Chapter 625
Between You and Jiang Yang, Who's More Powerful Now?
The conversation then turned to Tian Xiwei.
The students around them perked up their ears.
The voices of the casual conversations were all quieted down.
Even in the office, the eyes of the other teachers all turned to look at them.
Then the homeroom teacher continued to ask, "Is filming tiring? How do the actors act? Is memorizing lines troublesome? Is filming on set different from watching it on TV?"
I asked a bunch of questions.
Tian Xiwei had originally prepared a serious speech.
They talked about scheduling, roles, staying up all night memorizing lines, and lighting on set.
There are also director requirements regarding interpersonal relationships within the crew.
And the hardships and rules that only insiders can understand.
But she stopped abruptly when she was about to speak.
She glanced at her homeroom teacher's curious yet relaxed gaze, then swept her eyes over her classmates' bright, eager-to-have-something looks.
She swallowed back all her serious words and smiled sweetly: "It's not that complicated. The film crew doesn't have that many rules. To put it bluntly, it's just like taking a class in a different place. It's similar to studying, except that while others are taking academic classes, I'm going up to read lines and walk steps. The director is like the homeroom teacher. If we don't do it well in one take, we have to reshoot. It's basically like being kept after school."
The students burst out laughing.
The atmosphere relaxed.
The homeroom teacher chuckled: "So, when you're filming, do you eat and drink well every day?"
Tian Xi blinked: "There are good foods and drinks, but most of the time we just grab a few bites of boxed lunch in a hurry, just like when we were cramming for the college entrance exam."
Another teacher chimed in, "Xiwei, does that mean we'll get to see lots of big stars?"
Tian Xi smiled and waved her hand, her tone sincere: "You can see them, but celebrities are just like everyone else. They are ordinary people too. When they are waiting in the wings, they squat in the corner and play on their phones, and they complain about the hot weather and the difficulty of their lines. It's exactly the same as when we complain about school. There's no difference."
She paused.
Then I asked the homeroom teacher, "Are we the worst class you've ever taught?"
The homeroom teacher immediately waved his hand: "No, no, I was just joking. I actually say that to every class of students."
A burst of laughter erupted from the desk.
Everyone was chatting enthusiastically around their homeroom teacher.
From their initial mischievousness to their future university majors.
The homeroom teacher suddenly asked, "Hey Xiwei, between you and Jiang Yang, who's the better one now?"
“It must be Jiang Yang! Jiang Yang is the top scholar.” Tian Xiwei said without even thinking.
"I'm not talking about grades, I'm talking about acting."
"That's because Jiang Yang is amazing. He's my boss. He taught me how to sing and act, step by step."
The homeroom teacher snapped out of her daze and leaned forward slightly.
Her teasing gaze brightened slightly as she asked in surprise, "Jiang Yang is your boss? Xiwei, you mean Jiang Yang signed you? Really?"
Tian Xi nodded slightly.
The tone was one of complete self-righteousness.
There was no deliberate boasting, but rather it was as if he were talking about something very ordinary: "Yes, Jiang Yang has always been my boss. He taught me how to move around in acting and how to express emotions little by little. If it weren't for Jiang Yang, how would I have gotten a big production like 'Fighter of the Destiny'?"
"I see..."
The homeroom teacher smiled.
Jiang Yang was Old Li's star student.
Especially after becoming the top scorer in the college entrance examination, he talked about it all the time.
Jiang Yang is quick-witted; it was clear long ago that he was different from everyone else.
At the time, I only thought he was a top student, and I never imagined that this child had such great abilities.
"Jiang Yang signed more than just me."
Tian Xiwei added softly, "The 'Mars Intelligence Agency' that I'll be on in a while is a resource that Jiang Yang secured. Not only me, but he brought a total of nine artists to be on the show and meet Teacher Wang Han, Teacher Xue Zhiqian... Jiang Yang handled all the coordination and efforts."
These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm pond.
The office fell silent. I'd heard Huang Lei mention this before when I was on set.
Teachers also compare themselves to each other.
A society based on personal connections is the same everywhere.
The graduating class teacher, who has been teaching for three years, has endured three years of hardship.
Scores, rankings, admission to prestigious universities, and students' future prospects are the most direct results.
Schools look at college entrance rates, research groups compare top students, and parents judge students' future prospects based on word-of-mouth.
Colleagues often reminisce about their former students during casual conversations.
"Our class's average math score in this monthly exam is a few points higher than your class's."
"The top students in my class consistently rank in the top 20 of the grade in mock exams."
After the scores are released, and after the admission process.
That was the most glorious moment.
"My student got into Peking University."
"Our class achieved a college entrance examination pass rate of over 90%."
I've heard these words countless times in this office.
The smile on the homeroom teacher's lips slowly froze, replaced by a look of utter shock and realization.
I often hear Lao Li talking about Jiangyang.
The phrases used repeatedly are "top scorer in the college entrance examination," "competitive between Tsinghua and Peking Universities," and "smart brain."
I've never heard Lao Li mention a single word about Jiang Yang's achievements in the entertainment industry.
He writes songs, manages artists, and secures nine spots on a highly popular variety show.
They have access to top-tier connections with television stations and production crews.
Having met industry bigwigs like Wang Han and Xue Zhiqian... Old Li wasn't really praising Jiang Yang; now it seems like he was hiding something, being very reserved.
His student, Tian Xiwei, is now making a name for herself in the entertainment industry, and the reason he can boast about it is entirely because Jiang Yang is supporting her.
I couldn't help but ponder it to myself.
If Jiang Yang were his student, let alone being the top scorer in the college entrance examination, just based on his ability to write songs, promote people, and secure top variety show resources, he could boast about it even more enthusiastically than Old Li in this office or at the parent-teacher meeting.
The students around her were all listening intently as Tian Xiwei talked about Jiang Yang. Before, in the restaurant private room and KTV, Tian Xiwei said she hadn't talked about these things seriously.
The office door opened.
Hearing Old Li's voice: "Jiang Yang? Jiang Yang is my student, I taught him myself!"
Old Li had just returned from get out of class, holding his lesson plan, when he saw a group of students in the office and overheard a few words about university majors: "Jiang Yang is back at school?"
"Teacher Li, these are all my students," Tian Xiwei's homeroom teacher said with a smile.
"I know, I knew as soon as I saw Xiwei," Old Li said with a smile.
He had just returned to his desk and sat down.
I was just about to ask Tian Xiwei about Jiang Yang's current situation.
The office door was gently pushed open, and four men in suits walked in.
The man in the lead was holding a folder in his hand.
His gaze swept quickly across the room, a polite yet eager smile on his face, as he asked, "Excuse me, is Ms. Li, Jiang Yang's homeroom teacher, here?"
Upon hearing this, Old Li immediately stood up, adjusted his glasses, and said, "I am, and who are you?"
"Hello, Ms. Li! We are the brand owner of Youxuepai. I am Zhang Tao, the Business Director."
Zhang Tao quickly stepped forward and handed over his business card.
Explain your purpose.
They quickly got straight to the point: "We're here today to learn more about Jiang Yang's academic background. He's a highly valued partner for our brand."
After these words, the office fell silent. (End of Chapter)