Huayu: Reborn in 97, transferring to the Central Academy of Drama's star-studded class

Regardless of what happened outside, life on campus continued as usual. The school held a general meeting to praise Jiang Lai and Zhang Ziyi, and then ignored them.

Jiang Lai threw the trophy home and continued to immerse himself in rehearsing the play and writing his thesis.

Even though they were already seniors, Ms. Chang Li would occasionally personally supervise the rehearsals, and anyone who dared to slack off would instantly transform into a tyrant.

Jiang Lai squatted by the stage, a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He hadn't lit it; he was just playing with it because they were rehearsing and he couldn't smoke.

At that moment, Liu Ye was being scolded by Teacher Chang Li. He watched Liu Ye walk back and forth in his position, but after seven or eight tries, he still couldn't get it right, and he couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

"What are you laughing at?" Teacher Chang Li suddenly turned her head. "Have you memorized those words?!"

"Memorize it, memorize it." Jiang Lai quickly took the cigarette out of his mouth and stood up straight with a serious expression.

"Memorize it and show it to me."

Jiang Lai walked over and started talking.

He delivered a long monologue in a measured and unhurried manner, emphasizing the important points as needed and softening them appropriately, while also conveying the emotions perfectly.

After listening, Teacher Chang Li's expression softened a bit. She nodded and turned to look at the other group.

Zhang Ziyi walked over from the side, holding a script in her hand, and pinched Jiang Lai's arm lightly with a frown.

"Hey, what the hell! Why did you pinch me?" Jiang Laiteng dodged to the side.

Zhang Ziyi pouted and said dejectedly, "I haven't been able to act well lately. My teacher said I'm too tense and need to relax."

Jiang Lai approached with a wicked grin and whispered in her ear, "That won't do, it's better to tighten it up."

After being subtly influenced, Zhang Ziyi instantly understood, her face flushing red. She punched Jiang Lai in the chest, yelling, "Are you trying to kill me?!"

The morning passed quickly.

During the lunch break, everyone stayed in the rehearsal hall and went to the cafeteria to get their food and eat it by the stage.

"I'll share some with you."

Dang Hao, carrying a lunchbox, approached Liu Ye and, with lightning speed, grabbed a piece of braised pork with his chopsticks.

Liu Ye glared at him, then silently protected the few pieces left in her bowl.

Jiang Lai and Zhang Ziyi sat together, their lunchboxes placed side by side on the ground. They took turns picking up food from each other's plates, exuding a leisurely and contented air.

Qin Hailu walked over with a lunchbox, glanced at it, and said with a smile, "Oh my, you two are living like an old married couple."

Zhang Ziyi smiled and did not refute.

Hu Jing eagerly came over, her gossipy eyes sparkling. "Hey, I heard you two are living together?"

Zhang Ziyi paused with his chopsticks and looked up at Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai took a bite of rice without changing his expression and hummed in agreement.

"Really or not?" Zeng Lai on the side stared wide-eyed, "When did it happen?"

"Not long ago," Zhang Ziyi said softly, her face slightly flushed.

"Who told you that?" Jiang Lai asked.

Hu Jing glanced to the side, and Jiang Lai followed her gaze. Liu Ye tiptoed away to the side.

Jiang Lai curled his lip, "It really is this guy."

The matter is actually very simple.

At first, Jiang Lai really didn't want to live together. She was free and independent on her own, and suddenly having another person around made her feel awkward.

Zhang Ziyi didn't insist, but simply prepared a lot of food and some small trinkets to create a festive atmosphere at home.

When Jiang came every few days, he would bring delicious food and drinks, as well as various snacks, and even small whips, handcuffs, and toys.

Then Jiang started coming more and more frequently, and in larger numbers.

Some things are simply amazing.

Jiang asked her where she learned all these things, and Zhang Ziyi said that when Sister Hailu went to Hong Kong to experience life while filming "Durian Durian," she saw that there were many prostitutes like that there.

