uncles family. Therefore, his pay should be the same as that of the male lead. We will also raise the pay of the male lead a bit.

The deputy director quickly calculated it in his heart. How about 880,000? This number is auspicious!

Zhou Yan sat next to President Pei, terrified. She didnt understand the operation of President Pei but the final result was that her Cheng Xias pay had increased from 250,000 yuan to 880,000 yuan. This was no longer the treatment of a newcomer.

If Folding Paper aired in the summer and word of mouth exploded, based on the pay of Disappearing Traces then Cheng Xias value would double again in the future. The one million yuan club would be right in front of his eyes and he might even enter it!

That night, Cheng Xia saw the first version of the contract and rubbed his eyes hard. 880,000 yuan? So high?! His father had been a movie actor all his life and his highest pay for a movie was only 200,000 yuan.

Cheng Xia was only 19 years old and was just starting out. He couldnt believe it. Cheng Xia guessed that Pei Shaoze must be behind him. He quickly grabbed his mobile phone to send a message. [What is with the 880,000 pay? Im still a newcomer. Isnt this too much? [panic.jpg.]]

Pei Shaoze replied, [Your fame means you cant get such a high pay but your acting skills deserve it.]

Cheng Xia,

Pei Shaoze, [In addition, Folding Paper will be released before Disappearing Traces and you wont be a newcomer. I fought for a reasonable pay for you and there is no need to be embarrassed. Come to the company and sign the contract tomorrow.]

Cheng Xias heart became much more comfortable hearing this explanation and he smiled. [This is the first time Ive made so much money. Thank you, Brother Pei!]

Pei Shaozes birthday was November 23rd. By that time, Disappearing Traces would be finished and his salary should be paid. For his birthday, Brother Pei had prepared a gift so attentively. He should also prepare a memorable birthday gift with his own money.

Rainbow Turtle: My sleeping schedule has been really out of whack lately for some reason (probably stress). No matter how hard I try, Ive only been getting 2/3 hours of sleep before waking up and trying to fall back asleep again. Due to that Ive honestly had no energy to do anything and Ive been getting constant headaches.

In order to try and restore my sleep schedule, Ive decided to stop updating as much for a month and try to relax more. After this chapter, I will update it at one chapter a week for a month.

Proofreader: Cat