The next morning, Baili Xiao was jolted awake by a knock at his door from his manager, Mike. Strictly speaking, this was his first official day as an artist. Normally, newcomers would be undergoing training on how to handle the media, cultivate relationships with seniors, and navigate the intricate web of the entertainment industry—where many seemingly distant acquaintances shared close bonds, while some who appeared lovey-dovey on social media had been at odds behind the scenes.

However, Baili Xiao was different. He hadn’t even had the chance to stamp his contract before landing the incredible fortune of being noticed by renowned director Luo Wei. For a newcomer to have an audition for the male fourth lead in a major historical drama the day after signing was already a sign of potential stardom in the making.

In addition to the newly signed Baili Xiao, Mike also managed another artist: Dai Jue, the top star of Oneworld Entertainment. Today, Dai Jue was scheduled to appear on a variety show, which meant that Mike’s entire management team was occupied, leaving him to accompany his new, freshly signed talent.

What Baili Xiao didn’t expect was that the seemingly aloof and taciturn Mike was actually quite detail-oriented. While he was less chatty than most managers, he still had a lot to say when it came to Baili Xiao.

From the moment they got into the chauffeur-driven car, Mike began his barrage of questions: “Have you read the script?” “Why are you wearing another black shirt?” “Did you memorize the personal preferences of Director Luo that I sent you yesterday?”

Baili Xiao felt overwhelmed, exasperated by the incessant questioning. He had no idea that Mike had never been so chatty before. The reason for his chatter stemmed from a conversation earlier that morning when he had asked Baili Xiao how he felt about the script and the audition. Baili Xiao had replied, “Don’t worry; I observed the stars last night. I’ll definitely be fine.”

Truthfully, Mike was beginning to regret his impulsive decision to sign such an unpredictable person.

How had he ended up with such an unreliable character?

In an effort to ease his growing anxiety and frustration, Mike opened the script himself. However, after reading just a few lines, he was left utterly stunned, looking up at Baili Xiao in disbelief. “Have you read this script before yesterday?”

Baili Xiao shrugged, trying to appear casual. “No, I just skimmed it last night.”

Mike’s expression morphed from confusion to astonishment. “Then how do you already know so much about the character?”

Baili Xiao smiled faintly, a glimmer of confidence shining in his eyes. “It’s just a feeling I have. Sometimes, you can understand a character more by feeling than by reading.”

Mike blinked, the realization dawning on him. Maybe this unconventional talent really was something special. Perhaps there was more to Baili Xiao than met the eye, and his faith in the boy’s instincts might just pay off in the end. As they continued their journey, Mike felt a flicker of hope amidst his skepticism.

“Alright then, let’s hope your feelings are spot on. Remember, today’s your chance to show what you can do,” Mike said, trying to sound more supportive, even if he still harbored some doubts.

Baili Xiao nodded, determination clear on his face. “I won’t let you down.”

The atmosphere in the car shifted as they drove toward the audition venue, both filled with anticipation for what lay ahead.

“Not really,” Baili Xiao replied cryptically with a smile. “Last night, I was surprised to find that the lines for the young scholar in Director Luo’s script were almost identical to what I casually said yesterday.” He paused for a moment, seemingly deep in thought, then nodded as if everything made perfect sense. “But it’s normal; his astrological signs have shifted recently, which particularly favors me.”

“…”

Mike was genuinely at a loss for words. He struggled to convince himself that this was just a coincidence, but it really did seem too damn coincidental.

“Have you studied something like the *Zizhi Tongjian*?” Mike asked, trying to find some logical explanation.

Baili Xiao looked at him earnestly. “Something like that. Although I never attended university, I’ve always been studying the way of serving a ruler.”

“…”

Complete nonsense.

Mike swore he would never give this guy another opportunity to show off again. Whether the audition was successful or not, it would be left to fate; after all, he wasn’t counting on a rookie to land a major role.

Before long, the car pulled into a well-known studio in the capital. Director Luo Wei was known for his diligence and hard work. Even though Baili Xiao arrived an entire hour early, he found Luo Wei already in the studio discussing costume details with the head of the wardrobe department.

Luo Wei had a good impression of Baili Xiao. He was one of the few directors in the industry who didn’t care about an actor’s status; he only sought the most suitable candidates. So, he didn’t treat Baili Xiao any differently just because he was a complete newcomer. He simply advised him to prepare the lines from yesterday’s scene for the assistant director.

Baili Xiao calmly acknowledged this and followed the wardrobe assistant to try on the costume for the role. Mike, however, looked a bit surprised. He had thought this process would take longer, but it seemed that it was not just an audition; Director Luo had already made up his mind and was only waiting for the assistant director’s approval. Those in the industry knew that if a director was set on someone, the assistant director usually had no objections.

