CHAPTER 180: CHAPTER 180: BENEFACTOR

Earlier, when Liu Jun’s drama group was casting, Tian Xiang didn’t even have the interest to participate. However, after meeting him and seeing his forehead, this time Tian Xiang didn’t refuse.

Although this person was a small supporting role, the two words "benefactor" followed, suggesting a connection to her. Since he said she was very suitable to play the protagonist’s student years, Tian Xiang accepted, but she specifically mentioned beforehand that she could only work on weekends and didn’t want it to interfere with her classes.

Liu Jun nodded, saying he would coordinate these matters properly.

In this way, Tian Xiang secured the first position. Because of Xiao Lei’s previous domineering attitude, she also got a small role, playing the protagonist’s classmate. Although the role wasn’t significant, Xiao Lei was already quite satisfied.

That noon, the two of them stayed in the office chatting with Liu Jun about roles and acting, not returning to the dormitory, and went straight to class in the afternoon.

Back in class, the once overly excited Xiao Lei gradually quieted down.

She still remembered there were two others in the class who were on the list but hadn’t secured a role yet, so she and Tian Xiang had to keep a low profile to avoid provoking jealousy.

In the afternoon, Chang Wan didn’t eat dinner at school, and went straight home.

In the Military and Political Institute area, upon seeing her daughter come home so early, Chang Wan’s mother, Qin Rui, said to her, "No evening classes tonight? Why did you come home at this time?"

The school sometimes had elective courses or self-study sessions in the evening.

Chang Wan replied, "Mom, I have something to do."

Running home every now and then without evening classes—how could there be so many things?

Qin Rui rolled her eyes at her, "I don’t feel like saying anything. When your dad gets back, you’d better explain yourself."

Chang Wan replied, "Got it."

Before dinner, Chang Ziliang came home, saw his daughter, and asked why she wasn’t attending evening classes at school.

She was allowed to stay home, but it shouldn’t interfere with her studies.

Chang Wan quickly explained about the casting today.

"Dad, didn’t you arrange everything for me? Why haven’t the roles been finalized? I’m telling you, there aren’t many scenes, just a transitional role. You need to get me the lead role; otherwise, it’s just a few lines like last time—what’s the point?"

Chang Ziliang nodded, "Okay, I’ll make a call and ask about it tomorrow."

However...

Chang Ziliang asked, "Did anyone from the Meng Family participate?"

If Tian Xiang also went, Chang Ziliang felt it was better to wait until arrangements were made by them. It would be as it should be.

He could provide opportunities for his daughter to play but couldn’t cause friction with the Meng Family. It wasn’t worth it.

Chang Wan replied, "A small role. They wouldn’t bother."

Tian Xiang didn’t even participate. Normally, the school would recommend her. If she didn’t go, it must be because she wasn’t interested.

Chang Ziliang said, "It’s not about interest. Maybe their development direction isn’t in this field."

Actually, joining the theater group was quite good; it could lead to opportunities with the Ministry of Culture.

But his daughter loved acting and wanted to join a production company in the future.

The Chang Family had two sons, but only one daughter, and Chang Ziliang usually doted on Chang Wan a lot.

The next day, Chang Ziliang specifically called a contact at the production company, and was told by a friend that Director Liu Jun had already decided on the lead role. It wasn’t going to work.

If it doesn’t work, then it doesn’t work.

Chang Ziliang didn’t mind much; after all, it was just a few small roles.

At school, Chang Wan eagerly waited to play the lead, but when the list was announced, she found out she was assigned the third role, which was a negative character.

When she received the list, Chang Wan was stunned and wanted to ask the activity teacher if there was a mistake.

But the list clearly showed it, and asking would just embarrass herself.

Suppressing her anger, Chang Wan asked why there were no selections for roles one and five on the list.

The activity teacher said, "These two roles were chosen by Director Liu himself; they are also students from our school."

Students from the same school?

Everyone was curious.

Chang Wan asked, "Who are they?"

Looking at Chang Wan, the activity teacher thought for a moment and said, "It’s Tian Xiang from your class and another one with the surname Xiao, I think it’s Xiao Lei."

Tian Xiang, Xiao Lei!

Seeing it was these two, Chang Wan was taken aback and then asked, "Weren’t they not even in the selection? How did they get roles one and five? Was it decided internally by the school?"

Chang Wan was very angry, and her tone was not good.

The activity teacher frowned and said, "Director Liu chose them himself. What does it have to do with the school?"

Chang Wan said, "They didn’t even participate in the selection. How did they get roles? If it wasn’t internal, what was it then?"

At this point, several students who got roles also started to be confused. During the selection, those two names were not even listed.

That Tian Xiang had an unusual background; did these things happen through connections?

The activity teacher was also a bit annoyed, "Does casting have to happen on stage? Let me tell you, these two students were noticed by Director Liu while eating in the school cafeteria. He felt they were suitable and invited them, giving them the opportunity.

Do you know who Director Liu is? Without his approval, no one can push anyone in.

Do you think the production company is just any unit? Do what you please there? With this energy to question things, it’s better to focus more on your studies. Acting is just one path; you should focus on the big picture and not just this area."

After being lectured by the teacher, everyone fell silent.

Zhong Xuesong said, "The teacher’s right. This time, Tian Xiang and Xiao Lei were chosen due to their abilities and suitability for the roles. Don’t overthink it."

Zhong Xuesong spoke up for Tian Xiang.

Chang Wan secretly rolled her eyes at him, knowing he had feelings for Tian Xiang.

On Saturday afternoon, when Meng Cheng’an came to pick up his wife to go home, Tian Xiang mentioned having to prepare for filming next month.

"It’s already agreed that shooting will only happen on weekends."

Tian Xiang briefly explained the situation.

Upon hearing that his wife was only playing the protagonist’s student years, Meng Cheng’an didn’t say much.

Back home, the old man was quite happy when he heard Tian Xiang was going to be on a TV drama. He thought he could watch her on TV whenever he missed her.

After the casting was confirmed, Tian Xiang received the script shortly after.

After skimming through it, she was a bit silent. Was this really about student years? Why were there romantic scenes and intimate actions, even just a hand kiss, but still...

Tian Xiang was a bit speechless, and Xiao Lei leaned over, looked at it, and said, "Are you going to tell Meng Cheng’an?"

Tian Xiang replied, "Can I not tell him? If I don’t now, it’ll be seen when it’s shown later."

That’s true.

Xiao Lei said, "It’s no big deal. It’s acting. The scene will just flash by; practically, there’s nothing."

"Not sure about that."

Tian Xiang had recently learned that Liu Jun was a very meticulous person.

Xiao Lei said, "Isn’t it just a slight hand kiss? Your Meng Cheng’an isn’t that petty."

Not necessarily.

Sometimes, Meng Cheng’an could be quite petty.