Chapter 5: Genius Behind the Lenses
In the morning of the next day, Jin Yan wore simple and tidy clothes and set off with his father. Upon arriving at the filming location, the atmosphere was bustling with cameras and workers. His father went towards the director with hesitating steps, and bowed his back slightly in a tone filled with friendliness and pleading: "Mr. Director... this is my son I told you about. He is an obedient boy and will act well if you give him a chance."
The director looked with boredom towards Jin Yan, and examined his face for seconds: "Mmm... his features are calm, suitable for the role of the genius student. Take these glasses, and memorize this scene now... if you perform it well, the role is yours."
Jin Yan bowed calmly: "Thank you, sir." He grabbed the script paper, and while he was reading, he thought to himself: 'If I were the old Jin Yan, this role would have been complicated. For the genius student here is not just a smart person, but he needs to show a mixture of shyness, social isolation, and an obsession with books that makes him appear lost to those around him.' But he had spent ten years in acting such marginal roles until he mastered their small details.
After one minute, he looked at the director with confidence: "I have finished."
The director shook his head in distress, thinking that the boy was just another boasting teenager: "This quickly? Well, show me what you have."
Jin Yan put on the glasses, and in an instant, his aura completely changed. His body shrunk slightly, and his eyes became half-closed looking downwards with coyness and confusion, and he started rubbing the edge of his shirt with deliberate tension.
He started speaking with a low voice, stammering slightly as required by the script:
"I... I didn't mean to solve the problem this quickly... only... the numbers were speaking to me in my head, and I couldn't silence them until I wrote them down on the blackboard... Did... did I make a mistake?"
Silence prevailed in the place. The director looked in awe; this was not just delivering words, this was a living embodiment of the character! He asked him with awe: "This is very good... Have you acted before?"
Jin Yan answered truthfully: "No, I haven't."
The director's eyes widened: "Amazing... It seems I found a real genius. Prepare, we will start filming immediately!"
Jin Yan ran towards his father who was standing far away: "Father, I have been accepted! Go to your work now and pass by me at your finishing to return together."
Tears filled his father's eyes and he wiped Jin Yan's head with pride: "I knew you were amazing, my son."
At that moment, the system screen popped up:
[ Accepted for the role! Reward: First place in the university entrance exam. ]
[ Note: Filming must be completed until the end, otherwise the reward will be confiscated. ]
The filming proceeded with unparalleled smoothness, as Jin Yan performed his scenes without repeating them even for one single time. At the end of the day, the director approached him and praised him: "Amazing performance, return after two days to complete your other scenes."
Jin Yan went out to see his father coming from afar amidst the cold atmosphere, he welcomed him with a smile and they returned home. There, the family was gathered around the food table. His mother asked him with eagerness: "How was it, my son?"
So he answered with a smile: "It was wonderful, mother, the director praised me and I will finish the work soon."
His younger sister "Lin" laughed teasingly: "Oh really? Don't lie to us! By the way, the exam results are after three days... if you don't get good grades, mother will chase you with father's belt!"
Everyone exploded with laughter in a warm family atmosphere, while Jin Yan was smiling in silence, for he knows that the surprise waiting for them in those results will change their lives forever.
[Question for Readers]
The system promises "#1 Rank", but will the school actually believe a "failure" topped the list?
[Support the Novel]
Like and Comment to help him dominate the school!