Chapter 36: Yifei: Give Me a Kiss for the Fare

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“Teacher.”

Amid the schadenfreude, teasing, and contemptuous looks of those around her, Yuan Shanshan followed the teacher in charge to the side of the podium, her expression uneasy.

“What were you thinking?” the middle-aged female teacher demanded, suppressing her anger. “The student wanted to withdraw from the program. Why did you deliberately make things difficult for him, insisting that he needed my approval first?”

“If that student hadn’t gone onstage to save the situation just now, and the performer who was supposed to follow the announcement had failed to appear, it would have been a serious performance mishap!”

“With the Olympics taking place, there are plenty of people watching the Beijing Film Academy. Do you understand that?”

Looking at Yuan Shanshan’s face, the middle-aged teacher had an overwhelming urge to slap her.

It was not that she had a hot temper. Yuan Shanshan had simply handled the matter terribly and dragged her into it.

The teacher had only stepped away to use the restroom, leaving her phone in her bag. When she returned, she received a call from the deputy director of the Academic Affairs Office.

His tone had been extremely displeased. He told her that if she could not even handle such a minor matter, if she could not keep a few students under control, then her promotion into the leadership ranks would have to be reconsidered.

Yuan Shanshan’s actions had directly affected her evaluation and prospects for promotion.

The teacher was even beginning to suspect that Yuan Shanshan had been planted by the colleague competing with her for the position.

“Teacher, I—I never thought it would turn out like this.” Yuan Shanshan felt wronged, and her eyes instantly reddened. “I was only joking with Zhang Li. I was originally going to let him withdraw from the performance. Who could have known he would take it so seriously?”

“So you are saying that the student named Zhang Li was the one at fault?” The middle-aged teacher was so angry that she laughed. “He is a freshman who knows nothing. He came to pass along the message that a classmate could not perform. He was not withdrawing his own act. What kind of joke were you playing?”

“And if you were merely joking, how did several students end up reporting you to the director? Are you suggesting they were all targeting you?”

“I seem to remember that people liked you quite a lot. Wang Renjun and Zhang Ge have both said plenty of good things about you.”

Yuan Shanshan did not know how to answer.

She had never imagined that someone would report her, much less that the matter would reach the director.

“Forget it. You are already a senior, and I cannot control you. No matter how much I say, you probably will not listen.” The middle-aged teacher took a deep breath. “You should be grateful to Zhang Li. His performance was excellent. Not only did he prevent a mishap, he even added luster to the event.”

“The role I had originally promised to introduce you to is no longer yours.”

“And write me a three-thousand-word self-criticism.”

“Otherwise, your graduation thesis may need several more rounds of revision before it can pass.”

Yuan Shanshan: “...”

“Understood, Teacher.”

……

[You successfully stood up for Zhang Li once: Constitution +1 / Aura of Justice +1]

Jing Tian jogged after Zhang Li, just about to greet him, when a voice suddenly rang out in her mind.

Immediately afterward, she felt a warm current rise from deep within her body and flow toward every limb and bone.

The warmth was as refreshing as the pleasant exhaustion after a sauna, leaving her feeling wonderfully light.

At the same time, she discovered that with a single thought, she could view a special panel within her mind.

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[Ethnic Dance, Mastery at the Highest Level]: Ability depends on physical talent, including flexibility and coordination, as well as professional technique, musicality, and other factors. Note: Please refer to the author’s remarks for details regarding proficiency.

“Mastery at the highest level?”

A sudden realization dawned on Jing Tian.

She had been studying dance since childhood. Her fundamentals were sound, and her technical ability was strong enough to reach an advanced, professional level.

However, because she had been born physically weak, she had never possessed ideal physical condition, despite years of traditional medical treatment and exercise. Otherwise, she would not have retaken the entrance examination for the Beijing Film Academy after enrolling at the Beijing Dance Academy.

Now that her constitution had improved, her body had undergone a fundamental transformation and reached the minimum standard of an ordinary person.

As a result, her mastery of ethnic dance had risen to the highest level.

