After reading the script, Xiao He's first words were: "I'm taking this role!"
Although the character Xu Ning might seem somewhat similar to Shen Jue at first glance, Shen Jue displayed more of an outwardly cold but warm-hearted nature, even going so far as to leave Penglai Inn and join Jiang Rushu in entering the game to help him. Xu Ning was quite different—he was cold on the outside and hardened on the inside, mostly watching Lin Yu'an with indifference. Only when Lin Yu'an was nearly dying would he step in to help, or when his own interests were involved would he take action. Most of the time, he maintained an attitude of "watching the show unfold."
Moreover, this script didn't follow that cliché of characters influencing each other and becoming sworn brothers after going through hardships together. The relationship between these two protagonists from beginning to end... well, it was genuinely plastic, without a hint of authenticity.
This entirely new genre, completely fresh character designs, and most importantly—the abundant scenes of taking down opponents!
What reason was there not to accept it?!
Accept!
Must accept!
Absolutely accept!
Xiao He was already eager to join the production team.
"When do we sign the contract? When do we start filming?"
He loved work, he loved going to the office!
Speed, speed!
Liu Rulan checked her watch and said, "Tonight at seven, the director has arranged a gathering, and by the way, lets you meet the actor playing Lin Yu'an."
"Sure, no problem!"
Xiao He immediately nodded.
And so, filled with anticipation, they arrived early at the reserved private room in the restaurant and encountered familiar faces—
"Brother Zehang? Sister Cheng?"
Xiao He was already eager to join the production team.
Liu Zehang scratched his head and breathed a long sigh of relief: "That's really great! If you're playing Xu Ning, I feel much more at ease."
Xiao He shrugged helplessly: "Just yesterday we were saying we should encourage each other, and now it seems we really do need to encourage each other."
Liu Zehang laughed heartily: "Come on, come on, have a seat!"
Everyone found seats and settled down. Xiao He casually asked Liu Zehang when he had received the script, and to his surprise, Liu Zehang had only received it this afternoon.
A good half-day later than Xiao He.
Xiao He and Liu Rulan exchanged glances but didn't voluntarily mention that they had received the script this morning.
Although they were good friends, it was better to be cautious with such matters to avoid any potential misunderstandings.
Liu Rulan checked her watch and said, "Tonight at seven, the director has arranged a gathering, and by the way, you'll get to meet the actor playing Lin Yu'an."
He was a middle-aged man in his fifties without any particularly outstanding features, except for those exceptionally sharp eyes with several deep wrinkles at the corners. When he saw Xiao He and Liu Zehang, his smile deepened, causing the wrinkles at his eyes to gather into several deep furrows.
"Hello, Director Ren."
Everyone stood up to greet him.
Seeing those eyes, Xiao He finally remembered that this Director Ren they had discussed so many times was actually the middle-aged man who had sat beside him during his audition yesterday.
That middle-aged man had been rather strange at the time, sitting next to him and continuously observing him. Xiao He, being focused on preparing for the audition, hadn't paid him any mind. He never would have imagined that the ordinary middle-aged man sitting beside him was actually the very famous director, Ren Changwen.
"Please, everyone, have a seat."
Ren Changwen had come alone, and his attitude was quite modest, without any of the imperiousness often associated with famous directors. He spoke very calmly.
Holding onto his surprise and confusion, Xiao He followed everyone else and took his seat.
"This script was created by my old friend Shen Zhongcheng, but his health hasn't been great recently, so I'll be discussing any script-related matters with you."
Ren Changwen said.
"No wonder I thought the creativity and conception of this script were absolutely stunning—it turns out it was written by Mr. Shen."
Liu Zehang looked completely enlightened.
Xiao He searched his memory and recalled that this Mr.Shen was actually the screenwriter of Ren Changwen's previous representative work "Maze of Shadows."
This Shen Zhongcheng was also quite a legendary figure. In his early years, he had originally written science fiction, but unfortunately his works never gained market popularity. Unable to make a living, he switched from science fiction to mystery detective novels, only to find—oh dear, it was even worse! He couldn't even put food on the table!
