Actor: My Entertainment Era

"Kuang Hun" made Zhang Songwen popular. No one in the Chinese entertainment industry is more popular than him during this period. As a good friend, Zhang Yuanjun is of course happy for him.

Mango TV struck while the iron was hot and tailored a pastoral variety show "The Brilliant Garden" for him, centered on him and his courtyard, and invited various guests to visit.

Zhang Songwen informed several regular guests the day before: "I will invite an important guest tomorrow. You will definitely not expect it. You will definitely scream."

"Is he an actor?" asked resident Lin Jiachuan.

"Of course." Zhang Songwen said with a smile, "You have seen him too, and you know him."

"I know him?" Lin Jiachuan became even more curious.

"Do we know each other?" Zeng Shunxi, Ma Jiaqi and Jiang Peiyao are three young people.

"You must know him, but I'm not sure if you have seen me." Zhang Songwen said with a smile.

"It's definitely unexpected. They will definitely scream." Several people spent the night speculating about tomorrow's mysterious guest.

The next morning, Zeng Shunxi was strolling in the small courtyard while the others were sitting idly in the house.

"Ding Dong." The doorbell rang.

"Guests are coming." Ma Jiaqi in the room looked outside.

"He should be here," Zhang Songwen said, "Let's go and meet him."

The camera turns and Zeng Shunxi opens the door for the visitor, his words revealing happiness and even excitement:
"Ah, hello, Teacher Zhang, I'm Zeng Shunxi."

If the person coming is not Zhang Yuanjun, then who else could it be?

"Hello, hello." Zhang Yuanjun and Zeng Shunxi shook hands.

Several people in the room came out at this time.

"Hello, Teacher Zhang. My name is Jiang Peiyao."

"Hello." The two shook hands.

"Hello, Teacher Zhang. I'm Ma Jiaqi."

Zhang Yuanjun smiled and shook hands with him: "Hello." Then he turned to Zhang Songwen and Lin Jiachuan and said: "Long time no see."

Zhang Songwen and Zhang Yuanjun hugged each other, and Zhang Songwen said, "It's been a long time since we last met. When was the last time we met?"

Zhang Yuanjun said, "It was around the New Year. You came back to the capital after finishing your work and said you wanted to go home for the New Year. You had a meal at my place."

Zhang Songwen smiled and said, "Ah, yes, yes."

Zhang Yuanjun didn't bring any luggage, just a bag and came: "Is this the new courtyard they (Mango TV) built for you?"

"Yes, how is it?" Zhang Songwen simply took him to visit the yard.

Zhang Yuanjun wanted to say that the new courtyard was not as homely as the old one. It was obvious that the new courtyard was built for the filming of a show. Although Zhang Songwen would live here permanently, Zhang Yuanjun would not say that. Even on the way here, the program crew told him that this show did not have a script and the guests were free to perform. However, Zhang Yuanjun had been in the circle for so many years, and he still knew exactly what to say and what not to say.

So he said, "That's good. Your flowers and plants are still there."

"They are all here." Zhang Songwen said, and then introduced him to the flowers, plants and trees in front of and behind the house.

After chatting and touring the courtyard, everyone went inside. Zhang Yuanjun then opened the bag and took out the gifts he had brought.

"I went back to my hometown in Jiangxi Province a few days ago and brought some local specialties with me. This is tea, Gougunnao tea, you can try it, and there is also pressed duck, which we can eat at noon."

Zhang Songwen took the pressed duck and introduced it to the others with a smile: "Oh, let me tell you, their pressed duck is really delicious. They don't put anything in it. They just cut it up and steam it. It's very fragrant and delicious. We had it for lunch."

Ma Jiaqi made tea, Zeng Shunxi went to get some snacks, Jiang Peiyao washed the fruit, and the three of them were busy with their own work to entertain Zhang Yuanjun.

Zhang Songwen sat opposite and said to Zhang Yuanjun, "I told them yesterday that there would be a heavyweight guest coming and you would definitely scream. They thought about it all night and still couldn't guess it was you."

