Huayu: Starting with Hijacking from "The Story of a Noble Family"

"Xu Heng, I have a question for you!"

"What is it?"

"Changchang is about to be a junior in high school, and her grades are excellent. If she wants to apply to art schools, she can do so next year, but she's hesitant about whether to do it!"

During lunch, Liu Yifei suddenly asked.

Shu Chang had asked her this question before, but she didn't know how to answer it, and neither did her mother, so she had to ask Xu Heng.

But Shu Chang and Xu Heng weren't as close as she was to Xu Heng, so she felt a little embarrassed and asked on Shu Chang's behalf.

At this point, about half a month had passed since the production team of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" officially announced the casting of Duan Yu and Wang Yuyan, which was in mid-August.

"Of course I'll take the exam if I can, and the sooner the better!"

Xu Heng ate the lunch Liu Xiaoli had prepared and said casually.

This is the current situation; if we consider the future, this kind of thing wouldn't even need to be considered.

Celebrities' incomes are not as high as they will be in the future, and knowledge offers a greater chance to change one's destiny.

Furthermore, he was unaware that in his previous life, Shu Chang had taken the college entrance examination when he was in his second year of high school and had even been admitted to the Central Academy of Drama, but he gave it up and later went to a non-arts school.

But he knew that in his previous life, Shu Chang had been acting all the time. At her peak, she could barely be considered a first-tier star, or at least a top-tier second-tier star. It just seemed that she wasn't doing so well later on.

Even so, he is still much better off than most ordinary people.

Why?

Liu Yifei was somewhat puzzled.

Shu Chang listened intently, as this concerned her future, and she had been considering it for a long time without making a decision.

"Is there even a need to ask why? It's obvious that being a celebrity is more lucrative than doing anything else, at least more lucrative than most professions, and it's also easier!"

"Changchang was a child star, and now she's gained some fame. It would be such a waste to give it up like this!"

"Besides, you know about Changchang's family situation; it's unlikely she'll be able to offer much support in the future. Changing tracks so easily isn't a wise choice!"

Xu Heng continued.

If Shu Chang had made up her mind to pursue a career in the entertainment industry earlier in this life, her future development might have been better.

He wouldn't mind helping out with something so simple.

After spending this time together, he had a very good impression of Shu Chang.

Upon hearing him say that, Liu Yifei suddenly glared at him, and Shu Chang's expression also looked somewhat uncomfortable.

After spending two months together, besides his arrogance, Liu Yifei also discovered another "flaw" in Xu Heng: he sometimes speaks too directly and doesn't consider other people's feelings at all.

However, she had to admit that Xu Heng's words made a lot of sense.

"If you decide to take the college entrance exam next year, you should definitely apply to the Beijing Film Academy, not the Central Academy of Drama!"

Xu Heng then looked at Shu Chang.

"Why is that?"

Liu Yifei asked curiously again, and Shu Chang was equally curious.

There's a saying: "The Central Academy of Drama produces actors, while the Beijing Film Academy produces stars. Since you're in the entertainment industry, it's naturally better to become a star; only those who can't become stars become actors!"

Xu Heng explained again.

Liu Yifei and Shu Chang were even more puzzled, as was Liu Xiaoli.

"What's the difference between an actor and a star?"

Liu Yifei asked again.

"Actors rely on acting skills, while celebrities rely on popularity. So, actors have to work hard to improve their acting skills if they want to make money, but celebrities can easily make money just by being good-looking, and they can even make more!"

"There are rumors that Liu Cixin, who played Sun Wukong in the CCTV version of 'Journey to the West,' was paid less than 2000 yuan, but the actor who played the White Dragon Horse only acted in three episodes and was paid as much as 1500 yuan. This is the difference between an actor and a star."

"So, do I even need to ask how to choose? Don't mention ideals or pursuits!"

Xu Heng looked completely at ease.

"I think you're obsessed with money!"

Liu Yifei looked at him with disdain once again.

However, she wasn't stupid; she knew that Xu Heng was still right.

If Teacher Liu's salary for filming the entire "Journey to the West" was really less than 2000 yuan, and he worked so hard.

Others only film three episodes, but they get paid 1500. That's a huge difference.

"Sissi, mind your manners!"

Liu Xiaoli frowned slightly, but Liu Yifei was already used to it.

At the same time, Liu Xiaoli also wholeheartedly agreed with Xu Heng's words.

Moreover, she had long noticed that Xu Heng, despite his young age, possessed a maturity far beyond his peers.

"So what if you're only after money? Would you be willing to film it if you weren't paid? Besides, you should know that not everyone has the talent to become a great actor!"

Xu Heng, however, did not care.

Shu Chang nodded unconsciously.

As a child star, she knew very well that acting was not easy, and acting well was even more difficult.

Liu Yifei felt the same way.

However, she strongly suspected that Xu Heng was actually subtly criticizing her and showing off his acting skills and talent!

……

Two days later, on August 20th, all the scenes of "The Story of a Noble Family" in Tianjin were filmed, and they prepared to return to Beijing to continue filming the remaining scenes.

However, after only one day of filming, Liu Yifei took leave to go to Jinling to attend the "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" cast meet-and-greet on the 23rd.

Xu Heng did not take leave to go with them.

The official start date for filming of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" is August 27th, which is just a few days away.

He won't join the crew immediately; he'll have to wait until "The Story of a Noble Family" is completely finished filming. The same goes for Liu Yifei.

Fortunately, filming for "The Story of a Noble Family" should wrap up by early next month at the latest!

Liu Yifei returned to Beijing after attending the "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" cast meet-and-greet on the 25th. Today happens to be Liu Yifei's 15th birthday.

The production team arranged a small birthday party for her, and Xu Heng gave her an iPod that Apple had just released last year as a birthday gift.

After another week of filming, Liu Yifei's scenes officially wrapped up, and she will be leaving the crew ahead of schedule.

Before leaving, she would definitely say goodbye to her two good friends, Shu Chang and Xu Heng.

"Xu Heng, I'm leaving the crew. Thank you for teaching me acting these past few days. This is for you; I hope you won't mind!"

After filming the last scene and changing out of her costume into her own clothes, Liu Yifei confidently approached Xu Heng.

Liu Xiaoli stood a few meters away and did not follow.

Thanks!

Xu Heng casually accepted the gift without opening it.

It's not like we're facing life and death, or that we'll never see each other again.

Not to mention that they will be filming "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" together next, and they will have many scenes together.

Liu Yifei is about to report to the Beijing Film Academy, and he is only one year older than Liu Yifei.

"Changchang told me before that she has decided to take the entrance exam for the Beijing Film Academy next year, and maybe she can become my junior next year!"

Liu Yifei smiled and said again.

"Yes, she won't regret listening to me in the future."

Xu Heng nodded casually again, and Liu Yifei did not look down on his arrogance.

"Do you think singing can make you a big star?"

Liu Yifei then asked, expressing her deep sympathy for Shu Chang's family situation.

This time, Xu Heng thought about it seriously before answering, "With her singing talent, becoming famous in the future is definitely not a problem, but becoming a top-tier star or even a superstar will probably be quite difficult!"