Are you trying to force me to become a star?

Chapter 78 The Smiling, Proud Wanderer

The door was pushed open, and Mao Xiaotong walked in slowly.

Her slender and upright figure was accentuated by her maroon outfit, and the red color was vibrant yet not gaudy.

Her eyebrows and eyes were delicate and gentle, and her back was straight. Standing there quietly, she possessed both the gentle grace of a young girl and the fierce stubbornness in her bones.

The director and the others exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up.

Compared to Huang Rong's costume fitting earlier, Mu Nianci was clearly a better fit for her.

"Xiaotong, would you be willing to play the role of Mu Nianci?"

Mao Xiaotong's eyes widened; she had just been preparing herself emotionally, getting ready to rehearse a scene.

Why did you just ask her if she was willing?

Her emotions faltered for a moment, but she still immediately agreed, "I do."

Director: "Alright, then the role of Mu Nianci is settled. Xiaotong, you need to prepare well."

Is it really decided? Does her wish really matter that much?

"Thank you, director. I will do my best." After a pause, she still hesitated and asked, "Director, are you sure we don't need to do a rehearsal?"

The production team of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" is now highly sought after by many artists, and Mu Nianci is the second female lead, second only to Huang Rong.

Such an important role was cast without even needing an audition?

She had a vague guess in her mind, but dared not confirm it.

"Haha, Xiaotong, don't worry. Mu Nianci is the one."

The director noticed the hesitation in her eyes and couldn't help but sigh, "It's all about timing and fate." He asked, "Didn't you promote the novel 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' on a variety show back then?"

Mao Xiaotong nodded.

"So when we were discussing the copyright with the Chuangjie platform, they specifically requested that you play Mu Nianci."

She listened in a daze, then asked, "There were other people promoting the novel back then, right? What about them...?"

"Dilraba has already agreed to play Hua Zheng. Her exotic looks are a natural fit for the role, and she doesn't even need to come for a costume fitting."

"As for Xu Jinyan writing the theme song, that's something we'd love to have. Besides, she's in direct contact with the novel's author; even we have to communicate through the platform."

It took Mao Xiaotong a while to come to her senses. Could a casual remark during a promotion have such an effect?

She carefully recalled her interactions with the novel, suddenly noticed something amiss, and asked:

"Since they requested that I play Mu Nianci, why did I have to audition for a scene as Huang Rong earlier?"

The director's expression became somewhat complicated: "Mu Nianci had already been cast, but then Teacher Lin Yuan suddenly suggested that you have the opportunity to play Huang Rong."

"But we still think that the person you just walked out was Mu Nianci."

"Oh...I see."

After seeing Mao Xiaotong off, the director, producer, screenwriter, casting director, and others continued to discuss the filming of the drama.

"To be honest, I still think Lin Yuan's side was a bit too domineering. What's a novelist doing interfering with the casting process?"

This was the casting director's complaint, as it infringed upon some of his rights.

The screenwriter disagreed, saying, "You can't say that, Old Qian. The author of the novel is the one who understands each character best. In other words, he's the most suitable person to be the casting director."

"Ha ha ha ha"

"And you only say they interfered with the casting, why don't you mention that they also helped you solve the theme song issue?"

"It's so hard to get Xu Jinyan to write songs these days. Look at her Weibo post from yesterday, look at that poem, she's truly talented!"

Everyone nodded in agreement. People in the industry all know that Xu Jinyan is particularly good at tailoring songs and producing OSTs.

With Hsu Chin-yen producing the theme song for their production of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," it's like having an extra layer of assurance.

The producer then looked at the screenwriter:

"Old Liu, the script is crucial, you absolutely can't let us down."

"If you write it well, maybe Lin Yuan's next novel can be submitted to us. But if you don't write it well, they'll just replace you."

This is also one of the reasons why they agreed to so many of Lin Yuan's requests. At the time, Li Xiaoqing, the person in charge of communication with them at the Chuangjie platform, said:

"Teacher Lin Yuan hopes that you can make this drama a benchmark for martial arts dramas. If the feedback is very good, your team will be given priority consideration for the next novel."

"Lin Yuan's next novel..."

Just as they were talking, the director's phone suddenly rang, startling him.

That sound... isn't that the novel's update notification?

He only gave update notifications to one author's novel—Lin Yuan.

"What's wrong, Director?"

Director Hu took out his phone and said, "Lin Yuan may have updated the novel's extra chapters."

But when I checked my phone, I found out... Lin Yuan had actually released a new book! How long has it been?

……

……

At the same time, countless netizens received the reminder.

A second book, "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," has appeared under the column of author Lin Yuan on the Chuangjie platform.

They looked at the book title, "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer"?

This seems to be from a Weibo post by Xu Jinyan yesterday.

Summary:

The world is out of my generation, and the years are reminded as soon as I enter the world.

Imperial ambitions and great achievements are discussed in jest; nothing beats a life of blissful intoxication.

Sword in hand, mounted on horseback, unleashing a rain of ghosts; white bones piled high, birds startled into flight.

The world is like a tide, and people are like water; how many will return from the world of martial arts?

Everyone looked at the poem and was surprised.

Isn't this also Xu Jinyan's poem "Jianghu"? How did it turn from a quatrain into a regulated verse?

Is Lin Yuan writing a sequel? What's their relationship?

However… “The world is like a tide, people are like water, only alas, how many return from the martial world.” The continuation is really well written, but why does the artistic conception become so desolate?

Many readers felt a strange mix of emotions and decided to see what kind of story the author was writing.

Wow, Lin Yuan posted 30 words right away?

A truly conscientious author!

Your last novel only ended half a month ago, and you already have 30 words in drafts?

And it was all released at once.

But when readers clicked in full of anticipation, they discovered: Damn, it's a scam!

Not 30!

It's 30, not 10,000!

What the heck is "Welcome to bookmark"?

The text clearly stated:

"The author is currently working hard to draft more chapters. If you like this, please bookmark it and look forward to the next installment!"

That's outrageous!

Readers grumbled as they added the bookmark to their favorites, complaining that anyone wanting to invest would have to read those 30 words for ten minutes.

At this point, someone commented in the comments section: Lin Yuan posted on Weibo.

Oh? That's strange!

They opened Weibo:

At the same time as the novel was released, Lin Yuan updated his Weibo account with his first post since it was opened:

"After reading Jin Yan's 'Jianghu' yesterday, I felt unsettled."

"A different kind of martial arts world, different from that in 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes,' suddenly came to mind."

"So, to make matters worse, four more lines were added after the four lines of cautious words."

"As for the title of the novel, we simply adopted the title 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer' that Jin Yan mentioned."

"I hope to write this story well, so as not to disappoint Jin Yan's 'Jianghu' or all the readers."

"Stay tuned!"

Then, he copied the complete version of "Jianghu".

Below the comments section:

"My goodness! Look! Another poet has emerged in the 21st century!"

"Teacher Lin Yuan is too modest. I think the continuation is very well written."

"Yes, if Xu Jinyan is a young man full of passion and high spirits who has just entered the martial world, then Lin Yuan is a recluse who has witnessed the fierce battles and is filled with sorrow."

"Judging from how Lin Yuan addresses Xu Jinyan, the two must be very close, or at least quite familiar with each other."

"My family members don't understand, but my favorite singer and author are good friends, and they are both incredibly talented."

"Who in my family would understand? My least favorite singer and songwriter are good friends. Birds of a feather flock together."

"..."