Chapter 1: Rebirth

Lin Nan never really thought that one day he would actually end 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 back then, he had been infected with an unspeakable disease by his girlfriend, who was a bottom-tier, barely-there... well, let's call her an actress.

He had been running a restaurant in Hengdian, but he sold his house and car, went bankrupt, and eventually died.

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

Leaving behind only his father back home, a white-haired man mourning the death of his son.

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

He, Lin Nan, would also wade into this circle and see just how soul-consuming it truly was.

He failed the art exams the first year, simply because his academic scores were too poor; after all, having lived another life, who could remember all that? He rushed into the exam, and his total score didn't even reach two hundred.

He went back and studied hard 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, if you get rich and want to buy a house, definitely don't go to Chaoyang District.

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

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

He fished out a cigarette and put it to his lips, but just as he was about to light it, Lin Nan extinguished the flame; he might as well quit.

He had promised his old man that he wouldn't smoke anymore once he started university.

He walked quickly to the security office at the school gate. "Big brother, here, for you. I've quit." Without waiting for a refusal, he shoved it into the man's hand and hurried away.

"Sigh..." the security guard chuckled. Didn't this kid just walk out?

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

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

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

But such close-range contact was a first for both his lives.

The days of the art exams didn't count.

He remembered that on the first day of school, he saw Wang Luodan, who was already a sophomore; Nai Liang, 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 Three Holy Mother from *The Lotus Lantern Prequel* and Zhu Chuanwu from *Chuang Guandong*.

These were the few stars Lin Nan knew from watching television in his previous life.

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

This year should be when *The Noble Family* started filming, and oh, *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* too—a perfect start.

All these people were still so fresh and young now.

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

He felt his pocket; his living expenses for the month had just arrived: 1,500.

His old man used to be the head of the army mess hall and cooked excellent food; after retiring, he opened a restaurant in the Northwest, which was more than enough to support his only son.

"Little Lin, what are you daydreaming about 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 calling me 'Little Lin' this, 'Little Lin' that—I'm not practicing the Evil-Warding Sword Art."

"How about we go together? I doubt many in our class are free. School just started, and everyone is acting like they have acting contracts, visiting film crews everywhere."

"Yeah, they're all very proactive."

Lin Nan thought of that "Celestial." She had two representative works coming out this year, and her career would soar for over twenty years.

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

The two walked with their arms around each other's shoulders, preparing to visit the Forbidden City.

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

A tour guide led a group, explaining that *The Last Emperor* was filmed right there on location.

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

Not to mention how many awards the film swept, just the lead actor's face alone—it would be unreasonable not to give him an award.

Not to mention it was actually filmed in the Imperial Palace.

Lin Nan remembered that a poster of John Lone hung in Old Zhu's dormitory.

"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, they weren't child stars, and they had only just started learning acting this year. Acting? It would have to be next year at the earliest; at the very least, they needed some substance in their bellies.

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

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

"I'm not going. A classmate of ours is Wang Yuyan, and I'd be running 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 sponging off my parents," 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 sponge off your parents."

"Get lost."

At noon, the two found an alley and had two servings of stewed pork offal with flatbread; the prices were still decent then.

It was just the mung bean milk; it really wasn't for human consumption—it tasted sour and rotten.

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

"Lin, if you really want to find a role, why not ask the teachers? We're much better off than the ones next door. As long as it's serious filming, they'll give us leave easily."

"I know, I know. When I get 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 plenty: analysis of classic literature, history of Chinese and foreign cinema, physical acting classes, psychology, philosophy, and so on.

Lin Nan felt it was okay. After all, school had only been in session for a month. He could focus on building a foundation first and strive to improve his professional level—not necessarily to be at the top, but at least to be presentable.

The academy was already talking about *Hero*. This was a cradle for film and television talent; whenever there was a new blockbuster, the teachers and students here would always be the first to know.

Although it was National Day, there were quite a few people at school.

At this time, it wasn't like later when film crews were everywhere; except for a small number of students who could join crews, most were just extras.

Only slightly better than real bit-part actors.

Zhu Yawen went back to the dormitory, leaving Lin Nan alone to stroll around the school.

There were so many pretty girls; not a single one was bad.

"It's completely unreliable, and they even want to go to the mine to film..."

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

A few seniors passed by Lin Nan, talking about something, seemingly discussing a film shoot.

"The mine? No public release?" Something clicked in Lin Nan's mind.

2002, a film about a mine? Could they be talking about *Blind Shaft*?

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

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

"Don't know the name yet. Just some documentary director who made a script himself and wants to find people to film. He's looking for people at our school, bluffing everyone with nothing, and he's currently with a few of the class advisors."

The two seniors left after saying a few words.

Lin Nan had guessed it—it really was that documentary director!

Baoqiang had won the Golden Horse Award for Best New Performer through that film.

If a student with an academy background replaced him, there would be room to maneuver, and the starting point would be much higher.

After thinking about it, Lin Nan only remembered that the film eventually picked Baoqiang from a large group of extras.

"Should I go try?"

This thought lingered in his mind, refusing to fade.

"Do it!"

Lin Nan decided to go fight for the role.

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

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

"Oh, it's Lin Nan. Director Li has already left. If you chase him 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 already vanished.

The first-time class advisor could only smile and sit down.

At the school gate, two people were walking out.

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

The man in his early forties spoke to the person beside him with a helpless expression.

"Is that Director Li?"

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

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

"Hello Director Li, I am a freshman in the class of '02, Lin Nan. I heard you have a script looking for people, and I would like to try."

Lin Nan finished in one breath, then took a deep gulp of air.

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

Lin Nan's heart was pounding; he couldn't exactly say that he thought highly of him and wanted to strive for the Best Newcomer Award.

The three of them walked for a while and found a private room in a small shop.

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

Lin Nan had no choice but to play his trump card.

"Familiar?" Director Li asked skeptically.

"I come from the Northwest region. We have many small coal mines there too. If the director hasn't chosen a location yet, I could actually help."

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

Sure enough, Director Li's eyes lit up across from him.

For the production 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 perfect, it wouldn't be troublesome, and he himself was also born in the Northwest.

"If you are short on funds, I might be able to help a little," Lin Nan looked at the pondering director and revealed his final trump card.

The assistant beside him nudged the director, clearly moved.