As he observed Baili Xiao, Mike’s expression grew more complex. He hadn’t mentioned to the newcomer that although the role was only for the male fourth lead, it was incredibly appealing. Dai Jue had auditioned for the same role just last week and could have easily secured it, given the public support for him in that character. However, Dai Jue had been swamped with variety shows recently and had shown up in a poor state. When he stumbled over a line, the discerning Luo Wei immediately rejected him.

Now, Mike wondered if fate had truly dealt a good hand to Baili Xiao. The stars might have aligned perfectly for him, and the director’s keen eye could see the potential that lay beneath his unassuming demeanor. As Baili Xiao stepped out in his costume, Mike couldn’t shake the feeling that this might be the beginning of something remarkable.

“Just relax and be yourself,” Mike said as they waited for the assistant director. “You’ve already impressed Director Luo; now you just need to show everyone else what you can do.”

Baili Xiao nodded, determination shining in his eyes. “I’ll do my best.”

As the door to the studio opened and the assistant director beckoned him inside, he took a deep breath, ready to embrace this moment that could change everything.

——If Baili Xiao could smoothly land this role, that would be great. But how could he ensure harmony between these two artists under him?

Mike found himself caught in a mix of emotions, feeling both hopeful and troubled.

The drama, titled *Chang An*, was a high-budget historical series. Compared to the male lead, whose flaws and virtues were vividly portrayed, the male fourth lead showcased only his extraordinary talent and aloof demeanor, making the character easier to perform. However, the concern lay in the fact that the series was adapted from a novel that had been wildly popular a few years ago. The original illustrations had already established the characters’ images, and the director’s team was intent on casting actors whose appearances closely matched those illustrations.

In the novel, the male fourth lead, Shen Ziting, was depicted in flowing black attire, exuding an ethereal quality that made him hard to relate to. This presented a significant challenge since many actors struggled to embody such a character convincingly.

Remembering this detail made Mike feel a sense of uncertainty. While Baili Xiao had worn a black silk shirt without any awkwardness, whether he could pull off that elaborate costume remained an open question. Typically, characters in novels with such ethereal personas were clad in white, so it was particularly frustrating that this novel had created such an unreasonable character design. Adapting it for television was bound to be complicated.

As he thought about the audition, Mike’s mind raced with the implications of Baili Xiao’s potential success. If he secured the role, it could indeed stir some tension with Dai Jue, who was not only a seasoned actor but also the current star of the agency. Mike sighed, realizing that navigating this situation would be delicate.

Ultimately, he would have to manage both artists carefully, ensuring that their interactions remained professional and constructive. Mike’s thoughts were interrupted as Baili Xiao emerged from the fitting room, dressed in the character’s costume. The ensemble was striking, yet it was hard to tell if he truly embodied the character of Shen Ziting.

“Hey, how do you feel?” Mike asked, trying to gauge Baili Xiao’s confidence.

“I feel… powerful,” Baili Xiao replied, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.

Mike gave a cautious nod. “Good. Just remember to stay true to the character’s essence. Shen Ziting is meant to be both proud and mesmerizing.”

Baili Xiao smiled, determination evident in his demeanor. “I won’t disappoint you.”

As they prepared to enter the audition room, Mike silently hoped that this was the beginning of something positive. If Baili Xiao could manage to capture the essence of Shen Ziting, perhaps both he and Dai Jue could coexist within the agency, fostering a competitive yet respectful environment.

Only time would tell if this balance could be maintained, but Mike was resolved to do everything in his power to make it work. After all, the entertainment industry thrived on talent, and managing those talents effectively was his responsibility.

The door opened, and as they stepped inside, Mike felt a surge of anticipation. This was a pivotal moment, not just for Baili Xiao, but for the entire trajectory of his career and the harmony of their team.

But what could be done? So many fans were constantly calling out on Weibo to see who would play “the Black-Clad Ziting.” No one dared to change the original character design.

As Mike sat outside the fitting room, deep in thought, the door suddenly swung open. The assistants nearby, who had been chattering away about the production, fell completely silent in an instant. Mike’s first reaction was to think that Baili Xiao had caused some trouble. His second reaction, as he looked up, left him completely stunned.

Baili Xiao was dressed in Shen Ziting’s main costume. The black silk clung perfectly to his flawless figure, with a flowing robe and wide sleeves. His long, dark hair cascaded like a waterfall, and his deep black eyes gleamed like polished lacquer. He truly looked like the character had stepped right off the page.

The white cloud-like trim accentuated his depth and added an ethereal quality to his presence. In that moment, Mike felt an overwhelming sense of reassurance—looking at the reactions around him, nearly everyone believed that Shen Ziting had been officially cast, not by some big-name star, but by this completely fresh face in front of them.

The crowd buzzed with excitement. In fact, once everyone learned that the young man before them was Mike’s newly signed artist, their curiosity about his background intensified. Now that they had seen his finalized look, speculation about his origins ran rampant.

