Chapter 32: Cheng Hao's Ambition

"What did you say? Peking Opera?"

Central Academy of Drama, Faculty Office.

Ma Shuyun, a teacher in the Class of '97 Acting Undergraduate Program, paused mid-sip of her tea; the crow's feet of her age deepened further under student Cheng Hao's question: "Why suddenly ask about Peking Opera again? Did you reject 'Li Li Li Wei Dangguan' just to act in Peking Opera?"

"Uh... how to put it, Teacher."

Cheng Hao, deeply grateful that the teacher was willing to introduce film and television resources for her, smiled awkwardly: "I just feel my acting skills aren't yet sufficient to shoulder the female lead role in 'Li Li Li Wei Dangguan'. That's the same cast from 'The Yongzheng Dynasty'."

"Nonsense. Xu Zheng from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, who played Zhu Bajie, could go play Li Wei as the male lead, and your acting is even better than his.

"It's just a historical drama with fictionalized elements; why are you so unconfident in yourself? This isn't like you, Cheng Hao."

After covering the porcelain cup's lid, Ma Shuyun smoothed the slightly disheveled curls on her forehead, turned her head to look at her most promising student, her gaze particularly sharp.

It wasn't her boasting; Xu Zheng from the Shanghai Theatre Academy's acting was just so-so. How could her student's acting as the female lead be suppressed? It would be better if she didn't suppress Xu Zheng instead.

She had read the script for 'Li Li Li Wei Dangguan' and understood some of its positioning; it was a play she had carefully selected and felt was very suitable for Cheng Hao, which is why she wanted to give her student a push, letting her compete for the female lead role in this play.

But unexpectedly, she was rejected, and along with it, she also rejected another urban crime drama, 'Desire Interception'.

This left Ma Shuyun very puzzled in her heart.

As a teacher for the Class of '97 Acting Undergraduate Program at the Central Academy of Drama, she actually felt some pressure in her heart.

The Class of '96 Acting Undergraduate Program had already produced several roles with acting skills and fame that were visible to all, one after another, while the Class of '97 she led had only Cheng Hao so far who was presentable.

Naturally, she also had competitive thoughts in her heart.

And Cheng Hao was exactly such a student who gave her the confidence to compete.

Beautiful face, lovely figure, and her lines were impeccable for her age group.

Talent fully displayed, spirit overflowing.

Ma Shuyun always described her student this way when chatting privately with colleagues at the Central Academy of Drama.

It can be said that after noticing Cheng Hao's talent, Ma Shuyun poured much of her effort into her.

And after her strict polishing for a year, in 1998, Chen Hao lived up to expectations with a brilliant film debut in the movie 'That Mountain, That Man, That Dog', acting opposite her senior Liu Ye without falling behind.

After that, Ma Shuyun persuaded Cheng Hao to reject many invitations, continuing to help her student improve her acting skills, and only after reaching the standard did she select 'Li Li Li Wei Dangguan' and 'Desire Interception' for her, recommending her to compete for the female lead roles.

Then there was no then.

Cheng Hao rejected them all, saying she wanted to focus wholeheartedly on preparing for the People's Art Theatre's assessment, striving to smoothly enter the People's Art Theatre to act after graduation.

Upon receiving this news at that time, Ma Shuyun felt both gratified and a bit regretful in her heart.

She was gratified that her student hadn't been blinded by the flashy outside world, and regretful because she felt these two plays were indeed very suitable for Cheng Hao.

But now, not long after feeling gratified, Cheng Hao came again to ask her for help finding matters related to Peking Opera, even specifically naming the play 'Flower Field Mistake'.

This was quite interesting.

As far as she knew, her student didn't have a hobby of listening to Peking Opera in daily life; she wasn't even very interested in Qiong Yao's books and dramas.

"Actually, I have a friend. He newly created a song related to Peking Opera; he wants to promote our country's traditional culture.

"But he has no connections, and just happens to know me, so he asked if I had any relevant channels."

Like facing a parent, Cheng Hao carefully weighed her words as she explained: "I just thought, how could the Central Academy of Drama not have channels in this area of Peking Opera, so I agreed. So I thought to come find you, Teacher, for help, hehe..."

The more she spoke, the smoother the reason became; Cheng Hao, who almost fooled herself, gradually relaxed her expression and smiled mischievously.

"The one from Peking University?"

As her eyes narrowed, the well-traveled Ma Shuyun placed her hand on the porcelain cup and spoke lightly—

The smile on Cheng Hao's face instantly froze at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Didn't I tell you last year? You'd better not provoke that kind of boy, otherwise it will only be a moth flying into the fire."

