Chapter 32: You’re Captivated by Jing Tian’s Dancing (Please Follow the New Book)

“Jealousy has distorted your faces.”

Zhang Li sighed irritably, his gaze sweeping over the female classmates like Cai Wenjing.

After ten days of military training, despite their daily application of sunscreen and sunblock spray, and even using facial masks before bed, they had inevitably darkened several shades.

“Jealous?”

“We are jealous.”

“Can you blame us for being jealous?”

“It’s not scarcity that we fear, but inequality.”

“Why is it that only you haven’t tanned?”

“...”

Upon hearing Zhang Li’s words, Cai Wenjing, Pan Zhilin, and the other girls all chimed in eagerly, their envy plain to see.

It was simply because after ten days of intense sun exposure, Zhang Li’s complexion had not changed at all; it remained so fair and radiant that it could reflect light, making all these women green with envy.

“Why does a man like you have to be so pale?” Cai Wenjing said sourly.

“To be honest, I don’t even want to be this pale,” Zhang Li shrugged. “This complexion is a nuisance. If I hadn’t cut my hair short, I’d be afraid people would mistake me for a girl.”

Zhang Li’s features leaned toward a heroic, gallant look, yet with long hair and some makeup, he could easily transform into a delicate, charming youth.

He could freely switch between the rugged tough guy and the handsome gentleman — exactly what the Beijing Film Academy teacher meant by being handsome enough but with a face adaptable for any role.

His looks left a deep impression, yet depending on styling, he could present a different type of handsome.

In short, he had a wide acting range.

“Do you have any sunscreen that can darken the skin a bit? Give me some,” Zhang Li reached out to Cai Wenjing and the others.

Though he had always been pale, he was the kind of cool, fair skin that still tanned somewhat under the sun.

He suspected his current situation was related to his constitution and the subtle buff from the night he spent with her, which had brought about a latent change.

But Cai Wenjing and the others were completely unaware of these details.

Hearing what he said only made them grit their teeth in frustration.

“Girls, let’s teach him a lesson.”

“Stop subtly showing off!”

“That’s just heartless!”

“Use the darkening sunscreen on him!”

“Ahhh!”

“...”

A group of women’s eyes sparkled with mischief as they surrounded Zhang Li, groping him from all sides.

Zhang Li “screamed” repeatedly, “Isn’t there anyone to protect us boys?”

Dou Xiao and the others immediately stood up.

“Hm?” Cai Wenjing and the others all looked over.

Dou Xiao and the group then sat back down in unison, as if this had nothing to do with them.

Besides, this was clearly a pleasure—an enviable blessing—they had no right to disturb it.

“They’re bullying the campus heartthrob.”

“How can that be allowed?”

“Why isn’t the campus heartthrob in our class?”

“The heartthrob is chosen by looks; of course, he’s in the performance department.”

“Why can’t the heartthrob be chosen by talent?”

“Those with talent are called top students; the heartthrob is definitely about looks.”

The commotion over Zhang Li being “bullied” attracted many students from other departments and classes, who gathered around, whispering.

On the first day of military training, Zhang Li had directly asserted his dominance with his looks, with many girls capturing photos of him from multiple angles and uploading them to the school forum.

He was undisputedly the most handsome campus heartthrob in a decade, already gaining numerous admirers.

In fact, tales of Zhang Li were not limited to the Beijing Film Academy forums; the Central Academy of Drama and Shanghai Theatre Academy also had legends about him.

“Men need to protect themselves outside…”

After over a minute, Zhang Li appeared, his hair tousled, his military training jacket removed, and his shirt lifted to reveal eight-pack abs and a V-line, a sensual Adam’s apple, and biceps that made the female students want to whistle and transform into playful she-ruffians.

Suddenly, it seemed that the freshman girls in the performance department had done everyone a favor, providing a much-appreciated visual treat.

“Assembly!”

