Chapter 61: Mimi: Liying is my long-lost sister from another mother

[Song Yi, born October 31, 1989, graduated from the Acting Department of the Central Academy of Drama...]

[Xu Lu, born in 1994, started learning dance at age 4, participated in the Spring Festival Gala four consecutive times from 2002 to 2005, and was admitted to the People's Liberation Army Academy of Art at age 10...]

[Kan Qingzi, born in 1988, Class of '07 Acting Department at the Beijing Film Academy...]

"Hello, Senior Sister. I heard Senior Sister Jing Tian mention you."

Zhang Li proactively greeted Kan Qingzi, who replied with a radiant smile: "I've also heard Bi Yun mention you."

"When you invited Tiantian and Bi Yun to dinner that day, I couldn't make it because of something at the Film Society."

"If I had known Senior Sister Liu Yifei was going to be there, I would have asked for leave."

Anyone could hear the genuine regret in that tone.

Several people nearby subconsciously raised their heads to look at Zhang Li.

Right now, the crew of *Dream of the Red Chamber* was mainly shooting the segments featuring younger actors, so the artists present were all quite young.

As for the name Liu Yifei, she was someone who could rival the "Double Bing and Four Dan" actresses; even established stars could not afford to ignore her.

"I'll treat next time and hope you'll do me the honor," Zhang Li said with a gentle smile.

He didn't mind being friends with any woman who could foresee the future.

Of course, if it were someone like Yuan Shanshan, treating her as an enemy was just as fine.

Given that Kan Qingzi could be good friends with Jing Tian and Chai Biyun, she must be a decent person.

"Sure, let's exchange QQ numbers," Kan Qingzi offered quite proactively.

Once that concluded, Yang Mi led Zhang Li over to another graceful beauty.

She was the actress playing the adult version of Xue Baochai—essentially the "grown-up version" of Li Qin—Bai Bing.

"Hello, Senior Sister Bai Bing," Zhang Li said, shaking hands with her.

Just as he expected, future information surfaced before his eyes.

[Bai Bing, born in Xi'an, Shaanxi in 1986, graduated in International Law from Northwest University of Political Science and Law, signed with Hong Kong's Emperor Entertainment Group after participating in the CCTV variety show *The Dream China*...]

[Performed at the Spring Festival Gala in January 2009... Starred alongside Zhang Yishan and Big Brother Jackie Chan in the children's film *Looking for Jackie*...]

[On January 2, 2010, the ancient costume time-travel drama *The Myth*, starring her alongside Hu Ge, premiered, winning her the 4th Huading Award... *The Myth* broke the viewership records for a New Year premiere series on CCTV Channel 8...]

[June 2010, *Dream of the Red Chamber*... August, *Bitter Coffee* starring her and Hu Ge broadcasted...]

[December 16, starred alongside Jiang Wen and Ge You in the western film *Let the Bullets Fly*, which was released...]

*"Old Hu, The Myth!"*

*"Director Jiang Wen, Let the Bullets Fly!"*

Zhang Li let out a silent gasp of astonishment in his heart.

Once he had some free time, he really needed to thoroughly look into this television series and film.

If there was an opportunity, he absolutely had to find a suitable role for himself in them.

"Hello," Bai Bing offered Zhang Li a soft smile, her attitude very friendly.

Zhang Li didn't brazenly linger to talk with her further; after the greeting, he went with Yang Mi to meet other people.

After that, no more futures were previewed, not even when interacting with Jiang Mengjie, who played Lin Daiyu.

Just as he was feeling disappointed, a cute, round-faced girl walked over, swinging her arms.

Upon seeing her, Yang Mi took the initiative to greet her: "Liying, have some mangosteen."

"Thank you, Mi Sister." Zhao Liying was slightly startled before a vibrant, energetic smile bloomed on her face.

Zhang Li felt a sense of being healed by her. After seeing too many cookie-cutter beauties that left him aesthetically fatigued, suddenly encountering the cute type felt quite refreshing.

"Hello, Senior Sister Liying, I'm Zhang Li." Zhang Li handed a few mangosteens to Zhao Liying.

