Beijing Drama Academy and Beijing Film Academy are known as the cradles of performing arts, the ultimate dream for many actors. They have cultivated a large number of pillars in the film and television industry, making tremendous contributions and achievements to China's entertainment sector.
Although Xiao He had never previously considered these two schools as his dream institutions, it didn't prevent him from developing strong curiosity and desire to explore them after entering the industry.
Especially after receiving guidance from outstanding seniors like Zhuo Jianhua and Gao Zhenxia, Xiao He wanted to visit here even more.
This lecture was held at the old campus in Dongcheng District. Most buildings here had considerable historical heritage, basically consisting of single-story houses and quaint architectural structures. Because it was winter, many ivy vines on exterior walls had turned withered and yellow, looking somewhat desolate yet full of historical charm. The campus area wasn't particularly large, but it basically had all the necessary facilities, along with several well-known theaters, creating an exceptionally rich artistic atmosphere.
Liu Rulan wasn't visiting for the first time, but she still slowed her pace, first taking Xiao He for a walk around the campus.
Although the school should have been on break, there were still many people on the roads, mostly handsome men and beautiful women with outstanding appearances and temperaments. Even the older teachers had remarkable presence, clearly appearing as cultured and educated artists.
Along the way, they encountered several other artists and agents.
However, both artists wore masks and hats, not wanting to engage in too much small talk, so only the agents exchanged nods before each leading their respective artists away.
After they had sufficiently explored the campus environment, the time arrived. Liu Rulan told Xiao He the approximate classroom location before leaving with Xiao Chen.
Soon, Xiao He also arrived at the lecture classroom.
Calling it a lecture was actually more like a small class. The classroom was just an ordinary rehearsal room, mainly furnished with wooden floors and a huge full-length mirror. There weren't even benches - everyone just needed to take off their shoes and sit directly on floor cushions.
When Xiao He entered, the classroom had already gradually gathered some people.
What greatly surprised Xiao He was that he encountered an acquaintance here.
"You're here too?" Pu Rong's face revealed a smile, then he waved his hand and pushed out the cushion beside him, signaling for Xiao He to sit there.
Xiao He removed his hat but kept his mask on, sitting beside Pu Rong, equally surprised: "You too?"
"Hehe, heard there was a class here, and I happened to be in Beijing recently, so came to audit."
Pu Rong explained with a smile.
Xiao He quickly understood.
This class had Mr Zhuo Jianhua, and Teacher Zhuo was the senior colleague who had recommended the Thief Catcher script to him back in the Killing Life production team. Since Pu Rong could serve as the male lead in Thief Catcher, he probably knew Me. Zhuo too.
Indeed, the entertainment industry was a small circle - everyone knew each other through various connections.
After briefly explaining his reason for auditing the class, Pu Rong expressed admiration: "To actually gain Teacher Gao's recognition - truly worthy of you."
Xiao He smiled wryly: "Teacher Gao is kind-hearted and cares about younger generations."
Pu Rong rolled his eyes, having long seen through Xiao He's nature: "...Alright, no need to explain, I understand - low profile, low profile. So how have you been recently? I still have your Mo Tun memes saved on my phone!"
Xiao He: "...If we don't talk about this, we can still be good friends."
God knows who did such a wicked thing, photoshopping his face when he was digging someone's mouth onto a panda face, with a finger pressed against the lips gesture, captioned below: "Little mouth doesn't speak."
Unexpectedly, this meme suddenly went viral, and later another netizen followed up by photoshopping another set of memes to use alongside this one, with even stronger attacking power - still the familiar panda head, but this time with a slapping motion, captioned below: "Love talking? Get slapped."
Mo Tun's fierce expression combined with the panda head made it impossible to look truly fierce no matter what.
Thus it became one of the high-frequency memes used by netizens in meme battles.
Xiao He didn't even want to open his messages now - as soon as he entered, he could see his dorm group friends wildly using his memes in battles, and going to other groups, he'd see other types of Mo Tun memes...
