I'm just trying to ride the wave of popularity!

Chapter 9 Eyes That See Through the Depths of the Soul
The movie "Love Ferris Wheel" was first proposed a year ago...

It is a work created by An Xiaoshi and Zhang Jingya, two highly regarded and talented female directors from Yan Ying Film Academy, who devoted a great deal of effort to it.

From project initiation to casting, from investment to formal team building, the entire project was handled by these two individuals. Moreover, they seemed to have some connections. Even before filming began, just when the project was initiated, the senior students who were doing quite well in the industry were praising the film and their juniors An Xiaoshi and Zhang Jingya in the news media. They also spontaneously came to take on various casting and production work for "Love Ferris Wheel," which once created quite a stir among the students of Yan Film Academy.

Well, at least...

In the first half of 03, Chen Jianfeng heard the story of "Love Ferris Wheel" almost every day at school.

……

The midday sun shone on Chen Jianfeng's face.

Chen Jianfeng looked up at the sign for "Love Ferris Wheel" at the entrance.

For some reason, the sign seemed rather glaring, making it hard for him to open his eyes.

but……

It didn't seem as exciting as I had imagined.

Two weeks ago, he went to the set of "Love Ferris Wheel" almost every day for a role, tirelessly handing over his resume and introducing himself to the crew again and again.

"Wait a little longer. I've already spoken to them, but there are too many people vying for the role, and Director An and Director Zhang are too busy. So, tomorrow, could you help me move the table and set around here a bit... During this time, work here as much as possible and get to know them. I'll give you a push, and you'll get the role eventually..."

Because of this one sentence.

From the initial props and set design, to carrying things, to running errands, to moving tables and chairs.

He worked tirelessly for almost half a month on this film set, trying to please anyone who seemed to have some power.

I've heard countless phrases like, "I've already tried to help you," "There's still some work to be done," and "Don't worry, I see how much you've helped, I won't treat you unfairly."

Half a month later...

When the production team was almost complete, he eagerly awaited his resume, only to receive a cold reply: "Sorry, you do not meet the requirements."

The crew members, however, had furrowed brows.

"We've already turned them down and spoken up, but what can I do if they don't like you?"

"Wait a minute, how can that be considered working for free? That doesn't make sense. It was all voluntary. I just said there was some work on set, I didn't ask you to come and do any work."

"Yeah, you suddenly went to work on your own, nobody forced you, what does it have to do with us? You bought the lunchbox and cigarettes yourself... Did we force you?"

"..."

……

The sun is shining warmly today.

Emerging from his reverie, Chen Jianfeng clearly saw the large characters for "Love Ferris Wheel" production team.

He lowered his head and followed behind Zhou Yang.

I felt uneasy.

Today, he came to this familiar place once again.

This time, however, she was no longer a miserable handyman, but was brought in by Zhou Yang as an "actor".

……

"This is a good actor!"

In an unfamiliar office.

Chen Jianfeng and Shen Long had just sat down when they heard Zhou Yang suddenly say this.

Chen Jianfeng, who had been looking down, felt the sudden, brief silence and subconsciously raised his head.

But he found that everyone was looking at him, following Zhou Yang's gaze.

This includes directors An Xiaoshi and Zhang Jingya.

This feeling of being noticed left Chen Jianfeng, who had always been on the periphery, feeling somewhat at a loss.

"He's the lead actor in my new movie!"

After Zhou Yang added a sentence seriously, he looked at An Xiaoshi and Zhang Jingya, and then looked out the window with a sense of emotion.

“These days, I’ve been looking for actors and have auditioned countless recent graduates from Yanying Film Academy…”

"But I'm very disappointed..."

"All I saw was mediocre acting and a completely emotionless delivery of lines..."

"They are like flowers blooming in a greenhouse, bright and fragrant, but not unique, and even less soulful..."

"..."

"I thought that most graduates were like that, until one evening, I encountered a tired figure returning from afar..."

"I saw a possibility in him!"

Zhou Yang paused, took a sip of his brewed coffee, savoring its rich aroma, and said softly, "Unsweetened coffee is bitter... just like some unknown actors. Their appearances aren't particularly outstanding amidst the handsome men and beautiful women, but they are always in the shadows, like coffee beans, constantly undergoing all sorts of trials and tribulations, which is how they exude their own unique fragrance..."

"..."

In the dappled light filtering through the blinds in the office, Zhou Yang pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up his nose and began to tell a story about a man named Chen Jianfeng.

He recounted how, after experiencing disappointment after disappointment at the entrance of Yanying, he finally saw Chen Jianfeng walking silently towards him in the evening sunset.

He recounted that he hadn't thought much about it at first, simply asking Chen Jianfeng to read the lines without any hope, and then suddenly felt a profound shock from the depths of his soul...

He recounted witnessing Chen Jianfeng's amazing acting skills, which gave him goosebumps...

……

Zhou Yang's voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to possess a strange magic that instantly drew everyone into the story.

