Huayu02 started by making films.

Mid-June.

Nortel released two announcements:

One is the official launch of the film "Tibetan Antelope," a collaboration between Han Yi, a current student and the newly crowned Cannes Palme d'Or winner, and China Film Group. The director, actors, supervisor, and producer have all been confirmed.

Another piece of news, which spread even wider, was that the TV series "Chinese Paladin" had started recruiting actors.

This fantasy drama adapted from a game, co-produced by Beijing Film Academy, Ruoxing Studio, China Film Group, and Shanghai Television, has a large cast of characters. Although there are many students at Beijing Film Academy, it is difficult to gather all the actors.

Han Yi has tentatively cast Zhu Yawen as Tang Yu Xiaobao and Luo Jin as Liu Jinyuan. Liu Yifei is the obvious choice for the female lead, Zhao Ling'er, but the other female roles, especially Lin Yueru, remain undecided.

Early that morning, Han Yi, wearing sunglasses, quietly slipped into the neighboring Central Academy of Drama campus, hoping to find an actor he liked.

Compared to the Beijing Film Academy, the Central Academy of Drama seems to have a stronger academic atmosphere on campus.

After registering at the security office, Han Yi entered the campus and saw many college freshmen holding scripts and reciting lines to thin air along the way.

Not far away, Tangtang and Baihe were doing their morning exercises by the flower bed. One was stretching, and the other was doing the splits, while they were muttering to themselves.

Without lingering, Han Yi went straight to the acting department office to visit Liu Tianchi, the class teacher of the 02 class of the Central Academy of Drama.

After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Tianchi made a phone call to his squad leader, Wen Zhang.

A moment later, Wen Zhang, sporting a buzz cut, ran into the office, panting.

Liu Tianchi instructed, "This is Director Han Yi; you should know him. Go and call the whole class here. We're rehearsing 'Thunderstorm' in the large classroom, and Director Han wants to select the actors!"

Wen Zhang was practicing emotional tug-of-war with Yizhichan Baihe when their sweet moment was interrupted by a phone call from their homeroom teacher, and the duck that was about to be eaten flew away.

But the moment he entered the office, his face instantly lit up with a smile. The man before him was none other than Han Yi, who had recently been making waves in the entertainment industry. If Liu Tianchi hadn't been there, he probably would have already stepped forward to acknowledge him as his godfather.

"Okay, Teacher Liu! Hello, Director Han!"

Wen Zhang didn't have a chance to get close to him at all; he just hurriedly greeted him and then rushed back to get help.

Looking at the still somewhat immature Wen Zhang before him, Han Yi suddenly recalled a remark the young man had made to Lao Guo during an interview in his later life, a remark that seemed quite fitting for his current situation:

"I'm having such a lucky time, bro, you know what? I'm having such a lucky time."

By the way, why was Wen Zhang later banned? I think it was for cheating?

Cheating is nothing in the entertainment industry, but who can blame them when the woman has powerful connections?

Lost in thought, Liu Tianchi asked, "Director Han, would you like to go watch the rehearsal now, or have lunch first?"

Han Yi waved his hand: "Let's do it now, I have an appointment for lunch."

"it is good."

The two got up and walked outside. As they went, Liu Tianchi tentatively asked, "May I ask what Director Han's appointment is for noon?"

"Mr. Han from China Film Group, let's talk about the next movie."

"Is it 'Tibetan Antelope'?"

"No, I gave that film to a classmate. He was the one who carried the camera for me back then..."

Listening to Han Yi's nonchalant tone, Liu Tianchi sighed inwardly:

"How come Beijing Film Academy only produces great directors! A sophomore directing a hit film, and he even gets his teachers and classmates involved. It's a shame he's not from the Central Academy of Drama… Did the former principal forget to consult a feng shui master when he founded the school?"

On the way to the performing arts department, Han Yi was recognized by many students. Since he was traveling with Liu Tianchi, he couldn't keep wearing sunglasses.

Many students stopped and whispered among themselves. Some bolder students tried to go up and say hello, but were deterred by Liu Tianchi's gaze. Still, some followed behind the two of them in small steps.

Before long, they arrived at the largest rehearsal room at the Central Academy of Drama.

Liu Tianchi pushed open the door and introduced, "Director Han, this is our largest rehearsal room. It's carpeted to prevent students from getting injured during rehearsals. And this stage..."

Han Yi followed her to the front row of the audience seats in the center.

