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

While silently memorizing his movements, Zhang Qilin kept a close eye on everything happening on the stage.

The veteran actors' perception of the stage space has become an ingrained part of their bodies.

They can pinpoint the exact location of every prop without even looking.

Knowing exactly where the lights will hit your face perfectly, and remembering the optimal distance between you and your opponent when delivering a key line.

In contrast, the newcomers' performances were much less polished.

Some people took too big a step and almost bumped into the prop table; others didn't stop where they should have stopped and took an extra half step.

Some people were so nervous that they moved their hands and feet in unison, prompting an older actor next to them to smile and whisper a reminder:

"Relax, let's try again."

The veteran actors on stage were exceptionally tolerant of the newcomers' nervousness, and even director Lin Zhaohua remained incredibly patient throughout.

This stage was built in 1956 under the approval of Premier Zhou Enlai, and has witnessed too many historical events.

It remains one of the top art venues in China, and it's understandable that many newcomers feel nervous when they first stand on it.

It was the tea drinkers' turn to take their turn.

Zhang Qilin followed the people in front of him out from the side curtain on the left side of the stage.

The wooden stage underfoot was a bit slippery, and many newlyweds slipped and fell because they were nervous.

Zhang Qilin kept the divination information in mind. When he walked onto the stage, he controlled the force of his feet, his steps were light and steady, without making any unnecessary noise or losing his balance.

He sat down in the designated spot, as if he had truly become a leisurely tea drinker in the teahouse, holding a teacup, occasionally touching his lips to the tea, and listening to everything around him.

At that moment, an intern dressed as a vegetable-selling farmer was a beat too slow in placing her basket down.

She hurriedly tried to salvage the situation, and Zhang Qilin subtly shifted his body to give her some space.

Director Lin Zhaohua watched the stage quietly from the audience.

He didn't call a halt, but whispered something to his assistant beside him.

The assistant nodded and quickly jotted something down in his notebook.

Occasionally, someone would make a mistake, and Feng Yuanzheng would come over to comfort them.

"If you practice it a few more times, your body will remember it. The stage is a place where you have to put in the effort."

The positioning continued throughout the afternoon, going back and forth repeatedly.

Until director Lin Zhaohua said:

That's all for today.

Many people breathed a sigh of relief, feeling their legs stiff and their backs sweaty.

Feng Yuanzheng clapped his hands, gathering all the interns together:

"After you all go back, go over today's schedule in your minds. I'll be waiting for you in the rehearsal room at 5:30 tomorrow morning."

The newlyweds were inwardly groaning, but outwardly they all promised they wouldn't be late.

Afterwards, the crowd dispersed in twos and threes.

The "peasant woman" who had praised the basket walked up to Zhang Qilin and whispered somewhat shyly:

"Thank you for earlier."

Zhang Qilin responded with a smile:

"fine."

At that moment, someone called the girl, and she waved to Zhang Qilin before turning and leaving.

Zhang Qilin did not leave.

He went on stage, helping the props teacher tidy up while chatting casually.

He memorized the arrangement of the tables and chairs, the invisible positioning marks on the floor, and the overhead lights from the props teacher.

Offstage, Feng Yuanzheng walked over to Lin Zhaohua with a teacup in his hand:

"How is it?"

"He's a promising talent," Lin Zhaohua said, looking at the stage, "but he still needs more practice."

Feng Yuanzheng followed his gaze and saw Zhang Qilin kneeling by the stage, listening to the props teacher point out a spot on the floor.

"Can he withstand the pressure of being arranged to be the background tea drinkers at the beginning?" Lin Zhaohua seemed to be talking to himself, or perhaps asking him.

Feng Yuanzheng took a sip of tea:

"He has good mental fortitude, but whether he can withstand it or not, we'll only know once he's on stage. Weren't we the same people back then?"

"Those tea drinkers at the beginning may seem like background figures, but they are actually the ones who set the tone," Lin Zhaohua said, his gaze still fixed on the stage. "They have to be able to sit still and remain composed, they have the soul of the teahouse, but they can't steal the spotlight from the main characters. If they're too early, too superficial, or too wooden, it won't be right."

"These skills are honed through practice," Feng Yuanzheng chimed in. "Newcomers need opportunities the most. We're all getting old; we can't expect Guan Hua to be playing Fatty Huang when he's eighty, can we?"

Lin Zhaohua nodded thoughtfully:

"He gave up his seat for that girl just now. His movements were subtle and didn't disrupt the rhythm of the scene, but he did what he was supposed to do. This isn't something you can achieve just by memorizing the movements; it's about having someone in your heart and being involved in the drama..."

……

12:00 noon on the second day

The door to the rehearsal hall was pushed open, and a group of young people filed out, their steps somewhat heavy.

In the morning, Coach Park Cunxin repeatedly practiced their positioning.

Every pause, every turn, even the distance of the gaze, has been meticulously crafted.

After four hours of intense mental focus, I finally relaxed, feeling completely exhausted.

When they arrived at the canteen, there were very few people left; the veteran artists had already finished their meal and gone back to rest.

Most of the long dining chairs were empty, with only a few support staff members still eating slowly.

After getting his food, Zhang Qilin found a table by the window and sat down.

Yang Yu walked to the seat next to him and sat down, smiling as he asked:

"Can it still hold on?"

"No problem," Zhang Qilin nodded in response.

Suddenly, the restaurant's television erupted with enthusiastic cheers and screams:

"Let's give a warm welcome to our mentor, Shen Moyan..."

Yang Yu looked up at the screen hanging on the wall and exclaimed in amazement:

"Senior Brother Shen is participating in a variety show."

"Shen Moyan is also from the Beijing People's Art Theatre?" Zhang Qilin asked, somewhat surprised.

"Surprised, aren't you?" Yang Yu explained with a smile, "Senior Brother Shen came from the training program, but he took a different path."

Zhang Qilin nodded, and then the two chatted about the afternoon's rehearsal.

After a while, a shrill sound came from the television:

"Hello, mentors. I am trainee number 2, Ren Weiyi."

Zhang Qilin, who was eating, suddenly looked up.

On the television screen appeared a man with dyed blond hair and exquisite makeup, making a playful gesture towards the camera.

He wore a sequined mesh top, swaying gracefully, his eyes and brows exuding a sweet and charming quality reminiscent of artificial saccharin.

Zhang Qilin's chopsticks stopped in mid-air.

Ren Weiyi?

The Ren Weiyi I remember was a tough guy, but who is this effeminate guy on TV?

Watching Ren Weiyi posing and preening on TV gave Zhang Qilin an extremely strong sense of disconnect, even a sense of absurdity.

Zhang Qilin couldn't help but wonder what Ren Weiyi had gone through.

How could he transform from a rugged, tough guy into a effeminate, pretentious man in less than a month?

"Do you know this person?" Yang Yu asked curiously.

Zhang Qilin quickly shook his head.

Just kidding, who would want to know this sissy?

He suddenly felt very fortunate that he had rejected Gu Liangyuan's offer to sign him.

If he really signs, will he end up like Ren Weiyi?

Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine.

If it turned out like that, he would rather die.

Although we don't know what Ren Weiyi went through, he has already blacklisted Gu Liangyuan and Xinghuo Media in his heart.

"Have you finished eating? It's time to go to rehearsal," Yang Yu's voice pulled him back to reality.

Zhang Qilin stood up, cleared away his plates, and walked outside.

Before leaving, he glanced at the screen one last time.

Ren Weiyi is making a heart shape with his hands in front of the camera, his smile so sweet it's almost sickening.

He immediately turned around and left without looking back.