Chapter 15: The Difficult Teacher Li

Magic City.

Ji Yu returned to his home in the alley, wrinkling his nose at the familiar musty smell. He needed to make money quickly to move to a new place; otherwise, he would be too embarrassed to bring a date home. So what if he was from Magic City? Even Magic City had its penniless folks! His living conditions were worse than those in a rural bungalow with a courtyard.

Fortunately, he had already signed a contract and, by capitalizing on the scandal with Jiang Qingqing, had gained a bit of recognition. After filming "Detective Kelan," he expected even more exposure. If he seized this chance, he stood a good chance of landing a role in Tangren’s next production!

After tidying up his home briefly, Ji Yu took a taxi to Li Xiaoran’s film set. The drama Li Xiaoran was shooting this time was called something like "Rogue Doctor" or "Rogue Imperial Physician." Ji Yu had forgotten the exact title, but since Li Xiaoran said her role was minor, she was just making a cameo to boost the show's popularity. The main female leads of "Mist" were basically the stars of this drama. Of course, Zhou Xun, the artsy type, wouldn’t participate in such a comedic farce. This show was essentially riding the wave of the actors’ fame from "Mist." According to Li Xiaoran, she had two more dramas with similar setups coming up.

One could only say Zhao Baogang really had clout! Everyone believed "Mist" would be a hit. The Beijing circle’s TV drama reputation rivaled Feng Xiaogang’s comedic films. People like Zhao Baogang, Hai Yan, and Zheng Xiaolong were truly impressive in the industry. They were all handsome men, more than capable of being actors themselves. Simply remarkable.

Ji Yu was eager to collaborate with these people someday. Tong Dawei, Lu Yi, Chen Kun, Sun Honglei, Wen Zhang—these were all stars they had helped rise to fame. And even more female stars. With a good script and a great director, the star-making power of quality TV dramas was truly strong!

Unfortunately, the Beijing circle was nearly impenetrable for ordinary people, and Ji Yu had no connections. Li Xiaoran was also part of the Beijing circle, but despite a few years in the industry, she remained relatively unknown. Entering the Beijing circle was difficult; securing resources, even harder; becoming famous, hardest of all. For a start-up company like Tangren, a creative company was Ji Yu’s best bet.

Lost in thought, Ji Yu soon arrived at Li Xiaoran’s set. This was an ancient costume filming base in Magic City—not very large, but sufficient. Hengdian hadn’t yet developed, and in a few years, almost no one would come here anymore.

Ji Yu didn’t wait long outside before Li Xiaoran appeared. “Hi!” Li Xiaoran waved eagerly from a distance. Ji Yu smiled back; despite ten days apart, Teacher Li was still so endearing.

“Teacher Ji!” Li Xiaoran took the initiative, addressing him as “teacher” right away. Ji Yu wasn’t embarrassed; instead, he haughtily gave a proud hum behind his back. Li Xiaoran felt defeated and couldn’t help but tease, “You’ve got a thick skin.”

Ji Yu laughed heartily. “All thanks to learning from Teacher Li.”

“Don’t flatter yourself! I’m not as thick-skinned as you!”

“Is that so? Let me see.” Ji Yu reached out and pinched her fair cheek. Smooth, soft.

“Stop it!” Li Xiaoran puffed her cheeks, looking like a little balloon, then pushed his hand away.

Ji Yu chuckled. “Teacher Li isn’t thick-skinned at all. You should learn from me. I’ll allow you to call me ‘teacher’ from now on.”

“Dream on. I won’t!” Li Xiaoran pouted and glared.

Ji Yu quickly said, “Fine, then don’t call me Teacher Ji anymore.”

“Hey? You’re just twisting my words!” Li Xiaoran, embarrassed and annoyed, gave him a light punch. Not only was his face thicker, his mind was quicker too—it was infuriating! Always bullying others!

Ji Yu couldn’t help but laugh again and pinched her cheek once more. So adorable! If Li Xiaoran really started calling him teacher, he’d be a bit shy.

“Let’s go, Teacher Li, time to eat.”

Ji Yu naturally took her hand. Her face flushed slightly but didn’t resist; instead, she turned her hand to grasp his.

Strolling slowly down the street, Li Xiaoran suddenly pulled her hand free upon seeing a newsstand.

“You’re just stirring up a scandal. I’m not holding your hand anymore!”

“Jealous? The scandal’s fake.”

“I’m not jealous! You have a publicity task now. What if someone sees us holding hands?!”

Ji Yu smiled slyly. “Excuses. You’re jealous!”

“Stop it! I’m not.” Li Xiaoran argued, mainly too embarrassed to admit jealousy. What right did she have to be jealous?

Ji Yu pretended not to understand. “Then let me hold your hand.”

“Fine, but if the company scolds me later, don’t come crying to me.”

Li Xiaoran stretched out her slender, fair hand, and Ji Yu immediately took it. She felt something cool in his palm and quickly withdrew her hand, seeing a necklace slipping off his finger.

Her surprise turned into delight as she covered her mouth. The shift from disappointment to joy was swift.

Ji Yu smiled. “For the gentle, beautiful, kind, and generous Teacher Li!”

Li Xiaoran looked happily at the necklace, holding it carefully.

“Are you confessing to me?” She nervously looked at Ji Yu.

Ji Yu hadn’t expected her to speak first but nodded quickly. He truly wanted to be in a relationship!

“That won’t do. Your girlfriend is Jiang Qingqing, the flirt!”

Li Xiaoran snorted lightly, still bothered by the scandal with Jiang Qingqing. Women’s jealousy was unreasonable.

Ji Yu’s smile faded. He knew it wouldn’t be that easy, but now that their hands were linked, he was determined to win her over sooner or later!

Li Xiaoran neither accepted nor rejected him but handed the necklace back. “Put it on me.”

“Alright!”

Out of Li Xiaoran’s sight, Ji Yu grinned foolishly. Sooner or later, she’d be his!

Even if Teacher Li wasn’t famous yet, she was destined to become a big star.

After putting on the necklace, Ji Yu took her hand again. Li Xiaoran did not resist. The two minor celebrities in the entertainment world walked hand in hand to dinner.

After eating, Ji Yu saw Li Xiaoran back to her hotel. He didn’t take the chance to go up, not wanting to seem too forward. Li Xiaoran, too shy to invite him up, happily bounced back inside.

Ji Yu stretched lazily outside the hotel, about to head home, when he heard a car horn behind him. Frowning, he turned to see Jiang Qingqing waving at him from inside the car.

Jiang Qingqing also stayed at this hotel? What a coincidence.

Ji Yu walked over, bending down to greet her through the window. “Good evening, Teacher Jiang.”

“Good evening. Do you still have publicity tasks tonight? What brings you here?” Jiang Qingqing frowned, thinking he’d come looking for her.

“Wasn’t it agreed to do one scandal only? Are you here privately?” she asked.

Ji Yu was speechless. Was the stunning Ms. Jiang too self-absorbed?

“I’m here to see my girlfriend!” Ji Yu held back his irritation and explained.

Jiang Qingqing raised an eyebrow, giving him a strange look. “You don’t seriously believe in the scandal, do you?”

Ji Yu almost spat blood. “My girlfriend also stays here, not who you think.”

Jiang Qingqing glanced him up and down, as if daring him to try another lie.

“Believe it or not.” Ji Yu, still single, said furiously, then waved goodbye.

Vain woman! Not cute at all, nowhere near as lovely as Teacher Li!