My girlfriend was reborn.

Chapter 166 Sparrows Perched on Stone Lions

On the third day of classes after the National Day holiday, the sky began to darken the night before.

The weather forecast had been predicting severe convective weather since the morning, so many students brought umbrellas to class to avoid getting soaked.

Zhou Heming listened to the lecture and took notes in the classroom, and he had a very strange feeling.

Previously, when he watched movies, he was mostly immersed in the plot, as if he were experiencing another life.

Later, because he aspired to become a screenwriter, he consciously began to detach himself and experience the presentation of film shots, lighting, and dialogue.

But after actually learning, Zhou Heming realized that there was still a lot he needed to do.

For example, his course assignment right now is to watch a film and recreate it as a script.

This clip is a classic opening scene from the first Godfather movie. It consists of dialogue, and a long monologue at that. As homework assigned on the first day of class, the teacher will be explaining it to us today.

"Let's take a look at this student's homework."

The teacher in charge of this course was surnamed Liang. He was about forty years old and spoke with a strong, rhythmic voice, like a stage actor.

He selected the assignments of several representative students, scanned them, and anonymously projected them for everyone to comment on.

What do you all think of this student's script?

Everyone looked at the projection.

"Tell me about it."

Teacher Liang immediately pointed to Su Hong, who was eager to try in the front row.

"He arranged all the dialogue together, which made it difficult for the actors and director to know where to pause, adding trouble to the set."

Su Hong stood up decisively and answered.

"Yes, this involves camera movement. Although the crew can try to determine which way of presenting the lines is better on set, it also indirectly wastes time."

Teacher Liang gestured for Su Hong to sit down.

"Did any other students notice anything wrong?"

He looked around and his gaze fell on Jiang Rui beside him.

"It only has dialogue, without corresponding actions or camera descriptions, just like a novel."

Jiang Rui replied, thinking to himself that this definitely wasn't the homework of a student taking a targeted exam; they didn't even understand basic common sense!

"Indeed, the difference between a screenplay and a novel is that a screenplay is a practical form of literature, and screenwriters need to incorporate their own vision of the scene when writing it."

Teacher Liang nodded.

“Some students might say that the shots and visuals are the director’s job. Indeed, many directors are meticulous and ponder a single shot repeatedly, and they may have brilliant ideas. However, in the future, we will not be working with those well-known directors at home and abroad. It is more likely that the other party has only worked for a few more years than you, and there are also many who are just going through the motions and filming exactly as the script is written.”

"Can't we also clock in for work?"

A student below chimed in jokingly.

"of course can."

Instead of scolding her, Teacher Liang smiled and spread her hands.

"In fact, among all the graduates over the years, only a small number have truly dedicated themselves to film and television creation, becoming well-known screenwriters and participating in the production of films released in theaters and TV series broadcast on television each year. Most of them either change careers or end up writing advertising copy in obscure places that no one may read. In those situations, it's hard not to go to work and clock in."

Upon hearing his words, the classroom fell silent.

"Are we already facing the problem of finding a job when we're only freshmen?"

Su Hong muttered something to herself.

"However, as a teacher, I would ask everyone to take their scripts as seriously as possible, because your opportunity may very well be hidden in those carelessly written scripts."

Teacher Liang steered the conversation back on track.

"After all, the industry circle is not large. Unless you are a real genius, newcomers often have to rely on connections for job opportunities. If you are too perfunctory, it will eventually affect you. To put it another way, if you become famous in the future, it would be quite embarrassing if someone found your perfunctory notes from your early years."

"That's true, unlike Weibo posts which can be deleted."

Su Hong touched her chin, indicating that it made perfect sense.

"If you keep it, it will definitely become a black mark on your history."

Jiang Rui seemed to already know the day he would become famous.

"We've gone off on a tangent. Let's take another look. What other problems are there with this script? Can you tell us?"

Teacher Liang glanced around and pointed to Zhou Heming, who was sitting in the second row behind Su Hong.

"Yes, there are some inappropriate descriptions in this script, such as 'complex expression,' 'eyes like flames of revenge,' and 'gaze as cold as a blade.' These are descriptions that the director and actors find difficult to understand and are redundant."

He pointed to some emoji descriptions.

"That's right. The language of a script is different from that of a novel. It requires conciseness and accuracy. Dialogue can have artistic embellishments and memorable lines that fit the character, but scene descriptions should be as simple as possible and easy to understand, so that people can understand them at first glance."

Teacher Liang nodded.

"Simply put, through this script, we can draw a conclusion: although a script is an artistic creation, it is essentially a kind of practical literature, like a product manual or a school notice. First, it must clearly express the screenwriter's intention, and only then can the embellishment and use of words be considered. In short, it must be understandable to people."

The sound of scribbling notes filled the air.

Many students brought tablets to take electronic notes, but Zhou Heming was more traditional (and poor), so he could only rely on his hands and phone to take pictures.

