SABA Chapter 40

The dazzling golden light horizontally cut through the sea level, and the sky above the rosy clouds was dyed with vast swathes of orange and yellow. The golden-orange sunlight pierced through the clouds and sprinkled onto the sea surface. The shimmering golden ocean seemed to be sprinkled with fine diamonds, flashing with brilliant radiance.

After Jiang Tiao was woken up, the first thing he saw was Huo Shen, and then his eyes fell upon the brilliant and vast scene behind Huo Shen.

It was so beautiful, as if it were a vibrantly colored oil painting.

A good night’s sleep made his thoughts a little sluggish, and he couldn’t tell if he was in a dream or reality.

“Good morning,” Huo Shen’s eyes were filled with gentle smiles.

The golden-orange morning sun slowly rose from the sea level, gradually completing its round shape. The sunrise light was not too dazzling, it was one of the few times one could look directly at the sun. Seagulls and migratory birds soared between the orange-yellow sea and sky, their appearances indistinguishable, only their free and unfettered silhouettes could be seen.

The beauty of sunrise had a vibrant life force, infecting you, healing and shocking you, making your heart tremble involuntarily.

“Good morning,” Jiang Tiao hugged Huo Shen, who was standing by the bed. The warm body temperature dispelled the last trace of coolness in the early morning. He could feel their two hearts beating in sync. With the lazy, magnificent beauty of just waking up and the person he cared about, Jiang Tiao lazily thought, if only this moment could last forever.

Huo Shen’s eyes were like a lake rippled by a spring breeze. He gently embraced Jiang Tiao, thinking that no matter what happened in the future, he could get through his life holding these memories.

…

Jiang Tiao and Huo Shen did not stay in Haicheng for too long. Zhang Xuelan, the performance teacher recommended by Guan Qing, messaged them saying she had finished her academic visit and returned to Yun Jing City.

If Jiang Tiao were still abroad, there would be a reason to postpone, but being in Haicheng made it less appropriate to do so, out of respect for his teacher. It was also convenient for Huo Shen to return to handle company matters.

Jiang Tiao lingered in bed for a while, and after taking a walk with Huo Shen to the migratory bird sanctuary, he reluctantly boarded the plane back to Yun Jing City.

Many people were anticipating the roles in Guan Qing’s play. Recently, many who were hiding behind marketing accounts and spreading rumors to discredit him were doing so for this reason. Jiang Tiao had always been someone who was not afraid of trouble since he was young. He didn’t mind fair competition, but he always disdained such underhanded tactics. The more these people resorted to scheming behind the scenes, the more it strengthened his resolve to win the role.

Jiang Tiao arranged a time with Zhang Xuelan and visited her the next day with gifts.

Zhang Xuelan lived in the faculty residential area of the old university campus. Towering plane trees surrounded the area, with cicadas chirping incessantly. Lush green ivy covered the walls, giving the place a particularly ancient and scholarly atmosphere.

When Jiang Tiao arrived, he happened to see Zhang Xuelan standing at the door seeing someone off. The person looked about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with delicate features, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, looking clean and fresh.

As he walked down the stairs, he saw Jiang Tiao. He stopped and looked at Jiang Tiao for a few moments, from a superior position. Finally, he gave a polite smile and brushed past Jiang Tiao.

Jiang Tiao was somewhat puzzled because the person looked at him with a strong sense of superiority, aloof, and with feigned pity and contempt.

Young Master Jiang had never been looked at with such eyes in his life. His first reaction was bewilderment, and his second reaction was a very bad impression of the person.

Zhang Xuelan wore a dark blue qipao, dressed elegantly. Her silver hair was styled into a low bun at the back of her head, fitting the public image of a virtuous and renowned old artist.

Jiang Tiao suppressed the mood affected by the minor incident and showed a bright and sincere smile, “Hello, Teacher Zhang.”

Zhang Xuelan was a bit surprised, “You look different from how you appear on screen. You’re younger and better-looking. It seems the directors who offered you roles before didn’t know how to film you.”

