When Lin Yuan got back to the art high school, he felt really tired. Having continuously participated in variety shows and rehearsed day and night, now that he could finally stay quietly in his dormitory, he even thought that the single bed in the dormitory was more comfortable than the five-star hotel outside.
He lay on his back directly, staring at the ceiling in a daze, recalling the events of these past few days in his mind. From the survival challenge variety show, to the impromptu acting competition, and finally the elimination round, things happened in a flash. He didn't even have a chance to figure out where he stood in the entertainment world.
[Ding! Atypical depression. Current cure progress: 48%.]
He turned his head to the side and stared at this reminder, his eyes showing a hint of complexity. Sure enough, appropriate busyness could really help one get rid of distracting thoughts.
There was a crack in the dormitory window, and the night wind blew in with a bit of coolness. He closed his eyes, thinking about the monthly exam tomorrow. Although he was an art student, his academic performance couldn't be too bad. Xue Ting had also said that for his long-term development in the film and television industry, he couldn't rely solely on his acting skills; he needed to have some cultural foundation. Otherwise, he would be ready to be criticized. In today's entertainment industry, if you're even a little famous, people will blow your flaws way out of proportion.
"I should be able to rank among the top fifteen in tomorrow's monthly exam," he murmured to himself. This could be an explanation to Sister Xue.
Just then, the phone rang, and the vibration made him feel a bit dazed. It was Xue Ting.
"Hello?" He lazily picked up the phone.
"How's it going? Settling back into school okay?" Xue Ting's voice was brisk and businesslike. "Good news–I've lined up a role for you. The third male lead in a new drama. No audition needed."
Lin Yuan shot up in surprise. "Already? But... no tryouts?"
"No need." Xue Ting smiled. "Do you remember that cop-and-robber movie that stood us up last time?"
Lin Yuan thought for a few seconds before reacting. "Oh... that crew..."
"Right. The producer of that crew is the same as the one for the crew you're going to join." There was a hint of pride in Xue Ting's tone. "He owed us a favor. Since there's a role in his new drama, I got it for you."
Lin Yuan rubbed his chin. "I thought you had to battle for everything in showbiz. Never thought I'd get gigs through favors."
"Of course." Xue Ting chuckled. "If we had fallen out with them at that time, the producer would have been in a difficult position, and the final result might not have been favorable to us. Since we're all in the same circle, taking a step back to get resources is a smarter move."
Lin Yuan nodded, thinking it made sense. The entertainment industry was indeed more complicated than it seemed on the surface, but fortunately, the way Xue Ting handled things always made him feel at ease.
"I see."
"I'll hand you the script during dinner tomorrow. Tang Tian will swing by to pick you up, and you two can have a chat about it then."
"Okay."
...
After the monthly exam the next day, Lin Yuan thought he had performed well and should be firmly in the top fifteen of the class.
During dinner time, Tang Tian indeed came to find him. She threw a stack of scripts on the table. "Take a look. I'm sure you'll feel like hitting someone after reading it."
Lin Yuan: "…?"
He opened the script and read a few pages. Sure enough, a subtle expression appeared on his face.
"This..." He pointed at a page. "This modern Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It's just a goofy comedy, isn't it?"
"Exactly." Tang Tian was eating fried chicken and explained. "This drama focuses on being funny. The modern Liu Bei is leading the Five Tiger Generals to start a business. Guan Yu is a boxing champion, Zhang Fei is a bar bouncer, Zhao Yun is a racing driver, Huang Zhong is a veteran actor, and Ma Chao is a fitness coach."
Lin Yuan: "???"
"Also, your role is the modern version of Zhuge Liang."
Lin Yuan furrowed his brows. "Hold on. The modern Zhuge Liang should be some super-smart business whiz, no?"
"No, you're wrong." Tang Tian held back her laughter. "You're a Zhuge Liang with a speech impediment. Because you speak unclearly, everyone misunderstands what you mean every time. But by sheer luck, you end up helping the modern Liu Bei and the Five Tiger Generals, and everyone thinks you're a genius."
Lin Yuan: "…"
He continued to flip through the script and saw a scene.
Modern Liu Bei asked, "Advisor, how do we get out of here?"
Lin Yuan as Zhuge Liang mumbled, "We... need... Qin Zhou (a small boat...）"
The modern Sun Quan beside him: "How does he know? Liu Bei, is what he just said also what you meant?"
Zhuge Liang nodded at Liu Bei. Liu Bei: "That's right!"
Sun Quan: "Zhuge Liang, you really can't be underestimated."
A few days later, Sun Quan asked his subordinates to transfer the Jingzhou Group to Liu Bei and the others.
He lifted his eyes to look at Tang Tian, his gaze full of mixed emotions. "So, basically, I'm a guy with a serious speech problem who just gets lucky all the time?"
"Exactly." Tang Tian laughed so hard that she slapped the table. "Don't worry. Your screen time isn't much, but you'll be the source of all the jokes."
The corners of Lin Yuan's mouth twitched. He closed the script and took a deep breath. "Fine, I'll take the role."
