《Rebirth: How A Loser Became A Prince Charming》 Chapter 1: Eighteen Again Chapter 1: Eighteen Again Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was reborn and sent back eighteen years in time. He was having a pancake at the dining table when he realized what had happened. He was so shocked, and the scallion pancake his mom had made for him was so resilient hat small piecesnded on his face as he tore at it with vigor. A scallion escaped andnded on his hair, the sauce sttering right in his nostrils. Qin Guans dad, who was sitting across from him at the table, nced at him calmly and turned a page on the newspaper that stood between them like usual. His dad looked really young. He had few wrinkles on his face as he was just over 40, the very prime of his life. He was reading a newspaper while eating. He seemed really good at multitasking, unlike 18 yearster when he would have poked himself in the face with his chopsticks if hed tried to do the same thing. Qin Guan touched the sauce on his face and looked at the dishes on the table. There was fried oyster, shredded cucumber and millet congee. He turned towards his mom, who was making pancakes in the kitchen. He thought that she still looked attractive. Qin Guan got up and walked to the bathroom. He turned on the tap and washed his face by the sink. When hed cleaned all the sauce off, he thought to himself, Take things as theye. Thats the spirit. Lifting his head, Qin Guan grabbed a towel off the shelf. He chanced a glimpse at the mirror and lowered his head, then raised it back up. Oh my God! Who is that? In the mirror, there was a man with thin rosy lips, pretty white teeth, and a Roman nose. If he ignored the scallion on his hair, he looked like aplete toy boy. No, ady-killer. Qin Guan grinned, and the man in the mirror smiled as well, revealing his bright white teeth. Qin Guan looked in the mirror and removed the scallion from his hair. He looked around, and then put his hands down his blue-and-white school trousers and touched his penis. There it is! Good, Im still a man. Qin Guan had always had more male hormones than most people. At 18, he already had whiskers on his face. Thanks to his stubble, pot belly, his chest and leg hair, the fact that he wore a vest and shorts, and of course his favorite pastime of watching TV with his legs spreading wide, Qin Guan looked like the very definition of a sloppy guy. Now his body had changed, and Qin Guan, who was just beginning to ept that he had been reborn, was confused once again. Was I reborn or did I travel through time? Howe my appearance has changed? Before Qin Guan could think it over, his moms voice rang out through the house. Qin Guan, are you full? Youre going to bete for ss! Qin Guan was aware that 18 years ago he had still been in high school. He popped his head out and took a look at the calendar in the living room. It was March, 1998. Jesus, it was only several months before the College Entrance Examination! Qin Guan hastily toweled his face and ran to his bedroom. He grabbed his schoolbag and swept all the test papers that had been on his desk inside it. Snatching his bike key off the desk, he walked into the living room, picked up the rest of his pancake and shoved it into his mouth, lisping, Mom, Im out. He put on his green cotton jacket and ran down the stairs. Qin Guan reached the entrance of the building and got on his bike. It was an old 28-inch-diameter that made all kinds of noise but had a nonfunctional bell. As he headed to school, he finished the rest of his pancake and thought to himself, What were the questions on the College Entrance Examination? I cant remember. Forget it. Should I ask Zhou Jing toe y a video game? Yes, definitely. Wow, did it feel good to be young. Qin Guans high school was one of the best in the province. The campus was swarming with straight-A students. Qin Guan had taken a lot of blows since enrolling there. He had gradually gotten used to it, but with so many straight-A students around, former straight-F students had to work extra hard. However, thanks to their influence, Qin Guan had managed to get epted into a respectable technical college. Although he would have to go through the suffering of the College Entrance Examination one more time, Qin Guan did not feel stressed at all. He would just follow the steps of the straight-A students likest time. He would need to change his major, though. There were hardly any cute girls at technical colleges, a fact that Qin Guan had alwaysined about before his rebirth. Riding over another slope, Qin Ran could finally see the school gate. There were more students on the road, all in blue-and-white or red-and-white uniforms. Panting for breath, Qin Guan stopped at the base of the slope. He wheeled his bike up with one hand, while he used his other hand to push thest piece of pancake into his mouth. If there was anything bad about his rebirth, it was his physique. He might be taller, but he was rather thin. Looking at his small ribs, Qin Guan let out a sigh. He decided his priority would be to work out. Qin Guan was wheeling the bike forward when he passed by a group of girls. The girls giggled and ran alongside him for several steps. One of the girls looked back and whispered to the girl next to her, Wow, he looks so cute, even while eating a pancake! The other girl whispered back, The school hunk? I sure envy that pancake! Qin Guan listened in. He was so surprised to hear the word pancake that he nearly spat out the sauce before swallowing it. From what he remembered, high school girls were quite shy. Howe they suddenly wanted to switch ces with a pancake? When the girls walked away, Qin Guan wheeled his bike forward and entered the campus. He went to the bike shed, locked his bike and walked into the teaching building. Qin Guan went to the third floor, into ss 8, Grade 3, and found his seat. It was the one by the window, in the second row from the back. He knew his way around well, so he reached his seat fast and dropped his schoolbag on the desk. How good it felt to relive that! In less than five minutes, the bell rang. Watching the head teachere in, Qin Guan felt his eyes water. He had not seen her in years, but the elderlydy was still as plump as ever. Qin Guan took a look at the seat behind him. It was empty. Zhou Jing, who always sat in the back row, waste again. As Qin Guan was thinking about him, a tall boy rushed through the door and bumped right into the head teacher. The teacher saw it was Zhou Jing and started yelling at him, Yourete again, Zhou Jing! How many times have you beente? You know the rule, go stand in the corner! Zhou Jing did not say anything. He left his schoolbag in his seat and went to stand in the corner. Under the guidance of the head teacher, the straight-A students started their routine morning self-study. When the teacher was not looking his way, Qin Guan twisted his head back, pouted his lips at Zhou Jing and whispered, Did you stay uptest night reading about martial arts and chivalry fiction? Zhou Jing looked shocked that Qin Guan would initiate a conversation with him. Stuttering, he answered, Are you talking to me? Qin Guan felt confused. Yes, he said. Zhou Jing sniffled and said, Youve been buried in books for the past three years. Youre always ashamed to be seen with straight-F students like me, because you think well damage your image and reputation. Now youre talking to me first. Did the sun rise in the west today? Maybe it does once in a blue moon! Qin Guan felt horrible. How the hell had this version of Qin Guan behaved at school before his rebirth? The way Zhou Jing had described him chilled Qin Guan to the bone. He turned to Zhou Jing again and said, I had a brain fade for two and a half years, but now Im feeling better. Ill make it up to you. Lets go to an arcade this weekend. Zhou Jing looked excited. Ill take your word for it. Your treat, though, he added quickly. Qin Guan grinned and formed the victory sign with his fingers before turning back to his book. Chapter 2: Crushing on Cong Nianwei Chapter 2: Crushing on Cong Nianwei Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia English was the first ss after their morning self-study. Qin Guan took out his textbook. Merlin had tried different ways to make himself roll. Finally, he decided to put two wheels under each of his shoes. As Qin Guan read, he gradually started feeling sleepy. What am I going to do? As a science geek who had worked on the machine manufacturing industry for more than ten years, Qin Guan had always felt extremely distressed during English ss. While he read the words on the textbook again, he thought that every single one of them sounded familiar, yet he could not remember their meaning. Qin Guan recognized his carelessness in not using English for so many years. For a science student, the fivepulsory subjects in the College Entrance Examination included Math, Physics, Chemistry, English and Chinese. Qin Guan was quite confident in his Math, Physics and Chemistry. However, Chinese and English were a big pain for him. It had been ten years, and he had forgotten almost everything that he had ever learned. Apparently, in the next few months Qin Guan would have to focus on Chinese and English in order to learn fast. Looking at the number 122 on the ckboard, which stood for the days to go before the College Entrance Examination, and watching his ssmates work so hard, Qin Guan thought that he should feel really sorry for himself if he did not take advantage of this second opportunity to get admitted into a prestigious university in the capital. Picking up his book, he started from the first page and began to recite very hard. English, Chinese, English. No matter what the ss was this morning, these two subjects were what he would study on his own. At the end of the day, when he looked up from his desk dizzily, he was amazed. Just in one morning, he had read eight English texts and recited around 250 words. Thinking back, he found that he had already memorized 230 of them. As for the four ancient Chinese pieces of prose, he was able to recite every word of them. Was this a stroke of luck brought by his rebirth that would always help him along? Qin Guan was thrilled. That was fantastic! The morning sses were over around noon time. Students in Grade 3 didnt get any breaks. They only got an hour and a half off for lunch. Qin Guan did not want to waste it. He turned his head back, kicked the leg of Zhou Jings desk and said, Do you want to ask Fatty Li for handmade noodles? Both Zhou Jing and Li Jian, who had juste over, paused. Was Toy Boy Qin Guan really talking to them? Other students moving around in the ssroom had paused, too. A 59 guy with dark skin, a 52plump one, and a tall thin guy like a stick. They made quite the picture. Qin Guan did not seem to be aware that he was a looker. He dragged along Li Jian, whose body consisted mostly of fat, and told Zhou Jing, Old Zhao Ramen. My treat. They passed by all the girls of the ss, who were ring at them as if wanting to say, These two dare get invited for ramen by the Prince Charming? How I envy them! I want to go with too. Whats so special about them and they got so lucky? The two boys followed Qin Guan and walked off the campus. Old Zhao Ramen was a small noodle restaurant by the high schools side entrance. It was known among the students for its affordable and delicious noodles. As their noodles were getting served, Qin Guan could not wait to pick them up with his chopsticks and suck them into his mouth. Broth, white noodles and red chili oil. Yes, that was heaven. Watching Qin Guan eat his noodles unrestrainedly, the two boys, who were sitting across from Qin Guan and shoveling noodles into their mouths, gave him inscrutable looks. As they watched him lift one of his legs onto the rung of the chair and suck his noodles, they could no longer help but be persuaded. Qin Guan, we all know that you are upset, but you cant give up on yourself just because you got rejected. Its fine if you want to hang out with us, but how could you not care about your image anymore? Its the only thing you ever talked about. Raising his head from his noodle bowl, Qin Guan looked at a loss while he asked, What rejection? I have not given up on myself. His words confirmed Zhou Jing and Li Jians suspicions. They both saidpassionately, You told the monitor yesterday that you had fallen for her, but she turned you down. Qin Guan spat out his noodles. What? I told the monitor that I had fallen for her? Zhou Jing and Li Jian nodded sympathetically. Sniffling his nose, Qin Guan thought of their monitor. Her hair was usually pulled into a neat ponytail and her big eyes were always twinkling. Suddenly, he felt very upset. The one thing that hed wanted the most, but had not dared do in hisst life, he had done in this one and he had failed. Damn! He could not get over it. For someone as careless as Qin Guan, this second chance at life was not a big deal, neither were the changes in his appearance. That girl with the big eyes, though, was like a dream for him. Who didnt have one or two friends that theyd had a crush on when they were young? It was fine. He had said it, and hed gotten rejected. Looking at the empty bowl in front of him and turning to his two best friends who obviously cared about him, Qin Guan felt moved. He pretended not to care and said, Crap! How is it even possible to be devastated over a little girl thats still in her puberty? I forgot about it already. Feeling proud of his words, Qin Guan watched Li Jian wink at him. Qin Guan felt happy. Such a good friend. Always entertaining me. Qin Guan got up, pinched Li Jians cheek and said, You agree with my theory, too, right? Good boy. Zhou Jing sighed. Sometimes he worried about Qin Guans EQ. He poked at him with his finger and pointed behind Qin Guans back. Qin Guan twisted his head back. Oh, no... It was the little girl. The monitor was standing right behind him, holding a tray of fried noodles with beef in her hand, her eyes twinkling and looking adorable. Before Qin Guan could feel good about himself, a tray of fried noodles hadnded on his head. The monitor gave him a smile and asked the owner for one more tray of fried noodles. Whos a little girl now? The owner popped his head out of the window and shouted, One more tray of fried noodles with beef! The patrons in this small noodle restaurant were all students from their high school. They had all witnessed the scene between the Prince Charming and the straight-A girl, and were not nning on keeping it a secret. Qin Guan was not mad, despite the fact that a mass of noodles hung right on his face. He held it up to his mouth and sucked it in. He had not expected the gentle monitor to turn out to have such a hot temper. He had to have her. He just had to. Ignoring the noodles on his head, Qin Guan grinned at her. She had such beautiful sparkling eyes. I like you more now. What am I going to do? Seeing this extremely silly side of Qin Guan, the young monitor thought that he was very down-to-earth after all. Nothing like the hypocrite shed always thought he was." For some reason, she blushed. Flipping her ponytail, she ignored him and went to get her noodles. Qin Guan felt happy. He had a chance with her. He would handle the College Entrance Examination first, and then he would handle the prettiest girl in ss. He meant what he had said. The rest of the months flew by, with Qin Guan giggling towards the monitor from time to time over his books. When he had nothing to do, he would tuck himself into bed, close his eyes and recall bits and pieces of his day. He was very happy. It felt good to be back in high school. To start his life over and chase after the girl of his dreams... If he won Cong Nianweis heart, he would not have lived his life in vain. Chapter 3: The Days Before the College Entrance Examination Chapter 3: The Days Before the College Entrance Examination Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan led a busy life. Every day before dawn, he would go out and ran severalps around the small park in his neighborhood. If there was anything that Qin Guan was unsatisfied with, it was his weak physique. He was too thin. Any man who did not have body hair had to at least have some muscles. Only by exercising more could he get more toned and have a healthy physique. Just because he was sloppy, it did not mean that he could not be physically strong. Qin Guans ssmates found that he had changed. He was no longer as aloof and unapproachable as he used to be. After each ss, he would ask other straight-A students for help with his homework, not ashamed at all to learn from his inferiors. He had gotten bold, generous and unconstrained, and he was no longer punctilious. Everyone thought that under his arrogance Qin Guan had a kind heart that enjoyed life to the full. Without realizing it, Qin Guan began getting increasingly popr among his ssmates. Boys who had never associated with him before became best friends with him one after the other, more and more girls got closer to him, and of course, he kept getting an increasing number of contemptuous looks from Cong Nianwei. But why did he feel so happy? More than three months flew by in this manner. The exam period came. Through multiple inquiries and investigations, Qin Guan had discovered that Cong Nianwei had given up on the college rmendation of the school and would take the College Entrance Examination, aiming for Tsinghua University in the capital. He gritted his teeth. With his current progress, he was much better than he used to be in his past life, but he was still a long way from getting admitted into Tsinghua University. If he wanted to keep Cong Nianwei away from other boys, then he would have to take measures. If he could not go to the same university, he had to at least go to the same city! Since he had always wanted to study finance, Qin Guan aimed for the Capital University of Finance and Economics. It was in the same city, so he would not feel far away from her. On July 7, 8, and 9, Qin Guan took his exam admission ticket, a 2B pencil and a pencil case filled with pens, and headed bravely to the examination room that would determine his future. The first exam was Chinese. His focused learning over the past few months had yed a decisive role. He found that 98% of the multiple choice and fill-in-the-nk questions were on things that he had learned. He had no difficulty answering them. His textbook knowledge was imprinted on his mind. He could remember it all clearly. It was not difficult for him at all. The reading part was quite easy as he answered the questions with standard practice. The writing part was even easier, because thats when Qin Guan yed his trump card he cheated through his memory. More than ten years had passed. Qin Guan had long forgotten the questions on the examination papers, but he could still remember the topic of the writing part. Qin Guan turned his examination paper to thest page and read the topic: Tenacity: A Quality to Pursue Oveing Vulnerability (Alternative Topic) Qin Guan was ecstatic. He had guessed right. The Chinese writing topic of the College Entrance Examination had not changed. He felt reassured. He had answered all the questions on the Chinese examination paper, and there was still more than 30 minutes left. Qin Guan checked his paper carefully, and when there was still fifteen minutes to go before the end of the examination, he submitted his paper and walked out of the examination room. The Chinese exam was a really good start to Qin Guans College Entrance Examination, which meant that he would now be more confident when taking the rest of the subjects. Math, Physics, Chemistry, none of them could stop Qin Guan. When he had written thest word on the English writing exam, his hand, which was still holding his pen, trembled slightly. It was over. He had finished this battle that could determine his future, and he was both happy and excited! The scorching heat of July could not diminish Qin Guans happiness. I did really well. Do you know that, Cong Nianwei? I like you so much. I want to see you again! Qin Guan submitted his examination paper, ran out of the campus and spotted the girl with the big eyes who was leaving through the school gate. Qin Guan waved wildly at her and shouted, Cong Nianwei, what are your ns for this summer? As soon as Cong Nianwei walked out of the examination room, she saw a tall thin boy with white skin standing on the other side of the road. He was waving at her under the scorching sun. The sunshine shone down on the boys face making his sweat glisten. He was grinning rather unattractively, showing his white teeth, but Cong Nianwei felt that nothing in the whole wide world could hold a candle to him. Qin Guan was surrounded by boys who were making fun of him, but the girls across the road looked really jealous. In that moment, Qin Guan felt time stand still and all sound disappear. All he saw was Cong Nianwei slowly walking towards him. She crossed the road and went up to Qin Guan. Looking at his mouth, she said, I will go back to my grandmas this summer. But next year, Ill be waiting to see you and give you an answer. Qin Guan felt his heart beat fast, as if a flower were growing in it, bright and beautiful. For some reason, he was moved. Okay, he answered slowly, This time next year, no matter where you are, I wille find you. Qin Guan said goodbye to her and went back home in a daze. Watching their absent-minded son, his parents assumed that he had not done very well in his College Entrance Examination. They were too afraid to ask him about it though, in case he became even more upset. Instead, they decided tofort him in a more subdued and mild manner. Qin Guan did not exin anything to them. He had already forgotten about the College Entrance Examination and had begun to fantasize about his future. In his heart, he had a dream. He would need to take good care of himself to get the girl of his dreams, and then convince her to marry him. They would have a few kids together, and keep them close. He would live a happy life with them and earn a lot of money. Chapter 4: Graduation Party Chapter 4: Graduation Party Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia It waste July when the students could finally check out their examination results. Under the gaze of the whole family, Qin Guans mother tremblingly dialed thest digit. A mechanical voice rang out from the receiver: Register Number 3799... Score: 689. She had gotten through on the first try. Lest they should have misheard the score, Qin Guans mother hang up and dialed the number again: 689. It was true. Qin Guans first choice was Capital University of Finance and Economics. No doubt he had surpassed the minimum admission score. Qian Guans parents were overjoyed. They had thought that Qin Guan had failed the College Entrance Examination, and it had turned out to be a big surprise for them. They were more than thrilled. Qin Guans parents were proud to spread the news right away, wishing to let all their friends and rtives know. Qin Guan became the most annoying kid in the family. He was both handsome and studious, so all his rtives kids were gnashing their teeth at how unfair it was. When the results of the College Entrance Examination came out, it was quite natural that some people would be happy while others would be sad. The College Entrance Examination was not such a big deal for ss 8, Grade 3 which was full of straight-A students. When Qin Guan went back to school to submit his college application, he met with his head teacher who informed him of the date and time of their graduation party. On the day of the party, everyone in ss showed up. They were all dressed casually instead of wearing their school uniforms. Now that the tense atmosphere of the College Entrance Examination was gone, everyone could enjoy themselves, fool around, drink and eat. Li Jian produced two boxes of beer out of nowhere and poured a ss out for everyone. He saw all these straight-A students with their thick sses staring at the beer, their eyes showing that they all clearly itched to have a ss. Qin Guan suddenly understood why people with super high IQs were always described as devious, secretly cunning and wickedly smart. After drinking three sses of beer, the ss President, who was the one wearing the thickest sses, suddenly pped his ss on the table. His blurred vision and flushed face betrayed how drunk he was. Qin Guan thought he was about to witness the most honest student in ss make a drunken fool of himself when suddenly the ss President started using him, Damn you, Qin Guan! I hate you the most out of the whole ss! Hearing his loud voice, everyone went quiet all of a sudden. What did you have going for you in the past besides your good looks? You were an absolute unsociable hypocrite and your grades were below average. You were just a hypocritical bastard. But despite that, you were still recognized as the school hunk. You even dared tell Cong Nianwei that you liked her, which made me hate you even more... The ss President stuttered. He got increasingly emotional until he somehow ended up crying. Despite the snot and tears on his face, the ss President went on, But how can you do this? Couldnt you just stay true to your old ways? Why did you have to get funnier and funnier? Now our ssmates have started to talk to you. Your performance has been getting better, and the teachers also seem to like you. But even so, I cant give up! Cong Nianwei, I like you too. I like you more than he does. Qin Guan, I hate you! By now everyone was looking at the most honest student in ss crying at the wine table. Qin Guan believed that this was a typical case of alcohol making a coward temporarily brave. He was about to startughing when voices began to ring out all around him. Wang Ping, it was me who wrote you that love letter in Grade 2. I like you, said Bu Lu, who sat in the first row. Qu Mei, I have been taking advantage of your weakness for three years. You know what Im talking about. Qu Mei pretended convincingly that she didnt know what he was talking about. The head teacher was like an old monk during meditation. He ate and drank as if nothing of importance was going on,pletely ignoring all these crazy boys. The girls all remained very calm. The eight boys who had spoken with Dutch courage ended up feeling like cowards instead and retreated like scared birds. It got strangely quiet in the room. Suddenly there were sses nging and tinkling, and the Vice President stood up. She was so emotional that she knocked over her own chair. She was a slender girl with fair skin. Lots of boys in ss had a crush on her. She puckered her lips and picked up her chair. Before everyones eyes, she suddenly approached Qin Guan, clutched his shoulders and kissed his cheek. Then she returned to her seat as if nothing had happened. The room had gotten even quieter. Qin Guan looked around and all he saw was ferocious stares. He was about to say something when he saw eight girls stand up and start to bombard the Vice President with words. Youre so cunning! Thats right! You should have warned us before you did that! I had wanted to do this for such a long time, and now you stole my thunder! The girls quickly ran over to Qin Guan. Some grabbed his hair while others tore at his clothes. They each gave him a kiss on the cheek. Qin Guan quickly slipped under the table. The head teacher nced at the dishes on it. Ah, the braised intestines with brown sauce taste really good at this restaurant. The girls did not let go. They started tearing at Qin Guans clothes to im him for themselves. Peeping through the table legs, Qin Guan saw Cong Nianwei looking at him angrily. He was about to sit up when fists started beating on his head like raindrops. It was the boys. Beat him. I cant stand it anymore. Give my girl back! Ill fight you to the end! All at once, dishes, beer sses, roast chicken and vegetables came his way. An increasing number boys and girls surrounded Qin Guan. Sir, take a picture for us. Yes. A group photo, they told the head teacher, who did not seem disturbed and remained focused on his food. The head teacher wiped his mouth and took a Seagull SLR camera out of his bag. He zoomed in a quite professional manner before shouting to his students, Over here! One, two, three! Time stood still right then and there. The girls were inside it and the boys were outside. They were all either beating or dragging the boy under the table, and he was trying hard to lift up his head, grinning wide and bright. From this day on, my ssmates will start drifting apart and our best and most innocent time will be over. I wish all my high school ssmates academic sess and a smooth journey in life. Chapter 5: The Moneymaking Barbecue Stand Chapter 5: The Moneymaking Barbecue Stand Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia It was the end of July and the weather had been getting increasingly hot. Cicadas were singing merrily outside the windows. Qin Guan was lounging in a chair, his face buried in a watermelon. He was thinking about his life and how he would make a living. When it came to making money, Qin Guan was at a loss. He had been an engineering student in his past life, and every day hed had to deal with excavators, battering rams and road rollers. Now that he had been reborn though, he did not want to carry on with his old business. However, he could not recall any winning lottery numbers, nor did he know anything about the stock market. What else could he do? Others would have acted more boldly given the chance to be reborn. I have been very cautious. Qin Guan sighed. Even though he had the opportunity to start over, he was not able to make money in an easy, smart way. He spat out the watermelon seeds filling his mouth. He went out in a pair of flip-flops, heading to the foundry where his cousin worked. He wanted to ask him to make him a barbecue cart using waste sheet iron. Walking out of the foundry, Qin Guan realized that he would need help. He called Zhou Jing and Li Jian from the small grocery store next to the foundry. These two boys had no goals in their lives. They already knew that they had barely passed the minimum score for admission into a respectable college in the College Entrance Examination. One of them stayed at home, bored, with little to do except eat and sleep; and the other read smut, trying to catch up on all the chapters he had missed during the College Entrance Examination period. Listening to Qin Guans n on the phone, the two boys could not bear to stay at home anymore. They all agreed to meet in the farmers market. Holding two chemical fertilizer sacks with the word urea on them, the three boys bargained heatedly with the owner. In the end, they bought two wholesale sacks of charcoal and hundreds of bamboo sticks that they nned to use as skewers. Li Jian asked the elder niece of his mothers elder aunts younger cousin to help them set up a stall at the night market, and Zhou Jing brought some tables and short stools from the recreation room of the Bureau of Retired Officials where his father worked. The three boys had put together all their pocket money to buy all those things, but they still had more than 300 yuan left. That meant that they could also afford to buy the ingredients. Everything was ready except for the barbecue cart. Qin Guans cousin was very efficient. He delivered the cart to Qin Guan in less than three days. Qin Guans parents were staring at their son as if he was a monkey, but Qin Guan calmly fastened the cart, ready to start work the next day. The iron cart was equipped with a brazier where one could make fried noodles by lowering the iron te, and on its right side there was space for hanging a coal stove where one could fry kebabs using an oil pan. It could match any modern multi-functional automatic barbecue cart. Everything was ready. The next day, at four oclock in the morning, Qin Guan borrowed a tricycle from the factory his mother worked at and rode to the market. Chicken, pork, mutton, all of these were must-haves. Garlic, chili, onion and potatoes were also essential for roasted dishes. There are even wholesale cold noodles! Great. We also need cooking oil and seasonings. Qin Guan bought a tricycle worth of groceries. By the time he was done, he had very little money left. It was already after seven when Qin Guan struggled to ride the tricycle sessfully back home. He proudly called Zhou Jing and Li Jian to wake them up and ask them toe and help. When Zhou Jing and Li Jian showed up at Qin Guans home with a case of bed head, Qin Guan had already taken the ingredients out from the bags and put them inrge bowls. Looking at a living room full of ingredients, Zhou Jing said anxiously, Who can handle the meat? Ive never been inside a kitchen. Hearing this, Qin Guan felt very self-satisfied. As a sloppy bachelor for years, hed had to cook so he wouldnt have to eat instant noodles every day. Qin Guan shook his headcently and began to assign tasks, Zhou Jing, you distribute the ingredients, and skewer the meat and vegetables. Li Jian, youe and help me. Then he rolled up his sleeves and walked into the kitchen. Qin Guanid a piece of mutton on the chopping board. The kitchen knife danced in the air as the mutton was sliced into small strips, stacked neatly on the board. Qin Guan put the sliced mutton into an iron bowl, saying loudly: Ready! Then Zhou Jing and Li Jian began the first step of their business: skewering the meat. In just one morning, the three boys made several hundred kebabs and put them away pack by pack. As long as they managed to clean and cut the vegetables in the afternoon, they would be ready to start their business. After lunch, they packed everything up and lied down haphazardly on Qin Guans small bed. Qin Guan said bitterly, Others make money with no effort at all. Why do we have to be so miserable? Li Jian stated the obvious, Were useless high school graduates. Some would say were not even strong enough for manual work. And now we have our own barbecue stand. Thats already amazing. I told our other ssmates from high school and they were so jealous. Qin Guan quietly wiped his tears. Its because youve never read stories about rebirth. People leadvish lives after being reborn! They have good friends and date beautiful girls. They leave their remote viges to be businessmen. They start up their ownpanies, buy shares in the stock market and invest in venture capital. But he himself was tired like a dog just by setting up a stand, and he had even gotten rejected by the girl he liked. Why was his life so different from others? Qin Guan got up. As a strand of hair hung down his face, he realized that he had not cut his hair since the College Entrance Examination and it had gotten rather long. Qin Guan kicked the two boys on the bed and said, Lets go to my cousins and have a haircut. Were now businessmen. We have to pay attention to our image. Qin Guans cousin was 20 years old. She was a senior hairdresser at a new hair salon downtown, and was trying to learn thetest hairdressing trends in Guangdong Province. The three boys strolled into the hair salon. There were few people there in the afternoon. Qin Guans cousin nned to practice her skills on his hair. Zhou Jing and Li Jian sat behind his chair and watched Qin Guans cousin move the scissors up and down. They took a nce at Qin Guan and found that he was very handsome with his new hairstyle. He would definitely make all his friends jealous. Suddenly, they heard Qin Guans cousin scream, Whoops, my hands slipped! Then they saw Qin Guans scalp. Ha ha! Instantly the two boys felt satisfied. It was like Buddha himself had granted their wish. Qin Guans cousin tried to correct her mistake, but it only got worse. She did not stop until it was obvious that the hair could not be salvaged. Qin Guan flicked his hair and looked at his choppy hairstyle in the mirror. It was so uneven that he could not even bear to look at it. Moments ago it had been too long, and now it was all gone. Instead, he had a silly buzzcut that was missing two spots for technical reasons. He had turned from a Prince Charming into a woodlouse in mere seconds. All day long, Zhou Jing and Li Jian could not helpughing at Qin Guan, even while he set up the stand in the night market. Zhou Jing and Li Jian keptughing while they unloaded kebabs and took vegetables down from the cart. Qin Guan did not care. He grinned and rubbed his short hair. Well, this sure must feel cool in the summer. Qin Guan lit the charcoals in the brazier, put the oil pan on top of it and prepared the iron te. It was almost dark and the lights in the night market were on. More and more people flocked there to have a fun summer night. Qin Guan took out several kebabs and roasted them on the fire. Oil dripped onto the burning iron te from the newly bought mutton, producing puffs of smoke and giving off a sweet smell. In just a few minutes, several people were already approaching the stand. New stand. Lets try it. Ten mutton kebabs, ten pork kebabs, and twomb kidneys, please. Wow, therere even cold noodles! Two more bowls of cold noodles. For here, please. The three boys got busy right away. Qin Guan was in charge of roasting, frying and stirring, Zhou Jing made the cold noodles, and Li Jian cleaned up the stand and served the food and drinks. As it got darker, business got even better. The three boys were kept busy. They saw customerse and go, and when they finally paused for breath, they realized that it was alreadyte night. There were fewer and fewer people on the street. Other vendors around them started to pack up to call it a day. After they cleaned up thest table, the three boys sank down on the stools. Qin Guan shook the metal bucket that held the beer and filled three sses. He took one ss and drank it up. The other two boys emptied their sses in one gulp as well and belched contentedly. Then they all turned their attention to the moneybag around Qin Guans waist. Qin Guan looked around, took out a big pile of change from the bag, and counted it out with them. There were over 600 yuan in total. If they deducted the cost, they had earned 300 yuan in one night. Looking at the big pile of money in front of them, they all gasped in excitement. Their fatigue was suddenly gone. In 1998, the average sry was around 800 yuan. Now each of them could earn that much in little more than a week. Qin Guan shook his head. He looked at the two excited boys who were cleaning up the stand and wondered whether he could make sufficient money before the new school term started to get the things he wanted. One of them was a cell phone. The newly released Nokia 5110 looked pretty good. Although it was a bit big, it would look nice in a colored case. The second thing he wanted was aputer. He had to buy one because he would be going to college. The cheapestptop cost more than 8,000 yuan. It seemed that he could only afford a desktop. As he rode the tricycle home under the myriads of stars in the sky, Qin Guan thought about his future business and let out a sigh. He had to work hard. He still had a long way to go. Chapter 6: A Prince Charming With A Choppy Hairstyle Chapter 6: A Prince Charming With A Choppy Hairstyle Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan had been running his business at the night market for eight days. More and more customers visited his stand, and the three boys had their hands full. They were too busy to notice how weird their customers behaved. The stand attracted an increasing number girls. It was amon urrence for a group of female students to hang out by their stand and drool all over Qin Guan while they had some food. The reason was simple. The day that Qin Guan had started his business, a female student had visited the night market to buy some draft beer for her father, and she had seen this cute boy selling barbecue. She had taken a closer look and recognized him right away. Gee, isnt that the hunk from my high school? She had been staring at him for years from a distance, and now she was only half a meter away from him. It was like a dreame true for her. The girl held onto the stic bag with the draft beer while she stood by the barbecue stand, staring at Qin Guan to her hearts content. Her father had hot beer for the first time that night. When she arrived at home, the girl was still exhrated. Wanting to share her happiness, she called dozens of her girlfriends to brag about her story of seeing the Prince Charming, which was not going to remain a secret for much longer. That was how the news had spread. Now every student in the neighborhood knew that the graduate Prince Charming was running a stand in the night market. Those who lived near the market came to buy barbecue and take a look. They believed that if they didnt go, they would never get to see the Prince Charming again considering he had already graduated. The small stand was swarming with girls every day. The Prince Charming still looked cute despite his choppy hairstyle. When the girls saw that his new hairstyle could do nothing to undermine Qin Guans good looks, they all agreed that he definitely had to be the cutest school boy in all high school history. Many yearster, when junior girls would look at some boy on their cell phone screens and say that he was really cute, older girls would eye the boy critically and say, I bet he wouldnt still look that cute with a choppy hairstyle. Our high school Prince Charming was way cuter. You must have heard of Qin Guan, h h... Qin Guans moneymaking business ended in very a peculiar way. A few days before the new school term, Qin Guan lended his barbecue cart to his cousin to help him earn some extra money on the weekends. Zhou Jing and Li Jian came over to Qin Guans house very early to split their profits. They put all their profits of the past month together and carefully counted the money. They were surprised to find out that each of them would get more than 2,000 yuan. Two thousand yuan was a fortune for any student in 1998. Zhou Jing and Li Jian were jumping up and down in excitement, but Qin Guan let out a sign. That money was not enough to buy him a goodputer. But considering the fact thatputers still ran on Windows 95, Qin Guan felt relieved. He was going to ask his parents to help him buy a cell phone. On August 29, 1998 was the Chinese Valentines Day. It was a sunny Saturday, and Qin Guans parents stuffed thest piece of clothing into their bulging baggage before they went shopping for Qin Guans first cell phone. They arrived at the Zhenhua Commercial Building, thergest shopping mall in the whole city. At that time, the cell phone counter on the first floor was considered an absolute luxury. Qin Guan knew his way around very well, so he led his parents to the counter. There were few famous cell phone brands in China back in 1998. Nokia, Motor, Siemens, Ericsson and Mitsubishi. These were all the brands that were avable, and they cost quite a lot. Qin Guan and his parents observed every model carefully, but in the end, Qin Guan still decided to buy the Nokia 5110. It had a long standby time, a bright color, and was so shockproof it could even serve as a weapon when necessary. Taking out the red envelope with the money his parents had given him plus the money he had earned working at the night market, Qin Guan paid over 5000 yuan for a blue Nokia 5110. Customers in the mall were surprised that the couple would be willing to buy their son such an expensive cell phone when Qin Guans mother began to brag, Well, my son was admitted into the Capital University of Finance and Economics, h h... He earned this cell phone through his own hard work during the summer, h h. Under the admiring gaze of everyone, she was shoved out of the mall by Qin Guans father. On August 29, Qin Guan and his parents dragged their luggage to the train station and got on the train heading to the capital. After one nights journey, they arrived safely at the Beijing Station on the next day around noon. Qin Guan arrived at his university on Sunday, which was peak time for freshmen registration. Qin Guans parents went to the Deans Office to pay the tuition fees while Qin Guan forced his way to the Student Reception Center to inquire about his dormitory. When Qin Guan and his parents met up again, they were all sweaty and out of breath. Together, they headed to Qin Guans dorm. Qin Guan put his luggage on his bed while his mother automatically started unpacking. She made the bed, hang up a mosquito, dusted the closet and set the table. In less than an hour, she had cleaned up the whole room and put everything away. Looking at thepact dorm room, Qin Guan realized that this was where his battle would begin. There were six beds in total, three upper and three lower, a wall-mounted TV, a long table, three stools and six metal lockers stacked together, all in pristine 1990s style. Qin Guans bed was the lower one nearest to the door. Mounted on the wall beside it was a telephone. It seemed that he could not open the door and answer the phone at the same time. Except for the upper bunk above his bed, all the other beds were filled with stuff. Clearly his roommates had checked in earlier. Qin Guans parents looked at the dorm furniture, feeling rather satisfied with the ce their son would live from now on. When he had finished unpacking, Qin Guan decided to visit the restaurant. He would then find a hotel for his parents, and buy a washbasin, a thermos and other essential items. After Qin Guan had made a hotel reservation for his parents, he returned to his dorm, which was now packed with people. Before Qin Guan could greet anyone, the door was opened again. Amid nking and jingling, eight people streamed inside the room. A little boy standing in the middle of the group was shoved inside. A fashionably dressed woman was the first to approach the empty bed. She touched the bed beam and frowned slightly. Then she took a look at the closet. The dorm was fully packed. Qin Guan was pushed to the side, but he didnt feel annoyed. He dragged out a stool from behind a table and sat down to watch along with everybody else. The woman was giving out instructions. Some people started unpacking the baggage while others began making the bed. She turned to the little boy behind her and said, Is there nothing good here? Six people have to share one room, and look at how narrow the bed is! Youve never left home, never even helped with any chores. Youre still a kid. Our home is around here, so how about I go and apply formuting for you? The little boy, who was undoubtedly a tsundere, was thinking to himself: Im old enough now! How could you say this in front of everyone? I want to die of embarrassment. He yelled at his mother, Im already 16! Im a college student! Youre driving me nuts! I can handle it by myself! How can you not understand? Im doing this for your own good. Now I feel terrible, the little boys mother was thinking to herself. Out loud she said, Okay, calm down. As long as you like it, Ill be fine. Then she turned to a woman who looked like a nanny and said, Hurry up! Put away the clothes and clean the bedstead. While he looked on, Qin Guan started to introduce himself to his other roommates. The boy who slept on the upper bunk near the window was Mu Lejiang from Northwest China, and right under his bed was Ye Dong from Northeast China. Both boys were majoring in International Trade. Qin Guan liked Mu Lejiang and Ye Dong from the moment he met them. They both had a robust physique and sparse stubble, and appeared to be heartyughers. Qin Guan knew that they were his kind of people. Only sloppy guys with a lot of body hair were real men. The two boys whose beds were opposite Qin Guans appeared quite gentle. The lower bunk belonged to Wang Lei from the Water Towns of Southern Yangtze River, who wore a pair of gold-rimmed sses and had a soft voice. He and Qin Guan were in the same ounting ss. The upper bunk belonged to Li Jie, a Cantonese boy from the Department of Economics and Management. Short though he was, he seemed capable and smart. The three boys were talking animatedly when they saw that all the little boys stuff had been cleaned up. The boys mother came over and told Qin Guan, Oh, so youre another one of Xiaoyangs schoolmates. You must have been admitted to the Beijing Film Academy. The little boys mother held Qin Guans hands and observed him for quite a while. Qin Guan felt puzzled. Behind him, Wang Lei could not helpughing out loud. Perhaps feeling that she had gone a bit too far, the boys mother hastily let go of Qin Guans hands. She dragged the little boy to the front and said, Xiaoyang is younger than you. Since you will all be living in the same dorm, would you please help take care of him and forgive him any mistakes he makes? Even the most careless of parents loved and nned for their kids. Xiaoyangs roommates all promised her politely. Then Xiaoyang insisted that his family leave. When they did, Xiaoyang sank onto a stool and wiped his sweat, saying, Im Liu Xiaoyang from Beijing. I turned sixteen this year. Liu Xiaoyang was truly younger than his roommates. He was fairly smug because he had been skipping grades since primary school, and he was currently majoring in Finance at the Capital University of Finance and Economics. Apparently his goal was to be a part of the social elite. Their dorm consisted of two sloppy guys, an aspiring socialite, two gentlemen, and a sloppy handsome boy. They were all easy-going and quickly felt right at home with each other after spending some time talking andughing. Noticing that it was almost dark, the six boys decided to have their first dinner party. Chapter 7: Buying A House in Beijing Chapter 7: Buying A House in Beijing Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan went out of his dorm. He was nning on buying an EasyOwn phone number at the convenience store downstairs. Only when he got to the store did he realize what year it was. At that date in time, phone numbers were sold on consignment, not at such small stores. To buy a phone number, he had to register at a China Mobile business hall. Qin Guan let out a sigh. Having been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Liu Xiaoyang felt frustrated. How could he forget to buy a cellphone? It would make his life much more convenient. Qin Guan called his parents from a public telephone and told them that everything was settled and there was nothing to worry about. He said he would sleep in his dorm that night and visit the hotel the next morning. Qin Guans roommates had already decided where to have dinner before Qin Guan had finished his call. Diagonally across their university, there was a street where many roadside snack booths were located. It was a good ce to have barbecue. They went to the street and found that the booths had just been set up. There were various kinds of food, including kebab, cold noodles, boiled pork giblets with baked wheaten paste, and beef noodles. The boys went up to a kebab booth and ordered 100 kebabs and five draft beers. Liu Xiaoyang was not allowed to have draft beer because he was still underage, so he did not have to bring his ID card. Liu Xiaoyang wanted to have some beer, but his protests were suppressed by his roommates. While they were waiting for their kebabs to be served, Ye Dong and Mu Lejiang took out two packs of cigars from their pockets and passed them to their other three roommates, ignoring Liu Xiaoyang. Feeling left out again, Liu Xiaoyang started to get pissed off. He yelled, What about me? Why cant I have one? Ye Dong nced at him scornfully and said, Grow some pubes first. Qin Guan spat out his beer with a puff. This ones certainly got a personality! I like that! Qin Guan and Wang Lei declined the cigars, but Li Jie took one. Ye Dong took a deep drag on his cigar. He was suddenly touched out of nowhere and said, You wont believe it, but I was actually a poor student. I was very naughty in junior high school. I never studied hard and I was always getting into fights with others. All bad boys would smoke at the time. Later on, I was disqualified from high school. My dad took two bottles of wine to beg the help of one of his primary school ssmates, who happened to be my high school principal. He hoped that I would get to go to high school, even if we had to pay extra money. When he got back home, I cried. F*ck! He had never begged anyone for help before, but hed done that for me. At the time, I was thinking that I had to make something out of my life so my dad would never have to beg anyones help again. Ye Dong took another drag and puffed out a smoking ring. When I was admitted into this university, my dad had tears in his eyes. Seeing him so happy, I felt that all my hard work in high school had finally paid off. The boys did not speak. Their hearts felt heavy. The owner served them their kebabs. Ye Dong pounded his hand on the table and said, Lets drop it and have dinner. Leaving courtesy aside, each of the boys grabbed a handful of kebabs. Qin Guan had a bite and found that they were truly yummy. Kebabs and roastedmbs kidneys were one of Beijings local specialties. A wholembs kidney was cross cut down the middle and both sides were roasted till they turned brown. Wrapped in thick mutton fat, the kidneys tasted delicious. The boys were too busy eating to talk. More than 100 kebabs were eaten in a sh. Qin Guan wondered why Li Jie, a thin little boy from South China, was such a heavy smoker. He asked Li Jie about it. Li Jie did not mind his asking and he replied, My family runs a small store and I used to be the keeper. Smoking is a must in business, you know. Li Jies Mandarin was a big headache for all his roommates. They knew that southerners were bad at learningnguages though, so they tried their best to understand his Cantonese Mandarin. It finally hit Qin Guan that he was actually the most mysterious of his roommates. He was being too deceptive. He just sat down and kept silent, looking like the son of an aristocratic family. His silliness would no longer remain a secret if he behaved or talked normally. It would make for a very funny contrast. This was the third time Qin Guan had to exin to his roommates that he was really the biological son of his parents, and that there was no chance that he had been abandoned at birth by an aristocratic family. He was at a loss because of his roommates imagination. Bonding over food was the best way to build a friendship. After the meal, they began to pal around with each other. In order to get to know each other easier, they lined up by age. The oldest one was Ye Dong, the wild boy from Northeast China, who was very much like a bandit leader. The second oldest turned out to be Qin Guan. Although he did not like being the second oldest boy in his dorm, he could do nothing about it. He could not change his age. The third oldest was Mu Lejiang, a rough boy from Northwest China. He had denied the rumor that kids went to school by camel in his hometown the moment he had met his roommates. The fourth oldest was Wang Lei, a man of letters from the South of the Yangtze River. Qin Guan found that Wang Lei talked the least, but he looked very smart. Devious was the best word to describe him. The fifth oldest was Li Jie, a small shrewd businessman from Guangdong Province, whose ultimate goal was to achieve academic excellence and turn his family-run store into a listedpany. The youngest one was Liu Xiaoyang, a rich tsundere local who was difficult to deal with, indicating that his status in the dorm would be as low as his age rank among his roommates. After wining and dining, the boys returned to their dorm. They took a quick shower, turned off the lights and went to bed. Qin Guany in his bed in the dark. His thoughts drifted to his past life. By this time, he had been admitted to a technical college. His rough looks had made people think he had retaken his courses many times. Usually, most of the students in a technical college were taciturn boys who were immersed in their own world. Qin Guan had lived in the same dorm for four years, but he had talked very little with his roommates. Now, hed been admitted to one of the best universities of finance and economics. Students majoring in finance eventually became articte, whether they had that inclination or acquired the ability by hard work. Qin Guan had a lot to talk about with his roommates and he believed that was a good start. The next morning, he got up early ording to his timetable. He picked up a towel and went to the washroom. Yes, it was a washroom. At the time, dorms were not equipped with a private bathroom, so there was a public washroom on every floor. The row of taps above the long washing sink looked quite spectacr. Facing the sink, Qin Guan squeezed some toothpaste out and started brushing his teeth. While he brushed, he thought about his n for the day. His courses would officially begin tomorrow. His parents were staying in Beijing for a very short period of time and would go back home that night. Qin Guans n was quite tight. Thinking of this, he spat the foam out of his mouth. He had to be quick and go meet his parents early. Qin Guan walked out of the washroom and went back to his dorm. It was quiet there as all his roommates were still asleep. He walked on tiptoe and put away his toiletries. Then he closed the door carefully, went downstairs and headed for the canteen. Inexpensiveness was the best characteristic of university canteens in 1998. Qin Guan arrived there very early. The senior cooks had hardly opened the sales window when Qin Guan passed his meal ticket to them. The second canteen was very big. There were two metal buckets in the hall. The workers opened the lid and a st of hot air floated up. This was the free soup served by the canteen. When finishing the meal, students could take thedle and scoop some up for themselves. Qin Guan bought three standard breakfasts: soya-bean milk, deep fried dough sticks and tea-boiled eggs. It only cost him 3.6 yuan in total with a free takeout stic bag. Qin Guan put his breakfast into the bag and strolled toward the hotel where his parents were staying. No four-star hotel had yet been built near the Capital University of Finance and Economics. There were only some small bungalows in the area and the hotel where Qin Guans parents were staying, which was the nearest one to the University. It was humble, but clean enough. After breakfast, Qin Guan took his parents to Xizhimen, just like they had nned earlier. Seated at the second ring of Beijing, it was only three kilometers away from his University and the first stop of the day. There were not many cars on the street. Yellow minibuses came and went. You always needed to pay the driver 10 yuan, regardless of the mileage. They saw no high-rises on both sides of the street. Residential quarters here were all six-storey high. Qin Guan knew his way around well and led his parents to the sales office. At the time, Beijing was going through an era of arge-scale development. The citys poption was not soaring and migrant workers had not swarmed in yet. People could be allocated a house by their employers andmodity houses were still an unfamiliar concept for them. Beijingers did not want to buy more houses because they already had a free house to live in. Qin Guans parents though did not hesitate in buying one. Perhaps it was because they were not locals and owned no house there, but they did not reject Qin Guans proposal to buy a house near his University. They took a look at all the houses for sale and excluded high-end ts and prism high-rise buildings out of their purchase n. Chapter 8: Military Training Chapter 8: Military Training Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia In the end, they ruled out all the houses except the ones in the earlier stages of construction, where the workers were still building the foundation, and the first floor had not been built yet. All the sales manager could provide was a drawing of the structure of the houses. Qin Guan was still thrilled. He knew this residential block would be the best block in the neighborhood. First, it was at a good location, right between the Capital University of Finance and Economics (CUFE) and Xizhimen, and the same distance from the subway and the University. Secondly, the houses there were affordable. Houses under construction were usually less popr than existing ones, and since it was off season, the sales manager promised that they could get a five percent discount off the original price if they paid the deposit on site. Third, with a stroke of luck, Qin Guan knew that this residential block would prove to be the most cost-effective one in the neighborhood, and would be assigned as school district housing. Houses there cost 1,800 yuan per square meter. Qin Guan picked a two-bedroom apartment facing south, which would allow more sunlight and fresh air in. The building was in the center of the block, away from the street, providing a quiet environment. The seventy-square-meter apartment cost little more than a hundred thousand yuan. Qin Guan felt powerless as his mom spent all their savings on it. Its incredibly cheap! We should buy more! This is really worth it, even if I have to make monthly loan payments. Whatever he said though, his parents would not agree to him taking out a loan. This boy is too naughty! What is he going to do with so many apartments? Its not like apartments can multiply. Having hardly ever been in debt, Qin Guans parents would never agree to getting a bank loan to buy more apartments. They felt quite ufortable just at the thought of Qin Guan having to borrow money from the government. With a big smile, the sales manager prepared the house-purchasing contract for them and informed them that they would not get the property deed until the construction waspleted. Undoubtedly, Qin Guans name would be on the deed as the owner of the apartment. After all, he was the one who was going to live in Beijing. His parents did not want toe all that way just to help keep the apartment clean for him. Qin Guan felt a little relieved after signing the contract. Perhaps he would not be the worlds richest man, but he had to at least buy an apartment, otherwise he would be too embarrassed to say that he had been reborn. Qin Guans next n was to help his parents realize their dream in visiting to Beijing: to visit Tiananmen Square and to go to the busiest shopping street. Qin Guan had inherited his foodie attitude from his parents. After paying tribute to Chairman Mao with them, he took a cab to Hepingmen where Quanjude, the most famous roast duck restaurant, had its headquarters. At the time, Quanjude was such a household name that even little boys from small towns like Qin Guans yearned to eat there. Qin Guan and his parents went to Quanjude and had a duck feast. The duck there was carefully selected and smoked using special fruitwood. The senior chef skillfully handled the duck and put it in order. There were pancakes, cucumbers, white onions and roast duck sauce. Qin Guan dipped the duck with the skin into the sauce and held it with a pancake. Adding some sliced onions and cucumbers, he wrapped the pancake up and ate it. He tasted the crisp duck skin, the tender meat and the sweet sauce. What a delicacy it was... After having a full meal, Qin Guan and his parents moved on to their next stop, Wangfujing. Wangfujing was home to several old, famous shops, but the goods there were not cost-effective. The shops aimed mainly at tourists. Qin Guan tried to persuade his mom not to shop there, but he failed, so all he could do was join her in bargaining. Sales assistants in shopping malls were too difficult to deal with, unless one was a self-employed businessman, but Qin Guan decided to give it a shot anyway. Wangfujing was like a zoo and Qin Guans bargaining made the owners gnash their teeth. In the end, his mom bought a lot of quality goods at low prices. She could not stop buying things, and she did even more shoppingter in thepany of her husband and son. When Qin Guan saw off his parents at the train station, he realized that they had bought a whole suitcase of souvenirs. Qin Guans parents felt both worried and relieved. They left Beijing by train as Qin Guan waved them goodbye. The military training began on September 1st. After a running exercise in the sports stadium, Qin Guan woke up his five roommates, and together they went down to the dining hall to have breakfast. His roommates were puzzled. They did not know why Qin Guan had woken them up so early to eat. Qin Guan pretended to be wise as he said, Youll thank meter. His roommates all gave him the finger and shrugged off his uprightness. After breakfast, they all went to their respective ssrooms. Together, Wang Lei and Qin Guan arrived at the ssroom for ss 1 of the ounting Major. As they walked, Wang Lei suddenly told Qin Guan, Does that mean that we cant eat during military training? Qin Guan was impressed by Wang Leis IQ. He should not have underestimated the boy with the golden sses. Qin Wang nodded and replied, No. But I guess it depends on whether we still have the strength or mood to satisfy our appetite by then. Upon hearing that, Wang Lei pushed his sses up and said, Ive got a lot of high-calorie food in my luggage. Once again, Qin Guan was impressed by Wang Lei. Feeling deep admiration, Qin Guan walked into the ssroom with him. Their ssmates were already there. There were twenty three girls and seven boys in the ss. When the two boys sat down, Qin Guan found himself feeling like a giant among dwarfs. It made sense that the girls would outnumber the boys in an ounting ss, but why did all the other boys look so thin and short? Since the new school term had begun, Qin Guan had grown two centimeters and was now 183 centimeters tall. After exercising for half a term, his muscles had also started to get toned. He was no longer as skinny as he had used to be. Now he had the proper body fat percentage and sufficient muscles that didnt make him look too strong or too weak. Combined with his broad shoulders and slim waist, his figure formed a perfect inverted triangle, his narrow hips and long legs making him look like a star. As he sat in the middle of the ssroom, he was like a big lightbulb attracting everyones attention. It was not just the girls. The boys also had their eyes focused on him. They were all gnashing their teeth. They had heard that many girls majored in ounting, and that was why they had chosen the major themselves. Now that Qin Guan had showed up though, they felt like wolves approaching a flock of sheep, only to find a dragon among them. How could they get along with it? Theyd have to set up a trap for it. Qin Guan was feeling quite ufortable with everyone staring at him. Finally, their counselor walked into the ssroom and did a roll call. Seeing that everyone in his ss was present, he led them to the bus stop near the sports stadium. The bus moved slowly out of the main entrance, heading for the military training area in the suburbs. After arriving at the garrison military camp near the border, the counselor handed the troops over to the instructors in charge of the military training. The students were divided into girls and boys and taken away separately. There were less than ten boys in the Department of ounting, so the boys from two sses had to be grouped into one team. The boys and girls were led to their dormitories by their instructors. The moment they put down their luggage, they were forced to go to the sports stadium. Before they could even take a break, their first-day training had begun. They had to remain standing. Although it was September, there was still a spell of hot weather in Beijing at the beginning of autumn. As they were exposed to the scorching sun, everyone felt dizzy and sleepy. When lunchtime came around, Wang Lei understood why Qin Guan had asked them to eat as much as possible in the morning. Being dizzy had made them thirsty and caused them to lose all appetite for food. Qin Guan bought some food and stuffed it into his mouth desperately. He knew that if he ate nothing, he would be starving in the afternoon. After a whole days training, the boys threw themselves onto their beds and started snoring loudly. The first day of their military training was over. On the second day, their task was to learn how to make their beds. They had to make them as square as tofu. Anyone who failed to do so would be punished. They would get penalty points, but most importantly, they would have to do the cleaning while everyone else was taking a break. No one wanted to have to do that. The third days task was official standing training. As the saying goes, the body is the capital of revolution. This was especially true for Qin Guan. While all the boys stood there awkwardly, he was standing straight like a tree. The instructor praised him and nominated him as the acting leader of the team. By now, Qin Guans ssmates had been convinced that there was more to him than just his good looks. He was standing there firmly under the scorching sun, a true role model for everyone. Yet meanwhile, Qin Guan was thinking, Will the lunch in the canteen still taste as bad? I havent washed my underwear in two days. His mind was wandering aimlessly. Almost all the instructors got used to inviting this muscr, handsome boy to demonstrate the standard military standing posture for their teams. Qin Guan was like a giant panda on an international show. He was asked by all the instructors to demonstrate the whole day. Their next training was fierce military boxing. Once again, the instructor was surprised to find that Qin Guan had learned it quickly and could do it perfectly, given only a few instructions. By a stroke of luck, Qin Guans extraordinary memory had helped him do military boxing as perfectly as he had remembered the exam answers. He found that with his amazing memory, he could rey his instructors boxing moves in his mind over and over again, so he was able to adjust his body and muscles ordingly. In the end, he could perfectly imitate the instructors every move. That was why Qin Guan had done so well in boxing without any difficulty. The firearms training was thest task for the freshmen, suggesting that the military training was about to end. The army instructor went up to Qin Guan and had a friendly, in-depth conversation with him. The instructor fully believed that Qin Guan could not achieve his full potential if he studied ounting, and he told him that he was wee to join the army. Hearing the mans unreasonable suggestion, Qin Guans counselor replied calmly, Only in the entertainment industry could Qin Guan achieve his real potential. The instructor was suddenly at a loss for words. He had been thoroughly discredited and felt deeply sorry for Qin Guan. At the end of September, the students returned to the CUFE campus like a group of African refugees. Qin Guans skin had not changed too much, except for a slight redness. All the girls were jealous of his fair skin, but they had finally epted that there were some people that were just born beautiful. Qin Guan had believed bronze to be the right skin color for a rough man, but the tanning results had proved him wrong. Where was his masculine appearance? His fair skin only made him look like a toy boy. Qin Guan and his roommates went back to their dorm room. Their new textbooks and meal cards had been handed out, and they were now waiting for the National Day Holiday, knowing that their college life had officially begun. Everyone got seven days off during the National Day Holiday. Being a Beijinger, Liu Xiaoyang was dragged back home by his mom after he failed to protest. The hometowns of the other five boys were all too far away from Beijing. Seven days off was not enough time for them to enjoy a good holiday at home since they would have to spend half the holiday travelling. Qin Guan had bought a used variable speed bicycle before the holiday. He rode the long way to Tsinghua University, hoping to surprise Cong Nianwei, only to find that she was still in the middle of her military training. Disappointed, he rode back to his own campus and gotughed at by his roommates. Smart as Qin Guan was, when it came to his rtionship, he acted like just as big of an idiot as everyone else. However, depression seldom brought down Qin Guan, who was very careless and insensitive. The National Day Holiday wasing and he had a lot to do. He was not one to remain idle, so he began to put into action his moneymaking n. Chapter 9: The Troublesome Student Chapter 9: The Troublesome Student Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan had thought that he could pool the wisdom and help of his roommates for the holiday discussion, but it turned out that they all had their own ns. Ye Dong, the oldest boy, would be busy with his work at the Students Union. Recently, he had gotten to know the Secretary of the Liaison Department. As an ambitious young man, Ye Dong was determined to dedicate himself to servicing his university. Mu Lejiang, the third oldest boy, had already purchased aplete set of field equipment and joined the Camping Society. He was ready to follow the path of his forerunners and travel around China. Li Jie, the fifth oldest, had made four dinner appointments with his fellow townsmen, nning to set up his own fellow countrymen association. Wang Lei, the fourth oldest, smiled and told Qin Guan, Ill join you. I have no ns. How can you have no ns, Wang Lei? Id hoped for your wisdom and help! Qin Guan knew he had to make the n himself. He thought over what he could do and figured out a n. To carry it out, he had to be easy to reach, so he took the time to buy an EasyOwn SIM card at Xizhimen. He did not care about the cell phone number, so it only cost him 80 yuan. Qin Guan memorized the phone number and asked Wang Lei to write an ad. The ad said: Fierce Grade 3 of High School is approaching. Wanna help your kid win from the starting line? Wanna provide them with a first-hand examination experience? Hire a top student from the Capital University of Finance and Economics with 688 in the College Entrance Examination. Excel at the exam and bring your triumphant kid home! Qin Guan had actually gotten 689 in the College Entrance Examination, but he deducted one point because 6 and 8 were both considered lucky numbers in China. Under the curious gaze of the staff at the printing agency, Wang Lei made dozens of fliers and went to the entrance of the High School Affiliated to the Capital University of Finance and Economics. Yes. That was Qin Guans n. He had decided to do some tutoring, so he began to publicize his business before the holiday. When Wang Lei arrived at the entrance of the university, he saw Qin Guan surrounded by parents and talking about his tutoring sses excitedly. By the time he passed the fliers to Qin Guan, thetter had already convinced two parents to register their kids for his sses. The two boys handed out all the fliers in just one morning, and shared the registration fees. The two of them would tutor three students. It urred to Wang Lei that Qin Guan was crystal clear about the tutoring business. At the time, tutoring had not be a corporate chain business yet. Usually, college students either found a tutor on their own during their spare time, or sought help from small part-time agencies. Tutoring fees ranged from 15 to 20 yuan per hour, yet Qin Guan had charged the parents 25 yuan per hour. That was a real surprise. At first, Wang Lei had just decided to give it a shot because he had nothing to do during the holiday. He had not expected to get such a high fee for tutoring. The two boys shared the tutoring tasks. They were busy for six days during the holiday. They had done a great job. Every day they had four hours of tutoring. They went to two different houses, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. The students all lived nearby. This way, they were able to earn nearly 100 yuan a day. Tutoring was easy for them. Plus, they still had time for themselves. Wang Lei was thrilled to discover that six days of tutoring could earn him a month and a halfs living expenses. It seemed that he had underestimated Qin Guan. While the two boys were making their schedule for the ss, their other roommates heard the news. They were all awfully regretful. Whod have known that it would be so easy for students to earn money? If they had, they wouldnt have made other ns. Qin Guan and Wang Lei started tutoring as scheduled. The parents had initially just wanted to give them a shot, but they were quite satisfied with the two tutors. They had not spend their money in vain after all. As top students of CUFE, Qin Guan and Wang Lei had a good knowledge of high school subjects and were both patient enough with their students. The holiday was justing to an end, when Qin Guan got a phone call from a mother living in the neighborhood. She had seen Qin Guans flier on the school bulletin board. However, she told Qin Guan that her kid was not attending the High School Affiliated to CUFE, but the Tiesan High School of Xicheng, one of the most notorious high schools in Beijing. The mother asked Qin Guan to tutor her kid at her house in the evenings. Her house was close to CUFE and her kid just needed two-hours of tutoring for a certain period. She was not willing to talk too much about her kid on the phone. Instead, she invited Qin Guan to her house. Come over and you wont be sorry, were thest words Qin Guan heard on the phone, which was enough by itself to convince him to pay a visit. After finishing his tutoring sses for the day, Qin Guan received deep gratitude from his students. He was feeling delighted as he rode his second-hand bicycle to the residential block nearby. A graceful woman opened the door. She seemed surprised to discover that the tutor was so young. She took a look at the boys appearance. She seemed to have believed that all top students were ugly. As soon as Qin Guan sat down, he heard a cracking noise from another room. Mom, let me out! Ive promised my ssmate to go shopping with her! The mother sighed and told Qin Guan, I know Im being rude, but I was only wondering if you could tutor my daughter. I have no other requests. I just want you to make her focus back on her studies. Tears shined in her eyes as she added, She used to be such a good girl, but since she started going to Santie High School, she has been hanging out with rascals and staying outte. Her teachers dont care about that sort of things, and she doesnt listen to me. I have to try every way I can. Qin Guan felt scared. He realized this girl would be hard to deal with, so he decided to turn the woman down. The mother seemed to guess his answer, and said, If youd give it a try, Ill pay you 50 yuan an hour, no matter the oue. Just getting her to stay at home instead of fooling around will be good enough for me. I dont expect her to be able to go to college someday. As long as you cane and tutor her every weekend, youll get an extra bonus of 500 yuan for half the term. What do you say? Yes, absolutely! Qin Guan was thrilled. Please dont worry. Ill take care of it, he answered heroically. Qin Guan would never refuse such a good deal, but he could not guarantee that the girl would make any progress. The mother looked moved as she took Qin Guan to a room that was locked from the outside. Banging noises wereing from the inside. When the woman opened the door, Qin Guan saw a girl that looked like an angry bird. He could tell that she was pissed off. She was about to start yelling at her mom when she noticed Qin Guan standing behind her. All of a sudden, the girls expression became dumbfounded. She stood by the door stupefied as her mom and Qin Guan entered the room. The mother asked Qin Guan to take a seat and said to her numb daughter, Jiajia, what are you doing? Come and say hello to Mr. Qin. He is your new tutor. Hearing her mom, the girl turned her head and stared at Qin Guan. Without blinking, she shuffled to her bed and fixed her eyes on the young man in front of her. The mother went on, Mr. Qin is a top student at CUFE. Ive asked him to help you with your studies, so you need to be good student... Fed up with her moms chattering, the girl waved her hand and said, Got it! Ill be good! The mother felt gratified. Turning to Qin Guan, she said, Its still early. How would you feel about starting today? Qin Guan got up and replied politely, No problem. Ill try and see how well she studies right now. The mother was quite pleased. She got up and left the room to avoid disturbing Qin Guans lesson. With mixed feelings, Qin Guan turned back to the girl, who was looking him up and down from the bed. No wonder she looked like an angry bird. She was undoubtedly difficult to deal with. Qin Guan noticed that the girl had red hair. Her peers seldom had their hair died at the time. Smart Cantonese hairstyles had not gained poprity in Beijing yet, so her hair looked truly shocking to him. Her ripped jeans, white sneakers, nose ring and tattoos reflected her trendy personality, which did not match her age at all. Qin Guan sighed to himself. He was already regretting epting the job. The girl was unaware of Qin Guans thoughts as she poked his arm and said, Hey, Im Huang Jiajia. Whats your name? Qin Guan picked up the textbook from the desk. It was so brand new, its sharp edge could give him a paper cut. Im Qin Guan. From now on, I wille and tutor you every weekend in the evening for two hours. Are you okay with that? Huang Jiajia was thrilled. She had be obsessed with her cute young tutor. Hes so cute and his voice is so charming. I love him so much! Hearing what Qin Guan had said, Huang Jiajia bounced up from the bed. She grabbed a chair and sat down close to Qin Guan. Mr. Qin, whats so interesting about that book? Come and chat with me. Is it true that youre a student at CUFE? Where are you from? As she talked, she moved closer to Qin Guan. Qin Guan was not attracted by the pretty young girl in front of him. He was still thinking of how he could help her get back on track. Lets see how well youre doing at school. Ignoring the girls pretty face, Qin Guan opened the book and turned to page one. Phew! Huang Jiajia looked bored as she went back to her bed. Looking at Qin Guan, she sneered, Who likes studying? I hate books! Theyre nonsense! Qin Guan was thinking of how he could persuade this troublesome young girl to study, while Huang Jiajia was thinking to herself: My tutor is so handsome and romantic. He is gentle and well-cultivated. If I give up studying and lose all ambition, hell be heartbroken! His mncholy eyes betray his sadness about my future. He must be really upset to see such a beautiful young girl go astray. Fine, Ill study for his sake. That was a sudden change of heart, if there ever was one. Chapter 10: Cong Nianwei’s Suitor at Tsinghua University Chapter 10: Cong Nianweis Suitor at Tsinghua University Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was still thinking about what strategies he could use when Huang Jiajia grinned and went back to her seat, saying, Okay. You poor thing, Ill be a good student, alright? But to be frank, Im really bad at studying. You can use any method you like. Ah... Qin Guan opened his mouth like an idiot. I havent tried any of my strategies. This girl changed attitude too fast. Anyway, its good that shes willing to learn something. Qin Guan took down all the high school textbooks from her bookcase and prepared a quiz for her. When he calcted the results, he fell into a strange silence again. The girl had scored 3 out of 100 in Math by getting one multiple choice question right. She had probably just guessed it instead of calcting it herself. In Chinese, she had scored 70 marks, which was good enough for her to pass. In English, she had gotten a 50, which had been way out of Qin Guans expectations. He had thought that she would not even get one exercise right. Last but not least, she had scored 12 in both Physics and Chemistry. Qin Guan let out a sigh. He knew he had a long way to go. He stood up and smiled at Huang Jiajia. Today was just about getting to know you. I think I have some basic knowledge of you now. Ille after dinner next Saturday, alright? Ill make a n for you, and well study together ording to that n. Huang Jiajia was still obsessed with the smile Qin Guan had just given her. She nodded numbly as she showed him out. Jiajias mother was sitting restlessly in the living room. When she saw Qin Guan and her daughtere out, she ran up to them right away. Qin Guan smiled at the mother and said, Lets call it a day. Ive got some knowledge about Huang Jiajia now. Ille for ss next Saturday. Seeing that her daughter was not protesting, the mother replied delightedly, Okay! See you then! She picked up 100 yuan from the table and gave it to Qin Guan. This is for you. Thank you, Mr. Qin. Please take good care of Jiajia. Qin Guan epted the money. He believed he deserved as much considering what a handful this student was. Under the loving gaze of the mother, Qin Guan rode his bicycle away, heading back to his dorm. The next day, he would take the day off to do some shopping. By then, the new term would officially begin. What was the best choice for an undergraduate? Some would say that it was single life, while others would insist that it was fervent love. They were both wrong. Single life and fervent love were both just illusions. The best choice was studying hard! Freshmen had lots of basicmon courses as well as a few specialized ones. Thanks to Qin Guans amazing memory, these courses were a piece of cake for him. He was reviewing his lessons while the lecturer was teaching so that he did not have to review them again after the ss. Qin Guan did not allow himself to waste any time. He had to pass the College English Test-Band 4 (CET 4) in advance, or he would feel sorry for himself. He had been reborn after all. Qin Guan nned to pass the CET 4 during that term. The biggest difference between high school English and college Englishy in the vocabry, but memorizing English words was very easy for him. Qin Guan had made a n to get his life back on track. He had sat down and thought about his life. It seems that I forgot something. Oh, yes. Its been more than half a month since the new school term began. I forgot to meet Cong Nianwei. Is there a chance that she has be some other guys girlfriend by now? Qin Guan hastened to check his timetable. He realized that he had no ss in the afternoon. Why wait then? Lets go! Tsinghua University, Iming! It was October. During that time of the year, Beijing always enjoyed a clear sky and crisp wind. A speeding bicycle was seen on Tsinghua Road. The breeze blew up the riders white jacket, revealing his ck vest. The riders bright smile brought out vigor and liveliness in everyone walking down the road. Qin Guan arrived at Tsinghua University and parked his bicycle. He asked about Cong Nianwei and was told that she was having ss at the lecture hall. Qin Guan did not mind waiting as long as he could see her. He locked his bicycle andy on the stone bench in front of the lecture building. He felt a gentle breeze blowing on his face. It was such a nice afternoon that he slowly fell asleep. Qin Guan had no idea how long he had been sleeping, when he was suddenly woken up by someone. Through the daze of sleep, he sat up and tried to recognize the vague image in front of him. It seemed familiar. He blinked and fixed his eyes on the image again, realizing that it was Cong Nianwei. Qin Guan stood up in a hurry. He wiped the corners of his mouth to make sure that he had not been drooling. That was good. Is your ss over? he stammered. Cong Nianwei stared at him with her big eyes. She looked surprised as she said, Why did you sleep on the bench? Qin Guan was about to reply when his instinct warned him. He looked around and saw a boy and a girl standing behind Cong Nianwei. He pretended that nothing was on his mind as he replied, I came here to see you. I heard that you were having a ss, so I waited here and ended up falling asleep. Hearing that, the girl behind Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. Cong Nianwei looked a little angry and embarrassed. She took a nce at Qin Guan and then turned her to the girl, This is Qin Guan. Hes my high school ssmate. The girl looked as if she knew everything and needed no further exnation. She said, Right. High school... ssmate. Despite feeling ridiculed, Qin Guan gave out a sillyugh. They were having a good time when suddenly a mistimed voice rang out behind Cong Nianwei, Cong Nianwei is always so kind to everyone, even to her high school ssmates. Cong Nianwei frowned, but said nothing. The girl behind her unpleasantly took a step forward. She tucked her arm into Cong Nianweis, trying to avoid the boy. Qin Guan looked at him. His first impression of the boy was very bad. As he stood behind Cong Nianwei, his arrogance made Qin Guan feel quite ufortable. The two boys looked straight at each other, as if there were sparks in their eyes. The boy, who was named Chi Hailin, thought that this was not the most auspicious day for him. Having been an unusually lucky boy since a very young age, he had lived up to everyones expectations by being admitted into Tsinghua University, one of the best universities in China. He had been an honor roll student and had been often praised by his teachers, but he had never showed any interest in any girls wearing sses during his high school days. He had believed that those girls wereplete nerds and that he would meet his ideal girl in the near future. From the first time he had seen Cong Nianwei after going to college, Chi Hailin had been confident that he had finally found his girl. The guy currently standing between him and his girl was detestable. Chi Hailin thought this boy was very tall. He must be over 180 cm. He looked at himself and realized he was at least 20 cm shorter than him. Whats more, the boys good figure, broad shoulders and long legs were much more pleasant looking than his own short legs. Chi Hailin turned his eyes to Qin Guans face. Gee! What a handsome face! This guy has perfect eyebrows, deep eyes and a Roman nose. Hes just like a movie star! Sh*t! Instantly, Chi Hailin felt much smaller than the guy standing in front of him. Noticing Chi Hailins facial expression, the girl beside Cong Nianwei could not helpughing out loud. Chi Hailin, are you having a facial paralysis? It seems like youre having an early age stroke. Youre truly weak. Qin Guan nced at the girl with gratitude and secretly gave her a thumbs up. Hearing the girls insult, Chi Hailin felt outraged. Liu Chang, cant you be a little nicer? He pointed at Qin Guans face and said, Were both college students, so we should not judge a book by its cover. Then he added maliciously, Instead of idling away in other universities, why dont you read some more and study harder? Chi Hailin believed his words were forceful enough to destroy this potential rival. Cong Nianwei had been feeling awkward, but hearing what Chi Hailin had said, she smiled and told the two boys, Let me introduce you guys. Qin Guan is my high school ssmate studying at CUFE. By the way, dont you have ss in the afternoon, Qin Guan? Seeing that Cong Nianwei was asking about him, Qin Guan immediately went closer to her and said in a friendly manner, No, I dont. I havent seen you for months, so I couldnt concentrate enough to study. Cong Nianwei looked a little annoyed as she replied, Come off it! I havent agreed to being your girlfriend. Qin Guan did not get mad. He walked forward with the two girls, the three of them talking andughing. Chi Hailin had gone numb upon hearing about CUFE. He was aware that Qin Guan was superior to him in looks and stature, but he had thought that he at least had a better educational background. However, it turned out that they were both top students. He felt discouraged. As he watched Qin Guan walk away, he thought to himself, I have a bright future ahead of me. When I seed in my career, Ill be able topete with you again. Upset as he was, he walked back to his dorm. As they were walking, Liu Chang said that she had some matter to attend to and left. Before she did, she winked at Qin Guan and whispered, Do it! After Chi Hailin and Liu Chang had left, Qin Guan unlocked his bicycle and took a walk with Cong Nianwei along the road on the Tsinghua University campus. They watched the gentle breeze blow the willow twigs by the roadside. Neither of them talked. They were too busy enjoying the nice, peaceful afternoon. In the evening, Qin Guan unabashedly free loaded at the canteen of Tsinghua University with Cong Nianwei. Everybody could tell he was living off the girl. Qin Guan saw the contempt in other peoples eyes, but he still acted like he was unaware of it ad had a big meal. Despite having been criticized and scorned by Cong Nianwei the whole afternoon, Qin Guan felt delighted because she had agreed to himing to see her once a week. If she was in a good mood, she could probably do some shopping or have a cup of tea with him. Qin Guan grinned happily in excitement. He felt that his life was almost as perfect as he had thought it would be. Chapter 11: Landai Club Chapter 11: Landai Club Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia Soon, the weekend came again. It was time for Qin Guans tutoring session. Taking the materials he had prepared, Qin Guan headed to Huang Jiajias home. When the door opened, Qin Guan was so scared, he nearly plopped down on the ground. There was an angry bird with dark eye-circles standing in front of him. In order to wee her Prince Charming, Huang Jiajia had meticulously put on smokey-eye makeup, the most popr makeup trend at the time. She was wearing low-rise jeans and a batwing-sleeved blouse that let her bellybutton show. With her silver-colored lips and dark eyes, Huang Jiajia believed that she was Miss Beauty herself. Qin Guan calmed himself down. It was certainly hard to please the good customers. Lightening his mood, he began his tutoring for the day. Huang Jiajia was getting impatient, but for the sake of Qin Guans good looks, she held her temper in check and tried to be a good student. Finally, after half an hours ss, she gave up. She put her jaw on Qin Guans arm and pouted like a spoiled child. Mr. Qin, how about we study tomorrow? Its Saturday! Its girls night at the Landai Club. Lets go and have some fun! Qin Guan lifted her jaw up and gently moved it away from his arm. Huang Jiajia felt like her jaw had been broken. Seeing that Qin Guan had gone on tutoring as if nothing had happened, Huang Jiajia rubbed her aching jaw. Her eyes had started to water. Irritated, she plumped out her cheeks as she thought to herself, So you dont like shy girls. Just wait and see how naughty I can be then! Huang Jiajia smirked and told Qin Guan. Look at me, Mr. Qin. Qin Guan was puzzled. He turned to her and saw Huang Jiajia put her hands on the lower hem of her blouse and lift it up, the pink bra she was wearing underneath showing. Huang Jiajia was a minor still going through puberty. Her breasts were partly visible through her pink bra, giving off a smell of youth and vigor. Qin Guan almost choked on his own drool. Jesus! What are you doing? Pull your shirt down! He hastened to cover his eyes with his hand, but there was still a gap left between his fingers. Hearing Qin Guans scolding, Huang Jiajia felt satisfied. She moved closer to him and said, I can pull it down, but you have to promise me one thing. Qin Guan shook his head as he said righteously, I have my principles. Dont you think Ill promise you anything without careful consideration! Huang Jiajia smirked again. She moved forward, and Qin Guan was forced to back up until he reached the door. Hed been nning on leaving the room, but he was too afraid of being mistaken for a rascal by the girls mother and being turned over to the police. He was caught in a dilemma. Huang Jiajia went on, trying to persuade Qin Guan, I promise you that Ill be a good student, just not today. I have somewhere to be, so you have to listen to me and help me get out. Qin Guan was getting furious. He scolded her in a low voice, I cant find any excuse to convince your mom that you should go out! Its toote! Huang Jiajia blinked at Qin Guan and pulled her blouse down. pping her hands, she said, No need to worry about that. Its a deal! Then she ran to the living room merrily and pouted to her mother, Mom, Ive finished my ss for today, and Mr. Qin said I was really a quick learner. Its Saturday. I promised Li Lin that I would sleep over at her house tonight so we could review the ss together. Can I go out, mom? Please! The mother hesitated before turning to Qin Guan. Noticing that Huang Jiajia was still holding the lower hem of her blouse, Qin Guan was quite clear that he was being threatened by the young girl. He gave a forced smile and nodded, suggesting that he agreed with Huang Jiajia. The mother was quite shrewd, though. She made a phone call to Li Lins before agreeing. Oh, okay. No worries. When she hung up the phone, she expressed her approval with a nod. Yay! Huang Jiajia jumped up from the couch and picked up her handbag from the table, ready to go. Suddenly she went back and told her mother, Its gettingte. Can I ask Mr. Qin to walk me there? Her mother thought it was a good point, so she asked Qin Guan to take her daughter to Li Lins. Qin Guan and Huang Jiajia left the house. Qin Guan walked quietly ahead, feeling very annoyed. He could not believe that he was being threatened by this little girl, who was so much younger than him. Huang Jiajia stared at Qin Guan as she walked behind him. She was drooling as she watched him walk fast with his long legs. Wiping her mouth, she said, Whats the hurry? Lets take a cab. Confused, Qin Guan turned back to her and asked, Doesnt your ssmate live nearby? Why take a cab? Haung Jiajia looked proud of herself as she replied, Oh, Li Lins parents are traveling abroad. Her cousin answered the phone. Ive promised to go to Landai Club tonight with the girls. Come on, dont be stupid. Lets go! Qin Guan did note to his senses until he was inside the cab. Why am I taking her to Landai Club? I could have gone back to my dorm! Huang Jiajia took no notice of his facial expressions. She took out herpact mirror from her handbag and made her eye circles even darker. The little yellow cab drove for over 20 minutes before they arrived at Landai Club. Landai Club was one of the most famous clubs in Beijing between 1997 and 2003. It was close to the Beijing Film Academy, so it was always packed with people at night. Every Saturday, women woulde to the club and have fun for free. That night, a small dance band had been invited to perform an opening show, giving even more life to the small club. As they got off the cab, Qin Guan and Huang Jiajia saw two girls in the distance wearing even heavier makeup than Huang Jiajia. The three girls got together and hugged, chatting andughing excitedly. The girl named Li Lin even came over and said hello to him. Qin Guan felt great pressure being surrounded by these fashionably dressed-up girls. In his past life, he had always dressed simply. It was cool in October, and he was wearing blue jeans and a pair of brown leather shoes made of sheep skin. He felt like a square peg in a round hole around those girls. Qin Guan decided to seize the opportunity and get away. He was about to turn around when Huang Jiajia dragged him closer and said, Come have fun with us! Qin Guan frowned. He took on a serious tone as he told Huang Jiajia, I only promised you one thing, and I kept that promise. Take care of yourself. I gotta go. Huang Jiajia wanted to add something, when she realized that her friends were being harassed by some strange guys. Since ancient times, there had been a lot of terms referring to guys flirting with girls. In some areas, it was called chasing girls, while in other ces they called it picking up hot chicks. In Beijing, people would call it courting. Clubs were usually filled with both good and bad people, and they were the perfect ce for people with excessive hormones, who did not know what to do with them. People went there to have fun, court girls, or get into a fight, which was prettymon for people in clubs. Qin Guan knew that he could not just pretend he hadnt seen anything and leave. He walked up to those guys and stood in front of Li Lin, facing them as he said, Lin Lin, your dad has asked you to get back home. The guys left the girls alone. After all, the girls were too young for them, and they seemed like good students, despite the fact that they were dressed attractively. The guysughed and walked away. The girls were too young to protect themselves, and Qin Guan was worried about them. Fine. Ill stay with them, just in case. Fun time started at 8 p.m. The moment the doors opened, thedies in the two queues all swarmed in for a warm-up dance. Huang Jiajia and the other two girls did not move. They were still waiting for Qin Guan by the counter. By the time Qin Guan had forced his way through the crowd, almost all thedies had already gone into the club. Tickets to Landai Club were not expensive. The price from Monday to Friday was 10 yuan per person, and on the weekends it was 15 yuan. Qin Guan escorted the girls into the club. The atmosphere inside was really different from outside. The club was like a big melting pot full of hormones. In the dim, flickering lights, men and women jostled against each other, the hot dancing on the stage making everyone restless. Before Qin Guan could stop them, Huang Jiajia and the other two girls had pushed their way to the center of the club joyfully. The club was ying Captain Jack-Sir Yes Sir, a popr song in 1996, and everyone was shaking their heads and butts crazily on the dancing floor. Qin Guan got out of the crowd and took a seat by the bar. He turned to a waiter and said, A Corona, please. The waiter served him his beer. Qin Guan took a sip, and leaned against the counter as he watched the people dancing in front of him. He was about to take a second sip when two girls sat down next to him. They both had red lips and were wearing leather skirts. They were not wearing any silk stockings, and their high heels swayed slightly with their legs. The girls tugged at Qin Guans shirt and drew circles on his chest with their fingers. One of the girls pouted at him. You here alone, hottie? Qin Guan gently pushed them away as he looked towards the dance floor. Then he smiled and told them, No, I have a girlfriend. Upon hearing that, the two girls immediately stopped flirting with him. They just gave him a charming smile and walked away. Yes, local girls were indeed straightforward. There were two more stages by the side of the club, which had been prepared for the big show at midnight. The dancers on the stage had been invited from dance clubs, or were students of the Beijing Dance Academy who were working part-time jobs at the club. A couple was currently standing on the stage, dancing to the music. Their every move showed their bare desire. It was like all their cells were urging people, Follow us! Lets dance! Qin Guan stared at the stage. His amazing memory helped him memorize every move of the leading dancer. He took a nce around the whole club and kept everyones moves in mind. With so many people dancing, the club was getting even warmer than usual. Qin Guan felt a wave of heat, and undid a button on his shirt. Suddenly, he saw Huang Jiajia quarreling with the others. Qin Guan let out a sigh. Fretted, he scratched his head and forced his way through to her. Chapter 12: The Dance Competition and The Fight Chapter 12: The Dance Competition and The Fight Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia Huang Jiajia and her two friends looked like angry crickets as they quarreled with a little girl. The little girl, who was ring at them, seemed much weaker than Huang Jiajia without a man by her side. The girl was pointing at Huang Jiajia and shouting, I did step on you! So what? Huang Jiajias face was red. She lookedpletely pissed off, and she refused to back down. You should apologize! You stepped on me three times, b*tch! A man behind the girl stepped forward. He moved away the girls finger and winked at Huang Jiajia, acting as a peacemaker. Let it go. Its no big deal, right? Why bother fighting about it? The girl got even more furious when she saw her boyfriend wink at Huang Jiajia. I picked a fight for you, you bastard! Your eyes have been all over this b*tch ever since you saw her! You even moved closer to her while you were dancing. How do you expect me to let it go? As he watched the girl re at Hunag Jiajia, Qin Guan realized it was jealousy that had led to the fight. He dragged Huang Jiajia behind his back to get her away from the girl. The girl rolled up her sleeves. She had been about to pull Huang Jiajias hair when she saw Qin Guan step in between them. Confused, she raised her head. All of a sudden, her arm paused in mid-air. She looked dumbfounded. The surrounding spectators had also gone silent. At the time, fighting was not a rare urrence at clubs. Everyone loved to watch people fight. Whenever there was a fight, everyone would stop dancing just to watch. All the boys were thinking to themselves, Who sold this guy a ticket and let him in? Have you seen his looks and figure? How can Ipete against him? Sh*t! The girls, on the other hand, were thinking, Hey, hottie! Look at me! Im much hotter than that little girl behind you. I have plump breasts and a slim waist. I can give you everything that you want. The security at the club stayed out of the fight. As long as there was no real fighting inside the club, they did not give a damn. Noticing that Qin Guan had attracted so much attention, the peacemaking man got jealous. He could not wait to vent his pent-up frustration. The man, whose nickname was Little Charmer, was quite well-known at the Landai Club. His good looks and bad-boy attitude made him really popr among the girls. This time though, Qin Guan had stolen his thunder. Little Charmer could not tolerate that. He looked at Qin Guan, who was obviously feeling out of ce at the club, and said in an irritated tone, Were all here to dance. Just forget about it, its no big deal. It seemed that Little Charmer had totally forgotten about his initial intention to flirt with Huang Jiajia. Qin Guan was about to answer when Huang Jiajia could not help yelling, What if I stepped on you? Would you be fine with that? Realizing that Huang Jiajia was not as weak as he had thought, Little Charmer got excited. Fighting between Beijingers was a lot of fun. People usually made an appointment with their opponents and spoke out their names respectively before the fight started. During a small-scale fight, if one party tried to make peace and the other party agreed, they wouldpromise and the fight would end. If the other party refused to do that though, then fighting would be inevitable. Little Charmer told Qin Guan enthusiastically, Damn, shes not backing down! Fine, I wont take advantage of you. Since we cant fight here, lets have a dancepetition. As a frequent dancer at the club, Little Charmer knew that Qin Guan was not a regr there. He was pretty confident that he could win. He was actually nning on humiliating Qin Guan with his dancing abilities. Some spectators were jeering at Little Charmer while others looked jealous of him. They were all urging him on, Go! Be a man! Dont be afraid! As she saw the eager crowd, Huang Jiajia felt a little worried. She tagged at Qin Guans sleeve and whispered, Let it go, Qin Guan. You cant win. Qin Guan did not answer. He undid another button on his shirt, rolled up his sleeves, and asked Little Charmer, Who goes first? Little Charmer was stupefied. After a while, he pouted at Qin Guan and then looked at the two stages. Together, he replied. Are you okay with that? Having watched the scene, the club manager yed a faster song and the leading dancer walked down from the stage. Qin Guan and Little Charmer walked to each of the two stages. The spectators shouted, Lets dance! and started dancing to the song. Little Charmer joined the crowd, starting to dance right away. To be frank, he was a very good dancer. The crowd shouted Bravo at him repeatedly. Qin Guan was taking his time. He took out a fluorescent spray from Huang Jiajias handbag and sprayed some to his front and back. Suddenly, his perfect figure shined under the dim lights, making up for his simple outfit. Qin Guan put down the spray. He had not even started dancing yet, but all the girls had already surrounded his stage and were screaming over his attractive body. The first part of the song was finished, and the second part began. Qin Guan started to dance. He raised his hands up and snapped his fingers. His hips moved, and his shoulders, legs and feet followed. One move after the other, Qin Guan danced faster and faster to the song. The crowd went crazy in an instant. Everyone started screaming. In the dim yellow light, all everyone could see Qin Quans fluorescent body dancing to the rhythm. Qin Guan was just as good as Little Charmer. His various moves coordinated perfectly with the music. Anyone could tell who was the better dancer. Qin Guan danced as gracefully as a knight while Little Charmer danced like a mad idiot. As he saw Qin Guans beautiful moves, Little Charmer stopped dancing. Gnashing his teeth, he walked down from the stage and dragged his girlfriend behind him as he exited the club. Qin Guan went on dancing until the song ended. His forehead was wet with sweat. Bravo! he heard the crowd shouting. Satisfied, he walked down from the stage and went up to the bar to have a mouthful of cold beer. Qin Guan sat down by the counter to take a break. He had experienced the preciousness of youth during that hot dance and he knew that this lifestyle was not for him, although he did enjoy it asionally. As he rested, the manager yed a slow song. The people who had not been satisfied by the former hot dance started to dance cheek-to-cheek with their partners. After dancing to their hearts content, Huang Jiajia and the other two girls walked up to Qin Guan and asked for three cans of c. Qin Guan took a look at his watch and realized that it was already 10 p.m. Its toote, he told Huang Jiajia. Lets call it a day, alright? Before Huang Jiajia could protest, Qin Guan went on to say, May I dance with you? We need to talk. Realizing that Qin Guan was serious, Huang Jiajia nodded and walked to the dance floor with him. Qin Guan put his hands on Huang Jiajias waist and asked her to follow his lead. While they danced, he said, Is there something you want to say to me? Huang Jiajia looked at Qin Guan innocently. Oh, you mean about tonight? Wow, you were just amazing! Qin Guan slowly said to her, Youre still a high school student. I really hope that you wonte here anymore. Huang Jiajia did not answer. She wanted to move closer to Qin Guan, but he pulled a dance move to avoid her. If you keep fooling around, then I think my job as a tutor is done. Now you have to go back home, Qin Guan said. Huang Jiajia had not had enough time to figure out what was going on when Qin Guan dragged her off the dance floor and told the other two girls, Its gettingte, I have to go. Lets call it a day. You have to take Huang Jiajia home. The three girls were terrified of Qin Guan. They just nodded and walked out of the club with him. Qin Guan walked them to the street, intending to get a cab to take them home. As they were waiting for the cab, a group of people suddenly came over. Qin Guan saw Little Charmer walking in front. He had been waiting for Qin Guan outside for a long time. After being humiliated that night, he had called in all his friends in the area to teach Qin Guan a lesson. Qin Guan and the girls were led into a small alley near the club, where a man was squatting down on the ground smoking. When they entered the alley, Little Charmers friends gathered behind him. The girls were too frightened to say anything. They dragged at Qin Guans sleeves as they looked at the guys in front of them. Qin Guan did not panic. If these people had been from Northwest China, he would have already fled with the girls, but since they were just Beijingers, he thought he could give it a shot. Little Charmer stared at Qin Guan and yelled at him arrogantly, You bastard! You kept me waiting for a long time! Qin Guan sighed deeply with a straight face before he said, In ordance with Act 160 of the Criminal Law of 1979, anyone who gathers a crowd with the intention of fighting, picks up a fight, insults women, or carries out any other immoral activities that disrupt public order, shall be convicted to fixed-term imprisonment of no more than seven years, be arrested, or be put under surveince. He panted for breath as he added, Chasing, intercepting, abusing or threatening other people is considered equal to picking a fight. Little Charmer looked at Qin Guan as if he was dumb. You idiot! You... Before he could finish his words, the man smoking in the alley started choking fromughter. Chapter 13: A Fight Between Rough Men Chapter 13: A Fight Between Rough Men Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia The man stood up and blew a smoke ring before he came over and asked Little Charmer, Who is this guy? This is getting interesting. Hes talking aboutws with you guys! Qin Guan did not take the mans sneering seriously. He just went on, I dont know whats on your mind. You think this petty thing humiliated you, so you wanna punish me? You dare not kill me. Youre all locals, so you must know that the police knows you quite well. If I end up in the hospital because of you, youll be sent to jail. If dont though, you wont be satisfied. So why dont we fight? The smoking man was stupefied. Qin Guan went on to say, A man must bear the consequences of his own actions. Im alone, yet you ask others for help. Is that because youre too weak, or because you want others tomit your own crimes for you? Hearing that, Little Charmer got a little worried. He turned to the smoking man and said, Boss, back me up. This guy is talking nonsense. The smoking man threw his cigarette butt to the ground and snuffed it out with his shoe. Then he turned to Little Charmer and said, Since its no big deal, well stay here and cheer for you. You need to settle this on your own, though. This was how Beijingers acted. They were well-educated and stood by their own principles. The mans words instantly eased Qin Guans nervousness. He had guessed right. In his past life, he had known abor contractor from Beijing, who had been a well-known local boss. He had told Qin Guan over dinner once that Beijingers had their own principles. After a fight, you could even chat with your opponent and be friends with him, as long as your differences were not irreconcble. Qin Guan waved at Huang Jiajia, suggesting that the girls back off. Little Charmer took off his jacket and revealed his muscles. The two young men started fighting in the middle of the alley. Qin Guan had never fought with anyone in his past life. Although he was stronger now thanks to his frequent exercising, he was still at a disadvantage because he had no fighting experience. Little Charmerunched three punches, and the third one hit the corner of Qin Guans mouth. His lips started bleeding, the blood dropping to the ground along the corner. The girls covered their mouths with their hands. They dared not scream, in case Qin Guan got distracted. They had alreadye to know the consequences of their behavior. Qin Guan was in a daze for a bit. He dodged another punch heading for him and puckered his lips, feeling a bloody smell rushed into his mouth. Irritated by the smell, Qin Guan went back to his sloppy style. Results are everything. Graceful fighting is nonsense! Suddenly, Qin Guan became violent. He rushed up to Little Charmer and clutched him by the shoulders, inertia causing both of them to tumble to the ground. The smoking man was about to light a cigar when he saw Qin Guans move and unconsciously pressed the lighter into his hands. The me jumped up and almost burned his hair. He hastened to move the lighter away and press it again. After lighting his cigar, he turned his head and saw the two young men clutching at each other hard and rolling about in the small alley. The alley was still an alley though, so they kept bumping against the walls on each side all the time. Watching the two young men rolling about on the ground like flipping pancakes, Huang Jiajia could not helpughing out loud, despite the fact that there were still tears in her eyes. Qin Guan became desperate. His eyes shed red as he decided to maintain his good image. He gave Little Charmer a kick, and Little Charmer kicked him back. By the time Qin Guan had narrowly gained control over Little Charmer, both their clothes were wet with sweat and mud. They made for a very funny scene. The smoking manughed out loud and patted Qin Guan on the back. Hey, buddy. For my sake, let Little Charmer go. From now on, I promise you that Little Charmer will not cause you any trouble. If youre in the area and you get into trouble, call me and Ill help you. Qin Guan agreed. He loosened his hands and rose to his feet. As he dusted himself off, he said, Alright. Youre a Boss, right? Actually, it was no big deal. We can just let it go. The Boss, whose name was Bu Qinglu, was delighted by the respect Qin Guan had showed him. He patted Qin Guans shoulder once again and said, Okay. Next time youe here, its my treat. Then he asked his friends to take away Little Charmer, who had been pretending to be dead on the ground. Qin Guan led the girls out of the alley without saying a word. Huang Jiajia pursed her lips. Qin Guans fair skin had turned ck and blue, and there were still bloodstains on the corner of his mouth. Seeing her handsome, gentle tutor get so rough, she suddenly felt that what she had longed for had been worthless. She felt a little lost. She was somehow afraid that Qin Guan would not want to tutor her or see her anymore. As she thought of that, Huang Jiajia anxiously tugged at Qin Guans shirt and whispered, To be honest, clubbing is boring. Ill be a good student from now on. Will you still tutor me? Qin Guan felt relieved. Huang Jiajias smokey-eye makeup had been ruined by her tears, but he tried to keep a straight face as he said, Alright, but it will depend on your performance. Its toote today. You girls go back home and well talk about it next time. The girls looked at Qin Guan and nodded like chickens. Then they took a cab and headed back home. When the girls had left, Qin Guan could no longer put up a brave front. He grimaced in pain and flipped the dust off his body. Jesus, it hurts so much. And they say a punch wont make you feel anything. Liars! The next morning, Qin Guan got up from his bed in a daze. He was hurting all over his body and for the first time, he had slept in. His roommates had already used the washroom. When they saw Qin Guan, they were all shocked. Rubbing his eyes, Qin Guan asked, Whats wrong? Why are you all looking at me like that? Wang Lei could not help asking, What did you dost night? Didnt you look in the mirror when you got up? Qin Guan did not figure out what was happening until Liu Xiaoyang passed him a mirror from the upper bunk. Qin Guan took the mirror and had a look. Gee! He was pretty sure even his own mom would not recognize him if shed been there. Actually, Qin Guan had not been severely injured, but as a rookie, he had not known how to protect his face during a fight. Little Charmer punches had been really cunning and urate. The first punch had hit Qin Guans eye, the second punch the corner of his mouth, and the third one his cheekbone. When Qin Guan had gone back to his dorm, he had already had three nasty bumps on his face. Instead of bringing down the swelling with coldpresses, Qin Guan had tumbled into bed and gone straight to sleep. As a result, the right side of his face now looked like yeast bread, and his left eye was just like a pandas. Ye Dong, the oldest boy in the dorm, could not bear to look at Qin Guan. He got out a bottle of tincture of capsicum from the box under the bed and skillfully applied it on Qin Guans face. Qin Guan briefly told his roommates about the previous night. Ye Dong and Mu Lejiang did not say anything, but Liu Xiaoyang, the youngest boy, seemed quite interested in fighting. Gee, why didnt you ask me for help? Im a top warrior... Hearing that, Ye Dong started mocking Liu Xiaoyang, We have no such rules in my hometown. We dont ask questions, we get straight to the fighting. Asking for help! Its fighting, guys! A real fight doesnt wait. Liu Xiaoyang replied disdainfully, You dont get it. Rules are a must in the world of Beijing gangsters. Ye Dong put the lid back on the bottle and yanked Liu Xiaoyang, saying, You seem pretty excited about fighting. How many times have you fought? Suddenly, Liu Xiaoyang looked like a deted rubber ball. He seemed very upset as he said, None! Theyined that I was too young. Ive never gotten a chance. Plus, my mom is basically my shadow. I havent even watched a fight! Mu Lejiang said nothing. He ruffled Liu Xiaoyangs hair before he walked out of the dorm. Before everyone left, Ye Dong said, Freshman Party is on tonight. Keep it in mind. Its in the university auditorium. They all promised to meet there and then headed to ss. Qin Guan also went to ss, despite his swelling face, which had be the talk of the town. Wang Lei, the fourth eldest boy in Qin Guans dorm, wasughing all the way through the ss. Indeed, Qin Guans face looked nothing like his previous good looks. The students on the right of Qin Guan could only see the malformed side of his face. The girls were feeling worried and sorry for their Prince Charming, while the boys seemed to gloating. The students on the left of Qin Guan could see the pretty side of his face. With the dark circle around his left eye and his fair skin, he looked exactly like a giant panda, the most protected animal in China. Seeing that image, the boys and the girls on his left could not helpughing. When the ss was finally over, Qin Guan decided not to leave his dorm for the rest of the day. His roommate Wang Lei brought his food to the dorm. When it got dark, the boys headed to the university auditorium together. No one in Qin Guans dorm put on a performance that night. None of them had been born to be artists, but they were a good audience. When all the seats were upied, the curtain parted. The host and hostess showed up on the stage and gave an opening speech. Qin Guan enjoyed it very much. There was group dancing, solo dancing, a choir, an instrumental performance, etc. Most acts had a solemn atmosphere about them. To the boys, the party seemed too boring. They could not figure out why Qin Guan had enjoyed it so much. Qin Guan, though, knew that such a solemn performance would be quite rare in the near future. The Freshman Party was sure to be full of garish acts and crazy dancers. Chapter 14: Eggs Laid by the Red Flag Chapter 14: Eggs Laid by the Red g Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans roommates did not want to keep watching the show. They were bored and wanted to leave, but suddenly they backed up when they saw several people carrying a drum kit, a keyboard and two speakers to the stage. The performers were all well-dressed, and the lead singer was in olive green, looking like a soldier about to sing a military song. After they tuned up, the performers yed the electric guitar as an opening prelude, and the auditorium instantly became vibrant. The lead singer said, Hello everyone! This is Eggs Laid by the Red g. The sudden opening is actually not abrupt Now is the time and we know what to do The red g is still fluttering without direction The revolution is still alive, and the old chaps are getting more active... The lead singer had a hoarse voice as if hed been smoking too much. It actually made him sound like the perfect rock and roll singer. The boys in the audience were cheering. Hands held high, they followed the rhythm and started to rock together. Qin Guan and his roommates stood up as well. Liu Xiaoyang even jumped onto his chair. When the song was finished, the audience was fully pumped up. Rock and roll was a code those days. Everyone had a soldier in their heart. People would fight hard for their dreams and future with indomitable will. It had grown colder at the end of October. Qin Guan put on his jacket and set off for his first official tutoring ss with Huang Jiajia. At 6:30 p.m., he showed up at the door of Huang Jiajias home. When he walked into the house and saw Huang Jiajia sitting by her desk, he was shocked. Her hair was not red anymore. Instead, it was ck and shiny, dangling down her shoulders in two braids. She was not wearing any makeup either. This was the first time Qin Guan had seen Huang Jiajia with no makeup on. He recalled the first time he had seen her. Shed had thick eyebrows and big eyes, and her dark, dense eyshes had looked like two tiny brushes. Her lips had been painted thick and red, making her look totally mboyant. Yet now she was wearing a long pink T-shirt with a round cor and a pair of brown overalls. She looked like a good girl and a studious student. Qin Guan did not say anything. Giving her an encouraging smile, he opened the textbook and started the ss at an appropriate speed, Here it means... Yes, call by value from here. During the whole ss, Huang Jiajia listened to Qin Guan carefully without anyints. When Qin Guan finished the ss for the day, Huang Jiajia grimaced and said, Mr. Qin, what did you think of my performance today? Ill work even harder. Qin Guan was d. This would help him make money much more easily. He had 4 hours of ss a week and he would get paid 50 yuan per hour, so every month he would make 800 yuan just by tutoring Huang Jiajia. Qin Guan did not show his joy. As he walked out of the house, he told Huang Jiajia, You need to keep it up. One good performance doesnt mean anything. Perseverance is whats important. Then he closed the door and left. He was quite busy. He had a kebab appointment with Wang Lei, and the next morning they would go to the China World Mall. Beijing had been expanding gradually with economic growth. Business areas were various systems formed amid that expansion, and Wangfujin and Xidan were among the earliest ones in Beijing. The China World Mall was an emerging, vibrant business area that had be the home of many new industries and fashionable brands, such as Motor and IBM. Qin Guan and Wang Lei were currently at the foot of the China World Towers, the very center of the China World Mall. The two boys had seen the ad of apany on the CUFE billboard, and that was why they hade here. The ad had been different than the rest, which was why it had aroused their interest. Qin Guan and Wang Lei took the elevator to the consultingpany on the 10th floor. The receptionist led them to a meeting room, where they saw a lot of people their age. Qin Guan believed they were also students applying for the part-time job. When everyone was seated, a supervisor came into the room and handed out material to each of the young students. The business of the consultingpany was quite interesting. It helped retailers and traders of fast moving consumer goods find part-timers and sales promotion staff. It also did market research for somepanies. This kind of business met the demands of foreignpanies entering the Chinese market, thus consultingpanies had be quite popr at the time. Thepany Qin Guan had visited was one of the oldest and the best in Beijing. Qin Guan and Wang Lei read the material carefully. The positions included supermarket promotion specialists for sodas and snacks, and staff for a wine shop. Qin Guan noticed that these jobs were all on weekends, from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. in the morning and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the afternoon. Wages would be paid daily in ordance with the standard rules, and the payment for the sales promotion staff was 50 yuan per day. The wine shop staff would get a daily payment of 100 yuan. Of course, those employees were required to have a good image and figure. There would also be an interview for the job. Qin Guan pursed his lips. The wine shop staff was the highest paying position among the three, although the payment was only as much as his tutoring fees. Half a loaf of bread was better than none though after all, so he decided to go to that interview. Wang Lei asked the supervisor, and he unexpectedly got a part-time job as a telephone researcher. From that day on and every weekend, he would work in thepany as a telephone salesperson. When the two boys walked out of the meeting room, Qin Guan told Wang Lei curiously, You have a sharp mind for business. Why are you studying ounting? Pushing his sses up, Wang Lei asked back, You are so handsome, why do you study at CUFE? They bothughed. They parted at the corridor when Wang Lei was taken by the supervisor to the office of the telephone sales personnel. Qin Guan and several girls were taken to another office, where the interview would take ce. Qin Guan was the only boy in the group. Curious about why a boy would apply for that position, the girls chatted andughed among themselves. Qin Guan felt helpless. Fine, I know this is something new, but you shouldnt stare at me like Im a monkey. Yes, I mean you. Dont point your fingers at me! Qin Guan was feeling quite awkward when the door suddenly opened. Three elegant interviewers took a seat at the table. Qin Guan applied for the promotion position of Grand Bateau, a kind of middle-end wine imported from France. The promotion staff would serve the wine at exhibitions around Beijing. It was not cost-effective for exhibitors to hire professional models for the promotion, so the wine agent hade up with the idea of picking several college students for the job. Thest interviewees had not impressed the interviewers. They thought college students had no working experience and their age did not match the maturity of the wine. The Chinese name of the wine was Longchuan. A general had made that particr wine for Napoleon, his leader during the Napoleonic Era. The wine was not expensive, but it had a dignity and elegance to it, so it was usually hard for college students with no experience to convey its connotation. The interviewers seemed a little bored. In low spirits, they said, Next. It was Qin Guans turn. When he stepped forward, the interviewers sat up instantly. Although they did not know about Qin Guans temperament, they were all captivated by his face. They asked him some basic questions, including his college and age, and Qin Guan took his time in answering every single one, not showing any nervousness. The interviewers exchanged a look and told Qin Guan to move two steps forward. They noticed that he was neither overbearing nor servile. They nodded and told him, Good. Take this nk resume, go to the third room on the left and give it to the director of the exhibition. Qin Guan took the nk resume and bid the interviewers goodbye with a nod before pushing the door open and leaving the interview room. When he opened the door of the third room on the left, he saw a big ss wine table in the center with several goblets and two bottles of open Bateau on it. There were already several tall fairdies standing orderly by the desk next to the ss table. At the other end of the room, an old frowning tailor with a tape around his neck was measuring the size of a woman. An assistant with freckles standing by the door saw Qin Guan walk into the room with a nk resume. She had a bundle of pens in her hand, and she handed one to Qin Guan. Pointing at a small round table at the corner of the room, she told him, Yes, second round of interviews. Fill in the resume over there and then give it to me. Ill give you a number tag. Then you can go to the desk and wait for the final interview with the sales director. Qin Guan moved the pen around in his hand. He was surprised to find that there was a third round of interviews after this one. The final round? Why is this soplicated? Its a part-time job after all, he told the assistant. The assistants face turned quite serious. It seemed as if this was an important task to her as she exined to Qin Guan, Were recruiting short-term part-timers because we dont have much time to prepare. We have no choice. Vinexpo China is next week, followed by the China International Wine and Spirits Exhibition. Theyre both well-known exhibitions in China. We have to take this seriously. Chapter 15: The Bateau Interview Chapter 15: The Bateau Interview Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was amused by the serious look on the assistants face. He nodded at her and walked to the round table. The assistant covered her flushed cheeks as she thought to herself, This boy is so cute when he smiles. He will probably pass the interview. Qin Guan filled in the resume carefully on the table. Although he knew that he might not match the taste of wine, he had to take the second round seriously. The assistant had told him so. After filling in the resume, Qin Guan handed it to the assistant and got the number eight te from her. Then he went to the desk and joined the queue. He stood at the end of the queue, waiting quietly for his turn. Some girls passed the interview and others failed, but those who failed did not look sad. It was probably because this was only a part-time job. Soon, it was Qin Guans turn. The sales director was a woman in her forties. Qin Guan smiled at her and put his te on the table. The sales director was surprised. She pushed up her sses, thrilled to see a boy applying for the job. As a matter of fact, she had been a bit angry, because most interviewees had not lived up to her expectations. Most wine customers were Chinese men, thus female shopping guides were good for wine promotion. However, recruiters should not ignore female customers or male customers with a different taste. If customers could not feel the connotation of the wine, no seductive woman could convince them to buy it. The interview had just gotten interesting. The sales director pulled her chair forward. Taking Qin Guans resume she said, Qin Guan, right? Capital University of Finance and Economics. Good. Ive got several questions for you. First, what do you know about wine? Qin Guan was a bit dumbfounded. He knew a lot about beer and spirits, because hed drunk a lot of them when hed been an equipment salesperson in his past life. However, he knew very little about wine. ording to traditional Chinese table culture, businessmen or politicians usually ordered spirits. Wine was considered a finishing drink for a meal. Therefore, Qin Guan had never studied wine brands before. He only knew about spirits such as Maotai and Wuliangye. He had never even ordered expensive spirits at a karaoke bar, because hed rather spend the money on gifts for his business partners instead. As for western-style restaurants and wineries, he sure knew nothing about them. Qin Guan could only bite the bullet. He told the sales director, I literally know nothing about wine. The sales director looked a little disappointed. She went on to ask, Have you ever drunk any wine before? What brand was it? Qin Guan felt encouraged as he thought to himself, I can do this! I dont know much about wine, but I have drunk a lot of it. He nodded at the sales director and said, Ive drunk a lot of wine, such as Changyu, Greatwall, Bordeaux, San Pietro... I must be forgetting some. The sales director was shocked. She reckoned Qin Guan had to be an alcoholic if hed drunk so much wine at such a young age. She pushed up her sses again and asked, Since youve drunk so much wine, can you go over there and have a sip? Qin Guan nodded and said, Okay. He thought this would be quite easy for him. He walked up to the big ss table, picked up a bottle of wine and pulled the cork out. Then he took a goblet and poured some. At first, the sales director had been excited, but as she saw how Qin Guan had filled the goblet, she immediately covered her face. She could hardly bear the sight, but she had to watch Qin Guans next step. With a satisfied look, Qin Guan raised the goblet to his mouth. The sales director was feeling bored until she saw Qin Guan drink up the wine. Then a voice reverberated in her brain, He drank it up in one go! Even an alcoholic would not have drunk wine like that! Qin Guan took a deep breath and turned to the sales director with the empty goblet in his hand. The sales director was massaging her temples, wondering why that days interview was not going well. When she raised her head, she saw Qin Guan standing in front of the ss table with the empty goblet. He was standing against the sunlight, and the rays of light reflected on the ss table were shining on him. The rosy wine, the crystal goblet and the amber wine bottle made the scene before her look like an elegant painting. The sales director was dumbfounded. Qin Guan realized there was still some wine on his mouth, and he wiped it with his hand, ruining the harmonious scene. As if waking up from a dream, the sales director coughed awkwardly. Two voices were arguing inside her brain. One voice said, Look at his coarse manners. He totally ruined the lingering effect of the wine, while the second one said, You can teach him how to sip wine. The scene you just saw proves his charm. Let him pass. The sales director thought it over for over a minute before she told Qin Guan, You have passed the interview. Pointing at the tailor, she added, Have your measurements taken over there. When youre done, go to the small meeting room. Youll receive a basic training there. Qin Guan nodded and went up to the tailor. The sales director put his resume into the box tagged epted and moved on to the next interview. The old tailor did not talk much. When he finished measuring a female model, he waved at Qin Guan, gesturing for him toe over. Qin Guan walked up to the man and took off his jacket, leaving his weskit on. The tailor turned a page on his little notebook and began to measure him with a tape. Shoulder Width: 53 cm; Bust Size: 105 cm; Waist Circumference: 68 cm Abdomen Circumference: 85 cm; Hips: 100 cm; Thighs: 49 cm The tailor raised his eyebrows. The middle-aged man was not particrly eye-catching, but he was recognized as one of the best tailors in Beijing. He could not both design and tailor like a fashion designer, but he had made many clothes over the years for both starlets and fashion show models. Gee, this young man is like a hanger! Having not said a word for so long, the tailor finally asked, Young man, how tall are you? Qin Guan was putting on his jacket when he heard the mans question. He smiled and replied, 183 cm. At least that was my height when I graduated from high school. The tailor looked him up and down before he said, You must be taller than that. Go measure your height over there. Qin Guan looked at the direction the man was pointing at. There was a ruler for height measurement there. He nodded at the tailor, Okay. Qin Guan stood straight against the wall as the tailor moved close to the ruler, standing up on a stool. He pressed down Qin Guans hair and read the ruler carefully, As I said, youre taller than that. He patted Qin Guan on the shoulder as he said, Good. Youre 185 cm, not 183. Youve grown taller. Qin Guan did not know why the tailor had asked him to measure his height. He nodded at the man and wrote down his name and cellphone number on the small notebook just like he was told. Looking at Qin Guans back, the tailor picked up his notebook, thinking to himself, Even male models hardly ever have such a perfect figure. Qin Guan, of course, was unaware of the tailors thoughts. He just believed growing taller was a good thing. In his past life, hed also been strong and brave, but he had not been tall enough. His muscles had made him look short. Qin Guan opened the door and walked into the meeting room. There were already three girls waiting inside. The girls went dumb when they saw that it was a boying in. When they recovered, they started chatting andughing merrily. A member of the training department was pouring wine into sses at the table and giving each interviewee one ss. Qin Guan and the girls waited for a while, but nobody elsee in. The woman from the training department pped her hands and said, Today you will be trained here. Ill give you a fast training course. Each of you will get material about this brand after the training. You can read it at home to get the general idea. She picked up a ss of wine and moved it under the light as she said, During the exhibition, you cant wear perfume or cosmetics with a strong smell. You arent allowed to smoke either. Now lets move on to the wine-tasting. Step one, observe the color and luster. If turbidity, sediment or suspended solids are found, the wine is disqualified. Of course, no such thing will be found on the wine at the exhibition. Step two, smell the fragrance. Pick up your ss and move it three centimeters away from your nose. Breathe in its smell through your nostrils. Remember, dont exhale. Just inhale the wine. Dont do it for too long, though. If you cant distinguish the smell, shake the ss and smell it again. The trainer shook her ss lightly. Qin Guan used his amazing memory again, keeping every instruction of the trainer in his mind. Step three, taste the wine. Wine has five different tastes: sour, sweet, bitter, spicy and puckery. When you taste it, take a sip of about five milliliters. As staff, you need to experience the whole tasting process for your customers. You can also guide the customers on how to have a taste themselves. The trainer poured wine into a ss and held the base of her ss with her thumb, index finger and middle finger. Tilting the ss away from her at a 45-degree angle, she shook the ss in her hand and moved it in a circle parallel to the table. Then she added, You can move it clockwise or anticlockwise as you like. Qin Guan saw the wine leave several traces on the inner wall of the ss after being shaken. The trainer moved the ss to her nose and smelled it near the rim before taking a sip. She kept the wine in her mouth, tasting it repeatedly as if she was chewing on it so the fragrance could diffuse in her mouth. After going through all the steps, she finally swallowed the wine. Chapter 16: Big Plate Chicken at the China World Mall Chapter 16: Big te Chicken at the China World Mall Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan had just realized how he had behaved at the interview. He still preferred his old ways and believed such a process was tooplex, but luckily, he had already memorized the three steps, so there was no need for him to worry. The trainer finished the demonstration by saying, Tasting wine is just like tasting a cup of tea. Some things can be ignored, but the right mood has to be maintained. Youre not cattle drinking water from a ditch after all. The trainers words had struck Qin Guan. Taking the material, he walked out of the meeting room in dismay. When Qin Guan and the girls walked out, the assistant gave each of them a small note. The assembly location and meeting time were both written on it. Qin Guan folded the note and went to see Wang Lei. When he reached Wang Leis office, he saw a pile of questionnaires on the table in front of his roommate. Qin Guan picked one up from the table and asked in an exaggerating tone, You did all these this morning? Wang Lei hang up and answered inadvertently, Yep! Ill get paid depending on how many Iplete. This job suits me well! Wang Lei wanted to make hay while the sun shined, so Qin Guan had to go back on his own. Taking a look at his watch, Qin Guan dragged Wang Lei off to have lunch with him. At the time, the China World Mall was one big construction site. Foundations were being dug and new buildings were being constructed, dust swirling in the air all around the Mall. The two boys believed that western-style food requiredplex table manners, and a buffet at a hotel was too expensive. There were very few dining choices for them. Qin Guan knew from his past life that there was a snack street in the area. He led Wang Lei to a small alley which had not been torn down yet, and pointed at the restaurants there. Like a rich man, he said, What do you wanna eat? Pick anything you like. Its my treat! Wang Lei did not pretend to be courteous. Seeing so many restaurants there, Chongqing delicacies, Shaxian delicacies and Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles included, he pursed his lips. He knew the food there would be very cheap. Finally, the two boys decided to eat at a Xinjiang restaurant. After they got their seats, they asked for a Big te Chicken, two baked Xinjiang pancakes and a bowl of Shanxi Torn Noodles. When the Big te Chicken was served, the two boys found that it was worth its money. It was a huge round te with a thickyer of snow-white Shanxi Torn Noodles covered in sauce-dipped chicken, potatoes, onions and green peppers, served with red chili and numbing Sichuan peppers. The dish really aroused their appetite. Holding the baked Xinjiang pancakes in their hands, they started gorging themselves on the Big te Chicken. When the check came, it was only 32 yuan. Qin Guan wiped his mouth and bid Wang Lei farewell before he headed back to school. In the evening, he went to Huang Jiajias house for their lesson. Lest the exhibition made himte for his tutoring, he asked for a day off and told her next weeks ss would be postponed. Huang Jiajia was curious, and she asked Qin Guan why he was putting off their lesson. Qin Guan did not intend to keep his part-time job a secret, so he told her all about it. Huang Jiajia said she fully supported her teacher in his part-time job. She said postponing the ss was totally fine with her, and Qin Guan did not need to worry about her studying. Qin Guan expressed his deep gratitude for Huang Jiajias support. The ss ended in a friendly atmosphere, but Qin Guan did not know that as soon as he left, Huang Jiajia started giggling like a little fox whod just stolen a chicken. Back at his dorm, Qin Guan called Cong Nianwei and told her about his part-time job next week. He sincerely asked for a day off and apologized for not being able to see her at Tsinghua University. Cong Nianwei did notin on the phone, which upset Qin Guan a lot. The next day, while Qin Guan was in ss, his phone vibrated. He took a look at the number and decided to reject the call. When the ss was over, he called the number back. The receptionist on the phone gave Qin Guan an address in her sweet voice and told him to try on the clothes on site. Qin Guan wrote down the address and checked what sses he had in the afternoon. He had enough time, so he decided to go there after his sses were over. During his afternoon ss, Qin Guan kept wondering how the clothes had been made so fast. He had just had his measurements taken a day ago after all. As soon as the ss was over, Qin Guan hurried to the address hed been given. At 5 p.m., Qin Guan pushed open the ss door of a clothes customizing shop at Xidan. The receptionist took him to the tailoring room. He hade sote that he was the only one there. The tailor was busy with his molds when he saw Qin Guane in. He nodded at him, suggesting that Qin Guan to go to the fitting room and put on the suit provided by the wine trader for the exhibition. Qin Guan took the standard, dark grey, three-piece suit and a white shirt with thebel still on. He walked into the fitting room and took all his clothes off except his underpants before he put the suit on. The suit looked good. There was no brand mark on it or on the white shirt provided by the exhibitor. The shirt looked brand new, as of it had been bought for an emergency. Qin Guan buttoned it up and put on the suit jacket casually before he walked out of the fitting room. The tailor was busy with his work. He pointed at a mirror without even taking a look at Qin Guan, and said, Go to the dressing mirror and have a look. Tell me if you have any questions. Qin Guan went to the dressing mirror as he was told. Looking into the mirror, he was a little bemused. He had seen himself in a mirror many times, but he still felt like a star every single time. It seemed that he had just been born handsome. This was not his own narcissism speaking. The tailor, who had been staring at him, also seemed speechless. He wanted to see how Qin Guan looked so he could do tailor some clothes for him. The exhibitor had borrowed the suit from a renting store. It was an ordinary Givenchy, neither independently designed nor made by specially-assigned manufacturers. Still, this suit cost about 25,000 yuan. Bateau was a middle-end brand of wine, but it enjoyed a high recognition worldwide. The two brands were both from France, so the Givenchy dealer had agreed to lend the suit to the exhibitor for free. The tailor thought the suit fit Qin Guan really well. He wanted to make the pant legs a little narrower so Qin Guan would look even more sexy, but considering that simplicity, freshness, decency, and toughnessbined with softness were the philosophy of Givenchy, he gave up on the idea. The tailor did not talk much about the suit. He just asked the assistant at the reception desk to cover the suit and wrapped up the fitting process. When everyone had left the store, the tailor opened his notebook to the ce where Qin Guans measurements were written and read it carefully. Then he picked up the phone from the table and made a call. The call got through, and the tailor calmly said, Hello, is that Xue Wanyi? Im Old Liu. Id like to rmend a model to you. No, not from a model agency. Hes a student doing a part-time job here... Let me tell you more about him... They spoke on the phone for over five minutes before hanging up. Old Liu tapped the notebook in his hand and smiled. Now its up to you, young man. On the day of the exhibition, Qin Guan got up very early and for the first time in his life, he showed off shamelessly in front of the mirror. His roommates also washed and got ready to go to the exhibition to support Qin Guan on his new job. Wang Lei would only go for a while at noon though, because he had a part-time job as well. Qin Guan could not stop them froming along, but he knew exactly what was on their minds. They were not going to the exhibition to support him, but to see the female staff working with him. Chapter 17: Vinexpo China Chapter 17: Vinexpo China Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia The International Convention Center (ICC) enjoyed a very good location. People could ess it very easily. The moment Qin Guan and his roommates got off the train, they saw the center bustling with people. The exhibition had not begun, so most people were staff of wine manufacturers. With the small note in hand, Qin Guan found the assembling ce. His roommates followed him, and suddenly stopped blinking. Besides the three girls that had been there on training day, the wine dealer had hired two more female models from a model agency. Seeing their long beautiful legs, Qin Guans roommates could not help but drool. The director of the part-timers handed out an exhibition program to all the female models and gave everyone a few additional tickets. After giving the tickets to his roommates and telling them not to cause any trouble, Qin Guan followed the director to the exhibition hall. It was still early, so the exhibition was only open to staff. They all fetched their clothes from the director and went to the staff room to change. Qin Guan was the only boy there. By the time he got changed, all the girls had taken their ces. The director saw Qin Guan wearing the suit and walking out of the fitting room towards the exhibition stand. He looked like a royal boy from Europe, vividly conveying elegance. He waved to Qin Guan and asked him toe over to the wine cab at the hall center, where a swivel chair, a wooden wine rack and several goblets could be seen, creating an appropriate wine-tasting atmosphere. Each member of the wine-tasting staff held a wine te, on which several refined sses had been put, waiting to pour wine into. They held the sses close to their chests, arms or thighs and walked around the hall. If they saw anyone who seemed interested, they would get them a drink and lead them to the booth. Both wine and spirits were exhibited at Vinexpo China. The major goal of the exhibitors was to attract distributors and agents across China. The exhibition opened at 9 a.m. and all exhibitors were ready to promote their brands. If one passed the rotating ticket office at the entrance and walked through the square, they could see the central hall of ICC in the very middle. As distributors and agents from all over China entered the hall, a silent war started. Everyone was dazzled by the bright lights, colorful backgrounds, crystal wine sses, the staff walking back and forth, and the graceful or bold music ying. The Bateau marketing man was embattled. He had a stack of leaflets in hand, and gave one to each potential customer. Five members of the wine-tasting staff had suffered yawl scratches to their thighs. Holding their wine tes in hand, they walked to different aisles in stilettos. Qin Guans roommates approached his stand as soon as they entered the hall. They pretended to care and suggested that they have lunch together right before disappearing into the crowd. Qin Guan straightened his cor in an effort to get morefortable. The exhibition lights shined down on the wine cab, creating a beautiful image. It was too warm for him, though. Looking at the three-piece suit he was wearing and the cheongsam of the girls, Qin Guan could only sigh. Lots of visitors had entered the hall by 9.30 a.m, and many agents were standing in front of the booths, staring at the brands that interested them. If they wanted to know more, they would take a seat and talk about the details with the marketing personnel. The Bateau booth enjoyed a good location that attracted a lot of wine distributors to have a look. When the distributors and agents came close, they saw a young man in a dark grey suit leaning against the wine-tasting table at the central booth. The brown wooden rack held dozens of bottles of wine, and the light reflected by the crystal sses formed a number of halos on the young man, creating a mysterious atmosphere. Seeing quite a few visitors approach his booth, Qin Guan immediately put on an elegant expression. Checking that Qin Guan was ready, the marketing man gestured for the visitors to look at him. The visitors turned to the wine-tasting table where Qin Guan was leaning, thinking to themselves, Where does this young mane from? He looks like he has very good taste. Maybe hes an old customer of Bateau invited here for the promotion? If Qin Guan had known what they were thinking, he would have yelled at them, Absolutely not! Its just a part-time job, okay? A hundred yuan for the whole day! The marketing man was thrilled, and he started to introduce the wine to the visitors in excitement. The agents were quite satisfied. They were convinced that the wine was high quality. After the initialmunication, many distributors came to the wine rack where Qin Guan stood and tasted the wine with him before they left. Qin Guan used his amazing memory and put into practice what he had learned from his training teacher. When the agents saw Qin Guans smooth, graceful wine-tasting procedure, they were even more convinced that this brand was top quality. In just one morning, five agents from different cities had signed an initial agreement with Bateau. The marketing men were all thrilled and every single one of them woulde and pat Qin Guan on the shoulders as they passed by. Qin Guan was not as excited as they were. It was too warm for him to be wearing a three-piece suit, so he decided to ask the director to allow him to at least take off the jacket. The director thought it over. Patting Qin Guan on the shoulder, he said encouragingly, Okay. Can you keep it on just this morning? You know, the majority of the visitors are agents from different cities, and the Givency suit can fully convey our products philosophy. Could you please hold on for a little while? Qin Guan was fully aware of the directors feelings. Fortunately, it was almost noon time, so he just needed to put up with it for a short time. The Bateau booth was quite popr that morning, but at 11:40 a.m. all the working staff could finally take turns and take a rest. Qin Guan declined the takeaway ordered by the working assistant; instead, he went out with his roommates for lunch. Wang Lei had finished his morning work early and was waiting for them outside. The boys met, nning to glut themselves at Origus. Why did I use the word glut, you ask? Maybe the reader needs an exnation. Origus was a quite cost-effective pizza buffet restaurant. Students had a certain strategy when it came to glutting at ORIGUS. Before they went there, they would starve themselves until they were too weak to walk, so theyd have to walk in by supporting themselves with their hands against the wall. When they finished their meal, they would be so full that theyd also have to walk out by leaning against the wall. Qin Guan took off his suit jacket and hang it on a hanger in the lounge. He just wore his shirt and waistcoat to lunch, because he didnt want to stand out too much. In order to celebrate his sess at his part-time job, Qin Guan announced that he would get the check. The boys discarded all courtesy and went in first. The meal cost Qin Guan 168 yuan altogether. Gee, this is cheap! he thought. When he gave the receipt to the waiter, he saw that all his roommates had already started helping themselves. He took a seat, watching each of the boys holding a te and stacking food on it. When they came back to the table, Qin Guan saw New Orleans roast chicken wings, roast drumsticks, barbecued pork and pork ribs seasoned with minced garlic on their tes. He told the boys calmly, Can you please have some veggies? They all answered, How can we satisfy our appetite with veggies? Qin Guan pursed his lips. It urred to him that at the time, people did not know how to eat healthily. He could only fetch a te for food and get himself a cup of juice. When he went back to the table, the chicken wings that had been piled up like mountains had all be chicken bones. As Qin Guan picked up a slice of pizza, he saw his roommates bring a second te to the table. Qin Guan looked around and noticed that the waiters face had turned quite stern. He could do nothing but give them an awkward smile. In the blink of an eye, the boys had already brought a case of beer over and started their third round of eating. Chapter 18: Huang Jiajia Vs. Cong Nianwei Chapter 18: Huang Jiajia Vs. Cong Nianwei Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan and Liu Xiaoyang held a chicken wing in one hand and a cup of juice in the other as they watched their roommates wine and dine. The two boys were thinking to themselves, Drink as much as you like. Youll finally make yourselves suffer. It had only been half an hour since the boys had started eating, but the waitress had already cleaned the table twice. Feeling his stomach, Qin Guan stopped eating. Mu Lejiang was surprised to find that Qin Guan had not eaten that much. With a toothpick in his mouth, he said, Come on, man! Qin Guan answered helplessly, Id love to, but look at me! I cant eat too much. The boys took a nce at Qin Guans tight suit and waistcoat. They imagined how he would look if he got full. They all shook their heads and said, Youre right, you cant. Qin Guan looked at his watch and decided to go back to the exhibition hall. He could not just sit there and watch the boys eat, so he bid them goodbye and went back. When he got to the hall, he did not put the suit jacket on again. The lights inside were so many that the temperature was up by 2-3 degrees Celsius because of the heat they generated. Qin Guan undid two buttons at the top of his shirt and rolled up his sleeves. When the director passed by and took a look at him, he nodded at the boy in satisfaction. Qin Guan did not know why the director had nodded at him until the afternoon session began. There werent just distributors and agents from all over the country. Wine and spirit collectors, bar owners and wine shoppers had alsoe to the exhibition. Even some citizens and media representatives hade to experience the foreign wine culture. Qin Guan rxed. The director had gotten him a fashion magazine to read so he could recreate a casual style. Qin Guan took a seat on the high chair in a rxed mood. From time to time, he would fill a ss and sip a little wine, enjoying his leisure time. All the other staff were ring at him. Before Qin Guan could enjoy it to his hearts content though, he heard a voice from behind him, Mr. Qin! Youre here! I found you! Qin Guan turned his head. Gosh! What is she doing here? It was Huang Jiajia. Qin Guan was surprised. How did you know Id be here? he asked. Huang Jiajia looked at Qin Guan proudly and replied, You told me you had a part-time jobst time and would have to put off our ss. I checked online and noticed that the only exhibition today was in ICC. Thats why I came here. I made it! Huang Jiajia fanned herself with her hands. Gee! Its too warm in here. Ill wait for you so we can go back together, Mr. Qin. Qin Guan immediately put his hands together, raised them up and bowed. Oh, my God! Im begging you to go back home. Please dont cause any trouble here. Haung Jiajia looked upset as she said, Why would I cause trouble? Ill be a good girl, I promise. I just wanna wait for you here. As Qin Guan and Huang Jiajia were talking beside the booth, another voice rang out from behind them, Qin Guan, what are you doing here? Qin Guan turned around. Oh, my God! Its Cong Nianwei! Right away, he put his hands down and pretended to clean his shirt. He patted himself off and smirked. Cong Nianwei! What are you doing here? Cong Nianwei took a look at Qin Guan and the girl behind him, who was ring at her. I came to greet my high school ssmate who works here. Is it a bad time? No, of course not. I was just surprised is all. Cong Nianwei did not answer right away. She gave him a gentle smile before she said, So why are you talking instead of working? Is this your new friend? Why dont you introduce us? Qin Guan was charmed by Cong Nianweis gentle smile. He stared at Cong Nianwei as he shook his head. Oh, no. Shes my student. I asked her to go back home. Suddenly, Huang Jiajia popped out from behind him. Im Mr. Qins student. Who are you? She was upset by Cong Nianweis appearance, which had interrupted her conversation with Qin Guan. She felt that Qin Guans silliness was offending, so she decided to have a talk with this girl. Noticing that it was a little girl, Cong Nianwei was relieved. Youre Qin Guans student, right? she said in a soft tone. Hes told me all about you. Nice to meet you. Huang Jiajia got even more upset. The girl before her was truly pretty. She was nothing like her. She was really intelligent, gentle, and polite, while Huang Jiajia just looked like a cute girl with poor taste. Huang Jiajia was unhappy. Yes. Im Mr. Qins student. Arent you his high school ssmate? she said impolitely. Im waiting for Mr. Qin so we can go back together. Cong Nianwei said nothing. She looked at Qin Guan as if she wanted to say something to him. Qin Guan suddenly realized what was happening between the two girls. Immediately, he exined, Huang Jiajia, this is my high school ssmate and potential girlfriend. If she epts my request, she will be your teachers girlfriend. Hearing this, Huang Jiajia somehow felt wronged. Tears filled her eyes, but she forced herself not to cry before Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei. Instead, she mumbled, She hasnt answered your request, but youve been such a coward. Whats so good about that? Then she nced at Cong Nianwei, bowed her head down, and stopped talking. Qin Guan did not yield to the strong, but he did to the weak. The fact that Huang Jiajia was in such low spirits made him feel sorry for her. Cong Nianwei take a look at Qin Guan and told Huang Jiajia, Since youre here, why dont you look around until Mr. Qin can go back with you? He wont miss your ss. Haung Jiajia raised her head. She felt that Cong Nianweis words were really offensive. As if she couldnt stay with Mr. Qin unless Cong Nianwei approved it! Huang Jiajia held her handbag so tight she almost tore it apart. I dont need your pity! she sobbed. Im going back now! Then she walked out without even looking back. Qin Guan gestured at Cong Nian and followed Huang Jiajia, saying, Its better that you go back. I have work to do here. The afternoon session wont be long though, so Ill stick to my n and wont miss the ss. I promise! Haung Jiajia looked at Qin Guan as sheughed angrily. Go back to your girl, you fool! she said before she left. Qin Guan was confused. He had not expected Haung Jiajia to scold him under the circumstances. He could not figure out why she had. When Qin Guan returned to the booth, he found Cong Nianwei sitting on the resting chair, reading a magazine quietly. Delighted, he sat on the chair opposite Cong Nianwei and said, Wait a minute, Ill talk to the director and ask him to allow me to work around the hall. Then he ran to the director to negotiate with him. It took Qin Guan quite a few minutes to persuade the director to grant his request. The director asked Qin Guan to take a pile of advertising posters and stick some brand logos on his face and chest. After checking that the logos were easy to stick and remove, Qin Guan asked the director for a few more as souvenirs. When he was ready, he took the posters and told Cong Nianwei, Okay, lets take a walk around the hall. Cong Nianwei put down the magazine and walked with Qin Guan. They walked along the aisles of the hall. Qin Guan really stood out among the rest of the staff. Even though he was holding the posters in a causal way, he attracted people like a light bulb. Anyone interested woulde up to him and ask for a poster, and Qin Guan would tell them where his booth was. After a while, Cong Nianwei told Qin Guan in an amused way, Have you noticed its usually mature women who ask you for a poster? Qin Guan looked at Cong Nianweis shiny ck hair. He felt that something was off about what shed said. In a short time, he had already handed out all his posters. Even the sticky notes in his hands were gone. Female customers had taken them to stick them to their faces and legs. As they walked back to the booth, the director came and patted Qin Guans shoulder in excitement. Qin Guan was puzzled. The director said, Qin, you did a very good job! Ill ask the cashier to give you 200 yuan. Qin Guan looked at the director in bewilderment. The director pointed at the reception area, and Qin Guan saw some female customers who had asked for posters and sticky notes sitting there. Among the women, some were wine collectors and others were hotel managers. No matter how much the actual sale volume was, it had to be quite profitable for the exhibitor to win the approval of several luxurious hotels. Qin Guan deserved the prize without a shadow of a doubt. The director decided to invite him more often to future exhibitions. Qin Guan did not pretend to refuse the money. As the visitors started to leave, the exhibitors began to pack up for closing. Taking the money from the cashier, Qin Guan held Cong Nianweis hand and left the hall, ignoring theining staff. Cong Nianwei made fun of Qin Guan, Not bad, Qin Guan. You made a months sry in a day. Qin Guan nodded and answered in a serious tone, This is just the beginning. I wanna be a rich man someday. Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. Qin Guan did not understand why she wasughing. He had not made a joke. Bing rich was really his dream. Chapter 19: CET 4 and the Computer Chapter 19: CET 4 and the Computer Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei went out and got on a bus. Qin Guan felt much more rxed in his own clothes. He decided to get off at Xizhimen and have some hand-pulled noodles with Cong Nianwei. Soon, they arrived at a noodle restaurant. When their noodles were served, Cong Nianweiughed at Qin Guan, You made quite a fortune today. Noodles! Is this your treat? Qin Guan was really hungry, because he had not eaten much at lunch. As he was swallowing his noodles, he told Cong Nianwei, Give it a shot. Theyre yummy. They taste like the noodles at the restaurant near our high school. Qin Guan had obviously not gotten her meaning. At the time, even the author had started to worry about his EQ. No wonder he had not officially be Cong Nianweis boyfriend. Cong Nianwei thought Qin Guan was both cute and silly. She picked up some noodles and found that they were truly yummy. The humble noodle restaurant located between used cell phone stores was inconspicuous. Despite its messy surroundings though, there were still no empty seats inside. The owner had set a table outside, but if that was also upied, customers had to squat down and eat on the sidewalk. Some customers rode a bicycle there while others drove a car. Old customers would even get off their BMWs for a bowl of hand-pulled noodles, and squat down and eat by the roadside. The noodles there were simple and coarse, but their taste was unforgettable. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei stopped talking and emptied their bowls quickly. Putting down the bowls, they looked at each other andughed out loud. Qin Guan paid 10 yuan for the two bowls. It was cheap, but he and Cong Nianwei were fully satisfied. He saw off Cong Nianwei at the Xizhimen station, regretting that he had not gotten the chance to hold her hand. Qin Guan was upset. He had been courting Cong Nianwei for almost a year now, but he had not won over her heart yet. Cong Nianwei would blow him off without a second thought. What was so wrong with him? If Cong Nianwei had known what Qin Guan was thinking, she would have despised him. Ever since he hade to college, he had hardly ever called her. He even had a part-time job on the weekends. What irritated her more, was that Qin Guan had forgotten to officially confess his love for her. A girl would have to be a fool to say yes to him. The life of a sloppy guy was always a hard one. After his date, Qin Guan went to Huang Jiajias home. It urred to him that he might have pissed off the little girl earlier in the afternoon. He went into the house nervously, but to his surprise, he found that Huang Jiajia was quite well-behaved. She studied harder than ever and voluntarily asked Qin Guan to give her more assignments so she could exercise every day. Qin Guan was still puzzled when he went back to campus. Huang Jiajia had behaved so well that he found it hard to adapt to the change. She had neither made fun of Qin Guan, nor moved purposely closer to him. It seemed like she had totally changed. Of course, a rough guy like Qin Guan had soon forgotten all about it, but Huang Jiajia had gone through quite an interesting transformation. She was actually at home right that moment, throwing away her clothes. She wrapped all her fashionable clothes in a coverlet and gave them to her mother, telling her that she could either donate them or give them to others as gifts. Either way, she would never wear those clothes again. From that day on, Huang Jiajia decided to be a good girl. She had seen Cong Nianwei and how charmed Qin Guan had been by her. Huang Jiajia was both upset and sad. She did not know why, but she knew Mr. Qin loved Cong Nianwei. He would never love a girl like her. She was determined to change, though. She was still in her second year of high school, so it was not toote for her. She would study really hard and get epted into CUFE, where Qin Guan was studying. She would never wear makeup or dress up again. She wanted to be aely girl like Cong Nianwei. When I get epted into CUFE, Ill be closer to Mr. Qin than she is. Im younger than her, so I can to wait for him toe back to me. That poor little thing, with her full lips and enchanting eyes... Her style was the total opposite of Cong Nianwei. Huang Jiajia was desperate. She only wanted to get closer to Mr. Qin. Huang Jiajias mother noticed that her little girl had given up those hideous clothes. She had also stopped dying her hair and wearing makeup. Instead, she was studying hard every day. Her mother felt both d and relieved. Should I give a bonus to Mr. Qin? He did teach her well after all. Jiajia has stopped idling about. Even more surprisingly, she has started studying hard. Time flied. Qin Guan was leading a busy life, so a month passed by quickly. Before he knew it, it was already mid-November. His life had gotten more regr now. He had finished his two part-time jobs at the exhibition and done some odd jobs as a promoter. His tutoring schedule was as regr as it had been, but Qin Guan did not allow himself to waste any time. During the day, he had sses and recited English words. He could recite the full vocabry of College English Test Band 4 (CET 4) from A to Z, and had already started to recite the vocabry for CET 6. Qin Guans roommates wanted to sit CET 4 as early as possible. ording to Qin Guans experience, this was the best time for them to take the test. Therefore, all the boys in his dorm followed him in reciting English words. CET 4 was in mid-December, so Qin Guan and his roommates submitted their applications in advance. As a matter of fact, universities did not encourage students to sit the test in advance, because their passing grade was never satisfying. Qin Guan and his roommates were all top students in their sses, though. No one studied as hard as top students in their first year of college. Ye Dong, the oldest boy in the dorm, had been studying hard in order to get elected as a member of the Students Union, so he had never missed a ss. Qin Guan was both a top student and an enthusiastic reader. He went to every lecture and read a lot after ss. Liu Xiaoyang had a high IQ, and Wang Lei studied harder than everyone. As for Mu Lejiang and Li Jie, they maintained a good bnce between studying and fun. They had never missed any of their sses in favor of having some leisure time. Qin Guan thought that if he hadnt been reborn, hed never have been able to catch up with the boys in his dorm. When the boys had sessfullypleted their registration for CET 4, even their teachers had showed their approval. On November 15, 1998, it was raining lightly. The breaking news in Qin Guans dorm was that the six boys had carried in aputer. They all had chipped in and bought aputer from Zhongguancun. Qin Guan had tried to stop the boys, but he had failed. Liu Xiaoyang had heard that Inte would soon be avable in their dorm. For a gamer like Liu Xiaoyang, going to an Inte cafe on campus was too much trouble, so he had pestered everyone to buy aputer. He had paid the most because he was rich, but his roommates had also chipped in some money so they could use theputer to do research online. When it came toputers, Qin Guan could not stop Liu Xiaoyangs craze. The young boy did not want to buy a popr brand either. Instead, he bought the most expensive one with the best gaming keyboard. There was even an extra memory bank in it. Qin Guan really wanted to tell Liu Xiaoyang, Thisputer will be outdated in a year. A memory banks capacity is only 64 MB now. Do you know how fastputers are developing? By that time, youll hate yourself. Liu Xiaoyang did not care about that, though. After several rounds of selecting, he finally picked aputer that cost more than 9,000 yuan. Liu Xiaoyang paid the 9,000 and the other boys shared the rest of the cost. Liu Xiaoyang was still quite satisfied. Look at the mouse pad! Its limited edition! Please, man. The shop owner gave it to you as a gift and told you it was limited edition. How could you even buy that? Look at theptop bag. Its free! Gee, you bought a desktop! The shop owner just gave you aptop bag so you would buy aptop in the future! Ignoring Qin Guans facial expressions, the boys excitedly carried theputer to their dorm and installed it together. Chapter 20: Abacus Level 5 and the First Pot of Old City Chapter 20: Abacus Level 5 and the First Pot of Old City Trantor: May Wiggins Editor: Efydatia The first thing they did after theputer was on was install the games theyd gotten for free from the shopkeeper. The discs were most likely pirated ones that only cost 10 yuan each. The games included Red Alert, Diablo, Legend of Sword and Fairy, and others. Qin Guan was very familiar with them. Even Wang Lei, the calmest boy in the dorm, was itching to y. Qin Guan was not interested in these old games. He would rather read more in his leisure time instead. The boys were all ying the game though, and even boys from other dorms hade to take a look. They were all watching Liu Xiaoyang y. Just watching him was exciting enough for them. They could tell how fascinating the games were. Ever since they had bought theputer, more and more boys from other dorms would drop by and have fun in Qin Guans dorm. Unintentionally, Qin Guan and his roommates had made more friends. With their poprity, Ye Dong was able to apply sessfully for a membership at the Students Union and officially be a union member. He even became the leader of the freshmen. Qin Guan had always been too handsome to have any male friends, and he had seldom talked to other boys, because they had known nothing about him. When they came to his dorm though, they found that Qin Guan was quite generous. Qin Guan made many new friends that way. Now that he had been recognized by his male ssmates, he had sessfully be the Prince Charming of the freshmen. The boys had realized that they could not point fingers at anyone until they really knew them, and recognized Qin Guan for the friendly, generous boy that he was. ying games was not the only function of theputer, though. Qin Guan had installed an office software and urged every boy in his dorm to use it to do their bookkeeping. Qin Guans ie from October to November was as follows. Tutoring: 800 + 500 (bonus) = 1,300 Part-Time Job: 400 (Bateau Exhibition) + 200 (bonus) = 600; Pringles Promotion: 240; Total: 600 + 240 = 840 Total Ie: 1,300 + 840 = 2140 Qin Guan had also saved 100 yuan from the living expenses provided by his parents, so he had a total of 2,240 in savings from October to November. Considering the money he had spent on treating his friends and buying theputer, Qin Guan was surprised to find that he had so much in savings. He did not n on doing any more part-time jobs in November though, because he would be taking two important tests in December, CET 4 and Abacus Level 5. Qin Guan checked his schedule once again. Although the lectures were still ongoing, he had finished the Computerized ounting Test in October, so he could now prepare for the Abacus Level 5 in December. In order to obtain an ounting Certificate, he had to pass three subjects, i.e. Basic ounting, Regtions and Professional Ethics, and Junior Computerized ounting. Abacus Level 5 was essential, so Qin Guan decided to give it a shot. His first n was to obtain an ounting Certificate during his sophomore year. He had lots of ns, and realizing each of them was a small progress for him. He believed that as long as he followed his n, he would make big progress in the end. Cong Nianwei was quite inconsiderate. Qin Guan would meet her every day, but she would send him away, because she was also busy with her studies. As a student at the Department of Architecture, she knew that she had to study hard to learn the abstract and obscure principles of architecture. She was too busy improving her sketching ability to spend time with Qin Guan. What was love worth anyway? Love did not make money. Qin Guan hang up the phone with tears in his eyes. Courting a straight-A student was really giving him a hard time. Huang Jiajia was also in a bad mood. She was upset with her straight-A teacher. She had been working really hardtely to catch up, and she could at least understand the ss now. She was delighted by her progress, but as she watched her teacher recite English vocabry, she felt like her small progress was being overshadowed. Before they knew it, it was already December. The six boys in Qin Guans dorm were well-prepared. Taking their admission tickets, erasers and pens, they walked into the lecture theater to take CET 4 with the sophomores of CUFE. The six boys made everybody else jealous. Before the bell rang, they had already finished their papers and handed them in. As they walked out of the examination room, the boys rxed. The exercises had been easy for them, and their reviewing work would help them get high marks, which would look great on their resumes. Qin Guans next test was Abacus Level 5. Wang Lei had also applied to take the test. The registration fee was 40 yuan per person, and the test would only take them 20 minutes. The test results would be published within three days, and then they would get their certificate. Qin Guan and Wang Lei kept practicing calcting on an abacus, and every day they would say Goodbye and Wee back in their dorm, as if they were real ountants. When the day of the test came around, they headed to the examination room. Qin Guan was quite familiar with abacuses. He was actually so skillful that the proctor thought he was a professional ountant. If Qin Guan had known what the proctor was thinking, he would tell him that it was because of his amazing memory. When the two boys went out of the room with their abacuses, they were not able topare their answers, because the test papers had consisted of two different types, i.e. A and B, to prevent the students from cheating. Qin Guan took a deep breath. He could finally rx until winter vacation. He would do fewer part-time jobs during that time and would rest more. As soon as they walked out of the room, the two boys went to the First Pot of Old City. Qin Guans roommates had decided to celebrate their sess in CET 4 there. Frankly, the boys were just looking for an excuse to eat out instead of going to the school canteen, as they usually did. The nearest First Pot of Old City was located at North Taipingzhuang. Qin Guan and his roommates all rode their bicycles to the restaurant along Sanhuan Road. For foodies like them, riding for several kilometers was as easy as pie. They rode fast along the road, heading straight for themb spines at the First Pot of Old City. It was lunch time when they got there, so there were hardly any empty seats in the restaurant. The waiter put a white towel on his shoulder as he saw the boys drooling over. He felt sorry for them, so he carried several stools from the kitchen so they could take a seat by the door. That was why that restaurant was so popr. No other restaurant in Beijing would let the customers have dinner there if they could not find a seat. The boys did not care, though. They all took a seat by the door. It was really crowded inside, so Qin Guan knew it would take them quite a while to find a seat. He murmured to Ye Dong and Liu Xiaoyang, and the three boys went in. The other three boys were still by the door, looking confused. They looked at each other before they turned to the three boys inside. Qin Guan looked around and saw that a table would be avable in a few minutes. He immediately stood by the table with Ye Dong and Liu Xiaoyang. The boys did not talk, but Liu Xiaoyang expressed his yearning for food through his eyes, which were fixed on the leftovers on the table. Ye Dong, who was the oldest boy in the dorm, hit Liu Xiaoyang on the head and shouted, Have you never seen food before? Did you starve to death in a past life? Liu Xiaoyang whined. Shielding his head with his hands, he answered, Im really hungry, okay? Then it was Qin Guans turn. Dragging Ye Dong away, he said, Xiaoyang is too young. He just wants some food. Theres no need to beat him. The customers eating at the table were all mid-aged and seemed very kind. Among them was an elderly woman. As the woman looked at poor Liu Xiaoyang, her maternal instinct took over. When she saw Ye Dong force Liu Xiaoyang to control his yearning, she felt sad for the little boy. The people at the table had almost finished their meal and had been nning on having some small talk before leaving. When they saw that boy though, they all felt pity for him. One of them said, Hey, boys. Dont look so serious. Ask the waiter to clean up the table. Were done. Qin Guan looked at them and expressed his deep gratitude through his eyes. He nced at the table and found a te of gand chrysanthemum that had not been eaten. Embarrassed, he said, Thats alright. We can still wait for a while. The elder woman looked unhappy at the thought. No, were full. Look at this little boy! Hes crying of hunger! Qin Guan thanked them right away, Thank you so much, brothers and sisters. The woman seemed amused by Qin Guan. Smiling, she said, What a cute a boy. Sister? I must be as old as your mom. Never mind, help yourselves. We gotta go. When the customers left and the table was cleaned up, Qin Guan waved to the other three boys by the door, gesturing for them toe over for lunch. The six boys took a seat and piously ordered a bigmb spine hot pot and eight tes of instant-boiled meat and vegetables. Food always tasted best when people were hungry. When the pot was served, everyone held their chopsticks and waited anxiously for the broth to boil. The sauce-dippedmb spine with the secret gravy was boiled in a charcoal pot, and the special fragrance of themb and the spices filled the air. As soon as the broth in the pot boiled, the boys rushed to eat themb spines. Themb spines were not just tasty, they had also been cooked properly. As Qin Guan picked up one and shook it in his te, the meat dropped right away. Qin Guan was feeling quite proud of himself when he saw Mu Ledjiang pick up some more spines and put them on his te. The other boys had seen it too. Suddenly, they could not wait anymore. They all started picking up spines and putting them on their own tes. Seeing the boys table manners, the olddy next to them moved her chair a little further away. When the boys had eaten up all themb spines, they asked the waiter to put some extra soup into the pot. The milky soup and the secret gravy were mixed together, exuding a tempting smell. The boys did not eat themb bones. Instead, they poured the instant-cooked meat into the pot and stared at each other. When the color of the meat changed into dark brown and the meat floated in the soup, the boys started their second round of grabbing. It was getting dark, and the boys were all full, their bellies looking big and round. When they paid the bill, they found that they had not spent more than 30 yuan each. They got on their bicycles, ready to ride back to CUFE, but they were too full to do it anymore. What a heroic feat they had performed! Chapter 21: Holding Her Soft Hand Chapter 21: Holding Her Soft Hand Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia There was a lot of chatter as Christmas drew near. Qin Guan was quite nervous during that season, something his roommates were unable to understand. It was Friday, December 25th. A cloudy Christmas. Its just a foreign custom, whose only social reflection is Christmas tree decorations in the mall. What the hell are you so excited for? Qin Guan was brushing his teeth in front of the mirror, thinking to himself helplessly. For future reference, if you dont invite your girlfriend for dinner at Christmas, you might as well get ready to get dumped. Qin Guan finished rinsing his mouth and looked around. No one had taken notice of him. He cupped his hands over his face and blew on them. Well done! His breath was clear and smelled of mint. Everything was ready except Cong Nianwei. They had arranged a meeting time on the phone a long time ago. The n was to visit a diner on Christmas night in the Modern za on the North Third Ring Road. It was cloudy and dark outside at six oclock in the evening. However, nothing could influence Qin Guans good mood. There was a shining, tall Christmas tree on the square in front of the za, creating a festive atmosphere. As the night fell, the square was lit up by colorful lights. People walked under the Christmas tree, stopping now and then to admire it. At the time, Christmas Day, was a fashionable festivity. The lower middle ss would have dates or enjoy teatime, while working people kept going about their business. This Christmas was iparablyfortable,cking any wide advertisements and seasonal businesses. This is the scene that greeted Cong Nianwei when she arrived at the entrance of the Modern za. A tall young boy, wearing a slim woolen coat, ck straight pants and shining ck leather shoes was looking around. He seemed lost in thought as he held a bouquet of beautiful roses in his hands. He attracted many a passerbys attention. Looking at Qin Guan dressed so handsomely, Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. He was reminding her of something. Qin Guan was looking around the entrance when he saw Cong Nianwei walking towards him from a distance. He was so excited that he forgot the roses in his hands and raised his arms to wave at her. Petals fell down miserably. Qin Guan was taken aback. He put down the bouquet to check on them. By then, Cong Nianwei had reached him. Smiling and pointing to the roses in Qin Guans hands, she asked, Are those for me? Ye...Yes. Absorbed in her smile, Qin Guan handed the roses to Cong Nianwei with a nk expression as he said in a low voice, Merry Christmas. Cong Nianwei took a deep sniff of the flowers and said, Thank you, I appreciate it. So Comrade Qin, what shall we do next? Qin Guan beamed with joy and said, Dinner, definitely. Delicious dinner. Cong Nianwei followed Qin Guan, crossing the road diagonally and heading near the Beijing Institute of Technology. There was a T.G.I.Fridays located there, a renowned western style restaurant suitable for young people. The atmosphere inside was festive. They pushed the door loudly and gave their reservation number. Then Qin Guan led Cong Nianwei leisurely to their reserved table. When they were seated, the waiter appeared with two menus. He stood there waiting to take their order. Cong Nianwei read the menu but could not make a decision. She looked up and asked Qin Guan, Are you familiar with the restaurant? What are their specialties? Qin Guan raised his head from the menu and said, They have some famous dishes. Would you like to try one? Cong Nianwei agreed with a nod. Qin Guan snapped his fingers towards the waiter, who ran over. He was wearing more than 20 essories from head to toe, and they all jangled as he squatted next to their table. Yes, you didnt misread. The squatting service was one of the restaurants features. The servants yed a leading role using their bodynguage. They would actually squat by the customers or lean on the table to help them decide on their order. All this served to indicate that you didnt have to straighten your clothes or sit properly there. Qin guan was really straightforward. He gave the waiter a long list. Buffalo Wings, Baby Back Ribs, Fajitas [1], and a Chicken Caesar Sd. What would you prefer, soup or a soft drink, Cong Nianwei? Would you like that? Holding his menu, Qin Guan grinned at her enticingly. He pointed to the bar beside their table, where a bartender was performing fancy mixtures of drinks. Cong Nianwei nced at the menu and said, Long Ind Iced Tea, please. Qin Guan saw that there was alcohol in Iced Tea, and that made him smile to himself. He ordered two cups of Iced Tea and an extra serving of Baked Sweet Potato Skins. Slow American country music was ying as the bartender performed on the customers request. Cong Nianwei pulled her chair closer to the table. She supported her jaw with both hands, enjoying the gentle music and having a good time. Qin Guan was extremely satisfied with his effort that day. She epted my roses! Shes having a meal with me! It was a good beginning for what would follow. Their meal was served quickly. They atezily. There wasnt as much courtesy there as in formal western restaurants. Customers could do anything they wished. You could even grab your ribs with your bare hands without feeling embarrassed. They dined and wined to satisfaction and enjoyed another song before they stood up to go. Cong Nianwei waited for Qing Guan to take care of the check with the cashier by the door. Then she asked, What next? Qin Guan stammered, Eh, Im full. Shall we go for a walk? As soon as he finished his sentence, he felt the impulse to p himself in the face. Full? You dull homeboy! Cong Nianwei tittered. Its really great to be with Qin Guan. She nodded and waved the roses around. Lets go for a walk. Im full, too. Following Cong Nianwei, Qin Guan boxed himself in the ear gently. His original n had been to take Cong Nianwei to the za and buy a fluffy sheep for her. Once she was happy, it would be easy for him to make a confession. But then hed said that silly thing. Qin Guan was walking in low spirits when he heard Cong Nianwei cry out in surprise. She had just pushed the door open. Its snowing! Qin Guan hurried outside and saw the thick snow. It must have been snowing for quite a while. Large snowkes covered the ground, creating a thickyer of snow. Qing Guan stepped forward and found his shoes stuck in the snow. It reached as high as his vamps. They lost the mood to take a leisurely walk. The snowfall seemed to get heavier. Qin Guan offered his hand to Cong Nianwei as he said, The snow is thick. Follow my steps and hold my hand. Be careful not to slip. Cong Nianwei was taken aback. She pursed her lips and smiled, Okay. Take my hand. Qin Guan helped Cong Nianwei cross the road carefully. When they reached the bus stop, he realized something. I have held her hand. At the thought of this, his hand suddenly became sweaty. Thank God! Thank the God of Snow. Ill burn three incense sticks in your honor tomorrow! Qin Guan didnt care about anything else as he held her hand by the bus stop. He pretended to watch the buses. Cong Nianwei tried to pull her hand away gently, but failed. She nced at Qin Guan and decided to let it be. [1] a kind of Mexican staple food. It is the mixture of guacamole, cheese, soft cheese, Mexican tomato and chili sauce and special Mexico corn-flour pancake. Chapter 22: The 1998 Snowfall Chapter 22: The 1998 Snowfall Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia They waited at the bus stop for more than half an hour. The snow was getting heavier and heavier while more and more people gathered there. Finally, a bus stopped. Qin Guan signaled to Cong Nianwei decisively. We have to squeeze inside! The bus was overcrowded. The driver shouted to the people outside, Wait for the next one. Dont try to squeeze in! Ignoring his words, Qin Guan took advantage of the passengers exiting from the back door and helped Cong Nianwei up. Then he took arge step forward himself to get in before the doors closed. When the bus took off, Qin Guan suddenly swayed. He was squeezed up against the door, his face stuck to the ss. He probably looked like a ttened toad from the outside. Qin Guan couldnt care less though. He pulled closer Cong Nianwei, who was squeezed up against the stairs beside the door, and protected her with his arms. The fact that he had an ulterior motive besides courage prevented him from hugging her tight. All he could do was lean his arms against the door, creating a limited space for the two of them to stand. The door opened and shut. The snow was getting heavier and heavier while the bus moved at walking speed. Perhaps youre wondering why they hadnt taken a taxi. It was because there were no taxis on the roads. The taxi drivers in the capital were shrewd. Cars couldnt run fast under such heavy snowfall, so it would have taken them a whole night toplete a single ride. Who would be foolish enough to drive out in that weather? Better stay home and watch TV while they enjoyed some Erguotou [1]. Take a sip of liquor. Now, thats nice. Back to our story now, the shabby bus nked as it reached the south entrance of Tsinghua University. Qin Guan was the first to jump off when the bus came to a stop. His legs were suddenly buried in the snow. It was snowing so heavily that the snow on the ground reached his calves. Qin Guan offered his hand. Cong Nianwei took it and stepped off the bus carefully. They both looked dishevelled after leaving the crowded bus. The roses in Cong Nianweis hands had been ttened. One of them trembled before it finally shed itsst petal. They looked at each other and burst into happyughter amid the falling snowkes. When theirughter died down, they began to worry. It was windy and still snowing heavily. Cong Nianwei almost slipped in her high heels as she took a few steps. Qin Guan pulled her close. Then he squatted in front of her and patted his back, inviting her to jump on. Cong Nianwei didnt blush. She just climbed confidently on Qin Guans back like the clear-cut straight-A student that she was. She had already calcted the speed she could reach under the circumstances. Qin Guan moved forward with unsteady steps while Cong Nianwei sprawled on his back, doing nothing at all. Now and then she smoothed his hair with her fingers and pushed the snow off his back. Everything was quiet in the snowy night except for Qin Guans heavy breathing. Cong Nianwei gently pressed her face to his back. She didnt know when the boys back had be so broad and thick. He seemed to have grown up when she wasnt looking. Though tired, Qin Guan felt so hot he could see pink bubbles appear in front of him. Cong Nianweis body felt soft against his back. At this thought, a real bubble came out of his nose. Qin Guan had worn a thin woolen coat to show off. It was a windy, snowy night and the biting northwest wind blew through his clothes relentlessly. Qin Guans body reacted naturally, tears and snot making an appearance as a result of the wind and the cold. In the quiet night, the only sounds were those of his heavy breathing and his runny nose. When they arrived outside Cong Nianweis dormitory building, Qin Guans face was covered in an icy shell made of tears, snot and cold air. If there had been another reborn person standing by, they might have found that scene familiar. He looked like Iron Man, except his mask was made of crystal and ice instead of iron. Despite the frozen muscles on his face, Qin Guan managed to squeeze some words out, Its snowing heavily. Go back to your room quickly and warm up. You dont want to catch a cold. Before Cong Nianwei could answer, he added in a rush, Im going home. Ill call you tomorrow. Then he just went off without looking back. Cong Nianwei was taken aback. She felt confused. She looked at the shabby flowers in her hands, arranged the wrapping paper, and turned around to enter the dormitory building. There was a faint smile on the corner of her mouth. Qin Guan left the Tsinghua University campus and headed directly towards a shining Hotel sign without hesitation. The chances ofing across a bus or a car were extremely low. Qin Guan could hardly see the road clearly through the blizzard. He encountered no cars or people on the way. He dusted the snow off his body before he entered the hotel. There were two affordable rooms avable. Qin Guan asked the receptionist for the key right away. He went into the room, took off his clothes and socks, which had already been soaked, and had an unsatisfying hot shower. When he came out of the bathroom, he realized that he didnt have any spare underwear. He covered his body with a bath towel and ced the wet clothes side by side on the radiator. (Luckily, the radiator was so hot it could warm up a jug of water.) After doing all this, Qin Guan wiped his hair dry, threw the towel away and got into bed naked. The room was warm. Qin Guan, who had carried a person on his back the whole way, felt terribly tired. He fell asleep in a daze and had a dream. He dreamed that it hadnt snowed that day and that Cong Nianwei had epted his proposal to be his girlfriend. His nice dream was interrupted by the rm clock on his cell phone, which reminded him that it was morning and he had to get up. Qin Guan threw back the covers, went to the radiator in his slippers and touched his underwear and socks. They were all dry. He felt refreshed after putting on his clothes. The day before he had had a runny nose, but his young body had already recovered. Last nights sleep had cheered him up. Qin Guan took out his phone, looked at the screen and smiled like silly. Seeing Cong Nianweis call from her dormitory, Qin Guan felt full of energy. He walked in the thick show under the bright sun, considering his ns for the future. Theres the exams at the end of term in January, and then winter vacation. Only one month to go. Would that be enough time to get a drivers license? What had happened the day before had taught Qin Guan a painful lesson. Although he already knew how to drive, he realized that he had to take the exam again. Since the process is rtively simple, I should be able to get my license as soon as possible. Qin Guan decided it on the spot. He turned right in front of the hotel and saw an advertisement board at the gate of a small grocery store. It read Driving Courses For You. Enroll Now. Qin Guan knocked on the window of the grocery store, and a simple, honest-looking middle-aged woman emerged. Realizing what Qin Guan wanted, she brought out the driving course material right away. There were three training schools on the list. Qin Guan wasnt picky about choosing. He just pointed at the Haidian Driving School and said, That one. The owner of the grocery store was pretty straightforward too. She filled out a form in no time and told Qin Guan what the fees were. The courses would begin the following week. The whole matter was settled, and Qin Guan staggered back to his dormitory, where all his roommates had been waiting for him to report back. Crying silent tears in his mind, Qin Guan thought to himself, How can I tell you guys that all I did the whole night was just hold her hand for a while? How can I tell you I slept in a shabby hotel alone? Qin Guan avoided answering their questions. After being beaten by the others, he ended the conversation in a mopish mood. [1] Erguotou is a Chinese alcoholic beverage with high alcohol content (about 60% in volume). Chapter 23: The First Photo Shoot Chapter 23: The First Photo Shoot Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Nobody dared bezy during their spare time as the first term exams drew near. Although they were all straight-A students, they were much more nervous than they used to be. They were aiming for a schrship in their own department, which constituted the majority of straight-A students ie. Qin Guan had just hung up from checking on Cong Nianwei when his cell phone rang again. He picked up the phone and saw an unfamiliar number shining on the screen. He was confused as he rarely received any calls from anyone other than his parents and friends. A melodic voice came out of the receiver when Qin Guan answered it, Is this Qin Guan? Pressing the phone to his ear, Qin Guan answered, Yes, thats me. Who is this? Hello. Do you know Master Zhao? the woman on the other end of the line asked. Master Zhao? Didnt you model for red wine once? Master Zhao was the tailor adjusting the suits for you. What she was saying was ringing a bell. Yes, I remember, he said, What about him? Master Zhao referred you to me. Im calling you to ask whether you have some spare time tomorrow. Were making an advertising booklet and were in search of a college student who wants to work as a model. Qin Guan checked his schedule. He had turned down a part-time job just this week. With all the snow outside, there was nothing he could have done about it. But since this job had fallen into hisp, he could at least give it a try. Qin Guan set a time and ce for the interview with the woman, and waved the phone in front of his roommates smugly. His roommates ground their teeth in resentment. They pulled his cheek and legs, demanding a treat if Qin Guan seeded in the interview. One of them was still sitting in his bed calmly. He pushed his sses up and looked at Qin Guan. You could make a living on your looks. Ill take the national schrship in your stead. While he struggled against the others, Qin Guan said forcefully, Its not the time to make a decision yet. Plus, I can be both handsome and intelligent. Angry with his arrogance, his roommates punched him, beating him into the ground while they yelled, You lucky dog. You cant be a savage anymore! The next morning, Qin Guan arrived at Chao Yang Park, where a small studio made shooting advertisements for booklets. The small cabin was already crowded when Qin Guan walked in. A busy-looking man pointed at a random ce for Qin Guan to go and try on some shirts. The advertisement today was for a phone-order clothingpany. Despite therge audience, the advertisements taste was quite poor. The brand was in the telemarketing business. Customers watched the advertisement and ced orders through the telephone. The factory sent the goods and got paid on delivery. The trademark of the brand was its fine quality and reasonable price. It mimicked styles from other brands and produced a good sales volume. However, the new line, which was marketed towards young people, didnt go well with the former model of thepany, who looked like Iron Man. The CEO had banged on his desk. We should look for a new model and make a new advertisement! He looked confident while the marketing department looked quite depressed. That line of shirts did not y a big part in thepanys turnover. A short advertisement would be more than enough. A specialized modelpany would be just a waste of money. The marketing manager had an idea. He remembered the intermediary model agents and Sister Xue, who did business on her own. In her earlier days, Xue Wanyi had been a model herself. However, she had retreated from the spotlight after a couple of years because she felt like it was a limitation on her image. Using her unparalleled socializing skills, she had acquainted herself with a group of people like her, as well as some less famous models. Some of them had appeared on runway shows, while others had been featured in print ads. Her friends were active on the bottom of the fashion industry. They came from all corners of the country. It was people nobody would even imagine. After adjusting suits for several shows, Master Zhao had gotten to know Xue Wanyi and had be very good friends with her. If he came across any independent young men, he would refer them to her. That was why Qin Guan had gotten that call. At the time, Sister Xues models had all failed the interview, so she had called Qin Guan as ast resort. As Qin Guan was standing in line to be interviewed, his phone rang. Before he could even answer it though, he was stopped by Sister Xue, who had followed the sound of his ringtone. Are you Qin Guan? Im Sister Xue. Hello, Sister Xue. Im here for the interview. Is there anything I should know? Qin Guan asked as he shook hands with her. Sister Xue was very straightforward. She informed Qin Guan about the guidelines while she expressed her enthusiasm about his appearance. There were still several candidates waiting in front of Qin Guan, so Xue Wanyi talked with him at length about intermediate agents, handling fees and so on. Qin Guan told her quite honestly, Sister Xue, Im a freshman at college. This is only a part-time job for me. I can only do it in my free time. I cant work on weekdays. Sister Xue was already running her hands up and down Qin Guans body. She pinched here and there. He had great potential. I cant let him go. Sister Xue finished her evaluation. She was sure of Qin Guans performance. Suddenly, it was Qin Guans turn. The marketing manager held a pink shirt up to his body and waved to him, Okay. You might pass. Sister Xue and Qin Guans mouths dropped open at the mans yful tone. They went to the makeup department, both of them looking confused. Sister Xue mumbled non-stop beside Qin Guan, They bullied me! They were so strict with my models, yet they let you go so easily. In fact, the marketing manager was also feeling gloomy. Wheres the energy of the youth? A group of heavily-powdered female models and mollycoddles. Are you kidding me? Qin Guans clean face made him the shining star of the group. The hairdresser was a frencer who often worked on print ad shooting sites. As his fingers touched Qin Guans face, he couldnt bear to apply makeup on it. It would be a tragedy to put makeup on such good skin. In the end, he only applied some light makeup with a thin powder to emphasize the angles of Qin Guans his face. Then he swiped his eyebrows carefully and asked him to change his clothes right away. At the time, the photo studio was empty. The interviews had ended and most idlers had left. Qin Guan put a different shirt on. It was exactly his size, as if it had been made especially for him. Most people did not look good in pink. Ordinary people wearing pink tended to look like hillbillies. Qin Guan though was among those few who could pull off the color. The shirt was junior style with a round low hemline and a high cor. Qin Guan buttoned up carefully, leaving the hem outside his jeans and strolling to the center of the studio with his hands in pockets. When the photographer saw Qin Guan, he asked the lighting engineer and his assistant to get ready. Then he picked up the camera and made a few adjustments. Two photos would be enough for the advertisement. One of them would be the whole front image and the other the bust. It was pretty simple. The bust image was taken first. Following the photographers directions, Qin Guan stood at the appointed position, moving his sleeve up with ease. He had to roll his sleeve first to one side and then to the other on request. The photographer kept shouting directions, Right... Well done. Pay more attention. Hold your arm up. Right... Keep it there. Curve your arm inside. Right, hold it. Thats right... The first series of photos was finished in less than ten minutes. The photographer made the yback as the people backstage checked the photos. A bright, handsome boy was smiling warmly against the light. The pink shirt he wore fit his body well. The cor had been fixed with care, giving the impression offort and safety. The boy in the picture was about to do something. He exposed his left arm gently. His slender beautiful fingers were unfastening the cuff on his shirt. The small buttons between his fingers looked delicate. Dramatically, Qin Guans movements had boosted a 100-Yuan shirt to a second-rate brand. Customers interested in petty bourgeoisie leisure shirts were bound to ce an order. The marketing manager felt satisfied at the sight of the photos. Is this perhaps the transformation of ourpany from a local country business to a fashionable mainstream brand? Chapter 24: Barbeque on Principal Filter Chapter 24: Barbeque on Principal Filter Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The second series would be more difficult. Qin Guans whole body had to be in the shots. On one side, the photos had to show the perfect matching effect of the shirts, while on the other, the customers had to be able to see howfortable the shirts were. After listening to the marketing managers requests, Qin Guan and the photographer had a short discussion. They decided that Qin Guan would take some jumping shots. Most shirt advertisements for direct sales were quite stiff. Just a standing posture, and that was it. The photographer asked Qin Guan to jump. Since these were shirts for young men, the advertisement didnt have to be conservative. Qin Guan unbuttoned his shirt down to the second button on his chest and rolled up his sleeves. Both the spotlight and photographer were ready. Qin Guan followed the photographers directions. Good. Look this way. Well done. Ready? One, two, three, jump! At his signal, Qin Guan leapt up on the spot. He opened his arms and jumped high in the air in an effortless manner. While he was up, he didnt think about the shooting at all. Maybe he was distracted by his hunger. It had been a long day. It had to be around lunchtime. On that thought, Qin Guans eyes went nk. He was eager to eat. The photographer was over the moon. He had snapped some excellent photos. The model on stage jumped high with slim, straight legs. His eyes looked nk and confused as he looked into the distance. He seemed to be longing for freedom, holding his arms out like he was trying to embrace the sky. Click, click. By the time Qin Guannded back on the floor, the photographer had taken lots of photos. Checking the effect of them, he was beside himself with excitement. As an unknown photographer who made a living by taking part-time jobs, he had always dreamed of being an artist. He had finished his job for the day. I dont care what people say. Dignity is nothingpared to art. The photographer went up to Qin Guan, Hey man, can I have a word with you? Qing Guan was thinking of food as he took his shirt off. Since the photographer had started the conversation, he could do nothing but reply politely, What is it? Tell me. The photographer put his hands together in a begging gesture. Could I take another series of photos? Not too many. Just a couple of shots would be enough. Qin Guan looked at the marketing manager nearby. The manager shrugged to show his confusion before he turned to stare at the photographer doubtfully. The photographer made a deep bow as he went on, I want to take several photos for myself. I dont have much money. I could pay you 50 Yuan per picture. I swear I wont use the photos for business. Qin Guan stopped taking off his clothes as he answered, But I dont have any formal clothes with me. How would you shoot me? His words seemed to give hope to the photographer, who answered happily, You dont need to change clothes. This shirt is okay. Stealing a nce at the marketing manager, he continued, You could just wear it this way. Go to the wooden pir and pose randomly. Just a couple of shots will be fine. Qin Guan took pity on him. It wasnt hard work for him anyway. He left the buttons of his shirt unfastened as he walked up to the pir, He leaned his elbow on the pir and supported his left hip against it. That pose saved him a lot of energy. He was too hungry to stand straight. In the camera, he was leaning slightly on the traditional wooden pir in azy, wanton manner. The expression in his eyes was gloomy and helpless. The open shirt covered his naked chestzily, looking sexy and wild. Click, click. The photographer was too excited to stop. After snapping pictures for a long time, he finally shouted, Okay! Cut! At his words, Qin Guan let go of the pir. The photographer and the marketing manager joined him. They gathered to talk money. ording tomon policy, such a small gig could cost somewhere between RMB 800 yuan and 1500 yuan. Thanks to his excellent performance, Qin Guan naturally ranked at the highest price. The marketing manager gave RMB 1500 yuan to Xue Wanyi. As his agent, Xue Wanyi shared half of Qin Guans sry. Qin Guan watched helplessly the pile of bills going around, getting only half of it himself. The photographer paid him next. He had selected six photos, each costing 50 yuan. He gave Qin Guan 300 yuan and a simple photo use agreement. The agreement stated that the photos could only be used in the Capital Figure Photography Competition and were not allowed to be used for any other business. When everything was settled, Qin Guan could hardly wait to get out of there with his 1050 yuan. He was starving. Relying solely on his body, he walked out of the studio and headed directly for the Chaoyang Park west entrance. He was craving some barbeque. Hed kill anybody who got between him and the barbecue restaurant. Before reaching it, he bumped into the marketing manager, who was just driving off. He shouted to Qin Guan, who stared at him with hungry eyes. His sunken heart shouted loudly. Whats the matter, bro? The marketing manager dragged a huge ck stic bag out of his trunk and handed it to Qin Guan. Take it. Its extra benefit, he said before he waved at him and drove away. Qin Guan entered the barbeque restaurant holding the ck bag. He called for the waiter and ordered a long list of dishes. Saltymb with cumin. Beef fat. Marbled pork. Sweet potato slices. Onion slices. Under the surprised gaze of the waiter, Qin Guan recited his order in one breath. The young waiter couldnt help it. He reminded Qin Guan in a low voice, Dont you think thats a little too much? Qin Guan waved him off, Not nearly. Serve me quickly. Quick, quick, quick. Run! Shocked by his energy, the waiter ran to the kitchen to ce the order. Qin Guan drank the free barley tea that was on the table in hopes that several sips of tea would help soothe his stomach. He opened the ck bag the manager had given him only to find that it was full of brand new shirts. Thinking back, Qin Guan realized they were the try-on shirts for interviewees that day. He had been selected for the job too soon to give the others a chance to try on the shirts. Naturally the shirts had been left there, and it was not worth driving back to factory just to return them, so the manager had given them to Qin Guan as a gift. Looking around, Qin Guan tied the bag again. This was typical eating in and taking home the leftovers behavior. He felt shy to both make money and receive a gift. While Qin Guan looked unhappy with his wretched appearance, his food was served te by te. Scared by Qin Guans eagerness, the waiter ran up to him with the tes. He also served the coal stove dishes first. Rubbing his hands, Qin Guan held the barbecue agrafe and took all the meat and ced it on the te with a ripping sound. Everyone would understand that Qin Guan was enjoying barbeque on principal filter. The old capital barbeque on principal filter was dating back to 1686, the 25th year of the Kangxi reign. Its history was longer than 320 years. People in the capital made a te with iron bars called a principal filter. Using fruit wood charcoal or pine wood charcoal to heat up the filter, people ced pickled beef ormb slices on it and turned them over using long chopsticks. The meat on the filter released its grease when it was done. Soon the room was filled with the smell of barbeque, which only increased Qin Guans appetite even more. He ced the cooked meat on a te using the iron agrafe while he ced the marble pork on the filter piece by piece. As he waited for the pork to be cooked, he stuffed the meat on the te into his mouth. The secret recipe sauce poured into the Mongolian Lamb as the taste of caraway seasoning filled Qin Guans mouth. Qin Guan was too busy cooking and eating. The waiter was sympathetic and helped him cook the meat so he could have enough time to eat in peace. Qin Guan buried his head in food for nearly half an hour until his stomach was half-full. Then he breathed out and looked up, thinking to himself, I nearly died of hunger, but I survived once again. Smiling at the waiter, who was helping with the cooking, Qin Guan asked him to assist the other customers. Now that he wasnt starving anymore, he could enjoy cooking. Staring at Qin Guans face, the young waiter pursed his lips in embarrassment. He passed the agrafe over to Qin Guan and ran away in a rush. When the stomach was full, the heart was satisfied. Qin Guan finished the meat leisurely. He had to try to squeeze the big stic bag onto the bus on his way back to campus. Chapter 25: The Driving License Exam Chapter 25: The Driving License Exam Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan entered the dormitory and called for the others to gather around as he took out the shirts. When he had them try them on, they looked kind of weird. The shirts were not their size. The shirt had looked good on Qin Guan, but the eldest two of his roommates were both tall and muscr. The length of the shirts was good, but instead of being baggy like they were supposed to, the shirts were a really tight fit on their bodies. Their bulging chest muscles looked like they were about to tear the shirts open, making them look like tyrannosaurs. Qin Guan turned to see his other two roommates. Great, with those dragging sleeves they could be ying a role in Peking Opera. The lower hem was so loose that the shirts looked like skirts. Their every movement showcased the literary excellence of schrs. Plus, the wind under the hem meant that they had to move carefully. As for hisst roommate, Qin Guan couldnt even bear to see him. He looked like he was wearing a dress. They all took off the shirts resentfully and returned them to Qin Guan. They were all irritated. His perfect standard figure was too provoking. While they were fighting in good fun, Qin Guan informed them that he would start driving lessons the following week. He was beaten once again. All of them decided to take driving lessons as well. Qin Guan was inspired. Thats it. We can make a group purchase. His roommates were all confused. Qin Guan remembered that there was no such concept at the time. He readily promised the others that he would help them arrange things. On that weekend, the countryside grocery store owner got a big deal. Qin Guan, who was already a customer, arrived with four more students. One of Qin Guans roommates had not brought an ID and could not register. The owner sent the other five on the bus to the driving school with a big smile. Then he turned to calcte the fees for this deal. They arrived at the Haidian Driving School on the swaying bus. They felt something strange while they were getting off the vehicle. The area was a big bare space between the urban area and the countryside. There were several abandoned cars parked there and an endless wastnd beyond the entrance. There were only some vendor pancake stands and a couple of sheds made of broken wood to remind visitors that they were near civilization. They followed the person in charge of the driving school to a small table. There was a queue in front of it for paying. Qin Guan pulled the person aside and talked to them in whispers. After a heated discussion, the meeting ended. The five of them got a discount for their tuition. The original price had been 2200 yuan each. They payed 1980 yuan each, saving more than 200 yuan. The person in charge had also promised Qin Guan that if he brought more students, he would pay him a 3%mission. Qin Guan shared the exciting news with the others right away, making them hiss in resentment. After paying the tuition fees, they asked Qin Guan for a treat. Qin Guan walked directly to the pancake stand by the entrance and ordered one pancake with two eggs for each of them. The old woman behind the stand gaped at the deal. Taking up the wooden oil can, she wiped the iron te again and again until it was so oily it was shining. Then the woman took a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of batter, poured it onto the te and spread it out with a small spat. The batter got thinner and thinner until it had finally covered the whole te. The old woman scattered sesame and brushed sauce onto the pancake before flipping it over. Then she turned to them, Do you want anything else? A fried breadstick or a crisp fritter? A fried breadstick? You didnt misread, my friend. In the earlier days, pancakes were often served with a fried breadstick. That might not happen anymore, but this was a traditional style pancake. They all shouted together, A fried breadstick! A cold fried breadstick was quite different from a freshly fried one. It was soft and stic, and if you bit on it too hard, it could paste onto your face. The old woman smiled again as she rolled chopped green onion, a fried breadstick and caraway into the pancake. As soon as she finished one, she handed it to them. Soon they were all engorging on hot pancakes. Eating a 3-yuan double-egg pancake made them feel warm. In such a wild ce with such biting wind, even a small pancake could be a source of warmth. They finished their pancakes and took the bus back to campus. In the following days, everyone in Qin Guans dormitory was quite busy. They had to take both the college exams and the driving school exam, plus bear the hatred of the roommate who had been rejected from driving school. Cong Nianwei was quiet. They just called each other. Being a straight-A student, she was busier than Qin Guan because she was taking numerous courses. Qin Guans application for appointment had been postponed. He could do nothing about it except shed sad silent tears in a corner. After getting his drivers license, Qin Guan received the advertising booklet by the shirt factory. It was a thin booklet. On the cover, there was a photo of many shirts piled together. The brand and telephone number for ordering were printed on the edge. Inside there were the prices and sizes of each shirt. Qin Guan found his own pictures in the featured products section of that season. There were traditional models wearing conservative clothes on the first two pages, followed by the new clothing line. The printing quality was quite good. The colors were bright and beautiful. The series of photos in which Qin Guan was jumping took up a whole page. The happy tall boy in the advertisement jumped in the sky with vigour. The size of the photos showed every little detail clearly for the customers to see. Qin Guan thought the result was great. Tapping on the page, he turned to the next one. His bust photo was ced at the lower right corner, which matched well with therger picture of the same shirt. In fact, Qin Guan was gloomy those days. Xue Wanyi had made several calls to him, informing him of some advertisement shootings, but Qin Guan had exams to take. He refused all the redundant part-time jobs to focus on getting the schrship. He didnt have any time for independent jobs. Huang Jiajia seemed understanding. She never kept him after the end of their lessons. Instead, she asked Qin Guan to work hard. How can a prince like me show off without a schrship? I cant bear to lose face. In the beginning of 1999, everyone seemed to be in a solemn mood as they took their pens and paper and entered the examination room. During college exams, some supervisors were rxed, especially during open book exams. Some supervisors, however, were strict. The roll call during regr courses served for presentations and homework and anything else that was calcted into a students score. Amid the general caterwauling, Qin Guan and his roommates finished their exams calmly. As if they hadnt irritated everybody else enough already, they guessed which schrship they were going to get aloud in ss, arousing everyones hatred. When they returned to their dormitory, they decided to have a dinner together before the holidays. Qin Guan remembered that Sister Xue had called him several days ago, mentioning a bonus or something like that. He dialed her number and heard her voice on the other end of line. Where have you been, Qin Guan? Nice of you to remember to call me back. Why was your phone always switched off? Qin Guan moved the receiver a little farther from his ear. The woman on the other side of the line was shouting. Qin Guan answered with a guilty smile, I had exams, Sister Xue. It was a really bad time for us undergraduates. As soon as I was done with my exams, I called you. Sister Xue sounded a littleforted by his words, The Chinese Near Year is drawing near. What are your ns for the winter holidays? Without hesitation, Qin Guan answered, Ill go home. I cant take any part-time jobs. Sister Xue answered, Just as I expected. There will be no more jobs until the Spring Festival. Would you like to do an advertisement for the shirtpany again? They will shoot another one after the Spring Festival. Are you interested? It depends, Qin Guan said, As long as it doesnt sh with my courses. Sister Xue smiled, Fine, Ill say yes for you. They are looking for a long-time coboration with a model. They want you to appear in all their advertisements. Its four times a year. I raised the price for you. Its 3000 yuan each time. We can sign a one-year contract. Qin Guans mouth widened at the price. He was enraptured as he said, No problem, Sister Xue. Thank you for your help. Thats settled. Thinking of something, Sister Xue said, Give me your ount number. Ill send you a sum of money. Hearing that made Qin Guan even happier. For what? he asked. His strange tone Qin Guan made Sister Xue angry. She shouted into the phone, You can be proud! Your advertisement before the New Year was quite popr. Sales were amazing! The factory felt bad about your payment and gave you an extra 500-yuan as a gift. Give me your ount and Ill send you the money. This amount is not worth meeting for, my child! Then she hang up, leaving Qin Guan smiling in contentment. Soon she got a short message from him. She held the phone tightly as she read it. You love money? It will be easier for me. Sister Xue had been secretly counting on Qin Guan, although he knew nothing about it. He couldnt help butugh. The whole semester he had asked nothing of his parents. He had paid for his driving licence and made his own money. Chapter 26: Niu Street and the Zhang Yiyuan Tea Shop Chapter 26: Niu Street and the Zhang Yiyuan Tea Shop Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Winter vacation was drawing near. My train tickets should be booked in advance, as well as Cong Nianweis. I also have to get some local specialities for my family. Ive been away from home for more than half a year. I cant return with bare hands. Plus, the dinner before winter vacation would also cost him money. After calcting, Qin Guan realized that therge amount of money he had earned would all be spent soon. He held his thin wallet between his fingers. Ive got a long way to go yet. Several dayster, the exam results were announced. As expected, all his roommates had passed the college exams as well as the College English Test Band 4 [1] with an 100% grade. The moment they heard, they went around other dormitories one by one, showing off like little cockerels. They got beaten so hard that they returned to their own dormitory with bloody noses and swollen faces. The college schrships were announced just before winter vacation. Four of them got a full schrship while the other two got a partial schrship. Those two were quite depressed. One of them had been busy working for the student union while the other had worked on a dancing party. Everybody else had been busy with ordinary activities. How could those two have gotten a full schrship? Qin Guan was also depressed. Both his and Wang Leis scores qualified for the national schrship. Only of them would get it while the other would get the partial national schrship. Soon the national schrship list was announced, confirming Qin Guans worries. Both Wang Lei and Liu Xiaoyang, his two nemeses, got the full national schrship for each department. Qin Guan read through the whole list pathetically. Not bad. Hed gotten a partial schrship. There was a 3000-yuan difference between the two schrships. It was a wide gap between the 8000-yuan full schrship and the 5000-yuan partial schrship. Qin Guan was working on the steward software onputer. The 5000-yuan partial national schrship plus the 1800-yuan college schrship equalled 6800 yuan. Its arge amount. I could indulge and buy something with the money I earned. They were all excited and decided to enjoy a big dinner out. Where would they go? To The Leopard, of course. The Leopards Buffer was quite expensive for undergraduates in early 1999. Its 168-yuan per person price scared most people away. The six foodies took the bus to the Wangfujing Leopard, which was located at 55 Donganmen Street, Dongcheng District. A seafood buffet was a novelty for people in the capital at the time. Entering the restaurant, they were surrounded by the smell of dazzling dishes. There was Japanese sashimi, seafood, Hong Kong roast pork, Guangdong Province cured meat, Chinese hot dishes, French desserts and H?agen-Dazs ice cream. Getting their moneys worth was a piece of cake. They had such a good dinner that the luxurious dining room looked empty and simple to them. They had seafood the same way theyd eat chicken wings at Origus [2]. The amount of food each of them consumed was beyond the average persons imagination. Of course, they didnt forget to shake their bodies as they supported themselves on the wall, making sure there was no spare space in their stomachs before they called it a night. They had enjoyed an excellent dinner, but there was hell to pay the next morning. They had to wait in line outside the toilet the whole day. They all had diarrhoea. It was so stupid. Who the hell would havebined raw and cold seafood, vegetables, fruit, greasy barbecue, and countless other kinds of staple food and desserts? They had even had a bucket of ice cream. How could they not get diarrhoea? After some deep introspection following the dinner, they reached the conclusion that they had built a good foundation for the belly-worshipping trend of the future. Lets end that story here though, because Qin Guan had another date. He went on a date with Cong Nianwei. Her exams had finished early, so theyd arranged to return home together for winter vacation. They both had to buy some gifts for home, so Qin Guan arranged a shopping date. He decided to impress Cong Nianwei with his profound shopping expertise. That was the only thing he could do since he had been beaten in the exams and hadnt qualified for a full national schrship. Qin Guan had already bought the return train tickets and was going to bring her her student identity card and ticket. Hed gotten Cong Nianweis student identity card under the pretense of booking the tickets, and had ced it carefully under his pillow. He slept on it in the hopes of seeing his dream girl in his dreams every night. His abnormal action had attracted the attention of his roommates, who had discovered his secret and had all looked at the card. Seeing Cong Nianweis photo, they sighed and patted Qin Guan on the shoulder with sympathy. Dude, it makes sense for you to have her. You have such a handsome face, and shes not just a straight-A student, but a beauty to boot. You have a long way to go, Qin Guan. Qin Guan paid no attention his roommates. They were just jealous. The train was leaving the day next, so they had to go shopping that day. The task was hard and they had to finish it quickly. They met at the Modern za and decided that Niu Street would be their first stop. Niu Street was thergest Muslim gathering ce in the capital. The famous Niu Street mosque, which dated back to the Song Dynasty, was located there and was also the origin of the streets name. When they got off the bus, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were shocked by the sight. Muslim buildings of different sizes, featuring the foreign architectural style, could be seen everywhere. With their steeple tops, green foundation and yellow walls, those buildings were quite different from buildings in other streets. You could distinguish clearly the native people from the business men of Niu Street. Niu Street men wore white skullcaps on their heads, while the women wore saris to cover their hair. The shops on Niu Street were unique. There were century old renowned shops, but the majority of the shops on the street were selling take-away desserts and special snacks. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were not in a hurry. They strolled along the street and observed the shops one by one. If they saw something interesting, they would just buy it. New Year Bai Cake couldnt be reserved for long. Customers had to eat it as soon as possible after buying it. It would take them more than ten hours to return home by train. The cake would surely go bad by then. Qin Guan asked for two small pieces. The salespersons scooped up two pieces of cake, wrapped them in oil paper and passed them over to them. They lifted up one corner of the paper and took a bite. It was soft millet cake, with sweet and soft bean paste in the middle and haw stripes on top. New Year Bai Cake was soft, sour and sweet at the same time. They put the sticky cake into their mouths and swallowed cosily. It was like a feast. They noticed a long queue emerge from a small alley by the street, and Qin Guan craned his neck to have a look. Someone was selling cooked Nian meat. He couldnt help but shake his head. I could have bought some as a gift if this was after 2000. There was no vacuum packing yet in early 1999 though. The meat would go bad easily. Donishun hot pot, Laobaodu sheep or pork, Douzhi Bao ground bean drink, Snack of Hong. All these didnt match Qin Guans idea of a gift. Qin Guan pulled Cong Nianwei and they walked down the street before finally reaching their destination, the Dashunzhai Super Market. The Dashunzhai Super Market was a renowned Niu Street Muslim Market. With a history of more than 300 years, the market engaged in the sale of Muslim pastries and cakes, including its most famous product, the sweetened baked wheaten cake. Ive heard from my roommates that when Muslims went on a pilgrimage journey to Jerusalem in the early times, they would take with them wheaten cakes from the Dashunzhai in Tong Town. They just bought a cake each and ate them on the spot. They had to get other things from the supermarket. They wanted to buy Niu Street fried mixed powder, Muslim preserved fruit and eight kinds of Beijing pastries. They were all in simple packages with expiration dates and capital features. They bought a few of each kind and shared them. When they went out of the supermarket, Qin Guan was holding tworge bags of local specialities. It was middle of the day, and they couldnt miss the Niu Street Hong Snack Restaurant. They served all kinds of Muslim snacks there, both sweet and sour. After getting seated and putting down their bags, Qin Guan automatically switched to ordering mode. He ordered a long list of things, including vegetarian balls, chopped entrails soup, steamed dumplings with minced beef and gravy, fermented Mung Bean Juice and much more. After ordering all those dishes, Qin Guan realized that Cong Nianwei was sitting right across from him. He added at once, How do you like this, Cong Nianwei? Do you want anything else? Dude, its a littlete for that now. Cong Nianwei found everything on Qin Guan interesting. Why was the guy like that when it came to food? She waved Qin Guans question off, I dont mind. You pick. Qin Guan was quite pleased. What did I do with to deserve such an easy-going girl? They decided on the order and Qin Guan went to the counter to give their long list of dishes. There were two natives there, who seemed quite garrulous at the first sight. They made fun of Qin Guan, Hey dude, did you get confused there? You made such a big order. Qin Guan smiled shyly. It was indeed a little much. He held a long machine-printed receipt in hand and, pointing to Cong Nianwei, he answered, My partner in confusion is over there. I should feed her first, shouldnt I? They all burst intoughter. He took all the dishes one by one from different windows and returned to his seat, sweat dripping down his face. It was physical work to run along the line of different windows so many times. The cooked stripes were crisp and the chopped entrails were delicious. They ate everything, leaving only a mess of empty tes on the table. They both had a full stomach. Qin Guan picked up the shopping bags for Cong Nianwei and gestured for her to go ahead. The two of them headed to their next destination. Zhang Yiyuan was a tea shop with a history of about a century. Its most famous kind of tea was jasmine tea, which was what Qin Guan wanted. Zhang Yiyuans gship store was located at Dash in Qianmen. They bought quite a lot of tea and twenty mini cans for tea reserved by the shop assistant. Qin Guan shared half of the cans with Cong Nianwei. Cong Nianwei held one of them while she observed it. It was very pretty. A traditional scene of the old capital was printed on the can in elegant ink wash style. It was the perfect Spring Festival gift. At the time, 100-yuan jasmine tea was quite good quality. It was a fragrant tea that could endure brewing while its green leaves created a beautiful contrast against its tiny white flowers. It was a first-rate gift at a reasonable price. Walking out of the tea shop, they each bought two pairs of handmade cloth shoes for their parents from Neiliansheng, a famous traditional shoe shop in Beijing. As two tycoons on schrships, they were sure to spend money on luxury goods. They went around the old famous shops in Dash, including Qianxiangyi, Ruifuxiang and Tongrentang. Soon, Qin Guan had two more bags in his hands. By that time, he was tired and breathing hard while Cong Nianwei still looked quite energetic. It waste, and they were nearly done with their shopping. Qin Guan made a careful suggestion to Cong Nianwei, Weve been walking around the whole day. Shall I take you back to campus? We have to pack before we go home. Cong Nianwei turned her head and nced at him in a flirting manner. Qin Guans knees turned to jelly at her expression. Tired as he was, he couldnt help but look back at Cong Nianwei helplessly. Cong Nianwei smiled at his silly expression, ran several steps towards Qin Guan and took hold of the bags in his hands. Qin Guan felt her fingers sweep over his palm. Her touch felt like an electric shock over his whole body, making him limp and numb. ------ College English Test Band 4 is a national English test organized by the Ministry of Education. The participants are mainly undergraduate and postgraduate students who are still in college. It is quite an important test for all Chinese college students. (by trantor) Origus is a famous brand of cafeteria in China withmon food at reasonable prices. (by trantor) Chapter 27: A Kind of Successful Confession Chapter 27: A Kind of Sessful Confession Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan mastered up the courage to hold Cong Nianweis hand. Squinting at her soft, sweet-smelling little hand, he said tensely, Cong Nianwei, I love you. Cong Nianwei looked down their intertwined hands and answered calmly, Yes, I know. Qin Guan continued in a nervous, shaking voice, So, will you be my girlfriend? Cong Nianwei smiled gently. A wicked small voice inside her heart said, How could I be his girlfriend when weve never even had a fight? Things cant be this smooth. She opened her mouth and asked, Why? At her answer, Qin Guan looked up at her nkly. Why? he repeated dumbly. We were childhood sweethearts and friends. We were just ssmates in senior high. We didnt even exchange a word during the first two and a half years, Cong Nianwei answered calmly. But we were well-acquainted with each other and had mutual friends. Qin Guans eyebrows fell. Ive known you for half a year, and all I know about you is that youre a silly foodie. You dont know all that much about me either, Cong Nianwei said neutrally. I... I am handsome, and studious... and I make a lot of money, Qin Guan said incoherently. Cong Nianwei couldnt help butugh contentedly, Im also attractive, and more studious than you. And when ites to money, who can make predict what the future holds? Qin Guan wanted to die. What the hell am I even saying? This is so embarrassing! Before he could get disheartened, he heard words of hopee out of Cong Nianweis mouth. I think we need to get to know each other more. We could get along eventually. Cong Nianwei gripped his hand, which had been holding hers for a while. Qin Guan pinched himself dumbly before he asked carefully, Get along eventually? Cong Nianwei nodded, Thats what I said. We could get along gradually. Hearing this, Qing Guan threw the stic bags down to the ground and let her hand go. He ran a few steps forward with his long legs and then turned around. He squatted in front of her and gestured to his back while he said, Are you tired? Get on my back. Cong Nianwei was amused by his silly actions and covered her mouth with her hand as sheughed. She patted Qin Guan, Okay. No more window-shopping. Lets take everything and go back. Qin Guan saluted in the manner of the Qing Dynasty, Yes, Miss Cong. At your service. Then he picked up the bags and guided Cong Nianwei to a taxi happily. On the way back, Qin Guans mouth was wide open. He took Cong Nianwei back to campus with a silly smile on his face, holding her hands reluctantly as they reached her dormitory building. Seeing that there were people around, Cong Nianwei stepped hard on Qin Guans foot, making him drop his wandering hands. Ill pick you up the day we return home, Qin Guan said. Her mouth twitched at his words. She took her bags and ran upstairs. Qin Guan did not feel tired anymore. He saw Cong Nianwei off and then swung the stic bags in his hands and started humming a terrible song, Our ordinary people today are happy and okay. He bounced on the Tsinghua University campus until atst he left. Chi Hailin happened to be riding by at the time. Qin Guan was really hard to miss. Chi Hailin saw him from a distance, bouncing around like an idiot. He felt sick at the sight. One sentence kept repeating into his mind, Cong Nianwei prefers this idiot to me. Cong Nianwei prefers this idiot to me. He rode beside Qin Guan in hatred. He was angry with Qin Guans actions, which were getting more and more silly by the minute. He couldnt bear to turn his head and watch him act like an idiot. He was too focused on Qin Guan and forgot to watch where he was going when he reached a T-junction. He could only go left or right, straight ahead was a dead end. One second Chi Hailin was watching Qin Guans silly actions, and the next he was crashing into the boscage. His bike nked. One of the wheels flew high into the sky andnded on top of a bush while the other was caught into the earth below. His books and papers scattered all around. Chi Hailing himself was wedged between two trees. He had several bloody scratches on his face, and he seemed to be in a difficult position. Realizing what had just happened, he suddenly lost his heart. Iughed at him for being an idiot. What am I then? A super idiot? Qin Guan had no idea what had just happened because of him. He just took a taxi back to his dormitory and began to pack his luggage. He was quite pleased with himself. Their room was a mess. They had all got return tickets from the college office and were packing their luggage. All except just one, who was just sitting aside looking downhearted. Liu Xiaoyang looked hurt. All his roommates would go back home for the Spring Festival. Of course, he also would return home, but he somehow always felt abandoned and alone there. Liu Xiaoyang was the kind of person who had never had any childhood friends. Nobody wanted to y with a boy like him. Child wonders always made others feel inferior inparison. Whats more, Liu Xiaoyangs arrogance and spoiled attitude scared others away. He had been arrogant since a very young age. In some sense, his five roommates were his first real friends. Qin Guan packed thest tea can into his suitcase, pped his hands, and stood up. Then he walked to Liu Xiaoyan, messed his hair with his hands and said, This time things will be different. The boys in your neighborhood will be different. Confused, Liu Xiaoyang fixed his hair again and asked, How is that possible? I know these boys very well. Qin Guan exined nothing. Actions speak louder than words. Liu Xiaoyang would feel the changes once he returned home. Everyone put away their luggage and messed up Lius hair. The next day, they would return home separately to visit their families. Chapter 28: The Long Train Ride Home Chapter 28: The Long Train Ride Home Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan picked up Cong Nianwei at noon the next day. They squeezed into the train with their luggage, huffing and puffing. It was Spring Festival peak travelling season, and the train was extremely crowded. When they finally reached their seats, the train was already full to the brim. Qin Guan didnt give a damn though as he pushed their luggage wherever there was room and held onto their tickets. Their seats were not bad. They were double seats by the window. Treating the student in charge of ticket-booking had paid off. Qin Guan talked to the people sitting in their seats and they left. It was amon urrence when there were too many people in a carriage for people to take any spare seat until the passenger whose seat this was turned up. Mutual understanding was appreciated when travelling. You might be wondering why Qin Guan hadnt booked sleeping tickets. Colleges could only book seats for students. Tickets for beds were only avable at the station. Who dare say that he could have booked tickets for sleepers by waiting in line at the station? Come out and I promise not to beat you. Qin Guan hung their coats and asked Cong Nianwei to hold their bags in her arms. He took out a thermos bottle from under the table, but saw that it was empty. He turned his eyes to the crowded carriage aisle and asked Cong Nianwei, Are you thirsty? Cong Nianwei shook her head. She had never seen such a thing. Adults were crying and children were making noise. There were people everywhere in the carriage, including the aisle and the restroom. She was still shocked when the train slowly pulled out of the station. Qin Guan said something to her, and then began to tread through the ocean of people with the thermos bottle, heading towards the water heater. When he came back carrying a full bottle, his sweater was wrinkled and sweaty. He took it off right away. If he had been on the street during the day, he would have surely attracted everyones attention. On the crowded train though, nobody paid him any mind. There were so many people who looked even stranger than him. Some had even taken off their shoes and socks, while others were scratching their feet with their fingers or snoring loudly. Qin Guan folded up his sweater and pushed it into the corner of Cong Nianweis seat. He told her to use it as a cushion if she felt tired. By the time they passed the first station, the people in the carriage had finally found their own seats and quieted down. Qin Guan took a vacuum cup out of the stic bag that contained their food, put some tea powder in it and poured hot water from the thermos bottle. When he passed the cup to Cong Nianwei, the water in it had already turned into aromatic hot jasmine tea. They were casting intimate amorous nces at each other, the passengers sitting across from them shouting to them in annoyance and destroying the atmosphere. Hey, young man, may I have some hot water? the old man across from him shouted in a typical loud Shandong Province ent. Qin Guan nodded and answered, No problem. At your service. The old man gave him arge smile, filled half his jug with hot water and took a sip. Are you college students? Are you dating? he asked. Cong Nianwei flushed suddenly as she met the old mans eyes. Qin Guan had to restrain himself fromughing at her. This strong-willed girl was flushing because of something a stranger had said. Watching Cong Nianweis expression, Qin Guans eyes shined. He really wanted to kiss her. Cong Nianwei turned her head to find a silly expression on Qin Guans face. The guy had something naughty in his mind. She stretched two fingers and pinched his waist. She had been practicing that movement since she was a kid. She poked the side of his waist, where a mass of useless fat tended to umte. Cong Nianwei grabbed his skin and muscle and twisted, but Qin Guan didnt make the sad, shrill cry she had expected. She had failed to twist it right. Qin Guans recent physical training had been really effective. He now had V-line abs and tight, t abdominal muscles. Thats why Cong Nianwei had failed to pinch him. Not aware that he had just been pinched, Qin Guan kept smiling like an idiot. The old man across from them took out a deck of cards and asked, Do you want to y? The three of them turned their eyes to the only young man there. The young man, who sitting across from Qin Guan, looked like a college student. He was reading a thick textbook, and he turned to them with a disdainful expression when he heard the old mans question. Qin Guan took a nce at the book in his hands. He saw nothing but engineering terminology. Hey, that was my major in my past life. This is a colleague. When he didnt get a response from the people sitting beside him, the old man turned to the people standing in the aisle. They all had too much spare time. It was a twelve-hour train ride. Most people were longing for some entertainment, so they joined them. The table was too small to fit many, so they only epted one person in the game. The rest just surrounded the table and watched. The reading young man looked at them disdainfully and buried himself in his book again. Early on in the game, Qin Guan realized they were ying against a superior opponent. His and Cong Nianweis total IQ might be ten times their opponents, but they were no good at ying cards. Their opponents reached K while Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei gloomily reached six. The young man across from them couldnt bear it any more. He put down his book and said, Hey, why are you ying this card? You should y this one... Cong Nianwei found his suggestion clear and logical. She turned to their opponents, Im not very good at this game. Shall we switch a yer and start over? The old man and his partner nodded, All right. The young man rolled up his sleeves and became Qin Guans partner. They started from 2 again. After one round, the old man had reached K. Qin Guans hand was tragic. He only reached 4. The young man smiled in embarrassment as he threw his cards on the table.Actually, my hand was not bad. It definitely wasnt. You knew the cards of both parties. After two rounds, the old man realized howte it was. He took a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and asked them, Smoke? Qin Guan shook his head while the young man nodded happily. Why did his attitude change so much after that game? The two of them finished smoking and filled the thermos bottle again. All four of them prepared to do the most important thing on the train- eat instant noodles, that is. By that time, they all had gotten to know each other. Qin Guan, Cong Nianwei and the old man were from the same city while the young man came from the City of WF. He would get off the train at midnight. Qin Guan asked about his profession and realized they had been schoolmates in his past life. He was only two years older than Qin Guan. It seemed like fate. Qin Guan immediately felt a sense of intimacy. In less than two minutes, the two of them were talking like old friends. Qin Guan suddenly realized that the young man was exactly like he had been before his rebirth- an indoors man who didnt get along well with others. That was one of the advantages of being good looking. The old man was even more pitiful. He had had affairs in the capital and had only gotten off at rush hour. He could do nothing, but take this crowded train home. While they ate instant noodles, the old man gave each of them a boiled egg. Qin Guan took out the thick ham he had bought and cut a piece for everyone. This was a typical train meal- ham, eggs and instant noodles. When they finished their noodles, they cleared the table, and closed their eyes to get some rest. It was already deep into the night. Everything was silent except for the nking train. Several snores were heard asionally, making the night seem even quieter. Cong Nianwei was tired and had fallen asleep. Her eyebrows were screwed up in a small lump, as if she was having a bad dream. Qin Guan gently ced her head on his shoulder, trying his best to make her morefortable. Feeling his warmth, Cong Nianwei twisted, trying get into a morefortable position on his shoulder before she fell asleep once again Qin Guan was both suffering and enjoying this. Cong Nianweis soft, warm face was leaning against his shoulder. His lips were near her. His mind was full of naughty thoughts that he wasnt brave enough to realize. Qin Guan felt conflicted. Before the conflict inside him could be resolved, the train slowed down again. It had arrived at a small station in the deep, dark night. By the time Qin Guan hade back to his senses, the train had already stopped. The train workers ced the board down and opened the door. Chapter 29: A Martial Artist Among Ordinary People Chapter 29: A Martial Artist Among Ordinary People Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Suddenly, a pained cry came out of a nearby carriage, Help! Robber! The old man across from them woke up immediately upon hearing it. He seemed to be hyper-vignt. Cong Nianwei was still leaning on Qin Guans shoulder in a daze, and the young man seated opposite her was snoring. A young man ran fast from the nearby carriage holding a small ck bag. He jumped and leapt fast through the open door into the carriage, where the passengers were all sleeping in a state of great disorder. A middle-aged woman was running after him. Her hair was messy and she looked upset. The expression in her eyes was one of fear and helplessness. She was pursuing the young man like crazy, but the distance between them was getting bigger. The young robber was two steps away from reaching the open door. In such a small station, thiste at night, he would be able to get away as long as he rushed out of the exit of the tform. The middle-aged woman seemed to realize this. The expression in her eyes was getting more and more disappointed. She slowed down unconsciously. The young man seemed proud of himself. Suddenly, someone grabbed him by the back of his neck and dragged him back. He struggled to get free, but he was not in control of his body, and he ended up falling head first to the floor. Qin Guan was already wide awake. He gently woke Cong Nianwei up, pushing her off his shoulder. He exined to her what was going on and stood up to help. The robber had been pulled back by someone who kept tugging at him sharply. It was the old man opposite Qin Guan who had stopped him. He was standing right in the face of the robber with his arms crossed. He looked like he was watching a poor slug. The young robber, who had found himself suffering defeat just on the verge of victory, stood up. He looked both angry and ashamed. The majority of the passengers in the carriage had woken up. Watching the scene, they hastened to reminded the owner, who looked stupefied, Call the railway police at once! Thats it! Dont let him go! The middle-aged woman mumbled something as she nodded to the crowd appreciatively and squeezed to the other side of the carriage to call the railway police. People created a small circle around the young man to prevent him from escaping before the policemen arrived. By then, all the young man cared about was giving the old man a lesson. Wrapping the stolen bag around his waist, he charged at him. The old man remained calm. Before the robber could rush at him, he stretched out a hand and hit the young mans left cheek. The young man fell to the floor. He looked badly beaten. His eyes were red and he shouted loudly as he got up again. He seemed to have a death wish. There was another pping sound as the old man pped his right cheek this time. The young man covered both cheeks with his hands and breathed heavily, flushing with humiliation. He climbed up from the floor with a roll, and then took a flick knife out of his pocket and flipped it open. The sharp de reflected a cold light under the light of the carriage. People in the carriage held their breath and took a small step back. The robber was about to risk his life by using that lethal weapon. Several kind-hearted people stood aside and warned the old man, He has a knife. Be careful. Right. Dont fight with him, no matter what. Wait for the policemen. Leaving little time for the old man to react, the young man stabbed him directly with the knife. The old man, on the other side, seemed to be in no hurry. He took a starting pose, blocked the knife with his left hand and pped his right hand over it. He didnt spare his strength this time. The young man flew over andnded on the floor with a loud sound. The knife in his hand was thrown away. A kind passenger kicked it away with his foot. The young man stood up again, shaking. He looked confused and stupefied as he stared at the old man before him, who was still in a fighting stance. Several rounds of fighting went by in a sh. Qin Guan stared at them, offering no help. Cong Nianwei kept her eyes wide open while she remained in her seat. The most shocked person in the carriage had to be the young man sitting beside the old man. His jaw had opened wide right from the start, so much so that it looked like it had been dislocated. A drop of unknown liquid, which looked suspiciously like saliva, dripped from the corner of his mouth down to the table. The old man finished his moves just as the railway policemen arrived to take away the battered young man. The old man also had to give a statement about the whole incident. When they all left, the carriage was left boiling. The passengers talked heatedly about what just had happened. This had to be a real martial artist. Hed beaten a strong young man in just three rounds! The young man sitting beside the old man was particrly excited. He kept murmuring to himself like he had a mental disorder, A martial arts master indeed. He definitely was a master. Did you see his stance? His legs were steady as a rock. Not long after, the old man returned. The railway police understood what had transpired and had let him go for the time being. The train had already started to pull off the small station. With an obsessed, worshipping expression his eyes, the young man observed the old man again. Looking at the firm willpower in his gaze, he thought the man must have a profound inner power. That and his low-profile attitude made him sure he was a martial arts master. Qin Guan was also curious about the old man. He opened a can of beer, filled a jug and handed it over to him. Have some beer to relieve the shock. The old man was not one for decorum. He took the jug and finished half of it in one go. The young man beside him epted the jug to please him. He put it on the table and told him cautiously, Eldest brother, you are indeed a martial arts master! The old manughed casually, That was nothing. Im a long away from being a master. The young man swallowed his spittle. How was that far from being a master? He went on, How do you call your movements? Could you please teach me? The old man sized the young man up from head to toe and shook his head, They are quite simple Plum Blossom and Mantis Fists movements, but you dont seem to be into physical exercise. Your body is not made for martial arts. It would be a snow job for you. Then pointing at Qin Guan, he said, This young brother does not look too bad, though. But itd be no use for him to start at this age. He could only learn how to avoid getting hurt during a fight. The old man shook his head again, My martial arts can only work against average people. Im far from being a real master. The young man looked extremely dejected. Hed thought hede across a lonely martial arts master. A master with an aging strong body, who would recognize his excellent quality and transfer his own century-old power over to him. The reality was that every time somebody else was fighting, the young man hid in the sidelines in fear and watched. The master hadughed at his weakness and hadnt passed his power on to him. Before he could regain his vigour, a package of roast chicken was presented to him. The young man recovered in an instant. The chicken was brought by the woman who had been robbed. She wanted to show her gratitude for the old mans help. She had made the chicken herself. Inside the ck bag had been her annual ie for selling roast chicken. The old man epted her gratitude and took the chicken. He generously invited the three of them to join him in eating it. Looking at her watch, Cong Nianwei decided not to sleep anymore after all that ruckus. There was delicious food to be had, so shed much rather have a night snack. As they unwrapped the oil-paper package, a delicious fragrance came out. There was a whole roast chicken inside, lying on its stomach. It was golden yellow and red. The old man held its legs and wings, and pulled. Its flesh separated easily from the bones. They shared the chicken and filled their mouths with its meat. The skin was stic and its flesh was fat and tender. The mixed scent of spices, herbs and meat filled their teeth and cheeks. Drinking his beer, the old man sighed, A cup of liquor is all I need. He smiled at the others shyly. The young man could not spare a minute to talk to him anymore. He had already forgotten about his idol, the martial artist sitting by his side. The only thing on his mind was finishing his chicken leg before he got off at the next station. When the train stopped again, the young man reluctantly waved farewell to the others. As he departed, he turned his head around to get a final look at the chicken in the oil paper package. Qin Guan and the old man shared the leftover bones. Then they took a nap before the train reached the terminal station and the end of its journey. Chapter 30: Business in the Morning Market Chapter 30: Business in the Morning Market Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei could see their parents waiting on the tform. Qin Guan carried their luggage on his shoulders. As soon as the door opened, he went out. Qin Guans father moved forward to take the luggage as Cong Nianweis parents hurried over. Before Qin Guan could say a word to his father, both families began to exchange pleasantries. How are you? Im Qin Guans father. How are you? Im Cong Nianweis father. Then they looked at each other silently. This was their first meeting. They didnt know each other at all, so they had nothing to say to keep the conversation going. Cong Nianwei pulled at Qin Guans coat. He hastened to introduce her parents to his father. How do you do, sir? Maam? Cong Nianwei and I were ssmates in senior high school. This is my father. Tactfully, Cong Nianwei stood behind her parents. Qin Guans father handled the situation while he thought, Well done, dude! Youe home with a girl? He looked quite pleased with himself. At Qin Guans words, Cong Nianweis parents immediately became nervous. They regarded him carefully. Qing Guan hurried to add, Im also studying in the capital. Our colleges are not far from each other. Its not safe for a girl to travel alone by train, so I kept Cong Nianweipany. Her parents looked relieved at his exnation. Thats not too bad. The young man hadnt jumped into calling them his parents-inw. Their heart rates slowed down gradually. After Qin Guan had set their minds at rest, they found that he was very handsome and tall. Cong Nianweis mother looked quite satisfied with him as she asked, So, you also study in the capital like our Weiwei? Which university are you attending? Qin Guan replied with particr politeness, The Capital University of Finance and Economics. At his words, his father stood up straight. Realizing that Qin Guan was also studying at a famous university, Cong Nianweis mothers impression of him got even better. Hes a hard-working college student, too. Cong Nianwei felt like this was some kind of blind date. She pulled on the corner of her mothers clothes. They said goodbye to each other, and each of them dragged their childs luggage and left the tform. When they got home, Qin Guan and his father found Qin Guans mother waiting by the door to wee them. Breakfast was already on the table. Qin Guan washed his hands quickly and sat down. There were salted duck eggs, smoked sausages, steamed buns and rice porridge on the table. Aplete homemade meal was right in front of Qin Guan. He was starving. He finished two bowls of porridge in a hurry, washed his face and got in bed. Not long after, he fell asleep. No one could have stayed up any longer after sitting in a train the whole night. Thendline phone rang and woke him up. Qin Guan checked his watch and realized that it was afternoon. His parents had to be at work. He massaged his head and answered the phone, Hello? Who is it? A particrly excited voice came through the receiver, Are you back, Qin Guan? This is Zhou Jing. Qin Guan looked at the receiver before he hung the phone up with a m. He dropped down on the bed and tried to go back to sleep. The phone just wouldnt let him. It rang ceaselessly. Qing Guan was beyond annoyed. He picked the receiver again and shouted, You brat! Stop harassing me! Ill call you after Ive gotten enough sleep. Dont you have anymon sense? A cold voice came through the receiver, Qin Guan? This is Cong Nianwei. What? Dear me! Cong Nianwei, I thought you were Zhou Jing. I didnt mean to shout at you. How are you doing? Did you have a good rest? Qin Guans attitude changed instantly. Cong Nianwei burst intoughter and said, Ill go to my grandmas for the Spring Festival. Im telling you in advance that I wont be able to apany you, in case you were nning to ask me. Qin Guan felt disappointed. Lying on the pillow, he answered slowly, Okay. Ill call you. Have a good time. As he hung up the phone, Qin Guan felt listless. The holidays had finally arrived. He had nned to take advantage of the vacation to make their rtionship more intimate. He hadnt expected that theyd end up spending the holidays separately in different locations. Suddenly, the phone rang again. Qin Guan answered gloomily, Hello? It was Zhou Jing again. Hey, its me. What about our vacation? Qin Guan was confused. Its your vacation. How would I know about it? Zhou Jing sounded nervous as he said, Will you help us or not? Help you do what? Make money! He had tasted the sweetness of money and was now totally dependent on Qin Guan. Qin Guan sat up straight and answered, Wait a moment. Let me get this clear. You and Li Jian want to make money, is that right? Definitely. Why are you depending on me, then? Find a solution yourself. Qin Guan was helpless. Zhou Jing, on the other hand, was quite frank and shameless. You major in Economics, Li Jian and I study Law and Computers. Were no good at making money! Qin Guan gritted his teeth. Okay. You want to make money, eh? Wait and see. Ill exhaust you two! He gritted his teeth as he told Zhou Jing, Come to my house tomorrow with your capital. On the other end of the line, Zhou Jing and Li Jian looked at each other. We did it! They answered immediately, Okay, well be there. Early on the next morning, the two shameless guys bummed breakfast off at Qin Guans house. Noticing the expression on Qin Guans face, they took out of their pockets 200 yuan in cash. They showed Qin Guan the two notes casually, setting them on the tea table beside the sofa. Pointing to them, Qin Guan looked up and told them, Are you kidding me? This is your capital? The two of them looked ashamed as they replied, We havent been able to save much moneytely. Thats all we have. Originally, Qin Guan had nned to take advantage of them, but now he just pocketed the money and said, Thats fine. Well go prepare our stock. Were starting early tomorrow morning. Lets go. Zhou Jing and Li Jian followed Qin Guan obediently. They rode Qin Guans little tricycle to thergest wholesale market in the City of Y. Qin Guan focused on nothing but the stands selling scrolls and pictures, as well as pictures of Chinese Zodiac signs in the Spring Festival merchandise section. He spent nearly all their capital onmon goods at wholesale prices. When Qin Guan carried all the goods to the tricycle, Zhou Jing seemed confused. Arent we selling kebab? he asked. Qin Guan regretted that his friends offspring hadnt lived up to his expectations. He stared at Zhou Jing. Who wille out for outdoor kebab and cold beer in the freezing night before the Spring Festival? They both looked resentful as they promised to follow Qin Guans instructions. Qin Guan sighed and said, Well meet at six oclock at the morning market on Haibin Road. Lets call it a day now. Go back to where you came from. Hearing that concrete n, they both went home happily. Qin Guan sighed again. A person shouldnt look back at his bad friends, or some silly friend will get them killed by ident. Ill get exhausted when I should be having a fun vacation. Early on the next morning, the three of them met up at the Haibin Morning Market. It was one of thergest morning markets in Y City, located by the harbor. The pers began their business before dawn. There were all kinds of goods sold there, including fresh fish and shrimp, fruit, vegetables, various household supplies, scarves, underwear and so on. After walking through the whole market, they discovered that there was a certain discipline and organization to it. The stands were fixed, and special market management was applied. The three of them were stunned. Shamelessly, Qin Guan yed his best card. He used his looks to tter the old women who were selling underwear and cheap bedsheets. The two women noticed a handsome young man who looked like he was freezing. His ears were red on such a cold morning. He must have a hard time doing business at that age. Poor thing! The two women immediately showed their maternal instincts by making room between their stands for Qin Guan to disy his Spring Festival scroll. The three boysy down their scrolls and yelled down the street, Ladies and gentlemen, Spring Festival season is approaching! Buy a pair of scrolls for good luck! Believe me, their business was quite good. The scrolls they had bought by bulk were sold out with profit. Generally speaking, a cheap pair could earn them 0.5 yuan while the more expensive Spring Festival and colourful bunny pictures could exceed the prime cost by 1 yuan. Chapter 31: The Urban Management Officer Chapter 31: The Urban Management Officer Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Soon, half their stock had been sold. When they were free, Li Jian touched the fat on his stomach, turned suddenly toward Qin Guan and asked, Just now I was thinking about something. The three of us, he pointed at Zhou Jian and Qin Guan, can be considered top students, right? Zhou Jing nodded in agreement. Li Jian went on, Then why are we doing jobs that are for junior high students? Qin Guan looked at Li Jian speechlessly, As a poor man with only 200 yuan to invest and an undergraduate without a diploma, what job can you do except sell something on the market? Do you hope that some big boss suffering from a mental disorder wille begging you to save his business with tears in his eyes? Or are you perhaps waiting for an investment predator to present you with a share of stocks as a gift for your outstanding scores? The flesh on Li Jians cheek was shaking while the old woman selling underwear pulled Qin Guan with effort and said, Hey, stop talking. Therees the urban management officer. With a particrly scared expression on their faces, the three of them looked at the other end of the long street. A young man, not much older than them, was checking the stands idly. He was wearing an urban management officer uniform, which looked appalling. They stopped chatting and swept up the unsold scrolls and pictures, piling them in the tricycle as they prepared to run away. However, the noise had attracted the officers attention. Zhao Fengzhu was feeling quite gloomy that day. He was a formidable graduate with a criminal investigation specialty in the Detective Training School who hadnt been assigned to the police force. Instead, he had unfairly been stuck into the urban management squad, because his father had been too worried about his safety. As an aspiring young man, he was too impatient to socialize with the old women who run the stands there. Zhao Fengzhu was feeling quite depressed when he discovered the three thieves. Stop! You dare run an illegal stand in a formal market? You were acting in utter disregard of thew! It was Zhao Fengzhus first day at work, so he decided to catch the three scoundrels himself. They saw the officer rolling his sleeves up and rushing over. Qin Guan shouted loudly, Run! Quick! Run! They ran quickly towards the exit of the market. Qin Guan was riding on the tricycle, pedaling non-stop like a deer. Zhou Jing ran and hid among the stands like a clever monkey up a tree. Li Jian felt like hed never run this fast before. Wind blew under his feet while the thrilling northern wind roared in his ears. The flesh on his face had ttened to both sides and shook slightly while he ran. He was satisfied with his burst of energy, and felt like time had stood still as he sprinted. Oh, fine. He had been caught. Qin Guan had already gotten far away when he heard Li Jian cry from somewhere behind him, Help! Qin Guan! Zhou Jin! Help me! Ive been caught! Qin Guan stopped pedaling, let out a sigh and turned around. He found the proud young officer twisting Li Jian and Zhou Jing jumping up and down beside them without knowing how to help. Qin Guan could do nothing but take advantage of the push power momentum of the tricycle to leap high from his seat. He kicked the young officer down to the ground, pulled Li Jian onto the seat of the tricycle and shouted loudly, Pedal like your life depends on it! Without any word, Li Jian burst into infinite power in an instant. His short legs pedaled up and down as they rode far away. Qin Guan made a gesture to Zhou Jian, You go first. Ill meet you at your ce. With an anxious nce at Qin Guan, Zhou Jing followed Li Jian swiftly. Zhao Fengzhu whisked the dirt off his clothes and said, Well done. You must be really loyal to your friends. Qin Guan was straightforward, Cut the crap. Lets have a one-on-one contest. If you catch me, Ill follow you wherever you want. Ill be at your disposition. Hearing Qin Guans words, Zhao Fengzhu felt admiration for him. Besides, he had graduated from a detective training school. His fighting skills were surely better than Qin Guans, who looked like a college student. Thus, Zhao Fengzhu told Qin Gun generously, Fine, one-on-one, then. Pointing at the square off Binjiang Road, Qin Guan said, Theres an open space over there. Lets not fight here, or well destroy the stands. Zhao Fengzhu fixed his hat. Okay, he said and walked directly to the square. When he turned his head away, Qin Guan grinned. He sneaked around to a small nearby alley and ran away. Zhao Fengzhu was still thinking about which tricks he could use to beat Qin Guan when he stood on the square and turned around. He found nothing behind him except garbage flying around in the chilly winter wind. Thats when he realized he had been tricked by Qin Guan. Grinding his teeth, he thought, You wait and see, boy. The three of them escaped sessfully and met up at Zhou Jins house. They calcted their ie that day and went to buy supplies again. Why they didnt give up when theyd just been chased by an urban management officer? They had made money! They had sold hundreds of pictures and scrolls in only one morning! The cost-ie ratio had been so high, it had exceeded their expectations. They muttered and reached the conclusion that, ording to the checking rules, the officers were not expected to go around the morning market very early in the morning. They decided to rush into danger and ran a stand again the next morning. The following two days went basically like this. Hey, sir! Look at this Spring Festival picture! Look at the bright colors! How many pieces do you want, maam? Until a cry came from Zhou Jing, Ah! Herees the young officer again! Then the three of them ran away wildly. This time, Li Jian pedaled on the tricycle while the other two ran on foot. Zhou Jian tripped over a bamboo pole and let out a dramatic cry, Help me! Li Jian pedaled ahead hard. He wouldnt be brought down by the others. Qin Guan took hold of the other end of the pole, and eyed Zhou Jing, asking him to run at the chance. Zhou Jing rolled to climb up. He turned his head to run away. Qin Guan held the end of the pole tightly, swept away in some direction. Zhao Fengzhu was pulled over by inertia. The middle of the pole hit amp pole with a loud sound. Qin Guan let go of the pole in time and turned to run. Zhao Fengzhu was taken by surprise. The bamboo pole shook desperately because of Qin Guan. Zhao Fenzhu couldnt seem to get loose. He just shook together with the pole like going through an electricity shock. The pole gradually stopped moving, just when Zhao Fengzhu thought his bones were about to break into pieces. The young officer was extremely irritated. You wait for me. Ill fight to myst breath. Qin Guan and others met up and calcted their ie once more. It was good. The young officer hadnt arrived too early. They could still make some money. They looked at each other and asked, One more day? One more day! It was settled. The same scene took ce the next morning. They escaped sessfully once again. Zhao Fengzhus wide-edge cap hung on his crotch, swaying in wind as he sniffled and climbed off the tree he had ended up on. Looking at the dusty cap, Zhao Fengzhu whisked the dust off and murmured to himself, This is bullying! Im noting here tomorrow, okay? Ill go to the Sanzhan Morning Market. He returned to his squad like nothing had happened. Meanwhile, the three boys were discussing together. Our business is not bad these days, but the sales in the morning market will reach their limit soon. All potential customers will have made a purchase. Well have to change our venue. Zhou Jing and Li Jian replied, What about the Sanzhan Morning Market? Its far away from here. The decision was made. The next morning, the three of them run into Zhao Fengzhu again in the Sanzhan Morning Market. The two parties looked each other speechlessly. The young officer stared at them bitterly and turned his face away, pretending he hadnt seen them. They breathed a big sigh of relief. The rm was over. They cleared their stock smoothly. After counting all the change and deducting the invested capital, they found that they had earned 530 yuan each. They patted Qin Guan on the shoulder encouragingly, See you on the next vacation,rade. They left fully satisfied as they counted the bills in their hands. Looking at the change piled on the table, Qin Guan sighed slightly. The two of them were sure depending on him. Qin Guan returned home in the evening. He gave his mother 600 yuan, including the amount he had earned during the vacation. At the touched expression in her eyes, Qin Guan said shyly, Mom, I know it hasnt been easy raising me. This is for your hard work. You can spend it on anything you like. Qin Guans mother didnt look so touched anymore. Grabbing him by the ear, she shouted, I raised you to such a tall young man! Is that all its worth? You little bastard! Chapter 32: The Big Deal Chapter 32: The Big Deal Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia For Chinese people, the Spring Festival was the beginning of the new year. They did their shopping, had New Years Eve dinner and paid New Year greeting visits or calls in the morning. Those were all the traditional activities. When Qin Guan was done with those, he stayed at home for the rest of the day, eating and sleeping without any motivation. Early in the morning, his phone rang non-stop. He stretched his arm from under the cover and shut it off decisively. Only Huang Jiajia could be calling him at this time. She was currently in a cram school for winter vacation. Before he could fall asleep again, short messages starting beeping on his phone one by one. Qin Guan poked his messy head out of his quilt and picked up the phone angrily. Several short messages from the same person were jamming his mailbox. The name of the sender was Xue Wanyi. Qin Guan, this is Sister Xue. I have something to tell you. Please call me back. You bastard! You dare reject my call! Youre getting bolder! Actually, what you are doing? Theres a gig on the 10th day of the first lunar month. Do you want to audition for it? Your sister really needs your help. I know that you are rxing at home. How about I give you one third of the poundage? 500 yuan in cash and 3,000 yuan in a Carrefour shopping card. Just answer, yes or no? Qin Guan climbed up in a roll when he heard thatst message. He texted her back, Deal! Wait for my call after I return to Beijing. Receiving the short message, Xue Wanyi took a puff on the Moore cigarette in her hand, blew a smoke circle and got off the phone bitterly. Brat! All you want is money! That evening there were eight of them sitting at the dining table at his grandmas. His uncle, aunt, younger female cousin, father, mother and Qin Guan himself, plus the two gods above, all had a happy family feast together. Qin Guan informed everyone of his n to return to college earlier. His female cousin heard about his ns for a part-time job with heated admiration. My cousin is tall, handsome and a good student. Now he can even make a living by himself without any financial support from his family! Liu Yi daydreamed happily, covering her round face, which looked like a small red apple. If this was ancient times and my parents were to pick a husband for me from my rtives, would I have epted my older cousin? Qin Guan had no idea that he was the Prince Charming in his cousins daydream. He was just listening to his parents and his uncle chat. They were talking about rectifying and reformations, as well as the stock rights of their respective nts. The topic triggered Qin Guans memory. There had been quite the breaking news those days. Both the nts his mother and uncle were working at were carrying out some reformations, aiming to build up a group system. They were nning to get rid of the unprofitable firm, which was ineffectual for the recalcitrant subordinates, and bring in new programmes to promotepetitiveness in the corporation. As a result, some nts would be merged together while some would be rebuilt. After the merging, new projects would be carried out. On what resources and capital, you ask? An internal pre-sale n for the enterprise staff had been etched out exactly for that purpose. They all had to buy internal stocks. The exact amount of stocks rested on their personal willingness, but of course a minimum amount had been set. At the time, workers were always the ones who got money from their nts, and they were reluctant to take money out of their own pockets. On that years Spring Festival, his mother and uncle had made the decision to buy internal pre-sale stocks, but stick to the minimum level. It was not easy for most people to make a living. Things had gone bad. One of their nts had been renamed Oriental Electricity Group, while the other had been renamed Blue-White Group. In less than three years, the former one had entered the stock market. The internal pre-sale stocks had gone from 2 yuan to 80 yuan. The Blue-White Group was counted as one of the biggest food enterprises of the province. Its staff got arge annual profitmission, ording to the stocks they had bought. Everyone attending the meeting that day was terribly regretful about the oue. Years down the road, when they recalled that day, they would still murmur to themselves. If only Id done things differently at the time, wed be a rich family now. Thinking of this, Qin Guan stopped eating. He reached for his purse and took out his debit card. In his ount was his schrship and all the money he had left from his part-time job. He turned to his uncle and said, Ill buy 5,000 stocks. His mother hit him on his back with her fist, You bastard! You just got some money, you dont know how to spend it. If you want to waste it, at least buy the stocks of your mothers nt. Massaging his back, Qin Guan said with his teeth bared, Your poor food nt cant enter the stock market. Do you even know what an emerging industry is? Then he pushed his card to his uncle. Afraid that his uncle would decline, he pressed on, My dearest uncle, you and I are really close. Dont listen to my mother. Do remember to buy the stocks for me! Qin Guans father was curious about this. He put down his chopsticks and said, Tell us what youre thinking. Why invest so much money in this? Qin Guan couldnt avoid the question, so he cleared his throat and began to bluff, Just think, this new government policy- whatever the results may be- brings both those nts directly into the game. We have to respond positively to the national call. The system is changing and we have to spend money. Of course this doesnt mean that we need to spend our entire family fortune. We could just buy a little more within our financial limitations. Worst case scenario, we lose the capital, but we still make a good impression on our leaders. At least theyll consider that were positively cooperating with the organization. Shall we do it then? His parents and uncle chewed his words for a while and found them reasonable. They discussed it together again. Qin Guan was quite gloomy. If I tell them the profits will be 40 times higher, will they think Im idiot? Reborn people felt so lonely in this world. They made their final decision. Originally, his uncle had decided to buy 1,000 shares, which was the bare minimum. He raised the standard up a little and decided to spend 10,000 Yuan. Adding Qin Guans investment of 10,000 Yuan, he would buy 10,000 shares in total. His mother would also buy 5,000 shares, so it was 15,000 Yuan from both families. As to the stocks of his mothers nt, his mother raised the original 3,000 shares to 5,000 shares, and his uncle also decided to buy 5,000 shares. That was 10,000 shares in total. Qin Guan made the calctions and found that it was much more than they had spend in his past life. Everyone will be satisfied. It turned out that Qin Guan was wrong. When the results came out, the two families regretted it. They thumped their chests and stamped their feet in deep self-usation. They couldnt believe that theyd bet all their fortune on those stocks. At the time, Qin Guan was totally speechless. History had still not changed. On the 8th day of the first lunar month, Qin Guan said goodbye to all his family members and took the train to the capital alone. He arrived at his college to find the dormitory building deserted. After unpacking his luggage, he called Sister Xue. She sounded so happy on the other end of the line, she couldnt seem to be able to stop talking. Its not every day that Qin Guan has some spare time. I have to take advantage of it. It snowed lightly on the 10th day of the first lunar month. Sister Xue brought Qin Guan to Carrefours headquarters in the capital. The advertisement department staff led them into the prepared photo studio. People were cing goods and arranging the background. The person in charge of the Marketing Promoting Department was in a heated discussion about the shooting arrangement with several distribution businessmen. Most of the goods the suppliers provided were shoes, clothes and suitcases, which were both cheap and good quality. The monthly sales in hypermarkets could equal the annual sales of the small manufacturers. Thats why they made careful preparations and showed seriousness during Carrefours seasonal sales promotion every year. It was essential for their sales volume to have a prominent ce in the poster. The theme of this promoting season was the leisurely beginning of the new term. The main products were suitcases and spring clothing for the new season. As required by the staff, Qin Guan changed into the clothes and shoes provided by the distribution businessmen and pulled a ck draw-bar suitcase. He stood in front of a background te of goods, disying them with pride. The lights and reflectors made the studio quite bright. Qin Guan massaged his eyes, trying his best to adjust to the brightness. Chapter 33: The Carrefour Poster Chapter 33: The Carrefour Poster Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Promotion posters were put up in supermarkets every month. Some of them were single-page, while other were whole leaflets. The quality was mediocre, though. Several staff members picked at random from the advertising department acted as photographers. They asked Qin Guan to perform freely on the spot. Thats easy! Qin Guan dragged the suitcase behind him while he went around the room. When they were done shooting, they brought the camera over to have a look. The photos were either blurred or vague. The photographer was an amateur without any professionally training and as result, he had failed to capture good pictures. People sighed at the photos. These are not good enough. The person in charge of the Marketing Promoting Department shouted loudly at the photographer, If yourecking any professional ability, you should at least take honest photos! The photographer was not to me. Im not well-prepared. Youre so na?ve, my boy. With your level of expertise, you would take the same photos no matter how many times you tried. Qin Guan got an idea by the photographersck of expertise. They depend on me. He pulled the drawbar of the suitcase up. With one hand in the pocket of his pants and the other holding the suitcase, he made a posture of stepping forward. Seeing his posture, the man in charge of the Advertising Department was filled with artful inspiration. Actually, youre only a small-scale advertiser. His camera sounded again. In less than a minute, the series of photos had been finished. The distribution businessmen were surprised at the sight of them. Dear me! Is that the same cheap products with the loose thread residue and the crooked seams on the pant legs? The casual hoodie and loose sporty sweatpants with the 4-line logo copied from Adidas looked particrly gorgeous. The sneakers on his feet also seemedfortable beyond measure, and no one could tell that the suitcase cost only 50 yuan. The distribution businessmen eyed each other and took their cellphones out one by one. They called for more merchandise while they talked with the person in charge of market promoting, demanding extra advertisements. Sister Xue was not pleased with the distribution businessmen, who were pulling on Qin Guan. Hey, what are you doing? Hands off! Hey, you! Stop pulling on his sleeve! Take your hands off! She shouted to the person in charge, The agreement was only for one series of photos! Were finished, so we can go. Whats going on here? The person in charge agreed with her. Yes, you businessmen are demanding more pages, but there are only so many pages in a Carrefour leaflet. We cant present only your products! Youre too greedy! The businessmen seemed to think it was quite easy. Its only a matter of adding more pages. Shall the three of us buy one more page each? One for shoes, one for clothes and one for suitcases. They had a heated discussion, and then the person in charge muttered with the advertising department staff for quite a while. The head of the Advertising Department rubbed his hands together with a smile and walked up to Sister Xue and Qin Guan. Looking embarrassed, he said to Sister Xue, Three more series, including clothes, suitcases and shoes. Just his legs, not his face. Youll get double pay, OK? Sister Xue nced at Qin Guan, who was already doing the mental calctions. Originally, it had been 500 yuan in cash and 3000 yuan worth of shopping cards. Double pay will mean 1000 yuan in cash and 6000 yuan worth of shopping cards. Sister Xue will take one third, leaving me 700 yuan and 4000 yuan worth of shopping cards. Its a good deal! It was easy to take pictures, and Qin Guan was itchy to earn more money at the time, so he nodded in agreement right away. The distribution businessmen were pretty straightforward. They brought clothes for Qin Guan directly from the Carrefour stock, and Qin Guan began to change into them to take pictures. He felt inspired. First, he tied the hoodie around his neck, pretending to be cool,and then he lifted the lower hem with lure, which made the female staff in the room hold their breath for a while. The distribution businessmen were quite pleased with him. My jeans looked so stylish on his long legs. The shoes were quite beautiful with that elegant decorative pattern. The businessman selling the suitcases was the most d. Students preparing to go to college would regret not buying a traveling bag. Qin Guan and Sister Xue went out of Carrefour and into the chilling wind outside. Qin Guan stretched back his neck,ining, Its too soon after the Spring Festival. It will be quite a few days before the new term begins. Ill be all alone in my dormitory. Shall I do nothing but stay in my dorm and think about the future? Sister Xue smiled to herself. Thats what Ive been waiting to hear. Pretending to be quite stumped, she said to Qin Guan, Youre right. How about you wait for my call to arrange some more part-time jobs for you? Qin Guan nodded, Okay. If there are plenty of gigs, you could make me a tight schedule. Ill be fine. Sister Xue answered immediately, Youve got it. Wait for my call and I promise to keep you busy. Qin Guan nodded again. Paying with the money hed just made, he took a taxi back, feeling very pleased with himself. In such a cold day, shall I have something delicious? At the Doornail Meat Pie Restaurant beside the Capital University of Finance and Economics, Qin Guan asked for a bowl of cooked chopped sheep entrails happily. It went well with the doornail meat pie. He had a good meal, the scent of the food lingering between his teeth and cheeks. The mutton sauce whizzed out from the yellow pie. His mouth was full of tender meat stuffing and crisp crust. Qin Guan was beyond satisfied. He had a good meal and then he went to sleep. He didnt dream the whole night, Qin Guan received informative short messages from Sister Xue the following day. He checked his phone. Shes working really hard for me. He received the three following messages: 1. Serving at the opening ceremony of a new real estate agency. The ceremony willst about one hour. The pay is 100 yuan. 2. One-page printed advertisement. Its a foreignnguage learning advertisement that will appear at the bottom page of Youth Monthly. The pay is 1000 yuan. Its unknown yet when the ad will be printed. 3. A product-releasing conference in the form of a cocktail party. A nouveau riche from the x region is trying to find a ce in the business circle of the capital and wants to attract public attention to his new business. Several male and female models are needed. The requirements are to be charming, attractive, and have a good figure. The date is unknown and the reward is 2000 yuan. Qin Guan was interested in the third message. What the hell is that? He called Sister Xue back. She answered the phone. In a joking tone, Qin Guan asked her, Hey, Sister Xue, what do you mean by the third one, huh? Judging by his way of speaking, Sister Xue was clear on what he was thinking. She shouted back angrily, I am no pimp, Im a model agent! Do you know what an agent is? We have morals! Qin Guan thought to himself, Thats to be determined. The modeling circle is almost the same as the entertainment circle. They will both rot at some point. He said, What did the message mean then? Sister Xue couldnt help but exin, Dont think about it too much, Qin Guan. The man is trying to jump from the mining industry to the hi-tech industry. He has to bring some attractive people to enter the hi-tech circle. The cocktail party is just a by-product. The female models will make a show while the male models will be in charge of holding the products. You are nothing but a pretty prop, understand? Qin Guan nodded unconsciously, I know, I know. Okay, Sister Xue. Ill be there. Getting straight to the point, Sister Xue said, You should go early tomorrow morning. The messages are arranged ording to your schedule. Work hard. Well take them one at a time. Qin Guan wasnt wordy, either. What would he do in his spare time? Sleep, of course. He had to have enough energy to work. Gin Guan shut off his phone and missed a crank call from Huang Jiajia, leaving the girl grinding her teeth at home. She had hoped to monopolize Teacher Qin by taking advantage of his girlfriends absence. All she achieved though was Qin Guan shutting his phone off. Chapter 34: Three Small Gigs Chapter 34: Three Small Gigs Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The next morning, Qin Guan stood on the stage of the outdoor square in a thin suit, the chilling northwest wind blowing through him. The manager of the real estate agency was delivering his speech on the stage in excitement, froth forming on his mouth. The guests below were also in warm clothes. Qin Guan snorted his nose. Making money is hard. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Qin Guan and another male model carried the lottery box and went around the crowd. The guests would draw ten numbers, each number equaling 10,000 Yuan for purchasing houses. After the lottery, the staff led the guests to the sales office to take a look at the sample houses, concluding Qin Guans work for the day. When he got off, Qin Guan immediately got his coat from Sister Xue and the two of them went to have a ss of hot water in the lounge area of the sales office. Qin Guan took a sip fast. The hot water travelled down his throat as a warm steam rose from his stomach. Qin Guan instantly felt better. Looking slightly concerned, Sister Xue asked, Are you cold? This line of work is not easy. Itsmon for models to get frozen. Qin Guan was a little doubtful. Sister Xue was always energetic. This did not sound like her at all. Sister Xue pped Qin Guan on the back. Are you still feeling cold? Thats all for today. Go back early if youve got nothing to do. Weve got work again tomorrow. Qin Guan saw Sister Xue off at the conference room, but he was not in a rush to leave. The ceremony venue was in Fangzhuang, where argemunity was currently under construction. There were new buildings everywhere. Going around the exhibition hall, Qin Guan found that the price of the houses was not that high. Its a pity that Im a poor wretch right now. I have to put off investing in a house. Qin Guan had to leave in disappointment and go to his second ad shoot. This advertisement was much easier for Qin Guan. All he needed to do was take one specific pose. I wonder if anybody has read old magazines like Readers or Youths Digest. There were advertisement pages in those magazines, some of them advertising study machines or promoting fast English lessons. There was an introduction of the products that took up the whole page, and a photo of a student holding the products or books on the lower right corner. The student in the photo would express his need for the product, which strengthened the reliability of the product and raised the public purchasing desire. Qin Guan was that student. A series of photos were taken in one simple pose. He looked a lot like a bookworm in those ck-framed sses. The director of the school was so satisfied with the photos that he decided to offer Qin Guan several French courses as a gift. Qin Guan thought this was a sneaky move on his part. Youre offering me only several hours of courses. How about the following courses? Do I have to pay for those or not? Sister Xue wasnt talking much to him, either. When she got paid for the shoot, she led Qin Guan out and left without hesitation. Qin Guan was a potential money tree in her hands. The boy had originally focused a lot on his courses. If he went to cram school, he would be too busy to take a part-time job, and it would be a great loss for her. Sister Xue was still trying to persuade him as they went out of the building, Qin Guan, take it easy. Dont exhaust yourself. Find a proper bnce between work and rest. Qin Guan wanted to tell her that the courses couldnt be simpler for him, but he still had to attend them. That was mandatory in college. Qin Guan was studying at the Capital University of Finance and Economics, which was famous for its strictness, unlike some colleges for film or television studies. Less than a dayter, Qin Guan received another call from Sister Xue. She drove a small LADA car under Qin Guans dormitory to pick him up. Fortunately, all college students were still on vacation, or there would be several stories to tell about the charming college boy and the middle-aged woman. It was night when they arrived at the Changan Club. The colorful lights on the ballroom were lit up gradually while elegant dishes were ced on separate small tables. The DJ in charge of the ballroom was ying slow music from backstage. Some people in casual but detailed clothes were gathering in groups of two or three, making leisurely conversation. Qin Guan was waiting with a group of models backstage. Everyone was already in their formal wear. The male models suits were rtively normal, with ck jackets and bows, while the female models looked quite sexy. They wore one-piece dresses strung with tiny silver sequins. The dresses were as short as underwear. The girls shiny white legs made Qin Guan dizzy. Sister Xue coughed twice to remind Qin Guan not to look like a hillbilly. Qin Guan looked back at her with pursed lips, giving her a reassuring nce. They waited until their employer, the host of the party, asked his assistant to inform them to take their positions. At the assistants request, Qin Guan got up on the exhibition stage in the conference hall holding a disy tter covered by red velvet satin. The stage was quite bright under the strong lights, but the rest of the hall was dimly lit. Models in silver short dresses walked among the crowd leisurely. They were holding trays with sses of champagne and shaking their slender waists under the swaying lights to show off their beautiful figure. The atmosphere of the party suddenly changed. From the bright stage, Qin Guan couldnt see what was going on below. All he felt was the surging atmosphere. asionally, people interested in the products would idle up to Qin Guans disy tter. They would pick up the products to have a look, shake their heads and leave. Qin Guan stood on the stage for more than an hour before the assistant signaled for him to get down. Massaging his sore legs, Qin Guan nced at the crowd in the hall unconsciously before he returned to the backstage area. Some female models came along with him, taking a break from serving champagne. They leaned on each others shoulders, or rested their long legs beside somebody else. Beautiful lips, white legs and innocent charming smiles; everything looked so morous. Qin Guan wasnt sure what he was feeling. He was still lost in thought while they changed clothes backstage. Lighting a slimdy cigarette, Sister Xue told Qin Guan in a low voice, None of them are professional models. Youre doing this job for money, and so are they. The only difference is that they make more money in a more convenient way. Qin Guan remained silent while he changed his clothes. Casting a cutting look at Sister Xue, he said, I like my money to be clean. Sister Xue chuckled, Thats what I thought. Thats why I want to introduce you to the circle. If you get corrupted, you wont go far. Itste, I should take you home. The corner of Qin Guans mouth rose. I trust you. All the jobs youve picked for me have been pretty good. Sister Xue drove Qin Guan to campus. Qin Guan waved at her before he entered his dormitory building. Leaning back against the drivers seat, Sister Xue watched his retreating back as she murmured to herself quietly, I hope youll remember what you said today and you wont ever change. The Capital University of Finance and Economics opened on March 5th, 1999, the Day of Lei Feng [1]. The university campus swarmed with the tide of returning students. All of Qin Guans roommates were back, embracing each other warmly. Everyone was busy taking out local specialties from their suitcases to share with the others, whom they had not seen for a long time. The luckiest person in the dormitory was Liu Xiaoyang. As a local boy, most of the specialties had been brought for him. Liu Xiaoyang was holding an air-dried gigot brought by Mu Lijiang. Yes, it was a whole gigot, carried from Mu Lejiangs hometown a thousand miles away. All along the journey Mu Lejiang had been surrounded by onlookers staring at it. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan 1Lei Feng Jan. 18th, 1940-Aug. 15th, 1962 was a soldier of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army who was renowned for his spirit of selfless contribution. Chapter 35: Liu Xiaoyang’s Gigot Chapter 35: Liu Xiaoyangs Gigot Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan and others were quite curious, so they asked Liu Xiaoyang, What will you do with the big gigot? Liu Xiaoyang answered with pride, I wanted it for somebody else. Qin Guan was right. I made new friends during winter vacation. His roommates looked interested in his words, Tell us more. Liu Xiaoyang shared his experience of making new friends. I paid ceremonial visits to other rtives in the neighborhood with my parents during the Spring Festival. I took a chance and chatted with boys who I was unfamiliar with. Although Im very young, Im a college student in every way that counts. Some of them had a lot to talk about and we became friends. One of my friends heard that one of my roommates came from Northwest China. Coincidentally, his grandpa was a northwesterner and in desperate need of authentic air-dried mutton. Thats why I begged you to bring a gigot for me. The others nodded. His new friends sounded quite reliable, so they said, You could bring them to our dormitory in our spare time so we can hang out together. By the way, what do they do? Liu Xiaoyang talked about them with particr pride, They are amazing! One of them majors in medical jurisprudence, another studies psychiatry, and the third one was in the intelligence department of a military college. His roommates scattered away as soon as he finished, going about their own business. Could that boy make friends with reliable,mon people? Those three could form a group to solve hard cases. It was surely impossible formon people to understand the world of a genius. Confused, Liu Xiaoyang shouted to them, Hey,e back! Ill tell you how to perform an autopsy... No one was interested in corpses. They all ran away. ............ When the new semester began, Qin Guan was busy. He had made a fundamental n for himself. In the second half of the freshman year, the professional courses would start one by one, and the majority of his time had to be spent on those courses. Qin Guan nned to take exams for various certificates as a sophomore. There was one year left till then. He could go about it little by little without a break. The exams for the CET 6 would be arranged around at that time, and memorizing vocabry was slow work. Qin Guans schedule was full. He had to give up the small part-time jobs, but Sister Xue arranged jobs on the weekends for him. Product promoting had a low quality-value ratio, which had to end. Finally, the domestic education of Huang Jiajia was left. With reasonable time and a good reward, he could keep that one. The first weekend of the new semester, Sister Xue and the shirt factory came to an agreement. The first advertising poster of the annual contract would be shot at the same ce. Qin Guan arrived at the studio in Chaoyang Park. It was the same photographer who had taken pictures of himst time. He hugged Qin Guan encouragingly when he saw him walk in. The photographer had submitted the photos he had takenst time to the organizingmittee of a figure photographypetition. After the first selection, he would be informed about the results. Qin Guan smiled back with kindness. He always cherished the admiration of people who engaged in art. The manufacturer of the J shirt paid special attention to the advertisement shooting this time. As an ambitious boss, he didnt n on selling his shirts by phone orders forever. He was also in the hope of introducing his shirts to shopping malls and expanding the sales volume. Qin Guan could give him such a chance. The effect of thest poster had been amazing. The customers who saw the posters were women shopping in supermarkets and malls. When the housewives saw Qin Guan smiling brightly on the posters, they had automatically imagined their own children in them. Pink will sh with his skin. This young man looks so energetic in it, though. The quality seems good. Oh, dear! This is a really affordable price. Its on sale, 60 Yuan each. I have to buy one! The women had long forgotten the reality, which was that their boys were hoarse-skinned, ck-faced and stocky-figured. Every mother thought her son was as handsome as the model on the posters. As a result, the phone sales escted. There was a huge number of calls about the shirts. The boss was very excited. His dream wasing true. With vigorous zeal, he employed a designer who had just graduated from the design department of the Capital Institute of Fashion Technology, and rented a formal office beside Chaoyang Park, as well as arge warehouse in the suburbs. Of course, he also signed a long-term contract with the factory in South China. Betting everything on this endeavour, he spent all the terms profits to make his shirts a formal brand. He hade there with the designer. He met with Sister Xue, and the two of them had a heated discussion about the advertising contract. When Qin Guan changed into his first outfit, they made the final agreement. Qin Guans reward was raised from 3,000 Yuan to 5,000 Yuan for two more series of photos. The full-page shirt advertisement in the future would feature Qin Guan as the only model. The lights were on. Qin Guan walked into the venue wearing the first shirt. The designer was excited at the sight of her finished product. The shirt would be featured in the youth section of the spring collection. It was a white shirt with three-quarter sleeves rolled up and hollowce around the cor and lower hem, representing the first stream of sunshine in spring. At least that was the designers inspiration. All the boss cared about was beauty. When Qin Guans stepped on the venue, everyone rxed. Qin Guan rode on the edge of the wooden window frame with one foot stretched out. His body was flecked with sunshine, looking like shiny drops of time. He inclined his shoulder gently into the window, moving it in close proximity to the photographers lens. The photographer was quite excited. He pushed the shutter crazily to capture Qin Guans warm smile. Okay! Change your pose one more time! The photographer put down the camera and signaled for Qin Guan to take another pose. Qin Guan moved back his foot from outside the window. He put his legs together and sat on the windowsill. Supporting his body with his arms, he leaned against the windowsill and stared ahead with a nk expression. The corner of his mouth was curled up as if he was smiling at the lens. The photographer felt warm air blowing on his face. Qin Guan smiled gently and intently at the lens, making the hearts of onlookers throb. The shoot went smoothly. Two minutester, they were done taking photos with this shirt. While everyone checked the quality of the pictures, Qin Guan went to change into the second shirt. The boss was quite satisfied with the result. He was not of a high educational level and couldnt use elegant words, but he knew what beauty and ugliness were, and whether the customers would buy the shirts. When Qin Guan came out wearing the second shirt, the designer starting getting nervous. She had spent most of her talent on this one. No one noticed the detail on the light green shirt until Qin Guan walked in front of the camera. The light went through the shirt and the decorative patterns were suddenly visible to the onlookers. Dandelions were floating slowly on the shirt. They seemed like they flying under the effect of the light. Looking particrly excited, the designer exined her idea to Qin Guan, The shirt is linked to the theme of spring. It shows the exuberant energy of spring, which is pregnant with infinite vitality. The photographer turned to the confused Qin Guan, Dont listen to her. Listen to me. Its not soplicated. Its fine to show a sense of emptiness. What does a sense of emptiness even mean? Could you please break it down for me? Noticing Qin Guans nk expression, Sister Xue knew that something was going wrong. Grinding her teeth, she waved at Qin Guan. He walked up to Sister Xue, who murmured in his ear for a while. Qin Guan nodded and said doubtfully, Im good at that. The problem is whether it would work. Are you serious? Sister Xue pushed him toward the venue, Listen to me. Hurry up. Dont waste time. Qin Guan could do nothing but walk to the middle of the venue and do as Sister Xue had asked. He opened his arms, closed eyes and rxed the muscles of his face. With his head leaning back slightly, he took a pose for the photographer. Chapter 36: Huan Jiajia’s First Test Chapter 36: Huan Jiajias First Test Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The photographer pped his hands together. The model was embracing the spring spirit. With a wanton expression in his eyes, Qin Guan opened his arms, attempting to fly. Thats wonderful! The click of the camera sounded again and again. The photographer shouted loudly, Good! Thats right! One more pose! At his words, Qin Guany down on the floor at once. He curved his body slightly, his hands lying limply on his chest. His eyes were unfocused. The photographer was over the moon. Thats it! Thats the spirit! This is nothingness and mystery! Okay, keep it. Okay. Thats a wrap! When the word wrap came out of his mouth, the designer burst into tears. Her teachers had always told her that the work of a good designer could reach a delicate resonance in coboration with the model. When she was in college, the designer had never had such an experience. Qin Guan had excellently explored the ideas behind her creations. She was extremely moved. The satisfaction of thepleted work overwhelmed her. The boss had already walked away excitedly to have a ss of water. He had gotten thirsty just by watching. Qin Guan was still murmuring to himself. Is this what being drunk is like? Thats what Im familiar with. In my past life, when I used to sell machines, it was part of my job to drink with directors. You would be considered a snob if you did not drink. It was so simple for Qin Guan to recall that feeling. While she stood to the side and watched, Sister Xue did not feel as optimistic as Qin Guan. She had just realized what she had neglected right from the very beginning. Qin Guan had never received any professional model training. He was an amateur, self-taught model. On his first part-time job, Qin Guan had beat all the other models with his outstanding appearance and figure. But what about the other aspects of the job? Qin Guan had never practised the professional catwalk and he was unfamiliar with the background of the fashion industry. Plus, he wasnt aware of the ideas behind the designers and the brands. He makes a living off his face. I could pick up any random model from the bottom of the fashion industry, and their basic skills would definitely be better than his. Thinking of this, Sister Xue felt very agitated. She took a slightly ttened cigarette pack out off her pocket and pushed the door open to go out and have a cigarette. Then she came to a decision. She threw the lit cigarette down on the ground and ground it with her foot before she returned to the studio. By that time, Qin Guan had changed into his third shirt. It was a traditional formal shirt. The only difference was that it was ck. Qin Guan stood still against the lights. Everyone could see the silver silk thread woven into the cloth, which reflected light spots under the light. The designer was proud of her inspiration. It was a subtle luxury that elevated the taste of the shirt. The boss was satisfied as well. The 80 Yuan retail price is a little higher than the original 60 Yuan price, but the cost is only raised by 2 Yuan. The shirt looks like a high-quality one. Its definitely worth 80 Yuan. Qin Guan was the most rxed in this series of photos. He wore sses with golden frames in an elite conservative style. He didnt need to strike a pose, his serious expression was more than enough. The photographer finally shouted loudly, Thats a wrap! Lets pack up! The designer and the boss hastened to check the pictures. Sister Xue focused on the photos with the second shirt. She observed them carefully, letting out a long breath. Naturally, after the shooting Qin Gun got an extra gift. The boss was satisfied with the photos and paid him delightedly. While they were preparing to leave, he told Qin Guan to keep all the shirts he had tried on. This part-time job had be his clothing source for the whole term. Qin Guan got into Sister Xues car so she could take him to campus. Sister Xue talked to him while she drove, Qin Guan, can I find a trainer for you? Qin Guan was a little confused, A trainer? For what? Sister Xue sighed, Your modeling foundation is unsteady. I suggest that we find a professional trainer to teach you. Your appearance wont get you every job. You have to improve yourself in order to make more money. Qin Guan nodded at the word improve. I hear you, Sister Xue. You can make the arrangement, provided that you leave me enough time for my courses. It wont hurt to study a little more. Sister Xue was quite surprised with Qin Guans reply. The little money grubber doesnt want to stop the part-time jobs and learn slowly. She had prepared a speech to persuade Qin Guan, but it was useless now. Qin Guan got off the car, waved to Sister Xue and entered the campus. Seeing him off, Sister Xue found that she didnt understand the boy. She joked to herself, Anyway, at least he likes studying. Qin Guan returned to his dormitory, arranged all his new shirts and then went to Huang Jiajias house. It was her first lesson for the new term. Qin Guan had prepared a set of papers for each subject so he could make a revision test for her. Huan Jiajia was very confident about the papers. She listened carefully to the teacher at school. On the weekends, she had lessons with Qin Guan, and during winter vacation she had attended cram school. She had made a huge effort on her courses, which made her confident about the scores. After she finished the papers, Qin Guan announced the results. Chinese: 98 (pass) English: 80 Math: 66 Science:69 Chemistry:72 The total score was 385. She qualified for the College Entrance Examination for students who wished to take Arts Studies. As an ordinary student, Huan Jiajia might only be able to enroll at a junior vocational school with such a score. Huan Jiajias mother was pleased. My daughter has made great progress. She could qualify for a junior college. Well done, Professor Qin! I havent paid him for this term. Ill prepare 500 Yuan for himter. Huang Jiajia was also satisfied with the results. As a second grade student in senior high school, I can get a higher score next year. I have shortened the distance between Professor Qin and me by one small step. Qin Guan nodded and said to Huan Jiajia, You did well! Try to keep it up. If you can get a B or more in every subject in your general examinations in June, Ill take you to Carrefour and buy you snacks. Huang Jiajia jumped up at his words. Really? Dont mess with me, Professor Qin! Qin Guan nodded and patted her head once. Ill keep my promise. Thats it for today. Im going. Qin Guan had won the poprity vote once again with his free shopping cards. He had sent a box of snacks to Cong Nianweis dormitory. Her roommates called him the local tyrant. As for the shameless people in his own dormitory, Qin Guan was ashamed to be one of them. They insisted on profiting at a rich persons expense and followed Qin Guan to do their shopping for free. You, Ye Dong, drop that MP3! Do you want to remain good friends with me? That cell phone was not on the shopping list! The design of the electric appliances at Carrefour was quite unreasonable. After they had finished their shopping, Qin Guan still had more than 1,000 Yuan left in his card. Huang Jiajia didnt know that she was thest one to benefit from Professor Qins card. He is definitely encouraging me. Thats when she decided to make more of an effort. Chapter 37: Professor Lis Training Courses Chapter 37: Professor Lis Training Courses Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan received a pack of money from Huang Jiajias mother. He felt that the term would go smoothly with so many good things happening. First, he had been praised on the professional course by the tutor, who had been deeply impressed by his performance in ss. During a routine quiz, Qin Guan had identally given a detailed exnation about the next studying material. As a result, the tutor believed that Qin Guan was enthusiastic about the courses. Although ounting was not a profound theoretical science, it could be considered an important subject. Its exciting that my student studies in advance. Wang Lei, who sitting beside Qin Guan, was left temporarily speechless. That evil scoundrel! He has more part-time jobs than me and only studies a little in the evenings. He has reviewed English ahead of time and studied the professors courses in advance. Does he want to drive others mad? It seems like itll be much more difficult for me to get the national schrship this year. Qin Guan was very pleased with himself. Following Sister Xues instructions, he set out to go to the Capital Institute of Fashion Technology in a very good mood. In the alley beside the Institute, he found the shabby house on the address he had been given. He pushed open the groaning swing door, and was astonished by the scene inside. There was nothing in the big spare space, except the standard T stage right in the middle of it. All around the house there were piles of photoshoot equipment. Mirrors were hanging on the walls on both sides of the room, reflecting every detail clearly. Sister Xue waved to him, and Qin Guan noticed that there was another person standing beside her. He ran up to Sister Xue. She pulled Qin Guan over and pressed his head to take a bow before the other person. Professor Li, this is my model. He has great potential. His name is Qin Guan. Qin Guan was forced to bow. He stole a nce when he straightened up again. An elderly woman was standing opposite him. Time had already marked her cheeks with wrinkles, but she looked extremely elegant. Her grace made people forget about her age and clothes, and focus solely on her. She was like a shining object, attracting people in an obvious way. The woman scanned Qin Guan calmly from head to toe. Sister Xue, who was standing beside her, put her cigarette nervously into her pocket, secretly holding it between her fingers before she put it down again. The teacher sized up Qin Guan and said in low voice, Turn around. Sister Xue immediately held out her hand for Qin Guan to turn around. Turn around fast. Professor Li, have a look please. Qin Guan turned. Professor Li looked at him again and said, Okay. Tell me more about him. Sister Xue signaled for Qin Guan to find a ce to sit for a while before she started talking at length with Professor Li. Professor Li raised her eyebrow slightly as she was told about Qin Guans resume, but she said nothing. Instead, she asked Sister Xue a question, First of all, why did you quit modeling? Sister Xue was taken aback. She raised her head and then lowered it again, replying in a low voice, Family affairs. Not inquiring any further, Professor Li said, Thats your business. Ill take the boy as a student. Sister Xue raised her head excitedly, Really? Thank you so much. Thank you! Professor Li only smiled slightly, Dont read too much into it. Im only taking him on for his good looks. It would be a pity to see such good material go to waste without proper training. Sister Xue seemed quite excited by her words and nodded hard. Exactly. Just look at him. Ordinary Asian people cant measure up to him. Qin Guan was unknowingly betrayed by Sister Xue once again. Professor Li waved to Qin Guan, who approached at her signal. My ce offers training for students every day. Xue Wanyi says that you are not a professional and that you have other courses during the day. You coulde on the weekends. Qin Guan nodded. Professor Li continued, You have to study the very fundamental skills. The speed of the courses will depend on your progress. Any questions? Qin Guan shook his head. I know nothing about this job. It wont hurt to follow a professionals instructions. Professor Li didnt say anything about his cleverness. She asked Qin Guan to get on the stage and told him, Lets start from the basics. Do you know the basic gestures of modeling? Qin Guan shook his head. How about the basic hand moves? Qin Guan shook his head again. Sister Xue began to sweat. Body posture? Pace? Standing posture? Sitting posture? Qin Guan shook his head repeatedly just like a rattle drum. He felt faint. Sweat dripped down Sister Xues face under Professor Lis sharp gaze. Shame on you, Xue Wanyi! You care about nothing but making money. Your reputation would be tarnished if others found out. How can such a model work for employers? Qin Guan and Xue Wanyi were cowering into a small corner, lowering down their heads like quails while they listened to Professor Lis scolding. Qin Guan, why you are squatting there? Its not your fault... Qin Guan looked up at Professor Li. Its better for me to squat, it makes me feel safer. Professor Li was already tired from her lessons. She let out a long breath and told Qin Guan, Look and listen to me carefully. Then she shouted at Sister Xue, Dont just stand there! Help us with note-taking! Sister Xue nodded like a chicken. She took out a small notebook and took notes obediently. Professor Li began Qin Guans first lesson, Look, gestures are the most important things for models. The first gesture goes like this. Its called finger-pressing. Your index finger has to be curved slightly to the front. Your thumb should press at the side of the middle pad of your middle finger. This gesture is flexible in modeling... Does it hurt? Rx and dont raise it, or youll hurt yourself... Professor Li made the gesture. Qin Guan automatically opened the gift of his memory. His muscles adjusted to a standard gesture. Professor Li nced at his hand, The second gesture is palm-showing. Your palm has to be open. Straighten your index finger, draw your middle, ring and little fingers close to each other and curve them up. Its one of the mostmon gestures during a performance. Professor Li switched to the second gesture and Qin Guan mimicked her. Without any word, Professor Li changed gestures again, The third one is called orchid finger. With your palm facing up, fold your middle finger and thumb. It looks like an orchid. Qin Guan mimicked her again without any trouble. After Qin Guan had learned the three standard gestures, Professor Li suddenly turned to Sister Xue, Xue Wanyi, you naughty girl! You dare try to cheat your teacher? Pointing to Qin Guan, she asked, You mean to tell me that hes a beginner? Xue Wanye trembled at her tone of voice and looked at Qin Guan doubtfully. Qin Guan got up the courage to reply, Professor Li, I only have one advantage. Im a fast learner. I can learn anything. Professor Liughed at his answer, I have taught quite a few students, but none of them boasted like you. Okay, you say you can learn anything? Well continue. Show me the double-hanging gesture. What does that mean? Professor Li, please tell me what it is, or at least show me. Are you really learning by sight? Professor Li made the gesture doubtfully. Curve your middle finger slightly to the front and press your thumb to the middle pad of the middle finger. Like this. Qin Guan copied her gesture perfectly. Chapter 38: Business with J Boss Chapter 38: Business with J Boss Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Professor Li was shocked by Qin Guans performance. She was one of the first group of models after 1949 to be assigned by the organization. She had been a model ss tutor for the Capital Institute of Fashion Technology for many years, but she had never met a student like Qin Guan before. He had been born a model. Professor Li was trembling in excitement. She pulled Qin Guan aside and told him, Dont study for college any longer. ounting is not the job for you. Thats such a humble profession. You have been born to be a model. I can help you with college in some informal way, if you wish. Xue Wanyi really didnt want to break the news to her, but she knew that Qin Guan was too stubborn to persuade. She was right. Qin Guan kept shaking his head. Despite Professor Lis over-excitement, he was adamant about the courses, Professor Li, shall we continue? Professor Li could do nothing but go on with her lesson. In less than 10 minutes, she had taught him the basic gestures. Qin Guan was practicing the movements while Xue Wanyi went outside to have a cigarette. I spent quite a few days on learning the basic gestures back in the day. They were non-standard back then. How can damn Qin Guan learn them so fast? After Qin Guan had performed all eight gestures from beginning to end once, Professor Li asked him to perform them once more in random order. He did all the movements perfectly. It seems that the second course will have to be taught sooner than I thought. Professor Li walked onto the stage and said, A good hand gesture can have an unexpected effect to your performance. Your hands should be neither soft nor stiff, but bnce your bodyfortably. You have basically learned the hand gestures. The word basically is too reserved for him, Xue Wanyi said to herself. Professor Li put her feet in position. There are four kinds of foot positions- regr, separated, T-type and inverted V. Ill show them to you one by one. Follow me... Qin Guan did well on all the positions. They began the third lesson in advance as well. When their lessons for the day were finished, Professor Li, who was far from young, looked unbearably tired. Qin Guan had begun practising his walk. The ordinary walk was a piece of cake for him. His skill could allow him to perform on shows in China, where stages were always straight and narrow. Sister Xue considered herself lucky on their way back to Qin Guans university. It may have been a good choice for me to quit modeling early. Qin Guans performance really shocked me. You havent seen the half of it, Sister... Wait and see. Spring blossomed in April while the J brand shirts appeared in the shopping malls of the capital. Taking advantage of Qin Guans poster, the boss had made a big fortune and invested all the profits into building physical stores. His stores entered hyper markets located in urban-rural development areas, including the Urban-Rural Storage shopping center, the new Merry Mart by the 4th Ring Road and the BHG market. The rent of these markets was rtively low among the hyper markets of the Capital. There was a regr flow of customers, so the boss had bet all his chips on this endeavour. The Urban-Rural Storage was the nearest venue to Qin Guans college, which was located outside the 3rd Northwest Ring Road, and was the best location among all the J shirts stores. It was surrounded by a lot of universities, like the Capital Foreign Language University, the Capital Institute of Technology and others. The customers were mostly college students. Early on the morning of the grand opening, the staff pasted a giant poster with Qin Guans image on the ss window of the store. There were also mini pictures of him on the shelves. The boss was sitting in one of the chairs meant for supermarket customers of the Urban-Rural Storage, secretly observing the arrangement of the new store. He kept pouring mineral water into his mouth nervously. The supermarket opened at nine a.m. Customers entered the shopping center in twos or threes. Some of them walked out of the supermarket and were attracted by Qin Guans giant poster from afar, consequently finding the shirt store in the corner. The first customer entered, then the second. Later, a group of idling female students went by and studied the poster on the ss wall. The boss hid nearby and listened to what they were saying, his ears standing straight. Oh, that boy is so handsome. Yes, he has such a good figure. Theres a dandelion on that green shirt. Its really on the shirt, its not photoshop. It looks so good. Ill buy one for my boyfriend. Lets go in and have a look. After discussing it, they all entered the store. After going around for a while, they exited the store again. The boss fixed his eyes on their bags. A huge bag with a J printed on it was carried out. Sold! The boss was a little excited. More customers went in and out... The boss observed the store for more than two hours. He forgot to drink water. His kept his body still, his eyeballs the only part of his body moving. The flow of customers slowed down gradually around noon, which was when he remembered to have a drink. His hands shook from excitement and he poured water onto his pants by ident. The front of his pants was wet, which made a woman passing by burst intoughter. The boss was in a muddle when the manager took advantage of the few customers to run out for a report. Weve had a good sale, boss! Ignoring his wet pants, the boss asked hurriedly, How many shirts have we sold? 147 pieces! 97 pieces of 80 yuan and 50 pieces of 100 yuan. The boss jumped high upon hearing the figure. The leftover water in the bottle was added to the front of his pants. The manager went on, Many customers took ourtest posters with. We have only ten of them left. The boss cared about nothing. He told the manager, Find something that I can hide behind. Ill go to my office and tell them to bring more posters. The manager nodded and returned to the store to fetch a giant poster of Qin Guan, Boss, try this. Whatever! The boss put the poster, which pictured Qin Guan hugging something with closed eyes, in front of his pants and left quickly. He missed the hushed discussion among a couple of passing students. Look at that creep! Where? Oh my god! He is so disgusting. He covered his crotch with the poster of that handsome boy. These days its not so strange to star in porn films, but what does he do with that poster? If the boss had heard their discussion, he would surely have spit out blood and died on the spot. As for Qin Guan, the meritorious model was lying in his bed. There had been no courses that morning, so it had been a good chance for him to sleep in. People always called the four seasons sleepy spring, tired autumn, heavy-head summer and drowsy winter. The whole year was good for sleeping. Qin Guan curled up under his covers, not moving. Around noon, Wang Lei couldnt bear to see him lying any longer. He pulled Qin Guan up from the bed. Qin Guan was confused. Hey, Wang! Its hard to get a free day these days. Why I cant sleep some more? Wang Lei kicked Qin Guan with his foot. Get up! No one can enjoy leisure time today. Our eldest brother is running for vice-director for the Public Rtions Department. All of us have to be there to cheer him up. In the evening, we have to apany our other brother to his friend-making party. Friend-making party? Where? Qin Guan got up in a roll. Wang Lei touched his sses, Its not far from campus. Some students from the Minzu Capital University are hosting it. Really? Can I invite my girlfriend? You have a girlfriend? Wang Lei was surprised by the news. Yes, I forgot to tell you. Ah! Why are you hitting me? Qin Guan covered his head as he ran off. Chapter 39: The Friend-Making Party Chapter 39: The Friend-Making Party Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Wang Lei was speechless. Qin Guan had been in hard pursuit of Cong Nianwei, but little did he know that he would be sessful. He was the first boy in the dormitory to get a girlfriend. Wang Lei had bet that Qin Guan would not get a girlfriend in college. He had lost 100 yuan. Qin Guan finished his washing and called Cong Nianwei before lunch. If the party was in the evening, then she would have spare time. The elections of the student union in the afternoon were extremely boring. There were only two candidates. The Vice Director of the Public Rtions Department was a senior who had no time for the job anymore, so hed asked a freshman or sophomore to rece him. Using his charm, Ye Dong had gotten the position without much effort. He became the youngest Vice Director in the history of their university. As for his application to be a member of the Communist Party? That was a question that Qin Guan, whocked any political consciousness, could not answer, but he knew his application had already been submitted to the University Communist Party Committee. In the evening, Qin Guan met Cong Nianwei at the entrance of the campus and introduced her to his roommates proudly. Under their envious expressions, they held hands with each other brazenly. They walked slowly to the Minzu Capital University, which was located three streets away from their university. The party would be held at the Typhoon Shelter tea house not far from there. At the price of 26 yuan per customer, people could enjoy beverages, cards games and mahjong private cabs. When they arrived at the Typhoon Shelter, the five girls of the other dormitory were already there.They paid at the cashier and ordered several drinks from the menu. Mu Lejiang was quite shy. He had met with the girl sitting opposite him during the train ride back to college, which hadsted 26 hours. Their hometowns were quite near, and the girl was very beautiful. In typical northwestern style, her characteristics were deep and clear, featuring angled eyes and a high-bridge nose. As a Dancing Major at the Minzu Capital University, her figure was excellent. She also had a beautiful name. She was called Ayimina. The key to their acquaintance had been the gigot. During the train ride, she just hadnt been able to ignore Mu Lejiang, who was carrying a big gigot and attracting too much attention. As a curious girl, she had struck up a conversation with the boy and discovered that they unexpectedly got along quite well with each other. Of course, Mu Lejiang had other things in mind, and hed asked her for her telephone number and address.Then he started contacting her daily to hear her news. Ayimina had been annoyed those days. The eldest girl in her dormitory had just just broken up with someone. Her ex-boyfriend though was not a gentleman and he kept harassing her, troubling the girl and annoying her roommates. The girls had pooled their wisdom to try and find a solution. Thats when Mu Lejiang had appeared like a knight in shining armor, promising to help them solve the problem. Thus, he had organized the party and tricked his eldest brother into attending it, so he could pursue Ayimina. Thats right. Mu Lejiang wanted to introduce the eldest girl to Ye Dong. If the two of them hit it off, then the ex-boyfriend will have to step back. Whats more, Ye Dong and I will be dating two sisters [1]. Originally, Ye Dong had been opposed to the n. After going to Typhoon Shelter though, he began to change his mind. Dancers sure are beautiful! Lets forgive the boys their shallowness. They focused only on girls with limited IQ. The atmosphere of the party was quite good. Both Mu Lejiang and Ayimina had feelings for each other. With their help, the members of the two dormitories had soon gotten familiar. Cong Nianwei asked Qin Guan secretly, If you didnt have a girlfriend, would you choose one of those girls? Qin Guan felt that this was the time to show his loyalty, Of course not. A boy like me could only choose you. Among the peaceful atmosphere, they heard a strange voicee from behind them, Ah! So youre cheating on me! Qin Guan turned around and saw a boy standing behind their table, looking furious. He was sneering at the eldest girl, How long has it been since we broke up? How desperate are you? The eldest girl, Guli, looked like she was about to cry. Ayimina couldnt bear it anymore and stood up, pping her hand on the table, Stop cursing, Guli is not in a rtionship with you anymore! Then she pulled Ye Dong over and pointed to the boy, Cant you see? He is Gulis boyfriend. The boy looked crazy as he came up to Ye Dong with red eyes, willing to risk his life. Ye Dong could handle him alone. He looked really weak. They fought for no more than two seconds before the boy was pushed to the ground by Ye Dong. The girls burst intoughter. The boys face was red with anger. He turned around and left without a word. Ayimina softlyforted Guli, You see? I was right. Hell leave you alone if you get a new boyfriend. Ye Dong could fight three guys like him. Qin Guans roommates were also happy, There is hope for our eldest brother. He can win the beauty over. The atmosphere was joyful again. They were just discussing where to have dinner when the bell beside the door rang. They turned around and saw the front hall fill with more than 30 people. Leading them was Gulis ex-boyfriend, who was talking excitedly with a strong-looking man while he pointed at them. Qin Guan pulled Cong Nianwei closer and instructed her, Go around the tables and along the aisle by the wall. Youll find the exit. Theres a back street outside. You return to college. Cong Nianwei considered it for two seconds, Shall we decide on a meeting ce instead? If I go home, Ill only be worried about you. After the matter is settled, Ill go back to college. Qin Guan was taken aback. He felt moved. My girlfriend is so considerate. She is both reasonable and cares about me. Then he nodded, Okay. You go out through the back door and walk along the small hutong. At the end of it, is Weigongcun bar street. Wait for me in the Red Star Bar. Cong Nianwei took her bag from her chair and asked him, Shall I call the police? Qin Guan made a gesture under the table, The staff will call the police. You dont need to call. You might get in trouble. Cong Nianwei joined the onlookers and retreated to walk along the aisle. Qin Guan released a long breath and turned to assess the situation. The group of people had confronted them. They all had various weapons in their hands, including an iron tube and a mop, which they had obviously borrowed from somewhere. Ye Dong was at a stalemate with Gulis ex-boyfriend. The strong-looking man stopped them from saying anything. He poked Ye Dongs chest with the iron tube, Dude, you are not honest. Its not right to steal someone elses girl. [1] In China, from ancient times, husbands of sisters always had a special rtionship because of their wives. There was a special title for these kind of rtives, namely, Lianjin. Chapter 40: The Red Star Bar Chapter 40: The Red Star Bar Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Guli was not afraid as she shouted at her ex-boyfriend loudly, Leave me alone, you stalker! I must have been blind to be your girlfriend! Her ex-boyfriends friends were taken aback and turned to look at him. He seemed a little anxious as he said to the leader urgently, The bitch is ndering me. The leader hesitated a little before he put down his iron tube. Pointing to Gulis ex-boyfriend, he said to Ye Dong, I have no idea who is right here. All I know is that hes my friend, and youre not. I believe him. Gulis ex-boyfriend was so d, he raised his chin arrogantly and looked at her proudly. Qin Guan knew that things would get bad that day. He looked at the girls again. He was worried about them getting injured. The unfair fight was about to begin. Li Jie suddenly walked out from behind the crowd. Pointing at the strong mans nose, he said in an imposing manner in his Sichuan Province ent, F*ck you, idiot! The strong man looked confused with what he had said. Li Jie took advantage of his confusion and jumped into action. Using his flexible short figure, he ran under the strong mans armpit like a cunning snake moving out of its hole. He rushed through crowd, jumped out of the ring of encirclement and reached the street outside Typhoon Shelter. Finally, he disappeared into the flow of cars. Well done! Li Jie had made a sessful escape. Lets stand up together and apud him for his courage! The atmosphere insite had gotten strangely silent. Some onlookers couldnt help butugh. Qin Guan was left speechless when a small ball of soil flew in from outside, urately hitting the leader of the gang on the head. It bounced off his hair and fell to the ground. Qin Guanughed. They all looked and saw Li Jie with leaves of Chinese ilex on his body, a pile of soil in his arms and a small ball of soil in his hand. They immediately knew where the soil hade from. Before the leader could say anything, Li Jie threw a second ball. You could tell he was a straight-A student. After calcting urately all contributing factors, including the distance between the two of them, the eleration of gravity, the parabolic inertial and so on, his aim was spot on. The second ball hit the leaders hair again. You bastard! Veins appeared on the guys temple as a third ball flew over. There was a loud, clear sound as it hit him. Everyone was surprised by the sound. The third ball had been quiterge in size, but how could it have produced a sound like that? The ball of soil fell down and rolled on the floor. As the soil on the surface fell away, the stone inside was exposed. The leader shouted angrily at Li Jie, You bastard! You dare hide a stone inside? Stay right there! Dont run! Forgetting his original n, the leader chased Li Jie with his iron tube. Some of his best friends followed. Five or six out of the 30 of them disappeared. Qin Guan looked helplessly at Li Jie, who ran away after attacking. His enemies looked even more helpless. They stared at the ex-boyfriend and seemed to be asking him silently, Who are they indeed? And why cant they follow fighting protocol? They would have to stretch their definition of fighting protocol. Liu Xiaoyang jumped in and said, Hey, I havent even said anything yet. Do you sons of bitches even know the rules? Pointing to the people opposite him, he went on, This is a business ce. If the waiter called the police, everyone would get into trouble. ording to the rules, we shouldnt hurt innocent bystanders. Lets take this outside. Their opponents didnt want to cause any trouble, either. All of them went out of the Typhoon Shelter and walked to the edge of the road. The two parties were at a stalemate. Mu Lejiang asked the girls to leave. Ayimina was a little worried, and Guli didnt want to hide from her problems. Qin Guan and the other boys persuaded them to go to their campus so they could ensure the girls safety. Realizing that the girls were about to leave, Gulis ex-boyfriend prepared to block them. His aim was his ex-girlfriend. Liu Xiaoyang was at the peak of his excitement. He wouldnt let the chief culprit go. He blocked the ex-boyfriend, pointed to the group and asked, Hey, all of you, do you know the rules here in the capital? You have to dere your opponent first! He looked like a middle school student with his baby fat and short arms and legs, but he acted like he was the Godfather. They allughed so loudly, they nearly dropped their weapons. Qin Guans roommates looked at each other to decide whether they stood a chance. Qin Guan pulled Liu Xiaoyang from behind and shouted loudly, Run! Scatter! They all turned around and ran in different directions. The 20-plus people looked at each other and finally at Gulis ex-boyfriend. He looked quite anxious. I called so many people for help. Is it over already? The rest of them were thinking to themselves, Its not like we know the guy, we just came here because our leader told us to. Grinding his teeth, the ex-boyfriend said, Lets chase them separately. They divided into groups of four and five and followed their opponents. As for the ex-boyfriend, he headed to Gulis college instead. He had shrewdly foreseen that he would take a beating if he stayed. There was a long distance between Qin Guan and his pursuers, which made things easier for him. After hiding several times, he had shaken almost everyone off. There were only two people following him when he arrived at the Red Star Bar. Qin Guan pushed the door open and found Cong Nianwei sitting at the table closest to the bar. She was listening to the bar singer ying folk music while she rested her face on her hands. Qin Guan plopped down on a chair by the table. He let out a relieved breath and clicked his fingers to summon the waiter, A bottle of Budweiser Beer. Gee, Qin Guan, youre so rxed. There are two people chasing you, and youre in the mood for beer? The two men entered the bar holding an iron tube and two wooden clubs. They spotted Qin Guan as soon as they went in. They got ready to give him a lesson. Before they could step forward though, they were pressed to the ground by the people sitting around the two tables by the door. All they could see was a thick golden chain swaying before their eyes, shining. The owner of the bar hit their heads, which were pressed against the floor, while he said fiercely, You little jerks! Where are you from? Youre so brave, huh? You dare try to make trouble in my bar? In Wang Hailiangs bar? They were both in a daze. How could the young guys have known who Wang Hailiang was? Qin Guan took a sip of his beer,y down on the table andughed secretly. Chapter 41: A Successful Meeting Chapter 41: A Sessful Meeting Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The local bum children followed their eldest brother, who protected their profitable business. The had divided their sphere of influence clearly, and those who dared make trouble in their territory caused them to lose face. They would fight the intruders to death. Qin Guan had been to the Weigongcun bar street in his past life. The street was under the influence of Wang Hailiang, the owner of the Red Star Bar. Cong Nianwei poked Qin Guan, Did you know the rules around here? Qin Guan gave her a meaningful smile and raised his eyebrows proudly. He held her soft hand and told her, Sit back and watch the show. Qin Guan was just starting to feel proud when a man from Wang Hailiangs table came over, holding a cigarette in his mouth. He knocked on Qin Guans table. Young guy, is this your affair? Qin Guan looked up, a mouthful of beer sprinkling out from his nostrils. It was Bu Qinglu, the bum child beside the Landai Bar. Qin Guan coughed while Bu Qinglu continued, Well done! I see you have a new girlfriend. What? Qin Guan coughed more heavily. Cong Nianwei turned her head and pinched Qin Guans leg. Qin Guan immediately exined to Bu Qinlu, You must have made a mistake, brother. The girl you sawst time was my student. This is my girlfriend. Bu Qinglu patted Qin Guans shoulder in understanding and asked, Every time Ie across you, youre in trouble. What happened this time? Before Qin Guan could exin, Wang Hailiang came over, his golden chain swaying as he walked. He greeted Bu Qinglu and then said, Whats going on? Do you know him? Wheres he from? Bu Qinglu pressed his cigarette into the ashtray and lit another two for Wang Hailiang and himself. This young man must have heard of you and your bar. He used you to protect himself. Qin Guan smiled shyly at them. Wang Hailiang looked quite proud as he asked Qin Guan, Where are you from, young man? Have you heard of my reputation? You sure are giving me face. Qin Guan nodded quickly. Brother Wang, I study at the Capital University of Finance and Economics. I just sought your help when I was in trouble. Wang Hailiang turned around and asked in confusion, Is there some kind of society in that university? Bu Qinglu was speechless with his IQ. He says hes a student at that university, but he must have known you from somewhere. The boy is interesting, to say the least. Wang Hailiangughed loudly and pped on the table. He gave Qin Guan the thumbs-up. Boy, you must be a top student. Alright, if you trust me, Ill protect you. Qin Gun hastened to nod and reply, All right. Ill buy you a drink. Thank you for helping me today. Bullshit! You dont need to pay in my bar. This is my treat. Qin Guan smiled again. He paid obeisance to Bu Qinglu and Wang Hailiang by cupping one hand into the other in front of his chest. The two of them went off to do something. Not long after, two bottles of Budweiser and a can of Coke were served to his table. He also got a box of popcorn as a gift from a smiling waiter. Wang Hailiang released the two men. He let them go with a warning, but kept their clubs. They both looked innocent while they ran away. What on earth just happened? This doesnt make any sense. There had been tens of people with us, but only the two of us were left. The guy who called us disappeared. We shall not forgive him! The two of them joined the club of people wanting to beat Gulis ex-boyfriend. Qin Guan finished his beer and realized that it waste. He bought a hamburger and a spicy drumstick at the McDonalds across the street, and then hailed down a taxi to send Cong Nianwei back to campus. When Cong Nianwei opened the door, Qin Guan suddenly embraced her from behind,forting her, Little Wei, dont be afraid! Cong Nianwei stamped on Qin Guans foot and got in the taxi. She waved her fist at Qin Guan while she shut the door. Qin Guan massaged his foot as he watched the Xiali taxi drive off. He was both in pain and happy at the same time. Nearly all the taxis in the capital had changed. The yellow minibuses had retreated to the rural-urban area, leaving the urban area to the red Xiali cars. Qin Guan stuck his hands into his pockets, humming random songs as he walked back to collegezily. Wang Lei poked his head from behind a trash can in a residential area half a block away from college. He looked around and found nobody there. The street was silent. Wang Lei stood up and threw off a vegetable leaf hanging from his head. Where are you, you annoying cat? Why are you looking for food in a trash can while Im hiding there? The human and the cat were at a stalemate, the trash can the only thing separating them. When Qin Guan arrived, he found Wang Lei staring at the cat angrily. He shouted at Wang Lei from afar, What are you doing here? Did you just escape? Ignoring the cat, Wang Lei walked with Qin Guan back to campus. I threw them off. Why are you alone? I was waiting here, but I didnt see the others passing by. Qin Guan told Wang Lei, Lets wait for them in the dormitory. Whats that smelling from you? Whats that smell? Its the smell of a trash can. By the time Wang Lei finished washing in the bathroom and returned to their dormitory, Liu Xiao Yang, Mu Lejiang and Ye Dong had also returned. The only one missing was Li Jian. His roommates were starting to worry about him. They owed their sessful escape to Li Jian, who had attracted most of their enemys hatred. He was weak physically, but his spirit was brave. The leaders hostility had been focused mainly on him, so the pursuers must have chased him relentlessly. They were just thinking about looking for Li Jian outside when he came back, humming a nameless tune. He looked safe and sound. There was only some soil on his clothes. After throwing the soil balls with the stones inside, he had observed his surroundings and escaped fast to the taxi stop at the crossing not far from there. The strong-looking man had been ashamed and angry. He had fixed his eyes on the taxi, which had been about to start. Luck only favoured the well-prepared. Li Jian got in a taxi sessfully, and drove around for a while before returning to college. After dinner, he slowly returned to their dormitory. Sitting in their dormitory, they looked at each other and burst intoughter. This had been some dramatic girl-chasing, but the oue had been spectacr. Not long after, the phone in the dormitory rang. Mu Lejiang and Ayimina had an intimate conversation. They actually became a couple while Ye Dong confessed that he preferred girls from Northeast China. They are all sensible young guys! Qin Guan thought to himself. With so many clever boys around, he felt some pressure. Although they were freshmen, they were already considering the chance of a long-distance rtionship. The affair faded in time, adding an interesting experience to their college life. .................. Qin Guan was really busy. His weekends were upied by Professor Li. He had stepped into the windiest learning stage of artistic conception, atmosphere and idea, which demanded the students own understanding. Retentive memory didnt work at the time. It all depended on personal understanding. Chapter 42: Photo Studio Models Chapter 42: Photo Studio Models Trantor: Lan Editor: - - For Qin Guans free spirit, that kind of training was real training. Of course, he needed to adjust to the tedious courses. Youre wondering how he adjusted, arent you? He would do his favourite work, making money! Sister Xue managed to squeeze into his tight training schedule a small job, a sample photoshoot gig for a photo studio. Qin Guan hadnt known the difference between a sample photoshoot and a formal poster shoot until he got to the makeup room of the studio. First, the makeup artist applied a thickyer of powder on his face. The rouge and powder were pasted on his face, making him look quite ufortable. Qin Guan had to wear severalyers of clothes. A shirt, a waistcoat, western-style clothes that, inbination with the hotmps above, would make any model sweat. Qin Guan was so hot, he could feel sweat stream down his back. For fear that the sweat would influence the effect of the photos, the makeup assistant fixed his make-up with a powder puff again and again. Qin Guan felt like there was a powder mask on his face. First, they took solo photos of him. His poses were quite simple. He stood against the decorative perg with his head slightly bent forward and his neck exposed. Then he turned around to show his sides. After several clicks, the photos were done. The next series was even simpler. Qin Guan sat on a chair with his legs crossed, both his elbows on the armrests of the chair, and his hands crossed. The theme of the photoshoot was royalty, and Qin Guans clothes were edged with rollingce. The loose western-style clothes were clipped around his back by the assistant to make them fit better and set off his slim waist. It took him a total of ten minutes to finish the first two series of photos. A female model showed up for the next one. In the first series they shot together, the female model sat on a chair while Qin Guan stood behind her, holding onto the back of her chair. His body was leaning forward like he was embracing her from behind. The pose was quite simple, and the photographer captured it easily. In the second series, they had to stare at each other with deep affection. Qin Guan had to put his arm around the models waist, and she had to put her hand on Qin Guans shoulder. They got prepared as the assistant arranged the long hem of the dress properly in European style. The hem was spread around the ground in a beautiful arc. The photographer checked the indoor lighting through his lens and said, Okay, models get ready. Face each other. Right. Good! Look at each other with love. Qin Guan looked down and noticed the girls false eyshes mixing with her real ones. They were sticking together like a flys legs, making him want tough. Meanwhile, the female model was thinking to herself happily, My partner is so handsome this time, much better than my usual partners. She was daydreaming about a potential love story while they worked. Suddenly, Qin Guan burst into inappropriateughter during the photoshoot. The girl was so angry, her face turned grey. Sister Xue covered her face helplessly. Qin Guan was acting silly again! She immediately waved Qin Guan over and warned him, Can you be more serious? Do you remember Professor Lis words? Qin Guan coughed somberly and answered, No matter the conditions, I should remember and stick to professional model integrity, which consists of seriousness and concentration. Sister Xue pped him on the back, Then why did youugh? You pissed me off again! After getting beaten by Sister Xue, Qin Guan walked back on set. He made a shy bow to the photographer and smiled at the female model apologetically, Im sorry for my mistake. Ill ask the assistant to redo your makeup after the photoshoot. I didnt mean for that to happen. The female model was still confused when Qin Guan suddenly found the right feeling. Its simple to express deep love. I will just imagine shes Cong Nianwei. Lets do this. The photographer shouted to the models, Okay, look at each other with deep love. Good! Young man, look down a little. Well done! Click, click. The series were finished smoothly. When Qin Guan moved on to the next shoot, the female model was still there, lost in thought. At the photographers request, Qin Guans eyes filled with emotion. He looked at her as if he had something to say, but something was stopping him. The female model was lost in his emotional gaze. Under the photographers instructions, Qin Guan changed his expression at once and left without any dy. Before the female model knew what had happened, he had disappeared. When the assistant came over to remind her to change into the second costume, she remembered something and pulled on the assistants arm, Where is the dresser? I need to redo my make-up. The assistant looked scared and pointed at the makeup room in a hurry. While she got her makeup redone, the girl realized why Qin Guan hadughed. The false eyshes had twoyers ofshes, and as a result made her eyelids look like they had threeyers. Although at post production she might not even recognize herself in the photos, the dresser should still have been more careful. When her makeup was done, she changed into her costume. Qin Guan was already dressed. He was wearing a formal European-style suit in royal blue, double-breasted with firm pads on his shoulders. His jodhpurs were stuffed loosely into his long ck riding boots. Qin Guan looked like a soldier in an oil painting of the Middle Ages. Qin Guans work for that day would be finished after one more series with the female model. They shot against a dark yellow curtain to show the feeling of times past. In Qin Guans opinion, the photo studio endeavoured to create the atmosphere of a blockbuster film starring ordinary people. The setting was pretty simple, but their costumes featured great attention to detail. The female model was standing in the middle with a long European-style dress supported by an iron pannier. She also wore a corset and a waist girdle. Qin Guan lowered his head to kiss the girls hand, bending down on one knee. He kept that pose for five whole minutes before he moved on to the next one. After the work of the morning was finished, Qin Guan washed the thick powder off his face with a deep cleansing oil provided by the studio. Finally, his skin could breathe. (He would have to put makeup on again after lunch.) Sitting in the dressing room, Sister Xue talked with Qin Guan about his ns for the future. The studio will divide your payment into two parts. For indoor shooting, youll get only 600 yuan. The outdoor shooting will be more troublesome, so they will pay you 2700 yuan. These jobs are mainly print media photoshoots. Professor Li said that you shouldnt walk the T stage yet, so there will only be one exhibition meeting and a poster in the first half year. You should study carefully in your spare time. When Professor Li thinks that you have finished your courses, she will make an arrangement for you. Qin Guan was taken aback and asked, How about you? Sister Xue nced at him helplessly. Professor Li said that if you finish her courses sessfully, I could be your private guide. Qin Guan looked at her with sympathy. But then you wouldnt make much money. I can only work on weekends. Sister Xue didnt drop her idea though and tried to persuade him, Think about it, Qin Guan. Models have a bright future. Professor Li and I have enough contacts, so you wouldnt starve. Qin Guan told her seriously, Im preparing to take my ounting certificate in sophomore year. Then Im nning on working onmercial ounts for others. When I have two years of working experience, I will be able to take the exam to be a certified public ountant. My roommates and I have decided that well be self-employed as soon as we graduate. My dream is to build a business empire with my bare hands. Being a model is just not enough for me. Sister Xues lips quivered. She wanted to go have a smoke outside to see if there were any cows flying in the sky [1]. Qin Guan didnt want to say much more. He just waited for his lunchbox happily. It was the end of the morning shoot. Everythings been smooth, hasnt it? Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] She thought Qin was bragging. Chapter 43: The Cathedral Church Chapter 43: The Cathedral Church Trantor: Lan Editor: - - The assistant brought them their takeaway lunchboxes. Sister Xue took two and handed one to Qin Guan. Qin Guan sighed at the box in his hand. The white foam stic material was so unhealthy [1]. Opening the box, he sighed again. At that time, lunchboxes were really made with care. As a chain lunchbox business, Lihua Quick Meal had initially started as a small kitchen before it began its hard journey through the capital, equipped with only a couple of phone lines and a few delivery men. It cost only ten yuan for a whole box of rice, a portion of meat fried celery, chicken leg stew and a fried egg. Taste aside, that price was quite reasonable. Sister Xue talked with Qin Guan while she ate, Did you decide about what Professor Li told youst time? Swallowing the celery in his mouth, Qin Guan answered, I could only do part-time jobs. Whats the difference between signing a contract and not signing one, anyway? Arent you afraid of destroying your reputation? He swallowed another mouthful of rice before he added, Plus, after signing the contract, you can only work for one person. I wont have that much spare time. You might starve because of me. The sinister smile of a businessman formed on Sister Xues face. She waved her index finger in front of him and said, No, no, no. I could make more money by working just for you. Qin Guan thought while he ate. He waited curiously to hear her exnation. Dont you know that, Qin Guan? Models are divided into different sses like merchants in the market. She excitedly picked up a cigarette. Then she remembered that she was in the studio, and just kept it between her fingers. The levels of models, from bottom to top, are Untrained, C, B, A, A+ and Top Models. Their value and ie depend on their level. You know you are at the bottom now as an untrained model. I can only get you small gigs, like third-rate poster shoots and exhibitions. T stage shows are monopolized by the big talent agencies. Unless youre a top model, you can only dream of performing on a T show. Qin Guan swallowed thest mouthful of rice and asked, Why you are so confident about me? Im only a greenhorn doing part-time jobs. Sister Xue suddenlyy t on the sofa helplessly. If Professor Li says you can do it, then you should be able to. Im a little afraid, in fact. Qin Guanughed and patted her on the shoulder. Ill talk with Professor Li next time I see her. Ill think it over. After everyone finished lunch, the assistants packed up all the costumes and props and carried them to their car. They followed the studio car to Xizhimen in a formidable formation. The site was the Xizhimen Cathedral Church, which was quite close to Qin Guans college. People always called it the Western Church. It was one of the four cathedral churches in Beijing, located at 133 Xizhimennei Street in the Xicheng District. Being the newest and smallest out of the four churches, it was the only one that hadnt been built by the Society of Jesus. The car arrived at the entrance of the church. They arranged the equipment and props, and folded out the chairs and dressing table into their proper ces. The old guard opened the gate for them, the key quivering in his hands. Before he left, he reminded everyone, You have only one afternoon. Be careful and dont cause any damages inside. Qin Guan got out of Sister Xues car and observed the church carefully. In his past life, he had lived in the capital for so many years, yet he had never visited it. He walked slowly to the main gate. The Lady of Mount Carmel Church, was a Gothic building with independent clock towers. On the entrance wall, Qin Guan found a stone tablet with the history of the Western Church carved on it. The tablet inscription read as follows. Tablet Record of the Rebuilding of the Lady of Mount Carmel Church May our holy religion always protect themon people. In thousands of years, our church has experienced both prosperity and hardship. Fortunately, the Lords mercy and spirit were always with us. May the Lord continue to be with us... The surface of the building was covered in thick ivy. The whole church looked impressivepared to the buildings surrounding it. The front north wall was connected to the original north wall, and the Cerro San Cristobal was indoors. It was actually the only indoor Cerro San Cristobal in Beijing. The mottled clock tower had copsed, leaving only one octagon abutment at the second floor, north of the main body of the church. Visitors could feel the aesthetic of the broken, ancient building. The photographer put his equipment into ce. First, they would take the outdoor photos. Qin Guan wore an orthodox wedding costume with white gloves. The ancient double-row European-style cuffs were shining bright under the sunshine. He gently put his hand against the wall of the church. The white glove and pied cyan bricks created a sharp contrast, like a scroll travelling through time to show people a picture of times past. Qin Guan looked calmly ahead, picturing the future. He seemed to be waiting for his lover in the silent afternoon. There was a lot of light and wind, so the photographer had to change his angle several times. It took longer than the indoor shooting, but Qin Guan still finished the photos easily. There were only two series of indoor photos left to shoot. They waited until the female model had finished her photos at the front door of the church, and then the assistant pushed the ancient, squeaking gate open and they entered the church. Qin Guan was surprised by the scene inside. What a sharp contrast! With its tall Corinth pirs and pinnacle windows, the inner part of the church was grand and gorgeous. Rows of wooden benches were shining with paint. The European relieves on the pirs and their colourful ze were unparalleled in beauty. The long aisle was covered with a red carpet. Qin Guan and the female model were standing by the benches, one in front, the other in the back, their heads turned as they looked at the photographer. The white pirs, red benches and ck curtains behind them added a mysterious atmosphere to the whole picture. They adjusted their expressions and smiled at the lens at the photographers request. The photos were finished without trouble. In thest series of photos, Qin Guan had to kiss the girls hand in front of the sacrificial altar. He bent his tall figure and touched his lips to the back of the girls hand, which was covered by ace glove. Through the lens, the picture looked quite beautiful. Four golden praying vases were around them. The white sacrificial altar and round vault looked intimidating. Wearing a ck swallow-tailed costume, Qin Guan kissed the bride carefully and sincerely. His long, straight legs and slender waist made women crazy. The photographer was quite satisfied. The models are very dedicated to their work. They do whatever I ask them to. The sample photos are ready for the customers. Beauty is our priority. A nameless model who insists on disying their charm and features would look ridiculous in these photos. Customers would not be interested in that. In China, the material of throw-away lunchboxes used to be white foam stic, which was harmful to peoples health. About 20 years ago, it was changed to more healthy materials nationwide. Chapter 44: Nations of Mi and Cowboy 【1】 Chapter 44: Nations of Mi and Cowboy 1 Trantor: Lan Editor: - - The photos were finished. The person in charge paid Sister Xue for the day and expressed his wish to coborate with them again. You see, with enough seriousness, we get good results. Qin Guan entered his dormitory and copsed on his bed. He was tired after working the whole day. He closed his eyes to rest his mind while he considered the contract. Actually, signing a contract with Sister Xue will make no difference. Sister Xue will still find jobs for me just like she is now. Will it have any other influence on my life? I dont think so. On the contrary, my life will be more regr. Qin Guan couldnt imagine bing a superstar. He was still on the way to bing a qualified ountant, which was a much more down-to-earth career path. His roommates came back one after the other while he was lost in thought. Liu Xiaoyang was about to climb into bed when he suddenly looked down and noticed Qin Guans face. With a cry, he jumped off thedder, pointed at Qin Guans face and said, Reveal your true identity, vampire! I cant be wrong. Only your legendary race could be born with such a face. Show your true colours, you evil creature! Qin Guan touched his face helplessly and felt powder on his hand. He had forgotten to clean his face before Sister Xue had driven him back to college. He got up and beat Liu Xiaoyang before he picked up his facial cleanser and went to the washing room. He had to wash his face thoroughly three times before he felt clean. ............................... What happened in the first half of 1999? A lot. There was a conflict between the over-confident Cowboy Nation and the Han Dynasty. College students all around the country were excited. They were angry and loud. The battle has begun! Let the storme! Hot-blooded students were considering participating in the war. We need some weapons! Its rumored that the people of the Cowboy Nation are quite strong. It was a windy night and the moon was shining dimly. Headed by the QH Student Union, the backbone of different colleges sneaked to an alley beside the Cowboy Embassy under the cover of the night. Actually, the real story went like this: It was early in the evening, and people getting off work were heading home for dinner, when several sinister young men with worn backpacks containing bricks prepared to knock down some Cowboys. They waited until the gate of the embassy opened and the staff members left the building. Then they separated to take action. Ye Dong waved to Qin Guan and the others, signaling for them to follow a tall Cowboy with blond hair and blue eyes. You didnt read wrong. As a leader of the Student Union of the Capital University of Finance and Economics, Ye Dong was the leader among a group of weak workmates. He had been selected as a representative of his college to participate in a joint activity of college students from all over the capital. Returning to their dormitory, Ye Dong felt restless. If they relied on his partners girlfriend, they could get exposed. Good brothers shared each others fortunes, so Ye Dong allowed his roommates to join. The six young men discussed it and thought of a safe n that they were confident would work. Following the man, they had already crossed the street and walked into the alley beside it that Liu Xiaoyang had already checked. When they were done, they could head through the alley to the Ritan Park and escape into the night. The man entered the alley. Ye Dong waved his hand. The girl kept watch outside as the six of them covered their faces with ck cloths andunched themselves at the man. They pressed him to the ground and beat him with their bags and fists. Basile was confused. He had just been walking home peacefully when several masked men had attacked him and started to beat him. He was in horror as he shouted for his life, Ill give you my money! Stop, please! Liu Xiaoyang kicked him and said, Were not robbers. Ill let you know when your death is near. Remember, you bastard. You Cowboys will never do as you want. The people of the Han Dynasty are courageous and upright! Basile looked like he was about to cry. Im not from the Cowboy Nation! Im from the Fragrance Nation! His Chinese ent sounded strangely like he was from Northeast China. By then, the students had realized that something was wrong. Ye Dong poked him with a small stick. Can you show us an ID? Quivering, Basile took his wallet out of his pocket and drew a Fragrance Nation driving licence out. Qin Guan nced at the licence. It read Basile. Thats really a Fragrance name. They looked at each other. What now? Wang Lei acted quick. He took the licence and handed it back to Basile. Dude, have you heard of the recent conflict between the Cowboy Nation and the Han Dynasty? Basile nodded. Wang Lei continued his story, You lucky dog, do you know how many Cowboy Nation people have been beaten to death in this very alley? Basile shook his head again. Wang Lei sighed, Nine, including seven Cowboy men and two Clock-Tower men. People with blond hair and blue eyes get killed because they look like Cowboy men. He bent down to pat Basiles shoulder encouragingly before he went on, Do you know how lucky you are? Thank god you revealed your nationality, or you would have died for no reason. Basile suddenly felt happy for his luck. Wang Lei talked him into dying his hair ck. You will be safe if you follow my suggestion. Youll avoid people mistaking you again. Others may not let you go as easily as we did. The six students patted his shoulder one by one courageously and left the alley quietly. They called for the girl keeping watch at the end of the alley and ran fast toward Ritan Park. They sat on a bench in the park and took off the ck cloths, looking at each other while theyughed. What the hell was that? Hunger often followed joy. They forgot their original purpose and decided to have a good meal to celebrate their sess. The girl couldnt bear to remind them that they had achieved nothing that day. Looking at their shining eyes, she didnt open her mouth. Besides, they nned to take her along with them, so she just followed them happily. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] To maintain world peace, all nations mentioned in this chapter were given a nickname. Chapter 45: Eldest Brother’s Day Chapter 45: Eldest Brothers Day Trantor: Lan Editor: - - Basiles ent had reminded them of the dishes of Northeastern China that they wanted to taste. Fortunately, there was a Northeastern restaurant on Jinbao street, not far away. The seven students were sitting around a big table. Ye Dong was in charge of ordering. As a big fellow from the Northeastern part of China, he was a better judge of the dishes of his hometown. As soon as the dishes were served, they all seemed to lose their reserved manners. The girl from the student union was surprised by the scene before her. Hey you, Qin Guan! Pass me the sweet and sour pork! Youre so greedy! Loosen your chopsticks a bit. Wang Lei and Qin Guan were fighting over a piece of sweet and sour pork. Ye Dong, will you eat the table with a handful of cumin? You are so greedy! I dare you to eat thatst blood sausage! F*ck, you really ate it. If Ma Yun [1] offered you ten million yuan to eat sh*t, youd eat until he went bankrupt. For a blood sausage, Liu Xiaoyang would mention sh*t on the dining table. The girl covered her face, not saying a word. Mu Lejiang and Li Jie were reciting poems on other side of table. Theybined sentences from traditional Chinese poems and names of dishes [2], making the othersugh with their jokes. What talented people! They even made poems for food! Ye Dongs roommates were quite intimidating. The girl stole a nce at Ye Dong and blushed slightly. He looks so bold. A good man indeed. Congrattions were due to Ye Dong, who had unbeknownst to him won a girls heart over. As an expert on love affairs, Li Jie could tell just by looking at her. Actually, Ye Dong had been festering some feelings for the girl. They were both in the Public Rtions Society. One of them was in charge of internal affairs, while the other took care of external affairs. They had met each other at work, and Ye Dong had taken the initiative and asked her to join them in that activity. The most important reason he liked her was her hometown. She also came from the Northeastern part of China. However, Ye Dong would never confess his wicked intentions. Her height fits me well, too. Generally speaking, people from Northeastern China were tall. Ye Dong was 1.90 cm, and matched well Yang Jing, who was 1.70 cm tall. Yang Jing was the name of the girl. Her name was elegant and silent, although she was quite rash and hasty. Ye Dong was obsessed with her. He had been mentioning her to his roommates for a long time. You know, today Yang Jing... His roommates were tired of hearing her name. They had finally met her in person that day. Li Jin thought there was hope for Ye Dong and he kept encouraging him, Eldest brother, why dont you bring Yang Jing a cup of tea? The girl worked for us today. We should thank her for her effort. Ye Dong blushed heavily. His face had nearly turned purple. Pushed by the others, he walked up to Yang Jing, his hands and feet perfectly coordinated. He took the white teapot and poured a cup of tea for Yang Jing, who was also looking embarrassed. She took a sip. The others were shouting, Cross your cups! Cross your cups! Yang Jing nearly buried her face under the table as Ye Dong rushed to beat them up. There was a mess on the table, but the atmosphere was quite merry. The hanging moon felt ashamed on behalf of those shameless guys and furtively hid behind the dark clouds. The seven students with their shabby backpacks were walking under the light of the streetmps on their way back to college. Their stomachs were filled with Northeastern dishes, and they were all feeling warm. The conflict with the Cowboy nation was over, all that fuss aplishing very little. For college students, it had been a small change in their lives. Their main goal was still the exam. Several subjects had been finished in advance before the summer vacation. The tutor had knocked on the name list with a subtle smile to reveal his dangerous intentions. The attendance rate had unexpectedly taken up 25% of the final score, which had made his ss dissolve in uproar. Some people had been happy while others had been worried. Qin Guan and Wang Lei had remained calm. They were both on the way to bing straight-A students. Some of their ssmates, who had made a lot of effort at thest moment, surrounded Wang Lei to ask to copy his notebook. Taking the chance, Qin Guan sneaked away. If they saw Qin Guans notebook, they might beat him to death. There was only an outline inside it. The whole course was already over and he had only taken one page of notes. How could he get a full schrship with such a notebook? No one would believe him. Qin Guan had to run away with his notebook. Sister Xue called him just as he was entering the dormitory. She had found a job for him at a mini car exhibition. The model just had to stand the whole day. The payment was only so-so. It was 1,500 yuan. It was difficult for her to get him jobs, because Qin Guan could only work on weekends. He had to take training courses and tutor a girl in the evenings. Professor Li had forced her to work only for Qin Guan, so she had to take all possible jobs unless she wanted to starve. Qin Guan had no idea about her bitterness. He thought 1,000 yuan per day was quite a good pay. Since the Spring Festival, he had made nearly 10,000 yuan. He read the short message and called Cong Nianwei to ask her if she would like to pay him a visit. He got through, but five minutester, his hand was hanging down in disappointment. Cong Nianwei was busy. He had been relentlessly rejected once again. ......... Take it easy, he said to himself. But on the day of the car exhibition, he was in an even worse mood. He been hurt on both a physical and emotional level, and he was feeling humiliated. Weizi [3] paid no attention to me. The bus has arrived at the terminal stop, and Im just standing on the yellow ground. Where is that sted exhibition? He couldnt get through to Sister Xue. Qin Guan was looking around nkly when a tricycle suddenly appeared like God descending from Heaven. The driver smiled warmly at Qin Guan. Hisrge front teeth were visible through his open mouth. Young man, where are you going? My Savior! Qin Guan asked him right away, How can I get to the Manyoufu Garage? Is that the one at Siyuanqiao Market selling Automobile essories? Qin Guan nodded, Exactly. The old man showed him five fingers. Ill take you there for five yuan. Qin Guan pressed two of his fingers down. Three yuan, and were leaving right away. The old man looked surprised. You know how to do business. Fine, get on the tricycle! Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Ma Yun: One of the richest men in China. [2] For example: Moons down, crows cry and frost fills all the sky Sauted sweet corn with pine nuts and fried potato, green pepper and eggnt. It was hard to understand if I trante them literally. So, I made a summary. [3] Weizi: Nickname for Cong Nianwei. Chapter 46: The Automobile Accessories Market Chapter 46: The Automobile essories Market Trantor: Lan Editor: - - Qin Guan got on the backseat of the tricycle proudly. Im familiar with the prices at the time. The tricycle dashed forward on the unsurfaced road, leaving a yellow smoke behind. When he arrived, Qin Guan understood why Sister Xue had not answered his call. The ce was quite far from the centre of city, with no direct bus line. Half the site of the market was still under construction. The man hosting the car exhibition had bought a bunch of new cars and organized the event to promote himself. The market was also supporting his effort, because the ce was indeed remote for residents of the capital. Qin Guan did not remember the ce himself until he had reached his destination. When it waspleted, the Siyuanqiao Market for Automobile essories would be one of thergest markets for automobile essories in Beijing. At 26,000 square meters, the market would contain more than 500 powerful business units. The owner of Manyoufu Garage was quite a cunning man. After changing clothes in the office, Qin Guan was appointed by the staff to a white Jetta car. Wearing a ck waistcoat, a white shirt, pants and bow tie, Qin Guan looked like a waiter in a western restaurant. The assistant of the garage thanked him for his understanding. The suit had been borrowed by his wife from a hotel. The exhibition was outdoors, and a poster of the garage was hanging in the back. Two Jettas, three Santanas and a Skoda were being exhibited. These were the most popr car types in 1999 in the capital. There was a model standing next to each of the six cars. They all had young, rustic faces and tookplicated poses as they stood by their appointed car with pride. Sister Xue covered her face. I cant believe I picked such a job for Qin Guan. Although right now he is just an untrained model, he is a beloved student of Professor Li and the only model I work for. With such an outstanding figure and appearance, he cant be seen with such low-level models. Sister Xue felt sick as her imagination ran wild. She picked up her bag and waved Qin Guan over, We cant stay here. It was a mistake. These models are too low-level to be seen with you, she said urgently. Qin Guan stopped her as she was about to leave. He smiled and said, You have taught me that, no matter the situation, a good model should always withstand the pressure and finish his designed work, as set by the employer. But... I know youre thinking for me, but I think this is nothing. The cars are pretty good. Although theyre family cars, theyre good quality. If the products are good, thats enough for me. Just dont ask me to promote anything outrageous. He made aforting gesture at Sister Xue and returned to his car to wait for the opening ceremony. Except for Qin Guan, who had been introduced by his independent agent, all the other models hade from the same small agency. The owner of Manyoufu Garage had selected them for their low price. The difference between the models was 1,500 yuan versus 200 yuan. Sister Xue had mixed feelings, but the bald owner recognized Qin Guan at first nce. Hes definitely worth the money. The owner called his assistant over and murmured something to him. The assistant nodded, ran to the Skoda, and said something to the model standing there before he pulled him to Qin Guans car. Pointing at the champagne-colored Skoda, he told Qin Guan, My boss thinks its more suitable for you. There, the champagne one. You can be in charge of it. Qin Guan nodded in agreement before he went to stand by the car. The owner was quite pleased with the effect. He was indeed a noble-looking young man. His colouring looked very attractive among the red, white and ck cars. Sure enough, not long after the exhibition had opened, customers in the market discovered it, undoubtedly attracted by Qin Guan. They had seen what looked like a top show model leaning against a strange champagne-colored car. The brand of the car was also new to them. Skoda was a neer to the capital. They gathered around to look at the car, asking the price and applying for a test drive. Qin Guans salesmen were the busiest. The other salesmen were so envious, they wished Qin Guan was their model. The boss was really happy with the result. He touched his bald head as he thought, What did the Skoda agency say exactly? How much will they pay me for one order? My head has not been working so well after I went bald. After standing there the whole morning, Qin Guans leg began to cramp. I cant rest while Im surrounded by an audience. My cheeks are stiff from smiling. Making money is hard. Sister Xue was massaging his shanks. She was a professional masseuse, able to relieve any tense muscles. Sister Xue had been quite busy those days. She had gotten a certificate in professional health care. Lunch had been prepared in arge canteen cauldron. It was the garages treat. There wasnt a lunch box nearby, but the assistant had bought dishes from the small restaurant at the entrance of the market. One box of rice for each person. They also used foam stic boxes. The models sat in a circle as the assistant opened the boxes one by one. Qin Guan poked his head in to find that the dishes were quite good. There were mushrooms fried with oilseed, double-cooked pork slices, diced chicken with bean sauce, fish-voured pork slices, minced meat with vermicelli, homemade bean curd, and vinegar-pepper soup. A six dishbo with soup was quite a good meal. Qin Guan shifted to eating mode while the other models, their agent, and Sister Xue looked on. He was just like a Nanfu battery, six times more powerful than the others. He looked like a little hog eating happily in front of its crib. The other models were astonished. Despite the fact that they were not professional models, they still watched their figure. They might not have a specific diet, but gormandizing was definitely out of the question. Their agent looked confused. Sister Xue smiled at them awkwardly before she buried her head inside a box. In the afternoon, the exhibition took on a weird atmosphere. The other models were looking at Qin Guan reverently. Qin Guan had no idea why. He thought this was the weariest job he had done so far. He had to pay attention to how he looked because of the passing customers. Several female customers looked at him wantonly, making him feel threatened. He felt like a small, helpless pig ready for ughter. Feeling sick, Qin Guan took a break from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., when most customers had left the remote location of the market. The owner of the garage waved to the two agents in satisfaction. The exhibition could be wrapped up now. Chapter 47: The Contract Plan Chapter 47: The Contract n Trantor: Lan Editor: - - Qin Guan was exhausted both physically and mentally. He slumped down on the backseat of Sister Xues car, closing his eyes to rest his mind. Sister Xue gave Qin Guan mental guidance lessons while she drove, This ismon for models. Since youve decided to engage in modeling, you have to act professionally. If youre asked to do a naked photoshoot, what will you do? Qin Guan jumped up at this. His head hit the roof of the car, and he cried out and slumped back down. Massaging the lump on his head, he mumbled, Ill refuse. You can say no to things like that, Sister Xue. Sister Xue was exasperated. Qin Guan was not living up to her expectations. Even if you get to perform on a T show for a top designer? Even if youre representing a famous brand? Even if youve been invited by the most renowned fashion magazine in the world? Will you still say no? Qin Guany back on his seat andughed. Stop dreaming, Sister Xue. Neither riches nor honors will lead me astray. Neither poverty nor humbleness can make me deny my principles. I, Qin Guan, would rather have my head broken than take off my clothes. Sister Xue sneered from the drivers seat, You brave man. Givenchy models earn six million dors annually. It just so happens that the suit you wore for your first exhibition was Givenchy. Qin Guan was silent for such a long time that Sister Xue thought he had fallen asleep. Suddenly, his voice sounded from the backseat, Well, can I at least keep my underwear on? Sister Xue burst intoughter. You are considering the possibility. Of course not. First, they will pay no attention to your poor sense of shame, and second, it would be hard for you to even get the chance. Asian models are not verypetitive. Plus, you are a male model. I already feel sorry for you. Qin Guan, on the other side, was filled with a fighting will. You never know if you dont try. Sister Xue, I have decided to sign a contract with you so you dont starve. The car had just arrived at the entrance of the university. Sister Xue stopped, lit a cigarette and blew a smoke ring at Qin Guan. Thank you for your mercy, Master Qin. What Professor Li and I told you meant nothing to you. You just made the decision because I told you about the six million dors. Qin Guan lowered his head in shame. He pushed the door open to get out before he turned around and said, Have the contract ready the next time I go to Professor Lis. Please, I need your support in the future. Sister Xue shook her head helplessly. Suddenly, she thought of something. She smirked slightly and drove away. Qin Guany in his bed for a long time as his roommates returned one by one. Mu Lejiang dragged him out of his bed. Lying on Qin Guans bed, he called Ayimina as usual. Qin Guan was hurt deeply. He pulled up his colourful underwear, which Mu Lejiang had pulled down, and poured his heart out to Wang Lei angrily. Look at that guy. Hes on the phone for more than an hour every day. Its a waste of resources. Their colleges are not that far from each other. Why dont they meet and have dinner instead? Wang Lei was reading a book. He cast a supercilious look over his sses as he answered, Speak out if youre jealous. I wontugh at you. Qin Guans mouth dropped open. Cong Nianwei and I never made such long calls. On the weekend, she always goes to the library. Weve been a couple for almost half a year now, but all I can do is hold her hand. Qin Guan got more and more gloomy. Suddenly, the door was pushed open hard, and their eldest brother rushed into the dormitory. He saw a nearly-naked Qin Guan, with a lonely pair of underwear hanging from his hips. Pointing at Qin Guan, Ye Dong said, Dont dress like that in broad daylight. Its harmful to societys morals. Then he took a waistcoat from Qin Guans bed and threw it at him. Put it on at once. Its not nice to appear like that before girls. Qin Guan was just putting on the waistcoat when the door was pushed open again and several girls entered. They all watched the sexy scene. A boy with a good figure was facing away from them as he put on a ck waistcoat. His shaped back and smooth waistline made them lick their lips. Qin Guan got dressed properly and turned around. The girls shouted in low, surprised voices, Qin Guan! Actually, Qin Guan lives in this dormitory. Who is Qin Guan? Dont you know him? Hes the renowned school hunk of our university. They kept talking while they scanned Qin Guan from head to toe. The close-fitting cotton ck waistcoat outlined Qin Guans chest and abdomen. Of course, they automatically missed his bright green underwear. Suddenly, Yang Jing entered the room and told the girls, Why are you standing? Sit wherever you like. It was she and Ye Dong that had brought them. Mu Lejiang couldnt lie on the bed anymore. He said something to Ayimina and hung up the phone in a rush. The girls were in the same dormitory as Yang Jing. Ye Dong had invited them to have dinner and dance at the college ball. Li Jie was d because he was the best dancer among his roommates. Although Qin Guan is widely epted as the most handsome guy in our dormitory, Im the Prince of the Ball. Li Jie was quite good at social dancing. Besides the standard waltz, he also knew a little cha-cha and rumba. He was renowned in the small balls of the Capital University of Finance and Economics. They waited until Liu Xiaoyang returned before they headed out of campus in a formidable formation to have dinner. There was a family-run Sichuan restaurant across the road, so they decided to try it. They upied thergest table at the corner of the restaurant. Before the girls could say anything, the boys gave a long list of dishes, including fish filets in hot chili sauce, Chongqing style boiled blood curd, stewed bean curd with minced pork and pepper sauce, dry-fried green beans, and many others. When the dishes had all been served, their behaviour got even worse. Except for Yang Jing, all the other girls had forgotten all about eating. They just watched the noisy boys around the table, who were quarrelling with each other and fighting heatedly over food. Qin Guan, who was usually very dapper, had rolled his sleeves up. For fear that soup would drip on his shirt, he had left the buttons on his chest unfastened. With one foot nted on his chair, he bent down to grab some food. It was true that distance made the heart grow fonder. The girls rosy image of Qin Guan was smashed by reality in an instant. The dinner had disappointed them. They were cherishing the memory of withered love as they watched the boys, their spirits dropping really low. When they finally finished dinner and got to the ball, the first song had already been yed. The girls were sitting together in groups of two or three. Any boy wanting to dance had to go up to them and ask them. Chapter 48: The Prince of the Ball Chapter 48: The Prince of the Ball Trantor: Lan Editor: - - Li Jie deserved the title of the Prince of the Ball. No more than five minutes into the ball, several girls had alreadye over to ask him to lead them. Li Jie smoothed his hair proudly and apanied the most beautiful girl among them to the dancing floor. Ye Dong and Yang Jing held hands as they got on the dancing floor. Liu Xiaoyang was sitting aside watching everybody else. Mu Lejiang was in love with a girl, and Wang Lei wasnt interested in dancing, so the two of them sat together and drank beer. Qin Guan had been left alone before one of the girls from theirpany came up to him. Do you want to dance? Qin Guan shook his head as he answered, Ill just watch for a while. The disappointed girl returned to her friends, and they all talked secretly together. Is Qin Guan incapable of dancing? Is that true? That would be disappointing. His reputation would be harmed. Sure! What was Qin Guan doing at the time? He was observing the dancers. He found that all the dancers, not just the neophytes learning to dance socially, but also the older ones who had been attending balls for a long time, were terrible at dancing. Only Li Jie looked quite good at it. Li Jin finished a song and stepped out, drenched in sweat. He grabbed Qin Guans beer to have a sip and asked, Why arent you dancing? Dont tell me you cant. Look at the girls, theyre practically burning you with their eyes. Qin Guan smiled and patted Li Jie. Im afraid of robbing you of your title as Prince of the Ball. Were in the same dormitory and you call me a second brother. I would never want to harm your reputation. Li Jie was not convinced by his exnation. Setting the beer on the table, he said, Youre all talk. Come on, baby! Are you walking your dog or something? Qin Guan looked at Li Jie speechlessly as he stood up. I hope you wont regret what you said. Qin Guan arranged his shirt, pulled down his sleeves and fastened his buttons. He walked up to the girl who had just invited him, made a gesture fitting to a gentleman, and said softly, Hello, can I have the honour of dancing with you? All the girls seemed to get excited by his words. They stared at the girl who had been invited with a jealous expression in their eyes. The astonished girl was pushed forward by her friends. Wake up. Answer him! She finally returned to reality and answered timidly, Oh, of course. Qin Guan smiled and took her hand as he escorted her to the dance floor. The person in charge realized that someone popr wasing. Other people stopped dancing to make way for him, and the DJ shouted at Qin Guan, Hey dude, what kind of song do you want? Qin Guan looked down and asked his partner, What are you good at? The girl answered with confidence, The waltz. Qin Guan was stupefied for a moment before he said, Okay, the waltz it is. The girl looked very excited. I shouldnt have doubted my Prince Charming. He is still perfect, despite his rude behavior at dinner. All the others are dancing randomly, but my Prince Charming knows the waltz. He is perfect for me. Qin Guan thought it was lucky that he had been studying with Professor Li and had learned so much about the body. Dancing was actually one of the best ways to promote grace in models. He had learned a lot about dancing, and the waltz was among those things. Can you y the waltz? he asked the DJ. The DJ signed that it was okay. No problem. Blue Danube started ying slowly. Qin Guan and his partner were poised to begin. Forward, sideways, and a close step. That was the basic pattern of the dance. The two of them began their dance with a perfect round. Li Jie sprinkled a mouthful of beer beside the dancing floor. F*ck! Qin Guan is so busy with courses and part-time jobs. When the hell does he have the time to practice dancing? The couple was only getting better and better. Qin Guan wore straight, western style pants and a white hollowed-out shirt. If his partner had been in a long dress, it would have been the perfect waltz atmosphere. The tacit partners continued to turn. Suddenly, Qin Guan twirled his partner around in the spirit of the waltz. They circled around without turning. One, two, three... the twirling movement included three steps. The onlookers held their breath before their excellent performance. Finally, they stopped as the music suddenly came to an end. It was just like the darkness before dawn. Silence dominated the whole room. The two of them looked at each other, breathing heavily. Dancing was intense physical exercise. Li Jie was shaking as if he had been shocked by electricity. Liu Xiaoyang was hopeless at dancing, but he had felt the beauty, and he cheered for his idol in blind worship, Wonderful! His shout woke everyone up, an enthusiastic apuse echoing around the ballroom. Qin Guan and his partner answered the curtain call and retreated with leisure. Qin Guan sat down by the table. Before he could take a sip of beer, Li Jie pulled him close. My brother, your dancing is excellent. Teach me, please! Qin Guan answered without mercy, I have no time. Li Jie got angry before Qin Guan continued, If you are really interested in learning, I could introduce you to a professional teacher. Li Jies expression changed at once. It would be my honor. Thank you, my brother. The girls looked at Qin Guan eagerly, like flies around a piece of pork. His partner had already returned to her friends, who were discussing Qin Guan heatedly. I know, his body is so... Hear, hear... The girls looked thirsty for details as his silly dance partner burst intoughter. They all shouted, Stopughing! Go on! Yes, were dying of curiosity! Chapter 49: Love Rival Chapter 49: Love Rival Trantor: Lan Editor: - - Covering her mouth, the girl smiled. His figure is excellent. He is both tall and handsome. He really is a strong man. Wow! The girls began to talk while they looked at Qin Guan eagerly. Were still fans of yours. Who said that our prince couldnt dance? Come out. We promise not to beat you to death. Qin Guan got quite famous overnight, giving life to countless legends at the university ball. Some people insisted that he had been the first universally epted dancing god in the whole university, others imed that there had been countless dancing girls worshipping him, and some people believed that Qin Guan was paranormally powerful. That night, he earned a new title, that of the Childe of the Ball. He was also holding two more titles, the straight-A boy from the ounting Department and the most handsome freshman. Qin Guan had no idea about the gossip. It was true that the person involved was always thest one to hear the rumours circting about them. At the time, he was pretending to be a QH University student so he could share a ss with Cong Nianwei. The ss was about indoor design. Cong Nianwei hit him under the desk and asked in low voice, Why are you here? Qin Guan was innocent. He covered his head with a book as he answered, It has been a long time since Ist saw you. Ive been missing you a lot. He held her hand and closed his eyes as hey down on the desk. Listen to the professor. I wont bother you. Cong Nianwei tried to pull her hand out, but failed. She could do nothing but look ahead and pay attention. Had this been after the year 2000, an article would have been posted on the Tianya Forum, titled What can I do about my clingy boyfriend? Faced with Qin Guans shameless smile, Cong Nianwei just listened to the professor helplessly. Her best friends looked surprised. What was going on with Cong Nianwei, the most popr and talented girl in the department and the beauty of QH University in both Science and Technology? She was showing off her rtionship before her ssmates! Everyone was talking heatedly in low voices. Chi Hailin, who was sitting in the front row, overheard someone talking about Cong Nianwei and turned around to have a look. Suddenly, he did a double take. Fuck! Are my eyes fooling me? Is that Qin Guan smiling like silly? He dares show up in our ss? Unbelievable! He has gone too far in bullying me! He tore down a nk page from his notebook, wrote something on it, rolled it into a ball and threw it at Qin Guan. Qin Guan was lying on the desk smiling when a spit ball hit him on the head. He spread it open and read, What are you doing here? This is QH University. Qin Guan smiled again. At the time, he had nothing to do, so he picked up a pen from Cong Nianweis pencil case and wrote, My girlfriend is here, you know. He rolled the ball again and threw it back. Chi Hailin looked quite angry at his words. He replied, This is my turf. Qin Guan wrote back, Im risking my life, daring to challenge the emperor. The ball came and went fast. Cong Nianwei couldnt stand their childishness. She pulled her chair a little further away without Qin Guan noticing. He was too happy ying. It was hard to aim with a flying ball. Qin Guan turned around and yed his trump card. He tore another nk page, blew his nose on it and threw it back at Chi Hailin. Chi Hailin was suspecting why the ball had taken so long to fly back to him. When itnded on his desk, he opened it excitedly, and the paper stuck to his hand. Chi Hailin cried out and stood up. Qin Guan wasughing secretly in the back row, covering his mouth. Chi Hailin stood up angrily with snot on his hand. He turned around and shouted loudly, Qin Guan, I will fight you! The angry young man had forgotten that he was in a crowded ssroom. The professor and all the students turned their eyes on him. A soft voice sounded from behind him, I dont care who you want to fight with. You shouted in the middle of my ss, so somebody will indeed fight you. Step outside. Hands sped behind his back, the designing ss professor led Chi Hailin out of the ssroom. Chi Hailin was so depressed that he forgot to wipe the snot off his hand. Crossing his legs, Qin Guan enjoyed his sess. The professor suddenly appeared in front of him, his hands still behind his back. Youre not attending my ss, boy. Step outside. Qin Guan stopped smiling and left his seat with a pout. As he walked to the front row, he blew Cong Nianwei a kiss and ran out of the ssroom before anyone could react. The ssroom erupted in whispers. Cong Nianwei pretended to be calm. I have no idea whats going on. The professor restored the order, but Cong Nianwei could still hear conversations going on around her. Who is he? I have never met him before. Maybe hes from another college. If he was from our university, Id know him. Hes so much more handsome from the guys in our ss. Who did he blow that kiss at? It was in my direction. That particr student was thinking too much. Plus, it was a guy. Chi Hailin followed Qin Guan as soon as he was kicked out of the ssroom. Qin Guan burst intoughter when he saw him. Sorry, I cant help it. Chi Hailin was quite angry. Why did he have to keep running into that idiot? Helplessly, he told Qin Guan, Shall we be nicer to each other? Qin Guan spread his hands. Why do I have to be nice to someone who hasnt been nice to me? Besides, you were too worked up to handle the situation. Chi Hailin stretched out his snot-covered hand. Are you afraid of destroying your image? Qin Guan grinned. We both know I only care about Cong Nianwei. Boy, you must be strong-willed. Youre so young. Chi Hailin nearly cried of embarrassment. He ran away with his books, shouting loudly, Ill reveal your true colors to Cong Nianwei. You just wait and see! Qin Guan was much taller and stronger than him. Chi Hailin was afraid that he would beat him up for threatening him, so he put some distance between them, just to be on the safe side. Cong Nianwei, who had just finished her ss, took in the scene before her. She poked Qin Guan with her books in front of all her ssmates. Qin Guan smirked delightfully, taking a cool pose as he asked, Whats the matter? Is your ss over? Shall we go window-shopping or maybe watch a movie? He was really jealous of his two roommates and their girlfriends. Chapter 50: Zhongguancun in 1999 Chapter 50: Zhongguancun in 1999 Trantor: Lan Editor: - - The others have been with their girlfriends all day long, while I havent seen mine in two months. Embarrassed, Cong Nianwei added a stab to Qin Guans heart, I have another sster. I n to apply for a double degree in my sophomore year. I have to take the city design ss in advance in the afternoon. Im sorry, Qin Guan. Suddenly, tears filled Qin Guans eyes. He looked like a wet dog. The passing students saw a gloomy, tall handsome man crying because of Cong Nianwei. Cong Nianwei kicked Qin Guan. Stop pretending! I know you well. Ill buy you a cup of milk tea. Now go home! She went to the water bar downstairs, bought a cup of pearl milk tea and handed it over to Qin Guan. Waving her hands, she shooed Qin Guan away like a small dog. The scene made her ssmates feel intimidated. How powerful the Queen is! We have to worship her! She just drove away such a handsome boy. She is so strong! From then on, Cong Nianwei became famous in the Department of Architecture at QH University, her tough reputation protecting her from many a nasty pursuer. Hanging his head down, Qin Guan walked out of the campus. I failed once again in dating her. Next week, Ill sign the contract and meet with the director of the agency. Sister Xue has epted several small jobs, and I have to tutor Huang Jiajia. Qin Guan would be very busy. It will be a long time before I see her again. Qin Guan felt wronged while he rode the bus. There was a traffic jam at Zhongguancun. Since he had nothing to do in the afternoon, idling at Zhongguancun sounded like the best choice. The bus arrived at the stop with difficulty, and Qin Guan got off immediately. The main entrance of the electronics building reminded him of something from his past life. In his memory, Zhongguancun had grown just within a couple of years, the prices bing fixed for all electronics stores in the capital. When Qin Guan had been in college in his past life, hed had no idea about the high-tech electronics market. However, he had known about the battle of the memory bank that had taken ce between 1999 and 2000. Nobody had known which shop or supplier had started the battle. It was impossible to narrow down the scope to one group or store. In June 1999, without any prior warning, the battle of the memory bank had started. In quite a short time, 128M memory banks were totally sold out at all retailing stores at the Zhongguancun business district. The stocks had run out at all stores that assembledputers or retailed electronic essories. As a result, a small-scale panic had spread through the stores at Zhongguancun like the flu. People had tried to replenish their stock using all kinds of crazy methods. There had been no 128M memory banks, while 256M and 512M memory banks had still been in stock. Prices had begun rising instantly, from the original price of 80 yuan to more than 200 yuan. The price had been tripled in only a few days. The sellers at Zhongguancun had gone crazy. They started stocking the memory banks, anticipating to make more money by selling them at a higher price. Smaller merchants lost their business as customers did not wish to pay a bubble price. The trading volume suddenly dropped by 30%. Then one day, while the prices had still been surging, arge amount of memory banks entered the market, and the prices began to fall in refluent waves. One day, the price for the 128M memory bank had been 248 yuan, while on the next one it was 201 yuan. On the third day, it was 122 yuan, and on the fourth day, it was 79 yuan, which was even lower than the original price. The whole market had gone mad. A depressing atmosphere had taken over Zhongguancun. The retail investors with stock had been hurt badly, and plenty of middlemen couldnt sell out their stock. The tall building had copsed in one moment. Some people had closed their stores, while others had gone bankrupt. Amid the storm, many people had lost everything. In Qin Guans past life, one of his roommates had told him the story. Aputer fanatic that Qin Guan had met through work had also confirmed it. Qin Guan looked down at his mobile phone subconsciously. On the screen, it stated that it waste May 1999. There were several days left before the memory bank battle. Qin Guan hesitated. Since his rebirth, he had neither recalled his past life, nor tried to change other peoples lives. He had avoided giarizing, copying, making fast money or stealing other peoples achievements. Like a small butterfly, I havent raised any storms. Is this the original world I used to inhabit, though? Will there be a battle of memory banks this time, too? Or would it be in vain if I tried to stock memory banks? Qin Guan was in a dilemma when a woman in a flowery shawl jumped out of a corner with a baby in her arms, and told him in low voice, Young man, you must be a green hand. You have been standing here for so long. You dare not ask directly, right? She pulled Qin Guan over and continued to speak kindly, Im warm-hearted, but you cant buy anything from the entrance. You want those disks, dont you? Just follow me. She had mistaken Qin Guan for someone who wanted to buy special disks. Qin Guan decided to follow her and have a look. They crossed Zhongguancun street to the small roads at the back, where a two-floor building with a shabby wooden sign was located. On the white sign there were several ck characters stating that it was a business building. The woman waved at Qin Guan, gesturing for him toe closer. They entered the building, despite the fact that it looked like it was about to copse. Although it was broad daylight, it was dark inside. There were rows of small yellow doors without door tes or numbers. Several furtive people woulde out of the doors, confirming that it wasnt a haunted building. The woman led Qin Guan down a corridor on the left with familiarity. They didnt stop until they reached the door at the end of it. The woman pushed the screeching door open to reveal a whole new world. Actually, it was like a noisy vegetable market inside. There was arge room filled with shelves, and in the middle of it there was arge pile of disks. The woman pulled Qin Guan into the room, patted the arm of a young man who was arranging some disks, and pointed at Qin Guan. This is my customer. Write it down on the record for me. The young man took a notebook and a pen out of the pocket of his apron. The woman found her page and signed as Sun Erhua. She returned both the notebook and the pen to the young man, warning him, Dont make any mistakes! Then she cast a smile at Qin Guan and went out with her baby to find more customers. The young man didnt n on assisting Qin Guan. Pointing to the shelves, he said, Game disks are on the left, office software is on the right. TV series and films are at the bottom. You can look for any disks youre interested in. Chapter 51: The Special Disk Chapter 51: The Special Disk Trantor: Lan Editor: - - Qin Guan nodded. It was a busy business. There were quite a few people around the shelves, standing or squatting down on the floor. The young man was too busy counting the disks to help Qin Guan. Qin Guan had to depend on himself. Squatting down on the floor, he pushed lightly through the pile of disks containing popr TV series and films of the time. There were films like A Wicked Ghost, The Emperor and the Assassin, Sorry, Baby, and so on. Among the TV series were Mans Best Friend, Witness to a Prosecution, White-Haired Heroine, etc. I have watched these in my past life. Theyre bringing back memories of the old days. Qin Guan selected several disks and pulled over a red stic bag from a shelf nearby. He put them in the bag and turned to the shelf on the left to look at the video games. There were lots of games there. Age of Empires, Railroad Tycoon II, Taikou Risshiden III, etc. Qin Guan picked several disks up and threw them inside the bag. Liu Xiaoyang will be delighted to get them as a gift. Finally, he took a CD titled Xianglong Financial Software from the shelf on the right. There were ten disks all in all. Qin Guan handed the bag to the young man. Looking around, he asked him in a low voice, Hey, dude. Where are the special disks? The young man looked up in understanding. He looked around again before pulling Qin Guan to the most secluded corner of the room. There was a giant travelling bag there that could be carried away easily. All the special disks were inside. Rubbing his hands, the young man asked slyly, Who do you want? Qin Guan was surprised. He answered with a question, Who do you have? The young man realized he was a green hand, and shared his experience with Qin Guan proudly, There are both veteran and new stars here. Who would you like? Then he went on to list Japanese adult movie actresses. Qin Guan was confused. He wasnt familiar with those girls at all. Who would you rmend? he asked modestly. The young man raised his head and patted his chest proudly. Okay, Ill choose for you. How many do you want? Qin Guan lifted two fingers. Ill try a couple first. If theyre good, then Ille back for more. With the same understanding expression in his eyes, the young man patted Qin Guan on the shoulder. You must have bought CDs titled An Encounter in the Wild Field, only to find that its Animal World when you return home. Those sellers are f*cking cheaters. We are honest businessmen, we dont like men like that. Since you trust me, Ill help you choose. Theyll be excellent. Qin Guan nodded. The young man took two disks out of the bag with ease, sheathed them in white-paper shells, and threw them into Qin Guans bag. Qin Guan paid him 60 yuan. It was no wonder that piracy was flourishing in 1999. The inte wasnt widespread yet, and this was much cheaper than buying hundred-yuan video games and thousand-yuan office software. The young man filled in the number 12 at the column where Sun Erhua had signed. The deal was made. Qin Guan walked outside the building, feeling very pleased with himself. Suddenly, he remembered what he had nned on doing at Zhongguancun in the first ce. He found himself in a dilemma once again. Shall I buy the memory banks or not? Its no pain, no gain after all! It was said that people would go as far as tomit murder for double profit. Plus, this would be 300% profit. Thinking of this, Qin Guan quickly entered the bank beside Zhongguancun Center and withdrew 8,000 yuan. That was most of his ie from his part-time job. Taking a long breath, Qin Guan then entered the Zhongguancun Center and took the esctor to the third floor of the building. There were several small counters there, each of them a small shop. Many people had started their businesses by sharing a counter with other partners there. There were plenty of customers and sellers. Qin Guan did not stand out among them. He walked to a counter at the far corner of the third floor. Behind the counter, there was a handwritten sign reading, Motherboards and memory banks on sale. Qin Guan knocked on the counter and asked the boss, How much is the 128M memory bank? The man behind the counter looked up and answered inly, 85 yuan each. Qin Guan was unsatisfied with the price. Shaking his head, he said, Im not a retail customer. I know the market here. Twenty sticks, 79 yuan each. Is that okay? Qin Guan had the mans attention now. Whoops. The boy might be young, but he sure is familiar with the market. Still, he insisted on his original price. Then he thought it over and shook his head again, No, the price today is 80 yuan. No more bargaining. Qin Guan looked around and said in low voice, To be honest, dude, twenty sticks from your shop are not enough to satisfy my demand. The man looked excited. He moved closer to Qin Guan and asked in low voice, How many do you want? Tell me. I can get them from other shops for you. Qin Guan lifted one finger carefully. One hundred for that price. The man knocked on the counter. Deal. Then he took out a folding chair for Qin Guan. Sit down for a bit. Ill go check my stock. Qin Guan put the chair down and went to buy a bottle of water from the resting area. When he returned, he found the man with a bag of parts on the counter. While he was drinking, the man finished counting. There were only 33 sticks. He was 67 sticks short. The man told Qin Guan to wait a while and manage the counter for him while he went to get the sticks from other shops. He ran to the shop in front and talked with the young man behind the counter, who gave him two memory banks. The man took them and moved on to the next shop. When Qin Guan was half-way through his bottle of mineral water, the man returned with a bag full of memory banks. He piled them all in his hand on the counter and counted, ... ny-eight, ny-nine, one hundred exactly! Qin Guan was straightforward with him. I will not open the packages, but Ive got to ask. How did the others find new products just like that? How can I know that the quality is good? The man smiled. You are so weird. Such a big number of memory banks will be either for stock or for sale. Or will you just keep them at home? If you n on selling themter on, the outer package will have to be intact. The seniors in our circle can guarantee that theyre new products. There are no scratches on them. Theyre experienced, dont worry. Qin Guan felt relieved. He kept one of the bills and handed over the rest to the man. 7,900 yuan. Count them. Beaming, the man counted the bills. Then he took out a currency detector from a corner and counted them again. Finally, he straightened up and said, No problem, take them. Come back anytime. He gave Qin Guan a business card. Qin Guan took the bag and the card, nodded at the man, and left Zhongguancun. Chapter 52: Watching A Movie Together Chapter 52: Watching A Movie Together Trantor: Lan Editor: - - As the boss saw him with so many memory banks, his eyes narrowed. Its suspicious. He does not look like a businessman at first nce. Why did he buy such a big pile of memory banks? Considering his style, the boy cannot be an inte caf runner. Is he perhaps the son of some businessman whos gotten some information from his parents? Does he want to earn a little money by investing his pocket money? No, Im wrong. If his father was a businessman, he wouldnt need to shop here. All he would need to do was make a call. Thats not it. What if the boy overheard the information and doesnt want anyone know? In the blink of an eye, the man imagined several scenarios of turmoil in the market and many exciting stories involving rich, powerful families. He was inspired. There must be some kind of incident rted to the 128M memory bank! The boy was stocking up! What should I do? Memory banks, thats it! The man hit his own head. F*ck! Ive cleared my stock! I have to stock up right now. Without dy, he stood up and headed for the other shops. The wings of a small butterfly had pped, yet Qin Guan knew nothing about it. He was currently on the bus. This time the situation is different from the factory stocks. I will lose my money if the price of the memory banks drops. My uncle and mother might benefit from their leaders guilt, but if the memory bank price remains the same, my deposit will be lost. As he thought of this, Qin Guan buried his face in his hands in sadness. Im not a hero destined for great things. Others can dominate Wall Street, win the lottery or conquer the entertainment world, but Im swayed by considering the gain and loss of a deal less worth than 8,000 yuan. Luo Yuan felt depressed as the bus arrived at the stop. As he got off the bus though, his bad mood improved. Things will eventually sort themselves out. I can always make the money again if I lose it. Anyhow, June is approaching, so I will find out soon enough. Pleased with himself, Luo Yuan threw the bag in his closet and took out the pirated disks. His roommates gathered around. Liu Xiaoyang was the most excited. I have long wanted to buy these games! he shouted. How much for one disk? If I remember right, they must cost 275 yuan each. Qin Guan answered calmly, Youre wrong. Its five yuan each. Liu Xiaoyang jumped up with a cry, What? Motherf*cker! That seller cheated me! Speechlessly, Qin Guan pointed at the coarse, misty cover of the disk. Its pirated. Just making it clear before you get excited. Wang Lei looked at them one by one. Theyre all popr movies and TV series. Witness of A Prosecution seems good. Theres some financial software as well. Qin Guan is really intense. What are these two disks in the white cases? Wang Lei took the disks out of the cases. There was nothing written on them. He waved the disks in front of Qin Guan and asked, Qin Guan, why did you buy these nk disks? Qin Guan was suddenly reminded of the smuggled goods. He put his arms on his hips proudly as heughed, Do you know what they are? Its a bonus for you guys. It was June, and the temperature was getting higher. The doors to all the dormitories were open so the wind could flow, so even the tiniest news spread fast among all the students along the corridor. Qin Guanughed loudly and the students of the dormitory across from theirs ran over to take a look. They saw the disks. So many new movies! Lets watch them together! The news spread and all the idlers on the whole floor gathered there. That was amon urrence in dormitories. If there were any new movies, they would all gather and bring snacks. Qin Guan was paralyzed by fear. F*ck! What should I do? This is significant. My clever brain has run out of ideas! Before he could figure out what to do, their room had already be packed with people. Qin Guan looked gloomy as he told Ye Dong in a low voice, Dont y the disk! Ye Dong was confused. Unconsciously, he lowered his voice as well, Why? Wang Lei and Liu Xiaoyang moved their heads closer in curiosity. Grinding his teeth, Qin Guan exined, Thats an AV of Ryoko Nagase. Ye Dong screamed like his penis had been stamped, Ryoko Nagase? All the boys suddenly fell silent, except Liu Xiaoyang, who kept asking around, Who is Ryoko Nagase? Is it a rom or an action movie? Brother Liu, youre so innocent. I wonder if you just got your ID card yesterday. Ye Dongs shout made Qin Guan sick. Am I guilty of circting porn films? No more than two secondster, people started bustling about. Stop talking rubbish! y it right now! I agree, y it! I love roms! Ye Dongs shout had attracted countless students from other dormitories. There was a bigmotion. Not caring about anything, Qin Guan cried, There are too many people! We dont have enough chairs! Lets leave it for today, well meet in our spare time! Everyone was so angry, they started shouting. What did you say, dude? You dont want to share? You just want to watch with your door shut? Youre not loyal to your friends! I agree! Good movies should be shared! Is there no spirit of solidarity or friendship among fellow students? I have the keys to the college yroom! Hundreds of people can fit there! Theres even a closed circuit television! A member of the Youth League took a bunch of keys out of his pocket. Qin Guan stared at him in surprise. What the f*ck! Everyone apuded happily. Clustering around Qin Guan and his roommates, they took all the disks from the table for fear of missing something, and headed for the yroom in a formidable array. As soon as they opened the door, they turned on the television and the DVD yer. Some of them waved to Qin Guan urgently, Bring the disks, quick! Others reminded the people sitting by the windows, Its too bright inside! It will affect the quality of the film. Shut the curtains! Dear fellow students, this not a rom or an action movie. The curtains were closed and the chairs were ced in a circle. Everything was ready except for the disk. Ye Dong pulled the disk from Qin Guans hand and ced it in the DVD yer. Chapter 53: Hello Animal World, Farewell Animal World Chapter 53: Hello Animal World, Farewell Animal World Trantor: Lan Editor: - - The disk began to turn around, and the blue background appeared on the TV screen. Everyone had quieted down, holding their breath as they waited for the images to start ying. It is mating season for animals in Africa, and the grasnd is full of life... the familiar voice of Zhao Zhongxiang [1] was heard. Then a male lion and three lionesses appeared on screen, making love. There was silence before people suddenly exploded inughter. What the hell is this? Are you mad, Qin Guan? Is this your idea of a love-action film? But there are lions mating. Thementator said that it was mating season. The sincere face of the young man emerged in Qin Guans mind as he recalled his words. Qin Guans innocent heart was hurt. Ye Dong clucked his mouth and took the disk out of the yer to make space for the next one. The television brightened again with a sh. A Japanese girl with very little clothes appeared suddenly on the screen, saying sweetly to the camera, Hello! Its nice to meet you. Im Ryoko Nagase. Please kindly advise. The boys shouted and sat back in their chairs, staring at the screen in concentration. Ten minutes passed, twenty... The girl was leading the audience to ces where she had shot movies, and she was introducing her directors and male partners. She wasnt getting to the point though. She wore very little clothes, but she did not take them off. She was hot, but she was not naked. They watched on until the film ended. Finally, the actress gave them a little something of what they had been thirsty for. She groaned and touched herself for a while, but this was not what they really wanted to watch. They allined for a while. Qin Guan had earned the title of pirated disk greenhand. However, Qin Guan let out a long breath of relief. Delicious food should be shared secretly. The room is filled with straight-A students. Li Laoshi, the most honest student of the Finance Department, is sitting in the southern corner, and the violin virtuoso is sitting in the back row. How can top students with thick sses behave like this? Theyre a group of polished scoundrels! Im ashamed to be with them! He had forgotten who was the leader of the group. Downhearted, everyone was dismissed. Qin Guan put the disks away and returned to his dorm with his roommates. Liu Xiaoyang repeated his question once again, What is a love-action movie? They all stared at him speechlessly before they answered together, When you grow up, youll find out. There was no story overnight. Before they knew it, the weekend had arrived. Led by Professor Li and Sister Xue, Qin Guan went to Balizhuang, where the most renowned and oldest model agency in China was located in the capital. As early as November 1989, thepany had held the first New Silk Road Chinese Model Competition, which was the first national modelpetition, thus building a solid foundation for model selection, cultivation and promotion for the future. Its predecessor had been the China Fashion Art Performance Group, a subdivision of the China Clothing Cooperation. Professor Li was actually one of its oldest members. She led Qin Guan to the office of the Training Department with ease and knocked on the door. A voice sounded from behind it, Come in, please. They pushed the door open and found a woman inside. The woman embraced Professor Li. Sister Zhang had been a model in Professor Lis time, but she had chosen to stay and work in thepany. She was currently in charge of the New Silk Road Training School. They sat down, and Professor Li briefly introduced Qin Guan to Sister Zhang, handing his resume and basic information to her. Sister Zhang read the resume and scanned Qin Guan over carefully twice. She nodded in satisfaction before she said, The boy is in a good physical condition, even better than most of our models. Are you interested in a full time job here? Sister Xue was anxious. I discovered Qin Guan first! Professor Li gestured to Sister Xue, indicating for her to calm down, before she exined Qin Guans situation to Sister Zhang. Sister Zhang seemed disappointed. Spreading her hands out, she said, Your requirement is a piece of cake. Let me exin though, little Xue. We have a standard contract for subordinated models here. Qin Guan has no formal contract with any agency, so he must be an independent model, am I right? Xue Wanyi nodded honestly before Sister Zhang continued, Once hes attached to ourpany, he will be a member here. His ss will be C, which is a signed model. Xue Wanyi nodded again, slightly inspired with enthusiasm. Sister Zhang knocked twice on her desk with her pen. Generally speaking, a model will suffer losses from a subordinating contract. Our resources will surely concentrate on our own models. You can only get some small jobs given up by other agents. So now wee to the most important question. Whats your goal in bing a model, Qin Guan? Xue Wanyi hastened to gesture at Qin Guan, but he ignored her and told Sister Zhang happily, To make money! Xue Wanyi covered her face. F*ck! Sister Zhang burst intoughter, You are the most honest child I have met recently! C-level is not enough for you to make money though. I would suggest that you try some smallpetitions. With enough experience, you could even participate in our ownpetition. Xue Wanyi and Qin Guan exchanged a nce, listening to her suggestion with an open mind. There was nothing left for Sister Zhang to say, so she just made a call, Little Ma, bring two copies of subordinating contracts to my office. In less than five minutes, Little Ma knocked and came in with two contracts in hand. Sister Xue read carefully about the duties and charges on both sides before signing. Little Ma stamped the contract. From that moment on, the contract was officially in effect. Striking while the iron was hot, Sister Xue took two more contracts out of her backpack and handed them to Qin Guan. Chapter 54: Formal Contract Chapter 54: Formal Contract Trantor: Lan Editor: - - Qin Guan read the contract word by word. Party A: Xue Wanyi Party B: On the basis of the principles of equality and mutual benefit, Party A and Party B have agreed on the following terms after a friendly negotiation: 1. Party A shall provide Party B with a publicity and promotion tform. 2. Party B shall voluntarily participate in themercial performances, events, advertisements, and other activities organized by Party A. 3, Party B shall provide Party A with all necessary personal information, including personal photos. Personal information has to be provided voluntarily and be true, urate and reliable. In case of a dispute caused by false information, Party B will bear all responsibility. Party A: (Stamp) Party B : (Signature) Date: It was a simple contract with only 13 terms. Qin Guan went through it quickly, smiling at Sister Xue as he signed his name. From that day on, Qin Guan was honorably promoted from an untrained model to a C-level model with a formal agency and an agent. Sister Zhang stood up and walked around the desk, encouraging Xue Wanyi, Since Qin Guan is now our model, he should get acquainted with our staff. He will have tomunicate with them in the future. Ill take you to the Marketing Department today. In the future, they will share resources with you, besides the channels you find yourself. You have to cultivate a good rtionship with them. Qin Guan and Sister Xue followed Professor Li and Sister Zhang out of her office and headed towards the Marketing Department. Qin Guan was shocked by the noisy scene in the offices of the Marketing Department. People were answering phones, making posters and carrying costumes. It looked like a bazaar was taking ce there. Sister Zhang didnt seem surprised. Everyone is always super busy after thest date forpetition applications. Thats to be expected. She led them to a group of staff who were making calls, where a gentle, middle-aged man sat. She introduced the man, This is Lan Jin, marketing director of New Silk Road. He is in charge of model promotion and agent services. He is a very powerful leader. Then she pointed to Xue Wanyi and Qin Guan and introduced them as well, They are a new subordinated agent and model, abination with great potential. The director scanned Qin Guan from head to toe in satisfaction before shouting loudly to his staff, Ni Dalei,e here! A strong man stood up from the phones and ran over at his call. Iming! Whats the matter, sir? Lan Jin pointed at Xue Wanyi, New subordinated agent. Theyll be in your group from now on. Ni Dalei looked gloomy. Subordinated agents are so hard to control. They know nothing, but theyre always really picky. They cant share the good resources of thepany, and if the model does not qualify for ordinary resources, the customers are left unsatisfied. In his opinion, subordinated models were of little value, but unwilling to be cast away. They would share tiny jobs with their own models, but the handling charges werent even enough to pay for a meal. Thinking of this, Ni Dalei nced at Sister Xue and Qin Quan furtively. That nce changed his mindpletely though. Qin Guan was bound to attract attention as he stood there. Nothing could cover his charm. It didnt matter if he was among ordinary people or other shining models. Ni Dalei reached for Xue Wanyis hand at once and tried to persuade her, What a handsome boy! How can you sign a subordinate contract for him? Where is your professional conscience? It was Xue Wanyis turn to be gloomy now. Everyone who sees Qin Guan mes me! She exined the situation again helplessly. Ni Dalei felt pity for her. He considered Qin Guan really promising for participating in a work-study program and decided to select the best jobs for him. In such a world, good appearances were the key to every door. The morning passed without any trouble. To celebrate her sess, Sister Xue decided to treat Professor Li and Qin Guan. After all, the logo of the New Silk Roadpany would be printed on her business card from now on. She drove everyone to the Agency of the Xinjiang Province in the capital, which was located on Sanlihe Road 7 in the Haidian District. The Xinjiang style restaurant was inside the agency. With its delicious food,rge portions, and reasonable prices, the restaurant was so popr that customers were always waiting to find a seat. However, the dinning area in the noisy hall was mediocre. This was amon feature for most Xinjiang style restaurants. It was suitable for collective dinner though, especially for meat-lovers. They found a table at the innermost corner and asked the waiter to order. Sister Xue was a frequent patron at the restaurant. She ordered without any hesitation as Qin Guan observed the restaurant. It looked ordinary, just like a college cafeteria. The tables and chairs were in disarray, and the window for staple food was outdoors. Customers could just grab a te and help themselves. The dishes were served quickly. A giant te of meat packaged in crusty pancakes was already on the table. Qin Guan tried a crusty pancake. Delicious! The crisp pancake was soaked in thick mutton soup and tasted soft and tender in his mouth. The Xinjiang rice that followed it was just as wonderful. Qin Guan nearly swallowed his tongue along with the carrots slices and chopped mutton. A kebab with rose willow sticks followed. The golden baked meat with oil drops smelled excellent on the slightly parched branches of rose willow. The cluster was muchrger than the kebabs Qin Guan had sold. (Actually, Qin Guan could be an unscrupulous merchant.) The meat was tight. Qin Guan enjoyed himself to the fullest, eating meat in thick slices and drinking wine from arge cup. Unsatisfied, Qin Guan finally ordered a te of fried noodles with tomatoes, celery and cutlets. It tasted sour, but the noodles stimted his appetite to the fullest. Chapter 55: 10,000 Yuan Chapter 55: 10,000 Yuan Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia After dining and wining to satiety, Sister Xue asked for a bowl of yoghurt for each of them. She had talked of that yoghurt very positively. The freshly-prepared yoghurt, which was ced randomly on the window sill, was served in bowls made of willow. The bowls had an original texture. In those ck wooden bowls, the yoghurt seemed whiter, finer and smoother. There were also raisins from Turpan scattered on its surface. Therge, full raisins and thickyer of ck sesame made the yoghurt look more attractive. The waiter handed a small bowl of white granted sugar to them. There was no sugar in the yoghurt, but customers could add some ording to their taste. Qin Guan held the bowl to take a sip. The aroma of milk together with the special sourness of the fermentation filled his mouth. Its tasty! Qin Guan finished one bowl in a few mouthfuls. There was still some left in the bowl though. Qin Guan looked at it eagerly. Knowing that he was about to act silly again, Sister Xue rushed to stop him, "Dont lick the bowl! Ill order one more for you!" Qin Guan stared at the bowl regretfully. Can I have one more bowl to lick? He lifted the empty bowl and shouted to the waiter, "One more, please!" Sister Xue kept an eye on him until dinner was over for fear that he would do something embarrassing again. She let out a long breath after she drove Professor Li home. Relieved, she drove Qin Guan back to campus. On the way there, she informed Qin Guan of their future ns, "The second poster shooting for J shirts is in June. They were really satisfied with the ouest time, so there might be an extra bonus this time." "You have to continue your lessons with Professor Li until vacation, when you will have some spare time. Professional models never rest though." "As a part-timer, thepany will surely assign some trial jobs to you so they can test your ability. You have to be serious to make a sessful debut. Its essential if you want to make money, understand?" Qin Guan nodded, especially when he heard the word "money". Before he got out of the car, Sister Xue added, "Watch your figure and stop being crapulent. Dont make me lose face in front of the whole country!" Qin Guan gestured at her to reassure her before he shut the door and waved. Then he entered the campus. Without any trouble, Qin Guan had be a professional model. Although he was still a C-level model, it was a good ce to start. The story pauses here temporarily. June, which Qin Guan was the most nervous about, finally came around. On the first day of June, he put all the memory banks in his backpack and walked to the entrance of the Zhongguancun Mansion nonchntly. He didnt go to the third floor right away for fear of being recognized by the shop owner hed metst time. That would only have made things moreplicated. Qin Guan went around the building, heading directly to the Pacific Digital Building. There were busy shop assistants everywhere, carryingputer boxes and disying cases in carts as they moved up and down the corridor. On the first floor,puters and digital products were on sale. The rest of the shops were basically retailers that assembled and repairedputers forpanies and individuals. Qin Guan took the lift to the fourth floor and consulted the shops one by one about the price of memory banks. "Sir, do you have any 128M memory banks?" The shop owner was young, and he scanned Qin Guan from head to toe before he asked, "What for? There are no new products here. If you want a memory bank for yourputer, I have a second-hand one. Theres only one, but its surely cheaper than a new one. 120 yuan, does that work for you?" Qin Guan was speechless. I bought the new memory banks for 79 yuan each, and youre asking me to pay 120 yuan for a second-hand one? Do you think Im an idiot? The shop owner seemed to read Qin Guans mind. He sighed as he said, "I dont want to sell you an old one either. Are you suspicious of my offer? Im not trying to cheat you. You can ask at the other shops as well. Its a fair price." Qin Guan was actually happy about it. "How much would a new one cost?" he asked. The young shop owner answered vaguely, "Theres a price for them, but theyre not on sale. The standard price in todays market is 246 yuan for a 128M bank. They are out of stock. The dealers have stocked them, but they refuse to sell them. Maybe theyre waiting for them to have babies." Qin Guan asked again carefully, "Theyre out of stock?" The shop owner answered excitedly, "Yes! Without banks, I cant do anything but sell other parts. I cant even assemble aputer. Ill lose a lot of business!" Qin Guan was d to hear that. "Several days ago, I bought some banks for my friend, who runs an inte cafe. There are still some left. Would you like to buy them?" The young man suddenly stood up behind the counter. "Let me take a look. Are they new or second-hand? How many do you have?" he asked urgently. Qin Guan put down his backpack and took out five memory banks. The shop owner took them in his hands and checked them over carefully. The memory banks could be seen clearly in their transparent stic packages. They beared no scratches or traces of being opened, and the trademarks were clear. The young man knew that they were new products right away. "Do you want to sell them? Ill buy them all at their current market price." He held the banks tightly in his hand, unwilling to let them go. Qin Guan smiled. "I do!" The shop owner was straightforward. He took out a calctor and started pressing numbers on it. Then he pushed the calctor toward Qin Guan, showing him the number 1,230 on the screen. "Is that right?" Qin Guan picked up the calctor. An enigmatic smile formed on his face as he said, "Deal!" The young man was really happy to hear that. He counted the bills and handed them to Qin Guan. With these banks, my business will flourish. My shop will be the only one with memory banks in stock. At least five customers will pay extra money for them! The poor shop owner did not know that there were still 95 memory banks in Qin Guans backpack. He also didnt know that Qin Guan would sell banks to more shops after he left. If he had known, he would have surely shouted loudly, "Give them all to me! I want to buy all 100 banks!" Chapter 56: The Tyrants Feast and the Wet Shirt Chapter 56: The Tyrants Feast and the Wet Shirt Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was a pity that the shop owner could not predict the future. Later, Qin Guan sold the banks to dozens of shops in batches of five or ten. His journey ended sessfully. He sold the memory banks for 246 yuan each. His small-scale opportunistic practice was finally rewarded. His investmentsted for four days. His original capital had been 7,900, and in the end he got 24,600 yuan, earning a profit of 16,700 yuan. The ratio was 300%. He was still nervous until he got the final sum of money. Suppressing the urge to cry out loud, he left Zhongguancun as soon as possible. Depositing the cash into his ount at the Construction Bank in Zhongguancun, Qin Guan let out a relieved breath. To celebrate his sessful business, he decided to treat his roommates. He made a call to his dormitory. "Hello? Is that Wang Lei? This is Qin Guan. Im treating you! Ill bring a pizza back!" Cheers were heard through the receiver. Qin Guan massaged his shocked ear, hung up and took the bus to the pizza ce near his college. Dominos Pizza was a restaurant chain for take-away pizza. Qin Guan and his roommates were frequent customers there. Without any hesitation, he ordered at the cashier, "Seafood, Super Deluxe, Pepperoni, and Hawaiian, one for each. Therge size. 12 inches." The cashier typed on the keyboard with effort. This is a frequent customer. Every time our staff are surprised by his good appearance and his ordering speed. "Also, Spaghetti Seafood Bacon and Spaghetti Bolognaise, one for each, Cheesy Bread and Garlic Bread, one for each, and one portion of Seafood and Pork Combo. Thats all. Oh, I almost forgot. Is there a free drink for a 200 yuan order?" The young girl checked the menu and answered, "Yes, there is. Your order costs 355 yuan. Well give you arge bucket of a soft drink for free. Is there anything else I can get you?" Qin Guan shook his head. "Thats all." The girl ced the order and took his money. "Heres your change. Please wait a moment. Is it eat-in or takeaway?" Qin Guan found a seat not far from her. "Takeaway." The cashier was pleased. Im so close to this handsome boy. What a lucky day! Watching the passersby outside the window and listening to the country music ying in the restaurant, Qin Guan enjoyed a leisurely time until his order was ready. The cashier handed all the food to Qin Guan and smiled sweetly. "Looking forward to your next visit." Qin Guan returned to his dormitory and found five starving boys in the room. They all rushed at the bag in his hands like vigorous tigers jumping down a hill. In a moment, all the boxes were open. There was hot pizza covered in cheese, smooth spaghetti in thick meat sauce, and crisp fried chips and chicken wings. In 10 minutes, all the food had disappeared. Everyone startedining, "This is not enough! There should have been some vegetables too! You better go buy a Sunny Veggie pizza, Qin Guan!" Foodies were always shameless. Suddenly, Qin Guans phone rang. It was Sister Xue, who told Qin Guan to go to the second shooting for the J shirts and attend a photography exhibition. The photographer of the J shirts, who had sent Qin Guans photos to apetition, had won an award. The full title of thepetition was Top 10 Awards for National Figure Photography. It was held by the "Figure Photography" Magazine every three years since 1993. 3,000 photos by 145 artists from 29 provinces, cities and municipalities had participated in thepetition that year. The J shirts photographer had made the top 10. He had beenpletely over the moon. He knew that he owed all his sess to his luck and his outstanding model, so he had invited Qin Guan to the exhibition. It was a small-scale exhibition in the photography circle, but the prize winners works would be exhibited in a small gallery. Qin Guan was surprised. He had forgotten all about this. He had only met the photographer once, at the shooting site of the J shirts. The photographers face was full of joy. The boss of the J shirts was also proud. My model is an official New Silk Road model, and my photographer is a rising star in figure photography. Plus, my products are selling well, arent they? He had experienced a lot of happy eventstely. Business was going well and the sale volume was steady. When the new summer collection came out, his first physical store would open in a new shopping mall, which he considered a very good start. The boss was very satisfied with Qin Guan. When he put on the new short-sleeved shirts of that year though, his satisfaction reached its peak. Sister Xue kept ttering him, so he gave them a bonus. The theme of that summer was "cool and refreshing". Through the thin, light material of the shirt, Qin Guans skin could be seen indistinctly. It looked very attractive. The photographer put down his camera and thought for a while. Then he asked the boss, "Is there any water?" "Yes, in the corner. Are you thirsty? Ill ask them to get you some. Little Tian, get a box of mineral water over here!" The assistant carried the box over. The photographer took a bottle, waved for Qin Guan to approach, and turned around to ask the boss, "Can I get the shirt wet?" The boss nodded. "Yes, feel free to do whatever you want. Everyone here is at your service." The photographer pulled Qin Guan over and discussed it with him. "Lets do something sexy. Can I get your shirt wet?" Chapter 57: The Photo Exhibition Chapter 57: The Photo Exhibition Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan looked at Sister Xue, who nodded. The photographer opened a bottle of water and poured it on Qin Guans body. The wet shirt was immediately pasted on his body. The photographer looked around, feeling like something was missing. He opened another bottle and handed it to Qin Guan, "Do it yourself. Wet your hair." Qin Guan poured the water on his head. His hair hung down, several drops of water falling from its tips. His body was partly hidden and partly visible under his shirt. The lines of his upper body were clear to the onlookers though. How sexy he looked! The assistant beside him felt a warm liquid flowing down her nostrils. She was bleeding! Fortunately, everyone was focused on Qin Guan, so no oneughed at her. She took a tissue out of her bag and made a roll, pushing it up her nose to stop the bleeding. Then she turned to look at the handsome young man again. I wont leave the front line on ount of some minor injury. I wont admit defeat! Qin Guan held up his wet fringe to expose his forehead. Water drops ran down his face, sweeping over his lips and falling on the floor. The photographer captured the moment, taking beautiful photos. Then he asked Qin Guan to touch his body with his hands and take an alluring pose. Ever since he had started studying with Professor Li, Qin Guan had made great progress in his poses. He was way better thanst time, which could be considered a qualitative leap. Before, Qin Guan had depended solely on his face, but now he had gotten good at bodynguage and expressing emotions. The series of photos was finished, and Sister Xue handed him a towel to clean himself up. After he changed his clothes, the photographer walked over and said, "Here are your tickets. You can enjoy some fruit over there." Qin Guan took the two tickets. Before he could say thank you though, Sister Xue broke in, "Sun, I need your help with getting paid." The photographer was taken aback. "Whats the matter?" Sister Xue stepped forward and said in low voice, "You know that Qin Guan has a contract with New Silk Road?" The photographer nodded. "This is good for his development in the future." Sister Xue pretended to look sad. "We only signed a subordinating contract. All his affairs are in my hand, but all models have to have a portfolio in thepany, which the clients look through before they select a model." "Qin Guan has no photos in his portfolio, so I thought of you." "You are a good photographer and youve cooperated with him three times. There is a mutual understanding between you, so Id be assured if you took some photos of him." "I dont trust the photographers of New Silk Road. He is not their model, and if they took bad photos of him, his portfolio would be ruined." The photographer rubbed his jaw. "Youre right. These photos are a models first contact with the clients. Theyre the most important factor. Qin Guan is my lucky star. Ill help him!" Sister Xue was very pleased. She believed that Sun Pengtao was a really good photographer. He didnt get lots of opportunities though, thats why he stayed in that small studio and found jobs for himself. Given a chance, he might soar up to the sky, so it would be better for Qin Guan to get close to him while he was still a nobody. Sister Xue was really enthusiastic. "I need a natural photo, an artistic photo, and a standard ID photo. 1,000 yuan in total. Does that work for you?" Three photos in negative film and self-prepared costumes. This was a really good deal for a photographer who ran a studio. Sun Pengtao understood that Sister Xue trusted him and answered yes without hesitation. The rest of the photos were taken smoothly. Qin Guan wore the new summer shirt, which was light yellow with a darker shade at the lower hem. In his opinion, that designer was a leader in the fashion industry. This style would get really popr after 2005. The changing light yellow color formed splendid flowers on the shirt. Following the concept, Qin Guan smiled fervently. Everyone could feel his enthusiasm through the photos. The assistant shifted her eyes between Qin Guan and the pictures. Then she took another tissue and pushed a roll into her other nostril. They were very busy the following days. Sister Xue and Qin Guan went to see the National Figure Photography Awards Exhibition. The expanded figure photos were hanging on the walls, the artists names written under their work. Some photos were bright-colored or distinct, and had a gorgeous effect, while others were realistic and moved the audiences heart. Qin Guans photos were also outstanding. They were clean, simple, and unique. Their leisurely style was just like a breeze. Qin Guan and Sister Xue read the introduction carefully. Sun Pengtao is a photographer from the capital. He has engaged in photography for eight years... It was Suns biography. There was a longment underneath, which was kind of over the top. ording to their attitude, I divide photographers into two different groups, the technology-oriented ones and theme-oriented ones. The former ones are fascinated by the camera, lenses and technology parameters, which areplicated and mysterious. They think that cameras are lovely pets instead of tools for shooting. Those photographers own the best equipment and are in endless pursuit of new models. Like a photography encyclopaedia, theyre proud of expanding 35mm tes to no-particle photos of 16x20 inches. They know the advantages of all different kinds of cameras, but they can seldom present us with valuable work. They concentrate on the tools (the equipment) of photography, instead of the purpose (the photos). Those interested in the works, or rather the themes of photography, are exactly the opposite. Unlike technology-oriented photographers, who focus on equipment and skill, they are attracted to various pictures, such as figures, streets, urban areas,ndscapes, nature, modern architecture, the relics of ancient Rome, sports contests, or everyday life. They know that they can take a picture in countless different ways, and some images can be processed to be even better. They study the problems of technology. Although some of them are confident with using photography tools, Sun Pengtao both engages in experimenting with technology tools and creates works that capture the audience. Many details of his work are immature, but everywhere in his work we can find all the advantages of the second kind of photographers I mentioned above. We can see the spirit of the artist in his work. Sun Pengtao is one of the most rmended photographers of this year. Chapter 58: Model Business Photos Chapter 58: Model Business Photos Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The introduction was the longest part of the exhibition. Qin Guan and Sister Xue exchanged a look in silent despair. Can we tell everyone that the photos were just an inspiration during a simple poster shooting? It was really hard to understand artists. After visiting the exhibition, Sister Xue drove the excited photographer and Qin Guan back to the studio so they could work on Qin Guans business photos. Sister Xue took two outfits out of the trunk excitedly. Both the suit and the casual clothes looked really expensive. They seemed extremely delicate as they hung in stic covers in a formal way. In the studio, Sister Xue unzipped the covers and took out a summer style GIVENCHY suit. She had taken advantage of her connections to borrow them from a designer brand renting store for free. The costume consisted of a ck woollen coat with a single button, a loose T-shirt, woollen pants, and shoes made of smooth ck leather. It was an exact replica of a suit from the standard GIVENCHY runway show in the summer. Even the size was the same. It fit Qin Guan quite well. The ck suit hung down slightly, and the ck round-cor T-shirt made Qin Guan look natural and unrestrained. The photographer felt inspired. "Can you walk on the T stage?" he asked. Qin Guan nodded, and the photographer grew even more excited. He asked his assistant to arrange the lights on the T stage, where Qin Guan would perform. Once Qin Guan strode from the darkness into the light, the photographer began to press the camera button. Only when Qin Guan left the spotlight again did Sister Xuee to her senses. Excellent! The coat fit his waist perfectly, and the straight pantsplimented his long legs. In the photos, Qin Guan was lifting one of his feet to step forward against the yogon background. The photographer asked Qin Guan to take off the T-shirt for one more series of photos. Qin Guan took off all the clothes on his upper body and put on the coat again. The photographer held his jaw and stared at him. "Hold the cor with both hands as if youre tearing it apart." Qin Guan did as he was told. The dim yellow light from above and the caesious curtain made the whole background seem mysterious. The light fell softly on the ck coat and on Qin Guans naked chest, which seemed even smoother under the light. The contrast between Qin Guans wild pose and his soft skin looked very attractive. The audience would focus on his figure right away. Sister Xue was quite satisfied with the photographer. In her opinion, Sun Pengtao and Qin Guan had great potential. They will turn into Chinese dragons and fly high into the sky. These photos will give Qin Guan an advantage. While Qin Guan was changing clothes, Sister Xue shouted loudly from outside the fitting room, "Are you naked?" "Let me put on some pants!" Qin Guan answered in confusion. A new pair of underpants in a packaged box flied in from outside. "Thats your gift! Put them on and lets take some underwear photos." Qin Guan took out the underpants. Whoops! Theyre Calvin Klein. He put them on right away after picking off thebel. It was a pair of simple seamless underpants. The seams were all weaved together. The underwear covered Qin Guans hipspletely, making him feel asfortable as if he was naked. With only the underpants on, Qin Guan walked under the lights. His delicate pace would have made any audience feel a sense of desire, sexiness, allure, luxury and enthusiasm, just like an unexpected romance. The photographer asked Qin Guan to lean against a pir. The smooth lines of his body exhibited the power of the Creator and the utmost beauty a human being could possess. Only one series of underwear photos were needed. It would only take up a small space on the right side of his model business card. All the staff in the studio were disappointed that the underwear shoot was over. Qin Guans beauty was a feast for the eyes, and that feast had ended almost as soon as it had begun. After finishing this series, Qin Guan changed into the GIVENCHY casual summer outfit. The outfit included a V-neck, jacket-like shirt with a picture of Jesus, a loose T-shirt with pockets, a pair of Bermuda shorts made of a fabric that did not wrinkle, smooth ocean blue buttermilk-skin skateboard shoes, and a thick bracelet with keys. Thebination of white, blue and grey gave off a sense of casualness and leisure. The photographer realized that Qin Guan would take photos in casual clothes as soon as he saw the outfit. Sun Pengtao was the best at taking candid photos. He asked Qin Guan to just act natural. Qin Guan nned to show him what he had learned from Professor Li. He took a casual pose by putting his hands in his pockets and supporting them against his hips. Sister Xue was delighted. The boy has finally learned how to show off his advantages. The photos were finished fast. There was only one photo left. On a models professional business card, the main photo would take up half the page, while the other nine smaller photos would take up the other half. Out of the 10 photos, it was the main photo on the left that would attract the clients attention right away. Thats why the main photo was at the centre of the page. All the models would show their best image in that photo. Sister Xue and the photographer hesitated. Qin Guan had both an outstanding face and figure. How could they choose one? They had a long discussion and finally decided on a full-body picture. As a good model, Qin Guan would be able to withstand the exposure. Just a handsome face would have limited him to a still model level after all. Chapter 59: The High School General Examination Chapter 59: The High School General Examination Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia They couldnt take a full-body picture of Qin Guan though, because it might be too small for the audience. They discussed it and finally decided to take a photo from his knees up. A nude picture would be even better. Sister Xue asked Qin Guan to take off his coat and expose his abdominal muscles and V-line. She unfastened the first button of his jeans and pulled them down a little. Perfect! They would lure the audience with his sexy body. It was so cunning! When the photos were finished, as a sophisticateddy who had seen countless beauties, Sister Xue believed that she would have been fascinated by Qin Guan. She counted 10 bills and handed them to the photographer, who had cooperated with her dly. "Thank you! Youre wee back anytime." Once he finished the post-production, the photographer would call Sister Xue. Until then, Qin Guan could rx. A lot of affairs hade up recently, and Qin Guan had been busy as a bee. Now he could finally make some testing papers for Huang Jiajia. In June, Huang Jiajia would take her final examinations, and in September, when the schools opened again, she would join the army for the College Entrance Examination. Qin Guan had promised Huang Jiajia at the end of the Spring Festival that if her scores were improved in the General Examination, he would treat her to snacks at Carrefour. There was only about 800 yuan left in his shopping card, but hopefully it would be enough for her highness. In half a year, she had changed a lot. His courses were much easier for her than they used to be. Huang Jiajia was no longer a rebel, but a very smartdy. Her vigor in studying shamed Qin Guan. She had asked her mother to register for several lessons after school. As she corrected her mistakes, she had attracted the attention of her teachers at school. A hard-working student was wee everywhere, even in a school with a low enrolment rate. As a result, the teachers had begun to focus on Huang Jiajia both in and out of ss. By getting help from both sides, Huang Jiajias scores had been getting better and better. Qin Guan returned to his dormitory and worked on the papers for Huang Jiagia during his leisure time. He would test her that weekend. Before the weekend, Qin Guans date request was turned down by Cong Nianwei once again. Irritated by his roommates disys of affection in the dormitory, Qin Guan took the papers and headed for Huang Jiajias home to avoid beating his friends up. Qin Guan entered Huang Jiajias home and found her sitting at the table quietly with her pen and draft paper. This will be myst chance to earn his praise. It was theirst lesson before the General Examinations and the finals. It was showdown. Qin Guan spread the papers on the table. "My papers include less subjects than your examination. Luckily, these courses are focusing on memory. You can work on them yourself. Today well focus on the five main subjects. Lets start with Chinese." Huang Jiajia nodded eagerly and picked up the first paper. Lowering her head, she began to write quickly. Meanwhile, Qin Guan read a book beside her. June was drawing near, and the temperature was getting higher and higher, signalling the arrival of summer vacation. However, before the summer holidays, students had to go through the examination period. There was also a heatedpetition for the schrship that semester. For Qin Guan, who had a bnce of more than 30,000 yuan, that schrship was still arge source of ie. All that money was his reward for working hard and his capital forunching his business. As a young man, I can only gradually umte a limited capital. The leaves outside the windows rustled in the breeze as an early summer cicada sang along, joining their private celebration. Under the yellow lights inside the house, two figures were sitting at a table. One of them was writing swiftly while the other was reading carefully. What a peaceful time! When Huang Jiajia finished writing, Qin Guan looked up from his book. He corrected her papers with a red ballpoint pen as Huang Jiajia craned her neck to look, sitting on pins and needles. The test would reflect her level in the General Examination in a way, and the result of the General Examination would affect her chances of getting treated to snacks by Qin Guan and dating him. Actually, Huang Jiajia was over-thinking things. The General Examination would only cover the most basic knowledge points of the textbooks. When Qin Guan was done, Huang Jiajia was pleased by the results. Chinese: 98 Math: 88 English: 92 Chemistry: 90 Science: 91 Except for Math, all her other scores were above 90. Her total score was 459, which meant that she could possibly enroll at amunity college. Huang Jiajia was really excited. Although she hadnt passed Math, she had made great progress. She was just thinking of acting like a spoiled child and begging Qin Guan for praise, when he looked at his watch and stood up. It was not early for him, so he nned to leave. They would meet again after Huang Jiajia had taken the General Examination. Huang Jiajia was both angry and disappointed. Qin Guans mind was upied by his courses, his part-time jobs and Cong Nianwei, so she had failed to find a way in. She threw her teddy bear on the floor with force. I hate him and love him at the same time! Hes such a simple-minded man, both in my reach and out of it... As Huang Jiajia thought about how she had gotten along with Qin Guan, she picked up her teddy bear again and held it in her arms. Unaware that he had broken her young heart, Qin Guan was riding his shabby bicycle on his way back to college. Huang Jiajias good scores had given him a sense of achievement that had healed the wound caused by Cong Nianwei. He parked his bike and returned to his dormitory with his books. All his roommates were studying inside. What cunning boys! They pretended to be at ease in the ssroom, but reverted to their original status when they came back home. They were the most annoying students in the whole college. They acted rxed before others, smiling about their high scores as they said, "It was unexpected! I was only listening to the tutor randomly. How could I have gotten such a high score?" Chapter 60: Super Cheater Chapter 60: Super Cheater Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia They would actually hide in dark corners and read books desperately. Qin Guan had decided that except him and Liu Xiaoyang, all the others in his dormitory had really cunning personalities. Qin Guan set his book on the table. Honest students like me are rare these days. (You are already beyond the scope of examination, you show-off!) Liu Xiaoyang waved his game console at Qin Guan. "Do you want to y?" Qin Guan stood up curiously, only to find Liu Xiaoyang ying Tetris. The console was quite new. He was speechless. "Isnt this an old game? Why are you still ying it?" "I discovered a game secret!" Liu Xiaoyang answered excitedly. "What is it?" Qin Guan asked torpidly. Liu looked around before he said in a low voice, "The record can be renewed repeatedly. Im working on the scores in various ways." Qin Guan left him and went straight to the bathroom. Im not sure if hes a genius or an idiot. Nothing happened that night. Huang Jiajia entered her examination room on June 27th 1999, at the same time that Qin Guan was taking his own exams. It was an unprecedented exam held at the college lecture theatre. Therge room provided many loopholes to take advantage of. All the students tried their best to get a passing mark. Some of them had reprinted the material in a smaller format. Without a magnifying ss, Qin Guan couldnt read it at all, but he admired the eyesight of the people who could. Some students had also carved the answers on their desks or drawers in advance. They possessed excellent carving abilities. The methods mentioned above were only simple measures the students had taken beforehand, but more striking skills would follow. The invigtor was the top hunter in the college. She tutored about Marxism-Leninism. As she was passing out the papers, she reminded the students once again, "Cheaters will be announced all over university, and their scores will be cancelled. I wont let anybody off." Qin Guan watched the boy sitting in front of him shiver and put the books under his bottom away. The bell rang, and the exam began. For naughty students, that threat meant nothing. They would risk their own lives to get a passing mark. Qin Guan observed the cheaters as he wrote. A fat student to his right moved. He pushed the desk and a textbook slid from the drawer and fell onto his legs. He had one hand on the desk to prevent others from seeing while he turned the pages of the book with his other hand. He found the right ce and put the answers down on his paper. How skillful of him! Qin Guan finished a question and looked to his left, discovering another cheater. The superpower of perspective eyes was hardly possessed bymon people. Copying answers off others was a most familiar skill. Cheaters observed carefully the answers of students sitting around them and put them down on their own papers. Several students like that had gathered around Qin Guan and Wang Lei. Of course, they didnt copy all their original answers. They would intentionally make some mistakes so their papers wouldnt be identical. After watching them, Qin Guan concentrated on his own paper. It took him only 50 minutes to finish it, while the exam was supposed to take students one hour and a half toplete. He scanned his paper from beginning to end. Ill get a perfect mark again, no doubt. Before he handed in his paper, another girl from his department stood up and handed in her own. Shorty thereafter, Qin Guan saw an apple appear outside the window. It must be that girl! ncing at the boy sitting beside the window, everything suddenly became clear. The two of them were boyfriend and girlfriend and were known around the college for their different interests. The girl was focused on her courses, while the boy was a fan of video games. An apple appeared outside the window once again. The boy began to write swiftly on his paper. Qin Guan looked down at his own paper and realized the answers of the first two multiple choice questions were both A. When a banana followed, Qin Guan tried his best to keep a straight face. Finally, after Qin Guan had waited for a long time, a C appeared. Whats that? Again! A chestnut? Chinese people are really talented. Not long after, they were discovered by other students. They all could do nothing but watch, as they didnt know what the corresponding questions were. It was an uncopied sess. The boy wasughing to himself. Qin Guanpared his answers to the girls and found that she had made two mistakes. When the bell rang, Qin Guan handed in his paper and followed the boy outside the ssroom. When he found the couple, the two of them were eating the banana and apple. With an obscene smile, Qin Guan jumped in front of them. "The answer of thest question was chestnut, not apple. You were wrong!" Chapter 61: Two Dependent People Chapter 61: Two Dependent People Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The boy looked at the girl in unconscious surprise. "I was afraid to have the same answers as you. I didnt want to make the tutor suspicious, so I changed myst answer to C." Well, the guy might get a higher score than his girlfriend after all. Qin Guan shared the secret with them and left in satisfaction. The girl suddenly squeezed her boyfriend and shouted, "He is Qin Guan!" "Qin Guan?" The boy was confused. "Is he famous or something?" The girl nced at him unhappily, and said with a pout, "You should go to ss more often. You have skipped so many sses that you dont even recognize the most renowned student in our university." "Qin Guan is a straight-A student with a full schrship in the Department of ounting. My roommate, who went to the college ball, found his dancing skills quite good." "Plus, the most fashionable girl in my neighbourhood has a shirt poster of him somewhere. Her roommates fought over that poster furiously. They decided to hang it up on the wall facing the door of their dormitory." "Actually, hes pretty legendary," the girl went on. She got more and more excited, while the boy got more and more ufortable. I think my girlfriend would follow Qin Guan if he so much as whistled at her. I should attend more sses to protect my love. Qin Guan didnt know that he had unconsciously saved a strong-willed young man. He called Huang Jiajias mother when he returned his dormitory. Huang Jiajia was his student, so he had to keep an eye on her score in the general student examination. Huang Jiajias mother sounded happy on the phone. She discussed her daughters status with Qin Guan. ording to her, Huang Jiajia was quite happy after finishing the exam, which reassured Qin Guan. At the time, arranging his vacation was his first priority. First, I should buy a sleeper ticket for my girlfriend. It would be too tiring to sit on the train. Qin Guan had a lot of spare time before summer vacation. He had bought two student sleeper tickets from a scalper, which had cost him an extra 100 yuan in total. Anyway, I have a 10,000-yuan ie now. I can make better arrangements for my girlfriend so she can have a morefortable journey home. Summer vacation came in July, and it was a golden time for college students. Qin Guan carried Cong Nianweis luggage off the train, treating her like a queen. They had finally reached the end of their trip, which was city of Y, their hometown. Neither of their parents hade to the station to pick them up. It seemed that after meeting each other, they had be friends. In such a small city, a short chat was enough to clear ones public rtionship. Most people hadmon friends or rtives, which connected them in a way. Their parents had soon gotten familiar with each other over somemon interests. When they knew that their son and daughter would return home together again, they had automatically chosen not to show up at the station. Qin Guan is a quite reliable young man. Parents can express their love for their children by making breakfast at home. Qin Guan pulled their luggage along and stopped a taxi. He took Cong Nianwei home first. When she got out of the taxi, Qin Guan remembered to hold her hand. "Do give me a call," he urged her. "I have so many ns for summer vacation." Cong Nianwei looked at the smiling driver in the front seat shyly before pulling her hand away. "I know. Wait for my call." Then she took her suitcase and ran into the building. When her back was out of sight, Qin Guan told his address to the driver. A warm, sweet breakfast was ready when he got there. It was take-away breakfast from the Blue-White Group. It was the first new project after his mothers bread factory had been absorbed by the Blue-White Group. That year, staple food retail stores with that symbolic blue roof and white walls could be seen everywhere in the urban area. Every day there would be trucks carrying supplies to retail stores. The food-processing nts subordinated to the China Administration of Grain had retreated from the stands in the farmers market, and Blue-White Group staple food appeared on the dining tables of the residents of Y city in a more convenient manner. That day, Qin Guan had his first Blue-White Group breakfast after returning to Y city. It included newly-ground, aromatic soybean milk and big crispy, fried bread sticks. (The sticks were really big. They were actually longer than aptop.) Qin Guans mother had bought two steamed stuffed buns with braised pork and soy sauce as well, for fear that it wouldnt be enough for her son. There were also homemade radish pickles, which were slightly sweet. After breakfast, Qin Guan thought for a while before asking his parents, who were about to go out, "Are we doing anything today?" "No, do you have any arrangements?" they answered. Qin Guan waved his hand. "I want to have a good days sleep. Ill turn off my cell phone. Dont worry about me, Ill stay at home." His parents nodded in understanding and left for work. Qin Guan rubbed his hands together, pulled the phone line out, turned off his cell phone, and copsed on his bed. It was getting hot, so his quilt had been reced by a thinner one. Qin Guan arranged his pillow, which was filled with buckwheat hulls, into the mostfortable shape and fell asleep. He had just fallen asleep when there was a knock on the door. Burying his head under the covers, Qin Guan pretended to hear nothing. The people outside were quite stubborn though. They kept knocking and shouting, "Qinnnnnn... Guannnnnn!" Grinding his teeth, Qin Guan jumped out of bed in a roll. He opened the door and found Zhou Jing and Li Jian there. They entered one by one, changing into slippers at the shoe case without any shame. They were bothining, "Youre not a loyal friend, Qin Guan. One of my remote rtives saw you get off a taxi ande home. You had decided not to tell us that you returned, is that right?" Qin Guan was quite angry. Those evil friends wont leave me alone, even when I pull the line out. There goes my sleep. Sitting on the couch in the living room, Qin Guan asked helplessly, "Tell me then. Whats the matter?" Zhou Jing answered matter-of-factly, "Did you forget? We have to make money. My pocket money for summer vacation depends on you!" Qin Guan got even angrier. "Why are you here again?" he said helplessly, "Cant you find some other way to make money yourselves? Ill return to college in August." Li Jian took a frozen lollipop from Qin Guans fridge before he asked in confusion, "Why are you returning so early? Arent you going to enjoy your summer vacation?" "Ill participate in the Chinese New Model Competition, which will take ce between August 20th and 30th. I have to prepare in advance." Zhou Jing and Li Jian were really surprised by the news. Their mouths opened so wide that one could have jammed an egg in them. With a particrly regretful expression, they said, "So you decided to quit your studies and make a living off your looks. Congrattions! You took a shortcut to life!" Chapter 62: Business on the Beach Chapter 62: Business on the Beach Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan pped Zhou Jings hand off and answered, "No, its only a part-time job. I have signed a contract with a model agency as a C-level model, just to state that I engage in the profession. My tutor said that I could advance to B-level and win a prize. Then my sry would be much higher. Thats why I want to participate in apetition." Zhou Jing and Li Jian nodded together in understanding. Their reaction changed at once. They hugged Qin Guan from both sides and said, "Its still early July. Its about a month and a half from the middle of August. We can make a good n for making money." Qin Guan was quite annoyed. He started arguing with them, "I will go on dates with Cong Nianwei. I have neither seen a movie, nor gone shopping with her in a while. I have to reject your proposal." They all rolled together into a ball. Li Jian sat on Qin Guan, panting. "You can make time for both dating and making money. I believe in you. You are the best money-grubber in Y city." Qin Guan couldnt breathe under his 100 kilos. He patted the floor hard and shouted, "Get up, Li Jian! Youll break me!" "No! I wont get up unless youe up with an idea for making money!" Just as he was about to choke, Qin Guans brain started working at a very high speed. Suddenly, inspiration hit him. "Ive got it! Move your ass away from me!" Zhou Jing jumped over immediately and pulled Li Jian up. Qin Guan was lying on the floor in distress like a limp noodle. They both asked urgently, "What kind of business is it? Tell us!" Qin Guan stood up from the floor andy down on the couch before saying, "We can set up a stand on the beach." Zhou Jing and Li Jian were surprised. "Shall we sell shish kebab again? The beach is full of kebab stands. Big restaurants are fighting over a spare ce. How could wepete with them?" Qin Guan shook his head, "We wont sell kebab. That was quite a tiring job. Wed be busy the whole day. My n is to get a counter on the first swimming beach." "Zhou Jing, you have to buy a ss counter from the canteen of the Bureau of Retired Veteran Cadres. Then you will go find your second aunt. Shes selling wholesale clothes in Sanzhan Market, isnt she? Ask her about the price of swimsuits this year." "Li Jian, you go to the Changsheng Freezing Drink Factory and buy some frozen lollipops and sodas for wholesale. Thats our current arrangement. If wee up with anything else, well meet and discuss it. By the way, Zhou Jing, on your way to Sanzhan Market, you should have a look at the stands selling swimming rings. When everything is ready, well meet at my house." Li Jian and Zhou Jing broke up in a hubbub, busy with their own affairs. In 1999, the city of Y had not made the list of the countrys best cities based on living conditions, and the tourism industry had not been explored on arge scale. The sky there was clean blue and the ocean was pure green. Two small swimming beaches were enough for the residents of the city to enjoy a leisurely vacation. On his shabby bike, Qin Guan jangled through two alleys across his house to reach the beach, which was still quiet. The summer sunshine was warm against the sand, and the sea breeze was blowing against his face, smelling slightly of fish. A group of seagulls with white feathers and ck wings were gathered together. They did not lookpletely sober. Their eyes were only half open. A small crab was running transversely on the white-yellow sand. The leisurely, beautiful scene made Qin Guan suddenly want to y a game. He pedalled hard twice and rushed into the sand with his bike. The bike was instantly trapped deep into the sand. Qin Guan took the opportunity to throw it away and lie down on the sand facing the sky. The startled seagulls woke up and spread their wings to fly away. One or two of them, who were in charge of rming the rest, turned around to check the situation. They saw a strange human lying on the soft sand in a ""posture. Qin Guan smiled with his eyes closed. He felt quitefortable in the sunshine. Hey down on the beach until the sun was high in the sky and the sand was a little hot. Then he stood up again. He shook the sand off his body, took off his shoes and walked to the reception of the first swimming beach barefoot. The reception in 1999 was quite simple. There was only a small window selling tickets and a simple oblong bathing ce. There were two bathing rooms fordies and gentlemen on both sides of the window. The swimmers in the sea had to be experienced as their bodies were rough in the sea water, and there was sand in their hair and bodies. If they walked home or back to their hotels in their wet swimsuits, they would be quite ufortable though. The simple bathing rooms of the first swimming beach provided the swimmers with hot water for showering. It only cost three yuan to take a shower there. Although there were only sprayers with big iron tubes, they were quite practical for swimmers. As a result, the ticket window was the most crowded ce on the beach. Qin Guan went there to talk to the old woman selling the tickets. It was not a weekend, so she was not that busy. Sister Liu liked chatting with handsome young men. She agreed to Qin Guans request without any hesitation. The bathing room was her private business, which had belonged to her husband. Part of her ie was submitted to the government, but the 100 yuan Qin Guan would pay her as rent would be a bonus. He wouldnt upy room in her ticket booth. He would only set up an outdoor counter beside the bathing rooms. That was okay with her. When Qin Guan ended their discussion and walked out of the ticket booth, he remembered that he had forgotten to tell Zhou Jing something. He called Zhou Jing, who sounded a little annoyed. "Youre just in time, Qin Guan! There are so many types of swimsuits. Im really confused. Come here and help me!" Qin Guan was speechless. "Give me the number of the stand. Ill take a bus there." "Its in the third row, number 1133. Hurry!" Zhou Jing hung up. The Sanzhan Wholesale Market was located on the most flourishing street in the centre of Y city. It was south of the North Road Bus Station and the Port Passenger Station, and north of the Master Station for Remote Shuttle Buses . It was also only 15 kilometres from the airport. The market engaged mainly in wholesale and retail ofputers, household appliances, shoes and makeup. It was the most famous distributing centre in Y city. The wholesalers were working hard to promote famous brands, such as Sama leisure costumes, Diri T-shirts, Sister Han minority costumes, Wencheng Princess shoes, and others. Chapter 63: Wholesale Market Chapter 63: Wholesale Market Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans destination was Zhou Jings second aunts stand at the Sanzhan Clothing Market of Y city. When he reached the stand, Qin Guan found Zhou Jing carrying packages up and down, acting as a cooley for his aunt. The packages were carried out of warehouse and taken away by retail merchants. Zhou Jings aunt looked busy as she shouted to Qin Guan, "Have a seat, Qin Guan! Was it hot on the way? Shall I buy you an ice-cream?" Zhou Jing wanted to cry, but he couldnt shed a tear. "You are my born aunt. Why do you treat others better than me?" His aunt nced at him in dislike before she turned to Qin Guan enthusiastically, "Whats the matter, Qin Guan? Zhou Jing is too stupid to exin the situation." Qin Guan smiled at her. "Aunt, Zhou Jing, Li Jian and I have a stand on the first swimming beach. We want to sell swimsuits and rent swimming rings. I know that you have a flourishing business in the market, so I came here to ask you for ideas." The woman smiled, and wrinkles formed on her face at his praise. Zhou Jing murmured beside her, "Its only a small stand. Barely six square metres..." "Bang!" Before he could finish his words, his aunt had hit him over the head. "And you med me for prejudice! Hear what you just said! You are my born nephew!" Qin Guan continued in a hush, "Dont listen to him, aunt. I just want to know if we could pay you after making sales. You know we are only college students." The aunt smiled and covered her mouth. "Thats fine. Summer is close, and Im selling lots of swimsuits. Your requirement is not unreasonable. You can choose any style or size you like. Ill only charge you for the purchasing cost. The sales volume will depend on you." Qin Guan immediately answered with a sweet smile, "Thank you so much, my aunt! You take care of your own business. Dont worry about us. Well select ourselves." The aunt nodded and pointed at the goods on the shelves. "Okay, Ill leave you alone. You can put them in a bag. Just tell me the type and amount when youre done." They both nodded. One of them held the bag while the other selected the swimsuits. Qin Guan sighed at the swimsuit styles as he approached the shelves. They were all really conservative. The most fashionable one was a half-skirt suit that left the waist bare. To make a long story short, Qin Guan selected ten male one-size swimming trunks, five of which were three-cornered. The others were all boxers shorts. Then he selected ten one-size trunks for boys and ten swimsuits for girls between the ages of six and ten, which were all lovely seersuckers and colourful one-pieces. Seersucker swimsuits were the most popr style of the time, and they were famous for their small, bubble-like wrinkles. Nowadays, they would have been considered rustic, but they were the most fashionable swimsuit at the time. Qin Guan selected ten one-piece swimsuits fordies and two bikinis that left their navels exposed. He was afraid that the bikinis wouldnt be epted by the conservative residents of Y city. That was enough for the first day. After all, most of the tourists would bring their own swimsuits. Qin Guans sales would depend solely on his taste. They recorded the sizes and amount of the selected swimsuits and put them all in a bag. Then they bid farewell to Zhou Jings aunt and left for the culture and sport equipment wholesale market. There was a stand selling swimming rings in a corner. Qin Guan asked the vendor only for thick rings made of rubber, as well as tedious red ones for kids. Zhou Jing pointed at the colourful rings made of thin stic and asked him in confusion, "Those look prettier. Why didnt you choose them?" Qin Guan looked at him speechlessly. "I have nothing to say to you. Your IQ has hit rock bottom. Who would use rings made of such materials? Didnt you notice that I chose the rings with the best durability? We also have to check for leaks. There are waves and wind in the sea, its not like a pool. A sharp stone could break your ring, and a big wave could take you and your ring away. The most essential factor in choosing a ring is the safety of a person who cant swim. Mind your IQ, please." Zhou Jing touched his head in shame. As a local person who had been swimming in the sea ever since he was a kid, he really had no idea about swimming rings. Qin Guan chose three ck rubber rings and two red rings for kids. The bright color would make the ring stand out when it floated in the sea. If a kid was in danger and asked for help, the adults in the area would find it easily. He also remembered to buy a mini inter before they left. The two of them were ufortable as they went out of the market. Qin Guan had three rings on his body, while Zhou Jing carried two rings and all the swimsuits. Nothing can be done. Lets go home first. When they returned home, Qin Guan was still busy. He transferred all the frozen seafood left from the Spring Festival from the small ice tank to the freezing chamber of the fridge. The ice tank, which was now empty, would be used to hold the cool drinks Li Jian would bring back. Qin Guan found a nylon rope and tied the five rings together so they would be easier to carry. What they needed now was only umbres and a shelf, which had to be made by professionals. Qin Guan called his elder cousin to describe the type of shelf on which they would hang the swimsuits. Actually, it was an iron gauze on square shelves. The work was simple, and his cousin answered without any hesitation. He had been afraid that Qin Guan might be hispetitor in the kebab business. It was currently peak season for the night market. When the shelf was finished, Qin Guan sent Zhou Jing to his fathers unit in the Bureau of Retired Veteran Cadres. It was rumored that the retired cadres had held a sports meeting and had more than tenrge umbres left. Although the title of the bureau was printed on them, they were still good for providing shade. Zhou Jing borrowed them for re-usage, which was redevelopment of effective resources. While Zhou Jing was gone, Qin Guan took an Changsheng ice cube with a rich milk vour,y down on the couch joyfully and turned on the TV. A rerun of a series called "Youth, Start Off" was on. An actress named Fan Pingping was the leading star. Qin Guan spit the ice cube out. What the hell is this series even about? On the screen, Fan Pingping had baby fat and short hair, which reminded Qin Guan of his past life. They had been in the same senior high school and the same grade. It was a pity that in his past life, Qin Guan had been a loser. He had been one of those boys who just drooled over the girls of their dreams. Chapter 64: Recalling Fang Pingping (Bingbing) Chapter 64: Recalling Fang Pingping (Bingbing) Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia At the time, Fang Pingping had been too tall for Qin Guan, who had been short in his past life. At 167 centimeters, she had been the beauty queen of his senior high school. Unsurprisingly, she had been selected as the drum and bugle corps leader, the standard bearer, and so on. At the time, Cong Nianwei had been a little girl with child-like hair, who didnt stand a chance against Fang Pingpings female elegance. Qin Guan remembered that in his past life, all the dancing performances at the Spring Festival school party had been performed by group dancers, except for Fang Pingping, who had performed a solo routine. In a shining, colorful minority dress, she had stood up and danced happily. She had been so beautiful! Stop it. Or shall I think about the jokes she made? Qin Guan would have felt sorry for Cong Nianwei, except he didnt know much about her jokes. They had belonged to different worlds. One of them had been a working ss straight-A student, while the other had been the leader of the art ss. They had moved in two parallel lines that never crossed. Qin Guan sighed and sucked on the ice cube again. As far as he could remember, there had only been two times when he had met goddess Fang. The first one had been during their first exams for ss-dividing when the school had opened. They hadnt known each other then. Their numbers for the unified test of the whole grade had been mixed up. On that day, Qin Guan had arrived in the ssroom just before the bell had rung. He had entered the unfamiliar room and seen Fang Pingping sitting in the back row. She had looked conspicuous among that group of freshmen who had no idea who that beauty was. With a high ponytail and bangs, and a pair of amorous eyes, she had looked particrly charming, attracting the attention of every boy in the room. Qin Guan had hastened to take his seat as the teacher had walked in with the papers. While the papers had been given out, he had heard the conversation between Fang Pingping and the boy sitting in front of her. The boy had said bravely, "Im quite confident about the test. Do you know how much I got in the entrance exams for the No.1 Junior High School? 600 points! No more or less." Fang Pingpings eyes had shined immediately before she had said in a soft voice, "I admire straight-A students the most. Im no good at studying myself." The boy had suddenly felt like a guardian angel. He had handed over the papers to Fang Pingping and made a promise to her, "Dont worry. Ill push my paper to the side when Im done." Fang Pingping had given him an encouraging smile. "Cheers!" The boy had started writing swiftly with renewed energy. Qin Guan had been envious of their conversation. Why didnt they give me that seat? I could also have shown my bravery to the goddess. Im short, fat, and hairy, so I have nothing to show off about except my scores. In the end, Qin Guan had made the top ss without any trouble, while Fang Pingping had cheated smoothly. When the school had announced the score list, Qin Guan hadughed for quite a while. Fang Pingping had gotten into the art ss, which was a far cry from ordinary sses. The boy who had showed her his papers had also gotten in the same ss. ording to Qin Guanster observation, the boy had originally been in the art ss. He had just exaggerated his score to show off to the beautiful girl. For half the semester, he had been held in disdain by goddess Fang. Finally, he had been rmended for admission to a music college because of his excellent skill in ying the violin. You want to know his school scores? Ha, ha, ha... Please allow the boy to maintain some dignity. Qin Guan took another bite of the ice cube. On the screen, Fang Pingpings cheeks were still round. She looked no different than she had in his past life. Fortunately, her face was fine. I wonder if she has had the same experiences as in my past life. Qin Guan was gloomy. The memory of his past life was nk. He had only gained great looks. That was why he had ignorantly confessed his love for Cong Nianwei in this life. He didnt know whether he would have done something as silly with Fang Pingping if he had entered the same ssroom again. Qin Guan had avoided such affairs before. He owed hisplete change to Cong Nianweis rejection. Actually, that was wrong. Qin Guan was innocent. What the guy in his past life had done had had nothing to do with him. It seemed like an iplete spirit had been mended through his rebirth. So, what was the reality? Qin Guan was confused. He knew nothing about space physics. Forget it. Im living well. It was important to have a new life this time around, wasnt it? But why was he concerned about Fang Pingpings face then? Their second contact in Qin Guans past life had been during an ordinary day at school. Qin Guan had been on his shabby bike, riding down along the slope outside the school as usual. Zhou Jing and Li Jian had been making jokes at him. Suddenly, they had seen Fang Pingping on the back of her fathers motorbike, leaving the entrance of the school. As the motorbike had been running down the slope, it had been stopped by a passing minibus, which had been slowly driving away. The motorbike had gotten out of control. Inertia inbination with its elerating speed had caused it to fall down the 30-degree slope. Her father, who had been in the front, had slid to the ground, while Fang Pingping had been thrown away, finally stopping after several clumsy rolls on the slope. All the students had been astonished. They had never seen such a thing before. They had all gotten off their bikes to check on them. There had been no cell phones back in 1995, so several students had run to the school for help. They had been in panic, when suddenly Fang Pingpings father had climbed off the motorbike. It had been miracle. He had only seemed to have several bruises on his skin. He had moved the motorbike jerkily and walked unevenly towards his daughter. Fang Pingping had been better off than her father. Shed had dirt all over her body, and her arms had been slightly hurt, blood trailing from them in lines. Before her father could ask any questions, Fang Pingping had suddenly covered her face with both hands and felt it up and down. Then she had cried, "Daddy, daddy! Is there anything wrong with my face? Is there anything wrong with my face?" Her father had remained speechless before his vain daughter. Chapter 65: Everything Is Ready Chapter 65: Everything Is Ready Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan and his friends had thought Fang Pingpings hair was a mess. She had been dirty and grey from head to toe. Only her amorous eyes had still been shining. She had originally been a picture of heartbreaking beauty, yet now shed had something funny about her. They had held back theirughter for fear of being beaten by her fans. (Stop pretending. You three had also been her fans.) Her father had looked at her without a word as Fang Pingping had cried sadly, "I cant go to the Xie Jin Film College now. I wanted to be actress. What will I do?" Her father had just remembered andforted her by touching her head. "My silly girl, theres nothing wrong with your face. Your tears are all over it. Do you feel any pain? Do you feel any scars on your face?" Fang Pingping had suddenly realized that her face was not hurting. She had settled down before shed started hurting all over her body. Her bruises had been bleeding. The surrounding boys had felt pity at the pouting, teary-eyed Fang Pingping. Quite a few boys had remained there until the police had arrived. They had been too reluctant to leave. The three boys, including Qin Guan, had not been as loyal. They had left right after ensuring Fang Pingpings safety. Qin Guan had thest bite of the ice cube. Fang Pingpings cheeks looked smooth on TV. No matter what had happened, she had been safe in this life. Besides, she had be popr after the TV series "Princess Pearl". She could be the heroine of a terrible TV series now. Qin Guan was thinking about this happily when someone knocked on his door. He got off the couch to open it. Li Jian entered sweating, followed by Zhou Jing. They both changed into slippers and sat down on the couch. Each of them had an ice-cream in hand. After taking an enjoyable bite, they screamed, "Fang Pingping!" Qin Guan stopped them, "Shall we get to business?" Li Jian let out a long, relieved breath. "I settled everything. The wholesale could be at least one box." "The umbres were gathering dust in storage. We could take them away along with the ss counter," Zhou Jing said. Qin Guan turned to Li Jian, "You can ride my tricycle home today and bring the frozen suckers to the beach. Ill borrow arger tricycle from my cousins factory. Tomorrow well work separately." "Li Jian, you should carry the frozen suckers from the wholesale store. Remember to bring a cotton quilt to cover them, or they might melt on the way." "Zhou Jing and I will take the freezer to the Bureau of Retired Veteran Cadres to move the umbres and the counter to the beach." "Thats all for today. Dismissed!" Qin Guan patted them on the back to tell them to go. They bothy on the couch though, refusing to leave. "Were hungry, Qin Guan. Its afternoon and we havent even had lunch yet." Youre ming me for not having lunch? Qin Guan went to the kitchen helplessly and shouted, "Nothing delicious here. There are only vegetable noodles left. Take it or leave it, its up to you." Li Jian answered at once, "Add an egg, please." "I want one, too!" Zhou Jing shouted. Qin Guan sighed, took three eggs from the fridge and returned to the kitchen. He had lived in the capital as a bachelor for many years. To avoid take-away food, hed had to get good at cooking. First, he peeled the green Chinese onion and broke off a piece of it with his hands. Then he sliced it and took a tomato and a handful of spinach from the basket. He cut them into small pieces, poured oil in the pan, and fried all the raw materials. He waited until the tomato slices had be a little soft, and then he kept stirring them with a little soy. Finally, he poured water into the pan until it was half-full. He fried the eggs in another pan until they were 80% done and waited for the water to boil. He put a handful of thin dry noodles in the boiling water, threw the spinach in, and added some aginomoto and salt. The noodles were done. Qin Guan took threerge bowls out and separated all the noodles and soup into three equal parts. Then he added the three fried eggs, and the noodles were ready. Although his friendsined about having hot soup in such hot weather, the noodles were quite delicious. They both left as soon as theyd finished their food, sweating quite a lot. It was sunny the next morning. Qin Guan rode arge tricycle, carrying the freezer, a wiring board, some clothes hangers, swimsuits, and swimming rings to the Bureau. Zhou Jing had already moved three umbres and a ss counter at the entrance of the Bureau. They loaded everything onto the tricycle and set off for the first swimming beach. It was early in the morning, so the ticket booth was still empty. Qin Guan took the long wiring board to the power supply in the ticket booth. He plugged in the board, put the small freezer at the back of the counter and threw a small purse on it. Zhou Jing opened arge umbre over the counter and put the other two swimming rings at the foot of the wall. Qin Guan stuck the hangers into the sand before the counter. There were swimsuits and pants on them. One for adults and one for kids, a pair of boxer shorts, and done! Everything was ready except for the frozen suckers. Not long after, Li Jian arrived on the small tricycle. He opened several boxes of frozen suckers under the quilt in his tricycle. There were two boxes of Changsheng milk cubes at the price of 30 yuan per box. The price for wholesale was 0.9 yuan per piece, while the retail price was 1.5 yuan. There were also red bean frozen suckers, green bean and haws. There were 60 suckers in one box, and two boxes of Changsheng orange soda under them. It was so considerate of Li Jian. That little fatty! They put all the frozen suckers in the freezer in a hurry. Qin Guan looked up at the sky and put ten bottles of soda in the freezer as well. The sun was rising, and the temperature at the beach was getting higher and higher. The sea water was warm under the sunshine. Just before the hottest time of the day was the best time for swimming. Lots of people hade to the beach. There were students on vacation, adults with their kids, and some tourists. They all saw the new stand, and some of them walked up to it curiously to have a look. Qin Guan and his friends got ready to serve the customers. The visitors were surprised to see the frozen suckers. Chapter 66: Business on the Beach and Delicious Dishes Chapter 66: Business on the Beach and Delicious Dishes Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia People always left package papers hanging on a small shelf to show others what kind of frozen suckers the stand sold. Li Jian had gotten a small shelf like that from a wholesale merchant and hung the packages on it. The customers turned their eyes to the swimsuits. "These swimsuits look so nice." A young girl walked to the shelf to feel the material of the suits. "Ah, its seersucker. Its the most popr style this year. I havent bought it in time." Then she asked them surprisingly, "Are there any other styles?" Qin Guan pouted at Zhou Jing, "Serve thedy." Zhou Jing hastened to take out all the swimsuits from the bag as he began to talk about them, "Look at this one, isnt it bright?" Meanwhile, Li Jian was selling soda water. "Hey, young man, are you thirsty? Have a bottle of water. Thanks, its one yuan per bottle. Take it." Qin Guan introduced the swimming rings to the swimmers, "No matter the size, they all cost 5 yuan per hour. The deposit is 20 yuan. All the rings are made of rubber, and they re absolutely safe." When the wave of visitors had finally left, Li Jian had sold five bottles of soda water, earning a profit of 2.5 yuan, Qin Guan had rented two circles and an umbre, earning a 60 yuan deposit, and Zhou Jing had sold a swimsuit and a pair of three-corner pants, earning a 42 yuan profit. It was a good beginning. It was a busy day with many small deals. They sold soda water and frozen suckers now and then. Y city hadnt been developed at the time. There was no massive flow of customers like there would be in the future, when the people on the crowded beach would look like dumplings in boiling water. The whole day, they had sold four swimsuits fordies, which had been their best sale, four suits for kids and two pairs of swimming trunks for men. They had made a 198 yuan profit from the swimsuits, 130 yuan from renting the rings, and 38.4 yuan from the soda water and frozen suckers. All the soda water had been sold out. It seemed that the frozen suckers, which were the most popr among the tourists, made the least profit. They were still the key to attracting customers though. It was better than nothing, wasnt it? Their total profit for the day was 366.4 yuan, which made Zhou Jing and Li Jian quite happy. They deposited the freezer, swimming rings and umbres in the ticket booth before leaving and gave the woman 10 suckers as a gift for her kid. They returned home happily. Even though theycked experience, the soda water had been sold out by noon. Theyd have to buy more for next time. The next morning, Zhou Jing would make the replenishments and give the money to his aunt. They needed more half-length suits. Both the half-length suits selected by Qin Guan had been sold out. It was just the beginning of July. Peak time for touring would be in middle July. Many tourists within the province liked to enjoy a leisurely holiday on the beach of Y city, so it would be the best time for sales. The rings were enough for now. They would double them by the middle of July though. It was worth reusing them at the price of 10 yuan each. They also had to get three deck chairs the next day. They could rent them to anyone who was interested or lie on them themselves. After a whole day of standing, Qin Guans legs felt stiff, and so did his friends. Delighted by that days harvest, they rode the tricycle to the urban area under the moonlight. They hadnt eaten the whole day. Dinner was of great importance. They nned to have a good meal at the Mother Wang Wonton Pancake Restaurant. People said that the stomach was just like a pocket and the mouth was like a hometown. All the vors tasted during ones childhood, sour, sweet, bitter and spicy, were the original elements of their life. Like their genes, they would apany them till the end of their life. Both in Qin Guans past and present life, wonton and pancake would always remind him of the fragrance between his teeth and cheeks. The Mother Wang Wonton Pancake Restaurant was a small restaurant in a hutong of the residential area. Under the small shop sign, there were the characters for "pancakes" and "wonton" on the door and windows. The cooking counter was outside the restaurant. There were only three tables in the room, which could sit more than ten customers. The owners were a mother and son, who were both kind and polite to customers. Despite the simple conditions, the prices were quite reasonable, so the ce was popr among students and workers in the area. When they arrived, they said hello to the boss, parked their tricycle, and entered the room. They asked for one bowl of wonton and two pieces of pancakes each, plus a dish of cucumber in sauce. The dishes were served fast. Soon, two bowls of hot wonton were on the table. The bowls were made of high-end, blue-white porcin. With their extremely thin skin and little pork, the wontons looked like crystal. There was ayer of bright yellow egg, as well as chopped green onion and caraway floating on the surface of the soup. The boss had scattered several drips of sesame oil and pepper powder on the soup before serving it to increase the customers appetite. The word "pancake" referred to different things in different ces. Pancakes in Y city were fried in a pan with peanut oil and chopped green onion. The most important thing about a pancake was how manyyers it had. The more and softer they were, the better. The pancakes of that restaurant were authentic. Both sides were yellow and crispy. When they hung softly from ones chopsticks, they became loose. The boys ate pancakes and cucumber to their hearts content, sweating heavily in the hot summer as they returned home happily. They had paid 5 yuan each. With gold in their pockets, they felt no panic. Qin Guan had no idea about his wicked friends dreams that night. He had a good dream himself. The next morning, he could still feel the aftertaste of the meal. Chapter 67: The First Date Chapter 67: The First Date Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The next day, Qin Guan and Li Jian went to buy soda water, while Zhou Jing started for his aunt alone. Both their tricycles were filled with sodas. Theyd bought 20 boxes, and there were 24 bottles in each box. They carried them to the beach, breathing heavily. A new day had begun. The gold-digging trio had felt the business impulse of the market on the beach and be the forerunners. As their profits got higher and higher, other people had also noticed the opportunity there. The organizing unit of the first swimming beach had gotten dozens of applications for stands. With delight, the director had confirmed the application of the woman who owned the ticket booth. They decided to build a public-service spot by the road, which would be run by one person. The stands could submit applications for that. Qin Guans stand was the only one that summer. There was little space in the ticketing booth for other stands. Qin Guan and his friends were enthusiastic about the news. We must take advantage of it and make a good amount of money, or the womans help will go to waste. In a few days, their profits had reached more than 600 yuan per day. Qin Guan had also received a call from Cong Nianwei, which had made him reach a new high of happiness. It was said that good things came in pairs. Cong Nianwei woulde to the beach, and the two of them would hold hands and idle around. Whats more, Cong Nianwei might even wear a swimsuit. How lucky I am! Qin Guan selected the gaudiest pair of swimming trunks from Zhou Jings aunt. They had blue stripes on them. The day of the date came soon. After theyd arranged the stand and put the frozen suckers in the freezer, Cong Nianwei idled over from the road. She looked cute that day. Her ponytail was loose and tied in a small bun at the back of her head, and she was wearing a white dress with small bright blue petals. She looked veryfortable and free. She had arge straw backpack with her, which was popr on the beach of Y city in the summer. She was also wearing a wide-edge straw hat and had a small straw sunflower pinned to her bun. She gave off a hot summer vibe. Qin Guan had also dressed up for the date. He was in a white pure cotton T-shirt and a pair ofrge swimming trunks with sunflowers (Are you sure you have dressed well?), which seemed to be in harmony with Cong Nianweis look. Qin Guan ran forward and took her bag, weing her to the stand. He cleaned the deck chair carefully and invited her to sit on it. Only when she was seated did Zhou Jing and Li Jian recover from their astonishment. "Whats up with you two?" Zhou Jings voice was high-pitched. As he looked at his friends, Qin Guan suddenly remembered that he had never told them about his rtionship with Cong Nianwei. He had only told his roommates about it. Qin Guan felt a little ashamed in front of them. Cong Nianwei smiled at them naturally. "Were trying to get to know each other. If everything goes well, we might be a couple eventually. This is the so-called dating period." How can you be so calm, sister? Look at the silly guy standing beside you smiling like an idiot. Zhou Jing and Li Jian got even more upset. F*ck! They had been such good brothers, and yet they had found out from his girlfriend. The two of them had been together for half a year before telling them. They couldnt bear that. Qin Guan was so unreliable. He had to be punished! The two of them started fighting with Qin Guan, "You! Do you admit that youre at fault?" "I do, I do!" Qin Guan choked out, the whites of his eyes showing. "Tell us that youll treat us to apologize!" "Okay! Okay!" They finally let Qin Guan go after robbing him of a meal. Helplessly, Qin Guan told them, "Mind our stand. Cong Nianweis bag is on the counter. Well go for a walk." They nodded and waved farewell to the golden couple. Qin Guans confession had finally seeded. The two of them were a good match. They both felt happy for Qin Guan. The sea in the summer was quite attractive. It felt veryfortable to walk on the hot, soft sand barefoot. Sometimes, when one entered the domain of the waves carelessly, the water would beat them relentlessly until they left again. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei walked along the beach. The piquant tidewater washed their bare feet gently, retreating silently and leaving small and big footprints on the sand. The sea breeze blew at a wisp of Cong Nianweis hair before letting it fall again. Qin Guan was looking at her profile. He thought that her hair looked really elegant. He stretched his hand out to touch it unconsciously, pinning it behind the sunflower in her bun. Cong Nianwei turned around in a daze. Her eyes were wide open. Qin Guan was amused by her cute expression. He grinned shamelessly, stretching his arm out and hooking her hand with his slim index finger before holding it. He gently pulled her closer and stared at her. He felt his heart beat fast as their fingers wereced together. Cong Nianweis hands were much smaller than his, and her fingers were thin and soft. Qin Guan held her hand and pulled it up. In a low voice, he said, "Cong Nianwei..." "Hm?" "Feel how fast my heart is beating." Qin Guan pressed her hands against his chest. Cong Nianwei could feel the blood flowing in his chest and gathering in his heart, which was beating rapidly. The beat of his heart was transferred to her fingers and travelled to her chest like an electrical current. Heat filled her chest as her heart started beating violently. "Bang, bang, bang, bang..." Chapter 68: Heartbeat Chapter 68: Heartbeat Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Bang, bang, bang, bang..." Only their heartbeats could be heard in that moment. The noise from the sea and the sound of the seagulls had both disappeared. Qin Guans wicked friends were watching them from the counter in the distance. "F*ck! Theyre holding hands!" Zhou Jing said. "Where are they? Where are they? Oh, I can see them!" Li Jian shouted. "They are so shameless, I cant bear it! He put her hands on his chest!" Zhou Jing again. "Definitely a bad move!" Li Jian said angrily. Qin Guans brain was operating at high speed as they looked at each other in deep affection. "This feels excellent! Shall I take it to the next level? To do it or not to do it? Ill do it! Theres nothing to be afraid of!" Taking advantage of the harmonious scene and ambiguous atmosphere, Qin Guan lowered his head slowly, staring at Cong Nianwei with deep emotion. "F*ck! He lowered his head. Get out of the way! Will you move your big head? Youre almost blocking them." "Stop that rubbish. Theyre about to kiss! Dont disturb me, I dont talk to uncultivated people." Qin Guan and Cong Nianweis heads were moving closer and closer. The tall boy lowered his head gradually so their foreheads would touch. The exciting moment was finally there. Zhou Jing and Li Jian held each others hands tightly, the veins on the backs of their hands popping out. They were getting closer. They were touching... Qin Guans head suddenly moved away with a bang. His approaching cheek had been hit pitilessly by Cong Nianweis head. Qin Guan could hear the sound of his heart breaking. He would need a band-aid for both his jaw and heart. Cong Nianwei burst intoughter at the sight of the silly boy leaning back. Her heart was beating really hard as she touched her scalding cheeks with her hand. Her skin was still hot, and her heartbeat was violent. She hadnt meant to refuse. She had just been afraid that her heart would jump out of her mouth or her chest would be smashed by the heat as Qin Guan kept getting closer. Cong Nianwei was terrified. She had never experienced such an uncontroble impulse. What a simple girl! Time would teach her that this was what love tasted like. "What happened? Ha, ha, ha..." "He was head-butted! Ha, ha!" Zhou Jing and Li Jian, who had watched the whole scene, wereughing from behind the counter. "I cant bear it! Qin Guan is so unlucky! Shall we tell this story to themissary in charge of studies in our ss?" "Better do it together!" the two friends chimed in. Qin Guan would have known what they nned on doing from their conversation. It was a pity that he was still lost in Cong Nianweis smile. Had he been hit hard? The blue sky, white clouds, wide sea and white wavesposed the perfect background. What made the atmosphere ambiguous was their heartbreak and finger-crossed hands. Why did everything suddenly change just when I was about to make a move? Lets forgive Qin Guan. He was too careless to understand girls thoughts. He couldnt do anything but look at Cong Nianwei nkly. Cong Nianwei was a little embarrassed. Despite her nervousness, she pulled at the corner of Qin Guans clothes with guilt. "Are you hurt? Im sorry!" Could you be any more sincere, girl? Qin Guan came to his senses when he felt her pull at him. He massaged his jaw unconsciously as he replied, "Im not hurt, Im confused." "Confused about what?" Cong Nianwei looked at him nervously. "You know, just now... Do you understand?" Qin Guan was embarrassed. What shall I say? Chick, Master Qin wants to kiss you. Pucker up! If hed said that, his life would have ended on that beach. Cong Nianwei was a little embarrassed as well. She swung both her hands, which were still in Qin Guans hands. "I dont understand. Shall we keep walking?" Qin Guan pushed all depressing thoughts out of his head and gently pressed on her soft hand before he answered, "Yes, lets go on." They idled along the beach again. The tide was surging in the morning, bringing plenty of seaweed, small fish and shrimp to the shallow waters. The sand underwater was softer. Their feet would sink into it, leaving a set of deep footprints. asionally, some small crabs brought by the water would get trapped in the pits of their footprints. As he watched the scene, Qin Guans embarrassment was reced by joy. He smiled at Cong Nianwei. "You are a gifted student of the Department of Architecture. Come on, lets try to make a masterpiece! This is what they call painting with the sky and earth!" (You are so uncultivated. Why did the author make you so calm?) Cong Nianwei was interested in Qin Guans suggestion. She picked up a cobblestone from the sand and began to paint on the parts of the beach not flooded by the waves. Well done! The line is perfectly straight and the trapezoid is standard. This definitely exins why shes studying architecture. Shes so skilful! Five minutes had passed, then ten, but Cong Nianwei wasnt done drawing yet. Qin Guan was staring at her masterpiece in a daze, his arms crossed over his chest. It looks like a structured architectural design. So what if my girlfriend is a straight-A student? So what if shes drawing a design n on our date? Ill wait for her. Qin Guan was anxious, and Zhou Jing and Li Jian were quite worried. They followed the couple, hiding behind a small sand hill and burying their bodies into the sand to watch. Li Jian asked Zhou Jing curiously, "You are closer to them. What is she drawing?" Zhou Jing answered impatiently, "Shes drawing on the t sand. I cant see!" How slow those two are! The sun is rising high, and the visitors are getting more and more. Soon well be too busy to peep at them. Qin Guan couldnt bear it anymore. He poked at Cong Nianwei from behind. "Its not a masterpiece in my opinion." He wanted to take the cobblestone and set an example for her. Cong Nianwei, who was drawing sincerely, was annoyed. "Im almost finished, you troublemaker!" she answered sullenly. "Fine." Qin Guan stopped at once and stood beside her patiently, waiting for herst stroke. Chapter 69: Swimming in the Sea Chapter 69: Swimming in the Sea Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianwei finished the picture smartly. As she stood up to hand her cobblestone to Qin Guan, she asked proudly, "What do you think? Its mytest work. My tutor assigned it as homework for mini interior design. Today I was inspired to clear my thoughts." When he saw her excited face, Qin Guan couldnt say anything. What could I possibly say? That she has totally missed the point of dating me? That would be like pouring a bucket of cold water over her. If I say that, Ill never date her sessfully in the future. Against his will, Qin Guan gave Cong Nianwei a thumbs up and told her, "Ill draw a picture for you. You cantugh at the work of a person whos never learned to draw though." Cong Nianwei nodded with curiosity. She had never seen Qin Guan draw before. Qin Guan bent down to make the sand around him t. "Lie down!" Zhou Jing and Li Jian buried their faces in the sand. They dared not look up until Qin Guan headed in another direction. "We were nearly discovered! Phew! We ate a mouthful of sand! What the hell is Qin Guan doing?" They both poked their heads and felt sand on their faces. As Qin Guan was drawing on the beach with the cobblestone, a cambered earthworm appeared on the sand. Cong Nianwei smirked unconsciously as she looked at the stupid boy. Qin Guan drew a bow with a curving line. Then he added a second bow, forming a peach-shaped heart. A traditional trick. Cong Nianweis face turned red and hot. Qin Guan finished the heart and wrote his name inside it before throwing the cobblestone full force into the sea. Then he turned around and said, "My heart is in front of you for the taking." He suddenly quivered. Is that what a human being would say? I spoke too spontaneously. He stole a nce at Cong Nianwei. Huh? Its working! Cong Nianwei smiled at Qin Guan, who looked perturbed. She walked up to the twisted heart and drew something with her white, glittering foot. A twisted small peach appeared next to therger peach. When Qin Guan reluctantly moved his eyes from her foot, Cong Nianwei smiled back happily and held out her hand. "Understand?" Qin Guan held her soft hand and nodded seriously. "Understand!" The two of them left the beach. Taking advantage of their absence, Zhou Jing and Li Jian ran over. As they looked at the two pictures on the beach, which had not been washed away by the waves at the time, they both expressed their doubts. "The painting style of the two peaches is so different. Its weird." "Its like the difference between an academic discussion and a kindergarten doodle!" They were shocked by the peaches. The two bachelors were too bored to peep at the lovers anymore though. Wed better go run the stand. As the sun rose, visitors came to the beach in twos or threes. Zhou Jing and Li Jian forgot to make fun of Qin Guan and got back to work. Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan were idling on the beach. Qin Guan took a bottle of soda water with ease, opened the cap, and handed it to Cong Nianwei. Then he opened a deck chair and put it under the umbre. "Qin Guan, would you like to swim?" Cong Nianwei asked him out of the blue as sheyfortably in the chair. Zhou Jing and Li Jians ears stood on end immediately. Excited, Qin Guan asked, "Did you bring a swimsuit with you? I have some good ones here for sale." Smiling, Cong Nianwei shook her backpack before Qin Guan. "My swimsuit is in my bag." Qin Guan was over the moon as he nodded like crazy. "I can swim as far as the shark!" I can still turn this date around. I love you, Cong Nianwei! Zhou Jing and Li Jian were happy as well. Do you really wonder why? What boy does not slobber before the pictures of female beauties? Those two had a real beauty in front of them! Cong Nianwei put her backpack on and bought a swimming ticket from the booth. Then she entered the changing room. Her excited boyfriend began to ransack the shelf. Shall I wear three-corner pants? No, Ill look like a conservative boy. Shall I go with boxers? This pair is too colorful and showy. Qin Guan finally chose a simple ck pair of swimming trunks. Zhou Jing shouted from beside him, "Great! Another pair is sold. Thank you, Qin Guan, for supporting our business!" Qin Guan kicked Zhou Jing with his foot. Holding the swimming trunks, he greeted the woman in the booth and went in the mens room to change. He took all his clothes off fast, changed into the swimming trunks and went outside. Not long after, Cong Nianwei walked out of the changing room. She was wearing a conservative one-piece swimsuit with a sunflower pattern. There was a petal-likece around the cuffs, and the lower hem was a skirt made of green sunflower leaves. Cong Nianwei had tied her hair into a bun, which was convenient for swimming. Her fine, smooth white neck was exposed, and the fitting swimsuit outlined the girls beautiful figure. She is a B-cup. No, theyre actually bigger, but smaller than a C-cup. Qin Guan entered his wicked mode at once. As Cong Nianwei was walking towards him, the shy expression on her face made him dizzy. Cong Nianwei stole a nce at him. She felt shier as she saw his broad shoulders, slim waist and slender legs. Qin Guan held Cong Nianwei with a quivering hand and shouted at Zhou Jing and Li Jian behind them, "Take care of our stand!" Then the two of them rushed into the water. My girlfriend will be safe in the sea, away from other observers. They ran happily in the sea, the waves touching their legs. It was a little bit cold. Qin Guan held Cong Nianwei as he asked her, "Have you warmed up? Watch the waves." Cong Nianwei nodded. "Yes, I warmed up in the changing room." His orderly girlfriend made him feel pressured. Embarrassed, Qin Guan murmured, "Wait for me to warm up." He stood in the shallow waters with both arms on his hips, turning his head around in all four directions. His waist looked fit between his hands. The surrounding tourists, who were ying on the sand, swimming in the sea or lying on the beach, unconsciously paid attention to the tall young man with the excellent figure. Chapter 70: Dog Paddling for the Win Chapter 70: Dog Paddling for the Win Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia As someone who had grown up by the sea, Qin Guan was good at the pre-swimming warm-up. He knew how to expand his chest and hold and rotate his arms; his upper body movements were standard. The tourists on the beach had a physical movement lesson as they feasted on the handsome young mans body. Qin Guan finished his lower body movements, which included half-squatting and lunging, ran for a few steps, and then jumped into the sea. He dove against the tide for a few metres before emerging from the water. He shook off the water drops in his hair as he shouted at Cong Nianwei, who was standing in the shallow waters, "Come here! Ill help you swim!" Cong Nianwei pulled a grimace before taking several steps in the sea and swimming towards Qin Guan. Unexpectedly, she swam in a perfect butterfly stroke. Her shoulders opened to form a beautiful arc in the blue waters, a glittering, translucent spray spreading around her body. When she reached Qin Guan, she looked at him defiantly before swimming freestyle towards the deep. Qin Guan was in awe of her. He followed her immediately. Cong Nianwei changed to breaststroke when she saw him approaching. Qin Guan didnt want to lose face in front of his girlfriend, so he followed and asked Cong Nianwei proudly, "Can you do this?" Then he buried his head in the water, stretched his body, and started rowing with his arms and hitting the water with his legs in a silly way. Dog paddling! The technical term suddenly hit Cong Nianwei. It was really funny. Yes, Qin Guan was dog paddling proudly before Cong Nianwei. I cant beat you at a standard swimming style, but I can at least save my dignity this way. As they swam, he told Cong Nianwei, "Watch carefully, this is not ordinary dog paddling. There are two kinds of dog paddling, actually." Qin Guan began scooping up water with both hands instead of alternating. He looked like a giant dog as he slowed down. Excited, he said, "Look, I changed style!" Cong Nianwei sighed at her silly boyfriend. Unbelievable! She changed to freestyle, and in a short while Qin Guan had fallen behind. He had no time to joke around. He also switched to freestyle, patting the water with his slender legs in an effort to catch up with Cong Nianwei. They swam to the shark, racing against each other. Cong Nianwei was a little tired, but Qin Guan was still full of energy. "I cant swim any longer. You push me back," she told him. Her words made him happy. Qin Guan tried to embrace her slim waist, but Cong Nianwei patted his hand away. "Where did you just touch me? Adys waist is off limits! Anyway, I can hold onto you myself." Cong Nianwei put her arms on his shoulder. Qin Guan could do nothing but swim back to the beach with effort, like an ox pulling a cart. What a sad fate! The sun had risen to its highest point, and it was shining brightly. Cong Nianwei rested her head against Qin Guans shoulder. The sea was shallow, and the water was so clear that people could see the bottom. Several fish with colourful tails swam across the surface of the water, their silver dorsal fins glittering. As she was enjoying the beautiful scene at the bottom, Cong Nianwei suddenly patted Qin Guan on the shoulder. She pointed at the bottom and shouted, "Crabs!" Qin Guan was confused. There were so many small crabs in the shallow waters that one could find a whole group under a stone. It was nothing surprising. When he bent his head down though, he was surprised to find two crabs bigger than his palms at the bottom. They were in the shallow waters, where the undercurrent turned over the earth where the crabs were hiding. One of the crabs was crawling slowly on its three pairs of legs whille another was digging in the sand hastily, trying to find a hiding ce. Qin Guan perked up at once. He asked Cong Nianwei to float there and wait for a while. Then he took a deep breath and plunged head-first into the water. Soon the water was stirring the sand. Qin Guan resurfaced not far from there. Cong Nianwei thought the crabs might have escaped in the meantime, but Qin Guan grinned at her and held up his hands, holding a big crab in each one. Their bellies were right between his fingers. Other swimmers around them shouted in surprise at the scene and started looking down at the bottom one after the other. Cong Nianwei followed Qin Guan to the beach with a smile. Zhou Jing and Li Jian were shocked. How can they can catch such big crabs while theyre on a date? This is bullying! If theyre so lucky, why dont they go fishing in the ocean? Qin Guan could guess what they were thinking by their expression. He tied the crabs with a nylon rope he took from the counter and told Cong Nianwei, "Take a shower. Its ufortable after swimming." Cong Nianwei nodded, took her bag and handed her ticket to the old woman before entering thedies changing room. Qin Guan took an empty stic box that used to hold soda to scoop up some seawater and throw the crabs in. Then he told his friends, "Ill take a shower, too. Ill help youter." There were no customers at the time. Zhou Jing and Li Jians mouths watered at the sight of the crabs. Although crabs were rtively small in July, those two were quiterge and fresh. They were just imagining how they would eat them when Qin Guan came back. His hair was dripping with water because he hadnt taken a towel with him. Cong Nianwei gave him her towel when she came out of the bathroom. Qin Guan took it and returned to the bathroom to change out of his swimming trunks and put on some casual clothes. ...... Cong Nianwei decided to y alone. Abandoning Qin Guan, she ran to the beach without mercy. The two crabs had reminded her of beachbing, which she hadnt engaged in in many years. The best time for beachbing was during therge spring tide, when the water retreated further at a high speed. Then sea life, especially slow shells, were left in the wet sand. At two oclock in the afternoon, the water began to retreat. It was not tide peak time yet. Cong Nianwei ran to the rocks in the shallow part of the sea and dag up some oysters and spiral shells with Qin Guans small iron rake. That kind of natural delicious food could be eaten after being boiled with salt. As the sea retreated fast, Cong Nianwei squatted down on the beach to observe the air holes. Some small bubbles would asionally escape from them and crush on the beach. When that happened, it meant that there were fresh ms in the holes. Chapter 71: The New Face Model Competition Chapter 71: The New Face Model Competition Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianwei was really happy. She poked at the small hole with the rake and discovered a m. ms of different kinds fell into her stic bag. When she stood up and massaged her stiff waist, the sun had almost disappeared under the horizon. Qin Guan and his friends had already begun to clean up their stand. With a red, sunburnt face, she bounced towards to their stand, holding the small bag of fresh ms in her hand. Li Jian sighed, "You dont need to study. You can make a living by selling seafood." Qin Guan was concerned about his girlfriend. "Look after your burnt cheeks. Apply some oil to your face and put some ice on your skin." Cong Nianwei nodded before Qin Guan took her back home on his tricycle. Cong Nianwei divided her harvest into two parts and shared it with Qin Guan. Then she waved goodbye at her boyfriend and ran into the building happily. In case youre wondering why she hadnt shared with Zhou Jing and Li Jian as well, they were not her friends. Who cared about them? They had both left the beach unhappily. That evening, the two families had a feast of m noodles and fried spicy crab meat. Cong Nianwei didnt show up the next day, as her skin had been slightly burnt. In 1999, using sunscreen hadnt been widespread, and her straw hat hadnt been enough to protect her from the sun. She stayed at home for a week to let her skin heal. At the end of July, inspired by Cong Nianwei, the boys started selling small fishing baskets and iron rakes at their stand. They were traditional and very popr among the tourists, and they earned them a small profit. At the end of July, their personal ie had exceeded 3,000 yuan. After mid-August, when Qin Guan left, Zhou Jing and Li Jians profits would get even higher. ... Hosted by the China Art Photography Association, the China Figure Photography Association, and the New Face Education and Media Company, the New Face Model Competition was a nationalpetition for new models. The participants were models who had been trained by a professional model organization (including college students majoring in fashion design). It was aparatively professionalpetition for new models, and could be ssified as a domestic B+petition. Sister Xue took thatpetition very seriously. She called Qin Guan every day in August, which annoyed him to end. She was getting more and more rude on the phone, which eventually made him decide to return to college in advance to get prepared. As soon as he returned to the capital, he met Professor Li and Sister Xue. First, Sister Xue had to teach him the basic rules of thepetition. I cant send him to thepetition blindly. She made an introduction, holding a guild book in her hand. "Thepetition includes a local mass-election, a local final, a national quarter-final, and a national final." Thepetition seems quite long. Qin Guan was a little hesitant. Sister Xue could guess what he was thinking, and she patted the material in her hand. "The local finals will be finished within the semester, and the national quarter-final and national final will be held in the capital. Thepetition is not full-time. You can only show up when necessary, so you wont need to skip any sses." "Besides, why are you so confident that youll get to the national final? You need to pass from the local final first." Sister Xue ground her teeth in hatred. So many green hands were itching for a chance to try, and this guy was ying hard to get. Sister Xue opened the material and resumed reading, "Age limitation: women have to be under 22, and men have to be under 24. Height requirement: women have to be over 170 centimeters tall, and men have to be over 180 centimeters tall. All participants should be healthy both physically and mentally. They should have a slim figure and a nice face. Basic skills for performing on a T stage and before a camera are required." "You meet all the requirements. Fill the application form in and give me a copy of your ID. Ill prepare the photos and background material for you." Qin Guan nodded and stood up to take the application form. Suddenly, Sister Xue seemed to recall something. "Do you have any talents?" she asked. Qin Guan was taken aback. "What kind of talents?" "Singing, dancing, ying instrumental music... Anything will do. Forget it, its nothing important. You wont need to think about it until the national final." Sister Xue shook her head hopelessly. "Does dancing socially count?" Sister Xue was slightly surprised. "Fine. Ill find a tutor for special training before the final. You fill the form in and Ill prepare photos." After filling in the form, Qin Guan started training hard. It was the middle of August, and the sun was shining bright above the capital. It was also the deadline for the New Face Model Competition applications. The busy assistant of the organizingmittee of the localpetition was deeply troubled. He let out a long breath after he filed all the forms and photos. Several assistants knocked on the door of the office of the preliminary judges, holding thick folders of paperwork. There were four judges sitting around the meeting table. The assistants put the male and female model applications separately on the table, gave the four judges a short introduction, and left the office. Looking at the two distinct piles of paperwork, one of the four judges said, "This is the preliminarypetition. Its just a formality. Wed better work in pairs. One pair can take the male models, and the other one can take the female models." The youngest judge touched his sses and said, "I agree with Professor He." The other two nodded as well. They all looked at the table again. Professor He pulled the thickest pile over, flipped over several pages and smiled. "These are the female models. Here are the statistics. There are 286 applications from female models and 82 from male models." He pushed the paperwork back naturally and turned to the pile of the male models. He pulled them over and told the others, "Dont me me for taking advantage of my seniority. Im old and Im short on energy. I will be the judge for the male models." The other three cursed silently, "That old fox." Being a preliminary judge was a hard and unrewarding job. Chapter 72: The Preliminary Competition Chapter 72: The Preliminary Competition Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Professor He was the senior editor of "Models" periodical, and he was currently waiting for retirement,cking any motivation. The youngest judge was a member of the China Figure Photography Association, who had been sent as vanguard. The other two were an assistant advertising director and a costume institute assistant. Both of them had been paid to be there. After the preliminarypetition, the judges would all be VIPs, much more important than them. All four of them were coolies, so the less work there was, the better it was for them. Thest two judges picked up the paperwork of the female models gloomily. They had to get familiar with it. Professor He and the young photographer were in charge of the male models. They hastened to number the paperwork, thus ending their work for the day. On August 14th, 1999, a sunny Saturday, Qin Guan would participate in the preliminarypetition. Sister Xue picked him up from university early and drove him to thepetition site. Thepetition would be held at a modelling school. Two training halls with T stages would temporarily serve as the site of thepetition. Following the signs, they found the male model reception soon enough. An assistant sitting behind a desk asked routinely, "Whats the name of the contestant?" "Qin Guan." Pointing at the name list, the assistant checked them one by one. "Here it is. Qin Guan is No. 21. Take yourbel and clip it on your clothes before you get on the stage." "Models have to bring their outfits and change backstage. All unauthorized personnel has to wait outside. When the judges call your number, you can get on the stage. Any questions?" Qin Guan shook his head. It was all clear. The assistant called the next contestant forward. Sister Xue pulled Qin Guan aside and handed him the package with his clothes. Before leaving, she advised him, "Dont be nervous. Just show them what youve learned in your lessons. Cheer up!" Qin Guan smiled brightly. "I may be a lot of things, but Im not nervous. Rx!" Then he waved at Sister Xue and headed backstage. The furniture backstage was pretty simple. Several folding chairs were scattered around randomly. The contestants put their bags down on the floor and began to change. There were bare chests, backs and legs everywhere. The standards for the preliminarypetition were simple. Figure condition (including weight, height, chest, waist and hips measurements, shoulder breadth, and breadth ratio of shoulder and hips) and beauty evaluation (including talent, wit, appearance, skin, posture and health). To make it simple, on the first pass, they wouldpete on face and figure. As soon as Qin Guan took off his T-shirt, everyone in the room fell silent. Another strong opponent. By the time he had changed into his swimming trunks behind the curtain, there was nobody left around him. Nobody wanted to be near him for fear ofparison. Fortunately, they would bepeting one by one. At the local finals, when there would be a group show at the beginning, the contestants standing next to him would most likely want to die. The models backstage were getting more and more, when the two judges under the stage were finally ready. Professor He picked up the material casually and had a short discussion with the young photographer on his right. Then he nodded at the assistant on the site, indicating that thepetition could begin. Bright music started ying as the host announced, "Contestant No.1, Li Xiaoguang is up, and contestant No.2 Wang Shuang should be getting ready." Professor He and the young photographer pulled the material of contestant No.1 over. His height and weight were stated clearly on the form. They didnt pay attention to his professional background. They looked at the swimwear show on the stage instead. It was a modelpetition, so the models figures had to be attractive to the audience. Contestant No.1 had walked up to the most important part of the T stage. His gait was steady and his basic skills were perfect, but he might have chosen the wrong audience. Both judges engaged in print media and photography and focused on appearance. "A little too wide around the hips." "Thats right. ording to the theory of human body proportions, hes a little too tall. If he was as tall as an ordinary person, he would have been gourd-shaped." "So, fail?" "Fail." They drew a cross over No.1s application and threw it in the rejected pile. The contestant had just returned backstage without the slightest idea that he had been disqualified so soon. "Contestant No.2 is up, and No.3 should be getting ready..." Contestants got on the stage one by one as the host announced them. The two judges keptmenting non-stop. "He seems to have a good figure." "No, Professor He. Look at his muffin-like face. He has no angles. He wont look hot in the future." "But its only a preliminarypetition. We have to select 30 contestants for the final. Lets not be too strict right from the beginning." "Fine, lets decide about himter. If there arent enough good contestants, he can pass." "Okay." The application was thrown in the undecided pile. When contestant No. 20 returned backstage, the host finally announced Qin Guans number. "The following contestant is No.21, and his name is Qin Guan. No.22 should be getting ready." Qin Guan looked back, smiled at contestant No.22, who was one meter away from him, and turned around to get on the stage. His smile made No.22 feel quite depressed. Hes bullying me! Why do I have topete after him? No. 22 was a promising young man working with the New Silk Road Agency. Although he had just signed a contract, he had taken the lead among plenty of new male models because of his angled face and outstanding performance. His agent, who was also his oldest cousin, was confident about his future. He was participating in thepetition to get an award. Everyone knew that a small domestic prize could raise a models level. A B- level could definitely be achieved, and any model could benefit from a professional status and have clients pursuing them. No.22 had been proud of himself. Who would have known that Qin Guan would destroy his dream. He should have been a white horse. A ck horse burst in unexpectedly, while a white horse barely disyed its strength. While No.22 was feeling gloomy backstage, Qin Guan had gotten to the most important part of the T stage. The two judges were looking at him in shock. "Is he a green hand, Chen?" "Maybe, but he looks familiar." "His figure is no worse than that of renowned models in our magazine." "I know who he is, Professor He. He was a model who worked with one of the top ten photographers in our figure photographypetition. Thats why he looked familiar. His photos were perfect, they won the photographer the prize." Chapter 73: Arch Enemies Chapter 73: Arch Enemies Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Professor He looked at Qin Guans application. He is 186 centimeters tall. (Qin Guan had grown by 1 centimeter in half a year). Not that tall, more like average height. He is 19. Huh? Hes studying at the Capital University of Finance and Economics, not at a modelling school. I should pay attention to him. Who said that models are not educated? Here is an exception. The photographer called Chen watched Qin Guan walk until he reached the backstage. "Look at his figure! Hes the perfect human. His shoulders, waist and hips are all perfect. Maybe I can invite him to work with me on my next project." Professor He pushed the photographer to recall him back to reality. "Lets talk about thepetition first. Pass?" Chen nodded heavily. "Definitely pass!" As No. 22 walked out holding his head high, He and Chen looked up and had a discussion. "He looks fine, but somethings off about him." "Compared to No.21, his legs are shorter, his waist is thicker, and his feet and head are bigger." No. 22 walked forward with tears on his face. My dear judges, could you lower your voices? I can hear you in thisrge, empty room. Im so depressed! His fate had been decided before hed turned around. "Generally speaking, he is finepared to the rest." "There is nothing special about him. I cant decide. Hes a maybe." A good young man, who would have normally passed to the next stage of thepetition, had his application ruthlessly thrown into the undecided pile because of Qin Guan. No. 22 went backstage in low spirits. The first thing he saw was Qin Guan, who was putting on his pants. He walked towards him angrily with narrowed eyes. The charged atmosphere immediately attracted the surrounding models attention. "No. 22 is looking for trouble with No. 21." "Why?" "He was just unlucky enough to get on the stage after No.21." "Wow!" The onlookers watched the two of them meaningfully. Qin Guan fastened the buttons on his jeans. Putting on his T shirt, he asked, "Whats the matter?" No. 22 red at him. "Where are you from?" Qin Guan answered automatically, "Y city." "Im asking about your agency!" "New Silk Road." "Impossible!" No. 22 exploded. "I work with New Silk Road, and I have never seen you before!" The gossip-loving audience grew even more excited. "Whats going on? Theyre from the same agency?" "Possibly. They dont know each other. Its an internal conflict." No. 22 was quite agitated. Qin Guan said one word slowly, "Subordinated." No.22 was so angry, his lungs seemed about to explode. That man is so annoying! If Qin Guan was new at New Silk Road, No. 22 would have avoided him in thepetition. He happened not to be in the system, so they would have fought with their gloves off. He had made a promise to his agent that he would be the champion in the local final easily. What now though? No. 22 felt a little fatter, as if he had swallowed his promise. Qin Guan arranged his clothes in his bag, walked past No. 22 and asked an assistant, "Can I leave to get some rest when thepetition is over? When will the results be announced?" The assistant answered carefully, "On the same day. When thepetition is over, the contestants can go wherever they like. They can juste back here and check the results. The contestants who pass the preliminarypetition will be informed about the local final by the organizingmittee with a notice. All they have to do is attend the final on the date and address stated in the notice." The rules were clear. Qin Guan nodded and got ready to leave with his bag. No. 22, who had been openly ignored, shouted angrily at Qin Guan like an aggressive rooster, "You have no manners! I was talking to you! Why arent you paying attention? Actually, Im also a New Silk Road model. Im your predecessor! These days people dont respect their predecessors!" No. 22 was getting more and more agitated. He had been ashamed into anger, and his confidence had been hurt. He was waving his arms around, looking even more like a rooster. Qin Guan sighed helplessly as he put his bag on his back. Those young men can hardly control their temper. (Please, your actual age is 19.) He shrugged at No. 22 with open arms and said without any sincerity, "Hi, predecessor." Then he added, pouring oil on the mes, "So?" So? F*cking so! No. 22 was about to explode when Qin Guan went on, "Any questions? In anypetition, we depend only on results. Manners maketh a man, as you said yourself just now." No. 22s heart was pierced by his words, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head. His liver was quivering. Shaking, he looked like he was about to say something. Before he could find the right words, Qin Guan walked out, leaving him alone in the empty backstage area like a clown surrounded by his audience. No. 22 looked left and right, picked up his bag and ran into the fitting room quickly. He was still in his swimming trunks. You bastard, wait and see! Ill make you die! Qin Guan was quite rxed. Thepetition had been more casual than he had imagined, which had fit his taste well. Sister Xue stood nervously in the corridor outside. She felt relieved as soon as she saw Qin Guan walking out with a rxed expression. Qin Guan gave her a summary of the future arrangements and told her about the farce with No. 22 backstage. Sister Xue sneered, "Dont worry about him. Just prepare for the followingpetition. That guy cant handle you. If hes plotting something, he will regret it." Qin Guan was curious about her confidence. "Why? Sister Xue, are you a Mafia boss? Have I fallen under your protection by ident?" Sister Xue poked at his head. His behavior had once again not lived up to her expectations. "You bastard! Ive told you time and time again to pay attention to the modelling profession, but you dont listen to me. Professor Li is your boss!" "Professor Li?" "Definitely Professor Li!" "Is she a tutor at the Capital Institute of Fashion Technology?" Sister Xue was so angry that she burst into helplessughter. She patted Qin Guan on the back hard. "A tutor? You have been her student for so long! Is that the only thing you know about her?" Bang, bang, bang, bang... Qin Guan got beaten again. Chapter 74: Oh! Powerful! Chapter 74: Oh! Powerful! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Ah! My bad, my bad! Stop, Sister Xue, its hurting!" Qin Guan pretended to be in pain. Sister Xue sighed and said, "Professor Li is not just a tutor at college, but also one of the first official models in China, the current Vice Director of the China Model Association, and a standing counsellor of the National Model Promoting Department. Many renowned models used to be her students, including Zhai Qing and Ming Ming." Qin Guans mouth opened wider and wider. I have trained with Professor Li for such a long time, and she has shouted at me every day. Who could image that that serious olddy could be so influential in the modelling circle? Cold sweat ran all over Qin Guans body as he recalled his behaviour. I might be the most unreliable student she has had in her whole life. When Sister Xue finished speaking, she got lost in thought. Qin Guan is Professor Lis treasure. He is talented, fit, and intelligent. All models dream of having his appearance, and Professor Li is sure of his inner talent, yet he only considers this profession a part-time job. Theparison is odious! Sister Xue came back to her senses and drove a shocked Qin Guan back to college. He needed to rx after thepetition. Sister Xue drove back to thepetition site and waited there until the afternoon. The organizingmittee announced the local finalists after the preliminarypetition. As expected, Sister Xue found Qin Guans name at the top of the list. She took the notice for the final with joy and called Qin Guan. "Hello, this is Sister Xue. You passed! What? What are you talking about? Donkey meat in baked wheaten cake?" Qin Guan expressed his pleasure before making an unreasonable request. Sister Xue had to send the notice to his college and bring him dinner from a nearby restaurant. The donkey meat restaurant in the Zaojunmiao residential area was a small shop less than 200 metres away from Qin Guans college. People queued up there to buy baked cakes with donkey meat. The meat was boiled with spices in arge cauldron, and the recipe was a secret. Their baked wheaten cake was even more famous. It hadyers thinner than paper, and it was crisp, voured, and soft in the mouth. Sister Xue queued up breathlessly and fought to get two cakes and a bowl of donkey meat for Master Qin. He had to be served like a king. Fortunately, he had no requests besides delicious food. Qin Guan finished the donkey meat feast, read the notice carefully andy in bed in satisfaction. He soon fell asleep. (He was so tough.) It was Monday August 16th, 1999. Sister Xue and Qin Guan arrived at the site for local final early. There were a lot less contestants this time. 30 female models and 30 male models had gathered at thepetition site. Backstage, a casual cloth curtain prevented them from seeing each other. There were less people around this time, so assistants and agents could apany them. Naturally, Sister Xue entered the backstage as Qin Guans assistant. ording to the arrangement of the organizingmittee, they had to find the dressing team backstage. During the first round, they would show their personal aplishments, and during the second round, Qin Guan would have to work with a female model who had the same number as him. They would show a group of outfits and equipment. Then it would be time for the judges to decide. The local final procedure was not thatplicated. The key to qualifying was cooperating with the female contestants and choosing the right outfit and equipment. The male models would choose their outfits first, as their suits wereparatively simple. Then female models would choose outfits that matched their partners choices. That was why thedies were nervous. Their fate was in the hands of strangers. Sister Xue found a matching suit and gown on the hangers. Among all the strange outfits, that set was the most beautiful one. Before she could touch them though, a man squeezed in from the side and hit her with his shoulder. He caught the matching suit and gown in his hand. Sister Xue was angry. She used to be a heroine in the hutongs of the capital. Nobody could match her! Who dared steal something from her hands? She seized the thiefs shoulder and reproached him, "Take a turn!" "Oh, my! It hurts! Im going to die!" The mans face filled with tears. At the sight of his face, Sister Xue released his shoulder as if she had touched something nasty. She took three steps back and kept a distance of one metre from the thief. The mans eyes shined like a 1000-watt bulb when he saw Sister Xue. He rushed at her, howling excitedly, "Miss Xue, my darling! I missed you so much! Why didnt you contact me? My heart was missing you dearly." Qin Guan touched the fine hair on his body and took one step back silently. Sister Xue failed to escape from the mans attack. A living human was actually hanging from her body. "Let me go, Sissy Ou! Let me go! Are you deaf?" The more he hugged her, the more the man wouldnt let go. Sister Xue pressed her hand hard against his face for fear that he would be pasted on her permanently. "No, no, I wont let you go! Last time you said youd call me, I waited for several years. I never got a call from you. Youre so heartless." Sissy Ou rubbed his face on Sister Xues palms as he spoke. "You conscienceless girl! My name is Ou Qiang, the most masculine Ou Qiang!" Qin Guan burst intoughter at his name. Ou Qiang? Oh, powerful? [1] Seeing the murderous expression in Sister Xues eyes, he covered his mouth and went tough in the corner. Sister Xue had business to do. She didnt have the time to chat with Sissy Ou. She stretched her hand out to him and said, "Gimme!" As he looked at the clothes and Sister Xue, Ou Qiang hesitated. Suddenly, a voice was heard from behind him, "What are you standing there for, my elder brother? Have you made your choice?" Dear me! My dearest younger cousin hase to my rescue! [1] In Chinese, Oh, powerful? is the phonogram of Ou Qiang. Chapter 75: The Underestimated Military Uniform Chapter 75: The Underestimated Military Uniform Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Ou Qiang gestured to Sister Xue and turned back to greet the man, "Hello, my handsome younger brother. I just met one of my favorite acquaintances. Im afraid there is a conflict between us. We selected the same outfit." The model walked up to Sister Xue and looked down. Then he cast a nce at the outfit Ou Qiang had selected for him, and nodded handsomely. "If you two are old friends..." Before he could finish his words, Qin Guan, who was doneughing, returned. Ou Qiangs cousin recognized Qin Guan at first sight. His attitude suddenly changed. "If you are old friends, then you should be generous. Well kindly ept the outfit." Qu Qiangs cousin was No.22, the model who had had a fight with Qin Guan during the preliminarypetition. Qin Guan smiled at the scene. Before he could say anything, Ou Qiang introduced his cousin happily, "Oh, dear! My cousin Ou Fen is such a good talker. Ha, ha, ha... We are friends, we dont care about such trifles." Ou Fen? Oh, Sh*t? Ha, ha, ha! Both Qin Guan and Sister Xue burst intoughter. No. 22 looked ashamed and angry as he exined to the onlookers loudly, "I have changed my name to Ouyang Fen!" Oh, Sheep Manure? It was still sh*t! The two of themughed even louder. Ouyang Fen had no idea what they wereughing about. He started pulling away his cousin angrily. Ou Qiang waved his handkerchief at Sister Xue and said, "Meet you after thepetition, okay?" Sister Xue shivered. There were few outfits left on the hangers anymore. She frowned in hesitation, but Qin Guan was resolute. Pointing to one of the outfits at random, he said, "Thats it." It was a camouge uniform used during the military training of college students. The pants had arge crotch. Sister Xue shook her head repeatedly. "No, no. Your partner willin. Shall we go with this one?" What she rmended was a suit with a metallic lustre. Qin Guan shook his head. Is this even clothing? It covers no more skin than a leaf. Without further discussion, he picked up the military uniform again and said, "Im going with this. Its a done deal." Sister Xue burst into tears on the spot. She had nothing to say. Qin Guan was too determined to listen to her. She took the uniform and handed it to the assistant, saying torpidly, "Its for No.21, Qin Guan. And here are the clothes for the female model. Shall I give them to you?" The assistant in charge of stock nodded and pinned a No.21 tag on the womens uniform. When all the male models had finished their selection, the assistant pushed the rolling hangers with the 30 outfits to the changing area of thedies. The girls surrounded her and got their outfits ording to the number tags. Naturally, some were joyful, while others were worried. "Oh, my! My little dress is so pretty," said the lucky girl who had gotten the gown. "Look at that metallic lustre! Its so revealing! My shoulders are really broad, and this is a halter top. What a disaster!" The surrounding girls all looked at her. The girls skeleton is indeedrge. If she wears that mini dress, she will be out of thepetition! Somebody was kind enough to try tofort her. They pointed at the military uniform and said, "At least, your clothes will show your figure to the audience. Look at that one..." That was when they saw the camouge uniform. A heated discussion suddenly began. "This is the most terrible outfit in thispetition!" "Maybe the organizingmittee has no financial support. Did they select that outfit at random? Thank god I dont have to wear it!" While everyone was talking, model No.21 took the uniform calmly. That outfit had made her the underdog. Actually, Li Xiaoli was silently chuckling to herself. She was a student at the Design Department of the Institute of Fashion Technology. Her figure was pretty good, so she had entered the modelling circle naturally. It was said that a good actress could also be a good singer. The same actually applied to the fashion industry. Many designers failed to find a good job after graduating. By being a model, Li Xiaoli could meet many older and more experienced designers. She could learn from them, expand her public rtions, and change profession when she got the chance. There were many cases like that in the fashion industry. That was Li Xiaolis n. The uniform actually really matched her taste. She could modify it with her professional skills and show off her extraordinary talent during thepetition. Ill also try my best to help my partner, who chose this uniform. Li Xiaoli sewed as she thought. Meanwhile, Qin Guan had changed into his clothes for the talent show. He was wearing a rented ck suit and a pair of dancing shoes he had made himself. Thats right, Qin Guan had made the shoes himself. Professor Li had thought about the regtions of thepetition carefully and decided that Qin Guans social dancing skill would not work without a partner. She had thought deeply for a long time and finally chosen tap dancing for him. It was suitable for a solo performance, and it was a dance full of enthusiasm and rhythm, which was exactly Qin Guans style. They had decided together on the music and tutor. When the discussion hade around to his outfit and equipment, Qin Guan had volunteered to buy the shoes himself. They had been so expensive though! He couldnt afford to spend so much money on a pair of shoes he would only wear once, so he had made them by himself. Who would care? The special slices for tap dancing cost only 60 yuan per pair. Qin Guan had found a professional shoemaker who had nailed the slices to ordinary cowhide shoes, and that was it! The host began to make a short introduction about the regtions and process of thepetition. Then the local final of the New Face Model Competition started. Female model No.1 got on the stage first, followed by male model No.1, and so on. The models got on the stage sequentially ording to the hosts announcements. Qin Guan and Sister Xue were sitting on a bench behind the curtain, watching the show with relish. The models were singing, dancing or ying musical instruments. Those who could do nothing recited poems. They all tried their best. Professor He and the other three judges hadpleted their task and retreated from the front line. The four judges were much more important this time. Chapter 76: The Talent Show Chapter 76: The Talent Show Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The Chief Editor of "Models" Magazine was a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, and the Vice Chairman of the China Figure Photography Association was a smiling elderly man. The principal of the modelling school that sponsored thepetition was ady that still retained her graceful upbringing, and Xie Feng was a new prominent fashion designer in China. When the host announced No.22s turn, Ouyang Fen held his head high and turned around before Qin Guan. Qin Guan still did not understand why Ouyang Fen was acting so hostile that day. ording to the order of appearance at the preliminarypetition, Qin Guan was supposed to get on stage right before Ouyang Fen. Yet Ouyang Fen was No. 20 in the local final, so he was right before Qin Guan. He must have some kind of connection. If Ou Qiang could read Qin Guans thoughts, he would have broken into tears. When he had gotten the notice from the organizingmittee, he had begged the assistant in charge of the order of appearance. He had cried on his knees for three hours to get that result. What kind of connection does he have? Can he rig thepetition despite the fact that there are so many contestants? If he really had a connection, he wouldnt need to appear first, he would just win. Ouyang Fen performed a popr song and danced powerfully before the judges. He looked at Qin Guan proudly when he returned backstage. As soon as Ouyang Fen finished his performance, the judges started talking in low voices. "What do you think?" "He sang well." "His best feature are the angles on his face." Its a talent show. Could youment on his talents, dude? "He wasnt out of tune, and his dancing steps were correct. You cant set high standards for models." Thats true for any talent show. "He was outstandingpared to the previous contestants." "I agree!" "Me, too." It seemed that the judges had liked Ouyang Fens performance. Then they were pleasantly surprised by Li Xiaolis ten-minute embroidery. Xie Feng decided on the spot that he would hire her as a backstage assistant for his next fashion show. An assistant, not a model. The news made Li Xiaoli mad with joy. This was worth participating in the contest. The award itself meant nothing to her. As she went behind the curtain happily, the host announced in his microphone, "The nextpetitor is No. 21. Qin Guan will tap dance for us." Tap dancing sounded original to the judges. They paid special attention to Qin Guan, who struck a pose on the stage. Wow! Handsome! A fitting suit! Broad shoulders and long legs. His figure was outstanding. The music started ying. It was "Irish Etudes I". Qin Guan was going to perform a traditional Irish tap dance. It was different from American tap dancing, as the Irish dancebined art performance, elegant movements and the surprising physical agility of the dancer. Keeping his upper body still, Qin Guan hung his hands down naturally and followed the music slowly. He was getting faster and faster as the music progressed. Tap, tap... Tap, tap, tap... Tap, tap, tap, tap... The sound hit the hearts of the judges. What a beautiful performance! It was the lively rhyme and energy that made professional dancers stand out. The music slowly came to an end. Breathing heavily, Qin Guan waited for feedback on the stage. The judges talked in low voices. "Who has studied dance? How was it? This dance is too niche." "I have no idea, but it seems great. Has he studied abroad? Its really fashionable." "Its hard to tell, but we should keep an eye on him. A good figure and a handsome face are more than enough." "I agree." When they finished their discussion, the Chief Editor spoke first. "Your tap dance refreshed our experience. You showed abundant energy, which is essential for a model. During your furious dancing, your still upper body showed your control, while your smart steps showed your coordination. It was a sessful performance. Congrattions." The judges stood up and apuded Qin Guan. It was the first time in thepetition that all four judges had stood up before a model. Qin Guan took a deep bow and got off the stage. Sister Xue hugged him tightly. It was the most striking performance of the wholepetition. All the other models considered Qin Guan a potential rival, especially Ouyang Fen, who was grinding his teeth on the sidelines. The first round was over by noon. After a quick lunch backstage, the second round began. While the contestants were getting ready, the host announced the score of the first round. With a score of 9.95, Qin Guan was first. Cursing, Ouyang Fen turned around and saw Qin Guan fasten a wide military belt around his waist and put ck bandages on his arms and legs to make the giant uniform fit. Taking a deep breath, Ouyang Feng encouraged himself, "Its just ordinary camouge clothing. I have a fitting suit. I will win this round!" Groups of models walked on the stage from two different runways. They stood on the stage for about one minute, showing their outfits before they turned around to leave. The judges discussed the contestants performance and graded them. Chapter 77: The Winners of the Local Final Chapter 77: The Winners of the Local Final Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "They have exhibited all the ws of the outfits. I havent seen such a terrible performance in years." "A bit mediocre..." "What were they thinking? Theycked any cooperation during their performance." There were differentments on the couples of contestants. Soon, Ouyang Fen was finished. He was quite satisfied with the performance himself. His partner was a sweet girl who had been in perfect harmony with him, and their matching outfits had looked brilliant. The judges had reacted to their performance with a slight nod. I have observed all the details! I will fly high in the sky from now on. Qin Guan wont stop my sess. Ill be the winner! Ha, ha, ha! Ou Qiang patted Ouyang Fen on the shoulder as he was lost in his proud thoughts. Pointing at the stage, he said, "Your rival is next. Look!" Then he let out a sigh. My cousin is good from head to toe, except for his non-functional brain. I, as his elder brother, have to look out for him. As soon as the host finished her announcement, an epic battle score started ying. Ouyang Fen saw Sister Xue hand a sniper rifle to Qin Guan before he got on the T stage. It looked like a T.C.I. M89-SR sniper rifle made in Israel. This was not the time to discuss the type, but where had ite from? His cousin Ou Qiang had volunteered to buy two toy guns for Sister Xue from a toy stand. The guns looked just like real ones. Yes, he had bought two, a sniper rifle and a hand gun. One for the male model and one for the female model. He hadnt forgotten anyone. When he bragged about helping Sister Xue to his cousin, Ouyang Fen almost beat him to a pulp. While Ouyang Fen was wondering about the guns, Qin Guan had already gotten on the stage with his rifle. Li Xiaoli had gotten on the stage from a different direction, holding a toy Italy Beretta 92F handgun in her hand. The judges off the stage grew excited at once. This round stressed on the outfits themselves, not the figures of the models. This couple had spent a lot of thought on their outfits and made extensive research in a short time. Ten points for a good first impression. When they walked closer to them, the judges were even more satisfied with their modified military clothing. Such creativity! Full marks for exhibition! Following the music theme, the models didnt walk in a standard catwalk, but adjusted their steps to half-squat or stand inclined. Theybined military movements, including holding the guns, shooting and advancing, with quick short steps on the stage. The judges enjoyed the short, one-minute show to the fullest. "Its the most shinning couple I have seen in thispetition. Not one of the best, but the best." "Yes. They had a good idea about the outfits. They didnt change the original costumes, but they added details to increase their beauty. No rules were vited. Very clever models!" That was the designersment. "Their bodynguage and their chemistry were really good." "They are the most serious contestants up to this point. They even found gun props themselves." The four judges had a short discussion and then graded them. Li Xiaoli and Qin Guan walked to the edge of the stage, looked at each other with a smile and pointed their guns at one another as if they were going to shoot. "Bang!" After the sound effect, they retreated together backstage. "Interesting!" The designer was considering copying the scene in his next fashion show. Ouyang Fen was stunned when Qin Guan returned backstage. You didnt follow the rules. You added that move without authorization! You broke the rules, got it? The problem is that the effect was excellent! Ouyang Fen was lying back in a chair with his fingers in his hair. You didnt leave anyone a chance, Qin Guan. Wait and see... Wait and see! Ou Qiang was about tofort his brother when he saw his state. "Oh, my dearest brother. Oh my! You have a runny nose!" When all the models had finished their performance, they changed into casual clothes and waited for their fate-determining scores patiently. Their current scores had been calcted, and they were as follows: Figure-20% Style-20% Temperament-15% Camera Sense-25% Talent-20% The host read the average marks of all thepetitors one by one, allowing the models to get a general idea of their own rank. Qin Guans total score was still 9.95, which was the highest. Unless there was some kind of ident, he would win thepetition. Poking his cousin with his finger, Ou Qiang said in a low, excited voice, "My brother, you are second. Second!" Ouyang Fen chuckled to himself. On second thought, he felt bitter. I would have been first if it wasnt for Qin Guan. The host started to read the list of the winners. All the models waiting backstage were listening nervously. "First, Ill announce the top 10 female contestants. No.3 Jiang Qinqin, No.21 Li Xiaoli..." The girls yelled in both sadness and happiness. "Its you! Get on the stage quickly!" "Damn... I wasnt selected." Ten beautiful girls walked on the stage and stood in a line to show their most brilliant smiles to the audience. The host went on, "The top 10 male models are... No. 20 Ouyang Fen... No.21 Qin Guan... Pleasee on the stage!" Ouyang Fen got on the stage with red eyes. Thank god my nose isnt red. The male models formed a second line along the left side of the stage. The host was about to announce the individual awards. At the sight of the list, she seemed taken aback. Is there a mistake on the list? Forget it, Ill just read it. "The prize for the most stylish model goes to No.21 Qin Guan... The prize for the best performance on the T stage goes to Qin Guan... The most popr prize goes to Qin Guan... The best potential prize goes to Ouyang Fen (finally a different winner)... The Chief Editor of "Models" Magazine will present the prizes to the winners!" Chapter 78: Shabby Rewards Chapter 78: Shabby Rewards Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan held three individual awards in his hands. Looking at the lonely, small diploma in his hand, Ouyang Fen felt weak both physically and mentally. Qin Guan piled up his certificates and returned to his original position. The results of the local final would soon be announced. The host read from his card excitedly, "The third winners of the capital local final of the New Face Model Competition are No. 21 Li Xiaoli, and No.7 XXX..." They both came on the stage to get their bouquets and certificates from the distinguished guests. Li Xiaoli was quite happy. As a green hand designer, Im really fortunate to ce third. She hadnt just won an award, but also a chance to be guided by a professional designer. Nobody could be happier than her. "The silver medal winners are XXX, No.11 of the female group, and Ouyang Fen, No.20 of the male group." When Ouyang Fen returned with his diploma, Qin Guan grinned at him and said insincerely, "Congrattions." F*ck congrattions! As Ouyang Fen had expected, the host announced that Qin Guan was the winner of the male group. Qin Guan put his pile of certificates into Ouyang Fens hands and headed for the stage. "Give me a hand, buddy. Ive got too many awards." Too many awards? I have plenty myself. You are bullying me! And Im not your buddy, Im your enemy! Your arch enemy! Understand? Smiling brilliantly, Qin Guan epted his bouquet and diploma. The host was holding a small announcement from the Chief Editor of "Models" magazine. Holding the microphone excitedly, she announced the good news to the models, "Dear contestants, ourpetition has beenpleted sessfully. The top 10 contestants will participate in the national quarter-final, representing the capital. Of course, thats not the only good news. The following news, brought by the Chief Editor of Models magazine, will surprise you all. The top three of thepetition will be invited to an outdoor photoshoot of the magazine in September, the most beautiful part of autumn. The photos will be published inside thetest issue of the magazine. Arent you excited by the news?" "Yes!" "Excellent!" The contestants buzzed with excitement. Such a chance was quite big for them. Thepetition ended on that happy note. Qin Guan was frowning as he returned backstage. Sister Xue was negotiating with the staff of the organizingmittee and packing up his diplomas. She thought that there was something wrong with him, but she was too busy to ask. Ill find outter. She got rid of Ou Qiang, packed up Qin Guans things, arranged his diplomas and bouquet, got his first winner award and notice for the quarter-final, put the photoshoot notice away, and finally drove Qin Guan back to college in her shabby car. It was dark and the headlights of her small Lada created a bright halo on the road. Sister Xue let out a long breath and told Qin Guan, "I know what youre thinking. Just say it. You dont want to attend the photoshoot at all." Qin Guan nodded. "Wont it affect my courses? Ill be really busy." Sister Xue held the steering wheel with one hand, opened the glovepartment, and searched around inside. Qin Guan pulled a wrinkled pack of cigarettes from the side of the door. He handed her thest cigarette and said, "Thats what youre looking for, right? You should smoke less. You always smoke, no matter what mood youre in." Sister Xue took the cigarette and lit it up, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Stop talking nonsense. I read the schedule. Well start on Friday afternoon and shoot on Saturday. Youll be background for others. The job will be finished in half a day. Ill drive there with you, and well return on the same day. It wont take too long." Qin Guan felt relieved. Then he came to the most important question, "How much is the award for the local final?" Sister Xue sneered, as if she had known Qin Guan would ask that question. "2,000 yuan." "What? Only 2,000 yuan?" Qin Guan would have jumped out of his seat if it wasnt for the seat belt. "You should be grateful. Some domesticpetitions even ask the participants for money. I picked a formalpetition for you. Anyway, you could make some money. How much do you expect to make with your current fame though? If you win the national final, the award will be bigger. About 10,000 yuan, I think." All right. The total prizes will be more than 10,000 yuan. Qin Guan felt that his effort hadnt gone to waste. At the entrance of the college, he picked up his bouquet and diplomas. He took six bills from the award money and handed them to Sister Xue. "Here is your share, one third of the total amount. Take it. Itste, buy something delicious for yourself." Sister Xue epted the money, murmuring "nasty kid" before she got back in the car. She didnt forget to remind Qin Guan happily, "There is no term for an award share in our contract. Thanks a lot for your generous gift." Then she drove away, leaving in a wisp of smoke. Qin Guan saw her off nkly. He wanted to weep, but he failed to shed any tears. I was cheated. Where is my money? The intense summer heat slowly subsided. Autumn came. The top 10 contestants of all the local finals gathered in the capital, and the quarter-final of the New Face Model Competition officially began. There were 280 contestants from 19 areas participating in the quarter-final. Only the lucky top 30 guys would qualify for the national final at the end of August. The atmosphere was tense at thepetition site. All the judges for the preliminarypetition had arrived. The models needed to show up twice for the preliminarypetition. Once with an optional outfit, and once with a swimsuit. Their fate would be decided by their performance. The site for the quarter-final was muchrger. There were five entrances to the main T stage. This meant that there would be five models on the T stage at the same time. It would be a test for their style and, in a sense, their luck. Chapter 79: The Pessimistic T Stage Show Chapter 79: The Pessimistic T Stage Show Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Comparison made a difference. While they were drawing straws to get divided into groups, several girls were so nervous that they had tears in their eyes. They were praying to have rtively weak opponents in their group. They were divided into different groups backstage. People from the samepetition area were gathered together, and people who had a better rtionship stood closer. The models from the capital looked strange. Ouyang Fen stared at Qin Guan with wide eyes, while the others were far away, leaving the two of them alone in the middle of an empty space. Contestants from other areas seemed sympathetic about the situation. Better keep a distance from them. The angry guy is outstanding, and Qin Guan is a charming angel. When they began to draw straws, they prayed that they would not be in the same group with those two. Let them kill each other. Amen! Its said that China is not influenced by foreign gods. Fine! The Jade Emperor and Buddha then... When the organizingmittee pasted the list of the groups on the white board backstage, some models were happy and others were worried. Ouyang Fen was d to see that his number was before Qin Guans. Excellent! Then he saw that he knew nobody in his group. Okay, Im safe now. A slender model in the same group as Qin Guan stared at the list for a long time. His assistant pulled at his clothes apprehensively and tried tofort him, "Dont worry. You just need to pass to the quarter-final. Thirty models will be selected out of 190. You still stand a good chance." The model couldnt do anything but smile at the assistant. They had to show their number tags to get the gowns from the organizingmittee. All the gowns were provided by a sponsor of thepetition, Menglianna Clothing Co. Ltd. It was an exaggeration to call them gowns. The brand was overrated. Thepany engaged in white-cor, urban clothing. At the beginning of the year, a designer had made an ambitious suggestion to thepany. The quality of life was getting better and better, and as a result, annual meetings, evening receptions and wine parties weremon events forpanies. They had to follow the trend to create new ideas. After making several samples, they had coborated with the organizingmittee. They were nning to take advantage of thispetition to test their new collection in the fashion circle. They had made the gowns with cheaper materials, feeling that this was a casual clothing show, and not an evening gown show. Before anyone couldin about the outfits, the host announced on the stage, "The first group of female models can present themselves. This includes XXX, XXX... They are wearing the new autumn collection of Menglianna..." The five models walked down the runway, surprising the judges. Is this an evening gown show or not? Arent those casual dresses? With those dresses on, the individual ability of the models would be more important. Who would be able to make their dress look like a gown? The models walked in groups. The eight judges had to give the basic points of their feedback in only two minutes. They were tired and dizzy. When the results of the female group were announced, they took a 15-minute break before the male group came on the stage. If their performance was not outstanding, the tired judges would not give them a high score. Sister Xue patted Qin Guan on the back to encourage him. He was ready to go. "Now the 16 male groups wille on the stage. Its Qin Guan from the capital... " Music started ying. Qin Guan was wearing a business suit with light grey stripes and a tie of the same color. Someone with slightly darker skin than Qin Guan would have looked like a rat in that suit. Not ab mouse, but a sewer rat. Qin Guans shining white skin took the suit to a whole new level though. When the other models came on the stage, the assistant of the organizingmittee couldnt bear to look at them. They all looked like grey rats. They were wearing grey suits with grey stripes, dots, nting stripes, and crossings... They looked like a whole family of rats. The judges were shocked, and the whole room had fallen silent. Only the background music could be heard. Everyone was suddenly reminded of the famous animation series "ck Cat Sergeant". What could one do with such an awful suit? Keep reading and youll find out. The judges watched them carefully, looking for something different. The contestant on the left side, who was wearing a suit with vertical stripes, was not acting like he was wearing a hospital gown. With further observation, one would notice that the suit was actually of good quality. It hung smoothly and gave off a sense of elegant nobility. Good! The judges then turned to the four models on the right, who looked respectively like a prisoner, a grey Mickey Mouse, and so on... Okay, lets focus on the one on the left. The judges looked at his application. He is the one that got a high evaluation in the preliminary contest. It makes sense that he is this talented, considering that he won the capital localpetition. The judges finished reading Qin Guans application and wrote down his score before the models returned backstage. Before Qin Guan and the other models in his group could change out of those suits, Ouyang Fen jumped in front of them. "Ha, ha, ha, what are you wearing, Qin Guan? It would be breaking news if a local winner was disqualified in the quarter-final. Ha, ha, ha! How can youpete with me?" Ouyang Fen was so happy that he lost any desire tough at Qin Guan when he saw the so-called gown. Whatever, my enemy is doomed to fail. I will not degrade myself so much as to talk to him. The models wearing the same grey suit glowered at Ouyang Fen, who was really talented at irritating others. Qin Guan paid no attention to him though. He just changed into his casual clothes in the fitting room. There would be a swimsuit roundter. Qin Gan enjoyed his lunch backstage as usual. The swimsuitpetition would begin in the afternoon. Ouyang Fen suddenly realized that the swimsuits wouldpliment Qin Guan, who made a living on both his figure and face. F*ck! I still have to keep an eye on this guy. Ouyang Fen finished his swimsuit show confidently and was nning on mocking Qin Guan again. However, he was left speechless when he saw his enemy in a swimsuit. He stared angrily at him as Qin Guan shined brightly on the stage. He has slender legs and V-line abs! Its unfair! Why would god create such a man? Qin Guan couldnt helpughing at Ouyang Fen behind the curtain. Are you kidding me? Ouyang Fen has surpassed Liu Xiaoyang and earned himself the annual award of the most childish person I know! Chapter 80: Bathing with an Enemy Chapter 80: Bathing with an Enemy Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia While Qin Guan and Sister Xue were waiting off-site for the results of the quarter-final, Ou Qiang, Sister Xues pursuer, approached them. As he joked around with them, Qin Guan was surprised to find out that the troublesome Ouyang Fen was only 16 years old. He was three years younger than him. As he thought of his resolute, serious face, his 184 centimeters and his broad chest, Qin Guan couldnt help butugh loudly. Thats what we called contrast-cute in my past life! The others didnt understand what Qin Guan wasughing about. Doesnt he look ridiculous for his age? Ouyang Fens nk expression made him look like a war hero. The organizingmittee handed out notices to the group leaders of every area, who would be in charge of informing the contestants about the results. (Actually, they had to avoid being beaten by the contestants. The task of informing was often offensive.) The person in charge of the capital looked at the notices. 30 persons would be selected from 190 contestants, so there would be an average of two finalists from every area. Thats pretty good. There are two contestants selected from my area. As expected, its the winner and the runner-up. He handed the notices to them first. Sister Xue waved the notice proudly at Ou Qiang. Her IQ had dropped from hanging out with those silly guys for so long. The final of the New Face Model Competition would take ce on August 28. Qin Guan let out a long breath. That would be the final kick at the goal line. This arduouspetition has cost me more than half a year! Sister Xue smiled to herself as she saw Qin Guan off. Finally, Ive gotten the child on board. This is actually a shortpetition. There will be more time-consuming activities in the future. Ill force him to go at knife-point if I have to. What a ferocious woman! The autumn sky was clear, and the air was crisp. It was still dry and hot in the capital, and thats how it was like in the waiting area of the national final site as well. After an assembled training by the organizingmittee, most of the contestants had mastered the basic process of thepetition. The first round of the national final was a group performance. The boys and the girls would be standing at two different ces, and they would get on the stage together to demonstrate the theme of the final: Autumn. The lights dimmed, and the colorfulmps on the stage were lit one after the other. The digital video started ying as the host stomped on the white smoke created by dry ice and walked to the front of the stage to announce the start of the national final. The curtain rose, and 30 beautiful models filed out, walking on the stage one after the other. They were wearing new autumn outfits designed by Xie Feng, who was one of the judges. Pairs of legs along with wheat ears, chilli and garlic (how did they get that in?) praised the pregnant autumn. Xie Feng nodded again and again off stage. The new models this year are of a much higher levelpared to previous years. It seems like the Chinese fashion industry is being embraced throughout the country. The models went around and formed a line again. They took a pose, pressing on their waists, holding their abs and exposing their legs. The advantage of the pose was that it showed everyone the size of their waists and the length of their legs. The difference was clear at first sight. The girls got off the stage. While the male models got ready, the host introduced the concept of the autumn collection to create the right atmosphere and allow time for the judges to grade the female models. When the male models got on the stage, everyone was shocked by the advanced designs of the rising designer. The colors of the outfits were in sharp contrast, and the wheat around the bottom of the pant legs reminded the audience of nature. Special oil had been applied to the models muscles to make their skin look like copper and their lines seem smoother. It was time to judge their bodies. The judges examined their figures and grade them silently before the models retreated backstage. Sister Xue pulled Qin Guan over and pushed him toward the bathroom, urging him, "Quick, take a shower! Clean yourself all over. Understand?" Then she handed him a professional oil brush. "Ou Qiang is holding up two sprayers for you and Ouyang Fen. Be fast, or youll bete!" Qin Guan went inside, looking at the brush as he took off his clothes. "Shall I use it to brush someone elses back? But whose? Surely not Ou Qiangs? Obviously, its for him!" When Qin Guan entered the simple bathroom, he found Ouyang Fen taking an ufortable shower under a sprayer. A small pink brush was in his hand, the same brush as the blue one in Qin Guans hand. When Ou Qiang saw Qin Guan, he shouted at him happily, "Hey, this sprayer is for you! Ill go find my baby Xue. You two have a nice shower..." "..." The two of them faced each other in silence, washing the oil off their bodies. More and more people started entering the bathroom, which made them feel better. They didnt know how to talk with someone hostile. Ouyang Fen seemed lost in thought as he stared at the pink brush in his hand. Qin Guan decided to be magnanimous. He was older than Ouyang Fen by three years after all. Waving the blue brush, he said, "You dont like the pink one? I can brush your back with the blue one if you want." Ouyang Fen nodded unconsciously and turned around. Ill bete for the next show. Using the skills he had learned from his father, Qin Guan brushed Ouyang Fens back quickly and turned his own back to him. Ouyang Fen seemed to be admiring him. He felt the first brush. "F*ck, that hurts!" Qin Guan shouted, jumping away. Is he taking advantage of this to get back at me? I shouldnt have been kind to him! Chapter 81: The End of the Competition Chapter 81: The End of the Competition Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Ouyang Fens expression was both ashamed and resentful as he held the pink brush in his hand. "I... Ive never brushed someone elses back before." He looked like a child standing in the corner for doing something naughty. Qin Guan instructed him patiently, "Right, be careful. Move it from top to the bottom. Right... Is my back red? It doesnt matter, itll get cleaner. Ah... oh... That feels so good..." Can you not sigh that way, dude? Look at how the models around you are looking at you. After brushing Qin Guans back clean, Ouyang Fen felt a sense of achievement. Qin Guans back is smooth and clean. This was my first time ever brushing someone elses back. What a sess! Ouyang Fen looked at the small pink brush. Pink sure is my lucky color. Shall I take this for my pink collection? Ouyang Fen ran out of the bathroom happily at the thought and put the brush into his bag. Qin Guan changed into his swimming trunks and went outside. Sister Xue exploded at the sight of him. "Did Ouyang Fen do this on purpose? There are three scratches on your back! Ill scratch his face!" Qin Guan stopped Sister Xue and pointed at his swimming trunks. "I think the scratches match my swimsuit well. The effect is excellent!" Sister Xue looked at that essential part of Qin Guan and saw a bloody scratch print on both ends of the swimming trunks. It gave off a wild, sexy vibe. Combined with the scratches on his back, theyplimented each other and inspired the audience. Sister Xue patted him on the back excitedly. "Good boy! You are really smart and creative!" Qin Guan smiled to himself. Is this what they call an idental positive oue? Meanwhile, Ouyang Fen had already gotten off the stage and turned in Qin Guans direction hesitantly. Brushing your back was just an ident. We are still enemies. I will crush you one day. Qin Guan smiled brightly and got on the T stage, following the rhythm of the music. The judges started talking heatedly when he got close. "Look at his figure and face! Superb!" "Yes, Im impressed. He was the winner of the capitalpetition. His total score was the best one in the national quarter-final." "A good result. Hes in perfect shape, and his style is mature. How old is he?" "Neen. Hes got great potential. He is 186 centimeters tall. Two more centimeters would have been better though. If he was 188 cm, hed even be able to walk on an international runway." They were still talking when Qin Guan turned around. They grew even more excited when they saw his back. "Look at his back!" "Where did he get that idea? Thats so brave of him! His swimming trunks go well with the scratches." "He is so clever! Its only scratches, no scars, no blood, no harm to his body. What a genius!" (Overkill, dude. Believe me, you have no idea what really happened.) "Thats the feeling! It looks like a theme show in Europe. He took it to the next level." "Good idea. Maybe I could use it for a swimsuit show in the future." They didnt give their full attention to the rest of the models after Qin Guan returned backstage. Sister Xue handed him his clothes before the jealous onlookers, encouraging him, "Cheer up! Theres still one more round to go!" The final round was a photopetition. Models had to perform well and take outstanding poses ofprehensive quality. Top models had to have a strong sense of the camera and be easy to cooperate with. They would all take turns walking on the stage and the photographers of thepetition would take candid photographs of them. Then the judges would put all the photos together andpare them. "Click, click..." Several cameras snapped pictures simultaneously. The shes and the steps of the models werebined into a specific rhythm. Finally, all the contestants gathered on the stage, the photographers took a group photo, and they returned backstage to wait for the results. They were strolling around anxiously, talking in low voices. The atmosphere was charged. Off stage, the judges were busy with the final scores of the models. The assistant handed the final list to the host, who announced the results over the background music. Ouyang Fen looked unconsciously at Qin Guan, who seemed totally oblivious to everything. He was chewing bubble gum leisurely. What the hell is he doing? How can he still care about eating right now? Dude, is that Dada bubble gum? I want a pink strawberry one! "The winner is Qin Guan from the capital, who won the popr vote!" When the results were announced, the contestants started hugging each other goodbye. There were plenty of people surrounding the judges. Assistants and agents tried to suck up to them, holding their cards in their hands in an effort to promote their models. Qin Guan and Ouyang Fen, the luckiest guys in thepetition, had won both a bonus outdoor photo-shoot in the capital and a small review from "Capital Fashion" magazine. A journalist of a local printed media with a small readership was inspired by the fact that there were two contestants from the capital in thepetition. They are the winner and runner-up of both the national final and the capitalpetition. How dramatic! They supported each other and fought together. Hand in hand, they overcame all the difficulties and defeated the contestants from all other areas. The journalist was full of passion as he looked at the two guys sitting in chairs. On the left, Ouyang Fen was grinding his teeth with a sour expression on his face. He was holding two awards in his arms. On the right, Qin Guan picked up a prize cup and put it on a table at random, saying helplessly, "I cant hold so many awards!" The journalist was confused. Whats going on? Qin Guans words provoked Ouyang Fens rebelling nature. He suddenly stood up and shouted, "You bastard!" Before he could continue, Qin Guan pointed at the journalist, and Ouyang Fen withered at once. The journalist smiled awkwardly. Anyhow, Ill just write a short article about them. Id better finish the interview quickly and run away. It seems that the two of them have a tense rtionship. He could imagine the mutual enmity between them off-site, and he asked some basic questions quickly before running away with his notebook. Ouyang Fen was dragged off by his cousin as he shouted loudly, "Ill be back!" He had to nurture their love-hate rtionship. Humming, Qin Guan put his diplomas and awards in hisrge bag and got into Sister Xues car. When they reached his college, Sister Xue gave Qin Guan a thick envelope before he got off the car. "Your prize for thepetition." Then she drove away with an elegant turn, leaving smoke behind her. It seemed fair to Qin Guan. He climbed upstairs, jumping the steps two and three at a time with hisrge bag and the envelope. Rushing into his dormitory, he threw the bag down and opened the envelope excitedly. A pile of 100-yuan bills fell on his bed. Chapter 82: An Honourable Sophomore Chapter 82: An Honourable Sophomore Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia One hundred, two hundred... Qin Guan counted the bills by spitting on his fingers. My fingers are too dry, I might as well wet them with my spit...Six thousand nine hundred, seven thousand... Seven thousand? Why seven thousand? One hundred, two hundred... It was seven thousand! Qin Guan counted the bills again. It should have been 10,000 yuan. Why did I only get 7,000? He suddenly recalled Sister Xues expression when she had handed him the envelope. She had looked satisfied to him. Right, she must have felt great about taking 3,000 yuan for handling fees! Several days ago, Qin Guan had generously given Sister Xue 600 yuan. At the time, he had said that it was handling money, but Sister Xue had said it was charity. So 600 yuan was charity, yet 3,000 yuan was not? That exploiting Sister Xue! Crying, Qin Guan fell on his bed. 3,000 yuan were gone! His fate was decided. Forget it. Ill just cry myself to sleep. The new term began in autumn. Cherishing their dreams, young boys and girls stepped onto the campus of the colleges they wanted to attend. The bustling crowd and the parentsing in in great numbers had no influence on Qin Guan, who had been defrauded by his roommates. The day after thepetition, his roommates had returned to college, fighting with each other. As an honorable cadre of the Students Union, Ye Dongs priority was looking after his roommates. What should the Students Union do to strengthen the brilliant image of our university and provide freshmen with better services? Please shout with me! Serve the people! At the end of the summer, amid intense heat, Qin Guan was forced by Ye Dong to pick up freshmen from the railway station. It was an honorable, but tedious task. If he had been assigned to guide freshmen around the campus or serve at the reception, Qin Guan wouldnt haveined. Sending him to the Capital Railway Station to pick up freshmen was senior oppression though. Their ulterior motive was to prevent Qin Guan from attracting all the junior female students with his charm. As a result, he was assigned the most time-consuming, painstaking task. Three days before the new term began, there had to be staff at the reception of the railway station 24 hours a day. Several groups of students and tutors were on duty on eight-hour shifts. Qin Guan was in charge of the morning shift, when the workload was the heaviest. He and Wang Lei were in the same group. His eldest brother was fascinated by paperwork. They wore their student uniforms to impress the parents and promote the image of the college, as well as the beauty of the city. This creative idea had been the principals, who had remembered that a batch of school uniforms had been made. He had asked Secretary Liu to find the uniforms and use them to promote the image of the university. Following the principals directions, Secretary Liu along with Grandpa Zhang, the inventory keeper, had taken the stock out. The students of the Public Rtions Department had almost copsed under the weight of the uniforms. The fashionable royal blue khaki pants, white long-sleeved shirts and warrior shoes gave off an honorable 1960s vibe. They also wore red scarves on their chests. We love our hometown. As Qin Guan and Wang Lei left their dormitory in their uniforms, Liu Xiaoyang wasughing so hard that he fell on the floor. The two of them reminded him of Xiao Ming and Xiao Hua [1]. Surrounded by the students of the whole dormitory, the two fellow martyrs got on a shuttle bus headed for the Capital Railway Station. Several shuttle buses were carrying freshmen between the college and the railway station. Qin Guan and Wang Lei had been assigned to help the tutors. When they arrived at the reception, the students there were busy with work. The students in charge of guidance were running around sweating, and those holding the poster of the university felt like they would suffer from varicose veins. They let out a relieved sigh when they saw the assistants arrive. We are exhausted from work! The seniors, who were carrying luggage for younger girls on campus were smiling to themselves. Dont make the same mistake we did. As sophomores, we were exploited by seniors, so now were ying the same trick on sophomores ourselves. You might think yourself a prince, but we have our own way of defeating you. Well make you lose points before lovely girls and make a bad first impression. We sure love the principal. That uniform does indeed harm ones appearance! Thats what the seniors were thinking, but they were bound to lose all hope when they saw Qin Guan. Reality was cruel, and Qin Guans appearance was still unbeatable. Anyone wearing loose pants and a shabby shirt would have been reduced from an eight to a six. However, Qin Guan had upgraded the uniform to an eight. With his long legs and slim waist, Qin Guan was confident about his style. The uniform looked casual on his body. Qin Guan and Wang Lei carried a small table to the square to set up a simple reception desk by the entrance. Some people who had been squatting there stood up and walked over. "Hey, young man. Do you know the rules here?" their leader asked Qin Guan. "What rules?" Qin Guan had no idea what he meant. Is there a new policy in the railway station? Or is there a regtion for picking up freshmen? "All small hotels have their own turf. Understand?" "They seem like green hands. Who sent you here without making sure you knew the rules first?" "You were about to set up a table here. Werent you afraid youd be caught by the administrative staff?" "Thats it! Go squat over there and learn something useful first..." They had mistaken Qin Guan and Wang Lei forpetition. Their uniforms made them look like hotel idlers looking for customers. Qin Guan had failed to notice that about his appearance. Actually, if they had been at the railway station looking for customers, they would have dressed neatly. It was nonsense that beautiful people looked beautiful even in trash bags. People had to pay attention to their looks. The men were trying to persuade them kind-heartedly, when Wang Lei silently took out arge te with the colleges name on it and set it on the table. Notes [1] Two fictional characters often appearing in middle school textbooks. Chapter 83: A Strong Girl Chapter 83: A Strong Girl Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "They are college students." "Yes, they are. Why didnt they tell us earlier?" Qin Guan and Wang Lei were sad to see the men go. ... Mou Xiaoliu was also feeling sad. She hadpletely lost her way. The passengers moving to-and-fro watched the petite girl carrying tworge bags as she shuttled down the hall, the corridors and the bus stops. The two bags she was carrying on her shoulders were almost as tall as she was. Her face wasnt red, and she was not breathing heavily, but the sweat on her forehead showed that she was a little hot from running. When she reached the square again, she finally saw the poster of the Capital University of Finance and Economics. Reassured, she calmed down. After moving the bags further up on her shoulders, she carefully sped up. As she walked, she was thinking about the pickles her mother had made, wondering if they had spilled when she had been walking fast. The girl reached the reception and looked at the savior standing behind the table with shinning eyes. Thank god they put such arge poster on the square, or Id be searching for a long time! Oh my! My savior is so good-looking! Hes 100 times more handsome than thenguage teacher in Taohua Town. Mou Xiaoliu considered this her lucky day. She had finally arrived at the capital after a long trip and numerous trials, enrolled at the university of her dreams, and met a handsome upperssman. For Mou Xiaoliu, life couldnt get any better. Qin Guan looked up and saw a small girl with red, round cheeks. She was just standing in front of the table with shinning eyes, watching him silently in a silly, yet cute way. He smiled at the girl. "Are you a fellow student? Are you a freshman at our university?" The little girl nodded silently with a silly smile. Qin Guan smiled back and asked, "Did you bring your admission letter? I can help you register." The girl came back to her senses and nodded hard. She put therge bags down carefully and took her admission letter out of a pocket on her chest. Checking the letter, Qin Guan wrote her name down on the freshmen list. As he handed the letter back to her, he warned her, "Keep it safe." Mou Xiaoliu nodded again. She put the letter back in her pocket and tried to pick up the two bags. The bags were too big for a little girl, so Qin Guan stood up, said something to Wang Lei, and told Mou Xiaoliu that he would carry one of them to the shuttle bus for her. Mou Xiaoliu was happy that he offered, but she waved her hands in an effort to stop him. "I dont need help, I can manage myself. My luggage is quite heavy." Qin Guan smiled with confidence. Are you kidding? If a little girl like you can carry two bags, a strong young man like me can carry one without breaking a sweat. Qin Guan picked up therger bag with one hand and tried to lift it. The bag remainedpletely still. It seems like I underestimated the enemy. He exerted all his strength again, but the bag didnt move. Wang Lei buried his face behind the table. Im sorry, dude, but I cant bear to watch. Embarrassed, Qin Guan stole a nce at Mou Xiaoliu, who was still looking at him in admiration. s, the upperssman might not be stronger than Da Niu in my vige, but he is indeed handsome. My girl, good looks do not equal strength. Qin Guan secretly let out a relieved breath when he saw that the girl wasnt showing disdain at his weakness. No man could bear to be called useless. Grinding his back teeth, he suddenly used all his strength, lifting the bag up to his shoulder. Ignoring his wicked friend Wang Lei, who wasughing loudly on the side, Qin Guan told Mou Xiaoliu proudly, "Follow me to the shuttle." Mou Xiaoliu lifted the other bag with one hand and carried it on her shoulder with ease, following Qin Guan happily. As she walked with him, she was still wondering why the other upperssman had beenughing so much. Little girl, theres an old saying that says, In the eye of the lover, his beloved is always a beauty. You arepletely ignoring his weak, faltering steps, because youre focused on his butt. Breathing heavily, Qin Guan managed to keep moving forward. On the way, he told Mou Xiaoliu, "Follow the tutor to the reception after you get off the bus. Hand in the education and dormitory fees first." Mou Xiaoliu nodded tactfully. After taking another breath, Qin Guan went on, "Put away your receipt and train ticket to the capital. You can get a refund for them." "Read carefully all the materials, including the College Student Tutorial, Life Guidance for College Students, and the special freshmen issues in our university magazine." Mou Xiaoliu nodded again. I can get a refund for my ticket. Thats great! Qin Guan helped her lift her luggage to thepartment above her head as he advised her kind-heartedly, "Ask the upperssman on this bus for help when you get off. Youre such a petite girl. Be careful so you dont drop them." Before she could express her appreciation, Qin Guan added, "Leave your telephone number to your tutor and the teacher in charge of your ss. It will be useful in the future. This year, our university will grant student loans to all students who qualify. You can consult with the teacher in charge when you pay the fees." Mou Xiaoliu was close to tears. He is so kind. Ill be the happiest girl in my vige! She took a bow before Qin Guan and said loudly, "Thank you so much! Ill do my best!" Then she looked up at him with her shinning eyes. Looking around, Qin Guan felt a little embarrassed by her sincere appreciation. He waved the silly little girl off. "Dont mention it, its my duty. The bus is nearly full. Take care of yourself. Ill off!" He greeted his fellow students and tutors on the bus shyly before running away as fast as he could. When he got back to the reception, Wang Lei was busy with registrations. Qin Guan rushed to help him relieve the pressure. When the wave of students got on the bus, Wang Lei turned to Qin Guan and started tough again, remembering the previous scene. Qin Guan tried to exin awkwardly, "The bag was really heavy. It might have been 50 kilos. I wonder what shed put inside." Wang Lei shook his head and touched his sses, pretending to be serious as he asked gloatingly, "My fellow student, this is the first time you fail to look cool in a really long time. Whats your opinion on this?" Chapter 84: The Hapless Duo Chapter 84: The Hapless Duo Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia What choice did Qin Guan have? Who knew that that little girl would have been blessed with such great strength? No matter what others thought, the girl had impressed him a lot. If Mou Xiaoliu had known that Qin Guan was talking about her with his roommates, she would have been over the moon. While she rode the shuttle bus, she asked the upperssman there some questions. "Do you know the upperssman at the reception?" "Of course, practically all the sophomores at our college know him." "Is he that popr? Thats good. Whats his name? Id like to thank him again if I meet him in the future." The student smiled automatically as he answered, "He has too many titles. They call him the Handsome Straight-A ounting Student, the Dancing Childe, and the College Heart-breaker. But his real name is Qin Guan." Mou Xiaoliu recited the titles carefully in her mind twice before nodding at the upperssman. When the bus stopped, the upperssman experienced Qin Guans earlier struggle. He had to carry the two bags off the bus with shaking legs. As Mou Xiaoliu walked to the reception with her bags, she was thinking, "Daddy, the people here are all kind. Everything has gone smoothly so far. But the students in my college are all weak. It seems like Ill have to help them a lot in the future." A whole bus of students had finished enrolling, yet Qin Guan wasnt feeling any better. The hot sun was high in the sky as they ran around on the square without any shade. They kept talking with students and parents until their mouths felt dry and their tongues scorched. When their recements arrived, they found them lying on the table like withered cucumbers. Qin Guan and Wang Lei decided to bring an umbre the next day. They took the shuttle home, and the first thing they did when they entered their dormitory was take a bath. In his underpants, Qin Guan poured warm water on his body with a red bucket. Cool! They both felt refreshed after the bath. Wrapping hisrge towel around his head, Qin Guan grinned at Wang Lei. "Do I look like a tank soldier?" They pretended to fight as they went out of the bathroom. Suddenly, they were surprised to see girls standing in the corridor. The two of them were the top students in the whole college. Wang Lei had a high IQ, but hanging out with Qin Guan for too long seemed to have lowered it. He had even forgotten that it was a special day. It was enrolment day, so there were lots of freshmen with their parents as well as many idlers moving around the building. The boys looked at each other in silent despair. The two of them were standing there in just their underpants, water drops rolling down their bodies. At least we look strong... Qin Guan and Wang Lei pretended to be calm. They exchanged a nce as they walked confidently in their slippers, trying to look nonchnt. When they finally pushed the door to their room open, they exhaled in relief. Oh my! We were naked in public. We might have had our underpants on, but people still saw our bare chests! They acted like nothing had happened, taking advantage of their selective memory. When everyone returned, Ye Dong was beaten by Qin Guan and Wang Lei, who med all their misfortunes on him. It was because of Ye Dongs promotion that they had attracted the attention of the tutors. At the thought that they would have to do this job again and again in the following days, they ground their teeth. "Bang, bang..." With bumps all over his head, Ye Dong went to the cafeteria for dinner with them, ordering extra carbonado legs topensate for his friends energy loss, not only that day, but also for the days toe. ...... When they arrived at the station the next day, they realized that one chicken leg was not enough for the work they did. It was raining, and the small table couldnt be set up. The fellow sufferers stood under an umbre on the square, getting mud on their pants. The passingbor workers reminded them kindly, "Silly boys, you could wait in the hall!" "Poor them! They only have the one umbre!" They had been mistaken forbor workers! Wang Lei silently ran back to the shuttle bus to get the college board. "They are students. Theyre working so hard!" Thebor workers left. The two boys standing in the rain were like symbols that could be seen from afar. The tutor in the shuttle bus was relieved. "I hadnt expected them to be so dedicated." Because of the rainy weather, the staff of the railway station had allowed all buses from different colleges to park across the square. All the passengers could see them clearly as soon as they disembarked. Suddenly, Wang Lei rushed out with the board without listening to the instructions of the tutor. The tutor had just praised them for their enthusiasm. Would he admit that they were silly after all? Definitely not! Qin Guan didnt know that there was a change until he sent the first group of students and their parents off. He immediately ran to the square to share the news with Wang Lei, and they returned together with the second group. Ashamed of their IQ, they remained silent until they got back to their dormitory. Their wet clothes were pasted on their bodies, making them feel miserable. They took them off as soon as possible. Their shirts were torn apart, and the pants held up by an stic cord fell down on the floor. Chapter 85: Misfortunes Come in Pairs Chapter 85: Misfortunes Come in Pairs Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Suddenly, the squeaky door was pushed open and they heard Ye Dong speaking loudly from outside, "It doesnt matter. Come in, please. Theres no one sleeping in our dormitory right now. Come on in, we can y cards!" When Ye Dong saw the girls staring at something speechlessly, he turned around. The three boys had identical shocked expressions on their faces. F*ck! Qin Guan and Wang Lei were naked before an audience again! Wang Leis upper body was bare, and Qin Guan was in his colorful Cbash Brothers shorts. Ye Dong realized that this would cost him a lot. Sniffing, Qin Guan pulled his pants up calmly. No big deal. Compared to yesterdays disaster, this is nothing. Wang Lei didnt care. I have no boobs after all. Qin Guan pulled his pants up and waved at the girls shamelessly. "Come on in. Lets y cards!" The onlookers were so shocked by his attitude that they dropped everything in their hands to the floor. The girls entered the dormitory as if nothing had happened. Li Jie shut off hisputer and made room for them on thergest table in the dormitory. Some people had private affairs to attend to, but the rest were divided into teams by lottery. Wang Lei and Qin Guan were in one team, and Yang Jing and Ye Dong were in another. The two girls were in one team each. Wang Lei, Qin Guan and a chubby girl made up one team. They began to shuffle the cards. Yang Jing was unsatisfied with the in deck, and she wanted to punish the losers to make the game more fun. Therefore, they decided that the winners would draw tortoises and paste post-its on the losers faces. The challenging game began. Theypeted in "twos". Ye Dong threw a diamond two down and got on the offensive. After two rounds, Wang Lei and Qin Guan were losing by a lot. Unlucky guys couldnt me anyone but themselves. They had only three poor diamonds in their hands, so nothing could help them. The chubby girl put down a card, then looked at the rest of her cards carefully. Suddenly, she shouted, "Oh! I could have gained the advantage with a pair of twos, right?" Qin Guan and Wang Lei nodded as she confessed, "I had two hearts, but I forgot." After ying for a while, the chubby girl made a mistake that caused them to lose. Staring down at the good cards in his hand, Qin Guan med her subconsciously. "Did you forget how to y?" The girl was very shy. After a long while, she said, "I was thinking of Cbash Brothers." Bang! Li Jie had fallen off the bed. What could Qin Guan say? What dared he say? He could only advise the girl, "Pay attention, please." The fat girl grinned and patted her chest, promising, "Dont worry, Im the queen of cards." Qin Guan and Wang Lei mustered all their courage to finish the game. As expected, they were destroyed. They got one post-it and one tortoise each. Oh, no! Qin Guan got two tortoises and one post-it, and Wang Lei got two post-its and one tortoise. The girls were their guests, so the two gentlemen took the punishment for them. "Ah! I broke up the sessive cards!" The chubby girl made another mistake. Ye Dong and his partner were promoted to the highest level. They had reached a "four". More post-its and tortoises were pasted on Qin Guans and Wang Leis faces. "Oh, no! Four was the King. I was wrong!" There was an abundance of tortoises. Finally, Ye Dongs team reached a "Five". Liu Xiaoyang drew more tortoises with ease. After one round, the girls returned to their own dormitory in satisfaction. On their way back, they were talking about Qin Guan. "He has a good figure." "Yeah, its pretty good." "Cbash Brothers..." "Ha, ha, ha..." When the girls were gone, Qin Guan and Wang Lei turned to Ye Dong angrily, the post-its on their faces flying in the air. Everyone else pointed at them andughed. "Could you please wash your faces first?" The two of them went outside with their basins and soap. Suddenly, a group of parents and students with a guiding tutor passed and saw the two silly students with post-its on their faces. Silence prevailed. Finally, Qin Guan and Wang Lei went through the crowd and into the bathroom, pretending that nothing had happened. The parents pretended not to see anything either. They remained silent until the tutor had left. Then some of them pulled over their children and urged them, "Try to get along with your roommates. If they bully you, tell us and well beat them." A mothers boy had been shocked by Qin Guan, but he wasforted by his mothers words. Im well-behaved. Those college guys are terrible! Chapter 86: The Troublesome Girl Chapter 86: The Troublesome Girl Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan and Wang Lei were ready to explode. They washed their faces in the bathroom and pushed the door open with a bang. When Ye Dong saw that the two of them were on the verge of starting a fight, he pushed his chest out and took a mighty pose. With wide-open eyes, he shouted, "Come on! Forgive me!" He surrendered immediately. The onlookers and his two rivals were left speechless. Contented, Qin Guan picked up a toothpick and held it in his mouth. Shaking his legs out proudly, he asked in a serious voice, "You know the rules, dont you?" Looking at Qin Guan gratefully, Ye Dong answered like a little girl, "At your service." Li Jie spit out a mouthful of water as he watched them. You two are such drama queens. This is disgusting! Well lose our appetite for supper because of your performance. Ye Dong was forced to sign a contract with humiliating terms. The contract read as follows: Ye Dong is a criminal who disregarded the friendship between brothers, thusmitting one of the most heinous offences in the world. For 10 days, he has to treat his charitable friends, Qin Guan and Wang Lei, to dinner at Gui Street. The dinner has to include a portion of spicy hot crays, a te of boiled green soy beans and peanuts, and a portion of salty yellow croakers. Beer is also mandatory. Qin Guan and Wang Lei have the right to add any extra dishes that they wish at the restaurant. Signature: Ye Dong. Date: August 30th, 1999 Qin Guan and Wang Lei put the contract away and went to sleep. Tomorrow will be thest day. ..... September 1st was Commencement Day. The freshmen enjoyed the golden autumn. Qin Guan was a sophomore though, so he was busy with courses and paid no attention to younger girls. Besides, there was already a young girl waiting for him. It was the weekend, so he had to go to Huang Jiajias home. This would be their first lesson for the new semester. Whenever he thought of the journey to Bashang for the photoshoot, Qin Guan got a headache. I have to ask Huang Jiajia for a day off. What will she do? Roll around on the floor in tears? Cry and shout? Stop. Just stop it. Qin Guan decided to y it by ear. When he got there, he asked her mother for a day off, and she agreed without hesitation. Then Qin Guan walked to Huang Jiajias room and pushed the door open. As expected, she had been eavesdropping. When the door opened suddenly, it hit her nose, leaving a red mark on her face. Qin Guan burst intoughter at the sight of her covering her nose tearfully. He knocked the books against her head yfully. "Stop joking around. Lets start our lesson!" Huang pointed at Qin Guan angrily. "You liar! You took advantage of my feelings!" Qin Guan hastened to close the door. "What are you talking about? Thats nonsense!" Huang Jianjia sat down at her desk. "Liar, liar! I heard what you said to my mum. You had promised to buy me snacks!" She stooped over the desk, crying sadly. Qin Guan sat down next to her helplessly and tried to exin. "Could you please respect me and call me sir? You are really brave. Now stop crying, or your mum might think Im bullying you." Huang Jiajia cried even louder. "Okay, princess, I surrender. Stop, listen to me!" She continued to cry. "I promised to treat you to snacks if your scores were all above B." Huang Jiajias crying subsided and turned into groans and moans. She is guilty of unreasonable behavior. Qin Guan smiled to himself as he went on, "I asked for a day off for business, not for fun. I have to go to a magazine photoshoot." Huang Jiajia suddenly looked up and asked excitedly, "What kind of photoshoot? What magazine? I want to buy it!" That was a quick change! Qin Guan fixed his eyes on her face, but he couldnt find any signs of crying. Except for her red nose, the rest of her face looked quite clean. I was cheated! She was only pretending to cry! Qin Guan was really angry. That little girl is a talented liar! Her white little bra shed in his mind at the thought. Stop, stop, stop! Qin Guan shook his head unconsciously in an effort to push the wicked thought away. Pretending to be calm, he told her, "You have to study first. Ill take you out when your scores are announced." Realizing he had seen through her, Huang stuck her tongue out and picked up her textbook obediently. Before opening it, she asked again, "Hey, what kind of part-time job is it?" I love that question! Qin Guan had the chance to show off again. Her mother forgot to ask me earlier, which deprived me of the chance to brag. Qin Guan coughed and adjusted his sitting position before answering in his typical indifferent way, "Its not a part-time job, which is very annoying! The chief editor of the magazine begged me to help him. I was too kind to say no when he was crying, so I epted the job. In fact, its an unrewarding task. There will be no extra bonus besides the daily wage." Qin Guan straightened up. Chapter 87: The Sleeping Teacher Chapter 87: The Sleeping Teacher Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Huang Jiajia asked in admiration, "Teacher Qin, you are a part-time model, arent you? Is that why the chief editor knows you and asked you for help?" Qin Guan wanted to weep, but was unable to produce any tears. Huang Jiajia, you are so clever and to the point! Why dont you use that IQ during your lessons? Looking at her shining eyes, Qin Guan decided to tell her. Opening her new textbook at random, he answered calmly, "I signed a contract with New Silk Road, and my agent sent me to apetition to have a try. I won identally." Qin Guan felt that was aplete answer, and so did Huang Jiajia. I know more about him now. What shall I do? He looks even more attractive to me. It took Qin Guan more than 10 minutes tofort her. Then he organized his thoughts and tapped the textbook with his pen. "So much for chatting. Lets start our lesson. Well begin with Math." The first ss of the new semester was rtively simple. Qin Guan helped Huang Jiajia with the new knowledge points of the book and asked her to practice. Then he looked at his watch and realized that half the time had passed. While she exercised, he read his own textbook and rxed. Ever since he had returned to college, Qin Guan had been really busy. He was slightly ashamed for boasting to his student before he had even showed off to his roommates. Im sleepy. My eyes are closing. Despite his tough mind, Qin Guan fell asleep while he read his book. When Huang Jiajia finished her exercises and looked up, she found him leaning against her bed in a reading posture, using the teddy bear under his body as a pillow. Huang Jiajia smiled before standing up carefully and sneaking up to the bed. Qin Guans mouth was open, and saliva was dripping out. His hair covered his face softly, shaking with his breath. Huang Jiajia touched him with a barrette, which shook slightly as it scratched his face. Qin Guan frowned, but didnt wake up. Huang Jiajia stepped forward and sat on the bed, craning her neck toward Qin Guans face. It was a perfect face, with smooth skin, dashing eyebrows, a high nose, and thin lips. His beautiful eyes were shut beneath his long eyshes. That handsome face must have charmed numerous girls! At the thought that she was one of them, Huang Jiajia felt wronged. I know that he has a girlfriend, but I cant get him out of my mind. If I dont have something that belongs to him, Ill be devastated. In her imagination, she was the heroine in a tragedy and a dissatisfied girl in a boudoir. Stop, you drama queen! Huang Jiajia smiled as her lips approached Qin Guan. Both their faces were red, his from sleep and hers from nervousness. Her lips were getting closer and closer, like a pink rose in early puberty. Right before touching his skin, the rose suddenly bloomed open. "Qin Guan! Get up!" Huang Jiajia shouted by his ear. Qin Guan got up dizzily, his ears ringing and his saliva finally falling off. "Eh, thats disgusting!" Huang Jiajia took out her handkerchief to wipe his mouth. Qin Guan was still dizzy. Who the hell would wake up their teacher in such a way? I shouldnt treat the naughty child kindly! He massaged his swelling head and felt his ear go back to normal. Itste, lets call it a day. Then he stood up and knocked on Huang Jiajias head. "Call me sir. Thats it for today. Remember to review the course. Ill check your exercises when I return next week." Huang Jiajia ground her teeth as she covered her head. Thats twice youve hurt me today. Ill pay you back. Then she saw Qin Guan off. Before he left, Huang Jiajia said in front of her mother, "Teacher Qin, take me to Carrefour when youe back." Qin Guan stopped as Huang showed off before her mother. "Mum, Teacher Qin will treat me. Tell me if theres something you want us to get for you." Chapter 88: The Fun Journey to the Grassland Chapter 88: The Fun Journey to the Grasnd Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Fine, Huang Jiajia. You wait and see. Smiling shyly at her mother, Qin Guan left. After several threats by Sister Xue, she and Qin Guan followed the magazine operation car in Sister Xues car, headed for the Bashang Grasnd. The Bashang Grasnd was located in the Manchu Autonomous County of Fengning, north of the capital. It was the natural grasnd closest to the capital, also known as the First Grasnd North of Beijing. The rich, beautiful grasnd had plenty of water and lush grass. The seasons there were distinct, and the scenery was different by daylight and by night. It was a photographers paradise. The golden autumn had changed the scenery. After several months of frost, the pines, spruces and white birches were ready begin the most splendid period of their lives. The "Models" magazine had chosen the Willow Valley as its destination. The group got there in the evening. The country home inn they had contacted in advance was ready to receive them. The viger and his wife had cleaned all the rooms, and their small farmyard was soon filled with lodgers. Qin Guan found his room. The guestroom was clean and simple. A small beige table was on the tidy adobe kang [1], which was a unique delight in the wild. Qin Guan put his luggage on the table and went to check the small bathroom. There was only a personal washbasin and a chamber pot in it. Qin Guan unpacked his luggage and changed into afortable pullover before going out. He had to do something about his hungry stomach. When they sat down around the big table, the couple served them hot traditional dishes. The amodation there cost only 50 yuan per day, including a room and three meals. If the guests ordered any more food, they would be charged extra. Qin Guan was so hungry that, at the directors cue, he immediately buried his face in arge bowl of rice. The potatoes and ribs were soft and tasty, and the fried egg with spring onion was delicious. The best dish was the fried beef with vegetables though. That dish made them unable to control their chopsticks. While Qin Guan was busy filling his mouth with food, Ouyang Fen couldnt bear the sight of it. He had been in a bad mood the whole day. Im a careful man who looks after himself. I shouldnt havee here with so many tough guys. The shabby,rge minibus had jolted so hard on the way there that his bottom was still hurting. He wasnt in the mood to eat. Before he couldin though, his arch enemy had begun to eat as if there was no one else present. What bad manners! Theres a grain of rice on his face. Why has everyone gone crazy over such simple food? Ouyang Fen was lost in his thoughts amid the sound of chopsticks and tes nging. Well, they had to eat, or else Qin Guan would eat everything on the table. His speed had awakened everyones appetite. Is it that delicious? Ouyang Fen poked at the fried eggs with his chopsticks, because that was the dish that looked the most attractive to him. Another pair of chopsticks got there before him though and picked up thest piece of fried eggs. Looking around him nkly, Ouyang Fen realized that the owner of the chopsticks was Qin Guan. Its not about the food, its about dignity! Ouyang Fen cheered up and started grabbing food like everyone else. Looking at him happily, his cousin told Sister Xue, "Young men always have a big appetite." Everyone looked serious. If we didnt, wed starve tonight. Sister Xue wouldnt have that though. She kicked Qin Guan under the table, warning him, "Slow down. Theres a whole roastedmbing. Save room in your stomach." Qin Guan stopped, but regained speed again soon enough. He answered ambiguously, chewing on a mouthful of beef, "Im still growing. Ill be hungry again in a bit." Several grains of rice flew out of his mouth andnded in Ouyang Fens bowl. Ouyang Fen wasnt paying any attention though. He was too busy struggling with his ribs. Sister Xue and Qin Guan stared at each other for a second before pretending that nothing had happened. When all the tes were clean, a bucket of rice had been eaten. Thendy was really pleased and proud of her cooking skills. Her husband looked d himself as he rolled themb above the fire. Lamb dishes were the mostmon in the grasnd because that meat was the best in quality. Oil was dripping into the fire fragrantly. Intoxicated by the breeze of the early autumn in the grasnd, everyone felt inspired. When they smelled themb though, they suddenly started shouting. "Im too full. I forgt about themb!" "I beat you! I have some spare ce in my stomach. Ha, ha, ha..." The biggest losers were the Ou brothers. One of them had had very little food because he was on a diet, and the other one had failed to beat Qin Guan at an eating contest. The couple carried themb to the table. It was a crisp, fragrant golden brown roastmb. The pink-and-white meat was easy to tear off. In a few minutes, the tender meat was torn off the skeleton and ced on their tes. Silence prevailed as everyone filled their mouths withmb. It was reallyte at night, and the mosquitoes in the grasnd went out silently to join the feast... The next morning, everyone was shouting loudly. "There are so many bumps on my face!" Nothing could stop the mosquitoes on the grasnd. They were stronger and more resolute than their counterparts in urban areas for they had to fight against the strong wind and different kinds of animals for food. Qin Guan got up from the kang and entered the bathroom in his slippers. Why is my butt so itchy? He touched his butt unconsciously. F*ck! There were two big bumps on it. One was on the right side, and the other was on the left side. At least they are in a private ce. Qin Guan went out in his riding attire and saw that the other models were in the same outfit as well. The slim riding boots reached as high as their knees, the fitting breechesplimented their long legs, and the white shirt and ck belt added elegance to the outfits. The shooting was about a horsemanshippetition on the grasnd. The protagonist was an actual contestant, invited by the sponsor of thepetition. The six models promoted by the magazine were just going to be in the background. As they started for the shooting site, Qin Guan noticed that Ouyang Fens face had also been marked by mosquitoes. Arge red bump was on his right eyelid, and there was light shining from the little slit of his eye. Even the mostpassionate assistant couldnt help butugh. To Ouyang Fens surprise, Qin Guan remained silent. Whats wrong with him? Qin Guan was not in the mood tough at others. The bumps on his butt were itchy, and it hurt to sit on the shaking seat. When they got off the car, everyone was fascinated by the scenery. It was early autumn in the valley, and there were yellow birches, green spruces, pink bushes and verdant pines everywhere. Red fruit was hanging from Shanding trees. What a beautiful scenery! On the grasnd, fleets were just like bright clouds, blooming on the green slope of the mountain and adding an extra brush to the painting-like picture. The staff of the horsemanshippetition were waiting for them as fine horses were chewing on hay leisurely behind the fences. The protagonist was still on his way. The Mongolian staff prepared the horses for the models first. The director of thepetition walked towards them and asked, "Who can ride?" They all looked at each other. Despite his bumpy eye, Ouyang Fen held his hand up. "I can." Another female model held her hand up hesitantly. "A little." The director waved at the Mongolian young men. "Baiyin and Buhe,e here and help." They loosened the bridle reins and came over. Pointing at the four models on the left, the director said, "Teach them the basic riding skills so they can cope with the photoshoot." Chapter 89: A Horse Called Troublemaker Chapter 89: A Horse Called Troublemaker Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Chapter 89: A Horse Called Troublemaker Baiyin and Buhe nodded. With the help of their temporary riding tutors, the four models pulled their horses to the track slowly. Calling it a track was an exaggeration. It was basically an unsurfaced road created by local riders. In 1999, horsemanship was still foreign to the Chinese. It was only a luxury for rich men. The horsemanshippetition was actually an attempt by the Bashang Grasnd to promote its tourism. Domestic horses, Chinese scenery, local riders and international rules constituted the international horsemanship endurancepetition. As a noble, natural, amusing sport, horsemanship was abination ofpetitive sports, outdoor tourism, high-end socialmunication, pet feeding and stimting dpression. Therefore, it didnt seem likely to fail to be popr. Themittee of thepetition had invited most of the local riders, eager to hold the grand event. The riders had all grown up on horseback, so thepetition level had improved greatly. Baiyin and Buhe were among the best riders and contestants. Baiyin patted his horse on its back and asked it to stand still before he began the lesson. "Check the horses harnesses before mounting them, in case the saddle moves around. Then put the pedals down and adjust them to the right length. Make the saddle wings even." "Dont touch the horses body when you put down the pedals. Just loosen your grip gently and let them hang down beside its ribs." Baiyin gently pulled his pedals down. His students followed his movements with their eyes. "Stand near your horses forelegs and make sure both reins have the same length. The inner side of the reins should be pasted to the horses neck, and the stiff bit should touch the corner of its mouth gently. Hold the reins with your left hand and insert your index finger between them to grasp the horses hair and the whip." "Turn your pedals clockwise with your right hand until the outside faces you. Then push on the pedal inwards to mount the horse." He lifted his left leg to push on one pedal. "Be careful! The next step is essential! Dont touch the horses body. Instead, hold the right side of the saddle bridge with your right hand. Your left tiptoe should be under the belly band. Push against the ground with your right foot and jump up gently," he said as he jumped up to mount the horses back. His students were listening to him carefully. Baiyin got on the horse easily,forting the nervous young men. "It seems simple." They all let out a relieved breath. Qin Guan memorized what Baiyin had said carefully with both his brain and muscles. As he rode on the horse, Baiyin taught them how to maintain a sitting posture while running. When he saw everyone nod in understanding, he asked them to have a try themselves with his and Buhes help. The girls went first. Sister Xue just watched, secretly handing Qin Guan a green apple. "I heard that one has to have good rtionship with his horse. You have to wash them, clean their barn, or feed them. The first two will not do for you, so I brought their favorite food." Qin Guan looked down at the withered apple speechlessly. Are you kidding? My horse seems like a good boy. It doesnt need to be bribed. Sister Xue warned him, "Look, its showing the whites of its eyes to you!" Qin Guan turned to his horse, who was staring at him with a disparaging expression as it moved its thick lips. You silly newbie. You want to ride on my head? Ill teach you a lesson! Qin Guan decided topromise and take the apple. "Fine, Ill have a try." When he presented the apple to the horse, the animal looked down at it. Oh, an apple? I like those. He swallowed the apple, leaving a handful of saliva on Qin Guans hand. You cheated me! Is this what you call an apple? You dare try to manipte me? Broken pieces of applended on Qin Guans head as he was wiping the saliva on his pants. The apple had worsened their bteral rtionship. Before Qin Guan could do anything, Buhe shouted, "Young men, get on your horses!" Qin Guan and the second runner-up of thepetition got on their horses at hismand. Buhe frowned at the second runner-up, who was not paying attention to detail. Then he turned to Qin Guan. Well done! His posture is standard. Before he could praise Qin Guan though, Buhe realized something was wrong. Who assigned these horses to them? Who brought out the Troublemaker? As rookies, they should be riding tame old horses. The person in charge was innocent. He had seen a noble, handsome young man and unconsciously given him the most handsome horse. The Troublemaker was the most handsome horse in the barn. He had smooth ck hair and strong muscles, and he was very elegant. However, he was a naughty horse. His favorite activity was making fun of strangers. There was no time for Buhe to warn Qin Guan. The Troublemaker was already moving. Holding his proud head high and shaking its beautiful mane, he let out a long happy sound that could be interpreted as, "Ha ha, you are on my back! Come y with me now!" The Troublemaker rushed to the track, leaving everyone screaming behind him. Chapter 90: Threatening But Not Dangerous Chapter 90: Threatening But Not Dangerous Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The wind was howling in his ears as the scenery retreated at high speed. Qin Guan unconsciously held the reins tight. The Troublemaker was running happily. The human on my back is really brave. He isnt even crying. If he can remain safe despite my unique skills, Ill recognize him as my equal. Suddenly, the horse stopped. Qin Guan pressed himself tightly against its stomach and clenched the reins that kept him from falling off. Baiyin and Buhe caught up with them on their horses and saw that they were safe. Both of them sighed in relief. As they helped Qin Guan off the horse, Baiyin praised him, "Good boy! You are good at riding. Even the Troublemaker has recognized your ability." Mongolian men admired heroes and their tough spirit. Baiyin and Buhe quickly epted Qin Guan as one of their own. Meanwhile, Qin Guan tried to hold his tears back. I have two mosquito bites on my butt! You can have a try! My legs are hurting too! However, as he stared at the long face of the Troublemaker, who seemed to be smiling at him, Qin Guan wasnt feeling angry anymore. That horse is lovely. It admires me for my charm and ability. Qin Guan was really proud of himself, and the Troublemaker was also happy. ording to the standards of human beings, my little brother is a beauty. After the ident, Baiyin taught them how to run slowly on horseback, which Qin Guan had proved he could handle. The bumps on his bottom were proof enough. After all the models had mastered it, they returned to the gathering site, where the director, the photographer, and the other models were waiting for them. The protagonist of the photoshoot was a professional domestic steeplechase athlete the director had invited to represent thepetition. He was among the best in China, but he was a green hand at modelling. Therefore, they all had to work as a team. As they were getting on their horses, the evil part of Ouyang Fens heart was awakened. Qin Guan was on a pretty ck racing horse with white hair on its strong hooves. The horse looked like it was stomping in the deep snow. It was a superb animal. Ouyang Fen felt wronged when he looked at the aged horse he was riding. He rode up to Qin Guan and nudged him gently. "Hey, why is your horse so beautiful? Would you exchange it with mine?" It is a lot more pleasurable to share joy than enjoy something alone. The small evil part in Qin Guans heart was also awakened. "No problem! We can swap horsester," he answered without hesitation. Ouyang Fen couldnt believe his own ears, but he fell in step with Qin Guan. They reached the foot of a small mountain, where the grass was green and small flowers were scattered. A fewmbs were munching on the grass leisurely. Following the contestants instructions, the models formed a triangle. The blue sky, green grass, whitembs and handsome riders looked like a perfect painting through the camera lens. The photographer adjusted the height of the tripod and took the first series of photos from a distance. Then the models got off their horses and gathered behind the contestant, acting like his followers to set off his valiant, heroic upbringing. The second series of photos were close-up shots. Imagining the moment of his victory, the contestant smiled. His brown, sunburnt face was filled with happiness. The photographer knew how to guide a greenhand. His personal experience created the right vibe. Finally, he let everyone take a break. They had to finish the third series of photos before the temperature got too high. The third series would be the running shots. Qin Guan happily handed the Troublemakers reins to Ouyang Fen, warning him, "I wouldnt swap horses with me if I were you. My horse has a really bad temper. Only I can control it. You can consult with Baiyin and Buhe if you want." Ouyang Fen was angry. Just as I expected. Qin Guan doesnt want to swap horses with me. Ouyang Fen grabbed the Troublemakers reins. "A greenhand like you can control the horse, but a veteran like me cant? You just dont want to swap with me!" Qin Guan shrugged and backed off, but he dared not leave Ouyang Fen alone. He will me me if there is some kind of ident. Ouyang Fen didnt care about the horse. Only I deserve such a handsome horse. I will stand out in the photos. The photographer asked everyone to mount their horses again. Ouyang Fen was nning on showing off his riding skills. He put one foot onto the pedal, but the Troublemaker suddenly raised its bottom and back legs, and Ouyang Fen fell off with his foot hanging from the pedal. Everyone was scared, but luckily the Troublemaker had not started running. Otherwise, Ouyang Fen would have died on that grasnd. Chapter 91: The End Chapter 91: The End Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The Troublemakers eyes were alight withughter. Silly human beings, not everyone is qualified to be my underling. Actually, the Troublemaker was a trained racing horse, but it was naughty and would often act outrageously. It was good at such tricks. No big deal. I just threw a person off, and hended on his butt. With everyones help, Ouyang Fen pulled his foot out of the pedal. By then, his face was swollen from the mosquito bites, and his butt was hurting because of the horse. I should always pray before I go out. Why do I have such a bad rtionship with animals? The staff was relieved that Ouyang Fen was all right. The third series of photos would be taken soon. Ouyang Fen was well-behaved. He returned to his own house obediently. Qin Guan, you vile person! You did that on purpose! Just wait and see! This is not over! (s, this has be his signature phrase.) Amid the breeze, the grass was swaying like the waves in the sea. A rider was riding on a running horse. In nature, human beings and horses seemed tiny. The photographer pushed the lens forward, and the horses slowed down gradually. They were in the frame, creating a beautiful picture. The photographer pressed down the shutter, and the whole shooting was finished sessfully. The riders slowed down, and the horses gradually stopped. The photoshoot was over, but everyone was lingering around. They had fallen in love with riding. Before entering the barn, the Troublemaker looked at Qin Guan reluctantly. Such a pity that he will leave. Ill never met someone so easy to bully. Qin Guan, on the other side, let out a relieved breath. It was finally over. I couldnt even feel my legs and butt. What a terrible photoshoot. If it wasnt for Sister Xue, I would have been lying in my dormitory, reading and sleeping. Howfortable that would have been! Master Qin, you forgot all about the delicious meal you hadst evening! You deny everything as soon as you put down your chopsticks, huh? Meanwhile, Sister Xue was packing Master Qins luggage. They had to return to their lodging in that shabby minibus. The models were dirty all over, stinking like horse sweat and urine. The minibus was crowded, so the smell was terrible. They returned to their lodging, feeling dizzy. They didnt even take a sip of water, they rushed to their rooms right away to take a bath. Qin Guan washed his body twice before he felt better. As he caressed his swollen legs, he realized that he would be sore for the next three days. New riders werent get used to the shaking on a horses back. The inside of the leg was the most tender part of the human body, so the close contact had given the riders a whole new experience. Qin Guan dried off and changed into loose,fortable sportswear before he hobbled out. After half a day of physical work, his stomach felt t. When he got to the yard, he saw that the others looked the same. They were hovering two millimeters above their chairs. It hurt to actually sit down. When the manager served everyone dinner, they cheered up. At noon, the manager and his wife organized a feast for everyone. There was Bashang mutton boiled in clear soup but cooked without seasoning. The dish was served with sauce. The day lily fried pork was delicious and tender. Eutrophy also gave it a medicinal effect. Chinese yam was a kind of staple food made from cooked potatoes and oat flour. The small particles were fried with chopped green onion and sesame oil, which were both soft and sweet. The Bashang carbon-baked beef jerky was made from selected beef tenderloins. The texture of each beef stick was clear to see. They were all made traditionally by Inner Mongolian masters who knew everything about air-dried meat. The beef sticks dried naturally and were meticulously processed through baking. Then they were voured with the most basic salty seasoning. No additives or corrosion removers were added. It was a tasty, must-have dish in the Bashang area. The staple food servedst was the speciality of thendy: Bashang oat flour roe. She mixed oat flour and warm water (preferably local water) and pulled the dough into small pieces. Then she rubbed them with her thumb on a stone te and steamed them. Before serving them, she poured sauce all over them. The natural ingredients made the experience even more pleasurable for their taste buds. They all forgot their pain and enjoyed the feast to their hearts content. They had to be fast again, or Qin Guan would finish all the dishes. Having dined and wined to satiety, the production staff didnt waste anyones time. They gave out bonuses to the models and expressed their appreciation for their hard work. Then they packed all the equipment and carried them to the car before heading home. Qin Guany on the back seat of Sister Xues car, but dared not touch the seat with his butt. He was counting the bills he had been given. One, two... six. It was 600 yuan, no more or less. Did they take him for a beggar? He had spent two days working for so little money. Qin Guan was so angry that his nose looked twisted. Before he couldin though, Sister Xue stabbed another knife through his heart. "Well, that will be 200 yuan for me. Dont keep it all." What could Qin Guan say? She was the money-grubber who had found that unrewarding job for him. And to what effect? What could a magazine with such a small readership do for him? The "Capital Entertainment" newspaper, which was released every Monday, would have been way better. Suddenly, Qin Guan recalled that the newspaper had interviewed him and Quyang Fen. It was Saturday, so the next issue would be published in two days. Although it had a small readership, the paper was sold at newspaper stands. Qin Guan nned to buy one on Monday to see his debut. After driving for several hours, Qin Guan walked unevenly to his dormitory. His roommates asked him details about his trip to the grasnd and sneered at him when he said it had not been worth the journey. Qin Guan had gotten to ride a horse, enjoy delicious food, and earn money. He was the only one who would consider this too much trouble. He sure was very talented at attracting hostility! We hate people who make a living on their appearance. Chapter 92: A Short Interview Chapter 92: A Short Interview Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans roommates tried their best to make fun of him. They told everyone that his butt was swollen, and as a result Qin Guan got a new nickname. People called him "the poor guy with the swollen butt". Annoyed, Qin Guan slept on his stomach, groaning and moaning all night long. He didnt feel any better the next day. As he was brushing his teeth in the morning, he was thinking about something important. I have no energy to go buy the newspaper today. Who could I ask for help? Liu Xiaoyang would be a good choice. When Qin Guan returned to the dormitory, he took a coin out of his pocket. "Could you please buy a newspaper for me? Im too sore to go out today." Liu Xiaoyang took the coin and jumped off his bed happily. "Which one do you want? Capital Weekend or Capital Daily?" he asked Qin Guan. Qin Guan answered calmly, "Capital Entertainment." His answer made Wang Lei curious. College students were seldom interested in that paper. "You never pay attention to entertainment news. Why do you want to buy that newspaper?" he asked. Qin Guan smiled to himself. He was happy someone had asked. Pretending to be calm, he answered, "No reason, I just gave an interview to the newspaper, and Im curious about what it says. Thats why I want to buy it." His acting made everyone curious. "Why did they interview you?" "Didnt you just win that magazine photoshoot? Why did that newspaper interview you in such a short time?" Qin Guan coughed and answered indifferently, "Oh, its nothing important. I just returned to college earlier and participated in apetition with my agent. I identally was the capital winner. The photoshoot was one of the prizes. It was just an ordinary job with a poor 1,000 yuan reward. Then I participated in the nationalpetition and won that as well. It was so boring. I had nopetition at all. It was boring as hell!" Then he threw his hair back and struck a pose. His roommates spoke simultaneously, "You slut!" Liu Xiaoyang went out happily. When he returned, they all gathered to read the newspaper. The front-page headline was about the actors of "Princess Pearl", the most popr TV series at the time. Any news about the series were breaking news in the media. They turned the front page, but there was nothing; the second page, still nothing. They went through all eight pages, but found nothing at all about Qin Guan. It was impossible! Qin Guan took the newspaper and scanned it from beginning to end. Finally, he found the short interview at the bottom of the front page. His photos with Ouyang Fen was asrge as half a cigarette pack. No one could recognize Qin Guan without a magnifying ss. Together with the article, the whole interview was the size of a whole cigarette pack. Readers would hardly pay attention to such a short interview. "Why such a short interview? He was the winner..." "Models have a small audience in China." "Film or TV stars at least get familiar with their audience. Poor Qin Guan. To this day, there has never been a renowned model." As they talked, Qin Guan read the article, which presented him as the new shining star of the capital model circle. I will be modest about it! He took a pair of scissors from the drawer and cut the interview off. The newspaper was distributed only in the capital. I have to save it to show off at home during the Spring Festival. Ill share the good news with Cong Nianwei! Cong Nianwei hung up the phone and burst intoughter. What a silly boyfriend! Ill buy the newspaper just to encourage him. Huan Jiajia got up unprecedentedly early to buy the newspaper with the excuse of buying breakfast for her parents. The rest of the pages of the newspaper were used to wrap fried bread sticks. Meanwhile somewhere else, Ouyang Fen was carefully cutting the interview off and pasting it into arge notebook. Pressing the edges of the paper, he smiled in satisfaction at his cousins expression of both dislike and joy. My brother has made his first step towards sess. The next day, Qin Guan was escorted into the ssroom by Wang Lei and his pillow. He walked in a jerky, uneven way. Everyones attention was on him as usual. That was the magic of beauty. His status that day had inspired everyone. Under the attention of millions of people, Qin Guan sat down carefully on his chair. He didnt forget to put the pillow under his butt first. "Whats wrong with him? Why is he walking that way?" "He must be hurt. Did you see the pillow?" "His butt was hurt!" "Ha ha ha..." "How can someone hurt their butt?" It was a valid question. ...... "Ha ha ha... You betcha..." Qin Guan felt stranger and stranger by the minute. He poked Wang Lei, who was sitting beside him, and asked him, "Whats wrong with them? Why are they looking at me? Is there anything on my face?" Wang Lei didnt look at him. "Maybe theres some rice. Feel it yourself." Qin Guan touched his lips as he looked at Wang Lei. "See?" "Did Wang Lei hurt his butt? Impossible! Its rumored that Qin has a girlfriend in QH." "Poor him! He must be exhausted!" Chapter 93: Legend of Ghost Street Chapter 93: Legend of Ghost Street Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans butt had made the top ten unsolved mysteries of his department, leaving behind endless legends for future students. Qin Guan finished the ss and waited for Ye Dong and Wang Lei in their dormitory. Ye Dong would be keeping his promise. His creditors had been getting more and more, so he nned on organizing a collective enrolling activity among the college social clubs after the military training. He had asked Li Jie and Mu Lejiang to inform all the clubs. One of them was the leader of the dancing club, and the other was the director of the camping club. Ye Dong was good at putting his resources to good use. After their threats, two more names were added to the contract. Only Liu Xiaoyang was left. For friendships sake, they couldnt leave him alone in their dormitory, so Ye Dong had to treat all his roommates. When they all finished their sses, they got together and headed for Gui Street in a formidable array. Located in the western part of the Dongzhimen overpass, Gui Street was surrounded by embassies. The foreign visitors and working staff of Beijing could taste authentic Chinese dishes there conveniently. Every year, the restaurants on that street would make tens of millions of yuan from foreign guests. With more than 100 restaurants within more than one kilometre, that area had the greatest density of restaurants in Beijing. Thats why it was called the capital dinning street. They all took the tube there. It was a starry night. Under the light of themps, they saw the busy, noisy street. The neon lights around the sign boards were shining, and the lines of restaurants made them dizzy. They had no idea which one to choose. As a local, Liu Xiaoyang solved the problem for them. He pointed to one of the restaurants in heroic spirit, announcing, "Were going to the Xiao Lin Hot Pot Restaurant". The others just looked at him, waiting for an exnation. He led his roommates to the restaurant proudly as he said, "You have to know the history of the street first. Do you know what kind of ce Gui Street was in the old times?" "The capital was a quite mannered city even back then. Not only its residents, but the city itself as well. You may be confused. The city is not a living organism after all. How could it possibly follow any rules? Thats an ignorant question though. Since the Qing Dynasty, the royal, court-dispatched troops would go through Deshengmen Gate, and convicted criminals would go through Xuanwumen Gate. Dongzhimen Gate was used for wood transportation. Everyone obeyed these rules. The wood was used for coffins! Outside Dongzhimen Gate, there used to be a graveyard." His audience was thrilled. They all felt the street around them suddenly go cold. Liu Xiaoyan sprayed saliva at them in his excitement. "Listen to me carefully! The original morning market was held by Dongzhimen Gate, where the peddlers gathered in the small hours and left at dawn. They lit up kerosenemps. In the dim light, one could see coffin shops and stands selling other funeral goods. It was horrific. People called it the Ghost Market." Liu Xiaoyang had lowered his voice. By that time, they had already arrived at the restaurant and sat around a table in the corner of the hall. It was a little far from the lights, and several neon beams from outside were casting mysterious shadows on Liu Xiaoyangs face. The image left everyone speechless. This is a fascinating story, okay? Dont keep us guessing! When Liu Xiaoyang made sure that he had created a great atmosphere, he continued, "After the foundation of the state, the area was developed and the graves were moved. It was strange, but ever since that market-oriented policy was carried out, many shops along the street went bankrupt, including the only state-run department store. No one could find the secret of the curse." Liu Xiaoyangs history lesson had turned into a custom introduction and a folk ghost story. Liu Xiaoyang continued enigmatically, "Thats when the merchants discovered that only restaurants could make profit on this street. Few customers were here during the day, but it was crowded in the evening. Ha, ha, ha..." It was hisughter, not his story, that was actually scary. Qin Guan kicked Liu under the table, warning him, "Stopughing. Go on!" Liu Xiaoyang waved at the waiter with a mysterious smile. "Wed like to order!" His shout had frightened them. "You scared us! Continue your story!" They were itching to hear the end. Liu picked up the menu as he went on, "No one knew the truth, but some said that the ghosts would enter the city for dinner. The restaurant business was flourishing. The locals, on the other side, were familiar with these stories. Some of them had even explored the tombs. The legends didnt scare them away. Some people had taken advantage of the crowded evening market and set up small food stands. The stands used to block the road." "The government believed that this influenced the appearance and administration of the city, so the city managing staff would show up on the street at night." Chapter 94: Mysterious Light Spots Chapter 94: Mysterious Light Spots Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was useless though. The stands were just small tricycles, so they were hard to capture. Plus, all the peddlers there knew each other. As soon as the city managing staff appeared, the news would spread all over the street in a moment. The staff worked fruitlessly, providing amusement for the customers. Every night the same process was repeated. The staff chased, the peddlers escaped, and the customers followed them to get their pre-paid food. Qin Guan burst intoughter at the picture. That is exactly my experience as a peddler in Y city, although the people here must have been more interesting than me. Liu Xiaoyang was cheered up by his fascinated audience. "The government realized it was all in vain and decided that banning peddlers was not the way to go. Instead, they set regtions for the stands, supported the restaurants on the street, and named it the Dongnei Restaurant Street." His listeners were relieved. In the context of this story though, "Gui" meant "ghost", not "tableware". Liu Xiaoyang spread his hands wide. "The first character was not suitable for the formal name of a street, so the government staff racked their brains to find an alternative. The bosses here resisted the change of the name, for they believed that it would destroy the Feng Shui. Finally, they picked a homophone from the dictionary, which was also rted to food. Then the government made arge bronze sculpture of the character "", which became the symbol of the street. That is the origin of Gui Street", he concluded. His roommates were enlightened. But how was that rted to the Xiaolin Hot Pot Restaurant? Liu Xiaoyang stared at them in disdain. "A man cant call himself a foodie if he doesnt know this restaurant." His roommates smacked him on the forehead. "Just go on! We are not locals, you show off!" Liu Xiaoyang restrained himself and tapped on the menu. "More than ten years ago, this restaurant was called Xiaolin Restaurant. Back then, there were only few shops along the small alleyway. It was a typical old-time Beijing Hutong. At the time, the locals did not use to eat at night." "One day, a couple came to the street and opened a small restaurant, selling the simplest dishes, such as fish-voured pork slices, fried rice, sds, and liquor at low prices. People gradually gathered here. Every evening, before the couple closed the restaurant, there were always some light spots shining on the door, which made them feel strange." "When they heard the stories about the street, they thought it was elves that were dropping in for dinner, so they stayed open until veryte and lit all the lights. They were not just waiting for human customers, but also for ghosts and elves. Understand?" "At the beginning, there were no customers at night. They insisted on the operation though, and gradually more and more customers heard that the restaurant was open day and night. This was rare in the capital. As the word spread, several monthster the customers at night had be more than at daytime. Then the light spots disappeared, and never returned. Liu Xiaoyang threw the menu on the table, "Waiter! We want to order!" He had finished the story. "And then?" his audience asked. "What do you mean?" Liu Xiaoyang asked back in confusion. "Then nothing. People heard that business was pretty good at night, and restaurants opened here one by one. The street became popr from then on." What an anticlimactic story! They knew what the light spots were, but had no idea how the story had actually ended. "It is said that the couple guarded their secret closely, which might be the reason for their flourishing business." All of them turned their attention to the dishes. As a smart boy, Liu Xiaoyang took this chance to order his favorites. They didnt know that until the dishes were served though. It was okay, because the dishes were good. The spicy crays that cost four yuan each were served in arge steaming basin. They asked for 20 for each person. Liu Xiaoyang ordered the hot pot double taste, and the juice was free of charge. Before the jardiniere was served, they all buried their faces into the pile of crays. For a foodie, professionalism was the most important factor. Everyone could taste crays, but how many people could eat them in the right way? It was surely less than 20%. With Liu Xiaoyangs guidance though, everyone handled them quickly and in the most standard and tasteful way. First, they separated the body and mps and held them in one hand. Then they took the meat out of their tails, which wasparatively easier. Next, they stripped off the mps and took the meat, sucking up the sauce in the body. Finally, they licked their fingers and finished. Only in this way could one experience the true essence of crays. Who was hungry? Hands up! Qin Guan and his roommates were eating fiercely. They didnt look up or rx until the hot pot was boiling. Suddenly, Qin Guan saw some acquaintances. Diagonally across their table, there were several burly chaps, among whom Qin Guan saw Bu Qinglu and Wang Hailiang. There were already two boxes of empty beer bottles piled beside them, but the dishes on their table remained almost untouched. They were drinking before eating. Chapter 95: Emergency Chapter 95: Emergency Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The men opposite them were concentrated on drinking. Qin Guan felt unconsciously fainthearted. Shall I go over and say hello, or pretend I dont know them? He had underestimated his attractive appearance though. He was always a shining bulb, attracting attention anywhere he went. His face was currently buried in crays, but the surrounding customers became aware of him as soon as he looked up. Wang Hailiang saw Qin Guan and nudged Bu Qinglu, who was sitting beside him. "I think we know that guy over there." Bu Qinglu, who was tearing at a duck neck, nced in that direction. He bit hard at the bone and said, "Do you remember that interesting boy we met at the Red Star Bar before the Spring Festival?" "The Red Star Bar?" "The boy who used your name to scare his enemy and called himself the big brother of the University of Finance. Did you forget him? You said youd protect every student of his college." Wang Hailiang was enlightened. Thats why I thought he looked familiar. Interesting! Qin Guan was trying to hide, but Wang held up a bottle of beer to make a toast. They discovered me! They noticed my rude behaviour! Qin Guan choked on the chilli and began to cough. Wang was amused. With a yful intention, he stood up groggily and murmured something to hispany. Then he lifted the bottle, nning to make a toast to Qin Guan. He should be honored that a real big brother is making a toast to him. The others took it as a joke. They were just looking at the students, taking pleasure in Qin Guans misfortune. Qin Guan was scared. Oh, my god! How will I deal with him? "Do you know him? Is he an enemy?" Ye Dong asked him in low voice. Qin Guan gestured to his roommates. "Dont worry about it. Hes just an acquaintance. I dont know him that well, but hes not looking for trouble." Liu Xiaoyang suddenly remembered something and whispered to Qin Guan excitedly, "Is he Wang Hailiang, the most renowned man in Weigongcun? Everyone here will support him!" You little boy! You also know those kind of circles? By then, Qin Guan had tensed up. He picked up a bottle from the table, but it was plum syrup, a gift from the restaurant. He will make a toast to me. Shall I toast with plum syrup? Suddenly, there was an emergency. A man cut Wang Hailiangs way and stared at him fiercely. "Wang Hailiang, you motherf*cker!" he cried before stabbing Wang with an iron pike used for kebab. His intentions were clear, and all his attention was on his weapon, a pointed pike shining with an ice-cold light. The light in his eyes was even colder. He was risking his life. As a veteran soldier, Wangs reaction time was much faster than ordinary peoples. Although he was slightly drunk, he had the most logical response. Estimating that the pike would end up in his stomach, he curved his waist to the right side with effort. At the same time, he hit the mans head with the bottle in his hand. The attacker smiled savagely. Im no green hand. I know that you value your life. I had already calcted your move. The man shouted loudly, and the pike changed direction with a shake, stabbing into Wangs stomach. Bu Qinglu and the other men at their table stood up, but they were too far to help Wang. They still tried their best to run over to stop the assassin though. Otherwise, Wang would die from the attack. "Bang!" Several chairs fell on the floor. The other customers were rooted to the spot in fear, and the waiter was screaming loudly before the dangerous scene. The criminal was on the verge of insanity. Regardless of everyones interference, his only aim was to stab Wang to death. Just before his weapon stabbed into Wangs stomach, Qin Guan threw the ss bottle in his hand and hit his wrist. It was arge bottle with more than one litre of plum syrup, so it changed the direction of the pike to another part of Wangs body. The attacker couldnt slow down and knocked Wang to the floor. The two men fell together. The beer bottle was smashed on the head of the attacker at the same time that the mans pike entered Wangs body. ss shards and beer were raining down on his face. Wang held the pike tightly as he used his spare hand to seize the mans wrist. By that time, Bu Qinglu had reached them. He grabbed the attackers arm and twisted it at the elbow. Chapter 96: Gratitude and Resentment Chapter 96: Gratitude and Resentment Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Crack!" The attacker cried as his bones broke. The pike fell from his hand, which had loosened unnaturally and was now hanging down powerlessly. Wang Hailiangspanions ran over to dispel the frightened customers, and used their chairs to hit the attacker. Qin Guan couldnt understand their foolish behaviour. Will you take care of the wounded instead of hitting the attacker? Although the wound was not life-threatening, it was still dangerous to get a pike in the stomach. It would be fine if Wang got treated in time though. (However, the position of the wound was still important. A man could die if they were stabbed in an artery. Excessive blood loss could cause death.) Wangs friends were too careless. Bu Qinglu was trying to press against the wound, while the others were just concentrated on fighting. Alcohol made their brains slow. Qin Guan saw that Wangs jacket was already soaked in blood. "Dont just stand there!" he shouted to the restaurant staff. "Call an ambnce!" His shout made the staff recover from the shock. The cashier dialed the number with shaking hands. "Hello, 911? There was a murder here..." The man who answered the telephone was confused. "A murder? You should call the police. We are unable to help a dead man." "No, no. He is not dead, hes wounded. Hes got a pike is in his stomach. Hurry up!" When she hung up the phone, she considered calling the police, but seeing the ferocious, strong men in the restaurant, she hesitated. The attacker was already lying on the floor, unable to move, with a barely recognizable, swollen face. His resentful eyes were still fixed on Wang Hailiang. He seemed eager to make another attempt if he got the chance. Wang Hailiang was also lying t on the floor, pressing on his wound. He didnt feel so bad, it just hurt a little. There was no massive bleeding. This was a trifle in his experience. He was just wondering when and how he had offended the crazy man. He had never met him before. The attacker saw the doubt in his expression andughed. "You are one forgetful big boss. Dont you remember Li Chaoliang? You have upied his turf!" Li Chaoliang? Li Chaoliang? Whos that? Wang Hailiang tried his best to recall with his non-functional brain. Bu Qinglu reminded him helplessly, "Ten years ago. Weigongcun. You fought over turf!" Wang Hailiang suddenly remembered. He had been young at the time. That had actually been his first fight with a big boss. They had made an appointment to fight with the gang controlling Weigongcun, whose leader had been Li Chaoliang. At the time, his own boss had told him to challenge Li, the spiritual heart of the gang. Once Li was defeated, the gang would lose in the following mass brawl. He was the best at fighting, so he had been sent out first to fight. The result had been clear. Wang Hailiang had be the big boss of Weigongcun, while his own boss had controlled almost half of the city. It was generally considered that Wang had brought down Li. The attacker had been seeking revenge for Li Chaoliang, who had been his father. Since Li had been defeated in that battle, he had lost everything. He had lost most of his turf, financial support, and followers. He had been too old to start over. Without followers or friends, he had been like the walking dead. Smoking and drinking, he had had nothing to do but stay at home aimlessly. He had tried to get a normal job, but failed. He had only had gangster skills, so he had been abandoned by modern society. Tears were running down from the attackers eyes. He had no idea who he hated more, Wang or his dead father. His mother had already died under the great burden of his fathers failure. The man had thought it was his duty to find the source of his familys disaster. Therefore, innocent Wang Hailiang had be his target. Heughed and shouted at Wang, who still looked doubtful, "Li Chaoliang was my father! You dare im that you are innocent?" Wang was shocked. Who could I me for the injustice? "Your father was doomed to be defeated by someone, whether that was me or someone else. Thats the rule among our kind. We all respect it." The attackerughed like crazy. "Thats right! You are also doomed to meet that end! I was so silly to try to do it myself. I should have waited for your death..." The onlookers were staring at the resentful man silently. Not long after, the ambnce arrived and Wang Hailiang was taken to the hospital. Bu Qinglu expressed their appreciation to Qin Guan and promised that they would be the best of brothers in the future. Most customers had left the restaurant by then. The whole hall was deserted. Qin Guans roommates were staring at him in astonishment. Is he a trouble ma? Anywhere he goes, something big happens. Chapter 97: The Playful Shirt Chapter 97: The yful Shirt Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Staring at the almost untouched dishes on the table, Qin Guan asked, "Shall we continue?" Then he nced at the messy hall behind him, where several waiters were cleaning up the broken chairs and the blood on the floor. They exchanged a nce and resumed eating themb, shrimp and eggs on their table. No big deal. Just keep eating. Our table is far from the crime scene anyway. Under the respectful gazes of the restaurant staff, they finished their meal calmly and left for college. Meanwhile in the ambnce, Wang Hailiang and Bu Qinglu were reconsidering their future ns. A warrior wasnt a lifelong career. Even heroes grew old, and they were not heroes. They were just gang members. Considering their current rtions and resources, it might be time for them to make their own way and leave the big boss and his followers. Wang suddenly told Bu, "You are the most honest person I have ever met. Help me make a n. This is the first time that my career is uncertain. Do you know of any way that we can establish our own business?" Bu looked at him calmly. "I want to engage in formal business long term. After all, right now were only sharing the profits of other peoples businesses. If you are interested, we can try to set up our own business." Wang nodded. The pain in his waist distracted him and prevented him from having a more detailed discussion. "We have to talk about it when I recover. Oh, it hurts! Im not a young man anymore..." It was only a small episode in the course of their lives. Time flowed like a river, never stopping for anyone or anything. This affair had been a new beginning for the two of them, but it had not influenced Qin Guans life. Qin Guan watched Sister Xue talk with the boss of the J shirts again. It was September, and the J shirts would make their third poster photoshoot. Gantly, Sister Xue took Qin Guans trophy to their meeting with the boss at the shooting site. After showing off, she seeded in increasing Qin Guans payment. Actually, it was not a real raise. They quit the J shirts poster shoot instead. The reason Sister Xue quit it was fear of ruining Qin Guans reputation. As a professional model with an official agency, he had formal offers, and Sister Xue was trying to promote him as a top model. The poster photoshoot that she had epted a long time ago had been far from satisfying to begin with. If the boss of the J shirts had known the real reason theyd quit, he would have demanded justice. With his flourishing business, formal shops, channels, and market, his brand could be considered third ss in China. Therefore, he shouldnt be underestimated. Sister Xue felt wronged as well. The standard rules for models were much stricter than those that applied to TV stars, singers and movie stars. If the first advisement of a model was too bad, a top brand would reject them automatically, even if they were already a superstar. Top brands wouldnt consider the hardship before ones sess. They would only pay attention to the perfectness of the model and evaluate thepatibility between the brand and the models level. As a result, Sister Xue cancelled the coboration with the J shirts for the formal outfit poster, agreeing only to the casual outfit poster. That unconscious decision changed the development of the J shirts. On that day, Qin Guan would only take photos for the casual fall collection. Qin Guan was satisfied with the outfits at first nce. They were the most interesting shirts he had worn so far. The designer had made yful shirts, inspired by Qin Guans cartoon underwear. It was not certain that they would sell, for the style was rare and there were not many products like it in the market. Qin Guan still liked it though. The short-sleeved shirt had a Cbash Brothers [1] and a Mr. ck [2] print, and the lower hems had been designed to look like bear paws with small flesh pads. The assistant had bought a giant teddy bear as a bonus for the photoshoot. Shed also had a selfish motive. She wanted to buy her idol a gift with thepanys money. Judging by the appreciative expression of her boss, she knew she had made the right choice. Qin Guan loved the hairy innocent bear. It looks like me! He buried his face in the bears chest and enjoyed its softness. He heard the photographer shout at him from a distance. Sun Pengtao had already be the exclusive photographer of the J shirts and a featured photographer in two more magazines. His career was thriving. Sun was pleased to coborate with Qin Guan again, but he couldnt stand his silly behaviour. "What are you doing, Qin Guan? Why are you covering your face? What do you want to show the audience? That stupid bear, or the headless person behind its butt?" How can you critique my idol? As Qin Guans No.1 fan, the assistant was indignant at the injustice, biting her handkerchief in anger. Qin Guan realized his mistake. He touched his nose awkwardly,ughed and moved the bear away. The bear was indeed soft. A satisfied smile formed unconsciously on his face and was captured by the photographers acute skill. A big boy in a blue cartoon shirt was smiling in satisfaction. His eyes were closed, and his long eyshes looked naughty and lovely. Notes [1] and [2]: Two of the most famous animated cartoon series for kids during the 1980s in China. Chapter 98: The Girlfriend Present Chapter 98: The Girlfriend Present Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was sitting casually on the floor with crossed legs. A big fat bear nearly the same height as him was in his arms. It felt like it was early morning, and the boy and the bear were waking up from a good dream. In the soft yellow lights of the shooting studio, the hair of the bear and the thin hair on Qin Guans face were clear. Taking the advantage of her position, the assistant immediately decided to keep the photo. That would be one more picture added to her Qin Guan poster collection. It was enough to make her smile for the whole day. The photographer put away the camera and saw Qin Guan and the bear lying on the floor side by side. Their heads were close, and the podgy legs of the bear rested softly on Qin Guans thigh. They looked like two children snuggling up to each other, full of pure, warm childishness. The click of the camera sounded again, and the assistant looked around for her tissue. The scene reminded the boss of his own daughter, who had had too much food that day. The boss thought that his daughter had looked as lovely as therge bear. Shall I buy some pigs feet for her on my way home? She will look as lovely as that bear in that kid-sized shirt. Dear boss, you might be overestimating your daughter. Sister Xue had just finished a cigarette outside. Such an easy photoshoot was nothing for Qin Guan. In her spare time, she had set up an interview for Qin Guan with Ni Dalei of New Silk Road. After Qin Guan had won thepetition, Ni Dalei had selected new jobs for him. After all, with a domestic prize, Qin Guans level had been promoted to somewhere between C+ and B-. Ni had made several interview appointments, including a shooting for a magazine spread, a brand T show, and a still advertisement. Ni expected Qin Guans work to increase even further. Sister Xue hung up the phone, threw away the butt of the cigarette, and returned to the shooting site. She found Qin Guan lying on the floor and embracing a bear with a silly expression on his face. Im doomed to be his babysitter. I leave for a minute, and the boy starts acting silly again. When the photographer handed her the photo excitedly though, she understood what the expression "fortune favors fools" meant. The theme of the photos could have been "Angel Dreaming", a sweet but appropriate title. The happy, content smile of the boy matched the cute bear well. The photoshoot waspleted with great sess thanks to Qin Guans cuteness. Qin Guan was paid 5,000 yuan, out of which 1,500 yuan went to Sister Xue. Sister Xue packed the bag and returned to her car, only to find Qin Guan in the passenger seat, wearing that kids shirt and holding the bear and the money in his hands. He was smiling at her stupidly, which made her angry. She pushed the big bear away in disdain and started the car. "You are a 19 year-old man, Qin Guan. Why are you still interested in stuffed toys?" Qin Guan choked up. Actually, he liked cute things, like idols, Garage Kits, Lolitas... Huh? That was strange. Judging by the age difference between him and Cong Nianwei though, she was also a lolita. Qin Guan nodded, ignoring the reality of his Okatu nature. Sister Xueughed helplessly at his stubbornness to admit his mistake. Then she pulled at the bear paws on the shirt sleeves. "Why dont you take that silly shirt off?" Qin Guan moved her hands away and carefully arranged the paws, showing off proudly. "Ill see my girlfriend, and I want to show her my new shirt and give her the bear as a present." Sister Xue was confused. "I know you like the bear. Why dont you keep it for yourself?" Hesitating, Qin Guan sighed. "Its more suitable for a girl. Besides, it was for free." Does Cong Nianwei know how stingy you are, Qin Guan? Sister Xue had to turn the steering wheel around to drive for QH. When they reached their destination, she kicked Qin Guan out of the car and drove away, leaving smoke behind her. Im so ashamed to be seen with him! Paying no attention to the onlookers, Qin Guan put the money in his pocket carelessly and carried the big bear on his shoulders. He called Cong Nianwei while he was walking. "Is your ss over? Fine, Ill go to your dormitory." He ran to her dormitory happily with the bear. Between the small trees, many students saw a big bear running among the leaves, its small tail jumping up and down. Before they couldprehend how a teddy bear could run, Qin Guan had already disappeared. At the gate of the building, he retreated before the sharp gaze of the administrator. This young man seems to have a mental disorder. I cant let him in. He may harass the girls! The old woman was sure about her judgment, even more so when Qin Guan began to shout loudly. "Cong Nianwei! Cong Nianwei!" he yelled as he put the bear on his forehead. Hearing his shouts, Cong Nianwei and some of her roommates poked their heads out of their balcony. Cong Nianwei burst intoughter when she saw Qin Guan. Whats that silly boy doing? Its October, yet hes only wearing a short-sleeved shirt with a waistcoat. Chapter 99: The Haunting Love Rival Chapter 99: The Haunting Love Rival Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans bright blue shirt stood out among the crowd. Cong Nianwei noticed the bear on his head with a smile. It must be a present for me. Cong Nianwei shouted at Qin Guan, "Iming!" She stopped by the mirror to check her makeup before she went out. Immediately, her roommates began talking heatedly. "That naughty girl has kept this a secret! Is he her boyfriend?" "Have you ever been to the public design ss? I know him. He has been in the ss with Cong Nianwei." "Yes, I remember! I know him!" "Ha! He really is her boyfriend! He must take us out and treat us!" "I agree!" When Cong Nianwei met Qin Guan at the gate, she startedughing even louder. His yful shirt was the perfect disy of his childish nature. When Qin Guan handed her the big bear, she clearly saw that he was expecting to be praised. Hugging therge bear, Cong Nianweiughed breathlessly. Where those bear paws on his shirt? The boat of love had been turned over. Depressed, Qin Guan saw Cong Nianwei off with therge bear. Cong Nianwei had epted the present and now expected to be treated. Once dinner was over though, he could piss off. I mean, leave. Cong Nianwei had a ss in the afternoon, so she had no spare time to spend with him. Idling around the gate sadly, Qin Guan was looked down upon by the administrator. I was right. He was turned down. The girl epted his present, but ignored him. Cong Nianwei came out with a group of girls as bright as 1,000-watt light bulbs. Her roommates had asked to be treated to dinner. Sighing to himself, Qin Guan gave the girls his most splendid smile. It was so shining, it made them dizzy. Hey stop, you drama queens! Giggling and twittering, the girls were introduced to Cong Nianweis boyfriend, the host of the dinner. The boy had strange taste, but he was really handsome. If his IQ was inversely proportional to his taste, he would be the perfect boyfriend. Chattering andughing, they headed off to eat. They all had ss in the afternoon, so a simple lunch would be enough. They could save the fatmbs for a different asion. Their destination was the dining hall for overseas students, which was the best choice for students in need of improving their lives. There were all kinds of food there, including western-style food, Chinese food, and dishes prepared with special care. When they were all seated, they saw Chi Hailing sitting at the table across from them. Incidentally, it was Chis birthday. He and his roommates had nned on eating there, too. He had been nning to only invite Cong Nianwei to celebrate in the evening, so hed chosen to treat the boys at noon. Unfortunately, he hade across Qin Guan again. Maybe I stole Qin Guans money in my past life. That could be why he always causes me trouble. His expression turned savage, and his color changed from red to white. His roommates asked him carefully, "Whats wrong? Are you feeling sick? Do you have a loose bowel?" Chi Hailing squeezed the words out between his teeth, "Im fine. I just saw Cong Nianweis boyfriend." "What? Cong Nianwei has a boyfriend? Youre not her pursuer? Youre the third person?" His silly friends voice was loud enough for others to hear. Cong Nianweis roommates immediately stretched their ears to eavesdrop. Is this a love triangle? The boyfriend and the other man? Qin Guan had no idea about the exciting drama. He was recharging Cong Nianweis dining card at the service department of the restaurant. There were seven people in total at their table, and the prices varied from six to 20 yuan. Not expensive! Qin Guan saw that there were only 96.7 yuan left in her card. Thats not enough! (That was enough for Cong Nianwei. Not everyone was a foodie like Qin Guan!) Qin Guan took out 1,000 yuan to recharge the card. Imagining the praise he would get, he made the order happily. Cong Nianweis table had be the centre of attention. Most of Chis roommates were in the same department as her. As a straight-A student who beat the best students from all over the country, she was famous in her department. It was a surprise to everyone that she had a secret boyfriend who had appeared at QH. They were all craning their necks in her direction. "Where is he?" "Its just her and her roommates." "Did you make a mistake, Chi?" Chi Hailing gritted his teeth. "Definitely not. Id recognize him even if he was burnt to ashes." Of course, you could never forget a man who had pasted snot on your hand. "He was ordering. I saw him holding Cong Nianweis card." "F*ck! Is he having a free meal? Well watch himter." People had different personalities. There were both clever and stupid friends. Not all the students at QH were sensible. There were many people with a high IQ and a low EQ. Chi Hailins best friend was sitting beside him. They were always acting in collusion with each other. I mean, love and devotion. If my best friend is in trouble, I have to support him! He didnt know who Qin Guan was, but he nned to make things difficult for him. This is QH, my own university. I wont be afraid of anybody. Then what? Then nothing. Qin Guan finished his order and returned to the table. Pointing at Chi Hailin, Cong Nianwei warned Qin Guan that he and another boy wereing over. Chapter 100: A Sworn Follower with Low EQ Chapter 100: A Sworn Follower with Low EQ Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was sitting beside Cong Nianwei, so Chis roommates, who were waiting and watching, began to worry about their brother. Wow! He is so handsome! Thats why he won over the heart of the goddess. We should just admit defeat. His taste is pretty good too. Where did he buy that shirt? Its amazing! Hey, guys! What the hell kind of taste do you have? Qin Guan turned in the direction Cong Nianwei was pointing at. When he saw Chi Hailin, he smiled. When Chi was closer, Qin Guan asked Cong Nianwei, "Do you have a tissue?" Cong Nianwei took a tissue out unconsciously and handed it to Qin Guan. Qin Guan blew his nose with it and folded it into a small ball, waving it at Chi. Before Chi could explode, Qin Guan threw the ball into a dustbin nearby and looked at him innocently. The girls had no idea about what had happened before. What they saw was only a deep malevolence between Chi and Qin Guan. Their evaluation of Chi suddenly changed for the worse. Yes, you have pursued Cong Nianwei with perseverance, but she already has a boyfriend. Youve been too vicious to her official boyfriend. Youre quite an unreasonable guy! Chis face changed numerous colours in a moment. His best friend did not have good vision, as he was the one to provoke Qin Guan first. "Hey, you! Thats right, you! Are you Cong Nianweis boyfriend?" Qin Guan smiled. This is a rash fellow with some poor provoking skills. Qin Guan kept silent, waiting for his next words. "Youre so..." He looked at Qin Guans face. "So... so handsome." Then he scanned Qin Guans figure and continued unconsciously, "Your figure is excellent, and your taste is unique." Cold sweat ran down his forehead. He had originally wanted to sneer at Qin Guan and make him shrink back, but he couldnt find any shorings on him. He is perfect. Suddenly, he realized his biggest advantage. "But your studies..." Cong Nianwei knew what he was about to say. "He studies at the Capital University of Finance and Economics," she said, pointing at Qin Guan. The boy changed his attitude at once. "And your studies are pretty good. You are the perfect man. Could you show Chi some mercy and give up Cong Nianwei?" Some of the girls spit out their water, while others started coughing. They were all left speechless by his words. That boy is amusing. The boy felt sorry for his incoherent speech and pulled Chi close to apologize before retreating. Chi Hailin was sad too. As he stood in front of their table, he realized he had nothing to say. He had no argument to provoke Qin Guan with. He was unwilling to give up though, so he asked Cong Nianwei directly, "Cong Nianwei, today is my birthday. Are you free this evening? Id like to treat you to dinner." Cong Nianwei looked at Qin Guan reassuringly before she answered calmly, "Sorry, Ill be spending this evening with my boyfriend." After such a clear rejection, Chi returned to his table despondently, without any appetite for his birthday banquet. His best friend tried to cheer him up, "Dont get discouraged. When her boyfriend leaves, she may have time to have dinner with you." The others couldnt stand him anymore. His EQ had to be below 500. "In fact, you never confessed your love to Cong Nianwei. She may have no idea that you love her. You have waited for more than a year, and now she has a boyfriend. You could try to make a formal confession. If you get rejected, you can put a formal sentence on your love. At least your emotions will be worthwhile." His encouragement made Chi Hailin resolute. Ill confess my love to Cong Nianwei this evening! Qin Guan had no idea about his n. If he had the ability to predict the future, he would snuff out that fire while it was still a me. During lunch, the girls asked Qin Guan some basic questions. They were itching to know more. How did this boy fall from Heaven and unexpectedly win Cong Nianweis heart? Where is he from? "Qin Guan, are you the same age as us? How old are you?" Qin Guan put a meatball in his mouth. "Im a sophomore too. Im 19 years old." "How did you meet Cong Nianwei?" All the girls were listening carefully. "We were ssmates in senior high school for three years. We were in the same science ss." Qin Guan swallowed another mouthful of food. "How did you win her heart?" "I was really charming. At our first meeting, Cong Nianwei was so shocked by my charm that she bowed before me... Ouch! That hurts! Dont pinch me! My bad!" Cong Nianwei had pinched his thigh as punishment for his exaggeration. "Actually, I was pursuing her shamelessly. Then she took mercy on me and promised to be my girlfriend..." Qin Guan held Congs hand under the table. All the girls wereughing. Cong Nianweis boyfriend was so cute. Then they reached the most critical point. "Which stage are you two at?" Qin Guan looked unconsciously at Cong Nianwei, who was drinking sweet corn soup calmly. I have to be careful. Anything I say may get me in trouble. I feel like a soldier on a minefield. Qin Guan answered carefully, "I hold her hand." Then he pretended to be shy, implying that he was still a pure boy. (You old dog! Dont act like a green hand. Actually, you are pretty old.) The girls found this funny. "So you are that innocent! Just holding hands? You are not in kindergarten! You have to be positive, Qin Guan!" "His face is red. What a shy boy!" Chapter 101: Final Rejection Chapter 101: Final Rejection Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia With his cartoon shirt and his pure smile, Qin Guan had won the girls favor. After having dined and wined to satiety, they considered Qin Guan a member of their group. After lunch, Qin Guan took Cong Nianwei to her dormitory and bid her farewell, unwilling to part with her. Taking advantage of her waving her hand, he ran up to her and kissed her on the face. Then he sped up and ran away. As he was running, he shouted at the girls, "Now we are at the kissing stage! Ha ha!" The girlsughed and shouted, making fun of Cong Nianwei. Cong Nianweis cheeks started burning at once. Touching the spot where Qin Guan had kissed her unconsciously, she grumbled flirtingly, "So much saliva!" Then she ran back to her dormitory. After kissing her, Qin Guan felt like he was walking on a cloud for the whole afternoon. It was dark by the time he left the library and went back to his dormitory. Before he went to bed, he received a call from Cong Nianwei. She rarely calls me at night. Whats happened? He heard Cong Nianwei sobbing on the other end of the line. "What should I do, Qin Guan? Chi Hailin hasmitted suicide!" What? Chi has daredmit suicide? Qin Guans first thought was to misdoubt her words, but heforted Cong Nianwei calmly, "Calm down. Tell me more, and Ill be there soon." Then he got dressed to go out. After walking a short distance outside the door, he went back. If the matter proves to be significant, I wont be dressed well enough to face a crowd. I have to ask someone to go with me. Qin Guan returned to his dormitory and asked Wang Lei and Liu Xiaoyang to go with him without any further exnation. He hadnt know much about the matter himself after all. In the taxi, Cong Nianwei gave Qin Guan more context. Apparently, Chi Hailin had wanted to put an end to his first love. He hadnt gone to ss that afternoon. He had bought a bouquet to confess his love to Cong Nianwei instead. When Cong Nianwei had returned to her dormitory at dusk, she had found Chi with the bouquet under a tree. Her friends had realized what the guy was about to do immediately, so theyd left Cong Nianwei alone. Before Cong Nianwei could reject him, Chi Hailin had gotten down on one knee and told her excitedly, "I love you, Cong Nianwei. Will you be my girlfriend?" His resounding confession had attracted the attention of the students passing by. They had all turned to the secret corner and watched the drama unfold. Onlookers had gathered rapidly. Even the sills of the dormitory building had been full of heads. That boy is so brave to dare confess his love outside the girls dormitory! (In 1999, such a thing was unexpected. It wasnt like nowadays, when confessions take ce everywhere.) Finishing his confession. Chi had tried to hand Cong Nianwei the bouquet. Embarrassed, Cong Nianwei had told Chi, "I already have a boyfriend. I appreciate the sentiment though. Im sorry." Then shed nned on leaving for her dormitory. The word sorry had crushed Chis heart like a giant rock. Looking up, he had seen that Cong Nianwei was about to leave. He had stood up unconsciously and taken hold of her wrist. Slightly excited, Chi had refused to ept her answer. He had shouted at Cong Nianwei loudly, "In which aspect am I inferior to that guy? Is there anything hes better at than me?" Cong had felt her wrist hurt in his hand. She had been thinking calmly of a way to get away. What shall I say to him? That we dont know each other that well? That Qin Guan is better than him in all aspects except studying? Such a truth was inappropriate to say out loud. She had to state the facts. "You are a good man, but love is not reasonable. I love him, not you." Queen Cong Nianweis words had hurt him. Her roommates had seen Chi pulling at her. For fear that Cong Nianwei would be in danger, they had run downstairs to help. When they had gotten there, Chi had still been shouting loudly at her, "You didnt even try to get along with me! How do you know that you wouldnt fall in love with me?" Love was a mystery that could be generated in time, but in most cases, it happened at first sight, in one second, one moment. The image of ones lover was imprinted on their heart, eyes, and brain, never fading away. In ones youth, if they made a choice by listening to their heart, that choice was made with love. Cong Nianwei had thought Chi was unreasonable and had nned on not engaging with him anymore. With the help of her roommates, she had escaped his hands. Massaging her hurting wrist, she had told him ruthlessly, "I think I have made myself clear. Dont mess with me anymore. Im telling you once more that I already have a boyfriend and I love him very much." How powerful her majesty was! That final rejection was the best way to avoid more serious harm in the future. Returning to her dormitory, Cong Nianwei had taken a deep, rxing breath. Chi had been pursuing her for a long time. Other boys would have given up at her rejection, but he had kept fighting. She hadnt gotten the chance to reject him this openly and officially before. That day would be the end of this affair. Cong Nianwei was resolute, but Chi Hailin had lost his mind. Muddle-headed, he had watched his goddess leave with her roommates, her final words haunting his mind. Qin Guan is her boyfriend. It was his first time to experience failure. In the first 19 years of his life, that lucky boy had been used to his parents and teachers praise. He had always been a role model for other children. Chapter 102: The Suicide Farce Chapter 102: The Suicide Farce Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was the first time that he had been inferior to somebody. In his battle for love, he had been utterly defeated. As hed thought about this, Chi had looked around and seen the onlookers pointing at him and talking. "See, he was rejected." "Its terrible. He held that girl with such force!" "He also shouted at her." "Hes scary. I wouldnt want to have such a pursuer." "Exactly." Congrattions, Chi! You became famous around the area. Chi had felt hopeless. Carrying the bouquet, he had walked to his dormitory slowly, getting sadder and sadder by the minute. His failure had taken ce in public, so hed felt that he had nothing left to live for. Pushing open the door of his dormitory, he had thrown the deliberately chosen bouquet into the dustbin without hesitation. Falling on his bed, he had tried recall the details of his rtionship with Cong Nianwei. (My dear boy, it was all in your imagination. Can time spent in the same ss be considered a rtionship?) His thoughts had been really sad. The earlier scene and the words of the onlookers had resurfaced in his mind again and again. Ill be renowned all over the university. (You overestimate yourself. QH is arge university. You are just a nobody there.) Finally, his thoughts had turned to death. He had slowly gotten up, opened the drawer, and taken something out. Then he had called Cong Nianwei. "Goodbye, Cong Nianwei. Ill end my life at the ce where we met for the first time. Ill be cherishing your smile in my heart." Before she could say something, he had hung up. What a romantic farewell! For some unknown reason, Chi had called all his good friends before hed left, so all his ssmates had found out that he no longer wished to live after that unsessful confession. What a drama queen! Cong Nianwei hadnt cared about the call. However, not long after, some ssmates who were close to Chi had run to Cong Nianwei one after the other for help. They couldnt find Chi Hailin anymore. Thus, Cong Nianwei had realized that the matter was serious. Chi had said that he would take his own life at the ce where theyd met for the first time. The problem was that she had no recollection of that ce. She couldnt remember the first time she had met Chi at all! All the girls were anxious. Unconsciously, Cong Nianwei had thought of Qin Guan. Under ordinary circumstances, he was a yful guy, but for her, he was unexinably reliable. A boyfriend was the one a girl could rely on in such a situation. Qin Guan had flied over at Cong Nianweis call and met her at the entrance of QH. By that time, Chis ssmates had scattered around the campus, looking for traces of him. Zhao Tianyi, Chis best friend and silly partner, followed Cong Nianwei around, acting like an animal with acute intuition. In his opinion, that was the best way to find Chi Hailin. Actually, he was overthinking this. Cong Nianwei had no idea what was going on, thats why she had called her boyfriend for help. Zhao Tianyi saw three students getting off a taxi. One of them was Qin Guan, Cong Nianweis boyfriend. Zhao Tianyi jumped at Qin Guan, cursing, "You daree here to chat with your girlfriend? You killed Chi!" Qin Guan nearlyughed out loud. I came all this way for Chi, because my girlfriend is scared. Whose fault is this? You are ming your anger on others! Do you consider yourself a role model? Qin Guan couldnt bear to leave with Cong Nianwei. Chis death had nothing to do with her after, but she was a tender person. Qin Guan took a long breath and pushed Zhaos hand aside. Taking Cong Nianweis hand, he told her, "I have thought about this on the way here. Its not our fault. Chi was taking advantage of your kindness to force you to give in. If he really wanted tomit suicide, why didnt he find a quiet ce? Why did he inform so many people? He is just striving for other peoples sympathy. Its disgusting that a QH student would use their IQ in this way." Zhao Tianyi wanted to object, but he didnt know what to say. Nobody was that silly. They all understood gradually when they calmed down. The students slowed down their steps. Qin Guan wasforting his girlfriend, trying to get her to remember, "Which way did you go when you registered at QH?" Cong Nianwei, who had calmed down by then, tried to recall, "I went through the main entrance and walked this way like most people." They had walked that way until they had reached the dormitory building. Cong Nianwei finally pulled at Qin Guan. "I remember! After I unpacked my luggage, my parents and I went through the trees to theke to do some sightseeing." They all ran to theke. On the way there, they saw Chis roommate. The boy ran up to them breathlessly. His eyes lit up when he saw Cong Nianwei. He asked them excitedly, "Did you find him?" Qin Guan asked him to calm down. "We are looking for him. Whats the matter?" The boy got even more anxious. He shouted at Cong Nianwei hysterically, "Why are you still here? He took pills!" "How do you know that?" Qin Guan asked him calmly. "What kind of pills? How many did he take?" Are you kidding? Whenever Chi caught a cold, hed take two packs of Herba Thesii! Chapter 103: Cheating for Mercy Chapter 103: Cheating for Mercy Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Influenced by Qin Guan, the boy slowed down. "I just returned to my dormitory, hoping to find Chi there. Instead, I found the medicine drawer open. Two boxes of painkillers were missing. Chi might have taken them. That medicine was in case of an emergency." Qin Guan felt a little nervous. Painkillers were better than sleeping pills, but arge dose could be deadly. "How many pills are there in one box?" he asked. "12. He took two boxes, so 24 pills." It was arge quantity. Qin Guan shouted at the others, "Hurry up! Chi may be by theke!" They sped up and reached theke, where they found Chi sitting in the pavilion by the bank. His head was leaning against a pir, and the empty painkiller boxes were at his feet. Qin Guan rushed into the pavilion and asked him, "Did you take the pills?" Chi Hailin looked normal. "Just did," he answered unconsciously. Qin Guan rxed and looked at Wang Lei behind him. Wang Lei understood. The two of them supported Chi from both sides. Qin Guan told Cong Nianwei, "Well take him to hospital so he can get professional treatment." Cong Nianwei nodded. She was a calm, good girl. She would never cause them any trouble. They took a taxi to the nearest hospital. In five minutes, they were at the second QH affiliated hospital. There were only doctors on duty at the ER at night. Qin Guan carried Chi into the emergency room without hesitation as Wang Lei ran to the registration office. Qin Guan exined everything to the doctor in a hurry. "Chi Hailin, male, 19 years old, QH student. He took 24 painkillers seven minutes ago." The doctor checked his pupils with a small shlight before waving his hand. "Gastricvage!" ... When Chi Hailin walked out of the treatment room weakly, the doctor dered that he was fine, and they were all sent away. Qin Guan handed Chi the receipt. "Keep it. Dont forget to return the money. Just give it to my girlfriend." Wang Lei felt sympathy for Chi. Your enemy loves money. You are doomed. They took a taxi back and saw Cong Nianwei waiting by the entrance from afar. It was a September night, so it was not cold. If Cong Nianwei had suffered, Qin Guan would have made Chi pay. Her roommates were also around. Cong Nianwei asked Qin Guan worriedly, "Whats going on?" Qin Guan sighed. "The doctor said hes okay." Cong Nianwei sneered and handed Qin Guan an empty package. Qin Guan took it and read carefully, "XXX painkiller. The basis is XXX. The normal dosage is 12 pills a day..." F*ck! Chi took 24 pills. What does that mean? It means that he had a cup of espresso without sugar and milk! He had yed everyone! They had paid so much attention to a farce! Qin Guan walked up to Chi, rolled his sleeves up, and hit him in the stomach. Chi bent over and spit up some kind of liquid. Zhao Tianyi was angry. He supported Chi, shouting at Qin Guan, "He has just had gastricvage! Why are you beating him up?" Qin Guan sneered and poked at Chis head with the package. Zhao Tianyi thought that Qin Guan wanted to beat him, so he covered his friends head unconsciously. Qin Guan kept poking Chis head. "Why are you silent? Arent you always angry with me? Why dont you say anything? Why dont you exin to your friend? Are you ashamed of what you did?" Zhao Tianyi put his hands down and asked curiously, "Exin what to me?" Chi had been lying to everyone. He smiled at Zhao shyly as he said, "I just wanted to scare Cong Nianwei by taking pills, but there were only painkillers in our dormitory. I thought that they were not dangerous, but they would scare everyone. You left no time for me to express my feelings to Cong Nianwei before you took me away." He felt wronged. If everything had gone ording to his n, Cong Nianwei would have been shocked to tears by his life-risking actions. Then they would have exchanged heartfelt words and gotten together with everyones blessing. He had even prepared a poem in honor of their love. "Life is precious. The price for love is high. I wish to lose my freedom and life for you." Was it an impressive poem? Definitely not! Chi keptining, "Before I could exin, we were at the hospital. The doctor was serious, and I was scared, so I agreed to the gastricvage." Young man, the doctor thought you had taken powerful painkillers, not XXX painkillers. Therefore, Chi had suffered through the gastricvage. (Has anybody here had gastricvage? Its really painful!) Chapter 104: Thief! Chapter 104: Thief! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Before he had recovered, Chi was beaten by Qin Guan. To whom could he express his grievance? Chi was going to cry. Cong Nianwei couldnt bear to be around someone with such a low IQ. Covering her forehead helplessly, she waved to Qin Guan. "I have a headache. Dont talk to him, your IQ will get lower. Take me back to my dormitory." Liu Xiaoyang burst intoughter. This is free entertainment! How could Chi even survive this far in life? Since the heroine had left, everyone walked away, smiling to themselves. The funny incident was spreading as fast as a tide. It was already considered one of the most ridiculous events of the year. As Chis best friend, Zhao Tianyi helped him back to their dormitory and tried tofort him. The two lonely boys could be seen under the dim light of themps. Friendshipsted forever. A true friend supporting one unconditionally was a life fortune. Forget about love, Chi Hailin. Go down the road of friendship instead! Liu Xiayang couldnt stopughing on the way back. He narrated the story vividly to other people as he returned to his dormitory. Thus, a new legend about Qin Guan started spreading around campus. It was said that his girlfriend was as pretty as a fairy, and all the boys at QH hadmitted suicide for her. Like a god from Heaven, Qin Guan had rescued the straymbs with his charm. What juicy gossip! The incident remained in Qin Guan and Cong Nianweis memory as a brief interlude. After many years, there would only be sweetness left. What was Qin Guan doing then? He was working on the freshman weing party, helping Ye Dong organize it. After the tedious military training, the freshmen had returned to college. They were fixing up the hall for the party, as those guys were too disoriented by the prank calls junior girls were ying on them. Qin Guan didnt stay for long, as he had to go to Huang Jiajias home. When he arrived and saw the smile on her mothers face, he knew Huang Jiajia had gotten a good mark on the general examination. On the school report, which Huang Jiajia cherished like treasure, Qin Guan saw a series of As. The few Bs couldnt influence the final result. Qin Guan praised Huang Jiajia and promised to take her to Carrefour the next day. Huang Jiajia was really excited that they would go on a date together. Early the next morning, she turned over her chest of clothes, looking for something to wear. "Too simple!" She threw a piece of clothing away. "That skirt is too short!" You have turned your back to evil and returned to the good side, Miss Huang. Did you forget your bare midriff and the miniskirts you used to wear? "Not good!" "Not good enough!" Huang Jiajia weeded out most of her clothes. When one needed to dress up, they always wished they had more clothes than they did. Finally, Huang Jiajia decided on the outfit she would wear that day. She looked pretty in her white sweater, skinny jeans and white child-like shoes. Before leaving, she took two bills from her mothers wallet and a yellow backpack decorated with rivets. It was the perfect outfit for a date! ...... The Carrefour supermarket was near the capital zoo. A famous garment wholesale market was located diagonally across the busy road. The location was perfect. She was early for her date, so Huang Jiajia enjoyed the lively scene outside Carrefour. A new discount mall had opened that day. Balloons and colorful ribbons could be seen everywhere, and promotion girls were standing by the entrance. The most interesting thing were the tworge bears yed by real people, who were giving out leaflets to passersby. The two bears had short arms and legs and were charmingly naive. Huang Jiajia was deeply absorbed in them. Suddenly, she heard a noise. A motorcycle passed through the street, the driver grabbing the bag of ady. The motorcycle went through the crowd and passed by the entrance of Carrefour. In a moment, it would reach the road and nobody would be able to catch the thief anymore. The thief smiled happily, and thedy stopped chasing him, epting her misfortune. Everything had happened in a moment, so the onlookers had had no time to react. The thief pressed on the elerator proudly. Huh? Why am I still this far from the road? He turned his head around, realizing that his motor was being pulled by a hairy bear paw. One of the bears giving out leaflets by the road was holding on to the running motor with one paw. The back wheel was lifted from the ground, emitting thick smoke. The motorbike couldnt move. It was as motionless as a statue. "Wonderful!" The onlookers apuded. Huang Jiajia was really excited. So powerful! So brilliant! It was the kind of scene one saw in an action movie, not in real life. The guy in the bear costume waved at the onlookers, acknowledging their apuse. Dear onlookers, please be serious. He is no acrobat! The thief was ferocious. He got off the motorcycle and pulled at the bear with force. It was difficult for its thick hairy paw to hold on. The bear loosened its grip. Taking advantage of it, the thief lifted up his motorbike, ready to escape. Chapter 105: Catching the Thief Chapter 105: Catching the Thief Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The clever bear stood up straight and rushed after the motorcycle, which was already leaving. Its short legs didnt allow it to catch it though. It ended up lying on the ground instead. "Oh!" the onlookers shouted in surprise. Dont just watch! Go help the bear! Before the thief could speed up, an arm stretched out and seized his neck, pulling him off the motorbike. Huang Jiajia fixed her eyes on the guy and realized it was Teacher Qin. Forgetting the thrilling incident just now, she started screaming like a maniac, "Teacher Qin! You are so handsome! Teacher Qin, I love you!" Qin Guan murmured helplessly, "Why are you guys standing there? Come help me!" The thief tried to stand up, but Qin Guan pressed him down with his arms. The bear turned its head around and stared at the thief angrily. Before the onlookers coulde to help, it sat down on the thief with its fat bottom. Everything went dark before the thiefs eyes, the cheap man-made bear hair filling his eyes and nostrils. His legs were shaking under the bears bottom. How interesting! Qin Guan pulled his own arms from the bears butt at once. Patting on the brave costumed man, he said, "Stop, stop! Hell choke up!" Then he asked the onlookers, "Did anybody call the police?" "Sure! We called the police as soon as we saw the thief. Were close to the police station. Theyll be here soon!" The owner took the bag from the shaking thief and let out a rxed breath. Her bag had been taken just after shed left the ATM, so she was very thankful to those brave men. She bowed in gratitude before Qin Guan and the bear, and then waited for the police quietly. Qin Guan nodded at her before he turned around to find the bear trying to move its bottom. It was too fat to stand up. Holding back a smile, Qin Guan and Huang Jiajia took hold of the bears arms and pull it off the thief. The bear pushed its mask off with effort, exposing a red round face. The girl in the costume shouted at Qin Guan happily, waving the mask in her hand, "Senior Qin, Senior Qin! Im Mou Xiaoliu!" Her forehead was covered in sweat because of the thick costume, shining bright in the sunshine. She looked like a real bear with her red round cheeks. Smiling in satisfaction and adoration, Mou Xiaoliu thought to herself, "Senior Qin is so kind-hearted and powerful. He defeated the thief by himself." Dear girl, you underestimate yourself. Without your thick costume, the thief might have crashed his motorcycle. He should be thanking god that he escaped death. Huang Jiajia was angry with the girl, who was calling Qin Guan a senior. I have to tolerate Cong Nianwei as his official girlfriend, but Im going to be his sister. How dare you try to take my position! Im so jealous! Acting like a spoiled child, Huang Jiajia said angrily, "Hey, who are you? Do you know her, Qin Guan? She called you Senior Qin!" Qin Guan hit her on the forehead helplessly. "Be polite! She really is my sister. I met her at the railway station when I was weing the freshmen." Covering her forehead, Huang Jiajia pouted silently. Mou paid no attention to her. Qin Guan was all she could see. Qin Guan was amused by the small bear, who was staring at him in admiration. "Why are you here in that bear costume?" he asked. Mou Xiaoliu cheered up. She couldnt help exining, "I took your advice and applied for a loan. It was approved before military training. I was so excited that I sent my tuition money back home. Then I found a part-time job to cover my living expenses." Qin Guan was still a little doubtful. "As far as I know, there are work-study programs at our college way easier than this." Wiping her sweat away with a paw, Mou Xiaoliu smiled proudly. "I know that. The sry of those programs was 400 yuan at the most though, which is not much. I found this job in the ad column at our college. It pays about 80 yuan for half a days work. I could take another part-time job if I want. I work for two days a week and cover the expenses of the whole month. Plus, I can send the extra money back home." Looking at her face, Qin Guan felt as if she was a close friend. That little girl was just as greedy as he was. They chatted happily, forgetting all about the thief, who was lying on the ground. When the policeman arrived, he found the two brave students talking calmly, leaving the nervous victim squatting there alone, staring at the fainting thief. Finding the matter both funny and annoying, the policeman got a general idea of what had happened and escorted the thief and the victim to the patrol wagon. The victim had to go to the police station to give a statement. Finally, the policeman asked Qin Guan and Mou Xiaoliu some brief questions and praised them. Chapter 106: Short Work Notice Chapter 106: Short Work Notice Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Tactfully, Qin Guan and Mou Xiaoliu rejected the invitation to the police station. Both of them had business to do. Huang Jiajia saw that the two of them were on the verge of swearing, so she pulled at Qin Guans sleeve, murmuring, "Stop talking rubbish. Where is my snack?" Qin Guan nodded at Mou Xiaoliu helplessly. He had to go to the supermarket with Huang Jiajia, although hed rather chat with her happily. Mou understood and waved at them, "See you, Senior Qin and little sister!" Who is your little sister? Im only one year younger than you. Ill be going to college next year! (You are still younger than her though.) Huang Jiajia was trying to pull Qin Guan into the supermarket. Qin Guan suddenly patted her on the hand. "Wait a moment. I want to buy a bottle of water from the newsstand." Huang Jiajia was confused. There were all kinds of drinks in Carrefour. Why did he want to buy mineral water from a small newsstand? Qin Guan handed one yuan to the cashier and got a bottle of Nestle water. He ran back to Mou Xiaoliu and gave her the bottle. "As a senior, I cant do much to help you. This costume is too thick for this weather. You may get dehydrated if you dont drink water." Before she could say anything, Qin Guan stuck the bottle into the cor of her costume. Patting her short paw, he said, "I know what youre about to say. You are really strong, but even strong cows have to be fed before work, right?" Then he waved his fist at her, encouraging her, "Cheers!" Mou Xiaoliu nearly cried as she watched Qin Guan run away. The water was at normal temperature, but it felt cold on her skin in the intense summer heat. She sniffed, took the bottle from her cor and ced it carefully on a small chair nearby. She opened it stupidly and took a sip with shaking paws. It was sweet and cool, washing away all the sweat on her body. She carefully sealed the bottle and put the bear head back on. Ill drink it after I finish work. Huang Jiajia curled her lips at Qin Guan, murmuring, "You pretend to be nice and kind-hearted!" Qin Guan looked at her helplessly, making fun of her, "Im buying you a snack and apanying you to the supermarket. Is it getting more serious?" Huang Jiajia answered sullenly, "Thats different. You owe me!" "I could just buy you snacks and send them to your house." "No! You dont know my favourites. I dont care, I really dont care. I cant hear what you are saying, youre a really boring person." Huang Jiajia was acting like a scoundrel. Qin Guan could do nothing but serve the princess by getting a trolley. When they reached the snack alley, Huang Jiajia suddenly transformed into Nezha [1], growing six arms and starting to throw snacks into the trolley. Looking at the pile of snacks, Qin Guan felt like he had a toothache. His left eyelid started trembling. There was an old saying that said that a trembling left eyelid meant fortune, while a right one meant disaster. Actually, a trembling left eyelid meant losing a fortune. Hey, Huang Jiajia. Chips are not healthy. Dried fruit has high oil content. Drumsticks, dried beef and duck livers have high cholesterol! In my opinion, spicy strips are good, cheap and tasty. And bubble gum is fine for chewing... (Nobody is stingier than you, Qin Guan.) With a trembling heart, Qin Guan waited for the cashier to scan the QR codes, which took more than 10 minutes. Then he pulled out his shopping card with quivering hands. Huang Jiajia grabbed it and handed it to the cashier without hesitation. "Here you are. Swipe away." Its not your card! Of course youre not reluctant. With tears in his eyes, Qin Guan lifted the fourrge stic bags and followed Huang out of the cashier area. Before he could go out, his phone started ringing in his pocket. He heard Sister Xues urgent voice at the other end of the line. "Hurry up, Qin Guan! What you are doing? Are you free now?" Qin Guan held the phone tightly as he answered, "Yes, Im free. Whats going on?" He nced carefully at Huang Jiajia beside him. Sister Xue exhaled in relief as she said, "Take a taxi to XXX studio on XXX road at once. You have an interview for a T show." Qin Guan was confused. "As far as I remember, that interview is next week. Is it a New Silk Road job?" Sister Xue exined fast, "The brandpany has asked the designer to release the fashion show ahead of schedule, so they havent found a suitable model for the main show. Cheer up and try impress the designer. You dont just have to pass the interview, but also make a good impression on him. You better get the main show job, understand?" Qin Guan nodded unconsciously. The interview was at 1:30 pm. It was already 11:00 am, and it would take him half an hour to get there by car. Sister Xue would take some time off to make a brief introduction of the concept of the brand as well as the designers background. The preparation had originally been supposed to happen the following week. Qin Guan had no idea how much Sister Xue would be able to tell him in such a short time. [1] A god in Chinese legends, who grew six arms when fighting with others. Chapter 107: An Unexpected Friendship Chapter 107: An Unexpected Friendship Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It seems that I have no time to apany Huang Jiajia. Qin Guan looked at her with regret before turning his eyes to the fourrge stic bags with a sigh. I should call a taxi for her. Huang Jiajia had just found out that her snack date had been ruined by that call. Pouting helplessly, she followed Qin Guan out without a word. Afraid that she would be angry, Qin Guan tried tofort her, "I really do have some business to attend to. See, I bought you snacks, so I kept my promise." Huang Jiajia remained silent. "Its an emergency. Its not my fault..." Her eyes became slightly red. The passers-by saw the girl following Qin Guan in disappointment and looked at him with righteous indignation and contempt. Qin Guan felt defeated by the expression in their eyes and Huang Jiajias pitiful look. Hepromised by saying, "Okay, its my fault. Next week, Ille get you ahead of time and take you out. Is that okay?" Huang Jiajias expression changed at once. She jumped up and squeezed Qin Guans arms. "Really? I wont forget! Dont try to cheat me out of it again!" Qin Guan cried, "Let me go! Youll break my arms! Im carrying heavy bags in my hands!" Having achieved her goal, Huang Jiajia loosened her hands, humming and bouncing out of Carrefour. When they reached the side of the road, she even expressed her worry for Qin Guan, "Teacher Qin, you are in a hurry. I can take a taxi home. You dont need to take me back." Looking at the big bags, Qin Guan felt worried about her. "Can you manage them by yourself?" Patting her chest, Huang Jiajia reassured Qin Guan, "Dont worry, I can take care of it. Im a very understanding girl. Go attend to your business!" Qin Guan was amused. He stopped a passing taxi and got in. Before leaving, he opened the window and warned her, "Go home quickly! Ill call your motherter. Take care!" Then the taxi drove off. Huang Jiajia watched the taxi until it disappeared from view. Then she sighed gloomily. Suddenly, a fat paw patted her on the shoulder from behind. Huang Jiajia screamed and turned around in fear, only to find Qin Guans younger college sister. Huang disliked her because she had taken her position. "What are you doing?" she asked angrily. "You scared me!" Mou Xiaoliu massaged her own head regretfully. That had not been her original intention. She tried to apologize, "Im sorry. I just saw Senior Qin leave, so I came to help you with the bags." Huang Jiajia understood. Staring at Mou Xiaoliu, she shouted, "Aha! Youre an enchantress! (Try looking in a mirror.) What are your intentions about Qin Guan? Why do you pay so close attention to him? You were watching the exit and waiting for him! Stop dreaming! He has a girlfriend!" Huang Jiajia lifted her jaw like a proud cock. Mou blinked as she answered, "I saw him by ident. Im handing out leaflets here. I see everyone who passes by. I have made a good impression on him, but I never dreamed of anything. And youre not his girlfriend..." Mous voice lowered gradually as she saw the tears in Huang Jiajias eyes. Mou Xiaoliu lost her cool. She tried tofort Huang Jiajia with her stupid paws, but she nearly pushed her down instead. She hastened to support her, only to end up pushing her again. Huang Jiajias eyes shone coldly. Lifting her paws up, Mou murmured to herself, "Its scary. Why are city girls so weak?" Huang Jiajia was angry at Mous silly behavior, but she could not do nothing. She rolled her eyes and said, "Why dont you take off that silly costume ande with me?" Mou Xiaoliu nodded. "You stay here, Ill be back soon." Then she ran away. Not long after, she ran back breathlessly. She lifted the bags easily, two in one hand, and asked, "How were you nning to go home? By taxi? Ill carry them to the car for you." Cocking her head a little to the side, Huang Jiajia watched the girl carry the bags effortlessly and made an unreasonable demand, "Im hungry." "I dont have any money with me." Mou Xiaoliu smiled with regret. "What the hell! How were you going to have lunch without money?" "Its a part-time job. I only work in the morning. Plus, I have my college dining card..." Huang Jiajia rolled her eyes again. "Its my treat!" Chapter 108: Opportunity Chapter 108: Opportunity Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Mou Xiaoliu shook her head repeatedly. "No, thanks. I dont know you. My bad! How could you treat me? Shall I take you home first? If your house is near my college, I could treat you at our cafeteria to apologize." Huang Jiajia made a disdainful grimace. "Theres nothing delicious there. No!" "Senior Qin has dinner there," Mou Xiaoliu said regretfully. "Its near his dormitory." Huang Jiajia cheered up, changing her mind at once. "What are we waiting for then? Take me home first, and then you can treat me at the cafeteria!" Mou Xiaoliu was smiling like silly as Huang Jiajia pulled her toward a taxi. They became good friends instantly and headed for the cafeteria. The little fox and the little bear. Who would win? Meanwhile, Qin Guan was deeply troubled. He was listening to Sister Xues introduction about the concept and the designers background. At the same time, he had to cope with Ouyang Fen, who was sneering at him. Both of them had gotten the notice about the interview, as they were the rising stars of New Silk Road. Ouyang Fens advantage over Qin Guany in the fact that he was a formal model of thepany, while Qin Guan was only an affiliated model. It was only a T show for a second-level brand, but it was still quite rare for two rising stars. SS Group had engaged in mens formal wear since the beginning of time. The brand was not the best there was, but neither was it the worst. The boss was always thinking of ways to change the brands status. That year, he had found new investors and nned on using their money to advertise and promote the brand. This was his chance to squeeze in the circle of first-level domestic brands, so he had made a tight schedule for the show. All the preparations had beenpleted. Everyone was just waiting for the show to take ce. The boss was sure of himself, but the designer was crying for help. The show had been pushed up by more than half a month. He had not even found a suitable model yet. That was why the interview had also been pushed up. As Sister Xue made her introduction, Ouyang Fen could not hold back his sarcasticments. "Oh, you had no idea about the interview. What an unprofessional model!" "You want to be a main show model? You are only a green hand! This is practically your first show!" "Ha ha! My brother told me this is your first formal show..." Ouyang Fen betrayed his brother without any hesitation. Sister Xue stared at Ou Qiang with a fierce expression. Ou Qiang covered the mouth of his younger brother. He didnt loosen his hand until Sister Xue had finished the introduction. Ouyang Fen asked Ou Qiang angrily, "Whose side are you on? He is your brothers enemy! He ispeting with me for the main show!" Looking at his younger brother in sympathy, Ou Qiang murmured to himself, "Dear brother, you may be defeated by your enemy. Besides, you need to control your temper. Do it for me." Ignoring Ouyang Fen, Qin Guan reviewed the material carefully. As an old enterprise, SS Groups factory and brand had a long historypared to itspetitors. The problem with SS Group was the outdated ideas of its designers, most of whom had graduated from fashion school lots of years ago. The customers taste had changed over time. Some other fashion groups, such as B Group and Y Group, had begun to hire foreign designers or domestic ones who had studied overseas. SS Group had invited a new designer for the fall collection, aiming to bring about an upswing with its newest concept. In Qin Guans opinion, the designer might be looking to introduce some fresh blood in his first show, so he and Ouyang Fen might actually stand a chance. As he looked around the hall, he saw many young faces. His gut feeling had been right. At 1:30 pm, the door of the studio suddenly opened. An assistant with a pile of paperwork announced, "First, we would like to express our appreciation to everyone for attending the interviews of the fall show of SS Group. Im Wang Jun, assistant of the chief designer of SS Group, and I will be working together with you in the future. Now Id like to exin the rules of the interviews. Every model I call has to enter the chamber I just came out of with their paperwork. Youll have a private interview with the designer. After all the applicants have finished their interviews, the results will be announced from a paper given to me by the designer. Our assistants for the show will take urate measurements of all the remaining models. The first interview will begin now. Good luck to you all." "Is Liu Jia here?" The model stood up after a short pause. He took his file from the assistant and entered the studio. Everyone else remained silent. In less than two minutes, the model had walked out and the next name had been called. "XXX." "XX." They went into the chamber one by one. Qin Guan, who had arrivedst, was thest one to have an interview. Chapter 109: Picked by the Designer Chapter 109: Picked by the Designer Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The models were going in and out at high speed. Not long after, Ouyang Fen arranged his clothes, cast a provoking look at Qin Guan, and entered the door confidently with his paperwork. Three minutes passed. Four minutes. Ou Qiang was scratching his ears and cheeks in embarrassment on the couch, afraid that his brother would behave like an idiot during the interview. Suddenly, Ouyang Fen walked out with a smile. He walked straight up to the couch Qin Guan was sitting on and sat right next to him. Shaking his legs off proudly, he tried to provoke Qin Guan, "s! I wonder why the designer was so satisfied with me. He asked me to walk one more round and wanted to know lots of details about me." "Surely, I passed the interview. The main show must depend on the designers taste." "I thought he looked exhausted. He is busy with both design work and the interviews. It must be painstaking work for him." "I wanted to suggest that he finishes the interviews as soon as he finds a suitable model for the main show. Otherwise, itd be a waste of his time." Fang Yanyu, the designer, was indeed quite tired. He had worked overnight twice. That day he had to select the model for the main show, but all his ns had been disrupted by the boss. Originally, Fang Yanyu had nned on hiring Liu Bin, a domestic A level model. The changes in the schedule had ruined that n though, and Liu Bin had had to quit the show. The designer had called several agents, only to find that his favorite models were abroad or couldnt fit the show into their schedules. He couldnt do anything but select another model for the main show. Fang had just chosen Ouyang Fen as an alternative. The concept of the fall collection was martial arts, and the main colors were blue and silver-grey. It was not as depressing as traditional western costumes, and the outfits had been adjusted to the formal image of the SS Group. Therefore, the type of models the designer wanted to hire would be young, experienced and agile. Massaging his bloated forehead, Fang Yanyu gestured for his assistant to call in the next model. After everyone else had been interviewed, it was finally Qin Guans turn. (He had no choice, as he had arrivedst.) Fang Yanyu looked up tiredly when Qin Guan walked in. Suddenly, he cheered up like a snowball had been stuck into his cor in the chilling winter. In his experience, thest model had been blessed with a figure every designer dreamed of. He could be considered the perfect clothing model. The designer skipped reading Qin Guans paperwork. Pointing to a ce marked with a cross, he ordered, "Stand at the centre!" Then he picked up a measuring tape from the table. Qin Guan remained silent in the presence of the serious designer and did as he was told. Fang Yanyu measured Qin Guans height personally, from his bare feet to his head. 186.65 centimeters. Perfect! Fang wrote it down on his notebook and let out a long breath. Sitting back down on his chair, he said, "Walk around!" Qin Guan nodded obediently and walked to the other end of the room. Looking up slightly, he suddenly went into T show mode. Following the rhythm in his mind, he walked up to Fang Yanyu at an appropriate speed. At the standard position of the T stage, he took a pose. Then, putting his hand in an invisible western-style pocket, he turned around handsomely to finish the walk. Fang Yanyu was so tired that he thought he was hallucinating as Qin Guan passed by him. Qin Guan made a wonderful T show in the small studio, wearing the new SS western clothes. The lower hem of his featured outfit shed before Fangs eyes. It was a dreamy scene in his mind. Fang Yanyu didnt return to reality until Qin Guan bowed before him at the other end of the room. He was only wearing an ordinary hoodie. Pursing his slightly quivering lips in excitement, Fang waved at Qin Guan, who walked over obediently. Fang Yanyu narrowed his eyes and scanned Qin Guans waist and shoulders, measuring them with his fingers. Then he took a halfpleted outfit from a mould and handed it to Qin Guan. "Just put it on and make another round." Qin Guan carried the clothes on his shoulder with one hand and made another round, starting from the innermost corner of the room. With his straight, long legs, the western-style clothes on his shoulder, and his hands in his pockets, Qin Guan walked to the turning point of the stage and took a standard pose. Then he took the outfit from his shoulder and put it on his arm randomly. He looked like an elite businessman who had just gotten off work. Cheering up from the tiredness of the daytime routine, he seemed to be waiting for an unexpected romantic affair in the quiet night. Fang patted his legs forcefully in excitement. The pain suppressed the smile on his lips. Its too dangerous. Im a veteran, yet I nearly got carried away by that green hand. He picked up Qin Guans file, drew a big circle, and wrote "main" on it. cing it on the thin pile of documents, he exhaled in relief. When Qin Guan finished his performance, Fang Yanyu told him softly, "Thats all for today. Could you please call my assistant in? Ill leave the rest to him." Qin Guan nodded and did as he was told. Then he returned to his seat. By that time, Ouyang Fen had already been sneered at by Sister Xue twice. When Qin Guan had spent three minutes in the chamber, Sister Xue had found Ouyang Fen, who had been showing off like a peacock, and started taunting him. Using her hand as a fan, shed chatted with Ou Qiang, pretending to me Qin Guan, "s, there are too many people here, and the air doesnt circte. My Qin Guan is not a considerate boy. He shows no sympathy for his agent. He has stayed too long in that room. Even if the designer is interested in him, he shouldnt have been chatting with him for so long." Chapter 110: The Beer Bear Chapter 110: The Beer Bear Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Sister Xues sneering skill was of almost professional level. She added another stab to Ou Qiangs heart. "Maybe Im too old, but someone told me hes stayed in there for a really long time, which is a good thing. My Qin Guan has been in that chamber for four minutes. Why isnt heing out?" Ou Qiang felt extremely ttered, as Sister Xue had started the conversation. He was as tame as a little puppy. Ouyang Fen was so angry that his nose was twisted in a grimace. Qin Guan is an invincible opponent. I stayed in there for three minutes, but he must have been inside for four. Maybe hes pooping and cant find the toilet paper! Ouyang Fen was making malevolent scenarios, when Qin Guan finally came out. You f*cking provoker! Sister Xue made ce on the couch for Qin Guan happily as she asked, "How did your interview go?" Qin Guan shrugged proudly and sat down. "The results will be announced soon. In my experience, I dont think you made it, Ouyang Fen. Ha ha ha..." Everyone was listening carefully to Qin Guan, when his style suddenly changed from calm to annoying. As the four of them (except Ouyang Fen) were talking andughing, the assistant came out and made an announcement. "Thanks again for your support of the SS Group. Now I would like to announce the results of the interviews. Here are the models we are interested in. XXX, XX, XXX, Ouyang Fen, and Qin Guan. The aforementioned models will have to wait for a while for an introduction to the show. We hope to have the opportunity to cooperate with the rest of you another time." Noise prevailed as most people left in a rush. The assistant gave notices to everyone. Sister Xue and Qin Guan read theirs carefully and found out that the first rehearsal would be that Wednesday. It would be thest adjustment before the show, as the formalunching event would take ce that Saturday. The show Qin Guan would be participating in featured western-style clothes of the SS Group, which was the most important collection. There would be 28 models in the formal show. Therefore, the model chosen for the main show would be kept a secret for suspense. Sister Xue and Qin Guan returned to college with the notice as soon as possible, as Qin Guan was hungry. It waste in the afternoon, and he hadnt had lunch yet. When he returned to college, he swallowed his lunch in one sitting in his dormitory. Huang Jiajia and Mou Xiaoliu had be good friends. Theirmon interest in Qin Guan and the lunch theyd had together had narrowed the distance between them. Huang Jiajia thought that Mou was a silly bear that had to be protected with care, while Mou thought that Huang Jiajia was a troublemaker whom she had to look after. The two girls walked together hand in hand. Theyter became the senior and the legend among Qin Guans fan club. Huang Jiajia expressed her great interest in Mou Xiaolius night part-time job, which was agreeable to her taste. As a bad girl who knew her way around night entertainment venues, she was wondering why the silly bear would get such a job. Mou Xiaoliu had no idea what the job was. She had just chosen it because it paid well. She had seen the advertisement at college and thought it would be okay for a student. It was 20:00 at night. The colorful neon lights were shining along Sanlitun Street, where the bars were flourishing. Another crazy night had begun. Urbanites went out to rx, young men went on romantic dates, and fribbles gathered there for crazy feasts. The morning there began at 8:00 pm. The bars opened, but the warm-up singers did not show up. They were still asleep in their beds. Thergemps were lit one by one, indicating that the crazy feast was about to begin. Mou Xiaoliu felt crazy in her mini skirt, which she had never worn before. She had been asked to change into a short skirt by her superior, and she had gone to the washing room with a silly expression. Huang Jiajia burst intoughter behind her. She had made up a story for her mother and followed Mou Xiaoliu there.The silly bear has no idea how life is at bars. As a frequent visitor, I have to protect her. (Darling, you were not a frequent visitor, okay?) Huang Jiajias eyes opened wide when Mou came out of the washing room. She must be a D+ cup! Mous full breasts and round butt made the beer girl uniform look sexy on her. Looking down at her own A+ cup, Huang Jiajia wrinkled her nose, scanning Mou with jealousy. "I didnt know you had such a nice figure. Why do you wear loose clothes? Its a pity!" Mou Xiaoliu pulled at her tight blouse, murmuring, "These clothes are not for humans! Why do beer girls have to dress like this?" Distracted, Huang Jiajia answered unconsciously, "To increase the sales volume probably. Beer drinkers are mostly male. Actually, evendies would like to buy beer from you." She stretched out her hands unconsciously. Chapter 111: Beer Sales Girls Chapter 111: Beer Sales Girls Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Huang Jiajia felt Mou Xiaolius full breasts with her hands. They were so stic! Huang Jiajias face turned red. Mou Xiaoliu cared about nothing but the mini skirt. Will it cover my butt? Although their thoughts were on a different frequency, their movements were extraordinarily synchronized. The superiors eyes lit up when Mou Xiaoliu returned. Waving his hand, he said, "You, the green hand! Yes, you. Youll be the Budweiser promotion girl at the Dream Bar." One of the other girls objected to his decision. She was obviously a veteran. "I disagree. She is only a neer. How can she be sent to thergest bar? I refuse to ept it!" ncing at her from the corner of his eyes, the superior answered, "I have already given you a chance. Did you forget that you were defeated by the Corona sales girl and came back looking all gloomy?" The girl went back to the group silently. There was fiercepetition everywhere. A part-time beer selling job was a favorite job among college girls. One reason was because the working hours were from 20:00 to 2:00 at night on weekends, so they could have a good rest after making money. The second reason was the high sry. Their basic sry for one night could go up to 80 yuan, plus a 0.5 yuan deduction wage. The job could be a goldmine. Of course, there was fiercepetition among different brands. Sales girls of more than two brands could show up at the same bar at the same time. It was a battlefield without the gunpowder. Mou Xiaoliu had no idea about the reality of the job. Following the superior, she arrived at the reception of the Dream Bar. After saying hello to the waiters, the superior left to attend to his own affairs. Huang Jiajia had the talent to naturally engage with people. She found afortable position on the bar counter and guided Mou Xiaoliu there. "Dont be nervous. You are a beer sales girl, not a goods carrier. You can hold the tray with one hand." "Smile to the customers! They dont owe you money. Imagine that their heads are bills. Thats right!" Her mouth felt parched and her tongue scorched as more and more customers arrived at the Dream Bar. The warm-up singer had already sat at the stage, preparing for the first song of the night. That was when the first round of beer sales began. The Carlsberg and Corona sale girls had already walked out with their trays. Pushing Mou Xiaoliu, Huang JIajia encouraged her, "Hurry up! Remember my advice!" Bracing herself, Mou Xiaoliu took the first step. The unique skills Huang Jiajia had taught her were haunting her brain as she murmured to herself. At the sight of the strangers in the dim hall, she felt frightened. I would rather do physical work at a construction site! Once the arrow was put on the bow though, it had to fly. Mou Xiaoliu was ready to risk everything. She chose a table at random and walked over. The Corona girl got there before her. There were three men sitting at the table. ording to the Corona girls experience, they were colleagues who had just gotten off work. They would have several bottles of beer to rx, and then they would head home. The first round of promotion was the key to sess. The Corona girl presented her tray to them with a sweet smile. Before she could say anything, Mou Xiaoliu walked over, looking at her in anger. She repeated to herself in a low voice, "Lower your head, bend down and smile!" She put the tray on the table with a bang. The table trembled slightly. Before the threepany employees knew what had happened, Mou Xiaoliu was smiling at them like silly. One of the three men, who was obviously the leader of the group, opened his mouth. "Which brand do you have?" Mou Xiaoliu answered nkly, "Budweiser." "Fine, one dozen." Mou Xiaoliu was over the moon. She had made her first deal! She decided to express her appreciation by following Huang Jiajias advice. She bowed forward, dazzling the three young men. What a beautiful picture. The leader was too excited to say anything, but he managed to utter one sentence. "One more dozen! Two dozen in total!" These men are good for nothing! Sitting at the bar counter, Huang Jiajia made the victory sign. In the restless night of the bar, Mou Xiaoliu became the queen of sales. More and more customers waved at Mou, who was standing like silly in front of the bar counter. Some customers treated the singer, and some tipped Mou. Many women also took a liking to her, as her round cheeks and eyes reminded them of a hairy bear. It was a noisy night. What was Qin Guan doing at the time? He had gone to bed early like a good student. His legs were positioned randomly, and the quilt was lying across his stomach. Maybe he was dreaming of something. Smiling and rubbing his face, he turned on his side and continued to sleep. Suddenly, his cell phone rang. Liu Xiaoyang, who was sleeping on the upper bunk, kicked at the bed frame. "Answer the phone!" Qin Guan got up in a daze and went over to the phone by the door. He was the one closest to the phone, so that job naturally fell to him. He couldnt see until he reached the door. It was his cell phone ringing. He returned to his bed and answered it. "Hello, who is it?" Who was calling him thatte at night? An urgent voice was heard from the other end of the line, "Its Huang Jiajia! Its an emergency! Im at the Dream Bar on Sanlitun Street." Qin Guan woke up with a start. "You went out at night again! You troublemaker!" "Its not me! Its Mou Xiaoliu, the bear we met today. She works as a beer sales girl here." "Ah!" The noise of crashing bottles, broken tables and crying people came from the receiver. Qin Guan could hear the chaos. Huang Jiajia shouted excitedly, "Are you sleeping? Just go back to sleep. Its all been settled!" Chapter 112: Changing Situation Chapter 112: Changing Situation Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Before Qin Guan could ask for more information, Huang Jiajia had said goodbye and hung up, leaving him confused. After being awakened by the inexplicable call, Qin Guan couldnt fall asleep again. It waste in the night, and the moonlight poured in through the windows, silent and naughty. It was early autumn, and the insects were flying from their hiding ces, seeking food for themselves. In the chilling autumn night, Qin Guan wanted to light a cigarette, but realized he had quit smoking many years ago. Fine! I cant even pretend to be doing something. I might as well go back to sleep. Huang Jiajia was very excited. On their way home, she talked with Mou Xiaoliu about her heroic actions that night. Nobody would have thought that the tireless young girl was a martial artist. She had lifted the drunk troublemakers and spun them around like wheels. They had beenpletely dumbfounded as theyd fallen down on broken tables and chairs, forming a beautiful picture. The two friends had returned to their respective homes. They had silently founded their own club. ...... Tuesday arrived soon. Standing in the SS Group design studio, Qin Guan was being ordered around by people with lively gestures. The room was very noisy. There were more than 20 models and ten staff members there. The whole designing team of the SS Group was terribly busy. Fang Yanyu handed the featured outfit to Qin Guan, patting him on the shoulder encouragingly before giving Sister Xue the final notice, "Qin Guan will be the main model this time. He will get on the stagest, and hell get on the stage again with me at the end. Hell be wearing the featured outfit of this collection." Then he turned to Qin Guan. "You are only a green hand, but I see a lot of potential in you. I hope you will do well in this important show." Shocked by his words, Qin Guan nodded solemnly and changed into the outfit in the fitting room. Fang Yanyu and his assistant were waiting for him with their equipment. It was the first time they felt the charm of the featured outfit of the fall collection. It was a formal blue-grey suit in a standard two-piece style. The cuff and cor were slightly round, providing the finishing touch of the outfit. The handsome style would be demonstrated well to the audience. The designer had no time to appreciate its beauty though. He began making adjustments to the suit right away, discussing it with his assistant. "The legs are a little baggy, but we can make them tighter." "Shall we make the final adjustments here?" "Yes, the waist should be more slender." "Thats it! Better!" After several changes, Qin Guan put on the outfit again and went out. Everyones eyes lit up. With a better effect, they could expect a sessful show. ...... It was the 50th anniversary of the PRC establishment, so many people had gathered in the capital. Qin Guan was too busy to focus on the festivities though. Following Sister Xue, he entered the backstage area of the SS Group fall collection. All the preparations were finished. The hall was going to open for the audience soon. At the time, fashion show attendance was limited to fashion businessmen, agent representatives and fashion-oriented media. SS Group was not qualified to invite celebrities, but the show was significant for Sister Xue. It was Qin Guans first T show as a main show model, so it would decide whether Qin Guan would earn a ce within that small circle of models and designers. As Qin Guan was sitting in a chair and resting after changing clothes, a group of people entered the backstage area, clustering around two prominent individuals. One of them was a middle-aged man with a grand temperament, and the other was a tall, slim man. As the group walked directly towards Fang Yanyu. Sister Xue cried out in rm in a low voice, "Its Shao Xiaobing!" She had recognized the tall man immediately. Confused, Qin Guan asked her, "Who is Shao Xiaobing?" Sister Xue was exasperated by his ignorance. "I have told you to read fashion magazines in your spare time, but you dont listen to me! How can you have no idea who Shao Xiaobing is?" "He is one of the most famous male models in the country. Although hes only won some silver and copper medals in domestic contests, he has turned out to be one of the best models of our time!" "He is representing two first-level domestic brands, and he has also participated in a T show overseas. His status surpasses even that of several renowned models." "He is called Lucky Star within our circle. It is said that he seldom fails any interview. Its strange that hes here. Is he in the audience? He is not famous enough to attract the attention of the entertainment media though." Sister Xue was making guesses as Fang Yanyu was close to quarrelling with the group. "What are you talking about? We cant change our main show model now! Why? Because I disagree!" The group was led by the boss of the SS Group. He had arrived happily to inform the designer that he had found the perfect model for the main show. He had put together all his resources and public rtions to beg Shao Xiaobing, who had just had some spare time in his schedule, to appear in the show. Thanks to the lure of high payment, Shao had epted the job. Considering that the SS brand was below A level, and he was an A level model with many A level shows under his belt, only money could have convinced his agent. The boss was adamant. I have spent too much money and called in too many favors to get Shao on board. He has to be the model of the main show. Fang Yanyu was quite displeased. For a designer, the main show was the spiritual center of a fashion show. He had also spent too much effort on the selection to have the model he had selected reced just like that. Chapter 113: A Lost Opportunity Chapter 113: A Lost Opportunity Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Shao is definitely more famous than Qin Guan, but... With a disdainful expression, Fang Yanyu scanned the famous model. The lines of his face were too gentle. He had lost too much weight. His body-leg ratio was not perfect. In Fangs eyes, Shao Xiaobing didnt have a single redeeming quality. He couldnt help but request, "Could you walk on the stage? Just take a few steps." Shaos agent wanted to protest. How dare he ask that! Hes contradicting his boss and being picky with my model. I noticed his expression just now! How can he even ask him to walk on the stage? Does he think hes picking chickens in the market? Before he could say anything though, Shao Xiaobing smiled and stopped him, answering calmly, "Okay, shall I walk here?" Fang Yanyu rxed his eyebrows slightly as he waited for his performance. Shao took a starting pose, and his agent pped his hands tacitly. Shao walked to the rhythm. He was pretty good for a rising star, but Fang wasnt impressed. He hesitated before he told the boss firmly, "I insist on my model." The boss waspletely torn. He was about to shout at Fang, when the designer waved at Qin Guan. Qin Guan pointed at himself and looked around. Is he talking to me? He approached the group slowly. Everyone saw a smartly dressed childe walk over. Unconsciously, the boss had the impulse to shake hands with him. The model looked super elite. Fang Yanyu was very satisfied with Qin Guan. He introduced him to everyone, "This is Qin Guan from New Silk Road. What do you think of him, boss?" Shaos agent felt grateful that Shao Xiaobing had started his career a few years earlier. That model is superb! Judging by his looks, few domestic models could surpass him. If Shao had started at the same time as him, it would have been hard to tell who the real lucky star would be. A good point indeed! The models that had started working at the same time as Qin Guan, especially Ouyang Fen, were weeping silently in a corner. Fang Yanyu cared about nothing. He asked Qin Guan to walk before the members of the SS Group. Qin Guan had no idea about the status quo, but he doubted that there would be any changes in the show. He just nodded seriously and tried to do his best. As he took several perfect steps, silence prevailed. Everyone turned their eyes to the boss simultaneously. The boss was also hesitant. For a green hand, the model was perfect. He was almost convinced by the designer, but Shao was still more famous and influential. Shao Xiaoning clenched his fists secretly, but maintained a smile. He murmured something in the ear of his agent. The agent was also hesitant as he murmured, "Its unnecessary... Fine...." The two of them reached a conclusion. The agent squeezed into the crowd and told the boss something in low voice. The mans eyes got brighter, and he finally smiled before turning to Fang Yanyu, "The model you selected is outstanding, but the choice for the main show should be made based on the future development of our group. Shao Xiaobing could promote our brand, so he will be the main show model." He waved his hand to stop Fang Yanyu. "Thats it. Your model can open the show. That way well be making the best of our resources. You should learn to be flexible, young man." Then he told the staff, "Get ready as soon as possible. Time is pressing. I would like to congratte everyone beforehand. Im sure our show will be a sessful one and our products will sell well!" Then the boss left with the group, leaving Fang Yanyu and Qin Guan behind. Shao Xiaobing chuckled before bringing the two guys back to reality. "Shall I change clothes?" he asked Fang in a friendly tone. "Is the suit hes wearing the main show outfit?" Fang Yanyu felt a headache building up and pressed his fingers against his temples to stop it. He waved at his assistant and said, "Ask Ouyang Fen and Li Tianyang toe here." The assistant, who had watched the whole dispute, nodded obediently. Not long after, Ouyang Fen and Li Tianyang arrived. Fang didnt exin everything in detail. He just started making adjustments at once. "Ouyang Fen, you change sequence and clothes with Li Tianyang. Qin Guan, you will open the show instead of Ouyang Fen. Put on Ouyangs outfit and give yours to Shao Xiaobing. Li Tianyang, go find my assistant after changing out of your clothes and follow his instructions." Before the unexpected changes, the young models could do nothing but follow Fangs orders. The sponsors were considered gods. Time was pressing, so they hastened to change clothes. They went into the adjacent fitting rooms and exchanged outfits. Ouyang Fens suit overall fit Qin Guan. Except for its shorter legs, looser waist and narrow shoulders, the ensemble was fine. Whosughing at Ouyangs figure? Ouyang Fen walked out in anger. I went from opening the show to this. I cant walk after Qin Guan. He will cut a dash! He is doomed to be my enemy! Li Tianyang was the unluckiest one among them. The assistant told him that he would be a backstage reserve, but his sry would still be the same. At least he wouldnt have worked in vain. Chapter 114: The First Show Chapter 114: The First Show Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Li Tianyang stared at Ouyang Fen with tears in his eyes. Ouyang knew he was innocent. Its not my fault. Ouyang turned to Qin Guan with a hostile expression. Qin Guan shrugged. Its not my fault either. Qin Guan handed the featured outfit to Shao Xiaobing. Shaos assistant stepped forward and took the clothes before following Shao into the fitting room. (Having an assistant was the difference between a C+ level and an A- level model.) When Shao changed into the outfit and went out, everyone turned their eyes to him except the designer. The legs were a little longer, but that was not a big problem. The shoulders were loose though, as Qin Guans body was a little stranger than Shaos slender figure. What could they do about that? Traditional western-style clothes had thick sponge pads on the shoulders, which had been the leading fashion trend at the time. The most serious problem of the suit was that the mats were drooping on Shaos body. Qin Guans shoulders were broad and thick, while Shaos were quite narrow. The towering mats were hanging from his shoulders as if they were unnecessary. He looked like hed been hit. His drooping shoulders and shrank neck made him look like a doormat. Ouyang Fen tried to suppress hisughter. He was putting so much effort into it that his nostrils had gone wide. Qin Guan didnt find Shao interesting, but he thought Ouyang Fen looked funny. "Hey, be careful! I can see the hair in your nostrils!" He is definitely my arch enemy. And to think I was just thinking offorting the guy! I should never show mercy to someone like him! Shao Xiaobing stood still backstage. Fang Yangyu was too busy working to adjust his outfit. The shirt show had already begun, so he only had about half an hour to finish the details. Among the busy crowd, Shao Xiaobings assistant noticed that Shaos fists were clenched in his sleeves and his lips were closed into a tight smile. The assistant retreated in fear, a chill going down his body. Fang Yanyu exhaled in relief after the final stitch. Everything else was up to Shao. His boss was confident about him, so he should also rely on him. The T shirt show had ended by then, but the host left time for the dealers to think about their orders. All the information about the outfits was in their hands. They could make their decisions ording to the statistics and the samples in the show. The order quantity would be decided by various elements, such as the local poprity of the style. At the end of their files, there were considerate options of the estimated amounts. By then, the dealers who were familiar with each other had already started talking. Once they made a decision, they could just tick one of the options. "SS Group has changed a lot this year. "I dont know whether those changes are beneficial to me. My distributors prefer traditional clothes." "So do mine, but times are changing. Innovation prevails. Without creativity, SS Group will lose its current position." "Dont worry about the future, just consider the status quo. We are all long-term dealers. We can give it a chance by ordering a small amount." "Right. We have a steady market share, and a small amount will be swallowed up in a few days." In other words, they had reached a conclusion. When they looked up again, the host had announced enthusiastically the opening of the formal wear show. Music started ying. Qin Guan encouraged Ouyang Fen, who was following him, "Ill be up on the stage. Dont freeze up when you get on after me." You took the words right out of my mouth! Ouyang Fen almost choked as he gritted his teeth. Qin Guan arranged his outfit onest time and murmured, "The legs are too short." Then he got on the T stage. The bright white lights hit his grey suit, making it shine like silver. His puritan outfit turned seriousness and inflexibility into suppressed sensual passion. It was a bold move by the designer, who was aiming at a younger target group. With a vertical sense and a tight fit, the traditional western-style clothes looked casual. The opening show model attracted the audiences attention. When Qin Guan reached the first half of the stage, Ouyang Fen stepped onto the stage as well. The grey and ck contrast was particrly clear on the white T stage. The audience was still fixed on Qin Guan as the rest of the models got on the stage one by one. At the most significant part of the T stage, Qin Guan struck a pose, supporting his legs and promoting the atmosphere to the fullest. Inside the dim hall, peoples eyes looked like shining bulbs. Heated discussions broke out as Qin Guan returned backstage. "What handsome outfits! Ill ce an order!" the dealersmented with feeling. Chapter 115: A Strong Look is Power Chapter 115: A Strong Look is Power Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Maybe it just looks good on the model. It might look unttering on a customers figure." That dealer was the intellectual type. "As long as the customers like it, itll be okay. That suit could attract attention even on a stic mannequin. Customers will enter the shops." That dealer was the realistic type. "Wow! He is definitely a green hand. Hes so handsome! God! He is like a shelf for clothes. Ill order the maximum amount to give it a try." Is that what you call a try? The female dealer was the hyperbolic type. The rest of the dealers were speechless. We shouldnt be influenced by such a model. Yet they spontaneously ticked therger amount rather than their previous estimation. Depending on his typical outfit (picture something superheroes wore in movies), Ouyang Fen took advantage of Qin Guans leading position and got favorablements from the dealers as well. Integrity promoted sales. Fang Yanyu was half-rxed when Qin Guan returned backstage. It had been a perfect opening. Models came and went one by one as sweat ran on Fangs palms. The perfect end would depend on the final model. He cast a nce at Shao Xiaobing, who smiled back confidently and politely. The model got on the stage as the timer backstage started to count down. "Attention! Five, four, three, two, one, up! " Shao Xiaobing got on the stage with the count. The lights made his eyes a little ufortable. He smiled smartly as he got up, his slender waist swaying to the rhythm. He seemed to be walking on a cloud. He was as light as a feather. Everyone in the audience fixed their eyes on him until he disappeared backstage. Before they could decide on a suitable adjective for him, the designer had gotten on the stage, holding the hand of the main show model. The other models got on the stage one by one, clustering behind the designer and leaving the shiniest part of the stage to the backroom hero. All the attending dealers and media representatives apuded, signalling the end of the fall collection show of the SS Group. Journalists went to interview the designers, and the dealers stayed behind to discuss their affairs with the SS Group. One of them breached the topic first, "What did you think of the final outfit?" "Huh? Do you mean the first one? We have already discussed it." The other dealer sounded doubtful. "Are you a green hand? The featured outfit is the final one. The final model is the main show model." "Yes, he should be. I know him. Hes Shao Xiaobing, a rising Vogue model." Those dealers were veterans. "It was a traditional suit with creative details. It should do well in the market." "But why was there something off about it? It was a little light. It should have given off a sense of capability and experience." "Yes, it was too loose on him. Most people could wear that suit." "Yes, thats why it seemed strange. It might be popr though." They had not reached a decision after their discussion. Their pencils were still hovering above the options. Backstage, all the models were waiting in line outside the fitting rooms. The first one to use the room had to be the most famous model. In this particr show, it was Shao Xiaobing. When he came out, he smiled at the waiting models. "You worked really hard, everyone. I hope Ill get the chance to coborate with you again." The other models were d. Their senior was a kind person. He was polite to them, even though they were mere nobodies. They all replied, "You are wee, Brother Shao. Its us who troubled you." "Yes, thats right." Shao waved to their sincere smiling faces and left. He might have gone away, but his charm was still lingering around. He had made an extremely good impression on everyone. Time and again, they all shared with each other the pleasure of being appreciated by a senior model. Qin Guan felt a little strange, but Ouyang Fen was expressionless. He should have been as proud as a peacock, but Ouyang Fen was not a silly guy. He knew what Qin Guan was thinking about, and he was hesitant to express his feelings. "I know why youreughing at me. Shao is a gentleman, but Im too scared to get close to him." Then he shivered. "Its strange, but I cant make it any clearer." What an acute animal-like intuition! Sister Xues eyebrows shot up. Shao seems like the perfect man. If he wasnt kind, he would have been an evil person. Qin Guan is clever. Ill take care of him. Ouyang Fen felt a little shy as he shared his innermost thoughts and feelings with Qin Guan. By that time, Qin Guan had pulled his pants up to his thighs and entered the fitting room. "Finally, its my turn. Whose suit is this? The legs are too short, and the bottom is t. Plus, the pants are too small for me. My balls hurt, and people can see my underwear!" He wrenched his body around several times. The boat of friendship was turned over as blue veins popped on Ouyangs forehead. I shouldnt be soft-hearted with Qin Guan! Hell be my arch enemy for life! Everyone was finished, and the noisy backstage area grew quiet again. All the scattered equipment was arranged in order, and the dealers handed their preliminary orders to the assistant. Fang Yanyu read the first orders and frowned at the difference between the opening and the main show. As he touched the tired sockets between his fingers, he let out a long heavy sigh. Those were some unexpected statistics. The main show had had only half the order quantity of the opening show. He had been prepared for the trial of the opening show orders, but the stakes had been ced on the main show. This result was uneptable to him. Chapter 116: Unreasonable Hostility Chapter 116: Unreasonable Hostility Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The designer thought he had an undeniable responsibility, so he would be the scapegoat in the future. He simply sent the orders and the DV of the show directly to the boss. In less than five minutes, all the rtive material was on the boss desk. Nobody knew if the boss would be satisfied with the result. Shao Xiaobings agent received a call from the boss of the SS Group as he was heading back into town in his business car. When he hung up, the expression on his face did not promise any good news. "Who was that?" Shao Xiaobing raised his head from the backseat, but kept his eyes closed. Thinking it over, his agent replied carefully, "The boss of the SS Group." Shao sat up slightly and asked calmly, "Whats the matter?" His agent made an ambiguous statement, "He was not very satisfied with the first group of orders. He said that we yed him, and without our promise of payment reduction and sharing part of our promoting resources, he wouldnt have changed the main show model at such short notice. That unworthy..." He lowered his voice, as he was aware that Shao had grown extremely quiet. Silence prevailed in the car as the assistant held tight to the steering wheel with trembling hands. "Bang! Bang!" The assistants seat was hit vigorously. The wheel shook from the sudden attack as the car nearly jumped out of the road. When the assistant took control of the car again, still suffering from the shock, he heard Shaos gentle voice, "You are so careless! My agent will decide your punishment. One more time, and youll get fired." Depressed and confused, the assistant continued to drive without a word. Who kicked my seat from behind? It was lucky we were in the suburbs. If we had been on the highway, we would have all died! Now I know that youre not just an insidious, two-faced person, but also a mad man! I cant stand you anymore! (Not long after, the assistant handed in his resignation.) Watching the scenery retreat at high speed outside the car window, Shao told his agent, "As far as I remember, the original main show model was a green hand. Was his name Qin Guan?" His agent swallowed his saliva. "Yes, Qin Guan. A neer from New Silk Road. He has won the national New Face Model Competition." Shao smiled as he murmured, "I like to make friends with winners. Check what publicity he has had recently." His agent nodded unconsciously and let out a relieved breath. Not too bad. He just asked about his publicity. Nothing important. Soon, he found the information from an old friend. "Hes done an inside spread for a magazine and he has an ad background." Shao closed his eyes and leaned back against the seat again, whispering, "A green hand with minimal publicity..." The colorful neon lights left spots as they flickered across his face and disappeared in the dark. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was feeling very happy. Sister Xue had arranged a big surprise. Xie Feng had attended the show as a new prominent designer. He had watched the whole show as a special guest and wanted to contact the winner he had picked himself. He was going to hold a solo exhibition in Mn for the first time. Surely, with his simple qualifications and experience, Qin Guan couldnt convince him that he was suitable for an international level T stage. However, Xie would also hold a small-scale show in China before that, and he wanted to invite Qin Guan. ording to his observation, Qin Guan was qualified enough for the show. Sister Xue was extremely excited about the news. Qin Guan had won the trust of a top domestic designer. With his help, a little-known model could be popr easily. Ouyang Fen was jealous of his opportunity, which confused Qin Guan. Ouyang prayed to the gods every day. Howe Im the one the gods favor? Extreme joy could beget sorrow though. Several dayster, Sister Xue was hit again by more news. Ni Dalei called her and said, "Im sorry, Xue. The editor of the magazine just called me to say that the interview would be cancelled. The chief editor found a more influential model for the inner pages." "But they had several models make that poster together! Why did they cancel so suddenly? And its not a famous magazine! How can they invite an influential model?" Ni Dalei was also sorry about the temporary cancetion, but he couldnt do anything about it. After chatting with her for a while, he hung up. Soon, his phone rang again. "This is New Silk Road. Yes, are you the new director? I know you. Do you want background on a model? Yes, he can interview this weekend. What? You have found the right model among the background models? Well, that wont influence the interview. You still want a background model, right? What? You have enough background models? What a pity!" Ni sighed and hung up again. What was happening? Cancetion calls came one after the other. The reason was not the model himself, but various inexplicable excuses. Qin Guan was passed up without even a chance to interview. What an unlucky guy! In the meantime, Shao Xiaobings agent was also answering phone calls. "Thank you so much, editor! Of course, Shao will arrive on time. Its you whos giving us an opportunity! Its nothing. We can enjoy a mutual promotion and step forward together." Chapter 117: Hypocrite Chapter 117: Hypocrite Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Shaos agent hung up in embarrassment before reminding Shao Xiaobing, "You epted both jobs. Why are you so worried over a green hand? Those are ordinary jobs with a low sry." Shao poured a cup of tea for himself, watching the tea leaves spinning along with the water. He lifted the cup and took a sip. "Foolhardy and silly men beat their enemies to the ground. The best way is to leave no opportunity to your opponent. Without any exposure to the public, he will be no enemy. Hell just be standing on an empty battlefield." His agent was notforted. "Can you make time in your schedule for the two extra jobs?" Shao held the tea leaves in his mouth before spitting them into the dustbin. "Rubbish will always be rubbish. I can get an idea about his level by those two jobs. Actually, he is not a real enemy, just an annoying fly. Such low-level jobs can be finished in one hour. Dont worry about it. Just keep your eyes on New Silk Roadsmercial promotion. We cant miss anything!" The agent wiped the sweat off his forehead. I have to find a new assistant for him. I cant stand being alone with him. Sister Xue looked as sas as if her parents had died. Ni had called her again to notify her that Qin Guan had lost another interview. Is it true then that misfortunes nevere alone? This meant that Qin Guan would be idling until Xie Fengs show, and she, the aggressive Sister Xue, would have to live on a leftover jar of fermented bean curd. I shouldnt just sit and wait. Im the famous leader of agents for untrained models. What should I do now? Of course! Beg mercy from celebrities! Not long after, a sobbing Sister Xue got instructions from Professor Li. In order to be in a better condition for Xie Fengs show, Qin Guan would have to switch his focus to T stage-rted jobs. This was easier said than done. The domestic demand for models was limited, and there were not that many high-quality T shows for Qin Guan to choose from. Fine, well just develop along the way! Qin Guan had no time to pay attention to the cancelled interviews and Sister Xues ns. He was too busyforting his friend and his girlfriend. Liu Xiaoyang was sad about the death of Chambein, the basketball star, while Cong Nianwei was grieving over the death of Nathalie Sarraute, her favorite French author. Many celebrities had passed away that year. Qin Guan knew Chambein, but without Cong Nianwei, he wouldnt have known who the hell Nathalie Sarraute was. He had to start reading more books. Lovers withoutmon interests did notst long. It was simpler tofort Liu Xiaoyang. A college-wide basketball game was enough. The honorable, arduous task had naturally fallen to Ye Dong. Ye Dong had appreciated the constructive suggestion. The united club activities of the year would be starting soon. A basketball league game for sophomores in memory of Chambein would have a significant meaning. Ye Dong knew that the other members of the Student Union would respect him for the idea and the Secretariat of Public Affairs would salute him. He agreed without hesitation, thus winning Lius deep trust and friendship. The only problem was Cong Nianwei. Qin Guan had asked Sister Xue for help, but she had been annoyed because this had nothing to do with work. What? Are you showing off your monogamous rtionship now? Sister Xue felt betrayed by Professor Li, who was also interested in Nathalie Sarraute. She had studied in France, and there was a collection of Nathalie Sarrautes original editions on her bookcase. Qin Guan expressed his and his girlfriends emotions about the author. Unexpectedly, Professor Li gave all her Nathalie Sarraute books to Qin Guan as a gift. Qin Guan had been promoted from a student to a close friend in her mind. Sister Xue was about to copse with envy. Im her student too. Its unfair! A few dayster, Cong Nianwei received a package with the card "Best wishes to my dearest girlfriend. May you be happy forever." Surrounded by her excited roommates, Cong Nianwei opened the package to find two elegant original-edition books in French. With tears in her eyes, Cong Nianwei caressed the authors name on the cover. All the girls were moved by Qin Guans gesture, but Cong Nianwei was cursing him silently. I dont speak French. The English edition would have been better. Considering Cong Nianweis admiration of the author, this was like forcing her to learn French. Many yearster, when Cong Nianwei would deliver a speech on stage, she would mention Qin Guans help and how he had made her study more and more. He was a good Chinese man and a considerate boyfriend. Qin Guan couldnt make out her words on the phone. He would be attending the united club activities and represent the sophomores as a mascot. On the day before the opening, the Student Union finished decorating the paths in the garden. Between the square fences, all the clubs had arranged their own elegant posters and exhibitions. Chapter 118: Focusing on College Chapter 118: Focusing on College Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Sports clubs would attract the freshmens attention by wearing sportswear, and culture, photography and chess clubs would show off their colorful aplishments. Workshop clubs would attract students with DIY activities, and magician clubs were not nervous, as their exaggerated cartoon posters and game curtains would stand out in a crowd. Night fell. Ye Dong hung up thest colorfulmps, thuspleting the two-day event preparations. The next morning, as dew fell from slightly yellow leaves, the campus got more and more crowded. Posters had been arranged along the paths and the roads, and signs had been ced on the turns. Freshmen, as well as older students and teachers, hade to join in the fun of the leisurely weekend. One could find the mascot at the main entrance. Qin Guan was distributing colorful balloons to students and teachers. The boys might have been ashamed by his childish presence, but they were satisfied by his warm, shining smile. Not long after, the cleverest one among them spoke. "Is the mascot a sophomore?" "Yes." "All the freshmen will go through the entrance, right?" "Yes." "When the girls see him, will they consider him the standard for a boyfriend?" "Oh, no!" The boys stood there with balloons in their hands and tears on their faces. Some staff from various clubs tried to encourage them, "Dont worry. There will be some clubs willing to ept you." Do we look like hopeless losers? Students clustered around Qin Guan. Many girls hovered around him with their balloons, trying to find excuses to stay by the entrance. "Dont push me! Ill fall!" The girl pretended to fall and leaned against Qin Guan. Taking advantage of the chaos, the girls tried to touch him. Qin Guan realized that disaster was imminent and handed the balloons to a boy beside him, covering his head and escaping through a gap in the crowd. When he fixed his wrinkled sweater in the thickets, he saw the crowd form a circle. In the middle of it was the scapegoat, Li Jie. Li was interested in soft girls, not vigorous ones. He was hurt by the girls words. "Who is this? Where is the handsome senior?" "No idea! Its like he changed magically." "Tough luck! Lets go to the club. This is so annoying!" They even rolled their eyes at poor Li Jie before leaving. When the chaos was over, Qin Guan ran up to Li Jie and asked him to distribute the balloons in his ce. He was too afraid of causing a traffic jam again. Ye Dong waved at Qin Guan, who was hiding and watching themotion, and gave him the Mu Lejiang Camping Club leaflets. Qin Guan understood immediately. He couldnt serve the public, but he could at least help out his friends. After taking several turns, he found Mus camping club. Compared to the football and basketball clubs, it was a small club. A few tough-looking men were squatting in a deserted tent, looking like beggars. The tent was so shabby that it looked like a shed for barbarians. Qin Guan was left speechless by their taste. "Is this the extent of your promotion skills? Couldnt you take pictures of the ces youve travelled to?" he tried to suggest. "Try to find the most beautiful sceneries. Better get some wild animals too. Camping doesnt equal sleeping to you, does it?" They were all enlightened. They were good at surviving natural disasters, but bad at advertising. As the poor guys stared at him, Qin Guan helped them attract freshmen. He rolled his sleeves up energetically and pulled Mu Lejiang away to hand out leaflets. "Hello, this is information about our club." The boy already had a pile of leaflets in his hands that could be worth 0.2 yuan at a remation depot. He felt dizzy by the number of clubs and trembled when the senior approached him. He had a shining smile and gentle hands; the club had to be a good one. After Qin Guan left, the boy came to himself and read the material. It was a simple introduction titled, "The Camping Club wees travel lovers!" What a simple leaflet! Ill go, that senior convinced me. Not long after Qin Guan had left, the members of the camping club weed their new members. Chapter 119: Never Played Basketball Chapter 119: Never yed Basketball Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Is this a camping club? What do you engage in?" "Can people actually sleep in tents?" Students came to ask different questions in an endless stream. There were more and more girls as time passed. "Does that upperssman belong to your club?" "No? Does his roommate? Or is he a member of another club? Hes not?" "Would it be right to betray Qin Guan?" They all nodded. The brothers wereplete traitors. They had been under no pressure to do that. After Qin Guan had distributed all the leaflets, he washed in the bathroom and took a leisurely walk. He found Liu Xiaoyang in the cafeteria in a ck cotton waistcoat and sports pants. There would be a grand event in the afternoon in memory of Chambein. It was the basketball league cup for the 1998 ss. He had to encourage his friends before such an important game. Normally, Lius 1.72 meter height would have been a joke, but as a straight-A student, he was dreaming of ying for his department in the game. His ssmates had discouraged him with sincere words, "You would have been the best choice for an academicpetition, but a basketball game requires height and skill. We can do it, but its beyond your reach." Liu Xiaoyang wouldnt back down though. He was a real soldier. If youre this short-sighted, then Ill find other friends. He insisted on participating in the boy team of the ounting Department. Most of the yers were idiots who couldnt form a basketball team. Qin Guan was one of those idiots, of course. As a "professional" basketball yer, Liu Xiaoyang was quite doubted. Judging by Qin Guans physical condition, he showed great potential for that game. Qin Guan felt wronged though. He had originally been a fat, short man, who had never participated in such a high-end game in either of his lives. Liu Xiaoyang would still fight for the ounting Department though. The cooks at the cafeteria had piled up baskets of steamed buns as high as the windows. The rice was cut into small pieces, and there was free soup with tomato, egg and cucumber. The smell of the food reminded everyone that it was dinner time. The crowd gradually dispersed, the lively gatheringing to an end. The members of the various clubs were happy to arrange their own exhibition areas and enjoy a meal after work. Qin Guan left in advance to reserve seats for his roommates. If he did not have to ignore the girls who frequently came up to him and asked for the spare seats, the duty would have been considered easy. With a high fighting will, Liu Xiaoyang finished lunch as soon as possible. He was equipped with professional sportswear, including Nike basketball clothes, a headband, a cuff, kneecaps and fingerstalls. Someone was showing off in the cafeteria, huh? There was only one honest guy in the dormitory, and that was Wang Lei. He pushed up his sses and told Liu, "Shorts are the best clothes for ying basketball. Sweatpants may not be right." They all fixed their eyes on Lius pants, which had a printed "Seven" logo on them. They were actually shorts, but they were too long. Everybody burst intoughter. The shorts looked like pants on Lius body. Liu was quite angry with his height. After lunch, they apanied Liu to warm up in the basketball court and prepare for the game in the afternoon. There were already several students there, and Liu attracted everyones attention. Nobody had equipment asplete as his. The guy was not a yer, but an actor. As Liu walked leisurely into the court with a ball, everyone was staring at him. The more onlookers there were, the more excited Liu grew. He swung his hair back, put the ball under the basket, and showed off to his roommates with his knowledge. "Warming up is the first step to any sport. Look at me, Im a professional yer." He performed a set of smooth standard movements. The onlookers nodded unconsciously. He seemed like an NBA yer. Liu Xiaoyang grew more excited at their approval. He began running around the court, tiny beads of sweats forming on his face after several rounds. Li Jie handed him a bottle of mineral water. I could learn something from Liu to attract girls! The most difficult part came when Liu returned. He was nning on shocking the audience with his ball skills. Everyone held their breath as he began to dribble proficiently, intending to y a trick. His legs moved at high speed, the ball going back and forth between his open calves. Suddenly, he changed the position of his legs and the ball ended up hanging from his loose pants. It bounced twice before finally falling on the ground and rolling away. "Ha ha! What the hell was that? You scared us!" "I have a weak eyesight. I think I just saw the god of basketball!" Chapter 120: Mighty Liu Xiaoyang Chapter 120: Mighty Liu Xiaoyang Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Wang Hao, who had just entered the court, had watched the whole scene. He was a PE student with an economic management specialty. He was 196 centimeters tall, and he yed basketball. His favorite hobby was chasing girls by showing off his sports skill. Therefore, he couldnt stand that there was someone in the court wearing more fashionable clothes than him. Although Liu was younger, shorter and uglier than him, he couldnt look down on him when it came to luxurious equipment. I have to teach him a lesson! Ill beat him to the ground! Wang Hao was surrounded by sport-loving girls. Actually, football and basketball female fans were quite different. Girls stood by the basketball court shouting "Youre so handsome!", but football yers were weed by disdainful eye expressions and their girlfriends yelling "Your feet are stinky! Take a bath or youre noting home!" (How could they take a bath without going home though? It was unfair treatment.) With the ball under his arms and his hands in his pockets, Wang Hao walked up to Liu Xiaoyang, swaying from side to side. "Child, basketball shouldnt be yed like that," he told Liu in a friendly tone. His voice had barely faded away when his fans startedughing softly. Wang Hao took two steps back and began to imitate Lius actions. He even stuck his tongue out like the famous Michael Jordan. His act produced noise and excitement from the onlookers. With a jerk, Wang Hao leaped high and made a nice shot towards the basket. The ball touched the edge of the basket gently before falling through the. Qin Guan was watching his movements keenly, the muscles of his body adjusting slightly. He was taking advantage of this chance to learn. After the shot, Wang Hao showed off with a series of running, jumping and shooting moves, which were natural and smooth from beginning to end. Even the boys off-site apuded unconsciously. The onlookers had gathered around. Wang Hao made an energetic m dunk proudly, attracting apuse again. Then he rolled the ball on his finger tip, suddenly throwing it back to Liu Xiaoyang. At the time, Liu was lost in thought. The ball was about to hit his forehead, when a hand stretched out from the left and caught it. Liu came to his senses. As cold sweat ran all over his body, he looked at Qin Guan gratefully and thanked him in a low voice. Qin Guan pulled Liu outside the court and whispered to him, "Change pants. I believe in you! Youre the best yer of the ounting Department! Cheers!" Moved by his words, Liu nodded and ran quickly back to their dormitory to change his shorts. The members of the Student Union hung up a banner across the court in memory of Chambein and thepetition began. Students jammed around the court, encouraging their own yers and watching themotion. In the first match, the ounting Department yed against the Economic Management Department. The five short, thin yers of Qin Guans department were poorpared to their strong, tall opponents. Qin Guan looked at Wang Lei in surprise. "Will you y?" "Im a reserve," Wang Lei answered calmly. His part-time job had made Qin Guan a myth in the ounting Department. The monitor of his ss dared not ask him to y for fear of getting rejected. The judge blew his whistle, and the yers of the two teams leaped for the ball. It was wonderful! The center yer of the Economic Management Department pushed the ball toward his team. The tall boys ran towards the basket. Before their opponents could reach them, they scored. The score was 0:2. Liu Xiaoyang got the ball and encouraged everyone calmly, "Dont worry, well get it back!" Then he started moving. Without the long pants, the smart boy showed his true ability. He slipped under the arms of the opponents defense and took a shot. Qin Guan and Wang Lei shouted, "Bravo!" That was when the girls in the court noticed Qin Guan. "Is that Qin Guan?" "Where is he? Where is he? Oh, I saw him!" "I think thats him. He is not in sportswear though." "Thats a pity. Maybe hes not good at basketball. Nobodys perfect!" They were still talking when Liu Xiaoyang scored again. Although his opponents were superior, the score difference remained the same. With his smart movements, Liu Xiaoyang managed to control the situation. Wang Hao asked for a time-out, and the yers gathered around to talk. "That guy is really annoying! They wont beat us, but he will be a pain." "Yes, it will influence the following games." "In the next game, our opponent will be the Financial Department. Its hard to say who will win." "Shall we y dirty to finish the game as soon as possible?" "Yes, Im in!" The sports rogues reached a decision fast. The game began again. At first, Liu Xiaoyang was on the defense, but the point guard took the ball and passed it to him. The big yer behind Liu took this chance to push him with his body. Chapter 121: Using Temporary Knowledge Chapter 121: Using Temporary Knowledge Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Liu Xiaoyang failed to catch the ball. Instead, he fell forward and his face hit the ground. Bang! The audience stood up at the sound. It was painful to watch. Lius team members ran over to him and supported him with their hands. The referee blew his whistle, "No. 6, personal foul!" " Despite the dirt on his face, Liu Xiaoyang looked good. Before anyone could rx though, two streams of blood flowed down from his nostrils. "Did I catch a cold? I have a runny nose," Liu told Qin Guan dizzily. Qin Guan was both angry and amused. "Have a rest. Wang Lei will take your ce," he told Liu. "You have a nosebleed. You should go to the dispensary." Liu Xiaoyang frowned as he was supported off the court. A cold sh lightened Wang Leis eyes. He took off his sses, swung his arms around several times, and got on the basketball court. The whistle was blown again. Liu Xiaoyang tried to stop the blood temporarily and stayed there. He decided to watch the game until the end. Great! Wang Lei from the ounting Department has the basketball. What will he do? He shoots directly. Good! Standard posture. The ball is flying. The defense of the other team fails to stop him. Then? Then nothing. The ball missed the basket. Wang Lei passed the ball to the other team; he couldnt get it to his teammates. Wang Lei gestured to the referee. He wanted to put his sses on again, but his friends tried to stop him from ying. The opponents are ying dirty, it would be too dangerous for him. There was only one choice left. Everyone turned their eyes to Qin Guan. "Can you y basketball, Qin Guan?" "It doesnt matter. At least you can try. We cant lose face in front of our opponents." "Thats right!" "We believe in you!" Several team members were talking to him. "Have you yed basketball before?" "Only in PE ss." Qin Guan tried to recall the actions of the yers. "Okay, you can just pass the ball to the others." They asked the referee for a substitution. Qin Guan began to take off his clothes, when the audience, including the students around the other courts, started gathering around and shouting, "You are so handsome, Qin Guan!" "Cheers!" Nobody could keep theirposure before such a beauty in a fitting waistcoat and sport shorts. Qin Guan didnt care. He just picked up the ball, supporting it with a single hand as he struck a sexy pose. All his opponents were speechless. He was like a mass destruction weapon. The dream guy of all the girls and some of the boys wasing. "F*ck! Who said that he wouldnt y?" "Who knows? We have to brace ourselves." "Shall we y dirty?" "Are you mad? Do you want to be beaten to death? Or do you want the girls to hate you? You can try, but youll never get a girlfriend in your life." They had lost even before the game had begun. Qin Guan recalled Wang Haos moves and mimicked what he had seen. He sprinted to the opponents side and jumped high with the ball in one hand. The audience was silent as he flew high in the sky. Bang! The ball hit the edge of the basket and flew away. His opponents burst intoughter. Wang Hao wiped his cold sweat away. Just when he thought he would lose his title as the basketball prince... Qin Guan was just a show off after all. Falling down on the floor, Qin Guan looked at his palms in confusion. Its strange. Memory and muscle reaction are the same. Why did I fail? Qin Guan was still confused, when suddenly Wang Hao came over and pushed him provokingly with his chest. He had forgotten to take the 10-centimeter height difference into ount though. The girls felt disappointed and sorry for Qin Guan. He is still numb from the failure, and that hateful Wang Hao is trying to provoke him. What a despicable guy! Several of Wangs fans had to hide, as it was too dangerous to arouse the anger of the masses. Qin Guan gestured at Liu Xiaoyang and Wang Lei to reassure them. His action made the girls scream again. It was a foul to promote oneself! Wang Lei nned to teach Qin Guan a lesson. The so-called star of the 1998 ss would learn. After several rounds, Qin Guan was familiar with the rules and the basic movements and shooting techniques that matched his height. By then, the point guard had passed him the ball, and he tried to shoot again. rmed, Wang Hao shouted, "Stop dreaming! Im here!" He leapt up and stretched his hands around Qin Guan while his body tried to collide with his. Qin Guan smirked. Youre the one whos dreaming. Professor Lis tough training had yed an important role. Using the strength in his waist muscles, Qin Guan turned his body 270 degrees before they collided. He avoided Wang Hao and stretched his arm out to throw the ball into the basket. Chapter 122: Youth Without Tears Chapter 122: Youth Without Tears Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The hearts of the audience beat violently as the sound of deep breaths turned into deafening cheers. "Qin Guan! Look at me!" "Can I be your girlfriend?" The sharp change of the situation had turned two of Wang Haos fans into traitors. Qin Guan had turned out to be even more shining and handsome than Wang. When they stood still, Qin Guan came over and and pushed Wang Hao to provoke him. The referee nced at Qin Guan in warning, and he bent his head down and walked away. The situation was very clear. Thest 10 minutes were Guans solo show, even though they lost with a small score difference of 48-52. It was a team sport, so nobody could defeat five yers unless they had superpowers. Maybe in the future Qin Guan would be able to steal the skills of NBA yers, but that day on campus he could only sight at the final score. It was not too bad though, considering their opponents had used their full force. The Finance Department wanted to weep when they thought of their next powerful opponent. Qin Guan had been the real winner of that game. He had won the girls hearts and the love of his ssmates. He was a guy who seldom engaged in team activities, so that game had increased his poprity. He had blended in with everyone else fast. Thementator believed that Qin Guan would be the MVP of the game. From that day on, Qin Guan was considered the basketball prince, a living legend for countless young boys who were deeply in love but unable to pursue their passion. At dawn, they supported a groggy Liu Xiaoyang and hugged Qin Guan, who was stinky with sweat, before going back to their familiar dormitory. The flying time of youth always left unforgettable marks in ones life. It was time to stop dwelling on emotions and get down to the serious problems of reality though. Qin Guan idled around for several weeks, just chatting with his roommates and sleeping. Under the pressure of Shao Xiaobing, Sister Xue couldnt find any good jobs for him. Qin Guan felt extremely embarrassment to be working at a marketce. At least it was crowded there on the weekends, but why did Sister Xue have to choose such a nearby market? It was only a couple of kilometres away from Qin Guans college. Why did she choose Shuangan za, and not Modern za? Modern za? Yes, thats the ce where Qin Guan had treated Cong Nianwei. Now you have an idea about the distance. There was only one road between the two zas. They could bepared to two friends, except that one of them was frequented by handsome customers, and the other by people in their underpants and waistcoats. In 1999, the old Shuangan za was very poor. It might look magnificent now, but people still remember how bad it used to look in the past. The woollen sweater wholesale was a favorite of the housewives, in civilians and students. Qin Guan appeared before the audience. There was an underwear show right beside his stage. Thank god Sister Xue hadnt picked that job for him. When Qin Guan walked out, the hall was already crowded. It was the first time he would be performing before such a big audience. T shows were considered fangle at the time. Everyone wanted to see one personally though, as they could usually only be watched on TV. As the most important model (he had won a national contest after all), the branding business attached great importance to Qin Guan. The mens casual formalwear MTS sale at the Shuangan za was always mediocre. The boss was not satisfied with the situation, so he had organized that show to promote sales. His assistant had arranged an unexpected surprise for him. He had booked a national new model contest winner. The level of the show was elevated at once. Qin Guan enjoyed the treatment of a superstar in the temporarily constructed chamber. "Have some water, please." A bottle of mineral water was handed to him. "The show will begin soon. Dont drink too much." "Sit down, please!" There was little room backstage and there were other modes were standing there, waiting for the opening. Qin Guan shook his head. "Theres not point. The show will begin in a few minutes." The assistant was shocked by his humbleness. By then, the host had began his introduction. The underwear models got on the stage first. An old woman fixed her eyes on the models with a hateful expression. "They corrupt public morals! The police should arrest them! That girl is showing her bare legs!" Why are you watching the show andmenting so enthusiastically then? The prospects of MTS looked dim. The audience wouldnt be interested in models wearing clothes after appreciating the ones without clothes. The boss looked at Sister Xue pitifully. After talking shortly, they decided to assign Qin Guan one more job. He would have to get on the stage twice. The first andst appearance would both be his, but he would have to take his coat off during the opening show. He didnt realize their intention until he took it off. The shirt was fitting, smooth and a little bit short. His V-line abs were partly hidden and partly visible under it. It was a sexy seduction. This was foul y! Qin Guan saw Sister Xue show him three fingers and turn her hand. He understood instantly and did as he was told. (Ha, ha, ha! Did you you get it? He was getting paid triple!) Qin Guan took off his coat and tore the cor open to show off his elegant corbone. When the underwear models got off the stage and the host began to introduce the formalwear show, the audience lost their interest. Chapter 123: A Charming Prince Chapter 123: A Charming Prince Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia A man who had just had meat would not be interested in celery. The audience wasnt in the right mood to enjoy the show, but they didnt leave right away as they expected to be amused. When Qin Guan got on the stage, there was amotion all over the hall. A group of students who had gone shopping at the za, some of whom were from the same college as Qin Guan, had spotted their schoolmate. "Are you familiar with that model?" "Which one? Let me see. Wow! Is that Qin Guan? The most handsome sophomore?" "Which one? Oh! Nice figure!" Screams were heard. Led by the girls from Qin Guans college, the group of students squeezed into the crowd curiously. The crowd of old men and women was attacked by the strong girls. Everyone was shouting and crying out. "Hey, stop pushing me, you nasty girl!" "Hey, I want to watch! Dont push me away!" "Why there is a duck here?" Yes, there was a staggering little duck looking at the stage. By that time, Qin Guan was at the center of the T stage. He struck a pose, caressing his chest and lifting his clothes, arousing screams from the crowd. "Qin Guan! Look here!" Everyone in the hall knew his name. Gold always shone, and Qin Guan had made a difference after the underwear show. The difference was like that between a students painting and an original Picasso, the same as a green hands handwriting and a calligraphers work, just like an authors diary and a literary masterpiece... The boss backstage was smiling at the contrast in satisfaction. The customers had chosen to stay for Qin Guan and enjoy the fashion feast in the slightly cold za. Of course, theyd have to put up with some ordinary models like the underwear models, but Qin Guan would perform again at the end. The girls had clustered around the little duck to get a good position by the stage. Actually, the little duck was Mou Xiaoliu. The other girls had gathered around her because she had been calling Qin Guans name and had created a spare space with her strong body. When Mou took off the head piece of her duck costume, her senior sisters gave her the thumbs up. How powerful their college was! Qin Guans fan club had been formed by ident. When Qin Guan got on the stage atst, he saw Mou Xiaoliu. There were girls surrounding her, not only from his college, but also from other universities. With a ck coat on his shoulders, Qin Guan waved at the duck casually, causing crazy screaming. Some people got the impression that MTS had spent too much on promotion. They chose to go around the discount area, where the products were high-end but reasonably priced. The boss couldnt close his mouth, even after Qin Guan had left. The tripled payment had been worthwhile and would be covered by the sales volume in only one hour. Before leaving, Qin Guan expressed his appreciation to Mou Xiaoliu and the other girls. His fan club would extend to all universities within a five-kilometer radius from then on. The duck waved its wings and saw Qin Guan off reluctantly. In Sister Xues car, Qin Guan rolled around in the backseatughing. Im rich! What a good job! Triple payment! ording tomon practices, considering that Qin Guan had won apetition, his payment should have been at least 2,000 yuan. However, Qin Guan had no resources from New Silk Road, and Professor Li limited the scope of his job opportunities. Thanks to Qin Guans title though, the boss had reluctantly paid him 1,500 yuan. Then the situation had changed, and he had been paid 4,500 yuan! Sister Xue exhaled in relief. I will not live on cold water and dry bread next month! Qin Guan hadnt been aware of the hardships low-level models faced until he performed in his second outdoor show. Of course, hed had good luck until then. Qin Guan didnt feel strange about his status, but Sister Xue sensed that something was wrong. ording to her experience, with apetition title and an affiliation with New Silk Road, Qin Guan should have been attracting attention from various advertising firms, magazines and representative agents. Even Ouyang Fen had plenty of offers, yet Qin Guan always lost jobs. He couldnt even get an interview. Ouyang Fens proud nose was nearly poking her in the face. Before Sister Xue could discover the cruel truth, the day of Xie Fengs promotion show hade. Qin Guan was positioned in the middle. His outfit was not the featured one, but a result of Xies idental inspiration before hed gone abroad. Xie Feng had been preparing for the overseas fashion show for more than eight months. As was the custom, his style was in ordance with the main style of the Mn Fashion Show. To promote the designing concept of a nation, the designers would first show their culture to the whole world. In 1999, China seemed strange and mysterious to overseas fashion circles. As a rising Chinese designer, what would Xie Feng show in his debut in the Mn Fashion Show, one of the four top international fashion shows? Abination of the Chinese culture, of course! Traditional reds, dense greens, the graceful scene south of the Changjiang River, and the widendscape of North China were all blended in his conception. Chapter 124: A Mysterious First Glance Chapter 124: A Mysterious First nce Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans outfit represented deep autumn, forming a connecting link between the previous and the following season. When Sister Xue observed the audience before the models got on the stage, she nearly got a heart attack. Professor Li was sitting under the stage. The chief editor of ELLE was beside her, and An Jing, a famous designer of the previous generation, was on her other side. My god! The audience included every renowned domestic designer and media and fashion critic. None of them were in the same world as Qin Guan. Only then did Sister Xue realize that all the models in the show were famous except Qin Guan. That exined why everyone had been interested in Qin Guan backstage. People had tried to talk to him out of curiosity. Was he a rtive of Xie Feng or a friend of someone else? The exclusive fashion show was a trial for the Mn Fashion Show, where Xie Feng had been the only Chinese designer to be invited. A small bird always stood out among a group of colorful tropical birds. Before anyone could think, the background music started ying. Sister Xue reminded Qin Guan seriously, "Watch and learn from the others. It would be beneficial for you." Qin Guan looked down at his bare feet. It was cool to stand on the floor without shoes. The dressing assistant put two round golden bracelets on his arms and ankles. They all tinkled when he walked. Cheered up, Qin Guan felt ready for his first formal fashion show. The side door opened, and Qin Guans bare feet trampled on the stage. His toes moved unconsciously on the cool floor. He pulled himself together and got on the T stage. Sister Xue was the most nervous. Her blood vessels were close to exploding. Qin Guan was worried for the first time in his life. Every hair on his body was standing on end. Every pore was open. Every cell was jumping around happily. It seemed like he had been born for the shining stage. He started walking on it, his golden bracelets tinkling to express the sorrow of the wind and the sand. Half-way through the show, the VIPs saw a strange new face. Many of them were attracted to the model, and they tried to find the advantages the designer attached importance to. That was the so-called first nce that would determine Qin Guans fate. It was his day. The audience apuded the designer. Backstage, Sister Xue wiped imaginary tears from the corners of her eyes. My little bird is going to fly away. (You are thinking too much. He still has a long way to go.) After Qin Guan changed out of his clothes, he heard Xie Feng talking to him. "I have already been preparing for the show for several months, and the models have been selected in France. Otherwise, I might have considered taking you to Mn." Fully aware that he was just being polite, Qin Guan bowed in gratitude. It was amazing to beplimented by a designer. The surrounding models, who were about to be dismissed, felt a little jealous. Xie Feng hadnt been as kind to them during their debuts. Holding the money happily by the stage, Sister Xue had a stroke of luck. Xie Feng waved at her and Qin Guan from the backstage exit. They all returned to the T stage again. Qin Guan saw clearly the people under the stage, among whom was Professor Li. Generally speaking, Professor Li was strict with Qin Guans performance and sneered even at his smallest mistakes. However, that day she was different. Smiling, she asked Xie Feng and everyone else, "What did you think of my student?" They all echoed, "Hes a young man with great potential." "Professor Li has a discerning eye. You may be old, but you still have a vigorous mind." Professor Li said nothing. She just whispered something to Xie Feng and let him attend to his own affairs. What happened next was very important. Professor Li introduced Qin Guan to Yin Yan, the chief editor of ELLE magazine. As someone from both France and China, Yin was an expert on the fashion industry. She had graduated from Peking University, and was an endowed schr. She had majored in directing in France, and she had a mysterious romantic aura. Her original fashion concept had helped ELLE clothing enter China. With a stepping-stone of top-level luxury, the magazine had established its own position in China and looked down upon other printed media thatcked good taste. ELLE was a frequent visitor at new prominent shows, but this show was so important that the chief editor had attended it personally. Yin Yan rejoiced, thinking she had discovered an unpolished pearl in the fashion industry. Professor Li introduced her to Qin Guan, "This is Yin Yan, chief editor of ELLE. And this is Qin Guan, my student." Qin Guan nodded and shook her hand gently, while Yin stated her intentions without hesitation. "You will be our inside spread model next week." Before her voice had died away, another voice cut in, "No, you will be our inside spread model." Yin Yan turned around. An acquaintance! It was Zhang Hui, chief editor of Rayli. Zhang Hui was Yins arch enemy. ELLE Clothing and Rayli werepletely different. One engaged in magnificent boutique clothes, and the other focused on student clothes. Their readers were different people. The point was that ELLE was divided into ELLE Fashion and ELLE Clothing in China, based on the different focus. Zhang Hui had copied the method and divided Rayli into Rayli Clothing and Rayli Fashion. The clothing part of the youth fashion magazine was separated. Naturally, some casual style brands paid more attention to Rayli. The most hateful part was that young readers were favored by several casual clothing American and Japanese brands. Yin Yan gritted her teeth at the thought. Chapter 125: Arch Enemies Always Get Together Chapter 125: Arch Enemies Always Get Together Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Sister Xue had no idea about the killing intention between the two women. What she knew was that she and Qin Guan would be rich. The two magazines were not regional printed media like the Capital Entertainment Newspaper. They were international magazine supplements released nationwide in Asia, and they were the cradles of countless top models! The two chief editors were about to have a fight. If Qin Guan failed tofort them, they would throw their gloves at each others faces. Qin Guan, who was usually careless, was unusually quick-witted in that situation. He rubbed his jaw and replied, "In my opinion, I could match well any magazines style. The sales volume is your problem." Was he smart? He basically meant that he would do his own job well during the photoshoot, but the volume sales would depend on the editors abilities. The two womens eyes shone in interest at the suggestion. They both said in one voice, "Deal." They set a shooting time while Sister Xues mouth was still open in surprise. That night, Qin Guan had an exceptionally good sleep. His savings had reached 50,000 yuan, while Shao Xiaobing, who would be working early the next morning, was going to have a sleepless night. Shao opened the newspaper bought by his new assistant and turned to the entertainment page. Half the page reported news about Xie Feng, who had held a domestic show before the Mn Fashion Show. There was a remarkable group photo of the designer and his famous models. Frowning slightly, Shao Xiaobing picked up his teacup from the table and scanned the models behind Xie Feng. They were all imaginary future enemies on his way to sess. Suddenly, his eyes zeroed in on the model on the far left. Its Qin Guan! He buried his face in the newspaper, looking for more details. Suddenly, he threw his cup against the wall. "Bang!" The little porcin cup broke into pieces. The assistant was scared, and so was Shaos agent, who asked in surprise, "Whats wrong?" Laughing grimly, Shao Xiaobing threw the newspaper on the table and shouted angrily, "See for yourself!" His agent was confused by the news. "I had contacted the show, but theyd decided on the opening model eight months ago. The models for the Mn show will be famous overseas models. I think you interviewed for the show, but you were rejected because of your different style." At the time, Shao hadnt been angry about the result. Models always had their own personal style. It wasmon to be rejected for that reason. "Look at the models carefully!" Shao Xiaobing waved at his assistant, who left the office quivering. The agent looked at the photo again carefully. It was Qin Guan! He was among the group. He looked up at Shao. During the past month, they had taken four or five jobs from Qin Guan. Such a practice was strictly forbidden in model circles. Luckily, his friend at New Silk Road trusted him. Besides, Qin Guan could only get some tiny jobs. If this had happened to another model, even Ouyang Fen, New Silk Road would have paid more attention. Qin Guan was an affiliated model though, so he was neglected by thepany. The agent tried tofort Shao, "It must have been an ident. He will not go to Mn. Most of Xie Fengs work is overseas. Qin Guan wont get such a chance. Calm down. You have a photoshoot for Rayli tomorrow. You have to look good." Shao Xiaobing let out a long breath, calming down. "Ask my assistant to clean the room," he ordered. Qin Guan had no idea that his enemy would have to coborate with him again. He was just sitting leisurely in the dressing room, getting his makeup on. He would have to take photos for two magazines in one day. The first was the color photos for Rayli Clothing. Rayli Clothing was a fashion magazine that mainly engaged in leisure and youth style and taught girls how to apply makeup. Some handsome boys asionally appeared in the magazine to make suggestions for mens wear. As the dresser praised his tender skin and fine pores, Qin Guan walked out of the dressing room and came face to face with Shao Xiaobing. Both Shao and his agent were speechless. Qin Guan left the door open for them, and Sister Xue said hello politely to the agent. Shao Xiaobing smirked in answer before entering the room and ncing at the female models who were looking at him. Sister Xue let out a long breath. Is it just me, or was Shaos expression as he looked at Qin Guan not that friendly? Shao Xiaobing didnt say anything as the makeup artist worked on him. His assistant was already unexinably afraid. Its said that suppressing Qin Guan is his new goal. The assistant sneaked a nce at Qin Guan. He is so handsome. Suddenly, she felt a cold wind behind her. Shao Xiaobing told her in a soft voice, "What are you doing? Are you idling around? Make a cup of tea for me!" Looking at the scared assistant, the agent sighed. He was about to say something, but Shao Xiaobing stopped him with a gesture before walking directly into the shooting studio. The style of the clothes was fresh. Clean sweaters and jeans went well with the young models. Qin Guan was supposed to be shopping for essories with a female model. They both had splendid smiles and looked very energetic. The photographer was quite satisfied with Qin Guan. The main problem for printed media models was the slight ws in their figures, not their face or bodynguage. Like a fairy sent from the heaven, Qin Guanbined the advantages of both sides perfectly. Even the photographer anticipated a rise in the sales volume after this issue was released. Chapter 126: Thanks for the Support Chapter 126: Thanks for the Support Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was time for Shao to perform. He raised his eyebrows slightly and asked the photographer to take a photo of him and Qin Guan first. Actually, he had no reason to be angry. Qin Guan would only have two photos in the inner pages, while he was an exclusive Rayli model. He was attractive to female readers, and people called him a maledybro. His gentle-neutral face was his trademark. Qin Guan chuckled to himself at the news. He rushed to the fitting room, while Shao stayed in the studio silently, waiting for Qin Guan. When Qin Guan came back wearing jeans, Shao smiled to himself. I win! Models of simr style usually took photos in outfits of the same collection. Shao was in a pure white shirt and casual pants, which made a sharp contrast with Qin Guans clothes. Shao knew that the theme of this photoshoot was the countryside. Qin Guans tough-man style was Raylis first experiment. It was a brave change, as most of the readers were shy girls. The two of them stood in the frame surrounded by grass and wild flowers. With a smile, Shao Xiaobing leaned towards the centre, leaving little space for Qin Guan. Qin Guan could only lean to the side, turning his profile to the camera. Before the confused photographer could say anything, Qin Guan picked up his cowboy hat from the grass, leaned towards Shao, and put the hat on his head. They were back to back, leaning against each other to create a tough-soft contrast. The tassels hanging down from Qin Guans hat swayed around his face. The boy seemed more cool and resolute, setting off Shaos delicate, charming nature. It was a perfect photo. The photographer made an "okay" sign to them. Shao turned his head around and stared at Qin Guan coldly. "Is it ufortable for you? Im actually a tall, strong guy myself." His bluntness alerted Qin Guan, who realized that the seemingly nice guy was actually hostile. Qin Guan didnt care about the reason. Ill stay here until the very end! (Where did his confidencee from?) Then he stabbed another knife into Shaos heart, "Thank you for supporting a younger models work. You know, I actually have another job today. Help me finish this one earlier," he said, bowing before Shao happily. "Thank you for your support!" Qin Guan shouted loudly with all his might, making sure that everyone around them heard him clearly. They all made favorablements about his behavior. "Such a polite young man is rare to find these days." "True. He seems like a nice boy." Qin Guan received unexpected praise. Shao Xiaobing could do nothing but smile reluctantly. He watched Qin Guan go into the fitting room in a carefree manner. Qin Guan wouldnt stopughing in Sister Xues car. He analyzed the whole situation with Sister Xue and realized Shao had only been nice when he had reced him as the main show model. As the victim, Qin Guan felt unreasonable enmity towards him. It was unfair. Sister Xue thought it was normal. There was always drama at a workce. The cake was not big enough for every model to have a piece. Suppression meant power. The best way to fight back was by growing beyond the opponents reach. Wasting time on meaningless fights was foolish. Shao Xiaobing felt like an idiot. His seemingly smart brain had fallen into a muddle. His agent had epted all domestic annunciates with a certain publicity. He was expanding his poprity crazily, aiming for him to reach a level where he could work for brands. Meanwhile, he would be taking Qin Guans jobs. It was like killing two birds with one stone. Frowning, his agent said nothing, hoping that Shao would lighten up his heavy workload. Meanwhile, Qin Guan waspletely rxed. He was dressed like a top model, the white curtains of the French windows serving as foil for the brightly-colored wine ss in his hand. ELLE photoshoots were famous for their luxurious and elegant style. It took the photographer more than ten minutes just to fix Qin Guans shirt cuff, let alone all the other details. The curtain was blowing too high against the wind. Again! The lights did not give off a mysterious enough vibe! Again! Qin Guans foot was 0.5 centimeters off. Again! By the time they had finished one photo, Qin Guans forehead was covered in sweat. Yi Yan, who was free and hade to watch, proudly told Sister Xue about her idea. Nobility and good taste would be dominant in the pictures. Their photoshoot would be different from Raylis, who engaged in cheap concepts. They served only the top of the top. Sister Xue could only nod. The two photos took Qin Guan one hour. She was speechless. Against the setting sun, Qin Guan got in Sister Xues car, holding a pancake roll. His eyes were filled with tears from starvation. The pancake was steaming, so he had to pass it from hand to hand. "Hot! Really hot!" Inside the roll were soft, shredded potatoes and fresh bean sprouts, as well as carrots. He was surprised to discover chicken tenders in the middle. Sister Xue had ordered that especially for him. In the cool autumn, nothing could bepared to the fragrance of meat. Licking the sauce left on his fingers, Qin Guan burped in satisfaction. The two-yuan roll had been the best choice to fill his stomach. Chapter 127: I Love My Grandma The Most Chapter 127: I Love My Grandma The Most Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia What happened next in 1999? The first Shanghai International Art Festival opened, scientists decoded the 22nd human chromosome, and Macao returned to China. All of the above meant nothing to Qin Guan though. He had sses and slept in his dormitory all day long. He had no part-time jobs at all. A hard-working guy must have taken all his jobs. Qin Guan simply did not think about it anymore. Exam season was close, and a students duty was to study. Thats what Qin Guan did in an effort tofort himself. Sister Xue was at the top of the hungry agent list. The poster of the J shirts winter collection was the only thing that prevented her from starving. She had nothing else to do but enjoy herself by reading the newest Rayli and ELLE. The two magazines were released on the same day. Different girls saw Qin Guan at the same time for the first time. Shao Xiaobing stared at Qin Guan in Rayli. He was not the least bit worse than him. He actually looked cooler. Shao smacked the magazine at the corner of the table. Young girls saw a fresh face in the magazine. Among greasy cream cakes, chocte was bound to be more popr. Readers ignored the smiling Qin Guan, who was holding hands with the female model, but drooled at the photo of him and Shao Xiaobing. Senior high school girls were reading the magazine together in secret, fixing their eyes on the clear lines on Qin Guans face. Several fans of Shao Xiaobing betrayed him, and lots of businessmen began to focus on Qin Guans tough cowboy style. If Shao knew that his behaviour would bring Qin Guan together with a representative of LEE, he would have generously left that position to Qin Quan and let him smile brightly before the camera. ELLE readers liberated themselves from heavy work that sunny afternoon. They ordered a cup of sweet cappino and enjoyed their afternoon tea by looking at Qin Guan. They were benevolent enough to store the magazine in their rooms and buy some essories to show off at parties. Some of them were even interested in newspaper clippings. They made a catalogue of elegant photos as fashion souvenirs. In a way, Qin Guan had made his mark with some people and some families. The two chief editors were quite reasonable about the sales volume. An inner pages model could promote product sales through a poster by 20%. Qin Guan was on the list of potentialmercial models in their minds. No chief editors of any magazine cared about the advanced style of a model, and no ordinary magazines cared about a models personality. Their objective was advertisment ie, just like movies tried their best to avoid box office flops. The final exams came before the two magazines could influence Qin Guan. Feeling like a returning king, Qin Guan entered his exam room under the admiring gazes of the academically poor students. He waved at the surrounding students, who sat down together at his cue. If this had been a movie, there would have been a board hanging behind Qin Guan, with the words "Dont bow before me, my ministers" written on it. When the papers were handed out, Qin Guan felt protected by the students, who were clustered around him like the stars around the moon. He began to write, while the others began to copy. They finished their exam together in a harmonious atmosphere. Qin Guan made enough money from that exam to cover his meal expenses for the next semester. After the exams, Qin Guan didnt return home with Cong Nianwei. He would be visiting his grandma for the traditional Spring Festival instead. Qin Guans grandma was an old-fashioned, family-oriented old woman. She had worked hard her whole life, and her greatest wish was to see her children happy. Qin Guans father had left his hometown when he had been young in order to study, and he hadnt found a job back there when hed graduated. His older brother, Qin Guans uncle, had taken that responsibility as the eldest son. He supported Qin Guans grandma and grandpa and took care of the fields in the vige. For many years, Qin Guans father had been inviting them to live with him in Y city, but they always refused because of their deep love for the earth and their crops. That year, Qin Guan would be spending the long holiday there with his father and mother. He would be entertaining his grandparents as the representative of his family. As he watched the country road, Qin Guans father grew more and more excited. He felt his heart gradually warming up. Qin Guans grandma was waiting by the door, feeding the chickens as she looked out for them. At the sight of a car drawing near, she stood up from her stool excitedly, brushed imaginary dust off her clothes, and moved towards them with her wrapped feet. Qin Guans parents were still busy carrying things for the Spring Festival out of the car, when Qin Guan hugged his grandma. She served him a bowl of steaming hot noodles with gravy. There was an old saying that imed that thest generation of old women loved their youngest sons and eldest grandsons. As the eldest boy of the third Qin generation, Qin Guan was his grandmas treasure. Sitting on the warm kang [1], Qin Guan could see his father through the window, which was covered in celebratory newspaper clippings. He was doing chores for his father as Qin Guan was gobbling up his hot noodles. There were smooth egg drops, diced meat, cabbage, and home-made dried shrimp in the soup. It was so tasty that Qin Guan nearly swallowed his own tongue. Qin Guans father didnt enter the room until Qin Guan had finished his noodles. His father only had some leftover soup as he chatted with Qin Guans grandpa. Qin Guans mother kept his grandmapany, chatting and cleaning vegetables. Qin Guans father and uncles went to the outhouse with his grandpa, and Qin Guan led his sisters and brothers outside to y games. Qin Guan was wondering why he was the oldest one. Their family was thergest one in the vige. Based on his position in the family hierarchy, several nsmen with long beards had to call him uncle. The vigers had moved there during the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-207 BC) as war migrants. The Qin n had a long pedigree. Their ancestors had been in charge of sacrificing and official pottery production. There had been no renowned celebrities in their family. ording to the records in the ancestral hall, the highest ranking officials were a thousand households of the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD-1644 AD) imperial guards, which was unparalleled among the surrounding viges. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Kang, a kind of heatable brick bed in the Northern Chinese countryside. Chapter 128: Love in the Old Times Chapter 128: Love in the Old Times Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It would have been an exaggeration to call Qin Guan the Qin Vige phoenix. Vigers considered him a good-looking boy, just like a golden pheasant asionally flying out of the forest, showing off its shiny feathers to the hunters. Qin Guan was not aware of their thoughts. He just liked to y with his little friends and his brothers and sisters. There was nothing interesting going on in the countryside in the winter. Most young people just stayed at home and yed cards. Qin Guan liked to y with teenagers though. There were so many interesting things to do, including but not limited to, riding a goat in reverse, provoking cats and dogs, and digging into hibernating snakes holes. They didnt return until it was dark. Qin Guan led the dirty monkeys back home. His grandma wiped the dirt off their clothes with a broom, warning them, "Dont go out in the evening. There are no lights out there, you will sprain your feet in the dark!" At the dining table, Qin Guan proudly showed the two magazines to his grandparents, who were sitting at the head of the table. Smiles formed on their wrinkled faces. Our grandson is in a book! Good for him! There was always a rich festive atmosphere in the countryside during the Spring Festival. On the 23rd day of the twelfth month of the lunar year, Qin Guans grandma boiled sweet potato sugar into sweet sugar balls and put them into flour bags. Every family member could take some in their spare time. (When the author was in primary school, there were stands selling sugar balls at the entrance of her school for 0.05 yuan each. This has disappeared nowadays, but she still misses it.) On the 28th day of the twelfth month of the lunar year, with the help of other women of the family, Qin Guans grandma steamedrge buns with dates. There was about one catty in one bun, which meant that the new year wasing silently. On the 30th day, there were firecrackers booming everywhere. Everyone stayed upte on New Years Eve to wee the new spring of 2000. Their happinesssted till the 5th day of the first month of the new lunar year. There was a generalmotion at home. Qin Guans youngest uncle had to carry sand as punishment for the administrator of the vige. Qin Guans grandpa sat in a chair engraved with the Eight Immortals, looking at his children calmly. He knocked his pipe against his shoe sole to clean the ashes and added more tobo. He continued to smoke. Qin Guans eldest uncle, father and aunt were standing before him, waiting for his orders silently. Grandpa cleared his throat and called over his grandchildren, who were hiding behind the curtain door. "Come on in and hear about your uncles affairs." Led by Qin Guan, the boys and girls walked in obediently and stood in a line behind their parents. Taking a posture of ancestral worship, grandpa cleared his throat and said, "Your fourth brother was cheated into joining a religious group several months ago. He said that the hierarch could cure patients and feed them, so he didnt go to the hospital and he stopped working in the fields. He even asked his child to stay at home instead of going to school. I took the child home and asked your mother to take him to school." His sons and daughter were surprised. Our brother joined a heresy and youre so calm about it? They were shocked by his next words. "I thought it was serious, as his wife was also in the group. I thought the family would break apart, so I reported it to the local police station at the entrance of the vige..." Reported it to the local police station... Reported it to the local police station... Cold sweat ran all over their bodies. Father is so impartial and incorruptible! "It was no big deal. They just had to do social service for disrupting the peace. They had to dig sand pits east of our vige for half a year. No prison sentence or anything." Prison might have been better. They wouldnt have stayed in prison for that long. Before Qin Guans father could say anything, his grandpa grew serious. "It was a heresy! Those guys were evil!" Everyone fell silent. It was a crime to join a heresy. Luckily, Qin Guans grandpa was shrewd. His uncles thought the subject was not up for discussion, so they did not press it. Their kids felt nothing. They were justughing. Qin Guan took a deep breath in secret. Luckily, his grandpa had saved his uncle in this life. If he had been cheated and gone to the capital, nobody could have rescued him. Meanwhile, his uncle was griddling sand. The vige head was in charge, and he was happy to get so much freebor. It seems like there will be an increase in production. Im going to be one step away from bing mayor. ...... After the Spring Festival, Qin Guans parents returned to Y city. His uncle and aunt were busy working in the fields, so Qin Guan, the eldest grandson, was the only one left in his grandmas yard. After his rebirth, Qin Guan found himself enjoying more the extra time he stayed with his grandparents. He felt unparalleled warmth. Night fell. Qin Guans grandma was sewing on the warm kang under the dim light, narrating her and grandpas love story. Their story was worth hearing a hundred times. It was no modern love drama. It had the special reserved manner and warmth of old times. When they had been young, Qin Guans grandma had been the daughter of a country gentleman, while his grandpa had been a nobody. The distance between them had been more or less the same as that between a noble girl and a farmborer. It had been love at first sight. Following her familys orders, his grandma had stayed at home. His grandpa had sneaked nces at her whenever hed buy grains for his boss, but hed kept her in his mind constantly. He had been 15 at the time, and she had been 14. Qin Guans grandpa had tried his best to narrow the gap between them. He had begged an old shopkeeper to teach him how to read, keep books and calcte. During those troubled times, using the silver coins in his jute bag, he had dared ship in grains for the shop by sea. Through his efforts, his grandpa had managed to eventually own his own grain shop. When he and Qin Guans grandma had gotten married, he had been 19 and she had been 18. They had helped each other in times of poverty and lived to old age in conjugal bliss. They had gone through hardships together, always hand in hand. They had led the same life both in times of peace and during tough days. Theyd had no regrets and never left or forsaken each other. Chapter 129: The Five Star Wholesale Market Chapter 129: The Five Star Wholesale Market Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was so shocked that his eyes filled with tears. Before going to bed, he called Cong Nianwei secretly and expressed his emotions and love for her. Cong Nianwei shouted at him angrily, "Its two oclock in the morning! What are you doing? Go to sleep!" Yes, madam! Qin Guan bowed and went to bed. Happy days always went by quickly. It was time for Qin Guan to return to college. Before leaving, his grandma stuck jars of pickled duck eggs and radish into his luggage. Old people were easy to satisfy. Their childrens appreciation of their homemade pickles was more than enough to please them. From the bus, Qin Guan watched his grandparents, who were standing close to each other at the entrance of the vige. His nose was running. I will live this life as well as myst one. At least Ill give you a great-grandson! Then he forgot about his sentimentality and got lost in fantasies of Cong Nianwei and their future offspring. In early 2000, most people felt lucky. They believed that they had been chosen by the gods to witness the new millennium. The concept had exceeded its religious connotation and be a celebration of all human beings. The original meaning of the end of an era was reced by the pleasure and expectation of a new century. Qin Guan was pleased with the good start of the year. Li Hui from Rayli magazine had called Sister Xue to confirm that LEE jeans would enter the Chinese market in March. Qin Guan had been lucky enough to be chosen as the first LEE model in printed media. They had chosen US models for their TV advertisements, but a small spark could start a fire. Qin Guan had gradually attracted some attention in the modelling circle thanks to the inner pages of ELLE and Rayli. Some offers from unknown brands had been rejected tearfully by Sister Xue. That was one of the shorings of rising to fame. The wrong representative could cause a rising model to fall off the map. Even though the J shirts were in the za now, Sister Xue still refused to shoot posters for their formal shirts. Its too low for Qin Guan! A formal shirt costs below 200 yuan. It would influence Qin Guans luxury-oriented career in the future. Qin Guan had no time to care about other things. The first half of the semester would be his busiest period, as the ounting exams and the CET 6 would both take ce during the first half of the year. For fear that he might be discovered by female fans and his studies would be influenced, Qin Guan nned on buying ck-framed sses in the Five Star Wholesale Market to change his image. (He was overthinking things. Not everyone read fashion magazines.) The name of the Five Star Wholesale Market made it sound luxurious, but it was actually just a wholesale market hundreds of metres from Qin Guans college. Crossing the railway from the Beijing North Railway Station to the Jiayu Pass, Qin Guan arrived at the crowded market. He saw the meat sellers right away. (Who had thought of such an evil thing?) It was arge farm product fair with stands with fresh pork, entrails, living fish and shrimp. Considering its reasonable prices, the market was convenient for most people. After one made their way through the crowd of old people, they got to the second part of the market, the dried fruit market. After fighting with the over-enthusiastic wholesalers, one still wouldnt get to their destination. They would only get to the third part of the market, the fruit wholesale market. Seasonal fruit was sold in piles at such low prices that one couldnt leave right away. When one went through the fruit market, they ended up carrying several bags in their hands. Finally, Qin Guan reached his destination, the Five Star Wholesale Market. When he got to the entrance of the warehouse, he initially thought it was the wrong ce. There were stands selling fried pancakes, noodles and other instant meals. They provided food for arge quantity of sellers in the market. Swallowing his saliva, Qin Guan went deeply into the warehouse, staring around him. He was dazzled by the electronics, shoes, bags, essories... After several minutes, he finally found the sses. A young man spoke to him while he was scanning the stands one by one. "Hey handsome, do you want to buy sses?" Qin Guan recognized his Y city ent. That young man was from his hometown. He answered in his native dialect, "Yes, I want to buy a pair." The young man understood him immediately. "Do you want to look like a schr? What do you prefer? Golden sses or ck ones?" Thanks to Professor Lis training, Qin Guans taste had improved a lot. He shook his head at the ordinary items on the counter. Square frames had been in fashion at the time, but the showy pairs would be on sale after several years. The young man was not surprised by his behaviour. After looking around to make sure that no one was watching them, he lowered his voice and said, "I have some good products here. Do you want to have a look? They are more expensive though." Qin Guan smiled at him in understanding. "Fake ones?" The young man brought his head closer to Qin Guan and squeezed the words out from between his teeth, "Fake ones!" Qin Guan was straightforward, "Ill take them if Im satisfied with the style." The young man squatted and pulled a long leather case from under the counter. The case was elegant with metal European style engravings. He opened it behind the counter to show him the frames, which were arranged in perfect order on the velvet. There were coach frames on the first row, Ports on the second one, and Dior on the third one. There was every famous brand one could think of. All top ten international brands were in that case. Qin Guan selected a ck Dior pair and a white Gi one. The first one was of primitive simplicity, and the second one was fine and delicate. Im rich enough to buy both. What was the most interesting thing in the wholesale market though? Not enjoying the stands full of beautiful things, or taking advantage of the reasonable prices. It was experiencing the satisfaction of bargaining with the sellers. New visitors hardly knew the market. The key was to bring the price down to one third of the original offer. If the dealer refused, you could add one more yuan. If he said yes, congrattions. Youd just made a sessful bargain! Chapter 130: Busted by the Staff of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau Chapter 130: Busted by the Staff of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia With a moneygrabbers insistence, Qin Guan brought the price down from 800 yuan to 200 yuan each. Qin Guans unkind fellow townsman smiled to himself as Qin Guan was about to leave the counter with his trophies. The fake frames that cost 50 yuan to buy in South China could be easily sold for 200 yuan. The buyer looked very satisfied. It was the greatest pleasure to cheat an acquaintance. (Readers with sses might have had a simr experience. sses were horribly expensive during one particr period.) Peace didntst for long. Suddenly, the sellers in the market became nervous. Several staff members in uniforms were running along the paths between the shops with briefcases under their arms. They were like a storm sweeping through the market. "Hurry! They are looking for fakes! Hide them quickly!" "Run! Run! Run to the stock room with the fakes!" Several sellers who put fakes openly on their stands hastened to hide them. The young man closed the case immediately and tried to hide it under the counter. "Hey! You! What are you trying to hide? Take it out! And you, the young man! Did you buy anything from this stand?" A staff member with sharp eyes had spotted them. Qin Guan held his stretched foot back, acting nonchnt. "Nothing. I just greeted my fellow townsman." The staff member came over uncertainly and knocked on the counter impatiently. "Take it out quickly. I saw it!" The woebegone young man pulled the case out and opened it before the mans eyes. "Who said that there were no fakes here? I just found some. And you! Dont leave. What did you buy from him? Those men sell fakes because customers like you buy them. Tell me, how much had you ordered?" He had mistaken Qin Guan for a peddler purchasing stock there. Qin Guan breathed out in relief. Putting on the most innocent smile he could manage, he told the staff member, "Im not a peddler, just a student at the nearby college." The man was dazzled by his shining smile. He unconsciously tried to block the nonexistent light before his eyes before sighing. "Young man, you might not be a peddler, but you still shouldnt be buying fakes. Besides, you are a student at a famous college. Why are you deliberately breaking thew?" Qin Guans smile became even more splendid. Putting on the fake sses, he went on shamelessly, "You have misunderstood. How could I associate with a criminal? Im here to buy some daily use products. When I was passing by his shop, the young man here said my sses were quite fashionable. He chatted with me out of professional curiosity. I didnt buy anything from him." The young man was weeping to himself as he looked at his confiscated case. "Liar! Liar! Dont believe him! Look at his sses carefully. He bought them from me! Dont be fooled by his handsome face!" The official was nearly convinced by Qin Guan, but he added seriously, "To be honest, Im also a part-time model. You often have to deal with famous brand fakes. You have to pay attention to the fashion trends. I have appeared in many fashion magazines." The official believed Qin Guan, who was even more dazzling without the sses. He waved the fake sses before the young man, looked at the number of the shop, and made a final note. "How could you try to sell fakes to such a handsome young man? Stop dreaming! Come pay your fine at my office tomorrow!" Then he caught up with his workmates, holding his war trophies. The young man almost choked from sobbing. I had just made several hundred yuan! Why are the gods treating me so unfairly? Qin Guan bowed his head in regret and ran away from the market, leaving the sad young man behind him. Despite his roommates opinion about his unreasonable style, Sister Xue was satisfied with him. He is preparing for the possibility of bing famous! Im so happy! At the LEE headquarters, the editor of Rayli magazine and Sister Xue were watching the director of the Advertising Department, who was scanning Qin Guan from head to toe. After a long time, he nodded in approval. They were all relieved. Qin Guan got his first advertisement without advocacy. Sister Xue was over the moon about the dors going into her ount. Qin Guan could earn foreign currency now. This would pave his way to the international stage. He sighed as he saw the money Sister Xue gave him. The sry for a few photos was more than five times the payment for hisst T show. The money had exceeded his expectations. Qin Guan arrived at the studio apanied by LEE staff. He had been told that he would cooperate with an American model called John. They would promote the ssic LEE style, including worker jumpsuits and jeans with typical LAZYS Z series stitches. It was the first time LEE had chosen an Asian model for its formal advertising campaign since its formalunch in Asia in 1995. The general manager in Asia looked to further expand in the Chinese market. Japan and South Korea hadnt been treated the same way. Qin Guan considered himself lucky and just wanted to do a good job. (Actually, he was just after the money.) In the studio, Qin Guan was shocked by how much LEE had spent on the background. They had built three backgrounds for only a series of posters, none of which was jerry-built. One was a flight of safety stairs outside the building. The mottled, rusty steps were tangled together, depicting the decadence of the isted city. This had to be the first shooting site. Sister Xue nearly burst into tears when Qin Guan came out of the dressing room. Nobody informed me that he would have to have a haircut! The excelsior make-up crew had cut Qin Guans hair down to three centimeters. If it had been any shorter, Qin Guan would have looked like a monk. Chapter 131: John the Bisexual Chapter 131: John the Bisexual Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia When he put on the first jumpsuit and blue-whitetticed shirt, Qin Guan looked like an upfitter. The photographer shouted in English, "Perfect!" If Sister Xue had known that Qin Guan would have to dress up like abor worker, she might have been more hesitant to ept the job. The taste of American people was quite different from the taste of people from other countries. They promoted roughness, and were ipatible with Paris, Mn and London fashion. Qin Guan was interested in that coarse style, as he found it familiar. Before his American partner arrived, Qin Guan picked up a paint bucket and a brush and began to paint on an irondder. Shouting "Perfect!", the photographer got down to work. When John followed his assistant in, he saw an Asian fairy dancing in front of him. As a bisexual, he felt an attraction to Qin Guan, as if he was a delicious piece of cake. He took off all his clothes as fast as he could, put on the jumpsuit pants, and walked into the site with his upper body bare. Johns assistant knew exactly what he was doing. It was an old problem of his. The photographer was confused. John had to wear a redtticed shirt that would create a contrast with Qin Guans blue-white one. Taking advantage of Qin Guans confusion, John hugged him tightly and told him warmly, "Hello, how are you?" Qin Guan, who was holding the brush in one hand and the paint bucket in the other, couldnt help butugh. Silence fell as yellow paintnded on Johns chest. Trying to be polite, Qin Guan transferred the brush to his other hand, intending to shake hands with John. John tried to hug him again though. Another streak of paint was smeared across his chest. The tough, hairy man looked like he was wearing a bright yellow bra. The photographer shouted at the two naughty guys, "What are you doing? Were working here!" The two bastards were wasting time. It would take a long time to wash that paint off. Qin Guan tried to make up for his mistake. He picked up the rest of the buckets and brushed paint on both his and Johns body. Now they looked like two upfitters who had just finished work. The photographers anger turned into pleasure as he began to work. John had no time to y around with Qin Guan. As it had turned out, the fairy was not just good-looking, but also witty. They worked together inplete focus, finishing the photos in a short time. What would they do about the paint on their bodies in the next picture though, where their upper bodies were supposed to be bare? Sister Xue was a real professional. She murmured something to Johns assistant and got a bottle of floral water. She poured the floral water on the paint on Qin Guans body. After several minutes, it was washed off easily with soap. Qin Guan kindly handed the rest of the bottle to John. The paint on Johns body was his fault after all. John misunderstood his gesture. He thought the handsome Asian man was about to hug him. He tried to hug Qin Guan for the third time that day, but it was in vain. Qin Guan was dizzy from the fragrance of the water, and he went to wash. When they came out again in Z series jeans, everyone in the studio was shocked. Thick masculine hormones flew in the air. These were no slender young men, or fragile flowery boys. They were tough, strong men. They bent over the dais on the roof, turning their backs to the photographer and the others. The coarse pants looked perfect on their bodies. The contrast of their skin was made even sharper by their different race. Qin Guans fine, smooth skin was in perfect harmony with Johns hairy skin. The photographer thought that was enough. He asked them to stand on the dais and took photos of them from below. (Tip: Dont try this at home, unless you have long legs and a handsome face.) This was the upside of having long legs. The strong man with the six-pack and the shiny young man both looked really attractive. When the photoshoot was over, Qin Guan wanted to jump down from the dais. Realizing that this would be his only chance, John patted him on the butt. Wow! It was nice and stic, like an Asian dessert. John was all for pursuing a romance in that mysterious country. Qin Guan looked at him in confusion, but Sister Xue didnt take it seriously. It was amon joke among men. Qin Guans problem was that he would be returning to college with a buzz-cut. His fellow students might think he had been arrested by the police. As it turned out, he was surrounded as soon as he reached the entrance of his college. His college was quite different from art schools, such as the Capital Film and Television College, the Capital Drama College, and so on. No entertainment star had ever emerged from it. Although Qin Guan was just on the edge of the modelling circle, it was still enough for him to cause a sensation. Every student, no matter how busy, called their friends to discuss the tragedy of the college Prince Charming. It seemed that the sses he had bought to disguise himself had been of no use. Pretending not to care, Qin Guan walked calmly to his dormitory. Some brave girls among the onlookers took action when they saw that Qin Guan was not angry with them. "Qin Guan, Im XXX from the Finance Department. Could you please sign your name for me?" "I want an autograph, too! Could you please write for XXX from the XXX Department?" another girl asked, giving him specific instructions. Chapter 132: Three Girls and One Man Chapter 132: Three Girls and One Man Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia A student on his way to study hall generously gave Qin Guan his pen. Like real fans, the students organized the activity in perfect order. They were reasonably talented, and a long queue was automatically formed. A crazy girl pulled her coat open, lifted up her sweater and showed Qin Guan her white fleece, shouting, "Sign here! Sign here!" Bracing himself, Qin Guan scrawled his name. The crowd fell silent immediately. His handwriting looked like the traces of a creeping crab. Qin Guan almost cried. Is it my fault that I dont have a specific design? I hate my terrible handwriting myself! Looking at the first lucky girl who had gotten an autograph, the other girls said, "Shall we ask for a signature after Qin Guan finishes practising?" "Yes, that signature does not look good. Nobody would believe us. It looks like it was written by some random person. Even my handwriting is better than that!" "Okay! Qin Guan, wevee to an agreement. Were your schoolmates, so dont forget about us when you finish practising your signature!" "Thats all for today. Lets go!" The crowd was dismissed in a moment. Why are you being so practical? Dont tell me that you want to sell my signature! Or are you going to wait for it to increase in value, and meanwhile hoard it as a raremodity? Actually, Qin Guan had a point. They were nning on saving the signature to show off in the future. To add insult to injury, Qin Guan wasughed at by his roommates in his dormitory. The sad boy called Cong Nianwei to talk to her about his misery. Cong Nianweis curiosity was aroused by theughter she heard through the phone. She had nearly finished her homework, so she decided to check on Qin Guan at his college and have a romantic candlelit dinner with him. (Actually, the first reason was the most important one.) Qin Guan leapt up in excitement. He hung up and asked for leave from Huang Jiajias mother. Huang Jiajia had spent more than half an hour getting dressed, so she was angry that Qin Guan had cancelled. Im so bored at home. Whats Mou Xiaoliu doing right now? ...... She called Mou and found out that she would go work at Sanlitun. She headed to campus happily to meet her good friend. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was also getting dressed. He looked smug in his white cotton jacket, jeans, high boots and baseball cap. When he and his girlfriend walked through the campus entrance hand in hand, they heard someone shout in anger. "Aha! You didnte to my house for our lesson so you could fool around!" Huang Jiajia was angry that Qin Guan had met another girl at college. She considered him kind of a spoony. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei turned around in bewilderment. Huang Jiajia was embarrassed when she saw that the girl was actually Qin Guans girlfriend. Qin Guan walked up to her, rolled his sleeves up, and began lecturing her, "What are you doing here? Why didnt you stay at home and study? When Im not there, you idle away!" As Qin Guan stepped forward, Huang Jiajia retreated. Suddenly, there was another roar from behind them, "What are you doing? How dare you bully that young girl! Dont worry, Iming, Huang Jiajia!" "Bang!" Qin Guan was beaten, a bump forming fast on his head. Covering his head, Qin Guan squatted down in pain. Mou Xiaoliu was dumbfounded. Huh? I thought he was a bully, but hes actually my prince! She put the robber bat behind her back unconsciously. Qin Guan stood up, massaging the bump on his forehead as he began lecturing Mou, "What are you doing here, my sister? What are you wearing? A mini skirt, silk stockings and high boots in winter? Huang Jiajia must be influencing you! How do you two even know each other?" Cong Nianwei was confused by the scene. There were too many things to see. It was just like a film. Suddenly, a third excited voice was heard from behind them, this one speaking English. "Aha! I finally found you, Qin Guan! You are my angel! There are so many beauties chasing after you, but I still like you!" After they had finished work, John had managed to get Qin Guans information. All he had known was that Qin Guan was a college student. Hed thought it would be hard to find him at college, but hed unexpectedly spotted Qin Guan at the campus entrance, being chased by three girls. Shall I join in? John, the bold and unconstrained American model, had gone there without any disguise. Qin Guan was surprised to see his partner there. He had only cooperated with him once after all. "Why are you here, John?" he asked. Holding Cong Nianweis hand, he introduced her to him, "This is my girlfriend." Pointing at the two other girls, who were listening in, he said, "This is my schoolmate and my student." "No, no, no! Dont lie to me, Qin Guan! ording to my rich experience in romance, all three girls love you. Maybe a bit, maybe very much, but they all do!" "Love is the most troublesome thing. You should choose me! Well make love to your hearts content!" When he finished his speech, Qin Guan and the girls were left speechless. Huang Jiajia was the first to break the silence. "I dont speak English that well. Could you please trante for me, Mou Xiaoliu?" "What?" Qin Guan was astonished. Cong Niaiwei exined, "He said that he wants to f*ck you!" Arent you way too calm considering youre his girlfriend? Chapter 133: Oh, No! They Are All Martial Artists! Chapter 133: Oh, No! They Are All Martial Artists! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans irascible temper made him want to beat John, but Mou Xiaoliu, the irritable bear, rushed at him instead. That foreign tough man with the red nose and the green eyes dared proposition my prince! "Bears fist!" she shouted loudly, showing her five-element fist art, which was passed down from generation to generation in her family. She had been born with extraordinary power, so she beat the tall man to the ground. Darkness covered Johns eyes, countless golden spots shining in his vision. He had been beaten by a soft girl with only one try. The girl named Huang Jiajia seems kind-hearted. She looks like shes going to help me up. Suddenly, John felt her bag hit him in the stomach. Now I have only two saviors left. Oh, no! Theres only Qin Guan left. His girlfriend is stomping on my fingers with her high heels! John was inplete despair before the Asian girls. They seem soft and small, but they are all martial artists. He stared at Qin Guan with watery eyes. Qin Guan squatted down and pulled Cong Nianwei up. "She is my girlfriend, understand?" John nodded energetically. "Im not homosexual or bisexual. My heart belongs only to her. Got it? Now, shall we be brothers? Friends?" ncing at the girls, who were looking at him jealously, John understood the situation and stretched his hand out towards Qin Guan. "Good brothers. For life." A transnational friendship was formed that moment. Qin Guan was gorgeous, but his guards were horrible. Anyone would have made the right choice between life and desire. Qin Guan made a good foreign friend, and John joined the group easily after being rejected as a romantic interest. I cant enjoy a private dinner with Cong Nianwei now. I have to have dinner with my followers. A saying said that one had to conquer a mans stomach before conquering his heart. Therefore, the best and quickest way to make a foreigner realize his ignorance was by treating them to authentic Chinese dishes. It was umon for Qin Guan to be extravagant with dinner, yet he took them to the Fengzeyuan Restaurant. For a foodie, that restaurant was the Holy Land. It had been founded in 1930, and it featured authentic Shandong cuisine. As an old famous restaurant, it was considered one of the top eight restaurants in the old capital. It was renowned for its delicate dishes and pure style, and it was a favorite of high-ranking officials, dignitaries and celebrities. Ever since its reconstruction, it was considered a three-star restaurant. (You should try its dishes if you visit Beijing. Many national leaders have treated their private and official guests there.) John was intoxicated by the kickshaws even before eating. There were braised sea cucumbers with scallion, dried cooked crucian, Fengzeyuan carbonado with special vour, and cuttlefish roe soup. Qin Guan was really generous. John was so busy filling his mouth with food that he nearly swallowed his own tongue. He felt like he had been eating pig feed for the past 20 years. He realized that he had been living his life in vain. Even the potatoes were sliced into differently shaped pieces. Everything seemed too noble for his eyes. Another fan of Chinese cuisine had been born! He was cheated into having a mouthful of crucian with lots of fishbones, and his opinion of that fish changedpletely. Actually, he had never eaten fish with bones before. The crisp bones were nearly melted into the flesh. I can eat all of them! John was fascinated by Chinese cuisine after that dinner. On the flight heading back to the US, he took out the fried breadsticks, which his assistant had bought at a small stand for 0.25 yuan, and took a bite. Wonderful! "Hi, mydy. Could I have some sugar? Yes, two packages." He scattered the granted sugar, which was actually meant for coffee, on the breadsticks. He even forgot to ost the airline stewardess and flirt a little with her. He could only see the breadsticks. His assistant proudly took out a deep-fried dough cake with brown sugar. I will never tell John Im having a more delicious breakfast than him! Qin Guan had no idea that he had made a small change in the life of a friend. After the poster of the J shirts, he was out of work again. The LEE advertisment had put Sister Xue in a dilemma. Ordinary jobs were no longer suitable for Qin Guan, while better ones were always taken by somebody else. She was looking for the reason why. The several advertisements and inner pages of magazines that he had participated in had influenced Qin Guans life. He realized that he could now be considered a small rising star after his parents called him one day. They had seen Qin Guan in a fashion magazine a younger workmate of theirs had been reading. The young girl was in the same office as Qin Guans mother, and she had put a torn magazine on themon newspaper shelf. Qin Guan repeatedly promised his parents that his part-time jobs would not influence his studies. Reassured, his parents hung up. For conservative parents, getting a good job after graduation was the best way to proceed in life. Of course, Qin Guan hadnt mentioned his ie. If they knew that his yearly ie matched their total sry, they might have started to doubt the value of their work. Taking advantage of his spare time, Qin Guan devoted himself to his courses. The ounting Qualification Examination was approaching. Qin Guan had applied for the exam back in January. There were three subjects, including Financial Regtions and ounting Professional Ethics, ounting Basics, and ounting Computerization. He had to pass all three exams at once. The first two subjects were scheduled on the first day, and on the second day, the candidates would work on a PC. Wang Lei couldnt understand Qin Guans decision. As students at the University of Finance and Economics, their college would automatically issue a qualification certificate to them along with their diplomas. Qin Guan had set a clear goal for himself though. He wouldnt be satisfied with only one certificate after four years of studying. He had unparalleled confidence in himself. He had been preparing for that day since the day he had entered university. Chapter 134: The Four Accountants Chapter 134: The Four ountants Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The examination was held at a senior high school of the capital. The school was empty on the weekends, so the principal took advantage of the vacant ssrooms. There were only four rows of tables and chairs in the small room. Two invigtors were standing at the front and the back, which was stricter than Qin Guan had anticipated. The rules were written clearly on the ckboard. Any cheaters would be automatically disqualified, their entry fees would be non-refundable, and their names would be on the ck list of all rted examination offices affiliated to the Ministry of Finance. Rolling his ck pen around in his hand, Qin Guan scanned the exam papers from beginning to end. The questions were not difficult. Eighty percent of them had been in the question bank for many years, and Qin Guan could proudly dere that the other twenty percent was as simple to answer as drinking water for a guy gifted with an extraordinarily retentive memory like his. The practice part was simple, and the part aboutw and regtions was right up Qin Guans alley. The other candidates and the invigtors all were astonished when Qin Guan finished the multiple choice and fill-in-the-gap questions in 15 minutes. Their worldview almost copsed. Actually, the exams that year were not that simple. There were many difficulties on the paper in other peoples opinion. Everyone chose to ignore Qin Guan when he started to exin nouns and short-answer questions. They believed that he had been born into an aristocratic family of ountants. (Was there even such a family?) Qin Guan finished the exam in 45 minutes, even though it had been designed to take the candidates two hours toplete. The invigtors paid close attention to him for fear that the other candidates close to him would try to copy from him. Pretending to walk around, one of the invigtors walked up to Qin Guans desk to have a look. Hes filled in all the nks. He must be a really hard-working student. He nodded, pretending to know the answers himself, before he returned to the tform. The other students couldnt fight the impulse to copy. They had misunderstood the invigtors action, and they believed that Qin Guans answers were right. As a result, they all showed their special talent at cheating. The beautiful girl sitting in front of Qin Guan took out a small mirror and read Qin Guans answers from it. Qin Guan was left speechless when he saw the flickering light spots across his paper. Could you at least ask the papers owner for permission? No one paid attention to the feelings of a sulking kid though. Ever since the reformations and opening-up policy, the government had standardised the regtions of various industries and introduced a new series of policies. As a result, a group of older ountants had to participate in the certificate exams. For veterans in the job market, Qin Guan was a small bird in college, just a tool for passing their exams. Qin Guan protected his papers well, otherwise the older man sitting close to him would have taken his exam and signed his own name on it. The bell rang. It was time for the candidates to hand in their papers ahead of time. Shaking, Qin Guan handed in his papers, casting a fierce look around him before leaving. He drank two mouthfuls of water outside to get over the shock. What a terrible grown-up society! There would be another exam in the afternoon, so Qin Guan had to find a restaurant nearby. His thoughts were interrupted though, as he was surrounded by the four candidates that had been sitting around him in the ssroom. Qin Guan looked around him. After analyzing the situation, he understood what was going on. With a ttering smile, he said hello to them. The four candidates were dazzled by his smile. He is one cunning guy. He shouldnt be an ountant with such a handsome face. Itd be a waste for him to sit in a dark room and calcte every day. The oldest man of the group spoke first, "Are you a student, young man?" "Yes, Im in college." "You must be a very good student. Are you confident about the exam in the afternoon?" "Itll be a piece of cake!" The oldest woman patted Qin Guans shoulder to encourage him. "Fine, well rely on youter then." Qin Guan was confused. "Well be punished seriously if we get caught." They dismissed his doubts recklessly. "Our units sent us here for the exams. Were just going through the motions. Our scores should be average." "We originally had a surrogate exam-taker who was going to sit at your desk, but he deserted us right before the battle. We have to rely on you to keep our jobs. Dont worry, our work is on Math and Science, and we have advanced cheating skills. You wont get caught." "Lets go for lunch! Our treat! Well discuss thister." Qin Guan was escorted to a restaurant. Who said that all ountants were honest? The advanced skills were actually their beepers. There was a public phone on campus, so they got a phone card for Qin Guan. Qin Guan could tell them the multiple choice and true or false answers in a simple way. Those questions took up 40 percent of the total score. The essay questions would not be Qin Guans responsibility. Qin Guan rxed. He could help them without getting caught cheating. He couldnt miss this chance to connect with those senior ountants. He expressed the questions lingering in his mind. "I will continue to take exams after getting this certificate. What should I do next, be a post ountant or a certified public ountant?" Chapter 135: The Brand Endorsement Contract Chapter 135: The Brand Endorsement Contract Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia They exchanged a look with each other. That young man is so shrewd. The eldest one among them answered, "It depends on your career choice. If you prefer a stable job, choose the former. After working hard for several years, you can be a senior ountant." "If you want to start your own business though, you should choose thetter. Its the most valuable certificate in China, but its very difficult to get it. It may take you several years." Qin Guan didnt know what to say. Tutors at college didnt care about such things. In their opinion, after graduation their students would automatically know the regtions of the industry and would all choose the first road. Time would not wait for anyone though. Qin Guan was nearly in despair as he thought about the requirements for bing an ountant. Whichever road he chose, there would be the same obstacles waiting for him. A two-year working experience in the industry with the premise of his diploma. The older woman across from him tried tofort him, "It all depends on your effort. Where there is will, there is a way. I have an idea, but it depends on your connections." Qin Guan cheered up and listened to her carefully. "Get experience. You have to find a unit that will hire you as a part-time employee. That way you can gain experience while studying at college. Are you a sophomore?" Qin Guan nodded. Theres still hope! "Then youre just in time! When you are familiar with themon skills of an ountant, you already have working experience. After you get your diploma, you can ask your unit to give you a certificate." "There is more good news. You can apply for the certificate of a junior ountant, which will be helpful during your job hunt. The exam will be in May. There are still two months to go. Shall we apply to take that together?" Was that your aim all along? Whatever, Qin Guan was convinced. "Do your units want part-time ountants?" he asked. Just asking, in case I could solve that problem right away. They allughed and introduced themselves. "Do you know why our units assigned us to take this exam? Im from the XX grid. He is from the XX nt, shes from the XX bank, and he works for the XX group. Companies like ours are filled with staff, so stop dreaming! You chose the wrong direction. You should focus on small private enterprises that are just starting to develop. Its wasteful for them to employ full-time ountants. You can keep their books for them once a week and try to cut on their taxes. They will be d to make a certificate for you." Qin Guan kept their suggestion in mind. It was the voice of experience speaking. As a college student, he was nearly blind to the reality of society. Actually, Qin Guan nned on reaching the top of the industrial pyramid, but hispanions suggested that he open a business and expand overseas. That was a remote goal though. At their suggestion, Qin Guan decided to apply for the junior technical exams in May. They exchanged telephone numbers and returned to the examination room happily. In the afternoon, Qin Guan was more careful with his papers. As soon as the bell rang, he handed in his papers and went out. When he left the campus, he rxed. The next day he would be taking thest and easiest exam. Then he would just wait for his score and certificate. He had no idea that he was being sold at the time. Sister Xue was negotiating with the boss of the J shirts. Actually, we should call him the boss of J Clothing Co. Ltd. With Qin Guans help that past year, he had extended his power. In half a year, he had expanded the scale of his business to 16 stores. On the stable foundation of the capital market, he distributed his products to the surrounding provinces and cities. He had three production lines, and his profits had increased several times. With rising confidence, he had began the production of a casual collection. Hispany was no longer engaging only in shirts. His aim was to be aprehensive brand like BNL, which focused on clothing for young adults. ording to industrial evaluation, his brand had reached B- level. Qin Guan, who had appeared in four of his posters, was considered his exclusive model. (Although Sister Xue might deny that.) On that day, the boss hade over to get Qin Guans brand endorsement with his Advertising Department army. (He had already convinced the Advertisement Department!) Not long after the Spring Festival, he had opened stores on Xinjiekou, Xidan and Gongzhufen Street, in an effort topete with brands like BL and MS. There was a thick pile of contracts in front of Sister Xue. Unlike the previous year, J clothing had prepared a TV advertisement, a brand T show, and posters and catalogues for Qin Guan. Sister Xue skipped to the payment terms, which were detailed and reasonable. ording to the standards of a B-level model, there would be two to three shows in one year, and Qin Guan would get paid 6,000 yuan for each. The photoshoots would remain four a year, at the price of 5,000 yuan each, and the payment for brand endorsement would be 80,000 yuan for one year. After careful calctions, Sister Xue concluded that Qin Guan would earn 110,000 to 120,000 yuan as a brand ambassador for J clothing. It was a perfect contract without loopholes, leaving room for other opportunities for both of them. Sister Xue epted the contract. She would ask Qin Guan to sign it. The boss smiled to himself for a long time on the leather seat of his car. He hadnt told Sister Xue that his store in Xidan was in the same neighbourhood as LEE. When hed visited that store, he had seen LEEs poster right away. A giant poster of Qin Guan and an American model had been hanging in front of the store in the most crowded part of Xidan za. It was easy for drivers and pedestriansing from both directions of the busy street to see it. Chapter 136: Shooting An Advertisement Chapter 136: Shooting An Advertisement Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Handkerchief in mouth, the J shirts boss watched the opening ceremony of LEEs gship store in China. He expressed his endless feeling of resentment to the long queue outside the LEE store, which sold only torn jeans. After carefully scrutinizing Qin Guans poster, he gritted his teeth and signed the tenancy contract with the Leasing Department of the za. The rent was about three times higher than that of his stores in other areas, but he had high hopes for the future. As soon as Qin Guan finished his exams the next morning, he was taken to the J clothing headquarters by Sister Xue. The contract came into effect immediately. They went into a J clothing van, heading for the 4Apany to shoot a TV advertisement. The director who met them had originally been unsatisfied with the customer for picking a model in advance. Based on his analysis of J clothing, he had already chosen several good candidates for the advertisement, considering the brands rising status, audience and budget. Domestic models such as Huang Haibin and Ren Quan were all popr stars. He didnt care about the choice the boss had made for the poster and T show, but only a famous model would qualify for a TV advertisement. When Qin Guan got out of the car though, the director was stunned. The models he favored were ordinary peoplepared to Qin Guan. Rxing, he asked his assistant to lead Qin Guan to the makeup room, while he stayed outside to finish the preparations with the J clothing staff. Qin Guan went out of the makeup room and saw some figurants in the studio, who would serve as background in the advertisement. While the leading actor would be running, they would follow him around to create momentum. When the leading actor was still, they would stay behind him like wallflowers. Suddenly, Qin Guan saw his old acquaintance, Ouyang Fen. Ouyang Fens expression was thunderous when Qin Guan came out. They had been the winner and runner-up of the same nationalpetition. The gap between the two of them was not that broad. Besides, Qin Guan was just an amateur model in Ouyang Fens mind. However, Qin Guan had ovee countless obstacles and conventions in the modelling circle. Convention I. It was difficult for an amateur model to sign a contract with a formal agency, as most amateurs models were not qualified enough. However, Qin Guan had been pestered to sign a contract with a formal agency for several months. Convention II. It was difficult for amateur models to win domestic contests. Most models were promoted to C Level after signing a contract and stayed at that level for all their lives. Without strong financial support from the agency, it was very difficult to win a domestic contest. It was like the 25,000 kilometer Long March of the Red Army. Still, it had been easy and smooth for Qin Guan, who had just drifted along with the current. He had cleverly chosen apetition for new models withouttent rules and a clear winner. With the approval of both the judges and designers, he had won plenty of awards in his firstpetition. After thepetition, he had been promoted to B Level. Ouyang Fen gave him a forced smile. Qin Guan got himself a brand endorsement, while Im still stuck in the background. Qin Guan walked to the centre of the studio. To Ouyang Fens surprise, he didnt sneer at him. He just patted his shoulder without a word. The directors voice woke Ouyang up. He was slightly shocked, but he felt warm in his heart. Maybe Qin Guan is a good man after all! Qin Guan greeted the director in cotton knitwear, a waistcoat and leisurely pants. "Have you shot amercial before?" Qin Guan shook his head. "Do you know how to follow a camera?" Qin Guan shook his head. "Do you have any rted training or experience?" Qin Guan nodded before adding, "Most of my experience is on printed media and photos." The director exhaled in relief before telling Qin Guan, "Just rx and imagine that this is you in your everyday life. Do what I said, but dont drift too far from the camera. The sense of the lens is inbred. I have confidence in you!" Qin Guan had gained himself another admirer. The shooting began, and the figurants followed Qin Guan as he ran around and leapt. The first film was finished fast. The director gasped in admiration at Qin Guans performance. No wonder that models had the best lens sense. They can always find the best angle for shooting. Even the smile on his face is just right! The scene was finished during the second film, as the figurants had been running in the wrong order at the beginning. The second scene was simpler. They just chased each other on circling stairs. The final scene was shot at the top of the mansion. When they climbed to the top breathlessly, Qin Guan was surprised to see a roofwn. Thepany seemed to have spent a lot on the advertisement. The director of A.M wouldnt tell anyone about it, but they had evaluated J clothing as a senior customer with great potential. This meant that if the boss of the J shirts was satisfied with their work, there would be another contract. In the final scene, Qin Guan was chased by everyone else. People tore at his clothes to express their inner desire as Qin Guan shamelessly exposed a part of his chest. When the director said that they were done, Qin Guan was confused. It had felt like a camera had been recording his daily activities. He watched the yback doubtfully. In the special subdued light, his features were magnified naturally. His long legs were moving in perfect rhythm as the camera got closer. His sexy butt was clear in the leisurely pants. In the natural light of the setting sun, Qin Guan stood still among everyone else. He was the most dazzling person in the frame. He had been born a leading actor. After the shooting, Qin Guan was approved by A.M, one of the top three 4Apanies in the capital. They filled Qin Guans name in the "optional" column and wrote a "B" silently next to it. Considering his poprity and audience though, the director should have written an "A". After the work was done, Qin Guan got a text notification about a bank transfer. Deducting Sister Xues payment, 60,000 yuan had fallen right into his pocket. Chapter 137: The First Car Chapter 137: The First Car Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was considering buying a car. Ever since hed gotten his drivers licence, he hadnt even touched a steering wheel. He was getting busier and busier, and Sister Xue couldnt always be his chauffeur. His career goals had been postponed after graduation, so in his spare time he was looking for a part-time job at apany. He needed a small car to drive to ces instead of walk. The Yayuncun Car Retailing za was the first choice of any capital resident who wanted to buy a car. In 2000, it had the biggest number of cars and agents. Plus, there was also convenient public transportation there. Taking advantage of the spare time between his courses, Qin Guan went shopping in the za. The boss Qin Guan had cooperated with had promised to sell him a car at its original price through Sister Xue, but it wasnt the car of Qin Guans dreams. In 2000, a car was a luxury for any individual. 100,000 yuan was only fifty percent of the deposit for most people. Because of Qin Guans age, he had visited more than half of the shops in the za, but few salesmen had been willing to help him. They all mistook him for a handsome guy selling insurance or car essories. Nobody believed that a young man would go there with enough money to buy a car. Finally, Qin Guan found what he wanted in the various shops. Tens of years earlier, the domestic car market had been on the verge of changing. There had been few brands for ordinary people to choose from, while the prices had been nearly twice as high as they would be 10 yearster. Among all the avable types, the Cherokee jeep was Qin Guans favorite. Qin Guan made his final decision after he saw the actual car. Amid all the t household cars, the Cherokee, with its 2.5 liters and 5-level manual gear, was quite bold and impressive. The price was also reasonable. It was only 109,000 yuan. Compared to paying the terrible price of imported Cherokees, Qin Guan thought the manual edition would be fine for him. He put down his backpack and sat on the couch of the Cherokee 4S shop. A smiling salesman came up to him. F*ck! I know why you sent a green hand like me! You are allzy! Why didnt you give me a chance yesterday, when those fat businessmen were here? This young man is obviously just looking around. The prices will scare him off! Imagining Qin Guan running away scared, the salesman inquired politely, "What can I do for you? Would you like to buy a car?" Unexpectedly, the handsome boy answered, "Yes, I do." What? I cant believe this! Remaining professional, the salesman took control of his twitching facial muscles. "What kind of car do you want?" His voice betrayed him. It was much higher than usual. The other salesmen, who had been chatting behind the counter, stood up all of a sudden. Did we miss an one hundred million sale? Qin Guan walked up to the white Cherokee jeep on the exhibition stand and patted it on the hood. "This one, today!" The salesmans mouth stretched to his ears. He ran to the reception to get a copy of the contract. Qin Guan looked at the standard contract and asked, "Is there a gift?" The salesman was taken aback. "A gift?" "You know, like a gas filling card, a voucher, a backte, a food pad, a mop..." The salesman was speechless. That guy was shameless. Why dont you just ask for another car? Suddenly, Qin Guan recalled that essories were not given for free at the time. Before the salesman could say anything, he opened his mouth again and said, "I dont need sr films!" Okay, the negotiation was not going well. Better just sign the contract. For most sble cars in 2000,mon colors were always avable in 4S shops. Qin Guan opened his backpack and showed the salesman the piles of bills. The salesman fixed his eyes on them. "Why dont you choose that type? Its better." Looking at the giant 4.0 litre Cherokee with automatic speed changing, Qin Guan answered in admiration, "Just take my money!" Liar! I dont believe you! With tears in his eyes, the salesman counted the money and took care of all the necessary procedures. The new Cherokee by the entrance now belonged to Qin Guan. Qin Guan threw the empty backpack on the backseat of the car. Then he twisted the key and stamped on the elerator, driving off. The salesman handed the contract to his manager before the envious eyes of his colleagues. I might get a bonus this month. Qin Guan parked his car under the dormitory building. His roommates were so amazed that their eyes turned red. Even Liu Xiaoyang, who was the richest one among them, felt inferiorpared to Qin Guan. Besides, Qin Guan hadnt borrowed a single yuan from his parents. He had earned all that money by himself! Thinking of the remaining bnce in his ount, which had to be nearly zero now, Qin Guan felt a pain in his heart. As he was enjoying the worship of his roommates, the real estate agency called him. The house he had bought in 1998, which had been under construction at the time, was ready now. Hanging up, Qin Guan told everyone in a serious tone, "Are you free now? Who wants to go with me?" "Qin Guan! You even bought a house! Can you really make so much money as a model?" Looking at his short legs, Liu Xiaoyang wanted to drop dead. Qin Guanughed shyly. "My parents bought it for me. Its not far from here. Seriously, do you want to go?" "Why not? Well alle with you!" "Lets try your car!" they responded one after the other before trying to squeeze into the cab. "Go away! Ill drive!" "Firste, first served. Im the oldest one!" "There is no father or son on a battlefield. Takers, keepers!" Chapter 138: House, Car, Bills Chapter 138: House, Car, Bills Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The owner of the car was standing right behind them, but they did not consider his feeling. Qin Guan had lost control of his car for the day. They squeezed into the car and realized they had a serious problem. The car was overloaded. They asked Liu Xiaoyang, who was the thinnest, to sit in the middle. If they were pulled over by the police, he could hide under the seat. Luckily, the SUV had a huge inner space. If it had been an Alto, it would have broken down because of their weight. They drove to the real estate agency in the vibrating car. Although Qin Guan would have to wait several months for the house deed, the building could be put to use right away. The second phase was still under construction. There was nothing in the basement of the building, and the construction waste had not been cleaned up yet. However, the basic construction had been finished. Everyone followed Qin Guan to the third floor. There were two apartments on the same floor. The door on the left was the entrance to Qin Guans new home in the capital. He opened the door, which smelled slightly of oil paint, and saw the overall arrangement of his new residence. There was an oblong living room, and on the south and north side of it there were four bedrooms. The kitchen, washroom, and bathroom were on the east side of the living room, and there was also a big balcony. The light of the setting sun shone on it. The daylighting of the house was pretty good. Qin Guan made countless adjustments in his mind, while his roommates considered the possibility of purchasing a house in the capital themselves. Three of them had decided to stay and work in Beijing after their graduation, including Qin Guan, Ye Dong and Wang Lei. They asked for prices at the real estate agency after leaving Qin Guans new house. The prices had already risen from 1800/m2 to 2500/m2 for a standard house. It was still reasonable though. Persuaded by Qin Guan and the sales manager, the boys decided to have a discussion with their parentster in the evening. The sales manager wondered if he had hired Qin Guan as a secret salesman. Maybe I did and forgot about him. His roommates felt really grateful for Qin Guan as house prices soared. Qin Guan had made them millionaires! Good things kept happening one after the other. Qin Guan passed all three subjects in the ountant qualifying test with top marks. He would get the certificate he was longing for in May. Then his four older friends sent him the material for the junior ountant test. Qin Guan read through the books and believed it would be easy for him to finish by the end of May. Meanwhile, the J clothing headquarters had opened in Xidan. As their brand ambassador, Qin Guan attended the main show and filled his empty pocket. He earned the capital he needed to make adjustments to his house. If Qin Guan knew that his good luck would continue, he would have fainted from happiness. John was selected as the LEE model in the US, and he was reminded of his beautiful Asian friend. He was invited to the New York Fashion Week in September, and he introduced his colleague from China to the director of LEE. The director was shocked by the photos. Qin Guan looked like a fairy or an Asian angel. After checking the list though, he shook his head in disappointment and told John, "He is perfect, but hell have to wait for next time. All the models on the list have been approved. It would be unfair to them to just add someone in." "Besides, our designer hasnt seen Qin Guans resume. He cant be selected just based on his photos." "Oh, please! Just give him a chance to interview. We will be flying to China for the Capital Fashion Week in November." "Youre right, John. Why dont you find a better use for your memory?" The director took the photos to discuss it with the chief designer of the fashion week. J. K. V. was a Belgian designer and the meritorious man who had turned LEE into one of the top jeans brands. He focused ondies jeans, which was a sessful strategy. Although LEEs history was shorter than Levis by 40 years, they were both among the top three US jeans brands. J. K. V. took the June fashion week very seriously. Only the visit of the publicity director managed to slow down his hurried steps. "Whats the matter?" J. K. V. took off his sses and ced them on the table. The director spread the photos happily on the same table. "Whos this?" J. K. V. became serious right away. He put his sses on again carefully. "Where did you find him? Asia? Let me think... The store expansion in China? Wow! You found yourself a little gem! He looks unimaginably delicate." The director told his n to J. K. V, but the designer shook his head repeatedly, "Stop joking. We have decided on the arrangement. Even if the young man is standing outside this very room right now, I wont let him in." The result was as expected. The director waited for J. K. V. patiently though. He knew J. K. V. too well to believe that he would just dismiss a boy like that. As expected, J. K. V. added, "Ill give him a chance in the Chinese fashion week in November though. Ill personally attend the show." See? A designers attention is always necessary. Lets leave the office in the US now and go back to Qin Guan. Hisrge posters were hanging on the headquarters of J clothing in Xidan like a demonstration. The two different shops on both sides of the mall featured the same model, which attracted fashionable people who happened to pass by. Chapter 139: The Great Director Chapter 139: The Great Director Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The seductive poster, together with a cup of afternoon tea, made the cafe opposite the store inexplicably popr. An even more inexplicable series of events followed. The boss of the J shirts aired the advertisement on dozens of local TV stations, one of them a capital TV station. He dared not bother with CCTV, as he didnt have enough money. The total ad rates were less than CCTVs rates alone. The boss was industrious and thrifty. As a result, after the CCTV news finished at 7:30 pm, no matter which station one switched to, they most likely saw Qin Guan. His parents were about to watch a famous TV series while eating fresh fruit, when they suddenly saw their son running around on TV, chased by other people. They silently picked up the phone. Cong Nianwei had been forced by her roommates to watch "Wen Cheng Princess", when she suddenly saw Qin Guan. Is this because I havent called him in a long time? She sprayed the water she had been drinking on the screen. Id better call himter. Her friends all had good eyesight. As expected, they recognized Qin Guan right away. "Thats your boyfriend! Is he a celebrity?" It depends on your definition of a celebrity. "Where? Its really him! Congrattions! You have to treat us!" This one would do anything for a free meal. I have to call my boyfriend. Cong ignored her shameless roommates without hesitation. Countless people saw Qin Guan on TV and recognized him. That night, Li Shaohong went home. As she was sitting on the couch, she was thinking about her y, "Dame Pce", which was half-way through production. The actors for Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong were still being selected. Zhang Yizhi would be yed by Zhao Wenxuan. No one had objected to that. However, she had interviewed more than ten actors for the part of Zhang Changzong, and nobody had impressed her. The real Zhang Yizhi had been a gentle, elegant, calcting man. He had been an expert ondies and courting. On the other hand, Zhang Changzong had been a handsome, simple boy, renowned for his beauty. People said that he had been as pure as a fresh lotus. Li Shaohong had a general idea about the actor she wanted to y the part. As a tall man among shorter ones, Gao Jiangping from the Beijing Peoples Art Theatre was her ideal choice. Gao Jiangming was a serious man. She had been unable to find an actor with outstanding beauty, so shed had to choose one with good acting skills. Maybe well have to apply more powder to his face. Li sighed and pressed the remote control. The historical TV y "Wen Cheng Princess" was on. When there was amercial break during the y, Li frowned slightly. Annoying ads again! Local TV stations air ads four or five times in a few minutes. Li Shaohong stopped flipping through channels when she suddenly saw Qin Guan being carried by the other models to the rooftop. The ad was over soon. She flipped to other stations until she came across the advertisement again. She watched the advertisement three or four times in the same night before she made a decision. She called her assistant. "Xiao Liu, its me. Can you help me trace the model in the J clothing ad? You know how? Great! Call his agent and give him a chance to audition." Her assistant hung up. What a wonderful world! A green hand has been selected by a famous director relying solely on an advertisement. He hurried to find out which agency the lucky guy belonged to. Qin Guan had no idea about his luck. He was too busy answering calls from his parents and friends. Ever since the advertisement had been aired on TV, everyone, acquaintance or not, had started asking him various questions. The phone in his dormitory kept ringing all the time, which annoyed him to no end. The phone rang again. Qin Guan answered in an impatient tone, "Hello! Whos that?" It was Cong Nianwei. "Huh? Whats the matter with you? I havent called you in a long time. Its okay though, Ill hang up." "No, no! I was just annoyed because strangers kept calling. Ive missed you so much, darling!" Cong Nianwei would rather hang up as soon as possible. It seemed that Qin Guan was fine. There was nothing to be worried about. Qin Guan told her proudly, "Weiwei, I bought a new car! And my new house is ready. Ill take you to see it someday. We can decide on the adjustments together!" Cong Nianwei had found out about the house the previous year. She had felt strange when Qin Guan had showed off about it on his bicycle. Qin Guan couldnt fight the impulse to brag. "Are you free tomorrow? Ille pick you up. We can choose the paint together. The floor is already ready, but I dared not decide on the color of the bedroom." Cong Nianwei was confused. "Why? Isnt it your house?" "Im waiting for my wife. If shes not satisfied with the color, then Ill have to paint it again. Itd be too much trouble!" "Be serious! Come here early tomorrow. The decoration market is far away." As he hung up, Qin Guan felt d. Cong Nianwei didnt deny that she would be my wife! The next morning, Qin Guans Cherokee roared under Cong Nianweis dormitory. She was surprised to see the SUV behind him from her window. Where is his bicycle? [1] I cant believe this! Her roommates were practically salivating with jealousy. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] In Chinese, both a car and a bicycle can be called "Che" for short. Chapter 140: Just Shut Up and Kiss Me! Chapter 140: Just Shut Up and Kiss Me! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianweis roommates boyfriends owned shabby bikes, while Qin Guan was driving a brand new car. Was Cong Nianwei also good at selecting a boyfriend? Feeling her roommates envy, Cong Nianwei sat down calmly beside Qin Guan. He drove them slowly to the west entrance of QH University. At the sight of them in the car, Chi Hailing started crying by the roadside. Is it even possible to be this rich before graduation? Who said that one could survive on their strength? Hes making a living on his looks! Its so unfair! On the way, Qin Guan asked Cong Nianwei the question that was troubling him the most, "What color shall we paint the wall of our bedroom? The floor is milk yellow. What do you think about green? Its said that it helps one sleep. Or what about white? Its simple and easy to apply." Qin Guan read about the prices and the brushing process before asking calmly, "Shall we go with white?" Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. "Okay, white!" she agreed. The wife humored the husband, who was a penny pincher. Qin Guan carried the paint upstairs breathlessly. He felt upset that he hadnt bought a house with an elevator. Cong Nianwei pinned her hair into a bun and put newspaper hats on both their heads. The interior of the house had been polished. Qin Guan touched the wall and found it smooth. They could paint directly on it. All the tools, including a roller brush, a hairy brush, a basin, newspapers and a woodendder, were ready. They began painting. Qin Guan was in charge of therge scope, while Cong Nianwei supervised all the details. They were perfect match, but Qin Guan got distracted by Cong Nianwei after a while. Standing on the highdder, he looked down at his girlfriend. Her tiny nose and curled eysh looked very elegant. He stopped moving unconsciously, and the paint on his brushnded on Congs eyshes. Fortunately, Cong Nianwei had her eyes closed at the time, or the paint would havended in her eyes. Qin Guan got off thedder immediately and asked Cong Nianwei to stand where she was and keep her eyes closed. Meanwhile, he ran to get a towel. When he came back with a clean towel, he found his girlfriend standing in the sunlight with closed eyes. On her cheeks there were drops of white paint. Qin Guan wiped them from her face gently. Before he could let out a sigh of relief, Cong Nianwei asked him, "What about the paint? Dont worry about me, its not in my eyes." No one answered her. She thought Qin Guan was still feeling guilty about it, when suddenly his lips were on hers, blocking her words. There had been no warning, no advance decision. It just like theing of love. Love didnt ask why or when. After their first intimate contact, the young lovers felt like they had been hit by one of Cupids arrows. There were no flowers, no romantic atmosphere or promises. Qin Guan was unsatisfied with just kissing Cong Nianweis lips. If he kept calm then, he would be an idiot. He tried to insert his tongue into her mouth, but he was attacked fiercely. Dont even dream of a French kiss! 19-year-old girls in 2000 werent so open-minded. His second try kind of seeded. The revolution was notpletely sessful though. Hisrades still needed to fight diligently. Qin Guan stuck his tongue out of his mouth like a dog. Cong Nianwei had bit him. Ouch! It hurts! Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. Qin Guan approached her with the towel, but she looked suspicious. You want to try again? Im no fool! Qin Guan pointed at her nose and said sincerely, "Im not messing with you. There is paint on your nose. I want to clean it for you." Cong Nianwei touched her nose and nodded uncertainly. Qin Guan bent down and kissed her lips again. "Ha, ha! I said Id clean your nose, but I didnt say I wouldnt kiss you again!" Cong Nianweis face turned red. She started chasing after Qin Guan with the roller brush. "You liar! Come here! I wont hit you!" The warm spring was almost over. Did that mean that their love would be getting scorching hot? They ran around and fought until they were both out of breath and smiling. When they paused and intertwined their fingers, the phone rang, ruining the atmosphere. Qin Guan groaned helplessly. Cong Nianwei stared at him. He couldnt help but answer the phone tamely. It was Sister Xue. She sounded slightly doubtful, yet also a little happy and hesitant, as she told Qin Guan about a call she had just gotten. Chapter 141: Are You Serious? Chapter 141: Are You Serious? Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Li Shaohong needs a male supporting actor for her TV y. New Silk Road received an unexpected call from the crew, and then her assistant contacted me." Qin Guan answered calmly, "So what? Im a part-time model." "The director likes your charm and appearance. She wants you to y Zhang Changzong." "Who? Zhang Changzong? The most famous toy boy in history? No way! I wouldnt do that even if the national leaders asked me to! Are you serious? How could a handsome, strong young man like me y that woman-like Adonis?" Before Qin Guan could finish his proud announcement, he felt a pain at his waist. Cong Nianwei pinched his flesh as she told him happily, "Li Shaohong is my favorite female director. Do you know her work This is Forty?" Qin Guan shook his head. "What about Pink? Or Red Western Clothes?" Qin Guan kept shaking his head. Cong Nianwei sighed and said, "It seems like we have nomon interests. You have to audition for the y to make up for it." This was ridiculous. How could Cong Nianweis boyfriend reject her favorite director? He had to get the part, even if it was the viin! Sacrificing himself for their happymon future, Qin Guan agreed to go to the audition. As his agent, Sister Xue had gotten used to Qin Guan changing his mind often. She didnt return to reality until she set up an audition time with Lis assistant. Is that the way to entering the entertainment circle? Itd be wasteful for Qin Guan to be an actor though. She didnt spent too much time thinking about it. Qin Guan would be just a guest performer after all. No ordinary director would want a beginner like him. Qin Guan took Cong Nianwei back to college and returned to his own dormitory. As hey in bed, he began to review his schedule for the semester. He wanted to make sure that the TV y wouldnt influence his courses. Then his thoughts returned to Cong Nianweis sweet, soft lips. Stop! Id better go to sleep, or Ill just keep suffering. Qin Guan fell asleep with a tent in his pants, praying to the goddess of mercy. The next day, when he got out of his car proudly, Sister Xue, who had been waiting for him outside the Capital Film Factory, twitched her lips. You are only an ordinary model, yet you seem prouder than a superstar. Several people around the entrance were trying to guess who Qin Guan was. When they went inside and found the giant studio for "Daming Pce", the two of them were shocked. It was thergest studio in Asia, and the crew had built a splendid set for the y. To truly recreate the grand pce of the Tang Dynasty, the crew had spent quite arge amount of money on the set and props. It was beyond their wildest imagination, and it made them re-evaluate the importance of the audition. Li Shaohong was drinking water in the waiting room when her assistant led Qin Guan in. She watched the beautiful young man walk towards her. He looked like an enchanter who had broken thews of the imperial court and had been reborn. Cutting to the chase, she told the assistant, "Bring the costume for Zhang Changzongs first scene." Before Qin Guan could sit down, the director turned to Sister Xue, "Are you the boys agent? Well discuss things further after he changes into the costume." A bossy woman carrying out tasks resolutely! Sister Xue sat down on the edge of a stool nervously. This is the first time Im being ordered around by another woman! (Be honest, its not the first time.) When Qin Guan changed into his clothes and walked slowly up to them, they realized what "Lotus-Like Childe" really meant. His movements were like a wonderful unfolding painting. The loose, pure white gown hiked up in the wind, and the deep blue cloak set off Qin Guans perfect figure. He was at the best time of his life. He was the resurrected "sixth boy". Li Shaohong was quite satisfied with him. She handed him the script. "Is this your first time to act in a TV y? Just read the lines for me." Qin Guan opened the script and found his first scene, in which he had to cooperate with two older actresses, Chen Hong and Gui Yalei. Gui Yaleis first line was, "I brought him from Luoyang. Dont you think he is as delicate and pretty as a lotus?" Zhang Changzong had to depict a lotus on the screen by showing his back view to Chen Hong and Gui Yalei. Then he had to turn his head around shyly. Depict a lotus? Turn my head around shyly? What the hell is this even about? Qin Guans hands were shaking. He nced at his lines. In the script, Zhang had to turn and sit on the couch while Gui said, "Would you like to have a good time with me today?" A good time? What does that even mean? Is Zhang supposed to provide the good time? Speechlessly, Qin Guan showed the lines to Sister Xue, who covered her face. This is definitely not Qin Guans style. Qin Guan kept reading. It seemed like Zhang was an expert on embroidery. He didnt stop stitching from the moment he first appeared in the y, which reminded Qin Guan of a famous role in Jin Yongs novels [1]. Then they reached the climax, when Empress Wu Zetian told her daughter, Peace Princess, "Master Zhang made a lotus especially for you, to express my appreciation for your wisdom." Its so literal! A lotus painting for appreciation of her daughters wisdom! With tears on his face, Qin Guan read his first line, "Can you do stitch work, my princess?" What the hell is this? Zhang sure behaves like a girl! Qin Guan finished his first scene quickly. What a shame! Do I even qualify? I have to hug Chen Hong! Shes a famous beauty! Sister Xue saw that he was about to do something silly, so she warned him in a low voice, "Cheer up! Think about who sent you here!" Qin Guan cheered up immediately when he recalled Cong Nianweis red lips. I cant disappoint her. I have to do this! Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] It refers to Dongfang Bubai, a top martial artist who became a eunuch in his pursuit of higher martial arts. We will read about him in following chapters. Chapter 142: Forgive Me, Grandma Rong! Chapter 142: Forgive Me, Grandma Rong! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan nodded at the director, put the script down on the table, and began to perform before an imaginary embroidery frame. Who can teach me how to act? Forget it, theres no time for that. Pretending to hold a needle between his fingers, Qin Guan struck his most ttering pose and poked at the frame. There had to be someoneing. Taking advantage of Professor Lis lessons, Qin Guan tilted his head to the side. That was the best pose for a lens. Li Shaohong found the boys performance interesting. Forming a frame with her fingers, she looked through them to observe Qin Guans lens sense. He turned around, sat back, and turned his back to the camera. The boy had a good figure. He stared at an imaginary princess to show his elegant style. Then Qin Guan stood up, opened his lips and said, "Can you do stitch work, my princess?" After several seconds, he gestured in the air. "Your hands should be higher..." Qin Guan pretended to put his hand on someones shoulder to teach them how to embroider. Li Shaohong knocked on the table. Wonderful! Its romantic, in spite of the vacant space. He looks at her as if shes the whole world! For a green hand, he is better than most actors! Qin Guan wasnt about to tell her that he was pretending the princess and the queen were both Cong Nianwei. It was easy for him to y a male imperial concubine. If it made Cong Nianwei happy, he could pretend to be cooler. It wasnt too much to ask. The director was satisfied. Qin Guan changed into his clothes, and Sister Xue went to get the contract. Everyone was happy. Li knew that Qin Guan was a college student and she promised to look after him. On the way back to college, Qin Guan realized that he had passed the audition. He decided to tell his girlfriend first by showing her Lis autograph in his pocket. He had begged for that signature shamelessly. He still recalled the speechless expression on Sister Xues face and the amused one on Li Shaohongs face. He kept murmuring to himself, "Im sorry, Sister Xue. I may have lost you face again, but I did it for my girlfriend." Fine, Cong Nianwei was more important! She had to be at the house currently, watching the workers paint the wall. The previous day they had realized that neither of them was good at physical work. Therefore, they had hired abor contractor. It had cost them only 200 yuan to have all the walls painted. When Qin Guan returned home, the house was already clean. Cong Nianwei was busy picking up newspapers from the floor. Qin Guan hugged her from behind and turned her around. Before Cong Nianwei could get angry, he took out Lis autograph and showed her. He had narrowly escaped disaster. Cong Nianwei blushed from joy. Qin Guan tried to steal a kiss. Huh? Shes not angry! She has to get used to my kisses at some point! Cong Nianwei paid no attention to Qin Guan though. She was too busy reading the script of the y. What a wonderful y! I hope to see it on TV as soon as possible. Considering the state of modern literature, Cong Nianwei liked to read stories of that style. She patted Qin Guan on the shoulder encouragingly and grumbled in a flirtish manner, "I have been working the whole day. Take me out to dinner! After supper, we can back and read the script! Its your scene soon! Come on, move! Move!" Before Qin Guan could regret everything, Professor Li, who had heard the news, arrived and took him away. Professor Li raised both hands in approval at Qin Guan. That was what things were like in the capital. If you were popr, sponsors spent a lot of money on you. Nobody cared about how you became popr though. Qin Guan was escorted to a big yard in Golden Fish Hutong. It was a standard courtyard with an antique arch. In the middle of the yard there was a clove tree that made the whole structure look lively. Qin Guan stared at an olddy, who had been invited to instruct him on traditional formalities. Is she really a history professor at the Capital University? The olddy looked back at Qin Guan with a disgusted expression. Hes like a pillow in an embroidered case, but one filled with hay. Why would my granddaughter like such a guy? Its because of my friend Li Ying, who brought a poster of him when we met while my granddaughter was at my house. I had originally nned on saying no, but my granddaughter forced me to ept the student. The girl is eight, but she sure can tell if someone is beautiful. I shouldnt tell her stories about historical, famously handsome men! As she thought of this, she used the pointer in her hand to hit Qin Guans legs, which were in the wrong position. She reproached him, "Are you an idiot? I just showed you how to do it!" Lady Rong felt guilty as she uttered the words. The boy was really clever. He had been gifted with an extraordinary retentive memory. If he remains like that, I might ept him as a formal student. (Olddy, where is your dignity?) After half a day of traditional formalities lessons, Lady Rong showed her benevolent side to Qin Guan. She let him drink some water and led him into the courtyard. An ancient, simple embroidery frame was inside. Sitting up by the frame, the olddy pulled a thread through a needle and began to stitch. The slender silk thread was flying elegantly between her fingers. She fixed the end of the needle and stood up. "I dont know what y youll be acting in. Actually, men and women were the same when it came to embroidery. In ancient times, there were also male embroidery experts. As an actor, you can only imitate the movements." Chapter 143: A Careless Man Hugs A Princess Chapter 143: A Careless Man Hugs A Princess Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan nodded tamely. The movements had been recorded by his muscles. For Qin Guan, whose boots were always on the ground, that elegant skill was far beyond reach. Time was pressing, so the trainingsted only one day. The next day, Qin Guan had to registered with the crew. More than half the y had been finished, but as a supporting actor and a nobody, he had attracted everyones attention. Qin Guan went into the dressing room nervously, leaving Sister Xue surrounded by staff members outside. F*ck! There are so many people in the crew! She was familiar with the simple modelling backstage, but now she was surrounded by assistants, photographers, logistics assistants, lighting engineers, propmen... They were all talking about Qin Guan without any scruple. "A neer? I heard that he has not graduated from any film or drama school. Hes only a small-scale model!" Sister Xues veins pulsed in anger. A small-scale model? Hes a B level model, got it? "He is really handsome, but this is a y with ancient costumes. He doesnt look that elegant. Can he really y Zhang Changzong? Looks arent everything!" Not that elegant? He is a poster model for top foreign brands. Top, understand? Actually, they were just jealous of the chance Qin Guan had gotten. Even though he was an amateur actor, he had gotten an opportunity many professional actors couldnt get. Meanwhile, the dresser was staring at Qin Guans face, holding her brush for about three minutes. She couldnt bring herself to do it. ording to the role, Zhang Changzongs face had to be white as snow, and the actor had to have powder applied on their face. This was unnecessary in Qin Guans case though. After several light brushes, the dresser pushed Qin Guan out, gritting her teeth. What a pity! I have put so many skincare products on my face in the past 20 years, yet it was all in vain! Qin Guan stood outside the dressing room in his white robe and blue cloak. His long hair had been pinned into a small bun on his head. He looked as calm and serene as an immortal. Everyone fell silent. His acting skills notwithstanding, he definitely qualified to be a decorative vase. Everyone went off and got to work. When the director and the producers of the y arrived, Qin Guan became nervous. Gui Yalei, a veteran actor, Chen Hong, an ancient style beauty, and Zhao Wenxun, a handsome man, also arrived. They were all famous actors. Sister Xue pushed Qin Guan from behind, reminding him to remain silent. Director Li was straightforward as she made a short introduction, "This is Qin Guan, who will y Zhang Changzong. Qin Guan, I think you know your colleagues. Lets begin. You can get to know each other in the process." You are all so cool! Is that okay to say? The older actors were shocked by the directors words. They were all casting pitying looks at Qin Guan. Qin Guan had nowhere to go. He had to do his best. Several embroidery screens had been ced in the hall with the high ceiling and the red pirs. Light entered through the windows, shining on the embroidery frames, which were so thin that one could see the things on their other side. Qin Guan stood before a frame and took a deep breath. His first y had just begun. Chen Hong walked along the path between the screens, followed by the camera, which eventually turned toward Qin Guan. A young man in a long robe was standing against the light, doing sewing work in front of the scroll of a lotus painting. There were pink lotuses and green leaves on the frame. The painting set off the handsome young man. One could say that it seemed as if a figure had walked out of the scroll and be real. Aware of theing strangers, Qin Guan turned his head gently and smiled brightly, making the lotus pale inparison. Looking at Qin Guans elegance and talent with the camera, Li Shaohong cheered him on silently. This had exceeded her expectations. Actually, Li had been worried that Qin Guan would pose like a model. Now she could rx. Wonderful! He even practised on ancient formalities. The scene has been saved! When Qin Guan sat back and began his embroidery work, all the staff members and actors were shocked. Is he really that good at embroidery? All his movements are in harmony! Li Shaohong was surprised. She recalled the first time she had met Qin Guan, when he hadnt even been able to hold a needle. How could he do that now? Qin Guan had made a good impression on Gui Yalei and Chen Hong. Everyone liked a hardworking guy. His line delivery was also natural. When he hugged Chen Hong though, Li shouted for the first time. "Who are you hugging? Would any toy boy dare hug a princess when they meet for the first time? Besides, your real master is the queen, who is standing behind you. You looked like you were hugging your girlfriend!" Everyoneughed, including Gui Yalei and Chen Hong. In fact, there were no specific instructions on the script. It was all up to the directors interpretation. Qin Guan understood immediately. A mighty queen had sent her toy boy to her daughter for entertainment. The boy was just a pet, one that should know how far to go and when to stop. Qin Guan turned Lis words over in his mind before he said, "I see. Lets do it again!" Li Shaohong nodded, and the cameraman got to work again. Qin Guan spread his arms and touched his clothes slightly with his jade-like fingers. He stopped, and Chen Hong naturally leaned against his chest. Li pped her hands lightly. Goodprehension. The princess can lean on you, but you cant embrace her. Qin Guan had mastered the preliminary skills of a toy boy. "Okay! Next!" At Lis order, the scene was finished with only one interruption. Although hed had to work with two veteran actors, the green hand hadnt been nervous. Chapter 144: Taking Off The Costume Chapter 144: Taking Off The Costume Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan asked the two older actors, "What did you think of my acting? Were there any shorings? Is there anything I should pay attention to?" Gui Yalei and Chen Hong exchanged a nce. Respectfully, Chen Hong let Gui speak for both of them. Gui said, "You should trust the director, young man. At the beginning, people will doubt you because youre a green hand. After the first scene though, when you appear in full costume and makeup, they will ept the directors judgement and your ownprehension." "An actor is someone who acts. Amateur actors can also be sessful. Unlike professional drama school graduates, they possess a different kind of intelligence and other advantages. You should believe in yourself and act ording to your own understanding. If there is something wrong, the director will remind you and exin." "I wish all actors had your spirit. Its better to follow the directors instructions. Keep up the good work. Cheers, young man!" Qin Guan watched the twodies walk away in shock. They gave so much advice to a nobody like me! Silly boy, there are not that many kind-hearted people in real life. Its your potential and merit that narrowed the gap between you three. The effort one puts in their work is the only thing that can impress an actor and make them ept someone else. When they were far from Qin Guan, Chen couldnt help but tease Gui, "Professor Gui Yalei, you are not usually this conversable with green hands." Smiling, Gui answered, "Everyone likes a beauty. Hes surrounded by so many good-looking faces, yet he still stands out. He deserved every single one of my words." They smiled at each other knowingly. By then, Qin Guan had won the staffs praise with his extraordinary embroidery skills and ancient formalities. The shooting went on as nned. In the second scene, Qin Guan would y alongside Zhao Wenxun. In the script, the queen had brought Zhang Changzong to Luoyang from a town in South China. Simple, young and naive, Zhang Changzong had admired his older brother, Zhang Yizhi, who hade to the capital for the imperial examinations. Thanks to the queen, he had earned a fortune for his brother, and the two poor men would be able to be noblemen in Changan city. Unfortunately, his brother had favored romance over knowledge. He had missed the examinations in order to meet a woman, making all his efforts go to waste. However, Zhang Changzong was still willing to support his brother. He gave him all him awards without hesitation, and Zhang Yizhi epted them eagerly. Qin Guans performance was quite natural, as if Zhao Wenxun was really his brother and the hope of the whole family. The director did not stop them at all, rendering all the crew members speechless. In fact, Qin Guan considered Zhao his father, a man he had to listen to. The two scenes were all Qin Guan had to do for the day, and he finished them both in advance. Li looked at her watch and waved at Qin Guan. "How many lines did you recite?" "All of them!" What? Although hes a co-star, Zhang Changzong has lots of lines. "The whole scene?" "Yes, all the script." "Great! Lets do one more scene!" What? Qin Guan was confused. He tried to find Sister Xue in the crowd, but it was in vain. He had no choice but to nod. "Okay!" "Then take off your costume!" Li told him happily. Horrified, Qin Guan realized that in the following scene, he would be carried to the royal court as a tribute in only a white Confucian style garment. The picture formed in both his mind and the surroundingdies minds. Qin Guan felt defeated. What a pure boy! He changed into a loose, thin white robe, and let his hair hang down. Only then did he realize that he had been cheated. He had forgotten that the shooting process had to be carefully arranged so there was no time wasted. If he was naked, or at least without underwear, they would wait till veryte to shoot the same scene at night. It wasnt necessary to change costumes. Also, to depict realistically the legend that the toy boy prayed for the queen without eating any food for three days, he hadnt even gotten a lunch box! Swallowing his saliva, Qin Guan watched the other actors, assistants and staff take their eight-yuan lunch one by one. Tears filled his eyes. The old man selling the lunch boxes felt sorry for the handsome boy, but all the boxes had been sold out. He dag in his pocket in the hopes of finding some kind of candy for the boy, who was staring at him with shining eyes, when Sister Xue pulled Qin Guan away. What a shame! As night fell, the giant pce was alight with candles. Qin Guany down feebly before three joss sticks as tribute. He was not even acting. He was really hungry and thirsty. He was put into the royal carriage by the queen, ennobled and swoon-worthy. Qin Guan didnt need to think about it. He finished the scene without stopping. Li Shaohong struck while the iron was still hot. She asked the costume master to pull off Qin Guans front pieces. Qin Guan suddenly began to scream, "What are you doing? This is hooliganism! Help! Director! Sister Xue!" Sister Xue smacked him over the head with the script, reminding him that the next scene would be a medicinal bath. Qin Guan was too hungry to think, but his silly behavior helped him finish the next scene smoothly. Chapter 145: Kissing and Cuddling? Chapter 145: Kissing and Cuddling? Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Do you want to know why? Performing was in Qin Guans nature. Just follow me and watch the overall process. Qin Guan: "Really? Am I already a nobleman? Hurry up! I dont need a medicinal bath, I need food! I want a three-day feast!" The lines seemed tailored for Qin Guan. Zhao Wenxue: "Whats your hurry? The Queen granted you a bath for spiritpensation." Qin Guan (looking around): "Really? Okay, Ill stay for a while then." It was so harmonious with Qin Guans true qualities. Sister Xue was speechless with Qin Guans luck. Zhang Changzong was just as funny a guy as he was. Qin Guan was ignorant about the next part though. Zhao Weixue was trying to brainwash him. "The most important reign is manipting someone elses love. Its a more splendid achievement than controlling a territory. It has real-life significance!" There were smooth ancient lyrics ying as background music. They sounded deep and arousing. Director, this is way too literal for a conversation between toy boys. After that speech, Zhao Wenxun took off his clothes and entered the bathing pool. The two of them enjoyed some quiet time together. The artistic picture of bathing beauties was mesmerizing. "Okay!" the director said. Qin Guans work for that day finally ended. Zhao Wenxue helped a wet Qin Guan out of the pool and patted his shoulder in encouragement. "Well done! Cheers!" Then he left, showing Qin Guan his handsome back view. Fortunately, the guy is feeble from hunger, otherwise he might steal the show from me. It would be embarrassing if he was reading lines and the audience kept watching Qin Guan in the pool. In the following days, Qin Guan rode a flying crane, blew a bamboo flute, hunted deer, argued with ministers, and experienced a pce revolution. Finally, it was time for his and Shangguan Wanrs [1] cuddling scene. By that time, Qin Guan had be friends with the whole crew. Li Bingbing, the actress who yed the other princess, made jokes with him. "Qin Guan, is this your first time doing a cuddling scene?" Qin Guan nodded conscientiously. "Its my first time acting and doing a cuddling scene." Li Bingbing smiled. "Thats good. Dont forget to tell me when you shoot it. Id be happy to watch." Youre here to make fun of me? I thought you were here to offer guidance! Everyone around was smiling, taking pleasure in his misfortune. Nobody was kind enough to help him. Qin Guan gritted his teeth, "Hey! You jerks! Theres nothing to cuddling. Just wait for my performance!" Qin Guan and Shangguan Wanr were looking at each other silently in their white pajamas, expressing tenderness and love through their eyes. The burning candles cracked in the quiet night. "Camera!" the director said. Qin Guan shed silent tears for Shangguan. "I dont know what I want my life to be like. My brother chose this life for me when I was a child." Taking pity on him, Shangguan caressed his cheeks and embraced him. She leaned her head on Qin Guans shoulder. The actress was very capricious. His broad chest and thick shoulders are so sexy in my arms! Her mind drifted away as Qin Guan recited his lines. "Nobody in the world loves me. Im afraid I dont know what love is." Then it was time for Shangguan to speak. Li Shaohong waited by the camera, but nothing happened. "What are you doing? If you forgot your lines, youd better tell us!" The actress tried her best to get herself together and apologized to the crew. The scene began again from the very beginning. She was at a loss for words during her conversation with Qin Guan. They stopped for a second time. They exchanged heated words as the actress stammered. They had to stop for a third time. The director was speechless, but she yelled at them to stop again. As a green hand in a TV y, Qin Guan didnt think that anything was wrong. He just listened to the director. Unbelievable! Li Bingbing pulled the actress aside and said in a low voice, "Thats enough! I know what youre thinking about, but this is too many takes! Enough!" The girl nced at Li disapprovingly. "Youre such a hypocrite! Even the figurants want to be intimate with Qin Guan! I cant pass up such a good opportunity. Are you jealous? Too bad your character loves Zhang Yizhe. Ah! Stop! Ill behave myself next time!" Before Li could smack her on the forehead, Shangguan started begging for mercy. Then she shared Qin Guans secret with Li. "Believe me, you didnt hug him..." The two beautiful girls started talkingsciviously. Their subject wasnt romance, but pedication. Qin Guans scenes were over when Zhang Changzong died during the revolution. By then, Zhao Wenxun, his partner for most of the y, had almost be Qin Guans older brother. The boy looks elegant and perfect, but hes silly in nature. He is sincere with others and hard-working. He neverints about anything. As a green hand in TV ys, Qin Guan couldnt control the position of the camera and the interpretation of his role at the beginning. The director always shouted at him, but he just smiled like silly, touching his head and letting things go. After the shooting, he would consult with the older actors and the director as if nothing had happened. His most valuable virtue was his intelligence. The clever boy had been gifted with an extraordinary retentive memory, which was highly praised by all the staff. He had to be some kind of genius. He was not arrogant either, although talented people usually were. They all got to like the young man in the process and grew very close with him. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Queen Wu Zetians maid and officer. Chapter 146: Let Me Go! Its Indecent! Chapter 146: Let Me Go! Its Indecent! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia When Qin Guan finished his lunch box on hisst day on set, Li Shaohong stopped her work and came and patted him on the shoulder in encouragement. "ording to our rules, any actor who dies in the y gets a bonus." With a chicken leg in his mouth, Qin Guan smiled. His eyes had narrowed into tiny slits. Li Shaohong didnt say much to him. The boy is very intelligent, but hes silly in everyday life. He made friends with everyone in the crew. Maybe I will give him more chances in the future. After bidding farewell to the crew, who had taken care of him every day, Sister Xue received a bonus of 200 yuan. As Qin Guan started his Cherokee, he opened the window and told Sister Xue, "Add all possible terms concerning ie to the contract. Films, animation, advertisements. Otherwise, youll suffer losses. The share can be the same as on model jobs. Dont look down on it!" Although she had an annoyed expression, Sister Xue felt warm in her heart. She handed the bonus back to Qin Guan and patted his car. "Dont worry about it. The y is finished, so you can just rx. I wont ept any new jobs for you. You have exams, right?" Qin Guan smiled proudly as he showed off. "Im the No.1 student at my college. Im well-prepared." Before Sister Xue could tell him about the payment for the TV y, he drove away. He was afraid that she would ask for a share of the bonus. That would be 60 yuan! When the whole y was finished, Qin Guan would receive his final payment. ording to green hand co-star rates, he would get 2,000 yuan for each episode. That would be 16,000 yuan in total, which was pretty good. Qin Guan was not bragging. The four ountants he had metst time had passed their exams with his help, and they all took the exam for the junior technical post together. The two subjects, Primary ounting Practices and Basic Economic Laws would be over before noon. They were all at the same skill level, so they finished their papers without any trouble. They had been nning on treating Qin Guan afterwards, but he had already left. They still had his phone number though, so they decided to help him in the future if he needed anything. Qin Guan had won their friendship. (Of course, the author is not encouraging cheating here.) If one helps others, others will help them in return. Qin Guans schedule was tight that day. He had to go to Huang Jiajias house for a quiz. He had been too busy to finish her papers. Besides, it was one of their few lessons before the College Entrance Examination, and he wanted toplete their over one-year long courses. In the evening, Qin Guan spread the papers in front of Huang Jiajia, proud of his own work. Chinese: 123 Math: 99 English: 118 Physics: 100 Chemistry: 105 It was 545 in total, which was three points below the minimum passing score for college admission. Qin Guan was excited. The first time he had met Huang Jiajia, she hadnt even been able to score 300 points. Judging by her current achievement, the rebellious girl had made great progress. Huang Jiajia remained calm as she stared at the papers. Actually, she was one of the best students at her school, and she had high hopes of getting into a pretty good college. However, her goal was the Capital University of Finance and Economics, which required 670 points even for students in the capital. Tears started falling on the papers without any warning as she began to sob. Qin Guan was flustered. What the hell does the princess want? Her score is pretty good, and there is more than a month left to go. With some more effort, she will be able to enrol at a good university! Qin Guan had a low EQ, so he had no idea what Huang Jiajia was thinking about. He considered her tears a sign of anxiety over her score. He tried to smile kindly as heforted her. Huang Jiajia embraced Qin Guan and buried her face in his chest. Qin Guan couldnt help but scream. The girl cried out as tears and snot ran down her face. After the entrance examination, she would have no excuse to stay close to Qin Guan. Her first love would have brushed past her. Qin Guan was shocked and annoyed by the young girls feelings. She had a soft body and a sweet-smelling breath. He had the impulse to retreat. Even an idiot would have known what was going on. He touched his forehead and said in his gentlest voice, "Huang Jiajia, let me go, okay? Lets have a talk." (Is this what you call a gentle warning?) Huang Jiajia cried even louder. Her love was one-sided. My single-minded, silly teacher wont reciprocate my emotions. Qin Guan didnt know where to put his hands. He dared not touch Huang Jiajia. As he hesitated, Huang Jiajias mother came in to see why her daughter was crying. She entered the room and saw Qin Guan hugging Huang Jiajia. They looked at each other for a second before she left quietly. Her mother is different. Why doesnt this naughty girl take after her? After less than a minute, Huang Jiajias mother entered again with a stick. She pulled Huang Jiajia away with one hand, and then waved the stick towards Qin Guan. Chapter 147: Fighting Back Chapter 147: Fighting Back Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "You bastard! You dare bully Jiajia! You brute! I shouldnt have trusted you! Ill beat you to death!" She was a master of the stick. Qin Guan ran around the room covering his head. He tried to exin, "You misunderstood! Things are not like they seem... Huang Jiajia, help me exin!" Huang Jiajia sniffled and pouted, turning her head away proudly. Her mother grew even more agitated. I did not misunderstand! The stick hit Qin Guan over and over like raindrops. Actually, I hurt her feelings. Theres nothing to exin. Id better run away. Qin Guan escaped from Huang Jiajias home with bumps all over his head. Huang Jiajia is really her mothers daughter. Both of them are great at fighting. Huang Jiajias mother pushed Qin Guan out of the door,forting her crying daughter, "Darling, stop crying. Ill break his legs if he darese to our house again. How dare he bully my daughter!" Huang Jiajia wiped her tears away. "Mum, my score is not high enough for his college." "Forget it, youll apply to other colleges." "No! I want to be in the same college with him. I like Teacher Qin." Huang Jiajias mother was confused. This has to be a story of a shameless teacher molesting an innocent girl. Surely, there was nothing meaningful between them. Huang Jiajia began to cry. "He doesnt like me! I wont see him again if Im not in the same college as him! You just drove him away! I didnt have intercourse with him! Its all your fault!" It was a typical case of a viin fooling his victims. Huang Jiajias mother was the one who loved her the most. She would do anything for her daughter. Patting her on the chest, she promised Huang Jiajia, "You just try your best during the next month. So long as you pass your exams, I will help you." Huang Jiajia stopped crying and smiled. "Really? Youre telling the truth?" Her mother nodded. "Dont worry, Ill take care of it for you." Huang Jiajia felt relieved. She applied herself to her courses happily. Her mothers idea was simple. She nned onining to Huang Jiajias father until he found a solution. Qin Guan returned to his dormitory with a broken heart. Huang Jiajias mother hadnt paid him for theirst lessons. Forget it. It can be considered punishment for breaking her heart. Before his sorrow could fade away, he received a call from New Silk Road. Sister Xue was waiting for him at their headquarters. Qin Guan didnt realize the importance of the meeting until he entered the meeting room and saw Ni Dalei and the director of the Market Department waiting for him. At the directors request, Ni Dalei read the statistics of his models orders in nearly half a year. He had a serious expression on his face as he did. Everyone was losing customers. Qin Guan was the worst one among them. He was actually at number zero. This wasmon for models after a couple of months, but it was strange that Qin Guan would face such a problem at the beginning. Other models of Nis had also been influenced. Ni had been aware of the situation and reported it back to the headquarters. Several days ago, they hade to the terrible conclusion that the Pioneer Fashion Model Company had dered war against them. They had bribed a phone receptionist who happened to be in charge of Nis business calls. It was shamelessmercial espionage, and it was not suppressing just a single person, but the profits of the wholepany. New Silk Road had found out from the receptionist that the famous model Shao Xiaobing had been taking jobs from them. It hade as a surprise, but the director had to do something about thepanys future development. Qin Guan and his agent had been invited there to discuss suspending their affiliated contract. The director couldnt shut his eyes to the lost customers, not if the reason was an affiliated model. There were two choices for Qin Guan. One was to sign a formal contract with New Silk Road and Sister Xue, and the other was to be relieved from the contract and go back to being an independent model again. Looking at the preupied Sister Xue, the director told her, "I feel for you, but this is the best solution ording to the director of the modelling school." Professor Lis friend was also involved. Sister Xue frowned deeper. If they signed the formal contract, Qin Guan wouldnt be able to have control over his own time, and the division rate would be 7:3. Only renowned models could get a rate of 5:5. This was beyond Qin Guans reach. Neither she nor Qin Guan would be satisfied with such a contract. There was only one choice left. They had to work by themselves. Sister Xue took a long breath. She was ready to give her final answer, when suddenly Nis phone rang. "Hello, this is New Silk Road. Yes, yes. Which model? Qin Guan? Hold on, please." The director was sitting opposite Sister Xue and Qin Guan. He had a well-thought-out n and he was just waiting for their decision. In his opinion, anyone in their right mind would choose to sign a formal contract with New Silk Road. If it was not for the J clothing advertisement, which had a good sales volume and was well-known in the advertisement circle, he wouldnt have been trying to sign a contract with Qin Guan. He was a rising star though, and the director wanted to secure him for a new annual stage performance before he was discovered by anotherpany His idea was pretty good, yet the two people sitting opposite him were not reliable. One of them wouldnt take a job as his carrier, and the other was quite confident about Qin Guan. They both replied in one voice, "Wed like to cancel the contract." Chapter 148: The Path Winds Through High Peaks Chapter 148: The Path Winds Through High Peaks Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The director jumped up. Ni Dalei, who was standing behind him, stopped him before he could get angry. Ni murmured something to him before answering the phone. Smiling, Ni sat in front of them and tried to persuade them, "Think it over. Leave some space to each other and wait for a while." Wait for what? Qin Guan and Sister Xue had no idea, but Ni seemed nervous. The call had been from Two Sung Electronics, a South Koreanpany. Thepany exported its products, which included small household appliances, DV cameras and cell phones, to China, just in time to catch up with thestest trends in electronic appliances. They were unsatisfied with their small market share in China though, so in 2000, they began to invest great capital in advertisements. The directors of their Publicity Department had seen Qin Guans sample in the A.M advertisementpany. "Who is this model? He is really young and handsome." "Yes. Even better than Zhang Dongjian." "We want him as our model." The director of A.M swiped his sweat away. "You have so many products. Which one do you want him to represent?" The man from Two Sung pointed at one of their products with certainty. "This one, but we also have some additional items. Tell the model. If he agrees, well start at once." Wilful rich men! You havent even seen our advertising n! A.M had called New Silk Road, but that level of customer was beyond Nis authority. He was only in charge of C level models. The director hung up and turned over the news in his mind in embarrassment. He had to negotiate with Qin Guan gently. There was a carrot in front his nose now. A.M assigned background model work to New Silk Road too. I can get mad over anything except money! His attitude changed all of a sudden. He returned to the table withrge steps and picked up the formal contract again. Then he told Qin Guan naturally, "What are you waiting for? Like I said, we cant yield to our opponents. Ive decided to fight them! We wont abandon any model, even an affiliated one. Well get revenge for you. I arranged an advertisement with Two Sung topensate for your losses. Just do it, young man! Dont worry about anything." Sister Xue epted the result. In her opinion, it was the best oue for her and Qin Guan. It would be better for him if he didnt do part-time jobs before he became famous. Besides, Qin Guan would get an ad as a bonus. After receiving the shooting annunciate, Sister Xue waved farewell to the director and left the headquarters with Qin Guan. They were more scared than hurt. They didnt care about how the director would deal with Shao Xiaobing. The director of New Silk Road wouldnt let Shao go. That same day, Shaos agent received an internal warning from thepany,manding that he stop stealing their orders. Thepany also asked Shao to reflect calmly after finishing his current work. He wouldnt be getting any new offers anytime soon, except for original representing jobs. Shao wasnt angry when his agent informed him of the punishment. "Shao, we are all tired these days. Itd be better if you took a break. Thepany also has some things to consider." "Of course. I need to take a good rest. Dont worry, it wont be long. Soon those sons of bitches will be licking my toes!" "Why? What for?" His agent was confused. Is he hiding something from me? Putting down his teacup, Shao exined happily, "I have predicted the oue. I knew that New Silk Road is no tamemb, so I secured immunity for myself in advance. The Capital Fashion Week!" he said before closing his mouth and tasting his tea. "What?" His agent was not as calm as Shao. The fashion week had first beenunched in 1997 and had been getting more and more influential ever since. Plenty of overseas brands participated in the event. He turned around before the tea table in excitement. "Great! If you can participate, I wont be worried about the force-out. Therell be no more than eight models attending the event from the wholepany. Which interview did you pass though? An obscure brand wont do." "Ne-Tiger." Shao smirked slightly in pride. "And the other smaller brands I have cooperated with. If the other models didnt mind, I would like to build a bridge for thepany." His agent rxed. Shao had the best connections in the modelling circle. He always made friends with people who could help him, but seldom did he ever suppress somebody who was a threat to him. Those unlucky models were usually neers with no background. After several rounds, they were forced to the shallow waters before they could adapt to the deep sea. Qin Guan is the only exception. Is Shaos instinct too sharp? Or is it too weak? Against all expectations, Qin Guan had soared up to the sky with one jump. All the TV stations were ying his advertisement. It was impossible for Shao to suppress him now. He had to jump higher to get out of this muddle. The Capital Fashion Week would be a good start. It would be better to change career though. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was on his way to his dormitory. It was dark, and the hit song "Leaving Sorrow to Myself" was ying in his car. Qin Guan was swaying to the music helplessly. Too bad he was not gifted at singing. He was not tone deaf, but his voice was terrible. He had the typical Qin voice, which was low and maic, but broke at a high pitch. It was the so-called karaoke throat that failed at professional singing. Chapter 149: The DV Film Chapter 149: The DV Film Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The next day, Sister Xue and Qin Guan drove to the A.M. headquarters. They met the same director who had weed themst time. They didnt beat around the bush. hey talked about the controversial points of the contract right away. "We know the rules. As a bigpany, their payment is reasonable for Qin Guan. He isnt a famous model yet. What does DV film mean though? We have to shoot a DV film for the contest sponsored by Two Sung." "Hes a leading actor in a small film? That sounds great. Is the payment included?" Are you kidding me? Were not idiots to do two jobs without getting paid anything! Qin Guan read the contract twice before replying, "I ept." "What? Are you silly? We dont have to be afraid of such a bigpany. Ill ask for more money for you!" Without further exnation, Qin Guan pointed at the DV directors name and signed his name. Sister Xue stopped at once and smiled at the director of A.M. "Shall we begin today? Where is the studio?" Wheres your moral integrity, sister? If you think Qin Guan was an idiot, youre wrong. He knew nothing about the entertainment circle, but he had a general idea of the famous guys appearing on media, magazines,works and newspapers in his past life. The name "Zhang Yang" was on the column of DV directors. He was among the sixth-generation directors in China, who were good at maintaining a bnce between art andmerce. This could be considered a God-sent ability. Zhang Yang could feel the pulse of both sides. His films became popr without any trouble, and were not overlooked as underground films. He had gained professional praise and a wide audience. Generally speaking, he was a very talented director. Of course, the DV was a trial for him. In Qin Guans opinion, he was using it as a background for prevailing in feature movies. That was why Qin Guan could be lead. It was just for y. There was no mention of the box office, as the show would be suspended. The contract had been settled, so they could start. Qin Guan was shocked by Two Sungs investment when he entered the studio. The product that would be featured in the advertisement was a professional PD110 DV. Of course, as ayman, Qin Guan thought it was a household camera. The background was quite fashionable, and Qin Guans costume was a space suit. The idea was that a space traveller had stepped into a mysterious room and opened the DV on the transparent tribute altar, which projected the Earth on the screen inside the room. There was a vast starry sky. Clustered by shining stars, the water-blue looked dazzling. The handsome invading alien would make the advertisement perfect! Of course, post-production would be A.M.s responsibility. All Qin Guan had to do was act the part. His costume had cost a lot. He would be wearing long silver hair, pale semi-transparent skin, and clear puce eyes. It was the best test for a models looks. It was nothing for Qin Guan though. After the final brush of silver powder, he hastened into the studio. He wanted to start and finish work early so he could get paid earlier. His new house was in need of overall decorations for the kitchen and washroom. "Actor ready! Three, two, camera!" Qin Guan pushed in. In the lens, the alien invader gasped in admiration before the mysterious DV altar. A surprised expression formed on his fairy-like face. He walked to the altar like a nobleman, his waving cloak shining like silver. Qin Guan touched the DV on the altar with a religious gesture. The lens zoomed in, his curious eyes bing clear as a day. After a series of movements, the director reshot close-ups of the altar. When everything was perfect, he let Qin Guan go. Qin Guan felt sweaty all over his body when he took off the costume. Sweat was flowing down, leaving a trail on the silver powder. It was the middle of May, and the temperature was getting higher. Qin Guan had suffered in the airtight jumpsuit and the thick cloak. He didnt feel refreshed until he changed into his loose T-shirt and put a sweet frozen sucker Sister Xue gave him in his mouth. The DV contest would take ce in the second half of the year. He had no idea about Zhang Yangs film. I wont suffer any losses anyway. The profits from the advertisement will be 50,000 yuan! Before he could rx for a few days, he received a call from Sister Xue asking him to go to the Wangfujing Church. The church was located near the busy Wangfujing business street. Confused, Qin Guan stepped into a small photographic equipment store a few metres across the church. Sister Xue hadnt been clear on the phone, and this seemed like an unlikely ce for shooting. Suddenly, the ss door was pushed open and five people squeezed in. The room was too jammed to move. Qin Guan fixed his eyes on the neers. Wow! Its my acquaintance, Li Bingbing! The two of them hugged. Then Qin Guan turned around. The two leaders of the group were taken aback when they saw Qin Guan clearly. A short-haired man in high spirits said, "Hi, Im Zhang Yang. Are you Qin Guan?" Hes the director! Qin Guan greeted everyone, "Hello, Im Qin Guan. Im employed by Two Sung!" The director touched his recently-cut hair, murmuring, "Are they kidding? I only needed an ordinary shop assistant, not such a handsome guy." Qin Guan was confused himself. What? A shop assistant? Only by then did Zhang Yang realize that it was their first meeting and Qin Guan had no idea what the script was about. Anyway, its quite a simple DV. Theres time for him to read the scrip now. Du Haibing, who was standing behind him, took a sample script from his backpack and handed it to Qin Guan. Qin Guan finished the script within two minutes. Aha! No wonder there were only a few pages. Even the leading actor had very few lines. They were actually the following. "F*ck!" "How much for one?" "The yellow one." "Why are you selling roses now?" "Its for you." That was all. Chapter 150: Sunflowers Chapter 150: Sunflowers Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan thought it was a trap. With Zhang Yang as a director and Li Bingbing as the heroine, it had to be quite a good DV. But what the hell was it about? Zhang Yang saw Qin Guans doubts and told him, "Two Sung had originally asked me to make a short film for their DV contest. The script had been inspired by our chat. The investment was limited though, and I spent all of it on the DV camera. Du Haibing and Li Bingbing are my good friends, so theyre here just to have fun and getpensated for an upleted coboration." "Dont look down on this opportunity. I had originally nned on inviting Xia Yu to be the lead, but Two Sung said youd do it for free, so..." Qin Guan had the impulse to shout "Thanks" at the great director. Forget it, I have already signed the contract. Before the shooting, Zhang Yang scanned Qin Guan from head to toe. Things did not look so good. The boy was too handsome. It would be unrealistic for him to chase after a flower-selling girl for that long. "Do you have any casual clothes that are torn or out of fashion?" he asked Qin Guan. Qin Guan nodded. He had plenty of them back at his dormitory. Satisfied, Zhang suggested taking some testing shots. Qin Guan agreed, and the first scene began. DV shooting was random, without background, lights, costumes or assistants. All they needed was a DV camera, a photographer, a director, and an actor. Carrying a cross-body bag, Qin Guan walked along Wangfujing Street. He opened the door of a store and turned over the "Closed" sign. Then he turned on his camera, faced the middle of the street, and put in a new film. He began to clean the store as a part of his routine. Another employee entered the store, and the boring day began. The first scene was finished in one take. They reyed the film, and there were no idental departures from the frame or items blocking the shot. The scene was okay. Qin Guan was speechless. This was really a record of everyday life. All he had to do was ignore the camera. There were also some scenes that had to be recorded in the store. Just Qin Guan looking after the store, hear the chattering of the employee and recing the film. It took them less than a morning to finish the first scene. They all looked at each other. This was his first try, but Zhang Yang was able to adapt to the situation. A film movie set had high light and background standards. That could be fixed, unless they had to shoot high-speed running or other kinds of movement that were as quick to shoot as walking. The first scene between the leading actors was about to begin. Li Bingbing felt dazzled by Qin Guans splendid smile. Shed had a conversation with him while theyd been working on "Daming Pce", but they hadnt had the chance to be partners. Their tight schedule had prevented them from having too much contact. When shed gone there to help her friend with the DV trial, she had not expected her partner to be Qin Guan. She had yed in many dramas, yet this was the first time shed met an actor who could surprise her with his looks. She was a veteran though, so she focused on the role. In 2000, she was in her prime time. Two twisted its were hanging down her shoulders, and she was wearing a skirt and holding arge bouquet of sunflowers in her arms. Qin Guan jumped down and walked up to her. With a curious and slightly amazed expression, he fixed his eyes on her, full of passion and love. She got distracted for a while, but she delivered her lines mechanically. "Would you like some flowers?" "How much are they?" asked the shy boy. "Five yuan each." "F*ck!" Qin Guan answered instinctively. "Thats too expensive! Can I get a discount?" Everyone burst intoughter. Qin Guan tried to exin, "Its true, its too expensive! You can buy flowers at the Dazhongsi Wholesale Market for 1.2 yuan each." Zhang Yang pointed at the street. "But shes selling flowers here! Everything here will cost more than at other ces, even a piece of bean curd. Dont use other peddlers as a point of reference." Qin Guan scratched his head and apologized sincerely, "Im sorry, I couldnt control my mind. Lets go again!" He hadnt wasted any film anyway. Zhang Yang waved his hands generously, and they repeated the scene. The next step would be the post-production. Qin Guan had to take some clothes for his exterior shooting with Li Bingbing. To save on the expenses, they shot the rest of the interior scenes at the house of one of the crew members. They had to be self-sufficient. It was a small room of only a few square metres, and there was nothing inside except for aputer, a shelf, and a bed. The property assistant made a bowl of instant off-brand noodles for Qin Guan. "Its been processed so theres no product cement," the assistant exined when he saw Qin Guans doubtful expression. All Qin Guan heard was, "Awful Noodles". The man had to really hate instant noodles. The photographer and director wouldnt have done such a thing. They had lived on instant noodles during their poor days. Qin Guans scene was simple. He had to watch the short DV introduction on aputer while eating noodles with a smile. He picked up some noodles with his chopsticks and began to act. Staring at the screen, he sucked the noodles into his mouth loudly. The noodles ended up hanging from the corner of his mouth. The director nodded in approval. Those eating manners fit the role perfectly. He had not expected Qin Guan to act like that, but he was an intelligent actor after all. Qin Guans expression changed frequently as he watched the video hed taken during the day. He looked crazy, insulted, shocked. The girl he liked and had been buying flowers from every day had actually been the main culprit of the Wangfujing robbery! Startled, he stood up and kicked down his chair. Zhang Yang was really satisfied with Qin Guan and his wonderful sense of the camera. "Cut!" he sounded, thus signalling the end of their work that day. Before Qin Guan could even review the shooting process, the second day of work had begun. Qin Guan and Li Bingbing repeated the same series of scenes in different costumes. The story board indicated Qin Guans resolution to buy flowers regardless of the weather. The bouquet changed to roses. This was the only scene between Qin Guan and Li, and the only time they actually interacted with each other. Chapter 151: The CCTV Hit Show Daming Palace Chapter 151: The CCTV Hit Show Daming Pce Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Li Bingbing was pricked by the thorns on the roses. Qin Guan carefully pulled the thorns away and handed the roses back to her. He looked at Li with a worshipping expression as he said nervously, "Theyre for you." Li epted the flowers with slight surprise and secret delight. Zhang shot the scene twice just to be safe. As an old friend of Li, he knew exactly what she was thinking about. The girl would definitely y some kind trick. In all conscience, if he was a girl, he wouldnt have let Qin Guan go either. He had to finish this short film in two or three days though. Two Sung was waiting for him. He had no spare time to connive with Li, so hed warned her in advance. As for Qin Guan? The silly boy had no idea. He just acted ording to the directors instructions. Acting was easy. In thest scene, Qin Guan gave Li Bingbing the videotape, which was the only proof of her crime, with the intention of putting an end to his love. The film ended in a cliffhanger. It took them two and a half days, and there were only six people working on it. ording to the director, there would be only 30 minutes left after the final editing. It was actually a home DV show! Qin Guan felt a deep feeling of resentment. No wonder Sister Xue had disappeared after the first day. She had done this deliberately! The crew was dismissed without any celebrating feast or bonus. Qin Guan had finished his first movie without realizing it. Zhang Yang told him that he would send the work to Two Sung. If he got his own studio, then he would publish it. On the other hand, Li Bingbing pretended to be Qin Guans understanding older sister. She confirmed that the film had been a trial and warned him so he wouldnt be cheated by Zhang. Patting her own chest, she promised Qin Guan appropriate roles in the future aspensation. Looking at her young beautiful face, Qin Guan had the impulse to warn her that in his past life she had chosen countless awful roles. Qin Guan now had a clear idea of how unreliable those guys were and abandoned any hope of their n seeding. Ill just go back to being a straight-A student. Ill return to my courses with a broken heart. Qin Guan buried himself in his books, studying for CET 6 in June. His whole mind was concentrated on learning. Meanwhile, the annual CCTV drama was quietly broadcasted. With exquisite scenes, graceful lines and outstanding actors, the TV y "Daming Pce" showed the audience a splendid page of the prime time of the Tang Dynasty. The audience quickly indulged in the style, wilfully luxury and romance created by Li Shaohong. The handsome Zhao Wenxun, who was the first actor toe on stage, became the object of girls affection. Qin Guans character appeared in the middle andter scenes. The hit show didnt have any influence on him, yet he was unprepared for the exposure. The Two Sung Group seemed to know that Qin Guan had yed in the TV series. Taking advantage of it, the advertisingpany aired his DV on TV. CCTV and numerous other TV stations broadcasted his advertisement. Some were cunning enough to air the ad in themercial breaks during the TV y. By then, Qin Guan was recognized on the streets. People still didnt know his name though, so he didnt cause any traffic jam when he went out of campus. At most, they would kindly ask him, "Are you the alien nobleman?" In those cases, Qin Guan would answer honestly, "Yes, its me." By the time the 23rd episode aired though, the effect was magnified. Housewives expressed their feelings about the y. "It must be the queens toy boy. Only a handsome man like him could be brought into the pce by the queen." "He is really quite the troublemaker. If I was the queen, I would have grabbed him myself." Young girls also recognized Qin Guan. "He is the model from J shirts and the Two Sung DV. Hes so handsome!" "Ill buy some J clothes for my boyfriend. I wonder if hell be as handsome as Zhang Changzhong in them." In 2000, the inte reached ordinary peoples homes. Technology had improved a lot, and the standardwork speed at the time was 512 K/S. Launched in 1999, the "Haijiao" Forum became popr amongizens. It was famous for its content and rity. The most popr parts of it were the tittle-tattle and gossip sections. The gossip section was especially noisy. Qin Guans post was at the top of the forum. That section was generally considered the wind indicator of the entertainment circle. Most hit shows and stars had a space there. Titled "Talking about the most handsome man in an ancient costume", Qin Guans post attracted lots of attention. The author had written, "As for the recent hit show Daming Pce, a lot of my friends have published rtive posts. Just like everyone else, I had also fallen in love with Zhao Wenxun, who ys Zhang Yizhi and Xue Shao in the y. When I saw the 23rd episode today though, I betrayed him. I decided to award the crown of the most handsome man in an ancient costume to Zhang Changzhong. Hes my new favorite." "When he turned away from the screen and Taiping Princess, my heart was conquered. The graceful lotus on the frame paled inparison to him. He deserves to be remembered as the Lotus Childe in historical records. The title matches reality perfectly." "While I was waiting impatiently for themercials to end, I also saw him act as an alien nobleman!" "To conclude, he is handsome not just in an ancient costume, but also as an alien! Hes a really handsome boy. From now on, he will be my Prince Charming. Dont try topete with me!" The post was like a stone thrown in ake. Girls who had just finished watching the TV y gathered under it fast. "Agreed." "Hes mine!" "I betrayed Zhao Wenxun myself! Breaking news! I have also seen him on posters and magazines. I have the whole set." "Are they on sale, sister? Where did you get them? Ill offer you a high price!" Chapter 152: Learning About the Buddha Doctrine Chapter 152: Learning About the Buddha Doctrine Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Netizens at the time were too shy to say "I want to have your babies" or "Im drooling over the screen". The power of fans was unlimited though. Within two hours, Qin Guan had be the prince of the gossip section. Some mighty girls had even found reports on the New Facepetition. Finally, they focused on New Silk Road. The next day, the telephone operators of New Silk Road nearly died of exhaustion. Crazy fans were calling them all day long, asking for information about a model named Qin Guan. When the director of the Marketing Department was informed, he thought he was going to go crazy, too. This was not an entertainmentpany, so they were not capable of receiving so many calls. They had to set up a special telephone line just for Qin Guan. Qin Guan became really famous. With such poprity, his level had to be upgraded as well. Many top level brands wanted a good model and actor to promote their products. The director was so depressed, he was thumping his chest and stamping his feet. Why didnt I insist on the contract? I wasted such a good opportunity. It would be much more difficult for him to sign a formal contract with Qin Guan now. Qin Guan received so many calls from friends that his phone was about to explode. So was Sister Xues. She got calls about brand endorsement, magazines, interviews, TV auditions... She was both miserable and happy. There was a great difference between a film and TV agent and a model agent. She would have to be in charge of publicity, selecting roles that fit Qin Guans characteristics, and rushing to the frontline to fight for opportunities. Sometimes, she preferred beingzy, just like Qin Guan said. She wasnt resigned to be just a model agent though. With a sess in film or TV, Qin Guan would enjoy better domestic development without waiting a long time or fighting to stand out among countless models. So long as he was famous, famous brands would approach him. Waking up from her daydream, Sister Xue decided to check the script notices carefully. In 2000, the domestic market for TV series was flourishing, and many ssic TV ys were emerging, such as "Kangxi Dynasty", "The Grand Mansion Gate", and so on. Those were out of Qin Guans league though. A man couldnt be lucky forever. The scripts in Sister Xues hand were not ssics. There were still some decent works though, including "Romance during the Tang Dynasty" and "The Legendary Swordsman" (directed by Zhang Jizhong), which were worth an audition. As for the stranger ones, such as "Happy Encounter in the East and West" and "Royal Babies", even Sister Xue couldnt bear to read them. Looking at the thick pile of scripts, Qin Guan was surprised by her abilities. In such a short time, she had managed to create a good rtionship within the film and TV circles. In spite of the quality of the scripts, the chance to audition was valuable for plenty of actors. Qin Guan had good taste. He wanted to participate in the two TV series that had been famous in 2001 and had aired on CCTV for over 10 years. It was a pity that Sister Xue was not as shameless as him. He had to be content with the second best one, which would be shooting in the summer. He would be ying Bianji in "Romance during the Tang Dynasty". Another toy boy and a monk? Qin Guan was left speechless by the role. He would be ying another heartbreaker, Yang Lianting, in "The Legendary Swordsman". Why did he always get such roles? He would rather be a co-star and have less lines. Why was he always the toy boy? Once for the princess, then for the leader of the martial arts circle... It was unbearable! Sister Xue ignored hisints. She told Qin Guan to practice by himself. It seemed like his roles in ancient costumes would only be increasing, so he had to study with Teacher Rong in his spare time. Fortunately, Fayuan Temple, the temple with the longest history in the capital, was not far from Qin Guans college. He could learn about the Buddha Doctrine there. Qin Guan was good at acting. Before he left, he promised Sister Xue that he would find a martial artist for training. Sister Xue was quite worried about Qin Guan, as martial art movements in film and TV were quite different from traditional Chinese kung fu. One focused on shape and style, and the other stressed on real fighting. Forget it. Its better for him to learn more. ...... Qin Guan headed directly to the Fayuan Temple. Located on the south end of the Jiaozi Hutong outside the Xuanwumen Gate, the Fayuan Temple had been founded during the 19th Year of the Zhenguan Period by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. The Buddhist Academy of China had been established in the temple in 1965. Unlike the Lama Temple, where incense smoke was all around, the ancient temple was simple and dignified, with red walls, grey tiles and green trees. The stone praying incense burner in the square was surrounded by smoke. There were several wintersweet trees standing beside it, which made the temple look noble and unsullied in the winter. The students of the academy were doing their matin in brown frocks. The pilgrims didnt disturb them. They just burned their first incense stick for the day. That year, the book "The Fayuan Temple in Beijing", written by the famous Taiwan writer Li Ao, had been published and be widely popr, both domestically and overseas. As a result, the quiet temple had be famous all of a sudden, attracting countless Buddhism followers and visitors. Unlike the pilgrims, Qin Guan headed to the guest receiving hall. Scanning the exquisite corridors, he realized that the hall had to be for VIPs. A young acolyte in a grey frock greeted him. "What are you looking for, my benefactor?" "I would like to get some primary Buddhist texts. Instruction books would be even better." Smiling, the young acolyte guided Qin Guan to a shed nearby. He pointed to the books on the shelves and said, "These are all books donated by followers. They are sold for charity. If you like, just put the money in the box ording to the prices on the tablets." The grand temple is really considerate! Qin Guan saluted the young acolyte before going into the book shed. Chapter 153: Bianji in a Grey Frock Chapter 153: Bianji in a Grey Frock Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan picked several primary books on Buddhism and some buddhist stories. He had no intention of bing a monk. Bianji was focused on having intercourse with a princess in the y after all. There was an aplished martial artist at his college, Mou Xiaoliu. ording to Huang Jiajia, Mou was the student of a master who engaged in Xing Yi Fist. Learning a little from her would have to be enough. When Qin Guan appeared at the door of Mou Xiaolius ssroom, even the tutor could not control the students. They all started screaming. The tutor had taught Qin Guan the year before. She waved at him to go away, shouting, "Qin Guan, you troublemaker! Stay away from my ss! There are still ten minutes left!" During thest ten minutes, Mou waspletely distracted. She couldnt hear what the tutor was saying. All she remembered was Qin Guan gesturing at her that he would be waiting for her outside. As soon as the bell rang, Mou ran out of the ssroom with her bag without telling her friend. Qin Guan smiled at the girl with puppy eyes. "Could you help me, Mou Xiaoliu? Are you good at fist fighting? Could you teach me? Ill pay you!" Mou nodded. "No problem. Ill do it for free!" Qin Guan didnt listen to her. He would be taking up as much of her time as a part-time job, so he had topensate her. Mou asked Qin Guan seriously, "Do you want to formally acknowledge someone as your master?" Qin Guan shook his head. "I just want to learn some fixed patterns. The basic skills are not important to me." It would be simple. Without any further questions, Mou made a short introduction in a clearing of trees. "I am a student of Xing Yi Fist. My ancestor had Li Cunyi as his master, and he inherited the Big Frame School in Hebei Province. The basic techniques of Xing Yi Fist are three body stances, five fist patterns, and twelve shapes. I have to prepare for our lessons. We can start this weekend. Is that alright?" Qin Guan nodded happily. At Teacher Rongsmand, Sister Xue had made several Tang suits for him, including a kung fu costume, which had cost her a lot. If I practice martial arts on the tree path at the Fayuan Temple in that costume, I might turn into Buddha on the spot. Several dayster, Qin Guan picked up Mou in his Cherokee to go meet Sister Xue. Their expenditure was supervised by Sister Xue, but Qin Guan also majored in ounting, so the extra money for tuition had to be considered a reasonable expense. His agent had to approve of his teacher though. Qin Guan took Mou to Professor Lis hall. At the beginning, Sister Xue seemed doubtful because of Mous age, but Mou shocked her by showing them the first fighting pattern. She demonstrated a series of fist movements before them. Her moves were simple yet practical, performed with irresistible force. Mou finished her performance and waited for praise with shining eyes. Itching to try, Qin Guan said, "Its my turn!" He imitated Mous performance almost perfectly, which shocked both Sister Xue and Mou. Although Qin had just copied the pattern, not her force, it was still enough for the film. Sister Xue felt assured. Qin Guan was thinking about his gift of extraordinary retentive memory, which was usually more practical in memorizing documents. He could copy the simple movements, but he was still inferiorpared to students who had been practising for a long time. Still, Qin Guan was getting better and better at Xing Yi Fist. Sister Xue was quite satisfied with Mou. She was a very hardworking, simple girl. She proposed that Mou be Qin Guans temporary assistant during the summer holidays, and Mou epted with extreme pleasure. Qin Guan didnt even express an opinion. Mou would have to find a part-time job in the summer anyway. What would be better than staying close to her prince? They made the decision right before it was time for Qin Guan to audition for "Romance During the Tang Dynasty." It was the final audition before shooting started. Actually, the actors had basically been selected, but because of the promotion of Li Shaohong, the assistant director of "Romance During the Tang Dynasty" had decided to give Qin Guan a chance to try for the role of Bianji. The crew had taken advantage of the props from the "Daming Pce", saving arge amount of money, so it made sense that they give him a chance to audition. Qin Guan was wearing a green Tang suit with loose cuffs and trouser legs. The suit looked like a frock from a distance, and inbination with his short haircut, he looked almost like a real monk. He put his palms together devoutly and greeted the assistant director, who recognized the extreme beauty of suppressing sensual passion. He was the one in charge of the casting. Excited, he took Qin Guan to Director Gong and the head scriptwriter, who were exining the plot to a handsome young man with fake eyshes. The assistant director didnt think much of him. There were many actors there for the audition after all. He pushed Qin Guan toward Director Gong and said, "This is Qin Guan. He was rmended by Director Li. Isnt he more handsome than the others?" The director had originally thought that the young man standing before him was a cute boy, butpared to Qin Guan, Nie Jin looked like an inferior being. The scriptwriter looked cheered up. The romance was obviously fabricated, unofficial history focusing on love and legends. Bianji, who had been a nobody in history, was the main character of his script. The role had to be interpreted three times, during three periods of the mans life, childhood, adolescence, and youth. Qin Guan was the most devout and refined actor he had seen for the part. Chapter 154: Success and Failure Chapter 154: Sess and Failure Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan looked up as a breeze went through the lower hem of his frock. He moved gracefully, in the style of a schr. A light smell of sandalwood surrounded him. The director and scriptwriter were both shocked. The most surprised one was Nie Jin though, who was trying out for the role. Although he had graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, he hadnt gotten a chance to star in any decent TV ys. The scriptwriter had made changes to the story and made Bianji the main character. The unknown handsome young man would be his rival for the part. Director Gong seemed to appreciate him very much. The director was slightly excited. A monk who aroused the deep love of a princess and had intercourse with her, thus break religious precepts, sounded a lot like Qin Guan. He looked at Nie Jin, who was standing behind him in confusion. This boy is outstanding and professional too. Besides, I just promised him the leading role. It would be shameful to take my word back. The scriptwriter maintained a clear mind before Qin Guans beauty. He kindly pointed to the new script, reminding the director of the different periods in Bianjis life. The director thought about the simple, honest actor who would y Bianji as a teenager and looked at Qin Guan again. Finally, he realized that he would not be able to find two more actors to match Qin Guans looks. For the consistency of the whole y, he had to reject Qin Guan. He told him to wait for them to get back to him, which was what they usually told people when they failed an audition. Nie Jin exhaled in relief. No one would want to be Qin Guans opponent. I got very lucky today. It seems like my ordinary beauty brought me luck. Qin Guans legendary victory streak was broken. In the modelling circle, his beauty was a prominent advantage that swept away all obstacles, but when it came to films and TV shows, which were moreplex, it was a double-edged sword. The producer, scriptwriter, director and actors could reject anyone. No one could get sessful easily, unless they were beautiful. In 2000 though, there werent that many ys or roles for beautiful actors to select from. Qin Guans range of character choices was limited. At the time, all the directors were dreaming of international prizes. The overseas media was not interested in a rising China though, but in the everyday lives of ordinary Chinese people. Many directors had been on the wrong path. Reality didnt equal ugliness. It also encircled the true meaning of beauty and love. In the lens though, those were omitted, either consciously or unconsciously. This restriction was not caused by Qin Guans looks, but the political and economic environment. Qin Guan still had a long way to go. A good beginning was still just a beginning. After thorough consideration, Qin Guan collected his thoughts and smiled confidently. Just in time, Assistant Mou handed him a bottle of mineral water. In the early summer, a considerate girl could make anyone happy. The small flies in the water were merely a detail! Qin Guan was ready to go again. He started his car and drove off to his next audition. His second audition was a piece of cake. Yang Lianting was only a supporting part in Zhang Jizhongs y "The Legendary Swordsman". The character would appear in several episodes though, so Zhang himself would make the final decision. Qin Guan had no idea about the great advantage he had until Zhang opened his mouth and he heard him speak with the ent of his hometown. Unless one was an anchorman or a TV show host, their local ent was clear to their fellow townsmen. Their native dialect narrowed the gap between them, and the bold and generous Director Zhang was very satisfied with Qin Guan. He made a decision as soon as possible. Linghu Chong would not be getting the lead. That co-star was not worthy of Qin Guans talent. Usually Director Zhang would leave after a cup of tea, but the two of them chatted happily for more than half an hour. By the time they were ready to leave, Qin Guan was on Zhangs white list. Sister Xue also took this chance to get Zhangs private telephone number. It was a happy surprise and a blessing in disguise. One sessful interview and an unsessful one. Qin Guan considered himself a lucky guy. Yangs part would begin in Zhejiang Province in July, when Qin Guan would be on summer vacation. It seemed that Qin Guan wouldnt be able to return home that year, so he decided to spend time at his new house. The adjustments had been finished, but there was still no furniture inside. When everything was ready, Qin Guan counted his savings and picked up his girlfriend to visit the Ikea in Madian. Cars were rare in the capital at the time, so there was no traffic jam. The Ikea was located at the north side of Madian, so its parking ce was sufficient for its customers. Aiming in fashion and simpleness, Ikea satisfied the demands of the petty bourgeoisie and the white-cor ss. Qin Guan parked his car, opened the passenger door, and locked it after Cong Nianwei got out. They stepped inside the mall hand in hand. The thing that impressed Qin Guan the most was the western fast food. His favorite dessert was the ice-cream cone. The golden yellow cone was crisp and it smelled wonderful. Snow-white ice-cream with a thick milky fragrance was squeezed out of the machine, umting in the cone like a small torch. The little tail at the end was so sweet! Cong Nianwei bit the white ice-cream with her pink lips, leaving a cute mark. Qin Guan stared at the cone in Cong Nianweis hand with shining eyes, making her feel embarrassed. "Do you prefer vani?" Cong Nianwei kindly exchanged her ice-cream for Qin Guans. Maybe he just didnt like chocte. Chapter 155: Let’s Build A Love Nest Together Chapter 155: Lets Build A Love Nest Together Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianwei was not prepared when Qin Guan lowered his head to kiss her lips. She tasted like vani, sweet, cold, and smooth. Cong Nianwei was annoyed by her boyfriend, who reached out for a yard after taking an inch. After their first kiss, Qin Guan had be an addict. He would take advantage of any chance to kiss her. Cong Nianwei was already afraid to be with him in public. As punishment, she took a bite out of the ice-cream in Qin Guans hand. It was chocte, and it tasted sweet and slightly bitter. They headed directly to the third floor, nning to shop from top to bottom. In the service centre on the first floor, they got an Ikea pencil, a map, and a list of all the products. Ikea was always considerate. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were drawn to the new products on the third floor, where the bedroom furniture was exhibited. They saw a three-piece French style set that included a wooden queen-sized bed, a bedside table, and a big closet. The closet was designed for a couple, and it cost 3,900 yuan. The small bedside table could also be used as a dresser. The drawers on both its sides could hold more sundries. It cost 699 yuan. It would cost Qin Guan about 6,498 yuan to furnish the whole bedroom. Qin Guan felt a pain in his chest. Realizing that Cong liked the furniture though, the mean thoughts in his mind were pushed out. But will she stay overnight for the furniture? Cong Nianwei had no idea about Qin Guans ns. As a top student at the Architecture Department, she liked those kind of things. In her mind, such simple furniture was easy to assemble and it was suitable for a young persons home. She was really enjoying decorating a new house. Gritting his teeth, Qin Guan bought a curtain that reached the floor, aplete set of sheets, cushions, towels, and two hairy carpets. Everything matched Cong Nianweis taste, and it cost Qin Guan about 2,000 yuan. We didnt even buy household appliances! Qin Guan sniffled and pulled Cong Nianwei to the kitchen supplies section, where he spent hundreds of yuan. The Dazhong electric appliance market was nearby. Qin Guan could only afford to buy a fridge, but women were all born shopaholics. There were no exceptions. Cong Nianwei was a straight-A student, but she still was one. Right before leaving, she took pity on Qin Guan and treated him to a portion of chips and a hot dog tofort the bankrupt boy. Qin Guan had the impulse to tell her that he still had about 10,000 yuan left in savings, but he was nning on spending it on her birthday present. During the summer holidays, her tutor would be teaching at a big program. Cong Nianwei would be one of the assistants, and she would perform data analysis. She was also nning on staying in the capital for the holidays to earn both money and experience. It was the first time they would be spending a whole holiday together. Qin Guan would be able to celebrate her birthday with her in a happy, sweet way. Dating time always flew by. After begging for a French kiss, Qin Guan saw Cong Nianwei off and she ran into her dormitory building. The final battle hade. With a calm expression, Qin Guan took the CET 6, which was normally meant for postgraduates. He wrote swiftly and finished the paper without any difficulty. The invigtor watched the other students, who were obviously older than Qin Guan. They seemed to be regretting that their offspring hadnt lived up to their expectations. What a promising student! If you fail to get a higher score than the sophomore, dont choose me as your tutor! The surrounding seniors were annoyed by Qin Guan. Do you want to piss us off, young man? Do you think youre talented? Show us your paper then! When the invigtor turned around, the senior student on Qin Guans right kicked his desk vigorously andmanded in a low voice, "Hey, young man! You seem smart. Share your answers with me, or Ill make your life miserable!" With a shy smile, Qin Guan pushed his papers towards him. I med you wrongly. You are a loyal man! Before he could copy off Qin Guan though, the invigtor appeared behind his back like a ghost. Qin Guan pretended to write and turned his paper over. The invigtor kicked against the desk of the senior student, who was too proud to cover his tracks. Hes staring at me! Does he know? Looking at Qin Guans innocent eyes, the invigtor reminded him kindly, "Watch your papers. Better fold them. Dont help those cheaters, or youll be unfair to yourself. I know you are a hardworking man." Qin Guan nodded tamely at the tutor, who seemed happy to be saving amb from the ws of a wolf. The senior student was under close surveince until Qin Guan submitted his papers and left. Under that kind of pressure, and thanks to his poor knowledge of English, his results were awful. Qin Guans finals were finished, and the summer holidays began. Qin Guan called his parents and friends to inform them about his arrangement. Zhou Jing and Li Jian beat their chests and stamped their feet in outrage. Theyd have to depend on themselves now. Laughing, Qin Guan hung up and opened the door of his new home. The cozy smell overwhelmed him. Although the living room was still empty, the warm bedroom and fully-equipped kitchen were enough for him tofortably spend the holidays there. He put the shopping bags beside the fridge and filled it with groceries. He was very satisfied with his work. Everything was ready for Cong Nianwei. After handing the spare key to her, he would fly to Zhejiang to begin shooting for his new y. Chapter 156: The Legendary Swordsman Yang Lianting Chapter 156: The Legendary Swordsman Yang Lianting Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan wouldnt tell anyone, but thanks to the poprity of "Daming Pce", he had done a back cover for ELLE Clothing. Moving from the inner pages to the back cover was quite a leap. Besides, he had also gotten an invitation to audition for the Capital Fashion Week. After Qin Guan dealt with all his affairs, he left the capital, blowing a kiss at Cong Nianwei, who saw him off reluctantly. The y "The Legendary Swordsman" had been struck by bad luck and suffered through many hardships and dangers. The original leading actor, Shao Wen, had been reced by Li Jipeng after six episodes had been shot. There were thousands of people participating in the 40-episode TV y, so there were unpredictable changes every day. Thats when Qin Guans good luck stopped. When he arrived at Zhenjiang, he was greeted by the typical intense summer heat of South China. The temperature was as high as 50 degrees, and the Wuxi shooting location was a great test for the actors, who were wearing multipleyers of costumes. Director Zhangs n had been to finish the y within 180 days, but despite the favorable beginning, he had experienced various difficulties ever since the y had started in March. At the beginning, Shao Wen had been irresponsible towards his role, considering CCTVs investment of tens of millions a trifling matter. The change of the leading actor meant that the crews previous work had been in vain. A heavy rain in June had washed off the decorations of the Medicinal God Temple, and the art designers and prop masters had had to start over again, which had dyed the whole process and been aplete waste of money. Compared to those difficulties, the heat was nothing for the crew. Plus, the famous author Jin Yong had transferred the rights of the y to CCTV for only one yuan. Qin Guan had joined the crew like a small river reaching the sea. He wouldnt miss any opportunity to learn from others, as he knew very little about acting to begin with. It wasnt until he began to copy from older actors though that idents started happening one after the other. Qin Guan felt sad about them. Miao Jiajia, the actor who portrayed Yue Lingshan, twisted his ankle and his foot swelled up like a balloon. Qin Guan looked at the stunt double for the acrobatic fighting and flying, who used a heavy hanging wire, and estimated that the danger was coefficient with the fighting. Who said that this wasnt a hard job? Just try and fight someone for 200 rounds! Qin Guan had learned a lot from Miaos ident. At the time, young actors focused on their attitude instead of their acting skills. They all wore threeyered costumes with long sleeves. Their sweat would drip down when they were standing still, but when the director shouted "Filming!", they would put down their fans and newspapers and devote themselves to the scene. Nobody cried of exhaustion. They all wanted to get the job done. Out of all the crew, Qin Guan preferred to spend time with his partner the most. That was, as you can imagine, the actress who portrayed Dongfang Bubai, Mao Weitao. The older woman was not a professional actress, but a Yue Opera performer. She was actually famous for portraying a young man. Director Zhang had taken a fancy to her at first nce though and asked her to temporarily join his crew. As an alumnus of the third generation of Yin School, Mao had been assigned to direct the Zhejiang Hundred-Flower Yue Opera Group. She had gotten the job thanks to her perfect opera skills and neutral stage appearance. She had arrived on set two days after Qin Guan. As soon as shed joined the crew, she had stood out. Sister Mao had immediately liked Qin Guan, who was ying her brother Lian. Qin Guan was a silly, but earnest young boy. In their spare time, she taught him some simple Yue Opera arias, which he absorbed very quickly. If he wasnt too old and had no intention of engaging in the art, Sister Mao would have recruited him. Several happy dayster, their parts appeared in the y. As Qin Guan was getting dressed, he couldnt help but make jokes about the costumes. There was a really big difference between male and female directors. Director Zhang instruct the prop men on how to make a sword or a jade cup gorgeous, but when it came to costumes, his taste was awful. As the virtual hierarch of the Sun Moon Holy sect, Yang Lianting was wearing a grey rustic gown. There was a lot ofcework and embroidery on the gown, but the colors shed horribly. Qin Guan also had to wear a high crown on his head. It was ridiculous! Qin Guan was the No.1 model in the domestic young modelling circle though, so he looked valiant in his thick clothes. If it wasnt for the high temperature, his outfit would have been outstanding. Both Yang Lianting and Zhang Changzong were toy boys, but Zhang was gentle and soft, while Yang was a tough guy. People considered him Dongfang Bubais toy boy, but he considered Dongfang his wife. He was by nature a chauvinist. He asked unscrupulous things of Dongfang and reproached her at will. On the other side, he loved her very much. He was aplicated character with a lot of depth. Yang Liantings first scene was a group scene. Tens of figurants and leading actors would have their first fierce collision in a cave of the Sun Moon Holy Sect. The throne of the hierarch was high on the rock. There were countless cameras around it. Director Zhang still had a good impression of Qin Guan, his younger fellow townsman. As an upright man, he warned Qin Guan, "Dont forget your lines. Stupid green hand mistakes will be eptable, but stupid careless mistakes will be detestable." Qin Guan sighed slightly in relief. He was the youngest actor if one didnt count the figurants. That distrustful view did not belong just to the main actors. The figurants were also sweating for him. Actually, the members of the Sun Moon Holy Sect wore thicker clothes than anyone else. Some of them were even wearingrge cloaks. Everyone was waiting silently in position. "On your marks! Ready? Three, two, camera!" The cameras started filming. Qin Guan walked out of the cave with his hands sped behind his back. The camera hanging high above him couldnt capture the details of his outfit. Everyone around could only hear his voice. Step by step, Qin Guan read his lines carefully. "Elder Shangguan, you seeded in capturing Linghu Chong. His Excellency is quite happy with you." "Its thanks all to His Excellencys blessing." As soon as Shangguan finished his sentence, the camera turned to Qin Guan and panned out. Yang Liantings full image appeared on Director Zhangs monitor. Chapter 157: Hierarch’s Secret Garden Chapter 157: Hierarchs Secret Garden Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans appearance in full costume and makeup was more shocking in the small monitor than in real life. Wearing his high crown and loose gown, Qin Guan smiled before speaking. He was quite the domineering toy boy. His lines were perfect. No mistakes whatsoever! "Cut! Stop!" The first break was because of Ren Woxing. The older actor was really surprised by Qin Guans ability to recite lines. He had failed to control his expression and frowned. Lv Xiaohe, the man who portrayed Ren Woxing, was a very capable actor. As a bold and straightforward man from Northeastern China, he looked down upon pretty boys. Qin Guan, who had joined them half-way through the shooting, had attracted the attention of all the girls on the crew as soon as hed arrived. Teacher Lv thought Qin Guan was protected by some sponsor or director. He looks like a peacock, not an actor. Just read his record! Qin Guan felt misunderstood. Its not my fault Im handsome. In his first scene, Qin Guans lines were clear and his rhythm was perfect, not at all inferiorpared to the other actors. Lv Xiaohe was too surprised to control the muscles on his face. The first break was not Qin Guans fault. Fortunately, the previous film had been reserved, and they could start over from the moment Elder Shangguan had tried to bribe Qin Guan. It was not such a big mistake. The figurants heaved a long breath and wiped the sweat off their heads. It was so hot! Taking the chance, Qin Guan lifted his arm up and wiped his face quickly. (The prop master shouted, "Hey! Stop!") Teacher Lv was left speechless by Qin Guans action. His nature seems different than his appearance! He felt better for some reason. They went on. Yang Lianting was bribed into leading Linghu Chong and the others into the hall, where the most important scene would take ce. Hundreds of figurants filled the hall. The air was stuffed with the heat and the moist smell of the cave. Director Zhang was irritated again. He shouted at everyone, "Take responsibility for yourselves and finish it in one take! Ill curse anyone who makes a mistake!" To be honest, most directors were bad-tempered. They had to establish their prestige and take responsibility. A bad film was a derelict of duty, not only for them, but also for their whole crew. A director cursing was nothing out of the ordinary. Qin Guan had even more lines in the next scene. Because of the echo inside the cave, he had to deliver every word and sentence clearly in a loud voice. His speed had to be neither too fast, nor too slow. Everyone was worried about the green hand, but they witnessed a miracle. Qin Guan finished his monologue without stammering and answered his partners questions sessfully. While he was speaking, he walked around the throne, gesturing in an imposing manner. He seemed like a behind-the-scenes master. ording to the story, Yang had been attacked and broken one of his legs before hed been caught by the rebels. Qin Guan didnt give up. He finished the five-minute vigorous scene with a painful expression. In the scene, the hero and heroine had only a few lines, while Qin Guan had to make a long speech. They both looked at their young co-star with new eyes. Qin Guan couldnt tell them that he was gifted, but he enjoyed the special treatment of the senior actors. The mountains in Zhejiang were harsh but graceful, just like a painting. In midsummer, the flowers were blooming. The pce of Dongfang had cost a lot. The camera followed them, mounting the peak. Dongfang Bubai was hiding in the luxurious garden, so they could only hear his voice. Feeling the crowd approaching, Dongfang became slightly angry. He grumbled to his lover in a flirtish manner, "I wont see anybody except you!" Qin Guans leg hurt. With the green leaves as background, handsome Yang delivered the most sincere and shocking words between two lovers, "If I refuse to bring them here, theyll kill me. I wont die without seeing you for thest time." The camera zoomed in on his devoted expression. The love between two evil characters could also be pure and true. Everyone suddenly felt guilty for forcing Dongfang. At his words, Dongfang drew himself up to his full height, surprising everyone. Teacher Maos appearance in full makeup was unparalleled. Her gestures and expression were domineering, charming, and fierce. She covered Qin Guan gently with a nket (50 degrees, threeyers of costume, and a woollen nket). Qin Guan felt dizzy from the heat. The camera turned to the others, who were taking pleasure in his misfortune. No one was showing any signs of solidarity or friendship. The camera turned around as Dongfang spoke. "Are you hurting?" He took Yangs hand, expressing tenderness and love through his eyes. Meanwhile, he took a handkerchief from his sleeve and scrubbed the sweat off Qin Guans forehead. Qin Guan pushed him away aggressively, just like a violent man would his wife. He exploded without any reason, "What are you thinking about? All your enemies are here! Why are you fussing like a woman? Kill them, and then well have time to care for each other!" Director Zhang took a big close-up of Qin Guans face. With his handsome face and vigour, Qin Guan seemed quite aggressive even against the No. 1 leader among the martial arts circles. It was his honor to have such a handsome man as his lover. Dongfang was not angry. He actually liked his attitude. He nodded at Yang shyly, but became really fierce when he turned around to face his enemies. His long dress was dancing in the air along with the falling petals. Dongfang took an elegant leap and fell down together with flowers. The silk threadsnded after him. Dongfang picked up his beloved Lian and flew into the flowers. The beauties and the flowersplimented each other. The scene was finished. When Director Zhang sat before the running camera, everyone fell silent. It was a really good effect. Their fair skin and slender hands were interlocked. Qin Guan leant against the throne, just like the real king of the kingdom. Director Zhang waved at the actors, indicating that they could go on. Dongfang waved his long red sleeves and took an attractive pose. Several lines of speech broke the silence. The fight was about to start. Lying on the throne, Qin Guan watched them with envy. Yangs leg was broken. He could do nothing but show his concern for his lover during the battle. Why was Director Zhang still zooming in on Yangs face then? That was a foul! It was a bias towards his fellow townsman! Actually, Dongfangs close-ups were far more than Qin Guans, but they were tragic in a lot of ways. Chapter 158: The Wire is Nothing Chapter 158: The Wire is Nothing Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The acrobatic fighting scenes wereplicated. They had to repeat the same scene many times. The first time, Qin Guan looked alive and happy as he was watching them. The second time, he was serious. The third time, it was really hot. The fourth and fifth time, it was like a dried fish was lying on the throne under the sunlight. God! Who would save poor Yang Lianting? People seemed to guess his heartfelt wish. Finally, Xu Qing rolled Qin Guan up. In the next scene, he would be hanging up from a wire. It was his first time trying high-tech props. The special effects group tried to move the mobile block, but Qin Guan felt ufortable. The audience would just see the handsome actors on the screen, but the actors themselves felt terrible while filming it. In the scene, Qin Guan had to slide backwards and hit a pir. To make the strike look more horrifying, he had to spit a mouthful of water. Before the director could shout "Camera!", Qin Guan gestured for a break. Sister Xue, who was standing beside him, hastened to give him a bottle of water. After drinking more than half of it, Qin Guan felt refreshed. If he had been dehydrated like that, he would not have spit out water, but blood. Qin Guan turned around and saw that all the actors had taken this chance to rest. He had to hold on to the equipment though. He leant weakly against the artificial hill and waited for a full 10 minutes before the crew was done. Then they moved on to the next scene. This was thest scene for him. When it was over, he would get another bonus. "On your marks! Special effects! Three, two, camera!" The machine rolled at high speed, pulling Qin Guan backwards. Bang! Qin Guans back hit the pir hard. Director Zhang looked through the lens. Qin Guan had not spit the water out in time. He waved at everyone. Another take! Bang! Another heavy hit. Teacher Mao couldnt bear to watch. Fortunately, Qin Guan had learned something from Mou Xiaoliu. He tightened the muscles on his back. His back was slightly red after the hits, but there was no wound. The scene was repeated three times before Director Zhang was satisfied. The onlookers now had a better opinion of Qin Guan. He was a good-looking, smart, hard-working boy after all. Anyone who was steadfast in their work was wee everywhere. Teacher Mao seemed concerned about Qin Guan, while Ren Woxing patted his shoulder in encouragement. Was I just unintentionally epted by another teacher? Yay! Then Qin Guans character died. A sword went through Yang Liantings heart, and he fell down gracefully before he was covered by petals. Dongfang looked down at him. Yang died with a calm expression on his face, as if he had just fallen asleep. Flowers were still floating around him. It was a visually beautiful scene. Fresh red blood flowed out of the corners of Qin Guans mouth. The dying Dongfang caressed Qin Guans chest and uttered his final words on earth, "I love you, Brother Lian." Then he copsed into his lovers arms with a smile, and they died in each others embrace. Dongfang had to fall into Yangs arms from a high ce, but as a dead man, Qin Guan had to remain still. The stunt double hit Qin Guan hard. Bang! Qin Guans small feet jerked slightly, which satisfied the director. See? He is really devoted to his work, even when hes pretending to be a corpse! Im really jerking from the hit, not because thats the normal reaction of a corpse. Qin Guan closed his eyes and endured the pain, waiting for Teacher Mao to rece the stunt double. Luckily, her weight was more bearable. "Hold on till Dongfang dies!" Sister Xue encouraged Qin Guan in a low voice. Qin Guan held his breath. Maos face touched his chest for a few seconds before Director Zhang shouted, "Cut!" It was the most beautiful voice hed ever heard. Qin Guan stood up immediately, holding his stomach dramatically. The most difficult scene had finally been finished. He looked at the other actors. Judging by the progress of the shooting, the y would most likely finish inte September. Sister Xue went to get Qin Guans bonus. It had taken several days to finish his two short scenes. It was really hard work. Teacher Maos scenes were also finished at the same time. The two of them had be friends in a few days. As a neer from the modeling circle, Qin Guan had gotten to know Director Zhang, and he felt proud of himself for that. After receiving the crews praise, he returned to the capital without a stop. His girlfriend was waiting for him at home anxiously. He wondered if Cong Nianwei had been longing to see him while hed been gone. He was obviously overthinking. He sneaked inside his nest only to find that the rooms were clean. There were no living traces inside his bedroom. There was no one in the bathroom either. There was only a bowl of leftover fried rice in a stic wrap in the fridge, indicating Cong Nianweis presence. Qin Guan smelt it. Its fresh. It must have been cooked recently. He noticed that the groceries in the fridge were different. He had been gone for more than ten days after all. The light of the sunset was shining down on the balcony outside the living room. The lock was opened with a ng, and Cong Nianwei opened the door slowly with two bags of fruit and vegetables in her hands. Qin Guan opened his arms wide for Cong Nianwei, who was dressed casually, and shouted enthusiastically, "Surprise!" "God! You scared me!" Cong Nianwei looked frightened. Her bags fell down and several potatoes rolled out of them. She stared at Qin Guan angrily. "Come help me!" This is not in the script. Generally speaking, when a male actor on TV opens his arms, his girlfriend runs up to him like a bird! Yet this is what I get! Cong Nianwei went into the kitchen as if she was in her own house. "Wash and clean the vegetables. You can steam the fried rice thats in the fridge. I made it this noon. I thought that if you returnedte this evening and I was not in, you could have some homemade food," she told Qin Guan. Chapter 159: I Love You Chapter 159: I Love You Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was slightly surprised and moved. "You left food for me every day?" he asked. Cong Nianwei was busy cooking. She was chopping a green onion into small pieces. "Of course not. I counted the days and left food for you before you returned. I didnt stay here. Id just drop in every evening to eat the food. I didnt want it to go to waste!" My silly girl, Im not concerned about the food, but about the fact that you cared enough for me to make it. Qin Guan had originally thought that their position in the rtionship was not equal. He had been obsessed with Cong Nianwei for two lives and he just wouldnt let her go. He was the weak one who kept chasing her. As a straight-A student at the Architecture Department, Cong Nianwei was always calm and reasonable. Girls like her were serious even when they were in love. Qin Guan was still swayed by the pros and cons of their rtionship though. It was only on that day that he felt loved during their everyday life. His girlfriend didnt ask him to act gracefully. She didnt look down on him because he was poor. She didnt show off to others about his achievements or feel inferior because of his rising social status. She was splendid on stage and good at cooking. She had a mighty heart, but she also cared about him. F*ck! I want to cry! Just do it! Qin Guan threw the potatoes back into the basin and hugged Cong Nianwei from behind. He lowered his head and buried his face in her hair, murmuring softly, "Weiwei, I love you." Cong Nianwei was so startled, she nearly cut her finger with the kitchen knife. As she felt his broad chest and heard his low, charming voice though, she felt slightly intoxicated. Opening her lips, she replied, "I love you too." Her sweet-smelling hair and honest reply made Qin Guans blood flow south. "Whats this? Whats so hard?" Cong Nianwei was a little confused. Qin Guan lifted his butt to move that essential part of his away from her. A shorter boy would have failed, but he pulled it off thanks to his height. He still hated to part with his girlfriend though. Cong Nianwei seemed to realize what was going on. Her face suddenly turned as red as an apple. She plunged the knife into the cutting board with a bang and shouted, "Qin Guan!" The excited part of him was frightened into shrinking. After giving the situation some thought, Qin Guan decided to wash the vegetables instead. Cong Nianwei was still speechless by the time she was done cooking. Qin Guan lit several aromatic candles, which were usually used for bubble baths, and turned off the lights. There were various aromas, including lily and rosevender. It was really romantic, but no one could have had dinner with that thick smell in the air. Having such a silly boyfriend was terrible! Qin Guan turned on the lights resentfully and blew out the candles. TV had cheated him again! Where was his candlelit dinner? Even though they ate the dinner Cong Nianwei had cooked with love, Qin Guan was still aching for something. Leaning against the door frame, he took his most handsome pose and asked her in a low, deep voice, "Darling, will you stay tonight?" Cong Nianwei looked at him as if he was an idiot. She put the clean tableware away and answered, "None of my stuff is here. I have to return to my dormitory." Qin Guan leant against the other side of the frame and said tenderly, "Theres a supermarket downstairs. We can buy some stuff for you. We have enough time. Besides, Im worried about you. You live in that dormitory alone. Its said that theres a ghost on QH campus. Its too dangerous." Its more dangerous to stay with a fool like you. Cong Nianwei had been living in that dormitory for several days. There were lots of students who spent their holidays at college. There was nothing to be worried about. Qin Guan had just returned that day though, and she really wanted to stay with him. "Maybe tomorrow," she answered hesitantly. "I didnte prepared today." Qin Guan snapped and stepped forward to lift her. He wanted to swirl her around to express his happiness. Bang! Qin Guan had forgotten how tall he was. Cong Nianweis forehead hit the door frame hard. The two of them looked at each other silently. Qin Guan put Cong Nianwei down and stood there respectfully, waiting for her reproach. Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. She kicked Qin Guans leg and said, "Itste, take me back home!" Qin Guan rxed and decided to try to get more out of the situation. He looked at Cong Nianwei with a pitiful, flirting expression. "Im afraid of the dark. There arent many people living on this block. I dont want to be alone. Stay and keep mepany. Ill sleep on the floor. I swear!" Liar! A bold man like you afraid of dark? Qin Guan ignored Congs disdainful look and brazenly dragged her down to the supermarket. Cong Nianwei followed him, getting everything she needed to spend the night there. Satisfied, Qin Guan spread therge Ikea carpet on the living room floor (hed been driven out of the bedroom). He looked at the sleeping Cong Nianwei in satisfaction. The lights were out, and the dim moonlight slid through the curtains and fell on her shoulders. The thin covers set off her soft lines. She looked gentle in the quiet night. Standing by the door, Qin Guan stared at her silently for a while. He didnt leave until her breathing slowed down and she fell into a deep sleep. Chapter 160: Gunpowder Smoke at Fashion Week Chapter 160: Gunpowder Smoke at Fashion Week Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan nearly cried out as hey on the hairy carpet. Its too hot! Im such a coward! If Id insisted, maybe I would have gotten a chance to sleep on the bed. Stop dreaming, boy. Just sleep. You have a lot to do tomorrow. The next day, Qin Guan put on his best clothes before Cong Nianweis doubtful gaze. He had an interview that day. The Capital Fashion Week would begin in September, and dozens of domestic and foreign brands had gathered at outlets east of the capital. There was arge demand for models for the fashion show. Several Asian countries with a flourishing model industry had acted without dy, sending their top models to the Chinese capital. Some European and American brands couldnt bring their own models to the fashion show though, so they needed to explore the talent in China. The ster g Nation and the Pickle Nation wouldnt let that opportunity go. They were near China, which worked to their advantage, and they also had their own brands in the Fashion Week. Frankly speaking, they were taking food right out of Chinas bowl. With the resume Sister Xue had prepared under his arm, Qin Guan looked at the outlet buildings in shock. They had been decorated beyond recognition. There had originally been several small European style buildings there, but all the shops along the street had been given to the exhibitors for free so they could take care of their affairs before Fashion Week. The street had been remoulded into a flea market by various fashionable guys. Large advertisement boards had been ced outside the buildings, clothing racks were messy and disorganized, and essories, buttons and scarves were piled in baskets and boxes. The most attractive part was the models shuttling around with their paperwork in hand. They walked among the brands in pursuit of an audition. Only the luckiest ones would get a chance to participate in the show. There were English, Japanese and Korean models. It was a splendid assembly of top and second-line models. If one ignored the thick gunpowder smoke on the street, it was almost a feast for the eyes. Qin Guan gave his car key and other belongings to Sister Xue and stepped into the square with a thick pile of papers. He attracted the attention of the other waiting models right away. Everyone looked at him. He seemed like a very strong rival. "Mr. Xiaoquan, is he a fellow countryman?" "I dont think so. He must be Chinese." "Oops! Will we audition for the same brands as him?" "Dont worry. Generally speaking, Chinese guys are inferior to us. The brands were after set high standards for model temperament. He might be handsome, but he will not qualify. We dont need to take him seriously. Our strategy is to look down on our opponents. Why do you get discouraged?" "Youre right, Im too young." That was the conversation that took ce among the ster g Nation group. It wasparatively polite. They basically just considered Qin Guan an embroidery pillow. Lets see what the Pickle Nation was saying though. "Our models are all handsome. Theyre the best ones. Look at those Chinese peasants and those short ster g Nation guys! Ha ha!" "Senior Piao, look at that Chinese guy!" Wow! An arch enemy. Qin Guan was wearing a ck fitting, round-cor T shirt and jeans that set off his perfect figure. He walked up to the group of models leisurely, greeting Ouyang Fen, who pretended not to recognize him. Ouyang shrank into the group of Chinese models. That guy is so good at attracting hatred. The models at the square were divided into four groups based on their nationality. Domestic models and models from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan were together, while those from Western and Latin countries were in the same group. Different races aimed for different brands, so they got along well. Although they were all Asian models models though, models from the ster g Nation and the Pickle Nation stood out from their Chinese peers. In 2000, Asian models didnt exhibit extraordinary talent at major international fashion shows. Thanks to the flourishing fashion industry though, there were several hot models emerging from the ster g Nation, including Liyuanlei, Shangtian Dapu, and so on. Fashion magazines, such as JJ, Ray, and Sweet, grew like mushrooms after the rain. As a result, they were entering the Chinese Fashion Week with full confidence. Unlike the devoted models of the ster g Nation though, the Pickle Nation preferred to market its own products. The models entertainment skills were overall good, so before they distinguished themselves in the fashion industry, they acted on films or TV. That was why the Pickle Nation was called the Nation of Unprofessional Models. The representatives of the first generation were Che Shengyuan and Song Chengxian, who strived to open the way for more models. Their followers tried their best to squeeze in various shows to increase their poprity. They saw the new millennium as the first light of dawn. Compared to the models from the ster g Nation, they were not as calm. Overseasrge-scale fashion shows were of great significance to them. That was why they sent someone to interrogate Qin Guan. It was a male model who seemed very kind. The two of them talked in standard English and strange Pickle English. "Hello, sir. We are from the Pickle Nation. Which auditions will you attend today?" Qin Guan was surprised with his direct question, but it was unnecessary to hide. He looked at the timetable of the whole Fashion Week. There were nine days in total. He could try out for one show for each day if he didnt want to work very hard. He felt confident about himself, and he told the model the brands he preferred. There were more than 30, which surprised the other model. Chapter 161: Dirty Tricks Chapter 161: Dirty Tricks Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia All the models were shocked. What was Qin Guans style? Didnt a model have to have their own style and favorite brands? For example, Ouyang Fen liked formal wear for masculine men, and models from the ster g Nation preferred novelty and ethnic brands with original designs. As for the Pickle Nation, their models liked to audition for elegant, gorgeous brands. The guy had to be crazy. He had chosen everything, from formal wear to casual wear, leaving nothing for others. If they asked him why, Qin Guan would tell them that he was attracted by the high pay. His roles on TV hadnt earned him international poprity, so the designers would pay him ording to his level. He would still get 40,000 yuan for nine shows in only nine days though! No sooner said than done! When the designers opened their offices, the models took action. Models from the Pickle Nation started whispering to each other, expressing their disbelief over Qin Guans over-confident strategy. The models from the ster g Nation were also looking at Qin Guan, who they had considered their opponent. A model without a clear identity couldnt be taken seriously as a rival. Qin Guan was in no hurry. He even invited Ouyang Fen to join him for the fast interviews, but Ouyang refused impolitely. Qin Guan had no idea that all the models at the square saw him as amon enemy. It was not just Asian models. Several European and American models also wanted to beat him. Qin Guan confronted all the other models. He picked the brand Te-Tiger, which would be the hitting the show on the first day, as his first choice. The brand had started by doing fur design. After 20 years of umtion and development though, it had be a top luxury brand. It had issued a collection of evening dresses, Chinese wedding dresses, and bridal veils. As a domestic brand, it would present on the first day of the Fashion Week. Different groups of models chose it without prior consultation. The small interviewing room was soon filled by models who wanted to rob their most dangerous rival of this opportunity. The interview was very fast. The top designer was a strong man. People could hardly believe that such elegant, splendid designs hade from him. The models from the ster g Nation began to audition. With a strange smile on his face, the designer said only two words when they finished, "Short legs!" It was like a sword through their chests. Such a strong personality! After the models from the Pickle Nation finished their show confidently, the man once again said only two words, "Small eyes!" He dismissed the models angrily. Those two countries are shameless! Qin Guan read through the material, looking for the subject of the opening show. It was cheongsams and Han costumes, the background of the brand founder. Suddenly, he understood. The founder had been born in Northeastern China. The concept of the show was to honor the memory of traditional Chinese culture. Models who were unclear on those boundaries and history did not qualify for the show. The designer seemed to be a young nationalist. European and American models were cleverer. They skipped that brand automatically. It was time for the domestic models topete on individual abilities. Qin Guan felt strange, as he was thest one to get an interview notice. Actually, he had arrived just in time. Shao Xiaobing was observing the situation from the corner of the fitting room. This had been his trick. There were lots of models, but once the designer selected the right model, the others would have to leave without auditioning. The whole domestic modeling circle would be participating in the event. There would be 36 male models and 36 female models in the opening show. It was the traditional Chinese concept of six multiplied by six, which was supposed to maintain harmony. More and more models got an offer after the interview. Qin Guans chances were getting smaller. The designer was tired. He counted the models that were left. There were still three vacancies, but the models waiting outside were more than ten. Compared to the female models, the domestic male models were a lot less, and their figures differed a lot. The designer didnt want to waste any time on inferior models. He asked his assistant to move all the sundries out of the hall and invite all the waiting models inside. After all the candidates had formed a line, he said concisely, "Anyone shorter than one hundred and eighty-six centimeters, out!" Several annoyed models left. The designer pointed at two guys in the line. "You and you, wrong height. Out!" Good sight! One of them had been 185 centimeters and the other one had been wearing a pair of padded shoes. Than he nced at the models legs. "You, you and you, out!" No reason. He just didnt want models with short legs. "You and you, out!" Five more models had been weeded out. There were only four models left in the studio. The designer massaged his eyes as he examined them. He pointed at Qin Guan and said, "Leave your resume and get the timetable from there." Is that all? Did he get an offer just like that? Shao Xiaobing frowned. It took me about 20 minutes to pass the interview, and I used my connections to get on the show. How could Qin Guan pass so easily? Does the designer think hes picking Chinese cabbages in a street market? He didnt even ask him to perform! Actually, the designer hadnt skipped the performance. Hed fixed his eyes on Qin Guan as soon as hed entered the room. The model had an elegant walk, an attractive figure, a sophisticated style, and a handsome face. He would be the prince in the yellow gown! An interview would be unnecessary. The designer was adamant. Qin Guan was d. He had won his first battle. Sister Xue was enjoying a cup of iced coffee at the outdoor coffee stand. Qin Guan handed her the first notice under the admiring gazes of the other agents. Then he went to audition for his second brand. It was a brand from Singapore, and a group of models from the ster g Nation and the Pickle Nation had already filled all the vacancies. The designer felt deeply sorry for missing out on such a good model. Qin Guan got a business card from him before he left gloomily. When he got back to the square, Piao and Xiaoquans models smiled at him subtly. Chapter 162: Johns Promotion Chapter 162: Johns Promotion Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia F*ck! Those sons of bitches! Are you challenging me? This is my home court! You are wrong Qin Guan. Models depend on their ability, not nationality. Look! Those domestic male models are taking advantage of this to seize opportunities. Wake up! Qin Guan watched domestic models pour out of a sports brands office, which hed originally nned to audition for. He felt disappointed with the cold-blooded world. If you all see me as an imaginary enemy, Ill show you who I am! He showed them his middle finger. Just wait and see, you sons of bitches! Then he rushed to the Cabben studio, which was the most important brand during the closing ceremony. Cabben came from Hong Kong, and it was actually the name of a famous designer. As a spokesperson for original domestic brands, the brand insisted on the concept of overturning fashion trends. It was famous for its fine lines and the development of materials in Asia, so its first choice were models from the Pickle Nation. No one expected Qin Guan to audition for thest show in advance. Surely, this didnt mean that the shameless guy had given up on his original n? They were only half-right. Suppressed by so many opponents, Qin Guan had decided to set a new path. He knocked on the door of the Cabben studio. Sure enough, the other models were all auditioning for the first group of shows. There were very few candidates in the Cabben studio. The designers eyes lit up as soon as Qin Guan entered. He was even more satisfied with him after reading his resume. Confidently, Qin Guan made a simple self-introduction. By then, the models of the Pickle Nation had followed him into the room. Brands always had the same character as their designers. Te-Tiger was bold and generous, and Cabben was weird and delicate. The crowd made the designer angry. He asked his assistant to lead everyone out. He had to rub his eyes before looking at the fake models outside. After the designers screams, Qin Guan finished his solo show leisurely. He passed the audition without any suspense. The rest of the models had failed every single audition except for the audition of an indifferent brand. Before going to another audition, they saw Qin Guan hugging warmly the designer of LEE, who John had introduced him to. There was no hope. The guy had been gifted with both good looks and public rtions. Qin Guan had a nice meeting with many designers and discussed their concepts (thanks to Professor Lis lessons). The others were taking their interviews one at a time. Qin Guan got offers from LEE, B+by, GIOIAPAN, Luomeng, Aimer underwear, VLOV and BRJ. He only spent a little over an hour on the interviews, although they might have taken others a week. He finished his work in the fashion salon. Sister Xue was over the moon. If it were not for his tight schedule, she would have asked Qin Guan to take shows till thest day of his life. One show for each day. That was enough for Qin Guan. Sister Xue turned down his suggestion to participate in more shows. "You are a public figure now. There will be media at the Fashion Week. If you perform in an inferior show, you will be sneered at by the reporters." On their way back, Qin Guans ears were filled with her rebuke. Sister Xue came back with fruitful results. She had gotten a pile of business cards from designers, which would be a valuable resource for Qin Guans development. Qin Guan wasnt thinking about the same thing. His and Cong Nianweis home and Cong Nianweis birthday filled his mind. He had to buy a TV, an air conditioner, aputer and other things, which would be arge expense. He also had to buy a birthday present for his girlfriend. Without any new ie, he would be a pauper. He bid Sister Xue farewell hurriedly and drove to QH to pick up Cong Nianwei. They had decided that she would temporarily live at their home for the summer holidays. He had to be hospitable so that she wouldnt change her mind. Qin Guan thought this was the happiest day of his life. He slept in in the morning and found breakfast on the table. Cong Nianwei had prepared it for him before leaving. With a warm feeling in his heart, he bought household electric appliances and furniture to fill their small nest. It was really his home now. In the evening, they finished their work and watched TV together, sitting with their shoulders touching. That was all. Qin Guan slept in a small bed in the other room. The carpet was too hot for him. It was August 6th, several days before the Fashion Week. Qin Guan furtively opened his eyes and realized that Cong Nianwei had sneaked out. He jumped out of bed. It was Cong Nianweis birthday, so he had to order a cake and buy her gifts. After making preparations the whole day, Qin Guan finally covered everything with a big cloth in the living room. The key turned in the lock, and Cong Nianwei pushed her way in. She looked at Qin Guan speechlessly. He had tied a silly blue bow around his neck. She had gotten used to his stupid behaviour by now. She watched his performance calmly. Qin Guan bowed before her politely before pulling off the cloth. He revealed a professional designer desk, aplete tool set, a PC, a printer, and a designing software. Even a calm girl like Cong Nianwei was excited by the sight. She checked all the presents one by one before turning around and asking Qin Guan in confusion, "Is this all for me?" "Of course, its for my dearest girlfriend. Dont you see the colorful stickers on the machines?" "Why are you giving me so many gifts?" "Why? Its your birthday! These are your birthday gifts from your boyfriend. The one who loves you best!" "My birthday is on August 8th." Surprised, Qin Guan looked at Cong Nianwei, who was trying hard to hold herughter back. "Impossible! I saw your student ID!" Cong Nianweiughed again. "Thats why you peeped at my ID? Didnt you notice that I covered a corner with my finger? I was born on August 8th!" Chapter 163: Shao Xiaobings Dirty Trick Chapter 163: Shao Xiaobings Dirty Trick Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was speechless with his stupid behaviour. Cong Nianwei kissed him on the face. "Thats all right. Ill celebrate my birthday two days in advance. I like your present very much. You are really attentive." What boy bought such practical presents for his girlfriend? No one! Cong Nianwei liked practical presents. Maybe she was a boy in nature. Qin Guan was an honest boy who could make her feel assured her in the future. Qin Guan was excited by the kiss she gave him. The more he got, the more he wanted. He begged for more, but Cong Nianwei refused with a red face, "Im only a teenager. You need to wait several years!" F*ck! Its your birthday! I even dressed up as a present. He wanted to have some dessert forfort. He finally found the birthday cake between the printer and theputer. The box had been crushed. He took out the distorted cake resentfully. Im the most stupid man in the world! I got the wrong date and I destroyed the cake! Cong Nianwei smiled. She scraped some light cream with her finger and tasted it. "Wedome? [1] I like it!" Qin Guan had a bite of cake from her hand. It was like a sweet dance of red strawberry and whipped cream. "Happy birthday! I love you." Night fell. Qin Guan lit several candles, and the young couple watched them burn, their shoulders and heads touching. They wished that time would move more slowly. After many years, they would still recall that moment vividly. The wheels of time turned, and ordinary life went on. On the next day, Cong Nianwei was busy with work, while Qin Guan had to run for the Fashion Week. He had to try on outfits, negotiate, rehearse, adjust, check the stage... He was really tired, but he didnt regret his choice. He suffered from the alienation of the models from the other two Asian countries and the hard intensity of work. He would only be a few minutes on the stage, but the preparation was a long, boring process. Sister Xue turned down screen tests for small parts on TV. Qin Guan had read the scripts. He had no wild dreams for the small screen, but the titles of the ys were still ridiculous. "Women Soup", "Dangerous Sisters", "Lottery Dream"... What the hell were they even about? Besides, the roles only had one line. It was strange that Qin Guan was famous for period ys, when the ys mentioned were all modern. They were all evil characters with good looks. Sister Xue also expressed her worry about it. Zhang Chanzong and Yang Lianting had limited Qin Guans choices, so they had to tread carefully. He had to focus on maintaining his fame, not promoting it. Qin Guan had not logged in on the inte at all. He had no idea about his fame on the Haijiao Forum. On the other side, he was sneered at on the Goupu Forum, Hanjiaos rival website. The two forums were always in dispute for appealing to different audiences. The guys on Goupu were annoyed by the silly girls on Haijiao, and they began to photoshop Qin Guans photos as a joke. Thanks to their dispute, Qin Guan had also be famous on Goupu. He had be a superstar on the inte by then. Cyber fame didnt influence him though. He was shocked by the Te-Tiger outfits. The brand is renowned for its traditional Chinese style. Why do I get the imperial robe and mandarin jacket? The cheongsam of his partner, who was a female model, was beautiful and charming, yet Qin Guans costume... Shao Xiaobing put on his gown with a smirk. He calmly caressed his jaw. It was trifle for him to trouble with Qin Guan. He had just told the designer which models would be able to pull off that costume in his opinion. Distinct characteristics sometimes were a double-edged sword. Work had to be treated seriously and models had no right to question designers. Qin Guan wore a skullcap and attached a cor braid to the back of his head. He looked tragic among the other elegant models. Never mind the beauty of the embroidery or the shine of the imperial yellow. The costume looked really ugly among the costumes of different dynasties. Foreigners had a different opinion though. At the time, everything about China seemed mysterious to them. Chinese people had inherited countless treasures and inspiration from their history. The collection shocked the audience. It was scary, but not dangerous. When Qin Guan finished his first show, the designer hugged him excitedly in the backstage area. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] A famous bakery chain. Chapter 164: An Admirer From a Foreign Land Chapter 164: An Admirer From a Foreign Land Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The costume looked splendid on Qin Guan. It was not overshadowed by the previous or following costumes. It was the one the designer had been the most worried about, but Qin Guan made it looks new with his figure. The designer kept Qin Guan in his mind. In the following days, Qin Guan performed in several shows smoothly thanks to Johns help. After nine days, it was finally time for the closing show. The night was tender, and the lights were twinkling. Media, businessmen, designers and brand agents from every corner of the world had taken their seats, waiting for the fashion feast to begin. Qin Guan was speechless before the different groups of models backstage. He handed his luggage to Sister Xue and entered the dressing room first. He was surprised at Cabbens investment in the room. All the costumes were hanging in the closets, the correspondent shoes under them. The socks and sleeve buttons were also easily essible. Why are my shoes not in ce? Qin Guan took a pair of Oxfords from the shelf. "Ouch! What the hell is that?" Qin Guan put his fingers inside the shoes and took out a clip used for pinning clothes. He wouldnt have found it if he didnt make a habit of checking the essories before changing into his clothes. If hed put his foot in, he would have gotten injured. Qin Guan stared at the blood on his fingertip, falling into deep thought. The perpetrator had to be a member of the staff or a model. There were no cameras in the fitting rooms, so it would be hard to find him. Qin Guan went out of the fitting room with the shoes and informed Sister Xue of the incident. It was performing time. As a model, his most important task was the show. Qin Guan put on short pants, a colorful silk shirt, a round-cor leisure suit, and a curled wig for the reminiscence. He looked like a weird, fashionable guy. The assistant was listening to Sister Xues description with a serious expression. He seemed to be getting more and more angry. He had witnessed plenty of secret feuds among models that meant nothing to designers and brands. For them, models were cabbages on shelves in the supermarket. They would pick up the best one and cook it at home. When the dish was ready, they would either like it or not. The cabbage had already been used anyway. If they poisoned each other before the cabbage was cooked though, the feast would be destroyed. It would be unbearable for the host of the show! In the resting area, the designer told his staff calmly, "We cant let this go. Make an inquiry. There must be some clues around." Then he waved at Qin Guan and patted him on the arm. "Are you angry? Can you finish the show?" "Its fine." "So what are you waiting for? Go! Go! Go! Put on a good show!" Confused, Qin Guan was pushed towards the entrance. Fireworks exploded in the sky as a dreamy re burned by the stage. Cabben models with a rare, wild style walked on the stage in a most unrestrained manner. The model behind Qin Guan, who was from the Pickle Nation, was watching his light steps. Qin Guan attracted all the attention of the audience and the photographers. His eyes twinkled as he unconsciously looked at the guest area of the entertainment circle, where his new Chinese friend Shao Xiaobing was sitting. He knew that after the show, his so-called friendship with Shao would be over. Shaos n had failed. The small trouble backstage, which usually seeded, hadnt had any effect on Qin Guan. Shao would be disappointed with himself and cease anymunication with him. Qin Guan dared not think about that problem. He refused to think about Shao Xiaobing sitting under the stage, staring calmly at him. Qin Guan turned around to return backstage. He looked as hot and bright as a burning torch on the T stage. Shao nced at the model behind Qin Guan with shining eyes before he looked down indifferently. I shouldnt have ced my hopes on the idiot from the Pickle Nation. He left silently before the end of the show. No one noticed him, as their attention was on the performance. If I get a chance, Ill still suppress him. His position is almost the same as mine. The models clustered around the chief designer of Cabben, whose appearance brought the audience to its feet in apuse. The show ended, leaving all the staff and models changing clothes in noisy disorder. During the quiet after the show, there was a serious stalemate. Several models from the Pickle Nation and Qin Guan had stayed behind at the office of the designer. They were all looking at each other. The designer spoke first. "Tell me, why?" Qin Guan was curious himself. I know I must have caused public outrage by passing too many auditions, but better models should make more money. Its reasonable. Those kind of tricks are disgusting. Qin Guan hadnt thought that they would y such a dirty trick on a local model in a foreign country. They had overestimated their power though. At the beginning, Qin Guan had thought the trick had been a ster g Nation models job. There were too many simr plots in theirics on school bullies. A de in a shoe sole was a ssic prank. (Although hed only read theics, that was what real life was like in that country.) Chapter 165: Huang Jiajias Confession Chapter 165: Huang Jiajias Confession Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Only a secret admirer wouldmit such a foolish crime. Qin Guanspanions looked at each other in confusion. "I dont want to say any more. You can go, Qin Guan." Qin Guan and Sister Xue left conscientiously. Considering that there hadnt been any real injury, that was the best they could expect. They had acknowledged the existence of a criminal and left it up to Cabben to catch him. It was time to call it a day. They drove quietly on the way back. Without a detective on site, that was the best result they could have hoped for. At least they would be more vignt in the future. The model from the Pickle Nation would be on Cabbens ck list from that day on, which was no trifling matter. People had to pay for their stupid behavior, but clever men escaped unscathed. Qin Guan returned home and put on his favorite colorful shorts. He took out a beer out of the fridge and drank it. Cong Nianwei was asleep in the bedroom. In the living room, the TV was broadcasting boring TV shows on mute. Qin Guan had been busy the whole summer, so hed missed the European Cup. Fortunately, I didnt miss her. All his anger and pressure dissipated at the sight of Cong Nianweis back. On the desk, several blueprints were rustling in the breeze. After a hard day, Qin Guan fell asleep on the couch. Cong Nianwei was woken up by his heavy breathing. She went to the living room and covered him gently with a nket. "Sweet dreams!" It was a dreamless night. As the saying went, no pain, no gain. As juniors, Qin Guan and Wang Lei finally had some kind of routine. They wouldnt be cheated by Ye Dong though. Ye had be Vice Chairman and an honorable CCP member during the new semester. Qin Guan couldnt help but annoy his ssmates by getting the top college schrship, but his roommates didnt care about that. Without any family education courses, Qin Guan felt rxed. He could finally calm down and find a good job in his spare time. While he was exining his splendid future ns to Wang Lei with his new textbooks in hand, a girl called him from behind, "Senior Qin!" It was Mou Xiaoliu. Qin Guan turned around and saw Huang Jiajia next to her. After enrolling at college, Huang Jiajia had found herself again, and her mother hade to appreciate the spoiled fashionista that she was. Qin Guan gestured at Huang Jiajia to stop her from rushing up to him. He asked Mou instead, "Why are you two together?" "She has enrolled at our college." "What? Thats impossible with her score!" "Many ways lead to Rome. I could have a specialty or a sponsor. Who cares?" Qin Guan waved at Wang Lei, who was watching the scene happily. He handed his books to him and said, "Its nothing. Shes just my student. Go! Ill exinter." Then he turned to Huang Jiajia. Before he could say anything, Hang Jiajia beat him to it. "Im your schoolmate now, Im no longer your student. I like you and Ill chase you!" Mou was stunned. Why had Huang Jiajia confessed so suddenly? Wang Lei stumbled on a stone not far away and ran away in a hurry. (He had definitely been eavesdropping.) Annoyed, Qin Guan told Mou, "I want have a private word with her." Mou left as soon as possible. Qin Guan led the smiling Huang Jiajia to a pavilion nearby. "Huang Jiajia, I have a girlfriend." "I know, Ive met her. So what? No one can predict the future." "Listen to me. Frankly, we are just teacher and student. Nothing else. You might be in the same college as me now, but you will always be like a little sister to me, no matter how many years pass." "But..." "Huang Jiajia, I dont like ambiguous emotions. You had never made a clear confession like this, so I couldnt say anything." (Actually, its a little cruel to treat a girl like this.) "But... I really like you." Tears filled Huang Jiajias eyes. "I appreciate your feelings, but Im only a tough guy with good looks. It would be irresponsible of me if I reciprocated your love. Im not good at nice words or delicate rejections. Im sorry." "What if you broke up with your girlfriend?" Huang Jiajia was unwilling to give up. Closing his eyes, Qin Guan tried to imagine Cong Nianwei leaving him. He felt pain in his heart. Taking a deep breath, he opened eyes again. "No, never! I love her. If she wants to leave me though, Ill give her my most sincere blessing." Huang Jiajia burst into tears. Her budding blossom of love, which had been waiting to burst open, withered. She cried her broken heart out. Tears poured from her eyes, ruining her makeup, but Qin Guan didnt think she looked ridiculous. Chapter 166: Job Hunting Chapter 166: Job Hunting Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan just felt sorry for her. He scratched his head helplessly and caught sight of Mou Xiaoliu, who was standing by the grove. Seeing her as his savior, he walked up to her happily. Mous face was also covered in tears though. She wasnt crying loudly like Huang Jiajia. She was just sobbing silently. Qin Guan lost his head. What was going on? Why were girls crying everywhere? Having no idea where to ce his hands, he put them in the pockets of his pants and asked Mou in his most gentle voice, "Could you take care of Huang Jiajia for me? I have to go." Mou fixed her eyes on the handsome boy and then closed them to prevent tears from sliding out. She nodded slightly. Qin Guan breathed out, as if he had been relieved of a heavy load. He ran away as quickly as possible, as if a dog was chasing after him. F*ck! If I stay here, Ill be drowned in womens tears. Why is Mou crying too? Its very strange. Mou and Huang Jiajia sat facing each other silently. "Will you give up?" Huang Jiajia wiped her tears from her face with her arm. "Never! He will regret it one day!" Her tone was half-angry, half-affectionate. The setting sun cast itsst wisp of sunlight on the girls, who wereforting each other. The night fell, but their own sun would rise soon. Qin Guan turned over in his bed at night. He wanted to call Cong Nianwei, but he didnt. He had no outlet for his emotions. Who could I talk to about this matter? To my girlfriend? She would me me for flirting with other girls. To my roommates? They would think Im showing off. To my best friends from high school? Those two dare not even speak to girls! Im too handsome to have friends! Handsome guys still needed food though, so Qin Guan was nning on spending all his spare time on establishing his career. He was about to get down to business. He did not want to work as a promotion specialist or a vendor, as one might have imagined. Considering his professional certificates, Qin Guan wanted to get a formal job. Even a part-time, unpaid position would do. Unfortunately, reality was cruel. In 2000, job hunting websites such as 61job and China Talents had just beenunched and did not have adequate resources. They did not offer many full-time jobs, let alone part-time jobs. Besides, Qin Guan had to pick out the scammers from the heavy,plicated database. After two days of endless interviews, Qin Guan discovered that four out of fivepanies recruiting part-time employers were not reliable. They either asked for a guarantee deposit or an agency fee. Finally, Qin Guan gave up on the websites. His four older friendspanies were not looking for part-time employees either. Plus, Qin Guan didnt have a diploma yet. His only choice was to beg an acquaintance. As an adult with two lives under his belt, Qin Guan preferred to rely on himself. That autumn, he put on his white shirt, ck suit pants and cross-body bag and weed the new interviewing season. The Lama Temple Talent Market and the Job Fair at the National Exhibition Center were very crowded. There were helpless people everywhere. Among the lines of cabs, the ones sitting behind the tables would be the first one would have to pass on their way to a career. Qin Guan squeezed in and out of the crowd, only to find that nopany was in need of part-time employees. Without a diploma, Qin Guan could only get a cleaning or public security job. Actually, he did not even qualify for public security, as that required a diploma from a technical school. There were also additional terms, and rtive experience and former soldiers were preferred. Was there no job for him at the talent market? Who said that skill prevailed? Without a diploma as a stepping stone to sess, how could he get through the door? His only choice was to clean buildings. Just as the description implied, the job was a joke among promotion specialists. Promotion specialists would try their best to get into an office building despite the strict guards at the entrance. They just wouldnt give up. They would leave no stone unturned until they met the director of everypany. They had to at least meet with a manager to promote their products. Qin Guan had to do that to promote himself. The strict entrance guard was nothing for him. The Motor Building at the International Trade Centre weed the most handsome visitors. Before the security staff could ask him to register, Qin Guan pointed at the reception. "Im waiting for my sister." The guard gestured, inviting him in. The second passpoint was the reception hall. Qin Guan walked up to the reception leisurely. The girls behind it were looking at him admiringly. One of them recognized him, recalling thetest issue of ELLE magazine. She stood up excitedly as Qin Guan spoke naturally. "Hey,dies, let me check..." Qin Guan nced at the chart behind them quickly. "Which elevator should I take to reach the Technical Department on the sixth floor?" The two girls were dazzled by his smile. They pointed to an elevator on the left. "That one." Qin Guan passed safely again. By the time he entered the elevator, the two girls realized they should have asked for an autograph or a photo. "I could show off to my friends at dinner!" "Me too! I could post the photos on the Goupu Forum and show off to the women on the Haijiao Forum. They pretend to be sophisticated, but its me who got a real life photo of my idol!" "No wonder hes so highly appraised on Haijiao. Its the first time I see someone look more beautiful in real life than in pictures. Those inferior photos people upload are an insult to his beauty." "Whats his real name though? I only know that he yed Zhang Changzhong." "I dont know either. I have only seen his magazines and advertisements." That was awkward! Chapter 167: Past Life Acquaintance Chapter 167: Past Life Acquaintance Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The third passpoint was the reception of eachpany. Qin Guan had gone through the first and second passpoint, but the third one was the most difficult. He had to choose the rightpany first. Large-scale private enterprises and foreignpanies were out of the question, as they wouldnt choose a college student as a part-time ountant, even if he didnt ask for payment. They were too afraid to open their doors to stranger. Therefore, Qin Guan excluded thosepanies and picked a machinery agency as his first choice. This had been his profession in his past life, so he knew it well and could manage it easily. He had just switched from a technical advisor post to an ountant post, which would grant him more advantages. He made an excited speech to the girl at the reception, making sure to mention machinery development history, the concepts of upper agencies, the perspectives of bidding, and the national focus in the future. The girl was really attracted to his looks and talent. She called her boss excitedly and described Qin Guan as a genius on Earth. Zhang Zhenqian was sleeping in his office, his face buried in a book. The call had woken him up. He was curious about the talented young man introduced by his assistant. Where is this god from? Why would he drop in my small temple? My assistant will think Im a blind viin if I dont hire him. Im free, so I might as well see him! Qin Guan had seeded in passing though the third passpoint. The girls of thepany hurried to serve him. They carried chairs in and took water to the office. Finally, the strongest girl led Qin Guan into the boss office. Qin Guan was chilled by her sweet voice as she said, "Follow me." The two of them entered the office. Before leaving, she didnt forget to cast a soft nce at Qin Guan. He tried to calm down before he knocked on the door. "Come in, please." Qin Guan pushed in when he heard the voice. "Its you? Zhang Zhenqian?" Qin Guan was really surprised. "You know me? Impossible!" Zhang Zhenqian had no recollection of Qin Guan. If hed met such a handsome guy, he would have remembered him. Qin Guan was shocked to see him. Time stood still in that moment. Zhang was younger than the man he had met in his past life by ten years. He hadnt gone through the hardships of life yet. In Qin Guans past life, they had felt like old friends when theyd first met during a business bidding conference. From then on, they had worked in collusion with each other to cheat Qin Guanspany. Whenever Qin Guan had gotten a secret order, he had taken products from Zhang and taken advantage of his position to share small parts of a big program with him. Thanks to their mutual exchange, they had led a happy life. Once, after getting drunk, Zhang had told Qin Guan about his arduous history of entrepreneurship. It was wonderful to see his old friend look so good. Qin Guan came back to his senses and realized Zhang was still waiting for an answer. He smiled happily. "Do you know Bu Qinglu?" Zhang nodded. "Yes, do you know him? Did he rmend me? Impossible! Im here only for a few days. I didnt tell anyone." "No, he told me about you in a conversation. He said you were famous in the Chaoyang District. He described your golden chains, tiger tattoo, bare head, and the scar on the corner of your eye. You are exactly as Brother Bu told me. Thats why your name escaped my lips." Zhang looked down at the golden chains hanging over the tiger tattoo on his chest. He touched his bare head and smiled proudly. "Ha, Im famous. Bu is really loyal to me." Qin Guan covered up his mistake, smiling to himself. Zhang is the same careless man. He still believes everyone. "Tell me, what can I do for you? Bus friends are my friends too." "Im looking for a job." Qin Guan made a detailed introduction of his status. The bald man turned out to be quite shrewd in business. "If you need my help, no problem. Ill do my best to help you. If you want to work in mypany though, it might be awkward. To tell you the truth, one ountant is enough for a smallpany. I only founded mypany three months ago, and I have no business yet. Do you want to learn here? Personally, I think you should ask Bu first. He must be crazy, as he started a business with Wang Hailiang. ording to my understanding, the two of them wont employ an ountant. You could ask them yourself though. If they refuse, you can always return here. Youre wee toe chat with me again." Qin Guan saw hope in his future. He shook hands with Zhang and said goodbye. "Ill go find Bu. Would you like to have a drink someday?" "Why not? Leave me your number." Zhang was fond of straightforward guys. Just like that, they became friends again. Qin Guan left the Motor Building and headed for the Lama Temple without stopping. He found Bu and Wang in a shop by the street, smoking and ying cards. The three of them looked at each other for a minute. Then Wang ran up to Qin Guan with open arms. They hadnt seen each other since the battle on Gui Street, but they had kept in touch through the phone. Qin Guan had been too busy with work and had always refused their gratitude. Wang was excited to see him again though. Words cannot express my gratitude. You saved my life, brother. When Qin Guan made his purpose for meeting them clear, Wang agreed without any hesitation. Patting his chest, Bu nodded repeatedly. He suggested taking Qin Guan to the office so he could get familiar with it. He also wanted to introduce him to the rest of the staff. Qin Guan followed them to a one-storey building in Hutong with a serious expression. He saw a big handmade sign on the roof, supported by a tripod. Chapter 168: In the Bandits’ Nest Chapter 168: In the Bandits Nest Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia There were fourrge characters written in fresh paint on the sign. They read "Amazing Foot Massage Room". Qin Guan watched the bustle awkwardly. "New business?" "No, its been here for half a year. My bros said the ce was too difficult for customers to find though, so I made a showy sign." Looking at the dazzling characters, Qin Guan said carefully, "Could we change the name? How about Amazing Pedicure?" Wang Hailing turned the name over in his mind. It sure sounds better! Educated guys are really intelligent! "Change the sign! Make it Amazing Pedicure!" he shouted at thebor workers. Then he waved dramatically to a group of people nearby. Three of them walked over. "This guy is the manager of the foot massage room, that one manages the hair-washing room, and the third one is in charge of the mahjong room." He pushed Qin Guan towards them as he introduced them. "This is the ountant of ourpany. Greet each other!" "When did we found apany, Brother Wang?" "Just now. Stop that rubbish! Listen to me. You will hand over the ounts to ountant Qin. Every week he wille over to check the records. Understand?" "No problem! Wed appreciate your help, ountant Qin!" They all greeted Qin Guan before walking away. Qin Guan was speechless. "Its only three businesses?" he asked. Are you kidding? You rely on those three guys to keep the books? Theyd stick the money in the drawer in no time. Keeping books would be no more than handing in the profits on the weekend. And if theres any extra expenses, theyd just get the bosses to approve of them. Qin Guan couldnt do much, even if heid groundwork as a cashier. "Of course not! Thatd be just a piece of cake for us. Come here! Open your eyes!" Bu and Wang led Qin Guan towards a six-storey building across the street. There was a giant neon sign on top of it. Qin Guan went nearly blind as he saw the "Fruit & Candy" sign. What a crazy world! The huge KTV club, which had been famous for decades in the capital, was their business? Qin Guan was shocked by the news. Confused and disoriented, he followed Bu and Wang. They pushed the ss revolving door and entered the clean reception hall. There were luxurious leather couches, Spanish style ss tea tables, and French spiral staircases. There were also three elevators on both sides of the hall for theziest customers. On the fifth floor, there werepletely enclosed stores. Half of the space on the third floor was upied by supermarkets and restaurants, and there were private smaller stores on the second floor. The whole club promoted humanity andfort. Of course, you could also get entertainment services there. The girls behind the bar counter on the third floor were happy to sing a song for generous guests or have a drink with them. Bu Qinlu looked satisfied with Qin Guans expression. He seemed like a peasant in a metropolis. Every visitor was shocked by the huge club and its unreliable owners. On the cashier desk on the second floor, Qin Guan checked their cashier system and the scale of the supermarket. The software was quite advanced and could be logged in to the inte easily. Qin Guan was stunned by the pile of ount books in their office though. Is theputer on the desk just for decoration? Are the report forms in the software just for amusement? Has that notebook with lines of twisted characters been your ount book for the past several months? The two mens daily book-keeping was as follows. Date: XXXXX Earnings: XXXX yuan Expenses: XXXXX yuan That was all. Qin Guan massaged his head before asking, "How much have you invested in the club?" "No idea. Our bros gathered the money and we borrowed some more from others." Qin Guan continued to massage his hurting temples. "I need all the documents and details of the investment, or Ill have no idea when youll get your capital back! If you can cope with the Industrial and Commercial Bureau and the Tax Administration Office with such a notebook, your duty will be to copy it in the same way. As for me, Ill make a detailed ount in the simplest and clearest manner. You aso need to grant me arge sum of money so I can create the ount." "Of course, Ill give you an allowance every month. Better keep the invoices for me when you make purchases outside though." "Thats it for today. I have to read the notebook. Well discuss the details in the future." "You must know that the club still cant make ends meet. You have to be careful with what you spend." "What? Were losing money?" Wang shouted. "Ever since we opened the business, profits have been pouring in from all sides. Every night the stores are full of customers. How can we be losing money? " Qin Guan was speechless. Your business was founded with borrowed money. You are in debt! Bu was cleverer than Wang though. He poked at Wangs back before telling Qin Guan, "Were not familiar with such affairs. You just make the ounts gradually. Youlle here once a week. Well be in charge of public rtions, and youll focus on the book-keeping. 