Smug Dong Xuan, Bewildered Huang Shengyi, Steady Yan Li

“Yan Li actually got you a leading role!?”

In the female dormitory at Beijing Film Academy, Guan Yue, along with two other roommates and friends like Yin Xu who had come upon hearing the news, stared at Dong Xuan in shock. The latter nodded blissfully.

“The shoot starts in a couple of days. I’ve already called the homeroom teacher. I just came back to pack.”

“Wait, I’m a bit confused,” Guan Yue said, dramatically pretending to faint to express her astonishment.

Everyone in the dormitory and among their friends, including Yin Xu, knew that Yan Li had helped Dong Xuan fight for a role, but they all thought it was nonsense.

Some were even malicious enough to think that this was a trap set by Yan Li!

They suspected that Yan Li had simply taken on a job as an executive producer, casually recommended Dong Xuan, and then claimed all the credit to manipulate her.

This guess was accepted by most who knew the situation, as it seemed more realistic.

Only Guan Yue, who had often enjoyed Yan Li’s braised pork, spoke up in his defense, believing that Yan Li wasn’t so despicable and was genuinely helping Dong Xuan.

But no matter what, everyone agreed that this story was unreliable.

How could the leading role be that easy to get?

In their own class, many had never played a significant role, not even a minor supporting one, let alone the lead.

Across the entire Beijing Film Academy, the number of students who landed leading roles in professional productions could probably be counted on one hand.

Otherwise, the younger student who played Wang Yuyan in “Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils” wouldn’t have caused such a sensation upon entering the school. The whole Beijing Film Academy envied her.

Yet, unexpectedly, Dong Xuan had truly landed the lead role.

Yin Xu hesitated and suggested a new theory, “Could it be that the production team noticed you first, and then Yan Li took the credit?”

Because it made no sense otherwise—for Yan Li, a small actor with no power or money who hadn’t even been a lead himself, how could he get Dong Xuan the lead?

“Impossible!” Dong Xuan was somewhat displeased by her roommates' and friends' distrust of Yan Li as she counted on her fingers to explain.

“Look, it was Yan Li who found out about the production, who contacted the producer, and who took me to the audition. He even consulted the original author to help me shape the character. How is that stealing credit?”

“Later, Yan Li busied himself running errands for the producer, building relationships, and speaking well of me, which moved the producer.”

“Even Director Li said that I wasn’t the only eligible candidate, but the final choice was me because of Yan Li. You’re wrong to accuse him.”

Guan Yue and the others exchanged glances, their expressions uncertain.

If Dong Xuan’s story was true, then Yan Li had indeed worked tirelessly on her behalf, deserving great credit.

This guy really had some skills!

Guan Yue sighed admiringly, Yin Xu expressed a hint of regret, and most others envied Dong Xuan.

A man’s faithlessness is detestable, but if he lacks ability, that’s even worse.

Most women admire strength; if a man can be reliable in critical moments, shelter you from the storm, and help you reach new heights, some flaws naturally fade away.

Seeing the change in everyone’s perception of Yan Li, Dong Xuan revealed a reserved smile, her eyes glimmering with pride.

She knew that when she and Yan Li first dated, many around her disapproved.

There was a huge gap between the undergraduate class and the vocational class at Beijing Film Academy. Many undergraduates looked down on those in vocational classes.

Yan Li’s family was ordinary—without money, only a handsome face and smooth talk to his name; no real advantages. Dong Xuan’s choice seemed like a “fall from grace.”

Later, when she and Yan Li broke up and then “got back together,” many laughed at her, thinking she was foolish and unambitious, being toyed with by Yan Li.

But now, she might be “foolish,” yet foolish enough to land a leading role!

Today, back at school, Dong Xuan intended to show off a little, to let everyone know what it means to be quietly wise, to have discerning vision.

At the same time, it was a vindication for Yan Li!

He wasn’t a heartless scoundrel but a capable and responsible man who cared for his woman and was willing to sacrifice quietly—a rare good boyfriend…

“By the way,” Guan Yue suddenly remembered, “Huyan said that little vixen Huang also signed up. Let’s spread the news that Old Dong got the lead and drive her mad.”

Yin Xu agreed, “Good idea. Let that little bitch know who Yan Li cares about most.”

Others chimed in, “Yes, slap her in the face hard, and let her know her place so she won’t bother again.”

“This isn’t good. It makes me look like I care about her too much,” Dong Xuan said, but her eyes sparkled with eagerness. With her half-hearted resistance, the plan went ahead.

The news that junior Dong Xuan had landed the lead role in the martial arts drama auditioned at school, with the help of her boyfriend Yan Li, spread rapidly through the Beijing Film Academy.

———

Beijing Film Academy, a small grove

Jia Nailiang looked confusedly at his girlfriend Huang Shengyi. “Why haven’t you been talking to me these days?”

Huang Shengyi replied indifferently, “Not feeling well.”

“Where do you feel unwell? I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Jia Nailiang’s concern warmed Huang Shengyi’s heart.

Although Jia Nailiang wasn’t as understanding as senior Yan Li, who seemed to know her inside out, and his looks and figure were less impressive, with a softer personality, he truly cared for her and was always obedient.

Thinking it over, that wasn’t bad. There was no need to go back to a past relationship.

Senior Yan Li had just graduated and was probably just a runner on set without any real power…

Just then, Huang Shengyi’s phone rang. She answered, “Hello?”

“What?!”

Hearing some shocking news, Huang Shengyi’s voice rose, startling Jia Nailiang.

“Shengyi, what’s wrong?”

Huang Shengyi shook her head and continued the call. Her pale face was unsettled. After hanging up, she was still dazed.

Jia Nailiang, worried, asked again, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Huang Shengyi forced a smile, but Jia Nailiang remained uneasy and urged her to tell him if anything was wrong, promising to share the burden.

If this had been minutes earlier, she might have been touched by his warmth. But now, she had no mood for it.

“I’m tired. I’m heading back to the dorm.”

“I’ll walk you.”

“No need.”

Huang Shengyi left in a hurry, leaving Jia Nailiang confused and uneasy, unsure if he had inadvertently upset her.

Meanwhile, out of Jia Nailiang’s sight, Huang Shengyi clenched her teeth, took out her phone, and dialed a number.

———

Ji Menli, bedroom

Yan Li glanced at the incoming call’s display, hung up immediately, and resumed browsing stock information on his laptop.

Since returning to Beijing, he hadn’t just been running errands for Li Peng; in his spare time, he continued studying the stock market.

As he became more familiar with the market, his intelligence network began to prove its worth.

For instance, the Dell laptop worth over 6,000 yuan in front of him was one of his spoils from navigating the stock market.

With this laptop, Yan Li could access news anytime, anywhere, which greatly enhanced his maneuvering in the stock market.

Right now, Yan Li’s short-term goal was simple.

Maintaining a decent principal amount, he aimed to buy a car to go home for the New Year and prepare some good gifts for his parents.

If things went better, he planned to buy some internet café licenses and invest in a few cafes once he had established the necessary connections.

Having frequented internet cafés during his stock trading days, Yan Li had gathered plenty of insider information.

This business was truly profitable; once the machines were running, it was like a money-printing press!

The key was minimal effort: once connections were established or partnered with someone influential, appoint a couple of reliable managers, then just check the accounts and count the money. It wouldn’t interfere with his other pursuits.

Yan Li’s family background was in small business, so he was used to tangible trade and found stocks somewhat intangible.

He didn’t seek huge profits, just a stable foundation. If the stock market crashed and acting didn’t pan out, he’d at least have a fallback.

As always, stability came first…