Chapter 416

January 20 to 22 was the final exam period at Fu No. 1 High School.

Due to the subject selection and class division for Gao Er, although everyone only needed to take six subjects, the elimination of the simple liberal arts/science split meant nine subjects were scheduled across the three days.

But for Li Luo and Ying Chanxi, it was remarkably easy.

Since they had already scored full marks in all three elective subjects, they didn't need to take the elective exams—only Chinese, Math, and English.

Thus, even during finals, they were relaxed, taking only one exam per day.

At other times, Ying Chanxi would secretly pull Li Luo aside, bring her camera gear, and shoot scenes in every corner of the school.

Occasionally, when she found a blind spot in the surveillance cameras, she'd sneakily arrange a kiss scene for Li Luo.

Especially during exam time, while other students were still scribbling furiously in the exam hall, she was kissing Li Luo in some hidden corner of the school—something Ying Chanxi found utterly intoxicating.

It wasn't just Ying Chanxi.

Even Li Luo had grown somewhat addicted to it, sometimes even suggesting to the director that he be given more scenes.

As for what kind of scenes, well, those who understand, understand.

…

On Friday's final exam, Yan Zhusheng sat by the window in Class Four, working on her history paper.

After finishing, she checked her answers; seeing over ten minutes remained before the exam ended, she grew bored and began daydreaming, thinking of Li Luo.

Perhaps because she had been thinking of him so much, when Yan Zhusheng looked out the window, she happened to see Li Luo and Ying Chanxi walking through the space between the Gao Er and Gao San buildings.

The two passed the classroom block, turned the corner toward the cafeteria, and finally vanished from view.

Yan Zhusheng lowered her gaze, pressed her lips together, and felt a flicker of envy in her eyes.

But then she remembered the upcoming trip to Qiongzhou City, the chance to visit the countryside with them for the New Year, and the possibility of another kiss scene during the next "Sun" MV shoot—her mood lifted again, filled with anticipation.

Especially since she'd noticed Ying Chanxi becoming increasingly bold lately, Yan Zhusheng's spirits rose even higher.

What she didn't know was that just as Ying Chanxi pulled Li Luo around the Gao San building and reached the wall beside the school snack shop, beside a row of roadside trees, she had already set up her camera.

Then Ying Chanxi began rehearsing the scene with Li Luo.

"I've always wanted to film this row of roadside trees," Ying Chanxi said, pointing to the tall, straight trees beside the road, "The camera will be here, and we'll go to the other side."

"I'll run ahead, you chase after me, and right here, near the left edge of the frame, grab me."

"Then…"

"Then you hug me and kiss me?" Li Luo interrupted.

"N-No, that's not it!" Ying Chanxi's face flushed slightly; she admitted she did want that, but it wasn't just about kissing—there was still some artistic ambition behind the MV.

So she quickly schooled her expression, serious and focused: "Then I'll struggle a little, you hold me tightly, and after a while…"

"Then I kiss you?" Li Luo asked succinctly.

"... You know what I mean." Ying Chanxi muttered softly, then hurried toward the starting position.

Li Luo watched her slender figure in the school uniform and smiled, eager to follow, taking his assigned position.

Ying Chanxi activated the time-lapse function; once they were in place and the camera's indicator light turned on, she sprinted forward.

Li Luo dashed after her, caught up with her precisely at the edge of the frame, seized her hand, and pulled her into his arms.

When Ying Chanxi began to struggle, Li Luo gripped her tightly and leaned down to kiss her.

"Mmm…"

Ying Chanxi's eyes widened—this wasn't quite how the script had gone—but as Li Luo's lips met hers, her mind went blank.

Unconsciously, her arms wrapped around his neck, her soft lips kissing him back, eyes closed, lost in the moment.

Even after Li Luo pulled away, she remained dazed, instinctively rising onto her toes, lips puckered, eyes shut, chasing his mouth.

Only when Li Luo chuckled did she snap back to reality, her face instantly blazing red; she slapped his chest and whispered, "I—I told you, you're supposed to hold me tight first, wait until I stop struggling, then kiss me slowly—why did you just kiss me right away?!"

"Oh, I ran too fast, moved too much, forgot," Li Luo lied smoothly, face completely calm. "I just mixed it up with yesterday's scene."

"Did you remember now?" Ying Chanxi whispered, face still flushed. "Do it again in a moment—don't forget again."

"Mm." Li Luo looked down at her kiss-swollen lips, nodded seriously, like a highly professional actor: "I won't mess it up next time."

Finally.

They filmed the scene five times.

…

After the final exams ended, on Saturday, Li Luo told Zhao Rongjun and the others.

"Before we return from the countryside for the New Year, our study group will pause," Li Luo said. "This afternoon I need to go shopping with them—they're coming with me to Qiongzhou City for winter break."

"Qiongzhou City?" Zhao Rongjun blinked.

Xu Yinghuan beside him gasped: "Why are you suddenly going to Qiongzhou? But winter there really is nice—I used to go all the time with my dad."

"Ahem… that's the company I write Online Novels for," Li Luo coughed. "They invited me to their annual meeting, and since it's in Qiongzhou, I figured I'd bring Xi Xi and the others along too. You guys wanna come?"

