The birth of an actor

Chapter 15 He's Really Handsome
For An Xin, the "mysterious" Beijing Film Studio had just unveiled a corner of its mystery to him, and before he could see the whole picture, it stingily kicked him out.

But his attention was entirely on Fan Bing at that moment.

"Are you okay?"

"No."

Fan Bing continued to shake her head:

"I've encountered this several times."

As they talked, the two of them walked out of the Beijing Film Studio.

Sure enough, there was someone in the shadow of the bush, and her sign was placed on the curb in the sunlight.

A guy crouching under a bush was engrossed in reading a book about the size of a comic book, completely ignoring the two people who came out.

It has a kind of forceful attempt to cover up the truth.

Fan Bing didn't mind. After picking up the sign, she looked around and pointed to a spot on the side of the road:

"Let's go there."

There's no shade over there.

"There are only a few minutes left, hang in there. When people get off work and cross the road, they will definitely look to the left for oncoming traffic. If we stand at the intersection, they will be able to see us."

"..."

Anxin was speechless for a moment.

Only after walking to the roadside and being exposed to the sunlight did I finally ask:

"You did all of this yourself?"

"Yeah, hehe, I don't usually tell this to just anyone."

Fan Bingbing looked somewhat smug:
"Think about it, whether you're driving or cycling, when you come out of the door, you either have to turn right directly or cross the street to the other side. I've been looking for patterns these past few days and I've noticed that more people walk towards Xingtang Road."

How awesome.

Anxin sighed inwardly.

Furthermore, even he had to admit that although the girl before him hadn't fully matured and was far from the kind of stunning beauty that would make her the absolute center of attention in later generations, the youthful energy of her teenage years radiated from her face, and under the bright sunlight, she still exuded a captivating charm.

No wonder that person said she stole the show.

Her youthful beauty is indeed too aggressive.

Just then, he heard Fan Bing say:
"Including this time, this is the fourth time I've been selected but the result has been unsatisfactory."

"?"

Anxin subconsciously looked at her.

The girl's face radiated youthful energy, showing no sign of disappointment or discouragement.

"Actually, I'm not angry, because the reason given all four times was that I would steal the spotlight or overshadow others. But when I think about it from another angle, doesn't that just mean they're not as pretty as me? You agree, right?"

She seemed to be talking to herself, or perhaps trying to comfort herself.

She seemed to be asking for reassurance, but the next second she pouted and showed a nonchalant expression:

"Hmph, what can you do? It's just how they are! They just have a few more opportunities than me, and they age faster than me. I'm only fifteen, and I'm already a threat to them. When I get a few more years older, I'll outlive them!"

"Didn't you say you were seventeen?"

"..."

Fan Bing's lips twitched, and her face flushed quickly, whether from the sunlight or something else, as she watched An Xin selectively ignore his words.

"I'm definitely prettier than them anyway!"

Now, An Xin finally understood the venting of resentment in his words.

After thinking for a moment, he smiled and nodded:
"Yes, I already said, you're definitely going to be a big star in the future."

"……hey-hey."

Fan Bing laughed again, her eyes constantly glancing towards the gate of the Beijing Film Studio, as she said:
"Hey, are you planning to become an actor? Are you still going to university?"

"Of course I'll study it. But I find this industry quite interesting and want to give it a try. Director He just happened to ask me for some artistic photos... I'd like to give it a shot. I've finished reading 'Six Lectures on Acting' these past few days, and I've gained some understanding..."

"Hey, hey, I'm here. I'll talk to you in a bit. You stand with me. Face this way!"

Before Anxin could finish speaking, Fan Bing quickly pulled his arm to adjust his position and picked up the board in her hand.

A perfectly timed smile appeared on his face.

An Xin also adjusted his orientation. He didn't really care whether these people would take a liking to him or not; he just treated it as an experience.

In his book, *Six Lectures on Acting*, the author states that an actor should be observant. This involves observing the characters they are portraying and personally experiencing the characters' inner thoughts and feelings.

He understood, and he didn't quite understand, but at least he knew that what he was experiencing at this moment was something he had never experienced in his previous life.

It's incredibly novel.

Soon, the first person on a bicycle passed by the two.

He didn't even glance in this direction.

Then came the second, the third... and a Santana...

As people were leaving get off work, the number of people at the Beijing Film Studio did increase, and the actors who had been squatting at the entrance gradually squeezed onto the roadside.

But An Xin and Fan Bingbing are still in the best positions.

But it was really hot.

