Rebirth of Chinese Entertainment, the Diary of a 95 Flower

Chapter 658 Mai Mai and Sister Meng Meet

Zhao Jinmai took the initiative to greet Meng Ziyi. Meng Ziyi not only responded with a smile, but also took the backpack from her hand and bent down to pick up the suitcase next to her feet.

I was very careful the whole time, afraid that she might break something.

After getting on the bus, Zhao Jinmai started talking about the Beijing Film Academy.

Her idol is Hu Ge, who works at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

Originally, she only wanted to get into the Shanghai Theatre Academy, but now her thoughts have changed.

Jiang Yang is interested in Beijing Film Academy because he attends the academy.

I talked a lot with Meng Ziyi about the Beijing Film Academy.

Zhao Jinmai leaned closer and asked with a smile, "Sister Meng, what kind of acting classes do you have at the Beijing Film Academy? Do you have to perform skits and practice lines every day?"

Meng Ziyi nodded with a smile: "Yes, yes, dialogue training is the foundation. The teacher makes us practice our expressions and breathing in front of the mirror every day. Sometimes we also have to practice tongue twisters. It's common for our voices to become hoarse from practicing. Occasionally, we also perform skits in groups. Last time, our group performed a family play. I played the daughter and almost burst out laughing and was punished by the teacher to stand up."

"Will I be forced to stand as punishment again?"

Zhao Jinmai smiled, her eyes crinkling, and asked, "So, when you're filming your assignments, is it like filming a movie, where you have to find props and shoot scenes?"

"It's much rougher than filming a movie."

Meng Ziyi laughed and said, "Sometimes, in order to shoot a night scene, the whole class would stay up all night squatting by the lake on campus. If we didn't have enough props, we would make them ourselves. We would shoot the wrong scene again and again, but we were not discouraged. We would gather together to discuss and revise it. Our teacher always joked that acting is the most important thing to us, and said that with our tenacity, we would definitely do well in the industry in the future."

As Meng Ziyi spoke, a bitter feeling welled up in his heart.

As graduation approached, her classmates began to enter the entertainment industry one after another, and most of them, like her, signed with different companies.

No one can say for sure how far things will go in the future.

I've seen too many glamorous upperclassmen at school.

I've seen too many senior students like this at school. They were the most popular figures on campus, always getting first place in their major courses.

Teachers always use them as role models in class, they are the main characters when taking pictures of homework, they are the center of attention when participating in school performances, and they are surrounded by a halo wherever they go.

The younger students couldn't help but take a few more glances and crowd around to ask questions.

At that time, everyone thought that after graduation, they would definitely be able to gain a foothold in the entertainment industry and become popular artists.

But who would have thought that just three or five years after graduation, when their names are mentioned again, most people would look blank and realize that they have long since disappeared from public view.

Some couldn't endure the hardship of playing minor roles and sitting on the sidelines, so they gave up acting and switched to behind-the-scenes work such as makeup artist or script supervisor, losing their former sharpness.

Others simply left the industry altogether, returning to their hometowns to take civil service exams or open small shops.

The brilliance that once graced the stage and in front of the camera has been completely submerged by the mundane realities of daily life, turning them into just another ordinary member of the crowd.

The company kept making empty promises to her. When they signed her, they vowed that once she finished filming "God of War Zhao Yun," they would provide her with a constant stream of new opportunities.

There are TV dramas and variety shows, and they talk a lot of nonsense.

But to this day, none of those promises have been fulfilled, there's not a single sign of them, making Jiang Yang seem less reliable.

She never expected that in the end, it would be Jiang Yang, her former junior, who would lend her a hand.

In truth, Jiang Yang can no longer be considered her junior; on the contrary, he has become a senior she should look up to.

They have impressive variety shows, well-received TV dramas, and popular songs.

What's even more remarkable is that his status as the top scorer is unique within the industry.

No one can replace him.

Unbeknownst to her, the boy who once needed her care had quietly moved ahead of her, radiating brilliance.

Fortunately, Jiang Yang remembered their past relationship and was willing to help her.

She kept this kindness in her heart.

I am increasingly grateful to have met Jiang Yang.

So she's willing to eat anything from Jiang Yang.

Before picking up Zhao Jinmai, the two had just finished checking out of the hotel and heading to the airport. They hadn't had time to rinse their mouths, so they just hurriedly spat it out, and there was still some in their throats.

When Zhao Jinmai listened to Meng Ziyi talk about the Beijing Film Academy, she looked on with longing and asked, "Does your school have any particularly outstanding teachers? Do they teach you filming techniques from inside the industry?"

"Yes, our acting teacher is very strict. She's very thorough in class, but she's also very gentle in private. She often tells us about her experiences teaching students and filming on set, teaching us how to find our footing in front of the camera and how to grasp the emotions of a character. She also says that when we actually start acting, we should never be temperamental and that acting steadily is the most important thing," Meng Ziyi said earnestly.

