Chapter 25: Jing Tian: Junior, I’ve Noticed You!

"No wonder Zheng Yuxun feels inferior in front of her!" Zhang Li realized inwardly.

Jing Tian's filmography since her debut was hardly notable. He hadn't even heard of those works, which meant they hadn't made much of a splash. However, he was thunderstruck by the people she had collaborated with.

Zhang Yadong, known as the "Godfather of Mainland Music," had achieved mutual success with the diva Faye Wong and was a top-tier producer in the industry. Ning Hao, who had achieved massive fame with *Crazy Stone*, was a representative figure of the Sixth Generation directors and held a significant position in the industry.

That her debut musical works could attract these two to collaborate was evidence enough of the immense power behind Jing Tian; she certainly did not come from an ordinary background. Her being appointed as the annual spokesperson for Northwest Cherries by the Northwest Cherry Growers Association of the United States, receiving a meeting with the Governor of Washington State, and applying to the Beijing Film Academy after dropping out of the Beijing Dance Academy were all telling signs.

"And this Starlight Brilliant Film & Television company—I remember Yifei mentioning it to me, saying it has 'red' connections and the backing of the Wanda Group."

Zhang Li composed himself, his gaze sweeping over Jing Tian's face without a trace. She was likely the only artist signed to Starlight Brilliant, much like how Yifei was the only one signed to Red Star Dock.

"Godfather Chen has a lifelong friendship with Uncle An, dating back to their time in the same residential compound. When he invested in the entertainment industry, he did it to protect Yifei, a mutually beneficial arrangement. If Jing Tian can be the sole artist of Starlight Brilliant, she must have either the 'red' background or the Wanda connection, and her status cannot be low."

With this thought, Zhang Li felt no ripples of surprise. Over the years, he had been by Liu Yifei's side and had encountered many influential figures. That Jing Tian had a background only confirmed his previous judgment; there were quite a few people like that in the circle.

"This grilled meat rice smells delicious," Zhang Li said with a smile at Jing Tian.

"The ingredients and the flavor are excellent. When I was in school, I ate it at least once a week," Jing Tian nodded slightly. She carried herself with grace and had an exceptional temperament, clearly the result of years of dance training.

"It seems this grilled meat rice will have to be added to my future list of delicacies." Carrying his tray, Zhang Li returned to the dining table with Jing Tian.

"Miss, your grilled meat rice," Zhang Li said, placing one of the portions in front of Cai Wenjing.

Cai Wenjing chose to ignore him, swallowing as she looked at the rice: "This looks so good. No wonder it's on the 'must-eat' list of the study forum."

"If it smells good, eat up," Zhang Li said, handing the utensils to Cai Wenjing before giving the other portion to Jing Tian. The three chatted and laughed, quickly finishing their meals.

"I'm in love with this," Cai Wenjing said, patting her stomach with a look of satisfaction.

"Senior, here's your soda," Zhang Li said, opening a bottle of "Happy Water" and handing it to Jing Tian.

"Thank you," Jing Tian smiled radiantly.

"You're welcome. You treat me to a meal, I treat you to a drink—I'd say I came out on top," Zhang Li replied with a smile.

Cai Wenjing: "..." I feel like you're implying something, and I have proof.

"Senior, let's exchange QQ numbers," Cai Wenjing said, looking at Jing Tian. She intended to stay in touch and find an opportunity to treat her later.

"Sure." Jing Tian took out her phone and added Cai Wenjing. A moment later, another phone appeared in front of her. Looking up, she met Zhang Li's smiling face—open, sunny, and striking right at the heart.

Jing Tian took the phone and entered her QQ number. Just as she was about to return it, Zhang Li's amused voice came: "Actually, Senior, I wouldn't mind if you gave me your phone number, too."

"He minds, he minds, the Senior minds to death!" Cai Wenjing snatched the phone from Jing Tian and handed it to Zhang Li.

"Cai Wenjing, you're going to end up with no friends like that," Zhang Li said, annoyed.

"Heh." The corners of Cai Wenjing's mouth curled up: "Student Zhang, you still haven't told me when your birthday is."

"Ha." Zhang Li stood up and looked at Jing Tian: "Senior, would you mind walking me to the dormitory?"

Being younger than Cai Wenjing was fine, but thinking he was older only to find out he was exactly two days younger... how embarrassing!

"Tch." Cai Wenjing didn't press the matter. She saw Zhang Li's guilty conscience and planned to hold this over him for the rest of his life.

The three cleaned up their trays, placed them in the designated area, and headed toward the dorms. Originally, Jing Tian had been leading the way to give directions, with Zhang Li and Cai Wenjing following behind. Now, it had become Jing Tian and Cai Wenjing in front, with Zhang Li dragging two suitcases behind them.

"Why does he stop arguing with you once the topic of birthdays comes up?" Jing Tian asked curiously.

"Ahem." Zhang Li coughed behind them: "I have very sharp ears, you know."

"Then why don't you walk a few steps further away from us?" Cai Wenjing said with a playful glint in her eye, reaching out to hook her arm around Jing Tian's: "Senior, let me tell you, this guy..."

Zhang Li: "..."

The three walked to the dormitory area. "That way is the boys' dorm. I won't walk you all the way there," Jing Tian smiled at Zhang Li.

"Thank you, Senior. I'll treat you to a meal later," Zhang Li said, handing one of the suitcases to Cai Wenjing.

Just as Jing Tian was about to say it wasn't necessary, a voice suddenly appeared in her mind:
[You have served as a guide for Zhang Li once. Spoken language ability +1, Physical fitness +1.]

"Huh?"

"Am I tired from walking too much today?" Jing Tian's first reaction was that she was hallucinating. But the next moment, she felt a warm current originating from her Dantian. The warmth flowed through her body in an instant, and she felt filled with strength, her body feeling lighter than ever before—so comfortable it made her want to sigh.

"What, what is happening!?" Jing Tian was inwardly shocked. She had been born into a military family in the Xi'an military district. Aside from her father, who was a businessman, everyone in her family was in the military. Because of certain reasons, she had been frail and sickly since childhood, raised as the pampered darling of the family. Only after long-term traditional Chinese medicine treatment had her health improved significantly, and her family had followed advice to send her to study dance to strengthen her physique.

However, congenital illnesses are hard to cure completely. Her dance talent was actually quite good, but due to her health, she had to give up further studies at the Beijing Dance Academy and switch to studying acting at the Beijing Film Academy. She knew her physical condition very well.

But now, a mysterious warm current had appeared out of thin air, actually restoring her significantly in an instant and making her feel light. This real sensation confirmed that the voice she heard earlier was no delusion!

"I served as a guide for Zhang Li, and my spoken language ability increased by one, and physical fitness increased by one."

"Was that warm current the result of the physical fitness increase?"

"Did I trigger some kind of supernatural phenomenon by being a guide for Zhang Li!?"

"Then the source of this supernatural phenomenon... is Zhang Li?"

At this moment, the look in Jing Tian's eyes changed. She looked at Zhang Li as if she were looking at a massive, unexcavated treasure.

"Hmm?"

The intense gaze made Zhang Li feel something. He turned his head to look at Jing Tian. He found it quite strange that having someone guide him through the school could lead to an improvement for him. Jing Tian really was his lucky star. But why was she just staring at him without answering his question?

"Senior?" Zhang Li called out again.

"Sure," Jing Tian said with a captivating smile. "Why don't you treat me to dinner tonight?"

She wanted to dig a little deeper into this treasure.

Cai Wenjing: ?
Zhang Li: "..."