Chapter 142: You Just Got Pregnant—I Don

The gathering of the Seven Fairies officially marked the beginning of the farewell to "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies."

Less than three days after the gathering, Li Bingbing finished filming and left the crew, followed by Yang Xue and Fan Xiaopang.

The male actors—Zhou Yi, Gao Xin, and Qiao Zhenyu—also gradually finished filming.

On April 6, Dong Xuan finished filming too, but she didn't leave; Huang Shengyi was still in Wushi, and Huosiyen would be the last to finish, fearing a surprise attack on her base.

For this reason, Dong Xuan even turned down the lead female role in her class's graduation play.

Although she already had some fame and didn't need the graduation play to gain exposure, Dong Xuan now wanted to stay at the school, and the graduation play was a good bargaining chip.

With the lead role gone, there were still other roles available, and Dong Xuan planned to put effort into her graduation thesis.

"You really plan to become a teacher?"

Seeing Yan Li, watching Dong Xuan intently using her computer to research, couldn't help asking.

Previously, Dong Xuan had been hesitant about staying at the school; for months she hadn't mentioned it at all, not even triggering the system's information alerts.

Yet now that she'd finished filming, she immediately adopted a prepared stance, leaving Seeing Yan Li caught off guard.

"I'm covering both bases."

Dong Xuan explained her thinking: "I'll give it a try—if I can stay, great; if not, fine. Better than regretting it later. And if I do stay, I can always quit later if I get tired of it."

It wasn't uncommon for professors from Beijing Film Academy to leave academia for the entertainment industry, or for famous stars to join the academy as teachers.

For example, Xu Jinglei from the Four Little Goddesses was hired last year alongside director Tian Zhuangzhuang—she taught "Directing Creation," he taught "Acting Studies," both as official faculty.

Dong Xuan didn't have such privileges.

After all, their industry experience, fame, and honors were right there—they came to the academy as celebrity teachers who could boost its reputation.

If Dong Xuan stayed, she'd have to start as a teaching assistant, likely for two to four years, and pass exams and selections before having a chance to become a full lecturer.

Of course, Dong Xuan could also pursue a master's degree while working; with a master's, her promotion prospects would improve significantly.

"How much does a teaching assistant earn per month?"

Seeing Yan Li was curious about the academy's teacher salaries; Dong Xuan had inquired: "Base salary plus teaching fees—under 2,000, but they provide housing, and we can eat in the cafeteria, so it's actually not bad."

"Do they pay five insurances and one housing fund?"

Dong Xuan replied: "I don't know about the vocational program, but our undergraduate program does."

"Any side income?"

This salary was fine for ordinary people, but for this group of art students, it wasn't high—Seeing Yan Li's first thought was that there must be other income.

"Of course."

Dong Xuan gave him an approving look, then began counting on her fingers.

"I won't mention the pay from filming—just by using the title of Beijing Film Academy teacher, I can earn decent money tutoring outside or working part-time at art exam prep centers, though the school does monitor this depending on the climate."

"Plus, there are academic project subsidies, invitations to speak at related events, and sometimes film companies and production crews hire our professors as consultants."

"Add it all up—while I won't earn as much as famous actors, it's not poor either, and the key is steady income regardless of market fluctuations."

"..."

As previously mentioned, for those in film or theater—actors, screenwriters, directors alike—unstable income is the norm.

Famous ones can live off one job for three years; unknowns like minor players face feast-or-famine cycles.

So for many art students, the top choice is fame; the second choice is securing a stable position.

The biggest troupes have the most people, but schools, due to teaching duties, have fewer openings—yet they remain a popular choice.

If you succeed in landing one, even with low pay, it lets those struggling through endless hardships finally sit back and watch the storm with calm.

It was only because Seeing Yan Li's nature couldn't sit still, and because his vocational diploma was looked down upon, that he hadn't considered staying himself.

He was also quite good at teaching!

Dong Xuan was focused on her thesis and didn't want Seeing Yan Li disturbing her, so she kicked him out.

"Then write well—call me if you want to eat, I'll bring you something."

Seeing Yan Li thought Dong Xuan becoming a teacher wasn't bad—it was low-maintenance, and in her free time, she could still give him lessons.

He wasn't just a good teacher—he was also a good student...

After Seeing Yan Li left, Dong Xuan was busy with her thesis when her QQ suddenly chimed; she opened it to find her close friend Guan Yue, also working on her thesis.

Since coming to Wushi to film, Dong Xuan and Guan Yue hadn't met in person, but they'd kept in constant contact.

【How's it going? Have you told Seeing Yan Li about your plan to stay at the school?】

Dong Xuan replied: 【I told him—he seems supportive.】

【I told you so—listen to me and you won't go wrong.】

Dong Xuan hesitated a moment, then typed: 【Guo, is it true your mother really changed her attitude toward you after hearing you'd become a teacher?】

【Hah, no wonder you're so eager—I get it now. Wait, let's call.】

Dong Xuan waited a moment, then Guan Yue called. They talked in detail about Dong Xuan's question.

Not long ago, Tong Dawei's mother came to Jingcheng to visit her son and met Guan Yue.

At first, Tong's mother's attitude wasn't cold, but it wasn't warm either.

After all, Tong Dawei wasn't an unknown anymore—his career was rising, so his mother naturally became more discerning.

But when she learned Guan Yue was also Manchu and a prospective teacher at Beijing Film Academy, her attitude shifted, showing some appreciation and recognition.

The Manchu heritage meant nothing to Dong Xuan, but the title of "teacher"—Guan Yue could use it, and so could she.

"... I'll tell you, the older generation thinks being a teacher is stable and respectable.

"His mom never said it outright, but I could tell she didn't want Dawei dating someone from the industry."

"A teacher is different—it brings honor to the family and comes with none of the messy drama. Which mother wouldn't prefer a quiet, dutiful daughter-in-law?"

"..."

Dong Xuan nodded repeatedly; Seeing Yan Li's career was improving day by day, and it was hard for her to keep up, so she had to find another path—some bonus points.

So ever since she heard Guan Yue mention Tong Dawei's mother, she had begun pondering this angle.

Could Seeing Yan Li's parents also have a favorable view of the teaching profession?

Although not certain, Dong Xuan thought she could try; Seeing Yan Li had always been filial, and if she could win his parents' approval, combined with their old affection, Seeing Yan Li would be unable to escape her grasp.

Guan Yue chimed in with advice: "... Honestly, don't bother—just get pregnant. I don't believe Seeing Yan Li would refuse to support you."

"What a stupid idea! I'm only twenty-four, I haven't even graduated college—do you want me to be a mother?"

Dong Xuan had attended Shen Yin, and later passed the entrance exam for the General Political Department Song and Dance Troupe; she was not a recent graduate, and was two years older than the average college graduate.

Guan Yue was the same—she was already working, and like Li Bingbing, she had quit her elementary school teaching position to apply to Beijing Film Academy or Shanghai Theatre Academy for further study.

Their close relationship was partly due to this.

Guan Yue continued to persuade: "You're already at the age to be a mother. In my hometown, a classmate even younger than me already has a child."

"Then why haven't you had one?"

"Our Dawei is pushing hard on his career—he's in his ascent phase. How could we marry or have children? Seeing Yan Li doesn't have to worry about this."

Dong Xuan rejected Guan Yue's advice; she wasn't ready yet, and besides, Seeing Yan Li was very careful about this—he always took precautions, and even when they let loose a little, he bought her medicine.

Pregnancy could only be an extreme measure...

(End of Chapter)