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

These expectations from his family did indeed weigh heavily on Li Xiang's mind.

So during this holiday, he didn't go out as usual. Instead, he stayed at home and stared at the mirror, repeatedly studying the micro-expressions he had learned in class.

His past life's struggles and hardships made him understand better than anyone that only by laying a solid foundation could he have a smoother path to stardom.

Besides, there are really no shortcuts when it comes to acting skills.

Natural talent is the icing on the cake, but to truly stand out, one still needs to meticulously work on the details and put in tremendous effort.

Besides, compared to those physically and mentally exhausting jobs like working like a beast of burden or doing odd jobs that require you to be subservient to others, this path seems more respectable and easier.

So his inherent laziness didn't stop him from thinking about these things.

What's more, Teacher Huang calls every few days, either to answer questions or to give a heads-up; he's really been keeping me very busy...

With teachers taking this so seriously, how could Li Xiang possibly slack off? He could only patiently try to be a truly good student.

However, Zhang Yimou never called.

He couldn't help but ask Uncle Wang, who only said that they were still playing a game, but didn't explain much. After all, it was Zhang Yimou's movie, and who wouldn't want to take a bite?

Li Xiang also understands the rules of this industry; some things can't be rushed, so he can only wait patiently.

I used to think that getting into certain circles depended on luck and connections, and that being "good enough" was fine.

But now, looking at myself diligently practicing in the mirror, and listening to my parents muttering in the kitchen, "Why haven't we heard from you yet?", something seemed to touch my heart:

Relying on others to give you opportunities is ultimately not a sustainable solution, especially since he, a reborn individual, didn't even try to exploit those gullible retail investors in the stock market.

So, plagiarizing other people's works... can't really be considered a sin, right? At worst, we can learn more from Japanese and Korean films, which can also be considered as promoting our national prestige.

After all, he's had enough of being picked over lately, just like how he feels uneasy if he forgets to lock the door when he leaves for work.

Moreover, he also has an uncle who is a highly skilled photographer, and both Zhang Yimou and Gu Changwei, members of the Fifth Generation of filmmakers, have made a name for themselves.

My uncle's camera skills are in no way inferior to others; what he lacks is perhaps a good script and a good opportunity.

Thinking about it this way, most of the hesitation in my heart dissipated instantly.

Li Xiang immediately found paper and pen, and quickly wrote down the story fragments and exciting plots that flashed through his mind.

As darkness fell outside the window, the writing on the paper grew denser.

Having lived two lives, he was used to waiting for opportunities to come, but now he decided to take the initiative and start his own cooking so that he could eat the pancakes with peace of mind.

Of course, these are things to follow.

The most important thing right now is to build up a reputation – otherwise, no matter how fancy your blueprint is, it will be useless if you can't attract investment.

For investors, a newcomer without any notable works is simply not worth mentioning.

What he wants is mutual success, not just relying on Uncle Wang's resources to sponge off his parents, which would be too outrageous.

The following days passed peacefully, but his family gradually noticed that Li Xiang's impetuousness had disappeared, and he was no longer the arrogant and conceited person he used to be.

Instead, it settled into a steady confidence, making it easier to concentrate when practicing acting, and sometimes I could stand in front of the mirror for an entire afternoon.

Time flew by, and a few days before the New Year arrived, his phone suddenly rang. The name that flashed on the screen made his heart leap—

It was directed by Zhang Yimou.

"Hello, is this Xiao Li? This is Zhang Yimou."

The voice on the other end of the phone was familiar. Li Xiang gripped the phone tighter, but quickly replied:

"Director Zhang, hello! This is Li Xiang. The New Year is almost here, and I never expected to receive your call. So, I'd like to wish you a Happy New Year in advance!"

"Haha," Zhang Yimou's laughter came through the receiver, "You kid... your use of the word 'wait' is quite interesting. You're probably getting impatient too, aren't you?"

Li Xiang felt a surge of warmth in his heart, but dared not say more. He only heard the other party continue, "Then I won't beat around the bush—you're the male lead in 'Under the Hawthorn Tree.'"

Have a good New Year, then come to Beijing on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year and go straight to my studio. Let's sign the contract first, and then there will be some training afterwards. What do you think?

"Thank you, Director Zhang! Thank you for giving me this opportunity! Even if it's just the eighth day of the lunar month, I'd set off immediately if you asked me to go now!"

"You little rascal, you really are just like what Old Wang said..." Zhang Yimou seemed to laugh again when he heard him say that.

"You don't celebrate the New Year, but this old man does. So come on the eighth day of the new year; if you come earlier, no one will be there to receive you."

I guessed you were probably waiting for a letter, and I wanted you to have a peaceful New Year, so I called you first to let you know.

As for your Uncle Wang... I've invited him to dinner tonight, I'll tell him then. It'll be a surprise for him, so don't mention it to him yet.

"Okay, Director Zhang, I understand!"

"Okay, let's leave it at that for now. We can talk about the rest when we meet after the New Year."

"See you after the New Year, Director Zhang! Take care too! And Happy New Year..."

After hanging up the phone, Li Xiang stood there stunned for a few seconds before suddenly clenching his fist and swinging it into the air.

At that moment, the sunlight streaming through the window fell directly on his face, making his barely suppressed smile even more radiant.

Before Li Xiang could go downstairs to tell his father the news, the door creaked open and Li Nian poked her little head in, her eyes wide open.

The moment their eyes met, he blinked and whispered, "Brother, I heard the phone... Does it mean it's done?"

Li Xiang nodded with a smile.

"Yay!" Li Nian jumped three feet high, rushed over and hugged his arm, shouting.

"Brother, you're going to be a big star! Don't forget me! I'll carry your bags if necessary!"

"Go away, why are you carrying that bag? How pathetic!" Li Xiang slapped his hand away, deliberately teasing him.

"Once I become a big star, I can easily invest some money in you to start some businesses. Wouldn't it be better to be your own boss than to be my porter?"

Upon hearing this, Li Nian's eyes lit up even more, and she grabbed his sleeve tightly, refusing to let go: "Brother, you can't go back on your word!"

As the two were arguing, Li Ma, who had heard the noise, rushed in with her footsteps.

Without even asking any questions, just looking at the two brothers' posture and the phone that Li Xiang was still holding, she knew what was going on.

I wanted to say "Be careful" with a straight face, but I couldn't suppress the urge to smile. In the end, I just grinned and happily turned around and ran downstairs.

"Old Li! Old Li! Close the shop quickly and come up again... It's done! It's done!"