Chapter 56: Childhood Dream (Part 1)

  The sun gradually moved to the center of the sky, and although the winter sunlight was strong, it didn't bring scorching heat, only a warm breath that shone on the earth. The road was covered with lush green cypress and pine trees, swaying gently in the wind, like waves rising and falling.

  The afternoon class was self-study, Gu Huanli hugged a book and walked slowly on the goose-soft stone pavement, silently pondering: there is gain only with effort, if one only pays out without wanting to gain, that's a god, not a human.

  Then what is it that only gains without paying out?

  She used to think that music was everything, and naively believed that the piano would always be her reliance, and her loved one would always wait for her in place. And she herself, as long as she immersed herself in the world of music, could have success, dreams, and happiness.

  Now that she thinks about it, they only watched one movie together, went to the park once, and attended a few concerts. The places they dated were either the piano room or her home. They often had meals together, but she can't remember what he likes to eat, let alone what he dislikes. That's why the Q&A game on their wedding night ended up being so awkward and failed.

  After marriage, she never cooked a meal for him, not even a simple ham sandwich. She never washed his clothes, let alone use the washing machine. She never shaved his beard or squeezed toothpaste for him, among the fifty things that Chu Lianyou jokingly said must be done for an intimate lover, the only thing she did was to leave a lamp on when he came home late.

  Was it that she didn't love him enough, or was it that she mistakenly took a temporary infatuation for love? If they both misunderstood each other, why continue the misunderstanding into the future until it becomes a tragedy. Perhaps from the start, she couldn't be like other girls who take their boyfriend as everything, living and dying for him alone.

  Gu Huanli sighed softly, ever since she had finished negotiating with Ye, for some reason, she couldn't help but think of the love-hate relationship between her and Luo Yichen. If everything can be lost, why can't one thing be gained? Since everyone will die someday, why not live well in this moment? Her past self wasn't too easily destroyed, fragile to the point where her body and mind became worthless.

  In fact, she should thank her brother for sending her to Yale. Because after the wedding incident, she didn't think about how to face Chu Liuyou. Although they often saw each other at school, they had different social circles, so as long as they paid a little attention, they could completely avoid each other.

  However, Chu Lianyou, who had lost her father, gradually changed and was no longer the enthusiastic and optimistic person she used to be. Instead, she became like a water lily flower described in books - small, white, and unobtrusive, hiding among the green leaves with only one centimeter of its height exposed above the water surface, looking somewhat shy and lonely. It seemed that she could only see the greenery above her head and drift aimlessly on the water's surface.

  Ke Gu Huan Li understood, if the wind blows by, let the small rhombus flower see the vast sky, at that time, it will yearn for the real sun, rather than stubbornly guarding that stagnant water, passing the days. Stretching out her hand, she slowly stroked the lush pine branches, the pain in her fingertips making her furrow her brow.

  Sunshine, freedom, serenity, isn't this the life she has always yearned for?

  "Suddenly, Su Lianyu, the class teacher, ran over panting and supported her knees to catch her breath before saying, 'A film crew is coming to our school to select a few girls with good looks to star in a TV series. They've seen your photos and materials and think you're not bad. Do you want to give it a try?'"

  Gu Huanli was slightly stunned, although fate had undergone some changes, but some things still happened as usual. Could she think that the repeated events were all opportunities to change her fate?

  So, how did she choose back then?

  But now, how should she choose?

  "Teacher Su, I can only play the piano. As for performing, I have no experience at all." Gu Huanli smiled, and for the first time since her rebirth, a radiant beam of self-confidence shone in her eyes, "But I will work hard to make everyone believe that their choice is correct."

  Su Ling stared at her with a mixture of shock and embarrassment, then burst out laughing, "I'm doomed! I've thought of so many ways to persuade you on this trip, now they're all useless. I'm going to suffocate, I'm going to suffocate!"

  "Not everyone can seize the opportunity." Gu Huanli walked beside Su Lianyu, smiling softly, "And I just want to try a different path."

  "Huanli, if you're really interested in performing, would you like to come and play with our drama club next semester?" Su Lianyu looked at her gently and said seriously, "Last semester's performance season, I originally wanted to borrow you from your piano club to perform a musical, but your teacher Zhou was unwilling to lend me her beloved student. Alas, you don't know, because of that matter, we almost didn't become good sisters."

  Gu Huan Lirong thanked Su Lianyu for her attention, but unfortunately, next semester she should be sent abroad by her brother, although this matter has not been communicated with the school yet, and it's actually not difficult to transfer schools. "Why did Teacher Su recommend me this time?"

  "It may be just one opportunity, but it can let you experience a different state of life." Su Lingyu was really worried about Gu Huanli. She thought that this semester, Gu Huanli not only took a leave of absence for a period of time, but also left her beloved piano club. Moreover, she had been in a distracted state recently, so after discussing with Piano Club's Zhou teacher, Su Lingyu took the initiative to hand over Gu Huanli's information to the crew. Although it was just an attempt, unexpectedly, she got the chance for a screen test. Maybe this is another window opened by heaven for Gu Huanli.

