Can following the rules be called rebirth?

Chapter 216, Section 214: Minor Mishaps
At the end of November, the damp chill of Jiangcheng seemed to seep into your bones.

Winter is approaching, and the leaves of the sycamore trees have long since fallen, leaving bare branches that trace marks against the leaden sky.

A cold wind, carrying the scent of South Lake, swept across the campus in gusts.

With the change in the version, the students on the street had long since changed out of their clothes that showed off their figures, and most of them were wrapped up in coats, walking in a hurry.

A few days passed quickly, and the time soon arrived for the fellow villagers in the [Jiangcheng Rockets] group to get together for a meal.

Everyone unanimously chose Friday.

You can eat and drink to your heart's content without having to worry about the early morning hours or the relaxed time for schoolwork.

"Where are you going on a date?"

At the South Gate 1 of Nanhu University, Zhou Mingyuan stood near the van, smiling as he looked at Zhong Yujun, who had arrived late, and his eyes lit up.

You look so beautiful today!

"Where is it~"

Zhong Yujun pursed her lips and sat down in the back row with him without any hesitation.

Men aren't that sophisticated at all; they're just visual creatures.

Even if the two of them meet up or have a meal at school for a little more than half of the ten days, they will still do so.

But today, Zhou Mingyuan was still thoroughly amazed by Zhong Yujun.

Today, she didn't wear her usual high ponytail; her overall style was slightly adjusted, and even from a distance, you could vaguely sense that this girl was definitely a great beauty.

She chose a brown cropped knit top for her upper body, paired with a high-waisted long skirt, and underneath she wore sheer tights.

The common online styling formula—short top and high bottom—makes her proportions look incredibly good.

In addition, there are also cleverly designed accessories.

Details like using large earrings to make one's face appear smaller have become part of her routine.

After being praised directly, Zhong Yujun opened the miniature makeup mirror in her bag, turned her face to both sides, and asked with delight.

"I just put on some makeup, does it look good?"

"It's beautiful, absolutely beautiful."

At this point, there is only one answer.

Zhou Mingyuan nodded, staring intently at her profile.

Even the most composed hunter will find it hard to resist the allure of the "white moonlight" (a metaphor for unrequited love).

In the few months since enrolling, Zhong Yujun's makeup and styling skills have improved by leaps and bounds.

Without comparison, there is no harm; throughout high school, she maintained a pure and natural beauty.

Only half a semester has passed, and he already has the ability to freely change his style.

On the one hand, she is naturally beautiful and looks outstanding no matter how she dresses up; on the other hand, there is a highly skilled person in her dormitory.

Zhao Xue, a student from Shanghai.

Don't let Zhao Xue's seemingly manipulative nature fool you; when her roommate wanted to learn makeup skills, she was absolutely formidable.

He shared everything he knew without reservation, teaching Zhong Yujun all of it.

For example, if your foundation cakes up, adding a drop of serum to your foundation before applying it will make it adhere better.

For example, when applying foundation to the cheeks, you should mix the blush powder and foundation together and pat them onto the cheeks. This gives a rosy complexion and looks much more natural than applying blush directly.

Here's another secret to creating a natural, dewy makeup look: spray on primer once, foundation once, and loose powder once, keeping an arm's length distance between you.

From base makeup and eye makeup to contouring, she's starting to show signs of becoming quite proficient.

The result of these advancements is that Zhong Yujun today has beautiful features and is stunningly beautiful, attracting the attention of passersby from 800 meters away.

"We'll have to trouble Sister Xiaomin to take us again."

When Zhong Yujun saw He Min again, she took the initiative to greet her with a bright smile.

Northern girls are rarely shy or reserved in social situations; they are inherently bold and generous.

"You're welcome. I'm fine anyway."

He Min smoothly pulled the handbrake, stepped on the gas, and chatted with Xiao Zhong for a few minutes.

Everyone agreed on a place for a get-together: a restaurant serving stewed in an iron pot.

The promised land for northerners in winter.

The iron wok is a bit hard, and the food inside is often even harder than the wok itself.

Throw whatever you want to eat into the pot. There's no need for fancy knife skills or elaborate plating; all you want is for it to absorb flavor quickly and taste great.

In winter, we should eat some hearty dishes.

Pushing aside the heavy, slightly greasy cotton curtain, a wave of heat, a mixture of stewed meat aroma, the unique smoky smell of a wood-fired stove, and the clamor of voices, hits you as if it were real.

Zhou Mingyuan's gold-rimmed glasses immediately fogged up, making his vision blurry and warm.

"Junjun, over here! We're just missing you two!"

Lu Shiya's highly distinctive voice pierced through the noise and reached the door precisely.

