Chapter 35: Celebrity Classmate

Returning to Beijing felt entirely different this time.

He had experienced both bitter cold and scorching summer.

He had little time to linger with Xu Qing; after resting two days, the new student registration arrived, and Li Luo walked into the Beijing Film Academy with enthusiasm—only to be ambushed by his homeroom teacher, Huo Xuan.

Although he didn’t want to draw too much attention.

But under her persistent coaxing, he had no choice but to agree.

What could he do? He’d be her student soon; he couldn’t afford to neglect the relationship.

“Next.”

The host’s energetic voice blared from the speakers: “Welcome Li Luo, representative of the 2001 Performance Department freshmen, to the stage for his speech.”

On the soccer field, applause erupted like a wave.

Freshmen in uniform white T-shirts dotted the green lawn like tiny mushrooms.

They clapped their hands.

Curious eyes all turned sharply toward the side of the podium.

Although the Beijing Film Academy’s Performance Department never lacked celebrities, a freshman who had already appeared on a small screen in a major production playing a significant role was truly rare.

One such person was Li Luo, who portrayed Lin Pingzhi in the recently premiered The Smiling, Proud Wanderer.

The campus was small.

Some things always spread quickly.

Though they wouldn’t sink to the embarrassment of asking for autographs, they were still curious what the real person looked like—after all, the Beijing Film Academy had more than just the Performance Department, and few had actually seen Li Luo.

Among the crowd.

Jia Naiming’s expression was excited, his clapping especially vigorous.

This guy, lacking confidence, had originally applied to the vocational class, but Huo Xuan saw his potential and personally went to the admissions office to help change his application to the undergraduate program.

Just getting into the Beijing Film Academy as an undergraduate had already made him overjoyed.

He never expected his roommate would be the 27th candidate who had partnered with him during the art entrance exam; without that guy’s help, his exam performance would never have been so outstanding.

When his roommate took the stage to speak, he naturally had to cheer him on.

Under the sunlight.

Tall and upright, Li Luo strode up the steps in white sneakers and dark blue jeans.

Plus a plain T-shirt.

He looked ordinary, yet strangely captivating.

The speech began.

Many female students paid no attention to what he was saying; their eyes sparkled as they gazed at his handsome face.

Who could have guessed?

Lin Pingzhi, the effeminate and sinister character from the drama, was in reality so bright and handsome.

Among the crowd.

But one person reacted completely differently.

Huang Shengyi stared at Li Luo, who was speaking confidently on stage, gritted her teeth in fury—since childhood, she had always been the center of attention, never before ignored as she had been before.

Even though months had passed.

That humiliating feeling still lingered, unforgettable.

“Asshole.”

She glared at the guy on stage, muttering bitterly: “Missed lines, stammering, forgot the script~”

Unfortunately, her wish went unfulfilled.

Under the gaze of the entire audience, Li Luo delivered his pre-memorized speech flawlessly.

The freshman orientation ceremony was over.

Crowds surged as freshmen headed back to the dormitories to rest.

“Luo Ge.”

Li Luo had barely taken a few steps when a voice called out from beside him.

He turned to see Jia Naiming and several female classmates approaching; the guy was handsome, the girls pretty—a striking sight.

“Luo Ge.”

Naiming gave a thumbs-up, praising enthusiastically: “You spoke really well just now.”

Since meeting in the dorm.

Jia Naiming had been calling him “Ge” and enthusiastically patting him on the back.

Li Luo didn’t refuse; if others wanted to flatter him, he was happy to accept—in this circle, pretense was unavoidable; too proud a person couldn’t survive this dye vat.

“Exactly, exactly.”

Bian Xiaoxiao nodded with a cheerful smile, looking utterly innocent.

Her figure was quite good.

Nearly 1.7 meters tall, and wearing three-quarter pants, her legs looked astonishingly long, her skin glowing with a faint sheen.

As the only celebrity student in the class.

She had no qualms about cultivating a good relationship with Li Luo; he had starred in a major drama, so he must know plenty of influential people.

A mere trickle from his fingers would surpass her own countless efforts.

Her family background was average.

If she wanted to become famous, she had to seize every opportunity.

Thinking of this, Bian Xiaoxiao’s smile grew even more enchanting, revealing her clean, even teeth.

“Thank you, Bian classmate.”

Li Luo smiled and nodded: “It’s really Teacher Huo who’s being generous to me.”

“Just call me Xiaoxiao.”

Bian Xiaoxiao hurriedly tried to get closer, tugging at Huang Shengyi’s arm—but the latter turned her head away, offering only a profile, as if utterly uninterested in the conversation.

Yet her ears twitched slightly.

As if waiting for something.

“Let’s go.”

Li Luo waved goodbye and invited Jia Naiming back to the dorm.

In an instant, he vanished into the crowd.

“Again, treating me like air.”

Huang Shengyi gritted her teeth, her chest heaving.

Her resentful expression left Bian Xiaoxiao utterly baffled.

The freshman orientation ended.

Next came two weeks of military training; the brutal summer drills left the usually free-spirited art students suffering bitterly.

Li Luo didn’t care at all—he treated it like doing farm work at home!

After training, he gained an unexpected bonus: his physical attributes surged by two points; his wheat-toned muscles looked forged from steel and iron, radiating raw power.

“Naiming.”

After changing clothes, Li Luo neatly folded his bedding and stuffed it into the closet: “I won’t be staying here much anymore—don’t let anyone touch my stuff.”

Over the past ten days, their relationship had been decent.

After all, they spent every day together; some details couldn’t be hidden, and Li Luo felt this guy’s personality was fine.

At least, he was fine as a regular friend.

“Huh?”

Jia Naiming, sprawled on his bed, sat up quickly: “Luo Ge, you’re moving out? Aren’t we going to have a drink tonight?”

They’d just finished military training.

To say he was leaving now was a real surprise.

Many students at the Beijing Film Academy lived off-campus, but few left so soon after enrollment—especially someone like Li Luo.

“Sure.”

Locking the door, Li Luo shook his Nokia phone: “Call me tonight—I live nearby. Gotta go, gotta go, urgent!”

Amid Jia Naiming’s bewildered expression, he swiftly left the dorm.

Then dashed straight to the Beijing Film Studio compound.

Frantically pressing the elevator button.

After unlocking the door, his heartbeat surged.

There, a stunning woman leaned against the sofa, holding a glass of red wine, wearing only a white silk robe, the sash loosely tied, revealing a generous view of her chest.

One leg crossed over the other, her fair feet swaying gently.

Swinging through the air.

“Hahaha.”

Xu Qing burst into laughter upon seeing Li Luo: “How did you get so tanned?”

Her laughter quickly stopped.

The sight of him, as if he could spew fire from every pore, sent a chill through her; the crystal wineglass slipped from her hand, spilling crimson liquid across the carpet.

The scent of wine quickly filled the room.

“Xiao Luo, Luo-gege.”

Half an hour later, a plea arose: “Can we go easier? Sister can’t take it.”

“Shut up.”

“Hnnn~~~”

【After long drought, sweet rain falls—body and spirit utterly refreshed】

【Indulgence successful】

【Reward: One can of Feichang Kele (Luck Boost)】