Chapter 24: This Man Is a Master of Passive-Aggressive Manipulation

"Let me treat you both," Jing Tian said, her smile fading into a playful tone. "Otherwise, I’m afraid you two might end up arguing over who gets to treat me."

Cai Wenjing had the look of a cool, literary beauty, while Zhang Li was that type of aloof, stoic heartthrob. Yet, throughout their walk, they had been bickering like an old married couple.

"Senior, you’re very observant," Cai Wenjing said, her face warming under Jing Tian’s gaze. She shot a glare at Zhang Li. "He would definitely insist on it."

"I’m not as foolish as you, so don't pin labels on me," Zhang Li countered immediately. "I would have just said, 'You pay this time, and I'll pay next time.'"

"That way, I could naturally arrange another date with Senior Jing Tian without you acting as a third wheel."

The remark successfully teased Jing Tian, causing a faint pink blush to bloom on her fair cheeks.

"Hey!" Cai Wenjing felt her knuckles itching. "So you were scheming all along? How dare you set your sights on our senior. Do you believe I’ll knock your block off?"

At this moment, Cai Wenjing completely shed her elegant "disguise," revealing her true, feisty tomboy side.

"Wenjing, don't say that," Jing Tian said, tugging at Cai Wenjing’s arm. "Zhang Li is just joking."

Cai Wenjing’s mouth twitched. "..."

Of course she knew Zhang Li was deliberately provoking her; Jing Tian’s intervention only made her look like the foolish one.

"If he were truly scheming, he wouldn't have said it out loud. It’s clear he’s just dense," Jing Tian added.

A smile instantly bloomed on Cai Wenjing’s face. "The senior is right; he’s just dense."

"Fine, fine, I'm dense," Zhang Li said, dropping the banter. He glanced at his watch and added, "Let’s go get lunch. Walking around campus for so long has worn me out."

Cai Wenjing rubbed her stomach, no longer arguing. "The Beijing Film Academy canteen is famous. I’d like to try it."

Seeing they were in agreement, Jing Tian led them toward the west gate of the academy, passing Building E and arriving at the cafeteria next to the Fine Arts building.

It was peak lunch hour, and the cafeteria was packed. When they spotted the trio of handsome faces, many students couldn't help but linger with their gazes.

"That's Jing Tian from the sophomore acting class. The other two must be freshmen."

"The quality of this year's acting intake is so high. That freshman guy is very handsome."

"You don't even know him? Do you not visit the school forum or check the chat groups?"

"I remember him. His name is Zhang Li. He was in the news and papers earlier this year when he took the entrance exams. The media called him the 'Most Handsome Art Student'."

"He really is handsome—a classic, sharp-featured beauty. I've decided to be his first fan."

"..."

The students whispered and murmured among themselves. Handsome men and beautiful women were always the center of attention, and the cradle of stars that was the Beijing Film Academy was no exception.

"Feeling quite proud of yourself, aren't you?" Cai Wenjing teased Zhang Li.

"Not really," Zhang Li said, his expression calm. "I’ve seen this kind of scene since I was a child. I’m sure Senior Jing Tian is the same."

"Wenjing, you lack experience, so it’s normal to feel uncomfortable. I don’t blame you."

Cai Wenjing: "..."

I’ve been the center of attention everywhere I go since I was a child too, alright!

"Hehe," Jing Tian covered her mouth and giggled. How could these two juniors be so amusing?

"What would you like to eat?" Jing Tian asked.

"I’ve heard of the 'Little Glutton' BBQ rice. I want that," Cai Wenjing said, licking her lips. In the face of good food, she could put her grievances with Zhang Li aside for now.

"Whatever the senior eats, I’ll have," Zhang Li replied with a smile. "I’m sure whatever the senior likes is delicious, so there’s no need to memorize the menu."

Cai Wenjing: "?"

The term "green tea" didn't exist yet, or she surely would have shouted "Green Tea Guy!" at him.

Jing Tian didn't catch the nuance; she only felt that Zhang Li’s words were very pleasant.