Wow, these experiential learners really do teach you something!

After that, the two officially started living together. Liu Ye was the first to find out, as he would often come over for meals.

If that big mouth knew, the result would be obvious. Today's incident is proof of that. Hu Jing asked directly.

That very evening, a large group of students from Class 96 gathered and entered the couple's home in a grand procession, ostensibly to hold a housewarming party.

Fortunately, the house was big enough to comfortably accommodate more than a dozen people, and the kitchen was spacious enough for the girls to cook while the boys played cards, chatted, and watched TV in the living room, making quite a racket.

Jiang Lai thought this was fine; graduation was approaching, and every get-together would be one less opportunity.

In the days that followed, Class 96 would flock here every weekend, treating it as a base.

One weekend evening, the students had just left.

The living room was a mess. Empty beer cans and snack bags were scattered on the coffee table, sunflower seed shells were strewn on the floor, and the sofa was askew.

Zhang Ziyi was washing dishes in the kitchen, while Jiang Lai was sweeping the living room floor with a broom.

"Do you think they'll come next week?" Zhang Ziyi poked her head out from the kitchen, still wearing rubber gloves.

"Come on," Jiang Lai said, dumping the trash into the bin. "We won't be able to get together much more often."

Zhang Ziyi smiled gently and continued to work in the kitchen.

Jiang Lai tied the plastic bag off the trash can, threw it by the door, and came back to continue tidying up the coffee table.

The phone rang.

He wiped his hands, picked up his phone, and saw it was Jiang Wen.

"Hey, boss?"

"Jiang'er, where are you living now?" Jiang Wen's voice was gruff.

Jiang reported where he was currently living.

"Okay, I'll visit you tomorrow."

Jiang Lai was taken aback; they'd even used the word "visit." He asked, "What's wrong? What's the matter?"

"We'll talk about it tomorrow," Jiang Wen said before hanging up.

Jiang Lai looked at his phone and frowned.

Zhang Ziyi came out of the kitchen, took off her apron, and asked, "Who is it?"

"Jiang Wen." Jiang Lai put his phone back on the table. "He said he needs to talk to me and will come over tomorrow."

Zhang Ziyi nodded, asked no further questions, and continued tidying up.

The next morning, Zhang Ziyi went out to buy groceries, saying that she should treat Jiang Wen well. Jiang Lai was home alone, curled up on the sofa waiting for Jiang Wen to come over.

Not long after, the doorbell rang, and he got up to open the door.

When the door opened, Jiang Lai was stunned.

Jiang Wen stood at the door, his hair disheveled, his jacket dusty and gray, his expression neither serious nor embarrassed.

What was most surprising was that he had several thorny branches tied to his back.

It was a real bramble, still with leaves and thorns, tied with hemp rope and slung across his back.

"Boss, what's going on here?" Jiang Lai looked him up and down and couldn't help but laugh.

Jiang Wen didn't laugh, but said in a rough voice, "I've come to apologize with a bundle of thorns on my back."

Jiang Lai quickly stepped aside, "Come in, come in."

Jiang Wen strode in, the thorns on his back almost getting stuck on the door frame. Jiang Lai reached out to help him steady himself before he could barely get in.

"Are you really tied up?" Jiang Lai walked around behind him, looking at the few brambles and the hemp rope that was tied tightly, pressing wrinkles into his clothes.

"How could it be fake?" Jiang Wen said in a muffled voice.

Jiang Lai reached out to untie the rope, and it took him a long time to finally get it off; it was tied quite tightly.

Jiang Lai threw the brambles on the ground, then welcomed Jiang Wen to sit down on the sofa and poured him a cup of tea.

"Tell me, Boss Jiang, what happened?"

Jiang Wen picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said nothing. He took another sip before finally speaking: "You really don't know?"

"If I knew, I wouldn't have asked you." Jiang Lai leaned back on the sofa and looked at Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen rubbed his face and sighed, "Devils on the Doorstep was rejected."

