Chapter 9: Eyes That See Into the Soul's Depths

The film "Love Ferris Wheel" was greenlit a year ago...

It was the product of immense effort by An Xiaoshi, a highly anticipated directorial prodigy from Yanying, and Zhang Jingya.

From development to casting, from funding to official crew formation, they handled everything themselves and seemed to have some connections—before filming even began, during the project approval phase alone, senior alumni who had succeeded in the industry enthusiastically praised the film and its young graduates An Xiaoshi and Zhang Jingya on news outlets and media, voluntarily coming over to help with casting and crew duties, generating significant buzz within the Yanying student body.

Hmm, at least...

In the first half of 2003, Chen Jianfeng heard stories about "Love Ferris Wheel" almost every day on campus.

The noon sun shone on Chen Jianfeng’s face.

Chen Jianfeng looked up at the sign outside the door: "Love Ferris Wheel."

For some reason, the sign seemed blinding, making it hard for him to open his eyes.

But...

It wasn’t as exciting as he’d imagined.

Half a month ago, he had run to the set almost daily for one role in "Love Ferris Wheel," tirelessly submitting his resume and introducing himself over and over again.

“Just wait a bit longer—I’ve already spoken up for you, but too many people are vying for roles, and Directors An and Zhang are overwhelmed. For now, tomorrow, help me move this set table... Stay around here, do more work, get familiar to everyone—I’ll keep pushing for you. The role will come eventually...”

Because of those words.

From props and set dressing, to carrying heavy items, to running errands, to moving tables and chairs.

He toiled for nearly half a month at the set, doing free labor, flattering anyone who seemed to hold a bit of power.

He heard countless phrases: “I’ve already fought for you,” “There’s still some work here,” “Don’t worry, I’ve seen your help—I won’t let you down.”

Half a month later...

When the crew was nearly assembled, he, eagerly awaiting a reply on his resume, received only one cold reply: 【Sorry, you currently don’t meet the requirements.】

And the crew members’ expressions were frowning.

“We pushed for you, we spoke up—but they didn’t want you. What can we do?”

“Wait a minute, how can you call it free labor? That’s nonsense—you volunteered. I just mentioned there was some work; I never told you to come do it.”

“Exactly—you showed up on your own, no one forced you. What’s it got to do with us? The boxed meals and cigarettes—you bought them yourself... Did we force you?”

“...”

Today’s sunlight was warm.

Emerging from his memories, Chen Jianfeng read the words on the sign: "Love Ferris Wheel."

He lowered his head and followed behind Zhou Yang.

His heart felt sour.

Today, he returned to this familiar place once again.

But this time, he was no longer the miserable extra worker—he entered as an “actor,” brought in by Zhou Yang.

“He’s a great actor!”

In an unfamiliar office.

As Chen Jianfeng and Shen Long sat down, Zhou Yang suddenly said this.

Chen Jianfeng, who had been looking down, sensed the sudden silence and instinctively lifted his head.

He found everyone, following Zhou Yang’s gaze, staring at him.

Including Directors An Xiaoshi and Zhang Jingya.

This sudden attention left Chen Jianfeng, always on the margins, utterly flustered.

“He’s the lead in my new film!”

After Zhou Yang added this seriously, his gaze shifted to An Xiaoshi and Zhang Jingya, and he looked out the window with a hint of emotion.

“These past days, I’ve been searching for actors, interviewing countless recent Yanying graduates...”

“But I was disappointed...”

“I saw only mediocre acting, and dialogue delivery devoid of any emotion...”

“They’re like flowers blooming in a greenhouse—vibrant, fragrant, yet unremarkable, lacking soul...”

“...”

“I thought most graduates were like this—until one evening, I saw a weary figure returning from afar...”

“On him, I saw a possibility!”

Zhou Yang paused, took a slow sip of his brewed coffee, savored its rich aroma, and said softly: “Black coffee is bitter... Just like some unknown actors—among Yanying’s handsome faces and beautiful bodies, they aren’t outstanding, yet they persist in hidden corners, like coffee beans, enduring countless trials until they release their own unique fragrance...”

“...”

In the slanted light of the office blinds, Zhou Yang pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up his nose and calmly recounted a story with Chen Jianfeng as its protagonist.

He spoke of his repeated disappointments at Yanying’s gates, until finally, one dusk, he saw Chen Jianfeng walking quietly toward him.

He spoke of how he hadn’t expected much—he’d merely asked Chen Jianfeng to read lines, with no hope at all—until suddenly, he felt a profound shock from deep within his soul...

He spoke of Chen Jianfeng’s astonishing acting, which gave him goosebumps...

Zhou Yang’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a strange magic, as if instantly drawing everyone into the story.

In the story, Chen Jianfeng, within minutes, transformed from a lowly laborer to a wealthy merchant, then to a border-guarding soldier, then to a destitute beggar—his role shifts seamless, his acting rivaling an Oscar-winning performance, piercing straight to the soul...

