Huayu 02: The Days of Extreme Pulling and Rolling with the Fairy

"You've really made the department proud this time. You can't be so thin-skinned. Look at all the graduates from our school, none of them are thin-skinned."

Xie Jin only realized this after Wang Jinsong mentioned it. The day after Xiang Huo won the award, a domestic newspaper published half a page of the entertainment section of the Beiping Evening News, featuring a photo of herself waving in formal attire that day.

Southern Metropolis Daily, Youth Daily, and several other local newspapers all devoted large sections to reporting on this matter.

In reality, the Silver Bear certainly doesn't have the same influence as the Gold Bear, but Xie Jin and Ning Hao are young, and with the gimmicks of a 24 yuan budget and the emergence of young heroes, the newspaper's sales have seen a slight increase in the past two days.

He's gone from being an unknown to having one foot in the industry.

Xie Jin picked up the newspaper and glanced at it.

Don't say

The film festival photographers are awesome; they took some really cool photos.

Wang Jinsong smiled broadly. Other teachers passing by outside the office glanced at him from the left and right, all knowing that he was Old Wang's prized student, which made Old Wang quite proud.

Having shown off enough, Old Wang closed the door.

His face immediately turned serious: "Logically, I should praise you, but it's precisely at times like this that I need to give you a good thrashing."

"It's a good thing to become famous at a young age, but if you take yourself too seriously at this time, you're not far from falling down."

"Sudden popularity often comes with sudden risks, so it's especially important to keep a low profile during such times."

A man who can't control his belt won't amount to much.

Xie Jin nodded vigorously. These were golden words of wisdom. So many successful seniors in the industry had fallen into disgrace.

"Teacher, our film can't be shown in China, it won't be popular for long."

"That's true."

Old Wang lit a cigarette and tossed one to his beloved apprentice. "Tell me, what are your next steps?"

"There's still a short holiday ahead, so I'll catch up on my studies and not fall behind. At the same time, I'll prepare for my next film/theatre project."

Old Wang raised an eyebrow: "Not bad, knowing to attend class means you're not getting cocky. Next act?"

"Yes, I was actually learning from Senior Brother Ning in my last film. I'm directing this film myself, and Senior Brother is serving as my producer and executive director."

"It's like my senior brother helped me get on my horse and then gave me a ride."

Wang Jinsong hadn't expected Ning Hao and Xie Jin to have such a close relationship; a Silver Bear-winning director returning to help his junior with executive duties...

This kid is so wild, he's bound to cause trouble.

  

At this point in the conversation, Xie Jin pulled out the script: "Teacher, I have a few requests to make of you."

"If you find the role of a loan shark boss appealing, could you help me get a part in it?"

Wang Jinsong wouldn't refuse his beloved student's request: "Just let it go, is there anything else?"

"Which do you think is more suitable: publicity and distribution or fundraising? China Film Group or Shanghai Film Group?"

Wang Jinsong rubbed his chin: "We definitely have to ask them all. It's all the Buddha's fault if you don't serve him well."

"But forget about China Film Group. There are plenty of veteran directors waiting in line for funding. If you wait, it'll be ages. Shanghai Film Group is a bit better, but it'll still be very difficult."

"I would suggest you try private companies. This year's new policy just allowed private capital to enter the film production field, and they desperately need good stuff to break the deadlock."

Wang Jinsong opened his small phone book: "Once you're ready, I'll arrange a meeting with someone from Bona for you."

"Please say everything else at once."

"Do you know any loan shark companies? I'd like to experience it for a few days and get a feel for the role..."

"I'm a teacher, not a thug... Never mind, I'll think of a way for you."

"Long live Boss Wang! I think the Dean is nothing but a skeleton in a tomb. Sooner or later, my mentor will unify Beijing Film Academy!"

Wang Jinsong was immediately amused: "Get lost, you debt collector!"

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Miss Liu was distracted all day in the group. Xie Jin is just too, too, too annoying!

He didn't even call when he got back. Does it take this long to cancel his leave?

The creditor is too kind!

Liu's mother frowned slightly. "Qianqian, why are you so distracted? Mommy heard from the director that you weren't feeling well today."

"It's okay, Mom, I'll adjust myself."

Liu hadn't told her mother about Xie Jin's planned visit to the set, so she took the opportunity to subtly inquire, "Mommy, have you heard?"

What?

My classmate won the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for the movie where he played the lead role.

Liu's mother's eyes lit up: "Is it the movie about the monk? I saw it in the newspaper."

