Rebirth of the Galactic Superstar Chapter 3

Chapter 3

A few people stood in front of the screen, watching the clips reassembled by the cinematographer. Those were the scenes captured by the small flying bugs, but they were too fragmented. The cinematographer had integrated them in post-production before transmitting them over.

On the enormous light source screen, there was only one person—a slender and pale figure covered in sticky, damp sand. His entire body was filthy, yet even so, it couldn’t conceal his beautiful pure Eastern face.

As he raised his eyes and turned his head, his black pupils revealed a natural and genuine expression of confusion and astonishment. When he caught sight of the Kaya Beast, the trembling corners of his mouth and the expression of fear showed no traces of acting. When the youth stood up, picked up a weapon from the ground, and fumbled to fire a shot into the distance while escaping and scanning his surroundings for a means of self-preservation, his demeanor of suppressing fear, maintaining rationality, and entering a combat state was something that no ordinary person could fake!

It was perfect!

Although not a single step was done according to the script’s requirements, and although the youth on the screen didn’t utter a single word, his eye expressions, gestures, and series of reactions made everyone watching in front of the screen feel as if they were personally experiencing everything that had happened at that time.

Their gazes and hearts seemed to be drawn to the screen, and their hearts clenched as he appeared confused. The viewers were also left in confusion, wondering what had happened. When he spewed a mouthful of blood, it made the viewers feel a sense of tension. When his gaze lifted and fell on the monster roaring and charging toward him in the distance, the emotions of everyone fluctuated subtly along with his expressions and actions—

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Ebld bl qzle, nzwvnbkdt bkp blyav vktbvzu, kv oyp yp kq lhlausdl’p blyav lmnzykxle, “Opnyrl iwknjzu, awd qypvla!”

Ebld bl pvwxczle yde qlzz vs vbl taswde ewl vs yd wdjdsod scflnv vakrrkdt bkx, plhlayz rlsrzl oyvnbkdt kd qasdv sq vbl pnalld nswzed’v blzr cwv nshla vblka lulp, kdoyaezu pnalyxkdt kd qlya qsa bkx.

Ebld bl vwadle bkp blye yqvla clkdt vakrrle yde pyo vbl twd sd vbl taswde, vbl hklolap qszzsole bkp caktbvldle lulp yde pyo y tzkxxla sq bsrl.

Ebld bl pvsse wr alpszwvlzu yde cayhlzu zkqvle vbl twd, lhlausdl’p blyavp nbllale, pyukdt, “Mbyv’p kv! Mbyv’p bso kv pbswze cl! Zsw nyd lpnyrl, usw nyd elqlyv vbyv xsdpvla!”

Ebld bl nbyatle sdvs vbl asnju pwaqynl yde jdlzv esod, ykxkdt vbl twd yv vbl xsdpvla, vbl hklolap blze vblka calyvb kd ydmklvu qsa bkx.

Ekvb y “cydt,” vbl nyxlay pbkqvle vs vbl qyzzld xsdpvla kd vbl ekpvydnl. G pktb sq alzklq lpnyrle qasx lhlausdl’p blyavp, qszzsole cu lmnkvlxldv yqvla bkp pwnnlpp. Fsxlsdl kd vbl ekalnvsa’p sqqknl lhld ulzzle kd lmnkvlxldv, vblka hsknl ps zswe yp kq vblu olal vbl sdl kd vbl pnalld.

Wasx pvyav vs qkdkpb, vbl obszl rasnlpp zypvle sdzu y esgld xkdwvlp. Rv nswze cl nsdpkelale dlkvbla zsdt dsa pbsav, cwv okvbkd vblpl nsdnkpl xkdwvlp, lhlausdl’p tygl qszzsole vbl uswdt xyd sd vbl pnalld.

