Back to 17, My Brother is the Cult Leader

Fang Yuan resumed his intense senior year of high school studies.

The novel project has come to a temporary halt.

The three novels were sent out to the address left by Li Minghao.

I also received the October issue of "Mengya" (Sprout).

The publishing work is also progressing smoothly.

I attend classes during the day, study at night, and spend weekends in the library.

This is what Fang Yuan lived from September to December.

The final exam at the end of the year resulted in a total score of 502.

Hmm, not bad, I passed math for the first time.

The most outrageous score was actually Chen Xia's, with a total score of 530.

It surpassed Fang Yuan.

They made a successful comeback.

Fang Yuan was speechless.

That's really perverted.

Fang Yuan was most pleased that there was more money in his savings account.

In October, all the manuscripts that were sent out received good news.

After signing the serialization contract, it was published in November and December respectively.

In December, he received more than 14000 yuan in royalties.

Including the royalties from "Flying Colors," I now have over 25,000 yuan in my savings account.

In 96, that was a lot of money.

Now it all comes down to the royalties for the standalone volumes.

It was released in mid-December, with an initial print run of 8000 copies, which is quite good.

According to Li Minghao's feedback, sales are doing well.

Fang Yuan was also very satisfied, since the initial distribution scope was limited to the area surrounding Shanghai.

It can't compare to the influence of movies in my previous life.

It would be great if it could be published and distributed.

After finishing his final exams, Fang Yuan will need to prepare for next year's art college entrance exam registration.

I haven't been able to decide which school to apply to.

I also asked Teacher Jiang for her opinion.

The registration and examination dates for the Central Academy of Drama and the Beijing Film Academy are exactly at different times.

I might as well report both.

Children make choices; adults want both.

Make your choice after you pass the exam.

After New Year's Day, Fang Yuan devoted all his energy to preparing for the exam.

In fact, he had been studying in a targeted manner according to the examination requirements of the Central Academy of Drama since the beginning of his senior year of high school.

The first test focuses on basic literary knowledge and classical Chinese, including some knowledge of drama and narrative prose;

The second test was another assigned writing task: an in-depth narrative essay.

The third test was an interview, which included reading comprehension and questions about creative thinking.

In just a few months, Fang Yuan frantically studied classical Chinese texts, idioms, and literary history.

Prepare to practice narrative prose: write about real people and events, focus on details, and practice restrained expression of emotion.

Write short, concise, emotionally rich, vividly detailed, and cleanly written essays.

Reject fiction, melodrama, flowery language, and empty sentimentality.

Read books, read classics, read deeply, read carefully.

To form one's own feelings and opinions, and to be able to express them clearly, thoroughly, and truthfully.

Remember to be sincere, calm, humble, and thoughtful.

I hope it passes on the first try.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I have to give it my all.

The entrance exams for Beijing Film Academy and Central Academy of Drama are somewhat different.

Because of my past life experiences, it feels a bit simpler than the Central Academy of Drama.

The preliminary exam for the Chinese Department of Beijing Film Academy consists of watching a film and writing a film review; the second exam consists of a story assignment; and the third exam consists of creating a story on the spot and answering comprehensive questions.

The preliminary screening will feature a short or medium-length film/documentary/old feature film (mostly domestic art films and classic old films).

Write a 1000-1500 word film review after watching it.

Key points: theme comprehension, character analysis, audiovisual language (camera work, sound, color), structure, and emotion.

In addition, there is general knowledge about literature and art (short answer/fill in the blank):

Includes: Chinese and foreign film history, directors, and representative works;

Literary history, drama, and classic works;

Basic art theory and aesthetics;

The second-round exam is a writing assignment.

Story writing assignment (800–1500 words)

Title: Keyword Combination/Contextual Proposition

The story is complete, the characters are well-defined, there is conflict, and there are emotions;

Narrative pacing, visual imagery, and a sense of realism;

Reject: rambling narratives, melodramatic clichés, empty sentimentality, and illogical statements.

The third test is an interview.

Story creation based on on-site prompts:

Select 2-3 keywords/one-sentence context

The examiner may interrupt, ask follow-up questions, or change the conditions: add a character, change the ending, or add conflict.

