Chapter 41

Seeing Yan Li returned to Beijing alone.

It wasn't because he angrily abandoned Zhou Yiwei; it was because the latter's filming wasn't finished.

As mentioned earlier, Zhou Yiwei's role as a police officer had more screen time than Seeing Yan Li's, but most of it was background, with low presence.

So Seeing Yan Li finished filming and returned to Beijing, but he still had to keep shooting—he probably wouldn't be back until October.

With Zhou Yiwei gone, and Zhang Songwen and Lin Jiachuan also not back, the apartment was empty and lonely.

But soon, Dong Xuan, hearing the news, brought Guan Yue and another friend, Yin Xu, to welcome him back.

It was September now; Beidian had already started classes, and Dong Xuan and the others had canceled their rental and moved back into the dorms.

Dong Xuan and Guan Yue had auditioned for roles and done minor cameos, but they'd never stayed long on a set or played major parts, so they were curious about set life.

Over dinner, the girls peppered Seeing Yan Li with questions about the filming of "Conquest."

"Conquest" was a small crew; even the director, Gao Qunshu, and the lead actor Sun Honglei had little fame.

The only noteworthy name was Jiang Shan, who had been popular back then.

Hearing that Seeing Yan Li had acted opposite Jiang Shan and gotten along well, Guan Yue and Yin Xu were envious.

"Teacher Jiang really liked Seeing Yan Li—she even adopted him as her younger brother."

Dong Xuan proudly boasted; she and Seeing Yan Li often called and texted, so she knew about his relationship with Jiang Shan, and she'd pestered Seeing Yan Li until he gave her Jiang Shan's autographed photo.

Seeing Yan Li said nothing, just quietly ate.

When he'd asked for the autograph, he and Jiang Shan really were like brother and sister—but later, things changed.

Fortunately, Dong Xuan didn't know; otherwise, she'd have torn up Jiang Shan and the autograph together…

Besides asking about the "Conquest" set, the girls also talked about the newly enrolled 2002 cohort.

Compared to previous years, this year's incoming class had a notably famous girl—rumored to be Wang Yuyan from Zhang Dahu's "The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils."

Many Beidian students spent years after graduation just hoping to land a lead role; most couldn't even secure a stable job, struggling through hardship.

Yet this girl had already become the female lead in a Jin Yong drama before even enrolling—no wonder she became a sensation on campus the moment school started.

"What's the new student's name?"

Hearing she was Wang Yuyan from "The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," Seeing Yan Li became interested; this drama had appeared in his monthly intelligence reports as a future hit—the girl might become famous.

"What are you planning to do?"

To Seeing Yan Li's surprise, his simple question triggered strong reactions from Dong Xuan, Guan Yue, and the others—they all eyed him warily.

Seeing Yan Li was speechless: "You brought it up—I'm just curious."

"Others asking is fine. You asking? Not okay."

Guan Yue spoke sharply; Yin Xu added: "The 2001 junior already fell victim to someone's hands. If you still have any conscience toward this school, leave the 2002 cohort some purity."

Seeing Yan Li laughed bitterly: "If you put it that way, I really want to meet this little junior—I'm single, after all."

The last words carried extra emphasis; the women suddenly remembered that Seeing Yan Li and Dong Xuan hadn't officially reconciled yet.

Dong Xuan couldn't sit still—Seeing Yan Li was a stubborn mule; he responded to softness, not force.

When he was in a good mood, he'd humor anything—jealousy, tantrums, teasing—he'd grin and take it. But if he got angry, he'd do the opposite of what you wanted.

She quickly signaled her friends to ease up, then served Seeing Yan Li food and soothed the mood gently.

"Don't talk nonsense—she's not even eighteen yet, barely fifteen."

"She took the college entrance exam at that age?"

Seeing Yan Li wasn't truly angry—he knew he'd acted badly before; their strong reactions were understandable.

Earlier, he'd only been using reverse psychology—feigning interest to deflect their mockery and avoid being surrounded by accusations of being a heartless cad.

So the moment Dong Xuan spoke, he gladly dropped the subject and steered the conversation back to the new student.

