Huayu: This director is so eager to improve.

Chapter 95 The Choice of the Female Lead

A black SUV drove smoothly on the elevated highway in Beijing at dusk.

Soothing jazz music was playing in the car, at a very low volume, just enough to drown out the noise outside.

"Director Qi, a couple of days ago... I talked to Aunt Hong about the new film."

After a brief silence, Li Qing turned her head to look at Qi Yue's profile, somewhat hesitant.

Qi Yue kept his eyes on the road ahead, but tapped his finger lightly on the steering wheel to indicate that he was listening and waiting for her to continue.

Li Qing carefully chose his words, a hint of helplessness in his tone:

"Aunt Hong said that Wu Zhizhen in 'Black Coal, Thin Ice'... a low-level laundry worker who carries a secret and eventually becomes a murderer. This role clashes too much with the career path she planned for me and my current public image. She... didn't really want me to play this role."

The traffic light ahead turned red, and Qi Yue slowly applied the brakes, bringing the car to a smooth stop.

"And what about yourself? Do you think the role of Wu Zhizhen is suitable for you? Do you want to play it?"

"Myself..."

Li Qing was slightly taken aback by the question.

She leaned back in her seat, her gaze fixed on the passing traffic outside the car window, and her mind involuntarily drifted back to the woman named Wu Zhizhen from the script.

A woman who chooses to resist in the most extreme way under extreme pressure... such a character is indeed extremely rare in Chinese-language films.

It's not a sweet romance, not a female protagonist's triumphant comeback, and not even a tragedy in the conventional sense. Instead, it's a complex existence that blends cold reality, human struggles, and cruel poetry.

It is incredibly challenging, but that's precisely what makes it so irresistibly attractive.

"Actually, I wanted to give it a try, but Aunt Hong's side..."

The green light is on.

Qi Yue shifted gears again, lightly pressed the accelerator, and the black SUV smoothly started, accelerated, and quickly merged into the traffic.

"Understood. I'll take care of things with your Aunt Hong."

"what?"

Li Qing was taken aback, not expecting Qi Yue to so readily take on this "trouble." Aunt Hong was not an easy person to talk to.

Qi Yue didn't explain further, but focused on driving.

It must be admitted that his driving skills are indeed outstanding.

In his hands, the black SUV didn't feel like a cumbersome machine; instead, it resembled a nimble and powerful black steel catfish.

Weaving nimbly through the increasingly dense traffic in the evening, changing lanes and overtaking other vehicles, I soon found myself steadily at the front of the convoy, leaving the congestion behind.

......

The car slowed down and came to a stop in front of a brightly lit building.

A red carpet was laid out at the entrance, with media signs and security personnel standing on both sides. Well-dressed men and women kept entering with invitations.

Clearly, a high-profile celebrity gala or fashion event is being held inside.

"Director Qi, what's going on here...?"

Li Qing was somewhat taken aback. Weren't we supposed to be going out for dinner?

Qi Yue had already turned off the engine and gotten out of the car, gesturing for him to proceed, a cryptic smile on his face:

"You can eat here too."

Li Qing was puzzled, but still got out of the car with his hand.

She was dressed simply in her own clothes today, which, while appropriate, were clearly out of place for an occasion that required formal attire.

However, her concerns were quickly overwhelmed by another force.

Just as the two stepped onto the edge of the red carpet—

"Snap! Snap, snap!"

The flash suddenly turned, and the blinding white light instantly enveloped the two of them.

"Director Qi! It's Director Qi Yue!"

"Look! Qi Yue is here!"

"Is that...Li Qing next to him?!"

A sharp-eyed reporter immediately recognized Qi Yue, who has been making headlines recently.

The creator of two phenomenal web dramas, "Yu Zui" and "Day and Night," the youngest winner of the Magnolia Award for Best TV Drama Director, and the male lead of Tangren's annual blockbuster drama "Nirvana in Fire"... Qi Yue's name has been consistently trending in entertainment news lately.

As for Li Qing, as the "Qi Girl" discovered by Qi Yue and who has collaborated with him on two hit dramas, the appearance of the two together is itself a highly topical event!

Reporters immediately swarmed around them, their cameras and microphones practically shoving into their faces, bombarding them with questions:

"Director Qi! I saw your latest Weibo post saying that you'll be starting a new project soon. Could you give us a little more details here?"

"Director Qi, are you attending this event as a guest, or do you have other plans?"

"Director Qi, very few television directors succeed when they switch to film; many are said to 'not adapt well.' What's your take on this phenomenon? Is it a kind of 'curse'?"

Qi Yue shielded Li Qing, who was slightly blinded by the camera flashes, with one hand. Facing the barrage of questions, his face remained expressionless.

"A new project is indeed in the works," he confirmed the first question.

"The movie is called 'Black Coal, Thin Ice'," he announced directly, eliciting a chorus of gasps.

Regarding that pointed question about the "curse," Qi Yue's lips curled into a very faint smile:

"I think this is more of an incentive. If others fail but I succeed, wouldn't that prove something even more?"

These words, spoken calmly, were incredibly powerful! The reporters immediately became even more excited, bombarding them with questions.

Just then, a quick-witted reporter noticed Li Qing, who was standing next to Qi Yue, dressed casually but whose elegant demeanor was undeniable.

"Director Qi! Ms. Li Qing is attending with you today. Will she be the female lead in your new film, 'Black Coal, Thin Ice'?"

"Ms. Li Qing, what are your expectations for Director Qi's new film? Would you like to collaborate again?"

Qi Yue did not answer immediately this time. Instead, he turned his head and looked at Li Qing's face for two seconds.

This subtle pause and eye contact were precisely captured by countless cameras.

"Yes, I have formally extended an invitation to Ms. Li Qing, hoping that she can play the female lead in 'Black Coal, Thin Ice'."

He paused slightly, his gaze meeting Li Qing's again.

"Now, it all depends on whether she... can give me a satisfactory answer."

These words caused an uproar! It was practically an official announcement! The reporters were energized and immediately tried to turn their microphones to Li Qing to dig out more inside information.

"Miss Li Qing! Have you agreed?"

What's making you hesitate?

"Is this role a breakthrough or an adventure for you?"

However, Qi Yue didn't give them a chance to ask further. He subtly pulled Li Qing closer to him with a slight force in his arm, while simultaneously taking a step forward.

"Sorry, we should go in now. Further details will be provided in an official press release later."

His tone was polite yet authoritative. Leading Li Qing, he walked steadily through the wall of reporters and straight into the brightly lit entrance of the venue.

They left behind a flurry of excited chatter and a constant barrage of camera flashes.