Key areas: responsiveness, imagination, logic, fluency of language, and emotional appeal.

Secondly, a Q&A section on film/literature knowledge:

What movies, books, and plays have you watched?

Favorite director/writer? Detailed analysis (plot, characters, techniques).

My views on films from the 90s, including Hong Kong and Taiwan films, Hollywood films, and domestic films.

Personal experience, creative motivation, and values;

Why do you want to be a screenwriter?

My upbringing, my observations of life, and my understanding of society/human nature.

Fang Yuan had prepared several plans for these contents.

Having been reborn, his memory is incredibly vivid.

Almost photographic memory.

Moreover, the TV shows, movies, and scripts I watched in my previous life are becoming clearer and clearer.

With the accumulation of knowledge from past lives and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, there shouldn't be any major problems.

Fang Yuan made up his mind.

Try your best to take the exam once.

If you really can't pass the exam, just apply to a regular university.

Living a peaceful and stable life is not bad either.

Another thing happened after New Year's Day.

Just like in her previous life, Chen Xia finally went abroad with her mother.

The difference is that he left before the Spring Festival.

The day before I left was a weekend.

Chen Xia came to find Fang Yuan early in the morning.

She didn't say anything, just sat on the sofa and silently shed tears.

Fang Yuan was a little confused.

I've lived two lifetimes and still haven't learned how to comfort a girl.

Chen Xia's maternal grandmother went to the United States alone when her mother was very young.

I later heard that he married a university professor.

Now her mother is going down the same path.

Chen Xia's parents are both university teachers, no wonder she studies so hard when she's focused.

It's impossible to say who was right and who was wrong, but they eventually got divorced.

At noon, Fang Yuan made two bowls of noodles.

Just ordinary egg noodles.

I fried two eggs, sprinkled some chopped green onions on top, and drizzled some sesame oil on top.

The aroma is wonderful.

Neither of them spoke.

He ate his meal silently with his head down.

After finishing her meal, Chen Xia got up to wash the dishes.

After sitting for a while, he looked at him and said:

"Fang Yuan, I'm leaving tomorrow."

"I might never come back."

"Give me one of your books, and sign it."

"it is good."

Fang Yuan picked up a copy of "Flying Colors".

After thinking for a while, I wrote down a passage:

Spring waves are green beneath the Bridge of Sorrow.

She once graced our eyes with her fleeting beauty.

Some things eventually become the past.

Some people stop at memories;

Even with regrets, there is still a gentle breeze;

No going back to the past.

May you meet a better version of yourself!

Fang Yuan

It's a bit of a mishmash.

The first two lines are two of his favorite ancient poems.

What followed were words of comfort.

Otherwise, what should we write?

Fang Yuan didn't know what to write either.

So be it.

Chen Xia looked at these lines of text, then lowered her head and remained silent.

Slowly, tears began to fall again.

After a while, tears started flowing more and more.

There wasn't even time to wipe it off.

Fang Yuan got up and handed her a tissue, wanting to say something.

Unexpectedly, Chen Xia suddenly stood up and hugged Fang Yuan.

Then she burst into tears.

Fang Yuan was startled; he didn't know whether to hug her or push her away.

They were also afraid of being overheard by their neighbors.

All I could say was softly, "Don't cry, don't cry."

Chen Xia cried for a while, then slowly stopped.

Fang Yuan's chest was soaked with sweat.

But they still wouldn't let go.

After a long pause, Chen Xia whispered, "Fang Yuan, don't forget me!"

"No, no, you do well over there. If I ever go hungry, I'll come and come to you for help. Don't pretend you don't know me."

Chen Xia stopped crying and smiled, finally getting up.

"How could you not have enough to eat? If that's the case, I'll take care of you."

Her face turned red as she spoke.

After a long pause, Chen Xia whispered:

"I'm leaving."

"Be careful on the road."

Suddenly, Chen Xia hugged Fang Yuan tightly again.

Then Fang Yuan's lips were sealed by a soft, warm kiss.

Fang Yuan was completely stunned.

By the time he regained consciousness, Chen Xia had already opened the door and run out.

Was I forcibly kissed?

My first kiss.