Tkp lhlau zkqv sq vbl blye, lhlau vwad, lhlau aykpl sq vbl twd pvkaale vbl blyavp sq vbl hklolap. Rv oyp yp kq bl bye y xytknyz prlzz vbyv xyel vbl hklolap qllz qlya, fsu, yde osaau qsa bkx. Rv oyp yp kq vblu bye clld rlapsdyzzu rwzzle kdvs vbl pnalld, lxcyajkdt sd vbkp pbsav-zkhle fswadlu sq lpnyrl yzsdtpkel bkx.

After the clip ended, the director’s office suddenly lit up, and the screen dimmed, eventually turning completely gray and black.

Everyone seemed to be pulled back from a dream to reality. But what had just happened didn’t feel like a dream, but rather another reality.

There weren’t many people in the director’s office. Only a few were allowed to enter: the overweight director, the assistant director, two screenwriters, the head of the cinematography team, and a woman wearing a fiery red long coat, her curly hair cascading over her shoulders, her lips curved into a smile.

After returning to reality, everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief. At first, nobody spoke. After three or four seconds, the female screenwriter who had screamed earlier patted her chest and said, “It’s amazing! The performance was incredible.”

The other male screenwriter nodded, remaining relatively calm. Although he didn’t yell like the others, his heart was still pounding with excitement. He said to the people around him, “Although I don’t know why he didn’t follow the script during the audition, I have to say, he performed exceptionally well. The transitions between expressions, gestures, and demeanor were perfect. If I were to write the script, I wouldn’t be able to convey these coherent actions and reactions as flawlessly.”

The female screenwriter nodded vigorously beside him, seemingly inspired with something great. She took out a small notebook and began writing and sketching.

The person who had been yelling and scolding Xi Ze earlier with a microphone was actually the director of this film. He was a well-known director in the industry, famous for his volatile temper. Whenever things didn’t go well, he would start swearing. He had been quite annoyed when Xi Ze aimed the gun at him, but now, after watching the segment put together by the cinematography team and post-production, he fell silent, unsure of what to say.

Just like the two screenwriters had said, regardless of Xi Ze’s intentions for not following the script or why he actually fired the gun and injured the props, his performance in these dozen minutes was truly outstanding. He didn’t speak a single line of dialogue, yet with only his eye expressions, gestures, and series of reactions, he made all the viewers experience a roller coaster ride of thrills.

But it wasn’t just that. The viewers seemed to be completely captivated by him, following his confusion, his tension, his fear, and his escape. When the monster was shot and killed, they felt even happier, as if the person who successfully escaped wasn’t the youth on the screen, but themselves.

It was incredible! Absolutely incredible! The rhythm was perfectly timed, as if he wasn’t acting but genuinely experiencing a desperate escape.

There was no denying that the filming techniques were skillful, and the post-production editing played a crucial role. However, even with the same filming techniques, not just anyone could deliver such a performance.

Tom didn’t say anything at first. After a while, he turned to the woman with long red hair and said, “Now, we can sign the contract.”

The woman in the red coat smiled. Her beautiful, large eyes squinted slightly as she casually said, “It seems the director got it wrong…”

What? Tom was stunned, as were the others present. What did she mean?

The woman in the red coat smiled with great arrogance. She adjusted her coat, fastened her belt, and said to Tom, “We only came for the interview to give face to the person who recommended Xi Ze. When did we say he would take on the role of ‘Ael’?”

The others stood there, not knowing how to react. A nobody like Xi Ze should be grateful for being considered for a role. How could his agent refuse? Was she mistaken?

Tom was infuriated, to the point of wanting to jump up and down in anger. It was so difficult for him to find someone suitable, especially an Asian actor who matched the right age and performed exceptionally well. And now, she was saying he wouldn’t do it? Wouldn’t do it? Wouldn’t do it!?

Damn it, they owe me a Kaya beast! I’ll set my dog on you!

Though Tom was seething inside, he was, after all, a well-known director who wouldn’t throw a tantrum. Moreover, he knew the woman in front of him. She was a decent agent, relatively easy to negotiate with.

Tom narrowed his eyes. A talented actor like Xi Ze must be signed, no matter the conditions!