Liu Tianchi clapped his hands, signaling the busy students to stop, and said loudly:

"Everyone, please stop for a moment. This is Director Han Yi. I'm sure you all know him, so I won't go into too much detail. Director Han is here today to cast for the TV series 'Chinese Paladin'."

"You've all seen the news, right? Director Han requires all actors to be current students this time. Otherwise, how would you even get a chance? Come over here so Director Han can recognize you!"

A barrage of words swept across the stage like a machine gun, and the students on stage took turns coming forward to greet them.

Tong, who had never been hit before, spoke first, her voice sweet: "Hello, Director Han~~"

"Hello." Han Yi nodded.

With a buzz cut, Wen Zhang approached with a fawning smile: "Hello, Director Han! I'm the one who went to the office earlier!"

"Hello to you too." Han Yi smiled.

One-Finger Zen Lily confidently dribbled the ball and greeted, "Coach Han~~~"

"Okay, okay."

Finally, it was Tangtang's turn. She strode over with long legs, a hint of shyness in her eyes, and said with a blush, "Director Han, I'm Tangtang, I just enrolled last year."

Looking at Tangtang, who hadn't yet played Zixuan in "Chinese Paladin 3," Han Yi thought to himself, "Time is truly a cruel mistress."

In this era, college freshmen girls were not yet skilled in makeup, and beauty filters and plastic surgery were not yet widespread. Most actresses relied on their natural looks and unique characteristics to compete in the entertainment industry.

Look at Tong Yao next to her, isn't he the one who debuted with the title of "Little Zhang Ziyi"?

By the way, does Zhang Heiquan only like Zhang Ziyi's type? Otherwise, why would he "fight to the death for a beauty"?

Han Yi smiled at Tangtang: "Hi Tangtang, I'm one year older than you, from the class of 01."

Tangtang chuckled.

After getting to know each other, class monitor Wen Zhang led the students to begin rehearsing "Thunderstorm".

Liu Tianchi and Han Yi sat in the audience watching. Liu Tianchi introduced, "Director Han, you see, among this class, Wen Zhang and Bai He have the most solid basic skills. Their lines and blocking are very well-developed."

Han Yi nodded from time to time, but his thoughts had already drifted back to the Beijing Film Academy. He wanted to go back and have Wang Jinsong do the same thing, to see if the Beijing Film Academy's acting department was really inferior to the Central Academy of Drama.

"Look at Zhang Heiquan, he comes from a family of actors, his father is a veteran actor..." Liu Tianchi continued.

Han Yi wasn't interested in actors who had acted in period dramas or their relatives. He interrupted her, pointing to Tangtang who was reciting her lines, and asked:

"What about Tangtang? How is she doing in class?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Tianchi understood most of it, and said with slight hesitation, "Tangtang... how should I put it, she hasn't put all her effort into acting. Compared to her classmates, she's still a bit behind..."

Han Yi certainly understood Liu Tianchi's unspoken meaning: it was simply "the shame of the Central Academy of Drama," so what was there to be ashamed of?

Of the girls rehearsing "Thunderstorm" on stage, whose achievements in later generations surpassed Tangtang's?

Tong Yao? Let's not even mention it.

Lilies? What a pity.

Shen Jiani? Zhu Yawen's wife.

After watching "Thunderstorm," Han Yi was about to decline Liu Tianchi's lunch invitation when an unexpected guest arrived—Teacher Chang Li.

The old lady brought over her two remaining "golden flowers" from the class of '96, Hu Jing and Zeng Li, and immediately began to flatter them, praising Han Yi even more highly than Kai Zi Ge.

She said, "Director Han, why didn't you look for me when you came to the school? If it weren't for Jing's quick thinking, saying that a Palme d'Or winner director had come to the Central Academy of Drama, I would have thought it was that rich guy coming to cast actors again."

Han Yi gave an awkward smile and bent down to help the old lady up: "Teacher Chang, I just came to take a look. Besides, it's just a casting call for a TV series, how could I dare to trouble you?"

Chang Li patted Han Yi's hand and said happily:

"No role is too small; they all deserve to be treated as important parts. How's the casting, Director Han? Should we take another look at these good-for-nothing girls I'm working with?"

"It's really not an important role. You've been training all the leading ladies and actresses, it would be a waste of your talents to use them here," Han Yi said, deflecting the question.

Chang Li pretended not to understand: "Since we're already here..."

What else could Han Yi do? He had no choice but to bite the bullet and have lunch at the Central Academy of Drama, then message Han Shanping to reschedule for the evening.