Zhao Jinmai looked envious and asked, "Going to university is so much more interesting! How do you get along with your classmates? Is it like in TV dramas, with all the fighting and arguing?"

"It's not that serious."

Meng Ziyi laughed and said, "After class, we usually go to the cafeteria to get food together, chat about the assignments we've been working on recently, and our favorite celebrities. Sometimes when we're filming an assignment and we're missing a supporting actor, everyone will volunteer to help out. We'll also give each other suggestions, and if anyone's filming is bad, we'll point it out sincerely without holding back at all."

"I thought students from art schools were all aloof."

Zhao Jinmai breathed a sigh of relief, then asked curiously, "By the way, Sister Meng, do you often stay up late to film assignments? What do you eat when you stay up late?"

Jiang Yang, in the passenger seat, turned around and said, "Mai Mai, keep your voice down, you're giving me a headache."

"That's true. When we were rushing to finish the assignment, we could stay in the studio all night. When we got hungry, we would order takeout and eat bread to tide us over." Meng Ziyi said with a smile, "After the assignment was finished and filming wrapped up, we would often go to Haidilao near the school for a get-together. We would eat and chat about the fun things that happened during filming, complain about the problems we encountered, and it was so lively. Sometimes we would chat until midnight before going back to the dormitory."

Zhao Jinmai's eyes lit up as she listened: "I'm even a little envious of your life at Beijing Film Academy. I used to only want to get into the Central Academy of Drama, but now I think Beijing Film Academy is amazing too!"

Meng Ziyi smiled and ruffled her hair: "Go ahead and take the exam. By the time you come to Beijing Film Academy, I'll definitely have graduated, but Jiang Yang probably won't have graduated yet. I'll take you to eat some good food near the school and also take you to the lake where we often film our assignments."

Zhao Jinmai listened with great interest.

Later, the two chatted about their experiences filming. As they talked, Zhao Jinmai remembered Jiang Yang in the passenger seat and turned to ask him a question, only to find that Jiang Yang had already fallen asleep in his seat.

As she gently snored, Zhao Jinmai remarked, "Chaoyue and the others all say that Xiao Jiang falls asleep as soon as he gets on the plane, but now he falls asleep so easily in the car, like a pig."

Meng Ziyi, standing to the side, simply covered her mouth and chuckled secretly, without saying a word.

She knew in her heart that Jiang Yang was so tired because of her.

Just thinking about what happened last night made her heart flutter, but the sticky feeling in her throat rose up again, making her even more eager to rinse her mouth and clean it.

The "Mars Intelligence Agency" program arranged for this episode's guests to stay at the Changsha Shengjuefeisi Hotel.

It's the store at the Window of the World in the Broadcasting and Exhibition Center.

Zhao Jinmai got out of the car and was video chatting with her mother: "Mom, I've arrived. I just got out of the car. Xiao Jiang and I are together. Don't worry."

"You call him Xiao Jiang again, and Yang Ge, just like Chao Yue!" Zhao Jinmai's mother's scolding voice came from the phone.

"Good good."

Zhao Jinmai gave a perfunctory answer, then changed the subject, flipping the camera over: "Look at this hotel, isn't it grand?"

The lines are neat and tidy, understated, and exude a refined charm.

The hotel is surrounded by lush greenery from the Golden Eagle Film and Television Cultural City.

It's very close to the TV station, just a few steps away. No wonder so many variety show guests love to stay here; it's very convenient.

It opened the year before last and underwent a complete renovation last year, so it looks quite new. Because it's right next to Hunan TV, it often hosts celebrities from popular variety shows like "I Am a Singer" and "Happy Camp," and many popular artists have stayed here.

"MaiMai, call your mom to let her know you're safe?" Meng Ziyi asked as she got out of the car.

"Yeah, it's so annoying. I'm already so old, and she still acts like she's afraid I'll get kidnapped."

"Normal, haha, normal."

After hanging up the video call with her mother, Zhao Jinmai said to Jiang Yang, who was helping her with her luggage from the trunk, "My mom always tells me to be polite to you, Jiang, tell me, in what way have I been impolite?"

"That way you address me is very impolite; you need to change it."

“I won’t change it. From now on, we’ll each call each other by our own names. I’ll call you Xiao Jiang, and you can call me Boss Mai.”

"I won't call you that!"

Jiang Yang, dragging his suitcase, led Zhao Jinmai and Meng Ziyi toward the lobby.

As soon as we reached the revolving door, a concierge greeted us.

He took the luggage with practiced ease and smiled, nodding to Jiang Yang: "Teacher Jiang, as always, the luggage will be delivered directly to your room later."

The receptionist was prepared; the duty manager stood behind the counter and greeted the three of them politely as they approached: "Teacher Jiang, Teacher Zhao, Teacher Meng, this way please."

"The program's booking should have been sent over a while ago, right?"

"Yes, the Mars Intelligence Agency production team has already booked three guest rooms, and that has been confirmed."

As the duty manager spoke, he first took out a pre-printed check-in form from under the counter.