The smile on the woman’s lips faded slightly. She glanced at the two screenwriters beside her, then casually put her hands in her pockets and said, “I’ve read the script, and I know what kind of character ‘Ael’ is, the one Xi Ze just portrayed. As his agent, it’s my obligation to help him choose the right roles. For his debut project, neither my company nor I want him to take on a role like ‘Ael’.”

What kind of role was “Ael”? A weak, timid character in need of protection who eventually betrayed the protagonist and the person who had once protected him—a role that was pitiful and repugnant.

Tom didn’t speak. He looked at the woman in the red coat, but she had already put on sunglasses. With a casual smile, she turned around, her posture exuding dominance without a hint of nostalgia. It was as if she didn’t care at all if Xi Ze needed to take on such a high-profile role. She raised her hand, waved gracefully at everyone, and said, “Bye-bye.”

Jian Anning headed straight to the direction of Xi Ze’s hospital after leaving the film set. She didn’t feel the need to communicate with anyone. After all, she would see him directly soon enough.

She was driving a convertible sports car, wearing sunglasses, her long hair flying in the wind. She casually threw her fiery red coat onto the passenger seat. Her expressionless face gave off an air of a powerful and domineering woman, as if she were a queen above all others.

However, Jian Anning hadn’t always been like this.

She entered the industry at a young age and had been working at the current entertainment company ever since. She started from the lowest position as a small assistant and worked her way up to become an agent. Almost everyone in the industry knew her.

She had represented several young male and female stars, and she had even been a temporary agent for superstars like Arnold. But even so, Jian Anning wasn’t a top-tier, gold-level agent.

The gold-level agent was a position defined by her company, Silver Fox Entertainment. This position was well-known in the industry, and its status and income were not comparable to those of ordinary agents. Jian Anning had always believed that she would eventually become a gold-level agent. Even earlier this year, she had been excitedly anticipating that she would finally achieve that status.

But reality had dealt her a harsh blow.

Half a month ago, her newly appointed immediate superior approached her. Not only did they transfer a top-tier star from her hands to someone else, but they also gave her several B-list artists who had been working their way up to A-list status for the past few years to other agents. Not only did she fail to become a gold-level agent, but she was also stripped of all the work she had in hand.

It was almost like being put on an indefinite hiatus.

At first, she naively thought it was a normal work adjustment. Later, she found out that her new superior had personal grievances with her previous superior and indirectly held a grudge against her as well. As soon as the new superior took office, they caused chaos, and the first target was her, making a laughingstock out of the entire company.

Jian Anning lost all her projects. It was unimaginable that a seasoned veteran agent like her would be treated this way. Some people in the company felt sorry for her, while others enjoyed watching the spectacle and kicked her when she was down.

Jian Anning was in agony. Not only did she experience a sharp decline in her career, but her personal life was also a mess. Eventually, she couldn’t bear the pressure, took half a month off, and returned to work just yesterday.

Her immediate superior had been there for a while now, and the three fires had almost burned through. It wasn’t easy for a woman like her. Finally, out of pity, her superior assigned her a newly signed Asian talent.

When Jian Anning heard that she was supposed to become the agent for a newly signed Asian talent, she thought her superior had finally realized their wrongdoing. But when she received all the information in the morning, she was thoroughly disappointed.

The boy in the photo has a good appearance, with distinct features and a handsome Asian face. His facial features reflect the typical East Asian beauty, making him easily stand out in the industry. However, there is a vacant look in his eyes and a sense of loneliness in his expressions, as if he lacks vitality. She inquired about him from people who have met him both at school and in the company, and their responses were disappointing. 

Everyone who interacted with him sighed, considering it a waste of his good looks because he seemed incapable of doing anything. He doesn’t smile, speak, or even act well. Even his school teachers express their disappointment. Initially, they made an exception and admitted him based on his appearance, hoping that being in school would improve his social skills and overall demeanor. Yet, after two years of schooling, he remains socially isolated and clearly unsuitable for acting.