Miss Liu pouted, "Yes, it's Xie Jin who came to visit the set last time. Mom, when will I get to act in a movie?"

Liu's mother was stunned for a moment before remembering that rustic child. She never expected that such a talented child could come from a poor family.

A frown crossed Liu's mother's brow: "It's not so easy for TV actors to switch to movies. Professor Tian introduced me to a director from Taiwan who has contacted me. It's called 'May Love,' a youth drama."

"Look at Xie, he acts so well, he must have worked hard. You need to be more diligent and learn from such outstanding classmates."

When Miss Liu heard her mother praise the watermelon monk, she pouted and said, "Oh, I know."

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Buzz

When Miss Liu saw that it was Xie Jin calling, the corners of her mouth curved into a smile. It felt really good to be a creditor.

He mumbled in a gruff voice, "Why are you calling me...?"

"Look downstairs."

Miss Liu paused for a second, then ran barefoot to the window. Xie Jin downstairs smiled and waved to her.

"Wait, I'll grab you and break your legs!"

Miss Liu was surprised by Xie Jin's sudden arrival. Her previous frustration and irritability vanished instantly. She opened the wardrobe, her hand moving so fast it left afterimages.

This one isn't nice... This one's just so-so... I'll take this one!

She combed her hair nicely and changed into the jeans she had chosen herself. Even if she was going to beat up the watermelon monk, she still wanted to look beautiful.

Xie Jin was waiting for her when a finger gently tapped behind her back.

"Classmate Xie"

Xie Jin turned her head and blurted out instinctively, "Consort Hua."

Jiang Xin paused for a second, then said, "I... my surname is Jiang."

"Sorry, sorry, I misread it. Jiang Xin, right? Mu Wanqing?"

Jiang Xin was extremely nervous. Just now, she, Liu Tao, and Yang Rui huddled together and saw Xie Jin.

The more she looked at him, the more he resembled the person in the newspaper. The three of them played rock-paper-scissors, and Jiang Xin lost. She came over to ask him something.

But seeing that Xie Jin didn't seem to be a monster, Jiang Xin mustered her courage and said, "Yes, my name is Jiang Xin, and I'll play Mu Wanqing."

"Lost in rock-paper-scissors?"

Jiang Xin's eyes widened. "How did you know?"

"Your two friends had those sly grins on their faces, I guessed it."

Ms. Liu walked happily to the entrance of the building, but when she saw Xie Jin and Mu Wanqing chatting in the distance, her mood immediately soured.

"Xie Jin, you've arrived."

Xie Jin felt a chill run down his spine and turned around to see Miss Liu smiling at him. But for some reason, Xie Jin felt his palms were sweating.

"Akane Akane"

Miss Liu looked at Xie Jin with a forced smile and said, "Call me Student Liu, or just call me by my name."

Jiang Xin could tell something was off, so she nodded and said, "Qianqian, you two chat, I'm leaving."

Miss Liu smiled sweetly at her: "Okay, go ahead, Sister Wanqing."

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"If I had known you were here to see her, I wouldn't have come downstairs."

Even if Xie Jin was completely oblivious, she could sense that something was off. Did Miss Liu have a conflict with her?

Xie Jin never imagined that she might be jealous...

Immediately feign ignorance: "Who are you looking for?"

Seeing Xie Jin's bewildered expression and her clear yet foolish eyes, Miss Liu felt a little better and stopped throwing a tantrum.

"snort"

"Watermelon Monk, was the film festival fun?"

"It wasn't fun. I couldn't understand any of their German, so I had to use a translator. And I wasn't used to the food either."

Miss Liu didn't say anything, but stretched out her hand and spread her five fingers.

"What are you doing?"

Liu Yifei tried to calm herself down; sometimes she really wanted to crack open Xie Jin's skull and see what was inside.

"A gift! You said you'd bring me a gift!"

"Oh, here you go."

As she spoke, Xie Jin handed over a booklet that was two centimeters thick.

Liu Yifei took it suspiciously and glanced at the cover.

"What is this 'When a Man Falls in Love'?"

Xie Jin was a little embarrassed and turned her head to the side. "I wanted to ask you, I've prepared my next movie, are you interested?"

The young woman, Liu, tilted her head and looked at Xie Jin: "A romance movie?"

"Um"

"You and me?"

"Um"

The gloomy look in Miss Liu's eyes vanished completely, replaced by a strange expression.

"Watermelon Monk, you're dreaming! Let me tell you, I'm not dating right now."