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The evening in Hangzhou carried the slight chill of early summer. The girl, carrying her canvas bag, walked back to the staff dormitory of the public theater troupe with somewhat heavy steps.

The camphor trees below the dormitory building cast swaying shadows, and the evening breeze rustled through the leaves, but it couldn't dispel the indescribable sense of loss in her heart.

The results of her hospital visit today were even more disheartening than she had anticipated.

They were unable to obtain Su Ning's contact information, and even knew nothing about his condition after being discharged from the hospital.

The boy who entered her life by accident was like a pebble thrown into the sea, causing only a brief ripple in her heart before disappearing completely into the vast sea of ​​people, leaving no trace.

She pushed open the dormitory door, and a lively atmosphere rushed towards her.

My roommate Zhang Ling was sitting cross-legged on the bed, her eyes glued to the laptop screen, a handful of potato chips in her hand, muttering to herself, "Jun Jun! You're finally back! Come quick! Zhu Yawen's new drama is premiering! 'Under the Zhengyang Gate,' it just started a little while ago!"

Junjun put down her canvas bag, casually draped her jacket over the back of the chair, and asked casually, "Zhu Yawen? Is that the actor who's known as 'walking hormones' and who's in the same class as Liu Yifei?"

She had heard of the popular young male stars in the entertainment industry, but she wasn't a die-hard fan. She usually focused more on opera rehearsals.

"Yes, yes, yes! It's him!" Zhang Ling excitedly patted the empty seat next to her and waved without turning her head. "Come sit down! His portrayal of Han Chunming is so powerful, his acting is superb!"

Infected by her roommate's enthusiasm, Junjun's disappointment lessened a little. She walked over, sat down on the bed, and focused her gaze on the screen.

The plot has now progressed to the second episode. Zhu Yawen, who plays Han Chunming, is wearing a faded shirt and standing at the entrance of Yili Food Factory, his eyes full of longing and determination for the future.

The scene suddenly shifts, and the camera cuts to the workshop of the food factory.

A young worker, dressed in slightly sloppy gray overalls and with somewhat disheveled hair, was leaning against the machine, holding a freshly baked bread in his hand and eating it as if no one else was around.

He always seemed to have a cynical smile on his lips, and when his eyes swept around, he had a bit of a roguish air about him. Yet, when he talked to Han Chunming, he inadvertently revealed a shrewdness and loyalty unique to people from the lower class.

This character is none other than Taozi, the second male lead in the drama.

Wow! Who is this second male lead? He's so handsome!

"My God! This roguish charm is so irresistible! He's even more to my liking than Zhu Yawen!"

"I've never seen him before. Is he a newcomer? His acting is very natural!"

The other two girls in the dormitory, who were originally reading, were also attracted by the characters on the screen and came over, chattering and screaming so loudly they almost lifted the roof off.

These male characters, imbued with a strong sense of chivalry and primal vitality, have a fatal attraction for young girls.

However, amidst the lively discussion, Junjun seemed to be frozen in place, as if she had been put under a spell.

The expression on her face quickly shifted from initial curiosity to astonishment, and then to unbelievable shock.

Her pupils contracted slightly, her beautiful eyes widened, and she stared intently at the young actor on the screen, who was munching on bread with a carefree smile. Her heart felt as if it were being gripped by an invisible hand, and it suddenly started beating faster, making her breathing somewhat rapid.

That face...

Although he wore more mature makeup on screen, his skin tone was deliberately made darker, and his temperament was more outgoing and unrestrained than I remembered, his deep-set eyes, straight nose, and especially the unique brilliance that occasionally shone through his eyes...

A calm demeanor conceals a touch of clarity; a nonchalant attitude masks a hint of seriousness...

You can’t go wrong!
It's him! It's Suning!

The boy she accidentally bumped into on the streets of Hangzhou; the boy who, despite his head injury and pale face, still politely said "It's okay"; the boy she felt guilty about for so long, the boy she searched for desperately but could never find!

