Seeing the conflicted look on Chi Ying’s face, Song Lin assumed she disapproved of Liu Xiaojun’s actions.
Objectively speaking, among actors, if someone turned down a role and recommended a friend instead, and that friend ended up getting cast, no one considered that crossing a line. It certainly wasn’t stealing someone else’s opportunity.
So she spoke up in Liu Xiaojun’s defense.
“That really doesn’t count as stealing someone else’s role. Tan Yi made it crystal clear that he wasn’t taking it. In our industry, recommending jobs to each other is completely normal. If I pass on a project, I’ll recommend someone else. It’s just doing a friend a favor. Don’t look down on him. He’s actually a really good guy.”
Chi Ying smiled and answered honestly.
“I’m not looking down on Liu Xiaojun. I’m just worried that I might be holding Tan Yi back…”
Seeing Song Lin’s puzzled expression, she explained.
“You probably don’t know much about that director. He’s actually quite influential among directors. His films can’t be released domestically, but internationally, he’s still regarded as an up-and-coming director. Foreign audiences and festivals give him plenty of recognition. Every year, his films sell well at major international film festivals and bring in a decent amount of money.
“If our movie doesn’t succeed, and Tan Yi gave up that opportunity because of it… wouldn’t I be the one who held him back?”
Song Lin looked at her as though she had grown another head.
“What nonsense are you thinking? Sure, the director has influence, but what does that have to do with us actors? Even if his films sell overseas, if they can never be released in China after we’ve acted in them, what’s the point?”
“And wasn’t that exactly why you were so determined to stop him from taking that role in the first place? There were risks involved. If the higher-ups ended up blacklisting him over it, the loss would far outweigh any gain.”
“Listen. Without a screening permit, you don’t get the Dragon Seal, and without the Dragon Seal, a movie can’t be shown in theaters. You took such a huge risk for both Tan Yi and me. If it weren’t for you, who knows how many more years we’d have had to struggle before getting a chance to act in films? Heck, we might never have gotten the chance at all, let alone as the male and female leads.”
“You’re seriously overthinking this. To be honest, you’re the real benefactor for both of us.
“You two are unbelievable. He’s worried he’ll hold you back, and you’re worried you’ll ruin his future…”
Song Lin looked utterly exasperated.
After thinking it over, Chi Ying realized she had a point. After all, when you made a film, you wanted people to actually be able to watch it, whether in theaters or on television.
Even if the director gained prestige overseas, it was still primarily the director who benefited. As for the actors, what foreign audience would recognize a bunch of Chinese performers?
The next day, the three of them returned to their alma mater together.
Chi Ying had assumed that since she had only been away for half a month, nothing much would have changed.
Instead, she received an incredibly warm welcome from her former teachers. The whole experience felt as though she had returned home in glory after achieving great success, making her more than a little embarrassed.
Their first stop was Professor Liu’s home.
The moment Professor Liu saw them at the door, she was overjoyed. She bustled about bringing drinks, peeling apples, and fussing over them for quite some time before finally getting down to business.
Then she learned that Chi Ying was already putting together her own production team, complete with financing and a screening permit. She was so astonished that she couldn’t even finish peeling the apple.
“Chi Ying, didn’t I tell you? Out of all my students, you’re the most talented! Back then, it was like you were possessed. You insisted on going back to your hometown television station… If you’d really gone, would you ever have had an opportunity like this? You’ve only been at your work unit for a few days, and you’re already making your own movie and choosing the male and female leads yourself. Do you know how many people spend their entire lives waiting for an opportunity like this and never get one?”
“So the most important steps in life have to be taken correctly.”
Professor Liu shot Tan Yi a meaningful glance before turning back to Chi Ying with a solemn expression.
Chi Ying smiled sheepishly.
“Professor Liu, I’ve taken your words to heart. Once bitten, twice shy. Haven’t I already corrected my mistake?”
She gave a rough overview of her script before explaining that she hoped to invite several professors from the acting department to join the production.
After hearing her out, Professor Liu thought it was an excellent idea.
“I’ll go talk to Professor Zhao with Tan Yi and Song Lin in a bit. As for the other roles, we’re not entirely sure who would be suitable. Could you help us think of some candidates and maybe put in a good word for us?”
“No problem,” Professor Liu replied immediately. “This is a wonderful opportunity. Besides Old Zhao, there are several other professors at the school who would fit perfectly. They’ve all got acting experience, they’re the right age for the roles, and they’re enthusiastic people. I’ll talk to them for you.”
Professor Zhao and Professor Liu both lived in the faculty apartments on campus.
The group left one building, walked a short distance to the neighboring one, and soon arrived at Professor Zhao’s apartment.
She happened to be home.
Seeing Professor Liu arrive with such a large group startled her.
But when she spotted Tan Yi, her face lit up.
“What brings all of you here?”
Professor Liu got straight to the point.
“Old Zhao, your students are making a movie and want you to help out. You can’t turn them down.”
“A movie?”
Professor Zhao’s eyes immediately brightened.
After Chi Ying explained the project, Professor Zhao was delighted.
Among this graduating class, Tan Yi had always been her favorite student. He was also the one she worried about the most.
Now she had learned that Chi Ying, from the directing department, was already making her first film and had cast two of her own students as the leads.
She could hardly have been happier.
