Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

Chapter 71 Xiao Liu has graduated!

It's a sunny day!

Inside the film academy, handsome men and beautiful women in graduation gowns were everywhere, taking photos and posing for pictures with others.

As a big star in the performing arts department, Liu Yifei is the focus of countless people taking photos with her.

Zhao Yanxi had quietly arrived backstage at the graduation ceremony. The school leaders were quite young at heart, determined to keep it a secret.

It is estimated that the name of this "outstanding" graduate will not be announced until just before the speech.

After the school leaders finished their speeches, recounted the school's academic achievements over the past four years, and awarded the graduation certificates, it was time for the outstanding graduates to speak.

Liu Yifei, of course, stepped out of the performance department's line and walked confidently and with a bright smile onto the stage.

A box office star, a leading lady in hit TV dramas, and a national goddess known as "Fairy Sister," this outstanding graduate truly deserves her title, and the Class of 02 graduates gave her thunderous applause.

"Dear leaders and fellow students, hello everyone!"

I am honored to stand on this stage.

""

It was a very formal speech, and Xiao Liu presented himself with great composure. He introduced to the students how a film and television professional should approach their work, how to treat their roles, how to face the audience, and how to deal with difficulties and gossip...

As Zhao Yanxi listened from behind, she unconsciously recalled Liu Yifei's journey.

From the all-night filming of "The Return of the Condor Heroes," to falling asleep on a recliner from exhaustion, to the drowning crisis, and the discovery of cervical spine abnormalities;

Although he managed to divert attention and use legal means to prevent the "transgender scandal" from becoming a nationwide public issue, scandals involving sugar daddies, abortion, transgenderism, and plastic surgery continued to emerge.

These kinds of common scandals are something even Zhao Yanxi, a reborn person, cannot handle.

All he could do was help Liu Yifei create better works and attract more fans to fight against those shameless online trolls and haters.

What truly enabled Liu Yifei to overcome cyberbullying was her strong inner strength and her perpetually positive and optimistic personality.

Congratulations to Liu Yifei on her graduation!

The students erupted in applause, deeply moved.

"Classmates, let's thank Liu Yifei again for her wonderful sharing!"

Before the host had even finished speaking, applause erupted like a tidal wave. He smiled and raised his voice: "I'm sure attentive students have already noticed the special segment on the program. Now, let's give a warm round of applause to welcome another special graduating representative!"

As the curtain fluttered, Zhao Yanxi calmly stepped out amidst curious whispers from the audience. Today, he had specially chosen a well-tailored dark gray casual suit, paired with a simple white T-shirt, exuding both the youthful energy of a student and the unique charisma of a young director.

"Welcome to Zhao Yanxi, a student from the 2002 Directing Department!"

"It's Director Zhao! He's actually back!"

"The school actually invited him!"

"Hmph, they actually kept it from me."

Liu Yifei looked at Zhao Yanxi, who was walking out from backstage, with amusement and gave him a "dangerous" look, as if to say, "You'll be sorry when we get back!"

What could Zhao Yanxi do? She'd just have to spoil her own girl.

After a friendly smile, Zhao Yanxi straightened the microphone and began her speech.

"Actually, what the host just said is incorrect. When I graduated in 02, I wasn't even considered an outstanding graduate. I don't know if the school is planning to issue me a replacement certificate."

Zhao Yanxi looked at the school leaders, who could only shake their heads helplessly, but their faces were full of undisguised smiles.

"To be honest, I hesitated when I received the invitation, not feeling that I had anything worth sharing." He said sincerely, "But considering that I still need to transfer to a four-year university and may even need to take the postgraduate entrance exam in the future, and since Beijing Film Academy is a pretty good place, I have to perform well in front of my superiors."

This self-deprecating remark drew laughter from the audience.

"After much thought, I'd like to share my experience with you all. Many people know that I graduated from a vocational college with a degree in photography, but initially I wanted to study acting because I thought I was good-looking and could make a living off my looks."

