Chinese Entertainment 2017: Starting from the Top Writers

Chapter 8 Traveling Together
After hearing the affirmative response from Lin Li, Tian Xiwei's face flushed with excitement.

She was a girl from Sichuan and Chongqing who went to school in a county town and dreamed of becoming a big star.

Although she is ambitious and confident in herself, she also knows that it is not easy to get into the entertainment industry.

Especially during the year I spent at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, watching so many of my seniors running around to other crews, hustling every day just to play a small role, I felt even more deeply the reality of the cruelty of the entertainment industry.

It can be said that if she relies solely on herself, she really doesn't know when she will become famous.

And now, she is about to become the leading actress in the first play directed by Teacher Nan Xun himself. She knows that her destiny has undergone a drastic change.

"Master Nanxun, don't worry, I will definitely perform well and will definitely not let you down."

Tian Xiwei stood up and bowed deeply to Lin Li, promising with a firm look in her eyes.

"Let's work hard together. This is my first time as a director, so you don't have to keep calling me Nanxun. Since we're going to work together in the future, just call me Ali when we're not on the set."

Lin Li corrected Tian Xiwei's way of addressing her. This little girl was a little too reserved and always put herself in the position of a fan.

"Then I'll call you Brother Ali, is that ok?"

Unexpectedly, the next second Tian Xiwei climbed up the pole, blinking her big eyes and directly called him brother.

"I am indeed one year older than you. Just be happy and stop calling me Nanxun Dada. I always feel like I'm being chased by fans."

Lin Li glanced at Tian Xiwei but didn't think too much about it. After all, his brother at this time didn't have as many ambiguities as in later generations.

"Okay, Brother Ali, do you have any plans for today? If not, I'll take you around our school."

"Then let me treat you to a meal tonight to express my gratitude, how about that?"

When Tian Xiwei heard that Lin Li did not refuse, a barely perceptible sly smile appeared in her eyes, and her eyes curved into crescent shapes.

"I do want to visit the Shanghai Theatre Academy. I'll leave it to you to arrange it."

Lin Li really wanted to see the legendary Shanghai Theatre Academy, so he agreed immediately.

After the agreement was reached, the two of them stood up and left the bookstore together. This place was very close to the entrance of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, and they arrived at the gate in just a few steps. Tian Xiwei took Lin Li to the security guard for a simple registration, and they were allowed in.

"Brother Ali, here on our Huashan Road campus we have the famous Xiong Fusi statue, the Fusi Building of the former Sailors' Club, and the famous Red Building. We also have the Shanghai Theatre Academy Library, Asia's largest drama library, the Duanjun Theater, and the New Space Experimental Theater of the former Sailors' Club where Eileen Chang and Hu Lancheng got married. It's great for taking photos, and it's also one of the favorite places for people outside the school to visit."

Tian Xiwei walked in front and led the way, with her hands behind her back, turning back from time to time to introduce things.

There is a kind of beauty in her sweet smile.

Lin Li listened to Tian Xiwei's pleasant voice and admired her sweet and lovely face, and he was in a very happy mood.

He nodded from time to time to agree with her, letting her know that he was listening carefully.

Maybe because it is winter, there are not many people on campus at this time.

However, this handsome man and beautiful woman combination of Lin Li still attracted the attention of the people around them.

After all, Tian Xiwei was quite famous in that class. I remember that she was also given the title of "campus beauty" of Shanghai Theatre Academy when she was marketed in later generations.

"Xiaotian, what are you doing?"

A long-haired girl wearing a long white coat came towards them. She stared at Lin Li with curiosity and asked Tian Xiwei.

The girl's facial features look comfortable, her smile is peaceful, and she has a kind of classical beauty.

"Ah, Sijie, this is my friend Lin Li. I'm showing him around our school."

Tian Xiwei did not reveal Lin Li's identity and introduced him to the girl.

"Hello, I'm Xiaotian's friend Lin Li. I'd like to ask her to take me to the legendary Shanghai Theatre Academy to see the world."

Lin Li didn't expect to meet another familiar face, Zhang Yaqin, or if she hasn't changed her name yet, she should be called Zhang Sijie.

Zhang Yaqin seemed to have gained some real fame in later life after starring in a web drama called Ancient Lovesickness Song on Bilibili.

However, her career soon faded after her relationship was exposed, and it seems that her career ambition is not that strong.

"Oh, a friend~ As far as I can remember, this is the first time that Xiaotian has brought a friend of the opposite sex to school."

"Hello, I'm her classmate and roommate, Zhang Sijie."

Zhang Yaqin looked at Tian Xiwei with a teasing smile and introduced herself to Lin Li.

"Hey, Sijie, don't talk nonsense, I'm just taking a tour."

Tian Xiwei explained to her roommate a little embarrassedly, but she seemed to be trying to cover up the truth.

Lin Li stood aside with a smile on his face as he watched the two girls whispering in each other's ears. He didn't really think that Xiaotian had any feelings for him.

After all, they just met today, and even with the fan filter, it is not possible for them to have other thoughts so quickly.

