"What? How can you break your promise?" Xue Ting snapped, scowling into the phone.
A sigh came through the line. The producer's tone dripped with helplessness. "Xue Ting, we've worked together for so long. I really let you down this time. But I'm in a bind. The investors suddenly changed the cast, and the director has no choice but to follow their orders."
"But Lin Yuan aced the audition. Even the director said his performance was excellent," Xue Ting said, forcing herself to stay calm but still sounding firm.
"You know the drill. Talent doesn't always cut it when divvying up roles," the producer said, his voice heavy with resignation. "Xue Ting, I feel awful about this. But I'll scout other gigs to square things up."
Xue Ting was silent for a moment. Finally, she took a deep breath and said, "Fine. But I need to know exactly what happened."
"Just... consider this a missed opportunity for Lin Yuan," the producer replied evasively.
Xue Ting's eyes turned cold, but she decided not to argue further. "All right, I understand." Pausing, she added calmly, "But the compensation you promised has to be paid according to the contract."
After a few seconds of silence, the other end finally mumbled, "…Okay."
Once the call ended, Xue Ting took a deep breath to compose herself, then looked up at Lin Yuan.
Lin Yuan sprawled on the sofa. When Xue Ting hung up, he grinned. "Bad news? Am I out?"
Xue Ting rubbed her temples and nodded. "Yeah. The investors picked someone else, and the director couldn't do anything about it."
Lin Yuan shrugged, his expression nonchalant. "Oh well. It's no big deal. I wasn't that keen on the cop drama anyway."
"Aren't you mad?" Xue Ting raised an eyebrow.
"Mad about what? Stuff like this happens all the time. It's not like it's my first rodeo…" Lin Yuan threw up his hands. "Well, every cloud has a silver lining, right? Losing my cool won't fix this."
Xue Ting gave a wry smile. This kid was more composed and mature than she'd thought. With a sigh, she said, "Anyway, you don't have to join the filming crew in a month. It's not your fault the show fell through, so don't worry about it."
"Got it," Lin Yuan said, nodding. Then he casually asked, "So, what's next for me?"
Xue Ting glanced at the documents in her hand. "Take a few days to rest. Then you'll go on a reality talent show. It'll last about five days and focus on impromptu acting."
"Improv acting?" Lin Yuan perked up, intrigued.
"Right. They'll give you random topics, and you have to create a character, perform, and act opposite others on the spot. It tests your ability to think on your feet and your acting skills," Xue Ting said, "Big-shot directors and experienced actors will be judging. You'll shine if you do great, but they'll tear you apart if you flop."
Lin Yuan stroked his chin, deep in thought. "Sounds interesting."
Seeing his enthusiasm, Xue Ting cracked a smile. "Hold your horses. The competition's fierce. You've got to stay sharp."
Lin Yuan smirked. "Count on me. I won't hold back."
====================
"什么?!你们怎么能出尔反尔?" 薛婷的声音里带着几分怒意,眉头紧皱地看着电话那头的制片人.
电话里传来一声叹息,那名制片人的语气带着无奈:"薛婷,我们合作了这么久,这次的事确实是叔对不住你们.我也没办法,投资方临时更换了演员人选,导演也只能听命行事."
"可林远通过了试镜,甚至导演当时都说他的表现很好." 薛婷强压着情绪,声音放缓了一些,但语气依旧不容置疑.
"规则你也懂,有时候没办法用正常的标准来衡量我们手上的资源,该给谁,不该给谁." 制片人的语气中带着一丝无奈,"薛婷,这次的事我也很遗憾,不过你放心,我一定会给你们找其他资源补."
薛婷沉默了一瞬,最终深吸一口气,说道:"行吧,但我必须知道到底发生了什么."
"具体情况... 你就当作这次是林远错过了这部剧吧." 对方的回答依旧含糊.
薛婷眼神冷了几分,但最终还是选择不再争辩:"好,我知道了." 她顿了顿,冷静地补充道,"可以,但之前你说过的补偿,得按合同来."
电话另一端沉默了几秒,最终低声应了一句:"...行."
通话结束后,薛婷深吸了口气,调整了一下情绪,然后抬头看向林远.
林远靠在沙发上,看着薛婷放下手机,笑了笑:"怎么了?我被刷掉了?"
薛婷轻轻揉了揉眉心,点点头:"嗯,投资方换了人,导演也没办法."
林远耸耸肩,表情倒是很平静:"哦,那就算了吧,反正我也没那么想演警匪剧."
"你不生气?" 薛婷挑眉看着他.
"生什么气?这种事多了去了,我又不是第一次遇到..." 林远摊手, "呃... 我是说,凡事都有第一次.况且,生气也没用."
薛婷无奈地笑了一下,觉得这小子比她想象的还要冷静成熟.她叹了口气,随后说道:"总之,一个多月后你就不用进组了,这部剧出了点问题,和你没关系,你别放在心上."
"嗯,知道了." 林远点头,随后随口问道,"那我接下来有什么安排?"
薛婷看了眼手上的文件,说道:"这几天你先调整状态,之后去参加一个真人选秀综艺,大概待五天,是即兴演技赛."
"即兴演技?" 林远挑了挑眉,来了点兴趣.
"对,会给你们一些即兴命题,让你们在短时间内完成角色塑造,表演和对手戏,考验演员的应变能力和演技功底." 薛婷解释道,"节目组邀请了几位大导演和资深演员做评委,表现好是加分项,但如果发挥失常也会被狠狠点评,压力不小."
林远摸了摸下巴,若有所思地说道:"听起来有点意思."
薛婷盯着他,看出他是真的跃跃欲试,忍不住笑了:"别高兴太早,这次的选手可不简单,你到时候自己小心."
林远嘴角微扬:"放心吧,我会尽力的."