"Jun Jun? What's wrong? Why is your face so pale?" Zhang Ling noticed her unusual appearance and touched her arm with concern. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Junjun snapped back to reality, her fingertips feeling a little cold. She suppressed the turmoil surging within her, her voice trembling slightly: "Zhang Ling, this... what's the name of the actor who plays Taozi?"

"I don't know!" Zhang Ling's gaze returned to the screen, and she answered casually, "Judging from the end credits, she seems to be a newcomer. I've never heard of her before. She only flashed by in the opening credits, so I didn't see her name clearly. Why don't you search for her?"

Junjun immediately got up, walked quickly to her desk, and opened her laptop.

Her fingers trembled slightly, and she made several mistakes when typing in the keywords. It took her a lot of effort to finally type in the words "Taozi actor in 'Under the Zhengyang Gate'" and press the search button.

The search results appeared quickly.

Information about the actor playing this role is extremely scarce, consisting of only a few snippets of entertainment news and a newly created encyclopedia entry.

Actor's name: Su Ning.

Place of birth: Qingdao, Shandong.

University/College Attended: None (or not disclosed).

Representative works: "Under the Zhengyang Gate" (playing Taozi), "Parents' Love" (playing Jiang Weimin).

The information was so simple it was almost bland. There was no contact information for the agency, no social media accounts such as Weibo or Douyin, and no detailed introduction of the actor's personal background. It was as if the actor had popped out of thin air and suddenly appeared in this highly anticipated drama.

Junjun stared at the few lines of cold text on the screen, along with the official stills accompanying them…

In the stills, Su Ning is wearing different costumes, sometimes laughing and joking, sometimes looking serious. Every expression is vivid with the character, yet she can clearly find the shadow of the character in her memory.

She leaned back slowly in her chair, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Surprise, realization, disappointment, relief...

A mix of emotions swirled together, like a tangled mess, entwining her heart.

It turns out he went to Beijing and even embarked on an acting career; it turns out he had already participated in big-budget TV dramas like "Under the Zhengyang Gate" and "Parents' Love," and even acted alongside popular young actors like Zhu Yawen, playing important supporting roles...

He succeeded; at least, his starting point was far higher than that of most of his peers who dreamed of becoming actors.

The person she had been searching for for so long had reappeared in her world in such an unexpected way.

But between them lies a cold screen, a vast distance, and a past that can never be relived.

The chatter in the dormitory continued, with Zhang Ling and the others excited about the plot twist, but to Junjun, these sounds gradually faded into the background noise.

She sat quietly for a long time until the laptop screen automatically dimmed, then slowly reached out and closed the laptop.

A barely audible sigh dissipated into the air of the dormitory.

All the obsessions, resentment, guilt, and searching seemed to find a place to rest at this moment, and it was time to let go.

Junjun stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.

The evening breeze, carrying the coolness of early summer, blew in, brushing her cheeks and dispelling the last trace of melancholy.

She gazed at the dark night sky outside the window, at the scattered lights in the distance, as if speaking to the vivid figure on the screen, and also to her own brief but profound past, and whispered:
"Su Ning, it's enough to know that you're doing well."

After saying this, she gently closed the window, turned around and went back to her desk, picking up the opera script for tomorrow's rehearsal.

No matter how wonderful the world on the screen may be, it is ultimately someone else's story. Her life, however, must continue, step by step, earnestly, amidst the sounds of gongs and drums and the flowing sleeves.

……

The premiere of "Under the Zhengyang Gate" on Hubei Comprehensive Channel was like a sudden downpour, instantly sweeping through the calm viewership market and creating waves far exceeding the expectations of everyone in the production team.

This period drama, set against the backdrop of life in old Beijing's hutongs, doesn't feature a cast of popular stars or dazzling special effects. However, it captivated audiences on its premiere night thanks to its solid script that reveals the textures of life, its excellent costumes and props, Zhu Yawen's national appeal as the male lead, and the nuanced performances of a group of veteran actors.

Whether they are older generations who experienced that era or young people curious about hutong culture, they are all attracted by the rich atmosphere of the times and the vivid characters in the drama...

