Chapter Fifty-One: Xiaoli’s Dream

When Xiaoli first met “Little Yao,” she had only recently graduated. After traveling from city to city, she eventually chose to come to Lijiang, where a classmate introduced her to the then fairly well-known talent scout known as Little Yao. At the time, Chen Tianyu happened to see the two of them chatting at the Love and Affection Bar, and Xiaoli was discussing her desire to enter the entertainment industry.

Without someone to recommend you, it was nearly impossible to truly enter that circle, even if you had graduated from a prestigious university.

What the industry lacked least these days were attractive young men and women, along with fresh graduates from famous institutions.

Little Yao had not really helped her much. He had merely mentioned Imperial Dynasty Pictures once or twice, though from his tone, it was clear he had some grievances with the large company.

For that reason, Xiaoli never formally applied to Imperial Dynasty Pictures. After repeatedly running into obstacles, she settled for working as an extra at He Yi, and was eventually recommended to Imperial Dynasty by sheer inexplicable coincidence.

Imperial Dynasty and He Yi had always maintained a subtle business connection—something a newly graduated student like her could never have seen through.

Unexpectedly, that recommendation led her to a benefactor, and she simply attributed the result to good luck.

Thus, she was genuinely grateful to the talent scout who had recognized her. Her psychological defenses were easily shattered by Hu Wenyi’s identity as a senior from the same university. After the hotel interview, she began taking the initiative repeatedly, keeping in close contact with him.

Hu Wenyi also appeared to be an amiable, easygoing man. He carried not the slightest air of superiority and even took the initiative to reveal some inside information to Xiaoli. Naturally, he could not resist boasting a little as well—about how, as both director and producer, he had an eye for talent, and how he happened to have an excellent script in hand and was searching nationwide for its leading actress.

Xiaoli believed every word. What worried her most now was her own acting ability. She feared she would be unable to take on such an important role immediately, and her heart was filled with unease.

This time, the two of them met at an elegant café.

Xiaoli voiced the doubt in her heart. “Senior, although I’ve acted in a few productions, they were all minor projects. I don’t really have that much practical experience…”

She was at a loss. She did not want to let such a rare opportunity slip away, yet she could not help revealing her insecurity.

Hu Wenyi did not answer her directly. He smiled faintly and asked, “How did you perform at university?”

“Pretty well, I suppose…” Xiaoli did not understand what he meant.

Hu Wenyi guided her further. “Did you often perform onstage?”

At that, Xiaoli instantly found her confidence. A hint of pride appeared on her face, which Hu Wenyi quietly noted.

She hurried to recount as many of her past achievements as possible. “Yes, yes. I’ve loved performing since I was little. At university, I never passed up a chance to take on a role. I made short films with my classmates, joined the university theater group, and performed in Thunderstorm, Hamlet, Kong Yiji…”

In one breath, she listed more than a dozen classic plays, but Hu Wenyi quickly waved his hand to stop her.

“How did Teacher He from the theater group evaluate you?” Hu Wenyi asked, striking directly at the heart of the matter.

Xiaoli answered confidently, “You mean Teacher He? He’s usually very strict… But once, he told me privately that if I kept at it, I had quite a promising future…”

She was telling the truth. Teacher He was a highly renowned acting instructor at the university, and almost everyone knew him.

Hu Wenyi nodded appreciatively. “Teacher He is usually sparing with his praise. It seems he really does approve of you…” He paused. “I have to say, choosing theater, the most rigorous form of acting, was an extremely wise decision. It’s very helpful for improving one’s skills. These days, the streets are full of so-called pretty faces, pretty boys, and traffic idols. Very few people genuinely care about acting anymore.”

He truly meant those words, and Xiaoli’s eyes grew even brighter. Since her senior acknowledged her acting ability, she still had a chance. Without realizing it, she felt her confidence strengthen.

Who was Hu Wenyi? He saw every subtle change in Xiaoli’s expression. Noticing her reaction, he continued, “Acting does require a certain degree of talent. We can’t deny that.”

Xiaoli nodded in agreement and waited for his guidance.

