Chapter 159: Snowfall Encounters

Xiao Xuan, it’s snowing—watch your step!

Taking in the surroundings, Li Ying turned toward the car and said.

“Don’t worry, Li Jie!”

Before long, a young man stepped out of the car—none other than Feng Xuan, Li Ying’s client.

“Li Jie, the night view here in Mingsha is absolutely stunning,” he remarked.

Glancing back at the city gate and the lantern-lit pavilions above it, Feng Xuan couldn’t help but marvel once more.

“No rush. Once tomorrow’s screen test proves I can land the lead, we’ll stay another night. I heard there was a traditional wedding hosted by Mingsha Tourism today—it’s been all over the entertainment news.”

Li Ying drew in a deep breath.

But with the screen test for Haofang Culture’s third drama scheduled for tomorrow, nothing was more important than securing the lead role.

“Alright then!”

Feng Xuan nodded in agreement.

“Let’s go. The guesthouse we booked is just ahead, right across from the Haofang Culture office building. Get some proper rest tonight and reset your energy.

I heard quite a few actors came for the audition—most are already in Mingsha County or Wei City.”

Li Ying pulled out her phone and glanced at it before adding,

“Uh-huh!”

Just then, as Li Ying and Feng Xuan collected their suitcases and prepared to leave the parking lot, a taxi from Mingsha County pulled up about ten meters away.

Soon, a thin young man with a backpack stepped out of the cab.

The young man, wearing a beanie, scanned his surroundings. Without a word, he slung his backpack over his shoulder and departed the lot.

“Li Jie, isn’t that Hu Xiao? How did he end up here?”

Feng Xuan frowned as he watched the receding figure, his concern evident.

Hu Xiao—

Once the promising young actor of the Long Kingdom, celebrated for both his acting and looks, he suffered a severe car accident at the height of his fame, leaving a scar on his eyebrow and eyelid that marred his features. His career never fully recovered thereafter.

Everyone thought that was the end for him, so his unexpected appearance now was quite the shock.

“Hu Xiao? Whether he shows up or not is irrelevant. With that scar, he has no chance at the lead. I bet he’s just here to try his luck—maybe to land a minor part.”

Li Ying shook her head dismissively.

In today’s entertainment industry, looks are everything. Without them, nothing else matters.

“Exactly!”

“Let’s head off. Who knows who’ll be running the casting tomorrow? We can ask around later.”

“Li Jie, isn’t the casting director from Haofang Culture actually Director Fang?”

Feng Xuan was taken aback.

“It could be, but it’s not certain. A few days ago, someone from Yan City TV mentioned that Director Fang had met with their higher-ups there—no word if he’s back yet.”

Li Ying just shook her head.

“Without Director Fang, who really holds any sway?”

Feng Xuan couldn’t help but inquire further.

“It all comes down to the investors! I suspect the boss from Mingsha Tourism might show up tomorrow. Directors give their input, but ultimately, the final call is made by the investors.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t worry about it. Just focus on your screen test—the rest is on me.”

Li Ying gave Feng Xuan a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

“Alright, Li Jie.”

Meanwhile,

in Yan City’s airport lounge, Fang Hou, dragging a suitcase, had just entered the VIP area. Before he could sit, his phone rang.

Glancing at his phone, Fang Hou immediately furrowed his brow.

After a brief hesitation, he chose not to answer and slipped the phone back into his pocket.

But he underestimated the caller’s persistence; after the first missed ring, the phone rang again almost immediately.

Reluctantly, Fang Hou picked up the phone.

“Monkey, you’re such a big director now—so busy you can’t even answer my calls?”

Almost instantly, a woman’s voice came through the line.

It was none other than Fang Ya.

“I was busy. What’s the matter?”

Fang Hou replied coolly, his brow still slightly knitted.

“Oh, you’re not still mad about last time, are you? I recommended Yao Mei for the role of Guo Furong, and she did splendidly. That drama was a hit!”

After a pause, Fang Ya’s voice came through again.

Though she sounded nonchalant, a subtle note of melancholy was present. Before filming Wulin Wai Chuan, Fang Hou had called her, but she had flatly refused—later, she’d casually mentioned Yao Mei’s name out of pride.

Unexpectedly, Yao Mei’s version of Wulin Wai Chuan soared in popularity, while her performance in Chef Detective tanked. To make matters worse, she only had a minor role, hardly enough to build any name.

Then Haofang Culture’s drama Snowbound became a smash hit, and even the Mingsha County Troupe was mentioned repeatedly.

Needless to say, Fang Ya was far from pleased.

“I’m not angry. I actually have urgent business now. If you’re not tied up, I’ll hang up,” she stated sharply.

Fang Hou glanced toward a coffee machine in the distance.

Some things are meant to happen only once—no need for a repeat unless you’ve truly lost your mind.

