I really didn't intend to make a living based on my looks.

"Hello everyone, my name is Li Xian, and I'm in Class 1 of the Performing Arts program."

Yang Zi stood up and greeted, "Brother Xian is here! Please have a seat."

Li Xian nodded and greeted Jiang Chen and Zhang Yisan, then found a seat and sat down.

During military training, he and Yang Zi co-hosted the Mid-Autumn Festival gala. Later, they got to know each other better and he became part of the small circle.

A moment later, there was another knock on the door.

The person who came in was a boy wearing glasses, with a refined demeanor, and dressed in a white shirt.

When Zhang Yisan saw him, he immediately stood up to greet him, patting him on the shoulder: "Zi'en, you're here!"

He turned to introduce Fu Zi'en to everyone: "This is Fu Zi'en, a 2010 graduate of the Cinematography Department at Beijing Film Academy. He's my childhood friend. My biological father and his biological father are sworn brothers. His father is my godfather. We grew up together and are closer than brothers."

Fu Zi'en's father was actor Fu Biao, who passed away in 2005 and was very well-liked in the entertainment industry.

She has acted in films and television series such as *The Dream Factory*, *Endless Love*, *Big Shot's Funeral*, and the TV series *The Happy Life of Zhang Damin*.

Zhang Yishan and Fu Zien have been best friends since childhood. Zhang Yishan's mother even recognized Fu Zien as her godson. The two families are closer than relatives.

Fu Zi smiled and nodded to everyone: "Hello, please take care of me in the future."

Everyone was there, and the dishes were served.

The copper pot was brought out, the charcoal fire was burning brightly, and the soup was bubbling away.

Several plates of mutton were laid out, red and white strips, so thin they were translucent.

Sesame paste, chive blossoms, fermented bean curd sauce, pickled garlic, and chili oil were neatly arranged in a circle.

Jiang Chen picked up a piece of mutton with his chopsticks, dipped it three times in boiling water, and as soon as the meat changed color, he took it out and dipped it in the sesame sauce bowl.

The meat is tender and juicy, with no gamey taste. The rich sesame sauce coats the mutton's juices, melting in your mouth – truly authentic.

Zhang Yisan steered the conversation to the school anniversary celebration.

"By the way, is the date for the school anniversary celebration set? I saw they've already started setting up stages at the school gate."

Yang Zi nodded upon hearing this, her voice tinged with excitement: "It's settled, October 23rd. The department has been busy with preparations these past few days, even the cafeteria has put up posters."

This is the 60th anniversary celebration of the Beijing Film Academy.

Not only were renowned alumni from home and abroad invited back to campus, but a series of activities were also planned, including academic forums, film screenings, and alumni gatherings. Representatives from sister institutions such as the Central Academy of Drama and the Shanghai Theatre Academy also attended the ceremony.

The entire school started preparing during the summer vacation!

Li Xian asked curiously, "The lineup of alumni returning to campus this time is pretty impressive, isn't it?"

"Absolutely!" Zhang Yisan put down his chopsticks and rattled off the names of the big names from the directing department as if they were old friends, "All the big shots from the directing department are here, Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Tian Zhuangzhuang..."

"Do you know Tian Zhuangzhuang? He's our graduate advisor in directing, a leading figure of the fifth generation of directors! And Huang Jianxin, Li Shaohong, Yin Li—any one of them is a top-tier talent in the industry."

Yang Zi added, "There must be quite a few from the acting department too, right? I heard that almost everyone from the 96 star class is coming back, including Huang Xiaoming, Chen Kun, and Xiao Yanzi. The auditorium will definitely be packed."

"Such a big fuss?" Li Xian said. "I heard from my senior that Liu Yifei will be coming too?"

"Really?"

Yang Zi smiled and nodded: "Most likely! She's an alumna of our class of 02. The school specially sent her an invitation, and she's already agreed."

Li Xian sighed, "When will we ever have that kind of prestige?"