“Some people can spend their entire lives trying and still struggle to play a single role well, let alone a leading role. Others, however, can handle one with ease. You might call it good timing and favorable circumstances, or say they happened to find a good script, but in my view, talent remains the most important thing…”

Once he began, Hu Wenyi spoke with irresistible fluency.

Xiaoli’s eyes, which had first held hope, now filled with eager anticipation.

Hu Wenyi continued, “Talent is partly innate, but training acquired later in life also accounts for a large proportion. You may think that sounds contradictory, but it isn’t. I can say without hesitation that, in all my years of experience, no one is born knowing how to act. Perhaps such geniuses do exist, but they are exceedingly rare. I don’t believe either of us belongs to that category.”

Xiaoli nodded again, but this time she was not merely agreeing with him. She truly believed it.

“I’m definitely no genius,” she said softly.

Hu Wenyi dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand. “A good university, a good teacher, the right path, and a well-chosen opportunity—that is the shortcut to fully transforming talent into ability. Sadly, many young people don’t understand this…”

“Of course, it also takes plenty of opportunities to practice,” he concluded.

The look in Xiaoli’s eyes had progressed from agreement to admiration. Every word he said made sense, and every word touched the deepest part of her heart. She had no idea that Hu Wenyi could keep delivering such motivational, entirely impractical theories for two days and two nights without repeating himself.

But he did not want to say too much today. After all, this was only their first formal meeting. He lifted his American coffee and took a sip, savoring the slight bitterness on his tongue.

“You really do have potential. That’s very rare.”

Xiaoli beamed. “Really? Thank you for your guidance, Senior. I’ll do everything I can to play every ordinary role well. Teacher He often taught me the same thing…”

Hu Wenyi suddenly grew serious. “But don’t become complacent. There is always someone better, and there is always another world beyond this one. I know the leading role in the script I have would suit you quite well, but you still have to go through the company’s formal selection process. If you’re eliminated by one of the other professional instructors during the auditions, then even I won’t be able to help you. Do you understand?”

“I understand! I understand! I absolutely won’t embarrass you… Please don’t worry, Senior.” Xiaoli’s eyes glittered like stars.

Hu Wenyi said nothing more. He seemed to be thinking—or perhaps secretly congratulating himself. Xiaoli did not dare speak either. She silently sipped her coffee, and the atmosphere grew tense and still.

Though the sunlight outside was brilliant, the café maintained the dimness and endless dreamlike haze appropriate to such a place. Many people chose cafés for important conversations precisely because of that atmosphere.

And so the composed, silent, middle-aged Hu Wenyi now possessed the irresistible charm of a mature man. Without meaning to, he tugged at Xiaoli’s heartstrings. She lifted her coffee to hide her reaction.

Just then, the café door opened, and two young men walked in. One was tall and thin, the other short and heavily built. The tall one was slightly older; the shorter man looked to be in his twenties.

After entering, neither looked around. They went straight to the counter, ordered two coffees, and leaned against the bar, chatting casually for a few moments.

Before long, the server finished preparing the drinks and gently set them on the counter. The shorter, sturdier man paid the bill, while the tall, thin man appeared to casually survey the entire café.

When his gaze passed over Hu Wenyi’s table, Hu Wenyi suddenly felt a chill run through him. The sensation was strange, but after years of roaming far and wide, he immediately grew alert.

“Let’s go. We’ll stop here for today,” he said to Xiaoli in a tone that brooked no argument, picking up his coat and rising.

Xiaoli was slightly surprised, but she did not care whether she had finished her coffee. Nor did she notice the gaze of the tall, thin man behind her. Her purpose had never been the coffee.

“All right, Senior.” She pushed back her chair and stood, draping her coat over her shoulders with graceful ease.

The two of them walked side by side toward the exit, maintaining a suitable distance between them. Neither hurried nor lingered as they opened the door and left the café, walking off in an unfamiliar direction. From beginning to end, neither said another word.

Watching them disappear, the tall, thin man sullenly lifted his coffee and took a sip.

“That bastard really is an old fox,” he said.