novellhall Chapter 2: The Beijing Film Academy in an uproar
Chapter 2: The Beijing Film Academy in an uproar
three days later.
Small conference room on the third floor of the administration building at the Capital Film Academy.
Smoke swirled around.
The core leadership team of the college, as well as the heads and deputy heads of all departments, were present.
The meeting was originally a routine working meeting regarding summer student recruitment.
But at this moment, everyone's eyes were fixed on Dean Zhang Huijun, who was in the main seat.
Just a minute ago, Zhang Huijun dropped a bombshell.
"I just received a call from above. Tsinghua University and Peking University have jointly filed a complaint against us with the Ministry of Education."
Everyone present was stunned by these words.
Beijing Film Academy and Tsinghua University.
Let's not say they're completely unrelated.
That's a completely different track.
Normally, the vast ocean of Tsinghua and Peking Universities wouldn't bother the small well of Beijing Film Academy.
Why did they suddenly sue the Beijing Film Academy?
Tian Erzhuang, the head of the directing department, was a straightforward person. He immediately frowned: "Dean Zhang, what's going on? We didn't do anything to them, so why are you suing us?"
Zhang Huijun's expression was complex, a mixture of laughter and disbelief.
"They're accusing us of poaching talent."
They said we poached their top-scoring student and ruined the future of the country's top scientific research talents.
Everyone was even more bewildered, exchanging bewildered glances.
A film academy is vying for promising research talents from Tsinghua and Peking Universities?
What does this have to do with anything?
"The only science student in this year's college entrance examination to achieve a perfect score is Wei Yi, a student from eastern Guangdong."
Zhang Huijun paused, then uttered the second half of his sentence that sent the entire audience into a frenzy.
"This kid. He gave up his pre-admission offers from Tsinghua and Peking Universities and applied to the Beijing Film Academy, majoring in directing."
"What?!"
Tian Erzhuang suddenly jumped up from his chair, his voice splitting into two.
The room was filled with department heads, and they were all in an uproar.
A top scorer in science?
One of a kind that's unique in the whole country?
Why would someone choose Beijing Film Academy over Tsinghua or Peking University?
Don't tell me that the people here don't believe it.
Even Zhang Huijun herself thought it was a prank when she received the call.
His gaze swept directly at Tian Erzhuang, his tone serious:
"Director Tian, you're aware of this? This Wei Yi, is he a student who passed the entrance exam for your directing department this year?"
Tian Erzhuang was dumbfounded, shaking his head like a rattle drum:
"Director Zhang, I have absolutely no recollection of him! I remember all the promising candidates for the directing department entrance exam this year, but there's no one named Wei Yi among them!"
"Then you should investigate right away!"
Tian Erzhuang immediately gave a wink to the deputy director next to him.
The deputy director flipped through the list of qualified art exam candidates for less than half a minute, his expression changed, and he leaned close to Tian Erzhuang's ear and whispered a few words.
Tian Erzhuang's eyes widened instantly.
Wei Yi's name was indeed on the list.
The applicant is from the directing department, passed the entrance exam, ranked well, had all the necessary paperwork completed, and the official seal was clearly affixed.
But this director, who oversaw every single round of the art exams, had absolutely no recollection of this name or this student.
Little did he know that this certificate of qualification was entirely orchestrated by Wei Yi's cultivation system from beginning to end.
Not only did he not remember Wei Yi, but he was not even present in the entire Beijing Film Academy entrance exam hall.
But now there are inappropriate records.
Even if they check the on-site video footage, they will still be able to find it.
The discussions in the meeting room gradually subsided, and the atmosphere became heavy again.
Zhang Huijun tapped the table and laid out the core issue:
"That's the situation right now. Most of the leaders above think we should gently persuade this kid to go to Tsinghua or Peking University. After all, he's a top-scoring science student, and scientific research is the right path for him. It's really a pity that he came here."
Many people nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
The pressure from Tsinghua and Peking Universities is there, as is the attitude from above; it's better to avoid trouble.
Just then, Xie Xiaojin, the vice dean who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.
He was the former head of the directing department and spent his entire career at the Beijing Film Academy; his words carry immense weight.
"Actually... we should think like this."
Xie Xiaojin's voice was not loud, but every word was clear, drowning out all the whispers in the conference room.
"Dean Zhang, Secretary, everyone, let me ask you a question. A top scorer in the national college entrance examination, choosing to attend Tsinghua or Peking University instead, voluntarily chose our Beijing Film Academy. What does this mean?"
He glanced around at everyone present, his tone firm and resolute.
"This means that in the hearts of students across the country, Beijing Film Academy is on par with Tsinghua and Peking University! This is a reputation that money can't buy! It's a unique honor in the history of our school!"