“I’ll get straight to it. Isn’t Haofang Culture about to start shooting their third ancient costume drama? Can you work your magic to secure me a role? I’ve got some free time lately.”

After a brief pause, Fang Ya made her intentions clear.

She decided to lay her cards on the table, hoping that Fang Hou’s pride might prompt him to help—if not the lead, then at least a supporting role.

“I’m really sorry, but I can’t help you with that!”

Before Fang Ya could add another word, Fang Hou immediately interjected,

“Huh?”

After a short silence, Fang Ya spoke awkwardly,

“Monkey, you claimed you weren’t upset about last time, but as a top director, isn’t it you who makes the decisions? I had no availability last time—I wasn’t deliberately turning you down.”

Clearly, she had not anticipated Fang Hou’s curt and unthinking refusal.

“Fang Ya, I really can’t help you. I have other matters on my plate, and casting is currently being handled by Haozi’s Second Sister. Ultimately, it’s her call.”

Fang Hou added matter-of-factly.

And he wasn’t exaggerating one bit.

Next, he had to head to Haishi to meet a theater owner and conduct market research.

Even though Haofang Culture already had two hit dramas with a third on the horizon, a cultural company can’t rely solely on TV shows—films are a crucial part of the business.

Moreover, a blockbuster film yields higher profits than a TV drama, making it a prime avenue for launching major stars.

Currently, Mingsha Tourism is under significant financial strain and urgently needs Haofang Culture to help shoulder the burden. After discussing with Xu Hao, Fang Hou decided to pursue both the film and the third TV drama simultaneously.

However, the film’s genre hasn’t been decided yet. He thought an ancient costume martial arts film set in a desert might be viable since historical sites are readily available. But since suspense and sci-fi dominate the market, he needed to carry out some preliminary research.

“Huh? Xu Hao’s Second Sister? He has a second sister?”

At that, Fang Ya’s tone grew noticeably complicated.

“Fang Ya, to be honest, you should drop that idea. For one, Haozi probably already has a girlfriend, making your appearance at Haofang Culture out of place—it’s Haozi’s domain after all. And two, Haozi’s Second Sister has a terrible temper. Some matters are better left unsaid. Trust me—try another company. There are plenty of media companies in the Long Kingdom, not just Haofang Culture!”

Fang Hou hesitated before adding,

“Huh? What did you say? Is Haofang Culture actually Xu Hao’s?”

On the other end, there was an initial burst of shock followed by a long silence. Just as Fang Hou assumed Fang Ya was about to hang up, her voice returned,

“Well, then, alright!”

One could clearly hear the dejection in Fang Ya’s weak voice, and it was easy to imagine her frustrated expression.

But in this world, there are no second chances—once an opportunity is lost, there’s no turning back.

Before long, it was early the next morning.

A winter morning in the desert was bitterly cold. After yesterday’s snowfall, the temperatures had dropped even further. With no wedding taking place today, Qing Brick Avenue was deserted, barely a trace of visitors.

Yet in front of the Haofang Culture office building, people flowed in and out, making it more bustling than usual.

“Hello, may I ask who you are?”

“I’m here for the screen test, as per the company’s invitation!”

“Which role are you auditioning for?”

“Lead Male!”

“Alright. Please proceed to the third floor; our staff there will guide you from there.”

“Uh-huh!”

Conversations like these played out repeatedly at the entrance of the Haofang Culture office building.

Though many had come for supporting roles such as the second or third lead, most were aiming for the lead roles—both male and female. By 9 AM, the corridor on the third floor of the Haofang Culture office was packed.

Actors and agents mingled together. Following the audition process, a brief interview would be conducted to gauge the actor’s understanding of the script. If interest was shown, they’d then head to the makeup room to try on the character’s costume and test their on-screen presence.

At that moment, murmurs began to ripple through the crowded hallway.

“What’s going on? Why has Hu Xiao been inside for so long without coming out?”

“Exactly!”

“Frankly, he probably doesn’t stand a chance.”

“Right, but who exactly is conducting the interview in there? Did you notice who’s in charge?”

“I saw it!”

“Who?”

“To be honest, I was quite surprised to see Former Longhai Brokerage CEO Xu Xin sitting centrally, flanked by two unfamiliar Assistant Directors.”

“Wait—you said Former Longhai Brokerage CEO Xu Xin? How is that even possible! Weren’t they, not long ago, busy scouting for celebrity endorsements for a clothing factory? Now, out of the blue, they show up at Haofang Culture!”

Before they could recover, Li Ying and Feng Xuan, who had just collected their order numbers and ascended the stairs, were completely stunned—especially Li Ying, whose face betrayed disbelief as memories of Xu Xin pleading in her room merely half a month ago flashed vividly. How could someone’s status change so overnight?