Entertainment Industry: I am a top-tier movie star

The path back to the dormitory from the playground seemed shorter than usual.

When Chen Nianbei escorted Nazha to the girls' dormitory building, the main entrance was already closed, leaving only a small side door open.

The gatekeeper was dozing off in the duty room, with a TV drama playing on a very quiet volume.

"I've arrived." Naza stopped and turned to look at him.

Her lips were still slightly swollen, glistening with moisture in the dim light.

"Okay." Chen Nianbei nodded. "Let's go up quickly."

Naza didn't move, staring at him without blinking.

A few seconds later, she took a step forward, stood on tiptoe, and quickly kissed him on the cheek.

"This is a goodnight kiss."

She said, her eyes curving into crescents, "Tomorrow...will we still be able to meet tomorrow?"

Tomorrow is Sunday.

Chen Nianbei laughed, "I'm not even on set."

"So what are your plans for tomorrow?"

"Pack your things and look at the script."

Chen Nianbei said, "I'll be joining the crew on Monday, so I need to prepare in advance."

Naza's lips curled slightly: "Shall we have lunch together tomorrow?"

"OK."

Chen Nianbei readily agreed, "Noon, second floor of the cafeteria."

"Okay, then... I'm going up."

"Go."

Naza turned and ran into the side door, his figure disappearing around the corner of the stairs.

Chen Nianbei stood there for a while, until she heard the sound of a door opening and closing from the third floor, before turning around and leaving.

On his way back to the boys' dormitory, his phone vibrated.

Naza sent a text message: "I'm at the dorm. You should go back soon, it's cold outside."

Chen Nianbei replied with an "okay" and put her phone back in her pocket.

The campus was quiet late at night, with only the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the bare sycamore tree tops.

He walked slowly, his mind racing with plans for the future.

The filming of "Brotherhood of Blades" will take two months. The character Jin Yichuan has a significant amount of screen time and many action scenes.

He needs to get his physical condition in good shape before joining the crew, at least to pick up some of the basic martial arts skills he learned in his previous life.

In his past life, he filmed many period dramas, and being suspended by wires and wielding swords and spears was commonplace for him.

But this twenty-year-old body hasn't undergone systematic training yet; its flexibility and strength are insufficient, so it has to start training from scratch.

And the condition of tuberculosis patients...

Chen Nianbei stopped, closed her eyes, and tried to regulate her breathing.

Short, shallow, with a slightly awkward pause.

There should be a feeling of tightness in your chest, as if something is pressing down on it, and your shoulders should involuntarily twitch slightly as you breathe...

"Nianbei?"

A voice suddenly rang out behind me.

Chen Nianbei opened her eyes, turned around, and saw Wang Hao walking towards her from the direction of the library, carrying two thick books in his hands.

"Just got back from the library?" Chen Nianbei asked.

"Yes, we went ahead to look up information."

Wang Hao walked up to him and waved the book in his hand.

"A study of the Ming Dynasty's Embroidered Uniform Guard system, and a book on basic martial arts training. Last-minute cramming is better than no cramming at all."

Chen Nianbei glanced at the book title and smiled: "You're quite well prepared."

"Absolutely."

Wang Hao sighed. "This is my first time on a film set, and it's for Director Lu's movie. I have absolutely no confidence. Nianbei, do you think... I can do it?"

"If Director Lu thinks it can be done, then it can be done," Chen Nianbei said.

Wang Hao scratched his head: "That's what they say... but last night I dreamt that I was standing in front of the camera and couldn't say a single line. Director Lu was so angry that he kicked me out of the crew."

Chen Nianbei laughed: "Then you should memorize the lines a few more times today."

The two walked side by side towards the dormitory. Wang Hao suddenly remembered something and lowered his voice to ask, "By the way, Senior Sister Yang Mi is looking for you…did you sign it?"

"I didn't sign it," Chen Nianbei said. "I was given an audition opportunity for 'Gu Jian Qi Tan'."

"Gu Jian Qi Tan?"

Wang Hao's eyes lit up. "There are rumors online that it's a big project for Huanrui."

"Give it a try."

Chen Nianbei said, "Anyway, the audition is after 'Brotherhood of Blades' is finished filming, so there's no conflict."

Wang Hao was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Nianbei, I feel that you... are particularly steady."

"Is there?"

"have."

Wang Hao was very serious, "It's like I've thought everything through, taking it one step at a time, without any panic."

"I just can't do it. The thought of joining a production team makes me incredibly anxious."

Chen Nianbei glanced at him.

Wang Hao's expression was sincere, with his brows slightly furrowed, indicating that he was genuinely anxious.

"Haozi,"

Chen Nianbei spoke up, "Do you remember what Teacher Li said in our first acting class in our freshman year?"

"What did you say?"

She said that the most important thing for an actor is not acting skills, but courage.

Chen Nianbei said, "I dare to stand in front of the camera, dare to lay myself bare for others to see, and dare to accept all evaluations—good, bad, and even malicious."

