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

Jiang Lai agreed to play the role of Luo Xiaohu, a character who, well, could be described as a fierce bandit from the Western Regions.

Li An said that practicing wrestling was just a joke. Jiang Lai should really practice horsemanship and swordsmanship. Li An also said that he should imitate the gait and posture of a tiger to show his wild power.

The three chatted for a while longer, when Jiang Lai suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, Director, when will we start filming this movie?"

Li An pondered for a moment, "If things go smoothly, it will start in July; if it goes slowly, it will start in August."

Jiang Lai clicked his tongue inwardly, thinking, "Damn it, we've crashed."

"When Flowers Bloom" or "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"—if a normal person hesitates for even a second longer, it's disrespectful to the title "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

But Jiang Lai was clearly not a normal person. He felt that since he had agreed to the former first, it would be unfair to refuse him now.

He didn't rush to make a decision, but instead followed Li An to the hotel, intending to see Zhang Ziyi first.

Ziyu Hotel.

Although not all of Li An's crew members have arrived yet, some have already come. Since they are mostly from Hong Kong and Taiwan, they are staying at a hotel that has the capacity to accommodate foreign guests.

This hotel covers a large area with extensive gardens and has a full range of facilities, including a fitness club and a karaoke room.

Some of the actors in the film crew trained at the hotel.

Li An told Jiang that his equestrian and sword training would also take place here.

Jiang Lai was still conflicted, so he could only laugh it off.

Walking all the way to the hotel's fitness club, which had been converted into a training room, Zhang Ziyi and many young girls were practicing basic physical coordination here in preparation for their future martial arts training.

And all of these girls were Li An's backup female leads.

The two stood in the corner for a while, then Li An said goodbye, saying he still had to audition some actors.

Jiang Lai continued to watch from the corner. Zhang Ziyi had already seen Jiang Lai, and the two exchanged glances from afar, tacitly waiting for the training to end.

Shortly after, the teacher who had led the practice announced the end, and Zhang Ziyi immediately ran over, drenched in sweat.

"How are you? Tired?" Jiang Lai asked.

"I originally studied dance, so it's alright," Zhang Ziyi said, wiping her sweat. "Director Zhang Yimou said he also recommended a role for you. How did it go? Did you land it?"

Seeing Zhang Ziyi's expectant eyes, Jiang Lai chuckled awkwardly, "Then we absolutely have to win her over."

"That's good, that's good." Zhang Ziyi smiled, genuinely happy for Jiang Lai.

"Actually, I have another identity now, which is that of an investor in this movie."

Zhang Ziyi's expression froze for a moment, then he said very seriously, "Can I discuss something with you?"

Jiang Lai blinked. "What?"

"I want to get this role on my own."

Zhang Ziyi stared directly at Jiang Lai, his meaning very clear: I don't want you to use your position as an investor to give me preferential treatment; I want to obtain it through my own abilities.

Jiang Lai nodded with a wry smile. He hadn't thought of it that way in the first place, because he knew that Zhang Ziyi would eventually get the role, but he couldn't help feeling sorry for this strong-willed young girl.

Just like the other person once said, I may not be as good as so many people, but I will be better than them.

Being competitive is not a bad thing. If a person doesn't fight for himself, then there's no point in living.

Jiang Lai reached out and hugged Zhang Ziyi, just as he had said before, "I believe you."

Zhang Ziyi wrapped her arms around him even tighter and said softly, "Don't worry, I will definitely win it, and then we can film together again."

Jiang Lai sighed inwardly, feeling sorry for Fatty Gao.

The next day, Jiang Lai met with Gao Xiaosong to discuss the matter.

To Jiang Lai's surprise, Gao Xiaosong seemed to have anticipated something and brought Zhou Xun along as well.

"You're saying you're not acting anymore?! Cough cough, cough."

At the dinner table, Zhou Xun shouted in a hoarse voice, even coughing from excitement.

"Well, the schedule does conflict, so I really can't act anymore." Jiang Lai awkwardly turned his head to the side.

