Chapter 60: The Journey to Find the System
Location: Las Vegas, United States
Las Vegas, nestled in the heart of the desert, truly lived up to its reputation as a city of “excess and extravagance.” At that moment, it was already 2 a.m., yet the nightly performances at major resorts were just beginning.
Outside the bustling hotels, neon-lit streets stretched out like ribbons. A handsome young man in a suit drove a convertible, skillfully evading the pursuit of four or five motorcyclists clad in black.
Bullets whizzed past his ears, but he merely smiled, tilting his head slightly to dodge them.
Suddenly, the car’s tires screeched as it executed a sharp turn, the friction against the pavement creating an ear-piercing sound.
The young man parked the car sideways in the middle of the road, blocking the path of the pursuing bikers. Calmly stepping out of the car, he addressed them with a smile: “If we’re dueling, let’s keep it fair. No need for a gang attack — it's dishonorable, you know?”
As the black-clad figures hesitated, the young man lunged forward in a swift motion. He planted his hands on the motorcycle’s headlight, propelling himself into the air. With a precise kick, he knocked down one of the bikers and effortlessly snatched a gun from their grasp.
In the blink of an eye, he dispatched all the assailants. Under the streetlights, he turned to gaze at the glittering city—the City of Sin—his eyes revealing a complex mix of emotions.
Confusion, nostalgia, mourning.
As if lost, as if reminiscing, as if grieving.
“Cut!”
The directors sat on the roadside, their eyes fixed intently on the camera equipment. They sincerely praised, “Tang Ying, your acting skills are getting better and better.”
Tang Ying didn’t instantly snap out of his acting emotions as he used to. His gaze wandered for a moment, seemingly trying to find something in this vast gambling city.
But he knew it was futile.
Tang Ying smiled at the director, revealing his two signature small tiger teeth. From his debut in the first film to now shooting international blockbusters, it had taken Tang Ying only five years.
An unimaginable number.
For many celebrities, five years was just the beginning, and achieving national fame might take another ten or eight years.
It could be said that Tang Ying was one of the darlings of the entertainment industry.
After winning several major awards, he had firmly secured a spot in the top two of the entertainment industry, occasionally even surpassing the number one in popularity.
“Great guidance, Director.” Tang Ying had a reputation for being sweet-tongued, and the entire crew loved talking to him. “Otherwise, I still wouldn’t know how to hold a gun properly.”
Tang Ying hadn’t always been like this. When he first debuted, he would timidly hide behind his manager, his eyes filled with self-doubt. But these five years of experience had transformed him almost completely, to the point where he was even named “the male artist with the highest emotional intelligence” last year.
“Finally done for the day. Everyone, go rest.” Director Jin shouted through a megaphone as the crew dispersed.
Director Jin, whose full name was Jin Shi, was the main director of this film. The movie was titled “The Gambler” and told the legendary story of several young people in Las Vegas casinos. Tang Ying had done well, securing the role of the second male lead in this international blockbuster, with slightly less screen time than the male lead.
After thanking the crew, Tang Ying hopped into a black sports car with his assistant and manager, speeding away.
________________________
Once everyone had left, Director Jin unexpectedly received a phone call.
“Director Jin, for the B.H watch advertisement audition last time, there’s a newcomer who didn’t show up. He just came directly to the hotel looking for you. You should come back and take a look.”
Director Jin rolled his eyes and replied coldly, “If he didn’t show up last time, it means he gave up. I won’t use someone I can’t find.”
The assistant on the phone glanced at the exceptionally handsome young man sitting on the couch and lowered her voice. “You should still come back and take a look. I think you’ll want him. After all, B.H has been pushing for a long time, and we’re running out of options…”
“Annoying.” Director Jin sighed. “Fine, tell that newcomer that if I don’t think he looks good, he should leave immediately. No need to think about the audition process.”
“Got it, we’ll wait for you.”
The assistant breathed a sigh of relief. She turned to the young man on the couch and said, “Originally, I shouldn’t have let you into the hotel after you stood up Director Jin last time. But considering your good looks and demeanor, Director Jin is giving you another chance.”
The young man blinked. “Thank you, sister.”
Being called “sister” made the assistant’s heart flutter. The young man’s obsidian-like eyes were like a deer in the forest, evoking maternal instincts. But his tall and proportionate figure also sparked fantasies — imagine having such a boyfriend to go shopping with. How blissful that would be.
The young man was dressed simply, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, paired with black and white canvas shoes. He looked like a campus heartthrob who had just stepped out of school, but at the same time, he seemed out of place in the atmosphere of Las Vegas.
Today marked the third day since Cheng Xuyuan arrived in this world.
During these three days, he had been busy both searching for Jin Shi’s whereabouts in Las Vegas and trying to earn money to buy clothes. Unfortunately, after being sent back to his previous world by the main god, Cheng Xuyuan retained his abilities but lost his memories, and he wasn’t given a favorable identity.
Returning to “Brilliant Star Path,” Cheng Xuyuan became a young man who had run away from home to pursue his entertainment dreams abroad. His name was still Cheng Xuyuan. A month ago, he had submitted his resume to Jin Shi, and impressed by his decent appearance, Jin Shi agreed to let him audition for B.H. However, due to various reasons, Cheng Xuyuan hadn’t been able to make it.
