I'm not a drama freak, I can really see through the script

Chapter 377, Casting for "The Age of Awakening" and Return to Beijing Film Academy

After filming of "Source Code" was completed.

Li Xuan watched as Ke Yang left his body.
It is completely different from the kernel expressed in the original 'source code'.
But it seems that this is the core message I wanted to convey.

[Simulation Ended: Source Code]

[Gain: 10 years of experience in science fiction film production]

This thing is awesome.

Li Xuan was both amused and exasperated as he listened to the rewards the system announced for him.

If I received this award when I was twenty, it would be absolutely horrific.
For someone in the prime of life to receive this reward is not too late.

It was just right.

but.

Li Xuan hadn't seen this kind of 'skill reward' from the system in a long time.

In my dreams, I'm purely making science fiction movies. Ten years have passed.

Wake up the next day.

It has been 'ten years' in my dream.
They have filmed many 'science fiction films'.
And it seems there are many 'classic' movies.

Spielberg Nolan has gone from big-budget productions like Star Wars to special effects films like Sharktorn.

Indeed, it's different from the 'traditional' shooting method.

It's also different from the filming style of movies like "Source Code".
Good morning, Brother Li!

At this moment, Liu Yifei came to wake Li Xuan up, and as soon as Li Xuan opened the door, he hugged Liu Yifei.

Liu Yifei blushed slightly.

"Brother Li, you..."

"haven't seen you for a long time."

Liu Yifei still felt that it had only been one night since they last met.

If we haven't seen each other for just one night, does that mean it's been a long time?
At this moment, Liu Yifei's heart was fluttering a little.
In reverie
Daydreaming!

At this moment, Gao Yuanyuan, who was not far away, saw this scene. She was holding a bowl of local hot soup and ramen in her hand.

But after seeing this scene...
He turned away silently.
"Ten years have passed."

"Ah."

Liu Yifei thought that Li Xuan was saying, "A day apart feels like ten days apart."

Li Xuan took a deep breath and looked at the sun outside.

I remember when I first immersed myself in the system space, I had been immersed, practicing, and learning for many years, but I didn't seem to have that much feeling back then.

But now, occasionally, when I practice in the space, I get some 'distractions'.

There are many more.

Wei Ming, Liu Yifei, and even Teacher Wang, Principal Wang, Han Ping, Jiang Wen, and many others.

Everyone you love, or everyone who loves you.

I wasn't 'single-minded' at all.

But it seems that we learned even more from the experience.
Love and being loved, family and oneself, are not obstacles, absolutely not obstacles.

On the contrary, it's the things that propel me forward. Many things are interconnected; ten years of experience shooting science fiction films can actually be converted into ten years of experience in film planning, shooting, and management.
Prepare yourself for the upcoming wave of big prizes.

This is a very important award given only once every three years.

The box office performance of his own film, "Hidden in the Dust," seems to be influenced by some other voices.

According to Han Ping, someone wanted to use him as a "knife" and a "target".

The fact that this person was actually Zhang Yimou was somewhat unexpected.
Even this "number one in China" doesn't want to let someone else win the big prizes two years later.

They were tasked with "targeting" their fellow artists' box office and reputation, causing them to fall behind.

But it doesn't matter.

My goals are very pure.
In order to create good works and tell good 'stories'.

Win awards, receive system rewards, receive life's rewards, and stand atop the mountain.

The big prize wave two years from now will definitely be the most lucrative "meat grinder" and "battleground" in the last ten or even twenty years.

But those who survived.

That is the king.

After releasing Liu Yifei, Li Xuan pondered for a moment.

"Let's go film 'The Age of Awakening', I can't wait."

The hit TV series "New Three Kingdoms" made one name a household name.

Liu Hewei.

At this moment, look at the results you have achieved.

The Liu Bei portrayed in the drama is not the "Imperial Uncle" who only knows how to cry, but a shrewd and ambitious hero who has the world in his sights.

The clip of "Keep playing the music, keep dancing" went viral across the internet.

The influence of "New Three Kingdoms" has even spread far and wide, and it seems to be gaining momentum in Asia, further strengthening director Gao Xinxin's influence.

This also gave her the opportunity to join a large company like Orange Sky Golden Harvest, and she is now an artist under Sister Wang.

Of course, this Sister Wang is not Wang Jinghua.
"He Wei, there's a car brand that wants you as their spokesperson. You can name your fee!"

"There's another variety show, I'll be a guest star, two days, seven figures in hand!"

"My brother, we've finally made it! The role of Liu Bei has directly elevated your status to the highest level!"

"Many projects have invited you."

Liu Hewei sat on the sofa.

He listened as his agent recited each number.

After playing Liu Bei, he felt completely drained and uncomfortable.

