novellhall Chapter 15 Naza's New Play
Chapter 15 Naza's New Play
After Teacher Li left, the classroom was not filled with the usual noisy "liberated" atmosphere.
The students got up in twos and threes, but their steps were hesitant, and their eyes kept drifting to the back of the classroom.
Chen Nianbei was tidying up the script, her movements unhurried and deliberate.
The woman standing beside him, helping him tidy up the scattered papers, whispered, "You just... startled them."
"Really?" Chen Nianbei smiled.
"have."
Naza was certain, "Wang Hao looked at you like he'd seen a ghost."
Before he finished speaking, Wang Hao rushed over, grabbed Chen Nianbei's shoulder, and said in a trembling voice:
"Nianbei! Confess!"
Chen Nianbei looked up at him: "Explain what?"
"Your acting skills..."
After hesitating for a long time, Wang Hao finally managed to squeeze out the second half of his sentence, "What exactly happened? How could someone improve like this after just one month on set?"
His face clearly showed "I don't believe it".
Chen Nianbei put the script into her backpack and said calmly, "Maybe... I've finally figured it out."
"A breakthrough?" Wang Hao raised his voice. "Is this what you call a breakthrough? You've got a new brain!"
These words were spoken quite loudly, and the students who hadn't left yet all looked over.
Wang Hao realized he had lost his composure, lowered his voice, but his tone remained agitated:
"Your description of Zhou Ping just now was absolutely amazing. Even Teacher Li was stunned."
Chen Nianbei patted him on the shoulder: "You acted very well too."
"What's so good about it!"
Wang Hao smiled wryly, "Compared to you, I'm just playing house like a child."
He said this without jealousy, only with a sense of composure that "the gap is so large that there is no even the thought of comparison."
Naza chuckled to himself.
Wang Hao turned to look at her: "Naza, did you already know?"
"Know what?"
"I knew Nianbei was this amazing!"
Wang Hao said, "I was just worried about him, and you were just watching the show."
Naza blinked: "I didn't."
"You have!"
Wang Hao was certain, "When you watched Nian Bei's performance just now, you weren't surprised at all, as if... as if you knew he would definitely perform like that."
Naza stopped talking and smiled with her lips pursed.
Chen Nianbei intervened at the right moment: "Alright, Haozi, stop guessing. He was just lucky. He learned a lot on set and gained some insights."
"Is this what you call 'having some insights'?"
Wang Hao shook his head, "This is a qualitative change for you."
He paused, then suddenly remembered something: "By the way, did you hear what Teacher Li said at the end?"
Chen Nianbei nodded.
"I reckon the role of Zhou Ping is perfect for you."
Wang Hao spoke with certainty, his tone tinged with disappointment but mostly with admiration, "Well, at least someone in our class can play this role well."
That was said very sincerely.
Chen Nianbei felt a warmth in her heart.
"I'm leaving now," Wang Hao waved, slung his backpack over his shoulder, "I still need to go to the library to do some research. You guys..."
He glanced at Chen Nianbei, then at Nazha, a knowing smile on his face. "You guys talk, you guys talk."
After saying that, he quickly left the classroom.
Naza's face flushed again: "Wang Hao is really..."
That's just how he is.
Chen Nianbei slung her backpack over her shoulder. "Let's go, didn't we say we were going to have hot pot?"
"Now?"
"Yeah, it gets crowded later."
"OK!"
As the two walked out of the teaching building, the setting sun hung obliquely in the west, turning the sycamore trees on campus into a golden-red hue.
Several classmates walked towards them, and when they saw them, they all greeted them with smiles, but there was a different meaning in their eyes.
Chen Nianbei responded to each question naturally.
As Naza stood beside him, a strange feeling suddenly welled up inside her.
It's like... the person next to you suddenly went from being an ordinary classmate to someone you have to look up to.
But Chen Nianbei's tone of voice and the way he walks are still the same Chen Nianbei.
This contrast made her take a few more glances at him.
"What are you looking at?" Chen Nianbei noticed her gaze.
"N-nothing."
Naza quickly looked away. "I was just thinking... you've really changed a lot."
"yes."
"Hmm." Naza said seriously, "If you had acted that well before, you would have been floating on air by now."
Chen Nianbei laughed: "And what about me now?"
"You now..."
Naza thought for a moment, "It seems like there was no reaction, like I did something very ordinary."
"Acting is what actors are supposed to do," Chen Nianbei said.
Naza paused for a moment, then didn't reply.
The two walked out of the school gate and headed towards a nearby hot pot restaurant.
The shop isn't big, but it's very popular; there's already a queue at this time.
Chen Nianbei took a number, and the two sat down on the plastic stools by the door to wait for their turn.
It was a bit chilly in the late autumn evening, so Naza wrapped her coat around herself.
"Cold?" Chen Nianbei asked.
"A little."
Chen Nianbei got up, went to the milk tea shop next door and bought two cups of hot milk tea, handing one to her.
"Thank you." Naza took the cup, holding the warm cup in his hands, and sighed contentedly.
During the twenty minutes of waiting, the two chatted idly.
They talked about the film crew, the school, and the latest entertainment news.