Wang Hao was stunned.

"What you lack now is not preparation."

Chen Nianbei continued, "It's courage. The courage to believe you can act well."

Wang Hao didn't speak, but tightened his grip on the book.

The two walked down to the dormitory building, and Chen Nianbei patted him on the shoulder:

"Go back and get some sleep, and prepare well for tomorrow. We'll start filming together on Monday."

"Um."

Wang Hao nodded emphatically, "Together."

……

The next day at noon, on the second floor of the cafeteria.

When Chen Nianbei arrived, Nazha had already taken a good spot.

She wore a pale yellow sweater today, which made her skin look exceptionally fair, and her hair was tied in a high ponytail, revealing her smooth forehead.

"Here!" Naza waved to him.

Chen Nianbei walked over and sat down opposite her. Two set meals were already laid out on the table, one meat and two vegetable dishes, plus two bottles of yogurt.

"It's my treat."

Naza pushed a bottle of yogurt towards him, "To celebrate your joining the crew."

"Thanks." Chen Nianbei unscrewed the bottle cap and took a sip.

The cafeteria was quite crowded. Students who stayed on campus on weekends gathered in twos and threes to eat, making a buzzing noise.

But their corner was relatively quiet, by the window, where the sunlight was just right.

After taking a couple of bites of rice, Naza suddenly said, "I might have to leave on Tuesday too."

Chen Nianbei paused, her chopsticks still for a moment: "So fast?"

"Sister Li said the production team is rushing to meet deadlines, so she wants me to go there as soon as possible to get used to it."

Naza said, "I have to go to the company for a meeting this afternoon, and my flight is early the day after tomorrow."

She spoke calmly, but Chen Nianbei could hear the reluctance in her words.

"Hong Kong is great."

Chen Nianbei said, "You've wanted to act for a long time, so cheer up."

"I know."

Naza poked at the rice in his bowl with his chopsticks. "It's just... a bit sudden."

The two remained silent for a while.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting small patches of light on Naza's face.

She lowered her head, her eyelashes casting fine shadows on her cheeks, and her lips were slightly pursed.

Chen Nianbei looked at her and suddenly remembered Naza from his past life.

By then, she was already a mature artist, smiling politely and answering questions flawlessly when facing the media.

But when they occasionally met backstage, he could see a fleeting hint of weariness in her eyes.

And now, she still gets upset about leaving, and she wears her emotions on her sleeve.

This kind of authenticity is quite rare.

"Naza," Chen Nianbei called to her.

Naza raised his head.

"Perform well."

Chen Nianbei said, "Many people would love to get a role in Jackie Chan's films but can't. This is a great opportunity, so let's seize it."

Naza stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed: "Chen Nianbei, you're starting to sound more and more like a senior."

"Is there?"

"Yes," Naza said, "but I quite enjoy listening to it."

She picked up her chopsticks again and ate faster this time, as if she had figured things out.

After finishing their meal, the two strolled slowly along the campus paths.

The weekend afternoon was sunny and warm with little wind; it was a rare treat.

"After you join the crew," Naza suddenly asked, "can we make phone calls?"

"Of course."

Chen Nianbei said, "But when I get busy filming, I might not be able to get any offers."

"Then I'll send you a text message," Nazar said. "Just reply when you see it."

"it is good."

When they reached the front of the teaching building, Nazha stopped.

She turned around, looked at Chen Nianbei, her eyes shining.

"Chen Nianbei,"

She said, "When I come back from Hong Kong, you have to treat me to a meal."

"Okay." Chen Nianbei smiled. "What do you want to eat?"

"I haven't decided yet."

Naza tilted his head slightly. "We'll talk about it later. But you have to pay."

"We must invite them."

Naza nodded in satisfaction, then took a small box out of his bag and put it in his hand.

"What is this?" Chen Nianbei asked.

"amulet."

Naza said, "I prayed at the Yonghe Temple a few days ago. Be careful when you're filming action scenes."

Chen Nianbei opened the box, inside was a small red sachet embroidered with the words "Peace".

The stitching is a bit rough; it's clearly handmade.

"Did you embroider this?" He looked up at her.

Naza blushed: "I've never embroidered before, this is my first time... It's not very good, please don't mind."

Chen Nianbei held the sachet in her hand. The fabric was soft, and she could smell a faint sandalwood scent.

"I don't mind," he said. "Thank you."

Naza smiled, a bright and cheerful smile.

"Well... I'm going now," she said. "I have to go to the company this afternoon."

"Be careful on the road."

"You too." Naza waved to him, "Have a good start to filming on Monday."

She turned and left, her steps light and quick.

The pale yellow sweater swayed in the sunlight, like a fluttering butterfly.

Chen Nianbei stood there, watching her figure disappear at the intersection, before looking down at the sachet in his hand.

Red symbolizes peace.

He smiled and carefully put the sachet into his pocket.