The registration form is very simple. Besides the pre-printed name, ID number, check-in and check-out time, room type, there is only a signature field and a contact phone number field.

Zhao Jinmai picked up the pen, signed her name in a flourish, and then wrote down Jiang Yang's phone number.

"Teacher Meng, it's your turn." After dealing with Zhao Jinmai, the manager turned to Meng Ziyi, following the exact same procedure.

After Meng Ziyi and Jiang Yang finished signing, the manager returned their ID cards and handed them the room key: "The Wi-Fi password and room instructions are on here. If you need anything, just call the switchboard number on the room key."

The concierge had already pushed the luggage to the elevator entrance. Seeing the three of them approach, he immediately pressed the elevator button and gestured for them to come over: "Teachers, this way please."

As soon as the elevator doors opened, Zhao Jinmai's clear voice rang out: "Xiao Jiang, can I see the night view from my room?"

"Yes, I can," Jiang Yang replied weakly, barely having the strength to even lift his eyelids.

"Why are you so listless? Did you not wake up?" Zhao Jinmai came closer and looked him up and down curiously.

"I haven't slept all night." Jiang Yang's voice was full of exhaustion.

“I remember when you were in Beiping, filming with me, you often stayed up late to meet deadlines, but you weren’t this tired,” Zhao Jinmai said, frowning, her tone puzzled.

Jiang Yang avoided the topic and waved his hand: "Go to your room first, I'll tell you about the things to pay attention to when you're on the show tomorrow. After that, I need to catch up on my sleep."

He knew in his heart that in the past, staying up late was simply to catch up on work, and he was only tired of his energy, but last night was different.

He stayed up late with Meng Ziyi.

I did nothing else all night, being constantly pestered by Meng Ziyi, which exhausted my body to the extreme.

That kind of exhaustion was deep in my bones, and naturally it couldn't be compared to before.

Even if I told MaiMai about it, she wouldn't understand.

Children shouldn't listen to these things.

Zhao Jinmai slowed her pace and stood at the elevator entrance waiting for Meng Ziyi to come out behind her. She greeted her with a smile, "Sister Meng."

"MaiMai, don't be so polite. Just call me Ziyi, or like you call XiaoJiang, you can call me XiaoMeng. You are my senior." Meng Ziyi stepped forward with a smile, her tone exceptionally humble.

Zhao Jinmai debuted earlier than her.

Having acted in numerous films and television series, including "Balala the Fairies," she has already accumulated a certain level of fame in the industry.

She only filmed one work, "God of War Zhao Yun," which has not yet been officially broadcast.

Even though she is older than Zhao Jinmai, according to the seniority system in the entertainment industry, Zhao Jinmai is indeed her senior.

For newcomers to gain a foothold, they not only need to rely on their work, but also need to know how to respect their seniors, maintain relationships, and even be forced to accept some implicit rules and constraints. Meng Ziyi, who just entered the industry, is well aware of this.

Zhao Jinmai smiled and waved her hand: "Why so many rules? Chaoyue and the others all call you Sister Meng, so I'll follow suit. It sounds more friendly."

"Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you say." Meng Ziyi smiled gently, her eyes crinkling.

Zhao Jinmai glanced at Meng Ziyi again without making a sound.

He was dressed in a simple, casual outfit, wearing jeans.

Horse tail whip.

Like Jiang Yang, she wore a mask, revealing only her bright almond-shaped eyes. She had a cool yet gentle demeanor and looked very clean.

"Sister Meng, can you take off your mask and let me see? Chaoyue and the others always say you're really pretty, and I've been curious about you for so long." Zhao Jinmai tugged at Meng Ziyi's arm, her tone slightly coquettish.

"They're exaggerating. I'm not that pretty." Meng Ziyi smiled shyly and gently took off her mask.

Zhao Jinmai's eyes lit up.

She couldn't help but exclaim, "I knew it! Chaoyue wouldn't lie to me! Sister Meng, I feel that your looks are comparable to Nazha's, and you two are completely different types of beauties."

Jiang Yang agreed with this statement.

Meng Ziyi has a typical striking appearance, with clean bone structure and high facial folds.

His fair skin made his facial features appear even more defined.

Her almond-shaped eyes were lively, with slightly upturned corners, exuding both innocence and aloofness.

A high, straight nose and full, M-shaped lips.

Her smile is very infectious.

It's a kind of bright and charming beauty.

Gulnazar has a strong exotic look.

Her features were deep-set and delicate.

They were both exotic beauties, both elegant and lively, each with their own unique charm, equally stunning.

"MaiMai, do I have dark circles under my eyes?" Meng Ziyi subconsciously touched the corner of her eye.

"No, not at all, Sister Meng, your skin is so beautiful!" Zhao Jinmai said sincerely.

"That's good, that's good." Meng Ziyi breathed a sigh of relief, a relieved smile appearing on her face.

Zhao Jinmai asked curiously, "Why are you still so energetic, Sister Meng, even though you and Jiang Yang both stayed up late last night?" (End of Chapter)