The main god had told him that to find the damaged system, he needed to disrupt the order of this world. In “Brilliant Star Path,” everything revolved around looks, popularity, and acting skills. The main characters and important supporting roles symbolized the top stars at the pinnacle of the pyramid.
To disrupt the order of “Brilliant Star Journey,” Cheng Xuyuan had to surpass the main character in these three aspects.
However, Cheng Xuyuan had no memory of who the main character was, nor did he have any interest in finding out. The main god had given him only six months, and if he couldn’t become famous and surpass the main character within that time, his search for the system would fail.
Of course, even if Cheng Xuyuan succeeded in this task, there was no guarantee that the system would be in this world.
He had to take risks.
But for Cheng Xuyuan, this wasn’t a particularly worrisome matter. After all, even the main character in this world had relied on external assistance to become famous. Now that he was without those external aids, he wasn’t a match for Cheng Xuyuan.
With this in mind, Cheng Xuyuan sank into the leather sofa. His eyes held an inscrutable glint, and he looked like a hunter waiting for prey. His handsome face remained expressionless, yet it was impossible to look away.
When Jin Shi entered the room, this was the scene that greeted him.
The young man sitting on the black sofa wore a simple white shirt and jeans. His soft black hair seemed freshly cut, and the short strands revealed his fair cheeks without reservation, exuding a youthful intensity.
His eyes were like obsidian, his nose well-defined. Even in silence, one could gaze at his face for an entire day.
When the young man met Jin Shi’s eyes, his gaze lacked emotion. Or perhaps, compared to the emotions on his face, it was completely insufficient to capture anyone’s attention.
For the first time, Jin Shi was captivated by a face.
In fact, the main god had enhanced all of Cheng Xuyuan’s abilities to ensure he completed the mission successfully. His appearance had been boosted by 160%, nearly reaching its limit.
“Director Jin,” Cheng Xuyuan stood up, extending his hand politely but with a distant air. After a brief handshake, his clear voice made Jin Shi momentarily dazed. “I’d like to audition for the B.H. new watch advertisement. Would you be willing to give me a chance?”
His words were concise, devoid of any pleasantries. He straightforwardly revealed his ambition and purpose.
In the entire Chinese entertainment industry, there was no one like this newcomer. He was the first of his kind.
However, Jin Shi was ecstatic.
“Of course! Why wouldn’t I be willing?” Jin Shi gazed at the young man’s face as if entranced. “No one is more suitable for the B.H. watch advertisement than you…”
Cheng Xuyuan sat back on the sofa, gesturing for Jin Shi to sit beside him. He curved his lips slightly and asked, “Do I still need to audition?”
“Um…” Jin Shi hesitated. Normally, high-profile advertisements required auditions, but this young man had already captured his liking. “We can audition right now if you’d like. But if you’re not willing, that’s fine too.”
Jin Shi was already calculating. Even if this kid turned out to be just a pretty face, it wouldn’t matter. After all, Jin Shi was one of China’s top directors, and a little guidance would suffice.
“In that case, no need for an audition.” Cheng Xuyuan smiled at Jin Shi, and that smile once again left the director astonished.
Jin Shi couldn’t help but marvel at the kind of beauty that could only be described as “breathtaking.”
Cheng Xuyuan had declined the audition because his learned skills didn’t include “acting.” Although he could learn it, he doubted it would satisfy the director.
Why reveal his true abilities when he could rely on his appearance?
To ensure his audition went smoothly, Cheng Xuyuan added, “By the way, I don’t have a manager or a company. It’s mentioned in my resume.”
“No problem. We won’t mistreat you in the contract.” Jin Shi never lied. He treated well-established artists generously.
“I heard that you were considering using An Ye from Yunhuo Entertainment. Will you regret it later?” Cheng Xuyuan asked the question he’d been itching to ask. Based on what he knew, Jin Shi had initially placed An Ye as the top choice. Unfortunately, An Ye’s schedule was too packed, and B.H. wasn’t exactly a top-tier endorsement for him, so he hadn’t agreed.
Jin Shi wore an expression of understanding. “You don’t need to worry about that. I can’t possibly convince the great An Ye. He’s the unwavering No. 1 in the entertainment industry. Everyone wants a piece of him.”
“Unwavering?” Cheng Xuyuan glanced at the night view outside the floor-to-ceiling window, his voice clean yet full of tension. “Do you know how many people in Las Vegas have gone from beggars to millionaires or from riches to rags?”
Jin Shi was stunned.
Cheng Xuyuan stood up, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
“So, nothing is truly unwavering. As long as you’re willing to help me, pulling An Ye down from the top spot won’t be that difficult.”
Jin Shi’s eyes widened. This newcomer had quite the audacity! Perhaps someone might have said this a few years ago, but An Ye had long secured his position as the triple-threat king of film, television, and music. The second-ranked Tang Ying occasionally surpassed him in popularity, but only when An Ye was on vacation.
And this newcomer claimed he could dethrone An Ye from the top spot?!
Stunned, Jin Shi looked at Cheng Xuyuan’s face. An indescribable emotion slowly stirred within him. After a while, facing this inexplicable face, he actually felt…
Maybe there was indeed a slight possibility.
________________________
Author’s Note:
An Ye, your former plug-in is challenging you!
Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter
or purchase advanced chapters here
No comments:
Post a Comment