"Really?" Zhang Yuanjun laughed, "Am I not so popular now?"

Everyone laughed. Zeng Shunxi put the snacks on the table and said, "You rarely participate in variety shows. When Teacher Song Wen said that, none of us thought of you."

Ma Jiaqi is the youngest in the show. Zhang Songwen taught him in the previous episodes that he must take the initiative to find something to talk about. So, Ma Jiaqi had nothing to talk about: "Teacher Zhang, why don't you almost ever participate in variety shows?"

Zhang Yuanjun said: "The main reason is that I don't have time. Acting and my normal family life have already taken up all my time, leaving me no room for variety shows."

Zhang Songwen said: "You seem to be more opposed to having your time occupied by work." Zhang Songwen is the kind of person who observes life all the time and extracts nutrients from it for performance, but Zhang Yuanjun is different. In his normal life space, there is rarely any performance. This is the biggest difference between the two on performance and life.

"Yes," Zhang Yuanjun took a sip of tea and said, "Because it's too tiring. I have a wife and children, and elderly people at home. Why should I shoot from the first day of the new year to the last day of the new year? Isn't it tiring?"

After drinking two cups of tea, Zhang Yuanjun and others were sent by their host Zhang Songwen to do some work - pruning the flowers and plants in the yard.

"If I had known I had to work, I wouldn't have come." Zhang Yuanjun said with a smile. He and Jiang Peiyao were in a team, trimming the green belt.

Jiang Peiyao got a chance to be alone with Zhang Yuanjun, and took the initiative to talk to Zhang Yuanjun: "Teacher Zhang, I like you very much."

In the face of fans' love, Zhang Yuanjun should of course be grateful, but he has heard similar words too many times in the past ten or twenty years, so many times that it can be said that he doesn't feel any fluctuation in his heart when hearing such words, and in the face of such fans' confessions, he even has muscle memory, smiling, nodding, and then saying thank you.

"Thank you."

Jiang Peiyao should have obviously felt Zhang Yuanjun's coldness, but she also understood in her heart that they didn't know each other, and there was really no need for the other party to respond to her enthusiastically.

But this did not stop her from continuing to talk to Zhang Yuanjun. This was her first time meeting her idol, and it might be the only time for a long time in the future. The two had no intersection in the circle, and Zhang Yuanjun had become more and more reclusive after the epidemic, really pursuing the style of a veteran artist. She was really worried that she would not be able to see Zhang Yuanjun in the future.

As they worked, Jiang Peiyao said, "My university teacher was Jiang Lifen. She told me a lot about your class."

This successfully opened up Zhang Yuanjun's conversation: "What did Teacher Jiang say about us?"

"They said that you were the most active in submitting homework at that time, and you submitted the most homework, which made your classmates hate you."

Zhang Yuanjun smiled and said, "Yes, every time they would ask, why do you hand in so much, you are going to kill us. My grades were not very good at that time, but I handed in a lot of papers and worked hard, so I was considered to be outstanding.

"After I showed it once or twice, everyone in my class started to ask me to help them with their homework."

During the conversation, Zhang Yuanjun learned that Jiang Peiyao was also a "top student", an outstanding graduate of the 16th class, and was admitted to the graduate program in acting after graduating from undergraduate school.

Zhang Yuanjun praised him as amazing.

This episode obviously did not invite Zhang Yuanjun to work for the audience. The program crew knew it, and so did the host Zhang Songwen. After trimming the branches at the gate, Zhang Yuanjun and Jiang Peiyao went in.

"This is a performance stage we built." Zhang Songwen took Zhang Yuanjun to another area of ​​the courtyard. "I think we can discuss performances here in the future. Teacher Wu Yanshu came here before and gave us the first performance."

Zhang Yuanjun naturally knew Wu Yanshu: "What did she play?"

"Liu Hulan and an impromptu segment." Ma Jiaqi interjected at the right time.

Zhang Songwen said: "Teacher Wu is in really good spirits, and he is full of energy when talking about acting."

