Huayu: Starting with Hextech

Early June, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Academy

The air was filled with the busyness and restlessness unique to the end of the semester.

Intermittent sounds of lines could be heard from the rehearsal hall, and students carrying scripts hurried past under the shade of sycamore trees, their faces showing either focus or anxiety.

Sunlight filters through the dense foliage, casting dappled shadows on the walls of the old red-brick building.

As Lin Xiao walked along the familiar campus path, a subtle sense of disorientation washed over him.

Just a year ago, he was an ordinary student here, about to graduate, with an uncertain future.

Now that I've returned, my status is different.

He came back today specifically to visit his mentor, Sun Yuyang.

Sun Yuyang's office is on the third floor of the Performance and Guidance Building, a south-facing room with the window facing the playground.

When I pushed open the door, I saw Professor Sun wearing reading glasses, hunched over his desk grading students' final papers, with a cup of strong tea steaming beside him.

"Teacher Sun." Lin Xiao knocked gently on the door.

Sun Yuyang looked up, saw it was him, and his serious face immediately broke into a smile as he took off his glasses:

"Lin Xiao? Come in and have a seat! What brings you back to school?"

"I went back to Shanghai to rest for a few days and thought I'd come see you." Lin Xiao placed the two boxes of fine Longjing tea he was carrying on the coffee table. "It's just a small token of my appreciation; I know you love tea."

"You came, so why did you bring anything?"

Sun Yuyang said this, but his eyes showed joy.

He got up to pour Lin Xiao a glass of water, then sat back in his wicker chair and carefully examined his student.

"Hmm, you look great, much more energetic than when you graduated." Teacher Sun nodded, her tone gratified. "Filming for 'Beauty's Rival in Palace' is finished? Must have been tiring?"

"It was alright, I learned a lot."

Lin Xiao sat down in the chair opposite Teacher Sun, his posture remaining as respectful as ever.

The teacher and student chatted for a while about their recent situations, and Sun Yuyang asked about his experiences on the film set.

Soon, Sun Yuyang's smile faded slightly. He picked up his teacup, blew on it, and slowly began to speak, getting to the point:

"Lin Xiao, recently... Director Wang Jinhua and General Manager Cai from Tangren both called me."

Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and he sat up straight: "Teacher, they..."

"The main purpose is to ask about your recent situation and subtly try to understand your thoughts."

Sun Yuyang waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to be nervous, but his brows furrowed slightly. "His words implied that he values ​​you highly, but he also has some different opinions about your refusal to sign the contract."

He put down his teacup, his gaze sharpening with concern as he looked at Lin Xiao:

"Director Wang's tone was rather businesslike, but he mentioned that 'it's good for young people to have ideas, but they also need to be realistic.' As for General Manager Cai, he spent a long time reminiscing with me, saying that he felt a connection with you and Tangren, and that the path he had planned for you was excellent. He didn't understand why you were hesitating."

Sun Yuyang paused, then lowered his voice: "Lin Xiao, your consecutive rejections of Huayi Brothers and Tangren Media are probably no longer a secret among the school's teachers and within their industry circles."

Lin Xiao remained silent.

He knew this couldn't be kept secret.

"You're a hot commodity now; everyone wants a piece of you."

Sun Yuyang's tone carried the wisdom of someone who had been through it all, along with a hint of worry.

"But a hot commodity is also a target. If you reject them, they'll think you're either arrogant and waiting for the highest bidder, or you have ulterior motives and don't want to be controlled by them. Either way, it might make them uncomfortable."

"This industry is both very big and very small. Huayi Brothers and Tangren Media are both well-established platforms. You are still inexperienced and have rejected their offers. While they may not openly suppress you, sometimes, subtle 'warnings' or 'cold treatment' may appear when you least expect them."

Sun Yuyang looked at Lin Xiao and said earnestly:

"For example, a role you really want might end up being given to someone else out of nowhere; or, at industry gatherings or resource-sharing events, you might find it harder to fit in. These things aren't openly discussed, but they really happen. You have to be prepared."

The mentor's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the slight excitement that Lin Xiao had felt in recent days due to the system rewards and his determination to be independent.

He took a deep breath and nodded earnestly: "Teacher, I understand. I chose this path myself, and I will bear whatever comes my way."

Seeing the clarity and determination in the students' eyes, Sun Yuyang's worry lessened and was replaced by admiration.

Having taught his entire life, he has seen too many talented students who have lost their way in the allure of fame and fortune. Lin Xiao's clarity and independent thinking, beyond his years, are truly admirable.

"It's good that you're mentally prepared for this."

Sun Yuyang's expression softened, and he smiled again. "But don't be too pessimistic. Gold always shines. As long as you keep producing good works and establish yourself, those so-called 'criticisms' will become a joke."

He suddenly remembered something, and pulled a note from the drawer with a name and phone number written on it.

"By the way, speaking of your work, there's something I need to discuss."

Sun Yuyang pushed the sticky note to Lin Xiao.

"A few days ago, a friend introduced me to a producer named Xu Xiao'ou, a talented young woman who graduated from Fudan University with a degree in Communication Studies. She's quite a thoughtful and capable young woman. She's currently preparing a TV series called 'Du Lala's Promotion Diary,' which is adapted from the novel of the same name and is about white-collar workers in the workplace."

Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat.

Du Lala's Promotion Diary!

The system rewards came so quickly?

Sun Yuyang didn't notice the student's sudden change in expression and continued:

"It seems she saw some clips from 'Chinese Paladin 3' through some channel, and she was very impressed with your role as... oh, Chonglou. She thought you had a great image and temperament, and that you had a natural talent for acting."

I asked my friend to find out more about you, hoping you might be interested in getting in touch and seeing if there's a possibility of collaboration.

He chuckled. "This girl has a good eye. Your 'Chinese Paladin 3' hasn't even aired yet, and she's already spotted you in the trailers. I gave her your number, but I thought it would be better to tell you in person."

"How about we contact her? This is a modern workplace drama, completely different from the period dramas you've done before, which fits your statement about wanting to broaden your acting range."

The opportunity presented itself in the most natural and reasonable way.

Lin Xiaoqiang suppressed his excitement and took the note. On it, neat handwriting read "Xu Xiao'ou" and a mobile phone number.

He carefully put the note away and sincerely said to Sun Yuyang, "Thank you, teacher! I am very interested. Modern workplace dramas are exactly the kind of field I want to try. I will contact Producer Xu as soon as possible."

"That's good." Sun Yuyang nodded in satisfaction. "It's good to be exposed to different projects. But whether or not you ultimately decide to take a project depends on the script and the team. That's your decision."

"I see."

After chatting for a while about interesting things at school and the recent situations of his juniors, Lin Xiao got up to say goodbye.

Sun Yuyang escorted him all the way to the office door, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Do a good job, Lin Xiao. Remember, acting is paramount. No matter what the outside world is like, performing well is the foundation for your livelihood."

"The student will remember this." Lin Xiao bowed deeply.