"Then let’s all have the BBQ rice," Jing Tian said, taking out her meal card. She gestured for Zhang Li and Cai Wenjing to take a seat. "You two wait here; I can carry the trays myself."

With that, Jing Tian strode toward a window with her long, elegant legs.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Cai Wenjing waved a hand in front of Zhang Li. "Are those long legs nice to look at?"

Long, fair, straight, and slender—of course they were nice to look at.

"About the same as yours," Zhang Li answered truthfully.

"You!" Cai Wenjing’s ears turned hot. "Aren't you ashamed?"

"Why should I be?" Zhang Li opened his backpack and placed a soda on the table. "Beauty is meant to be appreciated."

"You girls wear short skirts or shorts to show off your legs, don't you? Isn't that for people to admire?"

Cai Wenjing: "..."

She couldn't refute a single word.

"You’re a man, why do you talk with such hidden motives?" Cai Wenjing scoffed.

"What motives?" Zhang Li looked innocent.

"I can't put my finger on it, but you're definitely up to something," Cai Wenjing gritted her teeth.

A hint of a smile flashed in Zhang Li’s eyes. He opened a soda and set it in front of Cai Wenjing. "Don't misunderstand me."

"Wenjing, out of all the people we met during the entrance exams who got accepted, you’re the only one I really clicked with."

"Being around you is very comfortable. I feel very fortunate and happy to be your classmate."

Cai Wenjing: "..."

Ah! Ah! Ah!

That was exactly the feeling. This man really knew how to talk.

"Hmph, you just say nice things," Cai Wenjing took the drink, her lips curling into a smile she couldn't suppress.

After taking a sip of the soda to drive away the heat, she blinked her beautiful eyes. "Didn't you say you were filming?"

"Yeah," Zhang Li nodded. "The Tangren production *Chinese Paladin 3*. I’m playing the second male lead."

Cai Wenjing rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't forget me when you get rich and famous."

"Easy, easy. When that happens, you just write two copies of your class notes and give me one," Zhang Li grinned. "Once your 'brother' hits it big, I’ll look out for you."

"Brother?" Cai Wenjing raised an eyebrow. "If I recall, we’re both born in 1990, right?"

"Uh-huh," Zhang Li nodded. "But I was born in an earlier month than you, so I’ve definitely earned the title of brother."

"Really?" Cai Wenjing smirked. "When is your birthday?"

"You tell me yours first," Zhang Li gestured with his chin.

"In honor of the soda, I won't argue with you," Cai Wenjing said with a playful glint in her eyes. "My birthday is January 3rd. So, are you January 1st or January 2nd, Brother Li?"

Zhang Li, whose birthday was January 5th: "..."

"Senior, let me help you."

Zhang Li’s eyes darted; he stood up and approached Jing Tian, "snatching" the tray from her hands. In the process, he "accidentally" brushed against her fingertips.

In the next instant, he felt time freeze.

[Jing Tian, born in 1988 in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.]
[In the year 2000, at age 12, she was admitted to the Affiliated Middle School of the Beijing Dance Academy to study Chinese folk dance.]
[In 2004, she graduated from high school and signed with Starlight Entertainment, officially entering the entertainment industry.]
[In 2006, she released her debut EP, *Who Are You*, produced by famous musician Zhang Yadong, with the lead single's music video directed by Ning Hao.]
[In 2006, she completed her first film role, co-starring in the Republican-era action comedy *Anaconda Fright*.]
[In 2007, she was appointed as the annual spokesperson for the Northwest Cherry Growers Association, met with the Governor of Washington State, dropped out of the Beijing Dance Academy, applied to the Beijing Film Academy, and was successfully admitted.]
[In 2008, she made her television debut, starring in the modern emotional drama *An Epic of a Woman*.]
[In 2009, she starred in the historical legend drama *The Legend of Sun Tzu*.]
[In 2010, she starred in the urban fashion romance *My Beauty Boss*.]

Zhang Li: "???"

Holy cow. Holy cow. Holy cow.

What a beautiful, wealthy flower.