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

Jiang Lai experienced for the first time what it meant to have difficulty traveling.

Fengning is still a relatively underdeveloped place. The assistant director suggested that we take a long-distance bus directly from Beijing. There is no train here, and if we want to take the train, we have to go through a long detour and eventually have to transfer to a bus.

Jiang Lai originally wanted to drive there, but after thinking about it, he realized it was a mountainous grassland area, so he decided against it and instead took the advice to take a long-distance bus. When his father asked if he wanted a driver to take him, Jiang Lai pretended not to need one.

He was secretly looking forward to the long journey ahead, imagining the beautiful scenery he would see along the way.

Unfortunately, fate will punish every stubborn child.

Jiang Lai boarded the bus at Xizhimen and was immediately stunned. The bus was filled with the smell of gasoline, sweat, and other indescribable odors. He managed to find a seat by the window.

Then came a five-hour journey, with some sections being bumpy and uneven, making even someone who doesn't get carsick feel carsick.

After finally arriving in Fengning County, we still had to transfer to another bus to a town, which took another two hours.

Forget about the scenery, when Jiang got off the bus, he felt dizzy, as if he had just ridden a roller coaster. He was pale. Fortunately, his savior arrived: the assistant director, Yate.

Yate is a Tibetan, whose Tibetan name is Yate Dorje. He is a tough and rugged man with a full beard. It is worth mentioning that he is also a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama, majoring in directing.

Although the other party had a rugged appearance, he was very thoughtful. He guessed that Jiang Lai would get carsick and prepared motion sickness pills in advance.

Jiang Lai drank the mineral water and felt much better.

"It must have been a tough journey, right?" Yate said with a smile.

"Don't even mention it," Jiang Lai waved his hand, "I almost threw up."

"Let's take a break and then continue. There are still ten kilometers of mountain road to walk. If it gets dark, the road will be difficult to travel at night." Yate patted Jiang Lai and took the lead.

Jiang Lai sighed and followed helplessly. "How are we going to get there?"

Yate didn't speak, but raised his hand and pointed forward.

A dusty gray tractor was parked on the side of the dusty street.

......

The vast sky and earth were enveloped in a warm yellow hue, with gray-green hills undulating in the distance and green and yellow grasslands blending together nearby. A dirt road, rutted out by carts, meandered through the valley.

"Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat—"

The tractor, billowing black smoke, swayed and crawled along the dirt road across the vast land, while herds of cattle and sheep swept by, creating a scene of mountain wilderness like an oil painting.

Unfortunately, Jiang Lai won't be able to appreciate it.

"Huff—"

He finally couldn't hold it in and vomited violently by the side of the tractor's trailer. He hadn't eaten anything since morning and was just vomiting bitter fluid.

The old man driving the tractor turned his head and glanced at it, curling his lip in disdain. "City kids are so pampered. They can't even handle this short distance."

Yate was completely unaffected, standing with his legs spread on the trailer, his body swaying with the tractor.

"You can't fight it with your body; you have to find the rhythm of this path and adapt to it."

Jiang Lai waved his hand, he was so shaken that he had no strength left.

Yate smiled and continued, "This place reminds me of my hometown. It also has mountains, grasslands, and cattle and sheep. When we were kids, we rode horses, swaying back and forth like this, as if we were going to run to the ends of the earth."

Jiang Lai didn't know why the other person suddenly felt this way, he only knew that he would never be able to go again, and he was really going to be stuck on the tractor.

Finally, as evening approached, the tractor stopped in front of a farmer's house.

Zhang Ziyi was carrying a basket and was about to leave when she saw Yate standing on the tractor with his legs wide apart. She knew that she was going to pick up the male lead today, but she didn't know who it was. Neither Director Zhang nor Yate had told her.

When she saw Jiang Lai being helped off the tractor, her eyes lit up and she ran over happily.

"You, what brings you here?" She thought Jiang Lai had come to visit the set.

Jiang Lai was so weak that he couldn't speak, only breathing heavily and shaking his head.

Yate explained, "This is our male lead. Let's help him inside."

Seeing Jiang Lai's condition, Zhang Ziyi quickly dropped the basket and went forward to help Yate into the house.

Jiang went in and lay down on the bed, becoming a corpse.

"Take care of him for a while, I have some things to take care of," Yate instructed before leaving.

Zhang Ziyi quickly wet her towel and wiped Jiang Lai's face. She knew all too well how uncomfortable it was; she wasn't much better when she first arrived.

