Chapter 6

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Dinner was hosted by Wang Qianyuan. After all, he did have a favor to ask Lin Hao, and even though they were close, he still needed to show some courtesy. So, he made proper arrangements at a small restaurant. He had already started shooting a film, and over the past while, Lin Hao had paid quite a bit for acting classes.

Therefore, treating a few friends to dinner was no big deal for him.

Three meat dishes, three vegetarian ones, paired with some alcohol—Wang Qianyuan was the only one drinking. The four of them enjoyed the meal, or at least Lin Hao made an effort to seem like he was enjoying it.

Noticing this, Liu Mintao knew something was on his mind. “What are you thinking about?” she asked.

“I’m wondering which classmates I’ll meet tomorrow. Kind of excited,” Lin Hao replied. He was entirely focused on Central Academy of Drama now, and barring any surprises, his acceptance was basically certain.

“Just a moment ago, you said you were nervous, and now you’re excited to meet your classmates?” Wang Qianyuan teased him. “Could it be because you’re hoping to run into Hu Jing…? Ouch! Okay, okay, I’m wrong!”

“What nonsense are you spouting!”

Liu Mintao twisted the soft flesh at Wang Qianyuan’s waist, and like all men on the receiving end of this attack, he immediately pleaded for mercy.

Lin Hao wondered if his presence had really changed anything. He thought that at least he had teased Liu Mintao a few times, and now she seemed a little more short-tempered—just a tiny bit.

Once the scolding was over, she said, “Don’t listen to his nonsense, Hu Jing. Lin Hao is an honest guy; he’s just curious.”

Lin Hao, feeling wronged, silently protested being labeled as the “honest guy.” Hu Jing merely nodded, her face still flushed, and Wang Qianyuan, seeing her embarrassment, sighed. If she wasn’t pretty, he thought, dealing with her would be tough.

…

Since Hu Jing had been brought into the conversation, they chatted a bit more. Hu Jing had studied dance, having trained for six years at the Central University for Nationalities’ Dance Department. Wang Qianyuan was invited to help her with a short play, and it was clear he had seen her dance before.

“You have no idea, when she dances—”

“Enough! Don’t embarrass her further; her face is already bright red,” Lin Hao interrupted, seeing how flustered Hu Jing was. Girls like her, though beautiful, were better admired from a distance—getting too close might be difficult. He changed the subject.

“How’s our senior brother doing lately? Got any film projects to make us jealous?”

“Oh, just small roles,” Wang Qianyuan said with a smug grin. He had picked up some work here and there, and although it wasn’t much in class, it was still something to brag about in front of juniors. He glanced at Liu Mintao, who showed no interest in mocking him, and then he spoke.

“But you guys are like family, so I’ll share some insider info. I’m hoping to act in Director Chen’s film, but I don’t know if I’ll get the chance.”

“Director Chen… Chen Kaige?” Lin Hao’s eyes widened.

“That’s right,” Wang Qianyuan replied proudly.

“Temptress Moon?” Liu Mintao asked with awe. Two years ago, in 1993, Farewell My Concubine had received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Film and won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, events that still felt vivid.

After those successes, news of Director Chen’s upcoming film stirred great excitement. Landing even a minor role in it would be a major achievement.

“No, it’s the one coming after that. You’ll find out soon. They said there’s a chance, but nothing is set yet,” Wang Qianyuan boasted, feeling the confidence of youth.

“So jealous! Unlike me, who hasn’t gotten any roles yet,” Liu Mintao sighed.

…

The group lamented how hard it was to get good roles. Liu Mintao hadn’t landed any significant parts either; even getting extra work was considered decent.

Throughout dinner, the conversation was mostly among three people, with Hu Jing quietly listening. Eventually, Wang Qianyuan, slightly drunk, began to make wild claims. “You guys don’t believe me? I can tell. You, Lin Hao, are so young yet so talented. Trust me, with a bit of luck, you’ll be famous! A superstar!”

Lin Hao had been enjoying himself but realized his friend was getting too drunk. “Alright, I’ll take your blessing, senior brother.”

“And you too, Xiaojing. You’re beautiful—you’ll make it big!” Wang Qianyuan exclaimed.

“…”

Whether she’d be famous or not, Hu Jing was certainly blushing. Seeing that he was really drunk, Lin Hao and Liu Mintao helped arrange for him to go home. In the end, Lin Hao paid the bill.

He couldn’t help feeling he had been tricked. Was this whole dinner part of some plan? Oh well, as long as everyone had fun.

These days, whether in television or film, getting any opportunity meant stardom. And if there was a chance to work with Chen Kaige’s crew, Wang Qianyuan had every reason to be thrilled. Chen’s reputation now was as big as Zhang Yimou’s.

“By the way, just a heads-up. At Central Drama, freshmen and sophomores aren’t allowed to take acting jobs. They have to focus on building a solid foundation first,” Wang Qianyuan rambled.

“I got it!” Lin Hao responded.

“If you just want to jump into acting without studying, then go to Beijing Film Academy,” he continued.

“Hey, hey, you’ve had too much!” Liu Mintao quickly intervened, calling a classmate to take him home, finally putting an end to the night.

…

The next morning, Lin Hao arrived at the academy.

To his surprise, Hu Jing had come even earlier. She’d left school early to be here, thinking it was better to be too early than too late.

However, when she arrived, she found the gates crowded with students, many of whom had come with their parents. Seeing the crowd, she felt a mix of emotions.

Fortunately, Lin Hao showed up.

“Sorry for being late,” he said.

He glanced at his watch; it was only 7:30 in the morning. She was so early! But he couldn’t blame her—there were already lines forming.

“It’s fine,” Hu Jing replied softly. Maybe it was because Lin Hao was the only one she knew here that she wasn’t as shy as yesterday.

“Have you had breakfast yet? How about we grab something to eat first and come back?” Lin Hao suggested.

“I already ate,” she said, but she looked pale, and Lin Hao doubted her.

“I haven’t eaten yet. Why don’t you come with me? It’s cold outside, and we can line up afterward,” he insisted. Seeing how pale she was, Lin Hao knew she was probably lying and that standing outside in the cold wasn’t good.

“Alright then,” Hu Jing agreed, realizing he was just being considerate.

…

The two left the queue and went to a small shop nearby for breakfast.

They had rice porridge, fried dough sticks, and boiled eggs.

Sitting there, Hu Jing gradually warmed up, feeling the chill leave her body. Watching Lin Hao eat, she didn’t dare to rush him. He was the most refined guy she’d ever met, sipping porridge and nibbling the fried dough, in contrast to other boys who would gulp down everything in seconds.

“Okay, time to pay the bill,” Lin Hao finally said after finishing.

Though Lin Hao wasn’t the type to insist that the guy always pays, he felt like he should cover this meal. They then leisurely walked back to the academy, and suddenly, two girls ran by, catching Lin Hao’s attention.

One of them was unmistakable—Zhao Wei, who would later become a huge star.