Han Chunming's wit and resilience, Su Meng's charming and willful nature, and Grandpa Guan's insightful wisdom—each character feels real, as if they stepped out of real life, making the audience empathize with them. However, as the plot progresses, a character who wasn't initially a central figure unexpectedly breaks through the ranks and becomes the focus of audience discussion—that is, "Taozi," played by Su Ning.

This hoodlum, dressed in overalls and with messy hair, has a reckless and roguish air about him, but he always reveals a warm and loyal heart at crucial moments.

He would argue with others until he was red in the face for his brother Han Chunming, he would use his cleverness to earn some pocket money in the factory, and he would even throw a childish tantrum because of the girl he had a crush on.

Su Ning brought the character to life: his casualness while eating bread, his cunning when arguing with others, and his decisiveness when standing up for his brothers. Every look and every little movement was so natural that there was no trace of acting.

The audience watched as Taozi went from a naive young man to someone who gradually struggled in life, laughing at his embarrassing moments and feeling sorry for his struggles.

Almost overnight, "Taozi" became a sensation.

Hubei Comprehensive Channel's viewership ratings have been soaring, and forums and online communities are filled with posts discussing Taozi.

"Who is this newcomer playing Taozi? His acting is so natural!"

"Help! Taozi's roguish charm is so captivating! He's even more charming than the male lead!"

"I looked it up, the actor's name is Su Ning, he's from Qingdao! He even played Jiang Weimin in 'Parents' Love'? I wonder when 'Parents' Love' will actually air!"

On Weibo, the hashtags #Taozi'sIdealLife# and #Suning'sActingSkills# quietly climbed to the bottom of the trending topics. Although they weren't top-tier, they were all genuinely popular with viewers.

Suning's old cell phone, which he had long since tossed aside in a corner of a drawer and almost forgotten about, suddenly became lively again.

The constant notification sounds and ringing of the phone broke the tranquility of his exam preparation.

The first call came from Director Kong of "Our Parents' Love." When the call connected, his voice was filled with barely suppressed joy: "Xiao Su! Have you watched 'Under the Zhengyang Gate'? Your portrayal of Taozi was outstanding!"

Director Kong's tone carried a hint of pride, as if he hadn't misjudged the person. "I knew you had talent! You captured Taozi's spirit perfectly! Now you've really made a breakthrough, which is a great start for the upcoming broadcast of 'Parents' Love'! Congratulations!"

Holding her phone, Su Ning felt a warm glow in her heart: "Thank you, Director Kong. You taught me a lot back in the 'Parents' Love' crew. Without that experience, I wouldn't have been able to play Taozi well."

"Don't be so polite with me!" Director Kong said with a smile. "Focus on preparing for the college entrance exam. After you finish, we can talk about future opportunities!"

After hanging up with Director Kong, Teacher Mei called again, her voice gentle and cheerful: "Su Ning! Our whole family is watching 'Under the Zhengyang Gate'! Your portrayal of Taozi is fantastic, so lifelike! My old man even told me, 'This young man acts just like so-and-so from our alley!'"

"Thank you, Teacher Mei," Su Ning replied with a smile.

"By the way," Teacher Mei changed the subject, with a hint of teasing, "I helped Fan Lin get a new drama role before, and now Fan Lin has joined the cast. Honestly, is this girl your girlfriend?"

Su Ning paused for a moment, then smiled honestly: "Yes, we're both from Qingdao. We get along well and that's how we ended up together."

"This girl is good, down-to-earth and hardworking, you must cherish her," Teacher Mei said, her tone as warm as that of a family elder.

"I will, thank you for your concern."

Immediately after, Teacher Guo called, his laughter as hearty as ever: "Good lad! Quietly accomplishing great things!"

Teacher Guo had just returned from the filming of "Where Are We Going, Dad?" and her tone was full of praise: "I watched two episodes of 'Under the Zhengyang Gate,' and you, Taozi, are amazing! You've improved since you were on my set! When you come to Beijing, I'll treat you to hot pot to celebrate!"

"Okay!" Su Ning agreed with a smile, then casually asked, "I heard you and Xiao Shitou are filming 'Where Are We Going, Dad?'?"