"So what if Tsinghua and Peking University complained? So what if the higher-ups have some objections? The students chose their schools voluntarily; they didn't violate any rules or cheat. Why should we push them away?"
"Such a rare, once-in-a-century opportunity has been delivered right to our doorstep; it would be truly foolish of us to turn him away!"
The meeting room fell silent instantly upon hearing this.
Everyone realized what was happening.
Exactly! A top scorer choosing Beijing Film Academy—what does that even mean?
If you just write it in the admission brochure from now on, which art student in the country wouldn't go crazy?
Although the Beijing Film Academy is known for its unparalleled excellence in entrance exams for art students.
A top scorer in the college entrance examination gave up Tsinghua and Peking Universities and chose Beijing Film Academy instead.
This will be revolutionary in boosting the school's reputation!
It has the potential to go viral!
"Professor Xie is right!"
Liu Yibing, the head of the Literature Department, immediately chimed in, his eyes shining.
"We absolutely must take this student! But then again, a top scorer must have an excellent foundation in academic subjects. Coming to the literature department to work on screenwriting is the perfect fit! Much better than the directing department!"
"Liu Yibing, don't give me that!"
Tian Erzhuang immediately exploded and retorted sharply.
"The list is from our directing department! These people are coming specifically for our directing program! Your literature department is trying to steal their spots? No way!"
"What do you mean they came here specifically for your directing department? They haven't even filled out their applications yet!"
"The entrance exam qualification certificate is for our directing department! It's in black and white!"
The two immediately started arguing, neither willing to give in.
This is going to be quite lively.
Director Chen of the Performing Arts Academy immediately spoke up: "Hey, hey, stop arguing! If this kid's image and temperament are up to par, he'll be a future movie star if he comes to our Performing Arts Academy!"
Yu Jianhong, the director of the Management Department, was not to be outdone:
"In the film and television industry, you ultimately need to understand management! Come to our management department, and you'll be directly in charge of film and television projects in the future. Isn't that better than anything else?"
The once lifeless conference room instantly transformed into a battle for talent.
Regardless of whether the other party can come or not, we should just grab it first.
As a result, the heads of various departments got into a heated argument, each wanting to recruit this top scorer to their own department.
At the head of the table, Zhang Huijun and the secretary Ji Zhiwei next to him exchanged a glance.
Before the meeting.
These two true elites of the Beijing Film Academy had already discussed this privately long ago.
Even what Xie Xiaojin said just now was at the behest of the two.
Again--
The other child chose Beijing Film Academy voluntarily. There was no violation of rules or cheating. Why should they give it to Tsinghua and Peking University?
Yes, Tsinghua and Peking University are more discerning than us.
So what if they're difficult?
The only perfect scorer in the country didn't choose you guys, but instead chose our Beijing Film Academy, didn't he?
Why should we at Beijing Film Academy be inferior to others?
Tsinghua and Peking University are good, but the students chose us themselves. Why should we push them out?
"Quiet down!"
Zhang Huijun slammed his hand on the table, and the entire room fell silent instantly.
He stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his tone resolute.
"I've discussed it with Secretary Ji. If Wei Yi dares to apply to the Beijing Film Academy, we'll accept him!"
"The pressure from Tsinghua and Peking Universities, the opinions from higher authorities—we and the Party Secretary are bearing the brunt!"
"We've been running the Beijing Film Academy for so many years, why can't we admit the top scorers in the national college entrance examination? Why should we give way to Tsinghua and Peking Universities? Why should our freshmen only be able to score three or four hundred points on the college entrance examination?"
"That's settled then!"
A hammer is fixed.
After the meeting adjourned.
Everyone has left.
Xie Xiaojin grabbed Tian Erzhuang and pulled him into his office.
"Old Tian, stop arguing."
Xie Xiaojin handed him a cigarette, his face serious.
"The problem now isn't seizing the position, it's about keeping him calm. People from Tsinghua and Peking University are definitely surrounding that kid every day trying to persuade him. If he gives in, we'll lose everything."
Tian Erzhuang instantly realized what was happening, taking a deep drag on his cigarette: "You're right! So what do we do?"
"What should we do? You should make a trip to eastern Guangdong yourself."
Xie Xiaojin made the decision immediately.
"Go find this kid. Whatever his conditions, as long as he's willing to come to Beijing Film Academy, we'll agree to anything. Make sure he stays committed; he must apply to Beijing Film Academy, and he must apply to our directing department!"
"OK!"
Tian Erzhuang is also a decisive person.
He stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and pulled out his phone without saying a word.
"I'll book my flight right now and fly there today!"