Huayu: Starting with binding the front desk

On the morning of February 16, Tian Xiwei returned to Beijing from her hometown.

Although the Beijing Film Academy hasn't started its semester yet, Yang Yangjin has already arranged for her to play the lead role in a web series, which requires her to audition.

Although she is still a freshman in college and is not allowed to take on acting roles in principle, she can do so with the school's permission.

In theory, the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama are the same; freshmen and sophomores should focus on building a foundation and are not allowed to act.

However, the Beijing Film Academy is more lenient in its management, while the Central Academy of Drama thoroughly implements this ironclad rule, which is the origin of the stereotype that "the Beijing Film Academy produces stars, while the Central Academy of Drama produces actors."

Inside Qinghe Entertainment's training room, Tian Xiwei wrapped her arms around Wang Zhe's neck, leaned against his back, rested her chin on his shoulder, and stared at her phone screen with him.

"Not out yet? So slow," she muttered to herself.

"What, you got out so quickly last year?" Wang Zhe felt the softness on his back, turned his head, and the two were almost face to face.

Tian Xiwei took the opportunity to kiss him on the cheek and said with a grin, "Hehe, I forgot."

Zhang Jingyi sat to the side, unsure whether to look or not.

Why is Tian Xiwei even more direct than Wang Cheran? Wang Cheran only hugged and cuddled, but why is this one going straight to talking?

Tian Xiwei was completely unaware of the turmoil Zhang Jingyi was experiencing. She looked at Zhang Jingyi and asked, "Jingyi, has it loaded for you yet?"

Although Zhang Jingyi was also holding her phone, her mind wasn't on checking her grades at all. She only glanced down when Xiao Tian asked, and said, "They're out."

"Quick, look! Isn't Wang Zhe in first place?" Tian Xiwei immediately let go of Wang Zhe and ran to Zhang Jingyi's side.

The list does not display names, only exam admission ticket numbers.

Zhang Jingyi looked at the first number and immediately called it out—sure enough, it was Wang Zhe.

"I knew it, that brat would definitely be number one, Jingyi, hurry up and find yours," Tian Xiwei urged.

Unlike Wang Churan, she harbored no hostility towards Zhang Jingyi and never considered her a rival in love from the beginning.

In her view, Wang Zhe had already agreed to her request, and the others were at most good friends.

But she had no idea that Wang Zhe didn't think that way at all—he wanted both.

Zhang Jingyi scrolled down for a long time before finally finding her exam admission ticket number in the 200s: "206th place".

Wang Zhe could tell she was in low spirits, so he comforted her, "It's good that you passed the first test. It was just a three-minute poetry recitation, and lines aren't your strong suit."

Zhang Jingyi nodded; she herself knew where her shortcomings lay.

"But the second round of auditions also includes recitation, and vocal music and physical performance aren't my strong points either..." she said, looking pitifully at Wang Zhe.

She has completely figured it out in the past few days.

Compared to Tian Xiwei and Wang Churan, she was too passive before. She learned from the internet that boys like girls to act cute and charming.

Wang Zhe was a little unaccustomed to her sudden change—was this still the same dark-skinned girl he knew?

However, he still replied, "It's okay. The second round of interviews selects people from over three hundred to make it to the third round. Your ranking is within the safe range. If nothing unexpected happens in the third round, you'll be in my group."

"But I'm still a little nervous. Will you practice your lines with me tonight?" Zhang Jingyi looked at him earnestly.

Wang Zhe nodded: "Okay, I'll practice your solo improvisation performance one more time with you."

  

Tian Xi glanced at Zhang Jingyi; something was wrong, very, very wrong.

She suggested, "I'll practice with you guys tonight too, and I can give you some pointers."

"Sister Xiaotian, aren't you going to an audition tomorrow? Won't that be too much trouble?" Zhang Jingyi said slowly.

Wang Zhe was completely numb.

Is this the Zhang Jingyi I know?

Why does your tone of voice sound like that emo's mother?

The Central Academy of Drama (CAD) released its preliminary results and began its second round of auditions on the same day the preliminary results were released, one step ahead of the Beijing Film Academy (BFA). By the time the BFA preliminary results came out, Zhang Jingyi and Wang Zhe had already completed their second round auditions at the CAD.

The second round of auditions for the musical theatre major only lasted three days, and the results have already been released—Wang Zhe ranked first in the male group, and also first among all candidates.

Wang Churan also applied for musical theatre, ranking fourth in the girls' group. She and Wang Zhe participated in the third round of auditions on the 18th.

On the morning of the 18th, Wang Zhe and Wang Churan went to the Central Academy of Drama to participate in the third round of auditions.

The audition for musical theatre is different from that for performance. In addition to a skit with multiple people, it also requires an assessment of a complete musical theatre song and dance routine.

The program assesses students across all aspects of performance, music, and dance, making it one of the most demanding majors.

However, compared to film and television performance, there are fewer applicants and the competition is not as intense, but those who make it to the third round are all truly talented.

After half a day of exams, Wang was completely exhausted.

As soon as she stepped out of the exam room, she grabbed Wang Zhe's neck and said in a soft voice, "Little brother, can you carry me out? My legs won't obey me, and I keep wanting to kneel on the ground."

