The birth of an actor

Chapter 57 First Meeting and First Gathering
In one morning, I had basically finished all the things that needed to be done for the start of the school term.

Anxin also met her mentor from her previous life.

A male teacher surnamed Zuo.

I still remember... back then everyone liked to call him Zuo Lengchan, I don't know how that nickname came about.

After meeting Teacher Zuo, he told her that he would be taking leave in two weeks.

To be honest, this was the first time An Xin had encountered something like this, and he wasn't quite sure what the school's leave application process was like. He had previously asked his acting teacher, Mr. Liu, who said that the Beijing Film Academy allowed students to film, but they needed a filming permit from the production crew, an invitation letter with an official seal, a safety commitment letter, and other formalities. However, for regular universities, the regulations varied from school to school. Mr. Liu wasn't sure about Renmin University, but some other schools considered it social practice, while others, like Tsinghua University, completely prohibited it.

When it came to Teacher Zuo, after hearing An Xin's words, the counselor looked surprised:
"Are you an actor?"

"Uh...yeah."

What kind of movie are you going to film?

"Aunt Qiong Yao has a TV series adapted from a novel called 'Princess Pearl.' The filming locations are Beijing Film Studio and Chengde. It will take about one or two months."

"Taiwanese dramas?"

"Correct."

Now, even Teacher Zuo was a little unsure.

Renmin University has produced actors before, but the problem is... it really hasn't produced any in recent years.

The students who graduate from here are all pillars of society, but most of them either become public servants or go into business... An Xin is the youngest among this batch of university students, and being admitted to Renmin University at this age in itself represents excellence. And now... this kid is actually going to act in a movie...

He thought about it and didn't give Anxin a direct answer, but just said he would ask the school.

Anxin didn't get a definite answer, so she could only take her textbooks and head into the dormitory building.

When he returned to room 217, he discovered that there were several strangers in the dormitory.

Upon seeing An Xin, all of them turned their eyes to him.

It's like looking at some rare species.

"...You know what, he is quite handsome."

Hearing what one of them said, An Xin's lips twitched.

"Hey, junior, are there any famous actors in the movie you're filming?"

Do you have any romantic scenes? Which actor are you working with?

"Is filming fun?"

While An Xin was speechless listening to what these guys were saying, Liu Qiangdong, sitting in front of the computer, smiled and said to An Xin:
"Let me introduce you. Ji Yuan is from the Finance Department. Liu Wenwu is from the Law Department..."

He introduced them one by one.

These people are the graduating seniors from Class 217.

Take your time to get to know each person and greet them.

When asked about his age, the group looked at him with a speechless expression upon learning that he was only sixteen.

Ultimately... it's a bit too small.

We're about five or six years apart.

Age wasn't a problem, though. After refusing the cigarette Ji Yuan offered, and hearing their persistent questions about who he acted with, An Xin answered with "Alec Su from the Little Tigers and Zhang Tielin from 'The Eloquent Ji Xiaolan'," which surprised his buddies.

What is "The Eloquent Ji Xiaolan"?

Seeing Liu Wenwu's puzzled look, An Xin was taken aback... then she understood, smiled, and shook her head:
"The script hasn't been filmed yet. Hmm... but I don't know if this person has any other projects."

"Oh~"

The group nodded, not paying any attention.

However, Ji Yuan slapped his thigh:
"Old Liu, does your girlfriend really like the Little Tigers?"

"Yeah, that's right!"

Suddenly, Liu Wenwu's eyes lit up:
"Don't worry, can you get an autograph?"

"Uh... yes. But we'll have to wait until filming starts."

"No problem... Who else do you know?"

Seeing the group of men looking so excited, Anxin thought for a moment and asked:
"Chen Daoming?"

"Ah! You know Chen Daoming!?"

Who is Chen Daoming?

"The one from the first half of this year, the one about Hu Xueyan, the one where you played Hu Xueyan."

"And there's 'Fortress Besieged'."

"The TV series 'Fortress Besieged' is so old..."

So, inexplicably, Anxin found herself burdened with some signature debts.

Even when he made the promise, he was unconsciously thinking, "Maybe... I should ask Fan Bingbing for some autographs?"

Putting everything else aside, once she becomes famous, she can charge ten yuan per autograph. If I ask her to sign ten thousand autographs for me, wouldn't that be a hundred thousand yuan in cash?
However, as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he quickly shook his head.

This is obviously not possible.

Who would be so heartless as to grab someone's signature and make them sign thousands or tens of thousands of times?
are you crazy?

No one could do something so outrageous.

While we were chatting, it was actually getting close to noon.

After checking the time, Liu Qiangdong said:

"Let's go, let's have a welcome ceremony for our juniors at noon today, let's go to my restaurant for lunch."

Anxiety stirred within me.

Several people responded in unison:
"Haha, okay. Come on, junior, let's go out to eat."

……

In An Xin's opinion, Liu Qiangdong's Sichuan-Chongqing restaurant is a kind of almost idealistic but ultimately unsuccessful social practice.

The good news about this failure is that he was not discouraged after the setback and continued to adhere to his principle of "operating with integrity".