After gathering this information, Jian Anning was filled with anxiety and frustration, her whole body trembling with anger. She wished she could storm into the office, give her superior a beating, and then resign. However, she knew she couldn’t do that. She was a workaholic who couldn’t afford to be idle. Besides, she had always aspired to become a top-tier talent agent, and the coveted “gold medal” status was her dream.

Jian Anning suppressed her emotions, signed the contract on the assignment form, and looked at her superior’s menacing face and triangular eyes with disgust. Unexpectedly, the person actually smiled at her and imparted some advice, as if guiding her towards success. “Anning, let me tell you something. You’re too easy-going. Do you know why no one is speaking up for you this time? It’s because you’re always gentle and kind to everyone. I can’t deny that you have a good reputation in the industry. However, you must understand that being overly nice won’t get you far. Take some time to reflect on it, and you’ll understand what I mean.”

Jian Anning smirked inwardly, showing no expression on her face. She nodded and left.

She couldn’t understand what her superior was really trying to say. However, she had indeed become somewhat cold-hearted. She had managed the A-list talent for a solid five years. Shouldn’t that have earned her some loyalty? Who would dare to force her out when she had an A-list celebrity under her wing?

Yet, in the end, the switch happened so easily. The A-list celebrity simply said, “Anning, it’s such a pity. Let’s have a meal together when you have time,” and happily embraced the rival agency. There was no guilt or hesitation whatsoever!

Jian Anning had been deeply saddened at that time. During her half-month break, she intermittently heard criticisms and malicious comments about herself. However, now she had grown numb to it all.

It was as if the rug had been pulled out from under her. Starting anew, Jian Anning no longer had any hope for Xi Ze. She initially thought that after half a year, the boy would probably request to leave on his own. But who could have imagined that just as she arrived on the set, she heard that Xi Ze had been admitted to the hospital. She had planned to leave, but coincidentally, she ended up watching the edited footage of those intense ten minutes with the crew.

She was astounded. Just like the rest of the crew, Jian Anning felt as if she had witnessed another Arnold. The flawless transformation in his expressions and movements while aiming and firing the gun exuded tension and a coldness akin to the grim reaper holding the power of life and death. His performance stirred everyone’s hearts, as they were carried along with the rise and fall of the scene. Even Jian Anning, who had managed several A-list celebrities, was shocked. Although she had once been a temporary agent for Arnold and had witnessed his live performances, the seemingly divine performance still overwhelmed her.

She began to think that maybe she had been mistaken. Perhaps this boy could truly become the second Arnold. No, not the second Arnold. Xi Ze was Xi Ze, and he was Asian. He had the potential to surpass Arnold.

If Xi Ze could become a galaxy-level superstar like Arnold, then what about her? Could she climb to the peak once again and become a true gold-medal talent agent?

Jian Anning’s mind was filled with surging waves, making it hard for her to calm down. It wasn’t until the footage of those intense ten minutes concluded that she gradually regained her senses.

She would never underestimate Xi Ze again, nor the aspiring performing arts student who had just signed with the agency. Even beneath her exceptional professionalism, she quickly formulated a plan in her mind, mapping out a path for Xi Ze to reach the pinnacle of success.

And the first step was to decline the role of “Ael” in the film.

Jian Anning genuinely respected Tom. Despite being a stubborn and overweight director with a habit of berating others, there was no denying that he was a talented perfectionist. Every one of his films received critical acclaim and commercial success. Every actor was willing to go the extra mile just to have a cameo in his films, even if it was only for a fleeting few seconds on screen.

But Jian Anning had her own considerations. Xi Ze must absolutely not accept the role of “Ael”! His future path was still long, and as his talent agent, she would harm him if she allowed him to take on such a role. Therefore, Jian Anning promptly declined on the spot.

Although Jian Anning no longer had A-list celebrities under her management, she still had her reputation and resources in the industry. She was willing to give her all and pave the best path for Xi Ze.

The shuttle kicked up a whirlwind of sand as it raced towards the hospital, leaving a long tail behind it.

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