Huayu: From "Good Fortune Across the Sky" to becoming a top star

Jiang Xun and Tian Xiwei walked side by side on campus. A gentle breeze was blowing, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the sycamore leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground. It was the most beautiful season on campus.

He rarely goes into university campuses; the last time he went to the school was the time before that.

"I've always had this idea," he said.

"What are you thinking?" Tian Xi turned her head slightly to look at him, her ponytail swinging to the other side.

"When I'm financially independent, I'll come to university and take classes." He paused, "Sit in the last row and listen to the old professor with gray hair lecturing. It doesn't matter if I understand it or not, I'll just listen."

"That's easy. I'll take you to audit a class; we'll find one of those old professors with gray hair!"

"The key point of that sentence is after you achieve financial freedom." Jiang Xun put his hands in his pockets, looked up at the treetops above, and said, "That's when you'll truly understand."

"So, financial freedom means how much money you earn?" She tilted her head, looking at him with bright eyes.

"Let's make a few billion first."

Tian Xi took a deep breath and exaggeratedly patted her chest.

"You can just say you don't want to go to class. I won't force you."

Jiang Xun shook his head: "How can a sparrow know the ambition of a swan?"

The two of them walked around the school.

The corridors of the teaching building are covered with various posters, advertising lectures, club recruitment, and theatrical performances.

He recalled that in his previous life, when he was this age, he was still herding cattle on the mountain.

"I'll take you out for a big meal," Tian Xiwei suddenly said.

Jiang Xun thought she was really looking for a decent restaurant, but after many twists and turns, she finally stopped in front of a small shop near the school.

The shop is small but very clean, and the shop's sign is pasted on the glass door: Knife Fish Wonton.

It's not mealtime yet, and there are only two or three tables of customers in the restaurant.

"this one?"

"What's wrong with that?" Tian Xiwei said matter-of-factly, "It's good quality and inexpensive, with a high cost-performance ratio. You know, rent near schools is very expensive. The fact that they can still make a profit at a reasonable price means the food is really good."

As she spoke, she pushed open the door and went inside. She found a seat by the window, didn't even look at the menu, and immediately called out towards the kitchen, "Auntie, two orders of knife fish wontons and one order of braised pork and bamboo shoot soup!"

"I'm an old hand at this." Jiang Xun sat down opposite her.

"What you said is absolutely right." Tian Xi chuckled, not at all modest. "When it comes to food, I really do know a lot."

She poured a glass of water for each of them.

Before Jiang Xun could even pick up his chopsticks, a delicious aroma filled his nostrils when the dishes were served.

The soup base for the knife fish wontons was clear, with a few drops of oil and bright green scallions floating on top. The wonton wrappers were very thin, and you could vaguely see the filling inside.

"You just arrived in Shanghai yesterday?" Tian Xiwei picked up a wonton, blew on it, and carefully took a bite.

"Yes, it arrived this afternoon." Jiang Xun also picked up a piece. The pork mixed with ribbonfish meat was incredibly delicious.

"So where do you live?"

"Let's stay in a hotel." He swallowed a wonton, took a sip of soup, and said, "When are you going to be able to buy a house by the Huangpu River? Then I won't need to stay in hotels anymore."

"You want me to support you?"

"That works too." Jiang Xun smiled.

"If you can do it, so can I." She placed the soup bowl in front of him. "But you have to find me a job, right? You might be my boss someday."

"No problem, no problem."

The two ate and chatted, while students occasionally passed by outside the window, some riding bicycles, others holding their girlfriends' hands.

He was drinking his soup when he caught a glimpse of a figure drifting past the window out of the corner of his eye.

The person walked slowly, her white dress swaying gently in the breeze.

She was looking down at her phone when she glanced inside the store as she passed by, and her eyes met Jiang Xun's.

"That person just gave me a dirty look," Jiang Xun put down his spoon. "Does he have a problem with me?"

Tian Xiwei followed his gaze and saw the profile of the woman in the white dress.

"Chu Ran," she said calmly, withdrawing her gaze, "she starred in last year's 'Oh My General.' But she probably doesn't have a problem with you; she's just a little nearsighted and probably didn't even see you."

Jiang Xun glanced out the window again. The person had already gone far away, leaving only a blurry shadow of a woman in a white dress.

"He's practically a big star," he said.

Tian Xiwei didn't reply, and focused on eating her wontons.

She felt that talking to Jiang Xun about other women was less worthwhile than focusing on eating.

"She has almost half the number of followers on Douyin as you do," Tian Xiwei casually replied.

"You're quite the flatterer."

"Have you been taking the vitamins I bought you? Does your mouth still hurt?"

"I took a few, and I'm all better now."

"Then I'll buy you some oranges later, you can take them with you to eat on the way."

"OK."

When they were almost finished eating, Jiang Xun said, "I'm leaving after I finish eating. I've already booked my plane ticket."

"Huh?" Tian Xi was slightly taken aback, a little disappointed. "So soon? I was planning to show you around properly and take you to Disneyland."

"Maybe next time. I received an audition invitation. If I fail, I'll come find you again."

Tian Xi nodded slightly, then suddenly looked up: "You received an audition invitation? What drama?"

"The movie, 'Better Days.' We don't even know if it'll pass censorship yet, so let's not celebrate prematurely."

"Receiving it is a success! Keep going! You can do it!" Tian Xiwei clenched her fist to cheer herself on, her eyes shining as if she herself had received an audition invitation.

"Could you give me some encouragement?"

"You can do it! Go for it! Go for it! Go for it!" Tian Xiwei shouted with great enthusiasm.

"Then let me touch your leg and don't call the police."

Tian Xi didn't even frown. She moved the stool closer to Jiang Xun and then brought her legs closer to him.

Jiang Xun confirmed that she was indeed not angry, and solemnly placed his hand on her leg and stroked it back and forth.

The texture is wonderful, how can I describe it?

It feels like touching a soft face; the texture is smooth and elastic, and the feel is excellent.

The meal cost over 100 yuan for the two of us; a bowl of wontons cost 30 yuan, and a serving of pickled bamboo shoots and pork soup cost 58 yuan.

The money Xiaotian paid was still a bit painful for the students.

On the way to the airport with Jiang Xun by subway, Tian Xiwei encouraged him again, telling him not to be nervous, to relax during the audition, and not to be stage-frightened.

She also gave Jiang Xun some last-minute tips and some acting experience she had gained over the years.

"Jiang Xun, keep going!"

Jiang Xun clenched his fist and cheered himself on: "I'll send you a WeChat message after this is over."

After entering the boarding gate, Tian Xiwei shouted to him again, "Jiang Xun, I've thought it through. I'll follow you from now on."

Jiang Xun didn't turn around, he just raised his hand and waved.

"After I get back, I'll have someone send you the signed contract."