Zhang Yuanjun nodded and said, "I went to see her and teacher Xi Meijuan's "Mother". It's not easy. She was over 80 years old and still did splits and worked out like that. When I watched it, I thought, this director is really bold. How dare he ask two elderly people to do this? If anything goes wrong, there will be no explanation."

Zhang Songwen smiled and nodded, agreeing with Zhang Yuanjun's statement, and added: "This is also a way for people to be dedicated to their work, but they should indeed take their health into consideration."

Several people sat down on the chairs under the performance stage. Zhang Songwen said, "Didn't you say before that you also wanted to run an acting training class?"

Zeng Shunxi replied, "Yes, Mr. Zhang, I heard before that I wanted to go to your place for classes."

Zhang Yuanjun shook his head and said, "It's harder to run a class than I thought, because I'm an actor of the People's Art Theater. If you want me to train you personally, that's no problem, but it's difficult for me to run a training class to recruit students. I can't go through the formalities. Later, I saw that Brother Jing opened the Shadow Martial Arts Hall, and your place became popular. Teacher Hao Lei's place is also very lively. Together with Teacher Tianchi, there are several such training classes in the circle, so I don't want to get involved."

As he spoke, Zhang Songwen gave an impromptu performance topic: "Let's do an impromptu practice. It's a class reunion 20 years after graduation. Shunxi, you are the best among this group of classmates. You are a big boss with a net worth of billions. You can be as arrogant as you want at this party, but you can't destroy the superficial harmony of your classmates; Jiaqi and Jiachuan, you two are average or even not so good, but Jiaqi, your wife was the class beauty at that time, that is, Peiyao. Jiaqi, you can't show humility, because you really don't care how much money your old classmates make, you just want to live your own life, today's party is just a meal for you, but Jiachuan, Peiyao, you have something to ask Shunxi, and hope that the big boss classmate can help you. This is all I will give you, you can make up the rest by yourselves, and you have five minutes to prepare."

Zhang Yuanjun, who was sitting on the side watching the fun, laughed: "When I was in school, I was most afraid of improvisation. It was too scary."

In five minutes, the four people rehearsed the words for two minutes and spent three minutes moving tables, chairs and other props to set up the scene.

"Okay, let's begin."

The two sat nearby and watched the four perform.

Lin Jiachuan is considered to be of the Mesozoic generation, and the other three are of the New Generation, but all four do have certain performance experience.

At least the first few minutes of this sketch are not bad.

The four people on the stage were still reminiscing about the past in a falsely polite manner, when suddenly, the door of the "box" opened and Zhang Yuanjun suddenly entered.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the wine you ordered..." It was obvious that Zhang Yuanjun was a hotel staff member and was here to cause trouble. He glanced at Zeng Shunxi and said with a smile, "Shunxi, old classmate! Why are you here? Hey, Jiachuan, Jiaqi, Peiyao, you are all here."

Lin Jiachuan reacted immediately and spoke in Northeastern dialect: "Hey, Brother Zhang San, why are you here?"

"I'm working here. I'm bringing you some wine." Zhang Yuanjun smiled embarrassedly.

The others also reacted and greeted Zhang Yuanjun with forced smiles.

The whole clip is 10 minutes long. Zhang Yuanjun came on stage in the middle and performed for five or six minutes until Zhang Songwen called for a stop.

Zhang Songwen laughed and said, "Now you know how the best actor steals the show." In this five or six minute film, Zhang Yuanjun played a greasy and mercenary hotel manager. After entering the scene, he joked and talked nonsense with his old classmates, and he stole the show from Zeng Shunxi, who was originally the protagonist. Then the rhythm of the whole scene was taken over by Zhang Yuanjun. Whatever he said, the other four people would reply.

Zhang Yuanjun waved his hand and smiled.

Zhang Songwen said: "In fact, I can feel that you have realized that the show has been taken away from you, especially Jiachuan and Shunxi, who want to take the show away from Yuanjun, but Yuanjun resolves it every time."

