Chapter 30: Big Honey: Helping You Avoid Bad Romances

"How could I dare?" Zhang Li immediately put on a smile and playfully massaged Liu Yifei's arm. "I meant that we are on the same side."

Dou Xiao and the others widened their eyes in shock.

To think he could actually touch Liu Yifei's arm! If this scene were uploaded online, Zhang Li would surely be hunted down and beaten.

"That may be so," Liu Yifei said with a faint smile, "but you are an actor. How long can you hide your birthday?"

"As long as I can," Zhang Li winked.

"Don't deceive yourself." Liu Yifei's beautiful eyes flickered as she looked at Jing Tian. "This junior clearly knows your birthday too. Do you want me to beg her as well?"

Zhang Li: "..."

He understood what she meant. If he begged Jing Tian, she wouldn't help him keep it a secret. But if he didn't ask, Jing Tian would likely blurt out the answer. As for how Jing Tian knew his birthday, it was naturally quite simple.

"I, Zhang Li, will not be controlled by others in this life." Zhang Li downed his drink in one gulp and answered voluntarily, "My birthday is January 5th."

"What date?" Cai Wenjing nearly choked on her drink.

"January 5th," Zhang Li closed his eyes.

"Hahaha, oh my, that’s too funny..."

Cai Wenjing’s mouth was harder to suppress than an AK-47; she laughed mercilessly and slapped the table. She immediately understood why Jing Tian had been struggling to keep a straight face, and finally understood why Zhang Li had been so desperate not to reveal it.

"..."

Pan Zhilin and the others looked on with smiles, but mostly with confusion. It was just a birthday, what was so funny about it?

"Ah Li's birthday is January 5th, is there something funny about that?" Liu Yifei asked Jing Tian, casting a curious look.

"Wenjing's birthday is January 3rd," Jing Tian replied, holding back her laughter.

Everyone: "...So?"

Cai Wenjing was older than Zhang Li—was that really so funny?

"How should I put it?" Jing Tian’s lively eyes swept over Zhang Li. After choosing her words, she said, "Our junior failed at his attempt to act cool."

Zhang Li: "..."

You certainly know how to apply what you've learned.

"I might as well say it myself." Zhang Li looked defeated. "My birthday is January 5th. Normally, there are very few people born in the same year who are older than me."

Everyone nodded; that was true.

"I knew Wenjing was also born in 1990, so I acted like an older brother in front of her..." Zhang Li sighed and recounted the conversation he had with Cai Wenjing earlier that afternoon.

Everyone: "..."

Good heavens, that was a major slap in the face. January 5th is early, sure, but she was born on January 3rd—only two days older than him. What a coincidence, right? No wonder Zhang Li didn't want to say it, and no wonder Cai Wenjing and Jing Tian couldn't stop laughing.

"I wish my mom had delivered me by C-section on New Year's Day," Zhang Li lamented.

Hearing this, everyone burst into laughter. What a "filial" son you are!

After the brief interlude, the atmosphere became even more lively. Since classes were officially starting the next day, no one drank alcohol. Once they were full, Zhang Li took the initiative to head back to school.

"Sister Xixi, how did you get here?"

After settling the bill with his membership card, Zhang Li and Liu Yifei walked to the entrance together.

"I drove here," Liu Yifei said, looking up at him slightly. "Do you want me to give you a ride back?"

"No need," Zhang Li declined softly. "I organized this outing, so I should head back with them."

"When military training is over, come pick me up at school. I’ll go home for a day before heading to the set."

"Alright then." Liu Yifei thought what he said made sense, so she didn't insist.

She habitually straightened Zhang Li's collar and blinked her beautiful eyes. "You seem to have grown taller again?"

"Yeah, I was 178 cm during the New Year. I measured at 181 cm during my physical today. I figure I might grow a few more centimeters," Zhang Li said, looking down with a faint smile. "I'm tall enough to be a model, but I don't want to grow any more; it'll be harder to find female co-stars."

"Well, I don't feel any pressure, so I'll just bring you along to act in my projects." Liu Yifei suddenly pulled on Zhang Li's collar, forcing him to lower his head further. To onlookers, it just looked like he was leaning in to listen to her instructions.

"Without my permission, you are not allowed to flirt with other girls outside. You’re only 18, you hear me?" Liu Yifei said in a serious tone.

