Back to 17, My Brother is the Cult Leader

The Central Academy of Drama's acting department mandates that first- and second-year students must remain on campus and are not allowed to take on acting roles.

Just like Mei Ting, who had to drop out of university during her freshman year to get acting roles.

Fang Yuan believes this model has both advantages and disadvantages.

He recalled an experience from his past life.

When I was young, I applied for a job at an insurance company. At that time, the company required that I could only participate in training at the company for six months.

Only after completing the training and passing the assessment can one enter the market.

This is the so-called elite team training model.

Looking back now, it was too idealistic.

Moreover, the cost is too high.

During the training, everyone had high hopes for the outside market.

I both yearn for it and am afraid of it.

Fang Yuan felt that this feeling was similar to that of the current acting students at the Central Academy of Drama.

When you actually enter the market, you'll encounter setbacks and suffer heavy losses.

It all depends on who can pull through.

The actual probability of success is not higher than that of the Beijing Film Academy, which allows students to directly experience the market.

What I can be proud of is that my overall basic skills are quite good.

Zeng Li sat in a single sofa in the studio, holding a steaming teacup in her hands.

He didn't speak for a long time.

Fang Yuan wasn't in a hurry and quietly thought about his own things.

It's actually quite understandable.

The main reason why people don't want to go home early is that their family life is not harmonious, and they don't want to go back to face it.

Outsiders can't help with this kind of thing.

"Senior sister," Fang Yuan broke the silence.

"Filming for 'Eighteen-Year-Old Sky' will begin during the summer vacation."

Are you interested in the role of Pei Pei, the female teacher and one of the main characters?

"Oh, can I act in it?"

"I think it's still a good fit for you."

"Furthermore, your second-year courses will have already finished by summer vacation."

"Can you make that decision?"

"I have the right to recommend, and I am also the screenwriter and one of the investors."

"Of course, you need to impress the director during your audition. But I believe you'll be fine."

"Okay, I'll give it a try."

"Thank you, Fang Yuan."

"The director will come over after the New Year, and I'll ask you to audition."

"I still need to communicate with your teacher, Mr. Chang, since the contract for the role is due before the summer vacation."

"Okay, I'll keep it a secret."

"Go back and read the novel carefully, and try to understand this character."

"When are you going back?"

"I'll wait for Huang Xiaoming, probably in the next couple of days. I'll go back on New Year's Eve."

Anyway, it's just me and my dad at home.

Zeng Li lowered his head to drink water.

"Yuan Quan and I are going back first thing tomorrow morning. Your fellow Qingdao native is pursuing her."

"Xia Yu?"

"You know?"

"Senior sister, I have something to tell you."

"Go ahead and say it."

"In the future, I will have many roles for you to play, as long as you are willing to act."

I didn't mean anything by it; I just don't want you to go against your conscience for any opportunity in the future.

After saying that, Fang Yuan regretted it a little.

That was too abrupt; we're not that close yet.

However, Zeng Li didn't seem angry.

Only his eyes flickered.

"Thank you, Fang Yuan."

"You said it yourself, so don't try to go back on your word later!"

"No! My word always stands."

Lunar New Year's eve.

The warm yellow light was on in Fang Yuan's living room.

There were sunflower seeds, peanuts, and half a plate of uneaten dumplings piled on the coffee table.

Fang Yuan curled up on the left side of the sofa, while Huang Xiaoming nestled on the right, both covered with the same blanket.

The two chatted casually.

The Spring Festival Gala on TV is reaching its climax.

"Here they come! Feng Gong and Niu Qun are on stage!"

Fang Yuan patted Huang Xiaoming's arm.

On television, Feng Gong and Niu Qun appeared, bowed in greeting, and then...

"I am Niu Qun, and I pay my respects to General Manager Feng!"

Don't give me that crap, we're brothers, it's good to have more skills!

........

Of course! Director Xie Jin insisted that the two of us make a movie called "The Boss and the Boss," and no one else could act in it!