Jiang Tiao was skilled at mutual flattery from a young age. “You’re too kind. You’re different from what I imagined. Only after meeting you do I know what it means for time to never defeat beauty.”

Everyone likes to hear nice words, and a few kind wrinkles appeared at the corners of Zhang Xuelan’s eyes as she smiled.

“The person who just left is Ye Yahan. You may not have met him, but you should have heard of him,” Zhang Xuelan said as she welcomed Jiang Tiao inside.

So it was Ye Yahan, no wonder he looked so familiar. Jiang Tiao had been briefed by Nie Jin before coming. Zhang Xuelan was a very famous performance teacher in the entertainment industry. Not only was she a professor at the film academy, but she had also coached several Best Actor and Best Actress winners. As she got older, her health declined, and she rarely took on students. Her last student was Ye Yahan, who won the Best Actor award at the age of twenty, making him the youngest Best Actor in the history of the entertainment industry.

“Speaking of which, you look a bit like him,” Zhang Xuelan examined Jiang Tiao’s features and raised her hand to cover her mouth slightly, “especially your lower face.”

No way, he looked much more handsome than that person just now, and more youthful and vibrant.

Jiang Tiao maintained a polite smile on the surface but did not agree in his heart.

It was normal to be arrogant in youth and not like being told one resembles someone. Zhang Xuelan smiled kindly, as if looking at a flamboyant and slightly mischievous child.

Zhang Xuelan’s teaching method was very unique. Instead of teaching upfront, she asked questions, as if getting to know an older friend. During their leisure time, they would discuss acting. She wouldn’t forcefully instill her views, but rather, through conversation, she would subtly change your misconceptions about acting and help you build a system of understanding that you could grasp yourself.

Teaching gifted students was likely the common ideal for all educators. Zhang Xuelan had initially intended to meet him and then politely decline, fulfilling Guan Qing’s request. However, after watching the two impromptu acting segments she asked Jiang Tiao to perform, she changed her mind.

“You have a lot of talent,” Zhang Xuelan’s eyes were full of praise.

Everyone likes to hear compliments, especially from a highly sought-after industry master whose lessons were priceless. Jiang Tiao smiled brightly.

Jiang Tiao’s smile was very infectious, and Zhang Xuelan couldn’t help but smile as well. She wondered, “Before you came, I watched some clips of your previous acting. Since you have such talent, why did your previous dramas turn out that way?”

“Maybe getting hit on the head really can open up one’s mind,” Jiang Tiao joked. “Newton was hit by an apple and discovered universal gravitation; I was hit by a camera and my acting skills were unlocked.”

Zhang Xuelan smiled and shook her head. Jiang Tiao was sweet-tongued and polite, intelligent and talented, yet humble. No teacher would dislike such a student.

“What I told you on the phone earlier was not a polite refusal. My health is indeed not good now, and it’s impossible for me to take on students like I used to.”

Jiang Tiao understood. He and Nie Jin had not held much hope for Zhang Xuelan to take him on. A good theoretical system could save a lot of detours, so they planned to learn methods here and find other teachers for specific acting training. In fact, this lesson had benefited him immensely, and he learned far more than he had expected.

“I know, this class has already…” Jiang Tiao was about to speak when he saw Zhang Xuelan raise her hand slightly.

Zhang Xuelan: “Did Guan Qing ask you to find me because he wants you to act in his next play?”

Jiang Tiao: “Yes.”

Zhang Xuelan: “Which role does he want you to play?”

Jiang Tiao paused. The last time he asked Guan Qing what could be told to his agent, Guan Qing said anything except the script. But Zhang Xuelan was a teacher introduced by Guan Qing, and they had a close relationship. He wasn’t sure if Zhang Xuelan knew about the script.

Zhang Xuelan: “I can teach you at most five classes. Targeted teaching will allow you to better understand and express the character. Or do you still want to start from the basics? While this will solidify your acting skills, it won’t help much with your audition for Guan Qing.”

