Back to 17, My Brother is the Cult Leader

Zeng Liqing smoked a cigarette, lost in thought:

"What's in his league? If he just wants to make money, wouldn't it be cheaper to invest in Nasdaq companies now?"

"He's aiming for the future," Ma Huateng said.

"He works in film and television content and wants to secure his position early."

Moreover, his willingness to take over the existing shares of IDG and PCCW is a good thing for us.

Those two companies have been pushing us to find a profitable business model, which has put a lot of pressure on us.

The three reached a consensus: this was a deal worth taking the risk for.

After receiving the initial results, Fang Yuan didn't wait any longer and went straight back to Beijing.

The students at the Central Academy of Drama are already in their senior year and have already started school.

Director Shen also called him, asking him to come back early to discuss the matter of being recommended for postgraduate studies.

"Come in."

Director Shen was sitting behind his desk, reading a document.

"Teacher Shen." Fang Yuan sat down in the chair opposite the desk.

Director Shen put down the documents, took off his glasses, wiped the lenses with a glasses cloth, and put them back on.

"You're a senior now, what are your plans?" Director Shen asked directly.

Fang Yuan knew what he was asking. "It's not decided yet."

Director Shen leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped on the table, speaking in a calm and unhurried tone.

"The school has released the quota for postgraduate admission. The department has held a meeting to discuss it, and you meet all the requirements."

Your grades are good enough, and you have your portfolio. You don't need to worry about the recommendation letters; I can write them for you.

If you'd like to stay at the Central Academy of Drama for graduate studies, we'll reserve a spot for you in the Department of Dramatic Literature.

Fang Yuan remained silent. Director Shen continued speaking.

"I know you have a lot going on outside right now, such as your studio, film projects, and overseas collaborations. I know all of that."

But continuity in your studies is not a bad thing for you.

You can take graduate courses in the Department of Dramatic Literature according to your own schedule, and the department can also give you some flexibility in terms of thesis writing.

I'm not using the guaranteed admission to graduate school to bind you; I just think you're a person worth nurturing, and the Central Academy of Drama should keep you there.

Fang Yuan looked at Director Shen.

This teacher has been good to him since his freshman year, approving that office for him to use and notifying him to participate in good academic activities.

Director Shen isn't the type to meddle in other people's business, so the fact that he brought up the issue of postgraduate admissions means that the department has indeed discussed it seriously.

"Teacher Shen, I need some time to think about it," Fang Yuan said.

Director Shen nodded. "No rush, just give me an answer before National Day."

Fang Yuan came out of the office and took a few steps in the corridor when his phone vibrated.

It was a call from Director Chen. Director Chen is the head of the Acting Department at the Central Academy of Drama and has close ties with the Beijing Film Academy, often collaborating on projects. Fang Yuan had previously met several teachers from the Beijing Film Academy through him.

"Fang Yuan, is it convenient to talk?" Director Chen's voice on the other end of the phone carried a hint of amusement.

"Teacher Chen, please speak."

"Both the directing and literature departments at Beijing Film Academy asked me to inquire about your intention to pursue graduate studies."

The directing department meant that your creative ability is obvious to all, and if you are willing to study directing, they can help you secure a spot.

The literature department also said that your screenwriting skills are among the best of young screenwriters in China, and that if you come to pursue graduate studies, you can do more systematic theoretical research.

Fang Yuan leaned against a pillar in the corridor and listened to Director Chen finish speaking.

"Teacher Chen, do they know I haven't graduated from the Central Academy of Drama yet?"

"I know. That's why I'm giving you advance notice. Who wouldn't want a good prospect? Think it over and let me know when you've made up your mind."

That evening, Fang Yuan sat alone in his office, with a Central Academy of Drama graduate admissions brochure spread out in front of him and a Beijing Film Academy admissions brochure next to him—the latter had been delivered to his dormitory by Director Chen that afternoon.

