Chapter 52
Chapter 52
As I smell the aroma of tea and sit by the teapot, my heart gradually calms down.
Ye Chuyang suddenly remembered something and said softly, "On set, when I'm reading the script, I often don't hear people calling me. Don't mind it." He explained this to her.
Shen Qingyuan responded with an "Oh," and said, "It's nothing."
Ye Chuyang chuckled, "I was even misunderstood as being arrogant."
"You're really impressive, so focused." Shen Qingyuan recalled their filming set, with hundreds of people, some working and some talking. Without extraordinary concentration, one couldn't play the lead role.
People can only have pure focus in the field they love.
“There’s no other way,” Ye Chuyang said. “If you’re not smart enough, you have to put in the hard work. If it were you, you probably would have only needed to read the script once.”
Of course, playing a character well is not as simple as just memorizing lines.
"No, it's like being in a completely different world. What you're good at, I might not be good at. Besides, art requires a lot of talent; you can't do it without it."
Sure enough, once someone becomes famous, all they hear are compliments. Even Shen Qingyuan flattered him. He felt a little uncomfortable, but also somewhat encouraged. Ye Chuyang smiled.
“People didn’t say that before.” Ye Chuyang smiled and drank the remaining half cup of tea.
From my senior year of high school until now, only ten years have passed, and the winds of change have become quite strong.
Ten years ago, Ye Chuyang remembered his senior year homeroom teacher criticizing him, "What's the use of playing tricks and gimmicks all day long?"
These days, eight out of ten kids are fans of celebrities. Regardless of their talent, they're desperate to get into the entertainment industry. Their parents also support them, believing that if a star comes from their family, it's incredibly lucky.
Ultimately, it's because the economic foundation is better that only a very small number of people become celebrities, and they are the ones who can best enjoy the benefits of the times.
"Shen Qingyuan, do you really think I have talent?" he asked.
Big stars don't need her approval, but everyone wants recognition—all-around, universally acclaimed. It's human nature.
Shen Qingyuan thought for a moment before replying, "You sing really well, don't you? I remember in our senior year of high school, there was some kind of party where you sang a song, and the girls in the audience were screaming like crazy."
It's probably the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.
On a late autumn evening, the orange lights of the stage shone down, and male and female students alike brought their own small stools to sit outdoors and watch the show. Unfortunately, the old sound system was malfunctioning, occasionally letting out a piercing buzz that was extremely harsh.
When her teacup was empty, Ye Chuyang poured her another one.
The first "electric experience" in one's career is the most memorable thing for every artist.
He wasn't born a star. Aside from his good looks, he wasn't necessarily favored by those around him when he was young.
Back then, good academic performance was the only thing that earned you widespread praise. Singing and dancing were indeed considered rare and special skills, especially in a small place like Chenyang. Few people in Chenyang had ever seen a celebrity, and this remote and impoverished place hadn't produced many household names.
People generally lack imagination and are generally law-abiding.
The main performers at the Mid-Autumn Festival gala were first- and second-year high school students. As for the third-year students? Everyone assumed they were preparing for the college entrance exam and couldn't afford to "waste" a single moment. After all, it was the most important year of their lives.
So when Ye Chuyang, a senior high school student, volunteered to participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, the people around him were slightly surprised.
"Wow, buddy, I didn't know you were so talented!"
"Just don't sing in the dorm at night. I haven't been sleeping well lately and can't handle new stimulation."
"I heard Yu Miaomiao also has a performance. Why don't you guys do a love song duet? It'll definitely be a sensation throughout the school!"
...
The boys in the dorm made a few teasing remarks with smiles, while others encouraged him.
The homeroom teacher only mentioned it casually, but unexpectedly, some people actually took the bait.
Needless to say, Yu Miaomiao is a key member of the arts and culture group. She has been planning to pursue an artistic career since she was a child and was thinking of using these group activities to practice so that she could remain calm and not get stage fright during the art exam.
Ye Chuyang wasn't a good impression on his homeroom teacher. Aside from being tall and handsome, he didn't have any other outstanding features. But what's the point of a boy being so handsome? It's not like he'd be able to put food on the table.
So when Ye Chuyang got the registration form and asked the homeroom teacher to sign it, his first reaction was, "What a joke."
"Ye Chuyang, there are only a few months left until the college entrance exam. Preparing for a performance is quite a waste of time. Do your parents support you?"
When something happens, bring up your parents first.
A while ago, a book vendor came to the school. His secret weapon in his speech was to stir up the students' guilt towards their parents. It was quite effective; the students cried their eyes out, and he sold a whole truckload of books.
Ye Chuyang's grades were mediocre from a young age. When he entered high school, the courses became more difficult, making it even harder for him to learn.
His parents didn't pressure him to achieve a certain score. Several of their cousins joined the army after graduating from high school, which was a good career path. They just wanted Ye Chuyang to join the army as well, so he could easily get his high school diploma. Compared to other parents of high school seniors, Ye Chuyang's parents were surprisingly relaxed.
"Yes, my parents are very supportive. They think that participating in more school activities can help me develop myself," Ye Chuyang said.
The homeroom teacher was speechless; this family wasn't playing by the rules. But showing their faces at the party was a kind of class honor, and the school didn't officially prohibit senior students from participating.
"Alright then, there's also that person in the class... Yu Miaomiao signed up. If you two put on a show together, your chances of being selected will be higher. You can go back first, I'll talk to her about it later."
Ye Chuyang agreed and happily left the office. She had originally planned to sing solo, but a duet would be fine too.
