The birth of an actor

Chapter 71: A Background That Reaches the Heavens

Chapter 71: A Background That Reaches the Heavens
Anxin had heard of all these TV series.

I've also watched "The Editorial Department".

After all, the origin of the famous "Ge You Slouch" meme is known to everyone.

It was this director?
He was genuinely taken aback.

Seeing An Xin's shocked expression, Zhao Xiaoshuai laughed heartily:
"Haha, do your best and make the director remember your name. You'll definitely become a big star someday."

Anxin remained silent, simply continuing to process the information about Zhao Baogang.

This is definitely a top-tier director, the kind who doesn't play it by the rules. Actors who get to act in his films... or even just receive a few pointers from him, will definitely benefit greatly. I really don't know what kind of person could possibly play the lead role in this film... huh?

Suddenly, he blinked and asked:
"Brother Zhao, who are the male and female leads in that film? When I first came here, when I was acting with the actor who plays Pan Dawei, there was a girl that Brother Wang called 'Leilei'..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaoshuai showed a knowing look and suddenly said:
"like her?"

"..."

Anxin's lips twitched.

I was thinking, "What's going on here? I just want to know who the male and female leads are. How did this get to this?"
But Zhao Xiaoshuai shook his head:

"Don't even think about making a move on her... Putting aside the fact that you're still a child, even if you were the same age, you absolutely mustn't make a move on her."

"...What do you mean?"

"Anyway, you can't go wrong by listening to me."

Zhao Xiaoshuai didn't say much, because the elevator doors had already opened, and the noisy sounds from the restaurant could be heard directly outside.

The hotel's breakfast was good, and it was a buffet. Although the variety was not as good as Anxin's Past Life, it was still quite trendy for a film crew to offer a breakfast buffet in 96, when buffets were just becoming popular.

Especially seeing that drinks were readily available, the group at Anxin's table was practically drinking cola in one hand and soy milk in the other, with a glass of milk in front of them, a cup of coffee in their hands, and Taikoo sugar cubes added to their plates.

They are not afraid of getting diabetes.

I felt relieved and didn't drink the coffee because I saw that it was made from Nescafé coffee that hadn't yet been repackaged into long strips.

His habit is to drink either Americano or espresso. He avoids instant coffee like Nestlé.

But everyone else, thinking "it's a fool not to take advantage of a good deal," enjoyed a delicious meal and started their first day of work.

Anxin ate quite a bit too.

After finishing their meal, the film crew set off.

Actually, we hadn't gone very far. Just across the street was Qingdao's Second Bathing Beach. There was a building on the cliff there, right next to the famous Huashi Building. It was a villa that hadn't been built yet.

Anxin glanced at the location and thought to himself, "Heaven knows which nouveau riche built this place."

It looks nice to build here, but when the sea breeze blows, the people living inside will suffer from rheumatism within three years.

While the film crew was moving equipment, he secretly watched from the side.

Nobody paid any attention to him, and no one saw Zhao Baogang either.

After watching for a while, he got bored and simply sat down at the pile of wood where the planks were stacked, and took out the book "That Dog" from his bag.

He's starting to like the book.

Last night, as I lay in bed, I kept recalling the plot, pondering what a true "Chinese father-son relationship" is, and how to interpret this relationship from the perspective of the "son."

Having lost his parents at a young age, he had absolutely no recollection or understanding of this feeling.

But I gradually came to understand this feeling while reading this book.

So, he took out the pocket-sized ballpoint pen that came with his phone book, and while looking through the text, he underlined the parts he thought were good.

As I was watching, I suddenly sensed someone approaching.

She subconsciously looked up, and Anxin was startled for a moment before quickly closing her book and politely greeting him:

"Hello, teacher."

"Ah hello."

Xu Jinglei nodded, glanced at the book in his hand, and asked:

"What book are you reading?"

Anxin didn't think much of it and smiled at her, waving her hand.

After Xu Jinglei saw the title of the book, "That Dog," she instinctively showed a look of surprise:

"This name... is quite strange. Is it about people and animals?"

"Well……"

Anxin thought about it for a moment, then shook her head:

"No, the key point is not in the two words 'that dog,' quite the opposite. These six words are actually a summary of the book's surface, its core, and its connection."

"A link between the inside and outside?"

Xu Jinglei showed a hint of curiosity.

She had just woken up and arrived at the film set when she was told that the set construction would take some time.

The drama has reached its finale, and she is confident that she has a good grasp of the character, so she decided to wander around and explore, since the scenery here is quite beautiful.

Just as he was about to take a stroll, he spotted this bald kid who seemed completely out of place amidst the busy film crew.

His name is Anxin.

The name is quite easy to remember.

The reason I was so impressed with the other person was, firstly, because the kid had a good physique.

Her skin is very fair, and her facial features are very attractive.

She's also quite good-looking.

And what's most striking is the contrast.

Even with a bald head, he looks harmless. But once he puts on his sunglasses, his demeanor instantly transforms into that of a thug, a gangster.

After watching all those scenes, she vividly remembered the contrast in An Xin's appearance after the transformation.

Secondly... everyone else was busy, and he was the only one in the entire crew sitting on the log stack reading a book.