The drill instructor’s whistle saved Zhang Li just in time; otherwise, someone surely would have recorded this “dark history” of his.

After tidying up and putting on his hat, Zhang Li returned to the formation, standing toward the back.

“Next…”

The instructor finished the final procedures and began assigning tasks.

The Beijing Film Academy’s welcome party was always held on the night the military training ended.

At noon, there would be a relay race on the playground, followed by speeches from school leaders.

As the sun neared the horizon, various campus clubs would send out performers.

This was both a welcome event and a way to attract underclassmen to join clubs.

After eight o’clock, the freshmen would begin their performances.

Regarding the content, sign-ups and preparations had started a week prior.

Since these were art school students, most of whom had studied their craft since childhood, special rehearsals were unnecessary.

This was one of the Beijing Film Academy’s unique features.

Zhang Li, however, had not prepared any program.

After the military training, he planned to take leave to return to Hengdian for the filming of "The Legend of Immortals III," so he preferred not to attract too much attention at school.

Excessive focus could lead to overinterpretation.

But sometimes, plans couldn’t keep up with changes.

Happy times flew by, and soon it was evening.

The Beijing Film Academy playground was packed with all the freshmen, along with second- through fourth-year students who came to join the excitement; the crowd buzzed with lively chatter and dazzling lights.

Cai Wenjing had volunteered to host the welcome party and was on stage introducing, “Next, please welcome the dance club members to present their performance, ‘Glimmering Corners.’”

Amid countless cheers, a group of girls dressed in traditional Tang dynasty costumes took the stage, glowing beautifully under the lights.

The girl center stage was Jing Tian, the senior who had helped Zhang Li on the first day of school.

“Jing Tian senior, no way.”

“Campus beauty, campus beauty.”

“I’ve always heard Jing Tian is an amazing dancer; today we finally get to see.”

“Wow!”

“...”

A group of energetic young people howled excitedly.

Zhang Li sat in a front-row seat, eyes filled with appreciation.

“Ali, give me a moment,” Dou Xiao tapped Zhang Li’s shoulder.

“Is it your turn to perform?” Zhang Li smiled and asked.

Dou Xiao had signed up to perform today, hoping to impress school leaders and renowned alumni.

In the very front row of the audience sat many prominent industry veterans—directors, actors, screenwriters who had graduated from the Beijing Film Academy.

There were rumors that the recently appointed “National Mentor,” the veteran director who had just completed the Olympic opening ceremony, would attend, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“Bad luck, I won’t get to see Jing Tian and the others dance,” Li Tingzhe teased Dou Xiao.

“I’m not performing yet; there are three performances after this one,” Dou Xiao whispered, holding his stomach. “My stomach hurts so badly, I have to go to the restroom.”

Hearing this, Zhang Li immediately offered his seat with concern. “Did you drink too much iced mung bean soup after dinner? Want me to go with you to the infirmary?”

Dou Xiao had eaten spicy Sichuan boiled pork slices for dinner—both numbing and hot—then greedily drank the cafeteria’s homemade iced mung bean soup. Zhang Li had warned him it was a “recipe for diarrhea,” but to no avail.

“Probably, but forget the infirmary,” Dou Xiao smiled and shook his head, refusing. “I have to perform; I’ll be right back.”

Seeing this, Zhang Li didn’t think much more and turned back to watch the dance club—or more precisely, Jing Tian dancing.

No wonder she had trained in ballet since childhood; her body was incredibly flexible, her leg lifts graceful, like a white swan.

Zhang Li’s gaze followed her every move until, unknowingly, the performance ended.

[Jing Tian dazzled you with her dance in front of a large audience: Dance skill +1, Dance talent +1, Physical fitness +1.]

Zhang Li: “...”

You know I was amazed again.

[You dazzled Zhang Li in front of a large audience… +1.]

The voice sounded in Jing Tian’s ear as well.

Jing Tian: !!!