16: Beijing Film Academy Opens

"I am very proud to become a member of the Beijing Film Academy. Today, I am proud of my status as a student here; in the future, I hope my name will also become the glory of the Beijing Film Academy."

Today was the orientation for the opening of Beijing Film Academy. Li Xiuwu read through the speech given to him by Wang Jinsong and added one last sentence at the end.

"Good!" Wang Jinsong was delighted, and all the school leaders clapped their hands happily.

"Listen to that; as expected of the top scholar of the college entrance examination, he really has class."

He stepped down from the podium and was called over by the school leaders.

"Student Li, if you have any issues, talk to the teachers. If Little Wang can't solve it, come find me."

Zhang Jun patted his shoulder. With this kid, the Beijing Film Academy could already bask in his reflected glory, so they couldn't let him run away.

If he were to drop out and retake the exams, the Beijing Film Academy would cry itself to death. Those old fellows from the Central Academy of Drama and the Shanghai Theatre Academy had even formed a group to visit him; he certainly didn't want such a thing to happen.

"I won't be overly polite with the teachers," Li Xiuwu said generously.

He wouldn't let the resources he earned through his own ability go to waste.

After the orientation ended, everyone returned to their classes in the Performance Department. Li Xiuwu sat directly with Liu Yifei.

Wang Jinsong came in, saw everyone's seating, and didn't make any adjustments, instead asking everyone to introduce themselves.

Both Li Xiuwu and Liu Yifei received a lot of attention.

As the top scholar of the college entrance examination, combined with his handsome appearance and his role as the protagonist Duan reputation in the currently trending 'demi-gods and semi-devils', it was impossible for him not to be noticed.

Fortunately, the classmates were still young; though they were jealous, they were also proud.

They were students of the Beijing Film Academy, with one foot already in the entertainment industry. In the future, roles like Duan reputation would be plenty for them to choose from.

Liu Yifei's striking beauty made her the center of attention. She didn't realize it herself, but Li Xiuwu could feel that she had already become the lifelong enemy of every female student in the class.

After everyone finished their introductions, Wang Jinsong spoke about the possible schedule for the coming week.

"Next is a two-week military training period. Unless there is a special reason, everyone must participate."

"Those who want to request leave, come to my office."

After Wang Jinsong finished speaking, he looked at Li Xiuwu and Liu Yifei, then left the classroom.

The crowd looked at each other; no one was familiar with anyone else yet.

"Let's go," Li Xiuwu said to Liu Yifei.

"Mhm." Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the two left the classroom and headed for Wang Jinsong's office.

After they left, it sparked a discussion among the students.

"Li Xiuwu is going to play Duan reputation, and it seems 'demi-gods and semi-devils' is about to start filming. They're probably going to ask for leave."

"I'm so envious, not having to do military training." Everyone had gone through military training in middle and high school, and university military training would only be stricter.

"The fact that they have roles to film right as school starts is what's truly enviable. I wonder when I'll be able to land a lead role." A boy took out a mirror, looked at his image, and tidied his hair.

"What's the deal with that girl? Is she going to ask for leave too?" someone asked about Liu Yifei's situation.

"Liu Yifei is filming 'the story of a noble family', playing the second female lead." Zhang Lu had seen Liu Yifei on registration day and was very surprised to learn she was already filming.

The news Zhang Lu shared quickly spread to everyone, and the crowd was once again filled with envy.

Li Xiuwu and Liu Yifei had already arrived at Wang Jinsong's office.

"Perform well in the production crew. I will also send you a copy of the academic progress; don't fall behind on your schoolwork." Wang Jinsong looked at the two of them.

Resources as good as Liu Yifei's were very rare. Being the second lead in 'the story of a noble family' and then seamlessly joining the crew of 'demi-gods and semi-devils' as Wang Yuyan—these were top-tier resources.

"We understand." Li Xiuwu and Liu Yifei nodded.

Li Xiuwu and Liu Yifei wrote their leave slips, which Wang Jinsong signed and placed into the archives.

"Alright, take advantage of today to get to know your classmates."

"Goodbye, Teacher."

Just as they returned to the classroom, Zhang Lu walked over.

"When are you guys leaving?"

"We're leaving as soon as school lets out today. We won't be coming to class tomorrow." Li Xiuwu didn't hide it; since they weren't coming tomorrow anyway, there was no need for secrecy.

"I really envy you guys for not having to do military training." Zhang Lu sat in the seat in front of him and chatted with Li Xiuwu.

"It's not necessarily easier; 'demi-gods and semi-devils' requires intensive training, including martial arts and horsemanship. I hear it's not easy either," Li Xiuwu remarked.

He chatted with Zhang Lu for a while and also got to know other classmates: Luo Jin, Zhu Yawen, and Jiang Yiyan.

He saw through the system that this high-quality 'cauldron' had a favorability rating of forty toward him.

This was their first time meeting, and having such a high favorability rating made Li Xiuwu a bit surprised.

At two in the afternoon, the first day for freshmen was dismissed.

"We're off. The next time we meet will probably be next year," Li Xiuwu said goodbye to Zhang Lu.

"That's true." Zhang Lu looked at the two of them speechlessly.

"Take care, you two." He sighed; it seemed this friendship wouldn't be easy to maintain.

Good friendships required time to accumulate. With them meeting only once a year, it was impossible to become close friends.

At the school gate, Liu Yifei and Li Xiuwu had to part ways again.

"'the story of a noble family' is almost finished filming. Wait for me in 'demi-gods and semi-devils'." Liu Yifei waved, opened the car door, and sat inside.

"Take care, Xiuwu. Call Auntie if anything happens." Liu Xiaoli nodded to Li Xiuwu and drove away.

They were rushing back to Tianjin today to continue filming their scenes for 'the story of a noble family'.

Li Xiuwu got into his own car and returned to the Courtyard House.

He was joining the 'demi-gods and semi-devils' crew tomorrow, so he considered the arrangements he had made.

He held shares in major internet companies, and the layout was currently in its final stages. He couldn't get his hands on the 'Double Q' (QQ), and it couldn't be forced; Shanda would reach its peak in a few years, so he would sell then.

Others could be held long-term.

He had recently acquired some land; this land needed to be held for two years, waiting for the policy changes in '04 before selling for cash.

He didn't plan to develop real estate himself. Although it was profitable, the required network of connections was too terrifying—it wasn't something he could dabble in while being on his own.

The game agency and independent game development were completely left to Qiu Wanjun. He was a competent manager with good personal abilities, and he also had the Loyalty Aura.

Finally, there was Golden Culture. He called Xu Muyang.

"Serve as the manager of Golden Culture?" Xu Muyang was somewhat surprised by Li Xiuwu's invitation.

He knew what Li Xiuwu had originally bought Golden Culture for; Golden Culture was just a bridge company for capital.

It was used as a channel for the legal entry and exit of funds to and from the Hong Kong region.

Now, Li Xiuwu was actually formally inviting him to serve as the manager of Golden Culture.

"I wonder what Mr. Li has in mind?" Xu Muyang didn't agree immediately but instead asked tentatively about the future development and planning direction for Golden Culture.

"Regarding the artist group currently in the company, I want to release songs for them. I need someone to help them control their direction." Li Xiuwu spoke about the upcoming development plans for Golden Culture, primarily centered around the Cool Fire Group.

"The duo's group is officially renamed Phoenix Legend. I'll write a song for them here and have them release it officially."