Second Take On Romance - The A-List Actor Wants Me
Chapter 199 : A Ray Of Hope

Chapter 199: Chapter 199 : A Ray Of Hope

That day, a well-known figure crossed the threshold of the Handsome Butler Coffee Shop, drawing the attention of the coffee shop visitors in an instant.

"Ahhhhh~ Mr. Wu!"

"Wu Jin, Wu Jin~!!!"

Wu Jin, who strolled into the coffee shop like he just got lost, beamed at his fans, dazzling them with a smile brighter than the lighting overhead.

"Ssssh," he pressed a finger against his lips. "Not so loud, or my manager will find me and take me away."

There was something about Wu Jin that made people automatically flock to him and do his bidding.

The obedient young ladies collected their autographs, took pictures with Wu Jin, and finally allowed him to enjoy his coffee in solitude.

"Mr. Wu, you shouldn’t be loitering freely in public spaces like this," Head Butler Wu, although delighted by the constant stream of customers who refused to leave, couldn’t help but be concerned. "What if someone tries to cause you harm?"

Even presidents had been shot in public gatherings.

Wu Jin laughed.

"No worries, Head Butler. I have made adequate arrangements outside. Today, I am here to scout some talents. I heard that some of your butlers here are aspiring actors."

Wu Jin did not speak loudly, but the butlers still heard his words clearly amongst the commotion inside the coffee shop.

"Did you say you were here to recruit someone?" Luo Chengshi practically shoved his way to reach Wu Jin’s table. "Please consider me. I am surnamed Luo, given name Chengshi."

Behind him, Yang Zichen quickly followed suit.

"Me too! I am surnamed Yang, given name Zichen..."

One by one, the butlers pushed their way through to Wu Jin. Naturally, Jin Zhuo was also included.

"Calm down, calm down, everyone, I will take your names and portfolios, and then we will go from there, hm?"

A complicated expression spread across Jin Zhuo’s face. He couldn’t help but recall how quickly Shen Jingwei failed to recommend him. Wu Jin wasn’t even an actor to begin with. He was a singer, so what influence did he wield in the acting world?

Probably even less than Shen Jingwei.

He did not want to get his hopes up, afraid of getting crushed again.

His sullen face quickly drew Wu Jin’s attention.

"You," Wu Jin called out. "Your name is Jin Zhuo, right?"

"...Yeah."

"Didn’t you recently partake in an audition for the antagonist role in ’Eyes Of The Hunter’?"

Jin Zhuo inadvertently clenched his fingers into fists. No one liked to talk about failed auditions.

The other butlers felt somewhat awkward around them. After submitting their portfolios, they dispersed to attend to the other customers.

"... Yes," Jin Zhuo said through gritted teeth.

Wu Jin held a wistful smile on his lips.

"I remember you. I was also there, but I was not considered among the panel of judges."

Jin Zhuo widened his eyes in surprise.

"You were?"

"Yes, I am to play Cao Huifang’s partner in the drama."

"..."

Even a singer with zero acting experience landed a role.

The world was so unfair.

Jin Zhuo’s face darkened considerably.

"Hey, hey, what’s with the sour face?" Wu Jin propped his chin against his hand, his elbow pressing against the table surface. "Are you so unhappy about failing the audition?"

Jin Zhuo let out a disdainful chuckle.

"Honestly, I don’t know what’s the point of joining auditions if the winners have been determined before the first round even begins."

Wu Jin’s smile grew wider.

In other auditions, probably. But Shen Jingwei won the role of Su Jiahong fair and square. By the time Feng Jietang found out that Shen Jingwei participated in the audition, it was too late for him to personally recommend Shen Jingwei. This was a fact Wu Jin knew by heart.

Jin Zhuo was mistakenly assuming Shen Jingwei’s victory was due to unfair means.

Then again, it was misunderstandings like these that served as the best seeds of discord. Why would Wu Jin bother clearing things up for Shen Jingwei’s sake?

"Aaaah," Wu Jin sighed dramatically. "What can I say. That’s how the acting world is."

"..."

"These days, how many respectable actors and actresses get to stand before the screen? Most of them are nieces and nephews of influential people. This is an irrefutable fact."

Jin Zhuo gritted his teeth.

Unfortunately, he did not have any influential uncles or aunts to flaunt. Did it mean that he must sacrifice his dreams just like that? Should he stop wasting his time and go back to his hometown?

Wu Jin watched the thoughts swirling in Jin Zhuo’s head with growing amusement.

"You know what? I like your tenacity and dedication. What about I give you a chance?"

"..."

Jin Zhuo eyed Wu Jin suspiciously.

"That easy?"

Wu Jin nodded.

"Well, I am a renowned singer signed under CNC Studio. If I recommend you, you will surely land a role. Probably not a major role, you understand, but hey, a minor role is already an important stepping stone, hm? The rest depends on your skills and hard work."

Hope, once crushed completely by Shen Jingwei’s rejection, slowly started to bloom in Jin Zhuo’s heart again.

"If... If you can really do that..." Jin Zhuo stammered as he spoke. "Please, it will... It will mean a lot to me."

Still smiling, Wu Jin winked at him.

"Leave it to me," he said, his voice laced with confidence. "I will give you the good news in several days."

And so, another fish took the bait.

Wu Jin left soon after, carrying a stack of portfolios with him. He took out Jin Zhuo’s portfolio and dumped the rest in a nearby trash can.

While riding back to CNC Studio’s headquarters, Wu Jin gave Shang Ruohan a call.

"Mr. Shang? I have found a useful pawn. And I know exactly what role to give him, too..."

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Author’s note :

In case readers are wondering, Shang Ruohai and Shang Ruohan constantly make moves against each other.

I do not detail Shang Ruohai’s actions in here because they do not concern Yan Yan and Shen Shen.

Shang Ruohai is definitely not laying low. He is actively attacking Wu Jin from all aspects.