What kind of play? And it was written specifically for the two of us?

Of course! Today we're rehearsing the car scene on set; our story is set in the 1930s.

The bosses all rode in foreign cars, which is equivalent to riding in an Audi today!

The two bosses were crammed into one car!

I can sit here all by myself, it's not crowded at all!

what about me?

You're in charge of driving—to put it bluntly, you're in charge of pulling the cart!

What? We're both bosses, so why should you ride in the car while I have to pull it? I'm the boss, I have to work my own way!

Director Xie has his eye on your long legs; you're born to pull a rickshaw!

If you treat pulling a rickshaw like a sport, you're sure to become a world champion!

Can a rickshaw puller win a championship?

Absolutely! The Ma Family Army's gold medals were earned through heavy-duty training while pulling rickshaws!

Absolutely! Want one or two? Three million in labor fees, whoever pulls the cart gets it!

No way! I'd rather die than pull!

Fine, if you won't pull it, I'll give the money to someone else!

(Immediately changes expression) How can you be so vulgar?

We are artists, and art is priceless!

So, are you going to pull the cart or not? Three million, whoever pulls the cart gets the money!

That's what I should be asking you!

(Rubbing hands together) Really? Then hurry up and get in the car, don't keep me from getting to work!

Huh? Didn't you just say you'd rather die than pull it?

I said, I'd rather die than pull it, but I'll pull it if it doesn't kill me!

(Feng Gong pretends to pull a rickshaw, with Niu Qun sitting on it)

(While pulling the cart, he shouts) Hey! At this speed, I'm really getting a taste of peak performance!

That's right! If the Chinese national football team had your speed, they would have qualified long ago!

Of course! By the way, should we pay the three million in cash or by check?

The total investment for the film is three million, but you only have three hundred dollars!

(Stops immediately, points at the herd of cattle) Get down! I'll throw you to your death!

......

You think the money isn't enough? Just think of it as learning from Li Suli and doing a good deed by giving a ride to a passenger!

Then why don't you learn?

I'm learning, aren't I? Li Suli is sitting on the bus selling tickets!

Okay, then I'll ride in the car, and you pull it!

No way! You're not really pulling me, you're pulling Mu Tiezhu, and you also have to carry two kids who are bigger than me!

Oh my god! I'll pull you then!

That's right! Holding my hand, even the hardest and most tiring times feel sweet!

What's with the sweetness?! I'm doing this for art!

........

We invite audiences across the country to come to the cinema after paying their respects on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

I'll be the boss, and he'll be the migrant worker.

"Just wait and see how I deal with him."

Mr. Zhang is amazing! He actually added that sentence!

It looks like tomorrow's box office is a sure thing.

"The box office will definitely be fine tomorrow. Before the holiday, I already rallied all the students in the school to support us!"

"Wow, you only had a second or two of screen time, don't you feel ashamed?"

"What's so shameful about it? Not everyone gets a chance to be on screen for a second or two."

"That's true."

"But what if the box office is bad? Won't we two be embarrassed?"

"Losing face is a small matter. Don't you have investments? That much money, does your dad know?"

"I dare not say this, and you shouldn't tell your mother either."

"By the way, I have a question for you. Has Yan Danchen from your class finished filming her drama yet?"

Huang Xiaoming spat out a mouthful of water.

"Damn, you've got some nerve! You even knew about this?"

"Hurry up, find her if you need anything."

"What is it? Do you need me to deliver a message for you?"

"Get lost! This is about 'Eighteen-Year-Old Sky'."

"Oh, I heard that movie was filmed before the new year."

"You little rascal, you're still eyeing the pretty girls in our class? Confess, when did it start?"

"I'd like her to play the role of Lan Feilin, what do you think?"

"Great job, as expected of a top screenwriter, you have excellent taste!"

"How about we act as a couple? Pretty good bro, huh?"

"You're awesome!"