Beijing Film Academy Auditorium.
Luo Zheng stood on the podium with a faint smile on his lips.
He looked at Liu Yifei in the audience, and she immediately waved her hand excitedly.
Then, Luo Zheng picked Huang Shengyi, who was sitting next to her, to ask the first question.
Liu Yifei's mouth instantly pouted so much it could hold a bottle of soy sauce.
She knew her cousin was 'bullying' her again.
She was already thinking about how to get 'revenge' tonight.
Beside her, Huang Shengyi was too focused on her excitement to notice her 'good friend's' little temper.
She stood up trembling and asked the question she had prepared long ago:
"Hello, Director Luo, I am Huang Shengyi from the Class of '01.
What qualities do you think an actor needs to have to go international as quickly as you did?"
Luo Zheng nodded; she truly was Huang Shengyi.
Her ambition and utilitarianism were exceptionally strong.
The thought flashed by, and he smiled as he replied with three words: "Uniqueness."
Seeing Huang Shengyi and the students in the audience looking bewildered, Luo Zheng explained: "Don't try to be the second 'someone else'; be the only 'you.' That's what the international market recognizes."
"Thank you, Director Luo!"
Although she didn't fully understand, Huang Shengyi still acted as if she had gained a lot.
Luo Zheng continued picking people, scanning the room and looking toward the area where the Central Academy of Drama students were gathered.
He pointed to a girl with a rather artistic temperament.
Tang Wei was stunned at first, then looked like she had hit the jackpot. She stood up excitedly and introduced herself:
"Hello, Director Luo, I am Tang Wei from the Directing Department, Class of '00 at the Central Academy of Drama.
I want to know, when you return from the fierce commercial competition of Hollywood to this land beneath our feet to find stories, how do you balance an outsider's perspective with the authenticity of local stories?"
Luo Zheng's eyes lit up, and he showed a look of appreciation.
This question perfectly suited the thinking of a sensitive and thoughtful young girl from an artistic family like Tang Wei.
He pondered for a moment before giving an answer: "A very good question. In Hollywood, I learn the rules; here, I experience life.
When creating, I never ask 'why are they like this,' but rather 'why are we like this.'
Treat everyone in front of the lens as yourself, and your sincerity won't lead you astray."
Tang Wei stood there, taking his words to heart.
Although she didn't have much interest in directing—her true purpose for entering the Central Academy of Drama was to study acting—
as someone who loved learning, she still had a unique realization from Luo Zheng's answer.
"Thank you, Director Luo!"
Under the tugging of the classmate next to her, Tang Wei snapped out of her thoughts and hurriedly bowed in thanks.
"You're welcome!"
Luo Zheng nodded and continued selecting students for questions.
After several more, it was finally the turn of the impatient reporters.
But Luo Zheng didn't give them many chances; after all, he was giving a speech at the Beijing Film Academy today.
He had to keep his priorities straight.
After a few questions from reporters that were either flattering or difficult,
the teacher in charge of hosting received a signal from Luo Zheng, walked onto the podium, took the microphone, and gave the concluding remarks for the seminar.
With that, Luo Zheng's speech essentially ended.
The reporters left first, hoping for a 'chance encounter' at the school gate or the parking lot.
Liu Yifei looked left and right, then pulled her two friends along, crouching low as they left their seats.
Huang Shengyi and Jiang Yiyan followed behind her, looking at each other and seeing the excitement in each other's eyes.
The place they were going now was clearly the backstage where Luo Zheng was located.
Liu Yifei's purpose went without saying.
No matter how discreetly the three of them moved, they couldn't hide from observant eyes.
Luo Jin, Zhang Songwen, and Tang Wei watched them, all showing deep envy.
Zhang Songwen was fine; he was sitting next to Huang Bo and could leverage that connection, so seeing Luo Zheng wouldn't be a big problem.
But Tang Wei, who had no connections and no opportunities, was anxious.
