Huayu 2004: Starting with The Return of the Condor Heroes

The classroom erupted instantly.

"Hahaha, Lin Hao, are you serious?"

"Go for it! What if you get elected?"

"We didn't even pass the art exam, wouldn't we just be cannon fodder if we went?"

Despite the laughter, everyone knew in their hearts that the group of people present were all young people with dreams of becoming actors.

It would be a lie to say I didn't want to go.

But they all know their own limitations.

She hasn't even taken the art college entrance exam yet, and she's already auditioning for a big-budget film. She'll most likely fail the acting test.

It's not shameful to go, but the chances of being selected are practically zero.

Guo Zhenzhen didn't laugh; instead, she looked at Lin Hao with a scrutinizing gaze for a few seconds.

She knows this student too well.

Despite his poor facial features, he never gave up.

He was always the most attentive student in every practical class, his acting skills were among the top three in the class, and his physical presence was impeccable. He was handsome, no doubt.

It's just that face... how should I put it, it always falls short no matter what role it plays.

"Stop laughing." Guo Zhenzhen tapped the table. "At least Lin Hao had the courage to stand up. What about you? Who still wants to go? Nobody? Then stop being so sour behind their backs."

The classroom fell silent immediately.

Guo Zhenzhen looked at Lin Hao, her tone softening slightly, "But Lin Hao, I also have to tell you the truth, you're not the only one auditioning, and Director Yu has a bad temper and is very strict in choosing people, are you sure?"

"Sure."

Without a second's hesitation.

Guo Zhenzhen nodded. "Then come to my office after class, and I'll give you the details."

"Okay!"

The moment the bell rang, Lin Hao was the first to rush out of the classroom and the first to rush into the office.

The speed was so fast that it surprised Guo Zhenzhen. She hadn't even arrived yet, and the guy had already moved a stool and sat down next to her workstation.

"You run fast."

"Teacher Guo, what role does she play?"

Guo Zhenzhen pulled out a piece of paper with several character names written on it, most of which had been crossed out.

"There's still one role for Zhen Zhibing that hasn't been decided yet. You know the character, right?"

Zhen Zhibing.

Lin Hao's heart stirred.

of course I know.

The character who was a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect, obsessed with Xiaolongnu, and ultimately made a grave mistake.

To put it bluntly, he's a pervert.

To put it nicely... he's still a pervert.

But from an actor's perspective, this is a role with a lot of room for development.

Because Zhen Zhibing's inner world is extremely complex, he is not simply a villain, but a tragic figure who struggles repeatedly between lust and morality, ultimately sliding into the abyss.

This kind of role, if played well, can make you an overnight sensation; if played poorly, can make you a public embarrassment.

At the same time, another crucial piece of information popped into Lin Hao's mind.

The actress who played Xiaolongnu in the 06 version of "The Return of the Condor Heroes" was none other than Liu Yifei, who was the "Fairy Sister" in her prime!

Acting opposite Liu Yifei?

The character Zhen Zhibing... who else could it be but him?!

"Three days later, third floor of the China World Hotel in Beijing, Director Yu Min." Guo Zhenzhen wrote Yu Min's contact information on a piece of paper and handed it to him. "Contact him in advance and give him your name."

"Thank you, Teacher Guo!"

Lin Hao took the note and was about to leave when Guo Zhenzhen suddenly called him back.

"Lin Hao".

"Um?"

"When other kids have puppy love, it affects their studies." Guo Zhenzhen pushed up her glasses, a half-smile on her face. "But you, you've turned puppy love into motivation."

Lin Hao was taken aback.

He knew what Guo Zhenzhen was talking about.

The relationship between the original owner and Yang Mi was almost an open secret in the class.

The two have known each other since childhood, living in adjacent buildings and going to and from school together.

Countless versions of gossip circulated at Beijing No. 14 Middle School, saying that Lin Hao only studied acting in order to pursue Yang Mi.

In reality, the two didn't have that kind of relationship.

At least not on the surface.

But if you say you have absolutely no ideas... well, your diary from before you regained your memories won't stand for that.

