Chapter Forty-One [Please Keep Reading]: Have Your Daughter Play Bai Xiuzhu

Supported by Chen Siyuan, Li Dawei immediately sought out his mother for a deep and heartfelt conversation.

Liu Guoquan was a veteran director herself, and like all devoted mothers, she had spent the past few years paving the way for her son’s career. Crucially, however, her efforts had never won her son's acknowledgment. In Li Dawei's mind, perhaps she was simply the Empress Dowager Cixi, reluctant to return power to the emperor.

Therefore, when Li Dawei approached her and shared his vision, Liu Guoquan was suddenly struck by the feeling that her son had finally grown up.

"Since you’ve already made up your mind, go ahead and do it! I’ll co-direct with you this time as well, but this time, you will take the lead!"

Hearing his mother’s words, a wave of joy washed over Li Dawei. Since his mother had put it that way, she was truly handing the reins over to him now.

"Thank you, Mom!"

Overcome with emotion, Li Dawei gave Liu Guoquan a hug before turning around and leaving with a radiant smile.

Chen Siyuan hadn't lied to him! He truly was a renowned and formidable attorney across the entire United States!

Filled with gratitude, Li Dawei began pulling a team together. Fortunately, Liu Guoquan had spared no effort over the years worrying about her son, introducing him to a vast network of connections. In the domestic film and television circle, having connections made things infinitely easier. Just like that, after a round of visits and contacts, Li Dawei quickly assembled a production crew.

The official project launch of *The Story of a Noble Family* was underway!

News that Li Dawei was going to adapt Zhang Henshuic’s *The Story of a Noble Family* spread through the industry like wildfire. Numerous ambitious actors immediately began pulling strings to secure roles. Meanwhile, Li Dawei started scheduling auditions for the cast.

"Old Wei, has Song Hye-kyo's side replied yet?"

Just as he had discussed with Chen Siyuan earlier, Li Dawei’s top choice for the role of Bai Xiuzhu remained Song Hye-kyo. Although *Autumn in My Heart* had not yet been officially imported into China, Song Hye-kyo was already well on her way to becoming an Asian superstar. Li Dawei had thoroughly researched the formula of Japanese and Korean idol dramas, which was why he was so optimistic about casting her.

Alas, it was a case of the willow yearning for the spring breeze, but the plum blossoms falling in vain!

"Director Li, Song Hye-kyo's team has turned down the role of Bai Xiuzhu. They feel that a supporting role is beneath her."

The expression on the face of Old Wei, the assistant casting director, was rather unsightly. While it sounded simple enough, Old Wei, who had been handling the actual negotiations, had endured plenty of cold shoulders and disdain.

"Didn't you tell them that Bai Xiuzhu isn't just any ordinary supporting character? It wouldn't even be an exaggeration to call her one of the dual female leads!"

Li Dawei frowned.

"I told them, but their side wouldn't accept it. Even if she truly is one of the dual leads, they still don't want to take it. They believe it doesn't match Song Hye-kyo's current status!"

There was a hint of lingering anger in Old Wei's tone.

Li Dawei paused for a moment before shaking his head. "Then let's screen other suitable candidates! By the way, watch over things here today; I'm going to go see our major investor!"

Hearing this, Old Wei breathed a sigh of relief—as long as he didn't have to keep begging those Koreans anymore!

Li Dawei gathered his materials and headed straight for Chen Siyuan's villa.

Upon arriving at the residence, just as Li Dawei was about to press the doorbell, he froze in sheer astonishment!

In the courtyard, Liu Yifei was holding a watering can, tending to the garden. She was graceful, refined, and radiated an undeniable aristocratic aura.

"Bai Xiuzhu! That is Bai Xiuzhu!"

Images of Liu Yifei dressed in period costume as Bai Xiuzhu instantly flashed through Li Dawei's mind. In that exact moment, Liu Yifei merged seamlessly with the image of Bai Xiuzhu he had envisioned in his heart!

Truly, after endless doubts where the path seemed blocked by dark mountains and murky streams, suddenly there appeared a village nestled among willows and bright flowers.

Li Dawei stood frozen at the entrance until Liu Yifei finished watering and finally noticed him standing by the gate.

