Reborn in the Entertainment Industry: This Top Star Has Real Achievements

When Li Xiang dragged his weary body home, he found everything still the same, and the familiar faces of his family warmed his heart.

Before he could even catch his breath, his parents enthusiastically pulled him upstairs and led him straight into a room.

"Look at this!" Mr. Li exclaimed excitedly, pointing to the room's furnishings, his voice rising several decibels involuntarily.

"This is a practice room that Dad specially built for you. From now on, you can practice your acting skills here!"

Only then did Li Xiang see clearly that against the wall was a color TV that was a size larger than the old TV at home, and in the TV cabinet below, a brand new DVD player gleamed.

On the wall to the side, there was a large mirror that almost filled the corner. The mirror was polished to a shine, and even the weariness on his face was clearly reflected.

"Your Uncle Wang even called specifically to say that," Mom added from the side.

They said you need to practice hard during this time, and you can't slack off even during the holidays. They also told us to keep a close eye on you and not let you run around.

Mr. Li gently patted the edge of the mirror, his tone smug: "I'm thinking that instead of letting you play around outside, it's better for you to practice steadily at home."

Looking in the mirror, you can clearly see your own appearance, and if you're not practicing correctly, you can correct it immediately—how convenient is that!

Looking at the large mirror and then at the expectant look in his parents' eyes, Li Xiang was both amused and exasperated: "Dad, Mom, this is going too far."

"What's so special about this?" Mr. Li waved his hand.

"Your Uncle Wang emphasized the importance of basic skills, so of course I have to create good conditions for you."

"When you achieve great success in the future, Dad will also feel the glory."

Upon hearing Li's father's words, Li Xiang couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Dad, you're really good at calculating; I could hear it all over the hallway."

"Of course," Li's father said, raising his chin with the smugness of a victorious rooster.

"When the time comes, reporters will definitely come with cameras to interview you. I'll just stand in front of the camera and start by talking about how you showed your talent when you were six years old, and then we'll talk about this mirror—"

As he spoke, he pointed to the mirror again, "See? I specifically chose an anti-fog model, so it won't affect your practice no matter how close you get. Isn't that thoughtful enough?"

"That's enough, that's enough," Li Xiang nodded hurriedly, his smile widening.

"I'll have to tell the reporters about it then. My dad made me practice my speech before dawn every day so that I could achieve 'success and fame,' saying that it was the result of hard work and dedication."

"Oh, hey, it's all for your own good! Besides, I've seen those interviews with the actors from 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' and they all worked incredibly hard to get there..."

Just as they were having a good time, Li Nian squeezed through the crowd from the side and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Dad, I've been calling you for ages! The delivery guy is here downstairs!"

These words instantly interrupted the lively conversation, and everyone busied themselves with their own tasks.

Li Xiang returned to his room, collapsed onto the bed, and quickly fell into a deep sleep to catch up on his sleep.

When he woke up again, it was already completely dark outside. Li Nian shook him awake: "Brother, dinner's ready!"

He rubbed his sleepy eyes and slowly walked into the living room, where he saw a table full of food.

As soon as we sat down, the conversation naturally revolved around him.

Li Xiang first told him about the interesting things that happened at school, knowing full well that his father loved hearing about these things.

He then emphasized his current teachers, Huang Lei and Xu Jinglei, adding with a smile, "Thanks to Uncle Wang, I get along quite well with the teachers."

Especially Teacher Huang Lei, who often gave me extra tutoring.

Mr. and Mrs. Li listened with beaming smiles, as if they could already see their son standing on the stage at the awards ceremony.

After chatting for a while, Li's father casually asked, "By the way, your Uncle Wang specifically called to tell you to practice extra at home. Is there some good opportunity?"

Li Xiang was taken aback: "Didn't Uncle Wang tell you?"

Mr. Li shook his head: "He just told me to keep an eye on you and not let my guard down, that's all."

"Then you'd better promise that this absolutely cannot be told to anyone." He then deliberately lowered his voice, and his expression became serious.

"The main problem is that this matter is still uncertain, and... it's someone our family simply can't afford to offend."

If word gets out, your son will have no future in the entertainment industry.

He exaggerated the matter, partly because of his father's boastful habit. Unexpectedly, Li's father's eyes lit up even more, and he hurriedly made assurances:

"Don't worry, don't worry! Your dad's got a tight tongue. Tell me, what kind of opportunity is it?"

Seeing his father patting his chest in assurance, Li Xiang leaned closer and recounted the audition in detail.

From Uncle Wang using his connections to introduce him to Director Zhang, to the audition for a scene from "Under the Hawthorn Tree," and then Director Zhang leaving his contact information and saying he was waiting for news.

And the character he's currently playing fits his training style perfectly, but the competition is just too fierce...

Finally, he also mentioned that Teacher Huang's analysis indicated a good chance of success.

Upon hearing this, Li's father dropped his chopsticks on the table with a clatter, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Li's mother was stunned. She was still tightly clutching the garlic she had just peeled, and the garlic skins had unknowingly fallen to the ground.

"Zhang... Director Zhang? You mean Zhang Yimou, the one who directed 'Red Sorghum' and 'Hero'?"

"And there's 'House of Flying Daggers' and Zhou Jielun's 'Curse of the Golden Flower'," Li Nian chimed in from the side.

Li Xiang nodded.

"My God!" Mr. Li slapped his thigh, nearly overturning the table, then looked around warily.

"That's the most famous director in the entertainment industry! Your Uncle Wang's influence is just too much..."

"Keep your voice down!" Li Ma quickly grabbed his arm. "It's not settled yet, so don't make a fuss."

"Yes, yes, it's not decided yet, but that's already amazing!"

Li's father paced back and forth, rubbing his hands together. After a moment, he suddenly stopped in front of Li Xiang, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "That role... is it the male lead?"

"Yes, the one we're testing is the male lead, 'Third Brother'."

"Okay! Okay!" Li's father said "okay" twice, then, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned and ran towards the kitchen.

"We need to bring out that fine wine we've been saving for three years. We two have to have a couple of drinks today!"

"What are you drinking? The child is still young." Li's mother scolded playfully, but a wide smile appeared on her face as she placed another piece of pork rib in Li Xiang's bowl.

"Eat more, look how thin you've gotten lately. Whether it works out or not, we've done our best, so it's not a loss."

Li Xiang munched on his ribs, watching his father rummage through drawers looking for wine, his mother rambling on about what would happen if things went well, and his younger brother listening intently, clinging to the edge of his bowl.

The lights in the living room had somehow become brighter, and the aroma of the food on the table had become exceptionally enticing, all mixed with the father's mutterings about not being able to find the wine...

He suddenly felt that the thoughts that had been hanging in his mind seemed to become less elusive and more grounded in the thick atmosphere of the house.

"Dad, let's not look for wine yet," Li Xiang said loudly. "Once it's really settled, I'll buy you the best wine and let you drink to your heart's content."

Li's father peeked out from the kitchen, his face already flushed:

"That's a deal! I'll have to invite your Uncle Wang over too, and toast him a few times. He's a hero, after all."