Chapter 155: There Will Be a Surprise
After discussing the script, Xia Chenge returned home and started writing.
The suggestions from Ling Hanmu and Ning Xia made the characters in this script leap off the page, giving them more fleshed-out personas.
Xia Chenge’s typing speed was incredibly fast. In just two hours, she finished writing the movie script. After making minor revisions, she sent a copy to Ling Hanmu and Ning Xia respectively.
After completing all this, she finally turned off her computer, stretched, and went to take a bath.
Thinking about her plan, Xia Chenge closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Was the mastermind behind the 748 Laboratory truly just Ling Zhongwen? She always felt there was someone behind Ling Zhongwen, and she didn’t know how many countries were involved with the laboratory.
Xia Chenge annoyedly covered her face with a towel, forcing herself to temporarily let go of her responsibilities and enjoy the rare leisure.
After about ten minutes, Xia Chenge suddenly removed the towel and sat up abruptly.
“Who exactly is the Zombie King?” Xia Chenge’s expression turned cold. “They told me to destroy the laboratory before 2021, meaning the Zombie King was already created by 2021. Oh god, I can’t even remember when the apocalypse actually happened…”
“I only remember that human evolution began in 2458. So, when was the apocalypse?”
Xia Chenge’s complexion changed drastically. No matter how hard she tried to recall, she couldn’t remember when the apocalypse had descended. She only knew that humans began to evolve after the apocalypse.
She stared blankly at the water in the bathtub, a bad premonition rising in her heart: Did sending her back because of the supernatural ability users’ defiance change many things? Would she also disappear after destroying the laboratory?
If that were the case, what about Ling Hanmu? Xia Chenge suddenly felt a pang of pain, even her breathing hurt.
Xia Chenge experienced insomnia for the first time!
——
The final exams arrived as scheduled, and three days later, students welcomed their favorite summer vacation.
Xia Chenge also advanced from her second year of senior high school to her third year, becoming one of the students preparing for the college entrance examination.
The apocalypse script received unanimous approval from Ling Hanmu and Ning Xia, and Ling Hanmu began preparations for the movie.
Ling Zhongjing was pleased to see this. Not only did he not stop Ling Hanmu, but he also offered him investment, which Ling Hanmu refused.
Meanwhile, Xia Chenge and Ning Xia began casting actors. The movie was titled “Apocalypse,” and it primarily told the story of the last 45 human guardians, how they prevented zombies from causing human extinction, and ultimately perished with the zombies in a tragic sacrifice, unable to stop humanity’s demise.
The movie had a large amount of martial arts action, so Xia Chenge focused more on the actors’ acting skills and combat abilities, with less emphasis on appearance. After all, in the apocalypse, humans were solely focused on survival, and appearance was a luxury they couldn’t afford.
However, Xia Chenge discovered that it was impossible to find a suitable actor among the popular celebrities.
After discussing with Ning Xia, they decided to hold open auditions to select actors for the other seven main roles.
Xia Chenge posted an announcement on Weibo.
Queen Xia Chenge: Do you love acting? Do you want to be an actor? Regardless of whether you are beautiful or ugly, tall or short, fat or thin, as long as you love acting and are willing to work hard, one of the seven lead actors for the movie “Apocalypse” could be you!
She then posted another Weibo with the application method.
As soon as the Weibo was posted, it instantly became the top trending topic.
There were many people watching the spectacle, but even more were mocking:
Hahaha, is this really the influencer route? They’re actually making a movie, are they kidding?
Isn’t it better to just be a student? Why make a movie? Are you trying to make Country A’s movies even worse by adding another bad one?
Rich and willful, making a movie just because they want to. Please don’t churn out shoddy work just for money, okay? Leave domestic films alone!
Seven lead actors? Is this a joke? And an apocalypse theme, tsk tsk tsk. I like you, but if you don’t have acting skills, don’t join the fun. Your family probably isn’t short on money!
…
“Tsk tsk tsk, what kind of grudge do they have? Posting a Weibo and getting treated like this!” Ning Xia put down her phone and shook her head. “It feels like many people are doubting us!”
“Facts will silence them. It’s good that they’re scolding us now; it’ll build up our popularity first,” Xia Chenge said indifferently. “I still have to go for training later. I’ll leave the audition matters to you!”
“That won’t do. I’m here to be a lead actor. If I get involved in casting, I might be suspected.” Ning Xia shook her head.
Xia Chenge thought about it and agreed, “Then forget it. I’ll go for some training before the sports meet, just for show!”
“You’re so arrogant, do your opponents know?”
“They will know, and they will fear me!”
“In that case, I think I should leak the news that you’re signing up for several events in the City Games. That would be more interesting!”
“You don’t need to leak these things. Trust me, I’ll be criticized again soon.” Xia Chenge was confident. Too many people disliked her. Now that she announced she was casting for a movie, those people would probably be eager to add more fuel to the fire, so she’d be scolded even more.
“That’s true!” Ning Xia said with deep understanding. Wasn’t it the same when she was in Country Z? “Excellent people are always envied!”
“Can’t be helped, there are too many mediocre people,” Xia Chenge said dismissively.
Although many people criticized Xia Chenge for making a movie, quite a few also submitted applications.
However, many were participating with the hope of being chosen by chance, and very few took it seriously.
Some television stations even contacted her, wanting to collaborate on a casting variety show, but Xia Chenge refused.
Variety shows had too many hidden rules. She needed actors, not connections.
This movie was very important to Xia Chenge, and she would not allow any mistakes.
After three days, Xia Chenge and Ning Xia were both annoyed: What were these applications?
Ling Hanmu’s preparation team was also too busy to help.
“Sigh, for the first time, I realize making a movie is not for the faint of heart. I truly admire the directors and teams who have produced classic films. To hone their craft for ten years, they must have had immense patience,” Xia Chenge said, resting her head on the table, feeling exhausted for the first time.
The application method she had set up was for people to send a short performance video to her email, and then she and Ning Xia would select from them. But after three days, they hadn’t found anyone suitable!
“You know about honing your craft for ten years. If you want to make a classic movie, you must first choose the right roles!” Ning Xia was more patient and was diligently watching the applicants’ videos.
“Sob sob sob, Sister Ning, my heart is so tired!” Xia Chenge felt she would rather go for training than do this job!
“Be patient, there will always be surprises!” Ning Xia said with a smile, trying to comfort her.
Xia Chenge had no choice but to grit her teeth and continue watching the videos.
“Xiao Ge, look, look!” About half an hour later, Ning Xia suddenly tugged at Xia Chenge in surprise. “He’s the 03 Falcon I envisioned!”
Xia Chenge looked over and immediately sputtered, “Pfft… what is this guy doing with so much free time?”