He paused, a helpless expression on his face. "However, after being rejected by the acting department, I could only go to the photography department. But I still managed to get a role in 'The Return of the Condor Heroes' because of my face. I heard that people are still cursing me online."

The audience burst into laughter, and many of the male actors lamented the fate of the character that had left so many viewers heartbroken—a role they were willing to play for free!

How could we let you act? We can do it too, we're professionals, we can do it without pay!

"Later, something happened, which everyone should know about: the incident of Little Dragon Girl falling into the water."

After I rescued her, Liu Yifei told me she would repay me in the future, but she didn't mention being grateful for my life or pledging her life to me. I knew then that my looks probably weren't enough for me to live off her.

"Hahaha...hahaha!"

The audience immediately erupted in knowing laughter and cheers.

Everyone turned to look at Liu Yifei in the audience—she blushed instantly, glared at Zhao Yanxi on stage with a coquettish look, and then couldn't help but lower her head and cover her mouth to giggle.

The blush that rose to her cheeks was made even more beautiful and charming by the backdrop of her academic gown.

"Say yes!"

"It's not too late to say it now!"

The rising and falling cheers brought the atmosphere to a climax.

"Since looks won't cut it, we'll have to rely on talent," Zhao Yanxi shrugged.

"So I started writing novels. When I received my first royalty payment of 20 yuan, I wanted to assemble a film crew and prepare to become a director."

"However, at that time I had neither money nor people, so I could only beg for alms everywhere."

"The school took pity on me and allowed me to pay for the equipment and post-production costs after the film was released; my classmate Liu Yifei also supported me, not only reducing her salary but also letting me owe her until the film made money."

"And so, with debts accumulating everywhere, my debut film, 'You Are the Apple of My Eye,' was born. I'm very fortunate, and I'm also grateful for the support of many movie fans; it was a small success."

""

"Haha, it's a huge success!"

"That's right, Director Zhao, don't be so modest."

Perhaps it was because Zhao Yanxi spoke so casually that the students seemed quite at ease. It's just that there isn't a "Versailles" yet, otherwise they would definitely be criticizing it as a Versailles.

"actually--

—"

Zhao Yanxi suddenly became serious, and the crowd below the stage stopped joking and looked at the stage intently.

"The purpose of saying all this is simply to tell everyone that there are many opportunities in life!"

"Don't be discouraged by temporary setbacks, and don't be bothered by temporary difficulties. We must always believe in our abilities!"

His gaze swept across the vibrant youthful faces below the stage, finally settling on those smiling almond-shaped eyes.

"Who would have thought that the boy who was rejected by the performing arts department back then would one day stand here and share the sequel to his story with you?"

Snap snap snap snap snap snap—

clap clap clap! ! !

Thunderous applause resounded across the playground, and the school leaders nodded repeatedly, surprised by Zhao Yanxi's eloquence.

"Director Wang, thank you so much for your acting department rejecting Zhao Yanxi!" Mu Deyuan smiled and nudged Wang Jingsong, the head of the acting department, on the shoulder. "Otherwise, our cinematography department might have lost such a great director!"

"roll!"

"After saying so much, do you all mind if I add a little bit of my own opinion?" Zhao Yanxi asked with a smile.

"I don't mind!"

"Director Zhao, just say whatever you want!"

"After today, everyone will graduate. Our company is also expanding this year, so please feel free to submit your resumes!"

After the ceremony, Zhao Yanxi was once again pulled aside by a group of students for a group photo.

Especially those in the performing arts department, none of them wanted to miss the chance to take a photo with Zhao Yanxi.

Jiang Yiyan especially wanted to stick to Zhao Yanxi, especially the female students.

In other words, you can't kill with your eyes, otherwise Zhao Yanxi would have been torn to pieces by Xiao Liu long ago. In the end, Zhao Yanxi had no choice but to suggest taking a group photo with the acting class.

Zhu Yawen and Luo Jin pushed and shoved, pulling Zhao Yanxi into the middle of them.

When Zhao Yanxi saw Liu Yifei right in front of her, she gave the two of them a "thumbs up" look!