The altitude here is nearly 2,000 meters. Although it may not reach the level of altitude sickness, there will still be some mild symptoms. Coupled with a long car ride, it is possible to fall ill temporarily.

As she wiped him, Jiang Lai was groaning and panting heavily, which filled her with heartache.

Not long after, Jiang Lai drifted off to sleep. Zhang Ziyi covered him with a blanket, then quietly closed the door and left.

A short-haired village woman walked over and asked curiously, "Ziyi, is that your man?"

This woman is the owner of this farmhouse. Her husband has gone out to work, and she feels bored living alone at home. It just so happens that Director Zhang and his crew chose her house, so they rented it to the film crew for 2,000 yuan a month.

She lived and ate with Zhang Ziyi in the house, teaching him farm work and weaving. The two got along quite well after almost two months.

Hearing her elder sister's words, Zhang Ziyi nodded shyly.

The older sister grinned and said smugly, "I could tell at a glance that you and that young man have a special relationship. I've never seen you treat that big-bearded guy so well."

"Oh dear, Sister Sun! The guy with the big beard you're talking about is the assistant director!"

"I don't know anything about this or that salt, but I can tell your eyes are practically watering!"

Sister Sun smiled and pointed at her with her short, stubby finger. Zhang Ziyi blushed even more, stomped her foot lightly, and continued to carry the basket to feed the pigs.

Sister Sun tucked her hands into her sleeves and happily ran to visit her neighbor next door.

"Hey, let me tell you, my housekeeper from the city, her husband came over too. That big-bearded guy said he has to work for my family too!" As soon as Sister Sun entered her neighbor's house, she grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed), and said smugly.

"Don't brag. I heard they're here to perform opera. I really thought you were hiring a nanny," the neighbor lady said sarcastically.

"So what? I'm working for my family anyway, and they still give me two thousand yuan a month!"

"Stop eating! Spit out the sunflower seeds!"

......

That evening, Jiang Lai regained consciousness, still feeling a bit dizzy, and managed to sit up with the help of the bed.

Just then, Zhang Ziyi pushed open the door and entered.

"Oh! You're awake?"

Zhang Ziyi ran over and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to touch Jiang Lai's forehead. Thankfully, he didn't have a fever, so she asked with concern, "Are you feeling any better? Would you like something to eat?"

"I'm alright, I feel much better after a nap." Jiang Lai rubbed his stomach. "I am a little hungry."

"Then wait a moment." Zhang Ziyi smiled and ran out.

Not long after, she came back carrying two bowls, one containing scallion pancakes and the other containing corn porridge. Jiang Lai reached out to take them.

"Ouch—it's so hot!" He almost dropped it and quickly put it on the small table by the bedside.

"Are your hands alright?" Zhang Ziyi anxiously grasped Jiang Lai's hand, pouting and blowing on it.

Jiang Lai felt the texture of his hands and said in surprise, "Why do you have calluses on your hands?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ziyi quickly hid her little hands behind her back and her eyes darted around.

"Well... it was for filming, so I did farm work to experience life."

Jiang Lai looked at the girl with pity, took her hand out from behind her back, and gently placed it on his face, feeling the rough texture.

Zhang Ziyi's face turned red instantly, and she dared not look the other person in the eye.

Jiang Lai suddenly pulled her into his arms.

"Oh no! There are still people around, don't let them see us!" Zhang Ziyi struggled gently.

"Where is she?" Jiang Lai rested his head on her shoulder, gently inhaling her girlish scent.

"The lady who owns this house will see it soon!"

"Then let her see it!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ziyi stopped struggling and hugged Jiang Lai back, the two feeling each other's heartbeats.

At this moment, Jiang Lai couldn't help but recall the promise he made under the old locust tree, when he had pulled Zhang Ziyi aside and questioned who that man was.

Zhang Ziyi didn't answer, but said stubbornly, "Can we be together again after I become the best actress?"

Although he didn't answer, that was an answer in itself. Jiang replied, "Okay."

Now that she has the opportunity to star in Zhang Yimou's movie, Jiang Lai understands that she is working hard towards that promise, and these calluses on her hands are the best proof.

Jiang Lai took a deep breath and said softly:

"I miss you."

"what?"

"I said, I miss you!"

Jiang Lai hugged him even tighter, and little stars lit up in Zhang Ziyi's eyes.

"Jiang Lai..."

"Um?"

Would you like some pickled vegetables?

"..."