Chapter 146: Visiting Other Groups
Gu Qinghuan listened to Wen Ye and kept her expression calm. “I’ve heard from others that you used to fight a lot and get into conflicts. Did any of them ever cross the line into criminal behavior?”
Wen Ye immediately jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “No! I only beat up those thugs who were extorting students for protection fees! I just made them return the money and scared them from coming back. The conflicts also happened because those people spoke ill of my mom—so that’s why I fought them.”
As he spoke, his mood dipped slightly, and he said softly: “I know hitting people was wrong. Using violence to solve problems isn’t different from those scumbags. But back then, I really had no other way.”
“My teacher at that time was very biased; only students who gave him gifts received his attention. When I reported things to him, he would just say, ‘One slap doesn’t make a sound,’ or things like that.”
Gu Qinghuan could understand Wen Ye’s situation. At that age, vision is still narrow; not knowing how to seek help, choosing to fight with fists was a very natural thought.
“Then don’t dwell on past shackles,” Gu Qinghuan said decisively. “If you stay trapped in past mistakes, you’ll never be happy.”
“The important thing is living in the present. And when past mistakes catch up with you, admit them honestly and take responsibility.”
“Su Lin has her own ideas. Neither you nor I can impose ours on her. But I think—no matter what—becoming a better version of yourself is never a bad thing.”
Wen Ye quieted down, and Gu Qinghuan didn’t disturb him. She simply organized the notes she had added to the script earlier.
After a while, Wen Ye finally spoke: “I think I understand. I need to live my life first, then deal with other things.”
Gu Qinghuan smiled: “Shall we continue discussing performance? Look at this line of mine…”
The two of them continued talking.
The PD, who had been quietly listening, finally unmuted. The profound life lessons they had been discussing—everyone understood them—but the key was having someone who would listen, respond, and take in your emotions.
When your feelings are received and properly guided, you won’t spiral alone into obsession and paranoia.
Gu Qinghuan didn’t have many lines, so discussing them with Wen Ye also helped her memorize them. By the time the discussion ended, she had nearly memorized her lines.
With nothing else to do, Gu Qinghuan naturally found something to occupy herself: “Le Yi! Let’s go check the other three groups!”
Le Yi was finalizing the props list and, hearing Gu Qinghuan call him, thought they had more work.
But it turned out she just wanted to watch the fun? He quickly gathered himself.
Le Yi immediately took Gu Qinghuan and Wen Ye to the nearest group—Lou Cheng’s group.
The four artists and the director shared a group chat to report their daily schedules, mainly to facilitate the cameraman’s rotation.
When they arrived at Lou Cheng’s rehearsal room, Le Yi greeted him politely, and Gu Qinghuan and Wen Ye were courteous as well.
But facing Nuo Hanshan, Gu Qinghuan relaxed: “Senior Nuo!”
Nuo Hanshan nodded to her: “Are you here to spy on the enemy?”
“Enemy? How could we be enemies!” Gu Qinghuan said seriously. “I was just too free and wanted to see if anything exciting was happening!”
Nuo Hanshan held his forehead. He could guarantee that the excitement Gu Qinghuan wanted to see was why his sister had paired him with Lou Cheng. But in front of the camera, he wouldn’t say so.
“You two get along well?” Lou Cheng asked with interest.
“Not particularly. Just acquaintances, but she’s easy to get along with, so we can talk,” Nuo Hanshan said objectively.
Gu Qinghuan nodded beside him and asked: “How’s rehearsal going?”
“We’ve run through a few complete takes. We plan to break it down line by line next,” Nuo Hanshan answered.
“Want to check the other two groups’ progress?” Gu Qinghuan invited.
Before Nuo Hanshan could answer, Lou Cheng stood: “Let’s go. I wanted to see Nuo Qingyin’s team anyway.”
So the group moved on to Nuo Qingyin’s group.
Today, Nuo Qingyin had moved to a dedicated music room, so no sound could be heard in the hallway.
Lou Cheng walked ahead, knocked on the door, and stepped back calmly, waiting for Bai Qingyin to open it.
Bai Qingyin was surprised to see the crowd: “So many of you… are you here to pick a fight?”
Lou Cheng rolled his eyes: “Who has the time to pick a fight? I just want to see your well-hidden treasures.”
Gu Qinghuan peeked from the side and saw Ning Fu, raising her hand in greeting: “Ning Fu, I’m here!”
“You know her too?” Le Yi was shocked.
“No, just met once. Only introduced ourselves,” Gu Qinghuan replied, then ran to Ning Fu, eyes shining: “I watched last night’s program—it was amazing! How long have you been practicing?”
The three artists glanced sideways—he said ‘how long have you practiced’, not ‘how did you do it’—already acknowledging Ning Fu’s effort!
Ning Fu shyly replied: “Not that long. I’ve liked pretending to be different people since I was little. Over time, I could imitate different voices.”
“Can you imitate my voice?” Gu Qinghuan asked.
Ning Fu said: “I’ll try.” Then she spoke, and her voice was about 80% like Gu Qinghuan’s.
Gu Qinghuan was impressed and asked eagerly: “If it were a boastful and flamboyant person, how would they speak using my voice?”
Ning Fu thought: “Then the tone should be higher, with more modulation, emphasizing the things they want to show off, for example…”
Gu Qinghuan quickly took out her script: “This line.”
“Wait!” Bai Qingyin realized, “You came to see the instructor!”
Gu Qinghuan dodged: “Sister Bai, we’re just checking out the groups. Want to see Ye Weiyu’s team too?”
Bai Qingyin laughed, arms crossed: “Fine, let’s go.”
On the way to Ye Weiyu’s team, Le Yi lamented: “Aren’t you going to ask me to teach?”
Gu Qinghuan sincerely replied: “Your teaching is too advanced; I don’t understand.”
Le Yi was professionally trained and solidly grounded, but he assumed much was common knowledge.
Lu Jian was a top student; Yu Yuan had studied piano extensively; but Gu Qinghuan… was a mess.
Le Yi covered his face, reflecting deeply: he had forgotten that she was just an ordinary first-year high school student.
He said firmly: “I’ll change my teaching method, so you can understand.”
Gu Qinghuan hesitated: “Would imitating Ning Fu work better…”
“That’s Ning Fu playing your role, not you!” Le Yi said seriously. “You need to create your character based on your own understanding!”
Gu Qinghuan paused and remarked: “Actors’ charisma is exaggerated. For a moment, I felt like I was in an inspirational entertainment-industry drama.”
Lou Cheng, listening, laughed openly.
By now, the group had arrived outside Ye Weiyu’s rehearsal room.
From the hallway, they could hear a sharp soprano: “This move should be jumped like this!”
Two other female voices chimed in: “Your move is too flashy!” “You just want to show off!”**
Then a timid female voice: “Everyone, stop arguing…”
Jiang Chuchu, moving her desk outside to practice calligraphy, calmly removed her earplugs and greeted the newcomers: “Hello.”
Gu Qinghuan thought: No, that’s not calm at all!