Jiang Lai nodded, waiting for him to continue.

"I'm preparing to send it abroad for exhibitions," Jiang Wen said in a deep voice. "Cannes announced its shortlist a few days ago, and our film has made it into the main competition."

Jiang Lai nodded and said, "That's great."

"What's so good about it?" Jiang Wen waved his hand. "There's a meeting up above; they want it withdrawn, they won't let us go!"

Jiang Lai frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Just the literal meaning." Jiang Wen stared at the ripples in the teacup. "I asked around, and they were pretty firm; they just wouldn't let us leave."

"So what do you think?"

Jiang Wen looked at Jiang Lai and said, "I still want to go. This movie shouldn't be denied even the chance to be seen."

"Oh, right," Jiang Wen suddenly remembered something, "didn't anyone notify you?"

"What did you want me to be notified of?"

"Is that all?" Jiang Wen frowned. "You're also a producer; someone should have informed you."

Jiang Lai shook his head. "I don't know."

Jiang Wen stared at him for a few seconds, seemingly trying to determine whether what he said was true or false, and finally waved his hand, "Then let's not talk about this."

He paused, then asked, "What are you thinking?"

"What are you thinking?" Jiang Lai asked.

"Regarding the exhibition, what do you think? Should we go?"

Jiang Lai was taken aback by his question. "You're asking me about the movie you made? You can give it to me if you want."

"We might have to pay compensation," Jiang Wen said.

Jiang Lai laughed, "Boss Jiang, are there times when you don't lose money?"

Jiang Wen caught the sarcasm in his words, "Hey! What do you mean? I just didn't want to beg on my knees!"

"Okay, okay, boss, you have to earn money standing up."

Jiang Wen slapped his thigh, "You're absolutely right! I'm going to stand tall and still make money!"

After saying that, he stood up and said, "Alright, I'm leaving now."

"Stay for a meal before you leave," Jiang Lai said, standing up as well.

"No, I still need to prepare for going abroad," Jiang Wen waved his hand.

As he reached the doorway, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and pointed to the few brambles on the ground.

"Keep this."

Jiang glanced at it and asked, "What's the point of keeping it?"

"If I don't stand up and let you earn the money in the future..."

Jiang Wen said in a rough voice, his attitude serious, "Just keep hitting me hard."

Jiang Lai was both amused and exasperated by what he said. Before he could say anything, Jiang Wen had already turned and left. Jiang Lai followed him out and escorted him downstairs.

Just then, Zhang Ziyi returned from grocery shopping, and she greeted her with a smile, "Brother Jiang Wen."

Jiang Wen looked her up and down, then nodded. "This must be your sister-in-law?"

Zhang Ziyi blushed slightly, but said generously, "Brother, please stay for a meal."

"No, I won't bother you two any longer." Jiang Wen glanced at Jiang Lai, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "You're a lucky guy."

After saying that, he left without looking back.

Jiang Lai stood downstairs, watching Jiang Wen's figure disappear. After standing there for a while, he turned around and went upstairs with Zhang Ziyi.

Back home, Jiang Lai suddenly remembered something, "Didn't Director Li An call a while ago? Saying he wanted to send 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' to Cannes?"

Zhang Ziyi was taking the dishes out. "Yes, I told you."

"Are you participating in a competition?"

"It's an exhibition, not a competition. It's a special screening, a publicity campaign. Director Li An means that we're aiming for the Oscars next year."

"Oh." Jiang Lai nodded.

"Don't make excuses not to go, you have to come with me this time." Zhang Ziyi turned to look at him.

"I'll definitely go," Jiang Lai said with a smile.

Zhang Ziyi turned and went into the kitchen with satisfaction.

Jiang Lai stood at the kitchen door, watching her busy figure, and suddenly remembered that "In the Mood for Love" had also been to Cannes.

All things considered, Cannes this year is quite lively.