Anchor Effect - Chapter 8.1: Nitpicking

Not long after the start of the school year was the military training. The military training uniform of Zhugang Film Academy was famously good-looking, with a wide belt, Martin boots, and fingerless gloves. When dressed neatly, it was as handsome as a special forces soldier.

On the campus road, you could see younger students taking photos everywhere. Ye Yuchen was used to it, but he was still slightly surprised when he saw someone with a professional photography team.

"Beep—" Ye Yuchen pulled his sports car to the side of the road, honked the horn, and asked Yu Xiu, who was taking photos, "Do you have to be so exaggerated?"

Yu Xiu, standing under a tree, noticed Ye Yuchen and said to the photographer, "Let's take a break." Then he came to Ye Yuchen's car and said, "So, this is your car."

During those years, Transformers were quite popular. Ye Yuchen's car was a modified convertible version of Bumblebee, attracting attention wherever it went.

"That means you didn't investigate me enough," Ye Yuchen said.

"Are you leaving the school?" Yu Xiu asked.

"Yes." Ye Yuchen had an interview later, but he naturally wouldn't tell Yu Xiu. "Aren't you embarrassed to take photos on this main road?"

"No." Yu Xiu said calmly, "Actors can't be afraid of embarrassment."

Although Ye Yuchen hadn't acted seriously yet, he knew that acting was indeed something you couldn't be afraid of embarrassment for.

Don't be fooled by the fact that there were only one or two people performing in front of the camera. Behind the scenes, there were layers of staff. If you were afraid of embarrassment, you wouldn't be able to get into the role at all.

"You're quite the actor." Ye Yuchen shifted gears and prepared to leave. "I'm leaving."

"Wait." Yu Xiu stopped Ye Yuchen. "I've finished writing my speech. Can you take a look?"

Ye Yuchen didn't have that kind of free time.

He left Yu Xiu behind with the words "I'll take a look when I have time" and stepped on the gas pedal, driving away.

The eye-catching Bumblebee eventually arrived at the modern dance troupe building in Zhugang City.

***

At this moment, in the interview hall, many dancers were already waiting. Some were taking deep breaths, while others were stretching their bodies. They all looked extremely nervous.

"Xiao Ye." Someone spotted Ye Yuchen and waved him over, pulling him into a corridor away from the main group. "Teacher Zheng has already briefed me. Just perform as usual."

Teacher Zheng was Ye Yuchen's contemporary dance instructor. He was well-known internationally and also the choreographer for the Zhugang City Modern Dance Troupe.

Lately, the troupe was recruiting dance performers for official positions. If Ye Yuchen could make it, it would greatly benefit his future acting career.

"There seem to be a lot of people." Ye Yuchen glanced at the interview hall. The walls were crowded with people, some of whom had a good aura, exerting an invisible pressure.

"Of course, there are many people. After all, it's the preliminary audition," the person reassured. "Don't worry, since Teacher Zheng has a positive view of you, you'll surely pass the initial audition."

Actually, Ye Yuchen thought the same way.

After nearly ten years of modern dance training, not to mention his solid fundamentals, his appearance alone could put pressure on other candidates. Plus, with Teacher Zheng's recommendation, there was no reason for him not to pass the initial audition.

Changing into a white tank top and wide-leg pants for the performance, warming up his body, it didn't take long for it to be Ye Yuchen's turn.

He stepped into the center of the hall, spread his arms, and started dancing gracefully to the music while all eyes were on him.

This audition piece was choreographed by Teacher Zheng, featuring alternating rhythms of fast and slow movements. The slow parts were as gentle as water, while the fast sections were fiery and passionate, fully capturing the emotions within the music. Ye Yuchen, relying on his solid foundation, executed each move seamlessly, earning praise from other candidates by the end of his performance.

For many, an audition equals stress.

But not for Ye Yuchen; it was just another chance to showcase himself.

***

The afternoons during military training were sweltering, and as soon as the rest period began, the shaded areas beneath the trees were filled with students seeking relief.

Chen Lu used his hat to fan himself and asked Yu Xiu beside him, "Aren't you hot?"

"Not really," Yu Xiu sat quietly, "a calm heart is naturally cool."

"Why are you sounding like my mom?" Chen Lu rolled his eyes. "What do you mean, 'a calm heart is naturally cool'? There's no scientific basis for that."

"I genuinely don't feel hot," Yu Xiu said calmly. "I filmed a part of my previous movie in the desert."

When he was younger, filming wasn't too bad, as the crew took care of them and prevented them from becoming too exhausted. But now, just like other actors, Yu Xiu sometimes only slept for three to five hours a day.

And there were times when he filmed summer scenes in winter and vice versa. Compared to that, military training was just standing under the sun for a few hours—hardly a challenge for Yu Xiu.

"Quite the tough guy." Chen Lu tilted his head and took a sip of water. Suddenly, his gaze froze, and he put down the water bottle to nudge Yu Xiu with his elbow. "Two girls are heading your way."

Yu Xiu glanced sideways and indeed saw some people approaching him.

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