“Script reconstruction is a very practical way to improve oneself. Just like transcribing musical scores, by comparing the script you have transcribed with the original script and the film, you can understand the process of transforming words into images. This is of great help to everyone’s scriptwriting.”

Teacher Liang then continued her lecture.

"Of course, there's one more thing I want to tell you all. Actually, these script assignments don't belong to any of you here. They were left by students from previous years. So, if you don't want your work to be passed down and become teaching materials for your juniors, you'd better work hard."

The audience erupted in laughter again.

Unlike the way Zhou Heming was taught in high school, university lecturers, or at least the lecturers at Ningjiang University, focus on practicality. They are not the old-fashioned teachers who just read from the textbook and spout clichés every day. Instead, they start with practice and use specific cases to let students know why they should do things a certain way.

"We have a big assignment for this course, which is to form a group of five to six people in advance, with both boys and girls, and shoot a short film of no less than thirty minutes, which will account for thirty percent of the final grade."

As get out of class was about to end, Teacher Liang assigned homework again.

"Although we are not directing or cinematography majors, getting in touch with the relevant work content in advance is crucial for everyone's future script creation. You can understand what kind of script you would want to see when you are a director or cinematographer, what kind of script would allow you to better understand the character's state of mind if you are an actor, and how the images in your mind when you write a script will be presented by others."

"It's a short film, how about we form a group of four from our dorm?"

The bell rang, but since there were no more classes and it wasn't lunchtime yet, everyone stayed in the classroom and didn't rush to leave. Su Hong immediately looked around.

He clearly included Zhou Heming as well.

"It's a good opportunity to practice and let me experience what it's like to be a director."

Su Hong has agreed to film a movie with Zhou Heming to participate in the college student film festival, and has also brought Jiang Rui and Du Ruo along.

Jiang Rui, needless to say, upon hearing that Zhou Heming was going to film the story of Gao Zhong and Cheng Shuangjiang, as a fan of the story, couldn't wait to personally step in and be the photographer.

Du Ruo was pulled along by the other two, who supposedly could borrow good equipment cheaply. No one asked him what his family did for a living.

“Great idea! How about we just shoot a scene from Lao Zhou’s script? That way we can save on filming time.”

Jiang Rui's heart has clearly been captured by "My Girlfriend Reborn," and he will probably experience no more joy or sorrow for some time to come.

"But we still need one or two more people."

Du Ruo glanced at the requirements on the blackboard: at least five people, which would make about ten to twelve groups for the two classes.

"Let me ask."

Su Hong immediately turned to the side and tapped on the table next to Yang Hongye and Gu Yingying.

Are you two in a group?

Because of the dormitory assignments, these two girls ended up with two girls from the photography department next door, so they weren't very close to the other girls in the class. In addition, Yang Hongye was the class monitor and was a bit aloof, and Gu Yingying was late for the class meeting on the first day of school and couldn't introduce herself, so her presence was relatively low. Therefore, the two of them haven't been grouped yet.

"Not yet."

Yang Hongye glanced at them.

"How about we come together?"

Su Hong, true to her reputation as a socially awkward person, immediately extended an invitation.

"The four of you?"

Yang Hongye glanced at the four of them.

"Okay, okay."

Gu Yingying nodded immediately, but Yang Hongye glared at her and she shrank back.

"Then I want to be one of the screenwriters or directors."

Yang Hongye is still a bit arrogant and wants to be a core member of the creative team.

"How about this, you be the assistant director, and I'll be the director-in-chief."

Su Hong discussed it for a moment. "I'll be the general director, and you'll be the assistant director."

Yang Hongye stated that she wants to be the big one.

"make a deal."

Su Hong didn't hesitate and agreed immediately.

Do you have any ideas for the script?

Yang Hongye asked another question casually.

"Yes, it was written by Lao Zhou. I'll have him send it to you later."

Su Hong patted Zhou Heming on the shoulder.

"he?"

Yang Hongye looked at Zhou Heming.

"Yes, it's called 'My Girlfriend Reborn,' and it's said to be based on his own experiences."

Su Hong generously introduced Zhou Heming's script, displaying the demeanor of a producer trying to attract investment.

"Personal experience?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Hongye frowned and then asked.

Which girlfriend?

*
"So, Ahe, what was your final answer?"

At lunchtime, the weather outside was already overcast, and it seemed like a downpour could happen at any moment.

In the cafeteria, Cheng Shuangjiang, who was sitting opposite Zhou Heming, asked.

"I said yes, um, my first love."

Zhou Heming thought for a moment.

He didn't say "you" or "Cheng Shuangjiang" because neither of those words was sufficient to describe her.

"First love".

Cheng Shuangjiang repeated the word, seemingly not intending to dwell on it any longer, and instead asked a question.

