Chinese Entertainment 2017: Starting from the Top Writers

Chapter 392: Playing Again, Oda's Sense of Crisis
This was the second time that Lin Li visited the Shanghai Theatre Academy, so although he nodded frequently to Huang Changyong's introduction, he was not very interested.

In fact, what he wanted to do most now was to catch up on some sleep with the fragrant Xiaotian, um... the vegetarian kind.

However, he would not be negligent towards Dean Huang next to him. After all, this person was a man of real ability.

In addition to being the dean of Shanghai Theatre Academy, Huang Changyong is also the editor-in-chief of "Arts Management" magazine, the initiator and chief expert of the World City Culture Collaborative Innovation Center, a professor and doctoral supervisor, and also a professor and doctoral supervisor at Tongji University.

As a serious big shot in the entertainment industry, he should naturally give corresponding respect when others treat him with such a ceremony.

So, Lin Li started his second journey to the Shanghai Theatre Academy. The difference was that this time, besides Xiaotian, there were also a group of leaders from the Shanghai Theatre Academy and a tide of students watching over him.

Their first stop was the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

Shanghai Theatre Academy is the only theater that may charge admission, the others are free. It is also the largest performance theater in Shanghai Theatre Academy.

It is worth mentioning the New Experimental Space Theater, which was formerly the once popular French Concession Dance Hall. Shanghai Theatre Academy has largely retained the original appearance of the New Experimental Space.

Apart from the theater, the sunroom is probably the most used room in the theater. According to Huang Changyong, it is usually used as a meeting room.

It is said that there is a glass house where Eileen Chang and Hu Lan got married.

Huang Changyong joked that if Lin Li had not come here today, he would often see teachers holding meetings here in the afternoon, or occasionally many students having discussions here.

Next they walked to the library. Lin Li felt that the library was the simplest and most modern building in the entire Shanghai Theatre Academy. Huang Changyong said that here you don’t have to worry about queuing, you can just pick a good book and enjoy the afternoon.

When the sun is shining brightly, you can sit on the steps to enjoy the sunshine and feel the leisurely and comfortable feeling that is unique to Shanghai Theatre Academy.

Lin Li really wanted to tell him that since you are an art school at Renmin University, the seats in the library are extremely tight.

For example, when he was a freshman, his identity was not yet public. Once, in order to get a seat in the library, he sacrificed his looks and chatted with a senior student for a long time until Chen Chao took the seat.

Tsk...it’s not easy when you think about it.

During the tour, the old retro buildings of Shanghai Theatre Academy can be seen everywhere, and the old wooden stairs connect the performance room and the theater.

The student apartments are located on the left side of the school gate, probably only a 5-minute walk from the Red Building.

The exterior walls are covered with ivy, which looks particularly vibrant under the spring sunshine.

The best description of Shanghai Theatre Academy is "a winding path leading to a secluded place". With green paths everywhere, no one knows what will appear around the next corner. Although the campus of Shanghai Theatre Academy is not big, the path is winding and it is easy to get lost without a guide.

The green vegetation was everywhere, completely different from the last time Lin Li came here in winter.

What’s interesting is that there are many cat food and cat beds everywhere on campus. Huang Changyong said with a smile that these were prepared spontaneously by employees or students to provide a warm home for the kittens.

Lin Li smiled and nodded, while glancing at Tian Xiwei standing beside him.

I just wonder if there is a little wild cat from Sichuan and Chongqing among these caring students?

Tian Xiwei noticed his gaze and looked at him with wide eyes, not knowing why. Her long, curly eyelashes trembled and blinked, just like a curious cat.

Lin Li smiled and quickly looked away, causing Tian Xiwei to secretly grin at his back.

Huang Changyong introduced that most of the school’s office buildings were named after the veterans of Shanghai Opera, such as Zhongyi Building and Jianwu Building, saying that this was both a commemoration of the predecessors and an encouragement to the younger generations.

