Courtyard House: Starting by inheriting the tradition and suppressing the barbarians.

Late autumn, 1989.

A film and television base in Beijing.

An epic period drama titled "The Legend of the Red Chamber" is currently in production.

This is the first domestic blockbuster to attempt to introduce huge amounts of private capital and adopt a Hong Kong and Taiwan production model.

It caused a national sensation even before it was turned on.

The film set was bustling with noise.

In the dressing room, Chen Lu, the second female lead, was touching up her makeup in front of the mirror.

She has connections; her uncle is the deputy director of a film studio.

He has acted in many dramas in recent years and calls himself a "veteran actor".

"Hmph, I really don't know what the director was thinking."

Chen Lu complained to her assistant in a sarcastic tone.

"They didn't choose me for the lead role, but instead picked a high school student who hasn't even graduated yet?"

"So what if they have a little money at home?"

"Not only has she had little acting experience, but she also 'brought her own investment to the production'?"

She glanced at Li Yue, who was getting her hair and makeup done not far away, her eyes filled with jealousy.

At this moment, Li Yue had already changed into the costume of Lin Daiyu.

Although I haven't put on makeup yet.

But that lively spirit of "two arched eyebrows that seem to frown but don't, and a pair of eyes that seem to be happy but don't, full of affection" is already overwhelming.

She sat there, quiet as a painting, breathtakingly beautiful.

"Sister Lu, keep your voice down."

The assistant nervously reminded her, "I heard her dad has a very powerful background..."

"What's with the tough attitude! He's probably just a nouveau riche!"

Chen Lu sneered and deliberately raised her voice, "Acting relies on skill, not on your father's connections!"

"Some people, no matter how good-looking they are, are just pretty faces; their true colors will be revealed as soon as the camera turns on!"

"We'll have to do dozens of takes then, let's see how she'll still have the face to stay here!"

These words were clearly meant for Li Yue's ears.

Li Yue was resting with her eyes closed, and upon hearing this, she didn't even lift her eyelids.

She was going through the script in her mind.

They possess superhuman memory and comprehension abilities granted by the system's [Gene Optimization Fluid].

She memorized the thick book of scripts after only reading it once.

She can even accurately capture the most subtle emotional fluctuations in a character's heart.

"A vase?" Li Yue's lips curled into a faint sneer.

We'll find out who's just a pretty face in no time.

......

"All departments, prepare! Scene 3, Shot 1! Action!"

At the director's command, the entire set fell silent.

This scene is the highlight – the first direct confrontation between Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai (played by Chen Lu).

It has extremely strong emotional tension and a huge amount of dialogue.

Furthermore, actors were required to complete the transition from "testing the waters" to "self-harm" within one minute.

Then comes the three-fold emotional shift from "laughing through tears" to "laughing through tears".

This is a challenge even for veteran actors, let alone a newcomer.

Chen Lu stood in front of the camera, secretly smiling to herself.

You little brat, just wait and see how you embarrass yourself!

She deliberately stole the show, exuding a powerful aura right from the start.

He spoke extremely fast, trying to overwhelm Li Yue with his imposing manner!

She was caught off guard and forgot her lines on the spot!

however.

Faced with Chen Lu's aggressive questioning, Li Yue simply raised her head slightly.

In that instant, she seemed like a completely different person.

That look in her eyes—delicate yet proud, sensitive yet sharp.

It instantly shattered Chen Lu's aura.

"Sister's words make me feel utterly ashamed..."

Li Yue spoke up.

The voice was soft, yet each word was clear, carrying a heartbreaking tremor.

She wasn't led astray by Chen Lu.

Instead, they used a clever, subtle approach.

This made Chen Lu's somewhat exaggerated performance seem utterly vulgar.

Next comes the emotional outburst.

Li Yue's eyes were slightly red, but she stubbornly refused to let the tears fall.

That single tear, crystal clear, welled up in her eye.

That extreme sense of heartbreak—wanting to cry but having to laugh—instantly captured everyone's heart.

Even the director behind the monitor couldn't help but hold his breath.

He didn't even notice the cigarette burning his fingers.

"This...this isn't acting at all!"

"This is Lin Daiyu herself!" the assistant director exclaimed.

On the other hand, Chen Lu was stunned by Li Yue's sudden burst of acting skills.

She looked into Li Yue's eyes and was momentarily distracted, forgetting her lines!

"Card!"