Meanwhile, Baili Xiao remained completely calm, unaffected by the whispers around him. He approached Mike and said, “The fabric of this costume is even better than the designer brands I’ve bought for myself. It’s quite similar to my previous clothes—nice.”

“…”

Having interacted with Baili Xiao enough to gauge his character, Mike wisely decided not to ask him what his previous clothes were like. He chose to ignore his artist’s satisfaction with the costume fabric and hurried off to greet the director and assistant director.

Director Luo Wei looked at Baili Xiao with an expression of pure delight, even more pleased than if he were looking at his own child.

The assistant director, a middle-aged woman, was equally thrilled. Before Luo Wei even officially confirmed Baili Xiao’s role, she had already grabbed him and asked an assistant to take a photo.

Mike stood by, somewhat speechless at the forced photo session with Baili Xiao, lost in thought.

Perhaps this person’s claims weren’t as absurd as they seemed. Could it be that he truly meshed well with Director Luo? Otherwise, how could one explain why a top-tier director, on a whim, attended a signing audition and found a male fourth lead that was nearly impossible to identify from thousands of candidates?

It was simply unbelievable.

The subsequent audition went very smoothly, especially since Director Luo had already seen Baili Xiao’s performance the previous day. When Baili Xiao softly asked, “May I ask, Your Majesty, after defeating the foreign invaders, can today’s disaster-stricken land be considered part of our territory?” everyone noticed the spark in the eyes of both the director and the assistant director.

A few crew members who were somewhat familiar with Mike commented, “This fresh face is probably going to blow up on Weibo and social media soon.”

Their predictions were correct. That afternoon, around six o’clock, Luo Wei announced on Weibo, under his personal account, that the role of Shen Ziting would be officially played by the new artist Li Xiao from Oneworld International. The “Qing Ge Chang An” production team also released the finalized promotional photos taken that afternoon. In the photo, Baili Xiao had a jade-like complexion, and his dark satin robe billowed in the wind, his gaze fierce and proud—he looked just like the character Shen Ziting.

Translator’s Note: Baili Xiao is Li Xiao in the entertainment industry.

This newcomer, who had never had any previous works and had just opened his own Weibo account mere minutes ago, suddenly captured everyone’s attention.

Baili Xiao calmly looked at his Weibo as his manager helped him retweet Luo Wei’s announcement, saying, “I’m very happy to take on this role. It’s my first collaboration with Director Luo, and I will definitely work hard.” Just a few minutes after posting, his follower count had already skyrocketed past ten thousand. Watching the number of followers climb rapidly, Mike asked Baili Xiao if he felt excited, only to receive a nonchalant “Hehe” in response.

Baili Xiao had no intention of telling him just yet that his other account garnered tens of thousands of shares every day with a simple post about the daily calendar. He casually clicked on the tweet, and the comments below were quite satisfying:

—“A new face! Can’t wait to see!”

—“Wow, this is a completely fresh face, right? Just opened his Weibo account this afternoon?”

—“I thought this role was meant for my friend Dai Jue. Even though they chose a newcomer, I’m impressed by this promotional photo!”

—“He’s the Shen Ziting I’ve envisioned. Can’t wait!”

Baili Xiao scrolled down a bit more, not seeing any negative comments, and he felt relieved to put his phone away. His manager was truly meticulous and efficient; while he was busy being styled for the promotional photo, Mike had already reached a consensus with the company and Luo Wei’s studio—only a few signatures were needed to finalize the contract.

As for the promotional photo, he didn’t think it was particularly stunning, but he really liked it.

It looked very much like his former self. The hair, the clothing—everything was the same. Baili Xiao quietly licked his lips and saved the photo to his phone. He really loved this character, perhaps because dressing up as him reminded him of his previous self.

…

After getting home that evening, Baili Xiao did a quick clean-up around the house. In fact, although he had been in this world for three months, he had been too busy making a living and getting used to all the strange new things. Now that he was officially debuting, he was finally starting to take control of his life. He was determined to redecorate the place; he planned to throw away the old things that belonged to the previous owner of this body. Those outdated clothes that didn’t match his style would only provoke Mike’s complaints.

However, while cleaning out the wardrobe, he discovered a diary. It had been tucked away in a shoe box at the bottom of the closet. He had no intention of prying into the previous owner’s privacy, but as he pulled out the box from the bottom, another box on top of it fell down, and the diary flopped open, landing on Baili Xiao’s foot.

He picked up the diary, which happened to open to a page marked with a bookmark.

“July 9: Got dumped by a little manager again. It’s really frustrating. I look so good, those damn managers are all obsessed with degrees. Do they look down on those who didn’t go to university? Ha, how many people in the entertainment industry are actually cultured? Bah.”