Song Yuan finally met the legendary Film Emperor. Without a word, she grabbed Xiao Jinzi and left.
Nuomi followed her stiffly into the elevator, only exhaling a sigh of relief when the doors closed.
Inside, Xia Weiliang was petrified.
Right, what had she just said?
Scary?
Killing without a trace?
Heh, what wonderful adjectives, perfectly embodying the profound depth of Chinese language and culture.
Xi En slowly walked over, standing at the doorway and watching her for a moment. He pushed his wire-rimmed glasses up, his light brown eyes behind the lenses carrying an unreadable emotion, "Killing without a trace?"
Xia Weiliang tugged at the corner of her mouth, trying to force a smile. It was too strained, and she felt as if she might cry any second.
"It's... it's the feeling of a master! It means, it means Teacher Xi in my heart is like... like..."
"An assassin?"
"How could that be? Teacher Xi in my heart is a towering tree, sheltering us small artists from wind and rain! Your brilliance shines eternally, your spirit is immortal!"
Xi En looked at her, his gaze slightly lowered, "Alright, no need to praise me further. If you praise me any more, you'll be hanging me on the wall."
"No, no, you're so young, there's a long way to go!"
"..."
Xia Weiliang quickly invited Xi En in, busying herself with serving tea and pouring water, being exceptionally attentive.
Xi En's demeanor remained gentle. "Shall we begin?"
He was very serious when he taught. Xia Weiliang sat cross-legged on the carpet, gazing at him on the sofa with utmost reverence, diligently taking notes.
Xi En occasionally glanced up at her. He recalled meeting her a few times at award ceremonies. He didn't deny her beauty; she was radiant and outshone everyone.
It was just a pity that her character was problematic. No matter how beautiful she was, it was useless.
With this thought, his gaze turned colder.
After an hour, he finally said, "Let's take a break."
"Okay."
Xia Weiliang was still looking at her notes. Her mind had been too tense, and now that she relaxed, her head felt like a jumbled mess.
Alas, Teacher Xi might be right; she truly lacked talent.
She boiled some water, stood up, and brewed him another cup of tea. "Teacher Xi, please."
Xi En took a sip, put down the teacup, and looked up at her. "Is Xia Yiran your sister?"
"Hmm?" Xia Weiliang was surprised he brought up Xia Yiran. She paused for a moment, then said, "She's the daughter of the Xia family. I can't really consider her my sister."
"Oh?" Su Dan Novel Network
Xi En raised an eyebrow, a hint of faint mockery in his eyes. "Since you were raised by the same parents, how can you not consider her a sister? Or perhaps, you look down on her and believe she's not qualified to be your sister?"
Even Xia Weiliang, as slow as she was, sensed that his question was loaded with implication!
It was as if a verdict had already been passed, waiting for her to sign and seal it.
"Teacher Xi, I don't know what you've heard, but this is my private matter and has nothing to do with today's lesson, does it?"
Xi En was not angered. Instead, he smiled faintly, "You're right."
Xia Weiliang pursed her lips, her expression tense.
Her relationship with Xia Yiran was not something for others to dictate or tell her what was right!
The two resumed their lesson. Xi En remained meticulous as usual, his outward demeanor gentle, but his words hinted that she was simply not cut out for this, that she couldn't be a good actress.
Xia Weiliang was no longer as cautious and ingratiating, nor did she bother with managing her expressions. All her emotions were written on her face.
Without even giving her a chance to try, he prematurely concluded and dismissed her. So what if he was a Film Emperor? So what if he was an idol?
The morning lesson concluded. Xi En looked at her and smiled, "How do you feel, Miss Xia?"
"Not great."
"..."
Xi En was taken aback by her directness. He wasn't angry, but rather looked at her with amusement. "Oh?"
Xia Weiliang stood up directly, no longer bothering with pleasantries. She stated bluntly, "I don't know who pressured you, forcing you to come here and waste time with me when you clearly didn't want to. Therefore, you came with a preconceived notion that I'm hopeless. Am I right?"
Xi En chuckled, "Forgive my bluntness, but you indeed lack talent in acting."
Xia Weiliang took a deep breath. Instead of defending herself, she said, "Coincidentally, in terms of teaching, I believe you also lack talent, Teacher Xi. It would be best if you stopped misleading others in the future! After all, being a good actor doesn't necessarily make you a good director."
The smile on Xi En's face gradually disappeared.
Everyone knew that he had directed a film two years ago. After much anticipation, the finished product was disappointing.
From then on, he had completely abandoned his directorial dreams and focused on being an actor.
Xia Weiliang's words were incredibly bold. Everyone knew that was his sore spot; even reporters dared not mention it, yet she dared to bring it up.
He lowered his gaze and let out a soft chuckle. "Heh heh, you mean to say that you can become a good actor, but I'm just not a good teacher?"
"It's obvious," Xia Weiliang said, dropping the notes she had taken directly onto the table. She looked up at him, "I admit I have many shortcomings in acting, which is why I was very worried when I received Director Zhou's invitation. However, someone told me that acting is about playing another self, teaching me how to immerse myself in the character, how to feel, and how to listen."
Xi En's gaze gradually turned dark.
"It was Film Emperor Xiao, wasn't it?"
Xia Weiliang neither confirmed nor denied, but continued, "If Teacher Xi had already decided from the beginning that I was mud, rotten wood, and that you were just here to complete a task, then no matter how I performed, it wouldn't have met your standards. In that case, let's not waste each other's time. You go back to filming your dramas, and I'll be a variety show celebrity. Oh, and I won't give up acting. At worst, the next time I ask for lessons, I'll at least find a teacher who doesn't dislike me as much."
She finished in one breath and stood upright before Xi En, giving him a deep bow.
Damn it, did they really think she had no temper?
At worst, she'd find Xiao Du later and beg for forgiveness!
Xi En pursed his lips. The aloof, perfunctory smile was gone from his handsome, refined face. He looked utterly cold. He glanced at her and got up without another word.
"Take care, don't see me out."
Xi En reached the door, his body stiffened. He stood for a few seconds, then pushed it open and left.
Xia Weiliang plopped onto the sofa and shoveled all the pastries and fruits she had prepared for him into her own stomach.
Not long after, the doorbell rang.
She got up and went to the door. Peering through the peephole, she saw the person outside and was stunned again.
Why had he come back?
Hesitating, she opened the door, a bunch of grapes still in her hand, her mouth full of pastry. "Teacher Xi, is there something else?"
Xi En stood outside the door, his expression tight. He habitually pushed up his wire-rimmed glasses and said coldly, "You're the first person to say I can't teach."
Xia Weiliang chuckled, taking a bite of a grape. "Heh, what, did I get your attention?"
Xi En walked in, staring at her darkly. "That's right!"