Chapter 27: A Bright Future Awaits Us All

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Huh? At this moment, Lin Xing was a little surprised.

Why did it seem like there was an extra side plot unfolding?

His first reaction was to think the filming had started again.

Before Guan Peng could speak, Duan Hai, who was nearby, immediately unraveled the mystery: “Brother Guan is about to become famous. He’s working with the Best Actress on a new TV drama.”

Hong Fei chimed in with a hint of envy, “Yeah, I’m honestly so jealous I could turn inside out.”

“Hahaha, not at all, not at all, just a minor role, just a minor role,” Guan Peng said, waving his hands and laughing humbly.

But Feng Gang said, “Old Guan, being overly humble is just another kind of pride. Your drama’s cast is impressive, and this kind of subject matter is often a big hit. If you ask me, let’s toast to Old Guan making his comeback and going viral again.”

As the conversation went on, Lin Xing finally understood what had happened. It turned out that, after Guan Peng suddenly gained some fame, he was recommended to audition for a drama called “Parents and Students.”

The story focused on the theme of taking college entrance exams in the final year of high school.

In Huaxia, the college entrance exam is a monumental event, much like the ancient days of scholars locking themselves away for ten years to study. It’s a critical turning point that can change one’s fate.

The state cares, the parents care, and many parents go to great lengths just so their children can get into a good university.

The “chicken baby” and “competitive parenting” phenomena have been reported by numerous media outlets.

This time, although Guan Peng wasn’t the lead, his role was prominent, and he was acting alongside the Best Actress.

How could that not be something to celebrate?

“This is a good thing, but Brother Guan, you’re thanking the wrong person. You should be thanking Director Feng. If he hadn’t invited you to join the recording, would you have had this opportunity?” Lin Xing made no attempt to take credit for himself.

In short, it was all about Guan Peng making a toast.

At this point, Ding Yi spoke up meekly, “Director Feng, I’d like to toast you as well. Thank you.”

Among these lesser-known actors, Duan Hai had some popularity, but Ding Yi was practically invisible—so unknown that his profile had only a few lines.

So Ding Yi had never really experienced what it was like to have fans.

But because, on “Farming with the Stars,” he was hardworking and willing, though a bit clumsy, he was diligent above all.

Over the past few episodes, Ding Yi had actually gained a few thousand fans, and even a simple post of his yesterday got hundreds of comments.

For a little-known actor who had always been invisible, this was true happiness.

Even his company told him to do his best on “Farming with the Stars.”

At first, they’d only sent Ding Yi onto the show because nobody else wanted to go, and the production company didn’t expect much from it.

But who could have guessed that “Farming with the Stars” would suddenly go viral, and Ding Yi would benefit as well.

“Little Ding, sit down.”

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Feng Gang looked at Ding Yi—awkward and clumsy—and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Don’t be nervous, just do your best. I have high hopes for you.”

“Thank you, Director Feng. I only graduated from elementary school, so I don’t have many skills…” Ding Yi said, sounding a bit self-conscious.

But Lin Xing interrupted, “Little Ding, are you mocking me in a roundabout way?”

Ding Yi was stunned. “Huh?”

“Because I only graduated from elementary school too,” Lin Xing said to Ding Yi.

Ding Yi quickly explained, “Mr. Lin, I didn’t mean that. I was only talking about myself…”

“Little Ding, education and ability don’t have much connection. Look at many of the crosstalk performers—not to mention university, how many of them even finished junior high?” Lin Xing shook his head slightly. “And what about Zhou Xing’an, our Best Actor in the entertainment industry? He only graduated from elementary school. Has anyone ever looked down on him for it? His acting far surpasses so many of the academy-trained actors.”

“Exactly, I agree with Xingxing,” Feng Gang said. “Learning is important at any time. I once heard Zhou Xing’an say that he suffered from not having enough education. Later, when filming, he’d always have a dictionary on hand and would learn on set. So, if an actor lacks substance, it’s because they haven’t read enough books. Don’t be a functional illiterate—just keep learning.”

Some things are only spoken after a few drinks.

And since Feng Gang was genuinely happy today, he spoke more freely.

A flowing river doesn’t compete to be first; it competes to be endless.

But it’s all about what you choose.

If you want to make quick money, then choose popularity—make fast cash for a few years and see what happens.

If you want to be an artist, you have to settle down and learn the craft, and first learn to be a decent person.

There’s nothing wrong with either approach.

Hong Fei sighed, “Director Feng is right, but sometimes an actor’s window of opportunity is just a few years. If you miss it, it’s gone. Take Brother Guan, for example. He used to hate being a pretty boy—he thought his good looks hurt his chances at roles. But now that he’s not a pretty boy anymore, the industry wants pretty boys again.”

Guan Peng said with some resignation, “Exactly. And in this business, if you lose your popularity, some people will cut you off instantly. So I think the entertainment industry is all about enduring loneliness.”

Ding Yi was a bit lost as he listened. He turned to Lin Xing and asked, “Then Mr. Lin, do you want to choose popularity or being an artist?”

“Little Ding, let me tell you, only children make choices,” Lin Xing laughed. “I want both.”

Ding Yi: “???”

“Hahaha, Xingxing is right. Sometimes, popularity and artistry aren’t opposites,” Feng Gang laughed heartily. “Wanting both is just fine.”

“But Xingxing, I really didn’t expect you to disband your fan club. Isn’t popularity all about fans?” Guan Peng asked Lin Xing, puzzled.

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Even Guan Peng had started building his own fan group by now.

“Brother Guan, the greatest popularity comes from the general public,” Lin Xing said, shaking his head slightly. “Some people can’t let go after getting a taste of fan culture. Sometimes you can have it all, but sometimes you can’t have your cake and eat it too.”

The meal was enjoyable for everyone, especially for the younger, lesser-known actors like Duan Hai and Ding Yi. The experiences and advice from Hong Fei, Guan Peng, and Lin Xing—who’d all been through the ups and downs—were invaluable.

How much they could truly take to heart, though, was another matter.

After all, everyone’s journey is different; what works for one may not work for another.

In the entertainment industry, sometimes success is a matter of fate.

Some people are promoted endlessly but never become famous.

It all depends on luck.

At nine o’clock, Lin Xing returned to his hotel.

The next morning, when Lin Xing opened his door after waking up, he found Lin Miaoyin standing outside.

“Have you eaten?” Lin Xing asked her.

Lin Miaoyin shook her head. “Xing, I need to maintain my figure, so I usually skip breakfast. The last time was…”

“Enough, come on, have breakfast with me,” Lin Xing interrupted her. “You need to stay healthy while keeping your figure. Otherwise, you’ll turn into a stick—how would that work? Don’t learn from some people in the entertainment industry.”

And so, Lin Xing took Lin Miaoyin to breakfast.

Afterwards, the two of them headed to the fields. Even though the morning was supposed to be a break, the production team wanted to shoot a bit of extra footage.

There’s no such thing as too much material.

“Hey, where’s Little Hai?” Lin Miaoyin asked when she noticed Duan Hai was missing.

Ding Yi replied, “Little Hai has an offline live event. He won’t be done until two in the afternoon.”

Lin Xing laughed, “Not bad. Looks like Little Hai is making progress too.”

It seemed that every guest on “Farming with the Stars” now had a bright future ahead.

…