Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 119, 118: Here comes Fan Xiaopang!
While Wang Sheng was discussing future cooperation plans with the president of Beijing Film Academy.

Shanghai, a thousand miles away.

The scene inside Xie Jinhengtong Star School, located in Xuhui District, is quite different.

This private arts school, founded in 1993 by renowned director Xie Jin, attracted many young people eager to pursue a career in the performing arts within just three years, thanks to the founder's immense prestige and his teaching philosophy of "learning through practice."

The school is located in a relatively quiet neighborhood in Puxi. The school buildings are not luxurious, but they have an aura of prestige because of the name "Xie Jin".

With a short and intensive curriculum and no winter or summer breaks, the trainees are like ore thrown into a furnace, honing their basic acting skills and learning how to express themselves in front of the camera during a year of high-intensity training.

The Class of '96 were the third graduating class of this school.

They enrolled last March and, after twelve months of rigorous training, are now about to go their separate ways to embark on their own unknown futures.

In a crowded four-person room in the girls' dormitory, a mix of sadness at parting and anticipation for the future filled the air.

Fifteen-year-old Fan Xiaopang, a girl from Qingdao who earned the cute nickname because of her slightly chubby cheeks, was sitting cross-legged on her lower bunk, deftly packing her luggage.

My roommates included Wu Xiaomin from Shanghai, who was straightforward; Wang Liyu from Hangzhou, who was quiet and pretty; and Qian Duoduo from Sichuan, who was lively and cheerful.

The four girls were of similar age and lived and studied together for a year during the best years of their lives, developing a deep bond.

"Sigh, time flies. It feels like I just dragged my suitcase in yesterday, and today I'm already dragging it away again." Wu Xiaomin sighed and stuffed a neatly folded sweater into her travel bag.

"It's true, we haven't had a chance to rest all year round, and now that it's all over, I feel empty inside," Qian Duoduo said in her distinctive Sichuan accent, her tone full of reluctance.

Wang Liyu sat by the window, her voice tinged with reluctance, and said softly, "I don't know if we'll ever have the chance to get together like this again."

Fan Xiaopang stopped what he was doing, raised his face—which, though not yet fully grown, already revealed stunning beauty—and his round eyes sparkled with a defiant light: "There's definitely a chance! When we both become big stars and meet at an awards ceremony, that'll be truly glorious!"

These words elicited a soft laugh from the sisters, easing some of their sorrow at parting.

"Speaking of which, what do you all want to do after graduation?" Wu Xiaomin started the conversation.

Wang Liyu spoke first: "My parents hope I can go back to Hangzhou and see if I can get into the provincial drama troupe or TV station, at least a stable job."

Her choice represents the thoughts of a considerable number of students from ordinary families who prioritize stability.

Qian Duoduo pouted: "I don't want to go back to that small place! I want to stay in Shanghai, there are more opportunities here! I've already asked around at a few film and television companies, I'll try out for roles, even just a small group is fine."

Wu Xiaomin nodded: "That's what I was thinking too. Director Xie Jin is quite well-known in Shanghai. Let's see if we can get some roles locally through the school's recommendation."

Isn't that what Senior Sister Zhao is like? She first gained experience by appearing in "Sisters and Brothers' Adventures in Beijing," and then got into the Beijing Film Academy last year. I think this path is great—learning while gaining experience.

The conversation naturally turned to Zhao Wei, the senior student who had already begun to make a name for herself.

Her performance in "Sisters and Brothers in Beijing" in 95 achieved good ratings, which gave her a certain degree of fame in the television industry. In 96, she was admitted to the Performance Department of Beijing Film Academy, becoming an object of envy and emulation for her juniors.

“Xiaomin is right. Like Senior Sister Zhao, we should first have our own works, and then study systematically at the academy. Only then can we build a solid foundation,” Wang Liyu agreed.

At this moment, all three of them turned their gaze to Fan Xiaopang, who hadn't said much.

Wu Xiaomin nudged her with her elbow: "Little Fatty, stop tidying up! Tell me, what are your plans after graduation? Go back to Qingdao? Or follow Senior Sister Zhao's example and prepare to take the entrance exams for Beijing Film Academy and Central Academy of Drama?"

Fan Xiaopang stuffed the last piece of clothing into the suitcase, zipped it up, clapped his hands, and stood up.

She had already grown quite tall and had a slender figure, but her face still retained the roundness of a young girl.

She stood with her hands on her hips, her eyebrows dancing with excitement, radiating energy as if she had inexhaustible strength.
"Me? I'm not in a hurry to go back! I don't want to wait as long as Senior Sister Zhao before going back to school."

Her tone was firm, with the fearlessness of a newborn calf: "I'm going to Beijing! I'm going to make my way in that 'China Film Capital'!"

"The capital?" Wang Liyu asked in surprise. "That's so far? You're going alone?"