Lin Li still agrees with this point, and it is indeed worth remembering.

It was in the Red Mansion that Lin Liduo stopped for a while. After all, it was as famous as the Qinglou in the Central Academy of Drama and the Gray Mansion in the Beijing Film Academy. It was said that here you could often see people writing scripts late into the night and rehearsing plays day and night. Many outstanding performers had also emerged from here.

The classrooms of the Performance Department in the Red Mansion are not arranged with desks and chairs like regular classrooms. Instead, props are placed according to the plays being rehearsed.

The school anthem of Shanghai Theatre Academy was loudly engraved on a stone and erected on the lawn in front of the Red Building.

Lin Li felt that he was not so tired the last time he visited with Xiaotian. Today, with such a big event, he felt a little tired physically and mentally.

After all, there was a group of enthusiastic students from the Shanghai Theatre Academy who were taking pictures with their mobile phones.

He glanced at the time and it was already a little after twelve o'clock. Huang Changyong specially invited him to experience the cafeteria of Shanghai Theatre Academy. He was also curious which one was better, the cafeteria of Shanghai Theatre Academy or the cafeteria of Renmin University, so he readily agreed.

There is only one cafeteria on the Huashan Road campus of Shanghai Theatre Academy, and its name is simple and straightforward: Campus Restaurant.

It is lunchtime now. In addition to students, there are many teachers or retired teachers queuing up to buy meals. It seems that teachers may love cafeteria meals more than students.

When we arrived at the cafeteria entrance, Chen Gang, director of the Performance Department, joked that it was common to run into "stars" in the queue, and the chances were higher than anywhere else in the school.

The arrival of Lin Li and others attracted the attention of students and teachers who were having dinner. Although many students looked excited, they could only suppress their excitement when they saw all the college leaders were there, and kept looking over.

So, the group entered the cafeteria in a mighty procession, sat around two long tables temporarily put together in the cafeteria hall, and prepared to start today's lunch.

What’s interesting is that when sitting down, Huang Changyong deliberately asked Xiaotian to sit on his right.

Tsk... worthy of being the dean.

"The menu in our cafeteria changes every day. There aren't many types of dishes, but the taste of each dish is very good. It can be said that they are colorful, fragrant and delicious. The key is that the price is very affordable. You can try it to see if it suits your taste."

Huang Changyong looked at Lin Li and recommended enthusiastically.

"I was just wondering how it compares to the cafeteria at Renmin University. I'm looking forward to it."

Lin Li smiled and said expectantly.

“I highly recommend the braised hairtail fish and pork ribs, they are really delicious.”

Tian Xiwei raised her fair and tender little hand and said with a smile.

"Okay, then let's try what classmate Tian said." Lin Li turned to look at her, and deliberately bit the "Tian" very hard.

"I will definitely not let Teacher Nanxun down."

Tian Xiwei seemed to be addicted to role-playing, and looked very respectful.

"Wait and see."

Lin Li smiled with his lips slightly raised.

Huang Changyong and other Shanghai Theatre Academy leaders looked at the interaction between Lin Li and Tian Xiwei with mixed eyes, and all showed tacit smiles.

It seems that Tian Xiwei and Teacher Nan Xun have a very close relationship. It was indeed the right decision not to punish her for throwing wine last time.

Soon, several students brought the dishes over one after another. When placing the dishes, their eyes frequently lingered on Lin Li. If Chen Gang hadn't urged them, they would have been reluctant to leave.

"How about giving it a try, Teacher Nanxun?"

"I hope Teacher Nanxun won't think we didn't entertain him well enough."

When all the dishes were served, Huang Changyong raised his hand to gesture to the dishes on the table.

"What are you talking about, Principal? I am also a student and I am a frequent visitor to the Renmin University cafeteria."

Lin Li raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a bright smile.

"Then please, Teacher Nanxun."

"Please, Dean too."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two began to eat, and the others who were accompanying them also started to eat.

