"Cough, cough—"
One glass of water later, Chairman Mao finally regained his calm, put down his cup, and began asking Xiao He about the basics.
"This... Little Xiao, right? How long have you been studying this knowledge? I see your basic skills are very solid!"
Xiao He smiled and nodded slightly, then said, "I started preparing around last year. My learning is still quite superficial. Thank you for the praise, Chairman Mao."
If he said he had mastered it in half a month, it would be too shocking, so Xiao He intentionally stretched the timeline.
But these words still made the others gasp.
At this moment, the way Chairman Mao looked at Xiao He was just like the countless others who had wanted to persuade Xiao He to change careers before.
It held a bit of expectation, a bit of eagerness to try, and a bit of regret and pity.
Finally, he turned to the other two actors with an expectant look.
The other two:...Thanks, but you really don't need to test us! Compared to this "inhuman" person, what are we even?!
Fortunately, the selection had been confirmed before the Film Crew landed in Hong Kong. Zhuang Hongyi wouldn't let three actors come all this way for nothing, so this visit was just a formality. The focus was on Xiao He; the others were just incidental.
Thus, even though Lu Dun and Cheng Jingyu's answers were stumbling and half-baked, Chairman Mao didn't say anything. Instead, he quickly filled out the assessment forms for the other two.
This information would be archived at the Association later. Stamped copies were given to the Film Crew to facilitate materials for other official procedures.
But that was the Film Crew's business; Wang Sheng would handle it. The actors didn't need to be responsible for it; they just needed to play their roles well in the upcoming performance.
Once the forms were filled and stamped with red seals, the mission for this trip was essentially complete.
Next, after a few days of intensive training, Mang could officially begin filming.
Lu Dun and Cheng Jingyu, who had been nervous the whole time, breathed a sigh of relief. Glancing sideways, they saw Xiao He looking calm and composed, possessing the air of a master.
Although Cheng Jingyu was curious, she was extremely socially anxious, and talking to the opposite sex was even more terrifying. So, after a few quiet glances at Xiao He, she didn't ask. On the other hand, Lu Dun leaned in curiously and asked, "Teacher Xiao, how did you learn all this? Can you really learn it in just half a year?"
"I have a good memory, and Director Zhuang also had someone get me some books to review in advance. That's why I can barely manage. But if you really put me into practice, I still don't understand anything."
Xiao He explained for himself.
"Books provided by Director Zhuang?"
Lu Dun and Cheng Jingyu, who was eavesdropping, both had their mouths twitch slightly.
Are you referring to that 72GB compressed file which, when unzipped, contained all sorts of Taoist scriptures, Feng Shui and numerology, Celestial Master regulations, and local folklore documents?
Hehehehe... Then you are indeed impressive.
Nothing to say, folks; this is beyond the realm of humans.
And if I remember correctly...
Cheng Jingyu finally managed to squeeze out a sentence from her shock: "But... didn't Director Zhuang only send us that compressed file last month?"
Lu Dun hadn't realized at first, but hearing Cheng Jingyu's words, he finally understood. He looked at Xiao He tremblingly, his pupils shaking: "Right, that's right!"
Don't tell me you didn't start learning last year, but actually started last month!!!!
Xiao He's smile stiffened. He gave a light cough and unhesitatingly threw Director Zhuang under the bus: "Ah, maybe Director Zhuang found me first, so I started looking at them earlier than you guys!"
That seemed right...
Lu Dun nodded.
His role had indeed been changed several times before it was finally settled. Weren't many people willing to come to Mang specifically for Director Zhuang and Xiao He?
It was said that Xiao He's role had been decided long ago, and Director Zhuang had always thought highly of him.
So if you count from that time...
It was still so ridiculous!
It wasn't scientific at all!
Lu Dun seriously suspected he was about to enter a supernatural channel. Anyway, he truly felt the world was a bit unscientific now, especially Xiao He.
Cheng Jingyu didn't speak either, but her gaze toward Xiao He became even more admiring.
The group walked into the corridor and ran into Zhuang Hongyi, Wang Sheng, and a white-haired old man.
Chairman Mao, who was originally just seeing Xiao He and the others off, quickly followed when he saw the old man and greeted him respectfully: "Grandmaster Hu."
Grandmaster?
Xiao He glanced over cautiously.
For the current Celestial Master Association chairman to call him Grandmaster, this person's seniority must be extremely high.
However, as Xiao He glanced over, he happened to meet the old man's deep and wise eyes.
Because of his age, those eyes weren't exactly clear, but they possessed a depth and mystery from having seen everything in life, giving one the feeling of being seen through instantly.
With just one look, Xiao He's goosebumps rose, and he felt a chill on the back of his neck.
The last time he had such a clear feeling of "being seen through" was years ago when he met Director Yan Zhengbai—Song Zhe's old comrade and Zhou Junhao's brother-in-law.
Director Yan was definitely the most formidable policeman Xiao He had ever met. He gave Xiao He the pressure of an experienced old cop looking at a potential future criminal.
But this time, it was the horror of having his deeply hidden secrets completely seen through by this old Taoist—
But he quickly adjusted his mindset.
He didn't dodge the gaze but continued to meet it calmly, nodding with a smile to show his friendliness.
Sure enough, this "Grandmaster Hu" also stroked his beard, a faint smile on his face as he nodded slightly to Xiao He. He didn't stop but passed Xiao He's group and continued walking forward.
Seeing that Grandmaster Hu had no intention of talking to Xiao He and the others, Chairman Mao was only confused for a moment. He then simply bid farewell to Xiao He's group again and followed Grandmaster Hu's pace back.
Leaving behind the newly arrived Zhuang Hongyi and Wang Sheng.
"Teacher Xiao, is everything okay?"
Wang Sheng asked with concern.
Xiao He immediately handed the stamped documents to Wang Sheng: "Everything went smoothly. Chairman Mao is very satisfied with everyone."
"That's great!"
Wang Sheng was very happy and looked at Zhuang Hongyi.
Zhuang Hongyi also clearly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Good work. Let's go, we'll head back first."
-
On the other side, Chairman Mao followed the old man back to his office.
As soon as they entered, he began to talk incessantly about the assessment just now and asked expectantly, "Grandmaster Hu, he's a good prospect. Do you think we should—"
"No need."
The old man stroked his white beard. Although he wasn't wearing Taoist robes, his demeanor still retained an immortal, ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) transcendent air.
"His path is not here." He looked out the window into the distance, his voice somewhat ethereal yet very certain. "He has already walked out his own path."
Finding a new way in a desperate situation.
Reborn through fire on the path of stardom.
This youth is no longer a fish in a small pond.
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