He first looked through the Central Academy of Drama's works.

The Department of Dramatic Literature offers graduate programs in areas such as drama history and theory, playwriting theory, and drama criticism.

If he does study, he will most likely choose screenwriting theory, which is related to Director Shen's field.

The advantage is that he knows the people and the place well, and Director Shen will give him the greatest freedom. He can pursue his master's degree while working on his own projects, balancing his studies and career.

The downside is that the Central Academy of Drama's curriculum is more drama-oriented, and its film-related courses and resources are relatively weak.

He read the Beijing Film Academy's prospectus very carefully.

The graduate programs in directing include feature film directing and documentary directing.

If he studies directing, he can systematically learn practical courses such as audiovisual language, mise-en-scène, and editing, which will greatly help him become a director in the future.

The literature department leans more towards film script theory, which is closer to what he is doing now, but the Central Academy of Drama's drama department already has a tradition of scriptwriting, so there is little need to go to the Beijing Film Academy to study literature.

He thought about it for a long time, going through the sequence and possibilities several times.

Both the Central Academy of Drama (CAFA) and the Beijing Film Academy (BFA) are top-tier art schools with clearly defined student registration systems, making it impossible to register full-time at both schools simultaneously. However, if one were to complete a master's degree at CAFA first and then apply for a directing master's program at BFA, it would take several more years.

I spent three years on my master's degree at the Central Academy of Drama and three years on my master's degree at the Beijing Film Academy, totaling six years.

The next day, Fang Yuan went to the office to see Director Shen.

"Teacher Shen, I've made up my mind."

Director Shen looked up and took off his glasses.

"I accepted the recommendation for postgraduate studies and stayed at the Central Academy of Drama to pursue a master's degree in the Department of Dramatic Literature," Fang Yuan said.

Director Shen nodded, put on his glasses, and a slight smile played on his lips. "I knew you would make the right choice."

Fang Yuan continued, "But Professor Shen, I have another idea. I'd like to take some time during my graduate studies to study directing at the Beijing Film Academy. I don't necessarily need a degree, but I hope to systematically improve my skills in audiovisual language and directing practice."

You know I'm working on film projects, and directing skills will be helpful for my future career.

Director Shen leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment.

"If you can coordinate your schedule for the directing classes at Beijing Film Academy, I won't stop you. But you have to finish your courses and thesis at the Central Academy of Drama first. That's my bottom line."

"Okay," Fang Yuan said.

Director Shen took a form from his drawer and pushed it in front of Fang Yuan. "This is a graduate school application form. Please fill it out. I'll write the recommendation letter in the next couple of days."

Fang Yuan took the form, picked up a pen from the table, and filled it out item by item. Name, student ID, major, application direction—screenwriting theory and creative practice. When he got to the section for preferred mentor, he looked up at Director Shen.

"Professor Shen, should I list you as my advisor?"

Director Shen waved his hand. "I'm getting old, I can't mentor you for many more years. I recommend someone to you, Professor Zhang from the Department of Dramatic Literature. He's young, energetic, and his research focuses on screenwriting, which is closer to your path."

"Let's fill in your name; you're not retiring anytime soon."

"Fine, whatever you say."

After filling out the form, Fang Yuan stood up and shook hands with Director Shen. "Thank you, Director Shen."

Director Shen patted him on the shoulder. "Do a good job. You're from the Central Academy of Drama, don't embarrass the school."

Fang Yuan came out of Director Shen's office and stood in the corridor. He sent a message to Director Chen: "Professor Chen, the matter of being recommended for postgraduate studies at the Central Academy of Drama has been settled. I will stay at the Central Academy of Drama to pursue my master's degree."

"I'll be attending directing courses at the Beijing Film Academy later, either as an auditor or a visiting scholar. I'll need your help in making connections then."

Director Chen replied quickly: "Okay. You go ahead and get busy. I can come over to the Beijing Film Academy anytime."