The bad news is that, regardless of how much money the restaurant will lose in the future, based on what he learned from other senior students along the way, he has already invested 150,000 to 160,000 yuan.

Yes, you read that right.

In 1996, there were 156,000.

This money was all earned during his four years of university developing software for others.

They all invested in this restaurant located near the school gate.

As for why we lost so much money...

"Don't worry, you can't even imagine how good Dong-ge is to his employees. He gave each of his shop's employees a Citizen watch worth 180 yuan. He also takes care of their accommodations; they used to live in basements, but he rented a courtyard for them in Liulangzhuang..."

Just by listening to Liu Wenwu, you can imagine just how outrageous Liu Qiangdong really is.

pity……

Not everything in this world is a matter of reciprocating kindness tenfold. Looking at Liu Qiangdong's confident demeanor, he sighed inwardly.

To be honest, when he first entered school and found a job washing dishes, he had no idea that Liu Qiangdong was going to take the postgraduate entrance exam... But what happened later... was probably this restaurant that brought about a dramatic change in his fate?
While pondering this, the group walked into the restaurant.

The lobby is on the first floor, and the private rooms are on the second floor.

Inside the private room, Liu Qiangdong handed the menu to An Xin, marking the start of the first gathering for dormitory 217.

Just then, his pager went off again.

Take it out and look:
"Don't worry, I'm at the school gate. Fan Bing."

?

An Xin was taken aback, wondering why this girl had come.

After thinking for a while, he said:
"Brother Dong, my friend is here, I'm going to go see him."

"friend?"

Liu Qiangdong was somewhat surprised, but still nodded:

"Are you from the same hometown? Or a classmate?"

"Uh... no, she's a friend. She's right at the school gate. I'll see what she wants from me."

"Then why don't you invite them over to eat together? Xiao Xu, bring an extra set of tableware."

Before Anxin could finish speaking, Liu Qiangdong asked the waiter to add more cutlery.

Seeing this, An Xin did not refuse and stood up, saying:

"I'll go out and meet her."

"Row."

He walked quickly out of the restaurant, and right across the street, he spotted the girl standing at the school gate.

She was standing in front of the phone booth, looking into the school.

Fan Bing!

Upon hearing someone call her name, the girl, still wearing makeup, turned around and saw Anxin.

Then she revealed a smile that was even brighter than the sunlight:
"hey-hey."

She jogged across the road, blinking her big eyes:
What are you doing here?

"...I came out to eat with my roommates. What brings you here?"

"Hehe, come and familiarize yourself with the place. And... this is for you."

She handed over the plastic bag she was holding.

It was filled with clothes still covered in plastic.

"This is……"

"3307, 1299, 5156..."

The girl rattled off a bunch of numbers, but An Xin recognized them all because they were the same ones he had worn.

"Sister Zi knows you've started school, and the store has been clearing out its inventory these past few days. She asked me to pick out a few pieces from these leftovers for you, so you can have a variety. That should be enough to last until the season ends!"

"Um...did you thank Sister Zi for me?"

To be honest, I was quite touched.

Liang Zi and her husband are indeed kind and honest people.

"Hehe, of course I told you. Hey, can you wash clothes there? If not, I'll take them home and wash them for you before you wear them."

"Yes, our dormitory is much better than where we live."

After agreeing with reassurance, Fan Bing smiled and said:
"That's fine, I'm off."

"No, let's go eat."

"I'm not going. What would I do at your dorm party? ... If you were alone, I might hang out with you in the cafeteria and compare the food at the Beijing Film Studio to what's better here..."

"Haha, since you're already here, why don't you have a meal before you leave?"

Without letting her explain, Anxin grabbed her arm and led her into the restaurant.

"Oh no, I... You should have told me earlier, I would have dressed nicely before coming out. Otherwise, wouldn't I embarrass you?"

"..."

An Xin's lips twitched as she looked at the girl wearing black khaki pants, a white T-shirt, and exquisite makeup...

I thought to myself, do you have some misunderstanding about "shameful"?
"Okay, let's go."

"hey-hey."

The girl no longer refused.

Soon, the two went upstairs together. Anxin pushed open the door to the private room and led Fan Bing in confidently.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The group of people who were chatting suddenly fell silent.

Looking at the girl in front of me... dressed so stylishly and looking so pretty.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say.

And just then...

"Dear seniors, this is Fan Bing, my friend. She's also an actress and model..."

model!?
actor!?
The group's eyes widened even more.

Then, a few seconds later...

“Oh~~~~~~~”

Hearing the cheers and jeers from the room, Fan Bing's face flushed red instantly.

Fortunately, she wore makeup today, so she was able to pull it off.

So, with a touch of shyness, the girl boldly flashed a set of white teeth:
"Hey everyone, I'm Fan Bing, An Xin's friend. I hope An Xin will take good care of you all from now on, and I'm sorry for causing you any trouble!"

"oh!!!!!"

The jeers grew even louder.

Anxin remained speechless...

I thought to myself, "What a nutcase! It's like an older sister entrusting someone else to take care of her younger brother."

Besides...

Why are you blushing?

(End of this chapter)