Huayu: This celebrity doesn't follow the rules.

Chapter 14 Beijing Film Academy Freshmen Enrollment
Jiang Ye dragged his suitcase out of Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport. September in Yanjing was still sweltering, and the afternoon sun reflected a blinding white light on the glass curtain wall.

He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, unlocked his phone, and the blue Didi Chuxing icon stood out prominently on the screen.

The app interface is much cleaner than it was six months ago. The subsidy war that lasted for months is nearing its end. The crazy red envelope rain and the screen full of discount pop-ups have all disappeared, leaving only a simple prompt at the top of the homepage: [New users get 10 yuan off their first order].

Jiang Ye readily chose the taxi option. In 2014, ride-hailing apps didn't have the fancy "comfort" or "business" options that came later; they only offered the most basic taxi and Didi premium services.

The phone displayed "Driver has accepted the order," and soon a Hyundai Elantra pulled up in front of me.

The driver jogged out of the car, deftly opening the trunk lid as he spoke in a thick Beijing accent: "Hey, classmate, heading to the Film Academy for registration? I've been giving you freshmen quite a ride these past few days, good heavens, your suitcases are so full the trunk can barely close!"

As the car entered the airport expressway, the scenery outside the window rushed past.

Suddenly, a huge movie poster came into view.

A huge billboard for "Breakup Buddies" stands by the roadside, with Huang Bo and Xu Zheng's exaggerated expressions standing out in the sunlight.

Over the car radio, a female announcer was speaking fluent Mandarin: "AliExpress, Alibaba's cross-border e-commerce platform, today announced the launch of preparations for the 2014 'Double Eleven' Global Shopping Festival. The company plans to invest tens of millions of dollars in coupons and buy out high-quality global traffic to attract overseas buyers. This is AliExpress's first participation in 'Double Eleven,' aiming to cover more than 200 countries and regions..."

The car slowly stopped at No. 4 Xitucheng Road, HD District. The gray-white main building of Yanjing Film Academy looked solemn and restrained in the September sun.

The school gate has a simple and elegant design. The six gold-plated characters "Yanjing Film Academy" on the lintel shine brightly in the sunlight, while a red banner on the right side that reads "Welcome to the Class of 2014" flutters in the wind.

This cradle of Chinese film talent dates back to June 1950.

With the personal approval of Premier Zhou Enlai, the Film Bureau's Performing Arts Research Institute was officially established in Shilaoniang Hutong, Xisi.

On September 14 of the same year, 38 first-year students held a simple yet grand opening ceremony, thus beginning the era of film professional education in the new China.

In 1953, the school was officially renamed Yenching Film Academy, and gradually developed into the highest institution of film education in China.

The school gate wasn't very wide, but it was packed with people at the moment.

New students, parents, volunteers, and entertainment reporters carrying cameras and microphones.

There were many luxury cars parked at the school gate, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche, and even a few minivans, which were obviously sent by celebrity families or agencies to send new students to school.

However, a closer look reveals that these cars are much more understated in terms of quality compared to previous years. After all, 2014 was the second year after the implementation of the "Eight-Point Regulation," and the trend of flaunting wealth in the entertainment industry had also subsided.

The performance department's registration area still maintains the tradition of a "mini red carpet," but the reporters' enthusiasm is noticeably lower than in previous years.

Indeed, the 2014 class of freshmen in the performing arts department did not have the same eye-catching child stars or established young actors as previous classes.

For example, Zhou Dongyu and Gulinazha from the class of 2011, or Yang Zi and Zhang Yishan from the class of 2010.

Media reporters could only point their cameras at the outstanding-looking freshmen, especially some pretty girls, and the sound of camera shutters could be heard constantly.

Compared to the bustling atmosphere of the performing arts department, the registration area for the directing department was much quieter, with only a few freshmen queuing up.

Jiang Ye dragged his suitcase through the "Pyramid" sculpture in the center of the campus. This iconic building of Beijing Film Academy symbolizes filmmakers' pursuit of artistic excellence.

He stopped in front of the sign-in sheet, looking down to find his name:

2014 Directing Department Undergraduate Class | Student ID BFA2014D027 | Jiang Ye
"Junior, the registration for the acting department is over there." The senior student in charge of registration glanced up at him with a kind smile. "This is the directing department."

Jiang Ye was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening.

Being handsome comes with these kinds of troubles!

"You've come to the right place, senior. I'm from the directing department." He smiled a little shyly and handed over the admission letter.

The senior student took the admission notice and raised an eyebrow in surprise: "You really are in the directing department."

She glanced at Jiang Ye a few more times, her face suddenly flushing slightly. She quickly lowered her head and began the registration process. After completing the formalities, Jiang Ye stood in the center of the campus and looked around.

Freshmen are taking photos on the playground, the fountain in front of the library is splashing water droplets, and the preparatory bell for the opening ceremony can be heard in the distance.

I'm back here again!

Four years later, then another four years...

This is... well, there's a feeling I can't quite describe.

Jiang Ye dragged his suitcase along the tree-lined path toward the dormitory area.

September sunlight filtered through the sycamore leaves, casting dappled shadows, while the wheels of suitcases made rhythmic sounds on the stone pavement.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew by, carrying a faint scent of citrus.

Jiang Ye looked up and saw a girl standing not far ahead.

She was wearing a simple white knit sweater and light blue jeans, with beige canvas shoes on her feet.

Her long, black hair was casually tied into a ponytail, revealing her beautifully shaped neck.

What's most striking are her eyes, clear and bright, with slightly upturned corners, as if they're smiling.

The girl seemed to notice the gaze and turned to look at Jiang Ye.

The moment their eyes met, she paused slightly, then gave a polite smile.

Jiang Ye noticed a faint dimple on her left cheek.

"Excuse me, how do I get to dormitory building number 7?" Jiang Ye asked as he stepped forward.

The girl blinked and pointed to the path on the right: "Go straight along this path, and you'll see a building with a red roof."

Her voice was clear and melodious, tinged with curiosity, "Are you a freshman?"

Jiang Ye nodded: "Directing major."

"Directing major?" The girl's eyes widened in surprise as she looked Jiang Ye up and down. "Are you sure you didn't choose the wrong major?"

She couldn't help but laugh, her little tiger teeth peeking out. "With your looks and talent, you should be studying acting."

Jiang Ye stroked his chin with feigned seriousness: "Maybe it's because I prefer directing others from behind the camera?"

"I see..." The girl tilted her head, her ponytail swaying gently with the movement. "Then if I go to audition in the future, I hope the director will take good care of me."

She winked mischievously and held out her hand. "Chen Yao, a sophomore in the performing arts department."

“Jiang Ye.” He grasped her slender hand, its touch warm and soft. “It seems I’ll have to work hard to be worthy of this favor from a future superstar.”

Chen Yao chuckled, sunlight dancing through her hair: "Then good luck, Director Jiang."

She waved and said, "I have to go to rehearsal. Building 7 is not far ahead. I hope to see you on set next time."

Watching Chen Yao's departing figure, Jiang Ye's lips unconsciously curled up into a smile.

The suitcase wheels started turning again, this time with a much lighter sound.

(End of this chapter)