In the story, Chen Jianfeng’s dialogue delivery was extraordinary—each line was a character, leaving listeners awestruck and lingering in thought!

Chen Jianfeng stared blankly at Zhou Yang, his mind empty.

Wait...

Is this about him?

After hearing the story, An Xiaoshi and Zhang Jingya were stunned.

They looked at Chen Jianfeng, incredulous.

Could this tall, awkward-looking man, sitting there stiffly, really be that talented?

If he truly was, why had no one in the academy ever mentioned him?

“Hello! I’m An Xiaoshi, director of 'Love Ferris Wheel.'”

At that moment, An Xiaoshi stood up first, firmly extended her hand to Chen Jianfeng, and introduced herself seriously.

Chen Jianfeng’s mind was still blank; he stood up instinctively: “I’m Chen Jianfeng... an actor...”

His peripheral vision caught Zhou Yang’s gaze—deep, full of encouragement and trust.

Somehow, he felt a surge of strength within him, allowing him to say the word “actor” with firm conviction.

“Hello, I’m Zhang Jingya, co-director of 'Love Ferris Wheel...'”

Zhang Jingya also stepped forward and shook Chen Jianfeng’s hand.

“Hello!”

After the second handshake, Chen Jianfeng’s heart trembled slightly.

This was the first time—officially—he had been seen by a director.

After shaking hands, An Xiaoshi and Zhang Jingya exchanged glances, their eyes still holding traces of doubt.

Could it really be that miraculous?

Right now, Chen Jianfeng looked ordinary—there was no trace of an Oscar-caliber aura.

Then they stepped aside, whispering to each other, glancing occasionally toward Chen Jianfeng...

Meanwhile, Zhou Yang casually poured coffee and handed a cup to Shen Long and Chen Jianfeng.

“The stage is set for you.”

As Chen Jianfeng mechanically took the coffee, he suddenly heard a very soft voice.

He froze.

Then looked at Zhou Yang in disbelief.

But Zhou Yang still wore a smile, as if he hadn’t spoken a word—as if the remark had been an illusion.

After a few minutes, Chen Jianfeng watched Zhang Jingya stand up and walk over with the script for "Love Ferris Wheel."

“Mr. Chen, would you be interested in trying out this role’s lines?”

Under the lights.

Chen Jianfeng’s heart fluttered slightly.

He stared blankly at the script.

This was the first time—in half a month—

He had truly, officially received a script.

A moment later!

This is my stage!

He took a deep breath!

Then nodded, took the script!

“How long do I need for these lines?”

Zhang Jingya looked at Chen Jianfeng and asked instinctively.

Chen Jianfeng still did not answer.

He merely glanced at Zhou Yang, who was leaning by the window, sipping coffee.

Zhou Yang met his gaze, his deep eyes filled with an unprecedented trust and encouragement.

Chen Jianfeng stood up, flipped through the lines, then looked up at Zhang Jingya without humility or arrogance: “Give me ten minutes!”

“Ten minutes? You can memorize all these lines in ten minutes?”

“I can.”

When Zhang Jingya saw Chen Jianfeng nod seriously, she was stunned!

An Xiaoshi, standing nearby, also stood up instinctively, looked at the script in her hands, and wore an expression of disbelief.

Shen Long, beside Chen Jianfeng, was utterly bewildered!

The office suddenly fell into a brief silence.

Everyone stared blankly at Chen Jianfeng, who was earnestly flipping through the script.

Only Zhou Yang held his coffee cup, sipping slowly while gazing out the window, his expression calm and unruffled.

Time passed slowly.

When Zhou Yang quietly set his coffee cup down on the table, Chen Jianfeng also put down the script.

Then…

He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and saw Zhou Yang nodding.

He took a deep breath!

Yes!

This is!

My stage!

Under the lights, before all their eyes, he seemed to become someone else, fully immersed in the role, reciting the lines from “Love Ferris Wheel” to the empty air.

……

In the office.

Under everyone’s gaze.

Or a hysterical outburst.

Or a tender, lingering gaze.

Or tear-filled eyes choked with heartbreak!

……

One by one, the scenes, each line belonging to that supporting character, were rendered with such depth under Chen Jianfeng’s explosive emotion that they drew astonished glances.

When Chen Jianfeng finished his performance…

The room fell silent.

Zhang Jingya looked down at the script, stunned to find not a single line wrong among hundreds of different scenes.

An Xiaoshi froze.

She looked at the script, then at Chen Jianfeng, and finally turned to Zhou Yang.

She saw only Zhou Yang gently adjusting his glasses, leaning against the window, a faint smile on his lips.

A gentle breeze stirred Zhou Yang’s hair as he regarded Chen Jianfeng with serious focus.

“Every ordinary person in this world can shine!”

“They just need a pair of eyes…”

“And I, Qiahao , have the eyes that can see into the depths of a soul!”