Chapter 47: Personnel Transfer

Yu Feihong watched with interest as several young girls went to find Cao Yang. She carried her glass over to Tian Zhuangzhuang, clinked her glass against Old Tian’s, and squinted as she looked in Cao Yang’s direction.

"Director Tian, I heard your employment status has been transferred from the Beijing Film Studio to the Beijing Film Academy?"

Old Tian took a sip of his drink and said while picking up some food, "That’s right. Being a teacher is actually quite good."

"Cao Yang has already made you his go-to cinematographer; do you even have time to teach?" Yu Feihong asked with some surprise.

"Go on, who is his go-to cinematographer?"

Old Tian chewed his food with a crunch, swallowed, and then said, "Besides, even if I stay on set, does that mean I can't teach? I can have them take turns coming to the set for internships. Participating in practical work is much more useful than just dry reading."

Yu Feihong pursed her lips in a smile and asked as if casually, "Cao Yang is so outstanding, he must have a girlfriend, right?"

"Who knows."

Old Tian took another sip of his drink with a slurping sound, smacked his lips, and said, "Anyway, I’ve never seen one, never heard of one, and she’s never come to the set to visit. He probably doesn't have one."

Glancing at Yu Feihong, Old Tian continued, "Li Xiaoran has been here, though."

"I know. When she came a few days ago, she even greeted me."

Yu Feihong appeared indifferent, but the topic didn't stray from Li Xiaoran. "Is she on very good terms with Cao Yang?"

"Isn't that a rhetorical question? She’s a 'Cao Girl' he plucked from obscurity; how could they not be on good terms?"

Speaking of this, Old Tian chuckled and pointed his chopsticks at Yu Feihong. "If you win an award, you’ll be called a 'Cao Girl' too, though it’s a bit of a pity."

"A pity for what?"

"A pity for your acting skills."

Old Tian had become a riddle-maker; he would only say half of what he meant, just to make people guess.

Yu Feihong was a bit baffled. "Why is it a pity for my acting skills?"

Old Tian stopped talking, stood up, and walked away.

"Hey, hey, you haven't finished yet! Why are you leaving? Where are you going?" Yu Feihong couldn't help but stand up and follow him.

"To drain the lizard! Are you coming along?"

Pfft!

You old lecher!

Yu Feihong’s curiosity had been piqued. Why was it a pity for her acting skills?

Cao Yang should know, right?

Hmph, it’s not like I want to approach you on purpose; it’s just curiosity driving me to find the answer. You’re just a jerk who yells at me every day for having no acting skills. I wouldn't bother with you if I didn't have to.

"Cao Yang, is my acting good?"

Pfft, pfft!

Yu Feihong felt mortified. How did that just slip out?

But, so what if she asked?

Hmph, I asked, what are you going to do about it? You’re the one who keeps calling my acting bad.

The more Yu Feihong thought about it, the more she felt she was in the right. She couldn't help but lift her chin slightly, head held high and chest out. What did she have to feel guilty about?

Cao Yang was a bit confused. Big sister, your scenes were finished yesterday. Did you stay behind just to ask me this?

Also, you’re suddenly acting as proud as a rooster; isn't that a bit inappropriate?

"Not bad."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Hmph!"

Yu Feihong turned to leave, but after two steps, she suddenly remembered the purpose of her visit.

She paused, thinking that turning back now would be so embarrassing. I absolutely cannot turn back, cannot turn back. Walk, just walk.

Old Tian returned from the restroom and saw Yu Feihong’s retreating back.

He sat down next to Cao Yang, picked up his glass, clinked it with Cao Yang’s, and said with a hint of self-satisfaction, "You don't know yet, do you?"

Cao Yang was confused. What would I know?

Old Tian tilted his head back, finished his drink, and said with a chuckle, "My employment status has been transferred to the Beijing Film Academy. Before long, the school’s degree evaluation committee will approve me as a master’s supervisor. Do you know what this means?" What does it mean?

"It means you’re going to be supervising graduate students?"

"That’s right!"

Old Tian slapped his thigh and winked at Cao Yang. "You’ll graduate with your bachelor’s next year, and the school will definitely make you a recommended candidate for graduate studies. I reckon there’s a high chance I’ll be taking on graduate students next year. How about it, kid? Want to join my tutelage?"

"That’s what you said."

Cao Yang took out his phone and pretended to make a call. "I’m calling Teacher Situ right now to tell him you want me to switch to your tutelage."

"Don't, don't! Just joking, I’m just joking. I’ll punish myself with a drink."

Old Tian hurriedly begged for mercy and was about to drink from his glass when Cao Yang reached out to block him, snatched the glass, and set it on the table.

"That’s enough. You’ve had plenty to drink today. You’re not young anymore; how can you drink like this? It’s bad for your health."

Old Tian smiled, didn't reach for the glass, and felt quite emotional.

"I’ve finally realized it. The waves of the Yangtze River push the ones before them. I should have come to the Beijing Film Academy long ago. What’s wrong with teaching and nurturing people? Look at that old guy Situ; his students are everywhere. Cultivating talent is also a pleasure. I shouldn't have wasted eight or nine years in vain."

!

Old Tian reached out and grabbed nothing, so he switched to using his chopsticks to pick up some food. While chewing, he said vaguely, "My greatest wish now is to be able to promote your methods, to cultivate their patience from their student days. Don't be eager for quick success; directing is slow, meticulous work."

Cao Yang opened his mouth, finally let out a sigh, and picked up the glass on the table to drain it in one gulp.

"Senior brother, I wish you success in all your endeavors."

Returning that night and lying in bed, Cao Yang suddenly felt that this world was actually quite good. There are many people eager for quick success, just like himself.

But there are also people like the stubborn Old Tian, who, once they decide on something, move forward without looking back, working earnestly even when they know the difficulties are immense, still insisting on their original intentions.

It would be nice to have more people like Old Tian.

Just as he was about to fall asleep, he heard a knock at the door.

Cao Yang couldn't help but think, are students these days so bold that they dare to knock on a director’s door at night?

One had to know that there were twenty or thirty intern students in the whole crew staying at this hotel, two or three to a room; it would be very easy to know if someone was missing.

Aren't they afraid of it getting out and ruining their reputation?

Opening the door, he saw it wasn't a student as he had imagined, but Yu Feihong.

Fine, she came, but what’s with the chin held high and the chest out? Can’t you do any other expressions or movements?

"Sister Feihong?"

Yu Feihong ignored Cao Yang, walked straight into the room, stood in front of the mirror, and beckoned to Cao Yang.

Cao Yang was full of confusion. He closed the door and walked over. It didn't look like she meant to offer herself. What was she trying to do?

Yu Feihong looked at Cao Yang appearing behind her in the mirror, closed her eyes in satisfaction, and reached out to stroke Cao Yang’s face, much like the plot in *3-Iron*.

If Cao Yang were to reveal a strange smile now, it would be exactly the same as the plot of *3-Iron*.

"Is my acting good?"

"Hmm?"

"How does it compare to Li Xiaoran’s?"

"Ah?"

"Is my acting better, or is Li Xiaoran’s acting better?"

Cao Yang felt a bit helpless. This didn't look like she was in character, so why was she so concerned about acting?

"Why do you insist on comparing yourself to Li Xiaoran?"

"Because her acting is good."

"Your acting in *3-Iron* is no worse than hers."

Yu Feihong’s eyes lit up. She opened her eyes, turned around, and pressed against Cao Yang. "Really?"

"Really."

(End of chapter)