Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, I became a legend in the entertainment industry by avo

Chapter 197 A New Journey

"When I go back home after the New Year, I want to bring back more money."

Zhang Mingfeng asked, "How much?"

"Several hundred thousand, I guess."

Zhang Mingfeng turned to look at his son: "Why do you need so much?"

"I applied to the academy to produce a play, and the academy's administrative meeting has approved it. The script is currently being worked out. I need this money to produce some play merchandise to complement the play's sales."

"Wait a minute—you applied to the theater to start a play?" Zhang Mingfeng looked at his son incredulously. "Didn't you just go in a year ago? How can you still apply to start a play?"

"The Beijing People's Art Theatre has a program to support young artists. Actors can submit project proposals, and if the theatre's administrative meeting reviews and approves them, the project will be approved," Zhang Qilin explained. "I submitted a play proposal about Qin Liangyu, which was approved at the administrative meeting before the Lunar New Year, and the script is currently being written."

Zhang Mingfeng asked with some concern, "Are you sure you can handle this? You have to be careful when doing things within the system. You have to consider everything carefully. If this play goes wrong, it could affect your future career in the theater."

"Dad, don't worry, I'm not doing this alone. I have several partners, all of whom are quite capable. The lectures on Qin Liangyu on the Hundred Schools Forum recently were arranged by us."

"Oh? I've been watching 'Lecture Room' lately, and it's quite good. I didn't expect it was you guys who produced it," Zhang Mingfeng's worry lessened slightly. "Is the other party reliable? Should I ask someone to help me find out?"

"No need. My partners are Uncle Chen's student and his college classmate, both of them are very reliable."

Upon hearing that he was Chen Xiujie's student, Zhang Mingfeng finally felt completely relieved: "How much exactly do you need?"

"Around three or four hundred thousand. If it works well, we might increase the investment."

Zhang Mingfeng pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Alright, since you have a plan, I'll prepare the money for you when you leave."

Zhang Qilin's family lives in the "Yuyuan Junshan" villa area in the south of the city.

The environment is quiet and peaceful, with a high green coverage. Most of the residents are people from the cultural and educational fields, so the atmosphere is relatively quiet.

Zhang Qilin's family lived in a three-story row house.

There was a small courtyard in front of the house, surrounded by a low wooden fence. My mother planted some hardy shrubs and a small patch of roses inside.

In the corner of the courtyard, there was a round rattan table and two chairs. When the weather was nice, my parents liked to drink tea there.

When the father and son returned home, the mother was busy in the kitchen. Hearing the door open, she wiped her hands and came out of the kitchen.

Zhang Qilin came up and gave his mother a big hug: "Mom, I'm back."

Mother Zhang's face was full of smiles: "Go wash your hands quickly, there's one more dish, it'll be ready soon."

The meal was ready quickly.

There were seven or eight dishes on the table, all of which were Zhang Qilin's favorites.

While serving Zhang Qilin food, Qi Yunya muttered, "You've lost weight and gotten darker. You must not have been eating properly while you were out. Look at your arms, they've gotten so thin."

"Mom, this is from working out. My body fat percentage has gone down, not from losing weight," Zhang Qilin said, rolling up his sleeve.

"Forget about body fat, you're just thin. Eat more and gain the weight back."

Zhang Qilin knew he couldn't reason with his mother, so he could only shovel rice into his mouth.

The family sat around the dining table, eating and chatting.

Zhang Mingfeng had drunk some wine and became even more talkative, recounting everyone he had met in the courtyard that day, describing how each person praised him and how he responded, all in vivid detail.

Qi Yunya interrupted him with a smile: "Alright, alright, you've said it eight times already, let the child eat properly."

"I'm happy," Zhang Mingfeng said, raising his glass. "My son is successful, and I, as his father, am proud of him."

The Zhang family is a large family with many relatives.

The New Year's Eve dinner is a family affair, with dozens of people from the whole family gathered together. Three large round tables are put together, covered with festive red tablecloths, and filled to the brim.

According to the Zhang family's tradition, everyone must be present for the New Year's Eve dinner.

Before the meal began, as was customary, Zhang Qilin's grandfather said a few words.

The old man, over eighty years old, was in excellent spirits and spoke in a loud voice: "Seeing the whole family together, all together and having a great time, makes me very happy. Come on, let's all raise our glasses!"

Dozens of cups clinked together, filling the air with laughter.

After everyone started eating, the conversation naturally turned to the younger generation.

This year, the focus is undoubtedly on Zhang Qilin, who was admitted to the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

"Qilin, does that mean we'll see you on TV more often from now on?" my cousin-in-law asked curiously.

"I mainly work on the stage, but I'll consider TV drama opportunities if they're suitable. As for the Spring Festival Gala—that depends on fate," Zhang Qilin replied.

"Drama is good, it's high art," the uncle said with a smile, looking at Zhang Qilin. "Qilin, do a good job and bring honor to our Zhang family."

Zhang Mingfeng's face glowed with health, and he said modestly, "It's still early, it's still early. The child is just starting out, he needs to learn steadily."

But the smile in her eyes was impossible to hide.

"Brother Lin, isn't your play rehearsing really interesting? Can you take me to see it?" My cousin, who is in high school, squeezed in, looking longingly at me.

"Sure, come to Kyoto when you're free during summer vacation, and I'll take you to see a play," Zhang Qilin readily agreed.

"I want to go too!" another little cousin exclaimed.

"Go, go, as long as your parents agree," Qi Yunya agreed with a smile.

The meal was both lively and lengthy.