"Are you really not going to consider refusing?"
"...Anyway, it's a comical role. I'll just play it." Lin Yuan shrugged.
"Alright. You start with the crew next week."
[Ding! Atypical depression. 60% cured.]
Lin Yuan took a quick look at the reminder, and a faint, relieved smile flickered in his eyes.
====================
回到艺术高中后,林远感到一阵久违的疲惫.连续参加综艺,日夜排练,如今终于能安静地待在自己的宿舍,他甚至觉得这张宿舍的单人床比外面的五星级酒店更舒服.
他直接仰面躺下,盯着天花板出神,脑海里回顾着这几天的事情.从生存挑战综艺到即兴演技赛,再到最后的淘汰,一切发生得太快,他甚至没有时间消化自己在这个娱乐圈中的位置.
[叮!非典型忧郁症,目前治愈进度 48%.]
他侧过头,盯着这个提示,眼神有些复杂.果然,适当的忙碌确实能让人摆脱杂念.
宿舍的窗户开了一条缝,夜风带着些许凉意吹进来,他闭上眼睛,想着明天的月考.虽然自己是艺考生,但文化课不能太差,薛婷也说过,他在影视圈的长期发展,不能只靠演技,得有点文化底子才行.不然就准备被黑吧,如今的娱乐圈,只要你有些许名气,不管什么缺陷,不完美的地方都会被放大.
"明天的月考,应该能进前十五吧." 他自言自语地呢喃,这算是给薛大姐一个交代了.
就在这时,手机铃声忽然响起,震得他有些恍惚.是薛婷.
"喂?" 他懒洋洋地接起电话.
"怎么样?回学校还适应吧?" 薛婷的声音如往常一般干练,直接切入正题,"有个剧组缺男三号,姐给你安排好了."
林远一愣,坐起身来:"这么快?不用试镜?"
"不用." 薛婷笑了笑,"还记得上次那个放我们飞机的警匪片吗?"
林远想了几秒,才反应过来:"哦... 那个剧组啊..."
"对,和你将要加入的剧组,同一个制片人." 薛婷的语气透着几分得意,"他那次欠我们一个人情,正好他的新剧里缺个角色,我就帮你拿下了."
林远摸了摸下巴:"我还以为娱乐圈是个处处都要争的地方,没想到还能遇到这样的 "人情" 资源."
"当然了." 薛婷轻笑,"如果我们当时跟他们撕破脸,那制片人也会两边为难,最终的结果未必对我们有利.既然大家都在一个圈子里,退一步换取资源,才是更聪明的做法."
林远点点头,觉得有些道理.娱乐圈果然比表面看起来更复杂,但好在薛婷处理事情的方式总让他觉得安心.
"我知道了."
"剧本,明天晚饭的时候再给你,唐甜会去接你,你们可以先讨论一下."
"好."
...
第二天月考结束后,林远觉得自己发挥得还行,应该能稳进班级前十五.
晚饭时间,唐甜果然来找他了,手里拿着一叠剧本,随手扔在桌上:"你先看看吧,保证你看了之后会有点想打人的冲动."
林远:"...?"
他翻开剧本,看了几页,果然脸上露出了微妙的表情.
"这..." 他指着其中一页, "这个现代版三国,怎么感觉像是个无厘头喜剧?"
"本来就是啊." 唐甜吃着炸鸡,一边解释,"这部剧主打搞笑,现代刘备带着五虎将创业,关羽是拳击冠军,张飞是酒吧保安,赵云是赛车手,黄忠是老戏骨演员,马超是健身教练."
林远:"???"
"然后,你的角色是现代版诸葛亮."
林远皱眉:"等等,现代版诸葛亮,应该是个高智商的商业精英吧?"
"不,你错了." 唐甜强忍着笑,"你是个口齿不清的诸葛亮,因为你说话含糊不清,所以每次大家都误解你的意思,结果却误打误撞,歪打正着地帮了现代刘备和五虎将,让大家都以为你是个天才."
林远:"..."
他继续翻剧本,看到一场戏.
现代刘备问:"军师,我们该如何离开?"
诸葛亮（林远饰）:"吾等应当...要个...轻舟..."（口齿不清）
一旁的现代孙权:"他怎么知道的 ?刘备,他刚刚所说的,也是你的意思?"
诸葛亮向刘备点点头,刘备:"没错!"
孙权:"诸葛亮,果然不能小看你啊."
过几天孙权就让手下把荆州集团,转让给刘备等人了.
他抬头看向唐甜,眼神复杂:"所以,我全程就是个非常幸运的 '语言表达障碍大师' ?"
"没错." 唐甜笑得直拍桌子,"放心,你的出场率不多,但都是笑点."
林远嘴角抽搐,合上剧本,深吸一口气:"好,我演."
"你真的不考虑拒绝?"
"...反正是个搞笑角色,演就演呗." 林远耸耸肩.
"好,下个星期进组."
[叮!非典型忧郁症,目前治愈进度 60%.]
林远瞥了一眼这个提示,眼底浮现一丝轻松的笑意.