Chapter 140 – Accompanying You for the College Entrance Exam

Chapter 140 - Accompanying You for the College Entrance Exam

Tang Fei had high hopes for the movie role. She spent time studying the script and various versions of the related mythological stories, writing character analyses in anticipation of demonstrating her dedication during discussions with the director.

Unfortunately, the director didn't appreciate her efforts nor had any intention of conversing with her.

Her junior high school background made most people underestimate her and disregard her opinions. In the long-standing cultural tradition, education was highly valued. Although the saying "All professions are contemptible except for learning" was extreme, it reflected the mindset of many.

In the entertainment industry, talent could offset the bias towards academic qualifications, which held less significance compared to other fields.

If she had read extensively, made groundbreaking scientific discoveries, or won awards, it might have compensated for her educational background. However, she hadn't achieved any of those.

Returning home, Tang Fei felt somewhat disheartened.

Tang's mother whispered to Tang's father, "Feifei doesn't seem happy. Was the date not successful?"

Tang's father nodded. "She came back so early, before dinner even started. Could they have had an argument?"

Observing Tang Fei's subdued mood, they misunderstood the situation.

"Feifei, in young love, it's common to have disputes during the adjustment phase. Back when your father and I were dating... Hm?" Initially, Mother Tang intended to console her daughter but suddenly felt that something wasn't right. She couldn't recall ever having an argument with her husband. "Honey, did we ever argue when we were dating?"

"No," Father Tang replied.

Tang Fei looked at the couple, who showered each other with affection at every moment, helplessly.

These two were supposed to be comforting her!

It was fortunate she hadn't mentioned her breakup; otherwise, their misguided attempts at consolation might have driven her crazy.

"Mom, Dad, you're so sweet, it's cloying." Tang Fei sat on the sofa, lost in thought about the day's events. Her emotions were far from settled.

"Dad, if he really upset you, it's okay to break up when the time comes. Never compromise your own happiness," Father Tang declared with a sweeping gesture. "Being a boss isn't that big of a deal."

"Can't you say it a bit more tactfully?" Mother Tang patted her husband's hand. "Feifei, tell Mom what happened. Let me analyze the situation and see if this person is worth keeping around."

"It's actually a work issue," Tang Fei said, looking down. She grabbed the chips from Tang Jiao beside her and began crunching them loudly, as if she were trying to grind something to pieces.

"Tang Jiao! Did your boss give you a hard time?" Tang Jiao jumped off the sofa, rolling up her sleeves. "I'll avenge you. I'll put a sack over his head and give him a good beating. You mustn't do it yourself. Control yourself, I'm afraid Mom and Dad won't be able to afford the damages if you hurt him."

Tang Fei crunched through a stack of chips, shaking her head. "It has nothing to do with him. The project we discussed today fell through, so I'm upset. I just need some time to cool down."

Ah, so that was it. Everyone sighed in relief.

Looking at them, Tang Fei asked, "Isn't a setback in your career more serious than a heartbreak? Why are you all relieved?"

"There are plenty of good projects. It's hard to come by someone you like. Rarity increases value," Tang's mother winked at Tang Fei. "Mom will cook something delicious to comfort your heart. Better opportunities will come."

Tang Jiao hugged Tang Fei. "Sis! Goodbye is goodbye!"

Tang Fei casually replied, "The next one will be even more obedient?"

"Sis, what you said makes so much sense! I'm gonna make it my QQ signature."

...

After a hearty meal, Tang Fei had mostly recovered. Tang Jiao whispered into her ear like a thief. "Sis, I want to ask you something."

"What's going on?"

"A talent agency found my QQ and asked if I wanted to sign a contract to debut. It's called Yellow Orange Entertainment. Do you know anything about their reputation?"

Tang Fei was startled. She looked at Tang Jiao, who was also a stunning beauty and more than capable of entering the entertainment industry.

However, Tang Fei knew that her sister had worked incredibly hard to transform from a poor student into someone who could pass the high school entrance exam. Recalling her own experience today, Tang Fei blurted out, "You can't join the entertainment industry now."

"Why not? Sister?" Tang Jiao was surprised by Tang Fei's strong reaction, especially since their parents had overheard. She had intended it to be a secret between sisters.

Tang Jiao pouted.

"First, focus on learning skills and preparing for your arts exam. Aim for the Capital Film Academy, the National Opera Institute, or the Shanghai Opera Institute in the college entrance exam. You must complete high school and receive a solid foundation through systematic acting education. Acting can be a lifelong career, so there's no rush for a few years," Tang Fei spoke from the heart. Before today, she wouldn't have felt this way.

She used to dismiss the importance of academic qualifications.

But in a society where degrees were a standard for judging people, as a member of that society, one couldn't escape such constraints.

"Tang Jiao, just because I did it earlier, why can't you?" Tang Jiao stood up, her emotions escalating. Her breaths grew heavier, and her eyes reddened with injustice.

"I did advance my studies, but what good did it do? After running around for years, I'm still at the starting point. Do you want to end up like me?

Being the subject of media reports, questioning if my family was poverty-stricken, if my parents were exploiting me, or if I was forced to drop out due to gender bias? Being told that even a pig could get into a college while I, with an IQ spanning ten lifetimes, couldn't even pass high school?

And then there's the label of being a delinquent, expelled from school, unwilling to learn, too eager for success, prioritizing fame over education.