"Whom are you looking for, please?" Liu Yifei walked up to ask.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. My name is Li Dawei, and I'm here to visit Mr. Chen Siyuan," Li Dawei said hurriedly, snapping back to reality as if waking from a dream.

"Ah, so it's Uncle Li. Father has already mentioned you. Please, come in!" Liu Yifei smiled softly, like a hundred flowers blooming all at once.

Caught up in his own mental filter, Li Dawei found himself momentarily dazed.

At that moment, Chen Siyuan walked out upon hearing the voices. Seeing Li Dawei's expression, he gave an inward, subtle nod.

"Director Li, you're here!"

"Mr. Chen, hello! I've come to brief you on the current progress of the production crew." Li Dawei immediately dropped his formal demeanor.

He had to convince Chen Siyuan to let his daughter play Bai Xiuzhu! Li Dawei silently pumped himself up.

During the ensuing conversation with Chen Siyuan, however, Li Dawei was somewhat distracted. He was still deliberating on how to broach the subject.

"Mr. Chen, Song Hye-kyo from the Korean side has already declined to play Bai Xiuzhu."

When Li Dawei said this, there was no trace of regret in his voice, for he already had a far better candidate in mind.

"It's only natural that she refused. Song Hye-kyo is currently a massive star in South Korea; it's indeed unlikely she would agree to play a secondary role to another actor." Chen Siyuan nodded, entirely unsurprised.

"Mr. Chen, was that young lady practicing in the courtyard just now your beloved daughter?" Li Dawei finally steered the conversation toward Liu Yifei.

"Yes, Liu Yifei, my precious daughter." The indulgence and affection in Chen Siyuan's eyes were plain for all to see.

A sense of difficulty washed over Li Dawei. With Chen Siyuan doting on his daughter so intensely, persuading him to let Liu Yifei enter the acting world would be exceedingly difficult.

"This daughter of mine has a mind of her own. She has already applied to the Beijing Film Academy and is currently preparing for their professional entrance exams!" Chen Siyuan shook his head with a helpless smile.

Yet, to Li Dawei’s ears, those words sounded like heavenly music!

"Mr. Chen, let your beloved daughter play Bai Xiuzhu!" Li Dawei decided to throw caution to the wind!

Chen Siyuan looked at Li Dawei with astonishment, though his expression quickly returned to normal. "Director Li, although my daughter loves performing, she doesn't have much formal training. Isn't it inappropriate to cast her in such an important role as Bai Xiuzhu?"

"It is entirely appropriate! There is no one more suitable than your daughter!"

Excitedly, Li Dawei began enumerating all the various benefits of casting Liu Yifei as Bai Xiuzhu to Chen Siyuan. His mind suddenly spun into overdrive, rattling off point after logical point with absolute eloquence!

Even Chen Siyuan hadn't expected Liu Yifei to fit the character of Bai Xiuzhu so perfectly! It was as if she were of paramount importance—as though without Liu Yifei playing the role, *The Story of a Noble Family* would lose all its brilliance.

Meanwhile, Liu Yifei was actually lingering not far away, paying attention to the conversation. Consequently, she found herself bewildered by the glowing praise. Was she truly the living embodiment of Bai Xiuzhu?

After Li Dawei talked until his mouth was completely dry, Chen Siyuan finally sighed and beckoned to Liu Yifei.

"茜茜 (Xixi), Director Li wants you to play Bai Xiuzhu in *The Story of a Noble Family*. Would you like to give it a try?"

Liu Yifei's heartbeat quickened by a fraction, though on the surface she merely offered a gentle smile. "I'll listen to whatever Daddy says."

Li Dawei missed a beat of his own heartbeat.

Bai Xiuzhu! She truly was Bai Xiuzhu!

"Director Li, since you've put it this way, let Xixi give it a try. If she doesn't cut it, replace her immediately!" Chen Siyuan thought for a moment before speaking to Li Dawei.

Instantly, an overwhelming wave of joy washed over Li Dawei!

"Thank you for your support, Mr. Chen! Rest assured, your daughter will not suffer even the slightest grievance on the set!"

"Director Li, treat her just like any other ordinary actor. Once she enters the crew, she is your soldier to command!"