Doted by Many: I became the Top-Tier Celebrity!-Chapter 432 - 431: Very Challenging

Melody Vance looked at her, because of years of farm work in the sun and wind, that delicate face was dark and red. For convenience during work, she didn’t have the long hair typical of girls, but short hair instead.

She was thirteen, yet the questions she asked were ones that kids in urban kindergartens could easily answer.

At that time, Melody didn’t ridicule her, just felt a pang of sadness.

What kind of place is this...

These children should have access to good education.

Flora Warren learned to speak Mandarin; this proved she had been carrying baskets on her back, cutting grass for cattle, and secretly coming here to listen and learn.

At that moment, she deeply understood the meaning of responsibility.

"We represent a group, and I represent myself."

After saying that, Melody worried she might not understand, so she repeated it in her hometown dialect.

Flora understood and quickly shouldered her basket full of grass, thanking her in her own dialect.

Back then, Melody didn’t understand what she said, but later realized she was thanking her, with eyes that seemed to hold stars.

Melody stayed, determined to teach these students well.

She paid three more visits, yet Flora Warren’s parents still refused to let her attend school.

The five teachers helped each other, and finally, these children no longer shunned them, and deeply respected them.

At their departure, Reed Rivers invited a photographer to trek over mountains and rivers to take graduation photos for everyone.

Their knowledge was limited, yet they understood what parting meant. A group of children, ranging from seventeen to six or seven years old, hugged each other and cried.

Everyone understood they shouldn’t stop the teachers from leaving.

Melody felt for Flora Warren; she would usually come on time with her baskets to attend classes. At least they could see each other before parting.

Unfortunately, she didn’t come.

Melody told the village chief she would return someday and asked him to pass on a message for her.

Unexpectedly, when she returned home, she received a call from the village chief. Flora Warren had committed suicide by drinking pesticide and died in her bedroom, clutching a notebook.

It was the one Melody had given her.

Flora yearned to learn and gain knowledge, to escape, but her elders believed there was no use for girls to study, as they’ll eventually marry out. After discovering she had been sneaking away to listen and learn in her spare time as it wasted her effort on farm work, they beat her harshly.

No one expected that she would take such extreme measures.

Flora Warren’s parents cried to have the visiting teachers pay with their lives.

It was a matter for deep reflection—can these volunteer teachers be blamed?

Or should we blame the ignorant and traditional parents who refused to let their children excel?

Evidently, none could be blamed.

Fate could only be at fault. If everyone could receive a good education and live a better life, such a tragedy wouldn’t occur.

Even though Flora Warren’s parents hated Melody, Reed, and the other teachers, when they returned to their cities, they wrote petitions, hoping to establish a charity account to build a good school for the children of this mountain.

The previous generation couldn’t be changed, but from this generation onward, all children should receive education and live better lives.

Flora Warren’s story spread nationwide, and everyone—from enterprises to individuals—tried their best to raise funds.

Eventually, roads were paved, a school was built, and there was access to clear water. In winter, families had warm cotton quilts; in summer, each household had a fan. The children gradually became smart and embarked on their learning journey.

The mountain’s locals were very grateful to these five teachers who came to the countryside, and Flora Warren’s parents began to understand the importance of education upon seeing resources they had never seen before.

Knowing how to read and do math always allows one to venture out; future children will have better prospects.

Day after day, year after year, this mountain embraced a new lifestyle similar to modern society in other regions.

Melody Vance and Reed Rivers got married, and by their golden wedding anniversary, both were old. One of the most mischievous children they once taught came to congratulate them; he had become a senior lawyer at a law firm.

Melody remembered him, once a troublemaker who threw mice at her.

Charity changed the fate of this mountain village; a tragedy like Flora Warren’s would never happen again.

After reading the script, Tiana Thorne remained silent for a long time.

It was said that Wesley Hughes earned a title of genius. Indeed, a genius is genius; what he writes is sorrowful yet touches the heart deeply. If shot well and released, it might earn a lot of people’s tears.

"This theme and story feel so real..."

Wesley looked at her, "A similar incident happened to a college friend of mine. During his teaching assignment, he encountered a case similar to Flora Warren’s, and that child drowned in the river..."

"In reality, such remote mountain areas do exist. Even with teaching support and poverty alleviation, the help is limited. I hope that after this drama is aired, more charity work and effort are invested, as children are the future flowers. One day, they’ll be useful and can lead the economic development of their hometowns for better times." Dalton Grant had deep feelings.

Tiana sat down, "The script is wonderful, and challenging."

"Do you think you can do it?"

"Depends if the directors want to give me a chance." Tiana’s lips curled into a slight smile, her voice respectful, her manner charming and cute.

The two directors understood.

That sentence implied she was capable, and the rest was up to their choice.

Eugene Dawson added, "Take the script and review it well. For this drama, no matter what role you play, it’s tough; trekking over mountains and rivers is real. The sense of weariness and authenticity must be captured to evoke audience empathy."

"Okay."

It seemed they would meet other actors soon.

The initial plan was for her group to audition for roles, yet they hadn’t asked the actors if they were willing.

Because such a script is too real, filming would be harder than usual scripts and would make the actor’s image appear quite rustic. For some artists with heavy idol burdens, this was hard to accept, and their agents would not want them to take such roles.

Dalton Grant asked, "Regarding this play, do you have any other opinions?"

"The entire process of the play is actually a tragedy. We can put some thought into character development, perhaps initially capturing the fresh appeal of rural life to immerse the audience in a kind of peace and joy city life can’t offer, then slowly introduce the story." Eugene Dawson suggested.

Dalton Grant, "I agree with your view; characters should be comedic initially, only later revealing contrast. Screenwriter Hughes, what do you think?"

Wesley Hughes nodded, "Change the male lead to a superficial rogue character. The female roles could be diversified, but the female lead remains unchanged. How do you two feel?"

"Then it’s settled; just trouble you to spend some time revising it. I’ll later send it to the actors’ emails." Joel Fletcher said.

"Mm."

Joel Fletcher asked a very key question, "But which one of them should play the female lead?"