"Understood," Zhang Li replied at lightning speed. What he had with Liu Shishi wasn't "flirting"—it was a serious relationship between a boyfriend and girlfriend who had already shared a bed.

"I like it when you're obedient." Liu Yifei’s lips curled up, and she planted a light kiss on his cheek. "A reward for you."

[You have forcibly kissed Zhang Li on the cheek once. Lip Shape +1 / Domineering Aura +1] (Same for Zhang Li)

Liu Yifei: ?

How does the system distinguish between a kiss and a "forced" kiss? Does it mean Zhang Li wasn't willing to be kissed by her? No, that's not the point.

"I've got a cheat code!"

Feeling the tingling sensation on her lips that appeared and vanished in a flash, Liu Yifei was certain she wasn't hallucinating. But this cheat code of hers was quite strange. A "chest-press" increased her bust... A "forced kiss" increased her lip shape and aura... What would happen if she did something else?

"Does it only work on Ah Li, or does it work on anyone I do these things to?"

A question arose in Liu Yifei's mind, and she decided to conduct a thorough experiment once Zhang Li finished his military training and returned home.

"Drive safely."

"You too, watch the road."

Zhang Li walked Liu Yifei to the parking lot and, after she left, rejoined Dou Xiao and the others. The boys took one car, the girls took another, and Cai Biyun and Jing Tian shared a vehicle.

"Tiantian, your rival is quite formidable," Cai Biyun teased, leaning into Jing Tian's ear.

"Quite"? The other person was Liu Yifei; it wasn't just "quite."

"I don't have those kinds of feelings for our junior, and besides, they are like siblings. Don't talk nonsense," Jing Tian replied softly.

"I'm not as dim-witted as Dou Xiao. One is surnamed Liu, the other is surnamed Zhang; they aren't biological siblings," Cai Biyun said excitedly. "Who knows when they might turn into 'romantic' siblings."

Jing Tian frowned slightly, signaling Cai Biyun to stop discussing the matter. She knew, of course, that Zhang Li and Liu Yifei weren't related. Before dinner, Lu Zheng had already sent her all the information he could find on Zhang Li. She knew his birthday, that he had lost his parents at age ten, and that he had been adopted by Liu Yifei's stepfather. She also knew he was born in the United States, held American citizenship, but had chosen to revert to Chinese citizenship when he turned eighteen earlier that year. He had participated in several TV series and even invested in *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* and *Chinese Paladin 3*.

"I only see him as a regular junior."

Several dozen minutes later, the group parted ways in front of the dormitory. Zhang Li checked the time and didn't rush back to his room, choosing instead to wander around the campus.

It wasn't until nearly ten o'clock that he waited for Yang Mi, who returned fully disguised.

"I've been standing here in the hot wind for a while," Zhang Li teased with a smile. "If the late-night snack you bought isn't up to par, don't blame me for going to Shishi and Sister Tangtang to complain and embarrass you."

"Oh, you!" Yang Mi kicked Zhang Li's calf. "I'm bringing you a late-night snack, and you dare to threaten me?"

Zhang Li immediately pretended to "beg for mercy."

But just then, a voice came from nearby: "Mimi?"

Yang Mi turned to look at a middle-length-haired woman carrying a washbasin and dressed in casual, light summer clothes.

"Shanshan?" Yang Mi was slightly stunned and instinctively stood in front of Zhang Li. "Long time no see."

"Haven't seen you all summer break." Yuan Shanshan stepped forward, her gaze naturally falling on Zhang Li. When she saw his face clearly, her eyes lit up.

"Right, I have something to take care of. Let's chat when we get back to the dorm," Yang Mi said with a smile, immediately grabbing Zhang Li's arm and walking away.

It wasn't until they reached a corner between two apartment buildings, and seeing that Yuan Shanshan wasn't following them, that Yang Mi let out a sigh of relief.

"Let me tell you," Yang Mi said to Zhang Li, "I don't like to gossip behind people's backs, but as for the classmate I just saw, you'd better stay away from her if you run into her on campus."

Zhang Li was a bit puzzled, though he had become slightly interested in Yuan Shanshan. But the next moment, a voice echoed in his mind:

[Yang Mi helped you avoid a 'rotten peach blossom' encounter once. Positive Peach Blossom Luck +1]

Zhang Li: ???

Is this that mystical? Oh, wait, I have a cheat code. Never mind.