She still had many things she didn't understand about Luo Zheng's answer just now.
This knot would keep lingering in her heart.
On the other side, Liu Yifei and the other two entered the auditorium's backstage without any hindrance.
As Luo Zheng's nominal cousin, combined with her beauty, the teachers were naturally very familiar with her face.
They nodded, smiled, and let them through directly.
"Cousin!"
Running over, Liu Yifei's joyful voice filled the auditorium's backstage,
drawing frequent side-glances from school leaders and staff.
Huang Shengyi and Jiang Yiyan lowered their heads in embarrassment.
Liu Yifei didn't care about any of that and charged straight in front of Luo Zheng.
"Sissi, why did you come over?"
"To go home with you, and also to introduce two friends to you!"
These words made Huang Shengyi and Jiang Yiyan tighten their grip on Liu Yifei's small hands.
They felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"Oh?" Luo Zheng's gaze swept over the two of them, and he gave a meaningful smile.
"Thank you for looking after Sissi."
Jiang Yiyan summoned her courage, met his gaze, and spoke up first: "No, no, we all look after each other.
Oh, right.
Director Luo, I'm Sissi's classmate. My name is Jiang Yiyan."
Huang Shengyi also followed up by waving her hands: "Director Luo is too polite. We are all good friends; looking after each other is only natural!"
During this period, Huang Shengyi still had her youthful innocence, and that pure, stubborn look was still there.
After Kung Fu Hustle, she would destroy her own foundation. Although she had constant resources, they were of varying quality, and her public image plummeted from then on.
It was a classic case of picking up a sesame seed only to lose the watermelon.
However, for the 19-year-old Huang Shengyi now, there was still a lot of room for training.
Luo Zheng took a deep look at her.
He said politely: "We're all fellow students now; you can just call me by my name."
Without saying more, Luo Zheng took Sissi's small hand, turned to greet the principal and Tian Zhuangzhuang, and left the auditorium through the back door.
His purpose for coming to Beijing Film Academy today was to give a speech and get familiar with the school leaders. Now that the task was complete, there was no need to stay any longer.
Leaving early would also help avoid being cornered by reporters.
Just as Luo Zheng left the auditorium, Huang Bo arrived backstage with Zhang Songwen and Luo Jin.
But they arrived to find him gone.
They only saw Huang Shengyi and Jiang Yiyan standing there, looking longingly at the auditorium's back door.
"President Luo left?"
Huang Bo stepped forward and asked.
Hearing the familiar accent, Huang Shengyi and the other girl quickly turned and replied: "Director Luo just left."
In the school now, it could be said that no one didn't know Liu Yifei and Huang Bo.
If there were such people, there wouldn't be any after today.
"What a pity. It's all because I was a step too slow."
Huang Bo looked at Zhang Songwen and Luo Jin behind him, his face full of self-reproach.
Seeing this, the two of them waved their hands repeatedly. "No, no, Brother Bo, don't say that. It's our fault for being slow to come out and wasting time."
When someone with status and position is polite to you, you'd be a fool to take it literally.
Zhang Songwen, who had entered society early, understood this principle best.
He glanced at Huang Shengyi and Jiang Yiyan standing nearby, and an idea flashed through his mind.
So he smiled and invited them: "Meeting is fate. Why don't we all have a meal together? My treat!"
"Hey! That sounds great. But I'm the oldest here, so I can't let you pay. It has to be me."
Huang Bo slapped his thigh; these words spoke right to his heart.
He loved making friends, and since he wasn't short on money now, he took over the invitation.
Huang Shengyi and Jiang Yiyan naturally wouldn't miss the chance to befriend Huang Bo. He was currently an artist being heavily promoted by Blue Whale Entertainment.
A music EP of his had directly broken the annual sales record.
In every street and alley, his sorrowful voice could be heard everywhere now.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he became an overnight sensation.
As the group walked together, Zhang Songwen contested for the bill once more before graciously yielding to Huang Bo.