Chapter 20: Big Brother's Ex‑Girlfriend

At noon, the Central Academy of Drama campus is actually quieter than at other times.

Because it was mealtime, everyone had gone to the cafeteria.

Pang Zi was as quick as ever, having claimed a seat. But he wasn't in a rush to eat; instead, he lowered his head, hunched over the desk, and focused on writing and drawing.

One of the buddies beside him came back with his meal, saw the situation and asked curiously: "Da Shan, what are you writing if you're not eating?"

"You guys eat first, don't worry about me."

Since Pang Zi said that, the two troublemakers beside him wouldn't let him off, leaning in to take a look.

"Yo, writing a character bio? Da Shan, did you land a role?"

Zi Dong beside him exclaimed, his face full of disbelief, almost jumping up; the other troublemaker, Zhang Yi Ming, had a similar reaction.

Logically speaking, all three are students of the Central Academy of Drama, properly trained in acting.

Just landing a role should be quite normal; there's no reason to be this shocked.

The reason for this is probably known only to the three of them.

Actually, it's like this: other schools may not know, but the Acting Department of the Central Academy of Drama has an unwritten rule when recruiting.

That is, they don't admit only handsome guys and beautiful girls; each year they reserve some spots for students with 'special traits'.

This is easy to understand: if everyone were handsome guys and beautiful girls, who would play a fat character?

By then, even the cast of a spoken drama wouldn't be complete; it would be downright ridiculous.

So, all‑round development is the way to go.

Take Pang Zi: before entering school, he thought he would stand out by looks and temperament.

Only after arriving did he realize he was the one chosen for the 'all‑round' aspect.

This resulted in other students landing one role after another, while they could only watch helplessly.

There's nothing they can do; limited by external conditions, suitable roles are too few.

Doing extra work is unsatisfying, after all they're graduates of the Central Academy of Drama.

With graduation looming, they can still only occasionally show their faces on the school‑organized stage.

The impatient Zi Dong had already snatched Pang Zi's unfinished character bio and began to mutter: "Hu Liang, from the Northeast, loves the Broken Guitar Band the most; when anxious, his speech gets a bit slurred…"

There's more after that, but Zi Dong didn't read further; Zhang Yi Ming jabbed Pang Zi with his elbow and said: "So detailed—nice, did you reel in a big fish?"

Before Pang Zi could answer, Zi Dong asked again: "What kind of production—film or TV drama?"

Pang Zi calmly shook his head, took back his bio, and said: "A few of us buddies pooled our resources to shoot a movie just for fun."

Just for fun?

Zi Dong's eyes widened a bit, although he knew there might be some bragging involved.

But the character bio is written in excessive detail, with plenty of the plot already revealed—it must at least be a third‑ to fifth‑male‑lead role.

The investment isn't big; it's just for fun.

Pang Zi repeated it, and Zhang Yi Ming perceptively asked: "Not big—how much exactly?"

So…

Pang Zi turned his head, glanced around, and gave a mysterious, mischievous smile: "Around ten million, give or take."

Holy cow! Ten million just for fun—what wealthy scion came out to experience life?

Haha, a wealthy scion—my buddy here is pretty much the same.

Pang Zi thought of Chen Ci's vigor in that game world, feeling both envy and a bit of admiration.

Having a good family background is fine; after all, his parents are still alive, and no amount of money would make Pang Zi swap them.

As for the rest, he's good‑looking and talented—not only does he play music well, but this movie script is also written with proper form.

Sigh, people who outshine you are also richer—where can you reason with that?

But Pang Zi will never be jealous of Chen Ci—never!

Look at Master Ci's righteousness—the character Hu Liang in the script is practically tailor‑made for him.

It's just that the comedic flavor is too strong; he still needs to get used to it.

Zi Dong wore a complex expression, wondering if today's fish‑fragrant pork shreds had too much vinegar, making them so sour.

"Da Shan, help me ask your buddy: are we still missing a buddy? If we are, a buddy's duty is unavoidable!"

"'Buddy, same here!' Zhang Yi Ming slapped his chest and firmly echoed."

Pang Zi's big bun‑like face was about to burst into laughter like a Goubuli bun, its thin skin and generous filling forming eighteen folds.

Looking at these brothers‑in‑arms before him, he didn't really want to refuse: "Sure, if we need actors, I'll recommend you give it a try."

"'Good! I often tell others, Da Shan is my best buddy, right Yi Ming?'"

Zi Dong looked at Zhang Yi Ming, who nodded repeatedly: "Exactly—we are buddies, aren't we? That means we'd stab each other's ribs, go through fire and water for you, Shan Ge."

Pang Zi laughed even harder, finally experiencing the feeling of being the center of attention, like stars surrounding the moon.

Before, he didn't understand, but this is Master Ci's joy—indeed wonderful……

"'Pang Bro!'"

Just as Pang Zi was immersed in Chen Ci's happiness, a light, spirited call suddenly rang in his ears.

So familiar… this is……

Pang Zi instinctively wanted to flee, but couldn't—a young girl with big eyes and long hair had already sat down opposite him.

At that moment she was gazing at him with a bright smile, her dark eyes sparkling, making her smile look even more confident.

Once Pang Zi reacted, he glanced over again……

Damn! Is this the buddy?

What happened to the sworn oath of stabbing each other's ribs and braving fire and water?

Pang Zi could only give an embarrassed laugh: "Xiao Tong, what a coincidence."

The girl named Xiao Tong pursed her lips slightly: "No way, I came especially to find Pang Ge."

"Looking for…"

Pang Zi felt his throat as if blocked by something, and gave a dry cough: "What do you want from me?"

"Of course I want Pang Ge, I'll treat you to a meal."

Pang Zi hurriedly waved his hands: "No, let me treat you. Here, this is my meal card, swipe however you like."

Pang Zi slapped the meal card; he had never been this eager to treat someone in his life, just wanting to quickly send this little miss away.

At the same time he didn't forget to remind: "Xiao Tong, after eating hurry back and rest."

"Pang Ge, what's the meaning of this? I just got here and you're already trying to drive me away…"

"Don't!"

Pang Zi got anxious, almost using both hands and feet, preparing to cover Xiao Tong's mouth, but halfway through he realized it wasn't appropriate.

Helplessly, he clenched his fist and lightly tapped the table: "Xiao Tong, you must never say such things, I and your Dan Jie…"

Turns out this is what Pang Zi was worried about; yes, although his image is just that, he is one of only two members of the Broken Guitar Band who aren't single.

Put it this way, after getting along for a long time, the members of Broken Guitar have, to varying degrees, picked up some of Chen Ci's influence.

Shi San learned Chen Ci's musical philosophy, although that's all Chen Ci used to fool people with;

Lao Zhao learned Chen Ci's flirtatious ways, but unfortunately his appearance is far too lacking, his innate qualities insufficient, so he always ends up unsuccessful;

As for Pang Zi, don't let his looks fool you—he actually knows the score.

When Chen Ci was picking up girls, he was watching from the side, having already learned half of the Chen Family Annals.

And Pang Zi isn't as greedy as Lao Zhao—one is enough for him.

So he really does have one now, relying on that half of the Chen Family Annals.

Although they haven't been together long, it's precisely times like these that he needs to be extra careful.

He deliberately draws clear lines with other women, let alone the fact that she's the big brother's woman—no, she's the big brother's former woman…