It's just that when girls get together, they always gossip about the opposite sex. "We'll have dinner together tonight after shopping, you can come too, Sijie."

Tian Xiwei invited Zhang Yaqin. She wanted her roommate to get to know Lin Li and see if there was a suitable role for her in Lin Li's drama.

But she couldn't expose Lin Li's identity directly, so she could only bring him in as a friend in disguise.

"No, I don't need it. I have plans tonight, so I won't disturb you."

"You guys go shopping first, I have classes, so I'll go first."

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yaqin misunderstood and winked at Tian Xiwei with a mischievous look on her face. She was too tactful and found an excuse to retreat.

"Okay, I'll tell you when I'm done and back in the dorm."

Tian Xiwei said to her good roommate helplessly.

Now that Lin Li was standing aside, she couldn't say too much.

"Okay, okay, have fun, bye handsome, take good care of our Xiaotian!"

Zhang Yaqin said hello to Lin Li and the others, and walked away quickly.

"Well, my roommate thinks too much. Don't mind it, Brother Ali."

Tian Xiwei spoke a little embarrassedly.

"It's okay, it's okay. Girls tend to imagine an idol drama when they see a group like us. Isn't this also a recognition of my looks?"

Lin Li laughed and teased, not taking it seriously at all.

"That's right. Brother Ali is talented and handsome. Who knows which girl will marry him in the future."

Seeing that Lin Li could still joke, Tian Xiwei knew that he really didn't take it to heart, so she followed his words and started joking as well.

"Then it has to be someone like you, Xiaotian. Otherwise, how can you be worthy of your brother Ali?"

Lin Li has lived two lives as a human being and his skin is thicker than a city wall. He followed up on Oda’s words and started teasing her.

"Brother Ali, you, you are so annoying!"

Tian Xiwei opened her mouth, not knowing how to respond for a moment, and stomped her feet with a pouty look.

"Alright, alright. I won't tease you anymore. Let's continue to go to the Red Mansion."

Seeing this, Lin Li stopped teasing her, changed the subject, and walked forward first.

Tian Xiwei looked at Lin Li's back and fiercely clenched her claws, quite dissatisfied with her performance just now.

She took a few deep breaths, calmed herself down, and quickly followed him.

"Brother Ali, wait for me!"

"The Red Building was completed in the autumn of 1956. After many renovations, it still retains the iconic red brick walls of the exterior. The first to third floors are teaching areas for various departments, and the fourth floor has two small experimental theaters, the East Rehearsal Hall and the Black Box. As the main building of the Huashan Road campus of Shanghai Theatre Academy, the Red Building is the starting point for the students of Shanghai Theatre Academy to experience forging and embark on the road of drama. In the eyes of Shanghai Theatre Academy students, it has a special meaning."

Lin Li and Tian Xiwei stood in front of the Red Building, listening to Xiaotian's introduction while looking at the building in front of them. It felt like a tour guide introducing the scenic spots while traveling.

After admiring it for a while, the two continued to move forward, and not far away was the Xiongfo West Tower.

"The Xiong Fuxi Building was built around 1936 and was listed as an excellent historical building by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government in 2005. It is a typical early modern corridor-style building. It was once a place for German businessmen and expatriates living in Shanghai to relax and socialize. It was named the "Telmont Club" at the time. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the building was used as the administrative office of the Central Film Company. After 1955, it became the college's classroom, rehearsal hall, dormitory and canteen. After renovation in 2001, it was named "Xiong Fuxi Building" in memory of the late famous playwright, drama educator, and pioneer of the Chinese drama movement, Xiong Fuxi."

Lin Li looked at Xiaotian beside him as she proudly introduced Xiongfu West Building, and teased her jokingly that she didn't look like she was studying acting but more like she was studying broadcasting, which caused a burst of complaints.

"The Shanghai Theatre Experimental Theatre was founded in 1979 and completed in 1986. It was once one of the best theatres in Shanghai and could accommodate nearly a thousand spectators at the same time."

"Duanjun Theater was rebuilt from an indoor gymnasium in 1956. It is one of the important theaters with a long history in Shanghai Theatre Academy. It is named after Zhu Duanjun, a famous director and drama educator."

"The New Experimental Space was first built in the 20s. It was formerly the dance hall and film projection room of the German Country Club in Shanghai. In 1945, after the second studio of the Central Film Company moved in, it was converted into a film recording studio. Fei Mu, Zhao Dan, Xie Tian, ​​Zhou Xuan and others once performed recording work here."

In one afternoon, Tian Xiwei took Lin Li to tour the entire Shanghai Theatre Academy.

They didn't leave until they both felt a little hungry and went to the hot pot restaurant that Oda had booked in advance.

"Brother Ali, can you eat spicy food?"

Tian Xiwei asked, looking a little worried.

Lin Li also understood. After all, she was a genuine Sichuan and Chongqing girl, and her tolerance for spicy food was unmatched by most people.

"Don't underestimate me, I can eat spicy food."

Lin Li raised his eyebrows and replied confidently.

Then...he became a tragedy!

(End of this chapter)