novellhall Chapter 3: Three schools rob people
Chapter 3: Three schools rob people
The Nortel meeting was held in the morning.
Tian Erzhuang arrived in Guangdong Province in the afternoon.
The sun in Lingnan is extremely strong.
A humid, hot wind carrying a salty, fishy smell swept over, and Tian Erzhuang, who had just gotten off the plane, was instantly covered in sweat.
He was dragging a black briefcase and didn't even go into the airport terminal.
As soon as I stepped out of the gate, my Nokia flip phone started ringing like crazy.
The caller ID showed Xie Xiaojin.
Tian Erzhuang quickly answered, his voice urgent: "Old Xie, I just landed, and my phone just turned on. I was just about to head over..."
He hadn't finished speaking.
He was interrupted by Xie Xiaojin's urgent voice.
"Hurry! Hurry as fast as you can! Something's happened!"
Xie Xiaojin's voice was extremely low, but full of anxiety: "Old Tian, I just received news that the Central Academy of Drama and the Shanghai Theatre Academy have also made their move! They've both sent people to snatch Wei Yi!"
Tian Erzhuang froze on the spot, his mind going blank.
"What? Why are they getting involved?"
"Exciting? They also have Wei Yi's art exam qualification certificate! Just like us, directing major, qualified! All the paperwork is in order!"
Xie Xiaojin's words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Tian Erzhuang's ears:
"This kid not only took the entrance exams for Beijing Film Academy at the beginning of the year, but he also passed the entrance exams for the Central Academy of Drama and Shanghai Theatre Academy!"
Tian Erzhuang was completely numb.
He still has absolutely no recollection of the name Wei Yi.
As a result, this kid not only passed the entrance exam for Beijing Film Academy without making a sound, but also got into the Central Academy of Drama and Shanghai Theatre Academy.
How is that possible?
The entrance exams for the directing departments of the three top art colleges.
Each one is more difficult than the last; it would be amazing to pass even one, but this kid actually passed all three?
Not a single examiner has a memory of him yet?
This is really weird!
Before he could recover from the shock, the voice on the other end of the phone suddenly changed; it was Dean Zhang Huijun.
"Tian Erzhuang."
Zhang Huijun's tone carried an unquestionable, absolute command:
"Let me tell you, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the students from the Central Academy of Drama and the Shanghai Theatre Academy are already on their way. They might even arrive sooner than you, since Shanghai is closer to Lingnan than we are."
"I don't care what method you use, you must see Wei Yi first, and you must keep him calm and collected!"
"As long as he's willing to list the Beijing Film Academy's directing program as his first choice, we can discuss any conditions! Tuition waived, integrated bachelor's, master's, and doctoral program, private tutor, and free choice of film crew resources—if it's not against the rules, you can agree on the spot! If it's against the rules, give me a call, and I'll figure out how to handle it!"
At this point, Zhang Huijun paused, then gritted his teeth and added a harsh sentence:
"Even if he wants to get in touch with the 'Four Dan and Two Bing' actresses or have a meal with them, I'll risk my reputation and help him make the connection! Do you understand?!"
Tian Erzhuang was shocked, and his back instantly broke out in a sweat.
He could tell that the dean was truly desperate and had really gone all out.
"Director Zhang, don't worry! I'll risk my life to capture him!"
I hung up the phone.
Tian Erzhuang dared not delay even for the slightest moment.
He had originally wanted to find a place to get some water and catch his breath, but now he had no such thought.
He flagged down a long-distance unlicensed taxi right at the airport entrance, gave them his address, doubled the fare, and told the driver to drive like there was no tomorrow.
No matter how fast you go, it will still take several hours on the road.
Tian Erzhuang sat in the passenger seat, his heart pounding with anxiety.
He truly regretted it.
If he had known that the Central Academy of Drama and the Shanghai Theatre Academy would also be performing, he would have insisted on bringing a co-star along.
Now look at me, all alone, while the other side has who knows how many people have come.
Although Xie Xiaojin was already preparing to fly over.
