Li Guoli was a renowned director and the founder of the emerging Tangren Pictures. However, from then on, Li Guoli would primarily serve as a producer and supervisor, with his directorial roles often being nominal. This was the first time since establishing Tangren Pictures that he intended to personally direct a television drama, which was "Chinese Paladin."
As a game released in 1997, "Chinese Paladin"'s influence in China was undeniable. Coupled with Li Guoli's long-standing interest in Xianxia films, especially after watching Tsui Hark's "Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain," his fascination with Xianxia was ignited.
Tangren Pictures had successively produced "The Monkey King" and "Lotus Lantern," but Li Guoli still felt unsatisfied and decided to personally direct "Chinese Paladin."
Thus, Li Guoli acquired the copyright for "Chinese Paladin" and then brought in Yao Zhuangxian, the "father of Chinese Paladin," to serve as supervisor, initiating the filming plan for "Chinese Paladin."
However, at this point, "Chinese Paladin" was just beginning. It was in the process of scriptwriting and casting, with the roles of Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er being particularly crucial, but suitable actors had yet to be found.
According to the wishes of supervisor Yao Zhuangxian, the producer of "Chinese Paladin," the actor playing Li Xiaoyao must be adept at swordsmanship and handsome, as this would fulfill players' expectations of Li Xiaoyao.
This, however, stumped Li Guoli. It wasn't that China lacked handsome male actors. For instance, Jimmy Lin, He Jiong, Show Lo, and Vic Chou all seemed suitable in terms of appearance.
But when it came to swordsmanship, it was a completely different story. They could at best strike a few poses, but there was no possibility of them wielding a sword gracefully and effectively.
Therefore, Li Guoli had been agonizing over the casting of Li Xiaoyao recently. Today, he met a friend in Liulichang to relax, unexpectedly witnessing the astonishing scene before him. He saw someone wield a sword to such a degree, even leaping into the air within a narrow alley, as if they were a true celestial swordsman. Li Guoli was completely mesmerized.
His friend, on the other hand, blurted out, "Li Xiaoyao has been found!"
So, after Leng Zhiwen finished her sword dance, they immediately approached her and said to her back, "My friend, I am Li Guoli, a director from Tangren Pictures. We have a play, and you might want to try out for it!"
"Tangren Pictures?" Leng Zhiwen didn't speak, but Huang He, who was beside her, became interested. He smiled and took the business card, asking, "Which television drama are you currently casting for?"
"It's 'Chinese Paladin.' You might not have heard of this name. It's our country's most famous game. The plot within it..." Before Li Guoli could finish, Huang He chuckled, "The name 'Chinese Paladin' is thunderous; how could we not know it? I just don't know, which role do you intend for my friend to play? Zhao Ling'er, or Lin Yueru?"
"Zhao Ling'er? Lin Yueru?" Director Li Guoli was taken aback. It was then that Leng Zhiwen turned around, revealing her face. It was only then that Li Guoli realized with chagrin that he had mistaken her for a man.
Well, it wasn't surprising. Unless she was cosplaying, Leng Zhiwen rarely wore skirts and kept her hair short. She always wore men's casual wear and jeans, making it impossible to distinguish her gender by her clothing.
Furthermore, during the sword dance, she was constantly flying around in the air. Coupled with Li Guoli's slight nearsightedness, it was understandable that he couldn't see clearly. Only when Leng Zhiwen turned around did he realize he had even misjudged her gender.
"Ahem, I misspoke just now. It is indeed Zhao Ling'er and Lin Yueru!" Li Guoli immediately corrected himself. "We feel this young lady is somewhat suitable for our protagonists Lin Yueru or Zhao Ling'er, so we'd like to invite her to audition!"
Li Guoli certainly couldn't admit that he had mistaken her gender, so he could only play along, saying he was inviting her to audition for Zhao Ling'er or Lin Yueru.
"What do you think, Zhiwen? Are you interested?" Huang He turned to ask.
"I don't know..." Leng Zhiwen shook her head blankly, seemingly not yet reacting.
"Then, Miss, please consider it carefully and then come find us. The address is on the business card. We'll be going now!" Having said that, Li Guoli left with his friend, feeling incredibly awkward.
"Crazy!" Leng Zhiwen snorted, then sheathed her sword. Her posture was incredibly cool.
Meanwhile, Huang He's gaze circled Leng Zhiwen's figure, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
"Huang He, what are you trying to do?" Leng Zhiwen suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. She sensed that Huang He was harboring some ill intentions.
"Nothing much, I just think your figure is very unique, Zhiwen!" Huang He circled Leng Zhiwen and said, "Your figure is very straight. If you covered your face, no one would know you were a woman!"
Indeed, unlike Leng Zhiruo, who was brimming with feminine charm and looked like Daji reborn, Leng Zhiwen's figure was the complete opposite. Besides being a bit thin, she was almost indistinguishable from a man.