After standing in the sun for nearly twenty minutes, Fan Bing finally felt it was enough and, with sweat beading on her forehead, said to An Xin:
"Okay, let's go. I'll treat you to dinner. I know a place that makes really good liangpi (cold skin noodles), and it's cheap too! Oh right... I forgot to ask, how did you get here? By bus?"

No, riding a bike.

Upon hearing this, Fan Bing asked with a grin:

"Your uncle treats you very well; he even provided you with a car."

"Absolutely! I wouldn't trade it for a county magistrate position!"

"Hahaha... Come on, I'll treat you to liangpi (cold skin noodles). It's really close to that photo studio. Let's go there after we eat."

"Ah."

Anxin nodded and walked towards where the car was parked, carrying the bag of local specialties she had given her.

But when she saw him insert the key into the Haomai 125, the girl's face froze.

"Mo...motorcycle?"

"Yes, this is much less strenuous than riding a bicycle."

"This……"

For some reason, her face turned pale.

"You get carsick?"

Hearing An Xin's words, Fan Bing shook her head, but instead of getting into the car, she said:

"How about... I run, and you follow behind me?"

? ? ? ?
Anxin was completely dumbfounded.

Regardless of how far the journey is, you're running in this heat?

Seeing his absurd expression, Fan Bing also looked troubled:
“I… was in a car accident. My dad was riding his motorcycle to pick me up from school when a jeep hit us, dragging me under the vehicle and breaking my leg. Ever since then, I’ve been afraid of motorcycles…”

"Uh……"

Upon hearing this reason, Anxin thought for a moment and said:
"This is a scooter, it won't go fast. Don't worry. I'll just ride slowly on the sidewalk. If you run like this, your makeup will be ruined, how will you face anyone this afternoon?"

Fan Bing obviously understands this principle as well.

But clearly, he couldn't get over that mental hurdle.

Seeing this, Anxin thought for a moment and suddenly started gesturing in the air towards her.

Fan Bing was taken aback, then saw An Xin's lips move slightly, muttering something, and finally pointing her hand into the air:
"Alright, I've added a talisman for you. With the old immortal protecting us, we'll definitely be fine."

"?"

After he finished speaking, a look of confusion appeared on the girl's face:

"Didn't you say that the old immortal doesn't cross the Shanhaiguan Pass?"

"..."

Anxin's lips twitched.

How come your memory is so good right now?

"Don't worry. Do you know my name?"

"Don't worry."

"That's right. My name is Anxin (Peace of Mind), you'll feel most at ease riding in my car!"

It was a pun, something this girl probably wouldn't understand. But after his repeated assurances, Fan Bing finally nodded.

"Okay, then slow down."

"Do not worry."

Anxin pushed the motorcycle out directly, sat on it, and said to her:
"boarding."

"……Um."

It was clear that Fan Bingbing's expression was strained, but she still got into the car. And as soon as she got in, she immediately grabbed An Xin's clothes from both sides:
"Please...please go slowly."

"Yeah. I know."

He started the motorcycle and began to move slowly.

Even so, the next second, his waist was still trapped by two hands.

There was even some force involved.

Clearly, the girl behind him was incredibly nervous. All he could do was ride slowly, at a snail's pace, until he reached the low curb.

"I'm off the sidewalk, don't be nervous."

"……Um."

She had said those words, but the moment the car started to bump, Anxin immediately felt the girl press her whole body against her.

Her hands gripped his waist tightly, like an iron gate. His whole body felt stiff as a board, not soft at all.

Anxin thought that the car accident must have caused her a lot of psychological trauma.

But at least the car had merged into the road, so he reminded the driver:

"All right."

"……Um."

The body that had been pressed against his back moved away again, but the hand on his waist remained motionless.

"That way?"

"Turn right at the next intersection and walk towards the entrance of Beijing Film Academy."

"it is good."

So, amidst the snail-paced chugging of their car, the two headed toward the delicious liangpi (cold skin noodles) shop she had mentioned.

……

To be honest, regardless of how the liangpi (cold skin noodles) tasted, the price was quite reasonable.

One yuan a bowl, and the portion is very large.

With two sesame seed cakes costing five mao each, I was perfectly satisfied with this meal.

The restaurant is very kind and provides chilled mung bean soup to the students who come to eat.

Bright red mung bean soup paired with ice cubes becomes the best way to beat the summer heat.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Fan Bing took him directly to the photo studio in the area. She told the owner to "put on makeup," and the owner immediately understood and took Anxin to get her makeup done.

Sitting in front of the mirror, the female boss praised Anxin for his good looks while applying makeup to him.