As for the real motivation for performing? Actually, everyone, from childhood to adulthood, can more or less sense what their area of expertise is. Even unknown little people are interested in one day stepping onto the stage, under the spotlight, and becoming a figure of great acclaim.
Moreover, there were people he wanted to attract in the audience.
You could interpret it as a peacock spreading its tail feathers, a bird of paradise dancing, and a weaver building its nest.
During courtship, it's something we're born with, and it means we'll do anything.
Walking briskly and gesticulating wildly, he almost bumped into a girl at the corner. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Shen Qingyuan, who was carrying a stack of test papers.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."
Ye Chuyang was stunned. The person in his mind suddenly popped into his mind and was right in front of him.
In an instant, it was as if a little secret had been exposed to everyone, and he was a little flustered and at a loss.
Shen Qingyuan's hair was a little messy. She took a breath and raised her voice, "You scared me to death, Ye Chuyang."
I did remember his name. The style of the name had a touch of old-fashioned romance novel male protagonist flair—a bit affected. In that sense, the name "Shen Qingyuan," chosen by her father after poring over countless poems, also had a similar affectedness.
Ye Chuyang stepped back, slapped the back of his head and laughed, feeling embarrassed but also a little relieved. "I was walking too fast just now and didn't see you."
"If I had known you were coming to the administration building, I would have asked you to bring the exam papers with you," Shen Qingyuan said.
The teaching building and the administration building are about a kilometer apart, and it takes quite a while to get there. Shen Qingyuan simply thought it would be more cost-effective to have someone bring them over.
That's how friendships work; they develop naturally through give and take. Last time, Shen Qingyuan lent her physics notes to Ye Chuyang, who held the stack of notes with high hopes, intending to study them carefully. However, two weeks later, he still felt like he was reading gibberish.
Ye Chuyang was greatly encouraged. "Then next time I come, I'll ask you if there's anything you want to bring?"
Shen Qingyuan smiled but remained silent. He had casually mentioned it, and he had readily agreed.
The exam papers were a bit messy, so Shen Qingyuan lifted one leg and used it to tidy them up.
Upon seeing the exam paper, Ye Chuyang suddenly remembered that the registration form was still on the homeroom teacher's desk.
He slapped his forehead, "Oh dear, I forgot something."
"What?"
"I signed up for the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, and the registration form is still on my homeroom teacher's desk."
The two walked together toward the teachers' office. This time, he slowed his pace and walked beside Shen Qingyuan. It felt good.
As I approached the office door, a familiar voice rang out, "I really don't understand. You're already in your final year of high school, and you're still messing around with all sorts of weird tricks every day. What's the point?"
Ye Chuyang paused in his steps.
Then someone inside laughed and said, "Old Ma, don't get angry. Our senior year has to put on a show, and someone volunteered. I think that's great. Besides, people need to participate in arts and sports activities. Maybe your class will produce a big star someday!" The tone was mainly teasing.
Old Ma said angrily, "Chenyang has produced celebrities? Anyway, I'm ignorant, I've never seen them or heard of them."
The homeroom teacher teaches Chinese and is known for his tendency to pedantically display his knowledge.
Seeing Ye Chuyang stop, Shen Qingyuan also stopped and curiously observed his expression. He lowered his head, his long eyelashes drooping. A fleeting disappointment flashed in his eyes.
With drooping eyebrows and drooping eyes, pale, dejected, and frustrated.
Based on Ye Chuyang's expression, the conversation inside, and the party registration form he just mentioned, it's not hard to guess who they're talking about in the teachers' office right now.
Even for teachers, it's inappropriate to talk about students behind their backs, isn't it?
If it were just him, being ridiculed by the teacher would be one thing, but now Shen Qingyuan is here too, right in front of her...
After a brief moment of pallor, Ye Chuyang's face flushed red instantly, at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Shen Qingyuan noticed that his fists had clenched at some point, and his whole body was tense, as if he had an energy that made him want to rush in and argue at any moment.
Boys at this age are more or less impulsive.
Shen Qingyuan freed one hand and placed it on Ye Chuyang's arm, whispering, "Come with me."
At the beginning of the school year, someone dragged her to participate in a relay race without thinking twice.
Now, history is repeating itself.
Ye Chuyang was pulled away by her without struggling or resisting. The two walked for two or three hundred meters before stopping at the end of the corridor.
There was a window nearby. The sun, which was shining in around two or three o'clock, shone into Ye Chuyang's face. He squinted, shielding his eyes with his hand because it was too bright.
She said, "Ye Chuyang, don't be impulsive."
She added, "Do what you want to do. Don't worry about what others say."
He stood there stunned, and when he came to his senses, he found that Shen Qingyuan had already left.
He stood there for a while, savoring the girl's voice and smile: when she spoke, her eyes were unusually firm; the warmth in her eyes soothed Ye Chuyang's wounded heart.
Suddenly, those words no longer sounded harsh.
-
“That song…” Ye Chuyang poured Shen Qingyuan another small cup, put down the teapot, sat up straight, and looked at her leisurely. “At the time, I mainly wanted to sing it for you.”
His eyes were clear and very gentle.
The girls on the playground were all in a daze, screaming and shouting, but that was nothing. He mainly wanted one of the girls to hear it.
Of all the waters in the world, I only need a single sip.
It's a bit hot; the tea must be too hot. Shen Qingyuan thought to herself. She felt this place was really unsuitable for staying long; it was unbearably hot.
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