The Martial Artist Turned Movie Mogul
Chapter 763 - 762. Stage play performance!

Chapter 763: 762. Stage play performance!

"""

In Tong Tong’s view, actors must have professional ethics, and performing their roles well is their duty.

As for participating in variety shows and reality shows, they serve no purpose beyond attracting fans. Spending one’s limited energy on activities that do not help one’s profession is simply a waste of time.

"Xiao Huan, if you want to become an outstanding actor, you must concentrate and put forth your utmost effort to achieve self-fulfillment. That is being responsible for your own life."

"But... isn’t there such a thing as ’genius’ in this world?"

The young girl weakly retorted, "Our professors at the drama academy often say that some actors are simply born with a gift, and for actors, talent is still very important."

Tong Tong glanced at her with her seductive eyes, "Then tell me, are you the type that’s been blessed by the heavens with a gift for acting?"

"This..."

It seemed, not.

Her talent was average, and the reason she chose this profession in college was more because of her aspiration for the screen.

Xiao Huan’s shoulders drooped, and her entire demeanor deflated, but this state only lasted a moment before the young girl’s spirits soared again.

"Don’t worry, Sister Tong, I will definitely work even harder in the future!"

If talent is insufficient, effort will make up for it! Besides, as celebrities have said, interest is the key, and this is not only her dream but also her passion!

Tong Tong, who had witnessed her transformation, immediately laughed and couldn’t help but ruffle Xiao Huan’s fluffy hair.

"Not bad, a teachable youngster."

"But that doesn’t stop me from following variety shows! Sister Tong, if you watched ’Journey Together,’ you would fall in love with Tang Shu too!"

Xiao Huan blinked her eyes, forcefully recommending this wildly popular show to her companion.

Tong Tong was noncommittal, neither accepting nor rejecting, for it was normal for aesthetic preferences to differ between her and the younger generation.

She glanced away from the young girl’s face towards the center of the stage in preparation.

"You like Tang Shu, right? Let’s see if her acting is up to par."

This newcomer had joined the theatrical society just last week, and hadn’t even reported in every day. How good could her first performance on stage possibly be?

"Don’t say I didn’t warn you, but acting in a film crew and performing in a play are two entirely different things. I hope you won’t be too disappointed today."

Tong Tong, who feared neither heaven nor earth, was afraid of seeing a hardworking young girl heartbroken, looking as forlorn as if she’d been abandoned, it pained her every time she saw it.

Xiao Huan uttered an "oh," and immediately sat down properly, while inwardly she felt a pang of regret that Sister Tong missed such a great variety show. It was just too, too, too unfortunate!

On stage, a dozen actors were ready, and the story had already begun.

For the theatrical society, Tang Shu, who had joined a week ago, was a complete newbie. Even if Teacher Ke praised her profusely, it was not possible to assign her a role with too many lines at the start. This was not only due to the rehearsal speed of the society but also considering Tang Shu’s capacity to learn.

In the first 20 minutes, the schoolgirl character played by Tang Shu did not have much to do and had no lines until around 20 minutes in when she finally had a roughly ten-minute-long performance.

However, before it began, Xiao Huan, who had never seen Tang Shu’s rehearsal, suddenly exclaimed from below the stage.

"""

"I can’t believe it—Uncle Tang is playing the role of Qingyi!"

"Uncle... Tang?"

"Hehe, um, that’s the affectionate nickname Tang Shu’s fans have for her. Ever since I watched the variety show last night, I’ve joined this big family too!"

Xiao Huan knew that Sister Tong was only interested in stage dramas and not much else, so she spoke up to explain.

"But for her first time on stage, she’s interpreting the role of Qingyi? Oh my, that’s quite a challenge!"

Tong Tong also noticed this and with a thoughtful look, glanced towards Teacher Ke sitting in the audience. Seeing a smile on her face, Tong Tong’s confusion deepened.

"Lian Qingyi’s role doesn’t have much screen time, just fifteen minutes in total, but the character is complex, with a large emotional contrast from the beginning to the end. Originally, an ambitious student suffers from the death of her parents and the annulment of her engagement within a single day, plummeting her life into an abyss. This role is indeed difficult to grasp."

What puzzled her was that Master Ke, fully aware of the difficulty of the role, had still recommended it to Tang Shu, who was new to stage drama. Was it because she had great faith in her, or was it an attempt to dissuade her with such a challenging role?

If it were the latter, then Teacher Ke’s current expression was indeed intriguing.

Considering this, the previously casual Tong Tong perked up a bit, looking at the stage with more seriousness and scrutiny, while also feeling an eager anticipation to see how things would unfold.

She did want to see if Tang Shu could truly handle such a standout role.

Xiao Huan was also looking intently at the stage, but unlike Tong Tong’s scrutiny, her gaze was filled with worry and hope.

"Uncle Tang is very talented in acting. She’s played several remarkable roles within a year and is sure to portray Lian Qingyi very well. But... to be on stage just a week after entering the field, can she really do it?"

Yingyingying—Why is she so nervous now?

As a newcomer to Tang Shu’s fan group, Xiao Huan hadn’t yet been thoroughly influenced by the group’s madness and had no idea that her current anxiety was not in line with what an established fan would typically feel.

If any seasoned fan from the group were here, they would be excited rather than anxious for their idol; they wouldn’t just cheer for their favorite, they’d be munching on sunflower seeds and rooting for the other actors as well.

After all... dealing with such a calm and composed prodigy was everyone’s misfortune—

Compared to watching Tang Shu dominate the scene, they’d prefer to witness their mysterious idol in a fluster!

On the stage.

This was Lian Qingyi’s first official appearance. With her outstanding appearance and academic performance, she stood in the classroom calling for everyone to rise up in resistance, shining like a beacon, inspiring all the students in the classroom.

"Fellow students, we are the product of modern education, the future of our country. In these extraordinary times, we must take up our responsibilities!"

Following a 2-minute speech, Lian Qingyi naturally became the leader of the students, following the professor in running around town giving talks, not only lighting a fiery spirit on stage but also affecting the audience, who clenched their fists wishing they could join in.

With her cheeks in her hands, Xiao Huan was very dreamy, "Uncle Tang’s speech... is almost like that of a top-level brainwasher from a pyramid scheme, right?"

Tong Tong fell silent for a moment, her beautiful eyes sparkled with flecks of light, and after a while, she uttered two words.

"Not bad."