Being doubted for my intelligence, my family background, and my character—could you handle all that?" Tang Fei rose to her feet as well. Faced with her usually obedient sister's sudden outburst, Tang Fei decided...

Not to give in.

Tang Jiao burst into tears at the sharp questions.

Her bright, aggrieved eyes brimmed with tears. With a pout, she sobbed, "Sis, do you not like me anymore? Do you prefer Jiang Xiaoying? I want to be an actress, I want to stay in the capital, I don't want her to take you away from me."

"..."

Her sister was jealous!

Yet, this line of reasoning seemed rather peculiar.

She was about to dismiss it as nonsense, but upon reflection on what had happened since Tang Jiao's arrival, it seemed that there was indeed something off.

Due to the circumstances of her transmigration, she didn't share the same intimacy with them. As filming hours were long, she spent more time with Jiang Xiaoying, eventually becoming accustomed to her thick-skinned nature and accepting it.

From Tang Jiao's perspective, her sister had been away for two years without any contact, and upon meeting again, she seemed distant. She appeared closer to her colleague, Jiang Xiaoying, than to her own sister.

This made Tang Jiao feel uneasy.

With this in mind, Tang Fei softened her tone and stepped forward. Tang Jiao, frightened, retreated, but Tang Fei caught her hand and pulled her back to the sofa.

"Jiaojiao, that's why I'm saying this – because I love you. I took a difficult path and realized how important education is. It's a broad and smooth road. I don't want you to repeat my mistakes.

As long as you study hard and get into one of the top three film academies for acting, hone your skills, with your looks, you'll soon become a big star."

Tang Jiao's emotions stabilized slightly, though she still sniffled. "I feel like you prefer those who act with you. You don't like me. I checked, Jiang Xiaoying's grandfather is a professor at Capital Film Academy, and she's a student there too. That's who you're talking about, right? You want me to be like her."

"I wasn't talking about her, I was talking about myself." Tang Fei closed her eyes, then opened them again, her gaze gentler. She stroked Tang Jiao's hair and said, "Today, I went to discuss a movie project. Because I only finished junior high, the director thought I was talking nonsense no matter what I said.

Every move I made was seen as a provocation after being labeled as a junior high school graduate turned actor.

If time could turn back, I would definitely attend high school, take the college entrance exam, and enter a film academy to become an actor properly.

The outcome I have now is too much a result of luck. If things had progressed normally..."

What you might have heard instead could be grim news – the passing of a minor, unknown artiste.

Tang Fei tugged at Tang Jiao's hair. "I know. I've set a bad example for you, making you have such thoughts.

How about this? I'll accompany you through the college entrance exam. I'll take it myself this year as an example. If your score is higher than mine, I won't stop you."

"Really?" Tears still glistened in Tang Jiao's eyes, but they lit up in an instant. Full of confidence, she said, "Promise?"

"We pinky promise, and we won't break our word for a hundred years!"

A current high school student and someone who had graduated from junior high years ago were taking the college entrance exam together. It was clear that Tang Fei was letting her win; Tang Jiao was sure she could triumph.

"Sis, are you planning on applying to the universities you mentioned earlier?"

"No, I'm not going to school. I'll accompany you for the college entrance exam and also prove to others that my intelligence isn't an issue."

"Sis, why is there educational discrimination in the entertainment industry? I see many celebrities with lower education levels who are very popular."

"Discrimination based on education exists everywhere. Before you truly become powerful, people tend to focus on the aura that your educational background provides rather than your actual abilities.

This layer of aura shields you from many initial distractions. What you learn in school is genuinely useful. Only a few rely on natural talent to find success on their own; most rely on learning. Being a good actor isn't as simple as you think; it's not just about being good-looking."

"But there are still many actors who didn't go to college."

"They eventually went back to school."

"I can do it too."

"You're in the first year of high school now. If you start acting now, would you still have the focus to study? You'd grow too restless."

"Did you bring your winter vacation homework? Have you done any of it?"

"Sis—"

Tang Fei resolved to take the college entrance exam, with no intention of attending if she passed. Her goal was to silence those who belittled her for only having completed junior high school.

"Big Sister! Aren't you going to discuss this major decision with Boss?" He Zhou watched as Tang Fei made up her mind on her own.

The thought of someone uncovering the truth – Tang Fei taking the college entrance exam and scoring only 150 points...

It would be an exquisite disaster.

"It won't interfere with anything. He'll definitely agree."

"How can studying for the exam not interfere?!"

There'd be chaos, with her burning the midnight oil and piercing her flesh with a needle, only to snooze soundly in the end.

Was she sure it wouldn't disrupt anything? He Zhou was skeptical!

"Back then, I didn't like studying, but that doesn't mean I can't now. Go, buy me high school textbooks and the Three Years of College Entrance Exams and Five Years of Simulation Papers!"

Despite his doubts, He Zhou wouldn't discourage Tang Fei. For Jiaojiao's education, his cousin was going all out, so he had to play along. "Sure thing."

Tang Jiao was not one to back down. She was only in her first year of high school and still had second and third-year material to catch up on. "Brother He Zhou, I want to join in too!"

Both Tang Jiao and Tang Fei were fully determined and exerting their utmost effort.

Tang Jiao declared, "I won't lose to my sister. She hasn't even studied this before."

Tang Fei weighed her options: History and Geography were somewhat different from what she knew, the Chinese literature and poetry varied slightly, but English and Math remained unchanged. She hadn't lost too much ground yet, so with some intense study, it should be manageable.