Upon seeing the photo, Hua Rong immediately recognized the person's star potential and went to great lengths to sign her. However, she regretted signing her as soon as she did.
The photo became popular because of perfect timing, location, and people. However, once you get to know Song Yimian, you'll find that he's actually a very boring person.
He is mild-mannered and low-key, never competing or vying for attention. In real life, such a person would be a good friend. However, in the entertainment industry, his overly mild and dull nature, lacking any memorable qualities, only makes him a stepping stone for others.
Hua Rong had previously told Chu Meibo that no matter how beautiful a wooden beauty is, it's useless; she was referring to Song Yimian.
Every time she saw Song Yimian, it was a reminder of the wrong choices she had made in the past.
Hua Rong was proud and arrogant, so she took out her anger on Song Yimian.
Song Yimian had a good temper and knew he had let Hua Rong down, so no matter how bad her attitude was, he didn't get angry.
Now that she's in the office, Hua Rong is engrossed in looking at Weibo and ignoring him. He doesn't say anything either, just stands obediently to her side.
After a while, Hua Rong turned off the computer: "Yi Mian, you've been with the company for two years now, and your contract is about to expire. What are your plans?"
Song Yimian hesitated for a moment: "Sister Hua, what do you think?"
Hua Rong smiled and said, "Yimian, it's not that I'm unwilling to sign you. I discovered you myself, but it's been two years, and the company has been investing heavily in you, yet we haven't received a corresponding return. The company's resources are limited, and we can't keep investing like this indefinitely, don't you think?"
Song Yimian's face was somewhat gloomy.
Hua Rong continued, "I won't lie to you. Even if we renew the contract, you'll only get the lowest-level contract. I don't want to hold you back. You're a graduate of a prestigious university. Going back to work is also a way out."
Song Yimian pursed his lips.
Just as Hua Rong was about to wave him away, he suddenly spoke: "Sister Hua, I understand what you mean, and I know I'm not good enough, but... could you give me another chance?"
Hua Rong was stunned for a moment. In her memory, Song Yimian had always been indecisive, doing whatever she said without ever arguing back, let alone taking the initiative to fight for anything.
Now that he said that, Hua Rong became somewhat interested.
"Oh, why?"
Song Yimian was very nervous, but he still earnestly explained his reason: "I...I want to act."
Song Yimian had always been a good boy since childhood, listening to his parents and studying hard to get into university, but he never expected that his life would take such a huge turn.
He only started acting after joining Menghe, and gradually developed an interest in it. He even found professional books and films to study on his own, but his talent was limited and his progress was very slow.
But this did not diminish his love for acting, and it was the first time in his life that he fought for something for himself.
Hua Rong squinted at him for a while, then suddenly smiled and said, "If you really want to stay, there is a way."
Chapter 77
Chu Meibo finished her exams smoothly. Shen Huai used his connections to check her scores. She ranked first in her major at both Zhongjing Film Academy and Zhongjing Media University. This result was not unexpected to him.
In any case, Shen Huai was finally able to put his mind at ease.
After the art exam, Chu Meibo joined the "Traveling with History" program. Before the official recording, all the actors had to take classes in advance. In addition to a series of courses such as dialogue, physical training, etiquette, and cultural studies, Chu Meibo also had to attend Peking Opera classes with Mr. Xue's private tutoring.
After passing the audition, Chu Meibo didn't relax, especially with Peking Opera. The saying "ten years of practice offstage for ten minutes on stage" is no joke. Especially since this wasn't a film or television drama, many scenes had to be filmed in one take to ensure immersion, which meant the actor's margin for error was almost zero.
So when Chu Meibo sang "Beating the Drum and Cursing Cao Cao" in front of Mr. Xue, even Mr. Xue showed an expression of amazement.
Xue Ling was also watching from the side. She had planned to mock Chu Meibo if she didn't perform well, but after listening, she pursed her lips and remained silent.
They are all the best Peking Opera actors and also the best opera fans. You can tell whether Chu Meibo sings well or not just by listening to her sing.
Mr. Xue remarked, "When I last saw you, you seemed quite capable, but in my eyes, your basic skills were lacking. However, in just one or two months, you have impressed me greatly."
Chu Meibo smiled but didn't say anything. She had really put in a lot of effort over the past few months. She practiced whenever she had a break between filming and studying, not only for the sake of being an actress, but also out of respect for those who had always persevered in the Peking Opera world.
"Liyuan" is the second episode of "Traveling with History".
Before the advent of movies and television, people's greatest pleasure was watching plays.
Therefore, that small stage became a place where stories of scholars, ladies, kings, and generals were passed down, reaching its artistic peak especially during the Republican era. Several figures emerged who almost changed the entire history of Peking Opera, resulting in a flourishing of diverse styles whose influence continues to this day.
The play "Liyuan" focuses on one of the characters, using Yun Zhuoyi's life as a thread to tell the story of the rise and fall of the Peking Opera world.
The main filming location for this episode was specially chosen to be Mr. Xue's theater in Mujiang City. Mr. Xue gave his full support, closing the theater for half a month and renovating it. He even transformed the adjacent street into a scene from the Republican era.
Although Xue Ling did not become a supporting actress, she was still among the extras this time.
After acknowledging Chu Meibo's skill level, Xue Ling's expression finally softened, but she still felt uneasy and awkward around Chu Meibo.
Chu Meibo didn't mind. Over this period of time, she had become familiar with the other supporting actors and teachers. These teachers were almost all from the National Theatre of China. Shi Ren and Yu Guangping, who had auditioned Chu Meibo with Director Yu, were actors from the National Theatre of China.
Both sides got along very well in terms of acting methods and attitudes, and Chu Meibo learned a lot from them.
This episode focuses on Yun Zhuoyi and tells the story of the history of Peking Opera, so we specially invited several teachers from the Peking Opera Company to perform with Chu Meibo.
Shi Ren chuckled and joked, "Little Mei, all of us old guys are basically carrying your sedan chair this time!"
Chu Meibo had become familiar with them and knew that Shi Ren liked to joke, so she retorted without hesitation: "Then Teacher Shi, you'd better hold on tight."
"Wow! This girl!"
Yu Guangping, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but laugh: "You're such a rascal. You can never win an argument with Mei'er, but you never learn your lesson."
Not wanting to get angry with Chu Meibo, Shi Ren shifted his anger and spat at Yu Guangping, saying irritably, "This old Yu, he's usually as quiet as a mule, but he's all talk now."
The two were longtime friends, and their banter was full of witty remarks, making Chu Meibo and the other teachers laugh along.
Shen Huai happened to see this scene from outside the door and shook his head with a smile. He never expected that Chu Meibo would become the darling of the production team. However, Chu Meibo was more comfortable with these older teachers than she was with her "peers" on the set before.