[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta":3,"chapter-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-15":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Playboy of Huayu: How Did a Celestial Immortal Transform Me?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2297641,4495,"Chapter 15: Liu Yifei","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-15",15,"\u003Cp>On December 21, 2001, Lu Kuan spent the day diligently working through several sets of academic practice papers in Zhuang Xu’s apartment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the high-school mathematics from Jiangsu Province, which were difficult enough to drive him mad, English, Chinese, history, and the other subjects were a breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn't much worth preparing for the Beijing Film Academy art exam in February; for this former USC School of Cinematic Arts graduate, the four rounds of the Beijing Film Academy directing department’s art exam were not particularly difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Beijing Film Academy directing department admits about 10–15 students each year on average, so the competition is undeniably fierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the four rounds of exams, the preliminary round covers arts theory and general social knowledge, while the second round consists of the candidate’s free presentation regarding their film dreams, ideas, and plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the third round, the professional requirements increase; first, one must analyze art and music works, from composition techniques to aesthetic appreciation, which tests the potential for understanding photography and musical scoring elements in film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next is the prompt-based conceptualization, where the interviewed student is given a prompt on the spot to write and elaborate on a short story, testing their organizational and expressive abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is not until the fourth round—which includes prompt-based essay writing, creative problem discussion, and performance reporting—that the real gaps are opened and the level of distinction is truly reflected; candidates with a solid foundation will stand out in this round and gain the favor of the examiners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Daoist priest was currently challenging a few difficult problems in solid geometry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the only type of math problem in which he had some advantage as a graduate student in the directing department in his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A director’s visual and spatial imagination is never too bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cell phone rang; it was Zhang Jizhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Lu, shall the driver pick you up this afternoon? I hope you can spare the time!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of this matter, he had been \"pestering\" Lu Kuan for a week, saying he wanted to invite him to \"take the pulse\" of a female artist signed to his agency—this was, of course, a euphemism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having experienced his ability to make things happen with a word on the set of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*, as well as his effortless ability to see through his many plans, even someone who adhered to the principle of not speaking of strange phenomena and spirits could hardly resist the temptation of a prophet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This top producer in the domestic television industry was willing to offer a high consultation fee of 200,000, which was just enough to move the little immortal from Maoshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Zhang, it’s not that I’m being difficult, it’s just unnecessary! With you there, this person’s star path is bound to be excellent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jizhong laughed on the other end of the line: \"Actually, it’s not me; that child’s godfather heard about your affairs and insists on inviting you for a chat. You can just think of it as earning some tea money!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan pondered for a moment and agreed; he naturally knew who he was going to see that afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hongxingwu was an entertainment company that Cheng Jingfei had registered back in 1995, though its initial motive was unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to this real estate businessman’s history of success, he shouldn't have had the motive to extend his reach into the film and television industry at that time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't until his goddaughter returned to the country to become an actress that the shareholders of Hongxingwu brought in Zhang Jizhong, who brought his own resources, and Liu Xiaoli, the guardian of the minor, and only then did they begin to plan and seek development in the entertainment industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lu Kuan walked into the villa mansion under the guidance of a servant, Zhang Jizhong was drinking tea with Cheng Jingfei and Liu Xiaoli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Lu! Welcome!\" Cheng Jingfei smiled and stepped forward to shake his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jizhong introduced the two parties; Liu Xiaoli was not impressed by this little immortal whom Zhang Jizhong had praised to the high heavens. She had grown up in a privileged family and had little interest in these superstitious things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Jingfei also sized up this young Daoist priest dressed in ordinary clothes—a light-colored casual suit paired with a pair of light-colored sneakers; such a classic combination from the future was still an anomaly in this era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The profession of a charlatan, like that of a doctor or lawyer, is more respected the older one gets; a client’s trust in their professional ability is roughly proportional to their age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master Lu before him was less like a religious figure with heaven-reaching connections and more like a dashing, stylish young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan nodded to everyone in greeting, then suddenly asked tentatively: \"Director Zhang, you have mentioned my requirements to the two of them, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, yes, today’s trip is a business consultation, a professional communication; it has nothing to do with anything else.\" Zhang Jizhong understood the implication immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaoli felt secretly disdainful; regardless of anything else, this hypocritical posturing was exactly like that of an unscrupulous charlatan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Jingfei got to the point: \"Master Lu, this is Yifei’s *bazi*.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan acted as if he hadn't seen it and smiled lightly: \"Is the young lady not home today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be that the Master is also well-versed in the art of physiognomy?\" Cheng Jingfei felt a bit suspicious seeing him beat around the bush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was among the first group of people to get rich since the Reform and Opening-up; he went into business in 1987 and charged into the Hainan Island real estate boom in 1990.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing his initial capital accumulation, he successfully sought the respectable status of a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Last year, his wealth was estimated at over 226 million USD, earning him a spot on the rich list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen many charlatans trying hard to act mysterious, but this was his first time seeing someone like Lu Kuan, whose dress and speech had nothing to do with being a Daoist priest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at it from a reverse perspective, a charlatan who didn't put effort into packaging himself might actually have some real tricks up his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the three people’s expressions—one certain, one suspicious, and one disdainful—Lu Kuan chuckled inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Liu Yifei has changed her name, so the *bazi* might not be accurate; it is best to see the person in the flesh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaoli and Cheng Jingfei looked at each other, then simultaneously looked at Zhang Jizhong, who shook his head slightly to indicate he hadn't leaked it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real estate businessman immediately became interested: \"That is indeed the case. Master Lu, could you give us some pointers first? She will be here after she finishes her class.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan sighed pretentiously: \"Very well, some things are indeed not suitable to be said in front of her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In her *bazi*, the Heavenly Stem of the Year Pillar, which represents the parents' palace, is Rob Wealth, and the Earthly Branch is Direct Seal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rob Wealth leans toward the father, and Direct Seal leans toward the mother. She has lived more with Ms. Liu since she was young and is closer to her, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the suddenly pale-faced Liu Xiaoli could ask, he immediately analyzed: \"That is roughly the Year Pillar; now let’s look at the Month Pillar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Heavenly Stem is Wu Earth, the Eating God, and the Earthly Branch is Shen Metal, the Indirect Wealth—a typical pattern of the Eating God generating wealth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The most typical aspect of this destiny is following an artistic path—actors, directors, writers, and so on—but it is also prone to causing controversy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resources in the entertainment industry are limited, and only a few people stand at the top of the pyramid; being criticized is normal, so the few didn't take it to heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaoli said with a bit of self-deception: \"She chose this path herself, and we were worried about it, so it’s better to hear this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People are always inclined to hear what they like; this was perfectly reflected in her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Jingfei asked further: \"Master, is there anything else to be aware of?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are a few things, but she is still young, so it is nothing to worry about. Things are rarely set in stone; a considerable portion can be changed by one’s personal magnetic field and fortune acquired later in life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then picked up a pen and wrote on the paper: \"There are signs of the Sheep Blade and the Lonely Phoenix star in her Day Pillar; these are ominous stars that hinder marriage and romance, which is not a good thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaoli asked anxiously: \"How can this be resolved?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1476,"2026-06-20T06:05:17.358Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","b4a53cba6b2b979b821acead69a21ab4fdc98e64bf476c53245ccb3ac591401a","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-16","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-14",343,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-cover.jpg"]