"Teacher Guo, you've misunderstood. Yang Mi and I are just ordinary friends."

"Alright, alright, stop explaining." Guo Zhenzhen waved her hand, giving an "I understand" look. "I didn't say anything, go on, go on."

This statement is even more suffocating than directly saying, "You only went there because of Yang Mi."

Lin Hao opened his mouth, but found that any explanation would be futile, so he had no choice but to swallow his anger and turn to leave.

A meaningful laugh came from behind.

After leaving the training course, Lin Hao took out his brick-like Nokia phone from his pocket and saved Director Yu Min's contact information into it.

That's how mobile phones were back in 04. The screen was the size of a palm, and the buttons made a clattering sound. Sending a text message required pressing the buttons for ages.

But Lin Hao didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Compared to the days of being bombarded with all sorts of messy information in my previous life, this era has a rare sense of simplicity.

I looked up at the sky. In Beijing's autumn, the sky was high and the clouds were light, and the sun was shining brightly.

In his previous life, he spent ten years in the entertainment industry, from extras to minor supporting roles, and from minor supporting roles to being sidelined. His journey was filled with humiliation and frustration.

This time it's different.

He has past life experiences, the blessing of a system, and a face that, although once injured, has now been repaired.

Zhen Zhibing was just the beginning.

He's going to win the Best Actor award.

As for the middlemen making a profit...

Let's get the role first!

The following day, Monday.

Beijing No. 14 Middle School.

The campus in 2004 and the campus twenty years later are completely different in style.

The streets were full of candybar and flip phones, the school gate was selling egg pancakes for one yuan a serving, and the school loudspeaker was playing Jay Chou's "Seven Mile Fragrance".

Girls like to hang plush toys on their schoolbags, while boys discuss Naruto and Slam Dunk during breaks.

When Lin Hao walked into the classroom, he felt the atmosphere of this era.

That genuine sense of youth, even a lifetime later, can still gently touch you when you're in it again.

However, his reflection lasted less than three seconds before he was interrupted by a voice.

"Oh, look who's here."

Yang Mi.

She rarely comes to class today.

Her long, black hair was tied in a high ponytail, revealing her smooth, full forehead. She wore a white T-shirt and jeans, with her backpack casually slung over one shoulder.

At eighteen, Yang Mi was far from possessing the sharp aura and sophisticated makeup she would later have.

At this moment, her eyes still retained a touch of girlish innocence and charm, and when she smiled, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, giving her a lively and approachable girl-next-door vibe.

In other words, it's so tender you could squeeze water out of it.

"Hey! Isn't this a big star? Why did you suddenly decide to go to class?" Lin Hao fired first.

Yang Mi rolled her eyes at him, sat down next to him, and threw her schoolbag on the table.

"Can't I come if I want to?"

"Sure, why not? It's just rare."

Yang Mi tilted her head and looked at him for two seconds, then suddenly lowered her voice, "I heard you're going to audition for Zhen Zhibing?"

The news spread quite quickly.

Lin Hao nodded, "Okay, I'll go in three days."

Yang Mi remained silent for a long time, resting her chin on her hand and staring at him with the kind of look one would give a suspect.

"What?" Lin Hao felt a little uneasy under her gaze.

"You rascal," Yang Mi finally spoke, her expression suddenly becoming very complicated. "You wouldn't happen to like me, and only wanted to go because you know I'm playing Guo Xiang in the drama, would you?"

coming.

Upon hearing this, several classmates who had been eavesdropping couldn't help but turn their heads.

Lin Hao sighed inwardly, feeling a sense of powerlessness as he watched an acquaintance put on airs.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Yang Mi became even more emboldened, crossing her arms and slightly raising her chin, as if to say, "Just confess already."

"I'm telling you, Lin Hao, don't love me. It's a dead end. I'm going to be a big star."

"puff"

Lin Hao almost spat out his water.

"I like you?" He wiped his mouth, his face sincere. "Yang Mi, don't flatter yourself."

"What did you say?"