That wasn't a simple character; it was a living, breathing person. He spent a long time figuring it out, getting closer to him, and becoming him.
Now, the show has finished airing, and he's become famous, but he can't find another role that he can be so invested in.
Even when Gao Xinxin approached him to work on a new project, he seemed uninterested.

It seems that's the case.

It feels like I've 'lost' something.

I can't find the strength.

what is it then?

"We'll see," he replied casually.

The agent's smile froze for a moment.

"Brother, are you still going to say that? This is all hard-earned money; you won't get another chance like this!"

Just then, the agent, Sister Wang's, phone rang.

"Hello, I'm looking for teacher Liu Hewei. I'm Li Xuan."

Li Xuan?

Sister Wang was stunned for a moment; this name had recently become very well-known.

The director of "Hidden in the Dust," the young man who turned art films into box office killers.
He is also Zhuge Liang in the TV series "New Three Kingdoms".

"I would like to invite Mr. Liu to play the male lead in my next project," Li Xuan said directly.

Sister Wang's heart skipped a beat.

Li Xuan's films are highly artistic, but... he's also notoriously stingy.

The production cost of "Hidden in the Dust" was widely known in the industry; it was shockingly low.

They even want to make a science fiction movie on a low budget.

She put on a professional smile: "Director Li, you're too kind. My husband Hewei's schedule is a bit full lately. May I ask what kind of project you have? And what's your budget?"

"A mainstream TV series, The Age of Awakening."

"I hope Teacher Yu can play Chen Duxiu."

"As for the salary... it probably won't be too high, after all, we need to consider the budget."

Sister Wang almost burst out laughing after hearing this.

Main theme?
TV drama?
Low pay?

What era are we living in? Who still watches that stuff?
The decline of martial arts films and the decline of anti-Japanese war dramas began after "Bright Sword" and "My Chief and My Regiment". Mainstream works are critically acclaimed but not commercially successful.

"I'm sorry, Director Li, He Wei doesn't have any plans to take on any TV dramas for the time being, especially... this kind of subject matter. His schedule is already booked until the second half of next year, so I'm really sorry."

After saying that, she prepared to hang up the phone.

But at this time.

Liu Hewei snatched the phone.

you say.

This is Li Xuan
"It's me, Liu Hewei!"

"I... I agree!"

Under Sister Wang's astonished gaze, Liu Hewei readily agreed to Li Xuan's plan.

Is this still the same Liu Hewei who is picky and doesn't even bother to take on projects from big-name directors in the industry?

is that you!

At this moment, Li Xuan smiled slightly and said.

"Aren't you going to listen to what the plan is?"

"I'd do even if you asked me to star in your low-budget sci-fi film—as long as you're the lead, as long as I can act opposite you."

When Liu Hewei heard Li Xuan's voice.

I realized what I was 'lacking'. When I heard the name Li Xuan, my cells were awakened.

Thirst, cells!
That's Li Xuan.

It's Li Xuan!

What it's like to act with him
When acting with him, I felt completely immersed in the scene!

"Chen Duxiu, go and find out about it."

"Okay!" Liu Hewei replied with only one word, crisp and decisive, resounding with conviction.

The phone hangs up.

Sister Wang looked at Liu Hewei with an expression that looked like she had swallowed a fly, and it took her a long time to recover.

"You're insane! You're insane!" She finally couldn't hold back anymore, her voice becoming several octaves higher. "Liu Hewei! Do you know what you just agreed to? Mainstream ideology! TV series! Low pay! Put these three together, and you're basically committing career suicide!"

She pointed to a thick stack of business plans on the table, her hands trembling with anger.

"You're offering endorsements for top luxury cars here and leading roles in movies worth tens of millions there! You're turning down both, and instead you're taking on a TV series you've never even heard of? And this kind of subject matter at that?"

Liu Hewei ignored her roaring. He simply walked to the window and looked at the bustling traffic outside, as if he had come back to life.

The emptiness and sense of being lost that followed "New Three Kingdoms" vanished the moment I received Li Xuan's call.

“Sister Wang,” Liu Hewei turned around, his eyes clearer than ever before, “money can be earned anytime, but the chance to act with Zhuge Liang again, once missed, is truly gone.”

She looked at the almost obsessive expression on Liu Hewei's face, a pure desire for "play" that belongs to an actor.

Sister Wang saw it.

He was "hungry".

"I don't care anymore!" Sister Wang plopped back down on the sofa, waving her hand listlessly. "Do whatever you want! If the company asks later, just say Li Xuan has cast a spell on you."

She really wanted to give up on Liu Hewei.

What companies need are tools.

It's not about these so-called actors who pursue 'art'.
……

Having secured Chen Duxiu's replacement, Li Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

The drama "Awakening Age" has a large cast of characters, but only a few are truly pivotal.

Chen Duxiu had found the most suitable person, and next up was another crucial figure—Cai Yuanpei.