Naza said that Sister Li got her a magazine cover shoot, which will be done next month.
Chen Nianbei said that Kong Sheng's new drama will not start filming until the second half of next year, and he needs to find something to do in the meantime.
The topics were scattered, but the atmosphere was relaxed.
"Oh, right."
Naza suddenly remembered something, and her tone became somewhat excited, "I'm going to audition."
"Um?"
"Sister Li told me this morning that it's not completely decided yet, but it's very likely."
Naza lowered her voice, her eyes sparkling, "It's a movie, starring Jackie Chan."
Chen Nianbei's heart skipped a beat: "Jackie Chan? What movie?"
"The new installment in the Police Story series should be called Police Story 2013."
Naza said, "Sister Li said that Jackie Chan personally supervised the production and starred in the film."
Chen Nianbei remembered.
He remembered this movie from his previous life. It was released at the end of 2013 and did well at the box office, but its reputation was so-so.
A typical Jackie Chan action film, the story is old-fashioned, but the fight scenes are still solid.
Naza plays a small role in it, with few scenes, but it marks her big-screen debut.
"What kind of character is it?" he asked.
"Seems to be... a minor character, but the specifics are still unclear."
Naza said, "Sister Li said that if I could get a role, it would be a great opportunity."
She paused, looking at Chen Nianbei: "Do you think... I can do it?"
"Why not?"
"That's a Jackie Chan movie."
Naza's voice was filled with awe: "An international superstar, how much pressure must it be to act with him?"
Chen Nianbei took a sip of milk tea and said slowly, "There's definitely pressure, but it's also an opportunity. Cheng Long is actually quite considerate of newcomers; as long as you're serious, he'll teach you."
"How did you know?" Naza asked curiously.
"I heard that."
Chen Nianbei brushed it off, saying, "Anyway, if there really is an opportunity, I'll just prepare well."
Naza nodded, remained silent for a while, and then suddenly said, "Actually, I'm a little scared."
"What are you afraid of?"
"I'm afraid I won't perform well, I'm afraid I'll embarrass Sister Li, and I'm afraid I'll embarrass the company."
She spoke softly, "Sugarman signed me because they have high hopes for me. If my first movie is a flop..."
"I won't smash it."
Chen Nianbei interrupted her, "Teacher Li said your performance was very good. You need to have confidence."
Naza looked at him and suddenly laughed: "Chen Nianbei, you're starting to sound more and more like a teacher."
"Is there?"
"Yes," Naza said confidently, "It's that feeling... of knowing everything and seeing through everything."
Chen Nianbei didn't reply, looking at the traffic on the street.
"Number 27! Is Number 27 here?" the shop assistant called out.
"Here!" Naza held up the number in his hand.
The two followed the shop assistant into the store and found a seat by the window.
The hot pot was served quickly, with red oil bubbling and steam rising.
He picked up a slice of tripe, dipped it in the hot pot a few times, then dipped it in sesame oil and minced garlic, put it in his mouth, and squinted his eyes in satisfaction.
"tasty!"
Chen Nianbei also picked up her chopsticks, and the two ate for a while before Nazha spoke again:
"And what about you? What are your plans after 'Battle of Changsha'?"
"Let's see if there are any other plays after the final performance."
Chen Nianbei said, "Uncle Kong's new film won't be until next year, so I definitely can't be idle for the next six months or so."
"Should I ask Sister Li to keep an eye out for you?"
After saying that, Naza realized it wasn't quite right and quickly added, "I was just saying it offhand..."
"Need not."
Chen Nianbei shook his head, "I'll look for it myself first. You're just starting out, don't owe anyone a favor."
That's a very practical statement.
Naza felt a warmth in his heart: "Then... if you need anything, just let me know."
"it is good."
Halfway through the hot pot meal, Naza's phone rang.
She glanced at it; it was Sister Li.
"Hey, Sister Li... um, eating out... with Nianbei... okay, I know, I won't be late tomorrow afternoon... um, goodbye."
After hanging up the phone, she stuck out her tongue: "Sister Li reminded me that I have something to do tomorrow afternoon."
"You're quite busy, you have class tomorrow morning, hurry up, eat breakfast and go back to rest," Chen Nianbei said.
The two sped up and left half an hour later after paying the bill.
It was completely dark when I left the hot pot restaurant.
The streetlights lit up one by one, and the autumn evening breeze carried a chill.
"Shall I take you back to your dorm?" Chen Nianbei asked.
"No need, it's not far."
Naza said, "You should go back and rest early too. You must be tired after just getting back to school today."
"OK."
The two parted ways at the intersection.
Naza took a few steps, turned around, and saw Chen Nianbei still standing in the same spot. She waved to him.
She waved, then turned and walked briskly towards the dormitory.
I feel a sense of peace and security.
It seems that although the road ahead is unknown, at least I am not walking alone.
Chen Nianbei watched her figure disappear around the street corner before turning around and walking towards the boys' dormitory.
Chen Nianbei walked into the dormitory building.
The hallway was bustling with activity; the sounds of people playing games, chatting, and practicing their lines could be heard from various dorm rooms.