Everyone: "…………"

They could hardly believe what they were hearing. Did that mean what just happened was also part of the performance?

How could that be! It was over, completely over!!

His lips were pale, the color was draining from his face, and you couldn't feel a heartbeat at all—obviously, in a little while, even his body would stiffen.

Ashley Grant felt it was so hard for him, and still had to make up an excuse. "I... practice yoga, so I can control my breathing rate, slow it down to a very faint level. It looks like I'm unconscious, but actually, I was just acting."

Yoga? Does it really have such mystical abilities?

Hearing this, everyone really couldn't believe it for a moment... If Ashley Grant had said he had some strange illness, they might have believed it.

Matthew King asked suspiciously, "No matter how we called you, you didn't wake up. You really weren't... passed out?"

"The performance wasn't over yet. A dead person doesn't react, right? I was just showing that state." Ashley Grant glanced at the money-hungry ghost Lao Bai still standing nearby, and said calmly, "Just now, Maomao touched me twice and said I was cold, then Director King you said..."

He recounted everything everyone had done and said just now. After all, even though he had entered a state of suspended animation, his soul was still in the room. While talking to Lao Bai, he had seen everything.

After hearing Ashley Grant's explanation, everyone gradually started to believe him, but their expressions were still full of disbelief.

They had worked in the industry for so long and had never seen any actor play a corpse to this extent. If it had gone just a bit further, they would have called an ambulance.

"I thought you were just trying to play a joke, but it turns out this is your secret weapon!" Matthew King relaxed and remembered something. "I think I saw something online before, about some foreign yoga master entering a state of suspended animation for years, then being dug up and revived... I always thought it was a legend, but it actually has some real basis. How many years have you practiced? Is it hard to learn?"

Ashley Grant replied dryly, "It's hard. Depends on talent."

"Amazing, amazing." Even the producer couldn't help but applaud. "So real, so incredible. If you ask me, if we cast Ashley Grant for this role, we should film a long take just for this special skill. After his character dies, just keep the camera on him and see if netizens can spot him breathing."

Ashley Grant: "…Hahahaha." He wondered to himself, does this mean the producer is satisfied with him?

The producer's words made the already relaxed atmosphere downright cheerful, and everyone started brainstorming out loud.

Matthew King also laughed, "Then Ashley Grant, your body must be very flexible, right? Can you do a split for us? Can you wrap your legs around your head?"

Ashley Grant: "…………"

...Lying hurts both others and yourself!

Actually, if he really had to, he could probably do a split, but he might not be able to close his legs again afterward.

Ashley Grant forced a smile. "Those are just little tricks. You've already seen my real skill, why bother with the small stuff?"

At that moment, the man in the baseball cap took off his hat and interjected calmly, "That move really is impressive."

Everyone else already knew who he was, but when Ashley Grant accidentally got a clear look at his face, he was stunned. "...Eric Lewis, Director Eric Lewis?!"

With Eric Lewis's fame, even if Ashley Grant hadn't looked him up beforehand, or if you showed his photo to any young person on the street, they'd recognize him.

Ashley Grant didn't know much about him, but Matthew King had actually been classmates with Eric Lewis back in the day—one went into TV, the other into film—so it wasn't strange for them to show up in each other's crews.

Eric Lewis had already been somewhat interested in Ashley Grant, and that "drop dead on the spot" move just now left an even deeper impression. He immediately said, "Your performance just now was great. I'm preparing a film—would you like to audition?"

Ashley Grant was thrilled. Eric Lewis is known for using his old team, so for him to use a newcomer, and even invite him personally—how rare is that!

Before Ashley Grant could say anything, Matthew King immediately said, "Hey, is this allowed? Poaching people from our crew?"

Ashley Grant instantly calmed down a bit. Right, he was here today to audition for Matthew King's project.

Eric Lewis said, "Then let's set up another day. Let's add each other on WeChat."

Matthew King: "..."

The producer tried not to laugh. "Director King, Director Lewis, don't scare the kid. Ashley Grant, don't worry, the two crews' schedules might not even overlap. You should audition wherever you want—they're just old buddies bickering."

Actually, they all knew that although nothing was set in stone on their side and they just liked Ashley Grant from the first audition, and Eric Lewis hadn't said what role he wanted him to try for, given the same conditions, anyone would choose Eric Lewis and a film.

At the same time, Ashley Grant also understood that an intention doesn't mean anything is set. With his experience, it's not impossible for both to end up with nothing. Thinking about choosing between Eric Lewis and Matthew King now is like trying to pick which of the top two universities to attend when you were a kid—overthinking it...

He said honestly, "Thank you both for the opportunity."

On Matthew King's side, he had basically passed the first round. They would probably still need to discuss, get the executive producer's opinion, and maybe even require a second audition before making a final decision.

Eric Lewis also added Ashley Grant on WeChat, saying he'd send him a scene to try out and arrange another time for an audition.