"And then, did she have any suggestions after reading your script?"

"I don't have any major issues with the overall script, but if we're going to cut it down to thirty minutes, it needs to have a pretty good ending."

Zhou Heming took a bite of the braised beef brisket with potatoes.

"Your previous ending was, well, the protagonist wrote the first line of the script, right?"

Cheng Shuangjiang had read Zhou Heming's script and had given him some feedback in the past two days, mainly regarding her mindset and thoughts at the time.

For the eighteen-year-old, all of Cheng Shuangjiang's thoughts and emotions after her rebirth were also a part of her. Therefore, just like recalling the past, she followed the script and reread the story of the two of them.

It's as if the two of them fell in love all over again.

"Yes, this is actually a very good ending for the movie, but Yang Hongye thinks that a more open or better ending would be more appropriate for the short film."

"She really is that kind of person. She may seem cold and aloof, but she actually really loves stories with happy endings."

Cheng Shuangjiang spoke softly, as if searching for memories of "herself".

"By the way, when is Asahi coming back?"

"My train leaves at around 6 p.m., and I plan to pick her up at the train station after class."

"Then I'll come too."

Cheng Shuangjiang knew their schedules; they didn't have any classes during the last period of the afternoon.

"Well, then, I'll tell her about us."

Zhou Heming said in a deep voice.

Now that things have come to this, he has no choice but to confess.

"It's okay, I'll always be with you."

Cheng Shuangjiang placed her hand in Zhou Heming's palm and gently squeezed it.

"I really am a greedy person."

Zhou Heming gave a bitter smile.

After lunch, the two prepared to go back for a nap. Both of them had classes in the second period of the afternoon, so they had plenty of time to rest.

However, just as they reached the school gate, the weather suddenly changed, and in an instant, a torrential downpour began.

Zhou Heming and Cheng Shuangjiang hurried to the security booth at the school gate to take shelter from the rain.

Many students who didn't bring umbrellas could only hurry up and run, trying to find a place to take shelter before the rain got heavier.

However, the rain showed no signs of stopping; instead, it intensified, and amidst the lightning and thunder, the whole world went dark.

Many students taking shelter from the rain at the school gate took out their phones to take pictures. It's estimated that before long, there will be pictures and texts online saying "Who is going through a tribulation in Ningjiang today".

The wind was howling, and Zhou Heming hugged Cheng Shuangjiang, holding her in his arms to prevent the falling rain from wetting her clothes.

"A-Qian is most afraid of this kind of weather."

Zhou Heming looked at the rain curtain that made it almost impossible to see the opposite road and said something.

"Ah He is so warm."

Cheng Shuangjiang nestled in his arms, looking at the eaves adorned with raindrops.

Zhou Heming picked up his phone and glanced at it.

"The rain will probably stop in about ten minutes. It's a severe convective weather event; it comes and goes quickly."

Although I don't know why there's still strong convection at this time, judging from the rain, it shouldn't last long.

The two stood in the rain, and the world seemed to have lost its sound.

Finally, the rain subsided.

The sky, which was originally pitch black and looked like the end of the world, gradually brightened. The clouds had not yet dispersed, but the rain was indeed thinning.

At this time.

Zhou Heming heard a gasp of surprise.

"what happened?"

Cheng Shuangjiang was curious.

The two looked toward the source of the exclamation, which was the Chaowu Gate Park opposite the school gate.

Suddenly feeling a subtle sensation, Zhou Heming took Cheng Shuangjiang's hand and quickly crossed the road to the park fence.

Then they saw it.

Under a banyan tree whose canopy covers a large area, forming a dome like an umbrella, sparrows perched on the stone lions facing the Meridian Gate.

Perhaps it was the recent downpour or the dim light that caused these sparrows to instinctively huddle here, but the scene was indeed surprising.

"I thought about it."

Cheng Shuangjiang, who was staring at the stone lion, suddenly spoke, causing Zhou Heming to look at the girl beside him.

"What did you think of?"

Zhou Heming inquired.

"A beautiful ending to a story."

Cheng Shuangjiang smiled and then looked at Zhou Heming.

"The boy kept his promise and went through many hardships. He finally grew up and came to the place where the two had agreed. After gazing at it for a long time, he finally turned around with a sense of relief. But then he saw that on the bare stone lion, suddenly, one, two, three, and countless sparrows flew down, which aroused people's amazement."

She spoke in a gentle, conversational style, as if telling the ending of a fairy tale.

The boy looked at the stone lion, and then saw a girl standing further away, wearing the same clothes she wore when they first met. She smiled at him and then spoke.

Zhou Heming glanced at her clothes subconsciously, and whether by coincidence or not, it really was the same outfit she had worn that lingering evening.

Then, just like when they first met, the girl spoke softly.

"Ah He, look, sparrows are all over the stone lions. We meet again~"

*
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(End of this chapter)