I became a movie star at the age of three; Dilraba and I are childhood sweethearts.

Ye Huimei answered the call numbly.

"Hello."

A gentle yet firm voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Are you Ms. Ye Huimei, the mother of Xiao Chen?"

"I am the principal of Beijing Film Academy, and my surname is Zhang."

The principal of Beijing Film Academy?

Ye Huimei jolted awake and quickly sat up straight.

"Principal Zhang... Principal Zhang!"

Hello!

This is the most sacred hall in the hearts of all children studying acting in China!

Principal Zhang's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement and enthusiasm.

"Ms. Ye, first of all, congratulations to Xiao Chen!"

"He is not only our pride, but the pride of the entire arts and culture community!"

"His achievements prove that art and culture are never mutually exclusive!"

A barrage of enthusiastic praise made Ye Huimei overjoyed.

"On behalf of all faculty and students, the Beijing Film Academy extends its sincerest invitation to Xiao Chen!"

"We know that Qinghua Beidu offered very generous terms."

"We can't compete on scholarships, but what we can offer is something they can't!"

Principal Zhang paused for a moment, then spoke very seriously.

"As long as Xiao Chen is willing to come to our Beijing Film Academy, he can choose any major!"

"Whether it's acting, directing, or cinematography, we'll open our doors to him!"

"and!"

He emphasized his words.

"After an emergency meeting, our school committee unanimously decided to grant Xiao Chen the qualification of a specially appointed tutor, making an exception for him!"

"During his time at the university, he will be directly hired as an associate professor at Beijing Film Academy!"

Ye Huimei: ...

?

What is that?

Associate Professor?

How can you appoint a 17-year-old who hasn't even gone to university yet as an associate professor?

What kind of operation is this?!

She felt that her worldview had been shaken like never before.

They even doubted whether they had misheard or whether the other person was a fraudster.

"Principal Zhang... Principal Zhang..."

"You...you're not kidding, are you?"

Principal Zhang's voice was incredibly firm.

"Ms. Ye, I guarantee with my personal reputation and the reputation of the Beijing Film Academy that this is absolutely true!"

"Xiao Chen's achievements in the performing arts have long surpassed those of the vast majority of actors who have received formal training."

"He is fully qualified and capable of imparting knowledge, teaching skills, and resolving doubts for our students!"

Ye Huimei felt like she was suffocating.

She couldn't hear anything more and blurted out a sentence in a panic.

"We...we'll think about it."

He hung up the phone almost as if he were fleeing.

After hanging up the phone, she looked at Wang Jinhua and Xiao Chen, still shaken.

"They've gone mad...they've all gone mad!"

Seeing her reaction, Wang Jinhua asked curiously.

"What's wrong?"

"What conditions did the Beijing Film Academy offer?"

Wang Jinhua thought that the conditions offered by Beijing Film Academy were similar to those of other schools.

It's nothing more than getting a guaranteed spot in a graduate program or receiving scholarships.

But what Ye Huimei said next startled Wang Jinhua.

"He...they said..."

"We should make Chenchen an associate professor!"

puff--!

Wang Jinhua spat out the mouthful of coffee she had just taken a sip of.

Even with her extensive experience, she was completely stunned by the associate professor's suggestion.

This is no longer a matter of stealing people.

This is practically placing a person on a divine altar!

Wang Jinhua wiped her mouth, her face showing an unprecedentedly solemn expression.

Things had spiraled out of her control.

She looked at Xiao Chen, who had acted like an outsider from beginning to end, and for the first time felt a bit of a challenge.

"Xiao Chen, what do you think?"

The living room finally quieted down.

Ye Huimei and Wang Jinhua, their eyes filled with different expectations, both looked at Xiao Chen.

Deep down, Ye Huimei naturally leaned towards Qinghua Beidu.

A top scholar should go to the best comprehensive university; that would be the rightful way to bring honor to his family.

Wang Jinhua, however, focused on maximizing profits and quickly analyzed the situation for Xiao Chen.

"Going to Qinghua Beidu will completely seal your 'academic genius' persona."

"It will be of immeasurable benefit to your future access to mainstream resources and even your international expansion."

"Public favorability will reach its peak."

"And then I went to the Beijing Film Academy..."

She paused.

"It's about solidifying your position in your professional field."

"The title of associate professor at Beijing Film Academy is more hype than substance, but its publicity effect is nuclear-level."

"This means that you will become a unique authority among the new generation of actors."

Two choices, two completely different paths.

One is a broad, sunny road leading to a wider, mainstream world.

One is a narrow log bridge leading to the solitary throne at the pinnacle of art.

They all thought that Xiao Chen would be faced with a difficult choice.

However, the boy simply listened quietly, then picked up the script of "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" on the table and gently stroked the cover.

His gaze remained steadfast throughout.

He looked at the two women who were so worried about him and smiled.

That smile was clean and pure.

Just like that child who faced the camera for the first time on the set of "The New Legend of Shaolin".

"Aunt Hua, Mom."

I want to act.

He doesn't need the support of a top student persona, nor does he need the praise of an associate professor title.

He came into this world with only one goal from beginning to end—to be a good actor.

What he needs is the most professional environment, the most knowledgeable teachers, and the most passionate and ambitious classmates.

And all of this, only the Beijing Film Academy can give him.

Looking into the light in his eyes, Wang Jinhua suddenly felt relieved.

Yes, how could I forget?

The young man before me can never be defined by worldly success.

He's a madman.

A madman born for the stage.

Looking at her son's determined profile, Ye Huimei's last bit of hesitation vanished.

Whether you're a top scorer or a movie star.

As long as he's happy and goes his own way, that's enough.

Xiao Chen said no more, picked up his phone, and found the unfamiliar landline number in his contacts.

I called back immediately.

The call was answered instantly.

Principal Zhang's excited voice rang out.

Hello!

The boy's voice was transmitted via radio waves to the principal's office at the Beijing Film Academy.

"Hello, Principal Zhang, I am Xiao Chen."

In the office, all the admissions officers held their breath.

They never expected that the boy would call them personally!

Xiao Chen paused, then spoke clearly, word by word.

"I've made up my mind."

"I choose to study in the performing arts department of your esteemed school."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

Immediately afterwards, a huge cheer erupted!

"That's great! That's great!"

Principal Zhang was so excited that he became incoherent.

"Xiao Chen, on behalf of the Beijing Film Academy, I welcome you!"

After briefly stating his intentions, Xiao Chen hung up the phone.

Meanwhile, in the principal's office at Beijing Film Academy, Principal Zhang slammed his fist on the table excitedly as soon as he hung up the phone.