"That's right! It'll be airing soon, you have to watch it!" Teacher Guo's tone was full of anticipation. "Let's try to get Little Stone to have as many fans as you!"

“I’ll definitely watch it!” Su Ning said earnestly. “I think you and your son Xiao Shitou will definitely become even more popular because of this show.”

"I'll lend you some good words!"

For the next few days, the phone calls and messages never stopped.

The assistant director Lao Wang, screenwriter Lao Liu, and even extras who worked with the cast of "Parents' Love" all sent messages of congratulations.

"Brother Ning, you're famous! I knew you could do it!"

"Xiao Su, Taozi acted well! Hope we can work together again sometime!"

Every blessing was sincere, and as Su Ning looked at her phone screen, a warm feeling welled up inside her.

He knows that he owes his success to the guidance of these seniors and the experience he gained on set, and he cherishes this kindness in his heart.

……

What warmed Suning's heart the most was a phone call from his girlfriend, Fan Lin.

As soon as the call connected, Fan Lin's excited scream came from the other end: "Su Ning! You're famous! You're really famous!"

Her voice trembled slightly with excitement, but it was full of pride. "I started watching the show yesterday, and when I opened Weibo today, it was all about Taozi! My best friend even came to ask me, 'Is this Su Ning the guy from Qingdao?' When I told her, 'He's my boyfriend,' she was stunned!"

Fan Lin chattered on the other end of the phone, "You don't know, the internet is full of praise for you! Some people say that your portrayal of Taozi is 'both roguish and innocent,' and others say, 'I wish Taozi were my boyfriend'—I'm even jealous!"

She paused, then said seriously, "But seriously, you acted so well. That carefree attitude, and the cleverness in your eye contact, are completely different from the silly boy I first met on set, the one who was buried in the script!"

As Su Ning listened to her voice, a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

The joy of starting a career is certainly real, but the approval and sharing from a loved one is like a warm current flowing straight into the softest part of your heart.

"Sister Lin, this is just the beginning." His tone was calm and confident. "It will get even better in the future."

"I believe in you!" Fan Lin's voice was incredibly firm, then suddenly became playful. "But you can't get arrogant! Next time we meet, you have to sign a hundred autographs for me! I'm going to hoard them, and when you become a superstar, I'll make a fortune off them!"

Both people on either end of the phone laughed, and a sweet atmosphere filled the air through the telephone signal.

……

The atmosphere at home became even more lively.

Wherever Su Daqiang and Wang Xiuying go, they are recognized: "Aren't these Su Ning's parents? Your Ningning's portrayal of Taozi is so good!"

"Daqiang, you are so lucky! Your son is both capable and photogenic!"

Even regular customers at the seafood market would buy an extra two pounds of shrimp and chat with them about Taozi's storyline.

The TV at home is almost always tuned to Hubei Comprehensive Channel, and Wang Xiuying watches the rebroadcasts several times a day. She also cuts out newspaper clippings praising Suning from viewers and pastes them into her notebook, treating them like precious treasures.

Faced with this sudden attention and praise, Suning remained unusually calm.

He responded politely to every congratulation, but was not overwhelmed by the enthusiasm.

He knew perfectly well that the success of a drama was the result of the joint efforts of the script, production, and team, and that he had just happened to get the good role of "Taozi".

Popularity comes and goes quickly. What truly allows one to establish oneself in this industry is not a fleeting topic, but a consistent stream of good works and solid acting skills.

So he still does his daily routine of doing practice problems and memorizing knowledge points without fail, only occasionally browsing through netizens' comments during his breaks.

When he sees viewers say things like, "Taozi reminds me of my childhood neighbor," or "Su Ning's acting is so realistic; I hope he gets more roles," a satisfied smile unconsciously appears on his lips.

He stumbled into the entertainment industry by accident, but now, through his own efforts, he has taken a solid and shining first step.

The sunlight outside the window was just right, and the review materials on the desk were neatly piled up.

His future is like a newly unfolded scroll, waiting for him to paint even more brilliant colors with his sweat and passion, stroke by stroke.

...(End of chapter)