Career Isn't Important, Dreams Are

"Your physique is so good. Anyone could tell you're the type who's amazing at dancing."

There was still time, so Tang Zhi Chu chatted with Chen Si Yang on and off.

"You can even judge someone's physique?"

Tang Zhi Chu chuckled. "You're underestimating me, aren't you?"

In fact, Tang Zhi Chu had seen Chen Si Yang dance before. Back when she was in that girl group talent show, her dancing had been quite famous, though she leaned more toward traditional folk dance.

There was one photo that had left a particularly deep impression on Tang Zhi Chu.

The girl's posture had been like that of a lively, proud crane. She held her head high, gazing toward the light.

In Theater Four, Tang Zhi Chu and Chen Si Yang's seats were toward the back.

There were not many people. By the time the movie started, the theater was only about half full.

Chen Si Yang, holding a bucket of popcorn, froze slightly when she saw the title on the big screen.

Realm of Painting!

Wasn't this a movie produced by her own company?

Chen Si Yang glanced at Tang Zhi Chu beside her. Had this been specially arranged again, or had he just picked it at random?

Tang Zhi Chu seemed to notice her confusion. "There are only a few movies showing right now. Looking at the ratings, this one and another disaster movie are the only decent ones. We couldn't exactly go watch a disaster movie, could we?"

Chen Si Yang said softly, "I never said I didn't like it."

Tang Zhi Chu smiled. He had actually more or less figured out Chen Si Yang's personality.

She was a little like he had been when he hit rock bottom in his previous life—thinking too much and doing too little, running everything through her head. She did not realize that this would only make the pressure build and build.

Realm of Painting was rumored to be Tianhe Entertainment's major move over the past two years. Tianhe Entertainment was, of course, Chen Si Yang's current company.

It was one of the top entertainment companies on the mainland. In music, the so-called Tianhe Trio held a certain dominant position. As for television dramas, there was no need to say much—Tianhe had started out by making TV dramas.

Realm of Painting was Tianhe Entertainment's tentative foray into the film sector alongside the famous director Lin Chi—or perhaps it was better described as an ambitious venture.

The story had a fairly down-to-earth premise. A minor screenwriter returned to his hometown to visit graves, then discovered an ancient painting in his old family house. Thinking it might be valuable, he brought it back to the city to sell.

Who would have thought that the moment he returned, he got a job? A director wanted to work with him and asked him to come up with a story.

That painting became his cheat. What he thought were dreams actually allowed him to enter the Realm of Painting through the medium of dreams, where he built complete stories and another world.

With the boost of those "dreams," his stories were not only richly detailed and uniquely angled, but their characters were vivid and interesting as well, bringing about a breakthrough in his career.

For couples, this movie was probably rather dull. It had the feel of a strange urban film.

But for people who simply wanted to watch a movie, it was quite interesting.

What was that ancient painting? Were the dreams in control, or was the painting? Especially midway through the movie, there was a single close-up of a watch. At first, everyone thought the shot did not seem particularly special.

But after the scene changed, someone exclaimed. Wasn't that watch something the male lead only had when he was dreaming? Something he wore in the dream?

Yet after returning to the real world, the watch was still on the male lead's wrist, and he had not even noticed it himself.

Chen Si Yang watched very seriously. She even tilted her head toward Tang Zhi Chu and explained in a low voice, "I think he might not have woken up. He's still in the dream, or rather, inside the painting?"

Tang Zhi Chu replied, "Could it be that things he—the movie's male lead—created in his dreams can materialize in reality? And he hasn't noticed it himself?"

Chen Si Yang shook her head. "No. If that were the case, the story couldn't develop. There can't be two worlds at the end, right? From a screenwriter's perspective, it probably isn't like that. That kind of situation would be hard to handle too."

Tang Zhi Chu said, "But the movie is called Realm of Painting. Could there be two worlds?"

Chen Si Yang said, "The Realm of Painting definitely exists, but it won't materialize. If it did, the plot would become too cliché. Once the male lead discovered that ability, he could just materialize money. I think the story will either have the male lead remain in the Realm of Painting forever without realizing it, or the painting altered his memories and made him bring certain things into reality."

Chen Si Yang was genuinely trying hard to think through the plot, from the perspective of a screenwriter or a director, because that was her field of expertise.

When she watched movies, she did not simply guess at the motivations of the male and female leads. She also guessed at the motivations of the screenwriter and director.

Seeing that Tang Zhi Chu did not respond, Chen Si Yang came back to herself. After tilting her head and thinking for quite a while, she finally tugged at Tang Zhi Chu's clothes.

Tang Zhi Chu leaned closer.

Chen Si Yang whispered, "I-I wasn't saying all that because I disagree with you. Of course, it could also be a materialization ability. If they want to emphasize the male lead, then maybe they're giving him a power. That logic works too."

Tang Zhi Chu smiled. Even when this silly girl comforted someone, she had to stick to the facts.

Tang Zhi Chu placed the preserved plum in his hand into Chen Si Yang's hand, then said softly, "You already convinced me, and now you've come up with another line of logic. So which one am I supposed to believe?"

Chen Si Yang pouted. "But that's what you said."

Tang Zhi Chu countered, "But aren't you the professional? Of course I'll believe you."

Chen Si Yang froze. For some reason, her nose suddenly stung. Right, this was her field of expertise.

"I think if you played the investor in this movie, you'd definitely be more badass than her," Tang Zhi Chu added.

"I'm not as good as you say."

"You're definitely even better than I say."

"Why?"

"Just a feeling. Like us watching this movie right now—your focus when watching it, and the angle from which you see it, are different from everyone else's. Those are all your strengths. Think about it: Chen Si Yang, one meter seventy-two, delicate features, a cool and aloof temperament that still makes you look kind of badass, and an absolutely gorgeous figure. What would you look like in business attire? Wouldn't you be amazing? And what about in ancient costume? Just imagining it makes me think that picture would be so beautiful."

Chen Si Yang hurriedly grabbed Tang Zhi Chu and said in embarrassed annoyance, "You're not allowed to say any more."

"Why won't you let me say it? In my heart, you just haven't gotten your opportunity yet. Hmph. Once the opportunity comes, every little flower in the Industry Circle will pale beside you—mmph, why are you covering my mouth? Fine, fine, fine. I won't say any more."

It was fortunate that a movie was playing and the theater was dim. Otherwise, Tang Zhi Chu would have seen Chen Si Yang's face flushed red as blood and her eyes shimmering like autumn water.

Was it embarrassment? Was it the emotion of being acknowledged? Was it the grievance of having suppressed herself for too long until she began to doubt herself? Or was it simply because of that sentence: You're the professional. Of course I'll believe you.

And so, a long, long time passed.

Only then did Chen Si Yang speak again. "Tang Zhi Chu!"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think a girl's career is important?"

Tang Zhi Chu froze. After a moment of silence, he finally said, "A career isn't important. Dreams are."

Chen Si Yang's nose began to sting again. Her eyes heated up, the world before her blurred, and then two warm trails slid down her cheeks.