Seeing her pouting and acting coquettishly, Wang Zhe said irritably, "I won't carry it. There are media outlets everywhere outside. Do you want to trend on social media?"

"What are you afraid of? I'm your sister, not an outsider." Wang Chanran persisted, she was really too tired, she came to take the exam as soon as her plane landed in the morning.

"Not by blood."

"But we're closer than blood relatives," Wang said, rubbing her face against him.

But Wang Zhe remained unmoved. She simply squatted down on the ground and said, "I can't go on. If you don't carry me, I won't walk anymore."

Wang Zhe shrugged: "Then you can stay squatting there. I'm going back now."

As they were arguing, a girl jogged towards them.

"Hello, Wang Zhe, our director would like to see you." The girl stopped in front of Wang Zhe, speaking politely.

Upon seeing that there were outsiders present, Wang immediately stood up and gave the girl a sour look.

Wang Zhe felt the girl in front of him looked somewhat familiar: "What's your name? Have we met before?"

After asking, he felt it was a bit abrupt, so he added, "You just look familiar, don't misunderstand."

Wang Cherish punched him in the back in an annoyed tone: "You brat, do you think every girl looks familiar?"

"Oh, my name is Yao Xiaotang. You probably haven't seen me before, but I know you very well." Yao Xiaotang introduced herself in a generous manner.

When Wang Zhe heard the name, he immediately knew why it looked familiar.

Yao Xiaotang was the top female student in the 16 Musical Theatre major at the Central Academy of Drama, and later became a well-known new generation singer.

The two had indeed met a few times in their previous lives.

She has a pretty good singing ability, but some of the songs she has put forward are only suitable for female voices. Qinghe Entertainment is currently lacking someone like her.

He had already decided to sign Yao Xiaotang, but now was not the time to discuss it.

Wang Zhe turned to Wang Cheran: "Sister, why don't you go outside and wait for me?"

Wang Cherished and rolled her eyes at him: "Now that there are girls around, you know to call me 'sister'?"

After saying that, he walked outside, knowing in his heart that it must be the Central Academy of Drama that wanted to find Wang Zhe.

"Take me to see your director," Wang Zhe said to Yao Xiaotang after Wang Cheran walked away.

On the way to the director's office, Yao Xiaotang asked curiously, "Was that girl really your sister?"

"Yeah, is that so strange?"

Wang Zhe nodded, then began to make up a story: "Her name is Wang Churan, and my name is Wang Zhe. We are twins."

"Oh? Is that so? But I've never heard of you having twins, and you two don't even look alike." Yao Xiaotang frowned, looking puzzled.

Wang Zhe smiled and continued making up a story: "Only twins look alike. We are fraternal twins. We looked alike when we were little, but we don't look alike anymore now that we're older."

"Is that so..."

Wang Zhe chuckled inwardly; Yao Xiaotang was really easy to fool.

After entering the director of the admissions office, Wang Zhe came out a dozen minutes later and found Yao Xiaotang still waiting at the door.

"Why are you still here?"

Yao Xiaotang didn't answer, but looked at him with a hint of resentment: "Is it fun to lie to me? I just checked on my phone, she was born in January, more than half a year later than you, and you're telling me she's a twin?"

"I was just talking nonsense. Who knew you would believe such an absurd thing?" Wang Zhe said helplessly, spreading his hands.

Yao Xiaotang pouted: "Actually, you don't need to lie to me. I won't tell anyone that she's your girlfriend."

After a pause, she asked again, "But wouldn't you call this puppy love?"

"What are you thinking? She really is my sister, but she's from my uncle's family." Wang Zhe quickly explained, afraid that the girl would continue to overthink things.

"Oh, I see. You're quite funny."

Yao Xiaotang smiled and said, "Let me take you out."

Wang Zhe nodded, then, remembering the idea he had just come up with, casually asked, "Have you signed with the company yet?"

"Not yet, I'm only a freshman, no rush."

"Are you interested in coming to Qinghe Entertainment?" Wang Zhe asked directly.

For him, whether Yao Xiaotang agreed or refused didn't matter—the system didn't actively prompt him about the binding object, indicating that the binding wasn't arbitrary.

He just needs someone who can sing. Even if Yao Xiaotang refuses, Chen Zhuoxuan, Xilinna Yigao, and Duan Aojuan are all good new generation female singers. At this time, they should not have signed with a company yet.

"Qinghe Entertainment?" Yao Xiaotang tilted her head, thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Never heard of it."

Wang Zhe was utterly speechless: "Didn't you just check? You knew Wang Chiran was born in January, but you didn't know she works for the same company as me, and you didn't know my company is called Qinghe Entertainment?"

"Oh? It's your company? I didn't notice." Yao Xiaotang quickly waved her hand.

Before they knew it, the two had already left the examination area. Wang Zhe smiled and said, "Alright, I know the way. Goodbye."

He didn't want to talk anymore.

"Hey, wait a minute..."

Just as Wang Zhe was about to leave, Yao Xiaotang grabbed him, saying, "You asked me to sign with your company, but you haven't given me your contact information yet."

Wang Zhe reluctantly took out his phone and opened the WeChat QR code: "Scan me, and contact me when you've thought it through."

After exchanging contact information, Yao Xiaotang watched Wang Zhe's departing figure, a faint smile curving her lips.

High-level hunters often appear as the prey.