Its unique art style, unlike anyone else's, was what made her want to come closer and take a look.

Listening to his description, and recognizing her boyfriend's ingrained understanding of literature, she easily grasped the meaning of "reassured."
"In other words, it happened in the mountains, with the mountains serving as the backdrop, or a small world, while 'that person'... represents some inner conflicts within this small world, and the dog serves as a kind of bond?"

Her words were actually a more detailed explanation of Anxin's answer.

"Yes, that's a good way to understand it. This story is about a Chinese father and son. From a cinematic perspective, it's similar to a road movie, but both the pacing and the writing style make it a very enjoyable read."

"So that's why you're so engrossed in it?"

"Uh...ha, yes."

Anxin revealed a particularly pure smile:
"You can buy a copy when you have time. It's great; I've read it twice already."

Upon hearing this, Xu Jinglei nodded and said:
"how old are you?"

"Uh... sixteen."

"How many?"

Xu Jinglei was taken aback.

"sixteen."

Anxin repeated it again, and then she saw that "Leilei's" eyes became strange.

"Sixteen years old, and you're not going to school anymore?"

"Go on."

"...So you took leave?" "Yes. I took two days off."

"...But I heard you're still filming a Qing Dynasty drama on another set? What grade are you in this year? Sixteen...so you should be a freshman or sophomore in high school? Planning to study arts? Go to Beijing Film Academy or Central Academy of Drama?"

"..."

To be honest, I'm quite speechless.

Why does everyone think they should go to high school?

But the problem is...

"I've already been admitted to university, and I'm a freshman this year."

"...?"

Xu Jinglei was stunned again.

She was about to say that you should be reading textbooks, not extracurricular books, but after hearing this... university?
Is this kid a college student?

"You are college students?"

Seeing her surprised expression, Anxin nodded:
"Correct."

"...Which university?"

"The National People's Congress."

"Renmin University!???"

Her voice rose an octave.

All I see is absurdity.

How did you get into Renmin University?

"...Take the college entrance exam."

Anxin looked completely innocent.

I thought to myself, how else can I pass the exam?

"????"

Xu Jinglei was even more speechless.

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

Because she wasn't a top student in school, she couldn't be said to be completely ignorant of the world of academic high-achievers, but it was also completely irrelevant to them.

But the kid in front of me is sixteen years old and got into Renmin University, which is considered difficult even by kids in Beijing itself...

The prestige of this honor is self-evident.

It was just a casual chat, but after a few sentences, she didn't know how to continue.

Fortunately, at that moment, a production assistant from the crew came over:
"Sister Lei, Director Sha is here and wants to see you."

"……it is good."

Xu Jinglei responded, glanced at An Xin, left with a "Good luck," and turned to leave.

After walking a few steps, I couldn't help but look back at Anxin.

He squinted.

There's no way around it; the halo of being a top student at Renmin University is too dazzling, inevitably making it impossible for underachieving students to look directly at it.

After she left, Anxin didn't take it seriously and continued to sit on the woodpile reading.

until……

"Peace of mind."

"Huh? Brother Zhao, is there something you need?"

Seeing Zhao Xiaoshuai suddenly walk over, Anxin quickly got up and asked.

"Um……"

Zhao Xiaoshuai walked over to him, took out a cigarette, and offered it to him first.
"Thank you, Brother Zhao, but I don't know how."

"Ah."

Zhao Xiaoshuai responded, lit the lamp himself, and then lowered his voice to say:
Do you know Wang Shuo?

"That rather famous writer?"

"Yes, the person you were talking to just now was his girlfriend."

An Xin was taken aback and asked in confusion:
"That Leilei...sister from earlier?"

Zhao Xiaoshuai ignored his awkward form of address and nodded:
"Hmm, her name is Xu Jinglei, have you heard of her?"

Anxin was taken aback.

Oh~~~~~~~
He finally found out who this older sister was.

Xu Jinglei, "Love Will Carry On".

Waiting for you to love me.
Who was she playing again?

He doesn't remember the specifics, but he does remember that Li Yapeng was in that movie.

The song is quite nice.

It seems like one summer, you could hear this theme song everywhere you went.

Although so many years have passed and he has long forgotten what the TV series was about, he definitely remembers this song.

It turned out to be her.

Then, he heard Zhao Xiaoshuai say:
“Wang Shuo, Ma Weidu, Zheng Xiaolong, and our director are all buddies, and they’re incredibly powerful. They even divorced for Xu Jinglei, so you absolutely must stay away from her, understand? Everyone in this crew treats her very politely; nobody dares to offend her. If she gets upset with you, one word from her and you could disappear from this industry.”

"..."

Anxin was taken aback.

Then he quickly said:

"We didn't talk much, except she asked me what book I was reading..."

"I know."

Zhao Xiaoshuai did not seem to care about An Xin's explanation:
"I'm just reminding you to be mindful of your words."

"Uh……"

Anxin blinked, understanding immediately:
"Thank you, Brother Zhao."

"Ah."

Zhao Xiaoshuai left with a cigarette in his mouth.

He had just seen their state.

The reason he came here wasn't because he particularly liked his roommate.