The president of Peking University, who advocates "inclusivity and freedom of thought".

This role requires a gentle and refined scholarly temperament, as well as a humble and approachable demeanor despite holding a high position.

A face immediately flashed into Li Xuan's mind.

Instead of making another call, he drove straight to a familiar place.

Nortel.

The car stopped at the school gate, and Li Xuan looked at the familiar plaque, feeling somewhat dazed.

Years have passed, and I have gone from a student who had to look up to this place to a name that no one in the film and television industry can ignore.

Without alerting anyone, he put on a hat and mask and quietly walked into the campus.

The campus was quiet in the afternoon, with only the chirping of cicadas and the sound of basketballs bouncing from the distant playground.

Guided by his memory, he walked to the performing arts department's teaching building.

The classroom of the 2002 undergraduate class still has its nameplate.

He pushed open the half-closed door, and there sat a figure with gray hair and reading glasses, sitting behind the podium, grading something.
Four years have passed.

Teacher Wang
He is old too.

"Teacher Wang," Li Xuan called softly.

The man looked up, adjusted his glasses, and after recognizing the person, a look of surprise appeared on his face, which quickly turned into a relieved smile.

"Xiao Xuan? You little rascal, what brings you back?"

Wang Jinsong was the class advisor of the 2002 undergraduate class of the Performance Department at Beijing Film Academy, and also Li Xuan's mentor back then.

"I've come back to see you." Li Xuan took off his mask, pulled up a chair and sat down by the podium. "By the way, I'd like to ask you to come out of retirement and do me a favor."

"Oh?" Wang Jingsong became interested and put down the red pen in his hand. "You're a big director now, what could you possibly need an old man like me for?"

His tone was somewhat teasing, but his eyes were full of pride as he looked at Li Xuan.

My student is the pride of the entire Beijing Film Academy.

"I'd like to ask you to play a role," Li Xuan said bluntly.

Wang Jinsong paused for a moment, then waved his hand and smiled.

"Don't make fun of me, teacher. This old man has spent his whole life dealing with the podium and chalk, how could he possibly act?"

“You don’t need to act.” Li Xuan’s expression was very serious. “You just need to be yourself.”

He took a script out of his bag and handed it over.

"The Awakening Era is a TV series about that period of history. I would like to invite you to play the role of Mr. Cai Yuanpei."

Wang Jinsong paused, his hand holding the script still.

Cai Yuanpei.

The weight of this name is far too heavy for an intellectual who has dedicated his life to teaching and nurturing students.

He lowered his head and opened the script, but after reading only a few pages, his brows gradually furrowed.

Li Xuan didn't disturb him, but just waited quietly.

He knew that for someone like Teacher Wang, any flowery words would be superfluous.

The script itself is the best form of persuasion.

After a long while, Wang Jinsong finally raised his head, took off his glasses, and rubbed his slightly sore eyes.

“This notebook… is very well written,” he remarked. “It has structure, warmth, and soul.”

“But, Xiao Li, I can’t play this role.” Wang Jinsong shook his head. “What kind of person was Mr. Cai Yuanpei? I’m too ordinary now. I’m afraid that if I play the role, I will disgrace his integrity.”

This was not a refusal, but rather a heartfelt expression of awe and fear.

"Teacher Wang,"

“Those actors can portray Mr. Cai’s ‘form’ and imitate his demeanor and accent. But they can’t capture Mr. Cai’s ‘spirit’.”

"You can do it. I trust that."

Just like how you mentored me back then.

Li Xuan stood up and bowed deeply to Wang Jinsong.

"Teacher Wang, I didn't invite you to act."

"I would like to ask you to bring back the spirit of Mr. Cai Yuanpei, so that today's young people can see that we once had such a great educator."

The entire office was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Wang Jingsong stared blankly at his most outstanding student, at the fire burning in his eyes.

Li Xuan, who has remained unchanged from the past to the present.
This kid has a magical ability to turn the impossible into the possible.

He remained silent for a long time, so long that Li Xuan thought he was going to refuse.

Wang Jinsong put his glasses back on, picked up the script on the table, and patted it lightly.

"Row."

He said only one word.

Then, he looked up at Li Xuan, his eyes gleaming behind his glasses.

"But I have a condition."

"You say."

“Since we’re going to act in this, I need to thoroughly research this principal. Besides the script, you have to find me all the information about him.”

Wang Jinsong stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the energetic students below.

"Also, after this film is finished, you have to come back and give my students a big lecture. After all, you are now a visiting professor at the Beijing Film Academy."

"Am I not a guest lecturer?"

“The visiting lecturer thing was so long ago. You’re a visiting professor at Beijing Film Academy now,” Wang Jinsong said with a chuckle. “Go tell them about it; they’re all really eager to meet their idol.”

(End of this chapter)