novellhall Chapter 18 Polishing
Chapter 18 Polishing
After leaving the teaching building, Naza checked the time: "It's not even eleven o'clock yet, shall we go to the cafeteria?"
Chen Nianbei nodded: "Let's go."
The two walked towards the cafeteria. The autumn morning sun was just right, warming them against their skin.
On the way, I met several classmates who greeted me with smiles. Chen Nianbei and Nazha are now the two most talked-about people in the class.
"What do you want to eat?" Naza asked.
"Anything is fine."
Chen Nianbei said, "The braised pork ribs with potatoes at the stir-fry window on the second floor are pretty good."
"Then let's eat that."
There weren't many people in the cafeteria yet. The two got their food and found a seat by the window.
Naza scooped up a spoonful of rice, then suddenly remembered something, looked up and asked, "What you just said to Wang Hao... did you really think Yang Mi's studio was bad?"
Chen Nianbei picked up a piece of pork rib: "It's not that it's bad, it's just not suitable for everyone."
"How so?"
"Yang Mi does have a lot of popularity, and her studio definitely has resources, but she's also very busy."
Chen Nianbei slowly said, "Newly signed artists will most likely have to fight for it themselves."
If you're just a regular newcomer, you might have to wait.
Naza seemed thoughtful: "You mean... Wang Hao might not get any resources even if he goes?"
"It's not that we can't get a share, it's that the competition is too fierce."
Chen Nianbei said, "Think about it, once Yang Mi's studio is established, which newcomer without connections who wants to make a name for themselves, if they have any ambition, wouldn't want to join?"
Naza nodded: "That's true."
"However, if Wang Hao really wants to go, it's not like he has no chance."
Chen Nianbei said, "He is professionally competent and down-to-earth. If he can stand out in the performance and catch Yang Mi's eye, it might be a good opportunity."
"And what about you?"
Naza looked at him. "Do you want to go?"
Chen Nianbei put down her chopsticks, thought for a moment, and said, "Me? Not really."
Why?
"There are too many restrictions."
Chen Nianbei said, "Once I sign with a studio, I might have to follow their lead in what roles I take, what shows I appear on, and even what I say. I don't like that."
Naza laughed: "You've thought this through quite well."
"It's not that I've thought it through," Chen Nianbei said, "I've just learned my lesson and know how important freedom is."
He spoke casually, but Naza understood the deeper meaning behind his words.
"Have you learned your lesson?" she asked curiously.
Chen Nianbei paused for a moment, then said, "...Let's not talk about it."
Naza didn't press further, but changed the subject: "So what are your plans next? Besides the performance."
"Let's arrange the performance first."
Chen Nianbei said, "After the performance, I'll see if there are any suitable plays. If not, I'll go to the drama troupe."
"A drama troupe?"
Naza's eyes lit up. "I've never acted in a play before."
"You can give it a try if you have the chance."
Chen Nianbei said, "Theatrical performances are a great training ground for actors. There are no retakes or redoings. A play has to be performed from beginning to end, which really tests one's skills."
Naza listened attentively, then suddenly said, "Chen Nianbei, you know so much."
"Is it a lot?"
"many."
Naza was certain, "You don't seem like a sophomore, you seem like... someone who's been in the industry for several years."
Chen Nianbei laughed: "I probably learned it by working on set for a month."
"Can you learn this much just by working on a production team?"
"It depends on who you learn from and how you learn," Chen Nianbei said. "Director Kong taught me a lot."
Naza nodded, stopped talking, and focused on eating.
After finishing his meal, Naza glanced at his phone: "I have to go. Sister Li asked me to come to the company this afternoon. She said the script for 'Police Story' has been sent over and she wants to talk to me about it."
"That's good," Chen Nianbei said. "Prepare well."
"Um!"
Naza stood up. "So what are you doing this afternoon?"
"Go back to the dorm to read the script and practice Zhou Ping's scenes."
"Go for it!" Naza waved and walked away with light steps.
Chen Nianbei watched her departing figure, tidied up her plate, and also got up and left the cafeteria.
Instead of going straight back to his dormitory, he went to a small grove of trees behind the teaching building.
It's usually quiet and not crowded there, making it a good place to practice lines.
Finding a stone bench to sit on, Chen Nianbei took out the script of "Thunderstorm" and turned to the scene where Zhou Ping and Fan Yi confront each other.
He had already memorized his lines; now he needed to practice controlling his emotions.
The difficulty in portraying Zhou Ping lies in the complexity of his character.
When facing Fanyi, he had to show both his determination to escape and his deep reluctance and guilt.
This kind of contradiction cannot be portrayed too explicitly; it must be hidden in the details.
Chen Nianbei closed her eyes and began to visualize the scene in her mind.
The Zhou family's living room was dimly lit and filled with a stifling atmosphere.
Fan Yi stood opposite him, her eyes filled with an almost obsessive persistence.
And he, Zhou Ping, stood here, wanting to say "Let's end this," but the words caught in his throat.
"You're here again."
Chen Nianbei read her lines softly, not in a theatrical tone, but in a weary, helpless tone typical of everyday life.
He imagined himself as Zhou Ping, a man suffocating under the weight of family, emotions, and morality.
"I've said it many times... we shouldn't see each other anymore."
