Chapter Thirty-Eight: Another Good Thing Has Happened

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(Two chapters first—last night’s writing battle results. Off to write more soon, hoping for another update tonight. Thanks for all your support!)

Faced with a problem as complex and unfathomable as the Goldbach Conjecture, Wu Xiang summoned the entirety of his mental faculties and delivered a reasonable answer: “It’s absolutely because you’re handsome!” However, before Brother Xiaoming left, beaming with joy, Wu Xiang left him with one parting comment: “Kun won’t believe for a second this came from me.”

Huang Xiaoming was immediately moved to tears, feeling as if he’d found a kindred spirit. “Junior, you really have an eye for things!”

Wu Xiang managed to resolve such a thorny issue, and was certain he wouldn’t face anything more difficult. However, he overlooked a few matters—for instance, a certain female classmate.

That classmate was, of course, Huang Yi. She wasn’t eavesdropping this time—she just happened to pass by and inadvertently overheard Wu Xiang’s entire string of nonsense. Or rather, his talk about the new play and recruiting actors.

“So this guy is making another film?” Huang Yi thought to herself. She immediately guessed it must be that “First Intimate Encounter,” which likely meant another trip to the Central Academy to find that girl surnamed Zhang.

She didn’t know exactly why, but she was just annoyed. Especially since, a little over a month ago, that scoundrel Wu Xiang had kissed her—twice!

Twice! She’d clearly let her guard down, giving that bastard the chance to take advantage. And she’d definitely gone easy on him—otherwise, she wouldn’t have let him off so lightly! ...

Zeng Hui, the class monitor of the acting class and also Huang Yi’s best friend—though the term “bestie” wasn’t in vogue yet—had been inseparable from her since they entered the film academy. But today, Zeng Hui could tell that something was on Huang Yi’s mind. Usually a force to be reckoned with at mealtimes, Huang Yi seemed distracted and absent.

“What are you thinking about?” Zeng Hui swore to herself: if Huang Yi always ate this way, she’d never have the figure she did now. Of course, Zeng Hui herself was one of the “Four Great Guardians,” her weight even surpassing Huang Yi’s.

“Oh, nothing,” Huang Yi hurriedly scooped a couple of bites into her mouth. The spicy beef hotpot at the cafeteria was still as delicious as ever!

“You’re thinking about that tall bamboo pole again, aren’t you?” Zeng Hui’s words were as sharp as ever.

“Pfft!” Huang Yi nearly choked, wasting a prime slice of beef. She awkwardly retorted, “Who’s thinking about him? I was reviewing what the teacher talked about today! Don’t look at me like that, I haven’t been thinking about him!”

Zeng Hui’s look made it clear she wasn’t fooled for a second.

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But she knew her friend’s temperament—Huang Yi would never admit it. Still, as her closest confidante, some things had to be said. Zeng Hui continued, “The Huang Yi I know is bold and forthright, never one to shy away. But this time, why can’t you face your feelings?”

“Who are you talking about?!” Huang Yi cranked up the volume in protest, but to Zeng Hui, her response sounded hollow. Huang Yi could only add, “I don’t care about that jerk! At most, I’m just wondering what movie he’ll make next. That’s all, really.”

Best friends are hard to fool, especially when you’ve been sharing a room. Even Huang Yi herself wasn’t sure if she talked in her sleep.

Zeng Hui sighed, “I’m not trying to push you. But if you truly like him, why not take the initiative? Stop fighting yourself, it’s not healthy. You’ll only make yourself sick.”

Her words pierced straight to the heart, leaving Huang Yi no room to defend herself. She protested loudly, “Who likes him? He’s a total jerk—a turtle bastard! Why would I like him? Have you ever heard me say I like him? I always scold him, don’t I? I can’t stand him—I absolutely hate him!”

“Keep your voice down.” Zeng Hui covered her face, and Huang Yi realized they were in public—no time for a scene. After Huang Yi calmed down, Zeng Hui continued, “My dear, the opposite of love isn’t hate or disgust—it’s indifference, apathy, not caring at all. Do you understand?”

Hearing this, Huang Yi’s lips trembled and her eyes filled with tears. “I really don’t—I really don’t…” She started to cry.

Seeing how stubborn her friend was, Zeng Hui felt helpless. At this point, anyone on the outside could see clearly, yet the person involved was still in denial. Zeng Hui couldn’t just watch her friend muddle through and lose a good match.

So she comforted Huang Yi, “You don’t have to admit it, but you know your own heart better than anyone. I’m only saying this because I hate seeing you suffer in silence. There’s nothing wrong with liking someone. And honestly, I think that tall bamboo pole likes you too—haven’t you felt it?”

“He likes me?” Huang Yi was thrown into utter confusion by those three words. Impossible! “Why would he like me? He’s always giving me a hard time, and, and…” ‘I give him a hard time too’—but she couldn’t say that, or she’d be admitting Zeng Hui was right.

“Ah…” Zeng Hui sighed, “Tell me this: why doesn’t he ever bother me? And remember back during military training? I saw the two of you whispering by the sink while washing your lunch boxes, and the very next day, he really did become a tall bamboo pole!”

“You—you…” Huang Yi’s face changed colors several times, speechless.

Zeng Hui didn’t want to push her any further. “All I’m saying is, there’s nothing wrong with liking someone. Honestly, you two are well-matched—a perfect pair. Besides, he’s famous now. If you don’t make a move, some other woman might snatch him up. And if you regret it later, don’t come crying to me.”

Huang Yi could only gape, dumbfounded. When she finally recovered, her first words were, “My mother told me never to marry for money!”

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With a bang, Zeng Hui smacked her head against the table. “Stubborn as a mule—you’re hopeless!”

“Achoo!” Wu Xiang sneezed hard. He couldn’t help but wonder, “Who’s thinking about me right now?”

Someone really was thinking about him. He hadn’t even finished his cleaning duties when a teacher asked him to go to the academic office.

“Did I do something wrong again?” Wu Xiang racked his brain for any recent misdeeds, but found none. Gaining confidence, he made his way to the office.

Knock, knock, knock. Wu Xiang remembered his manners and tapped on the door.

“Come in.”

With permission granted, Wu Xiang entered, head lowered in respect. “Mr. Huang, you wanted to see me?” Seeing it was his class supervisor, Mr. Huang Sanshi, Wu Xiang relaxed. Plus, the office was empty—just the two of them. Perfect.

If it wasn’t his own supervisor, it couldn’t be anything serious, could it? But why had he been called here?

“You’re here. Sit,” Huang Sanshi said with authority.

“Yes, sir.” Wu Xiang obeyed at once. “What can I do for you, sir?”

“Good news!” Huang Sanshi replied succinctly.

“Good news?” Wu Xiang was puzzled, but seeing the smile on his teacher’s face, maybe it really was good news.