Chapter 22: Another Surprise! And Another Shabby One

Jing Tian? Zheng Yuxun?

Zhang Li had already finished appraising the two young women. Both were around twenty, in the prime of their youth, like blooming flowers.

Jing Tian was striking and elegant, her features vivid and compelling. Her face was a textbook oval, with a sharp, delicate chin and features that followed the golden ratio perfectly. Her skin, white as jade, looked as smooth and flawless as a peeled egg under the sunlight. At an estimated height of over 1.65 meters, her long, slender legs gave her an air of nobility.

Zheng Yuxun was sweet, possessing the innocent, girl-next-door charm of a small-town sweetheart. Her slightly rounder face was adorable and appeared a bit more youthful compared to the former. Her eyes were bright and spirited, filled with a certain liveliness.

They were two completely different types of girls. If Zhang Li had to find adjectives for them, they would be akin to the contrast between Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling.

As for which of these two upperclassmen he should choose as his guide...

Only a child would make a choice; he was an adult.

"Then I'll trouble you both to be my guides together," Zhang Li said, removing his sunglasses and flashing a warm smile.

Jing Tian was bright and composed, with a reserved temperament. Zhang Li had a hunch that her family background was likely extraordinary, perhaps even with ties to the military.

Zheng Yuxun was cute but possessed a bit of cunning; by intentionally mentioning that she was an "upperclassman younger than herself," she knew most normal boys would want to get to know her.

Zhang Li felt that these two were likely the top contenders for the title of "campus belle" for the incoming class at the Beijing Film Academy, and there was a palpable sense of rivalry between them. To choose one would be to risk drawing the ire of the other—too much trouble!

"You want two guides?" Zheng Yuxun wrinkled her nose. "You don't need two people for something like this."

"I don't mind," Jing Tian replied, her eyes smiling. "With two people guiding you, the workload is halved."

These words made Zheng Yuxun subconsciously purse her lips, feeling that her own response had been inferior to Jing Tian's. This feeling of being outdone made her instinctively want to escape and decline the task of being a guide.

However, Zhang Li spoke up again: "It’s already nearly 11 o'clock. Morning registration ends at 12, and the afternoon session starts at 1. Students who haven't arrived yet will likely only show up after lunch. No matter which one of you waits here, it’s a waste of time. Why not help me together? It’ll be twice the result for half the effort, and I'll treat you both to lunch later."

Jing Tian nodded slightly and looked at Zheng Yuxun. "The junior is right. Why don't we guide him together?"

Zheng Yuxun felt awkward inside and didn't really want to agree. But she realized Zhang Li was giving both her and Jing Tian a graceful way out, and rejecting him now would be rude.

Just as she was about to agree, she caught sight of a girl walking through the campus gate out of the corner of her eye. After scanning the area, the girl pulled her suitcase toward them.

"Another freshman is here. I'll take charge of guiding her," Zheng Yuxun said, pointing behind Zhang Li, and immediately set off to meet her.

However, she was too hurried and forgot she was standing on a step. She put too much force into her stride, causing her to stumble.

"Ah!" Zheng Yuxun swayed.

"Careful." Zhang Li was quick-witted and reached out to catch her wrist.

In the next moment, he felt as if time had frozen, and a flood of information appeared in his mind.

[February 18, 2009: Participated in her first television series, "Meteor Shower," playing the lead role of Chu Yuxun and singing the interlude "Waltz of Love."]

[2010: Continued to star in the "Meteor Shower" sequel, "Meteor Shower II," and was nominated for Best Actress in a TV Series at the 25th China TV Golden Eagle Awards.]

[July 2010: Completed her screen debut in the fantasy period film "Mural" as the fairy Peony, earning the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Best New Actor Award and a nomination for Best New Performer at the 31st Hong Kong Film Awards...]

["Meteor Shower" saw its ratings climb steadily upon airing, ranking first in its time slot. Overnight, it created two new popular idols, Zhang Han and Zhu Zixiao, and revitalized the careers of Yu Haoming and Wei Chen. Zheng Yuxun became an overnight sensation.]

"Hiss..."

Zhang Li was pleasantly surprised. His luck today was absolutely incredible. First, his chance encounter with Zhao Qi, where his kindness was rewarded with the knowledge of "iPartment"—a drama that would at least be a hit, and likely a cultural phenomenon. Now, Zheng Yuxun, which informed him of a domestic idol drama that was a guaranteed star-maker. With four male leads and one female lead, the fact that they all became major stars showed the power of the show.

In the entertainment industry, fame was the most important thing; fame brought everything.

"Four leads... I need to find time to look into the content of 'Meteor Shower'."

Zhang Li kept this in mind. Seeing that Zheng Yuxun had regained her footing, he pulled his hand back and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

"I'm not!" Zheng Yuxun hopped on one foot a few times, sat down on a bench, and examined her ankle. She pressed lightly on the injured area and gasped in pain. "Xu Xing, Wang Jinze, help me to the infirmary." She waved at the two boys standing nearby.

The two boys, who were just about to ask the new girl if she needed help, looked at each other, seemingly debating who should go.

At this moment, the girl Zheng Yuxun had intended to meet arrived beside Zhang Li and tapped him on the shoulder. "Zhang Li."

"Hm?" Zhang Li turned his head, puzzled.

What met his eyes was an exquisite face with a bright, sunny smile.

"Cai Laoliu." Zhang Li grinned. "What a coincidence."

The girl's name was Cai Wenjing, and she had been admitted to the Beijing Film Academy's acting department with the sixth-highest score in the country. Zhang Li had met her during the art exam; her exam number had been right after his. After confirming they were both heading to the Beijing Film Academy, they added each other as friends in the freshman group chat.

Cai Wenjing’s brow twitched, and she feigned a punch. "I’m warning you, don't call me that."

"But you really did place sixth, what’s the problem with me calling you that?" Zhang Li pretended to be confused.

Cai Wenjing felt her hand itching to punch him in the face. Suddenly remembering something, her expression turned playful. "You’re the top student, you’re the best. You can tease someone as inferior as me all you want. What can I say?"

"Hey, hey, hey!" Zhang Li immediately made a pleading gesture. "Let's not say things like that. I won't call you that anymore, okay?"

"That won't do. You were just telling the truth," Cai Wenjing said, crossing her arms. "How could I possibly restrict your freedom of speech?"

"I'll treat you to lunch," Zhang Li offered, showing his sincerity.

"One meal?" Cai Wenjing arched an eyebrow.

"As many as you want," Zhang Li said, with an expression of feigned pain.

"With that kind of attitude, you'll succeed in everything you do!" Cai Wenjing smiled and patted Zhang Li’s shoulder. As she pulled her hand back, her fingertips brushed his cheek.

In that instant, Zhang Li felt time stop.

[2009: Cai Wenjing debuted as the lead in the music video for "Bloom," the theme song for the 18th Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival.]

[June 2010: Released her first EP, "Love World Cup," and on September 8th, launched the single "You Are Like a Breeze."]

The strange sensation vanished, and Zhang Li was briefly stunned. Then, he looked at Cai Wenjing with the eyes one might use for a pauper.

"Such a beautiful girl, why is her future..."

"So underwhelming."