Under the watchful eyes of his friends, Yu Wenliang followed Director Zhang Yimou into his office for a private chat.
It was different from the first time he entered the office.
Zhang Yimou's attitude became even more enthusiastic.
He had been sitting in his office chair talking to them.
Now, Zhang Yimou actively invited Yu Wenliang to sit down with him on the sofa, and pointed to the teapot on the table:
"Tired from the audition?"
"There's a pot of good tea there."
"If you want to drink, pour it yourself. If you don't want tea, tell the staff to buy you a drink, what's that thing you young people like to drink the most, what kind of tea?"
"Milk tea," Yu Wenliang supplemented. He picked up the teapot and poured two cups.
"However,"
"I still prefer drinking tea; it's healthy and doesn't make you fat."
Zhang Yimou smiled and nodded, took a sip of the tea Yu Wenliang poured for him, and asked casually:
"Xiao Yu, although I don't understand martial arts, I see your martial arts movements are very skilled? Did you specialize in training since childhood, or have you had this kind of experience?"
He had an impression of this child. The script Fu Lulu gave him more than half a month ago had action requirements.
But Zhang Yimou didn't think that a young boy preparing for the Art Examination could manage both at the same time and complete the action requirements so perfectly, even unexpectedly well? It could only be that he had a foundation from a young age.
Yu Wenliang wouldn't pretend he didn't, otherwise, his role simulation would be unexplainable.
"Yes, Director, yes. I've self-taught and practiced movements like these for nine years. I'm very interested..."
Very interested?
Self-taught for nine years?
To reach this level?
Zhang Yimou, having directed period martial arts films like Hero and House of Flying Daggers, had encountered many professional martial arts actors and even grandmasters. Most of them learned through generations, with few coming from informal backgrounds.
Even Wang Baoqiang trained at the Shaolin Temple.
Could it be that he had found a self-taught treasure?
"Good, good, good, self-study is good. What children lack now is self-learning ability. You'll understand after you go to university. The current education system..." Zhang Yimou hesitated, having said too much due to his good impression of Yu Wenliang.
"Currently, for this role, many already famous male actors have come to audition."
"You should know them all, like Wu Lei, Yi Shan, Xiao Hu."
"But I still think you're the most promising."
Zhang Yimou used a roundabout approach, laying a lot of groundwork before saying this, just to praise him.
People can endure being humiliated, but it's very difficult to hold back when being praised.
Yu Wenliang still smiled and nodded, revealing a composure unbefitting his age.
"You're very calm, young man. What does your family do?"
Zhang Yimou observed the young man, very satisfied with his temperament.
I've simulated it.
That calm demeanor.
I'm getting better too, I can fool Lao Mouzi now...
Yu Wenliang: "My father works on construction sites, and my mother is a teacher. Just an ordinary family."
Zhang Yimou nodded thoughtfully, and after a deliberate pause, he concluded:
"Although I'm very optimistic about you, making a movie requires many other things to consider."
"You're still a child; some matters still need to be discussed with your parents."
"Do you have any conditions?"
Yu Wenliang was not impatient, nor did he press him on whether the role was finalized, as that would show a lack of composure.
"No, regarding filming, I also plan to discuss it after the exam. My only small condition is..."
"Don't worry, state it boldly, don't be nervous," Director Zhang encouraged.
"Can you give my friend a chance..."
Yu Wenliang looked at Zhou Ye through the one-way mirror.
Zhang Yimou was momentarily stunned, then shook his head and laughed.
······
Outside the office.
Zhou Ye, Xiao Tian, and Brother Wang sat in the lobby of Zhang Yimou's studio, with three cups of tea and some snacks placed in front of them, which they barely touched.
Because they were all pricking up their ears, eavesdropping on the surrounding staff's evaluations of Yu Wenliang.
"Director Zhang talked with an auditioning actor for so long for the first time; it seems it's almost a done deal..."
"Yes, yes, yes, when some child stars came to audition before, they didn't even chat for more than a few sentences!"
"But this little boy is truly talented. I heard he only got the script half a month ago and can act to this extent. To put it bluntly, he even outshone Guan Xiaotong. Her agent used to be so arrogant, but this time, you see, she ran away in a huff! Hahaha..."
The entertainment industry gossip made Tian Xiwei's eyes light up with excitement; she wished she could join the conversation.
She used to just read gossip online, but now she could hear the true faces of various artists firsthand.
Even before entering the industry, she felt a thrill of peeking.
"Hey!"
"If our Wenliang succeeds in the audition, won't he become a movie star in the future?"
"Wow, we're only Art Examination students, and to have such an amazing friend as soon as we enter school, it makes us feel so proud..."
Tian Xiwei hugged Zhou Ye's arm, even more excited than Yu Wenliang himself.
Wang Anyu patted his chest and gave a thumbs up, "Yu Wenliang is my brother, of course he can do it!"
Among the group, only Zhou Ye's smile was a bit forced; she had more to think about than the others...
The image of Yu Wenliang helping Guan Xiaotong earlier flashed in her mind, and she felt uneasy.
"They should be playing a couple, right?"
"Then will there be dating scenes?"
"Will that long-legged actress... kiss Yu Wenliang???"
The moment Zhou Ye thought of that scene, her head felt like a whistling green train, hot enough to spew steam. She desperately didn't want this to happen, but she had no reason or right to stop them from kissing.
She swore she was proud of Yu Wenliang, but if he were to kiss Guan Xiaotong...
Zhou Ye had a mischievous little thought: if Yu Wenliang failed, then he wouldn't be with her?
No, no!
I can't think like that!
Zhou Ye, you're truly malicious, how could you think that!
If only the princess who kissed Yu Wenliang were me...
But how could that be?
She's a big star.
I'm just an Art Examination student...
Zhou Ye, this self-deprecating little hedgehog, started to overthink again.
"Teacher, why is it... so lively today?"
A girl with a cute doll face, petite but with amazingly superior proportions, came to the studio carrying a Beijing Dance Academy Affiliated High School tote bag.
"Hao Chun is here?"
"Today, Director Zhang auditioned a young boy who is as talented as you, and he's your age too!"
"Before class, Director Zhang wants you to go over. Let's hurry and chat on the way."
"Hmm..." Liu Haochun followed the Acting teacher specially arranged for her by Zhang Yimou, going to wait outside the office in advance. As she walked through the studio lobby, she saw Zhou Ye sitting on the sofa.
"I think I've seen her?"
A thought popped into both their minds simultaneously.
Zhou Ye saw Liu Haochun, who was stunningly beautiful and had such good proportions that her wrist line passed her crotch. Even though she herself was very outstanding, she still began to overthink: If Yu Wenliang signs with the company, then he'll be surrounded by such excellent girls. Will he still notice me?
By then, he'll probably be living in the company dorms, not my house, right?
No, he's so talented, maybe he'll become a big star and buy a mansion very soon.
And, I'm just an ordinary Art Examination student, and my brain is stupid, boo hoo hoo...
Zhou Ye wore her usual icy expression, but her heart was already pouring with rain until Zhang Yimou's office door was pushed open.
Yu Wenliang walked out and happened to see this talented girl from the Beijing Dance Academy. He recognized her at a glance as the mou girl predicted in the simulator, and he could feel her delicate, lively deer-like eyes fixed on him.
But Yu Wenliang still walked past her, heading straight for the dejected Zhou Ye:
"Sorry."
"You've waited a long time..."