Chapter Sixty-Three: The Gap, Arrival in Tan Province

Lin Xing was taken aback. “Brother Tian, you know Situ Hui’s son?”

“Know him? I watched that boy grow up,” Kong Tian replied with a smile. “Situ Hui’s husband, Feng Wei, was in my class back in the day.”

“So that’s how it is,” Lin Xing said, suddenly understanding.

Kong Tian continued, “That kid was actually pretty decent when he was young, but Situ Hui spoiled him rotten. By the time he reached school, he was a little tyrant. He dropped out early in middle school, spent a few carefree years abroad, and now wants to break into the entertainment industry.”

Lin Xing frowned. “But with ‘Raging Tides Against Crime,’ is he really up to the task?”

“It shouldn’t be much of a problem. His role isn’t all that demanding—if he just gives it his best and doesn’t mess up, it’ll be fine. It doesn’t require much in the way of acting skills anyway.” Kong Tian shook his head slightly. “I helped him analyze the script before, and taught him how to approach the role.”

Lin Xing now understood the situation. It was much like how teachers often preferred other teachers to discipline their own children. Situ Hui couldn’t control Feng Qing at all; not that he would listen to her anyway. As his mother, she was convinced that her son was both talented and hardworking, born to excel in this profession.

So when Feng Qing expressed a desire to act, Situ Hui had been waiting for the right opportunity. In her eyes, ‘Raging Tides Against Crime’ was the perfect fit. The director was reliable, and Feng Wei would also be part of the cast. With Feng Wei there to guide his son, it seemed even more ideal.

Such is the privilege of second-generation stars. Their starting line is often where mid-tier actors can only dream of finishing. But even so, Feng Qing’s circumstances were not the most extreme. In the entertainment world, the real nepotism comes from certain famous directors, who truly inspire envy and frustration.

Then again, this phenomenon is hardly unique to the entertainment industry, is it?

Therefore, Lin Xing wasn’t the least bit surprised by any of this; he’d only been surprised that Kong Tian personally knew Situ Hui’s son.

“But, Ah Xing, Feng Qing doesn’t have the best temperament. If you have scenes with him, try to be a little restrained…” Kong Tian considered for a moment, then added, “Old Feng is all right, but Situ Hui is fiercely protective of her child.”

“Brother Tian, you don’t need to worry about that. You know what I’m like. In a production this big, why would I bother arguing with a kid?” Lin Xing replied with a cheerful grin.

Kong Tian laughed as well. “That’s true. By the way, aren’t you heading out in the next few days?”

“I’m leaving tomorrow,” Lin Xing replied.

Lin Xing said, “Today I just wanted to treat you to a meal, Brother Kong. Next time we meet, it’ll be a month from now.”

“So soon?” Kong Tian was surprised. “Didn’t you mention there were still a few days before shooting started?”

“There are, but the crew wants to have a table read, so they’re holding a meeting four days early,” Lin Xing explained. “All the leading actors have been called for this ‘script reading session.’ The head writer, Liao Qingshan, will also be present. He said there might be some minor adjustments to the script…”

This was just like Zhu Ming—he always upheld the tradition of proper script readings. Unlike some productions nowadays, where actors don’t even try to understand the script, and just memorize a few lines like Li Jingjing did on set.

That’s exactly why directors like Zhu Ming stand out for their insistence on quality. Their work deserves its reputation. Others can’t simply imitate this approach, because in many crews, the traffic stars hold all the power—even more than the director.

But that would never happen on ‘Raging Tides Against Crime.’ Zhu Ming maintained absolute control.

Kong Tian wholeheartedly agreed, and as they ate together that evening, he said with a smile, “Ah Xing, I won’t say anything else—just that I look forward to you surprising everyone once again.”

After all, up until now, everyone assumed Lin Xing was playing some upright character in the series. Few realized just how skilled an actor he was.

Kong Tian had even more faith in him than Sister Dao, who was blindly devoted enough to risk everything for Lin Xing as his manager, always putting her artists first.

But Kong Tian was different. He was Lin Xing’s acting coach—he had witnessed Lin Xing’s gradual improvement firsthand. More importantly, Lin Xing possessed a gift other actors lacked: a rare depth of understanding for his characters.

Take Zhou Bo, for example. If Lin Xing had played him as just another man who turns bad under oppression, as in ‘Storm Over Jinghai,’ it would have been clichéd. Kong Tian appreciated Lin Xing’s unique interpretation.

Moreover, Kong Tian found all the online debates laughable. How could people assume Lin Xing could only play domineering CEOs and nothing else? How could they be so sure his acting would fall short in ‘Raging Tides Against Crime’?

Good actors often bring out the best in each other. Look at all those veteran actors playing mothers, grandmothers, grandfathers in urban dramas—do people realize how phenomenal their performances are?

They simply never had the opportunity.

So Lin Xing was fortunate—he’d have the chance to prove himself in ‘Raging Tides Against Crime.’

“Ah Xing, others may doubt you, but I never will,” Kong Tian said as he poured Lin Xing another drink. “I believe in you.”

…

The next morning.

“I’m never drinking again.” Lin Xing woke up with a headache, remembering how he’d gotten carried away talking and drinking with Kong Tian the night before.

“Even if I do drink again, never white liquor,” he amended, realizing that total abstinence wasn’t realistic for him.

Still groggy, Lin Xing took a cold shower to clear his head, then left the villa.

“Brother Xing, here’s your soy milk and breakfast wrap…” Xiao Nan had timed it perfectly, bringing him breakfast.

“Thanks. I was feeling a bit rough after last night. This is just what I need,” Lin Xing said with a grateful smile as he took the food.

“Brother Xing, we should arrive in Tan Province by about eleven,” Xiao Nan said as they drove. “I’ve already coordinated with the assistant director from ‘Raging Tides Against Crime.’ They’ll be waiting for us at the airport at ten-thirty…”

Lin Xing ate his breakfast as he listened to Xiao Nan outline the schedule ahead.

This time, Lin Xing was to be met not by an assistant, but by the assistant director himself—the same one he’d met during his audition.

“Mr. Lin, we meet again.”

Compared to their last meeting, the assistant director was much more courteous toward Lin Xing this time.

…