Chapter 1: Rebirth

Lin Nan had never truly imagined that one day he would actually find himself mixed up in this industry.

Looking back at the school gate of the Beijing Film Academy, he wiped his eyes, his thoughts drifting far away.

He remembered that back then, he had been infected with an unspeakable disease by his girlfriend, a bottom-tier, barely-there... let's call her an actress.

He, who had been running a restaurant in Hengdian, had sold his house and car, gone bankrupt, and eventually died.

Lin Nan, an older, unmarried man who had only heard of but never witnessed the chaos of this circle, was just like that, manipulated to his death.

Leaving behind only his father back in his hometown, a white-haired man burying his black-haired son.

When his consciousness cleared once more, the 16-year-old Lin Nan decisively decided to take the art exams.

This circle—he, Lin Nan, would also wade through it and see just how soul-corroding and intoxicating it truly was.

He failed the art exams the first year, simply because his academic scores were too poor. After all, living a second life, who could remember those things? He rushed into the exam, and his total score was less than two hundred.

He went back and studied bitterly for a year, during which he repeatedly pondered the memories in his mind, as well as some major events he had a slight impression of, and made a simple plan for the future.

For example: first, abide by the law; second, still abide by the law; third, once he had money and wanted to buy a house, he must never go to Chaoyang District.

Finally, after stumbling along, relying on a decent face, he successfully entered the acting major.

Eighteen-year-old Lin Nan became a member of the Class of '02.

Pulling out a cigarette and putting it to his lips, just as he was about to light it, Lin Nan extinguished the flame—better to quit.

He had promised his old man that once he started university, he would stop smoking.

He walked quickly to the security office at the school gate. "Big brother, here, for you. I've quit." Not waiting for a refusal, he shoved them into the other man's hand and hurried away.

"Sigh..." the security guard gave a bitter smile. Hadn't this kid just walked out?

It was currently the National Day holiday, and school had been open for a month.

Lin Nan didn't go back to his hometown; he prepared to wander around the capital.

In his past life in Hengdian, because he and his father ran a restaurant, he had seen quite a few big-name stars.

But to have such close contact, this was the first time in both his lives.

The days of the art exams didn't count.

He remembered that on the day school started, he saw Wang Luodan, who was already a sophomore; Jia Nailiang, who was getting his hair done; Dong Xuan, a junior; and Hong Shixian and Yao Dazui, who were seniors...

As well as a few from Lin Nan's own year: the Third Sister of the Lotus Lantern prequel, and Zhu Chuanwu from Chuang Guandong.

These were the few stars Lin Nan recognized from watching TV in his past life.

And the fleeting glimpse of the fairy, whom he had only seen during those first few days of school.

This year, *The Story of a Noble Family* should be starting filming, and hmm, *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* too—a perfect start.

All these people were still so fresh and green right now.

At the end of the year, Director Zhang's *Hero* would also be released; he'd buy a ticket to see it then.

He felt his pocket; his living expenses for the month had just arrived: fifteen hundred.

His old man used to be the squad leader of the army mess hall and cooked a great meal. After retiring, he opened a restaurant in the Northwest back home, which was more than enough to support his only son.

"Little Lin, what are you spacing out for here?"

Zhu Yawen patted Lin Nan. This guy had a great personality and talked a lot.

"Just thinking about wandering around the capital. You're free too, Old Zhu?"

Lin Nan teased him without giving him any face. "Always 'Little Lin, Little Lin'—I'm not practicing the Evil-Warding Sword Art."

"How about we go together? There aren't many in our class who are free. School just started, and everyone is acting like they have acting contracts, visiting film crews everywhere."

"Yeah, everyone is so proactive."

Lin Nan thought of that fairy; she had two representative works being born this year, and her career would soar for over twenty years.

When Lin Nan was about to kick the bucket in his past life, the nurses in the hospital were still discussing *A Dream of Splendor*.

The two hooked arms and prepared to visit the Forbidden City.

During the National Day holiday, the Forbidden City would never be short of people, whether twenty years later or now.

There was a tour guide leading a team, explaining that *The Last Emperor* was filmed on location right here.

Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen had both just watched the film a few days ago, at school.

Not to mention how many awards the film swept; just looking at the male lead's face, it would be unreasonable not to give it an award.

Not to mention it was truly filmed on location in the Imperial Palace.

Lin Nan remembered that Old Zhu's dorm had a poster of John Lone hanging up.

"Tsk tsk tsk, filming a movie here must be awesome," Old Zhu sighed while wandering around.

"Lin, when do you think we'll be able to film?"

Lin Nan was stumped by the question.

Given their situation—neither of them were child stars, and they had only just come into contact with acting this year—acting? It would have to be next year at the earliest; at the very least, they needed to have some substance in their bellies.

There were quite a few in the class who had entered the industry before entering school, but that didn't include them.

"*Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* just started filming not long ago; you could go try out, see if there are any suitable bit parts. The school's reputation is still a bit useful," Lin Nan suggested.

"I'm not going. A classmate in the same class is Wang Yuyan, and I go to run a bit part? Too embarrassing." Old Zhu still cared about his face.

"Don't tell me you have ideas?" Classmate Yawen countered.

