Chapter 21: I Guarantee You'll Be Satisfied

"Although I didn't continue to argue with them in order for you to get the role, let me tell you! You are not allowed to listen to them; their opinion is wrong, wrong!"

Chen Nuo didn't see that Li Er was actually so angry. Before, Chen Kexin said everyone would eat together at noon, but Li Er pushed it away, saying she had to go back to teach. At that time, her face was full of smiles, and she didn't show any emotion at all. As a result, as soon as she got in the car, she was like a different person, saying angrily.

"What does that guy Liu Jianjun know? What does he know? Producer, producer, all buried in money! What the audience likes—isn't it just wanting to sell a few more movie tickets? Right is right, wrong is wrong. Can right become wrong and wrong become right just because of a few movie tickets? Chinese cinema has become the way it is now—neither dead nor alive—just because there are too many people like him who don't understand but pretend to, and also brainwash young actors every day..."

Chen Nuo sat in the passenger seat, not daring to make a sound. He somewhat understood why Li Er was so angry, but also somewhat didn't. It was just a scene, right? Was it worth it?

Li Er patted the steering wheel hard and said: "You tell me yourself, should that action at the end have been added? Did it destroy all the rhythm you built up before!?"

Chen Nuo straightened his waist and said: "Absolutely shouldn't have been added, 100% shouldn't have been added. My brain just suddenly glitched, actually, I knew I was wrong at that time, wanted to change it but couldn't."

Looking at him like that, Li Er said with a smile that wasn't a smile: "Speaking one way but meaning another, don't think I can't hear it. Do you think I'm deliberately picking on your faults?"

"Teacher Li, I really think I was wrong. I analyzed my own psychology; it's just that I felt I hadn't let go of my past idol baggage, leading to one mistake after another, which is why I added such a useless action. I regret it to death."

"Just you, and idol baggage? You are 'vomit-ol' baggage, vomit as in vomiting."

"Indeed, sometimes I want to vomit when I look in the mirror."

Li Er finally smiled and said: "You do have self-knowledge. Let me tell you, Chen Nuo, I recruit students at the film academy, I don't know how many handsome men and beautiful women I interview every year. If you are blindly confident in your appearance, I think you are wrong. Let me tell you, your appearance can only be considered upper-middle; without acting skills, you will never be able to play the male lead in your life."

"Teacher Li, isn't this hitting people too hard?"

"Hitting people? I have even harder words to hit you with. Do you think your acting skills are very good? Hehe, if we find any sophomore or junior in our school, their acting skills could leave you in the dust; you can't even see their exhaust."

"... Teacher Li, am I that bad?"

"What do you think?"

"I thought I could be considered your proud student."

"Get out! Relying on a little talent to be complacent, glib-tongued. Let me tell you, after going back, you must study your vocal music and body movement well. I will tell Teacher Gao and Teacher Zhang to ask them to strictly require you. Director Chen has requirements; my friendship doesn't work at this time. Within a month, you must possess the basic singing and dancing skills! By the way, you also need to find an agent as soon as possible. Although they have verbally decided on you, the contract needs you to find someone to negotiate yourself!"

"An agent..." Chen Nuo rubbed his head, feeling a bit of a headache, and said, "Teacher, do you have any recommendations?"

"Do you want to find an independent agent or an agency?"

"Is there any difference?"

"Simply put, an independent agent has fewer resources but a lower commission, while an agency has more resources and can help you find plays, but the commission ratio is also high."

Chen Nuo thought for a while and said: "I'd better find an independent agent."

Li Er drove with both hands, glanced at him from the corner of her eye, and said: "Why?"

"I think for the next few years, I'd better focus on studying."

Li Er's mouth moved slightly, and she nodded.

In the following days, Chen Nuo lived very tiredly.

He didn't know what Li Er had said to the teachers who taught body movement and vocal music, but in short, every class he had now was a key focus object. Every assignment given, others might not be checked, but he was inevitably checked.

But strict requirements also have the benefits of strict requirements, and tiredness also has the results of tiredness. After more than twenty days of study, he finally had some understanding of singing. At least he knew how to vocalize, how to find the key, so he wouldn't go off-key to the sky as soon as he opened his mouth.

As for body movement, the bones of an 18-year-old still have room for salvation. At least Chen Nuo felt that compared to a month ago, his body was more flexible and his movements were more coordinated.

If he went back to act in that scene of walking in the alley, in the action of leaning against the wall, he should be able to act better than he did at the beginning.

Time flew by and it was January 2005.

The training class was ending in the last week, and the film academy was also about to open for registration.

On this day, Chen Nuo got a registration form from Li Er in advance. Li Er told him to go back, stick a photo on it, fill out the form, and hand it back. He didn't need to worry about anything else; just wait for the preliminary exam.

Just as Chen Nuo walked out of the school gate, he saw Ma Yanran wearing a white long down jacket, wrapped tightly, revealing only a face, her nose a bit red from the deep winter wind.

She stood at the main entrance, stomping her feet to keep warm while looking into the school.

Seeing Chen Nuo coming, her eyes lit up and she waved at him.

Chen Nuo smiled. During this time, Ma Yanran hadn't pestered him with various questions every day like at the beginning. He thought this "female sea king" had already turned her attention to others, but he didn't expect her to be waiting here today.

He didn't know if she was specifically here to fish for him, or if he just happened to bump into her net while she was casting it.

"Waiting for someone?" Chen Nuo walked over and greeted her.

Ma Yanran smiled like a flower. "Yes, waiting for you. I have a question I want to ask you."

Chen Nuo asked suspiciously: "What question can't be said on the phone? Don't you have my number? Waiting for so long in such cold weather, is it worth it?"

Ma Yanran said gloomily: "I also wanted to say it on the phone, but you don't answer my calls."

"... Is that so? Then I must have missed it. I'll definitely pay attention next time."

Ma Yanran said: "It's okay, I know you don't like me, but we are classmates, can you answer me a question sincerely."

"Go ahead."

"Then I'll be blunt, don't be angry. Are you particularly close to Teacher Li?"

"Ah? No!"

"Sigh, stop pretending. These days, actually, all of us have seen it... Chen Nuo, I have already inquired, Teacher Li will serve as the chief examiner for the first few rounds of this exam... I just need you to help me talk to Teacher Li." Ma Yanran showed a soft smile. "I will definitely be especially grateful to you, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 22 =====