"Thanks~" Zhao Liying reached out and took them.

Her large eyes fixed on Zhang Li, a flash of astonishment crossing her gaze.

This guy was better-looking than any of the male actors in the crew.

At that moment, Zhang Li was also stunned.

[Zhao Liying, born October 16, 1987...]

[2008, played the maid Wenyan in *Locking Qingqiu*...]

[January 2009, starred in the digital film *Love Killing Nine River Hall*... May, played Ling'er in *The Firmament of the Pleiades*...]

[January 2010, played the teenage Li Qiuping in *Gonggu Xiang*; June, played a post-90s girl in *A Simple Nineties*... gained audience attention for playing the teenage version of Xing Xiuyan in *Dream of the Red Chamber*...]

[January 2011, played Chen Xiner in *Da Nei Di Shou*, signed with Hairun Media Group in March; April, played A-jing in *New Jade Goddess of Mercy*; July, gained even wider attention playing Qing'er in *New My Fair Princess*, September, collaborated with Yin Xiaotian and others in *Xia Yan's Autumn*...]

Zhang Li fell into a brief daze for two reasons.

First, this was his very first time meeting Zhao Liying, yet just like Li Qin, encountering her instantly unlocked three years of future information. Could it be that she had taken an immediate liking to him at first sight?

Second, Zhao Liying was the only grassroots-born actress he had encountered so far. Among the actresses present—Yang Mi, Li Qin, Tang Yan, Kan Qingzi, Song Yi, and Xu Lu—all had received formal conservatory training in acting. Even Bai Bing was a top university graduate who joined EEG, meaning she undoubtedly received systematic training there as well.

An actress whose resume mostly consisted of maids and supporting roles had ultimately become famous enough to reach a level where interacting with her unlocked a glimpse into the future, making her even more successful than Jiang Mengjie, who played the female lead Lin Daiyu.

"This is getting interesting."

Zhang Li carved Zhao Liying a spot in his memory.

This girl sparked an urge within him to explore the future.

However, he didn't say much for now, continuing to follow Yang Mi to meet other cast members, including Director Li Shaohong and others.

"The young man has a wonderful image," Li Shaohong said, looking at Zhang Li with bright eyes. "If I had met you before filming this series started, I would have signed you to play Jia Baoyu."

If word of this praise leaked into the industry, it would undoubtedly give Zhang Li a significant boost.

"Director Li, you flatter me," Zhang Li didn't dare to say too much.

He had no interest in signing with someone else's talent agency.

Nor did he have any interest in participating in *Dream of the Red Chamber*, which was destined to bomb.

After a round of polite pleasantries, Zhang Li and Yang Mi returned to where Tang Yan and Li Qin were standing.

[You have successfully acted as a networking bridge for Zhang Li once, Connections +1]

Hearing this long-absent voice, Yang Mi was slightly stunned.

How did connections increase out of thin air?

[Connections +1]: Take a selfie with Zhao Liying, post it on the blog with the caption "Separated Sisters," and secure a top-tier future connection.

Yang Mi: ?

Zhao Liying... a top-tier future connection.

Who would have guessed she possessed such potential?

*Liying, oh Liying, from today on you are my sworn sister from different parents,* Yang Mi thought, her heart surging with excitement.

At the same time, a voice echoed in Zhang Li's mind as well.

[Yang Mi has successfully acted as a networking bridge for you once, Connections +1]

Immediately following that, a sequence of images flashed through his mind.

Inside a five-star hotel named XX:

A man in casual wear and some other people stepped into an elevator.

"Bang!"

The elevator suddenly malfunctioned and began to drop at a terrifying speed, though its emergency brakes kicked in shortly after.

Fortunately, no casualties occurred, and firefighters arrived quickly, rescuing the people trapped inside three hours later.

The vision faded away.

Inspiration struck Zhang Li's heart and mind.

"In other words, if I stop these three people from getting into that elevator, I can establish that connection."

"The man leading them looks somewhat familiar."

"He must be a heavyweight big shot."