"What's the rush? We're only freshmen." Zhang Yisan said dismissively.

Yang Zi suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, there's something else. Zhang Yimou is coming to the school at the end of the month to hold a screening and discussion of 'Under the Hawthorn Tree' in the auditorium. September 28th, 9 PM."

"I've heard about it too," Fu Zi'en chimed in. "They brought two lead actors with them, one named Zhou Dongyu and the other Dou Yao, who are seniors from our Beijing Film Academy. Zhou Dongyu was a complete novice before, a dance student, and was spotted by Zhang Yimou at first glance."

Zhang Yisan clicked his tongue twice: "What kind of life does this girl have? We're still studying scripts in school, and she's already on the big screen."

Yang Zi sighed, "I can't be envious. But she really does have talent. I've seen the trailer, and her crying scenes are absolutely amazing."

"Isn't this girl a high school sophomore?"

"I'm a senior in high school this year, and I'll probably have to take the art college entrance exam next year."

"The title of 'Zhang Yimou's Girl' is more useful than anything else. All the major art schools will definitely be scrambling to recruit her."

"Alright, alright," Yang Zi slapped the table, "Let's get down to business. Let's go early on September 28th to reserve seats. What if Zhang Yimou takes a liking to us?"

"You're dreaming again."

"So what if you're dreaming? What if it comes true?"

The group laughed heartily as the charcoal fire burned brightly, the soup in the pot bubbled and simmered, and the Wangfujing Street outside the window was brightly lit.

The meal lasted until after nine o'clock, and seven or eight plates on the table were empty. Even the pickled garlic was completely devoured by Zhang Yisan.

Yang Zi rubbed her stomach and said she was full. Jiang Chen helped her call the waiter to pay the bill. The five of them split the bill, and each person paid more than eighty yuan.

Stepping out of the hotel, the September night breeze in Yanjing was already cool, and it felt very comfortable on my face.

Wangfujing Street remains bustling, with neon signs lined up one after another, and tourists carrying paper bowls of candied hawthorn and fried noodles weaving through the crowds.

Zhang Yisan darted out from the roadside pushing a small electric scooter; it's unclear where he got it from.

He patted the back seat and called to Jiang Chen, "Chen'er, get in the car!"

Jiang Chen glanced down at the little electric scooter and joked, "San'er, you've been around for so long and you still don't own a car?"

"You don't know anything! I don't even have a driver's license! If you're so capable, get yourself a car, and I'll ride in yours."

Yang Zi ran over and blocked their car: "Where are you going?"

"Chen'er asked me to help him find a house a few days ago, so I took him to see it."

Yang Zi's eyes lit up: "Then I'll go too!"

Jiang Chen waved his hand: "Zi Mei, you don't need to go. Wait until I've confirmed it before you come over for the hot pot."

"Hot pot? You need hot pot in a rented apartment?"

"Of course, it's a housewarming celebration, we have to have a feast."

"Alright, alright, then let me know when you've made your decision."

Yang Zi opened the taxi door, got in, rolled down the window, and waved to them, "Let's go, Xiao Chenzi, San'er, ride carefully!"

Li Xian and Fu Zi'en also hailed cars and left, agreeing to play cards at Li Xian's dormitory for their next get-together.

Zhang Yisan patted the back seat: "What are you standing there for? Get in the car!"

Jiang Chen stepped on, but his two long legs had nowhere to go, so he could only push off with his feet.

The electric scooter wobbled twice, and Zhang Yisan shouted from the front, "Don't move! This scooter is unbalanced!"

"Your car is no good at anything."

"It's good enough that it can run; don't be so picky."

I rode my electric scooter westward along Chang'an Avenue, the night wind blowing in my face.

As we passed Tiananmen Square, the bright lights on the square made the red flag on the gate tower look especially vibrant.

Several tourists were still taking pictures, holding those old-fashioned digital cameras, with the flash going off one after another.

(P.S.: One of the female leads will be appearing tomorrow...)