Looking in the direction of the sound, several familiar faces were already seated around a large round table against the inner wall.

Qin Weifeng, full of enthusiasm and with a loud voice, Gu Wanwan, with a smile on her face, and the main characters of tonight's dinner gathering.

Wearing a dazzling orange-red turtleneck sweater, with exquisite makeup and meticulously styled chestnut-colored curly hair, Lu Shiya...

And Liu Zhe, sitting at the very back, with a cup of barley tea in front of him that he had barely touched.

Zhong Yujun hung her coat aside, revealing a soft, close-fitting top underneath, showcasing her slender waist.

"Ugh, the traffic is so bad!"

"It's alright, it's alright, please sit down! We've been waiting for you and Lao Zhou to start the feast!"

Gu Wanwan greeted them warmly, moved an empty chair, and made room for them.

Lu Shiya greeted the waiter, and soon someone came to help, lifting the huge pot lid in front of everyone.

In an instant, an intensely rich aroma exploded and spread out.

Several people set up their cooking equipment, one pot was stewing fish, and the other was stewing lamb chops. The red broth was flavorful, and the white broth was delicious.

The cornbread on the side of the pot smells deliciously crispy. A bite of meat and a sip of wine—it's like the light of life in ordinary days.

"Come on, come on! Let's eat! Don't be shy!"

Lu Shiya picked up her chopsticks first and greeted everyone with great enthusiasm.

"Xiaoya, say something! Just eat it like that. You won a silver medal, share it with everyone!"

Just as everyone was reaching for their chopsticks, ready to feast, Gu Wanwan, sitting next to them, smiled and drew their attention back to the meal.

"Silver Award?"

Compared to the female group with whom he communicates more closely, Qin Weifeng is clearly unaware of Lu Shiya's modest achievements.

"Yes! You didn't know that, did you?"

"OK OK!"

Seeing that she couldn't refuse, Lu Shiya tapped her glass, filled it with beer, and stood up.

A blush of excitement spread across her face as she raised her voice.

"I have some amazing news to share with you all!"

After pausing under everyone's curious gazes, Lu Shiya looked around and continued.

"Just last Saturday, at the Jiangcheng University Music and Arts Festival piano solo finals, I, Lu Shiya, won second prize!"

Silver Award!

The girl's voice was filled with pride and joy, with a rising tone at the end, making it very infectious.

"Wow"

"Xiaoya is awesome!"

"That's amazing! Congratulations!"

"You've really brought honor to our alma mater!"

A chorus of enthusiastic congratulations followed, with everyone raising their glasses in celebration.

As an art student, Lu Shiya has spent a lot of money on training since she was a child, and now she has finally entered the hall of fame.

She happily accepted everyone's praise, just like a proud peacock.

"Not only that!"

Gu Wanwan put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and spoke excitedly.

"As far as I know, the Jiangcheng University Music and Arts Festival is one of the largest and most authoritative student music competitions in the Jiangcheng area, and the judges are all well-known professors and performers in the industry."

"It's already quite an achievement for Xiaoya to make it to the finals, and winning second prize is even more proof of her strength. This is a remarkable result!"

"It's alright, it's alright." Her best friend's words of encouragement made Lu Shiya's smile even brighter, her eyes crinkling into crescents.

Her gaze swept around, and then she waved her hand generously.

"So, tonight's dinner is on me to celebrate my award!"

"Sister Ya is so generous!"

"Come, come, let's toast our pianist!"

Cheers and clinking glasses erupted again, creating a lively atmosphere.

"By the way, Liu Zhe, don't sneak down to pay the bill, okay?"

"That won't do. Xiaoya is the main character tonight. It would be no fun if she stole the show."

Liu Zhe's hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly, and his face appeared somewhat pale under the warm yellow light of the restaurant.

Although he was smiling, he seemed tense, and his eyes lacked the previous fervent confidence.

Zhou Mingyuan kept an eye on Liu Zhe out of the corner of his eye.

From his silence and evasiveness when he sat down, to his clothing, and now his strange reaction.

It seems he's hit a nerve?
Have you noticed?

He turned slightly to the side, subtly moving closer to Zhong Yujun, and spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

"what's wrong?"

"Liu Zhe is still wearing the same pair of starry shoes as last time."

"You're such a gossip. Why are you always paying attention to other people's business?"

Noticing this detail, Zhong Yujun gave the man a half-smile and responded softly.

Their bodies unconsciously moved closer to each other, their arms almost touching.

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you two whispering about?"

The happy dinner party continued.

Everyone enjoyed their meal while chatting animatedly.

The conversation ranged from the eccentric professors and bizarre courses in their respective colleges to complaining about the damp and cold weather in Jiangcheng, and then to reminiscing about the warm winters of their hometowns.