Dong Xuan clearly didn't know much: "I heard it was a special admission—none of us are sure."

Seeing Yan Li pondered: "What's her name?"

"Liu Yifei."

Seeing Yan Li thought back—he'd never heard the name, and she hadn't appeared in his intelligence system, so he dismissed it.

Compared to this unknown freshman, Seeing Yan Li cared more about Dong Xuan's situation.

"Did you contact that crew I told you about?"

Dong Xuan shook her head: "I still haven't found it."

Seeing Yan Li was puzzled: "That shouldn't happen."

In September, he received a new monthly intelligence report—perhaps because of his frequent contact with Dong Xuan, it triggered a future film-related item about her—

"Snowflake Goddess Dragon"

The report indicated this might be Dong Xuan's debut role, and she could become a rising star through it.

After learning this, Seeing Yan Li was happy for her and immediately contacted her, urging her to submit her resume and audition—before someone else snatched the role.

Future intelligence didn't guarantee safety; if Seeing Yan Li could snatch roles from others, he might also inadvertently cause someone else to snatch Dong Xuan's.

This was called the "Butterfly Effect"—he'd looked it up online.

In truth, Seeing Yan Li still didn't understand whether the system's future intelligence described an untouched future or a reality altered by the system's influence.

So far, his own name had never appeared in any future intelligence—he wondered if his own future would ever show up.

But due to limited information and his confusion over all these time theories, he eventually gave up.

Whatever the case, anything with "future" in it meant profit—everything else could go to hell.

Seeing Yan Li was usually cautious, but sometimes he had a reckless, stubborn streak.

It was just unavoidable—he couldn't control the system, so he could only accept it passively…

Back to "Snowflake Goddess Dragon": after receiving the intelligence, Seeing Yan Li told Dong Xuan to apply and audition—but after asking around, she couldn't find the crew.

Logically, that probability was extremely low.

Information dissemination is easier now—print media, mobile phones, the internet; unless it's some amateur troupe, any move made will inevitably stir some whispers in the circle.

Not even greenlit?

Or is it just that Dong Xuan and her group have limited channels?

Seeing Yan Li thought the former unlikely; intelligence showed that "Snowflake Goddess Dragon" would premiere next year, and it was already the second half of the year—impossible it hadn't been greenlit yet.

Probably still a channel issue with Dong Xuan and her group; after all, they're students with little connections.

"I'll ask around later."

Seeing Yan Li decided to take matters into his own hands—his connections far exceeded Dong Xuan's, not to mention he had the intelligence system as a major weapon.

————

The next morning, he pushed away the soft, pale lotus-like arm pressing against his neck, adjusted into a more comfortable sleeping position, hugged Dong Xuan, and opened the system.

Hmm, the system is truly considerate—no need to ask around anymore.

【Daily Intelligence 1: The production team of the TV drama "Searching for Mother Across a Thousand Li" finds the title too unpleasant and is considering a name change, tentative new title: "Snowflake Goddess Dragon"…】

No wonder I couldn't find it—apparently "Snowflake Goddess Dragon" was the renamed version.

The new title was a good change; "Searching for Mother Across a Thousand Li" sounded awful—no one would want to watch it.

【Daily Intelligence 2: The producer of "Searching for Mother Across a Thousand Li," Li Peng, is deeply troubled; the originally cast lead actress, Xiao Qiang, has ultimately withdrawn due to issues with salary, episode length, and shooting location… The production is about to begin; someone suggested Li Peng visit Beijing Film Academy or Central Academy of Drama to look for suitable newcomers—they have good looks, acting skills, low pay, and can endure hardship…】

【……】

Seeing Yan Li skimmed through the related intelligence and gradually formed a plan; he bent down and kissed Dong Xuan awake, and she mumbled sleepily, snuggling against his chest, cooing.

"I really can't anymore—my waist aches. Tonight? No, tomorrow, okay?"

Seeing Yan Li: "…"

To be fair, older sisters are truly more resilient—and more adventurous, willing to be messed with however you like…

(End of Chapter)