Seeing the student's expression, Ma Shuyun, who understood the situation clearly, sighed: "You've seen his performance; I think you shouldn't be unclear about his reputation.

"Yes, he is very good, very handsome, and very talented. But precisely because of this, the girls surrounding him are destined to be many.

"Deep down, you are a traditional good girl, Cheng Hao. You don't need to pin your hopes on being able to wait for a prodigal son to turn around and see you."

A prodigal son is very dashing, very handsome, but that is only in the eyes of unrelated people.

"Teacher has been there; who hasn't been young? But sometimes, if you insist on your own way, in the end, it might be you who gets hurt."

"I know, Teacher."

Following the teacher's words, the smile on Cheng Hao's face disappeared, replaced by determination: "But I still want to try; I want to try to see if I can wait for him."

"Why?"

"Because he is really very good."

Whether it was Zhou Yi at their first meeting, that carefree and unrestrained person who could always make her laugh, or Zhou Yi who, after learning her father needed money for treatment and medicine, was willing to take her to earn money together rather than giving money directly for fear of hurting her self-esteem.

She remembered it all vividly.

Zhou Yi's mind could always come up with many strange and peculiar ideas; although she didn't understand them, she felt she should have another advantage—

Compared to those beautiful female stars in the current entertainment industry, her career ambition wasn't strong, so naturally, she wouldn't encounter any casting couch rules.

At worst, she just wouldn't act; she would honestly perform stage plays at the People's Art Theatre or, in the future, take an exam for a permanent position to return to the Central Academy of Drama as a teacher.

She didn't care at all about leaving the industry or not.

Moreover, in terms of looks and figure, she was confident she wouldn't lose to any female star in this entertainment industry; she even felt she was a bit more beautiful.

She could disguise herself as a harbor, a harbor that would gradually become a place Zhou Yi was used to docking after being tired and weary, a harbor belonging solely to him, and finally slowly develop this harbor into a safe haven named home.

Cleanliness was her unique advantage.

She understood Zhou Yi; regarding those women outside, his attitude was always that playing around was fine, but he would absolutely not marry them home, and wouldn't even confirm a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship.

And to defeat those glamorous cheap women in the entertainment industry and win this victory, what she had to do was play to her own advantages.

If she could become famous, that was fine; if not, it didn't matter.

With that group of female stars in the current entertainment industry, regardless of their status, whose scandals were flying everywhere, how could they possibly be her opponents?

After walking out of the teacher's office, Cheng Hao looked up at the setting sun in the distance, full of ambition and confidence.

Having someone in court makes things easier; she solved Zhou Yi's difficult problem by simply going to her teacher.

……………………………………………………

"Ah-choo!"

On Bao Island, on the balcony of the house rented by Hua Na.

Sun Yanzi, who was grilling skewers, wrinkled her nose, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand, turning her head to sneeze.

Zhou Yi, chewing loudly on lamb skewers, snorted: "Someone must be talking behind your back—name a few candidates so I can have some fun."

Zhang Shaohan, the unnoticed bystander afraid of being caught in the crossfire, instinctively shifted his small stool, quietly moving his position away from Zhou Yi to sit beside Sun Yanzi.

"Beef skewers are done, and the squid are almost ready. Zhou Yi, come lend a hand."

"Jielun's skills are pretty good—this grilling is way better than mine."

After being driven away from the grill by Sun Yanzi for burning a few skewers, Zhou Yi watched Zhou Jielun bring out fresh batches of grilled food and gave him a thumbs-up.

Zhou Jielun, having taken off his gloves, smiled shyly: "Taste them first—I haven't grilled squid in a long time, worried I'd mess up the heat."

"You know what? Homemade really does smell better than store-bought." Zhou Yi picked up a skewer and took a bite, savoring every flavor.

"Enjoy your quiet time now—once you debut, you won't have time to grill at home anymore." Watching the two Zhous, who had grown close in just one day, Sun Yanzi could only sigh—Zhou Yi really had social skills.

Zhou Jielun was nothing more than a minor creator; once Zhou Yi's album dropped, its success was obvious—this newly formed friendship between them would likely be severed soon.

After all, even the best friendships fade over time without face-to-face contact.

"The 'I Love You' MV shot in three takes—the barbecue celebration is a success! Cheers!"

With Zhou Yi's excited voice ringing out, Sun Yanzi—who had played guitar with wild abandon all day—uncharacteristically picked up a can of Sprite, raised it to him, and echoed: "Cheers."