But distant water can't quench a nearby fire!
During the three-hour drive, he didn't even close his eyes for a moment, his mind filled with thoughts of how to talk to Wei Yi and how to keep him there.
When the car finally stopped downstairs in Wei Yi's old residential building.
It was already six o'clock in the evening.
It was getting late.
As soon as Tian Erzhuang opened the car door, before his feet even touched the ground, he saw a group of people walking out of the building entrance.
He didn't know the two leading ones.
I only met him this morning.
Based on information provided by Dean Zhang Huijun.
Those were Director Zhang from Tsinghua University's admissions office and Teacher Li from Peking University's admissions office.
Behind the two were several people carrying briefcases.
Judging from the nameplate on the briefcase, it belongs to admissions officers from top universities in China such as Fudan University, University of Science and Technology of China, and Zhejiang University.
The group of people all had the same dejected look on their faces, like defeated roosters, and were muttering "What a pity" and "This is ridiculous."
Tian Erzhuang immediately shrank back, crouching down and hiding behind the car.
Don't be fooled by his boasting in the Beijing Film Academy conference room, banging on the table and shouting that he's not afraid of Tsinghua or Peking University.
He was still a little nervous when he actually ran into him in this small place.
After all, he is the director of admissions at a top university in China. In terms of rank and influence, he is far superior to him, the mere director of the directing department at Beijing Film Academy.
He huddled behind the car, barely daring to breathe, and watched helplessly as the group of people got on the car one by one.
Only after the convoy sped away and disappeared from sight did I dare to straighten up.
Tian Erzhuang patted the dust off his clothes, spat, and tried to bolster his courage.
So what if you go to Tsinghua or Peking University?
If the top scholar himself doesn't want to go, your coming eighteen times won't make a difference.
He straightened his shirt collar, tightened his briefcase, and hurried upstairs.
The old building had no elevator, so he climbed four floors in one go. When he arrived at Wei Yi's door, he took a couple of breaths, composed himself, and knocked on the security door.
dong dong dong.
The three sounds had barely faded when he hadn't even had time to retract his hand.
Suddenly, I heard hurried footsteps and a few somewhat familiar voices behind me.
Tian Erzhuang's heart skipped a beat, and he turned around abruptly.
He froze on the spot when he turned around, his scalp tingling.
Four people were standing at the top of the stairs behind me.
Leading the way was Liao Xianghong, the vice president of the Central Academy of Drama.
He was accompanied by Ding Ruru, the head of the Directing Department of the Central Academy of Drama.
Following behind were Ge Lang, the vice president of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, and Li Jianping, the head of the directing department at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.
Four people, two deputy leaders.
They are all prominent figures from domestic art schools.
They were all standing on the stairs, carrying briefcases, their eyes all fixed on him, their faces showing a hint of surprise followed by understanding.
We're all old colleagues and rivals; who doesn't know who?
Tian Erzhuang cursed his mother in his heart.
Oh shit.
He thought he was fast enough, but it turned out that the other person not only followed.
They were all led by vice presidents, so the level of protocol was top-notch.
He came all alone, without any troops.
Liao Xianghong laughed first, his tone slightly teasing:
"Wow, Director Tian, that was quick! Did Beijing Film Academy strike first?"
Ding Ruru also spoke up, her voice gentle yet sharp:
"Director Tian, your Beijing Film Academy is really shameless. Just to snatch a student, the director himself has to travel this far?"
Tian Erzhuang immediately bristled and was about to retort.
"Your influence at the Central Academy of Drama and the Shanghai Theatre Academy is way too much..."
He had only spoken half a sentence when the security door in front of him suddenly clicked.
The lock turned, and the door was pulled open from the inside.
Tian Erzhuang's words caught in his throat, and everyone's eyes turned to the doorway.
The young man, dressed in a simple white T-shirt, was tall and straight with clear, bright eyes; he was none other than Wei Yi.
He stood behind the door, smiling at the five high-ranking officials from the art school gathered at the entrance. "Are you... also teachers? Are you here to see me?"