Xiao He: Impressive
The world had turned completely dark.
"Hahaha—"
Pu Rong held his stomach laughing, forcing Xiao He to abruptly change the topic: "Has your production team wrapped up? When are you planning to return to Shanghai?"
"Hehe, probably next week." Pu Rong barely managed to restrain his laughter.
Since Thief Catcher exploded in popularity, Pu Rong as the male lead received endless acting offers, finally escaping the predicament of child star career stagnation. The police drama that aired recently also received quite good reviews. Although it didn't reach massive hit status, it still steadily established his position in the entertainment industry. The roles he could get were basically all male leads, and his current development momentum was quite good.
Xiao He was genuinely happy for him.
During Xiao He and Pu Rong's conversation, other students also noticed them.
Although both Xiao He and Pu Rong wore masks, anyone somewhat familiar could basically recognize them, especially since their current fame wasn't low. For students to recognize them was simply effortless.
"Ahhh, it's Xiao He! And Pu Rong! They actually got together again!"
"I want to ask for autographs! I wonder if it's possible..."
"Hey, someone went over! It's possible, quick, let's go too!"
Several students came over one after another to ask Xiao He and Pu Rong for autographs.
Neither Xiao He nor Pu Rong refused.
"MR.Pu, I, I really love your Thief Catcher! I'm a fan of both of you!"
Fu Meihua said excitedly, then took out her notebook and handed it to Pu Rong: "I wonder if we still have hope for Thief Catcher 2? I'm really looking forward to new works!"
Pu Rong took it while smoothly signing his name, his tone apologetic: "We haven't received any news about that matter yet, sorry."
"It's fine, it's fine."
After Pu Rong finished signing, he passed it to Xiao He, who also naturally signed his name while raising his head to glance at the girl beside Fu Meihua.
Those who could attend classes here naturally wouldn't have poor acting skills or appearance. This girl had that Lin Daiyu-style delicate beauty, with willow-leaf eyebrows plus clear, watery eyes, possessing the innate aura of a classical beauty that made her unforgettable at first glance.
Xiao He felt this aura was quite special, and...
"Do you want an autograph?"
Xiao He actively asked the other person.
Fu Meihua took the notebook from Xiao He's hands, excitedly pinching Pan Yuerou's arm while frantically giving Pan Yuerou eye signals: Quickly ask for an autograph!
Pan Yuerou met Xiao He's gaze, somewhat guiltily averting her eyes, slightly shaking her head: "Sorry, I'm not your fan, I just came with my friend."
Then she pulled Fu Meihua away.
Fu Meihua: ?!!!
"Why are you in such a hurry? I haven't taken photos with them yet!"
Fu Meihua, pulled aside by Pan Yuerou, said sadly.
Pan Yuerou felt somewhat guilty, apologetically pursing her lips: "Sorry, how about you go ask again after class?"
"Sigh, forget it."
Fu Meihua had already given up the idea, somewhat strangely asking Pan Yuerou: "Were you scared by Brother Xiao? Although he looks somewhat intimidating, he's actually very nice."
Pan Yuerou's expression stiffened, then she concealed it by straightening the bangs framing her cheeks: "No, not at all!"
What Fu Meihua didn't know was that Pan Yuerou had once been an anti-fan of Xiao He.
Before Su Shengxi's scandals broke out, Pan Yuerou had regarded Su Shengxi as her idol and was willing to charge forward for her idol.
Although she had long since withdrawn her fandom after Su Shengxi's reputation collapse, during her obsessive phase she had indeed spoken ill of Xiao He.
But she never expected to encounter the real person this time.
Pan Yuerou knew Xiao He didn't know she was an anti-fan, but facing Xiao He, she still felt so awkward she could dig three bedrooms and a living room with her toes.
If time could reverse, she really wanted to make her past self who liked Su Shengxi die by hitting herself with tofu blocks.