Zhou Xun's face was tense, and her clear black and white eyes revealed a hint of anger.

"Look at me, look me in the eyes and say you're not going to act anymore." She grabbed Jiang Lai's arm.

Left with no other choice, Jiang Lai turned around and looked directly at her. "I really can't act, I'm sorry."

After saying that, he turned to Gao Xiaosong and said, "I'm sorry, Teacher Gao."

Gao Xiaosong smiled and waved his hand, "It's alright, Mr. Jiang, you don't need to mind. Even if a deal falls through, we can still be on good terms. It's understandable."

He even brought Zhou Xun along, but it still didn't work, which means the other party is really determined. Even if the newly crowned Paris Best Actor and Actress co-starring again is a gimmick to promote their film, given the current situation, they can only find someone else.

Zhou Xun didn't say anything more, eating her meal expressionlessly, but to her, it tasted like nothing at all.

After the dinner ended, Gao Xiaosong said goodbye and left. He needed to quickly think of who to cast as the male lead.

Jiang Lai followed Zhou Xun to the Busy Bee Bar again. Since he was no longer going to perform, he had to tell Ding Wu, after all, Ding Wu had taught Jiang Lai a lesson.

"Brother Dingwu, here's the thing. Since I'm not performing anymore, I don't need to learn anymore. You taught me one lesson, so tell me how much you charge for that lesson, and I'll settle the account."

Ding Wu took a sip of wine and shook his head. "No need, don't be polite. I didn't teach you anything."

Jiang Lai thought for a moment and said, "Well then, I forgot to bring that guitar too, I'll just buy it."

"Oh, it's alright, you can have the guitar too."

"This won't do, this won't do!"

After some initial refusals, Ding Wu finally said, "Xiao Jiang! I think you're a worthwhile friend. If you think highly of me, just accept me, okay?"

Jiang Lai had no choice but to give up. Later, he quietly asked Zhou Xun how much the guitar was worth.

Zhou Xun glanced at him indifferently, "Probably a little over ten thousand."

Jiang was shocked. A wooden guitar cost over ten thousand yuan, and that was in this day and age.

It seems that learning music is not only torturous, but also incredibly expensive.

While Ding Wu went to the restroom, Jiang Lai checked his wallet and found only a little over four thousand yuan. He then borrowed another three thousand yuan from Zhou Xun, leaving them with only that much cash.

Jiang Lai placed the money under Ding Wu's wine glass, covered it with other things, and then quickly pulled Zhou Xun away.

Jiang Lai really wanted to keep this guitar, at least as a testament to that unforgettable night at Mangfeng.

The two walked on the street outside the Busy Bee Bar again, but their mood was different from last time.

At a fork in the road, Zhou Xun, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly asked, "Is it because of your girlfriend?"

Jiang Lai was taken aback. "What?"

"I said, is it because of your girlfriend that you're not acting?" Zhou Xun raised her small face.

"Um...I guess so," Jiang Lai stammered. "I...I got the same role as her, I have to act with her."

Zhou Xun pursed her lips, looked at the ground, and nodded repeatedly, but seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. She then raised her head and smiled brightly.

"If I leave one day, will you look for me?"

Those same eyes that pierced his soul again stunned Jiang Lai, leaving him speechless. He took a deep breath.

"Xiao Xun, that's just a movie."

"Yeah...that's just a movie."

Zhou Xun murmured to herself, raising her head to look at the night sky, where the stars and moon were reflected in her eyes, shimmering with light.

"Alright, I should head that way now. Goodbye."

"Okay, goodbye."

Zhou Xun, with her hands behind her back, skipped and hopped away.

Jiang Lai watched silently, and in a daze, he seemed to see two swaying ponytails again.

He turned away, unsure whether this goodbye meant they would meet again or never see each other again.

"Feed—"

"Huh?" Jiang Lai turned around.

The short, little girl put her hands to her mouth, making a trumpet shape.

"Remember to pay me back!"

Jiang Lai hesitated for a moment, then said, "Okay!"

They both laughed.