However, Hutou's grades were not promising.
Zhuang Zhixi asked, "Didn't you inquire about the art student route? What did you find out?"
Zhuang Zhiyuan replied, "I asked around. He can apply to art schools. Hutou's got a decent look, but the kid can't act. He stands there like a wooden plank. It's not going to work. Even if he takes the art exam, I doubt he'll pass."
The father was starting to lose hope.
Zhuang Zhixi said, "Practice, then. Regardless of whether he passes or not, it's an opportunity. If he just takes the regular exam, the odds are stacked against him. But if he practices and gets better, who knows?"
Zhao Guihua added, "That's what I think too. Hutou, if you want to go to university, you need to find an alternative path. If you don't pass the exam, you'll have to start working. Do you want to work at the machinery factory as a fitter, or at the train station as a temp? Or like Tonglai, work at the garment factory operating sewing machines? Can you do that?"
