They surrounded me right after the breakup.

Vice Principal's Office.

The tea has been refilled for the third time.

Principal He sat opposite Jiang Han, his hands folded on his knees.

His posture was very upright, a habit he developed from teaching for thirty years.

"President Jiang, Xingyue Media has developed exceptionally well in recent years." Principal He picked up his teacup and then put it down again.

"What makes us teachers happiest is seeing our students succeed."

"You flatter me." Jiang Han leaned back in his chair.

"It's not an overstatement," Principal He waved his hand.

"I've talked to several other school leaders about you, and they said that Xingyue Media is now a benchmark in the domestic cultural and entertainment industry."

"Music, film and television, animation—they're thriving in every area."

Jiang Han wasn't used to being praised like that to his face, but he wasn't embarrassed either.

Principal He's expression suddenly became more serious.

"President Jiang, since you've come back to your alma mater today, there's something I'd like to discuss with you in person."

"Please speak."

"Did you come to Shanghai this time to develop new business?" Principal He asked.

Jiang Han shook his head: "No, I just came here to take care of some personal business."

"That's wonderful!" Principal He's tone suddenly became enthusiastic. "Since you have the time, I'd like to invite you to give a lecture at the school."

Jiang Han picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Talk about your understanding of the entertainment industry and your experience in creating music."

"I completely agree with what you said about Mao Buyi on the Jin Xing Show."

"You said he's suited to singing, but he just needs someone to give him the opportunity. Our students also lack such opportunities."

Principal He sighed, his tone becoming somber.

"President Jiang, to be honest with you, the employment pressure on art students is too great these days."

"Every year, three or four hundred people graduate, but only a handful actually make it into the industry. The rest either change careers or drift aimlessly."

Jiang Han didn't respond, waiting for him to continue.

"Our Shanghai Dramatic Arts Academy, the Beijing Drama Academy, and the Beijing Communication University appear to be on good terms, but they're actually competing with each other behind the scenes."

Principal He's brows furrowed.

"The employment destinations of graduates are directly related to next year's enrollment quotas and the funding allocated by higher authorities."

"If we can't recruit good talent, we'll have less funding, and if we have less funding, we'll have even less chance of recruiting good talent. We've been stuck in this cycle for several years now."

"Principal He, what would you like me to do?"

Principal He leaned forward slightly.

"Mr. Jiang, I'd like to discuss a long-term collaboration with you."

His tone was very serious: "This is not a one-time lecture, but a long-term collaboration."

"How exactly will we cooperate?"

"Internship positions, project participation, or even just learning alongside your team at your company."

"When you're making movies or TV series, you might need voice acting, extras, or other behind-the-scenes production skills."

"For Xingyue Media, this may just be a matter of adding one more chair, but for these children, it is a path."

Principal He looked into Jiang Han's eyes: "President Jiang, you don't need to answer me now."

"I know you're busy, and there are many factors to consider when collaborating, but I hope you can give it serious thought."

The office was quiet for a moment, and the setting sun outside the window had already sunk most of its way down.

Jiang Han put down his teacup: "No need to think about it anymore, I agree."

Principal He was stunned; he had prepared a whole speech.

The information about graduate employment rates and the school's enrollment pressure in recent years was completely useless.

Jiang Han turned his head and glanced at Shen Qingning sitting next to him.

"Principal He, let me formally introduce you. This is Shen Qingning, also a graduate of our school, and now she is the head of the artist training department at Xingyue Media."

Principal He then turned his gaze to Shen Qingning; of course, he recognized her.

Among the students who graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, Shen Qingning is the most famous.

Later, she became famous, and her photo was hung on the alumni wall.

Later, when she retired from the entertainment industry, the photo on that wall was neither taken down nor replaced.

"Miss Shen." Vice Principal He's voice softened slightly.

"I've always felt it was a pity that you retired from the industry. With your talent and abilities, you could have gone much further."

Shen Qingning smiled and said, "Teacher He, thank you for remembering me."

"But I'm doing better now than before."

Principal He looked at her, and for some reason, he felt that Shen Qingning's words were not just polite talk.

Her eyes were indeed calmer than before, not the kind of expression she put on for the camera.

Shen Qingning continued, "I've been there, so I know what recent graduates lack most."

"What they lack is not professional skills, but the right approach. When they first join a production, they don't know how to talk to the director, and when they first stand in front of the camera, they don't know where to put their hands. I can teach them these things."

Principal He's eyes lit up: "Miss Shen, you're absolutely right!"

He then turned to Jiang Han: "President Jiang, among the recent graduates of our school, there are several promising individuals with solid basic skills and good looks."

"Principal He, please don't rush to recommend someone. Let me say two things first."

Principal He nodded quickly.

"First, before graduation season each year, Star Moon Media will hold special interviews at schools for acting, voice acting, and behind-the-scenes production. Those who pass the interviews will be directly signed as interns, and those who perform well during their internships will be offered full-time contracts."

"Secondly, Star Moon Media is planning its own film projects. As long as the role is suitable for a newcomer, I will have someone reserve the spot for a student from the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Institute."

Upon hearing this, the principal's joy was palpable.

It was completely dark by then.

Principal He glanced out the window and suddenly slapped his thigh.

"Look at my memory! I was so busy talking that it's already this late."

He stood up and picked up the landline on the table.

"President Jiang, you absolutely have to let me treat you today."

Just as Jiang Han was about to decline, Principal He had already made a phone call.

"Old Zhou, reserve a private room for us tonight, we have important guests! Prepare all your signature dishes."

After hanging up the phone, Vice Principal He picked up his phone again and dialed another number.

"Hey, Lao Zhao, are you free right now? Mr. Jiang from Xingyue Media is back at his alma mater, come over quickly."

Jiang Han and Shen Qingning exchanged a glance, and a faint smile appeared on Shen Qingning's lips.

"Principal He, there's really no need to be so polite."

"It's not just a polite gesture!" Principal He had already begun tidying up the documents on the table.

"You promised to give lectures at the school and to help graduates solve their employment problems. What's wrong with having a meal about such important things? Come on, let's eat and talk."

The restaurant is not far from the school; it only takes about 10 minutes to drive there.

The entrance is small, with blue bricks and gray tiles, and two red lanterns hanging at the door.

Push open the wooden door and go inside; it's a completely different world.

An eight-immortal table, a grand master's chair, and calendar posters from old Shanghai hanging on the wall.

There was a phonograph in the corner, playing old records.

The private room is on the second floor, and you can see the sycamore-lined avenue outside the window when you open the window.

As soon as Principal He entered, he called the waiter to serve tea: "Old Zhou's Longjing tea is sourced from Hangzhou himself; you can't find it anywhere else."

As they were talking, the door to the private room was pushed open.

An elderly man in his early sixties entered, with gray hair and wearing a faded navy blue jacket.

Her face had deep wrinkles, but her eyes were bright.

"Old He!"

"Old Zhao, please have a seat." Principal He stood up and introduced the two sides.

"President Jiang, this is our acting teacher, Mr. Zhao. He has been teaching acting for over thirty years and has countless students. Shen Qingning was one of his students."