The braised hairtail recommended by Oda is really good and very crispy, but you have to be careful when eating it because it has many small bones. The meat in the middle is very tender.

The thin skin of the big piece of meat was very chewy, with both fat and lean meat, and with the rich and oily sauce of Old Shanghai, Lin Li ate the whole piece without feeling sick.

The sauce of the braised pork ribs was very flavorful and was completely absorbed into the meat. Lin Li nodded repeatedly and gave Tian Xiwei a thumbs up.

Tian Xiwei's big eyes narrowed into a line in pride, her eyelashes moved slightly, and the corners of her lips couldn't help but curl up.

Lin Li smiled, what a boastful person who would shine with just a little sunshine.

Everyone ate and chatted at the same time, talking about everything from the development history of Shanghai Theatre Academy to the outstanding students in recent times. Xiao Ying even went out of her way to praise Tian Xiwei in front of Lin Li. It was a rare occasion for him to see a shy expression on Xiao Tian's face.

The cafeteria of Shanghai Theatre Academy gradually became more and more crowded, with every seat being taken.

Many students who had finished their meal did not leave. Instead, they took out their phones and frequently took pictures of Lin Li, then looked at him excitedly and posted on their Moments and Weibo.

Huang Changyong was in high spirits and held Lin Li's hand tightly, unwilling to let go. The atmosphere was harmonious as they chatted enthusiastically.

until……

"Hey! Why is Wang Churan here?"

An unknown student suddenly exclaimed, and Lin Li and the others who were talking all subconsciously responded and looked towards the cafeteria entrance.

At the first sight, a tall and beautiful figure came into everyone's sight.

After seeing Wang Churan's outfit, many boys in the cafeteria's eyes lit up.

Of course, Lin Li is no exception.

Even though he had just climbed out of the girl's belly not long ago, he was still amazed by her at this moment.

Wang Churan was wearing a pure black short dress with thin straps, a corrugated neckline, and a small metallic belt, all of which were very eye-catching.

The exquisite design in details enhances the sense of fashion to a certain extent. A black slim-fit suit is layered on the outside. The whole look looks very high-end, full of pure desire and very seductive.

Her face was already very beautiful, and at this moment she was wearing delicate makeup, with her long hair loose, her eyes and eyebrows sparkling, and the pink corners of her lips glowing with a crystal luster in the sun, making people unable to help but linger on her lips for a few more seconds.

Lin Li looked at the pair of straight long legs that he was holding in his hands and playing with yesterday, and a hint of heat flashed in his eyes.

Her long legs are plump and well-proportioned, white like jade pillars, with smooth and elegant lines.

The high heels elongated her calves, making her white heels appear tighter, and her snow-smooth skin made the slender curves of her legs look more attractive and pleasing to the eye.

Many people in the cafeteria were attracted by her cool outfit, and then subconsciously shifted their gaze to Lin Li... and Tian Xiwei beside him!
After all, Shanghai Theatre Academy is such a small place with so many people. Although Xiao Ying quickly dealt with the incident at the year-end gala, almost everyone knew about it through word of mouth among those present.

Now the two of them are in the same frame again, and Lin Li, who made Tian Xiwei famous, is also here. Everyone present is eager to see how things will develop.

Tian Xiwei subconsciously narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips the moment she saw Wang Churan for the first time.

Wang Churan glanced around and soon locked his eyes on Lin Li, with joy in his eyes. Just as he was about to step over, he saw the college leaders and Tian Xiwei beside Lin Li and realized that it seemed inappropriate, so he could only hesitate where he was.

"Chu Ran, come here."

At this moment, Lin Li shouted at her with a smile on his face. The noise in the entire cafeteria suddenly became much quieter. The people present glanced back and forth between the two of them, all with a look of surprise on their faces.

Tian Xiwei tensed her body suddenly and turned to look at Lin Li, who had a calm expression beside her, with disbelief in her eyes.

Lin Li...what do you want to do?
(End of this chapter)