Later, Shen Zhongcheng's editor couldn't bear to see him struggle anymore and recommended that he become a screenwriter. Of course, not the kind who creates original scripts, but one who helps adapt existing novel IPs into scripts.
At that time, adapting major IP novels into films and television had become a market trend, but successful works were few and far between. Others either drastically altered the plot or failed to adapt properly, leading to many screenwriters facing criticism.
Shen Zhongcheng was primarily responsible for adapting science fiction and mystery novel IPs, and surprisingly, his adapted scripts were exceptionally well-received by the market. He could fix all the detailed plot holes or problematic elements in the original novels, perfect the world-building, and elevate already good novel plots to even higher levels. Even though many of the film and television works he worked on might not have become massive hits due to various issues, the storyline was basically the only aspect audiences praised.
There was even one work where the male lead actor was so unattractive that it turned away countless viewers, but ultimately many people held their noses and got into it for the hardcore, thrilling plot, eventually growing accustomed to the male lead's appearance.
This truly became an amusing anecdote in the industry.
Later, Shen Zhongcheng finally found his suitable field. His first original script "Maze of Shadows" was filmed by the then-upcoming director Ren Changwen, becoming China's first battle royale film that achieved both box office success and critical acclaim. Shen Zhongcheng continued his powerful collaboration with Ren Changwen, creating several more works that all achieved good results.
The only regret was that both Shen Zhongcheng and Ren Changwen were late bloomers. While Ren Changwen's mental state remained quite good, Shen Zhongcheng had worn down his body in his early years and became frail and sickly in middle age. His creative pace had gradually slowed in recent years, and it seemed like he hadn't produced new works for four or five years.
"How is Mr. Shen's health recently? Is he doing okay?" Liu Rulan asked with concern, then added with some emotion, "The last time I saw both teachers seems to be over ten years ago. Back then I was still managing Shu Han—time flies so fast, it's been this long already."
Shu Han was another artist Liu Rulan had previously managed who had since gone to Hollywood and was no longer active in the domestic industry.
But Ren Changwen clearly still remembered: "Ah, yes, I remember now, it's you! Indeed, so much time has passed. You've changed quite a bit—I almost didn't recognize you."
Liu Rulan chuckled lightly: "Director Ren, you haven't changed at all."
"Ah, I really haven't changed much, but that old fellow Shen Zhongcheng has heart problems and doesn't like going out much these years."
Just then, the waitstaff began serving dishes on the table, so Ren Changwen waved his hand, indicating everyone should eat while they talked.
"Actually, I had some hesitation about this script initially."
Ren Changwen admitted frankly.
"Both Lin Yu'an and Xu Ning are very important roles with different emphases. Finding two perfectly suitable actors at once is really difficult, especially for the role of Xu Ning."
In the entire film, there was actually another key point—the trust relationship between the two protagonists.
On this island where everyone would betray others, could these two truly trust each other all along?
Especially the character Xu Ning, whose identity and background were complete mysteries. On the island, he served completely as Lin Yu'an's protector; even when they faced betrayal while cooperating with other players, he could fight their way out with Lin Yu'an. Yet at the same time, Xu Ning had repeatedly coldly watched Lin Yu'an encounter danger, only offering help at the last moment. This made their "alliance" relationship very subtle. If even he betrayed Lin Yu'an, how would Lin Yu'an protect himself?
Seeing those eyes, Xiao He finally remembered that this Director Ren they had discussed so many times was actually the middle-aged man who had sat beside him during his audition yesterday.
Simply put, the role of Xu Ning needed someone who didn't look like a good person to begin with.
That middle-aged man had been rather strange at the time, sitting next to him and continuously observing him. Xiao He, being focused on preparing for the audition, hadn't paid him any mind. He never would have imagined that the ordinary middle-aged man sitting beside him was actually the very famous director, Ren Changwen.