Chapter 11: Dilraba!

“This… so many people?”

Su Wanyu gazed at the sea of applicants at the Beijing Film Academy registration site. Although she knew over 4,000 people were applying this year for the Academy’s acting program, she was still overwhelmed by the sheer crowd.

Most of them were parents accompanying their children, and many of the candidates were girls.

Chen Jin and Su Wanyu had arrived in the capital just after 6 p.m. yesterday. After checking in and having dinner, it was already 9 p.m.

They came early this morning to catch the last day of registration, yet there were still so many people.

“They’re all rushing to register on the last day!”

“The preliminary acting exam at Beijing Film Academy starts tomorrow!”

Many parents, like Chen Jin, had carefully calculated their timing, bringing their children to try out. Accommodation fees were quite expensive.

Registering on-site with the preliminary exam the next day was the most economical option, so everyone aimed for this day.

Chen Jin had seen scenes of his first year of art entrance exams in his future biopic—it was exactly the same now, so he was not surprised.

In fact, he even took a moment to compare, realizing this very scene appeared in his future biopic.

Only back then, he was alone without Su Wanyu, stunned by the crowded registration.

He had never expected so many students to apply for the acting program.

He also knew that many future stars and famous actors took the entrance exam the same year as him.

For instance, Zhang Yishan and Yang Zi from “Home With Kids,” as well as two who would become very famous in the biopic—Li Xian and Dilraba!

All of them were peers in the same year’s art exam.

However, Dilraba didn’t choose Beijing Film Academy; he went to Shanghai Theatre Academy instead, having failed Central Academy of Drama.

Zhang Yishan and Yang Zi were different—they began as child actors and were essentially pre-selected before registration, tied up with resources and their agencies’ interests, which is why they chose Beijing Film Academy.

“This year’s Beijing Film Academy is really tough. The competition is fierce!”

“They’ve basically reserved some spots—out of 60, probably only 50 are truly open!”

“Do you know Liu Xing and Xia Xue from ‘Home With Kids’? They’re in this batch too…”

“…”

People in the crowd chatted like this. Su Wanyu shook her head and said to Chen Jin, who was queuing up to register, “Did you hear that? The people taking the exam with you are celebrities—they’re already famous!”

“There are many who have attended art exam prep classes. Mom even asked around—some start a year in advance, others six months!”

“That person must be selling art exam tutoring!”

“If you haven’t learned anything, it’s going to be really hard to get in…”

As a teacher, Su Wanyu had some professional sensitivity.

Sure enough, that person began pitching: “After passing the preliminary, there are retests, written exams, and triple tests. That’s the hardest part. We have teachers who graduated from Beijing Film Academy and Central Academy of Drama to give your child last-minute intensive tutoring!”

“Next up is the Central Academy of Drama—the art exam there is even harder with over 20,000 applicants!”

“Do you know Qin Junjie from this batch?”

“The male lead in Zhang Yimou’s ‘Curse of the Golden Flower,’ playing the Third Prince? He’s in this batch too!”

The tutor’s words only increased the parents’ pressure, and many began consulting her.

But getting such insider information wasn’t easy; these tutors had their channels, and there were plenty of art exam groups online sharing news.

Chen Jin, however, didn’t even have a phone. He could only occasionally use a computer—not because he couldn’t afford one, but due to Mrs. Su’s strict orders.

In the future, art exams had become even more widespread. Chen Jin instantly understood why in his future biopic he kept failing the exams year after year—it was definitely getting harder and more competitive every year.

Most students who had studied arts, dance, or music from a young age couldn’t get in, let alone those who started halfway through.

People like Chen Jin, who had no prior training, were just cannon fodder.

They were only there to fill the ranks.

Even if you got into the top three schools, it didn’t guarantee stardom. Only a handful reached the pinnacle; most received treatment worse than minor film characters.

At least minor characters had names; many students at the top three schools were as ordinary as anyone else.

If it weren’t for the old system Chen Jin possessed, there was no way he would squeeze through.

Yet now, his mindset was calm—he only wanted to try the power of the Deep Blue skill.

Could adding some points make him invincible?

Su Wanyu, of course, didn’t know any of this. The more she listened, observed, and thought, the more she felt they needed to hurry back and study hard.

This kind of blow might actually be good for him—better than constantly overthinking.

“Fill out the form, then submit your registration certificate, ID card, and photo!”

“Pay the fee over there!”

Finally, when it was Chen Jin’s turn, the registration officer said without looking up.

The form was the “Registration Form.” Although online registration was done, some schools still required an on-site form.

Beijing Film Academy didn’t need it. Chen Jin paid 100 yuan and waited nearby for the Academy’s “Professional Exam Admission Ticket.”

Once he had this ticket, he knew exactly when the preliminary exam would be.

“On the 26th at 3:30 p.m., the preliminary exam will be held at Beijing Film Academy’s Building B, the acting building—this very building!”

Looking at the time and place on the ticket, Chen Jin prepared to move on to the next registration point—the Central Academy of Drama.

Central Academy’s on-site registration had just started today and would close the day after tomorrow.

Looking up at the grand inscription “National Academy of Drama,” Chen Jin finally felt the prestige of the country’s top acting program. The number of applicants was even greater than Beijing Film Academy’s, and this was only the first day.

“Over 20,000 people are applying for the acting program here—five times as many as Beijing Film Academy!”

Su Wanyu was stunned, watching impeccably dressed boys and girls accompanied by equally elegant parents. She had always considered herself fairly attractive, but among these parents, she felt completely outshone.

Fortunately, her son was good-looking and wasn’t overshadowed by the other boys.

This was a rare comfort for Su Wanyu—perhaps just a mother’s biased filter of her son’s appearance.

After all, every parent believes their child is the best, and even as a teacher, Su Wanyu was no exception.

So although she was 99% certain Chen Jin wouldn’t pass the preliminary exam, there remained 1% stubborn hope—a strange thought would occasionally surface.

Since they were here, why not give the exam a try? Maybe… her son was a genius?

Though only a 1% hope, Su Wanyu didn’t dwell on it much, but the thought still surfaced time and again.

“Mom, let’s get in line!”

Chen Jin pulled Su Wanyu to join a long queue. The person right in front of him was a very beautiful girl.

With her was her father.

Chen Jin… recognized them!

Dilraba, a very famous actress in the future biopic!

He immediately recognized her.

No wonder—her distinctive, tall, and striking appearance, along with her exotic features, always turned heads wherever she went.