“My understanding of ethnic dance should now be about equal to that of most graduates from the Beijing Dance Academy. If I want to improve further, I will need more advanced study and practical experience with a professional song-and-dance troupe.”

Jing Tian’s eyes shone brightly, and her heart surged with excitement.

She had never expected that merely standing up for Zhang Li over such a small matter at school would bring her such a reward.

If she protected Zhang Li and stood up for him whenever people in the entertainment industry bullied him, would the benefits be even greater?

“Junior, I’ve decided to look after you.”

Jing Tian quickened her pace and lightly tapped Zhang Li on the shoulder.

“Hm?”

Zhang Li turned around in confusion and saw Jing Tian’s radiant, strikingly beautiful smile.

“Who would have thought? It’s the generous Jing, who has given me three rewards in such a short time!” A smile appeared on Zhang Li’s face as he greeted her. “Hello, Senior Jing Tian. We haven’t seen each other for ten days, and you’ve become even more beautiful.”

“What a smooth talker.” Jing Tian clasped her hands behind her back, her smile bright. “Junior, you certainly kept your talents hidden. You sing so beautifully, and you can even write and compose music.”

“I am only passable.” Zhang Li smiled modestly.

With perfect pitch and singing ability at an advanced professional level, he was currently about on par with the winners of most televised talent competitions.

As for his songs, they were merely “inspiration” borrowed from the future, and had little to do with genuine talent.

Even so, they were still his accomplishments. There was no need to belittle himself.

“Being overly modest makes you insincere.” Jing Tian came to his side and tilted her head slightly. “Shall we take a walk together?”

“Sure.” Zhang Li nodded slightly. “Since you put it that way, I’ll admit that I’m not bad. But I still can’t compare with the amazement your dancing brought me.”

“I know.” A smile touched Jing Tian’s eyes.

After all, he had been so amazed by her performance that it had brought her an improvement.

“Hm?” Zhang Li was momentarily taken aback.

In a cheerful tone, Jing Tian smoothly changed the subject. “I recorded your performance just now and sent it to Teacher Zhang Yadong. He thought very highly of you.”

Of course, Zhang Yadong had added one qualification: “For someone his age, to perform this well...”

Zhang Yadong worked with some of the top singers in the industry, including Faye Wong. His standards and perspective were naturally extraordinary.

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“Teacher Zhang Yadong?” A carefully measured look of surprise appeared on Zhang Li’s face. “Senior, the people you know really are extraordinary.”

“You know Senior Liu Yifei as well.” Jing Tian answered frankly. “We are more or less even.”

Zhang Li: “...”

You truly are a pampered heiress.

I am merely clinging to wealth and status.

We are worlds apart.

He did not dwell on the subject.

The two of them walked through the shadows and left the athletic field along its edge, eventually arriving at the dormitory area.

“Are you going back to the dormitory to sleep?” Jing Tian tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I’ll go back for a bit.” Zhang Li raised his wrist to check the time. “I need to change clothes. I’m going home later.”

Liu Xiaoli had already prepared a late-night meal and was waiting for him.

The performance had already delayed him.

“Going home?” Jing Tian nodded slightly. “Then I won’t keep you. Good night.”

Zhang Li smiled and nodded. “All right. Good night.”

The two parted ways between the apartment buildings.

However, after walking only a few steps, Jing Tian turned around again.

“Junior, if you run into any difficulties or trouble, you can tell your senior sister. I have a few connections in the industry. Maybe I can help smooth things over for you~”

A strange light flickered in Zhang Li’s eyes. He turned and replied, “All right, Senior. From now on, you are my connection. I won’t be shy about asking for your help.”

“Bye~” Jing Tian waved at him with an open, confident gesture.

Zhang Li watched her enter the dormitory before returning to his own room to change clothes. Then he headed to the school gate.

Before long, a sports car pulled up beside him, and the window slowly descended.

Zhang Li lowered his head and, after confirming that Liu Yifei was behind the wheel, got into the car.

“Let’s go, Driver Liu.” Zhang Li clapped his hands once.

“Wait.” Liu Yifei tapped her cheek.

“Kiss me first. That’s your fare.”

Zhang Li: ???

There was something wrong with this woman.