Zhang Yuanjun said, "In fact, when performing this kind of group play, we are afraid that the actors will not be able to find a living for themselves. Just now, I clearly felt that the stage was a little empty. Where was it empty? It was empty with you, Jiaqi. You can't ask your old classmates for help, but your wife wants to ask this old classmate who is the boss for help. You should have responded instead of sitting there drinking alone. Even if you say a few sarcastic words, it will be much better."

In the end, Zhang Yuanjun put the blame on Zhang Songwen: "In the final analysis, it's because the script is not good. The emotions are too intense. There are conflicts between everyone from the beginning to the end. It's all about acting emotions. It's too difficult."

Zhang Songwen smiled, which was considered as admitting it.

It was time to prepare lunch soon, and several people crowded in the kitchen to cook and chat together.

Zhang Songwen took the initiative to say: "At the beginning of our program, I said that I wanted to invite Mr. Pu Cunxin to be our guest. I want to listen to him tell the story of the People's Art Theatre."

"That's more difficult." Zhang Yuanjun smiled and said, "Whatever you want to know, I'll tell you."

Zhang Songwen said: "Teacher Pu Cunxin may have met Mr. Lao She and Jiao Juyin."

"Yes, Teacher Pu told us that he was already in his teens at that time," said Zhang Yuanjun.

"Have you met Mr. Shizhi?"

Zhang Yuanjun nodded and said, "I have seen him. I entered the theater in 06. At that time, Teacher Shizhi had very serious Alzheimer's disease. He was confused most of the time and rarely clear-headed. We went to see him. Dean Ren Min took us there. When we introduced him, he was very happy. But when we went the second time, he couldn't remember our names."

"In his later years, Mr. Shizhi still said that he had performed too little and should rehearse and perform more. When he finally had a lucid moment, he said he wanted to bring new people to the theater."

Zhang Yuanjun sighed and said, "In the past 22 years, our theater has really gone. Teacher Lan Tianye has passed away, Dean Ren Min has passed away, and so has Teacher Zheng Rong."

While cooking and eating, Zhang Yuanjun kept telling stories about the People's Art Theatre at the request of Zhang Songwen. Zhang Yuanjun also fulfilled his wish and told him many things about the People's Art Theatre that ordinary audiences did not know, as well as her own life in the People's Art Theatre.

"We still don't wear microphones when we perform." The People's Art Theatre may be the only theater in the country that still doesn't wear microphones or use backing tracks when performing.

Zhang Yuanjun's words shocked everyone: "No microphone?!"

"Without a microphone, I rely entirely on my voice to deliver the lines to the last row." Zhang Yuanjun said, "So I paid special attention to the basic skills of lines and the training of vocal methods."

"Teacher Zhang," Ma Jiaqi said, "I heard that you have to be a minor actor for 10 years before you can play the leading role."

"That's nonsense." Zhang Yuanjun laughed, "I know it's fake when I hear it. Which theater dares to use people like this? Sifeng is only 17 or 18 years old, so we have to let a newcomer play the role. We can't let you join the theater and play minor roles for ten years until you are in your thirties or forties and then let you play Sifeng. I played Lu Zhaopeng in "White Deer Plain" in my first year in the theater, and I was also a newcomer at that time."

Zhang Yuanjun also shared some stories about his acting and revealed that he will start filming a drama this year.

Seeing Zhang Yuanjun eating, Jiang Peiyao asked curiously, "Teacher Zhang, do you usually control your diet?"

"I control myself when it comes to work. I gain weight when I want to gain weight, and I lose weight when I want to lose weight. I don't do that at other times. I just eat when I need to."

"Where is Teacher Liu Yifei?"

"She is even worse. I also learned from her. I was a little embarrassed at first, but later I was taught to eat and drink as she pleased." Zhang Yuanjun also imitated his wife's tone, "Isn't it enough for me to act well? Why do you care whether I am fat or thin? I am almost 40 years old."

"What a bad show." Jiang Peiyao said with a smile.

Zhang Songwen smiled and said, "You two both have good attitudes."

After lunch, Zhang Yuanjun sat for a while and then left with a pot of flowers given by Zhang Songwen. He only stayed for this half of the show.

After Zhang Yuanjun left, the people in the courtyard started working again. (End of this chapter)