In the story, Chen Jianfeng seamlessly transitions between roles in just a few minutes: from a lowly laborer to a wealthy businessman, then to a soldier guarding the frontier, and finally to a destitute beggar. His performance is comparable to that of an Oscar-winning actor, with acting that pierces the soul…

Chen Jianfeng's performance in the story is superb; with just one line, he embodies the character, leaving a lasting impression and admiration!
……

Chen Jianfeng stared blankly at Zhou Yang, his mind completely blank.

and many more!

Is this talking about him?

……

An Xiaoshi and Zhang Jingya were both stunned after hearing the story.

They looked at Chen Jianfeng, somewhat incredulous.

Is this big guy, who sits somewhat stiffly and looks a bit silly, really that amazing?
If he's really that powerful, why haven't we heard of him in the academy?
"Hello! My name is An Xiaoshi, and I am the director of 'Love Ferris Wheel'."

At that moment, An Xiaoshi stood up first, shook hands with Chen Jianfeng earnestly, and solemnly introduced herself.

Chen Jianfeng's mind was still blank. He subconsciously stood up and said, "My name is Chen Jianfeng. I am an actor..." He glanced at Zhou Yang out of the corner of his eye and saw that Zhou Yang's deep eyes were full of encouragement and trust.

Somehow, he seemed to have gained some strength, which made him say the word "actor" with great conviction.

"Hello, I'm Zhang Jingya, the assistant director of 'Love Ferris Wheel'..."

Zhang Jingya also came over and shook hands with Chen Jianfeng.

"Hello there!"

After shaking hands once more, Chen Jianfeng felt a slight tremor in his heart.

This was the first time he had been officially seen by the director!
After shaking hands, An Xiaoshi and Zhang Jingya exchanged a glance, but there was a hint of doubt in their eyes.

Is it that magical?
Chen Jianfeng looks quite ordinary now, completely lacking the aura of a movie star.
Then they walked to the side and whispered among themselves, glancing at Chen Jianfeng every now and then...

Zhou Yang casually poured a cup of coffee and handed it to Shen Long and Chen Jianfeng respectively.

"The stage is all set up for you."

Just as Chen Jianfeng was blankly accepting the coffee, he suddenly heard a very soft voice.

He was jolted.

He then looked at Zhou Yang in disbelief.

But Zhou Yang was still all smiles, as if he hadn't said a word, as if what he had just said was just an illusion.

A few minutes later, Chen Jianfeng saw Zhang Jingya stand up and walk over with the script for "Love Ferris Wheel".

"Mr. Chen, would you be interested in trying out the lines for this role?"

Under the light.

Chen Jianfeng felt a slight tremor in his heart.

He stared blankly at the script.

This happened over a period of half a month...

This was the first time I had actually received a script.

A moment later!

This is my stage!

He took a deep breath!

He then nodded and took the script.

"How long will it take to deliver these lines?"

Zhang Jingya looked at Chen Jianfeng and subconsciously asked a question.

Chen Jianfeng still did not answer.

She glanced at Zhou Yang in the distance, who was drinking coffee by the window.

Zhou Yang met his gaze, his deep eyes filled with an unprecedented trust and encouragement.

Chen Jianfeng stood up, went through his lines, and finally looked up at Zhang Jingya with a composed and respectful expression: "Give me ten minutes!"

"You can memorize all these lines in ten minutes?"

"can."

Zhang Jingya was somewhat shocked when she saw Chen Jianfeng nod seriously!
When An Xiaoshi heard this, she subconsciously stood up, looked at the script in her hand, and looked incredulous.

Shen Long, who was next to Chen Jianfeng, was even more dumbfounded!
A brief silence fell over the office.

Everyone stared blankly at Chen Jianfeng, who was intently reading through the script.

Only Zhou Yang held his coffee, sipping it while looking out the window, his expression calm and undisturbed.

Time passed little by little.

As Zhou Yang silently placed his coffee cup on the table, Chen Jianfeng also put down his script.

Then...

He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and saw Zhou Yang nod.

He took a deep breath!

Correct!
This is!

My stage!

Under the lights, under everyone's gaze, he seemed like a different person, immersed in the role, reciting lines from "Love Ferris Wheel" to the air.

……

in the office.

Under everyone's gaze.

Or a hysterical outburst.

Or gazing at someone with deep affection.

Or heartbroken and tearful!

……

Each scene and each line belonging to a supporting character was brought to life with remarkable depth and nuance by Chen Jianfeng's emotional outburst, drawing attention from the audience.

After Chen Jianfeng finished his performance...

There was silence.

Zhang Jingya looked down at the lines and was shocked to find that none of the lines in hundreds of different scenes were wrong.

An Xiaoshi was stunned.

She looked at the script, then at Chen Jianfeng, and finally at Zhou Yang.

But Zhou Yang simply pushed up his glasses slightly, leaned against the window, and gave a faint smile.

A gentle breeze ruffled Zhou Yang's hair as he looked intently at Chen Jianfeng.

"Every ordinary person in this world can shine!"

"But they need a pair of eyes..."

"And I happen to have these eyes that can see into the depths of a person's soul!"

(End of this chapter)