The director angrily slammed the script down, pointed at Chen Lu, and yelled, "Chen Lu! What's wrong with you?!"

"Words! What are you doing standing there like a wooden stake?"

"Little Li has already put in so much effort, and you let me down?"

"I..."

Chen Lu blushed deeply, so embarrassed she wished she could disappear into the ground.

She tried to overshadow others' performances, but ended up being completely outshone by their acting skills!

And it was a newcomer who hadn't even debuted yet!

"Again!"

The second time, Chen Lu still couldn't catch it.

Li Yue's aura was too strong; it was an absolute suppression of talent and spiritual energy.

The third time, Chen Lu broke down and couldn't even deliver her lines properly.

"Stop, stop, stop!"

The director grew impatient. "Chen Lu, are you even capable?"

"If it doesn't work, find someone else!"

"Don't think you can coast along here just because you're the deputy factory director's niece!"

"Look at Xiao Li, that's what you call professional! He's got natural talent!"

Chen Lu stood in the center of the set, listening to the whispers of the staff around her.

Looking at Li Yue's stunningly beautiful yet serene face.

She finally understood what "dimensional reduction attack" meant.

They brought their own funding to the project; they weren't just there for fun.

They're here to show these ordinary people what a genius is through their abilities!

......

During the lunch break.

A Hongqi sedan with a special license plate was discreetly parked at the entrance of the film set.

Li Xuan brought Hua Youlin to visit the set.

Several bodyguards followed behind him, carrying roast duck from Quanjude and the best boxed lunches.

That was an "extra meal" prepared for the entire crew.

"Mr. Li! You've arrived!"

The executive producer, who was also Chen Lu's uncle, the deputy factory director, immediately rushed up to Li Xuan like a lapdog the moment he saw him.

He knew all too well how important this man was.

Not only is he the biggest investor in this film!

He was a renowned "national hero" in the capital, a big shot whom even the higher-ups had to give face to!

"Come see the children."

Li Xuan said calmly, "Did I cause any trouble for the production crew?"

"Oh, not at all! Your daughter is simply a genius!"

The director also came over, giving a thumbs-up and praising it highly.

"In all my years of acting, I've never seen such a talented actor!"

"One take! Perfect! I'm even thinking of adding more scenes for her!"

Not far away, Chen Lu held a boxed lunch and watched her usually imposing uncle bowing and scraping before Li Xuan.

They didn't even dare to sit down, and could only stand with a forced smile.

She was so frightened that she dropped her chopsticks.

It was only then that she realized just how terrifying Li Yue's background was.

They weren't "nouveau riche" at all; they were top-tier wealthy families in Beijing!

"It's over..."

Chen Lu's vision went black.

If those sarcastic remarks she made in the dressing room were to reach Li Xuan's ears...

Fortunately, Li Xuan simply couldn't be bothered with such a minor character.

He looked at his daughter, who was devouring roast duck, his eyes filled with doting affection.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

Li Xuan handed him a tissue.

"Dad, did I act well just now?"

Li Yue looked like she wanted praise.

"Great! My daughter is good at whatever she acts in!"

Li Xuan turned to the producer and said, "Add one million to the investment for this film."

"But I only have one requirement: post-production and marketing must be done with the best."

"I don't want my daughter's hard work to be wasted."

"Yes, yes, yes! Definitely! Definitely!" The producer nodded repeatedly.

......

A few months later, the movie was released.

On the day of the premiere, the streets were packed with people.

When Li Yue, who played Lin Daiyu, turned around and smiled on the big screen, audiences all over China were amazed.

It was a classical beauty that transcended time, and a performance that struck straight to the soul.

The movie became a hit.

The box office broke records.

Overnight, Li Yue's name spread throughout the country.

The posters were plastered all over the streets and alleys, and she became the "national goddess" in the hearts of countless young men and women.

There are no longer any questions about the "vase" in the newspapers.

Instead, there was an overwhelming flood of praise.

A Rising Star in the Film Industry!

She's a heiress, and a talented actress too!

Li Yue: She could have relied on her looks and family connections, but she chose to rely on her talent!

Looking at the headlines in the newspaper, Li Xuan sat in his armchair at home, sipping tea, keeping his achievements and fame hidden.

"Competing based on family background?"

Li Xuan smiled and said, "Well, the child has to be ambitious on their own."

That year, Li Yue was eighteen years old.

Debut is the pinnacle.

......