Sitting opposite, Lu Shiya noticed Zhou Mingyuan and Zhong Yujun whispering to each other and immediately crossed her arms to question them.

Why are you whispering in my ear in front of me!

Isn't that a bit too intimate?

"It's nothing, it's nothing."

Zhong Yujun immediately waved her hand, her nose glistening with tiny beads of sweat, her cheeks flushed.

"Let's talk about something about our school."

"What's wrong? Tell us about it too!"

Unexpectedly, her high school classmates all understood her tricks and were not fooled by the "master of deception" at all, and kept asking her questions.

"Uh-huh."

Zhong Yujun blinked, her brain suddenly going blank.

She was just making up a lie; she couldn't very well reveal that she and Zhou Mingyuan were secretly catching crickets with Liu Zhe, could she?
This is a little secret between the two of them.

Her thoughts raced, and she could only react quickly.

What news from school left the deepest impression on her?

right!

Really!
"Zhou Mingyuan also has some good news recently!"

"He won first place in our school's innovation and entrepreneurship competition!"

Zhong Yujun cleared her throat and raised her voice.

"what?"

"Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition?"

Upon hearing this, not only was Lu Shiya stunned, but Qin Weifeng and Liu Zhe also looked up.

In fact, only a minority of freshmen have the idea of ​​part-time jobs, let alone participate in entrepreneurial activities, so it doesn't attract much attention.

But Gu Wanwan seemed to know a lot about the innovation and entrepreneurship competition, covering her mouth and staring wide-eyed in disbelief.

"Ahhh?"

"Zhou Mingyuan, you've started a business! Really?"

"The first-place winner in our school gets a prize of several hundred thousand yuan!"

"Oh my god."

As soon as the girl finished speaking, Liu Zhe looked at Zhou Mingyuan in shock and repeated, "Hundreds of thousands?"

"Yes, the school gave a reward fund of 500,000 yuan."

Zhou Mingyuan picked up a piece of stewed potato that was soft and flavorful, and was about to put it in his mouth when he saw everyone's matching eyes. He smiled and nodded.

His casual profile appeared sharply defined under the light.

"No buddy."

Lu Shiya suddenly felt that her silver medal wasn't so impressive after all.

"Old Zhou, what kind of business do you run?"

"Minor trouble."

"What exactly do you mean by 'small-scale' activities?"

"I started an MCN company that specializes in providing supporting services for online celebrities."

Liu Zhe, who was usually quiet and reserved, suddenly seemed to become interested and kept asking Zhou Mingyuan questions.

Zhong Yujun easily drew the students' attention to Zhou Mingyuan.

"Jieyou Media?"

The questions surrounding Zhou Mingyuan continue unabated.

The company name, which was initially thought to be a small-scale operation, was also dug up by everyone.

"Wait a minute, holy crap! Jieyou Media!?"

Qin Weifeng, a mature and steady sports student, suddenly seemed to remember something and raised his voice in surprise, which was quite unusual for him.

"It seems that our school's popular senior recently signed a contract with Jieyou Media, but I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly."

"What's your name?"

Zhou Mingyuan asked with a smile.

"Chen Keke, my dream senior!"

After uttering those three words, Qin Weifeng crossed his arms and placed them on his chest, looking extremely devout.

"Then you're not mistaken."

"Holy shit! Old Zhou!"

Qin Weifeng simply stood up, walked to Zhou Mingyuan's side, hugged the man's shoulders, and for a moment lost all ability to speak.

Of course, the meaning behind his action is not hard to guess.

Godfather, please accept my bow!
Jieyou Media, this is no small, insignificant company!

Others may not know Chen Keke's influence at Jiangcheng Sports Academy, but does Qin Weifeng not know it?
It is said that the senior student took the initiative to submit her resume and actively sought cooperation with a certain MCN, wanting to try a new path outside of being a sports student.

This amazing media company is actually owned by my classmate Zhou Mingyuan?
How is this done?
That's outrageous!

"So, according to Lao Qin, you really have internet celebrities in your company?"

Lu Shiya still looked incredulous.

This is actually quite normal. Compared to other universities in Jiangcheng, the entrepreneurial atmosphere at Jiangcheng Art College is naturally much weaker.

She has never paid any attention to innovation and entrepreneurship.

"."

Before Zhou Mingyuan could answer, Zhong Yujun, who was sitting next to him, couldn't help but speak up.

"Of course there is."

"You guys don't usually watch live streams, do you?"

"Du Jianuo, a senior from our school, once trended on Weibo under the tag 'Nanhu Park Jiyeon,' with the nickname 'uno-chan.'"

"She's the number one female dancer on Douyu!"

(End of this chapter)