His voice trembled slightly when he said the word "shouldn't have".
That wasn't acting; he genuinely empathized with Zhou Ping's state of mind.
A person who has done something wrong and wants to turn back, but finds that there is no turning back.
After practicing for half an hour, Chen Nianbei stopped and rubbed his temples.
Acting in these kinds of inner dramas is very mentally taxing, especially since you have to peel back the layers of a character's exterior to reveal their softest and most vulnerable parts.
He put away the script, got up, and walked back to his dormitory.
Back in the dormitory, Wang Hao hadn't returned yet, and Zhang Lei and Li Xiang weren't there either.
Chen Nianbei washed her face, sat down at her desk, and continued reading the script.
This time, he focused on watching the performances of Zhou Ping and Si Feng.
Naza plays Sifeng, and the two of them have many scenes together, so they need to figure out how to coordinate in advance.
As I was looking at it, my phone vibrated.
It was Nazha who said: "When I got to the company, Sister Li showed me the script for 'Police Story.' My role is a girl who gets kidnapped. I don't have many scenes, but I have crying scenes. It's so difficult."
Chen Nianbei replied: "The most important thing in crying scenes is authenticity, not how loudly you cry."
First, figure out the character's background: why is she crying, under what circumstances is she crying, and what is she thinking while she's crying.
Naza replied instantly: "You're right, I was only thinking about how to cry, I didn't even think about the characters."
"Take your time, there's still time."
"Um! By the way, what are you doing?"
"Read the script and practice Zhou Ping's scenes."
"Good luck! I won't bother you anymore, I need to read the script."
"it is good."
Putting down her phone, Chen Nianbei looked at the script again.
The sky outside the window gradually darkened, and the dormitory lights were not yet on, making the room somewhat dim.
He was actually able to calm down better in this dimly lit environment.
Zhou Ping, Zhou Ping...
He silently repeated the name in his mind, trying to fully enter the world of this character.
A young man born into a feudal family and raised in a repressive environment.
Having received a modern education and possessing progressive ideas, yet still unable to escape the constraints of traditional family life.
I've loved the wrong person, done the wrong things, and I want to escape, but I don't have the courage.
Cowardly, selfish, pathetic, and hateful.
But occasionally, a glimmer of humanity shines through.
Such complex characters, if played well, become classics; if played poorly, they become jokes.
Chen Nianbei took a deep breath, picked up a pen, and made notes in the blank spaces of the script.
"Here, Zhou Ping says to Si Feng, 'I will take responsibility for you,' in a sincere tone, but with evasive eyes. Because he himself doesn't believe those words."
"Here, Zhou Ping and Fan Yi are facing off. Their bodies need to be tense, but their shoulders need to be relaxed. They want to be tough, but they can't be tough at all."
"Here, Zhou Ping finally breaks down, not with loud sobs, but with a silent breakdown. Tears well up in her eyes, but don't fall."
He wrote each stroke very carefully.
He had played too many roles in his past life, but every time he faced a classic character again, it felt like the first time.
Maintain a sense of awe and keep things fresh.
This is the attitude an actor should have.
When it was completely dark, the dormitory door was pushed open.
Wang Hao returned, carrying two plastic bags, and the aroma of grilled skewers wafted in.
"Nianbei! I brought you some midnight snacks!"
Wang Hao put the bag on the table. "I went to the library to look up information this afternoon, and on my way back I passed by a barbecue stall and bought some."
Chen Nianbei put down his pen: "Thanks, Haozi."
"Don't mention it."
Wang Hao rubbed his hands together, sat down opposite him, and asked, "How did your practice go today?"
"Not bad, I'm starting to get the hang of it."
"That's good."
Wang Hao opened the bag, took out the skewers, and said, "Let me tell you, I spent the whole afternoon researching Zhou Chong's background, and the more I researched, the more I realized how difficult this role is to play."
"How so?"
"Zhou Chong looks simple, sunny and innocent, but he actually has inner conflicts."
Wang Hao was very serious. "He loves Sifeng, but he also knows that this love can never have a happy ending."
He wanted to rebel against his father, but he didn't have the courage.
This contradiction cannot be made too obvious; it must be hidden beneath a simple exterior.
Chen Nianbei was somewhat surprised: "Not bad, Haozi, you've thought it through quite deeply."
Wang Hao smiled sheepishly: "I learned it all from you. Your portrayal of Zhou Ping yesterday, with its nuanced layers, really inspired me."
The two ate grilled skewers while discussing the characters.
Wang Hao shared many of his thoughts, while Chen Nianbei occasionally offered suggestions.
The atmosphere was great; two people who truly love performing were exchanging ideas.
Halfway through the meal, Zhang Lei and Li Xiang returned.
"Hey, having a late-night snack!" Zhang Lei chimed in. "Save some for me!"
"We have everything." Wang Hao pushed the bag over.
Four boys sat together, eating kebabs and chatting.
The night outside the window was getting darker, but the lights in the dormitory were bright.
After finishing their late-night snack, everyone washed up and prepared for bed.
Chen Nianbei lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Tomorrow will be another new day.
We need to practice, rehearse, and prepare for the performance.
The road ahead is long, but if you take it one step at a time, you will eventually reach your destination.
He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.