  "Teacher Su, can you... honestly tell me what my piano is like in your and Teacher Zhou's eyes?" Gu Huanli asked seriously.

  “Hmm…… elegant, noble and extremely poetic, the sound is clear, the sentences are like flowing clouds and water... if... perhaps ten years later, you will be the most romantic and poetic international piano master in the world.” Su Lingyu restrained her smile and stared at Gu Huanli, as if confirming whether she had the courage to face giving up. After all, in the past, her fingers were full of talent. Looking at Gu Huanli's delicate small face with a pleading expression, she said frankly, "It's just that your life is too stable, too simple, and also because of your age, so some overly complex emotions are expressed a bit immaturely. Of course, none of us can experience all kinds of lives, most of the time we can only rely on imagination to perform. But this imagination really needs to be sincere.”

  "Thank you, teacher." Gu Huanli sincerely thanked her. In this world, there were too many people who admired her success, her perfection, and her smooth sailing, but she knew that at least for now, she knew that many things, she had not done enough, not put in enough effort.

  "Sometimes, I even advise Coach Zhou to let you try to get in touch with drama, literature and art. You know, art is symbiotic and interconnected to some extent." Su Lianyu stuck out her tongue and smiled wryly, "But your Coach Zhou would rather have you live in a simple and unadorned world, where music is all there is."

  Such thoughts are not wrong, but when one day lost the ability to play the piano, when one day had to face life, face failure, face pain, only then realized that she actually knew nothing and understood nothing.

  Thinking of this, Gu Huanli couldn't help but raise her head and gaze up at the azure sky above, there's still so much to learn, time... is really not enough.

  But would her brother agree to such a willful decision? And would Night, who had arranged for her intense training, approve of it? Or was she, in her haste, falling into the trap of being good at nothing?

  For the crew and director, the most headache is that there are animals or children in the film. Because people can't communicate with animals, and animals won't listen to you. Although domesticated animals are relatively obedient, they still often act on instinct, completely disregarding how much footage is wasted.

  But the kids, although they listen to what adults say, completely ignore the so-called importance or urgency. When the script needs them to be shocked, they are too naive. When the script needs them to be naive, they don't look at the camera. When the script needs them to cry, they laugh.

  However, in order to maintain the integrity of the story and make the characters more fleshed out, whether it's the director or the actors playing opposite each other, they have no choice but to grit their teeth and face it head-on.

  Moreover, with the development of media and entertainment industry, many children who are perhaps their parents' darlings, have dreams of becoming stars, seeking various opportunities to appear on screen, even if it's in low-budget films or TV dramas. After being honed through various low-budget films and TV dramas, if they perform well, they will gradually enter larger productions, becoming supporting actors, leading actors, and some lucky ones may even successfully transition from child star to international movie star.

  But such examples are few and far between.

  Gu Huan Lian stared blankly at the sea of people in front of her, could it be that the crew had decided to hold the audition in the auditorium of Cijiao Primary School? Otherwise, why would so many parents and children suddenly flood into the school.

  It's true, after all, it's a famous director, high investment, and a big production film. For movies like this, even if you're just an extra, even if it's only for one second of screen time, it's still a valuable experience. Later on, when auditioning for other crews, as long as you can show that you've appeared in a super blockbuster film, it should be a very impressive and effective credential.

  Gu Huanli didn't understand the entertainment industry, so according to Su Lianyu's words, this time it wasn't about being the main character or supporting character, but just playing the role of the female lead and supporting actress in their childhood for about 7-8 minutes. So, the several thousand little girls in front of her were probably here for these two roles.

  A long queue, like a centipede, wound its way from the entrance of the auditorium, all parents and children waiting to try out. Not just Gu Huanli, even Su Hongyu was shocked. Just then, a staff member wearing an orange down jacket walked over, registered Gu Huanli's name, and handed her a small numbered card.

  Gu Huanli put the number plate into her jacket pocket, said a few words to Su Lingyu, and then slowly walked away with her arms around the book. Since there were still over a thousand people in front of her, she really didn't feel like waiting for several hours in the cold wind. She might as well return the book to the library first and borrow a few new ones while she was at it.

  As she walked back to the entrance of the auditorium, she heard the staff shouting, "Number 1130, Gu Huanli Number 1130, Gu Huanli"

  "I'm here." Gu Huanli walked up to the staff member, smiled slightly, and handed over the number plate in her hand.

  The staff looked at Gu Huanlin, who was alone and had no parents accompanying him, and couldn't help but be surprised. He lowered his head and took another look at the registration book in his hand before saying, "Go ahead."

  Compared to the exhausted children, Gu Huanli was led by the staff into the auditorium. On the rostrum sat four people, and at the front of the stage, a DV camera was set up, facing Chu Lianyou who was performing on stage.

  What a coincidence, she is actually 1129.c.