"I won't go," Zhao Rongjun shook his head quickly. "My parents would never let me—I mean, Qiongzhou's too far."

"Have fun!" Xu Yinghuan grinned, patting Zhao Rongjun's shoulder. "I already planned with Xinyan to go sightseeing in the city during winter break—I'll invite you too."

"Huh?" Zhao Rongjun's face twisted in discomfort. "Why do I need to come along?"

"Oh, come on," Xu Yinghuan called to Qiao Xinyan, "Xinyan, Jun Ge wants to join us for a stroll at Xihu—what do you say?"

"Sure," Qiao Xinyan smiled. "But Zhao Rongjun wouldn't bring it up himself—you should let him decide."

As she spoke, her gaze settled on Zhao Rongjun, soft and gentle: "Don't feel pressured—I really hope you'll come with us, but I won't force you."

"Th-This…" Zhao Rongjun, overwhelmed by her kindness, couldn't refuse; finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine… I'll go with you then."

Li Luo watched this scene and couldn't help laughing: "Have fun, just don't bully Jun Ge."

"You're the one who bullies him all the time," Xu Yinghuan rolled her eyes.

"I'm helping him, not bullying him," Li Luo denied.

If not for his rebirth and the special training he gave his best friend, would Zhao Rongjun ever have been able to communicate normally with girls like he does now?

Not to mention going out alone with two girls—back then, I never even dared to imagine it.

……

In the afternoon was the final club activity of this semester.

As president of the Literature Club, Li Luo had sent Yan Zhusheng to oversee the rock club, then came with Ying Chanxi to the Literature Club's activity room, bringing along a pile of envelopes.

By tradition, the first club activity of each semester and the final one always include a specially arranged pen-pal letter exchange within the Literature Club.

Today was no exception.

After Li Luo briefly explained the situation on stage, he had the two freshman vice-presidents distribute the envelopes.

Quickly, students who received envelopes began frantically writing, others fell into deep thought, and some glanced around, still deciding who to write to.

Interestingly, this year, Li Luo and Ying Chanxi, aside from exchanging one letter with each other, received not a single letter from anyone else.

This did surprise them a little.

But it wasn't really surprising.

After all, since Li Luo's secret identity was exposed, classmates had come to know, at least in part, about Li Luo's special relationships with several girls.

Especially within the Literature Club, they could be said to be the group most familiar with the sacred text I Am Really Not a Star, aside from Class Eight.

Naturally, they were well aware of Ying Chanxi's weight in Li Luo's heart.

And after watching the music videos for "Wait for You After Class" and "Chasing the Light," no one doubted that Ying Chanxi didn't harbor feelings for Li Luo.

After all, the videos clearly listed the director as "Ying Chanxi."

Even the kissing scenes were arranged by Ying Chanxi as director—what did she mean, if not obvious?

In the past, when everything was still unclear, both boys and girls still harbored fantasies about outstanding upperclassmen.

But once certain things had become established facts, most people no longer clung stubbornly.

They were more self-aware.

"Looks like our charm has dropped," Li Luo chuckled as the Literature Club dismissed, walking toward the rock club, "No one sent us letters anymore."

"I think it's fine—I don't have to reply to each letter politely anymore," Ying Chanxi glanced at Li Luo and gave a light huff, "Is someone missing the days when lots of girls wrote him pen-pal letters?"

"I do miss them a little," Li Luo nodded without hesitation.

"Cheeky!" Ying Chanxi angrily stomped on his foot upon hearing this, quickened her pace, and refused to acknowledge him.

But Li Luo quickly caught up, reached out, and grabbed Ying Chanxi's hand.

Now it was Ying Chanxi's turn to panic—her face flushed as she hastily snatched her hand away, then nervously glanced left and right, confirming no one had noticed the scene before sighing slightly in relief.

"You really shouldn't hold hands randomly at school," Ying Chanxi whispered, face red, "What if a teacher sees?"

"Say we're practicing for a music video."

"Hmph, you've got a good excuse."

"What? Isn't that reason enough?" Li Luo followed Ying Chanxi into the side entrance of the gymnasium, immediately pulled her hand, pinned her against the wall in a wall-hug, and leaned in to kiss her, "Like this—practice for the kissing scene. What do you think?"

Suddenly struck by Li Luo's move, Ying Chanxi's face blushed crimson, as radiant as twilight.

Facing Li Luo's question, Ying Chanxi stammered, heart pounding wildly, and could only whisper, "I-I guess it's okay… but our kissing scene isn't just this kind of kiss…"

"Then…" Li Luo raised an eyebrow and leaned closer to Ying Chanxi's tempting lips.

But the next second, Yan Zhusheng's voice appeared at the stairwell: "What are you two doing?"

In an instant, Ying Chanxi broke free from Li Luo's arms and dashed toward Yan Zhusheng, face blazing red.

Li Luo sighed helplessly, turned to Yan Zhusheng's innocent expression, and said, "Director Ying is giving me acting lessons."

Yan Zhusheng of course knew what they were doing; she puffed out her cheeks and told Li Luo, "Li classmate, I want to give you a lesson tonight."

"Alright, alright," Li Luo stepped forward, pushing Yan Zhusheng's shoulders upward, "Then after I buy swimwear tonight, I'll leave it to Teacher Yan for plenty of guidance."