"I have some ideas. I'm still relying on my old man for living expenses. Since I've been admitted to the Film Academy, I can't keep being a parasite," Lin Nan said his thoughts quite frankly.

Zhu Yawen gave a thumbs up. "Brother, you have awareness. I support you."

"Then you treat me to lunch today."

"You just said you wouldn't be a parasite."

"Get lost."

At noon, the two found an alley and had two servings of pork offal soup with flatbread; the prices were still okay at this time.

It was just the fermented mung bean milk—it really wasn't meant for humans to drink; it tasted sour and rotten.

After eating, the two walked toward the academy, mainly because they really couldn't think of anywhere else to go.

"Lin, if you really want to find acting work, why not ask the teachers? We're much better off than the neighbors; as long as it's serious filming, they'll give us leave very easily."

"Got it, got it. When your brother gets famous, I'll definitely pull you up, don't worry," Lin Nan said, patting his chest carelessly.

"I'll be waiting."

The acting major didn't have many courses, far fewer than other universities.

But there were still quite a few: analysis of various classics, Chinese and foreign film history, physical performance classes, psychology, philosophy, and so on.

Lin Nan felt it was okay. After all, school had only been open for a month; he could focus on building a foundation first, striving to improve his professional level—not to mention being at the top, but at least being presentable.

People in the academy were already starting to talk about *Hero*. This was the cradle of film and television talent; whatever new or big films there were, the teachers and students here would always be the first to see or know about them.

Even though it was National Day, there were quite a few people in school.

At this time, it wasn't like later on when film crews were everywhere. Except for a small portion of students who could join crews, most were just running errands.

It was only slightly better than being a real bit-part actor.

Zhu Yawen went back to the dorm, leaving Lin Nan alone to wander around the school.

There were so many pretty young ladies; there wasn't a single bad one.

"Completely unreliable, and they want to film at the mine..."

"Heard they didn't even prepare for a public release, what do you think..."

A few seniors walked past Lin Nan, saying something, seemingly discussing a film shoot.

"Mine? Didn't plan for a public release?" Something seemed to be triggered in Lin Nan's mind.

2002, a film at the mine? Could it be that *Blind Shaft*?

Lin Nan hurried to catch up. "Senior, senior, what film were you talking about just now? Something about a mine?"

The two seniors, whom Lin Nan had no impression of, stopped in their tracks.

"Don't know the name yet. It's just a documentary director who made a script himself and wants to find people to film. He's looking for people at our school. He has nothing and is just bluffing people; he's with a few of the class teachers."

The two seniors left after saying a few words.

Lin Nan had roughly guessed it. It really was a documentary director!

Baoqiang had won the Golden Horse Best Newcomer award through this film.

If it were replaced by students with an academy background, there would be room to operate, and the starting point would be high immediately.

Thinking about it, Lin Nan only remembered that this film eventually picked Baoqiang from a large wave of extras.

"Should I go try?"

This thought lingered in his mind, refusing to dissipate.

"Do it!"

Lin Nan decided to go fight for a role.

When Lin Nan found his class teacher, he didn't see the so-called director.

"Teacher Zhou, I heard someone is looking for people to film?"

"Oh, it's Lin Nan. Li Dao has already left. If you chase now, you might still see him at the school gate. Sigh, why are you running?"

Before she could finish speaking, the student in front of her had vanished.

The young teacher who was leading a class for the first time could only sit down with a smile.

At the school gate, two people were walking out.

"If it really doesn't work, just look among the extras; the requirements aren't high anyway."

A man in his early forties said helplessly to the person beside him.

"Is it Li Dao?"

Lin Nan was running a bit fast, but it should be the person in front of him.

The middle-aged man and his assistant turned their heads. "Classmate, are you calling me?"

"Li Dao, hello. I'm Lin Nan, a freshman in the Class of '02. I heard you have a script and are looking for people, and I'd like to try."

Lin Nan finished in one breath before taking a deep breath of air.

The middle-aged man looked at his assistant, then at Lin Nan. "Let's go over there and find a place to sit and talk. All morning, the students who heard the crew's conditions have refused. Several of your teachers don't think highly of it either. Why did you chase after us?"

Lin Nan's heart was drumming. He couldn't say, "I think highly of you, and I want to fight for the Best Newcomer award."

The three walked for a while and found a small restaurant room.

"Mainly, I want to gain some experience. I heard it's being filmed at a mine, and I've been familiar with that since I was a child."

Lin Nan could only use his trump card.

"Familiar?" Li Dao was skeptical.

"I'm from the Northwest region. We have many small coal mines there too. If the director hasn't chosen a location yet, I might be able to help."

Lin Nan was a bit nervous, but it was excitement.

Sure enough, Li Dao's eyes lit up.

For a film crew, finding a suitable abandoned coal mine wasn't difficult, but they would definitely need the help of locals during filming. Having an acquaintance was just right; it wouldn't be troublesome, and he was also born in the Northwest.

"If you're short on funds, I might be able to help a little," Lin Nan said, looking at the director who was deep in thought, revealing his final card.

The assistant beside him nudged the director; they were clearly moved. ===== CHAPTER 2 =====