“Yes! I’ll go alone!” Fan Xiaopang raised his chin slightly: “I’ve heard that things are really lively in Beijing right now! The Beijing Film Studio has formed some kind of alliance, with tons of projects and new movies starting filming every day. They’re short of actors! I’ll give it a try; maybe I’ll get an opportunity!”

Qian Duoduo said worriedly, "Little Fatty, you're only fifteen! Younger than all of us. Going to the capital alone, to a place you don't know anyone about, is too risky. Why don't you take the exams first, like Senior Sister Zhao, and build a foundation before going?" Wu Xiaomin also advised, "Yes, Little Fatty, the capital is a dangerous place, the competition is definitely fiercer than in Shanghai. You're young and eye-catching, you're likely to suffer. It's better to be safe."

Fan Xiaopang waved his hand dismissively, his eyes gleaming: "Hey, don't try to persuade me! As Eileen Chang once said, 'One should become famous as early as possible'! I've been studying for a year, I've mastered the basics, all I need is an opportunity! Right now, things are going really well in Beijing. If I wait until I get into university step by step, all the good opportunities will be snatched up by others! I'm not going to wait!"

She paused, a look of anticipation on her face: "I've made up my mind. I'll go stand outside the Beijing Film Studio and submit my resume to various film crews for auditions. I refuse to believe that with my looks and the skills I learned in school, no one will want me! I'll even start with a small supporting role!"

Seeing that she was determined, with complete confidence and longing in her eyes, her roommates knew that further persuasion would be useless.

After a year of getting to know each other, they knew Fan Xiaopang very well. This girl looked sweet and cute, but she was very stubborn at heart. Once she made up her mind about something, nothing could change it.

Wu Xiaomin sighed, then smiled and said, "Alright, alright, we know you, Fan Xiaopang, have the best ideas! Then we wish you great success and that you become famous and a star soon!"

Qian Duoduo also came over, put her arm around Fan Xiaopang's shoulder, and pinched her cheek: "Okay! When you make it big in Beijing and become a big star, don't forget your sisters! When you get a role, remember to give us a hand!"

Wang Liyu smiled gently: "Little Fatty, have a safe trip and take good care of yourself."

Looking at her sisters' sincere blessings, Fan Xiaopang felt a warm glow in her heart and nodded vigorously: "Yes! You too! Whether you stay in Shanghai or go back to your hometown, take good care of yourselves! We've agreed that whoever becomes famous first must not forget everyone!"

The girls' laughter and promises echoed in the small dormitory, drawing a hopeful ellipsis to this shared period of youth.

……

a few days later.

Friday, January 3th.

Fan Xiaopang declined her parents' offer to pick her up or see her off. Alone, with her savings from a year of frugal living and a hard-seat train ticket, she boarded a train heading north.

Her luggage was simple: a large suitcase packed full of clothes, bedding, various performance books, notes, and a thick stack of her artistic photos.

The train rumbled as it passed through the water towns of Jiangnan and crossed the vast plains.

The carriage was filled with the smells of instant noodles, sweat, and tobacco, and the snoring of the middle-aged man next to me was intermittent.

Fan Xiaopang, however, showed no signs of fatigue. Leaning against the car window, she watched the scenery rushing past outside, her heart filled with boundless daydreams about the future.

She repeatedly stroked the carefully preserved report clipped from the China Youth Daily, which mentioned the reforms at the Beijing Film Studio and a young man named Wang Sheng.

Although there was no photo of Wang Sheng in the report, the words "China's film capital," "six thousand employees," "television and film production line," and "nineteen-year-old young entrepreneur" attracted her like a magnet.

“Beijing Film Studio…Wang Sheng…” she murmured, as if the two words possessed magic.

……

After a day and a night of bumpy travel, the train finally slowly pulled into Beijing Station.

Carrying his heavy suitcase, Fan Xiaopang squeezed off the train with the surging crowd and stepped onto the platform.

The dry, slightly dusty air from the north was a stark contrast to the humid atmosphere of the south.

She followed the signs and walked somewhat laboriously toward the exit.

When she finally stepped out of the magnificent gates of the train station and stood in the bustling central square, after a moment of disorientation, a tremendous sense of excitement struck her entire body like an electric current.

Before me stretched the wide Chang'an Avenue, with its constant flow of traffic; in the distance stood the ancient Zhengyangmen Gate, silently witnessing history; all around me were people hurrying about, dressed in various styles, their accents mingling together; the air was filled with a busy yet vibrant atmosphere.

This is Beijing!
This is where her dream began!

Fan Xiaopang put down his suitcase, took a deep breath, as if he wanted to inhale all the vitality and opportunities of this city into his lungs.

She stretched out her arms, facing the azure sky and the bustling crowd without any hesitation, and shouted with all her might, clear and loud:

"Here comes Fan Xiaopang!"

(End of this chapter)