PNB Chapter 111's spot is taken, start queuing!
Chapter 111's spot is taken, start queuing!
The four clinked glasses. The ice-cold beer washed away the spiciness in their mouths, leaving them feeling refreshed and their pores open up.
Shen Li leaned back in her chair, looking at the bustling North Gate Street under the setting sun, and a feeling of indescribable emotion welled up in her heart.
Hua Fengyi, the once stunningly beautiful and renowned diva, chose to retire from the entertainment industry and stay at the university.
Decades later, she stood on the podium, wearing a cheongsam, and looked at each new class with her insightful eyes.
Did she ever regret it? Did she ever miss it? What exactly was her "personal reason"?
no one knows.
But Shen Li felt that Teacher Hua didn't need anyone's sympathy or speculation. She understood life better than anyone else. Those still struggling in the entertainment industry weren't necessarily happier than her.
"To Teacher Hua." Shen Li raised her glass.
"To Teacher Hua!" Jing Yang, Yang Yi, and Dai Xiao raised their glasses.
The four of them drank it all in one gulp.
The evening breeze carries the aroma of grilled skewers and the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms in September.
Shen Li looked at the gate of Beijing Film Academy in the distance, and the signature smile on her lips, which was both calculating and insightful, was particularly bright in the setting sun.
"The Beijing Film Academy is a place where hidden talents abound. There are future stars as well as retired masters. I, your humble servant, will have to slowly savor and learn from it."
Early Monday morning, Shen Li, as usual, was driven to the brink of ecstasy by Fang Ying's relentless training.
We added a new activity today... step jumps. We jump from the first step to the top of the bleachers next to the playground, then jump back down. Five sets of round trips.
When Shen Li jumped to the third set, she felt like her lungs were about to explode, and the muscles in her thighs were twitching wildly.
Fang Ying stood to the side, still with that cold, aloof, and unapproachable expression.
The full curves encased by the sports bra shimmered delicately in the morning light, and sweat trickled down the abs, dripping into the waistband of the yoga pants.
He counted aloud, his voice as calm as if he were reciting a recipe: "Twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five... Don't stop. There are two more sets."
Shen Li gritted his teeth and continued jumping. When he reached the last step, his legs buckled and he almost tumbled down the stairs.
Fang Ying reacted quickly, grabbing his arm. Her grip was like a vise, holding him firmly in place.
"Not bad. Better than last week." Fang Ying released her grip and, unusually, offered a compliment. "Let's continue tomorrow."
Shen Li collapsed on the steps, panting heavily.
Sweat soaked his T-shirt so much it could be wrung out, his hair was plastered to his forehead, and he looked as disheveled as a stray dog just pulled out of the water.
But he knew in his heart that his physical fitness was indeed improving. From initially being unable to run even five kilometers, he could now endure eight kilometers plus frog jumps and step jumps. Although he was still being tortured to the point of ecstasy, at least he wasn't dead.
After a cramming-style muscle-building breakfast, Shen Li dragged her "broken body" to her fitness class.
Today, Teacher Du taught a new duet dance combination, which is a step up in difficulty from last week.
Shen Li and Jiang Li's teamwork became increasingly seamless. Lifting, pulling, shifting weight... their movements flowed smoothly and effortlessly.
Jiang Li's body was as light as a feather in Shen Li's hands. The powerful muscle lines wrapped in the black tight-fitting dance costume stretched and contracted during the movement, full of rhythmic beauty.
Sweat trickled down her spine, disappearing into the low-waisted edge of her dance costume. The deep backless design exposed large expanses of her smooth, white back to the air, her shoulder blades swaying slightly with the movements of her arms.
Shen Li had to admit that acting alongside Jiang Li was truly a learning experience. Jiang Li was direct, unpretentious, and every instruction she gave was precise and to the point. With her, there was no need to guess what she was thinking; one could simply focus on the professional aspect.
Teacher Du walked over, looked at the two of them working together, and rarely showed an approving expression:
"Excellent. Shen Li, your core stability has improved significantly. Jiang Li, your guidance is becoming more and more natural. Keep it up."
Shen Li was delighted; her usual score was now secure.
When get out of class ended, Song Qian came again. Today, this director was wearing a loose sweatshirt and had no makeup on, but her figure was still amazing.
She grabbed Yun Yiyi and waved her phone at Shen Li: "Shen Li! When exactly is your bidding feature officially launched? I'm waiting to count the money!"
"It'll be here soon," Shen Li quickly reassured her. "Brother Xiao said the internal testing will finish this week, and it will officially launch next week. Don't worry, Senior Song, your directing guidance will definitely be a hot item in the bidding."
Song Qian was satisfied. Yun Yiyi stood to the side, still with that aloof expression.
She wore a black dress and black stockings, with a low-cut back, and her shoulder blades gleamed delicately in the sunset. She didn't speak, but Shen Li noticed that her gaze swept in her direction.
That look in his eyes, how should I put it, wasn't cold, it was...observation?
Shen Li's heart skipped a beat. This aloof and elegant woman, though she didn't say it, had actually been observing him all along?
What should we observe? Is he a reliable person? Is the "LiLiPao" platform worth investing in?
"Yun Yiyi," Shen Li spoke first, a harmless smile plastered on her face, "Your vocal coaching photos are exceptionally well taken. Jing Yang said that set of photos of you is the most satisfying work he's taken this year."
Yun Yiyi nodded slightly: "Mm."
Just one word. But Shen Li detected a hint of...satisfaction in that "hmm"?
Well, this woman is even more unpredictable than Jiang Li. Although Jiang Li doesn't talk much, her emotions are transparent... happy is happy, and unhappy is unhappy.
And Yun Yiyi? She always has a cold and aloof face, her emotions hidden deeper than the Mariana Trench.
Shen Li was pondering this when her phone vibrated. It was a new order from "Flash Delivery Campus".
Upon opening it, wow, this order exudes an air of extravagance, extreme laziness, and treating Flash Delivery like a personal butler—a decadent and corrupt practice.
"At the end of the 'Degenerate Street' at the North Gate, there is an izakaya called 'Midnight Diner.' I'll help you queue up, get a number, and reserve a seat. The fee is 40 yuan!"
Note: I want a seat towards the back of the bar, where you can see the chef grilling the skewers! I'll arrive around 7 PM. Don't call when you arrive, send a WeChat message. Your WeChat ID is your phone number.
Oh, and could you also buy me a bubble milk tea from "Ah Qiang Milk Tea" next door, no ice, 30% sugar? Add 20 to the delivery fee! [Heart][Heart][Heart]
Three hearts. 40 + 20, that's 60 yuan!
Shen Li's eyes lit up instantly, like a weasel spotting a fat chicken, and she snatched it in a flash.
The izakaya "Midnight Diner" is known to all students at the Taipei Film Academy.
Located in the most remote corner of "Degenerate Street," the storefront is as small as a dog hole, and the signboard is a broken wooden board with the four words "Midnight Diner" crookedly written on it. The lighting is so dim that it looks like an underground party meeting point.
But business is booming. Why?
The owner is an uncle who returned from Japan. His grilling skills are superb, especially his grilled chicken skin and grilled beef tongue, which are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sizzling with oil. Paired with his homemade plum wine, the taste is absolutely amazing.
When Shen Li arrived, there were already seven or eight people squatting at the entrance. They were fully equipped with folding stools, power banks, and iPads, just like they were camping.
He quickly joined the end of the line, took out his phone, and sent a WeChat message to the customer who placed the order: "Spot reserved, start queuing. You can get in before 7 o'clock. Buy your milk tea when you're almost there, otherwise it will get cold."