But Fan Bingbing remained silent, and it was unclear what she was doing.

But I have to admit, this photo studio is really professional. After a full makeup session, Anxin was even a little impressed by how handsome she looked when she was younger.

Wow, this young man is really good.

No wonder she attracted so many bad romantic prospects back then.

"These are clothes. Try them on in a bit and see how they feel. Let's go to the photo studio."

Following the female boss's words, Anxin nodded and walked out of the dressing room. Only then did he realize... Fan Bing had already fallen asleep on the bench.

He folded the cardboard he carried with him into a hollow cylinder, placed it under his head, and curled up on the recliner, fast asleep.

"Fan Bing is very hardworking."

The female boss opened the door to the photography studio and, seeing An Xin lost in thought, casually remarked.

An Xin was taken aback and asked:

"Are you very familiar with her?"

The female boss smiled slightly:
"Not every student from Beijing Film Academy can get an artistic photo for 3.5 yuan a piece when they come to me."

"..."

Anxin's lips twitched.

It's not because of the price of three yuan and fifty cents a piece.

Actually, the cost of taking and developing a regular photo is at most one yuan, with a slightly more expensive one yuan and fifty cents. However, if it's a Kodak specialty store, it will be much more expensive, around three yuan, because their photographic paper is of better quality.

Before he arrived, Fan Bing had already told him the price.

The photoshoot fee, including makeup and clothing, is thirty yuan. Printing the artistic photos costs three yuan and fifty cents per photo, with a minimum order of ten.

The normal price is six yuan, but it gets cheaper the larger the quantity.

She took Anxin there, and the price was definitely three yuan and fifty cents, so Anxin didn't need to worry.

So this is not surprising.

He was speechless because how did this girl become a student at the Beijing Film Academy again?
If Director Xie, whose hair you've practically pulled out of his head, heard this, wouldn't he shed a tear?

But he didn't say anything and quietly walked into the photography studio with the female boss.

I don't know much about taking artistic photos, but the female boss said there are three types.

Full-body, half-body, and close-up portraits.

A full-body shot simply shows a person standing in front of the camera wearing relatively simple and elegant clothing, displaying their entire body. A half-body shot is a portrait of the upper body. A close-up shot shows a person posing, such as looking at someone with peace of mind.

At this moment, he was wearing a white shirt, sitting on a stool covered by a hundred-step canopy, slightly turned to the side, with his hands clasped in front of his face, stiffly posing for the camera.

It was quite embarrassing, and I even felt that my facial muscles were tense and stiff.

But the female boss, holding a camera, had a sparkle in her eyes:

"Yes, that's it... Good... Good... This one looks good..."

Click click click.

An Xin was speechless, thinking to herself, "My smile is so stiff, how can it look good?"
But the female boss, who had put down her camera, had bright eyes:
"Are you a freshman this September?"

"Uh...right."

"Your future career is definitely going to be great."

Having photographed countless students' portraits, the female boss, with over eight years of experience, shared her insightful and experienced perspectives.

"Your features are very defined, making you exceptionally photogenic. You're already quite good-looking in person, but you always look even better in photos than in real life. It's a rare advantage for you, classmate."

Having been praised for no apparent reason, Anxin could only smile and nod.
"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Come on, let's take a few more sets. I'll carefully select the best ones from this set for you. They'll definitely turn out great... I'll keep one for you, so you can hang it on the wall by the door when you become famous, okay? I'll give you a five-dollar discount on the shooting fee."

She seemed to really appreciate it, and while asking questions, she came to the clothes rack to help Anxin choose the clothes she would change into next.

"Haha, okay. Thank you so much."

"Ha~ You'd better become famous soon. But I think you'll definitely be fine. You'll understand once the photos come out."

As the female boss spoke, she handed over a tie and a suit jacket:

"Here, put this on. You know how to tie a tie, right?"

"meeting."

"Um……"

The filming lasted for nearly an hour and a half.

After changing into seven or eight outfits and being "persuaded" by the female boss to take twenty photos instead of ten, the worry-free photoshoot finally came to an end.

It was almost 2 o'clock.

He came out with makeup still on, looked at the girl who was still fast asleep, thought for a moment, and then gently nudged her shoulder.

"Hey, wake up."

"...?"

Fan Bing subconsciously opened her eyes.

My vision was blurry and hazy.

Through a hazy vision, I looked at the handsome boy in front of me...

A thought suddenly flashed through my mind:
"Wow! This person is really good-looking!"

(End of this chapter)