Furthermore, she rarely wore makeup or did things women typically enjoyed, such as hairstyling. Instead, she spent her days practicing martial arts, fencing, and engaging in sports and stage performances. Apart from the rare occasions she revealed her resemblance to Leng Zhiqing, Huang He had never truly seen her as a woman.
Well, Huang He had no recollection of the incident at the internet cafe. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had such thoughts.
In fact, didn't Director Li just misjudge her gender?
"Huang He, do you think you're my boss and brother-in-law, and that I wouldn't dare hit you?" Leng Zhiwen brandished her Qingpin sword.
"No, Zhiwen, don't you think Director Li's suggestion was excellent? You really could act in TV dramas and movies, become a big star!" Huang He smiled.
"A star?" Leng Zhiwen's heart fluttered. To be honest, Leng Zhiwen had never thought about becoming a star, but acting in movies and TV dramas, becoming an actress, was her dream.
Leng Zhiwen remembered watching some martial arts dramas when she was a child, especially "The Legend of the Condor Heroes." She greatly admired the heroines in it and loved Huang Rong the most.
As she watched more and more television, her desire to become an actress and play heroines became her dream. Later, when the martial arts team scouted for people at Leng Zhiwen's school, she was the first to sign up, beginning her twelve-year martial arts journey.
Leng Zhiwen was indeed an excellent martial arts prodigy. At the age of six, she won the provincial martial arts championship for the children's group, dominating it until she was twelve.
Because she entered the junior group at twelve, Leng Zhiwen then began dominating the youth group. Two years ago, she finally broke through the provincial level and became the national youth women's group champion.
Leng Zhiwen never forgot that her purpose for practicing martial arts was to act in television dramas. Therefore, she was very enthusiastic about the various drills and stage performances that many children in the martial arts team found tedious.
Later, during her college entrance exams, she applied to the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama. Unfortunately, martial arts was her only specialization, and her academic performance was dismal, so she ultimately could not attend these schools.
However, due to her status as a sports specialty student, she was specially admitted to a local university in Wenzhou, making her a university student.
Growing up like this, when Leng Zhiwen heard Huang He ask if she wanted to become an actress, would she refuse?
Of course, Leng Zhiwen was proud, and it was difficult for her to nod in agreement. So she just stood there, saying nothing, but Huang He already understood his sister-in-law's intentions.
"Alright, I'll take you to see Director Li. Your brother-in-law will help you fulfill your dream!" Huang He said with a smile.
"But I think Director Li really mistook me for a man..." Leng Zhiwen said with some displeasure. "He's looking for an actor to play the male lead. I'm a woman, what's the use of you taking me to him?"
"There's no harm in meeting him!" Huang He waved his hand. "Besides, they've already extended an invitation to you, and it's for a female role. There's no need for you to refuse!"
Before Huang He could finish speaking, someone ran over, panting, holding a mobile phone and handing it to Huang He. "Chairman, here is your new phone. I've brought it for you!"
This was the head of the Beijing branch of Jiangnan Group. His primary job was to manage blind box sales. Huang He had given his mobile phone to someone as a family heirloom, so before giving it away, he sent a text message asking someone from the company to send another phone.
Speaking of which, the nationwide branch layout did have its advantages. For example, no matter where Huang He went now, he could directly summon his subordinates, and loyal lackeys would immediately come to serve Chairman Huang.
"Hmm, well done!" Huang He praised.
"Thank you, Chairman!" his subordinate said with surprise. He was actually the head of the Beijing branch, and he had voluntarily rushed over to deliver the phone, not just to receive a compliment from the chairman and reach the pinnacle of life!
"Hmm, I have another task for you. Go and investigate the background of Tangren Pictures," Huang He commanded with a smile.
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Tangren Pictures was actually a Shanghai-based company, but they also had an office in Beijing. After all, Beijing was still the center of the national film and television industry. No film and television company could operate without Beijing's resources.
However, when Li Guoli and the others returned to their company's Beijing office with considerable regret, they were surprised to find that the man and woman they had met earlier in Liulichang were now sitting in their office, smiling at them and saying, "Director Li, we meet again!"
"Hello, you are..."
"My name is Huang He, and this is Leng Zhiwen, my sister-in-law!" Huang He introduced.
"Uh... Mr. Huang, what brings you here specifically?" Li Guoli was somewhat wary. Huang He had found him before he had even returned to his office, so there must be something amiss.
"Heh heh, didn't you invite our Zhiwen to act in 'Chinese Paladin' earlier? And I happen to be a loyal fan of 'Chinese Paladin.' My Zhiwen is also very interested in acting. She has acted in many stage plays and appeared in hundreds of different theater performances. I believe her acting skills are sufficient."
"So, we've come uninvited!"