“Chi Ying, you’re truly remarkable. Even back when you were still in school, I thought you were exceptional. And now, just like that, you’re already making movies. Tan Yi certainly wasn’t wrong about you.”
Her praise left Chi Ying feeling thoroughly embarrassed.
Sitting quietly in the corner, Song Lin secretly rolled her eyes.
In truth, she had the largest role in the entire film, yet Professor Zhao’s attention remained fixed on Tan Yi, leaving her feeling slightly jealous.
Chi Ying noticed the little gesture and shot Song Lin a look of her own, silently teasing her for being so petty.
“Professor Zhao, this is my first time directing a film. Since Tan Yi and Song Lin are both your students, I’d really appreciate it if you could come help keep an eye on things.”
Professor Zhao nodded repeatedly.
“Of course. No problem at all. I’ve been fairly free lately anyway. It’ll be good to help steady the ship.”
That left only two father roles and one mother role to fill.
Professor Zhao and Professor Liu discussed the matter for quite some time before deciding that the two homeroom teachers from the acting department one year below Tan Yi’s class, one man and one woman, would be ideal.
Originally, the Film Academy had only one acting class per year, but after university enrollment expanded, there were now two classes.
The male and female instructors both had extensive acting experience as well as on-camera experience.
As for the final elderly male role, the two professors considered every acting instructor in the undergraduate program. None of them seemed quite the right age, and there were various other reasons as well.
Eventually, they remembered Professor Yu, the homeroom teacher for the vocational program. Although he taught vocational students, he himself had a long and accomplished acting career.
By the end of their rounds, every one of the professors had agreed to join the production.
They all said the same thing. Since it was their own student’s first film, they had a duty to support her.
However, just before everything was settled, Professor Yu made one small request.
“Chi Ying, my vocational students don’t have the same advantages as the undergraduates, and they rarely get a chance to broaden their horizons. Would it be alright if I brought a few of them along to see the set?”
Professor Zhao didn’t mind in the slightest. Her own students had already graduated.
The other two professors, however, voiced mild objections.
“Old Yu, you’ve really got some nerve. A student asks you to act in her movie, and you’re bringing several students along with you?”
Professor Yu laughed.
“Oh, come on. My students simply don’t have the same opportunities as yours. They’ve never even set foot in a film studio. Since we’ve recruited them and put so much effort into teaching them, of course I want to create some opportunities for them. They can help out with production work or carry equipment. The important thing is letting them see how a real film is made.”
The professor cast as Tan Yi’s mother suddenly regretted not speaking up first.
After all, although some students in her class had already acted in productions, quite a few had never participated in an actual film shoot. Even just bringing them to observe the set would have been valuable experience.
But since Professor Yu had made his request so humbly, she couldn’t very well object.
As a result, Chi Ying’s trip back to school not only secured the four major supporting roles, but also recruited a number of extras.
Chi Ying also made her position perfectly clear regarding Professor Yu’s students.
“Professor Yu, I’m afraid I won’t be able to offer the younger students much in the way of acting fees…”
Professor Yu immediately waved both hands.
“Please don’t even mention acting fees. You’re making me blush. I just want them to broaden their horizons and experience a real film set. At school, all they ever do is perform little stage skits. They have no practical experience whatsoever. It doesn’t matter whether they have speaking lines. Even if they’re only helping mark positions or standing in for blocking, it’ll be worthwhile. Otherwise, they won’t even know how to walk naturally once they’re facing a camera.”
When it was finally time to leave, both Professor Zhao and Professor Liu insisted that they stay for dinner.
Chi Ying explained that she still needed to meet with Lu Wei and the cinematography team to discuss equipment and film stock. Song Lin and Tan Yi also had to report to the production and move into the Beijing Film Studio guesthouse.
There were simply too many things waiting to be done, and everyone’s schedule was packed.
Only then did the professors reluctantly give up on keeping them for dinner, though they insisted on walking them out.
Despite the sweltering heat, Chi Ying and the others repeatedly urged the two professors to head back.
The professors refused.
They stood there until the three of them had boarded the bus before finally turning around to leave.
From her seat, Chi Ying watched Professor Liu and Professor Zhao’s retreating figures.
Her eyes began to sting.
She quietly turned her head away and casually wiped at the corners of her eyes, pretending nothing had happened.
“Sigh. Even after graduating, I still couldn’t escape Old Zhao’s clutches.”
Seeing this, Song Lin deliberately sighed in an exaggerated tone.
Tan Yi, sitting behind them, chimed in.
“Professor Zhao has always been kind and approachable.”
Song Lin let out a cold snort.
“That’s because you’re you, and Li Yuxin is Li Yuxin. With me, it’s always, ‘Tone it down,’ or, ‘Hold back a little.’ I still don’t know what exactly I’m supposed to hold back. When I act outside school, directors complain that I’m not expressive enough!”
As she spoke, Song Lin even mimicked Professor Zhao’s heartbroken expression whenever she tried to rein her in.
Chi Ying nearly burst out laughing.
Tan Yi showed no mercy either.
“Oh, give me a break. You think I don’t know how pleased you are?”
“You’re the first person in our class to play the female lead in a movie. The professors and I are all supporting you. Li Yuxin hasn’t even gotten a foot in the door of the film industry yet.”
“That’s right!”
…
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