"My mom told me when I was little, 'You're four years old and you're still wetting the bed!'"

Yang Mi's face instantly turned red.

"You! Shut up! Who said that! Your mother is talking nonsense!"

"Who would like a four-year-old who still wets the bed?" Lin Hao said with disgust, even moving his chair to the side as if to keep his distance from something unclean. "I'd rather jump off this cliff and die out there than like you."

"Lin Hao, you just wait!"

Yang Mi was so angry that she grabbed her textbook and started hitting him.

Lin Hao laughed and dodged, as nimble as an eel.

This has been their way of getting along since they were little.

They undermine each other, tease each other, and neither of them wants to lose a verbal battle.

After making a fuss for a while, Yang Mi sat back down angrily and tidied her messed-up hair.

After a while, she suddenly quieted down, and her tone became much more serious.

"Seriously, if you're going to audition... do you need my help? I'm on set right now and I know Director Yu, so I can put in a good word for you."

She spoke very softly, as if afraid of being overheard.

Lin Hao glanced at her.

Although Yang Mi, at this age, always speaks in a carefree and confident manner to the point of being narcissistic, she is actually very loyal at heart.

The fact that she was willing to ask him shows that she truly considers him one of her own.

"Wow! You're so capable." Lin Hao teased at first, but then changed the subject seriously, "No need to trouble yourself. You've just joined the crew, it's not appropriate for you to bother the director just for my sake. I'll do it myself."

Yang Mi glanced at him but didn't say anything more.

But she approved of it in her heart.

If it were someone else, upon hearing that she could speak to the director, they would probably be eager for her to join them.

Putting aside everything else, there's one thing about Lin Hao that she... she really admires.

From childhood to adulthood, he has never taken advantage of others.

Even if you know that the benefit is within easy reach.

Of course, whether I like her or not is a matter of...

As Yang Mi looked down and flipped through her textbook, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

Who would believe that?

A person who has undergone facial surgery and has limited mobility knows that they are not suitable to be an actor, but they still persist until now.

Nobody would believe it wasn't for a certain person.

Unfortunately, this damned rat would never admit it, no matter what.

For the next three days, Lin Hao devoted almost all of his spare time to the role of Zhen Zhibing.

I attend classes during the day and then spend my evenings studying in front of the mirror.

He had played similar roles in his past life—tragic characters consumed by their inner darkness. He has the experience and the understanding of the characters.

The most crucial thing now is... whether his face can keep up.

The system's reward for newcomers, "Precise Facial Expression Control," is indeed effective. His current facial expression control is more than ten times better than before he regained his memories.

But after all, he has only recovered to the level of a normal person, and there is still a gap between him and those actors with extraordinary talent.

However, it's enough.

That's enough for him now.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Third floor of the Beijing International Trade Hotel.

When Lin Hao arrived, there were already quite a few people lined up in the corridor.

The group consisted entirely of young faces, some of whom looked quite friendly and were likely students from various training programs.

People huddled together in twos and threes, discussing quietly.

"Have you tried it? How was it?"

"Don't even mention it, the director is so strict, I was called out after standing there for less than thirty seconds."

"I was a little better off than you, I stood there for a minute... then the director said 'next.'"

"I heard that only two applications were pending this morning, and all the others were rejected."

Lin Hao listened from the side, remaining quite composed.

He's not some greenhorn, though he may be in this life, but not in his soul.

In my past life, I auditioned at least a hundred times, from extras to supporting roles, I've seen it all.

He's long since become immune to the psychological impact of being told "next" before the director has even finished watching.

Just as I was waiting, Yu Min's voice came from inside the door.

"The performance was alright, the third one is pending."

A few more people passed by, and then a sound came from inside the door.

"No, that's too fake. Next one."

"Are you looking for a toilet? Next one."

"Why are you grinning like that while playing Zhen Zhibing? He's a psychopath, not a complete idiot! Next!"

The atmosphere in the corridor grew increasingly tense.

Finally, it was Lin Hao's turn.

He took a deep breath and pushed the door open.