Jiang Tiao felt that Zhang Xuelan’s words were biased, which didn’t align with his perception of Zhang Xuelan. Shouldn’t teachers like her advise students to build solid foundations and avoid shortcuts? Was she testing his character? This felt too much like a TV drama, not lifelike at all.

Well, since he was in the entertainment industry, he should understand and respect it.

Jiang Tiao smiled, “Let’s start with the basics. Acting is the foundation of an actor’s career. Since I plan to make a living as an actor, I should hone my acting skills properly. If I miss Director Guan’s role, there will be another role. If I miss your guidance, it might be difficult to have another opportunity.”

Zhang Xuelan let out a silent sigh of relief and looked at Jiang Tiao with a gaze that held not only admiration but also a hint of complexity.

…

Attending events, taking acting classes, shooting magazines, reviewing, retaking exams, practicing vocalization, diction, movement, and expression… Jiang Tiao had many miscellaneous and busy tasks recently. However, amidst the busyness, he discovered a new pleasure: practicing recitation with Huo Shen.

“I sit by the window of the rustic farm,

Gazing at this beautiful mountain village nestled by the blue sea.

…

I miss you all the time.

Ask yourself, ah—my beloved, are you too cruel.”

Jiang Tiao held a collection of John Keats’ poems and stood before the desk in Huo Shen’s room, reciting loudly with emphasis and emotion. He was recently practicing using his lower abdomen to generate voice and control breath to make his voice more resonant and sustainable.

Huo Shen was reviewing an annual allocation table for an investment plan. Hearing Jiang Tiao’s impassioned recitation, the veins on his temples began to throb uncontrollably.

“For me, I don’t know how to honestly express my sincere love for you.

The purity of your soul, your beautiful body, all fascinate me.”

Huo Shen: “…”

“Oh, how I wish we could become butterflies,

Even if we only lived for three brief summers.”

…

Ah—console me as best you can,

You intoxicate me like a poppy.”

Huo Shen watched as Jiang Tiao recited while circling the table, moving from the front to behind him. The fingertips of his index and middle fingers traced from his shoulder to his Adam’s apple.

“My senses are intoxicated by your kind voice,

Gently seeking…” [Note]

Even Fa Hai would have feelings, Huo Shen couldn’t stand it any longer. He grabbed Jiang Tiao’s wrist and looked up from the project plan document.

Jiang Tiao’s shoulders trembled uncontrollably with laughter.

Huo Shen’s tolerance threshold was getting higher and higher; he thought that reciting these things wouldn’t elicit a reaction from him.

Huo Shen: “Aren’t you supposed to be playing a dissolute young prince who endures humiliation and pretends to be foolish to overturn an old case? Shouldn’t you be reciting poems like ‘Si Xuan Fu’ to understand the character? You don’t have any romantic scenes, so why are you practicing so many love poems?”

Jiang Tiao withdrew his hand, his tone unchanged, but his enthusiasm clearly diminished, “Your relationship with Guan Qing is that good? He talks to you about scripts for no reason?”

Huo Shen heard Jiang Tiao’s subtle hint of jealousy and found it very amusing. “Where are you getting that idea? He wants to discuss investment with me.”

He wasn’t doing charity. To ask him for investment, complete project-related materials would definitely be needed.

“Does Director Guan still lack investment?” Jiang Tiao was a little surprised. He chuckled, “I thought investors were scrambling to give him money, and he just sat there picking.”

Huo Shen was amused by Jiang Tiao’s tone. “In Guan Qing’s own words: ‘An investor like you, who only provides money without interference, is naturally the ideal choice for every project team.'”

Jiang Tiao was delighted. “Then do you plan to invest in him?”

Huo Shen shook his head. “I’m still considering it, but I don’t have plans at the moment.”

This was something Jiang Tiao hadn’t expected. He thought for a moment and realized, “Are you worried that later on, people with ulterior motives might dig it up and use it to spread rumors and discredit me, saying I got the role through insider trading?”