The children quickly finished eating and then chased and played in the living room and yard.

The adults drank and chatted, talking about everything from work to children's education, from current events to health and wellness, covering a wide range of topics.

As tonight's "star," Zhang Qilin is dealing with the concern and curiosity from all sides.

Staying up until midnight on New Year's Eve, the sound of firecrackers filled the air.

The younger generation kowtows to their elders to wish them a Happy New Year, receiving generous red envelopes in return.

Zhang Qilin also received several.

I got home after 1 a.m.

The faint glow of fireworks could still be seen in the sky above the city.

Zhang Qilin stood by the window of his third-floor room, looking at the quiet courtyard and the sparse lights in the distance, the lingering sounds of his family's clamor still echoing in his ears.

He took out his phone and saw a New Year's greeting text message from Jing Tian, ​​as well as blessings from Huang Haibo, Nie Yuan and other friends from the crew, and colleagues from the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

He replied to each one.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, after finishing breakfast, Zhang Qilin told his parents that he would return to Kyoto the next day.

"So early?" The mother seemed reluctant to let him go. "Didn't we say we'd leave after the fifteenth?"

"I have a performance in March, so I have to go back to rehearse."

Zhang Mingfeng didn't say much, he just nodded: "Career comes first, don't let it interfere with important matters."

After lunch, Zhang Qilin packed his luggage.

Zhang Mingfeng called him into the study, took an envelope from a drawer, and handed it to him.

"Take it."

Zhang Qilin took it, opened it, and saw that it contained a bank card.

Early on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Zhang Mingfeng drove him to the airport.

Upon arriving at the departure hall entrance, Zhang Qilin took off his suitcase and glanced back at his father.

Zhang Mingfeng stood beside the car: "Send a text message when we arrive."

"understood."

Zhang Qilin pushed his suitcase into the departure hall.

When the plane landed at Beijing Capital International Airport, the sky over Beijing was hazy, and the air still smelled of sulfur from firecrackers.

Zhang Qilin took a taxi and went straight back to the small courtyard he rented near the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

The house had been uninhabited for over a month and was covered in a thin layer of dust.

He opened the window to let in some fresh air, and then called home to let them know he was safe.

The next day, Zhang Qilin returned to the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

He went to see Director Ren Ming first.

Director Ren is discussing the script with two screenwriters.

Seeing Zhang Qilin enter, Ren Ming looked him up and down: "You're back? You're so tanned, did you go filming a war scene?"

"In 'The Flowers of War,' I played an officer in a training corps."

"Zhang Yimou's film?" Ren Ming nodded. "He's meticulous when it comes to filming. It will be beneficial for you to work under his guidance. Come here and take a look at the script outline."

Ren Ming handed over a stack of printing papers.

Zhang Qilin took the script and flipped through it. The script outline had already reached its fourth draft, and the structure of the five-act play was basically complete, spanning a long period of time from Qin Liangyu's youth when she joined the army, her middle age when she guarded the border, to her old age when she returned home.

"The youth segment is reserved for Jing Tian," Ren Ming pointed to the first scene, "but it's agreed that she has to come to rehearsals; she can't just be listed as a guest."

"I'll call her in a bit and arrange a time so she can experience the atmosphere of the Beijing People's Art Theatre first."

"Okay," Ren Ming leaned back in his chair. "The script isn't urgent. We can discuss it in person when she arrives. I've already spoken to Professor Lü Zhong and Gong Lijun; they're willing to mentor the young people."

,"OK."

After chatting with director Ren Ming about the play, Zhang Qilin got up to say goodbye and leave.

Upon entering Director Ren Ming's office, Zhang Qilin picked up the phone and called Jing Tian.

As soon as the call connected, Jing Tian's enthusiastic voice came through: "Da Lin, Happy New Year! Where are you?"

Happy New Year! I'm already back in Beijing. How about you?

"Why did you go back to Beijing so early? I'm still at home with my parents."

"I have a performance in March, so I came back early to rehearse. By the way, the script outline for that play project I mentioned before is already done. When are you coming to the Beijing People's Art Theatre to experience the atmosphere here first, and then talk to the director about the script in person?"

"Okay, Dalin, I'll take care of things at home as soon as possible. It should only take two or three days."

"Okay, give me a call when you get to Beijing, and I'll arrange for you to come to the Beijing People's Art Theatre for a trial experience."

"Okay, I'll call you when I get there."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Qilin went to the Grand Theater.

The play "Teahouse" is currently in rehearsal.

Zhang Qilin went backstage and greeted director Lin Zhaohua.

Lin Zhaohua looked at Zhang Qilin and asked, "How are the preparations going?"

"Preparations are almost complete."

"We'll go on stage and walk around there for a bit."

Lin Zhaohua has worked with Zhang Qilin twice before, so she trusts him quite a bit. Besides, this time it's just a minor role with only one or two lines.

With Zhang Qilin's serious attitude, winning the contract is no problem.

Afterwards, Zhang Qilin greeted Feng Yuanzheng, Pu Cunxin, Liang Guanhua, He Bing, and others.

a few days later.

Zhang Qilin stood at the entrance of the Beijing People's Art Theatre waiting for someone.

A short while later, a black minivan pulled up on the side of the road.

The car door opened, and Jing Tian jumped out of the car. She was wearing a long, off-white down jacket, a bright red scarf, and had no makeup on. Her hair was casually tied in a ponytail.

"Dalin!" she exclaimed, running over with a smile. "You've gotten so tanned!"

"It's from the sun while filming. Come on, I'll take you inside to have a look."