Huo Shen did not deny it. This was part of the reason. Jiang Tiao appeared casual but was actually very serious about everything he did. Despite being busy these days, he maintained over eight hours of vocalization, diction, movement, and expression training. Huo Shen could see that he was genuinely serious about winning the role.

Of course, he believed in Jiang Tiao—because Jiang Tiao was always someone who could achieve anything he set his mind to—which was why he didn’t want his efforts to be deliberately misinterpreted.

Jiang Tiao felt very touched. “I don’t care about these things.”

Although “Guan Shan” won awards, due to its subject matter, it could not be broadcast in mainland China, so its revenue was limited. However, this project was popular before its release, and as long as it wasn’t filmed too poorly, it would eventually sell at a good copyright price. Guan Qing might have asked Huo Shen for investment partly to repay Huo Shen’s past patronage.

This was indeed Guan Qing’s original reason for asking him if he wanted to invest. However, he invested in “Guan Shan” simply because he wanted to see the story made into a movie, regardless of who approached him with the script. He hadn’t thought about profit at all, let alone any sense of patronage. Moreover, Jiang Tiao had not yet recovered at the time, and he had always been indifferent to expanding his business empire into the entertainment industry.

Jiang Tiao had heard about this from Jiang Mingyan. In the past few years, capital had rushed into the entertainment industry, but Huo Shen had always shown little interest. The only company controlled by Shengyao Group related to the film and television industry was aimed at supporting young directors and creators. This was very much in line with Huo Shen’s character; he always admired those who were talented, had dreams, and were willing to work hard for them.

Jiang Tiao: “However, he doesn’t lack investment now. I heard from Sister Jin that at least one-third of the capital involved in the entertainment industry has expressed interest in cooperating with him. As expected, after winning awards and returning, he receives the same treatment as major IPs.”

Huo Shen smiled. “Do you know why large IP and big-production film and television dramas often end up disappointing or being drastically altered, while small productions occasionally present excellent works?”

Jiang Tiao was slightly stunned. “Because there are too many investors, everyone wants to participate, and it ends up being laymen directing professionals?”

Huo Shen: “No investor wants their investment to result in a bad film. In fact, most people know that directors are more professional, but everyone is in a different position, so the benefits they want to obtain are naturally different.”

Talent agencies hope that the dramas they invest in will help promote their signed actors while generating revenue. Video platforms hope that every episode of the dramas they invest in will have highlights that attract more viewers to join discussions and purchase memberships to contribute to viewership…

Each party has its own ideas and opinions. Even if the creative team wants to stick to their original intentions, under the pressure of investors, they will gradually lose their say, and the result is often a mishmash that has everything and achieves nothing well.

Jiang Tiao was confused. “Guan Qing is currently the hottest director. With so many people chasing him to invest, he can completely choose his investors. Why would he still be swayed by capital?”

Huo Shen saw Jiang Tiao’s surprised and confused expression and showed a hint of a smile. He wanted to pat Jiang Tiao’s head, but since he was sitting, the height wasn’t enough, so he gave up.

“Besides profit, human relationships can also make people bow their heads.”

“Guan Qing is a good director, but not a good businessman. His flaw is being too sentimental.”

Guan Qing might have approached him again because he had discovered some problems that were constantly exposed during the project’s progress. However, it had already been confirmed that there were too many investors. It was too late for him to intervene now and gain any say, let alone the fact that it might also affect Jiang Tiao.

Jiang Tiao said, “Ah,” with some distress. “Then, according to you, we still don’t know what this drama will turn out to be like?”

Huo Shen feigned surprise. “You haven’t even passed the audition yet, and you’re already worried about the broadcast effect of this drama?”

“!!??” Jiang Tiao pounced forward, feigning anger. “How dare you doubt my ability?”

Huo Shen laughed heartily and finally patted Jiang Tiao’s head. “Let’s wait and see. Guan Qing still has some ability and perseverance.”

…