450 yuan a week. Well be counting on you." Qin Guan returned to his dormitory with arge bag of paperwork. Those two cheaters! They were ttering me. I caused trouble to myself! Thats when Qin Guans miserable days began. "No, no, no! The ounts of those three small shops cant be in the general ledger!" "Brother Bu, why is the girls ie recorded separately? Fine, tell me how you divided the ounts then! ording to your interests? Are you kidding? Arerge boobs your only interest? Large butts are no reason to make an exception either!" "Okay, Lily has a big butt. Her sry will be on your ount!" "Why would you put that in my ount? Okay, okay!" "Shall we deposit the profits in the bank? In a safe? What the hell is that?" Chapter 169: A Warm and Quiet Life Chapter 169: A Warm and Quiet Life Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia From then on, Qin Guan was in endless trouble. People whoy down with dogs woke up with fleas. Being around unreliable people made him seem like a bandit himself, which made the graceful Teacher Rong extremely dissatisfied. She hit Qin Guans legs and arms with a thin rubber stick. "Its only been a few days, and you already look like a Hutong idler. Behave yourself! Sit straight and stand still! Where is your elegance? You are not a very good student. Real grace is in a persons very core. Behavior reflects ones spirit. Youre either noble or vulgar. Nobility maintains ones countenance even when they fall down." Qin Guan felt a chill as he imagined those two guys being taught by Teacher Rong. That day, Qin Guan began his lyre-ying, chess, calligraphy and painting courses. They were all supposed to help his consistent good behavior. Actually, Qin Guan had been reading cursorily about all these skills except for painting. He could y Chinese chess, Chinese checkers, five-in-a-row, aerone Chess and military chess. Teacher Rong engaged in I-go though. She made a cross on Qin Guans papers. If his ancestors knew that Qin Guan considered writing with a pen calligraphy, they would haveughed their heads off. Qin Guan couldnt talk about a hard-tip pen to Teacher Rong for fear that she would make fun of him forever. He had also considered ying the harmonica at primary school music ss the same as Iyre-ying, which was even more absurd. Wonderful! Now he had to spend all his spare time at Teacher Rongs house. Time flew by. Busy people always felt that days speeded by. In October, the TV y "The Legendary Swordsman" finished its final editing, but it was just a simple page in Qin Guans busy life. He turned that page easily. Qin Guan refused all other small parts in TV shows and films. John kept sending him emails from the other side of the ocean. He sent him four emails a month. He would asionally share interesting fashion news and trends from Europe and the US. As Qins best foreign friend (which was what he called himself), he was preparing Qin Guan for the frontline of the fashion industry. Actually, Qin Guan wanted to tell him that no Chinese model could get a work visa. There were more shows and opportunities overseas though, and many Chinese models would work abroad illegally with tourist visas. If they were invited to release conferences of top brands, their social status soared when they returned to China. Long after the Capital Fashion Week, Cabben sent a notice to Sister Xue about the ident backstage. They also invited Qin Guan to their next show in China. It was apensation in disguise, which they would both benefit from. The nine brands of the Fashion Week had all be long-term clients of Sister Xues. Qin Guan turned down several offers in other provinces and focused on Beijing. The KTV club was flourishing. The two tough guys knew it would take them at least two years to get their capital back. The three small shops were phenomenally profitable though, which aroused Qin Guans desire to make money that way. The "Daming Pce", which he had be famous for, had been reced by the hit show "Legend of Dagger Lee". Simrly, the leading actors ssic hairstyle and handsome looks had attracted another group of crazy girls. Fans were always forgetful. Except for some loyal fans stuck on Qin Guan, most girls had been attracted by the charming, dagger-wielding man. Qin Guan seldom showed his face, except during shows. His harvest those six months were Teacher Rongs lessons and his full pockets. In the past, Qin Guan had only been interested in his figure, not his spirit. After being trained by the good tutor though, he had changed a lot. People always said that nobility could be cultivated in three generations, but Qin Guan was absorbing manners that should have been fostered in childhood. He had be a gentleman by then. His movements had be as elegant as paintings, and there was a lingering charm in his gestures and expressions. Cong Nianweis reflection was the best encouragement for him. When they stayed alone, she would get lost in thought as she looked at her educated boyfriend. The memory of how he used to be was vague. He was getting more and more shining in time, and she was drowning in his spoiling love. A smile was on her face. She hoped those days would never end. By the time Qin Guan was done with all his private affairs, 2000 had nearly ended. The new year would begin soon. The decorations for his new house in the capital had been finished, but there would be a model g soon, so Qin Guan could not return to his hometown for the Spring Festival. His parents decided to celebrate the Spring Festival with their son in Beijing instead and see the new house. Qin Guan picked them up in his car, which surprised them even more. They were both conservative people, and they saw their son on TV and the fortune his modelling jobs had earned him. They were worried that Qin Guan would be lured by the entertainment circle and abandon his profession. For people their age, flowers blooming in the entertainment circle were like passing clouds. Their son might be handsome for some years, but that kind of sess was like rootless duckweed. It had no solid foundation. Getting a steady job was more important, even if the sry was not as high as it was in the entertainment circle. That kind of career choice would reassure them. They felt relieved when Qin Guan told them about the certificates and his part-time job as an ountant. Our son is a dependable young man. He really is our child. Their mentality was not quite the same though. Chapter 170: Farce at the Annual Gala Chapter 170: Farce at the Annual G Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia When Qin Guans parents arrived, he showed them the supermarkets, vegetable markets and parks nearby. He had some work to do before the Spring Festival, but they could do anything they liked. However, he soon realized it was impossible for them to go somewhere together because of their different interests. His father liked a quiet life, while his mother preferred sports. Qin Guan smartly retreated before their two different timetables. It was a confrontation between two immortals. He also had to attend the annual New Silk Road g in formal attire. It was a bonus for models. If ones status was upgraded, there were many sponsors for outfits of their choice. To express their appreciation for the contribution of the staff to thepany, New Silk Road would hold a g before the Spring Festival. All the office staff, models, brand representatives, media directors and other contributors were invited to the feast. Although Qin Guan was an affiliated model, he had brought great brand influence and profits to thepany with his outstanding performance, so he had been invited. The g was held in a chateau close to the airport road, which had been a creative idea. If not for the deste winter, it would have been even more beautiful there. The drinks were free, which was considered a plus by most people. The atmosphere was quite rxed, and the emcee and performers were allpany staff. Which part did they like best? The lottery and the bosss performance, of course. At least there was a big buffet. As a money-grubber, Qin Guan focused on the rewards of the annual g. When the happy performance ended, the emcee announced the prize winners. Qin Guan was surprised to hear his own name. It was great luck for an affiliated model, who was basically a nobody to all the staff. "The prize winner for Best Neer is Qin Guan!" Qin Guan mounted the stage leisurely, only to realize that the emcee was Ouyang Fen. Qin Guan hadnt recognized him under that heavy powder. Ouyang watched Qin Guan with an evil intention. He handed him his bonus before telling the audience, "Wed like to thank Qin Guan for his contribution to ourpany. Under normal circumstances, the prize winner would give a formic speech, but we have a surprise for you all. We didnt inform the winners in advance, so they did note prepared. Our boss wanted to give them the greatest surprise." "The annual neer winner is the best among all the models who started working during the same period, without exception. Look at the delicious boy next to me!" "Meanwhile, they are also performance pacesetters with exceptional professional ability. Those models can adjust their mentality to any emergency in order to do their job." "Our surprise for you today is an impromptu performance from our winner. He will dance to background music. If you like his dance, you can buy flowers for him, like people did during the election of the best lorette in ancient times. Of course, Im not implying that our winner is a whore." The audience apuded happily. Ouyang Fen waved to Miss Etiquette, who carried the flower baskets to the stage. There were fresh flowers blooming in them. One cost ten yuan. There was also a small money box nearby. The attendants seemed excited. Qin Guan finally realized he was being used. No one had informed him of this, including his agent, who seemed like the happiest person under the stage. Sister Xue looked excited. It was a bonus after all. There would be hundreds of flowers in the baskets. If Qin Guan did well on the stage, they would get more money! Ouyang asked Qin Guan, "Are you ready? We expect a surprise from our winner!" The DJ pressed a button and music started ying. "The eighth exercise has begun!" [1] Qin Guan nearly fell down on the stage. Were they kidding? The audience wasughing. "Ha ha ha! It sure deserves to be called New Silk Road. Thats so creative! Its better than singing or dancing!" "I wonder if the winner can do exercises well. Ha ha!" Qin Guan had no choice but to do exercises to the music. Fortunately, he hadnt forgotten the basic movements. His pants were tight on his legs, which made him look sexy to thedies. He pulled a red silk scarf from Ouyangs pocket and reced it with his tie. Then he saluted the audience like a Young Pioneer. The girls cried out under the stage. Several of them bought bouquets and threw them towards the stage. Sister Xue nced at the flowers and counted in her mind. The moneymaking begins! Suddenly, the music changed to the Yangge of Northeastern China. Ouch! I twisted my waist! Qin Guan looked to his right and saw Ouyang Fen smiling at him. Qin Guan was ready to risk everything. He took off the red scarf and danced, using it as a handkerchief. "Ha ha ha..." The audience was seething. Qin Guan tried to make faces and look at the audience. Some people spit out the wine in their mouths. Sister Xue felt awkward. Teacher Rongs training seems effective. He sure is a good actor now. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] The song was popr among Chinese students in the 1990s. Chapter 171: The Lolita Fan Chapter 171: The Lolita Fan Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Flowers poured on Qin Guans head. He picked one up and pinned it on his hair for fun. "Ouch! F*cking thorns!" If only he had a high IQ. As Qin Guan was moving on the stage, the music changed to a sad song. "She was an orphan. Her mother died when she was three..." Hey, bro! Stop tricking me! How can I dance to this one? In a sh of inspiration, Qin Guan thought of the contemporary dance he had learned recently. He began to roll around on the floor. "Ouch! So many thorns! It hurts!" He rolled, looked up, straightened his chest, opened his arms, and ran forward. He took a small leap and jumped high before rolling on the floor and doing a perfect split with a grimace. He showed the concept of the sad music through contemporary dance. His idea was beautiful, but reality was cruel. His performance was pretty good, and some old guests bought flowers. His pants were too tight though, and they got torn when he jumped in the air. His crotch was open, but the audience wasnt aware. Only Ouyang Fen had seen. Great! You fell right into my trap! Ouyang pushed the DJ away and switched the music to a fast disco song. Embarrass yourself, Qin Guan. Let all the staffugh at you! Ouyang Fen was shocked as he stared at Qin Guans pants proudly. Qin Guan was prouder than him though. Im not afraid. Im wearing long shorts! Fast dancing? Fine! Ill look even hotter! Qin Guan took off his suit. The buttons fell off with his wild movement. His fans were even more excited. New Silk Road was really the No.1 agency in the modelling circle. Qin Guan was so hot! The boss was wondering who had arranged this. In for a penny, in for a pound. Qin Guan began to unfasten the buttons on his shirt. People crowded around the flower baskets. Sister Xue hid away for fear that thedies would stomp on her. "Wow! Hes taking off his pants!" "Oh, my! My heart!" "Oh, take them off! Take them off!" The performance was reaching its peak, when suddenly Ouyang Fen saw the grim-faced boss. I think Im in trouble. Qin Guan, you bastard! Betterte than never. Ouyang Fen switched the music to a rhythmic song for athletes. Qin Guan finished his dance and got down from the stage, holding his pants up with his hand. It seemed indecent to fasten his pants on the stage. The most powerful partner of New Silk Road went up to the boss. The boss first thought was "Im doomed". That partner was famous in the business circle. If his business hadnt had something to do with the fashion industry, he wouldnt have paid any attention to models. He had to be angry with Qin Guans indecent performance though. The boss was ready for the worst, but the old man smiled as soon as he saw him. "Is he from yourpany?" "Yes, hes a green hand. He has gone too far as an affiliated model! Ill warn him." "Oh, no. I think its okay. Hes a smart boy. Ill be more confident with models from yourpany now." The boss expression changed immediately. "You tter me. Thank you for your support," he answered earnestly. "Can I have his autograph?" The boss was confused. The old man is a star chaser? He realized he wasnt when his partner pointed at his daughter, a sweet little girl about four or five years old. She waved back at her father happily and handed a one-hundred-yuan bill to the flower sellers. "Ten flowers to the beautiful boy," she said in a childish voice. Her father shed tears of sadness beside her. He had been reced in his daughters heart by Qin Guan. If it were not for my daughter, who would have paid attention to an idiot in torn pants? Qin Guan was quite satisfied with his performance. He begged a designer to mend his trousers in the backstage area. When the New Silk Road boss, his partner, and the little girl went backstage, they found Qin Guan in his colorful shorts. "Daddy, hes handsome even in shorts! I want his autograph!" Her fathers heart was nearly broken. "I love my daddy best though. He always pays attention to everything. Ill marry you when I grow up, daddy!" Her father instantly felt better. I love you too now, young man. Qin Guan had no idea about theirplicated conflict. He just signed for the little girl. He had been practising his signature for a long time. He got an unexpectedly warm handshake from her father as well. "Nice shorts color," the man said. Qin Guans pants were mended, but his shirt had been destroyed beyond repair. As a result, he had to fasten the cor around his neck and wear the suit. It looked like a fake cor from the 1960s. When Qin Guan went back outside, there were other prize-winners making ad-lib performances. Compared to Qin Guan though, who had gotten several flower baskets, they were not as sessful. Qin Guan helplessly watched Sister Xue take out 1,000 yuan from his money. No tip, huh? You even get a share from my performance at the annual g? I object! Overruled! Chapter 172: “The Legendary Swordsman” Is On Chapter 172: The Legendary Swordsman Is On Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan took a taxi home. He pushed the door open carefully and saw that his parents were sleeping. Wherever they were, they made themselves at home. Qin Guan took off his suit and fake cor, feeling slightly drunk. Sweet dreams! Sweet dreams? Of course! Qin Guans parents had been there for several days. They were really good at socializing, so they had quickly established a good rtionship with the old people and idlers of the neighborhoodmittees. His mother had joined themunity Yangge group, and his father had made friends with Chinese chess fans. Qin Guan felt ruthlessly abandoned by them. He had prepared a map and a tour, intending to take them to the Summer Pce and other famous sights, but his n had met a premature end. His parents had turned up their noses when theyd heard it. No one liked strolling around in the winter! Still, they led a happy life before the Spring Festival. His mother had even brought a gong and a drum home for practice. ng, ng, ng... "Qin Guan, ask your mother to stop!" "No! She didnt stop you when you watched that fishingpetition at home." Both father and son were cowards, but their neighbours would stop her. ...... Far from her hometown, Qin Guans mother had failed to make her traditional Spring Festival cold dish, the aniseed smoked Spanish mackerel and salty sausage. She was still able to serve them arge basin of Y city specialties though, such as assorted stewed meat. If the king of stewed dishes was the Buddha Skipping Wall, and the household stewed dishes representative was the Northeastern Chinese hotchpotch, one could say that Y city assorted stewed meatbined the merits of both. It didnt require as much work or as many delicate ingredients as the Buddha Skipping Wall, nor was it as bold or cheap as hotchpotch. It was enjoying to watch Qin Guans mother cook. Both Qin Guan and his father would be satisfied with just assorted stewed meat as their New Years Eve dinner. Qin Guans mother used various ingredients for the dish, but not very expensive ones. Qin Guan helped her curiously, trying to learn from her. After cutting the sea cucumbers, pork bellies, testicles, lunch meat, carrots, chicken breasts, quail eggs, shrimp, and scallops, she boiled everything in a tasty chicken soup. Then she took out all the ingredients one by one and put them in arge cdon bowl in a flowery shape. Next, she added a little salt, ajinomoto and cooking wine to the soup and boiled it again to thicken the mixture of cornstarch and water. Finally, the soup was poured into the bowl. The dish was ready. There were also traditional steamed yellow croakers, prawns, Fushan carbonado and Spanish mackerel dumplings made by Qin Guans father. It was a simple, but abundant New Years Eve dinner. Joy was overflowing. Despite the strange environment, Qin Guans parents were very happy. It was apletely new experience for them. Squabs had to leave the nest after all. Before they left though, parents liked to apany them for a while. Qin Guans family traditionally watched the CCTV Spring Festival G. They heard the sound of a few firecrackers outside. Not long after, firecrackers were forbidden in urban areas. They didnt go to sleep until they heard the New Year bell. Happy times shed by. Several days after the Spring Festival, Qin Guan saw his parents off. His eyes were filled with tears as he watched the train speed away. Am I too sentimental? After the winter holidays, the "The Legendary Swordsman", directed by Zhang Jizhong, was aired on CCTV without any promotion. Previous news were discussed again along with the TV show. The audience scrutinized the actors from head to toe. Fans of Linghu Chong in the original work were quite unsatisfied with the actor and his performance, but some attractive co-stars became popr. Qin Guan thought that the show had caused him more trouble. Zhang Changzhong was an idol indies hearts, but Yang Lianting had attracted a group of wired fans. At college, he often saw a boy in red with a needle and thread in his hand, who was always pretending to be embroidering in the air. It was horrifying! Qin Guan tried to talk to him, but failed. The boy would just look back at him with the most shy expression before running away. Qin Guan waspletely confused. Maybe he is just ying dumb. Wang Lei had a different opinion. He thought the boy was scared off by Qin Guans hormones. Those rotten girls on the Haijiao forum were even more terrible than male fans though. They had supreme fighting powers. They could find countless exciting points of gay love in the formal plot, full of homosexual passion. Although the actor who yed Dongfang Bubai was ady, she did a really good job portraying a man. It had to be wonderful to die in Yang Liantings arms. Besides, Dongfang had teased Linghu Chong with his words. In the end, their love had shocked the leading actors, who had fulfilled their wish to be buried in the same grave. That year was also of significant meaning for those in favor of homosexuality, as the Nethends had be the first nation to recognize homosexual marriage on January 1st, 2001. One could understand the passion of those crazy fans. It was alright for Qin Guan. Other than at college, he didnt attract any special attention. The one who had influenced him the most was Ye Dong, who had resorted to extreme measures to be elected as chairman of the Student Union. He had submitted applications for all his roommates for the 39th Capital College Sports Meeting. He had also submitted a g-bearer application for Qin Guan. Chapter 173: The Beijing Film Academy Chapter 173: The Beijing Film Academy Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The athletes of his college had passed with a unanimous vote. As they stood with students from other colleges, only the g-bearers could show off or attack. Qin Guans roommates were quarrelling in the dormitory because of Ye Dong. Qin Guan had to miss a couple of interviews thanks to his behavior. He had acted first and asked questions afterwards. Each of them was an individual with a distinct personality. They had been living in the same dormitory for four years, which would be a beautiful memory for the rest of their lives. However, that didnt mean that they would bend to one persons capricious will. As an empleomaniac, Ye Dong had a clear aim, and he was taking advantage of all his resources to achieve his final goal. His roommates had been the best choice. His repeated self-assertion had damaged their friendship for the first time though. A good-tempered young man like Qin Guan felt that it was necessary to have a discussion about the problem. "Well, Ye Dong. Better inform us next time you want to use us. We have our own schedules after all." "If I tell you in advance, will you help me?" "Yes..." "Okay then." Qin Guan backed off close to tears. He was not that good at negotiating. Next! The strongest man from the Northwest, Mu Lejiang, came up. They stared at each other silently for several seconds before they embraced. Hey! Youpromised just like that? Wang Lei, who had poor marks in PE, had nothing to do with the affair. As for Liu Xiaoyang, he had already been persuaded by Ye Dong. He was lying in bed, thinking about the professional equipment he would buy and how he would manage to shine during the sports meeting. Boy, you are all so naive. Never try to argue with a professional politician. Youll only find yourself losing. Qin Guan wanted to cry, but he had no tears left. Hugging him, Ye Dong murmured with a smile, "No words can express my gratitude for your kindness. You may lose some opportunities because of the sports meeting, but trust me. You shouldnt give up your life on campus for work." "You know, Qin Guan, if you focused more on campus life, youd be more popr than you are now. If you ran for chairman, no one would beat you. Anyway, thank you for your support. Im proud to be your roommate. I really want to spend more time with you. After one year, we will drift apart. This may be thest team activity of our dormitory. Maybe my way was not convenient, but I was just too anxious to express my love. Would you please ept my sincere apology? Qin Guan felt like crying. Im so popr in my dormitory. His words really moved me. Wang Lei looked at his emotional roommate speechlessly. He was too easy to make sentimental. Compared to Liu Xiaoyang though, who was choking from sobbing too hard, Qin Guan did not seem to be the worst one. It was a sunny day in May, and there was amotion at Renmin University. Led by Ye Dong, a delegation from the Capital University of Finance and Economics participated in the sports meeting. When Qin Guan walked into the court in white sportswear holding the red g of his college, the audience was shocked. They couldnt ept that their own emcee girl was inferior to the boy in white. They read the sign carefully. Were they kidding? It was not a drama or music academy, but an economic college. That boy could live on his looks, yet he was justpeting with them as a straight-A student. People enrolled at art colleges with a score of just over 300. How could people who had to live on their IQ survive then? The girl led the delegation into the court gloomily. Great! They were close to the Central Academy of Drama and the Beijing Film Academy. There had been no Beijing Broadcasting Academy at the time. The students of the two academies were excited. They had originally intended to show off their beauty, as there would be no chance once the sports meeting began. Qin Guan had attracted all the attention though. The team of the Beijing Film Academy was in turmoil. The seniors of the 97 ss were all busy with their graduation, and the best student from the 98 ss, Pan Yuchen, was not there. Du Chun and Ling Xiaosu from the 99 ss were the only ones present. They had to choose another student. Suddenly, they realized that there was no freshman from 2000 who could y a pivotal role. They were confused. We are no longer the best-looking college. They were angry with the students registered during the past three years. Any one of the graduates of the 96 ss could have rivaled Qin Guan, such as Chen Kun and Huang Xiaoming. Bingo! We could send our girl! Where is Miao Pu? Students from the Central Academy of Drama were clear on their dilemma, and they had already begun tittering. Their boy, Deng Cao, was not too bad. Afterpeting with each other both openly and secretly, the two academies finally decided the winner. During the closing ceremony of the sports meeting, Qin Guan was appraised as the most handsome g-bearer. As he was waiting on the court, he got along well with the students from the Beijing Film Academy. They recognized him from his roles in the two famous TV shows. Although Qin Guan had only been a supporting character, it was still enough for them to ept him as a member of their group. Chapter 174: Will You Go to the US, Qin Guan? Chapter 174: Will You Go to the US, Qin Guan? Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia For the sake of his college, Qin Guan talked happily with students with good marks. As a result, he became the most popr person in the sports meeting. For selfish motives, he also asked the students who would be superstars in the future for an autograph. They were professionals of the entertainment circle, none of whom signed in regr script. They were a little confused when he asked them for a signature, as Qin Guan was just as famous as they were at the time. Qin Guan couldnt tell them that he hade from the future though. No one would believe that. Time was of the greatest importance for junior students, not just because of their heavy schoolwork, but also because they had just begun to think about their future. There were various choices they had to make. Because of her outstanding design inspiration and solid training, Cong Nianweis tutor had asked her to design somerge-scale buildings during her sophomore year. Although it was just basic design, her tutor could see her potential. To be honest, QH University had the best Architecture Department in China, but there were different building styles in different countries. As a student majoring in Architecture, open horizons and rich experiences would inspire Cong Nianwei a lot. Her tutor suggested that she take graduate lessons abroad. He rmended that Cong Nianwei select some foreign universities to pursue further studies. Once she made her decision though, she had to start preparing. After hesitating for a long time, Cong Nianwei finally called Qin Guan to share that option with him. The news stupefied Qin Guan. He would have to pay more attention to his tutors suggestions to study abroad now. By his nature, Qin Guan had no inclination towards making progress. He already had a wonderful n for his future. First, he would get his CPA certificate before graduation, and then he would open an ounting firm with the money he had earned from his part-time job. He would be able to provide financial support to Cong Nianwei so she could continue her studies as long as she liked. Wherever water flowed, a channel was formed. He would make the perfect proposal at the peak of their love. That was how fairytales always ended. The prince and the princess lived happily ever after. Whats going on now? This means that well part ways as soon as we graduate. Then what? What shouId I do? Wait for my girlfriend at home? No! No! How can I continue living the fairytale alone? This wont do. Qin Guan had two choices. The first one was to stay at home, chat with other friends, and run a poor firm. asionally, Sister Xue would book some shows for him. At night, when everything was still, he would cry himself to sleep under his quilt. His second choice was to go abroad with her. Students were crazy about going abroad. Between 2004 and 2006, it was a busy period for returning schrs, who finished their studies overseas and came back. By that time, the ind was thirsty and schrs were at their peak. Qin Guans starting point might even be higher than that. After clearing the situation, Qin Guan called Cong Nianwei back at midnight. Cong Nianwei had fallen asleep by then. "Its toote," she murmured in a low voice. "I havent even made a decision!" Qin Guans anxiety made her feel warm. She turned over before she added, "If you dont want me to leave, Ill think about it again. Its only an option after all." "Actually, Ill be back in two years, which is not a very long time. Women hold lower positions in the architectural industry. Without enough qualifications and experience, itll be hard for me to exert my abilities." "What? No, I havent decided which university to apply for. There are several colleges with good Architecture Departments. QH will give me a chance for individual promotion. Which country? My tutor has suggested the US." Qin Guan was clear on her thoughts now, which cheered him up. The US is a modern country. Maybe then she will want to... Ha ha... Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm down and continue the conversation. "I have already made my decision. Its better to see the world while were still young. Fill in your application, and then we can take the TOEFL, IELTS, or GRE. Any one is fine. Lets go together." Cong Nianwei was surprised. She thought they had been talking about their future ns. How had they decided to study abroad together? Qin Guans decision made her nervousness disappear though. If she went with him, her days overseas wouldnt be as hard as she imagined. After hanging up, Qin Guan turned the matter over in his mind as hey on his bed. He had to work more. Maybe he could ept one of those ridiculous ys. It was a sudden decision. If he could make money himself, he could stop asking financial support from his parents. The expenses overseas would be high though. It seemed like hed have to fight for his and Cong Nianweis future. Oh, by the way, I should send an email to John. He might help us do some things in advance, such as gather the right paperwork or rent an apartment. He might even help me find a job in the US. As he thought of this, Qin Guans sleepiness evaporated. He got up and turned on hisputer. When he finished his email, he stared at the date on the screen, lost in thought. Our way to the US might be not smooth. Its 2001. In a few months, there will be a terrible incident in the US that will shock the whole world. Maybe I dont need to worry about the future though. God will take care of everything. Qin Guan thought about his n overnight and went to ss with ck circles under his eyes. There were so many things he had to do. First, he would have to have a talk with his tutor, who liked him the most, and learn from his experience. Second, he would need to talk to Sister Xue and inform her that he would fail to keep up their arrangement. Third, he would have to inform his parents, Professor Li, Teacher Rong, his best friends, and his roommates. Then he would have to find some learning material about studying abroad, which might help him get a schrship from a foreign university. The final thing on his list was the simplest one: find work. ..... Qin Guan started right away. Sister Xue found it strange that he read all the scripts, which he usually didnt pay any attention to. She wanted tomit suicide when she found out about his decision. She had worked very hard to get him where he was. In two more years, he would soar to the sky, yet he wanted to go overseas! Sister Xue called Professor Li immediately. "Professor Li, where are you? Help me!" Professor Li was over the moon though. She couldnt predict the future in the domestic modelling circle, but rather than umte working experience at home and upgrade his level by acting in TV shows, she would rather that Qin Guan starred on the international stage. Chapter 175: Qin Guan Seized the Opportunity! Chapter 175: Qin Guan Seized the Opportunity! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Professor Li had been wanting to send Qin Guan to an internationalpetition, but hed had no ns of studying abroad so far. Judging by his personality, he was bound to revolt and abandon the fashion circle to return to college. However, things had changed, and now he was nning on going abroad himself. Besides, Qin Guan was going abroad with his girlfriend. Considering the terrible living expenses, he would definitely need to make more money. Professor Li finally stood a chance of seeing a domestic male model go out and reach the top fashion circles. Sister Xue had been attacked from two sides. Professor Li had also abandoned her. Her onlyfort was that Professor Li would arrange for her to be a formal agent for New Silk Road after Qin Guan left. Sister Xue had nearly lost her motivation to live. She wasnt willing to leave Qin Guan. They had beenrades-in-arms for the past two years after all. She had witnessed all his steps towards sess, yet she couldnt stay with him any longer. She was really sad. Sister Xue held her tears back as she embraced him. "Cheers, Qin Guan! Lets fight this final battle! Its just to make money, right? I love it! Wait to hear from me!" What would be the best money-making job for Qin Guan? Not TV shows or fashion shows, but advertisements! To maintain his image, Sister Xue had turned down a pile of dispensable or tasteless advertisements from A.M. It was time to revisit them though. After a discussion with the director of A.M, Sister Xue immediately got a notice through email. She began to check the advertisements with Qin Guan. "This is thetest offer, a body wash ad for Adidas, audition inquired. This is for junk food. I have no idea what brand." Qin Guan picked up the paperwork at the bottom. Sister Xue took a look at it. "Medicine? Thats terrible! How much does it pay? Okay, let me read it!" Sister Xue read it carefully and turned it down immediately, "Never! Afrodyn is out of the question! I dont care how much they pay." They made their final decision as soon as they finished reading everything. "Good, let me see. Two of them require auditions. The other three dont. Congrattions, Qin Guan. Most second-line stars couldnt get that many offers, even though most of them are background jobs." "Now, lets see the films and TV shows." Sister Xue pulled a thick pile of scripts from under the table. They hade from film productionpanies and various film and TV studios. After excluding those that had already begun and werent in need of actors, they still had eight scripts left to read. They read them one by one. "Wow! Interesting! Romance Across the Universe of Time. Its a low-budget Sci-Fi film with period costumes. Its the first one to be produced in China. We could keep it as an alternative." "What the hell is Maid in Red Mason? Dont be silly, Qin Guan." Qin Guan didnt care. He had never heard of that film in his past life, but all actors made some terrible films. It required an audition. Maybe he wouldnt pass it. Anyway, it was an alternative for making money. Sister Xue could only turn to the next script. "The Graceful Princess production hasnt decided on the actors yet. Let me see... Servant of the protagonist, uncle of the protagonist, Prince of Xixia... A viin again? No, its not. Good. Lets save it forter." "What about Qianlong Dynasty? Youd need to have your head shaved for it though. No! Fine, youll just audition for these. Youll also audition for the A.M. ads, and Ill sign a contract with the J shirts boss for this year." Looking at Qin Guans furtive back, Sister Xue added, "Afrodyn is out of the question!" Qin Guan bent his head. That advertisement paid the most. He didnt need to worry about his fame anymore anyway. Qin Guan met the Adidas representative in the meeting room of A.M. There were six models waiting there, but the representative was hesitant. The director of A.M was murmuring something to him. Qin Guan tried to eavesdrop on their discussion. "No, you cant convince me. Although the advertisement will air in Asia, this doesnt mean that we have to choose an Asian model." "Were talking about deodorants and bathing products, and Western models are more alluring and sexy than Asian ones. You know that Asian models are reserved. They are not good at looking hot. Why not find some European or American models? Lets call this a day. I can wait till you find other models." Qin Guans ears quivered. What does he mean by that? Under normal circumstances, he wouldnt have cared. At worst, he would have just waited for another chance. Things had changed though. He had a family to support now, which was a very heavy burden. He couldnt wait for that stupid guy to gather another group of inferior models for a second audition. He would always be the final choice anyway. His time was too precious to waste. Qin Guan stood up suddenly and walked to the centre of the room, gesturing for everyone to be quiet. He had shocked all the attendants, who fell silent at once. Qin Guan cleared his throat and spoke to the representative, "Dear sir, you are a sessful businessman, so your time must be precious. I overheard your conversation just now. May I have a word with you?" Chapter 176: Afrodyn! Chapter 176: Afrodyn! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The representative of Adidas nodded in surprise as Qin Guan went on with his train of thought. "Sir, you may not be familiar with me, but Im Qin Guan, the winner of the New Face National Model Competition. I have a rich experience on printed media, runway shows and TV advertisements. I have been a model for J clothing, Two Sung, and LEE. I have also been on the inner pages of the Chinese ELLE, and I have yed roles in two popr TV shows. Besides..." Qin Guan made a pause there. If Sister Xue, who was quite familiar with him, had been there, she would have known that he was about to surprise everyone. "There is an old Chinese saying that says that seeing is believing. Thats why Ill show you my abilities," Qin Guan concluded. He stood up in front of everyone and took off all the clothes on his upper body, exposing his bare chest. All thedies screamed. The waiting models were surprised. How could he audition like that? What a brave man! The experienced director was not surprised by Qin Guans sudden action. He supported his jaw on both hands and scanned Qin Guan from head to toe. Fair-shaped muscles without the stiffness of European and American models. He looks pretty good. Beautiful V-line abs. Pity that hes still wearing pants... Smooth skin without pores, perfect Asian characteristics, light hair, drops that fall down his body... He rubbed his jaw. Before he spoke, Qin Guan opened his mouth again and said, "You should see the expression of the girls at my college when they see me. Just look at thesedies." "If yourpany hires me, they might be willing to buy that body wash not just for their boyfriends, but also for themselves. It will smell like me after all!" The director cast a nce at his assistant. The girl was a ssic workaholic. She was pretending to read the documents in her hand though, but her eyes were actually fixed on Qin Guans bare chest. The director made a decision immediately. "Great! Young man, youre hired! You convinced me!" The representative secretly gave Qin Guan a thumbs-up. Thank goodness! I dont need to spend another day serving an unreasonable client. Qin Guan put on his clothes again. The Adidas assistant licked her lips unconsciously as she saw the beautiful outline of his back and waist. The director thought it was time to leave, before his excellent assistant turned into an indecent woman. Qin Guan, on the other side, went to see the representative for the medicine advertisement. The second advertisement was quite simple. There was always the same line in patulin ads: "If you catch a cold, get a runny nose, or spike a fever, please take XXX cold medication." He just had to y a weak patient. It was a piece of cake for Qin Guan, who used to pretend to be sick to skip sses in his past life. His partner was the mother of the representative from the medicine nt, which saved them arger investment. The old woman looked like a graciousdy until she saw Qin Guan. As a housewife crazy for TV shows, she was familiar with all hit shows and the advertisements broadcasted between every episode. She was a fan of Qin Guan, and she thought of him as a boy from her neighborhood. She had originally agreed just to do her son a favor, but now she got serious about the job. I wont encumber the boy! Whats his name though? I wasnt able to find it in such a long list of cast members! The woman asked Qin Guan straightforwardly, and he told her his name considerately, making an even better impression on her. Qin Guan was lying on the couch feebly with a red nose. There were used tissues all around him. The woman ran in at full speed and bent over him, shouting anxiously, "Whats the matter, son?" "Cut! What are you doing, sister? Your son has just caught a cold, hes not dying! Dont look so nervous. Just slightly worried is okay. You went too far with your performance." Her son looked around awkwardly. He thought his mother was doing this intentionally, just to have more contact with Qin Guan. No one was that strict with a green hand though, so they began once more. The old woman did better next time. She read her lines precisely with satisfaction. Then she and Qin Guan held the medicine box up and shouted towards the camera like idiots, "Good curative effect for colds! XXX is the best!" The advertisement was finished, and the woman was pulled away by her son, waving farewell at Qin Guan with his autograph. Qin Guan saw her off before rushing to his next interview. Before leaving, he turned his head around unintentionally and saw the rearranged set. There was a giant queen-sized bed there. The A. M. staff noticed Qin Guans curiosity and told him, "Its also for a kind of medicine. Are you interested?" "What medicine?" Qin Guan asked without thinking. "Huiren afrodyn. They pay high for models, about twenty percent more than others." "Forget it, lets go." Qin Guan was afraid that he would fail to resist the lure and take the job. He went to another audition instead, which was even more exaggerated. Adidas limited their candidates to models, but that biscuit ad was more loose on the selection. There was a hodgepodge of printed media models, advertisement models, actors, and green hands from talent agencies. Their method was also strange. They focused on ones ability rather than their resume. Chapter 177: The Nearly Forgotten Money Chapter 177: The Nearly Forgotten Money Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia For a food advertisement to attract customers, they had to empathize with the models when they tried the new product. A model could be good-looking, but that advertisement needed a model to arouse purchasing desire with their superior acting skills. To make the process shorter, the audition was quite simple. Each person got a case of Xianqu biscuits, and they had to eat them in the greediest way possible in front of the director, the brand businessman and the principle of the adpany. All the candidates were moaning except for Qin Guan, who seemed to light up with pleasure. What was his best quality? Not his powerful brain or fairy-like looks, but his endless pursuit of food. The audition was as easy as breathing for him. Eating was his best skill. The interviewers were annoyed by the strange performance of the candidates. Look at that guy! Its a food advertisement! Does he think its okay to lick the biscuits as if hes intoxicated? Next! Oh, my! This one is smacking his lips like a pig! No one warned him about that? Hes even spraying pieces around! Next! Before he could get disappointed, Qin Guan walked forward leisurely, like a god descending from Heaven to save the doomed humanity. He took a biscuit from the case with his slender fingers. It did not look like a simple crisp biscuit, but a fairy feast. Qin Guan stared at the lemon-filled biscuit as if it was his lover. His fingers moved, putting his lover into his mouth. His red lips opened gently, and he bit the biscuit, breaking it into two. As he was chewing, the mark of his teeth was left on the piece in his hand. Perfect! It was perfect from every angle. Whatever others might think, the brand businessman thought that the biscuits looked the best during Qin Guans performance. Before leaving, the staff of A. M. told Qin Guan the good news. They patted Qin Guan, who was putting away his belongings, and realized he was putting audition props into his backpack. It was a pile of biscuits. Qin Guans mouth was also jammed with them. Theyre delicious, but theyre too dry. Theres no water here! The staff was startled to see all those biscuits in his mouth. Damn it! Hes choking! Get some water! Suddenly, everyone was frightened. If this had happened during the audition, Qin Guan would have definitely been thrown out. After drinking the water, he waved the staff farewell awkwardly and went out of the building. He turned on the headlights of his car. The night had fallen, and the stars were twinkling yfully. Qin Guan sighed with emotion. I have never worked this hard before. With enough pressure, even theziest people get moving. The next day, he would act in three advertisements as an extra. He could earn 60,000 yuan in two days, which was as high as someone elses annual ie. To cover the two-year postgraduate tuition fees at a US college though, plus all the living expenses, Qin Guan would have to earn at least 150,000. He dared not rx yet. Unfortunately, the US Dor was very strong at the time. The terrible 1:8 rate made his future look dim. The only good news was that his outstanding auditions had attracted attention from the leaders of A. M. The Adidas and Xianqu biscuit ads would earn Qin Guan 70,000 yuan, which was a small step towards his final goal. Qin Guan returned to dormitory. Lying in bed, he called all his acquaintances and told them about his n. There was also a more important thing hed have to deal with soon. Do you remember his first holiday as a college student? Qin Guan had bought some stocks from his unclespany, which had been the best choice hed made since his rebirth. Western Electricity was one of the firstpanies in the Chinese stock market. In 1998, it had put an end to its private sales and begun to split stock rights. The original price of two yuan had amounted to more than 280 yuan after a series of rises and falls. Finally, it had fallen down to about 5 yuan. Countless holders had made a great fortune overnight during those years. The stocks in Qin Guans hand would soar in the following years, and no one would be prepared for it. The performance of Western Electricity had increased by 50% every year, which had shocked the stock market. Nobody but Qin Guan knew that this performance had been forged though. Thepany leaders had bought plenty of stocks and undersold them gradually through 44 fake individual ounts. Thepany had also invested 700,000,000 on the stocks through 69 fake individual ounts and cashed in most of the profits aspany ie. After several months, the prices would fall steeply, and countlessmon investors wouldnt get their original capital back. Y city citizens were hoping that the government would step forward to help them. Qin Guan had a general idea of the timing, so he knew that this would be his best chance to cash in his money. He called his parents to emphasize the importance of underselling the stocks and reminding his uncle. His parents had nearly forgotten about the stocks, which theyd bought as a joke. They hung up and called Qin Guans uncle, who told them their current price. Qins parents realized they were millionaires! Luckily, they were easy to satisfy. They were really happy with the price. Qin Guan took after them after all. Both families dumped the stocks and became millionaires. They went out of the stock exchange in a daze. The sum in their ount felt like a dream. Qin Guan received a call from his mother and breathed a sigh of relief at the vast sum in his ount. Chapter 178: A Dog Called Egg Chapter 178: A Dog Called Egg Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Wait, there had to be a mistake. It should have been 1.4 million, not 5.6 million. Before he called his parents, Qin Guan suddenly remembered that Western Electricity had increased its stocks. He held 20,000 shares now. Oh, my! God has blessed me! Im a real millionaire! I dont need to f*cking study abroad. I could just stay at home in the US and wait for Cong Nianwei. Id be a good stay-at-home husband. He was just kidding. Qin Guan loved money. He put the card in his purse right away. He had enough money now, so he could invest it somewhere. He would still work to pay his tuition fees. He headed to A. M. to shoot his advertisements. It took him two hours to finish all three. Then he had to prepare for the biscuit ad right away. Adidas had said that they were working on the background and it might take them several days. The Xianqui biscuit set was an apartment. Qin Guan had to eat biscuits seriously as he watched TV. His partner this time was not a human being, but a dog. It was a lovely golden retriever with shining, smooth hair and a smiling face. It was a typical tame dog. It would have been the best dog if it didnt seize biscuits from Qin Guans hand. The advertisement required their cooperation. They had to eat their own food separately, but the dog kept rushing up to Qin Guan and taking the biscuits from his hand, embarrassing his trainer. It was a good boy. Its only w was that it was greedy. The trainer had brought its favorite beef biscuits, but the model was so good at his job that it made the dog ignore its own biscuits and turn to the biscuits in his hand. The director had a sh of inspiration. Go on! This may be even better! There was a great turmoil on set. Qin Guan and the dog were eating happily together, their heads touching. The trainer covered his face. I should have trained it more. What a shame! Is there any salt in those biscuits? Oh, no! Thats harmful for pets! By the time the shooting was finished, Qin Guan and the dogs friendship had gotten as solid as a rock. They waved farewell at each other, unwilling to part ways. Qin Guan could see tears in Eggs eyes as he drove off. He was d he had chosen that advertisement. The half-full box of biscuits in his trunk wouldst him and his roommates a month. Besides, he had coborated with such a cute dog. What a nice day it had been! As the saying went though, whatever went up had toe down. The Western Electricity stocks dropped in several days. Qin Guans mother was ecstatic when she saw the woebegone crowd outside the bourse. The stock market was a big risk. Qin Guans uncle was really grateful. He had beenughed at by all his workmates when hed insisted on underselling the stocks ording to Qin Guans advice, and they had also made fun of him when hed decided to buy more stocks. Reality had proved him right though. Qin Guan smiled proudly when his mother called him. It seemed that he had benefited again from his rebirth. Forget it, I should go to sleep. This millionaire has to work hard tomorrow. The following day, Qin Guan went out of A.M. proudly, holding a bag full of Adidas sample sacks. He dried his wet hair and drove off in the opposite direction of his college. It was not his style to deposit cash into a bank and wait to make profit. He would invest his money on property instead. Under the Dongzhimen Overpass, the streets were crowded with people and vehicles. Thanks to the general construction and development of the capital, there were construction sites everywhere. The inner street of Dongzhimen was like another world, even though it was in the same neighborhood. There were holes everywhere, and Qin Guans car couldnt get though the Hutong. The residents had even built sheds and cooking benches on the road. The main reason for that was the fake moving news. Every time the residents heard the news, they would try their best to expand their habitable space in hopes of getting morepensation from the government. Imagination was good, but reality was cruel. They waited till the newly-built mansions blocked their sunlight, but there were still no definite news about moving. In the end, the area would be maintained as a historical site of the city, and the residents wouldnt be as lucky as those living across the street. Theyd have to live in those shabby, noisy houses for the rest of their lives. If they wanted to go to the bathroom, theyd have to cross two streets. What a miserable life! Qin Guan would finally use his money. Nobody knew that Wanda, one of the top real estatepanies in China, had bought the ce. Qin Guan fixed his eyes on the ce where the Wanda za would be in the future. A little whileter, he was sitting with a real estate agent, drinking jasmine tea. The assistant was casting happy looks at him as the young agent was talking about the surrounding properties, saliva sshing around as he spoke. The charm of the man made Qin Guan enjoy his treatment. It was differentpared to the time hed bought a car. Qin Guan finished his cup of tea and waved at the young man to stop talking. He pushed the paperwork back and said, "Theyre pretty good. Some of the houses are almost brand new. I have my own ns though. Is there anything in Dongnei for sale?" Chapter 179: Feelings Need a Foundation Chapter 179: Feelings Need a Foundation Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia What? The messy Dongnei area? Is he kidding? Actually, we dont have any houses there. Qin Guan knew what he was thinking about. To suppress his doubts, he added in his most elegant and imposing manner, "I know your rules. Yourpany will deduct from the customers, and your bonus will be influenced. My business is bigger than you can imagine though." Qin Guan crossed his legs gracefully and supported his hands on his knees. Hey back against the couch and threw a bomb at the young man. "ording to the current prices of the area, it would cost 3,500 to 4,000 yuan per square meter. Most of the houses there are low buildings, 30 to 50 square meters each. That would be about 100,000 to 200,000 yuan per house. You can get only five per thousand as a bonus. Of course youd look down upon such a small amount. I have a lot of money though. If you can find me houses in that area..." Qin Guan drew a circle on the map. "Ill buy them all!" "What?" The young man pulled his chair towards the table and picked up the map. He nced at it, his hands trembling as if he was having a stroke. "Really? Dont mess with me, bro!" He was excited enough to speak in his hometown ent. "Im not lying. Call me when you have two or three. If you can find enough for me, Ill give you a bonus myself." The young man was so excited that he was already nning on pasting advertisements around the area. If there was no information on the database, he would look for houses himself. He was familiar with the neighborhoodmittee. After leaving the warm young man, Qin Guan let out a long sigh. The advantage of entrusting the agent was his professional integrity. He wouldnt ask any questions about why he was purchasing those houses. It would be a good choice for the residents to sell their houses to him. Theyd have to wait a long time before moving otherwise. If they could buy another house in a taller building with that sum, they wouldnt suffer any losses. Qin Guan considered himself a kind man. Of course, he hoped the residents would not regret this after a couple of years. Qin Guan didnt stop. He headed to Legation Street to purchase more houses. The properties on sale there would not increase in value though. The history of Legation Street could be dated back to the establishment of the capital of the Ming Dynasty. It was actually thergest business street of that dynasty. Businessmen came together in crowds in that flourishing area. During the Qin Dynasty, the Ministry of Employment, the National Academy, and the Supervisorate of Imperial Instruction had all been located there. Some princes, dukes and ministers had also built their mansions there, such as the Su Mansion, the Zhenguo Duke Mansion, the Grand Secretary Mansion, and so on. In the 1990s, the street had been recognized as a historical area by the government. Residents could sell or rent their houses out, but it was impossible for them to get a fortune by moving. Qin Guan bought those houses for sentimental reasons. He had always loved that street very much, both in that life and his past one. Before the foundation of PRC, the street had been called the Legation Quarter. After 1900, 11 states had built embassies there, and the street had be a leased territory. The page was turned over after 1949, when the foreign military camps and banks were gone. There were many tall buildings built then. The changes on that street represented the changes of several eras. Legation Street had witnessed all history. The value of the street was not just historical, but also artistic. The area was beautiful, with towering ancient trees. Compared to the sheds at Dongnei, the houses there were like royalty. Most of them were quadrangle dwellingspete in all aspects. The first real estate agent Qin Guan visited had the property he wanted. He was aware of the shorings of quadrangle dwellings. Unlike purchasing a house in a tall building, the structure of a quadrangle dwelling deserved particr care. Quadrangle dwellings had a yard surrounded by houses. A rich or big family could build two quadrangle dwellings, connected from front to back. High-ranking officials or rich businessmen could build three or four quadrangle dwellings linked together, with flowers nted between them for decoration. A small quadrangle dwelling could beposed by 13 rooms, whilerger ones had 30 chambers. If there was another quadrangle dwelling joined together, there had to be around 25 to 40 rooms. None of this was important though. Frankly, no one bought a quadrangle dwelling for its living area, but for the floor space. It was a big trick. Qin Guan had lived in a small quadrangle dwelling of 13 rooms, with a living area of more than 200 square metres. The floor space was about 400 square meters though. The price was 20,000 per square metre, which was far more than Qin Guan could afford. The agent did not see Qin Guan as a potential customer at first, and Qin Guans expression confirmed his impression. Qin Guan went out, feeling like weeping. It was a starry night. The revolution was not yet sessful. Therades still had to work hard. Qin Guan watched the busy Changan street, falling into deep thought. After a few years, the sum in my ount will not be enough for me to afford even a small apartment here. How will I talk about feelings then? Determined, Qin Guan rushed to the set of "Graceful Princess". Sister Xue met him there and found the assistant director, who was in charge of the casting. They were let in. The show was a period drama narrating a story during the North Song Dynasty (960-1127). Qin Guan auditioned for a supporting role. Chapter 180: The Charming Smile of a Villain Chapter 180: The Charming Smile of a Viin Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The character was a good friend of the hero and followed him around as his assistant. Sometimes he had to entertain the main characters and viins. It was not difficult for Qin Guan, who had yed in two TV shows. He was only focused on the money. Before Qin Guan could read his lines though, the director waved his hands around. "No, no! Xiao Wang,e here. I want a co-star as background. Ordinary looks would be enough. Why did you find me such a handsome guy?" "You havent decided on the protagonist yet. We could find another handsome guy." "Nonsense! Both the hero and the heroine were just cast by the producer." The director knocked on the table with a rolled-up newspaper. "Even if they hadnt been though, how could I find someone more handsome than him? Could I ask him to y Cai Jing? The viin? Wait a moment, why didnt I think of this? Love and hatred! Thats what sells!" The assistant director wiped his sweat away. You want to cast him as the viin of the show? But this guy is too young to y Cai Jing! This is a period drama. Qin Guan handed the notice and script to Sister Xue, who was just as confused as he was. Shall I y viins my whole life? Im leaving China soon anyway. I dont care about anything. The leading actors didnt meet until the whole crew was ready. The female protagonist was Fang Pingping, and the male protagonist was Li Jie. Qin Guan was a supporting actor. Fang spoke to him first when they met. Pointing at him, she said in surprise, "Qin Guan, its you!" Qin Guan was surprised that she had actually recognized him. "You know me?" "Of course! You were famous in senior high school!" Wait a moment. What did she mean? She said he was famous? Surely Fang had been the most famous student at their school! Fang didnt pay any attention to him. She started reminiscing right away, "You caused quite a stir at our school as soon as you enrolled. You were the arrogant, gloomy boy from Grade One. Your favorite pastime was reading poems at the yground until the sun set." Qin Guan was left speechless by her words. Was I such an idiot? No wonder I was famous at school. I dont sound like a normal guy. Fang looked pleased with herself. "All the girls used to secretly write to you, but Id intercept their letters. I had asked a group of boys to wait for them before you got to school and throw away the letters at your desk. You should appreciate what I did for you. I know what its like to be pursued by lots of people. Girls are more difficult than boys though." That exined why Qin Guan had had no admirers at high school despite his handsome face. He realized Fang was very crafty. Li Jie had coborated with Fang many times in bad shows, so the three young actors got to know each other fast. There was no logic to the audience of period dramas. Shows like that had to have handsome actors, beautiful costumes, and an exciting plot. The scriptbined historical events, national feuds, family vendettas, and romance. During thest years of the North Song Dynasty, the daughter of Emperor Huizong, Princess Grace (yed by Fang) had fallen in love with the young Grand Secretary, Tan Yi (yed by Li Jie), who had failed to assassinate Cai Jing, the traitor minister, and ran for his life. Qin Guan was left speechless when he read the script. While he was in the dressing room, Fang and Li were discussing their first scene. They felt strange that the director was focusing on shooting beautiful scenes from the very beginning. It had taken him three times to finish a simple shot. Lis face had be stiff from smiling for so long. When Qin Guan changed into his costume and came out, Li and Fang couldnt keep smiling anymore. They immediately understood the directors motive. They would have to fight to remain the protagonists. Such a viin would put them under great pressure. The audience wouldnt even be able to tell who the bad guy was. Qin Guan had no idea about their feelings. He was just waiting for his first scene seriously. "On your marks! Ready? Three, two, camera!" Qin Guan switched to showing-off mode automatically. Fang and Li were surprised. Comparison made a big difference, and that guy was much better at showing off. The cameras ran and the scene went on. Eunuch Chang handed Tans letter to Cai Jing, which made Cai believe that he had Tan under control. Holding the letter, Qin Guan smiled charmingly at the camera, fully satisfied and contented. Suddenly, silence prevailed. Everyone around waspletely focused on his performance. The magnificent costumes of the Song Dynasty and the official bright red gown set off Qin Guans red lips and shiny teeth. His beauty was really unparalleled. No one would believe that he was a traitor minister. Surely, he must have been wrongly used. It had to be that muddle-headed Emperors fault. He took the me for the Emperor. Could you please stick to your principles? Youre defending a historically proven traitor because of a handsome actor. Where is your dignity? Fang cast a sympathetic nce at Li. They would be working together in the next scene. ording to the script, it would be the most important scene for the hero. Chapter 181: Romance Across Time and Space Chapter 181: Romance Across Time and Space Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia In that scene, Cai Jing thought that Tan Yi was sincerely seeking shelter from him, so he invited Tan to his mansion for a tea drinking ceremony. Cais servant found Tans hidden weapons though, and Tan was caught by the guards. Cai dared not execute Tan without permission, as he was Princess Graces tutor. He just reported him to the emperor. "Camera!" Li Jie began serving tea. As soon as he picked up a cup from the tray, the director frowned. "Cut!" This was the most annoying word for an actor to hear. The director couldnt tell what Li Jies fault was, but he got a strange feeling from his acting. Qin Guan knew where the problemy though. After a long-term training with Teacher Rong, he had learned how to serve tea. He held up his hand to break the deadlock. "May I try?" "Youre good at serving tea? But of course, you were the high school prince!" Fang Pingping looked at Qin Guan in admiration. What an elegant boy! With the directors permission, Qin Guan began right away. Kneeling before the tea table, he cleaned his hands, looked at the tea leaves, and warmed the cups and pot. Then he poured boiling water into the dark red enamelled pottery, the Fair Cup, the Fragrance-Smelling Cup, and the Tea-Tasting Cup [1]. Next, he put the tea into the pot. His fingers were dancing around the tools, his long sleeves moving gracefully. Afterwards, he washed the tea leaves and brewed the tea. His natural, smooth movements were like flowing water. After a short time, he whisked the leaves floating in the water with the pot lid for fear that they would influence the taste of the tea. Finally, he poured the tea into the Fragrance-Smelling Cups and passed one of them to Li Jie with both hands, as the Chinese traditional courtesy dictated. Everyone was staring at Qin Guan with an open mouth. Hes the perfect man! What will the leading actor do? Li Jie was under great pressure. He was seeing stars before his eyes. He had to put up a desperate fight! The director could only ask Li to copy Qin Guans movements, not his style. After several breaks, the scene was finished atst. Qin Guans work that day was over. His next scene would be in two days. Taking advantage of his spare time, Qin Guan decided to visit the studio of "Romance Across Time and Space", which was located in the suburbs of the capital. If he passed the audition, he could shuttle between the two studios. That was the advantage of being a supporting actor. They arrived at the studio, but before Sister Xue could introduce herself, the assistant director pushed Qin Guan to try on his costume. Sweat was dripping down his face. It was a romanticedy in period costumes, but it was the first TV show to document different eras. Although the crew was somewhat tight on the money they spent on props and settings, the actors were pretty good. They were not the most renowned actors of the time, but they were really talented. Because of their tight budget, the crew had to give each actor different roles. They didnt set strict standards on co-stars, as several of them were temporarily employed by idling agents. Qin Guans role was not an important one. He was just a viin, so the director didnt pay any attention to him. The dresser was excited though. Even Wan Hongjie, the actor who portrayed Zhu Di [2] and was sitting right beside him, was surprised. Wan was supposed to be a handsome prince in the y, and he was used to being the most beautiful person on set. When Qin Guan put on a ck costume with golden silk embroidery and held up a sharp sword though, Wan felt like a pauper in his yellow dress. What a miserable life! The production is so stingy! Qin Guan would y themander of the imperial guard of the Ming Dynasty. When the two of them came out of the dressing room though, the whole crew was shocked. "Is that the actor wholl y Gao Fuming? He looks like a rising star." "I know him! He yed Yang Lianting. It was only for two episodes, but he impressed me quite a lot." "Ha ha! It looks like the y is about a detective from the imperial guard and Zhu Di is the killer." "Hush! The director ising. Well know soon enough!" The director took a long time toe. He paid no attention to Qin Guan, who was just a supporting actor. He was only hoping that he wouldnt make any mistakes. Money was precious. Qin Guan was not in the first scene, so he sat on a small stool, watching the other actors performances carefully. That show was really funny! He had learned a lot from other actors, and he knew that aedy was a trial for every actor. Xu Zheng, the leading actor, was good at making othersugh with his serious expression and humorless attitude. He didnt use exaggerated bodynguage. That was the secret of his sess. After struggling for many years, he had finally won a prominent ce amongedians. Not long afterwards, he would be a guarantee of box office sess. At the time, he was still a young man with a baby face though. His style was not quite developed yet. Unlike him, Zhang Ting, the heroine, had been born without any humor. The director shouted "cut" many times, not because of mistakes in lines or acting, but because the actors and assistants couldnt control theirughter. The director roared angrily, "Be serious! This is work!" Theirughter got louder as he shouted. Qin Guan supported his belly with his sword as tears filled his eyes. The director was fuming with impatience. He looked angrily at the actor who wasughing the loudest. Pointing at Qin Guan, he shouted, "Gao Fuming, your turn! What are youughing about? Get ready!" Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] They are all parts of a tea set. [2] Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Chapter 182: Several Slaps on the Face Chapter 182: Several ps on the Face Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan stoppedughing abruptly and took a deep breath. Ah! I feel pain in my chest! "Camera!" Qin Guans face was still twisted in pain. Taking advantage of it, he began acting. He looked up with a cold expression. The slightly twisted muscles on his face showed the sinister nature of themander of the imperial guard. It was the only thing that was effortless. His demeanor changed the atmosphere from funny to tense though. His expression along with his ck uniform made the crew feel afraid. They were all shocked by Qin Guans acting skills. That young man has a great future ahead of him. When that scene was over, the crew ran around to prepare for the next one. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was shouting inwardly. Someone help me! My chest hurts! As soon as he recovered, the next scene began. Gao Fuming was having a discussion with his subordinates in the prison. He was nning on hiring an assassin for Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan. Qin Guan was in his ck gown with the golden embroidery. His tassels were hanging down from his hat, reaching his temples. His handsome, cold face was visible under the candlelight, setting off his aggressiveness and charm. He looked like a hero, an aggressive viin high on the hierarchy of an evil sect, someone called Xuanyuan Aotian or Qiankun Wudi [1]. Qin Guan was surrounded by the imperial guards in their red uniforms. He waved his sword around, shouting, "Break the gate!" His imposing manner had reached its peak. He stepped into the mansion valiantly as his soldiers caught Consort Shu and her female servant. Consort Shu was really a good actress. She was the funniest one in the show. Qin Guan was very happy to work with her. In that scene, Gao Fuming was supposed to smack the servant. Even though she was a brainless woman with big boobs, Consort Shu pped Qin Guan right back. Suddenly, Gao Fuming noticed seven port-wine marks on her palm, which meant that she was his real master. He was so stunned that he forgot to get out of the way and he was hit on the face again. ording to the directors instructions, Qin Guan had to get pped for real, not use some kind of dodging trick. The actress who yed Consort Shu couldnt bear to hit his handsome face though. Qin Guan encouraged her, "Its nothing. I know how to ease the pain. Just hit me, I can handle it!" Gritting her teeth, the actress pped Qin Guan on the face. "Ah! The director didnt say camera!" "Sorry! Sorry!" The actress got even more nervous. "Three, two, camera!" p! "Cut! Show your palm to the camera, or the audience wont see the marks clearly!" p! "Qin Guan, turn your head this way. You must look handsome!" Bro, Im only a supporting actor! p! p! p! After seven or eight ps, the director called, "Good!" In the next scene, Gao Fuming asked for another p to see the marks more clearly. Qin Guan nearly burst into tears. Miraculously, the scene was finished in one take, as the director was more worried about the scene between Gao Fuming and the Prince of Yan the next day. Qin Guan went out of the studio exhausted. He put an ice pack on his red face andined to Sister Xue, "What a stingy crew! They want to finish three days worth of work in one day!" Sister Xue was speechless. Still, you make more money in a short time! Covering his bloated cheek, Qin Guan was shocked by the scene he faced in his dormitory. There werenterns, colorful ribbons, and paper flowers everywhere, as if there was some kind of important festival. Confused, Qin Guan walked in his own room. His roommates were boiling instant noodles calmly on a small stove. Li Jie was the cook, and Mu Lejiang was his assistant. There were also sausages and spiced corned eggs on the table. Qin Guan sat down on his bed and said, "Good idea! Where did you get the stove?" "From the tool store." "Why are you making instant noodles again? Are you out of money? I could lend you some." Qin Guan patted his own fat chest proudly. "No, thanks. Wed have to pay you back." Qin Guan didnt try to persuade them. He squatted down shamelessly and watched the noodles in the boiling water. "Can I have some?" You have so many bills in your pocket and you want to share those poor mens noodles? Who cares? Im hungry! After the satisfying feast, theyy down on their beds and fought for fun. There were still celebratory activities going on in the corridors. It waste at night, yet Ye Dong hadnte back yet. "What happened? Its like a Spring Festival outside." Mu Lejiang murmured, "Ye Dong mentioned something about it. Our bid for the 2008 Olympics won. It must be a formal celebration. Ye Dong organized it." "It has nothing to do with us. Lets just sleep." The tough guys fell asleep amid the noise of gongs and drums. Somethings wrong! Qin Guan sniffled unconsciously in his sleep. I can smell smoke. He jumped out of bed and knocked on the iron pipes fiercely, shouting to the others, "Get up! Get up! Fire!" His voice had barely faded away, when screams were heard in the corridor. "A f*cking fire!" "Run!" Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Common names for powerful heroes in web novels. Chapter 183: Fire! Chapter 183: Fire! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Hurry! Knock on every door!" "Theres so much smoke! I cant see clearly!" The whole building was on fire. Qin Guans roommates jumped out of bed and rushed into the corridor with their most valuable belongings. Dense smoke filled the whole corridor. Scared students were everywhere. Qin Guan picked up a thermos from the table and wet some towels. "Cover your mouths and noses with them! Bend down! We have to rush out along the side wall." They did as Qin Guan told them. "Its so hot! Its boiling water!" Liu Xiaoyang burst into tears. I shouldnt have trusted him. His calmness misled me! Shocked by Lius misfortune, the others silently blew at the steam rising from their towels. It was almost bearable now. They sneaked along the wall in a line, heading towards the exit of the building. Scared students had formed a crowd downstairs. After confirming that everyone was safe, they let out a long sigh of relief. Liu Xiaoyang sat on the ground, feeling cold between his legs. He looked down and realized... It was bedtime, so nobody was dressed properly. They were wearing shorts, briefs, bedsheets, some of them nothing. Mu Lejiang looked around and saw that nobody had noticed. "The fire..." he whispered to his roommates. "It cant have been us. I put it out after dinner." "Did you put on the special cover?" "What was that for? Could the stove rekindle?" They exchanged several nces before changing the topic. "Fine day, isnt it?" "Yes, Its cool." Before the fire truck could arrive, the dormitory staff had already put out the fire with the fire extinguishers. It was said that the origin of the fire had been a tiny kindling point. They all observed the stove carefully and reached the wonderful conclusion that they hadntmitted arson. The tired boys felt relieved. Theyy down and fell asleep soon. Ye Dong didnt return to the dormitory until the next day. He told them that the fire had been a fine example of "no zuo, no die" [1]. Several students had held a firework party on the rooftop of their building after the celebration. Theyd had all kinds of fireworks and beer. They had drunk beer under the stars and watched the colorful fireworks in the sky. It had been really cool. They had forgotten that there were piles of colorful ribbons, paper flowers and posters left after the celebration though. A small firework had silently started burning under the posters, producing stinky, dense smoke, although it had not been burning fiercely. Aware that theyd been enveloped in smoke, the students had run away instead of checking the source of the smoke. ording to the staff, they had found nothing but a lump of stic emitting thick smoke. That had been the origin of the fire. If theyd had a clear mind, the students could have prevented a tragedy by pouring water on it. Their drunk brains had made them all idiots though. Qin Guan was packing his luggage,ining without any guilt, "Those guys dont take public safety seriously. They brought prohibited items into our dormitory without scruple." What about your spirit stove and the cheap water heater? Ye Dong agreed with Qin Guan and added, "Our college will do a general inspection. The tutors in charge will check our dormitories for any prohibited items. Theyll search each room one by one." "What?" "What?" "When?" "Now! Building No. 2 has already been inspected. If Im right, the inspection group has to be in the corridor." "What the f*ck..." "Ye Dong, could you be more practical? Youre talking rubbish all the time. This is a big thing..." Ye Dong was confused. "We only have a water heater. Theyre not interested in that kind of thing." Li Jie covered his face sadly. "I just wanted to eat instant noodles. Im not to me. My investment will go to waste now..." He pulled the spirit stove from under the bed. "My political career will be ruined!" Ye Dong yelled desperately. "We must destroy all evidence!" "Use your high IQ! Or do you use it only for food?" Qin Guan had gotten dressed by then. He picked up his suitcase. "Im leaving. Put the alcohol in the stic bucket and take the stove apart. Ill put the parts in my trunk." Remaining calm was the best strategy. As Qin Guan was about to go out, he saw the tutors and inspectors walk towards his dormitory. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Funny Chinglish. "If youre obedient, you wont die". Chapter 184: The Human Rights of a Tortoise Chapter 184: The Human Rights of a Tortoise Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan retreated to his dormitory. He picked up a pen and wrote six graceful characters on the bucket, "Ninshan Erguotou" [1]. Then he threw the pen to Liu Xiaoyang, ready to fool the inspectors with his acting skills. The pen hit Liu on the forehead, leaving arge dot there. Dear Qin Guan, you are only pretending to be calm. You are actually frightened. You forgot to put the cap on the pen. As Qin Guan was approaching the inspectors, he whispered to himself, "Keep calm! Youre a brave boy!" His legs were not trembling. As he was about to brush past them, a girl in the inspection group asked, "Senior Qin, is that you?" The question attracted the tutors attention. She was staring at the bucket. This looks like alcohol! "Whats this?" Qin Guan looked at her with his most innocent expression. "Its for the crew. Im a green hand, so I have to get close to them." Liar! You ran away like a rabbit after the shooting. Its your agent who kept ttering the crew shamelessly. Unexpectedly, the strict tutor was convinced. Qin Guan is having a hard time. He even has to pay for the alcohol! Wang Lei, who was hiding behind the door and observing the situation, wasughing at their IQ. If we knew they were such idiots, we wouldnt have sent Qin Guan to deal with them. Qin Guan left, and the group entered their dormitory. Wang Lei realized that their IQ had returned to normal. It was unfair. Wang Lei let out a long sigh in front of the tutor and the students. This was Qin Guans home court after all. Qin Guan got to the studio and put on his costume. Everyone patted him on the shoulder, expressing their sympathy. Qin Guan fastened the turtle shell around his body andy down before the gate of Prince Yans mansion. He tried to copy Xu Zhengs acting method. Putting his poker face on, he recited his lines in a ttering tone, "Your humble servant was a blind bastard. My senses were fooled. I was a crazy dog that bit its own master by ident..." He started kowtowing. "Your Highness shouldnt fuss about a humble servant like me. Forgive me, Your Highness!" What a slug! The actor who portrayed Zhu Di couldnt help but startughing before Qin Guan could finish his lines. All the onlookers burst intoughter, as if a water drop had fallen into a hot frying pan. Hey, show some sympathy, guys! That was a heavy costume! The director suppressed his smile before warning them, "Stop! Stop! You are wasting our money!" Everyone keptughing secretly. In the next scene, Qin Guan had to fix his eyes on Zhu Di, who was sneering at the kneeling Gao Fuming. "Your tears are flowing fast!" Of course, Im a poor tortoise! Qin Guan recited his funny lines, "Your Highness, its not tears, its the blood of your humble servant." F*ck! Youre smirking, Zhu Di! "My heart is bleeding whenever I think of my evil deeds. I see Your Highness kind face and my heart breaks..." Stop smiling, or youll startughing! Out of sight, out of mind. Qin Guany down on the ground again. You did it, Qin Guan. If hed looked at your face, he would have startedughing again! After that scene, Qin Guan could rest for a few days. As a social elite though, he was still really busy. He had to work on his courses, study for the TOEFL, and shuttle between the two filming studios. In half a month, his cheeks had be concave. Nah, Its just you. You just missed a few meals. Qin Guan finished working on the shows. He died twice and he would die two more times. He had been ying viins in all four ys after all! Hey on the steering wheel feebly, trying to weep, but failing to shed a tear. Only delicious food couldfort him. He was not far from Xiaochang Chen, so he decided to have a bowl of boiled pork giblets with baked wheaten paste. No giblet-lover could say no to that. Originating from the Guanxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) in the southern part of the capital, that dish had quickly conquered the country. During that era, people living in the southern part of the city and engaging in physical work had reced the pork in their broths with pork heads and giblets. After being processed by cooks, the dish had evolved into boiled pork giblets. At Xiaochang Chens restaurant, the chef boiled chitterlings, lungs, bean curd, blood curd and marinade together. After adding garlic juice, fermented bean curd and caraway, the thick soup got soft and tender. If the customer also bought some white-water sheepshead from Lis restaurant right next door, theyd enjoy the most perfect feast on the Earth. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] A kind of famous but cheap spirit in Beijing. Chapter 185: The Manservant Chapter 185: The Manservant Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The soup was boiled again and again to feed the endless customers. After a long time, there was a pot of soup left. The restaurants business was flourishing because of it. Qin Guan was among a group of men who were eating and sweating. Nothing couldpare to a delicious meal after a busy day. Actually, there was something. A good sry! The next day, Qin Guan returned to the studio for hisst scene. He would get paid soon. Finally, Cai Jing was defeated in a political struggle. He was degraded and exiled to the borders. He died on his way there due to the hardships he went through. Qin Guan was lying in a torn carriage with dry lips. He was seriously ill. Looking in the direction of the imperial city, he closed his eyes reluctantly. The script assistant nearby was sobbing. Her eyes had nearly swelled. Why do those evil guys kill all the characters? The heros fiancee and parents all died for the heroine. Why dont you die instead? Leave Master Cai alone! Qin Guan finished the scene without any trouble. "So much for Cai Jing! Lets apud him!" the director suggested. He was happy, as Qin Guan had added mour to the funny show. Qin Guan got an extra bonus. This was one of the advantages of a generous production. There was also an advantage to being a supporting actor. If the crew got to know you, you would have a steady flow of jobs. Fang Pingping walked up to Qin Guan as he was packing his things. She touched his bag on the ground with her tiptoe. "Why dont you stay longer? You could at least attend the celebration." "I have another show to shoot. And another one after this. Im really busy these days." Fang looked at him in surprise. "You work harder than me! Do you want to make a living in the entertainment circle?" "No, Im a college student. I only act in my spare time. Besides, if I wanted to join the circle, Id have to attend all the social activities." Fang felt insulted. "Im a nobody in the circle. Ever since Prince Pearl [1], I have gotten lots of main roles, but I couldnt impress the audience. Prince Pearl has limited my choices." Qin Guan smiled to himself andforted her, "In two years, youll be a superstar! I have faith in you." With the development of the inte, you will define the beauty standards of a whole generation. You will make the pointed face popr. The girl seemed happy with Qin Guans ttery. "Its unrealistic to have such a handsome guy praise me. I have to fight for sess. I have to be more famous so I can help you. We are schoolmates after all!" Qin Guan opened his arms, and they hugged each other farewell. "It was nice to meet such a considerate boy while I was feeling so low. Stop! Stop! This is not goodbye forever. I have your number, young man. I will call you and invite you to social gatherings! Oh, I wanted to ask you a question on behalf of my female schoolmates. Do you have a girlfriend?" "Yes," Qin Guan answered unconsciously. Fang Pingping smiled. She patted Qin Guan on the back and winked at him. "Me too." Qin Guan was stunned. "You have a girlfriend?" Before Fang could raise her fist, Qin Guan walked away, looking back and waving his arms at her. Fang waved back at him with a smile. I have to work hard today. Shall I see him after work? Meanwhile, at another studio there was a different show, way more interesting than "Grace Princess". The assistant director was interviewing actors. It was said that the y was just a way for the producer to promote his lover. Qin Guan passed the audition and checked out the crude props. The set was simple, and the actors were horrible. It was really bad. The sry for each episode was 1,000 yuan higher than other shows though, so Qin Guan decided to stay. The title of the show was "Female Servants of the Red Mansion". Just as it implied, it was a y about women. The scriptwriter kept changing the plot all the time. Normally, female servants like Yuanyang and Pingr would be beauties of different styles, so Qin Guan had expected to see beautiful girls there. s, there were none. Wang Xifeng was standing in the middle of the set with Pingr, who would have a romantic rtionship with him. Wang looked like a middle-aged woman. They were both looking at Qin Guan with open nostrils, as if they were nymphomaniacs. The other servants, Ningr, Huar and Duor, looked even worse. Qin Guan couldnt even bear to look at them. He began to defend Jia Lian, his character, against that injustice. His character was supposed to be more beautiful than any girl in the show. He didnt say anything when he got his costume. As a childe of the Duke Mansion, he had to dress like a junkman. Even at "Romance Across Time and Space", Gao Fumings costume had been top quality. When Qin Guan saw one of the other actors though, he suppressed his annoyance. At least he would suffer alongside a future superstar. This was not Hangs lucky day. He was a drifter in Beijing, ying tiny roles in every production, and an acquaintance had introduced him to this studio to y a manservant. Thats right! He would be ying Qin Guans manservant, who was mentioned once or twice in the original work. To Hangs pleasure, he would have some lines. More than one actually! Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] A popr TV series in the early 2000s. Chapter 186: So Funny! Chapter 186: So Funny! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Huang Bo felt bored in a crew full of girls who always talked about clothes and makeup. There was no other man around. Therefore, he was really happy when he saw the actor who would y Jia Lian that day. He was stunned when Qin Guan walked out of the dressing room with a high bun and a green gown though. Oh, my! That man is way more beautiful than those chattering girls! Huang Bo lost his head. Im not good at getting along with elegant people, and that guy looks like a nobleman. He will ignore me if I greet him. Meanwhile, Qin Guan had rolled up his long sleeves and walked up to Huang, hugging him around the shoulders. "Huang Bo? Are you the actor who will y Xingr? Im Qin Guan, and Ill y Jia Lian. Well be good friends. Its nice to meet you." "Same here, same here." Huang gave him his symbolic silly smile. He looked confused. Good lenses, but bad frames. Hes a bold guy. I like him. They had gotten close from their first meeting. In 10 minutes, they were already familiar with each other. As an elder brother, Huang thought he had the responsibility to tell Qin Guan about the crew. "We wonder if the producer wants to promote a certain actress. It might be Yuanyang. Pingr is impossible. She is such an ugly girl. Dont provoke those girls. One of them could be the producers lover. Stay with me, Ill protect you." Protect him from what? From the girls? Before Huang could finish his speech, the girl named Ningr came over to greet Qin Guan. "So youre the actor who will y Second Master Lian? Why dont you introduce yourself to us?" she said, pointing to the group of actresses. The girls were looking at Qin Guan. They all pushed up their breasts and fixed their hair, trying to impress the handsome guy. Qin Guan dared not go. He had to fabricate an excuse to escape. What will I doter in the studio? The director was not interested in Qin Guans feelings. The first scene began soon. In a show full of women, Qin Guans part was not that big. In the first scene, hemitted adultery with Ningr, his wifes servant. Unfortunately, he was caught by Wang. Jia Lian was quite a mighty man! He even debated putting on his clothes again. It was a perfect scene. The director stopped three times, because Ningr was staring at Qin Guans chest. Wang Xifeng also forgot her lines five times, because she was staring at his face. Generally speaking, the two-minute scene was a f*cking sess! Exhausted, Qin Guan walked out of the studio. Huang Bo tried his best to suppress hisughter. His small charming eyes seemed to be gloating. To Qin Guans disappointment, Huang was too young at the time to have his symbolic wrinkles. Staring at Huang and Yuanyang before the camera, Qin Guan sighed with emotion. The superstar is still a nobody. He can only y a manservant. He had a long way to go before he became sessful. Those roles were insignificant, but his hard work would lead to sess. Qin Guan came back to Earth and saw Huang finish his scene smoothly. Then the two of them got together again and began to criticize the scriptwriter. With some beer and cold dishes, they could talk about that awful script for a whole day. "After the birth of her daughter, her tripe became a rock!" [1] "She deserves it. As servant girls, we have to fight for our destiny." The two guys were left speechless by the lines. Theyughed so hard that they started feeling dizzy. Then it was time for Qin Guans next scene. He had to put on a cloak weaved by ck and white yarn. "Pingr has my son? Pingr has my son? I had no idea! How?" The director made a grimace full of anxiousness and excitement. "Pingr has my son?" Huang fell on the ground and rolled around inughter. What funny lines! Is that your fathers son? What a tragedy! "Madam and Master promised me that I could marry anyone I like." Those lines must have been written by a group of illiterates. You could get a concubine, but never marry her! "Wang Xifeng! You always bully me, but you have to obey me now!" Qin Guans character seemed like a coward who was only strong on the outside. His voice was shaking as he recited his lines. His secret of sess was imagining that Cong Nianwei had discovered his own adultery. Wang Xifeng was nothing but a firecracker, but Cong Nianwei was a canon! He had never experienced the anger of that calm girl. Qin Guan could not help but shiver at the thought. "Ha ha ha!" Huang Bo fell off his seat fromughing too hard. Hes so talented! How can he be this good when hes so young? A man cannot be judged by his looks. The director looked at Huang speechlessly. He also hated that terrible show, but he had to carry on. He was under great pressure. Nobody knew his pain. Are you the troublemaker? Youre lucky the final shot was finished, or Id kill you! Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] It indicates infertility. Chapter 187: Accepting the Younger Brother Chapter 187: epting the Younger Brother Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Shut up! Silence! Do your f*cking work! Move! Get ready for the next scene!" The director cast a warning nce at Huang Bo. Huang bent his head and hid behind his script. He wouldnt miss the next action scene for the world. Perhaps youre wondering why there was an action scene in that show? Keep watching to find out! Pingr was torn by grief. She intended tomit suicide with the scissors on the table, but Jia Lian seized the scissors and shouted, "No! Ill die with you!" The two of them started wrestling together, fighting over the scissors. Huangs tiny eyes were shining withughter. It looked like he was farting. Wang Xifeng was shocked. "Second Master, calm down! Look at the bigger picture!" "You look at the f*cking bigger picture! You are always blocking the view from me!" Jia Lian couldnt seize the scissors from a girl, so the three of them ended up wrestling together. What a mess it was! "Okay!" the director shouted. He ran outside immediately, as if relieved from a heavy load. Huang was stillughing. Annoyed, Qin Guan took off his gown and told Huang, "My work is done for today. Ill be free for several days. You have no lines left. Whats your n?" Huang grinned and said in a self-mocking tone, "Ill just be waiting for notices. I have to stay in the area and look for new opportunities." Qin Guan had a sh of inspiration. He pulled Huang with him and walked towards Sister Xue, who was standing sleepily by the set. He wanted to introduce them to each other. That way, Sister Xue wouldnt starve when he left. He made a mutual introduction, which surprised them both. Huang was thinking, "Should I get an agent? Its too early. Does an extra even need an agent?" Sister Xue was thinking to herself, "What a joke! No brand will hire such a short boy as a model. And look at his face!" After negotiating, Sister Xue had agreed to remain Qin Guans agent until he left for the US. Then he wouldnt need to worry about the film or TV circle anymore. Qin Guan just wanted Sister Xue to give Huang a chance. The final oue would depend on his talent. The shepherd didnt care about the number of the sheep after all. Besides, the new sheep was obviously a wild goat, so he would be much easier to deal with than Qin Guan. Sister Xue learned about figurant auditions from several crew members and made a tight schedule for Huang. She was unprecedentedly satisfied with his admiring expression. Compared to picky Qi Guan, Huang was by far the better actor. He was afraid of neither hardship nor fatigue. Besides, he asked for very little in a y. He was happy with one line or a close-up of his face. Could he be my next source of money in the future? In the flourishing film and TV industry, there were many simr groups doing business on their own. Neither Qin Guan nor Huang were famous at the time though, and bigpanies held such small fish in contempt. They had no desire to sign a contract with Sister Xue, so she and Qin Guan had been free and unfettered for a long time. Those wonderful days would be gone though, as Qin Guans advertisements were aired on all TV channels. The pharmacy nt had invested arge amount of money in promotion, and the other two famous brands had done the same. The TV audience thought this was a strange phenomenon. Whenever they turned on their TV, no matter the channel, they would see that handsome boy. "Xianqu Biscuits, your best choice!" In the evening, a housewife saw the advertisement during the break of a cooking program. On the screen, Qin Guan was fighting with a cute dog over a package of biscuits. The woman swallowed her saliva as her tiny dog barked at the TV. "Okay! Well go to the supermarket after supper and buy those biscuits!" The dogy down on the floor again silently. Not long after, the woman stood up and prepared to go out. "Still hungry? Lets have a snack first!" ... Another woman was watching her favorite health program, when she saw a snotty boy on the screen. "Poor boy! He should go to the hospital at once!" In one second, Qin Guan had already recovered and he was smiling at her, holding the XXX medicine. Absorbed in thought, the woman stood up and decided to buy the medicine. It seems to have a good effect! Dont judge it only by an advertisement, woman! It waste at night, and a young white-cor woman was lying down on the couch. She looked exhausted. Ovee by boredom, she turned on the TV to watch a midnight series. Suddenly, a naked handsome young man appeared on the screen. She cheered up at once. Sitting up, she fixed her eyes on the screen. Qin Guan was in the shower. Water drops were flowing along the sexy muscles of his back and down to his slender waist. Qin Guan wiped the water from his face and turned around, facing the audience. It was a high-definition ad. The blue veins on the womans hand, the one that was holding the remote, popped up. "Turn around! Turn around!" Chest. Abdominal muscles. The Adidas body wash. "I love sports, but I also love taking a shower afterwards. Adidas body wash, the right choice!" Chapter 188: Becoming Famous Chapter 188: Bing Famous Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia F*cking body wash! She threw the controller at the couch angrily. Tomorrow Ill buy it! Who said sports body wash is only for men? Who? Finally, Qin Guan had be famous. His advertisements were everywhere. Of course, the audience didnt remember his name, but it was familiar with his striking face. J clothing and LEE jeans were doing good on sales, and so was ELLE clothing, which had published a photo of Qin Guan on its back cover. The brands who had invited Qin Guan to their shows could also show off to their distribution partners. Qin Guans status in the modelling circle was upgraded to somewhere between B+ and A-. The director of the Marketing Department at New Silk Road was in a really good mood. A rising star would promote the image of the wholepany. The offers for advertisements, runway shows and printed media came one by one. His phone nearly exploded from ringing 24/7. The audience had made its decision. Other big 4A advertisingpanies rushed over. Very seldom could a face be remembered by the audience like that, let alone a face that belonged to a male model. Filmpanies, who always observed the events in the entertainment circle, also took action. A guy that 30% to 40% of the audience was familiar with was extraordinary even for them. Qin Guan was more famous than their second level stars. They could never let such a talent slip away. Sister Xues phone kept ringing from early morning tillte night. They wanted to have an interview, take photos, invite Qin Guan to fashion shows, or sign a contract with him. Sister Xue was very annoyed. That was only one side of reality though. Meanwhile, a terrible rumor was spreading on the inte. "The most handsome actor in period dramas was originally a model." That was the gossip going around. "I have a catalogue of Qin Guans photos!" Fans had made a film using Qin Guans videos and photos. "Qin Guan is a senior here!" This was a post from a traitor from college. In a short time, the posts about Qin Guan reached the top of the Haijiao Forum. It was the first time Qin Guan felt annoyed by his fame. The students at his college knew him well, so he was under observation all the time. Putting on sunsses and a cap, Qin Guan met the real estate agent in secret. He sighed in relief. It was a wise decision to buy a car in advance. Otherwise, I would not be able to escape from college. They keep gossiping about everything. They follow me everywhere and share their experience online with other fans. The attitude of the agent had changedpletely. I have served a star. Although he was only an advertisement star, it was enough for him to show off to his other clients. Im Qin Guans exclusive agent. He bought more than ten houses from me. That sounds really powerful and professional! He put a pile of paperwork on the desk. He had gone through every street and hutong, distributed leaflets, and fought with the neighborhoodmittees, all for Qin Guan. In 10 days, he had found eight small houses of different structures in different areas. He had also gotten the phone numbers of the owners. That day, he would show Qin Guan everything. They walked around an area with one-storey houses. The houses there had grey walls and seemed very old. Qin Guan entered a small house. At first nce, he saw bed sheets, clothing and diapers hanging on a clothesline in the yard. The agent led Qin Guan through all the blocks. Finally, they reached the house furthest to the right. Before he took out the key, an old woman stopped him. She was cleaning vegetables right next door. "Hey, young man. Where are you from? Why are you going into Zhangs house?" "Im an agent, madam. The owner has hired me to sell the house. This is a buyer." The old woman was surprised. She put down the vegetables and stood up. "Aha! Youre that boy from the advertisements! The medicine, the biscuits... Ive watched them all!" Qin Guan smiled. The old woman cheered up. He is more handsome than he looks in the advertisements. I should help him so he doesnt lose any money. She followed them into the house in high spirits. She was afraid that Qin Guan might be cheated by the agent. It was a small house with only one bedroom and a living room. In fact, it was just one room divided by a wall. The kitchen was in the yard, and the washing room was outside. There was nothing much to see. The room was facing east and west, and it was around 30 square metres. It would be a good residence for a single man. The old woman thought Qin Guan would leave in disappointment. The agent looked nervous as well. "How much is it?" Qin Guan asked. "4,000 yuan per square meter. More than 120,000 in total." "Okay, deal! Show me the next one!" The other two were shocked. Youre buying a house after only one nce? You should bargain, or try to look for shorings! By the time the old woman came back to her senses, they had already left. "That boy is so generous. Lao Zhang is really lucky! He got rid of that shabby house!" Chapter 189: Negotiation Chapter 189: Negotiation Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It took them less than an hour to go through the whole area. There were eight houses on sale. The total area was about 500 square metres, and the unit prices ranged between 3,500 yuan to 4,200 yuan. Qin Guan actually bought them all! The total amount was two million, which was enough to buy three houses in the city. The agent was over the moon. After thatst round, Qin Guan signed the contract in satisfaction. The agent was mad with joy. If he added hismission that month and Qin Guans bonus, he had made a big fortune! Besides, Qin Guan had entrusted the leases of all eight houses to him. Houses in that area were popr in the house-renting market. Hiding behind his desk, the agent opened the envelope with his bonus excitedly. Judging by its thickness, there had to be at least 1,000 yuan in it. Good, new 10-yuan bills. Thats why it was so thick... Qin Guan was finally relieved. He didnt need to do anything anymore. He just had to wait till Wanda started its business in 2004. Then his money would be multiplied by six. My capital was limited. Otherwise, I would have invested more. In the summer, the sun was shining fiercely in the capital and in Sister Xues heart, who was now addressed respectfully as Sister in the modelling circle. In the past few years, there had been many female models springing up, but male models were as rare as pandas. Thebination of an informal agent and an independent model had shocked everyone in the circle. Reviewing Qin Guans past, they discovered that as a green hand, he had participated in top shows and received positive evaluations. Thanks to his fame in the entertainment circle, Qin Guan had also be popr in the domestic modelling circle. Sister Xue was meeting with delegates from filmpanies in her private meeting room at New Silk Road. "Impossible! Youre really stingy about sharing profits! I wont sign a contract with you!" One of the delegates knocked on the contract in dissatisfaction. "Two of a trade can never agree. Itsmon sense. But you invited us here, you cunning woman! You have the perfect model, so you make all the calls!" "We should just put all the terms on the table. That way, you can choose the best option. As long as youre satisfied, we have nothing toin about. You are Qin Guans exclusive agent after all." "But shes saying no to everything! Are you kidding?" Sister Xue forced a smile and picked up her pack of cigarettes. "Would you mind?" The men also took out their cigarettes with a nervous expression. "Not at all." Everyone started smoking together. Sister Xue blew some smoke out before sighing. "I know your terms are as favorable as possible for us, but do you know what my share was at the beginning?" "80 percent?" "70 percent?" "60 percent? Couldnt have been lower than that." "30 percent! 30 percent for me and 70 for him!" Everyone was stunned. The cigarettes nearly burnt their fingers. Impossible! They immediately felt sympathetic towards Sister Xue. They now shared the bitter hatred of amon enemy. Sister Xue started telling them about her woes, "He took only part-time jobs in his spare time. He refused to sign a long-term contract. He didnt ept ys outside the capital for fear of them affecting his courses. He denied longer ys or roles for the same reason..." The delegates were feeling more and more sorry for Sister Sue. Misfortune always narrowed the gap between people. Sharing ones miserable experiences with others brought people close and strengthened the friendship between them. Silence prevailed in the meeting room. Nopany could meet Qin Guans demands. He had been born an independent guy, but this was like waiting for food to start falling from the sky. As a rising green hand, one could not set such strict terms on their contract. They had topromise in order to be a superstar. Sister Xue saw the opportunity and grabbed it. "I know why you are all so eager to sign a contract with Qin Guan. I know him very well. He is an amazing model, but you must be wary of him. I promise that, as long as he is my model, he will cooperate with you whenever you need him, provided that the schedule is okay. The pay will also be reasonable. Dont worry, we wont y any dirty tricks whenpeting for roles, or seize main roles in ys withrger investments. Now, theres some good news. Qin Guan is a great student at college. He will go abroad in two years. Dont be afraid. Actors can see a clear sky after a cloudy soon. Be tolerant!" The delegates burst into tears. The one from H. Brothers was the most inconsble. ording to his boss, he had to sign a contract with Qin Guan at any cost. What will I do now? I achieved my goal without doing anything. I should stop wasting time here. I should go back and report everything to my boss! Chapter 190: Dedicating Oneself to the Motherland Chapter 190: Dedicating Oneself to the Mothend Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia By the time they left, they had already be good friends and exchanged information with each other. When they were all gone, Sister Xue fell back against her chair and began beating her chest and stamping her feet. She was really jealous of the contracts, which provided favorable enough terms for a second level star. Im treating you fairly, Master Qin. I could have sold you at a high price just now, but I didnt. The bosses were calm when they received the reports, but they suspended several actors. Good luck to them. They had to depend on their own skills now. Qin Guans refusal was a symbol of pureness in the entertainment circle. Some actors, who were frustrated with their talent, finally saw the light. Qin Guan was chatting with Huang Bo, who was about to get a bonus that day. His character wouldmit suicide soon. As an NPC, Huang Bo was sitting by the road, watching the final scene between Qin Guan and the protagonist. Qin Guan was wearing a ck gown and shining golden armor and sitting in a cave where treasure was buried. Huang wanted to ask if Qin Guan was a close rtive of the prop master. His costume was the best one in the whole y. Holding the order g with both hands, Qin Guan sat up before Chen Youliangs [1] deadee. The director zoomed in on his sad face. The cameraman was speechless. This is discrimination. The director had his own reasons. The audience ratings would be raised by 0.01. That was the truth. The biscuits advertisement, where Qin Guans face had upied the whole screen, had seemed like a makeup advertisement. "Camera!" Qin Guan read his lines in a heart-breaking tone. "Mydy, the young lord has betrayed you. I have the order g, but Im powerless." He closed his eyes in grief and indignation. Disregarding his sorrow, Consort Shu criticized Gao loudly. Qin Guan stared at her in disappointment. "I had originally nned on killing Zhu Di, but he died. I can drop the idea of bing queen forever now!" Qin Guan closed his eyes, tears falling down. Huang Bo was shocked. What a wonderful actor! He cries so naturally. Qin Guan continued speaking. "Gao Fuming, return with me and admit your guilt," the heroine tried to convince him. Qin Guanughed crazily. Huang was learning from him. Everyone had a good opinion of Qin Guan. Gao was a loyal man, but he had a really stupid master. Qin Guanughed miserably before he said loudly, "I am a patriot, and Im loyal to the throne. You should be feeling guilty. You are the one who betrayed our country!" By then, the assistants and script girls watching Gao Fuming had tears in their eyes. They could feel the extreme despair of failing to dedicate oneself to ones country. Qin Guan cried before the deadee, "My Lord, Iming! Ill die with evesting regret!" He threw the order g up to the sky, took out his sword, and touched his neck with the sharp de. All the shots were close-ups, without exception. Qin Guan supported his body with the sword as he kneeled before the deadee. His eyes were wild, and his armor was shining. This was thest glory of his miserable life. As one girl stopped crying, another one started. The director waited for a long time before he shouted, "Okay!" The cameraman cast another supercilious look at him. Qin Guan stood up on his aching knees. Huang Bo walked up to him. "Hey, bro. Wonderful acting! You started crying just in time!" Qin Guan looked around and whispered to Huang, "Ill tell you my secret. You can have tears in your eyes in ten seconds." "Just close your mouth and take a deep breath through your nostrils. Just like a yawn. Dont open your mouth though." Huang did as Qin Guan told him. "Hold up and blow out slowly through your nostrils, just like holding in a yawn. Your nose feels sour, right? Tears must be on the corners of your eyes now!" "If you want the tears to start flowing, just repeat the process." Huang listened carefully. Its so simple! Its much easier than triggering my emotions! Sister Xue smirked in disdain. Lazy guys like Qin Guan used their high IQ toe up with tricks. He must have thought really hard about this one. After sharing his secret with Huang, Qin Guan tried to take off his armor. "What are you doing?" the assistant director asked him. "My part is over. I have to go to another filming studio." The female servants were all waiting for him. "You have to y the corpse!" Qin Guan put on his helmet again speechlessly. Who added that part? Why not something better? I know your n! You just want to shoot my face! I dont care as long as you pay me! Huang wanted tough again, but he held hisughter back. He had to ask Qin Guan for a lift to the next studio. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Chen Youliang (1320-1363) was one of the leaders of the peasant uprising at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. Chapter 191: Different Ways of Life Chapter 191: Different Ways of Life Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan finished all his scenes for the show. When he went out of the dressing room, several crew members silently put snacks in his hand. What a considerate crew! Qin Guan said goodbye to Xu Zheng, Zhang Ting and the other actors on the set and left officially. Exhuasted, he returned to his dormitory. Only when hey down on his bed did he realize that the semester wasing to an end and exam season was approaching. Tomorrow he would be taking his first exam! He jumped out of bed and took out a dust-covered shlight from a tool box under his bed. Im a rich man now, but I still need that schrship to show my academic achievements. Besides, he also had to keep Bu and Wangs books. He really had to work hard. What was happening? Why were his roommates getting up one by one? "You dressed up like a miner and tied a shlight to your head! We are not deaf! We heard you ask Wang Lei about what the tutor said about the exam! They couldnt sleep thanks to Qin Guans activities, so they decided to study all night long. They lit up candles, which made the whole room look like a mourning hall. It was not a good idea to study under the light of themps in the corridor. There were too many mosquitoes outside! Not long after, they began to chat. The topic was switched naturally to their ns for the future. "What are your ns after graduation? Everyone knows Qin Guan will go to the US. He wont bepeting for a postgraduate rmendation with us, or hunting for a job at the talent fair." Liu Xiaoyang scratched his head as he replied, "My credits are enough for four years. Our tutor informed me that he will be my personal tutor next year, so Ill get my postgraduate degree at our college." "What?" Li Jie was stunned by the news. I had originally nned on studying hard during my senior year to get a postgraduate degree, but Liu will already be a postgraduate student next year! He skipped a grade again! His roommates were amused by his thunderstruck expression as another dagger was stabbed in his heart. "It seems that two guys from our dormitory will be postgraduate students in the future. One has already seeded." Li Jie felt like crying, but he could not produce any tears. Wang Lei said leisurely, "Ill get my diploma next year and choose a suitable job at the recruiting fair. After two years, Ill try to take the exam and be a Certified Public ountant. Then a promotion and a sry increase will follow." It was a solid career n from a sensible guy. Qin Guan hugged Wang and tried to tempt him, "In two years, when you get your CPA certificate, Ill be returning to China. We could set up a business together then!" Wang Lei narrowed his eyes and stared at Qin Guan intensely. "In the US, ountants, actuaries and auditors arepletely different from their peers in China. You cant bring back what youll learn there, and you wont be able to get a part-time job as an ountant in the US, as your Chinese diploma will mean nothing there. Besides, your postgraduate schedule will be too tight for you to get a job at argepany." "Judging by your pride, you wont ask financial support from your family. Your girlfriend will go to either MIT, Harvard, or Columbia. I think you will choose a university in New York, as theres a top fashion industry there." "After you graduate, you will return to China to look after your parents. Then you can have a talk with me. Ill already be an elite CFO at a national enterprise or a state-run bank." "Thats my guess. You go now!" Everyone was speechless. What the f*ck shall I say now? Thoroughly rejected, Qin Guany down on the desk next to Li Jie. Mu Lejiang massaged his nose shyly. "Im nning on marrying my girlfriend as soon as I graduate. Then well return to my hometown, and Ill find a job in the provincial capital, which is thirsty for talented young men like me. Ill get promoted soon. My girlfriend is a dancer, so she can be a teacher or open her own studio. Ill support her." The serious academic n was suddenly reced by a warm family future. Everyone admired the couples future happiness and wished them their best. "Send us an invitation to your wedding!" "Of course! You will be my groomsmen!" "Yeah!" They all rushed up to him happily and embraced him. Then they returned to their seats and picked up their books again. Suddenly, Ye Dong seemed to recall something. He turned to Mu and said, "You two are the perfect couple. You care about each other and makepromises. Yang Jing and I are exhausted though. Our future looks dim." Silence prevailed as Ye Dong talked about his problems, "My father and I have decided that Ill stay in the capital after graduation. Ill go fetch my parents as soon as I have some financial security in the city. Maybe Ill take the exam and be a civil servant. Our tutor asked me to stay and work here at college, but I refused. Its a good chance, but its not enough for me. Ill probably get a rmendation and work for the Ministry of Finance and Economics. Ill work hard and climb up the hierarchy if I get hired. Gold always shines in the end." Before Liu Xiaoyang could say anything, Ye Dong stopped him with a gesture. "I know what you want to say. Im not a native, but except for the staff at the bottom of the hierarchy, there are few natives at the top. Im patient. They say the sry at the Ministry is not bad anyway, so I wont starve to death." Chapter 192: A Group Visit to the Studio Chapter 192: A Group Visit to the Studio Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan smiled to himself. Ye Dong, you are a wise man. You will only take an exam for the capital registered permanent residence! Ye Dong paused there. "Yang Jing would rather return home. After four years, she still doesnt feel like she belongs here. She loves her small hometown." They all got silent, the atmosphere suddenly bing heavy. Mu Lejiang and Qin Guan felt lucky about their girlfriendspared to Ye Dong. Qin Guans girlfriend would go anywhere with him, and Mu Lejiangs was his childhood sweetheart. They wouldnt suffer the pain of parting or the mncholy of forgetting each other in the dested world. Liu Xiaoyang sniffled. It was too sad. He and Li Jie were close to tears whenever they thought about parting in one year. Qin Guan was more sensitive towards other peoples emotions after working in film-making. He changed the topic as soon as possible. "Hey, guys. The preliminary matches for the World Cup will begin soon, right? Japan and South Korea are the hosts. Well get a ticket without a doubt!" Their attention was diverted from their sorrow. "Yes, youre right. The World Cup taking ce in Asian countries is the best solution for our team." "Thats true. We wont have topete against Japan and South Korea this time, but Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Thand might be a threat!" Seriously? Is it right to sneer at ones own team? The next morning, the boys entered the examination room with big yawns and ck circles under their eyes. They were still thinking about the ser match. They wouldnt return home for the summer holidays. What was the most important thing during thest summer holidays? Being with ones brothers, of course! Okay, actually, ser matches, beer and freedom were also important. They gathered after the exams and looked at each other knowingly. They knew that most crazy holidays wereing! Liu Xiaoyang returned home to check in with his parents. The others picked up their luggage and started for Qin Guans home. Cong Nianwei was thest one to hear the news. When she did, she sneered and hung up the phone. Blinded by his excitement, Qin Guan ignored her sneering. He was anxiously waiting for the carnival. Before that though, he would have to finish filming hisst scenes. His roommates, who wanted to stir up trouble, said that they would be his temporary assistants. "Its our first time on set ever! Arent you a loyal friend?" "We can be your assistants or fans! They say fans can visit their idols on set." Qin Guan was hesitant. "Its not my fault. The first two shows would have been better for you. This one is a little strange though. Its a show fordies. There are tens of actresses around. If you add the female extras, there must be about 100 girls working on set. The show itself is inexplicable. They overturn props and pay no attention to audience ratings. I think some fat cat is just spending money on promoting his girlfriend!" His roommates looked even happier. "Were even more interested now! Maybe some girl will fall in love with us. We are handsome ourselves after all." Wang Lei looked at Li Jie with a disdainful expression. He pointed at Qin Guans face and said, "Stop dreaming! Try again when you are older." Qin Guan was annoyed, but he called Sister Xue and got her approval. Then they started for the studio together. The girls were shocked when they saw the young men getting out of Qin Guans car. The boys began talking heatedly as soon as they saw the actresses. "Who is the heroine? Are all of them heroines? Theyre really ugly!" "Right! My Ayimina is better than them. I was an idiot to squeeze into that crowded car and drive all this way!" Actually, the young men had very good taste. As prospective social elites, business moguls and government leaders, they preferred Qin Guans face to those girls. The actresses misunderstood the looks they were giving Qin Guan. "Wow! They are really Qin Guans fans. Look at their expressions!" "s! We have topete with both female and male fans!" Sister Xue hid herself silently. By that time, Huang Bo hade out of the dressing room and spotted Qin Guan. They greeted each other, and Qin Guan secretly introduced his roommates to him, which only fueled the actresses discussion. "Hang is so intimate with Qin Guan. He even greeted his fans. Do you think..." "Impossible! Huang has a girlfriend." "That wouldnt influence his love for another man..." "Impossible! Qin Guan is so charming..." "You didnt have a scene him! Right, Wang Xifeng and Pingr? Dont forget the producer of the show. If his girlfriend fell in love with Qin Guan..." The girls kept chattering. Sister Xue brought several stools for them. When Second Master Lian came out of the dressing room, the guys made sounds of admiration. He was the only good-looking character in the show. When the setting was finished, Qin Guans temporary partner, Xiao Hong, arrived. "Its you!" they said at the same time. It was an acquaintance. Xiao Hong used to y Zhang Chuchus servant in "Romance Across Time and Space". The girl was quite interesting. Chapter 193: Luring Glances Chapter 193: Luring nces Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The girl had been scuttling between filming studios throughout the year. Because of the limitation of her looks, she yed different servant girls in different ys. Before Qin Guans rebirth, she had been in that situation for more than ten years, failing to get any good roles in a show. She had appeared in about 100 ys, and the audience had recognized her, but never remembered her name. Was her name too simple? Or was the ck spot on her lips too ugly? Both of them were hard-working, but Qin Guan was much luckier than her. One advertisement of his equalled ten of her shows. They had acted together before, so the scene went a lot smoother. Feeling drunk, Jia Lian walked into Xiao Hongs room and attempted to molest her. When Jia Yun entered Xiao Hongs room, he immediately hid under the bed. This was the first time Qin Guans roommates saw him act like that. He was evil and concupiscent. Qin Guan hugged Xiao Hong, and Liu Xiaoyang took out his cell phone and snapped photos like crazy. He would use those photos in the future. Jia Lian wanted to do something, but Pingr ran into the room to stop him. Jumping to a conclusion, the boys said, "F*ck! Is she the producers girlfriend? Why is she in every scene?" "Impossible! If thats the producers taste... Okay, forget it. Just watch Qin Guan. Leave the gossip forter." The director was satisfied with their performance. "Prepare for the next scene!" he shouted at the prop master. "Lian and Xiao Hong will talk secretly about their wedding!" "What the hell?" Mu Lejiang was nearly scared to death by his words. Xiao Hong and Jia Lian were having an affair? Ill kill the scriptwriter! I cant bear it! Thats evil! Jia Lian was a pig in the original work. It wasmon for him to molest servant girls, but make love with Xiao Hong? That f*cking show was known for its creative script. It was supposed to be about servant girls who rebelled against feudalistic oppression. The others stopped him. They didnt want to lose the chance to watch such a funny show. Liu Xiaoyang hid among the crew members to get a good angle to take photos. Sister Xue was teaching Huang a lesson. "Dont learn from Qin Guan. Hes a money-grabber. Ill check for offers for you in the future." Huang was a good boy. "No problem! Ill take any show if it pays well." Sister Xue was worried about him. One money-grubber went away, and another one came. Huangs only advantage was his free nature. Qin Guan put too many restrictions on himself. Judging by Huangs behavior, she thought she would get more profit out of him. The scene changed. Qin Guan and Xiao Hong were talking under the candlelight. "Sure, Ill marry you. But Im too busy these days. Besides, I dont have any money." Xiao Hong was wearing white pajamas and smoothing her long hair with her fingers. "I know Wang Xifeng has a new idea to make money. Ill tell you if you marry me." "Really? Tomorrow Ill report to the Madam. If we seed, Ill marry you." Mu Lejiang was pulled away from the site by his friends, tears covering his face. You should get a concubine, not get married! Nobody understood his sorrow. Qin Guan hugged Xiao Hong, who was not wearing much. Liu Xiaoyangs breathing quickened, but he didnt stop snapping pictures. Li Qian was lost in Qin Guans charming smile. Following her heart, she fell on the bed in Qin Guans arms. All the actresses around were shouting in their minds, "Let Qin Guan go! Let me try instead!" The scene ended with a shot of a red candle. "Cut!" Qin Guan immediately tried to get up from the bed, but Li Qian was pulling on his clothes. She winked at him and asked in a low voice, "Do you want a girlfriend in the entertainment circle?" Qin Guan was shocked. He had kept his distance from everyone in the crew for a long time. What was happening now? It was very simple. Partners in former TV shows were considered VIPs. Besides, those were older women. On the set of "Grace Princess", Fang Pingping had protected him like a tigress. Nobody had dared approach him. On the set of "Romance Across Space and Time", Qin Guan had had to shuttle between three studios, so hed had no time to chat with other people. Li Qian had noticed him during that show, but had failed to approach him because of his busy schedule. Now they were partners though! His handsome face lingered in her mind. I could show off with such a handsome boyfriend. Qin Guan had no idea about her thoughts. He jumped out of bed, as if being stung by a scorpion. Keeping a distance of three metres from her and trying to look calm, he said, "I already have a girlfriend." Li Qian smiled and leaned against the bedside table. "Theres nothing to be nervous about. You can just select the best one." She raised her beautiful eyes up to him. Qin Guan took several steps back and answered her seriously, "Im nning on proposing to my girlfriend. This is only about work, not romance." Li Qian doubted he was a virgin. Her interest was aroused even more. She used her acting skills on Qin Guan. With a luring, soft nce, she said, "Would you like a trial before the wedding ceremony? Im volunteering." Chapter 194: Drinking the Strongest Liquor and Marrying the Most Beautiful Woman Chapter 194: Drinking the Strongest Liquor and Marrying the Most Beautiful Woman Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Stunned, Qin Guan walked towards the door. He nearly stumbled on the threshold. Quivering, he replied, "No, thank you." Then he disappeared like the wind. Li Qian was amused by his escape. Such a pure guy is rare in the entertainment circle. I should protect him from the hungry wolves. During theirst scene, Li Qian waspletely calm. She even cast a reassuring nce at Qin Guan. Qin Guan secretly wiped cold sweat from his forehead. What the hell is this? There are thistles and thorns everywhere in the circle. Fortunately, Im strong enough to protect myself. Others might have lost control and been seduced by her. His roommates lost their interest in the next scene. Qin Guan was having a secret affair with another actress. Its so boring! Men, women, romance, adultery... Its nothing new. Is there anything even remotely original? Definitely! Surprising plot twists were everywhere. Pingr found her son, who had been lost for a long time, and escaped with a fortune before Jia Lian could find out. Qin Guan was desperate when he heard the news. He looked up at the sky andughed. "Wang Xifeng, why am I doomed? Why did the gods destroy my family?" As a fan of the original work, Mu remained silent. He was wearing earplugs and covering his eyes so he wouldnt do anything reckless. After several scenes, the boys lost all interest in the shooting. It was getting hotter and hotter in the room, and they felt hungry and bored. When the director announced the end of the shooting for that day, they turned their heads towards Qin Guan. Qin Guan paid no attention to them. Instead, he said farewell to the director. All his scenes had been finished. Fortunately, his character didnt die in the y, which was definitely an advantage. The group of actresses gathered around him. "Are you leaving, Qin Guan? Why didnt you say goodbye to us?" "Ill miss you, Brother Qin. Will you have a cup of tea with me sometime?" "Hey! You are old enough to be his mother! How dare you call him brother?" "What are you saying? Im only 18! Youre just jealous of me, bitch!" "Thats ridiculous! You look like 50!" "What are you saying, bitch?" "Ill kill you!" They began to fight. The director looked around and made sure the set and props would be safe. Then he went to drink his tea, pretending to see nothing. The prop crew was the most anxious. Several strong men separated the women. Taking advantage of the chaos, Qin Guan sneaked away with his roommates. Sister Xue felt ashamed on his behalf, but she had to stay with Huang Bo till the afternoon. Qin Guan and his roommates escaped from the film studio. As soon as they squeezed into the car, they burst into wildughter. Liu Xiaoyang showed his photos to everyone proudly. Qin Guan was being pulled and pushed by girls in the pictures. After several failed attempts, he had to sign an agreement. He would cook for his roommates during the entire summer and treat the six hungry wolves on the way back. What was the best food for a hot summer day? A foodie would go for vegetarian food. Naturally, they thought of Zhenglongzhai, a cake shop with an 100-year history. There was a restaurant not far from Guangji Temple, for the convenience of monks and believers. It was a small restaurant crowded by pilgrims. It also had a small window for take-away. Products such as baked wheaten cakes, sweet fritters, walnut cakes and polished glutinous rice had a special Beijing vor. After a feast without meat and oil, they left in satisfaction. They had also bought some take-away cakes. It seemed that they would order dessert from that ce for the whole holidays. They returned to Qin Guans house and drank beer while sitting on the couch. Soon, they started making ns for the summer. Ye Dong and Mu Lejiang would do some volunteering work organized by the municipal government. They would work under the sun for eight to ten hours a day, helping tourists in the busiest sightseeing areas. Qin Guan expressed his sincere admiration of them and their pursuit of power. Li Jie would follow Li Xiaoyang and attend his potential tutors lessons. To be frank, he would use all avable resources to carve a path for passing the exams for postgraduate admission. Wang Lei had a clear aim. Thepany he had been working for for three years had be aprehensivepany engaging in public rtions and consulting. At the beginning, he had just been a ims man. Gradually though, he had been promoted to director and be in charge of all affairs rted to part-time jobs, including recruitment, arrangement, cooperation and negotiation with affiliatedpanies. Qin Guan was wondering if a gifted student from the ounting Department could maintain his original goals after graduation. Wang Lei had seeded in some aspects though. Of course, Qin Guan considered himself the most sessful and happy guy among them. As the saying went, a man had to drink the strongest liquor and marry the most beautiful woman. Chapter 195: You Are Jealous of Me Chapter 195: You Are Jealous of Me Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan had drunk the strongest liquor, and the most beautiful woman was Cong Nianwei! The next day, he got up, only to realize that all his friends had gone out to work and left him alone. That was not the worst thing that could happen. The worst thing was going to your first ever audition for a magazine, a magazine that was way too popr for you to say no, and meeting your arch enemy on the site. Qin Guan and Shao Xiaobing met at ELLEs studio. If it wasnt for that meeting, Qin Guan would never have heard any news about that hypocrite again. Qin Guans status in the circle had been gradually upgraded though, so he would inevitably meet Shao at a fashion show at some point. Ever since Shaos conspiracy had been discovered by New Silk Road, Qin Guan didnt think he would influence his life anymore. Without jobs from thepany, brand businessmen would contact him directly. Besides, Sister Xue was good at public rtions. The countless trouble Shao caused him was like an annoying fly though. Generally speaking, their status in the modelling circle was equal. Shao had been struggling in the field since he was 14 years old though, so he had more contacts than Qin Guan. He could cause him lots of trouble if he wanted. It was unpleasant to have such a narrow-minded rival. Shao used to call all the models he knew to iste him, or dy his measurements. Sometimes, he even collided with Qin Guan secretly before a show. Qin Guan was a tough man, so could bear all those tricks. The only thing he couldnt bear was Shaos nder. Qin Guan had no wild ambitions, but he still had some ideals. He could sell Spring Festival scrolls in the chilly winter and kebabs in the hot summer. He could also sell womens swimsuits. He had given up his carefree college life for his modelling career while he was still in the prime time of his youth. He had been trained by the best domestic tutors, and tolerated their rebuke and punishments. He had learned about dancing, traditional Chinese formalities, ssical Western formalities, musical instruments, calligraphy, chess, even martial arts. He had worked with different groups, such as printed media, advertisingpanies, and film and TV productions. He had practiced a basic gesture repeatedly in an empty room in the deep night. He had read lines again and again in his bed to learn from other actors. Although he had been gifted with an extraordinary memory, he knew what the real meaning of his rebirth was and had worked hard to learn. By then, everyone was saying what a lucky boy he was. No one paid attention to his secret endeavours. During the audition, Qin Guan finally exploded. He had a casual chat with Shao, but he couldnt stand the guys malevolence anymore. They would settle this once and for all in the empty waiting room. Shao was sitting on the couch with his eyes closed. He kept sneering at Qin Guan, until Qin Guan pulled him up by his cor and pushed him against the wall. It was the first time they were looking at each other from such a close distance. After a slight confusion, Shao came back to his senses. "What are you doing? You want to beat me? Ive ashamed you into anger, huh?" Qin Guan looked at him with the most sincere expression, delivering every single word clearly, "I dont know the reason behind your conspiracy, but I know Im not the troublemaker here. I just wanted to tell you that you have wronged me!" Shao stared at Qin Guans eyes. He noticed that the young man had a pair of transparent, clean eyes with dark, mysterious pupils that hypnotized anyone who looked at them. Shao Xiaobing realized the truth he had been ignoring. Qin Guan couldnt be suppressed by a single person or apany. His looks were the reason for his sess, and Shao was clear on the fact that, as long as Qin Guan existed, he would never reach the top. He smiled bitterly at the thought. "Is there anything wrong with my disapproval? I just dont like your extraordinary looks and nonchnt attitude." Envy shed across Shaos eyes. "There are so many models striving for years to participate in a show, and you turn down shows because the date doesnt suit you. There are so many models who want a ce in the circle and a formal contract, so many models fighting to make ends meet... Some models cant even pay their rent!" "Some lucky guys earn 5,000 to 8,000 yuan a month, while others earn that much in a year. What do you want to say to them? Why is this so unfair? You and your perfect looks! We have to kneel down to worship you! We cant me god because he didnt give us better looks!" Shao was getting more and more agitated as he spoke. Qin Guan smiled gently. "You are jealous of me!" Chapter 196: Tangled Chapter 196: Tangled Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Nonsense! Jealous of you? Jealous of what? Your arrogance or your unreliable attitude towards life?" Qin Guan loosened his cor, smiling like an evil spirit. "Everything. My unparalleled face, my attractive body..." Shao was speechless. Why the hell am I even fighting with such a guy? He felt a deep sense of helplessness. Smiling proudly, Qin Guan sat back down on the couch. "Actually, Im a lucky guy. God gifted me with a perfect appearance, a smart brain and lots of luck. I also have a wonderful girlfriend..." Shao rubbed his forehead. If Qin Guan kept showing off, he couldnt guarantee that he wouldnt beat him to the ground, although Qin Guan was much stronger than him. "But..." Qin Guan suddenly changed his attitude. With the most serious expression, he turned around and faced his arch enemy. "Ever since I was born, I have been struggling to live my life right. I do everything cautiously and conscientiously, no matter how important it is. I never skip a ss; I treat all my friends honestly; I try my best to love my family and my girlfriend..." "Why would you think that Id treat my part-time job irresponsibly? You are a famous model yourself. Do you believe sponsors and designers would praise me only for my perfect face and figure? Youre really naive!" "You think a director would tolerate my terrible acting for my good looks? Oh, I forgot. Youve never acted. You cant understand the difficulties of being a supporting actor." Shao looked amused. "Are you saying that Ive treated you unjustly? If my memory serves, a photographer asked several background models to stand in the cold sea in winter to hold you on their shoulders so your unparalleled face would not freeze and influence the final oue." "If my memory serves, a director asked some staff standing around you to block the wind so the man-made wind would blow your hair back. I dont want to waste my breath on you..." Shao wanted to stop the conversation there. His envy would only be exposed if he went on. He wanted to take some fresh air outside. He hated the righteous man sitting right across from him. Qin Guan had gotten some useful information from Shao. He grabbed Shaos shoulder to stop him. "You realize you are jealous of my looks, not my attitude. Dont pretend to be so indifferent. I even felt a little guilty just now." Shao was ashamed into anger. He turned his head around and stared at Qin Guan coldly. "I dont want to talk to you. Let me go!" Qin Guan grinned. "Apologize to me!" "Go to hell!" "You dare hit me?" "F*ck! Youre pulling my hair! Go away!" They started fighting with each other, turning over the couch and the tea table. They fell down on the floor and began rolling around, their long legs getting tangled up. They struggled to suppress each other in that limited space. Finally, the assistant outside heard the noise and pushed in, finding the exciting scene. The two handsome guys were hugging each other with pink cheeks. Thin sweat covered their foreheads, and their slender legs were tangled together. Qin Guan wasying on Shaos body. They had squeezed themselves in the small space between the couch and the wall. They were both looking at the assistant in surprise. The young assistant understood. He gave them an apologetic smile and nodded. "Sorry, just go on. I just wanted to inform you that the interview is about to begin. I can wait another 20 minutes for you though." "No need, welle at once!" "Wait, were ready!" They spoke at the same time. Exchanging a nce with each other, they turned their heads in different directions. The assistant was clear on the situation. Theyre shy. Its all my fault. He looked at them kindly. Qin Guan and Shao Xiaobing managed to get out from under the couch. Shao fixed his hair in the mirror and realized a piece was missing. Meanwhile, Qin Guan massaged his jaw. Is there a scratch? Putting on their most polite expression, they followed the assistant to the interviewing hall. The interview was for a feature of domestic models telling stories about rising models. For the readers of ELLE, it was a big deal. Besides, this was Qin Guans first formal interview with ELLE. He wanted that issue to sell like crazy. With a calm expression, Shao watched Qin Guan interview before him. It was another indirect indication that he was behind Qin Guan in the modelling circle. The journalist working for ELLE turned on her recorder and began the interview. Question 1: Had you thought of engaging in this profession before? Or some other profession rted to beauty? Qin Guan: Never. Im a student at the ounting Department of my university. My major is the most boring one there is. It is my aim now though. For me, the fashion industry is like Alices Wondend. It is unbelievably beautiful! Shaos expression eased up a bit. Chapter 197: Arousing Enthusiasm Chapter 197: Arousing Enthusiasm Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Question 2: How did your modelling career begin? Can you tell us about your experience? Qin Guan: I like making money the best. I learned about this profession by ident while I was doing a part-time job. Shao nearly burst intoughter. His agent sent him to give an interview without advance preparation? Thats really brave of her! If Sister Xue had been there, she would have been mortified. She thought Qin Guan, who had been working really hard recently, would be more reliable than he used to be. She had been too busy helping Huang Bo toe. Qin Guan exined to the surprised journalist, "After I started though, I discovered the hardships of the job. Im lucky that I dont need to umte experience through far-fetched jobs. I met with talent scouts right from the beginning, and they made a n for me and helped me get where I am today. I have worked at car exhibitions and fashion shows. I have done advertisements for both printed media and TV. After one year, I have earned a lot of experience." ...... There were routine questions, which Qin Guan answered sincerely. Shao now had a better understanding of Qin Guan than before. It seemed that Qin Guan was not a man who depended solely on his face. After each routine question, the journalist would ask an interesting question to attract the readers attention. Question 10: You have arger career than most traditional domestic models. You have worked in TV shows, advertisements and fashion shows. Many people think that you just rely on your youth. What are your expectations and wishes for your future development? Will you focus on modelling, or try something else? Im not an idiot. I wont tell the truth. If I reveal that Im going to the US in one year, it may influence the ratings of the TV shows! Qin Guan decided to muddle along with a vague answer. "My friends alwaysin about how fast time passes. One year ago, I was only a green hand in the circle. With a lot of effort, I have managed to turn into a bird ready to fly in the sky. Although I am still far from bing a swan, nobody grows up without getting older. Thats how you get life experiences." "Of course, fans dont need to worry about the influence of time. In 10 years, Ill be a handsome celebrity. In 20 years, Ill be a sessful man. In 30 years, Ill be an old man with a lingering charm. No matter my age, Ill always be relying on my heart. That doesnt change with the passing of time." The journalist was amused. They allughed together. Qin Guan thought this was the perfect chance to put a captivating end to his interview. With a serious, sincere expression, he said, "Before every job, I like to know the story behind the beautiful costumes, the script, or the creative advertisement." You mean you like to know the profit youll be making. "Every job has been like a trip for me. Every time I feel a sh of inspiration, Ill continue my fashion journey." Trantion: Part-time jobs are everywhere, both domestically and internationally. "Some roads are much longer than you think. Not only in the entertainment circle, but in other industries of the world as well. Travellers without patience and courage will never see their end. Half of this life is reality, and the other half is a dream. I know there will be a lot of pressure ahead, but no matter if I seed or fail, the experience is always going to be unique. Ill cherish every chance I get." Qin Guan applied his acting skills to the interview. He looked up to prevent tears from falling from his eyes. Shao Xiaobing coughed pointedly. Could he be a sincere boy in nature? Qin Guan closed his eyes and opened them again. The tears had disappeared, but his face was shining. If Sister Xue had been there, she would have known that the bastard was about to y his best card. "I keep looking for the most suitable role, but there is no recipe for sess. Time and concentration are the only path, and integrity is the only necessity." He looked at Shao unconsciously, giving him an honest smile. Then he turned around to express his gratitude to the journalist, who finished the interview in satisfaction. Well done! I could be a speech-writer for party leaders! Qin Guan stared at Shao, sighing in relief. It seems that I convinced him. My heartfelt speech and lies moved even him, the toughest man in the modelling circle. Before leaving, the journalist told Qin Guan that his acquaintance, the Chief Editor, had invited him to her office. Qin Guan nodded and bid Shao farewell. As he went out, he felt Shao stare at him in confusion. For a long time, Shao was unable to make up his mind. The journalist brought him back to reality though, and he put on his symbolic gentle smile and sat in the same couch as Qin Guan. Outside the room, Qin Guan turned around suddenly and stared at Shao secretly. He could see his concentration clearly. He watched Shao until the interview began. Then he left for the office of the Chief Editor to meet Yin Yan, who thought very highly of him. Chapter 198: What A Shame! Chapter 198: What A Shame! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Yi Yan was sitting behind herrge desk in a colorful linen dress, reading magazines carefully. She passed them to Qin Guan after he took a seat on the couch. They were all in foreignnguages. VOGUE was in English, and ELLE and COSMOPOLITAN were in French. Qin Guan looked up at Yin, waiting for an exnation. Yin Yan massaged her eyebrows. "You know why ELLE chose me as the Chief Editor of its Asian version. Im French-Chinese after all, and I have a systematic knowledge of the fashion industry. I graduated from a Fashion Editor School in France." "The Asian version is separate from the original magazine, and Im the director. The headquarters have acknowledged my work of taking China as the foothold of conquering Asia though." "In the past two years, ELLE Asia has brought in 40% of the total ie, creating more investing opportunities for ELLE in China." "On the other side, ourpetitors have realized theres money to be made and they want to share it with us. VOGUE is a fashion magazine in the US, and COSMOPOLITAN is ELLEs main rival in France. They are all among the top five fashion magazines in the world." "Here is some good news for you, Qin Guan. VOGUE is about to enter the domestic market, followed by COSMOPOLITAN. VOGUE has reached an agreement with our headquarters. Well work together to drive COSMOPOLITAN out of the market. Its funny! They did this only because we were rivals." "I am strongly against this agreement. I dont think we should cooperate with our rivals. The headquarters thought it would be okay to lend you to VOGUE for several issues though." "So congrattions, Qin Guan! You have another contract with a top fashion magazine. Even if its only the Asian version. Believe me, those American guys are much more shrewd than the French. " Feeling awkward, Qin Guan said, "Sister, we are friends. Please stop beating around the bush. Youre worried about me, arent you? Youre afraid theyll take me away with a higher sry." "Yes," Yin Yan replied. "Thats why Im asking what your n is." Qin Guan leaned back against the couch, smiling happily. The flowers on the tea table seemed dullpared to his smile. "Sister Yin, Im not a green hand anymore. I wont say no to a job for anybody. Thats the reality of the modelling circle. With enough poprity, a model can appear in all five top magazines at the same time, not just two. I suggest you change your future ns. Stoppeting with Rayli. The Japanese are short-sighted. A model cannot help everyone prevail in this situation." "When the domestic fashion magazinese out, there will be fiercepetition. All flowers will bloom at once, and you will be having a really hard time. Dont worry though, Ill never say no to you." Qin Guan raised his eyebrows at Yin, casting a soft nce at her. Yin threw a small box fastened with a ribbon at his head and waved him away. "Go! Go! So much for this business! I dont want to hear your advice! This is a gift from f*cking VOGUE! Take it and go to hell!" Qin Guan caught the box, blinking at her. He retreated from the office quickly before she threw the scissors as well. He opened the gift on his way to the parking lot. It must be an interesting guy who asks an opponent to hand over a gift. Yin Yan thinks she is facing a formidable enemy. Qin Guan was curious about the man. When he got to the parking lot, he saw that there was a BOSS tie clip in the box. BOSS was considered the most rigorous fashion brand in Germany. He was so shocked by the gift that he posed like a pheasant, standing on one foot and shouting, "YES!" A little girl standing nearby pulled at her mothers sleeve and pointed at Qin Guan. "Mum, is that big boy silly? Why is he posing like that?" Her mother locked the car and turned around, only to see Qin Guan standing still in the parking lot. He was standing on one foot, his other foot curled up. His arms were both raised up above his head. He looked like a thief sneaking around in the most exaggerated, cartoonish manner. Putting on a ck mask would have worked better. Holding her daughters hand, the mother stared at Qin Guans strange pose silently. "I dont know, darling. Wed better not disturb him though. He might be a performance artist. Ive heard that there are many artists like that in foreign countries." "Really? So he just poses in an empty space? He could be pushed down among a crowd. He is so handsome!" They both expressed their admiration of the artist. The capital is the center of the fashion industry. Thats why we get to watch such an elegant performance! They stared at Qin Guan and talked for a short while. Unable to bear the pain on his waist any longer, Qin Guan put his arms down. The woman and the girl walked up to him with shining eyes. A small hand was stretched out towards him with a 10-yuan bill in it. "Here you go, big brother. Theres nobody left here. Have a rest while you wait for an audience!" The girl gave him the tip and waved at him happily. Then she left with her mother. Chapter 199: The Strict Chief Editor Chapter 199: The Strict Chief Editor Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Although it was scorching summer, Qin Guan felt a cool breeze around his ankles. Id better go. They thought I was a performer, but someone else might think Im a beggar. At home, Qin Guan put the elegant gift in its small container on the dressing table. He always felt like he was forgetting something in the summer. Working the next day would drive that thought out of his mind though. In the evening, he replied to Bu Qinglus email, typing with a single finger. It was something about ounts and statistics. In less than five minutes, Qin Guan had picked up two bugs and replied, drinking iced beer. He had made a good beginning, so the work was as simple as drinking water for him. Bu was sitting before hisputer, lost in thought. He got Qin Guans reply right away. All he had to do was pretend to be clever in front of the new ountant. It was not the first time he would be doing it. The ountant was admiring him more and more by the minute. His reputation as a wise man was rising among thepany. He replied to Qin Guans email with only one word, "Awesome!" Qin Guan was considering whether he could ask for a sry increase at an appropriate time. The scorching summer was the worst in 100 years, and Qin Guans car was experiencing obvious problems. The air conditioner was in a bad condition, and the leakproofness of the carriage was not so good. Even if Qin Guan turned the air conditioner on to the maximum, he still couldnt feel cool in the car. After a full 30 minutes, when it was finally cold inside, Qin Guan had already reached his destination. Qin Guan wanted to change his car, but he was about to go abroad. He got out of the car leisurely and observed the familiar building. It was interesting to see VOGUEs headquarters just opposite the ELLE building. Great! Maybe COSMOPOLITAN will build a building on the other side. Qin Guan was taking pleasure in Yins misfortune. He put the car key in his pocket and entered the building, wearing his Halley sunsses. The girl at the reception suppressed a scream. She called the chief editor right away. As an official fan, she knew everything about Qin Guan. She was different than his nymphomaniac fans in the entertainment circle. She was also a queen of data, so she had gathered all information concerning Qin Guan. Up to that point, Qin Guan had participated in 17 shows of different fashion brands, taken pictures for two magazines, and appeared in eight TV advertisements and five posters. He was also the ambassador of a brand. The ordinary girl kept all this information in her mind. As Qin Guan sat in a chair and listened to the girl recite his job history, he began to suspect that even Sister Xue wouldnt be able to provide the exact dates of his activities that fast. Qu Xuemei, the chief editor of VOGUE, heard their dialogue by ident. She felt it was necessary for her to get a good look at ELLEs exclusive model and the clear-headed receptionist. At the sound of her high heels, the girl suddenly stopped talking. She looked like a snake was staring at her. Qin Guan watched thedy slowly walk up to him from behind the receptionist. She was a slender woman, 170 centimeters tall. Even though it was zing summer, she was wearing a stern grey suit and high heels. The cor of her shirt was buttoned up, and her hair was pinned in a meticulous bun behind her head. The only essory she was wearing was the golden chain hanging from her golden-framed sses, swaying naturally next to her temples as she walked. The swaying chain made her look lively. The keen girl realized who was behind her immediately and made a grimace. Qin Guan couldnt help but burst intoughter. Qu Xuemei stared at the model, who was wearing a tight white cotton T-shirt and dark blue jeans. His legs were slender. He was as pretty as a painting. She blushed and coughed to cover up her awkwardness. "Qin Guan? My assistant will lead you to the dressing room in a bit and tell you about the dos and donts of the shoot. Zhang Yuan, follow me." Trembling in fear, the girl followed the chief editor. At thest moment, she turned around and cast a nce at her prince. Bad luck! As long as I get a final nce though, Ill die without any regrets. The door was closed. Qin Guan could do nothing but pray to the gods for the girl. He headed to the assistants room instead. Interesting! Chief editors of fashion magazines are always experts on the fashion industry. They are hot, bold and unrestrained, filled with knowledge about art and advanced concepts. This chief editor had exceeded his imagination though. Judging by her clothes and manner, she seemed like a self-disciplined, strict German woman. She should be working on Wall Street. Im looking forward to this new magazine. Before he could think more deeply about the problem, he was led into the dressing room. There were three rows of mirrors inside. This must have cost a lot. Chapter 200: Black and White Chapter 200: ck and White Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The stylist opened his ck suitcase, which had folded shelves. What? What are you talking about? This is Japanese! Not Chinese! Japan used to have the most advanced fashion industry among all Asian countries. Their fashion magazines held a great share in Asia. The strict chief editor was pursuing perfectness in all aspects. Qin Guan had the impulse to give her a thumbs-up. VOGUE had hired a male model for its first issue in China. It was a bold idea that ELLE dared not copy. To meet the demands of their readers, most of whom were women, the covers of fashion magazines were mainly upied by female models or actresses. Through their elegant style, professional, matching clothes and aesthetic shooting methods, their readers could experience the effect of top fashion magazines. That was why clothing, bag and watch advertisements in magazines could promote sales. They were trend leaders, who could guide readers into pursuing a more fashionable style. Therefore, a cover with a male model did not match ELLEs conservatism. Qin Guan knew that he would have to take only one picture for the cover. After a series of fussy steps though, he was shocked. The lenses were good, but the frames were bad. The chief editor of VOGUE had to be the most insane person in the industry. This was not a man-oriented magazine, and the sales volume of the first issue would be enough to decide the fate of the chief editor and the whole continent. The photographer was an American who had been sent in advance to make arrangements with the chief editor, and the prop master was French and filled with romantic ideas. The cover would be a ck-and-white picture, far different from the colorful covers of other magazines. Thus, the chief editor had set high standards for the photo, which had made the photographer and prop master quite nervous. Tens of magazines would appear in newsstands and bookstores during the same period. The magazines would be arranged in one line on the same shelf. The order was decided by the retailers ording to their experience. The nearer to the readers though, the better it was. How could one publish the most striking magazine and attract readers at first nce? Extreme beauty was required! France was called the fashion capital of the world for a reason. Their keenness and pursuit of beauty was too far ahead from other nations. Qus brave effort was not just about shooting a ck-and-white cover, but also taking a close shot of Qin Guans face. It was a testament to photography as well as the model itself. The prop master was prepared. He gave Qin Guan an elegant mask weaved with ancient mooring ropes. Lotuses were blooming on it, and there was a sense of harmonious conflict to it. The mask covered Qin Guans cheekbones, but exposed his beautiful eyes. His eyelids pped down naturally, his long eyshes covering his clear ck pupils. His eyes looked really mysterious. He lifted his jaw to expose his Adams apple. His thin lips would tempt anyone tomit a crime. It was a photo of high taste, quite different from the superstars of famous brands. The audience would admire Qin Guans god-like beauty. Qin Guan held the mask up for more than ten minutes, keeping his body still. After countless small adjustments, the final version came out. It had a literary, reminiscent style to it. Qin Guan went to the dressing room with a stiff neck. The excited assistant put the photos on Qus desk as soon as they were ready. The receptionist was sitting outside the chief editors suite. Qu had assigned her to be her second secretary, so she was in charge of everything concerning Asian models. It was like a god-sent gift!! She was really d, not just because of the sry and position, but also because this was the job of her dreams. From then on, she could file all the paperwork of famous models and hand in the final data. Her dream hade true. The chief editor looked at the pictures and finally pointed at one of them. "Tell the publishing group that this will be the cover of our first issue." Her assistant nodded silently and sent out the picture. The brave decision hade to a temporary close. They could only wait for the day of the release now. Qin Guan went out of the fitting room and was hugged by the crew. They had been working in the industry for many years, yet theyd unexpectedly found a shining gem in a mysterious country. Chapter 201: The Girlfriends Supervision Chapter 201: The Girlfriends Supervision Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia If the boy went abroad, his status would change in a couple of years. He wouldnt remain unknown to the public. The opposite side hadnt taken Qin Guans fame and poprity in the domestic modelling and entertainment circle into consideration. He hadnt gotten close attention from top luxury bands or be as famous as a Hollywood actor yet. In their eyes, Qin Guan was no different than a low-level model who had to participate in inferior shows and take eight jobs a day. Qin Guan heaved a long breath. Out of politeness, he was nning on saying goodbye to Qu Xuemei, the chief director of VOGUE. The receptionist, who had just been promoted to secretary, stopped Qin Guan outside her office awkwardly. "Prince Qin, shes busy now. She said she would call you once the sales volumees out." The girl winked. She felt sorry for Qin Guan. Our chief editor is too serious. Shes not like other chief editors, who maintain a harmonious rtionship with top models. "Here is our gift. Would you please ept it?" She handed him a paper bag with the VOGUE logo on it. Qin Guan was surprised, but he smiled happily. "Thank you." He winked back at her and walked out with the bag. The girl touched her chest. She felt as if a hammer had hit her on the head. Dizzy, she tried to walk back to her seat. Calm down! Calm down! Oh, my god! My prince looked at me so gently! My heart stopped! Beautiful people can destroy a nation. Ancient people were quite right! Behind the shades of her office, Qu Xuemei was staring at Qin Guan, who was talking with her secretary. When he blinked, she took a deep breath unconsciously. She tried toe back to her senses and turned around to walk behind her desk. For a long while, she kept staring at the cover of a newly-released magazine. Finally, she touched Qin Guans thin sexy lips on the photo. Suddenly, she drew her fingers back, as if she had been pricked. She didnt know what to do. She opened a drawer at the bottom of her desk, where there was a full set of Lae skincare products. It was a gift from Yin Yan. The bitch had wanted to make fun of her. She took out the case, which was covered in dust, and put it in her briefcase. Qin Guan had no idea about his admirers at VOGUE. He opened their gift dly and saw it was a set of Maybelline cosmetics. It was amodity even cheaper than a stickpin. Besides, what can I do with cosmetics? Oh, I could give them to my girlfriend! My girlfriend! Im terrible! I forgot about her. Those days, Qin Guan and his friends were drinking beer, eating kebabs, and watching TV. He had forgotten about Cong Nianwei, who was also in the capital for her studies. Her birthday was drawing near as well. The cosmetics hade just in time. I can deal with this. She will forgive me if I do a couple of things! Qin Guan grinned to himself in the rearview mirror. Im so handsome. I will conquer this difficulty! I can change things on her birthday! On his way home, Qin Guan didnt forget to purchase food from the supermarket. The first thing he did when he returned home was put the food in the fridge. While he was busy working, he saw Liu Xiaoyang, who had just gotten up. He opened the fridge and took out a bottle of soda, his eyes still foggy from sleep. He opened the bottle with his teeth and said, "Youre back? You came home early today. Good day at work?" Qin Guan stared at him in surprise. "Youre a local, yet you dont sleep at home during the summer holidays. Why do you choose to live in my shabby house and sleep in the same bed with Li Jie?" Liu Xiaoyang replied, "Its pretty good here. Theres food, drinks, a big bed... Li Jies smell bothers me though. I hate cologne." Qin Guan kicked him on the butt with his slipper. "Thats not what I meant. And put some shorts on in my house! Finish your soda and go back to your room!" Qin Guan put the instant frozen dumplings in the freezer. Liu ran to the couch and put a bottle of ice on Mu Lejiangs face, who was still sleeping. "Motherf*cker!" Mu jumped up and shouted at Liu. Liu smiled at him and walked his bare butt back to his room. "What are you shouting for? We are tired from doing volunteering work yesterday." Ye Dong walked out of the master bedroom, massaging his messy hair. When all the guys had gathered in the living room, the lock on the door made a noise. "Who made a key?" Qin Guan asked them. "Not us! Theres always someone here, so we can just knock on the door. We dont need a key." Qin Guan turned pale with fear suddenly. "F*ck! Its my girlfriend! Close the door, Liu Xiaoyang!" Liu looked really frightened. He mmed the door right away. "Ouch! It hurts! My fingers!" he cried. Qin Guan had no time to do anything but kick the empty cans under the couch. They had drunk beer the previous night. The door opened. Cong Nianwei walked up to Qin Guan with a splendid smile and arge backpack. Mu Lejiang subconsciously covered his chest with a quilt. The others greeted Cong Nianwei with an awkward smile. "Hello!" Qin Guan stepped forward politely to take the bag from his girlfriend. "Why did you drop in so suddenly? You should call me so I cane pick you up." Chapter 202: The Mighty Queen Chapter 202: The Mighty Queen Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianwei stood there looking guilty. She had participated in her tutors group for the design n of a government building, and she had been too busy to inform her boyfriend or call him. It had been a happy misunderstanding. They both had a guilty conscience, one for having fun, the other for working. Cong Nianwei kindly waved at Qin Guans roommates and answered, "You dont need to pick me up. I have a key anyway. I can drop in during my spare time. Im d to see your roommates here. It seems like you wont be lonely during the holidays." Qin Guan put her bag on the tea table and asked, "Its so heavy, whats in it?" Suddenly, Mu Lejiang got up from the couch and returned to the bedroom with Ye Dong, leaving the living room to the couple. "Its a model I made for you during my spare time in the studio." Cong Nianwei opened the bag. There was a small garden inside it made of countless wooden blocks. Her eyes always shined when she talked about architecture. "Its my dream house. It has a rural style garden and a pointed Gothic roof. Our cars can be parked in the barn beside the garden. I can also have a studio. The pool is not for swimming. Its at the back door, so it will be an outdoor one." Cong Nianwei was getting more and more excited. Meanwhile, an ideological struggle was taking ce in Qin Guans mind. How much will I have to pay for this house? Another n for the future... He unconsciously started calcting his current ie on his fingers. Suddenly, Cong Nianwei felt a cold, greasy liquid flowing by her feet. She looked down and saw her favorite white-striped sandals soaked in a suspicious foaming yellow liquid that was flowing slowly from under the couch. She stood up and ran to the bathroom calmly to clean her feet. "Qin Guan! Come here!" Qin Guan, who was concentrated on the money, was paying no attention to her. He only knew that his girlfriend had dashed into the bathroom. "Thats not good. You cant take a bath! There are so many people here!" Qin Guan walked to the door of the bathroom, rubbing his hands. "Nonsense! Come in!" Cong Nianwei turned off the shower and pulled Qin Guan in. Leaving the door unlocked, she asked, "Whats that liquid under the couch? Is that how your roommates think things work at your house? They can just pee on the spot if they fail to reach the bathroom in time?" Qin Guan was disappointed to see she was still wearing her orderly clothes. "What liquid?" he asked. Cong Nianweis heart was still fluttering in fear. She pointed to the yellow liquid flowing from underneath the couch. "Thats beer. We drank some yesterday." Qin Guan bent down awkwardly to pick up the empty cans. "Can you exin to me how our house became so messy during the summer?" Six single men living in the same apartment was a terrible thing. Cong Nianwei scanned the room, which she had arranged herself. There were dirty tes piled in the kitchen, two socks of different colors were stuck on the couch, beer was flowing on the living room floor, and stinky clothes were hanging in the closet in the bedroom. She cast a fierce nce at Qin Guan, who immediately stepped forward with the most ttering smile. "Ill ask them to clean the house," he said before pushing open the door of the guest room where Liu was staying. Liu was standing by the window with his back to the door. He was holding an empty bottle like an imaginary microphone, singing, "I was touched by you, a little, a little..." The lower part of his body was wrapped in a bed sheet. Cong Nianwei pulled out a feather duster from a vase and whipped it against the couch. Qin Guan shivered at the sound, and so did Liu. "A little, a little..." he repeated, sounding like a broken radio. Cong Nianwei pointed at Qin Guan, the living room and the master bedroom with the duster. Before she could speak, Ye Dong and Mu Lejiang, who had been peeping from the crack of the door, walked in with ttering smiles. The four boys were listening to the queen giving out orders. "You, clean the kitchen. Wash the bowls and pans and wipe the table." "You, tidy up the bedrooms. Qin Guan, you clean the living room. Move it!" "Yes, madam!" They began to work right away, afraid of the whip of love. Cong Nianwei smiled in satisfaction. When the house looked bright and new again, they left the master bedroom to the two lovers. Cong Nianwei leaned on Qin Guans chest, fiddling with her wooden house. They sat together silently, Qin Guan caressing her long, soft hair. Suddenly, he took out the Maybelline cosmetics. "Do you like it?" he asked, setting the present on her legs. Slightly surprised, Cong Nianwei put the house aside and opened the box. Before Qin Guan could show off, she shouted happily, "You got me a gift again!" Can she read my mind? How does she know its a gift? Cong Nianwei showed him the package. On the bottom, there were several engraved characters reading, "VOGUE Exclusive". Chapter 203: A Handsome Boy and a Fortunate Girl Chapter 203: A Handsome Boy and a Fortunate Girl Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan smiled awkwardly, disguising his guilt. "Gifts are always wee. I thought youd like it, so I kept it." Cong Nianwei smiled and put the cosmetics away before lying down on Qin Guans chest again. Then she asked in a low voice, "Is it my birthday present? Its much more expensive than the belt I got you." Qin Guan hugged her and replied guiltily, "Of course not. I wouldnt trick my wife." "Hey, who is your wife? Is it really not my birthday present?" "Dont mention it. Just kiss me! Theres nobody here." A keen girlfriend was hard to deal with. "Okay, but then youll take me back to college. Im too busy to stay with you today. You can make your own arrangements." "Okay, Ill pick you up on your birthday." "Deal!" They exchanged sweet words as his wicked friends tried to eavesdrop on them. "You guys are supposed to be clever! Who said that we could hear them through a ss on the door?" "Ye Dong, what are you doing? You shouldnt stand on someone elses shoulders, even if youre the oldest one! Im too thin to carry you!" "Hush! Silence! Theyre quiet. They must be up to something!" While they werepeting for the vantage point, a voice suddenly rang out above their heads, "I wonder what Im up to!" They all looked up in embarrassment and scattered quickly, trying to look calm. "Nothing, nothing. Its really hot today." Cong Nianwei cast a supercilious look at Qin Guan, who was carrying herrge bag on his back. While she wasnt paying attention, he picked her up too, shouting, "The Queen is leaving!" Cong Nianwei screamed. Before she knew what was happening, she was carried away by her unreliable boyfriend. As her screams faded away, Liu Xiaoyangs heart was still fluttering in fear. He poked his head out of the door, shrinking back. He wiped imaginary sweat off his head and told the others, "As a single man, I dont envy Qin Guan at all." Mu and Ye exchanged a nce before answering together, "Dont be afraid of girls. Our girlfriends are very gentle." Liu tried to defend himself, "Im a heterosexual." The problem was that Cong Nianwei reminded him of a carnivore animal. People felt inferior to her in terms of power, IQ and survival skills. It was not a pleasant experience. "You couldnt date a woman more powerful than you?" "Right, thats it. Qin Guan is her perfect match though!" "A handsome boy and a fortunate girl?" "You have a point! Ha ha ha!" The guys had suffered defeat at Cong Nianweis hands, yet they were making fun of Qin Guan. Qin Guan had no idea about it. He was on the way to Cong Nianweis college at the time. Amid that intense summer heat, even the air conditioner couldntfort him. That day, the first issue of VOGUE Asia would be released. As a famous fashion magazine, its first issue would attract plenty of readers. ... It was early in the morning, and the sun hadnt risen yet. Thick mist was still around. Several old men had gone for a walk in the park with their birds, hanging their beloved mynas on the most suitable twisted trees. An ordinary, quiet morning was of great significance to VOGUE. Several directors of the urban district had conducted workers to carry the magazines in their own trucks. The magazines were newly published and wrapped in elegant packages. Qin Guans ck-and-white photo was on the cover. They had received the first orders from VOGUEs Distributing Department, which covered ten provincial capitals of the developed area. ording to the information on the chief editors hands, the total sum of the orders was only half as much as that of ELLE clothing. As one of the most popr fashion magazines, its domestic average sales volume was 17,700 copies, including some second-tier cities. The chief editor nced at the elegant watch on her wrist. It was 5:30 a.m. The carriers were busy working under the tall buildings like ants. The trucks had been unleashed in the capital, heading for the newspaper stands. The new magazine, which beared countless peoples dreams, would finally debut with the readers. Qu Xuemei didnt turn her head around until all the distributing trucks had left. Then she asked her assistant, "We have 80,000 copies of the first issue. How many does the capital get?" "20,000." "How about the entire printing volume?" "200,000 in total. Weve sent 80,000 all over the country. 120,000 copies are still in stock. ording to our tentative analysis, we will run out of stock in a week. The sales volume should be 58% of ELLE clothings volume." Qu Xuemei frowned. The assistant hurried to exin, "Chief editor, the estimated results are pretty good. ELLE clothing is more than one year ahead of us. They have spread to more than 30 cities. We should be patient. The stock is enough for us." Qu Xuemei picked up the magazine from the table. The transparent, elegant stic package made a sound when her nails scratched it. He light pink finger stopped on Qin Guans lips. She gently pointed at his sexy lips and smiled. "Maybe we should be greedier." "Everything will be clear tomorrow." Qu Xuemei put her finger on her own lips and clucked. Chapter 204: A Shrewd Merchant Chapter 204: A Shrewd Merchant Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Under the archway of an overpass, Wang Xiaor, a hard-working delivery boy, was waiting for his boss next to his tricycle. He had just taken a cigarette from his colleague, who was in charge of West Street, when he saw a white minibus draw near on the dusty road. The newspaper man called Pipe was thergest newspaper seller in the eastern part of the capital. He had more than 30 delivery boys working for him. As a sessful businessman, he believed in a professional vision. It was said that there would be a new magazine released that day, but he hadnt paid attention to it. The distributing bureau assigned a basic magazine volume to him, so he had to trust them. He had the ability to swallow magazines up after all. Pipe stamped on his brakes and parked his car between his delivery boys. When he opened the trunk, his men gathered around to help him carry the magazines down. Pipe took out a cigarette, and Wang Xiaor lit it up. "Be careful with the names. Dont mix them up. Today theres a new magazineing out. Follow our old rules and distribute it to your own newsstands." "What? Boss, did you have a look at it yet? They have issued an excessive volume." "They are just overconfident. The magazines will be returned to the periodical office after a week." Wang Xiaors hand trembled. He was still holding the lighter. My business expands to only two newsstands! What will this mean for me? With the cigarette in his mouth, Pipe shouted at his men, "Shut up! Im a considerate man! When did I cheat you?" They all sighed in relief. If the stands returned the magazines though, they would have to share the loss. Labor cost was also an expense after all. "Stop with that rubbish! Ask your men to be diligent. Its six already. Hurry up! Carry them away!" They all got to work. The magazines and newspapers were carried away in a short while. Countless tricycles left the archway, heading in all directions like tidewater. Pipe spat the bottom of his cigarette out and stamped on it with his shoe, preparing to return home. A copy of the new magazine was left in his truck. Pipe took it out and saw the gift in the package. It was a red lip gloss. Ha! I can give this to my wife as a gift. Shes asking for expensive cosmetics all the time! He tore the elegant stic package, and the lip gloss fell in his hand. He took a look at the cover. Those foreign publishers were wealthy and generous. An elegant magazine and a gift that cost 15 yuan. Pipe was attracted by VOGUE. The colorful box of the lips gloss was overshadowed by the beautiful model on the cover though. Pipe flipped through the pages and closed the magazine again with trembling hands. His eyes were fixed on the cover. That ck-and-white photo gave him an unusual feeling. He felt like he was 18 again, and he and his wife were hiding in a haystack like they used to do in the summer. It was so romantic and passionate. I have to do something for the model on the cover. Pipe picked up his cell phone and dialed a familiar number. "Hello, Lao Li? Yes, its me. The new magazine is out today, yes. VOGUE, the one with the ck-and-white cover. I have ordered at least 20 copies for each stand, right? I want an extra 6,000 copies for more than 600 stands. No, no! Not reserved. I want the goods before theyre sold out. Theres enough stock? Great! Ill count on you!" Pipe let out a long sigh of relief and hung up. He smiled like silly in the quiet and put the lip gloss on Qin Guans lips before driving home to his wife. Meanwhile, Wang Xiaor was busy cycling. The first stand was really close. Lao Zhang, the boss, was throwing away the dam-boards from his stand when he got there. He greeted Wang right away, "Unload! Im busy now!" "No problem!" Wang Xiaor responded. He put the magazines and newspapers on a shelf outside the stand. Thats the first one done. If I hurry up, I could deliver everything before seven oclock. Wang Xiaor left. Lao Zhang untied the nylon rope and put the magazines and newspapers in order on the shelf ording to their different categories. Not long after, the stand beside the subway station would experience its peak sale time. Hurried office workers would walk to the subway, carrying bags of breakfast. Most of them would stand by the newspaper stand to have a look and choose something to read on their long way to work. "A Rayli, please!" A fashionable young girl was looking at the magazines while taking out her purse. "No, wait a moment." Her eyes had been attracted by a ck-and-white cover among colorful ones. She picked up the magazine from the shelf to see the whole picture. Among all the female stars, Qin Guans face was the most striking. With his light eyshes, nk expression and slightly open lips, he was really a shocking beauty. He was still manly though. He had a slender neck and a beautiful Adams apple. "I want this one. Oh, theres a gift? I want two!" I can give one to my friend in the office as a gift. She has the same taste as me. Besides, its the first issue. I cant miss such an elegant magazine. "Thank you, 30 yuan." The girl took out three bills and grabbed another copy from the shelf. Lao Zhang touched his jaw, as if thinking of something. He looked at the vacancy on the shelf and carried all the VOGUEs outside. He put four more copies in a line on the shelf, making them more obvious. People would be able to see the ck-and-white cover among the bright red and green ones from afar. Chapter 205: Hot Sales Chapter 205: Hot Sales Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Hey, give me a copy of the morning newspaper. Huh? Is that a new magazine? A copy of VOGUE too." "Ill take that VOGUE!" An office worker threw 15 yuan in the box and grabbed thest VOGUE without hesitation before hurrying away. The white-cor worker stared at the empty shelf in shock. Her magazine had been taken away. "Do you have one more copy?" she asked the stallholder. Lao Zhangs face was as wrinkled as a blooming chrysanthemum. "Dont worry, Ill keep one for you in the evening." "Okay, dont forget. Ill drop by at six oclock. I want the VOGUE with the ck-and-white cover." "No problem!" Lao Zhang promised. He unconsciously nced at his watch. It was just half past eight. If the delivery was on time, it would catch the end of morning peak time. He called Wang Xiaor. "The number you are dialing is busy now, please call againter..." "Hello, Mr. Zhang?" Wang Xiaor answered. His phone was hot. "Do you want more copies? How many? Okay, wait for me." "No, I dont know how much stock there is. I wouldnt lie to you. We all like money. Just wait for my call." Wang Xiaor hung up. His five newsstands were all out of stock. He received an extra 100 orders that day. That new magazine was selling like hot bread! I should have been aware of this situation. Other colleagues must be experiencing the same problem. I have to hurry and find Brother Pipe. It was silent inside the VOGUE headquarters. The assistant looked at the clock on the wall. It was 8:40. Morning peak time would end in one hour and 20 minutes. The phones on the table were ringing one after the other. "Hello? Yes, this is the Distributing Department. Okay, an extra 12,000 copies. No problem!" "Hello, 6,000 for today and 50,000 for tomorrow. Okay!" They answered the phones in a muddle. In two minutes, the statistics were on the desk of the director. The total tally was 17,000. SH: 21,000 TJ: 8,000 GZ: 12,000 ....... The statistics from 10 cities came out before the sales peak time. The amount reached 80,000 on the first day. Qu Xuemei made several calls. The machines in the printing factories started running again. In one day, 70% of the stock had been sold out. She was expecting the final sales volume during the first week. No one would stand in her way. Everyone was in awe of her foreseeing abilities. She was a charismatic leader in their eyes. The total sales volume on the first day was 170,000, which was equal to ELLEs sales volume. Looking at the ELLE building and its neon lights across the street, Qu smiled imperceptibly. This was only the beginning. The bold always had thestugh. In time, the sales volume gradually fell down. After the first golden week, it was not worth mentioning anymore. An analysis of VOGUE appeared on theirpetitors desks. Its sales volume was 1.7 times higher than ELLEs and 1.3 times higher than Raylis. VOGUE was the champion of the month. This was the first time this had ever happened in China. Forcing a smile, Yin Yan threw the report into her paper shredder. As she watched the paper stripes fall in the dustbin, she felt something bitter in her mouth, as if shed just drunk a cup of espresso without sugar. There was a chance in front of me, but I didnt take it. If I could start over, I would have shouted at Qu Xuemei, "Leave him to me! Leave Qin Guan to me!" Nearly all the advertising departments of the best brands, including watches, essories, bags, shoes, etc, had received VOGUEs statistics. Satisfied with the surprising numbers, they had drawn a circle around VOGUE. On the party for the final editing of "Graceful Princess", Fang Pingping flipped through thetest VOGUE absent-mindedly. She showed the cover to her agent unhappily. "I want to be VOGUEs cover girl." "Impossible!" "Why? Qin Guan is on the cover." "This is the Asian version, not the original one." "Thats okay!" Her agent licked her lips awkwardly. "VOGUE has exceptional taste. Their tradition is to invite famous models to be on their covers. I guess its possible for Chinese actresses to be cover girls, but you are not that famous." Fang Pingping got angry. "Which actress would be qualified enough? Tell me!" "Zhang Manyu!" "Shes nothing special! She just debuted earlier, thats why shes more popr! If I could get a good script, Id be more famous too!" Fang Pingping stared at the aesthetic cover photo. If I could be a cover girl, Id be as pretty and dazzling as Qin Guan! Reality was cruel though. Luck did not always favor people. In one week, the resumes of models from various agencies were piled on Qus desk. Most of them were willing to take a shot for free. Qu stared proudy at Qin Guans cover photo, which was hanging on the wall. It had been expanded several times. She caressed his sexy jaw. He is my fastest horse... Those battles didnt influence Qin Guan, who was carrying two boxes of beer home from the nearest supermarket. Chapter 206: Trouble in Business Chapter 206: Trouble in Business Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia On that day, the Asian Preliminary Competition for the World Cup in South Korea and Japan officially began. It was Qin Guans happiest time after Cong Nianweis birthday. All his roommates had gotten the day off work. They had put arge mat before the couch and arranged the iced beer and dishes as they were waiting. Wang Lei threw a green soy bean in his mouth. "Why are you so nervous? You even want to drink in advance!" "Nonsense! All fans will get ready before the match." "An hour in advance?" "Youre ruining the atmosphere! Its not even funny!" Looking at his noisy friends, Qin Guan took a sip of his beer. Suddenly, his phone rang. "Yes, its me. Im free now, Im just watching the match. What? To your club? I have six friends here. Okay, great!" Qin Guan hung up and told them, "Its boring to watch TV at home. We can go somewhere else. My treat, okay?" Annoyed, Ye Dong said, "Dont use your job as an excuse. Its really hot outside. We have everything here. What idiot would apany you to some unknown ce?" "Thats right!" those cunning monkeys answered in one voice. Qin Guan stood up and started to change clothes. Disappointed, he said, "Fine. I wanted to treat you to the most professional foot massage in the city, but it seems that I have to go alone. Dont me me." "F*ck! Why didnt you say so? Was there something wrong with my ears just now? Did anyone else hear that he would take us to a foot massage shop to watch the ser match?" They all looked at Qin Guan, putting their beer cans down. Qin Guan fastened the buttons on his shirt calmly and turned his head around. "Your ears are working fine. My customer is the owner of a club. He has a massage centre." Therge board on the roof entered his mind automatically. He shook his head to drive it away. "Will you go with me? Im leaving." "Yes, yes! Ill go with you. We are best friends after all!" Liu Xiaoyang jumped up and handed Qin Guan the key apologetically. "We share each others fortunes. We have to support you!" They finished their beers noisily and clustered around Qin Guan to leave. When the car arrived at the original location of the pedicure shop, Qin Guan saw that it was already in ruins. The guys, who werepeting over who would get there first, suddenly fell silent. Clearing his throat, Qin Guan awkwardly called Bu Qinglu on the phone. "Brother Bu, its me! Where is the pedicure shop? Where did you invite me to? Oh, no. Its been a long time since I wasst here. Okay, Im going." Qin Guan started the car again. His roommates sighed in relief and resumed fighting. We did note in vain after all. Qin Guan drove around the Fruit & Candy Club and saw that the two-storey buildings were decorated. There were three splendid gates next to each other. There was also a pedicure center, a beauty salon, and a chess & card room. They looked immeasurably different than the previous ones though. They got out of the car and climbed up the fire exitdder, following Bus instructions. They saw arge room protruding out. They knocked and found Bu inside. He was smoking and frowning. Before he could even greet Bu, Qin Guan was pulled in. Bu Qinlu craned his head carefully to have a look at Qin Guans friends. Then he ordered a strong bald man, who was in the room, "Da Niu, take them to the pedicure room." Da Niu was surprised. "Brother Bu, today we are..." he tried to remind Bu. "This is not business. Shall we not serve our own brothers?" The bald man bowed before answering, "No problem. Ill take them. Brother Bu, Im also free now. Could I have a massage, too?" Bu waved him away impatiently, and the man led Qin Guans roommates downstairs. Wang Hailiang was sitting on the couch, sighing in despair. Bu Qinglu was standing behind him with a serious expression. "Whats the matter?" Qin Guan asked. Bu pouted, but Wang took out the three ount books. "Son of a b*tch! People envy our business and sent a fake customer to look for mistakes. Our staff were wary of strangers, but she seemed like a normal customer. She had treatments and bought some underwear. The girls didnt give her an invoice. Its atent rule of the industry." "We were reported to the Tax Bureau." "Yesterday, they came to inspect us and ordered us to stop business for internal rectification. They even took away our ount books. F*ck! Id break his legs if I knew who that son of a b*tch was!" Qin Guan knocked on the table in front of the couch unconsciously. Data started rolling around in his mind automatically. He closed his eyes to recall the statistics, and then opened them again. "Dont be nervous. Its only a temporary suspension. ording to my estimation, they didnt find much. Maybe just the one thing." "I remember everything in this field. There are no loopholes. To this day, there is no charge for tax evasion. The Tax Bureau is smarter than anyone. Best case scenario, you make up the invoice and taxes. Worst case scenario, you get punished." Wang Hailing looked at the wall. "How much?" "Not much. Theres the overdue fine and the tax penalty, which is five times the original tax. Thats nothing for you. With proper handling, therell be no administrative penalty. Anyway, you two arew-abiding businessmen. You have all the certificates, right?" The two guys sighed in relief and thanked Qin Guan. "You are the right man for this job. You might just be helping us, but we believe in you!" Qin Guan shook his head modestly. "Its nothing. An honest ountant wouldnt cheat you. You still have a steel safe in your domain, right?" Wang was surprised. "How did you know? The room has been redecorated." Qin Guan pouted and looked towards the wall, reminding him. "I know where it is, and I know all your improper actions. You didnt listen to me. You put all the cash inside. You were afraid of trouble." Chapter 207: A Girl Named Mou Chapter 207: A Girl Named Mou Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Listen to me! Deposit your cash in the bank every day, its not too much trouble." "Stop! Stop! Well deal with those affairster. Go downstairs to the Heaven-Flying Room. Your friends should be there to watch the match." Qin Guan was pushed out of the room by Wang Hang. "Hey! Tell me, how much do you put in the safe? Listen to me..." The door was closed with a bang. Wang shouted at him from inside, "You will get older sooner if you think too much! Just enjoy yourself, boy!" Qin Guan shook his head and went to watch the watch. It was time. The Heaven-Flying Room had a beautiful name. Ever since those two had started their business, they had nearly be poets. They would have been happy to hear thatment. "The service in our massage room will make you fly to Heaven!" Qin Guan pushed the door open and found his roommates lying on the bed next to each other. The TV was hanging from the ceiling just above their heads. Thementator was speaking, but nobody was paying attention. The bald man was enjoying a massage. "Ah! Ouch! Nice! Your skills are wonderful, Xiao Xue." The boys couldnt bear to watch. The fierce, tough man with the scars on his head was as tame as a rabbit under Xiao Xues hands. They were listening to himpliment the girl with disgusting words. "Are you tired, Xiao Xue? Sit here and take a break." The girl red at him. "Youre asking me to take a break? Who will pay me if I dont finish the massage?" Qin Guan pushed in and asked, "What are you doing? Did the match begin? Why are you having a massage now?" Li Jie replied, "Qin Guan, its been a pleasure to be your brother. Nobody knew you were working part-time here. If wed known that you are good at massages, we would have enjoyed ourselves in our dormitory." Qin Guan sat on an empty bed and took off his shoes. A girl standing by walked over with a bucket in her hands. Qin Guan took a sip of the juice and kicked Li Jie. "Who told you Im giving massages here? Im the CFO, understand? C-F-O!" "A CFO has to be familiar with the business." Liu Xiaoyang put a small white cube on his forehead. The ice water would calm his up-flowing blood. The girl serving him was wearing a ck silk gown. Her fair neck was as elegant as a swans. Liu Xiaoyang was dizzy. His blood was flowing back again. Before he could see clearly, the opening whistle was heard and the match began. At the beginning, the teams pressed each other on the whole field. They did not let up, which wasmon for a ser match. The UAE team was not a weak one. They had to be treated carefully. Suddenly, the Chinese centre forward intercepted the ball and started advancing. His teammates followed him, trying to protect him. After a perfect cooperation, Li Xiaopeng got the ball and shot without hesitation. "Goal!" In only two minutes, the Chinese team had scored its first goal. Thementator was shouting loudly in excitement. The boys were also shouting, "Nice goal!" "How awful!" Da Niu got scared. His foot jerked and he identally kicked Xiao Xue. They looked at each other in astonishment. Da Nius face turned red, but Xiao Xue smiled. Before she could speak, the door was pushed open. "Whos shouting? Were closed. Who let you in?" Everyone stared at the uninvited guest in surprise. "Senior Qin?" "Mou Xiaoliu?" Astonished, Qin Guan asked her, "What are you doing here?" Mou Xiaoliu was wearing a club uniform. She looked both happy and ufortable to see Qin Guan there. Pointing at Da Niu, she said, "He is my fellow viger. He rmended me to work here." "The club gives us room, board and a high sry. I had nothing to do in the summer holidays, so I came here." Recalling Mous power, Qin Guan looked at Da Niu seriously. He had to be a mighty fighter himself. Looks could fool people after all. Mou asked back, "Why are you here, Senior Qin?" Qin Guan coughed before exining to her, "I also work part-time here. Theres a match today, so the boss lent us a room for entertainment purposes. Come here and watch it with us!" Mou Xiaoliu hesitated before shaking her head. "No, enjoy yourselves. Take care of Da Niu for me. Hes silly around Xiao Xue. I have to go." Qin Guan nodded. Da Niu was still staring at his own foot, which had touched Xiao Xue. He was paying no attention to Mou. The door was shut again. Mou leaned against the wall outside and took a deep breath, covering her pounding heart. Senior Qin is still so handsome... I thought time would make everything fade away, but it seems I was fooling myself. I dont want to grow up. Things will only get more difficult. I have to let him go. Ill just keep the beautiful memories in my mind. Opening her eyes, Mou waved her fists towards the sky and then disappeared at the end of the corridor. Chapter 208: The Quiet Before the Storm Chapter 208: The Quiet Before the Storm Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Everyone in the room focused on the match. The stars were favoring the Chinese team. Several shots from UAE were unsessful. Another shoot from Qi Hong! "Were still at 19 minutes! Another goal!" Qin Guan roared along with everyone else. After so many years of the same experience, he was still as crazy as ever. Boxes of iced beer were opened. A match without beer was no match after all. The chef of the club had also made some simple tuna sd for them and stolen some pot-stewed meat from the buffet in exchange for a seat in front of the TV. Being considerate, the girls finished their work early. Their customers were not in the right mood to enjoy their skills. They thought wrong though. The boys might not have quit midway if theyd known what would follow [1]. "Its the 33rd minute, and Hao Haidong has scored a third goal! Were less than half-way through the game! This is a good beginning in thepetition!" The goals were all shown in rey. "What a powerful national team!" "We will have a ce at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan." "This is our rising National Ser Team!" Qin Guan suddenly calmed down at those words. Recalling the development of Chinese ser, he sighed in sorrow. The god of destiny makes fools of people. The Chinese team didnt score any goals in the second half, but nobody was upset about that. 3:0 was enough for everyone. After the match, they finished all the food and drinks in excitement. When they went out of the room, they saw that the stars were shining in the sky. They stumbled towards Qin Guans car. It was not the wine that had intoxicated them. It was the drinker who got himself drunk. "Whens the next match?" "August 31st, China versus Oman." "Theyre ying here in SY." "F*ck! Should we buy tickets and go watch it live?" "Stop dreaming, they were sold out a month ago," Wang Lei ruined their dreams with only a few words. "How do you know?" "I couldnt depend on you guys. I tried to buy tickets myself, but there werent any." Wang Lei sighed. "Lets just stay home and watch the match on TV then." They didnt insist on it. Before getting in the car, someone said, "Theres another KTV club around here. Take us there to watch the next match, Qin Guan!" Those boys were insatiable. Qin Guan carried his drunk roommates into their room, finding them both funny and annoying. Meanwhile, he was thinking of something. Sister Xue had made a serious call to Qin Guan and Huang Bo, forbidding them to attend any parties or balls rted to celebrities. There was a storm all over the entertainment circle, and they could be crashed with the slightest misstep. There had been an incident concerning the 19th China Silver Eagle TV Festival, which had been scheduled to open in November, 2001. The festival had some kind of connection to Qin Guan. The TV show "The Legendary Swordsman" had applied for some festival awards, and for the first time, the awards would be decided by the audiences vote. The powerful directors preferred to see their works judged in a dignified, imposing contest. It was a pity that they wouldnt get their wish. Zhang Jizhong had failed for some strange reason. Unexpectedly, Zhao Baogangs city life show had failed to get chosen. This was a great influence on the actors. Those stars who had been likely to win awards were confused. Qin Guan, Huang Bo and Sister Xue were in a small office at New Silk Road, analysing the situation in the domestic entertainment circle. Sister Xue lit up a cigarette and shared all the gossip with them in a low voice. "Several days ago, Zhang Jizhong called me. He said he was nning on taking you to the award ceremony of the Silk Eagle Festival. If the show passed the primary selection, he would rmend you for best male supporting actor. " "His application was turned down though, and no other CCTV show seeded either. I wanted to know more about it, but the director and producer changed the topic. Theyre guarding the secret closely. I gathered information from the crew though." "Do you know who the most famous actress is right now? Zhao Wei! What happened to her this year though? The army g incident!" "This reminds us that arrogance cant withstand wind or waves. It is said that some other superstars are not on the list of winners either. Youd better be good boys these days. Consider it carefully before you ept any offer. Understand?" Qin Guan and Huang Bo nodded conscientiously. Huang looked a little worried. He stared at Sister Xue with pathetic small eyes. "But I have a family to support. I cant stay at home." Sister Xue smiled meaningfully. "Dont worry. We cant participate in the officialpetition, but theres another way." "Another way?" Sister Xue looked at them excitedly. "Ill take you to Zhang Yangs party. You have to grab that opportunity! We should stay away from popr films, but we can work in indie films." Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Some skills men would enjoy. Chapter 209: Artists in the 798 Plant [1] Chapter 209: Artists in the 798 nt [1] Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan shook his head repeatedly. "Sister Xue, I have coborated with him. Dont you remember Sunflower? Do you know his opinion of me?" "What opinion? I dont know." Sister Xue pretended to be ignorant. Qin Guan covered his forehead helplessly. "He put his hands on my shoulders without a word, and after a long while, he said, Its a pity that you have no chance of cooperating with this generation of directors." "Those were his exact words. Directors of his generation are either looking for good acting skills and hiring actors as extras, or focusing on reality and ordinary people. Those who engage in films like that are still struggling to find their way. ording to Zhang Yang, I was gifted by the gods, but I have nothing inmon with other actors." "Huang Bo will be weed by that group. If you bring me though, I will hurt their confidence." Huang was listening to their conversation, taking pleasure in Qin Guans misfortune. Despite his perfect looks, hes also been turned down. He felt quitefortable. Then he realized what Qin Guan was saying. "What are you talking about? Im also an actor. I am!" Qin Guan told Huang seriously, "You must go to that meeting. Gold always shines in the end. You will seed one day." Huang was shocked by his words. They stared at each other with a meaningful expression before Sister Xue decided that both of them would go. It was slightly cold at night, and the industrial street by the 798 nt was shining in the white moonlight. Concrete, waste and machines parts were everywhere. Even the small stand that sold snacks at the end of the street couldnt warm the night. Zhang Yuan spit out the dust in his mouth. He walked to his secret base with some pot-stewed meat and beer in a stic bag. There were some hungry friends there, waiting for him and the food. It was silent along the long, narrow path that led to the warehouse. Zhang Yuan headed directly for the only room with a light on. Suddenly, the dazzling headlights of a car shined behind him. Scared and alert, he turned around and covered his eyes, trying to see the intruders clearly. The driver saw Zhang Yuan and turned off the engine politely. Sister Xue poked her head out and asked Zhang loudly, "Is this warehouse 1122?" Zhang Yuan nodded. Three people, a woman and two men, got out of the car. They walked up to Zhang, who was estimating the distance between him and the secret base. It was said that workers there had been mugged several times. It seemed that it was impossible to escape that fate. Zhang Yuan took a deep breath and decided to beg for his life. He was lost in thought, when he suddenly saw one of them more clearly. Silver moonlight was shining, forming a slender shadow behind Qin Guan. He looked like a fairy. As a director, Zhang Yuan had a romantic heart and boundless imagination. In 0.01 of a second, Zhang had convinced himself that Qin Guan was not human. "Are you a ghost, a demon or an immortal?" Huang immediately took over the conversation, trying to tter Zhang, "Directors are really different from ordinary people. Your greeting is very creative!" Zhang coughed awkwardly to cover up his mistake. "Are you Zhang Yangs friends? He told us that several partners would being over and he would introduce us to an actor. Follow me, were all curious!" Zhang Yuan came back to his senses and began to talk nonstop. "F*ck! You convinced me. I originally thought Zhang Yang was messing with us. Whats your name? Qin Guan? The same as the ancient grand secretary [2]? A good name indeed! You are really an exception among inferior actors." Qin Guan was boasting silently. "Before skilful actors can even show their talent, your face will attract all the attention. The audience will long for your presence." "Why am I so excited though? Directors with good taste dont focus on box office sess." He was chattering endlessly. His hungry brothers could hear his voice from afar. "He must have met someone interesting." "God! Give me some earplugs, or Ill go deaf tonight." "Hush! Dont answer him. Quiet, theyreing!" Suddenly, they all fell silent around the tumbledown table, leaving the groggy yellowmp above them on. The door was pushed open. Zhang Yuan put the beers and food on the table and drank some water from a porcin jar. Then he gestured at Qin Guan and Huang Bo, introducing them, "Hey! You should meet this guy. He is Qin Guan. Director Zhang often talks about him!" He thought he was funny, but nobody answered him. They were all stunned by Qin Guan, who was standing under the dim 20-wattmb. Zhang Yang got a grip on himself and broke the silence first. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] The 798 nt used to be a state-run industrial nt. Nowadays, its a newndmark of Beijing urban culture that attracts plenty of public attention. [2] Qin Guan (1049-1100), an important litterateur during the North Song Dynasty, who was famous for writing Song lyrics. Chapter 210: A Clash of Emotion and Reality Chapter 210: A sh of Emotion and Reality Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Ha ha! Surprise! Im not boasting. Stopughing at me! How did you guys dare belittle my taste and call me blind?" Hey, we are all professionals here. Dont act crazy! Zhang Yang broke the charged atmosphere, and the other directors began to ask each other questions. Among the sixth generation, some directors were renowned and some were not. Many of them had won awards overseas, but the majority were still nobodies at the time. Some of them were hunted by the government for their underground films. Only a few of them could actually make profits. Most of them had nothing at all. They made jokes with their three new friends and drank to their hearts content. Nobody talked about money or sordid merchants. Finally, all the rivers flowed into the same sea. They reached the most concerning topic. "Do you have any new ns? You have to lead the way for young men." "Here are some volunteer actors. Theyre the best support for us. Ha ha!" They all roared withughter. It was great to have free actors again! The muscles on Huang Bos face twisted slightly. Where are all the high taste directors? Wheres my reward? This is beyond my imagination! "Stop beating around the bush! Lets talk business! Who will get investors and make new films in 2001 and 2002? Hands up!" Silence prevailed. Only the sound of people chewing peanuts could be heard. Zhang Yuan spoke first, "As you all know, I spent all my money on Beijing Bastard, but the film didnt pass the investigation. I secretly participated in the Tokyo Film Festival with it, which irritated the Competition Department. Before I could exin, they forbade me to shoot another film again. Those sons of b*tches! Its so unfair. That big film studio robbed me! They cancelled our contract for renting lights and cameras..." "I lost everything! I even had to sell my pants at a pawnshop. The situation was getting worse and worse. No film or TV studio was allowed to cooperate with me. Im Zhang Yuan though! I participated inpetitions secretly. I shotmentary films to make money! They couldnt control me! I won an award in Venice! I fought back! Then the ban was revoked. I could shoot anything I liked. My film Going Home for the Spring Festival was in theaters in China. Do they admire me? Those sons of b*tches! Thats my strength!" Zhang Yang kicked Zhang Yuan on the leg. "Stop boasting. We were talking about how young men can seize opportunities! Tell us about your n!" Zhang Yuan shouted at him indifferently, "I have no money for films! After all this effort, my film didnt earn its budget back! I have a family to support! Who would invest in my films? Can I even live on indie films? If you want to make profits, you have to be obedient. They are watching you from above. Ill be waiting for the mothends arrangements. I have resigned myself to my destiny." His head fell down on the table unconsciously. He was already drunk. The other men smiled bitterly. Jia Zhangke said, "You know, my shooting style is the same as other independent film producers. I engage in international releases. I have nothing to do with the domestic film market. Would you like to act in films like that?" "To tell you the truth, Qin Guan, youd never get a part in my films. Even if you covered your face with mud, you would still not look like a poor man. Youd seem more like a prince facing a misfortune. Foreigners dont expect to see such actors in my films. I could look for roles for Huang Bo, but not this year. Right now Im obsessed with my new documentary Public ces, which is financed by foreign investors. Ill win another award for it. You could ask Lao Lou, hes the most literary one among us. Everything in his films is extremely beautiful. "You didnt see his film River in Suzhou. If you dont beautify outdoor scenes, you know the results. Tell them, Lao Lou." Lou Ye touched his nose in shame. "This is self-dramatizing. Im only an aesthete with romantic feelings. Wait for me, Qin Guan. Ill give you a part in my next film. Its fixed. Its a pity that I cant use Zhou Xun as the heroine though. Theres arge difference in height between you two. I couldnt ask you to bend down for the whole film." "Ha ha ha!" They all liked jokes about actresses. Those rough directors had no idea how famous they would be in the future. In the deep dark night, even the moon seemed to be asleep. They drank andughed happily. When the first ray of light shone through the broken roof, the drunk talented men fell asleep. Sister Xue managed to get up and lead the two guys out of the secret warehouse. The two of them were quite different from each other. Qin Guan had a great spirit, and he had learned a lot from that conversation. He now knew about film concepts and skills, as well as about passionate, beautiful stories. During that sleepless night, hed heard the voices, thoughts and future concepts of a whole generation of directors. He hadnt fully expressed his own opinion though. Huang Bo, on the other side, had earnedpliments from all the directors who engaged in films about real life. In a daze, he remembered countless shadows telling him the same thing, "Youll be the protagonist in my next film." That was enough for him to go to bed reassured. They walked along the dirty path. After that overnight meeting, they were feeling hungry. The breakfast stand at the end of the industrial area was the perfect solution to their problem. In that nt area full of ruins and waste, the three mini casseroles they bought were like a feast in fairnd. Chapter 211: A Gaffer Named Wenwen Chapter 211: A Gaffer Named Wenwen Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The bean curd jelly was steaming in the marmite. The marinade made of mutton chops, dried mushrooms, soybean sauce and starch, as well as the slightly parched sesame baked roll, made it extremely delicious. Qin Guan scooped up a block of bean curd jelly, and poured a spoonful of sauce and some capsicol on it. Then he stuck it in his mouth. It was so good! While he was eating, he recited an ancient poem about bean curd jelly. Sister Xue and Huang Bo watched him with a horrified expression, sesame seeds dropping from their mouths. Was he sad about those directors? Did he think he would never appear on therge screen? Dont get discouraged. Indie films might not be for you, but theres alwaysmercial films. If Qin Guan hadnt been nning on going abroad, Sister Xue would have taken him to Hong Kong to act inmercial films. "What are you doing, Qin Guan? Why are you reciting poems? Are you okay?" Huang Bo asked him kindly. Qin Guan shook his head disappointedly. Then he told the busy woman at the stand, "Your dishes are really authentic!" Qin Guan was her most handsome customer in years, so she was pleased by his approval. She wiped her hands on her apron proudly. "Its an ancestral skill. My grandmother taught me so I could support my family." She picked up the iron scoop and added a full scoop in Qin Guans marmite. "Have some more if you like it. My treat." Huang Bo was surprised. I want more too! "Fill my marmite!" he told the woman. "No problem!" A scoop of bean curd jelly and tasty sauce was poured into his bowl. Huang couldnt believe it until they left. "Its so unfair! A handsome guy can have a free lunch, but she charged me for two bowls!" Sister Xue patted his hair tofort him. The Cherokee roared to life, and they left the nt district. No one knew whether this would be the cradle of the two young actors, but a small fire had been lit. Time would help it burn through the wilderness. Now lets go back to the World Cup, the sole focus in Qin Guans dormitory. On August 31st, 2001, the second phase of the preliminarypetition began in Muscat. It was not only a celebration for Chinese ser yers, but also the final party of the six roommates before they became seniors. Taking advantage of his job, Qin Guan took them to the rooms on the third floor of the Fruit & Candy club. The director weed them warmly, opening the door for them. Qin Guan was too embarrassed to ask Bu Qinglu to use the VIP lounges on the fourth, fifth and sixth floor. It was excessive enough for them to enjoy the free service on the third floor. His roommates didnt see themselves as outsiders though. Before thepetition began, they started singing songs to amuse each other. As a loyal friend, Wang Lei apanied Qin Guan to the drinks market to get some beer. There was an open buffet in the hall and a drinks market nearly 100 square metres big. Guests could take whatever they wanted. Expensive red wine was on the drink menu, but ordinary drinks were in the supermarket. This was both for the convenience of the clients and for saving money. It was like killing two birds with one stone. Qin Guan took a small handcart and walked to the beer shelf. Suddenly, Wang Lei pulled at his clothes. "Whats the matter?" Wang Lei didnt say anything. He just pointed at the French ss windows across from them. Tens of girls were leaning against the ss, staring at Qin Guan with wide eyes. They were the girls who worked at the club, whose job was to drink with customers. Wang Lei asked Qin Guan in a low voice, "Your enemies?" Qin Guan shivered before answering, "I have to sneak away. Take the beer and pretend you saw nothing. Ill pay youter." Wang Lei blocked Qin Guan with his body. The girls were pulling their hair in disappointment. Qin Guan squatted down, intending to sneak back from behind the shelves. "s! Its Grand ountant Qin! Hes such a rare guest here!" Qin Guan was walking fast, his body bending down when a pair of high-heels appeared in his way. Qin Guan looked up along the slender ankles, the legs in ck silk, and the red lips that opened and closed above his head. "Brother Qin, you are really a rare guest. Most of the time, you just talk about business with our boss. The girls have been missing you desperately. Today I caught you though. We are free now. Have a talk with your sisters, okay?" Qin Guan straightened his body awkwardly and patted imaginary dust off his clothes. Then he greeted her, "Sister Wenwen! What a coincidence!" Sister Wenwen was pleased with his words. She fanned her heated cheeks before saying, "s! You tter me. Each time you run when you see me, I feel like a cat chasing a mouse. Why do you look down upon your sisters? We dont bite!" "We cant bepared to the boss favorite girl on the sixth floor though. Lily is like a white lotus, living in the silt without getting dirty. Grand ountant Qin also cherishes her, dont you?" "No, no! Listen to me!" Before Qin Guan could speak, Li Jie shouted loudly from the door of the supermarket. "Aha! You are not loyal to your brothers! You know such a beautiful girl, yet you havent introduced her to us! Are you afraid wed tell your girlfriend?" Confident now thanks to Li Jies words, Qin Guan said, "You see, I have girlfriend. Thats why I have to maintain my integrity. Im afraid I could make a mistake if stayed too long around such a hot girl like you." Chapter 212: Girls Chapter 212: Girls Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Shocked by Qin Guans words, Wenwen cast a miraculous nce at him that enchanted Li Jie. He felt dizzy and numb. Sister Wenwen sneered, scrunching up her nose, "Interesting! Dont be afraid. We just want a taste of a luxurious dish." Qin Guans face tensed up in response to Wenwen. Suddenly, Wang Lei startedughing loudly, losing his self-control. Wenwen was not in the mood to talk nonsense with Qin Guan. She raised her eyebrow at Li Jie, who was drooling with envy by the door. "You have to satisfy the girls if you want to leave safely. If you escape and influence their mood for work, I wille after you!" she said. "Okay, okay, as you wish. Our room is 3066. Well be there!" Before Qin Guan could speak, Li Jie had betrayed him. He was crazy about that sophisticateddy. Wang Lei wasughing like a madman, while Li Jie had fixed his eyes on Wenwens breasts. Qin Guan pulled them back to their room gloomily after paying for the beer. "Where were you?" Ye Dong opened a bottle of beer, staring at the screen. Qin Guan spread his hands open speechlessly. Wang Lei rolled around on the leather couch. "Ha ha! The girls at the club love Qin Guan! They are lining up to see him!" Suddenly, the door was pushed open and several girls entered, pulling and pushing each other. "Who are you? This is our private room. We didnt ask for room service!" Liu Xiaoyang stared at them. Laughing, the girls cast several charming nces at the boy and went around him. They sat on the couch next to Qin Guan. "I got here first, go away!" "You go away, or Ill sit on your legs!" The girls, who used to be close to each other, began to fight. Wang Leiughed even louder. He was almost out of breath. Qin Guan felt awkward. "Why arent you on duty?" he asked. "Its peak time for guest flow." "Whats the hurry? We have to get ready before work. Some people get a refreshment, and some choose alcohol. We prefer to see you. Well have an energetic day afterwards." "Dont look down on us. We bought ELLE and VOGUE especially for you!" The two chief editors would have been d to hear that. Qin Guan resigned himself to his destiny. He sat up straight and sighed. "Come on!" "Ha ha!" The girls stretched their hands towards Qin Guan. Several girls held Qin Guans face between their fingers. They pulled at his flesh before loosening their grip. "So stic! Wonderful!" One of them pinched his shoulder with a smile. "So strong. Just as I imagined..." Finishing their words, the girls threw their long hair back, shook their firm butts and swayed their fair legs, walking out of the room leisurely. They didnt forget to blow the boys a kiss. "We are the Kitty Group. Call us, boys!" Witnessing the whole thing, Wang Lei climbed up from the couch. He found it rather hard to swallow. "Whats going on? Was that all?" Qin Guan massaged his stiff cheeks before replying, "What did you want to see? I kept hiding from them because they kept asking me about my skincare routine. They all like to touch my face. I only use ordinary facial cleanser and soap, but they didnt believe me and insisted on pinching my cheeks!" Words couldnt express Wangs feelings. "A handsome guy like you in such an environment... They dont have any other desires? Impossible! I thought they would caress you from head to toe and do something after we left." The beer in Qin Guans mouth was sprayed on Wangs head. "Wonderful story, bro! You think my looks make me that lucky?" Wang calmly wiped the beer off with a towel. "Why are you always spraying things out? Its like Wenwen said. You nourish their minds." "Thats just for fun. Those girls are practical. They prefer other customers, because they get tips. Romance? Are you kidding?" Li Jie immediately argued, "Youre wrong. Every girl is thirsty for love. They are all the same. They deserve sincere emotions." Qin Guan nodded repeatedly. "Right! I like your idea. Ill help you with girls, so long as you dont fall in love with Wenwen." Before Li Jie could contradict him, the door was pushed open again. "Brother Qin, Sister Wenwen has something to tell you." Some unfamiliar girls had appeared at the door. Qin Guan answered, "The match will begin soon. Ask her to wait until its over." The girls were disappointed. They looked at Qin Guans cheeks, reluctant to part from him. Then they left, closing the door behind them. "The first half of the match is about to begin. We are now in Muscat, where the temperature is just right for the game..." Liu Xiaoyang, who was always anxious to see the world in disorder, turned off the microphone and sat back on the couch, watching the TV. "Why dont you go?" he asked Qin Guan. "What if its an emergency?" Chapter 213: The Green Tea Bitch and White Pond Lily Chapter 213: The Green Tea Bitch and White Pond Lily Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan shook his head, drinking some beer. "You have no idea how Wenwen is. The club is arranged in good order. Troublemakers will be dealt with by the guards. The managers in charge of different floors will handle any guests who refuse to pay. The disputes among girls will be settled by Wenwen. What does she have to tell me? Im too afraid to get into trouble." The shining screen attracted their attention. There was food, drinks and a ser match. They didnt care about other peoples affairs. They were concentrated on the fierce match, when the door was suddenly pushed open again. Mou Xiaoliu waved at Qin Guan, who was holding a green soy bean in his mouth. "Hurry, Senior Qin!" Qin Guan raised his eyebrows and left the room. His roommates nced at him before turning back to the match. Before he could ask Mou what was going on, the girl pulled his arm and headed for the elevator. Qin Guan staggered alongside her. "Hey, take it easy! Ille with you. Just tell me whats the matter." Mou Xiaoliu stuck Qin Guan inside the elevator. She pressed the button for the sixth floor and let out a long breath. "Boss Wang is beating a guy to death. Boss Bu is not in today. Youre the only one in the club who can talk to him." The door to the sixth floor opened slowly. Qin Guan walked to the office at the end of the corridor and asked Mou, "What is Da Niu doing? Just get him!" Mou wasnt quite clear on the exact situation. She just shook her head. Qin Guan sped up towards the office. It was silent inside the room. Wang Hailiang was sitting in his chair with Da Niu and another strong man standing behind him. A man was lying on his stomach on the floor. Alive or dead, nobody knew. Lily was in a white dress, squatting down beside him and sobbing. She looked like a pear blossom bathed in the rain. Wenwen was wearing red clothes, an infinite flirtatious expression on her face. She was standing nearby and watching the scene with pleasure. Wang Hailiang was panting heavily as he stared at his favorite girl. Ever since Lily hade for an interview, he had fallen in love with her. She had been assigned to the sixth floor right from the beginning. She didnt have a tough time, nor did she have to drink wine with other guests, and she got paid just as much as a gaffer. She would also get gifts from Wang frequently. In his mind, he had treated her quite well, yet she had dared betray him with another man. It was unbelievable. People thought he was a tiger without teeth and paws ever since he had started a formal business. Lily kept crying, covering her face. Her slender shoulders were trembling. She tried to exin in a weak, helpless voice, "Trust me, Brother Liang. I didnt betray you." Wang kicked a shelf right in front of her in a rush. "B*tch! Im not blind anymore! If I was, it was only because of your butt and your talent in the shack!" Qin Guan saw the clouds of misfortune gather above his head. Mou Xiaoliu is so stupid! Why did she ask me toe here? This is below me! Qin Guan noticed that the man lying on the floor was breathing. Nobody died. I can still run. Somebody wanted him to stay though. The sharp-eyed Wenwen had seen his attempt right away. She smiled and said, "Its not my fault, Lily. Why did you do it? For money? Boss Wang is rich, and hes a passionate lover. Im really jealous of your luck." "Was it for looks? That Adonis is nothingpared to Brother Qin. You should at least find a guy like Brother Qin if youre going to betray our boss." Thanks to Wenwen, Wang Hailiang noticed Qin Guan, who was about to run. He waved at him before turning to Lily. "Shes right! Look at my brother! Thats a real Adonis! Now look at the idiot on the floor! This is insulting!" His guards smirked. Boss, we rely on you to make a living. To tell you the truth though, that handsome guy could get any girl. Why would he take a fancy to your Lily? Wangs words inspired Lily, who wiped her tears away and looked at Wang with the most innocent expression. With quivering lips, she murmured, "Why dont you trust me, Brother Wang? I have been with you for such a long time. You should know how moral I am by now..." Wang felt an electric current shock his forehead. "As you said, Brother Qin is way better. Whenever he was in your office though, I would leave right away. I have never said anything to him on my own initiative like Wenwen and the other girls. Never! Thats a testament to my loyalty." Considering his limited cranial capacity and the electric current going through his head, Wang was muddled. He was thinking over the matter again. Did I treat her unjustly? Wenwen was calm. She had been spying on Lily for a long time ever since shed found out about the affair. She was well-prepared. Slowly, she said, "Then how do you exin the scene just now? All the sisters in the club saw it." Lilys brain was functioning like crazy. Half-blushing and half-grumbling in a flirtish manner, she cast a nce at Wang and said sadly, "I thought he was Brother Wang. He always liked role-ying. It was so dark in the room. Besides... Brother Wang, say something!" Wang had calmed down. He was recalling all the role-ying games he liked best. Shes right. It was so dark in that room that one wouldnt have been able to see their own hand. If the man didnt speak, Lily couldnt have known it was someone pretending to be me. He waved at his subordinates and said something in a low voice. The man on the floor was carried out. Lily nced at the man fast without saying anything. Silence prevailed. Qin Guan looked at Wenwen in confusion. She must have been the one who had orchestrated that drama. How had she caught Lilys lover though? Chapter 214: Shareholder Chapter 214: Shareholder Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Why had she stopped on the verge of victory? Wenwen smiled gently at Wang. She was like a bloody rose, bright but dangerous. "Boss Wang seems to have made his final decision. Ill get back to work. I have no time to waste." She walked out of the office, swaying on her red heels. Wang nced at her butt and shivered, swallowing his saliva. Lily looked at Wang pathetically. She smiled in relief when he stretched his hand out towards her. They hugged, acting as if no one else was present. Qin Guan coughed awkwardly. "Brother Wang, is there anything else? I have to go." Wang Hailiang was too busy to pay attention. He gestured and everyone disappeared on the spot. On the third floor, Mou Xiaoliu was waiting awkwardly to apologize to Qin Guan. Qin Guan just smiled gently and warned her, "Dont meddle here. Remember, you work here only for the money! Beware of people who want to use you." Mou nodded tamely and disappeared at the end of the corridor. Qin Guan didnt speak until she left. "Come out!" he told Wenwen, who was standing around the corner, before putting his hands in his pockets. Wenwen smiled gently as she walked up to him. "You are one of the few clever guys in thispany. So is Brother Bu." Qin Guan looked at her doubtfully. "That was so anticlimactic! Thats not your style. What are you nning?" "Men are always fooled by womens tears. The truth was right before his eyes, yet he was still deceiving himself. I wont waste any more words on him. Tomorrow Ill bring evidence. Itll be interesting to see what the littlemb will say." "What did you do, sister?" "Thats none of your business. I originally wanted to use you to uncover the truth. You are the most reliable person in their minds after all. Its a pity that you escaped. If you are not helping though, then you dont need to know anything." She walked to the bar without looking back. "Hey! Is it even worth it for such a man?" She had disappeared before his voice had even faded away. Qin Guan returned to his room in a bad mood. Even the two goals the Chinese team scored couldnt arouse his interest. An end should be put to that ident. Good luck to them all! Murphys Law had worked. On the first day of his senior year, Qin Guan received an angry call from Bu. "Qin Guan! Something has happened! Dont ask questions! Juste over immediately!" Qin Guan hung up right away and drove to the club. What on earth happened? Did my presentimente true? Qin Guan parked and locked his car before climbing up the firedder to the office in a hurry. The three steel safes on the wall seemed to beughing at the stupid guys in the room. They were empty except for some useless invoices and contracts. "How much was taken?" Qin Guan asked directly. Bu Qinglu looked up at him. "Several million. It was payment day today." "Are there any savings in your ounts?" "We repaid our debt." Qin Guan covered his face helplessly. "I have told you countless times to deposit the money! Now its all gone!" Wang Hailiangs blue veins heaved on his forehead. He jumped up and shouted, "That b*tch! She took my money! Ill catch her though!" Bu sighed and tried tofort him, "Ive sent men after her. She wont escape. The most important thing is for us to deal with the matter at hand. I have to pinch and scrape and calcte in every way. Our brothers who got paid back thought we were bankrupt. Now I need another million for the employees sries." Qin Guan sighed in relief at the sum. "I could lend that amount to you for your immediate needs. I made a small fortune not long ago. Its for my studies abroad, so Im not using it at present." Bu hugged Qin Guan and patted him on the back. "My good brother. I live on XX, XXX Road in the Haidian District. Ill return the sum to you in two months." Qin Guan struggled out of his embrace and grinned. "I dont need your money. Just add me to the shareholders of thepany. It could be considered an investment. Ha ha!" "You beat me! I had been nning on pulling you onto our boat anyway. As you like to say, no pain, no gain. Now that youre rich, youve gotten greedy, huh?" Bu Qinglu rxed and teased Qin Guan. It was better to have him join in. He and Wang were unrestrained men, so it was worth it to have Qin Guan join them with such a small share. When Qin Guan went abroad, they could contact each other through email. Wang didnt look happy about the good news. He was still lying on the couch just like he had been when Qin Guan had entered the room. They heard some steps up the stairs. Wenwen was standing at the door in a close-fitting ck dress. Wangs lifeless eyes shed. "Wen... Wenwen, why are you here?" Wenwen sneered coldly and threw a mini recording pen at his bare head. "No reason. I wanted to show you evidence of your sweethearts affair, but it seems unnecessary now!" She was about to turn around and leave, when Wang pulled her back from behind. Bu Qinglu and Qin Guan closed their mouths awkwardly. There must be a story here. Wed better leave. The door was closed. Wenwens voice could be heard indistinctly from inside, half-grumbling and half-struggling. "What are you doing? Do you know who really cares about you? Yes, yes..." Chapter 215: A Porch Light Chapter 215: A Porch Light Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Eavesdropping is immoral, Bu! Make some room for me, or Ill calcte our share on the original investment. F*ck! You have no idea what that even means!" They were eavesdropping on the drama inside happily. It should have been called "Beauty and the Beast". Life was dramatic. The right person in ones heart might not be truly the right one. A real soulmate might have been by ones side all along. Its the one waiting for you in the darkness, during your loneliest time. The one who is always there when youre tired or covered in dust. On his way back, Qin Guan sighed with emotion. Life kept ying jokes on them, and one of them was on him. It had only been a few days since the semester had begun, but Qin Guans roommates were already behind on everything. They were not in the right mood to appreciate the freshman girls. Graduation day was drawing near, leaving them with little time to spare. Cong Nianwei informed Qin Guan about their training ss, which was the first step for studying abroad. Qin Guan had to take time off to attend an evening party. Actually, he was rather disgusted by such activities, so he tried his best not to go. Unfortunately, his poprity was much higher than before, and his presence or absence would be noticed. That was a drawback of being a rising model. If Qin Guan wanted to stay in the circle, there was one kind of party that he had to attend, the public rtions parties of his 4A advertisingpany. Thatpany brought him the most profits anyway. It was not one 4Apany, but 10 4Apanies all over the capital who were holding that party together. If a model like Qin Guan dared to turn down the invitation, he would be kicked out of the advertising industry. Qin Guan put up with Sister Xues chattering as he changed into his first customized suit in a famous tailor shop in Wangfujing. It was a ck traditional two-piece European-style suit with a French shirt and a ck bowtie. Combined with the right silver Hermes sleeve buttons, he looked like a British nobleman. As Qin Guan got in his precious Cherokee, Sister Xue smacked her lips in disappointment. Qin Guans car did not match his outfit. He looked like a gentleman who intended to ride a four-horse European carriage to an extravagant evening ball, but had hijacked a Chicago gang ride instead. When they arrived at the parking lot of the club, that feeling only increased. The parking lot was as bright as day with shining lights. It was time for it to wake up. Luxurious Benz and Audi cars parked together weremon. asionally, there would be a petit Mini Cooper as soft and gentle as its female owner. Sister Xue silently parked the Cherokee on the edge of the lot. Its style and taste didnt match the party well. She entered the club ording to the instructions on the invitation. Miss Etiquette showed her around, giving her some general information about the private club. The club definitely deserved to be the venue of that evening party, as the arrangement and taste thereplimented the style of people engaging in the fashion industry. There was an elegant, dazzling dance hall and an exquisite self-service buffet. The most intimate element though was the cabs especially designed for couples. Talented businessmen could have red wine and experience the tea ceremony, as well as a private model performance and a rxing spa. No one could doubt the ces charm. As soon as they entered the hall, Qin Guan and Sister Xue walked up to the director of A.M. It was a sensible move, as this was Qin Guans clique. As their new exclusive model, he had to register with them first. Sister Xue presented her powerfulmunicative model. Qin Guan just needed to talk about his professional attainments and give them his most charming smile. The director of A.M was smiling so hard that his face looked as wrinkled as a chrysanthemum. After all, thepanies had simrities in their abilities and clients, which prevented them from beingpared to each other. They could only show off about their performance and resources. As part of the human resources of A.M, Qin Guan was the best asset they could disy. Right before Qin Guan had arrived, the director had watched the boss of Long Teng show off to theirmon clients about his capable model, Shao Xiaobing. Now his best model was there too. Letspare! Qin Guan was pushed into the crowd. He and Shao looked at each other silently for a long time. People engaging in the ad industry and brand businessmen were surrounding them, looking as if they were picking Chinese cabbages in the morning market. There was no pursuit of beauty in the eyes of businessmen, only value and profit. Beijing was no romantic Paris, avant-garde Mn, orpetitive New York. The capital was burgeoning, brisk and ready to start a great career. It rushed into the surging international financial world, leaving the original mysterious sense of beauty behind it. Cups were raised as light and shadow interweaved. The guests got gradually intoxicated during the charming feast and forgot about their original topics. Qin Guan sighed in relief. He was standing by a giant ss wall, looking at the busy streets of the East Third Ring under the cloud-kissed mansion. Suddenly, a naughty kid ran fast by him. In a trance, Qin Guan recalled a time one year ago, when a concert of cicadas and crickets could still be heard at night in the capital. Now there was only a chorus of trumpets and big crowds. People were anxious, seeking quick sess and instant rewards. This new exploration of fashion, film and TV would be smashed by Hollywood. Only the generation of directors in that old warehouse, who stuck by their dreams, would light up a porch light in the dark night. Chapter 216: The Mystery Woman Chapter 216: The Mystery Woman Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was holding a round ss, a light yellow liquid bubbling inside it. He was standing by the window, the dazzling light in the hall casting shadows around him. "I didnt think youd attend a business party," Shao said from behind him. Qin Guan didnt look back, but he left some space by the window for Shao. A pair of shining ck leather shoes came into his line of sight. A bottle of champagne was ced on the sill. "Do you know who they are?" Shao took a sip of champagne. Qin Guan shook his head. He turned around, following Shaos finger. They watched everyone make toasts, greet each other, kiss and dance in the hall, leaving the twinkling neon lights behind them. "20 percent of them are directors and senior executives of the top 10 4Apanies, and 60 percent are ad and PR representatives of big brands. The rest are rted media." "The party attracted nearly everyone in the advertising market in North China. Small-scale models were dying for an invitation." Shao turned his head to Qin Guans right. Qin Guan looked there and saw a model smiling and talking with a senior executive of an advertisingpany. If his memory served right, it had to be one of the top 10 contestants of the New Face Competition. At another table, a female model with an excellent figure and face was proposing a toast to the bosses. Qin Guan saw the PR representatives of Liuyanghe and Lanqin among the crowd. There were also senior executives of brands famous for their taste and style, such as Citizen and Hermes, who were looking around indifferently. Shao opened the champagne and filled his ss again. "Are you content with yourself, Qin Guan? You and me are qualified enough to stand next to them without ttering them. Do you know why?" "Its because of our value. We could bring a fortune to them, unlike those models who are begging for their mercy. We could make them money!" "How do you feel? You are ttered by others. Your boss shows off with you to people. We enjoy the same treatment as superstars. Its an honor, you should be proud! Ha ha!" Shao choked on his champagne. Qin Guan took the bottle and poured the liquid in his own ss. He had nothing to say to his insane rival. Shao grinned. He looked up with unparalleled elegance shining in his neutral expression. "Im not drunk. Ive never been this sober before. One day, Ill be at the top, where no one has ever been, you or anyone else. Everyone here will worship me, without exception." Qin Guan raised his head to finish the rest of his wine. He pointed to Shaos agent not far away before setting the ss down on the window sill. A drop of champagne was flowing down along its bottom, sad at being abandoned by him. Qin Guan didnt leave the party in advance, as that would have been impolite. He found a quiet ce to rest instead. With a professional smile, the staff of the club led Qin Guan to a side corridor behind the hall. After taking a turn, they reached a secret garden. The simple, unsophisticated gate was opened leisurely, revealing a private room with a wooden floor. The staff member retreated and bowed. "At your service. I hope you like it. 10 minutes before the party ends, Ille to get you." Qin Guan nodded in satisfaction and put his hands in his pockets, only to realize that he had no cash in his new suit. Bending forward, the staff member said sincerely, "Unlike other clubs, you dont need to pay a tip here." Qin Guan smiled awkwardly and walked into the elegant room. He took off his shoes and put them in the shoe cab in the corner, stepping on the slightly cool wooden floor. The staff member closed the gate behind him carefully. There was a sanders table, a simple, unsophisticated tea table and a dateless ancient Chinese zither in the room, which was filled with a coiling incense smoke. Qin Guan walked to the tea table and picked up a jar of scented tea from a well-arranged line of jars. Sitting before the tea table, he decided to make a cup of tea. On the noisy, depressing night of the party, he enjoyed some peace in that room. The jasmine was blooming in the hot water, dancing along with the tea leaves. What a wonderful time he was having there! Qin Guan hang his suit jacket up on the clothing rack and loosened his cuffs and bowtie, ready to enjoy his tea. The gate was suddenly pushed open with a bang, and a slightly drunkdy walked in, swaying while holding a cup of red wine. Before Qin Guan could speak, the beautiful woman shook her index finger at him in a naughty way and made a silencing gesture against her lips. She threw her high heels away and stepped on the wooden floor with bare feet. "Ouch! My silk stockings are torn!" She looked at a small hole on the sole of her foot nonchntly. Qin Guan looked at the smooth, mirror-like floor and muttered to himself, "Could you find a more believable excuse?" As he came back to reality, the woman pulled at a corner of her red skirt, intending to take off the silk stockings on the spot. Qin Guan coughed awkwardly, reminding her that there was a man present. The woman did not give a damn. She pulled at her skirt with one hand and waved Qin Guan over with the other. "Come help me, Qin Guan!" Qin Guan was stunned to hear his own name. "You know me?" Chapter 217: Nothing About Romance Chapter 217: Nothing About Romance Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Rubbish! I asked the staff to lead me to your room. Im here for you. Help me!" Qin Guan sat still. "Who are you? Im confident about my memory. Forgive me, but I have never met you before. What can I do for you?" The woman finished her wine and ced the cup on the floor. Her skirt was hanging down again. "Hey, Qinqin. Dont be so nervous. This is not funny. Youre wondering who I am?" She showed her shining ring to him. "What brand is this?" Qin Guan nced at it before replying, "Cartier." "Bingo! Good eyesight! Im Fang Meiya, the general director of Cartier in Asia. Im lonely. Could you keep mepany tonight?" Qin Guans eyes widened in astonishment. He had heard every word shed said, but failed to understand them. Before he coulde back to his senses, Fang hade closer. Her flying red skirt was like a dangerous poppy. Qin Guan gestured for her to stop and tried to persuade her, "You must be drunk. This is a tea room. Let me make you a cup of tea to sober you up." Fang Meiya was lost in the serious expression in his eyes. She smiled again. "You deserve your status in the modelling circle. Such good taste! Is this forey? Im looking forward to the real pleasure." Qin Guan wasnt moved by her words. He picked up a bucket of green tea from the shelf and got down to business. Fang Meiya watched the handsome young man with misty eyes. He looked like he had walked out of an ancient scroll. He was making a cup of hot tea for her, a stranger in that metropolis. Suddenly, she was reminded of another elegant person who used to make her tea when she returned home exhausted. Using his slender fingers, Qin Guan held the green cup up and served Fang. "Its hot. Be careful!" Fang scanned her prey for the night from head to hoe. Qin Guan smiled calmly. "I think you got drunk and mistook me for your lover. You remind me of my girlfriend too." Fang chuckled. She took a sip of tea and said, "Dont worry, I prefer my man to be willing so we can both experience pleasure. If theres a man willing to give up a forest for a single tree, no one will force him." Then she put down her cup and said, "Will you ept an offer from Cartier Asia?" Without thinking, Qin Guan answered, "Never!" The invitation was as in as water to him. Fangs eyes sparkled. She looked at Qin Guan as if he was a newly-released jewel of her brand. Her smile was splendid. "You make good tea, Qinqin." She handed him the cup, her eyes twinkling. Qin Guan epted the cup with a smile, ignoring her fingers scratching his palm. Fang sighed regretfully. Then she put on her high heels and blew Qin Guan a kiss. "Your agent has my business card. Call me if you want." Qin Guan smiled bitterly as he watched her walk away. What the hell was that? Id better return to the hall. The party ising to an end. Qin Guan didnt care about the incident. Not long after going out though, Fang found another smiling model waiting for her around the corner. "What about me? Am I qualified to spend a wonderful night with a lustfuldy?" Shao was leaning against the wall, looking at Fang with obvious desire. Fang stopped pretending to be drunk. She walked up to Shao in a powerful, arrogant manner. Their 20-centimeter height difference set off her petite, sweet figure. The dazzlingdy was full of ambition. She raised her hand and took Shaos jaw between her fingers. Shao lowered his head. They kissed without love or emotion, filled with authentic desire. They parted their lips, both of them out of breath. Fang Meiya closed her lips to spread her remaining lipstick evenly. She threw her key to Shao. "Pick me up after the party is over. The te number is 6668. Understand?" Shao Xiaobing wiped the red lipstick from his lips with his thumb and smiled charmingly. The key was swaying in his hand. They had a date. Qin Guan had no idea that someone else was dying for what he had rejected. He was leaving the feast with Sister Xue and the others. His mission there was done. Sitting on the back seat of the Cherokee, Qin Guan watched Sister Xue smoke before she started the car. They reported their achievements to each other as usual. "Do you know how many advertisements I got? Do you know how many big brands..." Sister Xue talked non stop. Qin Guan suddenly broke in, "Sister Xue, did you lead Fang Meiya to my room?" "What? Who is Fang Meiya?" "Stop pretending! You dont know Cartiers agent in Asia?" Chapter 218: My New Awesome Friend Chapter 218: My New Awesome Friend Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Sister Xue coughed awkwardly and suddenly pointed to the front with a quivering finger. Qin Guan craned his neck from the back seat and saw Shao help Fang open her Mini Cooper. Shao sat in the drivers seat. "How did they get together? Qin Guan, are you having an affair with her?" "What are you talking about? Do you think Im that kind of guy?" Qin Guan pretended to be angry. Embarrassed, Sister Xue exhaled a cloud of smoke. "I thought she wanted to take advantage of you, like those actresses. I had no idea. That sister is really open-minded. Shes from a foreign country. This is so romantic!" Qin Guan smiled helplessly. Open-minded is an understatement. The truth would shock the audience. Fortunately, my heart is taken, or the oue might have been different. Neon lights were shining in the dark night. It was sote that even the moon had fallen asleep. Qin Guan crept up to his dormitory, hung his suit on a hanger andy down on his bed. There was a distinct difference between the noisy party and his roommates snores. Qin Guan tried to recall some important information. Did I have the snow beef tonight? Thats terrible! The mad cow disease will break out in Japan in a few days! Then what? Im so sleepy. I should just sleep. Another note was added to the dormitory snoring concert. This was the nature of ordinary life. The simpler, the better. His girlfriend would neverugh at him for his moderate aspirations. Qin Guan didnt tell Cong Nianwei about the incident at the party. Most men had their secrets, and they kept them for self-protection or because they were ashamed. Hand in hand, they arrived at the training centre in the Handian District, which had been rmended by Cong Nianweis tutor. In the following days, theyd have to take the TOEFL, GRE or GMAT exam and apply to American universities with their scores. Time was pressing. Cong Nianwei had no time to waste. Both of them were good at English. What they needed was just some training before the exams. As thest ones to get there, they stood out among the group of students dreaming to go abroad. As soon as Qin Guan entered the ssroom, he noticed that the students were divided into two groups. The tutor was not there, so all the students looked at the two freshmen. The leaders of each group waved at them. "Sit here!" Silence prevailed. "Hey, those are hillbillies over there. Steer clear of them, or theyll break your fragile hearts!" said the student on the left side, who was wearing a fashionable outfit with golden chains. The student on the right side seemed more serious. He sneered at them, saying, "Look at their binder covers and shirts before you decide. Even money couldntpensate for their low IQ!" Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked down and saw the logos of their universities on their shirts and binder covers. The student on the left raised his middle finger towards the student on the right. "You are a just peasant! Students of famous universities are different from each other. Look at the boys Polo shirt and pants. Would a f*cking poor student be able to afford that?" Smiling, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a nce with each other before walking to the middle of the two groups, where two calm guys were seating. They were writing swiftly without looking up. "Rich kids are on the left side and poor students relying on schrships are on the right." Qin Guan pulled up the chairs in front of them and sat down. "We are neither." The two students raised their heads to size them up. "No wonder you didnt choose a side then. Are you going to study performance or art overseas?" the handsome guy asked Qin Guan. The other guy stared at Cong Nianwei and said, "Maybe hes a rich second generation heir going abroad for his girlfriend. Lets not invade their privacy." Cong Nianwei smiled and offered her hand. "Hello, Im Cong Nianwei. This is my boyfriend Qin Guan. Well be applying to different departments in the same university in the US. New York, as expected." The gentle student insisted on his viewpoint, "You are from QH. Judging by your age, you have only two options: Columbia or New York University. As for your boyfriend..." Qin Guan didnt feel offended. "My goal is MBA at Columbia." The student was shocked. He sized them up again and shook hands with them. "He Ming. And this is Guan Jian." The four of them shook hands with each other. The two group leaders coughed unnaturally, but remained silent. The tutor entered the ssroom and the lesson began. Cong Nianwei listened to him carefully, but Qin Guan felt that the lesson was too simple. His gifted memory was the best tool for learning vocabry. Cong Nianwei was jealous of Qin Guans confidence. She was good at professional studies, but Qin Guan was talented in characters andnguage. He Ming was doubtful of Qin Guan. As an international student, who had travelled all over the world with his parents, he dared not look down upon the GRE. How could that handsome guy be so confident? The GRE full mark was 1,600, but Qin Guan was sure that he would get at least 1,100 points. TOEFL focused on speaking, listening, reading and writing. Ivy League universities set high standards for that exam. Qin Guan began to yawn impatiently. He had originally thought there would be some kind of secret to sess. Could I skip some sses? The annoyed tutor counted the 99th yawn of the striking freshman. Pretending nothing had happened, he announced they would be taking a 15-minute break. As soon as the tutor went out with his teaching material, Qin Guan became the center of the room. In 2001, most students would choose the US as their destination, as the country was famous for its money, freedom and dreams. Some fashionable girls gathered around Qin Guan, attracted by his looks. Cong Nianweis sour look didnt stop them. "Hey, I know you! You are VOGUEs cover boy!" "Hes a model? But hes Zhang Changzhong, the toy boy from Daming Pce!" The brave girls wanted to push Cong Nianwei away and take the seat beside Qin Guan. Qin Guan stood up to protect Cong Nianwei. "He is so tall! And he has such a nice figure!" "Yes, he deserves to be a model! Take a photo with me!" The girl tried to lean on Qin Guans chest. The leaders of the two groups were watching them happily. Qin Guan patted his desk, making everyone fall silent. Then he pointed at Cong Nianwei and said, "This is my girlfriend. We are preparing to go abroad, just like you are. I hope we can all enjoy a good studying environment." Guan Jian, who was sitting behind Qin Guan, kicked the spare desk beside him and said, "Lan Jin and Cui Jun, control your groups. They are too noisy." The atmosphere was getting charged. Lan Jin, a red-haired boy, waved at the girls, indicating that they should keep a distance from the two demons. The girls from Cui Juns group, who had originally been watching silently, took this chance to walk away. Qin Guan looked at Guan in appreciation. Guan grinned and said honestly, "Dont thank me. I was also annoyed." Then he buried his face in a book and fell asleep. He Ming smiled and nced at both sides. The two leaders bent their heads unconsciously. Nothing else happened. It seemed that Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei had been epted by He and Guan. No one dared speak to them on their own initiative. Guan didnt show his face until the ss was over. When he stood up, Qin Guan realized he was even taller than him. Compared to him, He Ming looked much more preppy. They parted ways in the parking lot. One of them got in a military car with a te number "A" [1], and the other got in an embassy car [2]. They drove away, leaving smoke behind them. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] It means his parents were top military officers. [2] It means he had a family of diplomats. Chapter 219: Weirdos Are Everywhere Chapter 219: Weirdos Are Everywhere Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a nce and shrugged. It seemed that theyd made two extraordinary friends. Qin Guan was about to open the car door when he saw red hair poking out behind the rearview mirror. He shouted, "Lan Jin,e out! What are you doing?" Lan Jin came out, looking embarrassed. "I wanted to check your te. I was just curious." Qin Guan looked at his te. It was CXXXX [1], nothing special. Lan Jin looked around him. "I thought I could discover your identity from your te. Those two guys are showing off with their tes." "You are swimming in deep waters, Qin Guan. With your simple te andmon car, you seem like a typical Taoist. Dont worry, I wont say a thing! Where do you live? At No. 10 Yard or at Western Hill? Yuquang Hill? Diaoyutai? Zhongnanhai?" [2] Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. Qin Guan sniffled before replying, "I live on the Loess teau, where the strong winds blow [3]. Forget it, Im no one important. Dont think too much." Lan Jin scratched his head uncertainly, scanning Qin Guan from head to toe, "You could belong to a noble family from ancient times! Your surname is not Kong though. [4]" Qin Guan was amused. That boy was really funny. He patted him on the shoulder and said, "Youre thinking too much. Were just ordinary students. Were studying here to go abroad." Lan Jin smiled. Dazed, he replied, "I believe you. I believe you. But who can I believe in anyway?" Cong Nianwei covered her face. Qin Guan decided to use his mass destruction weapon, his beauty. That poor boy was brought under control atst. Lan Jin looked around and reminded Qin Guan in a low voice, "You dont need to worry about anything if those two ept you. I admire them for everything except their financial status. By the way, which country are you going to?" "The USA." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei found him funny. It was interesting to talk with him. "Aha! Destiny has tied us together. I also chose the USA. The consultant told me that I would definitely get epted. Im studying here only for the score." "Which university did the consultant rmend for you?" Cong Nianwei asked. "One in New York." "New York University?" Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei asked in one voice. "More or less. Theres two more characters though. Its New York City College. Isnt it awful? It belongs to the city government!" Cong Nianwei failed to answer him. Qin Guan was shameless and quick-witted though. "Yes, how awful! We may be in the same city. We should help each other. Its our destiny!" Lan Jin pped Qin Guan on the back and promised, "Abroad or not, well be good friends. Tell me if you have any difficulties." Then he pressed his key to unlock his car. Not far away, the headlights of a Ferrari sports car shed. Lan Jin left, looking back at them repeatedly and murmuring to himself, "F*ck! How can his Polo shirt look so good? The spring collection my father bought me looked really ugly on me. I have to talk with himter." The sports car roared to life and drove away. Qin Guan gestured for Cong Nianwei to get in the car. By then, another guy had run out towards him. "What the f*ck..." Qin Guan had gotten scared. He fixed his eyes on the guy. "Cun Jun? Why are you here?" Cui Jun smoothed his hair meticulously and told Qin Guan seriously, "I have to warn you, Qin Guan. You are dangerous now." Looking around nervously, Cun Jun went on, "You two have yielded to power and money. You could had been epted by our group of talented students with your high IQ and educational background. Why are you hanging around with Lan Jin and He Ming?" Qin Guanughed. "Youre too suspicious, Cun Jun. We make friends for pleasure. Why do you insist on the different groups?" "To be honest, those guys will embarrass Chinese people in foreign countries. They will pay rubbish universities for a diploma. We are different. We apply to the best universities and aim for schrships. We symbolize the honor of our country." Qin Guan shook his head. Cong Nianwei seemed impatient with the crazy boy. They both got in the car. "Tens of years ago, you would have been considered a traitor. Keep your word on the US campus." "And which famous university did you choose?" "Columbia, New York, Princeton... All of them. Ill pick the best one depending on their offers." You are that much of a genius that youll get to select one of the top 10 Ivy League universities? Qin Guan sneered and closed the door with a bang. Smoke was blown into Cuns face while he was stillining in the void, dark parking lot. "Hey! Thats so impolite! We are ssmates! You could have at least offered to give me a ride!" Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] The mostmon te number for cars registered in Beijing. [2] The ces where the most important political leaders in China live. [3] A famous folk song in the 1980s. Qin Guan is making a joke here. [4] Hes referring to the family of Confucius, the noblest family in China thousands of years ago. Chapter 220: Outburst Chapter 220: Outburst Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianwei was out of breath fromughing. Qin Guan drove away, humming a song. They had prepared a thesis in advance, so the training was not that interesting for them. They had originally nned on skipping most courses, but in the end they decided to continue. Only Qin Guan was worried about his application. Cong Nianweis tutor had applied for public funding on her behalf. Unless something terrible happened, she would be a postgraduate student at the Department of Civil Engineering at Columbia University. Qin Guan had to try harder in his courses, as he didnt want to study at somemunity college in New York. On September 11th, 2001, they entered the ssroom, expecting to have fun. The course that day was prehensive question-spotting cram school before the exams", which sounded necessary and really interesting. The atmosphere was friendly and warm when they got there. Seats had been reserved for them. Other students were sleeping or reading in the back, paying no attention to them. The color of Lan Jins hair was really attractive that day. There were blue stripes on its red canvas. The tutor went in and began his lecture. "Now lets rify the different question types..." Suddenly, there was noise in the corridor. "Boy Lan! Boy Lan! Where are you? My good boy!" a voice said in anguish. "Mum?" Lan Jin looked at his watch doubtfully. It was before 10:00 p.m. His mother, who liked to watch TV shows, should have been at home at the time. "Mum? Im here!" Lan Jin stood up and gestured to the tutor apologetically. He went out to find his mother. "My dear boy! Youre still alive! Come home with me! You wont study or go abroad." The portly middle-aged woman burst into tears. "Whats the matter, mum? I have to go abroad for father. I have to take over our business in the future." "Studying! What the f*ck is that even about? I wont let you die for that. Lets go home. Ill tell your father. You can just study in China, you dont have to go anywhere." She wiped her snot with a handkerchief and pulled her son outside. "Mum, stop that right now! Whats the matter? What happened? I have already paid the consultant!" "Darling,e home with me. Watch the TV news. Two tall buildings in the US copsed. Such tall buildings!" A thought struck Qin Guan and he turned to Lan Jin. "That woman is really anxious. Something must have happened. Lets go have a look. This course is not that important." Lan was pulled out helplessly. They heard their conversation from afar. "How did you get here, mum?" "My boy, I was so worried about you." All the students returned to their seats. The tutor announced solemnly, "sses are suspended for today. Go back and watch the news, everyone. Reconsider your applications for US universities. Dismissed!" The ssroom was in uproar. Qin Guan and the other students drifted apart without any word. On the way to QH, Qin Guan recalled the tragedy in the US that day. Two airnes hijacked by terrorists had dashed towards the two buildings of the World Trade Centre in New York, which had copsed after the attack. The other five buildings of the World Trade Centre had copsed from the shock. Then another hijacked ne had crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, part of which had been destroyed. 2,996 people had been killed and 200 billion US Dors had been lost. And that was only the influence on the US. ording to UN statistics, the damage to the global economy had reached 1,000 billion US Dors. There was also an influence to the Middle East policy and the pattern of the world, which were quite far from Qin Guan. Their prospects in the US were difficult to predict though. After the event, even US people themselves questioned national security. Although the US government set stricter standards for exit and entry to the country, US universities opened their arms to students from all over the world to show their sincerity in solving the problem. How Cong Nianwei wished she could greet students with open arms and shout, "Come here! Were safe!" Qin Guan thought he was a really lucky guy. His country was the best. He parked the car under Cong Nianweis dormitory building. Cong Nianwei got out, and Qin Guan waved at her and kissed her on the forehead. "Watch the news first. Then have a good rest. Call meter." Cong Nianwei smiled gently. "Okay." Qin Guan didnt start his car until Cong Nianwei waved at him from the balcony. Life is fragile. The world is unpredictable. I should cherish the people close to me. His ringing phone broke his reverie. He nced at the screen. It was Sister Xue. Perplexed, he answered it. "Hello? Whats the matter? Okay, Ill be there tomorrow." Qu Xuemei, the chief editor of VOGUE, wanted to meet with him. After their cooperation on the cover, Qin Guan had only kept in touch with her staff. What could she want? Chapter 221: A Seductive Test Chapter 221: A Seductive Test Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The next day, Qin Gun sat in Qus office while the strict woman scanned him over. "Look!" With a confused expression, Qu sized him up for a full 10 minutes before she threw a pile of newspapers to him. Sister Xue and Qin Guan exchanged a nce before reading through them. "Ms. Fang Meiya, the General Agent of Cartier Asia Attends the Asia New Prominent Jewellery Fair with Shao Xiaobing" "Shao Xiaobing, the New Ambassador of Cartier Asia" "Cartier gship Stores Open in Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore, Posters of Shao Xiaobing Make a Stir" They looked up with a meaningful smile. Both of them recalled the scene in the parking lot after the party. Qu Xuemei sighed. "Tell me, what happened? I promoted Qin Guan to Fang, so where did Shaoe from? Tell me the truth! Dont tell me any rubbish about inferior capabilities." "What? You rmended Qin Guan to Fang?" Sister Xue was surprised. "Do you think she would ask for the phone number of an agent otherwise? There are plenty of agents clustering around her." "We were schoolmates at Harvard. I knew you would attend the party, so I called her to rmend Qin Guan." Sister Xue and Qin Guan exchanged another nce. How can I exin that her schoolmate wanted to f*ck me? Its hard to say this out loud! Qu smiled and said, "Xue, leave us alone." Sister Xue was confused, but she obeyed. She went out and sat down on a couch to rest. When Qin Guans fan, Qus secretary, gave her a cup of coffee, the shades of the chief editors office suddenly went down. Qin Guan sat awkwardly on the couch, the ss wall just behind him. Qu was half-kneeling on the armrest, pulling the rope of the shades. Qin Guan had to shrink against the couch. Qus full bosom was just in front of his eyes. ckce was visible through her white shirt. Qu threw away the rope and opened her pink lips. "I know her well. Did she act like this that day?" Suddenly, she pulled loose the prim bun on her head. Long ck hair with natural curls poured down. Qin Guan could smell jasmine. A strand of naughty hair gently touched his face, making him move to the center of the couch in embarrassment. Qu smoothed her hair down and took off her golden-framed sses. She stared at Qin Guan with misty eyes. "Did she act like this?" Qin Guan realized her pupils were hazel, shining mysteriously like amber. Confused, he started shaking his head gently. What does she want? "What did she do then? Tell me." Her voice gradually lowered, her trim fingernails reaching for the buttons on Qin Guans shirt. The first one on his neckline was unfastened easily. "Stop! Stop! Stop! Ill tell you!" Qin Guan told her everything, although she seemed like apletely different person. As he talked fast, his words were like bullets being shot from a machine gun. "Thats what happened. Your friend left after getting rejected. I dont know what happened afterwards, but I saw Shao driving Fangs car in the parking lot. They left together." Qin Guan dared not move. He could smell the Chanel on her body. "s! So many years have passed, but she remains the same. She can lure any man to her bed." Satisfied with Qin Guans story, Qu stood up and walked back to her desk leisurely, leaving a hint with her body, reminding Qin Guan that what had just happened had not been an illusion. She pulled her hair back and put on her sses. She was a professional again. "I misjudged you. You are such an honorable young man. Its hard to tell from your appearance." You underestimated me. Do I seem like some random person? Qin Guan thought to himself proudly. "I thought no domestic model could resist an offer from her. But what do I see now? Youre like a panda sitting in front of me. Are you an idiot, Qin Guan? Did you have to bribe someone to get your diploma?" Qus attitude suddenly changed. "That offer could have helped you so much! You would have to struggle for a shorter time. Or were you just afraid that she would ask for something more in the future? You are turning 20 this year. Dont be so naive!" Qin Guan shrugged. Actually, Im already 56. Youd be scared to death if I told you the truth. Staring at her with a sincere expression in his eyes, he switched to actor mode. "I know you want me to advance in my career and gave me a chance to soar up into the sky, but I have principles. I would never betray my girlfriend. Besides, I can use my looks to get other things I want. I had to be responsible for both me and Ms. Fang." His young handsome face was shining with a devout, fervent light. Qus eyes twinkled, as if she was holding something back. She took a pile of paperwork from a drawer and threw it to Qin Guan. "Okay, principled man! Ill give you a chance on your abilities alone. This brand is looking for an ambassador in Asia. Go to the audition!" Chapter 222: Raising One’s Status Chapter 222: Raising Ones Status Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan read the paperwork page by page. He looked up in disappointment. "Its Citizen. Chief Editor Qu, I think I deserve Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin. Piaget and Roles would also be eptable." Qu was left speechless by his boasting. She threw an eraser at him to shut him up. "You idiot! You let Cartier go! Do you think I can find another good chance like that in Asia? Stop dreaming! Citizen is good enough for you. Youre only a B level model after all. Go to the audition first." Qin Guan caught the eraser in the air and gave her an apologetic smile. "Dont be angry, Sister Qu. Ill pass the audition for you." Qu Xuemei burst intoughter. A smile on her serious face was like a beautiful flower in the snow. "You are really optimistic. Youll bepeting against Jincheng Wu, Fanting Longshi, Fushanyazhi and Zhang Dongjian. They are a lot more popr than you. Besides, theyve had leading roles in films and TV shows. Sure youll pass the audition!" Qin Guan choked when he heard the names she mentioned. "Are you kidding me, Sister Qu? With so many choices, why would they even decide to have an audition?" Qu sneered at him. "Thats why I call you an idiot. They are all top actors in their own nations, but when shepherds quarrel, the wolf wins. Understand? So long as the final choice is not made, you have a hope." "Besides, you are cheaper and you have a charming face. If you fail to beat the men, you couldpete with the women. There are alsodies watches in there." Qin Guan cleared his throat awkwardly. "Who are the femalepetitors?" Where is your dignity? Do you really n topete with thedies? Qu smiled proudly. "Let me see. Kyoko Fukada..." "Stop!" Qin Guan broke in. It was better topete against the men and have a chance to cooperate with beautiful girls. Qu didnt know his n though. "Okay, just read the material carefully at home. Ill inform Sister Xue." Qin Guan nodded tamely and began to arrange all the paperwork. Qu felt strange. "What? A chance is not enough? You want me to treat you to dinner too? So much for today. What are you waiting for?" Qin Guan seemed hesitant to speak. "No, but just now... You and me..." Qu pointed to the door. "What do you mean? What happened just now? I just like to intimidate others. Whats the matter?" "Nothing, Its fine. I have to go. Bye!" Qin Guan let out a long sigh of relief and smiled. The door was shut. Qu opened the shades and watched Qin Guan, who was talking enraptured with Sister Xue. Her secretary was busy making tea for him as he dealt with her enthusiasm clumsily. Qu burst intoughter again. That was a very different boy. Qu had thought deeply for a long time before she had rmended Qin Guan to Fang. Then he had appeared in her office again. She couldnt tell if she was disappointed or happy about it. People set different moral standards for themselves. Qu had a different view on temptation. Fang was only a small failure for Qin Guan, but she had taken a big step forward. She returned to her desk. There was an email draft on her PC screen addressed to the VOGUE headquarters. Qu decided to wait for the results of the Citizen audition before sending it. By then, Qin Guan might help her get a promotion. Qin Guan had no idea about that. He was only focused on his courses, his job and his happy life. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei went upstairs hand in hand. The building was scarily empty that day. Their steps echoed in the corridor. They entered the ssroom and saw that less than half of the students had showed up. It seemed that 9/11 had influenced their ns for studying overseas. Both Lan Jin and Cun Jun were not in attendance. When they sat in their usual seats, the two guys behind them greeted them nonchntly, "Hello!" It was great to see such calm faces. Just before the ss started, a redhead poked his head inside the door. "Aha! Im notte!" Lan Jin rushed into the ssroom with his shining red hair and jangling essories. He noticed Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei right away and ran over to them. Surprised, Qin Guan stared at him. "You convinced your mother to let youe?" Lan pointed at himself proudly. "Of course! I watched the news. Wow! It was just like an American blockbuster! My father and I were amused. The old fogey is not sympathetic at all. He wants to send me to the US for gold ting. Hes taking pleasure in their misfortune. We convinced my mother. Nothing can stop a real man like me from going to the US!" Chapter 223: Sister Xues Cold Reception Chapter 223: Sister Xues Cold Reception Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. The tutor said from behind Lan, "Please sit back down. Well begin our ss now." Lan gestured at Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei before stealing a nce at the two guys behind them. "See you after ss." Before his voice could fade away, He Ming spoke out, "Boy Lan, sit there." "What?" The three of them were taken back. Guan Jianughed. "Good Boy Lan. You, the redhead! Sit there. Never change seat." All kinds of feelings welled up in his heart. Lan Jin had no idea what was going on. Shall I thank Qin Guan for this or my mother? After such a long training course, he was finally epted by that mysterious group. He snorted and nced at his previous seat proudly. The surrounding students were looking at him with a slightly confused, jealous expression. Lanughed and pulled out the chair on the other side of Qin Guan, holding his head high. He sat down as if he was about to die a martyrs death. Cui Jun didnt attend the ss that day. Maybe the coward wouldnt be back anytime soon. If he did, he would beat his chest and stamp his feet in anger. Lan finished the ss in a daydream. He fit in with that group naturally with his funny behavior. Qin Guan was living a happy life while Sister Xue was having great trouble. She had been left at the reception hall of the Citizen offices in Beijing for over an hour. Their meeting time was postponed again and again. Sister Xue looked at her watch impatiently and walked up to the reception desk. "May I know when theyll receive me? Ive been waiting for a long time. Im also busy myself." Actually, Sister Xue was lying. Huang Bo had joined a new show one week ago. She waspletely free. So what though? It was impolite to bete for a meeting. The girl behind the reception desk was in a pickle, when suddenly a smiling assistant walked over and took a 90-degree bow before Sister Xue. "Sorry for the dy. My director had another meeting. Its finished now. Follow me, please." Sister Xue held her temper in check. She was not ustomed to such courtesy. She followed the assistant along a long corridor and pushed the door of the directors office open. There were two serious men sitting in the office. One of them was old with grey hair. He was sitting on a guest seat, while the owner of the office was standing beside him, listening to his words and nodding repeatedly. Sister Xue and the assistant waited outside until they finished their conversation. Then they walked in at the directors indication. Shanchuanyour was afraid, as the board of directors of the Citizen group had just divided the 56 branches into two parts. The general manager of East Asia, old Mr. Zhuchuanlongfu, had suddenly arrived in China that day. Shanchuan was a little nervous. He was wondering if Mr. Zhuchuan would be satisfied with his business arrangement in China. He felt sorry for unlucky Sister Xue. He asked Mr. Zhuchuan silently out of consideration, and the old gentleman gestured to him in invitation, indicating that Shanchuan could go on with his work. Shanchuan nodded at his assistant, who led Sister Xue to another couch and gently closed the door. They didnt beat around the bush. They made their intentions clear right away and got straight to the point. Sister Xue was promoting Qin Guan, saliva sshing out of her mouth. The two Japanese men couldnt control themselves. They smiled. "Ms. Xue, arent you exaggerating a little? This is just a routine meeting before the audition. Arent you afraid the boy will disappoint uster?" Sister Xue sneered and apologized right away, "Im not sneering at you, but at the way youre thinking. You dont believe me. There is an old Chinese saying that says that seeing is believing though, so let me show you my best model." She handed Qin Guans zed cards to them. Sister Xue had yed a little word trick here. She had only one model, so Qin Guan was of course the best one. Zhuchuan and Shanchuan took the cards with a smile. They had met plenty of olddies in Japan who liked to make a mountain out of a molehill. They fell silent right away. Sister Xue looked at them with contempt. Do you believe me now? Mr. Zhuchuan didnt say anything, but he kept caressing the VOGUE cover photo for a long, long time. Shanchuan had to speak. Coughing, he said, "I apologize for my attitude. Its true that facts speak louder than words. Im shocked by your model. I originally thought Japanese stars such as Fushan, Fanding and Jincheng Wu, who are half-Japanese, have god-sent beauty. I cant believe we found someone better than them." Sister Xue raised her eyebrows proudly. Living in such a tiny area has limited your vision. You didnt trust me, but now youve been rendered speechless, huh? Shanchuan coughed softly and put Qin Guans cards on the table. "Mr. Qin has some practical drawbacks though. Take Mr. Jincheng for example. He has plenty of fans for his films in Hong Kong and the maind. The other Japanese stars also have a great reputation in Asian entertainment circles. Mr. Qin is too far behind to catch up with them." Chapter 224: Profound Historical Accumulation Chapter 224: Profound Historical umtion Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Mr. Qin can be considered a rising star in the modelling circle, but he is not that famous in the TV and film circle. As far as I know, he has co-starred in two TV shows. He is not that influential." Sister Xue had been attacked at a crucial point. She tried to exin awkwardly, "Mr. Qin has acted in three TV shows and three advertisements. Besides, he is on the cover of VOGUE China. That ck-and-white photo is his current image." The two men read the material carefully again. Sister Xue went on, "Plus, this is only a primary negotiation. I would suggest that you see him in person before we discuss this any further." "I know that model selection is decided by the Marketing Department, but if Chief Editor Qu rmended me to you, this means that you choose brand ambassadors very carefully. Its necessary for you to see the model personally." Suddenly, Changchuan, who had remained silent thus far, opened his mouth. "You make a good point. We are strict with our ambassador in 2002, because we have a brand new producting out this year. Its a sr watch fordies. The model for the mens mechanical watches will cooperate with the female model, so we have to be extremely strict. May I have the honor of meeting Mr. Qin?" This sharp turn astonished Shanchuan and Sister Xue. "Of course, my pleasure." Sister Xue and Zhuanchuan smiled. "Ill decide the ce, and you can choose the date. Is that okay for you?" Zhuanchuan touched the photo and smiled. "Sure, Ms. Xue." Sister Xue waved farewell to the two directors after those good news. She had to prepare before making the final shot. She called Qin Guan and invited Professor Li. After getting a general idea about the process, Professor Li said thoughtfully, "Listen to me, we have to find Teacher Rong." That was why Teacher Rong saw those three special guests at her gate. She invited them in calmly. In the main hall, she asked, "Tell me, whats the matter?" Professor Li was unpleasant. "Why? I cant visit you unless theres something wrong? You have a point though. I need your help." Finally, they made a decision. Teacher Rong was unsatisfied with their nervousness. "Take it easy. Why are you guys so serious about that Japanese brand?" As a history tutor, Teacher Rong said angrily, "Its only a tiny ind." Sister Xue tried to tter her, "Exactly, they are just a bridge for us. Theres no right job for Qin Guan. He wants to be famous not just in China, but all over Asia. Besides, we want to shock those Japanese guys with your skills. They admire Chinese culture the most." Teacher Rong was convinced by Sister Xue. I should do my best if I decide to give a hand. She sized Qin Guan up and said, "Come over tomorrow, Qin Guan. Ill find something better for you." Professor Li knew her old friend really well. She would cheer up with anything concerning national pride. How fast time flied! It was already time for the meeting. It was September in Beijing. The autumn sky was clear, the air was crisp and the scenery was beautiful. Zhuchuanlongfus business car headed downtown. He was wearing a casual outfit and watching the historical sights outside, hitting a folding fan against his hand. "The essence of the old capital is definitely in Shichahai. " For a city without a river, Shichahai was beautiful. There were many historical sites, such as the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, Song Qinglings former residence, and the Prince Gong Mansion. It would be wonderful to have quadrangle dwellings there. One could cultivate oneself inside and enjoy theke outside. Zhuchuan was getting more and more surprised. As a foreigner, he could notice the scarcity of residences in Shichahai. What was Qin Guans real identity? He parked his car in Yar Hutong. Words couldnt express his feelings. There were only three gates on the street, which meant that there were only three house masters. Shanchuan was even more surprised than him. He kept thinking, "Surely, this doesnt mean that Qin Guan is something more than a model?" With that question in mind, they walked up to therge gate. Stone lions stood on both its sides. The assistant walked up the stairs paved with green rocks. The redcquer gate was even higher. The assistant stood on his toes to reach the copper ring. ng, ng. They could hear ancient, mysterious echoes. Not long after, a man answered the door in an authentic capital ent. "Who is it?" Chapter 225: Who Said the City Was not Literary? Chapter 225: Who Said the City Was not Literary? Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The assistant checked his clothes unconsciously and stood up straight. "Excuse me. We were invited by Ms. Xue to meet Mr. Qin Guan." The gatekeeper answered, "Okay, one second." They heard the sound of the bolt, and then the gate was opened. A gatekeeper in a two-piece set made of blue satin was standing there with a smile. "Are you Mr. Zhuchuan? Mr. Qin has been waiting for you for a long time. Follow me, please." Zhuchuans attention was attracted by the lively stone lions. It was said that in ancient China, only high-rank feudal officers and noble families could put lions at their gates. The Chi dragon on the roof beams also enchanted him. His ancestors were definitely among the intelligentsia! He focused again as the gatekeeper invited them in. They kept taking deep breaths as they entered. There was a grand yard 100-meters long, covered by the shadows of trees. There were two paths with red wooden pirs and a roof. The gatekeeper pointed to the right. "Follow me, please." They walked along the corridor on the right, flowers blooming on both their sides. The ground of the yard was paved with old giant green stones. They turned into a small hall after a minute. The gatekeeper didnt follow them in. He brushed his sleeves lightly and bowed before them. "Im on duty. Please wait for a while. The steward ising." Then he left silently. They were confused. What do you mean? You wont lead us to Qin Guan? Youre only a gatekeeper? How awful! Zhuchuan was immediately attracted by the arrangement inside the hall. A scroll of calligraphy was hanging on the wall. It was the name of the hall, "Breeze Pavilion". Gasping in admiration, he sat in a chair across from it, ready to appreciate the work. By then, another person had entered through the side door of the hall. The man was dressed in the same blue satin clothes, but with moreplicated embroidery. He had an ever-smiling expression. "Sorry Imte. Im the steward. Mr. Qin has been waiting for you for quite a long time. We were originally going to serve you tea, but Mr. Qin doesnt want a bigger dy. He would like to meet you now." Zhuchuan nodded. He was extremely curious. If the reception hall was that extraordinary, then what would the living room be like? They followed the steward along the pebbled path, through the flowery courtyard, to the deepest part of the yard. The redcquer gate was opened, revealing a secret garden from another time. Traditional rednterns were hanging above them. A towering ss house reminded them that this was not really an ancient yard. A tall pomegranate tree was enveloped by the colorful ss house. The steward pushed the door open gently. The sunshine fell through the leaves of the trees, leaving flecks on the benches under them. In the middle of the room, on a dragon-carved rosewood bench, a young man was reading an ancient thread-bound book. He was wearing a ck silk gown that did not look old-fashioned. The silver embroidery on the corners made it gorgeous. There was a traditional rosewood table beside him. A purple teapot and a bowl were on it. Nothing else. Steam was hovering around him, making the young man look like an immortal. The visitors felt seduced by the charming autumn, the beautiful yard and the outstanding young man. They were lost in thought, when someone suddenly coughed behind them. "My dear guests, why dont you enter? You should remind our distinguished guests, steward." Sister Xue presented herself proudly. Ha ha! You are all rubbishpared to my boy! Following Sister Xue, the visitors entered the dreamlike greenhouse. They felt like they were in heaven as they approached Qin Guan. Smiling, Qin Guan put his book down and stood up. He stretched his jade-like hands towards them, gesturing for them to take a seat. They sat on old chairs, polished by age. They were surprised to find themfortable. With their typical structure, the chairs invited people to lean against their back. That was what Zhuchuan did. He leaned his back against the chair, surprising his assistant. Our boss never rxes before an audience! He must have done it by ident. The steward retreated from the greenhouse. Not long after, several middle-ageddies put a tea set on each table beside the chairs. As the steam rose up, the guests could see the color of their tea. It was golden, like amber. There was the natural fragrance of orchid in the air. Zhuchuan held his cup up and took an appreciative sip. "Clouds and mist alwayse from clear rivers and high mountains. The monks at temples nt tea trees, which swallow the air on the hills, bathe in sunshine and moonlight, and get the essence of the morning and evening glow..." Qin Guan was reading ancient poems. In the innermost corner of the greenhouse, a maid was ying a Chinese zither. The Chrysanthemum blossoms were waiting to burst open, and the incense sticks were burning. They all watched Qin Guan. It seemed like time was flowing back in that greenhouse. They were watching a young man living in a yard and making a cup of tea on an ordinary morning. Zhuchuan showed his cup to Qin Guan, who smiled gently and said, "Tieguanyin [1], from Anxi Town." Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Tieguanyin was one of the top 10 traditional teas in China. It was found between 1723 and 1735 in Anxi Town in the Fujian Province. Chapter 226: Making A Decision Chapter 226: Making A Decision Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Grinning, Sister Xue raised her eyebrows at Shanchuan. Qin Guan didnt pay attention to the others. He just stared at Zhuchuan. "Its boring to talk about business on such a fine day, amid such beautiful scenery. I think you have achieved your aim." Zhuchuan fixed his eyes on him for a long while, losing himself in his memories. After a full ten minutes, he stood up and smiled. "You are right." There was a 20-centimeter height difference between the old man and the young man, but their backs were in harmony as they walked out. It seemed like they were old friends. When the two enigmatic men left, Sister Xue and Shanchuan began to debate right away. After three pots of tea and five portions of Chinese dessert, they stopped, contented and aware that the real heroes were not back yet. They exchanged a doubtful nce and stood up together. Their rumpling stomachs betrayed their appetite. They changed the topic awkwardly. "Where did they go?" "Its meaningless for the two of us to talk, Sister Xue. Wed better find the two decision-makers." With a faint smile on his face, the steward led them around the greenhouse and into the master living room. They found the two men in the open hall. They were ying Go calmly. Qin Guan was using the ck pieces and Zhuchuan the white ones. It was a stalemate. Sister Xue and Shanchuan didnt dare interrupt them. At Zhuchuans indication, they approached and stood by their sides. "Finished?" Zhuchuan pressed a piece onto the chessboard. Shanchuan bowed reverently. "Yes!" "Its time for chatting. I know the Chinese like to discuss business affairs during their leisure time. I know that. My mother is Chinese, so Im half-Chinese myself." Shanchuan was surprised. He hadnt known about that secret part of his life. He tried to concentrate and lower his voice. "Yes!" Nothing could bother Qin Guan though. He moved another piece. Staring at the board, Zhuchuan said, "Its difficult to decide about the advertisement in Japan, but I can make a decision about the Asian branches." He picked up a white piece from the chess basket and threw it down again. Shanchuan wanted to speak, but on second thought he didnt. Then he said, "Ill invite Qin Guan to our show. Lets take it easy. The ambassador should carry out his duties. I dont care about the headquarters in Japan. We are in charge of the Asian market, so its better to have a long-term perspective." If we look at this from a long-term perspective, we should go with Jincheng Wu. Hes half-Chinese, half-Japanese after all. "Thats my final decision. Tell me about your price level, my little friend." Zhuchuanlongfu saw that he was losing, so he threw the piece back with a smile. Qin Guan looked at Sister Xue and sat up straight. "Five million a year." Shanchuan nearly spat out blood. Thats ckmail! Ame with indignation, he said, "Impossible! Our superstar Fantingyashi asked for two million RMB a year! Thats too much!" Qin Guan looked at him as if he was an idiot. "Five million Japanese Yen. I was talking in your currency." Shanchuan calcted quickly in his mind. Thats only 300,000 yuan. Great! The Japanese were always polite. Shanchuan changed his attitude right away. He bowed before Qin Guan and said, "Im really sorry for my impatience. Im clear about your price now." He nced at Zhuchuan and saw his boss nod slightly, thankful for the prices of Chinese stars. They had the right to make their own prices ording to the trends of the market-oriented economy. They couldnt have signed a contract with a second-line Japanese star at such a low price. Jincheng Wu wouldnt agree to such a price, but it would be a surprise to hire Qin Guan. One year would be alright for him. A yearter, he would go to the US and leave the Asian market. It was a win-win situation. Qin Guan and Sister Xue escorted them out and saw them drive away in the distance. Then they high-fived each other in celebration. Shanchuan sat beside Zhuchuan and inquired respectfully, "If you made a decision, Ill report back to the headquarters and wait for their reply." Zhuchuan nodded and stared at the scenery outside, which was retreating slowly. "You must be curious about why Im so interested in an unknown Chinese star." Shanchuan lowered his head and replied, "I wouldnt dare question you." "Qin Guan reminded me of my mother. She was as beautiful as the young man in the pictures..." He was lost in memory. Shanchuan dared not raise his head. He had to hide his expression from his boss. Liar! If your mother was as elegant as Mr. Qin, why are you so ugly? Its terrible to beautify memory so much! Zhuchuan rested his jaw gently on his hands. "My mother was like Qin Guan. She was born in an ancient noble family. Thats why she could bring me back to Japan." Thats impossible, Mr. Zhuchuan! Judging by your surname, you have nothing to do with royalty. How could a rich youngdy marry a peasant in Kanagawa? "Mr. Shanchuan, Citizen is in danger. We had only one office in Hong Kong back in 1987, but the sales volume had reached one million that year. These days though? More than 10 years have passed, and our sales volume has dropped to no more than 100,000!" Chapter 227: The Meritorious People Backstage Chapter 227: The Meritorious People Backstage Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "That means that Chinese people have a broader vision and more choices, so we have to bring in our new products this year. The parentpany has set high expectations for you. Well establish offices in every big city in China." "China will restore her status in Asia... Just like my mother, whos still retaining her graceful upbringing..." Shanchuan was clever enough to give up the debate on this. Ignorance was bliss after all. In the fairy-like yard, Qin Guan was celebrating his sess with Teacher Rong. It was like an ocean of joy. The gatekeeper, steward, maids, yer and the fake hosts were congratting each other. Sister Xue gave Teacher Rong a thumbs-up. She was curious about how Teacher Rong had made such a perfect arrangement. Teacher Rong pointed at Qin Guans costume. "It could be used as a formal outfit. I helped Liang Shuping, the inheritor of Jing Embroidery, apply it to non-material cultural heritage. Its her work. Shes unparalleled in China." Then she pointed at a beautiful girl sitting between the flowers. "This is Wang Yanran, a student at the Central Conservatory of Music. She majors in ssical musical instruments. You should call her Senior Sister." Wang Yanran craned her neck from behind Teacher Rong. Her ck phoenix eyes twinkled at Qin Guan. Wow! She looks like a portrait of ady in ancient times. It was rare to see such a pure girl in that annoying city. Qin Guan was a little shy. "Hello, Senior Sister." Wang Yanran smiled at Qin Guan. That handsome boy seems like hes from ancient times himself. "Hello, Junior Brother." She raised her arched eyebrows slightly and gently opened her small red lips. She spoke without exposing her teeth. Her soft words made the audience shiver. Qin Guan supported his body against the wall to prevent himself from copsing. Teacher Rong pointed at the steward. "The original host of the yard employed a professional group to arrange it." They all expressed their appreciation to Qin Guan, holding drinks and food in their hands. Qin Guan had covered all the expenses. With tears in his eyes, he turned around, waiting to hear the story of the yard. "This yard belongs to an old friend of mine. They are abroad, so I borrowed it for the day. You dont need to know their identity." Qin Guan understood. "Not long ago, I visited some small quadrangle dwellings that cost unbelievable prices. This must be much more expensive." Teacher Rong nodded. "Especially considering the area its in." "Well done for today! I hope you can achieve everything you want with your own effort, instead of asking help from other people." She patted Qin Guan on the back kindly. Wang Yanran said in a soft voice, "This is bias. He can do anything with his face!" They allughed together. The shaking leaves seemed to be talking in the autumn breeze, their happy voices flying high in the sky. With a basin and a towel in hand, Qin Guan went out of the public bathroom in his slippers. After a busy day, a hot shower was the best way to rx. On the way to his dormitory, the students passing by couldnt control their eyes. Senior Qin is here. He will graduate in one year. We have to take this chance and enjoy meeting him while we can. More and more students clustered around him. "Senior Qin, what are your future ns? Will you do your postgraduate degree at our university?" "Senior Qin, you are not in a TV show this year. Why? Is it because your perfect looks limit your development, as somementators have said?" "Senior Qin, I like you..." The crowd was like a snowball, gettingrger andrger. Qin Guan covered his chest with the basin and the towel. What do you all want? "Hey, thats my body wash!" "Its only an old towel! Im not lying to you. Stop, its torn!" "Hey! Those slippers cost only eight yuan. Theyre not worth..." "Give them back to me! How will I walk back without slippers?" Qin Guan was doing all he could to resist, when suddenly his reinforcements arrived. Led by Ye Dong, his roommates dropped from heaven in a formidable array. "What are you doing? Stop! You are students at our college! Do you have no shame? Youre the same as crazy idters! You! I know what you boys do! You just aim at the girls!" The boys ran away immediately. "And you! Ive told you many times that Qin Guan is not gay! Hes not! Yet you dared bribe Liu Xiaoyang with money to change dormitories with him! Are you kidding? If you seeded, itd be just like being in thedies bathroom!" Several gay boys turned around and left. Ye Dong turned to the girls, who were the biggest part of the crowd. "Sisters, you have to choose an idol with high taste, or youll beughed at. Look at his low poprity. Most stars could beat him. He only enjoys fame at our college. Most people barely remember his face. You are all sophisticated young women!" The freshmen, who were the most crazy, got angry at his words. It was unbearable to see their prince criticised. "You dare defame our idol! Who are you? Youre just a peasant!" "Yes, he must be jealous of Qin Guan!" Ye Dong was confused. Im telling the truth! What are you attacking me for? "You unreasonable women!" "Are you kidding, bro? You want to reason with women?" "Just go!" Suddenly, the situation got out of control again. Qin Guan retreated to the side smartly. Liu Xiaoyang held his bathing stuff for him. Chapter 228: Project Decided Chapter 228: Project Decided Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia He patted Liu Xiaoyang on the shoulder, whispering, "Run! Meet me in our dormitory!" Before the fans could surround himpletely, Qin Guan had run away in his slippers. The girls focused on Liu Xiaoyang and Ye Dong, who were too slow to react. Sparks flied. "Thats mine!" "Go away!" After pushing and shoving, they made the girls leave. Ye Dong sighed in relief. "Great! Were all safe now." They had messy hair and clear scratches on their hands and necks. Liu told Ye Dong miserably, "Safe? Are you blind? I was robbed just now. All of Qin Guans things were taken. Theres nothing left!" The cor of his fleece was torn. His roommates hugged his shoulders,forting him as they headed to their dormitory. "Well watch the match in our dormitory." Around the corner, Mou Xiaoliu, who was observing the situation, asked Huang Jiajia apprehensively, "Why did you urge them to chase Qin Guan? The morepetitors, the less hope youll have..." Huang Jiajia cast a disdainful look at her. She lost interest and headed to the cafeteria with Mou. "Mind your own business! He doesnt care about me. but Ill be happy to cause him trouble. You are my friend. Why are you taking his side?" They disappeared at the end of the corridor. ...... The boys had no idea who the main culprit was. Only when they returned to their dormitory and turned on their newly-installed TV did Qin Guan recall that he had missed countless matches during the National Day holiday. The Chinese team would definitely qualify. If they won that day, they would also qualify in advance. Qin Gun sat down on a chair without worries, enjoying Lius massage as an apology. Theyre just possessions. Im a rich man! The Adidas body wash gift is enough tost all my roommates for half a year. The match ended. China won with a score of 1:0. They were all trembling with excitement. Loud cheers filled the whole corridor. Big red subtitles were upying the whole screen: We Qualified! CCTV was always a strict, serious channel, but that rule-breaking subtitle was expressing the delight of fans all over the country. Some crazy boys began to sing the national anthem at the top of their voices. Students emerged from different doors, trying to express their joy and satisfaction. Wang Lei, who was renowned for his calmness, was flushed. Liu jumped down from his bed and shouted, "Long live the Chinese team! Long live the World Cup!" He began to ransack Ye Dongs stuff, his roommates looking at him doubtfully. "Got it!" Liu took out a folded national g and spread it with both hands. "Long live the Chinese team!" he said, rushing out into the ocean of happiness. Qin Guan covered his face and shouted, "Wait! Wait! Do you want to show your penis to everyone? Dont you feel cold in some ces?" Liu Xiaoyang blinked and tried to arrange his pants. Ye Dong shouted at him, "Put down the g! What do you want to do with it?" Qin Guan handed him a pair of cks. "Be careful! Youll be 19 next year. Youve been four years in college, you are no longer a little boy. Were still taking care of you. You should learn some survival skills." Liu put on his cks happily and went down the stairs with his babysitters. It was the moment innumerable fans had been looking forward to. Young guys would be waiting with a vague hope from then on... Qin Guan had no time to reminiscence in sorrow. He had to finish his thesis during his senior year, so hed spent all his spare time on work. After Zhuchuans decision, the advertising group from Japan hade straight to China. As workaholics, they spent all their spare time on work. They had to explore the way carefully before entering the market of a foreign country. In order to help, Qin Guan introduced A.M. to Citizen, which made the director overjoyed. A client like Citizen would not just bring arge ie, but also big honor. The temporary team worked together effectively and made a detailed n for the products and the ambassador. After reading the final n, Qin Guan realized with panic that he would release his first photo album. Will someone buy it? The Japanese reassured him that in Japan and South Korea people focused more on looks, so the photo album of a handsome guy would sell well. Topensate for Qin Guans poor poprity in Asia, Citizen cooperated with A. M. They contacted different editions of famous fashion magazines in Asia, including VOGUE, ELLE, JJ in Japan, Rayli, and CECI in South Korea, to publish the album together. The album would be an additional gift for the magazines. It would be attached to the package, so the audience would see the price clearly. Suddenly, Qin Guan, who had always been a B level model, turned into an A level model. Magazines wanted to cooperate with him to promote the album, which surprised Yin Yan and Qu Xuemei a lot. Chapter 229: The Photo Album Chapter 229: The Photo Album Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The young man rapidly took a ce in the domestic fashion circle. Finally, the professionals issued a notice for Qin Guan. He took a deep breath. This sure will be hard work. With excellent quality and a reasonable price, the 56-page album would cost 35 yuan. This meant that Qin Guan would have to finish the photoshoot before the release date of all the magazines. All the photos would be checked by a professional group with a magnifying ss. Fortunately, the Citizen watch Qin Guan would represent was a ssical watch among mechanical ones. The branding business thought that his personality matched the watch perfectly. The watch symbolized independence, self-confidence and a low profile. The album told the story of a man in an ice-cold metallic city, who had just started his own business. In the deep night, he worked at his desk alone, neon lights shining outside the window. When he made some achievements at work, he was suddenly surrounded by apuse. Tired but satisfied, he was waiting for thest subway home. The dim back view of the lonely man expressed the loneliness of a stranger in a metropolis. His heart palpitated with excitement when he came across a girl. The girl was Qin Guans partner. As the female ambassador of Citizen, she had arrived in the capital that day. The Japanese director nearly pulled his hair out for choosing a film actress to cooperate with Qin Guan. After careful consideration, they finally chose Fukada Kyko to be the ambassador of the newdies watch. They met outside the Citizen headquarters for the first time and were quickly followed by countless journalists. Lights were shing everywhere. Everyone was filled with curiosity about the controversial star. The staff stopped the journalists and led the two actors into the shooting studio. Qin Guan and Fukada Kyko were looking at each other from head to toe. With her pure beautiful face and excellent figure, the girl had quickly be popr in Japan. She had impressed Qin Guan a lot. As a tough man, Qin Guan never watched Japanese TV series, but she was renowned, not just for her face or figure, but for her romantic interests too. She was known as the Stamp-Collecting Queen [1]. Qin Guan looked at the girl, who was only a little younger than him. Who could imagine that shed had a three-way romance? Her ex-boyfriends included Takizawa Hideaki, Noriyuki Higashiyama (their rtionship hadsted for only one year), and the hot scriptwriter Shinji Nojima (who had been the third party). The hot actress, who had made her debut two years earlier, had already begun collecting handsome boys. The staff made a short introduction. Kyoko Fukada bowed before Qin Guan politely and then followed her assistant to the dressing room. Looking at her back, Qin Guan touched his jaw. He would need a trantor while he worked with the Japanese girl. He believed it was necessary to handle several foreignnguages considering that he would have to work with a foreign brand. Several days earlier, he had begun to study Japanese. He had even audited some Japanese sses at the training school and had mastered the basics of Japanese dialogue. There would be some unique words during the shooting though. To avoid a misunderstanding, Qin Guan had relied on a trantor during the negotiation. Kyoko entered her dressing room and gave up her cute girl act. She sat in a chair, folding her legs up. The dresser got to work while she shared her opinion on Qin Guan with her assistant. "My Chinese partner is so handsome, Yumiko! My vision was too narrow! Ill ask my agent to find foreign stars for me." Yumiko smiled, her eyes narrowing to slits. "Youre right, Ms. Kyoko. You have to work harder now. If you became a superstar in Asia, you would get more chances to work abroad." Facing the mirror, Kyoko Fukada gently smoothed pink lip gloss over her lips and kissed the air. "Mr. Qin is really handsome. All the girls will fall in love with him. Am I right, Yumiko?" Yumiko was nervous. You are my elder sister, Fukada. This is just a photo album. Did you find your true love again? Kyoko seemed to know what she was thinking about. She turned around and cast a soft nce at her assistant. "Dont worry, I prefer a man who can stay with me. Im a textbook feminist. A lover from a foreign country is not my cup of tea." She looked at herself in therge mirror. The girl reflected in it was dressed in a backless one-piece. "Im jealous of those sexy girls," she murmured to herself disappointedly. She looked even younger when she grumbled. By the time Kyoko Fukada finished getting dressed and went to the studio, the crew had also arranged everything. Qin Guan was standing on set in a dark grey suit, wearing a dark gold Citizen watch. The fine diamonds on it were shining in the light. He had broad shoulders and a straight back. The close-fitting suitplimented his slender waist and long legs. ording to the script, Qin Guan, a sessful businessman, had just found his other half. Wearing a long dress, Kyoko Fukada had to bend over his back with emotion and express her happiness for their meeting. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Stamps here stand for men. Chapter 230: The Girlfriends Visit Chapter 230: The Girlfriends Visit Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia A slight touch of their bodies would be enough. ncing at Qin Guans long legs and thick shoulders meaningfully though, Kyoko stooped over his back tightly. Qin Guan was unaware of what she was doing. Luckily, her body was light, so he fixed his posture quickly. The photographer was waiting patiently for the female star. The naughty girl pushed her soft body against his again. Qin Guan dared not move, even though he felt two soft balls touch his back. Her thin silk dress couldnt hide her boobs. Kyoko Fukada saw Qin Guans neck tighten and his blue veins pulse. She smiled to herself and embraced his waist with her arm, cing her other hand on his back. "Okay!" she said in Japanese. She caressed his back gently, murmuring again in Japanese, "His back is so broad!" Qin Guans hair stood on end. She thinks I cant understand Japanese. She is teasing me in hernguage. I know what shes saying though! The photo had a strange emotion to it thanks to her behavior. When he saw the pictures, Qin Guan let out a long breath. Thank god my face is not visible. Sister Xue would have been amused by my twisted expression! F*ck! This girl is even worse than Fang Meiya. At least she only used her charm and words to seduce me. This one goes straight to action! What was worse, her assistants seemed indifferent to the matter. They saw Qin Guan as another stamp in Kyoko Fukadas collection. It was too dangerous. ording to Qin Guans small experience with women, with so many foreign and domestic journalists there, the news would spread fast. During the break, Qin Guan expressed his worry to Sister Xue. She smiled. "Are you afraid of your poprity decreasing if girls know you have a girlfriend? Are you afraid youll have less female fans?" Qin Guan shook his head hesitantly. "That has nothing to do with me. I live my own life. This is just a job I took by chance." Sister Xue pped her hands. "Thats it! Just ask your girlfriend... Whats her name... Cong Nianwei! Ask her toe visit you now if shes free. She will give enough material to the media." Qin Guan suddenly understood. He called his girlfriend, who he was anxiously longing for. "Qin Guan? Whats the matter?" Cong Nianwei sounded confused. The day before, Qin Guan had told her about the job, so she had been taking notes during their sses for him. Why is he calling me now? Qin Guan was speaking hesitantly. He couldnt exin to her. Sister Xue was impatient though. She bowed to the waiting photographer apologetically and grabbed the phone. In a few words, she gave Cong Nianwei an idea about the situation. "Kyoko Fukada and Qin Guan?" Cong Nianwei asked in surprise. Lan Jin, who was sitting nearby, tried to eavesdrop. "What? Kyoko Fukada? Oh my god! Where is she? Where is she? Shes my dream woman!" He stared at Cong Nianwei like a puppy. Cong Nianwei was speechless. "Is that okay with you?" she asked Sister Xue. "Really? Okay..." She hung up and nodded at Lan Jin helplessly. "Three rules: keep a distance, keep silent, and be invisible. If you can do that, you can take me there." Lan Jin nodded energetically, afraid that Cong Nianwei would change her mind. As soon as the tutor dismissed them, he helped her put away her books. As they went out of the building though, they saw two students following them. "He Ming? Guan Jian?" Cong Nianwei nced at Guan, who straightened his strong body and coughed. "Do you need a bodyguard, Cong Nianwei?" Cong Nianwei sized the two guys up disdainfully. They seemed gentle under normal circumstances. Thats mens nature though. Lan Jin was excited to see them. "Keep a distance, keep silent, and be invisible. Can you do that?" The two young guys, who were used to being the center of attention, nodded unconsciously. What could Cong Nianwei do? Ill just take them there. They are Qin Guans friends anyway. Cong Nianwei nodded and Lan Jin took the lead, running to the parking lot. "Hurry up! Time is wasting!" When Cong Nianwei got in the Ferrari, which was the same color as Lan Jins hair, she felt deeply regretful. The three cars reached the Citizen offices as quick as a sh. Cong Nianwei entered the building in her casual clothes, followed by the three striking boys. The receptionist led them upstairs with a smile. Our boss sure has good insight. The ambassador he chose has such a striking girlfriend. He must be a great man! He led them to the shooting studio, just as Qin Guan wasing out of the fitting room. He was in an elegant white shirt. The buttons on his chest were all unfastened, revealing a wonderful view. Lan Jin whistled at him in appreciation before shrinking back when he saw Cong Nianweis cold expression. Chapter 231: Jealousy Chapter 231: Jealousy Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan walked up to Cong Nianwei and asked the others in confusion, "Why are you here? My work is boring. You wont find it interesting." They smiled modestly. "We just wanted to have a look." Qin Guan nodded. "Okay, there are tables over there. Take a seat. Im busy now. Can we talkter?" The three guys waved at Qin Guan. Qin Guan led Cong Nianwei to the nearest table and pulled a chair out for her. "You can rest here. Ill get a cup of water for you. Its quiet here, so you can just enjoy watching your handsome boyfriend." Cong Nianwei cast him an using look. She watched the tall boy run up to the water dispenser happily. When Kyoko Fukada came out of the fitting room, she saw Qin Guan sitting with a pretty girl. He was handing her a cup of water. Fingers twisting, they exchanged soft nces with each other. "Yumiko, who is she?" Yumiko told Kyoko the gossip shed heard. "ording to Mr. Qins agent, shes his girlfriend." Sneering, Kyoko looked at her assistant like a cute, innocent girl. "Girlfriend? Hes just acting for me!" "But they seem like such a sweet couple." "He only cherishes his fame. He wants me to think he has a girlfriend, because hes afraid of getting involved with me." "Thats good. I have better taste anyway. Im not interested in a man with a girlfriend." She paused as Qin Guan blew on the hot water again and again before handing it to Cong Nianwei. "Be careful!" All the onlookers were drawn by his soft expression. An assistant nearby fell into deep thought. If Qin Guan was my boyfriend, even for a day, Id be extremely happy. Thinking about the chauvinist malepatriots who always cooperated with her, Kyoko Fukada bit her lips. Her assistant continued her report, "Dont be angry, Fukada. Its just rumored that Mr. Qins girlfriend is from a noble family." Kyoko Fukada pointed at Cong Nianwei with wide eyes and said, "Impossible! Look at her cheap clothes. Shes no nobility!" Yumiko pulled her behind the set worriedly and looked around. Then she warned Kyoko in a low voice, "That was really impolite of you. What would you do if the president of Citizen Asia heard that?" "What? Would they rece a hot star like me?" "Its possible. Do you know why they chose me as your assistant? Do you know my nickname?" "Know-It-All?" "Bingo! ording to official gossip, Mr. Zhuchuan discovered Mr. Qins real identity. Thats why he was chosen by Citizen." "Mr. Qin is also a nobility. Hes from an ancient family. Does his surname remind you of anything? Qin is quite an ancient family name, just like Shankou and Jingshang in Japan, which can be dated back to ancient times." She looked at Cong Nianwei. "The girl must be the one his family chose for him. Some staff saw here here in a Ferrari." Kyoko Fukada grimaced. She was not convinced by her assistant. Her admirers in Japan also had luxury cars. "Thats not the point. The two cars clearing the way for her were private cars of high-level officials." Kyoko was frustrated. Okay, Ill behave. Yumiko just wants to stop me from provoking Qin Guan. With the gentlest expression of a Japanesedy, she waved at the photographer, reminding him that she was ready. She hated seeing Qin Guan and that girl together though. The photographers assistant called Qin Guan over. Letting go of Cong Nianweis hand, he returned to the set. Cong Nianwei had just realized that her three ssmates were not as excited as she had imagined. She nced at them doubtfully, only to find them criticizing Kyoko Fukada with a strange expression. Lan Jin made a gesture of holding two balls and told the others disappointedly, "They are not as big as they looked in the magazine!" What are they talking about? Cong Nianwei was both shocked and happy. Women always liked to be in power. Plus, that girl had tried to provoke her boyfriend. "F*ck! I was cheated! I only came here for her big boobs and sexy butt!" Lan Jin said angrily. Guan Jian scratched his head in confusion. "What are they even doing here? Theyre taking photos with so many clothes on!" F*ck! He Ming and Lan Jin suddenly cast a surprised, horrified nce at Quan Jian. They realized his reason foring was different than theirs. Sighing, Guan Jian continued, "I dont know her, but I think Maria Ozawa and Aoi S [1] are much better." Their theory was confirmed. He Ming asked him, "What do you think theyll do next?" Guan Jian grinned. "Take off their clothes, of course!" The guy had misunderstood Qin Guans profession. The other two boys were shocked. Suddenly, Guan Jianughed. "Ha! You really believed me? I think shed do better as an AV actress though!" Chapter 232: Dramatic Acting Skills Chapter 232: Dramatic Acting Skills Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia He Ming smiled. "Her boobs are too small." Cong Nianwei burst intoughter from the other table. She looked like a virtuous woman, but she actually wanted to swallow Qin Guan up. She was too young to fool the three veterans. In the scene being shot, the man and the girl fell in love with each other. They were in the same cold metal city filled with armored concrete. The red wine, candles and flowers reflected their tender feelings though. Lifting their sses, they looked at each other and toasted. It was a very romantic moment. Keeping up her sweetest smile, Kyoko looked like a lovesick girl, caught in Qin Guans of emotion and desire. She cast a nce in the direction of Cong Nianwei and then turned around. Suddenly, she leaned against Qin Guans chest. They had already been close to each other, but now she threw herself in his embrace. "Careful!" Everyone reminded Qin Guan to support her. Only his friends folded their arms across their chests and snorted. Qin Guan was about to hug Kyoko, when he saw the evil girl smile cunningly at him and try to hit him directly on the chest. It would be awkward if Qin Guan held her, as he would have to touch her somewhere. If he got out of the way though, he would be criticized. What should I do? Qin Guans brain worked fast and made a decision. The arrow on the string had to be fired. "Ouch! Im falling!" His dramatic acting convinced everyone. He fell down before Kyoko could hit him. Using the strong muscles on his waist, he leaned by more than 30 degrees. His arms moved to keep his bnce as he shouted, "Ah! Someone help me!" Cong Nianwei burst intoughter, and Sister Xue covered her face helplessly. Kyoko was in trouble. She couldnt control her body like Qin Guan. When Qin Guan disappeared, she couldnt hold her body back anymore and she fell forward. "Bang!" The cup in her hand flew in the air, and she fell on the floor face first. After some wobbling, Qin Guan straightened up again. With a horror-struck expression, he told his girlfriend, "I got so scared!" Liar! Before his friends and Sister Xue could cast disdainful nces at him, Yumiko rushed onto the set in a dramatic manner typical for Japanese people. She looked like she had just lost her mother in an ident. Kyoko was in a daze, not from her fall, but from Qin Guans behavior. As a beautiful girl, she was used to being treated like a queen by men and boys. Qin Guans behavior was a heavy blow for her. It hurt even more than her face. Yumiko pulled her up and supported her out of the set. She sat in the resting area and slowly arranged her thoughts. Cong Nianwei gave her the nearest table and sat with Lan Jin. Kyoko Fukada was supported to the table while Qin Guan listened to Sister Xues rebuke. Kyoko looked at Qin Guan with a confused expression before she turned her eyes to the cup on the table. The water in the cup had cooled down, and a light pink lip print was visible on the cup. Grinding her teeth, Kyoko murmured to herself, "I have never been this humiliated before. I just wanted to y a joke on the boy, because he already has a girlfriend. I should have been more serious though." Not long after, she apologized to everyone with a sweet smile, expressing her wish to continue the shooting. All the crew members let out a long breath. A crunched-up paper cup was lying silently in a trash can. On the rim of the cup, there was an indistinct trace of a pink lip gloss. To everyones surprise, the rest of the work was finished smoothly. Kyoko Fukada worked extremely hard and the shooting ended early. The other photos were individual photos of Qin Guan. Kyokos first job in China hade to an official end. In the following days, she would participate in a series of advertising activities in China to make the best of her exposure to Chinese media. Both Sister Xue and Qin Guan let out a long breath of relief. The princess is gone atst. Nobody can stand her. Kyoko Fukada bowed happily before the crew in farewell. Then she walked up to Qin Guan and his friends. "I appreciate your help, Mr. Qin. Although you nearly fell down, you still tried to catch me. You are so kind!" Are you messing with me, girl? Im not an idiot. Qin Guan grimaced awkwardly, and Kyoko left satisfied. His three ssmates sized her up from head to toe and reminded Qin Guan kindheartedly, "This is not just any woman. She must be nning something." Guan Jian was a tough man though. He made fun of He Ming, "You see plots everywhere. You saw two hens at your house once and you didnt realize theyd be cooked for dinner!" Everyone burst intoughter. They walked out of the Citizen building, fighting childishly. Suddenly, several men rushed out and stopped them. The boys clustered around Cong Nianwei unconsciously. She was the only girl among them. Chapter 233: Entertainment Circle Reporters Chapter 233: Entertainment Circle Reporters Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan looked ahead and saw Kyoko Fukadas group blocked at the gate by several reporters. Sister Xue opened her notebook. "Thats strange. Neither Citizen nor A.M. invited any media today. ording to the schedule, our first news conference will be on the day of brandunch event. Where did theye from?" Unfortunately, they had found out themselves. In 2001, mainstream media had begun to transform intowork media. With the poprity of the inte increasing, some websites, both in China and abroad, had started a business in that underdeveloped market. Websites such as Xng, Song, Wangnan and Yatu started emerging like mushrooms after the rain. Their news releases were much swifter and moreprehensive than the traditional medias, and their reporters were in on everything. Thanks to an inside man who focused on the Japanese entertainment circle, Kyoko Fukada had been spotted at the capital airport. That man was also a frence reporter at Yatu. No secret could be kept in the media circle. Once one reporter knew, they all knew. All the websites had sent reporters to wait outside the Citizen building in hopes of getting the scoop. Their chance hade. A man had followed Kyoko Fukada out of the building. ording to their understanding of the girl, they thought there was a possibility of a romance between her and that handsome guy. At the time, there had been no police, so anyone could write anything they wanted. If the person mentioned in the news sued, the website just added the caption "reported by users and reproduced by the website" to the article and kept themselves out of trouble. Several brave reporters rushed over as the photographers started taking pictures like crazy. Those photos would be useful in the future. "Kyoko, did youe to China for work? Are you cooperating with Citizen? Are you Citizens ambassador this year?" "Ms. Fukada, is that man your new boyfriend?" Several wretched reporters tried to squeeze her crew away. Only one reporter, who was on his first day at the job, aimed for Qin Guan. He cast a nce at Kyoko Fukada. That day was definitely his lucky day. As an expert on the fashion industry, he always paid attention to that circle. Qin Guan had been the No.1 male model that year, so he had naturally attracted his attention. He pointed his poor recorder at Qin Guan and asked, "Qin Guan, are you Citizens ambassador this year? Did you cooperate with Kyoko Fukada? When will the news be officially released?" That reporter has a keen sense of news. His questions are good. Qin Guan stopped and answered the questions hurriedly, "Yes, I signed a contract with Citizen to be the ambassador of their new mechanical watches. The date of the press conference will be announced on their website. Kyoko is my work partner." The reporter was excited to see his idol answer his questions patiently. "What activities will you participate in in the following days? Your fans are eager to see you in new films and TV shows." Qin Guan smiled at him. "Tell my fans that three new TV shows will be aired this year. It will be their lucky year. Im sorry to say Ill only be co-starring again though." Suddenly, he saw the other reporters turn towards him after bothering Kyoko. He hastened to wave at the reporter and run away with his friends. A line of cars left with a roar. "F*ck, we were toote! That guy looked familiar. Ive been seeing him on TV a lottely." "Dont you know him? Havent you seen his advertisements? He is famous in the advertising circle. Hes a guarantee of sess and big sales. Hes just as good as a box office guarantee!" "Awesome! We rarely read any news about him though." "He hasnt acted in that many films or TV shows. He is actually a model. What fans would be interested in an advertisement actor? He sure was a surprise today though!" "Hes a handsome man. He must be in a rtionship with Kyoko! She is the Stamp-Collecting Queen after all!" When they finished their discussion, they walked up to the reporter who had just interviewed Qin Guan. "Hey bro, did you interview Qin Guan? Share with us, okay? Thats routine, provided it wont make the headlines. We can share what Kyoko Fukada said with you." The reporter held his recorder tightly in his arms and ran up to his photographer. "Never! I dont need Kyoko!" They looked at each other as the reporter escaped like a scared rabbit. "F*ck! We came here for nothing!" "No, no! Wait!" One of them took the camera and smiled proudly, saying with lively gestures, "Look... Like this... Here..." They all burst intoughter. Inauspicious dark clouds started gathering above Qin Guans head. The next day was Saturday. It was sunny, which was ideal weather for sleeping in. Qin Guan was kissing Cong Nianwei in his dream, when his phone suddenly started ringing. He took it out of his bag. It was not his rm. Someone was calling him. Qin Guan answered in a sleepy voice, "Sister Xue? Whats the matter?" "Whats the matter? Go online at once! Visit any mainstream website! Read the Entertainment Section! You are everywhere! Do it fast!" Chapter 234: The Affair Chapter 234: The Affair Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan jumped up from his bed. He turned on hisptop and logged on to the Wangnan website. The homepage was the same as it had been before. There were some links in the entertainment section. The front-page headline was still "Army g Gate" [1]. There were also some reports about new films and TV shows, as well as the ns of some important directors. Qin Guan clicked on the other pages, and his eyes opened wide. In one photo, he saw the Citizen building and the crowd around it. It was the scene from the day before. The setting and the people were familiar, but the title was unexpected. "Japanese Popr Idol Kyoko Fukada Came to Beijing to Cooperate with Qin Guan, the King of Advertisements." It was a good photo, taken at urate timing. Qin Guan was blocking Cong Nianwei from the camera and looking at Kyoko Fukada in alert. The shooting position and the title made it seem like Kyoko Fukada was looking at Qin Guan shyly and Qin Guan was looking back at her, tenderness and love shining through their eyes. Cong Nianwei and everyone else were out of the frame. Qin Guan looked through and found another photo, in which he had been smiling at the reporter. Now it seemed like he was looking in the direction of Kyoko Fukada. Coincidently, she also looked like she was paying attention to him. She was looking back at him and smiling. After reading through the article, Qin Guan felt relieved. There was no evidence, only far-fetched guesses. When he reached thement section below though, his smile faded. Wangnan always attracted a group of tiresome people thanks to its sharp reports and fabricated news. Thements on the website were famous for their hostility. Under normal circumstances, Qin Guan liked to read them for amusement. Now that he was the subject though, it was rather strange. "Who is Qin Guan? I dont know him!" "You dont? He is a monkey stamp! Hes just looking for a chance to go to Japan and work in the service industry." "Tell me more! I want to know!" "He is the new favorite of an advertisingpany. He drinks Adidas body wash and eats Xianqu Biscuits and cold medicine!" "Oh, thats why his face seemed familiar. I wonder what a Japanese girl tastes like..." "You are such a gentleman." The readers were making fun of Qin Guan. Nobody asked anything about the report. Qin Guan visited the pages of other mainstream websites. The reports were all the same, except for minor differences. They even used the same photo. That was so unprofessional! Finally, he found the only honest report on the Song website. No tinkered photos, only several shots of Qin Guans smiling face. Unfortunately, the report was sneered at by inte users. "It must have been written by a green hand. Where is the romance? The insider trading? Ha ha! Their reporter must have beente to the scene. Just copy from the others, okay?" Things were bad. Nobody believed the truth anymore. Qin Guan called Sister Xue back. "Whats Citizens opinion on the matter? Will the news influence my job in the future?" Sister Xue sighed. "The director of Citizen was d. Your poprity has been promoted by the affair, which will benefit the sales volume. You dont need to worry about your TV shows either. A popr co-star always promotes audience ratings. The producers were d to hear the news." "My phone has been ringing all day. Dont worry, Ill make you a big fortune!" Qin Guan was speechless. "Hey! Im not worried about my work, but about my life! What will my schoolmates think of me? And the masses who dont know the truth? I have a girlfriend, you know!" Sister Xue still sounded happy on the other end of the line. "You would have been really popr if you liked giving interviews. This is good publicity. And your girlfriend was just beside you at the time! She will not misunderstand. This makes the best of both sides!" Before Qin Guan could say anything, Sister Xues other phone started ringing. "So much for that! Youre thinking too much. Good night!" she said and hung up happily. Qin Guan scratched his messy hair and tried tofort himself. Maybe its not so serious. Ill just take things as theye. Things always exceeded his expectations though. In an era when the inte was gradually bing popr, young people were the first inte target group. Many students from Qin Guans college read the news about their prince. "Impossible! Theyre lying! Senior Qin has a girlfriend!" "Yes! Plus, beauties from our college shoulde first!" "They are ndering our prince! We have to tell the truth for him!" "Thats right! No student from our university should be treated unjustly! Those liars!" There was an old Chinese saying that things of a kind always came together and people of one mind always got together. Those excited fans gathered on the Haijiao Forum. With the objective of revealing the truth to the public, they put into action the term "cyber manhunt". Several posters were ced at the top of the gossip andment sections by forum moderators. The inte fighters focused on the hottest topics of the day. Chapter 235: A Battle Chapter 235: A Battle Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "How could a website full of false news fool us for so long?" That post was in the socialments section. "The true story about Qin Guan, the King of Advertisements, with photos. XX, XXX, and XX attracted users with false news." That post was in the gossip section. Suddenly, they were seen by inte users. "Oh! Hes a good boy and a straight-A student. I wonder if his girlfriend is sad about those news." "Yes, it must be annoying. Id be very sad if my boyfriend was having an affair." "Actually, they were childhood sweethearts. Its rumored that Qin Guan refused a beautiful girls affection without hesitation while in college." Poor Huang Jiajia... "Really? Those websites are so evil!" The voices supporting Qin Guan were getting louder and louder. Some talented people with time on their hands started to make a chart of the different news about Qin Guan. Finally, they read the news on Song, which rified the truth and told the story from beginning to end. Those websites had been fabricating news and attracting users by posting fake photos! The fighters on the Haijiao Forum were excited. Those radicals were famous for fighting demons and defending moral principles. They could start a fierce battle over a trifle, let alone over getting the hottest news. They knew the truth, so they had to fight! The battle started on the Haijiao Forum and quickly spread to the other websites. Their first aim was Jing. Plenty of Haijiaoers flocked in and gathered under the post about Kyoko and Qin Guans affair. Using temporary IDs, they upied the wholement area and gradually took control of the entire entertainment section. The Jing website administrator was sleeping in his office, holding a cigarette in his mouth. By the time he woke up from his nap, the whole page had copsed. He typed on his keyboard, his heart in his mouth, but it was toote. One after the other, all the websites except Song crashed. The administrator of Wangnan was confident though. They had bought thergest server in the market that year. He wasnt afraid of those inte mobs. As expected, the Haijiao Army met its first obstacle there. Posts were refreshed rapidly, but the function of the server was still unobstructed. As the fighters were discussing a countern, the administrator suddenly jumped up with wild eyes. He looked like he had been stamped on the tail. The homepage had fallen into enemy hands. All the links had disappeared, leaving only a warning in ck and white: Defending Qin Guan is our life-long career! It had to be someone superior. The director wiped the sweat off his forehead. The technicians worked really hard, but failed to restore the homepage. "What should we do?" The director gritted his teeth. "We can only report this to the boss." Many people lost sleep that night. Qin Guan spent the day in bed, but Sister Xue informed him about the incident. He watched the drama online with keen pleasure, eating chicken legs and noodles at the same time. When Wangnan copsed, his phone rang. It was Cong Nianwei. Qin Guan had texted her one hour earlier, but she had been at a lecture at the time. Her sweet voice improved his mood. Liu Xiaoyang, who had a chicken wing in his mouth, was shocked by Qin Guans expression. The wing fell into his bowl, covering his face in soup. "Did Wangnan really copse, Qin Guan?" "Yes, but how do you know?" "Its evening and Im in my dormitory. You forget that QH is full of talented students. They could get information on all your family members with just one IP. Im a goddess here, so lots of strangers are eager to help me. I dont even need to ask them." I should be happy that my girlfriend is so popr, but... Qin Guan nearly burst into tears. Thank god I didnt betray her, or Id die in countless strange high-tech ways. His heart still fluttering in fear, Qin Guan hung up. Itste, I should go to bed. He fell asleep soon, but some deeply troubled people were working overnight, the phones in their offices ringing again and again. They were discussing countermeasures. "We have free speech. What shall we do?" the staff members said one after the other. "In my opinion, we should remove the articles. Without a target, theyd have no reason to keep attacking us." "Shall we make a statement after removing them though? What if they attack other sections? Just think about Wangnans fate." "We can ask the PR department to make a written statement, telling them we have already dismissed the reporter." "Good idea. Remove the articles first. Then keep observing." They took urgent action as more and more users gathered on the Haijiao Forum like a rolling snowball. The Haijiao administrator was confused as well. He knew the server well enough. With such arge flow, their own page would copse soon. It was because of those fighters. They had attracted curious users from the websites that were under attack. Chapter 236: The Citizen Launch Event Chapter 236: The Citizen Launch Event Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The director called the boss immediately, whose excitement nearly poured out of the receiver. "Invest more! Find the best server! Ha ha! The Haijiao Forum finally has its day!" He was so happy, he was almost out of his mind. At midnight, the threshold of the next day, all news about Qin Guans affair onrge web portals suddenly disappeared. Then an official announcement came out. Countless fans hailed before their TVs. They were really powerful. They had caused that storm and made someone hear their voices. That day had to bememorated. It was a victory of thousands of nobodies on the inte. That incident made Qin Guan famous among young people. They all focused on him without saying anything. October 25th was a good day. On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, Windows XP wasunched, which was much better for office and home use. That day was also an important day for Citizen. At the Chenxi za in Wangfujing, the site of the Citizenunch event, the mysterious veil was lifted. Sister Xue was excited about the luxurious setting. Citizen is so generous! They had set up a giant T stage especially for Qin Guan, its exit decorated with a big Citizen dial te. The hands moved and the diamonds on the te shone one by one. In the dim light, the whole setting looked splendid. On the centre of the T stage, there was a big hourss. A golden bowknot was tied around its middle. Inside the hourss were hundreds of magnificent watches made of shiny metal. What luxury! The invited media and distributors slowly entered the hall. When thest guest was inside, the staff in charge of security closed the entrance with a red rope. The media gathered under the stage, talking in low, curious voices. A small group of people were hiding in a corner. The reporter who was Qin Guans fan had been promoted to assistant reporter of the entertainment section. He cast a disdainful nce at his downhearted peers. Ha! Do you know the oue of offending my prince now? Behave yourselves and dont bring shame to the inte media again! Qin Guan, who was backstage, had no idea what was going on. He just closed his eyes and felt refreshed. The assistant nodded to the program director and the background music began ying. Qin Guan went out in advance, following the rhythm of the music. He walked slowly from the dial te in a charcoal business suit. He looked like an ageless fairy. The audience suddenly fell silent. The host said in a low, deep voice, "Citizen mens watches focus on mature, confident expression instead of trying to please the publics eye." By then, Qin Guan had reached the centre of the stage. He loosened his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves. A silver mechanical watch was presented to the media and the distributors. The informed audience expressed its contempt for the shameless brand. You said that you dont try to please the public, yet you hired a model to please it. Even a five-yuan stic watch would look like a Swatch on that model. Qin Guan raised his wrist naturally, showing the watch to the audience. The host continued his narration, "Its independent, elegant stylepliments Asian gentlemen. Its round te and tough metal chains are quite different from traditional Japanese patterns. They reflect a natural, refined European style." As they studied the details of the watch, the audience noticed Citizens transformation. The brand had changed a lot, not only in the mens collection, but also in the womens. Even those watches were hi-tech. It seemed that Citizen was not satisfied with its domineering position in the Asian market. Judging by those changes, the brand was nning to explore a way to the European and American market. The media held on to their discovery. Citizen would probably be a favorite in Europe and the US one day. shlights twinkled everywhere. Qin Guan took off his suit jacket and set it on the edge of the stage, arousing a fierce apuse. He rolled up his other sleeve to reveal the Citizen mark printed on his wrist. His acting skills were so professional that the head of the conference kept nodding at him. The audience screamed again and again. Qin Guan had nothing to say about the moral integrity of the so-called media. By the time he returned to the hourss, his suit jacket had disappeared from the stage. Some crazy fan must have picked it up on the sly. Before Qin Guan could do anything, the female ambassador, Kyoko Fukada, came out from backstage. Qin Guan had to wait for her by the hourss with his most graceful smile. More and more shlights started shing. The music changed, and the audience gradually calmed down. Zhuchuanlongfu got on the stage through an elevator. He made a short speech and began promoting the new watches. Chapter 237: Rejected Affection Chapter 237: Rejected Affection Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia He took one end of the ribbon tied around the middle of the hourss, while the two ambassadors held the other end. Three, two, one! The ribbon was untied. The watches poured out like sand, shiny and luxurious. The photographers snapped pictures like crazy. They had to record that extraordinary moment. Zhuchuan introduced the chief designer to the audience and got off the stage. Next was the introduction of the brand concept. Qin Guans photo album and the watches were shown on a big screen in the back. Qin Guan and Kyoko Fukada retreated to the backstage area. There would be a ten-minute break before the press conference, during which they could rest a little. Before going backstage, Qin Guan looked at the T stage in confusion. Who had taken his suit jacket? There was a bulging stic bag in a big LV carry-all, which belonged to Qu Xuemei. She smiled at Qin Guan slyly. This is what you get for showing off on stage. Thanks to the influence of the inte, all the media, both mainstream and not, had experienced the power of ordinary people. They dared not provoke Qin Guan now. They asked questions carefully during the press conference, trembling in fear. The reporters were as professional as the distributors. They asked questions about the design, the inner structure, the target group and the advertising concept. There were no questions about the two ambassadors personal lives. This satisfied the distributors. We didnt pay them. Why are they being so considerate today? They were overthinking. The reporters were just afraid of Qin Guan. Kyoko Fukada was disappointed. She had originally nned on "carelessly" talking about the coboration between her and Qin Guan while making an ambiguousment about their rtionship. She was used to doing things like that in Japan. They always promoted her poprity. Why would that be uneptable in China? The media had inexplicably lost any interest in her though. Qin Guan, on the other side, was relieved. He had been afraid that some brave idiot would stand up and talk about the news on the inte. All the reporters were good boys though. They were just taking notes on the side. They actually felt wronged. Other stars are eager to have affairs. Why are we being punished for ambiguity? You have a rtionship with an insider, dont you? Qin Guan had no idea what they had on their minds. When the conference was over, Zhuchun returned to the empty meeting hall. The staff had tided up, leaving only one bottle of champagne on a small table and several shining goblets. Zhuchuan asked a waiter to open the bottle and fill two goblets for the ambassadors. "Mr. Qin and Ms. Fukada, thank you for your hard work. Judging by what I heard from all sides, I think we can celebrate in advance. I expect a leap in the sales volume in China. To our sess! Cheers!" The beautiful goblets nged against each other. Qin Guan and Sister Xue let out a long breath of relief. The most important part was finished. Now they could just wait for the sales. Qin Guan had been nning on leaving, when suddenly someone patted him on the back. He turned around and saw Kyoko Fukada standing behind him with her goblet. She was smiling. "Mr. Qin, may I have the honor of having a drink with you?" "My pleasure." Qin Guan drained his goblet in one gulp, then showed the empty cup to her. He put it down and prepared to leave. He wanted to keep a respectful distance from the girl. Suddenly, he was pulled back by his tie. He grabbed one end of the tie, trying to pull the other end out of her hand. Kyoko Fukada opened her lips slightly and stood on her tiptoes, whispering to Qin Guan, "Not here, lets have a drink alone. I heard that theres a good bar at the bottom of the za. Shall we?" Qin Guan smiled and lowered his head, whispering back to her, "Why are you insisting on having a drink with me? As far as I know, youre flying back to Japan tomorrow morning." Kyoko Fukada smiled back. She seemed happy by the fact that he was whispering. "One night is enough." She was fascinated by Qin Guans gentle smile. She loosened her grip on his tie unconsciously. Taking the chance, Qin Guan pulled the tie back from her. "Its a pity Im already drunk. No more wine for me." He smoothed down the tie, which had cost him more than 1,000 yuan, and escaped as soon as possible, heading into the noisy crowd. Yumiko walked up to Fukada at once, looking around her in alert. Sister Xue followed Qin Guan to the exit of the hall. She raised her eyebrows at him proudly. "I told them we were leaving." Qin Guan put the empty goblet on a waiters tray and fastened his cuff. "Lets go!" Chapter 238: The Estee Lauder Pen Chapter 238: The Estee Lauder Pen Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia They left silently. As the elevator descended, Qin Guan startedining to Sister Xue, "My jacket is gone. Could you please ask the staff to look for it? Maybe someone put it away while cleaning up. Im in my spare suit now." Sister Xue nodded as they reached the ground floor of the za. The door opened slowly. "Wait for me by the entrance," she told Qin Guan. "Ill go to the parking lot. You drank wine just now." Qin Guan gave his key to Sister Xue and waited by the entrance. Chenxi za was a high-end shopping mall in Wangfujing. Customers there were rare, but very generous. The manager of the ground floor saw the customer flow increase without any obvious reason. Actually, the number of the customers was the same, but a part of them rushed forward in a certain direction. Their aim seemed to be a man standing by the entrance next to the Estee Lauder shop. The tall man was in a dark grey suit. His back and waist were straight, and his legs were slender. His arms were folded across his chest, and he was staring at the parking lot. He seemed to be waiting for someone. rmed by the increasing number of people around him, he turned his head around. It was Qin Guan! The manager, who was a fashion fan, recognized him right away. He looked around and walked up to Qin Guan as fast as he could. Judging by the current customer flow, I have to intervene in advance to prevent a traffic jam. In fact, he just wanted to get close to his idol. The manager walked up to the Estee Lauder counter with a professional smile. Qin Guan was confused. The ground floor had originally been empty, but now he was surrounded by customers. Are they all fans of mine? Impossible! I dont even get surrounded by fans on the street. The customers there were actually all readers of VOGUE and ELLE. They really admired Qin Guan, but they were alsoparatively sophisticated people. No one rushed over or cried out. They just kept a distance and took a look at him. The strange deadlock was broken after ten seconds by a brave girl. She had just walked over there from the checkout, where she had paid for her Estee Lauder cosmetics, and seen the crowd gathered by the counter. She squeezed into the crowd and handed the receipt to the smiling beauty consultant. Then she picked up her goods and saw Qin Guan. "Qin Guan?" The young girl cheered up. She walked up to him bravely and began asking him questions nervously. "Are you VOGUEs cover model? I know all about your work! Are you aware of the online action your fans took?" She stood not far from Qin Guan as she sniffled. "Are you drunk? Are you waiting for your driver? Ha! Good champagne! French Snow-White, right?" Qin Guan nodded unconsciously. "Youre really cute! You shouldnt trust strangers so easily. It was our destiny to meet here. Could you please give me an autograph? Would that be too much trouble for you?" "Why are you here? Is it for work?" Girl, you are really a talent. The Bureau of National Security should employ you. Qin Guan was dizzy from how fast she talked. He raised his arms helplessly and massaged his temples. "Sorry, I forgot my pen." He spread his hands apologetically. "Wait, let me see! Everyone, just find me a pen if you want an autograph!" Several onlookers began to rummage through their bags. The chattering girl failed to find a pen in her handbag. She looked around and was suddenly enlightened. She took a lipstick from her Estee Lauder shopping bag, opened it and handed it to Qin Guan. "You can use this. Just dont press it too hard. Its autumn now, so the lipstick should be too fine to break." The Estee Lauder beauty counselor was speechless. Is it our fault? How could she mistake our 200-yuan product for an ordinary pen? Qin Guan took the lipstick and asked her, "Where do I sign?" Sister Xue parked the car at the entrance and entered the za again. Thats when she saw the small-scale autograph session. The chattering girl saw Sister Xue and hastened to take off her pink silk scarf. "I dont have any paper with me. No one does when they go shopping. Sign here! It can be a piece of artwork." Surprised, Qin Guan took the soft scarf. "You really want me to sign on your Burberry scarf? This must have cost 2,800 yuan!" The girl looked even happier. "You are really the best in the domestic fashion industry! You even recognized the scarfs brand and price! Dont worry, just sign on it. Your signature is way more precious than the scarf!" Chapter 239: Thief! Chapter 239: Thief! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Her words eliminated any hesitation on Qin Guans part. The crowd was suddenly enlightened. They all began to loosen their scarves and take out their handkerchiefs. Before the manager could approach to help Qin Guan, they had all lined up. What should I do now? Forget it, Ill just get in line. As the only man present, the manager walked to the end of the queue. Luckily, I have a white handkerchief in my pocket. Qin Guan signed fast, and the customers did not idle around. After a close contact with their idol, they expressed their gratitude politely and left. The girl kept chattering, making the process more fun. "Oh, still two girls left! Your signature is good, though the Chinese characters are not easy to read. Thats okay. All star signatures are illegible. Should I give you my card? Your industry is quite different from mine, but you can call me if you need to. As they say, the more friends you make, the more roads you take..." Sister Xue grimaced, but epted her elegant card. By then, Qin Guan had signed thest autograph for the manager. The manager gave Qin Guan several catering coupons along with the handkerchief. Qin Guan cheered up as soon as he saw the gift. What a kind man! Qin Guan hugged him to express his appreciation. The man left feeling numb. The girl watched him go jealously, murmuring, "Thats so cunning! Its gender discrimination!" Qin Guan smiled and reminded his fan, "We are leaving. Thank you for your card. Ill contact you if I need to." Then he winked at her and left with Sister Xue. The girl nearly got a heart attack. What should I do? Hes so handsome! As he exited the za, Qin Guan began to worry about his future. Ill have a hard life if Im a recognizable idol. In the car, Sister Xue threw the card at Qin Guan. "She is the general agent of a foreign brand in China. Its a pity that it has nothing to do with your profession." Qin Guan picked up the card and recognized the familiar trademark on it. It said, "US STANLEY China General Agent, He Qian." The heroic young girl had been Qin Guans peer in his past life! Qin Guan put the card into his card holder longingly. It might be useful someday. Qu Xuemei left the meeting hall with her huge bag after the press conference ended. She drove back to her office as fast as she could. In the car, her palms were sweating nonstop. It was the first time a strict woman like her had stolen something. She didnt understand why she had taken Qin Guans jacket. Her brain had not been working at the time. Before the astonished eyes of her staff, she pushed into her private office with a serious expression. She closed the door and shut down the window-shades before she copsed on the couch. After a full minute, Qu Xuemei let out a long breath. She slowly opened her bag and took out the jacket in the simple stic bag. She frowned. She had never held anybody elses belongings in her hands, let alone a mans jacket. Suddenly, she became angry. She threw the jacket into the trash bin next to her, then returned to her desk and sat down. I have to work. Theres so much paperwork to read through. Her attention was still on the trash bin though. She bit her lips and kicked the trash bin open again. She picked up the stic bag up with her fingertips and called her secretary. The assistant secretary knocked nervously. "Take the jacket to the dry-cleaners. Bring it back when its ironed and pressed," Qu told her. The secretary rxed when she heard the task. She took the bag and left quickly. Qu turned on herputer and clicked on the email she had failed to send hesitantly. Qin Guans material was in the attachments. Qu added the Citizen file and pressed send after hesitating for a long time. She cared for Qin Guan too much. He would have to rely on himself in the future. Qin Guan had no idea about this. The time for his qualification exams for going abroad was approaching. He couldnt focus his attention on insignificant things. The following job would be the biggest testament of his identity as a model. Chapter 240: A Small World Chapter 240: A Small World Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia ording to the schedule, one week after Kyoko Fukada returned to Japan, Qin Guans photo album would be released with local mainstream fashion magazines in all the countries where Citizen offices were located. His carefree days would be over. He would be surrounded by gawkers whenever he strolled along the street. He scampered off like a frightened rat to training school with Cong Nianwei. A few dayster, the courses would be finished and they would drift apart. The tutor was making a speech on the tform, giving them a pep talk for the following exams. He Ming murmured, "Thats why I hate new teachers. They are still new to their roles. Soon they wont be so excited anymore." Lan Jin wasughing in the front, his red hair shaking. He Ming hit him on the head. "This is thest time we meet before the exams. We should take advantage of it and have a party together. We could look after each other in the US in the future." Lan Jin was in high spirits, when Qin Guans phone suddenly rang. "Yes, its me, Brother Bu. Whats the matter?" Bu Qinglu was lying on the couch in his office, his feet on the tea table. Two more guys were lying on the couch across from him. He spoke to the receiver loudly, "I have two things to tell you. First, your roommates came here today with your VIP card and I led them to the third floor for free." "Thank you, Brother Bu. Just leave them alone. You dont need to take care of them." Bu grinned. "Do you think Im a stingy man? Ill make them feel at home, dont worry." "Second, you are our shareholder and CFO, right? Ivee across an opportunity here. Could youe over and give me some advice? The partner seems reliable, but you know Im only experienced in the service industry. Help me and Ill share the opportunity with you." "Okay, Iming. Will it take a lot of my time?" "No, well just meet them here and get a general idea of their n. Well decide what to do on the spot. They are old friends and pretty straightforward guys." Qin Guan smiled. "Okay. I have some new friends here. Could you give us some good rooms?" Bu sounded much happier. He put his feet down and told Qin Guan in a mysterious voice. "Quick! Youll really like it!" Qin Guan hung up and asked He Ming and Guan Jian, "Shall we go to the Fruit & Candy Club? I have some friends there." He Ming and Guan Jian exchanged a nce and shrugged. "Good choice." Did you forget to ask somebody elses opinion? Cong Nianwei always followed Qin Guan to any ce he went for amusement. Did he even ask Lan Jin? Everyone always ignored him. The boy would be happy to go with them wherever they went. He was a textbook case of a guy with no friends, who didnt feel loved. After the teachers 10-minute testimonial on graduation, the five boys left the ssroom. Four vastly different cars roared to life. Led by Qin Guans Cherokee, they drove in line, heading for the main road. It took them only 15 minutes to get to the club. They got out of their cars and entered through the gate. Qin Guan nodded at the manager and reached the third floor without any trouble. "My roommates are also here. I have to go greet them." He Ming smiled. "Your schoolmates? Lets go together." Qin Guan smiled back. "Okay. Then well go to the fourth floor." Qin Guan pushed in and the happyughter and cheerful voices inside stopped at once. Liu Xiaoyang was shouting at a microphone selflessly. The boy had taken off all the clothes on his upper body and tied ribbons on his head. A girl named Mimi or Lulu was apuding behind him. There were empty beer bottles on the floor. Li Jie, who was slightly drunk, was teasing a beautiful girl. There were lipstick stains all over his face. They were all stunned when Qin Guan entered. Li Jie fixed his eyes on him and grinned. "Qin Guan, its you! Come in! Lets have fun together!" Before Qin Guan could say anything, he noticed that Liu Xiaoyang suddenly looked way more shocked than before. His eyeballs nearly dropped off his wide open eyes. He turned off the microphone and stood up straighter. Trembling, he told the man behind Qin Guan, "B... Brother Guan, what are you doing here?" Liu was famous for his sharp wit. Why was he stammering though? Did he know Guan Jian? Chapter 241: Questioning Chapter 241: Questioning Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Confused, everyone fixed their eyes on Guan Jian, who was standing behind Qin Guan. The tall boy strolled up to Liu Xiaoyang with a strange smile. Before speaking, he looked around him. Then he looked down at Liu with a faint smile on his face. "Look at you, Liu Xiaoyang! Does your mom know what youre doing these days? You learned how to y with girls, huh?" He pped Liu on the head with his huge palm. Liu tried to exin nervously, "No, Brother Guan. I was just singing here." They must know each other! Qin Guan kindly exined on Lius behalf, "The owner of the club is my friend, so I invited them here. The girls only drink and sing songs with the clients. Dont worry." Guan Jian turned to look at Qin Guan and grinned, making Qin Guan shiver. He took his hand off Lius head and patted him on the shoulder fatherly. "You have grown up so much. You know how to rx now." Liu looked like a wild animal who felt safe again. He rolled his eyes and asked curiously, "Are you here with Qin Guan?" Qin Guan made a gesture, letting Guan Jian speak. Guan Jians horrifying smile disappeared, and he hugged Liu around the shoulders. "Liu Xiaoyang lives in the same neighborhood as me. Ive known him since we were kids. Ive watched him grow up. You are only 18 years old! This ce..." Then he took his hand and rubbed it on his pants. "What a crazy boy! Whats that on your body? Its so sticky!" Liu put on his hoodie, trying to exin, "Im sweaty all over..." Guan Jian pointed at Qin Guan. "I know him from training school. He is the roommate you always showed off about, right? I would have never guessed. This is He Ming. He lives in the courtyard of the diplomats. Its not far from our neighborhood. And this is Lan Jin. He reminds me of you a lot. You could be good friends in the future." By that time, Cong Nianwei had taken a seat opposite the two girls. Liu cheered up at Guans introduction. He bowed before He Ming and said, "Brother He, you are like my own brother." Who said that Liu had not mastered everyday life courtesies? He was amazing at being the younger brother. He sized Lan Jin up from head to toe and introduced himself, "Hello, Im Liu Xiaoyang. Brother Guan says we are a lot alike." The straight-A student and the underachiever talked happily. Cong Nianwei was talking to the three girls with a calm smile. Li Jie was sitting still with his hands between his legs. He no longer looked like a yboy. The two girls sitting with him were answering Cong Nianweis questions honestly. Cong Nianwei blinked and leaned forward slightly. "Good! Now I know your age, work experience and job description. Ill get straight to the point. Is anybody here a frequent guest? Who? How often?" The two girls looked at Qin Guan subconsciously. They had finally met his mysterious girlfriend. She was sitting in front of them, reminding them of a strict primary school teacher. They couldnt help but shiver at her smile. The girl in Li Jies arms sat up straight. She was sure that Brother Qin was being bullied by his girlfriend. "Brother Qines here the most often," she answered. It felt like a thunder hadnded on Qin Guans head. Cong Nianwei was smiling sweetly, making Li Jie shiver and sober up. The girl hastened to add, "Hees here for work. He goes directly to the sixth floor. Brother Lies here for singing and ying. Hes be a frequent guest after the ser match. Hees here every weekend for me, because I have the biggest boobs." She pushed her breasts up with both hands proudly. The girl beside her nodded. Cong Nianwei rxed a little, and everyone in the room felt warmer. Relieved, Qin Guan invited everyone to the fourth floor. Li Jies feet feltid, so the two girls had to support him with their hands. He smoothed his hair and asked Qin Guan, "Have you been promoted? Can you go to the fourth floor now?" Chapter 242: Opportunity Chapter 242: Opportunity Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Embarrassed, Qin Guan answered, "Yes, Ive been promoted. If I knew how often you came here, Id give you another VIP card." They all went out of the room. Guan Jian put his arm around Lius neck and warned him in a low voice, "Have a sense of propriety! Stay away from Li Jie." Panting, Liu Xiaoyang answered, "Well have the same tutor next year and were still roommates. He might be a yboy, but he has no other bad habits." Guan grinned and loosened his grip on him. "I had to advise you. They have no idea about your background, right?" Liu whispered proudly, "Im not an idiot. I wouldnt show off about my family to my roommates. Besides, those are my parents achievements, not mine. I will show off about my own achievements someday." Guan was relieved. The little boy has grown up. They all went to the fourth floor together. This was the first time Qin Guan went there. He showed the golden card to the receptionist proudly. "You have room 4004, Mr. Qin. Follow me, please." Qin Guan told everyone, "Ill go have a talk with Brother Bu. Just enjoy yourselves. Ille find youter." Then he handed his wallet to Cong Nianwei. "Take it. Spend any money you need to." Cong Nianwei nced at Qin Guan and pushed the wallet away without hesitation. She had gotten arge bonus from the program. This kind of money was nothing for her. She gestured at Qin Guan to reassure him and followed his unreliable friends into the room. Qin Guan watched her go happily. She spends her own money for me! Shes amazing! Qin Guan hadnt noticed the new bed sheets and the groceries in the fridge and the kitchen cabs. It was Cong Nianwei who had bought them in secret. Besides, she also washed his towels and socks. Qin Guan entered Bu Qinglu and Wang Hailiangs office and saw Zhang Zhenqian sitting on the couch. Surprised, he greeted everyone and took a seat. Bu spoke first, "Qin Guan, you must know Zhang Zhenqian. We are old friends. Of course, I didnt invite you here to talk about friendship. Zhang wants to share an opportunity with us. You are our partner, so we must discuss this together. This is his proposal. Id like to hear your advice." He handed Qin Guan a thick pile of auction invitations. On the front page, there were the qualifications, requirements, types of machines and standard models. Qin Guan read through the material and got a general idea. Then he returned the documents to Zhang. "Brother Zhang, how many projects are you after?" "Mypany just began doing business. I deal in electric generators, battering rams and road rollers." "So why are you here?" Zhang coughed awkwardly. "You know, Qin Guan. This is my first business since I founded thepany. I used all my contacts to get this chance. Its my first and final fight." He looked around him pathetically. "Thepany is burning my capital. Its hard for me to take on three bids." He had gone there for help. He knew his two old friends were running a club. Zhangs words transferred Qin Guan back to his past life. He had met Zhang at a party, but then he had only been a green hand, while Zhang had already had argepany. Zhang liked to talk about himself over everything else. He had told the other guests a story about his struggles. During his roughest time, he hadnt gotten a single job in one year. He had started to doubt whether he was suitable for the industry or doomed to lose everything. He didnt want to give up his rtions in the industry though. They had cost him a lot of energy and material resources after all. Just as his chain in the capital was about to copse, he hade across a big chance. His rtions had given him a chance to take a bid. He had borrowed money from all his friends and rtives and gathered all the capital he needed. In the end, he had won the bid and survived. The story was much more interesting in this life though. Now he had three bids, which meant that the other two were beyond his means. Every link in the bidding process required an investment, and the government wouldnt prepay such arge-scale construction project. Chapter 243: A Big Deal Chapter 243: A Big Deal Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia As he thought of that, Qin Guan felt reassured. He decided to ask a sensitive question that Bu and Wang were too embarrassed to talk about. "Brother Zhang, business is business. I have to be clear about the situation. How much can you invest on the project? What about the sess rate? If we have enough capital, how many projects could you handle?" Zhang was pleased to talk with Qin Guan. He was a very sensible person in his opinion. He was actually annoyed by the other two idiots, who were beating around the bush. "With the right product prices, I can guarantee an 80% sess rate. And I can promise to get two." "As for other ones, one can just bid for a try. The government doesnt keep the deposits made for bidding applications. Im qualified for 80% of the projects." Qin Guan smiled. He didnt focus on the mans boasting. What he was interested in was the amount which Zhang had built a fortune on those days. He broke in, "Brother Zhang, lets leave the bidding applications aside. Just tell me how much capital you have, how much you want us to invest, and how we would share the profits." Zhang paused for a second before he replied shamelessly, "I have 30,000 in my hands. Youd have to make up for the rest. We can split the profits 50-50." What the f*ck! Is your nickname Big Face? How could you make such a shameless proposal? Qin Guan began toin about his impudence, exposing his crafty side to Bu and Wang. "ording to the bidding applications, there are 50 generator sets with a listed price of 4,500 yuan each. The tender price would be about 7,000 yuan. Along with the transportation, wed have to pay 300,000. The list price for the 20 road rollers is more than 200,000, and the tender price will be about 300,000, so wed have to invest 6,000,000 just on this bid." "As far as the 80 high-consumption battering rams are concerned, wed have to buy them at any moment. ording to the average domestic product price, wed have to have another 300,000 at hand for those." "This means that wed invest 6,300,000 and get a profit of 1,600,000 million, if we won the bidding contest. Wed only get 800,000. This is not worth our time." Bu and Wang were confused by the numbers. Zhang was stupefied. How could this guy memorize so much data in such a short time? He tried to exin, "But we can get our capital back in one month. Its an experimental program of the West North Development n. The government will see it through. Besides, you couldnt get that kind of profit if you deposited the money in a bank." "Brother Zhang, this coboration would cost us a lot," Qin Guan said. Zhang looked up in surprise. Staring at the handsome young negotiator, he realized in horror that they were talking about business, not friendship. He took a handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe the sweat of his face. He had tried all possible ways to convince them, but it was in vain. He was a drowning man clutching at a straw. Otherwise, he wouldnt be visiting old friends. Qin Guan smiled. "ording to your investment, you should earn only 5%. You were too greedy to ask for half of the profits." Then he tried to lighten the mood and give Zhang some hope, "Nowadays, rtionships are also taken into consideration though. You are a good friend of Brother Bu and Wang, so we wouldnt cheat you. How about two to eight? Youd get two." Qin Guan gestured to stop Zhang. "Let me finish. Since you have the documents, wed make a good deal as well." He picked a pen up from the table and began to write on a page of product data. His slender fingers danced between the pages as the three tough guys fixed their eyes on him. Finally, he poked at thest column and returned the documents to Zhang. "Wed just bid for these." Zhang read the documents, his fingers moving faster and faster between the pages. Finally, he looked up, "Are you crazy? You want to get all the small electric machines and tools? Did you tick them for their low prices? Just the rivets on the guard railing would cost 1,000,000. You couldnt get that much money, even if you bought those two out!" Qin Guan crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back as if everything was fine. "Did you notice anything about the objects I ticked?" Chapter 244: Everything Is Ready Chapter 244: Everything Is Ready Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Its only small tools and parts. Thergest ones are ten small-scale workstations." Qin Guan took He Qians card out of his elegant silver card holder. He waved it before Zhang Zhenqian. "Have you heard of Stanley? I prepare small things for them." Zhangughed. "You want to buy stock from these guys? They might have just entered the Chinese market, but they are no idiots." "If I seed, will you agree to the shares I suggested?" Qin Guan asked confidently. Zhangs brain was working fervently. No! The ticked objects were screaming at him, reminding him of the considerable profits. He licked his dry lips and said decisively, "If you convince Stanley, then yes. Ill ept your proposal." Qin Guan pped his hands. "Okay! If I convince Stanley, well split the profits eighty to twenty. If we get all three projects, itll be forty to sixty. I think Brother Bu and Wang would like to give you a hand." Zhang felt reassured by the proposal. This young man seems like a good partner. He shook the documents before them, reminding them, "Time is pressing! The bidding evaluators will be isted one week earlier. They will stay somece together, away from other people. We have two weeks left. Ill submit the bidding applications ording to your n. Then youll have only one week to gather the capital and convince Stanley." Qin Guan nodded calmly. "One week is enough. Just take care of the documents for me." Zhang left without a word. He had a lot to do in the following week. He and his staff would have to work overtime. Bu Qinlu watched Zhang drive off in his car. Then he asked Qin Guan doubtfully, "Are you confident that youll seed? You shouldnt strain yourself. We could just lend him some money." Qin Guan was shocked by his sincere words. He was used to a world in which everyone was trying to cheat others. The kind brothers had moved him. He poked Bus arm yfully. "Im earning money for myself. Throw me a bone this time. Ill provide one third of the capital. 2,000,000, is that okay?" Buughed and hugged Qin Guan. Then he told Wang, who was still in a daze, "Of course, we wont forget you." The three of themughed loudly. Everything was settled, so Qin Guan put He Qians card away carefully, said goodbye to Bu and Qin, and left the office. He was worried about his strange friends. When he entered the room though, he saw that everything was normal. It was a big room of about 100 square metres, perfect for private parties. There was a bar by the door, and chairs and couches were scattered around the room. There was also a set of sound equipment, and a chess board and cards on a shelf. Qin Guan looked around and saw that Cong Nianwei was not there. "Where is Cong Nianwei?" he asked Li Jie. Li Jie was ying chess with one of the girls. He took a sip of his tea and pointed to a beautiful swinging door. "She might be in the oil massage room." Relieved, Qin Guan sat down on the soft couch and watched the guys in confusion. Guan Jian and Liu Xiaoyang were talking about something in low voices by the bar. Guan Jian was sitting and Liu was standing. Liu served tea or gave cigarettes to Guan with pleasure. Any time Guan said something to him, Liu would flush in excitement. He was standing perfectly straight like a soldier. The weirdest couple though was Lan Jin and He Ming. The two guys from two different worlds were enjoying an extra service of the room: shaving. Two experienced masters were working on their faces with shining traditional razors. Their skills were impable. Qin Guan was speechless. Suddenly, Cong Nianwei came out of the massage room looking satisfied. She smiled at her boyfriend and sat down beside him. Chapter 245: Drunk Without Wine Chapter 245: Drunk Without Wine Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia They sat close to each other on the soft couch, the cold fragrance of orchid surrounding them. Qin Guan sniffed her hair dramatically and teased her, "How sweet you smell, little girl!" Before he could continue, Cong Nianwei pulled him up and pushed him towards the door of the massage room. "Its free massage! Ites with the room. Just enjoy it!" Then she smiled at the other guys and picked up a novel with an attractive cover from the shelf. Lying on the couch, she got absorbed in reading. Not long after, a scream of agony came from the room. "It hurts! Dont press there! Ah!" Cong Nianwei looked up, smiling in satisfaction. Then she turned to the next page. The oil massage was rxing, but it hurt. Cong Nianwei had withstood that pain for 40 minutes, gritting her teeth to hold back her shouts. Of course she would suggest a massage to her boyfriend. They left the clubte at night. Both He Ming and Guan Jian had enjoyed their time at the quiet club. Qin Guan handed them two VIP cards, making a short introduction. They could experience the cards benefits gradually in the future. Qin Guan couldnt show them the secret rooms while Cong Nianwei was there. They started their cars and left one by one. Destiny had tied them together. Sighing with emotion, Qin Guan told Cong Nianwei, "Its getting cold. Ill take you back to college." Cong Nianwei took Qin Guans bag with a smile. "Okay." He started the car and put on a slow blues song. Then he said tentatively, "Cong Nianwei?" "Yes?" She turned her head around. Looking steadily forward, Qin Guan said, "Shall we live outside campus in the US? I could ask John to find an apartment for us." Cong Nianwei blinked and turned her head to watch the scenery outside. "Okay!" she answered without hesitation. Qin Guan clenched the steering wheel harder. "No, I mean... Live together... You and..." he said nervously. He couldnt continue. Cong Nianwei didnt turn around. Her back turned to Qin Guan, she answered calmly, "I know what you mean. How long will we know each other by then? I would like to." Qin Guan felt like he had lost his voice. Only his rapid breathing could be heard inside the carriage. Cong Nianweis fairy-like face was visible in the window. Judging by the reflection, she had to be blushing. They were growing up gradually. Some emotions would dissipate in time, while others would mature like the purest, richest wine. Different people had different definitions of love. That was as natural as the air and water. Under the QH dormitory building, a boy was seen shouting inside his car, waving his fists in the air, "YES! YES!" ... He Qian thought this was her lucky day. Her idol had called her back! She was busy putting on makeup at her desk. The fierce, tough girl was experiencing nervousness for the first time in her life. Her assistant knocked on the door, informing her that Mr. Qin had arrived. He Qian looked up and pushed all her makeup tools into a drawer. She smoothed her curly brown hair unconsciously and coughed. "Yes." Her assistant was familiar with her behavior. Trying to cover up his smile, he led Qin Guan inside. Qin Guan entered the office and saw the girl watching him seriously. "Thank you. Close the door for me, please," she told her assistant. When he left, they looked at each other for more than ten seconds. Finally, He covered her face. "Oh, my god! You really called me back! Whats the matter?" Qin Guan couldnt help but smile. He handed He Qian all the documents. "Something is the matter. Just look at these first." Confused, He Qian took the documents and began reading. She was getting more and more surprised as she progressed. Several days ago, her manager had brought her the bidding applications. She had read the paperwork, but hadnt paid much attention to it. She engaged in importing tools, not in domestic development programs. She was surprised to see that Qin Guans prices were lower than her managers by 10%. "Do your friends want to bid on this project? The profit would be too small if they won." Chapter 246: A Professional Agent Chapter 246: A Professional Agent Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan shook his head. "No, I want the equipment of the deal. The bidding project is my final goal. Are you interested?" Suddenly, her eyes opened wide and she turned into a cunning merchant. "Got it. I could provide you with the small tools and parts. I know the biding price, but you are here for a basic agent price." Qin Guan shook his head again. "No, the investment required is beyond my means." "What? You want to get something for nothing then?" "No, I want to transfer the equipment. If I could get 60% of the project with that price, would you be interested?" He Qians heart was beating faster and faster. As a general agent of Stanley China, she had been distributing products only for a short time. Her performance was just average, but she relied on the sales volume topete with others. She had only achieved 60% of her annual goal by then, and it was alreadyte October. She calcted fast in her brain. Ill be able to reach my goal and then some! She sighed. "The profit would be too low for me though." Qin Guan smiled again. Gifted with the ability of foreseeing, he could read the cards in her hand. "As far as I know, there is a reward mechanism for general agents of foreign brands. For giant machinery, its 10%. Whats the rate for small tools?" He Qing was surprised. My idol knows the industry. She sighed and put down the paperwork, trying to make another proposal, "The second bid requires a guarantee betweenpanies. To tell you the truth, I dont know anything about thispany. It would be a huge risk on such a big project. There are too many holes on the other side." Qin Guan kept smiling as he proposed a second n: a temporary contract with five signatures between legal persons and shareholders. "Its a newpany with five shareholders. You could be considered one of them." He Qian realized an experienced professional was sitting across from her. She read through the contract and called her assistant. "Take this to Ada from the Legal Department. Its urgent. I need it today!" Her assistant took the contract and left. Then He Qian asked, "Will you control the capital flow? Shall I monitor the bidding process then?" "Dont worry. After we found the newpany, the shareholders can send inspectors to the Finance and Sales Department. Well need your direct participation in the future." They began discussing it further. After a long time, the meeting was finished. When Qin Guan left, He Qian saw that her eyeshadow brush was on the floor. She picked it up. The silver powder on it was shining with a mysterious light, just like Qin Guans mysterious beauty. Maybe he is my lucky star after all. Qin Guan had finished his task. The rest of the work would be up to Bu Qinglu. His exams were much more important. Lan Jin was nervous about the exams, but Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan were not. When they exited the examination room, Qin Guan suddenly sneezed in the autumn wind. Cong Nianwei hastened to take a red hand-weaved scarf from her bag. Qin Guan took it and put it around his neck. "Its good." Cong Nianwei was looking at him as if he was an idiot. She was thinking about weaving a blue scarf with the same materials. The long scarf made Qin Guan look like a cute hamster. Their heads were really close, when suddenly Qin Guans phone started ringing. Sister Xue sounded nervous. "Did you finish your exams? Come to my officeter!" Qin Guan hung up and shrugged. He had to take his girlfriend back to college and ran to work. When he entered Sister Xues private office, he saw a short-haired woman looking at him with an appraising expression. She seemed quite quick-witted and capable. Qin Guan greeted her and cast a nce at Sister Xue, realizing her face was slightly twisted. This was their secret signal, indicating that the woman was difficult to deal with. Acting calm, Qin Guan asked Sister Xue, "Whats the matter?" Sister Xue answered in a stranger manner, "Let me introduce Wang Jingcao, Sister Wang. She is a famous star agent." Qin Guan got worried. What does she want from me? Im a nobody! Wang greeted Qin Guan as if she knew him, "Hello, Im Wang Jingcao. Both Li Bingbing and Fang Pingping have talked about you. Im really interested in you. I just wanted to have a look at the actor who attracted the attention of those two beauties. Now I understand why. Reality matches your reputation." Chapter 247: Poaching Chapter 247: Poaching Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan felt embarrassed by her words. He felt a strange sense of familiarity towards the woman. She seemed like an old friend or a family member, even though this was their first meeting. Sister Xue stared at them nervously. The woman had great connections and background. She was afraid that Wang would steal Qin Guan from her in the future. Her presentiment was correct. Wang stopped beating around the bush and got to the point, "I heard that you have been very productive this year. You acted in three TV shows, right?" Sister Xue straightened her back proudly, but Wangs next words hit her across the face. "I have watched your shows, and there were two serious problems. The first is that you always y the same roles. You are always a co-star in period shows. The second problem is your haste in selecting roles. Its dangerous to be limited to a certain type of character. Just count how many viins you have yed! Five! In five different shows." "Although your roles are popr among the audience, the directors will easily limit your choices. In the future, they will assign only viin parts to you, and it will be toote for you to change." Sister Xue felt embarrassed by her words. I have no excuse to defend myself. Wang Jingcao looked at Qin Guan regretfully. This diamond has been misused! His agent must be an amateur. Then she asked Qin Guan, "Whats your opinion? Would you like to be my client?" "In fact, Ive been paying attention to you ever since W. Brother contacted you. You rejected them and they threw your card in the trash bin, but I picked it up. Then I visited the actors and crews you cooperated with and learned that you had a good reputation. Otherwise, I wouldnt be here." Sister Xue and Qin Guan were convinced. Her clients included actors like Chen Daoming after all. What shed said had showed her scorn for Sister Xue though. The woman was really confident about herself. Before Sister Xue exploded, Wang threw another bomb at them. "Id like to invite you to Silver Eagle in early November." Qin Guan was surprised. "But I wasnt nominated for an award. Im not qualified to attend the festival." Wang Jingcao tried to exin, "Besides thepetitors, many honored guests and actors are invited to the ceremony. Will you consider it?" In Qin Guans past life, Wang had seized opportunities for her actors by using a bicycle. She would shuttle among crews,panies and VIPs homes by bike. In one year, shed be the most famous agent. What she relied on was caring for her actors. It was a pity that this was not Qin Guans aim. Otherwise, he might have been convinced. Sister Xue suddenly remembered something and began to gloat. Qin Guan replied sincerely, "Sister Wang, its my honor to get invited by you, but Id like to be honest." Sister Xue eyed Qin Guan, trying her best to stop him. Her eyes and nose werepletely twisted. Qin Guan held hisughter back as he said, "I have my own reasons for epting roles like that. Im nning on studying abroad next year." Wang was shocked. It was hard for her to ept that a rising star would give up his career without hesitation to go abroad. "If you were only an actor, the losses of going abroad would outweigh the gains. You are also well-known in the fashion industry though. In my opinion, your achievements as a model yed a big part in your sess. Im also trying to create a do-all star in China. I want to foster a new star that sets fashion trends in Asia, like those in Japan and South Korea." "Why do you want to go abroad?" Sister Xue broke in, "Qin Guan took this job in his spare time. He wants to be an ountant. He will apply for a financial major in foreign colleges. Hes not going to a drama school." Wang Jingcao was speechless. Shed known that he was a college student, but this was beyond her imagination. Qin Guan wanted to deliver some good news to relieve the tension in the room. "Dont worry, Sister Wang. I might continue working part-time overseas. I have some acquaintances in the modelling circle there. If I get an offer from a college, Ill have to earn my tuition fees, so I wont quit the industry anytime soon." Wang looked cheered up. "Which country do you n to move to? Which college are you applying to?" "New York in the US. I think I could at least get an offer from LEE." Wang pped in excitement. "Thats great! We should keep in touch. Dont rush to say no!" Chapter 248: Preliminary Discussion Chapter 248: Preliminary Discussion Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia She smiled warmly at Sister Xue. "I know you. Qin Guan was your model at the very beginning. You might be a green hand in the film and TV circle, but that doesnt matter. Would you like to cooperate with me?" Her attitude changed so fast that Sister Xue didnt know what to say. Wang moved closer to them, breaking the deadlock. "Going abroad doesnt mean giving up your career in China. With proper management, you could manage that unfavorable situation. This may be another chance for you. If you trust me, Ill help you. Will you return to China after your graduation?" "Of course!" Qin Guan answered resolutely. "Thats it!" Wang Jingcao looked slightly excited. She couldnt help but rub her hands together. "Study abroad and maintain your domestic poprity. When you return to China, youll get other roles. If possible, you should appear at a top fashion week or aunching event to expose yourself to the public. Just send the photos back and Ill do the processing. Nowadays, most top brands are from foreign countries anyway." Qin Guan was speechless. "Thats cheating! If I can get an offer from a big brand, Ill inform you and Sister Xue as soon as possible. I dont want to squeeze in to shows like that though." Wang was still happy. "So you agree with me?" Sister Xue nodded at Qin Guan. He tried to make the two excited women calm down, "Ill work hard, provided that the work doesnt influence my courses. You can just contact Sister Xue about our future cooperation. I trust her." Sister Xue felt warm. Thats my boy. "I believe in you, Qin Guan. The LEE designer was full of praise for you at the Capital Fashion Week. He also invited you to the US. This is the perfectbination of a favorable climate and the best human resources. It will be easy for you to appear at a middle-scale fashion show. Your courses will be a piece of cake. Asian students are famous for their good marks." Wang knew that they had decided to cooperate with her and she suddenly turned into a babysitter. She pped on the table happily. "We have a deal! You can attend the Silver Eagle Festival with me. Ill invite you as an honorable guest on the red carpet. Ill discuss this further with your agent." The atmosphere was quite harmonious. Qin Guan decided to leave. He had to prepare for his college applications. Before leaving though, he turned around and asked, "Sister Wang, when will the Silver Eagle Festival be held?" "On November 5th." Smiling, Qin Guan reminded her, "My photo album..." Then he left, leaving the two women to discuss about his first photo album, which would be released in all major Asian countries at the same time. Qin Guans TV shows would be aired at the end of the year on local TV stations. With proper management, his status in the entertainment circle would be promoted to a certain level. By the time he went abroad, he might have a ce not just on the inte, but among traditional media as well. He might even be as popr as Huang Xiaoming, who had starred in "Emperor of the Han Dynasty". "When the album is released, we should..." Qin Guan was calm about the current situation. They had already established the five-shareholderpany. His deposit and most of the ie had been transferred to the ount of thepany as an investment. Early November would be the luckiest period of his life, what with the bidding, the photo album, and the red carpet of the Silver Eagle Festival happening at the same time. Qu Xuemei opened Adas reply in the VOGUE headquarters. She read the email, taking in ten lines at a nce and letting out a long breath. She slowly leaned back against her chair. As expected, Qin Guan had failed to qualify for World Fashion Man. Half a loaf was better than no bread though. He had at least qualified for Asia. People among the top fashion circle didnt attach importance to the title anyway. It was just the domestic circle. Her assistant knocked on the door as she was massaging the bridge of her nose. "Yes?" The assistant walked in with a hanger. "Heres the suit, Chief Editor." Qu paused for a while before she answered, "Put it on the couch." Her assistant did as she was told. Then she asked, "The printer is waiting for our orders. Is this version okay for printing?" Chapter 249: The Photo Album Release Chapter 249: The Photo Album Release Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qu turned her eyes away from the clothes. "Ask them to start printing. The same process." The assistant had another question. "We sent a sample fragrance for the Citizen photo album as a gift. Would it exceed the budget?" Qu smiled. There was still a lot for the girl to learn. "We will deduct it from the album. Plus, the advertisers asked for the gift. It was J Clothing, or something like that. They want to post an advertisement in our magazine, so that it can be released at the same time as Qin Guans album. Too bad this is not our cup of tea. They should ask Rayli instead. 10,000 copies are not much for Asia anyway. China could swallow half of them up. Besides, Citizen will definitely publish an autographed copyter. It should be at the end of the year. Theyll organize some kind of activity to take advantage of the increasing purchases." The assistant admired Qu very much. She retreated from the office silently to deliver her orders. Ms. Fu, with her preeminent statistical capacity, had an indistinct feeling that the Chief Editor really appreciated Qin Guan. Qu pick up the suit and pulled open the folding door of a tall yellow wooden cab beside her desk, which was filled with articles about Qin Guan. There were giant posters, newspaper clippings, photos, even the background for a racing festival. Qu hung the suit up among them and smiled with satisfaction. I have one more piece for my collection. The next day, Qin Guans photo album was silently put on shelves all around Asia. The biggest markets included the China maind, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. Nearly all top fashion magazines featured the album as an additional gift. The same scene was repeated in different areas. In China: "15 yuan for VOGUE! Theres an album as a gift. Have a look!" Lao Zhang, the owner of the newsstand, actually paid for one. He looked through it page by page and then put it on the most prominent ce on the shelf. He remembered Qin Guan. The boy would bring him a small fortune. He had recognized him at first nce when Xiao Wang had delivered the albums and the newspapers. He shamelessly took all the magazines from the five neighboring newsstands. A girl turned over two pages before she saw Qin Guan, the cover model of the first issue of VOGUE. As a loyal fan of the magazine, she would definitely buy it. Lao Zhang took 50 yuan from her happily and handed her two magazines, as well as a beautiful pocket-size basket with a 5 ml fragrance sample. "Heres the gift!" The girl epted the gift with joy. When I get off work, I will drop by the fragrance shop. If the sample smells good, I may buy it. The sales volume the whole week made Lao Zhang happy. Meanwhile, newsstand owners in Japan and South Korea took tough measures to sell the magazines. "Why is this edition so expensive?" Some girls hesitated by the shelves, looking at JJ and Rayli. "Its for two magazines and an album. Look at the cover! That boy is so handsome..." The two girls bought one magazine together. They would really regret that decision in the future. They would fight over the ownership of the magazine and be arch enemies. While the sales were carrying on silently, Wang Jingcao returned to her private office in W. Brother. Her actors were getting more and more, and she preferred to do all the work herself, no matter how important or trivial it was. Following her orders, her assistant had been waiting for that date for several days. Now he was ready to report to his director about the statistics. Wang touched the ss on her desk. The temperature of the water was just right. She looked at the smart young man in satisfaction. "Tell me, Xu Chen. What are the results?" Xu opened his big file and made a clear report, "The amount distributed in Asia was limited to 10,000 copies, which were bought by 10 magazines. Half of them are in China, the main battlefield. The rest are divided equally ording to the poption of other countries." "ording to the statistics sent by our staff, the total sales on the first day reached 35%. At such a high speed, I believe theyll be sold out in less a week. Following your orders, I have sent the news to entertainment reporters in Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. They sent back rtive photos and material. I have entered everything into thepany office system. Call me if you need anything." Then he put the file on Wangs desk, waiting for her next orders. Wang drank half the ss of water to soothe her dry throat. Then she nodded at her capable assistant, "Good. Select the script for me. Ill call you if I need you." "Yes, madam!" After he left, Wang turned on herputer to check out the data. In one of the photos, there was a ssic Japanese house of a distinct Nagoya style. It was a characteristic teahouse. The owner was a gentle Japanesedy, and the shelves were filled with Qin Guans albums. She had to be a crazy fan. Under the cover, there was a pink heart. The customers looked embarrassed. Thedy refused to sell them the albums. Chapter 250: Hot News Chapter 250: Hot News Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Satisfied, Wang moved the photo to another folder for future use. It would sell like crazy. The worship of foreigners always resonated with ordinary people. Thinking of the military g incident, Wang sneered. "Rather than admiring Japan or South Korea, we should make them admire China. That would be the real sess." She clicked on the second photo and suddenly sprayed water on the screen. Whats going on? It was a photo from South Korea. Two girls in different school uniforms were fighting over a magazine. Unfortunately, they had no idea that a boy had taken advantage of their fight to steal the magazine from them and pay the newsstand owner. At the back door, an old man was taking a photo of the scene. Wangughed. The photo would be perfect for propaganda. Out of the domestic photos, she selected the one with the most people lining up to purchase the album. That was enough. Qin Guan was really charming! Wangs propaganda material was silently ced on the boss desk. "She signed on with another actor?" he asked his secretary doubtfully. "No, shes just preparing for the future. He is not an actor, hes actually a model. He has enjoyed certain fame in the entertainment circle though." The boss picked up a photo and recognized Qin Guan, whom he had failed to recruit. He knocked on his desk. "Whats the rtionship between him and ourpany?" "ording to Sister Wang, theyre coborating. If our actors fail an audition, he will be a substitute. We have a detailed contract on the ie share. Sister Wang says its better than letting otherpanies benefit from him." The boss nodded in agreement. "Show him our power, provide enough opportunities, and he will gradually join our camp. Good idea! All the agents in ourpany should learn from Wang. This is what a talented agent is like. Others get frustrated, but she explores ways out of a muddle." The boss signed the list. It would not cost him much anyway. "In the future, the expenses of this actor can be incorporated into Wangs bills. Theres no formal contract, but they can be considered daily expenditures." "Okay!" The secretary retreated from the office with the list. It seems like I have to change my evaluation of Wang. Even the boss trusts her! Everypany had its own mechanism on publicity and propaganda. The machine quickly got to work. They used printed media, the inte and TV, silently reaching all entertainment fans. "Top Chinese male model dbuts in Asia. 10,000 Citizen photo albums are selling like crazy." "Qin Guan, the most cost-effective ambassador of Citizen." Those were the titles on several national newspapers. The editor read thetest Southern Weekly contently. W. Brother was so generous. He took the bills out of the envelope and began to count them. 600 yuan, no more or less. In an era when ordinary white-cor employees earned 2,500 yuan monthly, it was quite a good bonus. He knocked on a photo of Qin Guan and whispered with satisfaction, "Thank you, bro!" The news on the inte were a mess. Chinese people were interested in the foreigners worship of Great China, which arose a heartfelt sense of pride in them. At the time, young people wanted to be understood and epted by the world. Due to the anonymity ofmunication, many misunderstandings arose among countries. Patriotism was a civil feeling that existed not only among middle-aged people, but also among the youth. Most young nationalists gathered on the inte. When the news were released,menting areas suddenly got jammed. Thousands ofments appeared under the news. The news about Qin Guan were just in time to provide an outlet for confused young people. Forum users discussed and spread the news. They began to sneer happily at photos from Japan and South Korea. "Chinese boys have a lingering charm. Its said that top brands and designers prefer models who refuse to have cosmetic surgery." "Of course, they like natural beauty. Wild flowers are much better than stic ones." Those kinds ofments kept emerging, some of them analysing the situation and some just boasting. To everyones surprise, the Goupu Forum, who used to belittle Qin Guan, remained silent. Everyone on the forum was apuding. By then, Qin Guan had be a symbol of national honor. Between seven and eight p.m. in theprehensive entertainment reports, different local TV stations broadcasted the news in their own way. Prompt news was a way to keep up audience ratings. Real photos were also proof of the news authenticity. Qu Xuemen opened the door of her apartment and threw her high heels at random. Despite its elegant decoration, her room looked like a waste yard. Judging by her strict and capable image, no one could have imagined that Qu waszy in nature. Chapter 251: Adding Fuel to the Fire Chapter 251: Adding Fuel to the Fire Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia She looked at the pile of bowls and chopsticks in the sink and turned around. Ill watch TV to rx first. She pushed the remote control and the big screen turned on. She shifted to the capital entertainment channel. "Top Chinese male model dbuts in Asia today. 10,000 Citizen photo albums are selling like crazy..." Qu burst intoughter when she saw the cute girl delivering the news in a dramatic way. Interesting. In the news circle, people traded information with each other. Little had she thought that Qin Guan would have a connection with Wang Jingcao. That kind of propaganda was typical W. Brother style. There were not that many idlers fussing over stars online. They were all paid inte users, but the method was very effective. Qu leaned her head back against the leather couch and moved a sock to the side with her toes. Shall I add fuel to the fire? She closed her eyes, trying to picture Qin Guan cleaning the room for her in an apron. She opened her eyes again with a silly smile. Then she dialed the private number of Wang Jingcao. When she got through, she heard some background noise. Wang was at a dinner party. Qu was straightforward. "Sister Wang, this is Qu Xuemei. I saw the news. Did you sign on with another actor?" Wang found a quiet corner to speak on the phone. She smiled at the receiver. "I havent heard from you in a long time. Howe you remembered me? Do you want to express your appreciation for the hot sales? You are just in time. I need your help. Can I promote an actor on your cover? Any issue would be okay for me." Qu was silent for several seconds. What a cunning woman! Qu was a cunning woman herself though, except where Qin Guan was concerned. With a consistent superior tone, she answered, "You are embarrassing me, Sister Wang. Your actors are not qualified to be in our magazine. The hot ones are not fashionable, and vice versa. I have thetest news on Qin Guan. Do you want it?" Wang sensed it would be striking news. "What news?" "In early 2002, he was selected for the next round of the Asian Fashion Menpetition. The winners will be voted online. Isnt that big news?" Wang was speechless. In fact, people in the circle knew that Asia was inferior to Europe and the US in the fashion industry. Thatpetition was only a way tofort Asian models. In the domestic entertainment circle, the title could be overused. People were losing interest in the routines of the circle. The fashion circle was strange and very tasteful though. There were no vulgar models those days, because they lowered the taste of the whole circle. Real luxury brands kept ties with countless fashion experts and toppanies. A three-minute advertisement with an exclusive model cost about 6,000,000 dors. The title meant nothing for top luxury brands, but it was an important symbol for the domestic public and media. Wang was excited about the news. At the time, Qin Guan was only a familiar face for TV show audiences. This would be the best way to call upon his fans. She had to confirm the news for the sake of professional prudence though. "Are the news reliable? Can I ask whos your source?" Qu put down the remote control and said proudly, "I helped Qin Guan apply to thepetition. I originally nned on publishing the news in our magazine, but Id like to share it with you to get the best results." Wang was content with her answer. "Got it! You are just in time! I appreciate it." It will provide more fuel for the fire. Shall I share the honor with other actors? Considering Qin Guans simple, clean background, she felt pity for the boy. Besides, this was the perfect chance to shape him into a national idol. Countless potential ns filled Wangs mind. She wasnt in the mood to enjoy the feast anymore. Qu wasnt able to calm down for a long time. She pressed on her phone and a photo of Qin Guan was disyed on the screen. She blinked at the photo and then switched her phone off. "I hate you..." she said and started crying weakly. ... Qin Guan thought it was a wonderful world. He had been working hard for several years, but his poprity had been average at best. With Wang Jingcaos help though, he had be famous overnight. That was the power of a bigpany. It was also a sign that Qin Guan had been epted by the entertainment circle. He had beenbelled an "instant online celebrity". In directors and producers minds though, those celebrities did not have a solid foundation. Chapter 252: Endless Strange Affairs Chapter 252: Endless Strange Affairs Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The wheels of the entertainment circle kept moving forward for Qin Guan. The Silver Eagle Festival was about to open, and everyone was busy preparing for the ceremony. Most activities had been pushed aside for the festival, but just two days before the event, Wang Jingcao took action. News about Qin Guan started spreading around mainstream websites. The web star quickly got to the top of the charts. Visitors saw small voting areas on the homepages of web portals. They were ck and white, just like the VOGUE cover had been. They looked conspicuous and mysterious among the other colorful photos. "Asia Fashion Men is inviting you to vote." Some curious users clicked on it. The title sounds good. They were disappointed by the introduction though. There was information about 20 models from different Asian countries. Their photos were all on the same page, their nationalities and ages noted right under them. If one clicked on a photo, they would see the models resume, height, size and brand. The concept of voting online was interesting, but the buttons under the photos were grey. On the bottom, there was a line of words: Voting will be open from January 1st to January 3rd, 2002. This was just the warm-up. Some guys took it as a joke, but there were also many who took it seriously. They were curious about the strange modelling circle. The boys in the photos looked like fairies. They noticed a serious problem: There were only two Chinese men among the candidates. As a country with such arge poption, that rate was way too low. Many people decided that they would support Qin Guan, the only model they recognized. They ignored the second model, Shao Xiaobing, because of his inferior poprity. Qu was looking at the voting page doubtfully. The promotion was not strong enough in her opinion. What was Wang thinking about? Suddenly, her phone rang, attracting her attention. She got to work, leaving Qin Guan behind. Qu was right, but Wang already had ns to take care of the situation. She had originally nned on assigning an image advisor to help Qin Guan with his outfit for the festival. Then she realized that Sister Xue could do it. Qin Guan had never made any mistakes in public. It was safe for him to wear something straight and narrow for his debut. They all flied to Changsha to attend the festival on November 5th. As Qin Guan was busy putting on his custom-made suit, a group of strange people took over inte cafes. A strong man watched his part-time staff fill an inte cafe that could host about 100 people. When everyone was seated, he cleared his throat and said, "Attention! Your work today is to vote. Later, Ill give you a list and some instructions on voting. Look here!" He pointed to a small TV hanging from the ceiling. "When they begin to count down, you just start voting again and again. Understand?" Some people were hesitant. A brave one asked, "Brother, this will take only several minutes. Will I get 15 yuan for the whole day?" The strong man looked at him disdainfully. The thin, smaller man had stinky hair and messy clothes. He looked like he was an inte addict. He grinned and announced, "Youll get a sry and free lunch. The job will take four days. I cant let you guys out." People grew excited at his words. It was quite a good job, and it would only take them some time. They were all up to the task. Meanwhile, the same scene was repeated in different inte bars. The host of the opening ceremony sat up in the dressing room. Busy staff were shuttling back and forth. The office of themittee was in chaos. A producer was shouting to the head of themittee with red cheeks, waving a pile of tickets at him. "Stop talking about the new rules! Never before has amittee acted like yours! I have won three Silver Eagle Awards! I know the rules very well! I know them even better than you!" "Of course, your awards are not as prestigious as the Flying and May the First awards, but theyre also national awards. You should expect an uproar in the circle if you insist on acting like this." "I have never seen a voting ticket like this one! You bound others to my tickets! I paid for this! Why do I have to pay for others? I just want to vote for my show! Why do I have to fill in the other three nks on the ticket? I have spent 100,000 yuan on promotion. Why should three other productions profit at my expense? Are you kidding me? This is unfair!" Chapter 253: Chaos Chapter 253: Chaos Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Words couldnt express the grievance of the head of themittee. The organizers had countless ties with different parties. As a general director in charge of the bnce among them, he was actually a marite of the masters behind the scenes. He could foresee the storm in the entertainment circle after the festival, as well as the stain on his resume. Itd be better to quit from the circle and look for a chance somewhere else. While they were arguing, the fourth assistant in charge of the photo studio knocked on the door. It was too noisy inside the meeting room for anyone to pay attention to the sound though. Only an assistant in charge of serving tea heard him. He walked around the messy room and opened the door. The fourth assistant dashed in and was shocked by the chaos. His colleague warned him, "They are about to kill us. If its not an emergency, youd better deal with it yourself." The fourth assistant exploded, shouting in a Hunan ent, "F*ck! At least they are behaving like Christians. The people in my room are having a fistfight!" His loud voice made the excited crowd calm down. The assistant wanted to escape from the room. The director covered his face helplessly. Li Tian always causes me trouble. Li Tian could read his mind. "Its not my fault, boss. Its because of the f*cking rules. The reporters in my room are fighting with us! Some people are hurt!" The director realized the seriousness of the situation and tried to follow Li Tian out. The crowd rushed forward in outrage. "Hey, stop! Deal with our problems first!" "You are not loyal, Lao Yang!" Lao Yang smiled bitterly and rushed out, his staff covering his back. The door was closed. The producers all the stars looked up to looked at each other in speechless despair. Actually, they all knew Lao Yang was just a scapegoat who couldnt do anything to help them. The director walked down the long corridor nervously, asking Li Tian about the situation. He stood outside the studio hesitantly. This problem was actually below him, but the small fish in the studio were easier to deal withpared to the whales in the meeting room. Paying no attention to the chaos, he mounted the stage and picked up the microphone. "Hello! One, two, three!" His voice echoed resonantly around the studio. "Wee, everyone! Im Yang Guang, one of the directors. We have issued notices to all the media about the entrance qualifications. Is there a problem? Why are you so restless? Stop fighting with each other!" The reporters under the stage exchanged looks with each other. The reporter from the Xin Hua News Agency [1] spoke up, "Hello! We would like to know what media entrance fee means? You charge us 700 yuan each every day. As media, we only get paid as assistants. No organizers have ever charged us before! Are you down and out? Youre basically selling admission tickets to us! Lets be clear about the situation. We are media, not some stupid fans!" The director poured a basin of iced water over his head. "No fee, no entrance. Thats our rule. Before leaving though, I suggest you call your directors and let them make the discussion." The director hastened to leave. There was little time left for him before the selection began. Silence prevailed in the studio as he disappeared. "What shall we do? Should we leave or not?" "Leave? If all the media leave, well leave. Look at them though. They wont leave!" "You must know this about our circle. Everyone is always eager to get an exclusive report." "Yes, but without unity..." Some reporters backed off in indignation. They started calling their offices one after the other. "They want to charge us, Chief Editor. Okay, okay!" They all rxed after the budget was approved. They wouldnt have paid for it themselves. That would have been a loss for them. The beautiful stars were not bothered by the chaos. The stylist invited by Wang Jingcao was touching up Qin Guans makeup. He gasped in admiration. In that cold, bleak autumn, only that handsome boy could warm ones heart up. Chapter 254: A Female Companion on the Red Carpet Chapter 254: A Female Companion on the Red Carpet Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Before going out, Sister Xue fixed Qin Guans bow tie. His poprity notwithstanding, he was the most handsome out of all the actors there. Hasty staff were shuttling around the hotel lobby. Qin Guan sat down on a couch, waiting for Wang Jingcao. Several ck and blue business vehicles were parked before the gate. Wang got out of one and walked up to Qin Guan. She patted Qin Guans suit and told him happily, "Thatst car is your throne. I found someone to apany you on the red carpet. Here she is." Qin Guan turned around and saw Li Bingbing walk over in a long red dress. Qin Guan smiled. "Sister Bingbing! Why didnt you call me? Do you see me as an outsider?" Li Bingbingughed and stretched her arm out to Qin Guan. "Ha! Today Ill be sharing your honor. Ive been begging Sister Wang to attend a red carpet for a long time. Am I not qualified to be your partner?" Qin Guan took her hand. "It would be my honor!" Li smiled at Qin Guan and asked, "Shall we go now, Sister Wang?" Wang was busy talking to Sister Xue and the other agents and assistants. "Xiao Qin is a green hand. Share your experience with him," she said softly. Li Bingbing pulled Qin Guan into the car happily. "Quick, lets go! I wonder if thepany following us is China Entertainment. Their first pair will be superstars, so we have to be quick. Otherwise, those snobbish reporters will focus on them, and well look awkward." They got in the backseat of the car. "Impossible! You have yed very influential roles in TV shows, Sister Bingbing!" Li lifted her long dress and replied sadly, "But I still couldnt get a good script. I signed a contract with Sister Wang for a better chance." She heaved a great sigh, but cheered up again in a moment. She poked at Qin Guans arm. "What about you? Well done, boy! You are famous now! Youve made the headlines. Do you n on signing a contract with Sister Wang? Then youll have to call me Senior Sister!" Qin Guan grinned. "No, Sister Wang just helped me a lot. Ill cooperate with W. Brothers in the future. Ill appreciate your help then." Li smirked and pulled at his cheek with her red nails. "Dont smile at a girl like this, Qin Guan. Its dangerous. Im a tough woman, so I wont be enchanted, but youd be in danger if you met a more shrewd woman." "That hurts, Sister." Li Bingbing reluctantly loosened her fingers and let Qin Guan go. How does he look after his skin? The cars slowed down. The leading cars parked into their reserved ces right in front of the red carpet. The security staff had circled the area with ropes, and guards were standing around at a certain distance. The reporters were at their posts, pointing their cameras towards the carpet. Far back, there were some fans who wanted to apud for their idols. At the other end of the carpet, there was a signature board and two hosts waiting on both its sides. It was time to enter. Following the directions, the first car parked at the end of the red carpet. Pu Cunxin got out and stepped onto the carpet. He was the first superstar to appear. Experienced actors set foot on the carpet ording to priority. shlights twinkled like crazy and fans screamed loudly. It was a supreme honor for a star to be walking on the red carpet. Li Bingbing looked at the next car and let out a breath of relief. "Dont worry, its just a smallpany who wants to be exposed to the public." Qin Guan nodded. He was ready for his first appearance on the red carpet. The door of the car opened and a long leg in ck pants strode out. The onlookers held their breath, waiting to see its owner. Judging from his slender leg, it must be a handsome guy. Qin Guan got out of the car and stood still. The crowd suddenly fell silent. They felt the cold autumn be warmer. Everyone held their breath, afraid that they would scare the fairy away. Only the clicks of the shutters could be heard. Qin Guan, who was used to that kind of show, walked through the crowd without feeling nervous. Chapter 255: The 18th Line Chapter 255: The 18th Line Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Following Teacher Rongs instructions, Qin Guan smiled, just like Li had warned him in the car. His smile broke the deadlock. Fans started shouting like mad. "Qin Guan! Its Qin Guan! I love you!" "Qin Guan! Look at me!" Qin Guan wasnt affected by the voices. With professional equanimity, he turned around and stretched his arms towards Li Bingbing. Her fair fingers touched his ck suit. It was like an immortal standing by a red lotus. The gods almost cried from the shock of the beautiful scene. Raindrops kept pattering. Li Bingbing murmured to herself, "Bad luck." They were not influenced by the rain though as they walked slowly along the red carpet. However, Lis high heels slowed them down a bit. Before they could reach the middle of the carpet, another girl had stepped on it. She was a green hand recently discovered by a talent agent. She raised her eyebrow to the pair up front. Bad luck! Their poprity will defeat mine! Judging by their speed, by the time they finish the carpet, Ill have walked more than half of it. How dare she walk with Qin Guan when shes so short! The beautiful girl stuck out her breasts. She was 170 centimeters and she looked very slender on her average heels. She breathed in and walked forward along the carpet with her most charming smile. She was wearing a golden custom-made wrapped skirt. Better walk fast and steal the show. She walked with vigorous strides, showing off her booty. Meanwhile, Qin Guan and Li had reached the other end of the carpet. The hosts weed them and handed them a signing pen. Qin Guan signed on the background, his shining diamond sleeve buttons showing as he moved his hand. The small stones looked splendid under the shes of the cameras. Qin Guan finished his signature and gave the pen to Li. Taking the chance, the host passed the microphone to him. "Is this your first time attending the Silver Eagle Festival?" "Yes." "Last year, Daming Pce had been nominated. Why didnt you attend the ceremony? Was it because the crew hadnt nominated you for any awards?" Qin Guan had been expecting that question. Straightening his back, he answered with his trademark smile, "Director Li had asked for my opinion. I made the decision not to attend for personal reasons. The show had only been nominated for best TV series, not for individual actor performances." The host suddenly seemed enlightened. "Well, have you yed any roles in a TV series this season?" You troublemaker! Qin Guan looked at Wang Jingcao, who was waiting by the entrance. Wang gestured, trying tofort him. Li returned the pen to the host. "Hey, Zhao Liang! This is discrimination! Interview me too!" Zhao Liang looked awkward about the interruption, but changed the topic. The girl behind Qin Guan and Li followed them gloomily as they walked along the red carpet. They had attracted everyones attention. She cast a nce at them and saw Li talking with the host. She was too far to hear clearly and thought that Li was stealing the show. The girls name was Liu Jia, and she was the big-boobs-no-brain type. If Li is stealing the show, I should copy her! She took action immediately. Before Qin Guan and Li could leave, she reached the background. Meanwhile, the actor behind Liu Jia was happy. She was the only actress on the red carpet, so it was a good chance to show off! Before she could jump with joy, she saw all the cameras turn towards the background. There seemed to have been some kind of ident. Liu Jia had arrived in advance, so Qin Guan had tried to leave as soon as possible to leave the ce to her. With a dangerous smile, he had stretched his arm out to Li Bingbing. Annoyed by Li, Liu had looked up and seen his charming smile. It had been like a spring breeze had suddenly blown and a pear had blossomed. In Lius eyes, it had seemed like a scene from an old film. A man in ck standing under a pear tree with white flowers as he smiled at her. Confused and stupefied, she had extended her hand, nning to take his arm. A woman in a red dress had ruined her dream though. Li Bingbing cast a nce at the strange girl and took Qin Guans arm. Chapter 256: My Savior Chapter 256: My Savior Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Excuse me! We are leaving!" Li Bingbing took Liu Jia for a cunning bitch who nned on using Qin Guan, so she stepped forward and protected Qin Guan with her body. "Oh!" Liu Jia came back to her senses at the sight of Lis cool, beautiful face. She took a step back, but stamped on the edge of the narrow carpet. The slippery rainwater and her stic soles were what caused the tragedy. She slipped on the floor thanks to her heavy boobs. She could have kept her bnce without the weight of her upper body, but... Qin Guan watched her fall down and stepped forward to grab her arm. Fortunately, he was able to pull her back before her body could hit the floor. Unfortunately, her tight wrapped skirt was torn in the process. At the sound of it ripping, Qin Guan looked down and saw the pink kitty on her underwear. He had not expected that. Such a sexy girl wearing cartoon underwear... He turned his head away like a gentleman. Li Jia tried her best to block the ripped skirt from sight as the reporters cast covetous nces at her. The star walking behind her felt like crying. No one was paying any attention to her. You are stealing the show! Thats so cunning! Then she smiled again. That unlucky girl had gotten into big trouble! Li Bingbing smiled, taking pleasure in Lius misfortune. She locked her arm in Qin Guans and whispered to him, "Shall we go?" Qin Guan sighed at the beautiful girl, who was busy hiding her underwear. If she had been an experienced star, she would have stood still and walked carefully, so the split wouldnt have been so obvious. She had hurried to cover it though, the result turning out to be the exact opposite of what she wanted. Qin Guan began to unfasten the buttons on his suit jacket. The fans outside started shouting. "Qin Guan! I love you! You are such a gentleman!" "Qin Guan! Give me your buttons!" Stupefied, Li Bingbing watched Qin Guan take his suit jacket off quickly and hand it to Liu Jia. "Put my coat on. Dont worry, its bigger than your skirt," he said in a deep voice. He was her savior. Fans were rushing up to the red rope, trying to slip through the security staff to get a closer look at Qin Guan. In his white shirt and fitting suit vest, he looked even more handsome in the cold autumn breeze. The usher reminded them, "Quick, Sister Bingbing! The next star will arrive!" Li and Qin Guan exchanged a nce and locked arms again. The star following Liu Jia cried out. She had failed to catch up with them. Qin Guan and Li left in a natural manner, leaving Liu and her lonely follower behind. Both the reporters and the fans were satisfied with the funny incident. Qin Guan and Li Bingbing found their seats in the hall. In the spare time before the ceremony began, Li scolded Qin Guan, "Are you silly? Others would have hid from her, why did you do that? If the reporters took any ambiguous photos, how would you exin them?" Qin Guan smiled at her. No one had dared speak to him like that before. Not even Cong Nianweis admirers or any cunning reporters. People were pouring into the hall. Liu Jia sat behind Qin Guan and Li Bingbing, a ck Burberry coat covering her fair legs. She was looking at Qin Guan with a grateful expression. Her agent was chattering away beside her. "What did you do? Thepany was nning on promoting you! Why would you do that during your first festival? Behave yourself and use your brain in the future! Otherwise, I cant help you!" The noisy crowd calmed down when the host got on the stage. The screen lit up and the curtain rose. The Silver Eagle Festival had just begun. Everything went on in an orderly way, just like the previous years. Wang Jingcao, who was sitting at the side of the hall, smiled mysteriously. She had just received a call from Sister Zhao. The results had been as shed expected. Chapter 257: An Eagle Falling from the Altar Chapter 257: An Eagle Falling from the Altar Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The vote-counting screen lit up. They had finally reached the most important part of the Silver Eagle Festival, the actors awards. The vote-counters for the favorite actor were rolling at a high speed. As time passed, the rising number on the screen slowed down. There were lots of nominees for the award, and the voting mechanism made thepetition fiercer. Li Baotian, a frequent Silver Eagle nominee, was sure about the result. There was only one minute left. The whole audience was focused on the countdown. As an onlooker, Qin Guan was clear about the situation. All the nominated actors were more or less nervous. Only one was unusually calm. The host was adding fuel to the raging fire. Suddenly, everyone stirred. During thest ten seconds, the counter for Pu Cunxin was rolling like crazy. 10,000, 20,000, 60,000 votes were pouring in in those thrillingst ten seconds. His opponents watched the gap between them with wild eyes. "Whats happening?" "Why?" "I have no idea!" Qin Guan cast a nce at Wang Jingcao. Her expression stood out among the stunned audience. Li Bingbing whispered to him, "Whats the matter? This is strange." Despite her rich experience in the circle, the situation had exceeded her expectations. Not long after, she would feel grateful. "Thank god our show wasnt nominated. Those seniors all look really shocked. This season may be an exception." Qin Guan asked curiously, "Are there even any rules here?" Li patted his leg and whispered, "Later! Lets not talk about this here." Qin Guan sat up straight. Behind them, Liu Jia was staring at Li and gritting her teeth. "The bitch is robbing the cradle!" Her agent read her mind and poured cold water on her. "Stop it! I know what youre thinking about!" Liu grimaced but calmed down and listened to the host announcing the four favorite actors of the season. It seemed that they had only taken money into consideration. Li Baotian, Li Youbin, Pu Cunxin and Huang Hong mounted the podium hand in hand. The audience stopped making noise and worshipped their acting skills. The winners on the stage felt somewhat strange. They made a hasty speech and left quickly. The host diverted the attention at once. The audience calmed down and waited for the favorite actress award to be announced. Little did they know that the strange scene would be repeated. The actress who won was a green hand in the circle called Cao Ying. She had originally been a hostess, but after several shows, shed finally won the famous national prize, shocking everyone. Some actresses had the impulse to stand up and leave the hall, but considering the surrounding directors, producers and media, they sat back down. Wang Jingcao smiled and left the hall through a side corridor. Everything was settled. Qin Guan and Li Bingbing watcher her leave. They exchanged a meaningful look with each other. We should be careful with her. Many yearster, Li would rejoice about her presence at the festival. The host tried to attract the audiences attention again, but the reporters were outraged. You are cheating both the audience and the media! You are looking down on us! In fact, they didnt take any of them seriously. The reporters wanted to do something. They were impatient as the next awards were announced. When the ceremony was over, they rushed back to their offices to work on their reports. Countless photos, voting data and truth-revealing articles were sent to their headquarters. Their partners hurried to their offices to work overnight. They had to make the headlines. It was a pity that their excitementsted for only half an hour. Suddenly, their phones started ringing one after the other. "Hello! Chief ditor? Did you see my report? What? Its not allowed? Any other news? Are you kidding? This is the biggest news! What are you talking about?" The Chief Editor on the other end of the line was sitting in his dark, empty office, the dim light of hisptop shining on his face. Chapter 258: Interesting Chapter 258: Interesting Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Annoyed, he massaged his temples and said in the receiver, "The others wont publish the news. Just find some trifle news for me." Before the reporter could say anything, he hung up. Confused, the reporter stared at the photos on hisputer for a long while. Then he put everything in the "Rejected" folder. That night was doomed to be abination of noise and silence. By then, Qin Guan and Li Bingbing had returned to the hotel. On their way back, Qin Guan had stared at Li curiously. Li sighed. The boy is really lucky. He didnt n or prepare for anything to get where he is now. By then, his sry was equal to that of a second-line star. Li organized her thoughts and exined everything to him. "To put it simply, the Silver Eagle Festival gives no financial rewards to the winners. Its inferior to the Flying and the Five One Projects awards, but its still respected in the entertainment circle. Actors can upgrade their professional status with it. Directors, producers and investors will pay more attention to the winners." "For example, XXXs sry used to be 2,000 to 3,000 yuan per episode. If she had won the favorite actress award today, she would have gotten more than 10,000 per episode starting tomorrow. Its a pity that this seasons awards surprised everyone. The awards will have to be re-evaluated, so people dont lose their investments." Qin Guan raised his eyebrows. He had heard too much from Sister Xue about ck box operations in fashionpetitions. Ever since the New Face Competition, Professor Li had advised him not to participate in any other national contests. In fact, if Qin Guan won another national prize, he could be promoted directly to an A-level model without hard work. It seemed that evil people were the same all over the world. Qin Guan leaned back against the leather seat. This has nothing to do with my life. Li admired Qin Guans calmness. He remained indifferent to both praise and humiliation. She was also attracted by his figure. He had no belly, even when he was leaning back. The buttons on his suit vest were shining with suppressed sensual passion. "Hey! How do you maintain that perfect figure?" she asked. Qin Guan suddenly opened his eyes. "I was born this way, Sister." Males and females should keep a distance from each other. As a 20 year-old virgin, Qin Guan was sensitive to her soft hand. He sat up to avoid it, as it had been about to touch his chest. Then the two of them got out of the car. Li Bingbings dress was blooming like a flower. She sized Qin Guan up and asked half-jokingly, "Do you know my room number?" Then she gestured, making him cough loudly. Liu Jia, who was just entering the hall, looked at her angrily. Her agent poured another basin of cold water on her. "What are you looking at? Your nostrils are as wide as a cows. Shall I put a nose ring on you?" She had been cursed with a mean agent. As Qin Guan was taking off his clothes in his room, he nearly burst into tears. I lost a suit jacket during the Citizenunch event and a Burberry jacket today! They both cost me a lot! This is not my year. He was unfastening thest button on his shirt, when someone knocked on the door. He thought it would be Sister Xue, so he pulled the door open without hesitation. "Im ready, Sister Xue. Is there anything special about this buffet dinner?" Suddenly, he stopped. Liu Jia was standing outside shyly with his suit jacket in her arms. A thin woman, who seemed like her agent, was behind her. "Qin, Qin Gan, I..." Liu Jia was tongue-tied at the sight of his naked chest. The woman beside her covered her face. Even his childhood friends hadnt had such fierce characteristics. She seemed like a vicious viin who bullied the delicate, kind heroine. Only her acquaintances knew what a silly, brainless sweetheart she was. As a fierce fighter, she helped Liu reject countless unreliable pursuers so she wouldnt get swallowed up by the darkness of the entertainment circle. Wanting to break up the deadlock. Li Tong said, "Hello, Qin Guan. This is Liu Jia. Thank you for saving her on the red carpet. We would like to express our appreciation and return your jacket. Its very expensive after all." She pulled the jacket from Lius arms and handed it to Qin Guan. "Wow! No wonder Liu Jia kept talking about you. You look like an evil spirit!" She pulled Liu Jia away. "Thank you so much! Keep in touch!" Then she closed the door with a bang and went downstairs with Liu. It was an insincere thank you. You didnt leave your contact information! How shall we keep in contact? It was just courtesy, right? Qin Guan smiled at the door. Interesting! His jacket had been returned though, which was a happy surprise. Chapter 259: Silence Chapter 259: Silence Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan threw the jacket on the bed and entered the bathroom. By the time he went out refreshed, Sister Xue was waiting impatiently in the dining hall downstairs. Seldom was Qin Guan sote for dinner. When they met, she pulled him inside without a word. Qin Guan came to a stop and saw his good friend Huang Bo burying his head in food. He rushed up to Huang with a smile. It was wonderful to meet a good friend there. He sat down next to Huang and asked, "Hi, bro! Howe youre here? Are you in a show?" Huang looked up happily. Sister Xue sighed and pulled out a chair, giving Qin Guan a short exnation. "I had originally found a long show for Huang. It would be finished by the end of the year, but since you were invited to the Silver Eagle Festival, I thought it would be a good chance to promote your poprity and enhance your rtions, so I asked Huang to rearrange his schedule ande here. ns cant always keep up with changes. After that ceremony, no one dares act rashly. So I decided not to promote him to Wang Jingcao after all." Sister Xue warned them seriously, "This is thest day. Tomorrow well fly back to the capital. You two stay in your rooms. Dont wander around. Understand?" Huang had no idea what had happened at the ceremony. He was only focused on the food. Qin Guan had witnessed the farce, so he nodded. Then he ran to get food happily. Just when Sister Xue let out a long breath of relief, she saw Wang Jingcao walking up to her. Wang was still in professional attire. She greeted Sister Xue with her trademark warm smile. "Ive been looking for you. Qin Guan left the hall quickly after the ceremony. I thought he would be in the dining hall." Sister Xue was suspicious of her and anything she said. She pointed at Huang. "My actor came to find us after shooting his show. Well return to Beijing together tomorrow." Wang didnt care about that. "Where is Qin Guan? I want to introduce some friends to him." She pointed to the entrance of the dining hall. Sister Xue saw some actors there, including Li Bingbing. Lis eyes were following Wang around. When she saw Sister Xue, she gestured at her, making a cross with her fingers. Seeing the gesture, Sister Xue smiled at Wang. "Qin Guan might be in the washroom. Hes been having loose bowels today." Huang looked up in confusion. Sister, Im trying to eat here. Acquaintances always betrayed people. Meanwhile, Qin Guan returned to the table with several dishes piled as high as half a meter. "Sister Xue, get some food quickly! The organizingmittee is really generous. There are lobsters!" he said enthusiastically. Sister Xue looked at him and Wang Jingcao, who had a faint smile on her face. She tried to cover up her lie, "You should thank Qin Guan, Huang Bo. Hes sick, but he still remembered to get food for you." Huang Bo looked at her pitifully. "Thank you..." Qin Guan realized something was going on and put the dishes in front of Huang. "Here you are." Wang Jingcao smiled. If Qin Guan hates personal gain, I wont force him to do anything. In this circle, money is everything. Ill tolerate him for his perfect appearance. She stood up with a warm smile and patted Qin Guan on the shoulder. "Have a good rest. I just wanted to introduce some friends to you. They are in the dining room over there. We can leave it forter though. Maybe once were back in the capital?" Qin Guan smiled. "Okay!" Satisfied, Wang led her actors around the corner and disappeared towards the corridor. Qin Guan returned to his senses and exchanged a nce with Sister Xue. He sat down and then caught sight of Huang Bo. "Hey! Thats my lobster!" Huang was feasting on his lobsters. The next day, the weather was sunny. They flew back to the capital, leaving the city behind them. Did that mean that the influence of the Silver Eagle Festival was gone? Rest assured, the event had not benefited Qin Guan or anybody else, as all the media had remained silent about the festival. Only some brave websites had published the news. It seemed like everyone had suffered a collective memory loss. The hot news about Qin Guan and Liu Jia were also buried in the strange deep waters. Liu Jia had kept a photo in which Qin Guan was handing the jacket to her. It would be her most beautiful memory forever. Her agent covered her face with the newspaper, leaving Liu smiling to herself like silly. That was thetest newspaper. There was only one line with small characters at the corner of the entertainment section. "The 19th Silver Eagle Festival Concluded Sessfully." Chapter 260: The Bid Opening Chapter 260: The Bid Opening Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Liu Jia won a top 10 title in the festival, so her status was also upgraded. Qin Guan was very busy before the Spring Festival. He had been awarded a schrship for thest time, filled his GRE and TOEFL scores in his application and send it to several universities. There was only a thesis left to write before his graduation. He still remembered what his tutor had told him when hed written his rmendation letter. "Qin Guan, you must return to China alive." It was only 9/11. Im not heading to my execution! Qin Guan left the tutors office, having no idea that his tutor had written a long emotional email to his old friend Martin, a tutor at one of the universities Qin Guan had applied to. He will be interested in my beloved student. On the other side of the ocean, Martin lit up a cigar contentedly. This is the first time my proud Chinese ssmate is begging me for something. Ill pay attention to that Chinese boy. Qin Guan didnt know that a serious tutor was waiting for him in the US. He was too focused on the newpany. At the end of 2001, the construction industry in China had just started to develop, so it was a good chance for making money. An important meeting was taking ce at a small building in a small city. When everyone was present, the greffier blew the steam off the hot tea in front of him and the bidding began. As time passed, Zhang Zhenqin got more and more nervous. Will Qin Guans n work? Will we win the bid with high prices? The arrow was on the bowstring now. There was no turning back. When the host read the name of hispany, Zhang pushed the manager sitting beside him, indicating for him to submit the documents. Hed originally wanted to submit them himself, but there were so many directors and officials in the meeting room that he was afraid of making a negative impression on them with his behavior. The manager carried the documents over with a trolley. Everyone was shocked. Thatpany is bidding for so many projects! They have to be bigger business moguls than the famous Xu and Shan Groups. Everyone let out a sigh of relief. You scared us! You are only bidding for small tools after all. Good! The directors were satisfied. Its annoying to have bidding applications that make it difficult to do statistical work. Thatpany seems serious about work. Judging from the documents, they attach great importance to the bidding process. When the manager got off the podium, Zhang let out a long breath. He took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off his bare head. Today Im more nervous than I was when I was being chased by armed enemies. Ill call Qin Guanter and ask about how to negotiate with these directors. Even though it waste at night, Qin Guan was still waiting for Zhangs call. Zhang called him from the dining party. Qin Guan answered the call in the corridor for fear of disturbing his sleeping roommates. "Hi! How is it going?" Zhang told him proudly, "Good boy! You clearly know them well! They are all drunk by now!" Qin Guan couldnt tell him that he had gotten enough of the drinking culture in that city in his past life. Since he was awake, he asked the most pressing question on his mind, "Did they make a final decision?" Zhang burst into wildughter on the other end of the line. "Ha ha! Spirits stand for friendship! Dont worry, I did as you told me!" Qin Guan felt relieved as Zhang began to talk nonsense. "Where are you now? Can you return to..." "Dont worry! We have a group of assistants here..." Bang! ng! He hung up. Qin Guan smiled. Zhangs call had added warmth to the cold empty corridor. Qin Guan sneezed in the cool breeze and returned to his bed. It was true that extreme joy begot sorrow. The next day, Qin Guan caught a cold. Hey in bed all day, out of energy. Chapter 261: I’m Sick Chapter 261: Im Sick Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Ever since his rebirth, Qin Guan had always been healthy. He had never gotten sick. He had thought it was another gift from the gods. Birth, death, illness and old age were all undeniable elements of nature after all. Why would the greedy guy wish to be young forever? He decided to take advantage of his cold and beg his girlfriend for mercy. No sooner said than done. Cong Nianweis phone started ringing. "Hello? Whats the matter?" Cong Nianwei was studying for her thesis. She answered the call doubtfully. "Darling, Im sick. I feel terrible..." Cong Nianwei shivered at his weak, trembling voice. Is that my boyfriend? His voice is so soft... "Where are you, Qin Guan? Is it serious?" "Im in my dormitory. I have a runny nose and Im sneezing..." He sounds really sick! Cong Nianwei stopped writing and started moving her pencil between her fingers nervously. "Wait for me. Ille as soon as possible!" She threw the pencil down at her desk and disappeared in a whirlwind. Ten minutester, a taxi pulled up at the entrance of the Capital University of Finance and Economics. The talkative driver had remained unprecedentedly silent the whole way there. The girl in the backseat had looked too serious, so the scared driver had sped up unconsciously. Cong Nianwei handed him 15 yuan and rushed out in a hurry. "Hey, girl! Thats not enough!" Another five-yuan bill fell on the seat. "Hey! Heres your change!" Cong Nianwei was already 10 metres away from him. "Wonderful! Ill keep the tip!" The driver grinned and drove away. Cong Nianwei ran upstairs with red cheeks, her fear evident in her eyes. Qin Guan had sounded awful on the phone. It had seemed like he was about to copse. I have to take him to the hospital. Fortunately, Renmin Hospital is not far from here. Cong Nianwei knocked on the door gently. Liu Xiaoyang answered the door. "Cong Nianwei, its you! Come in, please." Cong Nianwei entered the room and saw Qin Guan sitting up in bed, wrapped with a quilt. "Are you feeling better now?" Qin Guan smiled at the mere sight of her. "I caught a cold..." Cong Nianwei picked up a tissue and cleaned his snot for him. "You have never caught a cold ever since weve known each other. Ill take you to the hospital." She lifted the quilt before Qin Guan could react. Then she put the quilt back down again calmly. "Put your pants on first." Liu covered his mouth and turned towards the wall. Cong Nianwei observed the sky through the window. Looks like a good day today. After two minutes, Qin Guan poked her on the back. "Oh!" Cong Nianwei turned around and nced at him. "Oh!" They went out hand in hand. Liu Xiaoyang was confused. How do theymunicate with each other? Lovers are different from ordinary people. The two of them got into Qin Guans car. When they were more than 100 meters away, Qin Guan remembered to ask, "When did you get your drivers license?" Cong Nianwei looked steadily forward. "Im really busy these days with my courses, learning a foreignnguage and getting my drivers license. There will be more surprises waiting for you in the US." Qin Guan smiled at her. Thats my girl. She was not a clingy girl. She was professional and independent. They walked out of the Renmin hospital parking lot. Cong Nianwei pointed to the elevator. "Ill register for you. Wait for me at the clinic." Qin Guan was a well-behaved patient that day. He got to the third floor like a good boy. The corridor was crowded, but he shamelessly upied two seats. He leaned back against his chair in a daze. He waited for more than 10 minutes before Cong Nianwei came over with a piece of paper. "You are lucky. There are still some vacancies left." As soon as she stopped, the doctor in the clinic called, "Next, Qin Guan!" Cong Nianwei put the paper and his medical record in his hand and pushed him towards the clinic. Then she sat down and realized something. The clinic was near the family nning [1] and gynaecology department. A pregnant woman was sitting beside her. As she caressed her belly, she began talking to Cong Nianwei. "You look so young. Why are you waiting here?" Chapter 262: Injections and Buttocks Chapter 262: Injections and Buttocks Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianwei answered calmly, "My boyfriend needed to see a doctor." "Ah! You seem like a good girl. Why would you do something stupid like that girl over there?" [1] A blue vein heaved on Cong Nianweis forehead. Are you even listening to me? "My boyfriend caught a cold. Hes over there in the medical clinic." The woman sighed in relief. She pointed to the family nning clinic and said, "Shemitted a sin..." As a virgin, Cong Nianwei didnt know what to say. Can you lower your voice when youre talking about others? Those girls with the heavy makeup are staring at you! Cong Nianwei was sitting on pins and needles, but so was Qin Guan. "Its nothing serious. Just a cold. You better take an intravenous drip though." "That would take a long time, doctor. Cant I just take some medicine?" The doctor smiled wisely. "I know you are a star. Its my first time seeing a star in an ordinary hospital. Do you see that crowd outside? Just take an intravenous drip and youll recover tomorrow. You wont need to seek any further consultation." Qin Guan scratched his hair in shame. "Isnt there a quicker way?" The doctor looked up in relief. Hes a good guy, hes not causing any trouble to the hospital. He wrote something on his record. "Pay the medical fees and have an injection at the nurse station. Drink more water and get some sleep. Eat vegetables. No oil or spices. Youll recover soon." Qin Guan took the paper and stood up. The doctor shouted to the nurse beside the door, "Close the door, Xiao Chen!" The nurse did as he said. Qin Guan hugged his backpack in horror. Is there a robber in the hospital? The doctor took off his mask. "Take a picture with me. Im a fan of yours." You scared me! The doctor and the nurse took photos with Qin Guan happily. His cold didnt influence his appearance. It added a delicate beauty to him instead. When the nurse opened the door to set Qin Guan free, the doctor smiled to himself proudly. I can use these photos to show off to girls! Cong Nianwei ran to pay Qin Guans medical fees. Then she pulled him towards the door of the nurse station. Despite his sickness, Qin Guan looked cute. Cong Nianwei sent the bill in and a nurse with a big mask appeared at the small window. "Go to Room Three!" Cong Nianwei patted Qin Guan on the back and found a seat by the door. Thank god I dont need to sit with strange women anymore. Qin Guan entered Room Three and saw a line of pointed needles shining coldly in the incandescent light. The nurse broke the small ss bottle easily. It was filled with liquid medicine. Qin Guan swallowed nervously. "Pants off!" The strong nurse was looking at him with a poker face. Qin Guan sniffled and turned around to face the wall. He unfastened his buckle with one hand. Suddenly, the door opened with a squeak. "Sister Zhao, we are short on cotton swabs!" A young nurse pushed in happily. The door opened with another squeak. "Sister Zhao, do you have any extra disposable gloves?" The door opened again with another squeak... Are you kidding? I already took off my pants. Do you want me to stand against the wall as punishment? Qin Guan turned his head around and begged, "Sisters, can I have my injection first?" "No one wants to dy you. Have your injection." "Sure, we see plenty of buttocks every day. Who cares?" Of course they cared. They all knew what they were there for. Xiao Chen had shown off to them about the picture. All the staff on that floor had heard the news. Sister Zhao was still calm. Taking the chance, she pricked Qin Guan. Before he could react, the needle was pulled out without any blood. Sister Zhao told him expressionlessly, "Pants on. Are you addicted to being naked?" "Okay, okay..." Qin Guan pulled his pants up with his back to the nurses, who were sighing in disappointment. Qin Guan smiled at them awkwardly. I misunderstood them. The masks were covering their greedy expressions. When Qin Guan went out, the nurses shouted excitedly. "Did you see?" "Of course! Hes so sexy! Those long legs! He should go have a check-up at the urology department!" Sister Zhao broke in, "If he really did, would you want to have a look? At his age, what sickness would bring him to the urology department?" Chapter 263: An Abundance of Scripts Chapter 263: An Abundance of Scripts Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia After thinking deeply about it, the girls got scared. They exchanged nces with each other and smiled awkwardly at Sister Zhao. "See you, Sister Zhao." When he left the nurse station, Qin Guan exhaled in relief. The sight of Cong Nianweis face made him forget about everything. They returned home together. After eating some porridge, Qin Guany in bed and slept under the effect of the medicine. Cong Nianwei put the quilt carefully over his body. As she stared at his face, her fingers slid over his beautiful eyebrows, nose and lips. She blinked and lowered her head. Their lips touched softly. The next morning, Qin Guan woke up feeling refreshed. He saw his girlfriend sleeping in his arms. He cherished the quiet, sweet morning, but his body was ufortable. He leaned forward to kiss her, but she woke up with a start. Smiling faintly, Cong Nianwei pecked him on the lips. "What do you want to eat? Ill prepare something for you." Then she turned to get up. "I want to eat you!" Qin Guan pressed Cong Nianwei back against the bed. It was like spring had entered the room. A little sparrow on the sill watched them with curiosity. Its mother covered its eyes with her wings nervously. Qin Guan weed another beautiful morning with full energy and bumps all over his head (where Cong Nianwei had hit him). He took Cong Nianwei back to her college and then received a call from Sister Xue. His TV shows were all on air by then. Qin Guan had no idea why Sister Xue had asked him to go to her office to discuss things further. He found her ambiguous statement on the phone strange. He was right. Wang Jingcao was also there. There was an impressive number of scripts before them. Qin Guan greeted them and cast a nce at Sister Xue. We decided to keep a distance from Wang. Why did you keep in touch with her? Sister Xue looked just as gloomy. It was difficult to say no to people with a smile. Wang hade to her office early in the morning. Qin Guan took a seat, and Wang threw a bomb at them. "Would you be interested in a movie?" Qin Guan looked down at the scripts on the desk. Wang went on, "The film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was really hot this year. Some domestic directors would like to have a try overseas. The road to the US has been paved. Are you interested in Zhang Yimous work?" Qin Guan smiled at her and picked up a script. As expected, the main roles had already been cast. He turned a few pages and asked, "There are plenty of actors at W. Brother. Why dont you rmend them?" "They only focus on leading roles. After the final editing, there may be no scenes left for the supporting actors. So..." So you think Ill be the spare wheel? Qin Guan didnt reply. He continued to check the rest of the scripts. "Zhou Yus Train"? It was an indie film directed by Zhang Zhou, a good director. It was a pity that the two leads had already been cast. There were only two more worthwhile films in 2002. It was a tragic year for the domestic film industry. The total box office had been below 1,000,000,000. Qin Guan had originally wanted to appear on therge screen, but considering the reality of the situation... He looked up and saw another thick pile under the two scripts. Wang Jingcao praised him, "I underestimated you. Youre familiar with Zhang Jizhong?" "He focused on martial arts dramas this year, taking advantage of Jin Yongs poprity. He wrote roles for you in all his TV shows. He attached great importance to you." Qin Guan was surprised to see the titles. "The Legend of The Condor Heroes", "Dragon Buster" and "Demi-Gods and Demi-Demons". He calcted in his mind. If he could fit them in his schedule, he would take them all. Uncle Zhang was kind to him. He always thought of Qin Guan whenever he wrote a new script. Qin Guan smiled at Wang. "Thank you, Sister Wang. Ill keep them for further study. Could you also tell me about the parts in these shows?" Wang agreed and told them goodbye. When she left, Sister Xue grabbed Qin Guan. "Are you silly? You epted her offer?" Qin Guan put the film scripts in his bag and began to read through the TV show scripts. "We made the situation clear right from the beginning. This is just mutual back scratching. The roles must have been rejected by W. Brother. This way, she can gain poprity and make good use of resources. Its a win-win situation for us." Sister Xue didnt say anything. Qin Guan will go abroad in half a year. Who cares? She forgot that she also had to take care of Huang Bo. Chapter 264: Choice Chapter 264: Choice Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan put all the scripts in his bag and whisked the dust away with his hand. "Ill tell you my decision in two days. Meanwhile, you can inquire about their shooting schedule. If it doesnt fit mine, just say no. Im busy today. Ill call you tomorrow." Sister Xue nodded. I have another sheep to look after. Better keep the goodies within the family. Qin Guan left her office and went straight to Zhang Zhenqianspany in the East Third Ring. That day, the bidding would start. Bu Qinglu, Wang Hailiang and He Qian were waiting in the office. Zhang did not look nervous at all. He was handing cigars out to everyone. "Dont worry. After drinking together at several parties, weve be brothers. Well definitely win the bid." Bu cast a disdainful nce at him. "Promises made over wine are not reliable. Is your friend trustworthy, Zhang?" Zhang got angry at his words, especially as there was a beautiful partner sitting beside him. He bared his teeth. "Talking is pointless. Ill show you the results today." At ten oclock, the bidding list would be published on the website. Everyone was looking at the marketing assistant. The young guy kept refreshing the page every minute, waiting for the official announcement. Ten minutes after the given time, the website was finally updated. The long list of the winningpanies was on the page. In one day, written notices would be sent out by post mail, including the delivery address, payment method, receiving point and other essential information. Then the temporarypany would be able to function normally. Of course, first they would celebrate their sess. The assistant gave the list to Zhang Zhenqians secretary. Everyone was eager to read it. "What about our bids?" "Take it easy. We have topare them to our offer to calcte our profit." Qin Guan read through the list from the very beginning silently. Then he said happily, "Dont bother. We won 10 bids this time. We bid for 17, so the winning rate is 58.8%. Brother Zhang wasnt exaggerating." "There are 54 kinds of equipment in total, and we got 10 of them. They are all small parts with low profits though. Well get about 10,000,000 as a margin." "After splitting it ording to the equity ratio, He Qian will get 4,000,000, Brother Zhang will get 1,400,000, and each of us will get 2,000,000. Its all clear." The others were watching Qin Guan in shock. He was spilling out numbers like it was no big deal. "The profit of the generator system will be 127,636.28 yuan, and profit of the machinery will be..." As he calcted the final number, the cigar fell from Zhangs hand. Bu Qinglu and Wang Hailiang looked like they had looked Medusa in the eye. They stared at Qin Guan like stupefied, with their mouths and eyes wide open. He Qian remained calm before her idol. In her mind, Qin Guan was perfect in all aspects. Qin Guan felt embarrassed by their looks. "Sorry, Im just gifted with numbers." If you are gifted with numbers, then students studying mathematics should just give up! Soon, they went back to being happy and productive. All their faces radiated with joy. They could foresee a good beginning. The smallpany would rise and develop thanks to their strategy. After he left work, Qin Guan enjoyed some leisure time. He read scripts at the teahouse of the Fuhua za while drinking a cup of mocha. As soon as hed gotten the scripts, he had called Zhang Jizhong to express his appreciation. He had epted a role in "Demi-Gods and Demi-Demons" without hesitation. He had announced that he wouldnt ept a viins role again though. He thought deeply about the part in "Dragon Buster", which was not directed by Zhang, but he didnt want to ept the role of Song Qingshu. The sry wasnt that good and it was an annoying character. He just felt like something was missing from Song, unlike his previous roles. Song is short for "obsession". Zhang Changzhong had been obsessed with his brothers kindness, Yang Lianting had been obsessed with Dongfangs love, and Gao Fuming had been obsessed with his former master. Theyd all had a reasonable obsession with something. Song had a forced obsession with love though. He seemed to be obsessed with obsession itself. He would give up his family and career for a woman, which was not reasonable. Despite his deep love for Cong Nianwei, Qin Guan wouldnt have behaved like Song. People didnt live just for others. He would never give something up just for love. Besides, if he was Song Qingshu, he wouldnt have won Cong Nianweis heart. Cong Nianwei was a clever girl, so she would have sensed his nature. Qin Guan let out a sigh and put the script in hisrge bag. The hand-made nubuck bag was a gift from Cong Nianwei. It had excellent quality and a reasonable price. Chapter 265: Qualifying for an Autographed Copy Chapter 265: Qualifying for an Autographed Copy Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The thick leather belt crossed the buttermilk skin and formed a simple butrge handbag for men. It was the best choice for Qin Guan, who always carried a pile of scripts everywhere. Qin Guan looked at the other two scripts in the bag, which he always ignored. After a pause, he picked one of them up. Before he turned the cover over, he heard of a familiar voice. "Qin Guan? What are you doing here?" The man behind the bar counter was supporting his jaw with his hands, appreciating the beautiful scenery by the window. Three beauties of different styles were looking at the most handsome customer he had ever served. Yin Yan spoke first. She was meeting Qu Xuemei and Liu Yan there to hear their news. Little did they know that theyd meet their favorite model there. "Qin Guan? What a coincidence!" Confused, Qin Guan greeted them. They are rivals. Why are they meeting here? Wary of the potential trouble, he decided to escape. "I just finished work. Dont bother treating me. Im leaving." "Take your time. In fact, the matter at hand has something to do with modelling. Youd better get a general idea." Qu Xuemei blocked his way. The other two nodded. "Yes, itd be good for you." Qin Guan couldnt do anything but pull out chairs for the three girls. The bar owner served them instead of the waiter. It was his pleasure to see such beauties up close. They took their seats. The steam rising from the cups added warmth to the deep autumn. "There is a scandal within the industry. The chief director of Fashion will take the me and resign after the Spring Festival." Qin Guan nearly fell off his chair upon hearing the news. He had cooperated with "Fashion" for an inside spread. Several months earlier, the editor had contacted Sister Xue, but she had sensed something strange and made up an excuse for Qin Guan to turn down the offer. The three women all had their poker faces on as they talked about the editors tragic fate. "She chose that path herself. Shes only a scapegoat anyway." "She already had an important role in the domestic fashion industry. What was she really after?" "She was implicated with that female star. The one with the military g, right?" They paused there and drank their coffee. Qu put her cup down and looked at Qin Guan, "You should deny any offers from them for the next six months. Understand?" Qin Guan nodded. He was clear about his priorities. He had heard from Wang Jingcao that CCTV and the government would also force the female star out. ording to inside information, it would be a long time for her. The three queens asked Qin Guan to leave so they could discuss their official responses. Qin Guan scampered off like a frightened rat. Noting the jealous expression in the bar owners eyes, he paid for the three queens drinks. When he got to the parking lot, he called Sister Xue. 2001 was an eventful year for the entertainment and fashion circle, but it was a productive year for Qin Guan. He was President Qin. President Qin was currently cleaning his house like a poor servant. Cong Nianwei had sent him home, because she had discovered that the room was covered in dust. He was fighting with the dust on the floor when Sister Xue called him back. It was time for him to get down to business. Qin Guan hurried to the Citizen Public Rtions Department. At the time, Citizen had begun to promote Qin Guans autographed copy of the album to fans in Asian countries. The buyers of the album would find an elegant postcard inside the package, as well as instructions on how to apply for the signed copy. They could send the card back to Citizen to apply. If they were selected, the organizer would send them the instructions and charge them. Only few Asian countries would get the chance to get a copy. Citizen would cover all the expenditures. Fans would not just be able to see their idols, but also visit a new country. It would be a wonderful chance for them. Admissions were rare though. There were only 20 in some Asian countries, so some fans paid a high price in order to qualify. Some girls who shared an album fought with each other when sending the postcard. Their friendship came to an end thanks to the magazine. "Let me go!" "You let me go! You are shameless! You sent the card out secretly with your own name!" "I paid more than you. The album is mine!" "The collection belongs to both of us! You are so cunning!" The two of them wrestled. They were lucky in the end, as they both got the chance to participate in the activity. Chapter 266: Qualification Chapter 266: Qualification Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia There were plenty of fans purchasing photo albums who failed to win and cried at home over their misfortune. "Ill buy the postcard with the winning number and the instructions at triple its original price." "Ill appeal to Citizen to increase admissions for the autographed copies!" The phones at the Customer Service Department rang nonstop, and the person in charge of the activity was annoyed. Of course, the more admissions the better, but that was easier said than done. It was difficult to organize an international activity. If the participants didnt control themselves, they would be too busy to finish the job. Qin Guan was nervous as he listened to the directors instructions. Every step of the process required the cooperation of all parties. They had to rehearse in advance. Soon, Qin Guan had a general idea about the autographed copy sale. Citizen basically wanted to promote the opening ceremony of itsrgest store in Asia. First, they would cut the ribbon, and then the copy sale would be held. Finally, a small-scale meeting would be held in the back hall to greet fans from different countries. Qin Guan would interact with fans for 10 to 20 minutes. To avoid an emergency, the participants would be limited to 100, half of whom would be Chinese. Foreigners wereining that the Chinese fans took up too many admission spots, but they had no idea how many domestic fans Qin Guan had. His first fan was a girl named Huang Jiajia. Huang Jiajia had still not given up hope. She followed Qin Guan everywhere on campus, peeping at him tearfully. Her pride prevented her from moving closer to him, but it still couldnt stop her lingering affection. Naturally, she had bought plenty of the albums, so she was one of the 50 lucky fans. Excited, Huang Jiajia had uploaded the card on the college forum to show off to the other girls. She had underestimated the power of inte and gossip though. The picture was quickly uploaded on the Haijiao Forum, the headquarters of Qin Guans fans. A stone could stir a thousand waves. Qin Guan, who had never been involved in entertainment programs, specials or news, or had an affair with another actress, would have an autographed copy sale? They couldnt believe it. This would be their only chance to see the real Qin Guan. Suddenly, a post about the album was made on the Haijiao Forum. All the details, including the distribution number, issuing country, participation conditions, signing process, and fan ratio were clearly stated. It seemed like a report from Citizen and the magazine staff. Countless fans regretted not buying the album. They expressed their feelings in articles on the inte. "His album had only been two stands away from me, but I hesitated. Its toote now." Someone replied to the post with an even sadder story. "At least you saw the album. I didnt even cast a nce at it. The newsstand owner had covered it with a VOGUE! Later, I found out that he had been saving it for some fans who had paid him 70 yuan for it." Readers began sharing their sad stories with each other. The saddest story was about a girl who had bought the album, but forgotten to send the card! Of course, the unlucky fans who hadnt been selected in the lottery were the gloomiest. The oue couldnt be changed though, so rich fans put their wits to work. There was a ck market, where some fans sold their albums and admissions spots. As the date was drawing near, the Citizen director realized that the fan list had changed. The number was the same though, so everything else was mere details. It was the first day of December, and peoples breaths were fogging the air. A group of people were waiting by the entrance of the Hengji za early in the morning. The security guard was left speechless by the girls, who were wearing very few clothes in the cold winter. He tried to talk to them kindly. Chapter 267: Chaos Chapter 267: Chaos Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Ladies, the za will open at 10 oclock. Its only nine oclock. Its too early for entrance." The girls grimaced. They could read just fine! They just wanted to see their idol earlier! Besides, many of them were not even qualified to go in. They had to wait outside in advance to get a look at Qin Guan. The kind-hearted man had to return to his post. His colleague, an older man, smiled at him. "Dont waste your words on those young girls. Today well be really busy. Look at the crowd around the square! The organizer told us there would be 100 fans, but the whole square is full of people. Its always us who get exhausted after such events." The young manughed and answered, "I feel good. Im happy to see so many beautiful girls in the morning." The older security guard sneered. "Enjoy it then!" The younger man fixed his eyes on the beautiful scene on the square. There were increasingly more people. The shopping mall in the second ring was about to open. The Citizen staff put thest chair down and wiped the sweat off their foreheads. Everything is ready. Disappointed, the fans on the square realized Qin Guan hadnt gone through the front of the square as theyd imagined, but had headed directly for the underground parking lot in an ordinary ck business car. Qin Guan followed the security guards into the elevator. Looking at the four bodyguards in ck suits around him, he whispered to Sister Xue, "They look so nervous! Is there an army waiting for us or something? There will be only 100 fans on that big square." Sister Xue was also confused. "The Japanese always act like this. They are strict and serious about everything." Qin Guan nodded. In fact, he was contented with the guards, because it meant Citizen was paying close attention to him. Suddenly, the door opened with a loud sound. Everyone inside was scared. It was really crowded, and there were ropes all along the path for fear that people would block the way. Qin Guan whispered to Sister Xue with pursed lips, "Shall I go in before the fans? Whats going on?" Sister Xue whispered back, "No idea. There must be more than 100 people inside. The hall is nearly full." They couldnt talk anymore. Qin Guan went out of the elevator with the guards. "Qin Guan!" "Look at me!" "I love you!" shlights blinked everywhere. Fans waved their hands passionately, eager to attract the attention of their idol. The director of the gship store was wiping cold sweat off restlessly. He shouted angrily at his assistant, "How did the fans know when Qin Guan would arrive?" His assistant was also puzzled. What had gone wrong indeed? On the square, the security director was rebuking the young security guard. "You! Motherf*cker! Idiot! You would even forget your own name before a beautiful girl! You talked about the time on the inte before them! You just wanted to show off to them!" "Wonderful! All the women outside know the details of the event now! Look at what you did! Wheres the woman osting you? Did she give you a red package?" Mou Xiaoliu patted her chest in the crowd, sharing that thrilling experience with Huang Jiajia. "Huang Jiajia, youre great! How did youe up with such a good idea? We should have kept the secret to ourselves though. Why did you share it with the other girls?" Huang Jiajia sighed at the simple girl and pointed to the crazy women. "Do you think we could have broken through the security line just with our own strength? We have to rely on them to seed. Plus, thew does not punish multiple offenders." Mou nodded, convinced. The two girls had caused a lot of trouble to Citizen and Qin Guan. Before the ribbon was cut, the fans surged in. The foreign fans were still in the bus outside. What could they do? It was the worst possible oue. The fans with invitations would rebel when they realized it was impossible for them to enter the hall. Both the director and Sister Xue were in despair. It was time for foreign fans to enter the site, but they were scared of their Chinese friends. Sister Xue showed her resourcefulness during that emergency. She talked with the director and got a microphone. After testing it, she addressed the fans crowded by the entrance of the Citizen store, "Attention, please!" Chapter 268: The Offer Chapter 268: The Offer Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Her loud voice suppressed the noise. Sister Xue went on, "Today, the Citizen gship store in Hengji will open for business, and Qin Guan will have his first autographed copy sale. You are all fans of him. Are you excited?" "Of course!" the girls answered in one voice. "The fans who got an invitation were the luckiest ones in Asia. Do you think this is fair for them?" Some fans murmured, "Its unfair for us." Sister Xue tried to convince them, "This is Qin Guans first meet-and-greet. There are fans here from other countries. What youre doing will not just inconvenience your idol, but also have international consequences" The fans still mumbled sadly, "We are unhappy too." Sister Xue came up with a proposal, "I have good news for everyone. There are fans here from everywhere. You all like Qin Guan, so we also have something for you. Now, listen to me." The fans wereforted by her words. There will be a surprise! It was human nature. Their original expectations had been destroyed by the organizers, so they had nned on resisting till the very end, but the new proposal had mitigated the situation and eased their anxiety. Sister Xue waved at them. "Follow my orders. Please form two lines. Fans with invitations on the right, and others on the left." The interpreter got to work, and the fans lined up obediently. Not bad. The two lines are about the same length. Sister Xue pointed to the fans on the right. "Hand in your invitation to the security staff and enter the hall one by one." Then she turned to the girls on the left. "Do you see the big board over there? I promise that Qin Guan will meet you there in an hour and a half." They all looked in that direction and saw a man standing there happily with a giant poster of Qin Guan in his hands. J Clothing was always keen on seizing a chance. Sister Xue was a smart woman and she had noticed the J Clothing store on her way out of the elevator. She had originally just considered it a coincidence that J clothing also had a store in Hengji za. Ten minutester though, it came in handy. She had a short discussion with the Citizen director. She had to get their approval before bringing another brand in. The director approved her n without hesitation, as it wouldnt influence their meeting. It would only relieve the chaos. Everything else was quite easy. Sister Xue called the J Clothing boss, who was overjoyed. Qin Guan is my lucky star. In Xidan, my brand is promoted by LEE. The sales volume there was tripledst year. Now Ill get Citizens help! He attached great importance to that opportunity. After several calls, his staff rushed over. In the past, such a thing would have been impossible, but now the store in Hengje was cleared up in 15 minutes. The ignorant fans were led into the store. The Hengji manager wiped his sweat off secretly. That was a close call! Thanks to their trouble, the two brands cooperated and put the situation under control. It was wonderful! When the fans were all inside the store, the J Clothing staff handed out posters of Qin Guan. Surprise! The posters had originally been only for J Clothing customers. The manager in charge of promotion ran over in a hurry. The cunning man had been entrusted with a mission at that critical moment. "Attention, please..." The fans calmed down. Meanwhile, Qin Guan let out a long breath of relief after being updated about the situation. The opening ceremony waspleted in an orderly manner. The ribbon was cut and all the attendants apuded. The fans with invitations were getting impatient. They were there for Qin Guan, not for that f*cking ceremony. Luckily, the speechsted only for 10 minutes, or they would have rebelled again. Finally, their moment was there. They took out their albums and opened the covers, where the picture of a Citizen watch was printed. The designer had skillfully left enough space for a signature on the picture. The functional art of Citizen took all kinds of things, no matter how big or trivial, into consideration. Qin Guan was sitting behind a table in the same grey suit he was wearing in the album. The autographed copy sale began. The first lucky girl walked forward. She was too excited to say anything. Qin Guan smiled at her and signed the album before returning it to her. Chapter 269: Can I Still Love You? Chapter 269: Can I Still Love You? Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Next?" The staff gestured to the next girl to invite her to the meeting at the back hall. The girl had to be very excited. She stood still, as if she was petrified. "Can I shake hands with you?" Qin Guan kindly tried to save her from embarrassment and stretched his hand out to her. "Wow!" The girl came back to her senses like a hungry tiger seizing its prey. The fans behind her cast disdainful nces at her as she was led to the back hall like drunk. What a shame! "Qin Guan, I like you so much! May I shake hands with you?" "Me, too!" "Me, too!" Where is your dignity? The autograph copy sale was finished in half an hour. Qin Guan looked up and fell into an awkward silence. "Why are you here? You have seen me plenty of times at college!" Huang Jiajia put her hands on her hips. "This is discrimination! Stop talking rubbish and give me an autograph!" Qin Guan turned his eyes to Mou Xiaoliu helplessly. Why is such a good girl like you with her? Mou also felt wronged. You didnt give us an autograph, although weve known each other for a long time. Qin Guan gave in. Just before his pen touched the paper though, Huang Jiajia stopped him. "Dont mess with us. I want my own personalized signature." Qin Guan looked at Sister Xue, who pointed to her watch and nodded. Time is pressing. Just do it. "What do you want me to write?" Qin Guan asked them. Huang Jiajia pointed to herself. "For my favorite student, Huang Jiajia." Then she pointed to Mou. "For my purest schoolmate, Mou Xiaoliu." Thats unfair. Mou is just my schoolmate? Mou Xiaoliu was satisfied though. Im different from his ordinary fans anyway. Qin Guan finished their autographs as soon as possible and went to the back hall, where he would interact with fans for 10 minutes ording to the schedule. His job was simple. All he had to do was cooperate with the host and interpreter. Guo Yannuo, the interpreter, was waiting for Qin Guan to arrive. He was a cunning guy, but Sister Xue had invited him because he spoke several Asiannguages. The atmosphere was lively. The host, Qin Guan and the fans were talking happily. In 10 minutes, the fans learned a lot more about their idol. For example, they discovered that Qin Guans favorite color was ck, he loved delicious food and he was a straight-A student. He seemed like an easy-going guy. Finally, it was time for the lucky turn te. The luckiest fans would get to ask their idol private questions. The game made everyone excited. They were looking at the turn te on the screen nervously. Qin Guan shouted "stop" with his back to the screen. Then the lucky fan was selected. It was No. 99, Huang Jiajias number. Qin Guan fell silent. Sister Xue knew him well. Although she wasnt clear about the situation, she sensed Qin Guans hesitation. Smiling, the host walked up to Huang Jiajia. "Congrattions to the lucky girl. How are you feeling right now?" Huang Jiajia gave him a splendid smile. "Excellent!" Qin Guan swallowed his saliva. The host went on, "This is an exciting moment. What question will you ask your idol? Its time to hear his honest answer. He will answer any question you want." All the fans were jealous of Huang Jiajia. If only I had that chance! Huang Jiajia opened her mouth as cold sweat formed on Qin Guans forehead. Im going to pay now... "I have a question..." Stop panting and just spit it out. Qin Guan was thinking about countermeasures in his mind. "Can I still love you?" Guo Yannuo was a professional interpreter, so he tranted the question into several foreignnguages literally. What? We all love him! Is this even a proper question? You are wasting a precious chance! The other fans felt pity for her. "You could at least ask what kind of girls he likes, or if he has an official girlfriend." "Even his future ns would be okay." There were only three people on site who understood the question: Qin Guan, Huang Jiajia and Mou Xiaoliu. Mou looked at Huang Jiajia in surprise. Two years had passed, and Senior Qin was about to graduate. Huang Jiajia was way more mature than she used to be, but she was still stuck on Qin Guan. Two years were too short for a girls feelings to go away. The host, on the other hand, felt d for Qin Guan. That girl was definitely a loyal fan. She hant asked an awkward question. She had been afraid that fans would inquire about something more private. Chapter 270: Qin Guans Fan Club Chapter 270: Qin Guans Fan Club Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan fell unexpectedly silent at the question. If it was referring to just a simple rtionship between an idol and their fans, a simple word could clearly express what was on his mind. Thousands of feelings were lingering in his heart though. Taking a deep breath, he said in a deep voice, "There is a long road before you. Treat your feelings carefully." Only Huang Jiajia understood. Smiling, she said, "My love for you is my business." Guo interpreted her words into variousnguages. Although confused, the rest of the fans shouted together, "Well love you forever, Qin Guan! Until the end of the world!" The meeting ended in harmony. Qin Guan left the hall and headed immediately for the J Clothing store, where patient fans had been waiting for him for one hour. Actually, Qin Guans official schedule was over. ording to tradition, he could just leave the za without paying attention to the others. He felt it was necessary to meet them though, as Sister Xue had promised them he would. When Qin Guan showed up at the entrance of the store, the fans shopping in the za rushed back in at once. They had just tried their luck by going there. Little had they known that there would be a surprise. Sister Xue spoke first. "We are shocked to see fanse from such remote ces for Qin Guan, a green hand in the circle. However, we do not want to see you trouble others by chasing after your idol. Think of the oue. Who will take the pressure of public opinion? Qin Guan! Your favorite idol. Do you want to let him take the me?" Despite their young age, Qin Guans fans were all reasonable girls. They reconsidered their behavior and felt sorry for it. They had actually forced Qin Guan and Citizens hand. Sister Xue continued her speech, "Its our fault. Qin Guan seldom organizes events for fans, even ordinary publicity events. From now on, well make up for that. Well set up a fan club! Thanks to your persistence, you will be the first group of members!" The crowd was over the moon! The fans who had gotten official invitations rushed over. "We were the first group of fans! Well join the club!" "We founded a fan club in Japan the day after the album was released." Looking at the noisy girls, Qin Guan felt warm in the early winter. The manager of J Clothing led the fans to the square for a group photo as the boss listened to the report from the Hengji za store. "Boss, the sales volume this morning was as much as the whole weeks. I handed the catalogues out and they bought Qin Guans clothes." "Most of them were girls. What about the womens clothes sales?" "They were pretty good. Besides, some media invited by Citizen took photos of our store. Well be famous!" The boss shook his head. "I knew Qin Guan was my lucky star." He was quite right. Taking advantage of LEE, J Clothing had added womens clothes to its collection. By taking advantage of Citizen, the boss set his eyes on the Capital Fashion Week. Qin Guan had no idea about his ambitions, but the boss would be his most faithful supporter in the future. Qin Guan was standing on the Hengji za square. More than 100 fans had clustered around him to take the group photo. Qin Guan was smiling in the centre. Huang Jiajia and Mou were on either side of him, acting like his bodyguards. Before the photographer pressed the button, Huang Jiajia grabbed Qin Guans arm and Mou retreated. Qin Guans body was stiff when she released his arm. Huang Jiajia murmured, "Youre still so shy after two years. I have grown up. I like you. Deal with it!" Qin Guan didnt look back. Following the Citizen staff, he left the za. The seniormittee of his fan club was officially formed. It was a well-organized group that behaved themselves. All the fans waved goodbye at Qin Guan warmly. They didnt forget to leave gifts to Qin Guans agent and assistant. That day, Qin Guans fan club was born. It would soon spread to different countries. There were capable fans everywhere. Soon after Qin Guan left, some fans began to collect basic materials. On their way to thepany, Sister Xue waved her phone at Qin Guan proudly. "See? I have all their numbers. When you have an event again, it will be a good resource for publicity." Chapter 271: The Most Beautiful Student Chapter 271: The Most Beautiful Student Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "You are in charge now." Lying on the backseat exhaustedly, Qin Guan told her with concern, "I want to try the two films rmended by Wang Jingcao." Stunned, Sister Xue smiled. "No problem, do as you wish. You will exceed her expectations. In that case though, you are going to be busy for the next six months. Ill find you an assistant to help both with your life and work. Ill introduce her to you next time." She waited for his reply in vain. Turning her head, she saw that Qin Guan had fallen asleep. His head was lowered slightly, and his long eyshes were trembling along with the movement of the car. Time flew by. The hot season for applications for studying abroad arrived on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. American universities were epting applications from both foreign and domestic applicants. Their email inboxes were jammed with emails. The tutor in charge was tired every day. It was boring to read so many simr emails. However, the next email he read made him sober up, as if he had fallen into a snow hole in ska. The tutor, who was famous for his strict image, umonly shared the email with his colleagues. "Hey, Jason. I want you to see this." Jason was curious about the email, as his gloomy partner seldom talked with others on his own initiative. He stood up and walked over. "Whats the matter, Tom?" Tom opened the attachments of Qin Guans application and resume one by one. As he typed on the keyboard and moved the mouse, Jasons mouth opened wider and wider. Average Score: 98 TOEFL: Nearly full mark Basic Thesis: Two Professional Thesis: Three Rmendation letter from a professional tutor and the department dean. That was the standard for a straight-A student. Tom was looking at his showy partner, whom he didnt like to talk with, as stupefied as a goose. Slightly excited, he opened Qin Guans resume. A splendid photo suddenly upied the whole screen, making Jason spray out saliva. Awesome! It was hard for people of different races to recognize each other. It was what they called face blindness. Without features, it was hard for a person to recognize a member of another race. Beauty knew no borders, races or genders though. It could withstand all trials. In the small cab of that ordinary office, a group of people admired Qin Guan. Jason seized the mouse and clicked on the other files. The boy had done voluntary work and engaged in social activities. The outstanding student intrigued them, even though they had just experienced 9/11. The applications they had received that year were much fewer than before. It was exciting for them to discover such a gem. Jason returned the mouse to Tom. Looking at the name, he fell into deep thought. Professor Martin had asked me about an Asian student. Was his surname Qin? Or was it something else? He reminded Tom kindly, "Professor Martin had inquired about that student. He must be really talented if he attracted the attention of the top economist of our country!" Tom looked at Jason in surprise. Wow! He is a good man, despite his fickleness and coquettish. He forced a smile and then forwarded the email to the professor, since the boy had attracted the attention of a certain tutor. The boy might even get a doctorate in the future. In America, a postgraduate degree was not as valuable as in China. In the talent market, majorpanies considered it almost the same as a bachelor degree. Graduates with doctorate degrees attracted more attention and were considered experts on their field. In 2002, Chinese students had just begun their journey abroad. US professors had no idea about the advantages a foreign postgraduate degree brought in a Chinese workce. They simply epted the applications with the most ambitious cover letters. They thought the applicants really admired their universities. Chinese students passed the check easily. They just had to say that they loved the profession. Qin Guans application was forwarded to Professor Martin. The old bearded man sent an email to his old friend, informing him that his beloved student had been epted. In a few minutes, Martin received a reply. Arent you asleep sote at night? Confused, he opened the email. He had originally thought that his old friend was boasting about the students perfect academic score, but he was surprised to see that there was a RAR attachment. He clicked on it as he drank his coffee. It was a beautiful full-body photo of Qin Guan acting as a standard-bearer. For a while, Martin thought that his friends email had been hacked. As schrs, it was not their style to show off to each other. There was a childish message under the picture. "This is my most beautiful student. Do you have one?" Chapter 272: The Screen Test Chapter 272: The Screen Test Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Martin was so angry that he felt his beard tremble. The two old guys beganpeting with each other. He tried his best to recall his students. Is there a handsome guy among them? Hal? No, he was not mine. Meyer? The boy is a Jew, hes too shy. Kuhn? Martin sighed when he thought about the proud boy with the blonde hair and the blue eyes. Kuhn is really proud. He will not like beingpared to a foreigner. Reluctantly, Professor Martin looked at the foreign boy with a warm smile. Even the ugly uniform couldnt diminish his grace. Everyone who saw him would smile at him. Martin sat down and replied to his old friends email. His answer was humorous and full of emotion. "Immediately!" He drew a small arrow pointing to Qin Guans photo. The email made Professor Xuugh loudly, scaring the stars and sleeping clouds away. ...... I love you, Not for what you are, But for what I am When I am with you. I love you, Not only for what you have made of yourself, But for what you are making of me. Adapted from Becuns novel, the script of "Zhou Yus Train" was full of love and romance. Qin Guan read both the novel and the script and became obsessed with it. He and Sister Xue went to the address of the director, who belonged to the fifth generation of directors. Zhang Zhou was also a fellow townsman of Qin Guans. He had simple, honest shooting skills. In fact, the poetic novel was also a challenge for him, so he was serious about the selection of the actors. As expected, Zhangs favorite actress, Gong Li, was the heroine. Thanks to her perfect acting skills and line delivery, she was one of the top actresses in the country. There were only three protagonists and one co-star with lines in the film. The news had not spread, because Zhang had decided to have a private casting call. Because of his love for the novel, Qin Guan was nning on auditioning for the role of the veterinarian, the man who fell in love with the heroine. It was love at first sight. Zhang Qiang was an ordinary veterinarian who led a peaceful life in a small town. He didnt know much about romance, but he was very realistic. Zhou Yu, the romantic heroine, fell love with the man. Qin Guan pushed into the directors office nervously. Zhang Zhou grew absent-minded when he saw him. Unlike the conservative directors of the fifth generation, and the bold and unrestrained style of the sixth, he was very educated and refined. He had originally been an excellent actor and had relied on his appearance. He had yed the role of Prince Dan of Yan in Zhang Yimous film, which meant that he was a handsome guy. Female beauties always became enemies, but male beauties often identified with each other. Sister Xue made a concise, butprehensive introduction of Qin Guan and retreated, leaving them alone. Zhang Zhou, who was a capable and experienced man, got straight to the point. "You are not suitable for Chen Qin. I have met with Liang Jiahui from Hong Kong several times. If he can dispel my doubts, the role will be his. As for Zhang Qiang, its hard to say. I have some pretty good choices in my mind. Im still hesitant though." Qin Guan remained calm, waiting for him to continue. "Zhang Qiang will be a limitation for you. The performance does not just require acting skills, but also life experience. What does a veterinarian in a small town even mean? Hed be an ordinary person in our lives. You must seldom look at yourself in a mirror, Qin Guan. I think you would meet the demands of other directors." Qin Guan felt sad. I hate my handsome face. He still tried to convince him though. "May I try out, Director Zhang? Even if I dont get the part, at least Ill be able to improve thanks to your feedback." Or you might change your mind? Zhang Zhou nodded at Qin Guan seriously. I have nothing to do anyway. Qin Guan put the script on the table and began with the first scene. It was an ordinary encounter with only a few lines. In fact, that was the most difficult scene. True acting skills did noty in portraying excitement or extreme sorrow, but in indifferent events. Qin Guan sat in the chair, swaying slightly, as if he was sitting on a travelling train. In his imagination, a smoking woman was sitting opposite him. He rxed and leaned his head against the back of the chair. With a purposeful, shameless expression, he tried to attract her attention. "Hey, did you draw the art on the bottle?" He carefully supported a non-existent bottle with both hands. "Its so beautiful! Guanware or folk kiln [1]?" Qin Guan paused while the scene began taking form before Zhang Zhous eyes. By that time, the heroine would smile. Zhang Qiang was amazed by Qin Guan. Chapter 273: Displaying and Hiding Chapter 273: Disying and Hiding Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia A smile formed on his face. "No idea, I just like it. Its beautiful. Is it on sale?" He used that excuse to talk more with the woman. "No, no matter the price." The woman stood up with the bottle. She was about to get off the train. Qin Guan stood opposite her. He was actually talking to the air. "I really love it. Could you please..." He was shameless. Director Zhang Zhou couldnt express his feelings. The young man looked like apletely different person. By that time, the heroine would throw the elegant bottle directly onto the floor to get rid of him. The bottle would break into pieces and shock the honest man. Her furious, rebellious ways attracted him to her. Zhang Qiang was an ordinary, realistic name, and so was the man himself. Luckily, he could understand why the girl was crazy, as well as that she would never fall in love with him. With enough patience and perseverance though, he would pull her back to reality and help her take control of her own life. It was a pity that his efforts wouldnt be able to withstand Zhou Yus ardently love for Chen Qing. "The heart is the final container of love," Zhang Qiang told Zhou Yu. Qin Guan finished the first scene without any trouble or excitement. Director Zhang Zhou was both surprised and annoyed. Young man, your face is your shoring. If you were a little uglier, I could convince the producer. You cannot even convince me though! By then, Liang Jiahui was older than 40, Gong Li was about 30 and Qin Guan was 20. A crazy romance like that couldnt happen to the three of them. If this was another story, Zhang might have made a small change to the script. That script was adapted from a novel with a fixed plot though. Sun Honglei doesnt have much experience on screen, but he has an honest face. He will be right for the role. Director Zhang stood up and patted Qin Guan on the shoulder. "Im sorry, Qin Guan, but the role is not for you. You have a big problem, which might change after a film. You are not capable of hiding your feelings, youre only good at showing them. If youbine that with your appearance..." Qin Guan felt sad, but enlightened. Hiding and showing feelings? Ill keep that in mind. I remember Sun Honglei. That lucky dog! Speak of the devil, and hes sure to appear. Sun, who had just finished the film "Conquering", brushed past them in the corridor. He had short hair and an honest smile. Qin Guan looked at him with envy. He couldnt do anything butfort himself. His failure to get the role drove the artistic film down an original path. Sun would fall in love with Gong Li and crash his head. Cong Nianwei, I need to beforted! Cong Nianwei was surprised to see that her boyfriend had lost his usual humor. He was lying down on his desk like a withered flower. Influenced by him, she stopped working. Im almost done anyway. I can call it a day and rx. Shey down on the desk face to face with Qin Guan. "Are you feeling unhappy? Shall we go out on a date?" she asked and kissed his face. Suddenly, Qin Guan felt refreshed. He was full of energy again. I love you, Cong Nianwei. Go to hell, Zhou Yu! Qin Guan pushed all his negative thoughts away. He stood up with sparkling eyes and said, "Date! Date!" They disappeared amid a storm of chairs and desks. "Where are we going? Movie? Dinner?" Cong Nianwei smiled mysteriously. "Chao Yang Park." In a daze, Qin Guan turned right on the fourth ring. As an entertainment park, Chao Yang Park was famous for all kinds of festivals and carnivals, such as tourist exhibitions,ntern festivals and beach sports. There were no activities during that period though. Cong Nianwei bought two tickets for sports and pulled Qin Guan into the park. Ill freeze in the winter. Qin Guan had underestimated Cong Nianwei. When they reached their destination, he had the impulse to kneel down. Bungee jumping? Its more than 70 metres high! Are you kidding? Qin Guan tried to escape, but failed. Trying to save his dignity, he mounted the tower, despite the fact that he was trembling. The elevator went up higher and higher. Swallowing saliva, Qin Guan sat in the middle of the elevator, hugging his knees. His girlfriend was really brave. The height caused him terror that was impossible for him to conquer. Cong Nianwei put on her helmet and smiled brightly at him. The asional brave act made one appreciate their peaceful life even more. Chapter 274: The Possibility of Becoming a Meat Pie Chapter 274: The Possibility of Bing a Meat Pie Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan wiped the cold sweat off his forehead. If he could read her mind, he would have protested loudly. My life is exciting enough. Ive had many strange experiences. As a man who cherished his life, that exciting activity was horrific for him. Cong Nianwei looked at Qin Guans frightened eyes and smiled at her cute boyfriend. The elevator reached its destination. The sh made the strong iron cage shake. Qin Guan held his breath. Can I go back now? The arrow was already on the string though. There was a staff member beside them who took pictures. That boy looks familiar. He is handsome even in the DV. Wow! What fair skin! Qin Guans face had turned dreadfully pale from fear. Cong Nianwei helped him out of the elevator. Qin Guan looked in the distance, then turned around immediately. He looked back at the elevator. Can I go back? Smiling, Cong Nianwei pressed harder on his hand. She looked smart in her yellow professional helmet. "Ill go first. Youll love it!" Qin Guan gave her a forced smile. "Okay, Ill support you mentally." The staff member fastened the special mooring rope to her waist. Another staff member recorded the brilliant scene with a camera for the brave girl. Cong Nianwei walked to the edge of the tform and waved at Qin Guan. As Qin Guans pupils expanded, she turned her back to him and jumped down. "Wow!" His concern for her conquered his horror. Qin Guan looked down by the fence. Thats terrible! I feel dizzy. Come back, Weizi! Cong Nianwei shouted to vent her excitement during the rapid descend. A few metres above the water surface, the rope pulled her back. Cong Nianweiughed loudly in satisfaction. The staff on the tform gave Qin Guan a thumbs up in appreciation. "Your girlfriend is very brave, young man. She must have done this before." Quivering, Qin Guan smiled in horror. What does she do every day while Im too busy working? What happens unbeknownst to me? Cong Nianwei stood below, waving her hands up to Qin Guan. That didnt help though. When one stood somewhere high, they had to avoid looking down so they wouldnt get scared. Qin Guan tried his best not to look down. Otherwise, he would sit down on the tform and stay there for at least two hours. His legs felt really weak. Qin Guan got his helmet ready while the staff beside him said, "Sir, sir..." "What?" Qin Guan turned his head around like a robot when he felt a soft touch on his waist. He was kicked down. As he descended at high speed, Qin Guan could not make a sound. The onlookers behind were watching him happily. A young girl told Cong Nianwei in admiration, "Your boyfriend is really brave. I have never seen a single person jump down without screaming." Knowing Qin Guan, Cong Nianwei was hesitant to answer. As expected, after several seconds, the rope reached its end. As he approached the water surface, Qin Guan started screaming like crazy. The ss of the indoor Bungee Jumping Hall shook slightly as some thin cracks formed on it. Everyone behind it covered their ears with their hands. It was unbelievable to hear such a scream from a man. When the rope reached its end, Qin Guan bounced back up. Only then did he experience the excitement of the climax. Qin Guan shouted again when he dropped for a second time. This time, his scream was a happy one. When he finally stopped at the end of rope, he was released. He fell limply on the hard floor. As he saw Cong Nianwei approach, he felt strangely excited. He hugged her and kissed her with all his strength. The near-death experience had made him unprecedentedly shameless. It had given him the same courage that alcohol gave cowards. With a knowing expression in their eyes, everyone around looked at the two lovers. Qin Guan stopped kissing her and took Cong Nianwei to the parking lot. Cong Nianwei looked at him with sparkling eyes. "What are you doing? I bought all-inclusive tickets. There are many other activities..." Qin Guan stopped her with another kiss. "Lets go home." Chapter 275: You Are Mine Chapter 275: You Are Mine Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianwei remained silent, leaning her head against Qin Guans shoulder. Qin Guan carried her to the parking lot. Ignoring the onlookers, their hearts were peaceful among the noisy park. They could hear each others heartbeats. When they arrived home, Qin Guan got out of the car and ran to the drugstore. Cong Nianwei watched him go doubtfully. Excited, Qin Guan returned quickly. He pulled Cong Nianwei upstairs with sweaty hands. Cong Nianwei bit her lower lip and fixed her eyes on Qin Guans pocket, where a bump was visible. What did he buy from the drugstore? Before taking off her shoes, Qin Guan hugged her tightly. "Wei?" "Whats the matter?" "Shall we do something together?" "I have to think about it." "Thats unnecessary. You smell so good..." "Ah!" Suddenly, Qin Guan picked up Cong Nianwei and put her over his shoulder. He threw her onto the soft bed with the clean blue sheets. Her long ck hair spread on the sheets tantalizingly. Cong Nianweiy in bed, staring at Qin Guans face above her. When they were both naked, she asked, "Can you?" Qin Guan nodded, full of determination. "Sure!" He took out his trophies from the drugstore. Four packages of condoms fell onto the floor. You bought too many! Her bare shoulders were above the quilt, making Qin Guan dizzy. Cong Nianwei nced at the condom in Qin Guans hand and repeated her question, "Are you sure? Who taught you?" Who? Some Japanese elder sisters [1], of course. But Id never tell you that. "I taught myself..." Young sex was immature, but fragrant. It was like a mixture of water and milk. If it wasnt for Cong Nianweis pain, Qin Guan, who felt like he had just tasted candy for the first time, would have asked for 300 more rounds. Theyy together under the soft quilt silently, when a call broke the wonderful silence. Qin Guan looked at the soft girl in his embrace. In the cold winter, he was hesitant to get up. He got up and sneezed from the low temperature in the room. "Did you forget to pay for the central heating?" Cong Nianwei asked. Qin Guan rubbed his nose and said, "Well return home for the Spring Festival. I dont want to pay for an empty apartment." Then he answered the phone. "You ran away as soon as possible after leaving the studio. Did you forget something?" Sister Xue shouted at him. "What?" "Your agent was still talking with the director and you ran away without her!" Qin Guan knew that he had run away without Sister Xue, but his agent was strong enough to deal with anything. Sister Xue sighed at the stubborn boy. Why is he so obsessed with artistic films? Commercial films are the best way to make money! Look at the "Heroes" crew! The executive editor agreed to meet Qin Guan as soon as possible, based only on his resume and videos! He promised that if Director Zhang agreed, Qin Guan would be epted immediately! Director Zhang Yimou had originally been a photographer, so he was always in pursuit of extreme beauty. Film quality aside, he was indisputably the top director of his generation when it came to camera angle. With the firmest tone she had ever used in her life, Sister Xue ordered Qin Guan, "Come to the Beijing Film Studio right now! Be a hero!" She hung up before Qin Guan could say anything. Qin Guan turned to his girlfriend hesitantly. He didnt want to go anywhere that day. Lying in bed, Cong Nianwei threw Qin Guan all his clothes. "Im sleepy and tired. Ill wait for you here. Bring me supper." Qin Guan picked up the clothes and kissed her on the forehead. "Ill be back as soon as possible. What do you want for supper?" "You choose..." When Qin Guan put on his shoes and looked back, Cong Nianwei had fallen asleep. He gently closed the door behind him. He hastened to the Beijing Film Studio and found his babysitter waiting for him by the entrance. On their way to the directors office, Sister Xue exined the situation to him. The key word for the film was "obedient". The actors had to perform by following the directors guidance. No free interpretation. No emotion. It was the first domestic audition for themercial film, which was aiming for an Oscar. Qin Guan would be auditioning for the only supporting part with lines in the film. He was one of seven nameless swordsmen in Qin. Thanks to the honor of martial artists and the adoration of the country, they had gotten together spontaneously to find Changkong, another swordsman threatening their king. They reached their destination just as Qin Guan finished reading the script. It was an ordinary office. The two producers of the film were both inside, discussing all the details. They were stunned by the presence of Qin Guan and Sister Xue. The assistant director introduced them to the director and producer. Chapter 276: Amazing Chapter 276: Amazing Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Zhang didnt care about the supporting role. He told the assistant director, "Its only a supporting role with one line. Did he meet with the action director? Elegant movements are necessary. I just need the effect." Sister Xue smiled to herself. Thats it! My boy has never failed a test like that. The producers were busy with work, so Qin Guan followed the assistant director to the studio. It was noisy inside. The crew shuttled among different ces to shoot an outdoor scene. The scene, which took only 10 minutes, cost a lot. Knowing why they were there, the action director sized Qin Guan up from head to toe. Are you kidding? 90% of the film involves martial arts. This part, which took only five minutes to shoot, was not easy for anybody. The director fell into deep thought. He didnt want to insult the assistant director. I could just make things difficult for the actor. His attitude betrayed his thoughts. "Have you acted in a martial arts film before?" His nose was nearly pointing to the sky. "Yes, I have been on a wire." "Wow!" He lowered his nose a little. He is not a green hand. "So youre a Kung Fu expert?" "Yes, my master belonged to the ninth generation of Xingyi Fist." He was talking about Mou Xiaoliu. The girl had taught him a lot. "Wow!" The director looked at the slender, graceful young man. One should never judge others by their appearance. "Show me." Qin Guan did. "Wow! Thats pretty good! What about weapons?" The director looked intrigued as he handed Qin Guan a sword. Looking at the sword, Qin Guan murmured to himself, "I cant do that." He couldnt say that though. The blockbuster starred Kung Fu stars, including Li Lianjie and Zhen Zidan. Even the other actors, who wereparatively inferior, like Liang Chaowei and Zhang Manyu, were familiar with martial arts. The weakest one was Zhang Ziyi, who yed a servant in the film. After the movie "Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon" though, she had grown up. Qin Guan was the only actor who would have to both perform martial art movements and deliver lines, so he was the weakest link. If he said the truth, he would be immediately reced by another experienced actor. Qin Guan gave his symbolic smile again, and Sister Xue realized he would be relying on his face again. He took the sword gently. It was a heavy one. He pressed two fingers against the de and slowly wiped it till the end. The bronze ck de looked good against his fair, slender fingers. He tapped on the de with his middle finger, making a handsome movement, and then returned it to the director. With a smile, he told the director, "I have read the script. All the martial art movements were choreographed by your team. My shabby skills would be no match for them." "I would like to act out your choreography. I think it must be perfect. May I have the honor of following your directions?" The director felt ttered by his words. The audience only paid attention to actors and forgot about the crew working behind the scenes. They were the foundation of any sess. Closing his eyes, he tried to recall the movements designed by his team. They were in his blood. Dust flew as the sword sparkled. The heavy sword looked splendid in his hand. Every detail was clear. Every movement was extraordinary. Qin Guan sighed. He is the right man for the role. The director was done after a few minutes. He had enjoyed himself to the fullest. He handed the sword back to Qin Guan. "Want to have a try? It seems simple, but youll find it difficult when you practise. Your foundation is no-" The words were choked in his throat. Qin Guan had started dancing with the sword. He had taken off his coat and started performing the same movements the director had performed. Different people gave them a different vibe though. The director was as powerful as a general, while Qin Guan was as graceful and gentle as a schr. It was the perfectbination of martial arts and dance. Shocked, the director stood still. Sister Xue smoothed her hair down proudly. My boy is inferior to nobody when ites to learning! The crew had also noticed them. They had thought that the young man would embarrass himself before the director. Only when Qin Guan got on the stage did they realize what the word "amazing" truly meant. The sword was flying in the air in an ancient, poetic style. Chapter 277: No Problem, Director Zhang Chapter 277: No Problem, Director Zhang Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Is he a candidate for the seven swordsmen of Qin? Whats his name?" Director Zhang was leading his team to the studio, when he paused and watched the scene for a while. The assistant director weed him with a smile. "This is Qin Guan. Hes a neer." "Oh? Is he experienced in film shooting?" "No, but he was in some good TV series." He wants to explore the possibility of a movie and wants mine to be his first? Clever guy! The assistant director hastened to say something favorable about Qin Guan. For an unknown actor, other peoples objective opinion was the most important factor. "Wang Jingcao rmended him. You know herpany supports us a lot. They even made Chen Daomings schedule for us. The other actors they rmended were rejected by me forck of experience, but he is the best one. His features are perfect for ancient dramas. I think hell look splendid on therge screen." Zhang Yimou, who could make a film as beautiful as a nationwide advertisement, was keen on beauty. Qin Guan had paused. Zhang Yimou addressed the action director, "Whats your opinion?" Thetter gave Qin Guan a thumbs up. "No problem!" Zhang Yimou patted him on the shoulder. "I believe in you." Then he made a joke with a young actor behind him. "Take care of your sessors. In the Yangtze River, the waves behind drive on the ones in front of them." Zhen Zidan and his agentughed. They didnt attach importance to Qin Guan, who didnt engage in martial arts. They were cooperating with the best director of the maind, so it was better for them to keep silent. Qin Guan had no idea what they were thinking about. All he needed to know was that he had seeded. He and Sister Xue left the studio after the assistant director murmured to Sister Xue about the shooting n. Qin Guan stared around the studio, which would be his beginning in the film industry. It will be a perfect full stop before I go abroad. If the older actors knew about his aspirations, he would have gotten beaten. That was a chance many people were earnestly longing for. During the tough time the film industry was going through, "Heroes" was the only hope. The insiders of the entertainment circle were smart and sensitive. Qin Guans previous TV series had been sold out. It was a pity that most of them had been sold at low prices. Only a few local TV stations had paid for them. They were silently ying on local TV stations before the New Year. Qin Guan and his girlfriend were lying on the couch watching them. Qin Guan doubted her taste a lot. As a young sophisticated person, Cong Nianwei preferred works targeted at underage people. However, she had chosen "Maids of the Red Mansion" out of the three TV shows, which had confused Qin Guan. In fact, Cong Nianwei was nervous as she watched the TV show, as Qin Guans character had many affairs with the girls. As they were making jokes together, the phone rang again. "Its Sister Xue again! She must be Cupids arch enemy!" Cong Nianweiined with a smile. Qin Guan made a grimace and answered the phone. "Qin Guan, its starting!" What? What was starting? Qin Guan was really confused. "The online voting for the Asian Fashion Man." Qin Guan was enlightened. The event had finally begun. The voting wouldst for three days. "So what?" he answered indifferently. "I cant vote for myself. It all depends on the inte voters." Sister Xue hung up angrily. She didnt want to talk to Qin Guan anymore. Qin Guan threw the phone away happily and returned to Cong Nianwei. On the screen, Jia Lian was smiling to a beautiful girl. They fell on the bed together. As they watched the scene, countless female fans forgot to drink water and eat the snacks in their hands. They were fully satisfied by watching Qin Guan. Cong Nianweis eyes had been fixed on Qin Guan from the very beginning. Qin Guan couldnt take it anymore. He turned and pressed her against the couch. Chapter 278: Taking Action Chapter 278: Taking Action Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Hey, this is the best part..." Looking at his approaching face, Cong Nianwei got nervous. "Well y it back tomorrow..." His lips were suddenly on hers. Qin Guan was in heaven while Sister Xue was on Earth. She was busy and deeply troubled. She exchanged information with the president of the fan club and asked them to organize some activities. Then she talked with Qin Guans referrer, Qu Xuemei, about their promotion n for the future. Meanwhile, there was another team engaging in simr affairs. In a mansion in Singapore, Fang Meiya was busy working, when her private telephone rang. It was her secretary. "President Fang, Mr. Shao Xiaobing hase for a visit. He is in the lounge on the first floor." Fang Meiya massaged her forehead. On the screen before her was the webpage of the Asian Fashion Manpetition. She hesitated for a while before she said, "Not today. Tell him Ill contact him when I have time. Ill help him with the vote, but the oue will depend on his own ability." The secretary hung up in surprise. It was the first time that frequent visitor got the door shut against his face. Her president had spent several months on him. All the staff had thought their romance would have a happy ending. It had been nothing but another fling though. What did thatst sentence mean though? With enough ability, Shao will not lose? She was a professional secretary, so she conveyed Fangs words tactfully. Shao smiled and left the hall of the Media Building in sunsses with his agent, who was looking at him worriedly. Fang Meiya, who was weak when it came to romance, would find a new lover. His representative contract wouldst for another half a year though. If he seeded in thepetition, he could negotiate with Fang about more favorable terms. If he didnt, he would descend from heaven. Half a yearter, he would have to return to China and his gloomy life. Shao would not be able to bear that. He had climbed up from that circle. He couldnt fall in the dust again. He had no choice but to win thepetition. "I have to win. You must help me," he told his agent. His agent had been with him ever since his debut. "Dont worry. I have contacted some majorpanies. We wont lose thepetition." Fang was a little distracted by Shaos visit, but she was immediately absorbed in a dialogue box that jumped up on her MSN page. The head image in the box was that of a savage man, whose skin had be copper-colored from sunshine. He was lean and handsome, full of male hormones. Beside the image were Fangs notes: Chang Jin, male, Singapore Fashion Man, 22 years old, Taiwan. He had been voted Singapore Fashion Man that year. Naturally, he had be Fangs prey. He was also skilled when it came to romance. They were currently ying a hunting game. Shao was an ambitious man, and Fang had helped him with the representative of Cartier. It had been a fair exchange. If he was capable, he would rise higher thanks to that foundation. If there was someone better than him, Fang wouldnt keep being charitable. That guy... Qin Guan... Fang was distracted again. That warm smile and that cup of tea were still lingering in her mind. She shook her head to clear it off that nonsense. Putting on her cynical mask again, she began to fantasize about Chang. What will he do to me in bed with his wild style? Thepetition was still going on. Data was sent unceasingly to Shaos agent. The next morning, when Qin Guan woke up, he and Sister Xue looked at each other speechlessly. Qin Guan was 10th among the 20 candidates, while Shao was far ahead. Sister Xue shouted at Qin Guan angrily, "All the other candidates are working hard! Help me, okay?" Qin Guan was confused. What can I do to help you? You can do anything yourself. There was only one thing in the world that Sister Xue couldnt deal with though, and that was the will of the people. Compared to models from other countries, Qin Guan had the greatest advantage: Chinasrge poption. His country had thergest poption in the world, and Chinese people would be interested in only him and Shao. A person with no idea how the fashion circle worked might vote for Shao for his sophisticated resume. Shao had been the first to break the limits of the domestic fashion circle. Now he would rise to national glory thanks to ordinary Chinese people. Qin Guans fans, representative brands, advertisingpanies and magazines grew worried. A model out of the Chinese fashion circle has no direct rtionship with us. Our representative will promote our business though. A.M. could hardly retain itsposure. As its exclusive model, Qin Guans poprity was closely tied to them. He had be their sessful image during the promotion of other brands. If Qin Guan lost to other models, A.M. would not look professional. All the staff in their Public Rtions Department took action. Their best skill was promotion after all! Chapter 279: The Horn of Battle Chapter 279: The Horn of Battle Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans promotional video was published efficiently on websites. The audience could find Qin Guans voting number at both the beginning and the end. Viewers could see the cute film and learn about the voting tform. Qin Guans fan club had gotten angry, but the club was newly established. Their votes were inadequate for such a severe situation. The president of the club was a senior inte insider, who sent the link directly to influential moderators of the Haijiao and Goupu forums. The friendship among revolutionaries was deep. They were all used to being at the bottom together, so they gave a hand happily and put Qin Guans video at the top of their posts. The posts attracted attention from curious users, who clicked on them and sawrge photos of Qin Guan, followed by his VOGUE cover. The extreme sh of ck and white, as well as its splendid, peaceful vibe, shocked people. The article was also exciting for young Chinese people. Their model couldnt lose to those foreign guys. Unity was power. Sister Xue, who was busy in her office, saw Qin Guans ranking rise slowly. Ninth, eighth... Qin Guan stopped rising at midnight, when he reached the third ce. Sister Xue let out a long breath. The difference between the top three was not that big. The final day would be essential for all the candidates. Shaos agent hung up the phone and let out a breath confidently. ording to the statistics, Shao would definitely win if people kept voting normally. The case had been settled, Shao would continue his career. Besides, with that title, Fang would also benefit from his poprity. It would be easy for her. The happy ending of their romance would be a legend. For the sake of promotion, his agent had deliberately leaked information about the affair between Fang and Shao. If he won thepetition, Fang would not care about it. The two of them were dreaming, totally ignoring the consequences the affair would have if they failed. Fang would be angry that she had been used as a weapon. On the other hand, Qin Guan was still in a fiercepetition with Zhitian Erzhi, a Japanese model. What was the fastest way to defeat the Japanese with a keyboard? Ask help from the headquarters of young Chinese men. Where were they? On forums about history, the military and politics. Zhitian was an arrogant guy. Students from Tsinghua University had sent information about him to Cong Nianwei, which had been sent by Qin Guan to his fan club. Zhitian said there was no fashion in China. Qin Guan who? Such posts appeared silently on forums, making the angry users explode. It was uneptable! The news spread along with Qin Guans link. More and more young people clicked in to vote for the Chinese boy. They didnt want to see the Japanese win. In half a day, Zhitian was far behind Qin Guan, who ranked second only to Shao Xiaobing. As he looked at the poll on the screen, Shao couldnt remain calm. Crack! His ss fell on the floor and shattered. Shao started shouting like crazy. "Qin Guan! Youre haunting me everywhere! Why? Im the best! Im a fashion pioneer!" Why cant my influence beat you? He stared at his agent with bloody eyes. "Where are yourpanies? I have money! How much will it take? 100,000? 200,000? 300,000? Take my money and give me the title!" He grabbed his agent by the cor, shaking him vigorously. The man was choking. He couldnt even breathe. "Calm down, Shao!" Shao slowly let him go. "Its online voting! It relies on real IPs. Companies cannot fabricate those statistics. Its a fairpetition." "Besides, everyone is promoting themselves. Everyone is looking for votes. The more people vote, the better. Its too early for you to leave China. The audience just likes Qin Guan better." "Brands and media prefer him too. Thats reasonable. You have a broader market, but a weaker foundation." Besides, your foundation is about to copse thanks to that woman. Shao fell on the couch, that rotten night ying back in his mind. He remembered his ambition and horror. I cannot give up! Covering his face, he told his agent, "Use all our resources. There is still half a day left. Ill face Qin Guan head-on." Chapter 280: Parents Meeting Chapter 280: Parents Meeting Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan still had a chance. Domestic media were voting for him voluntarily. The brand businessman who had a contract with him was shameless. He told his staff to vote online every day, and the workers of his nts voted from inte cafes nearby. They would get a bonus from their superiors for the votes. The whole process was like gathering sand to build a tower. All the actors and staff in the entertainment circle who knew the boy voted for Qin Guan. Sister Xue was finally feeling confident. On thest afternoon of the vote, Qin Guan reced Shao Xiaobing at first ce. He was sitting on the throne steadily thanks to the power of China. Fang sighed in the Cartier offices. The blinking stars in the sky reminded her of that night again. Will that guy regret his choice? Fang didnt care about the trick her ex-lover had yed. Her affairs were always well-known in Singapore. It was a pity that Shao hadnt won despite her sacrifice. What would he do when his contract with Cartier expired? At midnight, the vote count stopped. The next day, the technical staff would deliver the results to themittee. Thepetition for the most sought-after title in Asia hade to an end. The award ceremony would be held in the spring. The seniors members of the Asian Model Association would present the prize to the lucky guy. After working all night, Shao looked withered and gloomy. There was stubble growing on his jaw. His eyes looked tired and desperate. Without the title or Fang Meiyas support, he was facing a long, rugged way abroad. Qin Guan entrusted Sister Xue to deal with all his affairs. Meanwhile, he was preparing with Cong Nianwei for going abroad. The two families would spend the Spring Festival together to talk about their kids. The young couple had been neglecting their parents ever since theyd fallen in love. Their parents opinion changed when they heard the unexpected news. Qin Guans parents were d, but Cong Nianweis father fell into deep thought. I should pay attention to you if you return home with my daughter! Everyone was polite when they had their first dinner together. Cong Nianweis mother, a docile woman, was looking at her husband with concern. They ate and talked. "Qin Guan, our Weiwei will go abroad to study. What are your future ns?" Stunned, Qin Guan nced at Cong Nianwei, who looked down guiltily. My father didnt want to hear about you. Without any help from her, Qin Guan had to step onto that minefield alone. "I applied to the same university and got an eptance notice from my tutor, sir." Cong Nianweis father choked. Qin Guans father added another stab. "Our Qin Guan got full marks in his TOEFL exam." He is even better than my daughter! The mans pride was swept away. He is both handsome and a perfect student! Unbelievable! "Your main task is to study. I hope you can look after each other in the US. We can discuss the details on your return." He was nning on following a dying strategy. Nobody could make a promise on emotion. Smiling, Qin Guan expressed his loyalty to Cong Nianweis father. "Dont worry, sir. My friend in the US has found a house for us. I will make money, cook and do the housework. Cong Nianwei will be safe in the US with me." "What? Youll live together in the US?" Cong Nianweis father asked with trembling lips. Qin Guan answered without hesitation, "Yes, we live together in Beijing..." Qin Guan saw Cong Nianwei looking at him behind his fathers back. Cong Nianweis mother, who knew about the situation, looked worried. "Youre living together?" Cong Nianweis father stared at Qin Guan fiercely, as if he was looking at the enemy. Qin Guan nodded. "Hold him!" Cong Nianwei, who knew her father, realized that he had reached his breaking point. They began pulling and pushing each other. Qin Guans father joined the fight with a smile. Well done, son! After a while, Cong Nianweis father calmed down and sat back. Then everyone became serious. As they left the restaurant, Qin Guans father secretly gave Qin Guan the thumbs up. "You take after me!" Qin Guan turned his gaze to his mother, who was saying goodbye to Cong Nianweis mother, and shrugged. He thought very highly of his father. When they returned home, Cong Nianwei ignored her angry father, who was sitting on the couch silently. As she was cleaning the room with her mother, her father asked her angrily, "So youve made your decision?" "Yes." "Think it over. Youre young." "No." Chapter 281: Heroes Chapter 281: Heroes Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "The circle of his part-time job is tooplicated. You spend all your IQ on studying. Hell cheat on you!" Thinking of the funny look on Qin Guans face, Cong Nianwei smiled. "He wont." Of course he wont. Im not an idiot. Noticing the unprecedented smile on her face, Cong Nianweis father fell into deep thought. Her smilebined warmth, love and shyness. His daughter had grown up. He could ignore his grey hair, but he couldnt ignore his daughter. If Qin Guan cheated on her, he would kill him, no matter where he was. ... The Spring Festival arrived and passed. Schools would open soon. Qin Guan prepared his luggage earlier than he used to. His best friends, Zhou Jing and Li Jian, came over to see him off. Because of their love for their profession and the pressure of employment, they had both decided to take a postgraduate exam. They were aiming for universities in Beijing. They sent their best wishes to their good friend. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei bid their parents farewell and took the train back to the capital. As soon as they arrived in Beijing, Sister Xue took Qin Guan to the "Heroes" studio. Director Zhang Yimou was famous for his high efficiency. He asked Qin Guan, who would y a supporting role, to watch the shooting process from the very beginning. There were certain differences between the film and the TV series, and the film was essential for the 2002 domestic box office. In the winter, when the whole market was depressed, "Heroes" was like a guide walking in the dark with an oilmp. Their movie might end up finding a new path to the other shore, or fall down a cliff. When Qin Guan arrived, they were shooting a scene in the magnificent Qin Pce. The other actors were watching with curiosity. They all had folded chairs and assistants. Qin Guan found a small box and used it as a stool, sitting down in a corner. Content, he watched the older actors, Chen Daoming and Li Lianjie, as well as Liang Chaowei, who was also on set. The film was aiming for an Oscar, but it was also meaningful to the leading actors. In the ck, dark pce, there was no fierce fighting or emotional conflict. The two men were talking peacefully. The scene was boring. Chen and Li maintained the same expression, gestures and position before the camera. They would start over even for the tiniest mistake. At the beginning, Qin Guan was at ease. However, soon he was getting more and more solemn. Just as he was about to think about the subtle differences he had noticed, Wang Jingcao spoke from behind him, "Do you see the difference between you and really good actors?" Qin Guan turned around, waiting for her to speak. "Chen is my favorite actor. We have been good friends for many years. I have watched his every scene, so I can tell the difference every time." "Actors exert different skills on different roles. He doesnt need to interpret the role tentatively. He can handle the situation." Qin Guan was still confused. Before leaving, Wang told him, "You show too much. Sometimes you should try to hide yourself. When you get enough experience, everything wille to you naturally." Looking at her back, Qin Guan got lost in thought. She was just like a babysitter. For her, actors were not partners, but family members. She treated both Qin Guan, an independent actor, and her own actors the same way. Qin Guan turned back to Chens performance. He looked like a real emperor. Maybe the real emperor had been just like him. The next day, the martial arts choreography began. The scenes began with Zhen Zidan, who had the smallest part. In his first scene, he yed the Go game with a Qin swordsman in a hut. The ck and white pieces were fighting fiercely. Raindrops were falling down to the criss-cross water channels to form a checkerboard. The rain and the melodious music resembled theplicated rtionship between different kingdoms. In his indigo gown and grey waistcoat, Qin Guan looked like a chivalrous swordsman full of vicissitudes. They sat by the two sides of the checkerboard. When Zhen Zidan put a white piece on the board, the camera turned to Qin Guan. He picked up the fillet with the Qin pattern and tightened it around his forehead. Chapter 282: Sorry, Qin Guan Chapter 282: Sorry, Qin Guan Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Stop!" Director Zhang shouted to the cameraman without a warning. The film was still rotating in the camera, making the producer a little nervous. The whole crew was surprised. There had been no mistake. Why had the director stopped them? Zhang Yimou asked Zhang Weiping to watch the yback with him. Zhen Zidan looked full of momentum in his yellow gown. The ck and white pieces on the board left a profound,sting impression. The rain created a gloomy atmosphere in the camera. When the camera turned to Qin Guan though, they burst intoughter. On therge screen, any small detail would be clear to the audience. Li Lianjies face, which was full of bumps and holes, and Chen Daomings wrinkled face had a historical value to them. With Qin Guan as a contrast though, Zhen Zidan, the second lead of the film, suddenly looked like a nobody. That was reasonable. Zhen was famous for his martial art abilities, while Qin Guan was a model relying on his looks. However, that made it seem like Changkong, the top assassin, was a peasant in the fields and the leader of the seven swordsmen was the important man. Qin Guans face was too attractive. It made him stand out among martial artists. Zhang Weiping was interested in his looks though. "Wow! He would be great formercial films. All the girls would pay to see his face. Ill find a script for him." Zhang Yimou didnt answer. His original intention had been for Qin Guan to act in this film. "Give him a moustache!" he shouted to the makeup team. "Apply some dark powder, too!" He had to reduce Qin Guans presence to match the whole film. The dresser got to work reluctantly. As he applied dark powder on Qin Guans face, heined about the directors taste. "s! All beauties have fair skin. You look like a peasant with that make-up on." Qin Guan had to bear with his kind chatter. "Okay! See for yourself." The dresser sighed and pasted a fake beard above Qin Guans lips with a frown. You are destroying a beauty, director. When they were done, Sister Xue saw Qin Guan change into a less handsome guy. He was still above average though. Qin Guan returned to the set and stood next to Zhen Zidan again. Everyone unconsciouslypared the two actors. It was the first time they saw a supporting actor that was too handsome to y with the second lead. Zhen wanted to cry out. Its not my fault I lookmon. Im a martial arts star! Im not relying on my appearance! The scene started over. The background was dark and the building was made of grey bricks. Qin Guan matched them harmoniously. Director Zhang felt pity for the boy. He had promised to direct a publicity film for the National Tourism Administration, which would be broadcasted in foreign countries. Maybe I could give him a chance in that film. He is a Chinese beauty after all. Soon he came back to his senses. "Camera!" Qin Guan tightened the ck headband around his forehead. The camera was getting farther and farther away to reveal his whole body. He was sitting straight on his heels opposite Changkong with both hands on his thighs. It was the prelude of their duel. The crew gestured to the extras, who ran and got into position. There was one camera following them while the camera fixed on Zhen was still filming. With his long hair covering his face, Changkong said coldly, "The seven superiors of Qin..." Qin Guan finished his sentence, "...have been following you for days. Well bring you to justice." His voice echoed inside the hut. "Show your spear to confirm your identity!" Qin Guan walked ahead of the other six actors. The action director had spent a lot of time on selecting actors of simr height. Qin Guan was still the tallest one among them though. Zhang Weiping fell in deep thought again as Zhang observed Qin Guan through the camera. He was standing straight. The long bronze sword and thick grey gown didnt influence his posture. It was an advantage he had as a professional model. Qin Guan pointed the sword at Changkong, the criminal they were after. His body was as straight as a rod. Director Zhang pointed the camera at Zhen for a second and then moved it back again, avoiding the contrast with Qin Guan. They were at a stalemate for ten whole seconds before Zhang Yimou stopped the camera. The crew was watching the yback while Qin Guan went out, wiping raindrops off his face. Chapter 283: Thank God I Covered My Face Chapter 283: Thank God I Covered My Face Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The dresser came over with a powder puff. Qin Guans makeup would get washed off in the rain. Zhen Zidan returned to his seat with mixed feelings. He was used to his partners being inferior to him during fighting scenes, while he was the inferior one in looks. After returning from the US, he had gotten proud and arrogant. His career had taken off in Hong Kong, and he was considered the third best martial artist after Cheng Long and Li Lianjie. He was confident that he would get his dignity back during the next martial arts scene. If he had known about Qin Guans gift and the evaluation of the action director, whom he also respected, he wouldnt have underestimated Qin Guan. After three minutes, the director announced the next scene. Despite his bitterness, Zhen made a handsome movement with his shining spear. Qin Guan was stunned. Those movements were in his nature though. His body had the right reaction automatically. His bronze sword hit the spear. Qin Gian rotated smartly, as if he was dancing. Startled, Zhen Zidan pulled his spear back. That young man is an expert. My sudden attack didnt trouble him. He had the perfect reaction. There was no time for him to think it over. Zhen stabbed at Qin Guans chest. Qin Guan moved his sword back immediately to protect himself. Encouraged, Zhen pushed the spear forward towards Qin Guan again, using his full strength. It was terrible. The spearhead began to shake vigorously from his high speed, aiming for Qin Guans face. Zhen was alert. It was his fault! His pupils expanded slightly. He was a professional martial artist, so he tried to control the spear with his wrists. Qin Guan was confused. The spear should have swept by the side of his face. This was not in the script. His face would get destroyed. There would be holes in it, and his teeth would get knocked out. People always had crazy reactions when they were afraid. Only one thought was echoing in Qin Guans mind. "Thank god I covered my face and saved my handsome looks." Sister Xue was about to scream out. Silence prevailed in the studio. Only the camera was still working. Qin Guan moved. His muscles pulled his head to the side. It was a real dodge. His twisted mouth made the picture seem rmingly dangerous. It was an actual fight. The silver spear cut the long hair behind his head and a wisp of ck hair fell on his shoulder. Qin Guan took three steps back to steady himself, influenced by Changkongs fierce attack. Director Zhang shout calmly, "Okay!" His voice broke the tense atmosphere on set. Everyone rushed over. Zhen Zidan felt sorry about what he had done, but the proud man found it hard to apologize. Picking up the spear, he told Qin Guan, "Sorry." Zhens agent was stupefied. Zhen had never apologized to a nobody. In fact, Zhen was obsessed with martial arts. He felt proud next to guys without real skills. If one could convince him, he thought very highly of them. Of course, he never took looks into consideration. Everyone else dispersed and Sister Xue reached Qin Guan. She checked his face carefully for a long while. "Are you looking for wounds?" Qin Guan massaged his hurting jaw. "Be careful, Qin Guan! This is your first scene and you nearly got disfigured! Pay attention! Stopughing! Is he jealous of you or something?" Qin Guan smiled at her doubts. "Impossible! We are from different domains. Im not worth his jealousy." Qin Guan cast a nce at Zhen and saw the man looking at him. Qin Guan smiled at him and Zhen twisted his face to return a forced smile. Qin Guan turned back to Sister Xue. "See? It was only an idental injury." Sister Xue was used to thinking the worst of people. "If he found out about your gift in martial arts, he would regret sparing your life," she murmured. Qin Guan would not be making action movies in the US though. Director Zhang shouted at the crew. He wanted to finish the scene that day. Qin Guan walked to a white spot, which marked the actors position. Chapter 284: Hiding Chapter 284: Hiding Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia When everyone was ready and Director Zhang announced they would be starting to film, Qin Guan suddenly changed his expression. He had to be fierce, but he recalled Wangs instructions, and controlled the muscles of his face to hide his feelings. Wang Jingcao was a powerful woman. She would never give him useless advice. On therge screen, even the slightest change on his face would be visible, which was different from the vigorous feeling of TV. The actors felt that limitation themselves. If it wasnt for Qin Guans intelligence, the director would have considered his acting skills over the top. On camera, Qin Guan seemed angry and ashamed for getting defeated by Changkong, but ready to risk his life again. For a green hand on therge screen and an actor ying a small part, his performance was wonderful. Besides, his beard covered his ws to some extent, making him perfect on camera. Both Zhangs nodded. The boy has great potential considering his acting skills and face. Stomping on the ground, Qin Guan leapt high and hacked at Changkong. Zhens spear was rotating like a windmill, trying to resist his attack. One wrong move made Qin Guan lose. His sword was kicked away by the spear and he fell down to the ground. Before he could stand up, the spear was pointed at his chest. The pain of failure, the unwillingness to struggle and his depression all showed on his face. He was growing up on therge screen. He had mastered the skill of hiding. Having lost the duel, he retreated silently. His brothers walked up to Changkong looking frustrated. The seven swordsmen bowed before their enemy. Standing in a line, they yielded the exit of the hut to Changkong. When Changkong pushed the door open, a man shouted from behind him, "Wait!" Until then, the shooting had gone quite smooth, if one ruled out that near ident. The seven swordsmen turned their heads around to find the source of the voice. Thats when the problem began. They failed to turn around together at the same time. After several tries, the assistant director used the stupidest way, assigning a crew member to hold a sign. Facing the camera, the crew member waved a small g to the seven swordsmen. It was as if the audience was watching a tennis game. Li Lianjie showed up in ck, which meant their part was officially over. They left the set, leaving space for the props of the next scene. The action director patted them on the back in encouragement. They had done their part well. Zhang Lushan praised Qin Guan, "You were born a martial artist. You will have a bright future in this industry!" Sister Xue made a face. Your industry is dangerous and toilsome. Only a few stars are famous all over China. My boy will stay away from that business. Hes leaving the studio, so hed better say goodbye to Director Zhang to promote himself. Director Zhang, who had a good opinion of Qin Guan, was also d to praise him. It was a pity that he was a reserved man. He only told Qin Guan, "Good boy!" That was enough for Sister Xue though. She would make good use of it. Before leaving, Wang Jingcao tentatively came over to talk to Qin Guan and Sister Xue, showing great interest in the Asian Fashion Manpetition. She had also organized a media interview abroad. When they left, Wang returned to Chen Daoming. Seldom did Chen Daoming see his agent so interested in a green hand. "Why are you so interested in him?" he asked her. "He is an independent actor." Wang was confident. Actually, he is depending on me. He is my secret weapon. Qin Guan returned homete that night. Lying in bed, he thought about his schedule the following days. Although he only had a small part in the film, the shooting was painstaking. Sister Xue had contacted thepetition organizingmittee. Unless something unexpected happened, he would be flying to Tokyo in a few days to attend the award ceremony. Chapter 285: The Award Ceremony in Tokyo Chapter 285: The Award Ceremony in Tokyo Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan thought the ceremony was too easy. It was a ceremony of continental level, so the festivities had attracted plenty of celebrities. NHK would make a full live broadcast, so Qin Guan would not be alone. Countless celebrities, models and brands from the fashion circle would participate in the festivities. Zhuchuan was proud to have discovered Qin Guan. He was appreciated by the Citizen headquarters. The board of directors thought very highly of him. Naturally, Citizen would take care of Qin Guans trip to Japan. They didnt even ask him about his female partner. It was a good chance to promote their brand. Fashion reporters were gathering in Tokyo from all directions. They even got there ahead of Qin Guan. Looking gaunt, Shao Xiaobing and his agent checked in at their hotel silently. His agent had managed to get an invitation to the g dinner after the award ceremony. "Are we too eager for quick sess and instant benefits?" his agent asked anxiously. "The contract with Cartier is still valid. If we take advantage of it, we can have some interviews with other brands. Your position in the circle will be secured." "Or we could return to China. You could be a top model at home." Looking at the elegant invitation with the silver engraved words and the ck background, Shao shook his head disapprovingly. "Impossible! Everyone knows Fang has another lover. I wont go back to square one. I cant stand those inferior brands. Im a supermodel with a top contract. I wont lower my standards." He was no longer confident. Looking in the distance with a gloomy expression, he murmured to himself, "I wont go home like this. Without a proper achievement. I wont wait for Qin Guans leftovers. Never!" Shao would not be convinced by his agent. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was preparing for his trip. Sister Xue was delivering orders in an imposing matter to the team from New Silk Road. The promotion manager was rubbing his hands in excitement. It was a wonderful ride for hispany. New Silk Road had not just gotten an invitation, but they would also be sending four models as Qin Guanspanions. It was a great chance. The manager was looking at Qin Guan like a miser looking at gold. They went out and saw the Citizen staff waiting by the exit with a big board. The experienced staff of both parties exchanged information with each other. ck business cars took them to the exclusive hotel where the attendants would be staying. The grand ceremony would be held the next day. Everyone was busy making preparations. They had a whole room especially for getting ready. All their belongings were inside. The styling assistants opened theirrge customized suitcases one by one. There were mens outfits folded neatly inside them. As the winner, Qin Guan didnt care about anything. He was only interested in the four male models following him with respect. All except one, Ouyang Fen. This was what people called destiny. Ouyang Fen had been Qin Guans friend when they had been nobodies, but he had not been very sessful in his career. Although the four models were all outstanding in thepany, they were inferior to Qin Guan. They took a seat in the lounge on the same floor. Someisant guys went to order a drink, and one of them pulled a chair out for Qin Guan. Only Ouyang sat down straight across from him, which made the other three guys hold their breath. They were new in thepany, so they were not as confident as Ouyang. "Hey, Qin Guan. I always think about us. We started from the same contest after all. You were the winner and I was the runner-up. Howe you are so far ahead of me?" Ouyang was still proud. He would never lower his head before Qin Guan. Qin Guan smiled impolitely. Looking at the other models, he said, "Because Im much more handsome than you. The gap between us is as it should be." Then he made a gesture, indicating a distance asrge as a palm. Everyone, including Ouyang, found it reasonable. Ouyang felt better. Qin Guan is not as evil as he used to be. However, after a while, the expressions of the four models changed. The three other models tried to hold back theirughter, while Ouyang held back his anger. Qin Guans hands were on a decoration on the table, which was a miniature of the Milky Way gxy. It was the distance between the Sun and Saturn. Before Ouyang, who was ashamed and angry, could pound the table and stand up, Qin Guan said calmly, "Im going abroad this year." All four models stared at him in surprise. Are you kidding? It was an honor for every top brand in China to invite Qin Guan to their opening show. An unknown brand could challenge brands from Singapore, Japan and South Korea with his help. Besides, he was the dream of all fashion magazines and the most sought-after male model to be on their covers. Chapter 286: On Site Chapter 286: On Site Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia How can he give up all these things so easily and go abroad? Is a foreign country more attractive than his home? Even Ouyang was shocked by the news. He didnt agree with Qin Guans choice. "I have talked with my agent. I wont be here, but I dont want all those resources to be wasted. She will cooperate with New Silk Road to develop the domestic market. Its for our mutual benefit. Maybe by the time I return to China, one of you will be a top model." Ouyang wanted to sneer at Qin Guan, but he remained silent for once. The stage was notrge enough for everyone. One off, one up. Suddenly, the harmonious atmosphere among the four guys changed. Who would be the lucky one to get Sister Xues guidance? Ouyang Fen? Or the younger models? People always obsessed over such benefits. Ouyang cared about other things though. "Youre leaving the circle?" Qin Guan felt warm at the question. "Ill work abroad. I think the domestic shows are not interesting enough. I want to bully those foreigners." Ouyang made a face at him. "You? Do you know what kind of faces they like?" Qin Guan smiled happily. He looked like a flower blooming in fairnd. Dazzled by his smile, the waitress run into a pir. Bang! Her tray and cups fell on the floor. All the guests in the lounge were attracted by the handsome boy. Nobody paid attention to the waitress. Qin Guan raised his eyebrows at Ouyang. "See? Real beauty knows no borders. Thats the difference between you and me." I cant talk with him. Ouyang stood up. I better get some sleep. His agent, Ou Qiang, didnt follow him. He smiled at Qin Guan awkwardly. "Er... Where is..." Qin Guan pointed outside. "Shes over there." When I leave, I hope he can take care of you. This is all I can do for you. If Sister Xue could read his thoughts, she would have had a talk with him about his life and ideals. While everyone was busy with work, Qin Guan fell asleep under his quilt. Topensate for the waitress behavior, the hotel gave the gxy miniature to Qin Guan as a gift. Qin Guan took the artwork for free, even though it was on sale. His first day in Japan was turning out to be quite lucky. I hope everything will go well tomorrow. Besides, I have to buy some local souvenirs for Cong Nianwei. The next morning, the whole team got up early. The stylists pulled Qin Guan directly to the dressing room. They appliedyers of makeup to his face. In a country where everyone wore make-up, a face without makeup was considered impolite. During that long process, Qin Guan nearly fell asleep again. He changed into his formal outfit and walked out. In the corridor, everyone was ready to go. The four models were full of joy. The five young men were wearing the same ck western-style clothes and white shirts, which had been provided by the sponsor of the party, Issey Miyake. The differencey in the details. Qin Guan looked extraordinary among them, just like a celebrity and his bodyguards. The outstanding models were like nobodies next to him. Everyone fixed their eyes on Qin Guan. The manager looked at his watch and asked everybody to meet in the lobby. They headed to the meeting ce together. After getting out of their cars, they were divided into two groups for different channels. shlights were twinkling around Qin Guan and the other four models. The moment he entered the hall, all the media saw the lucky boy. Qin Guan knew what to do. He walked up to the big board and signed his name on it. Ouyang Fen and the others were standing behind him in two rows. Qin Guan put down the pen and turned around. The smart reporters stretched their microphones out towards his mouth. "Mr. Qin, whats your opinion on the other contestant?" "Mr. Qin, you and the runner-upe from the same country. Would you like to say something to him?" "Mr. Qin..." "Mr. Qin..." Reporters from different countries clustered around Qin Guan for a first-handment. Qin Guan answered their questions unhurriedly in differentnguages, which surprised everyone in the hall. No model was that skilled innguages. He could speak Chinese, Japanese, Korean and English. He even greeted a reporter from a mini state! Chapter 287: Tangled Romance Chapter 287: Tangled Romance Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Everyone burst intoughter when Qin Guan said that was the only sentence he knew in thatnguage. When they had the material they wanted, they let Qin Guan go. The next celebrity of the fashion circle was just entering the hall. It was Fang Meiya and her new sweetheart, Chang Jin, the current Mr. Singapore. Gossip for media was just like a carrion for flies. All the cameras turned around. Beautifuldies and handsome men were always the centre of the conversation, even more so a beautiful woman famous for her love life. As he waited outside, Shao Xiaobings agent nearly pulled all his hair off. How did the organizer arrange that order of appearance? As the winner, Qin Guan was naturally the first to enter. Because of her status and name, Fang was a good choice to enter second. You should have put some guests between Fang and Shao to avoid any awkwardness! What were you thinking? Are you using my model to arouse gossip and attract public attention? This is an insult to us! Shao is considered a first-level model in Asia. Shao stopped his agent and calmly arranged his suit. He looked slender in his Issey Miyake. "This is a most wee opportunity for me. This way, everyone canpare Chang to me. Im the better one for Fang Meiya." "Do you still miss her?" his agent asked him worriedly. Shaos face stiffened, but didnt betray his emotions. "Impossible! No one can fall in love with a brick wall." His agent was not as optimistic. Shao had not been in a good mood ever since they had broken up. His agent remained silent though, respecting Shaos privacy. I hope he can forget her. She does not deserve his love. By then, Fang and Chang were standing before the board hand in hand. All the cameras were around them, wasting film like crazy. They smiled brightly in their matching outfits. Then they saw the third guest walk up to them slowly. He was half a minute earlier than the arranged time. The two lovers were still standing on the red carpet. The reporters cheered up at the hope of big gossip. Shao was wearing a white formal outfit and smiling gently, creating a sharp contrast against Chang Jins dark skin and orange outfit. Stunned, Fang and Chang pasted smiles on their faces again. They followed the staff and left. Before entering the hall, Chang looked back at Shao with a meaningful expression. He is good at getting publicity, but hes still a loser. Fang didnt care about the episode. She was not that interested in public attention. Before the dull award ceremony, all the sponsors, including many famous designers and brands from Asia, would present their spring collections to the audience. Taking that chance, the insiders of the fashion circle and the media would get a general idea about thetest trends. Shao Xiaobing was an exception. Thanks to Fang Meiyas affinity and his second ce in thepetition, he had gotten a chance to walk on the red carpet. The other candidates were not as lucky as him. As thest one to arrive, he attracted a lot of attention. Among all the losers, he was the only one to have that honor, which made the others unhappy. The crowded backstage fell silent when he entered, which was a simr situation to the one Qin Guan had experienced several years earlier. In his personal dressing room, Qin Guan changed into his outfit for the opening show. It was a loose gown made of wool and cotton, something popr in Asia at the time. Matched with pants of the same material, it looked like a cassock for ordinary people. Those outfits were only for show, not for sale. Qin Guan had qualified for one thanks to his figure and status. He went out of the dressing room and noticed the awkward atmosphere backstage. Shao had already left to change clothes. Qin Guan saw that the models with different dressing styles were in different groups. As top models in their own countries, they were all professionals. The models in avant-garde costumes of famous designers were standing in sequence behind Qin Guan. There was a designer logo on their bare skin, looking gorgeous on their arms or foreheads. The other group would be exhibiting garments. They were the exclusive models of different brands, except Issey Miyake, which Qin Guan would be wearingst. They would be showing the rest of the spring collections to the audience. Chapter 288: Vicious Intentions Chapter 288: Vicious Intentions Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The host was delivering the opening speech. All the attendants were seated, and the crowd gradually quieted down. Shao walked to first position. The other model who would be on the stage with him was Ouyang Fen. He would be entering through another entrance. The music began and the door was slowly opened. Qin Guan got on stage alone barefoot. He looked like an intangible cloud bearing the dreams of the sky, like an illusory city filled with blooming flowers. The angle made his clothes look like they had dropped on Earth from Heaven. A man with a beard was crying backstage. He was the designer. I made it! Ill get an invitation to the Mn Fashion Week with the help of the Asian Fashion Man Competition. My dream wille true after all these years! Fang Meiya was sitting close to the stage, looking at Qin Guan in appreciation. He was the only man who had escaped her grasp and he looked much more handsome than before. Chang Jin had no idea about their backstory. He was concerned about his girlfriend though. He had noticed something strange. Hes dangerous! He carefully sized Qin Guan up, but he was beyond his knowledge of beauty. Then he cast a secret nce at Fang, who turned her gaze away from Qin Guan regretfully. What is she regretting? Chang Jins simple mind stopped thinking. Nature told him that the powerful hunter was not interested in that prey. Qin Guan finished the opening show sessfully. He was about to go upstairs to return to the backstage area. Shao Xiaobing was waiting backstage. He was looking through the door at the most prominent ce in the auditorium, where his dreams and future would materialize. Qin Guan stepped on the stairs and walked towards him. As he watched the king arrive, Shao couldnt express his feelings with words. He stretched his boots forward slightly. It was like a curious coincidence. A trick only old dogs could spot. Ouyang Fen, who was also about to get on the stage, knew that Shao was deliberately trying to gain the advantage. He would be sharing the same foothold with Qin Guan. On the narrow stairs, Qin Guan would either fall off in his effort to avoid him or get stomped by his boots. No matter the oue, Shao would influence the final show. The rage of the big sponsor and the negativements from all the media on site would be enough for Qin Guan to lose his favorable position in thepetition as well as the market in the future. Suddenly, Ouyang Fen moved. He didnt rush up to Shao, but he kicked his supporting leg fiercely. "Wow!" The models behind them had seen everything. Everyone chose to keep silent, except for the models from New Silk Road. Qin Guans failure would make people lose their confidence in theirpany. Ouyang Fen had be everyones savior. The youngest models eyes were filled with tears. Qin Guan, who hadnt entered the backstage area, was still thinking about his performance. He had no idea about the ident, or that he couldnt have avoided Shaos boots. He would have just taken it and epted the worst oue. Reality turned out to be much nicer though. After the attack, Ouyang returned to his position quickly and went out along with the rhythm. He had only missed two beats. After several steps, he caught up with the music again. He was walking up the stairs with resounding steps. He looked like a general. Unfortunately, Shao lost his bnce. He rushed out and went down on one of his knees. His head hit the floor before Qin Guans shoes. He was like a loser kneeling before the king. Humiliation flooded his mind. "Wow..." Because of their respect for the show, the audience didnt shout orugh at his failure. Maintaining his original pace, Qin Guan disappeared backstage. Nothing could stop him. Supporting himself on the stairs, Shao stood up with effort. By then, he was 10 steps behind Ouyang Fen. The models behind him were waiting for him to get out of the way. The music went on. Shao sped up, trying to catch up with Ouyang. He walked forward with a delightful expression. He still noticed the disappointed expression on Fangs face though. No! It wasnt just Fang. The chief director of Asian Fashion was also looking at him with a disagreeable expression. So were the directors of top Asian brands. What? What happened? I can deal with an ident during the show. I can adjust and catch up to the rhythm. Wont they praise me for it? Chapter 289: A Plan Backfiring Chapter 289: A n Backfiring Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia His experience and typical gait were appreciated by some guests, but in his eagerness to achieve quick sess, he neglected basic modelling rules, such as the concept of the designer. He had forgotten what the designer had said backstage, as well as the notes he had given them. His step and anxiousness didntpliment his outfit. Everything was wrong! Shaos professional life would be over. Gritting his teeth, Shao joined Ouyang Fen, who was still taking pleasure in his misfortune. They entered the backstage area together. Before his eyes could amodate to the sudden darkness, his arm was grabbed by a Japanese designer with countless braids. "How can you treat my work like that? You destroyed my concept!" What? Ipensated for it! His arm was hurting as he watched the scene in confusion. The music was still ying and everyone was moving. Theirs mouths opened and closed. As he saw his agent running towards him, his mind seemed to pause. Shao lowered his head, staring at the clothes on his body. Reminded of the scene just now, he lost all his strength and sat down on the floor. By then, he had changed into the most gorgeous outfit of the Issey Miyake collection. It had a subtle Japanese style to it, but it was very fashionable. Fastening hisst sleeve button with one hand, Qin Guan went out of the dressing room leisurely. The staff and other models made way for him. Shao Xiaobing was sitting on the floor, when a pair of magnificent ck leather shoes went by without a pause. Shao fixed his eyes on the flying trouser legs moving away. The winner would be performing a solo dance on the stage. Most people had forgotten about the loserpletely. After the final show, Qin Guan stood on the stage with the host and the director of the ceremony. He got a crystal cup as a prize. Fame always followed merit. Qin Guan was not used to such asions. He denied all invitations after the ceremony. Tired, he sat in a chair backstage. An assistant from New Silk Road handed him a bottle of water considerately. In the noisy meeting hall, no one would care about his absence. He was the guest of honor though, so he couldnt just disappear. Sister Xue rearranged her formal dress and told Qin Guan, "Lets go. Eat something. The staff is looking for us." In the modern banquet hall, there was a fancy self-service buffet of traditional Japanese style. As a foodie, Qin Guan liked fancy dinner. The appetizers were in wooden boats, vine baskets and tough pottery, taking guests back to ancient times. The other dishes were decorated with flowers and leaves. They looked like a girl in a kimono in an ancient yard was about to enjoy them. The most attractive thing though was a giant ice mountain of sashimi, which was Qin Guans main goal. Sister Xue pulled at his sleeve discreetly. "Watch your table manners. Stop poking at the mountain with your chopsticks!" She was toote though. There was already a deep tunnel on the mountain. Where is the soy sauce? Sister Xue looked around awkwardly. Everyone was talking with each other and making mutual introductions. The New Silk Road manager and the other models were talking with clients in a jovial mood. Thanks to Asian Fashion Man, thepanys status had been upgraded instantly. Suddenly, there was a smallmotion. Fang Meiya and Chang Jin had entered the dining hall hand in hand. Fang, who was a frequent guest at the banquet, greeted everyone with a smile, while Chang Jin stared happily at the ice mountain. The manager and Ouyang Fen walked up to Fang and started talking with her. After several words, a voice was heard from behind them. "Ms. Fang..." It was Shao Xiaobing. Chang Jin stopped, too. Fang Meiya and Ouyang Fen had both had a conflict with Shao. As he watched the scene, Qin Guan took another pile of sashimi from the ice mountain nonchntly. Where is my camera? This will be some good drama! Fang looked at the man in surprise. Although they had broken up, he had greeted her with clear intentions. After misinterpreting the designers concept, Shao had decided to shamelessly fight for the medias attention. He would make the ck list of most brands in Asia. People would forgive the mistake of a green hand, but nobody would forgive such behavior when it came from a professional model. He had to open a new path for sess, but that would depend on Fangs mood. It was a pity that Chang Jin blocked him protectively. The two of them red at each other. Ouyang Fen, who knew the man, stepped forward to block his re. Chapter 290: Spicy Girls! Chapter 290: Spicy Girls! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Smiling, Fang Meiya looked at Ouyang, and then at the manager of New Silk Road as if she was thinking of something. It doesnt seems like a set-up. That silly boy has a simple mind. He just wants to protect me. "I just want to have a private word with Ms. Fang. Thanks." Shao looked at Chang Jin calmly. "About what? Do you want to talk to him, Meiya?" Fang patted Chang on the back infort. "Dont worry, Ill be back soon." Chang Jin got out of the way. He was thankful for Ouyangs support. "Shall we have something to eat together?" he asked him. Ouyang cast a nce at the manager, who gestured at him happily. The two men left together. Fang and Shao headed for the ice mountain. Qin Guan slipped away to avoid that awkward situation. "Hi, how are you? Bye!" He passed by them with his te, looking steadily forward. He acted as if the two of them had the gue. "Meiya?" "Yes?" Fang reluctantly turned her gaze from Qin Guan to Shao, whose eyes suddenly became dim. "If I wanted to stay with you and have a real rtionship, regardless of our jobs or identities, would you ept me?" Fang was surprised. As a woman who understood men well, she didnt believe Shaos confession. The mans love was never sincere. If she left Cartier one day, he would abandon her in an instant. Fang smiled. You are grasping at straws. If she stopped her games with different men, she would go back to her homnd to find a man who would hand her a cup of tea tenderly. Fang shook her head. "Never!" Then she turned around to leave. "Wait!" "Let me go!" The struggling couple knocked the ice mountain down. Qin Guan, Ouyang Fen and Chang Jin looked down at their tes, feeling deeply sorry for the loss of that delicious food. What are you doing there, Sister? You two are gonna make us starve... Fangs official boyfriend pushed his te into Ouyangs hand and rushed over. "Let her go!" The young man was way too excited. Everyone around was attracted by the scene. Reporters were taking pictures happily with their cell phones. A vague photo would spark more imagination. They couple parted at once. As a slender guy, Shao was in a difficult position. He could not match Chang Jins strength. Fang walked up to the organizer and whispered something to him. Then she waved at Chang. "Lets go!" "Im still hungry. I dont care about him..." Comining, Chang and Fang left hand in hand. Shao was standing in the centre of the hall. It was obvious that he had been rejected by his ex-girlfriend. He left with his torn shirt cor, looking devastated. As a tough guy, Qin Guan was worried about the top model. He had been too distracted by the fashion storm. Influenced by Ouyang Fen though, Qin Guan returned to the dinner table. The fresh vegetables areing! After having a good meal, Qin Guan felt refreshed. The next morning was thest day for him to idle around. He was nning on going shopping in the most bustling area of Shibuya. Sister Xue could work like a man, but she was also good at shopping. After walking through several streets, Qin Guan was exhausted. The two of them separated at a crossing. Qin Guan found a bench by the road and enjoyed a cup of hot coffee there. Soon, several ck spicy girls gathered around him. He took a sip of coffee and looked up, only to find a group of strange creatures standing in front of him. With their dark skin, colorful hair, and white eyeliner and lipstick, they looked like clowns from the Peking opera. They were also wearing colorful skirts and boots with thick soles. "Jingzi! Look at that handsome boy! A new face! Ive never seen him in this area before!" "Dont worry! Just say hello to him." The tallest one among them stood up like a big sister. Qin Guan sighed. The trend of ck girls [1] in Japan had taken a wrong turn. At the beginning, Namie Amuro had led the trend all over Asia. In three years though, the trend had gone through several stages. The former ck beauties had changed into demons in that miraculous country. Those wild girls were much more powerful than the simple girls at Qin Guans university. If theybined everyones wisdom and effort, Qin Guan would be overpowered. Qin Guan was calmly thinking of a countern. At the most critical moment, another voice was heard. "Jingzi! Shibuya is not your turf." Qin Guan looked to his right gratefully. My savior? Then he was shocked again. The cup nearly fell out of his hands. Wow! White spicy girls [2]! It was a new branch led by Ayumi Hamasaki in 2000. The girls had fair skin and golden hairpieces. Different branches had a different aesthetic. The two groups idling around Shibuya had met each other. Chapter 291: Fighting Over Qin Guans Chastity Chapter 291: Fighting Over Qin Guans Chastity Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Dont intervene, Yeqiu! The stranger isnt worth the fight!" Yeqiuyuanzi was the leader of the white spicy girls. She was surprised to see her arch enemy show weakness before her. It seemed that the man was the main reason. "Wow! Are you asking for the boys number? Thats so romantic! Its so not your style!" She turned towards the bench, making fun of Jingzi. "Let me see Jingzis baby!" The ck girls blocked the white ones. Yeqiu had to crane her neck to look at Qin Guan. "Qin Guan! Hes Qin Guan!" The girls started shouting the name out loud. "Where? Is it true? Is he Qin Guan? This very man?" The white girls broke their ring of encirclement. Out of breath, they stared at Qin Guan with open eyes, their faces full of surprise. Qiuyeyuanzi pushed Jingzi away and took a deep bow before Qin Guan. So did her girls. "Mr. Qin Guan! We are members of your fan club in Japan. Please take care. Its our fault we didnt get an invitation to your award ceremony! Were terribly sorry for that!" They looked striking in their unique outfits. As they bowed before Qin Guan together, they attracted a lot of attention. When they got up, they saw onlookers gathered around, watching them as if they were monkeys in a zoo. The wild girls had their own way to solve the problem. "What are you looking at, olddy?" "Go away! Hey! You!" They kicked hard at the surrounding trash bins and poles, scaring the crowd away with their twisted faces. Qin Guan waspletely stupefied. Jinze looked unhappy. B*tch! Your dirty hands stained my face! She smoothed down her purple hairpiece and shouted at Qiuye, "I just cant trouble myself to deal with you. You think Im afraid of you, but I saw the man first! He is mine! Is he your idol? Great! Ive never dated an idol before!" Then she walked up to Qin Guan. "Did you hear what we said? Which country do youe from? Can I have your number? Shall we go for dinnerter?" Qin Guan sat still as he looked up at her. He fixed his eyes on the girl. Dont smile! Dont smile now! Qin Guan could see five white fingerprints on her ck face. Hold on! Qin Guans mouth twisted painfully. Suddenly, Jingzi fell. "Bastard! You dare molest my idol!" Qiuyeyuanzi pulled at her hairpiece and puff bag. "Ouch! Let me go! It hurts!" The two Big Sisters were wrestling together. So were their girls. The fight attracted more and more passers-by. Looking at his cold coffee, Qin Guan fell into deep thought. Shall I just go? Where is the police? Oh! There they are! Qin Guan stared at the man in the uniform with a begging expression. However, the policeman tiptoed up to the girls, and then turned at a corner and left as if nothing had happened. He must have seen an acquaintance among the girls. By then, the ck girls had overpowered the white ones, who were pressed against the ground. Jingzi grinned at Qin Guan. Her hairpiece was a mess, and her belt was broken. Her short jacket was all torn up. There were white scratches on her ck face, and the purple stars drawn on her cheeks had disappeared. She looked like a matchmaker from the countryside. "Ha ha ha..." Qin Guan couldnt hold hisughter back anymore. He watched the cup, for fear that the coffee would spill on his expensive coat. "Big Sister!" Another ck girl handed her apact mirror. Jingzi was surprised by Qin Guansughter. It made her dizzy. When she saw the girl in the mirror though... Forget it. Just take him! Before she could take action, Qiuye shouted from the ground, "Jingzi! Im warning you! I have sent a message to Ms. Tsutomu! Shesing! You can go ahead and try though!" Jingzi turned around with a cold smile. "Do you think she will care about such a trifle? She didnt mind when we were fighting fiercely. Are you trying to scare me by using her name? This is none of her business!" Qiuye waved a small white phone at her. "Shesing! You are doomed!" "Impossible!" Chapter 292: A Cold Porcelain Doll Chapter 292: A Cold Porcin Doll Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The ck girls looked frightened. They gathered together around their Big Sister. Jingzi tried to encourage them, "Shes lying. Besides, even if Ms. Yamaguchi Tsutomu personallyes here, Ill..." "What will you do then?" a cold voice said softly from behind them. A clean, pure Japanese girl with bangs was standing there. She was wearing a traditional ck kimono with a sakura pattern, and a hairy white-fur cloak was around her neck. Judging by her appearance, she had to be a good girl. Of course, no one could ignore the four strong bodyguards behind her. She didnt smile as she stated the situation. Under the mask of her makeup, Jingzis face had gotten pale. "Ms.Tsutomu..." Jingzi had to muster all her courage to speak as she trembled. Im doomed. She came here for the man. The girl named Tsutomu didnt even look at her. She was staring at Qin Guan, who was lost in thought. This was some dramatic life. The white girls had found their backbone again. They stood up in high spirits, while the ck girls hid behind Jingzi silently. The girl in the kimono walked up to Qin Guan, her clogs nking against the ground. She scanned him from head to toe, memorizing every detail of his face. "Mr. Qin Guan, Im the president of your fan club in Japan, Yamaguchi Tsutomu." "Er... Hi..." Qin Guan was wondering why those girls were so scared of her. He gently stretched his hand out as ifforting a child. "I didnt see you at the copy sale. That was our first meeting. Take care of my fans, please." Yamaguchi Tsutomu blinked and took his hand in her small hand. Nodding, she said, "Sure!" Her hand was as cold as winter. "Its cold today. Thanks for taking care of this for me. Wed better not idle outside. Its a school day, right? Go back to ss," Qin Guan told them. Although the girls were dressed strangely, they were actually quite young. Yamaguchi Tsutomu looked down at her right hand nkly. Qin Guans warmth was still lingering there. It was so warm! Yamaguchi slowly put down her hand. "There is no ss today at college." What? Are you kidding? That short girl is a college student? Qiuye exined, "Ms. Tsutomu is the top student of the University of Tokyo. She manages our fan club! She is wonderful!" Qin Guan smiled at her. She was a forthright girl. His warm smile made the crowd stand still in time and space. Even the bodyguards seemed to be gentler. Qiuye dared to ask the most important question, "Mr. Qin Guan, how long will you be staying in Japan? Do you have any spare time today? Could we meet you? We could be your tour guides!" Even Tsutomu looked at Qin Guan eagerly. Thinking of his tight schedule, Qin Guan realized time was pressing. He had to have a business meeting with Citizen. "Ill be returning to China tomorrow and I have some work to do in the afternoon," he said regretfully. "Im shopping with my agent right now. She will being soon. Im waiting for her here." The girls sighed. Then they used the ck girls as an outlet for their anger. "You are wasting his time! Bastards! You destroyed our meeting!" "I hope Mr. Qin doesnt think all Japanese girls are like you! Idiots!" Qiuye kicked Jingzi on the knee, knocking her down to the ground. Qin Guan couldnt bear to watch. The Japanese girls seemed to take it for granted though. "How could an ugly girl like you darey a finger on Qin Guan? You should kowtow for your sin!" "Right!" the other girls echoed. You are taking this too far! Chapter 293: The Cozy Soya Sauce Ramen Chapter 293: The Cozy Soya Sauce Ramen Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Yamaguchi Tsutomu remained silent. Everyone was invisible in her eyes. Jingzi should kowtow in apology in her short skirt on that cold cement. Qin Guan felt pity for the girl. She shouldnt be discriminated against for her terrible taste. She didntmit a crime. This punishment is totally out of line. Suddenly, Qin Guan stood up from the bench. The tall boy looked like Triton among the girls. Feeling the change in his pocket shake, he told them, "Dont torture them, Im okay. My president, Im hungry. I could treat everyone to lunch." He pointed to the street across from them. It was a narrow road with countless small restaurants. Blue curtains were swaying in the wind, the word "Ramen" printed on them. "Really?" The girls hailed. They thought it was their lucky day. They forgot about their enemies and followed Qin Guan, leaving the ck girls behind. "Wee!" It was a small ramen restaurant. A couple was busy working behind the long counter. There were several customers sitting inside. Some tough men were drinking saki. Qin Guan invited the girls inside. "Come on in. Just order whatever you like." Some girls were itching to enter, but Yamaguchi Tsutomu wasnt moving. She was looking inside with curiosity. One of her bodyguards warned her, "Miss, the environment and food here..." Yamaguchi Tsutomu gestured to stop him. Then she entered. "Yes!" the other girls hailed as they followed Yamaguchi Tsutomu in. Qin Guan sat by a long wooden table and told them, "Just order whatever you like." The restaurant was full, so the bodyguards had to wait outside. "What would you like, please?" The female owner bent forward from the kitchen counter and pointed at the boards hanging on the wall. "Tell me when you decide. The menu and prices are right there." "Okay!" they answered happily. "I want chicken and roast pork!" "Id like some soba noodles, madam!" "Ill have the seafood noodles, thank you!" Qin Guans brain worked rapidly as he heard their voices. One portion costs 700 to 1,000 yen... I have only 5,000 yen left... I forgot my wallet at the hotel... Qin Guan read all the boards. Thats it! This is the cheapest dish! He held up his hand to the woman. "Excuse me! Id like some soya sauce ramen!" It costs only 500 yen! "Okay, soya sauce ramen!" The honest owner was working busily in the kitchen. Yamaguchi Tsutomu didnt say anything. She was watching the owner boil noodles behind the counter. "Ms. Yamaguchi Tsutomu, what would you like?" She came back to her senses and looked down. "Ill have the same with you," she said. Qin Guan smiled and told the woman, "One more." "Okay, wait a moment." It had to be an old restaurant, as the owner was quite skilled at cooking. The girls at another table were enjoying their noodles. "Wow! Theyre delicious!" The owner smiled at the praise. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Heres your ramen." The woman put a big bowl on the table. The clear soup gave Qin Guan a good appetite. There were dissected boiled eggs, shredded bamboo shoots and nori on the noodles. It was a simple, yet abundant dish. "Ladies first." Qin Guan pushed the bowl towards Yamaguchi Tsutomu. Although he was quite hungry, he had to act like a gentleman. Yamaguchi Tsutomu never shared anything with others. Taken aback, she gave Qin Guan a quick, small smile. "Thanks." Qiuye, who was keeping an eye on them, was so shocked that she stopped chewing. Am I dreaming? Did I just see Ms. Yamaguchi Tsutomu smile? Someone pinch me! Another big bowl was ced in front of Qin Guan. It was the same ramen with three thick slices of pork. Qin Guans chopsticks lingered above the noodles. This must cost more than 500 yen! The owner saw his hesitation. "Its our treat. Youre the most handsome customer weve ever had in our restaurant and the most considerate boyfriend." "You remind us of ourselves when we were young. We could afford only one portion of ramen and my husband always asked me to eat first." The kind woman covered her face shyly. Time had made her youth and beauty fade, leaving only the beautiful memories behind. "Thank you very much." Qin Guan picked up the chopsticks as he exined, "This beautifuldy is my good friend." Chapter 294: A Fierce Black Dragon Chapter 294: A Fierce ck Dragon Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Thendy smiled meaningfully at Qin Guan. As he looked at the delicious food in front of him though, he had no time to exin any further. Eating silently was traditional Chinese table manners. It was impolite to make indelicate sounds. In Japan though, if one sucked their noodles silently, it was an insult to the cook. Qin Guan took that rule very seriously, so he buried his face in his bowl. In a few minutes, he had finished all his noodles and soup. The sweet wheat noodles, light soup and thick pork slices had all been perfect. Both his stomach and heart had warmed up. The graceful girl was shocked by his behavior. Her face looked cute and lively. Qin Guan held up his bowl and let out a long breath of satisfaction. "Thank you for your hospitality. Im full," he told the owner. When in Rome... [1] Both the owner and the other customers smiled. It was a small pleasure to enjoy warm ramen in a small, warm restaurant. "Can I have the check, please?" When all the bowls were empty, Qin Guan took out his wallet. "5,050 yen in total. Thank you!" ..... Qin Guan stared at the smiling owner and explored his pocket. He had 5,000 yen, no more or less. Qin Guan blinked at her. The two of them went around the corner and whispered to each other. "Can I have a discount? Just round down the total." "Our business is small, and the prices are reasonable." "Im thetest Asian Fashion Man. I can take a photo with you. In one week, news about me will be on every magazine." Such a shameless guy! "Deal! Darling, get the camera!" "Okay!" The owner did as soon as possible. "Look at me! Three, two, one... Cheese!" Qin Guan hugged the woman and smiled. "Me, too! Me, too!" The spicy girls had spotted them. "Together!" They stood by the entrance as a frequent patron took their picture. Suddenly, Yamaguchi Tsutomu took Qin Guans arm, while the owner embraced Qin Guan from the other side. It was the Ice-me Inde to life [2]. When Sister Xue arrived at their meeting ce, Qin Guan was eating small octopus balls bought by the girls. Even strangers could sense his thirst for food. They talked with each other happily, and Sister Xue discussed Qin Guans work in Japan with the president. Yamaguchi Tsutomu listened to her with a serious expression. It would be helpful to work with her in the future. They said farewell reluctantly. Only when Qin Guan disappeared at the end of the street did Yamaguchi Tsutomu turn her gaze away. She got in a ck car not far away. Sister Xue was quite curious about the girl. "She seemed delicate, but no one ignored her. There is something special about her." "Yes. Nowadays, its rare to see people in formal Japanese kimonos except during festivals or ceremonies. Oh, I remember! Her bodyguards were wearing the same brooch. It looked like a water chestnut. She must be from some big ancient family." "Judging by her family name, she could be from Yamaguchi-gumi [3]," Sister Xue joked. "Ha ha! Impossible! She looks like a royaldy not good at expressing feelings. She has nothing to do with gangsters." "That sounds reasonable. Im thinking too much." They returned to their rooms, and Qin Guan took a nap. After going through a long Japanese-style corridor, Yamaguchi Tsutomu also returned to her room. A strong man kneeled on the floor respectfully and pulled the sliding door open for her. The ck kimono fell down to the tatami to expose her fair back. She had arge tattoo of albizia flowers. A fierce ck dragon stretched from above the flowers until her bottom. She looked gorgeous in a strange, enchanting way. She put on a white kimono with the pattern of a dragon. As she pulled the sliding door open, she changed into another person. She was no longer the cold doll she was before, but a powerful leader. "Follow me." "Yes!" Her strong followers kowtowed before her. Fierce tattoos were visible under their cors as they lowered their heads. Qin Guan and Sister Xues instincts always came true, especially the bad ones. The two seers were sitting in the Citizen meeting room. Zhuchuanlongfu and the other directors were sitting across from them. They were having a heated discussion about the expiring contract. Qin Guan would be leaving China soon, so it was difficult for them to renew it. Sister Xue was bargaining with them cleverly. As an agent, she had to get a general idea of Citizens policies and development trends. [1] Japanese usually say that after dinner. [2] The girl felt cold and the boss was warm. [3] Thergest Japanese gang. Chapter 295: The Influence of Asian Models Chapter 295: The Influence of Asian Models Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "No, well really be having difficulties during the next years." "Just read the details. Its not all about money. I think a two-year contract will help Citizen, as well as increase Qin Guans poprity." "There are too many requirements. Qin Guan will have to stay in Asia the whole year. That schedule is impossible." Suddenly, Sister Xue switched the conversation to another subject. "I know Citizen will be entering the market in North America. I heard that a branch office in the US has already been established. We could transfer Qin Guans contract to the US branch." Qingmu couldnt help but smile at Sister Xues proposal. He looked a little proud as he answered, "Impossible." Before Sister Xue could refute him, he exined to her, "idental taste is different from oriental beauty appreciation. We already picked a top American modelst year. Although Qin Guan is outstanding, we have invested a lot in the US and we dare not bet on a nameless Asian model." "Our representative in North America, Chad, used to be a leading yer in a baseball team. As you know, baseball is very popr in the US. He was discovered by a talent agent as soon as he retired." "Qin Guan is on the same level as him. Chad is also a new favorite of VOGUE. The main edition." Qingmu paused there. What he meant, but didnt say was, "Young man, a model from VOGUE Asia is inferiorpared to one from VOGUE US." Self-awareness was a virtue. "He broke VOGUEs routine. His pictures upy 40 pages in this seasons edition. It was a shock for the whole fashion circle! If you had a business, which one would you choose?" It was rather hard for Sister Xue to swallow. She looked deeply shocked. "Here is a magazine for your reference." Sister Xue took it and flipped through it. Chad was a handsome guy with a broad chest. He was exactly the kind of mandies in western countries liked. Is this the top model standard in the rest of the world? Its quite different from how top models look in Asia. Beauty had an extremelyrge scope. Even Asian people, who preferred slender models, would have liked Chad. Sister Xue picked up an edition of VOGUE ASIA. A mysterious, fascinating vibe seemed to be more attractive to Asian readers. The two magazines were before Qingmu. "Youre saying that Qin Guan is inferiorpared to Chad? Be honest!" Qingmu changed the topic to avoid an argument on something so trivial. "A representative with poprity is the key to the US market. Thats the best way to proceed. If we can get a share of the market in a couple of months, why would we spend more time on it? We are a branding business, not an agency. Its not our duty to discover and promote talent. Sorry!" The discussion came to a dead end. After some more rubbish, the two parties fell silent. Qin Guan was not influenced by the oue of the conversation though. Before leaving, he kindly bid Citizens staff goodbye. Everyone except Zhuchuanlongfu. The old man and the young man hugged each other disappointedly. Thank you for supporting me. You were on my side during the entire meeting. Zhuchuan felt sad for the cowardice of hispany. They had lost the Japanese courage with which they had initially established theirpany. The younger generation wille to regret this negotiation. For my sake, I hope Qin Guan can give Citizen another chance in the future. Sister Xue and Qin Guan went out of the meeting room. Sister Xue was angry, but Qin Guan was smiling. Kyoko Fukadas agent, who was waiting outside, was taken aback. He was surprised to see Qin Guan having a negotiation with Citizen before Kyoko Fukada. He was even more surprised to find out that Qin Guan had failed to sign a contract. Thats why I saw Takashi Sorimachi and Jincheng Wu in the lounge. They were preparing for the negotiation. Citizen had thought of a n B in advance. When Qin Guan left, silence prevailed in the empty meeting room. During the first half of the year, Citizens sales volume in Asia had risen again after a two-year downturn period. The sales of mens mechanical wristwatches had equalled the total sales of both 1999 and 2000. It had been the most striking news for Citizen. Qingmu broke the awkward silence by saying regretfully, "What a pity! If Qin Guan had signed a contract for Asia, our annual sales volume may have reached the top of Japan thanks to the two stars help. We might even have made the top-ranking list of the whole world." "Yes, youre right." There was no doubt about it. All the attendants nodded in approval, deeply regretting Qin Guans choice. Qin Guan felt relieved though. He calmly tried tofort Sister Xue. "I think this is better for me." "How is it f*cking better? You were looked down upon. Considering your status, no brand in Asia should dare overlook your influence." Chapter 296: The Interesting Industry of Shinjuku Chapter 296: The Interesting Industry of Shinjuku Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan smiled. "Thats it! In fact, not that many people in Asia know me. If you put aside the media and brand businessmen, my poprity is inferiorpared to movie or TV stars." "You shouldnt only think of the present. How can you be sure that I wont make my own destiny in the US? Whats the gap between those models and me anyway? If you have enough power, race doesnt matter." "Besides, without the constraint of a contact, I can go to the US with no burdens after I finish Zhang Jizhongs TV series. Try not to miss me too much!" Sister Xues blood started burning at Qin Guans words. Rubbing her hands together, she said, "Its a pity that my English isnt good. Otherwise, I could go to the US with you. Take care when you are alone. Safety first, money second." "Of course. Marry somebody when I leave. Find a considerate man. I think Ou Qiang would be a good choice." Bang! "Ouch!" "You bastard! You dare make fun of me!" Its nice to have so many kind people around me. After nightfall, Tokyo indulged in life and debauchery. It was worth strolling around the city. The famous Shinjuku was not far from their hotel. For tourists, it was a perfect ce to cruise around, but for locals it was only a resort. The scene at Shinjuku was interesting. Unlike the big shopping malls in Ginza or the luxurious clubs in Roppongi, the outskirts were bustling with life. Shinjuku was a food street. Dont be fooled by the boards outside the izakayas and the small restaurants. The images of beautiful, sexy girls only catered to the atmosphere of Shinjuku. In the brilliant, light-filled street, it was wise to have an attractive board. Behind those neon boards, groups of men gathered together. There were traditional Japanese dishes to be had at the restaurants, which were appreciated by office workers in the area. In that high-pressure society, people could findfort in saki and special, handmade pickled saury. Qin Guan and Sister Xue had rice and some other dishes in a traditional Japanese restaurant. Then they kept walking, perfectly satisfied. All people were curious. As they walked by the neighboring restaurants, they saw the red-light district, which attracted a lot of tourists. In Japan, prostitution was not allowed openly. However, it was legal to introduce your girlfriend to others. Many people were working hard at it. As neers, tourists were easily cheated by procurers because of their enthusiasm. If one saw a young man standing by the road with a pile of photos of beautiful girls, they should be wary of him. He would charge them highly and demand a deposit. Then, after waiting happily in a hotel, they would meet a supreme beauty of 1.5 metres and 90 kilos. That was the best-case scenario. At least, they would have had a real Japanese girl. Sometimes they waited a whole night while the man got away with their money. In fact, experienced procurers would kindly guide tourists to their real destination, where the advertising boards were simple and honest. The girls would serve them considerately. A neer could hardly take them out though. Not all girls there were after money. Besides, many clubs didnt ept foreigners. Japanese girls were hard to understand. Many call girls even supported a young man. Qin Guan and Sister Xue were like peasants in a royal pce. They looked around them with curiosity. It was impossible to see all these things in China. Their heads were moving around like dolls with springs. "Hey! Wee to our club! We have nice service..." "Young man, here! We are promoting some activities today..." The procurers greeted everyone. It was a no-mansnd around Qin Guan and Sister Xue. "Dont they recognize me, Sister Xue?" "No idea. Maybe handsome guys donte here? Maybe they have their own ce?" Confused, they kept walking. Just leave us alone. Thats better. "Wow! Xiaoze, did you see that man just now?" "Of course! Im not blind!" "Ha! Zichuan and Zhengshu will lose business. He must the secret weapon from Roppongi!" "But Roppongi and Shinjuku are fighting fiercely these days. A single man wont do!" The two wretched procurers were whispering behind them. Suddenly, there was an uproar. "Theyreing!" "Is that Renr from the most high-ranking club in Roppongi? What is he doing here?" "No idea. Maybe theres somemon exchange orpetition among the clubs. We are not in the same industry. Dont worry!" "Yes. Better drive those Negroes out if they have time." "F*ck! When did they start intervening with foreign girls?" A sub chief put down his microphone and said, "The Big Brother of this area has just changed. The masters of the shops have all changed too. We have to visit the Big Brotherter. A tough leader will control the Negroes better. Stop talking rubbish. How many clients did you have today?" Chapter 297: Who Sent You Here? Chapter 297: Who Sent You Here? Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The procurers left under the pressure ofpetition. Sister Xue and Qin Guan were still strolling around slowly. Housemaid Cafe, Feeling Bar, Intable Doll Store... "Do you want something to drink, Sister Xue?" They were both feeling awkward. Some Japanese girls were standing by the entrance greeting guests. "Such a cutie!" "Hes so handsome!" It was a pity that the girls were a little afraid of them. They were wary of foreigners. The clubs didnt ept foreigners, with the exception of some high-ranking night clubs. Sister Xue, who protected Qin Guan like a hen, let out a long breath of relief. She tried to distract Qin Guan. Pointing to a vending machine in the corner, she said, "Buy a bottle of water for me. Im thirsty." Thanks to his good eyesight, Qin Guan spotted the machine right away. He didnt go close to it though. It looked strange. "Whats the matter?" Sister Xue stepped forward. Suddenly, a private door by the machine opened. A wretched man wearing a baseball cap walked out. He looked carefully at the buttons on the machine. Sister Xue cast a nce at the machine again and saw that it was not selling drinks. There were colorful belts inside it. The man took out his wallet and pushed some coins into the machine. Bang! A small box with a red ribbon fell at the sound. The man caught the box immediately. He tore the package apart to reveal a small red item made of silk. "Wow!" He took a deep sniff at it. Sister Xue was scared. She stepped closer to Qin Guan, who was tall enough to give her a sense of safety. "What is he doing?" "If I didnt know any better, Id say thats the underwear of the girl who just serviced him." "What? Are you kidding? Dont mess with me. I dont understand the Japanese." "Its the truth. Look!" The man walked to a game center across the street, brushing past Qin Guan and Sister Xue. The thin edge ofce underwear was visible through the pocket on his chest. "Japan is not that far from China. Howe there are so many crazy people here?" "Xu Fu brought only 500 virgins here [1]. You know the results of inbreeding..." They left the street, making boring jokes. After walking another 50 metres into the area, they got apletely different feeling. The stores wererger there, and there were more mansions and apartments. There were gorgeous boards with the words "Wee, Foreigners" on them. The boards were shining with countless neon lights. "Hey, Qin Guan! Look at those photos! They are not professional ones." You should pay attention to our current situation. Are you analysing them professionally? The women on the streets are getting more and more. The clubs on this street must be strip clubs! We better leave! Qin Guan pulled Sister Xue away. She wanted to get a closer look at the men in the photos, but some strange men with smart style [2] blocked them. "Hey bro, which club are you from? A stranger here, huh? Are you a neer? Did youe to steal guests from our domain?" They shook their long, golden hair, which looked as dirty as a beggars. They sized Qin Guan up from head to toe jealously. The guy was handsome both in style and looks. Look at his slender legs! They looked farther and farther up until... You are too tall! The short men looked up at Qin Guans face. He was in a grey coat without buttons. He looked capable and well-experienced. Putting his hands in his pockets, he shielded his femalepanion from them. His face though! Older men had told them that colorful hair and thick make-up would be helpful in attracting guests, but the man had clean hair without bangs. Even the most handsome man in Roppongi couldnt beat him. They were as different as diamonds and dirt. "It must be a misunderstanding. A man like him cant be a pimp. He must be a visitor..." "Are they both visitors?" "Its possible. We have to treat them." "Piss off! I saw them first." What are you talking about? Do clubs ept male guests? Before they could get rid of them, Qin Guan saw a group of people walking towards them. They had apletely different style. At least, they had good taste in suits. "Roppongi! Dont let them go! Hes one of them!" It was the meeting ce of the two biggest clubs. Qin Guan had identally gotten into trouble. "Excuse me, but..." [1] Xu Fu was a necromancer sent by the First Emperor of Qin (BC259-BC210) to seek an elixir overseas. He took 500 virgin boys and girls to an ind far away from China, Japan Ind nowadays. They lived and reproduced there. That was the origin of Japan. [2] A typical dressing style of Chinese young guysbining Japanese visual shock and western rock style. Chapter 298: The Meaning of Colorful Flags Chapter 298: The Meaning of Colorful gs Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Amid the bustling scene, the leader of Ropopongi saw Qin Guan right away. His heart sank. That day was the routine end-of-the-month g. There were customers whose needs werent met, and people from both sides tried their best to attract their attention. At the end of the month, they would choose a small hall for their top cowboys topete. The winner would not just win an award, but also a special bonus. ording to the rules, amid the crowd of grabbing guests, the cowboys would yield to the champion of the other side. If, and only if, the champion was absent, one could fill that vacancy. That day, Renr was full of confidence. He used to be a top-level cowboy. Because of his boss behavior though, he had left that club and opened a small club of his own in a gorgeous building in Roppongi, on which he had invested all his savings. By doing that, he had taken most of the customers of the original club with him. As a result, his former boss had sent him a letter to challenge him. After getting fully prepared, he hade to the fighting field with his best man. Whats happening? Who is this man? If my former boss had such a man, Id get defeated. Id have no chance of taking customers from him. "Can you hear me?" Qin Guan shouted loudly to the group of dwarfs in annoyment. He finally seeded in attracting their attention. "Wow! Meizi, look at that boy! Who is he? I almost fainted!" Two middle-ageddies with Chanel bags and diamond rings were looking at Qin Guan in a daze. Qin Guan saw his chance to continue. "Im only a tourist here, Im not interested in your affairs. A tourist! Understand? Let me go!" The soldiers from both sides let out a breath of relief. The two guys got out of their way. "Hey, dear sir?" "What?" Qin Guan answered with a hostile expression. "Would you be interested in working at our club? We could take care of your visa. We can talk about the details." Details? Are you kidding? "At our club, middle-ss workers can easily earn 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 yen a month. The No.1 earns at least 10,000,000." What? Thats a really high sry! Qin Guan turned that number into Chinese yuan in an instant. My dream of earning 1,000,000 a month woulde true. Itching for that fortune, Qin Guan left with Sister Xue, and the order on the street was restored. A ck cat belted out suddenly from a narrow hutong. "The man left the district. Missy told us to take care of him." A strong young man went out of the Hutong with a thin silk handkerchief in his hand. There was a photo of Qin Guan on it. It looked like an arrest warrant from a government office in feudal China. He shrank back and told the fat man opposite him, "I have never seen such a f*cking handsome man. No wonder ourdy is paying attention to him!" The fat man remained silent. The strong man murmured, "We have just taken over a new domain. So many things to do. We were sent to keep an eye on that man though! I wonder if the organization attaches too much importance to us, or if our Missy wants that man... Just look at the photo..." Suddenly, the fat man stretched out hisrge hand to grab his neck. "Never insult Missy in front of me!" "Are you crazy? Let me go!" The fat man lifted him slowly, leaving him no chance of resisting. "My bad..." The strong man squeezed the words out of his throat. When cold air poured into his lungs, he came back to his senses. He would really kill me if I didnt apologize. "Give me!" He put the handkerchief tamely on the mans hand, the very hand that had almost killed him a moment ago. The fat man didnt say anything. He just stuffed it in his pocket, and then turned back to walk into the depths of the hutong. "Hes crazy... Another guy falling in love with Missy..." The strong man ran to catch up with him, his long shadow swaying on the ground. By then, Qin Guan and Sister Xue, who had experienced so many strange things that night, had finally calmed down. They just wanted to return to their hotel. On the crossing point of three streets, they saw several colorful gs flying in the wind. It was the bar street, the most normal street in Shinjuku. Qin Guan and Sister Xue were eager to escape from there though, as the gs were a symbol of homosexuality. That would be awkward for them. China was the mostprehensive country in the world. There were countless stands selling rainbow paper umbres, fans and hats in scenic spots. Chapter 299: The Greatest Punishment Is Indifference Chapter 299: The Greatest Punishment Is Indifference Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Those gay bars were nothing. In China, they would not just pull guests inside, but this was Sinjuku. Sister Xue was a feistydy, so people liked her at such bars, and Qin Guan was a handsome guy. Lesbians dressed decently, but gay men were a different story. In Qin Guans opinion, Japanese gay men stood out among gay men all over the world. They wore pink feather coats, mohawk hairstyles and strange earrings. They looked like they were celebrating Halloween. Qin Guan and Sister Xue ran back to their hotel as fast as they could. Theyughed loudly in the hotel hallway. They were happy again after that depressing meeting. There were countless magical stories to tell in that country. At the capital airport, Cong Nianwei was waiting silently in the arrival hall. Qin Guan was wearing arge coat and he had covered his face with a cap, a mask and sunsses. The news of the Asian Fashion Man Competition had spread all over the country. The Chinese audience was interested in news from Tokyo. Compared to the affairs of stars, which seemed distant from their lives, they were more interested in news when they had participated in that particr event. Although only a few domestic media had followed them abroad, they all took delight in talking about it. Qin Guan felt as if he was confronting a formidable enemy. Cong Nianwei spotted her boyfriend right away. Although he was dressed modestly, he still stood out among the crowd. Turning around the corridor, Qin Guan saw her and smiled. A day away from her seemed like months. He spread his arms with a splendid smile, which made Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. She fell into his embrace. Qin Guan hugged her, resting his jaw on her shoulder happily. She smelled good. "I missed you." "Me too." Before they parted, Sister Xue saw that theyd attracted a lot of attention. Although the airport was a ce filled with parting and reuniting scenes, many passers-by cast nces at them because of their outstanding looks. "Hey, go home first. You are a celebrity, you have to watch your image." Hugging each other, they both smiled at Sister Xue. "Okay." She was right to be concerned. Domestic media had already released photos of Qin Guan from the show, and the reporters had gotten the video of the award ceremony. Different people had different opinions about the event. The audience ratings of the two TV series on local TV stations were rising, which made the producers return from the dead. The two shows had been a big professional failure for them. On the other side, "Romance Across Time" was getting much more popr by taking advantage of the situation. Anxious people, who had failed to restore their ce in media, were also taking advantage of the award ceremony. There was not a single report on Shao Xiaobing. All the media were singing Qin Guans praises. Shao hadnt stayed long after the ceremony. He had left that same night, heading back to China instead of going to his apartment in Singapore. Without the right person with him, that deserted apartment in that strangend had lost its meaning. While Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were sitting at the back of a taxi, holding hands and appreciating the scenery, Shaos agent was carrying a thick pile of newspapers and magazines. Shao buried himself into their pages. Hisptop was also on. "Nothing, nothing, nothing..." Suddenly, he threw the papers into the air and pushed the pile of magazines down to the floor. "Impossible!" It would make sense for the media to report his mistakes on the show, but why was there no gossip about the banquet? Shao clicked around crazily, opening and closing webpages. Nothing. There was nothing about him. His mistakes on the stage had been oppressed by the organizingmittee. It was not something worth the medias attention, especially when the model was in danger of offending the sponsors. Photos of Shao were circting among the media and the attendants though, as the advertisingpanies, branding businesses and designers were able to get first-hand material. The designer whose work had been destroyed by Shao had tried his best to warn his peers to beware of that model. Fang Meiya had contacted the organizer and asked them to keep the photos of the banquet a secret. The guys who had taken the pictures had been kindly warned by the security staff as theyd left the dining room. As media professionals, they knew the advantages and disadvantages of disobeying. After all, they had the breaking news of the Asian Fashion Man Competition. Why would they cause trouble to themselves? As a result, Shao had been totally ignored, which was much more terrible than suffering through a scandal. Chapter 300: The Final Job Chapter 300: The Final Job Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Even bad publicity was publicity. Some people were famous for negative news. The situation was worse than they had expected though. "Shao, calm down. We can gradually develop your career at home. Theres no negative news about you in China. See it as a new chance. We can start over with the brands we have cooperated with." Shao looked up with a nk expression in his eyes. "Start over? What will others think of me? And what about the timing? How old am I?" "26. You are still young." "Yes, Ill turn 26 this year. Look at my face. Do you remember what my tutor told me when we met for the first time?" His agent got lost in thought. "Considering the extreme fineness and smoothness of Asian characteristics, you are different from other models." "A model like me should be popr as early as possible and then turn to another industry when they earn enough capital. In other words, my career wontst as long as other peoples." He picked up a mirror from the table nervously and pointed to the corner of his eye. "Look here, here and here. These are tiny wrinkles. My face will start looking terrible as time goes by." His agent shivered. It was difficult for him to imagine a beautiful face gradually destroyed by time. Unlike people who became more attractive as they grew older, Shao wouldnt get more graceful or elegant in time. "I have to return to Japan." "For what? We just got here from Japan. We have no business there." "To have a face-lift at the best hospital. Ill never give up." His agent looked at him as if he was crazy. The determined expression in Shaos eyes told him that he was just informing him of his decision though, not discussing it with him. That crazy man had nothing to do with Qin Guan. He and Cong Nianwei were sitting on the couch, opening his suitcase. Under his clothes and sundries, there were small, delicately packed boxes. "These are for our parents and these are for you. Open them. Do you like them?" "Of course!" Cong Nianwei took different dolls out of the packages. The first one had a ponytail and a backpack. It had been customized at a famous handmade doll store in Tokyo. Qin Guan had ced the order as soon as hed arrived in Tokyo. He took out another one. It was a big boy in a sweater and jeans. The two of them were holding hands. Qin Guan whispered to her proudly, "We can order a set of dolls in wedding attire when we get married. And when we have a baby, we can order a family of three..." A chilling wind was blowing against the withered leaves on the branches outside the window. There were seeds sprouting under the thick grass. Winter would pass, and beautiful spring would arrive. Director Zhang Jizhongs new show had started filming ording to schedule. Qin Guan had checked in with the crew. That would be his final job before leaving, so it was very important for both sides. They had both thrown the helve after the hatchet. Convinced by Qin Guan, the production had given him the leading role. Qin Guan, on the other hand, had denied all other work and focused all his attention on that job. Unlike other randomly-adapted versions, "Demi-Gods and Demi-Demons" was basically a revival of the original work. Director Zhang was bravely using green hands. Liu Yifei, who was a nobody at the time, had impressed Director Zhang and gotten the role of Wang Yuyan [1]. Nearly all the roles had been cast, leaving only ce for Xuzhu [2]. It was a full-scale show with several directors. When they met, Director Yu Min asked Zhang a question. "Most of the characters have been cast, except Xuzhu. I think young Gao Hu would be a good choice. He fits Xuzhus image and as a professional actor, he will give us a good performance." Director Zhang shook his head at him. "I have analysed the original character in the book, as well as the one in the adapted script, and I have some questions about Gao Hus appearance." "What questions?" "One, he is the illegitimate child of an eminent monk and an evil woman. He must be good-looking. The ugly monk in the book doesnt make any sense. His father is the host of the Shaolin Temple, so he should be a handsome man. He must have only vited his religious principles for a beautiful woman." "Two, the Xiaoyao School set strict standards for the looks of its apprentices. Why would they ept Xuzhu? For his stupidity?" "Three, Princess Xixia, who has everything she wants, picks him as a husband among powerful and handsome candidates. I think he must be an attractive man." It sounded reasonable. Surely, that didnt mean Xuzhu was an Adonis though? Actually, his argument was fake. He would use any means to increase audience rates. Suddenly, the minibus carrying supplies for the crew arrived. On the back seat was Huang Bo, who was in a really good mood. He didnt have anything better to do, so he had gone over as soon as hed gotten the chance. While Sister Xue and the assistant struck up a conversation, Qin Guan went to greet the director and the rest of the crew. "Go to the dressing room first and cut your hair off." "Okay." Qin Guan didnt say anything. It was just hair after all. He couldpensate for losing the role of Bianji, who had also been a monk. The other directors, who had never met Qin Guan, were shocked. "Is this okay? Hes more handsome than Lin Zhiying, the actor from Taiwan!" "Facts speak louder than words. Hes not the only popr star in my TV series. Lets just wait for him." [1] The heroine. [2] One of the three heroes. Chapter 301: A Young Monk On A Cloud Chapter 301: A Young Monk On A Cloud Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia They waited for a short time before Qin Guan went out of the simple dressing room. He was in an indigo frock made of coarse cloth and his head was bald, which looked very good on him. His calm expression and pure eyes made the coarse cloth unable to cover his elegance. He was wearing a professional costume that included a white puttee, rough ropes, grey monk shoes and loose pants. Li Zhiying, who had just finished his work, happened to pass by. Yu Min waved at him. Lin Zhiying came over doubtfully. Even Director Zhang was shocked. Qin Guans elegance and talent beat Lins, who was famous for his looks in Taiwan. Qin Guan smiled honestly at Zhang. He looked even more peaceful when he smiled. He looked like a real monk in that moment. The fog lingered around the mountains. There were birds singing in the shade. The young monk had just finished his prayer and was chatting with the pilgrims on the path. "Amitabha..." The word echoed around the mountains and rivers, sounding like music from Heaven. "Excellent!" Yu Min, who used to look down on Qin Guan, shouted loudly, patting him on the leg. "Well done, Monk Xuzhu!" "He was just in time. We can move on to the next scene. What a lucky star!" Hey, thats not what you were saying earlier. Where is your dignity? Confused, Li Zhiying returned to the resting area. His agent handed him a bottle of water considerately. As an actor with the best looks in shows of that genre, this was the first time Lin had encountered a man more handsome than him. When the actor was in full costume and makeup, he was away ahead of him in looks. He felt a little depressed. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was busy learning his martial arts movements. His first scene involved martial arts, and it would be a testament to the actors quality. When the young action director finished his demonstration, Qin Guan told him that he already knew everything. The man from the Henan Province, the capital of martial arts, asked Qin Guan in surprise, "What are you talking about? Dont unt your superiority or experience." "This is the starting scene. They will only shoot you. If you have to start over, they will waste film and resources. The whole crew will me you. You are still a neer on set..." Qin Guan appreciated his honesty. He patted the man on the shoulder. "Got it. Ill try to do it in one film." The young man looked at his back as he left. The gods are fair. He might have a beautiful face, but his brain is average. Qin Guan went up to Director Zhang. "Im ready." Zhang Jizhong and the crew were all surprised. He learned the action moves in such a short time? Theyre not like lines. They cant be prepared in advance. "Okay, lets begin!" Zhang turned on the camera. The breeze lifted the lower hem of Qin Guans gown. The young monk was standing amid the morning mist. The scenery looked like a misty pce in Heaven. "Three, two, camera!" The camera started filming. Qin Guan was practising his fist positions by a wild pavilion on a cliff. The soft background music added elegance to the young monks moves. Both the director and the action director were stupefied by his performance. His movements were like floating clouds and water, natural and smooth. It looked like he had been practising for years. With a sincere expression on his face, Qin Guan performed the basic fist positions. Zhang gradually zoomed in on Qin Guan, until only his face was visible in the frame. It was a handsome face of a sensual, suppressed passion, filled with Buddhata. Qin Guan finished his practice elegantly. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and repeated several movements, trying to correct some ws. Then he left the frame and walked to a small tree nearby. The whole crew was mesmerized by him. They turned their heads, following Qin Guans steps. "Camera No. 2, here!" Zhang whispered. Qin Guans face and the tree were in the same frame. The young monk seemed to be satisfied with his progress. He cheered himself on secretly and hit the tree hard with his fist. "Ah!" As he roared, several blue veins heaved on his bare head. All the onlookers were expecting the tree to fall down, but Qin Guan retracted his hand and suddenly changed his resolute expression. Chapter 302: Wang Yuyan at 16 Chapter 302: Wang Yuyan at 16 [1] Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Ah! It hurts!" Several people burst intoughter. The director cast them a warning nce, and everyone fell silent again. The immortal-like monk was so funny! The quick shift in his attitude had confused them. To be honest, with such a natural performance, Qin Guan could be the bestedian in China. By that time, Qin Guan had left the sorrowful tree and begun to chant Buddhist prayers. "Okay!" Director Zhang shouted in satisfaction. The whole crew rxed. The shocked action director gave Qin Guan a thumbs up. The crew set the bar very high for him. Qin Guan finished the next scene perfectly. He looked like a simple, honest acolyte apanying his master. That days work was finished. The crew and the actors started packing up the props and their belongings. Qin Guan found Huang Bo and Sister Xue. The styling team muddled through the figurants. Huang Bos costume reminded Qin Guan of the green hands in Japanese boy streets. Huang was satisfied with his role though, as he actually got to use props this time. He had a high streamer of about two meters with three big words on it: Boundless Supernatural Power. Qin Guan found out that his character was a minion of Constetion Immortal. Before he could sneer at him, Huang bust intoughter at his bare head. "Hey! I didntugh at your appearance!" Huang Bo showed Qin Guan his shabby clothes proudly. "Sister Xue found this role for me! I have lines! Ill get 100 yuan more than ordinary extras!" "What lines?" "Constetion Immortal is the best in the world!" Stop! I know you will be a sessfuledian in the future, but you can stop joking now. They all drove to the silent mountain. The next scenes would take ce at the famous Exquisite Composition. Wuyazi had finally decided to select a student. They would y a chess game as a test. The cameras were arranged at the right ces. The ck and white chess pieces were hanging on the cliff and the walls. The ground on the hills seemed mysterious. Qin Guan would shoot his first scene with the leading actors. As the only son of the King of Dali, Duan Yu was proficient at lyre-ying, chess, calligraphy and painting. He had been invited there, as he was obsessed with the Composition. Qin Guan, who was looking for his master, was blocked by Duan Yus servants. "Stay away from here! Dont trouble our master!" Qin Guan was confused. Duan Yu, who was good-tempered, wasnt happy with his impolite servants. "Dont be so rude!" Qin Guan was let in. He looked at the chessboard nkly. He was a simple young man, ignorant when it came to worldly affairs. Xuzhu was not an idiot. He justcked any social skills. "Its just aposition. Why does it have such a mysterious name?" Duan Yu kindly reminded him not to say such things. That was a really profoundposition. Zhang Jizhong was satisfied. The important part had just begun. Constetion Immortal was presented. Huang Bo burst in with the high steamer, shouting his lines. Constetion Immortal began his conversation with Su Xinghe. Xuzhu saw the old man in the crowd and ran over happily. "Im here to find my great uncle!" he said with the joy and admiration of a child. Ding Cunqiu noticed that the onlookers were all gentlefolk and famous martial artists. He didnt feel worried. "Fine," he said calmly. "So we are friends." He cast a fierce nce at Qin Guan, who retreated and hid behind his uncle. Great! Safety first. That was the best choice for such a young man on his first journey to that dangerous world. Huang Bo was used to Qin Guans acting skills, but the other figurants were amused by his performance. In our vige, children would cry for their parents if they were bullied like that! The main actors came one after the other, pushing the plot to its climax. Qin Guan stole nces at the neers. Liu Yifei was there. She was only 16 at the time, a school-age girl. She still had a baby face. No wonder Director Zhang had insisted on inviting her to portray the important role of Wang Yuyan and the entirely imaginary immortal sister. [1] From now on, the plot will refer to details of Jin Yongs wuxia novels. I suggest you read a tranted edition if there is one avable. Chapter 303: Lin Zhiying Is A Gentleman Chapter 303: Lin Zhiying Is A Gentleman Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia She was the unsurpassed beauty of a whole generation. Even without much acting experience, she gave a perfect interpretation of that graceful beauty. Even the prince of Dali, who had seen countless beauties in his life, mistook her for an immortal. Among all domestic actresses, only Liu Yifei had that special temperament. As he thought of that, Qin Guan felt proud of himself. Thanks to his acting experience and training courses, he could control his own temperament. The shooting went on. The vicious Constetion Immortal had the leader of the four viins possessed by the devil. As a kind-hearted monk, Xuzhu couldnt bear to watch. He maximized his Buddhist nature by cultivating it through Buddhist ancient books and records. Of course, he was no Heavenly Guardian or arhat, but the smiling Sakyamuni. It was better for him to have some blooming flowers in his hands. He was sincerely worried about the viin, who was about tomit suicide. "Beware of the devil in your heart. What kind ofposition is this? Its really wicked!" Qin Guan noticed that the director hadnt stopped shooting, which meant that he could go on without a break. Basing his performance on the script, he made his own interpretation. Actually, an actor could perform ording to their own feelings. Provided that they didnt stray from the script, no director would judge their performance. A limitation was set on the actors only in the two following scenarios. One, if the director had a very clear aim and the actor had to perform ording to that, such as when the script was actually written by the director, when the director wanted to win a prize, or if the director was writing about himself and his perennial feelings or wishes. The other scenario was when the actor couldnt read the script and the lines were as simple as possible. Those kind of directors usually shot indie films, and their train of thought would change all the time. Fortunately, Qin Guans crew and director were normal. Qin Guan took a white chess piece and set it on the board at random. He didnt know that, thanks to all sorts of idental mishaps, he had broken the eternalposition. "You silly monk!" The viin hit him on his bare head. Qin Guan nodded like a chicken pecking away at rice. Before he could exin, he was kicked off. After being sent flying about three meters, he fell on the ground. This required the special effect team. Up until that point, Director Zhang had told them to have a break. After being beaten the whole day, Qin Guan was sneered at by Huang. Lin Zhiying, who was sitting right beside them, interrupted their conversation. Lin, who was from Taiwan, was curious about Qin Guan. He had heard that he was an exclusive actor of Zhang Jizhong. The crew had said that he was the most handsome guy in the world. Even some figurants from the Zhejiang Province had confirmed that statement. By then, the actor who yed Murong Fu had gotten really scared. His role was the most suitable for Qin Guan, who frequently portrayed handsome viins. He was relieved when he noticed that only the actor who would y Xuzhu was absent. Although the famous actor was not worried about losing his job, he was still curious about that famous guy. He was also renowned for his looks himself. He wanted to get some insight into Qin Guan. "Good day today, isnt it?" Qin Guan smiled. "The air is clean on the mountain." "Do you like the scenery here?" They were both gentlemen, so they quickly became good friends. Huang Bo looked gloomy beside them. Qin Guan always fought with him, both physically and verbally. When he saw the two men being nice to each other, he felt goosebumps on his skin. More and more people joined the conversation. Men always liked to talk about women, cars and wine. The only girl on set was sitting there alone. She was a reserveddy. I better finish work soon. My mother is waiting for me at the hotel. Suddenly, she saw a familiar figure on the steep mountain road. "Mum?" Her mother had been worried about her daughter, so she had followed the crew. Chapter 304: The Beauty of Zhejiang Province Chapter 304: The Beauty of Zhejiang Province Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Liu Yifei had been born in a rich family. Her mother had found the crew by getting five different cars. When they started talking about cars, Lin Zhiyings expression changed. As a racing driver, he was crazy about cars. "Hey, Qin Guan. Did you see her mothers car? This evening Ill show you something interesting under that hill." Qin Guan nodded in confusion. The director was shouting at somebody. His voice had attracted their attention. Nobody saw a small head emerge by the hillside not far away. The entertainment reporter was not afraid of hardship or exhaustion. He had followed Lius mother uphill to get the scoop. That disputable actress seems to be a second-generation rich kid! His conclusion was perfect for sensationalization. She would make headlines that night. Compared to her, Qin Guan would be lucky to even get mentioned in the news. Qin Guan had no idea about his ce in the local newspaper. He was concentrating on taking a beating. He was sent flying backwards and fell to the ground hard. Xuzhu was holding a white chess piece in his hand nkly. Director Zhang made another close-up to his face. Words couldnt express his assistants feelings for his simple shooting skills. Director Zhang liked films of high resolution. Everyones face could be seen clearly on the screen. Some people called it realism, while others justziness to edit. As a result, the actors could do nothing butpete against each others acting skills. Carefree School stressed on appearance. In the original work, Xuzhu had been rejected by the person in charge, Wuyazi, for his ugliness. Qin Guan was renowned for his beauty though. The actor who yed Wuyazi changed his lines a little. "Only your looks meet my criteria." Director Zhang exined that his remark would have to imply a meaning opposite to what the original said, or he wouldnt be able to exin Qin Guans looks. Finally, Qin Guan got his power of 100 years. What a lucky guy! He also got the master position, as well as volumes of martial arts. As a simple monk, Xuzhu refused to ept the position. Little did he know that his master and Su Xinghe had died by Ding Chunqius poison. It was the first time that he deeply hated somebody. In the end, he took charge of the Carefree School. The whole show had beenpleted. Everyone started packing up tiredly. They would return to their base to get some rest. After two scenes, they would fly to Dali in the Yunnan Province. The whole crew admired Qin Guan, who had just joined them in time for the trip. He hadnt had to stay in simple dwellings or hotels under the hill, or sleep in a tent on the mountain. Even the main actor, Hu Jun, and the actress Liu Tao had had to sleep in a tent for several days. Some of the staff would whisper to each other with meaningful smiles. ording to some people who had woken up at night, the two actors were having a secret affair. Hu Jun was famous for cherishing his family though, so people were uncertain about the rtionship. On the way back, Lin told Qin Guan again, "Wait for me in your room when you finish dinner. Ill take you to an interesting ce. Dont go to sleep." Qin Guan was curious. He had never participated in any night activities with a crew member before. Huang shared the same room with Qin Guan. Of course, they didnt share the same bed. Cong Nianwei would me him, even if the other guy was Huang Bo. There were two single beds in the room. It was the best amodation in the vige. Director Zhang never made a bad investment. The meals were also included. The cook in the kitchen had counted the lodgers in order to prepare dinner for them. Zhejiang cuisine was one of the top eight most famous Chinese cuisines. It was known for its fine taste and sweetness. The rich culture of Zhejiang gave cultural meaning to the dishes. It was called the schr of Chinese cuisines. Visitors would taste both delicious food and traditional culture. Luckily, Qin Guan had had authentic vige dishes down the hill, which was quite different from those in the urban area. Shaoxing braised meat, Chinese eddo with dried small shrimp and sweet and sour fish were all famous specialities. Of course, as a guy who preferred arge meat loaf, Qin Guan liked Dongpo pork the best. Chapter 305: It’s My Battlefield Chapter 305: Its My Battlefield Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Everyone sitting around the table was shocked when Qin Guan pulled a big piece of streaky pork to his shallow china bowl, which was already filled with rice. Hu Jun felt frustrated. The man was famous for his appetite for meat. Judging by Qin Guans speed, the others would have nothing to eat but his leftovers. Unwilling to submit, Hu Jun picked up his chopsticks again, ready to fight. Qin Guan inserted his chopsticks into the meat. The pork skin on the crisp and soft meat was tender and stic. After chewing it a few times, the meat melted in ones mouth. The tasty sauce made everyone feel like they were flying. It was the perfect match for the soft-boiled, milled rice of the Zhejiang Province. Piece by piece, Qin Guan began to gorge himself. Everyone else was watching Qin Guan and Hu Junpete with each other. Sister Xue nearly buried her face into her bowl. She was so ashamed! On the other hand, Hu Juns agent, Wang Jingcao, was watching thepetition happily. In 10 minutes, the old jar was empty. Qin Guans chopsticks touched its bottom. Huh? Theres nothing left? Qin Guan looked up in disappointment. What are you looking at? They were looking at Hu Jun, who had been too eager to eat and had choked. As an ordinary human being, he couldnt catch up with Qin Guan. The tall strong man had lost the battle of the foodies. Everyone was silent in the dining room. The onlookers cast nces at Qin Guans t belly. Where had the meat gone? Everyone else at the table began to seize food, for fear that it would all end up in his stomach. "Sister Wang, Im full. Ill take a walk outside." Before leaving, Hu Jun gave Qin Guan a thumbs-up. Had something happened? Before Qin Guan could ask, Sister Xue stopped him. "The shrimp is nearly gone. Help yourself." "Okay." Qin Guan got immediately distracted. Huang Bo nearly sprayed rice out of his nose. Another joke, huh? Wang Jingcao was looking at Liu Tao, who had followed Hu Jun out, anxiously. There was going to be trouble! Hu Juns wife was staying in the same unit with him. She was also an outstanding actress of the Beijing Peoples Art Theater. Hu Jun was a charming man of an unconstrained, bold style. As a green hand, Liu Tao had been easily enchanted by him. Wang could only rely on their conscience. The consequences of an extramarital affair would be serious for Hu. After the meal, Qin Guan and Huang Boy down on their beds. They turned off the lights and left the curtains open. White moonlight filled the room as the waddings danced in the air. Away from the noisy crowd of the city, Qin Guan felt calm in the embrace of nature. Unfortunately, Huang fell asleep before him. His terrible snoring woke Qin Guan up with a start. Suddenly, someone knocked on their door. "Qin Guan? Are you free now? Come out!" It was Lin Zhiyings Taiwanese ent. Oh, he invited me somewhere earlier. Qin Guan got up and went out. He found several people standing outside, including Qiao Feng and Mu Rongfu. "Where are we going on the mountain?" Without an exnation, they pulled him outside the hotel. There were five cars parked there. "Where are these from? How did you find such cars in the vige?" Qin Guan was shocked. Did they possess magical powers? Lin Zhiying was proud of the cars. In his opinion, he was a racing driver first and an actor second. Anywhere he went, he would visit the local racing car market. There were racing teams everywhere. The shooting would take a long time though, so Lin had bought a good car the day after his arrival in the Zhejiang Province. Li Bai, one of the most famous poets of the Tang Dynasty, eximed in one of his poems: "Walking on the narrow paths of Shu Kingdom is more difficult than climbing up to Heaven!" Although the mountains in the Zhejiang Province were not as dangerous as those in the Sichuan Province (the Shu Kingdom), the road conditions there attracted plenty of amateur car racers. Together with their entourage, the leading actors of the show participated in a car racing team. Men always spent money on cars and houses. They had bought one racing car each. Luckily, Qin Guan hadnt spent much time with the crew, or he would also have bought one. "Lets go!" "Whose car do you choose?" Lin asked him with a gentle voice. Chapter 306: INITIAL D Chapter 306: INITIAL D [1] Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was an unnecessary question. Among that group of people, only Lin Zhiying was a professional racing driver. Besides, it was a mountain road with certain angles and turns. Qin Guan, who cherished his life, made the right choice. It was a pity that he was too careless to notice Hu Jun and Xiu Qings expressions. They were grinning widely without any sympathy. The car roared away, leaving dust and smoke behind it. The roads of Zhejiang Province were quite smooth. There were bright streetmps all along them, helping drivers see even in the dark. Qin Guan sat at the passenger seat. As they drove on, the road gradually became steep and narrow. Not long after, they went through three curves. The only advantage was that there were no other cars on the road. They just rxed and drove at full speed. "Okay, here it is! Get some rest first. The official race will startter." Lin Zhiying reached the clearing on the mountainside first. The other cars followed him and parked behind him. They all opened their windows. "The loser treats everyone as usual, right?" "Okay." Qin Guan was confused. Im not racing anyway. Ill know about the stakester. Lin Zhiying was excited. "If I win, youll win. Well ask Hu Jun to treat us to dinner," he told Qin Guan. Huh? Okay. I dont know what youre talking about, but it seems like there is some kind of benefit in it for me. "Seatbelts fastened?" "On your mark!" An assistant waved a small g at Lin Zhiying. He was holding a round professional timer in his hand. It seemed like they held suchpetitions often. The g was dropped and Lis nerves were eased. Qin Guan was influenced by his emotions. Everybody cherishes their life. Theyre justpeting for fun. Before Qin Guan coulde to his senses, Lin stomped fiercely on the elerator. The car moved forward at air-breaking speed. Qin Guan could clearly hear the sound. His seatbelt was useless. Inertia threw his upper body forward. "Ah! What the f*ck... Oh!" Qin Guan seized the handle above the window, which he hadnt paid attention to earlier. It might be the only thing that could save his life now. In front of them was a smooth downward slope. It was horrifying in the dark night, but fortunately, Lin chose the inner side. Otherwise, Qin Guan would have cried out in fear. They met at the first turn. Qin Guan held on to the handle tightly while Lin smiled pleasantly. They dashed down as fast as the wind. The gentle man was finally showing his savage side. Slow down! Slow down! Slow down! That was the only sentence echoing in Qin Guans mind. People bncing between life and death couldnt think about much. Not his parents, family or girlfriend, nobody came to mind. His brain was nk, as if there was a chasm before his eyes. The car was getting close to the cliff. The driver rotated the steering wheel in excitement and stomped on the brakes again and again. Are you stomping on rats, bro? One stomp is enough! The road was gradually getting tter. Lin parked at their destination. He looked at Qin Guan, who was much younger than him, with an admiring expression. It was his first time racing on a mountain road. No tears or snot in sight. He is worthy of my respect. He is as calm now as he was when the race started. "Qin Guan? Were here! Shall I get out and meet Hu Jun and the others?" "Qin Guan?" "Qin Guan?" Lin pushed Qin Guan gently, bringing him back to his senses. Did you say something, bro? Actually, the guys spirit had freed itself from his body. It was too slow to keep up with the car. "Oh, were here! Brother Lin, you are the one I admire most among the crew!" Really? Qin Guan used to call him Senior Lin. "Youre ttering me! Lets get out now." "Oh, okay." Qin Guan waited until Lin got out of the car. Then he took a deep breath and loosened his grip on the handle, murmuring to his legs, "Please try for me." They were both limp. Qin Guan managed to get out and lean against the car. Then he observed the road. Sure enough, Hu Jun and the others were driving at a normal speed. They were not professional racers after all. Hu Jun was surprised to see Qin Guan standing by the car. "Wow, he is really brave! I shouldnt have judged him by his looks." Xiu Qing gasped in admiration. "Such a brave guy! I remember you spitting out when you got out of Lins car." "Ha ha! Shame on me!" They both burst intoughter. "Another round?" They looked at their watches. "No, tomorrow were flying to Dali. Its alreadyte at night. We have to go back." "No problem." They headed back to their cars. Lin Zhiying noticed that Qin Guan was still leaning against the front side of the car. "Qin Guan, get in!" "I cant move, brother." What a funny boy! Lin helped Qin Guan through the door and reassured him, "Dont worry, I wont speed on the way back." [1] A Japanese cartoon about downhill racing. Chapter 307: Chen Hao Was Beautiful Those Days Chapter 307: Chen Hao Was Beautiful Those Days Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia You are my own brother! Were you nning on dashing back? Fortunately, Qin Guan had showed weakness and saved his own life. Qin Guan returned to his room and found Huang sleeping deeply. He didnt turn on the lights. He washed his face under the moonlight instead. The excitement after the race finally turned into sleepiness. Qin Guan fell asleep soon. Silence prevailed in the room. Qin Guan had a good nights sleep on the quiet mountain. Early the next morning, the crew had a traditional Zhejiang Province breakfast that included pancakes, fried breadsticks, sticky rice buns, as well as hot soybean milk. After breakfast, they packed all their luggage and props. The truck would carry everything down the hill. The vigers saw them off reluctantly. Every year, Director Zhang would bring them lots of money. The hotels and the small restaurants serving breakfast and foodte at night made great profits from them. It didnt matter. So long as the God of Wealth engaged in TV shows, he would always return to his favorite ce, the Zhejiang Province. Their lives would get better and better. The crew returned to the city center and started preparing for their trip to Dali in the Yunnan Province. As an indoorsman, Qin Guan was longing for the beautiful ruralndscape. After enduring the hardships of a long journey, they arrived in Dali. Qin Guan, who had experienced a generous budget before during the "Daming Pce", was still shocked by Zhang Jizhongsrge expenditure. He had negotiated with the officials of the Dali Municipal Government. They had even built a film studio in the famous Cang Mountain-Er Lake scenery site. The name of the base was "Demi-Gods and Demi-Demons". At the gateway of the city, they saw a rampart as high as eight metres, made of grey bricks. The gate was six metres tall. The gate towerbined Yunnan architecture and traditional Song Dynasty architecture. The entrance of the city attracted everyones attention. If audience ratings were below expectations, they would be med for all aspects. After filming was finished, the base would be open to the public. Without a profit, the crew couldnt bear that responsibility. Director Zhang was the bravest director in China. They settled down at the base and realized it was quite far from downtown. When the gate was shut, it was a separate world. Thick fog lingered around the snowy hills behind the base. It looked like the Piaomiao Peak. From then on, Qin Guan became the most important actor on set. He had taken over most parts. The director didnt have a private talk with him. Acting was an actors duty. There was nothing to say. The second half of the show had officially begun. There were really exciting scenesing up one after the other. Monk Xuzhu began his rule-breaking journey. He ate meat, killed people and made love to a girl... Qin Guan was looking forward to his scenes in the following days. He met his partner Chen Hao in a small ancient-style tavern. The girl ying the part of A Zi had unparalleled beauty. Compared to Li Yifens youth, Chen Hao was in her prime time. Her most prominent feature were her beautiful ck eyes. There would be a bloody ughter in that tavern. The cameras were arranged and all the figurants were in position. Qin Guan and Huang Bo were both busy every day. Thanks to Sister Xues influence, Huang Bo had lines again that day. He would be ying a waiter in the tavern. Xuzhu was on his way to find his master, whom he had been separated from for a long time. He was both hungry and thirsty, so he entered the tavern. At the same time, A Zi, who was dressed as a man, went in herself. "Three, two, camera!" Huang Bo weed Qin Guan with a white towel on his shoulder. "What can I do for you, young master?" "I want some noodles with vegetables." "Okay, wait a moment." As Qin Guan was swallowing his noodles at a table, A Zi walked up to him with a mysterious smile. The simple, pure monk was doomed to be deceived by the evil girl. Huang Bo stole the show. "What can I do for you, Miss?" A Zi was much more beautifulpared to Qin Guan, whose face was covered with dust and dirt. One could tell by the shine in Huangs eyes. Chen Hao was also a skilful actress. She turned her eyes around with a wicked idea in her mind. "I want some noodles with chicken." She craned her neck towards Qin Guan, making her voice clear enough for him to hear. "What a sin!" A Zi burst intoughter. She couldnt let that silly monk go. She pointed outside. "Ah! I saw a monk passing by." "Really? Where is he?" Fooled by his simple brain, Qin Guan ran out of the door. Chapter 308: Men Also Like Gossip Chapter 308: Men Also Like Gossip Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Taking advantage of his departure, A Zi mixed her chicken and soup with Qin Guans noodles. For fear of being discovered, she stirred them with her chopsticks. Xuzhu returned disappointed and resumed eating his noodles. Chen Hao was observing his expression secretly from beside him. Qin Guans eating manners made the crew hungry. "Were his noodles cooked by our staff? They look delicious! We could have a good lunch here." Actually, Qin Guan felt like crying out when he tasted his noodles. They were terrible. As a picky foodie, noodles boiled in pure water were a disaster for him. Qin Guan was praying silently. I have to finish the scene in one take, or Ill have to eat two bowls of noodles. Qin Guan was careful with his acting. Suddenly, he felt something strange in his mouth. He fixed his eyes on the food and saw that it was a piece of meat! "Ah!" It felt like the sky had copsed on his head. Chen Hao burst intoughter. "Cut!" Director Zhang looked at her helplessly. They had not seeded forck of a final effort. "Sorry, everyone." Chen Hao didnt really feel ashamed. Laughing, she pointed at Qin Guan. "I cant help it." Everyone around, including the actors who were in the scene, burst intoughter. Qin Guan was lost in a daze. Whats going on? I didnt do anything wrong. A monk should be heart-stricken if they break a religious principle. I have to express that feeling before the audience. "Okay, get some rest. Well start over from this pointter." His heart filled with sorrow, Qin Guan went out of the set with a grimace. I have to have one more bowl of noodles. I hope she wontugh again. Somebody patted him on the back. Qin Guan turned around and saw Chen Hao. Curiosity and admiration were evident on her face as she asked him, "Are you Qin Guan? The hot man online?" "Yes, I am," Qin Guan answered honestly. Chen Hao softened her expression when she realized that the handsome guy had an even temper. Young men would disrespect their seniors when they became famous, and the girl automatically considered herself a senior. "Well done!" She patted him on the back again and left. Its you who got me into trouble! This is why Cong Nianwei always tells me not to try to reason with a woman. After getting some rest, Qin Guan felt like there was more space in his stomach. To avoid the same mistake, Zhang shifted the camera directly from the meat to Ding Cunqiu. After that adjustment, Xuzhu didnte off as bold when the viin caught A Zi. Instead, he started trembling and hid inside the kitchen. Director Zhang asked everyone to stop. That mornings work was finished. It was lunch time. In the afternoon, Qin Guan could rest in his room. He could walk around the base in his spare time. On the other hand, Huang Bo was busy. He would be one of the members of the Constetion School. The special effect team was busy in the afternoon. The actors were fighting with each other, but the two main actors were free. Hu Jun and Lin Zhiying were wandering around the city with a small tail behind them. Liu Tao, the actor who portrayed A Zhu, was following Hu Jun everywhere like an assistant. Qin Guan was reminded of the gossip circting among the crew. He cast a nce at Lin Zhiying. He is only helping the two of them. Qin Guan whispered to Lin, "Why do you stay with them?" Lin spread his hands. "I have to. Wang Jingcao and my agent are old friends. She asked me to take care of them and not leave them alone." "Hu Jun is quite a straightforward man. He doesnt bother with insignificant things. Liu Tao is a green hand though. Even if you like somebody, you should never tell a reporter!" "I wonder if the girl said it on purpose, or if she is just naive. She said that she loved Qiao Feng, and Hu Jun looks a lot like Qiao Feng." "Plus, Wang Jingcao is familiar with Hu Juns wife. You should understand Sister Wangs point of view." Chapter 309: A National Affair Chapter 309: A National Affair Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan fell silent. He had experienced the power of news. He wondered if the girl would cause them trouble. Filming was not over yet though. Director Zhang wouldnt let the affair influence audience ratings. Time flew fast. Words couldnt express Huang Bos pleasure, although he had only a few lines in the show. For him, appearing in a show was his only wish. Night fell. In order to save on electricity, the lights around the base were turned off. Hu Jun, who liked to spend his time outside at night, called a group of friends to go out for fun. There was some distance from the bar street in Dali. They drove several shabby cars downhill. When they reached the bar street, they returned to urban life again. To meet the demands of literary youth, the bars had adapted to different styles. Hu Jun, who was familiar with that kind of environment, selected a seemingly lively bar and led them in. Qin Guan and Huang Bo looked back. Huh? The actresses are following us. Liu Tao and Chen Hao, as well as Jiang Xin (the actress who portrayed Mu Wanqing), were all there. The famous Consort Hua was still a young girl at the time. Qin Guan smiled and entered the bar with Huang Bo. It was crowded inside. There were wooden bar counters, long benches and simple tables. It was the most popr bar on the street, so there were also singers ying guitars. In that dark ce, under the influence of alcohol, everyone was enjoying themselves. Qin Guan and Huang Bo were chatting, when Chen Hao and Jiang Xin walked over. "Qin Guan, youre just drinking here all alone? Why didnt youe and greet us?" Chen Hao picked some snacks from their table and started chewing. Jiang Xie stared at the two guys in curiosity. Is this Beauty and the Beast? Fortunately, Huang Bo couldnt read Jiangs mind. The four young guys sat together and chatted. The girls were easy to get along with. They talked and drank. The bar owner was smiling so hard that the wrinkles on his face were all messed up. Hu Jun was drinking cocktails one after the other. The man looked like a bandit. As a frequent patron there, beer couldnt satisfy him. Liu Tao was staring at him as if she was obsessed. Chen Hao watched them before she turned to Qin Guan. "Hey! Do you always charm girls with your face? Tell me, tell me, tell me! Dont think it over!" "Never!" Qin Guan answered unconsciously. The girls burst intoughter. The boy was just like the silly monk he was portraying. The assistant noticed that Hu Jun was really drunk. He kindly asked everybody to head home. Hu Jun stood up unsteadily. Holding his cup, he said angrily, "Why? I have no work tomorrow. You leave. My treat. I want some more." The assistant supported Hu and walked up to the cashier. Hu was already drunk. He couldnt stand still, even by supporting himself against the table. Liu Tao, who was keeping an eye on him, rushed over to help him. Hu was too tall and too strong for her though. She crashed into his arms instead. Qin Guan and the others, who had already left, let out a breath of relief. They pretended to see nothing. Unfortunately, Chen Hao happened to notice the scene. She turned her eyes away calmly and pulled Jiang Xin out. "What are they doing? Qin Guan and Huang, Ill drive in the same car with you." Jiang Xin suddenly pulled at her coat. "I want to stay with you, Sister Hao," she said in a low voice. "Im afraid..." "Dont worry, Im here. Hey Huang, save two seats for us!" Huang was speechless. They only knew his surname. They squeezed into the same car and returned to the base. Nobody talked about the matter. On the way back, Jiangs face was pale. She was not as brave as she would be in the future. They left to get some sleep. Nothing happened over the night. When Hu Jun woke up the next morning, his room was filled with sunlight. Covering his eyes, he asked, "Whos there? Close the curtain for me!" Wang Jingcao was sitting in a chair not far away from his bed with a serious expression on her face. Hus poor assistant was holding the curtain in her hands. Chapter 310: Calm Down, Princess! Chapter 310: Calm Down, Princess! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "You scared me, Sister Wang! Let me know before you get in!" "Ha! You want me to announce myself before getting in! If it wasnt for your assistant, there would have been another person in your room yesterday. You may have gotten even more scared!" Wang patted the table with her hand. Hu Jun was still in a daze. "Watch your hand, sister. Does it hurt?" he asked. Wang didnt know what to say. She burst intoughter at the hairy mans words. "You are an adult yourself. I know you well. Dont let your hormones control you! Learn from Qin Guan. Hold yourself back, okay?" Hu was surprised to hear Qin Guans name from his agent. "I know him, Sister Wang. He is an honest, handsome guy. I didnt see the extreme beauty that you mentioned though." A video of Qin Guan on the show automatically emerged in Wangs mind. The boy was holding his elegance back for the show. Only on the T stage did he bloom open like a flower. "Stop that rubbish! We are talking about you now..." Hu Jun, who usually acted like a mature person, was listening to her like a pupil as the rest of the crew was carrying on with their work. The towering Diancang Mountain was covered by umting snow the whole year. The snow was glittering under the clear sky. The surface of Erhai Lake was as limpid as a mirror. The moonlight shone against the waves as fishing boats returned home in the evening, singing fishing songs. The beautiful scene matched the beautiful actors perfectly. The audience enjoyed their beauty as the crew suffered silently. They had to climb the steep hill while carrying heavy equipment, looking for the right ce for it. A lot of scenes took ce on that hill. Li Qiusui, the main viin, appeared and Xuzhu murdered him there. He killed the master of an ind in order to save someone. The whole crew suffered during that short scene. They had to find pine cones, as they were an important element for that scene. In their spare time, they dag everywhere in hopes of discovering dried, beautiful pinecones. Fortunately, the squirrels had stocked food for winter. Otherwise, they would have been short of pinecones that year. Qin Guan had to get up at nightfall and work overnight under the light of torches. Then they had several hours of rest. After hard work and concentrated effort, they finished all the mountain scenes. When they returned to the base, Huang got excited. He knew what the following scenes were. The whole crew was waiting for the exciting love scene. Who was in it? Qin Guan, of course! His partner, the Princess of Xixia, had joined them two days earlier. She was waiting for her dream lover at the base of the hill. They enriched their experience with an icehouse, which had been built by the prop team overnight. Ice blocks were piled inside the room. It looked splendid! All the crew members and actors were doing their jobs. They were all annoyed by something though. Director Zhang saw it, but he didnt express his opinion. He just looked at Qin Guan with a smile, without telling him anything. It was a nice day. Qin Guan was led to the other side of the set. Director Zhang came over to meet him, which was strange. He sized Qin Guan up for a long time before he said, "Are you clear about the scene today?" "Yes. There is only one line in my script, Hugging tightly on the bed. Shall I just act freely?" Zhang shook his head. "No, just follow my instructions." Qin Guan rxed. That will save me some energy. Before leaving, Director Zhang asked him, "Did you have any garlic at breakfast?" "No." Zhang left guiltily. Qin Guan scratched his head. Is there any connection between garlic and the erotic scene we are filming? All idlers cleared away, except the women and some important crew members and cameramen. "Ready?" An actress wrapped in a coarse grey cloth walked in slowly. Qin Guan, who was sitting on the stone bed with his legs crossed, realized that he knew the girl. It was Liu Jia, the girl he had helped on the red carpet. Qin Guan smiled. Little did he realize that his smile was fatal. His charm was suddenly revealed to everyone. They were all caught unprepared. His shabby gown couldnt cover his elegance. Liu Jia, who had been preparing for a long time before entering the set, was struck by his beautiful smile. Chapter 311: I’m Cold, Hug Me Chapter 311: Im Cold, Hug Me Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The silly, sexy woman forgot about the way she was dressed. She ran up to Qin Guan with the cloth barely covering her breasts. "Qin Guan! Its me! Remember me?" Her agent swallowed awkwardly. Tragedy was upon them again. Liu stumbled on the cloth! Bang! She fell down on the cold rock. "It hurts!" Trying her best to told her tears back, Liu Jia stood back up from the ground. However, thanks to her bean-sized brain, she forgot that the cloth wrapped around her body had also fallen down. "Wow!" The people behind and around her sighed in disappointment. It was a pity that they were not in the right position to get a good view. Qin Guan stared at Liu with wide eyes. He was the only one able to see her front. Everyone else could see her naked back, but only he could see the invisible paste on her chest! Qin Guan saw the disappointed expression of the cameramen across from him. Liu Jia pulled the cloth up and climbed into Qin Guans bed. She tried to hide behind Qin Guan. Qin Guan waved at the crew members outside. "Could someone help her?" Two streams of blood were running down from her nostrils. Her silly expression made her look funny. She should have been aedian, not a sex idol. Her agent shouted at her, making the silly girle back to her senses. Zhang saw that everything was ready and cleared his throat. "Attention! Xuzhu and the princess will be sitting on the bed face to face. The lights on both sides should be out. Turn down the background lights." "The princess should look scared. She found a warm, reliable chest in the cold, dark cave. Her first thought should be to warm herself, okay? You should look eager to take off his gown and hug him. Understand?" Liu Jia chuckled to herself before she nodded. "Qin Guan, Ill give you some instructions. A sexy, naked woman is in your arms. You just act like shes any ordinary woman. Have you made love with someone before? Surely, youre not a virgin? Show us some forey. I dont need to discuss any details with you." Everyoneughed knowingly. Qin Guan sighed in relief. Luckily, Im not a virgin. I wont make a fool of myself. "Camera!" At the directors order, Liu Jia suddenly changed into a hungry woman. As a sex idol, she had acted in many shows with erotic scenes before. Zhangs requirement was nothing for her. With her full lips, smooth back and big boobs, she was a very sexy girl. Qin Guan understood why director Zhang had selected her for the part. She was apletely different woman when she acted. "Im cold!" Her hands naturally reached for his belt. Qin Guan was caught by surprise. As his self-protection instinct kicked in, Qin Guan held on to his clothes. Under the dim light, his eyshes trembled slightly, arousing everyones carnal desire. They all wanted to destroy the beauty of suppressed sensual passion. Liu Jia immediately realized that Qin Guan had never acted in an erotic scene before. Afraid that they would have to shoot the scene once again, she used the greatest weapon that a woman possessed. Stop fighting me! Suddenly, Liu Jia hugged Qin Guan tightly and tore his gown apart. A pair of soft hands touched his naked back. "Quick! Quick! Zoom in on his face! Camera No.2, stop drooling! Why are you drooling at a naked man instead of a naked woman? You idiot!" The cameraman hastened to push the lens forward. Panic, thirst, and struggle could be seen in the actors eyes. Silence prevailed inside the studio. Only the heavy breaths of the actors could be heard. "Hug me!" Lius deep, sexy voice lingered inside the cave. Qin Guan touched Lius smooth back carefully with his cool fingers. When his lips pecked hers, Liu softened. Small electric streams radiated from the warm, sweet kiss. The experienced girl crushed her body against Qin Guans. They fell on the cold rock bed together. "Okay! Cut! Have a break. Where is the prop team? The next scene is in 10 minutes." What? That was all? You only showed the audience this much? You cheated us, Director Zhang! Zhang drove them out like chickens. "This is not f*cking porn! This is a martial arts show! Martial arts! Understand?" They ran away, making fun of Qin Guan. Qin Guan was happy to put an end to the scene there. He could feel that Liu Jias admiration of him went beyond the plot. Even while they were in the dining room, Qin Guan could feel her burning eyes. Her agent couldnt stop her pursuit of love. What could Qin Guan do? He could only run away! Chapter 312: Notice From Overseas Chapter 312: Notice From Overseas Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Sister Xue didnt pay any attention to the escaping sheep. Huang was still busy working with the crew, so Qin Guan returned to Beijing alone. Cong Nianwei picked him up at the airport. Qin Guan fastened his seatbelt and fixed his eyes on her. After being gone for a month, they had missed each other a lot. Distance couldnt beat a lovers heart though. The telephone bill surprised Cong Nianwei, who was not used to taking money seriously. They had talked on and on about all the interesting things that had been happening while Qin Guan was away. Everything had remained the same at home. A day away from a dear one always seemed like three years. Cong Nianwei suddenly recalled something and asked Qin Guan about any news while he had been filming on the mountain. "The confidentiality among your crew is not that good. I know a lot about your work." "For example?" Qin Guan murmured as hey in bed. "Lin Zhiying likes racing cars. Theres an affair between Hu Jun and Liu Tao. The bar street..." "Impossible! Director Zhang wouldnt attract attention by using such a method." Qin Guan gradually lowered his voice until he fell asleep. Cong Nianwei covered him gently with a nket. Sweet dreams. A good sleep always refreshed people. What afortable life! When he woke up, Qin Guan stayed in bed like a worm. Cong Nianwei patted his bottom angrily. Crack! What happened to my reserved girlfriend? "Get up! Check your email! Its time for colleges to send eptance notifications!" Qin Guan picked up hisptop, murmuring, "I have a hard-working girlfriend. I wouldnt miss the notice." "Dont get nervous over it. If we were epted, well get a notificationter than the rejected students. Probably in two or three weeks." "Are there any students who get rejected by colleges? You definitely dont have to worry, you were rmended by your college." Im worried about you! "You are such a careless man. You might not even have read the rmendation letter your tutor wrote for you!" Qin Guan wanted to cry. He had checked the application three times before sending it. Men had to look stronger in front of women though, so he tried to look confident. To be honest, he was actually very nervous. If he was rejected by every college, he would lose face. Although he had applied to several universities, he was not sure about any of them. If he didnt get epted by Columbia University and was kicked away to Massachusetts or California, he would be a peasant in the countryside, while Cong Nianwei would be a fashionable girl in a metropolis. Never! Wish me luck! Suddenly, he saw an email in his mailbox. With trembling hands, Qin Guan clicked on the email that would influence his sex life in the future. "Ha ha! I passed!" He pulled Cong Nianwei over in excitement, sharing his happiness with her. Cong Nianwei jumped up and opened her own mailbox. She found a simr email. Their hearts were finally at rest. What a good feeling! "Now we can only wait for their official notice. Ive heard that we have to prepare a lot of paperwork, like XX, XXX..." Hey, Weizi! We have several months to prepare for that! Qin Guan bit the inside of his cheek by ident. "Ouch! It hurts!" We should celebrate today! Qin Guan put on his clothes and got ready to go out. Cong Nianwei was standing beside him, watching him. "Qin Guan?" "Yes?" "Dont cause me any trouble until we leave China. Be careful with your affairs. Otherwise, Ill ..." "Why do you say that?" Liu Jias eyes suddenly emerged in Qin Guans mind. He smiled with a guilty conscience. Would that girl cause me trouble? I should confide in my girlfriendter. Cong Nianwei shared her experience with Qin Guan. "Some seniors said that the notice doesnt mean there will be a final offer. Its said that some famous colleges with too many applicants cancel some admissions every year." "Any harmful news about the applicants would influence the final results." Qin Guan was scared. Would an affair be considered harmful news in such a free country? Of course! Tutor Martin, who had epted Qin Guan as his student, was actually watching the video sent to him by his old friend. Chapter 313: When We Were Nobodies Chapter 313: When We Were Nobodies Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Chinese martial art films were wonderful! For example, "Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon" had done pretty well at the Oscars the previous year. Doctor Martin looked happily at Qin Guan, who had died gracefully. His colleagues were also attracted by the old background music. It was St. Patricks Day in the US, the happiest time at Columbia University. All the staff members and students were on vacation. The St. Patricks Festival, a traditional Irish festival, had been carried on in the US. In fact, it was only an excuse for a fun day off. Most Americans had no idea about the real meaning of the festival. They had just changed it into a beer festival. Wearing green caps and green shirts, several friends of Martins tried to invite him to the parade on 5th Street, Manhattan. "What are you watching, Martin? Is it more interesting than a ss of beer? You are smiling like an idiot!" Martin turned the screen to them, as if he was showing off some kind of treasure. "Look! He is my new student. What do you think?" "Which one?" The aged men inched closer to theputer. "Wow! He is flying! Hes flying backwards!" The video was part of "The Legend of A Swordsman". It was funny, but they could understand the plot thanks to Qin Guans simple trantion. "What a handsome boy! He looked handsome even as he died! How wonderful are Chinese martial arts!" "Martin?" "Yes?" "Could we negotiate over him? We are in the same department, and you have many choices every year. Could you give him to me? He is quite different from the previous Chinese students." "Never! Are you aware of his status in the Chinese entertainment circle? Hes like Tom Cruise in Hollywood. Tom Cruise! Understand?" Those simple academics were convinced. How could they be so naive considering their age? It made sense though. As bookworms, they only engaged in scientific research and drinking beer. They knew nothing about famous actors. They all sighed in admiration repeatedly. After watching flying flowers, swords and tears on the screen, they turned their eyes away. Martin was satisfied with the effect. Putting on his own green cap, he went off with his old friends. Actually, he looked like the main character in a traditional video game. A green-clothed plumber, to be exact. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was busy dealing with work before going abroad. He had to hand his work at the club and thepany over to Bu Qinglu. In the future, he would have to rely on Bu to carry on that daily work. He had finished all his other jobs, except the one with J Clothing. Sister Xue and Qin Guan were waiting at the J Clothing Headquarters in confusion. A.M. had turned down any ns rted to Qin Guan. Why had J Clothing invited them there? The door opened and the boss of J Clothing walked in. "Long time no see, Qin Guan and Xue Wanyi!" he greeted them both like old friends. "Hi!" Qin Guan and Sister Xue answered in surprise. "I know about Qin Guans ns. So you dont want to renew our contract for next year? Thanks for the early notice. There are few men as honest as Qin Guan these days. They may get that money first." Sister Xue gave him a proud, sad smile. "We have been good friends for many years. We met each other when we were all nobodies. We would never cheat you." The other snobbish guys had disappeared the moment they had heard the news. They were afraid that Qin Guans departure would influence their sales volume. The bossughed happily. "Ill never give up my ambassador. I didnt invite you here just to meet with old friends, but to discuss our contract for next year." The man pushed two thick piles of paper towards them and fell silent, waiting for their response. "What? Do you know what going abroad means for a model? Its like cold storage! The audience wont be able to hear news about Qin Guan in the media. It is not worth the trouble. You are a businessman!" As she tried to persuade him, Sister Xue read through the contract. "Dont worry, just keep reading." The man smiled like a shrewd businessman. Finally, Sister Xue saw the different terms on the contract. "Ha! You n on entering the US market? Youll open your first store in Manhattan? Thats so bold!" Chapter 314: Melancholy Chapter 314: Mncholy Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia In fact, the J Clothing boss had blind faith in Qin Guan. He had been nning on opening stores overseas since the previous year. The smallpany had started its business by selling shirts. It had taken the man two years to purchase three nts and open hundreds of stores all over China. Half a year earlier, he had purchased a new production line engaging in clothing exports. All those things were trials before the bigger expansion. Lowbor cost was his best weapon inpeting with foreignpanies. The ambitions of J Clothing went far beyond a small store in Manhattan. He had also started negotiating with Walmart and otherrge shopping malls. He would test the brand in New York City. Cheap shirts and T-shirts with stamps were his biggest hope. Surrounding a city with viges was a traditional Chinese wisdom. There woulde a day when "Made in China" would upy American peoples lives. It would be a battle without smoke or gunpowder. J Clothing had made changes to their contract for the next year. ording to their evaluation of Qin Guan, as well as his progress in Asia, the boss had thought that Qin Guan would be aiming for Japan and South Korea. Little had he known that Qin Guan would go to the US. Things had turned out really well for him. He had invested all his capital in the US, putting all his eggs in one basket. Sister Xue was shocked by the two-year contract, which would earn Qin Guan 500,000 yuan a year. It made Qin Guan feel confident, considering that he was facing an unknown future. It was much better than those short-sighted Japanese brands. Sister Xue answered sincerely, "Dont worry. Ill give the contract to our legal department. Well send it back with our signature." "It was nice doing business with you!" "Same here!" They shook hands without saying anything else. It would be a mutual effort in a strange country and aplicated city. Quiet days flew by faster. The sense of watching sand gradually fly away between ones fingers always made people mncholy. Thanks to his hard-working girlfriend, Qin Guan had a lot more spare time than other people. As he idled around on campus, he felt mncholy about every familiar thing. All his roommates were busy with their own courses or jobs. There were more and more talent fairs held at their college. There were small tables everywhere with boards with the title of thepany or unit on them. They reminded the senior students that they would be leaving college to pursue their own futures. Registration day was just like the day before. There were subtle expressions on everyones young faces. Lovers smiled, cried and hugged each other. The reality of joy and sorrow broke into their ivory towers. Acquaintances rushed to greet each other and leave. Students looked nervously at the recruiting tables. Farewell, youth. Farewell, college years. All the annoying and happy events that had happened during that time were gone with the wind. Everyone looked back and saw nothing. Hats and scarves were thrown into the air. Diplomas were waved high. Those precious moments and faces were recorded in pictures. Graduation day was not just the conclusion of the previous four years, but also the start of their future professional lives. They had shared that short time with each other, as well as their joy, blessings and wishes. As the most handsome guy there, Qin Guan was easily recognizable among the crowd. He finished his conversation with the monitor in the woods. When he turned around, he saw a group of strangers standing behind him. The leaders of the group were Huang Jiajia and Mou Xiaoliu. Finally, the day hade. Qin Guan smiled with ease and mncholy. The young girls had grown up. "Congrattions on your graduation," Mou said, speaking up first. Then she fell silent. What shall I say? We are only mere acquaintances. As a person on apletely different life track, I have nothing to say. "Rubbish. Graduation is as easy for him as eating." Huang Jiajia was much more beautiful now. She was no longer the childish girl that she used to be. Pride granted her a special attitude. She had her own unique charm. "Tell me, how are you getting along with your girlfriend?" Her baby face suddenly emerged in Qin Guans mind. As he thought of Cong Nianwei, his smile became softer. "We are doing well. Thank you for your concern." Huang Jiajia choked up. "What are you doing here? Did youe for me?" The group of girls looked excited. Qin Guan was familiar with some of them, but a few of them were younger. A brave girl looked around and waved her hands. Herpanions shouted in one voice, "Senior Qin Guan! We all like you! We wish you a happy future!" All the different voices were in harmony. Some sentimental girls couldnt help but cry. Chapter 315: We Wish You A Happy Future! Chapter 315: We Wish You A Happy Future! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Stop crying! Be strong!" A tomboy turned her head around with red eyes. It was wonderful to express their feelings together to Senior Qin before he left. She did not mind if they got sneered at. They just wanted tofort their maiden hearts. They didnt wish to be epted. This was just a result of their love. They started crying loudly, astonishing the rest of the graduates. Huang Jiajia was also astonished. She watched the girls, who had runny noses and tears on their faces. . The fan club is out of my control. They are all confessing their love for my prince! Impossible! Qin Guan is mine! He might have a girlfriend, but Im the first runner-up! I just used them to bother him on campus! Suddenly, Mou turned around. "Senior Qin, may I hug you?" What? Mou Xiaoliu! Youre betraying me! You cunning bear! "Okay," Qin Guan answered in confusion. Mou hugged him right away. Ouch! I forgot about her strength! "Be... careful... My... back... hurts!" Qin Guan tried his best to speak. "Senior Qin, Im sure about my feelings. I love you, but I will move on and live a happy life. Cheer up! I wish you a happy future!" Mou looked up with a splendid smile. She looked like a newborn baby. She let Qin Guan go and took a few steps back, waving at him. Cheers! We will always be with you! "Mou Xiaoliu..." Huang Jiajia looked at Qin Guan with watery eyes. Suddenly, she paused. Qin Guan spread his arms out towards her. "Im leaving. Do you want a hug?" He was still the tutor saving her from trouble. He was still the fighter protecting her. He was still the good-tempered man spoiling her. He was still the older brother smiling at her mistakes. "Thank you!" Huang Jiajia smiled, looking as gorgeous as a rose. "Goodbye!" She left, leaving Qin Guans embrace empty. She was a proud girl. The knot in her stomach was finally untied. "I wish you a happy future," Qin Guan murmured with gratitude. Suddenly, he felt several shameless hands on his body. "Senior Qin, may I have the second button on your shirt?" [1] Hey, you read too many Japaneseic books! Let me go! Laughter was heard all over campus. Qin Guan wished safe sailing to all the students rubbing their hands in anticipation of his departure! The train took Mu Lejiang and Ayimina away. They returned to their hometown of Mu, where the Northwestern branch of the Bank of China was located. Mu would do his bit to help his hometown, in ordance with the national n designed to develop the Great Northwest. It was rare to see a student engage in finance there. Mu would have a bright future. All his roommates saw him off at the station. He was the first to leave college. The day before, they had had a celebratory feast at the small restaurant next to the campus. The dishes there seemed especially delicious, as it was their first time visiting the restaurant. The prices were also reasonable. The prices of meat dishes had increased from eight yuan to ten yuan during the past four years. If they had three traditional cold dishes, they could drink overnight. The restaurant was crowded during graduation season. There were familiar faces everywhere. "Hi, Lao Xu! Its you! Sit with us! Waiter, one more pair of chopsticks!" Graduates talked on and on. They talked about the first time they had met at their dormitories, about the girls they had pursued together, about the farce caused by a bowl of instant noodles... Brother sleeping on the upper bunk, take care of yourself in the future. I will see you off before I leave. Please keep my face in your memory. ... Men do not shed tears easily. When the train left the tform though, Qin Guan was surprised by Liu Xiaoyangs calmness. He remained terribly calm during Mus departure, even though Mu had always treated him like a younger brother. "Ah! Brother Mu!" The staff of the railway station were scared by Lius sudden cry. The train had left for a long time by then. What was the young man chasing after? Liu kept running with tears and snot on his face, as if he had just understood what Mus departure really meant. This time, they wouldnt meet after vacation. There would be distance between them forever. The crazy boy ran back fast. "He is gone! Really gone! We are not six roommates anymore!" [1] Its the button closest to ones heart. Chapter 316: Elapsed Love Chapter 316: psed Love Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The next day, on the same tform, Ye Dong faced Yang Jing with a forced smile. Yangs eyes were red and full of tears. "Let me help you..." Ye Dong murmured. Then they felt silent. The train roared as the conductor shouted to the passengers still standing on the tform. "No." When they had begun to talk about their futures, Yang had foreseen this departure. After Ye Dong had registered to take the civil servant exams, she had given up all hope. In fact, she had always been struggling to decide between leaving and staying. Her decisive boyfriend had informed her about his choice not long after, in the garden they frequently visited. "If you trust me, you will stay with me, Yang Jing. Im a man, so I can take the responsibility. Maybe at the beginning we wont live that luxuriously, but that will change." "Im sorry, Ye Dong. My parents are getting old back home. We are all the backbones of our families. Im not as resolute as you are. Ive always loved the countryside. I miss the smell of rice flowers and the song of the harvest flies in this cold metropolis..." "Maybe I could stay with you for love, but reality will teach us a lesson through this departure. Maybe Ill marry someone from a small town and watch my parents get old, but my youth, love and first heartbeat will always belong to you, my love." Yang Jing smiled. Her face looked vague in Yes eyes. Men only shed tears when they were heartbroken. "Take care of yourself..." Without any words or tears, Yang Jing picked up her luggage. Farewell, my love. The strong man started sobbing like a child. The whistle took his love away. Ye Dong covered his eyes, trying to stop the running tears. May no other people in love experience that kind of pain. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei returned home together. They would stay with their parents during theirst summer in China. Qin Guans aged grandparents went to see their talented grandson. They wanted to bid Qin Guan farewell before he left for an unknown country. Qin Guans mother was so worried about her son that she began purchasing all kinds of things for Qin Guan, including but not limited to, medicine, tools, cleaning supplies, clothes, cooking utensils and local products. She also suggested taking Qin Guan to the capital, so she wouldnt worry about him. Cong Nianweis father nearly resigned and went to the US with her, but Cong Nianweis mother didnt let him. "Dad, Qin Guan will be with me. What are you so worried about?" Thats exactly what Im worried about. You might return to China in two years with my one-year-old grandson. Both families went to Beijing and stayed in Qin Guans apartment. On the day of their departure, they checked their luggage and passports again and got ready to go. "Qin Guan, put on all your clothes. If your luggage is overweight, youll have to pay a fine." "Mum, three pairs of pants in August? Are you kidding?" "I wonder if the dormitories in the US have central heating. What if you catch a cold?" Qin Guan scampered off like a frightened rat. Liu Xiaoyang, who was their driver, gave him a forced smile. Hisrge business car was enough for the two families. "Thank you! What a nice guy!" Cong Nianweis father looked at Liu with a satisfied smile. That young man is pretty nice. He is thin and good-tempered. At least my daughter would beat him in a fight. Cong Nianwei didnt care about her fathers feelings. If she could read his mind, she would have sneered at him. Their families were reluctant to part with them at the security check. An unknown future was waiting for them on the other side of the door. Qin Guan felt sad, despite the fact that he was a tough man. To his surprise, Liu Xiaoyang, his best friend from his dormitory, was really calmpared to when he had seen Mu Lejiang off. Qin Guan was relieved. He had grown up after all. He seemed to have gotten used to departures, which was a must for growing up. "Come on, hug me! Im leaving. Take care of yourself!" Qin Guan spread his arms out towards him with a warm smile. "You are all gone. You are leaving me alone!" Liu Xiaoyang turned his face up and burst intoughter. He didnt care about the onlookers casting astonished nces at him. Chapter 317: New York, New York Chapter 317: New York, New York Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianweis father was shocked. That short boy has a terrible explosive power in his body! Its a pity that he is not as clever as other people. Forget it. Compared to him, Qin Guan is at least an ordinary person. Qin Guan smiled and hugged Liu. "Even if I leave, you will still be my best friend. Not just any friend, my best friend." "Really?" "Of course!" They disappeared at the other side of the security check. Their families returned home, leaving them there. Time never stopped for anyone. Their fingers were locked. Cong Nianwei looked down through the window, watching thend below shrink inch by inch before turning into a beautiful map. "Qin Guan?" "Yes?" "Im starting to miss home." "Me, too." It was a choice of youth. They felt mncholy, but they did not regret it. After tens of hours, the ne finallynded. Qin Guan picked up their luggage in relief. They had to find a familiar figure among the crowd in the arrival hall. Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan passed customs and saw a big poster of Qin Guan right away. On the poster, there were twisting Chinese characters reading "Handsome! Qin Guan!" The two of them burst intoughter. Actually, nothing could shock people in New York. Nobody paid any special attention to John. Several fashionable girls just took some pictures of the strong young man. Both the guy on and behind the board were attractive. "Hi, John!" Qin Guan greeted John from afar. John couldnt utter a word at the sight of him. "Hey, dude. Did you live a hard life in China?" "Why? Thanks for picking me up from the airport. My girlfriend and I have no idea how to navigate the city." Pointing to Qin Guans clothes in an exaggerated way, John said bitterly, "Look at your clothes! I must have been messing about in China." Qin Guan looked down, but saw nothing strange. My cheap white T-shirt, grey shorts and brown sandals are veryfortable. At least Im not wearing three pairs of pants! "You..." John pointed at Qin Guans short hair, which seemed like the standard hairstyle of a prisoner. Several months ago, he had seen Qin Guans picture in a magazine. What had happened during that period? When they got into Johns car, Qin Guan expressed his worry. "Its said that the campus environment is pretty good. Its next to the Hudson River, north of Manhattan Central Park. I heard the Harlem District is dangerous though." "Even the New York Police has declined to send forces to that area. I read about it in a textbook... Its terrible." "Thats why Ive dressed like a poor guy. If I am at Stuart and Citizen, I wont see the light of the day till tomorrow." John could see the worried expression in the girls eyes through the rearview mirror. He couldnt help but burst intoughter. This was what people called cultural shock. John wasughing loudly,pletely out of breath. A small truck passed by. The driver looked at him anxiously, as if he was looking at an idiot. He tried to maintain a distance from their car. Where did most crazy men live? No idea, but there were a few in New York. The city was like a melting pot. Anything could happen there. Looking at their confused expressions, John tried to exin, "I was not born in New York. I grew up in a small vige. It took me one month to blend in here." "Your concern is reasonable. Columbia University is located in the most dangerous part of town, but the surrounding district has high security." "After all, its one of the top Ivy League Universities. Its even more famous than New York University. Do you think people would want to see drugs, guns or gangs around it?" "The residents there are mainly German. Its quite safe. Besides, if you have to return to campuste at night, you can call the university staff toe pick you up. Of course, you have to be within a two-block radius." "Wow!" John held his tears back. In fact, the boy didnt leave his residence zone often. He was an indoorsman. Work and sleep took up most of his time. He had only gone around Manhattan for Qin Guan. The streets were getting busier. There were tall buildings andrge mansions everywhere. Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan knew that they were getting close to their destination. The college would open inte August. The first thing they would have to do was find an apartment in the unfamiliar city. There was a small apartment in Queens, Manhattan, where John had lived for two years. It was a small room of about 30 square metres with an independent bathroom. It was the best type of house for a young guy in thatplicated district. Compared to the crazy prices in downtown New York, rent prices in Queens were much lower. 1,000 dors a month was an alright price for John. Of course, considering the distance from Qin Guans college and his possible job, John thought Qin Guan might be able to find something better if his wallet allowed it. Chapter 318: Start of A New Life Chapter 318: Start of A New Life Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Of course, the houses in Long Ind and the Upper East Side were beyond their wildest dreams. The center of Manhattan, where Times Square and Fifth Avenue were located, was too noisy to live in. Thanks to its convenient public transportation, the Metropolitan Opera House would be a good choice. There were many apartments for students in that area. There was also Fordham University, which added an academic, sophisticated style to the surrounding area. Besides, there was no dangerous part of town there. It took the residents half an hour to get to the New York University by bus. It was indeed a good choice! The three of them arrived at Johns small apartment. After washing quickly, Qin Guan changed his clothes to satisfy Johns request. Visibly cheap clothes made John, who was a fashionable guy, feel ashamed. Qin Guan appeared again in J Clothing, which made his picky friend smile. They had Mexican roast chicken for 7.5 dors downstairs and started their long journey of seeking a house. In order to select a house in such a big city, they had to ask help from a real estate agency. Agencies were not their first choice because of their high fees. Fortunately, the gods in the US were simr to those in China. After several houses, Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan made a preliminary choice. The house-owners understood the demands of students very well. The house was perfect for a single person or a couple, and the good neighborhood it was in was another selling point. There were also different choices of luxury suits and shared rooms to satisfy various demands. In a few hours, they had decided on an apartment. It would take them only three minutes to walk to the bus stop from there and 10 minutes to get to college by bike. We like it. The administrator of the building was an old Americandy. She seemed to be familiar with students. After receiving the first months rent, she gave the keys to the two foreign lovers. John was relieved to be done with that. Feeling embarrassed, Qin Guan urged John to call back his agent, who had called John many times during that short time. John was about to leave, but he still looked worried about them. He took their luggage to Qin Guans apartment. "Do you remember my number? There is a public phone in the corridor. Call me if you need anything." Qin Guan smiled. "Got it. Dont worry about me. Ill call youter." "Qin Guan?" "What?" "Can I live with you as your friend?" John showed his strong arms to Qin Guan and cast a soft nce at him. "I could be the bottom." Bang! Cong Nianwei had hit him on the head with a pan. That naughty boy had to be punished on a regr basis. "Please! Spare my life!" John scurried off like a frightened rat,ughing loudly. Joseph, a tenant who had just returned with a loaf of bread, had witnessed the violent scene. The golden-haired German dropped his key in fear. Are those my new neighbours? They seem even more terrible than the crazy French guys. I better keep some distance from them. Trying to look calm, he squatted down to pick up his key. Cong Nianwei failed to catch up with John and went back to their apartment leisurely, still holding the pan in her hands. The doors of the other apartments were slightly open. "Our new neighbor seems lively." "Is he gone?" "Yes. Lets clean the apartment as soon as possible, or well be sleeping on the floor." "Thank god we followed my mothers instructions. I saw a supermarket nearby. Lets go grocery shopping." "Okay." Josephs hands started shaking again. Chinese! Theyre speaking Chinese! Now it all makes sense! Theye from a mysterious, ancient country. Thats why that petite girl was able to defeat a strong American man using only a pan! It seems like Wonder Woman is living in the apartment across the hallway! All the doors were shut silently. The new couple seemed awful! Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan had no idea about this. They were too busy trying to get used to their new environment. From then on, that small apartment would be their new home and their warm harbor in the US. There was a small open-area kitchen in the living room. The cooking utensils were ready to use, but there was no food. They decided to go to the supermarket first. They would cook at home and have their first meal in the US! The two of them headed to their destination. When they disappeared down the staircase, their neighbors finally opened their doors. Two boys with brown hair appeared. One was fat, and the other was thin, but their faces were very much alike. Chapter 319: Strange Neighbours Chapter 319: Strange Neighbours Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Wow! They are not romantic at all. We should keep a distance from them, Batiste!" "Yes!" The plumper boy, who was the younger brother, blinked. "But, Batisler... What if they say hello to us?" "Silly boy! You can just start speaking French. They do not seem clever. They speak poor English, so they shouldnt be able to speak French well either." "Oh!" The fat boy named Batiste nodded. Joseph was still standing by the door. He was always serious, even when he was gossiping about his neighbours. "ording to international research, you French guys are idiots. You are only better than Africans. You dareugh at the cleverest race in Asia? Youre ridiculous!" "You!" Before the French brothers could explode, Coulibaly from Congo got angry. "Thats bare discrimination! Im the best delegate studying in the US. As the son of a tribe chief, I would like to give you an official warning." The man could hide perfectly in the dark if he didnt open his mouth. Putting on his poker face, Joseph said, "There were four grammar mistakes in your words. Dont tell me this is a standard London ent, because it isnt." "ording to official research, only a small group of Irish in South London can speak with an original standard English ent. Dont ask me how I know that. I have no time to exin to you idiots!" Bang! Joseph shut the door in time when he saw that the African was about to throw his gold bracelet at his head. The Batiste brothers startedughing loudly, ignoring the reality of the situation. Josephsughter echoed in the empty hallway. "Shut the f*ck up!" Several girls with brown skin opened the door of thergest apartment. They were the only female lodgers on that floor. All the onlookers closed their doors silently. Their leader, a Mexican girl, was dressed like a hippie. There were rings on her nose, lips and bellybutton. A shining skull was on her chest and a dangerous-looking poppy was on her leg. Her hair was styled in a bright red Mohawk. "Who woke me up? It must be that f*cking German! He is like a mouse in a stinking ditch!" Ce licked her lips impatiently. Her underground band had two gigs that day. She had no time to go back to sleep. Ill kick his head like a ball one day. Ce and the other girls retreated to their apartment. They had to get dressed and go out into the wonderful Manhattan night. Coulibaly, the brave prince of the Congo tribe, shivered. He still recalled the day when he had returnedte at night and scared Ce in the hallway. He had also been scared by her. Ce had seen a mouthful of white teeth floating in the air, while Coulibaly had thought that she was a demon from a legend. Meanwhile, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were carrying their shopping bags back to their apartment. It seemed like they would have to buy a small car. ording to their contract, they could get a parking space at the lot across the street for free. Of course, that was included in the rent. It was convenient, although the rent there was higher. By the time night fell, they had put away everything. Warm yellow lights were turned on silently in the small kitchen. There was beef boiling on the stove. Dinner would be ready in 10 minutes. The reflection of the moon was visible on the floor of the living room. Qin Guan was wearing an apron, while Cong Nianwei was cleaning the long second-hand table they had bought. This was a good residentialmunity that could meet all their living standards. The smell of beef rose from the pot. When they seasoned it with Chinese spices, the American beef would taste delicious. Cong Nianwei arranged the tableware, while Qin Guan filled arge bowl with soup and beef. "Isnt that too much?" Cong Nianwei asked worriedly. "We can put it in the fridgeter and save it for when we are feeling toozy to cook." The two of them smiled at each other. Suddenly, they heard someone knocking on the door. Who is it? Who would drop by at dinner time? Is it that shameless John? Qin Guan answered the door and saw a stranger outside. "Hello! Im Joseph. I live in the apartment across the hallway. I noticed that I have some new neighbours. This is a weing present for you." Bro, try to find a better excuse next time, okay? I saw you at the door with your bread when my girlfriend went out with that pan. Be more sincere in the future. Why did youe here with just one loaf of bread? Keeping open doors was a traditional virtue of the Chinese though. Qin Guan smiled at him and invited him in, "Wee. Come in, please." Actually, Joseph wanted to bum a meal off them. He had been born in a country with terrible food, second only to British food. He usually had no interest in food, but the smell of meat in the hallway had attracted him to the new neighbours apartment. What a shame! I cant tolerate having dry bread and beans from a can when Im smelling that wonderful smell! Chapter 320: The Eight-Nation Alliance Chapter 320: The Eight-Nation Alliance [1] Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Joseph hadnt expected his new neighbours to be so handsome. He felt ashamed of his behavior now. Cong Nianwei was surprised by his impudence, but she smiled at their guest. "Wee! Take a seat. Ill get a te for you. Where are you from?" "Wow!" Joseph was impressed by the dishes. He suddenly forgot about his shame. "Im German. Im from Hamburg." Aha! A German who is not punctual! Before Qin Guan could close the door, another visitor came. "Aha! Your door is open! I knew Joseph would want to visit the new neighbours first. He is so shameless. How do you do? We are the handsome brothers from France, Batiste and Batisler. These are weing presents. We hope youll like them." Hey! I didnt invite you in! Qin Guan looked at the small, dirty flowers in his hands. They looked like wildflowers picked by the side of the road. Qin Guan didnt know what to do with them. Ill throw them away after they leave. Suddenly, there was another knock. Qin Guan couldnt help but shout towards the hallway, "Is there any other customer out there?" Suddenly, the small apartment was full of visitors. "Oh, my! Such good friends!" The new visitors had brought folded chairs with them. They had even known how many chairs Qin Guan had. All their neighbours were there. Cong Nianwei began to boil rice again. The real problem was that Coulibalys present was a small golden leopard. He was a real local tyrant! The group suddenly pointed a finger at the young African man. "What do you mean by that?" "You are trying to be special! We just wanted to express our appreciation!" "Ce and her sisters only brought Mexican pancakes. Why did you take this so seriously?" "Did you know that the ancient Chinese thought gold was bullsh*t?" Stop! The ancient Chinese wouldnt agree with you! The three girls were smiling. Even the rings on their tongues couldnt suppress their appetite. They all shouted at Cong Nianwei, "Hey, hot chick! The guests are waiting for you. Stop your work for a while." Cong Nianwei smiled at the self-invited guests. So many strange things going on around here! It seems like we wont becking any joking material in the future. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei sat by the table. Their foreign guests were looking at them like poor puppies waiting for food. The lure of the delicious dishes distracted them from the perfect appearance of the young man. Qin Guan wisely did not give a weing speech. "Everyone here looks hungry. Lets eat first and chatter!" "Wow! Great!" "Okay!" they all echoed before digging in. Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan suddenly realized that the Mexican pancakes were the girls own staple food, not a present for them. They had originally nned on standing outside their apartment and eating the pancakes there. Little did they think that the new neighbours would be so generous. The three girls were eating the beef and soup inbination with their pancakes. The Batiste brothers watched Coulibaly eat using the traditional eating method of his tribe: hand picking. They sped up themselves and stopped trying to look elegant. "Ouch!" Coulibaly realized this was boiled beef. Joseph, who was calmly looking at his te, pointed to the shredded potatoes with his fork. "Whats this?" "Shredded potatoes. Try them." "Can potatoes be shredded into such thin threads? Are you kidding?" "We used a shredder." Joseph picked up several threads and put them into his mouth carefully. What a magical country! They spend so much time on potatoes! They taste f*cking wonderful! I have never had such delicious food before! The strict German put down his fork and put his hands to use. The fat boy called Batiste, who waszy and greedy, found the situation unfavorable to him. Who said the French were elegant? Bullsh*t! He threw his knife and fork away. The scene reminded Qin Guan of his own roommates. He soon got lost down memoryne. Cong Nianwei estimated the quantity of the leftover food silently. The beef was 1.5 kilos. Sure enough, the foreigners were greedy with meat. In the warm evening, Cong Nianwei forgot that she was a foreigner in a strange country herself. Dinner was the best bridge between people from different races. Several minutester, there were people with full stomachs sitting around the table. Now the guests had the time to observe their new neighbours and vice versa, Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan were also observing them. It is said that ones face is the mirror of their heart. The appearance of the strangers was quite different from their ancestors pictures. The Latin girls had tattoos on their faces, and so did the ck guy. [1] A metaphor, referring to the forces that invaded China in 1900, including the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, the Austrian-Hungarian Empire and Italy. Chapter 321: Heavy Metal Rock Chapter 321: Heavy Metal Rock Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia You could only see his teeth in the dark. Everyone stared at Qin Guan for 30 seconds and gasped. Batiste grabbed Qin Guans arm with shining eyes. "Are you a Drama Major? Why did youe to New York? You should have gone to France! We have the best drama schools!" Naturally inclined to contradict the French, Joseph questioned his logic, "Broadway is in New York. He might be a dancer. Besides, Los Angeles is also in the US! What could Qin Guan do in France? Remain unpaid and go on strike with yourbor union?" "You motherf*cker! The Honor of Gaul Warriors will never be defended!" Ce broke in, "Ive never had dinner for free before. You treated me to food, so Ill treat you to good music. We are all artists after all." Who told you that Im an artist? How can you tell that thats my profession? By my appearance? Before Qin Guan could speak, Ce went on to say, "I have a show tonight. You shoulde. Drinks are for free." "You should dress up though. Your face is dangerous, and we have a dangerous audience." Who would daree to the show after you say something like that? Do you think Im an idiot? What? Drinks are for free? Joseph, who was an alcohol addict, suddenly turned to Qin Guan. "You are a stranger here, Qin Guan. Youll get lost. Ive been living in New York for many years. Ill take you. Itll be my pleasure!" The French boys suddenly stood up. "Ce, you never invited us! We are also artists ourselves! We want to..." "Wow! A background band! Thats what I call American culture! I want to go too! Here is the admission fee." A golden foil was presented. It was a bribe from Congo. Ce inserted the foil into her hammock calmly. Her generous cleavage swallowed it up. There was a beautiful snake tattoo on her breasts. Qin Guan cast a nce at Cong Nianwei and saw his brave girlfriend watching the funny scene in high spirits. It seemed that he was the only one who would rather stay in bed with his girlfriend on his first day in the US. Since everyone was interested in the show, Qin Guan agreed to go. He put on a pair of silly ck-framed sses before they left. At the entrance of the building, Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan realized that Ces show was different from the ordinary. The members of her band, most of whom were not Mexican, came to pick her up. They were driving a cool bubble car with prints of golden mes. It was like a demon carriage from "Journey to the West". Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei followed the French brothers to their Volkswagen. Wed better stay with ordinary people. After several turns, they arrived at the city center and parked in arge parking lot. Then they walked to the inner streets. The roads were wet and slippery with waste everywhere. Compared to the business streets of New York, that area was much darker. At the end of an alley, there was a small twinkling bulb, quite different from the exaggerated neon lights in the Japanese entertainment area. It had a restrained vibe to it. They gathered at the entrance, where iron handrails were leading to the basement. A strong man was standing by. He was a security guard. Even though it was dark, he was still wearing sunsses. Every visitor had to be checked by him. This was the tradition of such disorderly ces. No guns or sharp weapons were permitted. That rule was for the protection of their customers. They went in directly, because Ce was with them. Qin Guan pushed the old iron gate open, feeling like he was opening Pandoras box. The world inside waspletely different from the one outside. Sparkling neon lights were rotating on the high ceiling. Except for the lights on the stage, it waspletely dark inside. It took them some time to adapt to the low lights. They could hardly see anything in the chaotic, dark hall. Rockers with rivets and metal pieces were making noise in the hot, dry environment. The bar counter was the brightest ce in the hall. Customers went there every now and then. They moved towards the normal-looking bartender subconsciously, trying to avoid people with rogue faces. "In my tribe, they would be the best warriors." "What do you mean?" "In my tribe, tattoos on the face are a symbol of courage during hunting. Besides, the tattoos would scare big felids away. Any one of them could frighten two lions, in my opinion." You could poison a lion with your words, my prince. Only Joseph knew the ce well enough to navigate through it with ease. He asked for arge ss of beer and enjoyed it by the counter. Cong Nianwei was in Qin Guans embrace the whole time. For a good girl like her, this was a new experience. The lights on the stage lit up and several drummers appeared. Ce was standing by the microphone. She was the lead vocalist of the band! The whole audience was screaming, whistling and cheering. Ce was very popr in the club. Everyone went crazy during the prelude. The band was ying heavy metal music, a valiant genre of rock music. Even the cement floor was trembling along with the rhythm. Ces voice was a typical hoarse voice. Her friends, who knew nothing about music, were in awe of her. The crazy music cheered the audience up. Chapter 322: The German Sun Chapter 322: The German Sun Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Everyone there was much more fierce and irritable, not just because of the alcohol, but also because of their own characteristics. A guy with long hair standing like a snake had been provoking Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei for a long time. As a frequent patron, he knew that people would hit on him if he stood in the spotlight. He was clever enough to find a ce near the counter. He was right. After a couple of songs, there was quarrel in the hall. The crowd parted, leaving space for a person rolling out ahead and another one chasing them. They knew the rules well. They had their fight by the edge of the room, automatically avoiding the counter. The crowd gathered again, paying no attention to the follow-up. Even the security staff standing by just cast an indifferent nce at them and turned their heads around. Interesting. If this had happened in China, they would have been stopped right away. People there seemed uninterested in other peoples affairs though. Qin Guan wanted to take his girlfriend away, but she was sitting happily with their neighbours. She should have had some sunflower seeds in her hand. There were idlers everywhere. By that time, Joseph had ordered his third cup of beer and was discussing the concrete uses of martial arts in real life. The man beaten by his opponent was sad to hear thementary. Nobody would want to hear suchments when they were suffering a beating. The winner was also annoyed by the narrator, who was querying his IQ and analysing his actions in a disdainful manner. "Shut up!" "Shut up!" The two men shouted at Joseph in one voice. Huh? Whats happening? I was whispering under the cover of loud music. Qin Guan pulled the confused boy away, reminding him not to irritate other people. "F*ck!" Joseph was calm though. "See?" he told Qin Guan. "English speakers are short on words and expressions. They dont even know how to curse without using the word f*ck." Qin Guan wanted to agree with him, but he couldnt say anything. He realized that Joseph had just insulted the two men. It was strange, but the other guys did not seem anxious. They were looking at Joseph as if they were watching an actor. Arent you too cruel with him? Hes tall, but he doesnt look like a good fighter. If something happened to him, Id give him a hand. The two men rushed up to Joseph and attacked his face with theirrge fists. "Be careful!" Suddenly, Joseph squatted down and set his ss on the counter. He was not a strictmentator anymore. The two guys couldnt draw their fists back in time. Missing their target, their fists collided with Qin Guan, who was standing behind Joseph. "Ah!" Cong Nianwei couldnt help but scream. Despite her high IQ, she could do nothing but scream as she faced the wide gap between two different forces. The others failed to run for help. They were all too stunned to move. Even the straw in Basties mouth fell to the ground. The handsome boy would get disfigured after those two blows! ... Potential was always maximized during a crisis. Qin Guans brain automatically issued an order, manipting his nervous reflexes. There were only several centimetres between the fists and his body, when Qin Guan suddenly moved. The onlookers only saw a pair of ck-framed sses flying in the air as the owner disappeared in a sh. Actually, Qin Guan hadnt even moved his feet. He had bent 90 degrees, as if he was limbo dancing. His movement was clean-cut and clear. The two guys realized their mistake and retreated. The threat had been minimized temporarily. Qin Guan stood up again. The crowd apuded him. "I told you he was a dancer. He will be famous on Broadway!" Joseph was no longer the focus of the conversation. His enemies had been shocked by Qin Guan. And God said, "Let there be light; and there was light." The onlookers saw someone shiner in front of them. The boy who had lost his sses during the fight revealed his real beauty before them. They thought it was miracle. "Wow!" As sophisticated New Yorkers, they came back to their senses fast. Cheers and whistles were heard everywhere. This was what rebelling, frivolous American boys were like. Joseph though, who had no idea what was going on, thought that they were challenging him and Qin Guan. You think your master is scared? Just wait till you experience the German Sun! Chapter 323: Applause Chapter 323: Apuse Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Joseph jumped over and pushed his head against one of them. Bang! Caughtpletely unaware, the guy fell down and fainted. "Wow!" Is this the time for admiration? You guys are too optimistic! "Hey, Joseph..." Josephs eyes were shining. He was not influenced by the others. All he could see was the other guy, who was wearing an iron gauze. "Oh, f*ck!" I, Warrior William of 132nd Street, will never yield to anyone! He attacked Joseph again. The best defense was offense, so Joseph jumped aside. Qin Guan was picking his sses up from the floor, when he looked up and saw another fist in front him. He pushed one of his fists down and performed an elegant backward somersault by using the recoiling force. Hended on the table behind him. It was a perfectnding. William had just retreated with his arm outstretched. Ignorant American guys, huh? "Qin Guan, I love you! Do it again!" Batiste shouted loudly. More and more people saw the fight in the dark. It was even more splendid than the band on the stage. It included all the favorite elements of American guys: violence, astonishing results, fairy boys from Asia and mysterious Chinese martial arts. Taking advantage of this, Joseph hit the man on the jaw. The attack was on point. Blood escaped the mans nose. Looking at his white T-shirt, Joseph jumped back without hesitation. So did Qin Guan, who had stopped posing on the table. Thanks to Josephs move, he hadnt attracted more attention. As a tall man, Joseph is a bit too vigorous. Judging by his figure, he should have been a tough fighter. He seems to be good at dodging hits though. Qin Guan didnt think about it anymore. More and more people gathered around them, curious about the unusual fight. "Itste. We better go," Qin Guan suggested. "Fine, lets go," said Joseph. He had won the battle, so he didnt want to stay anymore. The waiter cleared their cups away. Just before Joseph left, the man lying on the floor rubbed his blood on Josephs pants. Is that your way of fighting back? William had noticed that Joseph was a squeamish guy, because he had cared about his white shirt. "F*ck dich!" Joseph cried. "What shall I do now, you motherf*cker?" Qin Guan stopped him before he could stomp on Williams face. "If you step on his face, youll get more blood on your shoes!" Qin Guan is right. Id better stay away from the bastard. "Go! Go!" Pushing Joseph, they ran as fast as their feet could carry them. The crowd made a path for them. The strong man must have hit his head pretty hard. He was the one who had provoked the others first after all. In fact, Joseph was an ordinary man during peaceful times. He liked to provoke others and start fights when he drank though. His friends knew him well. When they left the noisy underground club, some hot-blooded youngsters decided that they should learn something from the young martial artist. They rushed to the exit, but saw nobody there. They all got in the car. Anyone who wasnt drunk had to drive. Qin Guan and Cong Nianweis driving licenses would be valid in the US in half a year. They had to take the examination again during that time. The two cars drove off, leaving smoke behind them. The moon looked the same as it did in China. Its dim light was like water. The smell of armored concrete in a metropolitan area was exactly the same. After a busy day, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei had a good nights sleep on a soft bed. It was wonderful to experience life in a foreign country. These would be their best memories when they were old. New York, New York. Chapter 324: Schools Open Chapter 324: Schools Open Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia That brief interlude was soon behind them. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei merged into the city in high spirits. Taking their kettles, backpacks, spare change and a city map with them, they entered the noisy city. The sunlight was blocked by enormous mansions. People there saw no sun rays in 2002. The US waspletely dejected. New York was still a beautiful city though. There were trees everywhere as well as free public museums. They travelled from south to north by bus, getting a panoramic view of Manhattan. They saw the financial district, the New York stock exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank. In Chinatown, on the Lower East Side, they felt right at home. The New York University had no walls around its campus. A visitor might think that those were just a few ordinary buildings. Broadway was clustered by dozens of theatres. Looking ahead, they saw luxurious Chelsea and the solemn Supreme Judicial Court of New York. The Upper East Side was inhabited by rich people of thest generation, and it was one of the most luxurious areas of the city. In an effort to avoid the repression of old-fashioned people, youngwyers and doctors had found their own paradise. After crossing a bridge, they got away from noisy Manhattan and reached their quiet harbor. Long Ind, which was slightly remote, had naturally been their first choice for a home. The air there was misty, and the sky was blue. The housing prices werepletely ridiculous though. Leisure time flew by fast. Before Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei could visit every free museum in the city, all schools had opened. The first beam of sunlight fell on the Upper West Side. Columbia University was far from the city center. A towering lion sculpture was the symbol of the university. It was bathing in the sunshine like a king bathing in holy light. It looked solemn and respectful. The Roman-style Butler Library was located on the central square of the university, weing the bustling students. Senior students were already familiar with the university. It was the freshmen who attracted more attention. There were college societies at all the entrances of the main buildings. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked curiously at the unfamiliar campus, attracting the volunteers in charge of guiding freshmen. John was an enthusiastic young man. He was a typical Washington guy with a pair of deep, charming blue eyes. He was also an influential basketball yer, so he was very popr in college. Wearing his green volunteer uniform, he saw Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei. They seem like Asian students. I have no Asian supporters in my campaign. He ran over to them happily and greeted them, "Freshmen, right?" "Yes. She is in the Department of Civil Engineering and I am in the Department of Finance." "Oh, different departments. The general introduction is still the same though. Ill take you to register first and then Ill show you around the campus." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a nce. This sure is the top university in the US. His taste in clothes might be mediocre, but he looks nice. "Ladies first. Well head to her department. As for you, dont worry. The two of us are in the same department." Media Studies, Law, Finance and Civil Engineering were the top four departments of Columbia University. Among all universities and colleges, they were the fiercestpetition. The eptance rate there was only 8%. John was surprised to find out that the two freshmen were both enrolled at top departments. He was more serious with them now. During their conversation, he discovered that they were Chinese students, which made him even more serious. There would be about 7,000 foreign students at the university that year, which was two sevenths of all the freshmen. China was spreading to the whole world and the number of Chinese students was increasing at Columbia University. That year, the rate was about 30%. This meant that there would be one Chinese student in every 24 freshmen. That was arge number. If John could make a good impression on his fellow Chinese students, he could gain an overwhelming advantage in the uing election. John was even more enthusiastic with them now. After helping them with their registration, he showed them around the campus. All facilities at Columbia University were perfect. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei felt a familiar vibeing off the warm-hearted boy. There were differences between oriental and Western culture, but people remained the same. John was like Ye Dong in several aspects. He was much more liberal and easy-going than Ye though. He really loved politics, while Ye had just liked power. He could be a good friend in time. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a nce with each other and got immersed in the bright atmosphere of the campus. The whole university was like a sea of singing and dancing students. Chapter 325: Throwing Herself at Him Chapter 325: Throwing Herself at Him Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Dancing teams and cheering squads weing the freshmen could be seen everywhere. Loudspeakers were ying mainstream music. Time and again, dancerspeted against each other, attracting apuse from the onlookers. "Would you like to take a walk around, or apply for a bank and phone card first?" Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked at each other. "Theres no hurry. Wed like to watch the dancers first." John liked that reply, as he had just seen Susanna, his dazzling girlfriend and cheerleader of the basketball team,peting with her arch enemy Wendy, a ssic beauty engaging in modern dance. They were currently in a hotpetition. Most of the onlookers were senior students at Columbia University, who were anxious to see the world in disorder. They had been watching the love-hate rtionship between John and the two beauties for many years. Even John had no idea who was the ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend. Cupid always shot his arrows at random. Whose heart got broken now? Susanna made several elegant somersaults. Her nearly transparent hair was shining in the air. She was a typical American girl with blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skin. In the US, young people loved movies. Such a girl would have been the female viin in a movie. Susanna was the winner in real life though. She had been born on the West Coast, in Central California. Her father was a famous farmer who owned the wildestnd in California, but she did not look like a Californian girl. As the queen of the university, she had always been a cheerleader at school. The only arch enemy she had ever had was Wendy at Columbia University. That tall b*tch was always standing high above the masses. She was nothing but a middle-ss citizen, yet she constantly acted like a queen. Susanna paused and looked at Wendy in a provoking manner. Suddenly, she spotted her handsome boyfriend in the crowd. "John!" Susanna ran over and took his arm. "Did youe to cheer me on?" John looked at Wendy guiltily. The brte looked down gloomily. Her beautiful eyshes trembled slightly. "Im working as a volunteer. What about you? Come join me and my new friends if you are not busy." "Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei, this is my girlfriend, Susanna." "Hello!" "Hello!" Susanna nced at the two Asian students. The boy was mediocre, but the girl was pretty in a delicate way. American boys tended to like girls like her. Susanna cast a worried nce at them and noticed that their hands were locked. They are a couple. Suddenly, her voice softened. "We are still in the middle of thepetition. I have to wait until Wendy finishes her dance. Anyway, we are good friends, right?" John looked awkwardly at Wendy, who was standing in the center proudly. He fell silent. He couldnt show favor towards one of them, or World War III would break out. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were neers, so they just stood by, watching the performance quietly. They noticed the strange expression on the surrounding peoples faces. Lets observe first. Suddenly, Wendy moved. The music became more melodious. Her dance was sad and beautiful in a heroic way. She looked up at the sky unyieldingly, struggling with her emotions. As Qin Guan watched her with relish, he told Cong Nianwei, "Such skill. It seems like she is not just good at contemporary dance." John focused on Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei happily. Theirments were actually quite urate. "She often performs on Broadway. If the courses at our university werent taking up so much of her time, she would have been a chief dancer in theater." "Thats why I got a ballet and jazz vibe from her performance. Shebines those characteristics in contemporary dance." John looked at Qin Guan with new eyes. The Asian boy with the ck-framed sses seemed to know a lot about dance. "Exactly. She is excellent." John gave Qin Guan a thumbs-up in a slightly showy manner. "Ouch!" John turned his head around and saw Susannas pink nails twisting on his bottom. Some people around them put their fingers in their mouths and whistled at him. A dancer could get startled by the whistle of an audience member under the stage, let alone their own lovers. Wendy was distracted by the whistle. She jumped repeatedly, but she forgot that she was not in a safe dancing room, but on the hard campus ground. "She shouldnt have done that! John, catch her!" Qin Guan warned John. Wendy realized her mistake, but it was toote for her to control her body. She flew right in Johns direction. In other peoples eyes, she looked like she was expressing her emotions for her ex-boyfriend. She was such a cunning girl. She had taken advantage of the dancing to throw herself at him. Chapter 326: The Hero Saved the Beauty Chapter 326: The Hero Saved the Beauty Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia John was convinced by the Asian boy. Even though he had not known him for a long time, he considered Qin Guan a reliable guy. Qin Guan kept talking, using professional terms. John unconsciously rushed up to Wendy and spread his arms. In Susannas eyes, he was about to embrace her enemy. Susannas hometown was renowned for its bikers and skinheads. She was an irritable girl in nature. She suddenly pulled at Johns T-shirt and hugged him tightly. Before John could exin, Susanna pasted her lips on his. Everyone saw the couple kissing each other in the middle of the crowd. Wendy was about tond right in front of them. In Qin Guans opinion, if no precautions were taken, Wendy would break her slender legs, which was a terrible thing to happen to any dancer. "Thats dangerous!" Even Cong Nianwei could see that this was not going to end well. Feeling sympathetic, she gently pushed Qin Guan in Wendys direction. "Any ideas?" Weizi, Im not invincible. I can do nothing to help her, short of being anding pad. Time was pressing. Qin Guan decided to save the girl first, so he rushed over to Wendy. Wendy couldnt control her body well though, and Qin Guan had no time to get prepared. He was knocked down by her. Wendy fell down andnded on Qin Guans body with her legs open wide. Her right foot was on Qin Guans jaw, and her left was between Qin Guans legs. Right on his crotch, to be exact. Stunned, Cong Nianwei covered her mouth. She was relieved when she saw the thick grass under Qin Guans head. She rushed up to the two of them fast. "Get up! You are sitting on my boyfriend!" Cong Nianwei ordered Wendy, who was still on Qin Guans stomach with her legs open. Youre making my boyfriend suffer. Cong Nianwei got even angrier at the thought. "Hey! Watch your underwear!" Wendy came back to her senses and looked down unconsciously. Her skirt had been flipped. Fortunately, she had been wearing safety pants. She stood up reluctantly and fixed her clothes. Her eyes were still focused on Qin Guans face though. She was feeling extremely frightened and helpless, and she thought the Asian boy had a mysterious charm. Under his sses, she could see a pair of beautiful eyes. No pores were visible on his smooth skin. Why does he suddenly look so different? Qin Guan was lying on the ground tamely while Cong Nianwei was checking him carefully from head to toe. He looks like an ordinary boy. Theres nothing special about him. "Are you okay?" Cong Nianwei asked nervously as she pulled Qin Guan up from the ground and wiped the dust from his clothes. "Its nothing. My back hurts a little though. You can apply safflower oil on it at night. My mother gave me a bottle." "No problem. Ill take care of your jaw too. You have a bruise there." Qin Guan smiled warmly at Cong Nianwei, who was wiping the dust off with her handkerchief. Suddenly, Wendy realized something. This mysterious Asian boy is a miracle. He is as splendid as the brightest light on Times Square, yet he can also be as dim as any ordinary person. When John pulled away from Susannas kiss, he saw that both Wendy and Qin Guan were safe. He was very relieved. If Susanna had caused an ident, there would have been chaos. Chapter 327: Luxurious Columbia University Chapter 327: Luxurious Columbia University Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "What happened?" People thought the spectacle was over and began to disperse. Suddenly, a group of heavily armed football yers came over. Their leader was Joseph. "Joseph?" "Qin Guan? Cong Nianwei?" "What are you doing here?" "Im a student here!" they all said in one voice. Why couldnt they talk about business like ordinary people? They were too sensitive about their privacy, so they knew very little about their fellow students. "What a coincidence!" Joseph became serious when he saw the scene. "What happened? Were you beaten? Who was the troublemaker?" Qin Guan is the best cook I have met. I have to protect him for my stomachs sake. Joseph looked at John. That guy is famous in college. He must have beenpeting with Qin Guan over the girls. Qin Guan was alone, so he was defeated. Joseph cast a nce at Susanna and Wendy. Those easy b*tches! They always try to flirt with that handsome boy! Joseph handed his hamlet to a strong ck boy who was under hismand and strode over to John. He looked at John with his cold grey eyes, showing him his strong chest. "Hey, boy! Qin Guan is my brother. Dont cause trouble for him on campus." "No, there must have been a misunderstanding! Qin Guan just saved Wendy. Thats why everyone is shocked." John did not look nervous. He wasnt afraid of anyone on campus. The two guys were from two different worlds. If he knew Joseph better, he would have been more careful around the German. "Its just a misunderstanding, Joseph. Are you here for training? Just go, Im okay. Ill tell you the whole story at supper." Qin Guan waved at Joseph, gesturing for him to go away. "Really? Ill bring some wine. Whats for dinner tonight?" "Meat and rice!" "Okay!" Joseph left, swallowing his own saliva. He didnt forget to make a suggestion though. "I liked those potato threads!" Poor boy. The dancing teams left for another ce. Qin Guan decided to continue their trip around campus. John and Susanna led the way, when suddenly Wendy, who had remained silent for a long while, said, "Thank you very much, Qin Guan." She took out a pen and wrote her phone number on Qin Guans arm. "This is my number. Im a postgraduate student at the Media Studies Department. I think we are in the same semester. You can call me if you need anything." Biting on her lips, the beautiful girl added, "Are you a foreign student? Ill be in the dancing studio on the second floor. Everybody knows where it is." When she left, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei followed John to the main building. "Qin Guan?" Cong Nianwei asked in a soft voice. "Yes?" "I have told you to behave yourself. Dont act like a peacock! Wendy is acting too strange around you." Your Majesty asked me to save her, but now Your Majesty is suspicious of me. Qin Guan felt wronged. "Impossible! We idled on campus for half an hour. Im just good at acting now. Im not flirting with other girls. Besides, we are strangers here!" His words convinced Cong Nianwei, and they continued their trip. The character of a collegey neither in its lofty, magnificent buildings, nor in the beautiful scenery on campus. It was the ordinary details that showed the universitys humanistic concern for its students. Sure enough, the student dormitories were in even at Columbia University. Independent American students were inclined to live outside campus after spending several months there. Plus, the dormitories were a rare resource. You had to apply one year in advance. With enough good luck, you might manage to get a key. However, their first stop on their traditional campus trip was still the dormitories. After all, there would be quite a few of their fellow students living there. Qin Guan entered one of the dormitories and saw the master, a strong man with a beard, who was calmly typing on hisputer amid a pile of rubbish. It was a double room of about 10 square meters. The gap between the beds was wide enough for one person to walk through. There was an independent washroom, which was good if one neglected the strange smell. John, who was familiar with the scene, led them to the next building. The rooms there were all the same. Qin Guan was shocked by the next building though. There was a 24-hour gym with top equipment, and it was for free! There were all kinds of equipment, including yoga, aerobic gymnastics, free sparring equipment, and so on. The university had made great effort to enrich the students lives after ss. On the first floor, there was a giant swimming pool with diving towers and boards. A city sports meeting could be held there. After their visit, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were confused. Should we go to university just for education? Chapter 328: Class Has Begun! Chapter 328: ss Has Begun! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia John didnt exin any further. They would know everything soon enough in ss. After passing several buildings, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei finally reached their favorite ce: the library. The building was of a solemn, ancient style, unlike the rest of New York, which was very fancy. Human knowledge was stored there. The library of the University of Columbia had the fifthrgest collection of books in America. There were thousands of ancient books there. The floor and the chairs were made of brown wood, and there were also private, independent chambers. Students there had many choices. Their ss was a vocation course, yet half the seats were already taken. They made a quick visit to the library and then left. "The library is open 23 hours a day. The staff arranges the returned books during that one hour. You can study here anytime." "The bad news is, although the library can hold hundreds of students, its usually impossible to find a spare seat on weekdays." "This university is very academic. Youll see when you get to your first ss." Words couldnt do justice to the reality of the situation. Most Chinese students, who were the most diligent guys in Asia, would not listen to the seniors stories. As a result, they would cryter in ss. At the end of their tour, they saw a strange iron gate. It was ck with European characteristics, so it stood out in the university. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked at John curiously, waiting for his exnation. John shrugged helplessly. "Its Barnard College." "Its an independent girls-only college inside our university. The girls can apply for a degree from Columbia University after their graduation. We do not recognize their diplomas though. All their professors and staff are independent from our university. We call their college a younger sister. If you are not clever enough, you could apply to this college." Suddenly, he looked up proudly. Im a proud student of Columbia University! Qin Guan saw some freshmen going out. They were wearing purple summer uniforms with a bear symbol on them. Interesting. It was different from the lion of Columbia University. It was just like a small college in Peking University. The students shared all the resources on campus, including the library and the gym. Suddenly, John told Qin Guan in secret, "The girls there all engage in art. They are the most beautiful girls in the US, and they like to date students from our university. Understand?" I understand nothing. My girlfriend is here, and I dont want to die. They walked out of the gate with their shoulders touching, fighting yfully. Outside was Broadway Street. The setting sun cast an orange light on the street, which was quiet during peak time. They unconsciously headed west. Unlike most universities in the US, Columbia University had fences. That was because there was a river by the side gate. Purple flowers decorated the bank. On the other side of the river was the noisy urban area. "Thank you for showing us around. See you in ss!" They said goodbye on the path along the river. This was the splendid paradise they would be striving in in the future. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei decided to walk along the river towards Broadway Street before concluding their trip. There were simple restaurants all along the street. Cheap fast food, like hamburgers and fries, was popr among the students. Breakfast there cost only 1.99 dors. ... The next morning was just as beautiful. Taking their student cards with them, they walked in different directions, starting off the new semester. Following his timetable, Qin Guan went to his first ssroom. He saw a Chinese cup, a clean handkerchief and a vintage cigar case on the professors desk. What kind of person is our professor? He sure has a strange style! When most students had taken their seats, Professor Martin entered the ssroom leisurely. Those things on the desk must have been arranged by Kuhn. Martin cast a favorable nce at the first row, where a young man with blonde hair and blue eyes was sitting. He was grinning at Martin. Martin sighed at him helplessly. Then he saw a boy with thick sses. Xu Xiaoxiao, Kuhns friend, also passed the postgraduate exams. Good boy! Where is my Chinese boy? Is hete for his first ss? Martin couldnt find Qin Guan. Forget it. Ill call names first. "Kuhn?" "Here!" "Qin Guan?" "Here!" Chapter 329: Chinatown Chapter 329: Chinatown Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Huh? Its him! Prof. Martin looked in the direction of the voice. The boy was quite different from the one in the photos. Students in Columbia University like to boost themselves up. Its not a good idea to dress like an ordinary person here. If Qin Guan could read Martins mind, he would have protested loudly. He was there to study, not cause drama. All the students there seemed busy and calm. He didnt want to attract attention either. Prof. Martin got a grip on himself and began his opening lecture. "If you are strolling on the shady path along the Hudson River, you will notice two American presidents apanying you, as well as 97 Nobel winners." "Its a wonderful feeling, isnt it? As your tutor though, its my job to bring you back to reality!" "Wake up, boys and girls! If that was true, you would definitely be seeing ghosts! Id admire anyone who would dare stand by the river calmly." "Stop that rubbish right now! You are in the school of finance. Do you want to dream in your spare time? No problem. But there will only be two possible scenarios. One, you give up and fail the exams. The second scenario applies only to the geniuses among you. The homework I will give you will be a piece of cake for them." "The first scenario cane true at any time, but the second one will only be a dream in my ss. Today, Ill show you the advantages of studying finance at Columbia." As flowers bloomed and cicadas sang by the window, Prof. Martin began his lecture. As a straight-A student, Qin Guan was fascinated by the ss. He only came back to his senses when the bell rang. He was about to rush out with his books, when he suddenly realized no one had left their seats. "Okay, thats it for today. Your homework includes the core views of the three finance systems of Columbia..." What? Homework? Are you kidding? Qin Guan, who had had no homework for many years, was shocked. He had written several theses, but hed had no homework in college. All the freshmen were taking notes earnestly. "Send them to my email by tomorrow. Dismissed!" Looking at the thick books in his hands, Qin Guan nearly spit out blood. This is so much work! I have to do it by tomorrow? This reminded Qin Guan of the lovely days during 12th grade, before he had taken the College Entrance Examination. Xu Xiaoxiao, the only other Asian student in ss, kindly exined to Qin Guan, "Freshmen always struggle in the beginning. There is a proverb that says that studying is a drug. You cant live without drugs. The homework today was fine. I have gone through more miserable phases in my life." Kuhn raised his eyebrows. Xu Xiaoxiao, the boy who is as dumb as an oyster, speaks on his own initiative? Without me, he would have cried eight times a day on campus. Qin Guan smiled at the honest boy. "Got it! Thanks! Im Qin Guan. Im from China." He stretched his fair, slender hand towards Xu, who looked stunned as he took it. "Xu Xiaoxiao, Im Chinese American. I live in Manhattan." "Are you ready, Xu Xiaoxiao? Im going to Roche Square. Are youing with me?" Kuhn was impatient to leave. "Oh, Iming!" Xu Xiaoxiao looked at Qin Guan in disappointment and hastened to catch up with Kuhn. Qin Guan nced at his watch. He had elective sses in the afternoon. Time was pressing. He had to have a quick lunch in the meantime. The ssroom was empty. After sses had started, the rxed atmosphere had disappeared from campus. There were hurried students everywhere. The university was of a practical style. Everything they did was career-oriented. Sitting in the corridor, Qin Guan was looking in the distance like a sculpture. Cong Nianwei walked up to him in a rush with her textbooks in her arms. His heart warmed up immediately. "What did you think of the courses?" "There are differences from the theories we learned in China..." They discussed their courses on the bus. They were so concentrated that they missed their stop. "We are close to Chinatown. We can have lunch there and take a bus back." "Good idea. We havent been there. We can get off at Broadway Street." Walking hand in hand, they looked at the Chinese-style streets. It was like another city within Manhattan. It felt like they had gone back to a familiar ce through a magic door. Pointing to the carved beams and the painted rafters with the rednterns, Qin Guan suggested that they have lunch there. "Okay!" The two of them entered the Chinese restaurant. The bead curtains divided the two worlds. Qin Guan found a hidden, but beautiful spot inside. The owner must be rich, but hecks knowledge on the Chinese culture. He hadbined too many Chinese elements together. What a mess! In the eyes of American people though, this was what China was really like. In the center of the restaurant there was a stage for Peking opera, just like the stages in Brazilian and Russian restaurants. It was like a traditional house restaurant in China, or the little theater of Deyun Crosstalk Association. Everything was bright and gorgeous. Qin Guan ordered the boiled dumplings. They couldnt stand the so-called Chinese dishes they saw on other tables. Chapter 330: Are you Kidding? Chapter 330: Are you Kidding? Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Boiled dumplings with eggs and Chinese chives were amon food for Chinese people. Even the frozen ones bought from the supermarket were delicious. As he was chewing the dumplings in his mouth, Qin Guan heard a percussion from the stage. The attention of the guests was attracted by the sound. Dang, dang, dang,... "Leaving Hongdong Town, Su San walked along the street..." [1] Qin Guan spit his food out. Cong Nianwei, who was peeling garlic across from him, calmly pulled her te back. Are you kidding? Its despondent to sing such a sad song during dinner. Even more ridiculous things followed. There was a hurried percussion sound before a monkey suddenly jumped out. [2] "Elder sister, dont worry! Iming!" The Monkey King performed a series of backward somersaults backstage. All the American customers looked excited. They cheered and apuded, forgetting about the food on their tables. The Monkey Kings appearance was expected. Anyone studying about the Peking Opera would have pped. It was a pity that he was in the wrong y. Who had taught them this? [3] An intact garlic was lying in Cong Nianweis hand. She blinked and put the garlic in Qin Guans bowl. Qin Guan had gotten absorbed in the performance, so he was paying no attention to her. After several backward somersaults, the monkey walked up to Su San with his golden stick. "You b*tch! You killed my brother! You should pay back!" [4] Qin Guans chopsticks fell on the table. Am I dreaming? "Spare my life, uncle! It was Wu Dng who originally..." Sister, you just called yourself Su San. Why did you change your name from Pan Jinlian? What is this? Abination of traditional operas? Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei stopped eating for fear that they would choke on their dumplings. They were curious about what the monkey would do next. ording tomon sense, the martial arts part had to follow. The monkey would y with his famous stick and hit Pan Jinlian, or Su San, on the head. The Monkey King moved. The stick was rotating like a wind wheel in his hand before it took flight. It danced in the air like a golden flower and thennded on Qin Guan and Cong Nianweis table. "Careful!" Qin Guan yelled, shielding Cong Nianweis head. In an instant, water and dumplings sshed out in all directions. Their tes and chopsticks fell on the floor with a loud sound. "Thank god the soup was warm, and not hot!" If the soup had been boiling hot, Qin Guan would have gotten burned. He let Cong Nianwei go and spat the dirt out. It had been an ident. The monkey on the stage was confounded, but the audience wasughing happily. They all apuded Qin Guan. "Good, very good!" Are they praising me? The monkey ran up to Qin Guan with a bitter expression. "Qin Guan? Is that you?" "Who are you?" Qin Guan picked a dumpling off his hair angrily. There go my hard-earned dors... "Its me, Xu Xiaoxiao!" What? The obsequious boy? Are you kidding me? The two of them were ssmates. Qin Guan calmed down. "Do you work here?" he asked Xu sympathetically. What a hard job! Xu sniffed as he watched Cong Nianwei clean Qin Guans face with a handkerchief. Finally, he noticed Qin Guans real face. Oh, my! Words cant express my feelings. Reality had exceeded his imagination. Students at Columbia University were considered the most modest among Ivy League Universities. That guy was too modest in Xus opinion though. He had heard about the mysterious, ancient skill of disguising in China. Although he had been born and raised in the US, Xu admired Chinese culture a lot. His family had lived in Chinatown for hundreds of years and worshipped traditional Chinese culture the most. Xu showed off to Qin Guan proudly. "No, this is my familys restaurant. I direct the performance. Isnt it perfect?" Both Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei smiled kindly at him. Xu waved his stick at the stage and the percussion resumed. "People say that bright, beautiful flowers will bloom in Luoyang, but this is no spring before my eyes..." It was an authentic Peking opera. "My grandpa will celebrate his 68th birthday and all my family members will gather in New York. Well y an opera during the party. As his grandson, I have to perform on stage. I have to dress up in motley attire to amuse my parents." "So youre practising here? How is it going?" Xu looked down gloomily. "Im too busy with courses. I have no time to practise. Besides, there are few opera actors in New York. Nobody has agreed to teach me." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a nce. Hes a devoted, but unlucky boy. [1] From the famous Peking Opera "Su-San Under Police Escort" [2] Its the Monkey King in "Journey to the West" [3] It means that the writers knowledge of Chinese Literature is poor. [4] Its a famous plot in "Water Margin" Chapter 331: The Quintessence of Chinese Culture Chapter 331: The Quintessence of Chinese Culture Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Qin Guan, help him..." "What? I cant..." "Yes, you can! I know Teacher Rong trained you. You are a clever guy. You can even tell a story in a Beijing dialect using a drum. The Peking Opera is nothingpared to that. Surely, you must be good at it!" Qin Guan couldnt exin to his girlfriend. He had been trained in Mei School [1], which had been selected by Teacher Rong for his job. He had yed a youngdy in a Peking Opera. What would he teach to the monkey? How to cast soft nces? Xu Xiaoxia was also a smart boy though. He could see that Qin Guan was an opera actor. Besides, ording to his girlfriend, Qin Guan had learned from a great master. "Master! Help me!" Im not Tang Monk [2]. Xu pulled Qin Guans sleeve. "Help me! I want to make a great impression at the birthday banquet!" Xu was anxious about the banquet. He had been born into a big family, whose main talent was the lively power of reproduction. His grandfather had three brothers, and they had their own sons and grandsons. It was hard to stand out. Xu had topete for attention. It was a pity that, although he was a favorite in his own family, he was a nobody for others. He was the eldest son of his father, so as a child he had been taught to hide his weak points. "But I acted out young mens and womens roles. I know nothing about martial arts roles." Qin Guan and Xu looked at each other silently. Elderly people liked lively, joyous ys for birthday celebrations. What could they do? Cong Nianwei was more observant than the two boys. "You two are silly! Ma Gu Congratting Birthday is the most authentic Peking Opera. Xu is not a strong man, so he could y Ma Gu." Xu really liked her proposal. It was much better than performing "Monkey King Defeats Pan Jinlian". Both he and Qin Guan approved of the idea. "Lets get down to business." Xu thought that Qin Guan would arrange a schedule for him, but he pointed to an empty table instead. "Dumplings, please. We are hungry." Xu had an idea. He pointed to the stage and said, "Qin Guan, if you perform on the stage right now, well or not, Ill give you a 70% discount in the future." "Really? Are you serious?" "Of course. Ill get you a golden card." "Deal. A hungry bear doesnt dance though. Boil those dumplings for me. They have to be ready by the time Im finished." Cong Nianwei was happy with the deal. Prices in New York were very high. They had made some calctions overnight and realized they would be needing about 100,000 dors a year, tuition fees not included. Even the amount they paid for a meal was important to them. "Put some makeup on backstage." Qin Guan saw Su San taking off her dress at the backstage area. Even though she was a professional Peking Opera actor, she was satisfied with the pay there. The ssmate of the boss son will improvise on the stage. The middle-ageddy sighed. Those foreign Chinese kids are ruining the quintessence of Chinese culture. Before she could get a grip, Qin Guan finished his makeup. He drew on delicate eyebrows, pinned some flowers on his hair and brushed a bit of rouge across his cheeks. Soon, the handsome young man had be a beautifuldy. Waving his long sleeves, Qin Guan opened his mouth and said, "Xu Xiaoxiao, show me the way to the stage..." Perfect! Su San stood up excitedly, nearly kicking off her chair. Impossible! Surely, this doesnt mean... I have to keep watching! "Ah! Its an order from the goddess from the abode of immortals. Im turning around and picking up a jar of wine..." Making the orchid gesture, Qin Guan started singing a beautiful melody. His expression, gestures and posture were all attractive. He looked like a really beautiful girl on stage. It was like a dream! The foreign customers were shocked. What a charming girl! Their saliva was dripping like the Niagara Falls! Qin Guan finished his performance and returned to the backstage area. Su San grabbed his arm. "Who was your mentor?" "Teacher Rong..." Qin Guan stared at thedy in confusion. Xu Xiaoxiao came back to his senses and rushed up to them. "What are you doing? Let him go!" "Teacher Rong?" Is that a master of the Peking Opera in China? "Teacher Rong rmended that I study with Mr. Hu Wenge. He was the one who taught me." "That exins your style. How about Ms. Li Susheng? Is she any good?" Li Susheng was another follower of the Mei School from the same generation as Hu. Qin Guan nodded. "She is fine. She performs often on stage and has many followers." Su San loosened her grip on Qin Guans sleeve and sighed in relief. My teacher is living a happy life. She wasnt that angry with me, even though I quit. The boy had given a good performance, even though he had just had a few lessons on the Peking Opera. It seemed that her struggle to carve a path for the Peking Opera in foreign countries had been wrong. There was no room for the Peking Opera there. She had be rusty after all those years. Besides, the foreign audience under the stage was not really interested in the Peking Opera. [1] A famous genre of Peking Opera [2] In "Journey to the West", Tong Monk was the master of the Monkey King Chapter 332: Homework at Night Chapter 332: Homework at Night Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Maybe I was wrong from the very beginning. Its time to go home. Li Diandian, the actor who portrayed Su San, smiled at the unsurpassed beauty. It felt like she had gone back in time to the moment she had won an award in China, back during her prime time. "Thank you, young man." She stood up and left the restaurant without hesitation. Goodbye and farewell. "Qin Guan!" Xu Xiaoxiao gave Qin Guan a quivering thumbs-up. My mentor! Qin Guan took off his costume and makeup. There was no trace of charm left on his face. He smiled at Xu. "Ill teach you in my spare time. Its only a three-minute scene anyway. Itll be a piece of cake." Xu would do anything Qin Guan told him to. He considered Qin Guan a talented person hiding in a cave [1]. He would be Qin Guans henchman in the future. After the performance, Qin Guan was very hungry. He followed Xu to his table, where there was a te of fresh shrimp dumplings. You really invested a lot in this, dear Xu. The manager ran up to Xu Xiaoxiao with sweat covering his forehead. He pointed to two smartly dressed foreign customers standing beside the cashier. They looked like Wall Street geniuses. "Whats the matter?" Xu asked the manager strictly, changing his attitudepletely. "They want to give thedy who was on stage a bouquet. And they want her number... Sir, shall we...?" He pointed to the green bills in their hands, implying that there was money involved. "F*ck off!" Xu pushed the manager off awkwardly. Then he turned back, afraid that Qin Guan would get angry. However, his mentor was buried in food while his girlfriend convulsed withughter. It seems that they encounter such pursuers often... In Xus imagination, Qin Guan was a disciple of a famous Peking Opera master. He had lived an ordinary life, filled with flowers and apuse, but still remained indifferent to favor or humiliation. He was getting closer to the truth now, except that Qin Guans identity still escaped him. The moon rose above the high buildings of New York. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei left the restaurant hand in hand. Their long shadows merged together on the ground. "Cong Nianwei?" "Yes?" "Do you have homework?" "Of course." "What shall we do then?" "Run!" Happyughter and cheerful voices flew in the air above Manhattan. Their hard-working figures could be seen in the moonlight by the window. As they were sleeping in their queen-sized bed, Qin Guan received a message on his phone. It was 1:45 at night. Who the hell is texting me? Qin Guan got out of bed, his bare feet padding on the floor. Their phones were lying on the bedside table next to each other. Both of them had received messages, but they had missed them in their deep sleep. Qin Guan narrowed his eyes and read the message. He could read every word, but he didnt understand. What does "additional work" mean? More homework? That was why people took drugs. Qin Guan pushed Cong Nianwei awake and told her, "Weizi, my professor just gave me more homework. You also have a message. Is it about homework too?" Massaging her eyes, Cong Nianwei nced at her phone. Suddenly, she threw a pillow at him. "Do your homework in the living room. Close the door for me!" It was only a message about the weather forecast. The rising sun was peering through the window. Cong Nianwei walked out of the bedroom with a yawn. She found Qin Guan sleeping on the couch with hisptop on his stomach, saliva running down from his mouth. She massaged his short hair with a smile. "Time to get up!" she told him before she ran to the bathroom. It was important to get to the bathroom first in the morning. "Are you done with your homework?" she asked amid the sound of the water running. "Of course. Im a genius. I finished it all. Then I found some other material to read before I fell asleep." Qin Guan walked to the fridge in his slippers and discovered that it was empty. "We could eat out." "Okay." In the morning, only breakfast bars were open in Manhattan. Hurried office workers would only stop for their favorite breakfast. Like all authentic Manhattan residents, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei followed the crowd flow into the most traditional breakfast bar. There were simple bagels on sale there. The most typical example was a ssic round bagel. Customers cut it into halves and spread thick cheese cream on them. That was the traditional way to eat it. In the supermarket, bagels were sold for 0.75 dors each. One could find them everywhere, in both bars and restaurants. That bar was particrly popr though. Qin Guan believed it was because of the abundance of food offered. One could get a sandwich, an omelet, floppy pancakes or waffles there. There were also fried eggs, cheese, ham, bacon and hamburgers on the menu. The bars rich breakfast was very popr among Manhattan residents. [1] In Chinese martial art fiction, talented people are modest and always hiding in caves, keeping a distance from earthly things. Chapter 333: Racial Segregation Chapter 333: Racial Segregation Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Retired people were eating leisurely at the tables. Only they could enjoy their breakfast like that. Qin Guan walked out of the bar with a bag in his arms. To prevent the cream from getting dry, the barista had considerately wrapped the bread with thin tinfoil. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei walked into campus, enjoying the traditional breakfast of another country. They smiled at each other when they parted. Thank you foring to New York with me. With you by my side, I will not miss the moon back home or look for tofu pudding early in the morning. Even this sweet American bread cannot stop our love. The couple was the best example of tough Chinese people. If everyone on Earth died, thest humans to survive would definitely be Chinese. The two young students were already living afortable life in New York. Qin Guan entered the ssroom quietly before the bell rang. Xu Xiaoxiao, who was sitting in the first row, patted the chair next to him. "Qin Guan, sit here. Its easier tomunicate with the professor." "Where is your friend? What about him? Wont he mind if I sit here?" Xu didnt know what to say. Qin Guan noticed a knowing, wicked expression on his face. It must be my imagination. "Never mind him. I think Kuhn will be busy in the following days. Plus, the seats are enough for all of us." Qin Guan thought that Xu must have been oppressed by Kuhn for a long time. Xu Xiaoxiao had been lively in Chinatown, but he had been studying at Columbia for several years. He had to understand Kuhns family well. "Okay, Ill take the seat." The view was really good from the first row. Qin Guan sat next to Xu happily. When the bell rang, Prof. Martin entered the ssroom. He frowned slightly when he saw that his favorite student was absent. "Does anyone know why Kuhn is absent?" His voice had hardly faded away, when Kuhn rushed in with messy hair. "Sorry, professor. I had a private affair to attend to..." It was a big event for his family that day. His fathers secretary and assistants hadnt gone home, and his mother, who was only good at acting and shopping, couldnt do anything but dial his fathers number again and again and cry in his room. Annoyed, Kuhn hadnt finished his homework, let alone the work the professor had given them at midnight. Actually, he should have asked for permission to skip the ss that morning considering the situation, but he was an ambitious boy, so he had managed to get to the ss. Anything he did could make the news. He could never leave any room for humiliation from the political opponents of his father. Kuhn immediately noticed that Qin Guan was in his seat. He blinked. Xu was surprised by his presence there, but his eyes were shining bravely behind his thick sses. So what? Things have changed. The day before, Xu had returned home and talked about Qin Guan with his father. His terrible father had broken in and said, "From now on, you should keep a distance from that Kuhn. Stop paying attention to him. Henchmen are only necessary when its profitable." He was right. Although Manhattan was in the lead in the financial circles, they had to pay attention to another important circle: politics. Lott, Kuhns father and the leader of the majority party in the US Senate, had unexpectedly delivered a speech at Thurmonds 100th birthday party, causing great trouble to himself. Lott had made a big effort to praise Thurmond, who was a retiring senator. "If you had been elected president in 1948, all the current problems of the US would never have existed, including 9/11." Wow! Did that mean that Lott would say anything to impress people now that he was about to be the leader of the Democratic Party? Grinding his teeth, Xu Xiaoxiao smiled. "Sorry, Kuhn. I didnt think you wereing. I thought youd be absent for a few days. After all, who would go to ss after such an event? Or is this your true nature? Is it your cold blood driving you or are you actually making an effort?" Qin Guan was stunned by Xus sharp words. Although he was not good at arguing with others, he was not an idiot. Why would Xu fight with Kuhn in such a tant way? There had to be a story there. Im a neer though, so Id better remain silent. Qin Guan pulled at Xus T-shirt, pointing to Prof. Martin, who was about to explode at his students. You all look down on me! If I was 10 years younger, I would have beaten you to the ground! You are funny, Prof. Martin. As an academic geek, you always envied the leader of the school team! Kuhn cast a meaningful nce at Xu. Before Prof. Martin could shout at him, he walked to the back of the ssroom with his books. The ss began, diverting everyones attention. Xu sighed and pushed up his sses. That year, as a candidate supporting racial segregation, Thurmond had dered, "Considering all thews and bay of the Washington army, the government shouldnt let negroes into our homnd, schools, churches and entertainment venues!" Chapter 334: Theatre Club Chapter 334: Theatre Club Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Why had Lott reminded everyone of the past? The US had been a melting pot in 1948. Asian, African and Latin immigrants had made arge family together. Lotts speech had expelled the Asian race from the system. By taking advantage of 9/11, he hadnt left a way out for other races. Okay. Now lets wait and see. Lott had no time to attend to other things. ording to Xus father, in a few days, he would quit from his position as leader of the party. He wouldnt have lost his status, if he hadnt behaved foolishly. As a good boy, Qin Guan had no idea about the situation. Prof. Martin praised him for his homework. The old man really loved his engagement. He attached great importance to Qin Guans work, which showed his abundant knowledge and seriousness. Before the ss, he had tasted the best scented tea in China, which was jasmine tea. It had been a gift from his Chinese old friend. Qin Guan would haveughed out loud if he had seen the tea leaves. They had been just ordinary products from Zhangyiyuan, worth 80 yuan. He wouldnt have had the heart to reveal the secret though. Jasmine tea from Zhangyiyuan had the best fragrance. It was a typical trick of the 100 year-old store. The straightforward old man said, "I will praise one student and criticize another. Qin Guan, you did well. Even though you are a foreign student, you have adapted to Columbia really fast. You are definitely the top student in this ss." Prof. Martin was a strict instructor, so everyone was shocked by hisments. Only Qin Guan remained calm. You have not sat the Chinese College Entrance Examination. We have to finish two papers in one hour. The homework at Columbia was okay for ordinary students, and Qin Guan was no ordinary student. He was gifted. Martin was d to see Qin Guans calm expression. Suddenly, he sighed and looked towards the back row. "Kuhn, your work was bullsh*t! Are you messing with me? Kuhn? Kuhn?" The students in the back row pushed Kuhn awake. The unlucky boy had fallen asleep. He hadnt slept at all the previous night. Kuhn was still Martins favorite student though, so the professor just sighed helplessly. "Stay here after the ss is over." Xu Xiaoxiao pulled at Qin Guans backpack and gestured towards the Recreation Hall. Qin Guan nodded. "The coffee at Columbia is pretty good. Ill show you the charm of our university..." Xu told Qin Guan as he dag for change in his pocket. On the square, they saw several boys gathered on thewn in front of the Roche Library in groups of two or three. They watched the football match there three times a week. Xu Xiaoxiao exined to Qin Guan, "Asian students seldom watch it. Its popr here at Columbia though. Matches are often held here. " "Of course, the basketball team is the best. John, your new friend, is the team captain. Our college team participates in the US college league. We are the top among all Ivy League colleges." "Did you see them yesterday? Their disputes are renowned at our university, just like the exciting stories of those wealthy, influential families from the Upper East Side. In fact, most Columbia students are quiet like you." "A bookworm can be born in an academic family, and a boy in shabby clothes can be the son of a state governor. Columbia is a cradle for politicians after all. Thanks to wealth, people can pursue their dreams." Dreams? In this wealth-oriented country? Are you kidding? Only simple Americans would believe that false conception. As they chatted, they went through the gym and entered a private dancing studio. Suddenly, Xu recalled something. He handed Qin Guan a flier. "Its the freshman weing party. Chinese students organize it." Qin Guan looked down at the paper. Interesting. More and more Chinese students were going to US colleges. It was said that the union of Chinese students was very powerful. I could take a look. Qin Guan didnt say anything. He began his lesson instead. He taught carefully, and Xu listened just as carefully. Their melodious voices attracted a lot of attention. American guys had no experience with such melodies. Whey they finished and were about to leave, they saw a line of heads along the window. The leader of the theater club had hastened there at the call of a friend. He was eager to discover new talent. It was the beginning of the semester, so it was the best time for societies to find fresh blood. That way, they would get more points when they were evaluated by the university. Unlike societies in China, societies at Columbia were independent and responsible for their own profits and losses. The administration of the university had the right to supervise their function and budget though. It was a pity that Qin Guan turned down the invitation of the theater club. He had his own ns. Xu tried to persuade him not to make a quick decision. When the crowd dismissed itself, a girl stayed behind. It was Wendy, the proud girl he had met before. She had stayed to try and convince Qin Guan. Chapter 335: Part-Time Chapter 335: Part-Time Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Qin Guan, youd better give some thought to his suggestion. If you look down upon the university theater club, I could rmend you to the actor union on Broadway." "Large theaters have strict regtions, but if you pass the test of the union or get approval from famous actors in the circle, youll do great things on Broadway." Qin Guan shook his head at Wendys kind words. Although Broadway yed an important role in the entertainment circle in the US, it was only a small part. Considering their limited audience, both musicals and dramas were in an awkward position. Besides, long-term rehearsals and tours did not fit in Qin Guans schedule. Out of respect for Wendy, Qin Guan didnt try to mess with her. He gave her a detailed exnation instead. Different people had different aspirations. Wendy loved Broadway, but she would never force others to love it. The reasonable girl gave up her n to convince Qin Guan. Qin Guan and Xu Xiaoxiao left, ignoring the light in Wendys eyes. Xu was a cunning guy though. Although he had an idea about Qin Guans n, he thought Qin Guan shouldnt let that chance go so easily. He tried to exin the benefits to Qin Guan. Being a member of the theater club was a unique experience. "Hey, dude! Dont be silly. Youll be an important member of the club. You are even better than the students from the Art Department. It will be a rich experience that will get you offers from bigpanies in the future. You shouldnt say no to that." Qin Guan grinned at Xu. "Who cares? Ill return to China after I graduate." Xu was astonished by his splendid smile. He followed Qin Guan, thinking of the old photos his grandfather often caressed in his spare time. "Is China really that good?" Qin Guan nodded firmly. "Of course. It is perfect!" "We have the financial center in New York, theres Hollywood in Los Angeles, and the iron nes in Seattle." "We have everything in China. We also have nothing. You have to experience it yourself. Im inviting you to China. You shoulde to my home court." Xu fell silent. He secretly decided that he would go to China someday. Ive heard that Chinese people cant even afford tea... Time passed peacefully. Qin Guan had gotten used to the homework by now. He was leading a regr life. The routine tests would be over at 12:00 every day. Then the papers would arrive in the afternoon. Qin Guan was fully prepared, so he saved a lot of time each day. He decided to execute his n in Manhattan. It was not his fault he would have to work part-time one month after arriving in Manhattan. They spent 3,000 dors a week, and it cost a weeks wages for Cong Nianwei to have a haircut on Times Square. She didnt ask for a lot. She simply cut her hair shorter. Qin Guan couldnt help but use the word "f*ck" to describe the prices in New York. John invited Qin Guan to the LEE headquarters in Kansas. Thanks to his rmendation, the designer had sent an invitation to Qin Guan. After checking his schedule, Qin Guan apologized to John. "I have only one day off in October. Yourunching event will still be in the early stages. I have no time for that." John roared angrily, "This is about your future development! I have made so much effort to get you this chance! New York Fashion Week will take ce inte October. Its among the top four international fashion weeks. If you get that chance, you wont need to go to f*cking auditions!" "You are an Asian stranger in New York. Nobody will be interested in you!" Unconsciously, Qin Guan recalled the old professors back at his college. If they knew that their best student skipped sses for a part-time job, they would hang him upside down. Sometimes, giving up was necessary. Qin Guan took a long breath. "John, I started my career from being a nobody. Ive been to auditions before. Why couldnt I do it again? You know how strong I am. Believe in me! Ill see you at New York Fashion Week." Then he hung up, feeling very ambitious. John looked at the silent receiver, grinding his teeth. He was at a bar, and the phonograph was ying soft music. A girl in a short skirt smiled at him. "May I treat you to a ss of wine, honey?" In the flirty night, John temporarily forgot about his Asian fairy. Qin Guan prepared his resume and sent his homework to Prof. Martin. He wondered if there was a ce for him on Times Square, where the most designers and clothingpanies gathered from all over New York. New York gave the impression that it was the center of finance and press. Actually, that was only part of the truth. The city had important ports, but it was also thergest fashion center in America. That contradictingbination was perfectly embodied on Times Square and Chelsea Street. Chapter 336: Resume Delivery Chapter 336: Resume Delivery Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Designers were pursuing their dreams in New York, which was a paradise in their eyes. Even a studio on Grace Building was enough for them. Qin Guans status as a student protected him well. He was not interested in looking for an agent there. Many Chinese models had agents, while others worked independently. They got a little tired when they attended auditions, but they were able to avoid lots of trouble. It was a good choice for Qin Guan at the time. Besides, there was no model union in New York, like the actor union on Broadway or Hollywood. There was only one in the UK. The brave Asian boy jumped into the melting pot. It was Xu Xiaoxiao, and not his girlfriend, who was interested in the auditions the most. Clinging to the notion that Qin Guan didnt have a car, he offered to be his temporary driver while Qin Guan was looking for a part-time job. "It will take you a long time to get from Chelsea Street to Times Square. If you take the bus, you will be able to make two auditions at best." "Its a waste of time! Im not helping you for free. Let me copy your homework, and Ill be your driver till you buy a car." What a cunning guy! "Okay! Thank you for your help. See you tomorrow." "See you!" Xu Xiaoxiao parked his Ford under the dormitory. When Qin Guan knocked on the window the next day, Xu realized that his ssmate had changed clothes. Qin Guan was in a ck short-sleeved shirt with round delicate buttons that looked like pearls. When he sat down in the passenger seat, his pants didnt have any wrinkles. When he got out with his LV handbag a whileter, Xu was still staring at his back. He tried his best to fix his eyes on the steering wheel, afraid that he would get dizzy and cause an ident on the busy street. After a long time, Xu came back to his senses. He bought a cup of iced coffee to calm himself down. He didnt believe in the Chinese proverb that "one could be quite a different person". In his opinion, it was an exaggeration. On that day though, he experienced the urate, profound wisdom of the Chinese. Qin Guan was the realization of that proverb. Xu was feeling confident about Qin Guans audition, as he had seen four girls on the street look surprised by Qin Guans appearance. Everyone knew that New Yorkers didnt care about strangers. As a result, Xu was very confident about Qin Guans interview. Times Square, where the top 10 brands from all over the world gathered, was Qin Guans first destination. The studios and agencies were in the building behind the mansion. Qin Guan followed the crowd into the elevator, looking carefully at the map of the studios John had given him. He would make good use of his time. Armani was his first destination. Their traditional formal wear style fit Qin Guans personality. Unfortunately, this was also a battlefield for models. It was even a first choice for supermodels, let alone agencies. Armani chose very few new models every year, and 99.999% of them were rmended bypanies. Qin Guan would have to fight for a 0.001% chance. He decided to deliver his resume personally. Some experienced models couldnt bear the strict termspanies and agents set or yield to their dirty deals andtent rules. They were familiar with the circle and they tried to introduce themselves to the designers and branding businesses by delivering their resumes personally. They knew the locations of the designers studios and the brandpanies, as well as the time of brandunching events and shows. They worked harder for themselves, waiting eagerly for a chance. They were usually weed by independent designers, as the designers could find suitable models for their concepts that way. Besides, models could be discovered in small shows by famous brands and then soar up to the sky. Qin Guan didnt think much about that. As a foreigner in the city, this was the best way for him to proceed. The Armani offices were simple and in, like any other office in the universe. There was nothing on the white walls except the designers logo. The lobby was as quiet as a fantasy world. The girl in ck at the reception looked busy. She was arranging files. After they were sorted, they would be sent to different departments. Suddenly, she turned around and saw the visitor. She knew what he wanted right away. Pointing to the elegant boxes beside the entrance, she said, "Put your resume in the corresponding box. Thank you." Chapter 337: Not That Simple Chapter 337: Not That Simple Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan paused. Famous brands were harder to approach than ordinary studios. They received arge number of resumes every day and couldnt afford to interview every model. The boxes had to be their way to save time for both sides. Qin Guan smiled at the girl and then turned around to head for the boxes. "Hey, leave your resume here. Ill deliver it." The girl stood up from her desk. A voice was repeating in her mind, "Stop that Asian boy!" She seemed to sense his history. That model was different. How could she describe it? She could only use the word "charming". "Okay! Thank you for your help." Surprisingly, Qin Guan handed his resume to her. It was an advantage to leave it to the receptionist instead of throwing it in the box. "Hey!" The girl stopped him again. "How is your English?" She thought he was an Asian adventurer. Qin Guan smiled at her. "Not bad. At least we had a pleasant talk just now." Qin Guan left, leaving the dizzy girl behind him. The girl read his resume carefully and put the file on the most noticeable ce on her desk, for fear that she would forget it when the assistant came. Qin Guan visited five famous brands in that building, but got simr results. He was experiencing the strictness of the circle. Qin Guan was a cockroach though, so he wouldnt be crushed easily. He knew he couldnt rely on big brands, so he chose some small studios around the square as his next destination. He looked at the time and decided to find Xu and head together to his next destination. He found Xu scratching his ears and cheeks in embarrassment in front of a chessboard. He was surrounded by a group of old men. New York put a lot of emphasis on city parks. Even in the crowded Manhattan area, there were about five small parks, not including Central Park. Those parks were an entertainment venue for retired people. Because of their clumsiness, chess was their favorite game. Influenced by his grandfather, Xu was attracted by chess yers. There were also small bets made on the games, about one to five dors a game. Unfortunately, Xu had overestimated his ability and underestimated his opponents. He had lost several rounds along with all his money. Irritated, Xu grabbed Qin Guan. "Help me, bro! Can you y chess?" "Not that well," Qin Guan blurted out. The old men sighed in relief. That boy looks clever. Thank god he is not a good yer. "Lend me some change. Ten dors, maybe. I have to finish this round. I have to win at least once." Qin Guan dag for coins in his pocket as he looked at the chessboard. It seemed like Xu wouldnt get his five dors back even in 50 years. Time was pressing though. He couldnt spend his whole day off in the park. Qin Guan stopped at the thought. He broke the rule that a true gentleman should remain silent while watching a chess game. Foreigners hadnt heard of that rule anyway. Fortunately, they were in New York. If this had been Beijing, the old men would have kicked them with their canes. Qin Guan started whispering to Xu. After several rounds, Xu won his first game. He smiled like silly at the bills as he was pulled away by Qin Guan. The old men were about to say something. Qin Guan knew what they wanted to say. He didnt look back. He had helped a yer cheat after all. The crowd parted, making a path for them. That boy could y chess blindly! Even against the three of us! We better keep silent about it. Qin Guan and Xu Xiaoxiao walked away. They could still hear the apuse behind them. It seemed that good boys were wee everywhere. "How did your interviews go?" "No idea. I just left my resume there. The next studios are more important." "Really? May I be your assistant?" Qin Guan looked at him carefully and blinked with effort. "No, thank you. Itll just take a few minutes." "Okay." Chapter 338: Second Rate Model Chapter 338: Second Rate Model Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia In the building Qin Guan had just left, the girl at the reception finally finished her work. She sorted Qin Guans resume and put it into a file. With professional sensitiveness, she gathered the best resumes. Any time she saw a new face in an Armani show, she would check in her files. If she found their original resume there, she would get happy. She pressed the button and the HR assistant came to collect the resumes. She frowned at the man, who was the most difficult to get along with in thepany. His name was Jimmy, and he was a strange, mean man. Most of the staff disliked him. He walked up to the resume boxes with a disgusted expression and dropped all the sorted files into arge case he had brought. "Thats all? Honestly, you should clean the shelves. Theres too much dust." He raised his eyebrows angrily and patted his clothes. Keeping her temper in check, Emily handed him Qin Guans file. "Ill clean themter. This is another models resume. The best of the day, in my opinion. Thats why I singled it out." Opening his eyes wide, Jimmy screamed dramatically, "Wow! This is the job of the HR department. When did the receptionist start doing it?" "Besides..." He cast a mocking nce at the cover. "An Asian model? Darling, your job is to clean. You have no idea about the concept or the function of ourpany. "An Asian model? Armani would be aughing stock in the New York Fashion Week! Just mind your own business!" He put Qin Guans resume in his case like it was rubbish and sneered at the girl before he left. Qin Guan had no idea about that. He had decided on the first brand he would be interviewing for. It was Hollister in SOHO. The brand aimed at young people between the ages of 15 and 25, and sold casual clothes. It was associated with AF, but its low prices attracted customers of all kinds. One could see both young girls and older women wearing their clothes on crowded streets. Qin Guan went into a Hollister store and sighed in relief. He got almost the same feeling as being in Beijing. The brand originated from South California. In their gship store there, they put two handsome, half-naked guys by the entrance to attract customers. Qin Guan couldnt imagine having to ept such a job. If Chinese visitors took photos of him and brought them back home, he would die of embarrassment. Fortunately, this was New York. In the dim store, a sales assistant led him to the storage room behind the store, where Mary, a designer visiting the stores and getting customer feedback, was waiting for him. She was in New York especially to meet Qin Guan, the Chinese model who worked for LEE. Qin Guan had gotten in touch with her in advance. Mary watched Qin Guan walk up to her gracefully in the dim light. Suddenly, she got the same feeling the LEE designer had. That model was perfect. Before Qin Guan could even take out his resume, Mary said, "Would you like to go to California with me? We need talented models like you." "No!" Qin Guan shook his head. Mary looked disappointed. "Okay, let me see. This is a small room, but its enough for two rounds. Could you please try on some of our clothes here? Weenie, find me NO.5526, 1123 and 999. Size L." "Got it!" Weenie dag up the clothes easily. Qin Guan changed in a small fitting room. Xu Xiaoxiao was in the front of the store, watching the customers shuttling back and forth. Theres so many girls here! The door of the storage room was opened. "Here. This space should be enough." The designer pointed to the space before the counter with shining eyes. Qin Guan walked between the shelves as if he was on the T stage. He was wearing skinny jeans, flip flops and a simple blue-white striped shirt. It was not a popr outfit for busy office workers in New York, but it looked veryfortable on Qin Guans body. The broad stripes looked fashionable, the flip flops were wonderful for the torrid summer, and the jeans looked sexy on his slender legs. A girl passing by holding shopping bags fixed her eyes on Qin Guan. She hit her head on the ss door hard. Nobodyughed at the poor girl. They were all stunned, the clothes in their hands dropping to the floor. Xu took a deep breath to refresh his brain. An old woman standing beside him nearly fainted. "Okay!" Mary pped, breaking the silence. "Qin Guan, follow me!" she said, waving at Qin Guan. They disappeared behind the small door. The onlookers view was blocked by the door. Coming back to their senses, they all started taking action one after the other. Chapter 339: The Italian Festival Chapter 339: The Italian Festival Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Hi, I want the shirt he was wearing in L and XL." "I want the flip flops, size 45!" The idling customers had suddenly found their purpose. Qin Guan went out of the Hollister store with a smile. Xu didnt ask about the oue of the interview. He had a general idea judging by the effect hed had on the customers and the very few clothes that had been left on the shelves. He was confused by the brands Qin Guan chose next though. In his opinion, Qin Guan looked splendid in casual clothes, so he should try out for simr brands. GAP, AE and AF would have been good choices. Why did he want to visit CK and NORTHFACE? He couldnt figure out Qin Guans criteria. Maybe models had their own secrets. Qin Guan saw Xu Xiaoxiao off and returned to his apartment in a good mood. All his preparations that day had been groundwork for the future. He couldnt rely on casual clothing brands. His ultimate goal was to get into the US modeling circle. He needed a chance to introduce himself to the brands. He was focused on the width and not the depth at the moment. It was enough to get a taste of the most popr brands in America. He was taking off his shoes at the entrance, when Cong Nianwei craned her head around to look at him from the kitchen. "Tomorrow is Columbus Day. What shall we do?" Qin Guan realized that the holiday was right after the weekend. Italian-Americans celebrated their holiday on the second Monday of October. Americans liked to change other peoples traditions and make them theirs. This holiday had originally been in memory of Columbus adventure, and it had been celebrated by Italians. However, as more and more Americans followed the tradition, the president had dered it an official holiday. The next day, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei attended the festivities on the busiest street of New York. That day, there was a festival dedicated to countries from the American Continent. The floats in the parades were moving slowly. Girls from Latin countries, such as Colombia, Venezu and Ecuador, were dancing in sexy costumes of their national gs. A group of strong men seemed fascinated by their slender legs and the colorful feathers on their heads. The poor guys waving Italian gs were ignored by the crowd. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei discovered a unique skill Italians possessed. The 58th Columbus Day didnt disappoint them. Suddenly, dozens of fine horses appeared. Handsome Italian riders in uniforms and silver helmets were on top of them, holding Italian gs. They strode along Fifth Avenue in an imposing manner. A group of beautiful girls followed. The flower balls in their hands dazzled everyone. "Its the parade!" Before Qin Guans voice could fade away, he nearly choked on his juice. A group of clowns rushed out, rolling and crawling. Their ridiculous masks attracted a lot of attention. That was why everyone considered Americans the most swanky people in the world. The clowns blew ribbons at the children, disturbing the array of Italian beauties, and ran up to the floats to show off. They forgot that the horses were not war-horses from the Middle Ages though. They were just ordinary horses from the suburbs. Most of them were used for transportation. They were tame with their masters, but they had been raised in the quiet countryside. As a result, they got frightened by the crowd and the strange faces all around them. They neighed and jumped, and their riders couldnt control them. After all, they were not professional riders. They were just handsome actors. Noticing that themotion was getting closer to him and Cong Nianwei, Qin Guan pushed Cong Nianwei behind him and turned to leave as fast as he could. He was surprised. If this had been in China, everyone would have backed off, putting their own safety first. The strong American men were itching to help though. Some short-tempered members of the crowd put their bottles down, climbed over the fences and rushed up to the horses. Qin Guan looked down and saw the pile of beer bottles on the ground. Chapter 340: The Difference Between F and B+ Chapter 340: The Difference Between F and B+ Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Several bald men rushed up to the frightened horses courageously and spread their arms, intending to grab the horses necks and press them against the ground. It was a pity that the scared horses were irritated by the constraints. A ck horse, which seemed to be the leader, neighed and stood up on its hind legs. Caught off guard, the rider fell off its back. Fortunately, his boots were out of the stirrups, so he didnt end up hanging from the horse. Unfortunately, the animals horseshoes kicked the man in the teeth. A tooth flew high in the sty. "Careful!" Qin Guan shouted loudly, warning the rest of the crowd. The horses ran in different directions on Fifth Avenue. The ck horse locked its eyes on the strong man and headed for the crowd. The angry horse was getting closer and closer. There was nothing else on Qin Guans mind. Nobody wanted to be a hero anymore. All directions were blocked by frightened people. Qin Guan cast a nce at Cong Nianwei. Then he made a decision. He threw his cap and sses at her. "Stop running about! Hold the fence and squat down!" His shout served as a warning for the confused crowd. Qin Guan was right. The fence would block the horse. Even if it jumped over the fence, it would run into a dead end. Cong Nianwei caught Qin Guans belongings. Her face was pale as she looked at her boyfriend calmly. Qin Guan stomped on the fence and leapt high towards the running horse. The horse fell on its back. Before it coulde back to its senses, Qin Guan stepped on the stirrups and tightened the reins. Using his other hand, he patted the horse gently on the belly. Its alright, honey. Everythings alright. Lets go home. His legs mped around the horses belly, and he used his mouth to hold the reins. After a few seconds, the ck horse gradually stopped moving. The people in front of Qin Guan were quiet and calm, unlike the unruly crowd behind him. Qin Guan didnt feel the difference. He wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Good boy, good boy." He patted the horses back and turned his head to Cong Nianwei. A golden ray of sunshine fell on his face. His tall nose made him look like a Roman sculpture. Smiling gently at his girlfriend, Qin Guan stood up before the crowd. "Wow!" "Good boy!" "Such a handsome boy!" "Hush..." Screams and whistles fell and rose around them. "Have a bottle of beer, young man. My treat!" An old man threw a bottle of beer at Qin Guan. A ck bra followed. It had been thrown by a pretty girl. Qin Guan nced at her red lips and then peered at Cong Nianwei. He picked the ckce bra up with his fingertips, as if it was a hot potato, and handed it to Cong Nianwei. He noticed that it was an F-Cup. "Its Triumph. I wonder if flea shops ept fancy underwear." Qin Guan was disappointed. Cong Nianwei only wore a B+-Cup. Im doomed. He cast a guilty nce at Cong Nianwei, who signaled for him to get down from the horse. Qin Guan jumped down obediently and walked up to her. He was prepared for a p on the face, but surprisingly, Cong Nianwei hugged him tightly. Even cold iron bars couldnt separate their hearts. "Are you an idiot? We should have run away. Howe you were so confident with that horse? Lets squat down at least. There are policemen who are able to control them." Indeed, the chaos had been settled by the police and security staff. The horses were silently taken away. Cong Nianwei was about to say something again to cover up the horror of losing Qin Guan, but she copsed in his embrace instead. The best elements of the US were perfectly embodied in the two Asian lovers: world peace, romance and fierce conflict. Everyone apuded them, making them blush deeply They escaped as quickly as they could. "Hey! Wait!" Someone pulled at Qin Guans loose T-shirt from behind. Luckily, they had reached a corner far from the noisy parade. It was a fashionable guy, one of the weird people who walked the New York streets. He handed Qin Guan his business card politely. The words "Starlight Media" were printed on it. The pink feather on the mans head was trembling nervously. Chapter 341: A Difficult Interview Chapter 341: A Difficult Interview Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Im a professional talent agent. Mypany is the most famous entertainment firm in the country. I see star potential in you. If you are interested, call me anytime." "Okay, thanks." Qin Guan stuffed the card randomly in his pocket without a pause. Then he kept walking, holding Cong Nianweis hand. The man behind him shouted at him, "You can reach me on my phone 24/7. If you are interested, just call me!" "Call me! Im the best talent agent there is! Believe me!" After several blocks, they finally got away from the man. Cong Nianwei looked at the card with curiosity. "You have no agent in the US. Why didnt you consider his proposal?" she asked. Qin Guan was hiding something, but he didnt want to tell Cong Nianwei about it. He threw the card in the nearest trash can without hesitation. "Things here are not the same as in China. Im a neer here. It would be a nightmare if I fell into the wrong hands." "One can be austere if they have no selfish desires. Thats me. Im really firm, arent I? I wouldnt be forced to do something harmful to you though." "You mean..." This reminded Cong Nianwei of something. She sized Qin Guan up in an exaggerated manner. "Well, you are capable of attracting criminals..." Qin Guan hugged her around the shoulders, and the two of them headed home. "I might have grown in the gutter, but I try to keep myself as pure as I can for you..." A simple life was the best fate for an ordinary man. Qin Guans part-time job hunt was going very well. Both THE NORTH FACE and Hollister had sent him emails. Only CK didnt respond for a long time. It was unbelievable. As a famous brand that had started its business by selling underwear, it was in big need of models for casual clothes and businesswear. Rest assured, Qin Guan hadnt applied for the underwear position. He had applied for the apparel job. Just as he was thinking about it, his phone vibrated. He had received a short notice for a follow-up interview. He hadnt gotten the job yet. Wow! This was really one of the top 10 brands in the world. The process was much moreplicated than it was with other brands. Once they decided on a model though, they wouldnt let them go easily. After ss, Qin Guan gave his textbooks to Cong Nianwei. Looking at the setting sun, he told her, "Go home first. Save some food for me." Cong Nianwei knew about his ns for that evening. He was wearing his business clothes after all. The bus left the stop. Soon, Qin Guan arrived at the CK headquarters. He got a numbered card from the staff. The interviewing room was on the second floor of the building. He pushed the door open and walked into a busy hall. It was time for people to go home, yet the staff there looked much busier than usual. Some assistants were pushing lines of hangers, and several designers were making changes to final designs on stic models. Qin Guan was not nervous at all. He carefully observed the models who were there for the follow-up interview. The naked ones were on the left, and the ones wearing clothes were on the right. Different corridors led to different doors, behind which was a big hall. Holding his card, Qin Guan found a quiet corner on the right and sat by the window. After a while, an assistant with messy hair walked along one of the corridors and shouted at the waiting crowd, "Time for the apparel models! Were starting from No. 1. Ten minutes for each candidate. No waiting after the set time." Suddenly, the models looked nervous. No.1 strode toward the room. Qin Guan was at the end of the line. When the guy before him left, he nced at his watch. Night had fallen, and the fashion capital had lifted its veil. When Qin Guan entered the interviewing room, he realized that the interviews in China paled inparison to these. The room looked like it was still daylight outside thanks to the bright lights. The ceiling was about four to five meters tall, and all professional equipment and props were in ce. Considering the moving fake shelves and the full photographic equipment, this was no simple interview. It was an imaging test. That kind of test was only used by top brands. Models had to interpret the featured apparel on the lens. It was a difficult test. First, the models had to handle the lens well and show their best angle in the high-definition digital camera. Second, they had to understand the concept. Professional skills were not enough though. The models also had to catch the eye of the designer and stand out among the rest of the candidates. The staff were optimistic about Qin Guans ability to stand out. To be frank though, they did not believe that he would meet the first two requirements. They wished that the chief designer of the final interview would give him a chance based on his appearance. Qin Guan was surprised by the outfit he had to wear. It was businesswear. He had worn CK in China before, but most of it had been underwear. Chapter 342: Military Style Chapter 342: Military Style Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia CK Apparel was light, elegant and bright in color, which men who engaged in press and design really liked. They considered the style elegant and fashionable. Why had they made the autumn collection like that? Qin Guan was wearing high ck army boots with brass buckles and loose silk pants. His jacket was even more dramatic. There were tactical pockets on his shoulders and chest, which was a symbol of the US special forces. The long-sleeved jacket was ck, just like the pants, and reflected cold light under themplight. Qin Guan let out a sigh. The flourishing city of New York couldnt cover the residents sorrow and wounds. War did not seem that far to ordinary people. Both the government and ordinary citizens were hesitant about the TIPS n. The country focused on privacy and democracy, yet it was notpletely against a n that would make one million citizens spies of the government. This was because of the fear of terrorist attacks, as well as the economic downturn. After all, those who would be monitored were not American citizens. Qin Guan came back to his senses and put on his outfit. After 10 hours of work, all the CK staff were annoyed. They were eager to enjoy the after-work parties, but they had to wait for thest interviewee. Qin Guan stepped into the room, walking neither too fast nor too slow. He was like a frozen sucker in the intense summer heat. Im here. Pay attention to me. The photographer, whose name was Mark, was a famous fashion expert in New York. He was tired from the hard work the interviews took, but Qin Guans presence cheered him right up. "Move! Move! This is thest series! Then we can get off work!" Mark shouted at the stunned crowd. All of a sudden, everyone got busy working. "Qin Guan? Just perform. Dont pay attention to us. Just start anytime you like." The annoyed chief designer, whose name was Sam, finally stopped frowning. He actually hadnt been satisfied with the previous models. They had been too slender or too delicate. They would have been perfect for CKs original style, but that seasons collection was different. ording to the feedback of the marketing department, most Americans preferred a vigorous vibe. They liked dauntless, unyielding men. In general, they were fond of clothes that gave off a sense of security and could be used in an emergency. Office worker backpacks wererger than the previous year by thirty percent, and inner pockets were ssified by different symbols. They put shlights and ropes inside for an emergency, so the clothes had to meet the main demands of the market. Sam was now waiting for Qin Guan, the only model he had liked from the follow-up interviews, to show them his abilities. "Okay, lets begin." Qin Guan didnt waste their time. After speaking, he suddenly became a different person. He was no longer the same gentle guy, but a fierce, imposing man. Shining spears and armored horses, The symbol of war in ancient China. The general was fighting on the battlefield, He was the mostmanding man there... Qin Guan sat on a simple folding chair, like a warrior sitting astride a horse. He looked powerful and mighty, as if he was facing enemies, like the ancient warriors thousands of years ago. The age of cold arms in China exceeded the imagination of Europeans, who used to fight with manure forks. Americans had an even more pitifully short history. Lacking any proper professional cultivation, Mark was stupefied, and so were the rest of the staff. Suddenly, Qin Guan stood up and pushed the chair aside. He strode over to the crowd with rhythmic steps. His slender legs looked straight in his ck pants. His delicate face looked firm and persistent, and his distinct muscles seemed ready to conquer. Crack, crack. The clicks of mutton were the only sound in the silent room. Mark gradually calmed down when Qin Guan finished. Qin Guan smiled at the crowd in the dark. "Thank you." Thats all? Mark looked at him in disappointment. Then he turned to Sam. Bro, once more? Sams expression was hard to make out in the dark. "Okay. Change out of the outfit and return it to the assistant." Qin Guan bowed before them again and walked away. When he left, Sam stopped pretending. All the staff was around him. "Hurry! Show me the photos!" Mark picked Qin Guans photos out excitedly. Chapter 343: Saving A Beauty Chapter 343: Saving A Beauty Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans fierce performance had overwhelmed them. The outfit did not look like it had been made for slender models, but for valiant soldiers. Tough, but not rough. Idealistic, yet practical. The concept of the outfit had been interpreted perfectly by him. "Pass?" "Pass!" Qin Guans name was circled on the list. Qin Guan had no idea about the final result, but he was confident. He had done his best, so he didnt care about the oue. Actually, he owed this attitude to the money in his pocket. Several years ago, he would have even washed dishes at a restaurant in Chinatown for 500 dors. As he walked along the dark corridor looking for the elevator, Qin Guan suddenly heard cries and moans from the end of the hallway. To go or not to go, that was the question. He was in an unfamiliar ce, so he didnt want to poke his nose in other peoples business. This seemed to be the only way to the elevator though. Maybe those people hadnt expected that someone would use that corridor to get to the elevator. Having no other way to go, Qin Guan kept walking down the hallway. He was a tall man, so he could see into the room through the window. Suddenly, his eyeballs nearly dropped out of his sockets. This had to be the interview room for the underwear models. However, all the equipment inside had been shut off and the staff had left. Several dim lights and a shiningptop revealed that there was still someone inside. There were several nkets spread on the floor. A naked girl was trembling, facing in Qin Guans direction. The man, who was standing with his back to Qin Guan, seemed to be a photographer, but Qin Guan had no clue what he looked like or how old he was. "Lisa... Yes, baby... Like this... Hold me..." Qin Guan nced at his private parts. It was disgusting! They were wearing no underwear. Of course, this was some kind of deal. New models would do anything for their career. Speeding up, Qin Guan tried to walk past the room. Out of sight, out of mind. Little did he know that the trembling girl would look up and spot him right away. The photographer closed his eyes, waiting for her silently. Taking advantage of this, the girl mouthed something silently at Qin Guan. "Help..." There were several freckles on her fair skin. She looked like a little girl. No wonder that she had been held back alone. A girl with no idea of how the circle worked was the best prey. Qin Guan couldnt stand to watch the young girl, who seemed to be the same age as Huang Jiajia. He stopped in his tracks. He couldnt just break in like that. Nothing had happened yet. Besides, the scared girl might take the photographers side. Thinking of that, Qin Guan put his backpack down in the corner and picked up a torn maintenance uniform from a storagepartment. It must have been left there by the staff of the building. Qin Guan put it on, not caring about the dust or the smell. Then he shouted loudly in the darkness, "Hello! Is anybody inside? Night maintenance! Well cut off the power in a while. Were doing routine checks on the rooms." He walked on with slow, heavy steps, as if knocking on pipes. Frightened, the photographer opened his eyes and put on his pants in a hurry. "Lisa, put on your clothes. So much for today..." He would be embarrassed if he was caught like that. If it had been a staff member, the photographer would have bore a grudge against them, but a maintenance worker was hard to deal with. If the worker saw them, he might take photos of them. He was famous in the fashion circle after all. The photos would attract an audience. He cast a disappointed nce at the young girl and put on his pullover. Leaving the equipment on the table, he dashed out. "Hey, bro! Watch it!" The photographer crashed into Qin Guans shoulder. He looked back at him without a word. That worker is really handsome. Its a pity hes not a model! Qin Guan didnt speak much for fear of betraying his identity. He carried on his duty in a bold, generous manner. "Is anybody inside?" Qin Guan was getting closer to the room. The photographer sped up and nearly stumbled over something in the dark corridor. Chapter 344: The Final Test Chapter 344: The Final Test Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan cleared his throat to suppress hisughter. He waited outside until the girl got dressed. "Dont stay around. Go!" Qin Guan shouted rudely at the model, keeping up his performance. "Oh, thank you. Im leaving..." Trembling, the girl looked up and got a hold of his cor. She tried to keep her savior in her memory. The pores on Qin Guans face were invisible in the dim light. There was a beautiful shadow above his lips. Of course, one had to ignore the torn uniform with the blue stripes, which was stinky in the summer. Lisa smiled in relief. She bowed before Qin Guan to express her gratitude. Qin Guan just wanted to leave as soon as possible. Everyone would have helped a little girl unwilling to do such a thing. "Go home as soon as possible. Take care of yourself." Qin Guan waved at Lisa and left the corridor with his backpack. He had to return his outfit to the assistant waiting for him. He thought she would me him for beingte, but she didnt say anything. Instead, she gave him a piece of paper with her phone number. Qin Guan was in a rtionship though, so he threw the paper into a trash can after leaving the building. Giant colorful advertisement boards were hanging on the tall, cold buildings. Cars shuttled back and forth on the streets. Behind the bustling scene, sin was always lurking. Qin Guan rxed only when he got home and found Cong Nianwei in the kitchen. "Im back." "Wee home." It was sunny the next morning. The fragrance of pine trees on campus covered the ugliness and darkness of the previous night. Several weeks after sses had begun, the students already had to take quizzes. Qin Guan was surprised by the random timing. The instructors didnt take inferior things like cheating into consideration. The answers to practical questions couldnt be found in a textbook. As his ssmates were writing swiftly, Qin Guan handed his paper in. At Columbia, students could hand in their papers at any time, which saved them time for the next subject they had to study for. Qin Guan gestured at Xu Xiaoxiao to call himter and rushed out of campus. As expected, he got a notice from CK about the final interview. He had to have final sample measurements taken at the CK headquarters. If he didnt do anything wrong, after a small conference regarding the autumn collection, he would get a contract for the New York Fashion Week. That was his final goal. He sent the notice to Sister Xue. Considering her keen instinct for trends in the fashion circle, Sister Xue must have known about his intention to choose between those three brands. She didnt disappoint him. As soon as she got Qin Guans email, she began to make future ns, even though it waste at night. First, she would release the news to his fan club, and then she would intervene with the promotion n New Silk Road had decided on. Wearing his school uniform, Qin Guan went into the building without a pause. He looked professional, indicating his identity to the security and reception staff. He is definitely a new model of some designer. Sitting in a small meeting room, Qin Guan began to exchange information with other models, from whom he learned about the importance of the final test. The final test was not just for the chief designer and the designing department. It was also an important event for the photographers, the PR department and the operational department. They all gathered together that day. The smallunching conference was not just about the next collection. It was also CKs final test of the market before the New York Fashion Week. There would be three top brands from France and Italy at the fashion week, which made CK, a traditional brand from the US, feel threatened. Unlike CK, which was very flexible, they were brands that tailored to traditional styles. Upper-ss men always preferred extreme elegance though. CK had to stress on the trend. That was the reason they were using their full strength. As the models of the apparel group entered the bustling backstage area, the underwear models got off the stage and changed clothes behind the curtains. They turned around calmly and began to swiftly put on their outfits. A designer with all his tailoring tools hanging from his body asked the models to get on the stage one after the other. Qin Guan was pulling his sweater down when he saw Lisa staring at him with red cheeks. The girl had recognized her savior right away when she had gone backstage. However, the noisy crowd discouraged her from walking up to him. Chapter 345: Appreciation From An Old Manager Chapter 345: Appreciation From An Old Manager Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan smiled and nodded at her. Then he turned around to wait in line. A short-haired girl beside Lisa asked her curiously, "Whos that? An Asian face is rare here! Do you know him?" "Not exactly." Lisa looked gloomy. He witnessed that awkward incident the other day. She was feeling perturbed and depressed. She didnt even know his name. They were not even acquaintances. The girl beside her kept asking questions. "Wow! You like boys like that? Im worried about him. The old directors of the operational department will want to include an Asian face in such an important conference." "Even if he passes the test though, he might still be weeded out at the fashion week..." Lisa couldnt help but feel nervous for her savior, while the other girl, whose name was Veronica, grimaced disdainfully. "No. E-116..." When Qin Guan heard his number, he suddenly changed his attitude, which had attracted attention from the other models. He showed them the real power of the Asian model who had earned a ce among them. As his army boots stomped on the floor, all the interviewers fixed their eyes on the approaching boy. The two senior managers of the operational department were shocked by Qin Guan and his outfit. They frowned slightly when they saw his skin clearly though. An Asian... They both remained silent. The two photographers had apletely different expression though. Sam was too excited to control himself. His fingers were constantly clicking on an imaginary button. The other photographer was Jones, the guy Qin Guan had met in the dark corridor. Apparently, one could never avoid their enemies. Jones recognized Qin Guan right away and became furious You dared mess with me! Ill pay you back. An eye for an eye... And thats exactly what he did. Smiling, he turned and told Dous, the most old-fashioned man in the operational department, "It seems that our brand is going along with the trend of globalization. I wonder if other brands of our level will have the same idea though." Dous didnt say anything. He just folded his arms over his chest. Jones didnt get a response, so he backed off awkwardly. By that time, Qin Guan had gotten the approval of the tailoring designer, who had finished taking his measurements. It was time for the final test. The chief designer spoke up. "Could you make time in your schedule for our conference? Its between November 5th and November 8th." "No problem." "You were this years Asian Fashion Man and the first Asian male model on VOGUEs cover. Why did you decide to continue your career in New York?" It seemed that they considered him a representative of the Asian continent. Qin Guan answered slowly, selecting his words carefully. "Actually, Im a foreign student in New York. Im enthusiastic about the profession though, so I wanted to get a part-time job while Im studying." "Oh?" The interviewers seemed interested. Many girls and boys in the modelling circle started working at a very young age. Their goal was to be famous as early as possible. A foreign student engaging in modelling would spark their interest. "Are you an undergraduate student?" "No, a postgraduate." "At the State University of New York, the Municipal Academy of Arts or the Community College?" This was an insult to the fashion circle, and it made everyone angry. Jones came back to his senses and realized what he had asked. He closed his mouth like a m in an effort to protect himself. "At the Finance Department of Columbia University..." Are you kidding? You must have walked into the wrong interviewing room! Wall Street is north of here! Trying to remain serious, Dous finally opened Qin Guans file. "Why dont I see this in your resume?" "ording to the rules, I couldnt include any information irrelevant to the profession." "Hmm, strict and modest. You are a true Columbia student." What do you mean? Was that apliment? Qin Guan was confused when he saw Dous hand the file to the chief designer. "Not bad!" The old men nodded together for the first time, which made the chief designer feel extremely ttered. Jones wisely remained silent. Wait and see, bastard. Youll really enjoy working with me. Qin Guan did not care about his malevolence. He waspletely unashamed. After Qin Guan left, Dous asked the chief designer to stay behind. Chapter 346: Slow Down, Grampa Chapter 346: Slow Down, Grampa Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Make a collection for the boy. It would be beneficial for you." Dous indication was clear to the chief designer. The brand had to find a new direction the following year. His promotion of Qin Guan had attracted attention from the senior executives of thepany. Meanwhile, Qin Guans phone was packed with messages. Most of them were from old Columbia professors, assigning more homework to him. However, among them was also a strange text from Xu Xiaoxiao: "Call me back". Qin Guan called him immediately. "Qin Guan, my grandpas birthday banquet is tomorrow. Come watch my performance!" "No problem. Ill see you tomorrow. What should I wear? Should I bring a present?" "Us young guys will have a cocktail party after the banquet. Formal attire is mandatory. And you are the best present for my grandpa!" What a silly boy! No one can go to a birthday party without a present. Qin Guan was not worried about that though. He was good at dealing with old people. Cong Nianwei had been invited by Wendy to join an architecture club at Columbia, so she couldnt attend the banquet with him. Standing before an ancient style mansion, Qin Guan fixed his ck bow tie and called Xu. "Let him in! He is my friend!" The honest gatekeeper saw Xu shouting from the second-floor balcony and let Qin Guan in without a word. A shrine with joss-sticks was ced before the Guan Emperor [1], looking striking in the broad, elegant hall. It was surprising to see such a traditional idol in a modern house. Qin Guan followed Xu to a small hall on the second floor. There was a stage inside set up for a small-scale martial arts y. "Look at me!" Xu pulled Qin Guan to the backstage area to show off. Can I tell you the truth? You look like Pigsy [2] when youre ying the Monkey King. Qin Guan noticed that Xu Xiaoxiao had a lingering charm thanks to his makeup and costume. He just reminded him, "Stand still on the stage and watch your posture." It was better for Xu to stand still while he was singing. "Okay!" Qin Guan took his present out. "ording to your description of him, I think your grandpa will like this." It was a delicate snuff bottle, half a finger tall. It was made of transparent ze, and the bottle cap was red coral. Red fancy carps were painted on the bottle. It was an elegant bottle with an auspicious implied meaning. "Good snuff is hard to find in China. I took only a little abroad for fear of the custom check." Qin Guan took out a small antique case. It was snuff from a store at Tianhuizhai, which could be dated back to the Qin Dynasty. Cigarettes had reced snuff for the time being. White people of thest generation preferred to y with the bottles. As a banana boy [3], Xu had never seen such a unique thing. He fondled the two items admiringly. "Ill deliver them for you." By that time, people were already heading upstairs one after the other. The guests were all polite. They found their seats by looking at the numbers on their cards. Qin Guan peered out from the gap between the curtains. He felt a solemn vide in the room. There were simr Asian faces all around. Everyone was talking to each other happily. Qin Guan got a faint idea of what Xus family was like. A thin old man in a Tang suit sat down at the seat of honor. He seemed hale and hearty. Xus father announced the beginning of the banquet. "Where is Xiaoxiao?" Strict Grandpa Xu liked his eldest grandson the most. Xus father knew about his n. He smiled awkwardly. "Dad, everyone is here. We should just begin. Xiaoxiao will get here soon." Grandpa Xu looked around and waved his hands at random. "Okay." The opera troupe began its performance. Since this was a birthday banquet, the opera "Ma Gu Offers Birthday Felicitations" was a must. The curtain rose and a plumpdy walked on the stage. She sang along to the rhythm. The chatting audience was shocked. At the beginning, they didnt recognize Xu Xiaoxiao because of the thick makeup on his face, but his voice betrayed him. "Ha ha ha..." "Good!" Grandpa Xu spit his water out. Xus father grinned at him awkwardly. "Slow down, grampa." [1] Guan Yu, a character from Romance Across Three Kingdoms, the most popr god of Chinese people overseas, especially gangsters. [2] The Monkey Kings younger brother in Journey to the West", who was originally a pig. [3] A nickname for Chinese-Americans (ABC). It means that they have yellow skin, but deep down they are white. Chapter 347: Chinese Freemasons Chapter 347: Chinese Freemasons Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Xu seemed to be a good actor and grandson. When he finished the aria, he bowed before his grandfather and said, "I wish you happiness as immense as the Eastern Sea, and a life as long as the Southern Mountain." Then he moved around his long sleeves. "Im leaving..." He was still the Monkey King. The audience wasughing and apuding. Xu Xiaoxiao and Qin Guan went off the stage together. Everyone was making jokes about him. "Grandpa, this is my friend from college, Qin Guan." Qin Guan took a bow. "May your life be as long as pines and cranes!" "Thank you, boy," the old man said with a smile. "Grandpa, this is a present from Qin Guan. Its really beautiful!" Xu took out the small bottle proudly, as if it was his own present. Grandpa Xu looked at the small item carefully. It was not expensive, but it reminded him of times past. "I like it. Its much better than the scratcher you got me." "Its a massage chair! Youre biased!" His father kicked him on the butt. "What are you talking about? Go! You kids go y by yourselves!" Xu made a face as he pulled Qin Guan away. "My dad is always like this. I have nothing inmon with those old men. Lets go hang out with people our age." Xu led Qin Guan to the wing hall, where all young boys and girls had gathered. It was much more fun there. "Sir, the guests are all on the roof garden..." the steward whispered to Xu Xiaoxiao. "Lets go up to the roof. Well have a drink in the New York night!" The young men followed them up. The roof was American in style, as well as all the guests. There were white and ck faces everywhere around them, unlike the yellow faces down in the hall. "They are our business partners and friends. Of course, there are also several adventurers here..." Xu winked at several hot girls like a womanizer. Qin Guan cast a supercilious look at him. "Where is the food? Do you know what time it is?" Xu struggled under Qin Guans grip. "Its right there... Let me go!" Qin Guan saw an acquittance by the table. He was in no mood to greet the guy though. He let Xu Xiaoxiao go and headed for the barbecue instead. Jones was surprised to see Qin Guan at the party. He had tried his best to get an invitation to the birthday banquet. He had even used his reputation as a top photographer. To be frank, he was just working there, taking nice pictures for the guests. He was hoping to expand his interpersonal connections that way. Xus family was thergest Chinese family in New York, and they were very rich and powerful in Chinatown. How had a little-known Asian model qualified for an invitation to the banquet? Jones shuddered. Thank god I didnt y any dirty tricks on him, or I would have ended up in a garbage bag in the river the next day. The Xu Family were Chinese Freemasons [1], thergest branch of the Hip Sing Association. Although they had been whitewashed many years ago, they still maintained a rtionship with the Chinese reactionary gang. The boy is really close to the third generation of the family! Jones drank a ss of champagne in one go to get over the shock. The atmosphere was perfectly harmonious on the roof. Grandpa Xu walked up the stairs slowly. On the small podium on the roof, the Mayor of New York was about to extend his own wishes for his birthday. After his speech, all the guests clustered around the old man, expressing their respect for the Asian big shot. He left after several routine greetings. Then the party began. Holding a hot girl, Xu Xiaoxiao walked up to Qin Guan, who was buried in food in the corner. "Hey, dude. Dont focus only on the food. Look at Lilys friends over there! What do you prefer? ck, white or Asian?" "F*ck off! Cong Nianwei would kill me. You can have them all if you want..." Meanwhile, a burly chap was heading upstairs, the wooden floor creaking under his feet. 1. [1] It originated from an underground organization called Hong School during the early Qing Dynasty. It aimed to overturn the Manchu Sovereign and restore the Han Dynasty. Chapter 348: Robbery Chapter 348: Robbery Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia A Barbie-like girl was following him. She was Asian and she was wearing a ck gauzy skirt that looked like an umbre. "Yamaguchi Tsutomu?" "Yamaguchi Tsutomu?" Xu Xiaoxiao and Qin Guan called her name out together in one voice. "How do you know her?" Xu looked at Qin Guan in surprise. Unconsciously, he said, "$^%*^*&^&?" Qin Guan swallowed a shrimp. "What are you talking about? Can you speak like a normal human being? Or were you rendered speechless by that beautiful girl? Beauties of her kind are rare in the US." Xu let out a breath at Qin Guans ignorance on argot. Then he patted Qin Guan on the shoulder. "Just enjoy your food. You can leave any time you like. Just tell me in advance." Qin Guan nodded in confusion. Xu let the hot girl go and walked up to Yamaguchi Tsutomu. Yamaguchi Tsutomu had been looking around nkly until Xu approached her. Then she noticed Qin Guan behind him. She had been looking for him for a long time. Looking back, she saw Qin Guan sitting there eating meat... She bowed in his direction. The big man next to her, who was her loyal servant, had also met Qin Guan in Shinjuku. The honest man bowed before Qin Guan silently. "My distinguished guest, shall we talk downstairs?" Xu didnt want to attract other peoples attention. He gestured to Yamaguchi Tsutomu and they headed downstairs. Qin Guan was nearly full. He set his te down on the table and turned around to leave. Ive met so many acquaintances at this party! I better go home now. He sent a message to Xu and left the noisy party unhurriedly. He idled on the quiet road in his Burberry formal wear, humming a song. His house was close by, just a couple of blocks away, but he hesitated on the crossroads. The road on the left led to a ck neighborhood. The road on the right would take him an extra 10 minutes. Qin Guan was a brave man, so he wasnt afraid of anything. The ck neighborhood is no hell. Ill take the road on the right though. Qin Guan chose the longer way without hesitation. It was a wise choice. Experienced robbers were the most difficult to deal with. Those smart guys waited there to find more victims. Qin Guans wise choice didnt help him though. He was surrounded in no time, with no way to escape. There were three unarmed criminals around him. Qin Guan thought of all the skills he had been gifted with and chose one in hopes of shocking them. He shouted like Bruce Lee in his fine ck clothes, and then he span around and performed a side kick. He followed up with a handspring, a handspring front tuck and a somersault. Finally, he took a stage pose and ended his performance. He beckoned arrogantly at the ck men. "All men are brothers. Gentlemen fight fair! One on one,e on!" His floor exercises hadnded him out of their ring of encirclement. The three robbers were right across from him. "Bro, he seems fierce. Who should go first?" The leader knocked the other man on the head. "You idiot! We are robbers, not martial artists! Dont listen to him. We all attack together!" They all approached Qin Guan. The closer they got to him, the more surprised they looked. That Asian boy seems like a real martial artist! To be on the safe side and ensure their sess, their leader murmured, "Weapons..." He seemed cautious, which was wise of him. Qin Guans outfit could be sold for thousands of dors at a second-hand designer shop. He was also wearing a diamond watch and sapphire sleeve buttons. In fact, Qin Guan looked like a real nouveau riche. It was a pity that he hadnt taken his wallet with him. Qin Guan realized that his pose was useless. He was still trying to think of a n when the three guys took their knives out. They were flick knives, as long as a grown mans palm. ording to Qin Guans estimation, they could make a big hole in his body. He was not frightened though. When facing beasts, one had to be brave. "Come on!" he shouted loudly. Chapter 349: Hands Up Chapter 349: Hands Up Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Actually, his unspoken words were "Chase me"! The three men were shocked by his shout. Taking advantage of this, Qin Guan ran away at full speed. Dontugh at those guys for wearing tracksuit pants and running shoes. Maybe they were from the US. That was a Rule of Living there. Qin Guan ran down the empty street without scruple. If he could get away from that isted alley, he would be able to get to his apartment building, where someone mighte to his aid. Encouraged by that thought, Qin Guan ran like a vigorous tiger. Unfortunately, there were certain shorings between different races. Which race was the best at running? The ck race... Which race was the strongest in the world? The ck race... The wind roaring in their ears cheered them up, reminding them of the traditional honor of their race. ck men like us cant catch up with a f*cking Asian? Thats ridiculous! Qin Guan was getting closer to the building. He was hurriedly looking for his key in his pocket. Key! Key! Suddenly, a swift, violent wind blew by him. The shortest ck man was blocking his way. "Bro, calm down!" Qin Guan was disappointed by theck of witnesses. By the time the police arrived, he might only be left in his underwear. Just before he surrendered to his enemies though, his savior showed up out of the blue. "Who dares cause trouble on my turf?" It was the German guy. Joseph was standing by the entrance with his bag. He seemed to have just returned from college. "What are you doing here?" one of the ck men said in German. Qin Guan was confused. Those ck guys could speak German? Joseph could speak English! When he turned around, Qin Guan saw the three guys step back together with a serious expression. They had only taken one step away. The three men living at the bottom of society were not kind-hearted. "Were robbing him... Mind your own business..." Then they saw Joseph clearly under themp light. Letting out a breath, they became arrogant again. Its only a student. So what if hes German? They were nning on robbing them both. Before they could show their knives again though, the tall German guy took out a ck pistol from his bag calmly. The cold shining barrel was pointed at them. "Knives down! Hands up!" he said in fluent English. Qin Guan thought that things were not going well. He rushed up to Joseph, but his effort was unnecessary. The three guys threw their knives to the ground and kneeled down without hesitation. "Bro, spare our lives. We just wanted money. Were no pimps or drug dealers." Surprised, Qin Guan stood next to Joseph by the entrance. "Shall we call the police?" "Are you kidding? Theres no point. What if they cause trouble for you every day after they are bailed out? Better save yourself that trouble. Lets go inside." They entered the building and closed the door behind them. The three guys left with their knives. "Thank you so much..." Qin Guan expressed his sincere appreciation to Joseph. He was in no mood to ask about the gun. Joseph didnt take it seriously. Before entering the room, he said, "There are some rugby league matches in a few days. Could you please ask John to lend us Susannas cheerleading squad?" "Why? You have your own cheerleading squad, dont you?" "The Columbia basketball team alwayses first. The rugby teames second," Joseph answered awkwardly. "All the beautiful girls are on their team... We are ashamed of having the ugliest ones, so we borrow theirs every time." "Okay, Ill ask him. Wait for word from me." "Thanks!" s! Beauties were always energetic. What miserable lives were the members of the rugby team leading! Qin Guan arrived home safely. Meanwhile, Xu Xiaoxiao was in trouble. Yamaguchi Tsutomu had gone to his grandfathers party with evil intentions. Japan was the only country where her gang was active. Yamaguchi-gumi [1] was both good and evil. They were involved in both politics and business. They openly controlled the business of ck and white people. There was an old saying about brave people and how they always seeded. That year, Yamaguchi-gumi saw that they had a chance in the US and took it. [1] Thergest gang in Japan. Chapter 350: The Russian Tearoom Chapter 350: The Russian Tearoom Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was the best time for an external power to prate a country that was suffering from a bad economy and widespread panic. Yamaguchi Tsutomus trip to New York was a test. In the US, the domains of different gangs were intertwined with each other. Nearly all top 10 gangs had a branch in New York. There were not just Chinese gangs in Chinatown. Russians had alsoe to the harbor with tankers, and the Scottish, who engaged in construction, were just as difficult to deal with. The fate of a Japanese gang without any foundation that wanted a share of the cake would depend on the local gangs decision. A powerful dragon could not crush a snake after all. Yamaguchi Tsutomu was not a reasonable girl though. "Im sorry, Ms. Yamaguchi. I have no idea why you visited us. The Xu Family is only a branch. We have been far from the center of power for a long time. Besides, we do not engage in the business you are proposing." "To be frank, Chinatown is not what it used to be like 10 years ago. That business disappeared during the general repression five years ago." "We are all honest businessmen. We have no idea about the business you deal in. Maybe you can find someone else." Xu Xiaoxiao was no longer the retinue following Qin Guan around. Sitting by a round table of dalbergia odorifera calmly, he shook his head, blowing at the non-existent tea leaves in his cup. Yamaguchi Tsutomu sat across the table with a poker face. Wild rivers and seas were upying her mind. This was her first stop in New York. They are showing no interest in our high profits! Actually, she had found the wrong person. The Xu Family had been whitewashed up to the third generation. Their sessors were all engaging in business and politics. The Chinese race was the keenest on politics. They had realized pretty early that the US government would not tolerate the expansion of gangs, so they had gone ashore as quickly as possible. You are a greenhand with no idea about the situation. You daree botherw-abiding citizens like us! We are kind enough not to report you to the New York police! Yamaguchi Tsutomu felt defeated by the stubborn boy. Without saying anything else, she patted the table and stood up. "Okay, we are leaving. Lets not dy each other anymore. Time is precious after all." "Thats it!" Shocked, Xu nearly dropped his cover. The representative of Yamaguchi-gumi left the hall, where there were only odds and ends of the banquet. Xu took an enjoyable sip of his tea. "Has grandpa left?" His guard craned his neck at him. "He got home safely..." "Ha!" Xu put his cup down on the table. "A strong wind ising... My soldiers are ready to fight..." [1] The Peking Opera echoed in the empty hall. They will y a role in Chinatown. There is another group waiting on the streets, who loves our mothend even more than Chinese Freemasons. They are former Chinese soldiers. They are loyal, well-armed and ready to risk their lives to protect Chinatown. "Release the news to Han Zhujiu and his guys," Xu instructed his guard. "Yamaguchi-gumi will move arge quantity of white powder [2] to the Lower East Side. They will give those Japanese a lesson." Yamaguchi Tsutomu has a long way ahead of her. Italian and Mexican businessmen wont let her in the drug business. They will detain the Japanese visitors in New York. It will be interesting! "Ill kill them all..." [3] It was a beautiful morning in New York. Qin Guan was admiring the location of the CK fall collectionunching event. It would be held at a cafe on the Upper East Side. He didnt know New York well, but when he was led to the hall, he realized it was a unique ce. The Russian tearoom, which was decorated like an ordinary Manhattan cafe, had a hidden beautiful inner world. Every restaurant and building on the Upper East Side was full of intricate details. The Russian tearoom had been founded by the Russian Royal Ballet Group, which had wanted to provide a gathering ce for Russians in New York. It had be a club for film stars and politicians by then though. Qin Guan handed his backpack to the waiter. Madonna used to be a waitress there. The hall was decorated with red and gold ornaments of a traditional Russian style. There were crystal ceilingmps and countless oil paintings in the room. The whole restaurant was as beautiful and luxurious as a royal pce. Thanks to its Baroque style, the hall was like the resplendent, magnificent Russian pce. Only the first floor was open to the public though. Qin Guan didnt look around. As a guy of fine taste, the luxurious hall hadnt shocked him. The CKunch event would take ce on the second private floor. The VIP meeting room was only open torge-scale gatherings. Qin Guan went in, showing no interest in the transparent crystal floor or the ze-colored ceiling. What impressed him was the 15-feet bear ice sculpture standing in the lounge. It was only mid-October. It must have taken a lot of work to make it stand there. Then he realized his ignorance. The gorgeous light was noting from the ceilingmps. [1] Peking Opera [2] Drugs [3] Peking Opera Chapter 351: A Scream During the Show Chapter 351: A Scream During the Show Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was a splendid crystal tree decorated with colorful eggs of Venice ss that dazzled the eyes. Hundreds of candles were ced around it, shining with a soft light. The candlelight was reflected on the ss ceiling, looking extraordinarily romantic. This had to be the site. Qin Guan went through the room hurriedly and walked to the small cab in the back. The bustling scene inside brought him back to reality. The assistant took out his outfits and pushed him towards the makeup room. Without saying anything, Qin Guan changed clothes in a corner. Iming, New York! Distinguished guests had been invited to the show, including not only VIPs of the fashion circle, but also curious residents of the Upper East Side. The educated guests did not look very excited. They were just whispering greetings to acquaintances. There was no opening speech or gorgeous background. A deep rhythmic song began to y. The red velvet curtain was suddenly opened, and a splendid Christmas tree was revealed. The reflected light lit up the whole hall. Shoes stomped on the floor as beautiful models started filing out through the curtain. The ck and grey tones were a little dark for the season, but the brave, practical designs attracted the audiences attention. The Upper East Side residents, who focused on high-end tailoring, were their target group. An anxious middle-aged man in a polo shirt looked shocked by the models. He had been annoyed for a long time. As a director of an independent film with a limited budget, his trip to the Cannes Film Festival had been unsessful. The first reason was that he had been short on money. The second was that the vulgar actors had not been interested in his film. When it came right down to it though, the first reason had been the most important. Everyone knew that if you were lucky enough to win a big prize, your ce in US movie theatres would be mediocre at best. This was because people stressed on box office sess, which was the only way to attract public attention. That was why Director Gus was gloomy. The show had inspired him though. His actors coulde from the fashion circle! They were all beauties after all. Thinking of that, he began to observe the models carefully in excitement. When Qin Guan got on the stage, it was like a small stone had been dropped on a quietke, causing ripples to form on its surface. The Asian model looked different from the other models. He was too elegant to be real. He looked like an illusion that would be gone with the wind. As Qin Guan walked through the room, the audience held its breath for fear of scaring the fairy away. Suddenly, drums started to beat. In a moment, he became a general, a king and an emperor. Every identity presented resonated with the model. He was wearing ck silk pants, that looked thin and airy. It was the first time CK had used oriental silk as a material. His loose pant legs were stuffed into his high boots. Actually, that style was out of date for Chinese people. It was not a real design in China. Labor workers and independent traders used to stuff their pant legs into their shoes to move morefortably before 1949. The difference was that they used to wear straw sandals and Qin Guan was wearing leather boots. Americans had no idea about it though. They just liked the cultural shock. Going with the wind was their favorite feeling. Besides, ck was the best color for elites. Compared to other colorful outfits, that one suited the Asian model the best. No one knew who had made the final decision, photographer Jones, the senior executives of the operational department or the chief designer, but the outfit looked like it had been designed specifically for Qin Guan. The candlelight was reflected back from the zed eggs, leaving a colorful halo on Qin Guans face. It was a ssic sh between ck and white. A blooming flower! A scream amid the quiet! Chapter 352: The Director Chapter 352: The Director Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan had developed a style of his own. He was the most impressive model that night. The guests couldnt help but express their appreciation for the visual. Apuse surged towards him from all directions like a tide. Qin Guans first show in New York was perfect. He smiled at the audience and turned around to head backstage, where the chief designer of Hollister was, looking overjoyed. If there had been no rules about engaging with the audience, he would have showed off in front of everyone. Hey dude, that boy will be our model. Pleasee to our show! After the CK show, the designer kept talking about Qin Guan everywhere, attracting attention from the residents of the Upper East Side. As everyone knew, 90% of the attendants would never be interested in such a low-level brand. Qin Guan got paid 800 dors backstage. It was not so bad, considering he was a model at the bottom of the circle. That money could cover his amodation for a month. For a clerk working at a smallpany for a 2000-dor sry, it was enough to lead an ordinary life. Qin Guan stuffed his outfits back into the box. He was nning on leaving as soon as possible to make room for the female underwear models. Lisa was smiling at him shyly, but she didnte over to greet him. Qin Guan didnt speak to her either. It was unrealistic to have an American girl propose to you after saving her. After getting a notice for the next job, Qin Guan was about to retreat from the cab silently. A middle-aged man with a beard was blocking his way though. "Hello, Im Gus. Im a director." "Hi! Im Qin Guan, a student." Qin Guan replied politely, but tried to steer clear off the stranger. It was said that there was a special group of people around American models. They were always middle-aged men with sessful careers. People called them bloodthirsty sharks, because they usually targeted young girls. Is that guy one of them? He should have stayed under the stage, where the girls are searching for hunters. New York was the beginning of their dreams. All the girls knew how to seize opportunities. Gus realized that he was being ignored. He grabbed Qin Guans sleeve eagerly. "Hey, may I have a word with you?" Qin Guan stopped reluctantly to spare his poor clothes. "Whats the matter?" "Would you like to be an actor?" His loud voice startled the assistant standing by the exit. "Lets talk about it downstairs." Qin Guan blinked. A small person was scattering flowers around in his heart. Is this my lucky star at work? Did I meet a famous director during my first show? Qin Guan was surprised, but not convinced. He and Gus went to the restaurant on the first floor. CK had booked the entire Russian tearoom until supper. The empty restaurant was the best ce for a private talk. "Let me tell you about my film... It reflects the angry average Americansck of education... Two real students... Campus violence... Shooting..." Qin Guan could tell from the description that it was a film about minorities. It was definitely not a Hollywood production or a formal filmpany production. Besides, it had to have a limited budget. Qin Guan raised a few reasonable questions, "May I read the script first? What about the producer? Why did you choose me? As fas as I know, there are lots of professional actors and young men at agencies or schools in New York." "When shall we begin if I say yes? How long will the shootingst? In which studio will it take ce?" Gus was shocked by Qin Guans series of questions. The boy was sitting opposite him, drinking his free lemon water calmly. He is no greenhand. Hes a veteran! A waitress in a traditional Russian costume asked them in a low voice if they would be having dinner there. The show had ended. CK would hold a simple dinner for the guests in the restaurant. "Two standard working lunches. Is that okay for you, Gus?" Gus wouldnt give up the chance to get more information out of Qin Guan. He was not a polite man, so he just nodded automatically at the waitress. "Its a film with a limited budget. A NYpany will produce it and distribute it. Of course, its a smallpany." "The films sess will depend on the interpretation of my ideas. I dont have high hopes though." "The gross will be quite low, so I cant hire a proper actor. Besides, Im not a famous director either, so..." Chapter 353: J Clothing Is Coming Chapter 353: J Clothing Is Coming Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan put cream in his Russian soup and stirred it. "So its a low-cost film with a dim future. Thats why you chose me." Gus smiled awkwardly, but Qin Guans next words cheered him up. "I want to read the script first. If its good, and my schedule allows it, Ill do it." "Besides, you have to sign a contract with my agency in China to make a coboration between us possible." Qin Guans boldness impressed Gus. Hes a good boy whos devoted himself to the film industry. In Qin Guans opinion, the script was very important. Besides, the shooting wouldst only a few weeks and take ce in New York. The job and the sry seemed to have fallen from Heaven. Both the guest and the host were thoroughly enjoying themselves. They kept chatting happily. If the script is not bad, Ill help him finish the film. Just before they finished dinner, the guests of the show headed downstairs. All the activities hade to an end. A group of middle-aged men from the Upper East Side walked down with steady steps. Some of them were apanied by beautiful girls. It was a game of willingness. No one could me them. They made jokes with each other, their young hearts struggling in their aged bodies. Qin Guan remained calm. When he looked up though, he saw that Lisa was among those girls. The childish girl had her arm locked around the arm of an old man. Her breasts were pasted to his body. Qin Guan sighed. The girl had top model potential, but she was wasting it. A top model could have an affair with a photographer, a talented designer, a reporter, or someone else from the entertainment circle, but they should never believe those conservative, old-fashioned men from the Upper East Side who engaged in finance and politics. They loved the models pureness and youth, but those qualities did notst forever. The girls had topromise again and again until they were lost in oblivion. What they strived for was money, not the modelling profession. Qin Guan smiled at the thought, feeling at ease. He left the warm tea house and went out into the chilly autumn wind. He stopped a taxi and headed to his next destination, Chelsea Street. Just as its name implied, the famous Chelsea Hotel was on that street. The Chelsea family had started its business from a single hotel and then expanded to various sectors. It was a very rich, powerful family not just in New York, but all over America. Qin Guan was interested in the small designer studios though, not the hotel. That street was the second favorite venue of designers. It was only inferior to Fifth Avenue. Thergest designer fair in the US took ce there. Chelsea Fair was on 15th Street. It was like a shopping mall divided by long corridors. Every store there sold essories, furniture and paintings, all made by original designers. No one could underestimate the venues avant-garde style. It was one of the most popr antique fairs, and it had been an Indian trading ce 300 years ago. Besides, it was also the origin of Oreo cookies. Those two points implied the profound significance of the fair. Qin Guan had gone there to meet with the staff of J Clothing. Unlike foreign brands, which were gathered around Fifth Avenue and the SOHO business district, they had chosen the foothold near the Chelsea Fair. Qin Guan was curious about the pioneer. They found seats at an outdoor cafe beside the fair. Qin Guan recognized his acquaintance, Guo Nuoyan, Citizens interpreter in Wangfujing. The gifted student, who spoke several differentnguages had chosen to work for J Clothing, an ordinarypany. Qin Guan was both surprised and confused by his decision. Guo Nuoyan seemed to read his mind. He gestured at Qin Guan naughtily, acting like he was counting money. Suddenly, Qin Guan was enlightened. He smiled knowingly. My fellow. "Our store will open after the decorations are ready. Maybe in two days. American workers are sozy. They get off work on time and turn down overtime wages. If we were in China, I would have finished this job two weeks ago..." Qin Guan looked at the store across the street. It looked bright and broad. "Why didnt you choose a store on Fifth Avenue or SOHO? It would have saved you time and energy." Guo Nuoyangs expression suddenly changed. Looking around, he noticed that most of the pedestrians were young ambitious designers. He furtively took out thepanystest products from a paper bag by his feet. Chapter 354: The World Is My Stage Chapter 354: The World Is My Stage Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "As you know, our boss is very ambitious. Its difficult to find a ce in New York. There are so many leisure brands here!" "Even with your help, the future does not look that bright. Seven out of the 10 best leisure brands in the world are gathered in New York. These are terrible odds for a Chinese brand. We have to find another way out." "Otherwise, well just be following into the footsteps of Japan and Taiwans stupid decisions. Do you know what kind of people gather at the Chelsea Fair?" "Designers, of course." "Bingo! Ill show you thetest collection and give you a general idea of our brave, creative boss n." Actually, Guo didnt want to take the products out. They were embarrassing, but all the staff at J Clothing liked them. He pulled the clothes from the bag while Qin Guan swallowed his coffee as fast as he could for fear of spitting it out. Guo took out a thick cotton T-shirt with long sleeves. If one wore a coat on top, it would be able to withstand the chilling autumn wind. There was a giant Chinese character "" [1] on it in a brush stroke. It reminded Qin Guan of the lively women dancing on public squares for exercise. The following shirts nearly drove Qin Guan mad. There were different Chinese elements on them, including Kylin, blooming peony, and others... There were only a few pedestrians around. Qin Guan picked up the shirt with the character "" and put it on. Clothes were not just for customers after all. The size fit him fine. Qin Guan stood up. The street suddenly turned into the most luxurious T stage and the hurried passersby into the best audience. The ordinary T-shirt looked like Versace on Qin Guans body, illusory and entirely imaginary. Qin Guan stopped at the end of the street and took a pose before Guo. "Not bad." Guo gave him a thumbs-up with shining eyes. Suddenly, Qin Guan was surrounded by a group of people. "Young man, where did you buy that shirt?" "Is it a new product at Chelsea Fair? I didnt see it on a stand." Designers and artists started asking Qin Guan questions one after the other. Guo Nuoyan, who was a smart guy, hastened to take out his card holder and promote J Clothing in New York. "Our new store is opening next week." "Thank you for thepliment. Our fall and winter collections are both made by a famous designer, Liu Cheng." The interested designers looked in the direction he was pointing at. It seems like a good store. They felt the shirt with professional sensitiveness, using their fingers. Thick cotton, well-knit and practical. They were all satisfied. Two designers lingered around with their cards. One of them was Lillian, who had an oil painting studio, and the other was a street photographer named Juan. They wanted to talk to Qin Guan. Everyone had left. Guo Nuoyan excitedly expressed his admiration of his boss. Americans will experience Chinas strong productivity. Looking at the capricious expression on Guos face, Qin Guan patted him on the shoulder with a smile. Then he took off the shirt. "Whats its factory and retail price?" Guo grinned. "Five yuan and 29.9 dors... Ho ho ho!" Ho ho ho? You are cheating American people. I believe in you though. You can beat Hollister, Mary Zeta, and cheap supermarket T-shirts alike. Qin Guan could imagine people surging into the J Clothing store. Of course, as the brand ambassador, Qin Guan also had to make a contribution. Before he left, Guo pulled him to a door beside the store. It was a blind zone, so most passersby ignored it. "Theres a room next to our store thats useless to us. Its about 40 square meters though. Not small at all. Here is the contract." Confused, Qin Guan opened the file and read it. The terms stated that Qin Guan could use it for free as advance payment. In return, he had to wear J Clothing during the entire next year. This was real profit. The room was in New York, where even an inch ofnd was worth an ounce of gold. I better make good use of it. Qin Guan left any ns about the room for the future and picked several clothing samples, including men and womens clothes from the stock. "Ill wear them. Wait for my call." He took a card from Guo and left the hall that smelled like paint. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Dance Chapter 355: An Order From Broadway Chapter 355: An Order From Broadway Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Well shoot the posterster." Guo Nuoyan was rubbing his hands happily. Another task finished. How would Qin Guan use the room? What advantage would it bring to J Clothing? This was not his concern as the manager of the Promotion Department. Qin Guan got on and off the slow bus with his heavy bags. When he entered his house, he threw the bags down and rushed to his soft bed. His busy life made him tired, even though he had limatized himself to a heavy work schedule back in China. Thinking of Cong Nianwei, who had to be studying at the library at the time, Qin Guan smiled with satisfaction. I fall short of the best, but Im better than the worst. The next day, Qin Guan idled around on campus in a J Clothing outfit. He had taken off his sses and used mousse on his hair. Then he had put on a loose T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up in a casual, yet elegant way. A beautiful Chinese character "" [1] was on his back. He headed to the dancing studio on the third floor of the Recreation Hall, where Wendy was practising. She spent all her free time practising her new dancing routine. As a student at Columbia, she had less time for practice than dancers in Hollywood. Good dancers were very concentrated during practice. Qin Guan waited for her patiently until the music came to an end. Then he apuded her. "Qin Guan?" Wendy seemed happy as she turned around. "Have you made a decision? Shall we go to the theater? We have a big performanceing up before Halloween. You could apply for the job." Qin Guan grinned and began his shameless promotion. "Im not here for dancing. Look at me!" He took off his shoes and span around on the wooden floor. The J clothing shirt was drifting in the air in time with his movements. He spread his arms, stretched and then bent at the waist. The cotton T-shirt fit his body very well. Wendy was inspired. When Qin Guan stopped and stretched his arms out to her considerately, she went over to feel the shirt with her fingers. "This is like our practising clothes. We can wear it with our tights and go out. Its so convenient!" "Its also good quality. It will keep us warm during the fall. Where did you buy it? How much does it cost? We are poor dancers. Designer brands are beyond our means." "Its not expensive." Qin Guan took out a red womens T-shirt with short sleeves and showed it to Wendy. "The short-sleeved shirt costs 9.9 dors, and the long-sleeved one costs 29.9 dors. Arent they cheap for their quality?" Wendy fell in love with the red shirt at first sight. There was also an oriental character of a mysterious, ancient style on it. It was written in cursive writing, giving off a dancing vibe. "Its a Chinese character that means dance. Isnt it beautiful?" "Yes! Ill take it. Is there a bigger one?" She was trying on the shirt when Qin Guan waved her off. "Its free. I found out your size yesterday. I hope you could give me a hand though. It would be a piece of cake for you." Qin Guan put his palms together and begged Wendy, which made her burst intoughter. "What can I do for you? I hope its not anything too hard. 40 dors is not that high a price." "Itll be no trouble. Could you go to the theater in my shirt and promote it for me?" Wendy smiled. "No problem. I have a performance tonight. Ill wear your shirt in the afternoon. Do I look beautiful?" Qin Guan gave her a thumbs-up without hesitation. Pleased, Wendy turned around and looked at herself in the mirror. During her ss, many girls asked her about her red shirt and wanted to ce an order for it. The group of customers exceeded Qin Guans expectations. By the time the ss ended, Wendy had received more than 20 orders. She stuffed the list into her bag. Low-cost, good quality clothes sold well on Broadway. At the TT Theatre on Broadway, arge-scale rehearsal of a musical drama was taking ce. Dancers were performing on the stage, following the instructions of the director and the supervisor. Wendy was in a small group of dancers that would attract more attention than the background dancers. She was wearing the elegant red shirt. The Chinese character looked like it was dancing on it. "Stop! Take a break! Come here, Wendy!" The grey-haired director, whose name was Gat, shouted at the dancers. They could have a few precious minutes of rest. C, who was in charge of the props, was a cunning Jewish man. He waved at Wendy. "Nice shirt! Im buying costumes for our cast these days, but I still havent been able to find the right ones. Young people nowadays are alwaysining. You know our budget. Its been more than two years since we bought new costumes." Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Chinese dragon. Chapter 356: Midterms Chapter 356: Midterms Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "I like your T-shirt. Its beautiful. Where did you buy it? How much did it cost? Could you share that information with me?" Wendy made a short, straightforward introduction about the shirt. Jews were the best merchants in the world, so the man spotted the business opportunity right away. When Wendy was finished, C had a talk with Qin Guan on the phone. Finally, the theater union signed a contract with J Clothing. Half of the 100 theaters on Broadway ordered thousands of products. They also signed a confidentiality agreement about the prices. J Clothing would open retail stores in the US after all. At night, a piece of paper drifted across the ocean, reaching the desk of the J Clothing boss. "Wow! Qin Guan is really my lucky star! Its only been half a month! 30,000 pieces!" "Xiao Wang, tell the production line to work overtime. Theyll get a bonus by the piece!" Both sides were happy. Guo Nuoyan, who was a responsible guy, reminded Qin Guan of the first poster after the decorations were finished. Qin Guan was focused on the big party at Columbia organized by Chinese businessmen, which would be taking ce the next day. He wondered if other Chinese students from Columbia wouldin about his luck. That opportunity should have been awarded to them after all. A useless title deed was thrown into the small case, where their joint estate was kept. That party would be his and Cong Nianweis debut after arriving in the US. There would be fellow students, business partners and investors attending the party. It was a fair for exchanging ideas with each other, which could be considered a trial for their future careers or a chance to start their own business. Actually, the party was a tform for both Chinese students at Columbia and Chinese businessmen in New York. Before the party though, Qin Guan had a small problem to deal with. What was the most important task for a student? Learning! How could one check if the students had learned enough? Through exams, of course! Xu was always with Qin Guan those days, which made Kuhn quite unpleasant. He used to think of Xu as his own sidekick. On the exact day his father had fallen into disgrace, Xu had humiliated him in public and then maintained a distance from him during the following days. Finally, Xu had abandoned him after his father had taken the me and resigned. In fact, Xu had only maintained a good rtionship with Kuhn because his family had asked him to. Now, he was finally free. Qin Guan, who was an interesting, friendly guy, became his new best friend at Columbia. Kuhn finally found a way to vent his anger. He would start a fight with Qin Guan. Considering their difference in height and figure though, he was wise enough to give up his n. What if I ask someone else to beat him? Nobody would help me now though. The only way to boost his self-esteem was by passing the first midterm exam before Halloween, which was not just an exam for the Finance Department, but for all the students at Columbia. The results will show everyone who is the real king! Qin Guan had no idea about his potential enemy in the exam. He yawned in the examination room, ovee by boredom. THE NORTH FACE show had taken ce at a gym the previous night. The fitness addicts had been looking at the models eagerly, like wolves hidden in the grass. Qin Guan had felt so ufortable that he had escaped as soon as possible after finishing his performance. Hed had nightmares the whole night. I have to calcte the edge distribution function and the marginal probability density... Its so difficult! Will Prof. Martin use the exams for actuary? We have spent only three months at Columbia... He didnt stop writing as he silently med their cruel tutor. Kuhn felt confident when he saw the questions. In his opinion, he was the best postgraduate student in the Finance Department. Only I can answer those questions... I can get an A in every subject. When he thought of the ranking list, Kuhn cheered up. His fathers mistakes couldnt be redeemed, so he had a long way to go. He had to get rid of any negative influence. He looked at Qin Guan and Xu Xiaoxiao, who was scratching his head. Someone will regret his choices one day. After the exam, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei didnt go home right away. They headed to the library instead. All the students were excited for that night. It was the most significant ball before Halloween. One could also consider it a weing party for the freshmen. To save time, Qin Guan brought a bag of clothes that contained formal outfits for him and Cong Nianwei. Chapter 357: Stop Jabbering, Rongzhi! Chapter 357: Stop Jabbering, Rongzhi! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan and John walked to Johns dormitory together. Susanna and Cong Nianwei followed them, chatting andughing. They would change clothes in Johns dormitory. To be honest, dormitories at Columbia had impressed Qin Guan with their dirty, disorderly state. They were way worse than Qin Guans previous dormitory. However, since he had told John that he would be visiting several days ago, John should have had enough time to clean his room. Reality blew him away though. When the door opened, a stinky smell surged out. Only the smell of fermented bean curd and durian could bepared to that stench. Qin Guan gestured at Cong Nianwei and slowly stepped into the room. It was a small room of about eight square meters. Garbage was piled on the two beds, leaving no space for the guests. stic bags, waste paper and red underwear were lying miserably on the floor. Qin Guan coughed. "Its a little messy." A little? That was a euphemism. Qin Guan put his hands on a table and realized he had gotten ketchup and cheese on his palm. He calmly lifted the papers, only to find several pizza boxes under them. They were leftovers from several days ago. "You know how much homework we have, Qin Guan. I have no time to eat out, so I order in... Come in, Cong Nianwei." "My roommate is a hard-working boy. He must be at the library right now. Wee!" He wrapped all the garbage up in his quilt and threw it on the other bed, so his guests could sit on his bed. Bang! "Ouch!" A hairy head rose from beneath the quilt on the other bed. The scared boy looked ready to bolt. "Rongzhi? Did you skip ss?" "John? What time is it? What hit me just now?" The two of them were looking at each other with an incredulous expression, when a dumbbell fell from Rongzhis body. Everyone burst intoughter. Rongzhi came back to his senses and picked up his sses from the pile of garbage. "Friends of yours?" he asked before suddenly falling silent. What do I see? Is that an angel? A beautiful goddess from Ancient Greece? A fairy from Wondend? Fairies dont have ck hair and eyes though! Qin Guan was shocked by the expression in the boys eyes. He turned around and saw Cong Nianwei standing behind him in a white dress, looking slim and graceful. You are really brave, boy! You dare express your admiration before her boyfriend! You are offending me! Qin Guan walked up to Cong Nianwei, intending to lead her outside. Then he would close the door and have a private talk with Rongzhi about his life and ideals. Rongzhi hugged him from behind though. "My Mona Lisa! Even the mysterious Nile couldnt carry my longing for you..." "Wow!" Everyone in the room was frightened. Rongzhi seemed like an ordinary boy, yet he was not admiring a beautiful girl like Cong Nianwei. "Hey, dude. Are you still dreaming? Im a guy!" In ancient Roman and Greek mythology, gods were all non-sexual. Nothing could suppress their beauty, not even age or gender. You are Venus, the most dazzling star in the sky. You are my heart... Rongzhi was just a pure admirer of beautiful things. Qin Guan wanted to give him a lesson, but hesitated. People always enjoyed getting worshipped by others. Cong Nianwei had originally thought he was just another pursuer, but he had turned out to be a love rival. And he was a boy! She suddenly walked up to Rongzhi. "Let him go!" "Never! Why? Who are you?" "Im his girlfriend." Cong Nianwei put both hands on her waist. Anyone who knew her would know that she was outraged. Rongzhi cleaned his sses with one hand and sized her up from head to toe. "Ugly woman!" Wow! He was doomed. Mou Xiaoliu had infinite strength and Huang Jiajia was good at unreasonable demands, but Cong Nianwei was not like them. She was a smart girl who could kill a person without even getting blood on her hands. "Rongzhi, as far as I know, your team will be participating in a national design contest at the end of the year. Im not usually interested in unofficial, unprofessional contests, but Ryan asked me to join his team yesterday and I dont want to say no to him. I have decided to join his team..." Chapter 358: Welcoming Party at Columbia Chapter 358: Weing Party at Columbia Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Who are you? I know all the talented students at our college..." "Oh, no! I forgot about the female monster. People say she is Superwoman. She can finish a whole blueprint in two weeks! Sewers included! Everything drawn by hand!" "Her name is... Cong..." "Cong Nianwei." Cong Nianwei pointed to her own face with a cold grin. Rongzhi was stupefied. "Its me. The ugly woman..." Cong Nianwei never bore grudges. She always took revenge right away. Rongzhi let Qin Guan go instantly, as if his hands had been burned. Then he rubbed his sweaty palms against his pants. "My idol... Could you please lend me Professor Freds design of the TYU mansion? I just want to have a look. One look!" The situation had taken a sudden turn. "You know him?" Qin Guan whispered to Cong Nianwei. "Yes, hes a silly design addict. Hes a kind boy though..." Aesthetic appreciation seems to be amon disease among designers. Maybe she just loves me for my looks. Qin Guan caressed his face happily. Im still a hero. This was the first time John got to know his Chinese friends well. After some exnations, they soon became friends. The girls went into the bathroom to put on their dresses, while the boys had to put on their suits amid that dusty heap. "John, do you have a spare shirt? Id like to attend the party tonight..." Rongzhi asked, staring at Qin Guan like he was appreciating an oil painting. "No problem. Look in the closet. Theres a dozen of new shirts." John wanted to help the boy, who usually did not attend social events. Unlike strict business parties, the outfits for the college ball were pretty casual. Instead of wearing a traditional bow tie, Qin Guan chose a blue tie and a silver tie clip, which were perfect for lively young people. Then he knocked on the door of the bathroom. "Are you ready? I cant wait to see your lovely face, darling..." John made a face at his ttering words, but Rongzhi looked infatuated. The door opened, and Cong Nianwei stepped out leisurely. She was wearing a royal blue dress, and her long hair was pinned high on her head with a matching silver hairpin. Qin Guan extended his arm, and she locked her fair, soft hand through his. "Shall we go?" "Yes, lets go!" Students in formal attire headed to the auditorium from all directions. The hall was lit up by crystal chandeliers, making it look like it was still daytime. The mirror-like floor looked smooth and spotless. The party was for the freshmen, who were the guests of honor that night. One by one, the distinguished guests entered the hall. John introduced them to his friends like a busy tycoon. "The short Asian with the sses is the vice chairman of the Chinese Business Strategy Alliance." "The kind old man with the silver hair is the executive director of the National City Bank of New York." "Wow! The Morgan Stanley family! The brown-haired guy over there is the head of the Wall Street Investment Bank." Both the speaker and the listeners looked keen during the introductions. Suddenly, there was a roar of cars outside. The motorcade sounded extraordinary. Those ck sheep had refitted the best luxury cars! The crowd was shocked by the ostentation and extravagance. There were Mercedeses, Bentleys, Rolls-Royces... Qin Guan was itchy to touch them. Maybe I could buy a Volkswagen. Its economical and practical... Suddenly, he was struck by lightning. Wearing proper suits with shining gem buttons, three Chinese young men walked over from the parking lot. They were Lan Jin, Guan Jian and He Ming... It was like a scene from a TV drama. Cong Nianwei, who also looked as if she had been hit by lightning, exchanged a look with Qin Guan. The two of them said in one voice, "There are colleges here from all over New York..." They were right. The party was open, so students from other New York colleges had also been invited. NYU was the top university, so its students had naturally received an invitation. How had Lan Jin, a student of amunity college, gotten an invitation though? When the boys reached the entrance, they took off their white gloves in a showy manner. Lan Jin spotted Qin Guan right away. Asian faces were rare in the hall. Besides, Qin Guan was always like a shining object in a crowd. "Qin Guan! Im here!" Long time, no see. Lan Jin had changed the color of his hair from red to yellow, but he was still the same lively boy. Chapter 359: Together Again Chapter 359: Together Again Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia His loud voice attracted attention from all the guests in the hall. Wow, we have a rich Asian at our college! Qin Guan covered his face in shame. Lan Jin didnt care about anyone else. He made his way over to Qin Guan. "Hey, dude! Why didnt you call me when you got to the US?" You never gave me your new number or wrote to me. He Ming and Guan Jian also joined them. "What are you doing here?" "This is a party of the best university in Manhattan. We love parties. I called Lan Jin to ask him to bring us here. Guan Jians university has an ongoing coboration with the New York University. He lives in my house now." "You disappeared after arriving in New York though. We came here for you tonight. Wont you wee us?" "Of course not. I might end up in the university newspaper tomorrow." "You? In what way? You shine everywhere you go, but you seem modest here at Columbia." He Ming lifted his golden-framed sses, obviously surprised by Qin Guans appearance. Then he nced over at the distinguished guests to get a general idea. "Why did youe here in such a formidable array?" Qin Guan pointed to the parking lot outside. Guan Jian sneered at him. "Ask Lan Jin." Lan Jin coughed awkwardly. "Im not familiar with the city, so my dad bought me an apartment in Long Ind. I discovered that it would take me 20 minutes to drive downtown though, so I had to buy a car. Car exhibitions here are filled with Benzes and Rolls-Royces, so I had to refit it." "Many Chinese students like my car at my university. They copied what I did and we have a luxury car club now. He Ming helped us set some formal regtions." Qin Guan grimaced. "So why did youe here for me? I cant afford any of your toys..." He Ming smiled again. "Rich second-generation students have to apply to join our club by using their money. Our club has outstanding power. Maybe we could do something together one day." "We are here to ask your opinion. Would you like to join us?" Its a Chinese fraternity. Of course I want to join. Im not an idiot. "Okay, no problem." They were all happy, but John, who was listening in to their conversation, looked itchy. The host announced the start of the party. People walked to the dancing floor and started moving along to the soft music. Those who preferred their quiet stayed behind and talked with their friends. Qin Guan and his friends were naturally in the public eye. They slowly walked up to the distinguished guests. "Uncle He! Long time, no see..." "Xiao Ming, I saw you when you arrived!" After an introduction by He Ming, they began chatting about random subjects. "How are you, Mr. Fred? Do you remember me from the party at the Chelsea Hotel? Im Kuhn..." Nobody had noticed when Kuhn had approached. The people he greeted forced a smile on their faces. Qin Guan felt strange about the scene. Reality was really cruel. Would the former prince adjust to the changes? "Qin Guan, youre here! Ive been looking for you for a long time. Why didnt youe to the party with me?" Xu Xiaoxiao was standing behind him. Before he could turn around, he saw the crazy light in Kuhns eyes. "Are they your friends? Are they Chinese?" Xu tried to put his arm around Qin Guans shoulders. The difference between their heights though made Xu look like a funny monkey stretching up to reach a peach. "Ha! What an interesting boy! Could you introduce him to us, Qin Guan?" Lan Jinughed loudly. All the attendants fixed their eyes on Xu Xiaoxiao. Taking advantage of this, the guests got over the embarrassment caused by Kuhn, who was tantly ignored by everyone. The party was wonderful. People drank, talked and enjoyed thepany of beautiful girls. Only when Kuhn lost that luxury did he realize how precious it was. He retreated to the entrance without a word. The proud young man set his ss down heavily on a tray. Wine sshed out, betraying his anger. Nobody paid any attention to him though. The music changed, sparking their interest. John and Susanna werepeting, trying to challenge Zeta and Wendy. They were the prince and princess rivals that night. All the students were familiar with their history. They danced and smiled as they watched the drama unfold. Uncle He wasining to He Ming and other Chinese rich men. "Chinese people are better than foreigners in nearly all aspects. When ites to public activities and sports though, Chinese students are mediocre." Although the members of the luxury car club did not like his observation, they knew it was true. Chapter 360: Impressing the Whole Audience Chapter 360: Impressing the Whole Audience Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Guan Jian, the most patriotic guy among them, took action. He pulled Qin Guan over and threatened him. "Can you dance? Tell me! If you say no, Ill kill you!" So I basically have to say yes? Qin Guan gave in to his threat. "I know what you mean. I can! I can!" Qin Guan pulled his tie off and pushed it at Xu Xiaoxiao. Then he unfastened three buttons on his shirt. He bowed before Cong Nianwei and extended his hand. "Would you please dance with me, my beautiful princess?" It would be their first dance with a real meaning. He had to make it perfect for the sake of their new life together. Other Chinese students apuded. They liked that boy, even though he did everything in a showy way. Cong Nianwei smiled and gave Qin Guan her hand. Suddenly, he threw his suit jacket high in the air. The blue Ports jacketnded in Xus hand after a handsome parab. Lan Jin whistled excitedly. The Chinese students apuded loudly. Thepetitors on site saw themotion. Before they coulde back to their senses, the boy in the white BOSS shirt and his female partner walked to the dancing floor. Qin Guan looked like a returning King. They naturally left the center of the stage to the contestants. Most of the dancers stopped and walked away. They chose to watch thepetition from afar. Lan Jin and the other guys were confident about Qin Guan. What they were worried about actually was Cong Nianwei. Bright music started ying. Cong Nianweis beautiful crystal high-heels were shining. She moved in a handsome twirl, the two of them beginning their performance. They were dancing cha-cha, which was the best choice for lovers who wanted to show off. Following Cong Nianweis rhythm, Qin Guan swayed his hips in a sexy manner. He looked perfect in his tight pants. "Oh my! I cant even breathe!" Cheers from foreign girls were heard all around them. Qin Guan was like a me lighting up the whole hall. Love and romance were the pride of youth. They looked at each other, exchanging hot, emotional looks. They provoked each other, their breaths full of hidden sexual passion. Cong Nianweis fair legs were locked around Qin Guans. They tangled and parted, expressing their love. They fixed their eyes on each other, stars shining in their pupils. They only saw their own reflection in each others eyes. The music gradually slowed down, perfectly matching their steps. Qin Guans serious expression suddenly changed. A warm, honest smile formed on his face. Hand in hand, they waved to the audience and bowed amid the apuse. The other dancers were totally ignored. It was the first time John, Wendy and Susanna, their striking fellow students, experienced what being a fly on the wall was like. When they noticed the dispirited expression on their rivals faces though, they were relieved. At least our rivals also failed to win the title. Lan Jin apuded so much that his palms turned red. He didnt forget to share his pride with Xu Xiaoxiao, who was also crazy about the dancepetition. Qin Guan realized that he and Cong Nianwei had be popr after their dance. After the party, students woulde up to them to greet or talk to them. The harmonious atmosphere reached its peak during the award ceremony. The lights became dim, leaving only two projectors shining dazzlingly down at the center of the stage. The host mounted the small stage and shouted the names of the prince and princess of the ball. "The princess is a Chinese student from the Department of Civil Engineering, Cong Nianwei..." "And our extraordinary prince is..." As he was about to say the name, all the Chinese students in the hall shouted loudly, "Qin Guan! Qin Guan! Qin Guan!" "Bingo! He is also a Chinese student from the Finance Department, Qin Guan!" The lights were suddenly cast in their direction, their shadows getting tangled up and forming a beautiful halo. Hand in hand, they walked forward slowly in a graceful manner. Chapter 361: Is the Crown Valuable? Chapter 361: Is the Crown Valuable? Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Winners should show off their full potential. Qin Guan decided to impress everyone with his outstanding image. The perfect couple mounted the stage with grace and pride. Cong Nianwei lowered her head slightly to wear the royal crown, which was iid with bright crystals. They would make the front page of the university newspaper the next day. The romantic night finally came to an end. The prince and princess left in a luxury car, followed by a queue of even more expensive cars. They parked at their building. Before they could say goodbye to their friends, Lan Jins blonde head peeked out. "Remember, you are a member of our club. I know your address now. Check your mailter. Dont forget my number. Ill call youter. He Ming is the unreliable one, but he is always busy. You are royal to me. Wait for my yacht!" So Ill basically be your babysitter? Qin Guan shook his head helplessly and told Xu Xiaoxiao, who was also in the car, "Dont run wild with us. Well take care of those naughty guys. Tomorrow well know our midterm grades. You shouldnt bete." Bro, it was Lan Jin who would have to pay attention if they ever got together. The roar of the car broke the silence of the night. They turned around the corner and disappeared. As they were going up the stairs, Qin Guan suddenly realized something. "Cong Nianwei?" "Yes?" "What is your crown made of? Is it valuable?" It was just like Qin Guan to want to put a price on a symbol of honor. "Its only made of crystals, not diamonds. I dont think its expensive. ording to my estimations, the frame must be made of PT. Ill check it out in theboratoryter." They really were the perfect couple. They were both down-to-earth people. The halo of fame and wealth would never influence their firm will. It was another ordinary morning. Students shuttled back and forth on campus with nervous expressions. The bell rang and all the students rushed to their ssrooms, paying no attention to the beautiful autumn day. The pen in Kuhns hand kept knocking against his book. His eyes were fixed in the direction of Qin Guan and Xu Xiaoxiao. Kuhn did not have a favorable impression of Qin Guan, who had stolen his best friend. He was a boastful guy who relied on his appearance, and everyone would see it that day. Xu would regret being so short-sighted. He had abandoned golden jewellery over an iron block with a gorgeous disguise. At Columbia, looks only prevailed for so long. That yellow monkey should have stayed in its corner tamely, just like he had during his first ss at Columbia. It would have been the best decision for everybody involved. As he thought of that, Kuhn felt a little proud. He saw the college staff pasting the grade list outside the ssroom. Prof. Martin was also handing out their marked papers. Qin Guan nudged Xu to wake him up. He was dozing off on the desk. He had drunk too much the previous night. Qin Guan pushed his paper towards him. "B, B, B+... Wonderful! Im satisfied!" His reaction was not strange. Professors at American universities used the weighted score system, which wasparatively reasonable. It focused on the general performance of a student instead of the marks of a single exam. For example, if a student got 85 at the midterms, 90 at the end of term, 100 for homework and 80 for their paper, and they hadnt missed a single ss the whole semester, those marks would be multiplied by the corresponding percentages to form their final score. The final grade would be 9040%+8525%+8015%+10010%+10010%=89.25. In a way, this was fair. A-, A and A+ equalled 90 to 100, so Xus B and B+ were a pretty good result, especially considering the heavy pressure put on students at Columbia. Xu felt proud and relieved. He was in the mood toment on other peoples marks now, so he craned his head to get a look at Qin Guans mark. His jaw dropped onto the desk. What he saw was a series of A+. "Wow! I never saw you at the library. You always disappeared as soon as ss was over. How did you get that result?" Prof. Martin was also curious about him. Qin Guan always finished his homework perfectly in a short time. He was the only one to get a full mark in the whole Finance Department. He was his pride. Before he could openly praise Qin Guan though, another good student of his, Kuhn, suddenly appeared before Qin Guan. He showed his marks to Qin Guan and Xu Xiaoxiao disdainfully. "Do you guys see? What does "sincerely convinced" mean? I dont want to waste my time talking to you." Chapter 362: An Influential Man on Campus Chapter 362: An Influential Man on Campus Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "You should be ashamed of your B. Thank god Ive kept a distance from you, Xu Xiaoxiao. You lower the IQ of the whole ss." Kuhn took his paper away. Looking up at the ceiling, he walked out of the room. When he reached the entrance, he turned around and said, "My name is at the top of the grade list. You guys should be ashamed." Xu was speechless. What do you mean? Look at the list more carefully before you speak. Prof. Martin swallowed awkwardly. He had no chance to warn Kuhn, who was already reading the list outside. At the top of the list was... Qin Guan. A line of A+! Kuhn looked at the lonely "+" on his own paper, as well as his name under Qin Guans, in astonishment. Tears started running down his face. Leaving a few scraps of paper behind him, he disappeared at the end of the corridor. "What happened to him?" "No idea." As they walked on the campus path, Qin Guan and Xu Xiaoxiao finally felt relieved. Now they could enjoy the beautiful day. Thetest newspapers were on a stall by the corner. As a well-informed guy, Xu had to get one. As he had expected, the front-page headlines were about the prince of the weing party. The full-page photo was of a really good quality. The reporter was the best student of the Media Studies Department. The article was professional in both wording andposition. Qin Guan didnt take the article seriously, but Xu, who knew the power of gossip very well, was anticipating more drama. Qin Guan was waiting for Cong Nianwei by the stairs next to the library, still in denial. In Western countries, blondes were always more attractive than brtes. A group of blondes that looked like gorgeous celebrities were sending invitations to the handsome, mysterious boy. "Hey, I have an extra ticket to a midnight film..." "Im Jenny. Will you have a cup of tea with me?" Qin Guan made a face and pointed to Cong Nianwei on the newspaper. "Sorry, but she is my goddess..." American girls were very straightforward. They left without getting angry, but not before reminding him, "Call us if you break up. Were always free." Qin Guan waved a handful of cards proudly at Xu Xiaoxiao. "Qin Guan, what are you doing?" Safety first. Qin Guan pushed all the cards at Xu fast. "Nothing important. Xu asked me for some paper." The two of them went downstairs hand in hand, leaving their silly friend behind. A lot of people greeted them along the way. "Hey! Qin Guan! You look wonderful! Well done, bro!" The two young foreigners were remembered by all tutors and students at Columbia. This was the beginning of their fame. Meanwhile, Sister Xue received an email from Qin Guan, reporting his sess. The newspaper article and CKs splendid show made her extremely happy. She sorted the material and sent it to his fan club and to Qu Xuemei at VOGUE. The phone was ringing nonstop. The busier she were, the better. "Hello, Director Zhang Jizhong? I know that. The TV shows will air in early 2003? Thats such a coincidence. Director Zhang Yimou will send his work to Hollywood during that period. Of course, it matters. Qin Guan had a role in the film." "Yes, thats right. Youll have to help us with the promotion..." The crew of "Hero" was still working at night. Zhang Weiping got an email from Sister Xue and showed it happily to Zhang Yimou. "Who shall we take to the US? Have you made a decision? Maybe we could just give him a free ride?" Zhang Yimou looked at Qin Guan, who was smiling under the shlights at Columbia. He pressed the end of his cigarette into the ashtray. "You are the boss. You decide." "Okay. Well take him next year." "Next year." Everybody in China was happy about Qin Guan, who had finally found direction in the small room he had been given at the Chelsea Fair, inspired by his girlfriend, Cong Nianwei. This had to be named the new gathering ce of designers. China would lift its mysterious veil there. Cong Nianwei was measuring the room. Time and again, she would turn to Qin Guan to exchange ideas with him. Qin Guan was talking with Teacher Rong on his cell phone. They were discussing the products of the store. He was nning on creating a pce of custom-made artwork. Because of the limited space, the products would all be from China, but because of the specialty of the district, they also had to be high-end. Chapter 363: Freelance Photographer Chapter 363: Frence Photographer Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Different friends offered to help. The products were designed by Teacher Rong, Sister Xue helped as well, and administrative processes such as the register and the tax calction were assigned to He Ming. As the first one among them to start up a business, Qin Guan cheered those idling, proud guys up. They thought of Qin Guans business as their own and they ended up founding twopanies. One was amercialpany qualified to import and export products, and the other was a high-ranking custom-made store of original brand manufacturers. Qin Guan turned down Lan Jins proposal to expand and find a new location. The smallpany was like his and his girlfriends baby. It was Cong Nianweis favorite thing aside from her studies. As a naturally born designer, Cong Nianwei had fallen in love with the store at first sight. This was the beginning of their new life. A busy hamster knew its capabilities well. The beginning of their career had to be carried out ording to their abilities. It was not just a career for them after all. It was also an interest. They liked to work without pressure and do everything themselves. Cong Nianwei and Guo Nuoyan drove Qin Guan away from the store, as he had more important tasks to carry out. He had to shoot his first poster in the J Clothing store after the decorations were finished. The photographer was an acquaintance of theirs, who had left them a card several days ago. Thanks to his acute intuition, Guo Nuoyan got a general idea of the situation. The middle-aged woman was a frence photographer working for many magazines and newspapers in New York. She preferred to live free and leisurely. Guo looked at her with new eyes after assessing her perfect skills. The adventurous female photographer was good at focusing on detail and exploring beautiful elements amid extreme ugliness. She didnt ask for money as payment. She just wanted Qin Guan to model for her for free. Qin Guan was okay with the agreement. It felt like destiny had brought him and the photographer together. He got a wonderful vibe from her, unlike from other ordinary fashion photographers. It was Helen who designed the poster. First, she had abandoned the traditional studio. Sunshine was the bestmplight and the shade of real trees was the best background. They were enough for a good picture. The ancient, gloomy style of the Chelsea Fair was the best site. Wearing his dark green Harley sunsses, Qin Guan put on the featured fall collection outfits. There were coarse dark red tiles, mottled fences and green trees behind him. He looked like a fashionable boy walking down the New York streets in a grey cotton hoodie and a ck waistcoat. Helen pointed her camera at Qin Guan. "Rx. Posture doesnt matter. Just rx." She didnt want to see a serious business model through her lens. She preferred original emotion. Qin Guan stood there calmly. The audience couldnt see his eyes behind his sunsses, which increased their desire to get a clear look at them. Qin Guan leaned his body against the wall. His fair skin contrasted against the coarse bricks. He looked like the boy next door, like every girls first crush. That boy was the warmest memory in every girls childhood. Helen pressed the shutter like a dying butterfly struggling in the deep autumn. She believed that she had discovered a rare gem. The Asian boy was quite different from how he acted in his ordinary life. They began the second series of photos. Breaking the standards of business advertisements, the photos only showed Qin Guans backview to the audience. It was a test not just for photographer, but also for the expressive force of the model. Qin Guan didnt choose clothes of a fitting orplicated style. He just put on a pair of simple straight pants and a hoodie. Standing on the hillside, he watched the sunset, turning his back to the photographer. Warm sunshine seeped into him, leaving a dim shadow behind him. Chapter 364: Hello, New York Fashion Week! Chapter 364: Hello, New York Fashion Week! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Amon cap was lying on his head crookedly. He looked like those high school yboys that girls liked. Most girls fell in love with them. They always visited them in their dreams and made them wake up sobbing. Guo Nuoyan almost burst into tears. He remembered the girl he loved secretly, who was just as splendid as Qin Guan. With ast press of the shutter, their work was done. Helen looked at the films. She was in no mood to hand them over to the philistine Asian merchant yet. At the thought of the photoshoot she would arrange though, she felt happy again. Thanks to the shooting at Chelsea Fair, the shop owners got a general idea of their clothes. They were all professional designers, who knew all about beauty and fashion. They showed great interest in their casual clothes, which were different from the typical American style. After the shooting, customers crowded into the store. In several days, J Clothing had be the uniform of the designers around the venue. Almost everybody had at least one piece of their clothes. Thanks to significant aspects such as toughness, endurance, breathability and strong absorbability, they were weed as artists. Besides, the most important advantage was their low prices. No one would feel sorry about a stain of paint or wine on their clothes. As a result, a small circle was formed. The customers and shop owners influenced each other, and J Clothing became a symbolic uniform of New York designers. It was just like ck clothes, brass buttons on police uniforms, loose pipe fitter jeans or the white overall protection suits of quarantine inspectors. J Clothing had be the new symbol of New York designers. Without their clothes, a designer would be considered an outsider of the circle. It was a surprise for J Clothing. Of course, this would happen in the future. Qin Guan was currently exining his thoughts about thepany to his girlfriend. He had to keep investing capital in the developing store. Where would that capitale from? New York Fashion Week! That was the top event of the fashion circle in the US. Inte October, New York would be full of visitors. Qin Guan had received a notice from LEE before the CK show, so he was not worried about getting an invitation. Besides, he could meet up with John, who was in Kansas those days. Top fashion countries like France, Italy and the UK had their own ces in the fashion week, while its casual style attracted countless Asian designers. The most susceptible and the first to be affected, were Japanese designers, of course, with South Koreans right on their heels. They had great power in Asia, so they were not to be ignored during the top four fashion weeks. The group of Asian designers was led by Yohji Yamamoto, as there was no Chinese designer among them. Qin Guan was surprised by the weak brand awareness of Chinese people, as well as the shorings of Chinese designers. However, at the same time, he was happy to see another power rted to China. It was a special group of foreign designers of Chinese origin. They had graduated from top design colleges from all over the world and studied Chinese culture. This made their ce among designers decisive. Qin Guan silently memorized their names. I wish they could make their own way in New York Fashion Week this year! New York had been livelytely. Even Wall Street elites saw countless foreign beauties when cruising at night. The most bustling metropolis in the world was filled with fashion insiders from all directions, adding an exotic atmosphere to the noisy city. Unlike the unified management of Beijing Fashion Week, designers there had to find a ce for themselves. Qin Guan was not worried about that though. With notices from three top brands, he could be considered a lucky boy in the fashion event. The main meeting ce was Chelsea Hotel. People were idling around it in hopes of getting an invitation at thest moment. On the first day of the fashion week, the Armani autumn and winter collection opened the show, followed by CKs formal apparel. Qin Guan was relieved about the schedule. He still cherished a hope about the resumes he had submitted to top luxury brands, but after waiting for a long time, he still hadnt gotten a call or notice about an interview. Only then did he realize the hardships independent models faced in New York. The best opportunities did not always go to good models. Various factors were involved. Abandoning hope, he changed into his outfit and waited silently backstage for the Armani models to finish. Looking modest during the fashion week was difficult. John, who had to appear long after, presented himself at the entrance leisurely, with Qin Guans outfits in hand. He seemed not to know what the word "modest" meant. A group of people were following him. Chapter 365: Giorgio Armani Chapter 365: Giorgio Armani Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia They were hairy, strong young men in LEE overalls and dazzling id shirts. It seemed like a gathering of farmers was taking ce backstage. "Wow! The first show is really lively!" John handed the stic bag to Qin Guan as he looked around. There was no spare space, so he sat down on the floor. "Introduce yourselves to each other. We are all LEE models. From left to right, this is M, L, W..." What a simple introduction! The models protested immediately. "F*ck, you always act like this in front of beautiful girls, John!" L, who had a sexy full beard, nced at Qin Guan with his grey eyes. Then he covered his face. "Ah! A beautiful boy. Hes so handsome!" "Im L." A man of 1.90 meters with hairy legs was standing before Qin Guan on a single foot. His other foot was in the air. What a wonderful scene! "Back off!" W pushed L away and leaned his big face into Qin Guan, "Darling, you know John is a shameless bisexual." "He spentst night with three girls. You should choose a loyal gay man like me! Look at my muscles! Theyd give anyone a sense of security." "In a dangerous city filled with monsters, only a strong man like me can be your safe harbour." The man went down on one knee and rolled his sleeves up to show his muscles. Qin Guan whispered to John hopelessly, "Is he homosexual or bisexual?" John answered with an awkward smile, "Homosexual..." Smiling at the strong men, Qin Guan turned around to pick up a wooden block from under the leg of a table. They were all straightforward and ipatible with high-end custom-made apparel. Armani and CK models were educated, refined and royal. On the first day of the Fashion Week, all the brands had sent their best models. Compared to Armani models though, models of other brands were inferior. The models of the opening show hadnt shown up yet. Their level was also unparalleled. LEE was the leading brand in jeans though, so their models were not inferior to anyone in the backstage area, although they had a different style. One of the Asian models became a focus point backstage. Even the staff couldnt shout at the crowd after catching sight of Qin Guans smile. He was like an ancient schr from a traditional Chinese painting. His voice was like pearls falling into a jade te. "Look at this!" The well-dressed boy crashed the wooden block into pieces. Wow! Everyone turned away from him, some in admiration, while others in envy or spite. It was like someone had pressed the "continue" button, making them get to work. Johns friends were staring at the pieces. "Okay, John. Hes got the clothes. The show will start now. We can talkter." "Yes, thats it!" They left fast. Qin Guan grinned proudly. The rotten block had been used to support the table. It was wonderful to scare people away. Suddenly, he noticed amotion at the entrance of the backstage area. The calm, peaceful models seemed surprised, thirsty and eager to impress. This was because Giorgio Armani, one of the top designers in the world and a native Italian, had appeared. He was their lucky star. Qin Guan stared curiously at the old man with the silver hair in the middle of the crowd. He was wearing a leisure suit. His navy cashmere cardigan, simple T-shirt and Khaki pants were elegant, graceful Armani designs. He had taken his new favorite model, Chad, to the fashion week, with the intention of causing a storm amid the gloomy economic situation. Surprisingly, Chad was the model Citizen hadpared to Qin Guan. Destiny was a magical thing. Unlike the other models, who tried their best to impress Armani, Qin Guan just sat there calmly. If one wasnt given an opportunity, they could always just grab it. Since they would be representing different brands on the same stage, they couldpete against each other in a dignified, imposing way. Qin Guan only had pleasant thoughts. He wasnt annoyed by the chaos at all. The chief designer and senior manager of the CK operational department saw the peaceful boy in the corner and exchanged an appreciative nce. "An Asian model for the opening show?" "Yes." "A brave choice, but a good one." Chapter 366: Similar Concepts Chapter 366: Simr Concepts Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia As a Columbia student, Qin Guan met the demands of the CK senior executives. His outstanding looks were appreciated by designers. Fame followed merit, so he would undoubtedly be the model of the opening show. Everyone calmed down, and the Armani models, who were led by Chad, changed into their outfits and got on the stage solemnly. The CK chief designer nearly fainted when he saw Armanis fall collection. Coincidently, Armani was also featuring a concept of dark tones and practical styles, which was quite simr to the style of CK. As if that wasnt enough, their leading model, Chad, was also wearing a military style outfit. As a result, the two brands would have to depend on their models performance, as well as the response of the fashion circle and the media. The chief designer secretly congratted himself. VOGUEs favorite model? The best model in the US? Who cares? My work is better than Armanis! The curtains were lifted to reveal the crystal castle behind them. Everything was transparent. The T stage, the chairs, the ceiling, the wall... It was like a little girls paradise. Every shlight from the spectator seats was reflected with a colorful light, and every model on the stage was enveloped by a magical halo. Qin Guan smiled to himself. Chad had no idea about the rtionship between him and the new CK model. If he knew, he would have just huffed. He was the best example of an American Idol. He had originally been an athlete before he had been discovered by VOGUE. Mr. Armani had gotten infatuated with him at first sight, and he had be the old mans favorite boy. As he walked on the stage, Chad looked proud and strong, filled with an eagerness to win. The sad city needed to be cheered up. Armani had had to change its usually gentle, refined style to a tougher one. Chad had been the best choice for that. The strong American man stood on the stage with his hands hanging deliberately between his thighs. The hearts of thedies and young girls in the audience were beating fast. If I could spend a night with the hottest man on a fashion magazine, all my dreams woulde true. Chad returned to the backstage area, leaving the stage reluctantly behind him. The seductive moment had been recorded by the cameras. Both the designer and the senior manager were frowning slightly, but they remained silent for the sake of their models. What should we do after the Armani show? There was no time for them to think. Qin Guan turned around, the light of the crystal getting reflected on his jade-like face. The chief designer suddenly smiled. He instantly calmed down. Moving along to the melodious blues song, Qin Guan walked on the stage. The excited audience was frozen on the spot. Qin Guan walked towards the audience like a haughty god descending from Olympus, or an Ice Queen in her own castle. The ck suit he was wearing looked loyal on his body. Despite the fact that the concept was simr to Armanis, Qin Guan had apletely different style. The photographers went crazy. The designers looked excited. Fashion insiders covered their mouths and hearts with a dramatic expression on their faces. Hardess, the God of Ice and Snow, had returned to his grim throne. Silence prevailed in the hall, although the music was still ying. The chief designer hugged the senior manager, tears filling his eyes. "Awesome!" "Wonderful!" The staff backstage couldnt help but pat Qin Guan on the shoulder as they passed by him. The Asian young man had performed a miracle! The Armani models had been too busy changing clothes to watch the CK show. In their opinion, the brand was not worthy of their attention. Qin Guan disappeared in the changing rooms backstage. Giorgio Armanibed his silver hair with his fingers, looking lost in thought. He leaned his head slightly to the left, and his smart assistant bent over to him. "Who is he? Where did CK find him? Why have I never seen him before? I need his resume right now." "Yes, sir!" The assistant left immediately. "Excuse me, but I think I know him," the receptionist said courageously. Chapter 367: Getting Noticed Chapter 367: Getting Noticed Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Im an assistant receptionist at the New York Headquarters. That model is called Qin Guan. One month ago, he submitted his resume to ourpany." "He is an independent model. I remember that he was sincere that day. Im also sure he had not been hired by CK yet." "How sure are you?" Armanis assistant looked alert at the news. "Completely. I swear. He is perfect. I had put his resume aside and filed it in our database." "Impossible. We would have discovered him during the selection. The HR Department would never have overlooked such an outstanding model." "Its true!" she protested. "You could check my records in the system. I personally sent his resume to Jimmy in the HR Department." "I remember his resume because of his outstanding figure. Qin Guan, male, 21 years old. Chinese, the first Asian Fashion Man, Citizen... LEE..." "Really? He chose us first?" Giorgio Armani and his assistant exchanged a nce. Then the assistant said, "Lets talk about thister. Email me his resume." Suddenly, Giorgio Armani was reminded of something. "Do you remember his basic information?" "Of course!" She recited a series of numbers, making the old man feel relieved. "Thats pretty good. Even better than Chad. Chad used to be an athlete after all." "Make a surveyter. Even our brand couldnt bear to suffer that kind of loss." "Besides..." He straightened his back. "I can do nothing about thements about us and CK... Maybe this will be our Waterloo. We will be brought down by a brand that started by selling underwear! Get me all the media reports tomorrow!" "Yes, sir!" Chad was talking with his agent, his eyes fixed on Giorgio Armani. The old man should havee over to praise his performance, thus giving his agent a chance to talk to him about renewing their contract. His dream didnte true though. Giorgio Armani and his staff left hurriedly after the show, leaving the assistants behind to deal with the aftermath. Chad shrugged at his agent. He was too proud to ask what had happened. Countless brands would be waiting for him after the fashion week. Citizen would be his next client. Their investment had pleased his agent the most, so they had to be impressed by his performance. The Citizen representative was Qingmu, who had negotiated with Sister Xue and Qin Guan back in Tokyo. As he sat by the crystal castle, he didnt know what to say. The rejection in Tokyo was visible in his eyes. He had seen Qin Guan in the fashion week. He had not been working for some inferior brand. He had been an opening model for CK! He was just as good as Chad, the leading model of Armani. Qingmu was regretful. A weak voice in his mind kept reminding him of his mistake. He was in no mood to see the rest of the show. Before he could stand up though, the spare seats beside him were suddenly filled. He gave the neers a ttering smile when he saw them clearly. He couldnt leave now. Giorgio Armani and his staff were sitting in the spectator seats. The next show was LEE, which was quite different from Armani in terms of operation policies and products. Armani was showing an interest in jeans, the poor mans clothes. The media had discovered something interesting. Qin Guan changed his clothes. Suddenly, he turned from a prince into a farmer. He put on a brown cowboy hat. His ck tassels swayed as he walked. The atmosphere backstage suddenly changed. The tough cowboys stuffed their hands into their pockets and stomped their boots against the floor. American country music started ying. The curtain was lifted up, revealing an immense grasnd to the audience. People in business wear were watching cowboys in cheap outfits with poker faces. The strange scene attracted a lot of attention. "He ising..." Giorgio Armanis assistant warned him. Qingmu was quite curious about them. What? Who ising? Qin Guan wasing... Chapter 368: Good Graces Chapter 368: Good Graces Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan went on the stage and the atmosphere suddenly changed. The jeans fit his full backside and slender legs well. The id shirt was tied around his waist. Not an inch of his skin was exposed, yet he looked incredibly sexy. "The style is really... interesting!" "Yes!" The assistant understood what his boss meant immediately. "He is good at everything." Qin Guan smiled like a cowboy looking at his beloved girl. His smile was warm and sincere. Giorgio Armani smiled. The whole audience was smiling, yet Qingmu felt like crying. The reporters were absorbed in thought. Qin Guan retreated behind the curtain, getting buried in encouraging embraces and soft pats. So this was what professional eptance was like. An old grey-haired man under the stage was watching Qin Guan with tears covering his face. The general manager of Miramax Films was wiping his sweat away. He had flown to New York to discuss a movie adaptation with him. After arriving at the set location, he had made a call to change the time and ce. He was involved in the fashion circle, so he had been invited to the New York Fashion Week. Miramax Films had no other choice. He was Chuck Barris after all, the most famous TV producer of the 1980s. He was the creator of the earliest TV entertainment programs. Until then, he had only engaged in producing and transcribing American entertainment programs. However, being a romantic in nature, he had also written an autobiography about his unique life. Miramax waspeting for the rights to adapt it. They were under a lot of pressure, as many big Hollywoodpanies had important projectsing out that year. Considering the ever-shrinking box office earnings, they had to carve a new path out. Indie films were their first choice, and they had invested a lot in order to win a prize. George Clooney had actually agreed to star in the film, making them extremely happy. Of course, the main problem was getting the approval and rights to an adaptation from Chuck himself. The manager was straightforward. "Mr. Barris, what do you think of our terms?" he asked Chuck in a gentle voice. The handsome old man wiped his tears away with a handkerchief. "Theyre alright, but I have my own terms. I want to have a say in the casting. Otherwise, theres no need to discuss this. This is my autobiography after all. My own life. I dont want to see an ugly actor portraying me on screen. I already found the right actor for you. Its that beautiful fairy. He looks exactly like me in my prime time!" The manager narrowed his eyes and scanned the old man over. He looked like he might have some West Asian ancestry. When he was young, both his eyes and hair had been ck. The manager rubbed his face awkwardly. "This is an arbitrary decision. We have many suggestions for the main lead. Besides, we have a big enough budget to hire famous actors..." Chuck broke in impatiently, "You are not the decision maker. Ask him toe here. He will stay. He has another showter. Is George the director? Ask him to evaluate my choice. Beauty is good for our health, isnt it?" The negotiation came to a temporary end. Chuck always did as he wished. He took out his vintage monocle like a naughty boy and watched the next show carefully. It was CKs underwear show. Those sexy legs were definitely worthy of his attention. Qin Guan didnt know about their fight. When he changed out of his outfit and got ready to leave, he got a short, strange notice from CK. He was asked to go to the CK headquarters after the fashion week. The first day of the fashion festival had ended with many conflicting thoughts. Qu Xuemei got an email from Sister Xue about the fashion week. On theputer, Qin Guan looked much better than he had in China. It was deep at night, but she still made an overseas call. "Richard! Yes, its me. I sent you an email. Did you see the boy? Im promoting him to be on the next VOGUE. Full inner pages. Front cover would be even better." The red-haired man nearly had cerebral haemorrhage when he heard his arch enemy. VOGUE is not yours! Although he had noticed Qin Guan, he was not a popr public figure in the US. A regr advertorial would be enough. It was impossible to arrange such argeyout for him. He had to consider the sales volume of the magazine. Chapter 369: New York Times Chapter 369: New York Times Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qu Xuemei calmly listened to the roaring from the other end of the receiver. When he stopped, she continued threatening him. "I know what you are thinking about. Im always right about people though. When did I ever cheat you before?" Plenty of times! Ever since we were interns up until you got promoted, you have always been ahead of me. You bully me for fun! Richard had tears in his eyes, but he still decided to say no to her. Before he could hang up, she yed herst card. "Ill apply for another position tomorrow. I have already developed the market in Asia anyway. I think Asia needs a new chief editor." "No! Elder sister! You are like my own sister. No problem! Full inner pages! Thats my maximum authority." Richard yielded to the evil woman in horror. "Be sensible. Take advantage of the fashion week. If you are brave enough to put him on the cover, Im sure that you will be chief editor soon." She sighed. Its been so many years, but Richard has remained the same. Hes so timid! When their negotiation was over, Richard hung up trembling. He had to obey that woman to maintain world peace. Tomorrow, after the fashion week, I have to meet the Asian model Xu resorted to such extreme measures for. In the early morning, the hurried people on the New York streets saw the newspapers. There were photos of the fashion week everywhere. Not only on the New York Post, but also on the Wall Street Journal, which had written an article on the event. Fashion critics were sharingments on the outfits and the designers. Those sharpments were always intolerable for famous designers. "Top brandcks worthy sessors, a new prominent force suddenly rises..." "New faces: CKs vision on model selection..." "Are you ready for this rising Asian male model?" There were reports in top-selling newspapers that featured Qin Guans photos. They also put Armanis leading model beside him to attract readers. Chads ck business suit was on the left, while Qin Guans cold CK outfit was on the right. It was a sh of ice and fire, a conflict between two different design concepts. The critics and designers on the forefront of the fashion circle expressed unanimously the view that Armanis fall collection was too straight and narrow, andcked any striking points. On the other side, CK was worth being re-evaluated. Those articles were on a desk at the Armani headquarters. The prediction of the receptionist had been confirmed. Jimmy was waiting for his final judgement with a pale face. "What I want to know is why you threw his resume into the trash!" The director of the HR Department had the resume in his hand. Jimmy had forgotten to destroy itpletely. The dust covering the resume indicated that it had been there for a long time. "Armani is the best brand in the world. Our concept is elegance, fashion and royalty. Those mediocre Asians and negroes cant exhibit that. They were beyond our consideration." "Plus, he is only an independent model!" Jimmy looked savage. He didnt realize his mistake. He thought he was being considerate, because he had been thinking of thepany. The director drew a serious conclusion. "Im sorry, but your subjective opinions have influenced our work. Considering the importance of your position, I think you are not qualified to fill it anymore. Im sorry to inform you that I have to let you go." "What?" The middle-aged man stood up hysterically. "You have no right to fire me! Illin to your superiors. You are abusing your authority!" He tried to grab the tie of the director in protest. "Let me go! Let me go! Security!" There was a general turmoil in the meeting room. Several security guards rushed in and pulled the crazy man out of the building. In a different office, an assistant was watching respectfully an old man, who was refreshing his spirit by closing his eyes. "Make an appointment for me to meet the young man." "So you want him to try on our apparel? He has the perfect figure." "No!" The elegant old man smiled like a naughty boy. "You forgot about our new product line." "You want him to try that?" "Yes. We have been suppressed by Chanel for a long time. Maybe that Asian model can surprise us..." "Yes, sir!" Qin Guan had no idea about the games yed between top level brands. He had just finished the NORTH FACE show and he was tiredly nning on going home, when he was suddenly stopped by a serious reporter. "W." The short man handed his card to Qin Guan with shining eyes. "Okay..." Qin Guan put it in his pocket. William was surprised by the boys calmness. All the models knew Ws great reputation. It was one of the top fashion magazines in the US. Generally speaking, only top models could attract the attention of the magazine, yet the young man had epted his card like it was a free napkin at the supermarket. Chapter 370: Three Invitations Chapter 370: Three Invitations Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Im a contributing editor of W..." "I know. Your card says that... I can read English." Qin Guan felt strange around the excited man. Why arent you excited? Why arent you screaming out? Why arent you holding your breath like other models? Before he could express his feelings, William heard Qin Guans following words and choked. "Front cover or back cover? What about money?" William suddenly lost any interest in a detailed introduction. Forget it. Never make small talk with an ignorant foreigner. "We are having an event about the fashion week. We are recruiting the best models to take a group photo. It will be in ourtest octavo publication. It will distinguish us from ourpetitors. The payment will be symbolic. We will onlypensate models for transportation. You must clearly not know about W..." "Okay, if I can fit it in my schedule, Ill be there." "Oh... Okay." William choked again. They looked at each other in silence. Before he could say something to save face, an annoying voice came from behind him. "Hi, William! You seem well these days. Are you an editor? Ha! Are you bullying this greenhand here?" That man is really good at provoking me. William looked so angry that he scared Qin Guan and made him take a step back. William clearly knew who that voice belonged to. That slut Richard! Yes, Richard was there to talk to Qin Guan personally. He was afraid that if he didnt, Qu would rush back from Asia. VOGUE and W were among the top five fashion magazines in the US. Their hostility dated back many years. W had been founded in 1972, but it had been defeated by promising neer VOGUE in a single round. This had been the beginning of a history of blood and tears. Like a Ferrari, VOGUE was quite far ahead from Ws conservative carriage. The gap between them was getting broader and broader. His chief editor hade up with an umonly good proposal, but he hadnt expected to meet there that disgusting Richard, who was basically VOGUEs royal running dog. William held his head unyieldingly high. The fact that he was 1.6 meters tall made the posture look ridiculous though. Richard grinned. He had been born in Texas, so he was taller than most Americans. He squatted down and waved at William. "Ive got you. That distance was too long for us tomunicate." Grinding his teeth, William ignored Richards provocation. He simply turned and told Qin Guan, "See you inte October... Ill call you..." Their different opinions made it useless to talk. Richard watched William go with a gentle smile. Then he held up his fist to greet Qin Guan. "Hello, Im Richard." How did he learn this way of greeting? Qin Guan was confused. He had no idea how tomunicate with him. Richard did not give a damn though. He would finish a whole set of greeting methods if thats what it took to greet a Chinese person properly. He bent his knees and brushed his hands heavily on his pants. With one hand hanging down at one side and the other stretched out, he took a standard Qing Dynasty posture. "How are you, master?" I wonder who taught you this. Qin Guan was enlightened by the strong mans card. "Im Richard. I work for VOGUE. This is my card. I wonder if youre free on the weekend. I would like to invite you to take some pictures for our magazines inner pages." This is exactly Qu Xuemeis style. "Okay, send me a notice." Qin Guan was straightforward with his new acquaintance. He took the card. "Did Qu send you to find me?" "How do you know?" Richard took a surprised step back. Is every person who hangs out with that witch an enchanter? "A top magazine would never trust a full-page spread to a neer in the fashion circle. Besides, Im Asian. This must have been internal promotion. I only know one person who works for VOGUE, and thats Qu Xuemei." Richard was convinced. "I see that you trust Qu a lot. You must have a good rtionship." "Of course we do. I always miss her." Richard smiled awkwardly. She is really the best editor. Not one of the best. The best. People only experienced Qin Guans beauty when they met him in person. Richard left in high spirits. Maybe she is my lucky star after all. Qin Guan walked away as well. As he walked along the path, he realized that the gates of the New York fashion circle were gradually opening for him. A taxi stop was nearby. Suddenly, a girl with cute freckles on her face jumped out from around a corner. "He... Hello..." Her voice was as weak as a mosquitos. She handed Qin Guan an unshaped card with trembling hands. "This is my card..." Qin Guan smiled and took the card, which was almost wet from sweat. "Im the editor of a magazine... I have watched all your shows during the fashion week... I think you are wonderful..." "So, I was wondering if you have any spare time this week. We want to invite you to be on the cover of our magazine..." Chapter 371: The Armani Product Chapter 371: The Armani Product Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Although we write about cosmetics, we also report on news about the fashion circle..." Both her voice and head were lowered. I just saw two top magazinese after this model. She was very aware of their ownpetitiveness. "No problem, text me a time and ce. Im finishing my work for the fashion week tomorrow." Qin Guan didnt arrogantly turn down the small magazine. In his opinion, the magazine was pretty good. It just needed time to develop. urate orientation matched the demands of all fashion brands. "Really?" The young girl with the freckles looked at Qin Guan with shining eyes. Her features seemed softer under themplight. "Yes." She ran away, looking back at the corner and waving at Qin Guan with effort. Qin Guan smiled at her. That moment, it seemed like the ice and snow were melting and flowers were blooming under the starry sky. Bang! The girl had hit her forehead against a pole. "Ouch!" She was an interesting girl. Generally speaking, if a person faced some kind of shoring, they would always have an extraordinary advantage to bnce it out. The young girl was a good example of that. Her keen eye for beauty had helped the new magazine find its ce in New York in only two years. The New York Fashion Week went on, leaving both the audience and the media shocked. Qin Guan entered the Armani headquarters once again. This was the beginning of his dream in New York. He had been invited there this time, not gone on his own initiative. Giorgio Armanis assistant had given him a notice during the fashion week. Qin Guan met Chad at the entrance. Chad was fashion sensitive, so he was impressed by the Asian model, who was beingpared to him in media articles. Those exaggerating critics considered the greenhand to be on par with him. Another passerby here at Armani! Chad put on his sunsses to disguise himself. This was an inconvenience of being a famous model. His agent was not very optimistic. He had considered Qin Guan a threat ever since he had seen him backstage. "Did that Asian modele here for a contract?" he asked Chad worriedly. Chad was impatient with his meaningless concern. "You are thinking too much. Armani is one of the top luxury brands in the world. Those old men would never pick an Asian! Lets go, we have an appointment with Citizen." Qin Guan was led to a spare, white-walled studio, where Mr. Armani was sitting silently. He didnt say anything. He just smiled at Qin Guan and pointed to the center of the room before gesturing to his assistant. The assistant ran up to the white wall and pulled a door open. A tall woman walked in. She was wearing a long ck dress that floated slowly against the floor. The transparent nail polish on her toes was shining with a cold light. Her smooth back was exposed thanks to the V-shaped cut of the dress. She was an elegant blonde who looked gentle, yet proud. "Raquel Zimmermann and Qin Guan. Stand next to each other shoulder to shoulder, please..." The harmony between their heights made them a perfect match. "Good! I think Raquel knows about the requirements of a brand representative. Do you know about them, Qin Guan?" Is he just talking about the details with me? How does he know that I will take the job? The Italian old man saw his doubt and waved to his assistant again. "I know you are a New Silk Road model. I read your resume and contacted your original agent. I got a reply on the third day of the fashion week." "Your agent, Sister Xue, has epted this job for you. There is a time difference though, so you will probably get her notice this evening." "ording to the contract, if your interview goes well and you match our taste, the contract wille into effect automatically." "So congrattions, Mr. Qin Guan. You are getting a one-year representative contract on a single Armani product. Well send you notices at regr intervals. Please arrange your schedule for our optimal cooperation." "What will that product be?" Qin Guan asked in Italian. ording to his understanding of Armani, the old man could only speak Italian. He relied on his assistant for all negotiations with English speakers. You might be Armani, but I have my own principles. If you are selling condoms, I wont ept the job. I will still be deeply grateful though. Chapter 372: The Armani Advertisement Chapter 372: The Armani Advertisement Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The assistant was slow getting to the point, so Qin Guan just asked the boss directly. Armani felt happy to hear his mother tongue. "A perfume," he answered. A perfume! That sounds elegant! Qin Guan covered his surprise. Dont lose face before them! Trying his best to control the muscles on his face, he said in Italian, "Okay." "It will be just like your CK show artistically... No, wait. Thane, get some ck clothes for him..." The assistant hesitated. He had to go to another floor to do that. Generally speaking, the proper apparel was hard to find. At the time, flexibility was important. He took out a ck velvet cloak from a drawer and asked Qin Guan to put it on. The ck cloak was floating on the floor like a blooming ck rose. Both models looked royal and elegant. "Looks pretty good." Those words sealed their destiny. Raquel lowered her long, brush-like eyshes, casting shadows on her cheeks. The Asian model gave off a contrasting vibe next to her, a girl from scorching Brazil. This might have been why Armani had chosen her as the representative of the perfume. Satisfied with the result, Armani left, leaving his assistant to talk with Qin Guan about the contract. "ording to your agent, your focus in the future would be magazines. Both VOGUE and W have invited you to work with them." "Yes." Sister Xue must have used them as my selling point when negotiating with Armani. "Well, we also run regr advertisements in them. Did you agree on a cover advertisement for a magazine?" "Yes." "Young foreigners usuallyck experience. It would have been a good opportunity for you to be on their covers before the fashion week, but since you are an Armani model now, this is an opportunity for them. They engage mainly in cosmetics anyway. They are not too greedy." "Your cover and our advertisement will appear in the same edition. You dont need to worry about the details. You are their lucky star." So I will promote the sales of the magazine? Thanks to the Armani advertisement, that ordinary magazine would reach a sale peak. Sister Xue was a cunning woman, so she had informed the J Clothing boss in advance. It was a good chance for an advertisement. When Qin Guan visited the Armani headquarters again, he didnt see the old man. The person in charge of the project was a man called Bean. He looked like the famous British Mr. Bean. He was also British, so he was very focused on detail. The new Armani perfume was an echo of the uing Halloween. If promotion went well, it could be the new girl favorite at parties. To meet the taste of young people, the perfume was in a square, t bottle, like wine bottles sailors used to drink from. The light green perfume looked like tourmaline in the bottle. The logo was floating on pureke water, looking romantic and misty. Qin Guan went out of the dressing room in a royal European costume. His neckline and sleeves were white with shiny golden edges. His white silk bow tie was flying before his chest like a butterfly. The traditional European costume suit the Asian model well. He looked like someone from a different time, an evil man existing only in legends, who never grew old or died. He had no heartbeat, so only the hot blood of beautiful young girls could grant him the feeling of a living person. Yes, Qin Guan would be ying a vampire lord in the advertisement. Armani had invested a lot in the background and equipment. When the actors finished their make up, the assistant invited the director over from the lounge. The exclusive director of Armani, Lochans, had to be "invited". He was a senior film editor who asionally acted as an advertising director for top brands. That way, he could make money for his films, as well as find diamonds among top models. Of course, if he could also teach new film stars, it would be perfect. Sitting on a folded chair, he watched his assistants get busy with the test before the shooting began. After a while, he nodded in satisfaction. Chapter 373: Unblessed Love Chapter 373: Unblessed Love Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia They were the most talented students of professional drama schools. Suddenly, two boys with curly hair stopped working when they saw Qin Guan. "Its him!" "Hi, Qin Guan!" They were the Batiste brothers, who were working part-time there because of their love for films. As they had expected, their neighbour was an artist. He was a born actor. Nothing could conceal his shine in all its splendour. They both jumped up in excitement. Lochans cast a nervous nce at the camera in front of them before he looked around. Obviously, the beautiful girl in the transparent green silk and the crystal crown was more attractive, but Batistes voice had diverted his attention to Qin Guan. It was love at first sight. That model met the most basic requirement of a good actor: a good sense of the camera. Lochan was itching to see him in action. Hes a potential actor! This may be what he has always been searching for. Lets begin. Show me your abilities! "Attention! Three, two, camera!" Qin Guan was flying over a greenke with boat-like water lilies floating on its surface. The Queen of Fairnd was on the center of theke, watching the foreign intruder. Chased by his enemy, the King of Darkness had entered the heart of the forest by ident and encountered the elf. He lost his head before it. Her blue eyes were as clear as the sky, and her blonde hair looked like sunshine. Everyone felt the sudden change in the atmosphere. As spectators, they were witnessing a legend unfold. The fragrance of the Armani perfume was the best lure of the Queen. The King of Darkness got distracted in thend of warmth and tenderness. Hiding his vigor and covering the smell of blood on his body, he stepped forward, his heart guiding him. He forgot about the enemy behind him, as well as his identity as a dangerous vampire. All the staff had gotten absorbed in the expression on Qin Guans face. He looked confused and happy. Impressed, yet hesitant. Lochan tightened his fists. Right! Thats it! This is not the skill of a greenhand. This mysterious Asian man has been gifted with strong acting skills. As a top model but poor actress, Raquel didnt need to do anything but show her perfect face to the camera. If fact, Armani had not been hopeful about the skills of either of them. As a result, they had adjusted the script specifically for them, so they could show their most beautiful side to the audience. Qin Guan was a surprise for them though. As he approached, he slowed down gradually and tried to hide his heavy breathing. Every dark cell in his body was shouting, "I love her. I want to own her, seize her!" Her mysterious eyes were like shining stars in the night sky. Everyone stared at Qin Guan, who looked like he was drunk. The two of them were getting closer and closer to each other. Silence prevailed in the room. Some girls put their hands before their chests in prayer. They were imagining that they were the heroine instead. Lochans was in the same pose, imagining his own script and work. Qin Guan bent over toward the queen, his lips getting close to her small ear, covered by her golden hair. A green, transparent ear drop was hanging there, full of Armani life essence. Suddenly, Raquel moved. Keeping her poker face on, she attacked the vampire with a sword. She just intended to act like a queen. As a green hand at acting though, she only acted ording to the script to avoid influencing the final result. The elf race was always in pursuit of extreme beauty. As a weapon for criminal purposes, her sword was also magnificent. The sharp de prated Qin Guans heart and exited through his back. There was no blood on his ck cloak. By that time, Qin Guans sexy lips were almost on the Queens earlobe. The vampire looked ferocious. He would kill the evil murderer before vanishing. A soft wind was blowing. Her blonde hair smelled like orchids. The light in Qin Guans eyes was gradually dimming. His hands fell down. He was unwilling to kill the elf who had made him feel so alive. His fair slender fingers caressed her face gently. Finally, he closed his eyes. The King of Darkness turned into smoke and dissipated in the sky. Qin Guan maintained that pose with his eyes closed. The fragrance was in the air, smelling cool and refreshing. Chapter 374: To Forge Iron One Must Be Strong Chapter 374: To Forge Iron One Must Be Strong Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Nobody moved or spoke, in or out of the studio. What are you all doing? Can I get up? Say something! Lochans held his arms up. "Perfect! Stop!" His voice broke the silence. The girls, who had been hugging each other in tears, finally began talking. "Elves should be kind. They are supposed to love nature and peace. Why? Why did she kill him?" "Dark creatures aremon enemies. Besides, in the elves eyes, vampires are unnatural creatures like zombies." "The perfume is for Halloween! A little horror is necessary. Our ad is tasteful." The Batiste brothers greeted Qin Guan warmly. Before they began chatting, the director approached Qin Guan. "Do you know me?" "Yes..." "Good! Wait to hear from me." Then he turned back to the camera to watch the yback. With the help of the assistant, Raquel stood up slowly, lifting her heavy dress. The two French brothers were attracted by the beauty right away. "Hello, Qin Guan. Im Raquel Zimmermann from Brazil. It was nice to cooperate with you." The proud woman lowered her head to show her respect for Qin Guans abilities. "Hi, Raquel. Im Qin Guan. Im Chinese. It was my pleasure." Although his face was pale and cold, Qin Guan was smiling warmly at her. Their hands touched and parted. By the time Raquel left, Qin Guan was still smiling. In the following year, she would be his partner at Armani. It was good to have a friendly rtionship with her. The next day, Qin Guan had to go to ss. Before that, he had some work with VOGUE and W. The third poster of NY would be made at sunset the next day. The NY headquarters were not a luxurious mansion like VOGUE or Ws. It was a single building with a historical vibe, Boston ivy covering most of its surface. There was a giant storage room inside, which had been turned into thergest independent studio in New York. It was divided into several different parts. That studio would satisfy anyones needs. Only when Qin Guan entered the studio did he realize the power of girls. The girl was called Raynana, and she was the daughter of the NY boss. She was the real boss of the magazine. Her father was confident about her, so he had invested a lot in the magazine. If she did everything by the book, the girl would definitely seed. To forge iron, one had to be strong. Only magazines with good content attracted readers. Qin Guan was tired after ss, yet when he saw the wonderful studio, he was cheered up right away. Cong Nianwei had followed him to the studio, because she was anxious about her tired boyfriend. She had just finished her work at the small store. Destiny was a magical thing. Cong Nianwei noticed Guo Nuoyan, who was going out of the main building. After getting a notice from the boss, the young man had sent Qin Guans poster and advertisement to the magazine as soon as possible. He had tried to get the spot behind Armani, which was also a full page. All businessmen were clever. Cong Nianwei greeted Guo outside the storage room. When she went into the studio with a bottle of water, she was shocked by the dark background Qin Guan would be shooting against. Will young girls like a picture like that? It looks like a real adventure. Qin Guan turned his face to Cong Nianwei to reveal his strange make-up. Unlike the royal, elegant vampire he had portrayed in the Armani advertisement, he looked like a character from a horror story now. He seemed depressed, gloomy and bloody. He was in a ck medieval military uniform. The cor of his cloak stood up and covered his cheeks, and his white silk bow tie was hanging over his chest. There was a five-pointed star tattoo on his pale hands, that stood for the devil. Silver long hair covered his pale face, just like the first snow of the winter. Red paint was running down his face like bloody tears. Two sharp teeth were poking out beneath his upper lip, making people wary. "Property ready?" The photographer was itchy to start. The old man was a guest of the fashion magazine. He was just doing this for the high payment. "Ready!" Holding a ss of Bloody Mary, Raynana walked onto the set carefully. The background was an ancient castle. With its dpidated walls, the Gothic castle looked like the very image of Lord Dracs home. Chapter 375: Roar Chapter 375: Roar Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia As she entered the studio, Cong Nianwei fixed her eyes on Qin Guan in admiration. Qin Guan was in a pair of high ck leather boots, and he was holding the Bloody Mary in his hand. The cocktail in the ss smelled dangerous. The property master had mixed Vodka and tomato juice, along with other ingredients. Qin Guan went up to the castle under the fake setting sun. The sunlight was warm and orange. The vampire looked gloomy and cold in his elegant, graceful clothes. His dark world was about to fall on Earth. Every inch of thend would tremble because of his fame. His fair fingers looked nearly transparent in the sunshine. His sharp teeth came into sight, stimted by the blood. Suddenly, Qin Guan moved. The proud vampire changed his attitude. With a fierce expression on his face, he roared to make his power clear to the weak human beings in the darkness. He looked like a provoked emperor. He opened his mouth wide, baring his sharp teeth before the audience. He looked extremely dangerous and savage, red tears running down his face. He seemed to be ready to kill someone. The whole crew was scared, but Cong Nianwei, who was never surprised by her boyfriend, took a calm sip of water. The bottle in Raynanas hand nearly fell to the floor. She was really frightened. However, there was another calm person on the set besides Cong Nianwei. The photographer, whose name was R, was working excitedly. He had originally been nning to ask his assistant to shoot for him so he could just control theposition and feeling of the photoshoot, but when he had heard Qin Guans roar, the old man had stood up. He had grabbed the camera from his assistant and strode over to Qin Guan to be at the best shooting distance. Scarlet blood was silently blooming against the ancient castle like a poppy. Qin Guan looked dark and thirsty for light. I yearn for the warm sunshine in the winter, the sound of a heartbeat and the taste of warm blood. s, it is destiny that has brought me in this situation. Qin Guan was lost in his imagination. He liked to express himself freely. Putting one of his hands on the fence, he held the wine ss up to his lips to take a sip. He used so much strength though that the castle, which was made of thin wooden boards and paper, fell down. So did Qin Guan. He fell down and got buried under the castle. The calm old man didnt stop shooting though. After a while, Qin Guan sat up from the ruins. The wine was all over his face. Even his silver hair had been stained red. The red wine crept down along his face and neck, reaching his pale sexy chest. "Perfect! thats it!" The silent old man uttered his first words for that day. The powerful vampire was now powerless. Weak, yet still attractive. R couldnt help but stride over to Qin Guan and get to work. When Qin Guan came back to his senses, R had already finished shooting. The old man and the young man looked at each other. "Good boy! C, leave him my card." You gave five cents to a beggar, and you think that you saved the whole world? What a proud guy! When the crew pulled Qin Guan out of the ruins, the old man had already walked away leisurely, his hands sped behind his back. His assistant handed a card to Cong Nianwei and ran away as soon as possible. Raynana was furious. The old man didnt even take her, the real boss, seriously. He had even forgotten to give her the negatives. "Hey, wait a moment, Mr. R..." Raynana ran after him with the bottle in her hand. She was not after the negatives. She just wanted revenge. Qin Guan took off his hair piece and costume and washed his face with cleansing oil three times before he came out. The magazine would be released the next day, right on time for Halloween. Students at Columbia were a little annoyed by the holiday. There were decorations and people in costumes everywhere, even on campus. Various parties and festivities would be organized that day. Children were earnestly longing to get dressed up and collect candy that day. It was wonderful! Americans made that holiday a real carnival. Taking advantage of the happy atmosphere, thetest magazines were put on red newsstands on the streets. At the subway entrances and crossings, the fight over the magazines began early in the morning. Chapter 376: You Are the Boss Chapter 376: You Are the Boss Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia W took the lead. Considering its long history, the magazine had its own readers, to whom it would send thetest issues before their formal release. Long Ind was beautiful in the morning. There were trees and greenbelts along the clean paths, and the flower beds were full of a poetic vibe. A postman in a white cap was riding along the road. The days newspapers and magazines were on the shelf behind him. The young man was familiar with the streets in the area. He could have ridden all over that neighbourhood with his eyes closed. A tiny roll of a magazine flew over the fence of a garden and toward the flowering shrubs. Before the roll could hit the ground, a smiling Labrador with tiny cute eyes rushed out like the wind, jumped high into the sky and caught the magazine in its mouth. "Well done, Mussolini!" The boy waved at the dog and then went along his way. There were six magazines left. Shaking its thin tail, Mussolini went through a small door in the fence and reached its masters table. It presented the magazine like a kid presenting a piece of treasure. "Lily, your magazine." The man took his newspaper and handed the finely-printed fashion magazine to his wife, who was frying eggs. "Oh, thank you..." A screen was between the young couple again, in the form of the newspaper and the magazine. The magazine, which smelled slightly of orchids, was opened. The young housewife preferred VOGUE over W. The male models in the inner pages were a substitute for her boring marriage. There was an Asian model on the full page. He was sitting beside a white curtain in a thin silk shirt, looking out of the window nkly. He seemed barely awake, pure and helpless. Even though her mouth was parched and her tongue scorched, the woman took arge bite out of her toast. "George..." "Yes?" the man behind the newspaper replied with a single word. "Ill go downtown with you today." "What for?" The man put down his newspaper and looked at his wife in confusion. They had had no effectivemunication in a long time. The tame young girl never went out so early in the morning. A pair of fair feet without slippers were rubbing up and down against his legs like a breeze. He could feel the warmth even through his pants. "I want to buy Halloween candy and a perfume from the New York shopping mall. This one. The Armani." On the poster, Qin Guan and Raquel were looking at each other emotionally. The green bottle looked royal and elegant against the ck background. "Its said that this perfume is the essence of life and the lure of forbidden love... We could... Tonight... Yes?" The risingst syble, which was uttered with a nasal sound, as well as her toes on his thighs, made the calm surgeon excited. "You are the boss..." The new Asian face reached countless American families. The magazines were also selling like hot bread on different newsstands. Rushed customers threw their change into the box out of habit, barely catching a glimpse of the cover. That one nce dyed some of them though. "A ssified fashion magazine? Okay, one more." "Hey, sir. I want the magazine with the vampire!" Among all the magazines with top models and Hollywood stars on their covers, people seldom saw such a rat-f*ck photo. Thanks to Halloween festivities, the customers, most of whom were office workers, had suddenly changed. Wearing dark eye makeup and swaying metal chains, a group of hippies went up to the stand for a pack of chewing gum. They looked almost like drug addicts. "Wow! Thats so cool!" On the cover, Qin Guan was roaring at the setting sun, cold light glittering on his sharp teeth. The dark castle in the background, which seemed like it belonged in a Hitchcock movie, implied his true identity. The scarlet tears, sunshine and embroidery on his chest added a bloodthirsty feeling to the picture of Drac. "Dude, look! He must be one of us!" The weird guys left, leaving an empty shelf behind them. T and V ran a gay bar together, so they would often buy some fashion magazines with male models to enrich their collection. Because of Vs high taste, the owners of all the gay bars along the street entrusted him with purchasing the magazines. In most gay bars, the patrons were silent, with the exception of the macho man-show bars. V got up early that morning and rushed to a stand in his blue apron. "30 copies of W, thanks." "I only have 25 at hand." "Okay, Ill take them all." "No problem." He turned the days bestseller, VOGUE, open. "I also want 10 copies of VOGUE. Thanks." They were all for his friends bars. To his surprise, he saw the same model in both magazines. Chapter 377: Invitations From Everyone Chapter 377: Invitations From Everyone Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia After half an hour, the owners started a fierce fight over the magazines. There was also a strange atmosphere in Chinatown. The owners of traditional variety shops had bought one magazine each. The magazines hade from Qin Guans loyal sidekick, Xu Xiaoxiao. He had seen the magazines on stands around the area and made the decision to distribute them evenly. Not everyone was happy though. In an office building with the sign "New York Japan Corporation Office", Yamaguchi Tsutomu was sitting in arge ck chair. Across her desk were two lines of men in ck suits, bowing before her. They dared not get up or speak. They were even holding their breath. Yamaguchi Tsutomu looked at them and said coldly, "What have you been doing all these days? Where is my investment? So many people have turned me down. New Yorkers dont care about money, do they?" "What did the Mayor of Manhattan say? Senators are idiots on both sides! What are you afraid of?" Her tone suddenly became high. She intended to throw the magazine with Qin Guan on the cover at her stupid subordinates, but she suppressed her temper at the sight of her prince. "Tomorrow is their traditional festival. Those idiots like funny things." "Since they wont cooperate with me, we dont need to save face for them. We are Japanese, so we do not celebrate Halloween. We could send them an unforgettable gift though." "Yes!" The men in ck bowed before her together. "Who shall we choose from Chinatown?" "Since Xu has been away from the gang for a long time, Ill just let them go. Kill the toughest person on the street to give them a lesson." "Yes, madam!" They all left together, leaving only the loyal, silent fat man behind. Miss is very clever. All her decisions are right. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei had no idea about those thrilling events. Qin Guan was sitting in a ssroom sincerely. Those days, whenever Qin Guan was on campus, Prof. Martin would have a talk with him during the breaks. This was because of his perfect scores. His peers were itching to get back at him. Although Qin Guan was in a good mood every day, the over-enthusiastic tutors troubled him a lot. On the other side, the confident boy called Kuhn had be more and more gloomy ever since thatst incident. Qin Guan always felt his cold, depressed eyes staring at his and Xu Xiaoxiaos backs. Whenever they came across each other, Kuhn would stare at them with a grimace on his face. "Is he okay?" Qin Guan asked Xu in concern. In his opinion, Kuhn looked very dispirited. "Hes always like that. Proud in looks, but cowardly at heart. He cant withstand even the smallest attack. Dont worry, he would not dare harm you. Oh, by the way, I saw your magazine. Do you feel any different about yourself now?" Xu rubbed his palms excitedly. "Different?" Suddenly, a group of beautiful girls walked up to them. They had full boobs, smooth skin, and long curly hair. They looked like fairies from a fairytale. "They areing..." Xu stared at them with shining eyes, saliva dripping down his chin. "Qin Guan, I saw your magazine! It was wonderful. Here is an invitation to our Halloween party!" The leader, a girl with red hair, handed Qin Guan several invitations. There was a rose tattoo on her fair hand. So that was what Xu had meant by "different". The poprity of a student decided how many party invitations they would receive. As the prince of freshmen, Qin Guan had more chances than other students. Besides, his pictures were in three different fashion magazines, which had made his poprity reach its peak. He was just like a ma, attracting invitations nonstop. All the party organizers wanted to invite him to their parties to promote their status and taste. As a result, various troops headed for the same battlefield. That group of girls were the best students of Barnard College. They were all good at dealing with men. "Thanks, Ille if I have spare time." He looks like such a gentle boy. Hes so different from the fierce, savage guy on the magazine. Some girls, who always felt like queens among men, blushed spontaneously. They walked away, looking back time and again. Xu took one of the invitations. "Bro, you have to go to their party and take me along!" "Or what?" "Or Ill move in your house and eat all the food in your fridge. Ill also cry..." They kept joking with each other, when some more invitations arrived. A guy with a forced smile, who was the acting chief of the Chinese Student Union of Columbia approached them. "Qin Guan, would you pleasee to our party? You have brought glory to the Chinese nation, even if it is an unusual kind of glory... I have faith in you!" Chapter 378: Carmine Cong Nianwei Chapter 378: Carmine Cong Nianwei Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It sounded strange. Qin Guan saw hispatriot Fu Sheng lost in thought. By that time, a group of monsters and freaks hade over. There was chaos everywhere. Those monsters looked like theyd broken out of Hell. "We are from the Union of Crazy Monsters. Pleasee to our party..." Do monsters approve of your union? "We are from the astrophysics research group..." So, theres also "trick or treat" in space? "Hi, we are..." Qin Guans jacket was quite thick, but he suddenly felt like it was being torn. Xu Xiaoxiao realized that the situation was getting out of control and roared loudly, "Im Qin Guans agent. Come here!" Suddenly, he was surrounded by everyone. Qin Guan finally made his way through the crowd. "Thank you so much, Xu Xiaoxiao! Ill call youter!" Qin Guan ran over to Cong Nianwei, who was sitting by the library stairs. It was time to enjoy the best holiday in the US with people from all over the country! Actually, the Chinese called it "Wan Sheng Jie", which literally meant that the night of October 31st was called "Wang Sheng Night". It was a traditional Western civilization festival that had been considered the beginning of the new year during ancient times. That day, the soul of a deceased person would return to its former residence and try to find a living spirit. Then the two of them would fight fiercely. This was the only hope the dead had of being reborn. That was why it was said that every human on Earth shared onemon ancestor. This was simr to the Chinese theory of possession. Of course, one could consider it as passing through different times and spaces, or just being reborn. Living people were afraid of ghosts though, so that day, everyone put out the stove fire and their candles to hide from the ghosts. They also dressed up as monsters to scare the ghosts away. During ancient times, people would get together in a church to spend that solemn, horrific day together. By then, it had be a monster parade though. American people liked the days novelty and egocentrism. They repressed evil thoughts in their ordinary lives, but they let them show that day. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were changing into their costumes in their apartment. After long consideration, Cong Nianwei had decided to dress as a conservative Chinese girl. She would never dress up like a bunny, or wear a hairy tail on her bottom. She had found her costume at a general store around the corner. It was cheerful, but not that exaggerated. All uniform addicts liked doctors overalls and nurse uniforms, but this was not sexy like that. There was blood on the robe, which reminded her of Jack The Ripper. Qin Guan put on his overalls. In the pocket on his chest there was a disgusting echo meter with human brains on it. Cong Nianweis nurse uniform was much better than Qin Guans. Ladies clothes were always more elegant than mens. On her beautiful nurse cap there was a big scarlet cross that looked like it had been written in fresh blood. Her uniform had a Second World War vibe, so her dress also looked wet. The most interesting thing was the tripus with the bottle of intravenous drip hanging from it. Cong Nianwei was pushing it happily all over the floor. "Hey, here is your make-up." A soft hand wiped Qin Guans face. Several bloody fingerprints appeared on his forehead. Blood drops were running down his cheeks, leaving beautiful traces on his jaw. "Whats this?" "Corn syrup. The best filling for cakes." Cong Nianwei put some on her own face. There was a sweet fruity smell in the air. There was still some left on her fingers, so she put them in her mouth to taste the honey. Her glittering fair fingers looked like white jade. They matched her pink lips well. "I want some..." Qin Guan rushed up to her, looking at her face seriously. "Here you are." Cong Nianwei handed the small bucket to him, but Qin Guan caught her hand instead. The bucket with the syrup fell to the floor. Their fingers were crossed, covered in red syrup. The syrup looked like a river of lust. Qin Guan put her fingers in his mouth. The thick sweetness of the grapes filled his mouth. "So sweet..." "What are you doing?" Before she could finish, his cool lips were on her face. First on her cheeks, then on the corner of her mouth, and then on her lips. He was tasting the best thing in the world, going neither too fast nor too slow. Cong Nianweis eyshes were trembling slightly. Her rosy cheeks were the traditional carmine color of ancient Chinese girls. Qin Guans cool lips parted against her face. "Hey, Weizi. Open your eyes. Its not the time for sleeping. Well be very busy tonight. So many parties are waiting for us..." What an annoying boyfriend! Chapter 379: Will You Run for Chairman? Chapter 379: Will You Run for Chairman? Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Hey! Why are you hitting me? I cleaned the syrup for you! You are so unreasonable!" Qin Guan bounced up and down and ran around the room. Cong Nianwei was chasing after him with a teddy bear. "You bastard! Clean the syrup from the floor!" It was a professional conflict between a doctor and a nurse. The sunshine in the room was reced by moonlight. The tenants left and closed the door, leaving the empty apartment behind them. It was noisy out on the streets. That night, Manhattan finally revealed its true nature, like a monster showing its sharp teeth at night. Thanks to his blue skin, the iron nails on his head and the torch in his hand, Joseph looked like the Frankenstein monster. The twins had dressed up as vampires, wearing funny wings on their shoulders. The Mexican zombies had left the building earlier. The owner of the building, who was an old American woman, had hung up arge basket by the entrance. Trick or treat. The kids were not allowed into the building, but the candy in the basket was a considerate gift for them. Happy kids were getting out of their parents cars. Holding small pumpkin lights, they took some candy from the basket. "Qin Guan! Here!" A long ck Rolls-Royce was parked on the street. Xu was inside the car, dressed very formally. After a serious analysis of his advantages and shorings, he had dressed up as a wolf. His short, thick figure looked stronger that way. His tail coat looked pretty good on him. He looked like a refined, educated guy. Between the handmade leather couch, the fridge, the wine cab, as well as the Halloween props, there had been little money left over for him. The boy had invested a lot for the Barnard College girls. His father had sincerely appreciated his determination and lent him his car without hesitation. Themps around Columbia University seemed ghostly on that special night. The parking lot was full. People from all directions had gathered in different halls. Xu wasnt worried about parking though. He lowered down the ss of the window and waved a bill outside. "Thanks!" A green hand valet took the bill and a car yielded its ce to Xu. There was no Lei Feng spirit [1] in the US. Everyone wanted to get paid for their effort. A rich man could buy a whole building in New York. A parking space was nothing inparison. Everyone got out of the car. Under normal circumstances they would have attracted a lot of attention. On that day though, no one paid attention to them. Everyone was really excited about the parties. Before heading into the hall, Xu didnt forget to smooth his hair and make himself look more presentable. Their names were written on the invitations. Xu had given some nk invitations to somebody else as a gift. "Qin Guan?" "Yes?" "Ill rmended you for chairman of the Chinese Student Union of Columbia next year..." "Are you kidding? I have no time..." Qin Guan was surprised. He didnt look brutal or fierce at all, if one ignored the fake brains on his costume. Xu pointed to a Chinese student in disdain. The student was giving a hot girl a ttering smile. "That idiot is our chairman. He always asks voters for support. He is too greedy. I know you are busy, but I could take over. I didnt waste the other two invitations. Look over there..." Qin Guan looked in that direction and saw two familiar figures. They were both active among Chinese students. Unlike hard-working Qin Guan, there were some Chinese students that preferred to engage in social activities and college politics. The chairman of the Chinese Student Union of Columbia led a small group of hundreds of people. Insiders knew something about those groups. They were independent financially, unlike the public supervision of other Columbia unions. There was so much to do with those ounts. Of course, Chinese merchants acted as sponsors, which was quite different from how things worked in China. The chairman was able to control the budget, and public rtions were also a lure for candidates. "They are both pretty capable. One was in charge of public rtions and the other of internal finances. Both of them were satisfied with that idiot." "They wanted a chairman that didnt interfere. You are both good-looking and capable..." "For many years, there hasnt been an outstanding Chinese guy among us. We have one now. You just wait and see..." They were talking about a power-seizing n, when suddenly a red-haired beauty caught sight of Qin Guan. Thanks to his doctors uniform, he was shining like a pearl in the dark night. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Lei Feng was an ordinary soldier renowned for his amodating nature back in the 1960s. Chapter 380: The Party Shooting Chapter 380: The Party Shooting Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Hey, Qin Guan! Wee to our party!" Catherine gave him a charming, warm smile,pletely different from the attitude she had had around Zhang Dekai. Zhang Dekai was the chairmans name. When the boy saw his princess run up to Qin Guan excitedly, his face turned gloomy. He had hated handsome guys all his life! His first two childhood sweethearts had been taken away from him by handsome boys. Meanwhile, girls sneered at his looks. Qin Guan really irritated him. He was outraged. He knew that he had been better than his other two love rivals, but that shining boy waspletely out of his league. Grinding his teeth, Zhang loosened and tightened his fists. He didnt leave though. Instead, he walked up to Qin Guan with a smile. Before he could join their conversation though, a quarrel broke out at the entrance. "Let me in!" "Sir, this is a private party. You need an invitation. If you have one..." "Ha ha! You b*tches! You would have cried for mercy under normal circumstances! How dare you treat me like this?" The intruder was Kuhn. At the beginning of the school year, he had been an energetic, handsome guy with blonde hair and blue eyes. Now he was wearing casual clothes, his hair was messy, and he smelled of wine. "Im going in tonight!" Smiling, he took out a ck double-barrel shotgun from his yellow dust coat. It was amon model used by British hunters. He pointed the gun at the noisy crowd. Everyone fell silent before they started screaming. "AH! HE HAS A GUN!" The security guard sensed the danger and tried to leave as soon as possible. It was a pity that he was too close to Kuhn and he wouldnt let him go. Bang! Smoke escaped the barrels. Brass shells fell to the floor with a nking noise. Crack, crack. Like an experienced hunter, Kuhn pushed new bullets inside with a calm face. The man lying before his feet was moaning in a low voice, one hand covering his belly. There was still gunpowder smoke lingering around his body. Kuhn didnt pay attention to the victim though. He was looking for Qin Guan in the crowd. Scared people were running back and forth, trying to escape. They fled in all directions, not caring which way they headed. Qin Guan felt strange. He looked at Xu quickly and then pulled Cong Nianwei close. His presentiment hade true! Something big was happening! When Kuhn had taken out his gun, Qin Guan had grabbed Cong Nianweis hand and pulled all the odd things off his uniform. When he turned to Xu to help him escape, he saw that the wolf had caught up with him with shining eyes. He looks excited. There was no time left for him to think though. Kuhn had already pointed the gun in their direction. Bang! Wooden splinters flew everywhere. Qin Guan hid cleverly behind a wooden table. The side door was only three meters away. Its toote to react. "F*ck! Ill take you down!" A strong zombie rushed out to Kuhn from the side. Bang! He was shot in the leg. "Now! Run!" Qin Guan pushed Cong Nianwei towards the door with effort. Cong Nianwei was not a girl in a romantic novel though. She didnt cry out or refuse to leave her lover. That would have been a silly decision in that situation. Cong Nianweis legs and arms were hurting from the bruises she had acquired by rubbing against the floor. She knew that she would only be a burden to Qin Guan, so she had to take advantage of this chance and leave. Xu was no innocent boy. He knew that Kuhn would not let him or Qin Guan go. Grabbing this opportunity, the two of them rolled behind arge pir. Coincidentally, Zhang Dekai was also behind that pir, trembling in fear. Before they could say something, another shot was heard. Bang! The stone wall was shattered, fragments falling on Zhangs hair. Kuhn was approaching. "Stand out! I can see you two! Lets finish this!" Finish this? Are you kidding? Zhang Dekai was suddenly enlightened. Its you who caused this disaster. You should deal with it yourselves. He pushed hard against the wall with his feet, trying to push Qin Guan out. You should stop that madman. He kept pushing with effort, but he rolled out himself instead... He was exposed now. Looking around nkly, he realized what the actual situation was. Chapter 381: Treating the Wounded and Rescuing the Dying Chapter 381: Treating the Wounded and Rescuing the Dying Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia He was kicked out by Xu. Zhang cried out, pointing to Qin Guans hiding ce. "There they are!" Bang! "Ouch!" He took a bullet in the leg and started shouting and rolling around on the floor. Are you blind? Im too far away from them. Why did you shoot at me? "Traitor! Ill find them myself! Ha ha! Qin Guan, this is your friend. Push Xu out, and maybe I will let you go..." With the gun in his hand, Kuhn strode over in their direction without a pause. Xu Xianxiao and Qin Guan exchanged a knowing nce. Kuhn was approaching. His long shadow was visible on the floor next to Qin Guan. Now! Lifting up the wooden table top, Qin Guan covered his upper body and rushed out without hesitation like a brave Minotaur. For the n! Little did Kuhn know that there was a counter-attacking. He fired again. "Ah!" Bang! Suddenly, a single gunshot was aimed at the ceiling. Xu rolled out from the other side and grabbed Kuhns legs, pushing the crazy man off bnce. Bang! Kuhn fell and hit the floor, the gun flying out of his hand. "Here... Sir!" Cong Nianwei had run back, out of breath. Her nurse uniform had gotten torn. In two minutes, she had reached the nearest police station. The gunshot had been too loud to be heard in the noisy campus. Without Cong Nianweis warning, the policemen would still have been searching. "Hands up!" "F*ck!" Kuhn wanted to stand up, but he was pressed against the floor. His hands were tied. "Ill call mywyer! Do you have any idea who my father is?" Nobody could rescue him now. Before getting into the police cruiser, Kuhn looked back at his arch-enemy angrily. Cong Nianwei was holding her high heels in her hand. Barefoot, she saw her boyfriend smiling at her like a European knight. "Cong Nianwei?" "Yes?" "Dont your feet hurt you? Put on your shoes, or they will think you are a victim of domestic violence." "Ha ha!" Cong Nianwei was not as nervous. The ambnce arrived. The policemen were taking eyewitness testimonies. This was another shocking event after 9/11. The security guard, who had been wounded seriously, had been sent to the hospital. The Barnard party had toe to an abrupt end. It was early in the evening, but nobody was in the mood to have fun. Xu and Qin Guan were standing by the entrance. The smell of blood was still lingering in the air. "Shall we continue?" "You want to go to another party? I dont. Could you take us back to our apartment?" Qin Guan pointed at Cong Nianweis turned back. "Her feet are a little bruised." "No problem." They returned to his car. We should buy a car as soon as possible. The street was deserted at the time. All the kids had gone back home. Saying goodbye to Xu, Qin Guan carried Cong Nianwei out of the car. Before he could close the car door though, Qin Guans pant leg was seized by a hand. "Cough, cough... Help me!" A man was lying on the grass beside the building. He was covered in blood. Qin Guan suddenly turned serious. He put Cong Nianwei down. Xu craned his neck to see the man. "Be careful, sir!" the driver reminded him carefully. The man looked awful. Qin Guan squatted down. "Shall I call the police? Or maybe an ambnce?" The hand on him tightened. The man shook his head slowly. "No... You do it!" Suddenly, he looked up like a wolf. Under his body was a gun. He pointed the gun at Qin Guans chest. It was actually an Asian gun. When he saw Qin Guan clearly, he looked disappointed. "You are not a real doctor? Dont call the police. Do as I tell you." "Han Zhujiu?" Xu shouted. Han Zhujiu nced at Xu. An acquaintance! Hes a member of the Xu Family! "Childe Xu, great! Help me!" The man looked seriously wounded, but his hand was firm on the gun. He noticed that everyone was looking at Qin Guan. So that young man is calling the shots? The resolute man wanted to say something threatening. Qin Guan cast a nce at Xu Xiaoxiao. "Save him. I know you can!" Xu grinned. "Actually, I wanted to negotiate with him. But since you already decided, I will help him for free." Qin Guan nodded and took off his white gown. They couldnt carry the man to their apartment for fear that theirndlord would see him. Chapter 382: Underground Doctor Chapter 382: Underground Doctor Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Carry him to my car. Well take him to my restaurant. It must be closed now." Xu Xiaoxiao and Qin Guan spread the gown on the ground and carried Han on the temporary stretcher. They pulled him in the direction of the car. "Will you go home or stay with me?" Qin Guan asked Cong Nianwei. Cong Nianwei was worried about him. "Lets stay together. Ill just keep silent." The two boys nodded. The quality of the gown was really bad. It had not been made in China. As a result, it got torn under the tension, and Han fell down with a bang. Unfortunately, he had fainted. Taking advantage of this, Xu just pulled him up and stuffed him into the car. After making several calls, Xu closed his eyes to rx. The driver chose to go around the block, where Qin Guan had encountered the three ck men. There were parties and balls held everywhere in the area, but that block was silent. It seemed ghostly thanks to the horrific Halloween decorations. The luxurious car would be prey for evil men there. However, they saw nobody on the streets. This was actually the domain of ck gangs, who could do anything to such a car. Xu looked at the quiet street with a serious expression. ording to his knowledge of New York, even if there were no robbers around, there would be at least some gangsters to show them their middle fingers. Yet there was no one there... Qin Guan looked out of the window. He saw some men hiding at the corner of a house. He could only see part of their clothes and feet. He remained silent. This was not China after all. They reached their destination in a few minutes. The back door of the restaurant was open. In the hall, two long dining tables had been arranged. There were white disposable medical sheets, a medicine cab and small bottles on the table. It all looked very professional. "Your daddy never called me." A young Asian man was sitting in arge wooden chair of a traditional Chinese style. He had curly hair, and a mask was hanging from one of his ears. ording to Xu, he was the best private doctor there was. "Save him..." Xu didnt say much. His driver and staff carried Han to the table. "Wow! Let me have a look. Then well talk about money." He smartly cut Hans clothes off. "Hey, there is ady present. You dont need to take off his underwear..." Qin Guan stood in front of Cong Nianwei for fear that she would get frightened. Zhou Jingtao frowned. Although most of his face was hidden under the mask, his impatient eyes expressed his dissatisfaction. When he nced back at Qin Guan though, his eyes lit up. Distracted, he said in a trembling voice, "Oh, my beautiful girl! It would be a sin to let you see such dirty things. Hurry up and pull the curtain." He scanned Cong Nianwei from head to toe carefully, making her feel ufortable. "Oh, my! My beautiful Asian girl... Your foot is hurt badly!" He walked up to Cong Nianwei, taking off his mask in the process. "No, thedy deserves help more than that guy." Are you kidding? You forgot the oath of Hippocrates? Suddenly, Han opened his eyes and seized Zhou Jingtao. "If you dont help me, Ill break your neck!" There was a savage Buddha tattoo on his chest and a fierce tiger on his arm. Han looked even more vigorous that moment. As an experienced underground doctor though, Zhou wasnt afraid of threats. "I could send you to Hell with one cut! Where does it hurt, bro? Bullet or knife? Ill get you fixed up immediately. Im a kind-hearted man. I like saving lives!" At the sight of a small tattoo on Hans body, Zhou had changed his attitude at once. He is a member of the ck Star Union. Hes actually their leader! The shining ck Big Dipper tattoo on his chest indicates his identity. He is in the fiercest Chinese gang in New York. Not one of the fiercest, but the fiercest! The ck Star Union had originally been a friendly Chinese group of special troops and veterans from the Chinese maind. In two years though, they had taken the ce of the Chinese Freemasons and built a solid foundation in Chinatown. They eliminated entire families over small disputes. They had experienced many cruel battles, and no offenders ever made it out of them alive. That was why Zhou Jingtao was frightened. One couldnt reason with crazy men. The treating process went very well. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei sat in two chairs and watched Zhou perform surgery through the transparent stic curtain. Any professional would have been surprised by his speed and uracy. He made a perfect knot at the end of the line and finished his job. Fortunately, Hans vessels had not been seriously wounded, or he would have spent all his fortune on emergency blood packages from the ck market. Xu showed up confidently after the surgery, holding a thick package in his hand. "How much?" "Old rules. 50,000 dors in cash." "Motherf*cker! Isnt your usual fee 5,000 dors?" Chapter 383: I’m not Gay! Chapter 383: Im not Gay! Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "He looked like a hos nest. There were so many holes! It was a really difficult case. Besides, you lied to me. This guy is very dangerous!" They were arguing over the money, when suddenly a short man appeared at the back door and told Xu, "Our leader is missing. Could you please direct me to Master Xu?" Xu pointed in Hans direction, thus putting an end to his mission. Zhou stuffed his payment into his bag and then fixed his eyes on Cong Nianwei. "My beautifuldy, may I have a look at your slender feet?" Goosebumps appeared on Qin Guan and Cong Nianweis skin like mushrooms. That guy was really annoying. He was still a professional doctor though. Taking his tools in his hand, Zhou suddenly turned serious. He treated Cong Nianweis wounds carefully. When he stood up, Qin Guan stretched his hand out to him. "Thank you so much for helping my girlfriend." I have to stake my im now, or that yboy will keep thinking about Cong Nianwei. All themps had been turned on for the surgery. As Zhou held the hand of the young man, the bright lights and Qin Guans smile made him dizzy. I like women. No, men... Ugh! It was like touching a burning iron. Zhou drew his hand back fast for fear that it would melt because of that splendid smile. By then, Xiao Hengzi, the smartest member of the ck Star Union had finished his report to Han. Han knew that that night had not been just a holiday for monsters and ghosts in New York, but also one for Japanese gangsters. After a long time, they had finally exposed their teeth. His gang had not been the only one attacked. Neen ck gangs, the Russian harbour union, and the construction sites of Irish and Mexican groups had all been attacked by unknown forces. We looked down on you, Yamaguchi Tsutomu. We looked down on Japanese gangsters, while you were taking advantage of the economic depression. For the Chinese, this was both a matter of national and personal hatred. They were happy to pick up the glove. ... The moon was shining in the sky. After all those soul-stirring incidents, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei copsed on their soft bed and fell asleep. That night, many people were destined not to sleep peacefully. Scared, the monsters on the streets returned to their own world. There were gangsters looking hurriedly for murderers on silent roads. In a luxurious apartment on the Upper East Side, Yamaguchi Tsutomu was processing Qin Guans photos carefully on herputer. As a Japanese girl pursuing perfection, she wanted to make that poster look like artwork. Xue Wanyi was busy those days, as Qin Guans magazine and perfume projects had been finished. Chinese people had no interest in Halloween. In the daytime, all reports concerning the entertainment circle had been updated. Qin Guans TV series were enjoying rising audience ratings. The series reached its peak after the news about Qin Guan were released. On the screen, the handsome monk Xuzhu continued his affair with Princess Xixia. On the streets, full-page reports were everywhere. The titles were tasteful, and the photos were striking. "Close encounter between elegant Armani and a mysterious ancient country" "Top Columbia student wins at life" "Unstoppable: An overseas report on Qin Guan" Various photos of Qin Guan on the show were on the covers of the top five fashion magazines. Ordinary Chinese people had no idea how the fashion circle worked. The word of Armani, the New York Fashion Week and VOGUE was enough for them. There was also a happy surprise. The unknown cosmetics magazine had been noticed by the Chinese. Some international magazines also paid attention to it, wondering if they could introduce it in Asia, like they had done with ELLE and VOGUE. Of course, the two directors were the happiest. Zhang Jizhong applied for the Silver Eagle Award and the "Five Ones" with his work "Demi-Gods and Demi-Demons", which was going even better thanks to Qin Guans fame. Zhang Yimou was d about the fact that all the cast of "Heroes" was enjoying international fame. Even an ordinary assassin was now a top Asian model in New York. This would be a good starting point for applying for the Oscars. Sister Xue hung up the phone with a smile. She had gotten another piece of good news. If everything went ording to n, Qin Guan would be joining Director Zhang Yimou in Los Angeles for a publicity conference before the award ceremony instead of the leading actors. She was really excited that she had agreed to the contract with Armani. If Qin Guan was in front of her, Sister Xue would have kissed him. ... Qin Guan was still living a quiet campus life. Of course, because of the shooting tragedy, Columbia University had increased security around all the entrances. American people, who were very protective of their privacy, didnt protest the regr security checks in their lockers. Their fellow students who were in the hospital served as a lesson learned from the tragedy. After a few days, everyone recovered from the terrible event. Prof. Martin was angry at the two crazy men sitting in his office though. How dared they threaten him! Chapter 384: The First Film Chapter 384: The First Film Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The two crazy men were Director Gus and Director George, who had been sent there by Chuck. They had used their rtions to contact the offices of Columbia University, with the intention to ask leave for Qin Guan in advance. However, before the stubborn Prof. Martin, the two guys experienced rejection for the first time. Columbia had granted its professors great power. As a result, they could be as strict as they wished with temporary leave approval. "Ridiculous! My students are all elite New York residents. As soon as he finishes his courses with me, he could be an economic analyst for stupid rich men in the White House. Why should I ask my good student to shoot silly films with you? Because of your high IQ?" As a leader of the American academic circle, Prof. Martin had reason to be proud. The two directors were both good negotiators though. "There are lots of celebrities who have graduated from Columbia. Which one is the favorite of the media though? How many American citizens know their name? Ordinary people could never understand the effort you have put in teaching. Qin Guan could solve that though. Besides, we do not produce silly blockbusters. We aim for the top film awards." "Yes, we have applied for the Cannes and George in Venice. They are the most respected prizes for independent films." Martin was moved a little, but he still insisted on his opinion. "But will you win the prize? Besides, Americans dont like indie films." Suddenly, the door was pushed open. Qin Guan was standing outside. "Just in time!" Gus pointed at Qin Guan. "Your student can make the decision." Prof. Martin stared at the uninvited guest. He knew that his student deep down wanted to be an actor. Qin Guan paid no attention to roles. His dream of acting in indie films woulde true in the US. It was a chance he had lost in China because of his perfect looks. "I wont fail my sses. If my score goes down in the next exam, I wont participate in any more films." "Your attendance rate will be low though. How will you be able to get an A+? Will you even have time to do your homework?" "Of course! It wont take me much time. If I wasnt slow at typing, homework would only take me 10 minutes." "Piss off! All of you!" Having such a clever student was unfortunate. As he threw waste paper and ink bottles at them, the two old men and Qin Guan retreated from Martins office. They all smiled at each other. ording to the original schedule, Gus"Elephant" would be shooting first. The story of the school shooting was very current considering the recent events at Columbia University. George was still preparing for the film. Before the first snow, the crew arrived at a public middle school in downtown New York. It was a typical American school, but there was no fence around the campus. The school was one with the rest of themunity. Gus got approval from the principal to get some shots from the students in ss. To avoid bothering them, he used DV high-resolution cameras. On the set, Qin Guan got familiar with Gus shooting method. Each role had an independent story to tell. The cameraman would record the real lives of all the witnesses. All roles had their own meeting points at the school. The first character was an American boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. His name was John and he had been born into a dysfunctional family. He had a drunk father to take care of. He was alwayste for ss because he had to look after his family. The principal often had a talk with him in his office. John was a gentle boy, so he didnt forget to leave the key for his brother after going out of the office. His older brother had to pick up their dad and take him home. After all this ended, the boy would cry in the silent meeting room. A good friend of his gave him an encouraging kiss on the face and cheered him up. He left school in the evening and met Qin Guan and another actor, Alex. Then the scene changed to show the audience the life of another student, who dreamed of bing a photographer. Qin Guan felt dizzy by the shift. That was why indie films were only liked by a minority. They were not telling stories, they were expressing the feelings of the director. Gus favored slow long shots. He wanted to record every detail of every actor, which made Qin Guan suffer a lot. It wasmon for Gus to spend three days shooting the starry sky for a four-minute scene. They shot five takes of Qin Guans first scene, not because of Qin Guan, but because the director wanted to feel a sense of bnce between the shots. Chapter 385: I Can Play Piano Chapter 385: I Can y Piano Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans character was an ordinary boy with ck hair and eyes. His name was Eric. He was a little weak. Athletes were the most popr at school. As a quiet, clever boy, Eric was bullied by other students. During science ss, some boys had distracted the teacher while others had thrown chewing gum at Erics clothes. The lonely boy couldnt do anything but look at the white sticky gum on his blue jacket. He lowered his eyes. He knew defending himself would not work. On the camera, his face looked clean. The gentle, silent boy suffered through all that unfair treatment. The bell rang and only Eric was left in the ssroom. He picked up his books and walked to the washroom, where he picked all the gum off his clothes. He looked indifferent in the mirror, like a butterfly on a spiders. His wings were broken. He had no idea about the value of life. The helpless, weak, dark nature of humans and his cowardice shone through his expression. He walked to the school dining room and recorded the structure and position of the basins and sundries in his notebook. Meanwhile, gay and straight students were holding a meeting. "In my opinion, men who wear colorful nes are not necessarily gay," Alex was saying with an enigmatic expression. "And Im straight." He smiled. Nobody noticed whether the short-haired boy was wearing a colorful ne or not. Now all the main characters of the school shooting had been introduced. It was a beautiful day. Red maple leaves were lying on the green grass, and white clouds were floating in the blue sky. It was a good day to walk ones dog... "Okay! Stop there!" "All the crew move on to the next scene except Eric and Alex." The scene ended without any special effects or action. It seemed like a household DV film. Qin Guan nearly fell asleep on set. Gus was satisfied with the yback. In fact, he was worried about Qin Guans adjustment to American shooting methods, but he had unexpectedly made a perfect interpretation of the character, taking into ount his own guidance. Suddenly, Gus felt sorry for the gloomy boy in the camera. He must have been treated unfairly tomit such a terrible crime. The fiery-red maple forest surrendered itself over to the golden aspen trees. Erics family was an ordinary middle-ss American family. Their house had a broad yard, French windows and a fridge with many sticky notes on it. The parents were busy, and their child was lonely. Eric was ying the piano. A mncholy, but emotional tune was being produced by his dancing fingers. For that particr scene, Gus had asked the producer to hire a piano teacher. "Can you help him with the tune in two days? Qin Guan, can you y the piano?" Qin Guan nodded. "No problem. I can watch the tutor y it once. I will just need the music score." What a proud young man! Anybody would need to spend at least half a day on the track if they were learning it for the first time. You cant master everything. "Thats why beautiful people are always silly," the tutor murmured to himself. The director was an idiot to cast that actor. The tutor made an elegant gesture and pressed the first key slowly. "Okay, pay attention..." Pigeons flew into the sky... The yer closed his eyes, lost in thought while the audience got absorbed into the scene. Qin Guan fixed his eyes on the keys and on the tutors dancing fingers, memorizing the movements silently. After thest note, the tutor opened his eyes. "Do you remember the feeling? Shall I y it once more, or should we get back to the music score?" Actually, Qin Guan wanted to start on the music score. Come on! Ask me! Qin Guan looked into his eyes seriously. His dark pupils looked charming and confident. The papers between his slender fingers were rustling along with the breeze. "Let me try," the handsome Asian boy said. The tutor looked at Qin Guan nkly. He wants to try? Impossible! Wont he ask me to y it one more time? The director and stage manager also fell silent. Is the US really supposed to be the most confident country in the world and China the most modest one? Chapter 386: Forbidden Kiss Between Boys Chapter 386: Forbidden Kiss Between Boys Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Whats happening? "May I have a try? Just pick up the bugs for me." "Okay..." The tutor surrendered his seat over to Qin Guan, who sat straight down before the piano and put his hands gently on the keys. Willow catkins started murmuring, and elves began dancing. Qin Guans fingers moved as his body swayed with the rhythm. A fluent melody flew from the keys, lingering around the room. It sounded natural, yet poetic. When he yed thest note, everyone was shocked. The greatest geniuses were often hidden ones. That Asian boy was gifted! He knew how to y without ever learning. The tutor was over the moon. Grabbing Qin Guans hands, he said with quivering lips, "You should be learning music, not acting in these stupid films..." In his eyes, Qin Guan was a future world-ss virtuoso. Watch your words before the crew, please. He was paid back for that statement. The strongest man in the crew threw him outside. Of course, he got paid first. The most difficult scene in the film had actually been the simplest one. Taking advantage of the spare time, the crew had lunch and rested. Working overtime cost a lot in the US. ording tobor union regtions, there was a strict limit on the working hours and sry of the crew. Independent films didnt involve any processes like special effects or editing. Otherwise, the producer would never get his money back. Daytime was short in the winter. After a one-hour break, Gus organized all the crew. "Attention, everyone! Theres only one scene left. Cheer up! Tonight, Cara Gistro! My treat!" All the men apuded. It was a rare invitationing from that guy. When they found out what the scene was though, they realized they had been cheated. If the scene didnt go smoothly, theyd never get that drink. Why? The scene involved amon element of indie films from all over the world: the forbidden love between two people of the same gender. Eric, the gloomy boy, had been suppressing his desire for sex. He was thirsty for the love of a man, not a woman. That strained plotline made the whole story interesting. Homosexuality, teenagers, school violence, shootings: all the elements of indie films were used in "Elephant" one after the other. The scene was taking ce in the bathroom of Erics house. American directors never borrowed shooting methods from the Chinese. Instead, they used scenes smartly to take real, but not exposing shots. Since they were both male, Qin Guan and Alex were naked in the bathroom. Neither of them felt awkward about it. The shower was on, and water was falling down. Only the two young men were in the room. "Close the door. Lights on. Cameras ready! Three, two, camera!" White mist was lingering around their naked bodies. Their clean skin looked blurry behind the ss. The slender one was Eric, and the stronger one was Alex. They looked at each other gently. "Well die today." "Yes, Alex. I have never kissed a person in my life." His voice was husky, but Qin Guan tried to suppress his desire. He was afraid of getting hurt. He was like a puppy waiting to be petted. The other boy didntugh at his sentiment. He slowly supported his arms against the wall. The camera behind the ss moved. The audience could only see Qin Guans face and his nk eyes. His face looked weak, yet elegant. With his back turned to the camera, the boy with the golden hair opened his arms. His bare back, waist and tight bottom were indistinct under the disguise of the mist and the ss. It was more of a lure than a direct exposure. "Me neither..." The golden-haired boy leaned closer to Qin Guan. The young mens lips met before they were covered by the thick mist. The director and the crew re-arranged their clothes and stood up straight, waiting solemnly for the final lines. Chapter 387: Adoration Chapter 387: Adoration Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Great! Perfect! Pass!" The voice put an end to the shot, as well as the romance. Qin Guan opened his eyes and looked at the 17 year-old boy. He looked flushed and lost in tender feelings. The Asian boy had attracted his attention without any effort. His expression and body were an undeniable invitation for Alex. "He... Hello. Do you have any spare time tonight?" The popr high school boy was asking that for the first time in his life. Qin Guan was stunned. He pushed the door open and went out, exposing himself to the onlookers. "Wow! Excellent, dude!" Everyone apuded Qin Guans figure. American people always appreciated the beauty of the human body. Qin Guan turned his head around with the warmest, brightest smile in the world. He put his hand on Alexs hair and smoothed it down. "Thank you for the invitation, but I am busy tonight..." Qin Guan pointed out of the window. A simple Ford was parked out on the yard. Alex saw aely Asian girl sitting in the passenger seat. He grimaced and tried to say something. but it was in vain. His wet blonde hair was pasted on his forehead. Qin Guan patted his head gently again, put on his clothes and left. Cong Nianwei was waiting for him, and the driver was undoubtedly Xu Xiaoxiao. They had decided to buy a car after the shooting. Most car dealingpanies were in the suburbs, where there was enough space for cars of different brands. Unlike the single-brand 4Spanies in China, in the US every dealer could sell different brands. In the event of an economic depression, they could even sell private second-hand cars. Inte 2002, there was no online tform for trading second-hand cars. Acquaintances always sold and bought cars from each other. Xu himself was also a greenhand in that field. All his familys cars had been purchased by his father, but he still wanted to buy a car for himself. Lan Jin had rmended apany to Qin Guan, but at the sight of the price list, Qin Guan had rejected his suggestion immediately. Prices between 60,000 and 80,000 dors were reasonable for the Chinese, but unnecessary for New Yorkers. In 10 minutes, they had driven to the biggest dealership in the suburbs. Flocks of cars of different colors and shapes were parked outside thepany building. In the US, the average person had only two choices when purchasing a car: Japanese or American. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were facing the same dilemma. The salesman was a short but smart guy, who gave his practised speech before them. "American cars are safer. The steel is thick, and the frame is quiterge. The elerator and brakes are steady..." "People say that American cars are heavy and suffer from high fuel consumption, but we can deal with that. Ford and Chevy are much better than A." "Look at this one. Its got plenty of space inside. Its very safe andfortable." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei smiled politely. Actually, they were nning on buying a Ford for their first car, but the details were also important. Qin Guan showed his ability of collecting data once again. He was no longer the weak boy in that film, but a confident man. "As far as I know, the Japanese are leading in MGP [1]. Most of their cars can reach 25-30 MGP. This one though..." He patted the blue Ford, creating an echo. "Its a household car, so it can only reach 18-22 MGP. The international price for raw petroleum went up again. Considering the current economic situation..." The salesman grimaced slightly. That Asian boy is so cunning. He will not buy a Japanese car, but he keeps talking about the advantages of Japanese brands. He is waiting for me to lower the price. "This is my final offer. You can see thebels on all the new cars. Of course, if you are interested in a second-hand car, I have some cars for only 2,000 dors... No, a 200-dor gas-filling card is the most I can offer you..." When they were done negotiating, Qin Guan bought the blue Ford with a temporary licence te. In two weeks, the dealership would finish all the necessary procedures, including getting him a formal te. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei drove off in the blue car, waving farewell at the salesman, whose heart was hurting as if it had been stomped over by a thousand fat horses. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] The distance a car can reach with one gallon of fuel. Chapter 388: Massacre Chapter 388: Massacre Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The salesman wanted to cry over the deal. The final price had been barely over the bottom price of hispany. As a salesman relying onmission, he would be leading a miserable life if he relied on customers like Qin Guan. Under the golden rays of the setting sun, the new car looked like an avant-garde steel sculpture in an LA art museum. The blues music signified the start of their new journey. The next day, Qin Guan was busy with studying and work. After his morning sses, he rushed from the northest point of Manhattan to the southest. They were still shooting in Erics home. When they got out of the bathroom, the two boys arranged their belongings silently. Qin Guan was dressed in ck. He stuffed his policeman pants into his military boots. The fitting waistcoat used for field operations was fastened around his upper body. His backpack was filled with light bombs. A mini submachine gun was in his hand, and a backup pistol was in his pocket. Alex was watching Qin Guan in admiration as he tied a camouge kerchief around his head. They drove to school, discussing their attacking routes on the way. One would head to the left and one to the right. They would surround everyone and then start killing them. The sunshine shone through the French windows, but nobody felt warm. The camera followed the running car, witnessing the ughter n graduallye to life. Eric, the weakest boy in school, had thought up a professional n worthy of a special operation team. The script was based on real events that had happened in the US, so the role of Eric was based on a real person. When they arrived at school, the director let out a breath of relief. The smile on Qin Guans face looked horrific. Innocent brutality was the most horrible. The boys would kill innocent students, the principal, and then each other with a smile on their faces. The audience couldnt sense any emotions on them. Qin Guan and Alex got out of the car with their weapons. They stood at the entrance of the school leisurely. Eric let John, the kind boy shown earlier in the film, go. The boy had a kind heart despite all the hardships he had been through. Then the two of them began their attack. All the disorderly earlier scenes suddenly came together, reaching a conclusion. Some of the students lived, while others died. The film was partly dedicated to the memory of the deceased. The camera started filming. John went out of the office of the principal slowly, looking sad. Then he met Eric, the boy who had been bullied and humiliated at school just as much as he had. His ssmate was not a coward anymore. Instead, he had be cruel and evil. "Hey, dude. What are you doing here?" John asked Eric in concern. Qin Guan looked solemn in his ck kerchief. "Piss off! Get as far away as possible! Donte back!" That was his final cold greeting. The sensitive boy ran away like an animal. On his way, he looked back time and again, trying to warn every student and teacher. "Stay away! Dont enter the school! Something big is about to happen..." He had hardly finished speaking when the building behind him exploded. Qin Guan and Alex had entered the building, which would be the beginning of the massacre. Before the librarian could say anything, a bloody flower bloomed on her chest. There was no counter-attack. In barely a few seconds, they had killed everyone in the library. A boy who had appeared at the beginning of the film was holding his camera in his hand as he died. In the camera was the final shot of his two schoolmates, who were about to kill him. Following their n, one of them headed left, and the other right. Gus camera followed Qin Guans face and movements quietly. The boy didnt look flurried or excited after the killings. His boots stomped on the wooden floor. That echo was the final sound of the concert of his life. He moved along the corridor until he found his arch enemy, the demon who had been bullying him every day. With his slender arms and legs and his cold face, Qin Guan looked like the God of Vengeance. The camera retreated before him as the crew got absorbed in his performance. "He was more than good enough to be the leading actor. The box office will be great!" "I dont want Qin Guan to go that way. Look at his acting skills! Commercial films would be an insult to him..." They were actually afraid that the fat sry ofmercial films would win him over. In three minutes, Qin Guan had reached the ce of the real massacre. It was the school cafeteria, where the students had been driven by the shots. Chapter 389: The Real Demon Chapter 389: The Real Demon Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Dazzling sparkles were ejected from the cold muzzle. The students screamed out. They broke the windows in an effort to escape from that hell. Blood was flowing around the hall during the afternoon tea break. Qin Guan felt tired. He kicked a corpse away and picked up a cup of warm tea. White smoke was hovering over it. Before his lips could soak into the water, his partner walked in. Feeling a little delight and excitement, Alex recalled the moment he had shot the principal in the head. He stopped Qin Guan, who was trying to drink the tea. "Watch for herpes..." His voice sounded like the students who had used to bully Eric. Qin Guan smiled dangerously and put the cup down gently. Gus pushed the camera forward to zoom in on his face. There was an unyielding me in Qin Guans eyes. "What about you? All dead?" he asked Alex calmly. "I killed everyone in the principals office," Alex answered arrogantly, waving his smoking weapon around. The boy, who admired Qin Guan a lot, wanted to share the joy of his sess. Suddenly, Qin Guan took action though. He pointed his gun at Alex and shot him without hesitation. Bang! A bullet went through his blonde head, blood spraying against the white wall. Alex had an incredulous expression on his face. He couldnt believe that his lover had killed him in such a calm way, although they had decided tomit suicide together. Qin Guan stood up silently with a poker face, paying no attention to the corpses on the floor or to Alex, who had been talking to him one minute earlier. He was showing extreme indifference and brutality. What Qin Guan had done was reasonable though. He wanted to find the most popr boy at school, the captain of the football team, the crush of every girl and the bully in his ss. That was the student who had thrown gum at his coat. The boy and his girlfriend were hiding in the kitchen. The final shot had scared the girl and forced her to make a sound. Qin Guan smiled suddenly, as if he had been relieved of a heavy load. Nobody felt relieved when they saw his smile though. As he chewed gum, he recalled the past and pointed his gun in the right direction. He went around corners fast. There were no cracks from the burning wooden stairs or screams from the escaping students. Only his unceasing steps echoed in the hall, announcing the arrival of death. "Wow! Who is this? Guess who it is!" Finally, the hunter had found his prey. Qin Guans poker face changed, and his expression became arrogant and vindictive. In the kitchen was arge freezer. The rmed boy and girl were hiding between the freezer and the wall. The evil ck figure finally entered the kitchen. The scene stopped there abruptly, ending in an anticlimactic way. Qin Guan held the gun silently for a minute before Gus shouted, "Okay... finish it!" Everybody had thought that he had fallen asleep. Qin Guan put the gun down, which was the most expensive prop in the entire film. Most of the budget had been spent on it. Rubbing his arms, which had gone numb from maintaining that posture for so long, he asked Gus, "Are we finished, director?" "Of course!" Gus answered without looking up, watching the yback in satisfaction. "I think we need an ending scene toplete the story though. Why just stop there? What about Erics end?" Gus reached the final frame and closed his hurting eyes. Then he smiled. "This film is based on a real event. I dont need to shoot the aftermath. Nothing could be changed, neither in film or reality. Its not amercial Hollywood film. No one will save the day, and no policemen will arrive in time to catch the culprit." "The meaning of the film lies in its open ending. You can picture any possibility, or just rethink its most interesting points. Every character has their own story. Anyone could be the main character of the film." "Thats enough for me. What about you?" Qin Guan shrugged. He realized that Gus was very much like the directors of the 6th generation in China, who wore shabby clothes and gathered in old warehouses. Directors of indie films were always different from ordinary people. They had their own unique way of thinking. Only someone with amon goal would be able to understand them. Chapter 390: Battles Among the Ivy League Chapter 390: Battles Among the Ivy League Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan felt relieved. It was his first time being a real hero and the first time the was acting in an indie film. He had learned a lot from that. In that liberal situation, he had learned to express himself freely. During the shooting, Gus hadnt intervened with Qin Guans performance. He had just chosen a reliable script, cast and crew, and he had depended on them. Red maple leaves were flying in the wind as Qin Guan waved farewell at the crew and got into his new car. Alexs parents hade to pick up their son. They were arranging his luggage carefully in their car. The boy with the blonde hair watched the small blue car drive away in obsessive admiration. "Jimmy! Honey, lets go!" "Iming!" Nobody knew what influence Qin Guan would have on his future career. After the film, Qin Guan had spare time to enjoy his life on campus. The Ivy League football league was about to start. Joseph had been talking about it non stop, annoying Qin Guan. Columbia University could be considered the founder of the football league. In 1876, Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Columbia had organized the first college football league in the US. Then four more universities from the Northeast had joined the league to form the top eight football teams in the US. After that, other universities had imitated them, forming 60 different leagues at different ces. In the early 1900s, Ivy League universities started granting sports schrships, and sports became fashionable and popr around campus. At the time, those eight teams were considered the best in America. The champion of the national football league would always be in the Ivy League though. However, as society progressed, the eight universities realized they had gotten distracted from their goal, which was elite education. The sports schrships didnt bring any real advantages to their development. Instead, they lowered the academic level. As a result, they began to rethink the point of education and make wise reforms. They cancelled athletic schrships and poured all their resources into academic studies. Now, Ivy League universities were not famous for their sports league anymore, but their elite studying programs. On the other side, after a whole century, the game had be a tradition of these universities. It was like a holiday for them. That day, older students would return to campus to meet their old friends. They would spend a day on campus, drink coffee or tea, and remember the old times by wearing their old school uniforms. As a result, this was the best chance for the university to find sponsors. Graduates tended to make generous donations after all. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei felt regretful as they sat amid the audience. Joseph had told them it would be an easy match and they would only have to cheer for him by the court. They were feeling like theyd been sandwiched on the spectator stands though, while Joseph was enjoying the apuse of the court. The ability of the athletes aside, they all looked really cool in their sports equipment. Their white protective suits and silver helmets made them look formidable. Qin Guan had invited Susanna and her girls, who were dancing and cheering in their traditional Columbia uniforms. Their opponent was Harvard, whose team had the tallest yers. Of course, Guan Jian was in it. He was the only international student in their team of five. He was a strong man who loved sports, so he had be a member of the Harvard football team. He was also the only Chinese yer in the game, which made the Chinese students feel proud. The two teams were getting ready for the match. They were ying at Columbias home court, so most of the audience was made up of Qin Guans fellow students. Harvard was very powerful though. Every Harvard graduate in New York had asked for a day off that day. Wearing their traditional Harvard school uniforms and T-shirts, they had gone there to cheer for their Alma Mater. John led Qin Guan to a corner and handed him a T-shirt in secret. Qin Guan unfolded the T-shirt and saw the Harvard badge on it. "Qin Guan, do me a favor and put it on." "Hey, this is our opponent. Ill get beaten." John grinned, baring his white teeth. "Dont worry, trust me." Chapter 391: Escaping From Trouble Chapter 391: Escaping From Trouble Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia As the craziest supporter of Columbia, John would never harm their university. Confused, Qin Guan followed him to a pile of boxes by the side of the court. They took out several boards with letters on them, and then walked up to the Harvard students and gave them the boards. "Hello, we are members of the Harvard Pep Squad. Well beat Columbia even at their home court. Just show the boards to Columbia during the match." "We have printed letters on them. When you hold them up, the phrase Go Harvard will be spelled! Isnt it a nice idea?" Lowering his head, Qin Guan handed the boards to the Harvard men. He had been left speechless by Johns n. Thanks to the excitement and pride on his face, John convinced the spectators. The elite students epted the n without hesitation. All the boards were distributed. To avoid any questions and watch their n being executed, Qin Guan and John sat by the Harvard men tamely. The whistle was heard, and the broadcast andmentary began. A wonderful match was about to start. Well, the word "wonderful" did not suit Columbia. In fact, the word "disaster" described their team better. "The Harvard quarterback is wonderful!" "JC from Columbia rushed over... Wow, he fell down!" "Well done! Score for Harvard!" "Wow! Its our superstar Joseph! He runs as fast as a deer..." "Ah!" Everyone held their breath. That must have hurt. Half of Josephs body was pressed against the grass next to the yer who yed defence. "Excellent! Keep him there!" Several members of the Harvard team jumped on Joseph and pressed him down with their bodies. Joseph was crying in his hamlet. Bro, I will give you the ball. Just let me go! Im having trouble breathing! A fat man jumped on him and Joseph moaned. The ball in his hand finally rolled out through the pile of bodies. "Wow! Harvard is not showing any sportsmanship. They got the ball by using a disgusting method!" The overwhelming score made the Harvard students excited. Waving their gs around, they cheered loudly for their team. "We should take action." John threw his disposable cup away and stood up. Patting the dust off his bottom, he walked up to the spectators. "Listen to me, everyone! We are in a favorable position. its time for us to beat Columbia. Come on! Lets cheer up our yers! Follow my lead!" He moved towards the exit, shouting, "Audience sitting in F1 to 20, please hold up your boards and shout with me! Harvard!" The atmosphere became animated. The Harvard students lifted the boards with a sense of purpose, shouting at the Columbia audience, "Go Harvard!" As expected, they attracted everyones attention. From such a short distance, all the students were able to see their boards clearly. The photographer beside the court immediately turned his camera to the Harvard students. This was definitely breaking news. It would no doubt make Harvard aughing stock among American universities. The words "WE SUCK" were spelled clearly on the boards. "Ha ha ha..." Everyone burst intoughter, both in and out of the court. The referee, broadcaster, assistants and staff couldnt carry on working. This would be the best prank of the year. Maybe even of all time. It would be an eternal joke! Some of the cheerleaders stopped dancing and fixed their eyes on the boards. After a long time, they came back to their senses, but they still couldnt continue their performance. Theyughed until they started to tear up. By that time, the Harvard audience had finally realized that something was going on. Some of the students stood before the spectator seats and read the boards. "F*ck! We were fooled by that son of a b*tch!" The general enthusiasm reached its peak. Most football fans were young hot-blooded guys. Although they had graduated and be elites of society, their blood had not cooled down. "Catch them!" The people holding the boards rushed up to Qin Guan and Joseph right away. In all his life, Qin Guan had never experienced such a chilling winter wind. The silence was ringing in his ears, poetic and vacant. Of course, curses like "stop, you son of a b*tch!" broke the silence. As they ran, Qin Guan and John exchanged a knowing smile. "Bro, you lied to me!" "God bless you, bro!" On the crossroads, Qin Guan turned left, heading to the embrace of the noisy city. John turned right in the direction of the student shelter. Their long legs were an advantage, not just because theyplemented their figure, but also because they helped them escape. One could takerger steps if they had longer legs. Chapter 392: The New York Chinese Yacht Club Chapter 392: The New York Chinese Yacht Club Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia That difference helped Qin Guan a lot. The young man ran as fast as he could against the chilling wind. Even the string on his white hoodie was flying in the wind. The ck iron defence couldnt block his desire of life. His chasers automatically split into two groups. "Go, Qin Guan, go!" The Columbia students didnt know what had happened. They just cheered for the popr boy, making the chasers hesitate. What will we do with the boy if we catch him? Could this cause us trouble? People with high IQ tended to think too much. They sped up their steps. Their prey had long legs, so he was getting further and further away. The chasers stopped,pletely out of breath. They could do nothing but return to watch the match in anger. ording to an old saying, extreme joy begot sorrow. By then, John, who had escaped sessfully thanks to his familiarity with the campus and the protection of his fellow students, had changed his clothes and returned to the court arrogantly. He wanted to enjoy his girlfriends performance and show off his achievement to everyone. It was not his style to walk at night wearing expensive clothes. Suddenly, he was discovered. "Hey! He was the mastermind! Catch him!" Everyone ran towards John. He doesnt seem like an influential guy. Qin Guan misled me! John ran up to the Columbia spectator stands. Fights were breaking out both inside and outside the court. The friendliest match between the two universities had ended. Columbia had undoubtedly lost the game, but they were the clear winner. After going around the campus, Qin Guan eventually returned to the court and saw Joseph smiling at him with a bloody nose and a swollen face. The main scorer was waving at him firmly. Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan exchanged a nce. When most of the people had left, they were finally able to go greet Guan Jian. Joseph cast a nce at Guan. "Dont panic. Call me if you need me." "He is my friend, Guan Jian." Qin Guan patted Joseph on the shoulder with a forced smile. Relieved, Joseph left the court with his uniform on his shoulder. Qin Guan turned to Guan Jian. "I rarelye to New York. We can have dinner with He Ming and Lan Jin and take a look at their club." "Okay, no problem." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei saw the refitted luxury cars at the entrance. Lan Jins VOLVO was a good example. Only one broken part would take two months to repair. This was supposed to be a low-key luxury, but whole family fortunes were being spent on it. The three of them arrived at the club. There were freight tankers and private wharfs at the New York harbor. A medium-sized yacht served as their meeting ce on the water. Acquaintances had no need for courtesy. The New York harbor was pure and clean. There were no tall buildings around, so the ce was very open. Stepping on the cracking wooden floor, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei reached the private dock. Owners of yachts were not poor men, but not everyone was a rich guy. About 4% to 5% of American families owned a yacht. One didnt need a license to drive it. After the sunset, the lights lit up around the dock. There were colorful lights hanging on therger yachts, shining down on the sea surface at night. They had bought a middle-sized tanker, about 15 meters long. It was enough for the five of them to stand on. Besides, the deck wasrge enough to satisfy their needs. A cool tow truck designed especially for the tanker was parked beside it. Qin Guan pointed to the truck. "Lan Jin bought it, I guess." Lan looked excited. "How do you know that? Are you a fan of mine?" "Yes, such a silly thing could only belong to you..." The cars were for the families living far from the riverside or the seaside, who parked their yachts in the harbor. In New York though, where the yachts were always in the water, the cars were of no use. The hair on Lan Jins head hung down limply. He was humiliated by his idol once again. "Did Lan Jin buy this?" Qin Guan asked again. Everyone looked at the small tuna-like yacht on the right. "Yes..." Chapter 393: Careers Chapter 393: Careers Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia They stared at the small yacht that had the same independent style as its owner. A man would have to get up all his courage to drive it. The yacht drifting on the water surface looked like a feather. Lan Jin hadnt refitted it. He had only decorated it with paint. A golden flying dragon with fierce ws was twisting its body around the boat with an awe-inspiring vibe. It was a post-modern style decoration. Among the other clean yachts, theirs looked like the ck sheep among the white ones. For the sake of their friendship, Qin Guan decided not to make anyments. He just turned around silently, pretending not to see anything. In fact, he was interested in their invitation. They sat around the table, talking about business. This was what Chinese people did. "Qin Guan?" "Whats the matter?" "Lan Jin and I started a smallmercialpany. Will you help us run the business?" Qin Guan took a sip of his Bud Light. "I do not engage inmerce. Why me?" "We need an ounting firm to take care of the ounts and the dutiable goods. We consulted with some firms. Some of them charge too much, while others are unreliable." "You are studying finance at Columbia. We cant seek for help far and ignore what lies close at hand." Qin Guan put his beer bottle down with shining eyes. "Really? What would I have to do to open an ounting firm?" "Get your CPA," He Ming answered leisurely. "Then you wont need to care about anything else." "Oh, I nearly forgot." He pointed to Lan Jin. "Lan could invest in you for free. Just pay him in profit when you start making money. The boy is interested in personal investment. He likes counting bills on his couch." Qin Guan was relieved. It was much simpler to start a firm there than in China. America was really thend of the free. He swallowed a mouthful of beer. "I dont have much at hand. Just 1.6 million..." He Jing and Lan Jin were a little surprised. "Thats enough. If your business goes well, you wont need to worry about the high New York prices. You will even get a house." They were pointing in the direction of Long Ind, where lights could be seen among the trees. This was their dream for the future. "Well... I meant dors," Qin Guan finished his words calmly, as if he was greeting some guy on the street. His three friends spit their beer out. "What... What did you say? 1.6 million dors?" He was a multimillionaire! The calmest boy among them was the richest one. They showed off everywhere with their luxury cars, while the real rich man had been hiding. Qin Guan nodded. "You know about my part-time jobs... I just signed a contract recently..." His friends didnt want to continue that conversation. We hate handsome guys... Suddenly, Qin Guan remembered something. "He Ming, would you ept small import orders?" "Of course. I can carry them out myself to save on service charges and customs duties." "Thats great. My store on Chelsea Street is ready, and we will be needing some goods... Tell them, Weizi." They all forgot about the time as they talked under the night sky. All their careers had started from that club and headed in different, unknown directions. When one realized that their goal, the very thing they were earnestly longing for, was close at hand, they were naturally full of energy. Qin Guan had promised George Clooney that he would finish shooting his scenes before Christmas, so he had to take the CPA exams afterwards. Despite Prof. Martinsints, Qin Guan packed his travelling bag, asked Cong Nianwei to take care of the store and went off again. In fact, Qin Guan had been hesitant about the script at the beginning. Compared to "Elephant" and "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind", with their ck humour and absurd plot, this one was much more uplifting. Qin Guan had not mentally stressed about "Elephant", as in Chinas point of view, it was a failure of American education. His role in "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" though put more pressure on him. He would be ying a Jew, both in the physical and emotional sense. It was an interesting story, based on Chucks autobiography, which had been published back in 1984. In the book, he was a killer working undercover for the CIA as a TV host. In fact, George had seen plenty of candidates. The agencies had sent numerous actors. Eventually though, Chuck had pointed at Qin Guans photo. "When I was young, women were obsessed with me. I used to be a handsome guy like him. Besides, he looks just as cold and tough as the people working in the secret services. This feeling is kind of hard to describe." Chapter 394: The Intelligence of Actors Chapter 394: The Intelligence of Actors Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia You are lying... As they looked at Chuck, the old man with the wrinkles and the silver hair, the whole crew wanted to show him their middle fingers. The leading actor was the key point. The film was aiming for an award and a regional theater chain, so the investor was only focused on the final result. Unlike the temporary crew of "Elephant", this film was important for Miramax Films. Actually, Qin Guan, the leading actor, was thest person to be chosen. All the scenes were set in Manhattan in the 1980s, so Qin Guan wouldnt need to fly to another city. Everything was ready. "He pieced together a part of the jigsaw of his life..." That was peoples appraisal of him. Sitting in the makeup room. Qin Guan waited silently for the final touch-up. His ck hair had been dyed brown and curled into a traditional 80s hairstyle. In his yellow shirt and checkered overalls, he looked like he lived in a time when gentlemen used pipes and walking sticks. When Qin Guan went out to meet the director and the crew, everyone let out a breath of relief. A little vintage, a little yuppie and a little absurd. That was the story of that old Jewish family. The phonograph was singing in a hoarse voice on the yellowing wooden floor. "Great. Its our first day together. Lets try a simple scene. You dont even need to show your face, Qin Guan. I only need your bottom." Director George winked at Qin Guan. Everyone around them burst intoughter. Qin Guan began to take off his clothes fearlessly. It was an indie film! Of course he would need to get naked again before the camera. Nudity, both mens and womens, was the soul of indie films. Since this was aedy, he could express himself freely. Qin Guan took off his underwear and touched his curly hair. He looked like he had a chicken coop on his head. The scene was set in a in dark room in a small hotel. On the ceiling was an incandescent light bulb. The mattress and the bedding on the single bed were in a mess. The ck-and-white TV was on. Qin Guan stood barefoot on the dirty floor, lost in thought. The job of the cameraman was quite simple. It was the easiest scene in the entire film. The camera was rolling. "Three, two, action!" Suddenly, Qin Guan changed. A second ago, he had been a charming prince. Now, he looked like a guy with many secrets. Nobody could rescue him. He just stood there, one leg bent and the other straight. He was a real punk out on the street. Nobody was in the mood to appreciate his smooth back, tight bottom and slender legs though, although they were like gods gift to humanity. They all smiled knowingly. His back view reminded them of their funniest friend. Qin Guans facial features were in the dark. Only his eyes were visible in the camera. His transparent pupils were telling of his decadence, struggle, conflict and hesitation. He was trying to find a proper excuse for his silence and failure. The Asian boy did not just have the ideal face for an indie film. He was also a very intelligent actor. Qin Guans first on-screen partner appeared. It was the morous Drew Barrymore. The actress was wearing a vintage 1980s outfit, and her full lips were bright red. She looked withered and helpless though. Behind the door of the shabby hotel, she was looking at her ex-boyfriend through a crack on the door. "Can we talk? It might have been my fault for forcing you to marry me..." "Darling, I cant go on without you..." Qin Guan was a coward, so he dared not have a face-to-face conversation with her. He could only hide in the small room. They both remained silent on their respective sides of the door. His eyes were ck and hers were blue. Nothing was visible on the camera but their two pairs of beautiful eyes. "Good! Stop!" "The first scene is perfect. I was afraid that Qin Guan might act like a statue...." Everyoneughed good-naturedly. Drew left through the door with her assistant. The actor in the room was naked anyway. Qin Guan noticed amotion by the entrance. "What are you doing here, my beautifuldy? We are working... Ah!" The crew failed to stop the angry woman from bursting in. Qin Guan turned his head around just in time to see a red bag hit him straight on the forehead. Chapter 395: Sister Xues Idol Chapter 395: Sister Xues Idol Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Qin Guan, you bastard! You are a model. How dare you shoot films in New York!" Guess who was beating the actor on the set with the whole crew looking on! It was Sister Xue, who had travelled there from very far away. She had been proud of Qin Guans work during the New York Fashion Week, the Armani contract and the full pages in magazines. However, soon she had received scripts and notices from Qin Guan. His e-mail was very concise: I realized my dream in New York. I can finally act in indie films. I have already finished shooting one and started shooting another. Dont worry about me. Confused, Sister Xue had looked at the script. Isnt it a littlete? When she finished reading the script, she nearly tore it apart. Naked love scenes? Sex in the bathroom? What the f*ck is that all about? If Chinese people living in foreign countries sent the film to China, he would lose face! Then she read thest sentence again. Ill read another one. Where is the script? Is it more terrible than the first one? How dare he not show me the scripts beforehand! I should go to the US personally. I have to prevent him from ruining his career. The first thing she had done after arriving in the US was ask Cong Nianwei about the films shooting location. Then she had broken in courageously. No one can force my lovely boy to make those trashy films. There are so many chances for him in Hollywood. Why would he ept to participate in such a ridiculous film? Cong Nianwei was scared by Sister Xues anger. She hid amid the crowd silently. She came here for revenge... "Stop! Stop! Sister Xue! Why did youe here? You should have told me in advance. I could have picked you up from the airport!" Sister Xue put down her bag and folded her arms across her chest. "So you could get prepared and destroy all evidence?" What are you talking about? Im serious about my work. Qin Guan pointed down to his naked parts. "Elder sister, could I put my pants on first?" "You corrupt boy! What are you doing? Put on some clothes!" Sister Xue nced down and covered her eyes. Their dialogue in Chinese had confused the whole crew. Qin Guan cleaned himself up and walked out of the set. Taking advantage of this, Director George gave everyone a half-hour break. Sister Xue read through the script quickly. Ten minutester, she looked up with a serious expression. "No, you cant make this film. Its too sensational. It might be nothing in American peoples eyes, but did you stop to consider the Chinese audience?" Before Qin Guan could exin, Sister Xue turned to the director. "Hey, listen to me. Im sorry to say that..." Sister Xue pointed to Director George, who was sitting with his back to her. "Whats the matter?" George Clooney turned around. His charming eyes made him look like a graceful, gentle schr. Sister Xue choked on her next words. She tried to gesture with trembling hands. "George... George Clooney..." Yes, George Clooney had chosen to direct the film because he had read the novel. He would also be ying a small part for fun. He hadnt acted in a film in a long time. Sister Xue looked like a fish out of water. Her mouth closed and opened without making any sound. My idol... I want to kneel down and worship you! "Whats the matter, my beautifuldy?" George had grown a moustache at the time, but he was still handsome. "Nothing. I just wanted to tell you that my client is a green hand. Just urge him on! Dont feel embarrassed by my presence!" "As for me, Ill help you finish the film sessfully! Dont worry about a thing!" Her eyes were shining brighter than themps on the ceiling. She looked like a soldier expressing his loyalty to the general before going out into battle. George smiled gently before he replied, "Your actor is pretty good!" The battle between the director and the agent was over. Sister Xue had lost. She walked up to Qin Guan joyfully as if she was floating in the air. Suddenly, she seized his arms. "Behave yourself, young man. Surprise everyone for me! You shall never lose face for the Chinese. This is such a good film, such a good opportunity. You should take advantage of it." Hey, what were you saying just now? Sister Xue decided to stay for a while. She booked a room at a hotel close to Qin Guans apartment. She was nning on having a discussion with the magazines to arrange Qin Guans schedule for the whole year. The film didnt need her attention after all. She left the studio with Cong Nianwei without hesitation. Before leaving, she picked up Qin Guans car keys. She had decided that Cong Nianwei would be her driver. Chapter 396: Quick Shooter Chapter 396: Quick Shooter Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia All the irrelevant personnel left. As George finished his ck tea, the prop team brought in the equipment for the next scene. It was said that a room with long history could only be found in Queens. The crew rented a single apartment in an old building. That room would be the love nest of the hero and heroine. It smelled like moss inside. There was an old fridge, a telephone and a stic fruit tablecloth that had been popr in the 1980s. The room felt very nostalgic. The hero and heroine fell in love with each other in that small apartment. Fortunately, Cong Nianwei had no idea about that scene. She had left before it was shot. This was Qin Guans first step in the TV industry. He had met a beautiful but indifferent girl. The two of them were naked in bed. It was a pity that the girl was not that into him. She fell asleep while Qin Guan was caressing her body. The camera was rolling. The actress was not blushing at all. Baring her upper body was nothing for her. Qin Guan decided to act naturally. Before he took off his clothes, the silver-haired girly down on the bed and waved at him. "Hey,e on!" She patted the white sheet next to her. Her nails were painted a beautiful purple color. Qin Guan looked at the director subconsciously. Brother, help me... George blinked and turned his head around. It seemed that he was not paying attention to details. Getting up all his courage, Qin Guan leaned down over the girls stomach. He supported both arms on the bed, trying his best to keep a distance from her big boobs. His legs and bottom were curved into a ridiculous "S" shape. Qin Guan looked like a frog squatting down on a lotus leaf in ake. When George turned around, he saw tworge eyes, filled with desire. "Three, two, action!" The order saved Qin Guan. Suddenly, he was in character. "Ah... Oh..." Closing his eyes, Qin Guan felt the headboard shake. The girl under him was stunned. The flushed boy looked like he had been obsessed by another soul. He was an authentic desirable man... It was his solo show. The man was making love in spirit, while the girl under him was indifferent. Everyone covered their mouths to suppress theirughter. It was so ridiculous! The man with the short dick was enjoying himself, while the girl had fallen asleep. George closed his mouth tightly, rubbing his fingers. The Asian boy was a naturaledian. Everyone was rxed and happy. In two minutes, Qin Guan stopped. The girl curled her toes under the sheets. She had gotten aroused. Qin Guan opened his eyes and grinned at the girl proudly, waiting for her praise. Then he rolled away from her. "Ha ha ha..." "Hush..." "Dont worry. Well be editing the voices... Silence! They are acting..." The crew suppressed itsughter. Qin Guan continued his performance. He didnt get any response, but he was a proud man. He didnt need the girls praise. As he chatted with her, he picked up a pack of cigarettes from the bedside table. Light smoke rose between them. The girl took the cigarette from his hand. The two of themy on the bed, Their shoulders were touching, but they looked so far away. The sound of the lighter made the crew go silent. Thergest distance was the one between two hearts. The scene finally came to an end. It had been finished without any trouble. Qin Guan got up with a smile. Before he left, the girl grabbed his jeans from behind. Her fingers were between Qin Guans naked back and belt. "I know an empty room around here. Well have a 30-minute break. Would youe with me? Or are 30 minutes not enough for you?" Qin Guan felt as if someone had stomped on his tail. He dared not touch the girl. Jumping up, he nned on leaving as soon as possible. He seeded in standing up and getting rid of her beautiful hand. LEEs hip-hugger jeans were extraordinary though. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] The man shoots quickly during mating. Chapter 397: Ambiguous Attitude Chapter 397: Ambiguous Attitude Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The waist was low enough to reveal his V-line abs. As the girl pulled, Qin Guans bottom was exposed. The girl burst intoughter. The ident drove herst bit of desire away. "You are so cute. Forget it, bye!" The girl covered her body with the sheet and put on her clothes underneath. She only had a small role, so her work was finished. She left without hesitation, seeking new prey. Qin Guan let out a long breath. Before he could put on his clothes, the prop master passed by with some equipment and told him, "Hey, Qin Guan. You dont need to put them on. Youll have to take them off againter." Qin Guan smiled awkwardly, but didnt reply. The guy in charge of the costumes approached him. "You are saving me money..." Are you kidding? I like wearing clothes! Beauty knew no gender. In the next scene, the hero wanted to get drunk after that failed attempt at sex. Qin Guan was naked again, but no important parts of his body were revealed. In the US, there was a strict movie rating system. Georges skill was exactly to the point. Qin Guans straight back and slender legs looked wonderful on the camera. Actually, people liked to be naked at home. Qin Guan left the bedroom leisurely and tried to find a bottle of beer in the fridge. Suddenly, the door opened. The roommate of the silver-haired girl, Drew Barrymore, walked into the apartment. There was no sheet or quilt covering Qin Guans body. He was only wearing a pair of cheap slippers. He immediately opened the door of the fridge to cover his most private parts. The fridge was an 1980s model. George and the prop team had tried their best to find a big one. The light came on when the door opened, shedding light on Qin Guans bottom. Drew scanned him from head to toe with a seductive expression. "Youre her new boyfriend? Ive never seen you before. Not local, are you? Where are you from?" "Im a Jew..." "I just had a date with an Asian. I have dated people from many different races. Jews are very mysterious. Shall we have a try?" Then she put down her bag. "Im thirsty. I want something cold." Sister, what are you about to do? Ill get you something to drink. Keep some distance from me, please! Leave me alone! She had be obsessed with him on first sight. Stretching out her fair hand into the fridge, she reached between Qin Guans bottom and the fridge door. Qin Guan stood still awkwardly, waiting until she got two bottles of beer from the fridge. Everyone around felt jealous as they watched the scene. Suppressing his embarrassment, Qin Guan expressed his admiration of the beautiful woman. They looked at each other tenderly, love shining through their eyes. Barrymore handed Qin Guan a bottle and toasted with him. Their bottles nked as they drank from each others bottle. George let out a long breath. This was a wonderful meeting of two outstanding actors. People called that a meeting of diamonds. "Okay!" He decided to call it a day. Qin Guan and Drew looked at each other. Sister, could you please leave first? Im still in the fridge. Although we have air-conditioning here, its still winter. My fifth limb is nearly frozen. Barrymore gave Qin Guan a big, meaningful smile that he didnt understand. When she walked away, Qin Guan rushed to the bedroom as fast as he could. He had to recover under the quilt. The open fridge looked like a big mouthughing at the poor man. When all the props were cleared away, Qin Guan realized that Director George was already enjoying himself in the resting area. He left without saying goodbye to him. He had to catch a bus, as his car had been taken by that terrible woman. Sister Xue was at a stalemate with Qu Xuemeis deadly foe at the VOGUE headquarters. Qu had threatened him over Qin Guans inner pages. Richard was known for being capable to spot a real pearl among fake ones. Qin Guans photos were on three magazines at the same time, but the positions were different. He was on a cover, some inner pages and one group photo. The results were quite interesting. One weekter, the ranking list of the US fashion magazines waspletely different. VOGUE had originally been in the lead, W following tight on its heels. Thanks to its unconventional cover though, Raynanas magazine, NYLON, had jumped up to the third ce on the list, ahead of W. Only VOGUE and C were above it. Chapter 398: Sister Xue’s Success Chapter 398: Sister Xues Sess Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Insiders had to attach importance to themercial value of the Asian model. Sister Xue had her own reasons for heading directly to the local media instead of brand businessmen for a future cooperation. "To get back to our subject, I hope VOGUE can see his special charm like NYLON did. I dont need to say much more about hismercial value." She was calm in front of the editor, unlike other agents, who were ttering around fashion magazines. She moved her legs to a morefortable position before she continued. "I hope VOGUE can hire Qin Guan as its exclusive model, like its Asian edition has already done. He is way better than Chad..." She was speaking with fervor and confidence. Richards eyes opened wide. Who the hell granted her the courage to make such a demand? "Impossible. I cant deny his highmercial value though, and I wish we will have a happy cooperation in the future. When VOGUE is in need of models, well consider him. Im nning on hiring him for at least two advertisements next year. Is that alright?" "Once every six months. Such a chance would be undeniable for most top models. If you agree, Ill ask the legal department to send you an agreement. You can also choose the date. Since you are a friend of Qu Xuemeis, I can arrange it for you." Once every six months? Im no beggar! Actually, Sister Xue had misunderstood him. Richard was also looking to increase his coborations with Qin Guan, but there were lots of top models in the world. New York was different from the small fashion circle in China. This chance would help Qin Guan earn a ce in the top fashion circle. Although that seat was not veryfortable, he could still sit there during a meeting. Sister Xue wasnt feeling grateful though. In fact, she stood up leisurely and gave Richard a silent smile. "Fine. Ill consider your proposal..." It seemed like she was taking pleasure in his misfortune. Wow! Who do you think is party A here? Are you clear about the situation? "Im in no hurry. I can wait to talk with Qu Xuemei..." "What? Qu ising? When? What do you mean?" Richard got nervous at her words. The demon is returning to the headquarters? Sister Xue stood up without hesitation. "Thank you for having me. It was an inspiring talk. Qu and I are actually old friends. She told me a few days ago that she was preparing for a trip at the end of the year. You must be d. She said that you are her best friend in America. Wow! You are too happy to speak..." Sister Xue left, leaving Richard with a pale face. She met with Raynana from NYLON right away. The meeting was so harmonious that Sister Xue thought world peace was close at hand. She went out of the magazines offices with an annual contract. As long as Qin Guan could fit it in his schedule, he would be NYLONs first choice for their inner colorful pages. Talking with the media took up most of Sister Xues time in the US. She had put Armani aside, but she had a meeting with the stubborn executives of the CK operational department. While Qin Guan was on the bus, Sister Xue was on her way back in his car, the CK underwear contract in her hands. It was not as important as a worldwide representative contract, but Qin Guan could appear in all CK clothing stores all over the world. For the following year, CK would always save a seat for Qin Guan in its shows and posters. That day, Sister Xue got two contracts worth 600,000 dors. It had been a very fruitful journey and a great pleasure for them all. When Sister Xue flew back to China, Qin Guan devoted himself to his films. The process was fast. Because of the high standards of the scenes though, the crew spent most of its time on the road, seeking the right locations for outdoor scenes. By then, they had finally reached the most interesting part of the story. Qin Guans character had been recruited by the US secret service. After one week of observation, the secret service man in the grey woollen coat had walked up to him slowly. "Our country needs you..." At the time, Qin Guan had just been beaten in a small bar. He was gloomy and depressed. The mans words sounded serious, but his strict expression made peopleugh. "Ill train you to be the best killer and spy. You will be fighting for the honor and safety of the US..." Qin Guan hesitantly agreed to the training. After the first killing, he realized what he had gotten himself into. This was no dream, but the wonderful life of a secret service man. When he got back home, he saw that he had mail from the ABC broadcasting and TV station. To his surprise, his show would finally be airing. It was an interesting show about a beautiful girl who would be choosing a boyfriend out of three boys. The boys would be standing on the other side of a door, and the girl would ask them questions. It was like an ancient Chinese tradition, when a virgin would hide behind a screen to peep at her fianc. To be frank, it was the American version of "Are you the one?" [1]. Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Its a very famous TV program on blind dating in China. Chapter 399: Julia Roberts Chapter 399: Julia Roberts Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Question to No.1. What would you do if you went on a date with me?" "Id buy you flowers and take you home personally..." The blonde girl seemed to be familiar with the show. She didnt say anything. She just moved on to the next contestant. "What about you, No.3?" "Uh, nothing. You would just experience my power..." No.3 made a sly gesture at the audience. The audience burst intoughter. So did Qin Guan. The director cut that part though. "Our show is not like those adultery shows. No dirty jokes allowed! Stop it, or leave." Qin Guan had no choice. The secret service man appeared again with a wonderful idea. In fact, it was part of his mission. "You could arrange an exciting trip for the couple. Take them abroad..." "Where?" "To Moscow." Spare my life, brother! All the secret service men, including Qin Guan, were dispatched to Russia. To cover up his identity, Qin Guan had to bring the silly couple with him. It was a dangerous task during the Cold War. Qin Guan was sitting in a cafe in Moscow, waiting for someone to get in touch with him. George was standing behind the camera. He was interested in the scene between the two strange partners. A beautiful woman pushed into the smoke-filled cafe. She was wearing a light grey squash hat. She was walking neither too fast nor too slow, looking like a fairy in the dark. She pulled off her ck gloves slowly to reveal her slender fingers. ording to the script, she had to stretch her legs as a hint to the American spy. A beautiful, elegant leg stretched beneath the table. The ck silk stocking and white heels betrayed the danger. Filled with joy and hope, Qin Guan sat down across from the woman. "Is this seat taken?" he inquired politely. The audience felt slightly drunk. His head was leaning close, his eyes shining. His curly hair was touching his cheek. The woman flushed. She drew her leg back and sat gracefully. "No, its for you." They looked at each other in admiration. Qin Guan delivered the secret message. "Helsinki is charming this time of the year..." The woman was stupefied. A rare opening for osting someone... She smiled and nodded. "Yes..." Silence. Ive made a mistake. Qin Guan remained calm. They looked at each other for a full 20 seconds without saying a word. The camera was still rolling. Qin Guan grinned and turned his head around. He saw a lonely leg leaning out of thest booth, swaying to attract attention. Thats the right person... "Sorry!" Qin Guan said awkwardly. Giving up his graceful manners, he rushed to thest booth, standing there with a serious expression. "Helsinki is charming this time of the year..." The heroine was revealed as the camera zoomed forward. Her face was covered by a veil. Her rosy lips were blooming in the cold winter. She looked like an Ice Queen. Julia Roberts, the beauty with the wide mouth, was portraying the heroine of the film. She delivered her lines calmly through her lips. "Especially when it snows. People always feel lonely, even if they are in a bustling city." She did not seem moved by Qin Guans looks. After confirming her identity, Qin Guan sat down across from her to reveal his own. "Im Chuck. Who are you?" She didnt reply. She just gave Qin Guan a thin paper bag that contained his next mission. Her indifference made Qin Guan turn serious. "At least give me a nickname so I can call somebody if Im in danger." Chapter 400: The Wide-Mouthed Beauty Chapter 400: The Wide-Mouthed Beauty Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Julia Roberts took her first action after meeting with Qin Guan. She bent forward from the shadows. Her fair skin looked transparent under the light. Her long earrings were hanging on her shoulders, swaying back and forth. Her lips opened slightly. Her sweet lippie looked sticky as she opened her mouth. A low, sexy voice came out of her throat. "Just call me Olivia!" "Is that the character from the Kings Night?" Qin Guan was confused. "Exactly, Chuck. You surprise me. You are not like those other assassins," she said before she left the quiet booth with her handbag without hesitation. Her white long boots wrapped around her slender legs. Her ck fur coat was like a ck river flowing around her body. She was aplete temptation. Qin Guan craned his head to see her back view as she walked down the end of the corridor. At the end of the scene, Director George said, "Cut!" His voice broke the silence. The whole crew let out a long breath. Shooting at night was the most annoying. Any small mistake could be expanded and everyone was inclined to get bored and angry. George had chosen that short scene as a trial for Qin Guan and Julia, so they could get to their exciting erotic scene as soon as possible. The stylist went up to Qin Guan fast. She was eager to get some sleep after the scene. She was working on Qin Guans curly hair, when Julia went back for a new costume, smiling brightly to warm up the winter night. She put her hand on Qin Guans hair naughtily and pulled... "Ouch!" Qin Guan screamed out. What are you doing, elder sister? Julias symbolic wide mouth formed an "O". She didnt stop though. She wrapped a lock around her finger and then let it go. The lock was sticking out of Qin Guans hair now. "Wow! its real hair. Its so stic!" So you just wanted to test my hair? Thats why people call you silly! Qin Guan was speechless. Julia seemed to be still interested in his hair though. That Asian boy was so cute! In her opinion, he had to have a sensitive heart under that perfect face, just like she did. Before she could make another attempt, George shouted at the crew. "Get ready, everyone! This is thest scene for tonight." The crew put down their sses. Qin Guan and Julia sat down by the table, leaning their heads slightly towards the camera and the director. "Three, two, camera!" The funniest scene was about to begin. Julia smiled in her ck evening dress with her typical indifference and charm. Her V-neck dress was very revealing. "Why are you here tonight?" Qin Guan ced his arm on the dining table. His voice was very seductive. A fire was burning in the firece. It was the only source of light in the room. Julia lowered her eyes, and then looked up again. "I dont know. Your charm is remarkable." Qin Guan took a sip of the transparent drink in his ss, slowly shaking the leftover wine. His gaze was deep and dangerous. The cameras zoomed forward. No background was visible through the lens. Only their features and the white candlesticks were visible in the dark. They looked at each other,municating through their eyes. Julia felt dizzy by Qin Guans charm. Suddenly, she moved. Using her full strength, she pushed all the tableware to the floor. Crack! The smashing sound was savage. Qin Guan moved too. Her identity was not important. He just acted on his desire. He strode onto the table like a beast catching its prey and bent forward to touch Julias face. Chapter 401: Resisting External Temptation Chapter 401: Resisting External Temptation Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia His slender fingers moved in her hair. Qin Guan pressed her head fiercely towards his as they exchanged hot kisses. Julias mind had gone nk. She had forgotten to breathe and act. This man had upied her brainpletely. She kissed Qin Guan back fiercely, her symbolic wide mouth feasting on him. She nearly bit Qin Guans nose off as she kissed him and licked him. "Wait..." Qin Guan was out of breath. "I want to use the washroom." Julia hugged his head and whispered to him, "Beware of the mini camera." Then she left, leaving him behind with a surprised expression. "Good! Cut!" It was a perfect day for the beautiful woman and the handsome boy, who had a love and hate rtionship. The whole crew left. Qin Guan was thest one there. He had to remove his makeup and change clothes all by himself. Famous actors had their own assistants and cars, but he had to rely on himself. Qin Guan liked that feeling though. He put on some loose pants and sneakers and headed to the bus stop. In November, his breath turned into mist outside. Lonelymps were standing along the road. Arge Buick business car was parked by the sidewalk. Julia had pasted her face to the back window. Her cheekbones were t against the ss. Qin Guan nearly passed by her, when she suddenly realized the ss was between them. "Driver, lights! Lights!" Julia rolled down the window, shouting at the driver. The lights made Qin Guan go dizzy. He narrowed his eyes to see clearly who was annoying him. A woman with a wide mouth was shouting and waving at him. "Qin Guan, over here!" "Ouch!" The silly girl had overestimated herself and gotten stuck by the window. Qin Guan burst intoughter at Julia, whose eyeballs had nearly fallen out of their sockets. "Stopughing at me! I just wanted to say hi. Cough, cough..." Julia drew her head back. Qin Guan was standing outside the window, looking into her eyes with a smile. Suddenly, she blushed. She was an experienced woman. She was no longer a pure girl. In front of that young man though, who was younger than her by more than 10 years, she couldnt help but smile and flush. Looks were the best traffic permit. She wanted to help him even more. "Not driving today? Need a ride home?" Julia was not a proud movie diva. She was actually very approachable in real life. "Yes. My girlfriend has taken the car... Could you please take me to the nearest subway station, if its not too much trouble?" "No problem." The car drove away, leaving the empty shooting location behind. In five minutes, it pulled to a stop at a corner of the bustling New York City. A tall young man went into the subway station fast. The window rolled up. As she stared at Qin Guans back, Julia let out a long breath. Dannys number was twinkling on the screen of her phone. "Hi, honey. Iming home. Okay. Love you..." Temptation was everywhere in life. There would always be someone better, but one rarely had a chance to change their mind. Julias mind was filled with her sweet boyfriend. She had forgotten about the ripples caused by Qin Guan. One had to choose the most suitable mate, not the best one. Mature people gave up on such unrealistic thoughts. Qin Guans only thought was that he would never let Cong Nianwei watch the film. The next day, Julia greeted Qin Guan first when he rushed into the makeup room. Qin Guan sensed a change in her though. There was no longer embarrassment in her expression, just the concern a senior actor felt about a green hand. Thats better. He let out a breath of relief. As a professional actress and a movie queen, Julia taught him a lot during the shooting. Qin Guan tried his best to learn from her experience. This was a precious chance that he could benefit a lot from. They had shot most of the movie already. The tears of his girlfriend made Chuck want to return to his normal life. He had his own thriving career, and his shows were always attracting public attention. Chapter 402: A Womans Heart is the Worst Thing in the World Chapter 402: A Womans Heart is the Worst Thing in the World Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The real reason was that his colleagues were dying one by one. His guide had warned him not to trust anybody and then died the next day. Qin Guan felt relieved. His guide had been the only one who had known about his identity. He could get rid of his secret identity now. Oh, no. There was one more person. The woman whod shared a happy memory with him and saved him from the Soviet State Security Committee. She had called him the night before his wedding ceremony, when he was about to marry his girlfriend, who was yed by Drew Barrymore. It was night in the single apartment. Cameras were ced in the corners and in the corridor. The director was sitting behind one of them, watching the splendid scene. Julia was waiting for Qin Guan at home, wearing a sexy silk nightgown. They were going to talk about the deaths of theirrades. Green porcin cups were set on a ck tray, filled with coffee she had made herself. The milk pot was surrounded by the cups. Julia poured milk gently into two cups. Qin Guan was wearing a fashionable flowery shirt of the 1980s. The buttons on his chest were unfastened, revealing his naked skin. Looking happily at the warm coffee, he began his farewell speech. This was theirst meeting after all. Qin Guan had decided to be loyal to his wife, so he had to say goodbye to his lover, no matter how much it hurt. "This is good coffee. Id like to be a writer in the future. i want to write a masterpiece everyone will quote. I dont want to live an assassins life anymore. I live in fear all the time. This life is not respectable." Julia seemed reluctant to end their affair. Rubbing her slender fingers, she said, "I miss you, Chuck. I always bury my emotions. Boston is a beautiful city. Maybe I could start a new life there." Qin Guan smiled, but remained silent. His smile looked splendid andfortable. Even the stars in the sky couldnt outshine his charm. He pointed outside the window, showing Julia the city at night. Julia turned around and pointed to the photos along the corridor. His image was there, the symbol of her love. They picked up their cups and toasted gently, looking at each other. "To life... Cheers..." The coffee was smooth as silk, moving down their throats and filling their stomachs. Qin Guan stood up. He was ready to leave, but suddenly he fell down to the floor. "Whats happening?" He was rolling around on the floor,pletely out of breath. Julia put down her cup leisurely and leaned slowly towards the soft bed. She looked like a guide to Hell. "Wow! You look terrible. You should take a look at William. I took a perfect photo of him." William had been a member of the secret service team. "Keeler was much easier." She stood up and walked over to Qin Guan. "He would have travelled through half of the Earth to spend a night with me." Keeler had been another victim. Julia yed with her long hair arrogantly. Grabbing Qin Guans feet, she nned on pulling him to the washroom to get rid of his corpse. She tried to drag him, but Qin Guan wouldnt move. Julia was no athlete herself. A 186-centimeter tall adult was too heavy for her. After several attempts, the assistant director couldnt watch anymore. He wanted to put some kind of wagon under Qin Guans body. George stopped him though. They just kept watching. "Wow, Chuck, youve gotten fat." Julia squatted down like a frog and pulled with all her might. Bang! His forehead hit the wall around the corner. Bang! It was his poor nose this time. You are too big, Qin Guan! You should lose some weight! The camera kept rolling. Qin Guan was still being dragged across the cold floor. His shirt had been nearly torn in the process. The crew couldnt bear to watch anymore. Qin Guan was crying internally, not because of his cruel treatment, but because of Juliasments. Im not fat. My weight is average. On the way to the washroom, Julia was murmuring to herself about her victory. "I nearly failed with Bird. You shouldnt entrust others with something you could do yourself. He wanted to kill you. Do you know that? Such a silly guy!" Qin Guan was lying on the floor of the washroom. Julia threw a fake posthumous paper at him,ughing at her defeated opponent. "This sounds like your epitaph would have if you had written it yourself. Look, Chuck, I remember everything you ever told me. All your sweet words... By the way, say hi to Kari when you see him. I really liked him..." Chapter 403: The Affair Chapter 403: The Affair Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia She walked out proudly, her gown flying in the air. Suddenly, the situation was reversed. She felt dizzy. The sky and earth were spinning around her. She fell onto the floor, unable to breathe. The poison Qin Guan should have drunk had taken effect on her. Qin Guan stood by the door of the washroom at the end of corridor. The light behind his back outlined his perfect figure. As she stared at him, Julia slowly fell down on the floor. "When you looked out of the window, I switched the cups. If there had been no poison, everybody would have been happy. Whats happening now though?" She was the same person. yet there was no emotion left in Julias eyes. Qin Guan walked to the kitchen quietly and took a clean towel that had been prepared for him. Then he got to work. He cleaned the door, the sill, the floor and the bed. He had to wipe away all the traces he had left in the room. That was what he had learned during training. Sad piano music filled the silence. Julias body was lying on the cold floor, exactly where Qin Guan had been lying previously. The hand that used to caress her body now stuffed a pen into her hand. Qin Guan helped her finish the letter on the paper. George gestured to the camera, zooming out suddenly to a high angle shot. Qin Guan left. The dying beautiful woman looked like a withered peach blossom fallen on the earth. Mournful, yet gorgeous. In her hand were herst words. The camera zoomed in on the paper, the crooked handwriting getting more and more distinct. "No love." Chuck returned home without any sense of guilt. He had put all of this into his book, "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind". Julias part in the film was finished. There was only one scene left, Qin Guan and Drew Barrymores wedding. Julia hugged Qin Guan before leaving. It was a farewell between two friends who appreciated each other. Her body was soft in his embrace. The fragrance of roses lingered in his nose. She kissed him on the cheek. It was a normal farewell kiss, yet Qin Guan saw some reluctance in her eyes. It should have been a happy parting, not a sad one! Acting scared, he tried to keep a distance from Julia. "Spare my life! Help me!" he shouted. Everyone burst intoughter at the funny actor. Juliaughed out loud. You dont like my kiss? How dare you! She left amid the chaos. There was no lipstick left on her mouth. Qin Guans face was covered in lip stains and saliva. The photo ended up in the Sun, the most famous newspaper in the US. "Oscar movie queen facing a marriage crisis!" "She kissed a rising Asian actor for 10 minutes straight!" The picture was not very clear, but it was clear enough for anyone to recognize the woman. The sales volume of the newspaper spiked up. It even surpassed that of the New York Times. The next day, Qin Guan had be a celebrity among the crew. "Hey, Qin Guan! Did you see the newspaper today?" "No, I havent bought the New York Times. What happened?" Qin Guan craned his head towards the newspaper with interest, only to see a picture of him and Julia hugging. Fortunately, the photo was not very clear and his name was not on the paper, thanks to the regtions of the film industry. Without permission from the producers and the filmpany, the media could not release rtive information without running the risk of being prosecuted. They could only attract public attention with ambiguous titles. Of course, there were also rumors published on the paper, which impressed Qin Guan a lot. "Interesting... My face is not visible! Im a nobody for the Sun." He had a point. Thanks to his makeup, the reporter had had no idea about the background of the Asian boy. If he had known that Qin Guan was an Armani model, the title would have been much more interesting. Chapter 404: Open for Business Chapter 404: Open for Business Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The beauty left. The final scene and a second beauty, which was not inferior to Julia by any means, were waiting for Qin Guan. Drew Barrymore looked at Qin Guan with a mocking expression. The power of the tabloids had taken effect already. Qin Guan was grateful that Cong Nianwei never read entertainment newspapers. Otherwise, his acting career woulde to an end. Thest scene was shot on a sunny day at a small town with a wonderful view. It was Qin Guan and Drew Barrymores wedding ceremony, which would mark the end of his dark past and the beginning of his new life. Qin Guan and Drew Barrymore walked out of the church slowly, hand in hand. They were wearing a pure white wedding dress and a formal suit. White doves flew in the sky above them as the church bells chimed. Meanwhile, in the graveyard beside the church, some people were about to bury a fresh corpse. It was Julia. His bride was smiling in her wedding dress, while the other girl was about to be buried. When they got in the carriage, Qin Guan decided to confess everything to his wife. Holding her hands, which were in pure white gloves, he said seriously and carefully, "Drew, I used to work for the CIA." He was afraid to tell the truth, but he was eager to be understood by others. "I have killed many people. Are you listening to me?" His lips were trembling, and his eyebrows were furrowed. His long eyshes were hanging low. His wife had stopped smiling. She was staring at Qin Guan in shock and horror. Then suddenly, she startedughing. "Ha ha ha..." The girl burst into unrestrainedughter, baring her white teeth. Qin Guan felt awful. He blinked as his wife keptughing like crazy. Her long pearl earrings were swaying back and forth. He sniffled and sat up straight. "Ha ha ha!" Qin Guan turned his head around. She was stillughing. He turned around again, but she still keptughing. Fine, letsugh together. Qin Guan grimaced awkwardly, exposing his own teeth as he exchanged a nce with his wife. Okay, forget what I said. It was a joke. As time went by, three old men, each of them holding a gun, were looking back at their lives. They could recall what they had done, what kind of people they used to be and what dreams they had harbored as young men. The winner was the one who didntmit suicide. This was Chuckstest show and thest scene of "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind". They had nothing to do with Qin Guan. That was amon shooting process. Maybe they would never see each other again after the farewell toast. Amid therge film industry, only a small group of people could find new work anywhere at any time. Qin Guan was working in his store after being forced by Cong Nianwei. He Ming and Lan Jin had sent them the first goods. They had bought beautiful rattan Chinese baskets and a red carpet for the entrance. Their design paradise would be open soon. When the J Clothing store opened, Guo was idling about, admiring the products in the small store. In his opinion, they could bring something new to the city. Several designers were standing by the entrance, attracted by the proud name of the store: Beauty of the World. Lan Jin was carrying merchandise out of his car. He had been forced to work as abor worker for free. "Hey, careful! Teacher Rongs goods are worth their weight in gold!" Lan Jin grimaced and copsed on a deck chair by the entrance. He sneered as Qin Guan took out the products one by one. "Im not ming you, but just look at that rubbish! Your Teacher Rong is mediocre." You try and say that before her. "Look at this! A wooden mask! Why did you ask me to carry it from so far away?" Cong Nianwei cast a supercilious look at him. "Its a Nuo Opera [1] mask. You have forgotten your ancestors." As she hung the wooden mask on the wall, she exined its history. "These masks are even older than tattoos and colored drawings. They showed the actors expressions by using the five sense organs and different decorations. It was typical stic arts. Look at the smooth lines... They are full of beauty, ferocity, savageness and moral integrity." The masks looked as if they were alive. A gentle middle-aged man at the entrance spoke up when Cong Nianwei was finished. "How much does it cost?" He pointed to the first mask. "500 dors." Lan Jin held his breath. The mans eyes were fixed on the mask. Despite the mess inside the store, he picked it up without hesitation. [1] One of the oldest operas, whichbined a sacrifice ceremony, singing and dancing. It can be dated back to the Shang and Zhou Dynasty (1600 BC-256 BC). Chapter 405: The Art Dealer Chapter 405: The Art Dealer Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Can I hold it and take a look at it?" "Sure." His hand touched the heavy wooden mask, which was made of solid wood. Thanks to its rich, gorgeous paint and finely-ground wood, the mask looked as smooth and embellished as jade. "Ill take it. I have no cash on me though. Can I use a credit card?" Lan Jin almost hit his head against the wall. What? Youll take it? You should think it over. Its 500 dors! That was why people needed to be educated. The Nuo Opera was one of the symbols of the Han civilization and a piece of cultural heritage. Its price was quite reasonable. Lan Jin had been born in a family of businessmen though. Each mask cost about 30 dors, and the price got even lower atrger quantities. Qin Guan was not in a rush to swipe the card. Instead, he told the man carefully, "Actually, we are opening tomorrow. I see that you are familiar with artwork though. May I ask what you do for a living? Are you perhaps a member of an art foundation or the owner of a gallery?" The man was stunned. He looked at the Asian boy carefully. He was handsome and graceful. He looked like a particrly modest, gentle fellow. The man took off his hat, gesturing silently for a ce to hang it. Cong Nianwei took it and hung it in the closet behind the cash register, along with his coat. "If I may introduce myself... Im Resnais, the owner of a C-level gallery chain. I also work as a private art dealer in Los Angeles." Wow, if you are an art dealer, this mask must be worth far more than 500 dors. Qin Guan remained calm when he heard his identity. He was clear about what the man was talking about. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York only exhibited traditional paintings and works of renowned artists. None of its albums and publications were about modernism. The Los Angeles Asian Art Museum in California, on the other side, was a famous history and art museum with all kinds of exhibits, including famous paintings of different Chinese dynasties, as well as sculptures, stone carvings, furniture and clothing. That museum was dedicated to Chinese culture and history. As an art dealer from California, Resnais was deeply influenced by the local art market. His trip to Chelsea Street had been a big surprise. "Okay, you can take a seat here. The next artwork Ill be showing you will shock you." Resnais nodded. Just as Qin Guan said, the first exhibit was a surprise. Cong Nianwei took the pieces of art out of the box one by one. Lan Jin jumped up and rummaged inside the box, sensing a great opportunity. Money! They are all worth a lot of money! "These are Tantou New Year pictures. They flourished at the end of the Ming Dynasty. Ordinary people loved them for their bright colors and pellucid, simple way of narrating." "Chinese people traditionally purchased New Year pictures before the Spring Festival. They were like the customized oil paintings sold by B-level galleries." "Oh, here it is!" Cong Nianwei showed Resnais a square wooden board. "This is another form of a New Year picture. We call it a New Year wood-block print. Artists used to carve a picture on a wooden board and print it out. They were all three-dimensional." "They have a history of hundreds of years. These boards are the origins of the press. Show Mr. Resnais, Cong Nianwei!" "No problem." Cong Nianwei brushed some ink and pigment on the board carefully before gently putting a thick rice paper over it. After 10 minutes, she pulled the paper back gently to reveal a beautiful picture of "The Three Lucky Stars". The calm, refined man looked shocked. In most countries, an oil painting took an artist several years toplete. These prints were meticulously customized artwork though. They also had an oundish feeling to them that customers of B-level galleries would love. Resnais went into art dealer mode immediately. Pointing to the artwork, he asked, "How many do you have? Shall we have a talk about them?" Qin Guan answered calmly, "Not that many. I only have one original, the one you have in your hand. The finished products are 20 pieces. I only have 10 Tantou New Year pictures... Plus the mask you like... 5,500 dors in total." Lan Jin nearly fell into the box. Liar! Thats just a broken wooden board! After debating about it, Resnais and Qin Guan reached a final price. The man left the small gallery reluctantly. That Chinese man is really cunning. He wants to bring a multitude of Chinese artwork to the US art market. That small store could be considered a C-level gallery. A-level galleries sold only original artwork. They were of high professional level, and most of them were members of the National Chinese Merchant Union. They enjoyed a local influence in the US. B-level galleries were inferior inparison. They sold copies of famous artists works at reasonable prices. C-level galleries sold both artwork and other products. Chapter 406: Chinese Treasure Chapter 406: Chinese Treasure Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was a pity that his schedule was tight. He had to send them the contract by post after returning to California. He was eager to be an official coborator of "Beauty of the World". The lifeline of goods supply was totally in Qin Guans hands though. The price of Chinesemercial artwork was pretty low. In China, those pictures could be sold for 30 yuan each. American people really loved them though. More and more goods were disyed in the store as the number of onlookers increased. If it wasnt for the board stating "Opening Tomorrow", which blocked the entrance, they might have rushed in and fought over the products. Small disying furniture with Suzhou embroidery was on the antique shelves. In the golden sunshine, the hairy kittens ying with balls looked almost alive. Xiefuchun Makeup Powder was in customized Tang tri-color zed ceramic cases. Inside the transparent zed bottles was hair oil used for hair-darkening, scaling, itchiness-relief and detoxification. The oil was made of borneol and musk and came from ancient, mysterious China. American people were surprised by the products. The customers of the store would be rich, powerful people! They would judge Qin Guans shrewd nature by the price of the artwork. He sold ordinary products by the batch, but saved the top products forst. Qin Guan opened the second tost box. He took out a handkerchief and wiped the dust off thoroughly. Then he put the snow-like silk handkerchief on the box and held it up in admiration. He slowly recited a poem. "There is no jewellery on Earth that can surpass a pile of y from Yangxian town..." Most of the onlookers didnt understand what he was saying. He seemed veryfortable though. He looked like a Chinese schr in a blue gown amid a bamboo forest, making a cup of tea with the dark-red enamelled pottery in his hand. Everyone apuded. People in America knew nothing about pottery, poetry and the special feelings of the ancient Chinese. What they admired was the person before their eyes, who was as beautiful as a painting. Qin Guan smiled at them and gently put the pottery in the middle of a cab. It was a handmade piece made by Master Gu Jingzhou. Everybody followed his fingers with their eyes. The lotus-like mini teapot revealed its real nature inside the dark cab. It had a round belly with a clear decorative design. The slender handle was like the stem of a lotus leaf, giving off a summer vibe. Its most mysterious part were the golden dots reflected on the pot, which symbolized dignity and loyalty. White English-style teapots were like mud under a cloud. This teapot was the king of teapots. The shocks came one after the other. Before they coulde back to their senses, Cong Nianwei opened thest box and everyone went crazy. It was a piece of brocade fabric from Nanjing. Even during modern times, when textile technology was really advanced, Nanjing brocade still maintained its traditional features and qualities. It owed its name to its bright splendid colors. The fabric was as beautiful as the rosy clouds in the sky. It was one of the four most famous brocade fabrics in China. The brocade in Cong Nianweis arms was custom-made, so it was the only one of its kind. Using a base of red shusu, the masters had weaved golden, silver and copper threads, as well as natural silk and feathers of several kinds of birds and beasts together to form that piece of brocade. Thanks to theirplicated skill, the two-meter wide, five-meter long piece of fabric was the most expensive exhibit in the shop. "Excuse me! Let me in!" "Miss, could you please show us that fabric? We work for the Dior design studio." Guo Nuoyan was nearly stomped on by the crazy women at the entrance. He was almost torn apart before Qin Guan could even speak. "Its not for sale. Well sell it at a public auction." What? Poor designers cantpete with rich VIPs! Are you kidding? Qin Guan nced at Cong Nianwei, who opened a storage box and put the fabric inside. "These small ones could be up for sale though." Qin Guan took out thest products from the box. There were five beautiful concealed fibre containers that looked like kaleidoscopes. He gently pulled the contents out. A silk scarf was presented to the crazy designers. It was as thin as a cicadas wings. The sunshine went through the texture, and its color was as bright and beautiful as a gift from the gods. Unlike the brocade, it reminded him of the soft sound of the Yangtze river delta. Silence prevailed in the room. Everybodys eyes were sparkling with determination. Everyone in here is an enemy. The fibre containers were opened one by one to reveal the silk scarves, like maidens reaching marriage age. Western people were born with an admiration of silk. The products from the Vermont embroidering studios were inferior to the real deal though. The voices of the onlookers trembled. "My dear boss, no! What is the price?" The scarves were swaying before their eyes in a dazzling way. Chapter 407: One of the Most Valuable Certificates in the US Chapter 407: One of the Most Valuable Certificates in the US Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Fixed price, 1,000 dors each. Its out of stock this year." Lan Jin was about to say that he could shuttle between China and the US 10 times a month to bring more scarves, but Cong Nianwei covered his mouth and pulled him outside. "Ill buy them all!" the fiercest girl shouted loudly. She came from France and she was one of the purchasing agents of Hermes. She had gone to the Chelsea Fair after the New York Fashion Week just to kill some time before returning to France. She had found that fantastic store by ident. As a textile addict, she had gone crazy. Hermes was the top scarf brand in the world, so an ordinary silk Hermes scarf cost thousands of dors. Made-in-China silk scarves cost only 1,000 yuan each, which was nothing for her. Her statement shocked everyone. No other designer had brought so much money along to buy silk scarves as thin as paper. "Im Sandrina, purchasing agent at Hermes, essories Department... Oh, I know you! You are the CK apparel model! You were in the inner pages of VOGUE... No wonder..." Guo Nuoyan let her into the store through a small gap. A golden credit card and a Hermes business card were dropped in Qin Guans hand. "I would suggest that you expand your business to France. Americans cannot appreciate the beauty of Asia. They are so rude and uncultivated. They have no history or civilization, so they know nothing about design." Deardy, it was a Chinese person who blocked you outside the store. Qin Guan shrugged as 5,000 dors vanished from her card. He returned the credit card to Sanderina, but kept her business card. "Thank you for your words. Looking forward to cooperating with you in the future. Here is my card..." Guo Nuoyan grimaced. On the card was the number of the QC ounting firm. Qin Guan was both the CEO and chief ountant. Dude, you are so shameless. How can you be sure that you will pass the ountant exams? Girls always admired students who majored in science. The French girl left, looking back repeatedly with every step she took. What a pity! All the good men are married or already have girlfriends. ... The fight ended and everyone was dismissed. The name of the store spread among the designers though. Purchasing studio staff, gallery owners, art fair directors and exhibition sponsors all acknowledged the mysterious paradise of oriental artwork. It was said that all the paintings belonged to Resnais, the best art dealer in California. Seldom would silk scarves made of the best brocade in the world appear in a store, which was what drove all those women crazy. It was said that the staff of Hermes and Burberry had had a fierce fight over a thin silk scarf in that store. Stories were already spreading. Besides, the boss opened the store irregrly. If she was in a good mood, the female shopkeeper would make small drawings for designers that seemed like real artwork. Cong Nianwei was making good use of the spare room as Qin Guan focused on his exams. Founded in 1887, the American Institute of Certified Public ountants was the most influential professional organization for ountants. It epted applications ording to nationality. As an international student, Qin Guan had to have his tutor sign his application form to be qualified to take the exam in a foreign country. Putting on his sses with a sigh, Prof. Martin tried over and over again to discourage him from proceeding. The boy seemed as tame as a quail though. "Its the f*cking deans fault for making the university a practical one!" "You are a born economist, Qin Guan. ountants deal with the stink of money. Will you get a Nobel prize for that? Or any kind of honor, for that matter?" "I just want to make some money and open a small ounting firm..." "What are you talking about?" "Nothing, Prof. Martin. As you know, AICPA is the most difficult exam. After getting the certificate, I n on saving Chinese corporations. Ill help them grow legally..." Liar! "Piss off with that form. If you fail the exams, donte to my ss again! What a shame!" Qin Guan smiled at the old man and rushed to the library happily. He could register for the exam every day except on Sunday, or in March, June, September or December. Time was pressing. Christmas was drawing near. Qin Guan decided to take the exam just after New Years. The students in the library witnessed a terrible scene. Qin Guan, the fashion genius and leader of the Chinese freshmen, was working at an astonishing speed. There were four piles of CPA paperwork, the simplest of which were the regtions. His extraordinary retentive memory could tackle any subject. That subject didnt upy any of his studying time. All his attention was on Auditing, Financial ounting and Reporting, and Business Environment and Concepts. The difficulty of AICPAy in the practical questions, namely the business cases, which would take up 40% of the total score. Each exam would take the candidates a lot of time. Chapter 408: Christmas Shopping Guidance Chapter 408: Christmas Shopping Guidance Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan had to enrich his experience by exercising. He turned the pages, writing on them non stop. Only a rustling sound could be heard around him. Papers were filled, and books were opened and closed one by one. The campus celebrity spent only two hours on a whole book and two sets of test questions. Finally, the ck boy sitting opposite him let out the breath he had been holding. He had remained stupefied as hed watched Qin Guan work. He had originally done so out of curiosity for the fashion star, but he had gotten shocked by him. Rongzhi, who had just won an international robot contest, looked like a nobodypared to Qin Guan. The nobody was snapping pictures of his idol from some secret corner. It was rare to see Qin Guan in the library. This was a great chance to collect material. Every night he climbed over the wall between the US and China to make reports to Qin Guans fan club. "I saw Qin Guan on campus today. Here are some photos." A snapshot of a hurried Qin Guan in J Clothing, holding some books, was sent by email. "Qin Guan shot the posters for J Clothing today." "These are the posters for the Armani perfume..." He sent a picture of the Armani posters piled in a box. Qin Guans fans in China were all jealous of him. Show off! Christmas Eve was the biggest holiday in the US, just like the Spring Festival was in China. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei wanted to buy some postcards from the mall. They had received cards from their schoolmates, thus learning about the tradition of sending cards to each other before Christmas. The mall was crowded. People were purchasing cards, presents, decorations and colorful ribbons like crazy. "Look at this cute card!" Cong Nianwei pointed to a card with a red-nosed reindeer. Before Qin Guan could say anything, arge hand took all 10 copies from the shelf. Stunned, they looked at the strong man, who had taken all the cards and thrown them into a shopping cart. He headed for the wrapping paper without looking back. Qin Guan tried to console his girlfriend, "We did not need that many anyway. Just take the leftover ones." He was right. There were still several lonely cards left on the shelf. The sales assistant was in the warehouse. They might have to wait another hour to see the new products. It seemed like Christmas shopping called for a special operation. "Excuse me..." Slender fingers stretched over and picked up a reel of colorful ribbons from above twodies heads. Before the olddies coulde back to their senses, the thief had disappeared. That was the advantage of having long arms. Cong Nianwei pushed the cart while Qin Guan grabbed goods. They were the perfect match for a robbery. "Oh, my beautifuldy! Your makeup is so elegant..." Standing by the gift counter, Qin Guan was ttering a girl, his eyes fixed on the decorations in her hands. "These are too old for your Christmas tree. Look, they are a little torn. I can see the sales assistanting. Youll get the most beautiful decorations for your tree. Ill deal with these for you." Qin Guan smiled as the girl flushed. "Okay... Here you are..." The girl covered her burning cheeks and handed the decorations to Qin Guan. Qin Guan threw them into their cart fast. They had walked three meters away, but the girl was still standing there, lost in thought. Qin Guan craned his head towards Cong Nianwei, expecting some praise. "See? Only 20 minutes!" Cong Nianwei poked at his head with her index finger. "Liar! The supplier restocked the shelves 10 minutes ago. The girl will have to wait for another 20 minutes for the next supply." Qin Guan made a face, grinning cheekily. "It doesnt matter. She is still thinking about my smile. When shees back, she will find new stock." What a shameless guy! They smiled and talked like tasting honey from a jar. After they decorated it, their small nest looked very festive. What yed the most important role at Christmas though? Food, of course... Uninvited guests came to their apartment in the afternoon with the shameless intention of enjoying a traditional American Christmas feast. The turkey was sizzling in the oven. Qin Guan had bought the semi-finished turkey from a store and seasoned it with ck pepper, salt and butter. He set the cold dishes carefully. Sliced oranges were a must, as they stood for the best Christmas wishes. Chapter 409: Uninvited Christmas Guests Chapter 409: Uninvited Christmas Guests Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Before dinner, the guests suppressed their hunger with candy, hot chocte and ginger snaps. Cong Nianwei was making a traditional American mince pie on the stove. If it wasnt for their inspiration to have a traditional holiday, they would have chosen Chinese cuisine. She put baking powder and salt and softened some vegetable butter into the pie crust. The stuffing contained onions, meat and butter. Unlike a Chinese pie, which had to be fried in a pan, the mince pie had to be baked in the oven for 10 minutes. Ding! The oven turned off automatically. Putting on thick oven gloves, Qin Guan took therge turkey out of the oven using a tray. Then he ced it on a big white porcin te, decorated with rose petals. Everyone could smell the butter and peppering from it. There was no oil dripping around the turkey, which meant that it had been cooked perfectly. Its golden skin was cracking because of the low temperature in the room. The skin must be crisp and tasty... The Batiste brothers carefully carried therge te to the table and on the fine embroidered tablecloth. "Ouch!" The white tablecloth betrayed Coulibaly, who was trying to stretch his ck hand towards the turkey. Ce hit him with his own gift, a crystal truncheon. She used it like the Spear of Judge. When the brown pie and tasty polenta were on the table, the guests turned into hungry wolves. "Shall we thank God before dinner?" "For what? For the food? Just thank all the Chinese gods. Lets eat!" "Okay, lets tuck in!" They all stretched their hands. The chicken legs were taken by the Batiste brothers. Who said that the French had good table manners? Joseph was gloomy. His strong body couldnt beat those shameless guys. By the time Qin Guan picked up the wine, which was mixed with brown sugar, orange peels, almonds and raisins, only the bones of the turkey were left. The sses were filled one by one. Not a single drop was left in the bottle. A ss of warm wine after a satisfying dinner was the most wonderful thing. "Hey, guys..." "May the glory of God bless the Earth with peace and men with goodwill..." Eight members of a choir were going around the building in Santa us costumes. "And..." "Hark the herald angel sing..." There were singers everywhere on the streets. They were not professional ones. They had just taken this chance to get together with their friends. The foreigners knew that that night was doomed to be a sleepless one. Wrapping paper was lying in the corner, the gifts from their friends arranged by Cong Nianwei. They were nning on working overnight, when someone unexpectedly knocked on their door. An elegant china doll and her loyal guard were standing outside the door. "Er... Merry Christmas." They went into the apartment leisurely. "Sorry to trouble you, Qin Sang [1]. I just wanted to stay here for the night..." "What?" Cong Nianwei went out of the kitchen, her eyes wide open. "Qin Guan, who is she?" "She is the chairman of my Japanese fan club. I met her while I was in Japan..." Cong Nianwei frowned as the mountain-like fat man beside her suddenly kneeled down on the floor. "Take us in, Qin Sang. Please!" Youre scaring me! I think you might perform hara-kiri like the ancient warriors. If hara-kiri made sense, Dashi might actuallymit suicide. Actually, most of Yamaguchi Tsutomus strongholds had been taken over by the New York police, but she had escaped sessfully. When Han Zhujiu and a group of ouws, including Mexican and Italian gangs, had destroyed all the Japanese forces, Yamaguchi Tsutomu had realized she had no ce to go in New York. The failure itself was not devastating, but their very foundation was being pulled up by the roots... Finally, she had thought of Qin Guan. She knew where he lived, but had never dropped in. If she could survive that night, she would fly back to Japan the next day and never return to New York again. Thanks to the support of the government, the Japanese Mafia had forgotten about the cruelty of thew of the jungle. The US was not a good ce for the Japanese. The fat man was kneeling on the floor of the small room. His ck clothes still smelled of blood. The girl was staring at Qin Guan indifferently with her big, clear eyes. Qin Guan was no idiot. He couldnt make Cong Nianwei worry. He picked up his phone and spoke gently. [1] Mr. Qin in Japanese. Chapter 410: Top Brands Chapter 410: Top Brands Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Do you trust me?" Yamaguchi Tsutomu nodded without hesitation. The fat man on the floor looked up suddenly and stared at Qin Guan fiercely in question. "Okay, Ill make a call." The girl remained silent. As Qin Guan talked with somebody on the phone, Cong Nianwei made the girl a cup of tea. The fragrance of the teaforted her worried mind. She sat on the couch and gestured for Dashi to stand up. "Okay, I know..." Han Zhujiu had been waiting for Qin Guans call. Without help, Yamaguchi Tsutomu could do nothing in New York. If she was able to return to Japan quietly though, Han wouldnt bully the woman or start a bloody feud with a foreign gang. Besides, Qin Guan had saved his life. The next day, a small private ne took her away. Qin Guan didnt expect her to pay him back. After New Years, Director Zhang Yimou would be taking the cast to Los Angeles for the Oscars. Actually, Qin Guan didnt want to go. He nned on returning home during the holidays. Sister Xue tried her best to convince his parents though, who didnt know that Qin Guan had only five minutes of screentime in the film. The homeless boy was forced to fly to Los Angeles, and Sister Xue flew to New York like a haunting ghost. She pulled Qin Guan directly to her office, which Guo Nuoyan had rented for her. Two guys from the CK and Armani operational departments were sitting in the room, looking at each other with hospitality. As soon as Qin Guan entered, he knew that Sister Xue was plotting something. She preferred to have others asking help from her. In six months, Xue Wanyi had been promoted. To avoid making a fool of herself in certain asions, Professor Li and Teacher Rong had told her to grow up. She smoothed her hair down gently and told the confused men, "Both of you work for top brands. You identify as truly talented people. Although Qin Guan is not your exclusive model, I have to inform you about some changes in his work schedule." "His film will be nominated for an Oscar this year." What? We had no idea about that. The two men were confused. They were only in charge of themunications between the models and theirpanies. They had no idea about the generalpany policies. Even Giorgio Armani had no idea about that, let alone those two. "He will definitely walk on the red carpet, as well as appear before therge background of the award ceremony. His film is on the list of nominees for best foreignnguage film, so he will get some opportunities during the ceremony..." The two men nodded repeatedly, waiting to hear her requirements. "So, considering our past cooperation, can you, as experienced insiders of the fashion circle, give us some suggestions on formal wear?" "He should definitely wear Armani." "He should wear CK, of course." They both shouted in one voice. Then the guy from Armani burst intoughter. "What are youughing at?" The CK guy looked both ashamed and angry. "Our apparel is really expensive. Our sales volume this year was twice as high as yours!" The Armani guy stoppedughing and turned to Sister Xue. "I can make the decision. Well lend Qin Guan thetest Armani customized suit." "Great! Thank you for your support." Sister Xue made a decision without hesitation. The CK guy choked before falling silent. What could he say? He wanted to offer the same thing, but he could not! Although he was a calm person, Qin Guan was shocked by the suggestion. Advanced suit customization was no small deal. First of all, one had to spend a certain amount of money in store to get an invitation to an advanced customizationunching event. Only then would one qualify to purchase something during the event. Besides, customized clothing cost over hundreds of thousands of yuan, which was already too expensive for the average person. Hand-made suits could cost up to several million yuan. An advanced customization suit could be considered a certificate inside a certain circle. People in your circle wouldntugh at your style or bad taste. There were strict criteria for lending advanced customized apparel. A third or fourth level star would be an insult to them. As for superstars, if they looked ugly in a rented customized outfit, they would be erased from the list and have to buy it the next time. That was how advanced customization worked. Qin Guan wouldnt turn down such a chance. He was no idiot after all. The process was simple. Qin Guan would give Armani his schedule, and Armani would deliver the suit in time. After the award ceremony, they would take it back and check it carefully. Before Sister Xue and Qin Guan went to Los Angeles, Sister Xue still had Qin Guans career to consider. "This year, the Armani perfume will be released. This is a good start. You have to be one of their three exclusive models." Chapter 411: A Promotional Conference Chapter 411: A Promotional Conference Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "That is the symbol of a top model. By then, you will be the top male model in China. Maybe you could be one of the top 100 men in the fashion world. You will have a ce among beauties from all over the world." She was really ambitious. Qin Guan had better watch out. ... As she looked forward to the future, Sister Xue still didnt forget her aim. There were two months left before the Oscars, but the promotional conferences of the films were being held one by one since January in Los Angeles. There were also many different previews, negotiation banquets and press conferences among filmpanies and stars. Qin Guan liked the weather in LA. It was winter, yet it was still warm in the city. Even the social tension caused by Iraq had been eased. People could feel a spring breezeing. Director Zhang Yimou had invested a lot in that conference. Right after New Years, he and Zhang Weining went to Hollywood. As the Holy Land of the film industry, Hollywood, with its history of only tens of years, was a picturesque town. Next to the small town wererge film and TV studios, where many film productionpanies were gathered. Theyposed the big Hollywood family and contributed to the sess of Los Angeles, the secondrgest city in the US. The award ceremony would be held at the Kodak Theater (which had been renamed Hollywood & Hignd). It would continue to be the site of the award ceremony in the future. Previously, the ceremony had been held at the TCL Chinese Theater and the Dolby Theater. There were still several days left before the selection of the films. Qin Guan was notte to the event, but the promotional staff had already finished many exhibitions and exclusive preview meetings. Qin Guan met Director Zhang and Producer Zhang instead of idling around Hollywood like a tourist. Film promotion in 2003 actually meant exining the concept of the film repeatedly to everyone involved. In fact, movie critics and LA-based distributingpanies knew nothing about Chinese films. What had attracted their attention was the famous Kung Fu Star, Li Lianjie, as well as the box office sess of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". Qin Guans first task was to attend thest promotional meeting before the award ceremony, with the intention to find a powerful distributingpany for the film. Otherwise, their investment would be in vain. Qin Guan was wearing his customized Armani suit. The cunning, considerate brand had prepared in advance three ordinary formal suits to serve as standbys for the different banquets he would be attending in Hollywood. Qin Guan followed Director Zhang. The middle-aged man was a Chinese guy who looked unexpectedly handsome in his western style suit. It was a small-scale promoting conference, so only some distributingpanies with purchasing intention had been invited. They would be negotiating about the final price that day. "Qin Guan, this is Sam, the distributing director of Miramax. Sam, this is Qin Guan, an actor in Heroes. He is a student at Columbia..." Zhang Weining and Sam seemed to be familiar with each other. Qin Guan smiled at Sam, "Hello, Im Qin Guan. I am honored to be acting in a film of yourpany. Thank you for the opportunity..." The old man was a typical cunning guy working in the American film industry. He shook Qin Guans hand gently. "Which film?" Miramax had invested in plenty of films, including some with limited budget. It was a good method to attract an audience. "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind." "Wow! Well done, young man! An indie film!" Although allpanies weremercialized, they actually felt a deep respect for directors and actors devoting themselves to indie films. Director Zhang was surprised. What? Qin Guan, a supporting actor in domesticmercial films, has be an indie film hero in the US in barely half a year? The world is changing really fast! He scanned Qin Guan from head to toe. He seems elegant and graceful. Could he act in an indie film though? He had forgotten about the concept of aestheticism in foreign indie films. Qin Guan, Sam and Zhang had a harmonious conversation. After the conference, they exchanged contact information through theirwyers. The publishing rights in North America belonged to Miramax. The 25-million-dor price made it the top Chinese film. During the following negotiations, Sam even made a joke. "Shall we change the name to Zhang Yimou: Heroes?" They all looked into the further promotion of the film. The next day, Qin Guan returned to New York, while his babysitter left for Los Angeles, the supreme headquarters of the film circle. She worked in Hollywood like a duck in the water. Thanks to Zhang, she got all kinds of invitations to different banquets. Warm Southern California was far away. Qin Guan began to take exams as soon as he returned to New York. It was worse to take the exams in New York, because of the high prices of the US. Considering this was the location of Wall Street, thepetition was especially fierce there. The application fee in the state of New York was 220 dors, while in western parts of the country it was only 25 dors. The exams also cost 650 dors. Along with the fee for educational background certificates, Qin Guan spent 1,000 dors in total. That was pure discrimination. There were also poor people living in New York. Qin Guan could afford the cost, but he didnt have much free time to study for the exams. The CPA certificates were of high value, but time was just as valuable. Chapter 412: The CPA Exams Chapter 412: The CPA Exams Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia In another state or town, there might have been fewer candidates, but Qin Guan was sitting in a crowded ssroom. That was the power of New York as a financial center. As the only Asian examinee in the room, Qin Guan made a bad impression on the American elites wearing formal clothes and leather shoes. Asians were good with numbers. That was known all over the world. Besides, they were attentive and had a big advantage when applying for a job at a giant ounting firm. He must be a strong opponent. The seats were fixed to 60, but would be rearranged during the next session. The atmosphere was quite serious. Qin Guan didnt say anything. He just found his seat by looking at his number and waited silently for the long battle to begin. The bell rang and the papers were distributed. All the candidates began to answer the questions. The atmosphere was getting weird. The sound of swift writing was the only thing heard in the quiet room. Gradually, the eyes of all the elites turned to the Asian boy, who was working hard on his exam paper. Under the cover of his perfect looks, Qin Guan had bared his teeth like a demon. He was ticking multiple choice answers at a high speed. The paper seemed as simple as picking cabbages at the market for him. At first, people thought he was just doodling on his paper distractedly, but soon they realized he was answering the practical questions. He was like a general on the battlefield, the papers and pens at hismand. Everyone else was questioning their lives and abilities. Am I mediocre? Howe he is so good at things I find difficult? A girl wearing sses had been in PWC for two years as an assistant ountant. This was the first time she was doubting herself. How can an employee of a giant ounting firm be inferior to a student? It was easy to tell that Qin Guan was a student. He was the only one wearing jeans in the room. Even the invigtors were stupefied. Are there any "1+2=3" questions on the paper? Two hourster, the Asian boy stopped writing. He let out a long breath and looked around at the surprised people staring at him. He grinned happily, baring his white teeth. The invigtor suppressed the impulse to warn him. Qin Guan started knocking on his desk out of boredom. If looks could kill, he would have died already. When the invigtor cast a warning nce at him, Qin Guan found another method to kill his time. In the next two hours, everyone got exhausted. One hour seemed like a day for them. When the bell rang, everyone let out a breath of relief. Qin Guan went out with his books, smiling to himself. He intended to weed out as many opponents as possible. "Hey, wait a minute, sir..." The girl sitting next to him was talking to him. She must have suffered a lot because of him. Whats the matter? Wanna quarrel with me? "Excuse me, sir, but... Are you applying to the four giant ounting firms?" Qin Guan blinked. He saw a small steel te on her chest, with the logo PWC [1] on it. "Dont worry, Im not applying there." Qin Guan left without looking back. Better not trouble her. The girl flushed and let out a breath of relief, patting herself on the chest. Thank god he is not interested in my firm. A guy with such a high IQ and a bad temper can cause earth-shaking changes in a firm. He is so handsome though... After his exam, Sister Xue returned from Los Angeles in a happy mood. Director Zhangs group had flown back to China. Zhang Weiping would be dealing with their affairs with the Americanpanies. Sister Xue hade to say goodbye to Qin Guan. She would being back again in March, when the Oscar award ceremony would be held. "Your achievements in Los Angeles?" Qin Guan asked, reading through a thick pile of paperwork. Sister Xue showed off proudly. "I spent three days visiting any filmpanies and agents that would have me. I left your resume everywhere. I also asked Miramax to help you register in the Screen Actors Guild. You have to cooperate with them. Asian stars are rare in the US. Im looking into your further development. You have to be strict with script selection. They will be monitoring the scripts closely. You cannot act first and report afterwards." Qin Guan saw Ancestor Xue off like a good boy. He didnt know that his poprity in China was increasing at a surprising speed. In fact, ever since he had left, he had been away from the mainstream Chinese media. Naturally, people couldnt find news about him easily. At the end of the year though, he was popr again, which made the Taiwanese grind their teeth. The reason was simple, yet funny. Thanks to "Meteor Garden", a popr idol drama from the maind, handsome men were trending again in Asia. Thanks to itsbination of campus life, powerful bosses, Cindere stories, romance and love triangles, the campus idol drama was bing popr among students. The four main heroes, known as F4, had attracted the attention of Chinese girls. Male stars in China were retreating before them. Besides, fans were always fickle with their affection. The four boys could be seen everywhere, including on TV series, magazines, entertainment programs and CDs. In the girls dreams, they were four charming princes. [1] PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the top for ounting firms in the world. Chapter 413: The Real Prince Chapter 413: The Real Prince Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Where there was oppression, there was resistance. There were still many calm, good girls around. On the day when all the popr forums were flooded by posts about the F4, a resistance team was formed. "Handsome men needparison. Whos the No.1 male actor in our minds?" "Comment on ways to identify a prince." "Comparison is necessary." Fans of Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan sent war signals. Some people climbed over the wall and stole Qin Guans original NYLON pictures, as well as thetest posters of the Armani perfume. They didnt take them for free. They left 0.5 yuan and a message that stated, "Chinese people have visited this ce." The ones who made the posts didnt badmouth F4. They simply put pictures of the five boys next to each other. One of them was wearing a formal suit and a clean white shirt. His wide forehead was shining in the sunshine under his short hair. He looked like a fine, graceful nobleman of ancient times. His warm smile made him look like a handsome childe. The girls sitting before theirputers couldnt help but cover their faces. Handsome men really neededparison. The four boys seemed unkempt with their thick bangs and long sideburns. With careful observation, one could tell that their brand outfits were fake. Their thick waists and short legs were also unbearable. I have bad taste... As a result, the situation changedpletely. Fans were crazy, but they were not blind. "Wow! Qin Guan is the real deal." "Its been a long time since I saw him in a magazine. I nearly forgot about him. Thanks for the poster!" "Ha ha, Im his loyal fan. Wee to the club. We have branches all over Asia." The posts were spreading on thework like rolling snowballs. Director Zhang Jizhongs assistant was really happy. The episode of Xuzhu would be airing again the following evening. After a busy day, housewives liked to watch TV and chat with their spouses. They were tired of idol dramas and thought that "Demi-Gods and Demi-Demons" was a good quality show. "Dear, you talk about F4 all the time. In my opinion, they pale inparison to this boy." "Mom, your taste is awful..." Her daughter nced at the screen impatiently. "Make some room for me." The monk on the screen was making something with the girl in the dark icehouse. There was no sense of immorality, only pure beautiful feelings. Crack, crack. The whole family was obsessed. Only the sound of them chewing popcorn could be heard. Xuzhus beauty and suppressed sensual passion shocked the audience. He was way better than tough Xiao Feng and slender Lin Zhiying. F4? They are nothing. They may wear royal gowns, but they are no princes. Sister Xue went back to her office, only to find the three phones jammed with messages. People sent all kinds of proposals to her. She hung up another call with a forced smile. I just hope he will do as well in the US as in China. When he returned to China, Zhang Weiping was also shocked. In several weeks, the supporting actor had be very popr. Okay, lets work on "Heroes". "Qin Guan has a short, but splendid part on Heroes." "Heroes goes to Hollywood. The actors on the red carpet have been decided." "Qin Guans sessful journey in the US." Only when the news were released did ordinary people find out that a Chinese person had squeezed into the American fashion circle with his own effort. He had be Armanis local representative for a valued product. Could F4 have done that? While fans in other Asian countries were crying and asking F4 to marry them, the fans on the maind calmed down first. Their idol was talented both at acting and studying, which was a positive message for young girls. Qin Guan, you are my prince charming! "Achoo!" Qin Guan sneezed on the other side of the ocean. Who is cursing me? [1] He was reading a letter sent by AICPA. It was strange for a modern society to keep sending mail the old-fashioned way to show its professionalism and history. Shaking his head, Qin Guan pulled the letter out of the envelope. Generally, speaking, American people would take exams one by one, not all together in the same period, to avoid wasting money and time. [1] In China, sneezing means that someone is cursing you. Chapter 414: The First Client Chapter 414: The First Client Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Of course, that was formon people. Qin Guan took all his exams in four consecutive days. His score attracted attention from the AICPA, as the sess rate had dropped from 48% to 38%. The directors tried to find excuses for the elites, but it was in vain. The Chinese student had gotten a mark of 396, thus breaking the American national record. Actually, the full mark was 400. That picky marker had looked for a bone in an egg to avoid giving Qin Guan a full mark. If they knew what had happened in the examination room, the directors would have gone crazy. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei nced at his final mark and lost any interest to read on. They would just wait for the certificate that would authorize Qin Guan to open his own business. Qin Guan was one of the 10,000 members registered at AICPA. He could register his firm, find a location for it and start epting clients. He Ming was pretty straightforward. When he heard the good news, he gave Qin Guan countless financial sheets and suspended his contract with his previous ounting firm without hesitation. Ive wanted to fire you for a long time. You proud Americans take advantage of our unfamiliarity with the market and charge us 120% higher! I wont be bullied again in the future! Business was business after all. "The total assets of yourpany are about 30 million. ording to industrial standards, I have to charge you at least 2,000 dors a month. Its a reasonable price. There will also be extra charges for big changes, including tax avoidance, financing, regrouping and so on. Ill be checking your ounting department once a month." He Ming nodded again and again. Im relying on you. I have no idea what you are talking about. When he hung up the phone, Qin Guan lifted Cong Nianwei over his head romantically. "Im making money, Weizi! Im making money!" He was finally happy after going through long hardships. Qin Guan felt like he had ughetered a giant dragon by himself. He turned around in the hall, holding Cong Nianwei. "Ah! Careful!" "Ah!" The girlnded on the couch, falling on her back, her legs pointing up to the sky. The boy was lying on the floor, twisting and rolling around. Qin Guan climbed to his feet dizzily. "How are you, Weizi? Are you all right? My bad..." One would have thought that the girl was dying. Qin Guan moved the cushions away to reveal Cong Nianweis body. He moved a stinky frog away from her face and saw her staring at him angrily. He hastened to help her up. After a few minutes, Cong Nianwei came back to her senses and saw his silly smiling face before her. "Are you crazy? You have made so much money! Those brand representative contracts earn you one million a year! Why are you so happy about 2,000 dors? You have only one client. Even a pipe fitter is richer than you!" Qin Guan shook his head repeatedly. "No! Just think about it. I have only one person working in the firm. I dont need any others. Plus, I got my first client before I even opened for business. Do you know what this means? eptance!" "This is an auspicious beginning for a new enterprise. Its an achievement a professional ountant works many years to aplish, yet I, a green hand in the profession, have already reached that level!" Before Cong Nianwei couldugh at his arrogance, Qin Guans phone rang. "Qin Guan! You epted He Mings case, but forgot about me!" Lan Jin sounded very upset. He was holding the phone with a trembling hand as tears threatened to spill from his eyes. "What? Forgot about what?" "I sent you all my paperwork and financial sheets via email. Why didnt you make me an offer? You are looking down on me! Mypany is too small for you!" "Which email did you send it to?" "" "You missed a letter..." "Okay, wait a moment. Ill send it again." Qin Guan hung up and turned on hisputer, looking at Cong Nianwei smugly. I told you so. My good luck keepsing. "Qin Guan?" "Yes?" Chapter 415: The Old Accounting Firm Chapter 415: The Old ounting Firm Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "How much did you charge your second client?" "500 dors a month..." "Wow! So, you can earn 2,500 dors only from your firm! That will be 30,000 a year. Congrattions!" Qin Guan turned around to look at her smiling face. Her sneer made him calm down. He gently picked up her hand. "I want to hold your hand and grow old with you. Its my honor to be with a calm woman like you. Lan Jinspany is small right now, but considering how smart he is, it will grow 10 timesrger in five years. My fees are reasonable. He will be happy about his total assets at the end of the year." "Both my firm and our future will be good. Wait for me. In two years, we will get married." Cong Nianwei flushed at his words. "Who... Who will get married?" "It all depends on me! Im the powerful demon here!" The moon peeping outside the window pulled some soft clouds over to cover her eyes. Snowkes were falling on the earth. "Its snowing..." "Hush... Dont speak..." It waste at night. Goodnight, everyone. Qin Guan found the aim of his life in his small firm. He was busy and secretive in his actions, except when it came to his sses and part-time jobs. An Asian boy was haunting the business streets of Manhattan and the ounting firms of New York. He was always wearing meticulous Armani clothes and carrying a ck briefcase. He was nning on visiting some big ounting firms to see the operational patterns of other firms. He was a real spy. Before he could choose his first target, his phone rang. "Hello, is this Mr. Qin Guan?" "Yes, it is." "This is PWC. We saw thetest list of the AICPA and wonder if Mr Qin Guan would be interested in our firm. Do you have time for a meeting?" This was amon waypanies used to recruit talented people. They would ask headhunters to find people ording to thetest list. Qin Guan was happy about the phone call. It hade just in time. "Okay. Im on Broadway. Okay..." Qin Guan hung up and headed straight to PWC. Wall Street was located at the southern part of Manhattan. Despite its beautiful surroundings, it was governed by the cruelws of the financial jungle. It was the cradle of all kinds of financial firms, as well as the money center of the US. PWCs branch in New York was also its headquarters in the US. It was located in a tall building on Wall Street. Getting out of the crowded elevator, Qin Guan arrived at the HR department along with other quiet office workers. There were dozens of folded chairs in the big hall. The assistants were distributing nk forms to the applicants. Qin Guan saw lines of formal dresses, leather shoes, and suits. Thedies had pulled their hair into tight, strict buns. ck and grey were the most popr colors in the room. Everyone there looked steady and serious. Qin Guan chose a seat in the back and filled the forms out carefully. They focused on educational background, certificates and work experience. The forms differed ording to the department. There were not that many positions for people with a CPA, let alone for general ountants. Two different interviewing rooms had been prepared for people with different certificates. Qin Guan was the third candidate to be called. Led by a soft-waisted girl, he entered the interviewing room. It was a clean meeting room without any decorations. Six interviewers were sitting behind a long desk. There was a single desk for the recorder. Everyone in the room fixed their eyes on him. The recorder coughed. Qin Guan nced at her. Wow! An acquaintance. It was the girl who had been sitting next to him in the examination room. She was working for PWC, but she was a CPA green hand. Marsha gritted her teeth. She had failed one of the exams by only one point. She tentatively asked Qin Guan about his career ns. He said that he would be starting his own business. Yet he was still there, in the interview room. He must have gotten the certificate. Otherwise, he wouldnt be looking so proud. My mum is right. She says all handsome men are liars. Qin Guan and the interviewers had no idea what she was thinking about. They were just asking and answering questions ording to the standard procedure. "You majored in ounting in China. Now you are studying Finance at Columbia. It took you only half a year to get your CPA. You must have a good academic foundation." Chapter 416: Latent Rules Chapter 416: Latent Rules Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "I know that every country has CPA exams. Why didnt you take the exams in China?" "The evaluation differs. You were wise enough to choose the best one." Like all people on Wall Street, the men and women around him were particrly proud. Qin Guan felt offended. He decided not to be polite with those guys, but he still replied with a smile, "I chose AICPA because it is quite an easy certificate. Actually, I spent less than a month on my preparation. I know all the gentlemen anddies present are considered talented in the financial circle. You must know Prof. Martin, my tutor. Before the exam, he told me that I could only apply for this certificate, but my low IQ wouldnt allow me to pass. He said that all I could do was y with an abacus. I had to take all kinds of exams, such as actuary exams, auditor exams, etc..." Qin Guan changed the meaning of Prof. Martins words on purpose. Silence prevailed in the room. Marsha was wondering if she should record his words or not. Qin Guan moved to a morefortable position, brushing lightly at the non-existent dust on his pants. "I think hisments made sense. In China, without any working experience, I wouldnt even have been able to enter the examination room. I love the US. I love freedom, democracy and equality. I passed the exams easily. I actually got the best score in the country!" "I was relieved when I got the notice. Thank god my ssmates from China are not here, or the best ones would being after me. That would have been annoying." One could be austere if they had no selfish desires. Qin Guan was not there for the interview. He just wanted to sneer at them. Those talented people were born with a deep-rooted discrimination for people of other races. If the applicant had been American, they would never have asked such a question. Since Im here though, we can have a good talk with each other. The interviewers had never seen such an applicant before. Most ountants were strict and serious. Its said that Chinese people are really modest. Is that a joke? Qin Guan had the right to express his opinion though. Who could say that his answer was wrong? It was just an annoying answer to hear. "A good ountant should be both professional and proficient. Our firm is developing thanks to the constant training our staff goes through." "For us, that mark is not the only criteria by which we evaluate an ountant. For example, an independent ountant should be good at negotiating when dealing with a client." "Our middle-level directors have fixed resources. If its possible, we would like you to be our partner. We would like to hear your self-evaluation now, Mr. Qin Guan." Marsha was also curious about his answer. Yes, you are a straight-A student, but what we need is someone with aprehensive ability. They smiled. Qin Guan smiled back at them. As far as he knew, a partner was the highest level a CPA could reach besides being a founding partner. There was no Chinese partner in the top four firms in the US. The highest position a Chinese man could reach was only senior executive. There had to be some kind of secret behind this. He looked at them calmly and gave them a smile. "Your line of business can be divided into six categories. ording to different experience, ountants ept different clients. Your clients rely on advertisements and connections. Most of theme from mutual rmendations." The people across from him nodded unconsciously. The young man was right. He has a general idea of the basic frame and operational patterns of an ounting firm. Marsha was shocked. The student had no working experience in the US, yet he seemed to be familiar with the industry. Qin Guan continued, speaking neither too fast nor too slow. "So, now Ille to my biggest advantage." "Look at this face, please." Qin Guan turned his face in half a circle slowly. "I think everyone must have a clear idea of my professional proficiency." Everyone felt dizzy. Wow! They nodded softly together. Marsha nearly threw herptop down. What idea? Cant you make it more clear? It seems like I am the person with the lowest IQ in the room. "I like the young man. Our major client department is short on such talent. Vivian and Jennifer are still hesitant about their choice." "Our external business department also needs an ambassador. We could make an advertisement for him..." "In fact, he would do well in our PR department. He would be weed at business parties." They nned onpeting over the boy, but Qin Guans next words stupefied them. "Actually, I came to the interview with the aim of learning different operational concepts from you. As one of the four top ounting firms, PWC must have its advantages." "I have already learned a lot from you. Thanks a lot. You told me about the current situation for Chinese ountants, as well as the reason there is no Chinese partner in the US. Thanks again for all your patient answers." Chapter 417: Qu Xuemei Is Coming Chapter 417: Qu Xuemei Is Coming Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The interviewers either didnt understand, or they did, but they were not clear on what he was talking about. This was a patent rule in the circle. A Chinese ountant on Wall Street could only depend on himself. An old man with a poker face waved his hand around leisurely. "Its better for you to know the current situation. You must know the high standards we set for our staff. If you spend 10 years here, I can promise you a senior management position." 10 years to get to senior management. Thats all you can offer me. Thanks a lot. "Wait to hear from us again..." They had a discussion and told Qin Guan he could leave. Qin Guan stood up and bowed before them gently. Then he turned around and grinned at Marsha in secret. He left the room without looking back. The door was closed. They were still discussing Qin Guans performance. Marsha was not as optimistic as they were though. That Asian boy doesnt see their firm as his final destination. Marsha knew that Qin Guan would never work at PWC. He had already shared his goal, which was to start his own firm. The sky above Wall Street was even darker than in other ces, because the tall buildings and mansions there were very close to each other. Dream-pursuers could be seen everywhere, their hope evident in their busy steps. So many people became legends there, while so many others left empty-handed. Standing among the buildings, Qin Guan looked back at the street of the most flourishing economy in the US. A twisted vine was growing from the dirt by the roadside. It should have been climbing up the wall, but instead it was growing tenaciously on the ground. Qin Guan let out a long breath to drive away all the negative feelings caused by the interview. If a nt can fight against its surroundings, I can surely find my own way. Ambition always came from a tough situation. Qin Guan left Wall Street without hesitation and headed to his happy nest with his briefcase. Lets return to the VOGUE headquarters now, where Richard and his arch enemy, Qu Xuemei, were staring at each other. She had resigned from her position as chief editor of VOGUE Asia and flown back to New York to apply for the same position as Richard. What the hell is this Chinese woman thinking about? During the general policy meeting that day, they nearly fought over the model selection. Of course Qin Guan has the potential to be popr, but VOGUE has already promoted Chad. We should take advantage of him to get more profit out of him. Why do you keep talking about sustainability, feasibility and development? Why do you insist on promoting Qin Guan and downying Chad? Are you kidding? Finally, Richard mustered all his courage and tried to oppose the terrible woman. "In my opinion..." "Shut up!" "Okay, okay..." His revolution was suppressed immediately. Then Qu made a horrific suggestion to their boss. "ording to my reliable source, Qin Guan has agreed to three covers and four inner pages with NYLON. Thats an exclusive contract! The magazine started its business on cosmetics, but its sales volume is rising all over the country. Although its nothingpared to us, in New York NYLON is already at second ce. It has even surpassed W!" "If we dont make a countermove at once, in two months well have lost our throne in New York." Qu looked fiercely at Richard, the conservative chief editor. In her opinion, he was capable enough to defend their territory but not to explore a new domain. "I know that we should consider our policy carefully. When a model is bringing money though, its better to choose a conservative n." "There are many top brands in the world. Someone better than Chad is sure to appear someday. What will we do then?" Before Richard could speak again, the woman made another suggestion he hadnt expected. "Since we cant convince each other, lets make this a contest. We could organize a secret judge show for Qin Guan and Chad. We could invite W, Cosmopolitan, Harpers Bazaar and NYLON. Well say that we want to express our appreciation for the kindness of these top brands." "Raynana, who works for NYLON, has a hanging garden at the top of her building. There is a greenhouse with a one-way window there. The people inside cannot look outside, while the outsiders can see inside clearly." "Its the perfect ce for a show. The people we will invite will be able to appreciate the grace of the two models." "Besides, those two will appreciate our effort. No matter who wins, they will get a good chance to make profit and be famous. As for VOGUE, this is good promotion. I think the other bosses will also be interested in the n." The boss pondered it. It seems like a good idea. Richard was shocked by Qus openness. Instead of abusing her power, she had chosen to fight fair. I hear that there is a mysterious insect poison in China. She must be eating it... Qu was satisfied. This n had many upsides and not a single downside for Qin Guan. He was a nobody in the fashion circle after all. If he took advantage of this chance, he could appear before the top brands in the US. He would be a winner, even if he lost the contest. Chapter 418: Enough Profit Chapter 418: Enough Profit Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Actually, she wanted to use that chance to promote Qin Guan. She did not care about the result. "Okay, it sounds doable. Its been a long time since all the bosses met. You and Richard can take care of the details. First, make a schedule with the two boys." Their biggest issue had been settled by Qu in a dramatic way. She had promoted her model skilfully. Whatever the result, she would be the final winner. Richard couldnt express his feelings. He was itching to say something. That clever, mighty woman seems so charming right now! Surely, this doesnt mean Ive fallen in love with her? He shivered at the thought. Forget it. After the one-month winter vacation, schools opened again. Qin Guan was active at the beginning of the semester, but he did not join any new societies or do any voluntary work on campus. During theirst meeting at Columbia, he had met many Chinese juniors and seniors majoring in ounting. They were all going to interviews and getting internships by then, so they had mastered the basic level of knowledge. Qin Guan was seeking part-time staff forrge-scale statistics. He needed final results to carry out his analysing work. His firm had hired some part-time ountants for basic data calction. This actually saved him on rent. Qin Guan was too busy with work. As soon as he left the PWC building, he called Xu Xiaoxiao excitedly. Xu liked Qin Guans ambition like a cat liked fish. He asked Qin Guan toe over. Qin Guan arrived at Xus restaurant and found many people waiting for him there, including the young married woman who owned the general store next door, the Chinese supermarket owner across the street, and the massage parlor owner around the block... All of them were Chinese. Their eyes were glinting. Xu must have told them something before Qin Guan arrived. "Hey, pretty boy! Are you good at ounting and reasonable tax avoidance? Have a look at my ounts. I have to submit a lot of forms to the government every month." "American officials are so shrewd, young man. They charge my massage parlor so much at random..." As they allined loudly, Qin Guan looked at his potential clients speechlessly. Are you kidding, Xu Xiaoxiao? These people are not rich enough to hire an ountant! When he learned about their assets, ie and property though, he realized he had underestimated them. What did Chinese people like to do after residing in a ce for a long time? Purchase a house! Chinese people didnt understand the American concept of renting a shop. In Manhattan, where an inch ofnd was worth an ounce of gold, those store owners actually owned their own stores. They were great and powerful. After an initial evaluation, they all reached the lowest standard of a CPA, which was over one million. Each of them could only spend 6,000 dors on basic CPA work, including dutiable goods deration and annual verification. They could get at least 50% tax reduction though, so it was worthwhile. After experiencing what it was like to have a professional CPA, they wanted to sign a contract with Qin Guans firm. Xu also hired Qin Guan for his restaurant, which would bring him a lot more profit. It was so generous of him! Qin Guans firm had actually reached the professional standards of a single firm, which was 100,000 dors a year. From that day on, Qin Guans QC ounting firm was officially open. ... A small grey sparrow flew down to the ground from a withered weed. It was getting higher and higher due to its ambition. There was still a chilling wind and the sneer of the bald eagles, but those things couldnt dy it from getting to its destination. In one day, it would transform though flourishing Chinese magic and reveal its real nature. It would be a splendid phoenix. Qin Guan was working hard towards his goal. The Chinese students also appreciated the chance he had given them through their part-time jobs. The greatest obstacle for an ountant was inexperience. Experience was precious when seeking a job or applying for an internship. Although they werent making much money and the job required lots of patience, they enjoyed it like malt sugar. Before, they had only known about Americanpany functions in theory. It was Qin Guan who had given them the chance to put their knowledge into practice. Many foreign students had been attracted by his reputation, in hopes of getting an internship. Nobody cared about the low payment. As a result, Qin Guan had gathered many Chinese students, who were following his lead naturally. Qin Guans influence among the Chinese students made Zhang Dekai nervous. He paid no attention to Qin Guans status in the fashion circle or his poprity at Columbia, but he attached great importance to his influence among Chinese students. This was because all clubs and societies would be having elections at the beginning of the semester, because the seniors had graduated at the end of the previous semester. Chapter 419: Election Chapter 419: Election Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia There were so many promotional activities, lobbying and speeches on campus, that it seemed like they were electing a state governor, senator, or even the president. Ivy League universities were a natural cradle for politicians. Columbia was the Alma Mater of two American presidents, so it was a real breeding ce for political talent. The Chinese Student Union of Columbia also faced the same dilemma. Theirst chairman had gotten an offer from CBS TV and taken advantage of it. One could imagine the value of the position, as well as the advantages Zhang would gain if he seeded. Qin Guan worked daily, while Zhang was nervously trying his best. Taking advantage of his position, he drove out the car of the union and got the sackbut and microphone ready. He had also printed posters and leaflets about himself, with the title "Cherish Constant, Steady Development". Standing on the busiest path of the campus, Zhang shouted at the students through his loudspeaker. Posters had also been pasted on all corridors in the buildings. On them, Zhang was smiling warmly at everyone in his school uniform, holding his books in his hands. His assistants would hand out a leaflet to every student with an Asian face. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were idling around on campus, when they saw the scene. Zhang, who disliked Qin Guan, shouted at him through the microphone. "Give me your vote, handsome boy! As a member of the union, Ill do my best to help everyone. You must agree with my opinion and support our work." "I know you seldom participate in after-ss campus activities, but I would like to hear your ideas." Are you kidding? You run for chairman and let me mind my own business. We live in different worlds. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei took a leaflet and left, feeling both confused and gloomy. Xu Xiaoxiao, who had also witnessed the whole thing, got angry. Are you challenging Qin Guan? I know he has no interest in the election because of his tight schedule, but Ill help him! I dont want to see your disgusting face again. As Xu was thinking of a n, Rongzhi got scared by the loudspeaker. His miniature flying robot nearly fell down on his head. Your provocations are tasteless. You nearly destroyed my treasure! Ill get back at you! He almost vented his anger on Zhang. Both Rongzhi and Xu were making ns against Zhang Dekai. As an older student at Columbia, Xu was familiar with the routine of the elections. In 10 minutes, he had already made arrangements through his phone. When he returned to the ssroom, he stretched a hand out to Qin Guan. "Lend me some money." Qin Guan was confused. He was working on his homework. "How much do you want?" He searched in his pocket. "One thousand dors for a start..." What? I thought you were asking for change to buy a cup of tea. "I put your name down for the chairman election. Give me some money for the campaign. Ill be your sponsor. Ill give you the money back tomorrow." "Dont forget, I am your benefactor. You dont need to thank me." Thank you for what? Did you even ask my opinion? Qin Guan stared at him. "I have no time for this. Its too much trouble." "Ill do all the work for you. You just need to show up on election day. If you dont ept such favourable terms, I... I will cry myself to death right here in front of you!" "What a miserable life!" Xu cried out. Qin Guan covered his face. "Okay, okay. Just inform me in advance!" He handed Xu his credit card. The matter had been settled. ... The next day, the campus was livelier than ever. There were two Chinese girls in cheongsams standing on the road with colorful ribbons, showing their support for Qin Guan. They were distributing leaflets to the passersby. On both sides of Zhang Dekais campaign car were two small campaign cars with posters of Qin Guan. He was smiling happily at the crowd. His image was also on colorful balloons. The photos were clear enough for anyone to count his eyshes. The posters were of the sameposition as Zhangs, except for the fact that they were a little bigger. Compared to a professional model, Zhang looked ugly. In half a day, all the Chinese students at Columbia had heard about the legendary candidate. His story could be turned into a novel. "I know him a little. I saw his TV show in China before I came to the US." "Yes. He is also a student at Columbia. People in China said that he was a straight-A student. Its true!" Chapter 420: Batter on the Trigger Chapter 420: Batter on the Trigger Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Two girls with straight ck hair were happily discussing the influential figure on the shady path of the Columbia campus. "People say that he is the top student of the Finance Department. I heard that hes on a full schrship..." "He is handsome, hard-working and capable at making money. He gave part-time jobs to plenty of seniors..." The loudspeakers beside Zhang were broadcasting Qin Guans achievements. Suddenly, Zhang shouted at his assistant, who was carrying a pile of posters and leaflets. "What are you doing here? Be smart! Be positive! Distribute the material!" The girl, who was wearing ck-framed sses, got scared. She pursed her lips, as if she was about to cry. "Okay, okay. Stop! Go to the meeting room and check our budget. I have to invest more!" "But we do not have much money left..." she said hesitantly. "Shut up, Liu Tianxia! Do something about the budget! You are in the ounting Department, arent you? You have an auditing certificate, right? I need an extra 500 dors for my campaign! Go!" Liu ran to the meeting room with tears in her eyes. She was afraid that she might start crying in public. A small robot disappeared in the thickets silently. Inexplicably, Qin Guan found himself the focus of the whole campus. Everyone he passed by greeted him. "Hey, miracle boy! I support you!" "Ill vote for you, Qin Guan!" "Looking forward to your election speech!" Qin Guan felt like a monkey in the zoo, surrounded by onlookers. It was stranger than in China. He saw people ying a ser game on the field between the two libraries. The cheerleaders were waving boards with the phrase "Qin Guan will win". Would the tradition of the cheering team ever change? Those people would cheer for anyone who paid them. Hovering above the campus was a sea of balloons. asionally, a poor balloon would break away from its owner and drift in the air before it exploded. Qin Guan saw his face get smashed. That hurt! Dear Xu, how much have you prepared for my campaign? It looks like a wedding ceremony! Qin Guan saw Xu standing by the cars. The two of them fought yfully. Meanwhile, Zhangs car remained silent. In the meeting room, Zhangs face was as dark as the burned bottom of a pan. As he looked at Liu, he tried his best to suppress his rage. "For thest time, Tianxia, help me! You are good at ounting. I only need a little help. The election is in two days. We are working hard for a better future, arent we?" "I know what you are thinking about. You think that without a bright future I will turn you away. I swear that if I am elected chairman, I will reciprocate your true feelings. Help me, Tianxia!" The girl was not stupid. She knew that the man was lying. If he really liked her, he would have confessed his feelings earlier. They had known each other for a long time after all. "I want to think it over..." She lowered her head, her face hidden behind her long hair. Zhang was hell-bent on winning... Outside the window, a flying object that resembled a UFO was on its way home. The day of the election came fast. The auditorium was crowded. It was an unprecedentedly gigantic election. During the previous elections, only a few internal members had voted for the chairman. Attracted by Zhang Dekai and Qin Guans candidacies, most Chinese students had shown interest in the activity. Zhang was excited about the big asion. The more people voted, the more significant the role of the chairman would be for the University of Columbia, as well as many majorpanies. The hostess was a new member of the union. She was a pretty girl in a cute white dress. She stared at Zhang with blinking eyes and smiled at him from time to time. Liu Tianxia watched them with a poker face. She left without a word. "Okay, I know. Dont push me. Its only a speech. Why do I have to dress like this?" Qin Guan was looking down at his formal outfit. He looked as if he was attending a grand banquet. Xu smoothed out the wrinkles on his suit. He patted Qin Guan on the shoulder and shouted, "Come on, my friend! Ill always be by your side!" The hostess invited the first candidate to deliver his speech. Qin Guan mounted the stage leisurely. He knocked on the microphone gently and stood straight, smiling at the audience. He was like a wintersweet with red petals and yellow pistils bursting into bloom on its skinny branches. He was like an orchid with a nice smell amid ancient ruins. He was like a lonely bamboo tree on a remote mountain or withered golden asters in a forbidden city. Chapter 421: Something Happened Chapter 421: Something Happened Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The people in the meeting hall quieted down, as if a strict teacher had entered the ssroom with his pointer. Everyone got lost in Qin Guans smile. Clearing his throat, Qin Guan began his speech. "The Columbia Union has a long history of endeavours..." "In fact, the aim of the union is to provide all kinds of employment guidelines and work opportunities. It also serves as a tie among Chinese students that have graduated from Columbia..." "The structure of the union is outdated. If I was elected president, I would engage in external rtions and focus on the employment of Chinese students..." In his convincing speech, Qin Guan spoke about the problem the students were concerned about the most. His style was different from the current working style of the union. Most students knew the name of the president, but had no idea what he had done for everyone. Zhang Dekai was getting more and more nervous. He had originally thought that Qin Guan knew nothing about the internal affairs of the union and had paid no attention to its actual functions. However, not only did Qin Gian make a perfect analysis on the advantages and shorings of the union, but he had also made a good n for the future, one that was actually much better than his. The loud apuse woke him up. Qin Guan had finished his speech. "Now we would like to invite the next candidate to deliver his speech." Zhang fixed his tie, mustered up all his courage and got on the stage. Turning to face the audience, he began his speech. "Some people can give easy promises, but one should actually show the time they have spent working for the union. I have been a member of the union ever since I registered at Columbia. I started my service as a staff member, at the bottom of the pyramid, and invested most of my time in this work..." Suddenly, a muted video with subtitles started ying on the screen behind him. There was a man and a girl in the video. The man was Zhang Dekai and the girl was a sweet junior. The camera snapped a picture of the scene. The board on the door behind them read "Chinese Union of Columbia". The two of them were talking happily. The subtitles were transcribing their dialogue. Zhang: Give me a kiss, younger sister. Girl: I want a beautiful dress. Zhang: No problem. Ill ask Liu Tianxia for some money from the union expenditure. Ill buy one for you tomorrow... Girl: You clever guy... The shape of their mouths was corresponding to the subtitles. Both Qin Guan and Xu Xiaoxiao were shocked. We should just finish the meeting now. There is no suspense about the president anymore. The audience held its breath, pretending nothing had happened. That was a really good joke! The hall was even quieter than when Qin Guan had been delivering his speech. Everyones eyes were fixed on the screen, leaving Zhang to speak excitedly on the stage. Suddenly, the scene changed. Zhang was reproaching Liu Tianxia by his campaign car. In the next scene, Liu was working on the fake ount. By then, Zhang had realized that something was going on. He noticed that all the audience was staring at the screen behind him. What are they looking at? A nk screen? He turned his head around just in time to catch a glimpse of Liu Tianxian and the forms on the table. He felt as if he was about to have a stroke. Who did this? In a corner, Rongzhi was quickly manipting a small car with a mini ejector, making it escape as fast as possible. The video was cut off suddenly, leaving no time for Zhang to take action. He didnt even know what everyone had seen before hed noticed. He had lost his voice. He turned his head around again stiffly, only to find the audience looking at him full of anger and contempt. Zhang knew he was doomed. He would be facing not just a failure in the election, but also a follow-up investigation. Thank god Liu took care of the ount. I can just say I knew nothing about it. Suddenly, a member of the audience shouted, "Any other candidates running for president? Any other ideas anyone?" "No!" "Qin Guan! Qin Guan! Qin Guan!" The audience was disgusted with Zhang. They were eager for a representative of their own to put an end to that ugliness. Qin Guan was a neer in the union, but they hoped that he would work for their benefit. Qin Guan was elected president for the next semester. His predecessor also felt hatred for Zhang. There were still six months left before he graduated. What would everyone think of him now? Standing on the stage, Qin Guan waved his hands down, indicating for the audience to be quiet. "My first task after taking the post will be looking into the dereliction of duty of the second candidate. I will announce the results publicly. In the future, I want to establish an effective supervising system to make the Chinese union as clean as all other college clubs..." The audience apuded again. As Qin Guan talked, Zhang was getting more and more desperate. Chapter 422: A Powerful General Chapter 422: A Powerful General Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The audience left the hall reluctantly, leaving everyone involved to deal with the matter. Liu Tianxia took a thick pile of documents out of her bag without a hurry. She seemed well-prepared. "Take a look, everyone. These are the documents concerning the unions finances ever since Zhang took over the job. They looked at the documents page after page. Zhangs signature was on every page. Without it, the budget wouldnt have been valid. Every detail was clearly recorded by Liu Tianxia. No rules had been broken. The chief criminal seemed to be no other than Zhang Dekai. Well done! Liu gave everyone an honest, innocent smile. Zhang Dekai was taken away. Qin Guan had no interest in seeing the end of his story. Personal shame should not be made public. He would only lose some money and get a warning. Actually, Qin Guan was interested in Lius skills. He stopped her before she could leave. "What are you doing, Master Qin? You want to defend your opponent against this injustice? Impossible! Look at your trouble-making face!" Without Zhang, the girl had changedpletely. "I just want to hire you part-time at mypany." Liu was stunned. She looked at Qin Guan as if he was an idiot. "How could you trust me?" "Its only some basic data. Besides, I do trust you." Liu burst into contemptuousughter. "After seeing Zhang Dekais end?" "I read through the forms. You didnt make any mistakes in the data or process. All the money was taken by Zhang. You didnt even stuff one coin in your pocket. Why would I not trust you? You are an ountant with professional integrity. I cant let such a talent go to waste!" Qin Guans eyes were clear. Liu stoppedughing. Burying her face in her hands, she fell silent. Everyone felt sorry for her when they saw her shoulders shaking. If Qin Guan was right, then the excellent girl had been hiding from the public eye for a long time. Suddenly, Liu put her hands down. There was not a single tear on her face. "You read all the forms in a few minutes?" "Yes." Xu Xiaoxiao began to show off to her, as if it was his own achievement. "Have you seen our departments ranking list? Qin Guan is the best postgraduate student." Looking at him calmly, Liu Tianxia said in a disdainful manner, "Im a junior..." The girl was indeed a genius. "Anyway, I need to have some fun after quitting from the union. You can send the forms to my email. Ill charge ording to the current prices." Liu Tianxia left the hall without looking back. That day was a celebration for Qin Guan. After six months in the US, he had be the president of the Chinese Union of Columbia. It was unbelievable. The storm had gradually passed, and a sincere smile had appeared on the faces of the Chinese students. There were more and more parties and balls, hosted by renowned people from different industries and graduates of Columbia University. Words couldnt express their gratitude towards the most handsome president their union had ever had. By then, the advertisement of the Armani perfume had been released all over the world. The beautiful small bottles appeared again and again on mainstream channels and TV stations. The perfume quietly made a gap in the line of defence of Channel in North America. When they saw Qin Guan hug Raquel, housewives paused, their fingers hovering over the remote. When he disappeared like a bubble, they burst into tears. "That b*tch killed him!" "Vampires are a symbol of evil. Forgive me, my Lord! I am still your sincere servant..." "I love that handsome boy..." In thetest edition of NYLON, Qin Guans advertisement took up a whole page. He had left the perfect image up to fashion insiders. Qu Xuemei and Richard were preparing for the activity. ording to the report on their boss desk, NYLON had thergest sales volume out of all fashion magazines. Qus prophecy hade true. Richard had lost all confidence in Chad. ... Busy days always went by quickly. Before Qin Guan could realize it, Oscars season hade around. Before the 2003 award ceremony, movie critics, actors and directors had arrived in Los Angeles to experience the warmth of the West Coast. It was a fine day. Qin Guan had asked for leave from Prof. Martin and got together with the cast and crew of "Heroes". He had no idea about the ceremony until he checked in at the hotel. Horrified, he realized that only three people were qualified to attend the ceremony, Zhang Yimou, Zhang Weiping and him. All the other stars were absent because of their tight schedules. Qin Guan felt strange about the situation, but Sister Xue found out the truth after conducting an investigation in Los Angeles. Chapter 423: Different Kinds of Figurants Chapter 423: Different Kinds of Figurants Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia There were only 3,000 seats in the ceremony hall, while the participants were about 6,000. Only guests with invitations would enter the hall. "People have submitted applications for an invitation from early on. ording to the rules, we can only get two to three invitations. We had a discussion and made a decision. You should thank Zhang Weining. He admires you so much." Qin Guan felt gratitude for Zhang. On second thought, he realized he was useless. He could do nothing to help the crew before the opening ceremony. Taking advantage of this, he decided to walk around thergest film studio in the US and experience the atmosphere there. Influenced by the Oscars, everyone in Los Angeles was cheered up. Plenty ofpanies and investors were pouring into the city. Simple sheds had been set up as temporary interview rooms for figurants. Qin Guan was excited. He felt like a shark smelling blood. Sister Xue was his driver. Looking alertly at the annoying boy, she asked him, "What are you going to do?" "I just wanna take a look." Before his voice could fade away, Qin Guan had disappeared like the wind. He merged into the crowd at once. He had been bored at the parties he had been attending all day long and nned on making some pocket money for himself. Money eyes! Murmuring, Sister Xue parked the car. Suddenly, she saw Qin Guan standing in a line of figurants. He stood out because of his rare Asian face. He had chosen the shed with the smallest numbers of interviewees. In two minutes, he went out with a piece of paper. It had to be a notice. Excluding the time he had spent on the forms, the interviewer must have talked to him for less than a minute. It must be a terrible role. Sister Xue went into the shed and realized what Qin Guan had done. The audition was about a film with a limited budget. The title was a good summary of the film. It was called "Bloody Journey". Sister Xue could already foresee its fate. It would be rated NR-17. As expected, the figurants would be ying corpses. Qin Guan walked over happily as Sister Xue was reading the script angrily. "I think its really easy to act in a film in Los Angeles. I passed another audition in 10 minutes!" Sister Xue sighed. "Tell me, whats this? A zombie? A monster? The living dead?" Qin Guan grinned, shaking a sheet of paper before her proudly. "I want to try all kinds of different films to see the distinctions. You know, investments vary." "This is a B-movie. The investment must be billions. I have one line in the film..." "Wow!" Sister Xue was shocked. Asian people were in a weak position in Hollywood, except when it came to independent and animated films. Qin Guan hade across a B-movie at random. He was really lucky. "The leading actor is Dwayne Johnson." Sister Xue took the notice, where the shooting time, location and payment were stated. The title of the film was "Walking Tall". My boy is so lucky! Before she coulde back to her senses, Qin Guan followed the crew of "Bloody Journey" up the hill. Their studio was on the hillside. There were many small shooting basements there that resembledrge warehouses. Figurants could start work right away. The US fully deserved the title of the country that produced the most films. When Qin Guan and Sister Xue arrived at the studio though, they realized that the crew was even worse than a Chinese troupe. Inside the giant studio was only a lonely camera and several pale-looking staff members. Before Sister Xue could regret this, a man who seemed to be the director shouted, "All figurants head to the makeup room!" Qin Guan was pulled into a room surrounded by stic sheets. He thought it was quite different from a traditional make-up room. That makeup room was like the studio of a machinist. There were all kinds of paints and tools everywhere. A hairy strong man was sitting in the center of it all. He was carefully painting blood on the bodies and faces of the figurants with a serious expression on his face. "Next!" He patted the man in front of him. Qin Guan walked over. The strong man took a notebook from the table and read out loud, "Next scene, a man and his fingers. Got it!" He sized Qin Guan up. "Do you see the iron operating table over there?" Qin Guan nodded. "Change into the white shorts on it. If you dont want to stain your expensive polo shirt, I suggest you take it off and give it to someone else for safekeeping." It seems like my role is a special one. Qin Guan took off all his clothes. The strong man fell into thought as he looked at him in interest. Chapter 424: Dracula Makeup Chapter 424: Drac Makeup Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Wow, dude! What do you do for a living? You have the perfect figure. I could make standard models by putting you in a stic mold." Thanks so much for the appraisal. Id die in the mold. Qin Guan put on the white linen shorts and exined to him, "Strictly speaking, Im a part-time model." Then he turned around. When he saw Qin Guans face, the strong man immediately covered his face with both hands. "F*ck! Let me calm down for a second. Im not gay! I like girls with big boobs. Okay, lets get to work. Fred will make sure even your own mother wont recognize you." He took out a box of dilutedtex and brushed some on Qin Guans chest and belly. When thetex was thick enough, Fred pasted four pieces of artificial skin on Qin Guans ribs and abdomen. Then his assistant began to apply bad-quality powder and liquid foundation over them. In five minutes, the snow-whitetex had turned the same color as human skin. It looked like Qin Guans real skin. Fred estimated the effect and took a small bucket from the table. Inside it was blood, the best tool for the dressers of a drac movie. Some careful dressers would blend paints of different colors, while some tougher guys would just apply tomato juice. The man-made blood was poured over Qin Guans belly. After a while, Qin Guan had a general idea about his make-up. The reason he was lying on the table was because he had been disemboweled. The texture of thetex expressed that terrible visual. The assistant took a mini disposable injector filled with a suspicious-looking liquid. "Open your mouth," he told Qin Guan. Qin Guan looked at the liquid in alert. "Whats this?" Fredughed. "I thought you were experienced, young man. Dont worry, its a mixture of syrup and edible paint. Its not eel blood or anything." Some smaller studios used eel blood for convenience. Qin Guan rxed. The assistant injected the artificial blood into the gaps between his teeth. It was the perfect bloody make-up. Sour, sweet and tasty! Qin Guan tasted the blood carefully. Its good. I want more! Before he could say anything, the director shouted outside of the room, "Are you ready for the next scene?" "Okay! Roll him out!" Fred shouted back. Dude, can I have some more juice to go? Before Qin Guan could voice his shameless requirement, he was rolled out by an assistant. There were some simple mechanical machines in the center of the set. Qin Guans bed was rolled over to them. It was dark. There was only a surgicalmp hanging down from the ceiling. It felt like the Sun, projecting heat and light down on Qin Guan. Thetex was burning with the heat. Qin Guan paid no attention to the hot pieces though. He was absorbed in the entrails hanging by threads above his head. The end of a hanging gut was touching his stomach. This role was an unprecedented tragedy. He was disembowelled and living thanks to all kinds of machines. What a miserable life! American people are f*cking crazy! I like them! Sister Xue couldnt stand still from the shock. My baby, you have been a leading actor in two films! If this was China, you wouldnt have epted such a role! That was why indie film actors were not very popr in the US. Their films were nowhere to be seen and all their effort went to waste. Before Sister Xue coulde back to her senses, everyone was ready. A D-level actress was standing by the operation table. She was one of the heroines of the seven stories of the film. Marsha had straight brown hair. She had discovered the abandoned warehouse by chance during summer vacation. It looked like Hell itself. Blood and guts were everywhere. Besides, there was still a living person inside. At his request, Marsha liberated him from death, but she got in dangerter. Qin Guan was the guy liberated by Marsha, an extra with only one line. "Three, two, camera!" Suddenly, Qin Guan entered perfect acting mode. Marsha mustered all her courage to move slowly into the warehouse. Blood was everywhere. The main source of blood was in the center of the room. It was an operation table. Artificial blood was pumped into curling guts to form a steam. There were blood drops dripping from the gaps. "Oh, my God..." On the cold operation table, she saw a stranger. The mans pupils were already ck and his face was shining with joy. Chapter 425: The Green Hand Chapter 425: The Green Hand Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was the thirst of desire and the craving of self-liberation. There was no pursuit of life. Trembling, he stretched his bloody hand out to Marsha and looked at her with a miserable expression in his eyes. Both the director and the actress were lost in his sorrowful eyes. Marsha was out of control. Ignoring their terrible surroundings, she rushed up to Qin Guan and took his shaking hand. "Ill help you! Stay awake, Ill make a call..." Qin Guan seemedforted. His slender fingers held her hand tightly with more energy. At the directors request, the camera zoomed in on their locked hands. The director was suddenly enlightened. He tried to express his feelings through different methods. Practice made perfect after all. Young man, you were lucky to have an indie film actor in your drac movie. The director was busy changing the position of the camera while Qin Guan controlled the whole process. His ck pupils were gradually concentrating as he got warm. He could see the operatingmp before his eyes, his internal organs hanging on the ceiling, and the beeping machines beside him. He didnt move. Instead, he closed his eyes quietly. Long eyshes covered his eyes like butterflies with broken wings. "Please... I want to leave... Forever..." he said through pale thin lips. He preferred death over life, but he could not exin it in words. The bloody, violent scene turned to art thanks to Qin Guan. The director patted his thighs heavily. Who said that American Drac movies are all about horror? Humanity is everywhere! Marsha was encouraged by Qin Guan. In her opinion, that kind of life would be an insult for the handsome man. She gently pulled her hands back, for fear of disturbing him, and slowly turned off the machines. Beep... The electrocardiogram turned into a t line, indicating that the tortured man had gone to Heaven. Qin Guan didnt stop acting though. The script was too brief. The writer hadnt taken the natural reaction of a human body into consideration. The oxygen tank couldnt support him anymore. Qin Guan trembled as if he was experiencing an electric shock. After jerking a couple of times, his eyes opened again. His pupils went ck until any hint of feeling disappeared. His wounds had exhausted him. He had no energy to make a final effort. His toes were stiff. He had finally left that ugly world. What would Marsha faceter on? The camera was still rolling as she fixed her eyes on the corpse on the operating table. She looked slightly obsessed. The director was also lost in thought, so he forgot to stop the camera. Qin Guan felt terrible on the table. He was nearly blind under the brightmp. Plus, the table was cold and themp was quite hot. His nose was about to start running. He was groaning silently, when Sister Xue walked up to the director to remind him. It was crucial to have a considerate agent. "Oh, okay... Cut!" Wow! I saw tears in your eyes. Is this your first movie? Sister Xue had a point. The green hand had been shocked by the quiet death. When Qin Guan jumped up from the iron table, Sister Xue buried her face in her hands. "Qin Guan, cover yourself with the sheet!" "Why? Im not naked." Qin Guan looked down and saw that his shorts were pasted on his body. They were soaked in blood. He looked like a wet temptation. He wrapped himself with the sheet fast. Then he smiled at Marsha awkwardly and ran to the dressing room. How embarrassing! I hope she saw nothing! Marsha hadnt seen anything. She had been staring at his bottom. That subtle invitation was the best kind of temptation. Qin Guan took a shower in the dressing room. The sugar paint dissolved easily in the water. He got out and Fred applied some special chemical agent to the ying surface to take off thetex pieces. When Qin Guan went out with clean wet hair, Sister Xue had already gotten his payment. Chapter 426: Uniformed Temptation Chapter 426: Uniformed Temptation Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia There were certain payment standards for figurants in the US. Those who werent registered at an actorbor union got paid eight dors an hour, and those who were registered got paid 10 to 20 dors an hour ording to their resume, including their working experience and the number of films they had participated in. Waving the 20 dors at him, Sister Xue cast a supercilious look at Qin Guan. You spent two hours here. What were you thinking? "I enriched my experience. I just wanted to see different kinds of films. Ill try anything new. Im in the film capital now!" "Parties are boring, Sister Xue! We havent been working together for a long time, but its great! Here you are!" Qin Guan took several coins out of his pocket. "Six dors. Thats all..." "You bastard!" Sister Xue chased after Qin Guan, waving her handbag at him. It felt like they had gone back in time, to a period filled withughter. The next morning, Qin Guan and Sister Xue headed to the "Walking Tall" studio really early. After waiting for a long time, everyone finally arrived. Then the group headed to a small town in Los Angeles. The first scene was an exterior scene. This meant that Qin Guan would suffer a loss. His formal work wouldst only one hour, but he would have to spend half a day in transit. If this had not been a typical American shoot-em-up movie, Sister Xue would have pulled Qin Guan out of the project. The cars finally pulled up at the small town, where the other group had arrived before them. It was the group of the leading actor, Dwayne Johnson, a strong bald man with a pretty face. He was quite different from the typical ferocious guys in Hollywood gangster movies. He had be famous for his role in "The Mummy", where he had portrayed a viin hieromonk from ancient Egypt. The magical power he had possessed had made a harmonious contrast with his pretty face, which had made his career very sessful. He used to be a professional wrestler before he had been discovered by a talent agent. Unlike the antecedent movie "Scorpion", this was his first leading role in a film. When everyone was present, the director began shooting the first scene. Unlike their Chinese peers, American directors had no responsibility to give instructions before the shooting. Every detail was written clearly on the script. If one couldnt disy the corresponding level of ability, the producer and director would re-evaluate their skill. It was Qin Guans first time to put on an American policeman uniform. It was a ck fitting uniform with golden badges on the arms and ques on the chest. Its belt and slender pants made the uniform look tempting. When Qin Guan walked out of the simple dressing room, the lighting engineer, who was busy carrying props, couldnt help but whistle. The middle-aged woman flipped her long hair to show her feminine charm. Qin Guan walked up to the crew slowly, trying his best to pull his pants down. Sometimes slender pant legs were a mistake. His pants shocked the crew. His upper body looked delicious, while his lower body looked like a clowns. Even Dwayne Johnson smiled. Luckily, the w could be camouged. Even the most perfect films could sometimes experience unexpected idents. The scene was quite simple. The hero had retired from the navy and realized that his working position had been lost. When he couldnt find his own way, two kind-hearted police officers had escorted him home. Qin Guan was the officer driving the police cruiser. He was only in the background. The other actor was the one who chatted with the hero. That was why he had passed the audition so easily. All the cameras were in the proper position. Sitting behind the main camera, the director looked up at the sun and covered his head with a newspaper. "Ready? Three, two, camera!" A police cruiser drove by slowly. The policemen saw Dwayne Johnsons backpack and introduced themselves warmly. "Hey, are you looking for a job? The nearest logging camp is in Aberdeen, hundreds of kilometres away from here." Depressed, the hero answered, "Thats too bad." The kind-hearted policeman continued to suggest other jobs. "You could also go to the casino in town. You could y ck Jack there." Camera No. 3 zoomed in on the car to reveal Qin Guan. His uniform looked tidy. His head was leaning slightly towards the backseat, and his seat belt was fastened tight. "Come here, JK. Isnt he handsome?" the director asked. "Of course!" "That face would normally attract all the attention. Nobody would look at the other officer in the scene, even if he had more lines." "Strangely enough though, the two men are inplete harmony. The audience will still be able to notice that the other guy is handsome though..." Because of that strange phenomenon, as well as the selfishness of the director, the camera was pointed at Qin Guan. As a result, the other figurant remained in the background during the whole process. Chapter 427: Fans Everywhere Chapter 427: Fans Everywhere Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Several metres away, Sister Xue was sitting on a brick, watching the scene with her eagle-like eyes. Her face was nearly paralysed from smiling. "No, thanks," the hero said politely. The director turned to camera No. 2 reluctantly. The warm-hearted policeman spoke again, "Are you Vaughan? I know your family..." The director didnt zoom in on him immediately though. Instead, he switched to camera No. 3. Qin Guan was smiling friendly in the drivers seat. His eyes were fixed on his partner. "Wow! Look at his face!" The assistant director was speechless. This is not a romance film. Why are you so excited? "Switch to that camera." The assistant director couldnt help but obey the director. Finally, the poor policeman got his close-up. "Skow,e out. Say hello to the brave soldier!" The assistant director saw the joy in the directors eyes. He was actually pouting. Its a misfortune to have a director like him. Qin Guan got out of the car and uttered his first line in the film. "Wee back, soldier." "Good! Such a pleasant voice..." F*ck! How can you tell from one line? The other guy has said so much, yet he hasnt earned any praise. The policemen drove the hero back home. The first scene was finished. "Good! Cut!" Qin Guan drove the car back to the cameras. "Good work! Its a good day today. We can get more work done. Five-minute break!" The director ran to his backpack and took out his wallet. There was a newspaper clipping in it with an impressive picture of Qin Guans face. It was the advertisement of the Armani perfume. Trembling, the tough man with the curly ck hair walked up to Qin Guan with the picture. "Qin Guan, could you please sign this for me?" Sister Xue was surprised to see the director call the figurant by his name. She was enlightened at the sight of the picture though. He had to be a fan of Qin Guans. "No problem. One minute." Sitting down on a brick, Qin Guan smiled at the director. He pointed to another brick across from him. "Sit down, please. What would you like me to write?" The man looked excited. He sat down and rubbed his hands together, moving his brick closer to Qin Guans. "To my truest fan, Kelvin Brey. A heart would also be appreciated." Qin Guan signed the back of the picture ording to his request. When he looked up, he nearly fell down from fright. The director was so close to him that he was nearly sitting on his legs. Their noses were almost touching. The assistant director couldnt put up with this. He walked over and pulled Kelvin up from the cor. "Okay. Get ready for the next scene, everyone!" "My picture... My picture..." Before Kelvin could burst into tears, Sister Xue ran over and stuffed the picture into his hands. He couldnt help but smile through his tears. "I can die happy now..." What an unworthy life. The following scene went smooth. In 10 minutes, Qin Guans part was finished. Sister Xue let out a long breath of relief. Lets get your payment and go! Tomorrow youll be on the red carpet of the Oscars. Qin Guan followed Sister Xue back to the hotel with a contented smile. It was a dreamless, happy night. The next day, Sister Xue carefully took out the Armani Haute Couture from the closet. Qin Guan was speechless. "You are so dramatic. Does your hand hurt?" "Put it on, you idiot. Careful! Dont wrinkle it!" Qin Guan put on the outfit piece by piece. The extraordinary couture gradually revealed itself. It was definitely worth its price of three million dors. The fabric was extremely expensive. Every thread had been weaved ording to the designers inspiration. Plus, it had been custom-made for Qin Guans figure. The simple ck suit, the bow made of the same fabric, and the gem buttons on the cuffs were a perfectbination. "I cant tell the difference between an ordinary suit and this. The design is almost the same, and no one would be able to judge the fabric or the techniques." Qin Guan wasnt terrified at the idea of wearing an expensive outfit. He knew nothing about its umon features until he arrived at the site. Comparison helped. All the other outfits seemed to be missing something. The Oscars red carpet was different from the one in China. It was divided into two parts, one for stars and one for guests. Different attendants were treated differently. Most of the attendants were directors, producers and superstars unwilling to show off. They preferred to chat with each other in the guest area and take this chance to form new rtionships. Chapter 428: The Oscars Chapter 428: The Oscars Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan and Zhang Yimou arrived at the red carpet. ording to the request of the organizingmittee, Director Zhang would walk on the stars carpet with his actor. Then they would be led to the guest area. It was a helpless solution. The guest area was crowded, while the reporters were gathered around the stars area. If they didnt get any worthwhile material, they would break the fence and hunt down the guests. The staff of the organizingmittee strolled around the guest area time and again, trying to pull somezy VIPs to the stars carpet. The VIPs had to go for a walk and then get permission to return. If the stars in China knew about this situation, they would have been jealous. I should be walking on the red carpet! Not you! Qin Guan and Director Zhang stood on the edge of the carpet, waiting for the people in front of them to walk a little farther away. Several second and third level American celebrities were waiting behind the ropes. They would get the chance to walk on the carpet after all the stars on the list had finished their presentation. Haute Couture was showing its real power. Affected by the war in Iraq, most stars had chosen to wear ck, grey and white outfits to the ceremony. It was the details that were the most important. Qin Guan looked like Triton among minnows. Most people around him were members of the entertainment and fashion circle. The envious expression in their eyes was clear. They talked to each other secretly, specting about Qin Guans identity. Then a helpless voice was heard. "Okay, okay! Ill go! You are capable enough to catch me!" It was Catherine Zeta-Jones, who wasining to the staff as she arranged her long dress. The beautiful woman was one of the most likely actors to win an Oscar. She shrugged as she stood behind Qin Guan. "Are you Chinese?" Qin Guan felt someone poking him in the back. "Yes." He looked back and gave her a friendly smile. "Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film?" "Yes." "You are out." Zeta-Jones was straightforward. "The awardmittee was informed five days ago. Besides, I didnt see your movie at the publicity conference a few months ago." The woman was really rude. Qin Guan cast a nce at Director Zhang, but saw him look calm at the news. Both "Chicago" and "Gangs of New York" were powerfulpetitors for the Oscar. The two films had been produced by Miramax Films. Miramax hadnt invested as much in "Heroes" though, because it was a foreign film. At the indication of an assistant, Qin Guan and Zhang Yimou stepped on the carpet. The host made an introduction, "The nominee for Best Foreign Film... Heroes from China... Director Zhang Yimou and actor Qin Guan..." Fortunately, Qin Guan got the chance to hear his full name. He was grateful for the honor. Sister Xue nearly cried her eyes out as she watched Qin Guan set a foot on the red carpet. Qin Guan looked his absolute best. He was apletely different guy during working hours. Some people said that Zhang Yimou was the only Chinese director who looked handsome in a western style suit. If they saw the red carpet Oscar show though, they would admit that Qin Guan was the most handsome Chinese man in a western style suit. Among all the foreign reporters stood a lonely figure. He had been sent by the Xing website and had gone to the ceremony by paying for his own expenses. As the only Chinese media representative there, he focused on "Heroes". Because of his limited budget, he could only take some photos. He had no video camera. His only chance to take pictures was when they were on the red carpet. "Director Zhang ising! Get ready!" Unlike the excited Chinese reporter, the other foreign reporters put down their heavy cameras to take a break after taking pictures of the Dutch star before Qin Guan and Director Zhang. Thepetitors for Best Foreign Film were not as important to them. When they saw the two Asian men though, they hastened to lift their cameras up again. Qin Guans outfit looked as fitting and natural as his own skin. Everyone took in his perfect figure. Iid, handcrafted embroidery was blossoming on his chest. As he moved, it reflected silver light like pure sand on a beach. Even the outfit couldnt surpass the elegance of the Asian actor himself though. As he walked through the media area, he leaned naturally to the right. He waved his right hand at the crowd. On the camera, he looked like an angel fallen from Heaven. His smile was like the zing sun, casting light at everyone around him. "Wow! Director Zhang and Qin Guan!" Finally, the Chinese reporter caught sight of the only Chinese faces on the red carpet. Chapter 429: The Award Ceremony Chapter 429: The Award Ceremony Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Wow! Its Qin Guan! Hes with Director Zhang!" the reporter murmured to himself as he looked at their backs. Another photographer, who had heard his words, craned his neck around. "Dude, do you know that actor?" The reporter began to introduce hispatriot proudly. "Of course, he is one of the most famous top models in China. He has also acted in several good TV shows. His audience ratings were unparalleled..." "Really?" The foreign reporter was surprised. The Chinese reporter had described Qin Guan like a superstar in China. "Great!" The foreign reporter gave a thumbs-up to the reporter from Xing, who held his head high proudly. I may have added some things, but most of the things I told him were true. By then, Qin Guan and Zhang Yimou had reached the background board and signed it. "This way, please." A security guard in a grey suit opened the gate at the end of the carpet for them. The stars could enter the guest area through that gate. There was a curtain hanging before the entrance of the theater. Several iron rods were holding up a temporary ceiling, blocking the sunlight. Celebrities in expensive clothes were chatting in the small area. There was also a big board, where the official Oscar media representatives were gathered. Only TV stations authorised with independent rebroadcasting rights were qualified to set up their cameras there. The staff was still ying a game of running and chasing. They walked among the crowd, asionally getting hold of some stars or celebrities. Some famous directors had failed to escape and were standing in front of the tall golden figure, taking pictures for the press. Following the guidance of the staff, Qin Guan and Director Zhang also stood by the splendid golden figure, which was about two meters tall. It was the first time Qin Guan felt the desire to take out his cell phone and take a picture. Although he preferred indie films tomercial films, he was shocked by the atmosphere there. This was the capital of the film industry all over the world after all. It was a pity that he hadnt taken his cell phone with him. Sister Xue was standing behind the ropes. One day I, Qin Guan, will take pictures here with the golden statue! I will not be a guest, but a winner! Qin Guans ambition couldnt be concealed from Zhang, who also wanted desperately to win an Oscar. After taking some photos, they retreated to the edge of the red carpet. They exchanged a nce with each other and cast a meaningful look at the golden statue. Under the light of the setting sun, the guests entered the hall with their invitations. The stage was decorated in baby blue and crystals, which made a sharp contrast with the red chairs and carpet under the stage. When the audience was seated, Steve Martin, the host of the ceremony, mounted the stage with a serious expression. "Before the grand award ceremony, all the actors and reporters should deliver a speech about the wrongful war. It is with heavy hearts that we have gathered here today for this award ceremony. It was not long ago that the war in Iraq broke out." He was right. At previous ceremonies, actresses had dressed up like peacocks. That day though, all thedies were dressed in ck or white. No one had dared wear jewellery. Thanks to Steves humor, everyone eventually feltfortable. The first award winner was announced. The musical "Chicago" had beaten "Gangs of New York", "The Lord of the Rings II" and "The Pianist" and won the Oscar for Best Film. The executive director of Miramax, an old man with grey hair, was smiling so happily that the wrinkles on his face seemed to form a flower. Adrien Brody, the leading actor of "The Pianist" won the award for Best Actor. Holding the golden statue, he burst into tears on the stage. The cameraman zoomed in on another nominee for the award. Nichs Cage was smiling calmly. Even Qin Guan though, who was sitting in the back of the hall, could feel his disappointment. As a skilled actor, an Oscar was his lifelong dream. It was also the dream of thousands of actors in the US. That small golden statue was their only aim. There were so many factors involved though, including the script, the director, the producer, the distributingpany, the audience, the national policy, and so on. Of course, luck was the most important factor. Qin Guan slowly let out a long breath. Suddenly, he saw Catherine Zeta-Jones walk on the stage. The British woman, who had been criticized for using her body to her advantage, had finally received an acknowledgement of her talent. She hugged her husband excitedly as she epted the award. Steve made a joke about feeling jealous. "Film stars y all kinds of roles. I appreciate them, worship them, but also feel dissatisfied with them. For example, some of them only cooperate with their wives!" Chapter 430: Happiness Is Simple Chapter 430: Happiness Is Simple Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Before his voice could fade away, loudughter broke out. Everyone fixed their eyes on Michael Dous, the winner of the Oscar for Best Actor in 2000. Dous, who was older than Catherine Zeta-Jones by 20 years, had won his first Oscar after theyd gotten married. As a result, people said that he had won the award because of Catherines fortune. It was an Oscar tradition to make dirty jokes during the ceremony. If one didnt know, they would have been confused. The crowd quieted down eventually, and therge screen on the stage changed. Director Zhang couldnt help but straighten his back. Finally, the time hade. "Lets announce the Best Foreign Film of the 75th Oscars. The nominees include El Crimen del padre Amaro from Mexico, I Dont Feel at Home in This World Anymore from Germany, The Man Without A Past from Find, and Heroes from China." The highlights of each film were yed on the screen as the host made an introduction. When he came to "Heroes", the ck solemn Qin pce appeared on the screen. Li Lianjie was standing in the center of the frame with a murderous look on his face. Red satin ribbons, yellow sand and white petals were dancing around him. It was a typical, yet impressive oriental film. Even informed famous directors couldnt help but fix their eyes on the screen. It was a pity that the highlightssted no more than 10 seconds. Before people could get a general idea, the video switched fast to another film. Finally, the light on the screen faded away. Steve Martin opened the envelope that contained the name of the final winner. "The winner for Best Foreign Film of the 75th Oscars is... I Dont Feel at Home in This World Anymore from Germany!" Caroline Link, who was sitting only two rows in front of Zhang Yimou, hugged her producer upon hearing the news. In her film, the female director had depicted a cruel war from an exquisite point of view. The films alternate title was "Nowhere in Africa". Another reason the film had won the award was the ongoing war in Iraq. American people were sympathetic about the devastation caused by the war. The camera turned in the direction of Qin Guan and Director Zhang. Qin Guan was in no mood to expose himself in such a way, but Director Zhang remained calm and expressionless. When he looked at the female director though, he seemed jealous. Words couldnt express his feelings. That award had been his goal for so many years. It was an acknowledgement of all the zeal he had put into his work. His heart was full of mixed emotions. Men did not shed tears easily though, so the Chinese man had no outlet for his feelings. Silence. Endless silence. This was the closest he had ever gotten to winning an Oscar. It was a pity that he had missed his chance. The rest of the ceremony was peaceful for Director Zhang and Qin Guan. The next jokes and awards had nothing to do with them. The stars were twinkling above the theater as everyone went out. Some people looked happy, while others looked depressed. After one day of noise, the ce finally quieted down. Sister Xue was waiting for them. Director Zhang looked unconsciously at the clean night sky and covered his eyes gently with his hand. "Are the stars dazzling?" Sister Xue looked up at the sky. Zhang Weiping held hisughter back. He had originally wanted tofort his old friend. Director Zhang felt at a loss. He didnt know whether he should cry orugh. Actually, he was luckier than most people in the film circle. He had been to the Walk of Fame. He had attended an Oscar ceremony. His film had been nominated for an award. His dream would go on. Cheers! To the filmmakers and directors in China! "We should drink something." "Yes, its a pity to attend such a show and not have ate night snack." "Theres a canteen over there!" They bought Mexican corn cakes from a canteen beside the theater, ignoring the looks they got from everyone around them. They couldnt resist their stomachs and the temptation of delicious food. This was also the most delicious Mexican food in Los Angeles. Arge box of Titos Tacos cost only 20 dors. They enjoyed their cakes without dignity at the entrance of the theater. The cakes were made of fresh corn kernels instead of corn flour. The brown cakes were sweet and fresh. There was New Orleans roast, fresh red onions, and green peppers in the cakes. Combined with some green onions and ck pepper, the cake was really a surprise. Qin Guan took a big bite. The onlookers around him swallowed their saliva. That Asian boy seems to be enjoying his cake so much! The roast was tender with a crispy crust. The pressure of his teeth made the juices flow out and ran down along his mouth. Chapter 431: Crush Him Chapter 431: Crush Him Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia To avoid staining his shirt, Qin Guan scooped up the juice with his left hand. The juice ran down along his slender fingers as Qin Guan licked it. Sister Xue almost dropped the onion rings in her mouth. What will I do with this boy? He bes a different person when he eats... Its so embarrassing! Before she could warn Qin Guan not to lose face in a foreign country, the Americans around them started talking. "High-ss restaurants are too far from the theater. Well be too hungry by the time we get there. Shall we get a corn cake now?" "Okay, just a snack." "Hey, John! We can eat here instead of at the hotel!" Qin Guans group was driven away by the sudden influx of customers. The Californian man was confused. His small van, which usually sold snacks to tourists, weed a group of film circle VIPs. "Seafood corn cakes, takeaway..." "Traditional ones, eat in. And two cups of coffee..." The reporters and onlookers silently took out their cameras and cell phones to take pictures of the handsome men and beautifuldies as they passed by. The owner of the canteen got excited when he saw Jones, one of the top gourmet critics in the US. Wearing his signature ck-framed sses, he stood in front of the small van. "A traditional cake, please." The owner tried to calm down. Delighted, he made the most perfect Mexican corn cake he had made in his life. Before he coulde back to his senses, his lucky star, Qin Guan, had left with his friends. Another beautiful day dawned. It was the beginning of a new life. Qin Guan saw his friends off at the airport and returned to his everyday life again. "Qin Guan, this is Qu Xuemei. Come to my office. Now!" She hung up without hesitation. This was just like her. You should wait for my answer next time. I have to finish my homework. Ive been away from campus for three days. Qin Guan decided to ignore the call, but his phone shook on the desk again. It was a message from Qu. Dont mess with me, or Ille to your college. Qin Guan sighed. It seems like she really needs me. He put away his books and ran to the campus entrance with his car key. Chief Director Qu returns to VOGUE. My golden time is about to begin. My financial future will be taken care of soon. Qin Guan didnt think Qus call was a trick, even though she had sent him NYLONs address. Profit was more powerful than enemies. Maybe VOGUE and NYLON would be cooperating in the future. Qin Guan was in an optimistic mood when he reached the roof garden of the NYLON building. There was arge ss greenhouse there for nting flowers. The flowers were divided into four neat areas with clean paths between them. Outside the greenhouse were some strange facilities that looked like the buttons of an ancient typewriter. It was abination of an iron frame and a round iron te. Qin Guan tried to sit on it. It was firm, and the round te could rotate along with his body. "Your roof is very modern, Raynana. You could use it as a temporary grandstand. Its big enough for a small party. I like its modern style." Raynana smiled to herself. Qin Guan made a good point. He still knew nothing about their ns though. To ensure a fair y between the two models and the selection of the exclusive model of VOGUE, neither Chad nor Qin Guan had gotten a notice in advance. Qin Guan was assigned to an independent fitting room. The cab beside it was his dressing room. There was another fitting room next to it, which made Qin Guan realize that he had a partner. He went out of the dressing room in an Armani suit and saw his partner, Chad, talking nervously with Richard. "Qin Guan! Come here!" He looked back and saw Qu Xuemei. "Sister Qu?" "Your task today is to crush Chad! Use all your power! Understand?" "But we have to cooperate with each other during the photoshoot..." Qin Guan was confused by her demand. As the chief editor, she should be focusing on the effect of the photos. Why is she asking me to do the exact opposite? "Stop that rubbish! Think of Chad as an ordinary model from China and do your best to crush him. Use all your skills during the photoshoot! Do not be considerate towards your partner. If he fails, its his fault!" Chapter 432: Lets Blossom Chapter 432: Lets Blossom Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans lips formed an O. There was an excited expression in his eyes. Okay, but you asked for this. If the photoshoot goes bad, its not my responsibility. Qu Xuemei finished her introduction and shouted at Richard, "Hey, the show is about to begin. All idlers get out! Want to have a try? You are old, but still vigorous... Please get out quickly then!" Hey! Im not old! Im only turning 32 this year. You are the older one here, okay? Richard was angry, but he could do nothing but retreat before Qu. Only the staff members and the two models were left in the greenhouse. Chad had also been warned to do his best. After Richard left, he cast a sympathetic look at Qin Guan. That Asian model must have offended the chief editor of VOGUE. Now I have to take him out! If I use my full ability, I will destroy his future. He may even start doubting the purpose of his own life. As he thought of that, Chad smiled at Qin Guan mercifully and followed the assistant to his fitting room. Qin Guan was confused by his smile. Did my father die or something? Why did he look at me that way? The fragrance of flowers was floating in the air. The people in the greenhouse calmed down enough to enjoy the peace of the elegant environment. Meanwhile, outside the greenhouse, there was a riot of colors. At the joint invitation of the top five fashion magazines, brand businessmen had gotten together on the roof. The roof had be their temporary office. Sitting on post-modern style chairs, they enjoyed their cocktails and talked about their ns for thetest collection. They were clear about the purpose of the party. It was another promotional event of the fashion circle. It was a win-win situation. Magazines needed their investment, while they focused on media publicity. A model of highmercial value would benefit both sides. The sun set slowly as the atmosphere of the party became active. After the initial greetings, everyone seated themselves, waiting for the surprise arranged by the top magazines. The organizers had really put a lot of thought into the party. Even the chairs looked interesting. "Wow!" Several people screamed as the chairs in the back rose higher and the front ones descended a little. LED lights of different colors lit up under the chairs. Different areas were divided by different colors. Brands that sold advanced ready-to-wear apparel were a mysterious silver color, and jewellery brands were represented by blue. Make-up and cosmetics were red, while leather products were yellow. Green stood for watches and other essories. The audience members smiled at each other like naughty kids finding new toys. They felt rxed in that beautiful environment. This was a good chance to let loose and express their whimsical thoughts. The two models had no idea what was going on outside. One of them was confident, and the other was excited. They stood shoulder to shoulder on the path between the flowers. Chad cast another merciful nce at Qin Guan and stretched his hand out to him like a king presenting his hand to a peasant for a kiss. "Chad." "Qin Guan. Ive heard a lot about you." Qin Guan shook his hand with a shy smile. If Sister Xue or Qu had seen his smile, they would have known that Qin Guan was about to y some kind of trick again. The assistant gave them the final instructions. "You two walk on the site together and separate at the end. Chad goes first and Qin Guan follows. Understand? Well start now." They both nodded. Suddenly, music started ying. The lights on the ground were turned on. They looked like fireflies in the dark as the strong lights on the ceiling were extinguished one by one. The greenhouse looked mysterious, yet elegant. Every cell in Qin Guans body was shouting, "Go! Go! Go! Blossom on the stage!" Thats what Qin Guan did. His refined leather shoes started stomping on the fireflies without hesitation. Chad realized that things were getting out of control as he walked along with Qin Guan. The show was not in his hands anymore. The Asian model next to him was not an underdog he could easily crush. Despite his poker face, Chad was shouting silently in his mind. This is not an absolute massacre! Its a fair game! Wearing a beige trench coat and a pair of pants of the same color, Qin Guan expressed his feelings freely. Armanis style was self-liberation after all. Every piece of clothing on his body was shouting at the audience, "Not like this. This isfortable!" Qin Guan followed his heart. Chapter 433: Stealing Flowers Chapter 433: Stealing Flowers Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia He pushed his sunsses up the bridge of his nose. Some hairs stood on end, revealing his full forehead. "Wow!" The audience looked surprised. They had gotten absorbed in the performance of the Asian model. Qin Guan took off his white silk gloves and stuffed them into his pocket. Suddenly, he unfastened his belt and opened his coat to reveal his ck shirt. Office workers were happy and rxed all day long. A distinctive shirt could make ones day. Chad, who had been about to show off his sexy muscles, had not been prepared for Qin Guans move. It was unreasonable. Actually, Chad was much stronger than Qin Guan, so his sex appeal was his big advantage. The Asian model had dared challenge him in that field though! And he had seeded! Chinese people were beautiful in a subtle way. The Asian boy was outstanding. Chad was suddenly in a dilemma. If he copied Qin Guan, he would be overshadowed. If he chose another way, he wouldnt do as well. Before Chad could choose a countermove, they reached the turn where they would separate. Bingo! Chad was enlightened. My best chance lies in the solo show. The true face of Lushan was lost on me, for it is right in this mountain that I reside. The models on the stage had no direct picture of their performance, while the audience could take in every detail with one nce. The models separated at the turn and the audience began talking in low voices. "Where did they find that Asian model? He is an inspiration from Heaven! "Thank God I came. They said that the models have no idea about the show today. They dont know that its apetition." "Qin Guan is in perfect condition." Walking through the flower beds, Qin Guan and Chad reached their starting point again. The paths were leading in different directions. Qin Guan took a step back, surrendering the first turn to Chad. "He seems like an experienced guy. He is very cooperative." "Let me see... He has cooperated with our brand in Asia! Ill take that into consideration." The representatives of Givenchy and BOSS were watching Qin Guan carefully as Chad began to show his power as an international top model. Half-way through the path, Chad suddenly tore the coat apart furiously, splitting it into two pieces. He put the pieces on his shoulder and proudly put both hands at the cor of his shirt. His broad, thick chest was revealed through the torn shirt. Qin Guan felt sorry for him. Dude, you are really bold. I like your sexy figure, but have you thought about the pay? That shirt must cost at least several thousand dors, let alone that coat! You will suffer the consequences! Im working to make money, not lose money... Chad had no idea about Qin Guans thoughts. He made good use of his muscles and impressed the audience with his steady steps. "He has proved himself to be a model worthy of VOGUE. He is a top model in all aspects." "Look at his figure. Its suitable for special brands..." "CK, for example... Ha ha ha..." The CK delegate felt offended by the high fashion brands. His brand always reminded people of underwear... When the Asian model stepped onto the site, they were absorbed back into the show. They were wondering how the man would deal with such toughpetition. Chad would actually be really hard to beat. Brands had seen so many talented models after all. They were in need of models who never gave up. You had a good n, but I have a better one. Qin Guan would teach them a lesson. His previous advantage had been lost, but Qin Guans countern was really good. He was walking on the shining path in a free, elegant manner, with a romantic expression in his eyes. Suddenly, a red rose appeared in his hand, as if by magic. "F*ck! Its my favourite Louis XIV Rose!" Raynana couldnt help but curse. The shy girl got angry at the thief. The audience concentrated on the rose immediately. Unlike ordinary roses, that one was blood-red, its petals spreading freely like a rare beauty. Chapter 434: The Lingerie Show Chapter 434: The Lingerie Show Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The rose was gradually getting closer to Qin Guans face. Qin Guans lips looked pink against the mboyant color. He opened and closed his mouth to hold the stem between his lips. The flower was gently inclined against his cheek. His fair skin, sexy chin and the bright flower looked amazing... "Quick! Support me, Im fainting! Is the sun gone from the sky?" "Wow! Hes a real Apollo! I want his number..." Do your husbands know about this? Chad turned back with a confident smile. Suddenly, he was stunned. Qin Guan had changed into Cupid, casting romantic nces at the girls. The old-fashioned model had turned into a romantic guy, the favorite type of guy of every Manhattan girl. No girl could say no to money and fun. A sweet melody yed as the cynical prince slowly walked towards them. Qin Guan was walking along the path, in perfect harmony with the music, the fragrance and the gentle breeze. He opened his eyes softly and gave everyone a strange smile. His lips were wide open, his smile warming up the atmosphere. Chad was surprised by his smile. The man seemed to be saying hello to the whole world, although there was nobody in front of him. Qin Guan returned to his starting point. When he reached the assistant again, he felt the pain in his teeth. That f*cking rose had thorns! My tongue is bleeding! That was the reason behind his final smile. It had been a painful one. The blood in his saliva was the cost of showing off. The audience couldnt see what was happening, but Chad knew the truth. He couldnt help but burst intoughter. Ha, ha! The photographer was adjusting his camera. The underwear show would be starting soon. Soldiers were eager to die, and professional models were eager to take their clothes off. They got a piece of CK underwear each. They could do anything they liked with it. What should they do? Take the underwear off? No, no, no. That would be a striptease, not a fashion show. There were other kinds of tricks for an underwear show. Female models could wear feathers, jewellery, paillettes or crystal high heels to impress the audience. Male models would usually choose a tie or a pair of leisure fabric shoes to create a sense offort or sexual attraction. There were not many props avable to them though. After searching through the fitting room for a while, Chad gave up on his n. He decided to take advantage of his sexy figure again instead of diverting attention from it with unnecessary essories. The muscles of idental people caused a direct visual shock. Chad got on the stage for the final show. Numerous cameras with long lenses were twinkling in the dark. Chad would pause three times along the path so they could take pictures. At the first sh, he deliberately shook his chest muscles several times. He was sessful. "Wow! Im dizzy..." A blonddy seemed to be suffering some blood loss. Chad looked back, turned around and smiled. His tight bottom was wrapped in the mostfortable fabric in the world. Its beautiful shape was clear on the camera. Compared to strict ready-to-wear apparel, Chad looked free in the underwear, like a beast breaking out of its cage. The CK delegate fell into deep thought. We have to sign a contract with him before he is seized by another underwear brand. Chads agent felt rxed as he watched his performance. He was happy to see Chad live up to his reputation. He silently wiped cold sweat from his forehead. The Asian model he had been worried about had outshined Chad though. It was terrible. Chad did not seem to be affected though. He had been born to be a model. Sadly, his joy didntst long. Qin Guan came out again and surprised the audience. He had found arge piece of knitting yarn in the fitting room. He knew about Chads advantage, but he could also expose his own muscles. In Qin Guans opinion though, it would be really boring to show ones bottom, chest and legs in that asion. He wanted to teach Americans a lesson about underwear. He wrapped himself in the white knitting yarn. In the dark, he looked like a fairy walking on a cloud. The audience wanted to see his true face, but they hesitated at that ethereal feeling. If the music had been yed by a traditional woodwind orchestra, Qin Guans performance would have been even better. Chapter 435: High-End Jewellery Chapter 435: High-End Jewellery Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia With his slender legs, fair skin and ethereal figure, he looked as elegant as an orchid. The audience could only see his bare ankles as he walked, the yarn floating around his body. The photographers held their breath, for fear that they would scare the fairy away, but the clicks of their shutters expressed their admiration. Walk slow, my fairy. The CK designer burst into tears. For so many years, underwear had been underestimated. He cried over the publics ignorance. Look at him! He makes underwear look like artwork, not just a few pieces offortable fabric. All the audience members were experienced fashion experts. They would never show surprise, appreciation or amazement on their faces, but they began to vote by throwing white or ck cards into the boxes. After the voting was over, the best model would be announced. Chad was annoyed. He thought he would be crushing a shrimp, only to realize he was facing a shark instead. He had to admit that he had lost the game, despite his adept underwear show. The Asian model looked sexier than him in that thin yarn. "Good job!" Wearing only his shorts, Chad stretched his hand out to Qin Guan sincerely. "You did well too!" Qin Guan shook his hand. "Sorry, but I have to change. That yarn is really rough on my body." "Ha ha!" The yarn had been used to keep bugs out of the greenhouse, so there were small thorns all over it. Qin Guan scratched at his body in the fitting room. Fortunately, there were no cameras inside. When they went outside again, they found nobody there. There was no trace to indicate that an event had just taken ce in the greenhouse. The small lights on the ground were distinguished one by one. Qin Guan and Chad exchanged a worried nce as they looked around. Suddenly, the windows opened and beams of soft light shined down on them. The whole greenhouse lit up as if it was daytime. Apuse and cheers suddenly broke out. "Well done, Qin Guan!" "You are so sexy, Chad!" Qin Guan and Chad adjusted their eyes to the light and saw a beautiful rainbow on the roof outside the greenhouse. The audience was sitting on keyboard chairs. Some of them were acquaintances, while others wereplete strangers. They were apuding the two models in the splendid garden. The VOGUE assistant silently took the voting box away. Qin Guan and Chad had no idea what was happening, but they smiled anyway. Qu Xuemei and Richard went into the greenhouse together and led Qin Guan and Chad off the stage. When they reached the temporary lounge, Qu exined everything to the two guys. The two of them suddenly became allies. A secret reality show, huh? With so many VIPs and insiders? Any small mistake could have brought our careers to an end! You are terrible, Sister Qu! I thought you said that you liked me back in China. Words couldnt express Richards feelings. The results of the vote had not been announced yet, but he was ashamed of Chad. His tongue was tied as he faced the using expression in their eyes. Qu was a born queen. Dignity meant nothing to her. Bold people always prevailed. She red at them as she said, "What are you talking about? Do you know how many top models would have fought for such a chance? Look at the audience members! We invited everyone! Bag, jewellery, clothing, cosmetics brands... Stop looking at me like that! You two should pay me for this opportunity." Shes shameless! Qin Guan and Chad shrugged. "Out! Why are you still sitting here? Go attend the festivities!" Qin Guan and Chad exchanged a hostile nce. We are enemies again. Lets go out to the arena! By that time, there was a fashion feast held up on the roof. People were talking animatedly. Sometimes, an inspiration would result from that sh of thoughts. When they saw Qin Guan and Chad, they pped for them. Some brands, who were interested in the two models, wanted to have a private conversation with them, Qin Guan took a cup of hot chocte from a tray. Before he could let out a long breath of relief, some people walked over. "Hello, Im the agent of Cartier in North America." "Hi, we are from Tiffany..." The two gentlemen paused at the same time. There were only few top brands in the jewellery industry. They were all famous amongmon people, and they were alwayspeting against each other over renowned customers, models, and so on. Chapter 436: The TV Show Chapter 436: The TV Show Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Suddenly, Qin Guan felt as if he was being held at de point. He was starting to miss Sister Xue. Qu stood behind him silently. It was obvious that she would be serving as his temporary agent. "I think your image fits our representative requirements in Asia. Besides, we have a general idea about your poprity and audience. If you say yes, I can confirm that you will be our representative in Asia for 2003." Shao would have killed for such a chance. Meanwhile, the Tiffany agent seemed hesitant. "As a local brand, Tiffany will be able to fit your schedule. However, we need a worldwide representative. Your performance today is not enough for us to make a final decision." The Cartier agent smiled confidently upon hearing that. The Tiffany agents next words made him regret that though. "Tiffany needs a model for Baselworld in April. I wonder if you would be interested in that job. There will be representatives from the most famous jewellery and watch brands there. They willpete against each other ording to their sales volume. As far as I know, Mr. Qin Guan has been honored as the bestmercial representative in Asia. He must be confident about his abilities." Qin Guan was scared by the offer. Baselworld was considered the Oscars of the international watch and jewellery industry. In 2003, they had changed the name of the fair and turned it into a real international fair. Before 2002, only idental brands had been able to participate. Professional merchants attended the fair every year with arge capital in order to purchase top limited edition collections. During the fair, 150,000 people would surge into the small town of only 180,000 residents. The importance of the fair was pretty obvious. Qu kicked Qin Guan secretly, implying that hed better ept the invitation fast. Then she handed her business card to the agent. "Hello, Im Qin Guans temporary agent. We could have a private conversation over there." I will do the dirty work. You just go and flirt with other people. Cartier and Tiffany left and some other brand businessmen came over to chat and probe Qin Guan. Those picky guys took everything into consideration, including ones educational level, style of conversation, behavior and subtle feelings. Exhausted, Qin Guan sent thest group of people away. Then he cast a nce at Chad and burst intoughter. The people interested in Qin Guan worked in the jewellery, watch or handbag industry, while Chad had attracted brands like DKNY, LaSenza, and AB Underwear. All underwear brands! Some of them had started their business by sellingdies lingerie and nned on expanding to mens underwear. As he looked at Chads grimace, Qin Guan felt refreshed. At the end of the festivities, Qu showed up again and gave Qin Guan a pointed look. He followed Qu to a quiet corner of the garden and saw a dapper man standing there. He was about 30 years old and looked very bold and casual. "This is Miroc, manager of the CW TV station. They are nning a new reality show rtive to the model industry. He is here to consult fashion experts on the potential of the program." "He liked your performance and wants to know if you would be the temporary director of the program. If the audience ratings are good, they will invite you to be a long-term guest." Qin Guan fell into thought. Reality shows in the US were just a starting point. Not all chances for a TV program were good though, and a failed show could destroy ones career. Qin Guan had gained ess to top brands now, so any move he made had to be taken into serious consideration. Qu remained silent beside him. She was sure that Qin Guan would say yes. Qin Guan had to ask some questions first though. "May I know what kind of program it is? I actually know nothing about TV programs." Miroc smiled. "You are a modest man. Ive heard that Chuck hand picked you to portray him out of numerous candidates. You must have great potential if a TV tycoon admires you so much." You are overestimating me... Qin Guan was speechless by his deduction. Miroc continued his boasting. "I think Chuck would think highly of my program. I will be showing a side of the upper fashion circle to ordinary people. Ill fulfil the dreams of the average girl. Every girl has dreamed of bing a supermodel. My program will be called American Supermodel Competition!" "Unlike traditionalpetitions, that select candidates by having them mail videos of themselves, well broadcast live from the very beginning to show the real life of a model. The audience will get to see how they train and work... It will be excellent!" Qin Guan felt a little strange. I have seen that program before. In my previous life, I spent my spare time in the evening before the TV, drinking and appreciating those long legs, full bottoms and big boobs. The most important factor were the disputes among the girls. It was really interesting! I will ept the offer. I like lively disputes! Chapter 437: Terrible Business Chapter 437: Terrible Business Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Id really like to cooperate with you," Qin Guan broke in, stretching his hand out to Miroc warmly. "I appreciate your offer very much. Ill be waiting to hear from you..." He shook Mirocs hand firmly, making the man feel ttered. Qu led Miroc away immediately, her face buried in her hands. "Im Qin Guans agent in the US. We can discuss this further. Here is my card..." Qin Guan was surprised. When did you be my formal agent? After Miroc left satisfied, Qu exined everything to Qin Guan. "Sister Xue, Professor Li and I established an agency in China. I didnte to the US just for a position transfer, but also to take care of your working arrangements here." "We should be more professional in the future. Ill keep track of all the offers you get at this party and select the most suitable ones for you. Dont worry, Im a professional." Liar! You are much stricter than Sister Xue. Qin Guan couldnt say no though. Qu was ring at him through her beautiful golden-framed sses. Qin Guan felt like there was a sword in front of his face. I better be a good boy... "Its reallyte. Why dont you go home and sleep with your girlfriend? Or would you rather stay with me and work all night long?" Qu raised one of her eyebrows, cing her left hand gently on Qin Guans chest. "Huh?" Qin Guan shook his head so violently that he nearly threw his hair back. "Then why are you still here? Do you want me to take you home? Your ce or mine? Cong Nianwei will never know." Before her voice could fade away, Qin Guan disappeared up the stairway. He must have broken Carl Lewis world record. Qin Guan should change his name to Coward Qin. Im so fortunate to have a female monster take care of my working arrangements. Qin Guan had no idea that another female was waiting for her, one almost as bad as Qu. In the morning, he entered the ssroom with Xu Xiaoxiao, who was looking at him in admiration. "Well done, Qin Guan. Your QC ounting Firm is really popr now!" "For what? I have nomission business these days." Xu poked him with his elbow, giving him a knowing look. "Everyone in Chinatown knows that. Today is the small taxes reporting day. The staff of your firm will have to make a summary list of my restaurant for small traders. They said that a smallmercial alliance would be established soon. In the future, more than 300 Chinatown traders will be your clients." Qin Guan was shocked. What the hell is going on? More than 300? I have no staff. Ive only hired seven students part-time. Who released these news? Ill beat them if I find out... Meanwhile, Liu Tianxia waved at him from the door. "Whats the matter?" Qin Guan was thinking about his troubles with a frown. Suddenly, Liu smiled at him. "I sent the leaflets to Chinatown. Of course, Xu helped me a lot." "For what?" "Your firm is developing too slowly for your status as the president of our union." What? I dont understand. "I took care of the publicity both for the firm and for you." Qin Guan sighed. "But this is beyond our means. We dont have enough staff. There are so many basic calctions and statistics to take care of." "Dont worry about that." Liu cleared her throat loudly and Qin Guan suddenly saw dozens of students gathering around him. "Look at me, President Qin!" "Senior Qin, Im a sophomore at the ounting Department! My name is Miaomiao." "Senior Qin, Im Debbie! Im a junior!" "They are all your staff." Im the boss, I should know who my staff are. And these are all girls. How is that okay? This seems like a union of beautiful girls from different races. Other clubs would have found this strange. "They will be your main forces. They will be official employees in the future." Qin Guan was stupefied. Xu Xiaoxiao was salivating. From then on, Qin Guans firm was upgraded from an independent agency to a small-scale firm. This took him only one month! Qin Guan had no idea about the situation until he sat down in Xus restaurant. The ounting reports of the small businesses aside, some Chinese staff had also brought their duty deration forms. They were hoping that the talented young man could make some suggestions. By the middle of April, they had to submit the forms to the tax bureau. Chinese people in the US were not that familiar with it. In America, advance payment was generally more than the actual tax payment. The government would return the excess money every year. The returned money would differ ording to different forms. For example, one could get a tax reduction by moving, getting robbed, sending their kid to kindergarten, paying for college tuition, or making a failed investment. For ordinary people, this was quite difficult to work out. Qin Guan divided his girls into different groups. One group was in charge of collecting paperwork from small traders, while the other group introduced the tax reporting process to the consultants. Chapter 438: New Work Chapter 438: New Work Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Somezy guys also entrusted this to Qin Guan. Soon, Qin Guan was sitting exhausted in his chair. He suddenly recalled the movie "The Shawshank Redemption". The protagonist had originally been a banker, with almost the same calcting abilities as Qin Guan. Chinese men and women were standing in line in front of their desks. ording to a traditional Chinese saying, when people from the same town met, they cried. Qin Guans team was really familiar with them. Both Chinese people from Chinatown and other ces around Manhattan hade over. In China, all doors opened in courtesy, while in America business was business. As a result, these people had the chance to express their gratitude. "You are really capable, young man. Check this form for me, please. And the previous payrolls. This is quite a trouble for me! In China, the government just tells me the amount of taxes I have to pay..." An old woman handed him a payroll issued by the New York Stock Exchange. She got paid a considerable amount of money for working as a public area janitor on Wall Street. Next to the payrolls was a bundle of spring onions and a bag of eggs. It seemed like she had been to the supermarket just beforeing to the restaurant. "Oh! Thanks, but..." "Take it. You are so handsome, but you are too thin. My boy is stronger than you. He is about 100 kilos..." I think youd be a good feeder... It was hard to turn down that kind offer. In half an hour, a bunch of presents were piled by his feet. There were pickled cucumbers from a Chinese chef working for a Michelin-starred restaurant, a small toolbox brought by a fireman from Fifth Avenue and some Chinese drugs that aided sexual function... Thanks a lot! Before that day, Qin Guan had had no idea about the Chinese immigrants infiltration capacity in New York. They had talented people in all industries, but werecking the power to unite. Night fell and the crowd dispersed. There were smiles on everyones faces. Those simple people always forgot to fight for their rights. "Boss Qin, business is flourishing! Your treat, okay?" Xu looked up from a pile of paperwork, holding a toothpick in his mouth. His hair was like a birds nest. The chatting girls focused on their boss, who was always charming. He grinned and took a card out of his pocket. "I have a golden card from your restaurant. Youll be paying..." "Oh! Dont forget to find two sheets for me. I got so many practical gifts. I love Chinese people. Americanse to my house for dinner with only a flower!" The girls burst intoughter. "Boss, I want the puff package!" "The home-made chilli sauce also seems delicious!" Qin Guan was speechless. They are really my staff! They are all foodies! Soon, all the presents were taken away. People always had some bad friends in their lives. Qin Guan was crying internally as he heard their happyughter and cheerful voices. He was still crying when he got to the VOGUE headquarters. If he had a doll, a needle and a thread, he would have stitched Qus birthday on a doll [1]. He had a really tight schedule. All his work in the future would be arranged by Qu Xuemei. IWC watches, Tiffany jewellery, the Armani perfume, haute couture... Other small products made by famous brands... Tens of notices in total! There was a summary at the end of the form. His total ie was an impressive 20 million dors! Qin Guan held his breath when he saw the amount. "You were also chosen as the exclusive model of VOGUE for the next three seasons. Congrattions! You beat Chad by 40%. Sign these!" Bang! Qu dropped a pile of paperwork on her desk. It was as thick as a dictionary. "Theres no rush." She was about to walk out of the office, but when she reached the door, she suddenly remembered something. "To avoid overexposure to the public, Sister Xue has asked that you turn down indie films. Ill make the decision for you. After signing those papers, you will go to an audition for a TV series." "They are working with flexible methods and high efficiency. I think it will fit your schedule." That schedule will sabotage the way I pursue art. Qin Guan felt sad, but he would still get the chance to act in a TV series, which was pretty good. In America, films and TV were two entirely different circles. Only popr actors could bnce between them. His hand was sore from signing. Finally, he found the copy of a script at the bottom of all the paperwork. It was titled "Sex and the City- Season Six". He would be auditioning for a guest part in the first episode. The requirements were simpe. They were looking for a tall, handsome, sexy man. Qin Guan smiled. He knew Qus standards. He would be ying himself. It would be easy for him. The series were focusing on the lives of four women living in New York. Love and sex were always a popr topic. [1] To secretly curse Qu. Chapter 439: The Screen Test Chapter 439: The Screen Test Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia This was the final season of "Sex and the City". Qu had seeded in pushing Qin Guan into thest bus of a series that had one of the top 10 audience ratings on HBO. When he reached the shooting site, Qin Guan expressed his sincere respect for her powerful connections. "Come here, Qin Guan. This is Essen, the director of the sixth season. Follow his instructions carefully." Essen, who was sitting on a folded chair, nodded at Qin Guan, who was slowly walking towards him. The crew usually announced the role requirements to the actor union and waited for actors to arrive. There were plenty of over-confident guys volunteering their services though, so Essen had chosen another way this time. He had epted rmendations from other actors and crew members. Sister Xues effort during the Oscars had earned Qin Guan a chance to audition for the part. The other candidate was a local handsome guy, who was very well-prepared. In order to portray the Wall Street elite, he had borrowed a special costume. Essen sized Qin Guan up from head to toe. Qin Guan was wearing a hoodie and a pair of jeans, which was typical student attire. Suddenly, he was enlightened. "Try this scene." It was his first meeting with the heroine. He was an elite working on Wall Street, who parked his luxury car next to his new apartment. Qin Guan was dressed like a decorator. Only when the crew drove the luxurious Hummer over did he feel the directors malice. He would need both acting skills and extreme beauty to cover up the disharmony between his costume and the props. The other actor was also harboring malicious intentions. "Director, we could y the same scene forparisons sake." If Qin Guan had had something sharp in his hand, he would have attacked him. The most horrible thing was the directors answer though. "Okay, you go first." The American man had been looking for such a chance for a long time. If he could give a good performance in that famous series, he would be getting a lot more offers. He would bid goodbye to the turbulent times that he had to search everywhere for a role. Pitt took the car key confidently and fixed his ck suit before pulling the car slowly to the side of the street. The hummer stopped and a tall, handsome man got out. He was wearing an upscale suit that went well with his luxurious car. He walked to the door of the apartment. His acting was quite satisfactory. Even the sexy Kim Cattrall, who was having a break on the set, couldnt help but shoot a look at Pitt. Hes a handsome guy. Pitt stopped and smiled at the director. Then he told Qin Guan in a high voice. "Your turn, my friend. Catch it!" He suddenly threw him the key. The key fell in his hand with a beautiful curve. Kim Cattrall grimaced when she noticed Qin Guans outfit. The boy will fail. Qu Xuemei was looking on as the crew was looking at Qin Guan in sympathy. Qin Guan smiled and looked up. Suddenly, Essen saw the Asian actor changepletely. As a talented Columbia student and the boss of an ounting firm, Qin Guan could even y the role of the US Secretary of Treasury, let alone that of a Wall Street elite. With steady steps and a confident smile, Qin Guan got into the car and drove back to the starting point. The door was opened slowly and an intelligent, capable man got out with a smile. It seemed like he had just returned from a golf date. After dinner, he went home leisurely. Even his ordinary jeans looked expensive on his body. They had to be from thetest BOSS collection. The key was in his slender fingers. Kim nearly dropped her cup of water on her body. "Hes so handsome. I want to date him..." Compared to the previous serious man, this elegant, handsome one met the standards of a mature woman. "Listen to me, director. I think this one is better." She pulled at Essens sleeve excitedly. "He looks like those rich men on Wall Street. He looks both handsome and rich!" Qin Guan nearly slipped at the entrance of the apartment. Are you praising me? Qu remained silent as Kim talked, raising her eyelids to have a look at the actress. She had won a Golden Globe in 2002, and she was one of the best actresses in the series. She yed Samantha, a PR manager who was after love and sex. She seems to be a master of love in real life as well. After hearing her words, Essen made a final decision. Pitt left, looking depressed. Qin Guan got ready at once. "Your first scene will be shot in the evening. Your part will not take much time. Just this evening and the next day. Is that okay for you?" Chapter 440: Flirting Chapter 440: Flirting Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia When Qu nodded at Qin Guan, he said yes to Essen. Qin Guan and Qu spent their spare time before the shooting in an open-air coffee bar, waiting for Essens instructions. They enjoyed some coffee in the sunny afternoon. Qin Guan used to think that Chinese people liked to gossip a lot, but during the shooting of "Sex and the City", he realized that American women were almost as bad. The audience was really interested in the TV series and the romantic interests of the four women. The ever-increasing number of reality shows on TV also made Qin Guan realize the power of gossip among girls. "The costumes and props are ready. All the actors can try them on!" an assistant shouted at the actors who were watching the shooting happily. Okay, lets go! When Qin Guan came out of the dressing room, the whole crew held its breath. The boy enjoying his coffee in his jeans had suddenly changed into another person. The haute couture had been rented from a garment shop. For Qin Guan though, who was used to wearing thetest fashion, all the clothes were out of date. Qin Guan was different from other guys. He was like a puppy amid a group of grey ducks. ... Qin Guan fixed his dark blue suit and the silk handkerchief in his chest pocket. Then he sat back down at the coffee bar by the street. The drink in his hand was still the same cheap five-dor coffee, but he was not the man he had been five minutes ago. The people shuttling along Wall Street were the busiest in the US. Even a naked woman on the street wouldnt be able to dy them, yet the elegant young man attracted attention from thedies. Women in Chanel, Burberry and Ports wearing expensive fragrances were emitting endless female hormones as they looked at Qin Guan. "The woman in the pink trench coat with the file in her hand has passed by us three times already. Once for coffee, once to deliver some mail and once for... I have no idea what!" "She is okay. Look at those women! The one in grey is making eyes at you. Wow!" There was a strange maic field around Qin Guans seat. People were taking the seats around him one by one. They were all female white-cor workers in high heels. That year, pointed high heels were really popr. The longer ones could even be used as screwdrivers. The best method to flirt with a strange man was by nonchnt physical touch. In that situation, only their feet could reach Qin Guan. In the quiet evening, a fierce battle was taking ce under the table. Several feet in pointed high heels were fighting against each other. It felt like daggers were stabbing Qin Guans legs. Qin Guan spit out the coffee in his mouth. A rainbow appeared in the sunlight. Qu burst intoughter, and so did the envious onlookers. They were taking pleasure in Qin Guans misfortune. It was really difficult to turn down a womans admiration. Everything was ready for the next scene. Essen looked up at the dark sky and shouted at everyone, "Attention, please! We are shooting the first scene!" The lighting engineer pushed several ent lights over. Qin Guan drove the car slowly towards the building. Kim Cattrall entered the set, wearing a sexy low-cut dress. The door of the car opened, and a pair of clean ck leather shoes, slender legs and fitting pants appeared. Qin Guan went out. Even the luxury car couldnt divert the attention from him. The camera followed Qin Guan to the entrance of the apartment building. He took the key out of his pocket leisurely. As he was about to enter, Samantha rushed up to him. "Wait a moment! Let me in, please." The camera turned to her. Her disdainful expression suddenly changed when she saw Qin Guans face. Her red cheeks, watery eyes and dry lips seemed to be saying, "I want to flirt with him." Qin Guan seemed unaffected. Smiling politely, he introduced himself like a gentleman. "Kenny, I just moved in." His voice was really attractive. Samantha felt a big shudder, much like an electric shock. "Samantha, I live on the third floor," she said slowly in a flirting voice, emphasizing each word. Qin Guan got her meaning. He raised his eyebrows and nced at the woman, who was inviting him with her bodynguage. "I live on the fourth. You are right under me." Samantha got excited at his innuendo and raised her voice. "Its my honor to be there. Your car is pretty nice." Liar! You just sneered at its country style. She shot a flirting look at Qin Guan. "I like a good Hummer. If you know what I mean..." "Well, goodnight..." Her smile was full of fire. She turned around to go upstairs, the smell of her perfume lingering around Qin Guan. Chapter 441: A Good Bath Towel Chapter 441: A Good Bath Towel Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The meaningful expression in her eyes and her soft blond hair impressed Qin Guan a lot. He shook his head and looked back at his mighty Hummer with the typical confidence of an elite. "Good! Cut!" The director stopped the cameras. Samanthas first scene was finished. There were only two rtive shots left, which would be finished the next day. This was the high efficiency of American TV series. Qin Guan rushed up to Kim in the parking lot. The woman spoke to him with a smile, "I like both vigorous Hummers and household Fords..." Qin Guan stood there silently, holding the key of his small blue Ford. Qu was annoyed. "What are you looking at? She is old enough to be your mom! Go! Go! You have a girlfriend at home! Stop flirting all the time!" After half an hour, Qin Guan still felt wronged. When he got to his apartment, he tried to get Cong Nianwei tofort him. "Wei, Qu is really mean to me. She always shouts at me. Even the slightest disagreement makes her angry. I must have done something to her in a past life." Cong Nianwei was working on a thick pile of papers as she answered his question. A pencil was bnced behind her ear. "Is she a good agent?" "Yes." "Is your schedule more reasonable after her rearrangements?" "Yes." "Is she corrupted?" "No." Cong Nianwei turned her head around and smiled, her hair falling on her shoulders. "Thats enough. A strict, responsible agent is much better than a white-washing b*tch. Actually, I hope everyone around you is like Sister Qu." Qin Guan burst intoughter and hugged her around the waist from behind. "Aha! You are jealous! Dont worry! My love is like the sun and the moon. It will never change." Her pencil left a post-modern style mark on the paper. "Ah! My graph! This took me two hours to make!" "Wei, its reallyte. Time for bed..." Qin Guan was both suffering and having fun. The next day, he arrived at the studio with a sweet smile. In several minutes though, his smile had faded away. He was naked except for a pair of flowery shorts. A kind-hearted assistant gave him a bathing towel. In that scene, Samantha would visit Qin Guans apartment with a flower basket while Qin Guan was taking a shower. Dear director and scriptwriter, I would like to remind you that this is a predictable joke! The audience always liked that kind of story though. Great! This is my first TV series, and I have to sacrifice myself like in my first indie film. As Qin Guan was about to cover himself with the towel, the director sneered at him. "Hey! Dont do that. You are not a peasant! The towel should be on your chest. Act sexy, okay?" Then he came over and pulled his shorts down. "Let me go! What are you doing?" The shorts were now under Qin Guans navel. They nearly fell down as people looked at him from behind. "But, but..." "But what? Cover yourself!" Dear Qu Xuemei, why were you so happy when you were giving me instructions? Qin Guan sprinkled some water onto his body. "Attention! Were doing the scene in the bathroom. Three, two, camera!" Qin Guan opened the door and saw Samantha standing outside with a flirting smile. "Sorry, I was taking a shower..." Qin Guan looked shy. His lean muscles were visible on the camera pointed at his back. The assistant stared at Samantha in the lens. Shes so lucky to have such a sexy encounter. "I prepared a gift basket for our new neighbour. Theres cheese, ham, condoms and handcuffs inside." While Samantha was saying something provocative, the director zoomed in on Qin Guan. His oiled skin looked sexy and full of light. Crystal-like, clear drops were running down along his cheeks, jaw, Adams apple, and strong chest till they reached the towel. Thatmon towel became an object of admiration. Qin Guans expression seemed to be acknowledging her invitation. "Handcuffs?" He raised his eyebrows in confusion. "From the bar next door," Samantha replied at once. It was an SM bar with all kinds of equipment. She handed him the box and basket. "I hope youll enjoy them." Qin Guan stopped smiling. With an evil, flirting expression, he warned the sexy woman, "If I take them, my towel will fall down..." "I know..." Samantha was frank. Qin Guan smiled again, this time with the embarrassment of a boy and the confidence of an elite. He was good atbining different kinds of charm. He was like a sexy conqueror. Chapter 442: Exhausted Chapter 442: Exhausted Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The female audience would feel as if they were being conquered by such a man. Suddenly, Qin Guan threw the towel away. The camera turned immediately to Samantha. I know you all want to see everything underneath, but Im wearing shorts. Ha ha! Samantha seized Qin Guans body up boldly. Then she went into his room with the basket, walking up to the naked man leisurely. Meanwhile, the voiceover was saying, "After a short while, Samantha enjoyed Chip the stockbroker." "Cut! Excellent! Five-minute break before the next scene!" The director was watching them with relish. Everyone was regretting letting Qin Guan wear shorts. They were happy though, because the next scene was a sex scene! In American TV series, there were sex scenes everywhere. Qin Guany down helplessly on the bed, waiting for the directors instructions. The whole crew, including the female janitor, were trying to find an excuse toe over. I feel like a monkey in the zoo. Have you never seen a naked man before? Of course, but you are the most handsome man we have seen naked. "Ready? Three, two, camera!" After restraining them for a long time, Qin Guans emotions burst out like a runaway horse. "Yes... Oh, yes..." "Yes..." His eyes were closed tight and his arms were spread from the extreme sensation. His bed was shaking violently, making cracking noises. At the climax, he suddenly opened his eyes . "Oh, yes..." Samantha fell on the bed andy down beside Qin Guan. Hm... Not the missionary type... After sex, people were inclined to open their hearts to each other and enjoy their intimacy. Qin Guan felt that he needed to do something for the beautiful woman in his bed. What did women want? Love? A warm and sweet everyday life? Jewellery? Money? To pay his sexy partner back, Qin Guan shared a secret with her. "I have never done this before, but I have some inside information I want to share with you. Yalong Pharmacy will rise sharply in the stock market in the following days..." Chip told Samantha. "Yalong Pharmacy?" Although she was panting after their strenuous activity, Samantha didnt forget to put it down on her notebook. "Thanks, honey." Qin Guan hugged her from behind and kissed her earlobe gently. Kim shivered slightly. If we were not filming, Id definitely do something with you. She had to control herself though. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was whispering sweet words to her. "You are wonderful..." He patted her bottom vigorously as they continued their games in bed. The director turned off the camera without telling them. The two of them looked at each other. No one dared look back at the camera. Kim was only in her underwear, while Qin Guan was in the same flowery shorts he had been wearing earlier. Their legs were interlocked. Two fair arms were supported on the bed on either side of Qin Guans head. He smelled a faint fragrance of roses. "Im exhausted..." Kim pretended to feel weak. Actually, she could have gone rock-climbing with her bare hands. "I cant support my body." Suddenly, two full boobs in a green bra were falling towards him. In two seconds, they would be on Qin Guans face. What can I do? What can I do? He would be the first actor to be run over by boobs. Suddenly, someone grabbed his ankles and pulled him down. He flew out of the bed and fell onto the floor with a bang. Kim fell on the sheets, while Qin Guannded on the floor, one of his ankles in Qus hands. Qu must have been possessed by Mou Xiaoliu. She had pulled a weight of more than 70 kilos. "Come here!" Qu let Qin Guan go and clenched her fists. Essen, who was the mastermind, realized that nobody had noticed him. "Okay! Cut! Ten-minute break!" he said quickly in a low voice before he ran away. Crack... That was Qus fingers. "Come here, you b*tch!" Kim shook her head fiercely in bed. "Never!" "Come here! I wont touch you!" Liar! The woman turned into a kitten. "Its my... My fault... Forgive me!" "For what?" "Im not concentrated on acting. I was flirting with him..." Chapter 443: On Show Chapter 443: On Show Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qu cast a disdainful look at her. "This guy is mine!" Qu pointed at her own nose. "I know you are an expert at man hunting, but keep your ws away from him!" Qu felt grieved. How dare youy a finger on my pie! "Understand?" Kim nodded. Although she had been the first offender, her confession had seemed sincere, so the queen cut her some ck. Qin Guan was sitting on the floor, admiring the twodies. Suddenly, Qu shouted at him. "Get ready for the next scene! Careful with your shorts!" Qin Guan was rxed though. My girlfriend is right. I am lucky to have such a strict agent. After a fierce stare-down, Kim was defeated. Before leaving for the fitting room, she cast a regretful, sad look at Qin Guan. He couldnt help but shiver. Soon, she came back out in ckce underwear, revealing her sexy body. "Get ready, everyone!" the director shouted. Qin Guany down on the bed again. The sheets had been changed. He held his arms up and put them on the railings by the bedside. Then a property master locked his hands there with handcuffs. "Actors!" At themand of the director, Kim climbed on the bed with a seductive smile. Qu twisted the newspaper in her hand. I should be getting some sleep at home on the weekends! I deserve it! Knowing the power of the Asian woman, Kim dared not y with fire. She kneeled on the bed and nodded at the director. "Final scene! Three, two, camera!" The camera started filming. In a moment, Kim became Samantha. She was ying happily above Qin Guan, giggling and flirting with him. Qin Guan didnt show his face. It was strange for him to look up at Samantha. He wanted tough. The two of them were doing physical exercises on the bed. It was not romantic, but it was funny. Suddenly, the door opened. Two men came in, both bald and wearing tacky grey coats. They looked like Manhattan policemen. Annoyed, Samantha shouted. "F*ck off! Im busy!" The director couldnt help but shiver. Such resentment! The men were not scared though. "FBI. You are arrested for insider trading, Chip." The camera turned to Qin Guan, who looked at them nkly, both hands still locked on the railings. Although there was a beautiful girl on top of him, he was rendered impotent. "You must be quite the womanizer. Whenever a girl lies in your bed, the Dow Jones index rises." The FBI agent failed to open the handcuffs. It was embarrassing. He actually had to ask for help from Samantha. "Please unlock them, madam. He has to put ours on." Samantha did as she was told calmly. "Good men are always taken by the police." How many men have been taken from your bed by the police? The director zoomed in on Qin Guan, who fully deserved the title of "Wall Street yboy". Despite the circumstances, he cast a flirting look at Samantha. The director gave him a thumbs up. The actor was perfect. He was neither pleased by his gains, nor saddened by his personal losses. Three scenes were finished in two days. Such was the high efficiency of weekly American TV series. The audience ratings were surprisingly high. The episode would be airing on CBO the following week. Meanwhile, the film "Elephant" had been sent to Cannes and would be in theaters both in France and America at the same time. Of course, no one expected it to be bought by a good theater chain. Profit always ruled. Thanks to the considerate publishing, production and investment though, the film would finally be opening in a cinema special for indie films in America. Because of its ambiguous subject, it would only get one week. It would be ying twice a day though, if that was any constion. As a result, Qin Guan and Cong Nianweis timetable would include watching a film in the daytime and a TV series at night. When they stood by the entrance of the best indie cinema in New York, they were shocked. Chapter 444: Escaping from the Cinema Chapter 444: Escaping from the Cinema Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The Sunshine Cinema, which was first established in 1909, used to be a Jewish circus. It always showed indie films and it was a harbor for independent movies. The white European-style building with the splendid yellow LEDs was a beautiful sight in New York at night. They walked up to the ticket office and saw that thetest indie movies were on in all the theaters. America was tolerant of underground movies. "Two for Elephant. Fourth or fifth row..." "Six dors each. Twelve dors in total." Considering the average resident ie in New York, it was quite cheap. They walked to Theater No. 2 with their tickets. Two people who were dressed like artists wereining there. "Wow! Its not in Theater No.1. Lets just pray theres less people." Why? Why did the theater matter? Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei entered the theater with a sense of foreboding. They admired the sense of art in cinemas. Unlike ordinary amphitheater cinemas though, the chairs there were ced along the same horizontal line. It was like a traditional Chinese Peking Opera theater or a mini drama hall. Suddenly, the popcorn in Qin Guans mouth started to taste bad. Cong Nianwei smiled though. "As long as a two-meter tall man is not sitting in front of us, this will not affect us. There are only 10 minutes left before the film begins and there are few people inside..." You are so good atforting others... Qin Guan sat down on his assigned seat helplessly. There were only 30 to 40 people sitting in the theater, which could hold about 400 people in total. Qin Guan lost any hope that the movie would get any publicity. The projector started working. Qin Guan made his debut on the screen. Lights and shadows were meeting in the dark hall. It was silent. Only the sound of people chewing popcorn could be heard asionally. When Qin Guan appeared on the screen though, a group of people on their right shouted in surprised low voices. "That boy is so handsome! I was about to fall asleep, but he woke me up." "Hey, John, isnt that boy familiar?" They kept talking as the plot progressed. "I remember now! He is from our college! I have seen his picture in the newspaper. I bought the product he was advertising!" "What product?" "The Armani perfume. Didnt you see the advertisement?" "The vampire? Oh my! Stop talking. I want to watch the film carefully." The small group paused its conversation to watch Qin Guans performance. Soon, they screamed out again loudly. "Wow! What a nice figure!" "Go on! Go on!" "Ah! The camera turned away!" This is an indie film,dies, not a porn video. Okay? Cong Nianwei was interested in the film at first, but then she was annoyed by the noise. How is such a film so popr? She was right. The film ended suspensefully in 90 minutes. Fans of indie films had their own opinions. Themps on the ceiling turned on one by one, indicating that the audience had to leave. Qin Quan winked at Cong Nianwei and asked her proudly. "Your boyfriend is perfect, right?" Before she could answer, someone shouted behind them. "Qin Guan!" They looked back to see some American girls staring at them, holding Coca C and popcorn in their hands. "Its him! Nina, Alice,e here!" Their screams attracted attention from the whole audience. "Whats happening?" "The protagonist! He came to watch the film! Hes really good!" They fixed their eyes on Qin Guan, the only shining point in the theater. What should I do? If one encountered a dangerous beast in a wild field, they couldnt turn around and run. They had to retreat slowly. The girls were human beings though, not beasts. They threw their popcorn away and rushed up to them. It was toote for Qin Guan to escape. Several hands started grabbing his shirt. "Well done, Qin Guan!" "We are Columbia students. Stop running!" Qin Guan tried his best to get rid of their ws. He ran as fast as possible along the corridors between the seats with Cong Nianwei. In a few seconds, they were back in their car, leaving the sad fans behind, beating their chests in sorrow. Qin Guans long legs had saved his life again. In fact, Qin Guan wanted to talk to the audience, but not to those vigorous girls. He got some feedback soon though, as one of his fans, a girl from Barnard, rushed back to college hurriedly. She was a contributing reporter of the school newspaper, and she wanted to publish the news on the next issue. Besides, as a senior gossip lover on the entertainment forum, Vivian wanted to share her experience of the thrilling intimate contact shed had with the star of the film. Chapter 445: Qin Guans Limited Influence Chapter 445: Qin Guans Limited Influence Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia OMG didnt refer to Omega, but a website subordinated to YAHOO. It engaged in star and celebrity gossip, and the posts there exceeded ones imagination. There was a group of amateur reporters who were good at uncovering the dirtyundry of the stars. They wouldbine clues they found in their junk and share the information with the public regrly. The information was always about trifle things, such as the food and shopping habits of the stars, but the public was very interested in them. Vivian logged into OMG and posted a picture of an escaping Qin Guan and a copy of her movie ticket. The title of the post was the meaningful, "The secret hero of an indie film." She described the process of meeting Qin Guan at the cinema, as well as the handsomeness of the actor in real life. She added a picture of Qin Guan from VOGUE. Everyone was really jealous of her experience. As a senior member of OMG, she got 1,000 kudos for her post in half a day. "The film is not in theaters in my state. Is there a DVD out yet?" "Same question. Im interested in watching it." The school newspaper was already being printed. Vivian was really d to see the replies. Although she was extremely busy, she managed to post detailed information about the film. "Right now, the film is only in theaters in New York and Los Angeles, but you should pay attention to Netflix. There will be a DVD for rent soon." OMG was thergest gossip forum in America. The news spread in only one day. The power of underground movies was slowly growing. However, the official critics, which Qin Guan was focused on the most, were as silent as the suburbs in the morning. The next day, he bought "The New York Times" on his way to college. Unfortunately, he saw nothing about "Elephant" in the movie review section. Depressed, he was nning on asking his girlfriend tofort him. However, he realized that everyone on campus was staring at them. Cong Nianwei smiled when she saw the school newspaper on a shelf. Qin Guans photo took up the whole page. He was in a military uniform, holding a gun. His beauty was unparalleled! "Cheer for Our Handsome Qin Guan: An Indie Film." Cong Nianwei waved the paper at Qin Guan. "At least you are popr on campus." Qin Guans supporters decided to contribute to his box office sess after reading about the news. After ss, Liu came over with her girl force. "President, we just got some funding from the Chinatown small traders. Its a special sponsorship for you." "A film club? Whats that?" "Why didnt you tell me about the movie? You are not loyal!" Xu finally said after restraining himself during the whole ss. "I just invited our Chinese schoolmates to watch the film in the name of the trading union. Do you know what we called this before 1949? ttery!" Bang! Qin Guan patted him on the back. "Thats poor Chinese of you. Im not a Peking Opera actor!" Xu felt wronged. "I tried my best to promote you. Everyone in Chinatown heard about the news... Hey,e back! Im your sponsor..." Hundreds of students from Columbia poured into the Sunshine Cinema. The ticket seller, who was used to beingzy, was now in a hurry to deal with the long queue before him. "Two tickets for Elephant." "Ten tickets for Elephant." Several couples were confused by the long queue. "Whats happening? Is there a famous indie film on?" "Elephant? No idea. It must be an independent film with a limited budget. It has to be good if theres so many people here to see it though. Shall we take a look?" All 400 tickets were sold out soon. The long queue was not shortened though. "What? Its sold out for today? Tomorrow? I will be busy tomorrow. Will you add another screening?" The manager was shocked by the crowded hall. He checked the timetable and decided to add a temporary screening. Luckily, the long queue went into another hall. The shrewd manager called the boss to report everything to him. "Yes, I have taken care of everyone, but there are still peopleing asionally. Yes, Ill add two more screenings tomorrow. We have one spare theater... No problem!" The screenings were doubled after the call. The film would be yed for two weeks. New York Box Office on the first day: 720 dors Los Angeles Box Office on the first day: 600 dors New York Box Office on the second day: 7,000 dors Los Angeles Box Office on the second day: over 800 dors The box office the next day was multiplied by 10! Chapter 446: The Power of A Single Person Chapter 446: The Power of A Single Person Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Charles, a film critic who was passing by, was intrigued by the long queue outside the Sunshine Cinema. He bought a second-hand ticket from a Chinese olddy at the high price of 10 dors and followed the line of Chinese people into the crowded hall. He fixed his eyes on the screen right away. Despite all the noise around him, as well as the poor projecting conditions, Charles was totally absorbed into the shooting skills of the director, the story and the main actor. The film was a Triton among minnowspared to other messy independent films. When the film ended, ignoring the strange looks other people were giving him, he ran along the streets as fast as possible. He wanted to express his feelings by writing a brilliant article. At thest minute, the editor of "The New York Times" received a film review from Charles about an independent minority film. Luckily, it was a short one. The editor decided to add a paragraph to his column. On the fourth day, thanks to the surging box office sess of the film in New York, all 107 cinemas of the US paid attention to the film. There was also an article published in The New York Times. "Review by Charles, a famous film critic: Without the main actor and the final climax, the film would have been a boring one. The shooting skills and narrative approach of the director added novelty to it though..." That could be considered a direct approval of an indie film. Vivian forwarded the link to OMG without trouble, as well as the statistics of the rising box office sess of "Elephant". "Im getting more and more interested in this film. Im pleased to see it ying in my city." "Qin Guan looked like an immortal on NYLON. The big screen is a decisive test for handsome men. Ill go watch it." It was strange. Generally speaking, the box office of the first day tended to be the highest. This was not true about "Elephant" though. The cinemas ying it increased from two to 107, and on the third day, the box office was double as much as on the first day. ... Strange things were going on. Han Zhujiu and his guys were sitting at the front row of a cinema. People from Chinatown had booked the entire theater. He had decided to help his lifesaver. What f*cking story does the film tell us though? "F*ck! You bastards! Wake up!" "Oh? Is it finished?" "What a shame! I shouldnt have brought you guys. You are insulting art! Art!" An elegant old couple came out of another hall, talking about the film, and saw the Chinese gangsters leaving the hall solemnly in a formidable, orderly array. "China sure is a country with a long history and a splendid culture. Those boys watched a private screening." "Yes. Education in America is very concerning. Even Chinese gangsters get together to watch an indie film." As a result, the Chinese people in Chinatown werebeled as "art lovers". A weekter, the ranking box office list in North America was released. "Elephant" was 10th on the list of indie films with a total box office of 270,000 dors. Director Gus heard the news in Cannes. He was attending a publicity conference for his movie. When he was told, he thought something was wrong with his ears. Actually, he had directed the movie only because it was his dream. He had wanted to realize his dream before his savings ran out. What was happening now? He had gotten all his investment back without even getting any publicity. From the next week onwards, half of the box office would pour right into his pocket. ording to the statistics, the box office was supposed to be rising. His lips were quivering slightly. Judging by the Chinese audience, he knew that his lucky star was Qin Guan. As he looked at the application form for best actor, heughed happily. Being epted by a mainstream audience was his lifelong goal. He was no longer fixated on the Cannes festival. He didnt care whether he would win the award or not. He would rather be an independent director. His assistant noticed that he seemed to be relieved from all his burdens. He looked refreshed and confident. Qu Xuemei had just finished a half-hour video call with the elegant Italian old man. From then on, Qin Guan would be one of the three exclusive models of Armani. Not all Haute Couture of famous brands was epted by fashion experts though. Firstly, couture had to be high-end. Secondly, the designer had to be well-known. Thirdly, one should have enough handwork masters working for their studio. Finally, the show and representative models were also important. Billionaires did not like to wear the same clothes as a nobody. Thanks to the poprity of "Elephant", the clever old man had selected Qin Guan as their exclusive model during the board meeting. Qu let out a long breath of relief. Qin Guan had set one foot on the stage of top fashion. Whether he would also set the other foot would depend on his ability. Chapter 447: Explosion Chapter 447: Explosion Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The artistic youth of Columbia went crazy over "Elephant". Girls of senior and middle school were fighting over NYLON copies. Qin Guans fans were searching for film tickets at high prices. If they knew what he was doing at the same time, they would have died. What was Qin Guan doing? He was digging in his toes with a finger in the bathroom. Cong Nianwei had prepared beer and cold dishes and turned on the TV for the evening CBO show. "Hurry up, Qin Guan. Your series will be on soon!" "Wei,e and rub my back. I can find no bathhouse or feet trimming experts in New York. What if I opened a bathhouse?" Cong Nianwei cast him a supercilious look in the misty bathroom. "Bad idea. American people would never go there. Besides, where would you open it? In Chinatown? It would be meaningless!" "Han Zhujiu could take care of the security... Stand still!" "Wow! Awesome! I feel lighter now. On the right... Yes... Lower..." Cong Nianweis cheeks were as red as cherries. They sat together amid the steam, with a bath towel covering their bodies. Qin Guans first TV series had just started. ... On the screen, Qin Guan and Samantha were fighting like monsters, while on the couch before the TV, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were... Bending over his bare chest, Cong Nianwei let her long ck hair hang down on her fair shoulders. "Qin Guan?" "Yes?" "We missed the show." "Its no big deal. Its just the boring love life of an American woman." "But I wanted to watch your erotic scene..." "It was clumsy. Theres nothing to see. Its true. Just go to sleep..." Feeling guilty, Qin Guan stretched his arm out under her head to make her morefortable. He had done that on purpose. A jealous woman was the most terrible thing in life. As he thought of that, Qin Guan felt extreme pain on his thigh. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were the only ones who had missed the episode. The target audience of "Sex and City" were mainly housewives and white-cor workers, who sat before their TV early at home. Even if they were at work, they didnt forget to turn on the TV. Samantha was their favorite character. She was the brightest point of the show. They wondered which man would be her next prey. The sixth season would be the final one. The first episode didnt disappoint the fans. A fresh face appeared on the screen. "Wow! Hes so handsome!" "Picky Samantha is good at choosing a man." Countless young men and women, who were deeply in love but unable to fulfil their desires, admired Samanthas love hunting skills. Some female OMG users thought that the stockbroker looked familiar. They paused the show and looked at Qin Guan carefully. Finally, they recognized him. The VOGUE on the couch had Qin Guans photos on the back cover. On the shelf was a picture of Qin Guan from the Oscars on the cover of NYLON. OMG was full of posts about Qin Guan. "Did anybody watch Sex and the City tonight? Were you satisfied with it?" "The only highlight of the first episode was Samanthas new boyfriend. Can anyone tell me his name?" "I read through two fashion magazines and found an Easter egg." "I want to know the connection between Elephant and Sex and the City." Thest post shocked all the users. Yes, they were indeed the same person. The indie actor had guest starred in a popr TV series! More striking news followed. "Qin Guan, Chinese. Actor of Heroes, which was nominated for Best Foreign Film. I saw him on the Oscars red carpet." There was a riot. What? The Oscars? The 75th Oscar award ceremony had had the lowest audience ratings. "Heroes will be on in July all over USA. I read the news on IMDb..." American inte users were searching everywhere for information. Now that they had found a mysterious treasure, they couldnt help but explore even deeper. There were stars shining in Vivians green eyes as she sat before herputer. Worship me, you worldlings! You will never know the true world of my idol! "Qin Guan is a talented Columbia student. He came to the US six months ago and got his AICPA. He has his own independent ounting firm. He is really winning at life." It was like a bomb thrown into a small, shallow pool. The fish, shrimp and mud at the bottom were destroyed by the explosion. Chapter 448: Baselworld Chapter 448: Baselworld Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Fortunately, the gossip about Qin Guan was limited among a minority interested in indie films and fashion. If this was in OMG, American indoorsmen and hackers would havee out boldly. Still, losers hade out resolutely. "A yellow-skinned monkey of little value. What award did he get?" "A man making a living on his appearance. This must be an advertisement for his firm. That vulgar newly rich generation..." Jealous people were everywhere. They were not just in China. Such bitterments made Vivian angry. Before she could roll her sleeves up, those strange posts suddenly started disappearing. "F*ck!" a wretched man shouted at his ck screen. If he was right, hisputer must have burned down. It was deep at night. A group ofputers were burned all over the US. In a messy dormitory at Columbia, Rongzhi clicked his mouse in an elegant manner. "Fixed it!" Ill destroy all theputers whose owners insulted my prince! The aggressors set off an rm bell for Vivian. Qin Guans fan club was already established online. After careful voting and interviews, they selected a new name: "Mainstay". The name was of majestic power, bnce and honesty. It sounded much better than "South Korean fad". Those years, the South Korean fad had just sprouted, while Qin Guan had his own fan club in the US and Asia. Qin Guan had no idea about what had happened online, although it would influence his career in the future. After getting a good nights sleep, he flew to Switzend to join the Tiffany staff. That was something very convenient about his work. Top models would fly everywhere. Their short-term work would give them more choices when they were epting offers. Cong Nianwei stood by Qin Guan happily with a North Face travelling bag. She was going to be his assistant this time. It was the first time they would be travelling abroad ever since they hade to America. Besides, their destination was Switzend, a country famous for its watches, chocte and candy. Cong Nianwei could already taste their bitter sweetness. The journey was sweet and warm. Their hands were locked until they arrived at the hotel. Basel was a beautiful European city. It was the fourth biggest city in Switzend. While it had a poption of only 18,000, it was much smaller than a Chinese town. It was bordering with France on the Northwest and with Germany on the Northeast. Its special location was typical for Switzend. The Rhine River went across the city, giving it an element of romance and art. On the left bank was the old Basel, the financial center of Switzend. On the right bank was the new Basel, the most beloved city in the country. There were art studios, craft workshops, handmade cheese shops with a long history and coffee bars as old as Cong Nianweis grandma. The old European buildings reminded people of a time when Swiss girls danced in white aprons. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei walked along the streets hurriedly. "We can stay here for a few days after I finish work..." "Okay!" The next day, Cong Nianwei helped Qin Guan get ready in the Tiffany meeting room. He was in thetest Armani Haute Couture, a privilege that exclusive models enjoyed. They could wear thetest Haute Couture for free when appearing at other non-formal wear shows. This might have seemed generous, but it was actually an advertisement amid the fashion circle. Qin Guan was fond of that rule though. Most of his money went to formal outfits for publicity events. So many people would be jealous of such a chance. Michael was the leader of the Tiffany team. As a high-ranking manager of Tiffany, he was also responsible for the fair. He sized Qin Guans outfit up in appreciation. It was a conservative royal blue suit that would go very well with all the jewellery. His buttons were fastened and his tie was perfect. His assistant also brought a bow tie of the same color as an alternative option. He is a professional model worthy of Armani. Tiffany didnt focus on appearance though. As the global economy declined, all the top jewellery brands were suffering from stress. Tiffany concentrated on themercial value of models. Several business cars arrived at the Baselworld fair early in the morning. Everyone was shocked by the site. There were five halls in total. Baselworld had originally started from watches, so in Hall No. 1 to Hall No. 4 the stages were reserved for top watches. Hall No. 5 was the costliest one in the fair. Top brand jewellery from all over the world was assembled in that hall. After the press conferences, there would be auctions and purchases every day, which was the highlight of the fair. Chapter 449: The Show Chapter 449: The Show Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The silver feather ceiling and indigo walls made the whole building look super modern. Hall No.1 was thergest. Halls No. 2 to No. 4 were shaped like cubes and stationed on opposite sides. Hall No. 5 was the innermost one, a rare polygonal building. Cong Nianwei was amazed by the architecture. "You can idle aroundter, when Im at work. Michael has the blueprints of the buildings. I can ask him to give them to you. Did you bring your tools along?" He paused suddenly. Cong Nianwei had taken her toolkit out of herrge backpack. She is studying on our trip! Its wonderful to have a straight-A student as a girlfriend. The jewellery designer opened the refined chests one by one to reveal the best jewellery sets to the audience. Actually, the entire police force of the city had been stationed around the hall. If one added the top security agencies hired by the brands, the halls were as safe as a fortress. It would take bandits a month to raid them. Following the instructions of the designer, Qin Guan fastened a pair of sleeve buttons onto his white shirt. They were polished sapphires iid on tinum bases. The two materials were connected perfectly by filigree. To make the buttons stand out, Qin Guan took off his coat, leaving only his dark blue waistcoat and white shirt on. There was a pin of the same design on his tie. Unlike the buttons, the pin was made of rare obsidian, which looked steady and elegant on the tie. Qin Guan picked up a business cardholder as thin as a cicadas wings. Its lid and bottom were carved from an entire sapphire. The coldness on his palm thrilled Qin Guan. It was abination of the inspiration of one of the top jewellery designers and a fruit of the painstakingbor of craft masters. It was a three-piece set necessary for any man. Suddenly, the designer handed him a lighter made of pierced tinum and decorated by gems. Qin Guan nearly kneeled down in shock. I will never understand the world of the rich. The cracks of the firestone and the mes would destroy the precious metal. Only the price of its maintenance would be enough to cover an ordinary peoples annual living expenses. They were only tiny things. Qin Guan couldnt express his feelings with words as he looked at a ck wristwatch. Tiffany was famous for its simplicity and novelty, not for its expensive materials. The watch strap was made of ck crocodile skin. Its best feature was the design of the dial. The figures were scrambled up with diamond pigments. The hands were as exquisite as ancient Roman spears. The white dial went well with the ck hands and strap. The designer carefully adjusted the pin for Qin Guan. Then he packed up, leaving the ck emperors set to Qin Guan. Tiffany hadnt brought many models to the fair. Two men and four women were wearing the expensive jewellery, waiting for the press conference. At 10:00 a.m, visitors, buyers, agents and purchasers were pouring into the hall from all directions. Baselworld had lifted its veil, revealing its true face. The top exhibitors werepeting against each other in all aspects. In Hall No. 5, Cartiers show ended just as Tiffanys press conference started close by. The crystal curtain rose slowly as the host made a speech. The audience shifted their attention from the brochures in their hands to the stage. "Thetest collection of Tiffany Jewellerybines simplicity with an ancient Roman style. The cost is reduced by the use of popr tinum and silver to win the approval of potential customers." Female models in backless dresses were showing off their earrings, nes, bracelets and rings. They looked splendid in the light. "Our collection meets the demands of high-end customers all over the world. Its a perfectbination of oriental and idental concepts and styles." "ck is a noble color in the East and royal blue is a Western favorite. This set is called appropriately Emperor of the Night." Qin Guan walked on the stage slowly. The jewellery set was revealed to the audience, as if it was an emperor that had just arrived. The ck buttons were standing out against the white shirt, like a ck heron flying in the snow. Proud, yet elegant. The silver-ck lighter in Qin Guans slender fingers attracted everyones attention. It was like a sword in the hands of a swordsman. The cold light was reflected on the expensive metal under themps. Only people with good eyesight could see the cardholder on his chest, as well as the pin on his tie, bringing all the jewellery pieces together. Chapter 450: Jewellery Buyers Chapter 450: Jewellery Buyers Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The audience was slightly shocked. Compared to thedies collection, mens jewellery looked as poor as an orphan. Both the number of designers and types of jewellery were limited. Sets were also very rare. A set that contained four pieces was pretty umon, even for the fair. Suddenly, things got more exciting. Qin Guan made a fancy move with the lighter and stuffed it into his pocket. Then he unfastened his sleeve buttons. An elegant button fell on his palm. Qin Guan pinned it to the pocket on his chest along with the cardholder. He rolled up a sleeve to reveal his slender arm and the wrist watch. His wrist was as fair as a pearl, the watch strap was as ck as ink, and the dial was as pure and clean as the most splendid diamond in the world. The Tiffany designers were proud to see the stupefied audience. Ha! Even professional watch brands, such as Vacheron Constantin and Omega, will lookmonpared to our watch! Tiffany is not a professional watch brand, after all! Qin Guan turned around to show everyone the watch. Then he rolled his sleeve down again. Moving in time with the music, he turned back without hesitation. The jewellery lovers under the stage were still lingering around. We have not enjoyed ourselves to the fullest! Come back! Qin Guans mor was reflected on the products on his body. He was the perfect background for the jewellery. This was the perfect coboration between a top jewellery brand and a top model. He walked down from the stage. His first impulse was to take all the jewellery off. He couldnt afford to damage it in any way. "Wait a moment, Qin Guan..." Michael stopped him. "There will be an exclusive auction for buyerster. Some other top brands of the jewellery circle will also attend it. The set on your body includes Tiffanys best pieces. Cheers!" Michael was a little nervous. In fact, the global economy that year was really bad. Asian countries had entered an ice period. The unemployment, depression and declining economy had a big negative impact on the jewellery industry. They were hoping that Baselworld would improve things. Carrying a refined safe, Michael, Qin Guan and a female model walked through two narrow corridors, reaching a small hall that could hold 100 people. It was an independent hall set up especially for the auction and decorated to meet the demands of the buyers. There were white hollowed-out British style chairs from the 18th century and several long ss tea tables. They were for the buyers, so they could go through the brochures about the jewellery materials and concepts. The press conferences of the top brands ended one after the other, and the buyers entered the small hall in quick session after fighting fiercely. The hall wasrge enough to hold them. The auctionmittee was strict with the invitations after all. Those with real power were few. The maximum was 100 people. The security staff informed the host that all the guests had arrived. The gate was closed slowly. "The first item is an outstanding raw gemstone provided by the Jewellery Association. Attention, please!" "Large gem (more than three carats) with 10 diamond particles. The carats are respectively: three, three, three, three, four, four... The starting price is 75,000 dors per carat... Raise your paddles, please!" Before his voice could fade away, there was a suppressed low outcry in the hall. A calm, elegant Asiandy waspeting for the diamonds against some Western and Asian rich men. "The current price is 83,000 per carat. Anyone else?" The men looked awkward. At such a high price, their profit would be really low. They couldnt match the offer of that crazy woman. It was not wise topete against an insane jewellery lover. Besides, there would be other good diamonds. The other buyers gave up one after the other. Thedy was content. Her friends gave her a thumbs-up. The diamonds she had won were perfect in both transparency and cut. That kind of jewellery was really rare. In a few minutes, they came to the limited editions of top-brand jewellery. "Cartier will sell 20 golden bracelets with rubies. There are only 100 on sale all over the world." Most purchasers only needed two to five pieces in stock for their VIP customers. Most of the limited editions were bought by collectors. Chapter 451: The Chinese Are the Richest Chapter 451: The Chinese Are the Richest Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Baselworld was also a limited edition outlet. Everyone in the hall went crazy. Such beautiful jewellery at such good prices! Because of the economic crisis though, buyers from idental countries were much more prudent than they used to be. They hesitantly realized that the situation was out of control. In the first row, countless paddles were going up and down around the woman who had just bought the raw gemstone. "Where are they from? They look so bold!" "They are from China. Its the first time Baselworld invited buyers from the maind..." "That exins it. We are tied up in the Iraq war while they silently develop." The hammer of the host fell down. Each of the Chinesedies had gotten a bracelet. Only half of the Cartier bracelets were sold out and Chinese buyers had taken 80% of them. The director of Cartier was depressed. The amount they had put on sale was actually the annual sales volume they had counted on. They had only sold 10 at the auction, which could be considered a failure. Is the global economy really that bad? The whispers around them didnt influence the Chinese women, who were in a really good mood. After the introduction of the host, Qin Guan got on the stage again. Thedies started screaming. "Am I dreaming? Is that an Asian model?" "When did Tiffany hire an Asian model for its final exhibition? We missed the press conference while we were at the watch exhibition!" "What a pity! I love Asian models!" "Dont jump to conclusions." A short-haired woman cast a contemptuous look at the stage. "Maybe he is from Japan or South Korea." The girl with the moon-shaped face was not angry. She just watched Qin Guan carefully. "Hey, Sister Zhang! I think he looks familiar... Wow! I know him! Its Qin Guan! Hes Chinese!" She attracted everyones attention. "Chinese?" "Sure enough!" After confirming his nationality, they all became excited. They wanted to support thepatriot they hade across in another country. Whatever Qin Guan exhibits, we will just buy. "This is Tiffanystest 2003 collection, which is unprecedented for mens jewellery... There are only 100 sets all over the world. After the purchase, Tiffany can carve the name of the buyer on them..." That was so considerate. "The price is 300,000 dors... Anyone?" Before his voice could fade away, the girl with the moon-shaped face raised her paddle high. "10 sets! Special service included!" Before the other buyers could see the details of the set clearly, the Chinese buyer had made a risky decision. The host was stunned. "Congrattions! No. 58 got the limited edition of the Tiffany mens set!" It had taken Qin Guan only two minutes. One and a half for the introduction and 30 seconds to sell it. He returned to the backstage area and saw Michael rubbing his hands excitedly. He cheered up at the sight of Qin Guan. "Wait a moment, Qin Guan. Hold this. You have to get on the stage again." Qin Guan took a tray with a set of gorgeous diamond ornaments on it. It was fordies. He shot a look at his female peer. The girl was staring at him furiously, as if Qin Guan had killed her whole family. It was a spontaneous idea Michael had gotten from the Chinesedies. He could do nothing but apologize to the female model, who had lost a chance to appear before the rich buyers. If 30 seconds were too short a time for Qin Guan, the male model could also exhibit jewellery for women! He mounted the stage again with the tray. "This is the Tiffany collection fordies. 108 gems, including sapphires, emeralds, rubies and diamonds, connected in a hollowed-out mosaic. The sets differ based on their varying quantities of gems." Qin Guan lifted the tray up slowly. The host was talking eloquently next to him. "Splendid colors... Exquisite design... Exclusive luxury... You will nevere across another set like this... 1.88 million each..." The introduction reminded Qin Guan of the cable channels in China, which were always broadcasting news in an exaggerated way. He smiled in spite of himself. It felt like a breeze blowing over. Both the Chinese women and the reserved Europeandies got lost in his smile. In a few seconds, the small paddles were held up like bamboo shoots after the rain. The sets on sale werent enough to meet the customer demand. Chapter 452: A Display of Ignorance Chapter 452: A Disy of Ignorance Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Suddenly, a battle between jewellery lovers and collectors broke out. There were Saudi Arabian tycoons, European billionaires, American rich elite and Chinesedies. The most powerful battles took ce among races with a long history. The identals didnt get any of the jewellery. Arabian customers got two pieces, and the Chinesedies got three. After three minutes, Qin Guan got off the stage with the tray. Michael had nearly died ofughter. The curtain was pulled down slowly, and the staff took away the chairs. Backstage, the agencies in charge of cutting the gemstones and the security guards were busy working. Cong Nianwei had finished her graph way before the auction was finished. She was packing silently with Qin Guan. Suddenly, Michael and some Asian strangers walked over to them. "They are customers of ours. They are also Chinese and would like to meet you before you leave," he said before returning to his work, leaving them alone. "Hello, Qin Guan. Im Zhang Li from Diamond. Im in charge of material purchases all over the world." She was an elegant middle-ageddy who had just spent arge amount at the auction. Smiling, she stretched her hand out for a handshake. Qin Guan took it politely. His hand was caught by her chubby ws. It was the excited girl with the moon-shaped face. "Youre so handsome..." "Cough, cough..." Zhang Li couldnt help it. The girl retracted her ws immediately. "Im here to see the first Asian model in a top jewellery fair. Besides, I would also like to invite you to be a global Diamond representative." Diamond was the best jewellery brand of the maind. Considering itsrge range and fame, its shops were an inevitable attraction for ordinary people in China. Amon model would have been over the moon, but Qin Guan was hesitant. "I appreciate your offer, but my agent has signed a contract with Tiffany. They are my priority. You have to talk with my agent and the director of Tiffany about the details..." This was amon situation for a top model. He could only sit somewhere silently, waiting for the oue. The calls for offers woulde one after the other. Qin Guan didnt n on returning to the US with the Tiffany team. This was a precious chance for him to go on vacation with his girlfriend. Switzend was famous for its watches, chocte and sabers. In fact, unlike other modern products, Basel had its own steady, low-profile style. The next morning, Qin Guan opened the curtains before sunrise. The warm streetlights were still turned on outside. The winded, twisted paths looked enchanting amid the misty light. Cong Nianwei spread a map on the table. They nned on going on a day trip into town. It was romantic to go on a spontaneous trip with your lover. Breakfast was simple at the hotel. A giant loaf wasid in the middle of the table. It was too hard for the Chinese. Qin Guan preferred to cut it with his jaw. He made a fool of himself again. He saw a small basket with all kinds of colorful balls inside. He thought they were fruit and decided to get some for Cong Nianwei. "Wei, what do you want?" Surprised, Qin Guan realized they were colorful eggs. They had green, blue, brown, and orange stripes! Cong Nianwei burst intoughter at the colorful eggs. He is so funny! After breakfast, they set off. Cong Nianwei was walking in front, wearing her wide baseball cap. Qin Guan followed her, burping. He had eaten eggs of four different colors! The smell of his burps needs not be described. The two of them werepletely amazed by the Basel Minster. As a historical site of the 19th century, the church was made of red bricks. Green moss was climbing up its walls and some damage was visible in the shadows. The city hall was across the street, and it was also red in color. There were golden frescos on its walls and green ruffles as decorations. The hall was filled with an alien mor. To their surprise, the city hall was open to the public. Chapter 453: Sweet Life Chapter 453: Sweet Life Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Staff was shuttling back and forth in a hurry inside the building while tourists of different nationalities were lingering around on the square up front. Fortunately, there were few tourists in Basel. If this had been in China... Some European tourists even slept on the grass in the daylight as the Chinese couple was searching for food. Following their sense of smell, the two foodies reached their first destination. Good wine needed no referrals. There was a big piece of candy wrapped in paper by the entrance with the Swiss national g printed on it. The scent wasing from amon shop. People could watch the bustling scene through therge windows. The small shop sold handmade candy. People always thought of chocte and forgot about candy. In fact, chocte was only one category of candy. The fat boss had typical Swiss blonde hair and blue eyes and was wearing a white chef uniform and gloves. He took arge iron tray from the air-drying shelf and put it down on the table with a bang. Outside the window, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a nce and then pushed in. The doorbell jingled happily. "Wee... Pick what you like..." the boss told them in his poor English. Then he got absorbed in the candy that came fresh out of the oven. "Thanks. Were just taking a look," Qin Guan said in standard German. I love you, Joseph. The man looked up in surprise. They are Asians, yet they can speak German. "Whats the problem? If my memory serves me right, German is an officialnguage of Switzend..." Qin Guan murmured before switching to Italian. The boss rushed to exin. "Its okay, I was just surprised. Asian visitors usually speak English. I didnt expect you to speak German." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei smiled at each other. The boss made a cut with his knife. They were an elegant Chinese couple. The girl was delicate and pretty, her eyes as clear as a brook in the suburbs. As for the boy... His poor education made it hard for him to express his feelings, but the boy reminded him of the powdered sugar his father used to give him as a present when he had been a child. He used to dip his little finger into it to taste it. When he came back to his senses, he didnt regret the cut. After some consideration, he managed to cut the soft candy into two thumb-sized figures. "A sample for you." The man stared at Qin Guans face with an unprecedented ttering smile, holding a tray in his fair hands. "This figure is you. Its pretty, isnt? That one is your girlfriend. Im dont want to boast, but my products are the best in Switzend." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked speechlessly at the two lovely candy figures. Should we eat them or not? Is it okay to eat yourself? As two foodies, they couldnt resist the temptation. They stuffed them into their mouths. The stic candy was easy to bite into. It tasted like plum, yellow peach and butter. The soft candy was made in the oven and dried in the air of the Rhine. Its unique sugar made it a delicious food of the mortal world. It tasted sour, sweet, salty... The candy was like a human life. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei swallowed it with sparkling eyes. Then they began shopping like crazy. The boss was shocked. They seemed to pick up all the products from the shelves. The passersby couldnt resist at the sight of their crazy shopping. Candy was a good medicine for unhappiness. European people were very fond of it. Suddenly, the shop was crowded with customers. "One kilo of liqueur chocte, please!" There was only a hollowed-out piece of paper left in the small basket. "Hey! Hard cocoa candy is sold out!" "Boss..." "Boss..." A tourist guide was talking about the town, when his group of tourists suddenly poured into the shop. The fat boss was both exasperated and happy. He was stirring syrup in arge bucket with effort. He called his wife and son toe and help him immediately. The culprits had left with a big package of candy, the musical sound of the cash register ringing around the shop. Chapter 454: An Office on Wall Street Chapter 454: An Office on Wall Street Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Switzend was definitely a country with a sweet aftertaste. After returning to the big melting pot of America, Cong Nianwei continued to user her inspiration in the gallery, while Qin Guan began to search for a location for his ounting firm. Wall Street was south of Manhattan, stretching from Broadway to the East River. It was the narrowest street in New York, with a width of only 11 meters. There were double motorways, bikeways and walkways there, so there was always terrible traffic. Obviously, its status as the American financial center also contributed to the traffic jam. The Morgan Consortium, the Rockefeller oil baron, the DuPont Consortium, The New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, the US Stock Exchange, the New York Future Exchange Center... Most giant financial centers were gathered on that narrow street. An inch ofnd was worth an ounce of gold there. Following the manager of WeWork, thergest real estate agency in America, Qin Guan visited all the offices that were up for renting on Wall Street. As a small ounting firm owner, who had just started business, Qin Guan could at best earn a hundred thousand dors in annual profits. There were three important reasons for renting an office on Wall Street. Firstly, Liu Tianxia would be doing graduation field work that year, so the girls would need a formal office to work in. Secondly, the Chinese preferred to have a formal ountant, so Qin Guans luxury-car club friends had urged him to find a formal location. Finally, in order to develop his career, it was necessary to be involved in the financial circle. An office on Wall Street was a favorable advantage and a reflection of power. "This way, please, Mr. Qin. This is the center of Wall Street. The New York Stock Exchange is right across the street. Youll like this location." Qin Guan looked at the small room with a poker face. It reminded him of a cloakroom. It could fit three desks at most. Besides, whats that window for? It was the only window in the room. Qin Guan went over to pull it open... Bang! The window frame fell down. The two of them looked at each other. Qin Guans Armani suit was covered in dust. Meanwhile, a naughty spider crawled away from the dirt. The small room was abination of the perfect location and terrible internal conditions. Is there maybe a better option? Therger offices are far away from the center, yet you showed me this one... "I have to pay a visit to the Aijia agency. WeWork is unworthy of its reputation." Qin Guan flicked the dust off his body calmly and casually showed off his silver Tiffany sleeve buttons. The manager was a little surprised. Wow! Did I misjudge him? Is he an Asian nning to start his own business after graduation? He was right. The average American college graduate would rather get a job with a steady sry. They couldnt spend much on starting a new business. The Chinese were the best at saving though. They might deposit arge amount in a bank and not withdraw any money during their whole life. He had originally thought that Qin Guan had rented the Armani suit from a second-hand store, but at the sight of the Tiffany buttons, he knew he had misunderstood. Those silver buttons could cost up to 200 dors judging by the brand and the design. No beggar would be able to wear something made by Tiffany. He had misjudged Qin Guan. This was actually a gift from Tiffany for his hard work. He couldnt sell the silver mens set. It was worth 20,000 dors, but he would rather use it to pretend to be somebody important. "I have arge, luxurious office perfect for a talented young man like you." The manager looked cheered up. He led Qin Guan to a modern mansion beside the shabby building excitedly. It was on the 16th floor, which was a lucky number for the Chinese. After taking a turn, they reached the luxurious office. "Its 1,000 square feet." Qin Guan was standing speechlessly at the door of the office. In the US and Hong Kong, people used square feet to measure surfaces. If he converted that to square meters, it meant... Sometimes one read in newspapers that a star had bought a luxurious apartment of 1,000 square feet. This actually meant that theyd bought amon apartment with two bedrooms and a living room. Qin Guan was standing at the entrance of an empty office of about 90 square meters. Several desks could fit inside. It was perfect for a small ounting firm. Qin Guan was satisfied, but he did not move a muscle of his face. "How much?" "110 dors per square foot." "What? Thats robbery! Its 110,000 dors a month!" It was as much as his total ie from the films and Armani. The manager made a grimace. "I meant a year..." Qin Guan let out a long breath of relief. With a ttering smile, he handed the manager an American Spirit cigarette and lit it up for him. It was the only tobo-made cigarette without a fragrance, so it was the favorite of American people. The manager took a deep drag of the cigarette. "Smith is an honest man. I would never increase a price." Chapter 455: The Grocery Store Robbery Chapter 455: The Grocery Store Robbery Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Here, small firms open and close every minute. Offices in this area are very popr, but only old firms can afford suchrge offices. You are still young. You should rethink that high price." Qin Guan was shocked by the kind-hearted real estate agent. Men like him were rare in such a materialistic society. "Its not expensive, I can afford it. I thought the rent was 110,000 dors a month, which would mean that Id have to expand my business really fast. But 110,000 a year is a great price. My firm can afford it. Thank you for your advice though." Smith was shocked. "How old are you?" "Twenty two. No, actually twenty one. My birthday is soon." "Are you a graduate student?" "No, Im still in college." As the best salesman of his previous agency, Smith always epted a challenge. Actually, if he had been a senior manager in New York, he would not have been impressed by the young man. Talented boys weremon on Wall Street. A rising index could make people millionaires, and a change of policy could turn tycoons into beggars. Smith had just arrived in New York from Texas though, so he still felt like a peasant in the bustling metropolis. The QC firm offices had been decided. WeWork would take care of the following procedures. Qin Guan had trusted Cong Nianwei with the decoration. Cong Nianwei had made great achievements in the design and construction of small houses, as well as their gallery and designing studio. Couples were always good at doing business together. Lately, Qin Guan had deliberately prevented Cong Nianwei from going out though. She had a lot of work to do, so she would stay at college or at home for several weeks. This was because of all the panic that had spread all over the US after May. War had broken out in Iraq in March. Originally, everyone had thought that it was only a verbal battle between politicians. It was supposed to be a united action of UN, but most soldiers sent to the battlefield were Americans. Even during the Oscar ceremony, there had been many speeches filled with anger made by people who were involved in rtive industries. Anti-war marches were taking ce all over the country. The uing Memorial Day was also reminding people of the sorrow caused by war. Several people were standing at a window for veteran benefits in the City Hall, while a crowd also gathered outside. Some anti-war groups were standing there with posters and banners with phrases like "No War" and "Stop That Foolish War". The semi-finished floats made for Memorial Day passed by them slowly, adding a sarcastic vibe to the scene. Franklin went out of the City Hall with a nk expression. He was wearing camouge clothing, which indicated his identity as a soldier. If it wasnt for his empty sleeve, he would have been considered a handsome man . War was cruel though. Franklin went out with his pension in his backpack. The money was not enough tost him for the rest of his life. The crowd reminded him of something as he squeezed out through it. ... It was another uneventful evening in New York. As usual, Qin Guan was looking at the backyard from the kitchen. No uninvited neighbors yet. The evening was perfect. Suddenly, the sound of ss breaking was heard on the quiet street. Joseph looked out of the window and shouted, "F*ck!" The window of the grocery store at the corner of the street had been smashed. Some ck men had broken in, searching for anything valuable. "Are they crazy? How dare theymit a robbery here! The police wille immediately!" They rushed to the window, watching the process and talking about it. "Shall we call the police?" Beep... Before his voice could fade away, the rm started ringing. Suddenly, they saw the owner rushing out of his house with a gun. "You bastards!" Bang! The ck men escaped with the cash register money. The fat owner ran after them. After a few meters, he gave up. "My store!" he cried out at the entrance. "That f*cking police! Ill file aint! Honest taxpayers are paying those f*cking shits!" Qin Guan felt strange as he watched the owner cry. "Under normal circumstances, a car rm would have attracted patrol cruisers in three minutes. Why has nobodye by now?" Chapter 456: Reinforcements Chapter 456: Reinforcements Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The Batiste brothers were stirring their noodles with their hands as they said jokingly, "Has New York been conquered by aliens? Or was there a terrorist attack again?" Unfortunately, they had a point. Thete police car had confirmed that. "I can only report the crime now. My boys have all been sent to the center of Manhattan." Sam opened his mouth. "Whats happening?" "An anti-war demonstration. The number of protesters increased suddenly for no apparent reason. Originally, there had barely been more than 100, but in the evening there were as many as 1,000." "Fights broke out. I wonder if there were any leaders. Whey they began to attack the City Hall, we noticed that there were many sturdy men involved." "Arent they veterans? Ha ha!" Sam fell silent at the news. He was frightened. They were far from the City Hall, but the riots downtown indicated a great danger. The city was short on public security, so it was natural for its residents to be scared. "Well, its toote now. Ill drop by the police station tomorrow." Uncle Sam rushed back to his home with his shotgun. Those smart criminals will fish in troubled waters in the turbulent night. They might skip a broken store, but would they set fire to my store if they failed to find anything? Oh, my! Cong Nianwei, who had also witnessed the whole thing, wanted to shout. Sheid her boiling noodles aside and shouted at Qin Guan, "Will our gallery be safe?" All the foodies fell silent. Qin Guan recalled his own art studio, which enjoyed big fame at the Chelsea Fair. He was not rolling around in money, but the annual profits were hundreds of thousands of dors. Besides, Lan Jin had just brought several cases of Chinese products... Shrewd men were everywhere. Chelsea Street was a heaven for art studios. Those Negro gangsters would not be interested in them, but the Russians had good taste. They were good at smuggling artwork in oil tankers. Qin Guan couldnt bear to think about it. Suddenly, his phone rang. "Hey! Its Lan Jin. I heard that you were robbed! Dont worry. Iming. Dont forget me when you get rich!" You are the shame of Chinesepulsory education. "Hey, dont cause any more trouble..." Lan Jin hung up. Qin Guan noticed that Cong Nianwei was getting ready to go out. "You going to the gallery?" "Yes." Cong Nianwei nodded. "Lan Jin must have gone there. We have to go too. If hees across any robbers..." Qin Guan pictured Lan Jin shouting at a group of tall, strong robbers to stop. "Okay, lets go. Joseph, would you please wash the bowls for me? Well be gone for a while." Qin Guan reached for his car keys. "Wait, Ille with you." Joseph wiped his mouth elegantly with a tissue and smiled at Qin Guan. "Me too! Your noodles were a little raw, Cong Nianwei..." The two naughty brothers were concentrated on their food. "May I put on a warrior costume before Ie with you?" Coulibaly, the Congo Prince, looked like an African warrior ready to die a heroic death. Ce wiped her mouth on the white table cloth. "Stop that rubbish. Lets go!" I have a UN army on my side. In the parking lot, Qin Guan tried to persuade them a final time. When he saw Josephs armor, the paint on Coulibalys face and the feathers on his head though, he swallowed his words. Ces car filled with strange people. The two cars dashed towards the Chelsea Fair. The people on the streets were careful and vignt. In a few minutes, they pulled up at Chelsea Street. Most of the stores were closed at the time. Qin Guan cast a nce at the J Clothing store and saw that its banners were still floating above the roof. He let out a long breath of relief. It seemed that his store was safe from the riots. Smiling, he shouted at his friends, "Get out! Its alright. Wed better take any expensive products back home just to be safe though." Joseph and Coulibaly, who were both fully armed, were speechless. They had suddenly be freebor workers. They went into the store in their strange costumes. As a weapon lover, Joseph was carrying firearms from all over the world. Coulibalys face was painted like an actor of the Peking Opera. He had a blowgun in his hand. Chapter 457: The Importance of Special Weapons Chapter 457: The Importance of Special Weapons Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia If he had a spear on his back, he could have been invited to the famous TV program "Man vs. Wild". They were busy carryingmodities, when somebody shouted outside, "Hey! Who dares enter my domain?" Hearing the familiar voice, Qin Guan went out and saw Lan Jin. He did not look silly like usual. Instead of his luxury car, he had driven a worn truck all the way from Long Ind. Xu Xiaoxiao was in the passenger seat. Qin Guan felt helpless against the two guys, who were much more excited than usual. Birds of a feather always flocked together. Why were all the men around him so unreliable? He shot a nce at Cong Nianwei, who was wrapping ceramics in cotton cloth carefully. On the contrary, the women around me are calm and capable. Xu Xiaoxiao jumped out of the truck, surprised to see Qin Guan there. "Stop! Lan Jin! Its one of us! Hold your fire!" He was waving a big broadsword around. It seemed to be his choice of a defensive weapon. What was his father thinking? Does he believe so much in his son, or has he given up on him? The broadsword was shining coldly in the night. It had to be a martial arts demonstration prop. It was pretty, but basically useless. His UN army could not tell the difference though. They were in awe of Qin Guans friend, who looked like a martial artist. "Stop that rubbish! Theres only a few things left. Lets finish as soon as possible." Cong Nianwei couldnt stand those clowns. They were dying their work. "Iming..." There was a car parked across the street. Charlie was observing the situation through his binocrs, sitting in the passenger seat next to Franklin. "It seems like the boss is packing things up. They are not like those artists on the Upper East Side though. They are bad boys like us." Franklin threw his cigarette butt out and replied calmly, "Lets just try them." He shot at the store without a warning. Bang! The quiet was broken by the shot. Qin Guan suddenly stopped in his tracks. Who? Where? What happened? Hiding behind the car, he waved at Cong Nianwei, who was inside the shop. Run! Leave me here! Go to the back garden through the side door! He was hoping that it was just some thieves who wanted to make a fortune, but Joseph and Coulibaly were really excited. They shouted at Ce together, "Turn off the lights!" Then Coulibaly disappeared silently. Qin Guan was shocked by his heroic actions. Suddenly, he saw Joseph take the gun that was behind his back and load it. Am I about to watch an action film for free? Bang, bang, bang... Sparkles were shining on the dark street. Joseph was shooting from behind the car with a happy smile. "Bloody hell!" Franklin and his partner rolled away from the car. Bang! A bullet flew over their heads. Franklin shot back. "Ha! They are not far away! There! Northwest!" Joseph smiled wide in the dark as he turned his gun in that direction. "Bastards! If only I had superpowers!" Xu was terrified in the face of real danger. He had thrown his broadsword away. "Qin Guan, you throw something to divert them. Ill take them out with my gun!" Joseph shouted at Qin Guan. Qin Guan looked around. Throw what? A ceramic? Ill go bankrupt. I better find some bricks... He threw a few bricks at their enemies. After an urate calction of gravitational eleration, wind force and angle, Qin Guan found his target. The two men escaped from the bullets, but were caught by the bricks. They started shouting abuse at them. Cant you just stick to the gunfight? Qin Guan was happy with his achievement. He ran out of ammo soon though. Franklin cheered up at theck of flying bricks. "Bastard! Ran out of ammo, did you? Ha ha... You piece of dogsh*t!" Americans loved dogs a lot more than the Chinese. Chapter 458: Complete Victory Chapter 458: Complete Victory Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Dogsh*t was piled on the streets, especially on patches of grass. Qin Guan wrapped up a piece of dried dogsh*t in a cotton cloth carefully and dipped it into some fresh sh*t. Using the wind and humidity to his advantage, he threw it away. Franklin and his partner got one each. The distinctive smell drifted out as Franklin grabbed it subconsciously. "Oh, bullsh*t!" Wrong! It was dogsh*t. They were both furious, when suddenly a soft sound was heard from around the corner. Both of them felt a sharp pain on their necks. "Was it a f*cking mosquito?" "Im fainting..." Before they could figure out what was going on, they copsed on the ground. "Ha ha..." Coulibaly jumped out of the flowers,ughing proudly. His friends finally spotted him thanks to his glowing white teeth. Now they realized why he had asked them to turn off the lights and where he had gone in the dark. Taking advantage of hisplexion, he had sneaked behind their enemies in secret. "All clear!" He waved at Qin Guan. The lights were turned on again. Standing in a heap of bullet shells, Joseph looked perfectly satisfied. Qin Guan walked to their enemies car curiously, wondering how Coulibaly had taken the two strong men out silently. Coulibaly kicked the two robbers, who were lying on the ground like dead pigs. "Its a weapon my African tribe uses for hunting." He waved the blowgun around proudly. "Its opium, but its not toxic. If it was the poison we used to use, they would have been in Heaven by now." He pulled the thin needles out of their necks. "Cunning guys... And very professional. Thanks for the diversion, Qin Guan." He put the needles carefully into a small case. "Thats dogsh*t... Watch your hands," Qin Guan warned him kindly. Everyone had gathered around them. They burst intoughter at his words as the two criminals snored on the ground. "What shall we do with them?" They called the police. Ten minutester, nobody hade yet. "Ill take them away." Xu Xiaoxiao pointed at his old truck. There was enough room inside for them. The shabby truck drove to the police station along Chelsea Street with the two troublemakers in it. The dense smoke made it look like a steamship. The international students looked at each other and burst intoughter again. The shining spears and armoured horses were only a brief interlude in their ordinary lives. A few weekster, Qin Guan asked for leave from his tutor. He had gotten perfect scores in the seasonal tests. The city of Cannes was famous for its film festival. In May, stars and pilgrims from all over the world poured into the city with the most luxurious hotels, romantic marine drives and significant cinemas. Cannesbined French romance with style and fashion, which blossomed splendidly on the dazzling beach in the spring. Qin Guan was waiting for Sister Xue at the airport with his ticket. Meanwhile, Cong Nianwei was busy working in his new office without any distractions. She preferred a quiet house over her boyfriend or a chance to visit Cannes. Actually, Qin Guan had a tight schedule, so he wouldnt have any spare time in Cannes. The opening ceremony was the most important part of the whole festival. All the stars, producers, film lovers, and distributors would get together for the grand feast. On the way to the hotel, Sister Xue was telling Qin Guan about his order of appearance again and again. Unlike at other festivals, the order of appearance was very important at the Cannes festival. The festivalbined the culture ofmerce and the tourism industry. During the ceremony, small stars would get more chances to promote themselves. Even if their film was not nominated, they could still enjoy themselves on the red carpet. Chapter 459: Busy All Day Long Chapter 459: Busy All Day Long Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia If only one had a firm... You know... To make money. Oh no... To better differentiate between the people on the red carpet. There were three groups of guests. The first group were the participants, including talented actors and directors. Famous or not, they would all get the highest respect from the media and the audience. Queen Gong, who was in that group, was one of the representatives of the Chinese film circle. Those guys were really devoted to indie films. Maybe one day a shining star would rise from them. When the people of the first group went by, people shut up and took as many pictures of them as possible. The second group were the representatives of famous brands. They were not nominated for any awards, but they had been invited because they belonged in the fashion circle. They usually showed off andpeted for the publics attention. The third group were those who hade uninvited. They had paid agencies toe for a chance to promote themselves. Qin Guan read through the regtions of the Cannes festival and checked his schedule. Interesting! I have to be on the carpet with the first group for "Elephant", then twice with the second group for Armani and Tiffany. Thats three times! Ill be the only one in Cannes who does that. "Sister Xue, may Ibine Armani and Tiffany? Would only one time be okay?" Sister Xue, who was unpacking, shot him a supercilious look. "How will the host introduce you? Will he thank both Armani and Tiffany for the clothing and the jewellery at the same time? Do you think this is a domestic bazaar? Other people would have done anything for such a good chance!" While Sister Xue was cursing at full volume, Qin Guan got distracted by the beach and the sea. "Keep doing what you are doing, Sister Xue. I need to take a walk along the seaside to calm down. Please make arrangements with Director Gus." Before his voice could fade away, he had already disappeared. Liar! Are you really nervous about the festival? The opening ceremony would take ce on a square only 200 meters away from the beach. The Pis des Festival beside it was only where the final award ceremony would be held. After the opening ceremony, the nominated films would be yed there. Qin Guan strode over to the beach, which was open to the public. He enjoyed the blue sky, the white sand and the soft waves. The beautiful view reminded him of his hometown. It was not as enchanting, but it was beautiful in its own way. He took off his socks and shoes and stood on the sand on his bare feet. Cannes was beautiful in May. The sky was blue and transparent, and the air was wet and salty. After taking a few steps, Qin Guan felt sleepy. He sat down on the sand to savor the moment. Wow! This is so nice... A blonde woman in white shorts and sunsses walked by leisurely, followed by a group of reporters. Nobody dared get too close to her. She looks familiar. Its Nicole Kidman! The most powerful nominee for best actress! The actress seemed to rx on the beach. Qin Guan felt like an extra in the background. Im just enjoying some free time... Click, click... Another handsome actor ran past Qin Guan in sportswear, followed by a group of crazy reporters. It was Keanu Reeves. One of the reporters managed to take some pictures and shared the experience with his peers. "I saw a passer-by in my photo. Look at him carefully. He is really handsome, isnt he?" "Yes, he looks good. He seems familiar. God knows who he is. There are stars everywhere around here. Is he Asian?" "Yes. Chinese or Japanese. They are nominated for an award this year." Qin Guan was shocked. A Chinese film? Which one? Who? Meg Ryan passed by. Qin Guan lost the chance to watch the flying seagulls. Monica Belli passed by... Dirt and dust were floating before Qin Guans eyes. Hey! Enough! The beach was not as quiet as Qin Guan had anticipated. It was as noisy as a bazaar. Before he got up to leave, a man called his name from somewhere behind him. "Qin Guan! What are you doing here?" Qin Guan turned around and saw Lou Ye walking up to him in a pair of shorts and slippers. The man beside him was dressed formally. Jiang Wen? "What are you doing here?" "What are you doing here?" They spoke at the same time. Qin Guan shrugged. "Are you the director of the only Chinese film to be nominated for an award?" Chapter 460: Acquaintances in Cannes Chapter 460: Acquaintances in Cannes Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Lou Ye felt proud at his question. Even though Im a Chinese director, I can also make a film that will interest an international festival. He shrugged and began to make jokes. "Wow! And you? Why are you here? Did your agency pay for you to appear on the carpet, or do you have a big brand as your sponsor? Well done, Qin Guan! After one year, we meet again in Cannes!" Qin Guan shot a supercilious look at him. "As a director participating in the festival, shouldnt you know who yourpetitors are? My film is also nominated. I am the leading actor!" Surprised, Jian Wen sized Qin Guan up from head to toe. The boy looked as clean as seawater. He could only bepared to clouds and bamboos. What indie film would cast such an actor? Hes the best choice for domesticmercial films! Lou Ye was just as stunned. He dag in his ear, and then burst intoughter. "Ha ha ha! I must have heard wrong. I heard that you were the lead in an indie film! Im sorry forughing, but what silly director would have cast you as the protagonist? If you were a girl, you would definitely have been my exclusive female lead! Are you ying a woman in the film? Impossible! You are too tall..." Lou had lost his role as a representative of the 6th generation of directors. Qin Guan shot a disgusted look at him again and stood up, flicking sand off his bottom. "Im not kidding. You can watch my film after the opening ceremony. Its called Elephant." Lou stoppedughing abruptly. Jiang Wen winked. Jiang Wen had been invited to be a judge at the festival. "Elephant" was the first film that would be evaluated after the ceremony. It was said that the indie American director had aroused a discussion during the small-scale test screening. The film was a documentary, which was a favorite of the senior judges. "Really? What kind of film? Youre the protagonist? Ill watch it tomorrow." Excited, Lou asked Jiang Wen for an invitation to the test screening. Giving him a polite smile, Jiang replied in a low, deep voice. "You are asking the wrong person. He will be the hero of the premiere. Getting you an invitation would be easy for him." He pushed the responsibility to Qin Guan. ording to Qin Guans observations, Lou must have been causing Jiang a lot of trouble those days. Listening to Jiangs advice, Lou hugged Qin Guan around the neck and started talking rubbish. "Qin Guan, get me an invitation tomorrow after the opening ceremony. Please! Ill introduce some beautiful girls to you in return. Zhang! Little Zhang! Come here!" Who is little Zhang? Qin Guan was out of breath, when a pair of bare, clean feet appeared in front of him. Theplexion of the feet was not fair, but they were as smooth as pure honey. Their bones were slender, and the muscles under them were strong and elegant, like winter jasmine on a cliff. Qin Guan looked up slowly. It was a girl with freckles on her nose. She was Zhang Ziyi, a rising international star. The film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" in 2002 had made an international impact, and the Western audience had kept her in mind after the film. She was the heroine of Lou Yes "Purple Butterfly". She hade to Cannes to beat the drums for Lou. Lou began to beg for her forgiveness as Zhang smiled. "Hello, Zhang Ziyi." Qin Guan shook hands with her. "Hello, Qin Guan." "I also yed a small part in Heroes. It was a pity that I didnt get to meet or cooperate with you." Compared to Lou, Zhang had a favorable impression of the elegant boy. He is a normal man. Lou is unworthy of his title as one of the leaders of the 6th generation. They talked happily on the beach as the reporters began taking photos again. Luckily, Qin Guan was no longer in the background. Thanks to Jiang and Zhang, he took up one fourth of the picture. Nobody knew who Lou, the guy in the shorts, was. "Lets take this chance to take a group photo!" Lou did not like being ignored. He hugged Jiang and Qin Guan around the shoulders and told Zhang to stand beside them. "Attention! You, the photographer over there! Three, two, one, cheese!" They smiled in joy as the foreign media recorded the memorable moment. It was sunny on May 25th, 2003. Sister Xue helped Qin Guan get dressed for the ceremony and walk out of the hotel leisurely. The blue carpet on the stairs of the Pis des Film had been reced by a red one, which was only used for special asions. Chapter 461: Again and Again Chapter 461: Again and Again Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia People were crowded around the square. The long red carpet and the security guards were already in ce. Some stars, producers, directors and judges were chatting happily by the carpet. Qin Guan and Sister Xue joined the first group as soon as they arrived. They found Director Gus chatting with other people happily. He embraced Qin Guan warmly. "Qin Guan, Im nominated for the top Cannes award... Im so excited..." He was about to cry. They were meeting again after a long time apart, so they had a lot to talk about. Suddenly, an enchanting woman got on the stage. It was Monica Belli in a white dress. She raised the curtain of the festival and introduced the first group of guests, who started walking on the red carpet one after the other. The carpet symbolized the path of an indie film. It was short, yet it bore the dreams of so many people. Gus was a sensitive man. His hands started trembling when he heard his own name. "We are here to support you!" Qin Guan tried to encourage the excited man. "Yes! We are all together!" He gripped Qin Guans hand. "Go! Its your turn. Think of our crew!" Qin Guan sighed. Im not a girl. Let go of my hand. "Just remember the day we were shooting among the maple trees. You walked with me, carrying the camera. You were a natural that day. Today, we are here together. You, me and that camera." As the scene yed back in Gus mind, he became a professional, devoted director again. They were walking shoulder to shoulder, both of them wearing ck formal suits. Qin Guans looks couldnt outshine Gus confidence and mor. Sister Xue was watching them with a delighted smile. Qin Guan considerately yielded the best position to Gus. He was a hero worthy of the shlights. After the bombardment of the cameras, the shes and the questions was over, Gus returned to the backstage area. He was calm, not worried about any personal gains or losses. Its my destiny to win it. Its my fate to lose it. I will know the final result soon. By then, Qin Guan had returned to the end of the red carpet, following the instructions of the organizingmittee. "Director Gus, I have two more appearances to make for my sponsors. Will you be okay here alone?" Gus came back to his senses and smiled at Qin Guan kindly. "Of course. Every director I have heard so much about is here. This is the ce of my dreams." Qin Guan told him goodbye and ran to the indicated position, where the Armani director was waiting for him anxiously. "Quick! Calm your breathing. Its your turn. Walk to the end, thene back as soon as possible for Tiffany." "No problem." An assistant smoothed the wrinkles on his back with a set of professional tools and adjusted his bow tie to the standard position. The sponsor show began. This was actually the most exciting part of the festival. The first show was Loreals, which was a brand from France. Qin Guan was standing behind a tall, slender female model. "Next up is Armani, a sponsor for mens formal wear..." As the host made an introduction, Qin Guan walked on the red carpet. He was like a treasured swording out of a scabbard, like a pearl discovered in the sand, like a diamond polished after a long time. Zhang Ziyi and Lou Ye, who were chatting with the first group of guests, cast a look at the red carpet. So did everyone around them. Qin Guan showed his true abilities as a top model. Some reporters recognized him. "Thats Qin Guan! He is the only Asian exclusive model of Armani!" "Yes, check the yback! He was here with Gus!" The guy who had spoken was an editor of an indie film magazine, so he was familiar with the directors of indie films. "Yes, he is the leading actor. The film was in theaters in North America. The box office of the second week was almost two million dors!" That exined it. French people liked handsome men. The shlights twinkled again as the reporters and the audience watched Qin Guan make a turn at the end of the red carpet and ran back to the other end again! What a shameless guy. Other people only tried to stand on the carpet a little longer, but that guy wanted a second round! Handsome guys were easily forgiven. Both the media and the stars were surprised. An actress from another country turned to her agent. "Did he pay double to walk the carpet twice? Is there a Cannes red carpet appearancebo?" Darling, this is not a KFC. Then the host exined for everyone to hear. "Tiffany is the jewellery sponsor..." Chapter 462: Unexpected Winner Chapter 462: Unexpected Winner Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Like a soldier receiving amand, Qin Guan pulled the sleeve of his shirt up a little to reveal thetest sapphire mechanical wristwatch before he stepped on the carpet again. It was the third time! It was hard for everyone to ignore Qin Guan. Sister Xue was daydreaming as she stared at the end of the carpet. In her mind, Qin Guan represented all the brands of the festival. From beginning to end, he stood still on the carpet as the host read the list of brands. The reporters were taking pictures of him like crazy. Hey! Wake up, please! "Sister Xue! Sister Xue!" Qin Guan waved his hand before her eyes helplessly. My agent is daydreaming again. I have to remind her about the debut everyone in the film circle is most excited about. Besides, we have to follow Gus into the hall to receive feedback from critics and judges from all over the world. In the Pis des Festival, the nominated films were ying in a loop in the small halls. If one had enough time to spare, they could watch them all. Of course, indie films were not entertainment-oriented. Those depressing, horrifying stories could shock people deeply. The professional judges were talking about what they had watched in low voices. "The long shooting in that earlier scene was pretty good. It dragged a little though..." "An unavoidable shoring of a documentary. The second act was better. It was hard to show the internal conflict, but Gus recorded it with a camera. That is not an easy feat." "Yes. Splendid performances. I think every detail was meaningful, especially that Asian actor. He made the charactere alive during the scene in the bathroom." "Complete narration... An overall good film..." The judges had a good impression of "Elephant". It got a score of 8.8. Finally, therge screen was turned off and the lights were turned on. Qin Guan and Gus walked onto the stage slowly. There was a loud apuse. It was for the two men who had devoted themselves to art, the director who had made another outstanding film and the young actor, who had been a nobody at the time. They gave hope to all the unknown talented people in the film industry. Words couldnt express Lou Yes feelings. Compared to the simple narration of "Elephant", his film was too obscure. In "Purple Butterflies", it was always raining. Depression, boredom, disappointment... All this, just to meet the demands of a minority audience. There was also a short erotic scene in the end, which had been added to sell tickets. People were hardly shocked by the film. There was no true emotion in it! That was its major shoring. After watching all the films of hispetitors, Lou Ye sat under the stage, feeling lost. His main actress, Zhang Ziyi, was apanying him. His friend Qin Guan was sitting in front of him, right beside Director Gus. He had believed that the boy could only get a role in amercial film. From his point of view, Lou could see Qin Guans diamond buttons shining under the lights. He was rethinking everything, not just his own films, but also the casting rules in China. Why did everyone think that Qin Guan couldnt act in an indie film? Because hes not good enough? No! Cannes, the holy shrine of indie films had epted him and acknowledged his ability. The problem were the categories of Chinese indie films and the limitations of independent directors. It was not a problem of the actor, but a problem of the director. To be precise, a problem of the directors of a whole generation and the entire Chinese film industry. They were blocking the way of an outstanding actor. Its time for us to open the doors and take a look at thendscape outside. We need to look at the hearts of the audience. The director was enlightened. The host began to announce the individual awards. Lou was calm. His aim was not the cinematography, music or art design award, but the two most popr ones. "The nominated actors for Best Actor of the 56th Cannes Festival Awards are Qin Guan from China, ****** from Iran, ******* from Turkey..." The cameras shifted to the candidates. Qin Guan remained calm. He was good at dealing with such situations. The audience thought he was unmoved by the possibility of winning or losing the award. The director couldnt help but fix the cameras on Qin Guans face for a while. The host took a deep breath and opened the envelope that contained the name of the winner of the highest honor for any indie film actor. He read the results slowly. "The Best Actor of the 56th Cannes Festival Awards is Qin Guan, who portrayed Eric in Elephant..." Chapter 463: A Shameless Speech Chapter 463: A Shameless Speech Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Apuse followed. All the cameras from different directions turned to Qin Guan. Qin Guan was stunned, but he maintained a poker face. Actually, he had thought he was just a guest at the ceremony. He waspletely taken aback by the news... Sister Xue looked even worse. Snot was silently running down her nose. Theres so many cameras! I cant lose face before Qin Guan and all the Chinese people here... Everything Professor Li and Teacher Rong had taught her finally took effect. Teacher Rong always said that everything could be solved with a smile. Qin Guan smiled and stood up in an elegant manner. He hugged Gus, who had stood up to congratte him. He didnt forget to shake the hand of the Turkish nominee in respect. Qin Guan left his seat and walked to the stage. All the shes and the cameras were following him. The host gave him a cup symbolizing the highest honor of an actor. The Cannes Festival cup was the prettiest among the top 10 international film awards. It had a crystal foundation and it was decorated with beautiful golden palm leaves. The organizingmittee had considerately ced the cup in a box, which made it more convenient to carry. As Qin Guan took it, a nameless emotion surged in his heart. He held the cup tightly. Actually, he was concerned about his career as an actor. It had only been an experiment for him before, but now he was worried about the criticsments on his work. Actually, he was always waiting for recognition from others, even if it was just an insignificant praise. Deep in his heart, he was expecting to get something back. The cup was an acknowledgement of his effort. He turned back with the cup, facing the audience under the stage. They were all people who had devoted themselves to indie films. And they were all cheering for him. He felt pure happiness. He took a bow before them and pulled the microphone up a little. He stood as straight as a pine in the snow. "Hello, everyone. I know Im a stranger to most of you. Im Qin Guan. Im from China and Im an actor." The man looked elegant and handsome, like a traditional Chinese painting. He had been a misfit all his life, but he exuded a strange sense offort. He spke neither too fast nor too slow. His voice was clean and deep. Everyone could feel his excitement. "I think Im daydreaming. All the faces of the talented people in the audience seem like a dream to me. I pinched my own thigh to make sure. It still hurts!" "Ha ha!" The serious atmosphere became merry. What a funny, lovely guy! "Id like to thank my director, Gus Van Sant, who picked me among a lot of actors and helped me through the whole process." Gus was about to cry again. As a director, any award for his film was a recognition for him. "I also want to thank the crew, who worked really hard for my career behind the scenes. They always trusted me." Sister Xue covered her face with a handkerchief. The camera turned away from her, respecting her privacy. "I want to thank all the nameless heroes behind me. Without your silent support, I would never have made it this far." Cong Nianwei was watching the live broadcast online. She felt likeughing instead of crying. Xu Xiaoxiao, Lan Jin and He Ming, who were watching the ceremony on TV, were really happy. Yes, we did help him a lot. Rongzhi was the most shameless though . Bro, Ill always be your silent supporter. Qin Guan had no idea about their blessings. He was just expressing his sincere feelings. "Some of my old friends, who were really talented directors, tried to change my mind. They told me that my face was not for indie films." Suddenly, Qin Guan smiled. The talented audience, which included directors, stars, producers and French ministers, saw him smile clearly on therge screen. His smile was like a feast in Heaven, like every flower blooming at the same time. "See?" Qin Guan continued. "My face is too handsome for indie films." "I never realized the power of my face until now, when Im standing on the stage of the Cannes Festival, epting an award. It is right only for the best films, as well as the best actor... Ha ha..." Chapter 464: Devotion Chapter 464: Devotion Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Everyone burst intoughter at his words. The audience had originally been absorbed in his looks, but when they thought about it carefully, he was quite right. Considering his perfect appearance, he had so much work that he could do. Some shrewd men fell into deep thought. Qin Guan lifted up his smiling face and continued his speech calmly. "I would like to express my gratitude to the judges and all my supporters. They granted me a great honor, even though I am a nobody. This award is not my final destination though, but a milestone in my career as an actor. Ill try to make a great contribution to the hall of international indie films." "In the future, indie films will be my priority. I hope I will be able to improve in my following work. I also want to thank my sponsors..." Upon hearing that indie films would be his priority, the directors and scriptwriters under the stage got excited. Sister Xue, who was still holding her handkerchief against her face, stopped sobbing. What? Indie films? The sry for an indie film varies from nothing to hundreds of thousands dors! With that international award, people will kneel down before you with piles of bills when youe back to China! She cast a subconscious look at Gus. Maybe he hadnt expected that Qin Guan would win the award for Best Actor. Its my fault. I should have prepared a speech for him in advance to avoid his nonsense. Suddenly, the people sitting around her began to greet and congratte her for Qin Guans speech. "Hello, I work for a French filmpany. Hes a really good actor..." "Madam, please ept my greetings..." Lou Ye, who was sitting behind her, hugged her like a close friend. "Dont forget me when you be rich and famous, sister." Who is your sister? Qin Guan took a deep bow and got off the stage. Along the hallway, people weed him with open arms. They were all kindred spirits who loved indie films. When he returned to his seat, Qin Guan embraced Gus and patted his shoulder in excitement. "Qin Guan!" Zhang Ziyi shouted from behind him, opening her arms. She was trying to promote her career abroad. "Camera No. 3, 15 degrees. Zoom in!" The director recorded the scene in time. The two Chinese actors were hugging on therge screen. "Congrattions, Qin Guan!" "Thank you. Cheers!" After expressing their mutual appreciation, they returned to their separate seats. Lou Ye, who was waiting for Qin Guan with open arms, was ignored. "F*ck! He is too tall to see me!" Qin Guan decided to give the clown a lesson. He stood up and embraced Lou warmly. Suddenly, everyone noticed their difference in height. Lou returned to his seat, fully contented. "Director Lou, why were you so eager to hug him?" Zhang asked him in a low voice. Looking around him, Lou replied in a mysterious voice, "He is one of the winners. Ive heard older guys say that winners are blessed. You can steal some luck from them. In ancient times, if a famous schr touched a kids head, that kid would be smart." Zhang was left speechless by his exnation. He is like a superstitious peasant. What if the schr had tried touching a mentally handicapped kid? The award winners were announced one after the other. "The Best Director of the 56th Cannes Festival Awards is... Gus Van Sante!" Director Gus stopped crying. He still had tears on his face as he got on the stage with a bounce. Despite his ambitious nature, his hands were shaking. People couldnt even see the award in his hands clearly. His legs were shaking too. Fortunately, they were hidden behind the podium. His speech was exciting, fluent and well-prepared. He yed the scene back in his mind countless times. His most beautiful dream had been realized. He, Gus Van Sante, had finally fulfilled his childhood dream. He had be a renowned director. He got off the stage, crying silently. Nothing could stop his tears of happiness. Only one thing could divert his attention. The blue ribbon of the festival, the Palme dOr. Chapter 465: Another Female Acquaintance Chapter 465: Another Female Acquaintance Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The host was introducing the nominated films one by one while highlights were shown on the screen. The audience was absorbed in the films,ughing and crying depending on the scene they were watching. Director Gus covered his nervousness by wiping his tears away, while Lou was praying to all the oriental and idental gods. Qin Guan felt nervous for the twopetitors. After all, they were both his friends. The music faded away and the lights dimmed. Everyone fixed their eyes on the thin paper in the hosts hands. After reading the paper, the host lifted his microphone up. "The winner of the Palme dOr of the 56th Cannes Film Festival is...Elephant!" Suddenly, Gus and Qin Guan bounced out of their seats, while Lou copsed on his chair. Gus walked on the stage to make another speech. "Elephant" was undoubtedly the biggest winner of the festival. It had been nominated for three awards and won all three of them. Everyone apuded as flowers and colorful ribbons fell from the ceiling, signifying the perfect ending for the winners. There were also plenty of people who left feeling sad and lonely. Lou Ye was one of them. A celebration feast for Gus would be held with the judges and several tycoons of the film industry attending it. Qin Guan showed up for a while, but then he disappeared, leaving Sister Xue there alone. He was sitting in bed in his room, holding the phone. The person on the other end of the line answered the call. Qin Guan spoke in a quiet voice. "Hey, its me." "I know." "I won the Best Actor Award..." "Yes, I saw. Congrattions!" Qin Guan smiled proudly. "What did you think of my speech? Were you touched?" All the happiness and romance in the air came to an end with that shameless question. Cong Nianwei didnt want to talk to him anymore. "Well talk tomorrow. Im in ss now." They were in different time zones. "I miss you." "I miss you too." Fortunately, her boyfriend went back to normal again as they said goodbye. Qin Guan came back to his senses and realized he had a boring night in France ahead of him. Bang, bang! "Qin Guan, its me!" Lou was outside. Qin Guan opened the door for him in confusion. "How did you know I was here?" "I saw you leave. Look whos here!" Qin Guan looked outside. Zhang and Li Bingbing were standing behind Lou. "What are you doing here?" Qin Guan grimaced at his acquaintance. "Did you even see Purple Butterfly? I had a role in it." Li folded her arms across her chest. Hes so handsome! Qin Guan closed his mouth slowly. Actually, he hadnt watched the film. Besides, Li only had a supporting part in it. Li cast a disgruntled look at Lou. "I thought that you would win the award. No celebrations. No parties. Ill return with bare hands. I feel so miserable!" She sneered at Zhang Yang and Lou Ye. "And you, Qin Guan! You won the Cannes Best Actor Award! Why are you hiding in your hotel room? You have to treat us tonight! Your Sister Li is here!" Damn! In 10 minutes, Qin Guan was walking along the back street of the hotel in a pair of slippers and J Clothing sportswear. There was a famous southern-style restaurant in Cannes. Its specialty was maionese with bruised garlic bulbs. During the film festival, Bernard Brochant, the Mayor of Cannes, had invited all the judges there for dinner. ording to Jiang Wen, the restaurant smelled like Chinese dumplings restaurants. In the afternoon, when theyd gotten together to evaluate the films, the meeting room had felt like a gas chamber. Even gum could only do so much. Only a restaurant like that could attract the attention of such foodies. That night, Cannes was bright with lights. They walked among the crowd leisurely. A long-lens camera craned around a small alley behind them. After a few clicks, it disappeared in the dark. "Here it is!" Lou found the restaurant easily. He was a frequent guest at the film festival. "Ive reserved a table for four. Its Mr. Lou..." "Okay. Follow me, please." Only then did Qin Guan realize that this had been nned. Lou had set up a trap for him with Li. He looked at the decorations secretly. Luckily, it looked like a family restaurant, not a gourmet one. They took their seats. Qin Guan let out a long breath of relief when he saw the menu. My wallet will be safe. It was a traditional French menu. ording to the rules, there were 13 dishes, starting with appetizers and ending with dessert. New menus only offered three to five dishes though, and the arrogant French didnt use English, except for tourists. Chapter 466: An Unreliable Affair Chapter 466: An Unreliable Affair Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Ill have the smoked silver carp, oysters and maionese as an appetizer..." "I want an onion soup. Any other ideas?" "French fried foie gras andmb chops as a main course... Caviar or snails for a hot appetizer... Pudding or ice cream for dessert..." The waiter felt sad when he saw the four Asians walk in. My English is really poor, dude. Most French people looked down upon othernguages. They ignored the fact that English was the most frequently usednguage in the world. However, the handsome guy among them could order in perfect French. The young waiter couldnt believe his luck. The manager wont yell at me. That guy is beautiful both in and out. Everyone was eating, chatting and smiling. The atmosphere was quite merry in the restaurant. It was warm and nice, which made the guests feel right at home. On the contrary, western restaurants in China were usually very ssy. The dishes were served one after the other. Qin Guan was intrigued by the maionese in the small, white te, but he was not interested in the juicy foie gras. On the te were three pieces of bread with a crisp crust. Qin Guan spread the maionese on the bread and took arge bite. He tasted a mixture of yolk, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and sea salt. "Wonderful!" Qin Guan said, sighing in satisfaction. The other three people looked at the two pieces of bread left on the te silently. A sneaky figure appeared outside the window. Click, click... In the picture, Li was trying to grab the bread from Qin Guan. The photo made them look deliberately intimate with each other. The temptation of delicious food didnt depress ir, who was standing outside. He had volunteered toe to Cannes in search of some striking news for The New York Times. If he took advantage of those photos, he could make a good report. Overjoyed, he returned to his hotel without lingering outside the restaurant. Then he began to process the photos on hisptop. Gradually, a controversial, catching entertainment report wasposed. The executive editor of The New York Times received an email from him soon. He read through the content quickly and checked out the photos. Then he forwarded the email to his staff and made a call. "Ask the editor to check the text again. If there are no mistakes, the report can take up half a page of the entertainment section tomorrow." The entertainment section only took up eight pages of the newspaper, so Qin Guan would attract the attention of the readers. Qin Guan had no idea about what was happening. He was saying goodbye to Lou Ye at the airport. By the time he saw Sister Xue off, another ordinary morning had dawned in New York. "Xu Xiaoxiao, take a look over here. Isnt this your ssmate?" Xus father shouted at his son as they sat at the table eating breakfast. "My ssmate? In the entertainment section? Did he win the award?" Xu spotted Qin Guan right away. He was hugging a charming Asian beauty. They seemed to be very familiar with each other. In another photo, Qin Guan was holding a piece of bread in his mouth, while the beauty was almost sitting in his embrace. She was looking at him affectionately. The title was also very catchy. "Cannes Best Actor winner meeting a girl in secret. Betrayal!" ir had included all the information he had collected from OMG. Handsome Asian actor... Talented Columbia student... Childhood sweetheart... Cannes Best Actor Award winner... Secret meeting... Cheating... He had used ambiguous words to mislead the readers. Xu nearly tore the paper apart. As Qin Guans loyal fan, he knew about the rtionship between him and Cong Nianwei. Their love was as solid as gold. Xu was really jealous of them. Liar! You just wait and see! "The New York Times!" Rongzhi threw some coins at the owner of the bookstore before he read through the newspaper. My idol is in Cannes... "What the f*ck... Liar! You just wait and see!" If ir had known the consequences of that report, he would have chosen another victim in Cannes. As soon as Qin Guan went out of the terminal, he saw Cong Nianwei surrounded by a group of friends from Columbia, as well as He Ming and Lan Jin, who looked very happy to be there. Chapter 467: Countermeasures Chapter 467: Countermeasures Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Hello! What are you doing here? Are you throwing me a party? Are there any presents for me? Or did you just realize the advantages of marrying me, Wei? Do you want to propose to this famous, handsome guy?" Cong Nianwei rushed up to Qin Guan. The crowd around her looked ready to explode. She would rather be with a normal guy. "Whats going on?" "Take a look at this." Qin Guan opened the newspaper and almost spit out blood. He tried to exin anxiously. "Wei, this is a f*cking lie. Its nonsense! You know I have cooperated with Li Bingbing. If I wanted to date her, I wouldnt have done so in public." "I know, dont worry." Cong Nianwei tried tofort Qin Guan, who was about to go insane. Arent I the victim here? Shouldnt I beforted? "I wont let that guy get away with it! What did the other newspapers report?" Xu had bought several copies of other newspapers, where there were reports on the Cannes Best Actor winner without any gossip. "This is fake news. He has to pay," Qin Guan said with a frown. Everyone agreed and began to make ns. "Thats right. I will get my hands on the original photos. There must be something wrong with them," Rongzhi said first. "I know some good Chinesewyers. This is a race discrimination case. Theyll be killing two birds with one stone. Theyll get famous through this case!" He Ming suggested. Lan Jin didnt object to the idea. "The best way is to root the enemy out. How much would it cost to buy The New York Times?" Everyone fell silent at his shameless proposal. He was azy guy spending his spare time in an outside coffee bar, talking about a newspaper worth one billion yuan... It was both funny and stupid. He Ming stopped him. "How much money do you have? Shut up and stand still!" Xu was enlightened. "If we cant inflict a critical strike to his spirit, wed better eliminate him in flesh. Does Han Zhujiu have any spare time? Has there been any human trafficking recently?" Dude, can we talk about this in private? This is a crowded airport! People are looking at us as if we are idiots. "I will discuss it with my agent. I think Qu is familiar with media conflicts in America. Then Ille to you for help if I need any." "Okay!" Everyone was eager to do something. They would even risk their lives for him. Such funny guys! On the way back, Qin Guan got a call from Qu Xuemei. She had already formed her own opinion on the matter. The headquarters of VOGUE America were muchrger than those in China. The building was more crowded and busy. Qin Guan was in Qus office, learning about her way of dealing with things. She was his part-time agent in America after all. "Ill have awyer send a letter to the reporter and the chief editor of The New York Times." Qin Guan choked on his tea. Cant we negotiate with them first? That would be very rude! Seeing the doubt on his face, Qu said, "This is America, not China. Itsmon to quarrel openly here. You dont want to promote yourself by taking advantage of this?" She pointed a delicate finger straight up. Qin Guan shook his head firmly. Im not a small star relying on these affairs. "You dont want to depend on the media for publicity?" Qin Guan shook his head again. Such poprity would only do harm to an Asian actor. An inappropriate affair would humiliate him in the eyes of the public. "People think that the Chinese like to pour oil into troubled waters. Im not that tolerable though." Qin Guan shook his head again and again. Qu looked like a lion ready to roar. No one could prevent a woman from fighting, unless they wanted to die first. "No problem. Im always at your disposal." Qu felt a warm stream in her heart. Qin Guan trusted her... She knocked on the desk gently with her fingers. "You dont need to worry about these things. You have powerful friends, dont you? I will give the case to Cui Ming, a Chinesewyer. He has already epted it because of your friend. You dont need to pay him either. He said some rich guy has already paid for you." "Only the phrase in sailing could be used to describe your life and career. The matter is settled. Go! Im busy now." Qu told Qin Guan to leave without hesitation. Beauties always cause trouble. He managed to cause trouble even at an award ceremony! Chapter 468: Unknown Sentiment Chapter 468: Unknown Sentiment Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan stood up with reverence and awe and walked to the door. Im lucky to have such a reliable agent. When he pushed the door open, Qu said from behind him, "Congrattions for your award. Okay, you can go now!" Everyone focuses on the gossip and forgets about my award. The bted congrattions made his sad heart fall even more. When Qin Guans steps faded away in the hallway, Qu let out a soft breath. Under her desk was a safe exactly like the one in her office in China. It was also for Qin Guans collection. Qu opened it with the key easily and put the newspaper inside. She took it back again after ncing at the photo. She looked at Li Bingbing carefully and smiled. Then she picked up a small pair of scissors from her desk and cut Lis image from the photo. Disappointed with the hole, she scanned the desk, searching for something to cover it. There was a photo frame on the desk. She took her own smiling photo out of it and pasted them together. Although the colorful photo didnt match the ck-and-white paper well, she was satisfied with her work. Could this be considered a group photo? She pasted the photo to the inside of the safe carefully. On the photo, both she and Qin Guan were smiling softly. She closed the door of the safe and locked it, hiding the strange but harmonious photo. It was locked in the dark safe, as well as in her heart. That was what secret love was like. It could remain a secret for a persons entire life. Qin Guan, who knew nothing about her feelings, returned home tiredly. The door was open, and a familiar figure was working in the small kitchen wearing a yellow apron. It was a Chinese tradition to eat dumplings before a journey and noodles when one came back. His girlfriend was preparing warm noodles to wee him home. "Im back." Turning around, Cong Nianwei smiled at him under the light of the setting sun. "Wee back. Are you hungry?" "Of course!" "Wash your hands for dinner." "Okay!" Qin Guan said in a loud voice, partly out of joy and partly out of hunger. His luggage was already unpacked. Everything was in ce. The gold crystal cup was sitting on a shelf quietly. This was his first award. Everything was just right. White noodles were poured into a blue porcin bowl, the stringy gravy covering them. Steam was slowly rising up before Qin Guans face. Suddenly, he felt humidity in his eyes. It was probably from the steam. Qin Guan felt deep emotion in his heart. It was different from when he had been on the podium. He knew that this was love, the kind of feeling found only in locked hands and joint steps. "Cong Nianwei." "What?" "One day, that shelf will be filled with awards. They will all be for you. All my awards are yours." "So? You want to fill the whole shelf before marrying me?" Qin Guan looked at the shelf. It had threeyers, but only one lonely cup on it. "Well, there are also all the awards we won as kids. Yours should also be taken into ount." What a shameless guy! The two of them hugged each other. It was a sunny day. Cong Nianwei didnt say anything about the affair. A confident woman never paid attention to gossip. It was sad not to believe ones own boyfriend. On the other side of the ocean, a riot was taking ce. The news about the Cannes Festival had spread to China through some domestic reporters stationed in France. They had originally gone there for Lou Ye, but they had been surprised by Qin Guan. In two days, the news were in a prominent ce in every newspaper. "The third Best Actor in China has been born. Its Qin Guan, a young 22 year-old actor." "The Chinese film lost the Palme dOr, but a Chinese actor won in Cannes." "The acting skills of the handsome Best Actor winner." An American movie! A leading role! An indie film! Best Actor Award at Cannes! Everyone cooperating with Qin Guan was shocked. The directors of the sixth generation swallowed their own toothpaste while brushing their teeth. Director Zhang Jizhong dropped his breakfast, while Zhang Weining smiled in his office. Chapter 469: Breaking News Chapter 469: Breaking News Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Everyone who was focused on the Cannes Festival heard the news. In foreign countries, not a lot of people were interested, but indie film fans knew that Qin Guan had won the Best Actor Award of the 56th Cannes Festival. He was the third Chinese actor to get that award after Ge You and Liang Chaowei. Everyone wanted to toast to that. Qin Guans female fans went crazy online. His fan club was expanding at a high speed. His official fans were as many as 100,000. Most of Qin Guans acquaintances were frightened. They hadnt expected their son, fellow ssmate, and friend to win the award. Only the word "f*ck" could express their sorrow. ... "Got it!" Rongzhi shouted with sparkling eyes after working all night long. He had finally found out who ire, the frence writer of The New York Times, actually was. Then he discovered his apartment address and IP address through the localwork station. Finally, he invaded iresputer. Counterfeiters always saved the original photos or documents in a folder that they never opened in their whole lives. Rongzhi found ires secret in an encrypted folder. "Show me your secrets. OMG is waiting!" Rongzhi rubbed his hands happily. Then he opened the folder and checked it out. "What the f*ck... Whats that?" Current affairs... Entertainment gossip... Rumors... Real news were twisted intopletely different reports. There were 40 fake reports in total. ire had been publishing them in The New York Times for more than a year. It seemed that The New York Times, the newspaper with the highest sales volume in America, published unverified news quite often. ir was a frequent writer of the newspaper. What a joke! If the chief editor was careful, he could have found the loopholes. However... Emboldened by his initial sess, ir had continued his unscrupulous fabrication. Rongzhi took an excited breath and copied all the proof. Like a dedicated professional, he sent it to both Qin Guan and Vivian. As soon as she got everything, Vivian posted it on OMG,ining openly about her idol. Yes, thats right. Comining! Qin Guans romantic life was discussed heatedly on the forum by people interested in gossip. They were all really happy about the news. In America, such stories weremon among both ordinary people and stars. Female fans though, who tended to be perfectionists, couldnt ept that. Childhood sweethearts? You cheated on her as soon as you won the award! Besides, that girl was not even beautiful! They had a unique opinion on Chinese beauties. They preferred dark skin and thick lips, so Li Bingbing did not match their taste. The story changed really quickly though, when everyone found out about the fake news fabricated by The New York Times. It was unbelievable! Now everyone knew about the fake news published by the most popr newspaper in America. In a few minutes, theizens had gone crazy. The striking news were on OMG, where everyone gathered to spread it. In 10 minutes, the editors of all the mainstream media and portal websites had heard. Phones rang again and again. Will Ryan, the chief editor of The New York Times, rushed into his office. The directors of all the sections were crowded inside, although it was not working hours. "Talk... Anyone got through to ir?" Ryan rubbed his temples tiredly. The aggressive, achievement-oriented man was in big trouble. "ording to our technical staff, the material online is real. ir is a fraud." "We have to make an announcement tomorrow to correct the fake news..." "ir stole information from other media. Now we have to negotiate with those writers and publishers." "The victim of histest story was the Cannes Best Actor winner. Hiswyer has sent us a letter..." The calm, efficient man seemed overwhelmed by the bad news. He lowered his head, and then looked up again. Before he could say something to his startled staff, the phone rang again. "Chief editor, you have a call from the board..." Chapter 470: Devastation Chapter 470: Devastation Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Ryan held his works back. He left the meeting table to take the call, his mindpletely upied. He hung up after a while, looking defeated. Looking at all his subordinates, he said, "Get to work. Tomorrow, well have a press conference and I will resign." Silence prevailed in the room. How could a tiny mistake result in something so terrible? Ryans career was finished because of that mistake. Everyone was cursing ir through their teeth. He was the one who had implicated their superior. Where is he? Did he escape this horror? Wrong! ir had no idea what was happening. He had been arrested and was being held at the Queens Police Station, waiting for bail. This was the joint achievement of Rongzhi and Xu Xiaoxiao. Rongzhi had sent irs schedule to Xu, so he could tail him. Han Zhujius men were very good at ckmail. They had provoked ir and gotten him to beat them up. Then one of them had fallen down and started rolling around and crying. He had looked like he was dying and hurting all over his body. His partner had caught ir and called the police. The charismatic actor had been sent to the hospital, while poor ir was being held at a temporary detention facility. Drunk men, thieves, gangsters and drug addicts were being held there. There was no decent person around. Han Zhujiu was standing outside the cer door, filled with anger. "Zhong Yueshen? Its me, Han Zhujiu." A man at the innermost corner stood up slowly. He had an overwhelmingly strong body. "Your job. Five hundred dors. No wounds." Han waved a few bills at Zhong. "Come bail me out afterwards," the man said with a poker face, trying to bargain with Han. "No problem! How long?" "Thirty minutes. Fifty percent in advance." "Deal!" Han stuffed three bills into Zhongs pocket, sealing the deal. They talked in low voices in Chinese. ir had no idea about the important discussion taking ce. He only felt disgust for the Asian men who had tried to ckmail him. He is not a good guy. Hes familiar with those criminals. When I get out, those monkeys will never get a penny from me. Ill hire the bestwyer there is. Id rather spend my money on awyer! He was daydreaming. Meanwhile, Zhong was looking at him as if he was made of gold. It was another busy night at the police station. The policemen were busy with multiple cases, so they ignored the screamsing from the detention facility. Han walked out of the station leisurely. He lit a Liqun [1] cigarette and enjoyed it. They cost 13 yuan a packet and were much better than Camels. An Asian guy with short hair entered the external rtions office of the police station and knocked on the ss. "I want to bail out my friend, Zhong Yuesheng." "Okay, sign here." The poor man was used to being his subordinate. Han had decided to bail him out. Under the dim light of themps, two strong men were walking along the street. The taller one maintained a distance from the other one. "What about ir?" "Hurting, but no internal injuries..." Their Chinese ent lingered around the corner. The next day, nearly all the newspapers published the news about The New York Times in their headlines. The countless articles seemed to question the credibility and authenticity of the media. Even the newsboys were more serious about their work. As the source of the news, The New York Times was sold out as soon as the copies were ced on the newsstand shelves. Its rising sales volume crushed all the other newspapers. The press was depressed about the situation, as it reflected a crisis in their honesty, as well as the real attitude of their readers. The newspaperspetitors were wild with joy. The New York Times would need another chief editor to turn the situation around. As he walked on campus, Qin Guan was greeted by his schoolmates, both familiar and unfamiliar ones. Everyone was curious about the gossip circting, but as well-educated citizens, they didnt ask any rude questions. Besides, the girls only admired him more after that incident. Chapter 471: Success Chapter 471: Sess Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia He was handsome, single-minded and did well both in ss and in his career. He was the perfect man! If only he had been single... "Congrattions, Qin Guan. I saw your film!" "Hey, dude, will you sue the newspapers? Can I attend the hearing?" Qin Guan took no notice of this. As long as his girlfriend was not suspicious of him, he was afraid of nothing. He was carefully listening to the tutor. All professors loved a meticulous student. Xu was thinking about sharing a wonderful idea with Qin Guan after ss. Both he and Han Zhujiu were intrigued by it. Meanwhile, thergest radio station in America was broadcasting Ryans press conference. Ryan resigned from The New York Times. Looking grieved, he handed the microphone to Joseph Lelyveld, who had been chosen to rece him by the board. Facing the media, Lelyveld made a wonderful, profound speech not just about his newspaper, but also about the media circle in America. He also confirmed all the reasonable deficiency ims caused by the fake news. Meanwhile, ir weed another group of policemen at his home, even though he had been bailed out. "You have been used of fraud..." Feeling pain all over his body, ir was forced to get into a police cruiser for a second time. All he could do was withdraw all his money to get a goodwyer and reduce thepensation as much as possible. Three dayster, the brilliant news were still on the media. Ordinary American people attached great importance to their right to be informed. In their opinion, Ryans resignation made sense. The media stocks in NASDAQ were also influenced, which caused public anger. Lu Ruiheng, a reporter stationed in the US, who was working for the Xinhua News Agency, was gloating about the scandal. He was interested in the Chinese actor involved in the matter. The news of the scandal were spreading around the world. The Chinese media showed sensitivity though. "China Daily" published some articles about the truth, so Qin Guan appeared on the media again after a few days. He was not in the entertainment section this time though. He had made the headlines of several newspapers. "Reflecting on..." "The truth about... The titles were getting more and more serious. All the reports attributed everything to Qin Guans influence in the US. As a result, Qin Guan became the hero who had defended the peoples right to know the truth. More and more young cynics became his fans. Some keyboard men [1] let go of their prejudice against handsome men and joined his fan club. They considered him a pioneer of the resistance against imperialism. Thanks a lot. The situation in both China and America was favorable. As an honest Chinese boy, Qin Guan didnt ask for millions of dors aspensation. Listening to Cui Mings suggestion, he and his team of gangsters sued only for a reasonable amount. The intelligent boy won the hearts of the staff of The New York Times, who thought that he had only intended to solve a problem, not loot a burning house. He had never sold any information to other publishers, and they appreciated his kindness. In the end, the two parties settled out of court. Lelyveld cashed thepensation out to Qin Guanswyer. Then he dedicated a whole section to a written apology to pay him back. ir was not as lucky though. Cui Ming sued him for an extremely big amount of money. He wouldnt be able to escape from that case as long as he lived. That was whywyers were often called "vampires" in the US. Upon hearing this, Qin Guan felt that irs life was hopeless. "Isnt it cruel to make him go bankrupt?" "Dont worry. There are government grants for people who go bankrupt." "We need him to apologize." Well, good luck to you. Qin Guan fixed his eyes on the form in his hands again. It was a registration form for professional actors. He slowly filled in his first achievement in the nk space. It was his first acting award: the Best Actor Award of the Cannes Festival. He clicked on the mouse to send the form out. Chapter 472: Ranking Actors Chapter 472: Ranking Actors Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The forms reached the American Actors Association by post. The staff opened them one by one. After getting approved and verified, they would be filed. The association had thergest actor database in the US and yed an important role among film firms, investors and producers. Films of all kinds and sses could find the right actors in the database, to which the resume-collecting staff contributed a lot. Female staff had an advantage at work, as the requirements were cautiousness and tolerance when handlingplicated paperwork. There were five women working in that section amid a harmonious, rxed atmosphere. "Work ising..." Bang! A strong ck woman set arge box down on the desk. "Come on, sweethearts!" The other women gathered around and took the papers away. Most of them were junior applications. They would just register them in the system for the other departments to sort them out. Some of them just updated older profiles, like Qin Guans. Actors would renew their data when they got an important role in a film with a big budget, showed up in a famous TV program, or won an award in apetition. Those were all reasons for an update. The staff just registered in the system ording to the regtions. "Name... Qin Guan... Registered or not... Yes. Wow! Another update. Good for him!" Some actors stumbled upon a chance by luck, but their value still increased in the circle. There were hundreds of thousands of actors registered in the association, plus some who did not qualify. Among all those actors, only few could be famous. Marthas colleagues gathered around her curiously. "Who is he? Lets have a look. Maybe he is our idol..." "Here he is!" Martha opened Qin Guans original documents in the system. His photos were disyed on the screen. The Asian actor was really handsome. "Wow! Its him! I know him. He was the victim of fake news." "He was the Best Actor Award winner at Cannes!" That exined why he wanted to update his resume. His value would increase greatly thanks to the award. After reading his resume, thedies fell silent. "He must be very talented. Its a pity that..." "Its a pity that he is Asian. He doesnt have any experience in Americanmercial films." "Yes. I watched his film. Hes got good acting skills. An indie film though... The box office was average." They exchanged a nce and then returned to their seats gloomily. The pile of paperwork before them seemed boring now. Martha updated Qin Guans resume calmly and found his original documents in a case. "Hey, Martha!" Another girl, who was interested in Qin Guan, called out. "What ss of film could he get ording to industry standards?" Martha didnt reply. She just typed on the keyboard. Two minutester, she said, "C level." "What? Impossible! Thats too low for him." Thedies were aggrieved. Qin Guan was well-known by then. "Thats true." Martha was still busy with work. "The actor association relies on poprity and achievements. Hes only made one film. All his work was in China, so he is still at D level. He might have won the Best Actor award, but he has never acted in an A level film. Besides, he has never been a leading actor in an indie ormercial film, or gotten considerable box office sess. Its natural for him to be ssified at C level." "Hollywood and America aremerce-oriented. Plus, his skin color exins that ssification." Her response was reasonable. The other girls fell silent. Only the clicks of their keyboards were heard in the room. Martha sighed again. She put a "C" on the paperwork and filed it. "The most famous Asian actors in Hollywood are Chinese. Chow Yun Fat is no more than B level now. If he fails in a B level film, he will drop another level." Chapter 473: God or Fraud? Chapter 473: God or Fraud? Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Other than him, only Jackie Chan and Jet Li have a ce in Hollywood, because they are martial artists that match Hollywoods taste. They can only be leading actors in B level films though. Its difficult for an Asian actor who started from an indie film to reach a B level." With those straightforward words, Martha put Qin Guans paperwork back into a small archive cab. Thanks to his "C" mark, he could have priority for middle-level films. Although the award was important in any other country, it only carried a small weight in Hollywood. There was only one criteria there:mercial value. One might get a chance, but the box office was the final judgement. That was the strictw of the jungle. Nobody could deny it. Qin Guan was busy in his decorated office. Xu Xiaoxiao, who was fascinated by Chinese Fengshui, had invited a master there as a gift for the new business. As Qin Guan was arranging desks and chairs in the office, he heard the tinkle of the bells. A middle-aged man in a grey satin traditional Chinese garment and a pair ck cloth shoes was standing by the door leisurely. He had a linen bag in his hand, and three threads of macrochaeta were hanging under his jaw. Xu invited him in respectfully. "This way, master. Could you please check the Feng Shui in this office for my friend? Should we make any changes?" Qin Guan was speechless. Cong Nianwei turned around, trying to hold herughter back. Where had he found that guy? Lan Jin was also interested in him. The sage-like man epted the title of "master" calmly. Holding his hands behind his back, he went around the office leisurely. His loose gown seemed to move with an ethereal lightness. After making a full round, the man stopped. He cleared his throat and stared at Xu. "The structure of the room is quite reasonable. Its facing south... Theres enough sunshine... Appropriateposition... High utility..." He spoke with fervour and assurance. Cong Nianweis shoulders were shaking withughter. He looked like a realtor. "However..." The man stopped and folded his arms across his chest with a sigh. Xu looked scared. "Whats wrong with the room, Master Zhong?" Master Zhong narrowed his eyes and smiled. "I have advised your father many times in the past. Im not here to scare you. Ill help your friend." While they were talking heatedly, Qin Guan waved at Lan Jin. Lan ran over to him and asked in a low voice. "Whats the matter? He is very interesting." Qin Guan pointed to the master. "Where is he from?" Lan was good at spreading gossip. He got close to Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei and said, "I drove them both here. They were boasting in the backseat all along the way. He was rmended by Xus fathers brothers uncles nephew. He said he was an alumni of the Maoshan School [1] in China. He has checked the Feng Shui for many of Xus fathers stores. The stores are all flourishing. He is well-known in the Chinese circle." "Xu is obsessed with traditional Chinese culture. He believes that there is still a phoenix deep in the forest." "I hear that the Maoshan School is good at capturing ghosts. Are there any Maoshan Taoists now?" Cong Nianwei asked with a smile. Lan grimaced. "He said his branch practises Feng Shui. This is beyond me." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a nce and decided to ept Xus kind gift. Then Qin Guan told his staff, who were still working in the room, to take a break. They could continue after the master was done. Everyone found a chair and sat down to watch the drama. "The building is too close to your neighbours. This goes against the diffusion of evil spirit. As time passes, it wille back to bite the staff working here." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were stunned. All the buildings on Wall Street were close to each other. And what was that "evil spirit"? "Any ideas on how to avoid it?" "I suggest finding two mascots to ce on both sides of the door. " The master nced at the transparent ss door and then added, "You can put them inside so they dont get lost." Who would put two stone lions in an ounting firm, and who would steal them? "Besides, the window ss on the building across the street is reflecting sunshine back into your office. This is not natural light. It might be filthy..." Chapter 474: SOS from Japan Chapter 474: SOS from Japan Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Xu was sincerely convinced, but Qin Guans mouth was open wide. "Ill hang apass on the window and a mirror on the sill to reflect the light..." "The most important thing is having a Guandi shrine on your reception. You should offer him three scented candlesticks a day..." Xu nodded again and again, while Cong Nianwei finally burst intoughter. Qin Guan was getting more and more curious. He walked over and interrupted them. "Wait a moment. This sounds strange. Master, what are you nning for my firm? Lions? Guandi?" Zhong Changjie was stunned. Twisting his macrochaeta, he answered, "Whats the matter? My n worked for the gangster headquarters..." Everyone burst intoughter. "Master Zhong, this is an ounting firm. It engages in finance..." Xu reminded him awkwardly. Zhongs hand shook as he pulled several of his hairs out. The bastard didnt rify about the situation. I thought it was another one of his fathers stores! I was totally wrong! Their clients would get scared if they saw a shrine of Guandi. He put the me on Xu. "You should have told me in advance. I would have made a different n." To restore his image, the master opened his bag and searched through his tools. Holding a heavy goldenpass in his hand, he took a deep breath and then let it out. He lookedpletely cheered up. "Ha!" He cleared his throat. Lan Jin, who was stillughing beside him, fell down from his chair with a startle. The master stood up straight and held thepass up. Thepass began to spin fast. A few minutester, it stopped. The hand of the inner dial ovepped with the red line on the outside dial. "A fortune will be made here. The boss should sit in this spot. Put a dharma-vessel here to attract riches and good luck." Everyone looked at the spot speechlessly. That was Qin Guans desk, which had been designed by Cong Nianwei. The master was really smart. Anybody could be a master! Xu was convinced though. He decided to buy a dharma-vessel for Qin Guan. Qin Guan shook his head and shouted at his staff, "Okay, get back to work! There is only a little time left. Ill take you all out in the evening! My treat!" "Wow! Long live our boss!" "Thank you!" The girls and Lan Jin apuded before they returned to work happily. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. They all looked at each other. Who is it? The property staff of the building? The neighbours? Qin Guan went to answer the door. "Whos there?" A familiar stranger was standing outside the ss wall. It was Qingmu from Citizen. He looked like a sun-dried frog who had cried its eyes out. He seemed to be saying something to Qin Guan. who hastened to open the door for him. "Mr. Qingmu? What are you doing here?" Qingmu kneeled down before Qin Guan. "Mr. Qin Guan! Help me!" He copsed on the floor of the front hall, looking like he had been relieved off a heavy burden. Everyone rushed over, stupefied by the scene. It was sad to see a strong man crying and murmuring like that. Qin Guan felt strange. A lot of strange things were happening that day. Zhong twisted his macrochaeta again. "The gentlemans temples look dark and his forehead is dim. Im afraid his life is in danger." He is lying on his stomach. How can you see his forehead and temples? Qingmu looked upset at his words. Suddenly, he looked up. "Exactly! Im doomed, Mr. Qin Guan! Only you can save me!" Zhong shook his head proudly as Xu looked at him in admiration. Confused, Qin Guan pointed to his office. "I dont know whats going on, but lets talk about it in my office." Qingmu agreed. He had seed in convincing everyone that he was devastated. He climbed up from the floor and wiped his tears on his sleeves, forgetting about his dignity. Chapter 475: Solution Chapter 475: Solution Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia They entered the office curiously. Qin Guan closed the door, and they took a seat. Qin Guan waited until Qingmu had calmed downpletely. "Tell me, Mr. Qingmu. Whats the purpose of your visit?" cing both hands on his knees, Qingmu took a deep bow before Qin Guan. "Yamaguchi-gumi came to Citizen, inquiring about why you didnt show up in our 2003 advertisement. As the director, I had to exin to them. Yamaguchi-gumi was not satisfied with my answer though and proposed to rece our representative." "Citizen could have rejected that unreasonable requirement. They are powerful, but they never exert violence on formalpanies." "You became really sessful in America though. You won the Cannes Best Actor Award and became renowned internationally through the fake news scandal. The Citizen board feels deeply regretful. Taking advantage of Yamaguchi-gumi, the headquarters pinned all the responsibility on me. They broke their contract with Chad and asked me to convince you to be our representative again." "Im the arch criminal here. I have to appease both the gangsters and the board. If I fail, Ill lose my job and die silently..." The proud Japanese man started crying again, burying his face in his hands. A mans tears were reserved only for true sorrow. Yamaguchi Tsutomu was the favorite of the head of Yamaguchi-gumi. Among all his children, she was the only one he had raised himself. He was not sad about the terrible events in New York, but he was worried about the girl getting lost in the city. Only when she had returned to Japan was he able to rx again. As a loyal man, he had decided to pay Qin Guan back for saving her life. "Did Citizen fire Mr. Qin?" Yamaguchi Tsutomu hadmented randomly while reading through Qin Guans resume. Her father remembered that. I have to rify this. How dare Citizen fire her lifesaver? All those coincidences had resulted in this predicament. Qin Guan, who had no idea about this, felt troubled. "I would like to help you, but my schedule in North America is arranged by my agent. Its difficult to change my contract. Besides, I have my own work to take care of. Look..." Qin Guan pointed to the office outside. "This is my new ounting firm. Im too busy with work." Yes, Qin Guan was no longer a nobody searching for a job. He was already a top model. People had to wait in line for an appointment with him. "Besides, you are aware of the uniqueness of representative work. I wonder if my agent has signed a contract with some other watch brand. If she has, Im sorry but I cant help you." Qingmu had no time to pretend anymore. He bounced up and took another deep bow. "Please introduce me to your agent. Please!" Qin Guan sighed. Its no trouble for me. Ill just help him. They went out and saw everyone gathered around the door curiously. They did not look embarrassed about their eagerness to gossip. "Whats going on? What can we do for you?" "In my opinion, this depends on Mr. Qin. It is better for the doer to undo what he has done." That was very reasonable. Thanks to the guidance of the master, Qingmu felt confident again. If I fail, I could just run for my life. Qin Guan exined to Cong Nianwei about the matter and left the office with Qingmu. They drove to Qus temporary office. Xu was totally convinced by the master, while Lan cast a supercilious look at Xu. Qu was not surprised by Qin Guans call. Taking advantage of this, she arranged appointments with several top brands for that day. Qin Guan and Qingmu, who had no idea about the situation, were led to thergest meeting room of the VOGUE headquarters, where all kinds of people were seated. It looked like a small-scale international conference. Qin Guan and Qingmu were invited into the room. Qu waved at Qin Guan, while the representatives of different brands were itching to get a clear look at the charming man. Chapter 476: A New Task Chapter 476: A New Task Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was slightly hot in June. The Asian model-sh-actor was sitting across the table. He was in a casual grey short-sleeved polo shirt. His short hair seemed to shine in the meeting room. Those long eyshes, that straight nose, those sexy lips, those charming eyes... People from different brands noticed the advantages of Qin Guans body. Qu concluded that it was a good choice to have Qin Guan attend the meeting. When they left the meeting room, Qingmu, who had been sitting behind Qin Guan, seemed to beg him with his eyes. Introduce me, please! Qu saw him as soon as he entered the meeting room and shot a worried look at him. "Qin Guan, who is this gentleman?" "Mr. Qingmu, the director of Citizen in North America. We used to cooperate back in China." Qin Guan made a short introduction as Qu smiled in a meaningful way. Despite the fact that he was the director of a famous brand, he felt a chill go down his spine. He felt like a pupil looking up at the teacher nervously. Qus answer would decide his fate. "I just signed a representative contract with Vacheron Constantin in North America." A thunder struck Qingmu. What shall I do? What shall I do? "What shall I do?" Qin Guan shrugged as Qu turned on him. "Are you an idiot? You will be their representative in North America, not across the whole world. Yamaguchi-gumi is unhappy with Qin Guans absence in Japan. You should talk with the headquarters to add a model to the Asian representatives. New products, traditional sets... Anyone will do. Then your work will be finished. You dont need topensate them for breaking your contract in North America." Scared, Qingmu came back to his senses. Thats a good idea! They turned around and looked at Qin Guan, who seemed shocked. "I have no time to work in Asia. Sister Xue rejected that contract because of my tight schedule." Qingmu remembered. Thats right. This was why Qin Guan had some differences with Citizen. The conversation returned to the original issue. Qingmu had to beg him again. As Qingmu tried to figure out how to convince him, Qu shot another supercilious look at Qin Guan. "You are in a favorable position, arent you? Citizen has to fit into your schedule. We can shoot the advertisement in America. I think Mr. Qingmus life is a prioritypared to the extra expenses." Yes! Considering Qin Guans value and status, nobody would oppose that n. Besides, the Citizen PR department had to invest more in Qin Guan. It was a win-win situation. Qingmu felt like worshipping Qu. Qu tapped on a pile of paperwork. The Asian representative of Citizen... Qin Guan would get an annual sry of 10 million dors. This was the lowest possible sry for a top model. By then, Qin Guan was qualified enough to be selected by international top fashion magazines and brands. The top 100 list was the highest honor for film stars, models and fashion insiders. Qin Guan had nothing else to do there. Before he could leave though, the woman stopped him. "Yourtest schedule is on the board. Take it and pay attention to the dates." Qin Guan saw a quivering note on the board beside the door. It was not in its proper ce, which implied the indifference of the person whod hung it. "Got it!" Qin Guan took the note and shut the door for Qingmu and Qu. "So, Mr. Qingmu... Lets discuss the details..." Qin Guan read the note carefully in the car. "Special guest appearance on the TV program Americas Next Top Model, Episode I, CW station." This was the first time Qin Guan would participate in a TV program. Considerably, his appearance had been scheduled on a weekend. Qin Guan recalled the invitation of the director of the program on the night he hadpeted against Chad. Qin Guan stuffed the yellow note into his pocket and started his beloved car. My participation will make the program popr... The next day, Qin Guan headed to the registration office of the CW station in New York. The program epted applications from all over the country and interviewed all the candidates. It was thest day of work. During the whole week, the participants had stood in a long line outside therge office. Qin Guan locked his car. Putting both hands in his pockets, he nned on entering the office by passing by the long line. The proud models were vignt though. "Hey, dont cut in line!" "Wait for your turn, okay?" Chapter 477: Superman Chapter 477: Superman Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The beautiful girls were hostile with him. They had been waiting outside for a long time. Some girls at the end of the line screamed when they saw Qin Guan clearly. They were not ordinary people, but girls participating in a supermodelpetition, so they knew all about the fashion circle. That handsome guy was Qin Guan, a rising Asian model in America! "Its Qin Guan!" "Oh my! I cant breathe!" Their screams attracted the attention of everyone around them. Those in the front looked back, eager to get to Qin Guan, but afraid of losing their ce in line. "Excuse me. Let me go!" Qin Guan had underestimated the power of his looks and the craziness of American girls. They were tearing his white shirt apart. To avoid bing the first judge attacked by the contestants, he shouted loudly, "I am a judge in your first interview! Who wants to fail in the contest?" The crazy girls came back to their senses. My fate is in the hands of that young man, who looks almost as old as I am. I better tter him. Instantly, a small space was formed around Qin Guan. He looked around him proudly. Well done! He fixed his wrinkled shirt and headed towards the office. A small dark-skinned hand stretched out from the crowd to touch him, but shrank back fast. Then came a second, a third, a fourth one... A white, a ck, a yellow one... As a master of the runway, Qin Guan pretended nothing had happened. He went through the hallway and walked directly into the office. As soon as he entered, he saw the hostess and producer of the show, Tyra Banks. The sad expression on the ck beautys face changed when she saw him. The team of the show was nowplete. "Lets wee ourtest guest, Qin Guan. Hees from the mysterious country of China." Banks was smiling sincerely. The selling point of the show was bing an independent model. Nigel Barker and Jay Alexander also helped form the perfect judgemittee. "Lets judge the girls from the tapes." Boxes of tapes were set onto the table. Each tape contained a 30-second self-introduction. It would take them two days to finish them all. "This is so-so." "Only eight quotas? Shall we consider race?" As the other three judges were talking, Qin Guan turned on all four TVs in the office and stuffed the tapes into them one by one. They all yed at the same time. "Hi, everyone, Im from Florida..." "Hello, friends! Ie from California..." "Im a Texan..." In 30 seconds, the videos came to an end. The other judges were stunned. Qin Guan pointed to one of them. "The girl on the fourth screen is pretty good. We can set her aside for the second round of selection." Nobody answered him. Qin Guan looked at them and saw three open mouths. Jay couldnt help but ask, "Are you kidding? You make decisions too easily. Its impossible to watch four videos at the same time." Even Nigel, who was the calmest one, couldnt help but admit that. Facing the disapproving expression in their eyes, Qin Guan exined leisurely, his cool tone feeling just like a smoothie in June. "The first girl is from Florida. She is 19 years old and 175 centimeters tall. Her hips are too wide, and she has an ordinary face and a skinny figure. Her blonde, curly hair makes her face look darker. She is not up to our standards. Besides, she is not that interested in fashion. No potential there. Two stars." "The second girl is African American. She has a pretty face, but her hips are also too wide. Thats a disadvantage. She is also only 170 centimeters tall and overweight. She is not up to our standards. Two stars for personal condition and three stars for potential." "The third one..." "Thest one is the best based on the tapes, but other factors, such as ones walk, sense of camera, exhibiting ability and keenness to learn about fashion cannot be exhibited in 30 seconds." His voice made the others feel drunk. They saw bamboos and felt a soft spring breeze. Wait! Something strange was happening! You can memorize the basic information of four models in 30 seconds? Jay, who was a straightforward man, asked him the question everyone was thinking about. "You can memorize all of them in 30 seconds? How can you do that? Its difficult for me to even watch one tape at a time!" Chapter 478: Being A Teacher Chapter 478: Being A Teacher Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan shrugged in confusion. "How is that difficult? I just memorize their self-introduction and tell you about them." His colleagues straightened their backs. They live on their appearance, while you are crushing them by using your brain! Qin Guans ability had actually saved the judges. Jay carried moreptops to the office and everyone got to work. The models outside were taking video interviews one after the other. Their work was unexpectedly finished in advance. In half a day, thanks his good temper and perfect looks, Qin Guan had be the favorite of the team. There was a beautiful harmony among them. Jay, who was captivated by Qin Guans charm, told him goodbye reluctantly in the parking lot. "We must have been good friends in a past life. I like you a lot. We will have plenty of time to cooperate in the future. Ha, ha... Im really shy..." Qin Guan tried to take his hand back. The tall ck man was very tender and sensitive. What a sissy! Before he coulde back to his senses, Jay turned around and blew a kiss at him. "See you next week!" Then he left, his behind swaying in a flirty way. Qin Guan coughed and drove away as fast as he could. That was so stimting! It wasnt until next week that Qin Guan really experienced Jays power. As a top model, Qin Guan had been entrusted with the training of the models. Jay, who was in charge of runway training, was his closest partner. Their jobs supplemented each other after all. The girls had left their hometowns and settled temporarily in arge vi in the suburbs. During the show, they would be living, training and working together. They would be both rivals and friends. Despite their good looks, most of them had no idea about the industry. They couldnt be called supermodels. They would need training, guidance and experience, as well as a lot of knowledge, in order to be models. Qin Guan and Jay were preparing for their first ss with eight girls in a private room. There was a white runway inside, broad enough for a professional show. The backstage area and spectator seats made it look like a real runway. It was perfect for green hands to get familiar with the industrys working conditions. The eight girls were standing on the stage nervously in the same swimsuit. Qin Guan frowned at them, while Jay bounced up and down. Beating his chest, he shouted at them angrily. "What are you doing? Im starting to second guess our decision now! Why are you hiding in the corner like quails? Am I a tiger? Shouldnt you rush up to us in adoration, like the first time we met?" You overestimate yourself. The girls had rushed up to Qin Guan, not you. Jay used his pointer. "Walk! Straighten your chests! Walk in a circle! One by one! One, two, three, four!" The girls walked on the stage, while Qin Guan observed them carefully. The bold American girls got excited when they saw Qin Guan looking at them from under the stage. Some girls went wild. When they got close to Qin Guan, they would shake their boobs, twist their bottoms, smooth their hair or cast enchanting looks at him. In other words, they resorted to extreme measures. Some girls were elegant and shy though. They passed by Qin Guan nervously, their cheeks blushing. The only girl who paid no attention to Qin Guan was Jenny, who was a lesbian. Before Qin Guan could finish his observation, a ck arm was ced on his shoulder. Jay wasining in his ear in a soft voice. "Wow! You have such a strong impact on them. My heart is breaking. This is for the best though. Any girl who can walk on a runway calmly under the effect of your charm can be considered a real model. Thats why you were chosen as a guest judge. The producers are so smart!" Qin Guan moved his arm away with a disgusted expression. "The round is finished. Wanna go first, or should I?" Jay winked at him naughtily, his frog-like eyes scaring Qin Guan. "You first," he told Qin Guan with the most horrible expression. Relieved, Qin Guan rushed to the stage. Ill go crazy if I stay around him. "Some of you might be models, and some of you might not. Everyone here is an amateur when ites to the runway though. You cant get a job like that." The girls grimaced at his words. They were considered outstanding in their hometowns. This was their first time hearing such criticism. Chapter 479: Advantages Chapter 479: Advantages Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan fixed his clothes. Suddenly, he transformed from a soft spring breeze into a sharp sword. "You need long-term training on protocol. As greenhands, you have a lot to learn. Pay attention to my demonstration, I hope you will be able to learn something from it. Remember, try to take full advantage of your abilities. Attention!" The professional model began to walk while Jay yed a rhythm for him with his pointer. Everyone fixed their eyes on his perfect figure. His legs were neither too tall nor too short, and his steps were neither too fast nor too slow. He was like the clouds and the sky, like an old story tirelessly retold. His legs looked slender as his bottom swayed gently. His back and shoulders were straight. As he walked, he cast looks everywhere around him. He seemed to notice everyone and make them feel like the center of his attention. The shirt and jeans on his body weremon and cheap, yet they seemed to sparkle. Walking along to the rhythm, he got to the front end of the stage. Then he showed every article of clothing on his body by taking the perfect pose. Even his leather shoes looked royal. Before the eight girls coulde back to their senses, Qin Guan smiled. As everyone started fainting, he put his poker face back on. Turning around, he left like he was walking on clouds amid the sound of running water. Everyone woke up from their dream and saw the fairy return to Heaven. Loud apuse broke out as Qin Guan disappeared backstage. The whole process had been recorded by the cameras. Even the cameraman cheered for Qin Guan. The top models performance had shocked them. They would remember it all their lives. Jay fell into deep thought though. Qin Guan was too outstanding for the girls. The sharp contrast between them waspletely unexpected. Fortunately, this was a show for female models. If Qin Guan had participated in a show for male models... As he thought about it, Jay shouted, "Did everyone see that? Go! Go, you silly greenhands!" The cameras started rolling again as the girls began to practice. The cameraman tried to save the best shots for Qin Guan. Suddenly, the door opened. Tyra Banks and Qu Xuemei entered the room leisurely. The former was wearing an enchanting makeup look, and thetter was dressed in ck. A camera followed them instantly. Everyone turned their heads in their direction. The curious girls did not dare stop. When one of them hesitated. Jays pointer hit her on the shoes. She nearly fell down. ording to the n, Banks would surprise them. After the first round, the selected girls would get to participate in a formal advertisement as a reward. That was a grand prize for the girls. As a cunning woman, Qu had taken advantage of the game rules and tried tobine Qin Guans work with the show. As the producer, Banks had epted her suggestion dly. Do you know why? Banks had originally only been able to publish the girls photos in the inner pages of Stuff Magazine. Qu had provided her with a better choice though: NYLON Magazine. It was a win-win situation. Qin Guan had just agreed to do an advertisement for LOreal, who was generously sponsoring the show. Therefore, the winners of the first round could sign a 150,000-dor contract with L Oreal, instead of the original 100,000-dor contract with Maybelline. This was quite a surprise for the production team. The proposal exceeded the previous one on both the value and fame of the brand. Besides, this meant that untrained models would be epted by the fashion circle. The winner of thepetition would have an easier path ahead of her in the future. Satisfied with the hard-working girls, Tyra Banks began doing her job as the hostess. Qin Guan observed her performance with curiosity. Compared to films and TV series, TV programs, especially entertainment-oriented ones, were very dramatic. Chapter 480: Awful Chapter 480: Awful Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Tyra Banks shrugged. Her eyes were wide open. She announced the good news to the girls in an exaggerated tone, giving them a splendid smile. "Hey, darlings. I have some good news for you. First, I would like to introduce this beautifuldy, who is the chief editor of VOGUE. She came here with some news for our judge Qin Guan." The girls held their breaths at the sound of VOGUE. Soon though, they became depressed again. "But..." Banks opened her wide mouth. "Everyone on the stage will have the chance to participate in the LOreal advertisement! With Qin Guan!" "You wont just get fashion stills. Youll be on TV, magazines, posters, printed material... Anything you can think of!" Before her voice could fade away, the girls hugged each other,ughing and shouting. Qin Guan cast a confused look at Qu. I knew nothing about this. Why didnt you inform me in advance? Qu looked at him with a poker face while the photographer hastened to turn the camera away. Qin Guan opened his eyes wide and sighed through his nose. Fine. You win! Once again, Qu had acted first and reported afterwards. Qin Guan decided not to protest. The camera had recorded everything after all. He would have to work with the cameras for both the advertisement and the show anyway. The girls ran off the stage like happy birds, heading for LOreal in a bus. The receptionist was shocked by the scene. A handsome Asian man was leading the crowd. He was wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt and a pair of jeans. His perfect figure made those ordinary clothes look really fashionable. Several beautiful girls followed him closely. He was the most attractive one among them. A reliable-lookingdy stood up and pulled her stunned colleagues to the side. "Are you Mr. Qin Guan? Follow me, please. The studio is on the third floor." The young girl came back to her senses, recalling the activity she had been informed about by the assistant of the PR department in the morning. Im so silly! When they got into the elevator, the receptionist took out a small mirror. All those beauties pale inparison to him, and Im only a small sparrowpared to them. Qin Guan had no idea about her broken heart as he entered the studio with the girls. First, he had to put on makeup. The girls would also undergo a total transformation. Qu was taking advantage of LOreal. The hairdressers, makeup artists and designers got to work. The girls were screaming as they were transformed, Qin Guan was well-prepared though. "Clothes!" The wardrobes in the simple, elegant fitting rooms were opened one by one. The boy in charge of the clothes asked his supervisor, "Which advertisement is first?" "Marcin Twardowski!" "Got it!" The boy picked out a colorful leisure suit, a pair of shorts and some soft leather shoes. By then, Qin Guan had put on a colorful wig that made him look like rainbow candy. When he came out of the fitting room, even Jay was shocked. It was an unwritten dressing rule to neverbine more than three colors. Qin Guan looked like a crazy paint store. One could find any color on his body. He was wearing a bright pink coat, baby blue shorts, bright yellow shoes... All those bright colors were perfect for baby clothes. As the chief editor of a fashion magazine, Qu couldnt help but ask the creative director of LOreal a question. "Thats a lot of bright colors! Wont they influence the oue?" The director pointed to the female models heading for the fitting rooms with a mysterious smile. "Youll see soon enough." Banks and Jay were nervous to see the result. This was their first episode! As they began to discuss the possibility of causing some disputes among the girls to captivate the audience, the girls went out. They were like a rainbow! Each girl had been assigned a color that matched Qin Guans costume. Banks was excited about the creative idea, but Qu Xuemei was frowning. LOreals concept went pretty well with the show. They would make the advertisement for free by taking advantage of this. This was a trial for Qin Guan though. The seven colors represented seven different styles. As the main representative, he had to have control over everything. Even the smallest mistake could seem gigantic. Chapter 481: Makeup Artists Kneeling Down Chapter 481: Makeup Artists Kneeling Down Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Its a difficult question... Is this an unconscious choice of LOreal, or a way of the industry? Why didnt they inform me in advance? Their resources were limited, so it was profitable to kick someone out. No! No model would be capable of setting up such a trap. Only arge agency, or several agencies together could have done this. If we fell into the trap, we could have done nothing but me ourselves. The photographer in charge of the fashion stills told them to get into position. "Qin Guan! Shall we begin?" Baal waved at Qin Guan, her long, blonde hair hanging down to her waist. After getting the concept of the advertisement, Qin Guan smiled at the photographer. "Lets begin!" The white background was as pure as snow. A female model in a long red V-neck dress was standing there, the hemline of her dress spreading on the stage like a blooming poppy. Qu buried her face into her hands. I cant bear to watch. Everyone else also seemed to think that Qin Guan looked wrong in that scene. Qin Guan wasnt thinking of anything though. Work was work. One had to advance, regardless of the difficulties they faced. Of course, if there was bullsh*t in front of me, Id avoid it... Qin Guan walked calmly to the center of the scene and arranged the white couch. Then he sat down, folding his legs. He took out the real protagonist of the advertisement carefully. It was a slender lipstick, different from traditional thick lipsticks. He moved the lipstick in his slender fingers to reveal its red color. It was as bright as the rising sun. Qin Guan waved at the nervous female model. The girl felt calm at the sight of his eyes. He is a good model. We will take a splendid photo together. The blonde beauty lowered her head at Qin Guans request. Her full chest was visible on the camera. Qin Guan suddenly changed. He seized her jaw and began to apply lipstick on her lips. His eyes were filled with ardour. He was dedicated to the job. Even the funny wig was a symbol of his talent. The fashion was him. He was the fashion. The staff in the dressing room went out one after the other to take a look. The most sensitive of them fell into deep thought tearfully. Makeup artists are so beautiful. Our rebellious style is nothing tough about. Qin Guan was not aware of the advantages his performance had brought him. All the makeup artists in America would try their best to work for him in the future. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was focused on the female model. When he was finished, he touched his own fingers to his lips. Everyone went crazy as the cameras recorded the scene. Tyra and Jay werepletely absorbed in his performance. Banks had originally been opposed to inviting Qin Guan to the show, as he was only a rising greenhand in the US. She was convinced by his performance now though and appreciated the decision made by her seniors. This season will get good audience ratings! Qu had not moved in a long time. She didnte back to her senses until Qin Guan had finished most of his work. Then she walked slowly to a corner and took a seat. She was sweating heavily. Sometimes, caring affected ones feelings. She was thinking hard about the reasons behind this. Before she could reach a conclusion, the photographer was done. Qu walked over to watch the yback. It was an advertisement for a cosmetics set, which included a lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow and eyebrow pencil. He was the first male model to promote makeup for women. The photos would shock the fashion circle. While everyone was busy selecting the most beautiful photos, the models were changing costumes in the fitting room. Qin Guan was treated like a king. The makeup artists wanted to massage him and feed him candy. The team leader told them to get back to work. Otherwise, they might have forgotten about their next task. Qin Guan went out in another normal outfit. Everyone was concentrated on his face though. His skin seemed smoother and more delicate than before. No ws or pores could be seen under the lights. His eyebrows, cheekbones and jaw all looked polished. He looked even more handsome than before! Those shameless makeup artists! The director had no time to pay attention to the models face. He was too focused on the script. He was eager to see if the model could act it out well. Chapter 482: Emergency Chapter 482: Emergency Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Among a whirlwind of office workers, white shirts, suit pants, golden-framed sses and card holders was a talented young man, sitting behind an ordinary desk. The director looked around at his staff. "Remember the sequence?" he asked. The girls nodded with a serious expression. The director waved at them. "Three, two, camera!" Qin Guan got to work right away, working like a robot among the towering files. "Intensive work and pressure are bad for your skin. The oil blocks the pores..." The voiceover paused. Qin Guan looked up from his documents tiredly. He seemed worried about his skin, like any ordinary IT worker. "The girls pay no attention to you..." Two models walked over nervously. As greenhands, they didnt know how to express their scorn. They just used their bodynguage. Their necks were bent forward, and their noses were pointed to the sky. Qin Guan raised his eyebrows sadly and grimaced. One could only look at them from afar, but not y with them... "There is a solution though..." Two other girls ran up to Qin Guan with a product, like angels saving the world. It was the first time they were acting in an advertisement. Unlike the previous two, who didnt need to do anything but walk by, they had to perform in front of the camera. One of them had to grab Qin Guans sses gently from behind him, and the other had to ce the LOreal mens facial cleanser beside his face. Then the camera would zoom in on the product and Qin Guan. The two girls were nervous. The one standing behind Qin Guan had big boobs. Qin Guan could feel them on his back. There were too many people around him, so Qin Guan had to crane his neck forward, which made it difficult for the girl to take his sses off. As a result, her fingers were stuffed into Qin Guans nose. Unfortunately, misfortunes always came in pairs. Startled by the mistake, the other girl dropped the bottle in her hand next to Qin Guan. Everyone was familiar with stic bottles. The edges were always sharp and hard. When the bottle fell down, it slid over Qin Guans face, leaving a white mark on his cheek. In a few seconds, the white mark turned red. Everything happened too fast. In 10 minutes, screams broke out amid the silent crowd. "Qin Guan!" Qu rushed up to them, pushing the scared girl away. She pinched Qin Guans jaw and lifted it up. There was a soft red line on his smooth skin. It was not a big deal. If one scratched their arm with their nails, the mark would disappear in a few minutes. Of course, that rule didnt apply to people who had an allergic reaction or really sharp nails. The girl came back to her senses and started crying. "I didnt mean to..." Qu let Qin Guan go and berated the girl. "Shut up! Ill make sure you go bankrupt if you dont stop crying!" Then she turned around. "And you? Are you okay? Move your head from between your boobs!" Her power made everyone go silent. Qin Guan looked up with red cheeks. He stood up and turned around, only to find the girl behind him looking at him shyly. This is a disaster! Qin Guan shivered. Shall I weed her out? Will she mess with me? Her eyes remind me of Huang Jiajia! Chapter 483: Mickey Mouse and KFC Chapter 483: Mickey Mouse and KFC Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qu Xuemei solved the problem while the makeup artist helped Qin Guan. She applied several drops of massage oil to his face to soothe it. In a few minutes, everyone had calmed down. Qu sized Qin Guan up to confirm that he was well. Then she told the director to go on. The models were more careful the second time around. When the bottle was pasted to Qin Guans face, the director stopped the shooting. After that emergency, the girl could finally cheer up. She was admired by everyone. A good psychological state was a necessary quality for an outstanding model. She was worthy of public attention. Qu still insisted on her conspiracy theory though. After sending Qin Guan home, she focused on all the details of that day. There must be something strange going on. Everything had to be taken into consideration. It was difficult for her to discover the truth by herself though. She wanted to entrust the case to a professional. Detective agencies, also known as research firms, were illegal in China. In some foreign countries though, they could formally register with the government. Most of them employed retired policemen, professionalwyers and veterans. Resourceful people from all walks of life. With enough money, one could get the result they wanted. Sometimes, they were even more capable than the police. As the street king, Xu Xiaoxiao epted the case without hesitation. Qu asked him to rify the situation. Was there anybody after Qin Guan? Was that ident a coincidence or not? Qin Guan didnt keep the ident in his memory. He returned home and got into bed right away. In his past life, he had worked with machines, concrete and steel bars at construction sites. Wounds were like medals for men. Qin Guan showed the mark off to Cong Nianwei and got some unexpected feedback. "A medal? You are not a soldier. You are not defending the nation or protecting public property. Do you know what your wound is?" Qin Guan winked. "What?" Cong Nianwei put her heavy bag down on the desk. "A disfigurement." Bang! Qin Guan fell on the bed again. When he shot a secret look at her, he noticed something strange. "Show me those leaflets." Cong Nianwei handed them to him. He was so busy with work that she could only see him in some important sses. Qin Guan read the leaflets and realized he was out of date. They were about an academic trip during summer vacation. He had known that he was included in the list. "What does this mean? My tutor said that I was shortlisted." Cong Nianwei was busy with her design, but she still had time to answer his questions, "Its organized by several American colleges. They choose some outstanding students to travel to all the colleges during vacation. That way, students have the chance to see different environments. The activity promotes academic research and science. You could think of it as a club for talented students." Qin Guan sensed the joy in her tone. "So youre also going?" "Yes." Cong Nianwei nodded. "I like it. I would get to travel to different campuses and enjoy the beautiful view and food of different ces in America. Plus, I will be meeting very famous professors. Good students always have a lot inmon. Im looking forward to it." Qin Guan felt sad. He had been nning on spending vacation in his apartment, drinking beer and watching TV. He wanted to sleep for a whole week. It seemed like he had to go with Cong Nianwei though. Its a pity that my girlfriend is a straight-A student. "This is strange. Why am I included? Im not talented." Qin Guan cheered up. Im just an ountant. Cong Nianwei stopped drawing and cast a supercilious look at him. "Whats the icon of Disney World?" "Mickey Mouse." "Thats right. Top colleges like topete with each other over sponsors, talented students, awards and sports. You are the representative of Columbia. I heard that you would be the leader and emcee. Did you read the letter carefully?" So, Im like the grandpa with the white beard on the KFC logo? Columbia is proud of me because Im a handsome award-winning actor? Qin Guan felt deep sympathy for the childish college administrators. After their long conversation, Cong Nianwei concentrated on her design again. Qin Guan wanted to tease her. He craned his neck toward the desk. "What are you doing, Wei? Your handsome boyfriend is here. Why are you still looking at that paper? My heart is bleeding! I need first aid!" He tried to pull the paper away, which usually worked, but failed. Chapter 484: Fun During A Traffic Jam Chapter 484: Fun During A Traffic Jam Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianwei didnt even move her eyelids. She stabbed his hand back with thepass steadily and urately, but his skin was not pricked. She must have been practising repeatedly since childhood. "Ouch!" Qin Guan drew his hand back, shouting dramatically. "Help! Help! Im dying!" Cong Nianwei shot a supercilious look at him and said helplessly, "Stop! I have to submit this design this week. My tutor provided me with a program. Its a construction n of a smallmercial district. I have topete against several offices and studios. Dont bother me. This is the first program I will finish independently and put into practice." At her words, Qin Guan became serious. He actually wanted to give her a hand. Then he smiled at her next words. "I want to use the car next week. You can take the bus to work. I have to go to Woodbury Premium Outlets on the weekend. Itll take me more than an hour to get there from the city center." "No problem! Ill drive you there. The weekend shooting location is in that area. What a coincidence!" Qin Guan jumped off the bed and ran to the kitchen. "Ill cook! You just finish your design! Well work together next week!" Qin Guan put on an apron. His back looked gentle in the warm, soft light. Cong Nianwei smiled silently at the warm picture. The tedious data suddenly became more interesting. The two of them had confessed their love for each other in an impulse, fell in love because of their hormones, and obsessed over each other. In the future, they would be together forever during all the trifles of life. It was a fortune to meet each other. In June, the temperature was rising in New York. The small independentmercial district, which was located in the New York suburbs, was almost empty except for the tourists and bored housewives. People were pouring in on the weekends though, visiting Woodbury and the other factory outlets of famous brands located there. The small town came back to life. Tourists, New Yorkers and residents from surrounding towns went there to shop. One could find clothing of their favorite brand from several years ago and get a 10% to 20% discount on it. People were eager to find ssic designs at excellent quality and reasonable prices. Customers could also find thetest collection in the factory outlets. Sometimes the stores were out of some sizes, and sometimes there were some production defects. For example, an essory could be missing. One could buy those clothes at a 40% to 60% discount. Whats more, to include customers of all levels, thetest collections of famous European brands were in sync with New York City. As a result, they also attracted customers of high taste. Compared to the long lines on Times Square, most high-end customers preferred Woodbury. On that beautiful morning, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were stuck in traffic in the suburbs. The traffic jam on the National Day holiday in China was infamous. The scene was reproduced that morning on the road to Woodbury. That beautiful day, it felt nice to open the window and look at the green grass and colorful flowers moving in the breeze. The number of cars and people around though ruined itpletely. The most terrible thing was that the cars were on the road for a full 10 minutes without any indication of moving. A strong man began to yell, and a baby started crying. Qin Guan looked at his Citizen watch, which was a present from Qingmu. He had considerately said that it was a gift for his representative contract. Fortunately, they had plenty of time. Qin Guan let out a long breath of relief. As he tried to figure out a way to kill time, he blocked Cong Nianweis view with his body. Some strong men were relieving themselves by the side of the road. Meanwhile, car doors were opened one after the other. Those shameless guys peed out in the open, while some more decent people tried to use empty bottles. There were also people engaging in other affairs. Two convertibles were in front of Qin Guans car. They were the same exact design, but in a different color. One of them was filled with beautiful girls, while the other was full of rebellious men. It was easy to tell. They were wearing so many nose rings that a Chinese man could have yed a traditional game of baguenaudier with them. Since the cars had to be parked in a row, the women and the men were looking at each other, casting fierce looks back and forth. One of the men, who was wearing leather pants and a vest in the early summer, opened his mouth arrogantly. Qin Guan watched from behind, whispering to Cong Nianwei, "Wei, look at them. They are much more interesting than a movie." Chapter 485: Fierce Girls Chapter 485: Fierce Girls Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia He considerately handed her a bottle of water. Its a pity that theres no popcorn. "Look! They are fighting! That man is so disgusting. Is he trying to spit at the girls?" Qin Guansmentary attracted Cong Nianweis attention. They sat in the car calmly with two bottles of water, watching theedy unfold. Suddenly, the man stuck his tongue out. There was a skull stud on it, shining in the sunshine. Qin Guan moved his own tongue unconsciously. Can he speak with that? He must have a French ent. "Ya are really arrogant... Kang on!" He is certainly stammering. One of the girls, who seemed gentle and well-behaved, showed her ears to him. There were seven earrings on them. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei burst intoughter as the cars in front of them began to move slowly. All the smoking men ran back and started their cars as fast as possible, while the people in the two cars ahead of them kept provoking each other. The boy stood up. He took off his leather vest and threw it towards the backseat. Then he rolled up his shirt to reveal his hairy upper body. His skinny figure made him look like a monkey. There was another ring on his navel. "Ha ha!" Heughed loudly. The driver, who was his friend, looked at the girls proudly. Beat that! Qin Guan took a sip of water. He was watching the scene as he was driving. The girls were irritated. They did not seem nervous though, They justughed even louder. The girl cast a disdainful look at her opponent as she rolled her own blouse up. Qin Guan spit out the water in his mouth, soaking the front window. In an effort to mask his embarrassment, he told Cong Nianwei, "The ss was too dirty. I couldnt see the road. I had to wash it." Have you never seen a windshield wiper? Cong Nianwei didnt reply. No wonder Qin Guan had done that. She would also have spit the water out. The girl was naked in that loose blouse. She wanted to show the rings on her nipples. Mission aplished. The men were stupefied. They fixed their eyes on the girl, their car slowly diverting from thene. Unfortunately, they were driving along a countryside road, so there werent any fences. By the time they came back to their senses, the car had been driven away from the road and fallen down a dirt path. Screaming, they disappeared from view. In a few minutes, they saw a broken car covered in mud under their feet. "Yes!" The girl pulled her shirt down and pped with her friends. Never underestimate the openness of American girls and the fighting capacity of the Russians. Qin Guan pulled his car into the vacancy left by the men. The girls looked at the neers with curiosity. Cong Nianwei sensed trouble. "Helen! Do you know that man? He looks familiar." "Oh! Its f*cking Qin Guan!" "Is he going shopping with his girlfriend? That b*tch is so lucky!" Cong Nianwei was about to explode. They looked at the impolite girls carefully. They were shocked themselves. They were wearing abination of smokey makeup and bright colors, piercings and rings everywhere on their faces and bodies. Fierce girls! They seemed interested in Qin Guan. Except for the driver, all the other girls nearly jumped out of the car. Fortunately, Qin Guans car had a ceiling, or they would have ambushed him. "Sign here for me, Qin Guan! Your Halloween cover was fabulous!" "You are the idol of our underground group, my lord!" That cover was a troublemaker. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a nce. Before he could figure out a n to get rid of his fans, he saw their car get hit from behind. The girls fell back towards the car screaming. "Ah! Who the hell hit our car?" It was the truck of those strong men. They had also witnessed the scene and nned on flirting with the girls in their own way. Chapter 486: Unimpeded Chapter 486: Unimpeded Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Hey, girls! Hello once more!" "Come on, baby!" The truck hit their car again. Qin Guan tried to keep a distance from those crazy guys. "F*ck!" one of the girls shouted angrily. She showed the men her middle finger and opened her backpack. She took a white stic bottle out and shouted at the driver, "Steady there!" The driver was a good partner. The car was moving steadily. The bold girl opened the cap and sprayed the liquid onto the truck. It sprinkled on the front window and the mans body. Qin Guan smelled a familiar vor as aromatic as Erguotou. Hard alcohol. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged another nce and sped up desperately. The men were also clear on what it was. "F*cking b*tch! its alcohol!" "Stop!" Horrified, they noticed the lighter in the girls hand. "Ah!" The truck was driven away from the road. Spare our lives, please! A strange phenomenon took ce on the road. All the cars kept a distance from the girls car, leaving a spare space around it. After their crazy actions, they followed Qin Guans car closely. Qin Guans driving got smoother as all the drivers yielded kindly. Thanks to those crazy girls, Qin Guan reached his destination a few minutes earlier than the original schedule. They didnt know why the outlet needed reconstruction until they arrived at the square. The originalmercial district couldnt house that many brands. The small shopping mall was filled with about 300 brands. The expansion and reconstruction had been dyed though. Qin Guan sent Cong Nianwei to the reception of the administration, where a group of strangers was gathered. They were all herpetitors in the bidding. All of them seemed capable and cunning. Qin Guan was worried about her. He sent her to the Columbia group, murmuring, "Take care of yourself. Call me if there is any trouble. I will be on the deserted construction site over there." He pointed to arge construction site. When Cong Nianwei nodded, he left the reception reluctantly. Several small tails were following him. "What will he do?" "We know his destination. We can go shopping first." The desire for shopping exceeded their admiration for their idol. Qin Guan felt relieved. Ignorance was the most powerful weapon. He arrived at the site soon and found the staff already there. They had settled into a town near Woodbury, so they were not affected by the traffic jam. "Morning, Qin Guan!" the other judges greeted their Asian partner. "Shall we begin?" "Where are the girls?" Suddenly, there was amotion at the entrance of the warehouse. "Ah! Let go of my hair!" "Why are you following Mr. Qin so sneakily? Crazy fans, huh?" Some models were fighting with the girls. The cameraman dashed out. I like it! The audience will like it! Its a wonderful fight! Go! When they were separated, the models hair was messy. The girls had escaped without the slightest damage. Whey they saw the cameraman and the familiar faces, they realized that their idol was at work. Sorry! See you around! They escaped as fast as possible, shouting loudly, "We love you, Qin Guan! Cheers!" Qin Guan cast a helpless look at the camera. My face will be seen all over the country. His partners and the crew burst intoughter, making fun of the ashamed models and Qin Guan, who pretended to be invisible. "The scene was pretty good. Thank you, Qin Guan, for providing the material!" They went back to work quickly. Qu arrived at noon in her Mini Cooper. Qin Guan had finished his work by then. Standing in a corner, they talked about the results of the investigation. "Do you know anyone who has been after you recently?" Qu strengthened her back. "After me?" Qin Guan was at a loss. "When? I have no idea..." Qu was disappointed. What a careless guy! She buried her face into her hands weakly. "Dont focus on the details." Chapter 487: Extremely Annoyed Chapter 487: Extremely Annoyed Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "IMG and Elite have united to set up a trap for you. IMG is thergest model agency with the biggest number of top models, while ELITE has the longest history." "I never got in touch with them. I didnt even get an invitation from them." "ording to my source, you epted a card from a top talent agent from one of them and never responded." "Plus, Xue Wanyi turned down an invitation from the otherpany after arriving in the US. She prefers that I arrange your schedule." "Considering that you have signed contracts with VOGUE, NYLON, BAZAR and other famous fashion magazines and epted representative offers from nearly 10 top brands, they feel threatened. They think their profits will suffer." "Impossible! My contracts are not worth that much. How much loss will I cause them?" "No!" Qu Xuemei broke in, swaying on her ck high heels. "The market for male models is different from the female model market." "Itsmon for top female models to get tens of representative contracts worth 100 million dors. Compared to the giant market of products and brands for women though, the market for male models is limited." "There are few subordinate brands for the top brands. If there is a male model with a high quality andparatively low sry, he will upy half of the high-end market." "To summarize, the money tree is in someone elses yard, and that tree blocks the way of other poor male models. If you were them, what would you do?" Qin Guan shivered as he answered, "Poison that guy?" You must read too many novels on Qidian. Qu shook her head at his low IQ. "No! Prevent him from getting offers." "They will show your shorings to the top brands to verify that you are not worth your sry. Your ability is not enough for them." "Those proud brands would never allow someone with big ws or ordinary abilities to be their representative." "Thats why I think that someone is after you. Enemies are interfering with your work without you noticing." Qin Guan frowned at her words. His work was an important source of ie for him that had nothing to do with his own dream. They had gone too far though. Preventing him from making money was as bad as killing his own parents. Qin Guan asked ast question. "Im clear about the situation, but when and where?" Qu stared at him for a full 10 minutes before she realized that he was serious. "LOreal," she said with a sigh. "With that top model?" "Exactly." "Ha ha... Is that their trap? They are underestimating me!" Qu grimaced. They have really underestimated you, you genius. Qu smiled as she thought about the new contract with LOreal. "Why are you still here? Go have lunch!" Before Qin Guan coulde back to his senses, she left the site on her high heels. Qin Guan didnt take the news seriously. He began thinking about Cong Nianwei instead. How is she doing now? IMG and ELITE would have been enraged if they knew what he was thinking about. ... Cong Nianwei was doing well, but the atmosphere was not good. Thepetitors had originally worked harmoniously. Most of them worked in studios in New York, or were team members of some university. There were always some special people in every industry though. Lan Jin was a member of a rich second generation of business talents. He Ming had been born into an elite family with a general idea of the policies and the international situation. Unlike them though, there was a group of ck sheep that was very good at throwing gold into the river. They were talented in the eyes of their families. One of them was sitting next to Cong Nianwei. He was the boss of the Caiwang Design Company and had graduated from the famous New York State University. He was male and he really liked women. He had the same name with hispany. His surname was pretty good. It was Qian. Thosepany and group executives couldnt take any money from thepanies easily. They seemed rich, but they had to get pocket money from their mothers. Qian Caiwang was different. He was even richer than Lan Jin. His father owned a family enterprise, several mineral caves, and half of a business street. He was the only member of his family to get a degree. He had finished his studies and opened a designpany with some schoolmates one year ago. This was his first trial at a formal business. Actually, he had nned on going shopping with his new girlfriend from South Korea to show off his power as a boss. Anyway, Im a wonder boy. He had encountered the goddess of his dreams in that serious workce though. Chapter 488: Going Through Flowers Chapter 488: Going Through Flowers Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Among all those ss-wearing losers, there was a cool girl with fair skin and long ck hair. She attracted his attention immediately. Shes so beautiful! Qian Caiwang nced at his Korean girlfriend, who keptining about the boring conference. Suddenly, he felt depressed. After her cosmetic surgery, her face looks worse. Qian looked at the goddess again and saw that she was in the corridor, away from her group. Its a wonderful chance! Im going! He pushed the hands locked on his arm away. "Wait a minute." Then he rushed out of the office. After taking a few steps, he found the girl looking at the scene outside attentively, her arms folded over her chest. The perfect opportunity! Qian fixed his tie and walked towards her with the steadiest steps he had ever taken in his life. He tried to chat with Cong Nianwei in an unnatural manner. "Hello?" No response. "Are you Chinese? Me too! It must be destiny... Are you studying at Columbia? Fabulous! I have a designpany and I think Chinese people should help each other." "Are you interested in working for mypany after graduating? We can talk about the sry. Youll be satisfied with my offer..." Cong Nianwei raised her eyebrows and sized Qian up from head to toe. She remembered the Asian man in the office. His design was quite straight and narrow, with some small ws. Without an advantage in price, it would definitely be weeded out during the selecting process. She wondered why the man was smiling. His pond was too small to hold a shark like Cong Nianwei. Qian was excited that he had her attention. He tried to get a little closer. She smells great! "May I know your name? What are you looking at? Is there anything interesting in thismercial district? Tell me. Ill buy it for you as a gift." Everything can be settled with a handbag of high-end merchandise. Qian smiled proudly, and so did Cong Nianwei. She pointed to something outside the window with her slender finger. "I like him. Buy him for me!" Qian looked happily in that direction. "Let me see. What attracted my beauty? Dont worry! Ill buy..." He paused in shock. Qin Guan and Qu Xuemei were walking from the site to a restaurant. Qin Guan nned on picking up Cong Nianwei on the way. Qian looked at Qu, who was slowly walking towards him. The woman had a mature charm to her. Her self-confidence and power were her most attractive points. If she was wearing ck high heels, leather skinny pants and a mask and held a whip in her hand... Qian shivered, trying not to drool. "How much for the woman? You like her? Are you a lesbian?" he asked unconsciously. Before his voice could fade away, Qin Guan and Qu reached the corridor. "A lesbian? Shall we go for lunch, Cong Nianwei?" Qin Guans voice broke up Qians dream. Only then did he realize that there was a man standing beside the two beauties. It was rare for Qin Guan, who was always in the spotlight, to be ignored. Qians thirst for women was to me. The man was shocked. He opened his mouth wide and pointed to Qin Guan with a heavy arm and a shaking finger. "Qin... Qin Guan..." "Yes, its me. Do you know me?" At his confirmation, Qian pointed to the two women with shaking fingers again. "Which one is your girlfriend?" Qin Guan hugged Cong Nianwei around the shoulders. "Whats the matter?" Qian retreated right away, as if Cong Nianwei had the gue. "Is she the female tiger? Is she the arch criminal keeping you from other women? She must be a martial artist!" What are you talking about? They were all confused. Qian began to exin excitedly. "Im also a member of the luxury car club. I have long admired the four founders. Lan Jin is my best friend." He gave him a thumbs up before he continued proudly, "The legend of you four has spread around the circle of Chinese young artists. Your Excellency is the most mysterious." "I have seen many of your advertisements, but never you in person. Lan has told me so much about you. You are..." He gave him a thumbs up again. Chapter 489: Never Provoke A Woman Chapter 489: Never Provoke A Woman Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "As for entertainment..." Qian looked at Cong Nianwei. He didnt think she was as pretty anymore. He lifted his little finger. "Thats you." "Why? With your looks, you could have any woman you want. A charming maturedy or a Lolita at the first awakening of love. Women would be lining up from Long Ind to Wall Street." "The industries you engage in are full of beauties, and Wall Street is full of talented women. Those officedies... Lying on the desk..." "Yet you hang yourself from a single tree, turning a blind eye to other girls... Your girlfriend must be a female tiger! There are no faithful lovers these days!" Qin Guan nearly burst intoughter, while Cong Nianwei raised her eyebrows. Before she could teach that funny guy a lesson, a girl ran out of the office. "Darling, what are you doing here? Its boring inside!" The Korean girl looked around, her voice suddenly changing. "Ah! Qin Guan! I like you..." She was about to rush over to him shamelessly. Qian felt more confident in his analysis. "Thats exactly my point! Look at those butterflies! A man like that should lead the same life I do." It was a pity that his speech was interrupted. Qin Guan wasnt paying attention to his enlightening remarks. He just walked off with Cong Nianwei. The Korean girl nearly fell down on the ground. Qu cast a contemptuous look at him. She slowly turned around on her high heels and disappeared. There were some voicesing from afar. "Qin Guan?" "Yes?" "Do I stop you from seeing other girls?" "Of course not. Those studs and bad boys shouldnt be mentioned in the same breath as me!" "Ill beat up your admirer in the afternoon." "No problem. May I help you? Id be sad if you got hurt." After lunch, the Korean girl bought another handbag. When he returned to the office, Qian felt the deep resentment of his peers. All the ss-wearing men shot hateful looks at him. They were more and more terrible to him during the following process. Actually, most of the designers were also constructors. Qian was the one with the most financial strength. Ordinarypanies would not take on such a project. Thanks to the influence of Woodbury though, the project would bring extraordinary profits and great fame to the constructionpany. That was Qians aim. When the bidding conference began though, he realized that money couldnt solve all problems. His design director took the blueprint out. Before he could introduce the concept, protests broke out. "Such a n would increase the cost by 20%!" "Its necessary to use thetest materials." "That conservative concept doesnt fit the style of Woodbury." His idea was universally condemned. When Cong Nianweis team and a famous builder bid together, Qian finally came back to his senses. He was going up against her. The Woodbury contractor was quite happy. After that intensepetition, the final price was much lower than he had expected. Sitting in a chair, Qian was looking at the development in shock. His n was rejected right from the beginning. He had not qualified for thepetition. Despite all the gold in his pocket, he could do nothing but surrender this chance to others. He had realized the power of girls. This was a silent counter-attack to his theory about flowers. He was doomed. Construction was a professional industry he had no idea about. All the technicians and constructors had connections with the School of Design and Construction. Most of them had graduated from Columbia, bing a terrible force generation after generation. How dare an arrogant guy like you bully our schoolmate? Keep dreaming! Smiling, Cong Nianwei went out of the office with the rtive documents, given to her by the staff of Woodbury. She found Qian squatting by the road. "Sister, I was wrong. Forgive me. I didnt realize your might..." Qin Guan, who had gone there to pick up Cong Nianwei, was surprised. "Whats wrong with him? He had looked so proud at noon." Cong Nianwei looked at Qian and sighed. "We are both Chinese, so Ill let it slide. Just this once. Yourpany will not win the bid after all. Just focus on yourpany. Be careful when hiring new recruits." Chapter 490: A Heartfelt Film Chapter 490: A Heartfelt Film Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia She walked to the parking lot with Qin Guan. A designpany isnt as easy to manage as that guy thinks. Qian Wangcai stood up with sparkling eyes and followed them closely. "Master Cong, would you join mypany?" "Engineer Cong, do you have any work for ourpany?" "Boss Cong, do you need any sponsors?" Qin Guan shot a supercilious look at him. My admirer seems to have changed his mind. Does he have another idol now? The car drove away, leaving a smiling Qian Wangcai behind, holding a business card. Busy days flew by fast. "Americas Next Top Model" would air on the weekend. The evening the program was about to air, Qin Guan didnt wait before the TV. Instead, he was sitting in Qus office with a serious expression on his face. Thanks to his upgraded level, he had the chance to get some sponsors and film offers. Scripts were umting on Qus desk. Most of them were formercial films with a limited budget. There were a lot of choices for Qin Guan though. After selecting, Qu gave him the best scripts. They were all produced or distributed by reliablepanies. Qin Guan read the titles one by one. "50 First Dates". A romantic movie. "Mean Girls". A teen film. "Eating Out". LGBTQ. "Hot Dance". A musical. On the whole, Qu had collected films with a small budget. Before Qin Guan could make a decision, Qus phone rang. She pressed the handsfree button. "Chief Editor, Director Luchant is here for your appointment." It was her assistant. Qin Guan nced at Qu doubtfully. "Let them in," she answered calmly. Then she smiled at Qin Guan. "Everyone is here." Is he the director in charge of the Armani advertisement? Sister, could you please inform me in advance? No, because the director had just arrived in America that day. As soon as hed returned, he had contacted Qin Guans agent to talk about the shooting schedule. Qu had agreed happily. The contract would also be signed that day. The director opened his arms warmly. "Oh, my boy! Its nice to see you again. We have cooperated before!" Qu asked everyone to take a seat before she talked to Qin Guan about Luchants vision. "Do you remember your cooperation on the Armani advertisement? Back then, he had secretly promised that you would be the leading actor. As a sincere creative director, he kept his promise. Enlightened by you, he returned to France and wrote the first draft with the help of an award-winning scriptwriter. Then, along with other directors sharingmon ground with him, he decided about the final script and the shooting n." "The name of the movie is Lost Embrace. He returned to America for this. You should ept the film." Qin Guan felt a warm stream in his heart. After receiving such acknowledgment from a director, he could die happy. Luchants following introduction satisfied him. Regardless of all the details, Qin Guan thought this opportunity was very rare. This was a film jointly directed by directors from different countries, including Argentina, France, Italy and Spain. It was an indie film aiming for awards. All European countries pursuing film perfection were basically involved. The box office would be an insult to them. Of course, Qin Guan would not ept a paycheck of 20 dors an hour. He was the Best Actor Cannes Award winner after all. Luchant was generous enough to pay Qu 50,000 dors, which shocked her. That was a really big sacrifice for art. Thinking of Qin Guans level as an actor, Qu sighed helplessly. This was far from the modelling circle. The two parties discussed all the details. Qu stuffed all the scripts into Qin Guans backpack, except for "Eating Out". They all required repeated auditions. The producers were casting arger to catch more fish. Qin Guan returned home, but did not find Cong Nianwei there. There was only a food container lying quietly in the fridge. The Yeung Chou fried shrimp rice, cucumbers, carrots and peas were awaiting their destiny. Warmth was lingering in Qin Guans heart. "Oops!" Qin Guan put down his Coca-C with a burp. Their term exams were finished, so Cong Nianwei was focused on their gallery now. Qin Guan smiled knowingly as he thought of her butt under the light. He took all the scripts out of the bag. As Qu had expected, he read "Lost Embrace" first. It was an everyday life story full of warmth and sentiment. He was absorbed into the story, tears shining in his eyes, when suddenly the doorbell rang. "Whos there?" Qin Guan put on his slippers and opened the door. The Batiste brothers couldnt wait to squeeze in. "Qin Guan, we heard that youll be the leading actor in our tutors new film!" "You have to ept the job!" Chapter 491: Fresh Blood from China Chapter 491: Fresh Blood from China Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan shot a supercilious look at them. "Tell me, what do you want to do?" "We want to join the crew!" They held their hands up, as if they were in ss. "We are going to Buenos Aires!" "Tell me the truth! Dont tell me that you are following your tutor. You must need my help. Otherwise, you wouldnt havee to me." Qin Guan wasnt fooled by the cute curly-haired brothers. He had been exposed to their lies before. "Fine, we are in love. We fell in love with two Argentinian sisters. We want to take advantage of summer vacation and follow them to their hometown." Qin Guan looked at the boys in their pink bubbles. "So?" "Our tutor said that if we could persuade you to start work immediately, he would cover their flight tickets home. We really want to follow our sweethearts home, so we epted the deal." Qin Guan smiled, looking at them from head to toe. "Okay. Ill join the crew as soon as I finish working on Americas Next Top Model." "When?" "Tomorrow." The next day, Qin Guan arrived at the site of the finalpetition with a heavy bag. The eliminated girls were called again to participate in the show of an American top brand outside the New York Music Hall. The best model of the show would be the winner. There were only three girls left after the previous episodes. They were neither rebellious lesbians, nor sincere Catholics. They were well-bnced candidates. They shared the same submissive personality though. They had been naked before the camera and worked with a huge python before. Although they had been horrified, they had tried their best. That was the basic criteria for a qualified model and the fundamental element that a brand chose a model by. Without any judges, the KLS fashionpany had selected two of them. Sana and Eve cried their eyes out together, while Lily went out sadly. Everyone knew that the time for the final battle hade. Night fell in New York. The stage looked splendid under the gorgeous lights. As a top model, this was the first time Qin Guan was going to be in the audience. He felt a little strange. Qu attracted his attention with a subject he was interested in. "Have you decided about the script yet? When will you join the crew?" "Tomorrow." Qu looked at her nails. "Okay. I have talked with the director. That film will not take you long. You can go to Hawaii afterwards. Ill meet you there." "What for?" "I have made an appointment for an audition for the 50 First Dates leading part. The director and the producer will go there to look for shooting locations." Qin Guan tried to remember the script. He had been absorbed in "Lost Embrace" the previous night and had just read through the others quickly. He nodded at her. "So you wonte to Buenos Aires with me?" "No, we have a tight schedule. Youd better wait for Xue Wanyi in New York." "What? Sister Xue ising?" "Yes, shesing for you. She is working hard for your career. She sent the best New Silk Road models for your free subordinate contract with IMG in New York. If an agreement can be reached, you could do anything you like in the American fashion circle at a pretty low price." Surprised, Qin Guan turned his head around, looking at her eyes behind the sses. They were misty. "What did you and Sister Xue do to make the two tycoons show mercy on me?" Qu Xuemei lifted her frames. "We made a n for Asian models to prate the American fashion circle. The n is supported by New Silk Road. They will bring thetest winner of the New Silk Roadpetition. The female winner will sign a contract with the two tycoons. Beauties will be pouring into theirpanies in an endless stream. Compared to the limitations of male models, female models can do more. In a few days, Sister Xue will bring the first group to America." "Its a pity that youll leave earlier. You could have given them advice..." Her phone rang in her handbag. "Hello? Im here. Where are you?" Qu pointed to the phone and told Qin Guan, "What an efficient woman. Shesing!" Then she told Sister Xue about the current situation. Sister Xue was very excited. She jumped up, not caring about her image before the girls. "Wait, Ill bring the girls to you. Is that okay? Fine!" Sister Xue had won a precious chance for those rookies. It was a great opportunity for them to learn about the traditional modelling circle. They could get first-hand knowledge on the taste and demand of American brands. As they drove in a long business car, the excited Chinese girls set their feet on a new stage. Chapter 492: Lv Yan the Cleaner Chapter 492: Lv Yan the Cleaner Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Before going out, Sister Xue saw Lv Yan, the cleaner and assistant of the group. The tall girl, who had dark yellow skin, was looking at the chatting beauties with envy. Compared to those girls, who had big eyes and fair skin, she looked like an ugly duckling. Sister Xue felt tender as she saw the anxious me in her narrowed eyes. "Why are you still here, Lv Yan? We have so many models, but only one assistant. Follow us. Quick! You can clean this up when we return." Grateful, Lv followed everyone out. She knew Sister Xue had given her a chance. The sky waspletely dark and all themps around the square were lit up. When their makeup was ready, the supermodels gathered backstage. During the weeks they had lived together, they hadnt be friends. They were each others arch enemies. Born in a country full of confident people, each girl was sure about her own strength. They believed that their failure didnt imply inferior ability. There would be disputes, which the audience loved. When they were alone, the cameras recorded their real opinion on the others. "This is pure lesbian discrimination. Models like me are very elegant," said the only model with a different sexual orientation. "May God never forgive those infidels!" said a sincere Catholic, who imed that she had devoted herself to God and refused to take off her clothes for a nude photoshoot. "Are you kidding? How can a woman like her be one of the two finalists? She never cleaned the dormitory! She applied olive oil to her body and didnt bathe for days!" The girls room looked like a pigsty. Dirty underwear was lying everywhere on the floor. Even the photographer shivered. It was so disgusting! "She looks like a whore with an enchanting smile. Im a real professional, perfect for bothmercial and high-end jobs." Before the finalpetition, the two girls taking part had already torn each other down. That was the highlight of the program. As the hostess, Tyra Banks was busy backstage. Qin Guan, who was sitting under the stage enjoying himself, finally saw the Chinese group. Sister Xue was wearing a purple suit. Surrounded by a group of girls, she walked up to Qin Guan proudly and sat down next to him. "Its bloody hot in New York! Its the same in China. Im dying." Fanning herself with her handkerchief, Sister Xue looked at her beloved warrior. Qin Guan was wearing a formal grey suit, a white shirt and brown leather shoes. Such a handsome guy. She gestured behind Qin Guan. "These are your younger sisters. This is Du Juan, the No.1 model of New Silk Road. Say hello to each other. They need your help and guidance here in America." Qin Guan turned around and saw amotion. Du Juans fair skin blushed under Qin Guans eyes. It turned pink, pinkish, purplish red... Sweat slowly appeared on her forehead. "Hello, sir..." the slender girl murmured. The other girls were in an even worse situation. One had difficulty breathing, one copsed on the ground, and a third one couldnt speak. They had all gone crazy. Qin Guan turned to Sister Xue helplessly. "Are these the best models in China? Do they expect to survive in America with such a mentality?" Sister Xue shot a supercilious look at him. "They are all your fans. They grew up hearing inspirational stories about you. Itsmon to go mad when you meet your idol." Qin Guan was speechless. Suddenly, he felt strange. Who did I just see among these girls? He slowly turned around again and found the only normal girl. "Hey, talldy! Yes, you! The one with the freckles! May I know your name?" Lv Yan was surprised to see the legendary model talking to her. She pointed to her own nose. "Me?" "Yes. Are you also a model? "No, no! Im a newly-promoted assistant. I was a cleaner before," Lv Yan hastened to exin. Qin Guan didnt say much. He just turned and whispered to Sister Xue, "In my opinion, Americans would love Lv and Du." Chapter 493: Buenos Aires Chapter 493: Buenos Aires Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "What?" The word burst out of her mouth before she could lower her voice. "Why?" "In their minds, Asians have yellow skin, narrow eyes, high cheekbones and a t nose. Those are the standards of Asian beauties." "There are so many beauties with distinctive faces. They prefer more noble features. Lv Yan is practically the perfect model. Her career in America could be more sessful than Du Juans." "Believe me, Sister Xue. Take her to the makeup room. Train her and present her to IMG. I promise, I have a surprise for you." Sister Xue raised her eyebrows as Qu made the decision for her. "Take the girl. Shes good." Lv Yan would never know that her most important opportunity was decided in those few words. Du Juan seemed to be aware that something was going on. She shot a confused look at the ugly girl in the back row. They all decided on a n for the next day. Suddenly, music started ying and the finalpetition began. Gorgeous girls in avant-garde outfits walked on the stage. The Chinese girls opened their mouths in surprise. "The first and third model are not stepping along to the rhythm." "Youre right. They are walking to the wrong beat. If Professor Li was here, she would have beat them." "Ha ha! This is hrious! She is waving at the audience, but her posture is all wrong!" Jay and Qin Guan ignored thements. Jay was smiling among the chatting girls. Its important to speak a foreignnguage. Qin Guan buried his face in his hands. Short training is not beneficial for girls without a solid foundation. The girls on the stage could only be ssified asmercial models. None of them was qualified to work for a top brand, which would attract attention to the program in the future. The TV station wouldnt focus on such details though. They just needed a program with high audience ratings. The future development of those girls would depend on themselves. When Sana and Yazi came out atst, all the Chinese girls smiled. The cameras turned to the slender Asian girls with the ssic features. Their meaningful smiles could only be understood by Chinese people. The girls watched the two models on the stage. Thanks to Tyra Banks training, they were actually pretty good. To an outsiders eyes, they lookedpletely transformed. To attract the audience, Jay tentatively asked Qin Guan about his opinion on them and repeated their advantages again and again. It seemed that, thanks to the program, the two girls had been epted in the fashion circle. Each girl had a dream. The show was conveying a message to the audience through the cameras: Even a sparrow can turn into a phoenix. The lively party finally came to an end. The curtain fell and the crew left. So did Qin Guan. Lv Yan had gotten the chance she had long dreamed about. The next day, the Batiste brothers followed the film crew to the airport along with the two Argentinian girls. Ever since the Spanish colonists had retreated from Argentina, Buenos Aires had be thergest immigrant city of the country. Ser was the first thing people thought of at the mention of Argentina. Its capital, Buenos Aires, was an ordinary city. If one was a ser fan though, it was definitely worth visiting. Qin Guan went out of the airport and realized that people there did not speak English. The officialnguage of Argentina was Spanish. Out of hatred for America, people there refused to ept dors. Foreign visitors were allowed to change dors at the banks though. ording to the exchange rate, one peso was more valuable than one Chinese yuan. Qin Guan followed the senior directors into a bus heading for the urban area. He had a strong premonition that the film would require hard work. After passing by the presidential pce on May Square, going through the most bustling business areas and seeing the most chaotic fashionable buildings, they finally reached the old town. The copper roofs of the buildings had be green due to oxidation, and the crowded, dirty streets were out of order. There was domestic sewage everywhere. The real charm of Buenos Aires did not lie in May Square, La Boca, Santelmo or Palermo, but in the corners of those streets. The new immigrants of different skin colors spoke broken Spanish. They were people who worked hard every day. The educated tourists sighed with emotion at the sight of the messy streets. Without those rats shuttling around, the city would have looked better. The rising sun brought a scent of corn cakes. The old residents of the ordinary street saw the novelty in that. Chapter 494: No Good Chapter 494: No Good Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia An Asian young man was watching through the window of an underwear store. The golden sunshine was falling down on his body, adding warmth to the scene. The Argentinians smiled knowingly, epting Qin Guan like weing a younger generation. "Lost Embrace" told the story of a Jewish young man who had been thirsty for his fathers love ever since he had been a child. He had lived in Argentina with his single mother. His father had abandoned them and headed to the battlefield of World War II. He had never seen his father in his life. He was nning on applying for a Polish passport, so he could go to Europe and seek him. The crew got to work. Qin Guan and his "mother" stayed in the store for two days. During that period, the director shot scenes one after the other, which confused Qin Guan. He felt like a prop. Whenever the old men remembered him, they would turn the camera to him to take some shots. As a senior actor, Qin Guan was worried about the prospects of the film. During the shooting, following the orders of the directing team, the photographer didnt take stills of any ordinary scenes. That was terrible. Everyone knew that short films taken by DV would crumble at the slightest misstep. This was a formal 100-minute film, and half of the scenes had been shot like that. Would the audience be surprised while watching the movie? Qin Guan raised this question directly. Director Luchant liked actors who were eager to learn and think for themselves. Patiently, he exined to Qin Guan, "You can watch the film after its edited. The camera uses the main actors viewing angle as a point of view. That way, the audience will feel personally involved in the scene." Qin Guan was not optimistic. Literary skills were actually not a must for indie films. The simplest way was always the best way to express oneself. Three days passed like that. The Batiste brothers were happy all day long, while Qin Guan was yawning in the underwear store. Bang! The whole crew suddenly poured into the small store, ruining the peaceful morning. "Whats going on? Is the film finished?" "No. The separate shots are finished. Now wevee to the main actors." Suddenly, Qin Guan cheered up. Finally, its my turn. A film was inserted into the VCR. Qin Guan sat in a chair before the television. Director Luchant sat behind the camera silently. "Get ready, everyone! First scene! Three, two, camera!" His words seemed to open a valve inside Qin Guan. After restraining himself for several days, he finally vented his surging emotions. The old television was turned on. The film was the traditional baptism of a Jewish newborn baby. The baby was crying loudly. His mother and his rtives were there, but his father, the one he was most anxious to see, was absent. The only sign of him was a shadow passing by. People said that this was his father. Qin Guan was absorbed in the film. His sparkling eyes were misty. His slightly open lips were still. That boring film was very interesting to him. He was really eager to experience a fathers love. While other kids were riding on their fathers shoulders, he could only ease his sorrow with that vague shadow. His surroundings were dark. The small dirty store set the basic tone of the film. The suppressing environment bored the young man, who was tired of this monotonous life. To Qin Guan, this was not just a film about his father, but also an outlet to save himself. Before he could burst into tears, Luchant suddenly shouted, "Cut!" Both the crew and Qin Guan were taken aback. Was that it? The shot should be longer to allow the actors to express themselves. Qin Guan turned around in confusion and found Luchant waving at him. Does this mean that it wasnt good? Qin Guan walked up to the directing team. "Whats the matter, director? Is anything wrong?" Luchant showed him the yback of the two-minute scene. "Can you spot any moment thats not harmonious?" Qin Guan looked at himself carefully. Proper feelings, sincere emotions... There is nothing wrong... He shook his head. Chapter 495: A Fathers Love Chapter 495: A Fathers Love Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Luchant pointed to Qin Guans face on the lens. "You have never met your father, yet you admire him. What about the years you lived without him? The fact that he left without a message? Shouldnt there be some hatred?" "Humans areplicated. No single emotion can express their feelings. You were pretty good in the scene, but that emotion was not enough. The audience will only feel warm. Thats not enough. You mustbine a lot of emotions together." "The key lies in the slightest expression. You should make the audience remember you with even a move of your lips." "That way, youll live up to your Best Actor Award. You dont want the audience toe to the theater and pay only for your face. If you do, I shouldnt have ced great expectations on you. In that case, there is no need for you to shoot indie films. If you just take care of your face,mercial film directors will wee you with open arms." Luchants words opened the gate to a mysterious country, where actors didnt rely on the muscles on their faces to act. Qin Guan smoothed his costume and took a deep bow before the noble directors. Thank you for your trust and support, your guidance and experience, as well as your reminder. Another light tower in my career has been lit up. Qin Guan returned to his chair, recalling his own father. His father had always been strict with him at home, but hed always protected him outside. If he had never been in my life, my hatred for him would have been greater than my love. Qin Guan gestured to the directors to start over. He could feel the true emotions of the character now. Luchant was surprised, yet pleased. The young man seemed softer than before. Qin Guan was not acting now. He was the real Jewish boy. Taking advantage of this, Luchant turned the camera on. "Three, two, camera!" The camera started filming. Qin Guan was sitting in his chair, hopeful and afraid, as if his father had never left him. The noise from the television broke up his reverie, bringing him back to reality and the days he had lived without his father. The boy was suddenly depressed. His shaking lips and furrowed eyebrows betrayed his sorrow and grief. His clear eyes were misty, but the tears in them seemed reluctant to fall. Everyone remained silent. They were all absorbed in the scene. After two minutes, the director said, "Cut!" Everyone started moving, as if a "y" button had been pressed. They were trying to hide their feelings. They didnt want to cry alongside Qin Guan. Their tears were like crystals. Floating in the air, covered in dust... Suddenly, Qin Guan stood up and left. Standing by the side of the street with his backpack, he made a call. After a while, a familiar voice was heard on the other end of the line. "Hello? Son? Itste at night. Whats the matter? Is something wrong? Did you lose money? Get up! Our son is on the phone!" Suddenly, Qin Guan realized it waste at night in China. His call had woken his parents up. "Son? What happened? America is not a good country indeed! If you are not happy, you can juste home..." No questions asked, just a heart that loved unconditionally. Qin Guan started crying again. "I miss you, dad..." After a long silence, his fathers voice started shaking. "Why are you being so corny? Hey, he said he misses me, not you!" Qin Guan burst intoughter at his delighted voice. Suddenly, his sorrow faded away. "Goodnight, dad. Wait for me at home..." His father was stillughing on the phone. Qin Guan hang up with a smile. Suddenly, the Batiste brothers appeared behind him. "Hey! What are you doing here? You scared me!" The twins exchanged a nce before the elder one spoke. Chapter 496: Professionalism Chapter 496: Professionalism Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Our tutor was afraid that youd get too absorbed into the film. He asked us to divert your attention and pull you back to reality." "Yes," the younger brother confirmed before adding, "Its said that outstanding actors always tend to get caught up in the plot and go crazy. Characters that suffer from schizophrenia are especially influential to actors. The better the actor is, the more influenced they are." Qin Guan sighed at their serious faces. "This depends on the mentality of the actor. Director Luchant shouldnt be worried about me. I have a strong heart. Lets go have dinner! My treat!" One minute earlier, Qin Guan had been lost in tender memories, yet now he realized he was in the gourmet heaven of Buenos Aires. Small traders filled the capital, making it hard topare it to another city. Immigrants from various countries made up the tough unprivileged popce. In that immigrant city, one could find Chinese supermarkets and restaurants every couple of blocks. One could judge the tolerance of the city by the foreign immigrants living there. Of course, if a Chinese visitor insisted on having Chinese food, there would be two possibilities. They were either limatized, or they were pretending to be something. South Koreans were an exception. It was reasonable for them to miss their pickles while they gobbled down kebabs in China. They just wanted to highlight the sense of their presence. The local gourmet food would be the best cure for Qin Guans mood. Asado was a typical Argentinian kebab. The mixture of pork, chicken, beef and sausage was cooked on air. Different juices ran down during the process, getting absorbed again by the materials thanks to the meat. There were multiple tastes in the dish. Modern Argentinians would put all the food into one giant te. The three friends enjoyed their food together, chatting and smiling. As the scent lingered around ones teeth, one craved some Argentinian dumplings, which were inspired by traditional Chinese food. That alone made a trip to Buenos Aires worthwhile. Qin Guan finished a te of kebab and three huge dumplings stuffed with beef and carrots. Then he burped. The three of them returned to the shooting location with the crew. The store remained the same, except for an aged actor. That was George, the actor who would be portraying Qin Guans father. By the time Qin Guan entered the store again, George was done with his makeup. He went out of the fitting room, wearing a pair of elegant sses. He had only one arm, thanks to an injury he had suffered during the war. Everything was in ce. The warmest, most moving scene was about to begin. "The first meeting of father and son. Three, two, camera!" People were crowded on both sides of the street, where a running race would be held among the merchants. Bored to death, Qin Guan was standing among the crowd, shaking his legs. He was expecting some kind of ident to happen. He was anxious to see the world in disorder. As he had expected, there was an ident. A silent old man was standing beside him, watching him reluctantly in excitement. Qin Guan slowly turned to him, feeling the call of his blood. They exchanged a silent nce. Suddenly, Qin Guan knew who he was. After such a long time, his father had approached him that noisy afternoon. He was not prepared for that moment. He had abandoned his n of seeking his father in Europe. Qin Guan was nervous. The scene he had thought about thousands of times vanished as soon as he met his real father. He could do nothing but run to escape from the man. As the shot of the race was heard, he ran away. His father followed him closely. The cameraman was panting, following Qin Guans long legs and anxious face as the old man gasped. The young man left the old man behind him. Finally, he hid in the underwear store, the ce he hated the most. His mother was still busy working. As he looked at her back, he felt mixed emotions. Luchant was sitting calmly in his chair, while the cameramen ran around. They followed Qin Guan with the cameras, trying to get the best angle. Although he was an old man, George followed Qin Guan, who ran about seven times. When the time was up, he was supported by an assistant, returning to his hotel tiredly. Just before Qin Guan could fall asleep, he heard Batiste telling inspirational stories about his co-stars. Chapter 497: Thank You Chapter 497: Thank You Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The tens of supporting actors in the film had been selected by the directing team among Spanish-speaking candidates. There were stage yers, drama actors and indie film extras. Most of them were not professional actors. They all loved indie films though. Some had even epted the roles for free. Qin Guan got an even more extensive understanding of the foreign film circle. In his dream, all Chinese actors possessed such awareness, and the directors of the sixth generation were crying tears of joy. It was a pity that it was only a dream. Qin Guan woke up in the small hotel. Suddenly, he was enlightened. He knew why that scene was so familiar. Although it was another country, it really looked like the alleys of Shanghai. The doors of the different houses were close to each other, and ordinary everyday life was a trap for passion and ambition. Young Argentinians were eager to escape that small world. They wanted to see arger, more splendid world. Feeling the joy of the city, Qin Guan washed his face and recovered from the previous exhausting day. Then he joined the shooting energetically. They were shooting the final scene of the movie, where the whole spirit of the filmy. They were in the same underwear store, but the boss of the stationery store across the street was now his father. Looking for a chance to get closer to Qin Guan, the old man had bought the store, which had been under bad management at the time. The stubborn young man rejected the familiar stranger. Ashamed, his mother couldnt help but tell the truth when she saw how they got along. Actually, his father hadnt abandoned him. His mother and the previous owner of the stationery store had had an affair. His father was the one who had been abandoned. This was not a story about love, but about the difference between dreams and reality. Upon finding out the truth, Qin Guan went out of the underwear store, which he had considered his prison, for the first time. He went into the horrible stationery store, where his father was. "Final scene! The embrace. Three, two, camera!" Director Luchant blew the horn. After more than half a month, the film woulde to an end. He felt like a mother holding her baby after carrying it for nine months. All the onlookers were watching them quietly. This was the final scene between the talented Asian actor and George. "Dad..." Qin Guan uttered the strange word with a shaking voice. The expression in his eyes was anxious, ashamed, excited and sad all at once. The father and son looked at each other with deep emotion inside the empty store. After drifting for so many years, the lonely old man had finally reached his destination. The wrinkles on Georges face were twisted. No words or facial expressions could express his delight andfort. They walked over to each other, their bodiesing close naturally. The person they had longed for their whole lives was right in front of them. They opened their arms wide. I love you, dad. Always. I love you, son. Always. The young man and the old man hugged each other. Although it was only a half-embrace instead of the tight one Qin Guan had imagined, he still loved it. Sometimes, iplete things were perfect. One cherished something more after losing it. Nowadays, in materialistic societies, people are filled with fickle thoughts, but an ordinary life and true emotions are ones real destination. Tears appeared on both of their eyes. Their warm emotions made even the directors, who had experienced many ups and downs in life, tear up. The final scene was a miracle created by those two actors. The cameras slowly stopped. Everyone looked at each other and said together, "Wonderful!" "Cut!" Qin Guan and George kept hugging each other. At the directors order, Qin Guans snot spilled out. George was not angry. He rubbed his face on Qin Guans shoulder instead. "Snot and tears. We are even now..." Laughing, they embraced each other again. "Thank you for your support. I want to thank both the director for this chance and you for your guidance." There were predestined rtionships among people. In Qin Guans opinion, this was the most lovely crew he had worked with. At the airport, he watched the Batiste brothers and the two Argentinian girls say goodbye to each other with extreme sorrow while he talked about his next auditions with Qu Xuemei on the phone. He told everyone goodbye and flew to Hawaii alone. He had some auditions there. Then he would return to New York to join the Columbia visiting group. Qu focused on his final task, making good use of his schedule like the famous Eugenie Grandet. Chapter 498: Animal Actors Chapter 498: Animal Actors Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia When Qin Guan got off the ne and experienced Hawaiis charm first-hand, he stoppedining about the schedule. He rented a roadster, put on a pair ofrge sunsses, a flowery shirt, some shorts and slippers, and drove along the clean coastal road, singing Chinese songs happily. In Hawaii, anyone not wearing flowery shorts felt like a square peg in a round hole. These were the only American inds where one could enjoy the beach and the waves. The shooting location of the film were the two inds with the smallest poption, far from the base of the local government and the famous tourist attractions. Qin Guan had gone to audition for the leading part. Production would begin in September. ording to statistics, it was cooler in February and March, but the superstitious locals believed that the fish were mature in September. Thus, they worked only in September, even if their work was just being a background for a romantic film. Of course, the crew had their own reasons for going to Hawaii so early. These reasons also yed an important role in selecting the protagonist. It was the actors affinity with animals. In the film, the actors would have to cooperate with the marine species of a Hawaiian aquarium. An affinity with animals would be a great advantage in getting the part. By the time Qu Xuemei and Qin Guan checked in at the hotel, someone had already beat them to it. When they arrived at the interview location, Qin Guan saw Adam Sandler, his most powerful opponent, sitting on a stool and trying to befriend some of the supporting actors of the film. The penguin and the sea lion were the stars of the aquarium. They were as smart as children. Qin Guan looked around him in interest, while Qu frowned at the scene. Recalling the names of the actors and the director of the film, she made a decision. "Excuse me? My actor was notified about an audition. When will the audition begin?" The assistant was surprised. Several groups had arrived there one after the other. At the sight of Adam Sandler, they had retreated on their own initiative, or had a few words with the director before leaving. It seemed like the Asian actor wanted to have a try though. Excited, he led them over to the director, Peter Segal. "New candidate for the audition, sir!" Peter Segal had been sleeping in the coolest corner of the aquarium, wearing arge straw hat. "What? New candidate?" Segal woke up. Rubbing his misty eyes, he took a look at the neers. The image of the new actor became clearer and clearer. He was tall with clean short hair. His skin color and figure were perfect, and he was wearing a simple flowery shirt and a pair of shorts, exposing the muscles on his arms and legs. Qin Guan took off his sunsses to reveal his charming face. "What a magnificent scoundrel..." the director murmured to himself. Qin Guan was the spitting image of the protagonist. A yboy through and through. Coming back to his senses, Segal stood up. "Are you here for the leading role?" "Yes." "Follow me." Segal took off his straw hat, leading Qin Guan over to Adam Sandler. Appearance was not the key. There were two other essential requirements. When Qin Guan sat behind Adam, he found out about the first one. There was a penguin and a sea lion in front of them. They were the most important characters in the film besides the humans. Adam was ying with the penguin, whose name was Little Pea. This was the first time Qin Guan had ever had to tter an animal. Naturally, he was at a loss. He tried to recall his grandmas words, who liked keeping pets. You have to show your friendly side to the animal. Animals with high IQ want to see a sincere attitude. Qin Guan nodded at Adam politely. He must be as helpless as I am. Qin Guan was wrong this time. Not everyone was as busy as him. Adam had known about the film for some time. As a result, he remained calm when he saw his smile. Chapter 499: Farce in the Aquarium Chapter 499: Farce in the Aquarium Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia When Qin Guan sat down as well, Director Segal said, "Are you Qin Guan? The audition is simple. What you have to do is tter these two babies. The more friendly you are, the better. Try your best." Adam was a little nervous. When Qin Guan headed to the center of the aquarium, he walked over to the director. "Director, did I make any mistakes during my performance? Why do you want to interview other actors?" Segal looked at Adam. The young man was a goodedian. Shocked by the appearance of the Asian boy though, Segal had the impulse to use that magnificent scoundrel in the film. If the actor cooperated well with the two animals... Actually, no. If the two animals were not aggressive with him, Segal would be inclined to choose Qin Guan. Of course, that was a big "if". Adam felt the threat though. That Asian actor would be his arch enemy. He concentrated on Qin Guan, holding his breath as he watched his opponent. He was familiar with the script. The Asian actor was very suitable for the role. Adams appearance was his only shoring. He looked honest and cute, but he was not very handsome. A handsome guy would attract a female audience. Everyone knew that. The Asian actor was a natural heartthrob. Adam was feeling desperate, while Segal was happy to have found the actor. The situation was getting strange. Standing between the short cute penguin and the fierce sea lion, Qin Guan decided to begin with the former. Putting on his most sincere smile, he handed some fresh fish to Little Pea. The smart penguin exerted its unique skill by pecking at Qin Guans hand vigorously. Qin Guan was just as smart though. He drew his hand back immediately, leaving a small fish struggling on the penguins beak. Qu spit out the water shed been drinking. Segal almost fell down. Little Pea didnt stop though. As a noble penguin, it spared no intruder. It rushed up to Qin Guan at full speed with its pointed beak. Unprepared, Qin Guan was caught by the penguin. "Ouch!" His bare ankle was attacked. A man and a penguin were running around, chasing each other all over the tform. "Help! Ouch!" Qin Guan was attacked again. He had no intention of befriending Little Pea anymore. He just wanted to escape from the penguin. Segal buried his face in his hands helplessly. Adam burst intoughter. Being a careful man, he asked a crucial question while everyone else was focused on Qin Guan. "Where is Strong, the sea lion?" His question immediately attracted attention. The Asian guy seemed to be hated by all animals. Where was the sea lion? His question was answered soon. As Qin Guan ran to the corner of an artificial hill with a long gentle slope, the sea lion got on the stage solemnly. Qin Guan was looking back to check the distance between him and Little Pea. "Look out! Qin Guan! Behind you!" "Oh, no! Strong!" Screaming, the sea lion jumped out of the pond and hit Qin Guan. Bang! Qin Guan had no time to do anything. He fell down on the ground. The fat sea lion adjusted its posture fast. Little Pea had rushed over as well. The two of them exchanged a nce before they took action. Strong slowly crushed Qin Guan with its heavy belly while Little Pea remained in ce, ready to act. Three, two, one... Peck! Chapter 500: Common Animal Enemy Chapter 500: Common Animal Enemy Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Ouch!" The unreasonable attack surprised everyone, making them burst intoughter. "Ha ha ha!" No one felt sympathy for Qin Guan, not even the trainer. They forgot to save the poor guy from this predicament. Adam was so happy that he stuffed a fish into his mouth by ident. Strong thought that Little Pea was inefficient and decided to take action personally. As the star of the aquarium, the sea lion was good at acting and pping its hands. It was as simple as eating and drinking for it. As it rolled down Qin Guans back. the disgusting man raised his face nkly. Strong began to p against Qin Guans face with its forelegs... "Ha ha ha..." "Trainer, go help him..." Segal wasughing. He must be amon animal enemy. The director sighed to himself. It seemed that the Asian actor would not be ying in the film. By the time they rescued Qin Guan from the fighting animals, he was not in as good a mood as he had been upon arriving. His handsome face looked funny. There were some scales on his skin, and his short hair looked like a nest. "Are you okay?" Finally, the depressed man gotforted by humans. "Sister Qu... I cannot do this film..." Qin Guan grew a backbone as he cried his eyes out. After that chaos, the crew set Qin Guan up in afortable corner, leaving him to rest. Everyone would look at him carefully as they passed by, trying to restrain theirughter. Qu had a discussion with Segal. The result of the audition was clear. Taking advantage of this, Adam, who had won the part, sat down next to Qin Guan. "Im Adam Sandler." The honestedian stretched his hand out to Qin Guan happily. "Hello, Im Qin Guan." Adam was thankful for the penguin and the sea lion, who had weeded his potential opponent out. "If it wasnt for your unique character, Qin Guan, I would have lost this chance. Thank you so much." Qin Guan was speechless. The guy continued his attack though. "It must be awful to have such a personality. You cant act in a film involving animals, like a Disney show or a move like Anaconda... Little Pea and Strong are well-trained pets after all. Have you ever cooperated with a python or a leopard as a model?" Adam was taking pleasure in Qin Guans misfortune. Qin Guan shivered at the thought. Adam wanted to say a few more words to him though. The Asian actor was very attractive, but God was fair with everyone. Qu, who was done talking with Segal, shouted at Qin Guan. "Its all settled! Come and say goodbye to the director. We are going back to New York. There are few animals in big cities..." "Iming!" As he watched Qin Guan and Qu walk away, Adam tried tofort the young man for ast time, "See you around, my friend. New York is a good ce. There are few mosquitoes there..." Actually, this was his final attack on Qin Guan. When they were on the airne, Qu asked Qin Guan, "If animals really hate you so much, you must get bitten by mosquitoes every day. Do you?" "Maybe insects are an exception." "Cong Nianwei is so unlucky. If you get surrounded by cockroaches, she will abandon you immediately." Thank you so much. You are so good at small talk. Their different opinions made it useless to talk. Only Cong Nianwei couldfort Qin Guan. When they were together in bed, Qin Guan told her about his terrible experience. "That exins it. There are cockroaches in every apartment in the building, except ours. Ever since we arrived in New York, I have never needed to hang the mosquito. Besides, all the nts you have been taking care of have died. That potted nt we have is withering. You have only watered it once!" Chapter 501: The Harvard Pig Chapter 501: The Harvard Pig Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia I better go to sleep. Im a mass destruction weapon for animals. No wonder those two attacked me. Qin Guan finished his work and got on a travelling bus with Cong Nianwei under the anxious gazes of their tutors. It was better to call their trip an adventure rather than an academic exchange. Talented students from different universities would get to know each other during the trip. The rtionship between schoolmates was better than an ordinary friendship. With proper handling, it would help one a lot in the future. Besides, talented students from different industries wouldmunicate with each other easier. Among all the celebrities from Columbia, it was Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei that attracted the most attention. "Its Qin Guan!" "He always skips sses, yet he is still ranked at No. 1!" "Thats his girlfriend, Cong Nianwei!" "The female Asian Kong Kim who can pull off a whole design project by herself?" "She is different from the monster in the legend. Shes a pretty girl!" All the straight-A students on the bus were introverts. One could imagine how hard it was for them to recognize someone. On the back of the bus, led by Rongzhi, the students of the IT Department were staring at Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei like drooling idiots. They admired Cong Nianwei just as much as the boys at Tsinghua University. A female straight-A student, as pretty as a beauty in a cartoon... The trip would be perfect. Pink bubbles filled the bus. This was the first time Qin Guan was ignored like that. The tutor began to count everyone like a babysitter, when suddenly somebody started shouting outside. "Qin Guan, Iming!" "Come on! Lets go all over America!" Sitting in his seat, Qin Guan recognized the guys without even looking at them. It was Lan Jin and Xu Xiaoxiao. The two bored guys were jealous of their summer camp trip. In order to enjoy a free vacation, they had decided to participate at their own expense. Columbia was one of the best universities after all. They kept shouting, but the tutor didnt even look at them. He finished counting the students and then shouted to the driver, "Lets go!" The bus had a lion print on it, which was the symbol of Columbia University. The vehicle roared as it headed to their first destination. Qin Guan noticed the car tailing after the bus. It was arge hummer with two girls and two boys inside. Xu must have called them. Before he could discuss it with Cong Nianwei, the tutor began talking. "Our first stop will be Massachusetts. Do you understand?" Understand what? As a foreigner, Qin Guan tried his best to recall the history of the state. Didnt American colonists ughter nearly all the Indians? Doesnt Massachusetts have the finest spinning and weaving industry in America? Rongzhi craned his neck over, reminding them, "Its an education-oriented state. Even its elementary school education is No. 1." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were enlightened. It sounded just like the Shandong, Hubei and Jiansu provinces in China. There was great pressure there. The tutor continued his speech. "Our first stop is Harvard and the next one is MIT. They are in the same state." Suddenly, Qin Guan recalled his mischief with Harvard. The league game had been long ago, so he hoped that nobody remembered him. After three hours, they reached their destination. A Harvard professor with a foxy smile was waiting for them by the entrance. The two professors hugged each other warmly like old friends. Their greetings sounded strange though. "Wow! The pig at the entrance always reminds me of the animals bred inside." "ording to an old Chinese saying, pigs can eat tigers. I think lions are the same as tigers." Qin Guan cast a look at the sculpture by the entrance. It was a pigs head. "Good news for you. We can teach all students well, even if they are pigs." "Wow! Do you mean that the worlds richest and most intelligent men have been expelled by Harvard?" The students followed them silently, entering the famous campus. Xu Xiaoxiao and Lan Jin looked around them and asked Vivian and Liu Tianxia shyly, "Shall we do it?" "Its a disgrace. Besides, this is not Columbia." Vivian cast a supercilious look at him. "Thats why I want to do it. Otherwise, I wouldnt have made such a long trip. Im busy during vacation." Chapter 502: Troublemaker Chapter 502: Troublemaker Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Are you loyal friends of Qin Guan? Leave this to me!" Vivian and Liu Tianxia spread the g and banner, which had the phrases "Qin Guans Fan Club Arrives at Harvard" and "Fans of Qin Guan, what are you waiting for?" printed on them. On the back wererge photos of Qin Guan. In two minutes, they had attracted all the students attention. "Is that a sports champion?" "Impossible. Maybe its about some party? Oh no, they are fans of some star!" "Is a staring here?" "Why would a stare here?" The professors turned around to locate the source of the noise. "Isnt he handsome?" The Harvard professor didnt say anything. He just turned around, murmuring, "Im gonna crush you with my IQ..." Before they could reach the building, the square was filled with fans. Some young men ying football on thewn saw the gs from afar. "Whats that? The guy on the banner looks familiar." "Its Qin Guan... Those are his fans... Hes from Columbia..." "F*ck! I know him. Do you remember the mischief during the game with Columbia?" "The "Harvard sucks" sign?" "Exactly! The guy on the photo is one of the culprits. Id remember him even if he was burned into ashes!" His friends felt the same bitter hatred for their enemy. "What shall I do? Should I beat him?" The leader watched the group of Columbia students and the fans gathering under the banner, shaking his head. "We should beat him with our strategy, not by force. Harvard students are no bullies." "It seems that they are here for the academic exchange. When we get to the canteen, we can..." ... The atmosphere during the academic discussion was hot. Qin Guan, who acted like the college mascot, nearly fell asleep during the meeting. Shocked by his looks, Harvard had sent a team of boys to the meeting, so that Qin Guan wouldnt distract everyone. The two groups were equal, which made the Columbia professor quite resentful. After the meeting, they went to the public canteen. Half of it was upied by Qin Guans fans. When they entered the room, they were weed by loud cheers. "Qin Guan, wee to Harvard! We love you!" The excited girls, led by Vivian, greeted their idol. They were holding food, flowers and gifts in their hands. The college mascot, who had nearly fallen asleep and drooled during the meeting, attracted everyones attention. Once again, looks were exceeding ones IQ. The straight-A students had teared up. "Excuse me!" Some strong men squeezed through the crowd. "Are you Qin Guan? Wee to Harvard. We are your loyal fans." Silence prevailed in the canteen. In a few seconds, people started whispering to each other. "Why is the sports club here?" "No idea! They must be training for thepetition." Qin Guan was confused. When did so many strong guys be my fans? He looked at them, finally understanding. His perfect memory helped him recognize the guys who had chased after him after the game. They are here for me! What should I do? Qin Guans brain was functioning at high speed. Maybe going on the offense will be better. Theres a key for each lock after all. Qin Guan smoothed down his hair and smiled, which Sister Xue strictly forbade him. His eyes were clear and sincere. His face was pure and warm. He looked like the bright moon. Everyone was shocked when he took the hands of the sports club leader. "Thank you so much for being my loyal fan." Cong Nianwei was the only one who had understood that her boyfriend was in trouble. The leader flushed. "Why... Why are you holding my hands?" As the girls around them screamed, Qin Guan said, "Im paying back the favor. Shaking hands is a natural form of expression." "Qin Guan! I support you!" "Qin Guan! Shake hands with me!" The crazy girls cast fierce looks at the strong men. How dare youpete with us! This is disgusting! The sports club leader had lost, but there were still some guys that were immune to Qin Guans charm. A cunning-looking guy stepped forward. Chapter 503: Competition Chapter 503: Competition Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Qin Guan, you are a talented Columbia student. Wee to Harvard and the academic exchange program. Of course, during the exchange, we shouldbine hard effort with fun. Shall we have a sports activity to rx after a hard-working day? Do you guys want to admire Qin Guans abilities on the court?" The guy was very charismatic. Both the Harvard students and some Columbia students looked excited over his suggestion. "Of course!" "Qin Guan, I support you!" Im doomed. Qin Guan looked around, only to see a group of thin short guys, stocky Xu Xiaoxiao and smart Lan Jin. Putting on a warm smile, he raised a question. "Columbia students are no professional athletes. Wont thepetition be unfair for us?" The guy winked at him. "Its no big deal. We just want topete against you. Am I right, my friends?" "Besides, you can choose any sport you like. We have all kinds of equipment and facilities here." "Yes, Qin Guan! Anything you like! We support you!" Qin Guan was enlightened. "Anything I like?" "Sure!" "Okay, I choose ping pong." The strong men froze at once, while the Chinese students burst intoughter. "Chinese ping pong yers are the best ping pong yers..." "Who can y ping pong? I dont even know the rules!" After a short discussion, they rejected his proposal. "No can do. No one could beat you at that. Plus, we prefer outdoor sports! Everyone enjoys those!" It seemed like they wouldnt give up until Qin Guan made a fool of himself. Okay. Theres a key for each lock. Who cares! Qin Guan nodded at them. Then the crowd followed him and the athletes to the court. The students hanging out there were shocked by the big crowd. When they were informed about the situation though, they volunteered to help. Actually, they were interested in thepetition. The only Columbia athlete did not seem like a very good yer. With such a good chance of beating their opponent, anyone would be happy to participate. Qin Guan went to the locker room with his sportswear. As he changed, he analysed the advantages of both sides. The power-oriented sports, which included shot put, discus, javelin and hammer throw, could be dealt with. Dash races were a lost cause though. There were several ck men on the other side. There were only a few choices left: the high jump, the long jump and the pole vault. Qin Guan went out of the locker room and told Cong Nianwei his idea. Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. "Do you believe in me?" "Sure! You are my girlfriend!" "Long jump. Trust me!" "Why?" "Idiot! Your fans dont care about the result of thepetition. They are just intrigued by your mor. If you run and crawl back like a dog, they will leave without looking back. Dont pay attention to the others. Just try to look as handsome as possible. Understand?" Qin Guan raised an eyebrow. Its that simple? He had unconsciously gotten used to victory. Ill just try my best. He hugged her around the shoulders and handed her his clothes. "Watch me and cheer for me!" Then he strode out. Before leaving, he waved back at her. Holding his clothes in her arms, Cong Nianwei smiled. "Idiot! You dont need to show off with me!" It was a hot summer afternoon. The temperature rose even more. Qin Guan was wearing a ck tank and a pair of shorts thatplimented his perfect figure. His muscles looked smooth and graceful. He looked like the favorite of the gods, like a pearl shining among in rocks. Screams rose from the crowd. Qin Guan turned around and waved at his fans, which made the screams get louder. "Bro, we outsmarted ourselves." "If we beat him, they will vent their anger on us!" The sports club leader was biting on his nails fretfully. "Who cares? Its not our fault if hes inferior to us!" "Lets beat him! Give him a lesson! Well reveal his true colors to his fans." Making a decision, they walked over to Qin Guan. "Which sport do you choose?" The handsome guy nodded at them. "The triple jump." Chapter 504: National Athletes Chapter 504: National Athletes Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Okay." They all rxed. Watt was good at the triple jump. They would win thatpetition. They walked to the court, smiling kindly at each other. The onlookers sat quietly in their seats. "Hello, Im Watt. Who will go first?" "Im Qin Guan. This is your home court. After you!" Watt was a slender man of about 1.90 meters. The tight muscles on his body indicated his speciality. He was happy about Qin Guans suggestion. He was excited to crush such a handsome guy with his outstanding power. The referee blew his whistle and the thin man began to run from afar. His high speed produced a breeze as he passed by Qin Guan. One! Two! Three! Watt took a leap andnded into the sand pit. The linesman held up the white g, indicating that there had been no foul. "16.01 meters." The audience took a deep breath. That distance meant nothing to outsiders. In order to get an idea about the score, Rongzhi searched online. He found the rules and regtions of the triple jump, as well as the statistics for Chinese athletes. Sixteen meters was the standard of a national-level athlete. Twelve meters was the standard for third-ss level athletes in China, and 15.25 meters was first-ss athlete level. In other words, 16 meters was the standard for top Chinese sportsmen. Qin Guan was no athlete though. In fact, he had never done this before! By that time, Qin Guan was already on the starting line, raising his eyebrows with a smile. For him, this did not seem like apetition, but a walk in his yard. Suddenly, he moved. His arms started swaying as he sped up, his heart beating faster and faster. His long legs were the symbol of strength and beauty... "Qin Guan, I love you!" "Cheers, Qin Guan!" He jumped high into the sky like a dancing butterfly. Then hended and bounced up again like smooth running water. His shoes stomped just behind the line, barely a few centimeters away. Then he took his final leap. Looking natural and rxed, he returned to the embrace of the breeze andnded on the sand with a smile. Bang! There was another footprint in the sand pit. "14.85 meters..." That was Qin Guans final score. "What a pity! Watt is better." "Are you kidding? You cantpare an athlete to a star. All things considered, his score is pretty good." "Of course! My boyfriend cant even reach the pit." What a useless boyfriend... Qin Guans friends were stunned. Is this his first time doing this? He could be a national second-level athlete, not far behind first-ss athletes. Is he even human? The Harvard athletes were also stupefied. Only professionals could understand. Qin Guan was feeling wonderful. He had just copied Watts movements and spotted his shorings. He could imitate Watt, but because of their different physical condition, the same movement couldnt result in the same oue. Watt was taller than him and he had been training for many years. Thanks to his height, arm length, wind, eleration and aerodynamics, their scores were inevitably different. As long as Qin Guan copied him, that difference would remain the same. If he could analyse all the factors involved and choose the most suitable method though, he might make a surprising breakthrough. Qin Guan was lost in thought, trying out different methods in his mind. He tried to control his muscles and posture in strange ways. Watt finished his second try. 16.28 meters! "Next!" Before Qin Guan could try out more ways, the referee called him. He decided to test his new theory. He just moved with the wind. The speed of the wind was just right. Left leg... Right leg... Thats too far... Damn it! The audience sighed. Qin Guan had failed in his second jump. He was sitting down on the sand. "The score is... One meter!" "Ha ha!" His opponentsughed at him. Slender legs, huh? You just fell into the sand without bouncing up. We thought you were good at jumping, but that first jump must have been just a coincidence! Chapter 505: The Crazy List Chapter 505: The Crazy List Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Extreme joy begot sorrow. Qin Guan performed at once. He was in very low spirits now. He hung his head down, his short hair hiding the sorrow in his eyes. He passed by them on purpose. As they sneered at him, he started crying. He just moved his lips, showing no response at their malevolence as he walked past them sadly. This irrigated his fans, who had been disappointed at first. An idol couldnt be good at everything though. Qin Guan was good at studying and acting. They couldnt ask any more of him. As they watched his lonely figure, they got angry. F*ck! How dare you bully our idol! This is nothing but a mistake. Hes already made a good jump! Qin Guans opponents had no idea about the misfortunes that would befall them in the future. No girl would go near them during the rest of their time at Harvard. They were currently watching the third try of the handsome boy, who seemed to be crying. Ha ha! Youllnd outside the pit! As Qin Guan began running from the starting line though, they sensed his fierce confidence. The glowing man looked like he was flying in the sky, the golden sunshine shining on his back like angel wings. Farther... Farther... Qin Guannded in the pit again. The referee ran over to measure the distance. "16.79 meters! No foul!" Deafening cheers burst out as girls from both Harvard and Columbia hugged each other excitedly. The boys around them enjoyed the feeling of the girls in their arms. They were really grateful for Qin Guan. You eat the meat, bro. Just leave the soup to me. Rongzi, Xu Xiaoxiao and Lan Jin cheered loudly. Then, as if theyd suddenly remembered something, they began to beat their chests and stomp their feet. Qin Guan was only one centimeter away from reaching the standards of an international athlete! Vivian was pressing the shutter like crazy. She would share the wonderful moment with her friends at OMG. Qin Guans opponents were stunned. "Sorry for the mischief back at Columbia, but I dont want to lose." Qin Guan walked over to them with a sincere smile, stretching his hand out. Some people were born with a surprising charm. The closer he got, the more anxious they became. "We ept your apology. The Columbia football team really sucks though!" "Ha ha! Agreed!" The sweat on Qin Guans forehead was sparkling under the sunshine. His smile was like a blooming flower. The bus left, leaving behind legends about Qin Guan. He had more loyal fans now than he had before. That evening, when everyone had fallen asleep at MIT, Vivian posted a vivid article on OMG. "This is a travel blog about our idol. If you are interested, please follow me to observe Qin Guans daily life." "Its the first day of the trip. We are at MIT now. During the daytime, we visited Harvard, where some interesting things happened. I hope youll enjoy reading about them." When the users clicked on the post, they saw countless pictures of Qin Guan. There were pictures of Qin Guans back, of him and Cong Nianwei on the bus, of Qin Guans bored expression during the meeting, of his wonderful leap in thepetition... The girls loved them. The most excited ones were already on their way to Qin Guans location. The list of Qin Guans new fans at Harvard grew. There were more than 30 pretty signatures, plus some ugly ones signed by men. They all made the girls both excited and sad. Some excited girls realized their locations were on Qin Guans route. "His next destination will be Connecticut! Ill go to Yale and wait for him!" "Why is California hisst stop?" It was because California was the farthest away from New York. Those living far away from his route went crazy. "Whats the governor of Texas doing every day? Riding horses? Cowboys are stupid!" "New Mexico is always ignored." "My university is also famous. Why is Qin Guan skipping it?" "Which university are you studying at? Tell us!" "The William Paterson University in New Jersey." "Ha ha..." A university that was not on the list... Chapter 506: Traps Chapter 506: Traps Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The online discussion about Qin Guan was getting more and more heated. Girls were rare at MIT though, so the students were not influenced. Harvard was MITs arch enemy. The hostility between Harvard and Yale was a kind appreciation towards each other, but Harvard was practically bullying MIT. The two world-renowned universities were located in the same small city. As theter, MIT had to bear Harvards behavior passively. MIT was near Charles River. In order to reach Boston, its students had to cross a bridge. Because of Harvards influence, the bridge had been named the Harvard Bridge. MIT had tried its best to change that annoying name, but to no avail. Some Harvard students were nning on following the group of Columbia students to MIT, with the aim of bullying the students there again. They wanted to watch the world burn. At an MIT dorm, some boys were typing on theirptops. Suddenly, one of them told his friends, "Hey,e and see! There is a celebritying to our college." Science and engineering geeks hated people like Qin Guan, who were cunning, rich, and good at flirting with girls. "Wow! Its a pity that we barely have any girls at our college. Shall we n something for him?" "What do you think?" "Sure!" "I know where those money-oriented guys from Columbia are staying. Shall we go?" "Yes!" After making careful arrangements, the boys fell asleep with smiles on their faces. The next morning, they hid around the corner of the hallway, staring at the dormitory where Qin Guan was staying. It was time for harvest. The door opened and the celebrity came out. It was a pretty girl with long ck hair and fair skin. Her face looked like a flower blooming in the morning sunshine. A goddess! The slender girl was full of energy. She looked like the first snow on a summit. "Bloody hell! A girl!" "A goddess!" "We made a mistake!" They suddenly realized they had made a terrible mistake. Before they could figure out a solution, they rushed over to the girl. Im the hero who will save the girl! Suddenly, friends became enemies. "Hey, beautiful! Stop!" Cong Nianwei was shocked. Wow! Her eyes are so beautiful! Smiling and drooling like silly, they dashed into different directions without hesitation. Bang! A hand was caught in a rat trap. "Ouch!" a boy cried out. When he saw Cong Nianweis long curled eyshes, he tried to calm down. "It doesnt hurt! Its just like getting attacked by an oyster." This f*cking hurts! Suddenly, something flew over. Before Cong Nianwei could react, a head blocked her way. The thin boy had been hit by arge eraser. Despite the white powder all over him, the boy was mesmerized by Cong Nianweis smile. Life is so beautiful! Before Cong Nianweis smile could fade away, the final trap was triggered. Crack... Bang... Ouch! Cong Nianwei stepped aside instinctively to avoid the final attack. A small bucket of dirty water fell down,nding on the head of a third boy. There were still some dirty cloths in it. With that strange hat on his head, the boy looked like a clown that had escaped from the circus. Lying down on the floor, the three boys tried their best to fight against the traps. Cong Nianwei couldnt help but burst intoughter. Her smile shocked them. They just sat there, lost in their romantic fantasies. Chapter 507: Mischief Chapter 507: Mischief Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Whats the matter, Cong Nianwei? Why are you up so early?" Wearing only a pair of shorts, Qin Guan came out of his room, rubbing his eyes. "Theres so much noise! Is something going on?" The guys were shocked by his presence. They hadnt gone to the wrong dormitory after all. The two of them were staying together. "Give me a good morning kiss..." Qin Guan kissed Cong Nianwei on the forehead before ncing at the people outside the door. "What happened? Who are they?" "No idea. As soon as I opened the door, they rushed over. Then... Look..." Qin Guan bent down to check the trap and picked the dirty cloth up before letting it go disdainfully. Then he pulled Cong Nianwei into the room. "Its just freshmen mischief. What shall we have for breakfast?" Qin Guan closed the door, breaking the hearts of the three guys. Why do pretty flowers always belong to somebody else? Why do pigs always get the cabbages? We wont give up. No matter the goalkeeper, a good yer can always score. Exchanging meaningful nces with each other, they decided that Qin Guan was their No.1 enemy. They followed Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei to the canteen. "Is there something wrong with my eyes? Is that guy..." "You are right. I can see him!" Everyone in the canteen was attracted by the boy who had entered the room. He was wearing a white T-shirt with arge mysterious character printed on it. His ck hair looked golden under the sunshine. He looked warm and beautiful as he walked into the canteen surrounded by a group of people. His smile made everyone feel warm. "Is he her f*cking boyfriend? Hes quite different from the guy we just saw." "He had just gotten out of bed." "Will our n work? We are obviously nopetition for him." "Dont worry, just ask the people around him. Everyone has their shorings." However, they didnt get a general idea about Qin Guans background until the visitors from Columbia entered the meeting room. Suddenly, they saw a group of people walking on campus in a formidable array. "What the f*ck! Are they from Harvard?" "Yes! Ring the rm!" "They are meeting the guys from Columbia!" After spending a happy day together, the Harvard students had been reluctant to say goodbye to the Columbia students, so they had followed them to MIT. Of course, they could also take advantage of this chance to bully MIT in the process. They were fond of bullying those bookworms during sports events. Harvard also wanted to host the guests from Columbia. "What are they going to do?" "Those shameless guys! They are ying football on ourwn!" "Those bullies!" "Even Columbia, who has the worst team in the Ivy League, is better than us!" As masters of mischief though, they thought of a n fast. "Call more people... Here, like this..." "Fetch that thing we madest time..." "Wow! Thats so naughty... I like it!" They all got to work while Harvard and Columbia yed football. "Hey, Watt. Is the audience increasing?" "They might be attracted by our charm!" Watt showed off his muscles, facing the spectator stands. As the audience screamed, he threw the ball out of the court. "Here you go!" A boy from MIT picked the ball up and handed it back to Watt in admiration. "Thanks. Ill give you an autographter." Watt took the ball and walked back to the center of the court happily. "Qin Guan, be careful!" He threw the ball at full force. Suddenly, the ball exploded in the air. As the wind dispersed the smoke, everyone saw Watt standing there, ashes covering his face. His hair looked smoky. The remains of the ball were lying by his feet. Suddenly, a small balloon rose from the broken ball, with a colorful banner that said "Long Live MIT!" "Ha ha! Wonderful! Take pictures!" Chapter 508: Bikinis and Kapoks Chapter 508: Bikinis and Kapoks Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia All the onlookers from MIT took out their phones to record the wonderful moment. "That exins why MIT was friendly with Harvard..." As the sun set, the gloomy Harvard students and Cong Nianwei left. There was another heated discussion waiting for Qin Guan at the next stop. "MIT pranks are the best! Qin Guan got scared. It was so cute!" Even the local Boston media published the story about the three universities, and so did Connecticut, which was even closer to New York. Thanks to the news spreading online, there were girls waiting for Qin Guans bus on the way, holding flowers and apuding warmly, offering their spontaneous support in exchange for an autograph. The number of posts about Qin Guan on OMG were increasing, spreading around campuses like a rolling snowball. The route of the bus was calcted by theizens. They crossed many states and counties from the East Coast, heading to theirst destination in California. The students away from their route followed their bus in their cars. Some were waiting for them by the road to greet them and show their support. The bus kept moving, leaving the girls and their admiration behind. As they visited the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University and Duke University, there were more and more cars tailing them. Blonde girls waved gs under the blue sky as they drove at high speed. This was the first trip joined by so many beauties from top universities. In Chicago, Illinois, a group of bikers was driving at full speed on the highway, followed by police cruisers. The capable policemen had been waiting for them by the road for three days. "Please slow down at once. Pull to the curb and wait to be checked..." "Ha ha! Those idiots!" The motorbikes began a game of chasing, when the bikers suddenly saw something strange up ahead. Happy country music andughter could be heard from a distance. Girls with ck, brown, red and blonde hair were standing by the roundabout, waving gs and dancing to the music. It looked like a parade. The bikers slowed down, trying to figure out what was happening. "F*ck! Thats the daughter of the head of a Chicago gang!" "Where is she?" "Look! The blonde girl. She is Old Sams daughter. Its said that she is studying at Chicago University." He was right. The Columbia group had just left Chicago University. There were about 100 bored people following them. Their number increased as they passed by states and counties, attracting the drivers attention on the way. "Damn it! There is a truck up front!" The policemen were drawing near. The bikers had lost the game at the most familiar section of the road. The trucks had been attracted by Qin Guans team. To the drivers, those beautiful girls were the most wonderful view on their long journey, better even than the view along the road. By the time the smoke dispersed, the bikers were crying in the police cruisers. Qin Guan enjoyed the sea breeze, the beach and the delicious food. After a long journey across both the East and the West coast, they finally reached their destination in California. They visited the California Institute of Technology and Stanford University. Qin Guan was already familiar with the holynd of film production that was Los Angeles. Sea breeze. Beach. Beautiful women. Deck chairs. Bikinis. Perfect barbecue! His friends and fans were holding a party on the beach. Qin Guan was the center of the attention. Beautiful girls were wearing the same blue bikini and fake tattoo on their backs, lying on deck chairs under the umbres. The tattooed letters on their tan skin expressed their feelings. I love you, Qin Guan. Vivian took a picture of them. When Qin Guan appeared on the beach, the girls jumped up from their chairs screaming. They pinnedrge, red kapok flowers on their hair and gathered around Qin Guan. They left fast, leaving the flowers on Qin Guans head. Qu Xuemei was looking at him with a strange expression in her eyes. "Well done! Your girlfriend is studying, while you are enjoying the sunshine and the beautiful girls here. I envy your life!" Qin Guan scratched his head proudly. Then he pulled a long face in reaction to Qus words. Chapter 509: The Luxury Car Advertisement Chapter 509: The Luxury Car Advertisement Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Okay, your trip will end here. You had a really long vacation. Back to work now!" "You have three jobs in Los Angeles. One is a film called Mean Girls, the second is an MTV show a singer has invited you to personally, and thest one is an advertisement. Cheers, young man! This night will be yourst chance to rx!" Qin Guan wanted to die. The blue sky and green water did not seem as beautiful anymore. "Sister, I am not your ve. Time is swift. I want to enjoy myself!" "The advertisement is for a Cadic SUV. It will go global, actually. The sry is three million dors..." "Just tell me when and where. Time is swift. I want to work to death!" Qin Guan changed his attitude at once. Meanwhile, Vivian experienced the first sess of her career. "Hello, Im the editor of Humans & Geography. Im interested in your posts on OMG. Can we talk privately?" Thanks to Qin Guan, a real-time broadcasting program on the fun life of celebrities was about to start. It was a delightful change brought about by the Asian boy. The next day, Qin Guan left the group to go to work. His loyal fans watched him go reluctantly. Following the advertisement shooting team, Qin Guan stepped on a steep hill path on the West Coast. The sea was on his left, and rocks were on his right. The cliff was above him, while perilous peaks and pines were below him. On that sparsely popted but extremely beautiful site, Cadic would shoot an advertisement for itstest SUV. Taking into ount the demands of Chinese customers, whose purchasing power had been risingtely, the design was taller and more magnificent. There were luxurious leather seats and arge inner space inside, which would surely win over Chinese high-end customers. To satisfy their desire to show off, the logo on the headstock was muchrger than that on other models. One could see it even from 10 meters away. Qin Guan was the first Chinese man to drive the car. He stood on the cliff, waving at Cong Nianwei and Qu below him, who looked as small as dots. The ce where they stood was his destination. His job was simple. What he had to do was drive the car around the turns and take a handsome pose on the deserted beach. He fastened his seat belt in great spirits. The cameraman installed a small camera right before him and sat in the passenger seat, carrying another manual camera. Crew members on and under the cliff were waving gs at each other. Everything was ready. An employee knocked on the window and waved a g down, indicating that the shooting could begin. Qin Guan turned on the music and smiled at the cameraman before starting the car. "A good car and good music make for an enjoyable trip..." The cameraman recorded his smile carefully with his camera. Qin Guans performance had begun early. It was the famous Fate Symphony. The camera was rolling, recording everything. First, his hand. There was only a hand with slender fingers visible on the frame. Then an iron wrist watch the same color as the car, expressing the taste of the owner. Another camera in the backseat was capturing the elegant back view. The tidy grey shirt of the driver showed his unique charm. The camera moved to capture his eyes. Most of the drivers face was in the dark. Only his sparkling eyes and long eyshes were visible. The shape of his eyes was beautiful. His pupils were ck, the light reflected on the window looking like stars in deep ponds. The camera shifted again. The beautiful hand covered the controller as the driver stamped on the elerator. The beautiful car and the handsome man finally broke away from all constraints. They looked like they had wings! The cameraman and director was holding on to the handle. His tongue was tied both from admiration for the handsome guy and fear. Qin Guan smiled. Unlike his small Ford, driving a luxury car was amazing. That exined why men always wanted luxury cars. Qin Guan was driving fast. He felt unparalleledly well. This reminded him of the crew on the other side of the ocean, the steep mountain paths, and the road he had driven through. There was also a scared man sitting on the passenger seat there, and the driver had the same delighted smile on his face. Chapter 510: Troublesome Female Stars Chapter 510: Troublesome Female Stars Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan smiled at the lens, looking free and splendid. Amid the sound of the Fate Symphony, he turned the steering wheel in a restrained way. It was just the first turn, but the people in the car seemed to be flying up in the sky. Qin Guan moved his shoulders slightly, his arms stretching and rxing. The cameraman dared not cry out, but he was weeping silently. Qin Guan opened his mouth wider and wider, until he wasughing happily. He sped up on the rugged road. Not long afterwards, the road started gradually bing even. Qin Guans view was broader now, indicating that they had left behind the most dangerous part of the road. The beach was t, the setting sun drooping over it. Its orange light brought the sea and the sky together as the waves sparkled. Qin Guan stomped on the brakes and turned the steering wheel to take ast leap. After a beautiful turn, the silver car used the force of friction to stop on the beach. Qin Guan looked out front and took a perfect pose. As soon as the car stopped, the cameraman unfastened his seatbelt and got out. After taking a few steps, he threw up, shocking the crew. "What about you? Are you okay?" Qin Guan shut the door and ran up to the gentle young man, feeling a little guilty. "Im fine. Lets check the yback. Quick!" The director waved at his crew. Before leaving, he patted Qin Guan on the back. "Good job!" He walked dizzily back to the car, praying silently. Please! The shooting must go on! Please! Ill never drive with that angelic-looking monster again! Everyone gathered to watch the yback on aptop. The exterior of the car looked perfect. Even the tire tracks on the road were clear. The interior of the car looked just as good. The texture of the leather seats made it look like an oil painting. The lips, eyes, beautiful wrist watch, elegant movements and splendid smile of the model were perfect, and so was hisst pose. Every shot was like a picture telling the story of a talented young man. "Perfect!" Everyone started cheering after watching the film. Few advertisement actors could do this in one shot, let alone give such a wonderful performance. The director of Cadic was shaking hands warmly with Qin Guan, who was about to leave. Qin Guan had saved them a lot of money. Cong Nianwei was waiting for him under the sunset, wearing a big straw hat. Qu cast a supercilious look at Qin Guan behind her sunsses. After working hard, Qin Guan needed some food to reward himself. Qu became the shameless third wheel, grinding her teeth as she followed the lovers. Looking at the map, they found their next destination: HOUSTON. HOUSTON was a chain restaurant famous for its various American dishes. Its delicious food made it popr among the locals in California. A waiter led them to their reserved seats. The open kitchen was just across from them. There were no partitions, so every customer could see the chefs at work. They seated themselves and realized none of the patrons were focused on their food. None, but a blondedy at a table on the left side of the restaurant. She had thick lips and a straight nose. Her mysterious deep blue eyes were her most charming feature. As insiders of the fashion circle, Qin Guan and Qu recognized the girl at once. It was Paris Whitney Hilton, one of the heirs of the Hilton family. She was a frequent guest at Hollywood fashion events, but she was more famous for her romantic affairs than her work. Well-behaved actors considered her a troublemaker. Qin Guan shot a look at the window and saw some reporters outside, taking pictures of the controversial star and trying to guess why she was in the restaurant. "Look at all those reporters, Qin Guan! Will there be any trouble?" "Dont worry. They will behave. They wont dare enter the restaurant." "Thats not what I meant. If they saw you, wouldnt they fabricate more stories?" Qin Guan paused before smiling again. "Impossible! They have no time to look at me. Paris Hilton is over there!" The waiter served them their steaks. There was a whole rare ribeye on each te. Juices were dripping out, mixed with a little blood. The meat was so tender, it melted in their mouths. The salty mashed potato and parsley dressing increased their appetite even more. There was also a unique sauce and pepper powder produced by the restaurant. The feast was a big surprise for everyone. The prices were also reasonable, which was why the ce was so popr. The average was about 40 dors each. Chapter 511: Three Women Chapter 511: Three Women Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The three of them began eating their food without paying attention to their surroundings. Soon, Hiltons friends arrived. As Qin Guan had expected, the famous girl had not gone there alone. Paris Hiltons friends were really famous, which made the pack of reporters get excited. They lifted their cameras and started pressing the shutters like crazy. Hilton had been waiting for Madonna and Britney Spears, the most popr female singers in America. Either of them could make the headlines of any newspaper by herself, let alone if they appeared in the same picture. By the time Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked up from their tes, the situation was even stranger. At Hiltons orders, there were some Spidermen hanging by the windows, blocking the lighting off the streetmps. The threedies greeted and kissed each other. Qu swallowed her golden chips, murmuring, "Those three here... What a coincidence!" "Coincidence?" "They are the two singers of the music video. They contacted me to invite you to shoot it with them. They are releasing an album together." "Really?" Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were stunned, when suddenly Britney turned her head around. "Hey, isnt that the handsome guy we invited to our music video?" The other two turned around as well. Hilton was shocked at first nce. "Who is he? What music video?" "Ourpany will release a joint music video. Madonna found him while reading some magazines. We picked him to be the protagonist of our video. He must be an Asian model. Thats all I know." As the other two stopped talking, Madonna warned them, "Dont look down on him. Theres gossip about him everywhere online. He is a Columbia student. Even his vacation trips attract reporters. He is really popr now." Paris Hiltons eyes were shining brighter and brighter. I like popr guys. Im the Gossip Queen after all! "Shall we say hello to him?" "Wow! You like him?" Hilton nodded without hesitation. She looked like she had discovered her favorite kind of jewellery at an auction. Hes mine! "Lets go!" Britney was not the sweetheart her agency made her out to be. She wanted to watch the whole world burn. She was as much of a rebel as Paris Hilton. Before Madonna could say anything, they stood up. Madonna couldnt help but sigh, shaking her golden-blond curly hair. The two princesses were really bold. Judging by their status and poprity, they could just wave at Qin Guan and the Asian model would walk up to them seductively. Actually, they didnt even need to approach the model personally. For the sake of their dignity, Madonna decided to follow the girls. In the eyes of the reporters, they were just greeting some friends, not looking for a boyfriend. "Hi, Qin Guan. Can we sit here?" "How are you, dear?" Not good. I nearly choked. Qin Guan had an ominous premonition as he saw the looks the threedies were shooting at him. When they had stood up ande over, hed almost choked on his tuna sd from the shock. "Cough, cough..." Qu stood up in time. "Hello, I have met Linda from your agency. I am Qin Guans agent." She had to protect Qin Guan from any gossip in this asion. The Spidermen nearly crashed the windows in their effort to take pictures. This was breaking news. The threedies had approached a mysterious young man together, greeting him warmly and urgently! This was headline material! It was a pity that Qus Tai Ji didnt work. Hilton, who was a cunning girl, sat down in Qus vacant seat, right next to Qin Guan. "Hey, Im Paris. Are you alone here? I have never seen you before." Herrge innocent eyes sent him seductive messages. Cong Nianwei was invisible to her. Britney was a little annoyed. She liked bad boys herself, so Qin Guan was not her cup of tea. His raised eyes looked straight at her heart though. A good boy can also be a bad boy. Madonna was the calmest one among them. Smiling, she sat down across from Qin Guan, stretching out her hand. "Im Madonna. Do you know me? Well be working together tomorrow." She was a real superstar. Even though Britney had won a Grammy, she was still a little girl. "Its nice to meet you, Qin Guan. Im looking forward to working with you." The two of them shook hands. The reporters outside were disappointed by the blurry photos. Cong Nianwei noticed that Qu looked terrible. Her outstretched hand was ignored, left hovering in the air. Cong Nianwei, who knew the capable woman well, looked at Hilton with a sympathetic expression. Chapter 512: A Mighty Girlfriend Chapter 512: A Mighty Girlfriend Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia She was feeling sympathy for Qu, when suddenly a full bottom squeezed into the gap between her and Qin Guan. Britney smoothed her blonde hair down and sat on Qin Guans left without hesitation. "Hey, Ill also be cooperating with you..." Are you flirting with the man before his girlfriend? "We are having a hot party tonight. Its perfect for a man like you. Will you honor us with your presence?" Paris Hilton turned his face to hers. "Oh, Qin Guan, I know nothing about you. Shall we talk and get to know each other better?" Britney turned his face in a different direction. They were too busy fighting over the attention of the Asian man to notice the smile on the Asian womans face. Qu smirked. Cong Nianwei noticed her murderous expression. Sandwiched between them, Qin Guan felt extremely embarrassed. The two women were staring at his face, their hands caressing his arms. The reporters went crazy at the scene. "Bloody hell! Shall we raise funds to order a steak?" They were too poor to enter that restaurant... Finally, Madonna resolved the dilemma. "Girls, behave yourselves." She looked at her juniors kindly. "Our actor here is flushed. Wow, you have some sauce on your mouth." Cong Nianwei watched in surprise as Madonna held Qin Guans jaw with one hand, picked up a napkin from the table with the other and cleaned the sauce for him. Qu, Cong Nianwei and the other two girls were stupefied. The reporters outside went mad. What striking news! They tried their best to get closer. "Stop! Dont push me!" Horrified, the man in front watched the ss crack, white fissures appearing on it. "F*ck! Back off! You broke the ss! Help!" As they screamed, the ss was finally crushed. They all fell into the restaurant, rolling around on the floor. The manager was speechless. Madonna had no dignity. She had scanned Qin Guan from head to toe boldly right away. I like a good figure. Madonna actually liked to rob the cradle. The manager walked over to the reporters angrily as the chef rushed out with a sharp knife. The reporters paid no attention to them though. Countless long and short cameras were taking pictures of Qin Guan and thedies. shes were twinkling. To everyones surprise, Paris Hilton took a handsome pose before the cameras, nearly lying on top of Qin Guans body. Madonna was sitting there elegantly, with her back to Qin Guan. She acted like nothing had happened. Cong Nianwei blinked under the lights of the cameras, speaking for the very first time. "Let my boyfriend go!" Her voice was not loud, but it was loud enough for Britney and Paris Hilton to hear. The two American girls finally noticed her. Wow, she is his girlfriend. We thought she was an assistant. She looks average. Britney pushed out her chest proudly, casting a meaningful look at Cong Nianweis chest. It was rude to point out someone elses disadvantage. Cong Nianwei was very irrigated by the look. "Come here, Qin Guan." Like a tame boyfriend, Qin Guan did as she told him. He rushed over to Cong Nianwei, avoiding a terrible fight. Without him in the middle, the two girls leaned naturally towards the center. Cong Nianwei threw two empty tes at them, aiming right for their breasts. Your boobs are big enough to hold them, arent they? Qin Guan made a grimace at them and smiled at Cong Nianwei. Madonna was in shock. "Are you okay? Im sorry for my mistake. Didnt you see the two tesing?" Cong Nianwei stood up and pointed to her own head. "Big boobs equal small brains. You arecking in IQ." "Sorry for our mistake," Qu added cleverly. "Your clothes are stained. Linda told me that your hotel is nearby. You better go change clothes. There are so many reporters here!" She changed the topic, for fear that the brainless girls would do something terrible. Paris and Britney nearly cried out when they saw the sauce on their breasts. They had no time to appreciate the handsome man as they covered their breasts with the tablecloth. Chapter 513: The Music Video Chapter 513: The Music Video Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qu looked at Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei. Taking advantage of the riot, they all sneaked away. "Hey, I wasnt finished! Dont bete tomorrow. What about you two? Can you return to the hotel?" The threedies left the restaurant as soon as possible, while Qin Guan, Cong Nianwei and Qu went to their hotel hurriedly. After taking a shower, Qin Guan and Cong Nianweiy down in bed, their shoulders touching. A soft light was reflected on the quilt. "Qin Guan." "Yes?" "I dont like those three. Neither the older one, nor the younger ones." "Me neither." "Can you turn down the job?" "No problem. Can I ask you a question though? I have cooperated with many actresses before. Why did you dislike them in particr?" "Theyughed at my boobs..." "Good answer." Qin Guan got up to answer the phone, hiding his smile in the process. My girlfriend is so cute. Qu was shouting at him from the other end of the line. Qin Guan hung up and returned to bed. "Qu said we can turn down the job if we are willing to pay the consequences. Plus, we would have two days to ourselves in Los Angeles!" "How much would you lose?" "200,000 dors." "You have to get up early tomorrow. You cant bete for the shooting. Ille with you, just to be safe." He was so lucky to have such a reasonable girlfriend. The ident the previous day was nothing for them. They were living a simple life, so they had no idea about the influence of those threedies in America. Early in the morning, the newsboys were shuttling around the city. Unlike the residents of the bustling city, the people in the suburbs had just opened their eyes. The Los Angeles Times was the highest-selling newspaper in the city. It always published real-time news about celebrities, but this was the first time it featured a full-page headline. "Three female starspeting over Best Actor Award Winner." On the picture under the headline, Madonna was wiping Qin Guans mouth, while Britney Spears and Paris Hilton were sitting on either side of him. Cong Nianwei, his real girlfriend, was just a blurry figure in the photo. In the other photos, the readers could see the three of them clearly. By then, they had already left the site. As the king of gossip, "The Sun" had also published a report, although not a very detailed one. The photo of the three women leaving had been highlighted, and the titles went along the lines of "Asian Best Actor Winner abandoning three American girls over his true love. Which is better: a pretty girl or a mature woman?" The report was full of unreliable spections. Sleeping in his hotel, Qin Guan had no idea about the news, which had reached thousands of households and shocked fans all over the country. In several hours, he had be the rumored boyfriend of the three famous stars. The shooting location had nothing to do with the affair. There were no newspapers, no beach, sea or coconut trees around. It was actually a studio. Unlike therge stages built for hot singers and dancers, the set looked like the office of a gangster. There was a big brown desk, arge crystal ashtray, some "Godfather" cabs, and a ck leather couch in the room. The dresser was carefully working on Qin Guans face. The Asian model was weed warmly by the crew. His ck hair was perfect for the role. After getting permed, it was sculpted into a vintage hairstyle. Qu opened Qin Guans clothing case, shocking the prop master. It was full of Armani Haute Couture. The model had to be very sessful. Qin Guan went out of the fitting room, but the two singers took their time ining out. Qin Guan presented himself in the most shocking manner. He arranged the sleeves of his white shirt, whispering to Cong Nianwei in his most gentle voice. He was wearing a vintage British ck suit, the straight pants reaching his shoes elegantly. His short hair had been curled. His eyes were fixed on his girlfriend, full of love and affection. The corner of his mouth was raised in a smile. Qin Guan was in a good mood, despite the fact that it was about 30 degrees in the studio and he was wearing an autumn outfit. "I like him..." Britney murmured to herself, covering her heart, which had been shot by Cupids arrows. Madonna was staring at Qin Guans long legs. The expression in her eyes was very intense. The prop master moved a screen away to reveal the set. A music video was much moreplicated than an advertisement. It required editing, background music, and many other things. Fortunately, Qin Guan was only an actor. He would just perform. That was simple enough for him, considering he was a professional actor. Chapter 514: A Strong Backbone Chapter 514: A Strong Backbone Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan had underestimated the two unreliable women. During the shooting process, he found it difficult to express his pain. The music video had no plot. Qin Guans role mainly involved interacting with Madonna, which made Qin Guan sigh in relief. Madonna was much better than Paris Hilton, who had shown him her boobs just like that. The director sat down behind the camera as Qin Guan sat in the rotating chair in the center of the studio. An assistant lit a slim white cigarette and handed it to Qin Guan. The lighting engineer turned off all the lights on the ceiling, leaving only those on the sides. Half of Qin Guans body was in the dark. The light hit his long legs and the side of his face. Several beams of light and shadows were formed on his face, highlighting his straight nose. He looked like a dangerous man hiding in the dark. Every cell in his body was shouting in the darkness, but he still remained elegant. He was a mafia boss at the dawn of his life. An enthusiastic street girl in a colorful skirt entered hisrge office. She tried to flirt with the cool mafia boss by using her charm. There was background music ying during the scene. Madonna was a natural stage queen moving flexibly to the music. Suddenly, Cong Nianwei caught herself liking the hot singer. She danced enthusiastically around Qin Guan, radiating tenderness and love through her eyes. She looked like a moth darting towards the fire. If she failed, she would die. Qin Guan touched his chair with one of his feet. He didnt move or say anything, but there were mes dancing in his eyes. Smoke was rising from his fingers, yet he didnt move. Everyone could feel that he was obsessed with the girl, including the director and Britney, who was staring at Qin Guan like a drooling idiot. "Acting in a music video is a waste of his abilities," the director told Britney. Suddenly, the two actors strayed from the script. Madonna stopped dancing and took the cigarette from Qin Guans mouth. As she smoked it, the cigarette burned brighter. "Hey, its not supposed to go like this. Never mind, it still looks good." Where are your principles, director? Qu nearly tore a poster into pieces, but Qin Guans formal girlfriend was extremely calm. She didnt know this was a temporary performance. Sometimes, ignorance was bliss. As the shooting went on, there was a riot in Qin Guans heart. His expression didnt change though. He pushed the woman in front of him away and stood up fiercely. The vintage silver watch chain swayed over his chest sexily. Then he was supposed to turn around and stride over to the couch, sit down and appreciate Madonnas dance from thatfortable position. It was a pity that Madonna did not follow the script. What she did next shocked everybody. Stopping Qin Guan with her hand, she wrapped her legs around his waist. She expected that, because of her weight, Qin Guan would have to sit back down on the chair so she could ride his body. Qin Guan was nomon man though. Despite the fierce attack of her 50 kilos, he didnt move or sit down. Madonna looked like a monkey hanging from a tree, trying to climb up the trunk. Standing still, Qin Guan looked at Madonna with a poker face. They weremunicating with their eyes. Are you tired? Of course! Sit down! Never! My girlfriend is here. Dont mess with me... They looked at each other silently. Nobody tried to stop them. Everyone was too absorbed into the scene. Qin Guan cast a look at Cong Nianwei. His legs were shaking slightly as the annoying monkey on his body tried to beat him. I cant rely on the director. I have to use my charm. He spoke to his girlfriend with his eyes. Come here. Cong Nianwei looked at him in confusion. Suddenly, Qin Guan nodded at her. Chapter 515: Famous Chapter 515: Famous Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The director shut off the camera, smiling to himself. Cong Nianwei got permission from him to enter the set. She was getting close to Qin Guan and Madonna, when suddenly Qin Guan pressed Madonnas head to his shoulder. The monkey turned into a ko tightly attached to a tree. Before Cong Nianwei could explode, Qin Guan craned his neck towards her and kissed her on the lips. He was embracing Madonna, but kissing Cong Nianwei. Asian people were really smart. "Wow!" Britney pressed a hand against her chest,pletely out of breath. What a meaningful scene! It could be titled as "betrayal" or "choice". The door was shaking in the wind, the light beams going on and off as the young lovers kissed each other sweetly. The woman in the boys embrace was enjoying the moment. Wow! His chest felt really sexy. His shoulders were so broad, and his back was so strong... Madonna wasnt aware that she had be the most miserable heroine of the video. Suddenly, a noise woke everyone up. It was Paris Hilton, one of the three women in love with Qin Guan. The music video had nothing to do with her. Her best friend Britney had actually refused to tell her about Qin Guans schedule. She is afraid of me! Our friendship is really weak... She was no stranger to Los Angeles though. She had easily discovered the location from someone else. She had rushed to the studio with some entertainment newspapers in her hand, nning to use them as an excuse. As soon as she entered the studio though, she came across that exciting scene. I should be the one he kisses! Angry, she threw the newspapers and her handbag on the floor. The noise broke the silence. Qin Guan and Cong Nianweis lips parted reluctantly. Madonna looked up from Qin Guans embrace, turning in Hiltons direction in confusion. So did Britney, who was actually crying. The reporters following Hilton wouldnt let such striking news go. Wow! Everyone involved in the affair is shooting a music video here. Wow! Madonna is hanging from Qin Guans body. The video was totally worth the wait! This would sell like crazy. Some of the keener reporters were lucky enough to take some pictures of the kiss. They were all thinking of countless possibilities in their minds. Suddenly, Qin Guan told Madonna gently, "Shall we finish this part?" Please get off my body. The medias presence made Madonna change her attitude at once. She jumped off of Qin Guan, acting like nothing had happened. That was an advantage of being fit. Finally free, Qin Guan took Cong Nianweis hands and whispered to her, "Im so tired. This is more difficult than sports. Can you give me a massage?" Cong Nianwei cast a supercilious look at him as the director waved at everyone. "Ten-minute break!" What a brave man! Nobody saw the mini DV in his hand, which had kept working during the whole process. The security guards pushed the reporters outside. Hilton and Britney walked over to Qu Xuemei and Qin Guan, who were sitting by the set. "Whats the matter?" Qu looked very annoyed by their presence. "I just wanted to show you this. Please dont sue us. We are all victims here." Hilton spread the newspapers. There were countless photos and headlines about Qin Guan. Words and phrases such as "it is said", "it is spected", "mystery" and "maybe" filled the pages. Qu and Cong Nianwei read through the reports in surprise. Suddenly, they realized something. "Qin Guan is famous?" "Yes, he is famous for his handsome looks. Hes the most popr type of man all over America." If these news had been published in China, Qin Guan would have gotten punished for his bad behavior, which would have naturally reflected on his morality. In America though, entertainment was different. A man pursued by beauties was popr among filmpanies. They didnt care about the reason. They just wanted to attract an audience and make money. Qu was not worried about Qin Guan now though, like the time when Qin Guan and Li Bingbing had been gossiped about. Chinese people were more tolerant when it came to foreign beauties. Only Qin Guan was annoyed by the news, because this meant that his ordinary life was over. He had be a celebrity now. Wherever he went, people would stare at him. This was terrible! Chapter 516: An Invitation Chapter 516: An Invitation Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qu was pondering how to take advantage of this to maximize Qin Guans profits, when suddenly Hilton said, "Im having a big party tonight. Will youe?" "Thank you, but Im busy." Qin Guans eyes were still fixed on the newspaper. "All of us will be there. Dr. Luke and some famous music producers will also attend. Very famous people will be there!" "This has nothing to do with me. Im not a singer. Right, Qu Xuemei?" As all those names reverberated like thunder, Qin Guan didnt even look up. Biting her lips, Hilton finally said, "I heard that you opened an ounting firm and a C-level gallery in New York." "Yes, so?" Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked up together. "You know, there is always artwork at hotels. If the customers like it, they can buy it through the Hilton hotels." Cong Nianwei nodded. There was such a service at some top hotels. "Besides, our contract with KPMG is about to expire. Our financial manager is nning on choosing some new ounting firms. Everyone likes a good firm." "Would you please attend my private party tonight?" "Sure! Welle together!" Where is your dignity? Qin Guan epted the invitation immediately, which made Hilton very happy. She had originally thought it would be impossible to please the handsome man. Thank God that he was tender with women. The poor girl thought that the man was feeling sorry for her and didnt want to hurt her feelings. She thought that was why he had pretended to ept her invitation. She was actually overthinking. Qin Guan was just concentrated on finding clients for his firm. There was no time for them to talk any further. The director shouted at them, "Attention, everyone! Lets shoot the next scene!" Madonna, Britney and Qin Guan entered the set. In the next scene, both women would be in his office at the same time. Qin Guan was sitting on the couch, Madonna lying on his chest tame as a kitten. "Three, two, camera!" Britney pushed the old wooden door and saw the man and woman embracing on the couch. Madonna was wearing a mini dancing skirt, while Britney was in a suit short with two thin straps. She looked very sexy. She was unhappy with Madonnas position. Pursing her lips and swaying her bottom, she danced her way to the couch and sat down on Qin Guans other side, resting her head on his chest next to Madonnas. Cruel reality was about to teach them a lesson though. Suddenly, Qin Guan opened his eyes. There was no love in them, only indifference. The women were smiling happily as he stood up and left, fixing his own shirt. A long shadow was visible on the floor. Britney and Madonna looked weak and helpless in the semi-dark room. The poor women had given their hearts to him, only to be abandoned relentlessly. Qin Guan left the room, feeling like an unfaithful lover. The rest of the music video had nothing to do with him. He had to deal with a troublemaker now. Hilton had made Cong Nianwei angry. The girl was a ssic nymphomaniac. Ignoring his official girlfriend, she had tried her best to be around Qin Guan. Qin Guan had no time to talk to them though. He just entered the fitting room. Hilton had been about to follow him, but she was stopped by Qu. "Hey, he is changing clothes!" "Im sorry." Her expression was not apologetic though. It was July in Los Angeles, so the temperature was very high. Qin Guan had been wearing a suit during his performance, so even his underwear was soaked in sweat. When he came out of the fitting room, his style waspletely different. His loose shirt, baggy shorts and slippers made Qin Guan look like hede from Miami. He let out a long breath before he told Hilton, "You can send the party address to Qu Xuemei. Oh, is there a dress code? Or a formal invitation?" ttered, Hilton shook her head violently. "No, no. Ill make the guest list with my secretary. The guests will be famous people from the music and film industry. Its not a formal party. You can wear anything you like. Everyone will dress casually." "Can I wear these?" Qin Guan pointed to his slippers. "You coulde nude, actually. Id be okay with it." Hilton covered her face. "Im terribly sorry!" Chapter 517: The Party Chapter 517: The Party Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianwei was speechless. She didnt understand why she was excited. Maybe in Hiltons eyes, even Qin Guans farts smelled good. By the time Hilton came back to her senses, the three of them had already left. Even Britney, her beloved enemy, couldnt stand her. "Do you know why he is always running from us? You are too desperate. At least one of us must be his cup of tea. Its your fault! You scare him away!" "I feel strange. I have never dated an Asian man. I dont care if he has a girlfriend, we can still keep in touch. No one in the entertainment circle has any integrity these days. Besides, he is a man." Madonna, who was the most experienced one, shook her head. "You dont understand. He is not a toy. You have to show him your heart. He is a noble knight." Hilton agreed with Madonna, nodding violently. "I will tell my grandpa that Ill put an end to my romantic affairs. Ill ask for his help. I want to marry Qin Guan." "You must be dreaming!" "You are thest one he would choose among us!" Her so-called friends both showed her their middle fingers. Such good friends... It was a starry night that reminded people of Van Goghs famous oil painting. The first cool breeze of the scorching summer started blowing. Of course, Qu wouldnt let Qin Guan dress how he pleased for the party. After all, Qin Guan was a small celebrity in America. She was the chief editor of VOGUE. Image was really important. ck was the safest color for a gentleman, and a white dress the best choice for ady. The party was held at a vi on the Hollywood Hills. When Qu drove the rented convertible into the parking lot, she realized the party was magnificent. There were luxury cars of all brands in the parking lot, all of them tasteful and fashionable. A staff member led them to the entrance. After identifying them, they weed the guests into the vi. It was arge, luxurious vi with an outdoor garden and pool. Themps made it look as beautiful as it was during the daytime. Some models and actresses were not let into the vi, so they lingered around, trying their best to attract the tycoons with their sexy dresses and poses. They had poked their noses into the queens party through all channels, eager to get to those famous, rich guys. Actually, Hiltons party was a feast for actresses seeking a good chance and tycoons looking for beautiful girls. Her parties were famous for their craziness. As soon as Qin Guan entered the vi, he felt the partys differencepared to the party at Columbia. Thetter had been strictly focused on business connections in the finance circle, while the former brought together strange people of all kinds. There were avant-garde designers there, dressed in shocking ways. Qin Guan could recognize at least three of them. There were also guest writers, fashion writers and magazine representatives. Qu could recognize about eight of her peers. There were also talented music producers in attendance. They were handsome and easy-going, but they had a weird temper. Dr. Luke was their representative. Of course, there were also people from filmpanies. Hiltons parties were always full of energy. Qin Guan had originally considered himself a nobody, yet all the guests would greet him as they passed by. "Hi, Qin Guan. How are you?" "Hey, handsome guy!" Strange smiles were pasted on their faces. It was so horrible! Qin Guan walked around in fear. "Whats wrong with them?" he asked Cong Nianwei and Qu. "No idea. We will just deal with it by sticking to our fundamental principles." "Okay." They walked to the spare living room at the center of the party, which was decorated ording to American style. There was a half-meter tall stage and long independent buffet tables there. Waiters were shuttling between the guests with bubbling champagne on their trays. It was the background wall that scared everyone. There were fourrge posters of Qin Guan hanging on the wall. There were introduction cards under each poster to indicate the shooting time and ce. That exined the guests strange smiles. It seemed that this was not a private party, but Qin Guans own initiation. How embarrassing! Qin Guan stood there stupefied. Soon, he was surrounded by people. "He is the actor on the picture. Hilton is obsessed with him. She must have spent a lot on him. He is so handsome!" an old richdy without morals was saying. "I have seen the news. Its a pity that he likes women!" That was You-Know-Who [1]. "Ha! Thats fine." A different opinion? Qin Guan cast an appreciative look at him. You are just jealous. You must be a normal man. Thank you so much! Chapter 518: Deal Chapter 518: Deal Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan realized he was a celebrity. Qin Guan actually knew the man, although the man didnt know him. It was Nick Carter, a member of the Backstreet Boys. ording to "The Sun", he was passionately in love with Hilton. Considering the current situation though, the man needed a confirmation. "What are you looking at? Have you never seen a handsome guy before? Listen to me, Paris is just obsessed with you temporarily." Nick was as alert as a porcupine lifting its thorns. "Are you challenging me, bastard?" Nick couldnt stand Qin Guans expression. He walked over and stood in front of him. He was 1.85 meters tall with short blond hair. The big boy didnt want to lose face before his enemy. Qin Guan shrugged with a smile. Then he pressed Nicks blond hair down, letting it go and watching it bounce back up. "Its so stic!" "Motherf*cker!" Before Nick could hit the Asian man on the face, a woman spoke from behind them. "Qin Guan!" It was Paris Hilton in a pink dress. She was about to rush up to Qin Guan, as if there was no one else present. Cong Nianwei pulled Qin Guan away though and hugged Hilton herself. "Calm down. All problems can be solved through a negotiation. Understand?" Holding Hiltons hand, she pulled her away. "Lets have a private talk." Before her voice could fade away, they disappeared in the crowd. Nick had no time to fight with the annoying Asian guy. He went after them, leaving Qu and Qin Guan behind. The two of them exchanged a helpless look. "Why is Hilton doing all this?" "God knows..." Qin Guan was surprised that Cong Nianwei wanted to negotiate with Hilton. As he headed for the buffet, he felt a little pleased with himself. His girlfriend seemed jealous. Being handsome is a sin. He had no idea how Cong Nianwei was dealing with Hilton. She was telling her that Qin Guan was her boyfriend. Cong Nianwei led Hilton to a corner of the garden. The Asian girl was not as weak as she looked. "You must be really brave to dare hug a man before his girlfriend! Didnt your parents teach you about honesty and honor?" Hilton was massaging her hurting hand with a grimace. "You are just old-fashioned. Hugging is a form of greeting. Besides, handsome guys belong to everybody. They are no ones property..." Suddenly, she paused. The girl, who was the same age as her, smiled at her softly. "We are childhood sweethearts. We have been together ever since we were babies." With that smile on her face, Cong Nianwei seemed gentle. "I am the woman who understands him the most. Im not with him for his looks, but his soul. We love each other." At her words, Hilton realized that the lovers harbored different emotions, emotions unique among her acquaintances. Suddenly, she felt admiration and envy. Lowering her voice, she said, "But he is really handsome... Better than all the boyfriends I have ever had." Cong Nianwei smiled and shot a meaningful look at her. "If you ept my proposal, you can observe his studies and daily life for a month. That way, you will get to see another part of him. You will be regretful. Deal?" "Deal! Why not?" Hilton agreed before setting her own terms. "Listen..." The two girls, who hadpletely different personalities andplexions, whispered together. While Qin Guan was enjoying the buffet, Cong Nianwei and Hilton returned to the living room hand in hand, looking like good friends. Qin Guan had no idea what had happened, but he felt much better now. Nick also returned from outside. He stood next to Hilton, pretending to be calm. There were people performing on the stage. Some stars tried to perform during the break to highlight their presence. Hilton was interested in nothing but Qin Guan though. She looked at him again and again without moving. Nick thought for a moment and gave her a cantankerous smile. Then he patted Hiltons shoulder and walked to the stage, blowing her kisses. Some beautiful girls had just stopped dancing. Taking advantage of this, the musicians hastened to drink some iced beer. Chapter 519: Kicking Up A Fuss Chapter 519: Kicking Up A Fuss Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Nick got on the stage with a big stride and waved at the keyboard yer. "Hey, could you please apany me? I want to sing a song." The musician looked up and saw Nick, the member of a popr band. The other members of the band were making noise for their friend, making sure Nick had everyones attention. As a professional singer, Nick was not nervous at all. The bigger the audience, the more excited he was. Picking up the microphone, he spoke in the direction of Hilton, "I would like to dedicate this song to Paris Whitney Hilton, the beautiful princess who has conquered my heart. I hope she can reserve a ce for me in her heart." The blonde boy was radiating tenderness and love through his eyes. The girls under the stage were screaming. This was not surprising, as the band was popr all over the world. All members of the band were very handsome. Nick didnt pay attention to the girls though. He was concentrated on Hilton. As the music began, he started to sing. It was a lovely love song. All the party guests stopped chatting, getting absorbed in the beautiful music and the handsome boy on the stage. "Its so beautiful..." "I admire Hilton so much. This song makes me feel like Im drunk..." Hilton was looking at Qin Guan though. "Wow! She really likes Qin Guan." "Impossible! The party queen is hiding in a corner!" Two annoying voices were suddenly heard. As expected, they were Hiltons frenemies, Britney and Madonna. "It was shameless of you toe here!" Actually, Hilton had sent them invitations when they had still been friends. Their friendship had ended unexpectedly easily though. "Stop ming us. Nick is singing for you on the stage, while you are lost in thought. How is that polite?" Britney saw Nick cast a look at them and realize Hilton was absent-minded. Wow! This will be good... She was right. Nick dared not me his goddess. Instead, he med Qin Guan. He finished his song and gestured at the audience. Everyone fell silent, waiting for his next move. "Hello, everyone. Does anybody feel that this party is different than usual?" "Is there anything special about it?" "Its interesting as always." "Right!" Nick continued. "Did you notice that there are photos and posters of a guy hanging around us? Do you know him? Tell me!" "Of course!" "Its Qin Guan! A hot top model!" "He was the Best Actor Award Winner at Cannes." "Really?" Nick had juste to Los Angeles from the UK. He had no idea about the spreading news about Qin Guan. He nearly choked on the stage. "Well, it seems that the man is a celebrity in America. Would you like to see him on the stage then?" the smart guy changed the topic in a sh. "Of course!" "Is Qin Guan here?" Some audience members began to scream. He was the most talked-about person in the American media. Famous stars of different ages werepeting over that title. "Lets give him a round of apuse then!" Nick pointed to the buffet area. "What are you waiting for, Qin Guan? Come on!" Qin Guan, who had a piece of sausage in his mouth, was shocked when everyones eyes were turned on him. He pointed to his own nose. "Me?" "Yes! Thats Qin Guan. p for him!" Everyone was pping their hands, just like people had done at Cannes. Qin Guan put down his fork and wiped his mouth. Then he got on the stage, bracing himself. Hilton had no idea what was going on. She was talking happily to Cong Nianwei. "What will he perform? He looks so handsome on the stage!" Cong Nianwei cast a supercilious look at her. She realized that things were not going well. Nick continued to exert himself. "Was my song beautiful?" he asked the audience, taking a flirting pose. "Of course!" "Did you like its feeling?" "Of course!" "Do you want that feeling to get better?" "Of course!" "Of course!" The general enthusiasm peaked. Some people were whistling as Nick kept speaking. "Nobody has heard Qin Guan sing, right?" "Of course not!" The mysterious Asian model had only appeared on the cover of a magazine. Nobody had heard his voice. Most of the guests were members of the music circle, so they were curious to hear it. "May we have the honor of hearing him sing at this wonderful party?" "Good idea!" Chapter 520: Medley Chapter 520: Medley Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Everyone was interested in his suggestion. People were curious about the guys singing voice. He was more handsome than Nick after all. Cong Nianwei couldnt help grimacing. She had been tortured many times by his bathroom singing. Considering his professional singing experience, Qin Guan would be facing a great challenge. The ever-victorious general seemed to be suffering a setback. However, Qin Guan answered calmly, "Okay, but I dont know any English songs. Actually, Im too busy to have time for music." Dude, most of the guests are musicians. Nick chuckled to himself, while Qu frowned and looked at Qin Guans seat. He seems strange. Suddenly, she saw arge empty ss with a straw in it. The liquid had been nearly finished. Qin Guan must have drunk it with his food. Qu sniffed at the ss and detected a subtle smell of alcohol. It was a fruit cocktail. It tasted good, but its power was great. Qin Guan had drunk a full 500 ml of it without noticing. That exined his strange smile. Damn it! Nobody knows what he will do in such a state. He has never touched a cigarette or drunk liquor during work. Qin Guan had gotten the microphone from Nick. The angry audience fell silent. "Everyone knows that Ie from China. My nativenguage is Chinese. Music should be a mixture of many artistguages. Dont limit yourselves to European and American pop music. You should look further and broaden your horizons. All musical prodigies and famousposers have learned from other peoples strong points. American music should be unique." The drunkard was giving the musicians a lecture. He looked like an apprentice ming a criminal for an unsessful crime. "Pay attention to my song. You might never have heard it before. Professionalposers and publishers could take advantage of this chance to record it." Qu was preparing to face the music the next day. Only the threedies, who had no idea about Qin Guans ability, were waiting for the song in awe. As expected, the song was remarkably fierce and original. "After crossing so many mountains, And rivers The central Red Army finally reached the North of Shaanxi Thousands of households..." It was a famous folk song from North of Shaanxi. Both Cong Nianwei and Qu crashed their cups in their hands. The miserable audience was stupefied. What a high-pitched voice! What a melodious tune! Its country vibe couldnt be expressed with words. Some people took notes, writing down the strange musical notes. They were inspired by that song, which seemed to havee from apletely different world. When they began to get used to Qin Guans voice, he changed to another song. He seemed like he wanted to sing a medley. "The swan and the geese... In the sky... Fly in rows... The river was long... The grass was withered... Sweet lingering music was yed on the lute..." It was a Mongolian folk song. Qin Guans voice was average, but his good memory helped him remember all kinds of songs. The songs attracted the audience. M, a producer interested in songs with an exotic charm, was really excited. "Wow! I have no idea what the lyrics mean, but these songs are great!" "I think I fell in love with the second one," ady fanning herself with a sandalwood fan murmured. Suddenly, Qin Guan knelt down and stretched his hand out for the fan. Feeling extremely ttered, thedy handed him the luxurious fan, which was decorated with jade and pearls. He is worthy of the fan. Look at that bright, jade-like smile of his... Qin Guan winked at her naughtily, which made Hilton feel depressed. I have a fan too! Qin Guan spread the fan and covered half of his face with it with the most elegant gesture in the world. Suddenly, he changed into another person, an enchanting, graceful man. The light went through the hollow patterns of the fan, scattering on his face. The reflection of the jewellery was sparkling in the dark. His eyes looked mysterious under his long eyshes. His lips looked tender and beautiful under the red light. Chapter 521: The Dance Chapter 521: The Dance Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia He opened his thin lips and raised an eyebrow, his winks and smiles making him look like an ancientdy from a Chinese painting. Silence prevailed. Even the waiter paused, for fear of disturbing his performance. It was a clean, even tune. Qin Guan retreated with a faint smile on his face, looking slightly drunk. The keyboard yer nearly moved to support him, but he stopped when he saw Qin Guans next move. He moved his sleeves and smiled at the audience. Then he turned around and covered his face with the fan. Even drunk, he still looked as glorious as ever. "The moon has just left the sea..." This was not the hoarse voice of a man. It was the power of Mei School. "Its gradually rising to the middle of the sky. Heaven and Earth are visible under the moonlight. Change has left the Moon Pce..." It was the ssic Peking Opera "Drunk Concubine". To American people, even the shouts of African tribes sounded like wild songs. Everyone was shocked by Qin Guans performance. The handsome man was such a beauty! He looked like a foreign mythe alive. As the audience lost its mind, Qin Guan folded the fan and changed his tune again. Pingtan, Kunqu Opera and Suzhou Opera were the three most famous operas in Suzhou and Hangzhou. Kunqu was the most popr one all over China. Most people from North China liked it even better than Peking Opera, as its melody was more elegant and smoother than that of Peking Opera. It warmed their hearts when they heard it. The royal concubine Qin Guan had yed was a noble beauty. Suddenly, he turned into a boudoir maiden showing off with her orchid-like fingers. Such a gentle girl could only have grown up in an ancient water town south of Yangtze River. "No longer busy, I live at leisure,Thinking where I can find pleasure.Writing heartbreaking verses by day,What of love can a lover say?Sitting in my room day and night,The fair scene beautifies my verses,Even in candlelight.For better or worse,if you are worthy of her love,youll be gifted a new life from above. Qin Guan was totally absorbed in the opera as the alcohol in his blood rushed to his brain. Excited, he was not satisfied with those familiar songs. He wanted to give a crazy performance on that stage, before such an amazing audience. So thats what he did. "The river flows East. The stars worship the Big Dipper..."[1] Cong Nianwei wanted to hide in a corner, but Qu started moving towards the stage. "I want to live another 500 years..."[2] Dr. Luke had originally been angry with Paris Hilton for pulling him from his studio and making hime to the party just to introduce an Asian star to him. Suddenly, he was interested in Qin Guans strange melodies and different kinds of songs though. He was not interested in his musical ability, but he liked his diverse style. As a professional musician, he could distinguish between natural sound and ordinary peoples voices. Qin Guan could probably release a CD. Many stars much worse than him had published their own albums. Dr. Luke would soon find out that he waspletely wrong though. Qu got on the stage toote. Qin Guan had already gone too far. "Come on, everybody! The dance is very simple! Its so easy and funny! Come on! All together now!" Qin Guan stuffed the fan into his cor and began to dance. He was nning on ending the concert with a South Korean song. "Oppan... GANGNAM STYLE..." He made the sign of victory like a viin. Then he stood with his legs wide apart, squatting a little. His hands seemed to be holding imaginary reins as he began his horse-riding dance. It was PSYs popr song "GANGNAM STYLE", which would be wildly popr many yearster. Thanks to his copycat mania, he could remember it even while drunk. He didnt forget to shout at the audience, "Come on, follow me! GANGNAM STYLE!" The rebellious American boys were the first to be deluded. Following Qin Guan, they turned their crotches towards Nick. They thought it had to be a method one used to provoke their enemy. He deserves the most beautifuldies! The girls in the short skirts joined the delighted group,pleting the grand scene. Nick was surrounded, everyone making strange gestures at him. If one made an ass out of themselves, they couldntin if people rode them. Chapter 522: Getting Away Chapter 522: Getting Away Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The members of Nicks band were itching to move, but were too afraid of hurting his feelings. Suddenly, Qin Guan switched to another dance. He opened his arms and started twisting along to the rhythm. His students followed him at once. His flirting gesture also attracted the older members of the audience, who started dancing in Nicks direction. By then, Qu had finally reached Qin Guan. Before her hand could touch his shirt, the Best Actor winner shouted and jumped off the stage. He went up to Cong Nianwei and hugged her around the shoulders. "Dance with me!" Cong Nianwei would rather die. She struggled, but it was in vain. "Twist around, twist around..." She felt like she was riding a tiger she couldnt dismount. She had to move with Qin Guan. The onlookers cheered the lovers on. When others began to copy them, Qin Guan turned on a blower. Colorful scraps of paper and balloons were blown away by the strong wind. Qin Guan opened his arms and embraced it. People always wished to be immortal. If he ignored the dirt in his hair, Qin Guan felt like he still mattered. Ill go home by riding the wind... The festive atmosphere reached its peak. Qin Guans funny steps were easy to copy. Suddenly, Qin Guan rushed up to Nick, whose hair had gotten messy from the wind. He lifted his middle finger at him and shouted loudly, "Gangnam Style!" Before Nick could fight back, Qin Guan had jumped up on the stage again. He felt as if themps on the ceiling were as many as the stars in the sky as they swirled above his head. His steps were as weak as if he was walking on cotton. He stomped violently on the floor to confirm that it was still there. The audience thought that this was a new dancing move. Everyone shouted together, "Come on! Once more! You are so cool!" Qin Guan stomped again, pping his hands. He looked like an old woman square dancing. "You are my little, little apple..." Cong Nianwei wasughing so loudly that she could barely stand up. Just as Qin Guan was about to show them a new physical exercise, Qu Xuemei grabbed him. "What are you doing? Get down!" As she pulled him away from the stage, Cong Nianwei and the others gathered around him to check on him. Nobody knew that he was acting crazy because he was drunk. Hilton was admiring Qin Guan. It seemed that Cong Nianweis n would fail before it was even put into practice. Qu and Cong Nianwei turned down her invitation to spend the night there and pulled the tall man out of the vi together. Their convertible roared to life, leaving the bustling party with the legendary Asian dancer and singer. It was said that he was the master of all musical arts and skills not rted to Euramerican pop music. Besides, he was extremely funny. He was exactly the kind of guy who livened up a party. Qin Guan was not aware of this. Cong Nianwei struggled to get him into their room as heughed like a fool. The next day, the bright sunshine of South California sneaked in through the curtains as Qin Guan was brushing his teeth in the bathroom, trying to recall what had happened at the party the previous night. He had only some vague memories of the crazy party, but Cong Nianwei, who was carefully spreading sunscreen on her face, was refusing to tell him anything. Before Qin Guan could figure things out, Cong Nianwei pulled him out of the hotel. She was eager to walk around the city. Chapter 523: The Walk of Fame Chapter 523: The Walk of Fame Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia When they decided to enjoy a rare day off and take a break from work, they discovered the real tragedy of Los Angeles. Anyone who wanted to visit South California had to forget those postcard pictures of the blue sky and the green ocean designed to appeal to tourists living at high altitudes. A person residing there or a traveller who would like to visit the Walk of Fame had to put up with two things. One was the terrible traffic jam, and the other was the haze. In 2003, when the sky above Beijing had still been clean and blue, Los Angeles had already been foggy. As a result, Qin Guan had to abandon public transportation and rent a bike. In Los Angeles, the bicycle was the fastest and most convenient transportation vehicle. The temperature that day was a surprising 33 degrees, which was a miracle for July. Qin Guan was happily riding a double bike with Cong Nianwei along the jammed road. As they passed the cars one by one, he saw the people in them looking at him with the same sympathetic expression in their eyes. In five minutes, they realized why. The air humidity was so high, that they felt like they were sitting in a sauna. Their clothing was soaked with sweat and water, making them feel really ufortable. As the trip advocate, Qin Guan could only pedal with all his energy. Finally, they stopped at the crowded Walk of Fame. "Excuse me? Where can I park my bike?" he asked the staff with a smile. The young man burst intoughter and pointed to the parking lot. Qin Guan turned to Cong Nianwei proudly. "I must be getting more and more attractive these days. Everyone is enchanted by my smile." Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. "Stop showing off! Wait..." She took a mirror out of her backpack and handed it to him. His face was half-pale and half-tanned, because he had been wearing a helmet and a pair of sunsses. It was so funny! "Yes, you are really attractive... Now clean your face with a tissue!" Qin Guan wiped his face sloppily and winked at Cong Nianwei. "It doesnt matter. Well get washedter!" What do you mean? Before Cong Nianwei could figure it out, Qin Guan pulled her towards the Walk of Fame. That tourist attraction was a must for visitors. There were more than 2,500 refined waterstone and brass stars on the 18-block street, standing in memory of great figures of the entertainment circle, including actors, musicians, directors, producers, bands, drama groups, fictional characters, and so on. Qin Guan had chosen the Walk of Fame as their first stop. They searched carefully among the stars for the only three Chinese names: Anna May Wong, Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. The two men were very famous, but as a romantic woman, Cong Nianwei was more interested in the Chinese actress. Even Qin Guan had to admit that she was the epitome of mysterious oriental beauty. In the 1900s, the Chinese had been considered third-ss citizens in America, inferior even to ck people. However, the ordinary girl had earned her own spot in the film circle of Los Angeles through hard effort. No words could describe her life properly. In an era whenmunications had been underdeveloped, she had had fans and admirers in all European countries, which had been no small feat. She had been the first Chinese person to get a star on the Walk of Fame. Qin Guan caressed the pink star gently with his fingers as he looked at Cong Nianwei proudly. "One day, I will have a star here. My name will be on this very road." Coming back to her senses, Cong Nianwei told Qin Guan, "I have faith in you, but Ive heard that the owner has to pay a maintenance fee to the Hollywood Historical Fund. Its about 15,000 dors..." Qin Guan stood up immediately. "This is not urgent. It can wait tillter!" The two of them left,ughing happily. "Im not lying... Im rich..." said the boy. The tourists thought that the couple looked familiar. "Was that the boy from the newspaper?" "It seems so. What about the girl? She seems sessful..." Sessful? She was Ms. Right herself! Chapter 524: Shakespeare Outdoors Chapter 524: Shakespeare Outdoors Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia They were nning on finding a ce out of the sun to avoid getting a sunstroke. In Los Angeles, In-N-Out Burger was the best choice. It was just like McDonalds in China. Thanks to its simple food, the Southern California hamburger chain met the strange needs of the natives. There, one saw people eating hamburgers everywhere around them. It was hard not to be influenced by them. As a foodie, Qin Guan was deeply influenced by a strong young man at the cash register. The fat man weighed a full 100 kilos, but felt no shame in blocking the view of everyone behind him. He was living proof of what a real foodie could be through hard effort. There were three kinds of hamburgers on the menu: hamburgers, cheeseburgers and two-plus-two burgers (which included two meat patties and two slices of cheese). No matter how big ones stomach was, one two-plus-two burger would be enough for them, as one could also add anything they liked to their burger. The extra patties cost about 1.09 dors each, which was a reasonable price. "30 patties and 30 slices of cheese, extra mayonnaise and vegetables..." The waiter did not look surprised by the order as he typed on the keyboard quickly. The hungry lovers waited about 10 minutes for the fat man to finish. When they took a seat with their own tray, they forgot to eat. The sight of the giant hamburger that guy had ordered was astonishing. They were curious about how he would eat it. The burger was almost half-a-meter tall. The guy took out a patty and a slice of cheese from the burger and swallowed them along with some lettuce. He ate it all piece after piece! Why did you even order one burger? To save money! This way, the guy didnt have to pay for two burgers! That was what was amazing about that ce. However, after someone had ordered a hamburger with 100 patties, the store had updated the rules and regtions, putting a limit of four meat patties and four cheese slices per burger. Unfortunately, that regtion wouldnt be put into practice until 2004. Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan finished their ordinary, yet delicious food as fast as they could. In the afternoon, the city felt like a seaside resort. Tourists could spend the whole afternoon on the beach, sleeping and rxing. At sunset, the couple found a ce among the crowd on the beach. There would be a free Shakespeare y presented by a local theaterpany. It was an outdoor y, so the night breeze was blowing gently as they watched. The stage was on the soft beach, and the lights were basically somergemps originally used by the staff of the beach administrative bureau. It was a simple y, but the actors were very dedicated. They were wearing wigs and dramatic makeup. The partings and reunions of the characters shocked Qin Guan, who knew very little about Shakespeare. During the break, the director approached the audience to invite one of the tourists to guest star on the y. It would be a very interesting experience. "Is there anybody who wants to act with us?" There were some heated responses. "Whats next?" "We want to know what the role would be. Is it too difficult?" Although everyone was curious, they were also afraid of making a fool of themselves before an audience. One had to know oneself and their enemies. The bearded director was smiling cunningly. "s! Its a very famous y and a favorite of romantic girls all over the world. Which y do you think it is?" "Romeo and Juliet!" a loud yell echoed all around. "Bingo! Its a very popr y. Most people have yed it in middle school. Are there any volunteers?" However, the passionate audience was just as cunning. Someone in the crowd asked a question. "There are so many characters in that y. Which scene are we talking about?" What a smart guy! The director tried to tempt them. "The one after Juliet dies. Who had a dispute with Romeo at the graveyard?" "Paris!" the audience shouted excitedly. "Exactly! Is there a confident young man who thinks he can fight Romeo?" Most of the audience liked the role, as it had few lines and required only simple skills. Besides, the actor would interact with the heroine! "Me! Me!" everyone started shouting. Cong Nianwei nudged Qin Guan. "Wouldnt you like to try a different performing method? Give it a try!" Chapter 525: Oh, Juliet Chapter 525: Oh, Juliet Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Before Qin Guan could say something, the director said, "Did you get a postcard from our staff when you arrived at the beach? You could write down yourments there and leave it to us or take it home as a souvenir." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked down at their Audrey Hepburn postcards, the mostmon postcards sold in stores all along the Walk of Fame for one dor. They were very good quality. "There is a handwritten number at the bottom right corner of the card. Ill draw a number to pick the lucky guy." Everyoneughed, waiting to be summoned. "It is said that God spent seven days creating the world. Seven is a lucky number. Pleasee here if you have number seven!" Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked at their cards. Cong Nianweis was number seven, and Qin Guans was number eight. Cong Nianwei calmly exchanged cards with Qin Guan. Qin Guan nced at her helplessly and stood up slowly, lifting the card up under the brilliant night sky. "Here!" Everyone cheered for him as he walked over to the director. "Wee, my boy! Go to the makeup room. I wish you a pleasant night!" The director couldnt see him clearly in the dark, so he thought that the young man was a tourist. Maybe he cant even speak English. Qin Guan entered the simple makeup room, which was crowded by actors. During the break, everyone remained silent to protect their voices. They all cast a hurried look at Qin Guan and then lost any interest in him. He seemed like an ordinary Asian boy with a dirty face. The prop master handed him an old European style suit. The whole makeup process was skipped. In their eyes, Qin Guan was only a volunteer. Qin Guan did not feel dissatisfied about the arrangement. He took the suit and asked an assistant for a script. He was a professional actor after all. He started reading the script while the leading actors got ready. "Come on, lucky audience member. Its your turn!" "Iming..." Qin Guan put down the script and put on the loose suit. Before leaving the tent, he cleaned his face with some wet tissues. The dust and sweat on his face were wiped away, revealing his natural beauty. "Hey! Dont you think he looks familiar?" an old ck actor asked one of his colleagues. The younger actor didnt take him seriously. He looked at Qin Guans back and said, "No idea. He is only a tourist picked at random by the director. Rising stars are too busy searching for job opportunities. They would nevere to a ce like this." "That makes sense. But I still feel a little strange. Ill go take a look." The ck man, who trusted his intuition, went out of the tent and walked to the stage. There was a long table there. It was Juliets coffin. Qin Guan was in the middle of the stage in his funny suit. A strong light was shining down on his head, making him sweat inbination with the summer heat. Qin Guan was calm as he looked at the crowded audience. This was just a y. Just another scene in a film. The narrator stopped talking. When a crisp knock was heard, Qin Guan moved. Holding a bouquet of stic flowers, he walked to the graveyard of the Capulet family to offer them to his beloved Juliet. The director was acting as the narrator. "The younger generation of the two families suffered many mishaps in their lives. Their miserable ending buried the conflicts of their parents..." Qin Guan walked to the coffin slowly, pausing half a meter away from it. Squatting down with shaking shoulders, hey the bouquet down by the coffin and fell into deep thought. Chapter 526: Vigor Chapter 526: Vigor Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Wow! He seems good." "Hush! Stop talking! He is far from good. He is wonderful!" The audience talked in whispers. Qin Guan felt neither constrainted nor hurried, as they had originally imagined. By then, he was in character. He was Paris, the man who had fallen in love with Juliet. If it hadnt been for Romeos interference, he would have made her happy. His own heart had been buried along with Juliet. Suddenly, Qin Guan knelt before her grave, shedding tears of sorrow as he delivered his lines loudly. Everyone was shocked by his performance. There was no more whispering, only astonishment at his perfect performance. The beach was as silent as a grave. Everyone was absorbed into the y. Qin Guan buried his head into his loose costume, his grieving, desperate voice bursting out of his throat like an injured beast. "I came to visit you, dear Juliet." The words were full of admiration and fear, for he didnt want to disturb her in her eternal sleep. Suddenly, Qin Guan couldnt go on anymore. Choking on a sob, he said, "Oh Juliet! Why were you so obsessed with that bastard? Did he poison you? If you had known how much I loved you, you would never have left this beautiful world..." Qin Guan looked up, his eyes filled with love. The women in the audience couldnt control themselves. They felt sympathy for Paris, even though they were moved by the romance of Romeo and Juliet. Why did you abandon such an outstanding young man? This nobleman was handsome, rich and blessed by his family. Can only forbidden love be true love? Could love at first sight be worthy of your life and your parents happiness? As they began to weep, Qin Guan moved closer to the grave. "Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew,O woe!Thy canopy is dust and stones..." He spread flowers around the grave, his tears sparkling on the petals. His performance attracted some locals, who stopped on the beach, even though it was a tourist resort. In Los Angeles, even a taxi driver could have an opinion on a film, just like their peers in Beijing [1]. "Its difficult for an Asian guy to interpret Shakespeare." "Doesnt he look familiar?" "Is this a good y? I think entry is free." "That volunteer looks familiar! He is wonderful!" Qin Guans face was covered in tears and snot. It was a pity that this was a y. If it had been a T show, he would have been recognized immediately. Before he could run out of tears, Romeo rushed to the scene. Thanks to his elegant costume, he looked much more handsome than Qin Guan. When he saw his love rival kneeling before the grave, he asked impolitely, "What are you doing here?" Infuriated, Paris stood up from the sand. The audience suddenly realized that Paris was much taller than Romeo... Romeos vigor instantly diminished. Taking advantage of this, Paris stepped forward angrily. Romeo felt the impulse to escape. The man across from him was about to kill him. However, the y had to go on and he had to stay there. Suddenly, Paris shouted loudly, "I should be asking you that! You are that banishd haughty Montague, who murderd my loves cousin. It is that grief that killed this fair creature!" He pointed to the grave fiercely. "Stop thy unhallowd toil, vile Montague! Can vengeance be pursued farther than death? Condemned viin, I do apprehend thee: Obey, and go with me; for thou must die." His resonant voice echoed all over the beach. If the y had taken ce at a formal airtight stage, the audience would have experienced a shocking performance. [1] In Beijing, Taxi drivers like to talk about politics. Chapter 527: Performing Chapter 527: Performing Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Some tourists began to take pictures. That splendid moment was definitely worth recording. A South Korean girl recognized Qin Guan from the photos. Her roar was like thunder on the silent beach. "He is Qin Guan Obar [1]! Qin Guan, look at me!" The girl was too excited to control herself. South Koreans were fond of beautiful things, but they went too far. Their obsession over gorgeous designs and their perfection-oriented makeup skills had be a kind of disease. As a result, a naturally handsome guy was like a tower of light in the dark for Korean girls. The girl was one of Qin Guans loyal fans, who had purchased his album. That was why she was able to recognize him in that strange costume. Few people in the audience spoke Korean, but everyone recognized his name. "Qin Guan? Is that his name?" "Qin Guan? That sounds familiar." "I remember! He was the Best Actor Award winner at Cannes! And remember the fake news scandal in New York?" "Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Madonna are fans of his..." "Hes a f*cking celebrity!" "What is he doing here?" "Just read the posts on OMG. Do you know what he does for a living?" The screams had ignited a bomb. Some audience members began to move towards the stage. Qin Guan realized the situation was out of control. If he tried to escape, there would be a riot on the beach. The y would be destroyed. He was aware that escaping was not the best solution. For the sake of the other actors, as well as his career, he couldnt leave before the y was finished. The best solution was to tame the audience with an even better performance. Then they would realize that he was not Qin Guan, but Paris himself. Suddenly, Qin Guan shouted at the stunned Romeo angrily, "Stop thy unhallowd toil, vile Montague! Can vengeance be pursued farther than death? Condemned viin, I do apprehend thee: Obey, and go with me; for thou must die!" His thunderous voice brought everyone back to reality. Romeo came back to his senses as well. He was familiar with the lines. He had repeated the same lines and actions every day, the passion and dreams of his youth gradually fading away. Suddenly, he found his feelings again. The young man was always serious about his performance. As an experienced actor, he felt stimted by Qin Guans sparkling eyes. He finally felt better. As he recalled his best memories, he no longer felt suppressed by Qin Guan and was able to express his own enthusiasm. "I must indeed; and therefore came I hither. Good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man. Fly hence, and leave me; think upon these gone. Let them affright thee, I beseech thee, youth! Put not another sin upon my head by urging me to fury!" he shouted back. The shocked audience teared up, and so did the director. It didnt matter that theater had a small audience. A shocking performance could always tug at peoples heartstrings. Romeo looked a little hysterical. "I beseech thee, youth! Put not another sin upon my head by urging me to fury. O, be gone! By heaven, I love thee better than myself; for Ie hither armd against myself. Stay not, be gone; live! And hereafter say, a madmans mercy bade thee run away!" The prop master handed two swords to them. They each held one as they stood face to face. Qin Guan saluted Romeo in a formal manner as they looked at each other. Romeo attacked and Qin Guan fought back. Violent sparkles flew. There were cruel mes in their eyes as they attacked each other ruthlessly. Chapter 528: Girls Chapter 528: Girls Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "After my trip, I will get back to work and my everyday life. In Los Angeles, I was lucky enough to cooperate with three beautiful celebrities." The locals were enlightened. Cooperate with three celebrities? This exins all the rumors. He sure is handsome enough to be liked by three celebrities. "Will you release a music album? Are you good at singing?" Qin Guan smiled like a gentle breeze in the restless summer. His smileforted the audience. "Thats not my goal. I like my job, but no one is perfect!" His fans felt sad, but they cheered up again soon. Our idol is too busy anyway. "In the following days, I will be attending another film audition. Today, I had a rare day off, so I came here with my girlfriend to have fun on the beach and watch the outdoor Shakespeare y." "Did you like the y?" "Of course!" everyone echoed. That was the power of a free y. "It was my honor to participate in this y today. Only personal engagement can make people realize an actors hard work. Look at my T-shirt. Its soaked in sweat. These great, unknown actors y here every day, trying to show you the greatest ys in the world." "Tell me, were you moved? Shall we give them our best regards?" "Of course!" "Of course!" "I hope the whole audience, my fans included, will ignore my presence. Please show your appreciation to these lovely people and their splendid performance!" "As for me, Ill go look for some food with my beloved." There wasughter and sighs all around. Before returning the microphone to the director, Qin Guan suddenly recalled something. "By the way, in order to thank my fans, anyone who watched this y will get a poster with my signature from my fan clubs website by showing their postcard. The offer will be valid for one month." The depressed girls cheered up again. "Ha ha! I got three postcards! Keep your cards, dad and mum!" "Its unfair. Im not a tourist!" "Silly girl! There are some geeks on that website. We can flirt with them!" "Good idea!" The director took the microphone and embraced Qin Guan warmly. He got a postcard with the number eight and a 100-dor bill pinned at the back. Best wishes to artists all over the world... ... The trip back to their hotel was uneventful. Qin Guan was driving as fast as he could. Thanks to him, the drama group had received their biggest donation that year. Besides, those in postcards had suddenly started increasing in value. Local fans tried their best to get some extra cards from the tourists. After dining and wining to satiety, Qin Guan fell asleep. Actually, he would be happy performing anywhere. He woke up the next morning with a satisfied smile. Cong Nianwei would pack and return to New York alone, while Qin Guan would attend the audition in Los Angeles. This was his most important job before returning to New York. If fortune favored him, he would get some good roles in Los Angeles and start his journey inmercial films. Gold and silver were not afraid of fire, but they needed to melt on the stove first. "Mean Girls" was a teenedy with a small budget. No special effects or famous stars were involved in the film. The actors had been selected from inexperienced candidates. The female leads had already been decided. The director had failed to find the hero from the actor resumes though. This was because the film had been adapted from a nonfiction book called "Queen Bees and Wannabes". The writer, Rosalind Wiseman, the scriptwriter, Tina Fey, and the director, Mark Waters, were all looking for a handsome actor. As soon as Qin Guan arrived for the audition, he got a reality check. The audition had been deliberately decided to be held at the school where the film would be shot. There were children ying sports on the grounds. The female actresses were getting acquainted with the environment as Qin Guan and Qu approached Mark. "Hello, director. This is Qin Guan. He is here to audition for the role of Aaron." Chapter 529: Competing for a Role Chapter 529: Competing for a Role Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Mark was in a good mood. The school president had allowed him to shoot on campus during summer vacation, provided that the crew would not interfere with the summer activities. When he heard Qus voice, he turned around. At the sight of Qin Guan, he grew excited. "Ask the prop master for a polo shirt. Then walk to that position on the yground. Right there. Yes... Stand there and look back at me!" "No problem." Qin Guan felt strange about the directors casting method. A few minutester, he walked out of the fitting room in a summer football jersey. The loose shorts and shirt couldnt cover his charm though. He still looked like a celebrity on campus. Even the students training on the school grounds were distracted by him. The yers served as a background as he stood there. Mark was 20 meters away from him, making a frame with his fingers and zooming in on Qin Guan. As he walked farther and farther away, the man in the frame looked more and more dazzling. No matter how far he went, he always spotted Qin Guan among the crowd. Mark slowly returned from the other side of the school grounds. "Is it okay for you if we start today?" This was a surprising but most wee question for Qu and Qin Guan. "No problem!" With this problem solved, the producer could save some money. The director asked Qin Guan to go to the fitting room again. Then he and the heroine walked to the shooting site. It was an ordinary ssroom, where the assistant director was negotiating with a group of people. "Sorry, but we have decided on the protagonist... Yes, five minutes ago. Tough luck..." "What are you saying? Are you kidding me?" "We have already started filming. Sorry!" The assistant director asked the group to leave politely. Everyone went out of the school. The manager of the group, a domineering whitedy, vented all her anger on the others. "I want to know who seized this chance from us. Five minutes ago? Mark and the producer didnt even give us a chance! You are the Best Actor of Palm Beach! You are the right age and have the right looks... They must be blind!" Before her voice could fade away, the arrogant woman got out of the car and returned to the school. Jonathan Bet smiled secretly in the car. He was also curious about the guy who had gotten the part. He wanted his agent to spy on the lucky dog. Jonathan was confident about his resume. No one else in that category could have been better than him. His agent, whose name was Alice, sneaked into the set with a group of extras. Mark was currently sitting behind the camera as the hero and heroine talked about something in the ssroom. This was a teen film, so most of the extras had been selected from the schools students. They would just y themselves in the film. High school students were familiar with fashion, so most of them knew Qin Guan, and a few of them knew the female actresses. They all gathered around the door, making it easier for Alice to peep inside. "The first scene is the first meeting. Three, two, camera!" There were two cameras in the ssroom. One was up front, and the other was in the back. Mark was sitting behind the camera that focused on the heroine. The assistant director was operating the camera that focused on Qin Guan. Katie, the heroine, was listening to the tutor happily. Qin Guan rummaged in his bag for a while before he looked up and turned around naturally. He was wearing a ruby T-shirt, which made a sharp contrast with his curly ck hair and dark eyes. He looked like a cup of old wine. Putting on his warmest smile, he asked the strange girl sitting behind him, "Hey, may I borrow your pencil?" The other boys were as dirty as monkeys, but there was not even a speck of dust on his shirt. He looked like the morning sun, like a secret kept between young girls. As expected, the heroine was moved. Suddenly, the director shouted angrily, surprising both Qin Guan and the assistant director. He is perfect! Why did you stop his performance? Qin Guan was relieved soon. "Lindsay! This is the awakening of a first love, not a fan admiring her idol! What are you doing? Clean yourself up! You are drooling!" Chapter 530: Smiling Chapter 530: Smiling Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan realized that the girl with the red hair and the blue eyes was drooling. Everyone burst intoughter. Alice retreated silently, leaving the school without looking back. Jonathan Bet was surprised to see his agent lost in thought. She didntin about the directors favoritism or raise her voice to get the attention of the media. She just sat there quietly for a minute and then sighed. "Lets go to the next audition..." "What happened, Alice? Who got the part?" Jonathan asked curiously. "Qin Guan..." "That exins it..." Silence prevailed again as the car roared to life. Meanwhile, Qin Guan repeated the simple scene. He had no idea why he had gotten the part so easily. He was definitely right for the role, but ording to the producer, his biggest advantage was hismercial value. He might never have starred in amercial film before, but he was loved by three celebrities. All their fans would pay to watch a film with him. It was difficult for a distracted actor to reach the summit of their career. Only those who concentrated could reach the other shore. That was why the director keptining about Lindsays absent-mindedness. It took them three takes to finish the scene. None of the figurants objected. They had gotten to enjoy Qin Guans smile three times! That was definitely worth all that work! The only one who was disappointed was Mark. After the scene, he shouted at everyone to get changed. Qin Guan massaged his sore cheeks and was about to change clothes, when suddenly Lindsay grabbed his sleeve. "Qin... Qin Guan..." "Yes?" "Hello. I... Im Lindsay... I like you..." What a direct confession! "I... I have seen your poster and... advertisement. I... Im also a model..." Lindsay was getting more and more nervous by the minute. Qin Guan nodded. "I know. POPO chips, right?" "Yes, that was me. I... I like you so much..." Qin Guan found the stammering girl both funny and annoying. You were a child star. Dont turn into a lovesick fool for me! Qin Guan didnt know that actors had their own idols. He changed clothes and sat in a convertible with some other female actors. As they drove to the yground. Qin Guan shouted at the heroine, "Hi!" The sun was shining behind him, the green grass serving as his background. The boy was smiling softly, saying hello with his beautiful voice and trying to get acquainted with a stranger as he went through campus. The heroine didnt take advantage of this chance though. The beautiful girl used to be his girlfriend. The girl with the red hair left with her new friend without looking back. She didnt know how sad the boy felt. The fat school janitor watched the filming for a long time. When the heroine left without hesitation, the righteous woman cursed, "That f*cking b*tch!" The heroine really made her blood boil. Fortunately, there was only one scene like that in the film. Otherwise, it wouldnt have been called "Mean Girls", but "How the Fans Killed the Heroine". The scene was finished without trouble and Qin Guan returned to the fitting room. The production stylist had worked as an assistant for the shows of some famous brands. It was his honor to meet a top model like Qin Guan. It took him a long time to decide about Qin Guans outfit. The next scene was the first long interaction between Qin Guan and Katie, so he had to be dressed perfectly. Chapter 531: Diamonds Cut Diamonds Chapter 531: Diamonds Cut Diamonds Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was a pity that his choices were limited. He could only choose between jeans and T-shirts. This was neither the Armani backstage area, nor the Fashion Week fitting rooms. After pondering it for a long while, the stylist picked out a light blue shirt for Qin Guan. The rest of the crew were casting supercilious looks at him. When Qin Guan put the clothes on though, they all held their breath. The director began filming nervously,ining to the stylist for dressing Qin Guan so nicely. It was hard enough for the heroine to control herself already. As soon as the camera started rolling, Qin Guan became soft and gentle. "Will youe to the party tonight?" he asked Katie with a tentative smile. He seemed uncertain about inviting her. His long arms were lying on the desk between them. "Okay!" the girl answered happily. Qin Guan looked down. Then he looked up again with determination. "Dont bring any other boys." What would you think of that? The most popr boy in school had given a love letter to his favorite girl. What could she do but rush up to him? This was how Lindsay felt. She was so absorbed in his smile that she didnt hear the director or notice Qin Guan leaving. She kept giggling in the empty ssroom. The other actresses couldnt stand her anymore. They were the same age and just as beautiful as Lindsay was, but she was the heroine and they had to y the scheming b*tches. It was unfair! They were jealous that she was Qin Guans partner! This was a dream shared by all young girls. As a result, they isted Lindsay. "Please! You are an actress! Act like a professional!" "You are at work! Stop drooling!" "Dont scold her. Maybe she really wants to interact with Qin Guan. Daydreaming is not a crime after all." The three blonde girls nced at Lindsay with a scornful expression in their eyes and then leftughing. A few minutester, she came back to her senses. "Huh? Did I hear someoneughing just now? I have no idea what happened. Im hungry..." The girls efforts had been in vain. Meanwhile, a strange scene was taking ce at the school cafeteria, where the crew was dining. There was a big empty space around Qin Guan. No one except Qu dared sit by him. The principal made an attempt, but retreated when he saw the angry looks the girls were giving him. As ater, Lindsay was fearless. Not paying attention to the girls around her, she sat down across from Qin Guan, took her hamburger in her hands and fixed her eyes on him. The beautiful guy, who was a feast for the eyes, made the unsavoury food seem delicious. Qin Guan was speechless. He felt ufortable to be thought of as a snack. The three girls rescued him by gesturing silently at him, hinting that he could leave. Then they came and sat down across from Lindsay. "Hey, look at me! Finish your hamburger before you leave. Dont I make your food taste good too?" Karen whispered to Lindsay ferociously. "Dont lose face, girl! Keep eating..." Karen nodded at Venus, who picked up a fork and ground it against the table. The sound was terrible. The whole scene was like a real-life "Mean Girls". Stupefied, Lindsay nodded like a robot. Satisfied at her victory, the female janitor appeared behind them. She stretched arge palm out to them and said loudly, "The president is right! Actors are always breaking thew. You like destroying everything! Wait till I catch you! Ha ha!" "You have to pay 20 dors. You damaged the table!" The woman was actually a spy. Their agent took out some bills. You are losing money before even making it, princesses! The school reminded everyone of their own student life as they expressed themselves, showing their true colors. Chapter 532: The Paramount Business Operation Chapter 532: The Paramount Business Operation Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Everyone looked younger. The seniors were much better, while everyone in their twenties became high school students again. Why was Qin Guan not influenced? Please, he was actually older than 50 years old. In the afternoon, Qin Guan would be working with the cunning Karen. They would be filming a masked ball together. As a beautiful girl, she had dressed up as a bunny. She was wearing a white bikini, two long fluffy ears and a tail. The prop master had tried his best to dress the girls right. As the hero, Qin Guan was just wearing a football team uniform. Fortunately, he didnt need to put on a helmet. The extras crowded the room. They were getting paid 8-10 dors an hour, so the director was hoping that the scene would be finished as soon as possible. Mark began to shoot. Using her most innocent voice, Karen told her ex-boyfriend, "Do you know that girl Katie?" Qin Guan nodded. "Yes, she is pretty nice. I invited her to the ball tonight." The happiness on his face hurt her heart. Without thinking, she said, "Beware of her. She has fallen in love with you." Qin Guan was happy to hear that. It felt like he had found some meat in a te of cheap noodles. His expression made Karen even more depressed. "She has written your name on a T-shirt and put it on underneath her clothes. She has told everybody about it," she added. Qin Guan was stunned. "You are really handsome after all. She also collects any tissues you have used. She wants to use an African spell to make you fall in love with her." The muscles on Qin Guans face stiffened. "What?" he managed to say. "Interesting! He doesnt rely on his appearance. He is actually a good actor." "Yes! Generally speaking, popr boys dont understand weirdos." It seemed that there were many weird students among the cast. The scene went on. That scheming b*tch Karen was watching Lindsay across the dance floor with Qin Guan. When Qin Guan turned around, Karen told him, "Please dontugh at her. She might be a weirdo, but she is my friend." Qin Guan eventually yielded and the two of them kissed each other. Karen wasughing internally. B*tch! So what if you are the protagonist? Qin Guan kissed me first! The cameraman worked extra hard on the scene. The couple looked beautiful as they moved before the camera. Qin Guan was the first to wake up. He pushed Karen away, saying, "What are you doing? We have broken up!" Karen locked her arms around his neck tight. "When? I didnt agree to that. You are so charming... Id never break up with you!" He was her one true love. Feeling the deep love of the campus belle, Qin Guan closed his eyes and hugged her thin waist. They kissed like crazy among the crowd, as if there was no one else present. Of course, there was no tongue involved. Qin Guan just pasted his lips on hers. He was a gentleman after all. Karen had a favorable impression of Qin Guan. Lindsay is right. He is a nice guy... "Cut!" the director shouted at them cheerfully. He was very satisfied with the scene. By then, it was already dark outside. Their work was finished for that day. Qin Guan said goodbye to the director and left. He hadnt realized that the distributor of the film was Paramount Pictures, which was famous for itsmercial sess. Ever since Qin Guan had been cast, the PR Department of Paramount Pictures had been working hard. The next morning, there were news about the film in many big city newspapers, including The Los Angeles Times. "The protagonist of Mean Girls has been selected. Jonathan Bet lost to Asian actor Qin Guan." "The most fashionable teen film and the most fashionable leading actor..." "Many fashion brands, including LEE, are sponsoring Mean Girls. Each actress is wearing more than 40 different outfits." Paramount made good use of Qin Guans poprity in the fashion circle. They not only managed to get new sponsors for the costume department, but also promote the film indirectly. Chapter 533: Adapted Script Chapter 533: Adapted Script Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Although he was the protagonist, Qin Guan was not aware of this until he saw the news online during breakfast, while he was scrolling through the posts on OMG. News about him were posted nonstop on the website. His fan Vivian had made a PPT of his photos during the trip and shared it with the otherizens. In two days, it had already been downloaded 10,000 times. Thetest news brought about some strange nicknames though. "Let me see who the three beauties are fighting over..." "F*ck off! Britney is mine!" "That b*tch Madonna found another young man." "Who is Qin Guan? Is he Superman?" Britney and Madonnas huge fan clubs were not friendly with Qin Guan, although they were shocked by his posters and advertisements. If Qin Guan was a nobody, then he had to be a notorious megalomaniac. Bored people everywhere were waiting for striking news to distract themselves. Qin Guan was anxious about the response of another minor group though. The group was curious about the male protagonist of "Mean Girls". The film was being adapted from a non-fiction book in which a boy made love to a girl. All the readers wanted to ask him if he had. Everyone left a meaningful smiley face under the post. "Please stick to the original version. Please!" Qin Guan was confused. When he arrived on set, he asked Tina about it. Sheughed and waved at the principal of Paramount Pictures. "Darling, let this cunning man exin everything to you." Fox was straightforward. This was also a problem he was facing with the crew. If the script stuck to the original version, the film would be ssified as R. Most of the audience would be high school students though, so the film had to be PG-13. As a result, the sex scene had been cut temporarily. Qin Guan was scared to hear this. He had originally thought that this was a typical teen movie, but the director had made a wise decision. After checking with the scriptwriter again, Qin Guan went to the fitting room. Fox, who had met all kinds of people in his career, shrugged. "Other actors are eager to have a controversial plotline, but he is happy to cut it." The scriptwriter picked up the script again. "He is a really smart man. Is this his firstmercial film?" "He was clever enough to avoid an unusual film, but he chose a young audience. His character is lovable, and he won the Best Actor Award at Cannes, so he should be a good actor. Unless he chooses to use his best advantage, which is his looks..." "I think he knows himself really well. He needs several sessful small-budgetmercial films in order to upgrade his status. He might be a neer to Hollywood, but he knows the game rules well." They were actually overestimating him. It was the woman behind him who had chosen the script for him. The shooting went well. The main plotline could be shot in one go. In less than a week, Qin Guan filmed his final scene. It was the ending of the film. The heroine realized who she was and expressed her true self. She won the crown at the school New Years Eve Party and apologized to her ssmates, whom she had deeply hurt. Feeling happy for Katie, Qin Guan walked over to her. He was dressed formally for the scene. He looked mncholy in his ck shirt and suit, but the spotlight was on his body. He bent forward to talk to Lindsay, his long eyshes unable to cover the shyness in his eyes. The older people on set smiled meaningfully. This was the most pure and beautiful love in existence. To Qin Guan, this felt like a Walker Bro Pancake House coupon. To students without much pocket money, eating out with a coupon was just as sweet. Chapter 534: American Blog Chapter 534: American Blog Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Lindsays heart was beating nervously. This was herst chance to kiss Qin Guan. He looked really handsome that day... As the cameraman zoomed in on Qin Guans face, she put her arms on his shoulders. There was a slow, soft song ying. Lindsay was watching his face shyly, exuding tenderness and love through her eyes. "Are you feeling sick?" Qin Guan asked his partner affectionately. "No." "Did you drink?" "No!" Qin Guan smiled at her. His eyes looked like a new moon. Qu swallowed her saliva, feeling jealous of the perks that actresses enjoyed. Before everybody came back to their senses, Qin Guan kissed Lindsay on the lips. The director eyed the cameraman. Three cameras were pointed at the dancers, light pouring onto their bodies. The camera on the ceiling was rising slowly. The lovers were kissing each other as if there was no one else present. The camera was rising higher and higher, until it reached the ceiling. It had been five minutes. What was the director doing? When would this scene end? Lindsay was thanking God silently. Bing an actress had been the wisest decision of her life. She was really enjoying it. Crack! The camera had reached the top. The sound woke up the director. "Cut!" Thus ended Qin Guans part in the film. What he needed was to rest in a quiet corner. After five minutes of kissing, he was experiencing an oxygen deficit. Qu was talking with the director as all the actresses gathered around Qin Guan. "Qin Guan, can I have your MSN?" "Me, too!" The girls, who were the same age as Qin Guan, had forgotten about their small conflicts during filming and decided to take advantage of thesest moments to be with him. The good-tempered actor had impressed them with his looks and kindness. A girl tried to confess her love to him, but he answered her with a few words. His rare morals were precious. It was thanks to the director that they had met such an outstanding gentleman. The girls had now higher boyfriend standards. As soon as Qin Guan left the set, thepany published the news online. The insiders of the film circle were happy to see the news published on a fresh tform. It was a blog run by some geeks. Due to the timeliness of the updates and the convenience of the news dissemination, many users in the United States tried to use blogs to share their first-hand news about the stars. Filmpanies and fashion insiders started official blogs. Professional blogs were flourishing like mushrooms after the rain, but Metefilter became a pop culture phenomenon. Metefilter was a blog where stars and fans discussed film plotlines, TV series actors and performances, as well as other rted topics. The users had heated live discussions, and countlesspanies, agents and stars also visited the site. Although there were always special teams working on official blogs, some lucky fans would see their favorite star on their blogs. The website was also famous for its heated discussions and rude words. Qin Guan was reading a script in the car as he headed to the Mike Nichols Company. An old friend and colleague of his had rmended him to the director as soon as he had said yes to a new film. He had been lucky enough to audition for the investor, producer and director of thepany. He owed Julia Roberts big time. Meanwhile, Qu was still thinking about Vivians call. "Do you think its necessary to start your own blog on Metefilter? Ive heard that fans there are not friendly." Qin Guan, who was still absorbed in the script, smiled. "Im not worried about that. Im more worried about my blog not drawing enough attention. That would influence my status. Filmpanies all over the country would know." Qu sneered at him. "Dont worry, youll have more than enough fans. If you are not afraid, you can ask Vivian to set it up for you." "Its settled then!" At the temporary office of the Nichols Company in Los Angeles, the curious old man finally met Qin Guan, the actor who had been strongly rmended by Julia Roberts. His eyes were sparkling behind his sses. Unlike other directors, he was not shocked by Qin Guans looks. As Qu introduced Qin Guan, Nichols sprang up from his chair and took Qin Guans arm. Chapter 535: IMG and China Chapter 535: IMG and China Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Come on, boy. Show me your muscles!" Qin Guan did as he was asked. "Good! Do you have a moustache?" Qin Guan and Qu shook their heads in unison. Qin Guan was still in his twenties, so he would not get a beard until several yearster. Nichols didnt let Qin Guan go though. "Did you learn anything from powerful, confident high-profile actors?" he asked suddenly. Qin Guan was stunned at first, but he gave the right response quickly. "Do you mean something like this?" Qin Guan stood up slowly, taking off a pair of imaginary gloves. His movements were elegant and arrogant, like those of experienced actors. Anyone around him would be careful instinctively. "No, you have to look even more brutal and barbaric... Like a proud man with a high social status who always knows what he needs..." Before his voice could fade away, Qin Guan had already changed. His expression became fierce and aggressive with pride. Although he was smiling kindly, anyone would be able to feel his inner power. He was someone on top of the social pyramid. Staring at Nichols, he said, "I think an audition would be unnecessary. The part is mine!" That was unparalleled boldness! Qu felt scared, but Nichols burst intoughter. "Yes, young man. You are quite right. It will be my honor to have you act in the film." The child-like director had decided to cooperate with Qin Guan. The two of them shook hands warmly. Before they left, Nichols stopped Qin Guan. "I almost forgot! The theatrical version of Closer has been on Broadway for some time. You can watch it when you return to New York. It might enlighten you." That exined why the German director was so sessful and kind with actors. Qin Guan had misunderstood the old man. Nichols was famous in the film circle for his honesty. He relied on acting skills instead of personal fame. Many stars had burst into tears during filming because of him. If one met his demands though, then nothing else mattered. He asked Qin Guan to watch the y to get familiar with the plot in advance. He wanted to avoid making another actor burst into tears in the near future. Qin Guan had spent too much time in Los Angeles. It was time to return to New York, where Cong Nianwei and Xue Wanyi were waiting for him. Sister Xue had reached an agreement with IMG and ELITE. They were just waiting for the leading actor to make the final decision. Sister Xue was sitting calmly in the meeting room of the IMG headquarters. Anyone who knew her would notice her nervousness by observing her moving thumbs. The people sitting opposite her were the talented clients of the two agencies and the principal in charge of the model promotion for the top four fashion weeks. They were the best at discovering models and estimating their potential and value. The two parties remained silent until an assistant led Qin Guan in. Qu hadpleted her task sessfully. Now she could return to VOGUE to meet with Qin Guans fan club and talk about the blog. "Nice to meet you! Im Qin Guan," Qin Guan said with a smile, surprising everyone. The Asian woman had to be a monster. She had tempted them into signing an unfair agreement with some cooperative terms and letting the top model go easily! They realized they had been cheated. That so-called exchange with a mysterious country had been a trap. They would not be making the best of two worlds. They would be suffering a big loss! The principal panted angrily as he noticed Sister Xues proud smile. If he had been Qin Guans agent, he would have be famous all over the world in three months, not taking on the asional job like he was now! "Thank you for this opportunity. Im honored. I also want to thank Ms. Xue Wanyi, my agent, who let me enjoy life after studying and working hard for so long..." Everyone was stunned by his words. Qin Guan continued in a kind voice, "I am only able to be a part-time model because Sister Xue tolerates my requirements. There is a set system in the industry, and this job requires discipline and punctuality." "As the two toppanies in America, both IMG and ELITE are concerned about that." Qin Guan nced at everyone around him. They were nodding at his words. "There is a Chinese saying about strict order enforcement and prohibitions. Therger apany is, the stricter its principal will be." Chapter 536: Negotiation Chapter 536: Negotiation Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "I admire you, sir, but I dont want to be restrained by this admiration. Fortunately, some of my seniors have been very tolerant about me. They want to start a studio with me without any additional terms." "I appreciate benefactors of the circle like you. Thanks to your adherence to the rules, I can do my work more easily." The people across from him looked ashamed at the mention of the word "rules". Is this guy trolling us? This was a confirmation that the young man was a wild beast instead of the sheep they had originally thought. They instantly gave up on their n to control him. His unstrained style and part-time regime were big ws. On the other side, Qin Guans attitude helped other male models get more chances, so he was not that much of a threat after all. Sister Xue saw a chance and broke in. "Now you have all seen Qin Guan. If theres some difficult job, just call me. If Qin Guan is avable, he will do his best to help you." Under normal circumstances, her opponents would have sneered at her. On second thought though, they exchanged a hostile nce and decided to unite in order to fight amon enemy. When they left the meeting room, they would be arch enemies again. If their own models failed an audition, the best solution would be to rmend Qin Guan. The harm would be much smaller that way. That was the reality of the situation. Profit always prevailed. Sister Xues suggestion lightened up the atmosphere. Everyone was eager to see what the Chinese woman would bring to the American fashion circle. The "Chinese Foreign Model Exchange Association" sounded very noble and official. It had been established by Qin Guan just a few days earlier, and it was actually a semi-official Chinese exchange organization that would lift Chinas veil to the international fashion circle. From then on, there would be Chinese models working internationally. A Chinese trend would start. "Great! Lets get back to the topic now. May we have the honor of meeting the real leading actors, Ms. Xue?" Qin Guan was quickly brushed off by the profit-oriented businessmen. He rubbed his nose awkwardly and turned his eyes to the door. "Of course, one minute..." Sister Xue stood up to open the door, smiling to herself. She was both relieved for Qin Guan and d about the bright future of Chinese models. Crack! The door opened and a group of top Chinese models in traditional Chinese costumes walked in. The cheongsam was one of the most elegant costumes of Chinese women. Itplimented their curvaceous figures like nothing else. Chinese women were the best interpreters of ancient costumes. The costumes looked like mysterious stories on their bodies. The cheongsams made their thin shoulders fuller and their slender waists softer. They covered the broad hips of Asian women and made them look graceful. Several tall Asian women walked in gracefully one after the other. The details of their robes unfolded before everyones eyes like a dreamy ancient country. The fine handcraft and ingeniousposition were full of oriental mystery. This was high fashion at its best. The principals were attracted by the gorgeous costumes. They were insiders of the fashion circle after all. The models distracted them as they picked up their resumes, where their height, weight and awards were stated clearly. Then they started talking to each other in low voices. "This is Du Juan, 179 cm. She looks gloomy. She is perfect for high fashion!" "That exins it. She is a dancer from Shanghai. A girl from South China..." "She has won plenty of awards in China. She also has a nice figure..." "Wow, she was discovered by Mr. Cai!" He was right. Du Juan had been discovered by Cai Zhiwei when she had been a freshman. Her great potential had inspired many fashion insiders to try to promote her. Mr. Cai, who had graduated from the Warton Commercial College, was considered a fashion godfather in Shanghai. He was the director of the Chinese branch of the McCann Worldgroup, one of thergest advertisingpanies in the world. "Shall we keep her?" "Of course." Fierce sparkles started flying among them. They would beginpeting over her soon. They had all marked down Du Juans name. Du Juans beauty made the next models pale inparison. They couldnt impress anyone who was familiar with top models. The principals thought there was only one pearl among the girls, when Lv Yan, thest model, suddenly walked in. Sister Xue had tried to make her look different by making her wear a scarlet robe. Chinese people believed that scarlet suit girls with fair skin. A girl with darker skin would have looked ugly in that robe. Qin Guan smiled bitterly. It seems like Sister Xue is not confident about my taste. Chapter 537: A Smile Among The Noise Chapter 537: A Smile Among The Noise Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia See, Qin Guan? This is all because of your terrible taste. Everyone will point out your mistake. Too bad that she was wrong. Even though shed had limited training, the girl was as tough as weed. She anxiously showed all her advantages to the audience, presenting a perfect mix of beauty and camera sense. She was smiling generously, with her mouth wide open, her height and figure making the robe look fierce. Her steps were steady, and her attitude on the stage was aggressive. She was from an ancient water town by the Yangtze River, yet she looked like a sandstorm in the desert. She strode over to the judges and took a quiet but vigorous pose. The audience went crazy. The strange taste of foreign people was quite different from theirs. In their imagination, Chinese beauties had narrow, phoenix-like eyes, thick lips and dark skin, and were tall and t as a board. That was a Chinese Aphrodite in their minds. When they saw a girl that fit their taste, they were really surprised. "Wow! What did I just see?" "She was born for the top. Do you know why Im smiling now? Because those arrogant French will lower their proud heads before this Asian beauty." "Im sure that the Europeans will spend a lot of money on her..." "Keep?" "Definitely!" Their voices got louder and louder with excitement. Lv walked out of the door, trying to cover the tears running down her face. Sister Xue was as still as a statue. She couldnt understand those crazy Americans. Qin Guan burst intoughter. Patting her shoulder, he whispered, "You should treat me to dinner. I found a huge treasure for you. Shes both a cleaner and a top model!" Sister Xue came back to her senses immediately. Im such a lucky dog! She turned around to the principals, expecting to get good news. After all, the girls had been selected very carefully. Anyrge agency would consider them only a drop in the ocean. They could hire them all. It would be easy to reach an agreement on the sry. The only exceptions were Du Juan and Lv Yan, who were hired separately by IMG and ELITE. Their contracts were of the highest value. In the next three years, their whole schedules would be arranged by the two agencies. When their contracts expired, thepanies would re-evaluate them ording to their own needs and development. This meant that the two young birds would fly up to a broader sky with a thin Chinese thread fastened to their feet. They would have the chance to choose now. The meeting ended in harmony. The models and the agents were talking happily to each other. Before leaving, every principal hugged Qin Guan goodbye. "Im so sorry about your decision, Qin Guan. You have been born for fashion. You should dedicate yourself to the God of Beauty." "s! The world of beauty is filled with disappointment. Thats the meaning of its existence." Those weirdos were lovely when they talked about art and beauty. Qin Guan could only smile in reply. He was still the best among all the surrounding Asian beauties. He retired from the meeting room, followed by Sister Xue. Somebody sighed behind him. "I wish I were a firefly lighting up a me for him..." "If you were a firefly, there would be nomp on your bottom..." Qin Guan was shocked by the Chinese girls. "Chinese people can be really great. Those proud Westerners admire him so much!" Soon, Qin Guan became a good example for all Chinese models striving abroad. He acted as the leader of all Asian models. Sister Xue believed he could organize an army and set on a small-scale expedition in Europe if he wanted to. Qin Guan was nomander though. He left Sister Xue with the blog team cruelly and went home to get some sleep. Spring nights were always too short. Qin Guan had been working really hard during summer vacation. Sister Xue was a mighty tiger though. Qin Guans promotion reached its peak with her participation as the team discussed the functions of the blog. Chapter 538: The Official Blog Chapter 538: The Official Blog Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia They decided on the structure, promotion and administration of the blog. In the evening, Qin Guans official blog was set up on Meterfilter. A Chinese guy had finally found his ce among American stars. The whole process took only 10 minutes. The website confirmed all the true information about Qin Guan. An American blog belonging to him had been born. It was a pity that this was inte July 2003. Blogs had not been epted bymon people in China yet. Portal websites had not realized their value. Full name: Qin Guan Gender: Male upation: Student, actor, model Bio: He made his debut very young. In 1998, he won the New Face Competition. In 1999, he became a B-level model. He has represented many fashion brands in Asia and starred in numerous advertisements. In 2002, he came to America and was discovered by CK. He showed his extraordinary splendor during the New York Fashion Week. He waster discovered by famous Italian designer Giorgio Armani. He is currently an ambassador of Armani, Tiffany, Vacheron Constantin, L Oreal and other top international brands. Advertisements: Armani Fragrance series, L Oreal, Cadic and others. Achievements in Film and TV: He was discovered by Director Zhang Jizhong. He has acted in many Chinese period TV series and was deemed "unparalleledly handsome". He waster cast by Director Zhang Yimou in his film "Heroes", which was the start of his journey in the film industry. When everyone thought that this was it for him, he came to the US, where Director Gus offered him a part in his film "Elephant". This was his first leading role in a film. TV Series: "The Legend of the Swordsman" Films: "Elephant", "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind", "Mean Girls" Awards: Winner of the 1998 Chinese New Face Competition, Best Actor Award Winner at the 56th Cannes Film Festival Qin Guans past struggles were all presented to the public. His fans heard the news from Sister Xue and poured into the blog. "Congrattions! Im so happy!" "We can finally learn about our idols activities as fast as possible. No more gossip!" "Yes! Im tired of all those fake news circting in the media!" His fans were increasing rapidly. Some people who were attracted by other gossip websites, as well as the audience of Qin Guans films, also visited the blog. The team was watching the number of fans increase silently. One thousand, two thousand... The increasing number slowed down until it reached more than 60,000. Qin Guans fans were attracted by his own poprity. If the stars he had cooperated with had promoted the new blog, then the number would have been even bigger. Qu Xuemei and Sister Xue were conservative though. It was not a good idea to boast about his blog before Qin Guan reached a highermercial value. What they were worried about the most came true. The visitors of the blog were mainly film, TV and fashion fans who had visited Qin Guans blog by chance. When they realized who he was, they got excited. He is the guy from that recent affair! The news spread as the audience gathered on the website. "Stop working your magic on Britney! You just want to benefit from her poprity!" "Best Actor at Cannes? Ill take a look at his work!" "Go to hell! You just rely on your looks!" The disharmony in thement section shocked Vivian, who looked at Sister Xue helplessly. "What should we do?" Rongzhi rolled up his sleeves excitedly. He was the administrator of the blog. "Leave it to me. Ill destroy theirputers." Qu shook her head. "Dont worry. Look at the response of our fans!" After a short silence, Qin Guans fans came back to their senses and began fighting back. "Qin Guan is worthy of Britney, Paris and Madonna!" "Based on what? His poprity and influence in America? He is a typical case of sensationalization!" "Yes! People who be famous through their romantic affairs dont stand the test of time!" The fans gave uniform answers, guided by the president of Qin Guans fan club. "Come on! Shout with me! Why is Qin Guan the best?" "Because he is an angel fallen from Heaven! Look at his face!" "Yes!" "Yes!" Meanwhile, Sister Xue arranged the content of the different sections with Rongzhi. "Upload Qin Guans cover photos and advertisement videos. Dont forget to give links for the most popr brands in Qin Guans resume." "No problem..." Rongzhis fingers were dancing on the keyboard. When the warfare on the forum subsided, the users realized that the content had been updated. There were beautiful photos, fragments of advertisements and posters on the blog now. They upied the whole screen when one clicked on them. Chapter 539: The War Across the Great Wall Chapter 539: The War Across the Great Wall Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans handsome face and elegant figure took over countless screens. "Do you see him? Hes the reason behind the affair!" "I just want to lock him in my basement. I dont want to share him with anyone else." Qin Guans fans expressed their heartfelt wishes while fence-sitters rushed to Qin Guans side after seeing his photos and advertisements. "I was just a passerby, but now Ive be his fan." "Anyway, I like his face..." "The administrator is really cool. I can use the downloaded photos directly on my desktop." "Yes. Im using his underwear poster as my desktop background!" The vigor of the two opposing sides was diminishing. "So what? He is nothing but a man relying on his pretty face." "Yes, Madonna is the queen of pop music! And Britney is so hot..." They didnt take Qin Guans talent into consideration. When the two parties reached a deadlock, another force joined the battle. "Qin Guan is the most charming man I have ever seen! You American guys are unbelievable!" "Obar Qin Guan is so handsome!" "On behalf of his fans in Singapore..." A group of Asian fans emerged, some of them fighting back in their ownnguage for the sake of convenience. Rongzhi, who was extremely talented at his job, said that amodating to thepatibility of differentnguages was a piece of cake for him. This function was discovered by other stars on Meterfilterter. Their teamsined to the website administrators, offending the Meterfilter CTO. The strange foreign words shocked the American fans, who didnt know what they meant, but knew that they were written in a differentnguage. No one had expected a Chinese actor and model to have so many fans from so many different countries. The attackers voices started fading away, but it was the Chinese fans who made them fallpletely silent. Using all kinds ofdders, Qin Guans Chinese supporters climbed over the Great Wall and reached the battlefield. Chinese girls finally had a chance to get in touch with their idol. "Wow! Its Qin Guans new advertisement! Its so beautiful!" "No! Its beyond beautiful!" In seconds, his fans reached 100,000, scaring the American visitors. On the forum, posts were refreshed so rapidly that people barely had any time to read them. The American visitors were trembling in a corner. Whats happening? Can someone tell us? They couldnt read those ancient, mysterious characters, but the other side could read and fight back in English, which annoyed them to no end. In 10 minutes, the attackers left in defeat. From then on, Qin Guans fans became known for their vigor. That strange phenomenon became a tradition on the forum. As a result, American fans were inclined to use Chinese characters to express their feelings, and so did everyone who disliked Qin Guan. They borrowed Chinese textbooks from Columbia so they could understand their enemies. None of them were aware that the textbooks were written in theplex form of Chinese characters, which made it much more difficult to learn Chinese. These events didnt influence Qin Guans team though. As soon as the Chinese fans got to the battlefield, the oue was determined. The battle ended and a new link appeared on the blog. The fans got excited about the news. In August, "Heroes" and "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" will air in North America, the advertisements of LOreal and Cadic will be broadcasted all over the world, and Qin Guan will appear on "Americas Next Top Model" as a guest judge and attend the 2003 Berlin Film Festival. The fans, who were divided into two different groups, felt like partying. Qin Guans American fans were celebrating, while his Chinese fans were sobbing. The Chinese fans shamelessly spoiled the film "Heroes" for everyone. During the exchange, fans from different countries became a harmonious family. Their love for Qin Guan broke the borders ofnguages as they cheered for him together. Qin Guan had no idea about this. He was just lying on the couch, drinking beer and watching TV. Cong Nianwei watched the whole process and sent the link of the blog to all her friends and rtives. Chapter 540: Mixed Reviews Chapter 540: Mixed Reviews Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Unaware that he had been betrayed by his girlfriend, Qin Guan was making financial ns for the holidays. "Shall we go to the cinema tomorrow? Heroes will be in theaters in North America." "Which one do you want to watch first?" Both of his films were being distributed by Miramax. One of them was a foreign film introduced in North America, while the other was an indie film. Miramax had assigned different significance to the two of them. Qin Guan wasnt concerned about that. Shrugging, he said, "We can watch Heroes at the nearby cinema, then watch Confessions of a Dangerous Mind the next day." Cong Nianwei stared at Qin Guan with a meaningful expression in her eyes. "So they are in theaters on different days?" "Of course. Dont look at me like that. Im melting..." "Stop!" It was wonderful to be back home. The next day, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei went to the cinema with Sister Xues tickets. The Chinesemercial film had been publicized in North America for a whole month. The American youth paid to see the film thanks to their love for Jet Li. They were also curious about the mysterious Asian film. The first screening started at nine oclock in the morning. It seemed that the cinema was confident about the film. The big screen turned on. About 60% of the average-sized theater was upied, which was a gratifying achievement. Cong Nianwei was interested in the film, but Qin Guan was nervous. It was easy for a Chinese audience to enjoy a foreign film with an English audio and Chinese subtitles. Fans of American, Korean and Japanese TV shows were a good example of this. American people couldnt follow subtitles though. In the film, actors were shouting at each other in Chinese, and the emperor was giving a lesson to the audience in standard Mandarin. The English subtitles were shing by quickly at the bottom of the screen. Qin Guans reading ability was enough to read them, but the young people around him were frowning. "What is he talking about?" "No idea. The subtitles are too fast." Idioms were extremely important, but English sentences were always too long. In half an hour, the confused audience began to leave. Cong Nianwei was worried. "Whats the matter?" she whispered to Qin Guan. Qin Guan tried tofort her. "Well just rely on the reviews tomorrow and the box office statistics." To their delight, most of the audience stayed till the end of the film. Qin Guan couldnt control public opinion, but he would definitely buy some newspapers the next day. As they walked out of the cinema, Cong Nianwei burst intoughter and pointed to his lips. "You look strange with that beard on!" Qin Guan smiled in reply. No matter how much facial hair he had on, he would always be a good actor. The two of them walked home chatting andughing. The next day, Qin Guan bought some shrimp wontons from a Chinese restaurant for breakfast and bought some newspapers on the way home. When he returned, Cong Nianwei had prepared some round pancakes. She put a te of pickles on the table as Qin Guan finished the newspapers. The box office of the opening day had been more than 100 million dors. His film was at the top of the weekend box office. This was an umon achievement during the summer, but the reviews were much more interesting than the box office. The audience was divided. Qin Guans fans were crazy about the film, while his haters couldnt wait to diss it. The mainstream media talked very highly of the film. They thought it was as mysterious as Chinese culture and wanted to travel among Chinas beautiful mountains and rivers, which were as beautiful as Wondend. Each scene was meaningful, and each actor left a memorable impression. Their words were as elegant as poems, expressing the essence of Chinese culture and philosophy. Some reviews came from prestigious art lovers and insiders of the film circle, including directors, photographers and producers. Everyone thought it was an outstanding visual feast. Of course, some people, who were fans of Jet Li, were fond of popr Kung Fu stars. There was also a group of people who disliked the film. They ranked it with an F, which was the lowest possible rating. Most young people hated it. They couldnt follow the dialogue and had no idea what was going on. What does the director want to say? That the ancient Chinese could fly in the sky? Chapter 541: Kneeling On The Keyboard Chapter 541: Kneeling On The Keyboard Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Fans loved the film, but those who disliked it did not pay much attention to it. Qin Guan sighed as Cong Nianwei finished her wonton. The shrimps were small and stic, with the typical sweetness of North American species. She swallowed a mouthful of soup and told her depressed boyfriend, "You didnt like the pancakes?" Qin Guan had nearly torn apart the small pancakes. "No, Im just feeling down. Im a star in America, so I dont understand why there were no news about me in the newspaper." Cong Nianwei took a pancake, put some pickles on it and rolled it up. Then she stuffed it into Qin Guans mouth. "You had five minutes of screentime. How could they judge your acting? Finish your breakfast quickly. Your big event is in a few days!" "You are the lead in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. Few indie or artistic films are distributed by Miramax. Youll be scared by the overwhelming reviews then!" As he chewed, Qin Guans attention was diverted from the newspapers. As a Chinese foodie, for him delicious food was the solution to everything. The mainstream media didnt pay much attention to Qin Guans role in "Heroes", but Qin Guans fans liked anything he did. After leaving the cinemas, they would post on Qin Guans blog right away. So did Qin Guans haters. "Look at that funny guy with the beard! He is not handsome at all!" "He is a servant of Jet Li in China!" As his fans got angry about thements, someone said calmly, "How did you find this actor and his blog then?" This enlightened everyone. Suddenly, Qin Guans fans began to make fun of his haters. "You must be big fans of his! Thank you for your contribution to the box office!" Qin Guans haters left the blog helplessly. Wood was the No. 1 fan of Britney Spears, so despite his extreme hate for Qin Guan, he had bought a ticket for "Heroes". Now he was looking at hisputer screen angrily. Why did I buy a ticket? Im such an idiot! Did I do it just to get to know my enemy? Who knew how many silly guys had bought tickets for the foreign film for the same reason, thus helping it reach the top of the American box office for three days. "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind", which was an indie film directed by George Clooney and distributed by Miramax, did unexpectedly well at the box office on the day of its release. The minority film made as much profit as "Heroes", which shocked all movie critics. As the old gentlemen went out of the cinema with their high top hats and walking sticks, along with their oldpanions, the reporters were enlightened. The fans of the novel and the generation that had been influenced by Chuck were yearning for something. This was not a film targeted at young people. As a result, the reviews were not as mixed as those of "Heroes". The audience didnt pay much attention to the plot, but they were passionate about Qin Guans performance. They felt like they had discovered a gem in the sand. "The plot was boring, to be honest, and the directing was average. The only highlight was the protagonist. That Chinese actor was outstanding." "The film is loyal to the original overall. Its ck humor is still there. It tried to copy everything, but I have to say that the best thing about it was the lead." "I can sense the actors potential from his resume. He could be famous all over the world." The media praised Qin Guan as his fans celebrated on his blog. Meanwhile, he was kneeling on the keyboard at home [1]. "Tell me how you felt when you exposed your bottom before the camera. That exins why you didnt want me to watch the film!" Cong Nianwei was sitting in a chair with a smile on her face. Qin Guan remained silent. "Was it necessary for the advancement of the plot?" "I think you enjoyed it." "How did you feel when Julia kissed you?" "Did Drew Barrymore see your body clearly?" Trantors Thoughts Lan Lan [1] Amon method used by women to punish their men at home. Chapter 542: The Berlin Film Festival Chapter 542: The Berlin Film Festival Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "It wasnt like that!" Qin Guan was upset. Meanwhile, his fans were discussing the film happily on his blog and on OMG. He pointed to theputer. "Never believe the gossip you read online." There were many posts about the details of the film. People analysed the film carefully, especially its sex scenes. Some fans even asked Qin Guan what he had thought of Julias big mouth. They were jealous of him, which made Cong Nianwei even angrier. "Why do you always go for these wild indie films? Not every indie film needs to include a sex scene! You have many choices. There are family films, war films... Be careful with your choices in the future." "Okay, okay!" You are the boss! Your punishment is like honey for me! People made fun of henpecked men, but they loved their women very much. There was a wide gap between men and women when it came to strength. They were not afraid of their women. They just respected and loved them a lot. ... At Miramaxs invitation, Qin Guan attended the 53rd Berlin International Film Festival. His film had been nominated for an award. The festival had started in the early 1950s and made an international impact by thete 1980s. Qin Guans film proved once again to people all over the world that it didnt need any intervention from external forces, be that a nation, politician or public figure. A good film was enough to be liked by people all over the world. The Berlin Film Festival was one of the top film festivals in Europe. Compared to Cannes and Venice, it was much younger and more energetic. The award season was always changing so it couldpete with the other two festivals, but this didnt influence the passion of the participants. Frustrated by his loss at the Oscars, Zhang Yimou had ced his hopes on the Berlin Festival. As expected, his film was on the list of nominees. However, he had failed to invite Qin Guan to the festival. This was because another film that featured Qin Guan as the main actor had also been shortlisted. As a result, he had to walk on the red carpet alone. He had also seen the name of another Chinese director on the list, one that he was not familiar with. Qin Guan didnt recognize the name either. The guy, whose name was Li Yang, was smiling at him. His hair reached his shoulders as he hugged Qin Guan around the neck. "Qin Guan, I hear that you are the most popr Chinese indie actor overseas. Would you be interested in cooperating with me?" Li Yang was an easy-going man. No one, inside or outside China, had heard his name before though. "Are you the director of Blind Shaft?" "Exactly! You must have recognized me at first sight." He was actually a very handsome man. Qin Guan nodded. Li Yangughed shamelessly. "Good! Even Qin Guan thinks Im handsome. I must show off on your blog about this!" "Blog?" "Yes! The forum on your official blog. I have been studying in Europetely, so I noticed you when you won the Best Actor Award in Cannes." "You have made your own way in the field of artistic independent films through hard personal effort." "People in the circle think that all geese are swans. They dont like to be exposed to the media, but you are famous here..." Li Yang pointed at the crowd. Qin Guan looked in that direction. Everyone, regardless of whether he knew them or not, were waving at him. "Hi, Qin Guan. I watched your film. It was excellent!" "Indie films for the win!" Im so popr in Berlin? My dream has finally been realized! Before he could tear up, Li Yang interrupted him. "Shall we go out for dinner? My treat!" "Sure!" Qin Guan answered happily, looking at Li Yang in confusion. "Do you know your way around here, director?" "Ha! Are you looking down on me? I came to Germany in thete 1980s to study. First, I studied in Berlin, and then I attended the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. My major was Drama. Several years ago, I got my Masters Degree on directing in Cologne." "Do I know my way around here? Just follow me!" He actually knew everything about the European film culture. That exined why Qin Guan hadnt recognized his name. The film "Blind Shaft" was surprisingly his first film. Chapter 543: Brine Pig Elbows Chapter 543: Brine Pig Elbows Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia He had a unique way of selecting actors, which made his films that much more realistic. He had abandoned professional actors and selected the most suitable ones from among the figurants. The protagonist of his film was an ordinary miner struggling in life. Li Yang brought his newly-discovered protagonist along for dinner. The boy, who had never acted in a film before, had suddenly be the hero of an international film. What a lucky guy! As Li Yang introduced them, Qin Guan shot an envious look in the direction he was pointing at. Then he burst intoughter. Some actors could make Qin Guanugh just with their appearance. The list went like this: Huang Bo (No.1), Xu Zheng (No.2) and Wang Baoqiang (No.3). He wondered what Li Yangs team had been thinking about. Maybe there had been no team. Li Yang hadnt hired a stylist for Wang. The guy had showed up just as he was. His yellow hair was messy, and his grey loose suit looked strange on his body. He ran up to them in a hurry, sweat glistening on his forehead. "Whats the matter, director?" He looked admiringly at the director who had taken him abroad, with an honest expression shining in his eyes. He looked just like a Husky. "I want to introduce a new friend to you. He is also a Chinese actor. His film is participating in the festival." "Qin Guan, this is my protagonist, Wang Baoqiang." "Wang Baoqiang, this is Qin Guan." Holding back hisughter, Qin Guan stretched his hand out, shaking the guys hand tightly. "Brother Guan, how do you do? You are so talented. You are my idol... I am trying to learn from you." Unprecedented passion shone in his eyes. He knew the young man was formidable, but he couldnt tell why. If my director considers him formidable, then he must be. "Just call me Brother Qin or Qin Guan. No need to call me Brother Guan." "Why?" Because you have a poor ent... If Qu heard it, I would never live this down... Wang was an honest man. Qin Guan was older than him by one year, but he admired Qin Guan a lot. "Okay, I will just call you Elder Brother. You are so handsome!" Qin Guan did notment on his taste. The three Chinese men began their short journey in Berlin, a strict city full of tall men. As a tough country, Germany was famous for its strictness and regtions. On the evening of the Berlin Film Festival though, the city looked lovely. The mascot of the festival, which was a bear, could be seen everywhere around the city in different poses. It looked both pretty and funny. Some stores had dressed the mascot in colorful traditional costumes, which added a sense of fun to the boring streets. The food in Germany was no better than the atmosphere. British food was rightfully considered the worst in Europe, but German food was the first runner-up. Even though Germany was arge nation, there were only a few dishes that could be enjoyed by foreigners. These included sausages, pig elbows, beef, and pig knuckles. If one also took beer into consideration, then Germanys reputation could be saved. Li Yang led them to a small household restaurant at a small corner of the city. The customers included idlers who spent their whole day drinking beer and kids who bought takeaway for school. Most of the customers were nearby residents who wanted to enjoy pig elbows. When the food was served, Qin Guan realized he had overestimated Li Yangs taste. In his opinion, brine pig elbows, which were a famous dish in Berlin, were just pig elbows boiled in salty water. He wondered why the other two guys were eating them with such relish, especially Wang, who was actually sucking on his fingers. "Try the side dishes. Im not kidding! They are delicious!" Li Yang stared at the broli and pickles on Qin Guans te with a hungry expression in his eyes. Qin Guan had to swallow a piece of broli and some mashed potatoes. They were a perfectbination! The salty pork was delicious and matched the broli and potatoes well. If one had it with cold beer, it seemed like the most supreme taste in the world. The three Chinese men finished two portions of food each and left, surprising the simple, honest restaurant owner. "If only all the customers ate as much as them!" "If they did, we would run out of supplies and starve..." Chapter 544: The Silver Bear Chapter 544: The Silver Bear Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The next day, when Qin Guan stepped on the red carpet, he thought that he was daydreaming. The reporters and fans started cheering for him loud enough to wake the dead. Unlike at the Oscars or the fashion shows in Cannes, this was his first time getting cheered on as an actor at a film festival. "Qin Guan, look here!" "Qin Guan, I love you!" "Im your loyal fan. Sign this for me!" "Qin Guan, look at me! Im a reporter from France..." As the cameras moved with Qin Guan, the fans got too excited to control themselves. The organizingmittee had nned for him to stand at the end of the red carpet for several minutes. The fans werepeting for a chance to take pictures with him. "Your performance in the film was excellent!" "Will youe to Mn this year? London would be okay too! Ille!" They took advantage of this chance to talk to their idol, expressing their delight to meet him. Smiling, Qin Guan took group photos with them. "This was definitely worth the trip to Berlin." "I can die happy now..." Their dramatic responses couldnt influence Qin Guan, who took his seat in the hall. His seat was close to the "Blind Shaft" and "Heroes" crews. Those twopletely unrted films were connected by Qin Guan. Director Zhang Yimou knew Li Yang, but this was the first time George Clooney was experiencing the abilities of Chinese directors. The festival seemed to favor Chinese indie films. The film critics and judges were fond of Chinese films. They were obsessed with their historical implications. As a result, there were two Chinese nominees. As the award ceremony began, George Clooney looked nervous. The first award was the Alfred Bauer Special Innovation Award. "The winner of the 53rd Alfred Bauer Special Innovation Award is...Heroes!" The cameras turned to Zhang Yimou, who was a frequent guest at the Berlin Festival. He had begun his journey there with "The Story of Qiu Ju". All the media in Berlin knew him. Zhang Yimou stood up with a poker face. He looked as calm as ever, but Qin Guan, who had worked with him in the past, could feel his disappointment. His failure at the Oscars had hurt him a lot, and now it seemed that the Berlin Festival was not interested in his film either. Despite these disturbing thoughts, he had to remain calm before the audience and the media. If he had been a new nominee, he would have been happy about the result, but as a former winner of the Golden Bear, this award was not good enough for him. He got off the stage with the cup,pletely speechless. It seemed that the ceremony had nothing to do with him, when suddenly another Chinese nominee won an award. "The winner of the Best Actor Silver Bear is Qin Guan..." George Clooney pushed Qin Guan. See? So what if you Chinese directors win awards? I have the Best Actor! He automatically protected his honor at Cannes and gave all the credit to himself. Wang Baoqiang, who was sitting next to Li Yang, seemed to have taken on an entirely new look. The previous day, when they had returned to the hotel, Qin Guan had sent his own stylist to help him. Although the theme of our film is humble, our representatives at the festival should adapt to an international style. Wang Baoqiangs appearance had changed. His messy hair was now short and clean. So was Li Yangs hair. The two men, who were wearing white shirts and fitting suits, seemed more suitable for the red carpet. Wang was admiring Qin Guan, who was now on the stage. "Brother Qin is great. He is the Best Actor!" "Shall I ask Brother Qin for an autograph, director?" "Director, did I have meat with Brother Qin yesterday?" After delivering an emotional speech, Qin Guan got off the stage with the cute bear and embraced his director, George Clooney. Wang turned to Qin Guan like a buzzing bee. Li Yang felt relieved to be rid of the annoying guy. Suddenly, he heard the host say his own name. Chapter 545: Hater or Fan? Chapter 545: Hater or Fan? Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "The winner of the 53rd Artistic Contribution Silver Bear Award is Blind Shaft..." As the audience apuded loudly, the young director got on the stage as if he was sleepwalking. Wang was too excited to keep a clear mind. It was hard for an outsider to understand how happy he was. His first film had won an international award! "Brother Qin, we won an award!" George was confused by the result. The two Chinese directors would return home with a good harvest. He was also eager to win an award. Otherwise, the American media would beughing at him when he returned. They would me him for turning from actor to director. After strict evaluation, his film was reviewed as "a film with outstanding performances but a dull plot". George teared up as the Chinese winners celebrated. Even Zhang Yimou felt better now. New blood was joining the Chinese film circle, so as its leader, he had to keep working hard. People with different opinions and feelings gathered in the hall, watching the Golden Bear get awarded to Michael Winterbottom, the director of "In this World". His film, which was lucky enough to win the award, was about the war in Afghanistan. Sister Xue and Qin Guan returned to their hotel with the Silver Bear. The moon was as bright as the award that night. Qin Guan had a good nights sleep, but his agent did not. There was so much work waiting for her. First, she sent photos of the ceremony to the team in America. Qin Guans official blog was updated fast, while other media in the US and Germany didnt spread the news as quickly. They knew that the news had to be released slowly in order to attract more attention. They would be on the morning papers the next day. Only big websites had sent reporters to Germany. The news updates on smaller websites were inferior to Qin Guans official blog. There had originally been different reports about Qin Guans presence at the Berlin Film Festival. A few fans had sent their blessings, while haters hadughed at him. Someone had said that he would be a mere onlooker in Berlin, while others had insisted that he would only serve as foil. Some people had even sneered at him for exploiting other stars poprity. "He is just going to Berlin for the fame. I bet he will say that he narrowly lost the award when the result is announced." Qin Guans fans reacted calmly to thosements. They ignored the haters and had a discussion amongst themselves. "Actually, I dont care about the awards. I just want to see his photos from the red carpet. I already have photos of him from the Oscars and Cannes." "Im a Chinese fan of his. I have red carpet photos of him at the Silver Eagle Festival. Shall we exchange pictures?" "Sure!" The proposal got a response from plenty of fans. "What am I waiting for? To see his face, of course!" "I want to see him in Armani Haute Couture!" "I cant sleep until I see a photo!" The blog was suddenly updated as they talked about the festival. The Silver Bear now upied the whole page. There was also a new article of about 1,000 words. "Hes won two Best Actor Awards now! One at Cannes and one at Berlin!" Photos were uploaded for the fans. "What do I see? He won the Best Actor Award!" "He is so talented! Best Actor twice!" "The photos are perfect!" "Who can analyse the pattern of his Armani shirt? Its so sexy!" "Both Qin Guan and the bear look cute!" Qin Guans haters left at once. Wood, who was a hardcore hater of Qin Guan, fell silent. There was a videotape of "Elephant" on his desk. Only a few thousand copies had been released in America. One hour after Qin Guan had won the award, all the stock had been sold out. Wood had been one of the buyers. He had bought it a few days in advance. He had originally wanted to watch the film to find Qin Guans ws. Then when Qin Guan returned with empty hands, he could make fun of the arrogant Chinese actor on the forum. It was a pity that his n had not worked. The Best Actor Award at the Berlin Festival was the best acknowledgement of Qin Guans talent. It was impossible for him to defeat an enemy with such acting skills. Wood was sobbing. He had spent too much on Qin Guan. He had bought a film ticket for 10 dors, a tape for 4.99 dors, and a whole set of photos sold online by his fan club for 5 dors. I heard that there is a limited edition Citizen album with Qin Guans signature that costs 100 dors... Wait! Are you crazy, Wood? Why are you nning on buying an album of your enemy? Chinese people are wizards. I have to calm down... Chapter 546: Silence in China Chapter 546: Silence in China Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Miramax was a local filmpany, but it had invested a lot in media promotion. The director of the film was a controversial celebrity, so when Qin Guan and his team returned to America, they found a grand reception waiting for them. It was the first time Qin Guan was enjoying an official weing ceremony. There were reporters instead of fans waiting for them at the airport. "George, someone pointed out acutely that the film was saved by the performance of the leading actor. It didnt have any other redeeming qualities. What do you think about this?" "George, European critics gave the film three stars because they found it boring. Do you agree with that?" Qin Guan felt sorry for his director as he heard those harsh questions. Soon, the reporters turned to him. "Mr. Qin Guan, this is not your first time to win a Best Actor Award at a European film festival, but people say that you can only act in indie films. What do you think about that?" "Mr. Qin Guan, you have won two Best Actor Awards now. Do you think you qualify to star in a teenedy?" "I heard that no other actors had a chance of getting cast in Mean Girls after your audition. Does this mean that you are a good actor, or are you just sabotaging inexperienced actors?" "Mr. Qin Guan, why didnt you get cast in 50 First Dates?" The reporters seemed well-prepared. Now that Qin Guan had won a second award, some people seemed eager to steal some of his fame. As a profit-orientedpany, Miramax was taking advantage of this to distribute copies of the film all over the country. George Clooney was annoyed by the reporters. Thanks to the rest of the crew, he and Qin Guan got into a car and headed downtown. They parted when they reached the urban area. Only when Qin Guan returned to his apartment and put the Silver Bear next to the Golden Palm did he realize that all this was actually happening. A second award! Im getting closer to my goal! Qin Guan was focused on getting married. Meanwhile, Sister Xue was reading through the days newspapers. There were photos of Qin Guan with the Silver Bear on the front pages with the striking title "The indie film fairy". The next day, the news were published by the domestic media. Chinese people didnt pay much attention to foreign films. They only knew that a director named Li Yang had won an award for his first film, while famous director Zhang Yimou had only gotten a constion prize. Meanwhile, a strange Chinese young man had won the Best Actor Award for an American film. The Chinese had won plenty of awards at the festival, which was a good oue. They had no idea that on the Haijiao forum, fans of Qin Guan, Ge You and Chen Daoming were fighting fiercely over the value of the maind actors. Thanks to his Best Actor Award at Cannes and solid foundation on the China maind, Ge You was neck to neck with Qin Guan. The talented actor was also a handsome man of the previous generation. Chen Daoming also had a lot of Chinese fans. The domestic prizes he had won were more than Qin Guans. Qin Guans fans lost the battle, the invincible girls getting crushed by arger poption. "A supporting actor can also win a Best Actor Award! Does this mean the actors skills are notparable?" "He is really limited as an actor. He acts only in indie films abroad. Those films win prizes very easily." "Why doesnt he act in domestic indie films, so we can evaluate his acting skills objectively?" "Yes, the two films were not in theaters in China. Maybe he just portrayed a funny countryman!" "The Blind Shaft only tells a story of miners. Its destroying our reputation!" That was the disadvantage of misinformation. The abundant analysis of the dark side of humans in Chinese indie films made the audience flinch. When one talked about Chinese indie films, their first thought was their depressing feeling. That was why they did not care about the award-winning indie actor. They focused on films about realistic everyday stories instead. As a result, the news about Qin Guan were soon pushed aside by other gossip. His influence would be decided by LOreal and Tiffany, which had rushed into the Chinese market in a formidable way. The principal of L Oreal wanted everything to be perfect. In the summer of 2003, the king made his presence known in Asia. Chapter 547: Striking Sales Chapter 547: Striking Sales Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Common people were taken by surprise by the overwhelming advertising, the franchise stores that sprouted like bamboos after the rain, the giant posters in all municipalities, and all the news reported by the fashion media. The LOral agencies in South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore were ordered to expand as soon as possible. They were determined to get a share of therge Chinese market, which was their final destination in Asia. After his harsh previous presence in China, Qin Guan returned to his home country with LOral like a king. There were overwhelming advertisements of LOral on TV, which made Chinese men survey themselves carefully. They had been taught that gentlemen should also pay attention to their appearance. Large pores, ckheads and oily skin were not a symbol of masculinity, but a skin problem. More and more men feltpelled to buy professional cleansing lotion. They didnt want to share their products with their wives anymore. Even the fragrance of cologne could result in more invitations from their female colleagues. Everyone had the same reaction to the advertisement. We could date foreign girls if we looked neat enough. Men also have the right to be beauty-conscious. The counters at shopping malls couldnt meet the demands of ordinary people, while the cosmetics shelves atrge chain supermarkets like Carrefour and Wal-mart were decorated. Smaller shelves were filled with household products. The familiar foreign brand had conquered them. To satisfy Chinese customers, they developed more and more products targeted at Asian women. As the trend spread, people remembered Qin Guan. "He is Xuzhu, I remember him! He is still as handsome as ever!" "Its said that he is studying abroad." "He has captivated foreigners! He is an honor to us all. Ill buy something to support him!" Although LOral products were much more expensive than domestic products, some people still felt inclined to buy them. After advertising non-stop for one month, the sales report finally reached the LOral headquarters in China. With 853 million RMB, the Chinese market had achieved the second highest LOral sales all over the world. The consuming potential of the Chinese market was terrifying! The sales of a single product for men ranked eighth in the total sales volume, which took the management team by surprise. "The person in charge of the advertisement should be rewarded for their good vision!" "It was wise to choose Gong Li and Qin Guan as the brand ambassadors. Ask the PR Department to pay more attention to local Chinese actors." "Yes, the market isrge enough, so we can just focus on Chinese stars when choosing representatives in Asia." "Agreed!" Their objective for choosing Asian ambassadors had been achieved after that shocking sales report. If other Asian stars found out about this, they would get annoyed. This could be just med on the other countries smaller poption though. Unlike LOrals mass-oriented promotion, Tiffany adopted a more royal style. By cooperating with the Chinese Jewellery Association, the Chinese Brand Development Promotion Organization and a local diamond tycoon, it began its business in China in a very high-end manner. They only opened gship stores in a few big cities in China. They opened luxury stores in the most prosperous shopping centers. The ss walls, uniform decorating style,rge halls and considerate assistants of the stores showed thepanys determination to take over the Chinese market. As the economic center of China, Shanghai became the first choice of the high-end jewellery brand. They opened six stores there and five stores in Beijing, which had a veryrge poption. The fact that it was a political and cultural center also yed a role. Two stores opened in Tianjin, the port city in Northern China, which enjoyed a remarkable geographic location. Guangzhou and Shenzhen got a store each. The two neighboring cities were in the lead when it came to rising trends in Southern China. There were also stores in Chongqing, Shenyang, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Nanjing, Xian, Qingdao, Jinan, Harbin and Kunming, which were all important provincial capitals. This was the first time Chinese people were getting in touch with foreign jewellery and concepts, such as miniature limited designer jewellery. This amused the jade-carving masters, as well as traditional jade essory brands. In their opinion, this was the trite expression of Chinese ancestors. In ancient China, people strived to turn waste into treasure. It was such a stereotype! Chapter 548: Tiffany and 798 Chapter 548: Tiffany and 798 Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The jewellery was actually well-received by Chinese high-end customers. It was originally only avable for purchase in Hong Kong, but then it also became avable on the maind. The most wonderful thing about the collection was that it included silver pieces that cost no more than 500 dors. For young people with good taste that wanted to satisfy their materialistic needs, the Tiffany silver collection, with its fine design and good quality, was the best choice. Before the meeting on the sales statistics in Asia, the president of the Asian-Pacific Area was over the moon. One month ago, he had been to Shanghai to cut the ribbon of the headquarters along with some local associations and government officials. Now he was returning to America to try to exin those strange sales to all the board members. It was indeed very strange. In just one month, the sales volume in China and Hong Kong had reached an impressive 30 million dors, which was 70% of the total sales in Asia and 18% of the total sales all over the world. This shocked the Americans, who had spent a long time trying to expand their business in Asia. They called the president of the Asian-Pacific Area back immediately. "The sales of customized and limited edition jewellery are increasing rapidly." "The low-end silver collection has had a huge amount of sales. Some of the most popr ssic designs have already gone out of stock." "Average-priced jewellery has not been weed by the Chinese. We dont have an advantage in the middle-aged and older target groups." "In China, silver has no valuepared to gold. ording to traditional consumption concepts, people believe that silver shouldnt cost this much." The senior Tiffany executives finally realized what problems they were facing. China was a developing, rising country with a strong consumption potential in the high-end market. Young people in that country were inclined to ept novelty. The PR department was concerned about its line of business. "By the way, Qin Guan is our global ambassador for the mens collection. How are the sales going?" The president was d to answer that question. "Ill ask the global supplying department for help. The collection is already out of stock in China in all 16 stores!" Everyone rubbed their hands, eager to go all out in China. On the main street of Changan Avenue the traffic was terrible. The only entertainment for the drivers stuck in the traffic jam were the giant posters hanging outside the shopping malls. Qin Guans posters were the most distinct. Thanks to Tiffanysrge investment, his face upied the whole building of the Wangfujing Department Store. He was wearing a ck suit, his silver sleeve buttons and the card holder in his chest pocket attracting the publics attention. If one was interested in the jewellery set, they could drive directly into the underground parking area of the store. The women could buy one for their husbands. The controversial Chinese actor caused a riot of a spectacr scale. In the same old 798 warehouse, the indie film directors had acquired an untranted copy of Qin Guans film. The 21-inch TV added heat to the scorching summer night. Everyone remained silent till the end of the film. "F*ck! That film could get an award at Cannes!" "Is absurd ck humor in the scope of indie films?" "The cinematography was mediocre." Two jacks of a trade could never agree. After some angryments, everyone fell silent again. "He is a really good actor though..." somebody murmured to himself in the quiet, lonely night. "Yes, he saved the film." "His face went well with the whole film." Everyone nodded together. "I wonder why it did..." They all fell into deep thought. Lost in their extreme pursuit of reality, they had ignored the actors potential. The keen foreign directors hadnt paid attention to his face though. They had focused on his nature and inner gifts instead. "Did you watch Blind Shaft? He couldnt have acted in that film." "You are too narrow-minded. The dark makeup of the miners would have let the audience focus on his emotional performance. Who would care about his face?" Everyone fell silent again. "When will he return to China?" "Soon, I think. During his speech at Cannes, he said that indie films would be his priority." "Aha!" "We are thinking of the same thing, right?" "We can set up a trap for him together!" "Sure! He is our brother. We have to do it!" Chapter 549: Sunflowers Chapter 549: Sunflowers Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia As they were nning on pulling Qin Guan onto their boat, Zhang Yang suddenly recalled something. He stood up excitedly and started coughing hard. He had choked on some peanuts. "Careful! If we were not here, you would have choked to death." Zhang burst into tears as heughed and coughed at the same time. "I have shot a f*cking film with Qin Guan! I nearly forgot! I have no time to chit chat! I have to im my copyright with Two Sung as soon as possible! I will also need a distributor. Zhang Weijing! Ive heard that he likes Qin Guan very much!" The news caused turbulence in the warehouse. "Bloody hell! You are so cunning! When did that happen? Back when he was a nobody?" "What film? Ive never heard of such a film!" Zhang Yang put on his helmet fast and turned on the lights of his motorcycle proudly. Then he waved at his brothers in a ssical old-film manner. "Sunflowers! It was an indie film!" Liar! It was a propaganda film for the Two Sung DV contest! Zhang Yang and Zhang Weining thought of it as a film though. As soon as they heard about the good news from Zhang Yang, Two Sung decided to bring Qin Guans old posters out again. Two Sung had generously sponsored the film. The 28-minute short film had been produced by Two Sung and distributed by Zhang Weining. The protagonist had been Qin Guan, the Best Actor Award winner at Cannes and Berlin. This was a stain on Qin Guans CV. Chinese people were fond of such stains though. Qin Guans fans had gotten to know him through those posters and that film. As a film with a limited budget, it had screened three times a day in most cinemas. After one week in theaters, attendance had climbed as high as 50%. One weekter, Zhang Yang had been mad with joy. Despite an investment of only 20,000 yuan, the box office had reached an impressive 5 million! At the time, the box office of Chinese films had been very low. The film "Sunflowers" had lit up the sky like the final hope of a dark world. The premiere had been a quiet affair with few guests. The small hall, which could only hold 200 people, had been filled with directors and distributors that knew each other. After the film, most of them had fallen into deep thought. Their sparkling eyes had expressed their admiration of the actor. Five minutes after Sister Xue had arrived back in China, filmpanies began to call her. "Hello, we were wondering if Mr. Qin Guan would return to China to shoot any films anytime soon. We can change our schedule for him." "Hello, this is the principal of the China Film Group. What is Qin Guans schedule like during the next year? We are producing a film called The Emperor Han Wu..." "Hello, this is the crew of Dragon Buster. Would Mr. Qin Guan be interested in participating in our TV show?" "Hello, Im calling from Crimson Romance..." Sister Xue put an ice pop into her mouth proudly. After summer vacation, Qin Guan will return to college and his firm. No amount of inglorious films will be able to stop him... Suddenly, she received another call on her Nokia. It had to be from the film circle. She was quite a busy bee now, so she had gotten a Nokia phone for film contacts, a Sony Ericsson for TV shows, and a Motor for modelling jobs... "Hi, this is Lu Chuan! You must change Qin Guans schedule during the following year. I will be shooting an indie film that will win plenty of awards!" You sound really confident... "What are you talking about?" "My budget is limited, but Qin Guan said that art is his priority. Im just informing you. Ill be contacting Qin Guan directlyter. Sister Xue panted heavily. Another person dedicated to art... Suddenly, she got another call. "Hello, this is Feng Xiaogang, I have a role in A World Without Thieves..." Sister Xue threw her ice pop into the dustbin. "Of course, its not the leading role, but would he like to audition for it?" A supporting role... Sister Sue looked at the ice pop in the dustbin with regret. Shall I pick it up again? As he recovered from the failure of "Heroes", Zhang Weining got a new script for Zhang Yimou. "Another period film? Is it amercial one?" "Of course! Well take advantage of the box office in North America to shoot another film. Well make money in America! Considering the fan base we have now, the box office will be even higher!" "This time, we will use Zhang Ziyi as the female lead and Qin Guan as the hero." "Is that even practical?" "Of course! His appeal is not as low as we imagined. Just look at the box office of his films!" "We have to call him directly. As far as I know, his agent does not have full authority over his schedule." "Okay!" Chapter 550: Small Trouble Chapter 550: Small Trouble Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Zhang Weining, who was a cunning guy, didnt feel guilty for contacting Qin Guan without informing his agent. Meanwhile, Wang Jingcao, who had maintained a casual rtionship with Qin Guan before he had gone abroad, received an invitation from the Huayi Brothers Media Group. They were hoping to have a private meeting with her about Qin Guan. The two brothers met with the top agent, who had been working with them on concept and crew selection for a long time. Wang was no longer the woman rushing about for actors with passion. "You want me to ask Qin Guan to do the film?" The brothers nodded. The strong, determined woman shook her head without hesitation. "Impossible!" Before they could ask any questions, Wang exined, "Among all the films we will be producing in 2003 and 2004, there are only a few that could attract his attention. Those are Mobile Phone, Kung Fu Hustle, Ke Ke Xi Li and A World Without Thieves..." "The first one does not fit Qin Guans schedule, and Stephen Chow will take everything into his own hands, including the casting, shooting and post-production process. Huayi has no rights on the film. So, this one wont do..." "The remaining ones are Ke Ke Xi Li and "A World without Thieves. ording to my sources, you have already contacted his agent with discouraging results. Then you remembered me, someone who helped him in earlier times." The brothers nodded awkwardly as Wang grimaced helplessly. When did we lose our way? Was it at the first intransigence? Or over our differences over films and budget? I cant remember... She sighed before she went on, "There is still hope. As far as I know, Director Lu Chuan has a good rtionship with Qin Guan. Considering his love for independent films, I think we dont need to consider Ke Ke Xi Li..." "Besides..." she said with a bitter smile. "Your aim is "A World Without Thieves, right? You are afraid that an award-winning actor would turn down a supporting role, arent you?" Looking at the awkward expressions in their eyes, Wang sighed again. "You do not know him at all..." "The guy is not as ambitious as you imagine. He doesnt care about his image or status. He would never turn down an outstanding role or an attractive script. Sometimes, I believe that even money is not his real goal..." The brothers felt relieved at her words. Suddenly, they felt respect for the great man. He seemed like an elegant man with exceptional taste. They were confident about their films that year. Director Feng Xiaogang was one of the reasons why. Qin Guan had no idea that a group of people were currently analysing him. He had just arrived in New York to face the troublemaker that was Paris Hilton. She was so obsessed over her agreement with Cong Nianwei that she couldnt sleep in Los Angeles. As soon as shed finished her business there, she had contacted Cong Nianwei. If my friends knew what I was doing for him, they wouldugh at me... She was sitting in the gallery of the Hilton Art Fair, blushing to the tips of her ears. Lan Jin was sizing her up from head to toe. He was watching the gallery for Cong Nianwei that day. "Are you here for Qin Guan or Cong Nianwei? Dont lie to me. I saw the news! Cong Nianwei would never invite you here! The woman is very hard to deal with! Remember that!" "Who is very hard to deal with?" The door opened at his words, the y wind chime jangling behind it. Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan were standing outside hand in hand against the sunshine. They were staring at Lan Jin with a meaningful smile. The guy silently hid Hilton behind his back when he saw the visitors. "Cong Nianwei, you have a visitor. Do you know her?" "Of course, I invited her here." Before her voice could fade away, Hilton pushed Lan Jin away, her eyes focusing on the people outside. My love, I thought my longing would fade with the distance, but I was wrong. The feeling is still fresh when I see you. My love is surging like a stream... Qin Guan, my prince! Hilton was lost in thought again. Lan Jin was at a loss. He felt pity for her. She must have some kind of mental disorder. He pointed to his own head as he looked at Cong Nianwei. Is she okay? Chapter 551: The Oil Painting Deal Chapter 551: The Oil Painting Deal Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianwei burst intoughter at the funny boy. "All visitors are our guests. You are in charge of the reception. Make some tea for us." She would rather have a private talk with Hilton. Lan Jin, who was a smart man, gestured at Qin Guan and grimaced. Then he went out of the gallery, leaving the three of them alone. "Take a seat. Make yourself at home!" Cong Nianwei greeted Hilton, who was still deep in thought. Qin Guan picked up a newspaper to cover his embarrassment. A TV program? Great! The first episode of "Americas Next Top Model" will be airing this week? Hiltons daydream was crushed as she returned to reality. "Okay, okay. Lets talk about our n..." Cong Nianwei was smiling gently, but Qin Guan looked serious. "This is the catalogue of the oil paintings we can provide you with, and the customized items for hotels and art centers." Cong Nianwei took out a thick book and opened it before Hilton. To some degree, Hilton was able to decide about the artwork ced in the hallways of the hotels, as well as in the VIP and presidential suites. This was because she loved fashion and art and had learned to appreciate art ever since she had been a child. She was very gifted in that field. Although she had always been criticized for her private life, the rich heir was not as dumb and useless as outsiders imagined. When she talked about fashion and art, Hilton turned into a different person. She read through the big, thick book carefully, learning about the painstaking efforts of the Chinese oil painters of thest generation. Thanks to his director friends, Qin Guan had discovered a group of artists in the 798 district, whose dreams couldnt be stopped by the ocean. The painters were leading hard lives. Domestic galleries wouldnt ept their work, but they still wouldnt abandon their dreams. They had to keep living, and they would rather live on their brushes than on manualbor. They created artwork formercial use in order to make money to pursue their dreams. It was a win-win situation. Their hobby sustained them. As a result, the painters living in the 798 district were no longer worried about making ends meet. Both oil painters and traditional painters had found a way out. They didnt have to put up with art dealers from South Korea, who bought their precious work at low prices, or suffer through the sarcasm of gallery owners anymore. They just wanted to make more money from their work. Cong Nianwei had provided them with an open international tform. Artists of different schools and styles had discovered a shortcut to sess. Hilton closed the catalogue, her face looking calm and serious. "Im really surprised to see you include all 15 schools of oil painting in your catalogue. And Im shocked to see some really fierce work here." "Our hotels tend to go for realistic and art nouveau oil paintings though. Of course, we also need some minimalistic paintings for the restrooms." "As for the traditional Chinese paintings, I think they will go well with our Chinese style suites. I want the best ones though." Watch your words. Youll have to ask the Chinese for permission to get artwork by Zhang Daqian or Qi Baishi. Youll get artwork by professors of the China Art Academy at best. "What do you offer?" Cong Nianwei asked straightforwardly when she saw that Hilton was satisfied with the goods. Hilton took a list out of her purse. It seemed that she was well-prepared. Cong Nianwei was satisfied with the offer, but she still kept her poker face on. "Large customizedndscape paintings... 400 dors... Minimalistic customized paintings... 150 dors... Tens of hundreds of..." "Are you nning on changing all the paintings in your hotels? Or is it time for an annual adjustment and redecoration?" She didnt even look up. Hilton was shocked by her questions. That cunning woman knows everything. Cong Nianwei seemed much taller to her now. Cong Nianwei smiled to herself. Chapter 552: Your Sweetness Chapter 552: Your Sweetness Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The head cleaner of the Hilton Hotel was Qin Guans customer. Both Chinese and American women loved to gossip. As a result, they knew every detail about the hotel and itsrge-scale redecoration. The two girls were negotiating about the prices, each with her own axe to grind. The price was getting close to a price that both sides would ept. Suddenly, Hilton looked at Qin Guan. Qin Guan had been reading a newspaper on the couch, as if there was no one else present. At her look, he gave her a smile and stood up leisurely. "Take your time. Ill go check on Lan Jing. Its taking him too long to make that tea. He did not get this job based on his resume." "Oh!" Hilton was caught off guard by Qin Guans smile. When they stopped talking, she fell into deep thought again. Meanwhile, Cong Nianwei made a new offer about the catalogue. "What about this, Hilton? Is that better?" Hilton turned back to Cong Nianwei reluctantly and fixed her eyes on the list in annoyance. "Let me have another look..." Suddenly, Qin Guan walked over again. "Lan Jin is boiling water for the tea, but I think it will be too hot for this summer heat. I have some herbal jelly in the fridge. Would you like a taste? Wei loves it!" Mesmerized by his smile, Hilton forgot about the paper in her hand. "Whats that? An Asian refreshment? I would like to try it!" She paused as Qin Guan set the tray down before them. Hilton saw several small dishes with bows on them. all looking fine and elegant. She had no idea what they contained though. Whats this ck one? Cong Nianwei winked at Qin Guan and pointed to the list. Qin Guan shot a supercilious look at her and made an impatient introduction. He lifted gently the cdon bowl, the crystal herbal jelly inside it shaking. Then he pointed at it with his slender finger. "This is herbal jelly, a popr snack among Chinese women. It tastes good and its very nourishing. Its the best snack when you want to cool down in the summer. You are really lucky. This is no ordinary supermarket product. Its handmade by one of my customers, an experienced herbalist from Chinatown." "Which taste do you prefer?" He pointed to the small dishes one by one. "Theres traditional honey, condensed milk, coconut milk, red beans, osmanthus sugar... They are all good. You can mix them up with the jelly." Hiltons eyes were fixed on his fingers. "Anything thates from your hand must be delicious..." Cong Nianwei shook her head. The girl is hopeless. She poured honey onto her jelly and then enjoyed it. Qin Guan was speechless. He mixed all the sweet dressings with the jelly, hoping to cover up its bitterness. This was the first time Hilton would taste it after all. When Hilton took the bowl, he realized that he had been worrying unnecessarily. Her eyes were still fixed on his face as she swallowed the jelly up hurriedly. Who cared about the taste? "Is it good?" Hilton nodded again and again, like a chicken pecking at grains. Then she gave him the most splendid smile in the world, making the scorching summer feel cooler. d that her n was working, Cong Nianwei pulled Hiltons attention back to business. "What do you think of our final offer?" "If all goes well, my legal adviser will send you the contract in a week." Hilton had no time to argue with her. The price had been close to her own expectations after all. She was not about to waste energy on negotiating over pocket money. She had more important things to discuss with Qin Guan than the bookkeeping of the Hilton Hotel in New York. When Cong Nianwei put away the catalogues in satisfaction, Hilton got up the courage to tell Qin Guan about her reason for visiting New York. "I wonder if you would meet my unreasonable demands. Of course, Im well-prepared to negotiate with your agent if I need to." Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan were confused. Is this about the Hilton Hotel business? What happened? "Do you remember that artist who gave you his card at the Hilton Art Fair?" "Which one? I get a lot of cards every time I walk down the street." Qin Guan pointed to a small case on the desk helplessly. "I keep them all in there, but I never call anyone back." Chapter 553: Tasha Tudor Chapter 553: Tasha Tudor Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Hiltons mouth was wide open. "Dont you realize that painters of all schools consider you a good model?" she told Qin Guan excitedly in a shaking voice. Qin Guan looked at Cong Nianwei subconsciously. Cong Nianwei was thinking that she was an architect, not a painter. Hilton went on, "As far as I know, the painter didnt hand her own card to you. She found me, because she saw a picture of us together. Her agent thought we were close and was hoping that I could extend an invitation to you." "She is a charming woman and the most famous illustrator in America. Her name is Tasha Tudor and she is an olddy worth our respect. We have be friends and coborators, so I was hoping that you could act as her model, as a friend. Please!" Hilton became more and more serious as she talked. Qin Guan felt strange. "Why? Is there anypelling reason that she wants me in particr?" "Yes. She is 79 years old, but still working. After watching your film, she saw something in you that matched her new series of countryside illustrations. She wants you to model for hertest work. Will you do this favor for an old woman?" "Qin Guans schedule is very tight..." Cong Nianwei, who had a favorable impression of artists, reminded them. Hilton was full of energy though. "She said that she prefers to live and work in leisure. He can go to her studio anytime he likes." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a look. "Okay! Give me her contact information." "Really? Great!" Hilton gave Qin Guan a piece of paper as he stood up. "We have reached two agreements. Is there any time left to negotiate about the Hilton Hotel?" "Of course. Our finance department and legal team are ready to proceed. Shall we go?" "Yes, well be just in time. Our gallery is quite close to your hotel." As he sat in the meeting room of the Hilton Hotel, Qin Guan noticed the doubtful expression on the managers face. What the hell is Paris doing? She can fall in love with this Adonis, but she cant invite him into the family business. Besides, who the hell is this QC ounting firm? Its a small firm with an ie of a mere couple hundred thousand dors. How dare he try to take over our business! Are they kidding me? Qin Guan remained calm. Paris was on his side after all. They introduced themselves to each other with their tongues in their cheeks. Then the manager began his attack. "Ms. Hilton, the Hilton International Hotel Group is a branch of the Hilton Group. Our business functions independently. We have 403 hotels all over the world. ording to our sources, Mr. Qin Guans firm is not qualified to work with us in terms of scale or manpower. You may be Mr. Hiltons heir, but we cannot meet your unreasonable demands." He tried to make the princess shrink back, but the girl gestured impatiently, interrupting his long speech. "Who told you that I want to trust Mr. Qin Guan with our whole business? I thought I made myself clear. I just said that I would put his firm in charge of the hotel on Times Square. Understand? Only that one! Do you think that a small firm wouldnt be able to handle it? What would the staff of all the firms on Wall Street think if they heard you?" "As far as I know, half of our business is being run by those small firms. Or does this mean that some firms are bribing you? Im just talking about one of our 403 hotels! Dont blow everything out of proportion!" Now that Qin Guans influence on her had worn off, Paris restored her reputation as a capable heir. Sweat had formed on the face of the manager. "If you have gotten the approval of the senior executives, I would like to see the rtive documents. Im responsible for this and I think arger firm would be a safer choice." Hilton realized that the rigid manager was about to surrender. She was no longer intimidated by him. "Dont worry, youll get the rtive documents in a couple of days. Our chain of hotels might seem like a shark, but it has grown up from a small fish. Even KPMG started small." Chapter 554: New Neighbor Chapter 554: New Neighbor Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "We need to keep up with the times and try working with some new partners. Those old firms might be unable to catch up with us. If Qin Guans firm can make more profit for our hotel, we may use more flexible methods to deal with the other hotels as well. For example, we could divide the work among the other firms..." The manager nearly burst into tears. My princess, stop! Our staff would suffer from the additional work. This is easier said than done, my dear... I have to ept her request. The old man indulges her. Ill give her a hotel. She can give it to that man as a gift. He looked sadly at Qin Guan, who was sitting beside him calmly. He remained silent, as if everything was in his hands. How can he be so confident? Qin Guan was confident thanks to the contents of his bag. The paperwork inside it showed that his profit rate was 3% higher than average. That was the best proof of his ability. It was a pity that the negotiation ended quickly, leaving him no time to show off. Suddenly, he felt frustrated. Hilton was begging for approval with her eyes. I want to make a living on my talent and abilities, not my connections. Actually, he was the best example of someone making a living on their looks. With that thought in mind, Qin Guan told Paris Hilton goodbye. As he walked to the parking lot, he talked about everything with Cong Nianwei. "What happened to Hilton today? She usually tries to get close to me, but she didnt today. Am I less charming than I usually am?" He caressed his face in a narcissistic manner. "I shaved before we went out." Cong Nianwei started the car as she answered mysteriously, "Youll see when we get home." See what? When they got home, Qin Guan found out that the family apartment across from theirs had been rented out to Paris Whitney Hilton. Cong Nianwei winked at him. "I didnt want things to get out of control at that party. Hilton is obsessed with you. No one could stop her. The only way to wake her up would be to show her your true self. In my opinion, when she sees the real you, she will leave you alone... Ha ha!" Hey, dontugh at me like that! "I made a deal with her. She will be able to get in touch with you and observe your everyday activities, and I will make profit for us. She sure beats Britney and Madonna with this wonderful opportunity she is giving us. Im really clever, arent I?" Qin Guan followed her upstairs gloomily. "You are not afraid that her obsession for me might turn into crazy love? What if I fall for her?" Suddenly, Cong Nianwei stopped. She turned around with mes in her eyes. Qin Guan could picture the keyboard waving at him. "Cant you destroy your image a little? Besides, what girl would enjoy observing a couple every day? I bet that in one week the little princess will leave to try and save her dignity. As for me, I am very confident about myself. Thats the best guarantee that my n will seed." "So you will know what to do in the future?" She opened the door as Qin Guan took her handbag apologetically. "Sure! You are the boss..." The lovers made good use of their final day of summer vacation. They were nning on lying on the couch all day. People eventually got tired of bustling parties, dark bars, and games. They just wanted to lie on the couch in their mostfortable pajamas and watch silly TV shows and entertainment programs. That day, the two couch potatoes watched a new TV program that showed the hidden sides of a strange industry in an unheard-of way. It was a "talent show". CW was an American televisionwork co-funded by Warner Brothers and CBS Broadcasting Inc. The newwork naturally couldntpete with the ratings of the olderworks all over the United States. Chapter 555: Americas Next Top Model Chapter 555: Americas Next Top Model Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The new TVwork had rushed to buy a channel frequency and neglected the core problem of all TV stations. Itcked awork logo. As a result, it had the lowest audience ratings. It was aiming at a distinct target group of young women between the ages of 16 and 34, so it would be easy for it to be a popr TV station if it made the right choices. The new TV series airing on it were a disaster though. The audience ratings suffered because of theworks weak promotion. TV stations relied on viewers attracted by ster programs. A TV station needed a loyal audience in order to attract advertisements. This was the basic rtionship between sponsors and good programs. While thatwork was stuck in the mud, CW was promoting "Americas Next Top Model", a fresh-from-the-oven program. CW had smartly chosen to broadcast it during summer vacation, when teenagers were still at home, and hire some controversial personas as judges. Before the first broadcast, CW promoted the program for two weeks. Now it was finally showtime. Qin Guans loyal fans were already sitting on their couches. They had been informed by his official blog that a new TV program would air on CW featuring Qin Guan as a judge. This was a chance for them to find out about thetest activities of their idol. They could never let such a chance go. Of course, most of the audience had been attracted by the constant advertisements. They were wondering if the program would surprise them pleasantly. The show began. "Hey, Im Ste from Indiana. Im 175 centimeters tall..." An average-looking girl was talking before the camera. The girl on the couch grimaced and shouted to her mother, "Mom,e and see! How dare such a girl submit a tape to thepetition! Im prettier than her!" Her mother walked over slowly with a te of cookies and some juice. "Let me see, honey..." "There she is, mom! This is apetition for top models. Any confident girl above the age of 16 can participate, regardless of race, height or weight..." "Oh, honey... This is a new program. Maybe its some kind of parody. Look at those contestants. If they could be selected, then you could win thispetition!" She sat down next to her daughter and criticized the program with her as they ate cookies and drunk juice. Women alwayspared themselves with others unrealistically, even if they were 100 years old and toothless. The forum on Qin Guans official blog was bustling. "As a girl from Ohoma, I think she looks ridiculous!" "Is Ohoma an American state?" There were acerbicments everywhere. People even made fun of the essories the contestants were wearing. The contestants were concerned about the program the most. Although many of them had already been in the modelling circle, they participated in hopes of getting more popr. As a result, they were angry about thosements. Soon, Tyra Banks, Jay Alexander and Qin Guan showed up, making the girls scream in glee. "Wow! Its Tyra Banks! One of the top female models in the world!" "And Jay Alexander! Founder of the best model-training school! Am I dreaming?" "You must be dreaming! Look who they invited! Its Qin Guan, the famous top model!" "I wonder how he gets along with the threedies..." Suddenly, the audience changed its mind about the show. CW must have invested a lot to get so many big shots of the fashion circle on the show. Everyone began to concentrate on the ordinary girls, getting absorbed in the process. Qin Guan walked on the stage calmly. The mother and daughter sitting before the TV forgot to swallow their cookies. The 13 girls looked like ugly ducklingspared to his brilliant looks. When Qin Guan finished his performance, they all came back to their senses. "It was cruel to have him on the show. Theparison with the girls was abysmal." Chapter 556: Instant Data Chapter 556: Instant Data Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The girl flushed. "When will the next casting call be? Can I submit an application in time?" "The girls are ugly and the judges are attractive. This is bullying!" her mother replied nervously. The girl pointed at the screen with sparkling eyes. "Look! Their performance is much better. Qin Guan was right. Everyone is beautiful, but not everyone can explore and make good use of that potential. Ill participate in thepetition! At least then Ill know where my beauty lies!" "Lets watch the process before you make a decision. You must know both yourself and your enemies!" "Okay, well never miss an episode. Give me some advice, mom!" "Of course I will." There were a lot of girls who were dreaming of bing models and many who admired Qin Guan. Posts started popping up immediately, talking about the Asian boy. "Hes so smart!" "And handsome!" "Just look at his figure!" His charm had captivated the girls. The brilliantpetition, with its fashion photoshoots and runway shows, seemed very tempting for the girls, who were eager to be famous. This is my dream. I want to be one of them! Im much better than them! The first episode, whichsted about 45 minutes, came to an end soon, leaving the viewers staring at their TVs. The program had been fabulous. It had echoed with the ambition and excellent taste of young American women, all the while expressing the dreams in their hearts. Thousands of people submitted an online application for the second round of casting for "Americas Next Top Model". Application forms were flying in from all directions in the United States, carrying the applicants hopes. That was the response of the young audience. Before the viewers could change the channel though, they were attracted by the advertisement at the end. "This program was sponsored by LOrals mens facial care, a professional skincare set." Qin Guans advertisement followed. The audience watched it as they sat back on their couches. His fine face impressed them once again. "How did his parents give birth to such a perfect boy? He is as beautiful as the gods in Greek myths! They must feel so lucky!" Many girls were considering the possibility of buying the skincare set as a gift for their boyfriends. They knew that advertisements were unreliable, but they wanted to try it. They were actually misled by Qin Guans handsome face. As the program ended along with the advertisement, the crew exhaled in relief. The technical director massaged his sore eyes and set his thick sses down on his desk. He picked up the printed data from the printer as he passed by. "Tina, could you please take the statistics table of the online discussion to the director?" The assistant put a cup of coffee on the desk of the technical director. Then she walked out with the paper. In another office, Tyra Banks, the chief executive producer and the advertising executive were waiting for the data. There was a knock on the door. "Come in, please!" Tina set the piece of paper down on the desk carefully and left silently, closing the door behind her considerately. "Its time for the harvest." As the executive producer spread the paper slowly, Tyra Banks saw his eyes opening wider and wider. "William! William, what happened?" Williams eyeballs had reached the edges of their sockets. He suddenly came back to his senses. His shaking hands betrayed his excitement. "Im sorry. We will know the audience ratings tomorrow, but we can have a glimpse of the results through the instant online data. Here it is..." They all looked down together. The number indicating the online visitors during the program was 597,896! Chapter 557: The Whole World Joins in the Fun Chapter 557: The Whole World Joins in the Fun Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was a scary number. Plus, this was only the group discussing online. There was still the offline audience to consider. After some careful thinking, everyone was cheered up by the news. Their PR agency also sent them the results of theirrge-scope audience survey. Gender Ratio: 2:8 Age range: 14-34 It was the target group they had been aiming at! Everyone was excited about the details. This meant that CWs program was popr! It would be a big source of money! "We should get a bottle of champagne to celebrate!" "No!" Tyra Banks was the most prudent person in the room. "Lets leave the celebration for tomorrow, when we get the audience ratings of all the TV stations all over the country." "Yes! Champagne only costs 19 dors. I bought one from the supermarket downstairs. If we get good audience ratings, Ill wear my Karl Lagerfeld. It will go well with the asion!" "Thats it! A fashionable outfit designed by a famous designer and a ssic Dom Perignon!" The man seemed wild with joy. Everyone was celebrating in advance, except Qin Guan, who was stupefied. The team was so cunning. They had included some unnecessary, controversial scenes in the episode in order to attract attention. Soon, theizens were divided into different camps. The contestants who hadnt made the cut nearly threw their remote controls away. The whole world had seen themin, curse and quarrel! I will die of embarrassment... Meanwhile, Qin Guan was thinking about something else. After his audition at Paramount the next day, the new semester would begin. He had be a celebrity during summer vacation, but what would he do when he faced his rigid professors again? He shivered at the thought. Cong Nianwei misunderstood his behavior and tried tofort him. "This is a reality show. You didnt have any idents during filming, so you dont need to worry..." Your concern is misced, but Im still touched... An air-conditioner could ease the scorching summer heat, but nothing could ease their fast, nervous heartbeats. The chief executive producer was sitting in hisrge chair. There was a bottle of champagne in the drawer of his desk. He had had hundreds of rounds in his office since early in the morning. Suddenly, his phone rang. He pressed the handsfree button and heard the sweet voice of his assistant. "Good morning, Mr. William. What can I do for you?" "Im still waiting for the audience ratings." "Wait a minute, Ill check for you again..." She hung up with a sigh. Im busy today! Why is he so nervous? He has called me five times in thest 20 minutes! Fanny sighed helplessly. Putting on her most professional smile, she got up and headed to the technical department again. "Come in, Fanny!" Winnie shouted at her. "Here is the form you were waiting for. Take it to your director as soon as possible!" "Thanks!" Fanny left with the form immediately. In one minute, William had gotten what he wanted. The numbers were clear right away. Top News Programs CBS Evening News: 57 million viewers ABC Radio and Television, Good Morning, United States: 50 million 10 thousand viewers NBC Radio and Television, Today: 43 million viewers Ranking List of Entertainment Programs Here it is! WWE, American Professional Wrestling: 37 million viewers Victorias Secret Fashion Show: 29 million viewers FOX, American Idol: 20 million viewers CW, Americas Next Top Model: 13 million viewers Fourth ce! There were fiverge TV stations in America, as well as hundreds of local, private and satellite stations. Each of them had unique features that supported their formal operations. As a newpetitor in the arena, CW had ced fourth on the list! The whole world would join in the fun now. Besides, the top two programs were ssic shows with arge audience. It made sense that a new program would lose to them. Chapter 558: Broadway Chapter 558: Broadway Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia William called his colleagues happily as he opened the drawer, cing the ck bottle with the dazzling golden trademark on the desk. Bang! The cork shot up to the ceiling. As he filled the sses one by one, the director of the advertising department rushed in, looking wild with joy. The program had originally gotten the cold shoulder from other countries, but Mexico and Canada, their friendly neighboring countries, had purchased it. Other foreign clients hadnt thought much of the program. Only when the audience went crazy about it did they finally notice how unique it was. Why was it so attractive? Was it because of the bizarre and diverse modelling circle? The splendor of luxury brands? Its study of human nature? Or maybe the charm of the judges? All the above elements made the program sessful. The phones at the advertising department kept ringing one after another. People from the UK, France, Italy and Germany were eager to buy the rights to the show. All those countries were leading forces in the international fashion circle. Japan and South Korea were also in line to buy it, and so were Singapore, Mysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. In one day, they had received calls from 150 countries, 20 of them asking to buy the adaptation rights of the whole program. The word "fashion" was being uttered all over North America. Tyra Banks suddenly recalled something and called the people who had participated in the show one by one. Qin Guans phone was busy. His participation had caused some changes to the program. In his past life, the program had demonstrated its power during its third and fourth episode and then started attracting a bigger audience, eventually reaching 8 million viewers. By participating, Qin Guan had yed an important role during the first episode, thus creating a shortcut for the outstanding program. CW appreciated Qin Guans contribution. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was sitting in a theater on Broadway, watching the y "Closer". There was not a big audience in the hall, which made his viewing experience even better. As an actor who had participated in an outdoor y, Qin Guan knew all about the difficulties of ys that did not include music. During his audition, Director Nichols had insisted that Qin Guan watch the y first. This meant that it had to be worth his attention. That was why Qin Guan had gone to the theater, which Chinese people did very seldom. The curtains opened slowly. The background was simple and the costumes were ordinary, but the y was excellent. It was a ssic Broadway y. After three years on stage, the actors were able to perform very efficiently. The conflict at the very beginning attracted everyones attention. Daniel, the hero, was an exquisite man of rich emotions. Anna was dull and overbearing. As for Alice, she was sometimes wise and sometimes superficial, but she always seemed mysterious. The other characters were minor details for Qin Guan though, who only focused on Lari, the character he would be ying in the film. He was a rude man who always sneered at everyone. He was very proud and hard to get along with. There was constant conflict between the four characters. The y narrated aplicated love story through different scenes, dialogues and monologues. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei frowned at the performances. That exined why most of the audience members were single or homosexual. This y was not right for lovers. It was a lovely depiction of people who had lost the ability to love. It was actually a very sad story. The four characters fell in love and betrayed their lovers without fail, showing their hidden bitterness. They needed love. Desire couldnt help people understand themselves. There were so many different standards set for love, but love was actually blind. A girl who loved money would never know if she truly loved her man or not. In an effort to improve the y, the scriptwriter and the director had reced money with desire in the film. They wanted to show that they were men of high taste who expressed their inner thoughts through their work. It would be amercial film with an artistic vibe. Paramount Pictures attached the same importance as Miramax to the film. Qin Guan, who had decided to dedicate himself to art, finally finished watching the y with Cong Nianwei. He was really annoyed. As the curtains fell slowly, he let out a long breath of relief. Chapter 559: Dont Speak, Just Kiss Me Chapter 559: Dont Speak, Just Kiss Me Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan held Cong Nianweis soft hand as he said seriously, "Wei, Chinese men are simple and honest. You are the only girl in my life. I hope you and I can be together forever. I want to hold your hands like this every day." "You want us toe to the same y every day?" Thanks for the chat, it was very productive... Qin Guan turned to Cong Nianwei helplessly. His restraint was gone with the wind as he saw her bright smile. Thats my girl... Qin Guan craned his neck towards her, their faces getting closer and closer. They could feel each others eyshes tter against their noses. Their breaths felt hot on their faces as their hearts beat faster. Cong Nianweis lips were pink, and her breath smelled like orchids. Qin Guan closed his eyes. Bang! The bigmps on the ceiling lit up suddenly, making Cong Nianwei shrink back like a scared doe. "Ouch!" Qin Guan cried out. "Whats the matter?" Qin Guan covered his mouth with tears in his eyes, shaking his head helplessly. "Let me have a look. Why did you cry out?" "What a shame! I bit my lip..." It really was a shame! He had tried to steal a chicken only to end up losing his rice. "Show me your lips. No one will pay attention to you. Everyone is leaving." Qin Guan put his hands down, revealing his bunny-like mouth. Ha ha! That mouth would definitely attract attention the following day on campus. The next morning was the beginning of the new term. Cars were heading to campus from all directions. The entrance was jammed, and the quiet college was now bustling with noise. It felt like the opening day of the stock exchange on Wall Street. Cars of unique styles came from different cities, carrying whole families to New York and the famous University of Columbia. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei avoided the groups of freshmen and spotted Xu Xiaoxiao, who was pushing a heavy wagon towards his dormitory building, wearing a green volunteer uniform. A family was following him,posed of the grandparents, parents, kids and a tall, thin boy, who had to be the freshman. There were several household appliances on the wagon, including a microwave oven, an electric fan and a television. They had moved almost their entire household there. It was rare to see three generations of an American family at once. They all had bags in their hands. Even the little boy was carrying a small Disney box, trying to contribute to his elder brothers move. "Shall we help them?" Cong Nianwei took her backpack from Qin Guan. "Of course! Helping others is one of our virtues!" Qin Guan walked up to Xu Xiaoxiao, waving his hands at him. "Hey, do you need a hand?" he asked, grabbing the handle of the wagon. Xu turned around in surprise. "Qin Guan! What are you doing here? I thought you would enrol on thest day." "I wanted to suck up to our professor." They chatted happily as the family behind them talked in confused tones. "I think he is the handsome guy from Sex and the City!" "Thats a womens show. Ive never watched it. He looks like an indie film actor though. Old Carter and I watched this movie he was in. You know, the one based on Chucks life... He won an award for his performance!" "But this boy is a student! Hes not an actor! Am I right, Linda?" The mother of the freshman recognized Qin Guan immediately. "Wow! Our Timmy is right! He is that advertisement actor! He really is a student at Columbia!" "Honey,e and see! He is the man from the newspaper!" The housewife was blonde. All her kids had inherited her hair color. ording to popr stereotypes, blondes had a lower IQ than people with other hair colors. Chapter 560: A Living Landmark Chapter 560: A Living Landmark Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia She attracted the attention of all the members of her family. Qin Guan and Xu overheard their words. As a polite Chinese guy, Qin Guan turned around and greeted them with a smile. "Wow!" His smile shocked them. They had originally thought that models on TV were made to look better through makeup, costumes and photoshop, but the ordinary boy standing in front of them was much prettier than the one they had seen on screen. Qin Guan turned around to push the wagon, when a pair of arms suddenly locked around his legs. "Are you the prince from Snow White? I want to see the dragon!" Dear, you have mixed up two different tales. There is no dragon in "Snow White"! If there was, the princess would have died along with the prince. The blond kid with the sparkling blue eyes seemed really happy to meet a prince in real life. Before his elder brother could greet Qin Guan, he was already there. I want to hug his legs too! The whole family gathered around them. "Qin Guan? Are you the hero from Confessions of a Dangerous Mind?" "Yes!" "Great! The trip here was definitely worth it. Come take a picture with us! We could show this to our neighbors!" "Good idea! They will be really jealous!" They all acted fast. The kid climbed up Qin Guans legs till it reached his chest. He would certainly grow into a good rock-climber in the future. Everyone smiled wide at the camera as they stood around Qin Guan. Poor Xu Xiaoxiao had failed to get in the picture. He had stayed by the wagon to take care of their luggage. The strange family attracted public attention. Why arent they taking pictures of the campus, the sculptures, or the athletes on the field? Who is that student? Everyone fixed their eyes on the young man surrounded by the family. "Darling, doesnt that boy look familiar?" "There must be something wrong with my eyes. He looks like that model from the Armani advertisement!" "Oh my! Is there a celebrity studying at Columbia?" "Shall we take a look?" "Sure!" People started gathering around them. In one minute, Qin Guan was surrounded by curious freshmen and their parents, who thought he was some kind of campusndmark. Everybody wanted to take a picture with him. Timmy and his family squeezed out of the crowd and left with Xu, who was pulling the wagon alone with all his might. The college authorities took advantage of the event. No one knew when it happened, but suddenly an emergency medicine distribution post, a guidepost and several maps had been ced next to Qin Guan. He was treated as a temporaryndmark of the university. Vivian set up a g of his fan club in the ground behind him. Cong Nianwei wasughing at him. If somebody put a small tin can by his feet, people would think he was a monkey in a zoo. People were usually charged for taking pictures with animals. When it was time for lunch, everyone started leaving. Cong Nianwei stood up from the grass and patted Qin Guan on the shoulder. He looked almost stupefied. "Lets go to your professors office and say hi. There is no one around. Dont forget, you need to ask for leave at the beginning of the new semester." Qin Guan came back to his senses and turned around like a robot. "Help me, Wei. I cant move!" Everyone had tried their best to hug Qin Guan while they had been taking pictures. Some girls had even taken advantage of him. Qin Guan felt as tired as if he had just finished 10 Fashion Week runway shows. "Can you massage my back? It hurts..." Chapter 561: The Big Urchin Chapter 561: The Big Urchin Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan moved slowly with Cong Nianweis help. Vivian took advantage of this to take a picture of them. Another perfect photo of my idol. Qin Guan rushed into Prof. Martins office like a storm. "What are you talking about? You want leave at the beginning of the new semester? Are you daydreaming?" Qin Guan smiled in a ttering manner. "Just for a week, sir. One week..." Prof. Martin shook his head. "Impossible! Dont you want to keep your schrship and get full marks?" "Ive finished all my elective courses during thest semester." "What? You finished all of them in the first semester? Are you kidding me?" Prof. Martin began to type on hisputer. Qin Guan was right. He had already passed all the elective courses for his postgraduate degree. He could make further choices on that solid foundation during the new semester. Prof. Martin looked at the Asian boy as if at a rare treasure. "Would you be interested in getting a PhD in Finance? If you keep up these scores, I think you could do great in the field of Finance." Qin Guan was speechless as he heard the passionate old man. If he said no, he would never be able to ask for leave in the future. Besides, he couldnt arrange his schedule at will. Prof. Martin noticed his hesitation and poured oil on the fire. "A PhD student doesnt need to do much homework. If you finish the necessary research andplete your thesis, you can graduate happily without having to show up on campus every day. Besides, you could get to meet government officials and talented people of a higher ss from all academic fields." In an effort to impress Qin Guan, Prof. Martin used his final weapon. "If you finish all your academic projects independently, you could get a sponsor. This would elevate your poprity, influence and social status." "Oh, I nearly forgot! The green card! Our government would be happy to issue a green card to a talented young man like you!" His voice faded away gradually as he saw Qin Guan shake his head. "Im not interested in getting a green card. As far as I know, only big investors get green cards. Plus, when ones personal assets reach a certain standard, getting citizenship is a piece of cake. Im happy to be Chinese. My career in America is supported by mypatriots. Im only interested in having a looser schedule." "I have to think about it and discuss the matter with my family." So theres still hope? Prof. Martin rolled his eyes. I have to look for any short-term profits, if there are not going to be any long-term ones. "Okay, you can consider my proposal. Take it easy. Now lets get back to the problem at hand. The courses are not so intense during the first two weeks of the new semester, but we dont encourage students to ask for leave without a proper excuse." Qin Guan grimaced. Who would ask for leave without a proper reason? There is so much homework! The time one spends on homework would be enough to take on a second major. He made the wise decision not to contradict his tutor though. Instead, he waited for him to speak. "Considering that your previous short absence had no influence on your studies, Ill ept your application. But you have topensate me in some way..." Qin Guan remained calm. "Bribery is prohibited at our college." Prof. Martin looked mad as he took a DV out of a drawer. "Bribery? Rubbish! I just want a short video!" "Thats all?" "Thats all!" "Deal!" Qin Guan stood by the old man consciously. "What should I do?" Prof. Martinbed his hair in front of a mirror and then cleared his throat. "Just smile. Leave the rest to me..." He turned on the DV and smiled at the camera solemnly. "Hey, my old friend! Its Martin! Long time no see... A new semester has begun. How are things on the other side of the ocean? Im brilliant! The college assigned two more projects to me. Besides, Im pleased with my boy Qin Guan. Here he is! Isnt he your favorite too?" Qin Guan was confused, but he remained calm, his poker face still in ce. Who will see this video? It seems like they know me too! Prof. Martin kept singing his own praises as cold sweat covered Qin Guans forehead. Chapter 562: An Old Schoolmate Chapter 562: An Old Schoolmate Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Chen Kang! How do you feel now that I stole your favorite student? I want to inform you that he finished most of his courses in one year with outstanding marks. Remember when you had the chance to stay at Columbia, but you chose to return to China. Is that country really that attractive?" Qin Guan shivered as he thought of the meaningful expression in Professor Chens eyes. Why is Martin reminiscing the past? Maybe their friendship was much deeper than I thought... Two minutes passed as Prof. Martin rambled on. After finishing the video, he pushed Qin Guan out of his office like kicking down adder after climbing over a wall. Qin Guan had gotten permission to leave college though. Now he could fly to London to finish shooting the part Julia Roberts had helped him get. It was a film about the confused love affairs of a whole generation. As soon as he left his office, Prof. Martin made a copy of the video on hisputer and sent an email to Professor Chen on the other side of the ocean. Qin Guan was smiling with heartfelt delight before the camera. My boy is doing well in America. He has managed to both seed in the fashion circle and rein in that strange old man Martin. Chen Kang sighed at the video. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. "Come in! Oh, Ye Dong!" The visitor was Ye Dong, who had registered for the civil servant exam as soon as he had graduated from college. Thanks to his outstanding scores and perfect resume, he had been selected by the central government among millions of candidates. Then, thanks to his good connections from college, he had gotten assigned to his favorite post, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Trade. Although he had started his career from just a small department in the ministry, this was a great step towards achieving sess and realizing his dream. He was a very ambitious young man. "Professor Chen, Im here to show my appreciation to you. I didnt realize that my director had also graduated from the same college as me. He was also one of your students. Thank you for helping me..." Every step he had taken in college had made a difference. His experience with the Student Union and his socializing skills had made him stand out among the other employees at the ministry. The graduates of the Financial University of the capital could be found everywhere in the financial circle. They were working for banks, the stock market, insurancepanies, government departments... Keeping in touch with ones schoolmates was very useful. "This is the first time Im responsible for a negotiation in Europe. Is there anything you want me to bring you back? I wanted to see you before I left." Ye Dong was very smooth at establishing social connections. He was in touch with all his schoolmates and rtives in Beijing, and he had also maintained contact with Professor Chen. He would always care about his talented professor. Professor Chen turned hisputer screen to show Ye Dong. "Its been a long time since you saw Qin Guan, hasnt it? Didnt you two use to share the same dormitory?" "Qin Guan? He is a very active young man. We are both too busy with our studies and work to contact each other." Ye Dong watched the video andughed heartily. "He is so funny! He helped that old man make fun of you! Id teach him a lesson if I could!" "Oh! He is going to London to shoot a film! London is my first stop!" Ye Dong patted his own chest as Qin Guan sneezed in his sleep on the airne. Who is missing me? It must be my dear girlfriend! When the airline stewardess with the small red hat woke him up, Qin Guan realized that he was not in his apartment. Grinning, he looked down at the city of London through the small window. The whole city was covered by fog. London was quite different from the average Chinese city. It could not be described with a single word. London wasposed by London City and 32 municipalities. The Thames River divided it into the northern and southern part. The British capital had been ying a leading role in Europe since the beginning of the 20th century. As the Big Brother, it was famous for its profound inside information, as well as its financial history. The UK had yed an awkward role in the rise of the United States, but it still cherished its proud nobility. British people were born with a natural pride and thought of Americans as thieves, criminals and vagrants that they had expelled from their country. These people might have aplished great achievements on another continent, but they still remained inferior to the British. The British sneered at Americans in various ways. Americansughed at their British ent, but Londoners turned up their noses at American English. Chapter 563: London, London Chapter 563: London, London Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The taxi drivers in London didnt get a chance to make fun of Qin Guans ent though, as Paramount Pictures had sent a car to get him. The sun tried its best to dere its presence among the thick fog, but it was in vain. It helplessly buried its head into the clouds again as the car reached the urban area, revealing the historical European citys beauty to Qin Guan. There were no European nobilities dressed elegantly, just busy people shuttling among the streets of the financial center. London looked a lot like Wall Street. There were more Asian people there than in New York though. Indians, Pakistanis and Bengalese took up one tenth of the poption of the city. The people who worked in the service industry, including waiters, baby-sitters and doormen, were mainly from the Asian continent. Qin Guan sighed at the sight. The East India Company was the best example of a colonial operation. The people in South India had been born with a yearning to live in Great Britain and participated in themonwealth games from afar. In London, they would enjoy a nobler education and lifestyle. That concept was nted in their minds since early childhood, taking root deep in their hearts. Great Britain had epted the heritage of its old colony, so it also had to ept arge group of immigrants. When Qin Guan joined the crew, he waspletely confused. He knew that it was a film with four main characters, but he couldnt see Natalie Portman, Jude Law, or Julia Roberts anywhere. He was the only star among the crew. Nichols had to time to exin anything to him, but the screenwriter did. "The four actors never appear together in the same scene. The first half of the film focuses on their different lives and personalities, so the actors need to express themselves well and the director must be confident through the editing process." "After discussing this many times, we decided that this small risk is worth it. Just show us your ability, young man. You have gotten a precious chance. If you ruin my script, Ill kick your ass!" The writer was serious. In Europe and America, screenwriters were much more powerful than their peers in China. In the movie industry in Europe and the United States, a good writer was like a gift from Heaven. They were the soul of the crew and yed an important role during the shooting. This was a good chance for Qin Guan to do his best. I like this! Qin Guan rushed into the makeup room excitedly. As soon as he saw him, Nichols said, "Tell the stylist not to shave your stubble!" Qin Guan got his costume from the prop team. It was a simple white robe, but he was going to be ying a famous doctor, so it was necessary. The first scene was set in a public hospital in London. The crew had rented an independent hospital office. All themps were out. Only the lights in the corridor outside were left on, so that the camera across Qin Guans office could work properly. Qin Guan entered the office with a cup of coffee and checked the chat software on theputer screen. He had read the script many times, so he was not surprised. London Anonymous BBS was a website where many lonely Londoners and adults who had lost their passion for life tried to meet strangers. It was basically a dating website. Doctor Larry was one of those people. The camera was rolling. "Larrys opening scene starts in three, two, camera!" Qin Guan began performing, his fingers typing quickly on the keyboard. He was chatting with a user named DDW, who was actually Jude Law posing as a woman. Qin Guans name was DOC9 and had been assigned to him randomly by the system. He looked casual as he searched through the website. DDW: Are you a frequent visitor? Qin Guan: No, this is my first time here. DDW: Whats your name? Qin Guans hands paused on the keyboard in hesitation before he gave his name. Qin Guan: Im Larry. The stranger on the other end of the screen fabricated a womans name. Chapter 564: Hint Chapter 564: Hint Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia DDW: Nice to meet you. Im Anna. Then came the teasing words, "I like big c*cks..." Qin Guans eyes widened at the answer. When one looked in the distance, their pupils would shrink to focus on a specific point. On the contrary, if something was close to a persons face, their pupils would expand to cover more than 60% of their eyeballs. One could achieve the same effect by controlling the muscles of their eyes. Qin Guans face upied the whole screen, his transparent ck pupils clear on the camera. Director Nichols couldnt help but admire his charming eyes. There was surprise in his eyes. The yboy smiled faintly. Qin Guan: You are really bold. DDW: Do you want to make love with me? At her bolder words, the strict doctor started wondering what to do. He suddenly walked to the door and looked around the corridor. Then he locked the door from the inside, locking himself in the solitude of his office. There would be no interruptions from patients or nurses now. Of course, this was the UK. If this had been China, the doctor would have been too busy to have any spare time. The camera zoomed in on the only source of light in the room, theputer on the desk. Jude Law sent some even dirtier messages, which would have been impossible to appear on arge screen in China in the fall of 2003. The two of them had cyber sex. Qin Guan pulled down the shutters and unzipped his pants... Compared to the things hed had to do during filming "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind", this was nothing for him. A call came just in time. The two of them talked unscrupulously about sexual fantasies online. DDW: Who did you imagine just now? Qin Guan: My ex-girlfriends... DDW: Details... Qin Guan: They fought over me. They bound me down in a hotel and pleasured me. Qin Guan: Id like to share a secret with you. My c*ck is nine inches long... Qin Guan nced down unconsciously, his expression getting captured by the camera. Then he looked up again, typing fast on the keyboard. Everyone present was convinced that he really had a nine-inch c*ck. He took a piece of chocte out of his pocket excitedly. Chocte was the best energy source for doctors. His teasing words became bolder and bolder as he chewed on the chocte as if he wanted to swallow the woman up. He had gotten absorbed in the open sexual nature of the woman, when suddenly another call came in. He hung up immediately. Then Jude Law made an unreasonable demand. "Shall we meet?" Qin Guan was a doctor with morals. Feeling disappointed, he replied hesitantly, "Sorry, but Im a doctor on duty. We could meet tomorrow afternoon at 1:30." Jude Law was satisfied. His trick had worked. DDW: See you tomorrow, darling. Then he turned off hisputer. Qin Guan was sad that Anna had left, yet a smile still lingered on his face. The woman had attracted his interest. His confident smile was recorded by the camera. "Good! Excellent!" Nichols looked at his watch in satisfaction and realized it was not time for lunch yet. If he was lucky, he could finish another scene. "Qin Guan, do you need a break after your long journey? Is there a time difference?" "Its okay, I slept well on the ne." "Good! Shall we move on to the next scene?" "No problem!" Chapter 565: Getting A Room Chapter 565: Getting A Room Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Directors loved easy-going actors who were not picky about filming conditions and did not perform based on their own interpretation of the script. Their car went through the bustling London streets. The historical city was pretty, but typical in style. The policemen patrolling the roads were wearing high round hats that looked like the Saint Pauls Cathedral sitting on their heads. This took people back to 1900s. They looked handsome in their ck traditional uniforms, the hats fastened loosely around their jaws. If this was Chicago, the city would have been filled with criminals, and any idiot wearing such a hat would have been the first to be shot. The two sites were quite close to each other. Before Qin Guan could appreciate the policemens uniforms, they had arrived at thergest aquarium in the city. The aquarium was a part of many free tours, as it was the favorite ce of many primary schools. The director had easily gotten permission to shoot a few scenes there. There was a strict rule though, that dictated that no random passerby could be filmed by the cameras. ording to the rtive regtions, one had no right to film someone else without informing them first. The cameraman was very careful during the shooting. There were two portable cameras filming the same scene. One was focused on Qin Guan, and the other on the aquarium, which would be used as a background. It was dim in the hall, and there were lots of kids running around Qin Guan. An adult was a rare sight there, so it was easy for Qin Guan to spot Julia. The woman was sitting in the hall, lost in her thoughts. She was a photographer, so she liked visiting the aquarium to snap pictures of the visitors. Her name was also Anna, and she was a blonde woman with fair skin and a big sexy mouth. Qin Guan mistook Anna for DDW, who was supposed to meet him there. If Jude Law had known that he had unconsciously introduced his lover to an idiot, he would have cursed out loud. Qin Guan waved at the girl, as if they were acquaintances. "Hey, Anna. Look at my robe! Nice to meet you!" Qin Guan lifted his arms up to show off his doctors robe to the sexy woman. A dolphin in the pool smirked and swam away. Both Julia Roberts and director Nichols burst intoughter. The expression on the dolphins face was very human-like. This was the perfect effect, as well as proof of Qin Guans unbearable confidence. Even animals couldnt stand him anymore. It was both funny and absurd. "Cut!" Everyone paused andughed. They had to repeat the scene, yet no oneined about the naughty dolphin. Qin Guan was sad, while the other two felt guilty forughing at him. The camera started filming again. The cameraman was unhappy, because the fleet he had been shooting was now swimming desperately towards the other side of the ss pool, as if it were trying to escape from a monster. It was only Qin Guan and Julia sitting there. "What the hell are they doing? There is no shark around!" The administrator looked at them calmly. "Maybe a typhoon ising to London. My babies are very clever." Qin Guan and Julia were unaffected by this. The two actors worked perfectly together thanks to their previous experience. Qin Guan sat down next to Julia happily. "Wow, Anna... Im so lucky. I thought youd be an old ugly woman, but you are a true beauty." Julia looked confused as Qin Guan smiled. He was very confident and aggressive. There was a me in his eyes that symbolized his power. This woman must be mine! Suddenly, he said, "You want to get a room with me? Its a pity that I cant right now. I have a surgery scheduled at three oclock." Julia looked even more confused. She was not sure who he was. "You are having surgery?" "No, I perform surgery on others. I told you that Im a doctor." A doctor? A doctor who talks to a stranger about getting a room to have sex? Chapter 566: The Right Person Will Wait Chapter 566: The Right Person Will Wait Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was perplexed by her confusion. "Have we met before? Have I taken pictures of you in the past?" Julia asked him. Maybe I met him on the street while I was taking photos. Smiling, Qin Guan told her sincerely, "Dont mess with me. You are the nymph from the chatroom. You said that you wanted to have sex with me. You kept teasing me!" Julia smiled at his words. "You must have mistaken me for someone else." Her words were like a lightning striking Qin Guans head. "Quick! Zoom in on his face!" Nichols urged the cameraman. Qin Guans face covered the whole camera. His mouth was wide open in shock. As a confident man though, he could never admit that he had made a fool of himself before a beautiful woman. He just turned around and said, "Liar! You were chatting with me!" Julia smiled. The charming woman was not a ssic beauty. Her big mouth was actually ugly. It was her confidence and good acting skills that attracted everyone. Larry was attracted to her as well. Her smile shocked him, making him get lost in it. They had met each other through a beautiful mistake. Her splendid smile had brought them together. They went out of the aquarium and walked to the riverbank, a damp wind blowing around them. "Can I take a picture of you?" "I look bad in pictures." Qin Guan declined awkwardly. The aggressive man looked cute though. "oday is my birthday." No one could deny such a request. Captivated by her smile, Qin Guans eyes softened immediately. "One minute..." Qin Guan walked over to the per, who was selling tourist souvenirs. "Give me a dolphin balloon!" Qin Guan was a careful man. After talking to her for a while, he had discovered her love for fish. Julias eyes filled with delight as she epted the small blue dolphin. "Happy birthday!" Qin Guan told her. Sometimes love didnt need luxurious gifts or dramatic gestures. An idental touch was enough to express that simple emotion. People said that true love was hard to find in a materialistic society, but a simple gesture was able to move ones heart. Only grumpy people covered their eyes before such beauty. If only they stoppedining and calmed down, they would discover the beauty around them. Maybe the right person was standing right across from them with a bright smile. The warm, sweet wind lingered around them. Even the dirty Thames seemed beautiful to them now. Nichols used the slow-motion effect. Everyone around the couple moved slowly, as if they were puppets. Only Qin Guan and Julia moved normally. "Thanks!" Qin Guans second scene ended. The whole crew was over the moon. They had cooperated very efficiently, thus avoiding any extra work. Now they could finish work before the deadline set by thepany and the producers. The price of the contract would remain the same if they finished filming in advance. That was why the crew was concentrating so hard on the whole process. "One-hour break! Good work, everyone! We can shoot another scene in the afternoon. Lets have lunch now!" There were many small tourist restaurants along Thames. They could have lunch there fast and then move on to the next shooting location. "What are your ns for lunch?" Qin Guan asked Julia politely. Julia abandoned her team without hesitation. "Wanna have lunch together?" "Okay! How long have you been in London? Have you tried fish and chips yet?" Julia grimaced. "You mean the worst food in the world? The British love it because its their only choice." It seemed like she hadnt tried it. Qin Guan smiled and pointed to a small snack shop not far away. "Wait a moment. My nose is the best radar for delicious food!" When one thought of British food, fish and chips always came to mind first. The famous dish couldnt be mentioned in the same breath as Chinese dishes, but one needed to try it anyway... Everyone had been there. Chapter 567: Disastrous Food Chapter 567: Disastrous Food Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Maybe British cuisine was only loved by people with special taste. The restaurant Qin Guan chose was a simple street shop. Two employees were busy behind the counter. One was the cashier, and the other was the cook. The ingredients were quite simple, and so was the cooking method. It was actually even easier than cooking bean jelly back in China. There were more than 10 kinds of potatoes in Britain, but the one with the highest percentage of starch was the most suitable for the dish. The chips looked like sticks as thick as two human fingers. The cook dealt with the fish roughly. He got rid of the bones and covered the fish in flour without peeling its skin. Then he fried it in oil. Unlike in China, in Britain they didnt pickle the fish to remove its strong vor. They just added some eggs and salt to the flour, sometimes even some milk or ck beer. The employees were busy working. There was a long queue in front of the shop. Some natives had seen Qin Guan and kindly rmended the restaurant to him. "Are you a tourist?" "Sort of..." "You seem like you have a sweet tooth." The old man gave Qin Guan a thumbs-up. "Im a regr here. This shop is wonderful!" He smiled proudly. Qin Guan felt like he had just won the lottery. The cook put the fish and chips for two on the counter. Then he tore a piece of newspaper into two and spread the hot chips on it, putting the fish in the middle. The paper roll looked like an ice-cream cone. Qin Guan was shocked. Bro, this is newspaper! The old man behind him exined kindly, "Its a tradition to wrap fish and chips in a newspaper. Some arrogant experts say that its not healthy and we should be using food containers, but thats nonsense! Fish and chips have to be served in a newspaper! Otherwise, its not the real thing!" Qin Guan was speechless. He was surprised to discover that this was actually a traditional shop. The older men behind him all agreed with the man. "Thats right! That way, when we finish the food, we can read the newspaper. Young guys are so thriftless!" So you are only here for the free newspapers? Qin Guan picked up the second portion speechlessly and added some vinegar to the fish. Then he walked over to Julia with the food. "It smells good. My keen nose finds it wonderful! Any food is better when fried!" Julia took the food with a soft smile. She didnt have the heart to reject his kindness . "My treat. You are wee! The prices here are very reasonable." Qin Guan took a bite of the fish. The crust was quite thick, but vorless. Then his tongue touched the fish and tasted its terrible vor. The British didnt use the same process as the Chinese when dealing with raw fish, so the fish had kept its pure taste. The floury crust was also unsalted, so it felt like the small fish had been taken directly out of the oil before it was served to the customers. A foodie would never waste food though. Fighting back tears, Qin Guan swallowed the whole fish up. Then he stretched his hand out to Julia. "Give it to me. Dont eat it, its a disaster! This is all my fault..." Julia was happy to see Qin Guans regret. "I thought the Chinese could stomach anything. I feel so relieved now!" She opened her big mouth to swallow half of the fish. Her action shocked Qin Guan. "I always eat like this in London..." This was racial discrimination. Qin Guan couldnt stand this. Angrily, he swallowed his food up as if it was wax. Julia had already finished her food and wiped her lips. There was still a long queue in front of the shop. Suddenly, Qin Guan felt sympathy for the British. Do they even know how terrible their cuisine is? Actually, ording to an international poll, the thing most people remembered about the UK was not the Buckingham Pce, the Queen, the Beatles or Shakespeare, but fish and chips. Juliaughed happily. The sparrows looking for food beside them got scared. Abandoning their food, they flew up to the grey sky above the Thames. Chapter 568: The Four Actors Together Chapter 568: The Four Actors Together Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia After the break, Nichols called the whole crew back to continue their work. The next scene was very important. It was the only scene where all four actors would appear together, so it was the most essential scene of the film. It was a sh among four talented actors, as well as a feast of excellent shooting skills. The role of Alice, which was the smallest part, was yed by Natalie Portman, a famous former child star whose first role had been the female lead in "Leon The Professional". This was proof enough of her acting skills. The two groups met on the set. This would be the first andst time Qin Guan would see all the actors of the film in one ce. Jude Law and Natalie Portman got out of a business car and waved at Nichols warmly. They all realized that this was an arena. They had to defend their honor with all their power. Nichols could sense the tense atmosphere between the four actors. He didnt care about it though. He just led them over to the set slowly. He had rented the exhibition hall at a very high price. Maybe the actorspetitiveness would save the crew some money. The exhibition hall was inside a famous gallery in London. The prop team had transformed itpletely though. Large portraits were sparkling in the modern hall as the ck-and-white photos told unique stories to the audience. The hall looked beautiful under the light of the LED screen. Satisfied with the prop teams work, Nichols asked the actors to get ready as soon as possible. Their performances had better be worthy of the fine set. When they got out of the fitting room, the prop master felt distressed. All of them were dressed in expensive high-end attire. He just hoped that they deserved all these expenses. The director seemed to know what he was thinking, so he asked the crew to get into position and begin shooting. "Get ready! Three, two, camera!" At his order, the four gifted actors immediately got into character. One of the cameras followed Qin Guan as he approached Natalie. The sessful guy was wearing a ck silk shirt and a grey suit. He had not felt like wearing a tie to a photography exhibition. The first two buttons of his shirt were unfastened, expressing his self-confidence. Holding a ss of champagne in his hand, he fixed his eyes on the beautiful girl with the ck hair. Nice prey... He walked over to Natalie. The woman was wearing a ck backless dress and vintage hair jewellery. Her sexy shoulders were exposed, and the cigarette in her hand was telling stories about her. The lonely couple expressed their own feelings before Julias photos. "What do you think of the man in the photo?" The rebellious girl smiled. Her long earrings were swaying slightly, as if sneering at Qin Guans words. She was a lively woman living at the bottom of society. Suddenly, Qin Guan got serious about his performance. That actress was like a gift from Heaven. She was a muse herself. Unlike other actresses, she had been born to perform. Qin Guan had to try his best to catch up with her. This was his secondmercial film, but this supporting role required better acting skills than his leading role in "Mean Girls" had. Qin Guan had to make a big leap. Summoning all his powers, he tried to act like a confident, upper-ss man. Fortunately, he had met a lot of men like that in his line of work, so he just applied what he had learned to his performance. He watched the woman criticize the photos with a subtle smile and an aggressive desire to conquer her. "The concept of this artwork is aiming at people like you. Liars! All liars! The strangers look beautiful in the photos. They are meant to satisfy those vulgar bastards who pretend to be art lovers. This is exactly what they like." The camera was shooting from Natalies point of view, so the audience would only be able to see Qin Guans back. Nichols found Qin Guans expression both funny and annoying. Chapter 569: Competition Chapter 569: Competition Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan kept acting. Natalies words made him feel like he had been hit by countless arrows. The bastards she had mentioned were Qin Guan and his ss, who she thought were vulgar, yet confident about their taste. "Im the boyfriend of this vulgar woman," Qin Guan answered. Alice grimaced at his confidence, but got her expression under control fast. "Perfect!" He and Natalie finished their first scene smoothly. The crew couldnt help but apud them. Julia and Jude exchanged a meaningful nce and shot an urgent look at the director. They were crying out silently. Quick! Its our turn! Our scene will be even better! A war over honor began. Qin Guan and Natalie smiled at each other. "Your ck hair and eyes are so beautiful. If it wasnt for your deep eyes, high nose and fair skin, you would look like an Asian beauty." Natalie felt ttered, but she was not shy. She epted thepliment of the handsome man politely. "Im half American, half Israeli. I was born in the mysterious city of Jerusalem." That exined her fine, elegant features. Jerusalem was a cradle of beauties. Qin Guan was lost in thought, when suddenly Natalie patted his chest. "Im so happy to beplimented by a handsome man like you. Ha ha..." She was not a very smart girl. She seemed more like a crazy child. Bang! "I like you Chinese. You always tell the truth..." That hurts! This girl must be gifted atbat. Before they could focus on the other actors, Julia and Jude had already finished their performance. They exchanged a guilty nce and then burst intoughter. We watched their performance carefully, didnt we? Bang! Bang! Bang! Why is she still patting my chest? Nichols turned his back to them and looked at his watch. We could shoot another scene. Its a pleasure to cooperate with such talented actors. Qin Guan and Natalie were still fighting andughing. Those two are idling around! "Qin Guan, Natalie! It seems like you are well-prepared. Lets move on to the next scene!" What? Natalie paused. In the next scene, she and Qin Guan would have to cast amorous nces at each other. It would be hard for them to get back into character considering their current mood. She was right. Director Nichols was a film god though. Qin Guan walked over to his ce tamely. "Can you do it?" "Sure!" At that resolute, decisive answer, they turned their heads towards each other. Qin Guan was curious about her upation and private life. He lifted his arms slowly without hesitation, his hand caressing her neck. His thumb was on her cheek as his other fingers pressed against the side of her head. Natalie got lost in his strong manly smell. Qin Guan moved closer and lowered his proud head. The girl in his arms was moving closer to him as well. His lips were right over hers, a small gap separating them. Natalie sucked in a breath. Suddenly, Qin Guan smiled and let her go, like a cat tired of ying with a mouse. Everyone let out a long sigh of relief, like divers resurfacing on the water. They couldnt tell whether they had wanted them to kiss or not. Their feelings couldnt be described acutely. "Perfect!" At the directors order, the passionate couple stopped. Bang! Bang! "Well done, Qin Guan! You changed your expression really fast! Natalie, you should be on the same page. Pay attention to your behavior, please." Bang! Bang! "What are you talking about?" "Nothing!" Suddenly, the director walked over. "Good! Keep up this sense of familiarity. We will be shooting a wonderful scene tomorrow!" Chapter 570: Old Friends Chapter 570: Old Friends Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Natalie felt awkward. In the next scenes, she would have to strip dance before Qin Guan in an effort to seduce him. The two of them exchanged a nce. "See you tomorrow. I have to read the script again at the hotel." "Me too!" The two of them got into their separate fitting rooms. Unlike the people in New York, the people in London preferred to lead more fun lives. When Qin Guan opened the door, he found a surprise waiting for him outside. "Ye Dong! Sister Xue! What are you two doing together? I thought I would see you a few dayster!" Qin Guan was surprised by Ye Dongs sudden visit. They had made an appointment on the phone for a few dayster. Little did he know that Ye Dong would drop in along with his agent. "It sounds like Im not wee here." "Of course not! Im so d to see you!" Sister Xue massaged her sore shoulders and yawned as the two guys hugged each other. "Im too old for this. Ill see you tomorrow!" she said before she opened the door to her room. Qin Guan and Ye Dong burst intoughter. "You bastard! You have gotten even more handsome!" Ye Dong said, hitting Qin Guan on the chest. "Ouch! That hurts!" That was the exact ce where Natalie had hit him. "Whats the matter? Did you get hurt during filming? Are you shooting a romantic film or a martial arts film?" Qin Guan invited Ye Dong into his room awkwardly and changed the topic. "Well done! I heard that you are a Chinese ambassador now!" "Yes, but Im only in charge of a small project. It actually has something to do with you." Qin Guan was confused. "The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television is in charge of promoting films internationally. Your ministry is in charge of imports and exports. Which department do you belong to?" "Economic Rtions with Foreign Countries." Even Qin Guan knew what this meant. "You are in charge of textiles, right?" Ye Dong snapped his fingers. "Bingo! Smart boy! Im also in charge of traditional Chinese art textiles, which are small batches of handmade textiles. What do you think of that? It definitely is rted to your work." His intention was clear. He wanted to promote Chinese textiles all over the world by taking advantage of Qin Guans influence in the high-end clothing market. Qin Guan was cunning though. Ye Dongs ttery did not sway him. "As far as I know, China is a huge textile exporter. We have been making a big surplus these past few years. Most clothes are made in China, and many foreign brands have moved their nt factories there. Our cheap products have nearly driven the British industry, which used to be famous for its textiles, out of the market. Why do you need to promote them even more?" Qin Guan had gotten to the core of the problem. Ye Dong couldnt help but sigh. "I dont care about ordinary products. I dont need to do anything in Europe for orders toe pouring in an endless stream. Im worried about the guys working for the Ministry of Culture though. They insist that materials can help propel our sess." "In their opinion, our non-material cultural heritage is fading away. The Chinese market doesnt wee expensive folk art and traditional handmade products. These things are not cherished. They are being taken for granted." "On the other hand, Westerners have been obsessed with Chinese silk products ever since the maritime navigation era. Its in their blood, so exporting handmade silk products could save us. People will be able to pass on their skills automatically." Ye Dong seemed like a great man who cared about the fate of his nation. "Youre scaring me! I thought that you wanted me to steal advanced technology from top brands. Dont worry, if this is just about promoting traditional Chinese textiles, I have a gallery that matches what you are looking for!" "There are limited export channels though, so Im only a supplier of Hermes and Gi products. I also introduced Yunjin and shredded silk to America. Because of theplicated production process and low production rate though, as well as the inconvenience of importing goods, the trial is still on a primary stage." "If you are in charge of this field though, this is a win-win situation! If you could coordinate the two ministries and open a safe source of supply for me, you wouldnt need to worry about sales in Europe. I could sell anything!" "The Mn Fashion Week opens in September. We are talking about one of the most famous international fashion weeks. Armani would never miss it." Chapter 571: The Trust of the Nation Chapter 571: The Trust of the Nation Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia "Time is pressing though. Theres only two months left, and I only work part-time. I wonder how many shows I will be able to get in the fashion week..." Ye Dong was very excited about this, even though he had no idea which were the top four fashion weeks. He was a go-getter though. After calming down, he suddenly realized something. "Qin Guan, did you just say that you could steal high-tech textiles developed by top brands? Are you aware that domestic textile production is limited to a simple repeated process?" Qin Guan felt like pping his own face. You foolish boy! The fox caught your tail! You couldnt do such a thing! It would be a crime! No one knew if top brands were overconfident about the uniqueness of their high-tech textiles, or if they thought textiles were hard to analyse and produce. Tailors, designers and buyers didnt care about that. Leftover materials were just piled up on the floor of every studio. I cant promise him this. I gave him an inch and he reached for a yard. I could abandon the n after a sessful beginning... Qin Guan turned down Ye Dongs unreasonable demand. "F*ck off! Do you want tond me in jail?" "Lets get back to the topic at hand. I will be doing you a great favor as a national celebrity. How are you going to pay me back for it? My job is rted to yours, right?" Ye Dongughed. "The government knows about you, so youll get a satisfyingpensation. You must be really happy about that." "Really?" Qin Guan opened his eyes wide. "What will it be? Which division needs an ountant? The National Railway? The coal, electricity or oil supply?" Ye Dong was speechless. "Please! Your profit will be rtive to show business! Youll be famous all over the world!" "Are you kidding me? If the government decides to shoot a film, it would definitely not air all over the world." Speechless, Ye Dong opened his handbag. "The film will be directed by Zhang Yimou and financed by all ministries, the National Olympic Committee and the General Administration of Sports! It will be a short documentary that will be yed during the Athens Olympics in August 2004 as the preview of the Beijing Olympics." "Our government is treating you very generously, isnt it? Do you feel like doing something for your country now?" "You misunderstood!" Qin Guan cried out. "I will give you a helping hand!" A secondter, his expression turned to surprise. "F*ck! You fooled me! Stop using ttering words! I only want to know what the payment will be!" As night fell, Ye Dong turned on the lights. Qin Guan was sobbing sorrowfully. "You cheated me! There will be no pay... And I will have to return to Beijing... Do you know how much money I can make in a minute?" Ye Dong patted his own stomach, which was inclined to get bigger in the future. "Myrade, do you know how many people would kill for such a chance? You should be content with what you got. Both the party and the people need you. Its difficult to impress a director, you know..." "If youplete this task sessfully though, many revolutionary directors will wee you on board. You could be a spy on both sides!" "Do you mean that I could only y a traitor?" "You do look like a high-ranking KMT officer." "Okay, your treat tonight." "As you wish!" "Im craving some in Ducasse at Dorchester. I want their most famous table, the Table of Light." "You do realize we are not lovers. What about some fish and chips?" "..." Neither time nor distance could separate the two friends. The two of them talked andughed till midnight. The next morning, they parted ways at the entrance of the hotel, both of them feeling energetic despite the dark circles under their eyes. Sister Xue followed Qin Guan to the production car, talking about the promotion n for her Chinese models. They belonged to different agencies, so their treatment would differ in a lot of ways. Lv Yan had agreed to do three top shows for IMG. Du Juan had also done well inmercial spots. The other girls had begun to work in runway shows of second-level brands. August was the busiest month of the year. The Fall-Winter collections of all brands would be released one monthter. Chapter 572: What Strong American Men Want Chapter 572: What Strong American Men Want Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia High-end brands were looking forward to the Mn Fashion Week. Sister Xues Chinese models were alsopeting for a chance to participate in the event. Qin Guan didnt respond to Sister Xues n. Instead, he frowned slightly and asked a question about something he and Ye Dong had discussed the previous night. It was about the neglected potential of Asian designers. Although they onlyposed a small part of top brands, their ssic style and perfect interpretation of oriental and idental culture were quite different from those of European and American designers. As a result, their work was adored in Italy, France and the UK. They were also beloved among fashion critics. Maybe Chinese models could take advantage of this to open another gate. "As far as I know, only a few Asian designers have their own independent brands, so why not create our own designer group? We could have control over our work and promote our own design studio..." Qin Guan suggested. "We could y the roles of both the supplier and the buyer. That way, we would be more confident during our negotiations." Sister Xue was nearly convinced, yet her brows were still furrowed. "But where will I find such outstanding designers? Most design school graduates follow the standard procedure. They join apany and start out working as assistants to famous designers. A few yearster, they leave and open their own shops. Their talent and confidence are lost in the process. Most of them be average designers. Besides, I cant steal assistants from high-end studios. They would unite ande after us." Qin Guan smiled mysteriously and pointed to the bustling street outside the window. "I have a tight schedule today. You have nothing to do on set, so maybe you could take a walk around. Maybe youll find something!" Before Sister Xue could make any further inquiries, the driver pulled over to the side of the road. "We have arrived at your destination, Mr. Qin Guan. Have a nice day!" Qin Guan got out of the car slowly, winked at Sister Xue and turned around to greet director Nichols. Sister Xue stomped on the sidewalk before greeting the director with a warm smile. "My boy! Im d to see you look withered today. You must have thought about the role overnight. You are so dedicated to your art. Im looking forward to your perfect performance today!" Sister Xue almost burst intoughter. He was just talking with a friend all night long! She had to protect Qin Guans dignity though. Smiling, she pushed Qin Guan into the makeup room, where the stylist was waiting for him with some grey powder. In the next scene, Julia would betray Qin Guan. This would be the first time the ever-victorious doctor would experience failure. Larry happened to walk into his favorite club, which had changed into a gorgeous strip club. The depressed man found Natalie there. The hot girl had be a member of the adult club. The crew had spent a lot of money and energy on the scene. They couldnt film during the working hours of the club, so they had to work early in the morning. All the staff of the strip club, including the strippers, were paid extras. They were paid 10 dors an hour, which was very low for Great Britain. Actors who thought of themselves as artists had more principles than those Americans living the American dream. An effortless cooperation between the actors would naturally speed up the process. "Qin Guan, you should look aroused in the scene. Understand?" Qin Guan didnt understand until he saw Natalie walk out of the fitting room. She was wearing a revealing stripper outfit. A T-string, a small bra and some swaying tassels were the only clothes on her body. Sister Xue fell into deep thought. At least he doesnt need to take off his clothes in this film. Only his partner has to show her body. Has he been cursed by someone? "Qin Guan, I wont leave until you finish the scene." Thank you. Natalie was a serious girl and a dedicated actress. She began warming up right next to Qin Guan. Soon, Sister Xue realized why. Chapter 573: Crying Easily Chapter 573: Crying Easily Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Natalie was dancing on a round table, facing Qin Guan. Her back was turned to the camera. Qin Guans shirt was wrinkled and the buttons were unfastened, revealing his strong chest and sexy muscles. His legs were open unscrupulously. He lookedpletely lost and heartbroken. Natalie performed a beautiful split and exposed herself to him. Sister Xue was scared, but the whole crew was pretending to work carefully. They had to act like this. They loved watching a girl strip dance for free! Qin Guan was holding a slender ss in his hand. He took a 10-pound bill out and stuffed it into the ck silk stocking on Natalies leg. The girl with the purple wig cheered up and started dancing even more vigorously. Qin Guan lowered his head and buried his face into his hands, hiding his expression. The powerful man had burst into tears. "Is he really sobbing, or is he just pretending?" "No idea. Lets checkter." The man was too busy appreciating the beautiful dance to cry. Where is your dignity? Nichols was very confident about Qin Guan though. Crying should be nothing for him considering his Best Actor awards. Qin Guan didnt disappoint him. He looked up with tears running down his face, his bloodshot eyes and red eye sockets expressing his sadness. Natalie seemed absorbed in his sorrow. The same grief was evident on her face. The two outcasts were like two hedgehogs. They couldnt get close to each other for fear of getting hurt. A 10-minute dialogue followed. It was difficult to deliver long lines, but they did so perfectly. No one on set, including idlers like Sister Xue, focused on Natalies body. They were all attracted by their splendid performances. The cameraman recorded the scene calmly. He didnte back to his senses until the actors had finished all their lines. The director started shouting at them happily. Theplicated scene had beenpleted smoothly! This was a sess for Qin Guan, who hadnt realized when he had stopped acting. Natalie didnt move. This was theirst scene in the film, so there was a cantankerous sparkle in her eyes. Disaster is imminent! Before Qin Guan could escape, Natalie hit him again! "Well done, Qin Guan! Your performance exceeded my expectations! I waspletely captivated! How did you do that?" Qin Guan grimaced helplessly. He had learned a lot from that Shakespeare y on the beach, as well as the y he had watched on Broadway. He had a general idea of what Nichols wanted from him. Unlike his implicit performance in other films, good acting skills were essential this time. He would rather call "Closer" a y than a film though. Plus, he likedpeting with other actors while filming. Sister Xue showed up in time to save him from the girl. "My agent is here!" Qin Guan pointed to Sister Xue, who was waving at him, and left the girl as fast as he could. The director was talking to Sister Xue happily. At the sight of his favorite actor, he gestured and said, "Lets call it a day. Yourst scene is tomorrow, so you can go around London in your free time." Qin Guan forced a smile at Sister Xues silent threat and left reluctantly. I have no time to idle around. "Okay, theres nothing else for you to do now. Just tell me why you told me to take a look at that street!" Sister Xue and Qin Guan were walking slowly along the bustling narrow street, which was filled with all kinds of stores and restaurants. "Take it easy..." Qin Guan looked at the stores carefully. As he passed by a pretty fruit stand, he picked up a green apple. "How much is it?" "You just want one? Take it, its a gift. I like handsome boys." "Thanks!" Qin Guan washed the apple under a water pipe. "Do you want it, Sister Xue?" Before she could answer, he took a big bite. He had just wanted to be polite. Chapter 574: Discovering An Asian Designer Chapter 574: Discovering An Asian Designer Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan pointed to a shop in the corner with a naughty smile. "Here it is!" It was a small shop hidden behind a fine curtain. Sister Xue lifted the curtain curiously and heard the sound of a sewing machine. A man was busy working at one corner of the small room. "Something is glowing..." Sister Xue narrowed her eyes. Before her voice could fade away, the man looked up. A big bare head was shining under themp. "Come take a look. Tell me if you see anything you like..." The man didnt stand up to greet them. Instead, he buried his head back in his work. Sister Xue and Qin Guan entered the shop, looking carefully at the finished and semi-finished costumes on the models. After browsing through all the outfits in the shop, Sister Xue let out a long sigh of relief. The man was a gifted designer. His work had even qualified for an independent small-scale fashion show. He was a gem hiding in a small corner. Sister Xue always appreciated talent, so she concealed her excitement and tried to talk to the man. "Excuse me. All the costumes in here are your work, right?" The bald man was really happy that his customers had not been scared away by the prices of his work. Looking up from the sewing machine, he answered, "Yes, I made them all with my own hands. Look at this one! Its traditional Chinese satin with an embedded pattern made of feathers and paillettes." He stood up to show them the costume. When he saw his customers clearly though, he was shocked. "You are Qin Guan! The Asian top model!" As an insider of the fashion circle, he was able to recognize Qin Guan at first sight. "Hello! Nice to meet you, Andre Gn." Qin Guan stretched a hand out to him with a smile. "How do you know my name?" "Did I make a mistake? I saw the name of your store and thought that it must be your name." Sister Xue looked back and saw the sparkling letters embroidered on the silk threads of the curtain. They spelled out the name Qin Guan had mentioned. It was too difficult for costumers to read though. The bald man flushed with excitement and rubbed his wet hands before taking Qin Guans hand. "Nice to meet you, too! Dont call me Andrew Gn. You can just call me by my Chinese name. Im Yin Changtao!" "I have read about your story in magazines and newspapers. Although you began your career in America, you are still a favorite of European fashion magazines." "I cant believe I am finally seeing you in person! You are much more handsome than you look in your photos. Im so excited! You are a source of inspiration for designers. So many thoughts are running through my head right now! You are exquisite!" Sister Xue was speechless. The strong man seemed fierce, but he acted like a tame dog. After some time, Yin Changtao finally calmed down. Then the three of them began to talk about a possible coboration. When Sister Xue introduced her proposal, she saw the mans eyes turn red. Tears started running down his face, but he cleaned them with his sleeve. "Thank you... I would like to be a part of your team!" He was so straightforward that Sister Xue didnt have the heart to mess with him. "Come to New York with your work. Please read the contract carefully though. You are an independent designer after all. You have to study the terms carefully." "Thank you so much!" the man cried out at her considerate words. If Sister Xue and Qin Guan had not shown up that day, he would have had to findbor work at a construction site. Ever since he had graduated from the Central Saint Martins College in 1996, he had been leading a poor life. The few customers he had didnt make a difference for him and his store. Yin had nearly given up his career. He thought his style might not be epted by the mainstream fashion circle, so he had been about to abandon the dream he had been cherishing ever since he was a child. It felt like Qin Guan had descended from Heaven that day and showed him the way to the top of the fashion circle. He had finally found the key to the international fashion week. Lets forgive the Chinese-Singaporean, who had only read one ssic in his life. By the way, it was "A Dream in a Red Mansion". Only the following idiom could express his feelings: Only spring can pay back the mercy of the dripping water. Qin Guan didnt need to worry about the details. While Sister Xue and Yin Changtao were talking about the contract, he found a toyshop at the corner of the street. The store had a light green ss window and an ancient wooden door. Behind the ss were several cute dolls. After staring at them for a long time, Qin Guan felt like a child. He finally pushed the door open and entered the shop. "Wee!" An old man with golden-framed sses was standing behind a tall counter. He greeted Qin Guan without looking up from the tin soldier in his hand. Chapter 575: The Iron Frog Chapter 575: The Iron Frog Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was a traditional British toyshop. If Qin Guan was not mistaken, the owner sold both staple goods and handmade products. Under the tall green counter was a big red fire truck with a line of bold yellow letters that spelled out "made in China". It felt like it was mocking the British toy industry. Thanks to the low prices of Chinese products, 60% of toys in Britain were produced in Chinese factories. The fire truck was filled to the brim with passengers. There were teddy bears of different shapes and sizes in it. One of them was wearing a traditional red military uniform, a second one was wearing a ck policeman uniform, a third one was wearing a deerstalker and a pipe like Sherlock Holmes, and the fourth andst one was wearing a pink crepe dress. Smiling, Qin Guan picked up a serious-looking bear in a Chinese Cheongsam from thest row. She looked calm, proud and cute. Qin Guans heart suddenly softened. The old man behind the counter stopped working and set the tin soldier down on the counter. "You might find something you like on the shelf behind you. You dont need to just buy a present for your girlfriend. Men sometimes need to buy something for themselves too!" He pointed to the shelf behind Qin Guan, which was candy-colored. "Okay, thanks. Could you wrap this one for me first?" Qin Guan handed the bear to him with a smile. A pair of female hands appeared from behind the counter and took the bear. Theres another person in the shop? Qin Guan craned his neck to see a gentle olddy with grey hair sitting behind the counter. There was a pile of colorful straps, cotton padding and sparkling essories in front of her. A half-made doll was on her knees. This shop was a traditional family business, probably as old as the elderly couple. Qin Guan felt happy. Mutual help and relief did wonders in times of poverty. The shelf was filled with popr boys toys. There were iron trains, soldiers carrying guns and mighty tanks. The whole collection looked like a primitive memory of Qin Guans childhood. Although those toys were finer than his, their sense of history was irreceable. "Wow! Iron toys!" Qin Guan found the treasure in a corner. "An iron frog!" A friend from his neighborhood had once given him a frog as a gift. The toy had been able to leap after being winded up. "A tangram! In Britain!" "A bus pencil box!" "A whole set of toy soldiers!" Those stic soldiers had been Qin Guans army when he had been a child. The old couple exchanged a nce and smiled warmly at the boy. A man with such childlike innocence had to be a good person. Qin Guan put all the toys he liked in a bag and walked over to the counter reluctantly. If he stayed there any longer, he would buy the whole store. The olddy wrapped the toys up in a transparent wrapping paper decorated with gs of the United Kingdom. Qin Guan generously purchased a bag embroidered with a bear. The old man smiled like a fox as Qin Guan put the bulging bag over his shoulder. "Thank you for choosing our shop! Its 250 pounds in total!" Qin Guan took out some bills. Feelings were a privilege of the rich. His parents would have beaten him if they knew that he had bought a cheap frog at such a high price. Qin Guan was 22 years old though and he was currently in London. The streetmps lit up one by one as the old couple that owned the toy store locked the door and left hand in hand. Qin Guan had no idea that there was a gift wrapped in red velvet in the bag. It was a surprise from the old man, who had given him the one-legged tin soldier and a ballerina in a white dress. The two toys were hugging each other. There were many acts of kindness in life. They were usually hiding around the corner, waiting for somebody to discover them. Panting, Qin Guan returned to his hotel, climbed on therge bed and fell asleep. His suitcase was so full that a corner of the coloful wrapping paper could be seen through the gap. The next day, Sister Xue took Qin Guan to the set and left as fast as she could with the bald man. Qin Guan looked at their retreating backs in confusion. They seemed to have gotten quite familiar with each other in only a few hours. Chapter 576: Beating Jude Law Chapter 576: Beating Jude Law Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan shivered at the thought. He suddenly recalled Ou Qiangs sad face far away in China. Before he could consider it any further, Nichols shouted at him. It was time for hisst scene. Forget it. No one can control their emotions... Qin Guan adjusted his zer and sat down at his luxurious executive desk. This was hisst scene in the film, as well as his only chance to face the other male actor. The camera started filming in the corner as Jude Law pushed open the door angrily. Qin Guan had stolen his lover again. "You are a rude man without any temperament or interests. Why dont you let your wife go?" The bastards figure upied his whole pupils. Qin Guan turned his watch around calmly. He was sittingfortably on the couch without any intention of standing up. Qin Guan looked at Jude Law silently. The whole crew could feel the strange tension between them. It looked as if a junior assistant had met a CEO, a young officer had encountered the head of the nation, or a yboy hade across his strict father. No one could breathe. Even though Jude Law was a good actor, he was still suppressed by Qin Guans vigor. Although his every movement, expression and line were right, he seemed inferiorpared to Qin Guans acting skills. Yes, the outstanding actor was inferior to Qin Guan. The director was hesitant. He wanted to stop them so they could repeat the scene, but Qin Guan made the final decision for him. His eyes were sparkling in the camera as if his wish hade true. He was bold and ted with the joy of vengeance as he delivered his cruellest lines. "You took my wife away, but I got her back. I also made love with your ex-girlfriend Alice. We had a lot of fun together. We stayed awake the whole night..." "I didnt want to tell you those private things at first, but I will never forgive you anyway..." Qin Guan raised an eyebrow at Jude with unreasonable contempt. Jude Law surrendered before Qin Guans acting skills. All he could do was finish the scene uncertainly. "Liar..." He happened to be in the same emotional state as his character in the film. Both he and his character were on the verge of breaking down. He had finally earned some points himself. "Cut!" Nichols saved Jude Law, who was nowpletely out of breath. After shooting a meaningful look at Qin Guan, he left as fast as he could and tried to calm down in a quiet corner. In a few minutes, he had fallen under Qin Guans control. He had lost himself and unconsciously followed the young mans lead. The feeling had been so terrible that he didnt want to relive it. Jude Laws team was busy around him as Qin Guan walked over to director Nichols to watch the yback with him. Once, twice... After watching it four times, the director looked up at the young man with a confused expression in his eyes. Jude Law was more experienced than Qin Guan by a full 10 years, yet he couldnt rival Qin Guans abilities. I was lucky to choose him... Jude was waiting for the director to ask them to repeat the scene, when he suddenly saw the crew pack up the cameras and props. His assistant walked over to them and then came back. "The director said that the scene is finished. Well done! We still have time to shoot your scene with Natalie." Judes cup paused before his mouth. "So Qin Guans scenes are finished?" "Yes, he has a very tight schedule. He will return to America as soon as possible." "Really?" The assistant saw a helpless weakness sh over Judes face. "He is the most talented actor I have ever met..." he murmured to himself. Qin Guan had no idea about Jude Laws opinion of him. He was just eager to return to his nest in New York. He had been away for seven days now! It was not just a distance over rivers and mountains, but also a distance across time. Qin Guan didnt know that Sister Xue had booked a first-ss ticket for him until the air hostess led him to his seat. That was so unprecedented for Sister Xue that Qin Guan felt the impulse to check if the sun had risen from the west that day. Chapter 577: First-Class Romance Chapter 577: First-ss Romance Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Sister Xue was nning on returning to America with Yin Changtao a few dayster. She hadnt told Qin Guan, but she had an American Express tinum, so when her total credit reached the necessary standard, the airlinepany would present her with two free first-ss tickets. One could use those tickets any time they wished. The ignorant guy felt moved as he got ready to enjoy the high-end flight service. He had always abided by diligent, thrifty principles, which was why Barris had said that the Chinese were just like the Jewish. This was the first time Qin Guan, who was a frequent business ss passenger, was travelling first-ss. There was arge seat upying the space of a single bed and a folded desk right next to it. They were both simple, yet luxurious. The cab could only hold eight passengers, but there were two air hostesses leading the way for him. Despite being an experienced and sophisticated guy, Qin Guan was shocked. When he took his seat, the air hostess opened a small cab in front of him considerately, indicating that he could store his backpack inside. When everything was ready, she took a bow and left. In one minute, she returned with a wet towel and a ss of champagne. She opened a package carefully and put a pair of disposable slippers before Qin Guans feet. Qin Guan felt awkward. I feel like a master ordering about a maid. The girl was wearing a short skirt and her hair was tied back in a tight bun. She looked really happy. Her name was Matta and she was a famous United Airlines beauty. She had seen Qin Guan at the check-in counter earlier and had taken advantage of her post to serve him herself. "Dear passenger, it will take us eight hours to reach New York. Would you like to change into your slippers?" Hey! If there had been another passenger sitting nearby, they would haveined. Since when did United Airlines offer such luxurious services? It was a pity that there was no one else in the cab. Matta looked up gracefully. Suddenly, the ne shook slightly and Matta fell towards Qin Guan. "Ah!" Bang! Thankfully, Qin Guan was capable of dealing with such girls. Before Matta could fall into his arms, he reacted smartly. He stretched one of his legs towards her for support, so that she wouldnt smash her face against the floor. Unfortunately, while he did so, a second passenger was being led in by another stewardess. "Wow!" "Hush..." They saw Matta throw herself at Qin Guan and bury her face between his legs without hesitation. It was just a misunderstanding caused by a different point of view. The other stewardess covered her mouth with her hands. She was actually eager to spread the gossip. Meanwhile, the passenger whistled happily in an effort to stir up trouble. Qin Guan shot a disdainful look at Matta, who was holding his knee tightly, and looked back at the whistle. When the passenger saw Qin Guan clearly, his smile got even bigger. He gave Qin Guan a thumbs-up before he burst intoughter. Qin Guan sighed helplessly. "Long time no see, Chris Angel!" The man was an American magician who had just finished a show in Europe and was on his way back to New York. "Ha ha! Qin Guan! Serves you right! Arent you a knight in an ivory tower! I thought you were as pure as an angel! What are you doing right there? You are like a candle in the dark. Silly women rush up to you like moths." He sat down in the seat across Qin Guan, rolling around and covering his stomach. Matta took advantage of this to get up. "What can I do for you?" She tried to cover up her embarrassment by offering her services. Chris stoppedughing and sized her up from head to toe. Then he asked both the air hostesses to leave. Lilian was so angry that she nearly exploded. You took advantage of your post to serve Qin Guan and now you seized this passenger from me too! What are you after? They had both been flying for a whole year, and their unstable schedule made it difficult for them to find a boyfriend. Their only choices were male colleagues and single passengers. Chapter 578: Never Collaborate With A Madman Chapter 578: Never Coborate With A Madman Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It seemed that there were only two passengers in the first-ss cabin, and both of them were New York celebrities. Matta couldnt have them both. Matta walked to the workbench disappointedly, her knees hurting from her fall. If she hadnt reacted quickly, Qin Guans knee would have hit her on her nose. The guy had nopassion for women! Suddenly, she paused in the aisle. Lilian nearly ran into her back. "What are you doing? Watch your step!" Lilian said in discontent. "Lilian, can you help me?" "With what?" "Shall we exchange passengers? You take Qin Guan, and Ill serve Chris. Is that okay?" Lilian was wondering why she had changed her mind. "As you saw, Lilian, I just fell down. It would be awkward for me to serve for Mr. Qin again. Please take my ce!" Lilian felt sympathy for Matta. "Fine. Be more careful next time!" Matta let out a long sigh of relief. Its unnecessary to waste time on stubborn people. There will probably be aint anyway. I have to think of another n. Chris crossed his legs excitedly in the first-ss cabin. Boy, Ive got you now! "Will you ept my offer this time?" Qin Guan took a sip of champagne and pretended not to understand. "What offer? I think my agent has already rejected it." "Stop acting like an idiot. As far as I know, no filmpany in Los Angeles is going to be working with you for the next few months, and your jobs at the Mn and New York Fashion Weeks will be a piece of cake for you. Just tell me! Will you be my model during my Las Vegas tour?" "No!" Qin Guan gave him a resolute answer. Chris was considered a madman in the magician circle. He would never consider his proposal, but if he got an offer from David Copperfield, he might ept it if his schedule allowed it. This guy though... One could judge him just by his costume. His hair was long and colorful, and thick bangs covered one of his eyes. The other one looked like the eye of a panda. He was wearing a ck sweater filled with skulls and poppies, even though it was summer He had tied a pair of handcuffs around his neck like a ne, and his leather pants and boots looked like a Gestapo uniform. He waspletely crazy. His performance was so full of blood and gore that Qu Xuemei and Sister Xue would never ept an offer from him. Chris was not dejected by Qin Guans rejection though. He took off his boots and stretched his feet out towards him. They smelled like fermented bean curd, feces and mens locker room... Qin Guan tried to get away from him, but Chrisughed proudly. "It doesnt matter. I will announce the news before the reporters at the JFK." "Come here, everyone! This is the Best Actor Award winner, Qin Guan! A stewardess just gave him a blowjob!" "If they ask me for proof, Ill swear to God..." Qin Guan was speechless. Chris was a real scoundrel. "I thought Americans were faithful to God. Does He know that you are using Him like this?" "Im Greek, you know. I believe in Zeus." Liar... Qin Guan sighed. "I have to discuss it with my agent. I have several arrangements during the next six months." "So I have your word? Thanks, bro!" Hey, watch what you say. I said I would discuss it, I did not promise anything! Chris was happy with the oue though. He grinned, revealing his white teeth. Suddenly, the captain spoke through the speaker, reminding everyone that the ne was about to take off. A flight attendant handed Qin Guan and Chris a pair of earplugs. "Thank you for flying with United Airlines..." "Oh, Im scared! Im afraid of flying!" Chris tried to hold on to Qin Guans hand. "F*ck off! You have hung from a skyscraper in New York for three days!" "Just kidding..." Before Qin Guan could sneer at Chris, the ne had risen to the stratosphere. It was an easy time for both the ne and the passengers. Matta and Lilian began serving dinner in the first-ss cabin using a small wagon. The champagne was clear and smooth. Lilian filled Qin Guans cup with an aperitif. The champagne cost 500 dors, but the airline was generous with its first-ss passengers. Matta ced the knives and forks on the white linen and served them along with the appetizer. There were plenty of choices, although they were in small amounts. The white bream fillets were transparent and the boiled broli stimted everyones appetite. Chapter 579: Asian People Eat Vegetables Every Day Chapter 579: Asian People Eat Vegetables Every Day Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia There were also purple sweet potato balls filled with foie gras and a bare shrimp wrapped in orange caviar. One could eat one with just one bite. First-ss food could bepared to a gourmet restaurant menu. The delicious food and good wine filled Qin Guans mouth and mind, making him forget about his annoying fellow traveller. He waspletely absorbed in his food. When he swallowed thest bite of shrimp, he tried the fresh fish roes. Their taste exploded in his mouth as he narrowed his eyes in content. "Hey, Qin Guan. Has anybody told you that you look like a proud Persian cat when you narrow your eyes like that?" It was terrible to have such an annoyingpanion during such a long journey. Qin Guan ignored Chris as Lilian walked out of the kitchen with a basket in her hand. In the basket were all kinds of different snacks. They were not the kind of snacks one could find at a supermarket though. There were pickled shrimps and vegetables among them. Qin Guan took several packages out of the basket curiously. When he noticed that Chris was twisting his nose disdainfully, he put some back in the basket. Then he opened the first package to reveal its contents. There was a shrimp, a piece of lotus root and two pieces of boiled cabbage inside. Qin Guan didnt find anything strange about them as he chewed. He shot a questioning look at Chris. "Only sheep eat cabbage!" Hey, wild kid! You are 10 years older than me, yet you act like a spoiled child! Dont you know that Chinese people have the healthiest diet in the world? Most of their meals areposed of vegetables. Americans eat meat and potatoes every day! Thats why there are so many obese people in your country! Qin Guan didnt want to pay attention to him anymore. The meal was included in the ticket! There were two choices for the main course, Western cuisine and Japanese cuisine. Because of his love for boiled milled rice, Qin Guan chose the Japanese option. Chris chose the other one without hesitation. In the in dishes were fruit, vinegar-boiled scallops, grated radish with fish spawns, sprout tofu and broiled river eel, all of which Chris had never seen before. When Qin Guans broli soup was served, Chris couldnt control himself anymore. He took a careful look at Qin Guans fine face and then caressed his own tough skin, which was a result of cannabis and wild gay life. He let out a long sigh. "Are vegetables the reason for your good skin?" "Of course!" Qin Guan lied. "I eat half a kilo of different kinds of vegetables every day. The Chinese include more than eight food groups in their diet to maintain a healthy body." Qin Guan began to preach about the mystery of the Chinese diet. When Chris came across some chopped, cooked entrails, he realized it had been a mistake to share a meal with Qin Guan. He stood up to change seats, so that he wouldnt starve. Qin Guan epted the small ck bowl Lilian handed him with a smile. The simple girl shivered at his smile. That was why Matta had been frustrated. The celebrity was a beautiful monster that tempted people to jump into the void. Lilian didnt have contact with passengers during work, but Qin Guans smile was a curious coincidence that made her happy. She ced the Japanese steamed egg and seafood on Qin Guans table along with the main course before she escaped like a scared rabbit. The main course was rice and beef with a thick sauce and an orange boiled egg. It was the most delicious food in the world. When he tasted the cold mustard lobster and the conch, Qin Guan felt like an immortal. The dessert was just as impressive. Yoghurt with seasonal fruit was the best choice after such a feast. After dinner, all the tableware was cleared away. Qin Guan was about to fall into a satisfied sleep. Suddenly, someone broke the silence. Chris and Matta had gotten to know each other well during dinner. The two of them exchanged looks filled with fierce emotion. In an effort to get away from Qin Guan, they went into the first-ss bathroom together and locked the door from the inside as they kissed. Qin Guan was totally speechless. That was a small washroom with a thin door, so he could hear what was happening inside clearly. "Come on... Oh!" Timid Lilian closed the curtain as soon as she could to hide them from their curious colleagues, who were craning their necks around to see. Chapter 580: A Peaceful Time Chapter 580: A Peaceful Time Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was left alone in the cabin. As he heard the background sounds, he started to miss Cong Nianwei so much that he teared up. Some people were gifted, or they tried to seem impressive. Qin Guan had to relieve himself in the business ss washroom. When the ne began to descend, Chris went out looking satisfied. "I love american airlines! Dont forget your promise, Qin Guan. See you in Las Vegas!" Mattas ckce panties were still in Chris pocket, but he had already switched to business mode. Matta went out looking normal, but the money in her hand betrayed the nature of their deal. "Are you crazy? You paid her?" "All adults do. Its normal, dude!" Qin Guan was speechless. The trend of sexual liberation would also reach China in the future, but this had been unheard of even at ancient Chinese whorehouses. Back then, people would be thrown into a river formitting such a sin. Qin Guan got off the ne with his luggage as fast as he could. Chris was unable to catch up with him. Cong Nianwei had upied his mind. The two of them hugged each other at the terminal and then escaped from the keen reporters chasing them. The reporters abandoned the chase when Chris went out. "Chris, tell us about your popr tour in Europe!" "Chris, what are your ns for the next six months?" "Chris, we just saw Qin Guan. Did you two coborate in Europe?" They all stretched their microphones out towards Chris. The popr magician threw a figurative bomb at them. "We were on the same ne. The two of us became good friends during our short journey. I invited him to join me on my tour across America as my special guest. All our fans will be very lucky!" "Scream, everyone! Go crazy! Chris magic month is waiting for you!" He stuck his tongue out, shaking his piercing. The reporters were over the moon. Due to the dangerous nature of his performance, no celebrity usually dared to join him on such an adventure. Qin Guan had epted his invitation? This was big news! Ignoring his vague words, everyone began to celebrate in advance. Qin Guan had no idea that he had been trapped. He was currently in thend of warmth and tenderness. There was an array of faithful soldiers on guard on the window sill. Next to them, a pretty ballet dancer was radiating love and tenderness through her eyes as she looked at the one-legged tin soldier. A hairy bear had been carefully ced on the headboard. The bedsidemp had been turned off, and the lovers were sleeping amid the lingering fragrance of roses. There was some simple Chinese food on the table. It was a beautiful, peaceful time. Where ones love was, that was where their home was as well. ... Love was the best incentive. Qin Guan showed up on campus again holding arge bag and Cong Nianweis drawing board. He was a good man through and through. It would have been the perfect morning if it werent for the terrible news Xu Xiaoxiao shared with him. "Qin Guan, you were so brave to ept Chris Angels invitation! Good luck being his special guest!" Xu was waving a newspaper at him as he stood by the entrance of the ssroom. "I read it in the newspaper! He said that you two were good friends. Is he lying? I like him though. He is so rebellious!" "You have been very poprtely, Qin Guan! Tell me what happened with the three celebrities! Does Britney have big boobs?" Qin Guan cast a supercilious look at him. He didnt want to speak with Xu. The guy was drooling over his romantic affairs. Qin Guan took out his new timetable. Xu didnt know that they wouldnt be sharing many sses in the future. Postgraduate students were always lonely. Prof. Martin entered the ssroom with a pleasant smile. He was delighted to see his good student back on the right track. From that day on, Qin Guan would return to his normal life. There was a bustling lunch party taking ce on thewn. People gathered around Qin Guan, many of them new friends. His ssmates greeted him as they walked by. "Hey, Qin Guan! How are you doing?" "Your film was good. Got any new ns?" Disharmonious voices were heard everywhere. "Qin Guan! Qin Guan, over here!" Paris Hilton waved at Qin Guan from afar. Qin Guan picked up his backpack helplessly. "Well do something on the weekend!" Chapter 581: Going Back In Time Chapter 581: Going Back In Time Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Xu smiled meaningfully at them. Only when their car disappeared did he realize that he had to clean all the rubbish after the party. The country road leading to Vermont was getting narrower and narrower. Wild flowers, cool streams and waterfalls decorated their journey. After driving for a long time, they came across a small wooden cabin by the road. Outside it was a simple desk with a board indicating its real estate price and a simple piggy bank. There were also agricultural products, including fresh cucumbers, corn and wild honey stolen from poor bears. The drivers could take the products and leave money behind. If one didnt have enough change, they could even leave something of theirs in exchange for the goods. Qin Guan took a few cucumbers. He noticed that there were different kinds of payment on the desk. Sunsses, a hair pin, an expensive scarf... Travellers left stuff there just for fun. As he was chewing on the cucumbers, Hilton slowed down. They had reached their destination. If Qin Guan had covered his eyes on the way there, he would have thought that they had traveled back in time. The cabin was quiet. On the wooden fence door was a board that said "Tudors Cabin". The board creaked as the breeze blew it back and forth. Hilton pulled the car over. Then the two of them entered through the fence and stepped onto the naturally-growing grass. Suddenly, a rabbit jumped out of the grass. It shot a curious look at the strange visitors and then disappeared again. Blue sky, white clouds, green grass... Anyone would feel rxed and happy there. An artistic paved path led to the door. "Grandma Tasha, its Paris!" "Oh, my dear kitten! Come in, please!" It seemed that Hilton and the famous artist were very close. At her response, Hilton opened the door easily. The bell dered the guests arrival. Qin Guan saw a room with a wooden floor and a Middle-Age firece front and center. There was a tin heater in the middle of the hall, and an iron chimney that went directly outside the wooden house. Firewood was burning in the firece, a in kettle boiling on it. Time seemed to have paused one century ago inside the cabin. When he looked at the olddy, Qin Guan thought that they had travelled back in time. Tasha Tudor was 79 years old, but her steps were firm and her smile was soft. She was wearing a long dress and a headscarf that made her look like an English milking maid. "Wee! My kitten brought my guest. Ill send you my catalogue as soon as its published!" Her voice was as peaceful and elegant as a spring breeze as she introduced another man to Qin Guan and Paris Hilton. "This is Lin, a reporter from Time Magazine. He heard that I asked Qin Guan to be my model and decided to pay me a special visit. You are a popr Asian model here in America after all." The man didnt look sorry foring without an invitation. He took a bow, admiring Qin Guan as if he was a piece of art. He was so focused on him that he forgot to greet Paris Hilton. Tasha Tudor was familiar with her old friend though. "Just forget about him. He is always like this when hees across good material. Lets have some tea first. Its scented tea that I produce myself." Wild chrysanthemums bloomed in the white porcin cups. The honey and milk on the table had been produced by the woman as well. The environment made everyone feel rxed. "We can start working anytime." "Okay, Ill get my tools!" Cong Nianwei and Tasha Tudor were both painters, but the difference between them was like the one between the city and the countryside. Anything rted to drawing roused both their interests though. Qin Guan pushed the door open and saw a big garden outside. There were clusters of white wildflowers, twisting vines and blooming morning-glories that grew without any human intervention. Qin Guan pushed his shirt into his pants and suddenly saw an old banyan. He rolled his pant legs up and climbed up the tree until he reached arch branch. He sat downfortably on it, his long legs hanging down unscrupulously. The wind blew over a sweet smell. His white shirt was shaking in the wind as he smiled like a fairy amid the rural scenery. Tasha went out with her tools. She sat down on the wooden path and got to work. Chapter 582: A Family Of Squirrels Chapter 582: A Family Of Squirrels Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Lin had already gotten to work. He took countless pictures of Qin Guan without sparing the film. "Cong Nianwei,e here! Its so beautiful!" Qin Guan looked like a fairy descending from Heaven amid the golden sunshine. His smile seemed very delicate. However, after joy came sadness. When he waved at the people under the tree, a naughty squirrel saw the uninvited guest sitting before his door. That troublemaker is shouting right beside my home. My babies cannot sleep! As the head of the family, he had to drive the intruders away. "Wow! Look at that cute animal with the fluffy tail!" Paris Hilton, who was focused on Qin Guan, was the first one to notice it. "Dont scare it away, Qin Guan! Good boy! Try to y with it!" Both Tasha and Lin gave him instructions. That would be a perfect picture for both painting and photography. The two of them exchanged a tacit nce before they focused on Qin Guan again. There was only one normal person there and that was Cong Nianwei, who knew what was going to happen and smiled to herself. "Come here, my friend..." Qin Guan, who had already forgotten about the disaster at the aquarium, carefully stretched out his slender fingers towards the squirrel. The squirrel took a chestnut from under its tail and held it before its chest as it leapt towards Qin Guan. When it was in the air, it threw the chestnut in the face of the intruder. Bang! The chestnut hit Qin Guan on the forehead, bounced back and fell down on the ground. "Ha ha ha..." Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. Qin Guan made her life so much fun. Tasha stopped drawing in shock. Then she smiled. Lin was lucky enough to capture the moment. It was a rare photo full of childish fun. The only sad person around was Qin Guan. The chestnut had reminded him of his strange nature and theughter of the spectators had awakened the entire family of squirrels. Father Squirrel was enraged when he saw his babies go out. He threw another chestnut at Qin Guan and then climbed down the tree. The four cute squirrels were watching Qin Guan silently. Tashas inspiration was flowing like a spring river. Cong Nianwei was about to climb up to help Qin Guan, when she saw Father Squirrel return with a chestnut shell. Qin Guans eyes widened. As the only enemy on the tree, he was the first to be attacked. The shell got tangled in his hair. The four kids seemed excited over their fathers courage. Realizing that things did not look good for him, Qin Guan jumped down from the tree and ran away as fast as his feet would move. "Ha ha! You are a good professional model, Qin Guan! Could you be my exclusive model and drop by once a month?" Qin Guan lowered his head to allow Cong Nianwei to pick the shell out of his hair. Paris Hilton didnt move though. He doesnt seem to like animals. I have eight puppies back home... You are missing the point, dear. Why dont you ask the puppies about their feelings? Lin, who wasughing tearfully, rolled his eyes and pointed to a corner of the garden. "Dear Qin, would you please walk to the small wooden house behind that fence?" he asked Qin Guan in his most sincere tone. "There is a beautiful paved road there and plenty of flowers. I think its a great ce to take pictures." Qin Guan didnt object. He just winked at Cong Nianwei and ran in that direction. Paris Hilton walked up to Cong Nianwei. "Is he always like this?" "What do you mean?" "Doesnt he like animals?" Cong Nianwei grinned, an apologetic smile emerging on her pretty face. "No, he is a kind man. He likes animals. You have it backwards. Its the animals that dont like him. He has failed an audition because of it. He has been in a bad mood for a long time." Chapter 583: A Spanish Cow Chapter 583: A Spanish Cow Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianwei suddenly smiled sweetly, as if she had recalled something. "I knew that from early on. Back then, we had just been friends. Qin Guan used to sit in a corner of the yground and pretend to read Tolstoy. All the girls around him admired him. Only I noticed the grey mice running out of a small hole behind him disdainfully." "I guess you could say that I have been paying attention to him for a long time. The idiot never realized it though." Hilton was no longer in the mood topete with her after listening to that anecdote. She shot a secret look at Cong Nianwei as she said, "So you fell in love with him at school? How old were you when you met for the first time?" Cong Nianwei shook her head. "I was not in love with him, I just paid attention to him out of curiosity. I wanted to see if all animals hated him. He wasnt aware that birds, cats and dogs were trying their best to keep a distance from him." "It was so funny! Im always happy around him..." Cong Nianwei looked at Hilton, who was looking down and drawing circles on the ground with her toe. "We met when we were 15. Its been about eight years now, I think. Loving somebody is different than being fond of them. Women always fail to tell the difference." My love rival sounds reasonable. Hilton looked at Cong Nianwei, who was waving at Qin Guan with a smile. Tasha smiled meaningfully at Lins arrangement. My old friend is still ying tricks on others. She took out another piece of nk paper. "Im here, Lin. What should I do?" Qin Guan waved at the artists. The view there was much more beautiful. There was a wide yard behind the flowering shrubs that stretched toward the horizon. Lin grinned and pointed to the small wooden house. "Stand by the door, Qin Guan. Yes, by the fence. Look over here!" Qin Guan had just gotten into position, when he suddenly heard a cow moo. Speechless, Qin Guan looked at Lin and Tasha. The two old artists nearly fell down fromughter. A beautiful cow with ck dots exited through the fence looking around indifferently. She seemed curious about the strangers. When she caught sight of the stranger in her domain though, she got angry. She went out decisively to protect her home. "Moo..." The bell on her neck jingled along with her steps, and her smooth hair was floating in the soft summer breeze as she ran after the young man. The two of them seemed to be ying a game on the cabbage field. The game was called "Cat and Mouse". Tashas brush was dancing on the paper and Lins shutter was moving up and down. The two artists were in their own world. They were paying no attention to the miserable model. Run, Qin Guan! Run for the sake of art! Qin Guan dared not stop. Is this cow from Spain? Am I wearing anything red? I can only think of my underwear! When the sun set, Tasha lifted her brush and Lin filled his pipe with tobo. Cong Nianwei sorted out the sketches as Qin Guany on the ground. He did not struggle as the cow craned her neck over his face. A pink tongue slipped out and licked him. Thanks for ying with me. I hereby wee you to the farm. Here is your reward. When night fell, Tasha lit up the candles in the candbras. There was no electricity there, so she had to use firewood for the heater. She got drinking water from the nearby stream. She lived a pure life in nature. The milk in the sses was a gift from the cow and the vegetables in therge iron pot were harvest from the field. Cong Nianwei put some wildflowers in a vase. If one ignored the creaking wooden bed and the scratchy handmade wool nket, life in istion sure seemed beautiful. Without electricity, all they could do was lie in bed in the dark and wait for Morpheus. Chapter 584: Genius Chapter 584: Genius Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans ambition was evident in his sparkling eyes. "Wei?" "Yes?" "Shall we buy a small house? Not as an investment. I want us to spend the holidays there. This way, I will have a house everywhere and I wont need to stay at boring hotels. That would be fun. Having a house everywhere would be wonderful! What do you think?" Cong Nianwei closed her eyes and rubbed her head against Qin Guans shoulder. "Thats not a good idea. What kind of house do you want to buy? A tree house would only cost a little, but do you know the average price of a house in Los Angeles?" "Youd have to maintain it when you are not staying there, and the property tax would cost you a lot. Are you a billionaire or something?" "You know that the profits of my firm are rising. My value as a model is almost equal to an international top model now. Plus, I have property in China. Considering all my intangible and fixed assets, Im already a multimillionaire. What do you think of your amazing boyfriend?" Cong Nianwei was confused. "What else do you own back at home besides your apartment and the Cherokee?" "I forgot to tell you that I bought eight lots near the East Second Ring. They are about 500 square meters," Qin Guan murmured proudly. "This year, the government assigned an important task to me. Ill return to China to check the market information." "What important task? You only care about money..." "Thank you for reminding me..." When one was away from the bustling city, they were inclined to return to the origins of nature. They usually adjusted to the inconvenience of not using high-tech products. Dew was slowly running down along the leaves as caterpirs struggled in their cocoons. Qin Guan got up early in the morning, put on a ck top and shorts and went out to the yard. He started cutting firewood, scattering branches around him. That was all he could do for the respectful old woman before they left the lovely farm. Her mate and offspring had left her to her isted life, but she had stuck to her original idea. In the winter, the old woman didnt need to deal with the firewood by herself. Lin, who was watching Qin Guan work, took the pipe out of his mouth and patted Qin Guan on the shoulder. "Ill call your agent when I return to New York. I want you on the cover of Time Magazine." Qin Guan was shocked. "Are you their photography director? Does this mean that you are the boss?" Lin kept smoking. "You have no idea who I am, but Qu is always telling me about you." He knocked his pipe against the fence. "I havent taken pictures for many years. My first job was the cover of the first issue of VOGUE. I had always dreamed of bing an artist. As you know though, back in the 1940s, photography was not a good job." "Now Im old and I had to stop working, but if I want to, my work could be featured in the most influential magazines in America. Im still Irving Penn Lin after all." Qin Guan watched the old man fill his pipe with tobo again. He still felt uncertain. "But why do you want to help me?" Smoke rose between them, forming a blurry wall. "Because you are the dream of all image photographers. Not figure photographers though. Figure photography relies on the market demand. I do not need that anymore." "Considering my fame and sess, I dont need to meet the market demands or tter the audience. I engage in image photography because it helps me observe real human emotions." "Time Magazine just featured arge image on its cover..." He smiled again and pointed to the pile of firewood next to Qin Guans feet. "You are a good boy. Ill be d to see your face on the cover of Time. " Qin Guan scratched his head speechlessly. Our ancestors were right. If you are kind to others, youll be rewarded. Chapter 585: Busy Working Chapter 585: Busy Working Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia Tashas long dress and the lovely cow were lingering in Qin Guans mind as he returned to New York. His free time was sadly over. Sister Xue was already busy working, and Qin Guan got serious when he went back to his office. Yin Changtao was putting forward ideas. They would soon be submitting an application for the press conference of the Mn Fashion Week. A few dayster, they got a positive response. Even though he was a new designer, Yin was outstanding at both fashion design and tailoring. As the trendsetter of the international high-end clothing market, the Mn Fashion Week was open to neers. Yin would show up 22nd along with seven other designers from different countries. It was a special day for promising young designers. Everyone in the studio apuded at the news. This was a big deal for a rookie. It made sense to keep the goodies within the family, so all the Chinese models got a chance to go to Mn. Qin Guan, who was the most important model among them, would get on the stage during the opening show. Armani had sent their timetable to Sister Xue, and the Italian Clothing Association and the organizers of the Mn Fashion Week had sent Qin Guan a personal invitation. They were inviting Qin Guan to be a part of their official opening show. In the letter, which was particrly moving, they told him all about the difficulties they were facing. It went a little like this: Dear Qin Guan, we consider you an important male model and representative of the Asian continent in the fashion world. Mn Fashion Week is among the top four fashion weeks in the world, yet it is still suffering from great stress. We have to try our best to attract famous brands and international top models. We heard that you are an exclusive model of Armani, which means that other haute couture brands are unable to coborate with you. With the exception of your own studios show, we are afraid that you might feel a little bored during the fashion week. Therefore, we would like to present you with another option. You coulde to Mn in advance and meet the many designers waiting for you here. They need your help, as they have failed to find the right models for their designs. We are confident that both the payment and the opportunity will meet your standards. The long list attached indicated the power of the Mn Fashion Week. Bertha, Lucio Fontana, Laura, Du Chen, Corot, Li Meiqi (also known as Maggie Q). Qin Guan was shocked. These were all top models ten times more prestigious than him, yet they were just ordinary participants at the Mn Fashion Week. As the only male model among them. Qin Guan felt inclined to join them. His schedule was posted on his blog soon, making his fans sigh before their screens. "Even if we were in Mn, we wouldnt be able to attend the show. Guests there have to have an invitation." "Those invitations are not mere parking tickets either. They are very expensive." After a long silence, some fans became happy again. "This means that none of us can attend the show. We are all equal! We all have to wait for the pictures!" Wood, who was an American, was really angry with Qin Guans Chinese fans. I should not enjoy seeing photos of him. Im not fond of him, I just... The tough American guy had not heard of the following Chinese saying: It is inequality, and not desire, that causes all the trouble. For his fans, Qin Guans trip to Mn was another milestone in his career. To profit-oriented businessmen though, it was just a good opportunity for promotion. The fame he had gained thanks to his awards and romantic affairs had faded away, so the brands and advertising agencies he was coborating with were considering how to promote him in the future. The Mn Fashion Week was a perfect chance for them. A new advertisement aired before the most popr TV programs. "Cadic, a supreme choice..." The shocking symphony was broadcasted through subwoofers. Qin Guan hadnt showed his whole body in the advertisement, but the montage of different scenes made up aplete picture of his figure. His slender fingers, strong wrist, elegant jaw, bright eyes and sexy lips expressed his pleasure at driving a luxurious car. The audience could sense the quality of both the driver and the car. Chapter 586: A Musical Interview Chapter 586: A Musical Interview Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia The cliff, thebination of high speed and danger, the mix of strength and beauty, and the sharp turn between the blue sky and the ocean was a feeling that men loved. The male audience was inspired with a desire to conquer. "Bloody hell! What a wonderful advertisement!" "Is this a new car?" "Shall we buy it, darling?" "Oh, my! Let me check my bank ount..." Qin Guans fans expressed their confusion immediately. "The model driving the Cadic looks like Qin Guan." "Yes! We couldnt see his full face, but the different parts we saw looked like Qin Guan." "It must be Qin Guan." "How do you know?" "Check his blog!" The fans refreshed their browsers and saw thetest news about the car advertisement. That was proof enough of Qin Guans presence in the advertisement. However, Qu was in a bad mood as she looked at the screen. Some even more striking news would be releasedter that night. Those cunning businessmen kept exchanging information with each other. That exined why Guo Nuoyan had announced in the afternoon that J Clothing would open three gship stores in New York. The locations included the New York Times Square, the Upper East Side, and the most central part of Wall Street and Chinatown. As the director of J Clothing in America, Guo was smart enough to grab this opportunity. Qu sighed and kicked her lunch box away before she changed the channel to the most popr music show. Recordpanies were also good at seizing opportunities. During the scorching summer, both Madonna and Britney had been busy preparing for their tours. Their joint single had suddenly been released. After a short news broadcast, the host interviewed the two singers. The two blonde women were smiling. "Did anything interesting happen during the recording?" The host showed them thetest issue of VOGUE with a meaningful smile. Qin Guan was smiling on the cover. "Its said that this Asian model caused a fight between you! We are really curious about the details." The singers exchanged a nce and smiled widely. "You didnt see him. He is so handsome... Pictures only capture one tenth of his charm." "Really? But this is a famous magazine!" "Thats true..." Britney backed up Madonna. "Do you want to know why we didnt deny the news? He is a really handsome guy, but as you know, the three of us are good friends. We would never fight over a man, but we all admire his beauty. Anyone who has seen him would agree with us." Britney winked at the camera. Her reply aroused the interest of the host. "Its said that your single, which was released yesterday, features Qin Guan in the video clip..." The two famous singers nodded. "You could buy it and find out. Its a song of very high quality thatbines our different styles. It also features the most handsome male model in the world..." "Yes!" Madonna nodded energetically. "Double enjoyment for both your ears and eyes!" "We fought to get Qin Guan in the video." The host covered his mouth dramatically. "So those news were just a warm-up?" "You have a point!" the two women answered together. Qu tittered and threw the remote control on the tea table. Some banana peels fell down from the table. "My house needs cleaning again. Why did the housekeepingpany ask for extra money?" Meanwhile, Paris Hilton was watching the show in her apartment, all kinds of feelings flooding her heart. Her housekeeper unpacked her luggage silently. He did not speak until Paris turned the TV off. "Miss Hilton, I have already sorted your luggage out. The rooms here are not enough to hold all your pets though. I only moved a few of them in here." Hilton smiled with joy. "Bring them here, please!" The housekeeper asked the staff to bring her pets in one by one. Chapter 587: Record Release Chapter 587: Record Release Trantor: Lan Editor: Efydatia It was two small Teddy Bear dogs and a Chihuahua with the mighty names Omar, Barton and MacArthur. The puppies were so d to see their master that they jumped up on the couch. The housekeeper asked his men to bring in the tortoises, parrots and hamsters. In five minutes, the small living room was filled with different kinds of small pets. The housekeeper took a bow. "What else can I do for you?" Hilton waved him off happily. "Nothing, you can leave now. Shut the door for me." When he left, she turned on the TV again. The video clip was broadcasted again at the end of the program. Thepany sure used every opportunity to promote the record. Paris Hilton was focused on Qin Guan, who was sitting on the couch. Suddenly, MacArthur pulled on her sleeve, bringing her back to her senses. Paris sighed gloomily and caressed her dogs heads. "My boys, this is your masters favorite man..." She looked at the three cute puppies sitting on her thighs. "If I had to choose between you and him though... I dont think I could abandon you... Oh, my lovely kids..." They all rushed into her embrace. The hamster felt that something was wrong and stopped treading on the wheel. The tortoise in the ss box shrank back in its shell. He could only deal with such a situation by sleeping. Qin Guan had no idea that he had been defeated by a group of animals. Cong Nianweis n had finally worked. It was good for a couple to get to know each other first. That way, one could discover the shorings of a possible partner. If they still liked them, then they could continue their journey together. Otherwise, it was better to find out before they got married. Qin Guan, Britney and Madonnas fans were excited about the program, which ranked among the top three entertainment shows in America. They all expressed their joy online. The next morning, record stores in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago and other cities experienced high sales. The sales should have been slow in the morning, but the staff at the stores were really busy. There were long queues between the shelves. Young men in different outfits waited to sample the single before the TV. The recordpany had paid for that particr service. The single had to be the main attraction in all stores during the week. Posters of Qin Guan and the other two stars were everywhere. On the windows, on the shelves, on the doors... As soon as the doors opened, the people passing by would hear the music. The unscrupulous publicity attracted the public. If they could have, the store managers would have taken their subwoofers out on the streets. There were actually some people who were doing this in some towns in the South. Qin Guan was reminded of past times in China, when all stores had been ying the same pop song for the public to hear. The shelves were empty soon. The store owner received urgent calls from his staff. "Boss, the third store in Manhattan is out of stock. We dont have enough VD113 and VD456 left!" That was the power of connected sales. The customers would buy other albums as they waited. That exined why some independent stores liked to cooperate with recordpanies. The store owner possessed half the record stores in New York. He was busy answering calls in his office, all of them asking him for more stock. He had originally thought that he had overestimated the singles sales potential, but he had actually sold out all the stock in half a day! All he could do now was beg the recordpany for more copies. He was quite content with the adversity. I like to suffer this way. As the actor featured in the video of the hit song, Qin Guan felt strange. He was standing on Times Square, witnessing the rise of a Chinese brand among foreign brands. Guo Nuoyan was in full formal attire. Even though it was scorching summer, he was still dressed properly. Qin Guan was just a guest at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, so he didnt need to dress like an official. Chapter 588: Cutting the Ribbon Chapter 588: Cutting the Ribbon Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia As thepanys ambassador, he had to wear thetest collection of J Clothing before the media. They would present the Chinese brand to the American fashion circle together and face the test of the insiders and the critics. Sweat covered Guos forehead and palms. As more and more reporters and spectators gathered in the store, he started sweating like a pig. Qin Guan noticed his nervousness and patted his shoulder tofort him. "Look at me!" Guo turned around to look at Qin Guan. Suddenly, his beating heart calmed down. Qin Guan was wearing a bright-colored hoodie. Even though he was not wearing any essories, the pattern on his chest made the hoodie look fashionable. The design was arge fancy carp of a traditional Chinese style embroidered with yellow and green threads. The exaggerated design and striking contrast of the colors made the hoodie, which cost only 29 dors, really fashionable. If Qin Guan walked on the T stage with it, the audience might think that it was thetest Valentino collection. Under the hoodie he was wearing a pair of loose linen pants. They were long enough to cover the yellow shoes that matched the fancy carp. Only an international top model like Qin Guan could transform that cheap casual outfit into high fashion. Guo restored his status with his cunning and ability. Qin Guan smiled at him. The young man had created a new world for J Clothing in New York. Qin Guan had promoted J Clothing in China, while Guo had prospered in America. Guo carried out the ceremony ording to the arrangement of the PR agency. The invited guests were d to maintain a good rtionship with the new rich brand. The reporters recorded the ceremony with their cameras, trying to catch sight of Qin Guan after it was over. Guo attracted everyones attention by pulling down arge poster. It was a giant poster that hung down from the top of the store. All the spectators were shocked, not by its size, but by the person pictured on it. It was a full-body poster of Qin Guan with a greenwn as a background. Qin Guan was lying on the grass leisurely, wearing a pair of white sneakers. The boy looked so fresh and clean. His arms were under his head as he watched two balloons float up to the sky. Peoples hearts warmed at the sight of the poster, but the keen insiders of the fashion circle and the reporters immediately began to think about its meaning. The cabs passing by slowly, the shoppers at the Times Square parking area and the bicycle-riding passersby were speeding down to appreciate the beautiful view of the bustling city. Attracted by the humongous poster and the exquisite guy on it, the staff of the surrounding stores went out shamelessly. The GAP manager shot a supercilious look at the poster. His small posters looked inferiorpared to it. In 10 minutes, the poster had proved its power. Before the ceremony staff could clean up and the guests could leave, customers poured into the store. "Look at that poster! Is that Qin Guan?" "Impossible! He only wears high-end clothes! This is a casual brand." "I know that brand. Their first store opened at the Hilton Fair. I saw his poster there too!" "Really? So this is a new one! Lets take a look!" Those could be considered calm, ordinary people. Some crazier fans were rushing towards the obviousndmark. They went out of the record stores with the single and saw therge poster right away. This was destiny. They had to go into the store the handsome guy in the video clip advertised. Everyone surged into the store in a wave. Chapter 589: Cutting the Ribbon Chapter 589: Cutting the Ribbon Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia As thepanys ambassador, he had to wear thetest collection of J Clothing before the media. They would present the Chinese brand to the American fashion circle together and face the test of the insiders and the critics. Sweat covered Guos forehead and palms. As more and more reporters and spectators gathered in the store, he started sweating like a pig. Qin Guan noticed his nervousness and patted his shoulder tofort him. "Look at me!" Guo turned around to look at Qin Guan. Suddenly, his beating heart calmed down. Qin Guan was wearing a bright-colored hoodie. Even though he was not wearing any essories, the pattern on his chest made the hoodie look fashionable. The design was arge fancy carp of a traditional Chinese style embroidered with yellow and green threads. The exaggerated design and striking contrast of the colors made the hoodie, which cost only 29 dors, really fashionable. If Qin Guan walked on the T stage with it, the audience might think that it was thetest Valentino collection. Under the hoodie he was wearing a pair of loose linen pants. They were long enough to cover the yellow shoes that matched the fancy carp. Only an international top model like Qin Guan could transform that cheap casual outfit into high fashion. Guo restored his status with his cunning and ability. Qin Guan smiled at him. The young man had created a new world for J Clothing in New York. Qin Guan had promoted J Clothing in China, while Guo had prospered in America. Guo carried out the ceremony ording to the arrangement of the PR agency. The invited guests were d to maintain a good rtionship with the new rich brand. The reporters recorded the ceremony with their cameras, trying to catch sight of Qin Guan after it was over. Guo attracted everyones attention by pulling down arge poster. It was a giant poster that hung down from the top of the store. All the spectators were shocked, not by its size, but by the person pictured on it. It was a full-body poster of Qin Guan with a greenwn as a background. Qin Guan was lying on the grass leisurely, wearing a pair of white sneakers. The boy looked so fresh and clean. His arms were under his head as he watched two balloons float up to the sky. Peoples hearts warmed at the sight of the poster, but the keen insiders of the fashion circle and the reporters immediately began to think about its meaning. The cabs passing by slowly, the shoppers at the Times Square parking area and the bicycle-riding passersby were speeding down to appreciate the beautiful view of the bustling city. Attracted by the humongous poster and the exquisite guy on it, the staff of the surrounding stores went out shamelessly. The GAP manager shot a supercilious look at the poster. His small posters looked inferiorpared to it. In 10 minutes, the poster had proved its power. Before the ceremony staff could clean up and the guests could leave, customers poured into the store. "Look at that poster! Is that Qin Guan?" "Impossible! He only wears high-end clothes! This is a casual brand." "I know that brand. Their first store opened at the Hilton Fair. I saw his poster there too!" "Really? So this is a new one! Lets take a look!" Those could be considered calm, ordinary people. Some crazier fans were rushing towards the obviousndmark. They went out of the record stores with the single and saw therge poster right away. This was destiny. They had to go into the store the handsome guy in the video clip advertised. Everyone surged into the store in a wave. Chapter 590: Out Of Control Chapter 590: Out Of Control Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The reporters were shocked by the crazy customers, who were shuttling among the shelves freely. "Look at this! Its the shirt from the poster. It feels so good... Plus, the price is reasonable!" "You are right! Ill buy one for my dad. Hey, is there arger size?" Everyone around was thinking of the strong man in the yellow outfit. As they burst intoughter, more and more people poured into the store. Some of them were curious customers, while others were just looking for Qin Guan. "I can see him!" "Qin Guan!" "Hes here!" A girl finally spotted Qin Guan through the crack of the warehouse door. Before he revealed the poster to the public, Guo had led Qin Guan to the warehouse. It was a smart decision on his part. When most people left, Qin Guan would go out to meet a few customers so the reporters could take some pictures of the warm scenes. This would be really good publicity. Reality was cruel though. Who could predict that thebination of the record and the poster would cause such a disaster? The troublemaker was eventually spotted by the sharp-eyed fans. The girl attracted the attention of all the customers, who put the clothes they had been holding down and looked towards the door. They all headed in that direction in a formidable array. Even the aggressive reporters retreated before them. Guo turned around nervously and looked at Qin Guan. "What should we do? Run away, Qin Guan!" Impossible! There was no door. There was only a vent hole. Amused, Qin Guan stood up calmly. "Dont worry. My fans love me. My charm can solve any problem!" He suddenly pushed the door open. The screams outside were followed by a riot. "Ah! Qin Guan! Catch him!" "Wow! I liked his dance moves with Madonna!" "Come here, handsome!" Countless hands reached out for Qin Guan. The problem was not solved by any means. "Help!" Qin Guan cried out as he was pulled into the crowd, questions still shing in his mind. Why arent my fans listening to me? Why arent they greeting me politely? Why are these guys crazy? If he had observed his fans carefully, he would have known the answer. The fans that admired his looks and acting skills had been shocked by his outstanding performance and talent. That group were polite and reasonable individuals. This was the first time Qin Guan was meeting crazy music fans though. Those kind of fans could destroy a stage during a live concert or hurt the security staff. Qin Guan was facing a disastrous defeat. Guo was shaking in the warehouse. His men had also failed to contain the crazy fans. This was a bad day for Qin Guan. There were numerous record stores around Times Square. Safety was always a priority though, so the clever reporters retreated from the store and gathered around the entrance to take pictures of the striking scene. The situation waspletely out of control. Fortunately, Guo thought of Qu. Qu answered Guos call, covering her face at his stupidity. "Call the police! They are responsible for crowd control. I thought this was a simple event... That was such a mistake!" "Our priority is to keep Qin Guan safe. Tell him to stop struggling. We dont want him to get stamped on! Do as I tell you! Ill get there as soon as I can!" Qu hung up and drove to Times Square at high speed. Guo made several quick calls and then shouted at the crowd, as if he was about to die a heroic death. "Calm down, everyone! Qin Guan is working. Dont bother him. Hell set aside some time for you..." It was a pity that his effort was in vain. Some outraged girls pushed him away. He was standing in the way of their idol after all. Bang! A few shelves were knocked down during the riot. Meanwhile, several police cruisers pulled up to the store. Chapter 591: At The Police Station Chapter 591: At The Police Station Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Guo rushed over to them awkwardly. "Whats happening? Did you call us?" "Yes, help us! Our model is surrounded by crazy fans. Disperse them before they kill him!" The first policeman to get out was a new recruit. After hearing the rm, he rushed into the store to save the poor victim. At the sight of the crowd, his partner, who was a veteran, returned to his car. "This is PA4769. We need support at 998 Times Square... A gathering crowd is causing havoc... Yes!" The policeman lit up a cigarette as he stood by the entrance calmly. "Who are they?" In one minute, the young policeman squeezed out with scratches on his face. "Young man, you have a lot to learn!" The older policeman was not surprised. He just looked in the direction of the crossroads, his voice fading away as several police cruisers drove over to support them. "Okay, lets start!" The man took a loudspeaker from the backseat and shouted at the crowd inside the store as if they were robbers in a bank. "Attention, please! The police is in charge now. Please walk out one by one. We were notified that there is an uwful assembly here that is disturbing the social order." The excited people around them seemed shocked. They all exchanged surprised looks. They were an experienced, sophisticated group that had been following bands on tour and attacking celebrities. The police was no threat in their eyes. They went out in a line with their heads held high, as if they were victorious generals. "Line up facing the wall! Lilith, check for weapons!" "You have inflicted illegal damage tomercial stores and meddled with public security... Write down your names here. They will be transferred to the police station recordster." "As for you..." The policeman put out his cigarette on the ground and pointed at Qin Guan, who was walking out with wobbling steps. "You were the cause of the riot. Follow us to the station!" Guo, who was used to the kinder manners of Chinese policemen, was stupefied. "But he is the victim, sir! He is all right now. Cant he leave?" "No way! I have to file a report. He was involved in the riot, so he is obliged to cooperate with us. Follow me. When the procedure ispleted, we will let you go. You have to follow us too, sir!" He had just finished his words, when a MINI pulled up to the side of the road. Qu got out and shouted at Qin Guan, "You have to follow them! Can I drive him to the station, sir?" "Sure!" Guo asked his men to clean the store and move on with the operation. Then he sat down in the backseat, murmuring, "I should ask Xu Xiaoxiao for help, but I have to go to the police station now." Qu shot a supercilious look at him and destroyed his illusion. "They will turn this into a real gangster fight... Nobody will be able to save Qin Guan. The media will be over the moon." Guo was shocked, but Qin Guan, who had remained silent for a long time, turned around calmly. "ording to my observation, the fans didnt want to hurt my face." He seemed proud. "So they hurt your body instead?" Qu asked, fixing her eyes on the road ahead. Silence prevailed in the car. Guo sized Qin Guan up from head to toe before he turned his eyes away. The red hoodie Qin Guan was wearing had been torn apart. His shoulders were visible through his cor and his sleeves were no longer the same length. Qu cast an unconscious look at Qin Guans pants. At least they were still intact. She tried her best to hold herughter back. Qin Guan didnt enjoy any special treatment at the police station, even though he was a celebrity. Qu called Cui Ming, who was hiswyer, while a receptionist came over with a pile of forms. "The person who caused the riot and the one who called the police have to fill in these forms. Am officer wille and take your statementter." This was the standard procedure. When she looked up carelessly, she noticed that the guy before her looked familiar. "Are you that Asian model on TV? Whats your name? Qin Guan!" It wasnt her fault that she was ignorant. After a busy day at work, she preferred to go to sleep or go out with their girlfriends. She had no time to pay attention to the entertainment circle. "Yes, its me." Qin Guan fixed his eyes on the forms. After suffering under the hands of those crazy music fans, nothing could scare him anymore. Unfortunately, he had underestimated his appeal. The policemen did not worship him like an idol, but they loved to gossip about celebrities. Chapter 592: Captivated Chapter 592: Captivated Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia A confirmed rumor was a great topic for conversation. They were all d to be the witnesses of such an important social issue. As a result, other officers visited the bustling office one after the other with different excuses. They tried to act calm as they exchanged a few words with the receptionist to get a general idea about the cause and effects of the incident. Then they left, covering their mouths to suppress theirughter. In a few minutes, the news had spread all over the station. The sergeant was thest one to hear them. He rolled his eyes and knocked on his desk with a pen, a cunning smile forming on his face. "Lets go! I want to have a look at this troublemaker..." People were usually inclined to tter their boss, so a group of people followed him in a formidable array as he walked to the office on the first floor. The officer in charge was sitting behind his desk. He had gotten a cup of instant coffee and a doughnut for Qin Guan. It was a boring, kind task, but someone had to do it. "Whats your name?" "Qin Guan." "Age?" "22." "upation?" "College student." "Huh? Something is wrong here. How could a college student cause a public riot?" "It was not a riot. His fans were just trying to express their joy..." The officer gestured, interrupting Qu. "Im questioning him. Who are you?" Qu gave him a business card, trying to express her opinion in the nicest possible way. "Qin Guanswyer is on the way. The man who called the police was just trying to save him. That cant be a crime!" "That remains to be determined. Was there any damage to public property? Was public security risked? Did you register the event at the administrative office? You are too careless when ites to your job!" Qu tried to suppress her anger. How was she supposed to know that the recordpany would release the single that day? It was just a video clip after all. Neither Qin Guan nor Qu had paid any attention to it. Qin Guan pulled at Qus sleeve in an effort to calm her down. The officer was being mean to him for no reason, so all they could do was wait for Cui Ming quietly. They both answered the mans questions. As a Chinese guy with great viability, Qin Guan tried to make things better for himself. The officer finished questioning him and went into another office. Taking advantage of his absence, Qin Guan tried to put on a performance. "Hey, beautiful. May I have some water?" Qin Guan looked at the receptionist with a helpless expression. His ck eyes were misty as he pursed his lips and fixed his eyes on the coffee in her hand. The receptionist was a ck girl of about 90 kilos. She flushed at his look. She just couldnt control herself in front of the young man. "What would you like? William is taking this too far. This is a police station, not a high-security prison. An innocent young man shouldnt be tortured like this. Wait a minute..." The girl left and came back in two minutes with a tray. "Mineral water, juice and coffee. Make yourself at home!" Qu was ignored once again. Qin Guan smiled shyly at the receptionist. "Thank you so much! You are such a kind girl..." Then he looked at the young policeman. "You too. You are the hero who saved my life!" The young man was shocked by the acknowledgment. He felt as refreshed as if he had drunk a ss of iced water in the summer. "You are wee. I was just doing my duty..." Qin Guan kept acting. By the time William came back, the whole office was captivated by him. "You and your oriental magic! Dont try to y tricks on me!" "What tricks?" Before the man could finish his threat, he heard a familiar voice behind him. The Police Chief was standing at the entrance of the messy office with his right-hand men. Another voice came just in time. "Hello, Im Cui. Im Qin Guanswyer!" Cui Ming had appeared like the Savior, followed by Xu. The charged atmosphere eased up immediately. Williams attitude changed when he saw his superior, and he sighed helplessly at the arrival of Qin Guanswyer. Cui started taking care of the standard procedure as the Chief met with Qin Guan and Qu in his office. Chapter 593: An Invitation From The Sergeant Chapter 593: An Invitation From The Sergeant Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Nice to meet you, Im Henry, the Chief of the station." "Nice to meet you, Henry. What can I do for you?" "Ha! Chinese people are so eager to help. My friends were right. Actually, I have two problems that need solving..." Qu was rmed. The Chief was an old fox, so she had to be careful around him. "You could talk to ourwyer about those problems. Im sorry, but we cant agree to any terms like this." Henry was shocked by her words. She seemed to be on her guard about any possible danger. The man burst intoughter. "You misunderstood! What I want has nothing to do with my job, but it is rtive to yours." "This is usually the job of our PR department, but I would like to take over. Im the one talking face to face with a celebrity after all. Everyone knows that the image of the police is an essential part of a city." Qin Guan and Qu rxed. They thought that the Chief would ask them to be his spies or something else along that line. Considering that they were both Chinese though, that would be impossible... As they talked about the job, Qu got a grip on herself again. "Could you please describe the job for me?" she asked. Qin Guans schedule was fixed after all. It was hard to add something spontaneously. "Well, its pretty simple, actually. Inte September and early October, we will be shooting a short film of public interest regardingmunity service. As you know, a lot of defendants tried in New York are sentenced tomunity service, especially younger criminals. Most people are unsatisfied with the results though. The majority of the defendants just muddle through the work without being productive." "Therefore, the New York Police and the municipal government want to promote the importance ofmunity service. The job will only take a day." Qu took out her notebook and saw that Qin Guan had some free time then. The Mn Fashion Week would have ended by that time. She nodded at the Chief. "What about the second problem?" Henry seemed awkward at the question. He fixed his clothes and sat up properly. "That is a private affair of our station. At the end of the year, a New Year Police Party will be held all over America. Except for the policemen on duty, all junior policemen will take part and have a good time. This event promotes the cooperation between different departments and reduces stress." "Of course, our seniors will be having another party, which is strictly exclusive. All the guests invited are private connections of the sergeants. You must be aware that destiny ties colleagues together. I cant be friends with some guy named Jack from a Los Angeles police station..." "Each party is very proud... Its easy to find a celebrity in Los Angeles, but in New York our only choice is finding a talented Wall Street broker. As soon as I found out that Qin Guan was in my station, I felt the need to visit you personally and express my sincerity." "What would beat a two-time Best Actor Award winner? Am I right, my agent?" The Chief skipped the diplomatguage and talked to them like old friends. Qu had a general idea of the job now. A short film would be okay. Of course, it would be free of charge. Showing up at the private party will also be free. Considering his value, Qin Guan will suffer a loss. Putting on her most professional smile, Qu answered, "We would be honored to support the work of the government, but how would Qin Guan get rewarded for his contribution?" Henry rubbed his hands to hide his excitement. "We will issue medals for the people who have made a great contribution to themunity. They will be traditional police badges. How does that sound?" Qu exchanged a nce with Qin Guan and saw that he was interested. She turned around with a meaningful smile. "We will be waiting to hear from you. We cant wait to coborate with you!" "I am looking forward to it!" They shook hands, and then Qin Guan and Qu left the meeting room. The two of them went out of the station feeling rxed. Xu had already heard about the affair. The rest was left to Cui Ming, who would of course charge them. Chapter 594: Milan: An Art Paradise Chapter 594: Mn: An Art Paradise Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia A ck-haired girl ran into the office building across the parking lot. She spotted Qin Guan right away. "Its Qin Guan!" she screamed and rushed up to him with her backpack. "Qin Guan, may I have your autograph?" She took a pen out of her backpack. Qin Guan had been through this before. He just smiled and took the pen. "Where?" "Here!" The girl pointed to her chest. "On my shirt, so that your signature will lie against my beating heart." She was really obsessed with Qin Guan. After she got the signature, she stuffed her thumb into her mouth and started biting her nails. What should I do now? Should I let him go or kiss him? As she was absorbed into her happy thoughts, a horrible urgent voice was suddenly heard from the building. "Rosalie, what are you doing there? Come here! Come home with me!" It was actually the old policeman. He fixed his eyes on Qin Guans back with the thought of shooting him. That Asian magician has made my daughter fall in love with him! There are posters of him everywhere at home! She even organized her ssmates so they could steal posters from stores and shopping malls! As a policeman, all he could do was help his daughter. The girl waved at her father and then rushed over to Qin Guan and kissed him on the jaw. She had aimed higher, but he was a lot taller than her. The roar of the policeman echoed through the whole parking lot. Feeling guilty, Qin Guan and the other bystanders ran to their cars as soon as possible and left the crime scene fast. The upset man felt the desire to shoot them. Curses were heard from afar. "Wait for me, you f*cking bastard!" "Ha ha!" Xu Xiaoxiao was the first to burst intoughter. That exined why the policeman hated Qin Guan. Never underestimate a fathers rage. They would hurt anyone who tried to get close to their little girl. Qin Guans adventure at the police station was only a tiny interlude in his life though. Meanwhile, his team was getting ready for the trip to the Mn Fashion Week. Unlike their previous trips, Qin Guan didnt have to fight alone for a part-time job at this event. He had received an official invitation from the organizingmittee. He was going to be the representative of all the Chinese models at the event, which was the pride of Mn. Mn Fashion Week was among the top four international fashion weeks, and all the brands that were invited or had qualified to attend it were top brands in their own countries. Rising stars would also get a chance to shine on thest day. If they had a powerful enough background and an outstanding concept, they would get to participate in the event. Mn Fashion Week was considered a weatherss for the sales of top brands. It certainly deserved that title. Therefore, Qin Guan had not epted any offers for little money, like he had at the Beijing Fashion Week, or rejected any offers from unfamiliar parties, like he had in New York. He would go to Mn as an ambassador of both Armani and China. A group of people went out of the terminal in Mn. Several business cars were waiting for them at the exit. Even though this was the capital of fashion, they still stood out. The group was led by two Asian women. The first one was cool and decisive, and the second one was very capable at dealing with men. The man following them was exquisite. Although he was surrounded by others, he was still under the spotlight. He was wearing a traditional Chinese garment made of ck silk, a pair of loose pants and a pair of cloth shoes. His outstanding demeanor resembled that of an immortal. To the people of Mn, the man seemed like a gift from Heaven. There were 20 people following him, including Yins group and his exclusive stylist. They got into their cars quickly, leaving the bystanders to stare at their backs. Mn was one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the world. Its important economic status had nothing to do with the Fashion Week though. One needed to pay attention to its art and culture. Four percent of the most treasured art in the world was in Mn, and all top fashion brands had independent agencies there. More than half of the top-brand headquarters were located in the city, which was a holy ce for international designers. The Duomo di Mno reached the sky like white mes, showing the might of the fashion capital. The great Leonardo da Vinci had left his best paintings there, and the La Sc Theater Orchestra was the most popr international opera. Chapter 595: Marco Polo’s Contribution Chapter 595: Marco Polos Contribution Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Mn was the cradle of Armani, Versace, Prada, Valentino, Moschino, and Dolce & Gabbana... They had all started and developed their businesses there before they had spread all over the world. Ever since the Renaissance, the city had dedicated itself to art and inspired countless artists. Mn was a fascinating city for many people. Qin Guans agents were talking about his schedule with the staff of the organizingmittee. The long list annoyed Qin Guan. Although there were three days left before the opening show, Qin Guan had to spend his free time working hard. That afternoon would be his only spare time in Mn. It was a rare opportunity for him to see the city. He wouldnt work all day long, so he wanted to take a food trip around Mn. Mn had excellent Italian food to offer after all. There were Michelin restaurants everywhere in the city. When one talked about the historical origins of Chinese and Italian food, they couldnt avoid talking about Marco Polos carelessness. His journey to China had made him fall in love with the mysterious oriental cuisine. As a culture ambassador, he had brought the delicious food back to Italy. It was a pity that he had not been an intelligent man though. Chinese dishes were veryplicated, and all he had remembered was that in China noodles were served with sauce. He had known nothing about the precise cooking method used. He had also remembered that pancakes were filled, but had not known how to wrap them up with paste. Lastly, he had known about something called wonton, but forgotten how to cook it. He had just recreated the original food ording to his weak memories. Italians loved pasta, pizza and wonton soup now. Shocked by the delicious food, Europeans honored the Italian cuisine by naming it the second best in Europe. After the meeting, Qin Guan and the other twodies decided to try Italian food. They walked along the dark picturesque streets, heading to a restaurant with original Italian dishes. The traditional Italian stewed rice inbination with the uniquely-cooked meat could give a person magical powers. AL PONTE DE FERR was a unique restaurant. The food there was delicious, and the view was exquisite. The customers could look over the canal amid the cool autumn breeze. Under themplight down by the river, people felt ready to enjoy a rare beautiful night in Mn. As Chinese foodies, Qin Guan and his friends ordered traditional Italian rice as an appetizer. People said that, other than Asians, it was Italians who liked rice the most. ording to an Italian saying, rice was born in the water and it died in red wine. The grains were soaked in the juices of other ingredients, which made them look full and crystal-like. The sliced meat, sausage and vegetables created a very diverse dish. The rice was covered by rich Parma cheese, which made it smell amazing. The stewed Italian pork stimted everyones appetite. Qin Guan wondered if Marco Polo had been to the Northeast of China, because the traditional Italian dish resembled a unique dish from that area. Italians had just reced the vermicellis with onion and cabbage. The white Lugana wine made them feel like they were walking on clouds. The beautiful night and delicious food made them rx and look forward to the fashion celebration. It was a nice September day in 2003. Qin Guan got up early in the morning and his stylist got busy working on him. This would be his debut in Mn, so he had to be perfect. His short hair was clean and clear, and there was no powder on his face, only some moistening milk. He was wearing a traditional outfit designed by Yin Changtao. His upper body was bare. When he put the top on, a boy swallowed his saliva shamelessly. The sound was deafening in the quiet room, which caused some kindughter. The boy tried to defend himself. "I cant help it, he is really tempting. His body is like a gift from God." "Your reaction was natural. I have been working with him for half a year now, but sometimes I still get distracted..." Chapter 596: Traditional Chinese Costumes Chapter 596: Traditional Chinese Costumes Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Xue Wanyi put on a pair of cloth shoes that werefortable to walk in. They would be perfect for work that day. Sister Xue and Qu exchanged a nce and cheered up. "Acting independently is good for you!" Then they turned to their hero, Qin Guan. "Are you ready? "Yes!" "Lets go!" They pushed the door open together. Their team was waiting outside, and so was Qin Guans guide Alessandro, who saluted them. "Follow me, please!" shlights were twinkling at the entrance of the hotel. The reporters, who had been waiting there for a long time, pointed their microphones and cameras at Qin Guan. There was still dew on their clothes. "Mr. Qin Guan, is this your first time in Mn? What do you think of the city?" "Do you like it here?" "Mr. Qin Guan, may we know what your schedule will be in Mn?" Qin Guan looked back and saw that some hotel residents were jammed at the entrance by the crowd. He turned his head around with a professional smile. Alessandro whispered something to him just in time. He didnt answer any of the questions. Instead, he pointed to a street not far from the hotel. "Thank you for your warm wee. My first job in Mn is over there. If you are interested, you can take a look. Ill be very happy to go with you. We should give the hotel residents a chance to go out though..." Then he winked at the guests jammed at the entrance. The reporters rxed. Qin Guan was kind and considerate with everyone. He was a sweet guy with a soft heart. They all followed him out on the street. Before the security guards could arrive, the crowd had already dispersed automatically. The location was an ancient alley with in paved roads and moss growing in dark corners. The high roofs of the old houses blocked most of the sunshine in the alley, making it seem gloomy. Qin Guans first task was to shoot some promotion photos for the Fashion Week. He could take any pictures he liked, regardless of the style and outfit. Of course, if the photos were not good enough, the organizingmittee would throw them away and not invite him again next year. The photographer took all his cameras out, and the lighting master assembled all his tools. They wanted to get to work as soon as possible. Sister Xue took out a small camera to take a street snap for Qin Guans fans. She also had aptop on hand for gathering data. "Are you ready, Qin Guan? There are no fixed poses. Just move as you like!" the official photographer of the Mn Fashion Week told him. Qin Guan nodded and fixed his costume. Then he spread his arms and leaned against the wall. A lone beam of sunshine was hitting his face like a kiss from the rising sun. Everyone looked away from his face and focused on the clothes on his body. The ck silk had a unique noble texture with no color or pattern. It was not a simple outfit by any means though. It was actually very soft and fine. Besides the silk clothes, there was also a thin white linen coat. It was abination of traditional Chinese garments and Western clothes, so the pure white color was not mboyant. It actually looked like a traditional Chinesendscape painting. Qin Guans pose made him look like an immortal. The camera started functioning as the reporters got lost in the scene. Chapter 597: Tough Questions Chapter 597: Tough Questions Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan opened his eyes. Instead of calm and cool, he was happy and rxed. He began to jump on the paved road on one leg like a naughty boy. Everyone felt his inner delight. The paved road reminded Qin Guan of his childhood, when the girls used to y hopscotch without the boys. The audience was just as pleased. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious, unlike the first scene, which had been very solemn. The reporters were all affected. A brave one began to ask questions. "Qin Guan, is this your first invitation to an international fashion week? How are you feeling?" As the shlights blinked, Qin Guan walked in leisurely, as if he was crossing his own garden. He thought for a moment. "Yes, its my first trip to Mn. My feelings are reallyplicated right now. I couldnt express them with words, if I tried. If you insist though, I wouldpare Mn to the most famous seafood pizza in Italy. I love its profound content." The Mnese nodded in agreement. Seafood pizza is delicious... The reporters were confused by his answer, but it was their job to ask questions. "As far as we know, you moved to the US in 2002 and became a top model in one year. Even though you had been working in this industry in China for a full three years, you didnt manage to reach this level back at home. Is this because yourggard nation blocked your way? In other words, did Chinas rigid system limit your professional development?" As soon as he finished his question, the reporters tried to keep some distance from him. What a brave man! He brought nation and race into the conversation. Is he an idiot? Actually, it was a Russian reporter who was very respected among his Italian and French peers. Qin Guan didnt mind the question. He stopped jumping and turned around, looking fierce and aggressive. He struck a perfect pose at the reporters, as if he was on the T stage of a top show. "As you see, my steps and poses were taught by a Chinese instructor. In three months, I was able to perform independently in a public show." Qin Guan began to walk as if he was floating on a cloud. He looked like an immortal in Heaven. The white linen and ck silk were floating behind him like steaming clouds. "A different tutor helped me cultivate my inner temperament. In six months, I became a flexible model qualified to work for high-end brands. I owe all my achievements to what I learned in my mothend. Without my three-year training back at home, there would be no Qin Guan, let alone an Asian top model in an international fashion week." The atmosphere around him changed again. He was not a gentle man anymore. The temperature suddenly dropped. "My country is not behind on fashion. On the contrary, it has a historical sense of beauty that would impress any fashion capital." "It is China, and not some foreign country, that helped me seed in the international fashion circle!" Qin Guan finished speaking and returned to his team. He sat down slowly on a small chair. The reporters were convinced by his firm answer. Models were always good at stage performance, but not at dealing with the acute questions of the media. The Asian model was fluent in expressing himself and very good at selecting the right words. It sounded as if he had rehearsed his answer in his mind dozens of times. The Russian reporter left silently, but the other reporters used all their tools to take advantage of this chance. They all gathered in the small alley. An Italian policeman stopped by a couple of times. I would prefer meeting a female model. What a pity! Qin Guans first task was finished smoothly. When a business car pulled up to the alley, the reporters realized that their time was up. There were photographers standing along the street, waiting to take a picture of Qin Guans back as he left. Chapter 598: A Love For Fur Chapter 598: A Love For Fur Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The car drove away, leaving smoke behind it. "Dont block the way!" the policeman shouted at the lingering reporters. It was hard for thosezy Italians to be diligent. After the crowd dispersed, the policeman took out his phone in secret with a gentle expression on his face. There were photos of Qin Guan on it. "God..." The man kissed the screen and put the phone back in his pocket carefully. Love was love, regardless of nationality, race or gender. In that romantic country, there were Casanovas everywhere. Qin Guan attended the Gi press conference. He was not the brands ambassador, but he had been invited by the organizingmittee. Top brands held small press conferences before the Fashion Week as a way of testing the waters. Any designs that got a negative reaction would be cut from the formal conference. The people invited were all VIPs in the fashion circle. As a top model, Qin Guan had been assigned to different shows as a representative of Chinese models in Mn. It was his first time sitting under the stage among the audience. He also had the right to reject or approve a design, which was wonderful. The empty chairs around him were gradually upied by the audience. Some spectators were acquaintances, while others wereplete strangers. Qin Guan had no idea that the people there were all fashion insiders and designers from different countries. Maybe they werent enjoying worldwide fame, but they were all god-like figures in their own countries. Kim Sheji from South Korea was sitting next to Qin Guan. His specialty was designing wedding dresses. On Qin Guans other side sat Rei Kawakubo, one of the most famous designers in Japan. The two of them were among the top designers in the Asian fashion circle. Qin Guan felt their gazes on him. He could actually answer their questions in both Korean and Japanese! This impressed the men a lot. A top designer needed a good modeling team, and a top model had to be good at understanding instructions and performing. Even though he was still young, Qin Guan had managed to reach that level in a few years. His talent atnguages was evident to everyone around him. The designers kept this in mind and considered opening a door for Qin Guan in the future if there was a chance of cooperation. Some people were shocked. It was said that Armani didnt speak English, so being fluent in Italian was a must for working as an exclusive model for him. Qin Guan was Chinese, but he also spoke Japanese and Korean. Plus, he was a college student in America, which meant that he could speak five differentnguages. If he was not a model, he would have been considered a genius. Suddenly, the host announced the opening of the show. The curtain opened and the models started walking on the stage one by one. They were all wearing the sample collection. As the show went on, Qin Guan grew more and more serious. The models were dressed in luxurious colorful outfits. They all looked gorgeous, but they were made of various types of fur. Qin Guan could tell by the stripes and spots on the clothes. A jaguar, a python, a zebra and a snow fox had given their lives for those outfits. That year, Gi had chosen luxurious fur for their new collection. They were a favorite of women and a symbol of talent. Qin Guan was holding a piece of paper in his hand. It was his feedback for Gi. The simple questions on the paper were very difficult for him to answer. Although he was hated and rejected by animals, the fur on the stage still made him ufortable. Qin Guan had never epted an offer from a brand that used animal fur. He had even avoided leatherware made of rare animals. On his first night at the Mn Fashion Week though, he saw a whole collection made of fur. He didnt know what to say. After the models left the stage, he wrote something firmly down on the paper. Sheepskin and cattle hide are enough. Spare those rare wild animals! He had a soft heart deep down. Chapter 599: The Sicilians Chapter 599: The Sicilians Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia There was a box in the hallway, where the audience could throw their papers when the conference ended. Qin Guan watched his paper get buried under the others. He wondered if the Gi staff would read it. Sister Xue pulled him towards a big boardposed by logos of different brands. The board showcased the formidable array of the Fashion Week participants. There were plenty of cameras pointed at the board, recording the controversial people that passed by. Qin Guan stood out among the designers. He definitely qualified for an independent interview, but the shy Asian preferred to stay at home after work. He had never said yes to an interview. If it werent for the Mn Fashion Week, the reporters wouldnt have been able to catch him. "Qin Guan, say hello to the Italian public!" The Italian radio and television station was very popr, its fashion news section especially so. It actually had an audience rating of 70%. Qin Guan waved at the camera with a splendid smile. "Qin Guan, will you get a new job in the next six months? A little bird told me that Gi is negotiating with Armani. They both want you to be their ambassador in 2004. Is that true?" What little bird? Qin Guan had no idea about this. "Im impressed by your knowledgeable sources. Neither I nor my agent have heard about this. As far as I know, Old Giorgio Armani would never abandon a poor Asian boy like me..." Qin Guan spread his hands towards the camera in mock sadness. The reporter seemed amused. He didnt repeat the question though. Instead, he moved on to the next one. "You have shot films in London, France and New York. Would you cooperate with an Italian director too?" The sudden change of topic confused Qin Guan, but he still smiled wide. Even the Italians were obsessed with his smile. "If it was a good script and a responsible director, Id look forward to it!" The reporter was so close to Qin Guan that his smile shocked him. The rest of the reporters rushed over. Do you see him, my Italian brothers and sisters? Come and look at the fairy! Quick! The interview was postponed again and again. In that country, a scheduled timetable didnt mean much after all. Qin Guan returned to his hotelte in the evening. All the TV stations in Italy were focused on the fashion celebration. They all reported news about the festival, so more and more Italians got to know the beautiful Asian model. As a country full of beautiful people, Italy was famous for its high standards. Qin Guan still impressed everyone though. Young people began to search for news about him online. He had managed to enter their secret world. The ind of Sicily was located at the southern point of the country, separate from the European continent. People there spoke Italian with a heavy ent. The natives were very tightly united and had their own socialwork. The kinship among families connected all the residents on the ind like a spider web. Their strict hierarchical rtionship was very much like the old Chinese viges that shared amon family name. Sicily was also the origin of the Italian Mafia. Italians were cowards when it came to international battles, so their honory in their families instead of their country. Only in China and Italy could one find such united mafia families. The Salvador family, which was thergest family in Sicily, was having a big party in its manor. This was a good chance for friends and rtives to exchange information. The TV was on, but only the girls had some spare time to enjoy an ice-cream and watch a TV program. Their parents were drinking beer behind them,ining about the difficulties of the business. Suddenly, a kids voice was heard. "Laura likes that boy!" It was a girl with curly brown hair, who was looking at Qin Guans smiling face on the TV. Michael, who was the most handsome boy in the room, felt jealous. He tried to attract Lauras attention. "But he is Chinese... I know that country! Its filled withbor workers!" The adults stopped talking. They held theirughter back as they listened carefully to the two kids. Chapter 600: Warmth Chapter 600: Warmth Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "But he is different! He is a model. A model! Did you know that?" Michael shook his head and had another bite of sausage gloomily. Laura held her head high proudly and pointed at the TV. "Our dads always read such magazines. The people on them hardly wear any clothes. They are all models." Michael sniffled. "You mean the magazines mom throws away? My dad takes them back secretly. If he is a model, you cant like him." "Why?" "He is too poor to afford clothes..." "Ha ha!" The adults burst intoughter. The childrens words inspired them though. "I heard that Chinese guy won two Best Actor Awards. He has shot films in different European cities." "Yes. Should we invest in a movie considering the tough economic situation?" "Stop joking! None of us knows anything about that industry. Besides, Italian films do not have a good reputation..." As an authentic Sicilian family, they hadwyers and other people working for them, who were far smarter and better at solving such problems. "But he said that he would like to work with a good director and a good script..." "That would be simple. We could just find an Italian director." "Nobody would dare turn down our money." Just like that, a strange financial group formed, with a film starring Qin Guan as their ideal investment n. After working for a whole day, the models were presented with two choices on the evening of the Fashion Week. The first one was perfect for the average model who was focused on his or her career and public rtions. They could attend the customary party before the festival, which brought together top designers from different countries. That event would help along their career and contacts. The second choice was for people like Qin Guan, who were inclined to keep a distance from big crowds. Most of them were anti-social, but Qin Guan was justzy. He would rather call his girlfriend, put on afortable robe and say goodnight. Sister Xue also felt good about the arrangement. Before sleeping, she uploaded the new photos on the blog. There was a group of thirsty fans waiting for the photos like cubs crying out for food. "The page has been updated!" The news were spreading online. All the fans went crazy over the photos. They were even jealous of the wall that Qin Guan had touched. Even the cab and the lonely fire hydrant in the background of the pictures became objects of obsession. They had been part of Qin Guans journey after all. "In my next life, I want to be a prop next to you..." "What if Qin Guan was reborn as a tough man in his next life?" Wood objected. He was the one closest to reality. Qin Guan didnt participate in the discussion. The receiver had fallen from his hand andnded on the nket. He had fallen asleep. The gentle voice of a woman could be heard through the receiver. Then there was a beep... She had hung up. A greeting from her lover was enough for her. The next day, the weather was sunny again. Qin Guan and some top models from other countries were waiting in the small backstage area. Assistants were holding clothes from different brands. It was a silent battle of the brands. Even the best models had to work in that in room. People shuttled in the crowded dressing rooms and messy fitting rooms. Even an experienced director couldnt have maintained the order. There were no VIPs or senior executives there. The models had to fight by using their own abilities. Runway shows were important for evaluating a model. Qin Guan was calmly waiting for his turn to use the fitting room. He seemed like a clear spring in the bustling backstage area. "Look at that Asian model! Is it Qin Guan?" "Yes, there is only one Asian man in the opening show!" "He looks so calm!" "Of course. He is the only Asian here, and he will be the first one to get on the stage. One has to be brave to get here!" Chapter 601: The Opening Show Chapter 601: The Opening Show Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The assistants were chattering in low voices. Only Sister Xue knew the truth. The makeup artist had to spend one hour on other models faces, but Qin Guans took her only 10 minutes. That was one of the advantages of having a perfect face. That was also why he took his time. When he went out of the fitting room, he saw the air around him stand still. Everyone passing by slowed down and regarded him seriously, as if they had seen their superior and wanted to impress them. Sister Xue looked at Qin Guans outfit. So Mn favors the ssic style? The autumn-winter collection of the Armani Haute Couture looked regal. The dark blue narrow squash hat he was wearing was a favorite of gentlemen. His white shirt was decorated with ck buttons, and his white waistcoat inbination with the hat made the coat look amazing. His pants were loose, unlike the rest of his clothes, which were fitting. There was also a gap between the bottom of Qin Guans pants and his shoes. As a result, his strict business suit looked yuppie. A pair of soft ck calfskin shoes with raised toe capspleted the outfit. Everything looked fine and elegant. Qin Guan was like a ma attracting public attention. He and his outfit had be one. The top models went out of the fitting rooms one after the other and gathered in the waiting area backstage. The industry was based on peoples desire to bepared to a higher ss. Therefore, the practitioners were alwaysparing themselves to each other in their minds. Complex ideas were shing in that small area. A long line formed gradually behind Qin Guan, but he stood still. He was not pleased by external gains or saddened by personal losses. That exined why he had be the favorite of most top brands in a year. He looked outstanding amid all the other models. The style of Armani Haute Couture was perfect for ordinary people. It seemed like an oasis among the other avant-garde outfits. The control and regtion assistant focused on the indicator light beside the entrance. Because of the high-quality acoustic istion of the facility, he had to rely on that light. The green light went on as the music started ying. "Attention, everyone! When the door opens, get on the stage ording to the set order. I have no interest in your personal feelings or disputes. Just cheer up for the show! I repeat, do not try topete with each other!" The director was always good-tempered before the models. He had the support of the organizingmittee to back him up. Qin Guan and a female model exchanged a meaningful look. They would be the first to get on the stage. They walked in two parallel lines that would meet in the end. Qin Guan was walking shoulder to shoulder with the French girl next to him. They had never cooperated with each other before, or even rehearsed, but they were both very skilled. Blue, ck, bright red and charming purple... Their outfits created a sharp contrast. They reached together the most significant part of the stage. Qin Guan was a gentle but heartless traveller, and the girl was the scenery line that failed to match his speed. The two of them turned around and parted ways without hesitation. Their silent performance elevated the opening show to a higher level. The models behind them were cursing silently. Could you please think of us? Not all top models can handle this situation! Reality proved them right. The audience didnt pay attention to the next models. The spectators were disappointed by their performance and shocked by the inferior quality of the show. The models returned to the backstage area angrily. Before they could do anything to the Asian model though, they watched the director exin the following process to Qin Guan nervously. The proud model was changing clothes calmly. Chapter 602: The Crackpot Attack Chapter 602: The Crackpot Attack Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan affected everyone around him. The models calmed down and got to work orderly. He handed his suit to the assistant with a strict expression. Nothing could affect him. He was always concentrated on his job. The male models were looking at him with mixed emotions. He was close to them, but they felt as if he was far away. "Whats the matter?" His voice sounded like pearls falling on a jade te. He looked at them with a polite smile. "Nothing, just take a look..." they answered together, beckoning at him. Their anger dispersed like smoke. "Let me know if I can help. Well be working together at the end of the show after all..." Qin Guan pointed to Sister Xue with a friendly smile. "She will be here, even if Im not." Sister Xue forced a smile. Silly boy! Just do your own work, okay? During the past few years, Sister Xue had been following Qin Guan all over the world. She had forgotten that this was a top show and those troublemakers were all talented models that she used to look up to. Qin Guan went into an empty fitting room as Sister Xue talked and exchanged cards with other agents. Just when everyone thought that the show woulde to a quiet end though, something unexpected happened. The closing show would take ce in the reverse order of the opening show, so Qin Guan could chat with his female partner as he waited for his turn. The model was a naughty French girl with ck hair and freckles. She was a model for Valentino. Her name was Rubi, which sounded as pretty and soft as a fawn. Qin Guan liked the girl, who was six years younger than him. "Qin Guan! Rubi!" "We areing!" Rubi parted ways with Qin Guan at the exit. Music started ying. As they walked on the long runway, one of them was on the left and the other was on the right. The small doors opened and they walked to the small square. The square was used for publicity events during the Fashion Week. On the first day of the Fashion Week, the opening ceremony was held there. The models before them were walking back to the backstage area under the watchful eye of the media and the audience. As the best of the best, Qin Guan and Rubi had to appear on the square. "Ah!" Screams rose one after the other like a wave as the reporters tried to find the best spot to take pictures. There was a security guard standing every couple of meters. They all seemed nervous as the closing show progressed. Suddenly, the crowd near Rubi grew agitated. A man in a windcoat jumped over the fence and rushed up to the T stage. The man, who looked like a lunatic, unfastened the belt around his waist and threw it in the air. He was only wearing a pair of shorts under his coat! By then, Qin Guan was standing at the front of the stage with Rubi. The man was getting closer to them. Help! A crackpot! Roaring, the man climbed up on the stage like a monkey. Everyone was shocked. In a moment, the gorgeous show had turned into a farce. Time paused as the whole audience focused on the naked man. The man was running with his arms open, as if he was about to hug his sweetheart. "Darling, Iming! Ive loved you since the first time I saw you..." "Help!" Rubi cried out. The man was really close to them. Qin Guan stopped performing and rushed over to the crazy man. When he was close enough, he used his strength. Chapter 603: A Mistake Chapter 603: A Mistake Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan leapt into the sky, his shoe sole getting closer and closer to the crazy man. Bang! He stamped the mans face, who flew backwards with a happy expression on his face. After hitting his target, Qin Guannded back on the stage and kneeled in an elegant manner. He had put an end to the incident. "Well done, Qin Guan!" "I love you, Qin Guan!" "I want a chance to save a beauty too!" The security guards finally came back to their senses. Streaking in a football court was done for freedom and streaking on a rugby field was done for courage, but streaking on a T stage was disgusting. Two strong men in ck suits ran to the stage. In the meantime, the man, who had been lying on his back, jumped up with an ted expression on his face. "Ho ho..." He stretched his arm out to Qin Guan and Rubi. The girl kept grabbing Qin Guans coat to stop him from hitting the man again. "Let me go! Go back to the backstage area! Ill teach him a lesson!" Qin Guan was still on guard. When he saw the two strong men rush over though, he let out a long sigh of relief. See? Thats the difference between Cong Nianwei and other women. She would have left as soon as possible without hesitation. The crazy man was doomed. The two security guards ran over to him and caught him. "We are safe, Rubi! Let me go!" Suddenly, Rubis arms wrapped around his waist. Meanwhile, the man grabbed his pant legs. "Ha ha! I got Qin Guan! I got him!" When he was pulled away by the security guards, he kissed the hand that had been holding Qin Guans pants. "Qin Guan, I love you! I can die without regrets now..." Rubi craned her neck around Qin Guan. What a mistake! Everybody had thought that the crazy man had been after the girl, but he was actually Qin Guans admirer! Qin Guan turned to Ruby with a sigh. "You heard him, right? Let me go!" Rubi smiled shyly and ran back to the backstage area without looking back. The reporters had already started to approach them. "Qin Guan, whats your opinion on the ident?" "Qin Guan, look at me! Can you smile?" "Qin Guan, are you satisfied with the security at the Fashion Week? Do you feel the enthusiasm of the Italian public?" Qin Guan was speechless as they asked him questions amid the shing lights. That was not on his schedule. He never did anything without getting paid. He fixed his suit and gestured at the stupefied host. "What are you doing? Put some music on!" "Okay, okay..." Holding the microphone in his hand, the host pressed some buttons in a hurry. In a few seconds, an exciting song filled the square. Qin Guan didnt say anything. He just shot a steady look at the audience, turned around without hesitation and returned to the backstage area. His straight back was his farewell to the audience. A woman almost fainted at the sight. On his way back, all the designers and VIPs of the fashion circle stood up one after the other to greet him. The highest honor for a top model was not their perfect appearance, their wonderful figure or wearing Haute Couture. It was this. Everyone admired the personal integrity of a model and their ability to finish a performance under any circumstances. Qin Guan knew that he was the only one on the stage, so he was responsible for everyone. Some other celebrities had forgotten what had made them sessful. Chapter 604: Gunpowder Smoke Chapter 604: Gunpowder Smoke Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia A worried Sister Xue weed Qin Guan to the backstage area. The two of them burst intoughter. "Ha ha..." Giorgio Armani was smiling in a corner with his hands behind his back. "Draw up Qin Guans contract in advance! It seems that we will have to fight over him with other brands during the next year..." he told his assistant before leaving. He shot a meaningful look at Channel. That shameless woman was fond of undermining others. The old man with the moustache from Hermes teased the unhappy Gi director. "I hear that Qin Guan is not interested in your collection. Thank you so much for giving me this chance. Believe me, sheepskin can also be sold at high prices. Did you know that we are breeding crocodiles in Africa? Nowadays, only an idiot would stay in the eye of the storm. Ha ha!" The Gi director hummed loudly at his old opponent. Our show is tomorrow. Youll see the passion of our customers. Only silly people are fooled by your sheepskin. The incident ended without any trouble. Some capable inte users had taken photos of the crazy man. A photo in which Qin Guan was stamping on his face was uploaded on OMG and shared online fast. "He is also a martial artist!" "Does he save others or just himself?" Cong Nianweiughed happily as she read the posts. Her boyfriend was always a source of entertainment, even when he was away. Qin Guan was the winner of that unexpected spectacle. People had seen his value during that incident. As night fell, the PR departments of different brands tried to contact his team. The early bird caught the worm after all. His team received numerous ambassador contracts, professional offers, designer invitations and advertisement deals. As his exclusive designer, Yin Changtao was now under the spotlight. Both he and his designs were waiting for the test of the Mn fashion circle. Even though Qin Guan was the reason for all this, he still had to stick to his schedule. "You have a lot of work tomorrow. I suggest you get some sleep now." His assistant closed the door without hesitation. Two security guards temporarily assigned by the organizingmittee were standing outside his room. Qin Guan felt as if he was under witness protection. The ident was an embarrassment for the organisingmittee, so they were very grateful for Qin Guans brave actions. Despite the beautiful night, Qin Guan had to abandon his n of enjoying some delicious food outside. He surrendered to his fate and fell asleep as soon as he went to bed. After the Armani Haute Couture show, he was invited as a special guest to the Gi press conference. He was wearing a mysterious Chinese outfit again. The fitting design looked very fashionable on him. Qin Guan was bored to death during the fur show. When someone took the seat beside him though, he held his yawns back. It was Giorgio Armani himself. "Hi, sir. I see you havee here personally." The old man smoothed down his grey hair calmly. "My old friend invited me. He wanted to hear my opinion on the collection. This is Gis most gorgeous and most expensive collection after all. He wants to show off his high-end concept to me andugh at the principles of thest generation." Qin Guan felt awkward. The designers of thest generation werepeting against each other. What Giorgio said next astonished him though. "Im also here for our exclusive model..." Wow! I am so grateful for this honor... "2003 hase to an end. I cant have you stolen from me during the new year..." Chapter 605: A Red-Haired Girl In A Bikini Chapter 605: A Red-Haired Girl In A Bikini Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "We have sent the new contract to your team. I hope that you will give us priority. People are inclined to work with acquaintances in the fashion circle after all. Besides, there is always affection among us humans. If you maintain your professionalism and our brand remains a suitable tform for you, I would like to continue our cooperation." Armani spoke neither too fast nor too slow. His sincere words moved Qin Guan. "You are definitely my priority. Chinese people always show their gratitude, and your help and encouragement has given me a new life..." The two of them shook hands. Armani was a kind old man who liked to help young people, and Qin Guan was a promising, grateful young man. The warm scene didntst long though. The music was still echoing around the square. "Lets enjoy the show, shall we?" Several girls went out one after the other. The first eight girls were fair-skinned Europeans wearing colorful furs. The furs included fox, mink and other animals. After that group came some ck beauties. They were as ck as Qin Guans neighbor Coulibaly, and all of them were renowned beauties in Africa. They were wearing zebra, leopard and tiger skins. When thest group of models came out, Qin Guan saw some familiar faces. Du Juan and Lv Yan had been assigned to the Gi show by the organizingmittee. All six Asian models were wearing deerskin and chamois skin. Qin Guan held his breath. ording to Sister Xue, Gi had been one of the first brands to send him a contract for the next year. Qin Guan looked at their collection and threw the contract away. He wanted to cooperate with old Giorgio Armani for another year. I better keep some distance from that brand. The collection met the demands of high-end customers though. Orders started flooding the box, making the assistant smile with joy. Gi had captivated the hearts of rich people obsessed with the beauty of nature. Hunters in Kansas liked to hang stag heads and antlers on the doors of their houses. Those nobledies had a simr sense of taste. Clothing was a way of showing off, and the best choice was to select original materials. After the conference, Qin Guan and Armani left together talking happily. They paid no attention to the Gi director, who was shooting proud looks at them. Most of the audience was leaving the site while talking about the collection. The gate opened. Outside was a small square with a round fountain. The parking lot was right across the street. People paused there and said goodbye to each other. Suddenly, a sharp sound interrupted them. The reporters and the photographers turned around to find the origin of the sound. The security guards also became alert. It was a shabby truck with arge container at the back that stood out against the luxurious cars and well-dressed guests. The truck pulled up to the square and a red-haired girl in a bikini opened the door and got out. The girl, who had a cigarette in her mouth, was wearing high-heels. She lit the cigarette and took a deep breath. A shaky smoke ring flew out of her mouth. Everyone on the square felt attracted to the strange girl. "Cool! Lets get to work!" The girl seemed toe back to life as she walked over to the container. She used one of her feet to stomp on the fence and the other to open the door of the container. Crack! The door opened and light poured into the dark container. Chapter 606: Showdown Chapter 606: Showdown Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Time for work, girls!" the red-haired girl shouted at the mysterious container as young girls started jumping out one after the other. Brtes and redheads, white girls, ck girls and Asians... There were dozens of girls in the trunk. They were all wearing bikinis that revealed their smooth skin and energetic limbs and holdingrge paper boards and small buckets. They were standing in two rows with a brave expression on their faces. "Fight for the animals!" the redhead roared, as if a battle horn had been blown. Her voice echoed around the small square. Giorgio Armani caught hold of Qin Guans sleeve. "Things will get dangerous! Run!" Qin Guan had no idea what was going on, but following their seniors orders was a natural instinct for Chinese people. "Whats happening?" Qin Guan supported Armani as he shot a look at Sister Xues sneakers. Smart woman! "They are protesters from an animal protection organization. Every year they show up here for the fur exhibitions. Someone must have leaked some internal information about Gis press conference. They seem well-prepared. Just look at all these props and uniforms!" "We have to get away before they notice us. If we are spotted here, the reporters will be over the moon. Those conceited, self-righteous men will start cursing your ancestors!" It was certainly an unexpected cmity. Sister Xue grimaced as she walked along the wall with them. "There are only a few of them. We have security personnel here. This is pointless. They just want to be famous!" Suddenly, they heard screams around them. The girls were throwing animal blood at the crowd. The buckets of blood smelled like urine. Some unlucky women got wet. The photographers looked mad with joy as they recorded the disaster with their cameras. Sister Xue shivered in the warm autumn day. "Lets go quickly!" They had no time to look around them. They just followed Armani across the street, the small group standing out among the crowd. The fashion godfather always stood out among ordinary people, and so did Qin Guan. "Look! Who are they?" "Its Qin Guan! Is he the mastermind behind this?" Youve made a big mistake! Animals might not like me, but Ive never hurt them! "Go, girls! Give them a lesson!" Before the security guards could arrive, the girls turned spontaneously in a different direction. "Run!" Qin Guan suddenly became the girls new target. He could actually take advantage of his long legs and escape, but if he did that, Armani would get caught by those crazy girls. If someone hit him on the head with a board, Qin Guan would be considered a sinner in the fashion circle. Feeling inspired, Qin Guan rushed over to Armani and crouched before him. "Hold on to me! Lets go!" Before Armani coulde back to his senses, he was already on Qin Guans back, the two of them walking away fast. "Look! What a perfect picture!" "Did you take one?" The reporters were attracted by the sight of the top model carrying the designer on his back as he ran. "I took one!" "Let me see!" "Its f*cking perfect! You could participate in the international figure photography exhibition!" "You did it, bro!" Sister Xue was shocked. Did those two abandon us? Chapter 607: Surrounded Chapter 607: Surrounded Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia They had no time to think as their pursuers got closer and closer. All they could do was rely on themselves. Qin Guan reached the parking lot and started pulling the doors of luxury cars open one after the other. They were not safe yet. It was actually easier to get caught in the empty parking lot. Crack! Qin Guan opened a Rolls Royce. He had no time to look at the people inside. He just turned around and pushed Armani in the car. "Stay here, sir. I have to save the others!" Then he rushed back to Sister Xue and Yin Changtao without looking back. Armani didnte back to his senses until he sat back against the soft leather seat. Im safe! He straightened his suit and sized up the owner of the car, who was sitting next to him in the backseat. "Armani, how are you?" A big hand with a ck-gem ring was stretched out towards him. "Do you know me?" "You are the pride of Italy and the godfather of fashion. As a godfather from Sicily, I have been looking forward to meeting you for a long time." Salvador shook hands with Armani, giving him a ssic coquettish smile. By then, Qin Guan had returned to the square and found it in utter disorder. "Sister Xue! Yin Changtao! Im here! Run!" Taking advantage of his height, Qin Guan found Sister Xue and Yin stumbling in the crowd. The bikini fighters were chasing the flustered crowd like zombies. Thanks to Yins colorful outfit, Qin Guan was able to spot them easily. "Its Qin Guan! Hes back!" "Come on, fighters!" The girls were followed by some angry security guards and cunning reporters. Im their target again. Am I the BOSS in a game or something? Speechless, Qin Guan squeezed into the crowd and rushed over to Sister Xue. "What are you doing? Run!" Sister Xue and Yin run up to him in surprise. A girl was chasing them closely. "Watch out!" Qin Guan had no time to warn them. He just took action immediately. He lifted both of them on his shoulders with a roar. "Hold on to me!" The two of them had to cooperate with Qin Guan to maintain their bnce. Actually, Yins feet were still on the ground, but Qin Guan was not paying attention to details. All he knew was that the people he wanted to save were both in his arms. You should lose some weight, Sister Xue! Qin Guan ran again, shocking their pursuers. His rescue mission looked a lot like a hijacking. "Wow! Another wonderful picture! Take a snap! What are you doing?" Soon, the absurd trio reached the parking lot, followed by a group of excited spectators. Some slower girls were caught by the security guards, but some others followed Qin Guan to the parking lot. Qin Guan slowed down as soon as he reached his destination. Smiling in relief, he got ready to put the two guys down. "Qin Guan, dont stop! Run!" Armani roared from the open door of the Rolls Royce. Qin Guan tightened his arms again with a shiver. Yin was speechless. Dude, I can run myself. Let me go! Please! Words were pointless. All that mattered was running! "Faster... faster..." Bang! Bang! Qin Guan threw his friends into the car and climbed inside himself. Crack! The owner of the car closed the door calmly. The redhead paused before the ck Rolls Royce, sobering up enough to put down her small bucket and board. Chapter 608: Ancient Benefactors Chapter 608: Ancient Benefactors Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The luxury car was more valuable than she was. If she spilled blood on it, it would be considered a crime. On the other side, thew would not punish them for attacking the crowd. "Go!" the driver ordered, taking advantage of her hesitation. After a sharp turn, the car left the troublemakers behind it. Those lucky dogs were confronted by the girl on their way to their cars. She poured blood on the other cars, ignoring the siren of the patrol wagon. She was happy she had not spilled blood on the Rolls Royce. As a native, she had noticed the te number at the back of the car right away. She sneered at those who were ignorant. It was lucky that she hadnt done any damage to the car, or she might not have lived to see the sun rise the next day. She shot a look in its direction as the police got her under control. Bon voyage, ancestors! The escapees adjusted their clothes in the car and then looked at their benefactor. He was a middle-aged man of unique style. He was actually the same age as Armanis son. The authentic suit looked elegant on his body, and his ssic Italian features were impressive. Qin Guan felt like a pauper trying to express his appreciation. "Thank you so much for your noble actions. May I have the honor of knowing your name?" "Morka Salvador." He shook Qin Guans hand before changing the topic. "Good! Ive always had an eye for good boys. You are brave and loyal to your friends. I think my family would benefit from meeting you. I will support you!" Qin Guan shot a confused look at Armani, who looked solemn. The old man gave him a meaningful look and then closed his eyes in an effort to rx. Qin Guan understood that Armani wanted to talk about thister. The warm rich man changed into a forthright man in a second. He was very easy-going with Sister Xue. On their way back to the hotel, they exchanged cards and talked about the fashion circle, as well as the beautiful sceneries in Sicily, as if they were old friends. They parted ways reluctantly at the entrance of the hotel. Armani remained silent as they walked down the hallway. Everyone followed him, sharing that meaningful silence. When they were safe in Qin Guans room, Armani became himself again. "Ill call your staff for you." The team had to be extremely anxious after losing its leader. Sister Xue was making a call as Armani waved at Qin Guan. "Come here..." The two of them had a private conversation. "They wont go too far. They just see themercial value in you." "Who?" "Salvador and his Mafia family from Sicily." Qin Guan coughed. "The owner of the Rolls Royce? He didnt look like a..." Armani nodded in pride. "The Italian Mafia is not like the vulgar gangs of New York. Its the origin of underground gangs all over the world. They are all very sophisticated gentlemen." Is this your idea of patriotism? Shall we get to the point? Qin Guan scratched his head. "What do they want from me?" "To cooperate with them on a movie. Some of them are trying to change their money-making methods. Nowadays, the best way tounder money is by producing a blockbuster." "Dont worry." Armani patted him on the shoulder. "The Salvadors are the only family to set foot in the Italian fashion circle. They are very reasonable. They follow our rules. Actually, if you could get along with them for some time, you mighte to like them. How shall I put this... They are silly enough to rely on somebody else." What do you mean by that? The revolutionary gang had be a part of Italy. People from different circles maintained a rtionship with them. Only a foreigner like Qin Guan could be shocked by that fact. He tried hard toe to terms with those astonishing news. A knock on the door brought Sister Xue back to reality. "Oh, here they are! Come in, please..." A few people entered the room and left with Armani, leaving the three Chinese guys stupefied. Chapter 609: Preparing for the Rise of the Asians Chapter 609: Preparing for the Rise of the Asians Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Take things as theye. Im actually impressed with myself. I was brave enough to invite Salvador over for tea..." "It doesnt matter, Sister Xue. Hes a middle-aged man from Sicily. His grandson may be old enough to go to school..." "F*ck off!" The joke cheered everyone up. Well be returning to New York after the fashion week after all. Im only an ordinary passing traveller. Besides, Armani told me not to think too much. The big incident caused by the animal protection organization was spreading online. People were having fun trying to find something interesting in the pictures, especially the ones where everyone was running in a different direction. "I liked this part of the Fashion Week!" A naked man, protesters... The other fashion weeks were inferior to Mn on this aspect. "Ha ha! I found Qin Guan in the crowd. Hes next to Armani! Wise choice!" People were talking happily about the news while some guys forwarded the official reports from the Italian media. "Look at this! Its so funny!" In the pictures, Qin Guan was carrying Armani and his assistants. The first photo reminded people of the true feeling of being in danger, while the second one was a good depiction of Qin Guans curious nature. "Ha ha! I want to know who that strong man is!" "The woman must be Qin Guans agent. Ive seen her in many pictures on newspapers." "Is her stomach all right? Is she still alive?" There was a sea of delight. A lonely user revealed the truth beneath some posts. Customer Service: The strong man is Yin Changtao, a Chinese designer. He was invited by the Mn Fashion Week as a promising, talented young man. Wow! When did Qin Guans official blog start offering customer service? The fans swarmed the user like bees. "Hey, boy! Tell us about Qin Guans schedule!" "Is his underwear ck or white? Tell us, so we know youre not a fraud!" Customer Service: See you tomorrow... Rongzhi burst intoughter as he watched the discussion area get messy. This is so amusing! It was easy to amuse fans online, but it was very difficult to impress the judges and spectators during the Mn Fashion Week. During the day, eight new designers from different countries would be presented one after the other. They had to rely on their ability to attract the audience and the media, as all of them were strangers to the critics. They would make their debut on the dazzling stage without being tested in the market first. Would they soar up to the sky or fall down from Heaven? Nobody knew... The media and insiders of the fashion circle remained silent, which was a smart choice. Only fashion tycoons expressed their interest openly. As a result, themercial-value-oriented show of those designers started differently than the shows of other brands. Those were the circumstances under which Andrew Gn set out for his adventure in Mn. All the staff on and off the site were busy working. They were experienced employees sent by the organizingmittee, which made Yin, who was walking around nervously backstage, rx a little. As a representative of Chinese designers, he had a special collection to present to the audience. There was an one-way ss between the stage and the backstage area, through which he could observe the reaction of the audience. Qin Guan had changed into his outfit and was standing next to Yin, talking about the audience members, who had already taken their seats. "The media are in the C-1 area, so they can stand up and walk around without bothering anyone else." "Most of them are from international fashion magazines and local newspapers. A few popr fashion websites are also in attendance." Yin calmed down gradually as Qin Guan exined. "Clothingpanies and brand representatives are in the A-1 and B-1 areas. Theyvee here with different goals. The former will be yourpetitors in the future, but you can also learn from them if you want to design mainstream, mass-consumption clothes." "Thetter will be your sustenance. They will decide whether your brand will be epted by the fashion circle." Suddenly, Qin Guan saw a familiar figure walk by slowly. What is he doing here? This is like wasting pearls on a pig! It was Ye Dong. His ex-roommate took his seat in the B-1 area gracefully. Unlike other people in that area, he began naturally socializing with strangers. He greeted, chatted and ttered others. In five minutes, the people sitting around him began to shake hands with him as if they were old friends. Chapter 610: Flourishing China Chapter 610: Flourishing China Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Sincere smiles formed on the faces of the cunning businessmen. Somebody went up to Ye and embraced him to show off their close rtionship. "Well talk about thister. Lets talk about the people in the D-1 area now. Theyll be ying a key role in your future. They will decide what is waiting for you. If they consider your designs outstanding, silly rich men will be chasing you. You could put a sack on your models, and they would still love it. If they think your designs are bullsh*t though, I suggest you create a new brand from scratch. You wouldnt seed otherwise, even if you made clothes out of gold and silver." Yin Changtao shivered as he looked down at the strange men sitting in that area. They were all dressed up like peacocks. He wouldnt have been surprised if they had been wearing a set of armor or had a monkey sitting on their heads. He hadnt expected that they would be the ones who would determine the future of his career. I have to tter them. Qin Guan could read his mind. "Of course, this will onlyst while you are a neer in the circle," he said scornfully. "One day, when you are powerful enough in the fashion market, the situation will be reversed." "Even if your designs are too weird for the average person, they will consider it an ode to human nature. The fashion circle believes only in a designers ability. Wee to the club, Yin Changtao." He was speaking neither too slow nor too fast. Yin rubbed his head excitedly. "When will I reach that level?" "Did you see Giorgio Armani?" Qin Guan burst intoughter as he patted Yin on the shoulder. "You are not nervous, are you? Congrattions. You are in the best mental state one can be before a press conference." Yin smiled unconsciously as he looked at Qin Guans meaningful smile. He is right. Theres nothing to be worried about. Worst case scenario, Ill just return to my small store in London. Butterflies were destined to break out of their cocoon and show their beauty to the world. So was Andrew Gn. Several traditional musical instruments apanied the show. Du Juan and Lv Yan came tripping down, one dressed in white and the other in ck. The lights went out one after the other. People suppressed their screams as the colorful oriental jewellery shone on the stage. As white as Hetian Jade. As green as jadeite. As yellow as amber. As red as agate. Different colors interweaved to form a mysterious world. The golden and silver threads on the models outfits looked like a beautiful gxy. In China, people preferred low-key luxury. Fashiony in the details, not on the surface. The audience was absorbed in the dream. Everyone was feeling as if they were in Heaven. Only when the two girls disappeared did the experienced criticse back to their senses. There were no screams or roars, only the cameras filming the event. A spontaneous apuse erupted gradually like a salute to the high fashion. The audience deemed it worthy of being remembered. Two ck beauties suddenly walked forward. Unlike the Paris Fashion Week, which preferred to use multiracial models, the Mn Fashion Week seldom chose models of other races. The apuse stopped suddenly at the sight of the two ck pearls. Everyone was shocked by the variety of the brand. The models outfits were different in style than those of the Chinese models. Theplicated embroidery, multiyered materials and gorgeous essories attracted everyones attention. There was an abundance of Chinese silk and embroidery, and the designer had skilfully used arge amount of unsble leftover jewellery materials. The outfits charmy in the concept of their design. Qin Guan knew that Yin had seeded. Oil tycoons in West Asia, rich men in Russia and European nobles were introduced to a rising country. The next models were European girls wearing elegant, graceful outfits. They were overall very harmonious. The audience adapted to the different style of the new brand as the exciting show came to an end. The door to the backstage area, which was decorated with willows and other ancient trees, was opened slowly. Chapter 611: An Unprecedented Performance Chapter 611: An Unprecedented Performance Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia A doorknob jingled on the wooden gate as the audience quieted down. The sound was lonely and sad. The lights had changed to a white color that was almost transparent. Music was yed by the traditional string and woodwind instruments as a man walked through the gate. It was Qin Guan. He was walking towards the audience as if he was strolling in a courtyard, watching the tide or appreciating a beautiful rainbow. He was wearing red, which was the hardest color to pull off. People usually looked like bridegrooms or countrymen in it. It was very difficult for a model to pull it off on the stage. The formal outfit was titled "seeding in a government examination" and it was a re-imagination of a traditional costume in a more dramatic, exaggerated manner. In ancient China, sessful candidates of the highest imperial examinations would parade down the streets in such outfits. The clothes were made of red Yunjin and they were handmade by Yin, so they were unique in the Mn Fashion Week. The long hem was trailing after Qin Guan on the floor, moving up and down in waves, and the silver threads weaved on the inside were flowing along with his steps. Qin Guans outstanding skills were admired by the audience. His hands were hidden in the long, loose sleeves with the hollow embroidery. There was an intricate cloud pattern on the white silk, and the belt around Qin Guans waistplimented his perfect figure. Before anyone coulde back to their senses, Qin Guan had reached the end of the stage. He stood there for three beats and then suddenly started dancing along to the music. He opened his arms as wide as he could to show the sleeves to the audience. It was a traditional "birds paying homage to the phoenix" pattern, which was the highest level of Chinese embroidery. "Wow!" The exquisite embroidery earned everyones admiration. Suddenly, the drums started beating again. Qin Guan smiled. His lips were red, and his eyebrows were ck. His face looked like a blooming peach blossom. Everyone was stupefied as he moved. He waved his long sleeves around while he danced, his steps hidden under the long hem of his outfit. The drumbeats became faster and faster as Qin Guan turned around on his tiptoes, the long sleeves moving around him like a flower. The gold and silver threads on the lining were revealed to the audience. A harp jumped over the dragon gate, reflecting the title of the outfit. The painting hade to life! "Wow!" People began to talk with each other as the show site turned into a bazaar. When the drumbeats came to an end, Qin Guan paused suddenly and flicked his long sleeves out. Then he turned around and left with steady steps. It was not easy. Everyone knew that a person got dizzy after spinning around for a long time. One had to train hard in order to walk this leisurely. Models were no ballet dancers though. It was impossible for them to do that. Qin Guan was gone with the wind. The final notes of the flute faded away as the mysterious figure disappeared through the gate. A deafening apuse broke out. Ye Dong flushed. He pped his hands as hard as he could, showing off to the people around him. "Qin Guan was my ssmate. He is Chinese..." He received a lot of praise. Thumbs were waving before his eyes. "Its a miracle! Chinese people must be good at magic!" "It was so beautiful! Ill buy everything!" As everyone got excited, the gate opened again for the encore. This was Yin Changtaos moment. Fully-dressed models clustered around the strong man. Qin Guan stood right next to the designer. Chapter 612: The Ambitious Textile Industry Chapter 612: The Ambitious Textile Industry Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia He was a tender man who loved "A Dream in the Red Mansion". Despite his tough demeanor and strong body, he felt like crying. "Thank you so much... Im so excited..." Yin burst into tears on the stage. "Qin Guan... Thank you so much..." He was about to rush up to Qin Guan and stain his clothes with his tears and mucus. "This outfit took 10 people and one month to make! Its made of fine materials and intricate embroidery. Unless you want to destroy it, dont cry in my arms!" Yin stopped and wiped his tears away on his sleeves. Save your tears, young man. There is even more apuse waiting for you. The audience let out a sigh of admiration for the designer. "You are wonderful! I love your designs! You are an outstanding man!" "Darling, look up! Over here!" They were getting closer to the stage, while buyers and brand businessmen blocked Sister Xues way under the stage. "I would like to be Andrew Gns agent. Where do I apply for the job? Does he sell his designs to high-end gship stores or shops in shopping malls?" "Would you have the ability to deal with the growing sales?" "I wonder if the materials Andrew Gn uses could be sold to others." They expressed the desire to coborate with the new brand, as they found boundlessmercial opportunities and other possibilities in it. As the meritorious guy behind the curtain, Ye Dong felt overjoyed. He felt like he was walking on a cloud. Thank God I followed Qin Guans advice and supplied those materials to the Chinese designer. The oue was equal to Armanis. Qin Guan had actually suggested the materials to Giorgio Armani. Ye Dong had gained a big contract. They didnt let the small fish go after catching the shark either. Even the smaller fish in Mn were international brands. J Clothing was just a babypared to them. ... There seemed to be no end to the celebration. After a long time, the staff led the audience out. As all the models were changing clothes backstage, Ye Dong followed Qin Guan. "Well done, Qin Guan! In one year, your part-time job has taken you to the top of the world. Do you remember showing off to us after that gig at the car exhibition?" Ye Dong was reminiscing with mixed feelings. Qin Guan was also feeling conflicted in the fitting room. Ye is right. Back then, I was satisfied with a few hundred yuan. Now Im familiar with the stage, but I only use it as a tool to make more money. Ye was still babbling outside the fitting room. "You are the pride of China. You should know that..." He paused angrily, trying to squeeze the words out of his throat. "I have been in Europe one month and met with plenty of associations, both official and not. I also visited some transnational family businesses. They arerge-scale businesses with strict standards. Every link and detail is concrete in the clothing industry." "Profit prevails. Everyone wees new producers and suppliers. Everyone is in need of cheaper materials after all. Where does dignitye in though? Is China doomed to be the supplier of the simplest and cheapest materials?" "Unprocessed silk, cotton, linen and wool are relying on cheapbor." Ye had gotten lost in his thoughts, but Qin Guan remained silent. All he could do now was listen. "Im not resigned to the current situation. Thats why I met you in London. I wanted to give this a try. I brought high-end materials all the way from China just for you. Im not familiar with the industry after all, so the official channels dont help me that much." "Who would know that my roommate would be one of the top models in the Mn Fashion Week? You did this for me! I had spent so many days negotiating with everyone!" Ye Dong was excited. He was a smoker, so he took a cigarette case out of his pocket unconsciously. Then he remembered that he was in the backstage area and put it back. Chapter 613: Becoming Famous Chapter 613: Bing Famous Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "After our press conference, all those picky buyers will be lining up outside my office. Thank you, Qin Guan..." Qin Guan changed into his own clothes and opened the door. "You are talking like a sentimental girl, Ye Dong! Have you finally surrendered to my charm? Ouch! What are you doing?" Ye hugged him around the shoulders. "What am I doing? I want to take a picture with you! I should take advantage of this before you take off your robe!" "Three, two, one... Cheese!" They stood side by side, looking happily at the camera. The man with the square face was making the victory sign. They were both smiling heartily, happy about their reunion and their bright future. They would make great progress after the Fashion Week. As expected, when the news about the outstanding show spread online and through traditional media, Yin Changtao became the new favorite of the fashion magazines. Mn Fashion: Yin Changtao is a pioneering neer with a high-end design concept. His brand has been weed with open arms by the market! The London Times: It was a perfect show of traditional Chinese art. The oriental Heaven we have been dreaming of since the Middle Ages is finally here. Now we know why silk was considered a luxury product by nobles during past centuries. French Media: This is the origin of beauty. I think every reporter that attended the show will always remember that fairy. He might be Asian, but he belongs to the whole world. One year ago, Giorgio Armani ignored all objections and pushed this young man to the front stage. I think many people had been waiting for him to fail, myself included. Some people even spected that he was the illegitimate child of the old man. The Asian boy refused to give any interviews. Instead, he kept studying at college. I think we knew even less about him than we did about Cindy Crawfords dog. The quiet model shocked the world at the Fashion Week though. Oh, no. He did not shock us. He just did his job. Words couldnt express my feelings about Chinese style. I can only surrender to Qin Guans unprecedented elegance and talent. Reporters and fashion critics glorified the show, the designer and Qin Guan with their kind words. Du Juan and Lv Yan were outshadowed by Qin Guans poprity, but they knew his story very well. They were also fans of his. As professional models, they thought of Qin Guan as their idol and the No.1 model in the Chinese fashion circle. American people were more subtle though. They used to sneer at the European economic depression and weakness, but they actually admired European art and culture. The reports in the American media the next day were shameless. The New York Times: America is witnessing the rise of Qin Guan. Nobody can deny that Qin Guan is a Chinese student. Nobody could deny that America is his favorite country. The top five American fashion magazines have contributed to his sess, and so have American high-end products. The Chinese young man is also studying at Columbia and has coborated with Miramax and Paramount Pictures. Thus, we could say that New York created Qin Guan, and Qin Guan has contributed to New Yorks poprity. It was a shameless, but undeniable point of view. In one day, Columbia had received more than 10 donations, the fans on Qin Guans official blog had reached 180,000, and all the products he had advertised were selling like crazy. Perhaps Britney Spears and Madonnas recordpany was the happiest though. Their single had reached the third ce on the charts. Chapter 614: Bursting A Bubble Chapter 614: Bursting A Bubble Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It was actually J Clothing that had benefited the most from the event. Attracted by theirrge poster, young people entered the store because of their admiration for Qin Guan. "This must be the outfit he was wearing in Mn!" "It looks lovely with those mysterious Chinese characters..." "Its both cheap and fashionable. My mom could fit into therger size!" J Clothing, which was famous for its first-rate quality and reasonable prices, began selling to foreigners, regardless of the purchasing group. During the following weekends, their stores in New York experienced a golden era. Sitting in the warehouse, Guo Nuoyan read through the sales reports excitedly, calcting thepanys total capital flow in the future. Tomorrow I will have a discussion with Liu Tianxia and withdraw part of the capital to open two more stores in Los Angeles. Qin Guans career as a model was flourishing. Meanwhile, the news about Mn spread to China, causing some people to discover Ye Dong. Never underestimate the curiosity of Chinese people. To Qin Guans loyal fans, anyone close to their idol was worth paying attention to. Some well-informed people posted material of Qin Guan during the Mn Fashion Week on Haijiao. As they looked at the pictures, they noticed the strong man with the square face. "They seem friendly with each other." "He is not a member of Qin Guans team or a staff member of the organizingmittee." "He looks like a Chinese official..." Silence prevailed in the forum, followed by denial. "Impossible! He is too young to be an official. He must be Qin Guans ssmate abroad or something." "Yes!" Everyone jumped to that conclusion subconsciously. It was Ye Dongs demeanor that misled the girls. Liu Xiaoyang and Li Jie, who were always up to date with their roommates, were shocked by the photos. When did Ye Dong go abroad and get together with our influential man? Does his director know about this? Yes immediate superior, who had been his senior at college, was speechless when he saw the photos. His capable man had been exposed to the public in Mn. It was him who had asked Ye to contact Qin Guan. Outstanding young men living in foreign countries could be used tentatively. Everybody was responsible for helping their mothend after all. Before he coulde back to his senses, the phone rang. "Hello, this is Yan Cheng... Oh, director. Its you!" "I saw the photos in Mn, Yan Cheng. That young man has impressed me. Hes a very smart guy. I heard that you sent him to Europe one month ago? The guys from the China Textile Industry Association are waiting for our response." "The enterprises could operate independently, but the government should grant them some conveniences. It is our duty after all." "Yes, yes!" Yan Cheng sat up right unconsciously. "I was nning on sending you a report, sir. Ye wasughing happily in the photo because he had good news. Ten minutes ago, he sent me an email to report his achievements in Europe..." "Yes, orders. Large orders... ording to my estimation, they will take up about 20% of the annual raw material production of high-end clothing in the country." His director remained calm on the other end of the line, but Yans tone got higher. "Well keep making persistent efforts. You want him to station himself in Europe and start an agency in charge of the clothing industry? He just graduated from college one year ago... What do you think?" "Yes, you are right. We should bring in fresh blood and integrate with international parties. You are making a lot of sense." The director was delighted. "Younger people can understand the fashion market well. We have just opened our door to international buyers. If we just work silently without publicizing things, it will be easy to tumble though," he warned his subordinate. "Ye is a smart guy. He knows how things work abroad. He made the right decision in asking help from Qin Guan. He knows the high-end market really well. We could create a shortcut for Chinese producers this way." Yan Cheng nodded again and again at the mans words. Twenty minutester, he hung up. "You are getting promoted fast, bastard..." he murmured as he looked at the photo on his screen. If Ye could organize the agency abroad, he would be in charge of all the work there. It didnt matter if he returned home or stayed abroad. Either way, Ye would have a smooth future ahead of him. Chapter 615: Returning Home Momentarily Chapter 615: Returning Home Momentarily Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Nowadays, young people are very efficient... Yan Cheng read through the thick pile of orders that had been sent through fax. And lucky... Actually, Ye had borrowed some luck from Qin Guan. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was panting as he ran after his girlfriend in the direction of the ssroom. He was wearing a hoodie and a hat instead of formal attire. He would be taking the seasonal examinations that day. As a punctual girl, Cong Nianwei had only been dyed by her boyfriend. When Qin Guan had returned to New York, he had realized he had be the mascot of themunity. Warm neighbors gave him flowers and home-made pies, so he had to return home again and again. Paris Hilton had also contributed to that. Before leaving, she had pulled a prank on him. She had sent posters and T-shirts with his picture to all the families in themunity as an apology for the inconvenience she had caused them. They had all had to bear with reporters and fans hiding in their property and moving trucks creating a traffic jam. She wanted to apologize for the inconvenience to her temporary neighbors. Only when she left did everyone find out that a celebrity had been living in that student apartment. Qin Guan was the vampire from the Armani advertisement, the yboy from "Sex and the City" and Chuck Barris, but he was also their neighbor. As soon as he returned to New York, people started greeting him everywhere. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei rushed to their separate ssrooms. The seasonal examination was about to start. Qin Guan rushed into the ssroom panting. He saw the cold face of the invigtor in front of him. As soon as the man saw Qin Guan clearly, he forced a smile. He had recognized him. The guy was the God of Wealth at Columbia. He was bringing in donations not just for the Finance Department, but for other departments as well. People had formed a group tofort Prof. Martin and take pleasure in his sorrow. In Prof. Martins opinion, Qin Guan was theziest student at Columbia. If Qin Guans grades declined, he would lead a miserable life in the future. Qin Guan took his seat. He had prepared well for the exam, as it would decide whether he would go on holiday in October. Columbia insisted on traditional answering sheets, so the students were familiar with the smell of ink. The sheet was full of questions. To a student without full attendance, that mark would y an important role in their final grade. "Cheers!" Qin Guan shouted to himself in his mind before he began his test. Basic theory, practical application, andprehensive analysis... Everything was easy to answer. In one hour, he had finished a sheet that would take the others two hours toplete. His ssmates had be inured to this peculiarity, as the same scene was repeated every time during their exams. Qin Guan handed in his sheets and left. He didnt forget to pay a visit to Prof. Martins office. He set a keychain with the symbol of a Mn ser team on his desk. Fake fans couldnt distinguish between International Mn and A.C. Mn, but he collected team memorabilia of national ser teams. The old man was easy to tter. Qin Guan had to suck up to him so he would return to China in October. He was doing it partly for Director Zhang Yimou and partly for the appeal. No one would dare turn down a promotional film for the Olympics. Qin Guan would be able to go home with Cong Nianwei. It was time for Liu Xiaoyang to help him clean up his apartment in Beijing. His n went well. Even without the bonus of full attendance, he still ranked as the No.1 student of the department. The college administration approved his vacation for the donors sakes. After a long journey, he had finally returned to China. He and Cong Nianwei were walking clumsily in the terminal building with their luggage. There was a crowd waiting for them ahead. This was all Li Jies fault. He had been boasting to junior girls at a public gathering. Chapter 616: Information Disclosure Chapter 616: Information Disclosure Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Do you know Qin Guan?" An innocent girl was looking at him with admiration in her bright ck eyes. "Thats my brother! He is returning to China. Do you know who will pick him up from the airport? Liu Xiaoyang and I! We are his best friends!" ... Li Jie was doomed to die for a woman. He would do anything if a woman asked in a flirtish manner. As a result, the news spread all over campus overnight. Huang Jiajia, who was a senior student now, was busy preparing for the postgraduate entrance exams and her thesis, as well as cherishing the passing happiness of student life. She was a powerful sister at the college, so her girlfriends told her about the news. Words couldnt express her mixed feelings. She sat in the empty grand hall for a long while before she fnally dialled a familiar number. Mou Xiaolius voice came from the other end of the line. They had not contacted each other ever since Mou had graduated. As time went by, their precious memories faded away. "Hello! Its me, Huang Jiajia." "Jiajia? What happened? Why are you calling me?" "What do you mean? Am I not allowed to call you?" She was as bad-tempered as usual. "No, I was just surprised. Im very excited. Ive... missed you." After a long silence, came an unnatural response. "I missed you too..." "I just wanted to tell you that Qin Guan ising back." "What? Why? Was he expelled?" Her voice had gotten higher. Huang had to move the receiver away from her ear. "Why are you so upset? ording to Li Jie, he ising back for work." "You scared me!" "If you are free, we could go see him at the airport." "Okay, Jiajia. It was great to hear from you!" "Oh, rubbish! Ill send you a textter." "Okay. Ill pick you up from campus!" "See youter!" Huang hung up with a smile. When Li Jie woke up, he found a team waiting under his dormitory. "Li Jie, Li Jie! Get up! Where is Liu Xiaoyang?" the energetic girls shouted at him. It was terrible for a man to be awakened early in the morning. Li Jie opened his window angrily. "What are you doing? Im sleeping!" When he saw the crowd below, he paused. What happened? Did the American Army invade China? He shook his head in an effort to wake up. Then he saw dozens of fellow students, both familiar and unfamiliar, looking at him as if he was a god. "What happened?" he asked again, lowering his voice. "Lets go to the airport to get Qin Guan!" the girls shouted together, led by Huang Jiajia. Their g was blowing in the wind. "Qin Guan, we love you!" Li Jie was really annoyed. He was hangover, but he had to maintain his dignity before the girls. Bang! He pped his own face. "F*ck! What shall I do now?" Before he could figure out a n, Huang Jiajia shouted at him in a decisive voice, "Dont try to fool me! Dont me this on Liu Xiaoyang. We are not some crazy fans. You wont lose face before your roommate!" "Qin Guan is probably used to getting flowers and being apuded by fans. As his old friend, you cant meet him empty-handed. Look! We are the perfect team! You will be our leader!" The girls were cheered up by Huang Jiajia. She is right. We are not some shameless fangirls. We support our idol considerately! Li Jie scratched his messy hair. Then he craned his neck outside the window. "Okay! Lets go together!" "Yeah!" Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei saw them waiting behind the railing. Chapter 617: Stars at the Airport Chapter 617: Stars at the Airport Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan spotted Liu Xiaoyang and Li Jie among the crowd. The two of them looked speechless from guilt. "Cong Nianwei?" "Yes?" The couple slowed down. "Are they waiting for us?" "They must be." "Shall we just walk past them and pretend we dont know them?" "I was thinking the same." The noisy crowd had attracted the attention of the security guards, who had gathered around them. Some people were whispering to each other. "What happened? Is some big shot flying in?" "Are you kidding? They would never arrive at a civil aviation terminal. And those kids couldnt have heard about it. It must be some kind of celebrity. They leak the news themselves to create rumors." "The security guards have just noticed them. If it was some famous star, their PR team would have informed them in advance. They usually behave themselves." "Maybe the news were leaked in secret. Maybe well get to see a superstar!" An old Peking man sniffled. "A superstar? There are only a few international flights at this exit. Those kids like only Korean hoodlums." He sounded reasonable. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were lingering around the exit, hesitant to meet those guys. Wed rather get some rest here. They set all their luggage down and took a seat. Suddenly, people began to pour through the other exits. They saw four young men of different heights and physiques that seemed good at dressing up. Long ck hair, blue eyes, clean short hair... The handsome boys looked avant-garde among the Chinese travellers. Qin Guan recognized them at first sight. Its the F4 [1]... A group of about five people followed them with their luggage. It seemed like they would be attending many publicity events in the Chinese Maind. They were still popr in China, so they must havee to make some quick money. "They seem like celebrities. We have been abroad for more than a year though, so Im unfamiliar with them," Cong Nianwei told Qin Guan. "They used to star in a campus drama," Qin Guan exined patiently. "They are superstars in Southeast Asia. Ill download their TV show if I can." They watched the group move towards the exit, when Qin Guan suddenly spotted another acquaintance. Actually, it was an acquaintance from his past life. Qin Guan knew him, but he didnt recognize Qin Guan. A man in the center of a group of South Koreans was showing off his identity to the others. In 2003, stic surgery in South Korea hadnt reached its peak yet. There were few handsome men in the entertainment circle, most of whom seeded thanks to their temperament and stylish outfits. The TV show they starred in featured love triangles, illness and death. It was long and very boring. Housewives, who were tired of serious TV shows, loved it though. More and more Chinese people fell in love with the actors, so the Koreans had recognized the potential for business opportunities. Pei Yongjun hade to China to meet his fans on a secret invitation. The organizer did not want to cause them trouble. All he wanted was a chance to show off. Spending time at an irrelevant ce like the airport was unnecessary. After being hidden for so long though, the Koreans felt inclined to reveal their presence. They hadnt kept a low profile during their trip. In order to avoid fans, one had to dress in everyday clothes and follow the stream of people, but they did the exact opposite. They were all wearing uniform ck suits. Pei, who had a white windcoat and a grey scarf on, was in the center of the group. His poor female assistants were pushing two trolleys of luggage behind him. Women were very underprivileged in South Korea. The Chinese people around them couldnt bear to watch. The old Peking man spoke again. "Our femalerades should have retired after the war to fight the U.S. aggression and aid Korea." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. "Our boys will be annoyed by their poprity. Look at those maind guys waiting here! How did they know?" "I dont know. They are behaving themselves after all. They stood in line without making a fuss." "If the fans are alright, you could go greet them. I could take some pictures," said the agent of the F4, who was a woman of her word. The four boys nodded. Their future would be decided by her agency. Such an order would not affect the whole picture though. They all walked over, putting on their famous smiles, which were very popr in Southeast Asia. Many Thand princesses had been addicted to them. "Hi! How are you?" They went through the corridor, their staff leading and protecting them. [1] A group of four men, Yang Chengxu, Zhu Xiaotian, Zhou Yumin and Wu Jianhao, famous for Meteor Garden in 2001 in Taiwan. Chapter 618: Awkward Chapter 618: Awkward Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The security guards were unaware of the details, so all they could do was stick to their posts and protect the bystanders. The group from the Capital University of Finance and Economics remained silent. They just narrowed their eyes and raised their eyebrows at the men. Who are they? The F4 and their agent didnt say anything. "Lets be quick. It must be an official fan club organized by the government to wee sports stars back to the country. Listen to me, these are all fake fans. They just do their job with no feeling... Why else would they be this orderly?" The agentforted the four boys, who nodded again and again. Suddenly, one of them looked back. "Elder Sister, there must be another star behind us!" Zhu Xiaotian, who was the most honest one among them, saw Pei Yongjuns team not far from them. They immediately slowed down and shot angry looks at the culprit. "This is disgusting. South Koreans always act like they are royalty! Ha!" Peis group was cheered up by the crowd. They held their heads high with an arrogant, silly expression on their faces. "Get out of my way!" What are you doing? You are walking in a row in a broad hallway! "Stop taking photos! Our Pei wants to have an ordinary life!" Excuse me, but I dont see anybody taking pictures of you! Everyone was afraid, so they unconsciously pushed some girls close to the railing. Their actions were really provoking. "Hey, bastard! Why did you push them?" a bad-tempered young man exploded when he saw the girls getting bullied. Those guys were tentatively bullying the weak. The students took out their weapons, which included a wooden board and some g poles. "Who do you think you are, you son of a b*tch? How dare you challenge us here in Beijing! You have been spoiled by your silly fans, but we are not your f*cking fans! Piss off!" "Put down that trolley, Mou Xiaoliu! Youve gone too far!" Pei had never met such a group of people. He had originally nned on stopping his men when the fans started crying in disappointment. Then he would go over and give them an autograph or take a picture with them. That would set a good example for other South Korean stars. What the hell was happening though? There was a big number of weapons flying at them. Mom! This is terrible! I have to protect my face! I just got a nosejob a few days ago! His team realized that they had kicked a hos nest. Those bandits were not fans, they were enemies. The manager was the first one to be attacked. Covering his head, he pushed forward against them. "Go! Go! Go! Its too dangerous!" "Ha ha ha!" The four boys wereughing loudly. Their agent didnt stop them. Instead, she started cursing joyfully. "You deserved that! You f*cking Koreans seized so many fans from us!" The Koreans escaped down the hallway and saw the security guards standing silently behind those devils, as if nothing had happened. They felt insulted. The short manager reacted fast in an effort to save Peis dignity. "You bastards! Wellin to your director! This is nonfeasance! We are foreigners. We should be under extra protection!" If you knew you were foreigners, why would you behave so atrociously in someone elses domain? Unscrupulousughter came from the students. They had to stay there for Qin Guan. Otherwise, they would have chased them and greeted them with the warmth of Chinese people. It felt good to see that someone was more miserable than they were. As the F4 were taking pleasure in the Koreans misfortune, the students started shouting. "Wee home, Qin Guan!" "We love you, Qin Guan!" "What? Who is Qin Guan?" The name sounded familiar. The two parties looked around the hallway again. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei moved slowly with forced smiles. The students raised their gs and started shouting slogans, weing them home. Chapter 619: Diamond Cuts Diamond Chapter 619: Diamond Cuts Diamond Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The well-mannered students suddenly got passionate. "Im a senior at the Finance Department. ss of 2001!" "Im a senior at the ounting Department. ss of 2000!" Qin Guan marched on. Every person he looked at would shout out their identity like a soldier. Qin Guan realized it was impossible and unnecessary to hide his face from his fellow students, so he took off his white cap and smoothed down his hair. Loud cries broke out. "You are so handsome!" "You are really a superstar!" Mou, who was standing at the end of the line, was so excited that she left a handprint on the iron pole. It was more than a year since they had seen each otherst. The boy walked over slowly with the same smile he was wearing in her dreams. He was her first love. Huang Jiajia scolded her. "Calm down, please! He is not a panda in a zoo!" "You cried just as much when he left..." Suddenly, Mou noticed that Qin Guan had reached the end of the line. "He ising!" The iron pole made a cracking noise. "Where? Where is he?" Huang Jiajia turned into the passionate young girl she had been at the age of 16. She turned around and saw the boy she used to be in love with. He was a short distance away, and yet they seemed miles apart. Her eyes met his. How are you getting along? Im okay. They nodded at each other without saying a word. The familiar expression in their eyes made them feel as if theyd gone back in time. Crack! Mou had broken the chain behind the railing. "Im sorry! Lets go, Qin Guan! Ill help you with your luggage!" The students clustered around Qin Guan and left the terminal orderly. The hall was quiet once again. If it was not for the broken chain, nobody would have known what had just happened. "Shall we stop them?" a young security guard asked his superior. "They destroyed public property after all." His superior set the railing back as if nothing had happened. "Its no big deal, young man. Chains require maintenance. They tend to break after long use." "Only an idiot would try to stop that girl..." he murmured to himself. The group of students went out in a formidable array. The other celebrities finally saw the face of the person who had embarrassed them. "Its Qin Guan!" Agents had to pay close attention to all the rising stars in the entrainment circle. "He is the man who was hindering your career in China. We are lucky that he moved to America, or your fame would have been inferior to his." The female agent let out a long breath as she watched Qin Guan and his team walk over. He had a perfect figure, and his jeans and hoodieplimented his long legs and slender waist. The splendid smile on his face looked dazzling in the sunshine. The agent felt the impulse to cover her eyes. Qin Guan, who was standing in the middle of the two groups, looked around, revealing his white teeth. "Hi!" The F4 were smart boys. Following the rules in Taiwan, they bowed before Qin Guan politely. Their agent didnt want their imposing demeanor to take a hit, but she knew that the four boys were not equal rivals of a man with two Best Actor Awards. She had to obey the rules. The Koreans were not as tame though. They tended to bully the weak and fear the strong. Judging from Qin Guans Armani and Rolls Royce advertisements, they believed that Qin Guan had powerful connections. He had also won two out of the three European awards, so Peismercial value and professional status were inferior to Qin Guans. After thinking for a few seconds, Peis agent stretched both his hands out. "Hello, Im Piao Changqu from the BF agency in South Korea. Its an honor to meet you. Im looking forward to cooperating with you in the future..." He tried to create an opportunity out of their idental meeting. Actually, the modeling industry had been going the wrong way since the very beginning. Fake faces couldnt prevail for long. Qin Guan retracted his hands politely when the bus pulled up to the curb. Therge bus with the university logo departed fast. Chapter 620: The Chinese Stamp Chapter 620: The Chinese Stamp Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The old Peking man, who had witnessed the whole incident, put his cell phone back in his pocket. He had taken plenty of pictures in secret. Turning around, he hummed a Peking Opera song happily. "Ill rush over and kill them all..." Did he think he was a hero who had fought against Japanese invaders? The bus was filled with joy. As a rich man, Qin Guan had promised everyone a big meal after he was done with work. That was his way of expressing his gratitude. He couldnt choose a small restaurant, so in the end he picked Jun Wang Fu... When the group dispersed, Qin Guan regretted showing off. "Wei, shall we hold our wedding banquet here? We could pay for it with the cash well get as a wedding gift." Cong Nianwei was unpacking her luggage without looking at him. "Our parents will arrive tomorrow. The house is too small." "You are right. When my job here is over, well buy arger one together. We are local royalty after all. Tomorrow, well separate and take care of our affairs." "Im hungry..." They had both missed the food of their mothend. Chinese restaurants in America were not right for Chinese people. Qin Guan rushed to the Hu Guo Si snack bar, shouting happily. It was the most famous snack bar chain in Beijing. It sold dozens of Beijing snacks while preserving tradition. The taste of the food had remained the same throughout the years. It was great to be back home. Sesame paste, cooked sheep or swine tripe, handmade noodles... The young couple gorged themselves on the delicacies, making the other customers smile knowingly. Love and happiness were in the air. Refreshed by the delicious food, Qin Guan was in high spirits when he met Sister Xue at the "Chinese Impression" media conference. When they reached the site of the ceremony, they noticed that the ce looked very solemn. There were no media or fashion insiders. The people there were very strange. They looked like they did not engage in movies, but in conferences. When he was led to the area reserved for actors, Qin Guan found the few actors there sitting in a corner. Interesting! Actors had to y a leading role at such an event. Qin Guan began to talk to the others. "Hello! May I have the honor of knowing your name?" I have no idea who that old man is. Is he an old actor? "Nice to meet you, Im a jade sculptor." "Im a dancer of the Central National Dance Troupe." There was no actor there except Qin Guan. Only when the media conference began did Qin Guan spot Director Zhang Yimou. The man looked helpless. The long table on the stage made the event seem like an important national conference. The director of the film was sitting at the end of the table. A kind old man knocked on the microphone, indicating that the conference was about to begin. The officers from the Olympic Sports Center delivered a 10-minute speech about the significance of sports spirit. The Ministry of Culture attached great importance to the film. The National Tourism Administration wanted to promote a cultural tourism image at an international scale. The Pce Museum would just carry out the tasks assigned to it by its superior leaders. The Administration Office of Beihai Park would make sure that the site would be clear during the shooting. The Temple of Heaven Park would cooperate with the crew without influencing the flow of tourists. The neighborhoodmittee of Legation Street... Hey! This is just a short film... Qin Guan was getting sleepy in his chair. Suddenly, a deafening apuse broke out. After an hour and a half, the conference had finallye to an end. Satisfied with the progress, the directors left with their hands at their backs as their secretaries and assistants carried thick piles of paperwork. The actors exchanged confused looks. "What are you doing, Qin Guan? You are an experienced actor. You will have a lot of responsibilities in the future." "What?" "What do you mean what? Follow me!" "Okay..." You are the boss. Several shabby minibuses pulled up next to them, some greenhands spontaneously clustering around Qin Guan. Everyone got on the buses. The short documentary, which would be titled "Chinese Stamp: Dancing in Beijing", would serve as a connecting link between the previous and the next Olympics. It would have to impress not just the Chinese people, but an international audience. Naturally, Zhang Yimou had the financial and human resources support of the government. For example, the administration office of the park would take care of crowd control around the shooting site and the staff would ask the tourists to steer clear of the location. The shooting site was actually a wharf made of bamboos, with a mist lingering above it and a stream flowing around it. Chapter 621: An Exquisite Young Man Chapter 621: An Exquisite Young Man Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Everyone had to hurry up to finish the short film without disturbing the others. Naturally, Qin Guan was assigned a task as soon as he arrived. The assistant director, who was in charge of the figurants and the main actors, walked over to Qin Guan with a smile. "How are you doing, Qin Guan? Are you tired after your long journey? Your scene is next. Could you give the others a lesson in your spare time?" He dared not shout at a Best Actor Award winner, like Director Zhang did. Although the young man had shot no famous films in China, he was a two-time Best Actor Award winner. Very seldom did a Chinese actor win such an award abroad, so all the winners were worshipped in the domestic film circle. Even though he hadnt been tested in China, Qin Guan was still a gift from god in the eyes of the investors. The assistant director was kind and careful as he talked to him. Qin Guan, who was an easy-going man, agreed right away. All the people around him were big shots in their own industries. Its a pity that I did not bring Cong Nianwei. The director of the Sculpting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts is also here. The Chinese stamp at the beginning of the film was his work. Qin Guans team got to work. Sister Xue gathered the dancers to teach them some basic shooting skills, while Qin Guan was responsible for the main actors during the scene. "Grandpa Qian, you dont need to walk in during the scene. Just look up while youre carving the jade, so the cameraman can film the side of your face. Dont pay attention to the camera under the ss. It will be recording automatically." "The dancers job is a lot easier. Lin Juanjuan, do you see that white circle on the ground? Thats your position. You can do anything you like within it." The three dancers were looking at him with sparkling eyes. They were all leading figures within their own industry, but Qin Guan would be their teacher while they shot the film. Zhang Yimou smiled until wrinkles formed on his face. I didnt think Qin Guan would like teaching others. "Are you ready? We can watch the other actors perform now. Dont be nervous. Your parts are short. Plus, they showcase your abilities. Just follow my instructions." Everyone nodded in unison. Zhang Yimou suddenly remembered something and pointed to Qin Guan. "You go first. Show them what you can do!" "Okay!" Qin Guan walked out boldly. He was wearing a loose linen outfit. His cyan pants were hanging down over his ck cloth shoes as he walked to the site leisurely. He sneezed three times on his way there. His thin clothes and the shooting location were to me. The bamboo house was located next to ake, and white mist was lingering around the area. The ce was not inhabitable by any means. Cold air rose up from the silver waves as an autumn breeze blew above theke and over to the bamboo house. Qin Guan was sitting in the center of the hall, facing the green mountains and the blueke. The thin bamboo-paved road led to the wharf on the bank. Qin Guan had no idea how ancient people had been able to behave so elegantly in such an environment, but he knew why those talented people had died at a young age. They must have frozen to death. Nobody showed any mercy on him. Everyone waspletely absorbed in the beautiful scenery. "Three, two, camera!" Qin Guan began performing. He sat cross-legged on the ground before a traditional Chinese table with a pile of bamboo slips on it. Both his back and neck were straight. He seemed to be talking with ancient people across a one-thousand-year timeline. His clothes were blowing in the wind as he held an elegant brush in his hand. The brush, which was soaked in dense ink, was dancing on the bamboo slips, leaving characters behind it. The script was of a regr but old style that only used characters. The camera shifted from his back and the elegant handwriting to his face. What an exquisite young man! There was an ancient poem that started with the phrase "A jade-like person walking on the field..." That phrase could describe the scene aptly. Grandpa Qian, who had been a representative of painters, calligraphers and sculptors in the 1930s, waspletely lost in the scene. Chapter 622: The Sculpting Master Chapter 622: The Sculpting Master Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Both thendscape and the man in it were worth painting. Director Zhang paid no attention to the riot. He just kept pushing the camera forward to capture the perfect scene. It was a wonderfulbination of emotion and reality. Qin Guans handsome looks, calm expression and smooth handwriting made him look very graceful. Suddenly, the handsome man started murmuring to himself. The scene must being to an end. Im so tired of raising my wrist to write. How long has it been now? Ten minutes? Fifteen? There is no spare space left on the bamboo slips. Shall I keep writing? When Qin Guans hands began to shake, Director Zhang stopped the camera. "Well done, Qin Guan! Stay here. I have some good news for you." Qin Guan agreed before he ran back to Sister Xue, who gave him a windcoat to put on. Dont get sick, my boy. You have so much work during the next few days. What a considerate agent! Shocked by Qin Guans acting skills, the other actors started pping. In their opinion, he was the hope of modern Chinese cinema. Although they were not insiders of the film circle, they had reached the consensus that the Chinese film industry would flourish if all actors were as capable as Qin Guan. Grandpa Qian was walked to the set by Zhang Yimou. He would be carving a jade imperial seal that reflected the theme of the documentary. Grandpa Qian was a master in his field. He got all his materials and tools ready and then got to work. Director Zhang sat behind the camera silently. So did Qin Guan. He envied the mans skill. Qin Guan memorized his carving method, the way he used his tools and the finalposition with his eyes and brain. Professional skills were always important. In a few minutes, Grandpa Qian had created a figure that was running with open arms. The figure was running and dancing as a way to wee victory. It looked like the traditional Chinese character "" [1]. It was an artistic crystallization. The old man blew the debris away gently to reveal the final pattern. The stamp was visible clearly on the camera. Qian pressed it into a red inkpad and then stamped it on a piece of white paper to form the logo of the 2008 Olympics. That simple but meaningful stamp was the protagonist of the documentary. Qin Guan was aware that they had finished the most essential part of the film. After the break, they would head to another location. The staff packed up all the equipment and props. Most people left, as their job had been finished. Another group of people arrived and headed to the temporary office with Qin Guan. He and Sister Xue didnte back to their senses until they sat in the office, which used to be a park lounge. They were not surprised to see Lu Chuan there, but the other two men seemed to be from the Huayi Brothers Media Group. Besides, why was Feng Xiaogang there? Sister Xue and Qin Guan, who were both cautious by nature, remained quiet. They looked down, waiting for those strange guys to speak first. Lu Chuan was the one to break the silence. "We just scared him, Qin Guan. Dont worry, its no big deal." Then he winked and made a shameless gesture of prayer. "Please shoot a film with me, Qin Guan! Please!" Both Qin Guan and Sister Xue let out a breath of relief, but Qin Guan was still looking at the men doubtfully. "A film about what?" "Ke Ke Ci Li." "Ha ha... Shall we go to Qinghai?" "Sure!" "The location is okay. Is there anything you are hiding from me?" "The film is about wild animal protection. It will be a record of actual events, so it may influence your career as a model." That exins the strange atmosphere. They are treating me as a top model first. [1] It means capital. Chapter 623: Cunning Filmmakers Chapter 623: Cunning Filmmakers Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia After reading the script outline, Qin Guan understood why they were worried. Because of the demand for Tibetan antelope fur in the Euromerican market, antelopes were killed recklessly by poachers, which had made their number fall sharply from 1,000,000 to no more than 10,000. That was a sinmitted by the international fashion circle. Qin Guan put down the script and smiled. "As long as theres an appropriate schedule and a reasonable sry, Ill do it. I want to shoot a film with a sixth-generation director." "Really? Wouldnt that influence your status in the fashion circle?" "Never." Qin Guan raised an eyebrow. "If you knew what I said at the Mn Fashion Week, you wouldnt be worried about that." Relieved, Lu Chuan pushed the script towards Qin Guan. "Take it. The crew is ready. We can start filming anytime you like." Qin Guan nodded as Sister Xue put the script away. They turned to the Wang brothers together. Before they could say anything though, Feng Xiaogang cut the ground from under their feet. "I know why they are here. If you ept my offer, Ill tell you." Feng, who was famous for his big mouth, betrayed them right away. "You must not be aware that they..." Feng paused and pouted at the brothers, "They have contacted Columbia Pictures to jointly produce a film with them so the investment risk is smaller. Actually, they just want to cheat the foreigners and release the film overseas." Qin Guan and Sister Xue nodded in unison. They were familiar with that method. Even a film with great potential could bomb at the box office. They preferred to share the risk. "Whats the deal with me?" "They want you for your influence, of course. The investors were hesitant about the indie film, but they changed their minds when they heard that you would be the lead. They have taken 50% of the investment already. They will be in charge of the overseas release." "The two brothers promised them that you were nning on shooting some films in Huayi. They were happy about the news, so they decided to support you. They are looking to further increase your appeal." "You are a money-making machine. As for me, as an experienced director with good taste, I have to explore new ways to shoot my new film. We have never cooperated before, so I wanted to talk with you as early as I could." "If we seed, my film will do great at the box office. If we dont, at least I will be able to say that I coborated with an international Best Actor Award winner." Commercial filmmakers were as cunning as foxes. Sister Xue and Qin Guan exchanged a meaningful nce. They had a pile of scripts to look at. A small role with a good sry would be the ideal option. The brothers felt at ease, but Zhang Wei Ning and Zhang Yimou frowned. Qin Guan had epted Lu Chuans offer, so he would reject the film "House of Flying Daggers". As leaders of the indie andmercial cinema, both Feng and Lu viewed Zhangs new film unfavorably. Due to its in plot and wrong positioning, the films only highlight was Zhang Ziyi, who was an actress with greatmercial value. Their evaluation was actually very objective. When the negotiation was over, Qin Guan returned to the urban area. A group of people were waiting for him at the Jun Wang Fu Restaurant. Cong Nianwei was waiting for him there. Everyone who had weed them at the airport had been invited. The manager was happy about the party, as it would take him less time and staff to prepare it. By the time Qin Guan got out of his car, the pavilion in the garden was already aze with lights. This had been done for the safety of the customers, as the restaurant was half a kilometer away from the street. "Sister Xue, are youing with me?" "No, thanks. Id rather not join the youth." She left without hesitation, leaving Qin Guan idling before the entrance with hisrge backpack. The cold dishes had already been served. The young students were happy and noisy as the cook got to work. The host had to be an insider of the catering industry, for they had ordered the finest dishes with the most vibrant colors, amazing smells and exquisite vors. Every cook enjoyed serving an experienced foodie. Chapter 624: Taking Clients Out To Dinner Chapter 624: Taking Clients Out To Dinner Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Surrounded by his students, the cook began his lesson. "Master, who is he? This is a bigger feast than the Spring Festival or any other kind of festival!" "Yes, it is. The guests are all college students. It must be a students party," the cook replied calmly. "Its not graduation season. Besides, I heard that the host came alone. What a ck sheep! If I had done that, my mom would have beaten me to death!" The cook didnt care about the mysterious host. "There are many capable people hidden in the capital. Our restaurant is famous for its pce cuisine, but our dishes are worth their price. The average price is 500 yuan per person. Its nothing. That guy must love gastronomy. He is not foolish enough to order only expensive dishes. If he did, he would have to spend more than 1,000 yuan per person." His students believed him. Even a portion of egg fried rice cost 50 yuan. "Master, the other patrons over there seem like rich people. The four of them alone will pay just as much as those eight students." "Hey! Are you done yet?" His master lifted the pan high. "Can we get back to cooking? You have a lot of spare time, dont you?" Master and apprentice rtionships in the catering industry were very strict. The students scattered in all directions and got to work. The private room was filled with joy. Huang Jiajia and Mou Xiaoliu were sitting at the table closest to the door, so any passers-by were able to spot them right away. Unfortunately, this didnt bring them any luck. "Mou! What a coincidence! What are you doing here?" An unwee guest walked up to Mou. It was a middle-aged man with a receding hairline. "Who is he?" Huang Jiajia asked Mou impolitely. Mou looked calm. "Hello, director Liu." The guy seemed happy with the greeting. He was the director of the Credit Center, so he was very respected among young girls. As soon as Mou had been assigned to his office, he had asked around about her. She was just a graduate from a famous college without any eminent social connections. The director strode into the hall confidently. "Are you having dinner with your friends?" He shot a cantankerous look at Huang Jiajia. Young girls are lovely these days. "These seats are for ordinary guests. Im treating some friends to dinner in the private room over there. Shall we have dinner together? You could make some new friends. They are major clients of the Credit Center..." Director Liu gestured at them. Those clients would be important for his credit that year. Mou was a good-tempered girl, so she did not get angry. She just pointed inside and said, "One of my schoolmates is having a party." Liu looked inside and saw that the dishes were not very expensive. Students are poor. Maybe they are having dinner here by splitting the check. Sure about his guess, he waved at Mou. "Young girls should save money for their future. Its my treat. Follow me to the private room." He tried to take her hand, but Mou was a martial artist and Huang Jiajia was a very smart girl. Together, they poured a pot of hot tea on him. "Ouch!" The two girls covered their mouths in surprise. "Are you okay?" "You scared us! If you wanted to have some tea, you could have said so!" That was victim-ming at its best. Fortunately, it was autumn, so the clothes he was wearing were not very thin. Director Liu hadnt gotten burned. There was only a water stain on his crotch, yet he still felt humiliated. "You did this on purpose! You cannot appreciate a polite gesture! Come with me! Its your job to apany clients to dinner!" The people inside heard his shouts. Liu Xiaoyang and Li Jie, who had been greeting guests on Qin Guans behalf, saw their roommates admirers. Chapter 625: Accidents Happen Chapter 625: idents Happen Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia They wouldnt let two girls get hurt in their domain, much less if they were Qin Guans fans. Liu Xiaoyang looked at Cong Nianwei and got her approval. Liu always ran wild. He didnt care about any rules orws. He just wanted to punish the guy, even though the two girls had not really gotten hurt. He walked over to them, rolling up his sleeves on the way. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was walking over from the other end of the corridor. "Im so hungry..." He suddenly paused. "What are you doing here? Are you lining up to wee me?" He thought he was being funny, but everyone else felt awkward. He didnt realize there was anything wrong until he reached the threshold. "Whats going on?" He unconsciously turned to Huang Jiajia and Mou. "Are you causing trouble again?" "Qin Guan!" Huang Jiajia stood up. "That fat man asked Mou to be a barmaid!" Director Liu screamed upon hearing the fake usation. "Thats nonsense! I just asked her to meet some major clients in the private room. She is my subordinate. Is there a problem? I also offered to cover the expenses for your party! Be reasonable! Why did you pour tea on me? My clothes are very expensive, you know!" Qin Guan realized what was going on. Freshmen are not easy in the workce nowadays. He pointed inside and asked Director Liu, "Your treat? Are you sure?" "Sure! Which table are you sitting at?" The students stood up one after the other. "Brother Qin!" "Senior Qin!" "One, two, three... All of them. Your treat!" Liu realized that he would have to pay for all the tables in the hall. Qin Guan waved at the waiter. "This kind man will be paying the bill. Let him know about the total amount." "Okay! Its 4,000 yuan per table." "You are so nice, Director Liu! Thanks a lot!" Liu looked as if he was about to blow up in someones face. "Fine, Mou Xiaoliu. Im just being kind. You are a cker at work though..." Before he could finish his words, another voice was heard saying, "Lao Liu! You invited us here and then disappeared! Are you nning on escaping without paying the bill?" His clients were walking along the long corridor. "Wow! Is that Qin Guan? You bastard! When did youe back to Beijing? Why didnt you call us?" The major clients were some acquaintances of his, including Zhang Zhenqian and Bu Qinglu... "Youve been a stranger ever since you won those awards! You still have a share in ourpany, you know. I would be careful if I were you!" Qin Guan was speechless. They were all sessful people after all. Their ie reports were increasing every year, yet they were still wearing casual clothes. Qin Guan opened his arms, happy to see them again after such a long separation. "I arrived yesterday. I was just having a party for my old schoolmates. You are rich men now. Why are you still wearing those clothes?" They were wearing loose hoodies, pants and slippers. "Lets have dinner together and catch up!" They didnt care about being called spongers. "No problem. Lets eat together! I like to eat with bigpany!" Bu Qinglu spoke for the group before he turned to Director Liu, who looked stupefied. "Lao Liu, this is our brother, Qin Guan. Hes a Best Actor Award winner! He just returned from America. Lets talk about our affairster!" "Besides, you have to go home and change pants." How considerate! "But... But the loan..." Liu stammered. "Oh, theres no rush. See you!" But Im in a rush... Liu watched them enter the hall and hug each other around the shoulders. He realized his effort had been in vain. Sighing, he cast an angry look at Mou, who was following Qin Guan with her eyes, and ground his teeth. Such an employee wont go far. What a toy boy! Chapter 626: Setting Out For Qinghai Chapter 626: Setting Out For Qinghai Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan took a seat among his old friends and schoolmates. The table culture of Chinese people was full of human kindness. During dinner, people expanded their connections and made new friends. After exchanging a few words, Qin Guan caught up with his old friends. They had prospered during the past couple of years. Their smallpany had seeded not just in the development of the western regions, but also in entertaining the residents of the capital. They had established a chain KTV called Haoledi. Qin Guans value had been rising in the process, but his total assets had reached a debt of tens of millions of yuan. This was because his previous investment had not seeded yet and his next projects had to be expanded. In other words, everything was in ce except for the capital. However, many banks were begging to give them a loan to benefit from their sess. Qin Guan took a sip of tea and shouted in the direction of the door, "Mou Xiaoliu! Come here!" Mou ran over right away with a reluctant Huang Jiajia. "What for?" Her sparkling eyes had remained the same. "Are you in the Credit Department? Is that guy your direct supervisor? I will help you avoid a retaliation. I have a share in thatpany, so I call the shots." The other guys did not object. They were used to hearing Qin Guans opinion on financial problems. They all nodded in unison. Qin Guan smiled at the girl. "Your director failed, but you seeded in getting the loan. Tomorrow, these three guys will go to the bank for you." Mou smiled like silly. "Thats great!" Qin Guan turned to Huang Jiajia. "What does that supercilious look on your face mean? Why arent you greeting your former tutor?" The girl burst into tears. Qin Guan looked at Cong Nianwei nervously. "I wasnt bullying her!" "I thought you would never be kind to me!" Huang Jiajia cried out. A warm hand caressed her head, making her cry even louder. Mou felt jealous as the hand caressed her head with the same long-lost warmth and tolerance. I have to cheer up. Senior Qin is offering his support to me. The guests dispersed as the moonlight was reflected in the hall like water. Qin Guan had some sips of wine, which was something he didnt do often. He didnt have to work the next day though, so he could afford to drink. The next day, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei parted ways. One of them headed for Kekexili, while the other would be in charge of their parents arrival on the weekend. Both were very difficult jobs. The two film crews started filming at the same time, which caused a lot of trouble for Qin Guan. Both "Ke Ke Xi Li" and "A World Without Thieves" were being produced by Huayi and included scenes that had to be filmed on the teau. That was the main shooting site, so the train had to be driven down from a height of 4,700 meters above sea level. This would save everyone time, money and work. Feng had shamelessly stolen Qin Guan from Lu Chuan after all. The jeeps were climbing up the teau one after the other. They had to carry up all the supplies, including the props, the costumes, some food and medicine. This was no fun and games. It was actually a battle with cruel nature. Qin Guan would y a minor role in the film, but he still had to learn about the shooting methods of Chinese directors. Wang Baoqiang saw Qin Guan as a member of his family. He kept following Qin Guan around, his arm locked around his. "When did youe home, Brother?" Qin Guan was having some lunch during a rest stop. "Do you know that I was selected by Director Feng himself? Do you think this film will make me famous?" Qin Guan was sleeping at a small hotel. "There are so many stars in this film, Brother! Liu Dehua, Ge You... Im afraid of them. Yesterday, Liu Ruoying smiled at me..." Qin Guan was in the bathroom. Why arent you afraid of me? Im a two-time Best Actor Award winner! One had to forgive the simple boy. In his opinion, only people who appeared frequently on television could be considered stars. Chapter 627: A World Without Thieves Chapter 627: A World Without Thieves Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Finally, the film was about to start. Qin Guan let out a long sigh of relief. He was determined to do his best to finish his guest role early. He only had five minutes of screentime in the film after all. Fan Wei was the leading character in the scene, who would be making funny jokes. Qin Guan would just help him amuse the audience. He would be portraying one of the three robbers. It was only a scene shot with a single lens, but most of the actors were gathered there to shoot some highlights as a way to test the shooting and editing skills of the director. This was nothing for Feng. When all the main actors were present, the funny scene began. They were on a train heading from the teau to the urban area. The staff of the Qinghai Railway Administration had helped them arrange the set in a few spare carriages on the tracks. All the figurants were natives. The leading actors were all in position, waiting for the directors orders. Qin Guan was standing in front of the carriage with Fan Wei. You Yong was right behind them. "Xiao Qin!" Fans unique ent amused Qin Guan, but he tried his best to suppress hisughter. "Thats it! I was afraid that you wouldugh during my performance. Greenhands alwaysugh at me!" It seemed like he was always made fun of. "Dont worry, Fan. I promise I wont say a word..." Before he could finish his words, the assistant told them to get started. Old Ge You was standing across from Qin Guan. He had a big round head, but he was just as tall as Qin Guan. He was looking emotionally at Qin Guan, who was wearing a cat mask. The two of them exchanged a meaningful nce. Out of the blue, You Yongs gun was pushed against Ges head. "Robbery!" Qin Guan looked down at Ge and whispered a secret to him while waving his forefinger. Everyone in the carriage panicked. "Hush! Silence!" Qin Guan warned them gently. Fan couldnt stand it anymore. "Ru.. Run!" he shouted at the crowd. Ge You sighed as Fan forced the words out of his mouth. Then the old man said calmly, "Robbers like you annoy me. You dont even have any basic skills..." He was telling the truth. His calm interpretation was extremely funny. Comedians who didnt use exaggerated facial expressions and bodynguage were much more talented than guys like Jim Carrey. They were more capable and could have more sessful careers, as it was easier for them to form their own style. Qin Guan observed everyones acting skills carefully. They were all experienced actors in the Chinese film industry, so there was a lot for him to learn from them. The shooting went on. Both Fan Wei and Qin Guan took off their masks to reveal their faces. Qin Guan melded carefully with the background, serving like a perfect contrast to Fans funny performance. Director Feng nodded behind the camera. What a good actor! He knows how to cooperate with others. He is not like those rising stars who are always eager to show off. The honest actor was about to be tested though. The main camera retreated, leaving Qin Guan to be the center of the scene. His orchid-like fingers made him look like a sissy as he waved his arms before his chest, threatening all the passengers. "Be serious! We are robbing you!" As expected, everyone burst intoughter. The weapons in the robbers hands didnt frighten them at all. "Stopughing! We are robbing you!" He had an authentic capital ent thatcked any scary elements. "Ha ha!" Feng was the first to burst intoughter. The whole crew was looking at him nkly. "Great! Cut!" he shouted in an effort to hide his guilt. But we were just half-way through the scene... "Five-minute break so everyone canugh!" What a considerate man! Chapter 628: The Kekexili National Nature Reserve Chapter 628: The Kekexili National Nature Reserve Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan continued performing without a pause, gesturing at everyone angrily. "Stopughing! Pay attention! We are shooting a film here!" "Ha ha..." Feng Wei patted him on the shoulder with a smile. "You are aedian in the making." Thank you so much! Soon, the second half of the scene began. Fan felt the back of a policewomans waist brush against him. He looked stupefied. Policewoman: Do you feel that? Fan: Yes. Policewoman: What is it? Fan fell silent before he turned to Qin Guan for help. Qin Guan got impatient with him. He poked Fans head with his slender finger, exasperated with Fans failure to look good. He looked like a woman grumbling in a flirtish manner. Feng was taking long breaths, trying to hold hisughter back. Its the altitude. Im suffering from hypoxia! "What do you feel? Tell me!" When Fan uttered the word "gun", the policewoman took it out. Qin Guan was hiding in a small corner with his hands tied behind his head. He seemed to be very familiar with the procedure. He must have been arrested plenty of times in the past. He was portraying the cowardly robber well. The main actors were watching his performance from the background. Liu Dehua and Liu Ruoying were very interested in the two-time Best Actor Award winner. Wang Baoqiang was looking at Qin Guan with sparkling eyes. Qin Guans advantages were his own shorings. He was the best choice for some roles, but he would never be suitable for some others. A handsome guy could portray a charming prince, but he could never be convincing as a hillbilly. "Good! Cut!" Feng grinned, his bare teeth betraying his good mood. Filmmakers believed that if the first scene of a film was finished smoothly, the whole film would be a sess. Liu was a greenhand at acting, so his acting skills were not very borate. However, Liu Dehua, who was a very experienced actor, was interested in Qin Guans performance. He knew that good, experienced actors tended to have a routine in their performances. For example, Chen Daoming portrayed all emperors in the same way, and Sun Honglei had to try to shake off all the gangster characters he had yed. Liu acknowledged this problem. No matter what character he portrayed, the audience always saw him as Liu Dehua. This was a terrible thing for an actor, yet he was enlightened by Qin Guans performance, whichbined fine oriental emotions with exaggerated idental expressions. His acting skills only served the character, not the actor himself. The award-winning actor was certainly worthy of his reputation. Liu would not be surprised if the young man returned to China and caused a storm. The whole crew watched Qin Guan go. Everyone could tell that he was special. That short scene had been enough for them to know. Lu Chuan smiled at Qin Guan when he saw him. "Well set out for Kekexili tomorrow!" The Kekexili National Nature Reserve was a pearl of the Yushu Tibetan autonomous prefecture in the Qinghai Province. It was thergest and highest-altitude natural reserve in China and it had the richest wildlife in the country. One could find there beautiful Tibetan antelopes, wild yaks, Tibetan wild donkeys, as well as rare nts and the Gobi desert, all things they could not see in the city. The sky there was so blue, it was nearly transparent. Its distance from the bustling world made the location a purend where humans and nature lived in harmony. The residents there were living in the past. They were like hermits on those snowy mountains, grasnd, desert and Lama temples. Tibetan Buddhism was dominant in the area. The devotees were not that many, but they were very faithful. Sutras were being chanted everywhere. The blessed location would host a crew of more than 100 people. Humans and animals had very different lifestyles though. On their first day there, some weak crew members were affected by the altitude, which made everyone very nervous. Fortunately, the three leading actors were in good health. They left the patients at the hospital and started for the teau. They wanted to finish their jobs as soon as possible. Chapter 629: Simple Tibetan Girls Chapter 629: Simple Tibetan Girls Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The first andst scene had nothing to do with Qin Guan. They were just meant to show the indifference and cruelty of that depopted area. Lu Chuan wanted to film a real traditional celestial burial, which was something that was about to be extinct in Tibet. A celestial burial was the traditional funeral of Tibetan and Mongolian people. They believed in the reincarnation and immortality of the spirit, so in their minds, death was only the spirits departure from a dying body. They fed the vultures with human bodies as an offer of worship. The cameras were set up fast. It was very difficult for the cameramen to work on the teau. Even the strongest men were panting heavily as they carried the cameras. Qin Guan was no better. He admired the people living on the teau. They were all thin but capable, with an honest expression in their eyes. Before he could pull any funny faces for some curious Tibetan children, Lu Chan began filming the celestial burial. The vultures were lingering in the sky in an imposing manner while the monks around the corpse were murmuring words Qin Guan didnt recognize. The big birds descended suddenly to cover the body. Qin Guan had never experienced anything like this before. The hungry guy all of a sudden lost his appetite. "See youter. I dont feel well..." The scene was too realistic to watch. Cruelty and indifference weremon elements in Japanese movies. Lu Chuan looked like a gentle guy, but he was berserk inside. Qin Guan shivered. Suddenly, he saw actress Zhao Xueying stare at a big mosquito on her arm. "What are you doing? Just kill it!" "Tibetan people say that everything has a spirit. We should cherish all spirits. I cant harm it." Qin Guan was speechless. The girl was both smart and beautiful. He returned to the camp in low spirits. Soon, he recovered and had a local snack. Milk tea was made of yak milk. It was best to have it at the ce where it was produced. When he finished it, some flushed girls presented him with a gift. "Is that for me?" A brave girl nodded before she escaped as fast as she could. Some Tibetan young men shot a few supercilious looks at him. They had never seen such an attractive man before. The gift was a in straw-weaved tray with some milk skin on it. The skin looked yellowish. That was precious food for Tibetan people. Four kilos of fresh milk could be refined to one kilo of milk skin. It was a specialty reserved only for distinguished guests. Qin Guan looked around before he returned to his room. He put the sweet milk skin into his bag. It would be a good refreshment to have during the break. Qin Guan chuckled to himself, when he suddenly heard Sister Xue shout outside, "Qin Guan! Lu Chuan is looking for you! I have to ept his offer! Im out of breath! I need some rest... Qin Guan!" Liar! You are just afraid of hardship. No one needs you in this unpopted area. The film reflected the severe consequences of poaching. Tibetan people protected animals instinctively, but anyone coulde across any possible danger in the wilderness. Maybe they would even encounter some real poachers. "Stop crying, Sister Xue! Lu Chuan would never bring a burden along. We have to go into battle with a light backpack. Theres no reason for you to worry!" "Im not a burden!" When Qin Guan came out of the camp, they set out on their trip. The team included five jeeps and several trunks full of supplies. There were no trees on the Gobi Desert, only the horizon and some winding mountain roads. There were still pits, slops and quicksand waiting ahead. That area was very dangerous for travellers. When they got there, they started filming the first scene. "The characters are smuggling Tibetan antelope wool in this scene... Get ready to shoot!" Chapter 630: Half-Naked Chapter 630: Half-Naked Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The autumn sky was clear and the air was crisp in the capital, but a piercing wind was blowing in Qinghai. Qin Guan had wrapped himself in a military coat. ording to native tradition, that was the only way to resist the wind. Qin Guan was standing in front of the camera. A shabby truck was approaching from afar. It was a shuttle bus used by the vigers on the teau. This was the first time Qin Guan was experiencing a battle of wits and courage between the voluntary guards and the smugglers. Who knew that half a kilo of wool would cost 1,000 dors and be sealed in a torn cotton jacket? The drivers clothes had been taken off. Qin Guan rubbed his face distraughtly. "What shall we do with those?" "Let him go..." "Why?" "There are dozens of people smuggling goods for the poachers. Bus drivers, travelling doctors... We cant catch them all!" Qin Guan sighed under the sky, unable to fathom the dirty deals humans made. The first scene came to an end. "We could go to Chumar River by Lake Zhuonair," their guide told him. Taking advantage of this, Qin Guan talked with the real heroes on their way there. They were all guards of the Tibetan antelopes. They would spend arge amount of their paychecks on equipment for their base. "Is there someone stationed there?" "Of course. We are short on personnel, so its just one guy. The poachers dare not approach though." "How often do you relieve the guard?" "Never. Hes been there for three years." Silence prevailed in the car. The old jeep was making cracking noises as it drove through the Gobi Desert. The sky seemed much clearer than before. They hurried on their way, driving day and night. The dull scenery made everyone sleepy. When they reached their destination though, Qin Guan suddenly came back to his senses. Chumar River was a fresh river winding through the unpopted area. It was also an important location for the battle between the guards and the poachers. Their guide made a campfire, while the crew was busy with their props and equipment. In that unpopted area, fire was absolutely necessary. Qin Guan put on his cap and got his camera ready. He was the only pretty boy among a group of tough men. The next scene was a simple yet hard chase. All they had to do was run across the shallow river and catch the poacher on the opposite bank, but they had to be half-naked while they waded into the cold water. Lu Chuan sighed before he shouted at Qin Guan and the Tibetan people, "Run!" At his order, the sturdy Tibetan warriors rushed to the bank without hesitation. Qin Guan followed them closely, unwilling to look weak before them. "Take off your pants and cross the river!" Everyone took off their pants and ran to the river. Bare legs and underwear were the only things visible on the camera. "Ouch!" Qin Guan felt terrible. The temperature was really low, and the chilling water felt as if it was biting his legs. His whole body was shaking. He panted as he moved his legs with all his might. The bank was only a few meters away, yet it seemed unreachable. They reached the opposite bank panting. Then they got some sad news. "Once again! Some people were not visible on the camera!" They had to repeat the scene 30 times! When Lu Chuan finally nodded in approval, Qin Guan copsed on the ground. His bare legs felt numb, but the sunlight was unprecedentedly warm. After that battle, Qin Guan was epted by the Tibetan men. "You are really good, young man!" "Of course! Im no coward!" "Really? Stand up and dance!" They all got to their feet and began dancing around the outsider, wild voices escaping their throats. Qin Guany on the ground, watching their long legs and underwear moving around above his head. He shouted along with the Tibetan men, their voices echoing around the desert. It felt wonderful to make some unexpected friends. In the following days, almost half the crew got sick because of the tough living conditions. They suffered from pneumonia, emphysema, fever and hypoxia. Their passion disappeared, making some of them abandon the whole endeavor. Chapter 631: The Sin of Desire Chapter 631: The Sin of Desire Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia They escaped with their supplies and luggage, not even caring about getting paid. The hardships of living in that area could not be expressed with words. It was not surprising that they had decided to leave. After a few days, rhagades formed on Qin Guans lips. His face felt rough, but he didnt give up. The Tibetan men realized that he was braver than they had expected. He could swallow up raw rabbit flesh and roll down a sand slope. Thanks to him, the shooting had been shortened and the final scene came to an end. The wind was blowing sand all over as Qin Guan knelt down on the ground and fixed his eyes on Ritais corpse. There were no tears in his eyes, but everyone could feel his sorrow. "Cut!" Lu Chuan hoarsely asked all 60 members of the crew to pack up their luggage. Everyone was really happy to be returning home. Qin Guan had be good friends with the natives though. "Are there any poachers nowadays?" he asked them on their way back. "Its hard to say. They avoid the checkpoints, but they linger around the area." "We have police stations protecting us here..." An awkward smile froze on his face when he realized that this was true. "Nothing will happen to us. We are only shooting a film here. Shall we go greet them?" Bang! "Dont worry, it was just an idental discharge!" The shot helped them escape from the doomed desert. A group of poachers not far away heard the shot and stayed away. They always avoidedrge armed groups, so they left the scene of the crime with their harvest as fast as they could. On their way back, the crew came across some dead antelopes. Fresh blood was streaming out of their bodies, and their ck eyes were wide in fear. The scene they had shot earlier had suddenlye true. The guards walked over and counted the dead animals with broken hearts. One, two, three... They were four hundred and five, including the cubs. That was the exact amount killed in their film. Reality was ugly and depressing. Everyone fixed their eyes on Lu Chuan. "Let us know if you need anything, director." "Cheer up! Well finish the film as soon as possible." That was a desire shared by everyone. They reported the crime to the authorities right away. The young policemen started tracing the criminals with a bitter hatred. Qin Guan walked over to Lu Chuan. The two of them looked at each other for a long while,municating their sincere thoughts that way. "Its a good film. It should be shown to the world." "You are a good actor. Youve been born for the cinema." The two men embraced each other and the in Tibetan men. "You are wee back anytime, Qin Guan." "You are our good friend. If you want to have a celestial burial, well find a temple for you." Thanks in advance... Farewell, Kekexili! When she left Qinghai, Sister Xue felt immediately refreshed. She and Yin Changtao had decided to travel around Beijing, as Yin had never been to China before. Qin Guan returned home to find his surprised parents there. "Were you really shooting a film? You look like youve returned from a coal pit!" His mother caressed his face with a sigh while his father patted his shoulder with a worried expression in his eyes. Cong Nianweis father seemed to be taking pleasure in his misfortune. "Ha ha! He looks so ugly, Weiwei! Did he really go to Qinghai? He looks like hes returned from the South Pole!" "Hush!" He keptughing at Qin Guan until Cong NIanwei stopped him. Qin Guan struggled out of his mothers arms and exchanged a look with his girlfriend. "Dad, mom... Lets talk about this tomorrow..." Their parents returned to their hotel, leaving the apartment to the young lovers. They would start looking for a house the next day. All the cabs in the capital had been changed to Jettas and Santanas. Their first stop were the advanced apartments downtown. ording to Qin Guans memory, they would have the biggest potential. Most of them were in-stock houses with fine decoration. They were outstandingpared to ordinary residential buildings. After two years, the property developers had still kept some good houses in hand. Those would be Qin Guans first choice. Chapter 632: A Matrimonial House Chapter 632: A Matrimonial House Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The couple had a specific aim, but their parents had no idea about their ie. They knew nothing about their schrships in America or their careers. Qin Guans parents had made a big fortune thanks to Qin Guan. They had arge amount of money in their bank ount, so they had decided to spend some gold on getting their son a matrimonial house. The residents of Y city believed that a new house was necessary for a couple to get married. Qin Guan, Cong Nianwei and their parents arrived at Financial Street, where the famous Huarong Department was located. It was only a few hundred meters away from the subway station and across the street from the international Beijing No. 4 High School, which was a popr school district with convenient transportation. An inch ofnd in that area was worth an ounce of gold. It was the best ce to invest in if one wanted to rent their house out or live in it. Because of the high prices, the building sales center was functioning perennially, even though the first residents had been living there for more than six months. All the real estate agents would keep some good houses at hand. They were actually looking ahead, as the prices had increased from 15,800 to 21,100 per square meter. The high prices obstructed sales, but they made money from the total difference. "Wee!" Four salesmen bowed deeply before them as if they were Japanese. When they looked up, Qin Guan couldnt stand the ttering expression in their eyes. "Let me serve them!" "You said you were busy today, Dong. Go ahead and do your job!" "I need these clients! I have to buy milk powder for my son, Elder Sister!" "I know you are single!" They all left their integrity and morality at home. All families wanted to buy a matrimonial house. In most cases, parents used all their hard-earned money to buy a house for their only child. That house would serve as a happy nest for the young couple in the future. ording to the managers spection, the young couple had to have decent jobs. Usually it was the parents who paid for the down payment and the children who paid for the loan. "Follow me, please!" The middle-aged woman led them through the gate with an elegant posture. They used the elevator to get to their destination. "Its a standard house with three bedrooms and a living room facing south and north. There is also an independent kitchen and a bathroom with two toilets..." The manager opened the doors for them one by one. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei fell in love with the house. It had wooden floors, an elegant kitchen design, a reasonable amount of furniture and arge balcony that could hold two deck chairs. The surrounding facilities were perfect too. After the house had been ventted and cleaned, there would be no pungent smell lingering inside. If he had been buying the house as an investment, Qin Guan would have just signed the contract without looking carefully at it, but their parents considered it important, as they would be living there after they got married. The manager waited for them quietly as they looked around the house, only speaking when they wanted to ask a question. Her sales strategy impressed their parents. "I noticed that there are four houses on the same floor. There is one elevator for every two houses, right?" Qin Guans mother asked curiously, squeezing her handbag. "Yes." "They are the same houses with a flipped structure, right?" "Exactly." "Could we have a look at the other house as well?" The manager, who was a cunning woman, deduced that Qin Guans mother was the decision-maker of the family. She was happy to grant her request. "Of course," she answered softly. "If you have time, we could pay a visit to the other side." "Okay..." Everyone followed her out. The two doors were close to each other, so they strode over to the other house easily. "Manager, this is a new client. I just showed them the house. Are you finished?" Another salesman was leading some clients out. "Hi! What a coincidence! How are you, Director Liu?" The man following the salesman was Director Liu, whom Qin Guan had met at the Jun Wang Fu Restaurant. A plump woman was behind them, talking in a dramatic voice. Chapter 633: Lao Liu Chapter 633: Lao Liu Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Listen to me, Lao Liu. This house is pretty good. Just listen to me! Your bank is right across the street. I could bring you dinner at night. Take-away is crap. I dont care if its made by the cook at your cafeteria." The plump woman with the flowery scarf noticed Qin Guan and heard him greet her husband. "You know Lao Liu? That boy is so handsome! Did you just graduate from college?" The passionate woman saw Cong Nianwei, who was holding hands with Qin Guan, and smiled meaningfully. "A young couple looking for a matrimonial house! You should take a good look around!" Director Liu was scared of Qin Guan. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked at the man with a knowing smile. It seems like this woman is his wife. Before Qin Guan could have a word with the woman, Liu grabbed his arm. The short man possessed the power of a bear. "He is a client of mine... Come on, lets take a look around together!" He pulled Qin Guan through the emergency exit and into the stairway. Crack! The door was closed as the light was turned on. Liu and Qin Guan gazed at each other. Suddenly, Liu strengthened his chest. "Is your name Qin Guan? Please spare me! Dont tell my wife about Mou. She would start asking questions. Just tell her that you are my client or my subordinate... Supervisor would also be okay..." Qin Guan looked at the man calmly with both hands in his pockets. A great man always knew when to surrender and when to resist. Liu ground his teeth as he kept begging Qin Guan. "People always take advantage of their subordinates, young man. Besides, I didnt make any mistakes." Liu looked up and saw Qin Guans apathetic expression. "Im so poor!" Liu buried his face in his hands. "Im a middle-aged man with parents, inws and kids to take care of... I worked hard for many years in order to be a director. My decadent thoughts disappeared as soon as they formed..." He started crying as dramatically as a woman. "Thats enough!" Qin Guan broke in helplessly. "No one wants to rat you out to your wife!" "Then why are you looking at me so strictly?" "That was my reaction to your terrible acting skills." Liu took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. "Of course. How could Ipare to an award-winning actor?" "You know who I am?" "I saw you in a cosmetics advertisement. I didnt know you were so sessful abroad." Are you trying to tter me? Liu had revealed his true colors. Qin Guan couldnt help but let out a long sigh. "Director Liu?" "What?" "Your handkerchief is clean. Does your wife wash it for you?" "Yes. How do you know that?" "Tough men like us dont carry around handkerchiefs. It must have been prepared by a woman. Besides, your wife must get along quite well." "How do you know that?" Director Liu looked confused. "People use tissues these days. Very few people insist on the old habit, even though it saves money and protects the environment." Liu stuffed his handkerchief into his pocket silently. Then he looked up. "Although you are a nice young man, I have to point out that you are quite talented at sneering at people. What do you mean by tough men like us? Look at your face. You are trying to bully me!" Qin Guan smiled at him. "Ha ha!" They opened the door only to find out that their families had exchanged houses. "Do you like it? If there is something you find unsatisfactory, dont worry. Ourpany will inform you as soon as we develop some new real estate." Qin Guans mother shook her head. "No, just bring the contract." She had decided to buy it. The manager was very happy to hear that. "Full payment or mortgage?" "Full payment!" The manager paused for a second. Then she headed to the cashier. I misjudged them. The POS beeped, making the favorite sound of salesmen everywhere as the receipt rolled out slowly from the machine. It was very convenient to get paid right away. Chapter 634: Distracted Chapter 634: Distracted Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Meanwhile, in the reception room, Lius wife was trying to change her husbands mind. The number on the contract had surprised her. "Lao Liu, this is beyond our budget. Even the smallest house in this area would cost us more than a million! You are working at a bank. We could borrow some money from it, or maybe take a look at some other property..." Lao Liu signed his name on the contract without looking up. "I make money for my wife and kids. This house is close to the school and my bank. I will save money on transportation and food. Besides, its also close to your parents..." "But..." Liu was a man of his word. As he followed the salesman to go on with the purchase, his wife finally stoppedining. She knew her husband was a considerate man deep down. There were so many paths on a persons life that one could lose their way. One day though, something or somebody would remind them of what really mattered. A moment like that was worth cherishing. The manager saw the two families off respectfully. When she turned around, she met the sparkling eyes of several girls. "Tell us, Elder Sister!" "Tell you what?" "About Qin Guan! That was Qin Guan!" They all twittered happily, leaving the manager speechless. "Xiao Zhang, get me a ss of water." "No problem!" Xiao Zhang rushed to the water dispenser as fast as she could. "Im getting old. My back is always sore after work." "Ill massage it for you!" another girl offered. "Thats enough! Weve had many powerful people buy a house from us before!" "But they were old people working on Financial Street! Qin Guan is much more handsome!" "Tell us, please!" The manager was satisfied with the effect. "What do you want to know?" Suddenly, they all began quacking like ducks. "Was that girl his girlfriend? Are they going to get married? I saw their parents with them!" "You are right..." They all sighed in disappointment. "Theyre going to get married? But he is so young!" "I know!" The manager shot them a supercilious look. "He is only 22 ording to his ID, but theres no need to be anxious. I think they are a perfect match. Besides, even if he didnt marry her, it would be impossible for him to marry any of you." "That hurt!" The manager took a sip of water before she stood up. "Okay, break is over. Qin Guan is not that famous anyway. He is just a handsome advertisement model. Is he famous for his work? No! Has he won a national prize or something? No!" She had made a big mistake. "He has won two Best Actor Awards in Europe!" the girls shouted. The manager was straightforward. "But hes won nothing in China. Now stop talking and go sell some more houses!" The girls scattered like frightened birds. The manager let out a long sigh of disappointment. "Young girls are always like this. Celebrities are useless!" Inte September 2003, SARS was put under control in China, people lost an important star of the Chinese film industry, and a new singer rose to fame in Taiwan and became popr all over Asia. In 2003, both the Chinese film and music industry eventually emerged from underwater. In the fall of 2003, Qin Guan had to see the two people he loved the most off again. His parents left some new cotton padded quilts and local snacks for them. No matter where Qin Guan was, he could always feel their love. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei received a call and hurried out, leaving tworge suitcases in their room. The call was from the real estate agent who rented thepounds on the Second East Ring. The alley Qin Guan had bought was about to be evaluated for the first time. The couple rushed to the agency to meet the young employee. Chapter 635: The Human Kindness Of A Hutong Chapter 635: The Human Kindness Of A Hutong Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The young employee had been through many hardships and worked very hard in order to be branch manager. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei visited the real estate agency. That was the necessary procedure for the owner to get their property back, as they had to check if there had been any damages or changes first. As they walked down the twisting hutong, the manager began his introduction. "You entrusted all the houses to us, so we remoulded them ording to the temporal conditions to keep the rent on an eptable level. We make money from the difference, but we have to cover the maintenance costs first. Does that sound right, brother?" It did. He had warned Qin Guan about that beforehand. When they arrived at the first andrgest house, Qin Guan was shocked by the flexible structure. It was a small house with one bedroom and one living room. The old room had been decorated by the agency. It used to be a staff dormitory with clothing lines hanging in a criss-cross pattern in the yard, clothes and sheets exposed to the sunshine on them. They entered the room and saw some crowded shelves inside. They could hardly set a foot in. It was working hours, so the lodgers were not in. They worked at a small restaurant. "How many people live here?" The manager forced a smile before showing Qin Guan one of his hands. Then he turned his hand over. "Five?" "Ten. I just turned my hand over!" You are a master of the signnguage. The other houses were in the same condition. Some were even rented by the bed. There was great fluidity among the tenants, so some houses were divided into small cabs that were rented out to different individuals. When Qin Guan came out of thest house, he was greeted by an old woman. "Hello, young man. You are finally back!" Qin Guan was confused. The woman was wearing a red armband and holding a stool in her hand. "You forgot me? I met you when you bought the house!" "Thats it!" Qin Guan was enlightened. "You returned just in time! Take a seat!" She handed the small stool to Cong Nianwei and returned to her house. She came back in a short while with a small notebook. "Let me show you... Health care, hydropower, basic street reformations... This is the expense breakdown of the past three years." Qin Guan smiled at the detailed record and the receipts she showed him. "Thank you so much, madam. The agency has attached them to my contract." The old woman gazed at the manager. "Be careful with those weasels. They would do anything for money. Look at your property. They have transformed itpletely. If you were in urgent need of capital, you wouldnt be able to sell it at a decent price! Besides, they may charge you extra by using fake receipts!" The old woman stood in the warm hutong like a hen protecting her chicks. Nowadays, the word "neighbor" was notmon in a bustling city, but hutongs were famous for the close rtionships between the neighbors. People there thought that a good neighbor was better than a distant brother. The old men ying chess or cards at the entrance of a hutong acted like guards, and women gathered at the threshold of the in grocery store, eating sunflower seeds as they chatted. They also exchanged daily supplies there. At dinnertime, children ran between the tables of different families and shared their food with each other. They grew up together, their sincere friendship an eternal bond between them. Hutongs were a silent witness of the excitingings and goings of people. Some moved in, some left, but the stories remained there. Qin Guan smiled brightly at the old woman. "You are more experienced than young people like us. Ill be careful with them. Its hard for everyone to make money these days." "Exactly, young man. Whats your family name?" "Qin. Just call me Xiao Qin." "Okay. Xiao Qin, do you know that the houses here are going to be demolished?" "Yes, thats what I came here for." The woman was d to hear that the young man was one of them. Chapter 636: The Dirty Tricks Of The Real Estate Industry Chapter 636: The Dirty Tricks Of The Real Estate Industry Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "You are really young and you have been living abroad for a few years. You must have no idea about the state of the market. Grandpa Yang has arge yard. All the neighbors are meeting there. Shall we go there, Xiao Qin?" Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a look. Cong Nianwei seemed intrigued, so Qin Guan nodded at the old woman. The manager looked anxious about their decision. "Brother Qin, your trip back cant have been easy. You shouldnt waste your time on such trifles." Qin Guan noticed the worried expression in his eyes. "Im in no hurry. National Day is just around the corner. I have a two-week vacation before me. Old people possess knowledge and experience that we dont. I would like to hear their suggestions." The old woman was really happy to hear that. "You are an honest boy. Follow me!" "Okay!" Qin Guan looked at the manager, indicating that they could leave the contracts forter. Then he followed the old woman away. After several turns, they arrived at Grandpa Yangs yard. The narrow hutong suddenly became wider in that area. In the center of therge square yard was an ancient locust tree, and chrysanthemums were blooming in the flower beds. The people in the yard were not in the right mood to appreciate them though. There were severalrge round tables there, but the visitors had brought their own stools. They had also brought along their government and Wanda Group contracts. The meeting was hosted by some professionals. "Grandpa Yang! I brought the new neighbors! Xiao Qin, this is Grandpa Yang. He is the coordinator." "How are you, sir?" Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei entered hand in hand. The hearts of the strangers, who were about the same age as Qin Guans parents, softened. People were inclined to judge others by their appearance. Qin Guan got three spare stools for the old woman, Cong Nianwei and himself. The manager had not been invited, but he was a shameless guy, so he found a brick on the ground and sat down on it. Thick skin was a job requirement for realtors. "Did you buy a house in our hutong, Xiao Qin?" "Yes!" "Okay, lets just continue. You can ask questions anytime you like." "First of all, we cant ept that price. They are offering only 8,000 yuan per square meter! Thats outrageous for this area! We are no idiots!" "Exactly! My house is 36 square meters. The money I will get is hardly enough for a house by the Fourth Ring!" "The prices in Tongzhou have escted to 4,000 yuan per square meter. How could people pay 8,000 for property by the Second East Ring? What a travesty!" The price was ridiculously low. "Lets discuss the areapensation contract, which is our second choice. We can exchange our houses with luxurious apartments in the suburbs. Lets just put the word "luxury" aside though and talk about the word "suburbs"! We are talking about Huilongguan! Thats outside the Fifth Ring! We have no idea about the quality of the houses there, but the ratio is two to one!" "Does this mean that one house here equals two houses there?" an old man asked. A woman shook her head at him. "No! They will be counting the area. A 30-square-meter house here is equal to a 60-square-meter house there. They will cover the difference." Everyone started shaking their heads. They didnt want to live in such a remote area. "And ourst choice..." Grandpa Yang sighed. "Ourst choice is moving back here. After the buildings are finished, some of them will be put on sale asmercial residential buildings, while others will be reserved for the original residents." "The property developers will reserve a couple of buildings for us. Well get the same area, but our building will be inferior to themercial ones when ites to interior design and facilities. The price difference will be determined by the market. Besides, wed have to find a ce to live after moving away." This was not good news for the residents. As an insider, Qin Guan had heard the news before the residents. ording to the instructions of the headquarters, the real estate agency had to maximize its profit. Qin Guan felt conflicted when he saw everyones worried expression. Its said that the program will beunched in 2004. Lets just take it easy... The most favorable option out of the three was getting a new house in their original ce of residence. After development was over, the prices of the area could increase by 10, 20 or even 30 times. Qin Guan felt wronged on behalf of the old neighbors as he witnessed their unity. Chapter 637: National Day Chapter 637: National Day Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "I wont agree to such a contract!" "Me neither! I like this area. Everything is perfect here, except for the outdoor public toilets." "Yes. Its close to work and school. No one wants to live in the suburbs." "Exactly. I have to go to the Dongzhimen Hospital to get some medicine for my mom every day, but its still warm by the time I return home." The neighbors sentimental attachment to each other and their homes weakened the joy of moving away. "Money shouldnt be a prioritypared tomon interests, right?" "Yes!" everyone shouted together. It sounded like they were blowing a battle horn against the cunning developers. They decided to have dinner together as a way to celebrate their union. Everyone carried dishes out to the yard. Pigs feet were being boiled on a small stove. Two old women were serving as cooks. Typical Beijing cold dishes included shredded cucumber, pickles and fermented bean curd juice with sesame oil. The old woman kindly reced the brick the manager had been sitting on with a stool. The man sat down next to Qin Guan. Unlike formal Western cuisine or some outstanding Chinese pce dishes, this was warm homemade food. Stir-fried cabbage, braised pork and shredded potatoes with vinegar sauce were served with rice, and seaweed and egg soup were traditionally served with shrimp. In a few minutes, the big bowls were filled with staple food. There was rice and stic steamed buns for old men. When the manager tried some hot pork the old woman gave him, he decided to betray his agency. He would dly act as a double spy. After having dined and wined to satiety, Qin Guan and the manager parted ways. They just exchanged the annual rent, intentionally not talking about the other contracts. They would have a tough battle ahead of them during the next year. Back at home, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei packed their luggage. They would be returning to New York the next day. Qin Guan turned down all invitations, interviews and offers. He entrusted everything to Sister Xue. He and Cong Nianwei were nning on watching the national g ceremony the next morning. It was National Day, so there was a traditional tourist program for Chinese visitors in Beijing. Unlike in other foreign countries, the timetable of their ceremony followed the Beijing sunrise and sunset, which were calcted by the astronomers of the Beijing Observatory. The national g would be raised when the sun reached the horizon of Tiananmen Square. The exact time differed every year. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei had lived in Beijing for many years. If they had not gone abroad though, they would never have attended the ceremony. Only when one lived in a foreign country did they realize how much they loved their homnd. Because of their tight schedule, they had to watch the ceremony outside with their luggage. At four oclock, the janitors started cleaning Tiananmen Square. They had to get up earlier than their colleagues in other areas. When they were done, the police stations in charge of the area were ready to take over. The younger policemen got some weapons from their seniors. They had to form a long warning line of several hundred meters from the west entrance of the National Museum to the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People, where the biggest number of spectators would gather. Led by the policemen, the visitors lined up to enter the square. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were just in time. All the streets had been blocked by patrol wagons. Everyone in Beijing knew that no cars or public transportation vehicles could stop at the square during National Day. One could get down at the stop before or after the square and walk from there. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei had to struggle in the crowd with their luggage. "There are so many people here! I came to watch the ceremony, not look at the back of their heads!" "Shut up!" The two of them walked hand in hand through the noisy, unfamiliar crowd. They felt unprecedentedly confident. The front rows were reserved for seniors and kids, so the youth had to stand in the back. Chapter 638: I Love You, China! Chapter 638: I Love You, China! Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Only in mysterious China could one experience the unlimited potential of humanity. In any other country, it would have been scary to see 80,000 people gather on a square. Of course, India did not count. Somebody lifted the eastern curtain to reveal a beam of sunlight, but the naughty sun was reluctant toe out. It just lightened the sky as a troop walked through the gate of Tiananmen. At 6:05 a.m, a strong melody echoed around the square. "Across the mountains, across the ins, across the Yellow River and the Yangtze River..." Suddenly, silence prevailed around the square, despite the thousands of people gathered there. Thirty six g guards walked along the middle line, their powerful steps clear against the ground. The scene reminded everyone of the ups and downs China had experienced during the previous century. When the guards reached the tform with the jade fence, four g-bearers walked out. "Stand up against very..." At 6:11, one of the g-bearers spread the g against the wind. As the g rose up, everyone started murmuring the national anthem. "Stand up! Stand up! Stand up! With one mind, we march under the enemys fire..." The spectators sang louder and louder. Qin Guan took Cong Nianweis hand as he sang devotedly. No words could express his feelings. One had to be there to understand. Something surged in everyones hearts. It was the words, "I love my mothend. Anywhere, anytime..." When the g reached the top of the pole, the ceremony came to an end. The soldiers retired together, leaving the g blowing in the sky against the rising sun. Then a strange silence followed. Not long afterwards, the spectators burst out together, expressing their emotions. "Long live our mothend!" "Long live the people!" Their roars shook the sky without the help of a loudspeaker. People from different backgrounds had gathered there for that moment. It would be a memory they would never forget. Everyone collected the trash from the ground before they left. They didnt want to leave any garbage on that holy ce. The spectators left in order, as if in a dream. On the way to the airport, the taxi driver chatted with Qin Guan. "Did you see the ceremony?" "Yes!" "Are you going home?" "No, just back to college." "You seem like good students. You must love your country!" ... Even after many years, that scene would still linger in Qin Guans mind. He might forget some exciting job he had epted, but he would never forget that ceremony. "Those g-bearers were so handsome..." Cong Nianwei murmured on the airne. As he was thinking about the possibility of trying on a uniform, Qin Guan received a phone call. It was Qu Xuemei, who took care of his work in New York. It was a temporary, but important job. "Qin Guan, are you back?" "Yes!" "Lets get to work then. Check your email!" The Public Advertising Service had the support of the New York City Hall and the local police. Both the social groups and the City Hall had taken action. The slogan "Work With A Star" could be seen everywhere in New York. Posters of Qin Guan were pasted on the walls of shopping malls. His smile had spread all over the city. Even ordinary citizens who never watched indie films or read fashion magazines had gotten familiar with the Asian young man through those posters. They considered him a guy who was very enthusiastic aboutmunity activities. Unlike in China, in the US most work rtive to city construction was carried out by the residents themselves. Chapter 639: Community Service Advertisements Chapter 639: Community Service Advertisements Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The government asked the residents to clean the roads, the pits and their household garbage after it snowed. Some also volunteered at the neighboring elderly homes, welfare homes, churches and childcare centers for free. The City Hall wanted to encourage that behavior because, as a Chinese saying goes, the world is full of love. This was the dream of the New York mayor. The police supervised the people sentenced tomunity service. For those people, doingmunity work was a real punishment. It was a sunny day in autumn, and Qin Guan was in Qus car. He was wearing a ck hoodie and some LEE jeans, and there was a small tool set by his feet. His team included a cameraman and some social workers. Their first stop was a school library. In America, senior students had to help their juniors with their homework for free. Qin Guan entered the library. There was no apuse. The kids were all too busy struggling with their exercises. Qin Guan sat down next to them. A pair of students scratched their ears and cheeks in embarrassment. Not all good students could be good teachers. Qin Guan was dressed like a pipefitter. "Do you need help?" he asked them with a friendly smile. The two kids hurt him with their honest words. "Mom was right. Handsome athletes only be pipefitters after graduating from school." The younger one was much more impolite. "Just like the idiot dating my sister. He is a nut." Kids were terrible... Qin Guan tried to suppress his anger by putting on a smile. "Actually, helping you with your homework is part of mymunity service." They both shot a pitying look at him. "So you have nothing else to do?" Qin Guan was speechless, but he still had to carry out his duty. "Show me your book. What do you not understand?" "This, this... Oh, and this one!" So, you dont understand anything at all! Qin Guan tried to exin. His clean, enlightening voice attracted all the children in the library. "That mans voice sounds so good!" Qin Guan tutored the kids before the camera. He seemed gentle under the warm light. All kids were angels. When one understood them, they realized they were all beautiful. Their work on their first stop was sessful. Thanks to Huang Jiajias experience, Qin Guan was epted by all the children. Just when he was about to leave, a small hand grabbed his jeans and two children put some candy in his hands. Some of it was homemade, while some had been bought with their pocket money. Qin Guan craned his neck towards them. "Give me a farewell kiss." He got some snot instead. "Since we are friends now, I can admit that you are a handsome guy." Before leaving, they gave Qin Guan some advice. "Keep some distance from women!" Qin Guan escaped as fast as his feet would move. The cars departed, heading to their next destination. The children just shrugged and turned away. The parks downtown provided New Yorkers with a green resting area. Collecting trash was part of their importantmunity service. Chapter 640: Injustice Chapter 640: Injustice Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was holding a pair ofrge clips and a garbage bag in his hands. Wherever there were humans, there was garbage that needed to be cleaned up. The park service attached great importance to the event. When Qin Guan got out of the car, he realized that the park must have been cleaned that very night. The trash bins, which were always full, were empty and clean, their usually dirty surface pure white. Both sides of the roads were clean of any dust and dirt. Thewn, where visitors liked to lie, was as clean as a te before dinner. Of course, there were a few mineral water bottles lying on the ground. They were very easy to spot. Reality was cruel though. Qin Guan, who had very good eyesight, found some gum stuck to the bottom of the benches. Gum was the average Americans favorite snack. They stuck it everywhere after chewing it though, including under bus seats, subway station benches, park benches, and any other public facilities one could imagine. Chinese people might have bad manners, but at least they didnt chew gum. Qin Guan picked up a paper cup from the ground. It had been left there on purpose by the park service. He swiped the bottom of a bench with the clips and the gum fell down into the cup like raindrops. The park service staff flushed. "Come on! We have a lot of work to do!" His team took their tools out happily and copied what Qin Guan had done. They attracted the attention of the passersby, as they looked quite different from social workers. Some people gathered around to take pictures. All the photographers in New York knew Qin Guan because, ording to reliable sources, their idol Linn was about to suggest him for the cover of "TIME". Linn was a distinguished photographer, so the news had spread fast among the photography circle. What had attracted him to that model? Was he a big source of inspiration? Some photographers were in pursuit of art, while others just wanted to get famous. Are we meeting him here today? "Qin Guan!" a young photographer cried out, catching the attention of the people in the park, who turned to stare at the group. Qin Guan stood out among them. As visitors began to gather on thewn, the director told his assistant, "Tell everyone to be on alert. If people get excited, we might have to leave as soon as possible." "But they seem like nice people..." "Idiot! Dont you remember the news in The New York Times a few weeks ago?" The assistant suddenly remembered what he was talking about. There had been an incident with some crazy fans and a miserable star on Times Square. That miserable star had been Qin Guan. Crazy fans? Miserable star? The two of them looked around and realized they had been surrounded in two minutes. There were photographers with cameras, professional dog walkers, runners... Everyone was interested in the shooting. "Its toote, director. We are surrounded!" "Its okay. Cheer up!" Qin Guan was not affected by the crowds presence. He just turned back with his cup, which was full of dirty gum. There was some dust on his face, and his loose pullover and grey id shirt made him look like an ordinary young man. The audience felt his happiness and smiled. "Finish your job!" Standing up straight, Qin Guan showed off his achievement to everyone. His delight amused the crowd, which apuded him. "Well done!" "Cheers!" The park service staff were jealous. Usually, people didnt like being reminded of the regtions, yet they were treating Qin Guan like an idol. It was unfair! Chapter 641: The Charity Bazaar Chapter 641: The Charity Bazaar Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The director was reasonable. "If you were as influential as a star, you would be the focus of the cameras." The staff members were speechless. If we looked like that, we wouldnt be park rangers! Qin Guan handed the garbage bag and the tools to the assistant. Qu looked worried as he waved at the crowd. "Thank you for your support! Im happy that so many people approve of my work. My work here is finished, so I will leave for my next destination. There is another importantmunity service task waiting for me." "I will be working at a charity bazaar for starving children all over the world. If you are interested, you are wee to attend it. Its easy to find. Its just across the Hilton Art Fair, beside the J Clothing store. You could buy something, or do anything you can to help us!" Qin Guan pped his hands up to the sky. "For the starving kids of the world!" Everyone pped along. After hearing about the charity event, the crowd walked away immediately, leaving only a few withered leaves swirling in the breeze around them. The park keeper felt sympathy for the actor. His appeal was not enough to dig money out of the pockets of the New Yorkers. There was only a dog left on thergewn, barking at them in protest. Qin Guan tried to ease the atmosphere awkwardly. "At least, I have a puppy supporting me." Before his voice could fade away, a hand stretched out to take hold of the leash. "Sorry, I forgot it. It take care of so many dogs..." The dog walker took the dog and walked away as fast as possible. Everyone shot a pitying look at Qin Guan. That young man does not know New Yorkers at all. Qin Guan craned his neck to look at the timetable in Qus hands. "Whats our next stop?" You just said it was the Hilton Fair. Everyone ignored his embarrassment and set out for their next destination, where they would take part in a big activity. When they got out of the car, they faced a bigmotion. Housewives were bringing charity goods to the bazaar, which was organized by themunity staff. Guo Nuoyan had decorated thewn nicely thanks to the support of J Clothing. It was a collecting field with dreamy colors. There were balloons with the J Clothing logo everywhere. All the staff were wearing green uniforms, which were also provided by J Clothing. As the sponsor, Guo couldnt help but admire his masterpiece. There were round tables with white sheets, packed with candy and biscuits. The household appliances, tools and clothing donated by the residents had been ced in the center of thewn, along with some food samples. A small stage had been set up right next to the tables for the host and the jazz band, who would y music during the break. The overall arrangement was very orderly. The organizers were very experienced after all. Guo had also contributed a lot to the event. Qin Guans team attracted everyones attention. Guo rushed over to him happily and gave him a big hug. When they parted, Qin Guan looked confused. "Did they take a picture of us? How did I look?" Guo whispered. Qin Guan looked at the cameras and realized his intention. He was using every chance he could to improve his image. It was a pity that the film would be edited muchter. "I was picking up garbage at a park right before I came here," Qin Guan warned him. Guo started cursing. Chapter 642: The Good Packer Chapter 642: The Good Packer Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan entered the hall with a small smile and saw Xu Xiaoxiao and Lan Jin among the staff, arranging the goods. As Qin Guans best friends, they were trying their best to help. When Qin Guan saw the volunteer security staff clearly, he wanted to find a quiet corner to rest. It was Han Zhujiu and his men, all of them looking happy and energetic. They were all fierce, aggressive Asians. Qin Guan forced a smile at Han and pulled Xu to a corner. "What are they doing here?" Xu grinned at him. "This is a newly-established securitypany! Those professional veterans will treat you like a national leader. Arent they cool?" Qin Guan nodded. Yes, but they better be legal. Otherwise, well see the headline "New York Police Catches Chinatown Gang Leader" tomorrow morning. It was wonderful to see hispatriots set up a legal business. Qin Guan rxed and participated in the event with great enthusiasm. Before the cameras could get into position, the first wave of customers had already poured in. They were the parents of the primary and middle school students of the area. They wanted to buy some biscuits and cakes made by their kids. The food was cheap, but there was arge quantity. Samples were ced on the table, and the parents picked them up with a toothpick and tried them. Qin Guan was busy selling goods, when he suddenly heard the young man in charge of the promotion team scream. "Theres so many customers! All the packed goods have been sold out!" "Is there anything left in stock?" "Yes!" "Why are you whining then? Pack everything up!" The young man nearly burst into tears. "Look at that long line! Im not a professional salesman. Im too slow to serve them. They will lose their patience!" The other guys also started to worry. Qin Guan put down the small tes he was carrying. "Can you show me how to pack them? I have very fast fingers." "You?" They shot a look at Qin Guans delicate fingers. They seemed unfamiliar with such hard work. Did he just want to show off? A senior staff member rolled his eyes and told the young man, "There is strength in numbers! Just show Mr. Qin how to do it!" The young man began wrapping a cake with shaking fingers. He was using a stic box, some colorful paper and ribbons. A bow had to form in the middle of the ribbons. It was aplicated process and the young man was a volunteer, not a professional. It took him about three minutes to wrap one cake. When they realized that the packages on the table were almost sold out, Qin Guan rolled up his sleeves and got to work. That young man likes showing off. Both the senior staff and everyone else was shocked by Qin Guans eagerness. As soon as he sat down, he put five empty boxes in front him in a row, his fingers dancing like butterflies between them. He worked like a robot, his every move very exact. Before anyone could see the content of the boxes clearly, he had decorated them with colorful paper and ribbons. He could wrap the boxes with one hand and make a bow with the other one. It took him only one minute to finish five boxes. Despite his help though, the line did not get any shorter, as even more customers were attracted by his work. They all lingered around, reluctant to leave. Half an hourter, Qin Guan looked up from the boxes and saw a crowd. "Qin Guan, Im the dog walker from the park. I came here to help because of you!" "Qin Guan! Ill buy two more!" "Qin Guan! Do it more slowly! I want to take a picture of you!" The director behind the camera was so excited that he felt as if he was about to have a heart attack. This was all perfect material! Chapter 643: The Auction Chapter 643: The Auction Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia He gestured at Han Zhujiu to stop him and then pointed to the red gs behind him. "For the kids!" Qin Guan addressed the audience loudly. "I could work on and on for you to watch, but youd need to line up and buy something again. The donation box is over there. Ill be waiting for you here. Lets do this! For the starving kids of the world!" He over-emphasized the fact that the stock would be sold out soon. What a cunning young man! People lined up again, the customers leaving with the fruit of Qin Guansbor. This was their lucky day. They had met a handsome guy and bought candy! In the end, there were only crumbs left on the tes, which indicated that the charity bazaar had been a sess. The unsatisfied residents turned their eyes to the stage, where a small-scale auction was taking ce. The auctioned items included an almost-new toaster, a childs tricycle, a professional tool kit and some high-end dresses. As a participant, Qin Guan had brought his own item. It was a second-hand Citizen wrist watch worth about 50 dors. He was only asking for 40 dors for it. The items were sold out one after the other. Qin Guan wasnt aware of the real value of the watch until the host showed it to the audience. "This item was donated by our distinguished guest, Mr. Qin Guan! He wore it between 2001 and 2002, when he had just moved to America. At the time, he had still been a nobody travelling around the city with this watch as he looked for a job. He is a Citizen ambassador in Asia, so this is quite a meaningful watch. The starting price is 40 dors! Its a reasonable price for such excellent quality! The watch was made in Japan!" "So..." He banged his hammer against the table. "Lets begin!" As soon as he finished his introduction, offers starteding one after the other. "50 dors!" "100!" "150!" "300!" Thest offer attracted everyones attention. It was Qu Xuemei, who was still a fierce, determined woman. Xu craned his neck around a pile of boxes. "Is your agent that rich?" "Of course. She is the chief editor of VOGUE." Qu bought the watch for 400 dors. Xu made a sound of admiration. "Before you graduate and return to China, could you please leave me all your second-hand belongings?" Bills mounted in the donation box, while the goods were gradually sold out. The excitement faded away as the residents focused on Qin Guan. The host, who was a funny old man, stopped everything for the activity and slowly held up the microphone. "Today, we are here to wee a new friend. He is the owner of Beauty of the World, a J Clothing ambassador and a two-time Best Actor Award winner in Europe. Its a handsome young man named Qin Guan!" Apuse echoed around thewn. "This is a rare opportunity for us to meet him. Would you like to see him in an impromptu meeting at the end of this sessful event?" "Of course!" "Thats great!" The unexpected proposal surprised Qin Guan and his team. This would be the highlight of their public-interest campaign. The director, who was very ambitious about his work, would turn the film into a documentary. Maybe it would even win an award... Both parties were waiting for Qin Guan with delight. He looked at the small stage, which was not enough for any wild movements, and told Lan Jin, "Bring me a Xun, please." Lan Jin ran to the gallery fast, while Qin Guan walked on the stage slowly. The stage was two meters long and one meter wide. If I dance on it, it will copse. Soon, Lan Jin came back with a Xun and handed it to Qin Guan. Chapter 644: TIME Chapter 644: TIME Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan turned around to make an announcement. "Hello, everyone! Im a student from China. I would like to put on a performance for you by using the most ancient musical instrument. This will be the best example of Chinese music. Ill y some childrens songs for you. I hope youll like them." Qin Guan took a bow. A thunderous apuse came from the audience. Everyone was really curious about the small, egg-shaped thing he was holding. It looked like a bun. Was it really some kind of musical instrument? Before the cameraman could capture all its details with his camera, Qin Guan put the instrument against his lips. The mysterious ancient instrument produced a clear tune. "Oh! jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way... Oh, what fun it is to ride, in a one-horse open sleigh. Hey!" The Americans were familiar with the first song, but they were surprised by the melodious tune. Qin Guan took a breath and shifted to the next song by pressing on different wind holes. "There were three bears living together, Father Bear, Mother Bear and Baby Bear..." It was a South Korean song. Although the audience was not familiar with the foreign luby, they could feel its joy. Childrens songs were the best way to provoke yfulness in someone. Suddenly, Qin Guan switched to another tune. The Xun was the perfect instrument for expressing sadness. "A little girl named Cabbage, lost her mother at a young age..." [1] Qu and Lan were left speechless by the tune, while the Americans were lost in it. "It sounds so sad... Is it talking about starving children?" "How moving! Qin Guan has prepared so well for the event!" "Its fabulous! I didnt expect such a small thing to y such beautiful music." "I want to learn!" "Me too!" Qin Guans performance unintentionally increased the sales of Chinese musical instruments. At the audiences request, Lan organized a music ss in an effort to make even more money. When Qin Guan finished his performance, he realized the audience was crying. "That was so moving! It was beautiful!" Americans liked to express their feelings openly. The host announced the end of the bazaar with tears in his eyes. The director wiped his own tears from his face and shouted at Qin Guan, "Lets call it a day! Everyone has worked really hard!" A staff member took a package of crushed cookies out of his pocket and shared it with Qin Guans team. Everyone snatched the cookies up. They left one whole cookie for Qin Guan as a symbol of their love and appreciation. Thank you for your hard work, your understanding and approval... The next day, Qin Guan visited the office of TIME Magazine with Qu Xuemei. The two of them waited for Linn. The door of the office opened and closed frequently as women of all ages walked by curiously. They were not there for Qin Guan. The influential magazine weed famous stars and VIPs from the political, economic and military circle every day. They just wanted to take a look at the guy Linn had invited. Linn was an icon admired among the photography circle after all. The chief editor was annoyed by the noisy environment. He was angry with his good-for-nothing staff. It was only an Asian star after all. They had taken pictures of many Asian stars in 2003. When the film "Heroes" had been in theaters in North America, they had put the four main actors, Zhang Ziyi, Liang Chaowei, Zhang Manyu and Li Lianjie, on the cover. At the time, people had had no idea who Qin Guan was. He had been a nobody who had only appeared in a film for a few minutes. The magazine had also hosted Jay Chou, who had caused a musical craze in Asia. His one-wordment on the cover had been "Cool"! "Get back to work!" the chief editor roared at the women. Linn heard his roar and walked over, leading his team directly to the chief editors office. "Is the studio ready?" "Yes! William, show him to the studio and let Qin Guan know that he can head to the dressing room!" [1] A famous sad childrens song in China. Chapter 645: The Exclusive VIP Stylist Chapter 645: The Exclusive VIP Stylist Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Everyone got to work fast as an assistant led Qin Guan to a professional dressing room. The requirements were clear. The cover would be arge portrait, so Linn would capture only Qin Guans face and neck. This naturally made things more difficult for the stylist. Chris Sortleon, who cooperated with Linn very frequently, had been offered the job. She was considered the best stylist in America. Most of her clients were politicians, so she had never worked in the fashion circle. Unlike her peers in the fashion circle, she looked like a politician herself rather than a stylist. During the presidential election, she was invited by CNN to help the candidates of the two parties. She was good and prompt at her job. Three minutes were usually all she needed. The stylist was never disrespectful at such important asions. That was why she had gotten the job. Chris had graduated from the South New Hampshire University with a degree in Commercial Management, but she seldom worked for people outside the political circle. When Qin Guan walked in, she realized why Linn had invited her there. The young man was a muse for both photographers and stylists. He was a source of inspiration for all artists. Everyone would be happy to meet him. Chris changed her attitude and adjusted her chair to match his height. Qin Guan greeted the stylist politely. She was only wearing a pearl ne. A pair of soft hands weed him. There were no calluses on her hands. They felt smooth and very warm. This was essential for a good stylist, so models would not be repulsed by their touch. Chris studied Qin Guan before she sighed and murmured to herself, "His skin is perfect and his face is wless! It was not a legend after all. Does this mean that I have topete with Pat over a job at the fashion week?" Chris shook her head. "No, this must be an exception. Models that live wild lives are not as fresh and bright as they seem." She turned on all the lights to check Qin Guans face more carefully. "TIME tends to choose a red or blue frame for the person on their cover. Only deceased people get a ck frame. You are too fair-skinned for a serious magazine though. TIME is very different from fashion magazines." "We need some proper foundation..." she murmured as she got to work. She mixed several shades of foundation andpared the result to the back of her hand. "Perfect! Antique brass will make you look more sophisticated and masculine. Thats what old-fashioned readers like to see." Qin Guan rxed at her joke as her soft brush swiped across his cheeks, forehead and jaw. Chris took a breath. "Oh, honey... Never smile at a woman like that." The brush made Qin Guan feel itchy, so he just closed his eyes and smiled. "Theres no need for any blush or lipstick. Your lips are very moist. Theres nothing else for me to do. I should just apply some toner to your face." "Wow! Let me brush your eyebrows out, my boy..." Qu was smirking. Qin Guans face required no workpared to the wrinkly faces of old politicians. Soon, Chris waved Qin Guan away. "Okay, go to the studio before I do something else to impress the readers." Qin Guan escaped as fast as he could. He felt wronged by her professional skill, but that was not his fault, was it? An assistant led him into the professional studio. A portrait photo was just a trifle for the team, but Linn had still organized all their resources based on that. In Qin Guans opinion, the old man was very serious about his job. Linn thought just as highly of him. Dear everyone, here is the new book of Kiki, my lovely editors. Wee to read, thanks. https://./book/10628956105083205/Ashes-To-Ashes Chapter 646: The Illustrated Fairy Chapter 646: The Illustrated Fairy Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia He handed Qin Guan a colorful hardcover book. "Take a look. Its Tashastest illustrations. The book will be avable in bookstores soon. Considering her age, there wont be many of those getting published in the future. You were her muse, so its a gift for you." Qin Guan took it and looked at it carefully. There was a small farm vige and somerge letters on the cover. The books title was "The Summer and Autumn Fairy". He opened it and saw a green countryside. The colors were so tender that his heart nearly melted. The protagonist of the story was a handsome young man with a pair of transparent wings on his back. He looked like a fairy from old fairy tales. He was good friends with squirrels and liked to y with a cow on the field. His magic stick could make flowers bloom and corn ripen. The neat haystacks on the field were also his work. A girl was sleeping under an orangemplight. She had been blessed by the handsome fairy. The story wasposed by a series of paintings portraying the sweet dreams of a girl. In her dreand lived a perfect fairy. The book had a sweet, warm style to it. The candy-like colors were refreshing for the readers. The old woman was really good at narrating tales to children. Qin Guan put the book in his bag carefully before he asked Linn about Tasha. "My agent received a contract and some money from her. On second thought, I will ept it." Linn had turned on the camera. "Just keep it. It might be nothing for either of you, but its still the kindness of an olddy." Qin Guan nodded and walked over to a chair. "So, Mr. Linn... You are not a very loyal friend. TIME is not paying me anything, but you could at least cover my cab fare." Linn felt the impulse to throw the camera at him. He realized that the young man was a moneygrabber, but he tried to control himself at the sight of his perfect face. "No star has ever asked TIME for any money. Just remember all the people who have been on the magazines cover! Who do you think has gotten reimbursed for their cab fare? Ill give you double... No, five times the fare!" Qin Guan sat up on his chair awkwardly and switched to working mode. His eyes were sparkling in the camera like a rising sun. Every person and prop around him suffered an eclipse. After the first click, Qin Guan changed his expression slightly, impressing Linn. He was a professional model after all. Outsiders would not have been able to distinguish between the two expressions, but the pictures were actually quite different. In one of them, Qin Guan looked like a strict politician, both handsome and bold. In the other, he was smiling warmly like the boy next door. In two minutes, Linn had finished his job. "Okay, Qin Guan. Lets call it a day. Wait till your face appears in bookstores!" Qin Guan stood up when he saw Linns students gather around him. Was that it? It was much simpler than a fashion magazine photoshoot. "It would be a waste to use him only for the portrait, sir. Well be having a figure photography exhibition this year!" Qin Guan and Qu fled in defeat. Photographers were so greedy! The fairy was widely weed by the readers. Thanks to Tashas talent and fan base, the book started selling like crazy. By the time Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei walked to the nearest bookshop, there were only a few books left. The shop assistants were restocking the shelves, as kindergarten students were about to be dismissed. Parents always came to the store to select a bedtime story for their kids around that time. Tashas books were their favorite. Taking advantage of his height, Qin Guan seized a book from the shelf and opened it, striking a naughty pose at the cashier. It was the same pose as the fairys in the illustrations. He looked so silly that Cong Nianwei felt like crying. She forced a smile at the cashier. "Keep the change!" Then she pulled Qin Guan away without looking back. Dear everyone, here is the new book of Kiki, my lovely editors. Wee to read, thanks. https://./book/10628956105083205/Ashes-To-Ashes Chapter 647: Finding Faults Chapter 647: Finding Faults Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia A little girl standing next to her mother cried out. She took her finger out of her mouth and pointed at Qin Guan. "Mommy, the green fairy!" The cashier cried out in rm. "I know who he is! Hes the fairy from the book! Its Qin Guan!" The woman looked both scared and confused. She pulled the little girl closer to her as the girl giggled. Qin Guan blew the little girl a kiss. She was the first one to recognize him after all. The kiss amused the little girl. It was a pity that his kindness was not reciprocated. The mother did not appreciate his gesture like a Chinese mother would have. She hid the girl behind her body. "Stay away from my daughter!" By that time, Qin Guan had been pulled out of the shop, the door blocking his view. It was the first time he had been treated with such hostility. He waspletely dazed as Cong Nianwei sneered at him. "This is America, not China. There are too many cases of child molestation and kidnapping every year. Any familiarity between adults and strange children is forbidden by thew, and the childs parents have the right to call the police." Qin Guan shrank back in confusion. "Howe youre so familiar with Americanws?" "You have been arrested once, remember? Its be a joke around campus, so some students from the Law Department started making ns so you could avoid a simr situation. It was hard for me to turn down a kind offer like that. When I visited their ss, I found the topic very interesting, so I began to studyw in my spare time." How fortunate I am! Other girlfriends go shopping in their free time, but my girlfriend studies instead. His lovely girlfriend was worth a dinner at the BOULEY restaurant. It was the only upscale restaurant in New York where customers didnt have to dress formally. Plus, it served French food. The French cook there was a huge fan of Kaiseki Ryori. Qin Guan booked a table for two through his firm. "Come on, lets go out for dinner!" Cong Nianwei smiled warmly in response. The old-fashioned restaurant insisted on a standard menu of five dishes, ignoring the fact that some Americans had a bigger appetite. The boss had figured out the perfect n. He had ced arge wooden counter in the middle of the hall with dozens of French loaves. If the food didnt satisfy the patrons, they could just head there with their tes. There was a waiter standing there who would cut loaves into pieces till the patrons ate their fill. As a result, the restaurant was renowned for the sweet smell of its bread. A waiter led Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei to their reserved table. When they took their seats, the waiter handed them two menus. There were only two options, Meal A and Meal B. This was handy for people who had a hard time making up their minds. The customers were waiting eagerly to try the strange dishes. The first dish was really small. It was a crisp slice of konjac flour with a spoonful of truffle. If it wasnt for its sweet taste, Qin Guan would haveined about its price. Despite theck of sugar, the dish brought out the original taste of the food. It was a perfectbination. The second dish looked like an ice-cream ball. Cong Nianwei nearly burst intoughter. Although Qin Guan had never tried such a smooth tomato paste, he still felt like crying. The small portion had left him unsatisfied. Even its good taste couldntfort a foodie like him. The experienced boss realized that the familiar patron was on the verge of exploding. The young man lifted his arm, clenching his fist firmly. "Waiter!" Before the boss could head over personally, a waitress who had been admiring Qin Guan for a long time rushed over, wearing a sultry white apron. "What can I do for you, sir?" Her ck skirt, white apron and ck leggings made her look like a maid. Qin Guan didnt look up. He was very concentrated on the menu. His slender finger pointed to the dishes one after the other as he spoke clearly, attracting the other patrons attention. Dear everyone, here is the new book of Kiki, my lovely editors. Wee to read, thanks. https://./book/10628956105083205/Ashes-To-Ashes Chapter 648: Internet Tycoons Chapter 648: Inte Tycoons Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Silence prevailed in the restaurant as the customers waited to hear what the charming young man had to say. Did he want to express his admiration for the chefs cooking skills? Maybe... French cuisine was the best work of any Michelin cook and the favorite of food critics after all. Maybe he had been shocked by the artistic design of the dishes and did not have the heart to even touch the painting-like gourmet tes. They were too beautiful to eat! Unfortunately, Qin Guan did not say what they expected. "Fifteen grams of konjac flour and three grams of Prigord truffle. These materials cost a lot, but the truffle is pickled. It cant cost much more than three dors. The tomato smoothie weighs 20 grams, so it must cost 0.58 dors." "The other three dishes must cost 9.33 dors in total. I spent 110 dors on this meal, plus the 1.88% tax collected by the City Hall... What do you think of your prices?" Stupefied, the waitress lowered her head until it reached her breasts. Suddenly, the other patrons decided that the food was not that tasty. They looked at their dishes pitifully. Even the chefs top cooking skills couldnt arouse their appetite. Although French cuisine focused on high-end taste and style, its cost was just too high. "Dont tell me that the ducks were fed dew and organic corn. All the ingredients were ordinary. My tongue can tell the difference." The boss walked over personally, wiping beads of sweat away. The situation was about to get out of control. If the guy protested openly, all the patrons would refuse to pay their checks. The man apologized carefully in an effort to prevent an uprising. "Im sorry, each meal includes five dishes, but well serve you four more as a bonus. There are actually nine dishes in total." Qin Guan nodded generously at his exnation. "The loss in quantity could bepensated that way. Well done! Its a good idea to maintain a variety of dishes." He gave the boss a thumbs-up with a meaningful smile. The cook cried out in the kitchen. How can I make four more dishes from scratch? He had no choice though. All the other patrons apuded. Some people who had already finished their dinner stayed for the bonus dishes. The waiters hurried to serve all the patrons cakes, liqueur chocte, fresh fruit with light cream, and Tangyuan served with rose petals and caviar... The cook also had to make bacon and fried eggs. It was not an easy life for anyone. People all over the world loved bonuses and gifts. The patrons raised their cups and made toasts to Qin Guan. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei left the fine restaurant satiated. From that day on, the menu was changed. The five authentic French dishes still remained on the menu, but when the patrons started eating their dinner, other dishes would be served for free one after the other. That considerate gesture satisfied everyone. As a result, the restaurant was booked up for the following year. Taking advantage of this, the boss opened another restaurant in New York, thus starting apetitive business franchise. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were sitting in a long luxurious car that looked more expensive than the one the godfather from Sicily had owned. There was a nk expression on their faces as Chris sat across from them, waving his arms and stamping his feet in joy. Qin Guan had been tricked into cooperating with Chris back on the airne. Then Sister Xue had given in to the high payment and said yes to the trip to Las Vegas. She still drew some lines when it came to magician shows though. She would turn down all the bloody ones, but ept the safest ones, such as "Floating", which was suitable for arge stage. Thus, Qin Guan had agreed to the n. Another important reason for agreeing was Cong Nianwei, who had decided to participate in a constructionpetition with a big award along with Rongzhi. The award was called "Open Design", a prize rted to inte business. Thepetition was being organized by some young inte tycoons who wanted to promote the inte and show their overall n to the wholemunity. In order to avoid affecting the everyday lives of the residents, the IT geeks had thought of a n. They were hoping that both the authorities and the general poption would approve the development of a cable and opticalwork. As uprising stars, they were much more active than old-fashioned financiers. Their program attracted new designers of avant-garde style. The tycoons marked out an area in a small town and paid for the reconstruction rights. Dear everyone, here is the new book of Kiki, my lovely editors. Wee to read, thanks. https://./book/10628956105083205/Ashes-To-Ashes Chapter 649: Small Bets In Las Vegas Chapter 649: Small Bets In Las Vegas Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The selected teams would get a piece ofnd with a house in that area. Their designs had to match the inte facilities perfectly to create a brand new modern, high-techmunity. The final winner would be the team who made the most practical design at the lowest cost. It seemed like a typicalpetition, but it was actually a chance for the newly rich to share ideas and technologies with each other and show off about their fortunes in the process. The award was very alluring for the young architects. The tutors at Columbia stressed the importance of practice and encouraged their students to participate in suchpetitions. The team wasposed by Cong Nianwei, Rongzhi and some other students. Thanks to Cong Nianweis business qualification certificate, they overcame all difficulties on their way to their destination. The finalpetition would be held in Las Vegas. Las Vegas was the holynd of wealth and gambling. Many people were fascinated by the citys charm. It was an oasis in the desert, and most towns around it lived on the tourists attracted by the casinos. The boring tycoons had found a small town in that area that fit their n. Meanwhile, Chris had decided to hold a grand performance before visitors from all over the world. The weather inte October was great in Las Vegas, as the city enjoyed an ind desert climate. Tourists from all directions went there to have an extraordinary time. The small casinos had initially attracted the cowboys before growing into a world-famous industry. Billionaires in search of an opportunity went there to get a share of the profits. Japanese tycoons, Arabian princesses and Hollywood stars invested in the industry one after the other, thus helping along the development of tourism and entertainment in the surrounding area. As a result, Las Vegas had be a truly sleepless city. The Blue Man Group Theater, which could hold thousands of people, was located in the center of the city and had the most luxurious lighting and sound equipment. Only a theater like that could meet Chris demands. A professional model had to be responsible and reliable, so Qin Guan went to the theater, where Chris was waiting for him for the rehearsal. He stood on the stage for a long time as the crew worked around him. Nobody came over to check on him. Arent they afraid Ill screw everything up tomorrow? Confused, Qin Guan walked over to Chris, who looked like a zombie. "What do I have to do? When will the rehearsal begin?" Chris shot a strange look at him. "You dont have to rehearse. Juste here one hour early tomorrow." "I know nothing about floating. Shall we try..." "No point. Im in charge of the performance. All you have to do is float." You are such a good professional. Dont me me if I screw up tomorrow. The innocent young man left the theater and headed back to his hotel. He still had some spare time, but the dry wind made his heart itchy. Cong Nianwei was still in that small town. Qin Guan heard his money cry in his pocket. He took a small turn and joined a group of excited tourists that was heading to a luxurious casino named SLOTS. What an arrogant name. I like it! Actually, this was the first time Qin Guan was entering a real casino, but he had used to y such games at school, so it would be easy for him to learn the rules. Despite his self-consciousness, he decided that he would be a good student. There were only a few options in the casino. The most popr one was the slots, the toughest test of luck was the roulette, and the game that required the most skill was ck Jack. Qin Guan even saw some mahjong tables in a corner of the hall, designed to meet the demands of the Asian visitors. Qin Guan, who was a typical penny pincher, chose the slots. He stood and watched some other visitors y with relish. Most of the guests were there for the casinos, and the slots were the best choice for a man with a strict wife, as they cost only 0.01 dor per round. After watching a few machines, Qin Guan understood how the slots worked. The rate of return had to be adjustable, but it was set to 90%. This meant that if one spent one dor to y 100 times, they would have 0.9 dors left. Of course, those lucky dogs that won big were not included. As a rich guy, Qin Guan had to make a big bet. His status called for it, so he decided to bet 0.2 dors. He threw one dor into the slot. He could y for a long while with it. As he sat before a machine happily, a strong man next to him looked at his bare hands in disdain. He must be a poor guy. He will just gamble away all his money and leave soon. Dear everyone, here is the new book of Kiki, my lovely editors. Wee to read, thanks. https://./book/10628956105083205/Ashes-To-Ashes Chapter 650: Acting Skills Vs. Gambling Strategy Chapter 650: Acting Skills Vs. Gambling Strategy Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The man shot a proud look at his own tray, where the coins were getting fewer and fewer. He felt sad about his luck, but he was suddenly startled by the cry of the Asian man. "Ha! I won!" Coins were pouring out of the machine as Qin Guan squatted down and stuffed them in his pockets. When both his pockets were full, he took a coin out and kept gambling. "Beginners luck..." the man murmured to himself jealously. He pushed the button angrily, but got nothing in return. The guy next to him shouted happily, "Ha! I won again!" He couldnt help but crane his neck towards the Asian man. "Hey, dude. How much did you win?" "60 dors in total!" The strong man rolled his eyes and pulled a trick that was useful for beginners. "Do you know the firstw of slots?" "Whats that?" "The probability of winning decreases after two winning rounds. See? Everyone is changing machines!" Qin Guan took a look at the other gamblers, who cooperated with the man. They were all frequent patrons of the casino. Qin Guan expressed his appreciation for the mans advice. "Thanks, bro. Without your help, I would have lost everything. You saved my motel money!" The man handed him a box kindly. "Take it. The security here is good. You can change your coins to bills at the reception." "Okay, thanks a lot!" Qin Guan threw his coins into the box and left for another row of machines. When he disappeared from view, the man grinned and took his seat. It was said that there was always a lucky slot machine in every casino. If one was able to find it, they would win dozens of times in one night. The man believed that myth, so he threw a coin into the machine and pressed the button nervously. He heard the crisp sound of coins, but nothing came out. All the gamblers fixed their eyes on the machine pouring out coins. It was the Asian man again. He must have won more than 100 dors. Qin Guan could not even hold the money in his hands, so he changed it into 200-dor chips. Considering his initial capital, he could afford to y some more games. ck Jack was a very popr card game in Western countries. The yerspared the sum of their cards to the bankers. Because of the limited cards in each yers hand, the yers could apply statistics to the game and fight the banker by using their good memory. Qin Guan did not want to abuse his luck at the casino, but he liked ying and studying, so he sat by the table of a blond dealer. The dealer looked up and saw an Asian man in ordinary clothes. If it was not for his handsome looks, he would have seemed like amon visitor. When he saw the Asian man take out a five-dor chip, he was left speechless. He must be a poor man. He is no star or VIP. Feeling at ease again, the banker nced down at his own cards and then at Qin Guans nervous expression. The Asian man shifted his eyes between the cards on the table and his own hands. As an experienced dealer, he knew that the greenhand had 17 points and was considering whether to ask for more cards or not. He was right. After a few seconds, Qin Guan suppressed his desire for more cards and threw his cards into the pile. He quit the round. The dealer swiped the chips away calmly. That might have been a lot of money for the guy, so he threw a 10-dor chip on the table. As expected, he lost again. Qin Guan banked out his leftover chips, which were worth 185 dors. The dealer looked at him mercifully. Young men are always so excitable. The dealer had 20 points in his hand. The young man had the same expression on his face, yet this time he did not hesitate to ask for a third card. "One more?" Qin Guan shook his head hard. "No... Show me!" Qin Guan won, 21 to 20. The odds had been 1 to 2. His chips had now been doubled. Dear everyone, here is the new book of Kiki, my lovely editors. Wee to read, thanks. https://./book/10628956105083205/Ashes-To-Ashes Chapter 651: The Casino Staff Chapter 651: The Casino Staff Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The Asian man suddenly changedpletely. He leaned against the back of his chair, crossed his slender legs and raised his jaw at the dealer. "One more!" Everything changed from that point on. Qin Guan transformed into an experienced gambler. He was steady and calm, his outstanding skills misleading the dealer again and again. There were no cracks on his poker face for the dealer to take advantage of. Qin Guans secret weapons were hisputing skill and good memory. Chips started mounting in front of him. Sometimes he threw a small white chip in, and sometimes he pushed them all in the circle. In a few minutes, the young man had earned about 10,000 dors. A crowd had gathered around the winner. Even the barmaids shuttling around the hall were attracted by his handsome looks and the chips in front of him. "Do you need someone to count the chips for you, young man?" "Im free tonight, darling..." The girls, who were all wearing revealing dresses, kept flirting with Qin Guan. A rich handsome guy was much better than an old bald fellow after all. They all wondered if the Asian man had any interest in them. They left when they noticed his ordinary clothes though. They were ssy beauties, not some poor girls wandering the streets. They had enough time and capital to meet the demands of VIP clients. They had recognized Qin Guan immediately, as the young man was featured frequently in their favorite magazines. They knew that he preserved his moral integrity like a monk, and they were sure about their own charm. None of them could be mentioned in the same breath as Paris Hilton, Madonna or Britney Spears. If they flirted with Qin Guan, they might lose some other clients. Only a shameless girl eager to get famous would do that, but those kind of girls were unpopr in their industry. There were no girls around Qin Guan anymore. Only some crazy gamblers sat beside him, their eyes fixed on him, as if he was a sparkling diamond. The chips fell down on the table again with a tter. The dealer wiped cold sweat from his face again. The manager of the casino was watching the table through the monitor. "Do you need help?" There were always some good gamblers in every casino, hired to detect any cheaters and check if any staff members colluded with the gamblers. The manager was itching to see Qin Guan seed. He could sense that the young man was not a cheater, but someone who relied on his skills. Every casino had a cklist that included famous card contestpetitors as well as notorious cheaters. Those people were not allowed to set foot in a casino. That Asian guy had a clean record though. The manager ran a background check on him on the inte just as Qin Guan won his fifth round. He hadnt expected to find dozens of news articles about him. He read them all with great interest, forgettingpletely about the game. When his staff reminded him, he coughed awkwardly. "Okay, you go watch the table. Be careful. Dont scare the guests away." The joker of the casino walked out of the office speechless. Im a gentle man. Im not some monster! One minuteter, he appeared on the monitor. He walked to Qin Guans table without hesitation and patted the blond dealer on the back. "Good job. You can take a break." Then he performed a short investigation, using the micro inductor in his hand. He is clean. He is not cheating. The man was very excited. A skilled opponent was a good stimnt for people like him. He decided to have a small gamble with Qin Guan. This was not unheard of for the casino staff. I could set a top limit so he doesnt lose too much money. The man took the ce of the dealer. Humans were very strange beings. Dancers were elegant, fashion insiders were weird and entric, and people with a high social status had an invisible oppression about them. Different environments cultivated different temperaments. Qin Guan sensed something different about the gambler though. As a Chinese boy who had grown up watching ssic Hong Kong gambling films, Qin Guan was familiar with such guys. Chapter 652: The Magic Show Prop Chapter 652: The Magic Show Prop Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan counted his chips curiously. They were worth about 100,000 dors. Will the casino go bankrupt? He grew nervous, and so did the crowd, who wanted to see the world in chaos. They were all excited to watch a duel between two talented men. This was even more fun than an erotic dance! People gathered around the table as Qin Guan shot a secret look at the dealer. Cards shed before his pupils. J, 9, 4, 6, 6, K... J, 9, 4, 6, 6, K... "Shall we continue, sir?" the new dealer asked Qin Guan with a smile. Before he could reply, a familiar voice was heard from the crowd. "There you are, Qin Guan!" Qin Guan saw Cong Nianwei walk over to him. He had no time to pretend. He just stood up to wee her. "Did you get my message?" "Yes!" "Wait a minute, I have to gather my money. Well have a big dinner tonight. My treat!" Qin Guan turned around to put all the chips in his box. Just as he was about to follow Cong Nianwei out, the dealer came back to his senses. He nearly fainted in reaction to Qin Guans behavior. "Are you leaving, sir?" Qin Guan, who was focused on his girlfriend, answered him impatiently, "I have both a good eyesight and good memory. The next cards would be J, Q, 10, 8. You wouldnt ask for more cards. Id give up and lose 5 dors to you or an even bigger amount, as the next card would be 3. No, thank you. Id rather go. You are wee!" Qin Guan let out a sigh of resignation and ran away with his chips. The dealer was standing stupefied behind the table as the Asian caller tried his best to suppress hisughter. The caller gently picked a fifth card out and shuffled the cards again. Qin Guan was an international award-winning actor after all. He had good reason to run away, as the fifth card was a 6, not a 3, which was an unfavorable card for him. The audience had no idea about that though. The strong man took Qin Guans lucky seat proudly. A Chinese fortune teller would make a big fortune in Las Vegas. Gamblers were the most superstitious people in the world. "Ha ha!" The manager, who had witnessed everything through the monitor, sat back, lost deep in thought. His white Arabic head scarf slid down his shoulders. The Asian lovers got out of the casino with a roll of bills. When she saw the proud smile on Qin Guans face, Cong Nianwei realized that he must have yed some kind of trick. A winner was better than a loser though, so she decided to let it go for the sake of the money. Qin Guan headed to the Blue Man Show Theater early the next day. He was in a very good mood as the stylist led him to a professional dressing room. The assistants had spread a stic film on the floor. "Please take off your clothes, sir." "All of them?" "No, you can keep your underwear on." Qin Guan let out a sigh of relief as he undressed. There was a heater in the room, so he didnt feel cold. A painter began to paint colorful patterns on his body, using a mixture of wild olive oil and golden powder. Soon, Qin Guans skin was a glittering golden color. Only his face still looked normal. His color was even brighter than the 18 brass figures of the Chinese Martial Artists in the Shaolin Temple. His hair was colored white. When everything was finished, he looked like a mythical god. The costume provided by the prop team confirmed his theory. The loose costume was more like a sheet. The crew wrapped him in it, leaving one of his shoulders and legs exposed. Then Qin Guan put on a pair of Greek-style shoes withces. As he stood before the mirror, Qin Guan wondered what kind of magic show he would take part in. When he saw Chris costume, he felt grateful for his sheet. Chris looked like a zombie after dinner. He had a big bloody mouth and sharp fangs. Qin Guan, who was an experienced insider of the fashion circle, stood before Chris calmly as the man moved around him, gasping in admiration. "What shall I do next? Should we go through the performance in advance?" Chris took his eyes off Qin Guans body and pped his hands. "Oh, that reminds me! We havent had a rehearsal! Come with me!" Qin Guan followed the unreliable man through the red curtain that led to the stage. There was a chair in the center of the stage. The chair was welded to a steel bar, which was connected to a base on the floor. The chair looked like an umbre. It was floating in the air, a thin steel prop holding it above the floor. "Prop team!" At Chris order, his assistant took out an ascending angle bracket. Qin Guan suddenly realized what his task was. Chapter 653: An Excited Audience Chapter 653: An Excited Audience Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Up!" Okay, you are paying me. You are the boss. Qin Guan climbed up two meters high before he warned the people holding thedder for him, "Careful, Ill let go now." Then he moved to the chair and sat down steadily on it. Several elevators were ced around him as the assistants got to work. They fastened a strong transparent wire to Qin Guans body, to make sure hed be safe. It was a very high-tech product. Even if the chair was broken, Qin Guan would just hang in the air. The prop master hid the chair from the audience by using Qin Guans loose costume, and the lighting master took advantage of the different lights and colors of the curtains. When all thedders were pulled away, Qin Guan was sitting up in the air like a god. "What do you think?" "Its marvellous! I have never tried anything like this before. When you look down from that height, the audience seems very small!" Fortunately, Qin Guan was not anxious. The problem was how he would get down. Before Qin Guan could ask that question, he felt the chair descending slowly. Isnt it fixed to the pole? How can it move? Chris pointed to the floor. "The base can rise and drop. Dont worry, its strong enough to hold you." Then he pointed to the auditorium proudly and said, "Today, I will shock everyone. They will never forget my awe-inspiring performance. I am Chris after all!" He meant what he said. He really shocked the audience. Compared to all the strip shows taking ce in Las Vegas, Chris brilliant performance made him seem like a monster of the night. When he entered the stage leisurely floating in the air, screams broke out among the audience. His tour to Las Vegas, which had been promoted earlier that year, had attracted loyal fans who followed him everywhere. They screamed and cried to encourage him. "You are a messenger sent by the devil! Admit it! Please ept me... Ill sacrifice my soul to you!" "Save me! Im your most faithful believer!" Qin Guan was shocked by the rogues running wild in the audience. Is this some evil cult or something? It certainly is nomon audience! Its like a gathering of lunatics! He had no time to leave though. Led by Chris, he floated out of the backstage area slowly. Suddenly, an anthem rang out like a church choir. Qin Guan entered the stage solemnly. All eyes were fixed on him as he knocked his sceptre against the floor and hovered in the air in a sitting position. As the tune rose higher and higher, so did Qin Guan. Suddenly, Chris moved towards him, meeting him in mid-air. The scene looked like the meeting of an angel and a demon. One was a pure, sparkling figure, while the other was the personification of evil and ferocious desire. "AH!" Deafening screams rang out as shlights were turned on. Qin Guan couldnt see anything when he looked down. When Chris reached him, they looked at each other in the air, blue lights being projected around their bodies to form a cold halo. "War... Doom... Destiny..." Despite Chris provocation, Qin Guan showed mercy. He looked at Chris as if he was an ant and slowly lifted his sceptre. There were no lines. No script. He just had some general instructions to follow. The audience had to use its own imagination. Qin Guan looked like a real god. That was the difference between different races. The loyal fans, curious visitors and local residents witnessed an epic, poetic performance in the luxurious theater. Words couldnt express their feelings. The thrilling scene touched their souls. Qin Guan raised his sceptre proudly, as if he wanted to brush off a tiny bug stuck in his eye. No creature could disturb him. He pointed the sceptre casually at Chris like a judge from Heaven. His golden skin and white hair couldnt disguise his graceful demeanor. Struck by his power, Chris bent forward and fell down slowly like a broken butterfly. "Ah!" the audience cried out in unison. They thought it was a terrible ident. When his head was only half a meter away from the floor, he started floating again as if he was in space. "Oh!" He had earned everyones admiration. Chapter 654: Penny Chapter 654: Penny Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan did not get angry. He just retracted his sceptre and fell into deep thought. This was not worth his attention. He acted like hed just flicked an ant from his clothes and continued along his way, not caring about the creatures sorrow. The chair began to descend slowly. Before it reached the floor, the wire pulled him up and he moved down leisurely. His tiptoes touched the sparkling stage before he turned around and disappeared without making any eye contact. The background music suddenly stopped. Chris climbed off the floor and struck a lively pose before the audience. Bang! Pure white feathers fell from above, the splendid scene putting an end to the show. Satisfied by the spectacle, the audience pped hard. This was a big honor for the performers. The audience members bought bouquets and flower baskets for the actors. The curtain fell down. The next show was about to begin. Actresses were dancing and singing happily to ease the atmosphere andfort the nervous audience. Backstage, the stylist was busy applying a deep cleansing oil to Qin Guans body. "Ill clean it as much as I can, but you have to be careful when you bathe at home. At first, your skin will be more yellow than it was before. It will take a few baths with essential oil for the paint to bepletely removed." Qin Guan nodded casually, not taking his advice seriously. On the way to Cong Nianweispetition though, his girlfriend kept making fun of his skin. He had to get some kind of treatment immediately. The show also aired on TV in Nevada and made the headlines of the newspapers with thergest cirction in the country. Chris team was very good at handling publicity. The high attendance and gifts from the audience covered the expenses of the whole tour. As a special guest, Qin Guan would get one percent of the total ticket ie, excluding the fixed appearance fee. Qin Guan earned 50,000 dors for the ten-minute show. Plus, he also enjoyed some free publicity. He had be a trend-setter in the fashion circle. His performance had created more options for models. Thanks to the development of technology, all industries and performances had to keep up with the times. Otherwise, they would be weeded out. The TV show host shouted at the camera excitedly after watching the thrilling fight between Qin Guan and Chris. "That was a real performance! It touched my soul right to the core. Qin Guan deserves all his acting awards! Those arrogant Hollywood stars should be ashamed! They waste such good resources on producing trashy films. If you cant do your job, let that Chinese man take over!" Americans liked irony, but being an Asian was actually a shoring for Qin Guan. If he had been American, he would have received countless scripts after winning an award at Cannes. Instead, the investors had waited and observed the sess of his two films. Qin Guan was a broad-minded guy, so he was not annoyed by that. He knew that if he returned to the embrace of his mothend, countless scripts would be waiting for him. Before he could finish reading the news reports, the bus had reached their destination. It was the house assigned to Cong Nianweis team. That day, the organizingmittee would announce the winner. Competitors arrived one after the other. This was the final round, so they were all capable and experienced. The architectural industry was very strict and precise. Cong Nianweis partners seemed much younger than the otherpetitors. Everyone in the room was dressed formally. Even Qin Guan, who was an insider of the fashion circle, was treated like an official. Chapter 655: A Superficial Selection Chapter 655: A Superficial Selection Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The temporary Columbia team was demonstrating its youth and energy. Their only advantage was that the professional teams had no interest in talking with young students. This made them feel at ease. Nobody was looking at the deserted stage, as it was not the time for the results to be announced yet. This was not a lively entertainment show, so no staff was needed. Actually, everyone was wrong. Every person present was being monitored, from the first person to arrive in the meeting room, to thest one to take their seat nervously. The monitors were the sponsors of thepetition and the developers of the new intemunity. Those young rich men had used their family wealth to take advantage of the inte. Combining the industry withmerce was the best way to challenge the stereotype that the inte was a futile economy. Of course, it was hard to tell if it was the real estate industry or the inte that were futile. This was enough for ordinary people though. At least they could see something tangible instead of a theoretical concept. They would dly pay for that. The young billionaires were quite different from old billionaires when it came to business. They were a lot more frivolous, but the cunning decision-makers on their team nned on selecting the final winner carefully. When they saw that the eight remaining designs had their own merits and no obvious ws, the young men decided to follow their hearts. The meeting room, which was where the monitors were installed, became the final ce of the selection. "Look at that old fellow! He is adjusting his tie and asking his assistant to prepare a statement for him. He is so confident!" The man, who was a middle-aged designer, was the one with the most seniority and abundant power among the candidates. Sadly, he was considered too old to win. "Look at the two girls on those two teams. Ill bet you 100 dors that they are enemies. They must hate each other, because one of them has bigger boobs and a tter bottom than the other." The young man had to be a mind-reader. That certainly exined his sess. The unreliable judges cried out when Cong Nianweis team entered the room. "F*ck! Those guys are younger than us!" "Let me see... They are the Architecture Department of Columbia University... That exins it..." "Ah!" one of them screamed. The others glowered at him. "Its Qin Guan!" "What?" "Where is he?" The yacht club of the Chinese students had prated the local circle, so Qin Guans name was brought up frequently among Chinese people. He was an idol for them, so he attracted a lot of attention from local rich men. A model was not worth their attention, but a young man with his own fashion studio, ounting firm and gallery at such a young age was famous amid the younger generation. That was when they spotted the mysterious man at theirpetition. Did this mean that the busy man was trying to find more career opportunities through their contest? They were reading too much into the situation. Qin Guan had no idea they even existed. He had nothing to do with architecture. He was just sitting silently in the back row of the meeting room, trying his best to remain unnoticed. He had only gone there for his girlfriend. The trees liked their calm and quiet, but the wind would not subside. The people behind the monitors got excited. "Let me see! What is he doing here?" "Search online! Are there any news reports about him?" Brian, who was the only sensible person among them, suddenly realized something. "If my memory serves me, his girlfriend must be a student at Columbia. Look!" He pointed at the screen. "Isnt that Asian girl his girlfriend?" he asked the others. "So what do you think? Who should win?" "The eighth team, of course!" "Qin Guans team!" "Im on Qin Guans side!" they all said together. The old friends burst intoughter. "Their design meets the requirements. Plus, its simpler and more convenient than the other designs." "Most importantly, they chose cheaper materials. The property tax wont scare young people away." "The most important thing is..." "Ha ha..." Everyoneughed proudly with their hands on their waists. "Microsoft and IBM are suppressing us on all fields. Peripheral industry, prospect investment, employee development... Even their private doctors are better than ours. We finally have something they dont!" "Yes! When the residents settle in, well tell the media that Qin Guan is our architects boyfriend!" "Yeah!" Chapter 656: The First Positive Feedback Chapter 656: The First Positive Feedback Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia They cunningly decided who the winner of thepetition would be. The prize would be a legend. If Cong Nianwei knew about its underlying meaning, she would have found it both funny and annoying. Everyone was waiting for the final moment in the meeting room. Suddenly, the curtain on the stage rose. The procedure was supposed to be simple. The host would present the winning design and announce the winner. Then one of the sponsors would give away the prize on the stage. However, when those funny guys saw Qin Guan, they decided to change their original n and make a few corrections to the hosts cue cards. As a result, the ceremony went like this... "The critical moment hase. I will be announcing the winner! Who will it be?" The host unrolled the background poster. "Its the team from Columbia University and their design New Power! Lets wee the chief architect, Ms. Cong Nianwei, to the stage with the warmest apuse!" Although the other contestants were disappointed, they pped sincerely for Cong Nianweis team. The young students talent had been acknowledged before they had even entered the circle. Even Cong Nianwei, who was the calmest person among them, had tears in her eyes. Rongzhi, who was in charge of all the details, had tears and mucus flowing down his face. Cong Nianwei stood up and embraced every member of her team before she walked to the stage nervously. The host handed her a spare microphone. "The lucky girl is here! Lets invite our sponsors, Brian, LC, MG, and Tom to present her with the prize!" the host said, apuding happily. Usually, one sponsor was enough for the presentation, but a fight had taken ce backstage. Everyone had fought over who would get the chance to present the award. The host had tried to calm everyone down, but it had been in vain. Before his voice could fade away, the four men rushed to the stage impatiently. The audience apuded in confusion. Wasnt this a little too much? Maybe the men just liked being in the spotlight. "Congrattions! Congrattions!" "We are looking forward to cooperating with you in the future!" "Here is your award, Ms. Cong Nianwei." "Dont push me! I almost fell off the stage!" "There you are, Cong Nianwei! Ah! Stop pushing me!" The audience was totally speechless. The stage was too small to hold so many people, but they all stuck to their posts, for fear of being absent from the ceremony. After themotion, Cong Nianwei finally got the award. It looked like a unique cup for athletes. The base was round, and the cup itself was an unconventional belt with blue and white crystals. Before Cong Nianwei could express her gratitude, three of the sponsors fell off the stage screaming, leaving Brian alone on the podium. Taking advantage of the situation, Brian smoothed down his hair. "Congrattions, Cong Nianwei!" "Thanks!" They shook hands firmly. The clever host was hidden behind the curtain as Brian handed Cong Nianwei the check. The paper was still warm from his touch. The check was worth 250,000 dors, which exceeded most standard architecture prizes. The other three sponsors had no time to climb up to the stage again. All they could do was hit the stage with their fists angrily as they watched Cong Nianwei leave with the prize. Cong Nianwei did not shake hands with them. She thought they had just showed up for fun. She returned to her team and handed the cup to her partners. Then she embraced Qin Guan. Money meant nothing to her. It was the award that made her happy. This was her first award, but considering her age, she was a very promising young architect. "Qin Guan!" "Yes?" "I have contributed to our award disy!" These were the sweetest words in the world. It was the first time Cong Nianwei was expressing her decision to spend the rest of her life with him. She had epted his implied proposal. Life was wonderful! Qin Guan hugged her tightly. His dream hade true that day! Chapter 657: The Shaolin Temple in New York Chapter 657: The Shaolin Temple in New York Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia A familiar fragrance lingered in his nose, but the warm feeling of Cong Nianweis embrace reminded him that this was not an illusion. They had made a lifetime decision very casually. From then on, they would share amon goal. Their hearts were beating fast as they looked at each other, smiling knowingly. Qin Guan encouraged himself mentally. I must win more awards in order to realize my dream. As they were enjoying those tender moments, the audience began to leave orderly. The sponsors were amazing. Before they left, they gave them envelopes with flight tickets for their trip back home. Everyone, winners and losers included, was satisfied, except for the three unlucky sponsors. The shameless men rushed over to Cong Nianwei. "Hi!" Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei got scared when they saw the members of the organizingmittee standing around them in a circle with smiles on their faces. The four sponsors were among them. "Hello! We would like to greet you again." Four pairs of hands stretched out towards Qin Guan. "Your name precedes you..." "Ha ha! Now I can show off to my girlfriend that I touched his hand!" "Do you like to y ball games? Tennis, basketball, golf... Shall we go y together?" They were all talking at once as Qin Guan looked at them in shock. He realized that he had unwittingly acquired some new admirers thanks to the Chinese students promotion. This made him feel under pressure. It was the first time he was not being praised for his looks, but his achievements. He was actually being treated as a talented businessman. They all exchanged cards and decided to meet in their spare time. The four men couldnt wait to have theirpanies evaluated by Qin Guans firm. They all believed in his work. They had stolen theputers of some ounting firms andpared the data. As it had turned out, QCs services were the best. They wanted to know about their market capitalization in the future after repeated financing and investments, and how they could purchase small businesses effectively with their current capital. The Hilton Hotels gave them some direct feedback. The group had trusted 10 more hotels to QC in the past few months. This was a good indication of the firms sess. As more and more Asian ountants joined it, the firm gained an advantage over other traditional firms. Asians were very keen and they enjoyed boring statistics work as much as malt sugar. In other words, they were allplete workaholics. Actually, Qin Guan preferred beingzy, but he couldnt turn down such steady work. Cong Nianwei was a good stimulus for him as he worked hard to prepare for the party of the police union. Exam season was over, so after the party, he and Cong Nianwei would return to China to enjoy the Spring Festival. Encouraged, Qin Guan wrapped himself up in his coat to withstand the piercing New York wind. He was walking to his first stop for the day, the Shaolin Temple of New York. That absurd name was the only way Americans could learn about the real Shaolin Temple, Chinese martial arts and Buddhism. Established by Master Guolin, the true sessor of the 34th generation of the Shaolin Temple in China, the scaled-down version of the Chinese temple had been in New York for a full four years. The temple was not far from themercial streets of the Flushing District. It had actually been constructed by Master Guolin himself. In 1999, after his fifth year in America, he had decided to build the temple with the help of some faithful believers and a bank loan. His only aim had been to promote Chinese martial arts. The Shaolin Temple was actually looked down upon for being a street martial arts club. Qin Guan felt amused as he stood at the entrance of the temple. After visiting the real Shaolin Temple on the Song Mountains, this temple seemed so small that it reminded him of the Earth Temples in the countryside and the temples in Hong Kong movies. There were two big rednterns hanging on both sides of the wooden gate. The round windows were perfect copies of the temple made by the Monkey King. Be serious now! Qin Guan braced himself before he pushed in. The gate was like a boundary between two different worlds. Qin Guan heard shouts of martial arts practice inside. Four rows of students were practising in the center of the open courtyard. Despite preparing himself mentally, Qin Guan was still shocked. The master supervising the students noticed the intruder. Chapter 658: A Statement From The Benefactor Chapter 658: A Statement From The Benefactor Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Hello, benefactor. Please ept my courtesy." "How do you do, master? I called Master Guolin two days ago. Im Qin Guan." The young master was taken aback. He seized Qin Guan up from head to toe. A few days ago, his master had shared the exciting news with him. Qin Guan wanted to talk to them about the promotion of Chinese martial arts. From then on, the Buddhist monks would get very familiar with Qin Guan. Words are but a gust of wind. Seeing is believing. It makes sense that he is so popr considering his looks. The monk saluted Qin Guan again. "One minute, please..." Then he turned around and shouted at his students in an imposing manner, "Good! The first stage is over. Take a 15-minute break. Well continue practising when I return." "Yes, master!" The students spoke Chinese with a strange ent. If one ignored the foreigners, who took up 60% of the total student number, this seemed like an ordinary Chinese martial arts club. Qin Guan followed the vigorous monk. Behind the courtyard was a library, a hall of 500 Arhats and the dormitories of the monks. The 1,000-square-meter field was reasonably arranged by Guolin ording to the traditional Chinese architecture theory of "fitting everything between squares and circles". It was a miniature of the Shaolin Temple back in China. Before Qin Guan coulde to his senses, they had reached Master Guolins living quarters. The young monk knocked on the door. A low voice was heard from inside. "Come in, please." The monk pushed the door open, took a bow and then retired politely. Qin Guan narrowed his eyes to adjust to the light. Then he saw the person inside the room. "Benefactor Qin. Come in, please!" The monk was sitting cross-legged on a futon. He was wearing an ordinary yellow robe and holding an old prayer in his hands. "Take a seat, please." Men of faith were always different from ordinary people. Qin Guan thought that the master deserved to be an eminent monk. Master Guolin looked as calm as a sadhu engaging in Dharma. The ordinary robe looked like an exquisite Kasaya on his body, both solemn and magnificent. People couldnt help but worship him. "Thank you, Master Guolin. I came here today to discuss the activity we talked about on the phone. I would like to talk about the details." "My n is to take advantage of the national party of the police union and unite all the founders of martial arts clubs all over New York to stage a big coup..." Qin Guans n was simple. It would be easy for the superiors of the Shaolin Temple to show the beauty of Chinese martial arts. Master Guolin listened to his detailed n quietly, only nodding at the best points. A few minutester, Qin Guan finished his introduction. When he looked at Master Guolin, he saw a smile on his face. Suddenly, he rxed. If the Shaolin School agreed to his n, the other clubs were sure to say yes. His task had been fulfilled. Qin Guan had just decided to leave his present and say goodbye, when Master Guolin asked him, "Does your n mean that you are one of us?" Qin Guan felt awkward. "A little. I have gotten some lessons from a direct sessor of Baguozhang." "You are so modest. We have to get to know each other before the performance though. May I have the honor of enriching my experience by studying your skills?" "No problem." Thank god I have been practising these past few days. "The front yard is big enough. Follow me, please..." Master Guolin assumed a serious attitude. When they returned to the front yard, all the students stood up to salute him before they scattered to make space for them. To be honest, the yard was much simpler than Qin Guans working site, but he felt an unprecedented pressure because of the students and the masters presence. He didnt want to lose face before the entire American martial arts circle, but all he could do was pray to the heavens that he remembered what Mou Xiaoliu had taught him. Combat martial arts and performance martial arts were quite different. The audience would be shocked by his acting skills, but any real martial artist would be able to tell that Qin Guans skills were all style and no substance. Chapter 659: Showing Off Before The Experts Chapter 659: Showing Off Before The Experts Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia He chose the popr and entertaining Tai Chi. It was his secret weapon for sucking up to old men in New York parks thanks to its unstrained, elegant style. Qin Guan took off his coat to warm up before he walked to the center of the yard. There is great beauty between Heaven and Earth, The spirit of nature lives in human beings... Even though he was not wearing a loose gown, Qin Guan still seemed to possess a natural grace. He struck a starting pose as silence prevailed around the yard. Then he slowly began his performance. His every move was smooth and gentle, his actions like floating clouds and flowing water. A living painting of Tai Chi and the Eight Trigrams unfolded before the audience. Qin Guans every pause was like a punch, his every tense and rxed movement round and clear. It was well-known that Chinese punching skills were divided into the Neijia School and the Waijia School. One focused on spirit cultivation, while the other focused on power. Tai Chi was a representative of the Neijia School. The philosophy of Tai Chi contained both movement and quietude, both speed and slowness. Qin Guans performancebined the two different powers together. His moves wereplete and flexible, the power of his waist making his body a coherent, well-coordinated unit. All the martial artists present could tell that he was very meticulous. Master Guolin was getting more and more strict, but both performance andbat martial arts were worthy of an experts acknowledgement. When Qin Guan finished his performance, the students apuded. "Well done!" "It was a little soft. I prefer a more vigorous performance..." "Stop daydreaming, dude..." Martial artists were always straightforward. Qin Guans ability was acknowledged by Master Guolin though. Qin Guan presented his gifts to Master Guolin and then left in relief, unaware of the riot he had caused. "Take me to the party, Master!" "Im the best student at the temple!" "Im the sincerest one! Listen to me, the others always eat meat in secret..." "Id rather beat you all up! Then no one will be able topete with me!" "Ouch!" "Ouch!" They were all punished by the master. "Amitabha! Your cultivation has not been enough. Squat over here, everyone!" Meanwhile, Qin Guan drove off, admiring the Chinese infiltration of New York. The most distinctivendmarks of Chinatown were its restaurants and martial arts clubs. The Chinese parents living far from their mothend sent their kids to martial arts clubs to express their love for China. As a result, the talented masters had taken root in that foreignnd. All kinds of martial arts schools could be found in that area. It was a perfect miniature of the Chinese martial arts circle. Qin Guan and Xu Xiaoxiao had an appointment at a martial arts club. Only when Qin Guan went out and saw the sun again did hee back to his senses. His experience had been surreal. He felt like he had travelled back in time a few decades. The masters had been sitting in their chairs in a vigorous manner, while Qin Guan stood in the middle like a criminal in court. If he hadnt had a tough mind, he would have been scared. Why had they gotten together to meet him? It had seemed like an assembly of the entire New York martial arts circle. Qin Guan burst intoughter at the thought. He had advocated for the importance of the cooperation between the police and the public, as well as the future development of Chinese martial arts. The earnest masters had believed him. He had opened a door for them and introduced them to more possibilities. In return, the masters had patted their own chests and made promises to him. Their valiant spirit had encouraged Xu. "You are familiar with Chinatown. What did you think of them?" Qin Guan asked him nervously. Xu was confident. "Dont worry, they have been operating clubs here for many years. What you want from them is very simple. You just need some background actors. They are talented enough and they wont meddle with your work." Qin Guan rxed at his words. The national party wasing up soon, so everything had to be ready. Inte December 2003, the important moment finally came. The party would be thest one to be held in therge hall of the New York Police Station. Chapter 660: A Splendid Martial Arts Performance Chapter 660: A Splendid Martial Arts Performance Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia That day, some careful New York citizens noticed that many uniformed police officers had gathered in the bustling metropolis. The police representatives, who hade from different directions, could form a splendid parade. There were policemen on horseback from Texas, who looked as sturdy as bikers, patrols from the Mexico border, and city detectives from Chicago. Compared to them, the small town sergeants were like flowers in a greenhouse. They had experienced unbelievably brutal cases. Getting a chance to enjoy themselves was rare for them. Before the New Year, they had been sent to another city on the governments expense. They had fallen into a sea of joy and put all gratitude and resentment aside. As the host, Sergeant Henry was both suffering and having fun. It was a happy day for him until his arch enemy showed up. "Hi, dude. Long time no see. You are still a boring New Yorker, I see. I wonder what the party will be like..." It was Sergeant Tommy from Los Angeles, who called himself a fashionable sergeant. "Ha! It will be better than your partyst year, which was full of studs and beauties!" Son of a b*tch! Henry was not about to show any weakness in his home court. "But you have to admit that everyone likes that. Come on, everybody! Tell me that you love me!" Everyone burst intoughter at their quarrel. Those tough guys didnt care about the performance taking ce on the stage. They had just gotten together to rx. As high-risk employees, they needed some entertainment during the holidays. When almost everyone had arrived, Henry took a look at his watch. Qin Guan must be ready! Suddenly, the sound of cheerful, deafening gongs and drums came from the square behind the police station. The guests squeezed before the gate together as they heard the passionate music. Some of them pushed the gate open. Everyone was stupefied. The square was like a sea of joy. There were traditional Chinese lion and dragon dancing teams on the square, as well as a group of martial artists. A red ball made of silk strips was thrown up into the sky. The actors wearing the lion heads jumped up after the ball. Two lions caught the ball in their mouths andnded on the ground, fighting over it. Loud cheers encouraged them. "Well done!" The lions winked naughtily at the audience. Shocked by the scene, the inexperienced police officers winked back in confusion. The two lions started rolling around on the ground with the ball, making way for everyone else. Their murderous looks overwhelmed the audience. "gs up!" The deafening roar scared the policemen. Some nervous ones instinctively reached for their guns. What are those Asians doing? Do they want to kill us all with one stone? There have been no cases against Asianstely. What are they doing? As they looked around in horror, countless gs were lifted above the crowd. They were traditional colorful silk banners with small triangle edges and embroidered logos. The name of each martial arts club was written in block letters on the gs. There were also English trantions below. "Longxing Hall!" "Juying Hall!" "Xinxi Hall!" They seemed to be there for arge assembly. All they needed was a stage. Carrying their gs, they walked to the building like a sports parade. "Longxing Hall is here at Master Qins invitation!" The gpole was poked into the ground as the senior master held his fists up to salute the American policemen. Several officers copied his gesture, hesitantly returning the salutation. Before they could think about it, the next group was up. "Juying Hall, Tengfei Club and Xinxi Hall are here at Master Qins invitation!" They seemed very powerful and vigorous. By contrast, the officers looked weak both in body and spirit. Tommy craned his neck around Henry and asked the local king in a low voice, "Who is Master Qin?" Master Qin was annoyed. He had told them toe to the hall. They had done as he had said. They were on time, but their way was a little different... Master Qin squeezed to the entrance awkwardly. Chapter 661: A Provoking Performance Chapter 661: A Provoking Performance Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Excuse me! Im sorry..." "For what?" "Sorry, I... Im Master Qin." Qin Guan sessfully attracted everyones attention and took advantage of it to squeeze through. "How are you, Master Qin?" He heard a deafening greeting. You scared me! "Come on! The performance is about to begin. Follow me to the backstage area!" "Yes, sir!" They all followed Qin Guan into the hall, walking between the trembling officers. The martial artists didnt want to greet them. "Thanks!" "Please!" When they reached the backstage area, the officers thought that was the end of their shocking performance. As the lion dancing groups on the square were about to retire though, a melodious Buddhist song was heard. Led by Master Guolin, a group of Shaolin monks andities walked to the building in a formidable array, surrounded by their believers. Master Guolin was wearing a cassock. It was Qin Guans present, made of Yunjin by skilful Chinese craftsmen. The cassock had golden embroidery and jewellery on it. It was a gorgeous, considerate donation from the Shaolin Temple. Master Guolin gave off a solemn, awe-inspiring vibe in it. All the monks and students from the Shaolin Temple showed up that day. Their believers watched their parade and followed them mechanically. The music broadcast had been taken care of by the owner of a record store. The most curious thing was that half the followers of the Shaolin Temple were Americans. "Amitabha!" "You should be begging for alms at the reception." Master Guolin thought highly of Henry. An American guy who knew about alms was hard toe across. He must be a fan of Chinese culture. "I was invited by Benefactor Qin." "Oh! Come on in, master. Let me show you the door to the backstage area. Qin Guan is inside." Henry unconsciously used a deferentialnguage. The group of people took a bow before him. "Thank you so much..." Bare heads shed before their eyes as the blonde Americans mimicked them. When they disappeared from the hall, all the guests exploded. "What the f*ck will they do?" "Im not young anymore. I could die of a heart attack." "Are they kidding? Our guns are not toys!" "Calm down! You dont understand those mysterious Orientals. You should keep an eye on them, my friend." Annoyed by his peers, Henry waved around helplessly. "Dont worry! There is another door especially for actors. I dont think well see any more strangers. Probably..." Despite his exnation, no one was in the right mood to appreciate the cocktails on the trays. Not all actors were freaks after all. The officers waited eagerly at the entrance, but it was in vain. The buffet had already opened on the other side. While people were enjoying the delicious food and splendid performance on the stage, Henry told Qin Guan to begin. To be a man was to be reliable. The special performance, which had cost Qin Guan a lot of painstaking effort, unfolded on the stage. While everyone was busy eating the delicious food and chatting merrily, the melodious sound of a flute came from the backstage area. Suddenly, all the lights in the hall went out one after the other. Only a few bright lights above the stage were left on. The curtain began to rise slowly, revealing a band that yed ancient Chinese music. No one recognized the musical instruments on the stage, but they could appreciate their unique style. They gave off a really beautiful, historical vibe. The pipa yer performed a solo. An awful feeling overwhelmed everyone. They all felt as if they were on a battlefield. The actors walked onto the stage as the music yed. No, they did not walk. They jumped. The martial artists jumped on the stage with somersaults. They looked aggressive and vigorous in their ck uniforms as they stood in line and roared together. "Ha! Hey!" Their Chinese boxing performance was both orderly and powerful, shocking the tough men under the stage. Are they actors or fighters? Chapter 662: Great Admiration Chapter 662: Great Admiration Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Before they coulde back to their senses, each of the actors took out a long sword that glittered like frost and rotated them like swordsmen during ancient times. ng! The sound of the swords was so crisp that it made everyones hair stand on end. When they finished their performance, the actors retired to the edge of the stage, leaving the spotlight to the other performers. The pipa solo grew quiet as some buddhist music rang out. The atmosphere softened a lot. Tommy wiped some cold sweat off his face carefully. He thought Henry would murder him, but fortunately, there were colleagues all around them. Suddenly, he got frightened again. Master Guolin was standing on the stage in a splendid cassock, hitting the heads of two Shaolin Monks with bricks. "Ah!" the audience cried out before suddenly stopping. The bricks were crushed into pieces. The two monks, who were safe and sound, flicked the dust off their heads and walked behind a brick wall. Bang! Bang! Bang! The bricks were smashed to pieces one after the other. Everyone under the stage was shocked, their mouths and eyes opening wide. Some people drank wine to suppress their horror. They poured the wine into their noses instead of their mouths by ident, spraying the liquid out of their noses. The monks picked up some spears and stabbed their throats. The wooden poles bent from the pressure, but the steel spearheads touched their throats without piercing them. The audience members were not surprised, but they were still horrified. They exchanged a few words nervously in an effort tofort each other. "Oh my! What did I just see?" "Are you trying to warn American policemen about something, Henry? Do you think we have supermen in our country?" That particr person must have read too many Supermanics. "We should be on alert about Asian criminals. They are beyond the reach of ordinary weapons." "Yes. Id rather shoot first and ask questionster!" One of them, who took their job way too seriously, didnt agree with the rest. "I think they must be tutors invited here by Henry. That kind of training could improve our skills tremendously so we could capture criminals way more easily in the future. Thank you so much, Henry! Your work is appreciated!" Henry shot a helpless look at him. The man was fighting a big battle all along the Mexican border, but Henry had had no idea about what a low IQ he had. His suggestion still sounded practical though. Chinese martial arts could save lives. As Henry was considering the possibility, the Shaolin monks finished their performance and retired backstage, apanied by the melody of a Chinese zither. All the lights were pointed at one specific spot. A white round circle of lighty on the center of the stage quietly as two girls in red pushed arge white screen onto the stage. Then Qin Guan, the hero of the night, showed up. He was wearing white Wushu clothing designed by Yin Changtao, with a decorative design embroidered on it with silver thread. The clustering pine leaves looked like blooming flowers. The lotus-like buttons on his chest looked very pretty. Of course, such details couldnt satisfy the audience, but the huge brush in Qin Guans hand, which was as tall as a child, shocked them. The ink was stored in a blue porcin cloisonn te. As the music yed, Qin Guan dipped the brush into the ink and began to write. His every stroke was graceful and elegant. In one minute, he had finished working on the screen. "Good will prevail and kill tyranny!" This was not just a Chinese martial arts philosophy, but also a moto of American policemen. Because of theircking education, the audience members couldnt understand the real meaning of the Chinese characters or the humanity behind the calligraphy. Its beauty still touched their souls though. Cultivating ones spirit and suppressing ones rage through action and inertia was a basic philosophy of Chinese people. The previous threatening acts were concluded by Qin Guans performance. The audience was in awe. Everyone expressed their emotions in the most direct way. "Well done!" The audience pped loudly. Chapter 663: Memories of Youth Chapter 663: Memories of Youth Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The deafening apuse was much louder than the one the pole dancers had received one year ago in Los Angeles. "That was so cool! I can eat moreter!" "Exactly! This was a show for men!" I saw you cast a longing look at the girls legs! Tommy gazed at the man angrily, but didnt argue. The curtains fell down. When the Broadway dancers got on the stage, Qin Guan pped along with his friends from the backstage area. ... There was no such thing as an endless meal. The leftovers on the buffet signalled the end of the splendid party. Henry though, who was a conscientious man, would never abandon his benefactor as soon as he didnt need his help anymore. He watched the bold Asian guys chat excitedly backstage, hunched over their tes. The police station had offered the actors a free lunch. Qin Guan had specifically asked for takeaway vegetarian meals for the masters of the Shaolin Temple. Henry had his reasons for staying there. He wanted to understand the Asian men and achieve unity between the police and the public. Those conservative Asians were wary around the police. They were inclined to stay away from policemen, so some stores run by Asians had be favorites of local criminals. The policemen also suffered because of the barrier between differentnguages, cultures and negotiation methods. Their fear of revenge was greater than their financial loss though, so they zipped their mouths shut instead. That day was an opportunity for both sides to sit down around the same table and deepen their mutual understanding. Besides, Henry needed their help. He was interested in applying that mysterious Chinesebat art to everyday police work. He nned onbining it with the standard police training, so he wanted to have a discussion with them about a future cooperation. If possible, he wanted to invite them to work as counselors for the New York Police. Qin Guan was hoping that they would have a sessful coboration in the future. Promoting martial arts culture all over the world was amon dream after all. They all chimed in casually and had a very productive talk. Qin Guan had finally finished all his tasks for that year. In the cold winter of 2003, he would return home to enjoy the Spring Festival in China. Their family nests were a warm temptation for both Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei. During that period, China had opened its gates to the world. They didnt need to bring that many gifts with them, so they flew leisurely to the Beijing Airport. Not long afterwards, they flew to Y city, the seaside town where Qin Guan had been born and raised. The small city still enjoyed a very slow and quiet life. ... The first thing they had to do was greet their old friends and rtives. Qin Guan was a star now, so his return was breaking news in the small city, where everyone was friends or rtives with everyone else. It took him about four days to attend all the dinners he had been invited to by different people. Then he was finally able to settle in and rx. During peaceful times, people were inclined to cherish the memories of their youth. There were not that many important ces in Y city, but some of them were the Nanshan Park, which was perfect for walking outdoors in spring, the Night Fair, and the video game arcade at the Zhenhua Mall. Each ce brought back memories from Qin Guans school years, when he and his ssmates had used to chase each other around on their bikes. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei decided to revisit their precious memories, starting from their alma mater. On the first day of 2004, they went out on a bike ride. The cold wind pped their faces, but there was a warm spring in their hearts as they headed to the 1st Middle School. They panted as they got closer. "Wei!" "Yes?" "May I voice a request?" "Sure!" "Get down! I cant keep riding anymore. Ah! We are going to fall!" Qin Guan couldnt mount the long slope with Cong Nianwei sitting behind him. "You failed! You are impossible!" "Dont say the word fail! I never tried to carry you on the backseat before. Besides, when you think of the dynamics... h h..." Cong Nianwei realized that Qin Guan was getting more childish as they got closer to their old school. "Fine, you are right. Just push!" "h h..." "Are you done?" Of course not! They went around the yground before they left. The gatekeeper watched them as if they were thieves. They were not the right age to be attending the school. Plus, one of them was dressed like a bandit, which made them stand out on the school grounds. The third time the old man walked by them casually, they left as fast as their feet would allow them. Qin Guan forgot to cherish the memory of his favorite dining hall. Their first stop had been a failure. Chapter 664: Old Guys Among Children Chapter 664: Old Guys Among Children Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Riding a bike downhill was much easier than riding it uphill. Qin Guan rushed down to the seaside as Cong Nianwei screamed. In 10 minutes, they arrived at his former battlefield. It was the 1st Bathing Beach, where he and Cong Nianwei had first gotten together. White foam was rolling along the waves. The vast sea was close at hand. Even after so many years, the scenery still remained the same. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked at the sea with tears in their eyes. It was the chilly wind that made their eyes water. The cold current that came from Siberia made the beach a snowy paradise. Their second stop was a failure as well. "Wei?" "Stop talking. Im cold." "Ha ha... Lets go!" Cong Nianwei looked at him in surprise, as if she was seeing him for the first time. He looked very determined all of a sudden. Her heart and face softened with the tender feelings she had for her boyfriend. They had two more stops to make. "Okay, next!" Cong Nianwei said in her softest voice. Having a street snack was the safest choice. The stands on the streets were very convenient, and the food they sold was very satisfying. Even patrons at gourmet restaurants couldnt experience anything close to them. One could eat and chat with their friends there, or do something to attract the attention of their crush. Even a mere smile could be a cherished memory. Children had somerge, reasonably-priced snacks before returning home with their parents. Y was a small city, so it only took the young couple 10 minutes to reach the fair. The two most popr fried-meat stands enjoyed the best location. One was on the left, and the other on the right. Every stand in the small city had the same reasonable prices. Qin Guan stopped before an old kind woman nervously. This was the same stand and dishes that he remembered from his childhood. "Five portions of chicken, five portions ofmb, mushroom, potatoes and pepper, and two bowls of porridge." He was still familiar with the menu. The kind woman turned around and got to work. The meat sizzled in the golden oil as the scent of fried food drifted around the stand. Unlike the vegetables, which were fried on a steel te, the chicken and pork were pickled and fried in oil. The woman was very good at her job. The meat was slowly cooked in the oil. Before taking it out, the old woman coated it with pepper and salt. Her fried meat was famous for its soft texture and thick aroma around the surrounding schools. Students would ride there on their bikes to have a good meal. The old woman served the meat and filled two bowls with porridge from arge tin tank. The millet of Y city was not as famous as that of the Shanxi and Shandong provinces, but it was produced in the suburbs and was considered a special treat of the city. It was thick and sticky against the bowl. The old woman cooked the vegetables fast. Cong Nianwei poured them into her porridge and stirred them with her chopsticks. Their delicious meal was finallyplete. The two of them were enjoying their meat and porridge, when they suddenly heard voices. "Ten portions of pork, takeaway!" "Three portions of meat and vegetables! Eat in!" The students of the surrounding schools had been dismissed. The students in the green-and-white uniforms were from the 10th Middle School, which was the closest to the stand, the kids with the red cheeks were from the local primary school, and the rest were from vocational middle schools. Ten minutester, students from two more middle schools started arriving one after another, making even more noise. Qin Guans chopsticks hovered in the air. There were not a lot of chairs around. The small stand was crowded. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei stood out among the energetic students like old Chinese cabbages among tender shoots. As a result, the curious students turned their attention to them. Chapter 665: The Familiar Park Chapter 665: The Familiar Park Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Children with runny noses were standing around Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei with their tes. Are you finished, sir? We want those seats... Students liked to enjoy benefits and avoid any damages. They usually bullied the weak and yielded to the powerful. They dared not ask any senior students to give up their seats, so they asked help from the most kind-looking people around instead. Qin Guan was used to public attention from his experience on the T stage, but he had never experienced such embarrassment. Cong Nianwei buried her head into her bowl and started eating in a hurry. The meat did not taste as delicious anymore. Surrounded by the students, the young couple finished their dinner as fast as they could. "Can we have the check, please?" "Come sit here, children!" The kids nodded at Cong Nianwei with sparkling eyes. "Thank you, Elder Sister." They are so polite... The couple went out, exchanging a kind smile. Suddenly, they heard a shocking dialogue behind them. "There you are, brother! Sit down. I got you a seat!" "You seeded today." "Thanks to your instructions. I found two idiots and tried to act pathetic. They offered their seats to us." "Well done!" Cong Nianwei burst intoughter as Qin Guan rolled his sleeves up. How could an award-winning actor be fooled by a child? Sadly, their third stop had been a failure as well. Qin Guans shoulders dropped, but at the thought of their fourth stop, he straightened his back up again. They headed south along the street and turned left at the crossroads. After a few hundred meters, they reached Nanshan Park, which was their destination that day. Nanshan Park was the best ce for students to spend their spare time in spring. During the holidays, it was often used as a meeting ce. The stand at the entrance was selling snacks for kids. The old man behind the stand was looking for a parking space for his bicycle. It cost 0.1 yuan to park a bike there, but the price of an entry ticket had increased from five yuan to 10. All the scenic spots were included in that price. Qin Guan braced himself and entered the park hand in hand with Cong Nianwei. Despite the passage of time, the wooden benches, panda-like trash bins and mountains had remained the same. All the paths led to the entertainment park, the restaurants and the game field. If one was a good yer, they could win a prize. The two of them had not gone there for the games though. They would rather go to the temple during the Spring Festival. Their goal was to relive their happiest memory. All the kids were familiar with the animals and the zoo. The teachers at school liked to have lessons at the zoo, so that location had be their favorite spot. Their first stop in the zoo was the Monkey Mountain. All children liked the energetic monkeys. So had Qin Guan. The monkeys used to grab his food from his hand when he was younger, but they had never attacked him. It was easy to find the Monkey Mountain by following the arrows. That small zoo couldnt be mentioned in the same breath as the luxurious gardens in big cities. Monkeys were a must for all zoos though, no matter howrge or small. They were very tough and easy to feed. As a matter of fact, there was arge group of monkeys in that zoo. Of course, they couldnt live in a fake forest, so they had to be locked in arge cage. Qin Guan loved them. As long as he had some food in his hands, they would not be hostile. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei began strolling around the empty zoo. Chapter 666: The Riot On The Monkey Mountain Chapter 666: The Riot On The Monkey Mountain Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Some smart pers were touting not far away. There was an official notice warning about feeding the animals in the area. Qin Guan shamelessly bought some bananas and popcorn for the monkeys. I should get some supplies before I head to war. Armed with his supplies, Qin Guan walked to the first cage. After taking a look inside, he unconsciously turned back to the per. The old man had escaped with his goods as fast as his feet would carry him. Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. The clever monkeys wouldnt stay outside and suffer through the cold. Instead, they found shelter in the warm feeding room. As a result, all Qin Guan could see was some feces on the ground, a clear sign of the existence of the monkeys. Qin Guan got annoyed by Cong Nianweis smile. Anxious to give the snacks away, the two of them checked all the cages one by one. There were no macaques, no long-tail monkeys, no baboons... There it was! Qin Guan burst into tears when he spotted the baboon inside the cage. His trip had not been in vain after all. After taking a closer look, he hesitated. Its so big... Of course it was! It had to survive in the African grasnds! Qin Guan sized up the animal and rxed. It was an old baboon with very thin hair. The animal was dozing off in the sunshine, looking kind and harmless. Qin Guan looked around and then knocked against the cage bars with the banana. The baboon opened its eyes and shot a look at him. Humans are so annoying! They bother us even in the winter! Huh? Is that a banana? But that guy looks so ugly... Forget it. Visitors are rare here these days! The baboon got up with a yawn and walked over to Qin Guan. Qin Guan turned around excitedly to show Cong Nianwei. "Itsing! Do you want to feed it yourself?" Cong Nianwei looked scared. "Be careful!" "What?" "Ah!" Qin Guan turned back in surprise. Five hairy ws had reached for the banana simultaneously. His miserable animal-provoking skills had worked. The baboons inside the cage had rushed over. Those animals had no manners. They fought over food, mating, and who would sit on the throne every day. In two seconds, the banana had been seized from Qin Guans hands. Qin Guan took out another one. Soon, it was gone as well. The old baboon he had tried to feed was waiting behind the others. When the younger ones rolled over, fighting over the banana, it walked up to Qin Guan slowly. A calm w reached out between the bars. Judging by its experience with humans, this was its best chance of having some food all to itself. This method had been sessful many times before. The human and the monkey looked at each other with emotion. Qin Guan grimaced and showed the baboon the empty stic bag. "There are no more bananas. Take this." The old baboon grabbed a single popcorn in its w. It looked down at it and then back up again. "Are you kidding me, bastard?" Animals liked to express their feelings straightforwardly. The baboon revealed its true nature as a fighter by throwing the popcorn away and baring its sharp fangs at Qin Guan. As an omnivorous animal, it was good at tearing flesh apart. Scared, Qin Guan backed into Cong Nianwei awkwardly. "Why is that monkey so angry?" Before his voice could fade away, all the baboons got just as angry as the old baboon and shook the bars hard to vent their rage. "Qin Guan, the old baboon must be their king!" "Impossible! Its not strong enough!" "There must be differentws in the zoo. They must look up to the older, shrewder monkeys." "What shall we do then?" "Run!" The two of them ran away without looking back. The zookeeper had been busy during themotion. Those annoying visitors always caused him trouble. "Hey! Stop, you two! You have to pay a fine! Feeding the animals is not allowed in the zoo!" Chapter 667: Getting Used To Having You Around Chapter 667: Getting Used To Having You Around Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The zookeeper tried to catch up with Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei, but failed. The baboons booed at him in dissatisfaction. Depressed, Qin Guan followed Cong Nianwei out of the park. Their fourth stop had been a failure as well. ... Cong Nianwei looked back at her boyfriend. Fantasies were beautiful, but reality was cruel. He had given more thought to their youthful memories. Cong Nianwei stretched her hand toward the popcorn box. Qin Guan was taken aback. "Its sweet, but cold." She was right. Their love was warm enough for them. Qin Guan smiled behind his thick scarf. "Qin Guan?" "Yes?" "Win a doll for me. Over there! At the balloon stand!" "No problem!" At the exit of the park was a group of peddlers. Their turf was marked by some in prizes. Qin Guan lifted the gun, which had a simple wooden butt, and used both his childhood memories and what he had learned during his military training. Bang! Bang! The colorful balloons burst at the sound. Every shot was executed perfectly. The stand owner was annoyed. If all customers were that good at shooting, he would go bankrupt. Qin Guan could choose any prize he wanted, but Cong Nianwei pointed at a lovely bear. "I want that one!" The stand owner rushed to take the bear down. He was scared. He had originally thought that the girl would choose the remote-controlled car, but she had picked the ugly bear instead. He handed Cong Nianwei the bear, flicking the dust off its fur considerately. "Here you go. Thank you for ying!" The bear filled Cong Nianweis embrace, its legs swaying over her feet. Qin Guan tucked the bear under his arm and pulled Cong Nianwei out of the park. "Its a bit rough, but its lovely." "No, its ugly. Didnt I bring you a teddy bear from the UK? You always spend time at the gallery. I didnt think you would like such a bear." Cong Nianwei took the bear to allow Qin Guan to start his bike. "Ive gotten used to sleeping next to you. I feel alone without you at home." Qin Guan paused and shot a surprised, incredulous look at his girlfriend. The proud, calm girl was not usually this shy. Suddenly, Qin Guan took off his scarf and kissed her on the lips. They expressed their love shamelessly before the surrounding peddlers and students. The handsome man and the pretty girl were very attractive. The passersby all started whispering to each other. "That young man is so handsome!" "He looks like the famous Qin Guan!" "But he must be in America right now. There have been no news about him returning to China." "But he looks so much like him..." Qin Guan realized he had acted carelessly. He and Cong Nianwei spoke through their eyes. Qin Guan: What shall we do? Cong Nianwei: Just stay calm and deny any connection. They cant confirm it any other way. Qin Guan: Then what? Cong Nianwei: Lets just leave as soon as possible. Qin Guan: Good idea! They ran to the bike calmly under the curious gazes of the crowd, when suddenly a roar exposed them. Y was a small city, so one came across acquaintances everywhere. Zhou Jin, who lived close to the park, noticed Qin Guan as he was taking out the garbage. "Qin Guan! You are back!" Zhou Jin shouted, running over to them excitedly. "Hey! Stop! Im not a ghost! Are you acting like you dont know me just because you are famous? Hey!" Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei got worried. All the spectators eyes lit up as the couple got ready to run away. Qin Guan mounted the bike and nodded at Cong Nianwei. "Get on!" Cong Nianwei rushed to the running bike and leapt on it with the bear in her arms. Chapter 668: Climbing Over A Wall Chapter 668: Climbing Over A Wall Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The cute bear was sandwiched between them, itsrge head hanging off Qin Guans shoulder helplessly. Qin Guan fled as Zhou Jing chased after them in his slippers. What he had been worried about hade true. Young people began to run after him like wolves. "Its Qin Guan!" "I was right!" "Its the star of our city! Catch him!" "Go! Go!" Zhou Jing was knocked down by the crowd. When he came back to his senses and stood up again, everything was a mess. He realized he had unintentionally harmed his friend. After looking around for a bit, he threw the garbage into the trash can and returned home with his hands behind his back. It was not my fault, Qin Guan. You should have let me know in advance. People in love tend to die young... Zhou Jing forgave himself as his friend ran away. "Qin Guan! Stop! We are not animals!" "Qin Guan, I just want to kiss you! No, hug you... No, touch you..." Qin Guan was riding away with all his strength. "Hurry, hurry!" Cong Nianwei had experienced the might of his crazy fans before. They were following the bike like an army on a march. Some young men even tried to intercept them. It felt like they were being surrounded by zombies. "Theres a slope over there!" "Nonsense! It will only slow us down!" "Well go downhill, you idiot!" "Got it!" As Qin Guan took a sharp turn, sparkles flew between the wheels and the ground. The two of them headed down the long slope. The head of the bear hadpletely covered Cong Nianweis face, so she had to close her eyes and bury her face into its fur. The fans slowed down. They knew that the bike would get away after the slope. A few old men were chatting by the entrance of the alley. "What are they doing? Are they chasing a thief?" "No idea. It cant be a thief though. No thief would run into a dead end." "You are right!" The sad crowd suddenly cheered up. "Yes!" They all sped up towards the alley. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei, who had reached the end of the alley, got off the bike and looked at the short wall innocently. "A dead end?" "Im not familiar with the area..." Before they could figure out a n, they heard voices. "Do you see the dead end?" "No, its a long alley. Could Qin Guan have entered one of the houses?" "Impossible! I dont see his bicycle around." They sounded like Sherlock Holmes. Unwilling to surrender, Qin Guan made a decision. "Climb over the wall, Wei!" Back at school, Qin Guan had been good at climbing walls. He and some other boys would climb over the wall of their school to skip ss. He put his idea into practice at once, squatting down so Cong Nianwei could step on his back. "Hurry up! Use my neck!" Cong Nianwei put the bear on her head and mounted his neck. "Go!" This was one of the advantages of being tall. Cong Nianwei reached the top of the wall. Fortunately, there were no pieces of ss or nails on it, so she jumped. "You go first. Let me be!" Cong Nianwei calmly swung her other leg over and sat on the wall. By that time, the first fans had craned their necks around the corner. Qin Guan threw the bike over the wall with effort and took a few steps back without hesitation. Then he ran forward and used his hands to reach the top of the wall, channelling all his strength to his arms. At least that was what his fans saw him do. Chapter 669: A Traditional Spring Festival Chapter 669: A Traditional Spring Festival Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans long legs stretched out beneath his grey windcoat. His well-built back looked very alluring as crystal beads of sweat appeared on his smooth forehead. His agile jump looked like a standard gymnastics exercise as he climbed over the wall. When hended on the ground on the other side of the wall, Qin Guan opened his arms for Cong Nianwei. "Jump, Wei!" Cong Nianwei jumped off without hesitation with a naughty smile. She was excited to get out of line for once. The two of them suddenly heard a roar from the other side. "Did Qin Guan climb over the wall?" "Yes, I saw him! It looked bloody awesome!" "Come on! Follow him!" Qin Guan jumped on his bike. Fortunately, it was still intact. "The bear!" Cong Nianwei pulled the bear down from the wall. The people on the other side saw its short legs disappear off the top of the wall. They climbed up, only to see the couple ride away in the distance. Bang! A boy jumped off and then raised his arms at the crowd in disappointment. "They are gone!" the others cried out angrily. The bike rushed out of the alley and joined the traffic on South Avenue. They had finally escaped sessfully. The stars were sparkling in the sky, as all the clouds had hidden away in the cold winter night. The scattered sounds of fireworks announced the arrival of the Spring Festival. Lets celebrate the Spring Festival! Lets celebrate the Spring Festival! During the Spring Festival, people alwaysined about being bored. They had no idea how to spend the long holiday. They always sneered at the old-fashioned Spring Festival G, but they still looked forward to the g chimes at midnight. Peanuts, sunflower seeds, fruit drops... New Year phone calls, kowtowing, unexpected money... Qin Guans phone was silent. No one knew that he had returned to China except for the people that were close to him. Qin Guan was eating sunflower seeds as he waited for Zhou Jing and Li Jian, when he suddenly received a call from Xue Wanyi. "Hello, Sister Xue. I think we have already exchanged a New Years call." "We have work to do. I got a call from Huayi yesterday. They want to offer you a film role." "Im busy enjoying the Spring Festival." "Its after the Lantern Festival. I read the script and thought it was really good. Ill say yes for you." "You are breaking the rules, sister." "Qu is of the same opinion. I just sent the script to Cong Nianweis email. Wait for the shooting schedule, okay?" You got my girlfriend involved? Qin Guan got a message from Cong Nianwei on his phone. The script is not bad. I sent it to your email address. Sister Xue was right. But so what? His priority was to enjoy the holiday with his friends. Qin Guan threw the phone onto the couch impatiently. Maybe I could take a look at the script first... I have nothing to do now anyway. Qin Guan turned on hisptop and checked his email for the script. It was titled "Perhaps, Love." What the hell is it about? Does it revolve around an aggressive CEO or a wild concubine? As Qin Guan read it nervously, he became stricter. When he reached the end of the script, he called Sister Xue back. "Which role is mine, Sister Xue?" "The love interest, of course. The producer saved the role for you. If you turn it down, theyll offer it to Jincheng Wu..." "Ill do it, but after the Lantern Festival." "No problem. So, shall I pass on your response?" "Okay. Ill be waiting for the schedule." Qin Guan hung up, smiling to himself. This was the second time he was seizing an opportunity from Jincheng Wu. Sorry, but we arepetitors! Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "Qin Guan! Open the door! We are here!" He saw smiles form on the fat and thin faces outside the door. His friends had been working, but their hugs remained just as tight. "Hey! Let me go! I cant breathe!" He would be the first man to get smothered against another mans chest. "You should lose some weight, Li JIan. I mean it!" Qin Guan broke away from his embrace and started putting on his clothes. "Lets go! Where are we going today? Is it still a secret?" Qin Guan had no idea about their destination for the Spring Festival. He only realized what their general direction was when they got into Li Jians new Santana. They drove along South Avenue, heading west. There were only nts and vegetable fields in that direction. Where were they going? Chapter 670: Good Wang Xiaoya Chapter 670: Good Wang Xiaoya Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was pulled into a small valley. When they rounded the next corner, he saw an altogether different world. There wererge yards with logos of differentpanies all over the ce. After going past a few yards, they finally reached their destination. The Jing Jian Law Firm had to be his friends masterpiece. Qin Guan couldnt help but admire the two of them. They had found a good location in the city with a square yard and a door that opened to the public. They went through the yard to reach the meeting room and the office. The design of the yard was wonderful. It was not as cold and strict as mostw firm offices. It actually looked very carefree. There were tall bamboo shelves with gourd vines climbing all over them and some small cbashes trying their best to hide under the leaves. When Qin Guan entered the room, he saw a familiar face. "Wei? You are here too? Why didnt you call me?" Cong Nianwei shot a confused look at Zhou Jing. "They didnt tell you? Didnt I mention it?" She handed him a cup of tea. "I designed their offices in America. I thought you knew. Didnt Sister Xue tell you that Zhou and Li needed your help? Did they want to surprise you?" What are you talking about? Sister Xue only told me about the script. Meanwhile, Sister Xue hung up and took a bite of the tomato on a stick in Yin Changtaos hands. The two of them were in the Chaoyang Temple Fair in Beijing. Yin, who was American Chinese, had never been to the Spring Festival in China, so everything there was new to him. "Why didnt you tell Qin Guan?" he asked Sister Xue, who was enjoying her candy. "Its not an official job. They just want me to watch over the procedure. They arewyers after all. They do everything by the book, even if they are working with friends. Besides, this is just casual work, its not business." Yin was not very cunning. "Then help will not be offered to the public, right?" "Probably not." "Ha ha..." It was toote for regrets now. They would not stress over cheating their friends. Meanwhile, Qin Guan took a sip of tea in confusion. "What can I help you with? I know nothing about thew." The two men smiled at him, which made Qin Guan nervous. Zhou Jing rubbed his hands together. "Do you remember my niece? "Yes. Her name is Xiaoya. Shes a plump little girl." "She would like to see you and have some ice-cream with you." "What happened to her?" "She participated in a dancepetition. Her school won the first prize. After the Spring Festival g, our TV station will organize a party for the Lantern Festival. All actors and performers wille from the cultural museum, the drama group and other public institutions. Wang Xiaoya was assigned to be a dancer at the g." "The children are really serious about this, but some older actors have had some conflicts with them. The rehearsal has been paused countless times. They have been preparing really hard for the g, yet they havent even been able to get on the stage." "Wang Xiaoya was really angry. Children always tell the truth, so she told everyone that her Uncle Qin is famous all over the world, but he is still humble and honest." "She betrayed your identity before her dance instructor and the director... They now know that she knows an international star!" Wang Xiaoya, who was a proud girl, had held her head high and said, "Im not lying! Uncle Qin hase home for the Spring Festival. My uncle is his best friend. They used to y together when they were kids!" The director had called his supervisor, who was the chairman of the TV station, in tears. He had a hunch that the Lantern Festival of Y city wouldnt be outshadowed by the splendid parties of other local TV stations in the Shandong Province again. Maybe their party would even win an award for making a contribution to the civilization and construction of the city. The chairman made a wise decision. "We must get Qin Guan to our TV station. He must enjoy the festival with everyone else. He is a resident of Y city after all. Whatever we do, we have to achieve that goal!" Chapter 671: Can You? Chapter 671: Can You? Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The director had nodded again and again as he spoke on the phone. The instructions he got had made his eyes glitter. "Im reminding you that you can find a way to convince the girl..." Directors were always far-sighted. After several failures to convince Qin Guan, the director had decided to approach Wang Xiaoya. The girl had promised that she would get him toe. It seemed like she would make a good matchmaker in the future. That was why Zhou and Li had taken Qin Guan there. Their real destination was a shooting site not far away. When he realized where they were going, Qin Guan was stupefied. "Do you mean the exact ce where the choir used to practise at primary school?" "Exactly!" He suddenly remembered a time when he and his friends would put flour and rouge on their faces and wear white shirts and blue pants. "That small auditorium has remained the same?" "Yes! Even the small hole on the floor is still there!" Qin Guan stood up suddenly and asked, "Only one show? Is it a live one?" "Its a recorded broadcast. We hope thats convenient for you... You know the local g is pretty in..." Before Zhou could finish, he was interrupted by his friend. "What are we waiting for? Lets go! Ive missed those ufortable folding chairs!" Ten years before, the auditorium seats had been some wooden chairs that felt cold against ones bottom in the winter. They all followed Qin Guan to the hall. Zhou was thest one out, so he locked the door with a smile. He is the same guy he was back then. He is still just as kind and sensitive. After going through the scratched wooden gate, they reached the small hall of their memories. The actors, the director, the host and the gatekeeper were standing by the entrance, craning their necks around to peer at them. As soon as they recognized Qin Guan, the director rushed over to them. "Thank you so much for your support of the culture of Y city,rade!" Qin Guan shook hands with him speechlessly. Actually, he had gone there just to reminisce. Suddenly, Wang Xiaoya squeezed through the crowd and rushed up to her handsome uncle. "Uncle Qin Guan!" "Xiaoya!" Qin Guan hugged the little girl and lifted her up. "See?" Li Jian whispered to Cong Nianwei. "He is ready to be a father. He is very familiar with holding children. You have been lovers for a long time. Just get married already!" Cong Nianwei raised an eyebrow at him like a strict middle school monitor. Li shivered and moved away from her. Qin Guan walked into the hall, surrounded by everyone. "Our g is a recorded broadcast, so each part can be shot multiple times. The best parts will be broadcast to the audience for entertainment purposes. We were really bold to invite you here. Our budget might be limited, but we can at least cover your cab fare..." The director exined the situation with a in ent. He was really afraid of offending Qin Guan, but Qin Guan felt warmth in his heart. He was deeply moved. He is an honest man. As a citizen of Y city, I feel really optimistic! Qin Guan put Xiaoya down and got to work. "So which part should I take over, director?" "Anything you like. Dont be shy. You could even recite poetry." Qin Guans advantage was his looks. His pretty face allowed him to do anything he wanted. While Qin Guan was talking with the director, Wang Xiaoya was showing off. "Im not boasting! Uncle Qin is reallying!" "We dont care. All he can do is sing or dance. He has nothing to do with our rehearsal. He is not some kind of god. A fashionable young man like him does not have the experience old men like us do." The two men had sided against the little girl. What a joke! A young man could never understand traditional folk opera! Wang Xiaoya defended her Uncle Qin. "Nonsense! My uncle is good at operas! He can do anything!" What big talk! The two old men turned their eyes to Qin Guan. "Operas focus on heritage. What Wang Xiaoya is saying makes sense. Every year we argue over the performance, but this year we would like to retire and surrender the stage to our rising star. This will be a new era for folk opera." "I agree with Lao Zheng. We should bid farewell to the old ways and wee a new beginning!" Chapter 672: Lv Opera Chapter 672: Lv Opera Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The two immodest actors, who happened to share the same opinion, passed the buck to Qin Guan. The director went pale, but Qin Guan smiled. He was familiar with Lv Opera. Lv Opera, which was also called Yang-Chin with makeup and Chin Opera, was one of the eight most famous Chinese operas and a very popr opera in the Shandong Province. The actors spoke with a local ent, so the elderly loved it. Compared to Peking Opera, Lv Opera was much closer to life. Everyone in the Shandong Province could understand the lines easily. Qin Guans knowledge of Lv Opera had note from Teacher Rong. Although she was a history professor, she couldnt understand the Shandong dialect. He had actually learned everything from his grandpa, an old man who knew a lot about folk art. His grandpa had always liked immediate pleasures, so his own grandfather, who had been a strict man, hadnt liked him very much. Qin Guans grandpa led a cozy life with plenty of hobbies. When Qin Guan would stay with him during summer vacation, they would y a different game every day. They would never y the same game a second time. Qin Guan had learned about Lv Opera from him. When he had been a child, his grandpa had set him down in hisp and waited for the opera to begin with a dish of sunflower seeds and a pot of tea next to him. The original music, in makeup and bright costumes had been imprinted in Qin Guans memory. The two old men had just reminded him of them. "Lv Opera? No problem!" Everyone was shocked, except Wang Xiaoya, who shouted confidently, "Yeah! I told you Uncle Qin could do anything!" Qin Guans friends in the auditorium fell silent. What the hell is Lv Opera? They had no idea, even though they were natives. Qin Guan took off his coat happily. "Where is the dressing room? Is there a professional stylist?" The two older actors shot a supercilious look at him. "This group tours the countryside. Of course theres no stylist! The actors have to be self-sufficient. The older generation could always do its own makeup!" Qin Guan was happy to hear that. "No problem. Today Ill show everyone what I can do!" Then he walked to the backstage area slowly, leaving the two old men to look at each other in shock. Will he perform a Lv Opera? There were not that many people backstage, so Qin Guan picked a vanity with a mirror. Modern cosmetics were easier to use than traditional ones. Qin Guan applied Vaseline and liquid foundation to his face, and then brushed some blush on his cheeks and drew ck lines around his eyes. When the prop masters rushed to the backstage area, Qin Guan had already finished his eyebrows and eye makeup and was rummaging through an old case. He was looking for a tool used for touching up makeup during the break. Water was flowing in his eyes. His face looked like white jade, and his red lips were as bright as roses. No words could express his elegance. Decades ago, a Xiaosheng [1] with Qin Guans face could attract rich women from all over the country. The crew members around Qin Guan felt secretly grateful for the monogamous rules of New China. When Qin Guan finished his makeup, he started to put on his costume. "I have decided what I will do, Master Zheng. I will perform Watching Lanterns, the five-minute Xiaosheng solo. Its perfect for a TV broadcast." Everyone, including the cast and crew of other acts, took a seat under the stage. They were curious about what the superstar would do. The director confirmed that all six cameras were in ce before he gestured at Qin Guan. Lv Opera was called Chin Opera for a reason. Its background music wasposed only by chin and pipa. After one minute of background music, Qin Guan walked on the stage at a lively pace. Yes, lively. Very lively, indeed. Lv Opera was very close to life. Qin Guan was wearing white leg wrappings and ck cloth shoes, which looked very different from the thick-soled Peking Opera boots. He was even able to take a few leaps. [1] Young men in Chinese operas. Chapter 673: A Wonderful Opera Chapter 673: A Wonderful Opera Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan threw his sleeves out and then took them back in his hands. Cong Nianwei thought he gave off a countryside vibe, but she had gotten used to his god-like presence on the stage. Qin Guan was wearing a short robe, a pair of pants, and a square hat with bobbles. He opened his mouth and let out a clear, deep voice. "I strode over to the Lantern Hall..." His words were simple, and he spoke with an original Shandong Province dialect. He delivered his lines clearly, making it easy for everyone to understand. "The cabbagentern has curved leaves. The Chinese parsleyntern is a mess. The celeryntern looks like a steel saw. The spinachntern looks like a bunch of swords." Qin Guan was busy gesturing. There were too many things to show everyone. This was the first time most of the young audience members were watching Lv Opera, but they could all hear the lines clearly. Qin Guans funny performance amused them. His act was a folk tale that was very close to life. Everyones hearts warmed up as they heard his song. "Garlic nts have thick roots and they are as thin as bolts. Spring onions are as straight as spears." Qin Guan pointed in the air. "Chilli peppers are really pointed..." Peking Opera and Kun Opera did not feature such lines, but Lv Opera was famous for its simple words and unique Shandong ent. The two masters forgot their conflict and shook their heads along with Qin Guans movements. The director was both happy and annoyed. He was happy with Qin Guans performance. The award-winning actor was devoted to the opera. The directors mouth was wide open, and his eyes looked like crescent moons. Everyone felt like smiling. The makeup annoyed him though. F*ck! Everyone looked the same with makeup on. The audience would not recognize Qin Guan. They would have to use subtitles, or the TV audience would have no idea who the guy with the authentic Shandong ent was. He had won two acting awards in Europe after all! Qin Guan finished the ssic scene in five minutes, singing, speaking, acting and performing acrobatics at a high speed. He hardly even took a breath. The audience had to struggle to keep up with him. In the end, he raised his voice and took a solemn, respectful pose, ending the scene smoothly. "We enjoyed a good harvest in the Shandong Province. Let peace reign over thend..." Qin Guan held his arms up and kept that pose for a while. The two old men were the first toe back to their senses. Tears were running down their cheeks. Qin Guan was certainly qualified to perform Lv Opera on CCTV. Everyone apuded with all their strength, reminding the stunned director that Qin Guan was finished. A thunderous apuse filled the hall. Although Wang Xiaoya knew nothing about opera, she mimicked her uncle and apuded for handsome Uncle Qin. Qin Guan retired to the backstage area. Even a few minutes on the stage required a decade of training. The opera was gradually fading away from young peoples memories. The inheritance of Chinese operas shouldered a heavy responsibility. Qin Guan couldnt express his mixed feelings. A copy of his performance was kept by the TV station. The g was broadcast during the Lantern Festival. After enjoying the realntern assembly, the audience tuned in to watch the local g. The host and the participants remained the same, but they had heard that their favorite award-winning actor would perform during the g. As a result, the people who visited thenterns were less than usual. This indicated the importance they attached to the g. After a long introduction from the host, the audience finally saw the performer they were so obsessed with. "What the hell is that?" Everyone was shocked by the opera. Their first response was to watch Qin Guans character sing. They all found some interesting points in the opera. The lines were simple, interesting and easy to understand. The audience was so happy about this that they started talking about the performance online. Even though this was a family moment, a thread silently appeared on the Haijiao forum. Soon, it reached the top of the page. "Qin Guan is performing at the Lantern g of Y city. As a local resident, I feel really happy." The post was like a drop of water in boiling oil. "Liar! He cant be in China!" "He returned to China in October." "Show me a picture. I wont believe you, unless you have proof!" When simr queries startinging from all directions, the author of the post responded again. Chapter 674: An Invitation From Hong Kong Chapter 674: An Invitation From Hong Kong Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia He didnt argue with the others. Instead, he uploaded a series of videos on the website. In the videos, which had been shot with a cell phone, Qin Guan was performing on TV. After one minute of silence, another riot broke out. "Are you kidding me? These vague videos are your evidence? I can even hear children crying in the background!" The user felt awkward. This was amon urrence when people were watching TV at home. As the other users were talking about the videos, someone suddenly told them, "Qin Guans blog has been updated!" "Ha! You have been proven wrong! Just wait for my evidence!" the user said before he left. The others waited for his evidence silently. In a few minutes, the guy returned with some striking news. "F*ck! He has returned to China. He is really in Y city!" Qin Guans team had gotten a copy of his performance and updated the blog while the g was still being broadcast. Chinatown had arge poption after all. Chinese fans in other countries were waiting to watch Qin Guans performance. They couldnt understand it, but they still admired Qin Guan. Some crazy fans began to gather troops of friends to help them trace Qin Guans whereabouts during the rest of the holiday. As a result, people overseas learned about Qin Guans hometown and the folk music of Lv Opera. By the time Y city weed a group of strange visitors in the winter, which was an off-season for tourism, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei had already left for Hong Kong. This was the first time Cong Nianwei was going to Hong Kong. After visiting its famous buildings and tasting the delicious local food, she would return to New York alone. Qin Guan followed a crew member to the studio. Everyone was busy working. Chen Kexin, the director and producer, was talking with the executive producer about some early production preparations. "I found some figurants from the Shanghai Song and Dance Troupe. They are all professional dancers. I also selected some actors from my ownpany for some minor roles." "I heard that Qin Guans participation shook the billionaire circle in Hong Kong." Chen Kexin leaned against the back of the couch helplessly. He took off his symbolic ck frames and rubbed his sore eyes. "Not just the Hong Kong billionaires, but the Columbia Company in America as well. Its said that Paramount got its hands on our script somehow and studied it carefully." The executive producer looked encouraged. "Thats good news! Why are you so worried?" "The feedback was not what we expected, despite Qin Guans participation. They said that they would suffer a loss if the musical was released in America. They could only count on indie film fans. The films oriental background and romance are ipatible with American peoples taste. On the other side, the Venice Film Festival showed some interest in the film. If we finish it in 2004, we could take part in the festival in 2005." The producer was taken aback. "Qin Guan has won two acting awards. Why did they only contact Venice?" Chen looked around before he disclosed the information in a low voice that only the producer could hear. "Its a decision made by the senior executives. Its a great pressure on you and me. They want Qin Guan to make a grand m with this film. Thats why I am so nervous. I feel like Im walking on thin ice, despite all the resources I have. I have to count each tiny link with painstaking effort." The producer held his breath. This meant that thepany had spent a lot on the film. Director Chen had to... Mercy couldnt solve everything. They had to do their best. He was still confused about some things though. Pointing to a few roles, he asked, "What will they do in the film? They have no lines, so their parts dont require any acting skills. Why are they reserved?" He had a point. Chen burst into angryughter. "They got themselves into trouble! I chose Jincheng Wu at first, but nobody agreed with me. They tried their best to get Qin Guan, and then they leaked the news! They have already spread rumors among the billionaire circle!" "Qin Guan is a gifted student from Columbia University. He used to be a model in China and he won some important awards in Europe. Hes the perfect man! He started from nothing and made a fortune. Everyone can see themselves in him. In other words, they feel a sense of substitution with him." "Plus, all those rich women want to meet him in person. If we werent capable enough, we wouldnt have been able to carry on with the shooting with so much stuff going on around us." Chapter 675: Three Roles On Auction Chapter 675: Three Roles On Auction Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The executive producer didnt know what to say. "So what?" "After negotiating with thepany, the roles will be auctioned off online to Chinese people from all over the world." "What the f*ck..." The executive producer jumped up from the couch. His cup fell down on Chens knees, spilling hot water and tea leaves. He didnt pay attention to the cup though. He just cried out, "What a good way to make money! You should have told me earlier!" Chen was extremely annoyed with him. "Piss off! The auction began earlier. The deadline expires today." Chen shot a supercilious look at the guy screaming on the couch and buried his head in his hands. He had good reason to be depressed. He had just turned down an important activity. Id better wait for Qin Guan outside. He will check in with us today. It was a lucky day for the people waiting for the auction, who were all watching the timer on the screen. They had all heard and shared the news thanks to their friends within the circle. The Chinese billionaires were watching on the secret website. They came from Hong Kong, Mysia, Taiwan, Singapore... Even from Vietnam and Thand. They were clear about the details of each role, as well as the auction regtions. The highest bidder would win. The currency of the inte auction was the American dor, so all offers were converted to dors by the tform, ording to the instant ratio. The first role was a waitress who would serve Qin Guan. The second one was a rich woman who would go to the feast with Zhou Xue. Thest one was a member of the film crew. The first andst one could also be yed by men. The fiercepetition surprised the technicians of the website. Fortunately, the crew had abundant financial support and the website was used exclusively by rich people. Otherwise, it would have copsed due to therge amount of registrations and the continuous bids. It was all Qin Guans fault. The bidders were all familiar with the handsome model from the fashion weeks, jewellery auctions and luxury product ads, so they were eager to see him in person and confirm the existence of such extreme beauty. Thus, they all spent their gold without hesitation. The first role had attracted everyones attention, so its value kept increasing. The starting price had been one dor, but 10 minutes before the auction ended, it had reached 58,888 dors. Of course, those old rich guys wouldnt act in the film personally. They all had a group of sobbing daughters or concubines who wanted the part, so the billionaires would just visit the set as rtives. Tick tock, tick tock... When the final moment came, the roles value went up like crazy. Crack! Time was up. The button dimmed right on time. The slow bidders couldnt press it down anymore. The final price was 88,888. Superstitious Chinese rich men loved that number too much. The most attractive role had just been cast. In a luxurious house in Hong Kong, a pretty girl with long hair hugged her bearded father and kissed him on the cheek. Qin Guan, Iming! Meanwhile, a young man threw hisputer mouse away. F*ck! The rising storm under the deep waters of the Hong Kong entertainment circle was beyond Qin Guans reach. He had just arrived on set and joined forces with Sister Xue. His team, which included his stylist, assistants, secretary and professional manager, appeared before the Hong Kong film makers in a formidable array. There were more than 20 people in total. Actually, if they had been in any other country, Sister Xue wouldnt have presented such arge army. This was Hong Kong though. There were capable people everywhere. Most people looked down upon actors from the Chinese maind, not realizing that Hong Kong films were going downhill. As an experienced agent, Sister Xue knew this all too well. Although Qin Guan had gone there at their invitation, he still had to have arge number of soldiers with him. Otherwise, he would suffer. Qin Guan looked at the four strong men standing behind him. They were wearing ck suits and they all had the same buff figure and murderous expression. Qin Guan craned his neck towards Sister Xue. "Are they our bodyguards? Where did you get them?" "Before I left Beijing. Guan Jian got them for you as a gift." Qin Guan was stunned. "Even dragons could not scare these men," Sister Xue whispered to him. "They came to Hong Kong from the maind and became influential here. At least you would be able to escape safely though." Qin Guan knew nothing about the Hong Kong entertainment circle, but he was very open-minded. He trusted his friends. They would never do him any harm. He justughed at Sister Xues escape tactics as Director Chen walked up to him leisurely, surrounded by his ownrge group of people. Chapter 676: Kowloon Chapter 676: Kowloon Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It was partly because of Qin Guans entourage that Director Chen had to bring all his staff to save his dignity. They all took a seat in the meeting room. It did not seem like a normal meeting between a director and an actor, but a negotiation among gangsters. If the meeting room was a tea cafe in Miao or Bn Street, it would have seemed even more like one. Straightforward men were rare in Hong Kong, but Director Chen asked Qin Guan some direct questions. "You know this is a musical. Im aware of your abilities, but I would like to know if you are familiar with the songs." He didnt have high expectations. All he wanted was for the young man to sing well. The film would be edited during post-production anyway. Qin Guans answer didnt disappoint him. "Yes, I can sing all of them. I have all the material. I dont think that will be a problem." Director Chen couldnt help but be enchanted by his sparkling eyes. Suddenly, he was filled with boundless pride. "Great! When shall we begin?" "Any time you like." Director Chen clenched his fists. "There are two shooting sites. One is in Shanghai, and the other one is in Beijing. Do you have any questions?" "Of course not." Qin Guans kind smile made Chen Kexin like the actor even more. Hes such a good boy. I thought he would be arrogant because of his entourage, but hes not. "Get some rest today. Well start tomorrow." "No problem." Sister Xue turned down their proposal to attend a ball that night with the excuse that Qin Guan was tired after his long journey. As he walked out of the studio, Qin Guan looked back at the familiar site. It used to be a cradle of famous old films. The Shanghai Paramount building was located in an old tramway alley. The tattooed transport workers were just ordinary people struggling to make a living at the wharves. They all belonged to different gangs, and their job was to ry any useful information to the director. That information was a chance for them to make some money. The flourishing city experienced both prosperity and deterioration, color and darkness, vigor and erosion. Hong Kong was the meeting point of traditional Chinese culture and idental colonial culture. Its special location and tough residents had led to its sess. People from all over the world had taken there delicious food from their own hometowns. Cong Nianwei had set out in the crowded city with a backpack and a camera. After the meeting, Qin Guan met her at a very strange ce. The West Kowloon Police Station was a prominentndmark. All cab drivers knew where it was. After a short walk, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei reached the dark side of the city. Miao Streety behind the Hong Kong University campus, close to the most prosperousmercial street in Kowloon. Top brands had set up outlet stores there, so there were always long lines before their entrances on the street. The young couple had not gone there to shop though, but to eat. Anyone who visited Hong Kong had to have a taste of the citys delicious snacks. One could find any kind of delicious food on the street, including Yuanyan Milk Tea, which was advertised on TVB as the best choice for hungry men. Most people on the streets were walking and eating at the same time. That was a rare sight in China, as Chinese parents always told their kids to take a seat before eating. That rule didnt apply on the streets though. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were drawn to the sea of food. There was a certain variety of takeaway food that all visitors had to try. First, one had to have a cup of milk tea in the warm winter to avoid choking on any of the other food. The most famous milk tea in Hong Kong was Silk Stocking Tea. It was not actually made of silk stockings, but it felt as smooth as silk stockings in ones mouth, and its packaging looked like silk after it had soaked for a long time. Traditional Silk Stocking Tea was hard to find in the bustling city though. Authentic milk tea was made from a mixture of Chinese tea leaves and Sri Lanka and Ceylon leaves. After the leaves were dipped in whole milk, the traditional milk tea got its typical thick, mellow texture. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were idling along the street hand in hand, each of them holding a cup of milk tea in their free hand. They had bought some snacks wrapped in paper, eager to taste the special vors of the city. "Curry fish balls!" they eximed together. There was a long line before the street stand. Chapter 677: Shanghai, The Oriental Pearl Chapter 677: Shanghai, The Oriental Pearl Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The fried sanbao there was delicious. There were also some tasty meatballs boiling in arge cauldron filled with grits. Qin Guan was always patient when it came to food. He stood at the end of the line, breathing in the aroma of the food, which could be smelled even two streets over. The line was long, but the snacks were served fast. When some people came to stand behind Qin Guan, he had already reached the front of the line. "Two portions of sanbao, one portion of friedrge intestines, and two oven-fresh ky pastries..." His standard Mandarin and deep, clear voice attracted the attention of the stand owner. "One minute!" Despite feeling uncertain, the kind man didnt stop cooking. The fresh shrimp, mushrooms, barbecued pork and water chestnuts were mixed and cut into small pieces before some fresh fish was added to the filling. The cook stuffed the filling into some hollow eggnts and bean curd. That was how sanbao was typically made. Then he poured oil into a frying pan to fry the sanbao. The scent of the food pervaded the winter air. Two minutester, the cook took the food out of the pan and poured some juice on it. Qin Guan took some coins out of his pocket, but the boss waved them away and took his phone out of his apron. "Say cheese!" He craned his neck back to take a picture with Qin Guan. "My treat! Next customer!" Content, the stand owner paid no more attention to Qin Guan. It was actually verymon toe across a celebrity on the streets of Hong Kong. People were familiar with them and got along with them very well. Qin Guan was not that famous in Hong Kong, but he had stumbled upon an indie film lover. The stand owner considered Qin Guan his idol. ... It was in the dead of the night, when Qin Guan suddenly pped his own thigh as hey on his hotel bed. "What are you doing? We have to get up early tomorrow. Go back to sleep!" "I should have ordered more food today. There were so many kinds of tasty food at that stand..." Cong Nianwei turned her back to Qin Guan speechlessly. One shouldnt be fooled by his looks. Despite his star quality, he was still an ordinary person in some aspects. The next morning, Cong Nianwei left alone and Qin Guan headed to the studio to meet countless other Chinese celebrities, including Zeng Zhiwei, Wu Junru, Zhang Xueyou and Chi Zhenxi, a South Korean star invited by thepany. Director Chen had called everyone together. Qin Guan greeted the others one by one. He hadnt expected them to be so kind to him. Where was the discrimination he had heard existed against maind actors? Qin Guan had never acted in a film with such a big budget in China. He also knew nothing about the Hong Kong film circle. His big entourage the previous day had sparked some theories among the actors though. They thought Qin Guan had to be an important person on both sides of thew. The producer wanted all the actors to coborate harmoniously. Director Chen was also pretty straightforward. In Hong Kong, it was verymon to work overnight. Therge group flew to Shanghai by chartered airne. It was very annoying to stay with such arge group of strangers. The stars and the three Chinese merchants had brought arge number of staff with them, so they had to meet in Hong Kong and then fly to Shanghai. On the way to their hotel, Qin Guan met Zhou Xun, the heroine of the film. She had cooperated with Hong Kong directors lots of times, so she didnt have to meet them in Hong Kong like Qin Guan. She weed the exhausted cast and crew in Shanghai elegantly. "Get some rest first. Time is pressing. Well get to work at two oclock!" The group was dismissed. Two hourster, they got together again at an old European-style hotel. Director Chen got to work on the streets of Shanghai. "Shall we try shooting a simple scene first?" Qin Guan nodded. After parting with his childhood sweetheart for 10 years, the hero of the film, Lin Jiandong, had be sessful and visited the girls city with his agent. He Gong, the chief cameraman, was carrying the camera, which weighed more than five kilos. The middle-aged man had not carried a camera personally for many years. Chapter 678: Cooperation Chapter 678: Cooperation Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan and Wu Junru changed into their costumes and got into a car. The prop master signalled at Chen Kexin and the first scene began. "Attention, please! Three, two, action!" The driver started the car as the cameraman zoomed in on Qin Guans face. Qin Guan was leaning against the backseat, his big sunsses shielding his eyes so only his sexy stubbled jaw and straight nose were visible. He was tired after his long trip, so he leaned silently against the door and took a nap as he listened to his chatty agent. "No kissing. No nudity. No erotic scenes..." Wu Junru told him. Sister Xue, who was talking to an assistant excitedly, had said the same. Wu was speaking Cantonese though, while Sister Xue spoke Mandarin. Both of them were very serious. Qin Guans character was pretty tame, but Sister Xue was still adamant. Qin Guan woke up with a start, as if from a nightmare. Wu considerately handed him a cigarette. Qin Guan had never smoked, so he felt like coughing awkwardly. He had been a chain smoker in his past life though, so he was somewhat familiar with the smoke. While Sister Xue was busy worrying about the scene, she suddenly saw Qin Guan smoke slowly, as if he had done this a hundred times before. The white cigarette looked really sexy between his lips. When he lowered his head to light it up, the rising smoke covered his face, making him look very mysterious. "I wonder why you agreed to that film. Theres no profit for you, the budget is small, and it will interfere with your original work..." Wu Junru murmured. She looked just like Sister Xue. When the car passed by a shopping mall, Zhou Xuns poster came into view. She looked very attractive to Qin Guan. "Never fall in love with the heroine," the kind agent warned Qin Guan. "They will not return your feelings. You are of no help to them. Their aim is always the director." Ms. Sun was yed by Zhou Xun, who was a famous actress in China. Qin Guan fell silent. He looked expressionlessly out of the window, lost in his memories. The background faded gradually into darkness. Satisfied, the cameraman turned off the camera. A conscientious policeman was lingering around on his motorbike. They are all troublemakers. Why did they choose this busy street as their shooting site? Who are the people inside the car? Why did the highway agency cooperate with them? Because the temporary police offices and the motorcycle he was riding had been donated by the crew. They had to tolerate them to reap those benefits. ... The crew was actually very quick. After the first scene, everyone had gotten to know each other well, so they were able to finish fast. A production assistant saluted the policeman and rushed back to the car with thest stool. Shanghai is a nice ce. Even the policemen here are handsome. In an effort to save time, Qin Guan and Wu Junru didnt get off the car. They just headed to their next stop right away. "Hello, Sister Junru. This is our first cooperation. Im Qin Guan." The careless woman took his hand. "Im finally meeting you in person! You are much more handsome than you look in photos. Look at your hands! You could make a living on them alone!" The straightforward woman was renowned for her good temper. She became good friends with anyone that she liked. Qin Guan was obviously her kind of person. She spent all their leftover timeplimenting him. Her eyes were fixed on him as they made their way to the old hotel. If Sister Xue hadnt pulled Qin Guan into a dressing room, the actress might have killed him with her eyes. The dressing room was in good condition. The hotel had many rooms, but this one featured a redwood European vanity mirror. A dresser stood right behind Qin Guan. He and the other two stars enjoyed the same amodation. Qin Guan was satisfied, as he didnt want to be treated differently. They were shooting a musical thatbined bothmercial and indie elements, so the clever Hong Kong producers had managed to get investment through all possible channels. Chapter 679: No Comparison, No Harm Chapter 679: No Comparison, No Harm Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans old employer, Armani, had provided the costumes. Although high fashion for men was not as expensive as haute couture, which cost billions of yuan, the designers clothes still elevated the film to a higher level. The romantic film now looked much more elegant. Qin Guan put on his white shirt and ck suit in the dressing room. The Armani Shanghai Branch had worked overnight to prepare them. Two of the buttons on his chest were unfastened, and he wasnt wearing a tie. Qin Guan looked restrained in that strict formal outfit. "Are you ready, Mr. Qin?" The assistant knocked on Qin Guans door. When she saw Qin Guan, she was left speechless. Qin Guan nodded and went out of the dressing room, heading for the shooting site of the first scene. There were three European-style chairs arranged in a line. Zhou Xun, Qin Guan and Zhang Xueyou greeted each other silently and turned towards the directors camera. "The actors are ready!" "Lighting, props, assistants, figurants..." Everything was ready. "First scene, the press conference. Three, two, action!" The scene began at hismand. The director, who was yed by Zhang Xueyou, was sitting in the middle, answering the tricky questions of the reporters. Qin Guans eyes were fixed on the charming actress. She was rubbing her thumb and index finger together nervously. She seemed unhappy. After so many years of being obsessed with her, she was still fresh in his memory. Zhou Xun denied any connection to him though. She told the reporters that this was the first time they were meeting. He still didnt want her to feel ufortable though, so he tried his best to attract the attention of the reporters and bear all the pressure himself. "If there are no constructive questions, well have to put an end to the conference." The reporters restrained themselves. Some of them finally raised some good questions that didnt involve gossip. "Everyone knows that you never shoot films at home. Why did this particr film move you?" "It was the high sry, good editor and beautiful actress that did it." His funny answer was actually honest. She is still as beautiful as she was 10 years ago... A long-lost smile appeared on her beautiful face. Lost in her smile, Qin Guan remembered their first meeting 10 years ago. It had been winter... Zhou and Zhang became a blur on the camera. Only Qin Guans profile was visible clearly. "Cut! Good!" The three actors cooperated very well. Their line delivery, the position of the camera, the lighting and the figurants had all been perfect, yet Director Chen was pulling his hair with all his strength behind the camera. He was happy with the smooth shooting process. The producer had invested a lot in the movie, and the three actors were all very talented, but the film would be shot in high resolution, which was the most clear, but expensive shooting method. Zhou Xue looked good. The makeup made her face look smooth, but there were lots of pimples on Zhangs face. This made sense. A man couldnt have the same beautiful face as a girl after all. Zhang was famous for his acting skills, but his face looked like the surface of the moon. As a director in pursuit of perfection, Chen couldnt express his sorrow with words. Fortunately, the professional cameraman, whose name was He Gong, solved the problem with a few words. "It doesnt matter. You could just pull the camera a little farther away from Zhangs face. Then edit it, and itll be perfect." "Thats it!" Thus, Zhang lost most of his screen-time. Both he and Qin Guan had no idea about that interesting piece of information. Qin Guan was consulting with Zhang about the next scene, as the man was the most experienced when it came to operas. Qin Guan had never acted in a musical before, but Zhang participated in Hong Kong song and dance dramas very frequently. As a VIP in both the music and the film circle, he was also curious about the young man. The guy had never released a single record, yet thepany had cast him as the lead of the film. The credit had to be given to Paris Hilton and Qin Guans performance during her party. The music producers who had attended it had taken pictures and videos of him and studied themter that night. Some of them had made Qin Guan offers to join the music industry, as some recordpanies had wanted to cooperate with him after the whole affair with Britney and Madonna. Qin Guan turned down all offers though. Despite the close cooperation between Hong Kong and American pop musicians, the Yankees sneered at Hong Kong singers when recordpanies tried to hire American producers. "No! Our singers are awful. Even an amateur singer from the Chinese maind would be better than them. Id rather waste my songs on Qin Guan than you!" After hearing this several times, the singers got angry. Of course, we cantpare to him when ites to acting. He is an award-winning actor after all. But what the f*ck do you mean? He can sing too? Are you kidding me? Chapter 680: Mainland Residents Are So Weird! Chapter 680: Maind Residents Are So Weird! Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The Yankees showed them the video. "Look at how he transitions between a real and a fake voice. He is hitting both high and low notes. His vocal range is just..." The short video shocked the Hong Kong singers and producers, who had had no idea about Qin Guans singing abilities. He had always kept it a secret. When Director Chen and hispany had been hesitant about choosing the protagonist of the film, these news had been their salvation. They had contacted Qin Guans studioright away. That was how Qin Guan had gotten the part. Zhang knew nothing about this though, so he treated Qin Guan as an amateur. "Can you recite all the songs?" "Yes!" "Do you think you will be out of tune ?" "No!" "Do you think you might forget the lyrics while you are performing?" "No!" Then why are you asking me for advice? Young people are too confident nowadays... Zhang suppressed the impulse to break Qin Guans confidence. Instead, he nned on showing Qin Guan the reality of the situation. "Just act out the next scene for me. Walk as you sing. You dont need to concentrate, just go through the process. If you can finish without a pause, you will be fine." "Its that simple?" "Yes." Qin Guan nodded and fixed his costume. He was wearing a torn windcoat and a 1920s cashmere sweater. Inbination with his cap, he looked like a figure that had walkedout of a hand-painted poster of Shanghai Beach. He stood before Zhang Xueyou as if there was no one else present. Other actors and crew members were shuttling around them busily, but Director Chen had hidden behind arge box. He was observing the leading actors silently. Suddenly, Qin Guan took on a mysterious vibe. His eyes looked misty as his beautiful lips delivered the lyrics clearly. "The strange expression in your eyes leaves me speechless..." The song had been written especially for the film by a professional Hong Kong musician. The talented actors would use pop music as a way to express themselves. The peaceful tune was nothing for Qin Guan. He took a few steps back to stand among the busy crew. His clear voice made everyone slow down. "This must surely mean that you are hearing me out..." His perfect intonation made him sound like a desperate, heartbroken man. Zhang was confused. Maybe the young man was not as arrogant as he had expected after all. How can you not be an experienced opera singer? You are performing like you are on Broadway! People from the maind are so weird! When Qin Guan finished singing, he looked at Zhang with a sincere smile, begging for more instructions. Zhang couldnt help but grimace. "Well done! If you sing like that during the shooting, youll be okay. Dont worry." "Really?" Qin Guan took off his cap excitedly. "Great! I was afraid youd be unsatisfied with my voice, Brother Zhang. Im good at performing, but I suck at rehearsing." Zhang felt a pang in his chest as he breathed in angrily. Someone take this shameless guy away from me! Director Chen and Zhou Xue burst intoughter. Zhou had just changed into her costume in the dressing room, when she witnessed the interaction between Qin Guan and Zhang Xueyou. The more powerful her opponent was, the more excited she got. She was the most talented actress among those who made a living on their looks. She led a free, romantic lifeand exerted all her energy on love. She never lingered long on one lover. She was not ashamed by the number of her lovers, nor did she try to keep a man around when the passion faded away. Like most butterflies, she always flew to the most beautiful flower. As a result, she often had affairs with male co-stars and other crew members. Sister Xue was aware of that, so she had been keeping an eye on her from the very beginning.The expression in Zhous eyes made her wary. Qin Guan is doomed. She has set her eyes on him! All emotions started from that kind of special attention. A figure began lingering in ones eyes and heart, the feeling fermenting slowly until it spouted out. Please spare Qin Guan, Princess Zhou! He might look clever and romantic, but he is a lovesick idiot. A master of love like you could kill him. Zhou Xue smiled, golden paillettes glittering on her body. Her soft, hoarse voice melted everyones hearts. "Im ready, Director Chen. I feel great." This was the first time Zhou was itching to act. Qin Guans performance had inspired her passion as an actress. A good partner was also a good opponent. No matter their gender. Chen Kexin rubbed his hands together excitedly and rushed to the main camera, gesturing that they were all set. Chapter 681: The Clever Shanghainese Chapter 681: The Clever Shanghainese Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The romantic scene between the hero and the heroine began. Qin Guan and Zhou Xue looked into each others eyes, conveying meanings that words couldnt express. Their eyes spoke for them, expressing their doubt, slight anger, and iparable loss. As Zhou Xue was about to get lost in Qin Guans attracting eyes, the lights dimmed. Suddenly, she left in a hurry, as if relieved of a heavy load. Qin Guan was left standing in the dark, the lone sombre light highlighting his expressive eyes. An assistant standing by with a thick pile of paperwork felt attracted to his gloomy eyes. When she sighed, no one knew if it was over Qin Guan or his character. "Cut! Perfect!" The director brought everyone back to reality. "You all worked hard. Go get something to eat. We could film two more scenes afterwards. The rent for the circus field is unbelievably high!" "So is the hotel. I think prices here are much higher than in Hong Kong." "Hong Kong and the maind are pretty much the same..." No one objected to the directors arrangement. People from Hong Kong were ustomed to such high-intensive work. Unlike their Chinese peers, who shot scenes slowly one by one, Hong Kong filmmakers could finish a 40-episode TV series in one week. Time equaled money. In an era when films were being produced left and right, it took them only three days to finish a film. Besides, they were shooting in Shanghai. The Shanghainese were very business-oriented. Back in the old times, most merchants from South China gathered in Shanghai, which everyone called "the bellwether of the Asian economy". Even ordinary citizens inherited and passed on these fine traditions. That might exin why the manager of the field was currently walking up to them with a strict expression on his face. "Will you be working tillte at night?" "Yes, our contract states that we will be charged by the day." "I know that, theres no need to remind me. Lets talk about the extra payment for thebor workers." "Labor workers? What do you mean by that?" "Hey, dont go back on your word now. If you work at night, the gatekeeper has to be present." "Of course, but he is in charge of the gate. How does that rte to us?" "It does! Under normal circumstances, the gatekeeper would only check on the facilities once. If you are working here though, he will have to keep an eye on your crew. He will be up all night." The man talked with the assistant director patiently. In the end, the director had to promise that he would pay the extra money. "If I knew that you would be burning the midnight oil, I wouldnt have rent it out to you. I have to pay the janitors..." "Okay." "The security personnel that works the night shift..." "Okay." The assistant director was happy to see the cunning man leave. He felt as if countless flies were buzzing around his head. The manager left the bustling set to meet with his own team. "How did the negotiation go, Lao Han?" "I did it. They will pay the extra fees." The Shanghainese cheered in low voices. They dared not raise their voices, because they were afraid of being heard by the people inside. "People from Hong Kong are so nice!" "They are too careless with contracts. We have to work overtime. We deserve that money." "Yes. One should be careful what they sign." They criticized the crew happily, just like the cunning manager, before they disappeared in the dark with the money. The crew finished their lunch boxes in a hurry. Their simple lunch had been bought from a cheap nearby restaurant. The rice, meat and vegetables had only cost 10 yuan. The stars had originally nned on dining out together, but they had been defeated by the expression in Director Chens eyes and the lunch boxes brought by Sister Xue. The Shanghai bouilli was a must for any carnivorous animal. Zhang Xueyou opened the jar and saw the steaming pork. The crystal red pork looked like transparent jelly and shook slightly as Sister Xue set the jar down on the table. A sweet smell hit everyones noses. Therge pieces of streaky pork, which were soaked in a secret sauce made of ice sugar,y before them like tantalizing beauties. The white, glutinous southern rice and vegetables were a perfect match for the sweet pork. "Its wonderful!" Zhou and Zhang were toozy to move. They just sat down across from Qin Guan, took out some disposable chopsticks and buried their faces into their lunch boxes. No speaking was allowed during meals; no talking during naptime. The old saying was always obeyed in China. People had no time to pay attention to other things when there was delicious food before them. As Qin Guan focused on his food shamelessly, he felt a touch on his leg. Huh? Maybe one of the guys kicked me identally. Qin Guan didnt take it seriously. He explored his jar with his chopsticks and found thest piece of pork. How lucky! Chapter 682: Unromantic Chapter 682: Unromantic Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Before he could rejoice, his leg was hit hard again. The hit was strong enough to make the pork on his chopsticks fall back on the pile of rice. The juices sshed his face, creating several funny red spots. Qin Guan looked up in confusion. He was right. It had been Zhou Xue who had kicked him. "Whats wrong, Sister?" Qin Guan smiled brightly at Zhou, wiping the juices off his face. Zhou was shocked. There was only one word echoing in her mind. "Sister... Sister... Sister..." Zhang suddenly flushed. As the oldest among the three, all he could do was stand up silently and leave. He was a well-bred man after all. As soon as he entered a small room to get some rest, he spit his rice out. "Ha ha! That boy is so funny! Water! Where is some water? Im choking! I need some water!" Unaware of what was happening, Qin Guan fixed his sparkling eyes on Zhou, waiting for her reply. Why did you kick me so hard? What happened? Zhous expression kept changing. Enlightened, Qin Guan suddenly pped his own head. "Sorry, my bad!" Qin Guan apologized, stirring the jar with all his strength. He was not paying any attention to her pale face anymore. "Got it!" His happy cry attracted Sister Xues attention. "I was so busy eating that I forgot to take care of the onlydy present. My bad, my bad. Here you go." He slowly put arge piece of pork in Zhous bowl. It was covered in juices. "Take it, Sister Zhou. Its delicious." Sister Xue ran out of there, covering her mouth. All the idlers in the room left as well, shrugging and lowering their heads. "What are they doing? They havent finished their lunch yet. Anyway, just forget them. Have some more rice, Sister Zhou!" "Ha ha!" Even calm Director Chen managed to escape in time. Bang! Zhou threw her chopsticks down onto the table. "Qin Guan!" "Yes?" "Are you an idiot? Dont you know why a woman would kick a mans leg?" Qin Guan nodded nkly with his mouth wide open. Then he shook his head hard. Suddenly, Zhou lost all interest in the young man. He is ipatible with me. Was that tenderness and love in his eyes just a performance? Zhou liked clever men. The moment they had looked into each others eyes, Zhou had gotten lost in the feeling. Before that feeling could take the form of fireworks though, it had been extinguished by the porks smell. His IQ is as low as a Huskys! The mood had been destroyedpletely. Zhou stood up. "Im full. Keep the pork for yourself. Enjoy your meal!" Qin Guan shivered as he looked at her angry back, but the sight of the delicious food on the table distracted him right away. "Thank you so much, Sister! I have arge stomach to fill!" Zhou nearly fell down. She sped up and left in a hurry, her romantic fantasy bursting like a bubble. Qin Guan kept eating at the spare table. Sounds ofughter were getting louder and louder outside. He smiled cunningly. Sister Xue returned and stood behind Qin Guan awkwardly. He stood up leisurely and cleaned the table. Then the two of them returned to the old hotel. The crew made good use of their amodation. They could both shoot and stay there, and the hotel was also very close to the Paramount studio, so the producer was very satisfied with it. As Qin Guan closed the door of his room, Sister Xue patted her own chest. Her heart was still fluttering in fear. "Are you an idiot? Why were you messing with Zhou? She is very good at acting!" Qin Guan copsed on his soft, fluffy bed. "I love the steel-frame bed and the soft mattress. This hotel is perfect!" he replied, trying to avoid the subject. Sister Xue was enraged. Before she could give Qin Guan a lecture, he put one of his arms under his head and turned to look at the crystalmp on the ceiling. "What are you so afraid of? Isnt that the best way to deal with Zhou?" he asked. His words confused Sister Xue. "All sixth-generation directors watch the news. They warned me about her, so I knew her least favorite type of man. Isnt this good news for any agent? No affairs. No ambiguity. The filming will start and finish quietly. Everyone wins." Sister Xue was astonished by his problem-solving method. He was getting more and more mature. He would do well in the entertainment circle after all. She still felt sad to see him grow up though. Suddenly, an assistant knocked on the door. Chapter 683: Giving A Lesson To Hong Kongers Chapter 683: Giving A Lesson To Hong Kongers Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Mr. Qin, your next scene will begin in 10 minutes." "Got it! Sister Xue, look at me! Im changing clothes. You havent seen my body for a long time. I bet that if youpare me to Yin, youll lose any interest in him." Qin Guan never changed. Sister Xue went out of the room with a knowing smile. No one was faster than a model changing his clothes, unless one was wearing nothing at all. A few minutester, Qin Guan was wearing a pair of soft,fortable velvet pyjamas. He Gong followed Qin Guan with the camera. They had to walk a long way before they reached the hotel swimming pool. When the walky-talky rang, they exchanged a look. The old hotel still had spiral stairs with smooth iron handrails. If one looked down from the top, they got dizzy. Qin Guan went out of his room and wandered in the empty hallway. He had been suffering from insomnia for years. Suddenly, he leapt from the stairs and fell down like an angel with broken wings. Before anyone could scream out, he slid down along the handrail like a kid ying on a slide. He moved down the end of the rail wildly as He Gong filmed him. Indie film directors loved scenes like that. It looked like a dream on his camera. No one but Qin Guan knew how much it hurt to do this. The friction between his bottom and the rail was very painful. If he slid down one more floor, he would be the first actor to have their butt catch fire during shooting. The director stood by the end of the stairs silently. He didnt give Qin Guan any instructions, so he just worked his way to the swimming pool across the dark hall jerkily. Director Chen looked at the lonely figure from behind the camera. His acting skills are perfect. He treats even the simplest scene seriously. Everyone can feel his sadness and confusion. Meanwhile, Qin Guan cried to himself. My butt hurts! It was a wonderful misunderstanding. Qin Guan reached the end of the way, where the crew was gathered, amid loud shouts of apuse. The water in therge pool glittered under the pale moonlight. Zhou Xue was standing on the other side of the pool in a pink swimming suit. They looked at each other from afar. Both the hero and the heroine had stayed upte to swim. Their meeting was a romantic coincidence. Qin Guan ravished her with a kiss. Yes, thats right. Qin Guan grabbed this opportunity to kiss her. Generally speaking, such things only happened in stories about aggressive male CEOs, but now it was also happening in a musical. Everyone gathered around the pool curiously to watch the mysterious award-winning actor kiss the girl. All kinds of idlers showed up, pretending to be working on something. Zeng Zhiwei and Zhang Xueyou hid in a corner, holding cups of coffee in their hands. Wu Junru stood next to the director, her eyes fixed on the camera. Everyone was captivated by the beautiful couple. Suddenly, Qin Guan jumped into the pool without hesitation, only to realize that the water barely reached his knees. The prop team looked on nkly. The prop master, who was a veteran, opened the gate before the director could go crazy. We can pour water into the pool while we are shooting. Qin Guan was not affected by any means. He just hid his face under the water like an ostrich in the face of danger. He had to perform under the water anyway. Shocked by his quick reaction, the crew adjusted the angle of the camera. Qin Guan had saved the scene and avoided a retake. Everyone had thought it was impossible. Usually, they would wait for the director to adjust the setting to perfection before they continued. That was amon routine for actors in both the Chinese maind and Hong Kong. Qin Guan was used to Western methods though. His experience with indie films had taught him to be more flexible and innovative. No one wanted to waste any time or money, so Qin Guans improvisation had taught them a good lesson. Chapter 684: A Hot Kiss Chapter 684: A Hot Kiss Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The Hong Kongers, who always looked down upon mainders, were shocked. Director Chen held back the word "cut" and adjusted the camera to shoot underwater. Shooting underwater set higher standards for the actors, but Sister Xue rxed as she watched Qin Guan through the camera. He had grown up by the seaside, so he had experienced great storms and waves. A shallow pool was nothing for him. The water was clear enough to see the bottom of the pool. Qin Guans face seemed to sparkle like jade. His eyebrows and eyes were softened by the ripples, and his red lips looked splendid on his fair face. Anyone could get lost in them. A few bubbles came out of his mouth. One of them got stuck to his eyebrow, reluctant to part with its handsome master. "Hes so beautiful!" Wu Junru, who was a very sensitive woman, murmured from behind the camera. A sshing sound brought her back to reality. Zhou Xue had jumped into the water in her pretty pink swimsuit from the other side of the pool. The water level was now high enough for a girl to swim in the pool. Among all famous actresses, Zhou was the most petite one. Thanks to her perfect features and inspirational looks though, she did not feel inferior to the taller actresses. Her good figure was clear under the water. She looked like an Ondine. Everyones attention was on her as Director Chen clenched his fists. Three, two, one... Now! Suddenly, Qin Guan appeared before Zhou. The two of them met in the pool, their nk eyes suddenly bing clear as they caught sight of each other. The mes in their eyes got brighter and brighter. Qin Guan put his hand on the back of Zhous head and kissed her fiercely on the lips. Frightened by his sudden attack, Zhou resisted underwater. Her long ck hair spread slowly like the most seductive, dangerous kind of seaweed. Qin Guan got lost in the sweet kiss and forgot about their surroundings. It didnt matter that they were underwater and the girl was struggling in his embrace. A kiss was enough for an aggressive man like him. His emotion got a response from the woman, who was in love with him. She gradually stopped hitting him and surrendered to his kiss, which felt as scorching as the sun. Her fair arms locked around his waist as they kissed as if there was no one else present. Qin Guans ck pyjamas were floating on the surface of the water like water lilies. After a while, they ran out of oxygen. Qin Guan, who was the one who had started the kiss, came back to his senses. His eyes opened underwater. They were not filled with desire and love anymore. They were as clear as the water. He looked at the woman silently, their lips still touching. Then he pushed her away and turned around without hesitation. Zhou Xue was still in a daze as Qin Guan got out of the pool. He walked along the passage in his soaked pyjamas, leaving her behind. Zhou Xue stood in the water, watching her first love walk away. The water drops on the floor that served as proof of his presence brought her back to reality. "Cut! Perfect!" Chen Kexin shouted excitedly. As soon as he heard his shout, Qin Guan craned his neck around the corner of the passage. "Are we done, director? Can I return to my room? If you need me, just tell my assistant!" Qin Guan was pleading with his eyes. Chen waved him away. "No problem! Go get some rest. Lets all call it a day!" Excused, Qin Guan rushed up the stairs. His wet pyjamas weighed almost five kilos. A cold winter breeze was blowing in Shanghai. He could catch a cold the next day if he didnt take any immediate measures. There was no one along the passage, so he started taking off his clothes as he walked. As soon as he entered his room, he rushed to the bathroom. When he heard a sound at the door, he shouted, "Get me a cup of tea, Sister Xue! Thanks a lot!" Steam rose from the bathtub as he let out a sigh of relief. When he walked out of the bathroom in a bath towel, he found a white cup on the table. Red ginger tea was very popr in Southern China. It was the perfect drink to have in a cold, damp night in that strange city. Chapter 685: Spring Dandelions Chapter 685: Spring Dandelions Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The people close to us always stay with us, no matter the circumstances. They might be our family, our lovers, or our children. No matter who they are though, they have to be cherished. They are the ones that make our short life wonderful. Qin Guan soon fell asleep on the soft mattress. The next morning, he feltpletely refreshed. He went into the cafeteria with a yawn and kindly turned down a Western breakfast. Wu Junru, who was the warmest person among the Hong Kongers, greeted him. "Hi, handsome! Why dont you have something to eat? Well get to work soon, so..." Before she could finish her words, Sister Xue entered in casual clothes. "I got them. Quick!" In the simple lunch box she was holding were wontons. She had also gotten a bag of fried pork buns with sesame and spring onion. It would be a pity to visit Shanghai and not try the authentic local breakfast. The small crystal-clear wontons were floating in pork bone soup. One could even see the red shrimp inside. The oily buns were crisp, but when one bit into them, their juices flowed out. Zhou Xue, who had just gotten up and entered the room, carried her delicious food to another table and set it down unceremoniously. By the time Qin Guan came back to his senses, he realized there were only three wontons and one bun left for him. That was a miserable breakfast. "Make yourselves at home! Try these! They are authentic Shanghai buns!" Zhou Xues smile scared Qin Guan. His struggle was nothing for an experienced love warrior like her. This was obvious through their cooperation. Her performance was getting better and better. The powerful woman finally bared her fangs and ws and revealed the real acting power of an A-level star. She was Qin Guans equal. Everyone around them cheered them on. They were an inspiration for others. In less than a week, they finished all their scenes in Shanghai. The crew packed up while Director Chen contacted his associates in Beijing. Thest scene would be shot in a yard by the Beijing city moat. The prop team had alreadypleted the archaistic set. It was a shabby warehouse, a lot like nt 798, that stood stubbornly by the frozen moat. Inside it were old cotton-padded jackets, military coats, enamel mugs, old food tickets, thick sweaters, red stars... All characteristic features of the era, that reminded people of a newly-awakened China that had been short on resources. The memory of each hero and heroine was buried there. Qin Guan was wearing a thick green sweater, a grey coat, a pair of old sses and a military cross-body bag. "Ha! Whats this? What a handsome boy!" Qin Guan went inside, bending his neck a little. He looked like the director of a disciplinary school. When he spotted the iron stove, which was the only source of warmth in the room, he rushed over to it. He took some cinder dust out of the stove with an iron hook to make the mes burn more fiercely. "Who made this coat? The cotton inside is tied in knots. It cant keep me warm!" Zhou Xue was rubbing her hands in front of her chest, not caring about her image. "You should be content with what you have. Look at me! They got me a scratchy sweater!" she countered Qin Guansint. Qin Guan turned around to look at her and lowered his head with trembling shoulders. Zhou Xues hair looked like instant noodles. It was so bad that one could hardly bear to look at it. She was also wearing a red sweater and a messy purple skirt that made her look like a bumpkin. "Ha ha!" Qin Guan burst intoughter. Suddenly, he felt a small hand on his sideburns. It was Zhous hand. Worried, Qin Guan stepped back unconsciously. "Dont move! You have some cotton batting on your face!" Qin Guan stopped. Her small cold hand touched his face like a feather. It paused in his hair and then suddenly covered his face. Qin Guan tried to move his head away, but the hand wouldnt leave. He looked up into Zhous big almond-shaped eyes. They seemed reluctant to betray anything. Her meaningful gaze confused Qin Guan, even though he had experienced a lot of things in his life. Sensing the ambiguous atmosphere, he stood up to leave. Zhou retracted her hand just in time. "Look! I was not messing with you!" Qin Guan looked down at the fine white cotton ball in her hand. His poor IQ did not allow him to think properly. "I didnt expect the cotton in this shabby coat to be this white. It looks as romantic and airy as a spring dandelion." Zhous voice got lower and lower. Its hoarseness made it sound really sexy. Chapter 686: Suppression and Resistance Chapter 686: Suppression and Resistance Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was scared of her. Suddenly, the crew pushed its way through the gate. "Mr. Qin, Ms. Zhou, the set is ready. You can get to work." A group of people poured into the room, dissolving the charged atmosphere. Qin Guan had been saved. He rushed into the dressing room, suddenly recalling that they would be shooting all the erotic scenes that day. There were at least three erotic scenes that took ce at the same location. It seemed like this was his destiny. Zhou Xues high heels walked closer and closer. Qin Guan had to encourage himself mentally. You are thinking too much. Zhou is always like this. Her eyes are full of emotion... After a constructive mental pep talk, Qin Guan turned around. He wasnt nervous anymore. He just smiled at Zhou as she approached. His pure smile stunned her for a few seconds. "Attention, everyone!" Director Chen shouted. "First scene! Three, two, one... Action!" As soon as he spoke, the two actors switched to working mode. Crack! Zhou shut off themp. The window of the shabby warehouse became the only source of light. The cold moonlight hit Qin Guans face, leaving Zhou in the dark. Qin Guan sat down on the edge of the double-decker, looking sad and desperate. The next day, his beloved girl would travel to America with a director. He had failed to give her what she wanted. Zhou loved him though. She wanted to give her love and her virginity, the most precious gift a woman could give, to him. She pressed Qin Guan onto the wooden bed roughly. Everyone stared at her in astonishment. The couples heavy pants echoed around the dark room as Qin Guan struggled. He didnt underestimate the petite girl. He would never look down on a woman after his experience with Mou Xiaoliu. Zhous sudden attack caused his back to hit the wooden bed hard. It hurt so much! Qin Guan instinctively tried to get away, but Zhou sat down on his waist heavily to stop him. Caught off guard, Qin Guan fell down again. Wait! Wait, director! This was not in the script! This is rape! Before he could get up and protest, Zhou started kissing his eyebrows, nose, eyes and lips. He felt her hand reach for his belt. What are you doing? Their first kiss, which had been initiated by Qin Guan, had been beautiful and violent, but empty of any emotion. He couldnt tell if Zhous kiss was real or not. Qin Guan sensed the danger. The expression in his eyes was still clear, and he could distinguish between acting and reality. He had never gotten lost in a performance. Life was drama, and drama was life. He would rather be the master than the coward. His eyes were glittering, and his breath rose like a mist amid the cold winter of Northern China. He looked up at Zhou before he suddenly flipped her over and put his hands on her bare back. Zhou screamed as Qin Guan reversed the situation. The bed creaked in the dark as hended on top of her. Their sparkling eyes met, one pair on top, the other on the bottom. "Cut!" Director Chen said before he apuded. The strict director did not do this often, but in his opinion, they had interpreted the original script perfectly. "Wonderful! Did you talk about the script beforehand? You expressed the emotional conflict, sorrow and despair of the lovers perfectly! I am so lucky to be working with you two!" Qin Guans first reaction was toin to the excited director, but he chose to remain silent. He could feel a high heel grinding against his foot. Because of their difference in height, Zhou Xue had to stand on a stool to tell him, "Hey! Wait for me!" Help! Cong Nianwei! As expected, Zhou took things even further during the next erotic scenes. Qin Guan had to withstand all her crazy advances. Hey, dont grind your butt against my crotch, sister! You are half-naked! Hey! You shouldnt be touching my chest either! Director Chen got what he wanted, but Qin Guan had to suffer for it. Chapter 687: Pushing Forward The Film Festival Chapter 687: Pushing Forward The Film Festival Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Finally, he heard the signal he had been waiting for echo around the warehouse. "Wonderful! We finished thest scene! Perhaps, Love is officiallypleted!" Everyone cheered,ughed and jumped, all the while congratting each other. Qin Guanughed along with Zhou and pretended to be shooting at her with a gun. "Ha ha!" Qin Guan had had thestugh. He had kept up a mental and physical defense and won a medal for resisting her seduction. The unexpected gesture stunned Zhou, who turned his action over in her mind. She slowly smiled at Qin Guan. He must be one of those funny, childish guys... The man who was deeply in love with her only existed in the film and her imagination. That man was quite different from this one. The film was finallypleted. The cameras were shut off as her imaginary lover melted in her hands along with the falling snowkes. In 2004, the winter lingered on until spring. The cold wind brought along snowkes that did not match the season. Therge snowkes were dancing in the sky like the fake ones used in films before finallynding on the ground. Zhou watched Qin Guan run happily in the snow. One minuteter, he rushed back. "F*ck! Its really cold!" heined. He had been so happy that he had forgotten that he had only been wearing a hoodie and a pair of slippers during his performance. Sister Xue covered him with his coat gently. The warm scene made everyone smile. The director invited all his friends to Beijing for a celebratory feast, but Sister Xue, who had gotten a call from overseas, had to turn down the invitation. Qin Guans team was packing his luggage in his room. He sat down on the couch next to the door and left the room to them. Suddenly, the half-closed door opened. Zhou Xue leaned against the door frame and chatted with Qin Guan quietly. "Are you leaving today?" "Yes. We have booked tickets." "Why are you in such a hurry?" "The film festival I will be participating in is being pushed forward. I have to attend the award ceremony." Zhou fell silent. Does this mean that he will win another award? Maybe I should have sought an opportunity abroad. Zhou shook her head. She knew perfectly well that foreigners found her looks a little boring. Plus, her acting skills were too restrained for them. "I thought I scared you away," she said, admiration and embarrassment filling her voice. Qin Guan smiled. "Of course not, Sister Zhou. I know how things are between us." Zhou burst intoughter and took out a cigarette case. "Light my cigarette for me before you go." "Okay!" Qin Guan stood up from the couch and took the silver lighter. A small orange me bloomed between his hands. His busy team and the passing cleaners in the white aprons seemed to walk in slow motion amid the smoke. Crack! Qin Guan shut the lighter. When he looked up, he felt a pair of sweet-smelling lips brush against his jaw. "Idiot!" Zhou walked away with a strange feeling, leaving Qin Guan stupefied. Goodbye... Sister Xue had no time to pay attention to them. After confirming the schedule again, they left the hotel right away. Meanwhile, Director Chen was looking forward to a bright future with the other members of the crew. "I wonder if my film will be lucky enough to win an award..." Qin Guan had no idea about Chens ambitions. He had to show up on the red carpet of the opening ceremony as soon as he got off the ne. The staff of LOral was considerately waiting for him on the site. After Qin Guans schedule was confirmed, they would talk about their future cooperation. The Berlin Film Festival was the first European film festival to open in 2004. In an effort to beat the Cannes Festival, the organizingmittee had permanently moved the date of the opening ceremony to February. Many stars were caught unprepared. As a result, the ones with no nominations turned down the invitation to the festival. That was why Qin Guan had gone to Berlin in a hurry. After negotiating with the crew of "Lost Smile", the organizingmittee had sent Qin Guan an invitation. Chapter 688: Going Crazy On The Red Carpet Chapter 688: Going Crazy On The Red Carpet Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Jude Law and Nicole Kidman were not able to attend the opening ceremony due to their tight schedules, but their films would still be screened during the festival. One could imagine how many actors would participate in the event. Qin Guan had finished his job, so he just took a connecting flight to Berlin. He was really looking forward to seeing the four hale old men. The next morning, as his assistant was adjusting his bow tie, Director Luchan showed up. Qin Guan? Yes? Are you aware that directors and actors will be walking on the carpet separately? They want to make the event even grander. I know. Just rx! Take care! The director was a warm-hearted man. His first impulse after getting that notice was to let Qin Guan know. The actor was like a child in a strange environment. He needed a team to stay with him. However, he had forgotten that Qin Guan was also a supermodel. As a sponsor of the festival, LOral wanted to see its product ambassador appear alone in pictures, not apanied by a group of old men. Despite his rough schedule, Qin Guan remained calm as he walked through the shing lights silently. He was the star that stayed the longest on the red carpet. This was the second time he was walking on the red carpet in Berlin, a city that favored the Chinese. The reporters suddenly recognized his familiar figure. The Best Actor Award Winner of the 53rd Ceremony wasing! Screams fell and rose. Qin Guans every step seemed to make the earth shake. Mr. Qin! Look at me! Please! My son is only three years old! Can you smile for me, Mr. Qin? Your smile could save the world! Dont leave! Please dont leave! He is walking away! Stop! Look over here! The crazy reporters spent all their film on Qin Guan, not caring about the crowd or the unbearable smell. They used this opportunity to record the young actors every movement with their cameras. He was the best topic of conversation in the entire opening ceremony. The organizingmittee did not want the sharp-tongued critics and reporters tough at the absence of famous actors. They had invited Qin Guan sincerely, and the actor, who loved the Berlin Film Festival, hade at once. They would never forget his kindness. The next participant, the entire cast and crew of Samaria Girls, was waiting by the end of the red carpet. It was a film from the Republic of Korea. All the actors and the director hade to the ceremony. For them, an invitation there was the best acknowledgement of the films sess. Besides, it was an erotic film. They needed an award in order to promote it. The two leading actresses had followed the director to Berlin, which was a holy ce for Korean filmmakers. It was still early spring, so they were trembling in their revealing evening dresses, which had been tailored by Korean designers. The two girls struggled to suppress their shivers, but the star ahead of them had stayed on the carpet too long. They both felt miserable. Guo Zhimin, the younger girl, who was about 19 years old and the pearl of her family, couldnt help butin. The man before us has gone too far! Hes been on the carpet for so long! Hes shameless! Han Xiuyun was calmer than her. She checked the list and then craned her neck in the direction of the red carpet, all the while squeezing her bare shoulders. The man on the carpet was trying his best to move forward, but he was stopped repeatedly by the reporters and the festival staff. Then people started grabbing him to take pictures. Han Xiuyun had originally been a model, so she recognized Qin Guans tall, handsome figure. Its Qin Guan! Suddenly, the calm girl turned into a crazy fangirl. Director Kim, Director Kim! Isnt that Qin Guan? Tell me Im not wrong! Qin Guans name acted like a magic spell. Shocked, Guo stoppedining. The director nodded solemnly. Yes, it is, but you dont need to act like crazy. You are just as talented as he is. If our film seeds, youll enjoy the same international fame he does. It was a pity that his strategy failed. The actresses didnt pay attention to his ambitious words. They were too concentrated on the handsome man walking to the other end of the carpet. Its Qin Guan! What should I do? Do I look nice today? The two girls bounced up and down hand in hand. The cast and crew of Samaria Girls is up next! Before they could calm down, the festival staff told them to walk on the carpet. Suddenly, Director Ki-Duk Kim found himself up in the air, supported from both sides by the young girls. Chapter 689: Another Award Chapter 689: Another Award Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan, wait for us! We areing! The girls rushed over to Qin Guan. Qin Guan had just broken out of the ring of reporters. Before he could let out a sigh of relief, he heard a roar behind him. Qin Guan! The roar sounded desperate. Qin Guan turned around with a professional smile and faced an astonishing spectacle. Two female actresses in ck and white dresses were supporting a man between them. The man seemed like the most normal person among them. The two girls looked flushed in the cold wind. Their hair floated like a cloud behind them as a disgusting bubble of snot formed on the mans nostril. They were moving at lightning speed. When Qin Guan stopped walking, even the angry director grew excited. What a good opportunity! A cold light shed across Director Kims eyes. Taking advantage of their momentum, he rushed over to Qin Guan and embraced him. The two of them stood together shoulder to shoulder. Meanwhile, the cunning girls came to stand on both sides of Qin Guan, locking his arms in ce. The reporters went crazy again. A battle began as they pointed their cameras at them. Ha ha! Director Kim and Qin Guan are acquainted! This is striking news! It will make the headlines! The entertainment reporters from SBS were crying, while the representatives of the leading Korean fashion magazines Cindy and Ceci were hugging each other excitedly. Its the Berlin Festival Best Actor Award Winner! Hes the favorite of the organizingmittee! If Director Kim knows him, does this mean that he will win an award during this festival? No one really cared about the Koreans short stay on the carpet. They only cared about taking good pictures. Qin Guans schedule was dyed for a few minutes. Despite the three Koreans hanging on to his body for dear life though, he still managed to look perfect until he reached the other end of the carpet. Sister Xue gazed at the four of them coldly, with her arms folded across her chest. Unable to withstand her stare, the three shameless Koreans let Qin Guan go. Sister Xue pulled him to the backstage area. Dont show kindness to everyone, Qin Guan! Maybe they werepeting with you over who would make tomorrows headlines! Sister Xue lowered her voice cautiously. If Director Kim, who was a renowned man in his own country, heard herment, he would be quite offended. The old directors patted Qin Guan on the shoulder happily. They were nning on having a drink in a small pub nearby. All Qin Guan had to do was show up at the award ceremony on time. As he waited silently in his room, he recalled the other nominees of the 54th Ceremony. He had a bad feeling about this. The winter in Berlin was much colder. When night fell, Qin Guan put on his ck formal outfit. All themps in the hall were lit. Another fierce battle was about to begin. The host on the stage opened the envelopes in his hands one by one and handed the awards to the winners. As usual, the most important award would be announcedst. Qin Guan was sitting steadily, affecting everyone around him. All he could do now was rely on his luck. Silence prevailed in the hall as the audience listened to the host carefully. The winner of the Outstanding Artistic Contribution Award is Dawn! Director Luchan grew nervous. The next award would be the Best Actor. All the cameras focused on Qin Guan. If he was not the winner, it would be really sad news. The host, who was a yful man, opened the envelope slowly with trembling hands. The audience grew more and more nervous as he drawled, The winner of the Best Actor Award of the 54th Ceremony is All the lights fixed on the only Chinese person in the room, Qin Guan. Qin Guan! With the film Lost Embrace! A deafening apuse echoed around the hall. The Silver Bear seemed to be waving at Qin Guan as he walked to the stage slowly. He always remained indifferent to both admiration and humiliation. He hugged the host and took the bear and the microphone from him. Then he turned around with the award, put the microphone against his lips and began delivering his second speech at the Berlin Film Festival. Chapter 690: The Acceptance Speech Chapter 690: The eptance Speech Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia First, I would like to express my gratitude to the directing team. They are all from different countries, just like the UN, but they have an unerring ability to spot talent. After expressing their different opinions, they decided to offer me the lead. I want to thank them for their appreciation and love, as well as the trust they put in me. The audience knows that this was quite an unusual filmpared to the films I have acted in before in terms of plot, characterization and shooting methods. It was definitely a challenging test for my acting skills. I would also like to express my appreciation to the senior actors that participated in the film, who have all dedicated their lives to indie films. We should make some space for them on the stage. They make all European film festivals better. They have been the wheels of progress on our journey. This award belongs to the US. I would like to share my profits with all the silent contributors. Of course, those contributors should be no more than five, and the amount can be up to 100,000 at the most. Otherwise, Ill be suffering a loss. The audience burst intoughter as Qin Guan put the award down and started counting on his fingers. Sister Xue buried her face in her hands, which were dressed in white gloves with pearls. She knew Qin Guan very well. He is not joking! He means it! I would also like to thank the producers and the distributingpanies. Our film has not been officially in theaters yet, but this award can help you rx in advance! Qin Guan raised the Silver Bear again amid a round of apuse and catcalls. Im not trying to tter the organizingmittee, but I wouldntin if it worked. Our film will be a huge sess thanks to this award. The buyers of the distributing rights were ecstatic under the stage. Good boy! Well done! The box office will be fantastic thanks to this award! Qin Guan waited until the audience calmed down. My first visit to Berlin wasst year for the same award ceremony. At the same time this year, Im in the same theater and same position, holding the same award. Only the audience is different. I, Qin Guan He took a sincere bow before the audience. am grateful to the Berlin Film Festival for giving the same award to the same person for two consecutive years. I recognize its fairness and justice, and I can see why it is considered the strictest international film festival. Thank you for your approval of me and my performance. Thank you for rting to this story of a fathers love. Your love for the film makes me happier than your approval of me! His speech drew tears from the directors. The boy is really kind. The bastard is so sensational The four directors started crying their eyes out. The people around them looked at them with a touched expression in their eyes. This was an emotional catharsis for the indie filmmakers and the joy they found in their work. Suddenly, Qin Guan looked up to the main camera with a big smile. I want to thank all the members of my studio, Sister Xue and Sister Qu. You have always been taking care of me. As for the person waiting for me at home See? This is the third one! Well fill that shelf soon! Just wait for me! He jumped up in joy before the stunned audience. Then he diverted their attention with his conclusion. I will end my long speech here. Everyone must be anxious to find out who the winner of the Best Film Award is, so Ill surrender the stage to our dear host, Runco! Everyone shouted all at once, the earth-shaking sound echoing around the hall. The ceremony had originally been a bit dull due to the absence of most superstars, but Qin Guan had brightened things up. The director burst into excited tears backstage. He hugged everybody he came across and shouted, You cant sneer at us anymore! Look at the powerful Berlin Festival, you bastards! Youll be shocked by the ratings tomorrow! He was a director with dignity, ideals and ambitions, so the audience ratings of the grand ceremony would make him very popr. Qin Guans award would be proof of his directing ability. As Qin Guan got off the stage with the award, the audience cheered on. The next award had made everyone wild with joy. The Best Director Award goes to Ki-Duk Kim and Samaria Girls! Chapter 691: Declining Prosperity Chapter 691: Declining Prosperity Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The Korean crew on Qin Guans right side burst into cheers. The resounding hails went around the whole hall. Luchan felt depressed. "Where are those hillbillies from? They shouldnt be screaming during a formal ceremony!" "Yes, they are embarrassingly noisy!" The old men felt morefortable. The announcement of the next award left them stupefied though. "The winner of the Jury Award is Lost Embrace!" It was okay. They had just lost the Golden Bear. They all hugged each other in satisfaction. The four old men went on the stage. Flowers bloomed and fell as the seasons changed. That was thew of nature. There were so many coincidences, opportunities and frustrations that filmmakers had to deal with. They helped the film, and the film helped them. They just went on hand in hand, until they reached the end of their journey. Qin Guan and the four old men went to a small tavernter that night to celebrate. They couldnt drink too much, because they had to continue their journey the next day. The next morning, they said goodbye to each other at the airport and left. The people waiting for them at the other end of their journey were different. Old wives, conscientious assistants, and of course Cong Nianwei, for whom Qin Guan had to bring breakfast. The Silver Bear was still in his bag, but his family status had not changed because of it. Qin Guan bought some eggs Benedict from a small restaurant on his way back. The fried eggs on the English muffins let out a nice smell that drifted up from the lunchbox in his hand. Qin Guan was drooling as he rushed up the stairs to his apartment. Sunshine filled the room, making it warm and sweet. Cong Nianwei had already gotten up, but her aroma was still lingering around the bed. She was in the bathroom. A portion of breakfast had been left on the table for Qin Guan. It was eggs Benedict, crisp bacon and mayonnaise. There were also pancakes with crab, lobster and spinach. Delicious food was always a priority. "Ill get started!" Qin Guan shouted towards the bathroom before picking up his knife and fork. When he jabbed the yolk with the fork, its juices poured out and soaked the muffin. It was wonderful! Qin Guan stuffed arge piece of muffin into his mouth. It was a perfectbination of sweet crab meat, mellow mayonnaise, tender egg and spinach. He swallowed the muffin up fast and choked on it. As he tried to get some water, Cong Nianwei walked out of the steamy bathroom, drying her wet hair with a towel. They looked at each other in a funny way. Then Cong Nianwei sighed and poured a cup of coffee for Qin Guan. "Take this." The aromatic coffee saved Qin Guan from choking to death. "What do you want to do today?" Qin Guan could finally rest before the beginning of the term. He had no more urgent work to take care of. Cong Nianwei sat down across from him leisurely and put some delicious food in her mouth before answering his question. "Prof. Martin applied for a PhD on your behalf, so he wanted to meet with you as soon as you returned. Well be finishing our studies in America this June after all." Qin Guan fell into thought. He wanted to hear Cong Nianweis opinion. "What are your ns?" "I can get my Masters degree easily, but it would take me a long time to apply for a PhD. My tutor told me that it would take me at least four years. Plus, my profession requires me to be close to society. Practice is more important than textbooks, so I want to do a PhD on a job. I can umte experience through work." "I dont need to focus only in America. The gallery here is enough. I could take my team to any country if there is a chance there. Isnt that wonderful?" Chapter 692: The TIME Cover Chapter 692: The TIME Cover Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was taken aback by her answer. "It doesnt matter," he said automatically. "I know that you like studying. Ill support you no matter what." Suddenly, a fork hit his head. "No one can study forever, except maybe for rich people. No one can stay in college forever. Im studying for my profession and my dream. Thest part of my journey cant be achieved only by reading books though." Qin Guan didnt get angry. Instead, he took her hand. "I understand. You do not need to make any sacrifices for me." "You are shameless!" Suddenly, Cong Nianwei recalled something and smiled. "Dont make fun of me. Think about Professor Martin and the college authorities youll be meeting today!" Qin Guan didnt take his tutor seriously until he sat down in the meeting room at Columbia University. The old man and the college administrators were after something. They had a reason for being so eager. In their eyes, Qin Guan was a money-making machine, a gold-lettered billboard that could attract donations. Qin Guan was the best person to take care of Columbias external rtions and promotion. Chinese students were bing more and more interested in studying abroad and Columbia was eager to have a share of the pie. As a result, the college authorities had decided to offer Qin Guan some favorable terms in his PhD application. Qin Guan read the application form carefully. When he looked up, he found his tutor staring at him, waiting for his decision. He handed Martin back the PhD application calmly and began to fill in the working-student doctorate application form. Qin Guan wanted to turn down both of them, but the favors the old man had granted him during the past two years made him reconsider. He was not cruel enough to decline after all. Working students had more spare time anyway. They didnt need to have sses in a fixed location. Besides, Qin Guans major didnt require extensive research work. All he needed to do was read a lot. That was the best option for him. He had to apologize to Professor Martin. The college didnt care if he chose a full-time PhD or not after all. His presence at important events was enough for the administrators. Qin Guan finished the form amid the sound of Prof. Martins weak roar. When he walked out of the meeting room, Martins cry followed him out. "You bastard! You still have six months left before you graduate! I will not grant you any leave during that period! And Ill be strict with your thesis, homework and exams! Twice as strict! Just wait and see!" Qin Guan knew what the word "bravado" meant, and why viins liked to shout "Ill be back!" It was a powerless scream that came from their hearts. As he walked away from the college, he suddenly sneezed. Maybe Martin had cursed him. Or maybe it was just the cold early spring breeze. Qin Guan reached the newsstand. His schoolmates liked to visit it often, but it was past rush hours now. The diligent owner was dusting off the shelves with a feather. He must have bought it from Chinatown. Qin Guan, who wanted to read what had happened in America during his absence, found thetest "TIME" issue on the shelf. The striking ck title on the cover had remained the same. Unlike the magazines usual red frame though, the cover had a blue frame this time. Qin Guan happened to know the person on it. It was him. His cover had been postponed until 2004. That exined why he hadnt been notified before. This was actually the strategy of the chief editor, who knew about the Spring Festival in China. An Asian star on the cover during that jubnt time would increase the sales volume and influence South-East Asia. ns were not always able to keep up with changes though. As the editor had been about to choose Qin Guans photo, he had heard some news from the entertainment circle. The young mans film had been shortlisted at the Berlin Film Festival once again. The chief editor had put someone else on the cover and kept Qin Guans photo, so he could use it after the film festival. If Qin Guan won an award in Berlin, the headline would be "Best Actor Again". If he didnt, the title would be "Past Glory". Chapter 693: An American Translation Of Chinese TV Series Chapter 693: An American Trantion Of Chinese TV Series Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The photo had to show the unprecedented splendor of the award-winning actor. Both his sess and failure would be attractive to the readers. Qin Guan had seeded, so the title was "Best Actor Again". He felt a little ashamed as he looked at his familiar face and the shameless title. Thanks to his strong mentality though, he was able to recover from the impact of the magazine. The newsstand owner was counting his stock in the small room, while Qin Guan was standing in a long gray windcoat outside. He opened the magazine leisurely. "The award-winning actor from China started his career in America." The Americans were boasting about their own country again. If it wasnt for his films in America, the magazine wouldnt have dedicated two full pages on an Asian model. "His acting skills are a perfectbination of oriental fineness and unrestrained idental bodynguage. His strong abilities and performance before the camera make him extremely charming." "America may be the reason for his sess though. If he had note to America, he wouldnt have made a breakthrough in the film industry. In an effort to get to know the actor better, our editor had the honor of reviewing his films in China." "Forgive me, but Iughed for an entire day. His acting skills at the time had been far from good. His lines were hard to understand, and he only portrayed supporting characters that suffered immediate death. If you are interested, you could buy some copies through your Chinese friends." The critic must have done extensive research on Qin Guan. His Chinese sucked though. For example, "Maids In The Red Mansion" had been tranted as "Maids Working In Luxurious Gardens", and "Legend Of The Swordsman" had been summed up as "A man abandoned by his first love bes famous with the help of his noble wife". Qin Guan burst intoughter. The author was smart enough to omit "Demi-Gods and Demi-Demons". Maybe the number of his roles had driven him mad. Qin Guansughter startled the newsstand owner, who turned around in surprise. The man on the cover of the magazine was standing before him, holding that very magazine. The golden sunshine hit his shoulders. He was much more handsome than the guy in the picture. Now the man realized why that magazine issue had be a bestseller. He suddenly recalled thements of the readers. It was true! The Asian star was really a student at Columbia. The students had not been boasting. He felt warmth in his heart as he looked at Qin Guans poster on the wall of his newsstand. Actually, he was also a fan of his. As an inarticte man though, he had decided to express his love for his idol in a typical way. His greatest advantage was his small stand. He started opening magazines and newspapers one by one to show Qin Guan every article there was about him. The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, VOGUE, Entertainment Weekly... Thanks to histest award, Qin Guan still had a ce in the entertainment section of every newspaper and magazine. Qin Guan stopped reading and took out his wallet. He thought that the man was implying that he had been reading without buying anything. The newsstand owner finally squeezed a few words between his teeth. "Look! They are all praising you! No one is against you!" Qin Guan smiled at the man and kept reading the reports. They were not short or poorly written. The pictures and articles about him upied entire pages. Chapter 694: A Warm Corner Chapter 694: A Warm Corner Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Americans loved to create superheroes. They considered the Berlin Film Festival to be very fair and prestigious, so they tried their best to pull Qin Guan to their own camp. "The Berlin Film Festival was the first to open in 2004. Its hasty beginning didnt harm its content by any means" - The New York Times "Good films attract public attention in every country, but Berlin favors Qin Guan. His second award was very easy to get..." - The Los Angeles Times Qin Guans character was outstandingpared to indie film characters from other countries. Everyone could see that, even if indie films were not their expertise. Thanks to the newsstand owner, Qin Guan didnt find any negative feedback about his performance. Considering the evaluation of the mainstream media, he could look forward to even more positive responses. Qin Guan put down thest magazine and gave the eager man a bill. "Thanks a lot. One copy of TIME." This was a milestone for him, so he needed a souvenir. The man waved away the bill, as if he was insulted by it. "Why would you pay me?" Why not? You are a businessman, not a phnthropist. Plus, Im not a robber. Suddenly, Qin Guan understood and smiled at the man. Then he took out his phone and stood right next to him. "Come on! Look at the camera! Three, two, one... Cheese!" Their faces were captured in the photo for eternity. "Ill upload it to my blog. I can send it to you by email." "Oh, okay!" The man came back to his senses and gave Qin Guan his email excitedly. Ill be your loyal fan from now on. Suddenly, the man saw a small piece of paper shoved in another copy of TIME. He spread it and saw that it was a five-dor bill. That was the exact price of the magazine. He put the cash in his pocket with misty eyes. He would save it for his collection. Qin Guan returned home in a good mood and sent the photo to his firm. Then he got a short message from Sister Qu, telling him that hismunity service ad had been broadcast on every TV station in New York. Thanks to its social impact, the City Hall and the New York Police decided to give Qin Guan a Community Service Innovation Award in 2004. He was not the first Asian to get a medal from the City Hall or the police, but this was the first time he would be getting an award that was irrelevant to the fashion and entertainment industry. Qin Guan wanted to share this honor with the person closest to him. "Arent you happy when you are able to help others, Wei? People like and admire me, which makes me really happy." Cong Nianwei was surprised. Does this mean that he will engage in charity now? Reading her expression, Qin Guan hastened to add, "No, no! There are all kinds of charity. Donations are useful, but personalbor is even better. I like being needed!" He was still a money-grubber. Cong Nianwei adjusted her posture on the couch and replied casually, "It wont be hard. You are a public figure now, so more and more charities will approach you after this advertisement. Thanks to your social status, your face attracts donations. Dont worry, the money will just start flowing in." "You could have a talk with your agent though. If your schedule allows it, you could ept more voluntary work." Qin Guan nodded. Cong Nianweis next words strengthened his resolve. "Besides, this will make you even more popr. Community service ads are much more rtable than luxury product ads. You could show off your personal charm that way." Qin Guan was happy with Cong Nianweis n. His girlfriend could conquer the world with her high IQ. Qin Guan kissed Cong Nianwei on the face as amercial break started on TV. After an unscrupulous bombing ofmercial ads, Qin Guans first public-interest ad aired. Chapter 695: Serving The Country Chapter 695: Serving The Country Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The advertisement began with an exciting drum beat. Qin Guan nearly copsed on the couch. The edited clip made him regret epting the job. After the rhythmic beat, a messy site that looked like it had just survived a typhoon appeared on TV. A serious voice delivered a pained speech. "If there were no hard-workingmunity service volunteers around us..." "If there was no interest in themon good..." "Then this miserable scene would be Americas future." Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei felt terribly awkward as they watched the advertisement. They both had a different response to the next scene. "If you are smart enough though, you will act just as he is." The camera slowly zoomed in on the library. Qin Guan grinned at the audience, revealing his white teeth. His face, which upied the whole screen, looked very honest. "You can help children with their homework..." "You can clean the park and enjoy the fresh air..." The sweat on Qin Guans forehead shone brightly on the screen. His big smiling face was shown again and again at the end of each scene to impress the audience. Cong Nianwei startedughing and rolling around on the couch the second time she saw his face. The short snappy ads felt as long as TV family dramas to Qin Guan. When he finished packing products and showed his white teeth for thest time, the kind cameraman finally let him go. The whole advertisement went exactly like this, "You are wondering how to performmunity service? Just look at Qin Guans smile!" "We all need to volunteer for ourmunity. Just look at Qin Guans smile!" The ad was simple and smooth. The post-production crew was feeling regretful though. Given enough time, they would have enhanced Qin Guans white teeth at least five times. Cong Nianwei wasughing to death. Qin Guan was stupefied and sceptical, but every American had watched the proactive advertisement. Qu Xuemei, who took pleasure in Qin Guans misfortune, uploaded the advertisement to his blog so Qin Guans fans could see this unusual side of their idol. Qin Guan turned on hisputer hastily, worried about getting negative feedback. The discussion in the public forum confused him though. "He is an award-winning actor indeed." "That was some wonderful acting! It was really close to real life." "ording to my analysis, he used at least three different acting methods in the ad." Qin Guan himself had no idea he had done that. "Qin Guan satisfied his fans with his perfect looks." "I wonder if I could get electrocuted by kissing the screen. I sure want to try!" "His face is the size of a real person. I took a picture next to the TV." Everybody focused on Qin Guans looks. No one paid any attention to the details. Armanis response made Qin Guan rx. "Yes." It was concise andprehensive, without any sign of reproach. Actually, Qin Guan was afraid that fashion designers would look down on him. Fortunately, all brand managers congratted him. There was no criticism whatsoever. Otherwise, fashion magazines would be sneering at his performance the very next day. Qin Guan had been thinking too much. If this had been amercial product, all famous brands would have deserted him. This was a public-interest ad organized by the local government though. The words "public-interest" and "government" were considered good in the fashion circle, as was the support of such causes. Qin Guan was praised consistently online. It was both funny and annoying. Qin Guan had to vent his anger on his girlfriend. Cong Nianwei closed the door of the bedroom with a cry. The Silver Bear was left on the table, the other awards on the shelf looking at it arrogantly. After having some fun with his girlfriend, Qin Guan met the smiling principal at the deans office the next day. Thanks to the public-interest ad and the donations the government had received formunity construction and service, the New York City Hall had decided to award Qin Guan a Community Service Innovation Medal. That medal was awarded to upstanding citizens like Qin Guan. After negotiating with Columbia, it had been decided that the colleges anniversary celebration and the award ceremony would be held during the same period. Chapter 696: An Important Award Ceremony Chapter 696: An Important Award Ceremony Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia School anniversaries in America were quite different than they were in China. The foundation dates of Chinese colleges were recorded very carefully. The day of the anniversary, college alumni visited from all directions and the school authorities invited capable and important students to attend the ceremony as guests of honor. In America, school anniversaries were so low-key that Ivy League students didnt even know about them. Columbia attached great importance to the event, but due to the fact that each department was independent, the schedule was unfortunately dyed. Qin Guan was surprised by the paperwork the principal gave him. When he read through the program, he was stupefied. The event wouldst a whole year, starting from April. Was that really a school anniversary? Xu Xiaoxiao, who was standing right next to him, remained calm. Columbia was a college that focused on the practical application of knowledge, so the school anniversary was actually a way to re-integrate resources from its students. It would take a long time for the school authorities to bring together the colleges students from all over the world. They would have to look back to the past before they looked ahead to the future. College activities would help them find a sense of belonging and opportunity, so that all their powers could be woven into an unbreakable rope. As the news spread, the different departments began to n events fast. Some older students had already showed up at some departments. Of course, the university itself wouldnt just stand by idly. They started nning activities that would suit both refined and mainstream tastes. The academic circle, which was in charge of the most serious part of the celebration, invited many schrs, including Nobel winners, to give lectures in public halls. There was a lecture by a top schr of a different scientific field every week. The school authorities gave more thought to the entertaining part of the festivities. They united the nearestmunities and organized cultural activities like festivals, carnivals, jazz concerts, health fairs, movie projections and dances. All of these events were a joint effort of students from different departments. As one of those students, Qin Guan yed an important role in the ceremony. His award ceremony was closely connected to those events after all. Qin Quan felt like an alien among the serious graduates. He was the mascot of Columbia, a glittering, gleaming fortune cat that attracted donations. As a result, the school authorities asked him to attend at least one more activity besides the award ceremony. Qin Guan just chose a random colorful envelope from the principals hand. To him, they were all the same. "The white one seems simpler." He had to be good at answering multiple-choice questions. Xu was filled with hope. As Qin Guan took the paper out of the envelope slowly, he urged him enthusiastically. "Dance! Dance!" He had been longing to watch some beautiful dancers. His wish was not granted though. Qin Guan spread the paper out and read the ck letters. It was a stand post at a health fair. It was actually number six, which the Chinese considered a lucky number. I like trading. Qin Guan confirmed the date and time with the principal before leaving happily. Xu had to sit down on a bench. His limbs felt suddenly very weak. He could almost see the dancers miniskirts and long legs fade away in the distance. He would have to spend his day with annoying children, angry fathers and fat housewives. American families liked fairs, because they could buy all kinds of cheap things and snacks there. It was their favorite kind of party. To Qin Guan, it sounded a lot like a modern version of Chinese countryside fairs. He actually liked that option. "You should be happy. This is much better than a childrens carnival after all..." he tried tofort his sad friend. The thought of those crazy kids made Xu feel much better. Time flew by as they prepared for the fair. April arrived quietly. It was a sunny day, and the whole street beside Columbia University was filled with flowers and balloons. Posters of Qin Guan could be seen everywhere. He would be the days hero. A group of policemen had showed up at the site early in the morning. Henry was standing among them in a formal uniform, his numerous medals decorating his chest. They were sparkling in the sunshine. The official spokesman of Columbia University and host of the award ceremony was a New York senator. That exined why the college authorities had asked him to host the event. Chapter 697: Internal Conflict Chapter 697: Internal Conflict Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Good friends, schoolmates and fans of Qin Guan had gathered under the stage. They silently watched the speaker give a solemn introduction about Qin Guans glory. Although it was not an important award, it was significant for the Asian students of the university, as it gave them a sense of belonging and identity in the city of New York. The man on the stage was their representative in their fight for justice. The host finished his speech, which was excellent in both intonation and emotion. This was nothing for an American politician. In that country, people had to speak so well that their speeches sounded as pleasant as songs. That year, there would be a presidential election. Gunpowder smoke had already appeared in all big cities. Henry and four other policemen stood up, holding an exquisite ck box, and waited for Qin Guan on the stage. Qin Guan fixed his tie. As a member of the fashion circle, he had consulted his stylist before the event. He was wearing a gray spring suit that radiated with vigor. His tie, which was the exact same color, showed the importance he attached to the ceremony. In other words, he looked perfect. He definitely deserved the film the reporters were spending on him. "The winner of the 2004 award is Qin Guan! Congrattions!" Qin Guan walked to the center of the stage. Henry pinned the small star-like medal on his chest. The reporters rushed up to the stage like crazy. The two men on the stage shook hands. "Well done, Qin Guan!" shouted the Chinese students. "Qin Guan! Look over here!" "Henry, Senator Lee, could you please get closer?" the reporters shouted at them. The three men stood next to each other shoulder to shoulder to take a formal group photo. When Qin Guan got off the stage, he massaged his stiff face. What the hell are they doing? This short ceremony is more tiring than a runway show! It seems like Im not cut out for politics. Life before cameras is really terrible! When he reached the backstage area, Qin Guan took off the medal carefully and put it back in its ck case. Then he noticed the policemen leaving with Henry. Henrys ck car took off first. The other four policemen approached their motorcycles, putting on their white helmets. Qin Guans eyeballs nearly fell out of their sockets. He saw four different gs on the motorcycles, each one for a seperate martial arts club. They all had a different color and logo. When the motorcycles roared to life, the gs spread in the breeze attractively. Xu Xiaoxiao was familiar with this, and so were the city residents. "After your performance, martial artists received an invitation from police stations all over America," Xu exined to his friend patiently. "People in power are good friends with Chinese masters." "You know about the conflicts amid the traditional Chinese martial arts system. No school will ever surrender to another school. As a result, there are also different schools among American policemen. Martial arts fans consider their school their responsibility. They patrol the city with their logo to attract students for their school." Qin Guan nearly burst intoughter. "What about Master Guolin?" he asked on second thought. Xu patted his thighs excitedly. "The night he returned to the temple, he found a crowd gathered outside the gate. Americans had surrounded the temple. They kowtowed together before Master Guolin and elected a guy who spoke fluent Chinese to negotiate with him." "It was so funny! Master Guolin likes to keep a low profile though. If he didnt, there would be Buddha bumper stickers on police cruisers all over the city." Qin Guan shivered at the thought. If arhats filled the streets... He hit Xu over the head. "Do you have enough free time tough at others? Just focus on your own task!" Their task was arduous. Themunity fair wasunched ceremoniously at the border between the campus and themunity. The fair used Columbias emblem as its symbol. Chapter 698: The Sales King Of The Fair Chapter 698: The Sales King Of The Fair Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia As a sessful businessman who had started from nothing, Qin Guan was familiar with trading. If hed brought products from his gallery there, not only would he have sold nothing, but his reputation would also have been affected. Selling snacks was the best choice for a fair. Americans loved soft cotton candy, hot dogs, candy apples and fried food. These snacks were also popr among kids. That was not enough for Qin Guan though. If he just sold those snacks at the fair, he would be just like the other pers. In order to be the king of sales and get an award from Columbia, he needed to explore new ways. He had to sell Chinese food. A white minibus from Xus restaurant pulled up to Qin Guans stand, revealing its true nature. The ingredients were sealed in different boxes, but their secret weapon was actually therge iron-te cart. Qin Guan lit up the small gas stove, which was the favorite tool of Chinese pers. Buns made by cooks from Tianjin were already in the steamer, and smooth, stic noodles were boiling in the pot. When the ticket office at the entrance opened, visitors began to pour in. Adults had to pay one dor, but kids could enter for free. The reasonable price encouraged the residents of the area and the students to visit the fair. Qin Guan put on an apron with the picture of a puppy and weed the customers. He poured peanut oil from a mineral water bottle onto the burning iron te. Pers considered this better than an oil can, because it saved oil and was way easier to handle. Qin Guan started breaking eggs one by one with his other hand and spreading them onto the iron te. He used a small spat to flip them quickly. The sound and smell, as well as Qin Guans elegant movements, attracted peoples attention. Sweet Guangdong sausage, grapes, soy sauce... He served a portion of fried noodles fast. It only cost six dors, which was an extra reason for Americans to buy it. "One portion!" the first customer ordered, pointing to the boiling noodles inside the pot. "No problem. One minute!" Qin Guan put the noodles in a lunch box with the spat. The box was nearly full. The customer took the noodles and chopsticks with trembling hands. He suddenly realized that everyone around him was looking at him. He stuffed some noodles into his mouth and then buried his face into the box with sparkling eyes, paying no attention to the surrounding noise. Everyone was anxious. It was terrible to watch others eat when one was hungry. Some impatient people shouted at him, "Hey, bro! Stop eating and tell us how it tastes!" "Yes, you are really selfish!" Annoyed, the man roared at them, "Cant you f*cking see?" At his words, everyone lined up before the stand as fast as they could. Qin Guan was up to his neck in work, while Cong Nianwei was busy collecting the money. The couples stand was selling food like crazy. Meanwhile, Xu Xiaoxiao, who was affected deeply by his life in Chinatown, served as a waiter and PR assistant. The three of them cooperated well. In half a day, all their food had been sold out. There were only two pieces of ginger left in a box. Qin Guan was so tired that he couldnt even lift his arms up. The number of portions he had served had pushed him to his limit. He was not a per working at the night market anymore. It was hard to transition from a rich life to the life of amoner! The money made up for it though. He had earned about 1,000 dors in one day. Night fell. As all the stand owners began cleaning up, Qin Guans stand won the Best Sales Award. The prize was equal to the stands total ie that day. This meant that Qin Guans team got paid double. Qin Guan felt as if a delicious pie had fallen down from Heaven for him to eat. The dor bills swept his tiredness away. He was really excited. Chapter 699: A High-Risk Advertisement Chapter 699: A High-Risk Advertisement Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia When they returned home, Qin Guan realized how smooth their adventure at the fair had gone. He had surprisingly not been surrounded by fans, even though the fair had been held at a public area. He caressed his face. Is my skin rough from frying all those noodles? He had actually overestimated his looks. The delicious food had surpassed his appeal. Chinese food had been the true winner that day! All the customers had focused on the food rather than the cook. After resting for a few days, Qu called Qin Guan to her office. He had just sat down on the couch, when she threw arge package of chocte at him. "I just returned to New York. Is there some kind of job you want to discuss. or did you just want to give me this chocte?" Qin Guan took a piece of chocte and stuffed it into his mouth. Qu nodded. "You are kind of right. I reviewed your schedule for this year. You have not agreed to any film or TV series, home or abroad. Foreign investors are waiting for your two films to be released in America, but those movie scripts are not good enough." "Besides, you are going to graduate this year. Youll be really busy studying, but thats no excuse for you to slow down. People getzy when they rest too much, so I found an easy job for you that will keep you camera-ready." You just want the money. Qin Guan held his words back and smiled at her. "No problem. I like advertisements. A lot of money, not much work. You are a good agent. So what is it?" Qu pointed to the case in his embrace. It was full of Nestle KIT KAT bars. Nestle was a Swiss brand that ranked third after Mondelez and Mars. However, it was not just apany that produced chocte. It was actually thergest food manufacturer in the world and one of the 500 top global enterprises. This was the first time Qin Guan would be shooting an ad for fast-moving goods. Although it was only one Nestle product, it could be considered positive feedback. Qin Guan had be a trend-setter among top luxury brands, so the people in that circle liked him. The tentative olive branch thrown by Nestle was a form of approval from the global consumer market, which was a good sign. If Qin Guan satisfied Nestle, offers from other retail businesses would starting in in waves. Qin Guan smiled at the thought. "When shall we begin?" "Thats up to you." "Okay! Right now!" Qin Guan put all the single packages in his pocket and left therge box on Qus desk. Snacks with high calories were necessary for physical work. He was thinking like a redneck. A big firm like Nestle wouldnt get stingy about food. Only when he reached the advertisingpany with Qu, did he realize his mistake. Besides his sry for the advertisement, Nestle would also provide him with a supply of its own products for a year. The bigpany was very generous. In an effort to return the favor, Qin Guan read the ad scripts carefully. He actually had to shoot several ads. Luxury brands could use one ad for an entire year, but everyday products needed a repeating series of advertisements in order to increase their sales volume. Qin Guan had to finish all the ads in a short time. That was nothing for him. He was just surprised by one of the ad scripts in particr. "I will need to work with squirrels?" He still recalled his miserable adventure on Tasha Tudors farm. "Yes, its a cute idea. We trained 46 squirrels especially for the ad," a staff member of the advertising agency exined patiently. 46! Not 4, not 6... 46! Thats a whole battalion of squirrels! Who cares if they are trained? Qin Guan forced a smile. "Is there any other problem?" "No, no!" Qin Guan said. He handed one of the scripts to the man. "We could start with this one." The man took the script and held back his breath. Parkour? He must be crazy! "This is a little dangerous. Itll be hard for you to study the movements. Besides, you could easily get hurt during the shooting. If the rest of the ads were dyed by an ident, both you and Nestle would suffer from it." Chapter 700: The Crazy Building-Jumping Hero Chapter 700: The Crazy Building-Jumping Hero Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan knew that the kind-hearted man was worried about him, but he had no idea how dangerous squirrels could be. Qin Guan smiled at the man. I have to convince him... He stood up and put both hands on the desk. Then he jumped up and performed an elegant, effortless handstand. He pushed the table hard to pull a perfect backward somersault andnd on the floor. Finally, he stretched his hand out towards the stupefied man. "Shall we do it then?" "Yes!" the man answered in a trembling voice. He was so satisfied with Qin Guans professional performance, that he led him to the fitting room right away. Qin Guans costume was a simple T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. His OLLO trainers, which had been designed especially for parkour, weighed only 200 grams. Qin Guans toes could move freely inside the shoes. Their non-existent soles allowed the wearer to run without making a sound. They could also withstand a huge impact if one fell down. Qin Guan was really interested in his equipment. Naturally, Nestle hadnt been stingy about the shoes. Qin Guan changed clothes and walked to the set with the filming team. It was an ordinary apartment block with several vis visible on the hillside not far away. Qin Guan had to make use of everything in order to reach the ground safely. His tutor, David, was a French parkour expert. He was actually the founder of the sport and a trained soldier. His strong muscles made him feel contempt for the weak Adonis next to him. He helplessly tried to exin to Qin Guan how to jump over the obstacles elegantly. In his opinion, parkour could help people survive earthquakes, fire hazards and other natural disasters, yet those Yankees only used it to show off. David could have killed the Asian Adonis twice in under one minute. The boy seemed casual and annoyed. David didnt think he could learn anything in such a short time. The team would have to find a body double for him and take some photos of his silly smile as he ate chocte. That would be the best option. David jumped up and down between different floors, rolling and walking along narrow paths. This would be hard even for a veteran, if they were unfamiliar with the conditions, let alone a rookie that had never tried parkour before. Qin Guan memorized his movements and analyzed the building. He knew where the wires and guard bars were. That would be the best path to follow. When David fell to the ground, Qin Guanpleted the map in his mind. The fact that he kept looking up made David and the rest of the crew think that he had been shocked by his performance. The man from the advertising agency walked up to Qin Guan and patted him on the shoulder infort. Qin Guan was the protagonist of the ad after all, not David. "He may have invented the sport, but I trust you. A body double is on standby, so you dont need to worry." Qin Guan replied with a splendid smile. "No problem. Ill give it a try." The man coughed loudly. Calm down, young man. Everyone had heard Qin Guans response. David turned up his nose, while Qu sat down by the road slowly. Suddenly, she shouted at the stunned man, "What are you looking at me for? He is up there! Move!" The crew turned around and saw Qin Guan disappear down the corridor. In one minute, he was waving at everybody from the fourth floor. "Camera... Full scene!" Cold sweat covered the directors forehead. "Are all the safety measures in ce?" he asked the prop master. "Okay, thanks!" Before they could finish their job, Qin Guan suddenly took action. Chapter 701: A Dangerous Beauty Chapter 701: A Dangerous Beauty Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia He jumped out of the safety railings. After pausing in the air, he flew into the sky like a bird and then ran quickly without hesitation. Taking a leap, he performed a wonderful backward somersault at the edge of the roof and jumped down to the balcony of a nearby vi. A camera happened to be there. This was not the fixed route, so some clothes were hanging out on the balcony, dancing beautifully in the warm breeze. Qin Guan rolled down andnded safely. His back touched the ground before he bounced back up and shuttled among the dancing clothes. The director watched him run in the sunshine, partly hidden and partly visible in the light. Qin Guan rushed forward, breaking through all the obstacles that stood in his way. The camera recorded everything unti Qin Guan jumped over it. Everyone under the building and by the road, including David, watched his performance either directly or through the camera. They all had the same expression on their faces. Their facial muscles had stiffened, and their jaws had nearly dropped. Qu shot a calm, supercilious look at the others as she massaged her ankles. I shouldnt wear high heels to exterior shooting locations. Qin Guan didnt disappoint. He finished the whole sequence in apletely new way and struck a handsome pose. The director was too excited to control himself. Professional actors often didnt make mistakes. They could also rely on the post-production team anyway. This was an extreme sports ad though. Qin Guan was famous for his indie films! "Cut!" roared the excited director. Qin Guan roared right back in excitement. "Are we finished? I have three more different ways I could do it!" he told the director. "Oh, no! Once more then! A girl will hand you a piece of chocte after your run." Thats it! This is an ad about chocte. The boy is too impatient to use the stairs, so he jumps off to get to the sweet chocte in his girlfriends hands. A blonde girl grimaced in a corner. She hadpeted fiercely with other models for a chance to cooperate with Qin Guan. Although she only had a tiny part in the ad, she had to be treated well. She was the protagonists girlfriend after all. An awkward assistantforted the girl, giving her a piece of KIT KAT. Qin Guan rushed towards the girl at full speed, his eyes sparkling with warmth. By now, the girl had peeled the packaging to reveal the chocte with the intention of stuffing it into Qin Guans mouth. Something went wrong though. It could probably be med on Qin Guans looks, his warm smile or charming figure. He was a realdy-killer after all. The girl had been too absent-minded, so the chocte had ended up on Qin Guans nose. Qin Guan took a step back and shook his head before biting on the chocte bar. There was still some chocte on his face though. It looked kind of like a beard. Qu burst intoughter. So did everyone else. All the spectators wereughing loudly except for the angry director. The dedicated man yelled at the girl, "Vivian, what are you doing? Concentrate, please! If you cant, then just go!" The girl was not like Qin Guan. There were plenty of girls like her in the circle. Qin Guan had been a background model before, so he knew that they were considered nobodies. He waved his hands at the director immediately. He could do one more take. It was not a problem. The girl tried her best to hold back her tears. The brand representative was going to repeat his scene because of her mistake. He is so kind! I shouldnt be crying, or my makeup will be destroyed... The girl braced herself. When Qin Guan rushed up to her for the second time, the chocte in her hand was in the right position. Click! Both Qin Guans teeth and the chocte bar looked attractive in the camera. The two happy lovers smiled at each other, their foreheads touching. "Cut!" Chapter 702: The Second Ad Chapter 702: The Second Ad Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The director watched the yback with satisfaction as David sized Qin Guan up from head to toe. "Impossible! Your physique is pretty good, and most people can do a somersault, but how did you get familiar with all thending and leveraging principles so fast? It took me lots of training and practice to do it!" "You must be a magician! Oh, wait... Chinese people are good at martial arts! That may have something to do with this!" As David tried to find an answer, Qin Guan smiled mysteriously and began packing for the next scene. This was the difference between mental and manual work. Body dynamics, recoil force, force area, and mathematical calction all indicated the importance of studying science. If a snooker yer was good at mathematical calctions, he would y really well. Qin Guan didnt feel proud of his luck, but he really hoped it would help him with those animals. Trained animals were much better than wild ones after all. The second ad was set in an indoorwn, so that the squirrels wouldnt escape. It was easier for their trainer to do his job this way. The little creatures were very funny and they were amazingly good actors. Directors of Disney and Dreamworks movies loved them the most. The trainer was showing them to the crew before the shooting began. He was quite proud of his boys and girls. He took out a small hammer and a fine gong, like the ones used by Chinese monks. The squirrels, which hadrge hairy tails, were sitting on a shelf across from him, each preupied with its own hazelnut. Suddenly, the trainer hit the gong. At his signal, the squirrels straightened their backs and lifted their tails. If one looked at them from the front, they would see their small ws. They were so cute! If one looked at them from behind though, they would see 46 small chrysanthemums. The squirrels were as good as professional circus animals. The trainer certainly deserved the title of the Best Trainer in New York. His pet store was actually a favorite of all directors that shot films with animals. All professional filmmakers visited his store. Everyone eventually asked for his help. The squirrels abilities reassured the director. When Qin Guan came out of the fitting room, he had changed into a T-shirt of a different color and put on a pair of jeans. KIT KAT was a fast-moving snack bar loved by the average consumer, so he couldnt wear Armani Haute Couture or expensive jewellery. J Clothing benefited greatly from that. Although the brand couldnt appear in the actual ad, the outfit was really simr to itstest collection. Any loyal fan of Qin Guan would recognize its origin at first sight. The ad agency didnt pay attention to such details. Qin Guan could wear anything, or even go naked, as long as he finished the ad. Qin Guan looked at the troop of squirrels warily. They were all focused on the trainer, so they were paying no attention to the neer. When the director finished all the preparations, the trainer left the set silently and squatted down within sight of the animals. "Second scene! The chocte carnival on thewn! Three, two... Camera!" All the lights went on. Qin Guan was sitting on thewn leisurely, leaning back against the leg of a bench. He was enjoying the warm spring, blue sky and green grass. A KIT KAT would make his afternoon even more perfect! Qin Guan opened a bar of chocte and bit on it. Thats when the squirrels showed up. They had heard the sound of the wrapper and seen their favorite snack. Are those hazelnut kernels? The first part was finished perfectly. The squirrels moved together orderly with lifted tails. Any animal lover would surely like the ad. Chapter 703: Magic Chapter 703: Magic Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia ording to the script, the squirrels would beg Qin Guan for some chocte while singing a pleading chant. Then Qin Guan would share the chocte with them. It was actually hard for squirrels to find food in spring. It was very easy. Qin Guan would just hand the chocte to the squirrels when the assistant told him to. However, his troublesome nature took effect again, just like it had during the biscuit ad back in China. Back then, the docile golden retriever had refused to eat its dog food. This time, the squirrels rushed over to Qin Guan. The 46 troublemakers saw the human, the chocte in his hands, and his cantankerous smile clearly. The trained creatures acted together. "Go! Go! Go!" They formed four lines and jumped onto Qin Guans body. Caught off guard, Qin Guan fell down on thewn. The chocte was lost, but the squirrels settled on his stomach. Even his hair became a temporary squirrel nest. Everyone was scared by this turn of events, except for the experienced trainer. The fat man just rang the gong. His soldiers responded to their master by lining up immediately. They gathered in two orderly rows, their ws hanging down both sides of their bodies. Their tails were around their waists, which made them look like students during military training. The problem was that they were standing on Qin Guans body. They were on his legs, along his hip bones, and on top of his chest. Amused by his pets funny behavior, the trainer failed to deliver a third order with his whistle. Instead, he produced a fart-like sound. "Ha ha ha..." The spectacle was so funny that the entire crew burst intoughter. The only sad people among them were Qin Guan and the trainer, whose long faces created a sharp contrast against everyone elses. The director finally stopped the camera and watched the yback happily with the manager. "See? We could add some animation there. That would make the adpletely different!" "Yes! Thats even better than the original script. What a surprise!" "The chocte looks more attractive this way. We could also change thementary to highlight the mouthful of hazelnuts inside the bar!" "Even squirrels couldnt turn it down..." "Would anyone feed squirrels chocte?" "No way!" Theyughed proudly before they turned back to the set, only to see their award-winning actor lying on thewn. Wow! He is certainly a professional actor. He wont move unless the director orders him to! Actually, Qin Guan was not that dedicated. He was just horrified. "Cut!" shouted the satisfied director. Everyone watched as the handsome young man rolled away with his arms and legs up like Domino cards. The clever squirrels jumped off his body right before his first roll, for fear that they would get crushed under his body. They all rushed over to their master for protection. "Help! That bad guy wants to crush us!" Qin Guan climbed up leisurely, as if there was no one else present. Then he dusted off his clothes and asked Qu, "Are we finished?" "Yes!" "Are they satisfied?" "Yes!" "What are we waiting for then? Run!" He disappeared as fast as he could, leaving behind him a legend. People now thought that Qin Guan had the magical power to change a script for the better. After those ads, Qin Guan enjoyed a happy period of just eating and sleeping. He didnt change his lifestyle until his film hit American theaters. Posters could be seen in allmercial cinemas andmunity billboards. As the news about "Mean Girls" started spreading online, Qin Guans team worked with the distributor to promote the film. As a teen movie, it naturally attracted a lot of attention from students. Qin Guan was busy writing his thesis during summer vacation. Meanwhile, the promotion was in full swing. Chapter 704: Waterloo? Chapter 704: Waterloo? Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia When Qin Guan handed in his thesis to Professor Martin, he found out that "Mean Girls" hadgged behind other films that had premiered during the same period. The distributor had scheduled the first screening during the first week of summer vacation, when Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei would be getting their diplomas. They just wanted to meet the demands of their college and their parents. Qin Guans film seemed pure and clean among all those violent Hollywood blockbusters. The teen movie just focused on school love, which made it seem like a feeble flower amid the rustling autumn wind against the formidable crusade of the other blockbusters. Film critics began to badmouth it at first. "This is Qin Guans firstmercial film. The award-winning actors script-selecting criteria may be inversely proportional to his acting skills." "I wonder how long Mean Girls will hold out before it copses. It has the weakest potential after all." "Can indie films andmercial films unite? Or could the actor be facing his own Waterloo?" The audience was more or less influenced by the film experts. Some older people expressed their unfavorable opinions about the film. A part of Qin Guans fans was attracted by his acting skills, not his looks. Instead of fighting with the haters like his loyal fans, they remained calm and just replied to the posts peacefully. "Im a pure fan. I always focus on his performance, no matter the film genre." "Yes. Every film must have some highlights, even if its bullsh*t. For an award-winning actor like him, a good interpretation of his role is a big enough sess." "Kudos!" "Kudos!" This set a good example for Qin Guans blind fans, who learned how to control their emotions and defend their idol in the right way. They all united in harmony. The fans living in the same city or nearby cities contributed to the box office. American schools closed inte June, so the film was in theaters during the beginning of the longest, happiest student vacation. Students were tired of doing boring homework, and kids pestered their parents for some weekend activities. Their parents took them to the cinema, which they loved. Out of all the films in theaters, "Mean Girls" was the only one appropriate for family audiences. Everyone bought several tickets at once. It only took a few families to fill a small theater, so most cinema owners experienced a happy surprise. Their smaller theaters were crowded, while therger ones were nearly empty. The audience in the small theaters was talking andughing, while the so-called blockbusters made the audience sleepy. The cinema owners, who were acute businessmen, used the audiences feedback to adjust the timetable the next day. There were noints by the blockbuster distributors, as thetest box office and film reviews could be found in the newspapers. The first week of the summer season, the North American Box Office went as follows: No. 1 Mean Girls, 4.3 million dors No. 2 Alien vs. Predator, 3.8 million dors No. 3 Kill Bill Vol. 2, 2.8 million dors No. 4 The Butterfly Effect, 2 million dors ... The statistics shocked all the film productionpanies in North America. "Alien vs. Predator" had invested a lot in high-tech effects during post-production. The "Kill Bill" sequel had attracted millions of dors, but most people had expected more from "The Butterfly Effect". Who could have predicted that a teenedy with a limited budget would top the list! All experienced producers were stupefied. The confident critics had also zipped their mouths. They had originally nned on dissing the film after it lost the battle. A strange silence prevailed in all film sections of the media. No fights. No praises. Everyone just remained quiet. Of course, the Chinese media and Qin Guans official blog did not count. All entertainment forums had fallen into the whirlwind of "Mean Girls" as young people gathered online to express their feelings. "A good actor underestimated by Americanmercial film producers." "My mom felt young again by watching Qin Guan. We didnt know that he was so young. We thought he was a middle-aged actor!" "He is so handsome in this film. Dont you think so?" "Of course! He looks amazing!" "Yes!" Chapter 705: The Companys Last Film Chapter 705: The Companys Last Film Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia As the films box office increased steadily, people got more and more surprised. The total box office of the first week reached 24,432,195 dors. "Mean Girls" ranked first at the end of the first week. This was only the beginning for the teen movie though, as it would be in theaters during the entire summer vacation. The haters disappeared soon, like waves leaving a beach. Only then did some observant, conscientious people realize that Qin Guans film had grossed 10 million dors amid the Americanmercial film circle. Qin Guan, who was still dedicated to indie films, had made a good start inmercial films. When his other new films premiered one after another after extensive promotion, everyone faced a scary phenomenon. "Mean Girls" remained first on the billboard even during the second and the third week. Its terrible momentum seemed like it would only keep increasing. These horrible facts were on the desks of all market analysts. In less than a month, the total ie of the film had reached 60 million dors. An insignificant film with a budget of less than 10 million had made a counterattack. This only proved that one should never look down upon anybody. There were so many unexpected happenings taking ce around the world. The PR Department of Nestle took advantage of this tounch thepanys ads. Where are the ads? What? Youve only edited one so far? The parkour one? Justunch it immediately! Globally! The food giantunched the same version of the ad in different countries at the same time. Their chocte started selling like crazy during that period. The biggest advantage of fast-moving consumer goods was their overwhelming scale. People could see their ads everywhere in their daily lives. The chocte ad gave Qin Guan a rare chance. The producer and distributor of Warner Bros was eating a KIT KAT bar in his office in New York. The chocte suddenly reminded him of something, so he started rummaging in the pile of scripts at the corner of hisrge office. The scripts had been selected by his staff, but they were on that shelf for different reasons. Qin Guans ad had reminded him of a script about chocte, which would be suitable for those chocte businessmen. Despite its unique style and ck humor, the script had been graded with a "B", so thepany wouldnt invest too much in it. It was actually tailored for Tim Burton, the only director who shot childrens films by using dark, obscure methods. Things were different now though. Inspired by the ad, the producer believed that the key to the films sess would be Qin Guans participation and the selfless contribution of chocte traders. This would save a lot of money for the film. Even Qin Guans value wouldnt bother the distributor, as he was definitely a "B" kind of actor. The producer, who was a go-getter, dusted the script off carefully and swallowed all the chocte chips in his mouth. Then he made a call. "What can I do for you, sir?" "Call the Cirction Department. I want to see the director of Investment and Ie Assessment in my office." "No problem. Anything else?" The producer pondered it a little before he told his assistant, "Contact B n Company for me. Tell them that I have a good script and Im looking for someone to co-produce it with." After a pause, the assistant reminded his boss, "Mr. Bem, you must be forgetting that the owners of thepany are going through a marital crisis." Bem took another piece of chocte from the package, and then leaned back against his chair and said in the receiver happily, "I know, but I know Jennifer Aniston very well. Heartbroken people do well in their careers. If she is clever enough, she will realize that this film is a big chance for her future. She and Brad Pitt are getting a divorce, so this film will be thest one they produce as a couple through theirpany." "A seemingly civil couple and a dyingpany... What would she spend money on?" The assistant held his breath. This was a trick meant to minimize the risk for Warner Bros and get the most money out of the smallest investment. Thepany, which possessed both the production and distribution rights, would get the maximum profit. Great trees towered over smaller ones. As a mere de of grass, all the producer could do was do his job. Chapter 706: The Teen Choice Awards Chapter 706: The Teen Choice Awards Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Okay, sir. Ill call them as soon as possible." "And contact Qin Guans agent for me. Send him the script and find out if he is interested. If hes not, try to convince him." "No problem. May I have the code of the script in our data?" "B-22, Charlie and the Chocte Factory." "Okay, Ill check it out." "Beep-" The producer hung up with an evil smile. Meanwhile, his prey, Qin Guan, received a confusing call from Sister Qu. "What are you talking about, Sister? The Teen Choice Awards? What the hell is that?" His question made Qu feel awkward, but she still tried to exin to him about the childrens awards and their difference from traditional ones. The Teen Choice Awards were a new event organized by FOX that had started only a few years earlier, but it was very famous among American teenagers. 80% of them knew about the awards, and many of them had voted online at least once. The most important part of the awards was the grand ceremony, which was like a meet-and-greet with superstars. The group of idols that attended the ceremony made the teenagers go crazy. FOX TV broadcasted the event live all over the world, so the producer of "Mean Girls" had sent the film to the organizingmittee without hesitation. Qin Guan had won not one, but three awards at the 6th Teen Choice Awards, including the Best Actor and Best Screen Partner Award. All the titles sounded very cool. This was great news for him. He had won three awards with one stone! Naturally, Qin Guan decided to attend the ceremony. The event would be held soon, so Qin Guan had to start preparing immediately. Even Qu was in awe of his good luck. He won awards for every film he shot. Suddenly, her phone rang again. "Hello, this is Qu Xuemei. Who is this? Okay, in the second week of August... No problem... Ill ask him to read the script first. Ill call you backter." Finally, a decent job! The Teen Choice Awards turned out to be better than Qu had expected. Qin Guans starting point in Europe had still been a little higher though. The difference between the two was like the one between the Himya Mountains and the Mariana Inds. The attendants didnt even need to dress formally during the ceremony, but a lot of Qin Guans fans made their presence known. The Columbiawork technology team had hacked into FOXs ticketing system and bought a few more admission tickets. They were not greedy though. Qin Guans fans only took up half of the seats in the splendid hall. The venue was full of shlights, light sticks and banners. His fans were actually honest. If they werent, they would have let fans of other stars in on their secret knowledge. The host on the stage was calm, but the audience was very nervous. They could see that half of the seats were upied by fans of a certain star. Qin Guans fans were all wearing uniforms and holding up banners and all kinds of strange tools. There were also some fascinating guys wearing sparkling helmets with LED lights. They were certainly very ambitious. Before the ceremony could begin, some fans, who obviously wanted to watch the world burn, started shouting under the stage. "Britney! I love you!" "Paris! I love you!" The abominable fans began to whistle. Yes, the hostess was Paris Hilton, and the winner of the Best MV Award was Britney. How embarrassing! Qin Guan had no idea what his fans were doing. He was busy looking at a group of teenage idols backstage. The young stars were all the same age or even younger than him, but they treated him like a senior citizen. JoJo, who was the youngest one among them, was only 14 years old. She and Ashley Simpson were hiding behind punk rock band Blink-182. The three musicians, who were fully dressed for the ceremony, were looking at Qin Guan jealously from a small corner. The territories of the two groups were as different as the first and tenth WOW level. Chapter 707: Muddling Up The Ceremony Chapter 707: Muddling Up The Ceremony Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The five of them were trembling in a corner, overwhelmed by his might. Qin Guan waved at them nkly. "Hey, I dont think weve met before." They all nodded at him. "Why are you so afraid of me?" The lead singer of Blink-182, who was the oldest of the five, held his head high, pointing his nose at Qin Guan. He was threatening in manner, but cowardly at heart. Despite his trembling voice, he still seemed undaunted. "We... we are not afraid of you! Musicians are always united. Yes, united!" Qin Guan burst intoughter. When he saw JoJos sparkling eyes behind his back, the boy felt even more nervous. "What are youughing at? Stopughing! You are a wizard who can fascinate people with just a smile! You are an evil spirit!" His answer made Qin Guanugh even louder. "Ha ha! Nice story! Who told you that?" The singer faced Qin Guan bravely, but he didnt say anything. Suddenly, some familiar voices were heard. "It was me!" "And me..." "And me!" Three blonde girls had appeared backstage. It was Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and the protagonist of "Mean Girls". "Hey, Lindsay. Why did you nder me? I thought we were on the same side." Lindsay, who had dyed her brown hair blonde, waved her finger at Qin Guan proudly. "I just released my first album this year. My manager is the same as Britneys!" Qin Guan was speechless. "How are the sales going?" he asked her in a low voice. "Pretty good. I have ranked among the top three new artists." Qin Guan fell silent. He would never understand American teenagers. Lindsays voice was abysmal. He had been unlucky enough to hear her sing while they had been filming "Mean Girls". He remembered that he hadnt had anything for lunch that day. The three girls eased the tense atmosphere. As they began to chat with each other, Paris Hilton started silently moving towards Qin Guan. She was in a great dilemma. I like him so much! Qin Guan is so handsome. Oh, no! What about MacArthur? He doesnt like Qin Guan at all... Suddenly, the director shouted at them. "The hostess needs to get ready! Music and lighting will be in ce in one minute. The subtitles will run at 150 words per minute." "Got it!" "Ready? Go! Go!" The ceremony began at his order. A thunderous apuse was heard as the curtain rose. The deafening screams of the fans reached the backstage area. "Qin Guan!" "Qin Guan! My love!" All the film, TV and music stars backstage turned their heads towards Qin Guan. Your fans are bullying us! The fans at previous ceremonies had been divided equally. Does this mean that the whole audience isposed of your fans? Those screams sound terrible! The fans seemed to act strange during the ceremony. Half the audience shouted themselves hoarse during the music awards, while the other half remained strangely silent. They were waiting for the film awards, holding up their banners casually as a response to the hostess words. Paris Hilton was lucky. The fans didnt rebel against her. They actually considered her one of them. They had not travelled a thousand miles and almostmitted a crime for those singers! They just wanted to see Qin Guan ept his awards. If European film festivals sold tickets, they would have gone there instead! They knew all about their consumer rights. Hilton remained calm as the distinguished guests of the musical awards lined up to get on the stage. Nothing, not even the hot dancers, could stop Qin Guans crazy fans. The live broadcast was shown simultaneously on TV and online all over the world. The viewers at home wereughing on their couches. "Ha ha! This is the funniest ceremony I have ever seen!" "I wonder about the psychological impact on Paris Hilton and the singers!" Chapter 708: A Big Award Chapter 708: A Big Award Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The organizer of a rival teenage award show was really happy to see that. "Ha ha! They need a solid foundation to control the event! They cant keep a whale in a swimming pool! What a mess! An award-winning actor doesnt need their acknowledgement! This is so pointless..." Then he suddenly stopped sneering. "Now I will yield the floor to Qin Guan..." "Qin Guan, I love you!" "Cheers!" The lights went on as banners started flying in the air. Qin Guans fans were roaring, but the other half of the audience was scared. "Look over here! Qin Guan, look over here!" "Oh my! I can see him! He is on the stage!" "We are in the same room!" Some sensitive fans started crying out like mental patients. Paris Hilton handed Qin Guan the microphone. A princess like her had never been treated like this. Your turn, popr boy! Qin Guan looked at the microphone in shock. I thought the hostess would introduce me first. What is she doing? Paris Hilton took a few steps back. She wouldnt dare talk during Qin Guans time on the stage. The fans in the front row were watching her with red eyes. Qin Guan was not nervous. He had never experienced anything like this before, but he was good at handling such situations. He just waved at the audience warmly. "Hello, everyone. Im Qin Guan!" His voice sounded like a battle horn. His fans began to roar at his order. "Qin Guan!" "Qin Guan!" "Qin Guan!" The guys in the LED hats stood up together. Everyone suddenly saw Qin Guans Chinese name sparkling in the dark. It seemed like they had nned this in advance. It was certainly a big surprise. Qin Guans heart softened as he acknowledged their effort. "My friends under the stage, how are you? I really like your gift. What about you?" "So do we!" Inspired by this grand gesture, Qin Guans other fans forgot about their grievances. Wow! Fan events should always be like this! This is so cool! If Chinese teenagers knew what they were thinking, they would have sneered at them. One was influenced by what they saw and heard since their early childhood. Chinese people were good at organizing formal events with strict regtions. Qin Guan had no idea about this. He just wanted to share his feelings with his fans. Realizing that the crazy audience was now under control, Paris took out the award with trembling hands. It was a mini surfboard. The award was pocked-sized, but it was a perfect replica of a real surfboard. All its parts were identical, and if one threw it into the sea, it could work like a real one. However, its 182-centimeter length made it too big for a trophy. As Paris Hilton carried it over to him, Qin Guan realized he was barely taller than the award. Bang! Qin Guan nearly fell down with his unique prize. Chapter 709: The New Villa Chapter 709: The New Vi Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Paris shrank her head back like a tortoise. You have the award. Its your responsibility now. Qin Guan put therge award in front of him and showed it to the audience. He received a rapturous apuse. A few sensitive girls even took some tissues out of their pockets. This is so exciting, we just want to cry. We were with you when you won an award! Despite the childlike award in his arms, Qin Guan managed to look serious. He cleared his throat and began his speech. "Thank you for your support. This is my first Teen Choice Award, so the credit is yours, not mine. I would like to express my gratitude to all the people under the stage, as well as the audience at home. Thank you for your votes!" His bow aroused an even warmer apuse. Everyone loved him and had high expectations for his future. Admiring you is a blessing! "I will work really hard to make you proud!" His sincere words were the best response. The autocue reminded Qin Guan that he had to surrender the stage to the next winners, so he waved at the audience once again and put a full stop to his speech. "I hope to present you with good films every year and see you at this ceremony again. This is a promise. We all have to work hard for it to happen. Okay?" "Okay!" "Okay!" "Okay!" Qin Guan received loud responses. His fans watched their idol return to the backstage area with his heavy award, waving at them as he disappeared. Their excitement and sorrowsted till the end of the ceremony. Fans of other stars dared not cerebrate over the next awards. If they so much asughed amid that sad atmosphere, they would have regretted it. When Paris Hilton announced the end of the ceremony, she let out a long sigh of relief. As the curtain fell down, the director rushed to the Technology Department with his headset. "The audience ratings of the whole ceremony reached 7%. When Qin Guan got on the stage, they boomed up to 8%! ording to the statistics, we outdid the MTV Awards! The feedback from the advertisers is really good!" The director copsed on a chair. The FOX board of directors wanted the awards to do better. Despite that huge pressure, the TV station had tried its best to promote the event. If it wasnt for the sake of the stars and some sponsors, the awards would have been cancelled. Their rival, the MTV Awards, had a more solid fan base after all. One person had turned things aroundpletely though. The director slept well that night. The next morning, his head was buzzing with good news. ording to the statistics, the ceremony had reached the top of the entertainment ratings. Plus, 8% of the audience had been adults! This meant that the Advertising Department could get back to the sponsors with some good news. See? We can earn money in the adult market. Its not much, but its still a good start. While the TV station boomed with loud cheers, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were sighing in their messy apartment. They were packing up to leave. They had lived there for two years, so the apartment was full of warm memories. They had finally graduated from Columbia. All the procedures had been taken care of. Qin Guan had decided to move all his work headquarters, including his ounting firm and studio, to China. He and Cong Nianwei would move into a new house. They would spend some time in New York for their PhDs, but that small apartment did not meet their needs anymore. It was Lan Jin who had helped Qin Guan make that decision. Qin Guan had acted right away. He had used his advanced payment from the ounting firm to buy a vi in Long Ind. The vi was in an upscale residential area just a 20-minute drive away from New York. The house was close to the mountains and the sea, but far from the bustling city center. Chapter 710: Borrowing A Private Jet Chapter 710: Borrowing A Private Jet Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The vi was no more than 400 square meters, but it had a garden and a pool. Lan Jin also lived in the neighborhood. For Cong Nianwei, who was in need of an independent studio, this was better than a small apartment. The couple moved to the vi as soon as they could after visiting it. Everything was going well, except for one thing. Qin Guan was annoyed with his work. He was nning on shifting all his jobs, including his modeling and acting work, back to China. Chinese people focused on qualifications and style though, so he had to take all his awards with him. The three surfboards posed a big problem. Checking them in as overweight luggage at the airport was not a good idea. The loading men were always casual with luggage, and no insurancepany would insure them. It was not a problem that could be settled with money. Qin Guan had to either charter a ne, or trust his awards to an international shippingpany. UPS was good enough in his opinion, but everyone around him criticized him for being careless. Finally, He Ming, who was a resourceful guy, found him a private jet. The owner of the jet imed to know Qin Guan. The tycoon agreed to transfer his luggage for free without hesitation. The ne would only make a short stop at the Beijing Airport on its way to UAE. The man would take care of everything else. His only requirement was to meet Qin Guan to discuss a business offer. Qin Guan was confused by his demand, but Qu hired Han Zhujiu from the ck Star Security Company to make sure he would be safe. Qin Guan wanted to show more dignity before the tycoon, but Han couldst at least 10 minutes in an emergency. The ignorant men went to the tycoons luxurious mansion in New York, which also happened to be in Long Ind. His privatend was about 32,000 square meters, so it was 100 times bigger than Qin Guans vi. Qin Guans team got on a sightseeing car at the entrance of thend. As they moved forward along the marble-paved road, Qin Guan thought that his own real estate was like a shabby shelter inparison. More than 10 minutester, the white fold-top car pulled up to the entrance of the house, which looked like a European castle. Its dome seemed West Asian, and its lofty towers made it look majestic. There were two Roman girls standing on both sides of the gate, holding water bottles in their arms. The girls added elegance to the golden gate, which revealed that the owner of the house had gotten rich recently. A kind, professional steward opened the gate for them. Qu Xuemei, who was a sharp-eyed woman, could tell that he had graduated from a British school. When they entered the hall, they faced a different world. They noticed Chinese patterns on the center of the floor as the steward led them inside, and Chinese art greeted them from all directions. Qin Guan also saw lots of decorations from his own gallery. It seemed that the mysterious Arabian was a collector of Chinese artwork. Finally, they reached their destination. Qin Guan was allowed into the meeting room, but Qu Xuemei and Han Zhujiu were stopped politely by two security guards wearing headscarves. Qin Guan stood alone in the vast room, facing the tycoon. The millionaire was a young bearded man wearing a robe and a white turban. The beard made him look scruffy, but his white clothes saved him. He adjusted his white turban slowly as he pointed to the couch. "Your name precedes you, Mr. Qin. Please take a seat." His childlike voice and serious tone were a funny match. He sounded like Lin Zhiling [1] reading Chairman Maos articles. Qin Guan tried his best to suppress hisughter as he sat down elegantly on the couch. The Arabian smiled faintly. It seemed that Qin Guans presence there made him happy. The enigmatic man began a boasting self-introduction. "You might feel strange. You dont know me after all, but I know you. We had some pleasant contact in Las Vegas. Of course, I was in my office, and you were just a visitor in my casino." Qin Guan remembered that interesting incident. Are you kidding? Are you after me for such a small amount of money? You are an Arabian tycoon, bro! Okay, Ill pay you back. You are even stingier than me! Qin Guans eyes betrayed his thoughts. The young tycoon understood at once. [1] A Taiwanese actress famous for her big boobs and childlike voice. Chapter 711: A Judge In Dubai Chapter 711: A Judge In Dubai Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The man waved at Qin Guan eagerly and said in a childlike voice, "I invited you here to ask for your help. Believe me, its not about money. Im Abdul. My family has never run out of money. The casino you visited is mine, and its daily turnover is hundreds of millions dors. I dont care about that small sum you won." Qin Guan rxed. Theres nothing to be worried about. Abdul nced at Qin Guan. When he saw that he had calmed down, he started talking again. "Are you aware of the political system of the UAE and their domestic economic policy?" Sorry, but Im really not... Qin Guan was not ambitious by any means. What he had achieved so far had been in order for him to have an easy family life. He had never thought about the national economy or other peoples livelihoods. That was far beyond his reach. The small man murmured to himself, "Our country is not arge one. Half of itsnd is desert, and the cities are built around oases or petroleum factories. Petroleum is a non-renewable resource though. One day it will run out, and the fortune we made from it will burst like a bubble. Thats why the seven emirates have united andmitted themselves to changing the state of things. Tourism is our new way of development." "We are the richest men in the world, so we know what other rich men think. We built Dubai so we could swallow money from other parts of the world. You can find anything you can imagine there. Luxury brandse to the city to make money, so Dubai will soon be the fashion capital of the world." "In order to expand the influence of the city, we need talented people from all fields." Qin Guan felt sick. What did they want him to do? Give a show in Dubai? Was the man kidding? If he cooperated with Arabian girls, hed be killed on the spot. Besides, everyone was wearing robes there. One could only see their eyes. Those radicalized people would show Qin Guan their power. While Qin Guan was pondering how to say no politely, the man surprised him. "We are nning on hosting some international events in order to attract the worlds attention. We have shopping streets, children carnivals, Ramadan... This is not enough though. This year, we saw China get the 2008 Olympics. We know that we are not qualified to host the Summer Olympics, so we applied for the next Winter Olympics." "We are also nning on organizing an international film festival. I would like to invite you to be a final judge of the shortlisted films." Qin Guan was stupefied. He had only focused on the first n. You want to apply for the Winter Olympics? You live in the desert! Have you even seen snow before? Before he coulde back to his senses, the tycoon smiled at him. "Your silence means yes, right? Dont worry. Ill get your awards to your office safely as a reward. Of course, if you have any new filmsing out, our festival will be looking forward to them." Qin Guan nodded helplessly. The man had no idea how the entertainment circle worked. A new film festival couldnt attract popr films, just indie films or films with a limited budget, who participated only for the bonus. Famous directors and proud indie films would never give the Dubai Film Festival a chance. Money couldnt always solve everything. Feeling sympathy for the patriotic man, Qin Guan epted his invitation. ording to his understanding of Dubai, the sry had to be very high. Abdul was happy to see him ept. He shook hands with Qin Guan happily. "Actually, we Arabians have no experience with entertainment awards, so we will be needing your instructions on many details. Ill contact your agent before the film festival. The reward will be 3.5 million dors. What do you think of that? Is it too low?" The two friends headed downstairs, surrounded by Han Zhujiu and Abduls bodyguards. Qin Guan and Qu Xuemei nearly fell off the stairs at his words. There was no such bonus for an Oscar or a European award! When Qin Guan recovered from the shock, he asked the man seriously, "3.5 million per award?" "No! We are rich men, but we are not idiots. Thats the total sum." Chapter 712: Joining The Crew Chapter 712: Joining The Crew Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans first thought was to submit his own films to the Dubai Film Festival to make money. The average award would be worth tens of thousands of dors, which would definitely make participating worth it. Making a decision, Qin Guan hugged Abdul at the gate with a smile. The two of them had be good friends. Han Zhujiu, on the other side, exchanged a fierce nce with the Arabian bodyguards before leaving. On their way back, Qu asked Qin Guan, "Did you finish reading the Warner Bros script? That will be yourst film before you return to China." "I finished it. Its interesting. The investment is pretty good too. I think it was 10 million. Am I a B level actor now?" "Yes, I submitted an application when you won your second award in Berlin. When the total box office of Mean Girlses out, your application will be approved." "What does that mean?" "It means that you will have a lot more options in the future. Your skin color will be a big problem though. As soon as you fail, all blockbuster producers will abandon you, no matter the reason. Youll have to stick to indie films in the future." "Thats not too bad, actually. At least you have your awards and the European film circle on your side. You are much better off than most Chinese actors." As her voice got lower and lower, Qin Guan asked in surprise, "What do you mean? Did a Chinese actor fail recently in Hollywood?" It had to be one of the three most influential actors. Although Qin Guan had no connection to any of them, considering the date, the unlucky guy had to be Chow Yun Fat. "Yes. ording to inside information, his films have suffered a loss in America. The producers only got 35 million and 27 million back, while they had invested 80 million and 52 million on each film. Plus, his sry had cost them 12 million. I think he will not get a good script again in America anytime soon." Qin Guan remained silent on the way back home. At the sight of Cong Nianwei, who was trimming the rose bushes in the garden, he rxed again. As he got out of the car and went over to help her, he heard Qus voice behind him. "Learn from his mistakes. If you want to concentrate on China in the future, you have to win this round. You are bringing money to this film and recing Johnny Depp, who is Tim Burtons favorite. If you are not good enough, people will call you Box Office Poison." Qin Guan didnt care. He had read the script many times and thought he was good enough for the role. His only problem was the squirrels. Would they be the same ones that Nestle had hired? Sometimes Qin Guans hunch was right. As he and Cong Nianwei greeted their new neighbors, the producers called him. Abduls ne had taken off with his awards, so Qin Guan led his formidable team to the studio carefreely. His team was twice as big as the crew hired by the producer. There were about 80 employees, including the Armani studio, which would design the costumes of the actors. The magnificent vintage costumes could only be tailored by professional designers, so this had been part of Qin Guans contribution. A second group were the chocte and candy traders, who had provided real props for certain scenes. Nestle had donated thousands of chocte bars, and therge lollipops, chocte trees and flowers made by a Brighton chocte store had also been donated by Nestle. Those special props had to be maintained by professionals. Thest group were the professional colorists and pastry cooks, who would mix chemicals with a special viscous oil to make the chocte stream. A real chocte river was too expensive even for Nestle after all. The big team didnt overwhelm Tim Burton, who was very experienced. It actually saved him a lot of money. The adventurous director didnt want to return the money, so he made the brave decision to put pressure on Qin Guan. "We could use a 15/70 film." "But thatsrger and much more expensive, director! Besides, the film will be screened in IMAX cinemas!" Chapter 713: Breeding Chapter 713: Breeding Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Tim Burton adjusted his sses with a smile. "I know. You are an award-winning actor after all. We should believe in each other." Actually, the old man was holding a grudge against Qin Guan for recing Johnny Depp. If the budget was reasonable, the overall n of the film was up to the director. That was the most vital reason for a director to find a producer easily. A good director was very beneficial to the films box office. After an initial struggle, the producer had stopped resisting. As Warner Bros had expected, Brad Pitt didnt show up. Jennifer Aniston was the only one on the site, which proved that their marriage was indeed going through a crisis. The actress looked very lonely. The crew was too busy to pay attention to the womans presence though. When the child actors arrived happily, the assistants led them to the makeup room. Jennifer was looking at the familiar studio with nk eyes. She suddenly noticed that there was a cup of juice in her hand. Qu Xuemei had brought it. "Its perfect for the summer. One should do the right thing at the right time. There are so many things to do in the world after all..." The juice was just an excuse for them to meet. Jennifer, who was a wise, independent woman, smiled at Qu. She knew that she was trying tofort her. "Thank you." Some people only needed two words, while others required extensive persuasion. Qin Guan walked out in his costume, mentallyining about the aesthetics of the film. Maybe this was in the original script or in the absurd imagination of the director and the prop team. He was wearing a bright red formal suit and a tall hat. His loose cloak floated when he walked, but his red leather pants felt tight on his legs. The supporting characters looked normalpared to him. The world had been a very strange ce before the European Industrial Revolution. The five children did not look nervous when they saw Qin Guan. Their guardians and agents had warned them before they hade to the studio. "Youll see Qin Guan there. Willy Wonka and Charlie are the main characters of the film. The most important thing for a child actor though is to build up their acting skills!" Many child actors lost their way as they grew up, but they still had an advantage over other actors. As long as they shook off the influence of their childhood, their unconscious experience could be the key to their sess. All grown-up child actors were good at acting, as they had gained endless advice from the various stars they had cooperated with. As a result, when the five children came to the site, they were in awe of Qin Guan. Their adoration vanished as soon as Qin Guan appeared though. Was he the man who had conquered half of Europe? Qin Guans face was pale with makeup, so he looked both funny and scary. The children rxed as they got closer to the actor. Tim nodded when he saw Qin Guans costume. He was very satisfied with the international designer. The chocte factory was ready for Qin Guans first scene. "Herees the mysterious owner of the factory. Three, two, one... Action!" The chocte factory opened its gates to everyone. Large colorful lollipops were hanging around the operating room. The mysterious Willy Wonka was sitting among them as different colors twisted before the camera. The candy-like props smelled as sweet as real candy. The mans face was shielded, but his beautiful eyes twinkled behind his transparent sses. Charlies grandpa was yed by David Kelly, who was a stageedian. Tim Burton had chosen him for his typical face and powerful muscles. "We are running out of chocte birds, sir!" Grandpa Joe shouted at Qin Guan. Qin Guan looked at him through all the candy. His eyes were as soft asvender mousse and as clear as California frosting. He handed Grandpa Joe a small egg. "Running out of birds? Just breed one." Grandpa Joe calmly put the egg in his mouth. When he opened his mouth again, everyone saw a chocte bird fly out of the eggshells. Of course, the scene would be edited during post-production. The actors just pretended that this had happened. Chapter 714: A Strange Man Chapter 714: A Strange Man Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia A skilled actor could make something out of nothing. They could pretend to see invisible figures or fabricate emotions, which was precisely Qin Guans advantage. In one minute, Tim Burton forgot all about his resentment for Qin Guan. He knocked on a board next to him, threw a wooden stick at the shelf and said, "Cut!" This was his typical way of finishing a scene. His knock acted like a gong at the end of a boxing round. Not everyone was familiar with this habit of his though. The assistants hastened to exin to the children, for fear that they would offend the strange director. When the director left, Qin Guan craned his neck around the candy, immediately attracting the attention of the children. He winked at them and made a grimace, making the children burst intoughter. Their parents and agents misunderstood theirughter. Qin Guan was behind them, so they couldnt see him. Thinking that the children were making light of their lessons, the adults surrounded them with a strict expression on their faces. Qin Guan realized he was in trouble and tried to escape under the cover of the candy, all the while sticking his tongue out at the children. The innocent children tried to exin. "No, we were notughing at you! Qin Guan was making faces at us!" "Where is he?" The adults turned around in the direction the little fingers were pointing, only to find empty space. They all turned back angrily. "Dont make excuses! You are just messing with us..." Before they could finish their words, they saw arge white face before them. Qin Guan, who had walked around the children, was now making faces at the adults. His white face made him look like a scary ghost. The adults nearly fell down from the shock, but the children were really excited. "Look! We were not lying. Uncle Qin was greeting us!" The naughty children just wanted to get out of trouble. Before Qin Guan couldin, the adults surrounded the children with forced smiles and disappeared as fast as they could. "See you!" They left faster than rabbits. Qin Guan looked so strange that the guards had forgotten that he was an award-winning actor. He was just a freak they had to keep a distance from. Qin Guan was looking at the empty room sorrowfully, when Qu and Jennifer walked over to him slowly. "Why are they treating me like this, Sister Qu?" "Rubbish! Could you please wash your face before you greet people? Change out of your costume and thene back and talk with me. You look like a zombie!" Qin Guan walked to the dressing room sadly. "But my makeup looks so cool!" Qu forced a smile at Jennifer and tried to ease the awkward atmosphere. "Dont get too much into character," she told Qin Guan. "The characters traits are not yours. Remember that!" Qin Guan shrugged. He really liked the film. Even though it was a childrens film, the simple story allowed him to show his abilities. If he could get good reviews and seed at the box office, he might win some awards for hisst film. As Qin Guan was imagining his future happily, the twodies were talking about him. Qu shared some funny stories about the award-winning actor with her new friend. The anecdotes made Jennifer feel better. Qin Guan returned to the set in another costume. The crew was adjusting the set for thest time before filming began. Chapter 715: Its Hard To Shoot A Childrens Film Chapter 715: Its Hard To Shoot A Childrens Film Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Everyone put on safety goggles to protect their eyes from the irritant gas of the machines. The interior of the chocte factory had taken them nearly a week to build. It looked like a childs dream world. Thewn was made of green candy, and the fruit was made of hard red candy. There were also red-and-white rainbow sticks and white cream that served as clouds. Everything was made of candy. Even the slow-flowing river was made of liquid chocte. That factory was the dream ce of children all over the world. The story began with Qin Guan. This character was quite different from the previous ones he had portrayed. Willy Wonka was a freak that had remained isted from the world for 20 years. He had only opened the factory again because of his love for candy, but he didnt really trust anyone. No one knew his real motivation. Tim loaded the expensive film into the camera as he waited for the actors to get into position. Finally, they started filming. This was the first time Qin Guan had to use his facial muscles in such strange ways. Every word he delivered felt like it was noting from amon man. After being silent for a long time, Willy Wonka had forgotten the correct meaning of words. When the naughty children behaved badly, a strange expression appeared on his face. He grimaced with a fierce expression in his eyes. Frowning, he stopped the kids with a shaking finger. "Why are you so short?" They all turned their heads around and answered angrily, "Because we are kids! You must have been just as short when you were young!" "No!" Qin Guan told them proudly. "I was tall as a child. I always wore a tall hat. I never took it off!" Suddenly, a meaningful smile appeared on his face for the first time. His pale face couldnt cover his good looks, and his white gloves, stick and purple velvet suit made him look mysterious. One of the parents, who was the mother of the cheerleader, focused on Qin Guan. She ogled at him and straightened her chest, while he tried to find a ce to hide. He was not very familiar with humans. Thanks to his perfect bodynguage and dramatic expression, Qin Guan performed well during the simple scene. The line delivery was just as perfect. The 10 actors cooperated well and avoided making any mistakes. Some lines were repeated, as some supporting actors failed to keep up with Qin Guans high speed. The only retake caused by Qin Guan was during his reaction shot. He looked like a vampire with that makeup, which made him much too beautiful for the role. Qin Guan was speechless at the mistake. The reaction shot had originally not been included in the script. He shot aining look at the director, but Tim ignored him. Tim Burton, whose hairstyle made him look like Einstein, knocked on the board again. All the actors copsed at the sound. The director was very strict, but they worked really hard, so they managed to get half-way through the film in a few days. There was no fighting or romance in the film, but even the supporting characters had plenty of lines. Most of the characters appeared together in the same scene, so the actors had to do their own job well while they paid attention to the others. Chapter 716: Cuckold By Mistake Chapter 716: Cuckold By Mistake Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia They had to be careful with their expression and keep acting even when the director was filming the others. There were eight cameras around, aiming at them from all directions. The director might use some shots of them during the editing process, so all the actors were nervous. Their job was more exhausting than a fierce fight. After all, in a sense, mental work was more tiring than manual work. Qin Guan, who was the most rxed one, joined in the fun. "Hey, everyone! Dont sit here. We are really close to the chocte river. Its very dangerous! There is a poisonous gas here. If you stay too long, your brain will stop functioning!" Qin Guan pulled the children away. The adults also left as soon as possible. Fortunately, the next scene was on a different site. Qin Guan pushed the naughty kids towards the lounge and then headed to his own rest area. He had a long, soft couch he could rx on after work. Under normal circumstances, Qu would be there to prepare a cold beverage for him. A cup of iced coffee was on the table as a woman in a suit was rummaging inside arge cab. Qin Guan copsed on the couch and poured the coffee into his mouth. When the cold stream flowed to his stomach, Qin Guan felt refreshed. It was as if he hade back to life again. He leaned back against the couch elegantly and patted the spot next to him, shouting, "Well done, darling! Come on, stop working now! For heavens sake, I left the room for you. I left the emperor by himself!" Proud of his joke, Qin Guan looked at his cup again. Wait! There is a pink lip stain on the edge of the cup! Qin Guan touched his own lips, which were as pale as his face. Then he looked at the woman. Suddenly, she raised her head to reveal her blonde hair. She was wearing the same gray suit as Qu Xuemei, but her fair skin looked like pure snow. It was not Qu. It was actually one of the producers, Jennifer. To some extent, Qin Guan had to rely on her to make a living. Jennifer burst intoughter at the Asian man, who was lying on the couch handsomely. This was the first time she hadughed in a long time. "Hello, Qin Guan. You must have mistaken me for someone else." Qin Guan felt so awkward that he forgot to change his posture. "Where is Qu?" he asked with one hand on his head and one on his hip. "She had some work to do and had to leave early. You can call her if there is an emergency." "Okay... Sorry, I made a mistake... The coffee... Would you like to take a seat?" Qin Guan started talking nonsense as he offered her the couch. Life was always filled with little idents. The two strangers got to know each other quickly thanks to that innocuous coincidence. As they offered the couch to each other politely, the door was pushed open and a handsome blond man walked in angrily. "Im really busy these days, Jennifer. Why are you discussing our private life with everyone? Are you pleased with yourself?" His voice was low, but full of anger. It was Brad Pitt, Jennifers husband. Suddenly, he realized his wife was throwing flirtatious looks at the handsome man lying on the couch. "Wow! What are you doing? You have been using me of infidelity, yet you are flirting with another man. You have been ndering me and Angelina, but now I caught you in the act!" Jennifers eyes turned red at his reproach. Chapter 717: Collapsing At The First Blow Chapter 717: Copsing At The First Blow Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Considering their age difference, Jennifer was too old to be Qin Guans girlfriend, but her beloved husband was hard-hearted enough to use her of adultery, regardless of their marital status. Qin Guan came back to his senses immediately. Is he calling me a boy toy? Even a good-tempered man like him wouldnt stand for that. He bounced up from the couch and rushed over to Brad. The two handsome men, who were about the same height, stood face to face. "This is not our first meeting, Pitt. Do you really want to defame me before youve even gotten a clear look at me?" Brad suddenly realized who he was. His strange makeup made Qin Guan look like a vampire, but after careful observation, Brad was able to distinguish his facial features. "Qin Guan?" He was stupefied. The two of them had coborated shortly in "Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind". Back then, the crew hadpared the two handsome men to each other, even though Qin Guan was younger than Brad by about 20 years. It was embarrassing. Qin Guan was famous in the entertainment circle for his self-discipline. He never attended any crazy parties, nor did he drink or smoke. It was Brads fault for using him of adultery before even finding out his identity. He couldnt back off now though. Thinking of Angelina Jolies thick lips, he answered sarcastically, "Defame you? Maybe youve taken things even further in private! Jennifer has just miscarried, yet she was smiling at you happily! You must be in love with her, but she is just pretending..." Jennifer burst into tears at the insult. Qin Guan bristled with anger. Bastard! That exins why Jennifer always looks so sad. The woman was deeply in love with you and tried to have a baby with you, yet you are paying her back like this! Jennifer squatted down helplessly, her tearsnding on the ground and getting smashed to pieces. Qin Guan couldnt control himself. Qus friend is also my friend. Qin Guan picked a side immediately. He didnt want to talk anymore. He just punched Brad hard in the stomach. Bang! He used all his energy. Caught off guard, Brad took a few steps back and went down on his knees, crying out in pain. The tall, strong many on the ground, twisting and rolling around. All he could do was fight back with words. "Son of a b*tch! Bastard! F*ck..." Qin Guan yed hisst card, kicking Brads butt with his pointed leather shoes. "Ouch!" One disaster followed another. Brads screams attracted the group of children actors, who always went to Qin Guans room to eat and lie on thefortable couch. They loved to visit him, and their guardians were aware of that. As a result, they watched the whole incident from the crack of the door excitedly. Brads scream escaped from the crack and reached their ears. The crew was too busy to pay attention. The only one idling around was Tim Burton. The old gossiping man hurried over when he heard the screams and found Qin Guan kicking another mans butt. The wretch was rolling around on the floor. What was he doing? The man had to be an idiot! If he rolled around, he could get identally injured. Unable to protect himself from the first kick, Brad rolled over, nearly squeezing his testicles to death. Chapter 718: The Completion Of The Last Film Chapter 718: The Completion Of The Last Film Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The handsome Hollywood actor looked like a drowned mouse. His face was covered in dust, tears and snot. Jennifer was stupefied by his appearance. This was the first time she had ever seen him like this. The clever director closed the door for them from outside hurriedly. When some curious people walked over, he exined with a satisfied expression on his face, "Qin Guan is getting ready for the next scene. He is a very dedicated actor. He never rxes!" Meanwhile, Brad couldnt even move after Qin Guans fierce attack. His enemy had calmed down, fixed his soft, smooth wig, dusted off his pants and sat back down. "What do you want then?" Qin Guan asked. "Do you want to go to court? Mywyer will send yourpany a formal letter using you of defamation and malicious personal attack. Any wounds on your body will be considered self-defense caused by your provocation." "I know that you suffered no bone fractures. Any hospital will tell you the same thing. Unless you want to involve the media in the matter. This is myst film in America. Im not afraid of anything." He turned his eyes to Jennifer. He was a stranger after all, so he was worried that they would side against him. Jennifer, who was a clever woman, knew what Qin Guan was thinking about. She turned and looked calmly at her husband, who was still on the floor. "Nothing happened here today. My husband slipped and fell by himself as he entered." Qin Guan smiled. Hed have to fall multiple times to end up in this state. Anyway, this is none of my business. Qin Guan stood up and walked past the trembling body on the floor. He pushed the door open and left without looking back. Tim Burton, who was sitting not far from the lounge, grinned when he saw Qin Guan walk out unwounded. He walked over with his hands behind his back. "Are you finished?" "Yes." "What are you doing here then, you bastard? Lets get to work! Ill ask Aniston to deal with this matter. You just concentrate on the film." "Okay." "Go to the set, quick! Attention, please! Next scene: the distressed mill-owner!" Qin Guan got to work at his order. He was a professional actor after all. They were already half-way through the film. Four of the five lucky children had been weeded out. The only one left was Charlie, the final winner who would get the chocte factory. The catch was that Charlie would have to leave his family to live alone at the factory. The boy turned down the fortune. His family was the most precious thing for him. This was exactly what Qin Guancked. He had parted with his father because of their conflicting opinions, but his father had been waiting for him all this time. Kind little Charlie had warmed his frozen heart. Encouraged by the boy, he finally decided to meet his family. He looked nervous in the camera. He was not the calm owner of the worlds biggest chocte factory anymore, but an anxious boy who had been away from his parents for too long. Qin Guan made the charactere alive through his performance. His lips turned red to reflect the change of his mood. He was wearing a formal outfit and carrying a golden stick, but he was so nervous that he unconsciously fixed his clothes as he knocked on the door. As soon as the door opened, Qin Guan recognized the old man. Time had carved deep wrinkles on his face, but Qin Guan was old enough to read the expression in his fathers eyes. It had been 20 years, so the man couldnt recognize him. As he was checking Qin Guans teeth though, the old mans hands trembled. He was a professional dentist, so his hands were always steady. That moment though, they shook before the familiar stranger. "Are you..." His fathers hoarse voice expressed his deep love for his child. Qin Guan sat up on the chair tearfully. He was smiling brightly. "Its me!" "Its you!" "Im back, Papa!" That was what hed used to call him as a child. Some things did not change with age. Willy Wonka let out his suppressed emotions after 20 years. His fathers love was warm and restrained, silent and selfless. This was Qin Guans second film about family and fatherly love. The first film had showed that deep emotion directly, while this film portrayed fatherly love in a funny, almost absurd way. The films directors were different, but the leading actor was the same. Both films drew tears from the audience. The first one made people cry their eyes out, while the second one made them smile tearfully. That warm scene was thest one. The cameras were shut off, and the lights were turned off. Everyone returned to reality. The child actors rushed over in tears and hugged Qin Guan. They had be good friends during that short time. Chapter 719: Officially Returning to China Chapter 719: Officially Returning to China Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia In a corner of the room, Qu was bidding farewell to Jennifer. "So youre leaving?" "Yes." "Will you return to China with Qin Guan?" "Not anytime soon. I have my own work here in America regarding the studio. I like it. I wont resign. You do not need to worry about me. You have your own problems. Have you made a decision?" Jennifer looked absent-minded for a while. "Yes, we will separate after ourpany andmon assets are taken care of." "You will let him go that easily?" "Im living my own life. He has been nothing but a stranger ever since we broke up. I would never waste any emotions or energy on a stranger. Why would I?" Qu approved of her foreign friends attitude. Women had to remain unburdened and independent. The two friends hugged each other before parting ways. Meanwhile, not far away, Qin Guan finished saying his own farewells. "Good luck." "I wish the same to you." Time never paused for anyone. Cong Nianwei was so busy working at themunity construction site, that she missed Qin Guans flight. The inventor of the video call would always be praised by couples. Qin Guan had no time to rest at home. He had too many things to do. As soon as he switched to his previous phone number upon his return, he received a short message from his realtor. "Hi, Mr. Qin. This is Xiao An. I have some urgent news for you. Wanda Group is facing some conflict with the residents of the Dongzhimen yards. Do call me back when you return to China." Qin Guan read the message right away. What happened? Why didnt they have a friendly negotiation? Qin Guan nced at the clock on the wall before he called the man back. "Hello, this is Zhongdahengji Real Estate Company Limited. Thank you for your call. What can I do for you?" "Hello, Im a client of yours. My surname is Qin. An Zhijie, your manager, knows me. May I talk to him?" "Yes, wait a moment." As soon as An was notified by his assistant, he returned to his own independent office to give Qin Guan a private report. "Hello? Yes, this is Xiao An. Have you returned to China, Mr. Qin? Great! Listen..." Ten minutester, Xiao An had finished his wless narration. Qin Guan realized that the events that had taken ce in the past six months were enough to write a long script. At the beginning, both sides had been reasonable. They had just negotiated about the contract ording to their respective standpoint. When the rush of real estate development in the capital had begun though, Wanda Group, which was at the top of the real estate industry, couldnt wait anymore. The State-Owned Asset Supervision and Administration Commission made a series of sudden reforms on national real estate investment and development. Following thews and regtions of the industry, they had met the qualifications of the new institutions of real estate development and investment. All real estatepanies had been affected by the new policies. The strict requirements and high standards had left only two options to the smallerpanies. They had to shut down their businesses and transfer any on-going projects to qualifiedpanies, or cooperate with a bigpany toplete their unfinished projects. Of course, the government would act as an inspector during the whole process. Their second option was much simpler. The big fish ate the small fish, so in order to survive, the small fish had to unite and form a big fish that could fight against their enemies. Hundreds of small real estatepanies in the city merged and formed bigger ones. As a result, real estatepanies beganpeting even more fiercely. Wanda Group was surprised to discover that those small fish could sit at the same conference table as them. The newpetitors wanted a piece of the pie. There were opportunities everywhere, so time was of the essence. Before any funds started flowing in, a project had to go through a process of investment, design and construction. For real estate agents, this was a very long procedure. During these golden times of development, it was very important forpanies to shorten that process. Wanda was no longer calm. Thepany was eager to start a negotiation, but the price suggested by the stubborn residents was ridiculous. They just couldnt reconcile themselves with the principle of benefit maximization. They tried several ways to solve the problem, including differentiation, suppression, conciliation, and threatening. The gong and drum had rung to signify the start of a full-scale drama. Plumbing maintenance, circuit damage, environmental sanitation suspension, construction noise... Wanda Group had tried everything in their power to convince the residents of the area. Chapter 720: Untitled Chapter 720: Untitled Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia ording to Xiao An, the whole thing could turn into a violent conflict soon. The women of the neighborhoodmittee saw suspicious men in ck suits walk around the alleys every day. For the sake of their wives and kids safety, the men sent their families to stay somewhere else. Then they rolled their sleeves up and organized patrols. There were even night watchmen. The whole situation took everyone back to the times of the Anti-Japanese War. When he felt that things were getting out of control, An had sent a short message to Qin Guan. He just wanted to remind the star, whose every movement could make the headlines, not to get involved in thisplicated matter. Qin Guan had just returned to China and knew nothing about the situation after all. An actually judged people solely on their appearance. He had already met Qin Guan twice, yet he still didnt understand anything about his nature. Unlike most stars, who wanted to protect their reputation, Qin Guan never thought about things like that. He tended to deal with everything in the most simple and direct way. Human kindness was the key to sess after all. Qin Guan hang up the phone excitedly. He was nning on driving his Cherokee to Dongzhimen in his flip flops. When he saw the car though, which was nearly buried in birds droppings, he realized his current situation. The sky was getting darker. It was exactly the time of the day when those mysterious men in ck wandered around. Shall I go like this? Qin Guan looked down at his ck shirt and loose sweatpants. He was afraid that he might face an unavoidable confrontation. He put his safety first and decided to get dressed before leaving. Then he rushed upstairs and called the richest tycoons in the capital. Bu Qinglu was having a rare day off, so he answered Qin Guans call excitedly. "You are so brave, bro! Thank you for calling me! Im your elder brother! Wait right there, Iming!" Wang Hailiang bounced up from the couch and lifted his arms, shouting at his employees, "Take your weapons, brothers! No, prepare for a legitimate negotiation!" The two men were on the right side of the tracks now. The night entertainment industry was pretty good. Although they yed the edge ball, people called them Boss Bu and Boss Wang at parties, instead of Brother. As typical viins, Qin Guans case made their blood surge. Their subordinates were no longer young alley idlers, but the best fighters in the city. Everyone got on thepanys minibuses. A minibus was the best way to get to know one another when one was holding a steel stick in their hands. It was a gang fight strategy. In a few minutes, the four minibuses were ready to go. Bu Qinglu got in one of them and waved at the others. "Lets get going! Xizhimen!" They roared away, leaving Wenwen in the empty Candy Club parking lot. She stomped on the ground with her high heels. "Bastard! Qin Guan is back! Why didnt you take me along? I knew you were jealous of his looks!" She left gracefully with a flirtish grumble. It seemed like she was living a happy life with her boyfriend. The motorcade merged into the traffic like a water drop into the sea. By the time they reached their destination, the traffic jam had calmed their impulses down. They all entered Qin Guans home. After a hasty hug, Qin Guan exined the situation. As alley people, they naturally tended to side with the mass. They were confident about discussing a n though. Qin Guan was pulled away to Dongzhimen. They just travelled around the Second Ring Road that night. When they reached the neighborhood, Bu, who was a clever man, led all the cars to a parking lot across the street. Everyone got out of the cars silently and went through the alleys. The moon was shining in the summer night sky. There were scarcely any people in the empty alleys that time of the day. Chapter 721: Chaos Chapter 721: Chaos Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia After a long conflict, the public facilities of the area had been stalled. Along the 100-meter potholed path was only a dimmp post. "Follow me. Lets make some inquiries around my own house. Maybe we misjudged the situation. I should havee by in the daytime and had a meeting with Grandpa Yang first." Before Qin Guan could finish his words, several ring beams came from the direction of his yard. "Who is there?" The dark night was lit up by shlights. Qin Guan and his friends lifted their hands up to protect their eyes from the light. Bu had never been provoked like this before. The bad-tempered man cast the first stone. "Son of a b*tch! What are you doing? You shouldnt point a shlight in someone elses eyes!" Those bright lights were a miserable memory for most of the people on the site. The sudden light reminded them of the old days. Bus vigorous shout elicited no response. None of the shlights were turned off after his threat. Instead, a strange, familiar sound came his way. It sounded as if the air had been ripped. Swish! Bang! "Son of a b*tch! What the hell was that? It was not a brick..." The lucky man moved the stinky, sticky thing away from his forehead and roared angrily, "You bastards! Why did you throw rotten eggs at me?" Qin Guan reacted quickly at his words, squatting down and covering his head with his hands before he cried out amid the empty yard, "This is my house! Im Qin Guan! I just returned from America!" The enemy held back its biochemical weapons. "You are Qin Guan?" "Yes!" "Who took you to Grandpa Yangs that day?" "Auntie Liu. Ive been gone for nearly a year. How is she?" "Its him! Its the owner of the house! Its Qin Guan! This is a misunderstanding!" Suddenly, the shlights went out and a dimmp was lit in the small yard. A few men wearing shirts, tanks and shorts appeared, carrying baskets on their backs. Bu and his men looked helpless. Each of them had a yolk on his head. "Why did you sneak in at night?" "Yes, young Qin. You walked in here silently like experienced thieves!" "You were even wearing ck. We couldnt see you clearly in the dark!" Some considerate residents brought towels from their homes to clean up the eggs. They still smelled pretty awful though. Qin Guan entered his own house and tried to calm down. Then he introduced his team to Grandpa Yang. The residents were d to meet the visitors. A group of mysterious men in ck had been appearing and disappearing surreptitiously in the areately, so they would wee any external help. The men looked perfect for the job, if one ignored the yolks. Bu Qinglu patted his own chest professionally. "No problem! Leave this to us. They are doomed. When will they being?" "Anytime now. You are just in time." "Okay, theres no time to lose. Split up, guys. If we are lucky enough, we will settle this tonight." Everyone got into position immediately. Qin Guan was left in an empty room with a sole candle. Bu just wanted to help his friend, but the residents knew that Qin Guan was not familiar with the alley, so all Qin Guan could do was take out his cell phone sadly and send Cong Nianwei, who was on the other side of the ocean, a grumpy message. Suddenly, he heard chaos from afar. "Catch him! Son of a b*tch! He is so cunning!" Bang! "Spare me, man!" "Dont hurt me! I have money!" "Shut up!" Bang! "Ouch!" Did they catch the thief? It sounds like hes been hurt badly! Chapter 722: A Skilful Inquest Chapter 722: A Skilful Inquest Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan rushed out of the room. Suddenly, Bu stopped him, taking out and handing him a pair ofrge sunsses. "Are you kidding? Its night!" "Listen to me! Hurry! They areing!" Bu whispered urgently. Qin Guan opened his eyes wide behind the sses. You are so clever! I like it! Qin Guan returned to the room, feeling his way in by touching the walls. He could see nothing with those sses on. He found a chair behind a square table and sat down. Then his guests came in, surrounded by some other people. The two men were wearing ck shirts, ck pants and gray ties. They looked really strange in the hot summer. Their leader, who was very brave, looked up in shock to meet the true face of the master. His tongue was tied as his eyes focused on the man sitting in the middle. There were three men before them. The two men on the sides were wearing white shirts and ck pants, and tattoos of tigers and dragons were visible under their cors. Their ck leather shoes were shining under the dim light as they sat in their chairs in an imposing manner, gazing at the guests with great interest. The man in the middle looked extraordinary. His face was as white as jade, and he was sitting there as straight as a pine and as calm as a mountain. He was not moving, but his lingering charm attracted everyone in the room. As hed entered, he had noticed the mysterious mans steps. Some people walked like rigid wood, while others moved like willows in the breeze. That man was different though. His posture was neither delicate nor rough, but he radiated an unspeakable appeal. He could attract everyones attention just by sitting there. His charm was undeniable. He was calm, quiet and extremely elegant. When he looked down though, he was confused. The man in the middle looked like royalty from the neck up, but he was wearing an ordinary tank top and a pair of shorts below. Of course, elite men were also allowed to wear shorts, but not during a formal meeting. When he looked farther down, he noticed a pair of flip flops. The intruder rxed, straightening his back and fixing his tie as he waved at Qin Guan. "Lets talk calmly, dude. Whoever you are, you must have been invited here by the residents." The man smiled and spat out the dust and sand in his mouth. "I actually think I know you guys. Whats your territory in the capital? Does the boss of the Dongcheng District know about you? You must be in charge of another area, or you wouldnt have intervened..." Bu grinned at him, but Wang Hailiang stood up impatiently and kicked the man hard on the butt. "You are so annoying! Are you aware of the situation?" "Ouch!" The man, who was quite smart, rolled on the ground and changed his attitude immediately. "Grandpa! You are the grandpa!" Wang was really annoyed by the man. Before he could give him a second kick though, Qin Guan coughed. "We arew-abiding citizens, Brother Wang. Wait for his answer. If it does not satisfy us..." "Then we can beat them to death!" "Exactly!" The second man in ck shivered at their ruthless words, but the man in the middle said calmly, "Answer my question. Who are you?" The leader stood up and dusted off his clothes. Before he could say anything, his subordinate answered for him eagerly. Chapter 723: The Contract Chapter 723: The Contract Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "He is awyer! Awyer! Im his assistant. I know nothing! I was just apanying him! Believe me!" "Really?" It was certainly interesting to see awyer visit an alley at night. ording to the residents, he had been there several timestely. "Good! People in societies shouldmunicate with each other. Questions and answers are the key to eternal harmony. So, my second question is, what were you doing here?" "We were here for the contract." "What contract?" "A housing transaction." "Transaction with whom? And who is your employer?" "We are representatives of Wanda Group. We want to negotiate with the residents about their houses." The assistant told them everything he knew, holding nothing back. Thewyer was surprised by the honest, cowardly man. If this had been the Anti-Japanese War Era, he would have been a traitor. The enemy wouldnt even have needed to bribe him. Their opponents knew everything about them, while they had no idea about their identity. Thewyer sighed, pushing several ideas out of his mind. A forced smile suddenly formed on his face. The residents were uncertain about the truth. "Impossible!" Most of the people there were really poor and unsatisfied with their unreasonable offer. No one actually wanted to stay there. "No one would choose these poor houses over new apartments!" "Yes!" "Yes!" "Liars! We were so polite with them. They deserve a sound thrashing!" Everyone was burning with rage. The assistant was so scared that he fell down. Thewyer sighed again. Then he looked up and lifted his hand like a pupil in ss. "Excuse me!" "Yes?" "He is telling the truth. This is about Grandpa Jia, who lives in No. 383. Everyone in this area knows him. People call him Jia Laosan." When he mentioned the person by name, the residents were almost convinced. "Really? Jia Laosan?" "Its true. My name is Chen Kang, and Im the director of Chen Kang Law Firm. Wanda Group entrusted me with the real estate contracts and legal consulting of this area." Then he suddenly seemed to recall something. He took out a fine silver card holder from his pocket and handed out cards to everyone. "My expertise is financial and civil cases." The man could deal with a temporary setback, which exined how he could take on such a big case. Qin Guan took a card with his slender fingers. He found the man very interesting. "Okay, I have onest question. If you came here to negotiate about a contract, you must have some documents in your bag, in case the residents were in a good enough mood to sign. Am I right?" He waved the card at Chen Kang with a naughty smile. Thewyer felt like fleeing. "Yes!" he said, nodding without hesitation. Qin Guan smiled again and stretched his hand out towards the youngwyer. "Show me then!" Qin Guan felt really bold and confident. Everyone around, except the two unlucky men, nodded in unison. Show us! No one could help the men under these circumstances. Chen Kang kicked his crouching assistant. "Give me the bag!" The assistant didnt move. He was trembling in horror. Chen Kang sighed for a third time. "You can take the bag yourselves. The contracts are inside." Soon, a thick pile of documents was handed to Qin Guan. Silence prevailed in the room again as Qin Guan read the papers as fast as he could. Five minutester, he finished the contracts and handed them to an old man next to him. "Chen Kang is not messing with us, Grandpa Yang. He is awyer. Grandpa Jia has signed a contract with him to sell his house, but the price is different from the one they offered you. Its actually double." "He also exchanged his house based on the area. He can get six square meters by the North Fifth Ring Road for one square meter in this area!" Chapter 724: Meeting Wang Jianlin Chapter 724: Meeting Wang Jianlin Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Everyone was shocked by the key terms of the contract. "Impossible! If Wanda had negotiated with us on the same terms, we would have agreed. We are not greedy after all!" "Yes, wed ept such reasonable terms." "Why are they signing such a contract in secret?" Everyone was gabbling on. They couldnt understand why there were two different contracts, a public one and a secret one. In their opinion, the secret contract was the most reasonable one. Qin Guan would have also agreed to that price. Actually, Wanda had its own reasons for acting like this. Qin Guan turned his eyes to Chen Kang. Although Chen couldnt see his eyes behind his sses, the cleverwyer could guess his next question, so he decided to exin everything. "They are doing this to save money. Your alliance could threaten thepany and make it pay a reasonable price for all the houses. That would be beyond its budget, as thepany has to pay for the relocation, houses, road maintenance, circuit rewiring, urban construction nning, and so on. Every one of these things requires arge investment." "The marked prices are fixed. This is thepanys only way of reducing expenses and saving money." "Differentiation is the best way to deal with a group. People like to protect their own interests, so bringing the weakest of them over to our side is the best strategy. When people startpromising one after another, everyone tends to follow the crowds mentality." "Your neighbors will gradually sell their houses and leave. God knows what the actual price will be! Its veryplicated. When most people leave, they are just sent the secret contracts. Most of them are grateful to us for saving their lives..." Chen slowly exined the darkness of human nature in the quiet room during the peaceful night. No one said anything. When he finished his words, Chen rxed, unfastened his tie and sat down on the floor. "Thats all I know. As you can see, my firm is independent. We are just cooperating with each other. So what will you do to me now?" We are no cannibals. We are not interested in your flesh. Qin Guan was quite interested in the man. He was very adept at changing his attitude based on the circumstances. Threatening, silence, surprise, cooperation... He was an actor during his everyday life too. His acting skills were really exceptional. Satisfied, he decided to answer Chens question. "I know theres nothing you can do, but you must know how to get in touch with Wang Jianlin. I want to meet him." Chen Kang nearly fainted. What? Wang Jianlin? The Wang Jianlin? "You want to meet the owner of Wanda?" he couldnt help but ask. "The man at the top of the pyramid? Do you mean the same man I have in mind? Ha ha! Why? What for?" F*ck! He is so charming! He is a god-like entity, but he has misjudged the situation. People who wear tank tops and shorts to meetings are hopeless after all. Qin Guan remained calm as Chenughed at him. He just kept talking slowly as he took off his silly sunsses. His dazzling eyes shocked everyone as his words shocked Chen. "Do you think he would meet me if my houses were garbage? Im an award-winning actor who turned down a proposal to emigrate to America and returned to his hometown. Fans all over the world idolize me. Imagine if an actor like me lost his home..." Qin Guan wiped non-existent tears from his face. Wang Hailiang tried his best to hold hisughter back as he watched Qin Guans performance. You would not be homeless! You have a house to live in. You have a new apartment on Financial Street! Plus, you own eight yards in this neighborhood! You are filthy rich! You could book the presidential suite of any luxurious hotel! Chapter 725: Settlement Chapter 725: Settlement Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan had not acted for a long time, so this was a good chance to satisfy that craving of his. Throwing his sses at Bu Qinglu, he turned back to Chen Kang with a hand over his heart. "If the news were published on my blog, Chinese fans would be very interested. New York and Beijing will get very friendly soon, and Ill be their ambassador. What would the international consequences be? I have one million foreign fans. If they found out about this, what do you think they would do?" "Who is the mastermind behind this? It must be Mr. Wang Jianlin, whom you think Im not qualified to meet." By the time Qin Guan finished his performance, Chen Kang had started sweating. Son of a b*tch! He is so crafty! I cant take responsibility for this decision. I have to stay away from this affair. The man made a decision immediately, "The sooner you meet him, the better. Ill contact him as soon as possible. Just give me a minute!" Talent was in great demand in the 21st century. Chen Kang asked for his phone back and dialled a number quickly. As everyone watched, he described the whole matter in the concise words of awyer. "Hello, this is Chen Kang." "If you are calling me at this point, you must have good news. Did you buy another house?" "No, listen to me. I was caught by the residents while I was on the job. They couldnt do anything to me, so they just let me go. There is a troublesome owner we didnt take into consideration though. The real estate agency has been withholding information from us. The strange man who purchased all those houses is sitting right in front of me. His name is Qin Guan." "Yes, the Qin Guan! The international award-winning actor! The favorite man of all domestic portal websites. All those houses are his property. He wants to meet Mr. Wang. If you want to take care of this fast, tell Mr. Wang as soon as possible. I think Mr. Qin would agree to a private settlement." "Okay, Ill be waiting for your response." Chen Kang hung up and smiled in a ttering way. "If everything goes well, theyll contact Mr. Wang tomorrow. Can I have your number?" Qin Guan burst intoughter. "Everyone knows the number of my firm. As a grouppany making investments in so many fields, Wanda will surely know my official number. You are a smart man though. You want my number for yourself, dont you? Its my private number you want, isnt it?" Hey, award-winning actors are supposed to be good at acting, not reasoning! Chen Kang wasnt ashamed. This caused no substantial damage to him after all. Qin Guan turned to Bu Qinglu. "I think ourpany could change itsw firm, Brother Bu. Chen here would be a good choice." "I agree." "My number is 138010XXXXX. Call me back. I need a chamber counselor. The payment is reasonable, but its not a high-paying position. You could do it pro bono." Chen Kang typed the number into his phone fast, murmuring, "The palest ink is better than the best memory. I consider myself pretty good, but Im a little expensive." Satisfied with his shamelessness, Qin Guan stood up and smiled at his neighbors. "Everyone will be able to sleep at night from now on. Nothing will happen here, at least not before I reach an agreement with Mr. Wang." "I think the problem will be solved soon, but I dont want anyone to get greedy. Honest men dont behave like that." Everyone nodded. They had seen what Qin Guan had done for them. The young man had fought for them and taken all the responsibility on his shoulders. As a result, everyone saw him off warmly when he left. They were all concerned about him living alone in the city, and they expressed their kindness in a direct way. They presented him with some salted duck eggs and frozen dumplings. It seemed that they were afraid that Qin Guan would starve to death at home. As a foodie, Qin Guan would never turn away food. As he left in Bus jeep, he noticed the surprised expression in Chens eyes. When he got home, he put the food in the empty fridge. Then he finally had some time to clear his mind. Chapter 726: New Rich And Old Rich Chapter 726: New Rich And Old Rich Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Everyone thought he was so good. Getting money from people was just like killing their parents though. Qin Guan had eight houses in Dongzhimen, so his only goal was to make money. Otherwise, he wouldnt have bought those shabby houses. He could have simply invested his money in an apartment downtown and gotten it back in a few years. This investment could bring him 20 times that profit though, so it was certainly worth his effort. Qin Guan was a money grubber after all. He acted first and told Sister Xue afterwards. She was one of the people who knew him the best, so he got her into trouble. Yin Changtao had followed Sister Xue back to China, surrendering to the appeal of the Chinese beauty. He was currently washing their socks in the bathroom. "Whos that, honey?" "Qin Guan!" Judging by her tone, Yin could tell that his boss had done something terrible. "Whats the matter?" "He provoked Wang Jianlin." "Who is Wang Jianlin?" "A rich man! "So is Qin Guan..." You are too reasonable for me to argue with you. Actually, Yin had no idea about the current situation in China. He was just focused on fashion and design. Suddenly, Sister Xue was enlightened. Wait, this is not bad. We could do so much more about this matter! Sister Xue rushed into the bathroom and kissed Yins bare head. "You are a genius, darling! And Im not just talking about design! You must be tired. Leave this to me!" Yin caressed his own head happily, leaving some soap bubbles on it. Sister Xue burst intoughter. Most people were asleepte at night, but there were some people who had to work. Wherever one was, thats where their home was too. Qin Guan had a good nights sleep that night. In the morning, the sunshine greeted him brightly. It seemed like a good day. Sister Xues call came just in time. As expected, she had good news for him. The man he wanted to meet was also eager to meet him. Both sides chimed in happily and made an appointment for the same day. They were not able to agree on a meeting ce though. Wang Jianlin preferred the traditional Changan Club, while Qin Guan liked the American Club, a ce where overseas immigrants and newly rich people liked to get together. Although both clubs were in the capital, they attracted very different groups of people. The men smiled meaningfully at the difference. A conflict between the new and the old emerged as more and more young people joined the ranks of the rich and powerful. They needed to find a location that suited their different backgrounds and financial status. Nothing would be more suitable than ancient China. They naturally chose No. 51 in the Xirongxian Alley of the Xicheng District. The China Club was a private lounge located in an ancient building on the Chinese maind. It was its specialties and rich historical atmosphere that attracted its members, half of whom were CEOs of big domestic enterprises. The other half were foreign CEOs and ambassadors. The club was a perfectbination of modern and ancient elements, as well as oriental and idental culture. The two men met in the luxurious building with the blue-gray tiles, carved beams, pcenterns and ancient locusts. Good wine was poured into phosphorescent jade cups before toasts were made. Old people were wary of young people. There could be no friendship between the two generations, but Wang still admired the young man. By the time the meeting was over, both of them had gotten what they wanted. Qin Guan left the club with a clear head. Chen Kang, who was good at judging a situation, appeared at his side, taking advantage of this chance to show his abilities. As soon as hed gotten Qin Guans private number, Chen had called Sister Xue and gotten appointed as Qin Guans counselor. Now he was filling out an application form on Qin Guans behalf in China Club. On their way back, Sister Xue and Qin Guan talked about the meeting in the car. "I didnt expect Wang to be such an easy-going man." "He is really clever. Well be making profit for him." Qin Guan leaned against the back of the seatfortably. Suddenly, he recalled something. "He has made the wrong move. Chen Kang failed at his job. The price will go up sooner orter. He is not an idiot. If he loses one house, he will have to maximize his profit on the other houses. Otherwise, he wouldnt have changed his attitude. He knows that I own 20% of the property of this project after all." "Withdrawing capital from cirction in advance is the most important thing for and agent. A few millions is not much for him, but its enough for him to start nning his next project." Sister Xue nodded. She was still worried about the old man though. "Be careful. Dont spend too much on new buildings. The demolition has not beenpleted yet, but you signed a contract for an advance delivery. Besides, you have never invested in stores before. Why are you so confident about Wangs project?" "In my opinion, you are just paying for the new houses of the alley residents." Chapter 727: Niggling Chapter 727: Niggling Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan smiled at Sister Xues warmint and stretched his arms out in the narrow backseat of the Buick Business Vehicle. Avoiding the topic, he replied, "Buy another car for our agency, Sister Xue. I have returned now. You cant drive me around in this shabby car. Im an international award-winning actor after all!" Sister Xue changed the topic again. "Stop beating about the bush. You work hard to make money. Dont spend it so casually!" Qin Guan adjusted his posture. He couldnt tell her about his past life, but he had to convince her. "Dont forget about my studies, Sister Xue. Its why I returned to China without a PhD. China is about to soar into the sky, not just in one industry, but in all of them!" "Lets discuss Wandas leading position in the real estate industryter. ording to the location of my residential holdings, thepany has to pay me 10 times my investment to buy the lots. 10 times! This means that 2,500 yuan will turn into about 20,000! I could get about 10 million for the property. With a little more investment, I wont suffer any losses on the bigger, newer stores around the same area." "The 6th Ring Road has been under constructiontely, so we dont need to worry about the financial potential of the city. Ill get us the deal." Qin Guan was calm and peaceful. Reassured, Sister Xue patted her chest and murmured to herself, "I feel more at ease now. You know, I invested all my savings in one of your stores. Its my entire fortune. Do you understand?" It turned out that she was worried about her own fortune. If it hadnt been for Qin Guan, she would never have gotten a store by the East Second Ring Road. Qin Guan smiled again. "Is that your dowry, Sister Xue? When is your wedding? Ill give you arge bonus." Sister Xue was not ashamed at being exposed. She didnt want to talk about her private life though, so she steered the conversation away. "Will you ept Wangs proposal?" "No." "Thats smart. His idea is not good enough..." "The real estate industry is not like other industries. No project can please everyone. Even the nicest building cant satisfy all customers. On the contrary, people may start to question your taste." "Real estate advertising tends to be more traditional. Lets not push our luck..." The car slowed down gradually and pulled up to an independent three-storey building 300 meters away from the China World Center. Qin Guan had bought the building for his firm. He got out of the car and then turned back, suddenly remembering something. "Actually, I wont turn down Wangs offer... Not unless I get the same money Ge You got from China Mobile!" Sister Xue was speechless. This was the first time Qin Guan was being so bold. With that amount, Wang would be able to develop even more buildings! Talking andughing, the two of them went into the unfamiliar office and checked Qin Guans work schedule, both abroad and domestically. Qin Guan had returned to China in secret. No one actually knew about his arrival. The jobs at hand were not urgent ones. Qin Guan had epted them during his short stay in China back at the Spring Festival. Qin Guan took out some scripts first. He was not interested in the modelling circletely. He wanted to have a meeting with the owner of J Clothing about the shooting of thetest posters. They would also negotiate about a contract for Wangs new business streets. Meanwhile, Qin Guan could rx for a few weeks. It was rare for a celebrity like him to rest at wish. If one stayed away from the cameras for some time, the audience would forget about them and think that they were past their prime. Qin Guans staff were familiar with his indolence though. Some actors just didnt fit into the traditional entertainment circle. Talented actors could stay in the audiences memories forever. No matter how many years passed, they could still make aeback with a high-quality film and make their fans get obsessed with them again. They were so charming that they didnt even need a PR team. Their loyal fans would talk to younger fans about them when the time came. Chapter 728: The Coming Storm Chapter 728: The Coming Storm Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The backbone of the firm was young, but had many films to his credit. His three shining European awards and American surfboard were the base of his self-confidence. Qin Guan could be considered a prolific actor. Most good actors didnt even finish one film a year, so his staff were satisfied with him. Or werent they? Qin Guans private phone and Sister Xues work phone started ringing in the quiet office. The two of them exchanged a look. Qin Guan walked to the meeting hall outside to answer the call privately. He stood by the shelf that held his awards. "Boss Qin, this is Chen Kang. The application ispleted. You are a permanent member of China Club now. I have emailed you the club regtions. The contract has been sent to your firm by post." "Got it. Ill call you if I need anything." "Will I get paid separately for each job?" That exins why Chen Kang was so eager to fill in the application, even though that would normally have been an assistants job. And he said that he was just being professional. I like his methods though... "No problem, Counselor Chen. Based on our contract, we can consider this a private service. You drafted the contract yourself after all." He said yes! "Business is business. Ill treat you to dinner sometime. Deal! Call me if you need me. Im avable 24 hours/day." His delighted voice cheered Qin Guan up. He returned to the office with a smile, only to find Sister Xue waiting for him with a grimace on her face. "Whats the matter?" Qin Guan sat down on the couch leisurely as he waited for her response. "I just received two conflicting calls. Guess who it was." "Wang Jingcao and the Huayi Brothers." "How did you know?" "Its simple. As soon as I returned to China, I received a short message from Wang Jingcao, expressing her wish to have a talk with me. I ignored it though." Sister Xue was shocked. Qin Guan had never mentioned Wang to her. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was ying with the Tiffany cardholder on the couch. "Why didnt you discuss it with me? Maybe Wang wanted to make us a good offer!" Qin Guan shook his head. "Do you remember the Beijing Stamp we shotst year? Who contacted us about that?" "The Brothers. Wang didnt show up." "Thats interesting. Why should I meet her in secret now? Doesnt she work for Huayi anyway? If there was an important offer, the Brothers would have called you. We cooperated with each other for Ke Ke Xi Li after all." "So?" "So something must have happened while I was abroad. Thats why I ignored her message. If I contacted her privately, Id get in trouble if she was in a sort of conflict with the Brothers." "Plus, I didnt even tell my friends about my return. Why would I make an exception for a benefit-oriented partner? She is no different than the Brothers to me. I only care about getting a good sry and a good script." Sister Xue approved of Qin Guans analysis. "You have a point. One must use their IQ when dealing with these two parties." Qin Guan shivered at her praise. He had spent a lot of time thinking about the Chinese entertainment circle, which was famous for itsplexity all over the world. Qin Guan had just returned from abroad, so he didnt want to get in any trouble. When Sister Xue told him about the two calls, he fell into deep thought. Wangs call had been pretty straightforward. She had just wanted to find out when Qin Guan would be returning to China, and if he would like to work on some films, unrted to Huayi, for her sake. The Brothers call was more intriguing. They had talked about the release of Qin Guans two previous films and said that they were looking forward to Qin Guans future cooperation with theirpany, which was very powerful in the entertainment circle. They were hoping that Qin Guan would cooperate with them when he returned home. They also wanted to share some profits with him, which were only reserved for thepanys VIPs. Actually, at the time, everyone was trying their best to get into a bigpany. Qin Guan was the entric one. All the insiders of the Chinese entertainment circle were fighting over territory like crazy. No one wanted to share any resources with anyone else. Of course, Qin Guan had his own n, but he seemed overconfident about it. Chapter 729: Acquiring Original Shares Chapter 729: Acquiring Original Shares Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Why would the Huayi Brothers share their resources with an outsider who wouldnt even join them? What did this mean? It meant that they were burning their bridges. As soon as their conflict with Wang had broken out, they had started drawing influential actors to their side at any cost. The Brothers were afraid of Wangs abilities. She had attracted many actors and won a lot of stars hearts with her kindness after all. Qin Guan knocked on the table with his fingers before he asked Sister Xue a seemingly insignificant question. "Has any powerful firm or individual, either foreign or domestic, entered the circletely?" "Yes! Why didnt I think of that?" Sister Xue patted the table. She remembered now! The whole firm was a lot like Qin Guan. It paid no attention to irrelevant people or matters. People thought that Qin Guan considered money dirt, but he was actually just waiting to get the highest offer. This was not the right time to give lessons to the sixth-generation directors. Sister Xue made several calls. In two minutes, she had collected some valuable information from a reliable source. The reporter she had spoken to, who was Qin Guans loyal fan, was also the chief editor of the entertainment section of the Wangnan website. Some of the news attracted Sister Xue and Qin Guans attention. A mainder who had been born and raised in Japan had recently moved his Japanese firm to Shanghai. The sessful businessman had paid a lot to bring Tetsuya Komuro together. Thepany he had founded in Shanghai was aprehensive entertainment firm very different from his music firm in Japan. The man was definitely qualified to hire Wang after she left Huayi. ording to Qin Guans understanding of Wang, she was not capable enough to establish apany of her own. Even though she knew a lot of actors, she didnt have the money or resources one needed in the circle. Sister Xue and Qin Guan exchanged a meaningful nce. They knew that it was this new firm that was trying to challenge the biggest entertainmentpany in China. "Got it!" Sister Xue hung up. "We could wait a few months until they are done fighting. Just to be safe." Before she could finish her words, Qin Guan shook his head. "No, Ill get in touch with one of the parties. This is our chance." Qin Guan stood up suddenly. "Huanyi! Sister Xue, contact the Brothers and tell them Im back! Im avable now. Any job will do." "What? You want to join them? The fight has not even begun yet." "Ive thought it through. I wont intervene in the fight. I just want to use their resources." "You mean..." "Both sides will suffer during the next few days. If Huayi seeds, my investment on insider equity will be the best support. I will be their partner and enjoy a priority on the best scripts of thepany." "But what if they fail?" "That will make things even simpler. A lean camel is still bigger than a horse. Ill have an entertainment firm, a group of famous directors and actors, as well as a good film and TV resource on my hands. Do you think the Brothers would fail at all these things?" Reassured by Qin Guans confidence, Sister Xue rushed to her desk. "Ill call them as soon as possible!" "Okay! Call Chen Kang first. That guy is good at trapping people." Qin Guan opened his China Club certification. The club offered only 500 spots for permanent members, but Chen Kang had finished the entire procedure in under half an hour and managed to get Qin Guan some special treatment. Qin Guan had had to pay only 100 dors for the membership fee, which was a really low price. Such a talented young man certainly deserved more work. Kindness was always paid back. Qin Guan changed clothes at home. That night, he met the Wang Brothers in the same yard where he had met Wang Jianlin. Although they had the same surname, they were not rted to each other. As a new member, Qin Guan had his own yard where he could meet guests. His yard was as big as a country. Vines were winding along the fence and wildflowers were blooming silently all around. A few cups of tea would help everyone calm down in the scorching heat. The Brothers rxed and forgot all about the pressure they felt. They wanted to talk about a potential cooperation. Back in ancient times, rich men did not forget their poor friends. In modern society though, people were always fighting for profit. The Brothers had worked hard to develop theirpany. Qin Guan didnt want to fight with them in the future. They were the decision-makers after all. He was only a partner. An open, sincere meeting was necessary before their cooperation. That was why he had invited them to the small yard. After enjoying some tea, everyone was in the mood to share their ideas. Chapter 730: The Athens Olympics Closing Ceremony Chapter 730: The Athens Olympics Closing Ceremony Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan felt sympathy for them. They clearly knew about their uing misfortune, but they had no idea how to restrain the actors, as their contracts were about to expire. They would be free to leave soon. The only thing they could do was try their best to keep the actors that were on Huayis side. They considered their previous partner Qin Guan one of them. They didnt want to lose such a powerful actor after all. They had topete for every avable resource. Qin Guan had unexpectedly returned to China and agreed to have a meeting with them. He also wanted to purchase some original shares of thepany. All senior staff members and directors of thepany had the same right. Zhou Xun though, who was an ex-partner of theirs, had turned down a simr offer. They didnt force anyone, they simply tried to promote a sense of union between the actors and thepany during these turbulent times. This was just like the internal pre-sale of Baidu and the employee benefits of all emerging technologypanies. Qin Guan is interested in the shares! He will have to pay in cash, wont he? Does this mean that... The Brothers did not enjoy their tea. They stood up right away and took Qin Guans hands. "Mr. Qin... No, Brother Qin... Do you really mean that? "Yes. Mywyer will get in touch with you to discuss all the details. The amount will be decided by the price. We can discuss this furtherter. Is that okay?" The Brothers said that it was. Qin Guan trusted them with the press conference and other simr matters. They had experience on such things after all. They were both shareholders and performers. They left the private yardte at night, while the candles andnterns were still burning silently. The professional servers didntin about the hard work. Their high sry guaranteed their efficiency and discretion. They still liked to gossip though. In the silent night, the girls took off their cheongsams and cleaned the yard in their household clothes. The supervisor pinned a VIPbel on the gate of the yard to indicate that it had been reserved. A girl carrying a tray with cups whispered to her, "Sister Li, the members name was Qin Guan. I saw his application form! I dared not look up at him while I served the tea, but I noticed his age and physique more or less. Was he the famous actor?" Sister Li, who was an experienced staff member, didnt seem to care. "He will return one day. You can take a look then. Whoever he is, dont forget our work regtions!" Frustrated, the girl walked to the operation room helplessly. I can have no private contact with any member of the club... I need the money. Goodbye, my idol... The investment process was very simple. It was actually harder to find a proper chance to reveal Qin Guans return to the media. They couldnt dy it too much, or the reporters would eventually spot him. As the Brothers were thinking about that, Director Feng Xiaogang reminded them of something. Feng had gone to them to get resources for his film. "See? Zhang Yimou went to the Athens Closing Ceremony to shoot his own sports documentary. What are you saving all that money for? Just give it to me! I wont destroy your reputation!" The Brothers suddenly felt inspired. We forgot about thispletely. The "Chinese Stamp" documentary will be aired during the Closing Ceremony of the Olympics! Qin Guan will appear before a worldwide audience! This is a big event for humanity! Nothing could top that. All Chinese people would be shocked by the power of their mothend and feel proud of being Chinese. When the day came, the highly anticipated film was yed on a giant screen in the crowded stadium. The screen, which was hundreds of meters long and tens of meters high, lit up slowly in the dark. The bright colors and melodious background music revealed the mystery of China to the entire world. Chapter 731: A Global Press Conference Chapter 731: A Global Press Conference Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans fans watched their idol in the four-minute documentary on his official blog. Even the green hills and bluekes seemed inferior to his elegance. His presence added charm to thendscape and made the audience yearn for that wondend and feel anxious to be in the same ce with him. When the live Chinese dance, music, martial arts and folk art show came to an end, nearly all the fashion media in America published articles about Qin Guans return to China. Although a press conference was about to take ce in China, the arrogant, restrained American film critics were the first to feel uneasy. They had not expected this. The Chinese actor had nted roots in America, and the exclusive film circle had gradually epted him. Why would he choose to return to China and abandon a bright future in the US? In their opinion, the Chinese film circle was practically primitive. What the hell had attracted Qin Guan to it? Conspiracy theories started spreading among theizens, who always remained open-minded. "Qin Guan has been secretly detained and is being escorted back to China!" "Qin Guan is under high-tech brain control. He has lost his memory!" "Qin Guan broke up with his high school sweetheart and wants to escape from this city because its full of memories..." However, an announcement on his official blog attracted the fans attention. "There will be a press conference regarding Qin Guans return home. The link of the live broadcast will be on his international website..." It seems that Qin Guan has really gone back to China. That heartless guy didnt even give us a chance to send him off properly! "If he doesnt give a valid reason for his return, I... Ill protest before the Chinese embassy!" The post appeared immediately on the forum and received thousands of kudos. The staff of the Chinese embassy wiped beads of sweat off their foreheads as they sat before theirputer screens. ording to the statistics, fans from more than 30 states and cities, including remote Southern California, had decided to participate in the demonstration. Please, Brother Qin! Give them a valid reason during the press conference, or our embassy will suffer the consequences... Thanks to Rongzhi and his outstanding technological skills, the video was released to the fans. Suddenly, hundreds of thousands of fans from all over the world poured into the blog. The server was nearly overwhelmed. The video did not load fast enough, but the fans were still satisfied. They were actually very easy to satisfy. Qin Guan took a seat. The background behind him was covered with logos of shameless popr brands. Tiffany and Armani had fought over the best cement. The conference had even more sponsors than the European Champions League. This was actuallypletely unnecessary. The background was not the center of the attention. All the reporters pointed their cameras and microphones at Qin Guan. His status in the circle, as well as Huayis effort, had made both domestic and foreign reporters fight fiercely over the limited invitations of the small-scale conference. In the end, only 100 invitations had been sent out. All the reporters present were the best of the best, so they had prepared really well for the conference. The host spoke up first, making an official introduction before he retired to the backstage area. "The conference willst 30 minutes. During the first 10 minutes, Qin Guan will be announcing his return and exining the reason behind it. The rest of the time will be reserved for questions. Now, Ill leave the floor to Mr. Qin Guan, the real hero of this conference!" A thunderous apuse followed his short speech. All the reporters were shouting in their minds, "Thank you so much! Now go away!" When Qin Guan picked up the microphone, everyone fell silent. The Chinese reporters looked at the man on the stage. Long time no see... As he looked at the cameras and raised faces in the crowd, Qin Guan felt the deeper meaning of the words "returning home". He let out a long sigh and then began his sincere speech. "Hello, everyone. Im Qin Guan. I think you all know me, so I will skip the self-introduction." "You came to this conference today to find out the real reason behind my return, so I will give you a sincere exnation." "The official reason is that my studies in America have entered a new phase. I do not need to attend any lectures anymore, so I can spend more time on my career and family. My love for my mothend made me return to her embrace without hesitation." "Im not such a great man after all. I have missed my home and my parents cooking. Ive missed the local ent and the traditional code of conduct..." "A man living far from his hometown bes homesick. Some people may not understand this, but the Chinese believe that a sessful man should return to his hometown. Otherwise, his victory will be as boring as a dull night parade." "I just want to enjoy the attention of mypatriots!" His confession immediately closed the gap between him and the media. The Chinese felt proud of the people that seeded in foreign countries. Even though Qin Guan was a rising star in the Euromerican film industry, he had returned to China to continue his career, which was very admirable. The reporters were taking notes like crazy as Qin Guans speech moved everyone in the room. "I actually made my final decision when I saw the development of the Chinese film and fashion circle. The status of Chinese filmmakers is rising in the world. There are so many people working hard for this industry, but Ill be really happy to make my own contribution. Its my responsibility after all." "I do not want to miss the year that Chinese films soared. One day, the film industry of this great country maypete against Hollywood. When that timees, I hope that my name will be mentioned, along with thousands of other hard-working actors and directors who helped achieve this milestone. It will be an honor for me, a descendant of Yan and the Yellow Emperor." The audience grew serious as he voiced his ambition. Suddenly, Qin Guan changed his tune. "Of course, with great poweres great responsibility. I started out my career as a model, so I will try to lead more and more Asian models towards the Western fashion circle. My firm will give you a more detailed exnationter. You can also find information in the material handed out to you. Please look at it and remind me next time. Meanwhile, Ill keep moving towards my destination." "Thanks a lot!" Chapter 732: The Different Responses Of Two Directors Chapter 732: The Different Responses Of Two Directors Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia His conclusion shocked the audience. The award-winning actor seemed to be really strict with himself. The ambition underlying his short speech seemed very difficult to realize. He had found sess very young, yet he hadnt rxed. His effort certainly deserved everyones support and encouragement. Qin Guan received a warm apuse from the audience. Whether he deserved it or not was debatable. Of course, if Qin Guans actions did not match his words, the Chinese media would cast him aside. No one could ever fool the media. The atmosphere was harmonious as the reporters started asking him questions. "Why did you return to China at this particr moment?" "Today, Zhang Yimous documentary was broadcast all over the world during the Closing Ceremony of the Athens Olympics. I represented Chinese people before the entire world, so this was the perfect chance for me to return to my homnd." "Mr. Qin Guan, may we know your ns for the future? Are there any new offers on the table?" "I only ept good scripts. My agent will be d to receive any good-quality scripts. Ill read them all carefully." "Do you think your status in the international fashion circle will be affected? Will all those top brands terminate their contracts with you?" "I havent signed many contractstely. Quality is more important than quantity. Some brands have moved their headquarters to China for me. I think it wont be long before we see even more top brands in China." ... The reporters werepeting for a chance to ask him a question. Twenty minutes were not enough to satisfy them. The host watched the time, and the staff of the International ck Star Security Company stopped any reporters who ignored the time limit. They were still pretty lucky though. They got to talk with Qin Guan face to face after all. His fans were really sad after the conference. Our idol has really returned to China. It seems like he will travel for an offer if the script is good enough though. Lets hope productionpanies act quick and give him some good scripts! Actually, all foreign filmpanies were confused. Qin Guan had just been promoted to a B-level actor in America and epted an offer from Warner Bros. Then, before people could evene to terms with this, he had suddenly returned to China. Everyone was speechless over the matter. This was not a time of war after all, when actors were not considered talented individuals. Qin Guan was not that important for the American film circle. There was only one man who thought so. Director Li An had won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film with "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". The Taiwanese director, who had captivated the Oscarmittee with his talent and appeal, had also shocked film productionpanies with his elegance. As a result, Li An had gotten a script that he had been longing for. It was an indie film about homosexuals called "Brokeback Mountain". The script had been handed around to four other famous directors, but had been turned down by all of them. Li An was under great pressure, as he loved the script and wanted to shoot the film. In 2004, homosexuality was not acknowledged or epted by mainstream society, so both the producer and the director were under a lot of stress. Li An though, who was a sensitive man, really loved the script. He did not just see homosexuality, but also love, kinship and humanity in the storys loneliness. That was the real message of the film. After some careful consideration, he chose Jake Gyllenhaal and Qin Guan as the two leads. Director Li An threw Qin Guans resume on his desk. His assistant tried tofort him. "Thepany has just begun preparing for production. We have at least two to three months left. Ill contact Qin Guans firm right away." "Dont forget your identity, director. You are also Chinese. You could just appeal to his emotions..." "This is a really good film after all. It should definitely be made." Li An waved his assistant away torpidly. Meanwhile, another lucky director, quite different from the world-famous Li An, was sitting confidently before Qin Guan. Xu Jinglei was the most artistic female actor in China. She would much rather be a talented director than a trashy celebrity of the fickle entertainment circle. Chapter 733: The First Scene In Tianjin Chapter 733: The First Scene In Tianjin Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia She spent more energy on her directing and producing work than her acting work. A thick script was lying silently between her and Qin Guan. Small vintage holes had been punched into the simple pile of paper and a silk thread had been woven through the holes, making the script look like an elegant thread-bound book. The Chinese characters on the cover spelled "Letter From A Strange Woman". The words were written in ink. In other words, the script looked rich in art and literature. Xu liked to make demands from others though. "This is our first meeting, Mr. Qin Guan. I apologize for my presumptuous visit, but I had no other alternative," she said politely. "I wonder if you have read this script before?" Qin Guan nodded. "I actually approached Jiang Wen first. Im the director of the film, but after reading the script, Mr. Jiang told me that he was not a good choice for the role. The script had been adapted from a foreign novel after all." "The hero is a true yboy. A womanizers nature cannot simply be reproduced through acting. To be frank, the actor has to be a stunner himself. Thats why he rmended you." "In his opinion, you are the only actor in China who can portray the man without disgusting the audience." Qin Guan didntment on thepliment. He also liked the sentiment of the story. Qin Guan just nodded. "Youvee at just the right moment. Im not very busy with the firm right now. Thank you for your trust. My answer is yes." All women were like flowers. At Qin Guans response, Xu Jinglei smiled elegantly, like a daisy blooming silently on a field. Even though this was their first meeting, they felt like they were old friends. The firm began to prepare in a hurry. Sister Xue started getting ready for Qin Guans appearance at the French Fashion Week. This was the only international fashion week that Qin Guan had not attended so far, so Sister Xue appointed a capable girl named Wang Liying as his assistant. When she heard the news, Wang Liying nearly burst into tears of joy. Qin Guan once again joined the crew with a big team and a considerable investment. He provided one fourth of the total amount. Soon, the shooting began in Tianjin. When they arrived at the site, some keen reporters recognized him. As a result, the whole site had to be sealed off like a mysterious box kept secret from outsiders. This was Xus idea of marketing. She was a capable woman with big ambitions, so she nned on taking advantage of Qin Guans international influence. She was a talented woman indeed. The beginning of the film, which was quite peaceful, was filmed in a quiet Tianjin alley. The alleys of Tianjin were just as old as the Beijing hutongs. They had been established during the Ming Dynasty and they reflected the style of Tianjin, which was a city located by the sea. The air was moister than that of the capital, and the weather was friendlier. A canal went through the city, leaving the alleys to find a ce along its banks. Therger alleys were as broad as roads, and the smaller ones were as narrow as ribbons twisting and winding in the small area. Of course, the crew hadnt chosen them as their shooting location. The scene was set in an ordinary native quadrangle dwelling. Tianjin people were very kind to strangers. The crew started carrying props and equipment into the yard early in the morning, but the residents didntin. Some experienced old men even worked out the time period of the film based on the props. They exchanged greetings with the crew, who were chewing on pancakes they had just bought. Their special ent and the smell of breakfast lingered around the site. Qin Guan, who was the protagonist, was pulled from the hotel by Wang Liying early in the morning. The first job requirement of an assistant was to act like an rm clock. In a few minutes, the stylist had fixed Qin Guans hair into a slick hairstyle. His ck boots, brown jodhpurs and ck jacket made Qin Guan look like an American ne engineer of the 1930s. He looked really handsome! Chapter 734: Juanquan Chapter 734: Juanquan Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia When he was in his costume, he looked like a wild loafer during conservative times. The stylist was very satisfied with his work. "Would you put on some gloves to see the overall effect?" Qin Guan grimaced awkwardly. His eyes were fixed on the door of the fitting room. Wang came back happily with a stic bag. That exined why he had not put on the gloves. It would have been inconvenient for him to have breakfast with the gloves on. Delicious food was always a priority. Qin Guan craned his neck towards the bag. "What did you get? The breakfast in Tianjin is not as delicate as in Southern China, but its still delicious!" Wang Liying took the food out of the bag and ced it on the table. "I got you something easy to eat. We have to workter, so I didnt buy anything liquid. There were a lot of people waiting in line before the stand, so it must be good." Xu Jinglei, who was eating a bun elegantly next to them, seemed curious about the contents of the bag. "Here you are!" "Whats this?" Qin Guan asked, looking at therge piece of food in his hand. "Jiaoquan in a pancake. Its very popr around here." I know its a pancake, but what the hell is inside it? This must weigh about half a kilo... Xu burst intoughter and turned around politely to eat her porridge, acting as if nothing had happened. It was hard to turn down such a kind offer, so Qin Guan bit on the pancake nervously. The two Juanquans rolled in it were suddenly exposed. Bean sprouts, dried soy beans and red powder had been rolled into a thin sheet of bean curd, along with salt, sesame oil and monosodium glutamate. The whole thing had been fried in oil and rolled up, the extra grease soaking the pancakes. The two different nutrients, which were a perfect match, made up the traditional breakfast of the Tianjin people. Qin Guan fell in love with the food at first bite and unashamedly buried his face into the bag. Different foods required different eating methods. A real foodie knew how to eat delicious food. He finished half the roll and swallowed up some soybean milk before looking up at Xu and everyone else. "Whats the matter, Sister Xu? Arent your buns tasty? Have some of my food." He handed Xu a roll, but the sane woman stopped him. "No, thanks. You are very polite, but Im full. You can have it. Ill go check on the equipment," she said before escaping. Qin Guan stuffed the end of the roll into his mouth. He didnt feel sorry at all. Then he gave Wang Liying a thumbs-up and took a tissue from her. Good girl! You are much better than Princess Xue! When Qin Guan went out of the working site, he discovered that Xu had already fixed the equipment. A girl in a white robe was standing next to her in the alley. She looked like a student, but her hair was as lovely as a dolls. If it wasnt for the smile on her face, which was as bright as sunshine, Qin Guan would have thought that Yamaguchi Tsutomu hade to China. She looked like Xu, except she was much younger than her. She was just 15 years old after all. She was only a greenhand selected among numerous girls. Suddenly, she saw Qin Guan on the old German motorcycle and grew nervous. The young award-winning actor was her ssmates idol. They were all collecting posters and photos of him like crazy, but they were not as lucky as she was. She had gotten a chance to work with him. Xu, who understood the girl, didnt try to improve her acting skills. They just needed to cooperate well together. "Attention, please! First scene, the first meeting. Three, two, camera!" A few girls began ying games by the yard gate. They were ying the craziest game of the time: Eagle and Chicks. Laughter filled the alley, when they suddenly heard the owner of a motorcycle speak behind them. A tall, charming man passed by them on his motorcycle. He was wearing goggles and he had an evil smile on his face as he pulled over to the yard gate leisurely. Chapter 735: Whisper Of Pipa Chapter 735: Whisper Of Pipa Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans raised lips and wild expression made him seem like an evil spirit, but he was actually just a yboy. Director Xu now realized why Jiang Wen had rmended him for the part. The mans polished acting skills were like uncut jade. He was the best choice for portraying noblemen and schrs now that idental and oriental culture had shed in China. Jiang Wen was a skilled, refined actor, but he wouldnt have been able to achieve that subtle effect. The role was not his cup of tea, but it fit Qin Guan perfectly. It seemed like the Austrian author had given Qin Guan his entire soul and essence. After nearly one century, his ssic work had finally found a genuine hero. The moving camera pulled Xu back from her thoughts. Qin Guan got off his motorcycle elegantly, his long windcoat flying in the air, and waved at the girls in apology for the intrusion. His wide smile shocked the girls, who felt the first awakening of love in their hearts. They fell silent, although this was not in the script. All eight girls looked at his retreating back, ck coat and ck boots. An old steward weed Qin Guan in, the two of them disappearing from the cameras view together. "Cut!" Li Pingping, who was the photography director, pulled everyone back to reality. She had been hired by Xu and transported from Taiwan especially for the film. Xu had exined why to Qin Guan. Li understood films set during the era of the Republic of China really well. She was also a Taiwanese award-winning photographer, so she was certainly worth her sry. Now was her time to shine. A good photographer had to check everything for the director. The first scene ended without any mistakes, making the crew feel strange. They had gotten used to repeated takes when working with domestic actors. The next scene did not go as smoothly though. Qin Guan and the girl, Lin Yuan, met in private for the first time. This was their first meeting and the beginning of the girls misery, as she fell in love with a man who never paused for any woman. The girl, who was a student at the time, rushed out of the yard and bumped into Qin Guan, who was about to enter through the gate. The two of them hugged each other in shock. The gentleman lifted his hands politely when he saw that it was a lovely girl. A true yboy was never rude to a strange girl. The girl looked up nervously. "Its Qin Guan, its Qin Guan..." Lin Yuan repeated in her mind, unable to break the spell. Taking advantage of this, Li Pingping zoomed in on her face. Meanwhile, Xu was encouraging the girl silently, afraid that she would be affected by Qin Guans beauty. Suddenly, the trembling girl turned pale. Everyone knew that this was amon rookie mistake. She was just too nervous. When she looked up, she got lost in Qin Guans eyes. Qin Guan turned his back to the camera so no one could see his face. When he realized the state Lin Yuan was in, he decided to take the lead. He smiled warmly at her, his eyes shining as splendidly as the mysterious starry sky as he fixed them on her boldly. Lin lowered her head again in delighted shyness before she leaned to the side and ran away. Her shyness was like the clear, fragile morning dew on flower petals. It felt so wonderful! As the song "Whisper of Pipa" yed in the background, the audience got lost in the scene. The sad tune sounded like a woman sorrowfully telling her tragic story. Chapter 736: Romance In The Republic Of China Chapter 736: Romance In The Republic Of China Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The pipa was murmuring in a low voice, as if expressing the emotions of a sad woman. The melody, along with Xus soft voice-over, lingered around the set. The voice-over had been finished the previous night, so Qin Guan and Li Pingping knew about it in advance. "Thats when I fell in love with you. I know that many women have said that to you, but believe me, no woman has ever loved you like me. There is no alternative for me. Nothing in the world couldpare to my love for you." "It was a hopeless, humble outburst of enthusiasm, but from then on, you had captured my heart." Qin Guan had actually been harboring the same love. Unlike the miserable heroine though, he pursued it without hesitation and finally seeded. Qin Guan sighed in sympathy for the character, all the while remaining speechless about his own character. The man was an innocent guy feeling a secret adoration. He was a yboy who just yed the game of love. Some people couldnt afford to do that though. The food in Wangs hands made him cheer up again after the shooting. "Heres yourte snack, Brother Qin!" The fictional girls sorrow was finally blown away. Qin Guan felt refreshed again, and so did Xu, who cast away her sorrow and got to work energetically. The first love of a maiden withered in time, but the romantic feelings of a young woman bloomed silently. After moving away from the yard, Xu returned to the old alley and rented a house across the yard to be closer to her lover. The girl had grown up and be slim and graceful. Lin Yuan left the filming location when it was time for Qin Guan and Xu Jingleis scene. Would the soft, gentle woman be a good partner for Qin Guan? Everyone was waiting to find out. Unfortunately, they had all misjudged Qin Guan. He was actually better than Xu in the field of Chinese history and traditional culture. He had not stopped his lessons with Teacher Rong, even while he was in America, so it was easy for him to portray an uninhibited schr living in the era of the Republic of China. A student demonstration was taking ce in the embassy district of the city. Xu was a schoolgirl holding a sign, while Qin Guan was a reporter carrying a camera. When they brushed against each other, the policemen started dispersing the demonstrating crowd. Qin Guan immediately rushed up to the girl he was interested in. The two of them ran through the familiar alleys hand in hand. Li Pingping ran after them excitedly with the camera. The couple chose a deserted church as a temporary shelter. Now that they were away from danger, they were finally able to fix their eyes on each other. Qin Guan, who was wearing golden-framed sses and a ck windcoat, was still holding the girls hands. When he saw the amused expression in her eyes, he let her slender fingers go awkwardly. The smell of roses lingered on his palms. All he could do was smile at her and express his tenderness and love through his eyes. The narrow space suddenly filled with an ambiguous emotion. If this were an idental film, they would have gotten naked by now. The lovers lived in a conservative country though, so they just stared at each other emotionally. This was why idental critics were puzzled by oriental romance. Asians were born with a feeling of restraint that was beyond the understanding of people that confused love with desire. How could they understand the gentle, hesitant feeling in the girls eyes? Qin Guan and Xu cooperated perfectly during that short minute. They actually seemed to understand each other like old friends. When the scene was over, Xu hugged Qin Guan. "Thank you so much for participating in the film despite its limited budget. It was such great luck to have you here." Qin Guan patted her shoulder in an effort tofort the sensitive woman. "You are wee, Director Xu. Dont forget that Im also a fan of yours. I really like your film. Next scene, quick! We need to save money!" Chapter 737: An Aesthetic Erotic Scene Chapter 737: An Aesthetic Erotic Scene Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia A money-oriented, award-winning actor was a blessing for any crew. Xu wiped her eyes and then moved on to the next scene, which was an erotic one. All romantic films included an erotic scene, especially the ones with yboy protagonists. The most aesthetic erotic scene Qin Guan had ever been involved in was shot silently in the old yard. Rednterns were hanging high, and a decadent smell of tobo was lingering around the room. The bed, which was a mixture of oriental and idental culture, had red embroidered sheets and a golden continental quilt on it. Xu Jinglei was sitting on Qin Guans thighs with her back turned to the camera. Her clothes were taken off slowly by his slender hands, revealing her thin fair back to the camera. It felt so good to be young... The hands she was longing to touch were on her bare back, moving up along her skin before finally pausing at the slim red belt on her stomach. Her traditional Chinese underwear showed her desire as Qin Guans lips smothered her heavy breaths. It was a magical moment. As the two of them hugged each other and fell down on the bed, the room went dark and the conservative erotic scene ended. Most of the crew members were women. Wang Liying, who was one of them, was finally experiencing her boss unparalleled charm and attraction. Wangs eyes hardly ever shone like this. It was a pity that taking pictures on the set was forbidden. Otherwise, she would have taken some photos for his firm and blog. Now all she could do was search for delicious food for her boss. The shooting went on smoothly. In a few days, their work in Tianjin was finished and they headed to thest exterior shooting location, which was Huanglongxi Town in Chendu. The buildings of that particr era were well-preserved there, and the mountain city was famous for its beautifulndscape, warm residents and delicious Sichuan Cuisine. The most important scenes of their romantic affair would be shot there. It would be a wild romance set during troubled times. To avoid the chaos of war, the military and political center of the area had been moved to the city. Meanwhile, the rulers continued to lead luxurious lives. Xu Jinglei hade to the city to live with a boy Qin Guan did not know. Her lover had abandoned her after spending a few crazy nights with her. The only way a beautiful, lonely woman could survive amid such chaos was by selling her body. There were all kinds of ways to sell oneself. The most unwise women sold themselves at low prices, while the most clever ones acted much more nobly. Xu Jinglei had found someone to help her in Sichuan, a young promising squadron leader called Huang Jue, who didnt detest her son. He was even nning on marrying her to protect her and the boy, when she suddenly met that man again. It was that yboy who had passed through the foolish womans life and left a mark. Xu attended the luxurious ball in a splendid dress, the flowers blooming on her breasts expressing her love for him. Qin Guan was the most handsome man at the ball. He was wearing a grey waistcoat, a fancy white shirt and a golden chain watch. His white gloves made him look really handsome. Qin Guans eyes were attracted to the most beautiful woman in the hall. Eight years had passed since they hadst met, but her blooming beauty attracted him immediately. It was a pity that he didnt recognize her. As the woman sat in a quiet corner, a match lit the slender cigarette in her hand. The camera recorded the final lines between the hero and heroine, not missing even the slightest detail. "When can I see you again?" "Anytime you like." Qin Guan caressed his jaw and leaned his head slightly towards Xu. He was flirting with her, but there was nothing aggressive about him. Thus, the man started spreading his poison amid the decadent music of the time and the delighted toasts taking ce around them. Chapter 738: A Beam Of Light Among Web Novels Chapter 738: A Beam Of Light Among Web Novels Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The man proposed a one-night stand. "What about now?" Xu gazed at Qin Guan for a long time. Of course, thats only what it felt like to the onlookers. She actually only looked at him for one second. "Okay, lets go!" Qin Guans charm could persuade anyone. He could certainly earn a womans blind love. Even if the woman in question was lying in a grave, she would still stand up if Qin Guan ordered her to. He had managed to bring to life the yboy of the original work. Xu went home with Qin Guan, leaving Huang Jue at the ball. Qin Guan still hadnt recognized her. The next morning, he gave her the same excuse he had years ago. "Ill be back after my business trip." Xu was not as broken-hearted now as she had been when she was younger. She put on her fur coat, pinned a white rose to her hair and left with her handbag. He had never recognized her, which had made her feel hurt all over again. The romantic story and the in music only irritated Wang. "Damn!" she said angrily. What a scumbag! Qin Guan was a lot like a relentless web novel protagonist. Wang, who was a loyal web novel reader, lost interest in her favorite stories after the shooting. She was lucky enough to understand the situation though and be one of the most prophetic readers. Muchter, she would write articles like "The Fall Of The Stone Horse" and "Defeating Stone Horses", which would be a strange beam of light amid the web novelmunity. Her loyal fans would also soon be Qin Guans fans. Of course, this would happen muchter. At the moment, Qin Guan was still performing. Thanks to the womans letters, he knew that he had a son he had never met with a woman who was deeply in love with him. His sorrow was so strong that it prated his bones. Thick clouds covered the moon as everyone gathered behind the camera nervously. "Camera!" said Xu, who was sitting calmly among them. The camera zoomed in on Qin Guan with a mechanical arm. Qin Guan was wearing a blue robe and a Chinese jacket and holding a thick stack of papers in his hand. He was standing in the dark, far away from themp. As he clenched his fists tighter and tighter, the t papers twisted and wrinkled like a helpless lover. Qin Guans sorrow began to flood his entire body. No! Its not true! Its impossible! Qin Guan bounced up from the couch and walked to the meeting hall. From the corner of his study, he could see the small house across the street clearly. It was that womans house. That was where she had fallen in love with him. As her vague figure suddenly became clear in his mind, his heart started hurting and a bitter roar struggled out of his throat. His roar eventually turned into a peaceful sigh. That was how the story ended. By the time the long scene, whichsted about three minutes, waspleted, the women on the set were sobbing silently. "What a sad story. Only when the heroine died did the hero realize she had been his true love. He will have to live a miserable life from now on..." "Pure love goes beyond life. If Qin Guan were to fall in love with me, Idy down my life for him..." Wang pointed out their mistake, aiming straight at the heart of the matter. "Why would you fall in love with such a man? He wouldnt even remember you!" Her words brought everyone back to reality. She is right. Qin Guan shot a surprised look at the girl. He liked her clear mind and ability to impress his fans. Besides, she had a keen insight into such matters. She would certainly be a good assistant someday. When everyone finished packing, Wang led them to a restaurant not far away, where they could have a celebratory dinner party. She had negotiated with the cunning owner and reserved the entire restaurant for two hours so they could experience the real charm of Sichuan Cuisine. She had chosen that restaurant mainly for its delicious pickled Chuan. Chapter 739: National Effort Chapter 739: National Effort Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Unlike the hot pot and spicy hot pot, that snack attracted people because of its reasonable price and good taste. Qin Guan was obsessed with the unimpressive snack because everyone looked gorgeous while they were enjoying it. He used his entire palm to grab the mounted Chuanchuan and, holding all kinds of mixed Chuanchuan, he shouted at the restaurant owner, "Put them all in the same pot!" He felt like a mighty swordsman as he said that. When the cooked Chuanchuan was served, he shouted again dramatically, "Bring the tea!" This was the royal treatment. The finishing touch would be the rich ingredients boiled in beef fat and Sichuan spices. Their taste buds bloomed when they tried the hot, spicy soup. That dish was truly a food for powerful men. When one finished their dinner, they could shout at the happy owner again, point at the bamboo sticks mounted on the table and say, "Count the sticks!" This was a wonderful feeling. All the cells in ones body were mouring, "Im a rich man!" The owner knew that the guests had had a lot of food, but he was okay with that. Out of all Chinese cities, Chengdu attracted the most idlers. The pace of life there was so slow that it felt like a different worldpared to other parts of China. The city was also a cradle of beauties, which matched its delicious food perfectly. I love the vast territory and abundant resources of China. I love the various races of Chinese people. I love my country! When Qin Guan boarded his return flight, the taste of chilli was still lingering in his mouth. Wang Liying, who was a very devoted girl, finished the handover. Unlike his busy team, Qin Guan was able to appreciate the row of fair legs before him. All the designers that had won the Chinese Costume Design Contest were sitting beside him. They had actually been sent by New Silk Road. After a friendly negotiation with the Paris Fashion Week, which was the most tolerant fashion event and the one that enjoyed the highest status and most global attention, the organizingmittee had finally approved of Qin Guans team. Qin Guan knew exactly what he had to do. The Paris Fashion Week was the best international fashion week. Mn and London favored native designers and were not that interested in foreign patterns, and New York was toomerce-oriented. Only Paris weed talented designers from all over the world. Designers from Japan and Taiwan had exhibited their designs on the stage in the past. That year, it was Chinas turn though. Qin Guan wanted to be the pioneer that would introduce traditional Chinese art to the world. The models had been selected from all over the country. All Chinese top model agencies and performing artpanies had set aside their prejudices and private conflicts and sent their best models to the Paris Fashion Week. They had all been sent to the capital at the same time as Qin Guan. All the young men were looking at Qin Guan eagerly. The world-known top model, who was sitting on a couch under the stage leisurely, would be the one who would decide their destiny. Lv Yan and Du Juan, who had finished their work in New York and returned to China, were now sitting on either side of Qin Guan like loyal guardians. Because of the nature of the job, members of the Foreign Trade Department and the Textile Association, as well as representatives from the Designers Association and other design institutes had also attended the meeting. The team, which was practically official, had united to help promote the Chinese fashion industry. As expected, Ye Dong had taken advantage of the situation to return to China. He had been appointed as the official spokesman and representative who would cooperate with Qin Guan. The man, who was aware of his own limits, pushed the burden on his old ssmate as soon as he met him. "Im only your subordinate. At your service!" Qin Guan hit him on the chest. "Thats nonsense! Whats your objective?" Ye smiled meaningfully at him and adjusted his cor. "I have to try to increase the poprity of Chinese textile exhibitors in Frankfurt. There will be an International Home Textile Trade Fair there, so I have to show the merchants the power of our government and get more orders for them. Our goal is to get international orders. You know that!" F*ck! I didnt know, but the deal sounds pretty good! All the members of the Textile Association were delighted. The models on the stage looked as if a pie had fallen from Heaven and they all expressed their happiness over doing the job for free. Their sincere words came from their hearts. The journey to the fashion capital would be a great joy for both the models and the designers. Chapter 740: Hong Kong, Macao And Taiwan Vs. The Chinese Mainland Chapter 740: Hong Kong, Macao And Taiwan Vs. The Chinese Maind Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was both suffering and having fun. He was about to execute a brutal elimination. He had to weed out 42 out of the 108 top models selected from all over the country. Chinese people considered 66 to be a lucky number. This was also the number of models one needed to participate in arge-scale fashion event. The selection began at Teacher Lis school. Qin Guan, who was the only judge, was happy to return to his old ssroom. In Paris, the models would concentrate only on the runway show, so Qin Guan did not set high standards for the fashion photoshoot. The models only had to be expressive and walk elegantly on the runway. The best test was an underwear show. Revealing clothes set the bar very high for models, as any ws on their bodies would be exposed before the judge. This was unfair for famous models that took perfect pictures, but a chance like this was considered very valuable in the industry. If one couldnt ovee the difficulties they faced on the way, they could risk destroying their reputation. Some Hong Kong models like Xie Tingting didnt participate in thepetition. Instead, Hong Kong had sent a group of girls known for their runway walk. When they came out, Qin Guan nearly spit out his water. Hong Kong was a tolerant city where at least 10 races from different countries resided. Renowned female models, including Gaile Lai, Kathy Chow and Lisa S, swarmed out. Their agents had worked really hard for this opportunity. When they reached the stopping point of the T stage, Qin Guan, who was the decision-maker, crossed out Gaile Lais name. It was strange to see a 175-centimeter tall girl among 180-centimeter tall girls, even if she had long legs. As a result, the popr girl was the first to be eliminated. When the models from Taiwan came out, Qin Guan tried his best to hold back hisughter. It was the future favorite of lonely indoorsmen, Lin Chi-Ling. She was 30 years old at the time and only 175 centimeters tall, but she was still walking down the runway intently. Qin Guan felt all kinds of feelings well up in his heart. You dont need to work so hard, sister. Soon, a goddess with a childlike voice and bigger boobs will be popr on the Chinese maind. The model had be unexpectedly sessful when her agent had moved her to the Chinese maind. Just be grateful for your young looks and the boys tolerance for Taiwanese girls. Qin Guan knew that the clever woman was aware of her own shorings. Her presence was just a friendly gesture aimed at Qin Guans firm. She was hoping that Qin Guan would help her in the future, as ones achievements mattered more than their age in that industry. She was very clear about what she wanted, so she managed to keep up a sweet smile, even though she was surrounded by taller girls. The other models, who were feeling jealous because Qin Guan had paid more attention to Sister Lin, Du Juan, Lv Yan, began to sneer at her. "Her smile is beautiful, but she is too short to qualify." "Yes, just look at her breasts. 32A at best!" That size was actually verymon in the modelling circle. Before they could finish their words, they saw their idol cross out Lins name. As more and more models from the maind walked on the stage, Lv and Du closed their mouths. They felt nervous to finally meet their real rivals. Qin Guan had no time to pay attention to them. He was too busy looking at the best models from different Chinese cities. Lynn Hung? Isnt she from Hong Kong? Qin Guan looked down at her resume and found out that the famous Hong Kong girl, who had actually been born in Nanjing, had just won an award at the Chinese Fashion Week. Eileen and Liu Wen were right behind her. Qin Guan read their resumes quickly. How old are they? Why did theye here today? Lynn Hung, I understand. She is only one year older than me. Liu Wen was born in 1988 though. She is just a little girl whos made her presence known in the capital. It seems like newborn calves are not afraid of tigers... The girl had been selected from the Hunan Province by New Silk Road. Hunan had originally wanted to send her to the nationalpetition, but their attempt had revealed their secret weapon early. Chapter 741: A Top Brand Gathering Chapter 741: A Top Brand Gathering Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Suddenly, three generations of Chinese models began a fiercepetition on the small stage. Four years could define a generation. After pondering it for a while, Qin Guan ticked the names of Lynn Hung (1980), Eileen (1984) and Liu Wen (1988). After changing clothes, the selected models were led to arge meeting room. As they waited, they split into two groups based on their gender and began to talk to each other. Wherever there were people, there were always cliques. The Chinese judged others by the region they were from, so the girls were divided into three groups: Maind, Hong Kong & Macao and Taiwan. Each group had its own leader, but there was actually one model who had worked in the maind for a long time. That was Lin Zhiling. The girl, who was good at observing others, was the oldest one among them, so she acted as a kind coordinator. Lynn Hung: Those rednecks are trying to pass this selection in vain! As a local Dior model, she was certainly qualified to say that. Liu Wen did not seem like a cool girl, but she was definitely hot. She was the youngest one among them though, so she dared not challenge Lynn Hung. "This is typical. Why are all mixed-race models so arrogant? They are no better than everyone else." The other girls smiled at her answer. The girls from Hong Kong felt insulted though. They all had ties to different countries, such as France, the UK, Portugal, Spain, and so on. Eileen suddenly made another attack. "From a biological standpoint, mixed-race individuals are more likely to be attacked by new viruses..." Before Lynn Hung could burst into tears, the door of the meeting room was suddenly pushed open and Wang walked in with a short list. "Lynn Hung, Lin Chi-Ling, Zhang Li... Follow me, please!" The 44 models that were left in the room knew that they had been selected. The 22 male models who had been chosen, including Zhao Lei, Zhang Liang, Fu Zhenggang, Zheng Yuguan, Nan Fulong and Ji Huanbo, would be famous during the next few years. The assistants led the models to their apartments, which were located in the Chaoyang District. Eight models would have to share one apartment, which was much better than their average living conditions. Some of them were still struggling to make a living after all. They would all go through a paid training, but it was the bonus of the Paris Fashion Week that was the final goal of the eager models. They didnt aspire to achieve what Qin Guan had. Lv Yan and Du Juan had failed to do that. They were just longing for a chance to participate in the Paris Fashion Week. The international stage seemed to wave at the rising stars as the power of Chinese models gradually increased. The eliminated models were all calm and peaceful. Lin had been offered a contract of one million, so she left without any regrets. Lynn Hung though, who was the best model in Hong Kong, didnt understand why she had been weeded out. Kathy Chow and Patina had been selected after all. When she tried to get in touch with Qin Guan through her agent, she received a small note in response. Qin Guans sincere but indifferent words helped here to terms with reality. She felt colder after reading the note. "Hong Kongers rule in Hong Kong because they understand the city better than everyone else. Thats why they can make good use of the citys resources." "Simrly, before entering a country or a region, a top brand has to take the local customers into consideration. When ites to different cultures and cities, a renowned local star or model will usually be the key to their market." "You are certainly loved by Hong Kongers, but you do not qualify for an international runway show." "Considering your five years of experience, you must be aware that there is a gap between you and international top models. I wonder if you have received a foreign offer other than an invitation to watch the show." The note shattered the girls dreams as the reality of the situation wounded her pride. She tore the note into pieces slowly. Instead of throwing them away though, she stuffed them into her purse and left silently. The assistant didnt say anything. Hong Kongers were none of his concern right now. Chapter 742: Paris Chapter 742: Paris Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia All the selected models had to go through a strict training at once. The Chinese and American trainers exhausted them. Taking advantage of his rtions, Qin Guan invited Alexander to China. He was the best runway trainer after all. It was unwise to stand still and refuse to make any progress in the fashion circle. Amunication and cooperation between the two countries had now begun. Their effort was soon rewarded. Two more designers selected by Qin Guan were epted by the Paris Fashion Week. Their dream would begin from a small-scale press conference. They were now ready for Paris. Paris was the capital of France and the secondrgest city in Europe, but the whole world still thought of it as the city of romance. The city was full of tasteful ancient buildings, noisy crowds and abundant narcissism. Nothing affected its beauty though. Paris was like a gorgeous, shy aristocratic maiden. It was a proud peacock in the daytime and a dissolute creature at night. Artists mixed art with conservative culture, unified welfare with extreme individualism, and bright realism with vigorous romanticism. Those strangebinations had withstood the test of time. It was a wonderful experience to live in and full of miracles. It was only in Paris that people were brave enough to use famous historical buildings like the Louvre and the Jardin des Tuileries as fashion event locations. Only the French had dared to build a floating bridge on the bank of the Seine for a fashion show. As night fell, Qin Guans team did not have much time left. Thanks to Qin Guan, eight Chinese reporters would be following them around during the fashion week. This had been unthinkable before, although ELLE, VOGUE and Marie ire were branches of international magazines. This was because of the method the organizingmittee used to send out the invitations. They sent 30% of the invitations to celebrities and VIPs of the fashion circle, 30% to influential media moguls, 30% to top buyers, purchasing agents and rich businessmen interested in fashion, and 10% to various others. The unknown stars that did not qualify for an invitation could get one by using their connections or money. The event was really exclusive, but the first row of seats were the most important. All the guests would stare at the people sitting beside them. There were always uninvited guests though. When Qin Guan arrived in Paris, he turned off his phone, for fear that some Chinese agencies might ask him for help. Unfortunately, he couldnt avoid Fan Pingping, who was waiting for him outside his hotel room. Fan Pingping was not as young anymore, but she was still a charming mature woman. She stretched a hand out towards the surprised man, as if they were old friends. "A gentleman would kiss my hand in Paris. Wont you?" Qin Guan came back to his senses and took a few steps back. Then he dialled a number on his phone. "Sister Xue, send Wang Liying over. Yes, I have a female guest. It would be indecent for me to be alone with her." Sister Xue sounded alert at the other end of the line. Her voice came through the receiver. "Wang ising. Keep the door open. Who is there?" "Fan Pingping." "Wang, quick!" Sister Xue hung up. Fan was shocked. "What are you doing, Qin Guan? Youve changed so much!" Qin Guan didnt feel ashamed. When he saw Wang rushing over to them, he invited Fan in. "Come in, please. You must have an assistant or agent with you. If this is official business, you can just let them in." Fan seemed to struggle, but Wang was on guard for any possible danger. She smiled guiltily as she walked into Qin Guans luxury suite. "Wow! Qin Guan! Well done! We havent seen each other for a few years! You can afford a presidential suite now! How much money have you made?" Fan looked jealously around the room as she sat down on the couch. In two years, the dispensable man she had known had ascended so high that she had to look up at him now. Suddenly, she made up her mind. Clenching her fists, she exined her purpose for visiting her old schoolmate. She thought they were on the same side after all. Chapter 743: God Makes Fools Out Of People Chapter 743: God Makes Fools Out Of People Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Im in desperate need of an invitation. Any top brand will do. Will Giorgio Armani attend the ceremony? Will I get a chance to take a picture with him? I know he is a good-tempered man. He would never say no to a beautiful woman." Wang was sitting beside Qin Guan. Both she and Qin Guan couldnt help but look up to the influential Chinese woman. "But..." Qin Guan didnt know how to answer. Instead, he made a detailed inquiry. "As far as I know, the domestic media do not pay close attention to foreign fashion events. Neither does the Chinese public. They dont know much about international fashion activities. Only insiders of the fashion circle and clothingpanies know the true meaning of an invitation like this." Fan answered straightforwardly. "My agency set this rule for me. You know that Im not a good student. I studied at the Xiejin Film School, but Im not like you. You are straight-A student. Princess Pearl has made me popr, but Im a nobodypared to the other two protagonists. The two of them go after very specific roles, so they will get good scripts and sponsors in the future." "What about me though? Ill be outshined by new celebrities soon. Im not ready for that. Compared to other female stars..." She paused and caressed her face absent-mindedly. "All I have is my face." "Im bright and charming. Im the most beautiful girl in the acting circle ording to the media. Im very popr, but what am I relying on?" Fan forced a bitter smile. "Thats why your agent was so eager for me toe here. I am infamous now, but without any sessful projects, my soaring fame will fade away soon." "I admit that I originally wanted to use your fame, but then you reminded me of our school life. Im not cruel enough to do this..." Qin Guan felt all kinds of feelings well up in his heart. "Im not very familiar with the entertainment circle in China, but you must be working with Huayi. Is there a good script waiting for you?" Fan looked helpless. "They have so many good actors. Chen Hao, Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing... All of them better than me." Fan suddenly seemed ashamed. "You are aware of my acting skills... I havent found the right way yet, but I try to improve slowly. I want to find a way to make more money and reach the top." "I want to be amercial celebrity. I wont be the first to take that route, but Ill be the most famous person to do so. Thats not enough though. I need some top brands in order to elevate my status. I have to show my ability to world-renowned brands." "Thats why I came to ask for your help. You are my only hope. You are the only Chinese star that fascinates them." The clever woman knew exactly what she needed. Soon, Wang caught herself feeling sympathy for the actress. Qin Guan decided to grant her favor for the sake of their good old school days. It was not a big deal for him after all. "How many invitations do you have at hand, Wang?" "Theres eight left, excluding the three conferences you have to attend. It would be okay not to go though. They do not cooperate with us." "Give them all to her." "All of them?" "Exactly." Qin Guan turned to Fan with a worried expression. "Do you have time to attend them all? Or would you like to just pick one or two? Have you brought enough outfits with you? I could lend you my stylist for a day. You are aware that a formal outfit cant be repeated before the cameras." Kind people were always happy to help others, so Qin Guan offered to lend Fan some of his staff. "I am. Thank you so much!" Fans eyes were sparkling with ambition. All she had done had been to get to this moment. "Ill buy some dresses here. I like shopping in Paris." She made a decision fast. Before she left, Qin Guan couldnt help but ask her, "How is your boyfriend doing?" "We broke up. He never recognized me." Fan left without looking back. Her bitter smile changed Qin Guans opinion of her. She was no longer the greenhand she had been a few years ago. Now she rushed towards her goal as if she wanted to prove something to herself or the audience. Chapter 744: Changing The Rules Chapter 744: Changing The Rules Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The autumn breeze blew Chinese fashion over to Paris. Thanks to Qin Guans effort, Chinese designs took their rightful ce among thepeting countries. The open-minded Paris fashion circle showed great interest in the oriental patterns. However, they didnt pay much attention to Lynn Hung and Eileens looks. Instead, they were inspired by Liu Wens thick eyebrows and phoenix-like eyes. Another strange phenomenon also took ce. Although Qin Guan hadnt brought many male models to Paris, they still managed to attract the attention of the most famous brands. Male models were rare all over the world, and those handsome guys were at their prime, so Sister Xue started receiving non-stop offers from designers and brands. Qin Guans agent felt like she was at the top of the world. Qin Guan had received countless invitations, so he had to be very selective. He only attended two shows, the Armani and the Hermes one, and he set brand new standards for the industry by being the first model to be paid based on how many times he walked down the runway. T stages varied in length, but Hermes paid more than 10,000 dors for him to walk on the stage once. Hermes smart director didnt choose the floating bridge beside the Louvre, which was 100-meters long. Instead, he chose the stage by the pond of the Jardin des Tuileries, which was only 10-meters long. The sry was reasonable considering that Qin Guan was the only Asian top model at the event. The Hermes director hired the popr model to show off to Gi, LV and Channel. As night fell in Paris, the garden of the royal European family opened its gates to the guests. All the guests had to wear old European costumes. Old-fashioned gentlemen were wearing white gloves and holding sticks, while their femalepanions were wearing long dresses. The site of the show was a small white dome that looked like a small-scale opera of the 1900s. The U stage, which resembled the stage in "Phantom of the Opera", was paved with ck and red velvet. Long tassels were hanging down from the curtains, swaying in the night breeze. The first row of seats, which wasbelled with different names, was already upied. The people behind just stood there with cameras in their hands, their eyes fixed on the stage. The big lights around them went out at the same time and small kerosenemps lit up one after the other on the stage. The dim lights revealed the luxurious royal yard that dated back to an era before the French Revolution. As background music began ying, the Hermes show began. Qin Guan was the first model to set foot on the stage, wearing a monocle. A silver chain was swaying beside his ear. He was wearing a white shirt, ck pants, a waistcoat and leather shoes. The gem buttons and golden watch chain on his chest had been used by nobles when they wanted to outshine each other. The show brought back the old times, when noblemen took baths in their jewellery and heritage was counted by chests full of golden coins. Qin Guan was holding a soft ck leather bag with a square bottom in his hand. It looked like arge briefcase one could take on a business trip. The four buttons on its bottom helped it bnce when it was set down on a t surface. As his assistant, Wang had to count Qin Guans steps. "44, 45, 46... Yeah! Thats right!" Qin Guan actually wished he could walk to the end of the world. When he led Zhang Liang and Nan Fulong backstage, he asked how they felt with a smile. He was no longer the cool, proud model he had been on the stage. "How are you feeling? This is the best stage in the world, but if you remain calm, it will feel just like Professor Lis shabby stage." The two young men let out a long sigh of relief at his kind, casual question. "Wow! I was so nervous. Thank god you were with us, Brother Qin, or I would have made so many mistakes!" Nans Tianjin ent sounded very funny. Before Qin Guan and Zhang Lian could burst intoughter though, the group behind them entered the backstage area. They were also abination of Asian models. Chapter 745: The Strongest Becomes King Chapter 745: The Strongest Bes King Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia They were freshmen from Japan, Singapore and the Republic of Korea who had been selected by Hermes thanks to Qin Guan. The show required six Asian models, six African models and some white models. The boys felt really lucky to be on the stage. The three Asian men expressed their gratitude and respect for Qin Guan. Their feelings had nothing to do with his age. They were only based on his achievements. Daisuke Ueda took a deep bow before Qin Guan and stretched out his hands sincerely. When Qin Guan shook his hands kindly, the Japanese model looked up at him in admiration. He felt extremely ttered. Japanese people admired power and only obeyed people with authority. Singaporeans, on the other hand, were more cunning. They only cared about profit, and power and money governed over the fashion circle. Age and appeal meant nothing to them. They only liked to cooperate andpete against each other. Meanwhile, the Korean model walked closer to Qin Guan. This was rare, as Koreans were usually unable to read a situation correctly. This model had been born and raised in America though. He had received standard American education, so his English was much better than his Korean. Thanks to the American media, he knew all about Qin Guans status in the fashion and entertainment circle. The industry was no heaven. Stories about theplexity of human nature circted among the handsome models. Qin Guan had changed a lot through time. He was no longer the crazy model that had participated in the Chinese Fashion Week. Back then, he had epted any offers he could get and left nothing for other models. Now he had reached the top of the pyramid and was able to choose the best jobs, so there was enough work left for the struggling male models. Everyone was grateful for his kindness. The shining star left with his team amid the grateful gazes of his peers. Far away from that noisy site, Qin Guan and his team found a good restaurant where they could have a party. People had big dinners in France. The country had long enjoyed a good reputation for its delicious food, but finding delicious food at a reasonable price was really hard. French restaurants always charged too much. If one travelled to Paris from far away, it would be a letdown for them to end up having dinner in Chinatown in District 13. Qin Guans keen nose detected a small restaurant in a narrow street in District 10. A wonderful smell filled the entire street. It was already 10:30 pm, so the restaurant weed theirst wave of customers before closing time. The room was crowded with eight people. A French girl with red cheeks and freckles walked over to them with a pencil. "What would you like?" Her English was poor. Despite the foreigners pouring into the city during the Paris Fashion Week, French citizens did not stoop so low as to learn English. Qin Guan smiled warmly at her. "Where is the menu?" he asked in standard French. The happy girl pointed at the paintings on the wall. "Right there!" It was so simple! "Beef, parsley and onion stew, served with a secret sauce." "Chicken with tarragon and lemon meatballs, fried in various sauces." "Mutton withtro, cumin and soy sauce, fried in alcoholic beverages." "Pork with fennel, red pepper meatballs and soup, the best choice for bread dipping." "The vegetarian meatballs are a perfect mixture of chickpeas and eggnt, so they are refreshing, but not greasy." There were various ingredients and cooking methods used. Everyone understood the menu thanks to Qin Guan, who tranted it from French. All the dishes cost a fixed 20 euros. For an extra five euros, one could get a soft drink and a portion of vegetables. Everyone began feasting on the delicious meatballs. Even the restaurants small bowls looked like artwork. Each portion included five meatballs. When one cut them with their knife and fork, they could see steam rising from them. The tasty juice, spices and meat were a perfect match. This food was definitely worth the trip to France. After dinner, they had some vegetables, fruit and cheese to clean their mouths. The soda bubbles in their sses were twinkling like the stars in the sky of the strange city. Hello, Paris, the ce of any Chinese fashion designer and models dreams. Farewell, Paris. Qin Guan had changed the rules once again. Chapter 746: The Worlds Largest Fair Chapter 746: The Worlds Largest Fair Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Before he could return to China, Ye Dongs sudden presence reminded Qin Guan of his promise. His stay in the flourishing capital of fashion and the sh of splendid inspiration he had experienced had made him forget about the ordinary hosiery and beddingsmon people used. It was the most ordinary products that were connected to bteral trade and extensive cultural and artistic exchange. Artwork sales were limited, but public advertising was the most effective way to introduce a country to the rest of the world. Of course, their objective was still to make money. Financial profit was the goal of the entire fair. Frankfurt was the city with the most industrial fairs in Europe. Although it was the fifthrgest city in Germany, its contribution to industrial production andmercial development was really important. The city was famous for itsrge exhibition hall, which took up an area of about 300,000 square meters. All kinds of fairs were held there. The household textile fair was only one of them. Therge area could host 3,000 brands and 70,000-80,000 visitors a day. Most visitors were customers from all over the world. Buying artwork was the dream job of any travel lover. All they had to do was purchase products for theirpanies and buy different things in different seasons. They all looked like C-level gallery customers, except that they bought household products instead of paintings and antiques. These products were a unique kind of artwork though,pletely unlike the cheap sheets one could find at a wholesale market. As a result, the buyers were divided into different sses. The best example of a top-level buyer was "L", which owned 240 chain stores all over the world and sold room decorations and modern artwork, including floor clocks, furniture, nkets, tea sets, cutlery, etc. Their products were famous for their high taste and prices, so their buyers were basically popr lifestyle artists. These artists bought things like traditional Turkish handmade nkets, Indian sacrificial masks and Japanese papermps. Ye Dong and the fabric manufacturers he represented were actually after second-level buyers, which were middle-end global furniture suppliers, such as Ikea and Walmart, who would ce sufficient orders. Third-level buyers worked for entire country agencies and ced orders at factories. The products were then processed in their own country under a brand newbel. Those kind of orders made the most profit for brand customers, but were of little value to producers. Everything was possible in China though, so the fabric makers decided to take a calcted risk. The Chinese were usually cautious when it came to business and preferred to y by the governments rules. The cunning Chinese traders came to the fair with their most famous textiles, anxious to see the strange ce where an unknown industry was developing. They had brought with them their best products, as well as their ideas about high production and cheapbor. So had Qin Guan, who had left the other models in Paris and led his team there to take advantage of this opportunity. As he exited his hotel though, he saw someone he wasnt expecting. "Guo Nuoyan? What are you doing here?" "My boss assigned me a new task. You know that Im good at speaking foreignnguages..." "Are you a spy?" "Ha ha! Lower your voice. Actually, most Chinese people think like me. Learning from others is really important nowadays." He was right. Those honest merchants might think this was only an exhibition tform, but smarter people could spot a good opportunity. Ye Dong rushed to the Asian exhibition hall as soon as he arrived. He had no time to take care of Qin Guan. His friend would just have to show up at the hall as required. Qin Guan began his adventure there. There were African animal prints, luxury goods from Europe and traditional products from West Asia. The fair was a multicultural textile feast. Chapter 747: A Strange Exhibiting Method Chapter 747: A Strange Exhibiting Method Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The uniform products were surrounded by unique artwork. The fair, which was full of surprises, stretched as far as the eye could see. It took Qin Guan 10 minutes to get to the Asian section. This was the first time a Chinese group was attending the fair. The group looked shy among all the Southeast Asian textiles stands, almost like a youngdy revealing her face from behind a screen. Traditional textile products, including wedding beddings embroidered with dragons and phoenixes, and other rted household products were disyed up front. The Renfeng spinning mill, which was a prop from the TV series "Big Dyehouse", had been used to defeat the Japanese factories in the Shandong Province. The products of the factory, which had been state-run at the time, had been very popr in Southeast Asia. Even after so many years, textile manufacturers still took delight in talking about it. The Chinese had brought their innovative traditional skills to the fair and used them to adjust the products to the taste of modern customers. After more than 80 years, the factory finally sprang forward fiercely. The typical fabrics and bright colors attracted Qin Guans attention and helped him spot the Chinese stands easily. Unfortunately, he could do nothing to help the Chinese manufacturers. He couldnt walk around wrapped in a sheet after all. All he could do was act as a free advertising board and hold up a pillow that said "Good Luck" in Chinese. Smiling was the best method ofmunication. Qin Guans white suit was the perfect choice for the fair. The white color stood out among the colorful textiles and made him seem prominent among all the soft weaved nkets,rge mattresses and smooth silk sheets. Looking at thefortable beddings made Qin Guan feel sleepy. He looked around at the crowd silently, and then took off his leather shoes and set them down next to a nket. Thefortable touch of the thick nket made Qin Guan groan. He moved his toes up and then back down. Before anyone could notice him, he walked to the innermost corner of the hall, where the pillows were piled up like a mountain, and made himselffortable. As he looked at the people moving around the room, he found himself recalling his past life. What a wonderful day... Its like a leisurely afternoon on campus... Warm sunshine, green grass... Birds and flowers... Qin Guans eyelids dropped and he fell asleep. When Wang Liying finished her job, she returned to the fair and found Qin Guan lying on the pillows. The LED lights around him made him feel warm in that dark, cold city. His white suit created a sharp contrast against the colorful pillows. The sight reminded Wang of a fairy sleeping among blooming flowers. The sleeping man attracted the attention of the bustling crowd. People started gathering around Wang to look at him, but were instead attracted by the exhibits around him. The buyers, who had already visited thousands of stands, looked at the Chinese stands carefully. The Chinese manufacturers were surprised. A buyer from Amsterdam walked out of the crowd. "May I take a look inside if I take off my shoes?" Wang cast a worried look at Ye Dong. The Chinese manufacturers looked at her eagerly. Okay, okay. Business was more important than sleep after all. Wang handed therge bag to Ye Dong carefully. "Hold this for me, please. Its important. Ill show the buyers our products." "No problem." Taking control of the situation, Wang took off her shoes and began to show everyone the products. "How many sheets do you have?" Wang pointed at the shelf. "Traditional or modern ones?" "Both." "We have 122 kinds here." "How are they ssified?" "ording to ce of origin. We have everything, from traditional Yunnan prints to Northwest handmade wool products. Of course, the handmade ones are more expensive." Chapter 748: Where Are My Shoes? Chapter 748: Where Are My Shoes? Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia While Wang and the foreign buyer were talking about the product list happily, the man concentrated on the pillows under Qin Guans body. The colorful pillows, which were embroidered with flowers, birds and Chinese characters, looked like artwork. Before he could try to touch them, Qin Guan suddenly opened his eyes. The man stopped in fear. "Do you want this? Here you go!" Qin Guan pulled a few pillows from under his body. He gave the man one of each kind and then closed his eyes and went back to sleep. The man burst intoughter at Qin Guans strange behavior. "Okay, thats enough. I have to take a careful look. Your models hard work certainly demands it." Wang, who didnt feel ashamed at all, answered politely, "Of course, take your time. Our staff is as professional as our products." Ye Dong couldnt help but admire the girl. She would make a good politician. Thus, they received their first big order at the fair. Suppliers for 240 international stores ordered 72,000 pieces, with an average of 300 pieces per store. This included 18 kinds of products made by Chinese manufacturers. Everybody was really happy to make money. Their first sess increased their self-confidence. Are our products too outdated for the international market? Could our skills and machines take the lead on an international level? Do our manufacturers have an advantage over ourpetitors? Are our patterns too boring? Chinese people liked to learn from other peoples strong points and make up for their weaknesses. Thats what they nned on doing at the fair as well. Several hours passed in the blink of an eye. Qin Guan woke up in the noisy hall and stretched out. "Wow! That was wonderful! What time is it, Wang?" "Fifteen minutes before closing." "What?" Qin Guan sat up in surprise and saw his assistant squatting next to him like a guardian. "Did Ye Dong make any arrangements for me? Some small show, maybe?" "You did it by yourself just now. Everything is okay." "You mean my sleeping?" "Yes!" Wang turned around with sparkling eyes. "It was perfect! Ye said that you could go on sleeping tomorrow." What a wonderful trip! I get free dinner and free amodation! Qin Guan bounced up from the ground. "Lets go! Where is Guo Nuoyan?" "Im here. Wait for me! We can leave together!" Guo pulled arge weaved bag towards Qin Guan with a proud smile on his face. "Where were you the whole day?" "My boss gave me a secret assignment." Qin Guan suddenly realized that his shoes were not by the end of the nket anymore. "Where are my shoes?" "What shoes? Everyone put their shoes on this shelf when they came in to check out the products." Wang pointed at a shelf behind them. "I didnt know. I just put them here by the nket." Wang and Guo looked at that spot, which was a small path for shuttling customers and employees, when they suddenly heard Qin Guan cry out. "My Hermes shoes! This was my first day wearing them! They were a gift from Coco Chanel! They cost 10,000 yuan!" Wang and Guo looked at the heavy bags in their hands. What shall we do about him? Meanwhile, Ye Dong, who had just returned from another section of the fair, burst intoughter. He actually took a picture to remember this moment. So did Wang, who saved the precious photo on her phone. In the photos, Qin Guan looked gentle and elegant in his white suit. Of course, one had to ignore his tearful eyes, messy hair and stomping feet. Poor guy! Afterughing, Ye Dong, who was a reliable man, solved the problem by getting Qin Guan a pair of big wooden shoes from a Dutch stand. Chapter 749: A Local Specialty Chapter 749: A Local Specialty Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia This was just a way to attract customers. The wooden shoes were a popr souvenir in the Nethends after all. As Qin Guan walked in that pair of shoes, his each step produced a cracking sound. Walking like this was a test for his leg muscles. Thanks to his strong willpower and body coordination though, he was able to walk out of the hall and take the cab that was nearest to the exit. In 10 seconds, he had opened the door, taken off his shoes, gotten in the car and closed the door again. All the cab drivers outside burst intoughter at the funny guy. The car drove off, leaving Guo behind it, carrying the big bag alone. Qin Guan spent the next three days eating and sleeping. On thest day of the fair, the host was introduced to the legendary Asian sleeping prince. Although this was a far-fetched description, that was what Qin Guan looked like. The insatiable guy slept on nkets, couches and beds to show howfortable their products were. Wang looked speechlessly at his sleeping face, while all the Chinese manufacturers smiled in pleasure at the orders they got. They were already packing for their return home. Qin Guan had nothing to do after the fair, so he decided to stroll around the German city. Cong Nianwei had returned to China, so he had to buy her some gifts to show her his love. Frankfurt was renowned for its cider. The spirit was brewed from apples, just like wine was made of grapes. The production of cider could be dated back to the 1600s. Thanks to its low alcohol level and calories, cider was the favorite of female drinkers, which was why one could see cider bars everywhere. The producers added bubbles and powdered cinnamon to the spirit to create an even richer taste, thus making cider a must for tourists looking for souvenirs. If there was anything that could rival cider in Frankfurt, that had to be Frankfurt sausages. That name might sound unfamiliar to most people, but the sausages themselves were actually famous all over the world. They were the infamous hot dog sausages, which could be turned into a cold dish, a barbecue snack or a noodlebo. Some cunning pers even fried them on iron tes and sold them on the streets. The Chinese liked to serve them with chilli sauce and eat them on the go. Frankfurt sausages were a simple, convenient and cheap ingredient that everyone liked, so they certainly made Frankfurt proud. Qin Guan wondered whether it would be stupid to take some sausages back home. Real foodies bought food from its ce of origin after all. In the city and the suburbs, butchers would print a Frankfurt Sausage stamp on the packages. Qin Guan selected some traditional sausages with ham for his girlfriend. Cong Nianweis soft hands unpacked them when he got home. After months of separation, the two of them were finally together again, They looked at each other silently by the breakfast table in the morning, sharing food and life events with each other in low voices. Cong Nianwei suddenly recalled something and gave Qin Guan a paper bag. "Sister Xue sent this for you. She said its a surprise, so I didnt open it. There seems to be a lot of stuff inside. What is it? It looks so mysterious!" Qin Guan took the paper bag. It was asrge as a file cover. Chapter 750: Short-Listed Chapter 750: Short-Listed Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It was also very heavy. Qin Guan couldnt figure out what was inside, so he opened the bag and poured its contents onto the table. Wow! So many things of different kinds... Qin Guan picked up a small booklet first. The word "certificate" was printed on its red cover. He opened it and saw that it was a true, if not strange, certificate. A branch of the Ministry of Culture had issued it to Qin Guan as a constion prize. His documentary "Chinese Stamp" had rocked the world during the closing ceremony of the Athens Olympics, so the government had sent it to the 22nd International Sports Film Festival topete over the Fiat Prize. Zhangs work defeatedpetitors from France, Germany and other countries and won the contest. The shooting of the film had been organized by the government, so there had been a lot of people involved. Each person who had contributed had gotten an award. A certificate representing their contribution and merit was enough for them. Although Qin Guan was one of those contributors, he had not been invited to the festival. Cong Nianwei took the certificate from her silent boyfriend and smiled as she read it. "To Qin Guan, who has contributed to the promotion of national sports..." It was written in a formal style. Cong Nianwei got curious about the other contents of the bag. As she had expected, Qin Guan burst intoughter when he read the certificate and pushed it back towards her. "Put it away for me. Another achievement. Its not big, but it was myrgest one while you were away." Cong Nianwei opened the blue file. There were two contracts inside. One of them was the Huayi stock rights. Qin Guan had purchased 10% for only 10 million yuan, which was unheard of for an unlisted family business. The price was reasonable, so Wang must have put great pressure on the brothers. The second contract was rted to the sale of Qin Guans property in Dongzhimen. An Zhijie had taken care of that on Qin Guans behalf. After struggling for about six months, Qin Guan and his neighbors had eventually been offered 2.5 times more than the original prices. The two contracts were Qin Guans engagement presents. Cong Nianwei closed the file and put the certificate on top of it. Meanwhile, Qin Guan read the final document carefully. It looked like an invitation. Qin Guan gave it to Cong Nianwei nkly. Cong Nianwei opened it curiously. It was ate invitation to a movie premiere. A piece of paper inside let her know about the status quo. It was an invitation to the film "Closer". The premiere had been held at a Los Angeles theater, and the productionpany had applied for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar and Golden Globe Award in 2005. The film had been shortlisted for both awards. That exined why Qin Guan had gotten distracted by the invitation. Although these were only supporting actor awards, they were still an Oscar and a Golden Globe! Everyone knew that the Golden Globes were an Oscars rehearsal, so Qin Guan would be excited to win either award. Everyone needed an outlet for their emotions. The best way to vent was by working. Filled with emotion, Qin Guan carried Cong Nianwei on his shoulders and rushed downstairs with his car keys, leaving Chen Kangs carefully-drafted contracts flying around the room. Cong Nianwei took the red helmet Qin Guan handed her and watched him put on his ck one. Then she pointed down at Qin Guans bottom. "Why are we taking this? Where is our car?" Sidecar motorcycles had been the favorite vehicle of the Japanese army, as their bnce was better than that of ordinary vehicles. As early winter approached, the couple was about to experience the miserable lives people had led 50 years ago. Chapter 751: Our Career Chapter 751: Our Career Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan put on his ck helmet and adjusted his German sses. Then he covered Cong Nianweis mouth with a scarf to finish off her cool outfit. "Our car has broken down," he exined slowly. "Our new car is on its way. I bought it from Bu Qinglu. Isnt that cool? Young people in the capital love this model. Its everyones favorite toy. Just look at the back!" Cong Nianwei got on the trembling sidecar helplessly and craned her neck to look at the back of the motorcycle. The te spelled "A521521". The ck letters stood out against the yellow background. "I see. So what?" Cong Nianwei got in the sidecar. She was surprised to see that the leather seat was steady andfortable, even though it had no cover. The motorcycle shook again as she took a seat. She immediately lost her favorable impression of their new vehicle. Qin Guan climbed on the motorcycle, put on his ck gloves and gave Cong Nianwei a thumbs-up. "This is a special motorcycle. Its not allowed in the capital, but Guan Jian helped me bring one. While you were away, Bu and I went to the bar street next to Tsinghua University. Guess who came to talk to us about the motorcycle?" "Who?" It must have been somezy person. "Gao Xiaosong. He was also born into a military family. Unlike Guan Jian and He Ming though, he graduated from Tsinghua University and studied science and art. He is a good man. He was not arrogant by any means. He hugged me, called me brother and said he wanted to buy the motorcycle." Okay, whatever. Cong Nianwei shot a disdainful look at him. Qin Guan turned his eyes to the front with dignity. "Im not an idiot. He wanted nothing from me. He just became my brother! Lets go!" The motorcycle drove away with a roar, leaving thick smoke in the empty parking lot behind it. That exined why the police chased those motorcycles around the streets. They were a big source of pollution for the environment. The cold wind made Cong Nianwei long for a leather coat. No wonder bikers wore leather outfits. Only leather clothes could withstand such a chilly wind. Qin Guan was excited about the car, even more so when he noticed the girls admiration on the way. "Thats so cool, bro!" "Hush!" They all wolf-whistled at him. In their opinion, both the motorcycle and the rider looked really cool. Cong Nianwei had no idea what was on their minds. After going through half the city in that cold wind, they finally reached their new offices. The building was a three-storey residential house in Shuangjing. It had originally been an office building, but Qin Guan had turned it into a house with a mix of oriental and idental influences. The rusty buildings under construction around it made it seem like a pce inparison. Its white walls, blue roof, carved beams and Chinese rafters added elegance to it. Qin Guan had divided the building into three parts. On the east wing was Qin Guans studio, where he would deal with models, designers and film and TV scripts, on the central wing was the ounting firms offices, and the west wing would be turned into Cong Nianweis studio in the future. The whole building was big enough for both their firms. It was even enough for a branch. Cong Nianwei got out of the sidecar and rushed towards the new beginning of her career. She had no time toin about Qin Guans antics. Qin Guan took off his helmet, sses and scarf slowly and then went into the building. Talented graduates from his alma mater were shuttling around the firms offices. The young men were all very reliable and hard-working employees. Thanks to the overtime pay, they were all able to forget about food and sleep and deal with every order. Sometimes they even stayed there all night. The abundant overtime sry and night cab fares were the real reason behind their efficiency. There was also a clear hierarchy in the firm, so everyone was trying to get a promotion. The firm encouraged the staff to apply for higher level ountant positions and take the rtive examinations. Chapter 752: Conspiracy Chapter 752: Conspiracy Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia A firm that was considerate with its staff attracted more devoted employees. Only the enterprises that could truly do this could achieve sustainable development. Of course, Qin Guans focus that day was not on QC, but on his art studio. His staff were currently waiting for him. There were two decisions for him to make. The first one was about the news of his uing awards and his cooperation with American filmpanies. The second one was about his harvest in Frankfurt and the samples of new fabrics from other countries that Wang had purchased. When Qin Guan entered the meeting room, everyone turned to look at him seriously. The most excited person in the room was Rongzhi, who had been his fellow schoolmate back at Columbia. Qin Guan felt awkward as he watched him wave at him happily. He wondered how Sister Xue had managed to convince such a talented young man to work for his firm. This was a good example of wasting ones talent on a worthless job. Qin Guan had forgotten that money couldnt buy everything. Tech geeks did not care about making a fortune. They just wanted to work onputers. Plus, even though Rongzhis talent was too big for his firm, Qin Guan could still afford to pay him. Rongzhi really liked the job. Although his tutor had begged him on his knees and tried to convince him otherwise, he had still left without looking back. Qin Guan suddenly came back to reality. He wasnt worried about the first decision. It might have seemedplicated, but each process had certain steps one had to follow. When one cooperated with professional PR agencies, everything was done on schedule. His second job for the day was way more hardcore. The entric designers had started to fight over the colorful samples in Wangs hands. The spring collection of Yin Changtaos independent brand had not been decided yet, because they hadnt reached an agreement on the high-tech fabrics they would use. Qin Guans brand was targeted at white-cor workers, which was a quite different target group than the one J Clothing was aimed at, so they unfortunately couldnt study its pattern. As neers in the market, there were only two ways for them to get a share of the market: by using innovative designs or multi-functional fabrics. The high-end samples from Frankfurt were way too expensive for them. The new brand couldnt even afford the fabric shipping costs. Memory fabric was the best choice for busy office workers, as it did not require ironing and one could just knead it throughout the day and then restore it to its original shape at night by putting it on a hanger. This method could be applied to jackets, wind coats and suits, which were the favorite everyday clothes of office workers. There was also a Japanese fabric that could turn sunshine into thermal energy. This made it the best choice for spring clothing lining, but it was unfortunately very expensive and little in quantity. High-tech fabrics were sold at high prices. They were not made in China, so they couldnt meet the demands of arge factory. One particr sentence of Wangs speech attracted Sister Xue and Qin Guans attention. "I purchased samples based on your requirements. Im not like Guo from J Clothing, who bought leftover materials from 3,000 stands and sent them back to China. The shipping alone must have cost him a fortune. Who knows, maybe J Clothing can recycle its spare fabrics..." The talented designers grinned at her joke, feeling at ease once again. Only Sister Xue and Qin Guan understood what she meant. They knew the boss of J Clothing all too well after all. He was a cunning businessman who had started from telemarketing and made deliberate, purposeful moves. This could be the key to reducing the fabric cost. When the meeting was over, Qin Guan and Sister Xue exchanged a meaningful nce. Rongzhi promised to take care of it. In 10 minutes, he had gotten them what they wanted. The boss of J Clothing had invested in two production lines at the top of the modern textile industry. He had also hired a big group of technical research and development specialists. The group included talented individuals that specialized in fabric production, printing, dyeing and chemical and light industry. The name of the group leader sounded familiar to Qin Guan. It was a Chinese woman called Hu Li, who had graduated from the Manchester Institute of Technology with a Doctorates Degree. That particr college was famous for its fashion textile development. Chapter 753: The New Fabric Chapter 753: The New Fabric Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The girl, who had graduated from the East China University, had fought to stand out between all the male technicians. Her tutor at the Manchester Institute of Technology had loved her so much that he had taught her all his secrets. One day, she had received a call at theboratory, taken her mask off and left without looking back. She had packed her luggage immediately and gone to work for the J Clothingboratory. The strange girl was sitting before two silent men and studying a pile of samples. Suddenly, she turned off themp and took off her sses. She looked as enchanting as an evil spirit. Unlike Huang Jiajias raised phoenix eyes, her dignified thick eyebrows and big eyes were a perfect match for her elegant, flirtatious aura. She always walked and stood slowly, with a subtle charm in her movements. She was a paradox of danger and innocuity. The girl started picking strips of cloth from the samples and putting them together. Her nails were painted enamel. The process took her a full three minutes. Both Xue Yayan, the boss of J Clothing, and Guo were waiting for her, but she did not seem sorry. When she had arranged all the strips in order, she finally stood up. "Okay!" Guo felt d, but his mouth opened wide at Hus next action. Hu took a pair of sharp scissors and cut off the hanging parts of the strips carefully. "Perfect!" she said before turning her eyes to the two men. "When did you get here?" Weve been sitting here for an hour! We were just too afraid to disturb you! In Hus eyes, the two men paled inparison to the cloth strips. She spread her fingers proudly, showing off the natural enamel, which was a mixture of Arabic gum, impatiens, alum, gtin and beeswax. It was actually based on an ancient form of the Ming Dynasty. "I know what youre waiting for. Dont be nervous. Do you see these?" Guo nodded, standing up for his boss. He had to look ashamed for the sake of his superior. "Our team could have developed it too. High-tech fabric is nothing. Some cheaper materials can be good alternatives for it. Maybe they will get more popr in the market, but our new products can do even better than this." Come back to reality, sister. The production lines cant be stopped. We will lose money! Xue Yayan held back his tears. Why are scientists always living in a dream? I just want to make profit! "Fine, fine! Dont take that expression with me!" Hu Li pointed at Guos forehead. "If you want quick money, you need to work on this first." "Memory fabric is a joke. My tutors team developed it. Its the same form ourboratory developed. I dont see why people are fighting over it. The form is right here." She pointed to her own forehead. When she saw the wide smiles on their faces, she changed her attitude again. "Good work, right? Where is it?" She stretched her palm towards Xue. "Oh, oh! I got it. Xiao Guo, give this to Dr. Hu." "No problem." Guo carefully handed her a lunch box. "Wow!" The girl smiled. "Pea flour cake! Fresh from the oven! Its delicious!" Before her voice could fade away, her cheeks bulged like a hamsters with food and she gave Guo a thumbs-up. "When Boss Xue mentioned braised Dongpo pork hock with brown sauce on the phone, Id had pizza for three days in a row at theboratory. Thats why I returned to China. Id rather enjoy the food at home than starve in the UK. Believe me, British food is not made for humans!" The girl concentrated on her food amid the harmonious atmosphere. A few minutester, Xues phone rang. "Hello, Qin Guan? Whats the matter? If this is about the money, we can negotiate. What? What fabric? We do not have a high-end fabric." "You know everything? Hu Li? What do you suggest?" "You want to buy some? Of course you can. Which kind do you want? We have onlymon fabrics." "Memory fabric? No problem. We are focusing on the low end of the market right now. Okay! Ill call you when I have the batch." The other two were listening to their call carefully. They did not feel ashamed. They were actually really excited. "Was that Qin Guan?" "Yes." "Does he want to buy the fabric? Have we been exposed?" "Yes, here is the order." Acent smile emerged on his face. I made the right decision! Chapter 754: The Best Place To Flaunt One’s Wealth Chapter 754: The Best ce To unt Ones Wealth Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Thanks to Qin Guans influence, he would not have to worry about the sales volume. In one day, the Chinese people would realize their dream of reconstructing their country through business. Qin Guan had no idea about this ambition of his. If he had, he would have cooperated with him to achieve that goal. He and Cong Nianwei were currently packing for their trip to Dubai, a country that only experienced summer and spring. Even in December, the temperature was still over 70 degrees. A long-sleeved shirt was warm enough for the coldest months. The first snow had just fallen in the capital, so when Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei got on the airne, they were wearing thick clothes. When the nended though, they felt like they had gone back in time tost spring. Dubai, which was located in the Arabian gulf, was thergest city in the United Arab Emirates and the richest city in the Middle East. It was also the country with the most immigrants among the Arabic nations. The Chinese poption there was about 200,000. The conservative native women were wearing ck robes that only exposed their eyes, unlike the Chinese girls who were dressed like peacocks in that magnificent, fashionable country. Western girls took things even further. They wore shorts, flip-flops and miniskirts and enjoyed themselves so much that they often forgot to leave the beach. Unfortunately, Qin Guan had no time to appreciate the beautiful scenery. The staff at the airport suddenly found themselves watching a strip show. The handsome Asian man took off all his clothes as soon as he walked out of the exit. When he had taken off his scarf, coat, sweater and sunsses, the pretty girl next to him took off her hat. The man murmured, "Qiuku, maoku [1]", or something along that line. Suddenly, an exasperated woman walked over to stop him. Qin Guan had been invited by a local tycoon, so he was weed in avish way. Despite his confidence and arrogance though, he was still shocked by the gorgeous festivalmittee. A tall Arabian man in a loose robe stretched his hand out towards the parking lot. "Hello, Mr. Qin. Judging by your entourage, I suggest that you use an ordinary method of transportation. We will get to the hotel by car." Okay. What would be an extraordinary method of transportation then? Qin Guan looked at thewn far away as the man waved his hand around proudly. "Unfortunately, your team is bigger than we thought. We have only one spare helicopter at hand. Its not enough to transport all your staff." Thanks, but Id rather go by car. I dont mind taking a cab. When Sister Xue saw several white Rolls Royces pull over in front of them one after the other, she was impressed by the organizingmittee. All the drivers were Indians wearing white uniforms with yellow copper buttons. It seemed that most Indians tended to work as drivers in foreign countries. Han Zhujiu pretended to check the third car carefully. Then he nodded at Qin Guan, indicating that the car was safe. The Chinese were always very polite. The professionalism and calmness of Qin Guans team impressed the Arabian man, who paid special regards to the Chinese employees. They all certainly deserved his respect. The Western judges, who were astonished by the luxurious line-up, started crying and bouncing around like idiots. Arabian people looked down upon such behavior. The helicopter and the cars travelled towards the same destination: the only seven-star hotel in the world. People called it the sailing hotel because of its appearance, but its actual name was the Burj Al Arab Hotel. The hotel was built on a man-made coast by the sea and it looked like a giant sailing ship. One could imagine how it must have felt when the helicopternded on anding field as high as 130 meters in the air. An acrophobe might have suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in the process. Qin Guans team arrived at the hotel by car. The hotel impressed Cong Nianwei, who now realized the perks of being rich. Only 202 suites of the hotel were avable for reservation. Each room had two floors, and even the smallest ones were as luxurious as five-star hotel suits. Chapter 755: Refusal Chapter 755: Refusal Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Therge room was certainly worth the 1,000 dors a night. Of course, the inner decorations were more cost-effective. There was only one piece of antique furniture that was of the same value as the housing expenses. The kind host had booked a royal suite for the couple. The suite was 780 square meters. Sister Xue and the rest of the team had shamelessly upied the movie theater, library and meeting room. When Qin Guan entered the bathroom, he found himself surrounded by Hermes perfumes and bathing products. The guests could take anything they liked, so the people that enjoyed collecting body wash and shampoo samples from different hotels would have a st. Actually, even though he was a Hermes ambassador, Qin Guan didnt have any Hermes products in his luggage. He looked down at the "Rejoice" shampoo in his hand and threw it away. He had only brought it in case the hotel supplies were of bad quality. When Qin Guan went out, he experienced another shock. If one was staying at the hotel, the waiters would bring them food at fixed times. That way, a tourist could eat without having to go out and enjoy all the entertainment programs there. As a guest of the film festivalmittee, Qin Guans primary task was to judge the indie films. Any movie lover would be d to do that, but this was a new film festival with limited poprity, so very few films would participate. If one ruled out the Chinese films brought by Qin Guan, there were only 66 films from 25 different countries. For an international film festival, this was a pathetically meagre number. Even a primary selection was unnecessary. All the films could be shortlisted right away. Thanks to his status, the organizingmittee had taken Qin Guans suggestions into consideration. They actually couldnt invite any stars to the red carpet despite their huge investment. Qin Guan suggested turning the award ceremony and red carpet show into a press conference about top fashion brands. Dubai was amercial city and the film festival aimed to promote tourism, so they could create a perfect bnce between art andmerce. Indie films and limited-budget films could win a high award bonus in Dubai, so Qin Guan nned on hosting amercial party to attract global attention and achieve their original goal. He massaged his temples in the projection room before filling out the form and throwing it into the ballot box on the center of the table. To make sure that the procedure was fair, a notary would be counting the votes. That way, the judges would be able to get some relief before the final event. They all gathered in the small bar next to the projection room, where a professional bartender considerately served them some special mixed wine to ease the pressure they felt. Qin Guan, who was standing in a corner with his cup, attracted everyones attention. Suddenly, an Asian director walked over to him with a ss of pure whiskey. The elegant man raised his ss in greeting. "Director Li!" It was toote for Qin Guan to escape. All he could do now was respond to the mans warm greeting. The director had finally caught him. The man had originally had no intention of attending the festival, but when he had failed to get in touch with Qin Guan through Qu Xuemei, he had decided to go there personally. He had found out Qin Guans schedule through some friends of his in China. His participation was a surprise for the festivalmittee, but no one would turn him away. Thus, Li An caught up with Qin Guan, who now had to deal with the persistent director. "Do you know why Im here?" "Yes. Can I say no?" "Why would you? You didnt mind shooting a simr scene for Elephant." "That was different. The characters were sexually confused teenagers. The whole thing had nothing to do with love or desire. It was pure instinct." Li An couldnt say anything. "Besides, Im not gay. This could affect my image in China. People are still conservative about this issue. The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television could expel me." Li An decided to use his trump card. "But you would be nominated for the most prestigious American award!" "You mean an Oscar?" "Exactly!" "But I was nominated this year. For both an Oscar and a Golden Globe." "Those were supporting actor awards. This is different." "I cant see the difference. Its still an acknowledgement of my acting talent. A true actor wouldnt look down on it. Its a milestone, but its still not the peak of my career." Chapter 756: The Underwater Restaurant Chapter 756: The Underwater Restaurant Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Someone else might have considered the golden figurine a lifetime achievement, but Qin Guan did not. He always followed his gut. "Brokeback Mountain" wouldnt be epted by most Chinese people and some conservative towns and states in America. A script with such a deep analysis of human nature would never be turned down by a director, but Qin Guan turned it down for himself and his Chinese fans. Destroying his career over one film would be irresponsible. Li An clinked his ss against Qin Guans in disappointment and changed the topic. They actually had a lot inmon. Li An was sad about Qin Guans decision, but he also knew that customs did not ept certain vitions. In the future, he would be more careful when it came to China. That matter was only a trifle for the Dubai Film Festival though. The beautiful city hadpleted its first trial for an international film event. Abdul, who was a good, considerate friend, was quite content with Qin Guans help. To show his gratitude, he organized a trip to a famous restaurant in Dubai. The couple visited the Almahara restaurant, which was built on the seabed and had a direct connection to their hotel. The restaurant featured golden domes, which helped the structure withstand the huge pressure of the sea water. The building was a product of smart design and andmark of the city. The luxurious restaurant used smooth marble for the interior decorations and was renowned for its crystal cabs, velvet tapestries and Spanish handmade tableware, which shocked both Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei. Its most astonishing feature though was the sea water around the seats. The customers were only separated from the ocean by a thickyer of ss. One could see corals and swaying seaweed just behind the ss and countless beautiful tropical fish shuttling around, looking for food. No fish approached Qin Guan and Cong Nianweis table though. The ocean outside seemed as silent as the Dead Sea. Only tiny nkton and creeping molluscs came close, because Qin Guan didnt affect them as much. The absence of any of their natural enemies allowed them toe out and breathe freely. Every time the waiter approached their table, he felt curious about the two mysterious Asians. Why did that shark take a sudden pause there? Why did that stingray pull a face at them? Abdul reserved this table because it was the best, but it seems so quiet today. Cong Nianwei buried her face into a menu to hide herughter. Forget it. Im an easy-going man after all. The patrons always tried the seafood, as the cook there was second to none in the city. The restaurants structure was like an oyster shell, so oyster dishesposed a big part of the menu. Oyster meat was served with rose honey there. Even that natural dressing couldntpete with the wonderful taste of the oyster though. One could swallow it down without even chewing it and it would just slide down their throat to their stomach. The other characteristic of the restaurant was its unreasonable luxury. One could have the best food in the world there, as long as they were rich enough. For example, skan king crab, wagyu beef essence and French foie gras were all included in the menu. Abdul was paying though, so Qin Guan decided not to go overboard. "A king crab, foie gras dumplings, beef and potatoes, and fresh sea bass. One kilo will do. Oh, and a ky pastry with brown sugar for takeaway!" The waiter was impressed by the order. The young man seemed to have really good taste. He had to be a tycoon like Mr. Abdul. Actually, Qin Guan spent most of his energy on food. A fine restaurant cart was pushed towards their table. That dinner for two was three times more expensive than usual. Cong Nianweis favorite was the dessert. The cream mousse felt like roses seducing her into their soft embrace. It felt good to take a walk on the beach after eating a meal. Then the two of them took a nap on the folded beds on the beach, which were there for the hotel residents convenience. The warm ocean breeze blew a smell of salt over to them, allowing them to experience the typical charm of the Middle East. When the time was right, the beach staff served them a ss of juice by the folded chairs. The sound of the waves fascinated everyone. The couple was talking leisurely on the quiet beach. "Would you be interested in the city construction program? They will be epting bids from all over the world." "I think any architect would be interested." "Meaning?" "Its a seabed hotel. Like Antis." My wife is so brave. That symbolic hotel will be arge construction. "Of course, my firm is not big enough for such a project. I think the early work would be okay for me though. Im not qualified for anything bigger. I still need to gain more experience." Cong Nianwei sighed. "You win awards so easily. Its so much harder for me." She put her hands on Qin Guans stomach. "Ouch! Stop it! Dont press it!" Theirughter echoed in the beautiful night. That was how Qin Guans first trip to the Middle East ended. It was only a trial for the new festival, but arge opportunity for the participants. Chapter 757: A New Script Chapter 757: A New Script Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The poor indie filmmakers were caught off guard by the luxurious awards. The winners were mad with joy. Their representative was Ning Hao, a director of the sixth generation. Qin Guan was the one who had rmended him to the festivalmittee. At the time, other directors of the same generation had shot one or more famous films, but he had still been a pearl buried in the sand. When his sessors had moved out of the 798 Warehouse, which had been like a shelter for the poor artists, he had stayed back. He was also eager to move, but he couldnt just yet. Thanks to Qin Guan, he had sent one of his early films to Dubai and won the Best Creativity Award along with 350,000 dors. Now he had finally left poverty behind him. Life on the road was always interesting. As Qin Guan put on all his clothes at the capital airport, he received his first call in China. The call was from Ning Hao, who wanted to talk about his new beginning as a director. "Hello?" "Its me! Ning Hao!" "I know. Whats the matter? Did you get the bonus? Do you want to take me out and treat me?" "Yes! Are you free?" "Of course! Lets meet today at the usual ce." Qin Guan hung up and turned to Sister Xue and Cong Nianwei. "Im going to the 798 Warehouse. Do you want toe with me?" "Is it about work?" "No, Ning Hao has be rich and wants to express his appreciation." "No, thanks." The two women shook their heads together. Qin Guan led his team to the firm minibus. Before departing, he told Cong Nianwei, "You can leave the luggage in the car. The driver will take it to the firm. Its too heavy for you to lift it up to the third floor." "Okay, Ill wait for you at home. Come back as soon as you can." Sister Xue couldnt stand to be around them. She just wanted to see her bald boyfriend already. Qin Guan took a cab to the 798 Warehouse, a ce that was filled with memories. So many years had passed since thest time he had been there. The dirty path had turned into an asphalt road as the fast-developing capital hade to ept the charming artists. The residents had even built some postmodern sculptures, and the designers had saved them while they had been building the new facilities. The art center, which had always been dedicated to fine art and film, had finally attracted public attention. The directors of the sixth generation had preserved the shabby warehouse with the same passion that they had stuck to their dreams. Although most people had left the shelter, Ning Hao, who still held fast to the ce, weed Qin Guan. When the big wooden gate was pushed open, Qin Guan was overwhelmed by the heat inside. The stove and the chimney had remained the same, but Ning Hao had installed a radiator to improve the living conditions. He was only wearing a pair of blue pajamas in the warehouse. Qin Guan entered along with the cold winter wind, unfastened the scarf and buttons on his coat, and poured something out for himself from a kettle on the stove. "Wonderful! Is it tea soup from Niu Street?" Qin Guan put the ss down on the greasy table and fixed his eyes on Ning Hao. "Whats the matter? Tell me. This is not just dinner, is it?" Ning Hao grinned at him. "Theres this script that Ive had in my hands for a long time. If it wasnt for the Dubai Festival, I would never have told you about it." "You know, Im the only loser in this group. I stayed here and asked help from my friends. At first, I wanted to send this script to producers, filmpanies and other state-run studios... Maybe someone would appreciate it." He stopped Qin Guan, who was about to speak. "I know what you are thinking. You have been really kind to us. Even though you are an award-winning actor, you still acted in indie films for free or for very little money. I couldnt ask you to act in this film though." "Things are different now! Im a millionaire! Im so rich that I can produce my own film!" "My goal is clear, Qin Guan. This is not an indie film, its amercial one. I want to make money! I want to make profit from my film!" "The media said that you are filming indie films. Look at it, Qin Guan! Just look at it! I think it will sell lots of tickets!" Qin Guan looked at the excited man and took the script with a smile. He already knew its title. Chapter 758: The Investment Chapter 758: The Investment Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The edges of the pages looked worn, which indicated that the scriptwriter had polished the script repeatedly. Therge characters on the cover spelled "Crazy Stone". In Qin Guans past life, the outstanding film had suffered until Liu Dehua had founded a filmpany that had collected scripts from all over the country. Qin Guan looked through the precious notebook. The man in the pajamas and the man in the suit looked perfectly harmonious under the dimmplight. The two of them burst intoughter when the gate opened again and a shivering man walked in. The cold wind made his hair stand on end. "Brother Qin! You are here!" Huang Bo looked stunned as he held on to a bag of cold food. Qin Guan pointed to the greasy table. "Is that the dinner Director Ning intends to treat me to? I hear that the studio will be releasing a record for you. Why are you still idling around? I should be giving you a lesson." Huang looked unhappy as he rushed to the table and threw the bag on it. "Who is ndering me behind my back? Sister Xue has found a lot of work for me, but you know how the market is. A good script is hard to find, so Im working for the directors here in the meantime. Ask Ning Hao! Im at hismand!" Qin Guan shot a disdainful look at him. His jacket was full of static electricity and his fluffy hair stood on end once again. "No time like the present. Lets deal with this script. Qin Guan will y the top thief from Hong Kong." He was right. No one could beat a top model. "The budget is definitely sufficient. Dont worry, Qin Guans firm will fill any gaps." As he looked at the shameless guy, Qin Guan finally lost control and kicked Huangs butt. "Thank you, Huang Bo! Just go ahead and make decisions on my behalf!" "Ouch!" Huang, who was caught off guard, fell down on the dirty ground with a scream. Qin Guan got scared, but Huang bounced up from the ground like a gymnast and started dusting his butt off like crazy. Ning Hao finished his tea soup calmly and smiled at Huang. "Hey! Your pants are clean. Dont start crying!" His words were like the most beautiful music for Huang, who calmed down immediately, opened the bag and handed Qin Guan a pair of chopsticks. "That careless guy always gets his clothes dirty. Hes been making some moneytely, so he took his wife away from the countryside to take care of her." "Its the other way around. Shees to work every day to take care of him! She is tired of washing his clothes." "One day, he came here only in his underwear and asked me for some pants. All his pants had disappeared overnight. He had to promise to keep all his clothes clean to get them back." Ning and Qin Guan burst intoughter, nearly falling off their chairs. Huang, who was not ashamed, returned to his own seat and took a ss jar from under the table. He filled the porcin mugs with a transparent liquid and handed it to Qin Guan. "Its a good film. You wont suffer a loss." Qin Guan looked up from his mug to the two men across from him. The desire was obvious on their faces. It seemed like they wouldnt be able to sleep at night unless they got a clear answer. Qin Guan had actually made a decision. He would invest in the film to ease their nervousness. People said that eating under stress could lead to gastric spasms after all. Huang and Ning got the answer they had expected. "Business is business. I will not bother you about the actors, the crew or the shooting locations. Thats the directors job. Im an investor though, so I have to get my share. This is not about the paycheck. Mywyer Chen Kang will be contacting you tomorrow. As for you, Huang Bo, you will be working with us!" Chapter 759: A Homey Taste Chapter 759: A Homey Taste Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia His final answer reassured them. Suddenly, they fixed their eyes on the spicy cold dish on the center of the table. One could buy it at any supermarket or fair. People could even mix and match ording to their individual taste. The foods in taste and reasonable price was the reason it upied every family dining room. Huang had bought it from Grandpa Zhang at a fair not far from the 798 Warehouse. Its typical taste had captivated the neighboring market fast. The dish included pig ears, pork joints and bean curd skin. It was its trademark sauce that made all the difference though. The sauce was a mixture of vinegar, garlic juice, sesame oil, chilli oil, cooking wine and sesame paste. Grandpa Zhang had chosen small pig ears, which were extra crisp and soft, so even old men could enjoy their special taste with a cheap drink. His spiced pork shoulder was moderately sweet and salty, unlike the typical over-salted ones, so it tasted spicy in ones mouth. The special sauceplimented all the raw ingredients like the finishing brush of a painter on a Chinese dragon. When the in pork shoulder was soaked in the rich sauce, it turned into a delicious dish. As a result, Grandpa Zhangs dish was very popr among the residents that visited the fair. People lined up before his stand every day. Some people might have looked down upon a street snack, but Qin Guan disagreed. Loving what one did was a must. Food ingredients were not ssified, so even the mostmon vegetable could be a delicacy on an emperors table. Some famous cooks used unfamiliar expensive ingredients and ignored the essence of cooking. One could only find homemade food in their mother or grandmas kitchen. After all those years, one would cry out if they encountered the same taste at a small restaurant. It was not just the taste, but also the emotion that contributed to the food. All the meat and vegetables were mounted on the te, which had only cost Huang 20 yuan. The erguotou and spicy food were not enough for Qin Guan though, who started looking around the shabby warehouse. "Are you looking for this?" Ning pulled a bun slice out of the oven with his chopsticks. Bingo! A baked bun that smelled like dirt! That simple addition was a wise move on North Chinas part. The oven was not just a heating system, but also a cooker that one could boil water and tea or bake food in. The roasted and dried sweet potatoes were the best work of the short stove. Qin Guan spread the vegetables and pork onto the bun and took arge bite. It certainly was worthy of Grandpa Zhangs reputation. The fragrance of wheat, spicy pork and soft vegetables aroused his taste buds, and the rich taste made him salivate. His brain had gotten the message that he was happy. The cold North wind was driven away by the stove and the radiator, and the dimmplight added warmth to the small room. Chapter 760: Acting Separately Chapter 760: Acting Separately Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It was only a small party before New Years, but Qin Guan, who was always on the move, felt a strange happiness. Time passed by faster and faster. Finally, just before she turned 30, Sister Xues bald boyfriend gave her a bouquet of red roses and a ring. The two of them silently started preparing for their wedding ceremony. Xue Wanyi had originally nned on postponing the ceremony and going to Los Angeles with Qin Guan, but Qin Guan declined. "You should concentrate on your own affairs, Sister Xue. A wedding is a really important milestone for a woman. This is the only chance you will get to do it right." "Id rather go with you. Its the Oscars and the Golden Globes after all!" "Im only nominated for a supporting actor award. There are two months left before your wedding. You have to find a dress, choose a location, take wedding pictures, invite all your friends and rtives..." "Thats what you need to do right now. Ill be relying on you again in the future. You can use your experience to help me n my own wedding." Qin Guan had a point. Sister Xue was a hot mess those days. Her unkempt hair and loose pants betrayed her anxiety. An independent wedding ceremony was beyond her means. Wang came just in time with the schedule for their LA trip, including all the press conferences and promotional events. The girl had gotten her agent certificate, so she could take care of everything by herself. Thinking of Qu Xuemei back in America, Sister Xue finally nodded heavily at the girl. She would be her sessor after all. The shy girl spent all her time working and never asked for any credit. She and Qin Guan would be going to the Oscars together. Cong Nianwei wasnt sad about their long separation. She also had a lot of work to do and she couldnt focus on anything else. She waspeting against outstanding architects from all over the world over who would design the 2008 Olympics stadium. As soon as she had returned to China, she had gotten in touch with her tutor and schoolmates at Tsinghua. The project was really important for the government, so all Chinese people were working hard towards that goal. However, Cong NIanwei was not qualified to be the chief architect of any construction project. Although the government would ept bids from all over the world, if she wanted to participate and gain more experience, she would have to join a national organisation. She knew the unwritten rules. All national programs relied on a national organization. In this case, it was the Chinese Institute of Architectural Design, the holy ce of all Chinese architects, where the most talented students from every Chinese university gathered. As a Tsinghua graduate, Cong Nianwei was the youngest member of the team. She would be lucky enough to witness the whole building process of the great stadium. The serious architect had no time to pay attention to things like the Oscars or the Golden Globes, even if her boyfriend was a nominee. She left Qin Guan at the airport without looking back and he flew to California with Wang Liying. The moist, warm wind of South California reced the dry, chilly wind of the Chinese capital. The green sea, blue sky and beautiful girls on the beachpleted the picture. There was a silent battle taking ce in the city. All the actors, directors, filmpanies and producers were fighting fiercely. Despite their professionalism and the reserved atmosphere of the Golden Globes, the secret battle kept raging. The "Closer" productionpany had spent a lot on promoting the main actors of the film, so Qin Guan had to attend some very important press conferences. Chapter 761: A High Box Office Chapter 761: A High Box Office Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It had been two months since "Closer" had formally premiered in America. The popr film had used all avable resources to increase its chances of winning an Oscar. This meant that the producers had invested even more on the films promotion. It was a pity that the box office did not match theirrge investment and the publics praise. It was good, but not good enough. Everyones expectations had been too high, so they were a little disappointed with the moderate result. In two months, the box office in North America had reached only 40 million dors, and it was estimated that the final box office would reach only 70-80 million after nearly six months. However, the presence of a particr person changed the status quopletely. "Qin Guan is back!" Qin Guans blog had been run by his team in New York ever since Rongzhi had left. Articles about his activities, including his splendid Paris Fashion Week performance and amazing trip to Dubai, were posted in real time. The fans thought that their idol had just gone on a business trip around the world, but a wise middle-aged fan made the following urate statement. "As long as the Oscars take ce in Los Angeles, America will remain Qin Guans second home." His sappy words were like chicken soup for the soul. A few monthster, Qin Guan returned. After remaining in the background for a few weeks, "Closer" suddenly became popr again. The fans registered on Qin Guans website had reached more than 2 million all over the world, which was a huge achievement. A post in red letters was moved to the top by the site administrator. "We can pay to watch Closer now!" The post drew tears from all the users. "Once upon a time, his departure made me sad and confused, but then I saw his posters around all New York streets. He was standing behind Julia Roberts, looking all mighty and cruel. That was the first time I heard news about him through traditional media after so many months..." "He disappeared from my life before I knew it. Only now did I realize that my favorite actor had been missing. He used to live in the same city with me. When he returned to China, he took my heart with him." "I cried my heart out. I had no courage to buy a ticket for his movie, for fear that I would burst intoughter when I saw him on the screen. I know venting like that doesnt make any sense, which is why I didnt see the film despite its good reviews." "Things are different now though. He is back after six months. He is with us again! Although he is not in New York, my joy is almost palpable. This is my chance to finally watch the film!" "Watching the film sote made me realize his charm. He outshined all the other actors and brought his character to life. I feel better now. Although he returned to China for his own reasons, no one will forget his outstanding acting skills." "Hollywood has the best scripts, directors, producers and actors in the world. As long as it dominates the film industry, Qin Guan will belong to Los Angeles and to his American fans. He will return here time and again!" A stone could stir up thousands of waves. Even the people who had already seen the film choked up with emotion and went to the cinema again to show their support for the film. After a dry spell of two months, the box office started increasing again. During the first weekend of Qin Guans return, the film ranked fifth in the American box office with 1.88 million dors. The statistics cheered everyone up. A small voice echoed in their hearts, muttering the words, "Qin Guan has returned." Chapter 762: A Different Golden Globes Ceremony Chapter 762: A Different Golden Globes Ceremony Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The award-winning actor, who had been looked down upon bymercial film producers and distributingpanies, had finally showed his value as a film star. Even Jude Law and Julia Roberts couldnt hide the fact that the box office had been boosted thanks to Qin Guan. As a result, Qin Guan saw more and more strangers gather around him at different banquets and parties. Some of them were independent individuals, while others were representatives of differentpanies. This was Wangs time to shine. She did quite a good job as Qin Guans agent, so he was able to hide in a corner with his drink instead of getting bored to death. An observant person could find him easily though. Qin Guan moved his butt shyly to make room on the marble stairs for a woman. "You are always like this. You show up at the opening and disappear as soon as the party begins." Qin Guan didnt feel ashamed. He just took a sip of his drink and shrugged. "I have been in America for two years. Ive gotten familiar with balls and cocktail parties." "Chinese people prefer to lead a quiet life. This life is boring and noisy. I dont understand Americans. Why cant I be a handsome loner?" Julia burst intoughter, spilling her cocktail all over the ce. She pointed at Qin Guan, but failed to say anything. Finally, she let out a sigh and shared some news about the Golden Globes with him. "The judges have decided." She pointed to some in guys that were present at the ball. They were all surrounded by beautiful women. "Those guys are some of them. Take a look yourself." Qin Guan shot a doubtful look at them. They pretended to be calm around the women, but their eyes betrayed them. "Those guys are judges?" Qin Guan asked her. "Yes, they are considered the trendsetters of the Oscars. The Oscars tend to be simr to the Golden Globes. PR agencies pay for their trips, entertainment, cab fares, drinks and women. Most of them are ordinary reporters, so the powerfulpanies impress them." Julia patted him on the shoulder. "You dont need to worry about the Golden Globes. Its not your problem to solve." Qin Guan smiled at the true concern in her eyes. "Im not a football yer. American actors are not nearly as popr as football stars." Julia stood up, leaving her empty cup on the stairs. Qin Guan heard her voice from afar. "Be at ease!" She was right. The Golden Globes were quite different from other award ceremonies. The event was more like a formal banquet for actors than a grand award ceremony. There was not even a real red carpet. Even if one took the distance between the stars cars and the hall into ount, the red carpet was still pitifully short. The 2005 banquet was held at the Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. The reporters only had 30 seconds and three meters to take pictures, starting from when the car doors opened. As a result, they had to block the way quickly with their cameras and microphones, press down their shutters hard and leave fast before the bodyguards arrived. That was the fate of every reporter at the Golden Globes. Qin Guan, who was a big contender, was stopped outside the hall. Han Zhujiu looked helpless in the crowd, so Qin Guan pointed to a car behind them. "Jude Law is here!" The pressure suddenly eased. Taking advantage of the situation, Han carved a path through the reporters. Thanks to the staffs help, they were able to find the organizingmittee. Wang fixed Qin Guans shirt and handed him his invitation. Qin Guan registered at the reception and entered the hall alone. Posting any news instantly on his website was the only way for his team to handle the situation. They had been given an independent cab to work in, so they could publish any news as soon as possible. Chapter 763: The Supporting Actor Award Winner Chapter 763: The Supporting Actor Award Winner Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The gate divided the world into two different parts. Qin Guan fixed his bowtie at the entrance before entering the hall. Suddenly, the "Closer" crew spotted him. "Qin Guan! Over here!" All the guests turned around and saw the powerful nominee. A thick smell of gunpowder suddenly filled the site. The banquet actually looked like a Chinese wedding feast. The red velvet tablecloths were embroidered with different patterns, and on the center of the round tables were beautiful flower bouquets. If it wasnt for the famous guests, Qin Guan would have thought that it was a luxurious wedding ceremony. He found his own name tag and took a seat, whispering to the director next to him, "The organizingmittee is wrong. If they want to promote harmony in the circle, they should organize a different banquet. Do you know about the Spring Festival G in China? The organizers put snacks on the tables and the audience can help themselves to anything they like. We call it a tea party, but its much better than this awkward banquet." The crew rxed at his joke. They were all looking forward to attending a party in China. Suddenly, Jude Law rushed into the hall looking exhausted. He took a seat next to Qin Guan, not caring about the name tags. "Hey, Qin Guan! You bad boy! You threw me under the bus!" "What are you talking about? I just arrived. Whats the matter?" Jude Law almost choked as he saw Qin Guans innocent, nk expression. "I saw you from the car just now. You were pointing at me. Dont tell me that you suffer from amnesia!" "Okay!" Qin Guan spread his arms. "I just told everyone the truth. Chinese people are always honest." Jude was left speechless by his shamelessness. In a few minutes, the hall was filled with people. The curtain of the small stage rose slowly and the ceremony began. The most exciting moment of the evening was approaching. The atmosphere was much more harmonious than it was at European film festivals, as most of the guests knew each other well. Sometimes, if a guest wanted to show off, they would get on the stage and act as the host or give a fun impromptu performance. After a while, the host got ready to announce the winner of the Best Supporting Actor Award. By that time, Jim Carrey, who had won the Best Comedian Award, was acting as the host. The actor didnt forget his own profession while he was on the stage. He set the golden award down onto the podium and began to make jokes. "Here is the award for the Best Supporting Actor. Based on my estimation, it weighs just as much as the Best Leading Actor Award. That makes sense. If it was lighter, it would have been unfair to those hard-working actors. I know the winner of the award, and he is a very brave man. If his award was even one gram lighter than the other award, he would follow the Best Leading Actor everywhere and give interviews with that unlucky dog until he ruined the whole thing for him." "Its true. One of my friends is really afraid of him. My friend is also aedian. If it wasnt for a particr penguin and sea lion, that guy may have been a leading actor." The audience burst intoughter at his funny joke and ridiculous expression. Some well-informed people could guess the winner based on his words. When the judges had voted for the winner, they had nearly made the same choice. They knew that the guy had the necessary acting skills and public approval, so no one would dare embarrass themselves like that. Chapter 764: A Funny Performance Chapter 764: A Funny Performance Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia When Jim Carrey lifted the white card up, the audience hailed along with him. "Now everyone will find out who the winner of the 62nd Golden Globe is. The Best Supporting Actor is..." "Qin Guan!" Everyone started shouting and apuding, showing their sincere appreciation for Qin Guan. This final confirmation made Qin Guan rx. He stood up and fixed his bowtie elegantly. As he was about to walk to the stage, Jim held the award up. "Quick! There are so many people staring at it... If you dont get here in three seconds, Ill give it to the guy behind you." Of course, his words didnt mean anything, but the audience kicked up a fuss. Some women even waved at Jim. "Or you could give it to the Best Supporting Actress!" Before their voices could fade away, Qin Guan rushed to the stage like the wind, counting backwards to himself, "Three, two, one... Im here. Give me the award!" His long legs were a huge physical advantage. Everyone was looking at him in shock. When they came back to their senses, theirughter became even louder. ording to tradition, the host had to surrender the floor to the winner so they could deliver a short speech. Jim Carrey didnt do that though. At first, he left the center of the stage, but then he sneaked up behind Qin Guan and the podium, his head peeking around it. Before Qin Guan could say anything, he murmured quickly, "Jim Carrey is very forgetful. Because of his poor memory, he just missed some important cues. The nominated films include Kill Bill II, Sideways..." The unreliable man had forgotten the process of the ceremony. In a few seconds, he had finished his task like a robot and squatted down to polish Qin Guans shoes. "You are wee. Here, Ill make it up to you." The audience startedughing even louder. Jim Carrey finished his performance and left the stage to Qin Guan, who was the real hero. He just couldnt help it. Hed had to clean his shoes. Qin Guan deserved that. In a few seconds, all the talented people in the hall had concentrated on him. Everyone hadpletely forgotten about Jims joke. Qin Guan took advantage of this to begin his speech. "Hello, everyone. Im Qin Guan. Im very happy to be here during the Chinese Spring Festival. I have now taken one step further towards my dream of winning every film award in existence. This award will help me along to my final destination." "I know most of you. Some of you have even worked with me. Anyone who has met me knows that Im a practical man. I concentrate on the value of the award, regardless of the nature of the role. If you are a director or producer and you are worried about the importance of a role, juste to me. If its a good one, Ill do it." A director under the stage answered, as if they had rehearsed beforehand. "You could pick any script you want. Everyone says that you are blessed. I would direct any script you liked." A producer interrupted him, "No! Id produce it. Just save your money to buy your kid some milk powder." The audienceughed again. "Well talk in privateter," Qin Guan answered naturally. "Now I have to thank some people." "I would like to express my gratitude to all the members of the crew. It was your collective effort that helped me win this award. I also want to thank the director and Julia Roberts. You chose me out of countless actors, so Ill always give you and your films priority." Qin Guan was really charismatic. The actor took a deep bow before the audience and ended his speech. Later, his film won two more awards for its cinematography and musical score. It was a pity that the leading actor and supporting actress failed to win an award. Chapter 765: Panic Among The Domestic Media Chapter 765: Panic Among The Domestic Media Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia This didnt affect the crews joy. However, just before he left the site, Qin Guan noticed Jude Laws annoyance. All actors, famous or not, wanted to win awards. Even older actors yearned for that honor. Qin Guans team apanied him to his hotel as Wang was about to publish the news. It was already midnight in America, but it was noon in Beijing. Sister Xue called Qin Guan on hisputer. She was still nervous, even though she had watched the entire ceremony. Both of Qin Guans official websites published the news at the same time. Sister Xue always apanied Qin Guan to such grand events, so she wanted to talk to him as soon as the ceremony ended. She was just in time, as Qin Guan wanted to talk to her too. Videomunication technology had been developed by then, and some internationalrge-scale enterprises had started using it during their meetings to work simultaneously from different locations. Qin Guan appeared on the screen with the golden award, holding it up for Sister Xue to see. His words made her tear up. "I have already won many awards with my firm, but this one was just in time. You have stayed with me during many ups and downs, until I finally grew up and learned how to make it through any storm alone. If I hadnt, you would never have thought about marriage. Now that you dont have to worry about money though, you can think about your own affairs. This award is a great acknowledgement for both of us. Its also a milestone for our new start." "You dont need to worry about me. Just get ready for your wedding. Ill attend it when I return to China. If Im lucky enough, I could win another award in the meantime." Sister Xue smiled tearfully and pointed to the screen, as if she was trying to poke at his forehead. "Stop showing off. ording to my estimation, you will not be winning an Oscar. Considering you are Chinese, you were lucky enough to be nominated. All the judges would have to go mad simultaneously for you to win an Oscar." Qin Guan didnt feel sad. At least he had won one award. He was still young. He didnt need to rush. He turned off the video and entered the bathroom. He had to save strength and energy for the next day. His team had no time to waste. Wang Liying was busy with the press and other important work. In America, things were much simpler. Qin Guans official blog, the mainstream media and the PR team of the filmpany took care of the promotion, so all Qin Guan had to do was inform the crew before he updated his blog. Things were moreplicated back at home though. Very few reporters had travelled to America on their own expenses. Only the newest media, which had a big enough budget, had sent reporters there. Besides, there was also another Chinese film at the Oscars, director Zhang Yimous "House of Flying Daggers". This was the directors second Golden Globe nomination. Unfortunately, he suffered an unprecedented failure in America. His iprehensible story, confusing scenes, weak characters and hasty promotion couldnt hold a candle to "Heroes". The distributingpany suffered a loss, so after two weeks, the film disappeared from cinemas all over the country. Its gross was only a few million dors, just like the indie film "Elephant". Even though that film was Zhangs Waterloo, it could still participate in the Oscars. All the domestic media concentrated on the Chinese film instead of on Qin Guan, as the domestic film circle was not very familiar with him. The reporters panicked when they found out that Zhangs film hadnt won a Golden Globe. It was up to them whether to use those news as a headline or not. Suddenly, they realized they had an alternative choice. Wangs cab was filled with people as she selflessly shared the news with everyone. Chapter 766: Fan Stories Chapter 766: Fan Stories Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Wang gave everyone sh disks with photos of Qin Guan and the press announcement in them. That way, they could polish them before publishing the news. Wang saw the reporters off before returning to herptop. She came across a sea of joy on all websites, both domestic and overseas ones. Fans were excited about the good news. Qin Guan, the ever-victorious actor, had won another award. They knew that their idol was talented, but most of them had paid attention to him for his looks at the beginning. Now, they understood him and followed him on his journey to the top. There were no negative news about him. Everyone talked about his outstanding acting skills, amazing performance and different awards. He never attracted attention by revealing his body, talking about his private affairs or singing his own praises. Many people learned about his work after the film was in theaters or won an award. Qin Guan was a clear stream in the entertainment circle, both steady and reliable. In other words, he was a very responsible actor. As a result, he attracted more and more fans, who were really happy about his news. Although news about Qin Guan upied half the entertainment sections of different magazines and newspapers, his fans remained calm about the spectacr event. Pipe was standing under an overpass at Dongzhimen early in the morning. His domain had expanded along with the surging poption of the capital and his shabby minibus had been reced by a new one, but as the best newspaper distributor in half the city, he seldom showed up to work personally. It was rare for him to appear under the overpass at such a time. The delivery boys knew that Qin Guan would take up arge part of the page. They were right. Wang Xiaoer lit up a cigarette for him. "Listen to me! Your task for today is quite easy. Im always kind to you all. Old rules apply! Take an extra 200 copies to each stand this morning. Any kind is okay. We just want quantity. You can take 200 copies of the same kind or 10 different kinds. Its up to you!" The me at the end of his cigarette was as bright as their business. They all knew that the newspapers would be selling like hot cakes thanks to Qin Guan. Thepetitors looked at each other in rm. "What are you waiting for? Time is pressing! Quick!" At his order, everyone rushed to his minibus. "Let go! Its mine!" "Son of a b*tch! Cant you count? How many copies did you get? Thats too many!" Everyone started fighting with each other fiercely. Wang Xiaoer didnt move. He just smiled at Pipe shamelessly and shot a look at the backseat. "Im thinner than them, boss. I cant fight with them." "You are always cunning. Yours are in the backseat." "Okay! Thank you so much! Ill get to work at once!" The lives of the public were a direct feedback of a stars poprity. Everyone was dismissed, leaving only the empty minibus under the overpass. They tried their best to take the newspapers to different corners of the city as soon as possible. Ordinary people were always the cornerstone of every entertainment stars sess. Qin Guan paid his fans back with joy. Their idol had made headlines again! He had won a Golden Globe! He was so ssy and magnificent! On February 18th, everyone in China was talking about the same thing. An actor named Qin Guan had won an internatonal award again! In America! To outsiders, this was only a topic of conversation, but for some people with high aspirations, it was a timely event. This was a very busy time for the Huayipany. Wang Yu, who was a secretary, was making a schedule for his bosses. When he stood up to knock on the door, a person rushed past him fast. "Hey, do you have an appointment? What are you doing here?" Before Wang could block the way, the man turned his head back and revealed his face. "Its me! Lu Chuan! I have an appointment with your boss!" Chapter 767: A Successful Film Chapter 767: A Sessful Film Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Oh, its you!" Wang Yu helped him push the door open. After Lu Chuan walked into the office, he closed the door considerately. I can achieve something else while Im here. The director is a wordy man. Lu Chuan sat downfortably on the familiar couch. The Wang Brothers greeted him. "Did you hear the news? Thats why youre here, right? We have already sent your film out." Lu Chuan bounced up from the couch. "Which awards has my film been nominated for?" "The Tokyo Film Festival Award and the Taiwan Golden Horse." "Really? No Venice or Cannes?" The Brothers wanted to hit him. Considering its special subject matter, Lu Chuan had originally limited his film to Asia and hadnt tried to promote it any further. Suddenly, he had seen the protagonist win an award in America though. He was really regretful about that, but it was too little toote. "Listen to me! If you want an international award, you need to start preparing six months in advance. Its toote for you to cut in line now." "Dont be so greedy. If you cut in line and gained nothing, everyone would be ashamed of you." "Yes!" Lu Chuan was still unreconciled with the oue, when the Brothers suddenly gave him the final blow. "May I suggest you zip your pants up before starting an argument with us?" Everyone burst intoughter. It was a sad story, but cest vie. Every coin had two sides. Meanwhile, Director Chen Kexin was sitting at an ordinary cafe on Kowloon Street,ughing at a newspaper. The producer sitting across from him shared his feelings. Thanks to Qin Guan, Chen had gotten the chance to screen his film "If, Love" at the end of the Venice Film Festival. He had also received an invitation to the Queens Film Festival in New York. Before the Oscars, there had always been some inclusive American film festivals for actors, critics, producers and film distributors. Those festivals were able to judge the results of the Oscars in advance. Queens was not familiar with Asian people, but film insiders considered it one of the five festivals that decided the Oscar winners. The benevolent saw benevolence, and the wise saw wisdom. All filmmakers wanted to experience such an honor, so the award had a significant meaning. After Qin Guans harvest, Chen Kexin looked forward to winning his own award. If my work was nominated for the Best Foreign Film Oscar... He wiped the saliva running down his mouth and shook his head, trying his best toe back to his senses. "What did you say just now? I want to go to America. Qin Guan is there too, isnt he?" "Yes, his team told me that he would be staying in Los Angeles until the Oscars are over." Chen nodded and took a sip of his milk tea in disappointment. "Whats wrong with him? Other people are trying their best to stay in Hollywood, but he left for China. They actually gave him an award! Are there even any good scripts in China? An immature industry could ruin a good actor!" The producer grimaced furtively. I know what you want to do. "Should I persuade him to move his firm to Hong Kong?" The producer tried to stop him immediately. "Youd better not. Its said that he didnt return to China just for his film career. He is a certified public ountant in America with a doctorate from Columbia. As far as I know, his property in America and China can rival that of any rich man in Hong Kong. Chinas economic status is much better than Hong Kongs, except when ites to the entertainment circle." Chapter 768: The SARFT Outpatient Department Chapter 768: The SARFT Outpatient Department Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Director Chen, who knew nothing about any other fields, closed his mouth wisely. Suddenly, he felt inspired. A grin formed slowly on his face. "Last time, he left as soon as he could after the shooting. The three Chinese businessmen were not happy. They had spent a lot on the film after all. Is he also a businessman? Maybe we could give them a chance to take a group photo with Qin Guan in America. Ask them if they want to go." Cunning minds always came up with dirty tricks. Viins were just ordinary people after all. Far away in America, Qin Guan had no idea what was going on in China. Some conscientious people were observing him from afar, as his sess had attracted the attention of a powerful film department. Hes won international awards that had so far been beyond our reach. Now he has returned to China. This is the right time to talk about the future. Director Zheng of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) was quite angry that day, as he was suffering from rhinitis. He had asked for leave in order to see a doctor before he returned to the office for a meeting. As a civil servant, he had a very high self-awareness. However, the location of the outpatient department ended up ruining his n. There were too many buildings and narrow alleys by the West Second Ring, and the people crowding around the streets and alleys caused a traffic jam. Director Zheng sat in his car nervously. This would be his first internal meeting after his promotion. It would be a disaster if he waste. Suddenly, he made a decision. He returned to the hospital and pulled over in the small parking lot. Then he put on his coat, as he was nning on returning on foot. It would only take him 15 minutes to get to his office. He was an active man after all. Despite the big crowd, he found it easier to walk on the sidewalk. He was actually really satisfied with his speed. All good things came to an end though. The crowd slowed down half-way as people started gathering around a newsstand. Zheng was surprised to see that there was a really long line. He craned his neck to look at the stand and saw people huddling together in an area of barely two square meters. "Im taking a copy of Beijing News! Heres the money!" "One morning paper! Heres the money!" "I want one too. No, no! I want the Beijing Consumption Guide in color!" "In color? Where is it? I want three copies of it!" What are they all doing here? They seem so interested in entertainment news! Zheng, who was always highly aware of other peoples needs, squeezed into the crowd and stretched his hand out, reaching for the popr colorful newspaper. "Excuse me! One yuan!" Before his voice could fade away, a hand in a red leather glove grabbed the paper. "Hey!" Zheng shot a threatening look at the owner of the hand before choking on his next words. Before him stood a beautiful girl with thin eyebrows, bright eyes and fair skin that seemed to light the dull winter day up. "Hey?" Huang Jiajia pulled the newspaper out of his hand and threw a coin into the box. Then she turned to console the strong fat man. "Im doing this for you. You shouldnt buy it today. Its not for you. Youll lose your confidence if you read it." The girl smiled brightly at Zheng. Before he coulde back to his senses, the beautiful girl had dusted off thest copy, stuffed it into her bag and left without looking back. Chapter 769: Unexpected Trouble Chapter 769: Unexpected Trouble Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Zheng didnt even dare breath too hard, for fear that snot would run down his nose. He watched the girl in the ck wind coat and boots get into a car with the Morgan Stanley logo. She just turned around and drove away. Disappointed, Zheng headed back to his own office. He knew that there was another newsstand behind the building. He was really curious about the newspaper after hearing Huang Jiajias words. What the hell is in that newspaper? Why would it make me lose my confidence? When he bought thest copy from another newsstand, he understood what she meant. The "Beijing Life Guide" cost one yuan and was printed like a magazine. When the readers spread it out, they saw that it was just as big as a newspaper. Unlike other ordinary newspapers though, it was printed in color. Actually, it was a magazine that cost as much as a newspaper. Its bright design and low price captivated young people all over the capital. Soon, Zheng Chuanming noticed the folded page at the bottom. It was a reallyrge poster of Qin Guan smiling at the readers. He was wearing ck Armani Haute Couture, and even the wrinkles on his ck bowtie were visible on the photo as he smiled, holding the golden award up elegantly. Qin Guan possessed every good quality of a Chinese man. The young man looked as gentle as jade. As he looked at the newspaper, Zheng smiled as well. This will be a good topic for the meeting. The best sacrifice! He was not jealous of the man. He just thought that he would be a good introduction to the messy Chinese film circle. There were actually nine SARFT branches, but Zheng belonged to the film administration branch, which was a powerful,prehensive department in charge of all things rted to the film industry. The meeting that day was about the current situation of the film industry, as well as the actors social influence. Qin Guan had originally not been on the list, but Director Chen wanted to include him. He was suddenly interested in the young mans future. He rushed to the office two minutes before the meeting began, entering the meeting room with all his paperwork. He was just in time. The topic was the harmful social effects of the improper behavior of a star. A few days ago, three schoolgirls had gotten involved with some bad boys. They had just been copying the heroine of a film, so the educational department had suggested that TV stations and websites ban all stupid TV shows. As a result, they were having a meeting in order to find the stars that promoted the darkest part of society. SARFT would monitor their every activity. When they began to discuss negative news about stars, Director Zheng revealed his secret weapon. "Dont just concentrate on those notorious stars. The audience knows them well. They can only improve their image by spection. They dont have any real social influence. We have to pay attention to the most popr stars. They all have an obscure attitude towards social responsibility, but the public loves them." "If scandals about them leak out, young people will learn from them." His subordinates exchanged spective looks. Influential stars? But there are so many of them... Suddenly, Director Zheng threw thetest issue of the "Beijing Life Guide" onto the long table. The newspaper opened to reveal Qin Guans poster. Everyone suddenly understood his words. The award-winning actor was considered an entric guy in the film circle, but he had fans everywhere. A girl lifted her hands up with a tremble. "What do you mean by obscure attitude towards social responsibility?" "Has he cooperated with a national film studio? Did he ever shoot a mainstream film? Did he ept a job from the government or y in a film about the army or the party? These are all important criteria. Do you get my point?" The girl tried to defend her idol. "He yed a part in Ke Ke Xi List year. Its a mainstream film about a Chinese-Tibetan antelope reserve." Chapter 770: The Official Document Chapter 770: The Official Document Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Really?" Zheng paused in surprise. Hed had no idea about that. "Was the film produced by a privatepany? Was it promoted nationwide? Are his films kid-friendly? Was he nominated by one of the three top Chinese film festivals?" The girl felt utterly defeated. After his victory, Director Zheng announced the end of the meeting in a loud voice. Some suck-ups wrote down his instructions in their notebooks. "He is only after personal fame. His works have nothing to do with other peoples lives or any national policies. Xiao Liu, send a notice to his firm about the result of the meeting. An informal one would be okay. I heard that he has a big firm." "Yes, most of his employees are models with international fame. Only Qin Guan is an actor, but everybody there is famous." "Even though he has such arge firm, he has only produced a few films over the past year, all of them overseas. He should follow the rules now that hes back in China." There were always people who tried to tter directors. Soon, Qin Guans firm received a notice from the SARFT. The notice was printed on a piece of paper in red ink. The secretary gave it to Sister Xue as soon as possible. Sister Xue, who had been trying on wedding dresses designed by Yin, read the notice and burst intoughter. "Just in time! Finally, an official document! I was afraid that domestic directors and producers would have forgotten about him after three months. SARFT is doing us a favor! Please put the dresses away, darling. Lets go to the China Film Group and grab some roles for Qin Guan!" She was right. They had to get some roles for Qin Guan. Winter and early spring were a rush time for new scripts and films. Most actors would n their schedule during that period. Qin Guan had many scripts at hand, but dared not agree to any of them. His two awards in America had distracted him, so some directors had turned to other actors. Some good scripts had also not fit into Qin Guans schedule. Things were different now though. Thanks to this official support, Sister Xue was feeling much more confident. The Chinesenguage was rich and subtle in its expression. One could express twopletely different meanings with the same words. As a result, Sister Xue interpreted Director Zhengs demand that Qin Guan join the mainstream film circle as a government assignment. When Director Yin Li was given the notice by an excited Sister Xue backstage, he was shocked. "You found a connection for Qin Guan?" "No, they issued this document especially for him. They said that the mainstream film circle iscking talent, so Qin Guan got the job. What about the film we talked about before New Years? Do you still need actors?" "Of course! The China Film Group stressed this issue. Well be cooperating with the Taiwanese. Have you read the script? It was adapted from a Taiwanese novel. If you dont want tomit to it, Ill have to find someone else." Sister Xue looked nervous, "Qin Guan will be returning in February. Theres only a few days left. His schedule matches yours really well!" she said, waving the notice before Director Yin again. Yin, who was an experienced mainstream film director, scratched his head helplessly before nodding. "Okay. He needs to audition as soon as he returns though." "What? He has to audition?" Yin was always serious about work. He was no longer an easy-going man, but he gave the woman a fair lesson. "I admire his acting skills, but most of his films were directed by foreigners. What if his acting is overmercialized? What if he doesnt get along well with traditional Chinese filmmakers? What if he doesnt adapt to the hard environment of a Chinese film? What if he doesnt stay in China?" "Could he portray a soldier, or can he only y ancient noblemen? All these questions are crucial for mainstream films. China Film Group was the cradle of the first Chinese film. Its still a state-ownedpany, unlike Fox, Dreamworks and Columbia. Talent cant solve everything in this case." "I care only about the role, not the actor. Nobody can sway me!" Xue Wanyi showed her respect for the man, shocking Yin Changtao, who couldnt understand the current situation in China. In his opinion, the man with the sses was definitely a warrior! Chapter 771: The Villa On Beverly Hills Chapter 771: The Vi On Beverly Hills Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Sister Xue smiled optimistically. "Dont get angry, director. Qin Guan will audition when hees back from America. We are professional filmmakers after all. He is a good, honest boy. He does everything the directors tell him. Its true. Can I send him the script first?" Yin nodded in satisfaction before shouting at his employee, "Qiang Zi, get me a script!" The employee nodded and left. Sister Xue and Yin concentrated on the script. Muchter, Yin Li let out a long sigh of relief at a corner outside the studio. Did I give a good performance? He had pretended to be a proud director before the famous actors agent. He had actually never worked with actors like Qin Guan before. The American philosophy might have made the young man rebellious, so Yin Li had decided to act proud at the beginning. Actually, most directors didnt know the young award-winning actor well, with the exception of some sixth-generation directors, but the foreign directors he had worked with were all renowned idols of the Chinese directors. Everyone was curious about Qin Guan, as he had received unanimous praise from famous directors. Yin Li was very eager to meet him. Meanwhile, Qin Guan weed some uninvited guests to his new house in Los Angeles. Some good friends had encouraged him to buy a vi in Beverly Hills. The ce looked like a mansion in the eyes of the local residents, but it was actually the same size as Qin Guans vi in Long Ind. The only difference was the private building in front of the entrance and the small hill behind the vi. Americans loved their privacy, and Beverly Hills was a ce where Hollywood stars could hide from reporters. Most of the vis there were empty though, as only a few owners were actually stationed in Los Angeles. Some of them were not even American. They only stayed in Beverly Hills when they visited America to attend some important event. For them, Beverly Hills was only a vacation spot. Qin Guan had acted wisely in buying the vi. The house had been on sale at a low price, because its owner had gone bankrupt and had to sell it to pay off his debt. Qin Guan had found Los Angeles to be much better than New York. Most of his work in America took ce in that city, so he had bought the vi at a favorable price. 4.8 million dors was considered a good price in 2005. When he woke up from a good nights sleep in his mansion, two men were standing outside his door. It was Director Chen Kexin and his assistant. The director stood before the award-winning actor, who was still in his blue pajamas, with a familiar smile. Chen didnt feel embarrassed for visiting him. Why didnt you stay at a hotel? Why buy a house in Beverly Hills? If you are rich enough, you could invest in my film. No Chinese star would buy a vi in this area." "Are you too excited to speak? Show us around then!" No, elder brother. I was just left speechless by your visit. Qin Guan couldnt help but invite them in. "I had no idea you would be visiting, so I have nothing to treat you. What would you like to drink?" Qin Guan was not very familiar with the rooms of the house. He had to try three doors before he found the kitchen. The previous owner must have liked parties, as the vi had arge hall and plenty of guest rooms. It could actually have served as a family inn. At the beginning, Qin Guan had been inspired by the eight tubs inside the vi and considered turning it into a hotel. After calcting the cost though, he had rejected the idea. Chen and his assistant asked for a ss of water each. Fortunately, the director shared the purpose of his visit right away. "I cant go to New York before the Oscars!" Qin Guan shook his head. "No, I have a tight schedule. Plus, I was not nominated by the Queens Festival." He had a point. Chen smiled awkwardly and gave up on his n, putting forward a second suggestion. "Could you make time to meet the three producers of the film? Just one hour. Could you maybe take a picture with them?" he asked sincerely. Chapter 772: Everyone Has Fun Chapter 772: Everyone Has Fun Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It was not an unreasonable demand. They had done a good job during the shooting after all, and Qin Guan wouldnt negotiate with them any further due to his tight schedule. The rich businessmen from Hong Kong and Southeast Asia were also fans of his and clients of his firm. It was okay to have dinner with them. As soon as Qin Guan agreed, Director Chen left to prepare. Actually, he couldnt stand Qin Guans new house. There was no food or drinks in it, which made it hard for a man to be hospitable. When Qin Guan reached the Cantonese cafe, he experienced for the first time the grand dinners Hong Kongers enjoyed. Everyone was sitting around tworge round tables. Chen, who was sitting in the middle, waved at Qin Guan. "Qin Guan, over here! I saved you a seat!" Then he pointed to another table. "Your bodyguard can sit over there. This is a dinner with friends, not a business banquet." Han Zhujiu shot a nce at Qin Guan before heading to the other table. This was traditional Chinese dinner etiquette. Americans preferred crazy parties, but Hong Kongers liked to chat leisurely during teatime and make decisions for their businesses. Some people even spent the whole day at tea cafes. When Qin Guan took a seat, he was shocked by the number of the dishes. Guangdong cuisine was actually famous for its huge variety. Chen showed off proudly to his friend. "Hong Kongers have a sharp nose. I just got to America yesterday and traced the smell all the way here. The cafe owners family has been living in Guangdong for generations. His son is still studying in Hong Kong." As he talked, the waiter pushed a dining car towards their table. "Hey, make yourself at home. I got hungry while I was waiting for you. Lets eat and chat!" All the patrons were attracted by the smell. There were all kinds of desserts on the dining car, each one served in a different container. Cute tiny buns with different fillings were served in bamboo steamer baskets, cold dishes were served in small white porcin cups, and soup was served in deep bowls. The small portions met the demands of the customers, who could taste more dishes that way. There were too many things for them to see and try. Qin Guan nearly forgot about the people sitting around the table. He was too focused on the dining car right next to him. The Asian waiter addressed the young man sitting next to the host. "What kind of tea would you prefer? Tieguanyin, incense, narcissus, chrysanthemum, jasmine?" "Jasmine. I would also like..." Everyone was shocked by his answer. "A steamed vermicelli roll, sticky rice in a lotus leaf, a steamed bun stuffed with roast barbecue pork, steamed shrimp dumplings..." Soon, more than 10 dishes were set on the table. Although they were small in size, their meat and heavy taste made them very filling. The entire meal was twice the size of an average meal in Southern China. Before Chen could stop him, Qin Guan began to help the waiter move the dishes from the car to the table. When everyone had made their choice, they saw a pile of dishes mounted before the young man. Qin Guan didnt feel embarrassed. "Lets start. Well have a better talk with a full stomach!" he said before stuffing three dumplings into his mouth. How can he do that? His mouth is not even that big! The steamed vermicelli roll turned out to be Qin Guans favorite. It was made ording to a traditional cooking method, so it was as smooth as jelly. Everyone could see the filling clearly through the transparent crust. The cook took advantage of the location to use local ingredients for the filling. He got rid of the fishbones first and then smashed the meat into a sauce. The shrimps wererge North American shrimps, and the fish sauce and shrimp were stuffed into the pastry along with pork and steamed on the fire. The delicious roll felt so smooth that the customers could taste the ocean inside it. Chapter 773: The Oscar Opening Ceremony Chapter 773: The Oscar Opening Ceremony Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The guests were too absorbed into the delicious food to pay attention to Hans table. Every person sitting around that table was a bodyguard apanying his boss. Only Han actually owned a securitypany. The man, who was renowned in Chinatown, felt jealous of the other professional security guards. "Are you Qin Guans bodyguard?" "Yes." "Do you know what his next film will be?" "No." "Impossible. You are his bodyguard! He must trust you. Does this mean that you do not attend his meetings?" "No." "Why? Is he suspicious of you?" "No idea." Ha! I finally got two words out of him. Im so happy! Wait, I forgot about my boss! "We are friends, right? Listen to me. My boss Brother Pan is a rich, powerful man. Investing in films is nothing for him. If your boss needs money, just call him!" The man handed Han Zhujiu a business card with the words "Investment Bank of He" on it. When Han stuffed the card into his pocket, he smiled in satisfaction. A thin man with a bald head smiled scornfully at the Hong Kong bodyguards. Idiots! A man with a poker face is a sleeping tiger... Then he shot a nce at his own boss, only to see the wise man smiling like an idiot at Qin Guan. Forget it. My boss is only a man selling chicken fodder. Despite hisrge business, he still cant change his old habits. He is a patriot at heart. He got a role for his daughter so he could meet Qin Guan. Even the Thai bodyguard knew what the oue would be. His boss would entrust his business in China to Qin Guan. He was right. His boss, Xie Hanren, was a Chinese businessman stationed in Thand. Unlike the others, he had gone there to support Chinese construction. His idea would be realized in China. Xie Hanren was the richest second-generation immigrant in Thand. He was the real owner of the Lotus Center and possessed a 5% share of the Chia Tai Group. People could tell that his family loved China. Qin Guan received arge order from the three Chinese businessmen, so his ounting firm could finally get rid of its developing small-business model and receive an order from argerpany. Even medium ounting firms would look up to him now. QC had reached the standard of a medium ounting firm with an annual profit of billions of dors overnight. This had saved Qin Guan two to three years of effort. All thanks to those patriotic Chinese businessmen. After theyd had their morning tea, they said goodbye to each other and parted ways. As Qin Guan was putting on his ck suit, Wang Liying rushed over to him, lookingpletely out of breath. She had some news for Qin Guan. Chen Kexin had won the Best Foreign Film Award in Queens. Although it was not a well-known award in China, it was still a good beginning for the film. Qin Guan fixed his suit and cheered himself up mentally. I wish myself the same luck tonight! Who could remain calm during the Oscar Opening Ceremony after all? "Closer" had won five Golden Globes, but Americans considered the Oscars way more important. Natalie Portman walked along the red carpet with Qin Guan. She had been nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar, so the two young actors immediately attracted the attention of the reporters. There was no screaming or crazy behavior though, as there were many celebrities gathered around the red carpet. Everyone was dazzled by them, but Qin Guan would have rather attended the grand event incognito. After taking pictures with the tall golden figurine, he quickly hid among the stars in the waiting area, where the crew had gathered around the director. Everyone was talking to each other, but their minds were already in the auditorium, which was only 10 meters away. When the gate opened, everyone was asked to take their seats in the hall. Only when he sat down did Qin Guan notice the ingenuity of the seating arrangement. Chapter 774: Waterloo Chapter 774: Waterloo Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The "Closer" cast and crew were sitting next to the "Million Dor Baby" crew, which was another strong nominee. Qin Guan felt a little strange during the ceremony. "Closer" was not nominated for the Best Cinematography or Best Musical Score Oscar. Morgan Freeman smiled kindly at Qin Guan. They were sitting very close to each other. There was only one person sitting between them. What do you mean by that confident smile? Qin Guan suddenly heard the voice of the host. "The nominees for the Best Supporting Actor of the 77th Oscar Award Ceremony are Morgan Freeman for Million Dor Baby, Qin Guan for Closer, and Thomas Haden Church for Sideways... And the lucky man is..." He drew out thest word deliberately as the cameraman turned to Qin Guan and Morgan Freeman. The camera swayed between the two men, the expression on their faces visible clearly on the lens. They looked nervous, expectant and a little eager. "... Morgan Freeman!" As the name burst out of his mouth, the cameras filmed all the nominees from different angles. The fans watching from home felt sorry for their idol. On the screen, Qin Guan looked stunned for a bit. Then he seemed to be at a loss. His expression was sad, but he eventually smiled warmly at Morgan Freeman. Congrattions for your sess. But believe me, this temporary failure does not reflect my real abilities. Morgan Freeman stood up and walked to the stage. As he walked past Qin Guan, he hugged the young man kindly. The two actors, who were of different skin color and age, embraced each other during the grand ceremony. For Morgan, that Oscar was just one more award for his huge collection, but for Qin Guan, who was a new face at the Oscars, it was a necessity. He was still kind to Morgan though. Their hug seemed to turn the smoke-filled hall into a secret garden. Everyone there was beautiful. Congrattions to you all! The fans were crying before their TVs. Their eyes were fixed on the lonely actors back as tears flowed down their faces. This was the first time Qin Guan had suffered such a loss, but experiencing some ups and downs was important for a young man. In the end, Qin Guans trip to America had been both hopeful and frightening. The feedback of the domestic media and his fans made him feel warm when he returned to China. His loyal fans didnt me him for his failure. For them, even the Golden Globe had been a surprise. In the Chinese peoples eyes, there was still racial discrimination in the American film industry, so they considered Qin Guans outstanding work in that hostile environment a miracle. There were many filmmakers who had failed in the process. Sister Xue gave Qin Guan the SARFT notice and a script for a mainstream movie called "The Knot". Qin Guan was satisfied with Yin Li. The plot was a touching tragic love story of the times. The next day, he showed up at the Beijing Film Studio, which was a famousndmark of the capital. Qin Guan arrived on time. As a practical director, Yin Li would work on his new film in a studio. Qin Guan arrived early in the morning at the studio, which was located by the North Third Ring. Figurants were gathered around the entrance as Qin Guan entered the studio and met Yin Li in his in office. Chapter 775: Getting Together Chapter 775: Getting Together Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Their first impression of each other was not that good. Qin Guan liked the honest man with the sses, but Yin Li looked at the young man regretfully. He knew what brilliant guys with big eyes and bushy eyebrows were like. In his opinion, Qin Guan was too elegant. He looked like a military officer trained at the Huangpu Military Academy. He was charming, deliberate and too Western-looking. The hero of the film was a student born and raised in the countryside, whose mother had worked hard to send him to medical school. Could he portray a rusty, in soldier of that time period? Yin Li was not so sure. Qin Guan, who could see the directors worry, took a cap he had brought for the audition out of his Hermes bag. Then he pointed to a military coat hanging at the back of the door. "May I use that, sir?" Yin was taken aback at first, but he came back to his senses fast and nodded. "Sure, no problem." He was impressed by the young mans bravado. Most actors yielded to his mighty presence and were unable to perform well. There were few young men that could act this cool around a director. When Qin Guan changed into his clothes, he looked like he had gone back in time. The cotton inside his broken military cap was exposed, and his green coat was gray with dirt. Qin Guan was holding a mug in his hands carefully. He was not the elegant young man he had been moments ago, but a mature man suffering from difficulties. His sparkling eyes did not belong to a charming yboy, but a soldier in awe of his own ideas and beliefs, who fought bravely for his ideals and his country. His expression was one that had been buried in the passage of time. The pure love for ones nation, ideals and revolution had faded away with that generation. Qin Guan didnt say anything. Instead, he just looked at Yin silently as if he was his leader. He would do anything Yinmanded him. Yin took a deep breath to calm down. "You passed the audition." Qin Guans eyes were still fixed on him. "Cut!" Suddenly, Qin Guan rxed and smiled at Yin. "When shall I join the crew?" "We can have a meeting with the other guys tomorrow. Well start this week." "Okay! Can I go now?" "Yes! Hey, put the coat back!" Before he could finish his words, Qin Guan had gone out of the office, but he reached in with his hand and put the coat back at its original ce. Qin Guan was quite satisfied with the meeting. As he got into his new Mercedes-Benz, he saw people walking around to the entrance of the studio. "Are those figurants looking for work?" "Yes. There might be guys like Wang Baoqiang among them. I think Wang gave them false hope. They gave up everything toe to Beijing. Theyve been waiting here all day long, struggling for their lives." What were they after? Realizing their dream, or bing rich and powerful? No one really knew. This had nothing to do with Qin Guan anyway. The next day, he saw two acquaintances of his at the meeting. It was Li Bingbing and Gui Yalei. The older Taiwanese actress would be ying an old supporting female character, a woman who waited for the protagonist in Taiwan, remaining alone her entire life. Qin Guan could cooperate with Li Bingbing well. They didnt need an unreliable sixth-generation director to create a beautiful scene. Thanks to the investment of the state-owned productionpany, the film had a natural, domestic style to it. Their shooting location was self-sufficient. They had chosen Zhangzhou in the Fujian Province as their site in Taiwan. The old 1930s streets of the small city had remained intact, and so had its beautiful rivers andkes. The bamboo buildings, water trucks, small bridges, and folk houses all looked fascinating. Li Bingbing had no reason for being in Fujian, but she had followed the director there by paying for her own ne tickets. She was actually afraid of Qin Guan. Considering his many international awards, the young man was no green hand. She wanted to watch his performance in advance to avoid any future embarrassment. Fortunately, there was a silly girl exploring the way for her. Li Bingbing frowned. This girl is not capable enough. If it was Gui Yalei... Chapter 776: Dont Be Nervous! Chapter 776: Dont Be Nervous! Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia She had good reason to look down upon Xu Ruoxuan. Taiwanese actors always gave unconventional performances. They were good enough for indie films, but acted strange during emotional scenes about hate between families or nations. Their Taiwanese ent and performance were too dramatic. The crew blocked an ancient street in Zhangzhou. A small century-old vi of European style was revealed to the visitors. Flowerpots with kaffir lilies were ced on the balcony, and a semi-finished oil painting was set on the shelf next to the columns, around which were rare painting tools of the time. These details told the audience that this was a rich, tasteful family. As the camera zoomed into the room, it felt almost like it was going back in time. Everyone saw the interior of the idental home. There was a wooden tea table of European style, a whole set of Isabel tableware, and an elegant cheongsam in the room. All these details reminded the poor boy that he was in a rich mans home. Qin Guan, who had already changed into his costume, did not look like a countryside man at all. A talented young man would be influenced by his environment after all. The entire crew, including Li Bingbing, stared at the costume on his body. How can a man look so handsome in a Chinese tunic suit? As a typical Chinese costume, it showed off all the advantages of men in modern times. It set cruel standards for ones figure though. Only someone with broad shoulders and a thin waist would look elegant in it. Perhaps Jeong-Eun Kim, the famous North Korean leader, would. Qin Guan was wearing a Chinese royal-blue tunic suit that was actually a student uniform. The golden buttons on his chest were sparkling in the sunshine, just like he did. He was sitting before the hostess for his interview, as he had applied for a part-time English teacher position. The job paid a lot, so he had to be careful during the interview. The elegant hostess, who was an old Chinese Opera actress, was the perfect rich housewife. At the directorsmand, Qin Guan fixed his costume and started acting. Thedy served Qin Guan tea as she asked him questions about his life. "Where are you from?" "Xiluo Town, just beside the Zhuoshui River." "Wow, the rice of that area is really famous. Its hard to enroll at medical school if you are from the countryside though. How is your family doing?" As she delivered that line, the camera zoomed in on Qin Guans shoes and his bare feet. It seemed like the young man was trying his best to hide them from the woman in an effort to protect his dignity. His petty action smoothed out all the wrinkles on Director Yins face. He was really satisfied with the short shot. The young man could consider and interpret every feeling of the character, instead of just sticking to the script. It was wonderful! When the young master of the family went down the stairs, Qin Guan realized he had gotten the job. He gave the young boy, who was dressed like an adult, a warm smile. Comforted by his smile, the small boy said, "No!" Then he suddenly rushed back to his room. "Okay! Cut!" When the boy disappeared from the camera, everyone rxed. It was Qin Guan who had helped the small boy finish his job. The boy had never acted in a film before after all. "Perfect!" Yin Li rubbed his hands together excitedly. He was using traditional techniques to give the film a period-film feel. Qin Guan looked natural in that spotty pattern of light and shadow. The director couldnt be more satisfied. He actually decided to cooperate with the actor again in the future. Unfortunately, Xu Ruoxian was much more nervous. Her agency had fought to get her that role, and she currently looked like a sweet schoolgirl, which matched well the personality of the second heroine of the film. She had actually been selected by Director Yin among numerous Taiwanese girls. Qin Guan, who was a legend among Chinese immigrants in America, was just standing there. Dont be nervous! Calm down, Xu Ruoxuan! Cheer up! Chapter 777: Two Tigers Cant Live On The Same Mountain Chapter 777: Two Tigers Cant Live On The Same Mountain Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Her courage faded away when she took a look at the camera. The next scene was her solo. The eldest daughter of the rich family had juste back home from school. The actress cheered herself up, afraid that she would lose face before the Chinese actors. Qin Guan was sitting with everyone else behind the camera. Everyones eyes were fixed on her. The actress was under tremendous stress. She was wearing a white school uniform and holding an old bicycle as she pushed the gate of the vi open. The camera moved along with her. Her slender ankles were dressed in white socks, and her fair fingers looked delicate against the wooden gate. Everything about her was elegant and pretty. She was a beautiful young maiden in the prime of her life. Suddenly, a reaction shot revealed her face. The audience saw two braids, a pair of big eyes, a cute nose and a strange, twisted smile. "Cut! Cut!" Director Yin was speechless. Its only a quick reaction shot. What are you doing? Why are you grimacing? What is that expression supposed to mean? Xu was tongue-tied. Li Bingbing took pleasure in her misfortune. "We dont need to watch. The first half of the film will be dyed. I wonder when we will go to Tibet. She will need six months just to polish up her acting skills." Li let out a long sigh of relief. I overestimated the Taiwanese girl. Im safe now! As Xu pushed the bicycle towards the gate tearfully, Director Yin shouted at her retreating back, "If you cant act properly, just keep your face still!" The director let out a long sigh and let her go. Li nudged Qin Guan with her elbow. "She is supposed to be a young girl. Just look at the wrinkles around her eyes!" You must have seen too many stories like this. Qin Guan didnt answer. Instead, he tried to escape quietly. Li Bingbing had spoken loudly, so Xu had heard herments. The two actresses, who were the same age, exchanged a malicious look. Thus ended the first meeting of the two heroines. Generally speaking, the rtionship among the actors tended to have a big influence on a film, so Director Yin was happy to see them on the verge of fighting. They were supposed to be love rivals in the film after all. Two love rivals never coexisted in harmony. The director took advantage of the tension between them to pull Xu aside and exin the script to her. "In the next scene, you will meet Qin Guan for the first time. He will be your first love, which is the most beautiful thing in the world. The heroine is a lot like you. Would you show weakness before Li? You are representing every Taiwanese actress right now! Teach her a lesson!" "Show her who you are and why you were selected to be Qin Guans partner!" Director Yin was really good at giving pep-talks. Xu flushed with excitement. "Dont worry about me, director! Ill go all out!" Yin gave her a thumbs-up and then turned to Qin Guan. "Are you ready? Lets start!" "Iming!" Qin Guan walked over with a yellow bag. "Im ready!" "Attention, everyone! We are shooting the couples first meeting in Taiwan. Three, two, camera!" Xu walked leisurely up the stairs with her bag under the warm sunshine. Meanwhile, Qin Guan had just finished his part-time job, said goodbye to the hostess and the boy, and got ready to head downstairs. The young girl and the man met at the top of the narrow stairway. Qin Guan looked down at Xu. Her smooth ck hair impressed him. He smiled warmly at the girl, revealing his white teeth. His eyes looked like shining stars. "Are you Yumengs older sister?" The camera turned to Xu. Thanks to the directors encouragement and Lis mental stimtion, she was not as nervous anymore. She shot a shy nce with her watery eyes and nodded slightly. She looked like a jasmine after a spring rain, trembling in the warm breeze as dew lingered on its petals. Everyone was captivated by her smile. Chapter 778: First Love And Noodles Chapter 778: First Love And Noodles Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The director was really happy, but Li Bingbing was grinding her teeth behind the camera. B*tch! She is acting all pure and shy now, but her eyes are fixed on Qin Guans face. Is this really love at first sight? The two actors brushed against each other carefully on the narrow stairs. Qin Guan leaned to one side to make room for the petite girl, but his tall, strong figure still upied too much space. His heart beat fast as her hair touched his jaw. When he reached the end of the stairs, Qin Guan looked back. So did Xu, who looked down shyly with a blush before leaving. Qin Guan was captivated by the girl. A silly, joyful smile formed on his face as he went out of the vi. "Cut! Good!" Director Yin couldnt help but y the scene back again and again. Some beautiful music will make it even better. "Well done, Xu! I knew you had potential! Get some rest now. Qin Guan, you have to continue." "What?" Qin Guan walked over. "Right now?" "Yes! Film and rent cost a lot. You have to help me save money!" "Roger that!" The camera turned to the bustling street. As soon as he had gone out of the vi, Qin Guan met his love rival. It was a man wearing sses, who harbored a secret love for Xu. The man threatened Qin Guan nervously. "I... Im her boyfriend!" Qin Guan leaned his head to the side and gave him apletely different smile. He looked like a bad boy now instead of an elegant student. The bad boys at school always made girls scream. Qin Guan patted the mans shoulder, "Got it. What kind of boyfriend are you? Do you date her in your daydreams or night dreams?" The man looked down at the ground. "I... Both..." "Ha ha!" Everyone burst into quietughter. The romantic film had suddenly turned into aedy. By the time the director gestured at them to stop, the supporting actors shirt was soaked in sweat. Qin Guan didnt care about the difference between them. He just hugged the guy around the shoulders. "Is this your first time on the Chinese maind?" The guy nodded as tamely as a quail. "Ill be your host here!" He suddenly shouted loudly at his assistant, "Xiao Wang?" Wang Liying shouted back, "Im here! Everything is ready!" "What are we waiting for then? Director Yin, Li Bingbing, Xu Ruoxuan, lets go out to dinner!" Yin was too busy to ept the invitation. Before Xu could say anything, Li Bingbing had pulled Qin Guan away. The soul of a city was its delicious food. Qin Guan wanted to try the local food in every city he visited. Having a big dinner was actually impossible in that small ancient city. The visitors could only find specialties of the Fujian Province at street stands or small restaurants. Having noodles with gravy was their best choice. This was a traditional dish in all of Northern China, but in the Fujian Province people mixed a little soda into the flour to make the noodles rougher. This way, they were more stic and they smelled like wheat. The gravy was a perfect mixture of ordinary ingredients. Zhangzhou Lumian soup was basically dried squid and pig bones boiled into a soup. If one added water starch, egg, shrimp and shiitake mushrooms, the Ding pork soup thickened into a paste. Some exquisite restaurants made several kinds of gravy for people with different tastes, including chicken pork soup. The cook put the noodles into an empty bowl and then poured gravy on them. The customers could choose more toppings themselves, including pig skin, pig intestines, pig lungs, shell meat, dried bamboo shoot, dried beans, and green vegetables. When the bowl was full, one could pour hot gravy into it toplete the dish. Everyone was satisfied with their dinner. One bowl of noodles seemed to be enough for Li Bingbing, but the man with the sses looked at Qin Guan eagerly. They walked back along the quiet street leisurely, the crisp noodles cracking in their mouths. When they returned to the vi, they attracted everyones attention. The crew suddenly found their lunch boxes boring. The actors were now amon enemy that deserved retaliation. Chapter 779: The Kiss Chapter 779: The Kiss Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Their next scene was shot at night. The hostess discovered their love and fired Qin Guan to avoid an ill-matched marriage. After being sneered at by Xus parents, Qin Guan left the vi, only to find the man with the sses waiting for him. The two disappointed young men fought with each other in the rain. To pay them back for not getting invited to dinner, the prop team turned on the tap, turning the gentle rain into an intense downpour. Director Yin really loved the idea, so at his order, the heavy rain kept falling down on the narrow alley. The man with the sses blocked Qin Guans way. "Did your parents-inw invite you to dinner?" "Have you heard of The Last Supper?" Raindropsnded on Qin Guans umbre as if they were beating against his hurting heart. The guy behind him couldnt see his face, but he asked him, "What did you have for supper?" Then he rushed up to Qin Guan, shouting like crazy, "If you sent her that letter, it should be me having supper with her!" The two men threw their umbres away and started fighting in the rain. Qin Guan pushed the guy away with only one arm, but the crazy man conquered his fear and rushed back at him again. Thanks to the overwhelming rain, Qin Guan looked like a drowned rat by then. He couldnt see anything through the raindrops, just like he couldnt find a way out in that hopeless love affair. The man with the sses looked much worse than him. The two of them rolled around in the mud, trying their best to beat one another. Only when they rolled in the channel running alongside the alley did the director send Xu over to stop the fight. "Cut! Good! Lets have a 10-minute break!" Before his voice could fade away, Wang walked over with arge towel and wiped off Qin Guans hair and face. Director Yins next words scared her. "That was pretty good, but fighting from this side to the other might be better. We can try itter." Are you kidding? My boss just ate a bowl of noodles! Both the actor and the director were serious about their work. Qin Guan walked into the rain again withoutining. To be safe, they repeated the scene a full three times that night. Both actors were exhausted and wet by the time it was over. The two men rushed to their rooms quickly, eager to have a warm bath and get some sleep. The man with the sses had no scenes the next day, but Qin Guan was about to experience an even tougher trial as the couples love reached its peak. The crew moved to a traditional rustic wooden house and a rice mill. Qin Guan was wearing gray linen clothes and ck loose pants with rolled-up pant legs. The thick cloth shoes on his bare feet made him look like a country boy. Li Bingbing couldnt recognize the international award-winning actor anymore. He looked like a in, honest countryman, which created a sharp contrast against Xu Ruoxuan, who looked like an angel dressed in white. As they looked at each other, her fair hands and his brown palms locked together before the camera. They embraced each other next to the stream before Xu stayed over at his ce. She hadnt brought any clothes with her, so she borrowed some from the drawer Qin Guans mother used. Her young face looked fascinating in the dimmplight. Before shooting the scene, Yin Li, who was a kind gentleman, had asked Xu if she wanted to use special effects to avoid sharing a real kiss with Qin Guan. The girl had clenched her fists. "I will make a sacrifice for my career." Li didnt eat anything for three days. Chapter 780: Believe Me! You can! Chapter 780: Believe Me! You can! Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia F*ck! Im so lucky I will not have to cooperate with her in the film, or Id get sick. She is just lusting after a handsome guy! What does he feel though? She was suddenly distracted when everyone walked around the set to stress the importance of the scene. They would kiss each other soon! The couple was lying on a wide wooden bed used by old-fashioned Chinese women. Qin Guans mother had kept it in the simple cottage. The girl was lying before Qin Guan. They were so close to each other that when he bent down towards her, his nose touched hers. They couldnt restrain their desire to kiss anymore. Qin Guan preferred gentle kisses, but Xu and the director favored more heated emotions. The girl, who had experienced a heavy stormwave in Japan, locked her arms around his neck. A long French kiss followed. The couple was absorbed into the kiss as their lips and teeth met again and again. The only unhappy person around was Li Bingbing. In a film with two heroines, two good actresses would put pressure on one another. As the scene progressed, Lis nerves were stimted. She was eager to see her future, as well as the development of the Chinese film circle. The pace of peoples lives was currently picking up. There was no time for an actress to study and improve. The entertainment circle changed every day, so a younger actress would rece her soon. Film snobs and producers would never choose her as a heroine because of her experience or acting skills. Li Bingbing was in terrible need of an award in order to improve her position in the film circle. After so many years in the job, she was actually nervous about her career. She didnt want to be like Fan Pingping. She just wanted to show the audience her abilities. She could see the potential of the film, which involved both a soul-stirring story and an impressive romance, and she really looked forward to promoting it. Unfortunately, the film included two heroines, which meant that the two actresses wouldpete and the audience would makeparisons. As the shooting went on, the Taiwanese actress followed Qin Guans instructions and performed better and better. When thest scene was over, Qin Guan dropped his wet towel on Lis head. He had just been crying in the rain. "Qin Guan! What are you doing?" "You are still the active girl I used to know. You are not one to sit in a corner. I know what you are worried about. What do you think of my proposal?" "What proposal?" Li threw the wet towel away. Qin Guans confident eyes calmed her down. "Just let it be. Believe in yourself. No domestic actress your age is better than you. Dont mention Sister Zhou. You are too stupid to bepared to her." "This is actually your advantage. You will finally be a shining star. Neverpare yourself to anyone else, especially talented actors like me. Justpare yourself with your previous self and improve every day. That will be enough." "What you need is only a chance. Everything is in your hands. Never give up!" Li Bingbing burst intoughter. At first, she had been angry with Qin Guan, but then she fell into deep thought. Suddenly, an endless power exploded out of her body. Yes, she had never surrendered before. She would make sure she didnt in the vige of Liaoning either. It was her turn now. The crew recreated a battlefield in aid of Korea that worked in the resistance against the US aggression. The annoying Taiwanese woman was gone, even though a city filled with sand and storms would have felt like home to her. The set was built ording to the memories of old soldiers and some remaining military sites. In order to show the cultural and geographical environment of the times better, they were shooting in the Northeastern China countryside in early spring. Qin Guan put on his costume, which was a khaki military cotton-padded jacket with a belt around the waist. Anyone would look ugly in that outfit. He and Li Bingbing met for the first time during a battle operation. Their meeting was not as beautiful as the one with his first love. Qin Guan was a military doctor who had been working nonstop for 20 hours and now had to perform surgery on an annoying patient. He had just saved a patient with arge belly wound, who had been murmuring to himself in pain. The girl lying before him was crying and rolling around, as if she was on the verge of death. Chapter 781: Arduous Conditions Chapter 781: Arduous Conditions Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan put on arge cotton gauze mask and asked the nurse with a poker face, "Whats wrong with her?" The nurse looked at the crying girl with a disdainful expression. "Hey, thats enough. That bruise is no bigger than a fingernail!" Director Yin zoomed to get a reaction shot of Qin Guan. His beautiful eyes shot an indifferent nce at the girl. He knew all about matters of life and death, so dramatic girls like her were his least favorite kind of patient. Qin Guan used an effective method to stop the troublemaker. "Nurse! Nurse, be careful! Please!" When Li cried out loudly, Qin Guan pped her across the face. His hands were in disposable gloves. It was not a hard p, but she suddenly stopped crying. The girl looked shocked. Turning her head around, she fixed her eyes on the doctor like an idiot. Bang! He gave her another p. "You... How dare you..." Stupefied, the girl forgot about the small wound on her arm and looked at the man in confusion. "Cut!" Everyone burst intoughter. Qin Guan took off his thick mask and smiled. "You dont need to worry about acting, Li Bingbing. That character is you!" Li tried to resistughing. "Nonsense! Im not such a coward!" Qin Guan gave her a standard military salute. "Greetings to the crybaby with the big eyes and the short hair!" That was his next line. If Xu was the purest jasmine in a greenhouse, Li would be the toughest sunflower on a blooming field. The girl gradually started thinking of the military doctor as the only sun in her life. Director Yin looked up to the ceiling of the tall military building amid the rxed atmosphere. The moonlight shone through the cracks. "Itste. We have to finish the most important scene before getting some rest." "No problem!" Everyone returned to their posts. It was a cold night in the countryside, so their cotton clothes couldnt protect them against the wind. The actors stood by the entrance, stomping their feet on the ground. When the director ordered them to, they rushed out to the trench. Taking advantage of her post, Li took some goods that she needed badly from the Commander. She nned on making a good meal for the man she liked. It was only rice crust, but food was precious for ordinary soldiers. Before they parted, Li took some small green apples out. Fruit of such quality didnt attract attention nowadays, but that winter years ago, it had been considered delicious food. Everything around the couple was gray or ck. Only the two green apples brought a sense of vitality to the scene. Li nudged Qin Guans shoulder with her elbow. "Will you write to me from that new ce? Ill get your address and write back to you." "Forget it." Qin Guan moved her elbow back, as if she was his brother. "We are all really busy. Why would I write to you?" "I like you!" she answered loud and clear. As Qin Guan fell silent, the camera descended slowly to draw a full stop to her abrupt confession. "Cut!" "Ouch! Finally!" Qin Guan bounced up from the ground. He had been squatting down during the long scene and the chilling cold air had frozen his feet. Wang quickly gave him a thick coat and led him to the Kang. There was no hotel or country home for tourists in that remote vige, so the vigemittee helped them settled down in some family homes with spare rooms. The farmers would have a wealthy Spring Festival that year. Because of therge number of figurants, the actors living conditions were a little hard. Qin Guan was experiencing for the first time the difficulties of war dramas. He was lying on the Kang in a closet, feeling utterly destitute. There were enough quilts, but no thick mattress. After one day of work, Qin Guan took off his coat and copsed on the hot Kang. Chapter 782: Chicken Feathers Everywhere Chapter 782: Chicken Feathers Everywhere Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The room smelled terribly of burning firewood. Fortunately, there were cracks in the window frames and the door, so Qin Guan didnt have to be careful about inhaling the gas. Although he was tired, he woke up at the first crow of a vige rooster. He felt hungry. As he was trying to go back to sleep, the rooster crowed a second time. "Is that a rooster?" Attracted by the sound, Qin Guan put on his coat and shoes and walked outside. Silence was still prevailing in the yard. Everyone else was still asleep. It was dark outside, with only a beam of morning light rising in the East. The roosters third crow revealed its location. Qin Guans eyes sparkled in the dark like yellow weasels. Crack! The yard door opened and a figure sneaked out. In every vige, the rooster that crowed first was usually the strongest one. The rooster was standing on a branch by the entrance of the vige, looking as if it was sitting on a throne. After its third crow, the vigers would get up and get to work. Qin Guan barely had a few minutes left. He had to take the criminal and turn him into stewed chicken with mushrooms. Of course, he would pay for the dish. Qin Guan hunted down the rooster until he caught him. After a short, fierce battle, he finally grabbed the roosters legs. There were some marks left on his hand. The respectful warrior didnt give up though. The rooster tried to attack the disgusting man with its sharp ws once again. Director Yin was the first one to spot Qin Guan. He had seen a suspicious man sneak into the yard and go into the kitchen with a weapon. "Who is there?" Yin shouted loudly. Suddenly, he was stunned. "Hush, director! I came here for Lao Wang." Qin Guan gestured nervously at Director Yin. Only the phrase "chicken feathers everywhere" could be used to describe his appearance. There were feathers in his hair, on his clothes and on his shoes. He looked like he had just survived a fierce battle. "What the hell are you doing here?" "I wanted to eat stewed chicken with mushrooms." "Just tell the cook then. What are you doing with that rooster?" "It has a wonderful voice, sir. It seems really delicious, much better than the other ones." "Did anyone see you?" "No! It shouldnt have been shouting by the entrance of the vige." Director Yin looked speechlessly at the shameless man. "You have to pay for the rooster. Double its usual price!" "No problem!" He rushed into the kitchen as Lao Wang apuded. Director Yin put on his coat out in the yard, thinking about the possibility of having lunch with Qin Guan. Not long after, Wang Liying got assigned a task. She had to find the roosters owner and give him her sincere condolences along with some money. When will we leave this vige? My boss has be a thief! When she returned though, the wonderful smell all over the yard made it all worth it. Lao Wang had cut the rooster into pieces and thrown them into arge iron cauldron. He fried the meat with ginger, onion and chilli. In three minutes, it had turned a golden-yellow color. Then the cook added water into the cauldron along with some wild Zhen mushrooms, which were a North-Eastern Chinese specialty. Ten minutester, he opened the lid of the cauldron. Everyone turned their eyes to the director when they smelled the fragrance. "What are you looking at? Go have some dinner!" Everyone cheered. The simple North-Eastern dish attracted people from all corners of China. Delicious food always brought people together. Everyone liked traditional vige dishes like ribs with corn, pickled cabbage powder, and North-Eastern stew. North-Eastern cuisine was famous for itsrge portions and various tastes. When the crew headed to Tibet, everyone was still obsessed with the taste. The Tibetan teau was the ce closest to the Sun in China, so the local residents had dark skin and red cheeks. The Pot Pce was a holy ce for all Tibetan people, so they saw sincere pilgrims everywhere along the way. The sound of prayer wheels was heard from afar. The boundless teau was the final setting of their film. The Tibetan Military Hospital had cleaned the deserted building and lended it to the crew for free. The prop team recreated a room of the time in the building. By the time Qin Guan walked out of the dressing room, his skin had turned bronze. Cracks and wrinkles had appeared on his lips due to the rough living conditions. Chapter 783: The Avalanche Of Despair Chapter 783: The Avnche Of Despair Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan had be the director of the hospital, and Li Bingbing had followed him to Tibet by bing the head nurse. I will be your assistant forever. I know you were waiting for Wang Biyun in Taiwan, so I changed my name to Wang Biyun. Qin Guan gripped Lis employee card with trembling hands before standing up excitedly. His heart was heavy with love, but the secret love he felt was hurting him deeply. "Why did you change your name?" Li cried out as tears started running down her cheeks. She looked ugly, unlike Xu, who had sobbed gently when she and Qin Guan had separated. Li was crying as unrestrainedly as a boy. "What was I supposed to do? You only have Wang Biyun in your heart. Its hopeless! Youll wait for her until you die. I pity you!" That was her heartfelt wish. Qin Guan was about to stuff a cigarette in his mouth with trembling hands. He was helpless and confused, shocked by the woman in front of him. He was struggling mentally to make the most important decision of his life. This was much more serious than a battle. As Qin Guan stood up, the cameraman stepped back to get the couple in the same frame. Their great love made them seem much taller than they really were. "Dont wait for her!" Li put a white scarf around Qin Guans neck. She had weaved it especially for him.Then she suddenly put her hands on his chest. "This waiting has made you suffer." Li hugged the man from behind. She was also suffering by waiting for him. She had turned from an 18-year-old rosebud to a mature woman in her 30s. She had waited for him alone, and so had he. He had been longing for his fiancee, but his cruel eyes had betrayed the softness in his heart. Qin Guans eyes closed slowly. "Wang Jindi!" "Call me Wang Biyun!" she said vigorously. Tears started running down his face too as he lost control. Wang Liying raised an eyebrow proudly at Lis agent. Do you see that? My boss can cry too! Qin Guan turned to Li slowly, his tears covering his face like small streams. He looked at Li as if he was looking at another girl far away. Li hugged him again fiercely. "Ill take good care of you. Ill spend my entire life caring for you in her stead!" At her words, Qin Guan started kissing her lips like crazy. The camera moved around them, filming the kiss from different angles. Qin Guan started weeping as he kissed her with all his strength. This was no new love. He was just cherishing an old fading romance. Thus, Chen Qiushui and Wang Biyun formed a love triangle on the Tibetan teau. A boy that looked like Chen Qiushui became Wang Biyuns only constion when she immigrated to the other side of the ocean. By that time, Gui Yalei had taken over the role. Qin Guan and Li Bingbing died in a snow avnche on the Tibetan teau. Many yearster, Qin Guan experienced another exciting on-screen death. The marvellous might of nature couldnt even be mentioned in the same breath as knives and swords. The two of them did not actually experience a real avnche. That would have been suicide. They had just stood on the foot of a mountain and acted scared before the camera. They didnt give a good enough performance though. The expression on their faces was so strange that Director Yin had to use his trump card. "Attention, please! The Tibetan restaurant is closing soon. If we dont finish as soon as possible, well have instant noodles for dinner!" As excepted, Qin Guan and Li panicked. "They told me wed be having buns and Tibetan pork tonight!" What the f*ck! The actors looked really frightened and remained like that for about 20 seconds. As soon as Director Yin turned off the camera, he realized that one of them had disappeared. Qin Guan had rolled down the snow slope to catch up with the returning car. Li Bingbing tried to stop him by pulling him down to the ground. Those buns were homemade and that pork was really rare. Chapter 784: A Coming Storm Chapter 784: A Coming Storm Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Tibetan pigs were rare in Lhasa, as they usually lived in bushes 3,000-4,000 meters above sea level. The teau hypoxia caused them to grow small, but unlike their homebred brothers, they tasted really good. The cook roasted the meat on the fire with a special sauce. When it was taken from the firewood, the skin was a crystal-like jelly that felt like stic in ones mouth. The pigs lived on natural food, so people couldnt find meat like that in big city restaurants. If one felt greasy, they could have a cup of local beer. A heated potato bunpleted the dinner, making it perfect. The potato buns in Tibet were different. The natives smashed the teau potatoes into a sauce and mixed it with homemade butter and milk. The potatoes contained a high starch percentage, so they could be made into soft dough. Fried vored yak meat was used as a filling. The buns were then slowly fried in oil. Thanks to the high altitude, the oil didnt burn on the teau. That was how that simple delicious food was made. Qin Guan buried his face into his bowl, not caring about his image. He felt sorry that they couldnt take home takeaway. He wondered if Cong Nianwei was missing him during their long separation, or if she felt lonely in their empty house. Unfortunately, he only received a hasty kiss from her after returning to the capital before she had to rush back to her post. Sister Xue had a strict expression on her face as she waited for him in her office. Everyone in the room was solemn and silent. Qin Guan was shocked. "You are about to get married, Sister Xue! You have so many important things to do. What are you doing here?" As soon as he sat down and started trying to ease the tense atmosphere, Sister Xue handed him a news announcement. The next day, it would be on the headlines of all entertainment sections. "Wang Jingcao has officially left Huayi and joined Tiancheng Entertainment Co Ltd." "All the VIPs followed her. Huayi lost half the country." Qin Guan looked up from the striking title. "Is anyone staying with Huayi? Did any famous director leave?" "None of the directors have made a clear announcement. With enough investment, this wont be a big problem for them. There are plenty of actors in China, so Huayi will not be shorthanded. The only issue is the famous actors. They are the key to any firm." Qin Guan rxed as he listened to her report. He was the third most powerful shareholder of Huayi after all. He didnt want to see the firm be a shell corporation. As the real backbone of the firm, Qin Guan began to assign tasks to everybody. "Sister Xue, could you please go to Huayi with Chen Kang and estimate the loss caused by Wangs departure? Try to find a legal way out. We cant just let her go so easily." "Ill talk with Huayis most famous partners. We should at least try to pull the undecided ones back to our camp. Lets act separately." This meant that Qin Guans secret identity as Huayis major shareholder would be revealed to the whole entertainment circle. He had no idea of the influence it might have during such a turbulent period. He didnt look any further into Wangs departure. The woman needed a tform under her own control, not arge firm with amercial function. Her ideas contradicted the developing trends of the economy. Qin Guan could only try to save the future of those actors. They would have to reshuffle the cards in apletely new environment after all. The actors would only rely on Wangs fame. Qin Guan called Zhou Xun first. She was the most talented actress at Huayi, so her name meant a lot. "Hello, Sister Zhou. Its Qin Guan." She breathed heavily before an unhappy voice came from the other end of the line. "Just call me by my name, please. Im busy now. I have no time to chat with you." "Will you leave Huayi?" "Why would I? My contract has not expired yet and the boss is pretty good. What do you want to do? Invite me over to your firm? You are really bold! The brothers have been so kind to you. How dare you..." "No, no!" Qin Guan interrupted her. "It seems like you havent heard the news. Ill keep it short. Stay at Huayi and stay away from the capital for a few days. Your agent is smart. He didnt tell you anything. Thats all. Bye!" He hung up before she could answer. Chapter 785: Challenge Accepted Chapter 785: Challenge epted Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Zhou Xun looked at her phone with curled lips. "How dare you hang up on me! I wanted to tell you that if you sacrificed yourself, Id risk my life to join your firm. You lost that chance now!" Zhou Xun fixed her eyes on her busy agent. What did he hide from me? Ill have a talk with him in the evening. Before Qin Guan could make his second call, he received an unexpected call from Li Bingbing. Her familiar loud voice sounded excited. The smart girl wanted something from him. She could be considered a friend, so Qin Guan disclosed more facts to her. Then the honest girl betrayed Wang Jingcao. "Listen to me. Wang called me as soon as I returned home. She asked me to join Tiancheng after my contract expires. She promised me the top position at the firm, the position Zhou Xun holds in Huayi. She also said shed give me priority for good scripts." "Did you make a deal with her?" "Of course not! Im not an idiot. A few famous actresses followed her, but no famous director did. A good film requires a screenwriter, a cameraman, a producer, and so on. A good actor cannot make up for theck of a good team. Id rather stay at Huayi. Zhou Xun is not right for The Knot after all." She was a really smart, honest girl. Some actresses seemed clever, but actuallycked a brain. When he called Fan Pingping, she sounded nervous and confused. After a 30-minute conversation, she burst into tears. "What should I do? I promised Sister Wang I would leave Huayi." "When does your contract expire?" "In six months." "Then renew your contract for one more year." "Would that be alright? It would be obvious that I did it to avoid working with her." "Do you want to join a new firm? Yourmercial status is clear. Without any spection or public affairs, your poprity will diminish. What you need right now is a reliable director and a good script. Would Tiancheng offer you that?" "But Wang helped me..." "Your dilemma suits her n. Everyone wants to be a true actor instead of just a pretty face. You two are just taking advantage of each other. She only cares about famous actors, she doesnt give a damn about you! Dont be silly!" "Do you know who else is leaving with her?" "Yes, most people are. All stars from Hong Kong and Taiwan and some big shots from her early days." "Well... Cheers, Qin Guan!" Social rtionships were always fascinating. Fan thought she should be on Qin Guans side because they came from the same city. The stars leaving Huayi were really famous among ordinary people, but Qin Guan didnt see any future development in their careers. The next day, the storm hit. The media in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan were divided into two sides. One side favored Tiancheng and published striking names on their heanlines, including Chen Daoming, Hu Jun, Chen Hao, Yuan Yongyi, Wu Junru, Guan Zhilin, Xia Yu and so on. "No monopoly in the entertainment circle. A fair environment to be created." "The poor centripetal force of Huayi!" The other side criticized Wangs tricks with indignation. "Should actors belong to an individual or a firm? Stealing actors should be considered a crime!" "Taking advantage of a firms resources to achieve personal sess." "Lack of entertainment regtions! Huayi is suffering despite its innocence." One side was aggressive, while the other was dramatic. At that point, Qin Guans firm took action. That intense period was their best chance to intervene. His announcement put an end to the battle among the media. All the editors reced the headlines with new ones and hurried to write new articles for the big event. Qin Guans investment was a vital stimnt for the fragmented, unstable firm. It was actually a helping hand. Here was a really honest man. In modern society, putting icing on the cake was much easier than providing timely help. Thus, everyone learned that Qin Guan was the third major shareholder of Huayi, inferior only to the Brothers, and had rights to the function of the firm, as well as the power to make decisions. Chapter 786: Sister Xues Wedding Chapter 786: Sister Xues Wedding Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The most important factor was that Qin Guan trusted Huayi with all shooting rights in China. This meant that arge firm would take charge of his films and TV series in the future, although the original rights were still in his hands. The news surprised anyone who intended to fish in troubled waters. The next day, the news about Qin Guan overwhelmed the readers. "With an investment of 10 million, Qin Guan became Huayis savior." "Qin Guans shooting rights will temporarily belong to Huayi." "What will the directors think about Qin Guan choosing a side?" "Yin Li speaks highly of his acting skills after cooperating with Qin Guan." Ordinary readers only paid attention to Qin Guansrge investment, while clever insiders saw the meaning behind the words and approved of the young mans good insight. Director Zheng, who was trying to find Qin Guans faults, thought highly of his vigorous and resolute decision. "His political consciousness has be higher after that revolutionary film. He made the right decision this time. Why is everyone making such a fuss about the firm? Cant they spend their limited energy on their work? Those idlers only pay attention to things that do not concern them. They should go watch movies at the cinema instead of downloading films illegally." Qin Guan was like a small boat between two storms that wouldnt sink, despite the terrible weather. When everything calmed down, people realized that it was not a small boat after all, but arge cruise ship able to withstand strong waves. Some stars came back to their senses and called Qin Guan toin. A few Hong Kong stars like Wu Junru heard about Qin Guans choice after signing the contract and called him toin and fix their strained rtionship. As traitors, their only choice was siding with Qin Guan. The contracts of the Hong Kongers and the Taiwanese were much looser than those of the maind actors. Qin Guan answered their calls politely. If they were loyal actors, all he could do was send them his blessings. The most regretful one among them was Chen Hao. The girl, who had maintained a good rtionship with Qin Guan after their cooperation, had signed a contract with Tiancheng before receiving Qin Guans call and fell into deep despair after his announcement. Unable to stand thepetitive pressure at Huayi, she had hoped to be the top actress of the new firm. All the good actresses had stayed at Huayi except her, so she would be considered the best at the newpany. However, the powerful male actors made her afraid that the developmental direction of thepany would be diverted. If that happened, the so-called top actress would find herself in a dilemma. As for her future development... Chen Hao let out a sigh of worry. She was feeling deep regret for her greed. When the storm passed, the forgetful public was attracted by other news and Qin Guan could finally sigh in relief. On a sunny spring day, he attended the wedding of his agent and coborator. It was a simple, yet romantic wedding ceremony of Western style. The sun shone down on thewn, the white silk arch, the priest and the stage. Sister Xue held hands with Yin Changtao, who was a Chinese immigrant. The couple had met in a foreignnd and then fallen in love in China. Sister Xue had invited only her closest and dearest to the beautiful ceremony, including Professor Li, Teacher Rong, Qin Guan, Cong Nianwei and some other good friends. Everyone wished the new couple the best... As they exchanged rings on the stage, a guy sitting behind Qin Guan suddenly cried out loudly, "Ah! My love! Why are you marrying that pig? He is bald! I am so miserable! She rejected me, a talented young man, for an international affair! My heart is broken!" Chapter 787: Be Nicer To Yourself Chapter 787: Be Nicer To Yourself Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Before the guests coulde back to their senses, Ouyang Fen covered Ou Qiangs mouth. If the bastard was brave enough to snatch the bride, Ouyang Fen would think higher of him, but Ou Qiang just cried in shame under the stage without taking any action. The bride had never paid attention to his brother, and hispany was relying on Qin Guan. After so many years, Ouyang Fen was no longer the young bull fighting with Qin Guan. Before Qin Guan had gone abroad, Ouyang had seen his limitations in the modelling circle, as fashion trends took a strange, sharp turn during those years. The modelling circle, both in China and overseas, favored models with unique features. Both designers and critics insisted on high-end taste. As a result, despite his A-level status, Ouyang saw his choices be fewer and fewer. His personalbel became a tightening ring that held him back from sess. Male models with inimitable characteristics were gradually budding up and joining different brands. The childlike man was not stupid, so he slowly saved money and started his own business. For a model, selling clothes and fashion products was the simplest solution, so he founded an independent fashion brand and became its boss and representative. His brand was called "O". It was for that brand that Ouyang had investigated Qin Guan. He had tentatively avoided the civilian route J Clothing and Qin Guans advanced formalwear line had taken and marketed his brand to mid-to-high-end minorities that liked strange patterns, such as Hongying traditional Chinese patterns or linen clothing, which had gradually be popr in China. The brand was targeted at young misfits interested in punk and gothic culture. Ouyang had been wanting to meet Qin Guan for a long time. He had kept Qin Guans number saved on his phone. He wanted to invite him to his press conference so he could make some positivements about his designs. Ou Qiang pressed his mouth closed. He felt like weeping, but no tears came. When he turned his head towards Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei, who were trying their best to suppress theirughter, he felt pain on his hand. "F*ck! You bit me!" What happened next shocked him. Sister Xue heard his cry and got down from the stage without throwing the bouquet. She had decided to give the troublemaker a lesson. The white roses that stood for pureness hit Ou Qiang on the head like a feather duster and the white petals fell down like rain. Everyone burst intoughter. "Darling, let me do that! Beware of the thorns!" Yin Changtao took the bouquet and beat Ou Qiang against the head at a high frequency. Bang, bang, bang... Soon, there were only a few leaves left on the stems. The culprit was covered in pedals. Sister Xue grabbed the lonely stems back. "Take them, Ou Qiang. Today I wont throw the bouquet for my best friends to catch. Ill break the rules for you. You are my good girlfriend after all. This is my gift to you. Take it and go marry somebody else." s, she didnt even think of him as a man. That final blow made Ou Qiang cry. Petals covered his body and bare stems were in his hands as the happy couple left with everyones blessing. The bird did not belong to him. It had flown away forever. He had to forget now. All lives ended. All hearts were broken. Caring for someone was not an advantage. Time healed all wounds. He had to be nicer to himself. ... Ouyang Fen patted his brother on the shoulder as the ceremony ended. Qin Guan had to return to his big pile of scripts. Sister Xue would leave for her honeymoon, so Wang Liyang would rece her temporarily. She had been promoted and gotten a raise. Her duties were very important to her, so she was strict with Qin Guan. Chapter 788: A Strange Role Chapter 788: A Strange Role Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Brother Qin, you have to read all these scripts by tomorrow. Huayi needs a developing direction fast. Thepany is part of your property after all, and Chairman Wang trusted QC with all its ounting work. Today, our staff will be settling in at Huayi. Thepanys future is in our hands." "Liu Tianxia from the Los Angeles branch sent thetest report. Thanks to your extraordinary achievements at the Hong Kong Film Awards, some productionpanies have mended their rtionship with QC. Two of them have even be our clients. This is still not enoughpared to therge Chinese film industry though." "The best way to expand is by shooting another film in America. It should be during the next six months and it must be promoted properly." Wow, Liu has set really high standards for me. Is she the boss, or am I? When he looked at the ie report and the steadily increasing statistics, Qin Guan had to admit that she was right. "Tell me the whole n. I will do it," he said with a sigh. "The SARFT is d to see your positive work in the film industry. They hope that you will make persistent efforts to shoot mainstream films." "And?" "Ke Ke Xi Li has been epted by the Taiwan Golden Horse Film Festival, and you have been shortlisted for the Best Actor Award." "Thats all?" "Yes." "Ill start from the scripts. Put the domestic ones on the left and the foreign ones on the right. Print my emails from myputer, please. I prefer the touch of paper." We will meet your unreasonable demands, as long as you get to work. The efficient young man spent one hour on the scripts before finally picking one out and throwing it at Wang. "This is it." The script had been lying on his desk for a long time. Without SARFTs pressure, Qin Guan would never have taken the historical TV show into consideration due to its long shooting schedule and big cast and crew. China Film Group and CCTV were involved in its production, so everyone had to spend a lot of energy on it. All the actors were old and experienced, leaving few roles for younger actors. It was a systemic casting based on seniority. Qin Guans international awards wouldnt mean anything there. All the actors had more than 20 years of experience. Qin Guan wouldnt even be hired as a waiter. The TV show, which was titled "The Emperor Han Wu", was not a personal story, but a serious historical series. This meant that it would be a strict, big-budget production that would set high standards for all the actors. If Qin Guan failed, he would never rise again in the domestic entertainment circle. He calmly watched Wang contact the director happily and pick out some roles for him. "They have already cast the main characters. We were a little bitte. All the props and film sets have been finished too. There are only a few supporting roles left." Qin Guan paused. Did you think Id be the protagonist, silly? Im too young for that. I could only y a younger version of him. He was right. "The roles left are Emperor Han Wu at a younger age, Huo Qubing and Tian Fen. The director is encouraging you to audition." "Actually, the first part is pretty good. The character is an emperor after all. If you could mimic Chen Baoguo, the actor who is ying the older version of him, that would be great. Unfortunately, he will not take much part in the film. He will be using two body doubles." "The second part requires riding and shooting skills... No acting skills are required..." "The third one, Tian Fen..." "Thats it!" "What do you mean, Brother Qin? This is aplicated role. The character is not a good man." "Thats why Im choosing him. He is the most real character in the script. He may not be a great man, but he is a lively man that rose from a low ss. He has a sad ending, but I like it. He is the only character I feel the impulse to portray. He turned from a countryside thug to a prime minister. I have never yed a character with such arge age span. I like it." Okay, you are the boss. Chapter 789: Registration Chapter 789: Registration Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Its organized by CCTV, so all the actors are treated equally. The sry standard is in ordance with the sry of first-level TV actors per episode." "Count the episodes carefully then. Its important." You are really serious about small change. Arent we putting the cart before the horse? After she arranged an audition with the director, Qin Guan handed Wang another script. "Look at this too. It seems like the director and the producer have made a decision, but its interesting. The whole cast and crew is a secret, so dont post any news on our website. As soon as the Golden Horse Awards are over, Ill fly to America directly from Taiwan." "No problem, Brother Qin. Shall we go to the Beijing Film Studio now?" "Lets go!" They headed to the studio in Qin Guans new car. His Cherokee had been scrapped, so Qin Guan had chosen thetest Benz E280, which had a high-end look and cost a reasonable price. He didnt like the Audi A6 Sister Xue had chosen for him. That was not the right car for a young man. The gatekeeper of the studio let his car in without any questions. In Director Yin Lis office, Yin Li and Director Hu Mei were standing by the window, looking at the long legs that had gotten out of the car. "Qin Guan ising." "You can recognize him just by his legs?" Women were always careful with such strange questions. Yin Li choked. "You just cooperated with him. What did you think of the young man?" "He is pretty good. The two actresses were both inferior to him in terms of acting talent. Dont just use my word as a reference though. He has never acted in a historical TV show after all." Director Hu nodded before she returned to her own office. Not long after, Qin Guan knocked on her door. "Come in, please." Qin Guan pushed the door open and entered, leaving Wang outside. As expected, the interior design and decoration of the office were the same as in Yin Lis office. Before he could introduce himself, Hu Mei spoke without beating about the bush. "I heard that you wanted the role of Tian Fen? Just act a little for me." She was curious to see which scene he would choose. Qin Guan leaned on the couch and stretched his hand out furtively towards his sisters jewellery case. His elder sister was a pce concubine, so every time he had the chance to enter the pce, he would steal something from her. His sneaky expression made Hu angry. She was itching to throw something at him. "Cut! Cut!" As soon as she spoke, Qin Guan retracted his hand as if he had been interrupted by a maid and looked at Hu guiltily. She had actually be a part of the scene. Hu burst intoughter. "Why are you so eager to get the role?" "He is interesting. He is a real person instead of just a simple historical symbol." "Okay. Your sincerity won me over. You can join the crew. Dont forget that its a big role." "Thank you so much, director!" His gratitude was more sincere than the one he felt for Yin Li. He really loved the role. After so many years since "The Legend Of The Swordsman", Qin Guan flew to Zhejiang again. His destination this time was the Hengdian film base in Jinhua, one of the two best film bases in China. The other one was in Zhuozhou in the Hebei Province. It had taken the prop team one year to build the Qin Pce. The most important scene of the entire show would focus on the details on the tombs of the Han Dynasty. Qin Guan and his assistants joined the crew. Before he could even unpack his luggage, the older actors arrived. "Are you new here, Xiao Qin?" "Come here!" They were all as old as Qin Guans father. He handed his luggage to his assistant and walked over to them. "Hello, Im Qin Guan. Nice to meet you." "We finally have a young man here. Make yourself at home. Bring a watermelon from the well for us." Chapter 790: A Show For Nobody Chapter 790: A Show For Nobody Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia They thought he was a strong young man. Qin Guan was a reasonable man. A cool watermelon in a well was the best refreshment amid the scorching summer of South China. Qin Guan rolled the wheel above the well to pull three watermelons up. They were all in the same bucket. That exined why the old men couldnt pull it up. They had just thrown them down and never thought about how they would pull them back up. Qin Guan used a long knife to cut the three melons into six pieces. "How should I divide them?" "Just leave them there. Go get some rest in your room. Thanks a lot, Qin Guan." The six old men took the melons and began to eat them in the shadows with spoons. The three melons were perfect for them. They needed no more or less. Qin Guan had been just a freebor worker. Qin Guan was still confused as he returned to his room. Wang had cleaned it up for him while he was gone. Before he could get over the shock, Wang heard a knock on the door. She opened it and returned with a small watermelon. "They brought this for you to express their gratitude." At her words, tears started running down Qin Guans eyes. He felt so grateful that he became confident once again. Meanwhile, Jiao Huang was talking with another actor about the watermelons. "Did you give him one?" "Yes, Xiao Zhang said that he was really happy." "He is a silly, but honest young man. We should be kind to him." "My assistant said that the small one was not ripe, so I just gave it to him." ... Satisfied, Qin Guan set out to film his first scene. All the old men gathered around the director to watch the idiot. Will the silly boy perform well? When Qin Guan walked out in his first costume, everyone burst intoughter. The crew wasposed of hundreds of people. Qin Guans first scene was an outside Cuju game [1], so there was a big audience around. Qin Guan, who was the younger brother of a concubine, was more beautiful than the prettiestdy in the pce. Before he went out, the stylist pulled him back and applied some powder and rouge to his cheeks. Then he let him go. Everyone saw a funny-looking guy in a red robe and a red turban walk over. The director nodded in satisfaction. The older actors were in no mood tough though. Qin Guan looked sillier with that makeup on. Thus, the first scene began. Prince Liang arrived in the capital with Han, who liked to watch the asional Cuju game. Tian Fen found the man, and Han saw Tian Fen and the dinner presented to him. Tian Fen wanted to be friends with Han. The cameraman used the best film, so every little detail was visible clearly on the camera, which set higher standards for the actors performances. Qin Guan rushed up to Han in his costume with an uncertain expression in his eyes. As he got closer, he gave Han a ttering smile. "Dont me me, Your Excellency. I just wanted to greet you." He cupped his hands eagerly. Everyone had forgotten about his looks by now. He was only a nobody trying to find a way out. The proud man didnt pay any attention to him, even though he was still smiling warmly. "Actually, I am rted to Your Excellency. My sister is Prince Liangs sister-inw..." Han raised an eyebrow as Qin Guan finished his words after a pause. "She is a pce concubine." A mere concubine... Han put his poker face back on. For the sake of the dinner and his splendid smile, he decided to give Qin Guan a condescending wave. "Take a seat." Then he sat down with a splendid smile and gestured at the maid. "Bring the wine!" Qin Guan just climbed up the socialdder. He clearly knew all about the power of a machinator. Chapter 791: Master Tians Looks Chapter 791: Master Tians Looks Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Director Hu Mei showed off before everyone else. "What did you think of him?" "Dont you think he is too handsome for Tian Fen?" the assistant editor asked her curiously. "I think he could be Wei Qing. The princess married him for his looks." Hu, who was really satisfied with Qin Guans casting, shook her head. "You are too narrow-minded. His elder sister wasnt dishonored after giving birth to a child. Intelligence cant exin everything. Shed have to be a true beauty, and so would her brother." Okay, that sounds reasonable. Thanks for the exnation. Lets start on the next scene as soon as possible. Actually, in arge organization, capability was the key to everything. After the first scene, no oneined about Qin Guans acting skills anymore. That was the only important criteria. Soon, it was time for Qin Guans second scene. Cramming an actors scenes together in arge-scale TV series could save both time and money. It did set higher standards for the actor though. As soon as Qin Guan changed into his second costume, an assistant walked him to the set. This time, he would be standing at the foot of the pce wall. As he was about to enter the pce in a cart, he saw his nephew and 10th son of the emperor, Zhir, preparing to jump off from the 10-meter wall with a kite tied to his body. Qin Guan was wearing arge cloak, a robe and a tall crown that made him look like an immortal. He had no time to maintain his elegant posture though. He jumped down from the cart right away, took off his cloak, and asked his servants to spread it for the falling kid. Then he rushed over to the wall. Thanks to his long legs, the man climbed up the wall quickly. The cameramans job was way harder though. By the time he got to the wall, Qin Guan had already caught the kid and began to spank his butt angrily. He had nearly forgotten that the kid was the emperors son. He had just thought of him as his closest rtive. "What are you doing? You silly boy!" The child cried out. "Cut! Next scene!" The director led the crew away, leaving Qin Guan sitting on the wall with a crying child in his arms. "Hey? Can someone take him away?" "You made him cry! Hes your responsibility!" F*ck! Where are his parents? The kid asked Qin Guan repeatedly if his uncle would buy him cotton candyter. Then he let Qin Guan go with tears on his face. His guardian took him away with an awkward smile. "Deal! I want cotton candy. If you dont get me some, Ill start crying." His threat was sessful. When the boy calmed down, the director began shooting the third scene. Qin Guan took his nephew directly to his elder sisters pce. He wanted to remind his sister about the danger in the pce, as well as inform her about the trends of the imperial court. He was her eyes outside the pce, watching for any signs of disturbance or trouble. The woman had been born in the countryside, but she was smart and capable. As he heard the childish words of his nephew, Qin Guan smiled for the first time in the entire show. The director secretly filmed a reaction shot of him. He was leaning against the gate calmly, his smile warm and bright with the eptance of his family and his love for children. He looked really handsome when he smiled. Unfortunately, this was a serious historical show, not a personal story that stressed on appearances, so the director had to stop there. Qin Guan took a seat and exined to his sister the national policy regarding princes in different areas and reminded her to be careful in the pce. A woman in a pce had no idea about the big events taking ce in the court. Concubine Wang was really close to the emperor, but she had entrusted her brother with the task of getting information, so Qin Guan tried his best to exin to her all the plots and ideas circting around. People thought that he was quite a smart guy. He was clever, cunning and opportunistic. He was loyal to no one, except his own family. Chapter 792: Being Criticized Chapter 792: Being Criticized Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The director introduced the rebellion of the seigniors against the Han Dynasty through a nobody and a pce concubine. The difference was that the officers had predicted the national chaos, while Qin Guan had just spotted an opportunity for his sister and nephew. What kind of opportunity? An opportunity to get closer to the throne. They were just talking about the throne of a feudatory king at the time. There might be an even higher position avableter. Who knew that those two nobodies would turn out to be a hidden tiger and a crouching dragon? "Listen to me, sister. Fortune always changes. The future of the emperor will be yours one day. You should never make mistakes during a chess game. Why did Prince Liang enter the capital?" While they were talking about Prince Liang seriously, Chir interrupted them. His face was covered in ink as he walked into the room with his hands sped behind his back. He looked like a little duck. The two of them felt funny, as they were both concerned about the naughty boys future. The siblings exchanged a helpless nce. Their expression made everyone smile meaningfully. Who said that there were no interesting highlights in the long river of history? Pure children had been the shining point of that depressing pce. Finally, Qin Guan was allowed to have a break to eat and take off his costume. In that big temporary family, more people meant both more trouble and more fun. Dinner was more delicious when people gathered around the same table to eat. This was a good chance for Chinese people to get to know each other during formal banquets and ordinary dinners. All the members of the crew, including superstars andmon figurants, had the same meal. The China Film Group was a generous host, so their lunch boxes were pretty good. Qin Guan used his audacity to try to join the group of senior actors. Shen Baoping, Jiao Huang and Ma Shaohua were all official representatives of the entertainment circle. They were either senior actors of the Beijing Peoples Art Theater or civil servants of the National Performing Arts Center. Qin Guan wanted to learn from them during the break. There were actually also plenty of younger actors cast in the film, but as the story progressed, the actors of the early age of Emperor Han Wu would rece them. They were all jealous of Qin Guan, whom they considered their peer. That lucky dog would get to join the circle of the older actors. The actor who would be portraying the emperor as a child was not very brave. He was only a 10-year-old boy after all, but Du Chun, the actor who would be portraying the teenage emperor, was really angry about this. During the past few years, most rising stars experienced the same problem during the early stages of their careers. They were all inordinately proud of their abilities. Their dream of bing famous made them jump head-first into that vanity fair. The final winners werent the strongest actors though. Take Du Chun as an example. He had graduated from the Beijing Film Academy, which was one of the top three drama schools in China, and had be famous for his handsome looks at college. Before Qin Guan had returned to China, he and Huang Xiaoming had been considered wonder boys. Even Deng Chao and Tong Dawei, who were upperssmen, couldnt outshadow him. If it werent for the countless chances presented to him, the historical show producers would never have cast a recent drama school graduate. He had good reason to be proud, yet he couldnt help butpare himself to the actor that was more renowned than him and notice the gap between them both in the quantity of scripts they received and their fame at home and abroad. How can there be such a big gap between two people? When he saw Qin Guan sitting with the senior actors, he suddenly understood. "He has won many awards, including a Golden Globe. He seems to be sucking up to everyone! Thats why he gets all these good scripts. I would never be this shameless..." he murmured to his agent, who stopped him, afraid that someone else would hear them. His agent looked around. "I wish you were as shameless as he is. Do you think that anyone could please those actors? You have to possess a certain talent! They see Qin Guan as a good young man and a younger actor they can talk to on equal terms. I watched his performance. If you sat next to those actors one day, I would be smiling even in my sleep!" "Qin Guan will be shooting another scer. Watch him carefully! Acting can only be improved by studying, not by being jealous! He is a real actor, who has learned a lot from older actors. Be careful! Dont be a joke for others tough at!" Du Chun was shocked by his rebuke. He had just beenining randomly. Chapter 793: Antique Jewellery Chapter 793: Antique Jewellery Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia He nced at Qin Guan, only to see the older actor Wei Wan offer his own chicken leg to him. He was not fond of greasy food. The child actor was looking at the chicken leg enviously. At his age, the small chicken leg was not enough to even fill the slits between his teeth. Du Chun malevolently thought that Qin Guan only ate with them because of the extra food. Actually, he was the person closest to the truth besides Wang Liying. Yes, to Qin Guan all the food portions were too small, so in a sh of inspiration, he had figured something out. A full stomach contributed to a better performance after all. Qin Guan wiped his mouth and headed back to the set. In the next scene, Emperor Han Jing would dispatch some troops in an effort to crush the rebellion. Army provisions were necessary before an army set off though. Wars really cost a lot. If this were a war against the Huns, rich businessmen would have wanted to contribute. The emperor would pay them back afterwards after all. Unfortunately, this was an internal conflict, so if Emperor Han Jing lost the war, they would suffer a big loss. No one wanted to lend him any money, except for Tian Fen, who had to because he was a rtive of the emperor. If the emperor was defeated, he would die miserably. He was a poor man without any money though, so he decided to steal something from his sister. He stole the priceless jade bracelets and sold them, and then borrowed money from some businessmen. He bet everything he had on the emperor. People started gathering on the set, most of them attracted by the young award-winning actor. Du Chun and his agent were among them. "Watch carefully. Its starting." As soon as the camera started filming, Qin Guan leaned against the back of a soft bed not far from his sister, stretching an evil hand out towards her jewellery box. "Tian Fen!" The sudden reproach scared him, making him pull his hand back immediately. He shot a surreptitious look at his sister, as if he was the survivor of a disaster. In an effort to cover up his guilt, he poured a cup of wine for himself. "You are a man now! An adult! You cant just idle around the city. What are you doing here?" "Cheers!" Qin Guan stuffed the bracelets into his pocket and lifted his cup. Concubine Wang couldnt help but ask him to leave. Qin Guan brought the character to life through his expressive eyes. His nervousness, secret satisfaction and indifference at being dismissed were expressed perfectly during the short scene. Tian Fen was a real person, not a cool symbol. The scene was finished in one take, so everyone left to prepare for the next scene. Du Chun was standing there alone,pletely shocked. Is this his true ability? Is he even the same age as me? He is an experienced actor with his own performing style. Du Chun now saw the difference between them. He had been born to be an actor, so given a proper chance, he would reach the top of the world one day. Suddenly, the young man began to rethink all his life and career choices. Qin Guan had no idea that he had influenced another person in such a way. Without meaning to, his words had represented him and attracted the attention of all the prop masters of the circle. Thanks to his sessful investment, Tian Fen became rich. He not only paid his debt back, but he also became one of the richest merchants in the city. When he did, he sent a case of foreign jewellery to Concubine Wang as a gift. Back then, foreign jewellery was rare in the pce. Any jewellery worn in court had to be brilliant. When the prop team used some fake jewellery that looked really bad on camera. Qin Guan couldnt help butment, "We could find a sponsor to lend us some jewellery. We would return it afterwards." "But the jewellery is supposed to be from the Han Dynasty." "Really? Wait a moment." Qin Guan certainly deserved the title of the best model in the domestic fashion circle. In half an hour, his firm had contacted several brands that sold antique jewellery. Diamond, which was one of them, had cooperated with Qin Guan at the jewellery fair. They also happened to have sent some antique designs to a foreign jewellery fair. Three sets of jewellery inspired by patterns of the Han Dynasty. Qin Guan called the director of Diamond and got the jewellery. In exchange, their logo would be added to the end credits and Qin Guan would be their ambassador. Chapter 794: A Green Lotus Out Of Water Chapter 794: A Green Lotus Out Of Water Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Diamond was one of the top jewellery brands in China. Soon, staff from the security and insurancepany, as well as Diamond employees, started arriving at the film base with dozens of safes. By then, Du Chun was in no mood to antagonize Qin Guan. He just sat down in a corner with a copy of the script, pondering everything. Pearl nes, agate, white jade bracelets, and Han-style ruby hairpins were poured into the case. A Diamond employee delivered the final blow. "These are samples returning to the headquarters for maintenance and polishing. We have insured them, but their value is not high." Qin Guan didnt take this seriously, but everyone else started spreading the news around. In their opinion, Qin Guan was a real source of money. The jewellerypany had given him gold and pearls, and he was showing off his fortune by investing capital in the film... Anyway, lets get back to the topic. This was Tian Fens time to shine. The poor guy had be one of the richest men in the city. He was just like a loser in a web novel. Others relied on money, but he relied on his identity and shamelessness. Despite his new fortune, he hadnt changed. He took the jewellery back to his sister times 100. While his sister was appraising the jewellery, Qin Guan furtively put the stolen bracelets back in their case. The scene ended in a dramatic manner, as the security guards and the jewellery inspector were all standing around the case. The director finished filming the scene without any pressure. Hu Mei even kept some hairpins for the next scenes. She was really satisfied with Diamonds promise to provide her with different jewellery on demand. Qin Guans work was going well in Zhejiang, when Cong Nianwei suddenly decided to go visit her boyfriend. She had already finished her job and was feeling lonely in their empty house. After a few short messages, she decided to go to Zhejiang. "Are you busy these days?" "No, Ive had no work recently." "What are you doing then?" "Daydreaming and missing you." "We just finished the first draft. I have a few days off to rest." "Really? Could youe see me, Wei?" "Of course. Whats the address?" "XXXX... You will be just in time for my sexy scene. Call Wang Liying when you arrive." "Okay!" "Miss you..." Cong Nianwei set off as soon as she could. When she arrived at the film base with Wang, she found her boyfriend shooting a wet-shirt scene. This was not the erotic scene she had imagined. There was no actress. There was only an old man present. Tian Fen was trying to find talented men to work for his nephew. He found Dou Ying by ake in the suburbs. When the prince had some free time, he liked to spend it fishing. If Tian Fen were a nobleman, he would have waited by the bank. In an effort to show his sincerity though, he decided to get in theke. Qin Guan was wearing only a pair of loose linen pants. He was naked from the waist up. The entire crew grew excited at the sight of him. The majority of the crew were maids and soldiers from the surrounding viges who had never seen such a good figure. All the women fixed their eyes on Qin Guans body. This was a natural response to his perfect physique. Even the experienced older actors admired the young mans figure. "I was just like him when I was young," Jiao Huang told the others. "It was the poor living conditions that caused me to get thinner." "So was I!" Chao Cuo nodded in agreement. "He looks like a younger version of me." Cong Nianwei had arrived just in time for the beautiful scene. Qin Guan greeted Dou Ying and walked past him. Water drops were running down his chest under the sunshine, and his pants had already gotten stered to his legs. The scene almost reminded one of an idol drama. Fortunately, after focusing on his body, Hu Mei moved the camera down to avoid an essential part of his body. Chapter 795: Fish And Crab Chapter 795: Fish And Crab Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It was hard to guess the response of the audience when the TV series aired. Everyone was too timid to do that. As she stood among a group of maids, Cong Nianwei felt as awkward as if she was posing for a prom picture. The camera was still filming as Qin Guan followed Dou Ying to the bank. Cong Nianwei decided to think about thister. The whispers around her made her stick to her n. "Ha ha!" "Whats the matter?" "I just saw his underpants..." Cong Nianwei felt both angry and ashamed, but Qin Guans next scene cheered her up. Her boyfriend was wearing a white loose robe that revealed his bare chest. He looked as unrestrained as a schr. The fact that he was not a government official allowed him to talk in a jovial mood with Dou Ying, who was the Grand Preceptor. He was holding a fish in his hand as he tried to persuade the man to lend a helping hand to his nephew. As they talked and ate happily, Cong Nianwei thought that the fish did not look tasty from a distance. There had not been that many herbs avable at the time, so the fish was roasted without any seasoning. Ma Shaohua, the actor who portrayed Dou Ying, was an honest man, so he took a real bite of the fish expressionlessly. When it was Qin Guans turn, he just turned his back to the camera. When the fish was returned to Dou Ying, he put the tail in his mouth. Qin Guan set the fish down on the fire again. Dou Ying ate half of it as Qin Guan waited for his clothes to dry. He turned down an offer to have more fish. Ma Shaohua almost got mad at him. I see. He is ying tricks! I never thought about that... When the scene ended, Qin Guans part of the fish was still intact on the fire. When Dou Ying decided to go back to the capital with Qin Guan, the camera zoomed in on the young man. Qin Guan couldnt escape his destiny. Ma Shaohua grinned. Suddenly, he was shocked by Qin Guans performance. The young man opened his mouth wide to bite the fish. He was really happy to hear that Dou would return to the capital with him. As soon as his teeth touched the fish though, he took it out of his mouth with a hiss, as if his lips had gotten burned by the hot meat. Qin Guan blew on the fish as the scene came to an end. After editing the footage, the scene would take up a full 15 minutes of that episode. Qin Guan had used all kinds of tricks to avoid tasting that disgusting fish. Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. Her boyfriend was a really picky foodie! Herughter attracted Qin Guans attention as he changed clothes. He suddenly spotted Cong Nianwei in the crowd. "Wei! Youre here!" Ma Shaohua, who had been trying to talk to Qin Guan about the fish, was shocked. Is that his girlfriend? He has really found a girl outside of the circle. I should leave them alone. "Did you have any breakfast? I found some goodies in town. Here, try this!" Cong Nianwei opened a container and a delicious fragrance spread in the air. Ma Shaohua paused. They had worked really hard that morning, so everyone was hungry. The older actors suddenly gathered around them. "Wow! Thats a good meal!" "Its crab porridge!" "What arge crab! Can you finish it all by yourself?" The visiting film crew had created business opportunities for the small town, so the natives had started opening traditional restaurants one after the other. Cong Nianwei had found the porridge on the way. She had bought a custom-made portion at a high price to please her boyfriends soul and stomach. The main ingredient of the porridge was arge crab that weighed almost one kilo. The cook washed it carefully and cut it into slices before pickling it and throwing it into the boiling porridge. Then he added fresh m, shell meat, a little salt and pepper, and some drops of sesame oil before moving it out of the pot. Seafood made even the inest porridge taste sweet and delicious. Chapter 796: The Power Of Charm Chapter 796: The Power Of Charm Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Combining soft rice from Southern China with crabs from the paddy fields was a real feast. All the older actors rushed towards the delicious food. Unfortunately, there was only a limited amount of porridge, so only the main actors could have some. When he saw the small bowl in his agents hands, Du felt sick. The haughty young man had never spoken to Qin Guan ever since he had joined the crew. Did this mean that he had been gradually epted? His agent shook his head at the happy guy. He was still a greenhand. The crew wouldnt notice a single personsck of politeness. The only solid foundation an actor needed was talent. "Its so delicious! Qin Guan was really kind to share it with us..." The agent let out a long sigh. I should give him some lessons in the future. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was eating and murmuring sadly about his food. The porridge was not enough for him. Plus, Ma Shaohua had taken the best part of the crab aspensation for that disgusting fish hed had to eat. When he looked at Cong Nianwei though, Qin Guan calmed down. As long as she was there, they could find more gourmet food in their spare time. This was important, as he might have to visit that film base many times in the future. He had to n ahead for his future work. As he thought about that, he couldnt help but look at Cong Nianwei with love and tenderness. The older actors, who were currently picking their teeth, realized their secret immediately. Ma Shaohua pulled at Qin Guans robe and pointed to Cong Nianwei. "Do you like her?" "She is my wife." "What? You got married?" "Hush! Shes my girlfriend. We havent gotten married yet." "Be careful then. There are lots of peopleing and going around here. The director has forbidden leaking any photos or information, but she cant watch everyone." "Yes, Master Ma. Dont worry. We are not keeping it a secret." "So you are nning on getting married?" "Of course." "So you made the home run!" "Of course I have. She is not pestering me to get married." The older actors looked at him sympathetically. Thats not what a home run means, young man. Just forget it. Young people are really entric. Charm cant solve everything nowadays. Everyone suddenly was kind to Qin Guan. Handsome guys are not always lucky. I got a wife easier than him. Qin Guan had no idea what they were thinking as he prepared for the next scene. Meanwhile, as more and more actors joined the crew, the hotels filled with people. Wang suddenly pulled Qin Guan away for a fitting. The two of them walked between the luggage slowly. By then, Qin Guans character had be the emperors brother-inw. His elder sister was no longer a concubine, but a mighty queen. His costume was also better than his previous ones. The light red muslin that covered his white robe looked absolutely royal. During that scene, he gave Prince Liang a hand by taking advantage of his identity. His sister gave him some jade bracelets to thank him for his bright idea. The clear, shining jade shocked the new members of the crew. "Wow! They look so nice. Is there something wrong with my eyes? They look totally real!" "They are. Look at the security personnel over there!" a kind person exined to Tao Hong. The princess had just joined the crew. Qin Guan fixed his eyes on the bracelets without dignity. Director Hu zoomed in hard, so only the four bracelets and Qin Guans face were left in the frame. After a few seconds, Qin Guan smiled and turned his head around to turn down the reward. "No, thanks. I have been studying at hometely. I have been paying no attention to other affairs." Despite his sincere words, his eyes were still fixed on the jewellery. He craved that fortune. He suddenly gave his sister a ttering smile. "My sister is the queen now, so I have to be self-disciplined." He seemed like an honest, sincere young man. Tao Hong learned something about the famous actor through his performance. Chapter 797: Girlfriend Exposed Chapter 797: Girlfriend Exposed Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia This exined why the actor had impressed her husband. They had had a good coboration a few years ago, so he was in Xu Zhengs mind constantly. After the scene, Qin Guan let out a sigh of relief and rushed over to Cong Nianwei. "I have some spare time now, Wei. Its really hot today, but Ill show you around the base before you return to Beijing." The two of them smiled and chatted hand in hand. All the neers had settled in and some staff had left after getting off work. Some girls tried to take photos of the set and actors in secret so they could show off to their friends. In the process, a girl discovered some striking news. The man in white is Qin Guan! What a handsome boy! He is holding hands with his assistant! Could this be an office romance? A perk of the job? The girl took some pictures as fast as she could and then left with the others. The first thing she did after returning home was copy the photos into herputer and expand them. She was right. Qin Guan and the girl looked like lovers in the pictures. They were holding hands and chatting happily. Plus, he also bent down to touch her cheek once. The spontaneous shots showed their intimacy clearly. They must have been lovers for years. Its said that Qin Guans girlfriend is not from the entertainment circle. Why would she appear at the film base then? Did she go there to meet Qin Guan? Or did he maybe get a new girlfriend? The girl was confused. Unlike other guys in the circle, Qin Guan had never had an affair. The only rtionship he had admitted to was the one with his childhood sweetheart. Is that her? She had to seek help from Baidu [1]. "Who is Qin Guans girlfriend?" There was an abundance of links, most of them from gossip websites, but there was no official answer. "Photos of Qin Guans girlfriend." Strange photos started appearing on the screen, a fat girl topping the list in ridiculous "S" poses. All the photos were apanied by articles or poems. "Qin Guans girlfriend should be a talented woman like me!" "He is my boyfriend. Come to Tsinghua University!" The girl closed the pages speechlessly and tried to calm down. The truth must be on the Haijiao Forum! The girl uploaded the photos on the discussion board of Qin Guans blog and the Haijiao gossip section with the title "Qin Guans mysterious girlfriend makes an appearance. Can anyone confirm that this is her?" Below the striking title were photos and an article. "I captured this moment by ident at the Hengdian Film Base. The man in the costume is Qin Guan. I saw him holding hands with this woman. The two of them looked about the same age. They seemed to be very familiar with each other. They looked so intimate and in love!" "Is there a reliable source that could answer this question for me? Is she Qin Guans girlfriend? Is she his childhood sweetheart?" "Im looking forward to your answer." The stone she cast roused monstrous waves. Some entertainment news reporters always watched that famous forum for striking news. These news were certainly worth their patience. There were even pictures! The reporters analysed the photos to rule out the possibility of them being post-production pictures. Thanks to the help of professional software, they concluded that the photos were real. This only added oil to the fire. People gathered on the forum and posted hundreds of responses, so the admin had to warn the head of the IT department. This was destined to be a sleepless night for the entertainment circle. As users poured into the forum, the staff struggled to keep the website running, afraid that it would copse under the pressure. The excited fans were itching to test its limits. [1] The top search engine in China. Chapter 798: A Mystery Man Online Chapter 798: A Mystery Man Online Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans team saw the post and ced an emergency call to Qin Guans private phone. "Hey, boss. Yes, this is Xiao Zhang. Intimate photos of you and yourdy have been leaked on the inte." "What?" Qin Guan shot a stunned look at Cong Nianwei. Thank god we have nice figures. Then he returned to the topic at hand. "What kind of photos?" Does this mean that our home in Xizhimen was discovered by reporters? Impossible! Im really careful. Did they see us doing something in our room? I should have made sure the curtains were closed every time... As his imagination took flight, Wang gave him another blow. Cong Nianwei opened the door for Wang, and the girl walked into their room with aptop. Qin Guan saw the photos on the screen. "Take a look, Brother Qin. The photos were uploaded on your blog and the Haijiao Forum." "What? Let me see!" Qin Guan grabbed theptop immediately. After looking carefully at the photos, he found the matter both funny and annoying. "Are these the intimate photos you were talking about?" "Yes. They are intimate enough." Qin Guan had imagined the worst, as he had experienced a nude picture scandal in his past life. At the time though, intimate photos only referred to holding hands or hugging. The circle was not that tolerant yet. Qin Guan rxed. His expression irritated Wang. "The Haijiao Forum is a mess. If we dont take any measures, all the headlines tomorrow will be about your affair. Everyone will find out about you and Sister Wei." Qin Guan waved Cong Nianwei over calmly. "Come here, Wei. Bring me the phone." Cong Nianwei had no idea what had happened, as she was not familiar with the circle. She sat down next to Qin Guan quietly and handed him the phone. "Ill be loyal to you my whole life. I have actually been wanting to do something for a long time. I just wanted to fill that shelf before I did. I want to show you my sincerity. Lets announce our rtionship together. Would that be alright with you?" Cong Nianwei smiled. "I have never hidden our rtionship. I know you are a celebrity, so one day everyone would discover our connection. I wanted you to decide when that was though, as it would be important for your career." What a considerate girl! Qin Guan kissed her lips and lifted his phone in the air. "Take a picture of us, Wang!" "No problem!" Then what? "Upload it to my blog with the caption my girl drops in. Then add something romantic. Ill leave that up to you." "Is that all? Shouldnt we talk about this with Sister Xue or Sister Qu?" "No need. One of them is in America, and the other is on her honeymoon. This is not a big deal." Wang didnt know what would be a big deal. Meanwhile, everyone on the Haijiao Forum discovered the truth. Some idlers had dug up the initial gossip about Qin Guan and seen the posts from Tsinghua University. Based on the registration information, they had zeroed in on a silent ount that was a frequent visitor of thement section. After a few private messages, everyone got excited. "Where is it? Give me the link!" Suddenly, a long silence prevailed. ... There was only aputer screen blinking in the dark room. The man sitting before the screen rubbed his hands excitedly and clicked on the link about Qin Guans girlfriend. He was anxious to see evidence of Qin Guans affair. The photos at the film base were gradually revealed, making his shoulders drop. He would never mistake the couple in the photos. It was the girl that had captured his heart and the monster that haunted his nightmares. Chapter 799: Our Way Chapter 799: Our Way Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The man was Chi Hailin, who had stayed away from Cong Nianwei after that farce years ago. During that time, he had witnessed Qin Guans struggle in America and China with envy. He wished that Cong Nianwei would break up with him because of this rumoured affair. However, he had discovered that it was only a disy of their romance! There was nothing to get excited about. Wait... What if his fans turn against Cong Nianwei? She is the girlfriend of a beloved actor after all. Thats not afortable throne for her to sit on. What will the calm girl do if the fans get angry with her? Could this be a chance for her to break up with him? Its hard for a shy architect to bear the malevolence of the entire entertainment circle... Excited, Chi Hailin sent everyone the same message. "Yes, she is Qin Guans girlfriend. She graduated from the Architecture Department of Tsinghua University in 2002. Her name is Cong Nianwei. Thats her!" That information was more than enough for them. Chi Hailin sat and waited to see what would happen next. Everyone got excited upon reading the message. We found out the truth! The striking news made all users return to the Haijiao Forum, only to find it silent. Everyone had gotten distracted by other posts. What had happened? They read through thements quickly and saw that an official announcement had been released. Qin Guans blog was as noisy as a bazaar, as Qin Guans fans and several idlers gathered to read thetest news. Arge, clear photo of the lovers was on the first page of the blog. The young couple was leaning close to each other with their heads touching. There was a sweet smile on both their faces. Under the photo was the caption: My girlfriend will return to the capital after staying with the crew. Im so reluctant to watch her leave... This was the first time Qin Guan was sharing his private life with the public. Everyone turned their eyes to a short essay written by Qin Guan, titled "Common Witness". "Cong Nianwei is my girlfriend and childhood sweetheart. I fell in love with her when we were both 15 years old. "After four years of pursuing her, my dream finally came true. We are always together now, no matter where we go." There was also a photo of them at the airport from the day they were leaving for America. They looked so much younger in it. "You have infinite power over me." Beneath was a photo of Qin Guans first job in New York. "We studied together, seeded together and returned to China together. Never leave or forsake." A bunch of photos from their gallery and QC firm followed. "I finally have your promise. Will you marry me the day my shelf is filled with awards?" Then came a photo of all the awards Qin Guan had won during the past few years. "Please give us your blessing!" His warm, romantic words touched the readers hearts. Soon, Qin Guans fans epted his girlfriend. They had known this ever since they had fallen in love with him after all. They were all reasonable girls. They wouldntmit suicide because their idol had a girlfriend. That was the definition of a real fan. Calm love was better than obsessive love. The news took over the inte. Soon, everyone started sending their blessings to the lovers, including Cong Nianweis girlfriends, Qin Guans naughty friends and their colleagues. Of course, there were also some people who didnt like those news. Chi Hailin was one of them. After his revealing post, he had waited silently for the storm to pass. After a long silence, he had seen the news on Qin Guans blog and choked before the photos. Can I spit out blood to ease my annoyance? He knew he was wrong thanks to the online feedback, as well as the abundant blessings people bestowed upon Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei. Chapter 800: Not Really Chapter 800: Not Really Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia He was not the only person who was sad. Some people showed their sadness on their faces, while others just kept it a secret. On the other side of the ocean it was still morning. Smoke was rising from a white coffee cup in a messy room. A woman was looking stupefied at herputer screen. When she came back to her senses, she mmed herptop shut, put on a pair of ck high heels, and locked her case with Qin Guans memorabilia. Paris Hilton was enjoying some rare leisure time in her garden. Her puppies were running around, seemingly aware of her bad mood, in an effort to cheer up their master by moving their tails happily. It was another night of gay life and debauchery in Japan. A group of strong men were kneeling on a tatami, waiting for the order to attack. Meanwhile, their leader was typing on her phone nervously. Men felt sorrow and joy; they parted and met again. The moon took turns being bright and dim. Ill find someone else to mend my broken heart. Qin Guan made the headlines of all the major media. The girl who had posted the initial photos online was confused by the situation. Her careless move had caused a striking gossip whirlwind in the entertainment circle. Although everybody was happy with the ending, the girl dared not reveal to her friends that she had caused this, afraid that she had destroyed the dreams of several women. Qin Guans secret girlfriend was sad news for some girls. Those girls avoided talking about her so they could cheat themselves into believing that she was not real. This had to be a strategy Qin Guan was using to deal with his crazy fans. Their hopeful theory was proven wrong though. Qin Guan had proposed to her through that subtle message! Soon, a wedding ceremony would take ce. There was not much space for new awards on that shelf! The whole thing felt like a bomb countdown. The girl dared not tell anybody else that she had been the one to light the fuse, because she did not want to suffer the consequences. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was enjoying some leisure time. When he read the newspapers, he was able to rx once again. Every member of the crew was curious about the gossip. Everyone wanted to speak to him, but stopped on second thought. I wont say anything. Curiosity killed the cat! All the feedback was polite and positive. Qin Guan wasnt worried. Now that his fans had epted the situation, everyone else didnt matter. He was right. When Cong Nianwei returned to her team, no one paid any special attention to her. Only a few younger members looked at her face carefully and tried to get a confirmation from her. Eventually, everyone just scattered in all directions and got to work. They were too busy to focus on the entertainment circle. Thus, Cong Nianwei got through that tough time smoothly. Qin Guan felt strange about the person standing in front of him. In his opinion, that guy should have been thest person to worry about his rtionship. Du Chun didnt know how to approach the topic. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei had stayed together on the set, as if no one else had been present. He had disagreedpletely with their actions even before the news had broken out. During the break, the two young men chatted casually in their costumes and makeup. "Youvee here highly rmended, Qin Guan. Im Du Chun." "Hello, nice to meet you." "I saw the news this morning. Actually, weve met each other not long ago. Maybe Im a little bit brusque." So? Qin Guan raised an eyebrow in interest. "We were young actors during the same period. Its the best time for us to attract fans now. I know you are a capable actor, but you just returned to China. I think you should build a solid foundation with your fans. Isnt it too early for you to reveal your girlfriend to the public? If anything changes, it will be really embarrassing. It could actually harm your poprity." Du had been thinking about this for a long time. In his opinion, Qin Guan was squandering his poprity. It was not a good choice for a handsome man to get married early. Spitting the words out finally felt great. This way, he got rid of all the pressure and negative impact Qin Guan had inflicted on him. Chapter 801: A Dedicated Guy Chapter 801: A Dedicated Guy Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Du Chun had shocked Qin Guan. The two of them had not even been introduced formally ever since they had joined the crew. Before Qin Guan could say anything, Director Hu Mei shouted at them. "Attention, everyone! The next scene is about to begin! What are you doing, Du Chun? Qin Guan? Get into position!" "Yes, madame!" The two of them rushed to the garden and assumed their positions. Hu Mei walked towards them from behind the camera. "Hey, Du Chun. Your eyebrows look weird. Qin Guans are rising like swords, but yours are hanging down! Stylist! Where is the stylist? Did you confuse their makeup? Young Emperor Han Wu has to look handsome." The stylist felt like crying, but did not. Du was born with drooping eyebrows. Shall I erase them and draw over them? Besides, its impossible to make him look handsome while Qin Guan is standing next to him! After talking with the stylist in low voices, Hu returned to the camera in confusion. Is it okay for Tian Fen to be more handsome than the emperor? She had no choice but to try. "Camera!" The two men began performing. Du Chun was both annoying and eager. He tried his best topete with Qin Guan, but it was in vain. Although Qin Guan was wearing a in costume and standing behind him, no one could ignore his presence. Du Chun was wearing his splendid imperial robe, while Qin Guans robe was dark green. He looked like a steady middle-aged official in it. He could read the young emperors face, so he knew what his nephew was thinking about. He was both a really clever official and a rtive of the emperor. Qin Guans flexible performance made Du Chun seem like a greenhand inparison. He was still a young actor though. If it wasnt for Qin Guan, everyone would have thought highly of his steady line delivery and professional acting. Now everyone just felt disappointed though. Even Hu Mei didnt stop for his sake. She knew that Du Chun would not be able to improve in such a short while, so an immature, annoyed portrayal of the emperor was eptable. Everyone was inclined to be tolerant with young actors. Every actor had to go through that period after all. As the long scene was finished smoothly, Du Chun felt as if he was in a dream. I have potential! The director thinks highly of me! Im not inferior to Qin Guan! He chuckled to himself for a few seconds before Qin Guan turned to him again. "What were we talking about earlier? Oh, right. About romantic confidence." Qin Guan wrapped his arm around Du Chuns shoulders and pulled him away. "You dont know much about the situation. My mind has always been on her. It was only a matter of time. I dont want to keep it a secret from the public. I just want to tell everyone and weed out my real fans. The people that only care about my marriage are not real fans. They are just idiots, to be honest." Okay, that sounds reasonable. Could you please let me go now? Du Chun realized he had been pulled away from the set. Help! This actor is trying to kill me! Du Chun had finally seen Qin Guans true colors. He couldnt handle a passionate guy like him. I wouldnt have talked to him if I knew. Fortunately, my scenes will be finished soon. Then I can just hand over my part to Brother Chen Baoguo. He looks like hes a tougher man. Chen Baoguo had joined the crew three days earlier and watched all the important scenes of the other actors with great interest. He had also read the script plenty of times and studied all the rtive material. Even Qin Guan, who was a very hard-working guy, felt inferiorpared to Chen. By then, the hardest time of the summer hade around. The whole crew was wearing shorts and tank tops and had sweat streaming down their backs. If one poured water on the ground, it would turn into a white mist before evaporating. Summer in Zhejiang was terrible. Unfortunately, the actors had to wear Han Dynasty costumes, which included long robes,yers of clothes and tall crowns. Thousands of years ago, the temperature used to be cooler, so people hadnt suffered from heatwaves. Qin Guan had only two scenes left. Tian Fen was about to reach the end of his life. He wasmentable. He was funny. He had been both humble and glorious. Chapter 802: Yin and Yang Chapter 802: Yin and Yang Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans long job would finallye to an end. After a short stay in the capital, he would fly to Taiwan for another job. Only now did Qin Guan learn about the difficulties of filming a TV show and what shooting for a long time was like. He decided to be careful when agreeing to such TV shows in the future. Not having enough spare time didnt match his concept of satisfying work. As he thought about this, he shook his head miserably and took another bite of iced watermelon. Crack! It was so crisp and sweet... "This is so good, Wang!" "I know! The seller did not even count the change." She and Qin Guan were very much alike. A watermelon cost very little, but Wang had still asked for a discount. The director got angry at therge group surrounding Qin Guan. They had been having so much fun that they had forgotten to save a piece of watermelon for her. "What are you guys doing? Why are you eating watermelon? Get ready for the next scene!" Instead of stopping, Qin Guan sped up. "You! Qin Guan! Dont look at the others! Put the watermelon down. Where is the stylist? Who will help him change into his costume?" Qin Guan looked down at his open robe and sweaty chest. There was still a seed on his face. Damn! I have to fasten all the buttons again. I hate this f*cking sticky weather! Qin Guan murmured as he wiped his mouth and returned to the set. "The art of coitus, the second tost scene." Chen Baoguo and Qin Guan entered the sleeping chamber of the Qin Pce. For the sake of politics, Tian Fei was trying to persuade Emperor Han Wu to be intimate with Chen Ajiao. The cameras followed them as they walked. "Your Majesty, as your uncle, I would like to remind Your Majesty to cherish and trust the empress. Be gentle with her." He smiled meaningfully at the emperor. The middle-aged man still looked like a nobody. There was a wretched expression on his face as he stressed the word "gentle". Chen Baoguo had a faint smile on his face. He sat by the handrails of the passage, his red robe and ck cloak making him look dashing. Although he was not a handsome young man, he was one of the best actors in China. The two of them had a tacit understanding. Suddenly, Chen asked, "What do you mean by gentle, uncle?" His raised voice sounded frivolous. He had experience with a lot of women and girls. He was good at conquering, not being a gentleman. Taken aback, Qin Guan fixed his eyes on Chens serious face for a few seconds. Then he licked his lips and swallowed. He held up his fist towards Chen and spread his fingers, squeezing the words out of his throat with profound weight. "Your Majesty should learn about the advantages of harm and benefit, as well as silence and action." "What?" Qin Guan whispered to his nephew. He was not shameless enough to speak loudly. Chen shot a suspicious look at a certain part of his uncles body and then shook his head. I have made this very clear! Dont you understand? Feeling helpless, Qin Guan took out a painting roll and spread it before Chen as if it was a priceless treasure. It was a French postcard from his collection. Chen grabbed it out of his hand and pulled him away. He wanted to desert his benefactor as soon as his help was required. The anger in Qin Guans eyes could kill his own nephew. Chen looked at the painting in amusement. He even pointed to one of the figures. "This guy looks like you, uncle." "Impossible!" Qin Guan hastened to deny it. "Ha ha ha!" "Cut!" Director Hu was the first to burst intoughter. The onlookers did the same. Qin Guan immediately pulled his robe open. The lining was soaked with sweat once again. Chen Baoguo was also suffering from the heat. He was portraying a guy from Northern China, so his costume was even thicker than Qin Guans. Annoyed to see Qin Guan take off his clothes at a professional speed, he spoke with the same meaningful tone he had during the scene, "Ill study that skill with youter at night, uncle. Is that okay with you?" Chapter 803: An Independent Brand Chapter 803: An Independent Brand Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia When Wang Liying hastened to pull Qin Guan away, she saw that the strict actor had suffered a sunstroke. Unfortunately, Chen didnt get a chance to talk to Qin Guan that night. The TV show was scheduled to air on CCTV before the next Spring Festival, so the director had to rush to make the deadline. Every day, Qin Guan got up, rushed to the set and worked until nightfall. He was really d when his part was over. Tempted by a beautiful woman, his character got involved in the assassination of the emperor. The timid man finally revealed his true colors and his fear of being a madman. The confused emperor paid a personal visit to his home. Qin Guan was wearing a blue robe. His messy gray hair was hanging down loosely on his shoulders as he stood on the roof holding a kite and murmuring to himself, "Fly, Zhir! Fly with the kite! Beat the Huns!" Even though he was reaching the end of his life, he could still read the emperors mind. During hisst sane moments, he gave his vast wealth to the emperor to aid him in the battle in Northern China. The truth about his insanity was not important to Emperor Han Wu. The old, scared man was no longer an obstacle on his way. From then on, he managed to unite his court. His great n was now in motion. Everyone sighed in sympathy for the man on the roof. They felt sad to see a child grow up. He was aplicated man, but he was neither good nor bad. Qin Guan was a versatile actor. After more than two years, he would finally leave the crew. Life was like a TV drama. People hurried to and fro. Some came and some left. Some actors were there for the entire show, while others only had a short part. The protagonist of the show could have been only a minor character in another drama. That was the most fantastic thing about TV. The crew was really busy preparing for their trip to the Mongolian grasnd, so they had no time to pay attention to the departing actor. Qin Guan left the crew alone in disappointment. Then he smiled at the cold dessert Wang Liying handed him. It was Chilled Mango Sago Cream with Pomelo in a small stic box, an authentic Hong Kong dessert that was very rare at the time. Thanks to the people gathering in Hengdian from all directions, the film base had be an international snack exhibition. That particr dessert had a standard recipe, so it tasted practically the same, no matter where one bought it. The only differencey in the amount of fruit inside it. For Qin Guan, some mango and grapefruit were enough. The sago was cooked well, so one could just swallow the round, smooth grains without chewing them. The thick coconut milk, regr milk and sugar made the sauce perfect. Before freezing it, one had to add the smashed grapefruit and mango. After half an hour, one could take it out and have a taste. That dessert was the best cold refreshment for a summer day, as it was suitable for people of all ages. The wonderful snack granted Qin Guan a lot of energy, so he managed to get home in one piece despite the scorching summer heat. When he got there, he found a warm message at the door. He opened the fridge and saw that it was filled with food Cong Nianwei had cooked. Qin Guan immediately felt refreshed. She hadnt forgotten about him, even though she was really busy. Only people who did not miss someone forgot about them and used the pressure they were under as an excuse. Qin Guan was really satisfied. After kissing his girlfriend goodbye, he went to the firm to take care of some work before he travelled to Taiwan. He had finally picked a name for his brand. He had originally wanted to call it "Qin & Cong", but his team had rejected that idea unanimously. Instead, they gave it the catchy name "LESS/MORE". They were actually nning on turning it into a foreign brand, or just creating a so-called foreign brand, as Chinese people always liked to pursue international sess. This way, a good sales volume would be a given. Qin Guan voted down that proposal in good faith. Those days, people could get more information than ever before. Everyone was familiar with brands, both domestic and overseas ones, so inte users could reveal a brands past to the public. That was why Qin Guan would rather create an original brand. In the end, they decided to call it "LESS/MORE". Chapter 804: Extensive Promotion Chapter 804: Extensive Promotion Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The concept of "less is more" was adopted by many designers. At the beginning, it had been just about promoting simplicity over extravagance, but people had gradually given it a more profound interpretation. The namebined two different meanings. One could find both modern patterns with simple, smooth lines andplicated vintage clothing at their store. Their brand offered everything one would expect. QC had found arge building in Wangfujing that they could use as a private design studio. The small studio inspired the ambition of Qin Guans design team, whose work was printed on posters in the building. The feedback of the market was essentially the sales volume. Thanks to Qin Guans influence in the fashion circle, their brand had its own agents in dozens of cities even before opening for business. On a September day in 2005, their clothes were ced on the counters of different malls in different cities. The grand opening ceremonies were magnificent. Their agents had coborated with the local media to organize big events. Some rich agents had even rented all the mall business exhibition halls to hang Qin Guans posters. From then on, Qin Guan started upying all levels of the fashion market. The grand events shocked other brands, such as Baoxiniao, Seven Wolves, Shanshan and so on, who had no idea what the new brand would be like. What will this mysterious brand be like? What about their prices? Do they have any special promoting skills? Who will be their potential customers? All this information had been kept secret until 10:00 a.m. that day. Qin Guan cut the ribbon of the shop in Wangfujing, and then all the chain stores opened one after the other. The audience could watch the opening ceremonies of other cities on arge screen by the entrance. The gship store took up a full 800 square meters in Wangfujing. This was considered luxurious in that area, as an inch ofnd there was worth an ounce of gold. Qin Guan had invited all his friends from the fashion and entertainment circle to the ceremony, which was a lot like a press conference of a top brand. The LESS/MORE logos printed on the background were all striking, and his friends shocked the media even more. Qin Guan had used public office for private benefit. He had gotten his renowned models to attend the ceremony wearing clothes made by his own brand. Although the reporters couldnt recognize them all, the clothes were still sparkling before their eyes. Huayi had also sent Li Bingbing and Fan Pingping. The two flowers were the best actresses of thepany. Du Chun, Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang stood behind them. Their status in the entertainment circle was less significant. The event was too grand for an opening ceremony, but it seemed that the award-winning actor had good social connections. The decorated baskets were arranged in order by the entrance. The names on the baskets attracted the attention of the reporters. Sixth-Generation Directors: Zhang Yang, Ning Hao, Lu Chuan Famous Directors: Zhang Yimou, Feng Xiaogang, Zhang Jizhong, Yin Li, Hu Mei... Actors: Zhang Xueyou, Wu Junru, Zeng Zhiwei, Zhou Xun, Jiao Huang, Chen Baoguo... Wang Liying was a good girl. Before leaving the crew, she had sent invitations to all the actors. She didnt actually expect them to attend, but a basket was enough for her. Huayi and "If, Love" would coborate with Qin Guan again, and all sixth-generation directors were longing for his presence. Starlets from all sides started gathering around the site. An appearance before the cameras was all they were after. Chapter 805: No Label Chapter 805: No Label Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The chaos outside didnt affect the ceremony. The PR agency was good at crowd control. Qin Guan was wearing a formal suit from thetest Armani Haute Couture fall collection. The suit was gray-blue, and the tie was trimmed properly. He looked like a businessman in that outfit. This was the first time people would discover his identity as a businessman. Everyone held their breath as they tried to estimate his fortune. His modelling and acting ie aside, his earnings from his firms alone had awarded him a spot in the business circle. Besides, Qin Guan was not a graduate of a normal art school, but an elite school, both domestically and internationally. The schoolmates standing behind him reminded people of the subtle differences between him and other guys working in the entertainment circle. Qin Guan had friends in politics, business and trade. They were all young and active, with a bright future ahead of them. They could be the award-winning actors solid foundation. Qin Guan was a typical man after all. Miss Etiquette suddenly walked up to him with a tray covered in red velvet. The golden scissors seemed to have been made especially for the ceremony as they shone under the lights. The peony-like satin matched them perfectly, but everything looked inferiorpared to Qin Guans slender hands. His nails were trimmed and he was sparkling like a star. Qin Guan picked up the scissors and cut the ribbon. The red satin fell apart like a flower. Then Qin Guan put the elegant scissors back on the tray. His action signalled the start of all the ceremonies. On the screen, the ribbons were cut one after the other. Qin Guan pulled the curtain down to reveal therge logo to the audience. The store was nothing out of the ordinary. A winding passage led inside, where each small cab was open to the public. There were two small stic mannequins in the disy, but everything else was on hangers. The designing style of different designers was easy to tell apart. The cab at the entrance was marketed towards white-cor workers. The prices ranged from 200 to 1,000 yuan, which was eptable for the average customer. If one took a turn, the prices increased. There were formal dresses for parties on disy. If one walked inside further, they would find clothing catalogues. Fashion insiders would realize right away that this was a customization studio. Nowadays, people wanted to dress uniquely. Ready-made clothes bought from stores made it too easy for one to identally wear the same outfit as somebody else. One saw too many people dressed the same on the streets. Qin Guans store met everyones demands. A little money could improve ones style and allow them to avoid the embarrassment of wearing the same clothes with another person. The costumers reacted differently when they realized this. The starlets were really d, as their agencies did not pay for their clothes. They had to buy their own formal outfits for award ceremonies, press conferences and street photo-shoots. Plus, they could only wear each outfit once before the cameras. They had lost so many chances to make an appearance in public. Qin Guans store was so considerate, it felt almost like a gospel from Heaven. They could pay a small amount to change each outfit into something else. This would save them a lot of money! Besides, those clothes were tailored by famous designers. Some of them had even won national contests, so usually only superstars qualified for their services. Thanks to Qin Guan, they wouldnt need to worry about what to wear anymore in the future. Meanwhile, spies from otherpanies found it difficult tobel the brand. The brands formal wear was finer and more elegant than others, but it could not be considered high-end due to its reasonable prices. Although the prices of the formal outfits were not that low, they would be a second-to-none choice for the average person that wanted to buy formal clothes. Chapter 806: Hello, Taiwan Chapter 806: Hello, Taiwan Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia People didnt need to worry about the prices of the mysterious clothes. The younger customers took a few more steps inside. The delightful clothing was a feast for the eyes. It was natural for people to pursue beauty. Everyone always had an asion to wear formal clothes to, so Qin Guans brand would be their first choice. Plus, young people were a big influence. Perhaps when they seeded in their careers, LESS/MORE would be their obsession. The owner of the brand was really cunning. He had pulled off the perfect transition from a white-cor worker look to a rich businessman look. There was also a secret door at the customization area, whose purpose only fashion insiders were aware of. It had to be a secret elevator to the underground parking garage, which was reserved for VIPs that wanted to avoid the public eye. Qin Guan was an extraordinary man. Suddenly, everyone rxed. Qin Guans concept couldnt be imitated by others. No one could integrate the whole fashion circle into a single brand. Each store hired only one major designer. Nopany had the financial resources to employ so many designers, but it was a piece of cake for Qin Guan. The orders could be sent directly to his studio, or one of his teams designers could arrange a short meeting. Only Qin Guan could achieve something like this. Everyone exchanged meaningful nces and let out long sighs of relief. Suddenly, something happened. Ye Dong had brought together his old schoolmates to attend the ceremony. The young men, most of whom were working atrge enterprises and public institutions, had been attracted by the clothing samples. Meanwhile, a youngdy was trying on a tailored suit andining to her friends, "I work in a bank, so I have to wear suits every day. I cannot wear other clothes, like girls who work at private enterprises. Senior Qin is so good at designing. If our uniform was like this, I would love wearing it!" Both students and people of all ages disliked boring uniforms. A second girl raised her eyebrows and answered, "Thats easy. Just give the directors some feedback." "Logistical personnel must fight back! I believe in Qin Guan. He is the best. Those inferior clothing factories only get orders because of their connections and the bribes they give." She had a valid point. Everyone nodded in agreement. The spies were beating their chests in frustration. It was really hard to get arge order for uniforms. Qin Guan had scored a lucky goal. The lively ceremony ended with Qin Guans departure. The store was on the right track, but its owner had helped it along. Qin Guan hadnt counted on his personality, unlike other brands created by stars. He had only concentrated on the designs. His smart concept and therge audience had led to the stores sess. Finally free, Qin Guan stretched his body on his bed at home. He could atst catch a breath. He lit some colorful aromatic candles and felt the rxing smell of the essential oil linger around the bed. He and Cong Nianwei were nning on moving away from their small home with the sweet memories, but an open living environment wouldnt go well with Qin Guans fame. He had to sneak back home every day. Their house couldnt withstand the attacks of the paparazzi. He would only be spending a few more nights in that room. The shoes that fit ones feet didnt have to be expensive. Qin Guan preferred to have the right fit. His social status had changed a lot, but he couldnt do anything he wanted without getting into trouble. Doing the right thing at the right time showed ones experience and maturity. As he thought about this, Qin Guan turned to take the sleeping Cong Nianwei in his arms and blew out the candles one by one. Goodnight. Qin Guan would be taking a trip to Taiwan. The Golden Horse Film Festival Awards, which had been founded in 1930, had a great influence in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. They had experienced both the golden time and the decline of the film industry in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Chapter 807: The Golden Horse Night Market Chapter 807: The Golden Horse Night Market Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The local film industry had gone through many ups and downs. It had experienced both wars and politics, and during thete 1980s, it had observed from the sidelines the rise and fall of the mainds film industry. As the Chinese film industry bloomed, more and more films participated in the exclusive film festival. Ke Ke Xi Li, which was a maind film, had reached the final round thanks to its unique humanistic nature and realistic shooting technique. Among the familiar Hong Kong actors, people saw a popr Asian star called Qin Guan. As the protagonist of "Ke Ke Xi Li", he was one of the nominees for the Best Actor Award. All the other nominees were more famous than him in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The nominees were Liang Chaowei from "2046", Liu Dehua from "Infernal Affairs III", and Zhang Xueyou from "Golden Chicken". They were all representatives of the best actors in Hong Kong,pared to whom Qin Guan seemed weak. When Qin Guan reached Taipei, he didnt feel ufortable. It looked like a regr city in South China. He just felt annoyed with the standard Mandarin of the Taiwanese. Qin Guan had good friends in Taiwan, so two beautiful women weed him at the airport. Xu Ruoxuan and Lin Zhiling attracted a lot of attention. The keen Taiwanese paparazzi had been waiting at the airport for them. Fortunately, Wang was a very capable girl. The twodies showed up at the exit at the same time, so that the newspapers the next day wouldnt use Qin Guan of having a secret girlfriend in Taiwan. This would be the opposite of Qin Guans aim, which was to just attend the festival as quietly as possible. Unfortunately, the reporters stuck around Qin Guan like flies around honey. shing lights twinkled everywhere as some brave guys shouted at him. "Are you confident about winning the award?" "Liu Dehua almost won the awardst year. He seems really confident this time. What do you think of him?" "Will the Golden Horse Festival be the end of your sess?" Everyone glowered at the idiot. No judge would dare cause Qin Guans failure in Taiwan. That would not be a smart idea. After more than 40 years, the film industry on the ind was fading. The Golden Horse Festival only kept going so it could save its dignity. If it werent for the superstars, no one would be paying attention to a festival on such a tiny ind. In an effort to tter the mainders, the organizers had even reced Zheng Yuling, the exclusive female distinguished guest, with Lin Zhiling, because of her recent sess on the Chinese maind. They were certainly not brave enough to cause the award-winning actors failure. Taking advantage of this, Qin Guan escaped with the twodies. The reporters regretted their words when they came back to their senses. They had missed the chance to get any useful information from him. As soon as he reached his hotel, Qin Guan got lost in the delicious food of Taipei. The city was famous for its night markets. Only in its noisy, bustling markets did the stars get the chance to rx and focus on the food. Foodies loved traditional night markets, as authentic tastes could only be found there. There was a variety of food avable, including sticky tofu, fried squid tentacles and frog eggs. The most famous specialty there though was oyster omelette. Just as its name implied, the omelette was made of fried oysters and eggs. Most people from the Chinese maind couldnt tolerate its strange taste, as it was hard for the cook to clean all the oysters properly. Plus, oysters were not suitable for old people. This was actually Qin Guans favorite. He followed the twodies suggestion and led his team to the busiest night market in Taipei. The oysters there came from Lok-kang and they were caught the same day at the harbor and transported to Taipei. The fresh oysters lookedrge, tasty and juicy, so one portion per person would be enough. The owner of the stand was busy frying the oysters. Arge pan of ingredients could satisfy 10 people, but he had to work consistently in order to feed his customers. Qin Guan was waiting in line in leisure. Even waiting for such a snack was fun. When the fresh oysters were half-cooked, the man poured egg whites, sweet potato powder, seafood juice and other spices to create a pancake. After a short while, the mixture turned golden yellow. He divided therge pancake into smaller portions and put them on dishes. When he added a little hot sauce, they became authentic Taiwanese style oyster and eggs. The dish was soft and tasted like seafood. It tasted like the lifestyle and romanticism of the people in the city. The history of that snack was filled with heroism. Chapter 808: On The Red Carpet Chapter 808: On The Red Carpet Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It had actually been provisioned for Zheng Chenggongs troops while he had been fighting the Dutch army. At the time, oysters and sweet potatoes could be found everywhere in Taiwan. The snack ended up saving the army and helping Zheng win the final victory against the colonists. Actually, most of Chinese history involved food. Qin Guan was in a good mood when he arrived at the award ceremony. Taking into consideration the feedback of the entertainment circle and the long-term aesthetic fatigue of the masses, the organizingmittee had tried bringing attention to the event through another method. They had chosen a memorable ce as a venue and promoted vigorously the attending stars. After a serious selecting process, they had decided on the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, a monument built on the 100th anniversary of Mr. Sun. It was a monument of great importance for the Chinese maind, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. That night, the towering building with the carved beams and painted rafters weed a big number of superstars in splendid outfits and makeup. They would be the protagonists of the night. The red carpet started at the main entrance of the hall and stretched till the path to the garden. It was surrounded by countless reporters, who had gone there for the exquisite ceremony. Lu Chuan arrived early and cleaned his golden-framed sses again, afraid that he would look inferior next to Qin Guan as they walked together. People called Qin Guan the Group Photo Killer. Everyone felt nervous when they were about to be in the same photo with him, but Lu Chuan had to walk with the handsome guy, as "Ke Ke Xi Li" was the only finalist from the Chinese maind that wouldpete for the most important awards. As a result, Lu Chuan had to share the spotlight with Qin Guan. There were many other famous attendants around them. Some of them, such as Zhang Xueyou and Wu Yusen, had gone there for Qin Guan. People had originally thought that the ceremony would be apetition between Liu Dehua and Liang Chaowei, but Qin Guans presence hadplicated things. Zhang Xueyou, who was a guy that loved to gossip, had travelled to Taiwan. In his opinion, a confrontation between three actors would be more interesting than one between two. When a group of Hong Kong stars had received invitations, the undervalued ceremony had suddenly be more popr. The organizingmittee felt like bursting intoughter from joy. The media acted without dy. The reporters from Japan and the Republic of Korea, who had lost any interest in the festival in the past, had also showed up. As a result, the stars were under the illusion that the Taiwanese film industry was still in its prime, when it had reigned over the Chinese industry. Their dream was interrupted when they saw Lu Chuan and Qin Guan set their feet on the red carpet hand in hand. All the reporters pointed their cameras at Qin Guan in unison. The scene back at the Berlin Film Festival was recreated in Taipei. "Qin Guan!" "Look here, Qin Guan!" "Are you confident about winning the award?" "Slow down, Qin Guan!" They all followed Qin Guan as he moved forward, making the people behind him feel awkward. No reporter seemed to have noticed them. Lin Jiaxin and Wu Yanzu exchanged a nce with a grimace. They had no choice but to keep walking along the carpet. Even Wu could be mentioned in the same breath as Qin Guan in that moment. None of his peers could stand next to the actor as equals. In everyones minds, Qin Guan belonged to the previous generation of actors. The youngest members of the film circle were considered juniorspared to him, even though Qin Guan hadnt even turned 24 yet. Qin Guan waved at the audience at the end of the carpet. Suddenly, he saw the two men behind them, who wanted to share some of the attention of the media. Qin Guan slowed down. He wanted to have a word with one of the young men. In his past life, he had been one of the most popr and handsome men in China. Qin Guan used to dream of looking like him. He walked up to the Hong Kong actor, looking elegant and charming. He seemed confident and proud. Wu and Lin panicked. All the reporters and stars had fixed their eyes on them, waiting for the award-winning actor to show his purpose. They had actually never spoken with him before. Chapter 809: A Show With Four Famous Actors Chapter 809: A Show With Four Famous Actors Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Are you Wu Yanzu?" "Yes, I am." "Can I shake your hand?" "Huh? Oh, okay." "You are so handsome. Cheers!" Wu took his hand back and chuckled to himself. He had misinterpreted Qin Guansst words. He likes my acting. He must consider me a rival. Actually, Qin Guan had just made a joke. He was really happy that he had outshined the famous man. Thanks to his praise, everyone concentrated on Wu. "Qin Guan is right. Take a good look at him. Wu is a really handsome guy." "Senior Qin didnt lie." "I think he is just an ordinary actor. Im just as good as he is." When Wu returned to Hong Kong after the ceremony, he saw his job offers increase thanks to the power of Qin Guans words. Meanwhile, he was among the group of nomineespeting for the Best Supporting Actor Award. Zhang Xueyou, Liu Dehua, Qin Guan and Liang Chaowei were sitting in the middle of the third row. They had all been old rivals for many years, with the exception of Qin Guan. The four actors attracted almost all the cameras, so the audience at home could see their every move. The hostess was Lin Zhiling, who was a sweet, gentledy. The host, whose name was Cai Kangyong, couldnt avoid the cameras, even if he dressed like a moving bulb. Everyone fixed their eyes on the sparkling hosts. Zhang Xueyou suddenly approached Qin Guan. "Qin Guan?" "Yes? Brother Zhang?" "Why have you been staying in the maindtely? You should ept some work with Hong Kong directors." "I was ordered to do so by the SARFT. They want me to contribute to mainstream films." "Wow! Thats so disappointing! There are no good scripts these days..." Why did you ask me to find a script in Hong Kong then? Zhang Xueyous nonsense inspired the men sitting on either side of Qin Guan. Liu Dehua felt that he had to join the conversation, so he tried to find a new topic. "Qin Guan?" "Yes?" "Its already been two years since we cooperated. How fast time flies!" "Yes." "If you find a good script, dont hesitate to call me." "I will." Liu had signed a contract with Huayi after all. He was in Qin Guans camp in a sense. As Liu seeded in joining the conversation, the cameras turned to Liang Chaowei. The photographers wanted to watch the world burn, so they zoomed in on Liang to capture the expression on his face clearly. Hong Kong was a tiny area, so thepetition for resources, connections, scripts and producers was much fiercer than that on the vast maind. Liu Dehua and Liang Chaowei had a simr value, influence and box office appeal. It was impossible for them to call a truce, although the media was pretending that everything was going well between them. They had cooperated on the movie franchise "Infernal Affairs" three times, and the first two movies had made the final round of the Golden Horse Festival the two previous years. Liu and Liang were both the protagonists of the franchise, but Liu had lost to Liang twice! This year, Liu hade to the festival with the third movie of the franchise. If he was defeated by Liang again, his fame and dignity would take a big hit. Just the thought made Liu be polite to Qin Guan. He would be happy if Qin Guan won the award. He just hoped that the other actor lost. Everyone was looking at them with relish. Qin Guan nced at Liang guiltily. Do you feel isted? Im innocent, Mr. Liang. The two menmunicated with their eyes. The hosts excited voice suddenly brought them back to reality. "The nominees for the Best Actor Award of 2005 are Liang Chaowei, Liu Dehua, Zhang Xueyou and Qin Guan. Its really a gxy of talent!" "Lets open the envelope quickly to find out who the lucky guy is!" Cai opened the envelope and the master of the ceremony walked on the stage with the award. The audience suddenly realized that there would be two winners that year! Chapter 810: Sun [1] Chapter 810: Sun [1] Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia This was a vition of the festivals rules. During previous ceremonies, there had only been one winner. The two awards implied that the organizingmittee had made an exception. The unprecedented result made everyone excited, but it also made it difficult to make predictions. Even Zhang Xueyou had cheered up. Two of the four nominees would get an award, so his possibilities of winning had increased. Cai Kangyong announced the result amid the chaos, "The winners of the Best Actor Award are Qin Guan and Liu Dehua!" Apuse followed the screams as everyone congratted the winners. Qin Guan, who was the younger one, stood up first and gestured at Liu to walk before him. Liu stood up and hugged Qin Guan. Then Qin Guan embraced Liang Chaowei in an effort tofort him. The smiling, quiet man took this chance to whisper to Qin Guan, "Well done! He only won half an award!" You were hoping that I would win the entire thing? Zhang Xueyou smiled at him. "Hello, half-winner!" Thank you so much! Qin Guan and Liu Dehua got on the stage and epted the two horse figure awards, which looked exactly the same. Then they nged their awards to congratte each other. It was like a toast to victory, a sh of weapons between two warriors. The gesture expressed the subtle friendship between the two men. The cameras recorded the scene, which made their speeches seem inferior inparison. Then, the actors walked off the stage and the ceremony drew closer to the end. The final award, which was the Best Drama Award, was about to be announced to the public. Lu Chuan, who was sitting with Wu Yusen, Du Qifeng and Li Yunchan, felt nervous. He only rxed when Lin Zhiling read the result out loud in her childlike voice. "The winner is Ke Ke Xi Li by Lu Chuan! Congrattions! This is the second time that a film from the Chinese maind wins. Does this imply that the film circles on both sides of the Taiwanese Channel will have more chances of cooperating in the future?" He had seeded! A film from the Chinese maind had gotten Taiwans approval! Lu Chuan got off the stage with tears in his eyes, while Cai made his closing speech. The 2005 Golden Horse Festival had caused a storm in the Chinese film circle, not because of the quality of the films or its reform, but because of the gossip surrounding the two actors. The next day, the tabloids in Taiwan and Hong Kong were filled with all kinds of gossip. "Was Liang Chaowei isted by the other candidates?" "Liang failed to get along with the other nominees." "Does the two-time award-winning actor want topromise with the Chinese maind?" "The entertainment circle always predicts changes in the economy." There were many pro-independence individuals, as well as people against the Chinese maind, in Taiwan, so these news met their taste. In Hong Kong, people were reading the news about handsome Wu Yanzu with relish. "Qin Guan shook hands with Wu Yanzu andplimented his looks!" "Did Qin Guan have a crisis awareness with Wu?" "Who is the most handsome actor nowadays?" The shameless titles were full of conspiracy theories, but the objective reports of the Golden Horse Festival were ignored by the readers. Meanwhile, the media of the Chinese maind, who were always extremely patriotic, narrated the events that had taken ce during the festival. A photo of Qin Guan and Liu Dehua took up the main part of their front pages. "Two winners on the same stage. Our film won!" "Golden Horse broke the knot. Films from the Chinese maind get more chances!" It was an impressive achievement by a great, proud country. Reporters from other Asian countries kept pace with China, praising the actors as much as they could. Some fans watched the film again and found it filled with obscure information. Unfortunately, the film was not distributed in foreign countries. The fans tried their best to download it from Qin Guans blog in America and used heavy Chinese-English dictionaries to trante it. American fans knew nothing about the festival though. To the average American citizen, the US was the whole universe. A festival on a small ind meant nothing to them. They knew absolutely nothing about traditional Chinese film awards. They didnt even understand the importance of award ceremonies in non-English-speaking countries. [1] A famous gossip newspaper in Hong Kong. Chapter 811: Filming In The Louvre Chapter 811: Filming In The Louvre Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Im not satisfied with Qin Guans new award. Its the Chinese Golden Horse Award. Its no American or European award. Its even inferior to an international 9A-level film festival." "Besides, he has to share the honor with another Chinese actor. I felt wronged on his behalf." "Please return to our embrace, Qin Guan. Please! This is unfair for you!" Some Chinese students couldnt help but try to exin. "The Golden Horse Festival has been taking ce for over 50 years. Its very influential in the Chinese film circle. The man standing beside Qin Guan is a renowned actor named Liu Dehua. He is an older actor with more than 20 years of experience. Have you seen the film House of Flying Daggers? He was the protagonist!" "What the hell is that?" "Its a Chinese martial arts film. Its box office sucked..." After a heated discussion, everyone said that they thought very highly of Qin Guans performance in "Ke Ke Xi Li". As a result, Columbia Pictures contacted Qin Guan to get the distributing rights of the film. Qin Guans film would be screened in indie cinemas all over North America. Thanks to Qin Guans appeal in America, as well as the attention the two award-winning actors received, the film made back some of Huayis money. Actually, it had originally been created just to get an award. In one month, the films total box office in North America was 3.08 million, which was definitely better than "Elephant". The hits of the video on Chinese websites were also rising. People had be very interested in the film, which was more than enough for Huayi. The money they made was like pennies falling from Heaven. All thanks to Qin Guan! When they came back to their senses, they realized the guy had disappeared from China. Soon, his firm released his uing schedule. He hadnt returned to America, as everyone had thought. He had rushed to France instead, where the staff of Columbia Pictures would meet him. Yes, thepany had invested in him again. The mysterious meeting was about the film "The Da Vinci Code". It was rare for a film to talk about religious beliefs so openly. As soon as the novel had been adapted into a script, thepany and Ronald William Howard, who was the director, had started being pressured from all sides. The crew had received thousands of letters of protest. Despite the threats of the Catholic union and its societies though, they had chosen to keep filming in secret. One of the most important scenes was supposed to take ce in the Louvre Museum in France, so Qin Guan had to fly to Paris to meet them. The famous painting of "Mona Lisa" was an important plot point of the film. Meanwhile, the crew would select a French actress for their journey in France. Qin Guan didnt understand why they were so confident until he checked in at a hotel near the Louvre. Salvador, the head of the Italian Mafia family, had invested in the film when he had found out that they needed immediate help. He had even helped them rent some important locations. The origin of his confidence was the Asian man he had only met once before. He had actually been searching in Italy for a long time for a good film, but his effort had been in vain. He was a picky guy, yet "The Da Vinci Code" suited his taste. The film was full of horror and suspense, and people had to use their brains while watching it. The brave man paid no attention to its annoying religious elements. Qin Guan didnt have to focus on the job at such an early stage. He had only one question in mind: where were the director and the producer? The crew gave him and Wang Liying a surprising answer. "They received a call from Chirac while they had been casting actors in France." "Chirac who? The one I have in mind?" "Yes, the French president." "Okay, go on." "They will have a meeting today for about an hour. I think they will talk about renting the Louvre." Qin Guan became nervous. "Will they lend us the original Mona Lisa?" "Thats impossible! The director of the museum hase up with another n though. They found a copy and sent it to us a few days ago. They said that it was a contribution to our film. The copy is also an antique. Its really fine, it looks exactly like the real one. Even a famous painter wouldnt be able to tell them apart." Chapter 812: Tough Penance Chapter 812: Tough Penance Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan put forward a second question. "Is there a Catholic church willing to rent their hall out to us?" "Um... Actually, weve had some sessful negotiations. Our sess rate is 60%." "How many churches did you contact?" "Three." Okay, they had a long way to go. Qin Guan knew that renting a church was expensive, but the firm wanted to spend up to 100,000 pounds on it. "So?" "We lost Westminster, but Lincoln and Rosslyn are good alternatives. Well use them for the interior scenes. They are Catholic abbeys after all. They contradict our film with their orthodox ideas." "Branch churches do not think much of the film. They just want to promote their doctrines." Qin Guan was Chinese, so he was not under much pressure. The Chinese tended to tolerate different schools of religion, as most of them just believed in themselves. Thus, Qin Guan didnt take the situation seriously. A few hourster, the director and producer returned with great news. Thanks to the approval of the French president, they could film in the museum and in the actual room where "Mona Lisa" was. The government had offered its support for the sake of the French actress and supporting male actor. Besides, the film glorified the French police, which made a good impression on the president. Politics were all about propaganda, so a Hollywood film would be the best way to show the world the best side of their country. The three sides had reached a strangepromise. Except for Qin Guan, who was an actor registered in the American Union, there was no other American actor joining the cast. Even the figurants all came from the UK and France. To be honest, portraying a Harvard professor was the perfect job for Qin Guan. He was the actor with the highest level of education in the entertainment circle after all. In the first scene, he would be giving a guest lecture about semiotics at a French university. It would be as simple as drinking water for him. The following night, Qin Guan was standing on a podium. On therge screen behind him were different pictures that changed as he spoke. Qin Guan exceeded the directors expectations. His lecture was so good that one would have thought that he was an expert on semiotics himself. The credit belonged to Professor Mark though. Qin Guan had just copied his words and actions. While he was signing his own book for the students, the director couldnt help but pay him apliment. This actor looks like an academic! Qin Guans suit made him look like a puritanical, powerful professor. The talented students talked with him with worship in their eyes. A few policemen broke in and interrupted them. A good friend of his had been murdered. Before dying, he had left several symbols in the Louvre. Nobody knew what they meant, so as an expert, Qin Guan had attracted the attention of the French police. They wanted to cooperate with him to find the killer. Qin Guan finished his long scene in one take. Howard, who was a guy who noticed details, looked like he was choking. He decided to vent his frustration on the poor killer. The unlucky man was a friar who would be punishing himself in the next scene. One could imagine the misery of the English actor. Qin Guan, who was a sympathetic guy, was reminded by Wang to follow them. He took a bag of snacks with him. He was only going for fun. ... There were still a few traditional friars in some Catholic abbeys. Their school used to prevail in the Middle Ages, but was now experiencing a decline. Those guys tortured their own flesh to repent for their sins and experience the suffering of Jesus on the cross. Their method was to beat their backs with thick, heavy whipste at night. The sincere men beat themselves until their skin split and their flesh broke as they suffered through the pain of the Father. The killer was one of them. Chapter 813: Jean Reno Chapter 813: Jean Reno Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia At first, Qin Guan was just enjoying his snacks. As he looked at the umting scars on the actors back though, he started feeling uneasy. He believed it was necessary for him to study any rtive knowledge. Qin Guan threw his snacks away and returned to the hotel, where he asked help from a Columbia professor. Prof. Beak, who was d to receive his request, sent arge amount of material to Qin Guan through email. He told Qin Guan that the most valuable knowledge was gathered in churches and libraries. A few secret doctrines were even passed down from mouth to mouth. Some basic knowledge would be enough for Qin Guans role though. The honest young man began studying from the very beginning. Actually, if he read everything, he could possibly graduate from a theological school. He would have the gift of his extraordinary memory to thank for that. The next day, he appeared in the Louvre with red eyes. He had already gotten a general idea about the basic knowledge of the Catholic Church. That exined why his schedule was so tight. The director had omitted most of the dark parts of the churchs history. If they were confronted by any radical believers, they would risk losing their lives. Thus, Qin Guan began to take his job more seriously. In the next scene, he would be cooperating with Jean Reno, a representative of the European acting school who had starred in "Leon The Professional". The experienced actor was more than 30 years older than Qin Guan. He was also one of his idols, so Qin Guan decided to try his best to impress him. The semiologist finally met the detective before the pyramid of the Louvre. It was a beautiful night in Paris. The golden pyramid was sparkling in the dark as Qin Guan walked in the museum slowly, surrounded by cameras. The solemn, vast hall was one of the most artistic ces in the world. The sound of their steps echoed inside and their shadows expanded in the moonlight. The atmosphere was already depressing, but Jeans questions made it even stranger. He doubted that Qin Guan was the killer, but he still asked him some provoking questions. "Howe you are so familiar with the security measures of the museum?" "How do you know where the director died?" Actually, the smart semiologist had guessed all this information by looking at a photo of the ce. Only when he saw the corpse did Qin Guan understand the detectives words. Before dying, the director had drawn a circle with his own blood, which he had taken from his bleeding stomach. Then he had taken off his clothes andy down in the circle toplete the symbol. What kind of symbol was it? This symbol had cost his life. The weird semiologist was feeling very suspicious. Long shots made the audience engage in the story. This was an advantage for actors shooting suspense films, yet the director zoomed in on Qin Guans face repeatedly. His features expanded infinitely like pupils dting. Qin Guan passed the test without even being aware of it. The director didnt tell anyone, but he decided to keep the outstanding shots. The details of the actors face were both mysterious and beautiful. This was the beauty of horror. Qin Guan and Jean finished their lines and stared at each other for a long time in front of the corpse. The camera was still rolling. They were justmunicating through their eyes. Jean: What is everyone doing? Qin Guan: No idea. Jean: Ask the director. Qin Guan: Why should I do it? Im too afraid. Jean: You are the younger one. Qin Guan: Okay. The corpse nearly burst into tears. Are you done? "Cut! Perfect!" The first confrontation between Qin Guan and Jean Reno was finished sessfully. The prime suspect escaped with the help of the heroine. Chapter 814: The Zurich Bank Chapter 814: The Zurich Bank Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia When the scene was finished, everyone let out a long sigh of relief. Qin Guan hung out in the hall, totally absorbed into the art pce. Even the beautiful French actress looked inferiorpared to the masterpieces around them. Most of them were high-quality imitations of the originals, but one day every week, the museum would reveal the original to the public. Walking in the significant hall in the quiet night was a great shock to the visitors. Qin Guan secretly gestured for his assistant to take pictures. His feelings were simr to those of a starlet wearing Armani for the first time. Qin Guan felt like he was swimming in the long river of art history as he caressed the frames with pride under Wangs annoyed gaze. Unfortunately, beautiful moments were always short. The next scene would begin soon. The French president had only granted them a limited amount of time. The museum would open to the public the next morning as usual, so they had to finish filming as soon as possible. After a short break, Qin Guan was pulled back to the set again. The poor guy who yed the corpsey down on the bed. As an expert, Qin Guan found the evidence suspicious. "No, its not the Fiboni sequence. Its just some kind of code that uses it wrong. If my brain is not fooling me, it must be a logogriph." He reached this conclusion by using his eyes instead of a pen or any other tools. The actress looked at him in surprise. "Do you have high-definition eyes?" Qin Guan had to act humble. "They are not that good, no. But I can memorize most things." He did some mental calctions to figure out the final answer and then wrote it down in his notebook. "Leonardo Da Vinci, Mona Lisa." After getting the first code sequence, they ran to the "Mona Lisa" room, where they discovered the second code sequence, as well as the directors blood. By then, Jean had realized he had been fooled and rushed back to the museum. Time was pressing. Qin Guan had to memorize the code with his eyes and brain. The lonely sight of his back in the dark upied every frame. This required great expressive force and control from the actor. That was why people considered horror films the ultimate test for ones acting skills. Just screaming and using exaggerated bodynguage couldnt convince the audience. Plus, Qin Guan was portraying a calm schr, which set even higher standards for him. Qin Guan and the directors granddaughter found a mysterious cross at the back of another Da Vinci painting and tried to escape from Jean like wanted criminals. When their job that night came to an end, everyone breathed out in relief. The real director of the Louvre had been watching them work with a distrustful expression in his eyes. He considered every member of the crew a guest of his. That unreliable president! This is a big insult to art. Ill write a letter ofint to him every day till the crew f*cks off! Howard ran away quickly with the camera. He dared not disclose the nature of the next scenes to the director, for fear that he would suffer a heart attack. The following night, they would go to the famous red-light district near the Braun Forest Park, which was a mans heaven. French girls in revealing clothes were idling all around that area. This was a different side of the fashion capital. Cars were driving by at a low speed. In that area, which was far beyond the reach of the police, Qin Guan would have plenty of time to study the cross. The cross was actually a key of the Zurich Bank. Its form andser holes implied that extraordinary things were hiding in the ce it would unlock. That bank had the greatest security in the world and its storage method had a long history. Nobles during ancient times used to hide their fortune there, like a dragon hiding treasure in its cave. The key was passed down from generation to generation, along with the banks logo. The bank had been upgraded, and so had the key, but the family crest on it remained the same. It was a symbol of old money. That, inbination with the code, achieved a double level of security. The bank was loyal to its clients, even if they were criminals. The ancient confidentiality agreements and special arrangements made by the noble families were followed strictly by the managers. Chapter 815: The Terrible Force Of Faith Chapter 815: The Terrible Force Of Faith Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia When the night manager identified the heroine as the keys rightful owner, he helped them escape before the police arrived. What considerate service! What a perfect bank! As he was running, Qin Guan decided to rent a safe at a Swiss bank. His fortune was average for a businessman, but he thought very highly of the service of Swiss banks. Hawkes Street was where most banks in Switzend were gathered. There were not just native banks there though, but some branches of famous foreign banks as well. The ce was a miniature of Switzends national principle, which was that private property was above everything else. During the break, Qin Guan had a talk with the consultant, who was a real manager of the Swiss Bank. "Is itplicated to get an ount at a Swiss Bank?" "Not at all. Its just like opening an ount at a normal bank, except our employees cant read your paperwork. You can remain anonymous, use a fake name, or even a code. Actually, your only identity here is your key and code. Our bank is the safest, most convenient and private ce to keep your fortune." "A cheque with our logo is a symbol of high status. Even the police cant ask questions about the capitals origin. Our methods can be dated back to before banks even came into existence." Qin Guan nodded, which made the manager get excited. "Please allow me to introduce the VIP services our bank offers. All the services mentioned in the film are included, but we can also offer more if you pay more." "Our bottom limit for VIP clients is five million dors. The richer you are though, the more privileges you would enjoy..." So, its a safe international system. Qin Guan decided to send Chen Kang to talk to the managerter. The mans next words made him change his mind though. "Theres no bank interest, and you will have to pay annual fees for capital management." Why should I deposit my money at your bank then? "The Chinese embassy has an agreement with the Swiss government, so Chinese ounts are under strict control. It will take you two months to open an ount here." So why should I open an ount there? The inheritance tax in China is not as high as in other countries. That bank serviced people who were trying to hide the origin of their money. For Chinese people with traditional values, this was really hard to ept. Qin Guan still made a decision. He was a young businessman after all. Getting interest from a bank did not correspond with his status. I have to open an ount! The upside is, it would encourage me to make money! His tight schedule didnt allow him to wait in Switzend, so Chen Kang rushed to the city happily and got lost in the streets. He was totally captivated by the ce, which was full of gold and money. Before he coulde back to his senses, Qin Guan had gotten to work in the UK. An American tycoon had lent the crew an old castle he had just bought. The castle, which had been built during medieval times, was a perfect ce for historians. There were historical frescos, ancient European fireces and old long tables inside. The ce looked like a cradle of crime and secrets. This was the first time in film history that the origins and history of Christianity were analyzed by a schr. Even a guy without any knowledge on religion would understand everything. Of course, the film would be a real puzzle for dumb people, but anyone with a basic level of education would be able to understand after some carefully thinking. It was an objective presentation of information, without any religious bias or radical opinions. That exined why the Catholic unions had been sending threatening letters to the crew, even though everyone had left for the UK. Those people would never ept that Jesus had only been a Jewish mortal. Suddenly, the professor voiced an even more terrible theory. The Knights Temr, also known as the Priory of Sion, had been protecting a person with Jesus blood from ancient times. If this was proved, Jesus would descend to the earth, for it indirectly attested that he had been a mere mortal. Chapter 816: Emergency Chapter 816: Emergency Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia This was a soul-stirring, outrageous suggestion. The crew was really brave to keep filming. Actually, this would be a small-scale confrontation and mutualpromise between modern society and religious groups. In todays rapidly-developing society, it was impossible to huckster religious belief like back in medieval times. This was due to the constant awareness of human self and the freedom of belief that every individual enjoyed. Still, Columbia Pictures had invested in the film, Howard had chosen to direct it, and Qin Guan had epted the leading role without hesitation. China was not the religions origin after all. Christians had sent many missionaries to China, but they had still failed to convert the Chinese. Actually, these lines were not Qin Guans, but Ian McKellens. Lovers of American films would be familiar with the name, as he was the actor who had portrayed Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" and Mao in "X-Men". He was an outstanding experienced actor, who had also sacrificed a lot for the film. He had been under even more pressure than Qin Guan. The next scene would be the climax of the film. It was toote for the killer and the bishop of the Opus Dei to realize they had been cheated. The principal conspirator was theme old man who had taught Qin Guan. He was a crazy schr obsessed with Jesus mortality, who aimed to find out the secret of the Holy Grail and pull Jesus off the altar. Thus, he had hijacked Qin Guan and the heroine at the Temr Church in London to reveal the secret before the entire world. In the end, their 100,000-pound budget had been enough. The bustling church had been cleared during the daytime, and all the equipment had been moved to the halls not open to the public. Qin Guan was standing opposite Ian. The clever viin was aiming a gun at Qin Guan, but the schr was refusing to cooperate with him. "On your knees!" The low voice of the mighty old man was filled with power. Bang! Qin Guan did as he was told without hesitation. The heroine was about to join him, but Ian stopped her. "You dont need to. You are the key. Open the key-stone and Ill let you go!" Before his calm, fanatical voice could fade away, the camera turned to Qin Guan. A gun was resting on his head, His life was literally in a madmans hands. "Open it, or he will die." It was a crazy, unreasonable threat. Suddenly, Qin Guan stood up and grabbed the tube from the heroines hands. "As you wish. Ill do it." There was a stunned expression in Ians eyes as Qin Guan used all his strength to destroy the sophisticated tube that held the secret map. He wanted to put an end to this silly war. Once the tube was destroyed, the origin of the conflict would vanish. ng! The tube fell to the ground. Qin Guan looked at it calmly. No one could guess what he was thinking. He was in the dark, the camera rising as it followed his legs. He looked determined. "Cut!" Suddenly, Jean Reno broke in and put an end to the most tense scene of the entire film. Everyone rxed. Even though the film was notpleted yet, Qin Guan could foresee its bright future. Despite all the pressure the crew had been under, the film reached its end at the entrance of the Louvre. The crew, who had travelled to many major European cities for the film, celebrated the end of the project. They could have a good nights sleep that night. No more working overnight at strange locations. This pleasant time did notst long though. As they began to talk about the celebrating banquet, there was suddenly an emergency. A few policemen drove by slowly and sped down to warn them about the danger. "Return to your hotel! Quick! Stay in your rooms and close all the doors and windows. No more filming! Leave! Now!" What had happened? When they saw the guards of the Louvre return to the museum and close the steel gate, they knew that something important must have happened. It was better to obey the rules considering that they were in a foreign country. Qin Guan had experienced simr situations in America, so he remained calm during the emergency. The crew drove off towards the hotel fast, only to realize that the road ahead was on fire. Chapter 817: The Motherlands Help Chapter 817: The Mothends Help Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "F*ck! Its blocked!" Before the drivers curse could fade away, Qin Guan saw several suspicious guys walking up to them with weapons. "Keep moving!" "Okay!" Everyone felt the danger getting closer. Half-blooded youngsters holding stones and steel pipes were hiding in dark corners of the city like robbers. They destroyed and burned cars along the streets. Bang! A re came from afar. It had to be an explosion-hazard siren. "Attention, please! Keep moving! Well find another way to the hotel!" The calm French driver started sweating. The small-scale suburban chaos had spread downtown. The attackers didnt look like unarmed rebels, but an organized group. It was too dangerous to keep driving in the city. The car in front of them suddenly screeched to a halt. Another road was blocked by a mob of armed policemen. "Turn around! Reverse! Dont get involved!" Dealing with bombs and explosions would be dangerous for anyone. "What should I do?" All the roads had been blocked. They were in a dilemma. "F*ck! Those French guys are so much trouble!" Jean wasted no time in making fun of English actors in return. As a native, he knew that this area was not safe. "Would the Louvre give us shelter in case of an emergency?" "Impossible!" Jean shook his head at Qin Guan. "Their steel gates close if the artwork is in danger. They do not even disclose who or what poses a threat to them. The building must be under siege now. We wont get in." In some Parisians eyes, artwork was even more precious than human lives. They were unfortunately trapped in this reality. As everyone fell into a depressed silence, Qin Guan pondered the issue and asked another question. "But the main street is still clear. Cant we just drive down that road till we get to a safe ce?" "That road can only be used by the police. If the main street was blocked, the city would bepromised." "Is there a shelter around this area then?" "No, this is a sight-seeing area. Next thing youll be asking to climb up the Arch of Triumph!" Okay, Jean Reno was clearly not a killer. He was just a kind French guy. Qin Guan sighed sorrowfully. Suddenly, he had an idea. "I know! I can drive to the Chinese embassy down the street! Its not far from here! Wang, call the embassy! Lets go, director!" All the British and French actors looked at Qin Guan as if he was an idiot. Even though they were natives, they hadnt thought of taking refuge in the City Hall or a police station, yet that foreigner had dared make a direct call to the embassy! Wang Liying was a smart girl, so she contacted the embassy and cleared the situation in a few seconds. When they got a definite response, they headed straight to the embassy. No one cared about speed limit vitions now, so they drove down the street at full speed. "There are still 200 meters left between the main street and the embassy. How will we cover that distance?" "Just rush!" "If there are still policemen around..." "Thats impossible!" "Why?" Jean had suddenly stopped talking. He had seen a smooth path cleared by some ordinary men. The embassy was quiet amid the noisy downtown area. The guards helped them get into the embassy and get out of the cars. They only felt safe and able to rx again when the gate was closed behind them. Chapter 818: The Most Thoughtful Aid Chapter 818: The Most Thoughtful Aid Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia An embassy employee helped the crew settle in the hall. Then he greeted them and began to ask questions. "Hello. May I know who is seeking help? Please fill in the form at the reception. Well be on standby the whole day, in case of an emergency." A girl in a blue uniform began to give out paper cups. "Would you like some water? Has anyone been injured? Would you like something to eat?" As he heard thest question, Qin Guan couldnt help but lift his hands up. "Me! I need food!" Everyone fixed their eyes on him. He felt like a firefly in the dark. "Wow! Is that Qin Guan?" "Yes! His assistant called us! The receptionist is a fan of his, so... You know..." "Wait, who is that guy? Oh, my!" "Its Jean Reno! What are they doing? Are they shooting a new film?" "I love Leon so much. Ill ask him for an autographter. I could show it off to my French colleagues!" The atmosphere in the hall became animated as the staff began to order food for them. A Cantonese restaurant near the embassy was about to close because of the riots, but the call from the Chinese embassy changed the cooks mind. It was a big order during a good night for business. Dozens of people were waiting for food. The boss was confident about the embassys security, so he epted the order happily. ording to the Cantonese cuisine, the ideal supper was rice in a y pot. This was a rare dish from South China that was usually served inrge portions. Even in France, the taste remained the same. Dozens of y pots were resting in a row on the fire. In 20 minutes, the rice was half-cooked. The cook began to pour juice on it and add Chinese sausages, roasted pork and char siu on the sticky grains. Then he covered them and cooked them on the fire. Not long after, the rice was soaked in sweet juices and seasoning and turned crisp and yellow. Then the cook added some boiled vegetable leaves on the pork. A heavy basket was sent to the embassy through a secret channel in the backyard of the restaurant. Actually, it was just a rope with a few hooks. "Well pay you tomorrow as usual. Its toote tonight." "No problem. Thank you for your patronage. The receipt is at the bottom." "Okay! Watch the door. You better not go home tonight." "Okay!" The embassy staff pulled the basket up through the window. This was the first time the crew would experience the charm of Chinese cuisine. The foreigners were confused as they held the y pots in their hands. The embassy is treating us to soup? Qin Guan opened the lid and the scent of meat and rice filled the hall. The white rice, red sausages, pork and vegetables looked very appetizing. Jeans stomach growled at the smell. Everyone was hungry after what they had been through. An embassy employee handed out spoons, trying her best to suppress herughter. Everyone fixed their eyes on Qin Guan, waiting to see what he would do. Qin Guan poured a small packet of sauce on the edge of the pot. They were all waiting to see how the sauce was used. Should we dip the meat into it or mix it with the rice? Qin Guan gave them a different answer. He just soaked all the ingredients in the sauce. As he stuffed a spoonful into his mouth, no one could remain calm anymore. Chapter 819: Famous Chapter 819: Famous Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Everyone gorged themselves with delicate moves. The elegant French men and gentle British men went crazy over the Chinese dishes. All the embassy employees were shocked. The crew was behaving like convicts that had just been released from prison. Wang Liying didnt forget her responsibilities as she was eating. News about the riots in Paris were spreading online all over the world. The news were quite striking. Because of the time difference, it was 5:00 a.m. in China, but 4:00 p.m. in America. As a result, the Americans were the first to hear the news. Wang turned on herptop and saw anxious fans talking about the riots. Thetest news about Qin Guan on his blog had actually been about his trip to France, so everyone was worried about their idol. Is he in danger? Some European fans were following the news in real time. The crisis had spread from France to Germany and Belgium. Wang Liying waved at Qin Guan hurriedly. "Say cheese!" Qin Guan automatically grinned at her with his spoon in his mouth. Click! Wang uploaded the photo on the blog and added a few words. "Thank you for your concern. We are at the Chinese embassy in France, enjoying some friendly dinner. Everything is going well!" The news acted like a shark in a pond, suddenly stirring up the water. "Ha! He is safe! I can sleep through the night now." "Yay! Safety first!" "Why is he at the embassy? Is it dangerous outside?" "Take a careful look at the photo. There are so many people and equipment around. They must have been filming." "They must be trapped inside now." "Anyway, its definitely dangerous. Otherwise, they wouldnt have gone to the embassy." "The Chinese embassy seems safe. They are enjoying some dinner!" "What are they eating?" "Its rice in a y pot." Everyone rxed as they looked at the warm photo and forgot about the issue at hand. Things improved at night, so some embassy guards escorted them back to their hotel. God was finally favoring them again, so they managed to reach the hotel safely. The burned cars were still on the road, but the hotel had strengthened its security force. Everyone fell asleep after such an exhausting day. It was a night without dreams. The next morning, Qin Guan stood by the window, looking at the messy street below. There were barricades, destroyed weapons and traces of fire everywhere. The battle had been really fierce the previous night, but thanks to the Chinese embassy, they had managed to dodge a bullet. The prestige of the Chinese embassy was known both at home and abroad. The crew bid each other farewell at the airport. After a long journey, Qin Guan got off the ne and stood on thewn of the Capital Airport. He felt steady and safe immediately. He was really happy when he read the feedback online. "The Chinese embassy is so powerful! They can protect you in case of an emergency!" "Of course. You could also apply for political asylum!" "China responds quickly to natural disasters." "Foreign countries are inferior to Chinas upper-level mechanisms." "During an earthquake or a flood, the government will send aid everywhere. There is no difference between a remote area and an urban area." "You have a point!" Some people used their own countries as an example. In Japan, where natural disasters happened frequently, most people tried to help each other. In Africa, people had to think of subsistence first. Even in North America and Europe, it was hard to organize an effective, unified rescue mission after a natural disaster. Chapter 820: Jewellery Chapter 820: Jewellery Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The year had almost ended. It was time for Qin Guan to close his ounts. He had to make an evaluation of his total assets, so he arranged a short interview with the editor of "Forbes Asia" and sent a confirmation letter to "The Times". That would be all the work he had to do at the threshold of 2006. At the end of each year, "The Times" would typically select the 50 most beautifuldies and 50 most handsome gentlemen from all over the world. It was not a strict selection, it was just meant to entertain the readers. The selection was based on looks, bearing, background and international influence. It was a tradition of the magazine, as well as a good method to promote sales. All the editors put their hearts and souls into the project. Qin Guans employees were confident about their boss. They were sure that he would be one of the top 50 men considering his looks and achievements. They didnt need to spend too much time on this, so they got busy working on the list and statistics for "Forbes China". The Forbes ranking lists had just entered China. There were currently two lists in sync with the global ones, the Forbes China Rich People List and the Forbes China Celebrity List. As the names suggested, the first one was for businessmen and the second one was for influential members of the Chinese entertainment and sports circle. Although they were in different fields, they had the exact same significance. Thus, Qin Guans annual assets would be very important. Even though he was a professional ountant, Qin Guan was still shocked by his total assets. I have so much! The billionaire was caught off guard by his fortune. QC Group ounting Firm: 17.35 million Entertainment Studio: 66 million Huayi Brothers Shares: 7.5 million Beauty Of The World: 3.3 million LESS/MORE Apparel Co. Ltd.: 13.5 million Personal fixed assets: Wanda Commercial Street: 9 million Apartment and Vi (China, United States): 6 million His total assets were worth approximately $130 million. Qin Guan was now aware of his new identity as a billionaire. As for the celebrity list, he had no particr interest in it. He had made another investment on Ning Hao. In the spring, they would be working on "Crazy Stone". Everything was ready, when suddenly Wangs phone rang. After a short while, she hung up and showed Qin Guan her phone. The short message on the screen amused him. "We would appreciate it if you contributed to the uing 2006 Spring Festival G." "The suggested performances are as follows: sketches, crosstalk, singing and dancing, stage ys..." "Request: The subject should promote socially positive energy..." It was an invitation from the organizingmittee of the Spring Festival G. Qin Guan threw the phone back at Wang. "No. Im not a starlet eager for some fame. The rtions between all sides are reallyplicated at CCTV. They have to protect the dignity of the senior actors. Ill just be wasting energy without earning anything in return." "There are so many outstanding singers and dancers in China. I dont want to be teaching fish how to swim." "What should I tell them then?" "Just ignore them. Tell them Im busy. Ill find something to do so they have no reason to me me. Oh, right. Tell Diamond that Ill do the poster!" Less trouble and more profit! Qin Guan took advantage of the situation to escape all the end-of-the-year business banquets and tiresome social responsibilities of the entertainment circle. Sister Zhang was happy to receive a call from Wang Liying. Diamond had already taken care of thewsuit with Tiffany over the traditional jade essories and idental jewellery. Nowadays, it was more difficult to hire Qin Guan as an ambassador, as he had established his own brand. Most fashion brands shrank back. ording to the conventions of the fashion circle, perfumes, essories and cosmetics were rted to clothing. An ambitious man would turn his clothing brand into a group brand. Fortunately, the jewellery industry was beyond the scope. There was no conflict between them, which exined Sister Zhangs confidence. Plus, jade and pearls only maximized their value in China. Chapter 821: A Good Example For Models Chapter 821: A Good Example For Models Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Sister Zhang attached great importance to Qin Guans presence, so she had hired Photographer Zhang to shoot the poster. Zhang was the photographer who had taken Qin Guans first modelling pictures. It was thanks to those photos that he had be a rising star in the photography circle. He was so excited to have another chance to cooperate with Qin Guan. Many years ago, both of them had been nobodies, but now they could seed together. Actually, a model was not necessary for a jewellery poster. The sparkling diamonds, gentle jade and elegant pearls didnt need to bepared to someone else, but people liked stars. A good ambassador would make them spend their money eagerly. That was the reason behind the poster. Qin Guan went out of the fitting room in amon white shirt and a ck zer. He would act as a background for the jewellery, so he had to maintain a low profile. A revealing outfit would steal the show and outshine the jewellery, which would not be a proper high-end fashion concept. The crew turned the background lights down. The jewellery was on a tray covered by ck velvet. It was a ring with 26 diamonds and a green jade in the middle. The base was made of tinum. Before entering the set, Qin Guan slid it on his middle finger. The traditional jade ring followed the ancient philosophy of Feng Shui. In order to attract wealth and fortune, one had to wear it on their middle finger. The green treasure cost millions of yuan. "Are you ready?" "Yes!" The big lights started going out one by one, leaving only a weak light in the corner. The jewellery was brilliant on its own. It didnt need any external light. Qin Guan sat by the table and crossed his hands before his face. The audience would only be able to see his sparkling eyes and slender hands. The ring on his hand was the protagonist. The dark background made the light freckles and Qin Guans eyes shine with a green light. Green stood for hope and life. The crews eyes shuttled between the ring and his eyes. They were both just as resplendent. As photographer Zhang held the expensive equipment in his hands, he felt like he had gone back in time to years ago, when he had been trying his best to find work. Inspiration suddenly hit him again. He pressed on the shutter, torturing the film. "Okay! Perfect!" Then he waved at his assistant. "Fetch some film for me. As much as possible!" This was a good chance to take some photos for his collection. Maybe one of them would win him an award. Of course, he would sign a contract with Qin Guan. By the time the assistant returned with the film, the second series of photos were half-way finished. Qin Guan hid half of his face in the dark, showing only his jaw to the camera. He was holding a braided rope, at the end of which was a sparkling crystal green jade pedant. The pedant was on his lips. The cool jade and his hot lips were a perfect match. Using the same setting, background and outfit, Qin Guan managed to create twopletely different pictures. The scene was imprinted in everyones memory. Even photographer Zhang couldnt help but mentally praise his intelligence. The model understood the theme clearly. Although he was an international award-winning actor, he saw himself as a supporting actor next to the product. The jewellery was not the star of a photo album, but amercial poster. Chapter 822: CCTVs Attention Chapter 822: CCTVs Attention Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guans dedication earned everyones apuse when the final picture was taken. They all expressed their heartfelt love for the model. Despite this honor, Qin Guan remained a strict, honest professional. This was the reason behind his sess. Qin Guan was paid one million for his work. He stuffed the cheque in his pocket to ease the pain caused by the two small jewellery cases. These were his prey at the Diamond headquarters. He loved the jade bracelets so much... They were as green as a pond in the forest. He bought a dark green one for his mother and a light green one for Cong Nianwei. He loved his job! ... The happy days passed quickly as Qin Guan finished reading the tall pile of scripts. When he looked up, he saw thetest Forbes ranking list on his desk. 2005 Chinese Celebrity List 1st ce: Yao Ming, 150 million 2nd ce: Qin Guan, 130 million 3rd ce: Zhang Ziyi, 37 million 4th ce: Liu Xiang... One year ago, he had not made the top 10, but now he was second! The only one ahead of him was Yao Ming, who was a Chinese NBA superstar. Nearly everyone in China knew his name. Liu Xiang, who had been a nobody one year ago, beat other stars like Li Lianjie, which showed the national pride of the Chinese. The list was not that important to Qin Guan, as his fame was big enough for his status. Next, he picked up the fortune ranking list with interest. The bottom limit for the 2005 list was 500 million RMB. There were 396 Chinese citizens who had met that requirement. Qin Guan found his own name quickly. It was among three other capable entrepreneurs. This was an honor reserved for industrialists and real estate businessmen, not superstars that made quick money. Everyone on the list had been a benefactor of their country. Qin Guan was happy about his decision. He had relied on his QC ounting firm, and when that had gotten on the right track, he had founded his own entertainmentpany. If he hadnt acted right, he would have been considered an outsider by the rest of the circle. He also found two acquaintances on the list. The Wang Brothers had ranked 396th. Huayi hadnt entered the market by that time, so the private filmpany had earned the final seat on the list for their effort. Qin Guan turned to the first page to check out the guys at the top. In 2005, Huang Guangyu and Ding Lei had fought over the first ce. Two different family groups had taken the first and second ce. It was a time for lonely heroes. The rising new industries were challenging the old families. In two years, old industries, such as aluminium and steel, would surrender to terrible new industries, including the real estate and inte industry. They would sadly have to leave their high spots on the list. What should I do? My way is different than theirs. Qin Guan had no idea what to do, for he had no ns of taking over themercial industry. He suddenly looked around and smiled proudly. Wow! Im rich now. I can buy double portions of anything I want to eat! I can have one portion and throw the other one away! As the overnight millionaire was about to kiss the list, a knock on the door scared him. He straightened his clothes and sat up properly. "Come in, please." Wang entered anxiously. "Qin Guan, a disaster is about to take ce! Director Lang Kun wants to talk to you!" "Is that the general director of the previous Spring Festival G? What does he want?" "Its not about a new film. He is still the director this year." "He shouldnt havee here then. I didnt sign up for the g. I have nothing to talk to him about." "You were originally nning on ignoring it, but you made headlines right before the Spring Festival!" "How? What did I do?" "Look at this!" Wang turned on herptop. All the business news websites were focused on the recent Forbes lists. Qin Guan was on both lists, which had made all his fans go crazy. Chapter 823: The Spring Festival Gala Chapter 823: The Spring Festival G Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Our idol is a rich man!" "Our idol is a young entrepreneur!" "He is the youngest, most handsome guy on the list!" "He is not just an actor." "He is like the young, handsome CEO we read about in web novels!" Wang Liying closed herptop. "Your fame attracted CCTV. Thats why they contacted you again." Wang was right. Qin Guans fortune had shocked a lot of people. Ordinary people felt confident about their future now thanks to Qin Guans sess after all his struggles. His story was so encouraging! That was why the general director felt like the g wascking something. "Will Qin Guan be participating in the g?" "No." "Why? Didnt you ask him to?" "Yes, but he turned down the opportunity due to his tight schedule. I think hell be spending the holiday with his family." "Thats what happenedst year!" Director Lang Kun stuffed a videotape into the camera. It was a recording of the Lantern Festival party in Y city. The assistant director was stupefied. "Is that Qin Guan?" "Yes." Director Lang Kun nodded. "Thats why I asked about him." "Actually, thats beside the point. Some people are very interested in Forbes. He is the only person included in both lists, and this is the most important g of our entire nation. As a rising star, he should do his bit to help the cultural industry." "I received three calls concerning Qin Guan today. The people have spoken. Some of them are really curious." The assistant director smiled meaningfully at Lang Kun and patted his shoulder without a word. The title "general director" might sound powerful, but it was Lang Kun that was under the most pressure. He had to coordinate everything and convince everyone. The g would turn into a disaster if he made even the smallest mistake. Plus, the audience was getting pickier and pickier. The g was a tradition that had to be continued though, so all the responsibilityy on Lang Kuns shoulders. He felt like a camel struggling in the desert. Thankfully, the assistant director decided to help him strengthen his rtionship with the actors. Before Qin Guan and Wang Liying could figure out a way to deal with this, Qin Guans assistant received a call. Qin Guan answered it helplessly. The steady voice of a middle-aged man was heard through the phone. The assistant director was good at negotiating. A good voice was all one needed for an emotional conversationte at night. His voice, which made people feel close to him, eased Qin Guans worry. "Hello, Qin Guan. Im the assistant director of CCTV. Myst name is Tan." "Oh, hello." "We are putting together a program that will show the unity of the Chinese maind, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. It will follow the singing and dancing performance at the very beginning. We are currently selecting the singers. We n on choosing an influential actor from each area. I was wondering if you would be interested in representing the maind." "I know that few domestic directors work during the Spring Festival, and you just returned from France and will be staying at home for a while. I hope that you will ept our invitation and spend the festival with us. Of course, directors from the Ministry of Culture, the SARFT and different TV stations will be attending the party. This will be a good chance for you to increase your poprity..." The guy was very good at propaganda. He was like an iron hand in a velvet glove. Qin Guan rxed at his words. He had turned down the g because it was too much trouble. If he participated, he would have to decide on a performance, rehearse andpete against other actors from all over the country in the CCTV Hall. The whole process would take at least two months. If he was lucky enough to get to the next round, he still wouldnt be able to rest. Every second of the g mattered. If they ran out of time, the performances would be cancelled immediately. Chapter 824: The Backbone Of Underground Music Chapter 824: The Backbone Of Underground Music Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It would be a disaster for the groups and individuals participating in the event. Qin Guan was too kind topete with them, but he had no excuse to turn down the invitation. "Really? Great!" When he heard his positive response, the assistant director rxed. He had fulfilled Lang Kuns dream andpleted his task. He had to nail down Qin Guan to avoid a big dy. "Ill send the song to youter. All the details, including the music, dancers and your part, will be in the attachment. Well also send you the list of your partners. If you have cooperated with them before, it will make things easier. If not, dont worry about it. You can get to know each other during the rehearsal." "Okay, thanks." When Qin Guan hung up, he suddenly realized he had been trapped. They had already discussed the final rehearsal. The guy seemed like a strict director. Should I prepare in advance? Qin Guan asked Wang to send him the program as soon as possible. He had decided to take the invitation seriously. Unlike Qin Guan, who had a very tight schedule, Man Wenjuns phone was silent. As a domestic pop singer, the g would be the best chance for him to promote himself. His agent had contacted the organizingmittee in advance and had been promised a spot at the event. If he was lucky enough, he might get a chance to sing in the choir or even alone. His dream was suddenly interrupted by a call. "Sorry, but our original choice epted the invitation. You were just the backup n. Should I check if theres a ce for you in the choir?" "Can he participate in the pop song medley?" his agent asked. "Man Wenjun has released no popr work this year. The songs have to be popr. They are meant to kill time. Half the singers could have their act cancelled at any moment. We cant add one more singer. Ill check the choir for you. Im busy now. Bye!" he said and hung up. A solo had turned into a ce in the choir... Man Wenjuns agent hung up the phone sadly and turned around to find Man sitting on the couch silently. The in-looking man had not graduated from a professional school. He had climbed his way up from the bottom of society. He was famous for his voice, which was a fact that had limited his career. His appearance and few fans made his future look dim. Before his agent could figure out a way tofort him, the silent guy spoke up. "The original singer changed his mind?" "Yes." "Who was it?" God knew... The honest man smiled. "Im really curious about that guy. Could you please help me get a ce in the choir? A short appearance is better than nothing. Im afraid that people will forget about me. Its been such a long time..." They wont. The answer choked in his agents throat. Hepromised with a long sigh. "Okay, Ill tell them." By then, Qin Guan had reached the ce where he would be meeting Fatty Gao. Yes, Fatty Gao was Gao Xiaosong. Actually, he was only a little plump, but his round face was extra big. The young man seemed like a tough fellow, but he was actually very easy-going. Qin Guan had maintained a long, steady friendship with him. When he had epted CCTVs invitation, he had thought of Gao right away. Gao had replied positively. It was the end of the year, so musicians had plenty of free time. Gao had some time to chat. As soon as Qin Guan got out of the car, Gao pulled him to a private recording studio. Even though he was an unreliable man, Gao was strict about his music. He owned so much equipment that he could establish his own small recordbel. A group of weird men with long hair had be the backbone of underground music, just like the directors of the 6th generation had be the backbone of indie cinema. Chapter 825: Gao Xiaosong Joins In Chapter 825: Gao Xiaosong Joins In Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The musicians were struggling to achieve their dreams in a corner. The studio was their holynd. That day, it had weed a very special person. He was an outsider of the music circle, but a f*cking award-winning indie actor. They all gathered in the studio curiously. Gao read the program of the g. He went mad when he saw Qin Guans song. "Youll sing this song during the g?" "Yes." "Are you kidding me? Is that Book of Family Names?" "Yes. At least thats what they told me. If you dont understand, I have numbered the musical notes here." "This is an insult! Even a nursery rhyme would be better. Neither has a beat, or any ups and downs. This is for stars from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan? What the hell..." Underground musicians worshipped rock and folk music. The song in Gaos hands was really terrible, but the mainstream tune had been created especially for the Spring Festival G. The audience would bemon people. I came here to learn from you, Im not asking you to cover the song! Gao Xiaosong cursed his way out of the studio. Then he put on his earphones to listen to Qin Guan. "Heaven, Earth, dignified and imposing Chinese hearts The state of China has a long history My family name is Li, and yours is Zhang Huanghe River and Yangtze River are flowing in our blood..." Qin Guan sang seriously inside as the audience outsideughed loudly. The solemn mainstream lyrics were like a square peg in a round hole there. They sounded really weird. Plenty of people rushed there to watch the funny recording, including Wang Feng, Pu Shu and other famous singers. Gaoughed so hard that he had to lie down on the couch. Wang Feng, who was a kinder man, tried to remain neutral. "CCTV is good at selecting singers. None of us could sing this song well. Its only suitable for a handsome guy like him." Gao couldnt stand to watch the shameless man. He suddenly spat at Wangs feet. You! Save some dignity for us rockers! By the time they turned their attention to Qin Guan again, he had finished the song. "You have to memorize the lyrics. Try not to be out of tune! Is it a live show?" Qin Guan nodded. "Is your performance followed by a big dance performance?" Qin Guan nodded again. "You just need to be more handsome than your partners. All the cameras will be on you. The song is not important." Qin Guan tried to picture the scene in his mind, so he had a general idea about therge-scale g. The cameras would concentrate on the most famous person, which made him less nervous. His extraordinary memory would work well in that asion. He just had to focus on the tune of the song. These professional singers didnt scold me. It seems that my singing is pretty good. He walked out of the studio and chatted a little with the singers. He was a rich man on the Forbes list, so those poor guys worshipped him. Qin Guan made vigorous efforts to talk about piracy, which was getting more and more rampant, but Gao was a smart guy, so he focused on singers instead of onpanies. If one wanted to promote a singer, they could invest in them, release their records, organize concerts and so on. The sponsors could see the potential of the capital. Thanks to Qin Guans help, more and more singers would avoid trouble and present better music to the masses. Qin Guan wanted to experience this win-win situation first hand. The musical department of his firm would wee fresh blood. The small firm, which had started out with just Qin Guan and Huang Bo, now monopolised 67% of the domestic modelling resources. His decision that day would earn the firm the title "Musician Scout" in the future. Lets leave that part forter though. Qin Guan said goodbye to Gao Xiaosong and the other singers, unaware of their chokedughter, and headed to the grand hall of CCTV. At the time, it had still been located on Fuxingmen Street. The parking lot was really crowded due to the rehearsal. A group of beautiful girls got off a bus with the logo "Central Nationalities Song and Dance Troupe". The dancers looked like flowers in the winter. Qin Guans car was stuck among them. Chapter 826: A Group Of Comedians Chapter 826: A Group Of Comedians Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia They were all walking by his car. If he opened the door that moment, all the girls would turn their attention to him. Wang was really regretting not covering the new cars windows. The transparent ss revealed everything. When the girls left the parking lot, Wang opened the door silently. When she saw that everything was alright, Qin Guan got out of the car like a thief. He closed the door and then turned around in fear. There were countless actors getting out of their cars around them and craning their necks to peer at him. They were all trapped inside their cars. There was also a group of famousedians, including Feng Gong, Cai Ming, Niu Qun and Gong Hanlin. They were all experienced actors who would be performing at the g. Qin Guan felt like a square peg in a round hole. "Wow! That young man is so handsome! Has he been hired for the g? Who is he?" "No idea. He is wearing sunsses, so maybe hes from Hong Kong or Taiwan." "No, the CCTV staff would have picked him up at the airport. This young man drove here." His name was popr in the entertainment circle, but the national system was different from the indie cinema industry. In their eyes, Qin Guan was just a young actor. What should an honest young actor do when he met actors like them? "Nice to meet you, Teacher Feng! I grew up watching your work!" "Wow, you are so beautiful, Teacher Cai Ming! May I call you sister?" "No, no! Im not qualified to call you Brother Huang. You are Teacher Huang to me!" A young man had to be humble and honest with older actors, so Qin Guan tried his best to impress them. The g staff led them to different areas. "Actors performing short ys, cross talks and operas, please follow me to Area C." "Singers, this way, please. You are in Area D." Along the long, winding corridor were fitting rooms, lounges, and waiting areas for different people. Dancers were lining up for makeup, and figurants were waiting for their turn. Qin Guan and the group attracted everyones attention. "Wow! Thats Feng Gong and Niu Qun!" "I know them! My mom loves their performances!" "Who is that guy? The one wearing sunsses! He looks so funny!" Qin Guan took off his sunsses awkwardly. "Ah!" All the senior actors looked scared. "Its Qin Guan! I love his films!" Are you sure? Very few of Qin Guans films have been released in China. You cant have watched them. You just like his looks, dont you? The sad older artists turned left, and Qin Guan turned right. He pushed the door open and entered the makeup room. The two people already inside turned in his direction. "How are you? You must be Qin Guan!" "How are you?" It was Yu Chengqing from Taiwan and Xie Tingfeng from Hong Kong, both of whom were big shots. That exined why CCTV had invited Qin Guan to the g. Judging by their heights, Qin Guan knew that he would be standing in the middle on the stage. He would act as a Chinese mascot during the performance. The audience would pay attention to their looks instead of their singing ability. Qin Guan held his hand out towards his partners. "Hello, Im Qin Guan. Nice to meet you." "Likewise. Go to the stylist first. Our act will be among the best. Well have some time to chat after the rehearsal." "Thank you." Work came first and socializing second. Qin Guan rushed into the fitting room. Chapter 827: The Second Rehearsal Chapter 827: The Second Rehearsal Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Their costumes were made by CCTV. Although he had high standards, Qin Guan didnt find anything wrong with his costume. The ck traditional Chinese garment and red scarf were his favorite things in the entire Spring Festival. Harlem Yu fixed his eyes on him as Qin Guan went out of the fitting room. He chatted with Qin Guan as the stylist was working on him. "During the Golden Horse Festival, I wanted to tell you that few people could look as good as Andy Lau when standing next to him. If I was not backstage, I would havee to introduce myself. You four impressed me a lot." Nics Tse remained silent. He was not good at talking to strangers. He just looked at Qin Guan with envy. All the aspiring actors in Hong Kong considered Tony Leung, Chiu Wai and Andy Lau their idols. The young man, who had relied on his fathers fame as well as his own ability to make headlines, was currently in a dilemma. As a real award-winning actor the same age as him sat beside him, the proud young man fell silent. The professional stylist was really good at his job. He finished as soon as possible, gave Wang his number, and left the private fitting room to go help his colleagues. Although this was only a rehearsal, some makeup was still necessary. The three men began chatting. Yu was actually a really funny guy. Although he was 20 years older than Qin Guan, he was a lot like a young man. The man was a real chatterbox. Before the other guys could get annoyed to death, an assistant walked in. "The singing and dancing performance will end in 32 seconds. The actors of the next act should get to the entrance. When you hear the announcement, you can get on the stage through entrance No.1 and entrance No.3. Is everything clear?" The three men nodded and fixed their eyes on the indicator lights. When they turned green, they would need to get on the stage through the different entrances. The dancers were already in position. When the prelude came, they began performing. The actors had to control the atmosphere. They couldnt seem too weakpared to the dancers around them or too powerfulpared to the girl sword-fighting behind them. The dancers filled the stage, creating amotion. The girl had to be very well-connected. The innocuous method of stuffing actors into gs was prevailing in China. The bigger the g was, the more frequent that phenomenon was. The audience might feel strange about some nondescript dancers or acrobats in the background, but those actors were included in the g tofort some rtive cultural industry or unluckypetitor. They all just had to have a good time together. The three men ignored the sword-fighting girlpletely. They just followed the cameras solemnly and paid close attention to each other. They finished their performance smoothly. Thanks to the girl, who was holding a cool sword behind their backs, they had to be serious about their job. After they repeated the song three times, the assistant director stopped them. Then the director and the members of the organizingmittee voted by raising their hands. They had passed the second rehearsal. "Cut!" The three men shrugged. By that time, the girl had picked up her sword and was standing next to them for the curtain call. She nced at them with a proud expression in her eyes and then walked out first. The three men, who felt uncertain about her, started talking as they walked. "Who is she?" "No idea. Yu and I are not from here." They acted all innocent and cute as they waited for Qin Guans answer. Wang Liying took out her notebook immediately and exined. She had done her homework. "She is Li Fei from Macau. Although its a tiny ce, its still a part of the g. She is the most popr actor in Macao. She was born in Guanxi and she is a national martial arts champion. The director asked her to y to her strengths. You shouldnt expect an athlete to sing with a professional actor and singer after all." The girl just had good connections. That exined why she was so confident. Chapter 828: Internal Fans Chapter 828: Internal Fans Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Before they could ept the news, they were shocked by the surrounding crowd. They had finished their performance first, so many actors were waiting for their turn. They had nothing to do anytime soon, so they could do anything they liked. The smart figurants took this chance to walk around. They took out everything they could find- marker pens, lipsticks, T-shirts, bags, etc- and asked for autographs. Their eyes were filled with hope. "Qin Guan, Im a fan of yours. Could you please sign here for me?" "Harlem Yu, Im such a big fan..." They walked up to them in turns so they wouldnt block the other actors way to the stage. Qin Guan felt tender as he watched the scene. He put his arms around Yu and Xies shoulders. "Dont you have anything else to do? This is our first meeting, so we have to get to know each other. Itll be really helpful for our cooperation." Tse and Yu nodded helplessly. "Its no big deal. The fans are really nice. We could turn this into a signing session." The two men were members of the entertainment circle, so they were really smart. They knew that Qin Guan was dying them to help the fans. Qin Guan pointed to their lounge. "We have to remove our makeup first. Then well be in that room. If you want an autograph, send a representative with all the things you want signed." "Okay! Thank you so much!" The men chatted happily in the room as a representative of the fans collected items from the crowd. The fans felt really happy that their idols were so close to them. When the girl knocked on the door with all the items, she almost burst into tears. She liked Qin Guan for his looks, acting skills and pure love, so she took one more look at her idol. The three men in the lounge got to work. This simple job was of great significance for their fans. When Qin Guan picked up thest piece of paper, the girl said in a low voice, biting on her lips, "Could you please write one more sentence?" "What would you like?" "To the rising stars of the Central Nationalities Song and Dance Troupe: Zhong Lingyan and Zhong Yanling." "Its addressed to two individuals?" "Yes, we are twins. My sister likes Nics Tse and I like you." Before her voice could fade away, another small head appeared around the door. The two girls looked identical, but their different costumes implied that they performed different dances. Their two identical faces confused everyone. Zhong Yanling pointed to herself. "Im the oldest one. I like Qin Guan." Then she pointed to the other girl. "This is my sister. She likes Nics Tse." Yu sighed. Its so wonderful to be young. If they were triplets, maybe one of them would have liked me. Before he could start feeling sorry for himself, the second girl took another piece of paper out of her pocket. "I, I also like Qin Guan. I wanted to ask him for an autograph personally." Her older sister looked really surprised. "Why didnt you tell me before? Actually, I have already included your name." The shy girl looked really cute. "Sorry, but you were so fond of him... I didnt want topete against you..." Yu burst intoughter as he signed with trembling hands. Tse nearly got angry. My friends in Hong Kong have always said that Qin Guan was poisonous. It seems like its true. Qin Guan signed once more for them. The two girls flew away with all the items under Tses terrifying gaze. Chapter 829: Night Snack Chapter 829: Night Snack Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Bang! As soon as the door was closed, Tse grabbed Qin Guan. They had already gotten to know each other. "Are these your friends who came to make fun of us?" "Yes, is there a camera in here? I was just in my shorts!" You think too much, Uncle Yu. This kind of thing is not popr in China. As the host, Qin Guan decided to treat them to dinner topensate for the incident. The two men were heartbroken after all. The three of them let the staff know and left CCTV early. Wang had already told the China Club to prepare Qin Guans yard. Even the pastry cook had gotten to work. As soon as they saw the ancient gate, the two men from Hong Kong and Taiwan forgot about the annoying traffic jam they had suffered through on the way there. This was a really quiet ce downtown. One could even feel the warmth of the hangingnterns swaying in the piercing winter wind. The manager in charge of Qin Guans yard was waiting for them at the reception. He asked the waiter to lead the guests to the yard, which became their working site that night. When they reached the yard, even Yu fell silent before its unique charm. On every corner of the grey wall were engraved patterns that added elegance to the traditional yard and winding path. The nts were withered in the winter, but they still gave off no sense of decadence. The green potted nts spiced up the monotonous view. There was also a maid holding antern at every corner. It was definitely a very interesting trip. Oilmps lit up one after the other as they walked past them. The men felt like they were inside a scroll painting. Even Tse gave Qin Guan a thumbs-up. When they finally entered the yard and took their seats in the bright living room, they let out a sigh of relief. They had never been to such a vintage club. The men were really careful with what they said and did and fixed their eyes on Qin Guan, so that they wouldnt make a mistake. When all the maids left, they suddenly rxed. Yu stood up to look at the furniiture as he chatted with Qin Guan. "Wow! This is really good! It must be hard to get a membership here. Plus, the fees must be terribly high." "Yes, they are." Qin Guan didnt deny it. He only dropped by for business negotiations, but the contacts and resources of the club were certainly worth the fees. That was no secret. Yu changed the topic. "Why did you bring us here? It must be a special asion. I like this ce. Its private and elegant. Its a good ce for a party! If the food is delicious too, Ill visit you the next time Ie to the maind." "You are wee to. The yard is open all day long. As for the food... Wait and see!" They turned around and saw the waiters approaching quietly with several trays. They served them four dishes and a pot of tea. There were different kinds of night snacks in China. Tired singers chose delicate desserts instead of cigarettes, wine and greasy food. First, four kinds of dry and ced fruit were served, including pine nuts, cashew nuts, peanuts and pistacios. The clubs specialty was ced fruit. There were green plums, orange pancakes, longan pulp and gourd with sugar icing. It was a feast for the eyes. Rice dumplings, white pastries, cream puffs and bean paste followed. The food was made in ordance with the traditional ways of the imperial pce. Yu did not seem that interested in the desserts. He looked at the food hesitantly. Qin Guan could guess what he was thinking about. "Dont worry, I didnt order much tonight. I just wanted to show you a variety of tastes." Two girls set two more big trays down on the table. "Here are the main dishes, Mr. Qin. Would you like your staple food served now?" "Yes." "Okay. All your food has been served. Please ring the bell if you need anything." "Okay, thanks." The girls walked out slowly with calcted movements. The service there was also pretty good. Yu grinned at the new dishes, which included pine nuts, chicken jelly powder, cherry meat, Buddhist meat, shredded radish, as well as beef mutton tendons. He was a carnivorous man. When the Chinese baked rolls with minced meat were served, even Tse, who was a quiet man, couldnt control himself. They were crisp baked rolls with a delicious meat filling. When one bit on a roll, the sesame on the crust fell like raindrops. Thebination of meat and flour was wonderful. The three men ate all the rolls as fast as lightning. Then they burst intoughter. Qin Guan made two more friends during that meal. The long-term happiness and luck brought by the foodsted until the day of the g. ording to CCTV tradition, the news about the g would be released one month before it took ce. The most concerning issue for the public were the famous actors that would be participating. Chapter 830: Happy Spring Festival! Chapter 830: Happy Spring Festival! Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia There were no new faces performing traditional opera, cross talk or short ys, so everyone concentrated on their idols. When the fans saw thetest update on Qin Guans blog, they fell into a sea of joy. "Good news! Qin Guan has been invited to the g!" "What road will he take in the future? Will he choose being an actor or a CEO?" "I dont want to see Qin Guan turn into a middle-aged man with a bald head and arge stomach. He should remain handsome forever." "Yes! He should focus on the entertainment and fashion circle." "Yes! Qin Guan is ours!" Qin Guans presence at the g seemed to be a big stimnt for his fans, who werent worried at all about the Forbes list. In America, Qin Guans fans paid a visit to the nearest Chinatown to watch the g on TV and have fun with other Chinese fans. Some clever American fans even nned on infiltrating Chinese groups to get first-hand information. In Southeastern Asian countries, people rejected the gs of their own countries to watch Qin Guan. Some TV stations even had to transmit the CCTV g. As a result, invitations to the g became really popr. Younger people were eager to get one so they could see their idols. The stars from Hong Kong and Taiwan also had arge fan club on the Chinese maind. This caused the price of the invitations to skyrocket. Some people sold theirs online for as much as 10,000 yuan! "I need an invitation! Ill pay any price!" "I just want to enter the hall! Please call 137689797234..." "I thought you lived in the Guandong Province..." "Ill stay in the capital overnight!" People gave up the chance to stay with their families for the hope to see their idols in person. Unfortunately, very few of them could realize their dream. Anyone who had an invitation hid it, as if it was treasure. On New Years Eve, fireworks started exploding as dumplings were being boiled in pots at every home. Soon, all Chinese people began to enjoy a feast. Time passed quickly as everyone ate and drank. When it was eight o clock, the Spring Festival G of 2006 opened in a grand way. The ceremony did not include any traditional settings or props. Everything was shown on LED screens. This was an initiative of the organizingmittee, who wanted the traditional g to catch up with the pace of the times. The content was still traditional though. The audience could guess the sequence of the performaces, which made them a little disappointed. "The first performace always involves singing and dancing. Its so boring!" "Take it easy. Qin Guans act ising up!" People were refreshing the message board online. Most young people were stuck before theirputers, as they were way more convenient to use than TV. Li Yong and Zhu Jun, who were the two hosts, went off the stage. Qin Guans fans backstage, including the twins, were shouting, "Cheers, Qin Guan!" Qin Guan got on the stage. When he nced at the crowd, he calmed down. His initial nervousness dispersed like smoke. The bigger the audience, the more excited he got. Qin Guan took the lead among the three men. After they sang two sentences each, they would reach the chorus. They had rehearsed too much to make any mistakes. The audience was shocked though. What the hell is this? The three fashionable men were totally absorbed in the song. There was a solemn expression on their faces as they performed. Whats that woman doing there? Is she trying to kill one of them? The young fans were speechless, but their parents and grandparents were really interested in the performance. "Is this a folk song or a pop song?" "A pop one, probably. I like it!" They were really impressed by the performance. "Its so warm and sweet... We are all the same big family. Im looking forward to Taiwans return!" The young fans were used to thements of the previous generation. "The one in the middle is the most handsome..." "Yes! Yes! Thats my idol, grandma. His name is Qin Guan. Listen..." Older and younger people took advantage of the situation to discuss the same topic. The generation gap narrowed a little this way. Chapter 831: Absent From The Award Ceremony Chapter 831: Absent From The Award Ceremony Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It was easy to get close to others. If people were more considerate and tolerant, they would feel the silent love of their family. The bells rang at midnight as the new year greeted everyone. The noise of the fireworks slowly came to an end, but people kept a light on overnight. This way, the people returningte at night could find their destination easily. At the end of the g, all the actors got on the stage for the curtain call. It was already about 1:00 a.m. As "A Memorable Night", which was a very familiar song for Chinese people, started ying, Qin Guan finished his New Years Eve with his temporary colleagues. A warm call soothed his exhaustion. It was Cong Nianwei, who had returned to Y city instead of him. "Happy Spring Festival!" "Happy Spring Festival! Are our parents okay? Come back soon. I miss you!" Your smell has faded from the sheets. I cant sleep well without you. Cong Nianwei had to stay with her parents though, so she didnt return to the capital until the CCTV drama began. Qin Guan had already started his new job by that time. As soon as the Spring Festival was over, he began preparing for "Crazy Stone". This was his first investment in a film as both an actor and a producer, so there was a lot that he had to do personally. For example, he had to organize a group of photographers and employ experienced prop masters and other professionals. Some of these jobs could be entrusted to an assistant, but others had to be done by Qin Guan himself. However, Ning Hao had no outstanding work in China and Qin Guan was a greenhand at being a producer. As a result, making progress took a long time. Fortunately, before they could get desperate, something amazing happened. The film "Charlie And The Chocte Factory", which was in theaters in America, had been nominated by the Golden Globes and the Oscarsmittee, just as "Closer" had one year ago. Both films had famous directors, good actors and lots of fans. However, this producer was more ambitious than the one who had invested in "Closer". He had broken into the adult world with a childrens movie. Good news and bad news always came in pairs though. Qin Guan had been nominated for a Golden Globe, but not for an Oscar. Things were much worse this time. He hadnt even been short-listed for an Oscar. The movie had only been nominated for its cinematography, music and directing. Qin Guan was not optimistic about winning the Golden Globe either. Using the CCTV party as an excuse, he turned down the invitation of the organizingmittee. The director and producer didnt attach any importance to the invitation either. They didnt care about promoting the main actor of a childrens movie. If the past winner returned with empty hands, it would be a huge embarrassment. Thus, neither the crew nor Qin Guan attended the award ceremony. Instead, Qin Guan asked Qu Xuemei to attend it on his behalf. Coincidentally, Qin Guan happened to win the award. When the host announced the result, both Qin Guanspetitors and the members of the crew were shocked. Qu Xuemei got on the stage with Qin Guans name tag and made an unprecedentedly short speech. "I would like to express Qin Guans gratitude to all of you on his behalf," she said before bowing in front of the audience and leaving. Everyone remained stupefied until the end of the ceremony. The reporters were practically beating their own chests. The f*cking organizingmittee hadnt leaked any information earlier, so they had not been prepared to record the few seconds Qu had spent on the stage. They had let these striking news slip between their fingers. The Chinese reporters stationed abroad were caught off guard as well. They had thought that they would only be watching the ceremony. No one had expected Qin Guan to be such a powerful actor. These news, as well as CCTVs big drama show, made Qin Guan suddenly very popr. "Emperor Han Wu" swept the country. The audience ratings took the lead not just at CCTV, but at other provincial stations as well. This prevented the Mango Station from rising rapidly. CCTV had won the race! Qin Guan and the new TV seriespleted each other. Chapter 832: Unfair Chapter 832: Unfair Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The poprity of the TV series and Qin Guans international influence inspired Asian traders, who always invested in domestic TV shows. Japan was thergest market for Chinese historical TV series. The Japanese showed a special preference to detail and grand settings. South Korea, who was a loyal follower of Japan, also paid great attention to the series. In one week, the distribution rights had been purchased by both countries. Provincial TV stations and advertisers were also approaching CCTV in great numbers. In a few days, the TV series had made CCTV a big fortune. The advertising director grinned from ear to ear even while he was asleep. The overwhelming news about Qin Guans new award were terrific. Awards usually didnt mean much, but the Golden Globes and the Oscars took ce during the same period, and the former were called Academy Awards. If the Golden Globe winner was recognized by other professionals though, then why wasnt he nominated for an Oscar? An Oscar was an award based onmercial value, promotion and poprity, and the selection was much moreplicated than it was for other awards, which made data-analysts feel like throwing a pile of statistical forms at the Oscar judges. The box office of "Charlie And The Chocte Factory" in North America had reached 124.3 million dors, and 26 countries had bought the films distribution rights, China included. The movies international box office had surpassed its gross in North America, reaching 1,500 million dors. Considering that the films budget had only been 23 million, the film was doing fantastic. Not a single film on the Oscars short list would darepete against it. Actually, Li An, who was the director of "Brokeback Mountain", had won the Best Director Oscar. It was rare to see a Chinese man win an Oscar. Meanwhile, Zhang Ziyis "Memoirs Of A Geisha" had captivated audiences with its exotic charm. However, the fact that there were too many Chinese people at the awards didnt mean that Qin Guan should be snubbed. The organizers had just tried to avoid holding a Chinese-only Oscars ceremony in 2006. Where was the fairness in that though? Some radical Americans would argue that Qin Guan would not necessarily win the award, even if he was nominated, but the issue was that he had lost a fair chance in spite of his outstanding acting skills. Another possibility was that the organizingmittee was afraid of the actor. Given the chance, the Chinese media and agencies, Dreamworks, Columbia, as well as his fans, would be a powerful army that would stand behind him. Thus, Qin Guan didnt show up on the stage. This interesting incident would remain popr for a while. There was no fairness in the future either though. George Clooney was the winner that year. Qin Guans fans felt better. If the winner had been a nobody, or one of the protagonists of "Brokeback Mountain", they would have faced a storm. This gossip was enough for Qin Guan. Some experienced actors finally epted the film after some hesitation. They actually didnt try to promote the film due to its limited budget, which was a rare case in the film circle. The darkedy with its absurd style did not follow mainstream directing methods. Qin Guans participation had ensured the approval of experienced actors though. An award-winning actor with a high international box office was a good example for them after all. They would also be able to use him as an excuse if the film failed. Qin Guan took advantage of the situation to disappear, despite his fixed schedule. Sister Xue had to call the crews of "If, Love" and "Letter From An Unknown Woman" to apologize and postpone Qin Guans scenes. She had no idea about the deadline of the film in which Qin Guan had invested. Everyone was wondering if Qin Guan would have time to attend the Hong Kong Film Awards, the Tokyo Film Festival and the San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain. Considering his few, but extraordinary films the previous year, it would be easy for Qin Guan to be selected by a festival. People always tolerated lucky men. Thus, the directors of the two films came to terms with the result. They could wait until Qin Guan was done with "Crazy Stone". Chapter 833: The Crew Chapter 833: The Crew Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan didnt even need to participate in the promotional activities. All he had to do was attend the award ceremony and share his luck with everyone else. Sister Xue, who was a cunning woman, promised that he would. Qin Guan, who had no idea about this, had just reached Chongqing with Ning Hao. They had originally had three alternatives for a shooting location, but as soon as they arrived in Chongqing, they decided it was the exact ce they wanted. The booming metropolis had been experiencing rapid growth and uncertainty. It was just like the film, whose limitless foreshadowing and coincidences would intersect in a three-dimensional space to form clues that twisted and winded into a story. Qin Guan had hired a photographer from China Film Group, and the actors involved were all tough. Even Xu Zheng, who portrayed the viin, was an elegant man. They made a group booking at a small hotel, all meals included. Qin Guans investment covered the cost, so the money-grubber was eager to finish the film as soon as possible. The crew did its best while they were in the city. They shot three different scenes in an alley that extended in all directions. Director Ning stood in the dead zone as three actors and three cameramen worked separately. After filming each scene, Ning Hao would watch the yback. There were no big problems, so they just kept filming. The alley was crowded, and all the actors looked like heroes. Standing at the entrance of the alley, Huang Bo and Liu Hua portrayed two movers that were actually thieves. Wang Xun, who was the secretary of a real estatepany, was standing in the middle. At the end of the alley was Guo Tao, who portrayed the director of an arts & crafts factory. The three groups of people, who were seemingly unconnected to each other, had been led to the same alley by destiny. The funny, fast-paced action confused the figurants, who couldnt understand the plot. Due to the shooting location, the director had asked all the actors to talk with a local ent. It was a funny way of expressing oneself. This was easy for Liu Hua and Guo Tao, who were professional actors that had graduated from the Central Drama Academy in Beijing. Qin Guan though, who was portraying a rich businessman from Hong Kong, had to look like a professional, proud, confident thief. Thus, the King made his presence known in his luxurious hotel. The crew had rented a fitting room at a hotel. Qin Guan was wearing a business suit and a shirt, which was his usual style. The only difference was the thick golden chain around his neck and the shining diamond rings on his fingers. Wang Xun, who was Xu Zhengs sidekick, had hired the best, most professional thief in the circle to make the arts & crafts factory go bankrupt. The cameraman followed Qin Guans movements. Wang Xun, who was pretending to be thinking deeply, gazed at Qin Guan. "Lets just cut to the chase. How much?" Qin Guan took the cigarette from Wangs mouth and threw it into a ss. "100,000 dors." "Do you need a room?" "All I need is a car." His diamond ear studs were sparkling in the lens. His face looked cool and solemn. He thought very highly of his profession. "Cut!" The frame lingered on his face for two seconds. Qin Guans first scene in the film was over. An average actor could film a 30-second scene in one take. People didnt think too much of it, yet they made fun of Qin Guans nice costume. Huang Bo and Liu Hua were dressed like ruralborers, while Guo Tao looked like a security guard. Qin Guan looked like a god among mortals. "Wow, Da Qin. I like your sparkling ear studs. Do they hurt?" "Tiffany made clips especially for me. I didnt have to pierce my ears." "Your suit must have cost a lot. This fabric has been very popr this year." "Armani is a sponsor of the film, so he gave it to me for free." Everyone gathered around Qin Guan and started hitting him. After venting their anger, they turned to Director Ning, who had been hiding in a corner. "Director, we are finished. When shall we resume filming?" "Immediately! Attention, please! The local thieves will bepeting against an international top thief!" It was a battle among professionals. The mighty dragon was no match for the native serpents though. As soon as Qin Guan reached Chongqing, his luggage was stolen by three local thieves. Chapter 834: A Renowned Thief Vs. A Nobody Chapter 834: A Renowned Thief Vs. A Nobody Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The arrogant man deserved that. He had walked out of the exit as if he was on a runway. His nice suit, silver suitcase and beautiful wind coat shocked the audience. What a handsome rich guy! However, a beautiful beginning did not always lead to a happy ending. Qin Guan took his sunsses off and waved at a cab with a faint smile. Meanwhile, his Chongqingpetitors took action. Huang Bo stood on his tiptoes and covered Qin Guans eyes. "Guess who I am!" he shouted with a Qingdao ent. "You get three guesses!" A dagger slid down Qin Guans sleeve towards his hand. He was confident about his skills. "You must have mistaken me for someone else," Qin Guan answered calmly. "Wrong! Two guesses left!" Huang Bo grinned from ear to ear behind Qin Guan. "Let me go, sir. Please." "Okay, keep your eyes closed." Huang Bo ran away as fast as he could. Confused, Qin Guan turned around, only to realize that his case and the cab were gone. Nobody was around anymore. The professional thief from Hong Kong had been defeated by his local peers. He had lost the first round. After the shooting, everyone began discussing the script andughing. Would an internationally renowned thief be defeated in China? Are Chinese men really that clever? They werent able to reach an agreement before the next scene. The three local thieves discovered the equipment in Qin Guans case and his reason foring to Chongqing. He was nning on stealing jewellery worth eight million yuan. The jewellery was guarded by a group of security guards at a temple not far away. These security guards were not like museum guards. If they seeded at their job, they would be able to lead a happy life from then on, so they guarded the jewellery like dogs. The second round suddenly began. Huang Bo had stolen and put on Qin Guans night clothes, so Qin Guan had to buy new ones in Chongqing. The two thieves showed up at the temple in simr clothing. As a lone ranger, Qin Guan had gone there to scout the security measures, including the power switch. Holding a pocket shlight in his mouth, Qin Guan opened the door of the electricity box to study the lines. He wanted to turn off the rm. As he was focused on this task, three local men appeared. Liu Hua, who was their leader, saw Qin Guan next to the box. He mistook Qin Guan for Huang Bo because of their simr clothes. Angry at the man, he smacked Qin Guans head. "What are you doing here? You are supposed to be inside the temple!" Ning Hao filmed an extreme close-up of Qin Guans eyes. The famous thief looked confused as he stared at the angry man in fear. The mans next words shocked him. "You should have stayed inside, idiot! Stop idling around! The police will be here soon!" Then he pped Qin Guan on the head again. Qin Guan came back to his senses and ran away as fast as he could. He had lost the second round. "Cut!" "Ha ha! That was so funny!" "Im so tired. Lets go have a snack!" The cast and crew fled in every direction. Huang Bo and the other actors wanted to experience the night life in Chongqing. The residents liked going to night markets, chatting, eating and ying mahjong. Qin Guan turned down the invitation though. He was pulled back to the hotel by Ning Hao. The two of them had to discuss some details concerning the film. As the producer of the film, Qin Guan had a lot of work to do. Huang Bo waved a kebab at him from afar, but Qin Guan ignored him. He had to pay attention to every penny. Ning Hao had spent all his money halfway through production. From then on, Qin Guan would have to be very careful with the expenses. As a result, every scene that saved money cheered him up. The next day, everyone gathered around the simple temple, where thieves from all directions would try to steal the jewellery again. The prop team was working inside. They would be hanging Qin Guan in the air with a strong wire. As he hung from the ceiling, Qin Guan would try to reach the jewellery case. "Lets shoot the robbery scene. Is everyone ready? Three, two, camera!" Qin Guan descended slowly from the ceiling. As he hung in the air, he turned his body toward the safe. It seemed like a simple movement, but few people knew that the wire was hard to handle due to ones weight, the uncontroble swaying and the wind. This required skill and strength. Fortunately, Qin Guan had experience, so the difficult scene was finished smoothly. Chapter 835: No Body Double Chapter 835: No Body Double Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan unlocked the safe, opened it and stretched his hand out to grab the treasure. His outstanding skills were beautiful to watch, but something went wrong during thest step of the n. His smart hands, which were dressed in ck gloves, paused 10 centimeters away from the jewellery. He tried his best to extend his arms, but it was in vain. It turned out that his extraordinary skill, clear mind and nimble body could not beat the unscrupulous merchants of Chongqing. All his equipment had been stolen, so hed had to repurchase everything at a wholesale market in Chongqing, the wire around his body included. The merchant had told him that it was a full 10 meters, but it was actually shorter. The thrifty merchant had sold him a 9.90-meter rope. Those missing 10 centimeters were the final distance between him and the jewellery. What a tragedy! "F*cking scammer!" Qin Guan still managed to get the jewellery out. Just when he thought that everything would be okay though, one of the local thieves arrived. He grabbed Qin Guans jewellery rudely and took off his mask to reveal his face. "s! Its you again! Too bad that the stone is mine!" He waved the jewellery proudly at Qin Guan, who was still hanging in the air. Qin Guan was furious. Those small-town thieves had insulted him too many times! "Give it back to me!" he roared. This was not a good idea. A man hanging in the air was weakerpared to one standing on the ground. Ning Hao and the other actors, who were all smoking by the camera, smiled andughed. Qin Guan was a cruel boss. He forced them to work overtime every day and set very high standards for their performances. This was their payback. They wanted to see their boss go through this miserable experience. That scene was so funny! The thief hit Qin Guan on the forehead and pushed him away. Qin Guan couldnt help but turn around in the air. His enemy also used psychological attacks. "Wow! You are Spiderman!" The man pushed Qin Guan again. Qin Guan formed a perfect circle with his body as he spun in the air. The small camera fixed on the rope filmed the scene from his point of view. "Ha ha!" Huang Bo was the first to burst intoughter. "Im fainting! What about you, Qin Guan?" Everyone burst intoughter, except for Qin Guan himself. Before the thief escaped, he triggered the rm system, leaving Qin Guan to be caught by the security guards. The director zoomed in on Qin Guan again as he climbed up the roof. Ning Hao had originally intended to use a body double for that part, but the body doubles figure did not resemble Qin Guans. A part of the audience would be Qin Guans fans, so they would notice every detail right away. They were experts when it came to research. Take "Emperor Han Wu" for example. Qin Guans fans had recorded his screen time, different costumes and lines in each episode. Those were the most popr posts on the forum. Thus, after a discussion with Ning Hao, Qin Guan had decided to film the action scene himself. He had practised a lot that day. He had climbed walls while the others had been resting, so now it was finally time for him to show his abilities! Chapter 836: Losing All Four Rounds Chapter 836: Losing All Four Rounds Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan didnt disappoint them. He unfastened two buttons and stomped on the middle of the rope. Using that as leverage, he climbed up to the roof beam like a panda. Meanwhile, a group of security guards rushed into the empty temple. Qin Guan had already disappeared through the venttion system and reached the roof. The internationally renowned robber had lost the third round. Ning Hao, who was really satisfied, congratted the actors one after the other happily. Everyone was busy preparing for the next scene, so they were ignoring Wang Liying. "Director Ning, Liu Hua, Guo Tao... Can someone get Qin Guan free?" She was right. Qin Guan was still hanging from the beam. Everyone left like the tide, leaving Qin Guan and the anxious girl behind. Before Wang could cry for help, everyone returned,ughing and making faces at Qin Guan. "Ha ha! Were you afraid of being abandoned?" "Were you scared?" I dont like the childish way you are making fun of me. Qin Guans good temper made him a good mediator, so he helped the whole crew work harmoniously. When Qin Guan was helped down from the beam, he began chasing and hitting everyone. Loudughter echoed in the air. The film wasing to an end. Liu Hua finished his scenes first. Qin Guan rewarded him with arge bonus. This was amon gesture in the circle. The actor, whose character died in the film, would receive arge sum to drive the bad luck away, despite the fact that it was only a fictional death. This was the charm of traditional Chinese culture. One couldnt expect this in America. Liu Hua received a bonus as well, but he stayed with the crew. He wanted to see the other characters deaths. He was confident that they would die as well. Ning Hao didnt disappoint him. The fate of the other guys was much worse. Qin Guan was standing among the crowd downtown with a dirty face, torn clothes and several wounds on his body. He looked really poor under the sunshine. He called Wang Xun confidently. "There has been a small ident, but things are still under control." He was confident about his professional skills, despite the fact that Wang had given up and left. After his request was declined, Qin Guan stood on the bustling street, feeling lonely and miserable. Everyone was trying to suppress theirughter as Huang Bo opened the lid of the sewer slowly from the inside. He had been struggling the entire night, so he was exhausted. Qin Guan watched Huang silently. The man, who was equipped with his own tools, got out of the sewer torpidly, leaving him at a loss. It was such a funny sight. Qin Guan had lost the fourth round. As a professional thief, he was dedicated to his career. The customer was his god. Although Wang Xun had quit, Qin Guan would still carry on! As Xu Zheng put the jewellery in his own safe, Qin Guan made his final n. He would hang down from the tall building and break in through the window of Xus office. Chapter 837: Guo Taos Pants Fall Down Chapter 837: Guo Taos Pants Fall Down Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The crew was well-prepared for the scene. They cooperated with the property managementpany of the building and the best cleaningpany in order to shoot it. The rent of the equipment alone devastated Qin Guan, who lowered his proud head before the cost and agreed to use a body double. The experienced man hung outside the window and finished the scene quickly. He had actually risked his life for a really low price. His agent was quite satisfied with the crew though. Not all filmmakers considered their work important. If they ran out of money, most crews tended to cut down the body doubles sry. Some directors thought of them as mere figurants. As he sat by the office desk, Qin Guan patted the young mans shoulder. Some appreciation would cheer him up. Everyone left the office except for the cameraman. Qin Guan carefully used a stethoscope on the safe in an effort to figure out the code. When the door cracked open, Xu Zheng approached him from behind with a crossbow. Confident about his skill, he shouted at the thief, "Hey!" Qin Guan was too absorbed in his work to hear the greeting. Angry and ashamed, Xu threw the cap of a pen at Qin Guans head. Qin Guan was a professional thief, so he wouldnt allow himself to be captured without putting up a fight. He looked around furtively and fixed his eyes on a paper knife on the table. The cameraman moved the camera slowly. This was the only fight in the film after all. Xu Zheng believed in the principle of fighting an enemy face to face, so he told Qin Guan to turn around. This gave Qin Guan a chance to resist. He threw the knife ar Xu at the same time that Xu shot him. Of course, neither of them was a martial artist, so the pen and the knife fell down on the floor. The special effects would be addedter. The two men just kept acting. Qin Guan got shot on the chest, while his knife sliced Xus throat. All clear. Qin Guan pulled the pen out of his chest and grabbed the jewellery. Panting, he took off his mask and called his employer to report the good news. Buzz.... The phone started ringing suddenly in the office. Startled, Qin Guan hung up immediately. Silence prevailed in the office. Qin Guan dialled the number again and the phone on the desk started ringing loud and clear. Qin Guan answered the phone with a sense of foreboding. "Hello?" He heard his own voice through the receiver. "What the f*ck?" "Cut! Get ready for the next scene, you two!" As everyone got to work, Guo Tao tried to negotiate with Ning Hao. "Can I keep my pants on during this scene?" "You dont need to take your pants off. Its forbidden in China anyway. I asked the prop master to choose some underpants for you." Yes, those beautiful flowery underpants. "I was just wondering why my pants have to fall down during the fight. And why does Qin Guan get to keep his pants on? Everyone knows the girls would go crazy if Qin Guans pants fell... Youll get a bigger audience. No one will be interested in me!" "Rubbish! Youll be pushing Qin Guan down against the floor anyway. No one will be able to see his costume. Just do your job!" We do not have any actresses on site, so theres no need to be embarrassed. "Attention, please! Three, two, camera!" The two men began wrestling in the elevator. When the door opened, the policemen found the two guys rolling around on the floor. Guo Tao was sitting on top of Qin Guans body. His underpants were trembling in the frame, showing his effort to catch the robber. "Cut!" No oneughed. Everyone was confused. "Qin Guan, I have a n." "Whats that?" "I would like to send a photo to the media with the title Guo Tao beating the award-winning actor..." Qin Guan hesitated. "Good idea. Dont forget to pay me for the extra promotion." "Of course!" Chapter 838: Four Directors Chapter 838: Four Directors Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Of course, this was a joke. They were all decent guys. Ning Hao would be shameless if he promoted his work this way. The farewell dinner ended silently as everyone drifted away reluctantly in the capital. Qin Guan was busy with the next steps of production, which included editing, post-production, distribution, etc. His first stop would be the China Film Group Corporation, thepany that represented the entire nation. Their subordinate cinemas were his first choice. If they reached an agreement, thepanys cinemas in Shanghai and Guangzhou would screen the film. The negotiation went well. The job depended on the professional managers of his firm, but Qin Guan served as a g leading an army. Thanks to him, the director of China Film Group would say yes. Qin Guan took advantage of this chance to idle around thepany and refresh his memories of the familiar director and staff. There was a good chance that they might remember him as well. Meanwhile, Qin Guan took advantage of Huayis resources. The Brothers supported their good partner strongly, but as sessful businessmen, they also wanted to maximize the profit of the negotiation. The news went viral among the directors, who heard that Qin Guan would show up at Huayi that day. They all turned up with scripts and started fighting in advance. As an exclusive director of Huayi, Feng Xiaogang mocked the other well-informed men. "Wow! My great directors! You are all so smart... Is Huayi yourpany? Such a talented actor is very rare. Do you n on luring him in with your scripts? Stop daydreaming! He is one of the bosses of Huayi. I have priority here!" The three directors were speechless. Feng Xiaogang even insisted on sitting far away from them, because he was known for "fighting for the dignity ofmercial directors". Jiang Wen, who was the youngest of the three, spoke up first. "I dont agree with you, Director Feng. Chinese people should be united. I am on friendly terms with Qin Guan and Huayi. Although Im an independent director, I didnte here today for the money. I know Im not wee at Huayi, but we shouldnt be waiting here!" Feng got even angrier. Im an exclusive director of Huayi, but I still have to wait here with you guys. The Wang Brothers became nervous when the four men appeared together in their office. They hid in another office and asked their secretary to lead them to a meeting room. The news about Qin Guan had spread really fast, which meant that thepany could be filled with spies. Unfortunately, there were no secrets in the entertainment circle. Plus, one of the four directors had cooperated with Qin Guan before. It was Zhang Yimou. The previous year, the domestic box office had experienced a big sess. The leaders couldnt help but pick up their weapons again and try to challenge big-budgetmercial films. They foresaw a bright future for their films. That was why they had gone there with their best scripts. They were itching for another round. The biggest entertainmentpany had be their first choice for getting money and good actors. It was not a coincidence that the four of them had gotten together. It was rare for a domestic actor to be so popr and rich. Qin Guan was though. As the four prestigious directors were enjoying some free tea in the meeting room, Qin Guan reached the Wang Brothers office through a secret elevator. The Brothers rubbed their hands awkwardly as they exined the situation in the meeting room. They had expected Qin Guan to be annoyed, but he was actually itching to try. What an exciting moment! Four famous directors are fighting over me! This is wonderful! Qin Guan wanted to watch the world burn, so he said goodbye to the Brothers and headed to the meeting room. The directors staring contest had reached its peak. As soon as Qin Guan pushed the door open, a spring breeze and a light rain entered the room. The sum of the ages of the four directors was almost 200, so Qin Guan greeted them politely from the door. Chapter 839: Four Scripts Chapter 839: Four Scripts Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Hello, Director Zhang. Its nice to see you again. Long time no see!" "How are you, Director Jiang? Thank you so much for rmending me to Xu Jinglei. Our film has been short-listed by the San Sebastian International Film Festival." "Director Feng! Dont look at me, its not my fault. I couldnt find a suitable role in the scripts you suggested." "Director Chen, this is the first time we meet." Qin Guan shook hands with them one after the other. When he took a seat, he found himself at the end of the long table, a position usually reserved for leaders. The four directors were looking at him anxiously. What a strange situation! Feng Xiaogang was a straightforward man, so he made his purpose clear right away. "I have a script for you, Qin Guan. Thepany asked me to try directing amercial, big-budget production. Select a role from it." He pushed a thick binder towards Qin Guan, sliding it over the slick table. The ck characters on the white cover looked attractive. They spelled the words "The Banquet"! Before Qin Guan coulde back to his senses, the other three directors had also taken out their own scripts, afraid that they would be left behind. "Read mine first. The character is very expressive." The film was called "Curse Of The Golden Flower"! "Im different, Qin Guan. You like indie films and winning awards, right? My script is very profound!" The films title was "The Sun Also Rises"! "We havent cooperated before, Qin Guan. As a young actor, you should try all kinds of different shooting methods. It would be good for earning experience." The film was "The Promise" by Chen Kaige! The four bindersy before him in order, just like a students homework. The gazes of the famous directors cheered Qin Guan up. He had originally thought that they just wanted to get some money from him, but he had been offered four roles. Qin Guan had a tight schedule that year. "The Knot" would be a promising candidate for the Chinese Ornamental Column Awards. If the film won an award, the SARFT would leave him alone. Plus, he would also be working on "Crazy Stone", a new Armani advertisement, and his own brand and ounting firm. He had no time to work with these directors, but the four men seemed determined to get a final answer. It was a taboo to offend a director from the circle. Maybe Qin Guan could guest star in their films. This would add a fun element to the films and save the dignity of the famous directors. When he made a decision, Qin Guan asked about "The Banquet" first. "Huayi is producing it, right? The film must be rich in resources, but the roles are out of my league. Ill be going to Hong Kong in April for the Hong Kong Film Awards. I have been nning this since before the Spring Festival. Sorry about that." "As for Director Jiang..." Jiang Wen pointed to the script immediately. "I know you are a busy guy. Ill be the protagonist, so you could just select a supporting role. The schedule will be flexible. Filming will take you one week at the most." "Okay!" Qin Guan put the script on the left side of the table as an alternative offer. He gasped when he heard Zhang Yimous n. The director had hired Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li and Jay Zhou for the film. Qin Guan would be the eldest prince, who was a nitwit. It would be interesting to act like a lecher. Plus, the film would be shot between other events. Qin Guan wanted to be one of the big stars, so he put "Curse Of The Golden Flower" on the left. Zhang leaned back against his chair. He could rx now. In 20 minutes, there was only one script left in Qin Guans hands. Chen Kaige was confident about Qin Guans decision. He stood out among the fifth generation of directors after all. Unlike Zhang Yimou, who had started his career as a cameraman, he was not good with color and backgrounds. He relied on the plot and profound emotions to win awards, but he enjoyed a good reputation among the Chinese audience. Qin Guan looked up from the script. "Im sorry, but I cant do it, Director Chen. Your film will begin filming in June and my character is in every scene. Plus, the crew will be travelling to Shangri-La. I will be attending an event at the time. I look forward to working with you in the future though." People were rejected plenty of times during their lives. Some people just smiled through the experience, while others felt dejected or insulted. Chapter 840: The Hong Kong Entertainment Circle Chapter 840: The Hong Kong Entertainment Circle Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia After his offer was rejected, Feng tugged on Qin Guans shirt, asking for more capital. Meanwhile, Chen Kaige left the building with a smile and got into his car. Then he sighed before his wife, Chen Hong. "Qin Guan said no." "s! Young people are so proud nowadays. He just turned down your script face to face?" "Of course. Young people have been seeding a lottely. Hes won international awards, invested in domestic films, engaged actively in the industry... Rich men prevail nowadays." Chen Hong was no longer a youngdy, but her past charm was still lingering on her face. The woman tried tofort her husband. "Actually, Qin Guan is not that amazing. He is only a handsome guy with a lot of young fans. We could just offer the part to another actor like him." "Its hard to find such a guy in China. Huang Xiaoming is too young. Chen Kun is not good atmercial films..." "Dont limit yourself, Chen. We can look for an actor abroad. The South Korean fad is all the rage in Southeast Asia and China. We could cast the most handsome, popr guy among them. We could cast Zhang Dongjian!" "But wed have to work extra hard to get a foreign actor. Plus, Koreans ask for a lot of money. We would go over budget." Chen Hong smiled at her husband. The man was good at directing, but ignorant when it came tomercial films. "You think too much. We wanted to hire Qin Guan because of his money and acting skills. His sry would have been considered an investment. If Qin Guan worked only as an actor, instead of a producer, how much would you pay him? His value in Hollywood is 1.2 billion!" "This way, we will be saving money. We must show the Tiancheng Entertainment Company our sincerity. We are supporting them by giving up our original n and trying some foreign actors. We are being kind to the newly-founded, risingpany." Chen nodded. He was not good at handlingplicated issues. Chen Hong smiled again and asked the driver to start the car. Wang Liying was reading the four scripts carefully in Qin Guans car. She was very confused by Qin Guans choice. Actually, Qin Guan had seen all four films during his past life, so he had just picked the two most sessful ones. One of them had been selected by the Venice Film Festival, while the other one had made a box office record by grossing 100 million yuan. Qin Guan mentally apologized to Feng and Chen, but he had to think about his own benefit. Actually, he had to apologize to a lot of people, including the crew of "The Knot" and Cong Nianwei. He had been busy preparing for the Hong Kong Awards, so he hadnt seen her in a long time. Although the Hong Kong film industry was declining, the award ceremony was still in its early stages. Thanks to the lingering power of gangster films andedies, the event was still popr among viewers in Hong Kong and the Chinese maind. Nics Tse was among the people who picked Qin Guan up at the airport. The two young men had be good friends, so the paparazzi had the chance to take a picture of the two of them together. The reporters, who had been limited to that small area, finally discovered something interesting. Wow! Qin Guan and Tse seem very close to each other. As far as we know, Tse is not the only actor who has cooperated with him. Nobody else has showed up though. Does this mean that Qin Guan does not get along with the older generation? Is Qin Guan a rebel? All kinds of rumors were published in the newspapers along with the photos. Qin Guan had unintentionally contributed a lot to the Hong Kong entertainment industry. The next day, he walked to a newsstand next to his hotel on the Tsim Sha Tsu Beach wearing sunsses, a shirt and a pair of shorts. Chapter 841: The Top 50 Most Handsome Guys In The World Chapter 841: The Top 50 Most Handsome Guys In The World Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan bought some magazines to keep as souvenirs. During breakfast, he read "TIME" and checked out his ranking on the list of the Top 50 Most Handsome Guys In The World. Qin Guan chuckled to himself. His fans had already posted a scanned picture of the magazine on his blog, but it was wonderful to read the news with his own eyes. The finely printed magazine pleased him. This was the first time he had been selected as one of the 50 Most Handsome Guys In The World. His ranking was pretty high as well. As the most handsome guy in Asia, his international ranking couldnt be too low. Asians were pretty passionate after all. He had actually ranked ninth, just below Marlon Brando, but above Brad Pitt, Keanu Reeves and other handsome Hollywood men of the same generation. The editor of "TIME" had chosen a colorful photo of Qin Guan, which looked splendid next to the ck-and-white photo of Marlon Brando. A modern young man had forced his way among timeless actors. This was a sess of race representation. Now Asian men wouldntin about the list, although only three Asian stars had been selected. Qin Guan wondered what the judges criteria had been, as all South Korean men had been weeded out. The other two Asian men were an Indian Bollywood actor and a Canadian-Chinese model. In 2006, Qin Guan beat the Koreans, who were famous for their cosmetic surgeries. Only people who relied on their real looks and acting skills, like Zhang Dongjian, couldpete against Qin Guan in Southeast Asia. Qin Guan didnt care about his ranking. Actually, even during their prime time, those deceased timeless actors wouldnt have been able topete with him when it came to looks. Such men always remained perfect in peoples memories though. It was tooplicated to exin. Some people might have considered that list the ultimate honor, but Qin Guan just turned the page with a smile. As he was enjoying a fried bacon sandwich and some milk, a newspaper title made him spit his food out on the paper. An elegantdy shot a disdainful nce at him and turned her body away. Qin Guan wiped his mouth awkwardly with a tissue and kept reading the news. He certainly had not expected this. "Nichs Tse met his secret girlfriend at night after picking up his friend from the airport." There were two photos under the headline. The first one was clear. It showed Qin Guan and Nichs Tse going out of the airport with their shoulders touching. They were not the same height, but they could still chat happily. The other photo looked like a secret snap. Tse was hugging a woman in a street corner. The readers could only see her back and jaw, but Qin Guan could specte about her identity. He took out his cell phone and dialled a familiar number. After a long while, a man answered the call. He sounded both sleepy and exhausted. "Hey, Qin Guan! Whats the matter?" "Did you read the newspaper today? You are in trouble, dude! Did you meet Cecilia Cheungst night after we separated?" Nichs Tse came back to his senses immediately. "How did you know that, Brother Qin? Weve been keeping it a secret!" "So you say." Qin Guan stuffed thest piece of bacon into his mouth. Wang Liying sighed and stood up to get him some more. Qin Guan exined as he chewed his food. "Photos of you were published in The Sun. All Hong Kongers must be reading the news while eating breakfast." Before his voice could fade away, he heard some noise from the other end of the line. Qin Guan hung up and moved on to the other gossip in the newspaper. Actually, he liked to see the world in chaos. Ten minutester, as he was enjoying hisst fried egg, Tse called him back. Chapter 842: The Hong Kong Film Awards Chapter 842: The Hong Kong Film Awards Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Tse sounded frustrated. "You trapped me! I just went out to buy some newspapers and the reporters caught me off guard!" "So what? You still bought the newspapers." "Cheung came with me to throw away the garbage. We were caught! I was only wearing a pair of shorts and a tank..." So you are ming me for your carelessness? "They didnt disclose the name of my girlfriend though. The photo was too blurry! How did you know my girlfriend is Cheung?" Qin Guan finished his breakfast and answered calmly. "I figured it out based on the gossip online and the rumors circting among the Hong Kong entertainment circle." Tse was speechless. "I suggest that you contact your agency immediately and make a counter attack. As your friend, I wanted to warn you personally. Why did Ms. Cheung insist on following you out this morning? I dont want to say anything else on the matter. Remember, Im always on your side." Nics Tse hung up and rushed to his agency. He was touched by Qin Guans words. Ever since he had been a child, he had always lived in the public eye because of his parents. The rebellious boy had tried his best to be himself instead of the son of Patrick Tse and Deborah Lee. He was always surrounded by people, but few of them were sincere friends. It was seldom that someone warned him despite the risk of ruining their rtionship. Qin Guan was a new friend of his, but he had done everything for his own good. His honest, sincere friend had moved him. The man, who had always longed for love, felt a long-lost warmth. He knew that this had been Cheungs n all along, but a lover could be forgiven. Lovesick men often acted foolishly. Tse had been really silly. When his agent asked about his opinion on the disclosure of the romance, the young man nodded without hesitation. Thus, the Hong Kong Film Awards were out-shadowed by these striking news. The opening ceremony took ce amid that gloomy atmosphere. The ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Cultural Center, where Hong Kong culture and art were celebrated. The building was full of artwork from different eras and all kinds of cultural artefacts. The beautiful piece of architecture had been built for culture, not formerce. The most important Hong Kong film awards would be held there to show off the charm of Hong Kongs culture. The night view was beautiful there. The sparkling lights cheered everyone up. Qin Guan put on a forced smile and headed to the main hall of the culture center with Zhou Xuns hand locked in his. He had to be careful with his public image, so he suffered through Zhou Xuns physical and mental torture. The reporters thought he looked very solemn. "Qin Guan always smiles on the red carpet. Why is he so serious today?" "Yes! Look at his bitter smile!" "Could he be disappointed about his uing failure?" "Yes, its possible." Qin Guan had returned to the Chinese film circle after all. Chinese film festivals enjoyed an important status among the audience of the Chinese maind. "Wow! The award-winning actor is under pressure. What a good stunt!" The reporters thought they had discovered the truth, but Qin Guan and Zhou Xun were having a subtle negotiation as they walked. "It hurts. Dont pinch me, Sister Xun! It will be hard to exin to my girlfriend where I got the bruise." "You insulted me! You asked that boy to pick you up from the airport instead of me! You hurt my feelings! The reporters will think that the protagonists of our film do not get along!" "My bad! My bad! Show mercy! Ouch!" After a final attack, the ambassador led Qin Guan to his seat, so he managed to escape from her. Qin Guan smiled at Gillian Chung awkwardly. "Excuse me!" Gillian Chung was a ceremony ambassador. The position of the master of ceremony was always taken by a beautiful young actress, but the ceremony ambassadors that year were extremely pretty. It was Fiona Sit, Yumiko Cheng and Gillian Chung. Chung was the ambassador that guided Qin Guan. The shy girl flushed at his friendly smile. Qin Guan found the girl really cute, so he smiled at her again when he took a seat. The girl escaped like a blushing rabbit. Chapter 843: My Dream Chapter 843: My Dream Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The lovely girl left... What a pity! Before Qin Guan could think too much about it, people started taking their seats around him. He looked up and saw countless strange faces. Aaron Kwok, Leung Ka-Fai, Simon Yam... Every single one of them was a Hong Kong gangster film star. They were the loyal and mighty blood brothers in the Chinese audiences memory. In the middle sat a young guy who was fond of culture and arts... What a strange group of people! Zhou Xun was sitting among a group of actresses with a forced smile. She was discussing something with Sammi Cheng and Sylvia Chang. Qin Guan knew that they were making fun of him. Before he could stand to warn Zhou, a thick,rge hand patted him on the back. Leung Ka-Fai spoke to him with the might of a gang leader, the manner of a killer and the smile of a psychopath. "You have won four acting awards. You are already the most famous actor in the Chinese film circle, so let this award go. Dontpete against us." Qin Guan swallowed nervously. This is not a secret deal, Brother. There is a big number of judges voting for the final result. "All young men have dreams, Brother Leung. Could you please give me a chance to make a grand m? If you care about my happiness, would you leave this Chinese award to me?" I like this shameless guy! Leung burst intoughter and hugged Qin Guan. "You are really funny, dude. Next time youe to Hong Kong, Ill pick you up from the airport. Forget about Nics Tse! I like befriending young men!" As they were whispering to each other, Eric Tsang, who was the host of the event, fixed his eyes on them. "Its nice to see twopetitors talk so harmoniously. It seems like they wonte to blows over the award. The next award is the highest honor for any actor!" He opened the envelope solemnly and read the names out loud in the most dramatic manner. The host was actually trembling. "The actors selected for the next round are Aaron Kwok, Leung Ka-Fai, Simon Yam and Qin Guan..." "And the winner is... Leung Ka-Fai..." His voice trailed off as Leung turned tofort the young man next to him. Then Tsang finished his sentence loudly. "... and Qin Guan!" What? Everyone turned to the host in shock. What? Another double-yolked egg? Where is the other award then? Tsang pulled a second award from under the table. The twin girls stood there with their shoulders touching. Qin Guan and Leung exchanged a nce and then walked to the stage through the narrow hallway, their shoulders also touching. They epted their awards together, enjoying the highest honor an actor could experience. They nked their awards like sses and then lifted them up. This simple gesture made the atmosphere heat up. Everyone got really excited. This was an interesting result. It was a sess for both traditional gangster films and modern indie films. Even Zhou Xun, who was an award-winning actress herself, couldnt help but admire the handsome young man on the stage. Qin Guan was only 26 years old. He was still at the prime of his life, yet he had been winning awards one after the other. Nomon person would have expected this. Unfortunately, no one could predict his limitations or how stressful his future might be. Nobody could guess his thoughts or intent. He was like a breeze in the Chinese and international film circle. A breeze that was getting fiercer and fiercer. A small tornado that would turn into a global storm. The tornado had travelled from Europe to North America and then Asia, gettingrger and stronger. Qin Guan won every award, as if there was nopetition. The year 2006 belonged to him. He was the man who had defined the entertainment circle in Asia, as well as the Western world. The most splendid star that night in Hong Kong left as fast as he could, creating enough topics of conversation for the entire city to discuss. Chapter 844: Hani Village Chapter 844: Hani Vige Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia One yearter, "The Knot" was brought to light again by the audience of four different regions. This was great timing, as the film "Charlie And The Chocte Factory" had just left theaters and another big film was on its way. Thanks to a firm push from Qin Guan, Director Yin Li asked for one more month on the calendar and double screenings for the film. When "The Da Vinci Code" was released, everyone was impressed by Yins forethought, when the credit really belonged to Qin Guan. The final box office of "The Knot" was 53 million yuan. This was the first time a mainstream film made such a big profit. Now the China Film Group recognized the value of Qin Guans information. The storm of "The Da Vinci Code" swept the globe, attracting the attention of the entire world. The film, which discussed religion, logic and humanity, became the most striking hit of the time. It also dared to challenge several religious concepts, which shocked both professional filmmakers andmon people. Qin Guans outstanding performance was another selling point. His control of the suspenseful movie, as well as his subtle expressions, were remarkable. In a week, the films gross had reached 4.9 billion dors, topping both the North American and international box office. Arge sum of that capital found a purpose immediately. Qin Guan was now considered "a bankable star". Scripts, coboration proposals, and investment deals were pouring into his office. All his staff could do was file them away. Meanwhile, Qin Guan had joined the crew of "The Sun Also Rises". He just wanted to avoid any trouble caused by the film. He and Cong Nianwei were terribly annoyed by the people following them around, but he had promised Jiang Wen that he would participate in the controversial film. The film told the story of the crazy people of that unspeakable era. After taking an airne, a train and a jeep, Qin Guan finally reached the Hani vige in the Yunnan Province. The small vige, which had a poption of no more than 1,000, was located in a beautiful valley. The sound of birds echoed in the thick forest under the blue sky. In Jiangs opinion, this ce showed the beauty of Chinese humanity. There were four independent stories told in the film, but the predestined rtionships between the characters were the connecting point. The first story was about Qin Guan and Zhou Yun, which was a simple, yet important link. Qin Guan reached the vige in a truck that carried pebbles and red soil. He felt uncertain about the crews ideas. "You want to reconstruct the vige? But Ive heard that its an anthropological reserve." "Of course not!" an assistant exined to him. "To avoid any damage to the vige, we transported all the props here from other ces. Plus, well build all the sets out of wood, soil and stone transported from nearby towns. When we finish shooting, well return everything to its original ce." "This is a real film with a budget of more than one billion dors. We are not like those people that lied about their budget and destroyed the natural environment of Shangri-La." This reminded Qin Guan of a film he had turned down. "Are you talking about The Promise?" The assistant cheered up immediately. "Exactly! Do you know what the directors wife told Director Jiang?" "No, tell me." "Some of our scenes will be set in Shangri-Las valley, while they have chosen locations such as the Heaven Pool and the Flower Ocean. Nevertheless, she said that they might visit some other ces and asked us to wait until they finished the entire film, which was totally unreasonable!" "Did Director Jiang agree?" "Of course not! He justughed!" The elegant man was very proud. His pride was actually the driving force of his career. Qin Guan, who worshipped Director Jiang, finally reached his destination. He and Zhou Yun started preparing in the dressing room for their first scene. Zhou Yun would be ying Qin Guans mother in the film, even though the girl was actually one year younger than him. Qin Guan couldnt help but stare at Zhou Yun. The stylist was putting makeup on her tentatively. She was supposed to be a widowed mother who had raised her son alone during that era, yet she did not have a single wrinkle on her face. Those hard times hadnt left a mark on her. This doesnt make any sense! Qin Guan went out in his costume, which was a front-close jacket and a loose, short pair of pants, and walked over to Jiang Wen to talk about character image design. Chapter 845: The Sauce Chapter 845: The Sauce Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Director, no one would dress like this in the countryside back in the 1970s. My mother looks younger than me! Is there no unspoken rule about this?" Jiang Wen kicked him on the butt. "There are no unspoken rules in my film. Im just trying to meet everyones demands. You should be happy you are dressed decently. Now go away!" Qin Guan left immediately and rushed to his fake home, which was a bamboo house in the vige. The prop master set down adder in front of him. "Attention, please! We are shooting the first scene! The story of banyan. Three, two, camera!" Everyone stepped back like the tide, leaving Qin Guan to stand in front of the camera in confusion. "Qin Guan, your mother is on the tree again!" a kind man told the young man, bringing him adder. Qin Guan put thedder under his arm and rushed to the entrance of the vige. He looked anxious and helpless as he hurried to save his only rtive in the world. He set thedder down against the tree and climbed up like a monkey, which seemed to satisfy Jiang Wen. "Okay! Cut! Change costume and lets go again!" What for? Zhou climbed up the tree repeatedly, so Qin Guan had to rescue her again and again. They had to change costumes to show that these were different asions. After several takes, Qin Guans job that morning was finished. He looked at therge table in the yard and fell into thought. The crew must have brought these local dishes. When everyone saw the delicious food, they went crazy. Qin Guan squeezed in and took a seat. He was sitting on a small stool next to Jiang Wen. He had no time to moisten his throat with the famous Pu-erh tea. Instead, he just stretched his chopsticks straight towards the main course. He had to take advantage of every minute, or the other stronger men would leave nothing for him. The main course was Hani chicken with sauce. In other ces in China, sauce was only a side for the main dish, but in the Yunnan Province, it could be an independent dish. The chicken looked like aluminium foil in the colorful sauce. You didnt read wrong. Hani sauce consisted of different materials and colors. It contained white salt, red chilli, green leaves and ck fermented beans. Plus, the chicken entrails that had been boiled in the original soup were mixed with chicken blood bean curd and eggs. A bowl of sauce alone could feed a grown man. That was why the Hani sauce was so popr. Qin Guan was good at seizing food. He took half the chicken into his own bowl and handed it to Wang. Then he began fighting with the others over the sauce. The best part was the yolk and the guts. After filling Wangs bowl, Qin Guan buried his face into his own bowl. Wang was shocked by the egg. Its soft taste made it even better than the meat! Qin Guan made fun of her. "Why are you crying over dinner?" Wang hastened to wipe her tears away in an effort to hide the fact that she had been crying. "Its really hot!" Qin Guan pushed the baked bean curd towards her. "Try this to suppress the taste. Its crisp and soft. Its not that spicy." He was a real foodie! When they had dined and wined to satiety, they began filming the afternoon scenes. Chapter 846: Chinese Zhusuan Chapter 846: Chinese Zhusuan Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Although Qin Guans mother was mentally disturbed, he was a smart boy. He was actually really good at Zhusuan. His calction speed was even faster than a senior staff members of the most popr bank at college. Things were simple for Qin Guan. He expected to see the twists and turns of human nature, moving emotions andplex human ugliness in Jiangs film, so that he could refine his acting skills. The plot was like a start-from-scratch novel on Qidians website though. It just described the lives ofmon people. The in boiled water, which was slightly sweet, was the perfect refreshment. The difficulty of the scene was Zhusuan, which was a required basic skill. The actor had to be good at basic finger counting and able to work out the correct result on the abacus. In modern times, few people could do that, but fortunately, Qin Guan was one of them. That skill was a must for an ounting student. It was also a basic skill for any Chinese ountant, including Qin Guan, who was a field professional. Using arge abacus borrowed from an old viger, the award-winning actor showed off his unique technique before everyone. He performed a simple addition from one to 100. His dancing fingers and the cracking sound of the beads elevated his skill to a higher level. Jiang Wen turned on the camera to film the scene silently. The young man in the white clothes was sitting by the table in the spring breeze. A soft cloud was floating in the air. He smiled as he heard the sound of the beads. This was a memory of his youth. Jiang Wen rested his jaw on his crossed fingers. This was his trademark gesture. He had been working on this script since 2000, so he didnt want to see it suffer the same fate as the previous ones. They had all won international awards, but they had been banned by the SARFT at home. As soon as he expressed the intention of making a movie or finding a producer, someone would invite him for a cup of tea and exin to him the importance of Chinas international image. After he had worked on it for a long time, the script had finally been approved. The best parts had to be kept in the dark though, so he had added a lot of metaphors and secret clues to themon story. Nevertheless, he had slowly realized that it was another internationally-orientated film. The box office would be a disaster. This was okay with the Emperor Group. They could cover the expenses. What he was worried about was his reputation and the actors image. Especially Qin Guan. Will his fansugh at him? Jiang Wen sighed, but Qin Guans smile reassured him. This was only the beginning. Qin Guan was like a storm. Thanks to him, the film would do better. The movie had gone a different way ever since Qin Guan had joined the crew. Jiang Wen kept working with determination. Qin Guans mother had dug up a hole under the tree and found an underground hot spring. This attracted Qin Guans attention, who rushed to the pit immediately and jumped down, yelling at his mother, "Stop causing trouble for me!" He sat down in the pit and threw a cobblestone out with force. The young man was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. His mother didnt care though. She just squatted down and kept doing the same thing. Qin Guan sat down at the mouth of the spring in an effort to stop her. Its so hot! My butt must look like a monkeys. Zhou pped him for disturbing her. Qin Guan did not cry out or leave. He just stuffed her into a basket. In the mountainous areas of Southwest China, this was a traditional way of carrying kids. Qin Guan would carry his mother on his back instead. Chapter 847: An Awkward Scene Chapter 847: An Awkward Scene Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Even though she was a slender girl, Zhou Xun was still too heavy for Qin Guan. The two of them seemed to be suffering amid the beautifulndscape. Qin Guan walked with difficulty down the trembling bamboo bridge as butterflies and singing birds flew around him. The scene was dark, yet also funny. At the end of the scene, Qin Guan was faced with a great difficulty. Im fine with swimming in the clean river, but why do I have to pee? Although only his naked back would be visible, Qin Guan still felt terrible. "You will be making a sacrifice for art!" "No! This is not art!" "This is an outlet for a simple young man living in nature!" "Peeing is an outlet?" "Ill give you three kilos of Hani veal for your wife!" "10!" "Deal!" Qin Guan sold himself out for food. Jiang cleared away all the idlers, leaving only the cameraman on set. The clear, cool river was waiting for Qin Guans esteemed presence amid the sunny day. Qin Guan was wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt and a pair of ck pants. He leaned in and fell into the river. His wet clothes stuck to his body, drawing the outline of his muscles. Qin Guan started backstroking in the river, creating a beautiful picture of a young man in nature. Then he returned to the bank and took off all his clothes. Every inch of his skin was crying for warmth under the sunshine. "Quick! Do it!" Jiang and the cameraman were looking at him eagerly. It had taken him too long to take off his clothes. Lets get straight to the point! Qin Guan was under great pressure. Everyone knew that it was impossible to carry out even an everyday task when one had four eager eyes fixed on their back. Qin Guan was a real genius though. He was a professional actor, so he eventually managed to force some urine out. Director Jiang was really satisfied with the result. One should never try to discuss the meaning of a scene with an indie film director. Was this scene meaningless nonsense? Or was Jiang just sacrificing Qin Guan for the box office? Qin Guan had no idea. Some crazy fans would go to the cinema just to watch that though. The short story ended when Qin Guans mother saw reason. While she had been pregnant, her husband had cheated on her and fallen in love with a Russian woman in the army. Thus, he had died in shame instead of dying a martyr. Zhou Yun had returned to his hometown with his ashes and raised his child. Suddenly, she came back to her senses, got rid of her love for her husband and son, and threw herself into the river. A pair of red embroidered shoes floated in the river as the old Russian song "Katyusha" yed. Its hidden meaning was really profound. If it wasnt for Jiangs exnation, Zhou Yun and Qin Guan would never have understood its subtle connotation. Chapter 848: A Ripe Peach Chapter 848: A Ripe Peach Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The next story had nothing to do with Qin Guan, but the presence of Anthony Perry and Joan Chen exined Jiang Wens typical narrative technique. The next storyline was a mixture of dubious plot development, meaningless scenes, sudden turns and mysterious characters. If onepared Qin Guans tragedy to a romantic story, the story of Chen Chong, Jiang Wen and Anthony Perry would be a depiction of the twisted humanity of those times. Qin Guan felt depressed, so he tried to think about other things in order to rx. Has Cong Nianwei received the package I sent her? The deadline for her design is drawing near. If everything goes well, she may be the leader of an independent team that will n the reconstruction of the small stadium. They had gotten used to the quick pace of modern society ever since they had graduated from college. This convenient way ofmunication allowed two people who were thousands of miles away to connect any time they wanted. When will we get married though? Someone touched Qin Guan gently, bringing him back to reality. It was Yishan Kong, the actress who portrayed Jiang Wens wife in the film. ording to their rtion, Qin Guans character would call her auntie. That was unfair, as she and Zhou Yun were nearly the same age. Kong, who was a charming woman, was offended that the young man was ignoring her. "What are you thinking about, Qin Guan?" she asked him. "I just greeted you." Qin Guan would never tell anyone that he was missing his girlfriend, so he just pointed to the scene with a serious expression on his face. "I was wondering why the teacher wouldmit suicide. Logically speaking, a person would be in a good mood if they got rid of all their troubles. A self-important man would be relieved to be free of that burden. He had nothing to worry about anymore. It was unnecessary for him to leave this dirty world." Kong was impressed by Qin Guans analysis. What a knowledgeable young man! He will be my partner! Qin Guan secretly let out a sigh of relief. Im good at lying. Why doesnt Cong Nianwei believe me? It was because she knew the real Qin Guan! The story ended soon. Before the two older actors could get to know the other members of the crew, they had to leave in a hurry. Qin Guan was disappointed, but the next scenes cheered him up. Jiang Wen and Kong, who had witnessed the tragedy of his mothers death, were shocked by the duteous young man. He had found them a job and a ce to stay in the vige, as they had to rely on him in that strange ce. Kong, who was a fashionabledy from a big city, caused a storm in the small mountain vige. She was like a ripe peach trembling on a branch. Her sweet smell stirred something in that vige. Qin Guan and Kong were talking to each other before the camera. The audience found the sexy woman really attractive. She was dressed decently as she used her crystal fingers to feed some chickens in the yard. She made the simple work of a peasant woman look really fascinating. The two of them faced each other from afar. One of them was in the yard, and the other on the path. "She has some questions for you, auntie," Qin Guan spoke first. Kong looked around in confusion, but nobody was there except Qin Guan. Qin Guan smiled and stepped aside. There was a little girl hiding behind him. Qin Guan was the only Mandarin speaker in the vige, so he tranted for them. The girl told him something gently and he tranted for Kong. "She said she felt attracted to you the first time you met. She liked your appearance." Men never understood why a womans praise was much higher than a mans, but the delight it brought was irreceable. Even though the praise wasing from a little girl, Kong smiled wide. Chapter 849: As Smooth As Velvet Chapter 849: As Smooth As Velvet Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia She pinned her falling hair behind her ear. The upturned corner of her mouth betrayed her good mood. "Im not a decentdy right now. I take care of chickens every day." The girl didnt like hearing her talk about herself like that. Qin Guan tranted for her again. "She said that she has been observing you in secret for a few days. She likes your dress. She wants to be like you!" Kong chuckled. The sound was like a trembling branch carrying blooming flowers. Her manners were fascinating. "You are still a little girl," she answered seriously. "You have to wait 20 years till you be ady like me!" The girl had asked all her questions, so Qin Guan took advantage of the silence to ask one of his own. "Which country does the name Katyushae from?" Kong Wei fixed her charming eyes on Qin Guan and gave him a meaningful answer. The subtle connotation behind her words was not that clear for a simple country man. "Its a name given to Russian women. It also refers to a kind of rocket gun." "A rocket gun?" "Yes, they have given a gun a female name. Do you understand?" Its tooplicated. Qin Guan crossed his arms before his chest with a silly smile. "No." Kong changed the topic awkwardly. "How old is she?" The girl answered herself. "Im 16 years old!" The young girl was wearing her new red outfit and had put on some heavy makeup for the meeting. This was actually not a meeting between a beautifuldy and her admirer, but a way for the girl to stake her im on Qin Guan before the foreign enchantress. Qin Guan was stupefied. The girl had caught himpletely off guard with her lie. His mouth opened slightly. Suddenly, Jiang Wen raised his arm from behind the camera. "Cut!" The scene was over. The temperature difference in that mountainous area during the spring was really big. In the evening, the temperature dropped extremely low. Wang Liying helped Qin Guan put on his jacket. Then he suddenly saw Jiang Wen waving at him happily. "Come here, Qin Guan!" Qin Guan joined a group of local children actors. The Hani children were good at hunting for food. They stole bird eggs, dug up bamboo shoot and caught pheasants and hares. These were considered basic skills for the local teens. They were currently cooking their prey around the campfire. Two pheasants and a hare were being roasted in the pit. The natural salt and fermented soya beans made them smell great. They were all sitting around the fire with sparkling eyes. It was hard for those children to understand foreigners. They all looked like rich people from big cities. Why were they so interested in ordinary food? They handed Qin Guan a dagger. He had studied the childrens cutting skills earlier. His good appetite made everyone hungry. They all ate and talked happily in the dark night. Their happyughter and cheerful voices expressed their love for life. The next day, they filmed a new scene. Jiang Wen caught Kong and Qin Guan having sex in a small stone hut built by Zhou Yun. Due to the strict rules that applied to erotic scenes in China, even Jiang Wen, who was a really brave director, spent only one second on it. The audience would only see their bare backs through the blurry windows. "They tell me that my stomach is as smooth as velvet..." They? How many men have you had sex with? When Qin Guan was on his way back home, Jiang Wen attacked him and pressed a shotgun against his forehead. Ever since the death of his mother, Qin Guan had developed iron nerves. He didnt fight back or beg for mercy on his knees. Instead, he just started talking about random things absent-mindedly. "I have never seen velvet. What is it like?" "You are going to die. Excuses are useless!" Jiang Wen answered fiercely. "Its not an excuse. You can shoot me now. I was just wondering what velvet is like." "Okay, Ill show you one day. But you will die right after you see it." Chapter 850: Misery Chapter 850: Misery Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The next actor that showed up was the symbol of a generation. Jiang Wen had tried his best to get the actor there. Strictly speaking, the man was not actually an actor, but a singer. It was Cui Jian, the old god of rock music. He had joined the crew as a guest star who would be ying a friend of Jiang Wens who lived in Beijing. He was a real friend, so he tried to persuade Jian Wen, who was a very hot-headed guy. He had researched the boys background and reached the conclusion that Qin Guan was not the real reason behind Kongs betrayal. She had just been lonely. Convinced, Jiang Wen returned to the vige and met Qin Guan again. The young man was determined to die though. As soon as he spread the velvet banner, he said, "Your wifes stomach is not like velvet at all." Those were hisst words. Bang! Thus, Qin Guan was killed just before the end of the film. Although he got a bonus again, he thought that his character had been courting death too hard. He repeatedly emphasized this to Jiang Wen. No man could bear that, even if they were simple, kind and honest. In Jiangs opinion, Qin Guan represented a group of bold, reckless and stupid people of the time. On their way back, the crew made a small detour to Shangri-La to take a look. It was said that Chen had finished his job and left. Jiang Wen was a perfectionist though, so he wanted to re-shoot some scenes there. Everyone was shocked by the Flowers Ocean. The flowers there had not been nted by humans to promote tourism. The ce was a marvellous natural spectacle that had suffered through wind, rain, frost and intense heat. Different kinds of flowers were blooming silently on the highnd. If it wasnt for the development of tourism in the Yunnan Province, they would have lived there year after year and showed everyone their power and thirst for life. Unfortunately, humans had found the ce. When the crew of "The Promise" had arrived, they had proimed that they wanted to show the audience the beautiful view. The wild flowers hadnt satisfied them though, so they had pulled out plenty of flowers and vines and left only the most beautiful and elegant flowers. They thought that people would like that. Thus, they had put all the "noblest" flowers together to create a man-made garden. It was a really beautiful view, except that there was an ugly barend behind it. Butterflies and bees were lingering around, looking for honey, but the elegant flowers drove them away. The ce was a miserable mess. Everyone was feeling bitter hatred. It would take the ocean of flowers dozens of years to revert back to its original state. Suddenly, the angry crew saw something strange on the hillside. They exchanged a nce and put on big masks. On the bank of the beautiful Tianchi, a local administrator was pulling at an ounder. "Tell me what happened! Stop!" The man had gotten really angry with a member of the crew. Actually, the crew member was just the man in charge of carrying the equipment and props. He looked helpless as he tried to exin to the angry man. "Im just a member of the crew, I dont make any decisions here. This is none of my business!" Qin Guan and hispanions shot him a look and gasped. Tianchi was a pond on highnd, which was typically a rare sight. The water of the pond was transparent and crystal, as it was created from melting snow and it contained local minerals. The pond had changed a lot though. Its naturally round bank had been destroyed, but the worse part was that the crew had built a floating bridge made of cement, stone pirs and wood along the bank. That setting would appear in the film for just a few minutes, but the mysterious pond of the local legends would stay a muddy pond forever. Chapter 851: A Way Of Escape Chapter 851: A Way Of Escape Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The floating bridge had been torn down, leaving only stone piers inside theke like teeth in a monsters mouth. The sediment had mounted the bank. The clear water had gone muddy because of that. Isnt the Tianchi an international geographical wonder? Isnt it an origin of romance for ethnic minorities in Yunnan? Why would a Chinese person do that? Although this had nothing to do with Qin Guan, he was still filled with anger. As a Chinese man, he couldnt turn a blind eye to this. He pushed Jiang Wens hands away and walked up to the two arguing men. "Excuse me! May I know what the contract between the local government and the crew is?" The confused man turned his face towards Qin Guan. "We originally thought that they would just rent the ce. They didnt allow the vigemittee or the staff from the local tourism bureau to be here though. The producer promised us that they would just film the natural view. They said they had to keep all the pictures secret for confidentiality issues. They said it was a big-budget production." "They didnt hire any locals. They just signed a contract that the ce would remain the same and paid the deposit. They didnt inform us when they left though. We wouldnt even have known if it wasnt for our children. They saw their trucks leave one after the other." "We found this strange. If the shooting had ended without any problems, they would have let us know. This is one of the most important tourist attractions in the Yunnan Province after all. Many touristse here especially for it. The surrounding viges rely on this beautifulndscape. What are we supposed to do now? Our homnd has been destroyed!" The man squatted down and put his hands on his head. He was weeping in heartbreak. Everyone who was on Qin Guans side felt sorry for the guy, as well as the crew member of "The Promise". "Some crew members are still in town," Qin Guan told the man kindly. "Maybe Sister Chen, who is the producer, is also there. It would be impossible to restore this ce to its original state anytime soon, but you could at least ask for some more money aspensation." The man realized that this was his lifeline. He bowed before Qin Guan and the crew and ran away as fast as he could. Qin Guan didnt say anything. He just sighed gently as he looked at the poorke. Jiang Wen patted his shoulder infort. "Fortunately, the Hani vige looks nothing like this. At least I am a conscientious man." Kong Wei couldnt stand those two sensitive guys any longer. She also hated to see beautiful things destroyed. "Hey! Lets go into town. We have to find a hotel before it gets dark anyway. Maybe we could also see how this whole thing ends!" "Lets go!" Qin Guan and Jiang Wen agreed. They headed to the small town downhill eagerly. It was a quiet town. Only a few dim light bulbs were on at the hotel, indicating that the ce was open for business. There was only one hotel in town, so they met an acquaintance there. The local man was sitting by a table looking confused. There was a crumpled piece of paper in his hands. Qin Guan sat down next to him. "What happened? Did you find the producer?" "I was toote. Maybe someone tipped them off. They left just before I got here, but they said they left somepensation money at the tourism bureau. I called the bureau just now. The person in charge of the program hasnt heard anything." Chen had obviously lied to both sides to get off the hook. The crew would be dismissed in the capital and everyone would return to their original unit. It would be impossible for the local government to find the real culprit. Meanwhile, the director would pin the problem on her subordinates. She was a real con-artist! Qin Guan got even angrier and decided to help the man. "Do you have the original version of the contract? Well be staying here for a few days. I have somewyer friends that could help. We should appeal to the government and thew. China has been very passionate about environmental protectiontely. I think you should tell everyone all over the country about the tragedy of Tianchi." "Those public figures should be taught a lesson. They should be ashamed of what they did!" Chapter 852: The Lausanne Track Meeting Chapter 852: The Lausanne Track Meeting Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The in man found hope in his sincere words and decided to give Qin Guan all the documents. He had made a random kind acquaintance overnight. Jiang Wen didnt stop Qin Guan. It was his decision to make. Actually, as a Chinese man, Jiang had no right to hold him back. Chen Kang, who was awakened at midnight, read the contract on hisputer with tears in his eyes. He felt deeply sorry for his past behavior concerning the small hutong. Lawyers went crazy about cases like this. He would be famous thanks to it. I will take it on! In the past, Chen Kang had liked to watch the world burn, but now he epted this case without hesitation. The unpretentious man didnt express his gratitude for Qin Guans help too dramatically. He just sent him a pheasant. As soon as Qin Guan reached the capital, he met Cong Nianwei at the airport. When the crew of "The Promise" returned, they started slowly releasing news and photos about the film to attract the audience. The beautiful photos of the Flower Ocean were used for publicity. There were warriors fighting for truth everywhere. Before Qin Guan could take any action, some tourists and local reporters showed the public the real Tianchi. Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan looked at the photos of the miserable ce. "Were you in Yunnan? Did you visit the ce in the pictures? Is what they say true?" Qin Guan nodded solemnly. Thanks to the development of the inte, it was impossible to keep any striking news from the public. His calm girlfriend did not get angry often, but architects always evaluated the environment before beginning construction. Their evesting concern was protecting the inherent ecological environment, not designing buildings. The professors at Columbia always tirelessly insisted on the importance of harmony between humans and nature. No professional architect would dare build amid an ecologically precious environment. Human greed couldnt be allowed to take over every beautifulndscape in the world. Cong Nianwei was really angry about the news. When she heard what Qin Guan had done in Yunnan though, she kissed him. "Well done! We should teach them a lesson. Just leave the matter to the local government. If they do nothing, we will fight for that ce." Qin Guan burst intoughter and gave her a hug. Absence made the heart grow fonder, but good things always came to an end. Qin Guan had to fly to Spain for an award ceremony. Then he would return to China as soon as possible to keep an eye on that matter. Change always ruined every n though. Before Qin Guan could even pack for Spain, he received a gift from Xu Xiaoxiao, his friend back in America. After graduation, he had started working in venture investment on Wall Street, but he had taken advantage of his few vacation days to buy tickets for the Lausanne Track Meeting and sent Qin Guan an invitation. "We can fit it in our schedules. We could go to the Track Meeting first and then go experience the fierce menco! What do you think?" Qin Guan felt strange as he typed on the keyboard. "Is there a special reason you are going on this rare vacation?" "Are you serious? You are less informed there in China than I am in America. I want to meet Liu Xiang!" Liu Xiang? The athlete right below me on the Forbes list? Xu is a real patriot! Qin Guan decided to say yes, so he travelled to Europe earlier to go to Lausanne. Lausanne was a city located in the francophone south-west part of Switzend. The cityy on the north bank of Lake Geneva and overlooked Evian-les-Bains and other beautifulndscapes from a distance. The Olympic Committee thought very highly of that wonderful setting, so its headquarters were stationed there. Lausanne was actually called the Capital of the Olympics. Chapter 853: A Glimpse Chapter 853: A Glimpse Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Lausanne was both a historical city and a sports headquarters, so the stadiums there were renowned for their high quality. The Track Meeting attracted professional athletes and fans from all over the world. Sports stars shone like real stars over the sky. Before the opening ceremony could even begin, the news about the meeting had already spread. Qin Guan was just an ordinary passenger, so his skin color helped him go through the airport unnoticed. It was ck people that attracted the most attention. Up until that point, Liu Xiang had only been famous in China. This was one of his first international achievements. Xu Xiaoxiao, who had arrived in Lausanne early, met Qin Guan at the airport. Surprisingly, there was no crowd waiting for Qin Guan there. Qin Guans team walked up to Xu while he was looking in the distance. Wang Liying was already impatient due to the change in Qin Guans schedule. This long trip would affect the actor a lot, so she didnt think very highly of the third generation of Chinese Freemasons in New York Chinatown. Of course, if she knew about Xus background, she would have tried her best to prevent Qin Guan frommunicating with the guy at all. The girl tried to use her power anyway. "You must be Boss Xu, my boss best friend. Thank you so much for your hospitality. You have covered the expenses of our entire team, which we really appreciate." Han Zhujiu looked shocked behind Qin Guan. What? Xu paid for the trip? I knew nothing about this. He held his questions back when he saw everyone nod along with Wang though. Im a bodyguard, so I only care about getting my money. I dont give a damn about who pays me. Qin Guan and Xu Xiaoxiao didnt mind about Wangs warm greeting. Qin Guan, who was a careless guy, felt confident about his agent. Meanwhile, Xu was totally fascinated by the lovely girl. The long-lost friends didnt notice the trap. They checked in happily and went to Liu Xiangs race the next day. The stadium was already crowded because of the grand sports event. Thanks to Xus influence, they had gotten good seats by the side of the track. This way, they could watch the whole process from the starting point right up to thest sprint. It was a sunny day, so everything was going well for both the audience and the athletes. Qin Guan and Xu ignored the buzz of the reporters around them. Qin Guan was wearing an ordinary baseball cap, a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt. He was sitting among thousands of ordinary people, watching the athletes get ready for the race. Everyone was concentrated on the red track under the bleachers. Athletes from all over the world were warming up down there. The cameras scanned them one after the other. Thanks to therge screen above the stadium, even the audience farther away could see all the athletes clearly. Thementator was reading out loud information about the athletes, including their personal best score, their best season score and their scores during the first and second round of the meeting. Athlete No. 239, who was on the first track, was American Ryan Wilson. Liu Xiang from China was on the second track. When thementator got to Liu Xiangs name, Xu Xiaoxiao stood up to cheer for his favorite athlete. Even though he was a third-generation American-Chinese immigrant, he hailed for people with the same blood as him. As his friend, Qin Guan felt touched. He was a real Chinese man as well though, so he decided to help him. The two of them stood up and started waving the Five-Star Red g fiercely on the stands. There were not many Chinese people in the stadium, with the exception of Chinese reporters and sports teams, so they attracted a lot of attention. The cameras recorded the moment and projected it on therge screen. The team doctor was stunned. Some young audience members from Germany, France and Italy opened their mouths wide. "Its Qin Guan!" "Its him!" The team doctor rushed up to the director of the sports team. "I saw a celebrity on the screen. Qin Guan hase here to see Liu Xiang!" "Who is Qin Guan?" The team director was so focused on his job that he never even went to the cinema. That name meant nothing to him. The team doctor told him a few things about Qin Guan as fast as he could. Chapter 854: Chaos Chapter 854: Chaos Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The team director didnt care about Qin Guans films and awards. He only cared that he was a rich man with good rtions with international fashion brands. If he is a fan of Liu Xiang, maybe he could invest in our team in the future. Could I convince him to invest in some unpopr sports? I should have a word with him when the race is over! Although the two men came from twopletely different worlds, they had a good talk with each other. Everyone decided to contact Qin Guan to create a more striking publicity effect, promote the sports event and maximize the profits for the Chinese General Sports Administration. Qin Guan had no idea that he had been exposed to determined people with high aspirations. He and Xu were sitting in their seats silently, waiting for the big moment. They were both patriots, so they would always support Liu Xiang regardless of the final result. However, when they realized that he was the only Asian among Africans, they felt horrible. "Do you remember our ethnology course back at Columbia? What is amon characteristic of ck people? Their natural physique is the most suitable for races!" "It probably is..." They exchanged an awkward smile. Suddenly, the race started. Bang! The eight athletes on the starting line rushed out like arrows. "Lausanne is Liu Xiangs lucky ce. He has broken international youth records here. Now he is in the city again!" "His start was not that good. He is only fifth among the eight athletes." "Its been three hurdles already, but he is stillgging behind. The athlete on the third track is in the lead." "Fifth hurdle! He suddenly started speeding up! Wow! Sprinters rarely start speeding up half-way through the race." "His steps and rhythm are perfect, hes not affected by the others." "Great! He jumped over the final hurdle and hes approaching the finish line first! We finally have a winner!" Qin Guan and Xu Xiaoxiao bounced up excitedly the moment Lius chest touched the tape. They could only express their excitement by screaming and waving their g around fiercely. Only someone who was there could experience the passion of Chinese fans. They had forgotten about everything. They just wanted to express their emotions. Before going to talk to the reporters, Liu Xiang sat down next to the timer with his international record. The young man loved to show off. International media loved guys like him. The reporters gathered around Liu Xiang, who was waving his arms andughing in abandon. As he looked at the crowd, Xu felt a sudden desire tough. "Is this the first time you act like a fan instead of an idol?" he asked Qin Guan. "He looks so happy right now. He must not understand the meaning of his achievement. His life will be full of flower bouquets and apuse in the future. His every movement will be under the spotlight. Plus, he will also have to keep training hard. The hopes of the entire poption will be resting on his shoulders. Is the boy prepared for that?" Was he prepared for that? Qin Guan didnt want to discuss the topic any further. He and Xu left as fast as they could in an effort to avoid more attention. Before they could get out of the stadium though, people started chasing them from all directions. They were sports fans from all over the world who had seen their idol on therge screen. They had been looking at Qin Guan through their binocrs and cameras, so they acted as soon as he left his seat. More and more fans gathered around him with marker pens and white T-shirts for him to sign. This attracted the attention of the other audience members. Humans tended to follow the current, so everyone else also started taking out pens. Qin Guan forced his way to the exit, regretting not taking Han Zhujiu with him. When he reached the exit, a pair ofrge hands pulled him through a side door used by athletes. "Hey! Qin Guan!" Xu followed him in quickly. The security guards shut the fans out. We are safe! Before Qin Guan could express his gratitude, he realized that his savior was a kind middle-aged Chinese man. Chapter 855: Group Photo Chapter 855: Group Photo Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Judging by his outfit, he had to be a member of the Chinese team. The logo "Li Ning" made it pretty clear. "Nice to meet you, Qin Guan." "Nice to meet you..." "Im Zhang, the director of the track team of the Chinese General Sports Administration. Im not a businessman or a celebrity, so I wont beat about the bush. Youvee here especially for Liu Xiang?" "Yes." Qin Guan nodded in confusion. "Do you think everyone should pay close attention to and support outstanding athletes? Liu has just made a breakthrough for Asians and broken an international record after all." "Of course!" "Thats right! Such a sports star needs understanding and help from all fields. As you know, it is hard for athletes to sign contracts with agencies or businessmen. Its said that you have connections both in China and internationally. I was wondering if..." He was actually afraid of being cheated by businessmen, but this was nothing for Qin Guan. As a patriot, Qin Guan agreed without hesitation. "Ill give you my phone number. You can ask your staff to contact my assistant. I know everything about most fashion brands. If you choose one, I could contact them for you for free!" "Great! Thanks a lot." Director Zhang was satisfied with the result. Before Qin Guan could say goodbye to him, a Chinese reporter ran over to them happily. The reporter shot an excited look at Qin Guan and whispered something to Director Zhang. Zhang nodded repeatedly. Then Qin Guan was presented with an even more exciting proposal. "As you know, Liu Xiang has just broken the world record. There is still some time left before the official press conference. Would you like to take a group photo with our athletes?" "Sure!" Xu Xiaoxiao replied before Qin Guan could. His lifelong dream would finally be realized. Thus, everyone entered the backstage lounge, where Liu Xiang was excitedly waiting for the press conference to start. "Come here, Liu Xiang. Let me introduce you two. This is Qin Guan, he is a fan of yours. He came to Lausanne especially for you." "And who is this gentleman?" "Im Xu Xiaoxiao, an American-Chinese loyal fan of yours. You are the pride of Chinese people all over the world!" Xu rushed over to shake Lius hands. Liu grinned at them. Who is Qin Guan? Is he a celebrity? I am too busy training every day. Some girls from the womens team mention him from time to time though. He is an award-winning actor! Its great to have such a big star as a fan... The reporters from the Xinhua News Agency and CCTV frowned at Xu, who was standing in the middle. "When shall we take the photo, sir? And how?" "Now! Like this! Make sure we look handsome!" Xu felt like he was on a cloud as he stood between Qin Guan and Liu Xiang, hugging their shoulders. He looked like a small apple between two tall bananas. Miserable, yet memorable. The reporters pressed the shutters as fast as they could and tried to ignore the short guy in the middle. When they were done, they shook hands with Qin Guan and Liu Xiang. "Thank you for your cooperation." "Was that okay?" "Yes, you can get back to your work." Qin Guan pulled Xu out of the lounge so he wouldnt follow Liu Xiang to the press conference. Then he returned to his hotel and sent the photos to his firm. To his surprise, the news about Liu Xiang went viral online. By the time he boarded the ne for Spain, the pictures had spread all over the country. "The No.1 Asian at track races! Liu Xiang breaks the world record with 12.88 seconds and pushes the human limits!" "Lausanne! Liu Xiangs lucky ce!" "The award-winning actor personally beats the drum for Chinese athletes!" "Liu Xiang and Qin Guans friendly photos! The two of them seem to know each other well!" The strange photos had sneaked into the sports section. Chapter 856: Spain Chapter 856: Spain Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was connected to the striking news. All theizens were shocked. Qin Guan should be at the Spanish film festival. Why did he go to Switzend? Are you kidding me? Reporters started refreshing Qin Guans website and official blog immediately. Thetest news were about his trip to Spain. How did the sports reporters get this scoop? They should just stick to Liu Xiang and leave this to us! Their colleagues had just seen Qin Guan waving his g fiercely in the stadium. Thementator had been really funny, so CCTV 5 just tranted hismentary into Chinese. "I just found out that Qin Guan, the Golden Globe winner who has also won awards at Cannes and Berlin, is not just a film star, but also a fan of Liu Xiang. As an authentic Swiss, Qin Guan was the only Chinese guy I could recognize. Thanks to him, I now learned about a Chinese athlete that is no less sessful than Qin Guan in his own career." Lius international status was suddenly elevated. In half an hour, the news had spread across China and the entire world. By the time Qin Guan got off the ne in Spain, his staff had already posted the pictures online. So had the reporters from the Xinhua News Agency and CCTV 5. Saint Sebastian was a small city on the bay. If it wasnt for the famous European film festival, Chinese people would not even know its name. European people loved it though. If Spain was considered a heaven for the retired, Saint Sebastian was the heaven of heavens. The beach there was not like in other resorts. ya De La Concha was full of sunshine, warmth and elegant historical buildings. The buildings lined the hills along the beach without interruption. Words couldnt express the beauty of the beach. There was also another hidden treasure there. Qin Guan only found out what it was when he met Xu Jinglei at the hotel. It was delicious food. The city was the gastronomical capital of Spain. The best cooking schools of the country were located there, so it was the cradle of the most renowned cooks in Europe. One could imagine the level of the restaurants there. As soon as he heard the good news, Qin Guan rushed out of the hotel, leaving the annoying group photo with Liu Xiang behind him. Some people thought that Qin Guan wanted to share Liu Xiangs poprity, but his fans insisted that it would have been impossible for their idol to know the oue in advance. After a heated discussion, both sides fixed their eyes on the fat man in the middle. They hated that lucky guy so much. Fortunately, Xu had returned to America. If looks could kill, the people in China would have murdered him. Thanks to the group photo, Qin Guan reached the top of the Jing blog, surpassing even Xu Jingleis blog, which included casual essays and personal stories. Although Wang Liying had texted him the good news, Qin Guan couldnt resist the temptation of food. He had found the most famous local food street by asking the hotel staff. It was a wonderful site. There were only various restaurants and bars along the street. Even Michelin restaurants were not rare around there. Qin Guan spotted at least three restaurants with Michelin stars within a distance of 30 meters. Chapter 857: The Quintessence of Spanish Culture Chapter 857: The Quintessence of Spanish Culture Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia If one didnt have tapas during their visit to Spain, everyone wouldugh at them. It would be likeing out of a bank vault with bare hands. Even if they watched the boldest, most unrestrained menco dancer, or fought with the most violent bull, that disappointment would still be irreversible. Tapas were the quintessence of Spanish food. They could be found everywhere, from gorgeous restaurants to small cafs. There were twopletely different stories about them in Spanish legends. The noblest one was that an ancient Spanish king had bad a big appetite and disliked European dinner, but preferred simple snacks instead. Thus, the royal cook had made him small dishes of different tastes that could stimte his appetite. The king had been really happy when hed tried them. There was also a more realistic legend. Back in the era when carriages had been widely used, tired passengers and cart drivers had had no time to sit down and enjoy a good meal. They had usually stood at the entrance of restaurants or by their carts and eaten dry loaves of bread in a hurry. Thus, some smart restaurant owners had dividedrger portions of food into smaller ones and sold them to those people so they could save time. That was the origin of tapas. The legends always talked about their good taste though. Qin Guan entered a restaurant by following his foodie intuition. A crowded restaurant had to be a good one. There were 50 different kinds of food sitting on the tall tables with toothpicks on them. They seemed to be crying, "Dont eat me! Dont eat me!" They looked lovely. Qin Guan walked over to them with a giant white te in his hands. Tiny Vienna sausages were wrapped in Spanish rye bread, creating rolls that were smaller than ping-pong balls. The half-boiled eggs with orange caviar looked like tiny suns. There were several small fried chicken legs behind them. White smooth fish was stuffed into red bell peppers. There were also various barbecued vegetables. One could even ask the cook to grill some pineapples and cucumbers. If someone thought they were too rich and elegant for these in ingredients though, the seafood would satisfy them. King crab meat had been peeled off and mounted on tes, and light, delicious truffles were waiting inrge bowls. There was also tuna that had been caught that very morning in the bay. The cook had cleaned it and cut it into pieces. One could take anything they liked and enjoy their food slowly. There was abel on each toothpick, so the waiter would look at it before the customer paid. One toothpick cost one to two euros, and about five dishes could usually satisfy a girl. Of course, this wasnt enough for Qin Guan. When he had finally dined and wined to satiety, it took the waiter a full five minutes to count his toothpicks. Wang Liying wished the floor would open up and swallow her. Qin Guan had eaten enough food for three adults. The waiter, who was not that good at math, feltpletely lost as he counted the toothpicks. 53, 52, 53... "You have 53 toothpicks, sir. Thats... 53 euros. Thank you." That sounds strange. Wang paid the bill quickly and pulled Qin Guan away from the tables. They left the Spanish restaurant without hesitation. If they spent any more time there, Qin Guan would try everything and die from food overdose before the film festival even opened. That was why he needed a reliable agent. Xue Wanyi had found the perfect sessor. In July, the sunshine looked like splendid gold in Spain. The White Shell Bay was really beautiful. Although the Saint Sebastian Festival was not as influential as the other three famous European film festivals, it had a history of more than 50 years, so it was still very important among the small European film circle. It also showed a preference to Chinese films. In 1994, Ning Jing had won the Best Actress Award there. That was why Xu Jinglei was so confident about her work. Chapter 858: The Silver Shell Awards And Young Chinese Actresses Chapter 858: The Silver Shell Awards And Young Chinese Actresses Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The White Shell Bay certainly deserved the title of the most beautiful bay in Europe. The beautifulndscape alone could provide the media with enough pictures, not even counting the stars on the red carpet. Qin Guan would be attending the ceremony to satisfy the reporters. Thus, he became the protagonist of the entire ceremony. All the reporters gathered around the miraculous Asian man. The local government weed the international award-winning actor, as his presence would elevate the influence of the festival. The festival was actually only famous in Europe. Besides filmmakers, not that many people in the world knew about it. The local media had already drafted the next days headlines. "Ten yearster, a Chinese actor shows his extraordinary talent and wins the Best Actor Award again!" "A touching film and a delicate oriental perspective..." "Qin Guan wins another European award after Cannes and Berlin!" ording to their confident predictions, Qin Guan would be the winner. They knew that, just like other European film festivals, this one also favored Asian films. Plus, Qin Guan enjoyed international fame, so it would only be natural for him to win. As expected, "Letter From An Unknown Woman" was the big winner of the night. Xu won her first international directing award, and the film also won the Best Screeny and Best Actor Award. The Silver Shell was handed out to the entire crew. This was a big honor for the Chinese woman. From then on, Xu would focus on her work as a director instead of an actress. It was very seldom that an actress retired from the public eye to engage in hard directing work, but the experience was like a clear stream that had refreshed her. Xu had been one of the top four actresses in China, so her retirement from acting affected the structure of the entire film circle. After years of work, Fan Pingping and Li Bingbing had finally reached the top of the circle. All flowers bloomed together on the maind. However, Fan was suffering from ack of popr films. Li Bingbing, who was an older actress, had already acted in some popr films that had impressed the audience. "The Knot" had been praised by critics and topped the box office by beating other mainstream films. Meanwhile, Fan was just famous for her affairs. She was anxiously seeking for resources with her agent, but it was in vain. All the feedback was negative. She had actually beenbelled a "brainless beauty". Although she had be a beauty standard of the era, she had also suffered because of it. She parked outside Qin Guans office slowly, took off her sunsses and got out of the car. As soon as she went out, she saw a figure and felt a very strong sense of deja vu. A slender woman was opening the door of a ck Land Rover. The big car created a strong contrast against the pretty woman, but Fang thought that her imposing manner matched the car well. Who is she? With a sh of inspiration, Fan recalled her name. She called Qin Guan right away. "Fan Pingping? Are you downstairs?" "Yes, how did you know? I just saw Cong Nianwei." "Wow! Your memory is really good! Did you know her back in high school?" Qin Guan was really proud of his girlfriends poprity. Fan suddenly pulled him back to reality. "No, I just recognized her from the photos published by the media. I dont remember any boys from school, let alone any girls. Anyway, Im at the entrance. Send your assistant down to open the door for me!" Chapter 859: People Are Not Equal Chapter 859: People Are Not Equal Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia In order to reach Qin Guans office, one had to go through a lot of check points. These had been built to prevent fans and reporters from breaking in. Rongzhi had transformed the simple building into a castle with cards and codes. Wang Liying led Fan Pingping and her team to a private meeting room where Qin Guan always read scripts and enjoyed his afternoon tea. Fan felt right at home in the meeting room. She asked Qin Guan to prepare some snacks and tea for her and then stated the purpose of her visit. "Could you please give me a chance? Wee from the same town after all. Is there a script thats suitable for me? I want to be a protagonist." Her eagerness confused Qin Guan. In his opinion, the girl was in the prime of her life. Everyone knew her. Qin Guan fixed his eyes on her and asked, "Isnt this your agents job? Why did youe to me? I cannot intervene when ites topany functions. There is an appointed CEO at Huayi. I think youd better ask help from the person in charge of the scripts." "Yes! Yes, I know!" Fang put her palms together devoutly. "I didnt find any suitable scripts at Huayi, but I know you have a lot of resources. Is there perhaps a script that you turned down? Just give me a rmendation!" Everyone knew that Qin Guan maintained a good rtionship with both the sixth and the fifth generation of directors. He had also cooperated with CCTV and China Film Group, so mainstream directors thought just as highly of him. Qin Guan turned down dozens of scripts a month. Everyone in the entertainment circle called him a lucky boy, just like people in America had called him a lucky star. Qin Guan could read her thoughts. She just wanted to share his good luck. He turned and pointed to a shelf. "TV scripts on the left, film scripts on the right. They are allbelled by date. If you are interested in something, just call my assistant." Actually, a script was only the first step. The director would evaluate many aspects before choosing an actor. "That simple?" Fan felt as if she was at the top of the world. As she rushed over to the shelf, Qin Guan took a sip of the green tea in his hand. Not all people were equal. Fan was busy running about looking for a script while Qin Guan just sat on the couch and enjoyed his tea. A lot of people still stuffed scripts in his hands whenever he walked by them. I have to ept the reality that he is a miracle. The actress got lost in a script. "Huh? Did you read this one, Qin Guan?" "Which one?" "Apple! Tony Leung will be the protagonist, but the heroine has not been cast. Its a story about a nobody suffering from mishaps his entire life because of the fast development of the economy. I think its a profound story. It stands a good chance of winning an award. Why did you turn it down?" There was a red cross on the cover of the script, which had been lying on the shelf, covered in dust. Qin Guan didnt even move his eyelids. The script had impressed him. It was pretty good, but it was not of any mainstream value. Qin Guan had to avoid scripts of that kind if he wanted to stay out of trouble. He looked at Fan, who was observing his expression carefully. "If you choose this one, you have to prepare yourself mentally. There are erotic scenes included, and the heroine is not a nice person. She is just a material girl. It would be a test for your acting skills though. Thats why Tony Leung agreed to it. If you want to have a signature film, this would be a good choice." Reassured, Fan put the script in her bag with satisfaction. Chapter 860: The Importance Of The Ornamental Column Awards Chapter 860: The Importance Of The Ornamental Column Awards Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia She suddenly noticed the script in Qin Guans hands. Fan Pingping walked closer to him. "Whats this? Youre reading it so carefully." "Director Li An sent it to me. Its quite controversial. Im still hesitant about it." "What is it? Let me take a look." Qin Guan handed the script over. The title on it was "Lust Caution". Unlike all the characters he had portrayed before, this one was a traitor, the ultimate viin. Qin Guan was hesitant because he was afraid the SARFT might get upset. Fan changed his mind though. "An actor like you can do anything without regrets. A good scriptes to you by luck, not by searching for it. You can pick and choose from many though! You can try all kinds of roles. Im going to go mad!" She is right. I have never portrayed such a viin. One should be open to challenges. If I get in trouble for this film, I could find work in America and wait for the storm to subside. Thats what Ill do! Qin Guan felt determined. After escorting Fan out, who was still feeling reluctant about her own script, he told Wang to arrange his uing work schedule. He would talk about the details with Director Li An before the Ornamental Column Awards. If he rejected such a chance again, the director might not give him another one in the future. Qin Guan contacted Qu and asked her to get more foreign scripts, just in case. As award ceremonies wereing up one after the other, Qin Guan calmed down from his previous excitement. A possible award might please him, considering that he had not been very passionatetely. Attending ceremonies became a routine for him. A train rarely experienced any surprises when it followed the tracks. There was an obscure feeling at the bottom of his heart reminding him of his own ambition and long-term goals. He would not rest until he won an Oscar. Thus, Qin Guan decided to try to realize his dream. Feature films were still popr at the Oscars after all. Qin Guan stomped confidently on the red carpet of the Ornamental Column Awards in his most solemn suit. Unlike the Golden Chicken and Hundred Flowers Awards, the Ornamental Column Awards were very serious. Their original name had been "Excellent Government Film Awards". Such an award was an honor bestowed by the government, so all the films selected for the next round focused on ideology and art, instead of on seeding at the box office, selling DVD copies and making their money back. The award was a miniature of the real ornamental column on Tienanmen Square, which indicated its political significance. That award was a certificate of quality. Although it was the most popr one among ordinary people, it was definitely the most important award for the Chinese cultural industry. As a result, all the nominated actors attended the ceremony. No one dared to be absent, for fear that the directors of the Ministry of Culture would attend the event and get a bad impression of them. Yin Changtao had designed a custom traditional Chinese suit for Qin Guan, which was even better than an Armani suit. Giorgio Armani had showed great interest in the outfit, as this was the first time Qin Guan had declined to wear Armani at a formal event. It was a Chinese tunic suit with an open cor and fitting pant legs that revealed Qin Guans perfect figure. He looked extraordinary amid the crowd on the red carpet. There were also some international starsing from far away, including Zhou Xun, Zhang Ziyi, Jet Li and Leon Lai, who had to remind the officials of their existence. They attracted the attention of the media, upstaging older hard-working actors. Before Qin Guan could take a seat, he saw Feng Gong grin at him. He shared a bitter hatred with him over amon enemy. Chapter 861: Confidence Chapter 861: Confidence Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Have you had a meal?" "Yes." "What about you? They didnt take pictures of you for a long time either?" Actually, Qin Guan had been the focus of the cameras, but he replied against his will, "Yes, I was done with the red carpet fast. They didnt pay much attention to me." "Exactly!" Feng Gong patted the arm of his chair. "They only photographed a handsome man like me for 30 seconds and then told me to keep walking!" You must have been blocking someone else. "It looks like we are partners in misery..." Thank you so much... The two of them talked happily. The first three rows of seats were filled fast. Officials from the Ministry of Culture and other film industries were sitting in the first row, and famous mainstream directors and producers upied the next two rows. When they were all seated, silence slowly prevailed in the hall. No one wanted to make a bad impression on those guys. Thus, the main hall of the Beijing Exhibition Center was as silent as a grave. The nervous atmosphere was eased by the rising of the curtain. Qin Guan felt like he was not at an award ceremony, but a film circle auction. Everyone used this event as an opportunity to market themselves. Fan Pingping was the events guest of honor. Director Chen Kexin was standing next to her. "I like Director Chens work. I hope he could give me a chance in the future." Chen Kexin forced a smile at the meaningful expression in the audiences eyes and changed the topic. "The Best Actress of the 12th award ceremony is... Li Bingbing!" The honest girl had finally seeded after so much effort. She had already left her opponent Xu Ruoxuan far behind. People had originally considered Fan the cleverest person at the ceremony, but a second guest of honor made them change their minds. Zhao Wei, who had used to be a big-shot on the Chinese maind, was not as confident as Li Bingbing now. Her terrible line delivery and typecasting made her struggle in her career. As she was standing on the stage with kung fu superstar Jet Li, she wanted to struck a couple of poses. She wanted to show that she was also good at martial arts, even though she was wearing a formal dress. She just wanted to give him this information with the prospect of cooperating with him in the future. Unfortunately, Jet Li was not as polite as Chen Kexin. He only talked about One Foundation. While he was on the stage, he kept asking everyone to donate money to charity. He understood Zhao Weis eagerness though. She just wanted to dip her feet in the river and take advantage of his influence in Hollywood. The straightforward man gave her a perfunctory response. "Im just an actor, Im not a director or a producer. I do not cast actors for films." Only this confident man would dare say no to the popr actress. "Okay, well talk about thister. Now lets focus on tonights real heroes. The nominated actors of the 12th award ceremony are Wang Wufu, Feng Gong, Fu Dalong and Qin Guan." "The lucky guys are Fu Dalong and Qin Guan! Lets give them a round of apuse!" Another double-yolked egg! Two out of the four candidates had won an award. Qin Guan got on the stage. Unlike the previous winners, he expressed his sincere appreciation for everyone involved in the film. It seemed like he was clear about the situation. It was the government that had given him this chance. During previous ceremonies, he had mentioned his girlfriend repeatedly, but he remained silent about her this time. After his speech, he stepped back behind the host and the guests of honor and listened to the other actors speech humbly. He stayed like this until he got off the stage. He remained shy and silent as he walked past the first three rows. What excellent acting skills! Qin Guan didnt need to tter the directors. He had a shelf of scripts in his office. Plus, he was a producer himself! He could produce his own films if he wished. He also won awards for the film he had produced. "Crazy Stone" won the Best Film Award and Ning Hao won the Best New Director Award. For a film with a budget of only 4.5 million, this was no disappointment. Everyone used the Ornamental Column Awards to ensure future box office sess. Chapter 862: Replacing Older Actors Chapter 862: Recing Older Actors Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was quite confident about "Crazy Stone". Reassured by the Ornamental Column Awards, he tried to increase the box office even more. I am an actor who doesnt need help from others, I dont need to promote myself shamelessly during the ceremony. Being a quiet, handsome guy works better for me. People will think of me as a noble hermit. He was right. His presence during the ceremony earned unanimous praise both in terms of acting skills and social behavior. The experienced directors, who judged an actor based on their initial impression, had loved Qin Guan. They thought he was a peaceful boy that concentrated on his acting skills every day, but was not that good at being sociable. The producers thought Qin Guan spent too much time in the business circle and didnt care about theplicated affairs of the entertainment circle. He could just as well work for his firm and turn down their money. They still liked the actor though, because he paid no attention to fortune or fame. Qin Guan contacted Director Zhang and headed to the Hengdian base again. The film industry was developing slowly. A lot of people made a living on it. The film base in Hengdian was the best one in the industry. It spent a lot on promotion and tried its best to help film crews, so it had be the first choice for any independent film shooting. One could find everything they needed there, includingbor workers, figurants and other professionals. As the film industry in Hong Kong and Taiwan suffered, Hengdian in the Zhejiang Province was flourishing. Qin Guan joined the crew early. Zhang Yimou had topete against Chen Kaige during the next year, so he had decided to be really careful about his work. When Qin Guan arrived, that days scenes had already been finished. The basic structure of the imperial pce was a copy of the pce in "Emperor Han Wu". Zhang Yimou was concentrated on beating his opponent. ording to reliable resources, Qin Guan had been involved in awsuit between Chen and the local government of Yunnan Province. Thus, as soon as Qin Guan reached Hengdian, Zhang talked with him about his character and asked him about the details of the case. As a dedicated actor, Qin Guan didnt have any problems with his role. When they finished their discussion about it, Zhang began beating about the bush. Qin Guan smiled. "What do you want to know, sir? I will speak without reserve." "I heard that you and Jiang Wen saw the situation at Tianchi. Tell me about that." Qin Guan became serious. "It looks the same as in the pictures. Jiang Wen and I happened to be around when the locals negotiated with the crew. They didnt have a smooth discussion. I just got a general idea about the situation and provided them with some legal service. I also donated a sum of money to the local viges so they could restore the environment to its original state and make up for their loss in tourism." "If Chen paid them for the damages, they would be happier though. Plus, it would also save me some money." Director Zhang fell silent. He was a director who maintained a good rtionship with the government, so he had his own baseline. What Qin Guan had done had helped him. The more the audience disliked "The Promise", the more popr his own film would be. The two films would be in theaters during the same period after all. Zhang suddenly recalled that Qin Guan had turned down offers from some fur brands and patted his shoulder approvingly. These days, kind people were harder toe by, let alone rich kind people. He hoped Qin Guan would stay on the right track. The two of them had a pleasant talk. Some people felt unhappy about the importance the director attached to Qin Guan though. Younger actors seeded older ones. The rising young man put great pressure on older actors, who saw the prime of their careers slip by. Among the main actors, Gong Lee and Chow Yun-Fat were the best. The other two actors were Ni Dahong, who was aloof from his recent international sess, and Jay Chou, who was a greenhand. The cause of the ufortable feeling in Chows heart was clear. His value in Hollywood used to be 12 million dors, but his box office record had been really low. Eventually, he had experienced a box office flop and ended up unemployed. Meanwhile, Qin Guan had started out as a figurant with a sry of 10 dors per hour and be a star worth dozens of millions. After "The Da Vinci Code", he had really stood out among other actors. Now agencies and famous directors were all after him. The difference between the two actors was a few decades. Chow had suffered both ups and downs, while Qin Guan had risen all the way to the top. There was a huge gap between them! Chapter 863: Two Award-Winning Actors Chapter 863: Two Award-Winning Actors Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It was like a bug in his shoes. Chow Yun-Fat was eager to meet the young actor and experience his charm first hand. Hollywood was crazy about him after all. It was a rare sunny day, so the royal pce looked splendid in the sunshine. Actually, it looked like a yellow pce. Its red carpet had a golden, cloudy pattern, and all the walls were covered in golden silk, except for the red wooden frames. Even the windows with the hollowed-out designs had golden leaves pasted on them. All the props and decorations were gold, including thenterns, the maids hats and the tableware. The pce had been built by 3,000 workers, but the crews need for golden props could only be met by a small wholesale market in Yiwu, China. Before Qin Guan could look at the dazzling hall carefully, he suddenly saw his costume and almost fainted. As the eldest prince of the empire, he would be living in that splendid pce. His robe was the same color as the pce. Thanks to the absence of light cyan as a background color, he would look like a moving gold ingot. The dominant hue of the film was gold, which was the favorite color of rich people all over the world. Qin Guan didnt agree with the aesthetic approach of the film, so he focused on his performance instead. The first scene of the film revolved around him and Gong Lee. The emperor had returned to his country with his troops, frightening his eldest son, who hadmitted adultery with his stepmother three years ago. The empress had heard from her son that his eldest brother would be returning to Qingzhou to get rid of this unhealthy love. This was the first real conflict of the film. All the cameras were locked on their faces, which set very high standards for ones acting skills. The short scene, which wouldst only two minutes, attracted all the leading actors. This would be the first cooperation between the international award-winning actor and actress. It would be a splendid sh of talent. Thus, Qin Guan began acting with Gong Lee amid the crowd. Gong Lee entered the pce of her stepson angrily. She was furious at the coward. Meanwhile, Qin Guan had been cultivating his spirit with his eyes closed. Even his golden crown and robe couldnt outshine his charm. When he saw the empress clearly, the awkward expression on his face shocked the audience. Qin Guan was great at expressing emotions, so everyone could sense what he felt. Gong Lee took action. She was the best actress in China after all. Frowning, she grabbed Qin Guans sleeves angrily and pressed her cheek against his jaw. The two of them were lovers after all. Their each movement and expression were textbook. It was a feast of acting skills, as well as apetition between the two actors. An ordinary actor would have surrendered to her vigor, but Qin Guan only turned his face sideways to hide in the dark. He was rejecting his stepmother. "Father ising back. Im his son, and you are my mother after all." He stated his purpose clearly. He wanted to put an end to their immoral love. "Im not your mother. This is not a dead end." Despite Qin Guans rejection, Gong didnt leave. Instead, she moved her hands back and stood up straight. At that moment, she was not a woman in love, but the most powerful empress in the world. "Lets go wee your Father first." She turned around and left without hesitation. "Good! Cut!" The first scene was over. Director Zhang Yimou didnt make anyments. Those two actors did not need his guidance. He had to pay close attention to another actor instead. That actor was Jay Chou, who had been selected among the top 10 most influential guys in Asia by "The Times" in 2005. The talented young musician had no experience in film. If it hadnt been for the sponsors from Taiwan and Zhangs high expectations for the international box office, they would never have cast such a greenhand for a big-budget film. Nevertheless, Chou was very eager to act in the film. He had even hired a martial arts trainer a few months earlier especially for the film, so the boy had his good points as well. Chapter 864: Bathing Chapter 864: Bathing Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The wonderful acrobatic action scenes would make up for his raw acting skills. His character in the film was a man of prowess, not a guy with aplicated mind like Qin Guans. His main task was to just shoot the action scenes well. The hard-working young man performed as Director Zhang had expected. He didnt have the expressiveness of a professional actor, but he performed martial arts with a good poker face, which surprised Qin Guan. The man had been criticized for hisck of acting skills, but he did all his stunts himself. He didnt ask to use a body double. Most actors had no reason tough at him considering this advantage. Gong Lee seemed to notice Qin Guans confusion. After a few scenes, the crew took a break and she exined, "The Taiwanese boy joined the crew early, before the pce was even built. The prop team provided him withrge wooden des so he could practice. By the time filming began, hed already broken more than 100 des. No one would me him for a couple of mistakes. A hard-working guy is wee everywhere, right?" Qin Guan forced a smile. It seems that you think Im not a hard-working guy. Actually, Qin Guan was feeling jealous. Even though he was a lucky man, he still envied the boy, who was fighting fiercely with Chow. Although he was hanging from a wire, he didnt seem to have any trouble repeating simple movements. The boy seems to love acting. Unfortunately, there were also daily-life scenes included in the script. Soon, Qin Guan got a chance to witness Chous misfortune, as the man would have to take a bath in the pce. This was the first time Qin Guan would be watching someone else bathe. The crew scattered flower petals in the bathing pool, where the water was still steaming hot. Chou, who was wearing just a pair of white shorts, was looking at Qin Guan and ying with the petals happily. He forced a smile at Qin Guan and received a meaningful look in reply. "Whats the matter, Brother Qin?" Chows small eyes narrowed into cracks. "Look behind you. They are fighting." Chou turned around and saw what he meant. The figurants usually acted just as a background. They only got 20 yuan and two meals per day. Some good-looking ones got a chance to show their faces in the frame. Those got paid 30 yuan and yed a bigger part in the film. It was a miracle formon people. The luckiest ones were those selected by the assistant directors. Those actors could even get a chance to appear in the same frame with leading actors and have a simple action or line to deliver. This was like a pie fallen from heaven for them. Based on the importance of their job, they were usually paid 100 to 150 yuan per day. The fight was taking ce between a group of maids, who were fighting for a chance to stand by the bathing pool while Chou was inside. They were fighting fiercely, yet they also had to be careful not to ruin their makeup or tear their costumes. It was a really funny scene to watch. Qin Guan couldnt help but burst intoughter. Chou unconsciously caressed the upper part of his naked body. The greedy eyes of the girls made him shiver. Believe me, it is not a wonderful feeling to have girls watch you bathe! When four of the maids finally won the fight, Chou buried his body deeper under the petals. The greenhand was really shy. Qin Guan, who was a veteran, had showed his naked butt in a film lots of times. Before Chou could get over his embarrassment, Qin Guan patted him on the shoulder. "Good boy! Well done!" Then heughed and left proudly. Zhang Yimou shook his head helplessly. He was really curious about what Jiang Wen had done to Qin Guan. Why is he so kind to stark naked people? The next day, they shot the first group scene. All the main actors showed up for their first gathering. As the exclusive imperial physician, Ni Dahong was also there. The yard around the pce was full of yellow chrysanthemums they had bought from Yiwu markets. They were everywhere in the nearly 1,000-square-meter yard. Chapter 865: Wild Girls Chapter 865: Wild Girls Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia There was arge square table on the high, round terrace, which followed the traditional Chinese concept of "orbicr sky and rectangr earth". The group scene would take ce on that terrace, so cameras had been ced at its corners. At the directors signal, Chow Yun-Fat began performing. He was the king who reigned over the kingdom and all the people in it. "Whats the matter with you?" Chow shot a disdainful look at Qin Guan. Although Qin Guan was his sessor, he was still the worst among the three princes. Qin Guan unconsciously lowered his head and shoulders. He felt great pressure under the mighty emperors gaze. He muttered his proposal under his breath, "I want to guard Qinzhou City. Can Your Majesty promise me that, Father?" Ho ho! Guard Qinzhou City? You want to take all my military power out of my hands? Not while Im still alive! Actually, Chow was reading too much into this. Qin Guan was a coward, so that was not his intention at all. He just wanted to escape from his aggressive stepmother. Unfortunately, his father would never allow that. When his suggestion was rejected, Qin Guan grimaced awkwardly and went back to his seat silently. His two brothers were not surprised. Their useless eldest brother held no power within the family. The short scene implied that there was an ongoing secret war within the royal family. Everyone on the terrace felt sad. The family dinner went on in silence. "Good!" The scene ended with a close-up of Gong Lee drinking medicine. Director Zhang shouted at them from under the terrace. "Everyone take a break except Qin Guan and Li Man! Change costumes quickly. Well finish all your short scenes today!" "Got it!" Qin Guan was used to such high speed, so he epted it naturally. The assistant director asked Li Man, who was an 18-year-old girl, "Are you tired? Do you need a 10-minute break?" The girl shook her head. "No, thanks. Im okay." Im going to cooperate with Qin Guan! I will be his lover! Nothing can stop me! She would be ying the daughter of Ni Dahong, who took care of the empress drugs every day. Behind closed doors though, she was the princes lover. They had fallen in love with each other behind the empress back. The girl had started her career as a dancer before she had enrolled at the Central Drama Academy in Beijing. She was only a freshman when she had been selected by Director Zhang to participate in the film. She was really lucky, as this was actually her first job. She would also be meeting her idol there, so she decided to grab this opportunity. She got ready as fast as she could and sneaked into Qin Guans pce. When Qin Guan pushed the door open, she lifted her chest tentatively. She gazed at her lover with a fascinated smile, expressing her love and tenderness through her eyes. Qin Guan, who was a yboy, rushed over to her and caught the ribbons around her waist, pulling Li Man into his embrace. The whole movement was remarkably smooth. No woman would resist such a romantic gesture. Everyone was talking about Qin Guan. "Take a good look at him, Jay. If you learn from him, you could win any womans heart." Chou was left speechless by Chowsments. Im so annoyed with Jolin Tsai right now. Ill go mad if I hear anything else! Before he could say anything, Chow suddenly got excited. "Look! Theyy down! Look!" All the girls around them went crazy and started fighting over the best vantage point to watch the erotic scene. There were about 30 to 40 girls gathered at the entrance. Qin Guan was lying in bed with Li Man in his arms. One of his hands was caressing the girls soft shoulder, while the other one was on her lips. Li opened her mouth gently and caught his finger between her teeth. The maidens tender lips looked really sexy. Chapter 866: Good Fortune In Love Chapter 866: Good Fortune In Love Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Oh!" The lovers chuckled in low voices. The air was filled with ambiguous feelings. Li Mans beautiful eyes were fixed on the man as the couple hugged on the bed with a meaning smile. The curtain dropped, hiding the lovers. The onlookers were itching to take a look behind it. "Wow! Wonderful! When I was the same age as Qin Guan, I knew nothing about these things." The scene ended with Chous finalment. The two actors took off their costumes and got ready for Gongs arrival. She would being to catch the adulterers in the act. The film, which had been adapted from the famous y "Thunder Storm", wouldnt have a happy ending. It was filled with dirty tricks and danger. Thus, the couples affair would have an awkward ending. The empress broke into the room aggressively with her maids. "Her Majesty hase!" The guards announced her presence a few seconds before she broke in. Then Qin Guan showed everyone his full potential. He bounced up from the bed naked, covered his body with a robe and hid Li Man. By the time Gong Lee reached his bed, he was still half-naked and his hair was messy. "What kind of punishment would she get formitting adultery in the pce?" "Twenty seconds of flogging, a tattoo on the face and expulsion from the pce." Li Man was trembling as she held her clothes in her embrace. It was easy for a man to choose between a tender lotus and an aggressive peony. Qin Guan knelt down for Li Man without hesitation. "It was all my fault. Please spare her." He is standing up against me for another woman! Gong Lee was hurt by her lovers betrayal. She fixed her eyes on Qin Guan sorrowfully as he tried to avoid her gaze. The huddling man had hurt her feelings deeply. In the end, she surrendered before her beloved and tried to exin. "I will spare her, but I wont do it for you. I just want to maintain the stability of the pce before the Double Ninth Festival." When she saw Qin Guans doubtful expression, she held her next words back. It was useless to say anything else. The crowd left the pce slowly. Rattled by the narrow escape, Li Man copsed on the floor. The girl was a professional actress. The scene was perfect. It was even better than the grand scene on the terrace. Poker-face Chow was also in the crowd, which made the audience feel strange. He looked out of ce in that subtly emotional scene. Could his narrow eyes be hiding his feelings? Or had he just gotten used to putting on a poker face whenever he acted? Director Zhang tried his best to avoid shooting a close-up of Jay Chou. Could it be some sort of disease? Doctor Chow didnt give up on the boy though. When Qin Guan and Gong Lee entered the fitting room, they found him trying to help Chou. "See? Open your eyes when you are excited to show the audience how you feel. Open your eyes!" Chou stared back with effort, but the gap between his eyelids remained almost the same... Both the doctor and the patient felt hopeless. By then, Qin Guan and Gong Lee had entered the empress chamber. The empress had made Qin Guan a robe for the family feast of the Double Ninth Festival. It was a royal blue robe embroidered with arge golden chrysanthemum. In 2006, the hidden implication of that flower had not been discovered yet. It was only a tradition of the festival. Qin Guan had to suppress hisughter as he recited his lines. Gong Lee spread the long robe to show him. "I made a new robe for you. Its different from the one I made youst year. I added the flower for you..." Qin Guan was left speechless. "Why?" he asked, pointing at the golden flower. "For your safety." "My safety? What the hell are you nning?" Qin Guan went crazy amid that depressing atmosphere. He destroyed the robe and started fighting with the woman. Her ck hair was let loose as they moved and fell into Qin Guans hands. It smelled like the womans fragrance. The two of them ended up on the floor, their bodies close to each other. They exchanged a nce in silence. Then Qin Guan put his hand on her face. Chapter 867: An Investing Setback Chapter 867: An Investing Setback Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Their carnal desire wasmunicated through their eyes. Qin Guan caressed Gongs smooth cheeks with trembling hands. Even though she was a woman in her 40s, she was still a charming actress. Her skin was fine and soft. Qin Guans hands lingered on its tendernd. Their lips were getting closer and closer. Suddenly, Qin Guan thought of his father and came back to his senses. This was his fathers wife! He rolled away and crawled on the floor, leaving the lonely woman with the messy hair behind him. "Good! Cut! How were they?" When the assistants gestured back at him, Director Zhang made a decision. "One more scene, okay?" It was wonderful to work with good actors. They were always energetic because they did not have to repeat scenes. Both Qin Guan and Gong Lee answered positively. They would be shooting another scene in the empress chamber, but Qin Guan had to change his costume before they did. Jay Chou took advantage of this to keep practising. He couldnt look inferior to Qin Junyi, who was only 14 years old. When the prop team was done, the prince rushed back to the chamber angrily with sweat covering his forehead. "You want to rebel? When?" "During the banquet." "You are killing me! No matter if I seed or not, everyone will question my authority!" Qin Guans face twisted in horror, anger and grievance, expressing his tender feelings for the woman. Any other man would have killed her right away, but the coward didnt know what to do. He burst into tears instead. Qin Guan was a professional actor, so his eyes were like a tap he could turn on whenever he wanted. Tears started running down his face, making him look pitiful. "You want me to die...Ill die now then!" He found a dagger in a sewing basket and stabbed his own chest with it without hesitation. At least he had the courage tomit suicide. The blood bag under Qin Guans clothes broke and blood burst out of his chest as he copsed on the floor. Everyone was satisfied with his performance. When the director shouted at them, Gong Lee helped Qin Guan up. There was blood on his face as the crew congratted the actors on that days work. "Everyone is dismissed! Go get some rest at the hotel. Qin Guan, you have some spare time during the next two days." Actually, most of the actors died by the end of the film. Qin Guan nodded and rushed back to the hotel. As for Wang Liying, thewsuit against "The Promise" had already begun. The crew was still editing and promoting the film. Meanwhile, the news had gone viral online, outshining even "Crazy Stone". Qin Guan was worried about his first film. Would it survive a fierce battle against Hollywood blockbusters and the pressure back at home? Ning Hao was disappointed with the films schedule. China Film Group hadnt helped much. Only a few cinemas in Shanghai would screen the film reluctantly in unpopr time slots. ording to reliable sources, this had something to do with "The Promise". What Qin Guan had done had irritated the producer, who had consequently tripped "Crazy Stone" up. Everyone knew that Qin Guan was one of the major shareholders of Huayi, and Tiancheng, which was Huayis rival, had just set up its headquarters in Shanghai. What a coincidence! The two enemies had fixed their eyes on "Crazy Stone". It was difficult to get Qin Guan in trouble, but a film with a limited budget on the other hand... Qin Guan went crazy when he heard about the first days box office in Shanghai. Chapter 868: Earning Great Profits Chapter 868: Earning Great Profits Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The first days box office in more than 10 other cities was 2.9 million yuan in total, while in Shanghai, which had a poption of nearly 10 million, the film earned only 15,000 Yuan on its opening day. What the hell had happened? Qin Guans livelihood was on the line. This was so cruel! Was he going to act like a sitting duck though? Of course not! After discussing this with his agency, a strategy for the fans in Shanghai was implemented online. Qin Guans team uploaded a map of the surrounding cities, local cinemas and public transportation routes. The map also included nearby restaurants and coffee bars. One could call it a tourist guide for cities around Shanghai. "Are you worried about waiting in a long line, but still want to buy a ticket? Are you in Shanghai, looking for tickets to the most popr limited-budget film? Please read this and take a short fun trip to watch Qin Guans film!" The map included Suzhou, Wuxi, Jiaxing, even Hangzhou, which shocked fans all over the country. Even though Shanghai was such a big city, only two of its cinemas were showing the film. In other cities, the films time slots were getting more and more popr, but Shanghai remainedpletely indifferent. After standing in a long line for an entire day in vain, the fans had gotten angry. All the booking websites were useless. There was a traffic jam on all the highways and roads around Shanghai on the weekends. There were even posters and slogans about Qin Guan on a few cars. These people were all loyal fans of Qin Guan. They sted "Hundred Family Surnames" through their loudspeakers as they headed away from Shanghai happily. The number of people in down-town Shanghai decreased significantly. Some reporters were even waiting for the fans toe back with news. This was not just a simple problem of the entertainment circle. Peoples livelihoods were in danger all over the country. The business would suffer a great loss. Meanwhile, more and more people fell in love with the films ck humor and twists. The film received public praise online. Both Qin Guans fans and curiousmon people went to the cinema to watch it. Only famous films stood the test of time. By the time Qin Guan finished his work with Director Zhang, the film had an outstanding box office of 48.8 million Yuan, which meant that it had earned back 10 times its budget. If one subtracted the share of the cinemas and distribution agencies, as well as the initial investment, Qin Guan had earned a profit of nearly 10 million. He certainly deserved his Lucky Boy title. Meanwhile, Chen Hong was preparing for thewsuit. She had gone too far for "The Promise" by using improper means. The simple problem had be moreplicated because of her. Everything had gotten out of control. Her friends in Shanghai were angry and they needed an outlet. Tiancheng had fallen silent, so Chen had to go to court alone. People refused to give up until all hope was gone. Everyone hoped that she would be more honest in the future. Director Zhang was happy to hear the news. The whole crew was pleased, so Qin Guans final scene was finished in a harmonious atmosphere. The scene depicted the bursting point of hostility among brothers, father and sons, as well as husband and wife. Of course, Jay Chou was not included. He was a greenhand, so it would be better for him to stay in shallow waters. His job was just to destroy the pce with his troops after everyone elses story had ended. The royal family began its weapon-less battle in the small hall. Qin Guan hadmitted suicide earlier. He had escaped death narrowly, but he was still weak, so he was lying in an armchair, his face and lips looking pale as he panted. There were blood stains on the bandages around his chest. Chapter 869: Visiting The Research Institute Chapter 869: Visiting The Research Institute Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia As the crown prince, Qin Guan had to attend the ceremony, so he managed to get himself to the hall. A few pleasant hours flew past. As the emperor and empress were fighting with hatred, Qin Guan felt a sword impale his body from the back. It was his youngest brother, Qin Junyi. The boy was only 14 years old, yet he had killed his eldest brother while he had been lying still in an armchair. Blood poured out of Qin Guans mouth without a word or movement. The prince copsed, turning his scared face towards the camera. What happened next had nothing to do with him. Gong Lee rushed over to Qin Guan with dishevelled hair, her face twisted in sorrow. This was thest hour of his life, so she hugged him with all her strength. Qin Guan was looking at the ceiling nkly as he confessed to the woman, "Sorry, it was all my fault." Then he died in peace. Qin Guan let out a long sigh of relief. He thought he had finished his job sessfully, when suddenly his head was thrown back, colliding hard against the ground. He had to remain still and elegant throughout everything. The shotsted a full five seconds. When Gong Lee left, the corpse got up to leave with the other figurants. Director Zhang shouted at him angrily, "Qin Guan! What the hell are you doing? Lie back down!" "Why? I finished my scene. I want to go get my bonus." "Nonsense! The empress has grieved for you, but the emperor hasnt. Your corpse can still be of use." Will everyone take turns grieving for the martyr prince? "See it through to the end!" Thus, after a short break, Qin Guan resumed his strange pose andy down on the ground again. "Attention! This is Qin Guans final scene. Lets do our best!" Hey, everyones gone except for Chow Yun-Fat! Chow was a considerate guy. Qin Guan finished his scene as fast as he could. When he received his big bonus, he smiled like a greedy man. After one month, the film he had invested so much in was finally finished. Just like with all his other movies, Qin Guan couldnt wait for the celebratory feast. He had been separated from Cong Nianwei for a long time, and Nichs Tse, his good friend from Hong Kong, was going to get married soon. It seemed like his advice had not worked. All Qin Guan could do was send the couple his sincerest blessings. Thus, Qin Guan left the crew without feeling any guilt and got his butt kicked by Zhang Weiping. Qin Guan didnt tell Cong Nianwei about his return because he wanted to surprise her. After taking a short break at home, he drove his Cadic to Cong Nianweis working ce, the Chinese Academy of Design and Research. As a traditional institute, the academy had a dwelling district for the staff. Itswns and trees made it look like a beautiful park. After checking in at the entrance, Qin Guan drove to the building where Cong Nianwei worked. There was a bouquet of lilies in the backseat of his car. The tender petals were trembling as the car moved. Qin Guan had decided to give Cong Nianwei a romantic surprise. He was afraid that their love would fade with distance, which was prettymon in the entertainment and business circle. Qin Guan was too careful to make such a stupid mistake though. No woman could resist a flower bouquet and a handsome man. Chapter 870: Never Show Off On A Construction Site Chapter 870: Never Show Off On A Construction Site Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan was looking forward to the romantic scene. Cong Nianwei would rush over to him, all flushed and happy. He parked the car in the parking lot and smiled like stupid as he got out. "Qin Guan?" a man called his name from behind him. He turned around and saw a thin old man with brown sses. The old man was Cong Nianweis university professor, the very one who had suggested that she go study abroad. The professor was Cong Nianweis career guide and a very kind educator. He was familiar with Qin Guan, as he was his students boyfriend. "Yes, its me. How are you, professor? Im looking for Cong Nianwei." "Didnt she tell you that her team would be on a construction site?" "What? I just returned from Zhejiang. She didnt tell me anything about that." The professor shot a curious nce into the car and saw the bouquet. Is this a romantic surprise? Tough luck! She is not here! The professor, who was a considerate man, told Qin Guan where to find his girlfriend. "The Olympic Park will be built on the North 4th Ring Road. You should go look for her over there." Everyone likes me! But I already knew that! Pleased, Qin Guan picked out a flower from the bouquet and handed it to the professor. "Thank you so much! Well drop by your home and visit someday. Im too busy to buy you a gift today. I got something for Shanshan in Zhejiang." Shanshan was the professors youngest daughter. She was only 17 years old and she was a fan of Qin Guans. Qin Guan returned to his car and waved at the professor, who was looking at the flower nkly. Then he got in the car and drove away. "Young man..." The old man shook his head. This was the first flower he had received in his life. Qin Guan was driving at full speed on the North 4th Ring Road. The real estate prices along the way had been sky-rocketing ever since the Olympic stadium had been built. Qin Guan unconsciously slowed down. Wow! This area is pretty good. Deluxe high-rise apartments... 20,000 Yuan... Large houses... Still under construction... Qin Guan waspletely distracted. Soon, he reached his destination. There was a simple blue-and-white wall around the construction site. Qin Guan drove directly into the site through the only entrance. It was a scene he had been really familiar with in his previous life. He pulled his car up to the temporary parking area smoothly. Thanks to his acute intuition, Qin Guan found Cong Nianwei easily. Her team was talking about the blueprint with the survey crew and the general engineer. Everyone was wearing yellow helmets and gray uniforms. Qin Guan, who was wearing haute couture, lookedpletely out of ce there. Yes, he had dressed up for the asion to impress Cong Nianwei. His white shirt, tailored British trousers, ck leather shoes and shining wristwatch looked extraordinary. His clothes, inbination with the bouquet and his splendid smile, made him look like a royal. This was the wrong setting though. If it had been andscape full ofkes and hills, or a bustling street, he would have looked beautiful. This was a construction site though, so he just looked stupid. Chapter 871: I Love Bargains Chapter 871: I Love Bargains Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Unfortunately, Qin Guan was not aware of that. Cong Nianwei had upied his mindpletely. Grinning, he roared as everyone was looking at him, "Cong Nianwei, Im back!" He had to roar, for there were plenty of trucks and machines around. No one would pay attention to his weak voice otherwise. The girl standing next to Cong Nianwei pulled at her sleeve. "Isnt that your boyfriend? The award-winning actor?" Yes, thats him. Could I just ignore him? Cong Nianwei let out a sigh, picked up something from a table and walked over to Qin Guan. "What are you doing here? Put this on!" It was a red safety helmet. Safety was a priority on construction sites. "I just wanted to give you a romantic surprise. These flowers are for you!" Cong Nianwei took the bouquet while Qin Guan put the helmet on. Cong Nianwei did not seem shy or happy, as Qin Guan had expected. Instead, she started lecturing him seriously. "Next time, ask for a helmet at the entrance. Do you know how many deaths ur on construction sites? You will be the husband of an architect, so you should know all the regtions. Start studying them tonight." Is this the romantic encounter I was dreaming about? Qin Guan smiled. "Thank you for your concern, darling. Ill study them carefully to avoid any simr mistakes." Qin Guan had interrupted the teams conversation, so Cong Nianwei pulled him over guiltily to apologize to everyone. The easy-going head engineer waved at them. "Dont worry about it. Our meeting was over anyway. We have a hard time on construction sites, but you have contributed a lot. We can have a break in the afternoon. Soon, the project will start and no one will be able to take any time off. Hold on, everyone!" Everyone had already fled in every direction. Qin Guan drove away happily with Cong Nianwei. Cong Nianwei was really curious about the new car. "If I knew thepany would give you a new car, I wouldnt have bought the Land Rover!" sheined as she looked around her. "It doesnt matter. Its white, so you cant drive it to construction sites. The Land Rover is better for your job. You can carry all your blueprints and tools in it. Dust and dirt do not show as much on a ck car." So she was going to use a luxury car as a forklift? Cong Nianwei thought this was reasonable. When she came back to her senses, she realized that Qin Guan was driving in the wrong direction. "Where are we going? Thats not the way home!" "We are going to buy some houses!" Qin Guan was a billionaire, so he liked checking out real estate prices. He was an investor though, not a real estate spector, which made Cong Nianwei happy. The business street in Wanda Mall was almostplete. When it was ready, Qin Guan would be the richest real estate property owner on the East 2nd Ring. This was not the first time Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei would be buying a house together. They both made real estate agents nervous. After his experience on the construction site, Qin Guan looked dishevelled. There was dirt and dust on his white car and his leather shoes, and his gray suit looked like a dirty cleaning cloth. His suit was really expensive, yet his femalepanion was wearing a T-shirt, a vest with dozens of pockets and a pair of overalls. Is she a construction worker? Is she a real-life Cindere? They both took a seat and asked to see some houses. The salesdies recognized the couple right away. The man was the famous actor Qin Guan, so the girl drinking water had to be his official girlfriend! Chapter 872: Reaching Hong Kong Chapter 872: Reaching Hong Kong Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Sometimes fame was a burden. Stars were also humans with normal, natural desires. No one liked to live in the spotlight. This was an inevitable result of being famous though. One could choose to retire. There were many stars who had been forgotten by the public. Otherwise, one had to face the media and their fans and actpletely at ease around them. People with a conscience were frank with others. Obviously, Qin Guan belonged in thetter star category. He had created a microblog that reported his activities in real time. One didnt have to write long essays, a few short sentences were enough to attract readers. Fashion was as popr around the country as Facebook was in America. Qin Guan warned Lan Jin and He Ming, who were still in America, to invest in Facebook. If the website entered the stock market, they would be billionaires overnight. While Qin Guan was mentally travelling in outer space, Cong Nianwei had picked two houses with the professional help of the salesdies. They were both on the same floor across from each other. They were also the same size and had the sameyout, as well as big beautiful balconies. If their parents wished to stay in the capital for some time, these houses would be the best choice. The manager didnt waste their time with negotiations. Qin Guan just threw out a golden credit card and hiswyers business card and then left leisurely. That was how the international award-winning actor dealt with such matters. The couple was happy with the deal. On the way home, Qin Guan told Cong Nianwei about his next ns. "Since you have some time off now, will youe to Hong Kong with me? We could take a short trip to relieve our boredom. Plus, we could also attend Nichs Tse and Cecilia Cheungs wedding." "Really? Are they getting married? Theyve only been together four months!" "Yes, everyone is surprised. Director Ang Lee also wants to meet you in Hong Kong. Shall we take a sweet trip before your director keeps you hostage on that construction site?" Cong Nianwei felt embarrassed. The two of them had been in love for eight years, but she kept turning down his marriage proposal. If Qin Guans joke came true, she wouldnt get married to him before 2008. Thus, she decided tofort her boyfriend by going on this trip. Soon, Wang Liying arranged their schedule, adding the trip to Hong Kong. Qin Guan reached Hong Kong without notifying anyone. He just wanted to enjoy his girlfriendspany for once. His n did not work though. As soon as they checked in at the hotel, a man sneaked into his room with Wang Liying. The man was wearing sunsses, a cap and a scarf. That outfit in autumn made one stand out instead of blend in. Qin Guan did not make fun of Tse. He just weed the reliable man into his room. "What are you doing here? You must be busy preparing for your wedding." "I need your help. Are you familiar with the Philippines?" No, Im not. "I want to book the P ind in the Philippines for the ceremony." "You are such a rich guy. I know youve been earning a lot these past few years, but you spend money like water. Such a ceremony would cost a fortune!" "I know that, but Cecilia told me this would be her dream wedding. She wants to get married on a beach under the sunshine. No tourists, no reporters, just the two of us. I want to make her dreame true." Qin Guan held his next words back when he saw Cong Nianweis face. What was he supposed to say? He would never tell Tse his opinion about his miserable marriage. Qin Guan was an international award-winning actor, so he was able to help Tse by taking advantage of his various social connections. Then he simply gave up on his original n and decided to go have dinner with Tse. Thus, the three of them sneaked away from the hotel. Chapter 873: Contrast Chapter 873: Contrast Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Their identity made it impossible to appear in the crowded Lan Kwai Fong. Tse chose a Thai hotpot restaurant. In that hot, dry city, it was entertaining to have a private talk in a room with an air conditioner. People rarely met the right person at the right time. The Thai restaurant was renowned for its authentic tastes. Plus, the owner was good at keeping his mouth shut. A lot of Hong Kong stars were regr patrons there. The restaurant could be considered a holynd of the circle. Director Ang Lee also happened to show up there, apanied by a group of friends with gray hair and wrinkled faces. Their graceful upbringing made them seem different from young people. Ang Lee was the first to recognize Qin Guan and Nichs Tse. The Los Angeles-based Chinese director was really d to see them. "Qin Guan,e over here! Let me introduce you. This is Wong Kar-Wai, Johnnie To..." Wow! They were all famous directors from Hong Kong! Despite his current status, Qin Guan still felt like a fish out of water around them. He bowed before them and said hello like a well-behaved schoolboy, exining why he hadnt contacted Lee as soon as he had arrived in Hong Kong. His guilt made Qin Guan look like a quail surrounded by a group of eagles. "What? Tse is getting married? Does Albert Yeung from the Emperor Group know?" "Yes, he does. The invitations must be ready. He is my boss, so he will be getting one." "Did you make a decision about the role? Listen to me, if you turn it down, Ill go with Tony Leung. Do you know him? He works exclusively with Wong Kar-Wai. He is steadier than you and more restrained. He is such an elegant man!" "Do you know why I chose you? For your looks! You seemed like a perfect match for the heroine!" Qin Guans ears trembled at his words. Ho ho! Does this mean that... "The leading actress is very interesting. She is only self-taught. Shes neither beautiful nor elegant, but she looks perfect in a cheongsam, which is rare for an actress. Will you do it? Just give me an answer!" Actually, I wanted to learn more about the heroine... Anyway, its hard to please everyone. A good role is more important than the SARFT and the Ministry of Culture! Deal! Qin Guan expressed his faith in Director Lee. This would be a good footnote for his resume. Satisfied by his response, Ang Lee let Qin Guan go. There was cold sweat on his forehead as he returned to his own booth and told the other men what had transpired. The dishes were served quickly. The unique scent of Thai food spread around the room. As the host, Tse expressed his admiration to his guests. Actually, he had no signature films in Hong Kong, just like Fan Pingping didnt on the Chinese maind. In that tiny area, actors were ranked by seniority, so it was difficult to cut in line. The fame of a second-generation star didnt bring Tse a lot of profit. There were so many big shots out there. Plus, all the sessful directors had their own exclusive actors. Tse was even inferior to Daniel Wu, who had won a few awards for supporting roles. Tse was usually cool with strangers, but he was a straightforward man with his friends. Qin Guan sent Lee his choice when he joined the crew. Unfortunately, it was denied. Ang Lee wanted Qin Guan to y the supporting role of a patriotic youth that wanted to assassinate a traitor. The character matched Qin Guan, who was a cheerful, faithful boy. The director was not satisfied with that though. That role would be a piece of cake for him. It was so easy that people would think Lee was just a cunning man who wanted to use Qin Guans fame to his advantage. The director, who was a perfectionist, wanted Qin Guan to y Mr. Yi, the cunning, heartless traitor. Thus, Lee selected a tall, bright young man to y the young rebel. It was Leehong Wang, the popr singer that everyone loved. Tony Leung was not cast after all. A controversial role, a typecast actor, a secret project, a shocking effect... Lee was really interested in this. Disappointed, Qin Guan called Tse to inform him that the ind in the Philippines was ready. It was all thanks to Xie Hanren, a rich businessman from Thand. Chapter 874: Style Chapter 874: Style Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The businessman had met Qin Guan once in Beverly Hills. He had not only trusted Qin Guans firm with all his business on the Chinese maind, but he had also shifted the focus of the whole group to China. This was just a trifle for the crown prince of the Chia Tai Group. Of course, he would get something in exchange for the favor. The connection between Qin Guan and him would be stronger. Xie had invited Qin Guan to his home in Thand. His elder rtives and peers were all interested in meeting the young celebrity. There was also another underlying reason rted to the TV series "Meteor Garden", which had been on TV quite a few years ago. At the time, the F4 had beenpletely suppressed by Qin Guan. The Thai princess, who should have fallen in love with Hanazawa Rui, had been fascinated by Qin Guan instead. There were many businessmen in Thand with good rtions with Chinese people, but only Xie Hanren was able to get in touch with Qin Guan. Although the princess title held no real weight, she was still a member of the royal family, so it would be a good idea to introduce Qin Guan to her at a formal event. Of course, Qin Guan had no idea whaty ahead. Going on a trip to Thand in cold weather would be a pleasurable experience. Xie Hanren didnt consider the princess that important. The two of them just set a date. Tse and his girlfriend headed to the romantic ind after informing Qin Guan about the date of the ceremony. Cong Nianweis vacation hade to an end, so she returned to Beijing, taking Qin Guans heart with her. Qin Guan flew to Shanghai alone with the crew. Shanghai was renowned for its typical Republic of China scenery. Back in that era, it had been the pearl of the Far East, thanks to its cheongsam, beautiful women, schrs and foreigners. It used to be the most exotic city in old China and the most luxurious ce of that era. One could criticize it for its worship of money, but they couldnt ignore its unique style and elegance. The word "style" was deeply rooted into the city. The residents there appreciated style even more than money. To people from Northern China, they seemed really pretentious, but their extreme shallowness was really cute, so in the end they just left them alone. Ang Lee was a generous man. In order to build the Nanjing East Road, the famous street of his dreams, he had to demolish Stephen Chows previous set. He rebuilt Paramount perfectly based on old photos. Even the trams could travel around. They were actually real! The director paid really close attention to detail. Even the boards of the rickshaws shuttling in the background had been copied from rtive documents. The secretarys desk in Mr. Yis office was a real antique from that era. Qin Guan felt trapped. Ang Lee was the kind of person that scared him the most. He was an extreme perfectionist! He suddenly heard threedies calling his name. It was Joan Chen, He Saifei and Tang Wei. Their presence made him travel back decades ago, to a tough yet romantic era. Joan Chen had cooperated with Qin Guan before, so she introduced the others. "Come here, Xiao Qin. This is He Saifei. You must know her." "Hello, Madame He. I like Yang Jiuhong very much. You are such a gracefuldy!" No woman could resist such apliment, no matter how old she was. Plus, the praise wasing from a handsome man! He Saifei felt really happy. She was an opera actress, so she greeted Qin Guan in a soft tone. Then Chen suddenly pulled Tang Wei closer. "This is Tang Wei. She will be ying your lover in the film. You are about the same age, but you have more experience in the circle. You should watch over her." Actually, Tang Wei was two years older than Qin Guan, but she remained an unknown in the circle. If it werent for Ang Lees nationwide casting call, she might have wasted the best years of her life and gone back to being an ordinary person, just like other unlucky actresses had. She had been born in 1979 after all, so she was definitely past her prime. A 28-year-old actress without any good films was a failure. Tang Wei would grasp at this straw and put up a desperate fight though. Chapter 875: Ridiculous Justice Chapter 875: Ridiculous Justice Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia After several private talks with Ang Lee, Tang Wei decided to follow the mans instructions without any questions or resistance. She dedicated herselfpletely to this final chance. Qin Guan was younger than her, but he was still someone she looked up to, so the main actors got to know each other fast. The early scenes were finished during the run-in process. Qin Guan was right. Ang Lee was the most horrible perfectionist to ever exist. He paid attention to every detail. For example, when he shot Leehom Wang, who was walking down the stairs with Tang Wei feeling guilty, embarrassed and reluctant, he asked Wang to repeat that simple process 40 times! If one counted the breaks as well, it took the crew about four hours to film that scene! Maybe I will have to celebrate the Spring Festival here! Qin Guan was right once again. While they were shut in the studio filming, the famouswsuit against "The Promise" came to an end. The local government and the Yunnan vige gotpensated by Chen Hong. The producers, who received a severe warning from the rted government department, had to publish a letter of apology and admit their mistake publicly, so that other people would cherish simr non-renewable resources in the future. When people thought too highly of themselves, they fell into a deep hole they could not get out of. Chen Kang had fought a good fight and returned proudly, while the film crew had been punished to warn others. Thus, thewsuit became a part of the films budget. This was just a trifle for Qin Guan though. His staff didnt inform him because he was going through a tough time with the crew at the time. Despite Ang Lees strict requirements, which slowed the crew down, the shooting went on smoothly. During the earlier stages of the film, Tang Wei didnt share many scenes with Qin Guan. The film just focused on her sacrifice and her rough, childish n. Although human life had been worthless during that era, this didnt mean that the value of a girls virginity and the life of a puppet of the Japanese troops could be sacrificed for a righteous cause. When young people serviced their country, they lost their own personality in the process. Tang Wei was a poor girl who had lost her virginity in order to be an experienced woman and get a chance to assassinate Mr. Yi. However, the whole farce ended unceremoniously. Mr. Yi didnt even go into her house, because he had to leave for Shanghai immediately. A woman in their group home persuaded the girl to ept the cruel reality. She wanted to eliminated Wangs possible love for Tang Wei. The fat man was pathetic. He admired Tang secretly, so he didnt agree that she should have sex with that insignificant guy for such a meaningless purpose. In the end though, the coward just washed Tangs blood-stained sheets. He thought he was washing his own sins away by washing her dirty sheets. That insignificant guy was the worst. He just wanted to have sex with the beautiful girl aspensation for his money. The whole group lived on his financial support, and he had to drive the car around and run other errands for them. The most disgusting man among them was Leehom Wang, who had betrayed Wang for his own benefit. In his opinion, women had to sacrifice themselves for mens ambitions. Even the girl he loved was just a tool for him to use. Thus, after killing another so-called traitor, they all fled for their lives. Wang returned to Shanghai to let time cure her wounds. Unfortunately, three yearster, Leehom Wang threatened her and lured her to the boat of the Chongqing Party. They went on with the assassination in the name of justice. Wang and Tang had no idea that Qin Guan knew their real identities, so the first erotic scene between Qin Guan and Tang Wei was simple, yet cruel. While Tang was taking off her stockings, Qin Guan grabbed her hair from behind. He was not a gentleman anymore. He hit her head directly against the wall with a bang. Everyone felt sorry for the girl. Then, Qin Guan tore off her cheongsam. It was wonderful! Chapter 876: Not Another Teen Movie Chapter 876: Not Another Teen Movie Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia There was a fierce beast in every mans heart that rarely surfaced. Tang aroused the suspicions of Qin Guan, who intended to find out all about her. As a result, he was very cruel with the beautiful spy. Her legs were suddenly exposed and her underwearnded on the floor. She was unarmed. Qin Guan was not satisfied though. She was still his enemy. There was no excuse to let her go. Tang Wei was pressed against the bed naked. Qin Guan hugged her without hesitation. The two of them had rough, emotionless sex. Tang Wei looked back at Qin Guan with a bitter smile. Her clear, crystal-like eyes revealed the heart of a simple girl. There were many women lingering around Mr. Yi, but he rarely came across such a stupid one. Her in gaze attracted him, so he bent down and kissed her lips roughly. This was the first time Tang had gotten this close to her target, under such violent circumstances. A man without consciousness was never stopped by desire. He threw a wind coat over Tangs body and left in a hurry. The female assassin hadnt brought any weapons with her. The date had been unexpected, which had actually saved her life. Ang Lee didnt stop the cameras until Qin Guan had left. The director asked the actors to live the part, not act it out. His intention should not be misunderstood. The violent fighting had been real, but the sex had not. This was a serious movie after all. It was not a porn film. Desire and acting served only as a background for the actors emotions. Despite the fact that the films title was "Lust, Caution", the director didnt use lust as a weapon. Instead, he focused on theplicated emotional entanglements between humanity, which was exactly what he wanted to express. During the short break, Qin Guan read silently the lines of the next scene. They were a little... too romantic. The author of the original work, Zhang Ailing, was a woman who focused on love. Despite the various backgrounds and different characters, her novels were always romantic. Qin Guan tried his best to hold hisughter back during the next scene. Tang Wei: I hate you! Qin Guan: I know! I know! Tang Wei (hysterically): No! You have no idea! Qin Guan (sadly): Its not you! You were different three years ago! I only believe our words! Its been a long time since I believed in anyone! You are the only one I trust! Tang Wei: You must be lonely then. Qin Guan almost copsed on the floor fromughter. Ang Lee shouted at him angrily, "What are you doing? You will ruin the scene! Be serious!" Qin Guan was still tittering as he left to take off his clothes. He and Tang would have to be naked in the next scene. They both had perfect figures. It was easy for a woman to pretend to climax, but it was just as easy for Qin Guan. He just thought of Cong Nianwei as he performed. After the scene, Director Lee called Qin Guan over and patted his shoulder. "We are all men here. I can understand. But as your senior, I would advise you not to watch too much porn. We are all outsiders, but I know how you feel." As he looked at Tangs disdainful expression, Qin Guan suddenly felt insulted. Before he could exin, Ang Lee sighed and left. "What do you mean, sir? What are you talking about? I have never watched such a movie. I watch serious documentaries at home every day!" Leehom Wang walked over and patted his shoulder, giving him a thumbs-up. Qin Guan fell silent again. The atmosphere remained like that until the end of the film, when Tang actually fell in love with Qin Guan. The emotion had nothing to do with her task or the organization. It was a true love between a man and a woman. She gave up just before the assassination. Chapter 877: Belated Report Chapter 877: Bted Report Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The girl betrayed her unreliable friends to protect her beloved, who was suspected by the Japanese and the people of Chongqing for transferring a batch of munition to an unknown location. They were not supporting the puppet government, in which he held a high position, or the KMT in Chongqing. The hidden dark tones of the film indicated his mysterious identity. Plus, Secretary Zhangs behavior betrayed his awkward status inside the government. Thus, he had to personally execute Tang Wei, who had previously saved his life. The woman, who loved him with all her heart, died with a smile on her face. The man who cherished her sat on the bed where she used toy with a sorrowful expression. She had lived in that room. He looked back at the sheets before he left. Her trace was still on them. The wrinkles were still clear. There was no real good or evil in the film. Zhang Ailing was not a righteous woman, so she never wrote about high morals. The story was just about the soft love of a woman. Ang Lee was more emotional than most directors. This was rare and valuable in the circle, where people were familiar with endings. Qin Guan had the chance to experience the moving scene with the entire crew. Everyone got on the stage in the style of the Republic of China and sang the ending songposed especially for the film. Ang Lee came over to check the site for thest time. The songs exciting lyrics and tune made it perfect for a choir. An ending is the freedom of dreams. An ending means the end of the film. We are grateful for Ang Lee, who has created another outstanding film. Thank you for your guidance and support. At the time, the Taiwanese old man was no longer a Chinese director with a good reputation in Hollywood, but a simple man who felt sad. Ang Lee got on the stage slowly and nced at everyones faces one by one. He was trying his best to memorize them. Maybe when they met again, he would recognize them with joy. "Thank you!" "No, I should be thanking you!" Ang Lee murmured, hugging Qin Guan. Qin Guan was grateful for Ang Lees support of Chinese actors and the chances he had given him. They were only parting to meet again. Later, Qin Guan ced a strange call to Cong Nianwei. "Wei, I might shift my focus back to America after the Spring Festival. Do you want to return to our vi in Long Ind and clean it?" "I have no spare time. You heard what our lead architect said. A long vacation would be out of the question." "You are not an official employee..." "I cant embarrass my professor. Im the only graduate from Tsinghua University. Everyone else is from Tianjin University." Okay. I can understand your pride for your alma mater. "Why do you want to return to America? Do you want to go back to school or the firm on Wall Street?" Qin Guan let out a sigh and told Cong Nianwei about his worry. "You know me so well. We are childhood sweethearts through and through..." "Just get to the point!" "Okay. I shot a controversial film. Dont worry about it. I didnt reveal any important parts of my body. Plus, it will be edited before it hits theaters in China. The audience may prefer the unedited edition though. The inte is so developed nowadays. Somebody may use their imagination..." "I can foresee the trouble back at home. I will be criticized by the SARFT, but Tang Wei, who portrays the heroine, may have a harder time. Dont believe any rumors that might surface. We are innocent! I swear on both our mothers! All the erotic scenes were shot with the use of special effects." Qin Guan finished his words in one breath. The long silence at the other end of the line made him nervous. Chapter 878: Benevolent Fund Chapter 878: Benevolent Fund Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "I want to watch the directors cut with you." "Is that all?" "Yes." Qin Guan felt reassured. Pleased by this narrow escape, he promised Cong Nianwei repeatedly that they would watch it together. Then he suddenly saw Wang Liying rush over to him. She seemed both angry and proud. Qin Guan was really curious about the expression on her face. "What happened? Youvee at just the right moment. Ill fly to Thand directly from Shanghai and stay there for a week. Chen Kang and Han Zhujiu will be staying with me. Old amodation rules. This is a private trip for a friends wedding. You will need to keep tabs on all my confidential work. So what happened? Is it anything interesting?" Wang was happy with the understanding between her and Qin Guan. It would certainly lead to a sessful career for her. Her sry was rising rapidly. It had only been one year, yet she was already earning 7,200 yuan a month. She was really satisfied with that. Plus, she also earnedmission from Qin Guans films and TV series, which made her basically a wealthy woman. That was why Wang was so dedicated to her job. Besides, she also got to work with her idol! She shared her information with Qin Guan happily. "Boss, you truly are my confidant. Did you hear the news about your QC firm? The crew of The Promise ispletely shameless. They released their film in advance to get ahead of the negative news about thewsuit! Director Zhang just called me to tell me his decision. He will release his film ording to the original n. He informed me about the preparations for the premire." Qin Guan was not surprised by the news. There was still more trouble on the way. "Anything else?" "There is also a private matter. It concerns your friend Nichs Tse." "What is it? He is in the Philippines right now with his girlfriend. What happened to him? This is not the right moment. [1]" "Right moment?" Wang seemed confused. Qin Guan felt really nervous. "Nothing. I was just thinking about other things. Go on." "The couples photos made the entertainment section headlines, but the news about Wang Fei reced them." "Wang Fei? What happened to her?" "She gave birth to Li Yapengs daughter. The girl has a hare lip. She has to have an operation." The famous affair between the two stars was reallyplicated. Although she had married Li Yapeng, Wang Fei was still a cool woman stuck on her old ways. Li was not the master of the house by any means. After their daughters misfortune, the couple had decided to establish a fund for kids suffering from the same disease. The disease was not too serious. It could actually be cured after several operations when one was a child. The cost of the surgery was several thousand yuan though, so some poor families couldnt afford it. The fund would help those poor kids change their lives. It was because of his daughter that Li had paid attention to the group. Shocked by the couples kindness, Qin Guan considered the possibility of making a donation. Li had been really kind to him at the beginning of his career after all. After their coboration on "The Legend Of The Swordsman", Qin Guan had gotten his private number. His personal loyalty kicked in, making him sign a cheque and hand Lis number to Wang. "Thank you for keeping me up to date. Ill tell Sister Xue to increase your sry by 300 yuan. Send the cheque to Li as a gift for her daughter. Its my donation to the Yanran Fund." "No problem!" Chapter 879: Meeting Friends In Thailand Chapter 879: Meeting Friends In Thand Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Wang Liying couldnt control herself when she heard about her raise. She was so excited that her tongue was tied. "Ill do it immediately. Chen Kang and Han Zhujiu will arrive tomorrow. Shall I book a flight for the day after tomorrow?" "Its up to you. I trust you." What a sweet talker! Wang returned to her office with tears in her eyes, willing to bear the burden of hard work. Meanwhile, Qin Guany in bed thinking about his friends. He fell asleep with a strange smile on his face. Destiny is wonderful. I know both Nichs Tse and Li Yapeng. Am I taking pleasure in their misfortune? I should just go to sleep already! After a good nights sleep, he felt refreshed. Without the burden of work, he was able to rx during the trip to Thand. Soon, he and his team arrived in Thand and met Xies servants at the airport. Yes, the family had had its own servants for generations. Although this was 2006 and all humans were equal, this was amon urrence in Thand. In South-East Asia, most rich men, especially in the business and entertainment circle, were Chinese. This had nothing to do with Qin Guan though, who was just enjoying the delicious food and beautiful beach. Xie Hanren had told him to visit the beach in Pattaya, watch a splendid she-male show, taste the cheap fresh seafood and enjoy the exotic floating market. Xies mansion was not located in Bangkok, which was a crowded, smelly city. It was actually in Pattaya, which had been flourishingtely. Pattaya was about 150 kilometers from Bangkok and it was famous for the longest and most beautiful coastline in Thand, as well as its American naval base. Thand had been the only independent country in the history of all the small nations of South-East Asia. It had been Americasnding location during World War II, so the base had remained intact. It was concealed during that time of the year, as the US would usually send two or three troops of veterans there for training. As a result, the rich men living in that area felt very safe. Xies family was clustered on a small hill in Pattaya, far away from the tourist area. Thergest, most gorgeous vi belonged to Xies mother. The Thai style vi had golden exterior walls. To Qin Guan, it looked like a nouveau riche house, but in Thand, this was actually a symbolic look. The servants who picked Qin Guan up from the airport could speak fluent English. They made an introduction about every member of the Xie family and then turned towards the beautiful view of Pattaya. When they reached Xie Hanrens vi, Qin Guan experienced a luxury that only the richest, most powerful people in the world were privy to. Unlike the elegant Arabian vi he had been to before, this vi was abination of the best, most expensive things in existence. The garden was designed in English style. All thewns and trees were trimmed and arranged into a simplebyrinth for children. All along the path to the entrance were two lines of European sculptures that depicted strong soldiers holding shields and spears. The sculptures took one back to the Renaissance Era. As Qin Guan seated himself in the exotic hall and tasted the traditional Chinese tea, Xie rushed downstairs to meet him. He was an honest man wearing golden-framed sses. "Sorry I kept you waiting, Qin Guan." Chapter 880: The Princess Chapter 880: The Princess Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Do you like my vi? Its nice, isnt it? Your room is ready. Just make yourself at home! Ill have my servant follow you everywhere in Thand. If you need any help, all you have to do is ask him." "If you dont like the food outside, my cook will cook anything you request. I also have several Chinese cooks here. You can have dinner or a night snack any time you like." "Is that okay for you?" Of course! Im really satisfied. After greeting each other, they both turned to the banquet. The banquet was the QC firms job. Xie Hanrens farther found the ounts of the Chinese firm to be very careful and detailed. Plus, their charges were pretty reasonable. Their business was going better thanks to the Industry and Commerce Administration and the Chinese Tax Department. That was why the old man had be interested in the firm. When he found out that the owner was the famous Qin Guan, he made an important decision. He decided to treat Qin Guan like a second-generation member of the family. His patriotic family maintained closer contact with the Chinese maind than other families. At the time, their business had been flourishing and the old man was considered the richest guy in Thand. No flower could bloom for over 100 days though. Even lions aged after a few years. Eventually, the whole business would be divided among his offspring and the family would not be the richest one in the country any longer. They would need help from all directions, especially from China. The old man had to weave awork in advance, both in political and business circles. The banquet was a knot on that. Actually, Qin Guan was not averse to this method. What the hell would the princess do at the banquet though? The royal family of Thand had originated from an army coup. Although it exercised constitutional monarchy, the military still yed an important role in the nation. Their so-called democracy was closely guarded by soldiers. The leader of the current government in Thand was Thaksin, a man who put the interests of the poor first when it came to national development goals. His series of reformations, which were for the welfare of the people, harmed the interests of the wealthy upper ss. As a result, the Yellow Jackets were opposing Thaksin, and the Red Jackets were supporting him by fighting back. The constant conflict between the Yellow Jackets and the Red Jackets everywhere scared away all foreign visitors. The people who relied on tourism to make a living were unsatisfied with the government. Xie was not worried about the chaos though. This wasmon for local people. Qin Guan was the only one who felt a little anxious. Thand was a country with constitutional monarchy, so the royal family did not have much power. They were still a symbol inmon peoples eyes though, so the princess sent Xie an envoy to express her intention to meet Qin Guan. She knew that Xie was a friend of his. A fan? Okay! That did not affect the bigger picture. There were not that many princesses in Thand, but she was the daughter of the first rani and Thands crown prince, so she was a real descendant of the royal family. The next evening, Qin Guan attended the private banquet of the Xie family. The guest list included great entrepreneurs from Thand and the mysterious Princess Bajrakitiyabha. Qin Guans graceful manners and handsome looks impressed all the guests, especially the Xie brothers, who knew the difficulties of starting with nothing. It was impossible to achieve so much without talent. That was why they treated Qin Guan with sincerity. After he passed their test, they agreed to introduce him to the princess. Although the meeting would be private, security was still a must. Chapter 881: Drama Chapter 881: Drama Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia When Qin Guan showed up in the splendid hall in a formal suit, everyone gasped in admiration. Beautiful girls were as necessary at banquets as snacks at a party. Well-informed agencies would send them for the distinguished guests. The Xie family was rich, so they did not spare any expenses. Thus, there were many charming women among the aged men. Rich men were always old, so Qin Guan ended up bing the center of attention. He was young, sessful, rich and handsome! All the people around Qin Guan looked the same. The confident girls walked over as if by ident. "Ah!" A soft voice attracted the mens attention. They suddenly saw a girl in a white dress fall before them in an elegant manner. She seemed to go throughyers of curtains in front of the balcony before finally reaching that exact spot. Her fair neck and slender legs indicated that she was a pretty girl. As experienced men, they were all familiar with such tricks. Men had many deep-rooted bad habits though. Such an incident would be interesting if it posed no risk for their interests. Thus, a few young men spoke up. The Thainguage sounded gentle when the speakers were not upset. "s! Are you okay, youngdy? Do you need any help?" The man closest to the girl stretched his hand out. "Thank you!" The girl looked up at him with watery eyes. She was a really beautiful woman, a fact that satisfied the man. Before their hands could touch, the curtains opened again and the warm air of the party drifted out to the balcony. Some gentlemen frowned at the sudden disturbance. When they saw what was happening clearly, they were intrigued. An excited girl rushed out, pushed the young man away and pulled the weak girl up from the floor. "Poy, you are here! How did you fall down? Get up, quick!" The girl on the floor couldnt help but stand up. She was confused by the unexpectedpetitor. The second girl bowed before everyone in gratitude. "Sorry for the trouble. Thank you for being kind to my friend." Her beautiful boobs were visible in her low-cut dress when she bent over. Qin Guan burst intoughter at the interesting actresses. If Xie Hanren had not pulled him back, he would have fallen down from the balcony. If the two women used their acting skills in their performance, they would be award-winning actresses one day. Qin Guans abruptughter made the crowd calm down. The two girls turned in unison towards the man who had daredugh at them openly. Suddenly, they screamed out. "Its Qin Guan!" Their Chinese was pretty good! "In the flesh!" They immediately forgot about their sponsors. There were rich men everywhere, but there was only one Qin Guan. The girl in the white dress started looking for a pen to get an autograph, while the girl in red rushed back to the curtains and disappeared from the balcony. Everyone stood there in confusion. No one knew what to say. Qin Guan stepped away from the edge of the balcony awkwardly, afraid that those crazy girls might push him down. Before the girl in white could reach her idol, Qin Guan saw Wang Liyinge out of the curtains and gesture at him. "Excuse me. I have something to do. Ill be back as soon as I can." Qin Guan walked over to Wang and entered the hall. Then he realized what was going on. The girl in red was really smart. She had analyzed the pros and cons quickly and decided not to stay on the balcony. Instead, she had found her agent as fast as she could. What an opportunity! If she could get on the same boat as Qin Guan, she would get plenty of chances to ask for an autograph! Chapter 882: Hand-Kissing Chapter 882: Hand-Kissing Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Thus, her agent had asked around until he spotted Wang Liying. He was really happy about this opportunity. Wang couldnt make a decision like that though. She had to ask Qin Guans opinion first. Eventually, those two smart, lucky individuals got in touch with Qin Guan himself. As soon as they took their seats, the emcee at the entrance shouted at full volume, "Her Highness the Princess has arrived!" Everyone in the hall fixed their eyes on the entrance. The princess, who was wearing a golden dress, was followed by a group of uniformed maids as she entered the hall slowly. She took off her cloak and handed it over to one of the servants. The young princess greeted the host first. Regardless of her status in the royal family, the girl looked very pretty, which only added brilliance to her splendor. Although they were all fans of Qin Guan, she looked much more elegant than the two girls on the balcony. The master of the Xie family reminded Qin Guan to stand up and stretch his right hand out towards the princess. "May I have the honor of making your acquaintance?" The princess stretched her hand towards Qin Guan without a word. As her palmy on his, Qin Guan bent over naturally with his left hand behind his back. He touched the tip of his nose gently against the back of her hand and made a kissing sound with his lips. This was standard polite hand-kissing. Actually, most films misinterpreted this gesture. Hand-kissing in Europe only involved a touch with ones nose tip. It was no French kiss by any means. Qin Guans outstanding manners impressed the princess and her entourage. Qin Guan arose and said, "Thank you!" The whole procedure was finally over. Qin Guan led the princess into the hall as everyone went back to their conversations. They took a seat on a ck leather couch. "Hello, Qin Guan. Im a fan of yours," the princess said. "I have watched all your films and TV shows. They are wonderful!" "Thank you!" Qin Guan expressed his appreciation. The princess spoke good Chinese. It was rare for a member of the royal family to speak standard Mandarin so well. Plus, she was an elegant, smart, calm fan. Qin Guan didnt feel any pressure as they talked. The girl was very polite at public events. Wang Liying was a little disappointed about that. It seemed that the princess loved the actor and his work, not just his looks. When the banquet came to an end, the princess servant reminded her. The princess stood up reluctantly, ready to say goodbye and leave early. Qin Guan stood up from the couch politely, when a man suddenly rushed into the hall. He was wearing a royal blue uniform with bronze buttons. He had to be one of the princess servants. He handed the princess a crystal cell phone. "Your Highness, its a call from His Majesty!" "Papa?" When he saw the princess turn serious, Qin Guan paid close attention to the conversation. "Did you know that in advance, papa?" "If I did, I wouldnt have let you go out tonight." "Okay, Ill be careful." The short, hurried conversation made Qin Guan worry. The princess smiled at him when she ended the call. "It seems that Mr. Qin is destined to stay with me. I have to stay at the banquet for a while." Qin Guan made a polite gesture. Then the princess and her servants walked over to Xie Guomin. Xie Hanren walked over to meet them, which seemed to annoy the girl in red. "What happened? I thought she was about to leave. Why is she approaching my dad?" "No idea. She just received a call from her dad." A serious topic like that was out of their league, so they went back to gossiping again. Chapter 883: A Big Event Chapter 883: A Big Event Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Xie failed to get an answer from Qin Guan, so he changed the topic to the farce on the balcony. He couldnt help but share a secret with Qin Guan. "Do you know Joy? She was the girl who fell down earlier." "I dont." Im Chinese. I know nothing about the entertainment circle in Thand. "Her name was Joy." Some yboys fell silent as soon as they heard the name. "Do you know why?" Of course not. I dont know the girl. "She was originally a man. She is a transgender person." Okay, youre scaring me! That delicate girl is actually a man? Qin Guan shivered at the thought. "She has known about her gender ever since she was a child. She was lucky to be born in a rich family. In Thand, such surgeries are pretty sessful. Now she is not a semi-finished product anymore. She has transitionedpletely." That was why those young men hadnt showed any interest in the pretty girl. It was ridiculous for a straight man to fall in love with a she-male. Any man would run away as fast as he could. This was a symbol of the lowest social ss in Thand after all. The difficulties of transgender life drove many poor men to the road. Individuals who had had unsessful surgeries couldnt survive for long, as they couldnt satisfy the tourists tastes. It was an ugly, twisted business. Joy was different though. Some poor men were forced into this life, but Joy had chosen it. Still, people would shoot meaningful looks at them all the same. Qin Guan sighed silently. Life was really hard for transgender individuals. When he saw that Qin Guan was not interested in the gossip, Xie Hanren changed the topic. He had just done his duty by warning Qin Guan. Suddenly, Qin Guan felt something strange. He looked at Xie Guomin and the princess. The solemn expression on Xies face indicated that there was a serious problem. When they finished their conversation, Xie Guomin got on the stage at the front of the hall and pped his hands to attract the attention of the guests. Then he pointed to the second floor of the luxurious building. "First, I would like to express my appreciation to all of you foring here tonight. Of course, most of our guests are rtives or good friends of Xie." "However, we also have the honor of having our beautiful princess here today. The banquet is reaching its end, so I would like to present you with a surprise. Does everyone in here know that my hometown is in China?" "Yes..." "I would like to show you my collection of Chinese treasure! My private collection is unmatched in the world! Its a feast for the eyes." All the guests cheered up at the news. They belonged in the same circle, so they had basically the same taste. The collection of the richest family in the country had to be amazing. Thus, they all followed Xie Guomin to the second floor. Xie Hanren and Qin Guan were among the crowd. Along the way, Xie whispered to Qin Guan, This is strange. My dad never shows his treasure to anyone. I hardly ever see it myself. Why is he being so gant today? Such a big number of people could break his porcin!" Is your dads porcin made of paper? When thest guest stepped onto the second floor, all the servants left the hall in an orderly manner without cleaning up the mess. Then a group of security guards poured into the hall. They all seemed well-trained and valiant. In some turbulent countries, security agencies couldnt satisfy rich men, as the sudden dangers there exceeded their professional skills. However, there was a strange group of people in the world called mercenaries. If one paid them enough money, they could be the best security guards in a peaceful environment. The security guards hired by the Xie family were exactly like that. The whole mansion was currently on guard. No emergency could surprise Han Zhujiu though, who used to be a member of the Chinese Special Forces. He had sensed the uing danger as soon as he had heard about the phone call the princess had received. Although he had been working in Chinatown for a long time, the basic nature of a soldier was still in his blood. It was an indispensable instinct. Thus, after whispering something to Qin Guan, Han followed the guests into the treasure room. Chapter 884: A Smooth Coup d’Etat Chapter 884: A Smooth Coup dEtat Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia All the lights in the treasure room were turned on as soon as they entered, revealing the transparent ss showcases. There were various kinds of rare treasure in them, all of which were Chinese antiques. Some of them hade from auction houses around the world, while others from private collections. They all expressed the owners love for Chinese antiques. Some guests with the same hobby took out their magnifying sses to evaluate the collection. As they all got absorbed in the exhibition, Xie Guomin shot a look at his assistant. The door of the room was closed silently. All the security cameras around the mansion were operating. When everything was over, Xie walked up to the princess. The two of them whispered something to each other to get a confirmation. Then the princess said, "ording to my information, a military coup was attempted about an hour ago. The government is cornered. We have to wait for more details." Her words were short, but informative. The antique fans came back to their senses instantly. The crowd stirred as they drew a breath as one. It was like a water drop falling into a cauldron full of oil. "What? This is an emergency. Why werent we notified?" "I wonder what the army is nning on doing." Although the guests were worried, they were not panic-stricken. Military coups happened every day in Thand. Everyone was just calmly talking about the next steps, which shocked the Chinese people in the room. Hey! We are talking about a coup detat! Why are you all so rxed? This would have been unheard of in China! Xie Hanren could see Qin Guans confusion, so he tried to exin Thands tradition. Ever since the king had lost control of the troops, the military had been self-governing. The current king and princess might have seemed like media mascots, but they actually had strong connections to the army. The king always expressed his opinion about political parties and the government. It was hard to tell whether the domestic chaos had originated from the king or the troops anymore. The wise Chinese guests concluded that the army was the key to steady political power. That exined the calmness of the princess. People didnt care that much about the matter. Meanwhile, the TV could receive a signal from outside, so they found out what was going on. Information spread conveniently thanks to the smart reporters. Thand was a renowned tourist destination, so there were many foreign reporters stationed there. Before the situation was even stable, they had already gone out looking for precious inside information. The existence of war correspondents showed a kind of noble sentiment, while the military was needed tofort people. Thanks to the news broadcast, they found out that the smooth process of handing and taking over political power had only taken three hours. Inbination with some technical procedures, the government change had taken about five hours. The harmony that followed pleased everyone. Soon, the security guards informed them that the emergency was over. All the guests could now leave safely. The next morning, they would see a new prime minister on TV. Thand was so efficient! The security measures around the mansion were still in ce, in case some people took advantage of the situation to try something in the area. After those exciting events, Qin Guan and his team returned to their rooms tiredly. They needed to have a good nights sleep in order to rx. The first thing Qin Guan did was take a bath. The water drops fell on his body, making him feel refreshed. Bang, bang! There was somebody knocking on the door. "Whos there? Its reallyte!" "Its me! Wang Liying." "Wait a moment. Im taking a bath!" "No. Just check your email, Brother Qin!" "What?" The girl left. Chapter 885: Pomelo Leaves Chapter 885: Pomelo Leaves Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia She must have been aware of the time and known clearly what he was doing thanks to the sound of the water drops. As a moral agent, she kept a proper distance from the actor she worked for. Even the subtlest action was prohibited. Qin Guan got out of the bathroom and dried his hair off with a towel, smiling at her tactfulness. When he put on his pajamas and opened hisptop, he saw what she had meant. The microblog had caused him trouble again! The blog was an instant, convenient method to show off, yet it also had its ws. In his previous post, Qin Guan had been standing barefoot on the white beach, the green ocean and blue sky serving as his background. That day, he hadnt updated the microblog in time for the banquet, which caused his fans to go crazy. His close friends and rtives used all kinds of means to make sure he was safe and confirm his schedule, but his fans online were not as lucky. Losing contact with Qin Guan made them question everything ande up with strange theories. "Striking news! A military coup just took ce in Thand!" "Thats terrible! But what has it got to do with us?" "Qin Guan is in Thand visiting a friend. Didnt you know?" "I had no idea. I thought he was at home!" "Check his blog. He was at Pattaya Beach yesterday!" "Oh my! Is he in danger? This sounds terrible!" "Of course it is. Remember the riots in Francest time?" "Yes. People said that Qin Guans team had met the thugs and the Chinese embassy had offered them shelter." "Is he being held prisoner in Thand? Will he return to China in time for the premier of Curse Of The Golden Flower?" "Yes. Im really worried about him. He always attracts idents." "He should just stay at home." "He should go to Japan. There will be a film festival in Tokyo at the end of the year." "Good idea!" "Good idea!" "Two of his films have already been short-listed." "Do you think the ind will sink if he visits?" ... Speechless, Qin Guan called his firm immediately to put a stop to that strange discussion. Soon, the microblog was updated with histest news. "Thank you all for your concern about Qin Guan. He is safe and sound. Goodnight, everyone!" His loyal fans logged off happily. It was already midnight, so it was time to go to bed. The warm responses made Qin Guan feel less lonely in a foreign country. The worry caused by the banquet was gone, so he was able to get a good nights sleep. Despite those breathtaking moments, the trip was perfect overall. Qin Guan returned home with many specialties from Xie Hanren. He also got arge order from the Chia Tai Group, which would help his firm develop a lot. Cong Nianwei allowed Qin Guan to walk through the front door and then swept him from head to toe with pomelo leaves. "Are you kidding me? These are used for returning prisoners!" "I have to sweep the bad luck away." Honey, you have been influenced by inte users. I know your username online! Absence always made the heart grow fonder. The two of themy in bed shoulder to shoulder. It was really cold in Beijing duringte autumn. After sharing their work-rted news, Cong Nianwei cheered her boyfriend up with thetest news about "The Promise". "Now Director Zhang can sit back and rx. He will win the battle easily. As long as the audience understands the film, it will enjoy a sessful box office." "Why?" "Get theptop for me." Qin Guan jumped out of bed, rushed to the living room and returned as fast as he could. He might even have been faster than Liu Xiang. Without the obstacle of shorts, a man could reach his full potential. "What do you want to show me?" His hands trembled as he handed over theptop. "Thements on The Promise." There was not a single goodment about the film. A film couldnt please everyone, but if it drove 99% of the audience out of the cinema, it had to be atrocious. Chapter 886: A Steamed Bun Chapter 886: A Steamed Bun Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It was an indie film with a limited budget. Indie films such as Qin Guans films "Lost Smile" and "Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind" were usually epted by the masses. Some people loved them, while others didnt. However, a blockbuster movie that wasnt epted by the majority of the public vited the principles ofmercial movies. Failure did not just entail bad consequences for the producers, but also for the audience who had spent money in order to watch the film. Some directors believed thatmercial movies did not use high-end technology. They were just created to entertain the audience. Those days, people were under great pressure due to the fast pace of their jobs. They just wanted to release some of that pressure by watching a movie, so they chosemercial films with the intent tough or cry their hearts out. That was why that film was so ambiguous. Ordinary audiences were cursing about their wasted money, while professional critics remained silent, waiting for other people toment first. They were too afraid of appearing confused. Amid that strange silence and angry curses, it was Chen Hong who attracted the publics attention again. She stated openly that in a country without a well-educated poption, the audience would need at least five years to understand the films message. Her statement caused an uproar. After a lot of negative media coverage, a soldier named Hu Ge made a short film that made fun of the entertainment circle. It was called "Massacre Caused By A Steamed Bun" and itsted only 19 minutes. As soon as it was uploaded online, it went viral all over the country. "Look! Its so interesting!" Cong Nianwei showed Qin Guan the film. At the beginning of the short film, Hu Ge dered that the film only expressed his personal opinions. What a smart guy! He was good at editing and making jokes. The short film was bright and funny, which impressed the audience a lot. Soon, Hu became famous thanks to the film, which irritated Chen Kaige. Chen was the first director to get angry at inte users. His wife was much angrier than he was though. As a result, Hu Ge received awsuit not long thereafter. The couple asked Hu to apologize publicly for viting copyrightws. Everyone was shocked. Hu had just voiced what they thought in a special way. After many years, Chen Hongs image as the beautiful princess from "Daming Pce" copsed. Eventually, theedy turned into a farce. Qin Guan couldnt help but sigh when he heard the news. That year, those two famous directors ruined big-budget films in China. Thanks to that terrible beginning, all domestic film producers and directors entered an armed race. Investments increased and casting lists became longer, but the quality of the films was still deteriorating. It would take a long time for them to adjust in the future. At the time, the public was not that tolerable with bad movies. "The Promise" suffered a crushing defeat. Despite its investment of 300 million yuan, it failed to earn even 30 million back. The film destroyed Chens reputation. Now everyone thought that he was outdated. That was the cruel reality of being a director. One had to make up for a failure by directing several good films. This was good news for Zhang Yimou though. "When will your film be in theaters?" Cong Nianwei asked Qin Guan as she wrapped a quilt around herself. "Probably in November." "Why? Jiang Wens film was finished first. Why has it taken so long?" "The film has to be approved by the SARFT first, you know." It was mandatory to send a film to the SARFT for ssification before screening it in China or submitting it at a foreign film festival. Otherwise, it would be considered an underground film. As a result, Jiang Wen had to go through that process like a good boy. He had also avoided the favorite auction calendar of Hollywood big shots. He was in no rush. His aim was the Venice Film Festival next year. A spot there was enough for him. After his exnation, Cong Nianwei fell asleep. Qin Guan kissed her forehead and uttered the most tender words in the world. "Sweet dreams!" Home was the best cradle in the world. After all that chaos, Qin Guan couldnt spend any leisure time at home anymore. In 2008, premieres became more and more important for the publicity of a film. This was the first time he was invited to a premiere, despite the fact that he had participated in so many films in the past. Chapter 887: The Premiere Chapter 887: The Premiere Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia People didnt focus on this stuff though. Plus, Qin Guan was usually too busy. The film "Curse Of The Golden Flower" premiered during a specific period of the year though. It was the most fun time for most actors, so the crew expected that Qin Guan would promote the film even more through the premiere. The event would be held at the Wanda Mall, which was located on the East 2nd Ring. It was the most luxurious shopping mall in Asia. The open shopping center and cinemabined cuisine, entertainment and shopping. That premiere would be the first to be held there. Reporters, distinguished guests and fans crowded into the hall that day. The lucky fans who had gotten invitations for the premiere entered the hall, looking excited and worried. A glimpse outside the hall confirmed Qin Guans presence. They were so excited! They would get the rare chance to meet Qin Guan in person! Gong Li and Chow Yun-Fat were absent from the ceremony, but no one cared about that. They just wanted to meet Qin Guan. When Qin Guan got on the stage, the audience got excited. "Qin Guan! Look over here!" "Qin Guan! I love you!" The chaos that ensued covered the hosts voice. Camera and cell phone clicks could be heard everywhere. In an effort to keep the premiere running smoothly, Qin Guan gestured at everyone. "Hush..." He hoped his fans would go silent and at least let the host finish his introduction. The fans gasped in admiration at his manners. Some girls almost fainted, their hands going to their chests. Everyone lowered their voices and let the host speak. The host, who was from the Beijing Entertainment Channel, finished his job professionally. Any host would feel awkward around Qin Guan. No man was more handsome and famous than the award-winning actor after all. Qin Guans smile could beat even the most well-crafted speech. Soon, the eager fans and reporters began to ask questions. "Director Zhang, what are your expectations regarding the box office?" "Its said that you invested 100 million in the film." "What do you think of the failure of The Promise?" "Is this the era of Chinese blockbusters?" "Your film has been nominated for an Oscar. Is this because of Qin Guans influence?" "Could you please introduce the characters and their rtionships in advance?" Director Zhang was left speechless by the sparkling eyes under the stage. Both the media and the audience seemed to be very interested in the film. "Sorry, but this is the premiere. Ill only answer questions about the film." He looked at his watch deliberately and whispered to the host, "The reporters have 10 minutes." The reporters and the audience looked anxious. We havent gotten any answers yet! They all concentrated their fire on Qin Guan and Jay Chou. "Qin Guan, this is your first cooperation with Chou, who is actually a singer. What did you think of his acting skills?" You are going to get me in trouble, bro. Qin Guan began to praise Chou against his will. "He is a very hard-working actor. He can study a single scene until midnight. He is the most dedicated young actor I have ever met. We are also good friends in real life." Chou felt so moved that he leaned his shoulder against Qin Guans. Thank you so much, dude. Actually, Qin Guan hadnt even mentioned anything about his acting skills. "Qin Guan, whats your opinion about your character in the film? He is a coward. He does not seem like a real prince. Is he quite different from your previous roles?" You have no idea what a different role is really like. Qin Guan usually made the decision to disappear as soon as one of his films was in theaters. Such questions were nothing for him though. "In my opinion, an actor should keeping make progress forever. Even if they are suitable for only one type of film, they should still act with all their effort. A famous actor can seed through only ying one kind of character, but there are so many films and roles in the world. If I could choose, I would try a new one each time." "For example, the eldest prince is not a very decisive man, He is actually aplicated coward, so a character like him is a challenge for my acting skills." Chapter 888: A Shocking Box Office Success Chapter 888: A Shocking Box Office Sess Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Exactly! The audience nodded their heads in unison as a reporter asked thest question of the day. "As an international star, you must have read a lot of outstanding scripts, both domestically and overseas. Can we know what your expectations for the film are?" "Nowadays, everyone is trying to shoot amercial film in the right way. Thats what the situation is like. In my opinion, this film will be a sessfulmercial film. It has all the elements of a goodmercial film, and the plot is exciting enough." "Its an educational indie film, as well as a feast for the eyes. It has outstanding martial arts scenes, bright colors and a profound connotation. Its perfect for this era." "Your film Crazy Stone earned a lot of money despite its limited budget. What are your expectations for a great investment like this?" "Hey! No more questions!" "This is thest one!" At first, Qin Guan didnt want to answer, but the audience urged him, so he had to say something. "There are different ways to shoot films with different budgets. You can focus on the plot or hire superstars and build splendid props. A hundred flowers in bloom mean that spring is here. Only a variety of films can satisfy the Chinese audience." Everyone was satisfied. Suddenly, pots of artificial flowers were carried onto the stage. All the distinguished guests were surrounded by chrysanthemums. "Lets take a group photo with the most important props of the film." "In memory of the premiere!" "The audience members can draw lots on our website with their stubs. Ten lucky fans will get a copy of the group photo with all the actors signatures." Everyone was wild with joy. The actors on the stage stood around Director Zhang and smiled happily amid a cluster of golden flowers. The picture symbolized the films sess. Not long afterwards, the film started. Most of the audience was impressed by the splendid scenes and the grand fight, which had required thousands of extras to film. After watching "The Promise" earlier, people were more tolerant than they had been before. At least this grand spectacle could satisfy them after a day of hard work. When the film came to an end, the curtain was lifted again and the lights were turned on. All the actors were apuded by the audience. This was the proper etiquette for a premiere after all. The hard-working director and actors deserved their respect. The films small ws were ignored by the good-tempered audience. Some of the fans hadnt focused on the film itself though. They had only paid attention to Qin Guans character. "He is so handsome..." "If I was a maid, Jiang Wan would never get in bed alone." "Yes. His smile was so beautiful!" "I think I could have his baby just by looking at his smile." "Wow! Gong Li didnt even kiss him." "What a pity!" Everyone was too distracted to notice Chows terrible acting skills, which was great. After the crew had travelled around half the country, the box office results finally came out, stunning everyone. Opening Day: 15 million yuan First Week: 103 million yuan (in China); 4.5 million dors (in North America); 55.8 million dors (globally) The film had exceeded the entire countrys expectations. The audience in North America had been tired of martial arts, but thanks to Qin Guans participation, the box office had started increasing gradually, until it eventually broke the 10-million line after the first week. An award-winning actor would never star in a box office flop after all. Ms. Chen broke all her tableware in anger when she heard about Zhang Yimous sess. The films huge profits increased the ambitions of Chinese directors, who became confident again after their failures inmercial films. The operation had worked! Chapter 889: Ultraman At The Tokyo Film Festival Chapter 889: Ultraman At The Tokyo Film Festival Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Thanks to that film, the Chinese got rich. Because of the rising economy, Chinese people had a more disposable personal ie, so they were willing to spend money on their favorite actors and authorized DVD copies. It was a flourishing year for the film industry. That year, offers, scripts and investment deals were pouring into Qin Guans office. The business of his firms was also rising rapidly. He was both frustrated and happy to receive an invitation from Tokyo, as two of his films had been selected by the festival. Qin Guan decided to walk on the red carpet alone to avoid hurting anyones feelings. The Tokyo Film Festival, which was the only international 9A-level festival in Asia, had been founded in 1985, and its influence was not inferior to any European film festival. In 2006, the Busan Film Festival had note to prominence yet and the Chinese Festival had still been developing, so the Tokyo Film Festival was the most prestigious one in Asia. The Japanese entertainment circle featured outstanding animation and high-end post-production procedures. Influenced by surrounding countries such as South Korea, the Japanese felt the impending risk of losing their throne. In an effort to maintain the high level of their festival, the organizingmittee had invested a lot of money andbor into staying in the lead. One week before the opening ceremony, the Roppongi Area in Tokyo began to dress itself up. When Qin Guan walked out of the hotel heavily-armed, he saw a beautiful city alight with neon lights. There wererge cartoon-like signs all around him. The guests cars were moving along them as people crowded around the red carpet. shing lights were sparkling everywhere. Before Qin Guan could reach the red carpet, he was stunned by the other stars standing on it. How can I walk on the carpet with that group of people around me? He felt the impulse to return to his hotel immediately, but Wang pulled at his sleeve and pointed to the signs. "The red carpet is only 20 meters long. Based on your speed, it will take you only a few minutes to cross it. The interview will take five minutes and the photos just three... Then you will be able to enter the main hall. Our sponsors will pay you an extra 10,000 dors for your time!" "To go, or not to go? That is the question..." "Go, go!" Money always beat dignity. Actually, Qin Guan had misunderstood the organizingmittee. Because of his status, they had arranged a ce especially for him. He would take the lead in the festival. He was an honor to all Asian actors after all. As a result, it was hard for them to find an equal actor to walk together with him. After brainstorming for a long time, they made an inspired decision. Some superstars with the same international fame would be Qin Guanspanions on the red carpet. This was a difficult feat for themittee, as strictly speaking, those stars were much more famous than Qin Guan. As Qin Guans car pulled up to the carpet slowly, he saw Ultraman standing there, waiting for him. One rarely saw a fictional character and a real star appear together at such an event. Only in Japan, the country of animation, could the audience witness such a thing. Ultraman, who was both aic book and film superhero, had been assigned to apany Qin Guan. The superhero had already emitted light waves twice in an effort to warm up. The door of Qin Guans car was opened by the festival staff. Wang Liying hid inside the car and pushed Qin Guan out. "See you in the hallter. Go!" As soon as Qin Guan got out of the car, she closed the door and left. Qin Guan was left standing alone, surrounded by reporters. Not far ahead, Ultraman was waving his hand at him. Suddenly, Qin Guan felt ashamed. He looked like a small monster about to be defeated by Ultraman. The foreign media finally saw a real man. They wouldnt let Qin Guan go easily. Chapter 890: Farewell, My Love Chapter 890: Farewell, My Love Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan started taking strong steps forward. The reporters were not satisfied with being limited to that small area by the strange regtions of the festival. The Japanese restricted their ideas with all kinds ofws and procedures, so they had set strict rules on the schedule of the film festival as well. The stars had to walk to the middle of the carpet ording to the beat and then stop. ording to the regtors, they had to smile, turn left, smile, turn right, and then move forward. Fictional characters didnt have to follow that rule though. When Ultraman began to take his symbolic crossed-arms pose, no one came to stop him. Japan was more lenient with fictional characters than with real people. The foreign reporters made their way over to Qin Guan and pointed their cameras at him. "Qin Guan, look over here!" "Qin Guan, smile!" Even though they were upying the fan area, the Japanese fans did notin. The Japanese had been focused on other peoples appearance since ancient times. In such a country, Qin Guan was considered a national treasure. The fans were screaming out, ignoring the excited reporters. They were waving glow sticks,mps, dolls... Anything they could find. The crowd followed Qin Guan to the middle of the carpet. Suddenly, a fat man in ck walked around a corner slowly. Although he was confident about his own power, the crowd around him would make any individual feel like an ant. He put his arms down carefully to reveal the person hiding behind his strong body. "You!" "Hai!" "You protected me well, but I wasnt able to see anything." It was an angry Japanese girl. Only Yamaguchi Tsutomu would wear a traditional kimono to such an event. The strong man didnt argue with her. He just bowed deeply, looking very guilty. "My bad, Miss. Ill fight over the best viewpoint for you." "Thats up to you." "Hai!" The big man rushed into the crowd like a bomb, forcing open a narrow path. Yamaguchi Tsutomu walked along the path at a moderate pace. "There he is, Miss!" They were just in time. Qin Guan was walking in the direction of the girl. "Mr. Qin Guan!" Qin Guan followed the sound of the voice and turned towards Yamaguchi Tsutomu. "Yamaguchi Tsutomu?" A soft fleck of dust flew over to him. Qin Guan caught it unconsciously. "I will always be your fan, Qin Guan! I really like you!" "Thanks. I like you too." Qin Guan waved at the girl kindly and walked to the end of the carpet. The girl didnt move with the crowd. "Shall I find you another position up front, Miss? Or would you like to know the number of his room?" "No, thats it for today. Thank you. Lets go back now." "Hai!" Rich families made connections through marriage. Everybodys life was on the right track, but reality was the best stimuli. In the real world, even a really powerful man couldnt swim in shallow waters forever. Yamaguchi Tsutomu bid her love farewell. From that day on, she would go her own way. If everything went well, the two of them would never meet again. Qin Guan felt guilty for stealing the spotlight from a popr childrens character. Doraemon was moving after him, waving its round hands at the audience. I should move faster. I dont want to stay here with it. This had to be the funniest red carpet event Qin Guan had attended. Eventually, he reached the stage at the end of the carpet and said goodbye to the cartoon characters. The hostess was an elegant woman with a familiar voice. She didnt ask Qin Guan any awkward questions and she let him go as soon as his time was up. When Qin Guan took his seat, Wang reminded him who she was. "The hostess is a cartoon voice-over actress. The organizingmittee is really creative!" "Wow! That exins why her voice sounded so familiar. Which character has she dubbed?" "Minamoto Shizuka." Chapter 891: A Shocking Twist Chapter 891: A Shocking Twist Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Okay. Could you please tell me where Nobita Nobi is? What a mess! I think Gouda must be on his way. After that incident, the event proceeded normally. When the finalists were announced, Qin Guan let out a long sigh. His two films had two different goals. One was aiming at the Asian award, and the other at an independent award. Qin Guan himself was not on the list of nominated actors though. All the cameras turned to him. He was just as confused. Whats going on? Have they made a terrible mistake? If he is not nominated, why did the organizingmittee invite him to the event? Qin Guan shot a look at the two directors. Were they messing with him? Wang got angry immediately. The invitation she had received had stated that Qin Guan had been nominated for an award at the festival. Is this true? Liars! They invited a superstar by tricking him to add mour to their ceremony. Now they can publish that Qin Guan has returned to China empty-handed. Liars! What the f*ck... They just wanted to use Qin Guan! Wang Liying had the impulse to pull Qin Guan out of the hall. If you want big news, Ill give you a bigger scoop for free! "The Tokyo Film Festival cheats an award-winning actor. ording to the calctions, Qin Guan has lost one million dors by attending the event..." Just wait and see! Before Wang could bounce up from her seat, the host on the stage announced the most important award of the festival in a trembling voice. "The winner of the Asian Outstanding Contribution Award of the 20th Tokyo Film Festival is Qin Guan from China! Lets wee him on the stage with our warmest apuse! I hope our festival will be flourishing just like this young man!" What? Are you kidding? Isnt the Outstanding Contribution Award supposed to go to an experienced actor with countless films in his resume? Its usually awarded to someone who has influenced an entire generation. Qin Guan is only 26 years old. You gave him this award too soon! Wang sat back down immediately. "Why did you sit down again? I thought you wanted to pull me away." "You misunderstood. I just wanted to fix my dress." Okay. My agent is a lovely person. The two of them stood up and hugged each other. Then Wang stepped back calmly to watch Qin Guan hug everyone else. All the Chinese guests were excited about the result. This was not just a mere acting award, but the biggest honor for an Asian actor. It was one-sided recognition from Tokyo. In the future, Qin Guan could even be one of the judges if he wished. He could be a standing member of the judgemittee and an important person amid the Asian film circle. He was the youngest person to ever win an Outstanding Contribution Award, which was usually thest honor bestowed upon senior actors. That year, the crown was on the head of a rising young actor. The result made everyone rethink the real meaning of the award. Should age be the only criteria? Shouldnt the judges focus on ones artistic contribution? Wasnt Qin Guan a unique actor in film history? He had broken the restrictions of region, race,nguage and background and acted in films produced in different countries. His charm, talent and kindness had helped him ovee racial discrimination and various other unwritten rules. His films and performances kept getting better and better. He had made so many breakthroughs and faced so many difficulties sessfully. That was what real contribution was like. He had made the European fashion circle pay attention to an Asian model. He had introduced Asian people to Hollywood. He had earned a spot in The Times. He had made foreigners show interest in China and oriental culture. He most definitely deserved the award. His power had made the judges ignore his age. Chapter 892: Feedback From All Sides Chapter 892: Feedback From All Sides Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Even though he had been born in the 1980s, the actor was as calm, clear-minded and modest as a middle-aged man. He was already above the standards of an award-winning actor. Only an Outstanding Contribution Award could match his talent. Even if he didnt get the award now, he would eventually win it after a few decades. The organizingmittee had decided to add brilliance to his present splendor by awarding him with this international honor. A hero was nothing but a product of his time. The Japanese always admired heroes, so all the judges had reached the consensus to give Qin Guan the award. As a result, Qin Guans speech was now irrelevant. Fortunately, everyone was too distracted to pay any attention to what he said on the stage. Both the audience and the reporters were considering the consequences of this award in the future, as well as how to profit from this event. Qin Guan finished his speech by expressing his gratitude and waving the golden award with the symbol of Sakura. Everyone stood up to cheer for him. There was no doubt that he deserved this. Yamaguchi Tsutomu pressed the remote control to turn off the TV. She could finally rx again after being nervous for so long. "They still have some good taste left..." Her sigh faded away along with the image on the screen. On their way back, Qin Guan and Wang Liying didnt say anything. They were still shocked by the recent events. The fukubukuro from Yamaguchi Tsutomu was still in Wangs hand. Does it even work? The amazing news had gone viral right away. The next morning, they took the earliest flight back to Beijing to deal with the impending media storm. As soon as they arrived in Beijing, Wang hurried back to the office. Everything was in order. Wang had just pulled her luggage into the office, when she saw Sister Xue sitting behind her desk calmly. "Hey, Sister Xue. Did you release the news about Tokyo?" "Yes." "Was there any negative feedback?" Sister Xue was happy to see the worry on Wangs face. The girl was really dedicated to her job. She could trust Wangpletely now and retire to the backstage. She asked Wang to sit down and showed her Qin Guans secrets, including his fan club, Yamaguchi Tsutomu and their story in New York. Even after reading the main reports andtest news online, Wang was still shocked by that final secret. Now she understood why those controversial news hadnt caused them any trouble in Japan. All the Japanese media, both right wing and left wing, had praised the film festivals decision. Qin Guan had the support of an entire nation. Meanwhile, some Asian countries such as South Korea wereining about the award and debating over the real meaning of an Outstanding Contribution Award. Should it be based on seniority, contribution, or something else entirely? The Chinese media remained calm. Qin Guan had won the award after all. No matter what everyone said, China would never return the award. Those contemptible scoundrels returned without aplishing anything. The organizingmittee of the Busan Film Festival, which had ended one week before the Tokyo Film Festival, felt frustrated. Their entertainment industry had made great progress during the past few years. They had even umted fans from Europe and America! The Busan Film Festival was trying its best to expand its influence andpete against the Tokyo Film Festival. In their opinion, the Tokyo Film Festival just copied material from others and presented it as its own. It was thest 9A-level film festival of the year after all. The Koreansughed at the deteriorating Japanese entertainment circle. Japans prime time was gone with the wind. They also looked down upon Japanese taste, arrogance and everything else they could think of. They expected that one day the Busan Film Festival would be the best festival in the Asian film circle. These news were a huge blow for them. All their effort was gone with the wind. Chapter 893: A Guest Appearance Chapter 893: A Guest Appearance Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The overwhelming news about Qin Guan reached all foreign countries. ording to sources in North America and Europe, the media were singing Tokyos praises. They thought the result was very fair. The youngest winner of the Outstanding Contribution Award inspired everyone to think about the real meaning of cinema itself instead of other irrelevant elements. Tokyo was extremely respectful. That was what the foreign media thought. They actually loved Qin Guan. If another unfamiliar young actor had won the award, they would have attacked him mercilessly. As the reporters kept fighting with each other, Qin Guan was sleeping peacefully at home. He only ever felt safe in that small room. When he got up, he found a pot of porridge in the kitchen. Thanks to all the awards he had won, Qin Guans website and microblog had be party venues. His beautiful awards served as decorations. A golden cherry blossom was smiling among silver palm leaves. Arge windsurfing board and several shining shells reminded everyone of a beautiful beach. A cute bear was hiding behind a solemn ornamental column... And lets not forget the golden globe and the centaurs! Suddenly, everyone realized that Qin Guan had won almost every famous film festival award in existence. There were still a few left though, including an Oscar. As his fans began to look forward to that prestigious award, Qin Guan reached his firm slowly, feeling satiated. It was time to close the ounts for the end of the year. Before he could finish reading the feedback from the Tokyo Film Festival, his private office phone started ringing. The call had to be about a private issue. Qin Guan asked Wang Liying to answer the phone for him. "Hi, this is Lang Kun from CCTV. Is Qin Guan there?" You again! Im not joining you this year! The Spring Festival G had not been a good experience for Qin Guan. He hated spending New Years Eve alone. To him, fame was nothingpared to his family. "Qin Guan cannot attend the g this year, director. He spent the whole year working. This is his only chance to see his family. Do you understand?" Understand? Im the director of the g! I spend every Spring Festival working. Maybe Ill resign next year! Wangs words left Lang speechless. Soon, Wang realized she had misunderstood. Lang had not called Qin Guan about the Spring Festival G, but to ask him to make a guest appearance on a friends project. It would be a short appearance at the end of a TV show. He was really brave to ask Qin Guan, who was such a popr actor, to be a guest star. Plus, this was a TV show, not a film! It was no ordinary TV show though. It was the hottest primetime show on CCTV. Numerous famous actors had guest starred in it, most of whom were very experienced. The shows audience ratings had beat every other TV program in 2006, with the exception of CCTV News. The TV show was called "My Own Swordsman". The group of obscure actors that starred in it had already be household names. After 80 episodes, the periodedy was finallying to an end. If they could have a big name guest star in thest episode, the whole series would bepleted sessfully. They would even be able to sell the show overseas. It would be a win-win situation. Thus, Director Shang Jing had asked help from Director Lang, who in turn had called Qin Guan. His sry would be low, as the show was aedy with a limited budget. Qin Guan nodded at Wang Liying, who answered in a sweet voice, "We are sorry for not attending the g, director. I think Qin Guan wont deny such a simple request. When will thest episode be shot? Okay, at the end of this month. No problem. Ill arrange his schedule. No problem." Chapter 894: The Base In Pinggu Chapter 894: The Base In Pinggu Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It was like an old foxs trick. When one turned down an invitation, it was hard for them to turn down a second one. Plus, the shooting site was in a suburb of Beijing, the Feilong Film Base in Pinggu County. Qin Guan could drive there by car and stay at a hotel overnight if necessary. They eventually reached an agreement. Qin Guan hung up and smiled at Wang. "Please help me fit this into my schedule." Wang couldnt quite understand his decision. She was confused by his interest in a guest role in such a small production. She was right. Everyone had initially looked down upon the crew. After the show had been on CCTV for a week though, it had started attracting everyones attention. The audience took delight in talking about every detail of the show, which had be a very popr topic among young people. Wang was still confused though, "The show is popr, theres no doubt about that. But its not worth your attention. It will not benefit you much. You should take the quality of your work into consideration. With all due respect, its no more than a soap opera." "You dont understand my feelings." In hisst life, that show had revived lightedy in China. One decadeter, people would not produce such popr shows with a limited budget anymore. That show was like a symbol in the river of history that only determined people with high aspirations could swim in. That was why Qin Guan had epted the job. He wanted to be a part of it. They didnt talk about it for long, as a long-lost friend called Qin Guan right afterwards. It was Director Zhang Jizhong. He had a new script for Qin Guan, but he was not the director. He was actually the producer. Producers had to worry about audience ratings, money and TV show procedures. Their ie was closely rted to market information and all rted expenses. Qin Guan was the most popr actor of his time, so he was a safe source of ie in everyones minds. That was why the director had called his old friend. As expected, Qin Guan told him everything about his uing schedule. "Id be happy to join your crew, but the filming wouldst really long. I cant make such a bigmitment. Plus, if I was the protagonist, I could be forced to quit acting." "What? Why?" "If an actor was warned or forced to quit by the SARFT... You know what I mean..." "Are you kidding? You wont be forced to quit over one role. You are such a talented guy! Your role in Lust Caution didnt cause you any trouble either. Its none of their business!" Qin Guan was moved by the directors bravery. "So whats the script this time?" "This is my strongest selling point! Its Jin Yongs work The Return Of The Condor Heroes." "You want me to y Yang Guo?" "Of course. I want you topete against Louis Koo." "Who will be Miss Dragon?" "Liu Yifei. You have coborated with her before. She looks exactly like an immortal." Qin Guan hadnt thought about that. His impression of her was still one of a little girl. "Thats up to you. You are the producer. Please look at my schedule carefully though." "Of course. Do call me back if you make a decision. There is a long waiting list after you." "Is Huang Xiaoming in it?" "Wow! Are you a seer? Yes, all he needs is a chance to shine. He is our fellow after all, isnt he?" Wang was even more confused by Qin Guans choice. She was an agent with excellent executive force though. After a short period of preparation, they headed to Pinggu. Pinggu, which was a county in the suburbs of Beijing, was famous for its specialties and rich history. It produced juicy, sweet peaches that foodies loved. The Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty snaked through the county, serving as thest line of Beijings defence. Chapter 895: Qin Tengyun Chapter 895: Qin Tengyun Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Amid the winter of Northern China, the valley, with its bare trees bustling in the wind, seemed really boring. Except for the Tongfu Inn, there was no other presentable construction around. They had chosen the film base halfway up the hill because of their limited budget. The poprity of the show had created a bare-necessities shooting trend. All the fans of the show had focused on the wrong point. After more than six months, all the actors living there were now familiar with the base. The day of the final episode was drawing near. Everyone had slowed down on their work as they waited for thest guest star to arrive. It was a big name they had not expected. The happiest person in the crew was Wang Shasha, who portrayed Mo Xiaobei and was a big fan of Qin Guans. The unhappiest person was Yao Chen, an actress with a really big mouth. She had good reason to be unhappy, as her husband, Ling Xiaosu, had originally been supposed to be the guest star. However, her dream had been shattered and the role had gone to Qin Tengyun instead. The other members of the crew were d to see Qin Guan, It would be a rich experience to coborate with him. Plus, in the future, they would also be able to say that they had cooperated with Qin Guan. Julia Roberts, Chow Yun-Fat and Gong Li had already coborated with Qin Guan. Now those nameless actors would be added to the list. Qin Guan was weed by everyone. Wang Shasha even pulled his door open in a dramatic way. Qin Guan joined the group fast. "Will you work abroad next year, Qin Guan?" "Shall we take a photo together, Qin Guan?" "Qin Guan..." They were certainly a funny crew. Qin Guan felt really nice around them. Ning Caishen, who was the shows scriptwriter, walked over. That man and Director Shangjing, who was a strict, shameless guy, made for a strangebination. Ning was a leading figure among the first generation of web authors in China. He had been the Director of Operations of Rongshuxia, a big literary website, for three years and witnessed his painstaking care get gradually swallowed up bywork operations. After pondering the matter, he had made the most important decision of his life. He had be a professional scriptwriter. That change had been a huge sess for him. This was the first project that he was shooting basedpletely on his own ideas. No one could tamper with his work until it could not be recognized anymore. He had poured all his talent into this project, so he appreciated Shangs effort to bring Qin Guan on board. When everybody was there, they got ready to witness the end of their effort. When Qin Guan walked out of the fitting room, everyone fell silent. The crew was staring at him. Qin Guan looked around in confusion and fixed his costume. Everything seems okay. What are you all looking at? They were just shocked by his appearance. It was lucky that Qin Guan was only participating in thest episode of the show, or he would have outshined the protagonist. Sha Yi, who was the protagonist, let out a long sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Wang Shasha was waving a lightstick at Qin Guan. The director couldnt tolerate this behavior anymore. "Get ready!" he shouted at everyone. "What are you doing? You can look at him after the scene! Come on! I havent paid you yet!" He didnt know that the value of his actors would increase by more than 10 times soon. Everyone got into position in fear. "This is the 80th episode! Yan Xiaoliu received a transfer order and Qin Tengyun attacked the Tongfu Inn at night. Three, two, camera!" The camera started filming. Crack! The door of the inn was pulled open. A young, handsome swordsman rushed into the hall. He had to be a good martial artist, for his movements looked elegant. The people following him were shut out. It was a pity that such a handsome man had such a funny ent. Chapter 896: The Difficulties Of Performing Chapter 896: The Difficulties Of Performing Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia He was using the rough ent of the Shanxi Province. "Dont chase me, or Ill get angry." He sounded helpless and annoyed. Yan Xiaoliu, who was a constable that caught criminals, answered from outside, "Open the door!" "Who are you?" Tong Xianyu, who was the heroine, answered the question for him. "Its the towns constable." Qin Guan opened the door and let Yan in. The gossip-loving man rushed in to watch the show with everyone else. "Wow! There is a group of girls at the entrance of the alley. They are holding bouquets and glow sticks..." Before he could finish his words, Tong Xiangyu pointed at Qin Tenyun, who was still blocking the door with all his might. Thanks to Tong, Yan realized who the man was. Qin Guan greeted him and introduced himself. He was Yans sessor and the youngest son of a former constable. Wherever he went, there was a group of fans following him. Back then, a chief constable was equal in power to a director of a district police security bureau. Constables worked for the government and their position was passed down from generation to generation. Such a handsome guy with a high social status would undoubtedly be many girls idol. The man was annoyed by the fans. He had reached the Tongfu Inn after three days of riding. The fans had been following him day and night. Now that he had reached his domain, he just wanted to get some sleep. "Tengyun! Tengyun, I love you!" a woman was shouting loudly outside. This was a lot like Qin Guans real-life experiences. Qin Guan wondered if Ning Caishen had adapted the script especially for him. The scene was a piece of cake for him. When the fans broke in, Qin Guan started running around the hall until the staff of the Tongfu Inn pushed them out. He finished the scene so fast that even Bai Zhantang, who was the protagonist, was impressed by his performance. Actually, Qin Guan was used to this kind of situation. Qin Guan grabbed Bais hands and gazed at Bai fiercely, looking really wise and righteous. "Great! It was a good decision to bring Qin Guan here! He is perfect for the role!" "I feel sorry for Sha Yi. He looks overwhelmed. He should just adapt in the future. Comedians are not meant to be handsome." "Yes. They would all have a bright future if they were serious about their performance." "They cant be worse than they used to be, anyway. Before this show, they were mere extras." "Yes. Opportunities are rare, but talented people are easy to find in the entertainment circle." "Qin Guans participation makes me more confident. The audience ratings of this episode are expected to increase by 1%." "You are really ambitious!" "Thank you." "How long do you want Qin Guan to maintain that expression? Sha Yi left 15 seconds ago!" "I think the audience would like to see his face a little longer." Okay, you are the director. Its up to you. Ning Caishen kicked Shang on the butt and told him, "Okay! Cut! Get ready for the next scene! Yao Chen, you two will be partners in the next scene!" "No problem!" Qin Guan had already gotten used to the directors tricks and the extended shooting schedule. Suddenly, he was handed a folding fan. That would be his only prop during the scene. "Thank you for your understanding, Qin Guan. You know our budget is limited..." Okay, okay. Its all up to you. He walked over again, waving his fan in the winter. Guo Furongs shouts had moved him to tears. "Do you understand my feelings?" Guo grimaced. "No." The director filmed a meticulously close, high-definition shot of Qin Guans face. He had a strict expression on his face as he delivered the most self-absorbed words in the world. His appearance overshadowed his strange feelings. Chapter 897: The End Chapter 897: The End Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Most people consider me a handsome guy." "Im not among those people." "Thats it! In your eyes, Im just an ordinary person made of flesh and blood. I wanted to express my appreciation to you, Guo. I hope you stay like this forever. Never be kind to me or fall in love with me, or Ill be disappointed in you." What a shameless guy! The wordsing out of Qin Guans mouth did not sound strange though. He seemed to be enjoying telling the truth. The man was like an embroidered pillow stuffed with straw. He couldnt stand pain. He hit his forehead against a pir while pretending to be all majestic and fearless. Bang! Everyone thought he was a really dedicated actor. Qin Guanunched a dart, disying the ultimate skill of the Qin family. His long hair was flying in the air beautifully. Thanks to his performance, the serious atmosphere suddenly became funny. Some people burst intoughter. Director Shang pointed to the camera and exined to the other actors, "See? A good actor should not just be able to express delicate feelings. Isnt he a handsome man?" Everyone nodded. "Why are youughing at him then? Hes just a handsome man delivering some ordinary lines. Why did you burst intoughter? It was because of his power of interpretation. He knows how to express himselfically." "He is just like Xu Zheng. Did you watch his film Crazy Stone? His role had no dramatic lines, but hebined other characters, scenes and storylines to create a strongic effect. I think alledians should learn from him." "To be frank, if we want to attract an audience, we should be focusing on the quality of our work. Its not that easy to create a goodedy." Thank you, director. That was apliment, right? After more than six months, the end of the show was finally drawing near. The show was amon achievement they had ovee a lot of difficulties for. The director was proud of every actor. Everyone entered the set passionately and got ready for the final scene. They were in the hall of the Tongfu Inn. In case of trouble, everyone would say "Have a good meal!" to fool the customers. That day, the customers were yed by crew members who had some time off. They all assumed their original positions, except for one person who was actually a neer. It was Qin Tengyun, who had reced Yan Xiaoliu. He sat down in the middle of the table, while all the other members of the Tongfu Inn sat down around him. It was time for supper, a rxing, celebratory time. Qin Guan poured water into a bowl from a liquor jar. His conversation with Sha Ye would be a tough test. Qin Guan was ying a man who had lost his confidence in his abilities because of a mistake he had made 10 years ago. He had been suffering for an entire decade. As he stared at Sha Yi, Qin Guan seemed to recall that memory. He was handsome, but he waspletely lost in his own world. All he could do was express his feelings about his wrong choice. "It was you who harmed me!" "Im only a thief. How could I possibly harm a constable?" "When I was a child, my father told me that we should catch thieves at any price. One day, I tried to shoot your left eye, but you caught my dart! A thief was protecting a hostage, while I, a constable, was about to hurt a hostage in my effort to catch a thief!" The man had lost his confidence ever since. Without the correct guidance of his family, he had lost his waypletely. Thus, the boy had been chasing Bai Zhantang, the thief who had affected him so deeply, for 10 years in order to put an end to that confusing incident. Unfortunately, he had underestimated Bai Zhantang. The same scene took ce again in that hall after 10 years. This time, Qin Guan caught Tong Xiangyu by the neck and seized the stone Bai had thrown at her left eye. He was finally satisfied with himself. He now knew that this was a normal human reaction that was neither right nor wrong. Chapter 898: Straying From The Point Chapter 898: Straying From The Point Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Before the ending, the director didnt forget to show some positive energy and tell the audience that the kind people were much more than the evil people in the world. All the main actors stood together in front of the camera with big grins, while the director gestured at them. Thus ended "My Own Swordsman", a milestone of a TV show and a symbol of an entire era. The 80-episode TV show would be broadcast in all TV stations for a full three years. Qin Guan put a satisfactory full stop to the show. Before leaving, everyone came together to have a meal. The only present Qin Guan received was a box of fruit and some vegetable juice, which had been the favorite drink of the crew during the tropical summer. It was a little weird to have it during the winter though. The shameless director didnt make any exnations. The feedback after the episode aired would be the bestpensation for Qin Guan. Everyone was excited about thest episode. People had originally thought that Jiang Wen was an expert when it came to confidential work. "Curse Of The Golden Flower" hadnt been revealed to the Chinese audience yet after all. However, it had been selected by the Venice Film Festival and people had a general idea about the main cast, basic context and storyline. TV shows were more random though. They were usually shot as they were being broadcast, so people didnt know what would happen in the next episodes in advance. Thest episode was a shocking surprise for everyone. "Qin Guan is guest starring in My Own Swordsman!" "He just won the Outstanding Contribution Award in Tokyo!" "If the director went so far as to hire him, then he must be a powerful man!" "This is normal. Its a popr CCTV show after all. Qin Guan has always been a patriot. He has never turned down a proposal from a CCTV director." "Its weird though. This is a good show, but Qin Guan is like a king among peasants, if you know what I mean..." "Are you implying that international award-winning actors should be arrogant? Good actors should remain humble and take the quality of their work into consideration. It would not be wise of him to turn down a limited-budget TV show just because he won a few awards." "Exactly. Plus, Qin Guan has dered that he only judges a film by its script, not its budget. Arrogant award-winning actors and actresses can stay home." "To be honest, they just pretend to be somebodies. After their poprity fades, the audience forgets about thempletely." "Exactly!" The audience was simple-minded. As long as an actors role pleased them, they would love them, regardless of if they portrayed a superhero or a beggar. They never took the budget or the director of a show into consideration. The Chinese audience was very tolerant when it came to good scripts and good roles. Everyone fell in love with Qin Tengyun. The audience was reluctant to part with the TV show that had apanied them for several months. They were already looking forward to the sequel, with the hope that Qin Tengyun would appear again in the future. Reality was different though. Ning Caishen had not thought about what he would do next. Inspiration had not hit him yet. Plus, Qin Guan couldnt change his fixed schedule for such a long time. For him, it would be best for that project to end there. Chapter 899: Meeting The Father-In-Law Chapter 899: Meeting The Father-In-Law Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia All things had ws. Nothing was perfect in the world. After work, Qin Guan decided to spend all his spare time with his family. When his fans saw pictures of the sea uploaded on his blog, they realized that Qin Guan had returned to his hometown. He had temporarily gotten time off work to enjoy the Spring Festival with his parents. He was a very obedient son. Meanwhile, his parents and Cong Nianweis parents had reached the agreement that their children would get married before paying more attention to their careers. They were almost 30 years old after all. Cong Nianweis father felt really nervous about this due to Qin Guans rising status. He loved his daughter very much, so he was very concerned. He knew his daughter well. Every time he called her, she was either studying or working. She had mentioned Qin Guan many times, but she hadnt sounded worried. It seemed that Qin Guans fame had not affected their rtionship. As a man, he had no idea what the origin of her confidence was, To him, Qin Guan was still the bad boy who had stolen his daughter away. While Cong Nianweis father was busy thinking of 108 ways to torture Qin Guan, the bastard suddenly invited him to a private meeting. Why would a rat invite over a cat? Cong Nianweis father opened the window to make sure that the sun had not risen from the East that day. Did hemit some unforgivable crime that he needs to be forgiven for? He began to look around the living room for a handy weapon. In the end, he chose a wrench from his tool box. The hammer was too heavy, and the bolt driver was too dangerous, but the wrench was the perfect tool to tten someones nose. Cong Nianweis father left in a hurry with a fierce smile on his face. Cong Nianweis mother nudged Cong Nianwei, who was carefully peeling an apple on the couch. "What happened to your father? He had a strange smile on his face." Cong Nianwei looked indifferent. She knew her father really well. "Just check the caller ID. He answered the phone before he started acting strange. You dont need to feel embarrassed. I wontugh at you." Her mother pressed the buttons on the phone until she saw a familiar number. "Huh? The call was from Qin Guans home." While Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan had been in Beijing, their parents had maintained a close rtionship, so Cong Nianweis mother was familiar with their phone number. "Thats really strange. If they had something to tell us, Qin Guan would have called you or me. Your father is such a troublemaker..." Cong Nianwei finished peeling the apple and took a bite. "Qin Guan must have some ideas he wants to share with dad." "What ideas?" "God knows!" Cong Nianwei shrugged. She was used to his unpredictable behavior. "Do you think they are nning to rob a bank or something? I wouldnt put it past them..." They exchanged a meaningful look with each other. The best ce for a meeting in the winter was a tea house. There were some unique tea houses along the beach, which had been reconstructed from old buildings. There were open halls and lounges with small booths inside. Qin Guan was waiting in a small tea house. He was looking at the rising mist amid the rare winter sunshine as he waited nervously for the other man to arrive. It had been a long time since he had been nervous about anything. One only felt nervous about matters they really cared about. Qin Guan could predict how the conversation with his father-inw would go. If he could move the man, then his n would seed. Qin Guan had dressed formally to impress Cong Nianweis father, hoping that they could possibly form a male alliance. When Cong Nianweis father entered the tea house in a threatening manner, he saw a sparkling man waiting there. Maybe it was his bad eyesight, or maybe the sunshine was too bright in that ce. Although he still hated Qin Guan, he had to admit that he looked great. Chapter 900: Secrets Of Men Chapter 900: Secrets Of Men Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It must have been his good looks that had seduced his daughter. Cong Nianweis father calmed down again. He had prepared to y the role of the mighty father. If the bastard said anything unfavorable about his daughter, he would throw that wrench at his face. It would be better for other girls if he disfigured him. As soon as Cong Nianweis father took a seat, Qin Guan poured a cup of tea for him politely. Judging from the fragrance in the air, it had to be ck tea, which was his favorite in the winter. Okay, Qin Guan was definitely smart. Although he enjoyed being served by him, Cong Nianweis father still wanted to talk about business. He took a sip of tea and got straight to the point. "So why did you ask me toe here?" Qin Guan rubbed his hands and moved closer to Cong Nianweis father. It was a psychological trick that was meant to narrow the gap between two people. Cong Nianweis father bent forward as well. "It will be 2007 next year, right?" "Yes." "Ill be 27 years old, which is very close to 30." "Yes." "Cong Nianwei is the same age as me." "Yes." "She should get married." "Yes... No, she doesnt have to rush. She can take it easy." "Of course, its not like she has to worry about marriage. Listen to me, uncle. We have a very good rtionship. Like me or not, you have to admit this." Cong Nianweis father nodded. "Plus, our families also get along well. We have known each other for years. We are a good match, arent we?" Cong Nianweis father nodded again. "Just imagine, if we got married next year... Dont look at me like that. Im just talking hypothetically. If we got married next year, we would have to register at the Civil Affairs Bureau, hold a banquet both in Y City and in America..." "If Cong Nianwei got pregnant as soon as we got married... Stop! Dont hit me!" Qin Guan changed the topic immediately. "What would it be like to have a baby call you grandfather?" A cute baby suddenly popped into the mans mind. The baby was waving at him and calling him grandpa. He almost burst intoughter. "Both of us would be really busy working, so the grandparents would have to take care of the baby. You will retire soon, and so will my parents. We have prepared two apartments for you in Beijing. They are right across from each other." "You can raise the baby together." He is right. Thats something worth looking forward to. Oh, no! Cong Nianweis father came back to reality. There was a serious expression on his face. "You havent even gotten married yet. Why are you talking about a baby? You are getting ahead of yourself." "Exactly!" Qin Guan looked really sad. "Im already 27 years old. Even if Cong Nianwei got pregnant right away, youd have a grandson in one year at best." "You are already over 50 years old, despite the fact that you look like 40. It would take 20 years for your grandson to grow up. Wouldnt you want to see him go to college and get a girlfriend?" "Of course!" The man immediately corrected himself, "Why not a granddaughter though? We would prefer a girl! You should never underestimate women!" "My bad! Wouldnt you want to meet your grandson-inw?" No. My daughter has been stolen away by a bastard. If my lovely granddaughter was stolen as well... Cong Nianweis father suddenly felt as though he had nothing left to live for. "Besides, the optimum reproductive age for women is between 25 and 30 years old. If we waited too long, she would be too old and the whole process would be more dangerous for her. Plus, younger mothers recover faster." You are really reasonable, young man. This was the third time Cong Nianweis father was nodding. He soon realized there was a reason to argue about though. "Why dont you propose to her as soon as possible then? Are you nning on ditching her?" "Of course not!" Qin Guan said nervously. "Thats why I invited you here. Every time weve talked about this, shes asked me to wait until my award disy was full. Do you know how many shelves that disy has? Four! Im a hard-working guy, but it would still take me two years to fill that disy." "Your daughter is really serious about these things! Thats why Ivee to you for help!" Cong Nianweis father put the wrench away and sat up proudly. "You should have gone to her mother. She likes you a lot and she is an easy-going woman." "But I thought Cong Nianwei was closer to you..." What a sweet-talker! Chapter 901: Mr. Right Chapter 901: Mr. Right Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Cong Nianweis father felt ttered. He had always thought that Cong Nianwei loved him more than her mother. He nced at Qin Guan proudly. He is trying to tter me. "So whats your n?" "Listen to me. Lets decide over dinner. We should register at the Civil Affairs Bureau first. If the legal procedure is taken care of, organizing a banquet will be a piece of cake. Cong Nianwei is hesitant about marriage because of her tight schedule. Unless she is done with the Olympic Stadium, she will have no time to consider this. Of course, we wont miss our honeymoon. Lets just take care of the registration first. Its much easier and it wont take much time. I will only feel reassured when Im holding the certificate in my hands." Cong Nianweis father was really happy to hear this. He burst intoughter proudly. "Just tell me the truth, young man! Are you worried about my daughter abandoning you?" "Yes! You are so smart, sir! Although we have a good rtionship, the realm of love is always changing. I must have the governments approval." This was the first time Cong Nianweis father had seen Qin Guan be this sincere. To his surprise, the handsome, rich man could also be nervous sometimes. Suddenly, his heart softened before the mans feelings and simple personality. My daughter will be happy with him. He stood up and patted Qin Guan on the shoulder. "Dont postpone this until after the Spring Festival. We can do it before the holiday." "What? Okay! Help me convince her, please!" "Dont worry, Im the master of the family." "Great! Thank you so much, sir. I mean... Thanks, dad!" I still want to hit him with that wrench! Cong Nianweis father returned home regretfully. His wife and daughter were sitting on the couch looking at him. He unconsciously felt guilty. Before Cong Nianweis mother could even question him, the traitor told them everything. The master of the family burst like a bubble in the air. Cong Nianweis mother lost any interest in the matter and walked to the kitchen with the empty trays, leaving Cong Nianwei in the living room. Her daughter was watching TV carefully. "Excuse me? Arent you going toment?" "Of course, dad. What did you expect?" "You should have at least said something about the registration." Cong Nianweis mother craned her neck around the kitchen door. "Qin Guans parents talked to me about it just a few days ago. Its actually none of our business. Its our daughters decision to make." Cong Nianweis father shot a nce at his daughter eagerly. Cong Nianwei threw a few sunflower seeds back onto her te. "Is that all?" Her parents nodded in unison. "Okay, but the banquet will have to wait. We cant hold it before the end of 2007." "Thats okay. We are in no rush about that. The registration will make you a legal couple. If Qin Guan dares treat you badly, I will have an excuse to kill him. Besides, people say that he has be rich now. At least you will take half of his fortune if you get a divorce!" What a clever man! Cong Nianwei didnt even raise her eyebrows. "Most of his capital has been invested into his firm. His shares, real estate and bank ounts are all already in my hands." "Really?" Her fathers eyes sparkled. "May I take a look at them?" "I can show you the key. Theyre all in a Swiss bank." Cong Nianwei stood up, putting an end to that boring conversation. "Well go to the bureau." It had been that simple? Yes, it had. Cong Nianwei returned to her room and got into bed. The cute big bear from Nanshan Park was by her bedside. The cheap toy was precious to her because of the love behind it. In Cong Nianweis opinion, Qin Guan was just as funny as that bear. That was why they were still in love after so many years. He was Mr. Right for her. Why not start a new chapter of my future life with him then? If that certificate will make him happy, then lets do it. December 28th 2006 was a sunny day. ording to the almanac, it was a good day for a wedding. It was not a traditional holiday and it was certainly not Valentines Day, so there were not that many people at the Civil Affairs Bureau of Y City. Chapter 902: The Civil Affairs Bureau Chapter 902: The Civil Affairs Bureau Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It was an ordinary working day, so the staff went to the office at eight oclock. The janitor had already finished her job, and the officers were already at their posts. Actually, getting a marriage registration was quite a simple process. All one had to do was bring all the required paperwork and the staff would help themplete the process. The first couple they weed that day was a little weird. It was a tall man with a pretty girl. They were a good match look-wise, if one ignored the mans clothes. Although it was a chilly winter day, it was unnecessary for him to wear both a scarf and a hat. Plus, he was also wearing a pair of huge sunsses. He was looking around nervously as he walked. He does not seem like a good man. Sister Li was a government official, so she was a very smart woman. No evil man could fool her sharp eyes. She was sitting behind the desk, when she asked them worriedly, "Are you here for a marriage registration?" "Yes." "Do you have all the paperwork?" "Yes, here you go." Qin Guan took all the documents out of his backpack hurriedly and set them carefully down on the desk with sweaty hands. Sister Li looked at the man suspiciously. She didnt pay attention to the paperwork. Instead, she said seriously, "Please take off your hat and scarf, young man. Yes, you. I have to check your identity. What are you so worried about? Have you been married or divorced before? Did you lie to this girl? Take them off! Quick! The sunsses too!" "Okay! Ill take them off. Its lucky that there is nobody else here." Sister Lis voice had attracted all the idle officials in the building. They were all used to the funny and tragic incidents that took ce at the bureau. Couples went there with all kinds of stories. They thought Qin Guan was just a con artist. When Qin Guan got rid of his disguise, Sister Li was stupefied. "Ivee here for a marriage registration," he reminded her with a smile. Sister Li came back to her senses and picked up the paperwork with trembling hands. Her eyes were still fixed on his face. "Your name is Qin Guan?" "Yes." "And you were born in 1980?" "Yes." "Did you y Tian Fen in Emperor Han Wu?" "Erm... Yes..." All the women on site suddenly went crazy! The girl in charge of taking pictures passed out tearfully and thedy sitting behind theputer hit her head against the wall! Are you kidding me? Im here for a marriage registration. Why are you acting like a rtive of yours just passed away? Some of the female staff even refused to help them. They didnt want to personally push their idol into another womans arms. They didnt want to live with that regret forever. "So you decided to get married?" someone asked him. "Yes. My bride-to-be is also a resident of Y City," Qin Guan answered happily. "Will you hold the wedding banquet here?" "Of course. This is my hometown!" All the forms and paperwork were filled as they chatted. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei signed their names and fingerprints in red ink. "Did you bring a photo of the two of you? If you didnt, we have a professional photographer here. You can take a photo on the spot." "Thats alright, I have one with me. Is this okay?" Qin Guan took out a photo with a red background. Everyone gathered around him to take a look at it. Qin Guan had prepared well for the day. On the photo, he and Cong Nianwei were standing shoulder to shoulder with happy smiles. It was a simple, yet memorable picture. Chapter 903: Growing Old Together Chapter 903: Growing Old Together Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The photo radiated with a subtle warmth. Anyone who looked at it felt happy. Sister Li took the photo and taped it on the certificate. Then the official seals of the legal registration were stamped on the paper. She pushed the two certificates towards Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei and pointed to the bigger room across the hallway. This was a new step of the process that aimed to add a sense of sacredness to the ceremony and make couples understand the importance of marriage. All the couples took their oaths before the national g and the countrys emblem. It was a small wedding ceremony held by the government that added some warmth to the formal procedure. The couple stood in front of the background and read the words along with the master of the ceremony. If this had been a fantasy novel, the words would have been a curse. However, the young couple only felt the sweetness of their new reality. When theirst words faded away, the audience started pping. "Congrattions, Qin Guan!" "Thank you all!" Qin Guan stuffed the certificates carefully into his backpack and took something else out. It was cigarettes and candy for the staff. This was his way of showing his gratitude. "Have some candy!" The room was full of joy. Qin Guan felt like a disposable employee who had finally gotten a permanent job. "Shall we take a group photo, Qin Guan?" "We wont let the news leak. When will you make an official announcement?" "I dont want to hide this from my fans. Ill tell everybody after New Years. Its not like its a bad thing." "Great!" Everyone ran over and clustered around them. The photographer walked over with the camera. "Three, two, one... Cheese!" This photo would be the highlight of their collections. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei went out of the room happily. The noisy hall suddenly became silent. All the crying and smiling couples had fixed their eyes on them. They were blocked half-way through the room. "Its Qin Guan." "I know. Why are you whispering?" "It says Talking Loudly Is Prohibited on the wall!" Everyone started talking quietly. As Qin Guan approached the exit, a brave man suddenly shouted, "Qin Guan! Are you here for a marriage registration?" "Of course!" Qin Guan turned around with a grin. His voice sounded happy and crisp. He looked like the happiest guy in the world. Everyone wanted to give him their best wishes. "Congrattions!" "Thank you!" Qin Guan shook everyones hands in salute. Then he left as soon as possible with his beloved wife. From that moment on, he would be a married man with a burden on his shoulders. From that moment on, his lover would be his family. We will grow old together. Chapter 904: New Neighbors Chapter 904: New Neighbors Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia As soon as Qin Guan left, noise prevailed in the hall again. The couples who had gotten their registration on the same day as Qin Guan felt much happier. They had gotten married on the same day at the same ce. This was destiny. A young couple who had been nning on getting a divorce exchanged a nce and left silently. "He got married today. If we parted now, it would bring him bad luck." "Thats exactly what I was thinking. See you tomorrow." "If you dont show up tomorrow, youll be a loser!" They seemed to get along well with each other. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei returned home and found their parents in Qin Guans living room. When they showed them the certificates, Qin Guans father handed him a key. "Whats this?" "The key to your marital house." "But we have an apartment in Beijing." "We talked about it and we prefer this city over Beijing. Well live here until you have a baby. Our friends, neighbors and colleagues all live here." "Yes. You should have a ce where you can stay together when you return for the next Spring Festival. The housing prices in our city are not that high. Dont forget the shares we bought thanks to your advice." "Your father-inw bought you a car. We have already tested it out." As he recalled the new ck Audi parked under the building, Qin Guan was left speechless by their fathers taste. Qin Guan took the key and asked, "Where is the house?" "Its a small vi over the Moon Bay!" "Wow! Dad, you are really generous!" Every time Qin Guan drove along Binhai Road, he would see a small vi with white walls and red roof tiles hidden among the trees. It was said that the owners were high-ranking officials who used it as a vacation home. Y City had plenty of fresh air, a really long beach, and lots of juicy fruit, including apples, pears, grapes, cherries and figs. Plus, the seafood there was amazing. Their parents must have used all their social connections to buy that vi. Their love for their children was that strong. Although they had gotten married and started their own business, they were still kids in their parents eyes. Qin Guan epted their gifts calmly, just like their emotions. After their marriage, they would be considered adults. Thanks to their parents, they now had their own private home. When they reached the entrance of the vi, they realized it was unfurnished. There were only some fine decorations. That vi was different than the one they had in Beverly Hills. In the US, the owner of a mansion usually owned all the neighboring area. The houses around it were not deste or uninhabited, but it was rarely that one saw a single person and one hardly ever visited ones neighbors. However, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei could now watch their neighbors activities from their balcony. The vis were so close to each other that they could even see the clothes hanging on the balcony next to theirs. Their presence attracted their neighbors attention. "No. 7 has been sold!" "Seems like it. A young couple? Their parents must be rich." "It must be their marital home. I saw the wedding decorations on the gate." "Ha! Only retired people would enjoy living here." The district was not new. Because of the nice location, it had actually been developed way back, so most of the owners were familiar with each other by now. The original owner of Qin Guans vi had moved abroad. That was why their parents had been able to buy the vi. As a result, the neighbors were very curious about the neers. They were all rich, so they were concerned about their living environment. After some careful observation, the most clever of them noticed something strange. Chapter 905: Good Neighbors Chapter 905: Good Neighbors Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Dont you think our new neighbor looks familiar?" "Yes, he looks like that movie star..." "Qin Guan!" "Yes! We have a superstar in our neighborhood!" "Yes. Look at Grandpa Sun! He got on the rooftop with his bodyguard just to confirm that its him!" "So did Grandpa Tan. They are the closest to Qin Guans vi!" "Theres no rush. We can wait to find out." Grandpa Sun and Grandpa Tan owned the vis on either side of Qin Guans house. As Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were looking forward to their future and making ns for decorating their new house, the two old men had climbed up to their rooftops. They naturally caught Qin Guans attention. An old man in a frock was standing cheerfully on the rooftop next door. A bodyguard in green was close to him. They looked like soldiers reconnoitring an unfamiliar terrain. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked confused. Grandpa Tan burst intoughter. "Stop showing off, Sun! This young couple is not our kind. They have no idea about your great achievements. Plus, you forgot to show off your medals. Take off your coat and dazzle them like me!" Grandpa Sun covered his face. Every time he tried to show off, Grandpa Tan ruined it for him. Qin Guan turned to the left and saw another old man in a frock. The two of them looked like twins. The only difference was that the one on the left was not as reserved. His medals were sparkling on his chest. Qin Guan was younger than them, so he had to greet them first. "Hello, Grandpa Sun and Grandpa Tan. Im your new neighbor, Qin Guan." He turned left and then right to greet them both. "How are you, young man? You look kind of familiar." "Yes, I must have seen you somewhere before." I already told you my name. It seemed like the two old men didnt remember his name. Cong Nianwei burst intoughter. Qin Guan waved at the men awkwardly to put an end to the conversation. All three of them had failed to show off. On their way back, Cong Nianwei kept making fun of Qin Guan. Qin Guan decided to work harder to be even more famous. As soon as Qin Guans car left, the two men on the rooftop resumed their conversation. "What the f*ck... Im getting down, Sun. Could you please climb on the roof in the summer next time? Its really cold!" "You deserved it. Dont copy me the next time I try to greet a new neighbor!" Their neighbors scolded them for not getting any useful information about Qin Guan. Meanwhile, Qin Guans wish came true. After the Spring Festival, his two films were finally in theaters. The uncut version of "Lust, Caution" had been banned by the SARFT because of its erotic scenes. After cutting about 10 minutes of the film though, the movie was eventually approved. Unsurprisingly, it caused a sensation in China. Actually, the film found the right audience in North America. Young people there were more educated when it came to sexuality, and most households had special TV channel for adults. That was amon urence there. However, China was a traditional country that was gradually opening up about sex. Some inappropriate measures had twisted the discussion. After three days, the film was pulled from theaters by the SARFT because of the publics reaction. Chapter 906: The Guidance Of Public Opinion Chapter 906: The Guidance Of Public Opinion Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The film was abination of art, plot, acting and theplicated emotion of human desire, so it was ssified as an adult film. People were discussing passionately the erotic scenes between the actors. Most men only focused on Tang Weis boobs though. The female audience was much crazier and braver than those wicked men. They used photos of Qin Guans naked chest as their screensavers. Thanks to the inte, they were able to search for the full version of the film in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The short version had aroused their interest. Chinese people preferred things to be partly concealed, so the films nudity became the hottest topic online, overshadowing all other big news. Photos and videos of it went viral immediately. Tang Wei became widely known, surpassing even Qin Guans fame. She was suddenly considered a pioneer of sexual liberation. She had finally seeded and attracted the attention of the SARFT in the process, which was good for Qin Guan. Qin Guan let out a long sigh of relief. As soon as he entered his office though, he got a call from the SARFT. "Hello, is this Mr. Qin Guan?" "Yes." "This is the movie-approving department of the SARFT. I would like to confirm whether the gossip online is true. Did you vite your original application during the filming process by shooting overly erotic scenes?" "No." "Did Director Lee ask the actors to shoot realistic scenes for the sake of shock value or the plot itself? Did you have more intimate physical contact with the heroine than necessary?" Thats a good question. You might as well ask me if we had sex. Qin Guan had to rify the issue. He was not an adult film actor after all. That question insulted both the directors professional ethics and Qin Guans profession. Thus, Qin Guan said seriously, "Absolutely not! I would never do that. Im a professional actor and a moral man. I have my limits. If you do not believe me, please give me half an hour so I can prove my innocence." "Really?" The girl on the other end of the line couldnt remain calm any longer. After a short silence, she lowered her voice and said, "Im a fan of yours, Qin Guan. I believe you. Can I know how you will prove your innocence? Do you have any video evidence? Has Ang Lee threatened you?" Qin Guan smiled. "I would like to keep it a secret for now. If you want to find out, try checking my microblog." Then he hung up. You have gone too far, SARFT! Qin Guan did not want to rify the issue because of the SARFTs investigation or for Ang Lee and Tang Wei. He cared more about his family. A happily married man would never do that! Qin Guan called Wang Liying and Sister Xue immediately and discussed his marriage and the gossip online. The two women did not object to his decision. Chapter 907: Sharing Happiness Chapter 907: Sharing Happiness Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Thanks to Qin Guan, the trends of the entertainment circle had changed. Stars had started announcing their rtionships proudly one after the other. They had realized that it would not harm their poprity. Their fans were actually happy for them. As a result, more and more stars began to show off their boyfriends and girlfriends. That was why Qin Guans agents didnt find his decision bad. They were actually delighted to hear the news, which would undoubtedly make him even more popr. This would also put an end to the gossip online. Soon, Qin Guans blog was updated. "We got married!" In the photo, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were standing at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau. They were smiling happily at the camera while holding the certificate in their hands. The news spread really fast. In two minutes, the phones in every office started ringing nonstop. Everyone wanted to confirm the news. The staff answered the calls one by one. Half an hourter, the wave had passed. The news made the headlines of every magazine and website entertainment section. They had broken so suddenly that some people even passed out on their toilet seats. It had been a peaceful, quiet wedding that their parents had approved of. Now that the news had been published, the strangers that had witnessed the ceremony that day could tell others about the whole process. It was like a good nights sleep after suffering from insomnia. Even more details were gradually revealed. The staff of the bureau started talking. Some guy even posted the candy Qin Guan had given out that day. "As a neer to the Civil Affairs Bureau, I admit that I thought the rest of my life would be really boring." "I originally wanted to be a frencer, but my parents persuaded me to work as a photographer for the bureau. I only took ID photos." "Just as I had started to question the meaning of my life, I saw the light." "Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei arrived at the bureau early that day. He wasnt arrogant, despite his fame and fortune. He was like a normal citizen. He just finished the whole procedure carefully. " "When I saw his nervousness and sweetness, I suddenly felt that my work was meaningful. Isnt it a worthwhile job to help lovers join for life?" "I want to thank Qin Guan for inspiring me and giving me that candy. I have not touched it to this day. I thought the best time to open it would be when he announced the news." Under the article was a photo of a small package that had been opened to reveal the candy inside. The man seemed to be a really professional photographer. All the users had left positive feedback about his work. A group photo followed. Everyone was smiling happily in it. This was the first time the blog users were seeing Cong Nianwei clearly. Chapter 908: The Different Fate Of Two Movies Chapter 908: The Different Fate Of Two Movies Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia She was pretty, but a little cold. The man standing next to her was smiling at her like silly. Their locked fingers showed their deep feelings, and the subtle expression on their faces revealed their love. Love was an emotion one couldnt disguise or fake. Cong Nianwei leaned against Qin Guan slightly with a faint smile, expressing her emotions for him shyly. The couple was very much in love with each other. Nothing was more precious than that. Congrattory messages flooded Qin Guans blog from all directions. "Our idol got married!" "Congrattions from Beijing!" "Congrattions from Shanghai!" "Congrattions from... " The happy fans didnt forget to question the gossip online, which ceased immediately. There were still evil people and individuals that liked making their presence known though. "Qin Guan is using his marriage as a shield." "So many actors have love affairs these days..." Qin Guans fans didnt hesitate to talk back. "It must be nice to hide behind your keyboard." "Only mean people always think the worst of others." "Exactly. You must be a sleazy person." When some volunteers tried to tack the users ID, Chi Hailin turned off hisputer with a shiver. This seemed to be his final failure. The girl I love got married, and the groom was not me. She had married the right person. Chi lowered his head before the harsh reality. Meanwhile, the SARFT had misunderstood Qin Guans reasons for releasing the news. They thought this was his response to their call. In their opinion, he was setting a really good example for the entertainment circle. Thus, Qin Guans name was omitted from the prohibiting order of the SARFT, who shifted its focus to Tang Wei instead. Qin Guans actions inspired other stars, who saw that he had be even more popr now. As a result, everyone started revealing their rtionships with ordinary girls, young men and assistants. It was like a funny theater y. Everyone took advantage of the situation to show their sincerity. In the end, Tang Wei turned from an unknown actress to a popr topic of conversation. As far as Qin Guan knew, she had received offers from at least four international brands. That film had turned a sparrow into a phoenix. Everyoneughed and cried. As Ang Lee became popr and shocked the entire continent, Director Jiang Wen suffered a devastating failure. Both the films box office and reviews were awful. There was nothing left to say. Even Qin Guans erotic scenes outshadowed the other film. His film was open and vivid, while the other one was restrained. The audience did not have a hard time choosing between the two. Plus, Jiangs work was quite obscure. Most of the audience walked out of the cinema confused. Everyone was interested in seeing Qin Guans butt though. Everyone also took great delight in talking about it. Chapter 909: An A-Level Film Chapter 909: An A-Level Film Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The audience was impressed by Qin Guans hips. However, during an interview with audience membersing out of the cinema, a girl said that she wasnt quite clear about the meaning of the story. "Im clear about the plot, but the title of the film was really strange. Thebination confused me." "Exactly. We came here for the handsome protagonist. Maybe a more sophisticated person would get it. " Eventually, some schrs gave an exnation for themon audience. Unfortunately, their exnation confused the audience even more. Qin Guan received a call from Director Jiang Wen. "Qin Guan, I have suffered a great loss." "Im sorry to hear that, Director Jiang." "I stopped you this time. Without you, it would have been even worse. I think I have toy low for a while. If I dont win an award in Venice, no producer will work with me in the next few years." "Really?" Qin Guan adjusted his posture on the couch. "Did you forget your other profession, Director Jiang? You are a good actor!" "You are right, Qin Guan. Ill collect some money for my next film by acting!" Qin Guan didnt know how tofort the man. As he had said, people wouldnt watch his films again anytime soon. One had to prepare before getting to work. Qin Guan was shortlisted at the Venice Film Festival for his leading roles in both of his films. It was hard to understand the judges train of thought. After so many years of rejecting him, they had finally given him two important opportunities. If he won the Best Actor Award in Venice, Qin Guan would achieve a Grand m in Europe. He was in an unprecedentedly good mood as he took care of all his affairs and left his wife behind reluctantly. He would fly to the festival by himself. Due to his fear of being forced out of work in China, he had epted a new Hollywood film. Its title was "I Am Legend". This would be Qin Guans first sci-fi movie. Unlike his previous body double job, this time he would be the real hero of a post-apocalyptic movie. Plus, this would be his first film with a budget of over 100 million dors. ording to the standards of the Screen Actors Guild, although he had already been a star worth a 10-million paycheck, he had never been involved in a big-budget film before. This would also be the first A-level film with an Asian protagonist. Nobody could predict the films box office sess. The reason Qin Guan had been cast as the lead was that the film required outstanding acting skills. Qin Guan would basically be reciting a monologue. The other actors only yed small parts in the film. As the producer and the director had been looking for a young actor with extraordinary acting skills, a number of famous directors had rmended Qin Guan. Thus, the lucky guy had gotten the part. His interpretation of the original version and the two previous adapted scripts impressed director Francis Lawrence. Francis had been shooting sci-fi films for more than 10 years. He was basically obsessed with them. Qin Guan convinced the picky director by sending him a video recording a man living alone in a post-apocalyptic world. His back was against the sun. His eyes looked as nk as a piece of paper. Francis was so moved that he convinced the two producers to rece Will Smith with Qin Guan. The producers approved the n unanimously, as Qin Guan had a very good reputation in the circle. They were so confident about him that they invested 150 million dors on the unique sci-fi film, which surprised Qin Guan. He wondered why a film with basically one actor would cost that much. Chapter 910: A Great Film Chapter 910: A Great Film Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan only realized what a huge production it was when he met the crew in New York. The film would be shot in real locations in New York. This basically meant that a no-man zone would be created on the bustling Washington Square amid a city with a poption of more than 10 million. It would take unimaginable manpower and resources to achieve this. The Brooklyn Bridge would also be blocked. Almost 1,000 figurants would be participating in the film. The crew had even borrowed all kinds of weapons and aircraft from the army. The producers had submitted applications to 14 different government departments, including the New York municipal government, to get approval. One million dors had vanished overnight. That was why the budget of the film was 150 million. Qin Guan was under great pressure, especially when the crew brought in a German shepherd. Qin Guan forced a smile at the dog. Suddenly, a miracle took ce. The strictly-trained army dog wasnt hostile towards him. It just looked down at him. Yes, it looked down at him. Dogs were a close rtive of wolves. In each wolf pack there could only be one alpha. The old dog considered itself the alpha as soon as it met Qin Guan. Thus, no tragedy ured when Qin Guan got close to the dog. The alpha even allowed Qin Guan to pet the hair on its back. "Good! It has epted you," the trainer told Qin Guan. Qin Guan smiled the happiest smile he had in 2007. Does this mean that animals no longer detest me? Could I get a pet for Cong Nianwei? Just as he fell in deep thought, the director asked everyone to get into position. The crew began filming amid the early New York spring. Ford Motor had invested a lot in the production. Thepany was in charge of all the cars that would appear in the film. The audience would not be averse to such a product cement, as the gorgeous cars would add elegance to the film. That day, Ford Motor brought itstest sports car, the GT500. The car was shining red, which added mor to the depressing setting. It would be Qin Guans car during the scene. Only such a high-functioning sports car would be able to chase deer in thatplicated urban terrain. Deer? Yes, a bunch of lively deer. The square was closed for the afternoon. All the neon lights had been turned off, and the prop team had decorated all the streets in the area with artificial weeds. The crew had spent a lot in order to create an apocalyptic world without normal human beings and a copsing, decaying city. Wild animals had upied the city when their natural enemy had left. They had instinctively scoped out the area before invading it. Of course, all the credit belonged to the prop team, which had bought a bunch of deer from a farm that specialized in deer breeding. The deer included a strong leader and some young. The crew would only have six evenings to finish filming on the square, so they couldnt waste any time. ording to the script, Qin Guan would have to chase after the animals in the car until he disappeared from the frame. Suddenly, the assistant director ran over to Lawrence and told him there was an emergency. The square had been barricaded, but there was a crowd around the barricades that extended in all directions. Qin Guans fans had heard about the barricaded area and gathered there to cheer on their idol. Some fans had even travelled there from other states or counties. Chapter 911: Thank You All Chapter 911: Thank You All Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan had been living and studying in New York for several years, so his fame was still expanding there. Those crazy fans had gone there with gs and slogans to cheer on their idol. "Qin Guan, my love!" "Qin Guan, wee back!" Individuals, teams from Columbia, and other organizations had crowded around the site, which now looked like a demonstration venue. Some passers-by had also gathered around. Although the crowd was standing behind the lines, some crazy fans could still attack the crew if they wanted. Such an incident would be a disaster, so Director Lawrence decided to dismiss the fans and expand the barricaded area. The assistant director rejected the idea immediately, for fear that it would anger the fans. He proposed another idea instead. "Theyvee here for Qin Guan. We were not able to keep our shooting location a secret. I could just ask him to appease his fans. If theyre satisfied, then everything will be okay." Lawrence looked convinced. "Okay, let Qin Guan try." Qin Guan agreed to the n without hesitation. He had his own idea about how to handle the situation. As he approached the line, a short figure at the front of the crowd confirmed his spection. Xu Xiaoxiao was Qin Guans best friend in the US, so every time he returned to New York, he would show up immediately. Qin Guan never hid his schedule from him. Xu was standing among the group from Columbia, waving a g. Although he felt helpless, Qin Guan still put on his warmest smile. "Hello, everyone!" The fans were shocked. They had only expected to catch a glimpse of Qin Guan from afar, yet their idol was standing right before them. Qin Guan sure was a considerate guy. After a short silence, everyone suddenly burst into cheers. "Qin Guan is here!" "This is the first time I see him in person!" "Im the happiest person in the world!" "Qin Guan! You are the pride of Columbia!" "Qin Guan! We love you!" They all screamed and cried, hugging each other tightly. Qin Guan waved at them with a smile. "Thank you all foring here to cheer me on. As you can see, this is a big-budget production. No one would block the whole square just for me. This is definitely special treatment. Even the president would be jealous of me." The fans burst intoughter before gradually calming down. "As you know, this is my first A-level film in the US. This is the best production that any Asian actor has ever participated in. This is a milestone in my career, so Im really lucky to have you with me right now." "Thanks to you, Im not bearing this pressure alone. You are here to help me face this challenge. I hope you can stay and give me your positive energy while I shoot my first scene." "You will not regret this trip. Today, Ill give my best performance for all the people who love me and I love." "Thank you all." Chapter 912: A Beautiful Misunderstanding Chapter 912: A Beautiful Misunderstanding Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia When Qin Guan put down the loudspeaker, he received a thunderous apuse. "Well follow your advice!" "Well stay with you forever!" "More NG!" Qin Guan nearly fell on his way to the car. This idea is uneptable. If the director finds out, hell kill me. God bless! Everything has to go well. Money is on the line! Qin Guan came back to his senses when he heard the roar of the GT500. The dog was already sitting on the passenger seat silently. Qin Guan fastened his seat belt and looked at the director. "First scene, hunting deer in the city. Three, two, cameras!" Qin Guan stomped on the elerator to start the car. The helicopter in the air got to work. One of his hands was on the steering wheel, while the other was holding a rifle. The dog was a good partner. It turned around to cast a look at Qin Guan. It seemed to Qin Guan like it was saying, "I want to feel the wind, master." Qin Guan opened the window. The dog craned its neck outside to enjoy the breeze. Actually, it was a beautiful misunderstanding. In the dogs mind, he was the alpha. The bravest, fiercest dog in the world nced at its servant. "Hey, you. Your boss wants to get some fresh air. This car is too small." The servant opened the window obediently. He seems like a good servant. Thus, both the human and the animal were satisfied. The director gestured at his assistant to release the deer. The leader of the pack rushed up to Qin Guans car. Bang! The deer dispersed in all directions. Unfortunately, a young deer had hit the car. "They areing!" Qin Guan was really excited to see his prey. He made a sharp turn without hesitation and went after the running deer. Up until that moment, silence had prevailed on the set. The only thing people had been able to hear had been the roar of the engine and the sound of the deers steps. Now people saw abandoned buses, broken-down military tanks and copsed buildings through the camera. Everything was covered by high weeds. A terrible disaster must have struck the flourishing city, which lookedpletely isted and uninhabited. Qin Guan was smiling at the camera as he went after his prey. The deer looked really energetic under the sunshine as they ran around the empty city. Anyone would feel helpless and deste in such a setting. This was a lonely life after all. No living things interacted with Qin Guan. He had to be strong to stand the lonely life of that dead city. The director, the crew and the fans remained silent. They all felt depressed and desperate. Their emotions were like rocks resting on their hearts. Xu was the first toe back to his senses. He broke the silence by whispering to the people around him, "I have no idea how the movie will turn out, but this scene showed me that it will be a meaningful film. Im already tired of shallow American blockbusters. This drama has inspired me." The girls from Columbia shot appreciative looks at him. He had convinced them that he was a sophisticated guy. If a couple of blonde girls asked him out, that would be a good enoughpensation for the trip to Lausanne. It was funny. Thest time Xu had returned to New York, he had been very contented. He had spent arge amount of money though. Wang Liying had calcted and added the cost of Qin Guans trip. The poor guy had been told off by his grandpa for the extra expenses. As Xu was busy talking to the girls, the scene went on. When the deer stopped, Qin Guan hit a buck with his rifle. As he went to collect his prey, he saw several giant beasts. Those were lions! Of course, the lions were not real. They would be addedter with the use of special effects. Qin Guan just acted like he was frightened. Chapter 913: Who Likes Vegetables? Chapter 913: Who Likes Vegetables? Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia There were no more than 10 meters and a few worn-out cars separating them. Lions were basicallyrge cats, so it would only take them a couple of leaps to reach him. Although Qin Guan had a weapon in his hand, he didnt take any action. A small head emerged between the grown lions. Qin Guans heart softened under the setting sun. He took a look at his watch and the family of three and sighed. He yielded his prey to them. Life was hard for both animals and humans. Plus, when the night fell, a new species would wander around the city. A species that used to be human, but was not anymore. That was the reason the city was dead. Humans had been infected by a new virus and lost their very nature. They had be strong, cruel, and thirsty for blood. They couldnt live in the sunshine anymore though. They were like a mixture of zombies and vampires. The sunshine could kill them, so they could only hunt at night. Deer and lions were delicious meals for the monsters, who lived on fresh, warm blood. Without human wisdom, they had be apletely new species. Qin Guan was the only survivor in the city, so he had to return to his shelter before dark. He roared away without hesitation. When the red car disappeared from the frame, the director stopped the crew. "Perfect!" His assistant handed him a cigarette. "Yes. No NG is needed for such a long shot." "We can shoot some more on thest day. It will be a perfect scene." "The Asian actor was the right choice. Its crucial that the audience can step in his shoes during the monologue." "They are witnessing his lonely life from Gods viewpoint. The actor has to express himself through his face and body. Not everyone can do that." "I know, thats why I selected Qin Guan for the part. He remains hopeful in hopeless situations." "Not everyone loves post-apocalyptic films after all. We have to give people hope." Lawrence was really satisfied with Qin Guans performance. "We have two hours left before the next scene. You can walk around, but please dont leave the site." Qin Guan spent those two hours persuading his fans to leave. They couldnt see well enough at night after all. Qin Guan gave them autographs, so they left satisfied. Eventually, he found Xu. Qin Guan grasped his friends cor and got back all the money he had spent on his stay in the US. Then he let him go. It was time to get back to work. He would make more profit out of Xuter. It was evening, so the setting sun turned the maple leaves gold. Qin Guan and the cute dog, whose name was Sam, returned to their shelter in New York. Hunting hadnt gone well, so Qin Guan had to prepare some food for them. Rice and beans were not a good choice of food for a foodie, but Qin Guan didntin. The dog was more miserable than him after all. It had to eat rice and chopped vegetables. Unsurprisingly, Sam didnt give him any positive feedback. Everyone could see his disgust in his eyes. Sam had always been fed normal food, so he had never tasted vegetables with ketchup. Every time the assistant pushed the small basin over, Sam just sniffed it and walked away... When thest beam of sunlight vanished, a harsh bell was heard. It was the night warning. Qin Guan pulled down his thick iron door-sheets to block everything out. All the entrances were equipped with thick bolts. The human and the dog curled up in a narrow tub. They needed to feel safe in that horrible world. This was the only way they were able to fall asleep. Chapter 914: The Stuntman Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia There was not a single light in the dark. Everyone felt sad. If they were in his ce, they might have gone mad. The buzz of the camera could be heard clearly amid the silent, deserted night. Qin Guan jumped out of the tub as soon as the director stopped the camera. "Ouch!" It was ufortable for a tall man and a dog to be huddling in a tub. Plus, Sam considered Qin Guan his subordinate, so he used him as a cushion. If the director hadnt stopped the camera in time, Qin Guan would have had to have an anti-rabies vine. The trainer, who had misunderstood Sams response, patted Qin Guan on the shoulder. "Well done, dude! Our dog seldom loves anyone this much. Any man he loves must be a good person." Thank you for your words. Qin Guan forced a smile and walked to the resting area. Everyone had to stay on site untilte at night. They had a tight schedule, so they had to finish filming as soon as possible. This was the first time Qin Guan was shooting at night. Fortunately, waiting for his turn wasnt that boring. The costumes of the extras helped widen his horizons. They were wearing seamless nude leather pullovers. When they walked out of the fitting room, Qin Guan got scared. They looked like bald patients. Their pink, wrinkled skin looked like that of a newborn mouse. They were the humans that had been infected by the virus. Even a beam of an ultraviolet ray could kill them. Although some aspects of their physique had been degraded, they were really good hunters. Qin Guan was only prey for them. When they got ready, all themps along the Manhattan streets went out. Qin Guan would fight a battle of wits and courage with them before reaching the end of his life. His dog had been infected with the virus in an effort to save its master and had eventually died. All the cameras were ready. Qin Guan had to depend on himself from now on. No one could help him anymore. He was suddenly caught in a trap. Qin Guan was hanging upside down from a rope in the middle of the street. He had to save himself. He had to cut the rope off before the hunters got there. It was hard to reach your ankles when you were hanging upside down though. It was with great difficulty that Qin Guan folded his body and slowly stretched his hand out towards the rope. Everyone was transfixed by his performance. The moment he freed himself from the trap, the fierce monsters arrived. The two sides fought with loud roars. Their movements were too quick for anyone to see them clearly. The director handled the cameras from different positions, trying his best to record the crucial moment from many angles. The lonely man suddenly stopped being careful. He drove the abandoned car right into the monsters that had killed his friends time and again. His face was twisted in anger, but no one was in the mood tough at him anymore. Despair prevailed on the site. Bang! A stuntman crashed the car for Qin Guan. Qin Guan wanted to finish the scene himself, but the insurance agent and the director stopped him. Efficiency was important. Any action that could possibly dy the shooting schedule was forbidden. This was the first time Qin Guan was participating in a dangerous action film, so the crew had gotten insurance for his safety. As a professional, the insurance agent was good at evaluating any dangers that came up during filming. He knew very well what an ordinary actor should avoid doing. Thus, as soon as Qin Guan rushed to the site, the agent and Wang Liying pulled him away without hesitation. Chapter 915: The Invitation From Madame Tussauds Chapter 915: The Invitation From Madame Tussauds Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia When he saw the stuntman get out of the smashed car, Qin Guan fell silent. Any ordinary, untrained person would have suffered a concussion in his ce. From then on, Qin Guan would be more rational when it came to action scenes. This was different than martial arts. This was fatal action! Just as everyone thought they could call it a night, Director Lawrence shouted at them, "Once again! The car is not in the right ce. I saw the stuntmans face though the camera. Once again! Lower your body. Dont show your face!" The man nodded calmly. Suddenly, Qin Guan realized how ridiculous his job waspared to the stuntmans. One had to give credit to any actor that was willing to risk their life for a film. Those brave men had silently contributed to every outstanding action movie in existence. When the tired crew members finished their job for the night, they saw some food trucks approaching with their lights on. The delicious food was steaming hot. "My treat!" Qin Guan paid any food truck he could find around the square. The thrifty guy had finally learned how to be generous. The square became an ocean of joy. Everyone enjoyed the free dinner happily, including Sam, who came back to life after eating some beef and pork. After the celebration, they all had a good nights sleep. As Qin Guan was busy working, Sister Xue received an invitation from the Madame Tussauds Wax Work Museum. They were asking Qin Guan if he wanted to have his own wax sculpture there. Madame Tussauds had just opened its sixth branch in Shanghai and wanted to create the sculptures of a group of Chinese stars. Qin Guan would have to fly to the headquarters of the Madame Tussauds Museum in the UK. The shooting had nearlye to an end, so Qin Guan was soon able to travel to Baker Street and meet the artist. After their meeting, Qin Guan was told that his sculpture had been approved to be in the main Madame Tussauds Museum. This meant that his wax work would travel around the world if necessary, along with other ssic works, such as the death mask that had been produced during the French Revolution and the guillotine that had cut off the head of Queen Mary of Scots. It was a rare opportunity, so Sister Xue made the decision for him. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was arguing with the director about a temporary change that had messed up his n. It was not professional to change a script halfway through production, so the good-tempered Asian revealed another side of his personality. To avoid any conflict, Director Lawrence decided to exin everything to him. "I cant ept the ending of the original script. Those creatures are not living dead in my eyes. They are a new species. Its selfish for a human to decide their fate based only on the knowledge he currently has." "Thats why I want to change the ending. You will leave the vine to a female survivor and her child and perish along with the monster. This will leave hope for the future." Qin Guan was shocked by his view. Lawrence considered those horrible creatures equal to humans. ording to him, the new species didnt need to be saved by the vine. Chapter 916: Two Endings Chapter 916: Two Endings Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia They had their own lifestyle, emotions and bodynguage. The vine that saved human lives was a poison that would change the monsters into different creatures. Nobody had the right to change them into another species. Did Lawrence want to convey an underlying message concerning the secret surveince ofmon American people? In a nation that advocated freedom, ordinary people wanted to finally experience real democracy. Qin Guan came back to his senses. The directors reasonable exnation made him ept the change without hesitation. It would only take an extra five minutes after all. Wang Liying told something to the producer in a low voice and then gestured at Qin Guan that everything was okay. He would get paid extra for this. At the cameramans signal, arge hole was sted into the ceiling above Qin Guan with a bang. The leader of the monsters rushed up to him. Qin Guan hid behind the barricade and threw the case with the vine at Alice, the female supporting character. When Alice caught the case, she realized that they were separated by a thick ss wall. Qin Guan was relieved. The roaring monsters were approaching, but he was at ease. He could see the beautiful future waving at him. He had saved the hope of humanity. Nothing could prevent him from leaving that boring world now. He had achieved his goal before the end of his life. He growled and pressed the button without hesitation. Bang! The wholeb was destroyed. "Perfect! Wonderful! Where is the prop team? Restore the ceiling to the state it was in before Qin Guan pressed the button. Well shoot another version of the ending." Qin Guan took advantage of the situation to ask a final question. "Which ending will make it to the screen?" "That will depend on thepany." "What?" "Well choose the one thats more relevant." So you havent decided yet? The right decision was obvious. The first ending would make it to the theatrical version, and the second one would be included in the DVD. Qin Guan wanted to do his best during the second version, as it could bring some much-needed life to the declining DVD sales. As soon as the prop team had finished its job, Qin Guan returned to the set and witnessed the emotional exchange between the leader of the monsters and a female monster which he had injected with the vine. Suddenly, the dozens of photos of monsters on the wall seemed like a joke. They had all been killed by Qin Guan for the sake of the experiment. They were not his guinea pigs though. They were living beings whose lives were worth just as much as his. We are not sick. We dont want to be like you. The monster looked down at Qin Guan. He considered killing him after saving his woman, but instead he left immediately with his followers. Qin Guan was left sitting on the ground in confusion. His horror and loneliness were now meaningless. He decided to leave the city and head to the human shelter. The cameras worked endlessly. Everyone was left speechless by the ending. Then the crew burst intoughter. Qin Guan couldnt open the ss wall to get out. Alice, who was yed by a Brazilian beauty, helped him push it hard. Their effort was in vain though. The crew lifted the thick ss,ughing all the while. "What the f*ck... I thought I had to crawl out of the hole..." "Ha ha ha..." Chapter 917: A Confused Actress Chapter 917: A Confused Actress Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia ording to preliminary calctions, the six-day shooting had cost them dozens of millions of dors. This was actually pretty much Qin Guans total fortune in 2005. As Qin Guan sighed with emotion, Braga mustered the courage to walk over to him. The Brazilian beauty, who had ck hair and eyes, was much younger than Qin Guan, but she was more experienced than him. Everyone liked beautiful women, so even if they were green hands, pretty girls were still popr in superhero films. Braga had been participating in all kinds of Hollywood films ever since she was 18 years old. After being confused for six years, she had finally gotten the courage to ask Qin Guan, the most famous man she had ever cooperated with, a question. "Excuse me, Qin Guan? May I ask you a question? I hope Im not bothering you." She was a sensitive woman, but she considered Qin Guan a kind man, so she had decided to express her thoughts, even though he was a stranger. Plus, she thought Qin Guan was qualified to answer her question. Qin Guan turned to her. Their short cooperation had been enough for her to show her professionalism. She was not like those nd Hollywood beauties. She had impressed him a lot. Plus, she was one of those rare people who were immune to his looks. "Of course you are not. Ill be happy to answer your question." "Ive been wondering why my agent is always choosing sci-fi, post-apocalyptic movies for me. Ever since I entered the circle, I have never acted in a single normal film. Do you think Im scary?" Thats a good question. Qin Guan looked at her carefully. She was a typical Brazilian beauty. The only characteristics that might interest a director had to be her ck hair and eyes, as well as the slightly droopy corners of her mouth. As an Asian, Qin Guan didnt know what the basic aesthetic standards of Western people were. One had to be born one to know. Western people couldnt even distinguish between Fan Pingping and Li Bingbing though. As a result, he had to find another way to answer her question politely. "I think you are both pretty and smart. That must be why they cast you in thrillers. Beautifuldies with walnuts for brains are usually satisfied with ying the pretty girl. That way, they dont need to pour their soul into each character." "Heroines in thrillers and sci-fi films are different though. They face much moreplicated situations, so they have to be strong enough, both physically and mentally, to deal with all kinds of emergencies. These roles require better acting skills. Thats why you are perfect for them." "There are lots of beautiful women in Hollywood, but only a few of them can impress the audience. Do you want to be famous for your private life instead?" Braga shook her head. "Exactly. That would be an insult for any real actor. How many big films have you been in? Is it three or four? Thats enough. If every director thinks of you as soon as they get such a script, or the fans consider you a goddess, then you are sessful." "When your name is mentioned in the same sentence as Julia Roberts or Sharon Stone, you wont be worried about the type of films you act in anymore. You will be able to just be yourself." Chapter 918: The Third Floor Of Madame Tussauds Chapter 918: The Third Floor Of Madame Tussauds Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia People always praised an actor by using the word "breakthrough", but they ignored that each person had their own limitations. No actor could y well all kinds of roles. There was no such person in the world. If an actor dismissed that fact, they could make a fool of themselves. Clever actors abandoned that impractical idea and focused on roles that entertained the audience. Alice Braga bowed deeply before Qin Guan. Now she understood how he had be an international award-winning actor. He had a much more profound understanding of the circle than she did. Qin Guan was delighted to gain another fan in the industry. He took a flight to London in a really good mood. He had already called Cong Nianwei several times to invite her to go to the UK with him, but the construction of the Olympic Stadium had yet to bepleted. Cong Nianweis schedule was really tight, so she had to reject his proposal. The construction of the Olympic Stadium and all the rted facilities had reached a crucial stage, so Cong Nianwei was too busy to even get a decent amount of sleep. Chinas constructionpanies were the fastest in the world. The countrys flourishing cities attracted people from all directions. The previous infrastructure and living conditions couldnt satisfy the pouring crowd, so more and more buildings started being built, which in turn attracted even more migrant workers and architects. The pressure was finally eased during the developing process. Skilled, hard-workingbor workers were the key behind Chinas outstanding construction speed. The main stadiums of the 2008 Olympics changed with each passing day. Unlike his sweaty girlfriend, Qin Guan was standing in the entrance hall of Madame Tussauds, wearing an exquisite suit and a shiny pair of leather shoes. A staff member walked over. "Are you Mr. Qin Guan? Follow me, please." It was a freckled girl with a lovely smile. She led them upstairs while she made a basic introduction about the museum. The wax figures were exhibited on the first and second floor, but the third floor was not open to the public. That was where the figure manufacturing studio was located. All the lucky stars selected by Madame Tussauds were measured there by professional staff. Then the materials were sent to the headquarters in London. The mysterious gate was opened for Qin Guan. A rare exception was being made for the Chinese actor, as the chief craftsman was really interested in him. "Come in, please." The girl pushed the gate open slowly with a polite smile to reveal a mysterious world. Before Qin Guan could even step forward, a ck figure rushed over to him with a loud scream. "Ah!" Before anyone could react, Han Zhujiu took action. As soon as he saw the ck figure, he jumped out from behind Qin Guan and blocked the guy. The professional bodyguard threw a kick without hesitation. Bang! Chapter 919: The Daily Express Chapter 919: The Daily Express Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The guy flew away dramatically andnded into a pile of lone wax figure parts. Only his trembling arm was visible anymore. He looked like an avant-garde artwork that could be titled "Unyielding Struggle". Everyone tried their best to suppress theirughter. Han adjusted his tie and returned to his original position as the unlucky guy climbed out of the pile. "Oh my God! You brought Qin Guan. Im at your service. Thank you for your mercy! Amen!" Qin Guan shot a confused look at the staff member, who was trying to figure out a proper way to exin. Suddenly, the praying man hugged Qin Guans leg. "He is real! What a slender leg..." "Go away!" Wang Liying hit him in the face with her handbag. The staff member hastened to pull the man away. "Im sorry, everyone. his is our chief moulder, Mr. Chris. He is good at making human-like wax sculptures by using moulds. He is a big fan of Qin Guan, so he has been hoping to make his wax figure for the museum. Now his wish has finallye true. Mr. Chris is really excited, which is understandable. Some people are born very passionate." Passionate? He is crazy! Chris returned to his seat tamely. "Wow! Your features are perfectly proportioned! I was deeply attracted to you at first nce. You are Gods most perfect creation!" he said as he took out his tools. "I prefer a formal suit on you... I can feel your soul through it." The man got to work happily. After putting down thest measurements, he reached out to caress Qin Guans forehead. "F*ck off!" Hans order was short, but efficient. Chris stepped back immediately with a tremble. "What a rude Yankee!" he murmured. Then he nodded at Qin Guan. "Thank you so much for your cooperation. Ill inform you as soon as the sculpture is finished." Qin Guan smiled and stretched his hand out towards Chris, who swallowed his saliva before taking it. "Hey, watch your hands! We have a lot of workter." Han was the right man to handle such a guy. You will leave, but I will remember your face forever. Qin Guan was a professional actor, so it was easy for him to maintain his smile. The director of the museum had invited a journalist from the Daily Express for a short interview after all. It was not important news that a star was going to have their own wax sculpture in the museum, but it was the kind of news that fit the style of the Daily Express, which was selling like hot bread in the UK. Most of its readers were ordinary people, so this was a good way for them to learn what was going on in the UK. Chapter 920: An Acute Question Chapter 920: An Acute Question Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia European people were ted about the news, as Qin Guan was one of the few Asian stars they were interested in. Of course, they were all focused on the Venice Festival and wondering if the handsome man would win his final major European award. People were even betting on it, with odds of about 1.08. This meant that most people expected Qin Guan to seed. They believed that he would definitely win an award at the Venice Film Festival. The Daily Express would be d to get any news from him. The short interview took ce in a quiet hall on the ground floor. "Hi, Mr. Qin Guan. Im Tom from the Daily Express. Thank you for your cooperation. I know you are really busy these days. Dont worry, I wont take up too much of your time. I only have a short list of questions." "No worries, I still have some time left." "Okay, thank you. First, I would like to ask the question that your English fans are most concerned about. I understand that both of your films have been shortlisted by the Venice Film Festival. What do you think about that? Will you make a grand m this time?" Qin Guan shrugged with a smile. "You are asking the wrong person. I think you should ask the judges and the audience instead. I hope the Vian gods will give me their blessing." "Ha ha! You are really funny, Qin Guan. If you failed to win an award, would you question the organizingmittees criteria?" "Never!" Qin Guan shook his head firmly. "There are all kinds of factors in y. Plus, failing once doesnt mean anything. Im new at the festival after all. I wll get another chance in the future." "I will win the award one day. I expect that I will win the Lifetime Achievement Award in a couple of decades..." The young mans confidence helped the interview flow smoothly. Tom, who was curious about the Asian starsst words, decided to test him with an acute question. Thus, he skipped two questions and asked the veryst one. "The next question is..." "Is that the third one?" "Yes..." Tom cast a confused look at Qin Guan. Is something wrong? "Everyone knows that Madame Tussauds is a way to keep in touch with people, just like our newspaper is. Thanks to its history and professionalism, the museum has managed to have a collection of sculptures with big historical significance or entertainment value. Today, your sculpture will be in the same ce as Stalins, Churchills and Thatchers. Do you think you deserve this? Can your fame and contribution even bepared to theirs?" Tom had pulled a trick on him. As an entertainment star, Qin Guan belonged in apletely different field than those political figures. Qin Guan smiled at him. "You are the funniest guy I have ever met, Tom. If I had passed the national examination for civil servants and worked for the Chinese government for 20 years, I would have been able to give you a better answer." "As it is, I just want to say that every field has talented people. Maybe 100 years from now, my work will be considered a milestone in the history of the entertainment circle. Youll have to live longer to find out the answer." Tom was shocked. Qin Guan patted his shoulder and whispered, "That was three questions." "Yes, thank you for your time. It was nice to meet you." Tom shook Qin Guans hand. Was that my line? Qin Guan and his team left the museum, leaving Tom and the principal behind. Chapter 921: The Pianist Chapter 921: The Pianist Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Is that your way of promoting our museum? All I can do is support Qin Guan. Qin Guan had no idea what the two men were thinking. Suddenly, he received a call that added something special to his schedule. The call was from a person who had approached him through somemon friends from the American music circle. He didnt need his help. He just wanted to be friends with him. The man was Lang Lang, who had just signed a contract with IMG. Although he had studied at traditional music schools in both China and the US, his heart longed for freedom, which made him ipatible with other strict, narcissistic pianists. He thought that music should be introduced to the public through mainstream methods. After graduating from college, he had joined IMG to be a popr pianist. His soul wasnt meant for ssical music halls. That year, he was nominated for a Grammy, which proved his choice right. A Grammy was the equivalent of an Oscar in the music circle. All musicians wanted one like crazy. Ironically, Lang Lang was nominated for his Beethovens First/Fourth Piano Concerto, so his feelings were mixed. When he heard that IMG had failed to invite Qin Guan, he felt the impulse to talk to his sessful fellow, who also happened to ignore his upation. Fellowship was important in foreign countries, but it was not easy to meet Qin Guan. Lang was a smart guy, so he used an indirect method. Thanks to his connections in the New York Chinese Business Union, Lang Lang received an invitation to a party held by the US Chinese Yacht Club. As a rising pianist, he enjoyed a decent social status, so Chinese businessmen were happy to invite him to their parties. Thus, after checking the ount of his QC firm in New York, Qin Guan was led to a luxury yacht at the New York harbor by Xu Xiaoxiao and He Ming. It was not a party of four anymore, like it had been the previous time, so they had chosen arge yacht that could hold hundreds of people. The vessel was not a ship anymore. It had been transformed into a party venue, which only showed the strength of the private club. Qin Guan sighed with emotion. "Wow! Its only been a few years, but it looks like you reced a rifle with a cannon!" He Ming was a calm, but proud man. "I worked really hard on it. Plus, there are many rich Chinese people nowadays. Rich people are wee everywhere." Although they had been born in talented families, He Ming and Guan Jian had their own personal goals. After getting rich, Guan Jian had returned to China, while He Ming had travelled to different countries and tried to unite Chinese businessmen around the world. The two young men had made very brave choices. People started getting on board. Qin Guan was happy to meet really sessful businessmen. Before making a toast for the 32nd time, He Ming got on the high stage in the middle of the ship with a microphone and announced the start of the bustling party. Chapter 922: The Grammy Sponsorship Chapter 922: The Grammy Sponsorship Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "One, two, three... How are you, everyone? Most of you must be familiar with my face. Im He Ming, one of the founders of the club." He Ming showed up regrly at parties and other activities of the club. Most of the guests were good friends of his, so his joke earned some positive feedback. "He! We are tired of you. Can you surprise us this time?" He Ming shook his head. "No, the old rules apply. ording to our rules, well wee a new friend at each party. Expanding the club is our tradition." "Whats our other tradition?" "Performing!" everyone shouted in unison. All the guests had performed all kinds of acts in the past. This was the best way for people to get close to each other. After a short performance, the neer would be epted by the club as a gentleman. The lighting master adjusted the brightness of the lights. "Today, I have a surprise for you. The neer is really good at performing!" The background fell down as an answer to his words and revealed a piano and a strong man with thick eyebrows. "Lets wee pianist Lang Lang!" Lang began to perform. The well-educated audience stopped talking to listen to the music. The whole ship fell silent under the starry sky. Qin Guan smiled at He, who was talking to him. He was a smart, determined man. They both drained thest drop from their cups. So you dont want to return to China?" "At least not anytime soon. Chinese enterprises have been expanding ambitiously. Ill help them through my work in foreign countries." Although he was living abroad, he was still concerned about his nation. Lang Lang finished his performance and received a thunderous apuse. "It seems like Im a redneck. I only care about connections and profit. That pianist looks like someone who has just suffered an electric shock." Although he didnt feel ashamed for hisck of artistic taste, he pped for the performer enthusiastically. Qin Guan shot a helpless look at his friend as he pped his hands. "You asked me toe to the party for him?" "Yes. Chinese people lead hard lives in the US, artists even more so. This is nothing for you." The young pianist walked over to them slowly and greeted them with a smile. "How are you, Mr. Qin? Im Lang Lang. Im new here. Thank you for your support and consideration." "How are you?" The young man was surprisingly easy-going. The two of them exchanged a few words to rify the purpose of their meeting. "So you want my QC firm to sponsor your Grammy nomination?" "Yes." "As far as Im aware, IMG invests money specifically on promotion." "Yes, but it is both thepanys promotion and the strong sponsors that will decide the fate of the singers." To be honest, the oue of the battle was determined by money. Lang Lang had joined the club with a clear aim. He wanted to get continuous support from hispatriots. This was his long-term n of supporting his career financially. In a time when ssical music didnt make much money, it was difficult for a musician, particrly an ambitious one, to support himself. Thanks to his economic power and connections in the entertainment circle, Qin Guan had be his first choice. "What?" He Ming was shocked. How could an ountant like Qin Guan agree to such a bad deal? It was like throwing coins into a river! Chapter 923: Are You Ready? Chapter 923: Are You Ready? Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Their following discussion interrupted Hes thoughts. "If you win an award, what will your ns be for the future?" "Ill return to China as soon as my contract expires." "Even if you win an award?" "Yes. My parents are getting older. Plus, I love my mothend. I dont feel safe here." "If you have no choice regarding your future at home, will you consider working for my firm?" Lang got excited as he stared at the silver business card Qin Guan took out. "Do you mean that?" "Of course. You dont need to make a hasty decision. You can call me after you return to China." When the party ended, everyone left dreamily. On their way to Long Ind, He Ming asked a question he had been burning to voice. "Why did you offer a job to a pianist? Mainstream music is prevailing these days." "Lang is not a traditional pianist. Every cell in his body is crying for fame. Plus, my underground band has been suffering because of the music piracy in China. This phenomenon has destroyed the music circle. People share music through the inte without any restrictions. Everybody can gain ess to popr songs for free!" "Really?" Although he was not in the circle, He was just as worried about this issue. Unlike the Chinese audience, the audience in Europe and America was more inclined to appreciate traditional music. There were also strict regtions and severe penalties for downloading music illegally there. Copyrightws in China hadnt caught up yet. "Things will get better in the future. The government must set sound regtions to guide citizens. Its their duty. We shouldnt let our greedy human nature run wild." "But how is this rted to Lang Lang?" "If we cant make money from CDs, we have to turn to live performances." "But you already have a band!" "You mean Gao Xiaosong? Those guys have big ambitions, but limited abilities. Plus, they could ruin my reputation. I earn thousands of dors per minute. Do you know how much I make for one runway walk?" "How much?" "20,000 dors." Okay, you got me. My profitst month could only pay you for a couple of steps on the runway. "Lang is different though. A Grammy would double his value. He was educated at famous schools, both in China and the US. He could earn one million RMB per performance. I could book the underground band along with him as a package deal. Id gain a lot from this." It waste at night when they reached Qin Guans home in Long Ind. "You can use my car until you get a new one. Ill leave it with your assistant." "It would be my honor." "Go away now! Bye!" Qin Guan felt strange as he entered the house. Cong Nianwei was not there. The house had actually been empty for several years, but the cleaners came regrly. Qin Guan didnt feel any warmth radiating from it. Soon, he fell asleep with a photo of Cong Nianwei beside his pillow. In the photo, she was smiling happily at him. Qin Guan was woken up by the phone. "Hello?" "Open the door, Qin Guan." "Sorry, I overslept." Wang Liying and a stylist entered, holding equipment and breakfast in their hands. "Well be meeting Zhang Yimou and Zhang Weipingter in the morning. In the afternoon, we have to show up at the Walk of Fame to get your handprints and footprints..." Qin Guany on the couch as the stylist worked on him and Wang talked. The smell of breakfast, the scent of her perfume and her voice filled the empty vi. Qin Guan let out a long sigh of relief. Even strong men could feel lonely sometimes. He kept trying on formal suits until he found the one that felt the best. Then he turned to the breakfast. Chapter 924: How To Get A Star On The Walk Of Fame Chapter 924: How To Get A Star On The Walk Of Fame Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia He had a simple coffee, toast and eggbo with relish, which surprised Director Zhang Yimou. In his opinion, Qin Guan should have been sad for not making it to the final round of the Oscars. "Its alright. The Oscars are awarded to American films. I shifted my focus to China during the past year. It was only natural for the organizingmittee to forget about me. Oh, I have to congratte you, Director Zhang. Your film was shortlisted for the Best Foreign Film Award again, among other award nominations." "Its not something worth congratting me about." Zhang sighed. "Kung Fu movies are bing outdated in China, and the American audience has gotten sick of the same patterns. Ivee here to meet you and express my gratitude." Zhang Weiping, who was the producer, broke in, "The box office of the film in North America was barely over 10 million dors." "Really? But you must have earned 322 million in China." "Thats not bad. House Of Flying Daggers only earned a few million dors after all. If it wasnt for your fan club in America though, the film would have flopped." "This is a decent result both for us and the Chinese audience." You are so good at consoling yourself. Qin Guan epted their invitation to the premiere of "Curse Of The Golden Flower" before saying goodbye to them and flying to California. He was about to be the third Chinese actor with a star on the Walk of Fame. His star would not be on the street in front of the Chinese Theater though, as that spot required too much money to maintain. ording to an interview with the principal of the theater, the ceremony would be simpler, as those stars were not equal to the real ones. Compared to the real avenue, that street was a little dimmer. The Walk of Fame hosted film, TV and music stars. Any listed star had to meet the following terms. 1. He/She should have made professional achievements in their respective field. Qin Guan met that requirement. He had won plenty of awards for his work. 2. He/She should have at least 5 years of experience in their field. That was why themittee had not epted Qin Guans application until 2007. Sister Xue had started collecting the application forms as soon as Qin Guan had travelled to Los Angeles for the first time. She never went into battle unprepared. 3. He/She should have made a valuable contribution to society. This was a vague requirement. Fortunately, Qin Guan had been advocating for the protection of wildlife ever since the Paris Fashion Week. Plus, he had participated in a public-interest ad in New York, so he had been involved actively both in public affairs and environmental protection. He had also done a lot to protect the environment in China, which was the kind of thing that American people loved. Thus, after aplicated procedure and strict investigation, Qin Guan finally qualified for a star. The judgemittee wasposed of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the Hollywood History Trust. As the names suggested, the members were all businessmen. The maintenance, construction, governmental cooperation and visitor management in Hollywood were all taken care of by the Hollywood History Trust, but the expenses were paid by the sponsors of the stars and businessmen that were active in Hollywood. Chapter 925: The Star Ceremony Chapter 925: The Star Ceremony Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It only took the judges a few minutes to approve Qin Guans application unanimously. Money would not be a problem. There were lots of sponsors that supported Qin Guan, including Armani and Columbia Pictures. Generous rich men were rare, let alone men who were interested in an Asian star, so the Hollywood History Trust wouldnt let that chance go so easily. Plus, most of the members of the Chamber of Commerce were coborating with Qin Guans QC firm. The hard-working Asian personnel had impressed them. Thus, Qin Guan got approved without any dy. Qin Guan was standing right by the spot where his star would be molded, wearing Armani Haute Couture. Reporters were lingering all around him. There was a long table covered by red velvet. Empty cups were mounted on it like a tower. The cups would be filled with a champagne that cost 10,000 dors per bottle. Right across from the cups was a small message board with Qin Guans picture. The organizer attached great importance to the ceremony. Most of the actors, producers and directors who had cooperated with Qin Guan had been invited. The organizer wanted to advertise the ceremony as both a celebration of the entertainment circle and a chance to promote tourism. Chinese tourists had been pouring into Americately, so pleasing them would bring the US bigger profits. More and more tourists gathered behind the warning line. Asians were given the best vantage points. Even Sister Xue felt anxious when she saw the crowd. Most of Qin Guans friends had gone to witness this milestone in his career, including Qu Xuemei and Zhang Yimou. Even Julia Roberts and Drew Barrymore were waving at him from the crowd. Qin Guan was really excited. All he could do was say thank you! "Brother Qin, Im over here!" Qin Guan turned around at the sound of the voice and saw Jay Chou. Before he could respond, the host walked over to warn him that the ceremony was about to begin. "Wait for me after the ceremony!" Qin Guan fixed his bow and walked to the edge of the red carpet, which led to the long table. It looked gorgeous against the background of the ck, marble-paved avenue. "Lets wee Qin Guan, the owner of the 98th main street star and 1998th Hollywood star! He is the youngest Golden Globe winner in existence. Despite his young age, he has already won awards both in Cannes and Berlin. He is a Chinese ambassador in America who has contributed a lot to the exchange between idental and oriental culture..." "Thus, the judges reached the unanimous decision that Qin Guan should have his own star on the Walk of Fame, the Holy Land of filmmaking!" Everyone apuded loudly. "Now, Ill surrender the floor to the lucky man..." Qin Guans friends and the reporters apuded again as screams were heard from behind the warning line. Chapter 926: The Best Group Photo Chapter 926: The Best Group Photo Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Ah!" "I love you, Qin Guan!" "Well done!" Qin Guan walked slowly along the red carpet amid the tide-like apuse and crazy hails. The ck-and-white suit he was wearing was so elegant that the audience felt dazzled. His face, his perfect figure, his smile... Everything about him shocked the crowd, who waved at the angel like crazy. The whole world served as a background for Qin Guan. He walked on the stage like a diamond touching velvet and stood straight as a pine between the microphone and the background. Time seemed to stand still for a moment. "Hi, everyone. Im Qin Guan." "We know! We know!" Qin Guan waved back with a smile. His steady voice echoed around the square. "Its my honor to meet the criteria of themittee and be the fourth Chinese actor to have a star here. I would like to salute Anna May Wong, Bruce Lee and John Woo, who achieved this before me. They are the pride of Chinese filmmakers. As their sessor, I will try to never embarrass the Chinese people. Ill try my best to remain on par with the stars on this avenue." "I would also like to express my appreciation to the friends who came here especially for the ceremony. I owe my sess to you and your help." "Secondly, I would like to thank my directors, producers and partners. All of you helped me get my handprints here." "Lastly, I want to thank the reporters, who have always been nice to me. I owe my poprity and box office sess to your love." "I love all my fans. Are you guys looking forward to my new film?" "Of course!" was the united response of the fans. "Well go watch whatever film you star in!" Inspired by the crazy fans, some reporters turned away from the celebrities and pointed their cameras at the crowd to capture the unprecedented scene. It was true that China had a reallyrge poption. No ceremony on the avenue had ever attracted such a big audience before. "Lets move on. The host is waiting." The host took the microphone and walked off the stage with Qin Guan. The two of them walked half a meter from the stage, to a spot that was covered by a red square cloth. "Pull it back with me, Mr. Qin." "Okay." "Lets reveal the star! In three, two, one!" The cloth was pulled away and Qin Guans star was revealed. It was arge bronze star with a ck-marble background. Qin Guans signature was carved in the middle. There was also a line of words under the star, detailing the actors glorious achievements. From then on, Qin Guans fans would have one more ce dedicated to their idol. When they visited Hollywood, they wouldnt forget to take a picture with the star. Qin Guan was the only actor from the Chinese maind that had a star after all. He was the only one! The tourists grew more excited as they gazed at the star. If I press my hands there, it would be as if I was shaking hands with Qin Guan. Wow! "Can we take a picture with you and your star in the same frame?" That was not an easy feat. Qin Guan was 1.86 meters tall, so he couldnt fit in the same frame as the star, which was on the ground. Plus, his formal suit would make it hard to squat down. Everyone seemed to have forgotten about Qin Guans profession. He was a top model, so this was no trouble for him. He justy down on the ground next to the star. Chapter 927: An Honest Friend Chapter 927: An Honest Friend Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia He didnt see anything wrong with lying on the dirty ground in a suit worth millions of dors. Hey on his side contentedly, as if he was lying on grass or a soft bed. He looked like a Chinese hermit cultivating his spirit amid a white mist. All the fans and reporters were shocked by the scene. "Come on! I wont maintain this pose for long," Qin Guan reminded them kindly. "Ah!" Screams were heard again. In the eyes of the Chinese fans, Qin Guan was an immortal from a web novel. He was both charming and fascinating. They couldnt believe this was happening for real! Qin Guan finished his job responsibly. The moment he got up, hails came again from the reporters. "Congrattions!" "You deserve it!" "Thank you all!" Qin Guan waved goodbye at everyone and followed the staff to the temporary reception area. He would have a short meeting there with some good friends and finish the short, yet meaningful ceremony. Familiar faces gathered around him to express their kindness for their miraculous Asian friend. "Mr. Qin, you are the guest of honor, so you have to open the champagne personally!" Bang! The cork shot out and the golden liquid was poured into the tower of cups. The cups were filled level after level until champagne was streaming around the bottom of the table. "Long live the Walk of Fame! Long live Qin Guan!" Qin Guan squeezed his way out with the bottle as the cups were seized by the guests. Everyone wanted to get some of his luck. Before Qin Guan realized it, there were only two cups left on the table. Every guest that walked by him patted him on the shoulder, some consciously and some unconsciously. "Hey, whats on your mind?" Qin Guan turned around and saw Jay Chou. They hadnt met after "Curse Of The Golden Flower" after all. "I have no time to talk to you right now. Why did youe to America?" "To promote my new album. My music is popr among young Chinese immigrants," Chou answered proudly. He had to admit that his acting skills were awfulpared to Qin Guans, but he had his own job. He was the most popr singer in Asia, so he was well-known all over the world. An American team had adapted histest album with the help of a famous American musician. Naturally, Chou had been invited to the Grammys. He enjoyed an important status on the international music stage. "Great! The Grammys have nothing to do with my work. A Chinese guy has been nominated this year though. If you meet him, try to help him." "You mean Lang Lang?" "Do you know him?" "Of course, we work in the same circle. I can also y the piano. Dont worry, Chinese people help each other." "Is anything else bringing you here?" "Actually, yes." I knew it! That shy boy must have something special in store for me. "But it has nothing to do with you." "Stop! I can mind my own business." Qin Guan waved him away with a sense of foreboding. The answer had to be Jolin Tsai. Qin Guan sighed at the thought of theirplicated romantic affair. "Brother Qin, would you tell the truth, even if you thought other people might misunderstand?" "Of course," Qin Guan answered without hesitation. "I dont like spections. I believe one should be honest if they want to avoid rumors and misunderstandings. Public figures have to be even more responsible than the average person." As he looked at the righteous man, Chou felt lucky to have such a good friend. Chapter 928: The Guest Judge Chapter 928: The Guest Judge Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Feeling moved, Chou confirmed his theory and left leisurely. When the celebration came to an end, silence prevailed on the avenue again. As soon as they reached Qin Guans vi in Beverly Hills, Sister Xue copsed on the couch and startedughing. "You could be a spiritual advisor, Qin Guan. You could empower others to do things!" "Dont make fun of him. This is useful for his interpersonal rtionships." Qu sat down on the couch as well. "I have a question. Qin Guan has gotten very sessful during these past few years, both domestically and internationally. His fans go wild for his looks, even though they are all sensible people. Dont you find this strange?" Qin Guan was confused. He had been away from China for a long period of time. "What are you trying to say? Did something happen in China?" "Oh, yes. Americans dont pay much attention to the entertainment circle in China. This was a warning for everyone in the circle." "Yes, Andy Lau is innocent. He was just unlucky to have such a fan." "Exactly. Plus, the media added fuel to the fire. That crazy girls father jumped into Victoria Harbor. They retrieved his corpse from the sea a few days ago." "All this because Lau refused to meet Yang Lijuan. People say that Yangs father considered Lau unworthy of his daughters affection. The mental and physical exhaustion, as well as all the money he had to spend to visit Hong Kong, made himmit suicide." Will the girl have to face reality when shees back to her senses? Qin Guan didnt know what to say about that incident. It went beyond human imagination. He could only sigh over Laus bad luck. The publics sympathy for the weak would put a heavy burden on his shoulders. "Actually, I think the media should take the me. They stir up trouble all the time and force people to jump off cliffs." "Yes. China is developing really fast, both financially and otherwise." Sister Xue suddenly recalled something. She rummaged through her bag and took out a piece of paper. "Here it is. Its a new job offer." "What is it? I dont want to agree to a new film at this stage. I have another film to shoot overseas." "Its not a film or a TV series. Its an offer from two different TV stations. Its said that they have been fighting over you for a long time. The sry has reached this amount by now..." Sister Xue showed Qin Guan her palm and then turned it over. "This is the initial offer. They are not done fighting yet." Qin Guan took the paper curiously. "I know these shows!" Qin Guan had heard about them. They were both talent shows. The first one was the show "My Hero" on Dragon Television, and the second one was the show "Supper Boy" on Hunan Television. They were both nationwide shows that discovered talented young people. They selected talented individuals for their subordinate agencies and tried to increase audience ratings and attract sponsors. Actually, participating in a talent show was the easiest and quickest way to make a fortune and be popr. All ambitious young people wanted that. "Whats the difference between the two?" "Supper Boy focuses on musical talent, while My Hero looks for personal qualities that are useful in film and TV." "Last years winner was Purba Rgyal. He could be famous in the future. Its interesting, because this program arranges special lessons for each contestant. The audience watches as the frog turns into a prince." Chapter 929: The Wedding Ring Chapter 929: The Wedding Ring Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan nodded. "Will they wait until I have some free time? And what about the sponsors?" "Last seasons sponsor was Leica. Anypany with a young target group can sponsor the show." "My brand is not right for it then. Is there a sponsor for this season?" "Its said that Metersbonwe is interested." "Metersbonwe is simr in style to J Clothing. Call the boss and ask for his opinion. Tell him that I may be involved in the show. I dont need his money. Our brand just needs new materials for the summer. Ask him if he can produce them for us." Wang Liying was writing swiftly. It was her job after all. "Oh, I almost forgot. Contact the agency of the contestants to see if there is any valuable information. Id like to sign a contract with some young men. Huayi would be better, I think. It would be the right fit for a greenhand." Wang was a serious agent, so she tried to warn him. "Would it be proper to seize talented individuals this openly? Dragon Television is located in Shanghai, at the headquarters of Tiancheng Entertainment Co." "We do not get along," Qin Guan broke in. "Competition is the only way to sess in the entertainment circle." Qin Guan had the confidence of a rich man. "Anything else?" "Onest thing." Sister Xue handed Qin Guan thest document. "Its from Chen Kang." "Oh, its a personal affair." The threedies opened therge fridge, took out its contents and had their afternoon tea in a sunny corner. Qin Guan walked to his desk with the papers and read histest real estate statement. The development of Chinese real estate and the Chinese economy had reached a certain stage at which countless problems were caused by the iplete regtions. As a cunning man, Chen Kang made use of some loopholes to make profit for his employer. This was not a report of his sess though, but of the influence of thetest regtions. For example, private residence owners would enjoy certain property rights for 70 years, while business property owners would only enjoy them for 50 years. After this period expired, the owner would have to pay a fee again. This applied to Qin Guans shops on the Second East Ring. If Qin Guan had a child, he or she would have to pay a fee again for up to 100 houses, which was crazy. Qin Guan came back to reality and realized that he had reached thest page. It was a photo of a diamond shining in the sunshine. It was the treasure locked in the safe of his Swiss bank ount. Tiffany and Cartier had carefully selected the raw gemstone for Qin Guans wedding ceremony. The perfectly-cut blue diamond, which weighed 19.8 carats, would be iid in a ring. Qin Guan had spent a long time seeking a ring worthy of his girlfriend. It was lucky that he had participated in "Lust, Caution". The 6-carat diamond had shockinglye from Cartier. Even Qin Guan, who was used to owning such rare treasure, couldnt help but gasp in admiration. "Its really beautiful, but the color will not suit her." Chapter 930: A Sudden Attack Chapter 930: A Sudden Attack Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Susanna, who was a representative of Cartier, saw an opportunity in Qin Guans words immediately. She walked up to him politely and said, "You are so lucky, Mr. Qin Guan. We also have blue and yellow diamonds of the same quality as this pink one. They are as beautiful as the sky!" "Really? But this one is too small." Susanna felt the impulse to hit him. Small? Did you even take into consideration the ordinary people who only buy 0.3-0.5 carat wedding rings? As everyone knew, when the weight was doubled, the price was multiplied by 10. Ordinary people might be able to afford one carat, but any stone heavier than 2 carats cost millions of yuan. Some richdies showed off their four-carat diamonds online and called them "dove eggs". To a professional of the jewellery industry though, the customer was always right. Thus, the woman put on her sincerest smile and told Qin Guan, "You are indeed a lucky man, Mr. Qin. Thergest and finest diamond of them all has remained intact. The headquarters have decided to make it our most important product in the future." "Really? How much does it weigh?" "19.8 carats." "And how much does it cost?" "Several million dors." "Deal!" "I... I cant make that kind of decision." "Then contact the person in charge for me. No jewellery brand can turn away so much money." Susanna gave him a ssy-eyed stare. Although the deal could be considered her achievement, she was not delighted about it. Thus, Cartier not only sold the stone to Qin Guan, but also designed the ring for him, under the condition that the bride would show it to the public and the brands name would be noted under every picture. Tiffany was furious about the deal. Qin Guan was their brand ambassador after all. This was humiliating for them! Qin Guan was annoyed by their endless fighting. In the end, the three sides reached the agreement that Tiffany would design his ring. That way, the two designs would be a legend in the industry. It was a win-win situation. The two brands got to work. This job was a celebration of top jewellery that involved the best materials, designers and handicraft, so it was breaking news for the media. The two sides stopped fighting immediately, got up from the ground, brushed the dust off their clothes and shook hands... Qin Guan put thest document into the small safe in the wall gently. This was his personal secret. He was nning on keeping it from his woman until the veryst minute. Before leaving for New York, Qin Guan attended the Oscars in an effort to support Director Zhang Yimou. He hadnt gotten an invitation, but when the staff saw him in the crowd, they asked him to walk on the red carpet. Actually, that years ceremony included almost no Asian films, with the exception of Zhang Yimous film. When they stepped on the red carpet together, all the reporters were shocked. "F*ck! Its Qin Guan!" They took out their programs to confirm their suspicions. "He has no reason to be here." "Yes. His film was nominated for an award, but he wasnt." "Did the organizingmittee invite him at thest minute?" "Does this mean that he could possibly win an award?" "Thats big news!" "But he only yed a supporting character in the film." "This is discrimination! Supporting actors can also win an Oscar!" Chapter 931: Vancouver Chapter 931: Vancouver Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia People read too much into things, but reporters were usually smart. When Qin Guan approached them, they asked their questions without hesitation. Qin Guan shrugged awkwardly. "Yes, the organizers gave me a chance to be here, but only for the red carpet event. Maybe they thought I hadnt taken enough photos this year. Ill have to work harder to win an Oscar next year." "Really?" The reporters were disappointed. Qin Guan was always aware of his status though. As soon as he reached the end of the red carpet with Director Zhang, he escaped under the giant golden figure to avoid taking any pictures. Then he said goodbye to Zhang Weiping and returned to New York. Qin Guan boarded a flight to Vancouver, where he would begin filming soon. His new film was called "Night at the Museum" and it was produced by 20th Century Fox. The New York Museum cherished its exhibits too much, so the crew had failed to get permission to film inside the real museum. Instead, they had built a copy of it. The collection of the New York Museum included everything, from celebrity sculptures to dinosaur fossils. It had everything one could expect to find. As soon as the curator had found out about the dangers of having a film crew there, he had rejected the directors offer without hesitation, even though he had received a call from the mayor. The mayor apologized to the crew and handed them his campaign flier, with the hope that they would still vote for him. The director was a straightforward man, so he had decided to build a new museum. In order to save money, the reconstruction would not take ce in Hollywood, but in Vancouver, which had been nicknamed "Northern Hollywood". Vancouver, which was north of Seattle, was the most developed city of the Canadian film industry. Canada was a country that was greatly influenced by the United States. The citys geographical location and pleasant climate had attracted countless immigrants from all over the world. The Chinese poption in Vancouver had reached 2.3 million. The city was deeply influenced by the United States and linked to the industrial sector in Seattle. Arge industrial town was located around the city. Its residents shared the same worry as the Chinese, which was the high real estate prices. In 2007, the housing prices in Vancouver were second only to Tokyos. This only applied to ordinary people though. 20th Century Fox would actually save 20%-30% on its budget. The next morning, Qin Guan headed to the shooting site leisurely, feelingpletely refreshed. He had heard the news about the Oscars. As expected, Director Zhang had not left empty-handed. The American film critics and media had found the film pretty good, so the rare Chinese film had won two awards. This was basically Hollywoods indirect way of epting the film. Zhang Yimous film had won the Best Costume Design Award and the Best Cinematography Award. Inbination with the films box office in China, the Chinese blockbuster had done pretty well. Qin Guan felt reassured. Now he was in the right mood to check out his new working ce. The crew had invested 10-15 million dors on the film. Of course, the actors sries were not included in that amount. Bigpanies like Fox, Columbia and Warner spent a specific amount of money on new scripts. Any creative idea from all over the world could intrigue them. Outstanding scripts poured into their offices every day. Chapter 932: A Short Scene Chapter 932: A Short Scene Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Hollywoodpanies bought the copyrights and made their own films. Then other countries had to pay five to six times the original price to buy the rights back. That was how strong Hollywoods industry and monopoly was. This particr film had borrowed material from a Croatian illustration created by famous artist Mn Trenc. The original had been an illustrated book for children. Hollywood businessmen had the unerring ability to spot a good opportunity, but this would also bring good luck to the book, to some extent. Qin Guan had decided to interpret the story as a ssic work of art and create the best fantasnd for children. The shooting site was like a small UN conference. People of different skin colors and ethnicities worked there. An assistant led Qin Guan to the director. The young man with the curly hair shook Qin Guans hand excitedly. "Nice to meet you. I thought you would be arrivingter." "You are so kind. I am neverte, unless there is an emergency." "Just head to the fitting room. We could film a simple shot so you can get a feel of the film." "Okay, see youter." As he looked at the protagonist, Director Shawn Levy felt a little worried about Qin Guans looks. He was afraid that he might distract the audience from the film. When Qin Guan walked out of the fitting room though, the Canadian director gasped. The actor was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, the favorite outfit of the average American. His ck jacket made him look decadent. He looked like a total loser. "Attention, everyone!" Shawn nodded at the old actress who would be participating in the scene. "Get into position! Three, two, camera!" Qin Guan would be portraying a father who had failed both at his personal life and work. His wife had divorced him, so he was living with his 10-year-old son. The pressure of life had forced him to give up his dreams. He had to find a steady job in order to keep custody of his son. Thus, he had appealed to the government for help. The bureau provided work opportunities for unemployed individuals. There, one could find information and job rmendations ording to their work experience and educational background. Qin Guan was looking for a job with a steady ie. He was not humble by any means though. He was a talented high-tech developer after all. Although his search hadnt been sessful, he still held on to his dream. He shared his dream with an employee who was as old as his grandmother. "Debby? May I call you Debby?" Qin Guan stared at her with a charming, affectionate smile. "The first time I saw you, I felt really nice. I thought you had felt the same way." Silence. "Nope." This was the first time a heartbreaker like Qin Guan was getting rejected in a film. Plus, the woman was almost 60 years old. "I really need to work. If I dont find the right job, I dont know what Ill do..." A womans maternal instinct usually increased along with her age. Qin Guan got an offer. Every person Debby had rmended for that job so far had failed to get it. She just asked Qin Guan to try his luck. "Thank you so much." The short scene ended. "Cut! Good!" Shawn gave Qin Guan a thumbs-up. "Take a break. The next scene will take ce in the museum." "No problem!" Qin Guan turned around and stretched his elbow towards Debby. "May I lead the way for you, mydy?" "It would be my honor." Chapter 951: Demand Exceeds Supply Chapter 951: Demand Exceeds Supply Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia He naturally wanted to warn his new friend. "Do you know why I joined the show?" "I have no idea." To get famous? Because you had too much free time? "Because its the future. The show will bring together all kinds of stars from various fields and attract more and more sponsors. When its influence reaches a certain level, the designers that started their career this way will gradually form a new circle. It will be a striking fashion trend. Thats why you have to captivate them with your charm. You should be their first runway choice. This is how supermodels market themselves." "Got it. Thank you, Tim." Your advice would probably be useful for ordinary supermodels, but it isnt for me. When those unknown designers reach Armanis or Chanels level, they can get back to me. In the meantime, all Qin Guan wanted to do was enjoy the rare sunshine of New York and put a full stop to his trip to America. In an effort to support native designers, the New York Fashion Week and Project Runway had signed a private contract that there would be a specific runway show nned for the shows final during the fashion week. The contestants would be able to participate in all the activities and castings of the fashion week independently. This meant that Project Runway would be an independent brand and take on all kinds of tasks along with other brands. The program had just finished its fourth season, so its influence and poprity couldnt rival that of internationally famous brands. Fashion insiders just saw the show as an alternative way to spend their time. They didnt pay that much attention to the shows invitations. In order to expand its influence, the shows producers had asked the organizingmittee of the fashion week for a venue that could hold 300-400 guests. The value of the invitations dropped because of this. The fewer the invitations, the more valuable they would be. This was justmon sense. Unlike the shows previous seasons, this time Fu Shen had grabbed every opportunity to promote the show and strengthen its status. Halfway through the fashion week, all the participants were trying to acquire an invitation to the Project Runway final. Fu Shen had released the news gradually and used a sessful marketing strategy. This time, he didnt send all the invitations out at once. Instead, he came up with a n. During the first round, the designs with the least negative feedback from Tim would be disyed on the stage. Fu had sent 50 invitations to Tims enemies within the circle. All those people had been more or less criticized by Tim in the past, so they would attend the show just to have a reason to make fun of Tim. As expected, they epted the invitation immediately. Some of them even expressed their gratitude for being invited. That was Fus first step. He didnt follow up a victory with a hot pursuit though. When other critics who had been insulted by Tim heard the news and approached the shows producers, the staff informed them regrettably that they had run out of invitations. "What? But its such arge venue. Have you sent out all the invitations?" "Yes, sir," an assistant replied with her sweetest smile. "We have sent all the invitations to fashion critics. If you are interested in our show, please leave us your business card. I can reserve an invitation for you for next seasons final in advance." "Will Tim still be on the show?" "Yes, he is our exclusive guidance counsellor." "Okay, sign me up for the next season. I want at least two- oh no, three invitations." "No problem. Please fill in this form. Your application will be prioritized. Congrattions! Your application is the 38th on the list. There will be seats reserved for you at the next final of our show." "Thank you." The fat man left satisfied, wiping beads of sweat off his forehead. Chapter 952: Fighting For An Invitation Chapter 952: Fighting For An Invitation Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia An assistant walked up to Fu Shen happily with the statistics. "Director Fu, your n is working! We can have more guests next season!" "Well done!" Fu Shen nodded confidently. It seemed like he knew what he was doing. "Now, its Qin Guans turn." "Ah-choo!" Qin Guan sneezed in Armanis studio. "Shall I turn down the air conditioner for you?" the designer asked his exclusive model. "Its only early summer. Its a little cold in the morning." "Never mind." Qin Guan rubbed his nose with a smile. "Maybe someone is missing me. It seems like my darling has been thinking of me." If Cong Nianwei, who was busy working at a construction site, had heard that, she would have burst intoughter. It was a sweet misunderstanding. The news that Qin Guan would go to Venice in the outfit of the winning designer had started spreading around. It was also said that the formal outfit would be donated by Project Runway. After it had served its purpose, it would be auctioned off for charity. As a result, the outfit had attracted a lot of attention from buyers. Unlike mall store buyers, high-fashion clothing buyers had their own brands or stores with a unique sense of aesthetic and local fame. Some of them sold only couture at their stores. Even international limited-edition products would appear there regrly. Some talented designers trusted those buyers to sell their creations, as they preferred quality to quantity. That was why the news caused a riot in the circle. Everyone invited will be an enemy of mine. Ill fight you with money! Thus, 50 more invitations were looted. Some people even trailed after postmen to steal the envelopes! At the end of the fashion week, Fuzily sent the 50st invitations to famous brands andpanies. This was an opportunity for people to disy their outstanding talent. Any smart businessman would jump at such a chance. The crowded site shocked the senior executives of NBC, who could see that Fu Shen was going to have a bright future ahead of him. Fu was receiving praise and encouragement from all directions. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was filled with despair backstage. He had received the "Project Runway" designs. The top three contestants had finished their job. Unfortunately, as a part of thepetition, the three of them had been assigned the theme "primal culture". What had humans worn at the time? Everything! Prehistoric style was a modern fashion trend whose natural, rough style could inspire any designer. In ordance to the theme, all the models were wearing sunburn-resembling paint that made them look like they had gotten a tan. Chapter 953: Breaking Old Traditions Chapter 953: Breaking Old Traditions Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia If theyd had sticks in their hands, they could have gone hunting in those outfits. Their prey would have escaped as soon as it saw those colorful clothes. What was the meaning of those designs though? They could not be sold in a mall or be put into practical use. They were just fashionable. Qin Guan got on the stage during the grand finale. He was a special guest after all. His outfit was very shy. One could find all the colors of the rainbow on his body. He looked really cool. Except for a few essories, the upper half of his body was as naked as a primitive mans. The outfit was actually very practical. The drooping cloth stripes hanging from his waist could clean the floor like a mop, and the powerful bone sceptre in his hands gave off a domineering vibe. His great momentum seemed overwhelming in that space, which could hold about 300 guests. He looked like an ancient men, mysterious, dangerous and powerful. A master of life and death at the peak of his power. The 50 models from different countries stood up first. They werent a part of the show, but such an outstanding man was a representative of the entire circle. They stood up one after another amid thunderous apuse. They also felt like they were encouraging themselves. The invited designers stood up to express their appreciation for the models who disyed their creations. Their cooperation added vitality to the world. By the time thest person stood up, Qin Guan had already reached the end of the U stage and stopped to wait for everyone. Then they all got on the stage again for the encore. The three designers and the models burst into tears. "Thank you!" Thousands of words were condensed into that simple phrase. Wherever they went in the future, they would keep that moment in their memory forever and use it as a new beginning. As Qin Guan removed the paint from his body with the help of the assistants, the winner was decided. The guests didnt leave the show. Instead, they got together in different groups and talked in whispers. Before the judges could reach a final decision, more and more fashion critics started walking up to Tim. "s! There are only three judges? The result could be influenced easily. This is unfair. An impartial talent show should break those old traditions asionally." "Exactly! Do you have any connections, Tim? We wontugh at you. Well show understanding." Ha! You want to join in? No problem. We could have a vote. The three guys were so happy that they almost fainted. The cameras turned towards the judges, where everyone had started gathering. When Qin Guan showed up again in sports apparel, he saw the VIPs filling in a simple voting form. This could possibly be the fairest selection method in the fashion circle. Unlike older contests, which could be influenced by the sponsors or the judges, these temporary judges had no personal interest in the oue. They only voted for fun. This was unprecedented in the fashion circle. After a while, Heidi Klum got on the stage with the final result. The three lucky designers were standing beside her and supporting each other, in case one of them fainted. "Now, lets find out the final result. The third runner-up is VI! His agile, youthful work was very refreshing for the fashion circle." A thin man in sses walked forward after hugging his opponents. This was a pretty good result, but he was still a little disappointed. Chapter 954: Grandpa And Grandchild Chapter 954: Grandpa And Grandchild Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Soon, the guy with the long hair joined the losers club. Yes, the winner was GIN. The bald man had beat his opponents with a small advantage and won that great honor. As a sponsor, Ford provided the show with a sports car. This was nothing for thepany. Plus, the show would help advertise their fashionable cars. It was Qin Guan who had introduced Ford to NBC. GIN would also get some money and advertising resources. The celebration was still going on as Qin Guan and Wang Liying got their cheque backstage. Even though he was a billionaire, Qin Guan still cared about money. He counted the zeroes on the cheque carefully before Fu Shen. "We are old schoolmates, Qin Guan. Are you really afraid that I would cheat you? What did you think of my proposal?" Qin Guan handed the cheque over to Wang and grinned at Fu. "Its not that good. Im really busy at home. I have no time to be a permanent guest on the show. Plus, one beautiful supermodel is enough. Im too busy to stay on the show." "Will you return to China?" "Of course! This was only a business trip. I have another task to take care of back at home after the Venice Festival." "It seems like you are satisfied with an ordinary life." "Of course. Now, I only have one thing left to do in my life." "What do you mean?" "Have a baby!" This was an innate concept of the Chinese. Even elderly people felt revived when they had a grandchild. A babypleted their lives in every way. Cong Nianweis father was such an elderly person. The fundamental reason behind his approval of Qin Guans proposal was his belief that a woman should give birth to a child while she is still young. Everything Qin Guan had said after that had beenpletely lost on Cong Nianweis father. He had only kept his grandson in his memory. Although their parents knew that the couple couldnt have a baby right after getting married due to their tight schedule, they still dreamed of having a grandchild. What would it be like? Would it be simr to being a father or a mother? Would it be a boy or a girl? What about its personality? A baby was full of possibilities. Given the chance, they would beat about the bush in a tant way. Thus, Qin Guan had been brainwashed by his parents. Cong Nianwei was his home. As soon as her project was finished, he would create a new life with her. What about work though? Sorry, my employees. Forgive me... Fu, who was a workaholic, couldnt sympathize with Qin Guan. Soon, Qin Guan packed his luggage and set out for Venice. While he was at the airport, he received a private call. "Hey, Brother Qin. Its Jay Chou." "I know. Why are you calling me? Did you seed with your great shocking event? Did you want to show off?" "No. The trends of the entertainment circle have changed, and so has the publics feedback." "Are you kidding? You do not own the entertainment circle. It will never follow your directions." "Stop!" Jay nearly cried out. "Let me finish! At first, my efforts worked and things developed in the right direction. However, a big event took ce in the music world a few days ago and attracted the publics attention!" "Whats that?" "You stayed too long in the US. Stefanie Sun was kidnapped in Egypt!" Was he kidding? ording to the media, she was supposed to be preparing for her new album. How could she have been kidnapped in Egypt? Chapter 955: A Brave Attempt Chapter 955: A Brave Attempt Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Impossible! She should have been preparing for her new album." "Actually, she went to Egypt to shoot for her new album. She was kidnapped there, but she escaped." "Wow! Thats legendary! I have a question, though. Every time we travel abroad, a big group of people follows us. She went there to shoot for MTV, not to explore the pyramids." "People say that her tour guide..." "Wait a second!" Cong Nianwei was not there, so Qin Guans IQ would have to do. He hung up and made another call. In his opinion, this had to be fake news. He called He Ming, who was his informant. He Ming had been born into a family of diplomats, so he had good connections in that circle and was a good source for international news and secrets between nations. He Ming epted the task and called his friend, who was working at the Egyptian Embassy. He Ming was right. The officials stationed in foreign countries always kept an eye on any news rted to their countries, for fear that their national image would be affected by something. Thus, the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt had attached great importance to Suns case as soon as the Taiwanese media had made it public. In an effort to restore the truth and guarantee the safety of tourists, the embassy had sent two officers to get all the details. His friend was happy to tell him everything. "So, thats what happened. Why are you so interested in this matter? I thought you never paid attention to entertainment circle gossip. Do you like that girl?" "Oh, rubbish! Qin Guan asked me for information." "Qin Guan? The famous Qin Guan? Brother He! You have to introduce him to me! Im a fan of his!" "No problem!" "Thank you so much! Tell Brother Qin about this as soon as possible. See you!" Qin Guan was scared by this brave attempt. "What? The news were fabricated?" "Yes. Sun had signed a contract about some specific scenic spots for her music video. The guide was sent by the tourism administration, which was afraid that the crew would cause unnecessary damage to the antiques." "Nowadays, Chinese people do not take trips to Europe anymore. They go to Egypt instead, because of its abundant history and culture. These kind of news always trouble domestic travelling agencies." "Sun went to Egypt through an official channel, so the Chinese embassy and Egyptian officials found the so-called criminal. He was only a tour guide. He was guiding another group, when our people found him." This must have been very dramatic. The kind guide had just been guiding a group, and people had fabricated lies about him... "So, this was nothing but fabricated news?" Qin Guan was speechless. He was shocked by the brave attempt of the Taiwanese. Chapter 956: Early Retirement Chapter 956: Early Retirement Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia It was reasonable for artists to make headlines before releasing a new album. They had to do so with true news though, instead of fabricated ones. If this had happened on the Chinese maind, Sun would have been punished for disturbing public order and been forced out of the industry. "Thanks, He Ming. Ill treat you to dinner back at home. Dont stay in New York. Come back to China when you have spare time." "I will." When Qin Guan called Jay Chou and told him the truth, Jay fell silent for a while. He knew immediately who had leaked the news. Chen Zeshan, EMIs director, was a brave, smart guy. He had started his career as aposer and climbed up to his current position by using his own strength. He was a great example of a talented man who had risen from the bottom of the hierarchy. While he had been working at EMI, he had discovered Jolin Tsai, Stefanie Sun, A-Mei and Show Luo. In two years, EMI had taken the lead in the music circle, beating Rolling Stone, Global and The Millennium in the process. The man was brave enough to divert the publics attention and steal the spotlight in shameless ways. Suns new album would be very popr after that incident. That brave man was the rulemaker of the Taiwanese music scene. Jay was his equal, though. That was why his interview had been promoted by the media. If he had been a nobody, people would never have heard about it. A group of singers with the same interests followed his advice, as his brave proposals had made them popr and earned them bigger profits. What could Jay Chou do? "Leave this to me. In a few days, the Chinese media will release an announcement from the embassy tofort tourists. As you know, the tourism industry contributes greatly to government taxation. This exploration of a new route has cost businessmen a lot. They wont sit and watch as their businesses are ruined by fabricated news. The Chinese agencies and the Egyptian government will do something about this." Chou hung up in relief. As expected, the news started getting published the next day. All web portals and TV stations were talking about the fake news concerning Sun. Taiwan also heard the shocking news. The paparazzi went crazy! Are you an idiot? This is not ancient times, when liars got away with everything. This is the Information Age, so such actions are reckless and unwise. Sun hade across an unprecedented risk. Singers without integrity were abandoned by their fans. Her album would be useless now. Chen had not expected this. To his surprise, there were people in the world that were treating these news as seriously as the end of the world. Qin Guan sneezed again. A lot of people had been missing himtely. Despite Chous expectations, as soon as the news were leaked, EMI fired Chen due to his poor performance. It was not Jay Chou who had destroyed his career, but Sun, the singer he had tried his best to promote. Sun seemed reluctant and aggrieved when she faced the cameras. People could tell that she had been forced to do so. She even stuttered a little. "This was a promotion strategy of thepany..." "Manager Chen told me..." "He just wanted to divert the attention of the media." "No, you must have misunderstood. Im not resentful..." She could have won an acting award. EMI was under great pressure from all directions, including the Chinese maind and Egypt. Everyone knew that they would have to sacrifice some things to save thepany. Thus, Chens dismissal was not a surprise. It was actually a crucial decision that had to be taken fast. Chen, who had been betrayed both by Sun and EMI, faced the consequences and left the music circle in defeat. Soon, he would be forgotten by everyone. Chapter 957: Plotting Chapter 957: Plotting Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan greeted all the guests at the promotional event for "Lust, Caution" in Venice. He was wearing a formal outfit designed and tailored personally by GIN, the winner of the fourth season of "Project Runway". The lucky winner had gone to Venice as Qin Guans temporary fashion advisor. He was also given the chance to learn from Armanis designers. This was every designers dream. Plus, the event would be covered by every fashion magazine in New York. Although it would probably be published in a small corner, this was a rare chance greenhands only got once in a blue moon. NBC had also sent reporters to Venice to boast about the news. They would shoot a short video of Qin Guan at the Venice Film Festival for promotional purposes. As soon as the New York Fashion Week ended, NBC would broadcast the program and promote it aggressively. "This is the secret guest of the fourth season." "The New York Fashion Week is a feast for supermodels." "The private fashion party gathered a selection of the most amazing designers." "Lets all worship Qin Quan and Tim!" Qin Guan and Tim stood shoulder to shoulder and told the camera together, "We are ready for the fourth season. What about you?" Most American viewers would watch that silly clip when they turned on their TVs. They all loved funny and dramatic promotional videos. Even the upper-ss citizens living on the Upper East Side, who only watched the financial news and current affairs, stopped flipping through channels. More and more people fell in love with the show thanks to its tight schedule, Qin Guans brilliant presence and Tims fame. It was not a hasty project. They had even hired an award-winning actor. When the news about Qin Guans participation in "Project Runway" was released, his fans in China were annoyed. "Great! We can watch the show in Hong Kong." "Some Japanese TV stations have bought the broadcasting rights." "So did some South Korean ones. The show might be broadcast a littleter, though." The Chinese, who did not like to watch other people celebrate, came up with all kinds of strange ideas. "If I install a better antenna, will I be able to receive signal from other countries?" "I dont think that would work." "We could share our resources online. American people like to record some ssic shows on tape." "Yes, we could ask someone to send the episodes through the inte." "I speak English well. I could create subtitles for everyone..." "Isnt that illegal?" "No idea, but we definitely wont make profit from it." The topic was changed automatically to Venice to push away all evil thoughts. When Venice was mentioned, most people thought of boats and bridges. However, Qin Guans fans had a different reaction. Chapter 958: The Country With The Most Handsome Guys Chapter 958: The Country With The Most Handsome Guys Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Venice was not a weing city. It was the least popr major European film festival that hadnt nominated Qin Guan for an award. It was like a shy maid in a mask who dared not reveal her face. However, that ceremony was different from the previous ones. Qin Guan had been shortlisted for the Best Supporting Actor Award. Plus, he was also one of the nominees for the Best Actor Award with his role in "Lust, Caution". The organizers also attached great importance to his presence there. Thanks to his status, they had generously granted him an independent position on the red carpet. As everyone knew, stars could show up with the directors or other members of the crew at international film festivals. This was the best chance for everyone to show off. Sometimes, the organizers arranged for all the members of a film to walk on the carpet as a group, with a few steps between them to facilitate the hosts interviews and the reporters questions. However, most people would rush or stall so they could stand out and create the illusion of being the sole person on the carpet. This way, the studio and the invited reporters could collect better material. The reporters were not qualified to walk on the carpet. The only ones who could were the members of the judgemittee and international superstars. Being a superstar meant that more than half of the international reporters recognized ones face. Thus, the organizers of the Venice Festival thought that Qin Guan qualified. Plus, he was exactly what the festival needed. The Venice Film Festival was an indie festival, so it was inferior to Cannes in terms ofmerce and to Berlin in terms of politics. The proud festival, which had started in 1932, had the longest history out of the three. It sure couldnt sacrifice its status in favor of money or politics. Venice focused on art. Because of the festivals purity though, the other two festivals were much more influential and popr than it was, which made things very awkward. The sustainable development of an international film festivaly in the quality of its films and its global influence. Venice had reached a dead end by over-emphasizing on art and filmmakers from around the world. Novelty films and unique skills were encouraged. Although they had some ws, creative projects were very wee in Venice. The organizers advocated that films should be strictly dedicated to art. Such a film festival couldnt attract the attention of the new generation or find its ce in modern life. Thus, the organizers had gradually made things worse. The selected films were mostly projects of unknown directors. Talented people were rare in the world. Not all independent filmmakers were real geniuses. It was during this awkward phase that Qin Guan woulde and bring world-wide attention and audience ratings. The organizingmittee could foresee that this would be the ceremony with the highest ratings. A few days before the ceremony, reporters from around the world had already filled most of the local hotels. Fans were also pouring into the city, embarrassing the locals, who couldnt amodate them. The principal of the festival was very annoyed. It had been his choice to arrange for Qin Guan to walk alone on the red carpet. However, now he was pondering the issue of security. Soon, he got a message from a man named Salvador, who had negotiated with the Italian police and solved the problem. The police had made an internal selection and picked a group of handsome men who would attend the festival to show Italys good image. Italians were blessed, in a sense. The rate of handsome guys in Italy was two to one. Chapter 959: The Venice Film Festival Chapter 959: The Venice Film Festival Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan let down his guard as soon as he got out of the car at the grand venue. This had to be the most crowded film festival he had ever participated in. Not one of the most crowded, but the most crowded. As the permanent venue of the festival, the Lido Film Pce was considered the holy hand of indie films. It had actually been especially designed to meet the demands of the festival. Even under normal circumstances, the red carpet and the golden lion standing at the center of the square were dazzling under the scorching sunshine of Italy. Everything there was about indie films. The old ck-and-white photos and posters made everyone feel nostalgic. Although the adjacent Westin Hotel was not the most luxurious hotel in Venice, tourists liked to stay there during their trip. That holynd was as crowded as the temple fair during the Spring Festival in China. After the ceremony, one could find hundreds of shoes there. As Qin Guan got out of the car, he tried to look calm. When he waved at everyone, he heard screams in response. Cameras and cell phones were sparkling around him as people shouted and screamed from all directions. This was Qin Guans most confusing experience at a red carpet event. People watched him as he walked at a steady pace with a gentle smile on his face. He greeted everyone without exception. Actually, anyone who was close to him would be able to see that he was detached. He was only relying on his instincts. Qin Guan ignored the shes and screams and tried his best to walk to the end of the carpet. The handsome policemen couldnt do anything to help him. They were trapped in the crowd, so they were unable to protect anyone or even fend for themselves. Fortunately, Qin Guan walked the entire length of the carpet sessfully and entered the hall. Most of the seats were already upied. Ang Lee and Jiang Wen were sitting next to each other and talking about something happily. This was a typical seating arrangement at the Venice Festival. Directors with close rtionships would be seated close to each other to facilitate negotiations. Qin Guans seat was between the two crews, arranged deliberately this way by the organizers. There was nothing unique about the Venice Film Festival. The awards, which were fewer than at the other two festivals, included the Golden Lion, the Silver Lion, the Best Actor Award, the Best Actress Award, the Special Award and the Golden Oses. Despite their small number, their value was shockingly high in the indie film circle. Thus, the audience was stupefied when the host announced the nominees for the Best Actor Award. "ording to the tradition of the Venice Film Festival, if an actor applies for the Best Actor Award with two already shortlisted films, only one of them will be selected for the final round. You must know who the lucky guy is. Yes, its Qin Guan from China! Two of his films were selected for the next round. I have to express my apology to Director Jiang Wen, though. After thorough deliberation, the judges decided that Qin Guan willpete with the film Lust, Caution." You dont need to apologize. Im not on the list of nominees for the Best Actor Award. Chapter 960: Grand Slam Chapter 960: Grand m Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Actually, in Jiang Wens opinion, Qin Guans role in the film was only a supporting one. However, there was no Best Supporting Actor Award at the Venice Film Festival, so the judges had reached the conclusion that Qin Guan would be considered the main character of the film. When the final moment came, even Qin Guan listened to the hosts words nervously. If an actor had two films selected for the final round, but still missed the opportunity to win, it would be a big embarrassment for them. People were looking at Qin Guan enviously. They believed that he had to be the winner. Otherwise, the host would not have rified that. Brad Pitt, who was sitting nearby, looked offended. His career was flying and he had married Angelina Jolie and gotten rid of his ex-wifes influence. Thanks to his rising value, the American actor had be one of the best actors in Hollywood. His film "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" was on the final list of nominees. It was an outstanding film way out of Qin Guans league that told a story about cowboys. If Qin Guan had been cast, he would only have been able to y a Chinesebor worker. Pitt still held a grudge because of his fight with Qin Guan in the lounge. Although he was a brave, unrestrained man, he always felt uneasy around the Chinese man. Actually, everyone had misunderstood the hosts words. The first person to find out the winners name would be the special guest that would open the envelope. The special guest announced the winner calmly. "The winner of the Best Actor Award is Qin Guan with his film Lust, Caution. Thanks to his fine depiction of the character and unique acting style, he has presented us with an outstanding historical Asian film! Lets apud for our winner, Qin Guan." The audience did as it was told. Qin Guan stood up and walked to the stage. In the short distance that he had to cross, people stood up to greet him as he passed, showing their respect for the award winner. Qin Guan took the statue of the lion with the spread wings and bowed. "I would like to thank the judges. I finally achieved a grand m. Of course, this is not my award for not being single anymore." Everyone who was in the know smiled and nodded. Yes, the young man had already achieved his goal. The award hade just in time to be a gift for his wedding ceremony. "Now, I have a new dream. I will keep working until I achieve another grand m. My new goal is to win awards at the five biggest international film festivals..." Qin Guan finished his speech quickly and surrendered the floor to the host. Then, the crucial moment came. Ang Lee and Jiang Wen parted immediately, straightened their clothes and sat up properly. "The winner of the Golden Lion is Lust, Caution!" Qin Guan, who was sitting between the two men, felt ice on his left and mes on his right. Both directors remained calm, but Qin Guan could feel the difference in temperature between them. This was already Ang Lees second Golden Lion. No director could be more grateful. Each award was a milestone in his career that indicated his value and professionalism. What made a director famous? Awards, of course! That was why Chinese directors went for unpopr indie films. To win awards! Even if one won just one international award, they wouldnt need to umte any experience in the circle anymore. They would be famous overnight. Chapter 961: Cheers! Good Boys! Chapter 961: Cheers! Good Boys! Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia All the directors of the sixth generation shared the same ideas. They worked both for their dreams and fame. Even though the SARFT set strict prohibitions, directors bet all they had on independent films, thus expressing their enthusiasm for underground movies. Ang Lee won the Golden Lion again, which showed the judges love for Chinese directors. The awards, which focused on artistic films, would keep weing Chinese films in the future. Qin Guan had a bright future ahead of him. However, this Grand m made him turn over in his bed, unable to fall asleep. He eventually picked up the phone. The phone happened to ring at exactly that moment. ording to the caller ID, it was a call from Cong Nianwei, the person who understood him the best in the world. "Hello, darling. Why are you calling me thiste?" "I knew that you wouldnt be able to fall asleep. If I didnt call you, youd just call meter." "You know me so well. Did you hear that I won another acting award?" "Yes, I watched the live broadcast. I heard your speech." "I was just trying to be funny. Dont think too much about it. Have I kept my promise?" "If you mean your promise to put the biggest awards in the world on that shelf, then yes." "Really? Does this mean that we can have a grand wedding ceremony now?" "Grand?" "What do you think of the ceremony the Prince of the UK threw?" "Thats funny, but the media will criticize you for it." Qin Guan almost choked. He was left speechless. These days, rich people have to be careful with their behavior. This is money I earned through hard personal work. I should have the right to spend it however I please. The publics hate for the rich is a serious issue in China. People couldnt find real happiness by increasing their ie after all. A contented mind was a perpetual feast. Qin Guan hung up feeling resentful. Cong Nianwei refused to consider having a wedding ceremony before the Olympic stadium was finished. Thus, Qin Guan had enough time to build their home. Maybe I should earn some money for our wedding ceremony first. His work overseas hade to an end, so Qin Guan decided to take advantage of the events in Venice and return to China. Meanwhile, he called the director of "Cheers! Good Boys! 2007" and spoke to him on the phone about a program on Dragon Television. Qin Guan was just in time for thest seat on the judge panel. The auditions, which hadsted four months, had finallye to an end. All the talented individuals would gather in Shanghai for the final. After some general training, they would fight for a ce among the top 10. This award was the most valuable one in China. It even beat "Super Boy" when it came to audience ratings. Dragon and Hunan, who were big rivals, scheduled the two programs in simr time slots in an effort to capture the attention of the younger audience. Girls around the nation were divided in two camps that supported different idols from the two TV shows. Dragon Television, which was smart and bold, took a final chance on the talent show in 2007. The SARFT would issue regtions and adjustments to guide the young viewers opinionter. In 2008, Chinese talent shows would be more sensible. As a result, in an era when everyone needed an idol, this particr show enjoyed wonderful audience ratings. When the producers saw Qin Guan, they went mad with joy. They knew that he was the God of Fortune. The boss of J Clothing had also weeded out all thepetitors and be the final sponsor of the show. The man was confident about the show because of Qin Guan, who had told him that he would be participating as a guest judge. The two of them were long-term partners, so the boss made a decision without hesitation. Chapter 962: The Chinese Television and Acting Association Chapter 962: The Chinese Television and Acting Association Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The directors face was stiff as he finished his negotiation with Qin Guan. Then, Sister Xue pulled Qin Guan away to fill in a form. It was an application for the Chinese Television and Acting Association. In the past, actors had been employed by the government. These days though, they all followed the international standards and worked as frencers. Thus, regting their behavior, rifying their direction when it came to work and life, and setting goals for the media had be the governments job. Due to theck of standards, some actors who became famous overnight had a very negative influence on the public. They engaged in fights, drove under the influence, took drugs and generally embarrassed the entertainment circle. The association, which had been an initiative of actors from the Chinese maind, had been founded in coboration with other influential Chinese actors living abroad. It was actually an independent society approved by the government and the SARFT. As a famous actor, Qin Guan had to support the association at its new beginning. When he filled in the paperwork, Qin Guan was informed about the general guidelines of the association. The guidelines seemed like an official document, which made him feel suspicious. This seemingly spontaneous society was actually a national association of actors controlled by the government. All its members had to be careful what they said and did in public. The admission criteria and fees confirmed Qin Guans suspicions. People like him, who had won awards both domestically and internationally, could be members directly without paying any fees, but even ordinary actors only had to pay 10-20 yuan annually. Such a fee was not enough to pay for a tea party, let alone a grand g. Is there perhaps a selfless sponsor involved? God knows! Before he coulde back to his senses, Sister Xue handed Qin Guan two certificates. "What are these?" "Your professional qualification certificates." "What the f*ck..." The two red certificates were his Acting Certification and his Membership Card. The second one was easy to understand, but the first one... Qin Guan had never taken any acting exams. "Its a reward. The chairman of the association said that you can get it without taking an exam. It would be ridiculous for you to sit such an exam. Its a reward. Understand?" He was getting the special treatment for winning every acting award in existence. I should express my appreciation to the organization and the directors. "Who is the chairman this year?" "Tang Guoqiang." Hes not an acquaintance of mine. Ill do thister. Qin Guan had no idea that he would meet those nationally-exclusive actorster. As soon as he arrived in Shanghai, he received a document from the association. They were notifying him about the importance of the right direction of TV and entertainment news, as well as the severe punishment of spreading fake news. Qin Guan was confused by the notice, but the staff of "Cheers! Good Boys!" exined everything to him. "You must ignore the media, sir. There have been a lot of fabricated newstely. Reporters are very inventive when ites to making up news about social affairs. Fake news have been published in magazines and newspapers. Some were even broadcast on TV. They have been causing chaos everywhere. This is a very big deal." What was going on? Qin Guan was curious. Wang let out a long sigh. "Forget it. Just finish your job first. As soon as you are done, Ill send you all the rtive material at the hotel." "Okay. Just dont forget." Chapter 963: The Final Chapter 963: The Final Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Lin Chi-Ling had been hired as the female brand ambassador of J Clothing. In an effort to challenge the Hunan Station, the Dragon Station had changed the shows airtime and tried its best to improve the program all around. They had also invited some famous stars, including Fan Pingping and Annie Yi, for publicity reasons. They were both talking with Lin happily. Huang Xiaoming, who had also been invited, was sitting with his fans. By that time, he had already be known as the most handsome guy in the world. Wherever he was and whatever he did, the expression on his face was always confident. Unfortunately, Qin Guan arrived right at that moment. Although he was the same age as Fan Pingping and Huang Xiaoming, he took the lead. The way he walked to his seat wordlessly spoke volumes about his status. Dragon Television had set strict criteria for the audience on site. Only loyal fans with fan club certificates could get an invitation. They had to keep thepetition smooth by helping the staff maintain the order. Thus, when the judges and guests started to arrive, the fans controlled themselves and tried not to get over-excited. However, Qin Guans arrival broke the silence. The girls screamed out in an effort to express their love and waved LED boards in the direction of Qin Guans seat. The other stars felt a little embarrassed. They had only heard a couple of ps when they had entered the site. The response of the fans was the final acknowledgement of a stars value. Huang Xiaoming couldnt stay in his seat. Although they were the same age, he stood up, walked over to Qin Guan and stretched out his right hand. "How are you, Brother Qin? Im Huang Xiaoming. Ive heard a lot about you from Director Zhang Jizhong." "How are you?" Qin Guan shook his hand. "You are really polite. I thought you were older than me." Fan Pingping approached them. She came from the same town as Huang. "I can confirm his words. Qin Guan is the same age as me. We were all born in 1980." Her words made Huang feel awkward. Qin Guan changed the topic. "So you are the protagonist in Director Zhangs film? Its a good film." "Yes, it is. I would like to thank you. I only got the role because you were abroad at the time. I also want to thank you for not leaking the news. I wouldnt have epted the role otherwise." "Why?" Because I didnt want the audience topare me with you! They talked happily until the final eventually began and everyone had to return to their own seat. Qin Guan was sitting in the middle of the judge panel, so that the cameramens job was easier. People were never treated equally. When the music started ying, everyone began to anticipate the start of the exciting final. "All the contestants of the final round will show up now," Fan Pingping whispered to Qin Guan. She had studied them all carefully. Qin Guan shot a meaningful look at her. Fan flushed. "I had to get to know the next generation." Qin Guan turned his eyes to the stage. As Fan had said, the 10 contestants had gotten on the stage. Qin Guan found their outfits terrible. He had worked in the fashion circle, so he was a pretty picky guy. Chapter 964: The Meaning Of A TV Show Chapter 964: The Meaning Of A TV Show Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia All of them had thick bangs. There was no exception. Most of them were wearing white clothes covered in silver paillettes. If one ignored their weak chests, the boys actually had nice features. It was a pity that theycked good taste. The style of the Paris Fashion Week had been deeply engraved in Qin Guans mind. When he saw the protagonists of the show, who were the top three contestants around the world, Qin Guan thought the organizers were very smart. They had dressed the other seven boys in ugly clothes to make the top three stand out. Their ck fitting suits made them look handsome and gave them a better chance of getting a close-up, thus creating the illusion that they were the most outstanding among the top 10. As the grand vocal cycle ended, a video was projected on the screen. Fans from China and around the world expressed their best wishes for the show. As they watched fans from America speak, Fan whispered to Qin Guan, "Is the show that popr in America?" "No idea. I was too busy working to pay attention to it." I shouldnt have pulled the rug from under their feet. When the video ended, the host began to introduce the judges to the audience. The program had put a lot of effort into inviting guests that represented the younger generation of the film and TV circle. The host read the familiar names out loud one by one. "I think everyone knows this guy. He is one of the most handsome men in China. Who is he?" "Huang Xiaoming!" the audience shouted. Huang stood up, feeling a little embarrassed. "Im ttered, but I do not deserve this title. Qin Guan is sitting right next to me!" Lao Liang, who was the host, had proven himself to be the pir of Dragon Television. "Dont worry," he answered smartly. "Ill introduce him as one of the most handsome men in the worldter." "Ha ha!" The judges and the audience burst intoughter. Fans started waving glow sticks from the back row. They were all caught off guard by Qin Guans participation. Back in April, the judges list for the final had habitually started appearing in the media every day, creating some kind of trend. At the time, Qin Guan had not been on the list, as he had been abroad. The organizers had not been hoping that he would return, so they had been just as surprised as the fans. In the end, they had decided to keep the news a secret until the live broadcast. All the fans left go of their differences and united. They used glow sticks and LEDs to form Qin Guans name. This was their way of expressing their love for him. All the contestants, including Jing Boran, Ren Qiaoliang and Li Yifeng, were ignored. Who would be interested in them when Qin Guan was there? The atmosphere became awkward, but the host remained calm and the director was confident. What was the goal of the program? No one cared about discovering new talent for the entertainment circle, finding lovely boys for girls to fall in love with, or realizing the dreams of ordinary people. Their goal was to get high audience ratings, find sponsors, influence the audience and sell the copyrights of the show. This was the objective of the program. Suddenly, the audience ratings rose dramatically, surpassing those of Hunan Television. It was not a slow process, but a quick esction. Chapter 965: Youth Chapter 965: Youth Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Wow! Qin Guan has joined the show!" "I can see him! This is our first close encounter!" "The screen is too short for me!" "Hes not wearing any makeup! He is so brave!" "Hes outshining every other star around him!" As more and more people joined the discussion on the shows online forum, more and more people heard the news and turned on their TVs. "Its true! I thought it was fake news!" "If God gave me a second chance, I wouldnt give the invitation to my friend this time!" "Regret is useless. We should just enjoy the moment." "Yes!" "Exactly!" Everyone fell silent. If the contestants were aware of the situation, they would have burst into tears. We have be mere extras in our own show! Everyone on site knew that if any experienced award-winning actors were there, they would also have been lost in the background. As Lao Liang finished his interview with Huang Xiaoming, the cameramen fixed their cameras on Qin Guan. In an effort to create more topics of conversation, Lao Liang began to encourage the audiences enthusiasm. "Now, lets get to the next judge. Who is he?" "Qin Guan! The most handsome guy in the world!" everyone shouted together before they started screaming. "As the host, I would like to ask him a question. Qin Guan, if you were 10 years younger, would you participate in our program as a contestant?" Of course not. 10 years ago, Qin Guan had still been a loser. He was getting paid for this though, so he couldnt tell the truth. Qin Guans smile was like a lightning among dark clouds. "Guess." This was the most annoying answer in the world. People who answered like this should get beaten. Of course, Lao Liang dared not beat Qin Guan. He just had to make up for his bad answer. "Qin Guan is the most popr actor in China, so he wouldnt have needed our show to seed." "Yes!" "He is right!" Lao Liang didnt know how to continue. Fortunately, Qin Guan was a considerate man. "No, you are wrong. My fans know how many years Ive spent working towards these achievements." "Seven years!" "Just like Huang said, the young men on this stage have only spent three months! In the past, actors had to work a longer time to impress the audience. These are golden times for actors. All they have to do is show their talent." "You should appreciate the tform Dragon Television is providing you with. If you make enough effort, you will be in my ce someday, witnessing other people rise to fame." Yes, it was easier for actors to get famous now. The young boys on the stage already had their own fan clubs. When they grew up, their fans would be the pirs of society and their best customers. This was a rare chance, but young people were precious. Qin Guans short interview ended. The other guests were not from the acting circle. They all came from filmpanies like Huayi. Wang Zhonglei had be the official representative of Huayi. Qin Guans rmendation had helped him join the live broadcast. In the past, it might have taken one 10 years to be a superstar, but nowadays, four years were enough for an entire new generation to be famous. Chapter 966: The Winners Outfit Chapter 966: The Winners Outfit Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Fans forgot easily. They were always fickle with their affection. That was why the most crucial task of a filmpany was to understand the pulse of the market and keep up with the times and thepetition. Those greenhands currently had a low value, so they were deeply grateful for this chance. They knew that this talent show was nothing but a beginning. Even if they won, they would still have topete with other young actors. Job opportunities were better than money. That was why Dragon Television had given a seat to Wang Zhonglei from Huayi. In exchange, Huayi had promised to sign a contract with a couple of actors. The boys on the stage were nervous. They tried their best to show Wang their talent in order to join the biggest filmpany in China. The boys were right. Qin Guan and Wang Zhonglei had already ticked some names. They didnt pay any attention to the votes of the viewers at home. All insiders knew that text-message voting was unreliable after all. Judging by the programs poprity and the support of the agency, the winner had already been decided internally. Jing Boran, who looked like he was Korean, was a cute boy that was popr among the audience. After the talent show, he would be promoted and turned into a steady source of money. The boys at the second and third ce didnt impress Qin Guan or Wang, but Li Yifeng, who was at the fourth ce, was a handsome guy. If he had a small stic surgery on his face, he would definitely be a prince charming 10 yearster. Why 10 years? Because Qin Guan had no ns to retire anytime soon. All those boys could do was pray that he would age sooner. The next performances entertained Qin Guan. The boss of J Clothing had gone out of control again. He had designed a full outfit for the winner, including a cloak, a shoulder sash, a pair of boots and a helmet. The outfit looked like the costume of an ancient Mongolian general. When it was revealed to the audience, Qin Guan almost burst intoughter. He wanted to increase J Clothings poprity in China. Lao Liang was calm as he put on the cloak. "This is the outfit of our winner! Its a gift sponsored by J Clothing." If I was one of those three, I would lose thepetition to avoid wearing that thing. It was a long battle thatsted more than two hours. Suddenly, Qin Guan realized why they had hired him at such a high cost. He had suffered a great loss. He was a sessful businessman who could earn thousands of dors per minute. This was a waste of his time. As he watched the other annoyed stars, Qin Guan calmed down. The show was finallying to an end. When they awarded the winner, his job would be finished. "Lets wee Mr. Qin Guan, our guest judge who will award our winner!" "Qin Guan!" Hey! The audience had to hail the winner, not Qin Guan. However, no one objected, including the winner. Jing Boran was still in that ridiculous outfit as he took the award from Qin Guans hands excitedly. Chapter 967: Be Careful Around Qin Guan Chapter 967: Be Careful Around Qin Guan Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Everyone shouted in unison. "We want to see Qin Guan wear it!" Are you kidding? "Qin Guan! Qin Guan!" Even Huang Xiaoming and Fan Pingping kicked up a fuss. "We want to see his mor, too. This is a robe of honor!" "Besides, it was designed by J Clothing. You are the brands ambassador..." Lin Zhiling added. Everyone on site fixed their eyes on Qin Guan eagerly. He couldnt do anything but stretch his hand out to Jing Boran. "Just give me the hat and the cloak." "No problem." The owner of the costume changed fast. Although he was wearing suit pants and leather shoes, Qin Guan looked like a real general in armor. Now everyone could see the difference between those young actors and Qin Guan. It was like the difference between an ugly duckling and a white swan. There was only one Qin Guan in the world! The camera was fixed on Qin Guans mighty look. The fans before their TVs burst into tears. This was worth the wait. They all turned on theirputers to share their delight with their friends. "Letsment on Qin Guans first appearance on a talent show." "Im pleased to hear that Qin Guan was invited to be a guest judge on the show. This was his first participation in a TV program, but it was really satisfying for his fans, who have been eager to see their idol live and hear thetest news." "As a loyal fan of Qin Guans, I can say that his looks and figure are both natural. His films, photos and TV shows have not been subject to excessive editing or photoshop." "Based on this live broadcast, I can conclude that it was a wise decision for Qin Guan to rarely participate in live TV shows. He is too busy with his work and he does not need the money. Actually, ording to my analysis, he only participated out of kindness. Dont be surprised. Ill show you evidence." The writer posted a photo, in which Qin Guan was sitting next to Huang Xiaoming. "Look at their feet. Their heads are almost at the same level, but Qin Guans legs are longer than Huangs by a full 10 centimeters! What does this mean?" "That Huang has short legs?" "It means that somebody is faking his height! Lets look at them closer." "The 10 young men on the stage will be analyzedter. Lets just talk about the two guys sitting together, who are the same age. While Qin Guan was absent from the Chinese maind, the actor we promoted the most was Huang. He could be considered a male copy of Fang Pingping." "What happens when the most handsome guy in China encounters the most handsome guy in the world? If I was Huang, I would calm down and try to improve my acting skills. Then, I would select a film for a good actor, instead of a handsome one. It would be a shame for anyone to meet Qin Guan without an advantage." "After this live broadcast, all Chinese acting agents will turn down any invitation for their actors to show up anywhere with Qin Guan. If somebody wants to gain poprity, they should be careful around Qin Guan." The truth was really funny! Some fans agreed, while others did not. The topics about Qin Guan started increasing online. Even foreign fans got involved in the conversation. Although Qin Guans job was over, he did not leave. In order to avoid the crazy fans, all the judges waited backstage until the audience left. They took advantage of this chance tomunicate with each other and expand their social circle. Chapter 968: The News Disaster Chapter 968: The News Disaster Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Among all the judges, Annie Shizuka Inou was the only one that Qin Guan had nevermunicated with. Harlem Yu was Qin Guans good friend, so he didnt want to have too much contact with this woman. As an insider, one had to rify who was their friend and stand on their side through gossip and other events. This was the best way to maintain a friendship. Meanwhile, Director Zhang Yuan wanted to have a private word with Qin Guan. This was too much trouble for Qin Guan though, so he kindly passed this chance on to Huang and Fan. Actually, Qin Guan had good connections with many directors, so he knew a lot of secrets. Virtue was a crucial criteria for Qin Guan when he made friends or selected a partner. Zhang Yuan was exactly the kind of person Qin Guan would never get along with. He turned to Wang Zhonglei to discuss a way to invite Li Yifeng to Huayi. As they walked to the parking lot, Wang suddenly told Qin Guan, "Will youe to thepany tomorrow? We have been made an offer, but we couldnt make a decision." "A decision about what?" "The government wants us to produce a TV series about the army and the Anti-Japanese War." "What? I thought this was the job of the August First Film Studio." "Its just a script about army life. Its different from traditional military stories though, so it must be approved by the military and produced by someone who does notck capital. They know that you are interested in supporting good scripts, so they sent it to us." "Okay. See you in the office tomorrow afternoon. We can also discuss next years overall investment n." "Okay, see you." Qin Guan was a busy man, so when he flew somewhere he had some precious time to find a way to entertain himself. On the way back to Beijing, he keptughing at the warning letter published on every media by the SARFT. At the time, ordinary people tended to believe newspapers and TV stations. They epted information without questioning it, which made Qin Guan worry about their IQ. Due to the difficulty ofmunication, news about foreign countries were the easiest to twist. One had to use their own judgement when reading news regarding ordinary life. If Chinese peoplecked the ability to think independently, they would be in danger. The news Qin Guan was reading was a good example. "Buns made out of paper boxes were found in the capital..." The capital TV station reported that some unscrupulous traders in the Chaoyang District had used waste paper as filling for buns. Plenty of citizens had believed the news, so the buns could not be sold for a long time. Qin Guan burst intoughter. This was actually fabricated news. The editor of the program had found somebor workers and filmed a fake live show. This was the most serious case of fabricated news so far. The culprit had been sentenced to one year in prison and paid a fine of 1,000 yuan. More and more fake news like this were uncovered in 2007. The worst publication was "Zhiyin" magazine, which was filled with fabricated news about vicious stepmothers abusing their husbands daughters, mothers adopting 176 soldiers, and other outrageous stories. By publishing such crazy stories, the magazine just aimed to boost its sales through its thrilling titles. It had never taken into ount the validity of the published news. There was no specific department that supervised the news reported by the media, so the government didnt know what to do about this. After a long discussion, the Ministry of Culture sessfully shifted all responsibility to the SARFT. This had been the origin behind the letter. One had to take care of themselves during a disaster. Qin Guan burst into tears when he read the news that Sammo Hung had died once again. Soon, he reached his apartment. After he rested for a day, he would go to Huayi for the meeting. Chapter 969: The General Stockholder Meeting Chapter 969: The General Stockholder Meeting Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The next morning, Qin Guan reached the offices of Huayi 15 minutes early. He hadnt expected that he would be only one of many early birds. When he got there, over half of the seats were already taken. Everyone straightened their clothes and sat up properly, as if this was an extraordinary assembly that would determine the fate of the Earth. As soon as Qin Guan entered, everyone fixed their eyes on him. The Wang Brothers were absent, so as the third major stockholder of Huayi, Qin Guan was the most important person in the meeting room. Plus, he was also an award-winning actor, a celebrity and a young entrepreneur. Everyone was serious about the meeting. Qin Guan took a seat. Some department directors stood up to greet him, as he rarely ever showed up at thepany. Although Qin Guan never got involved in everyday work, he had the ability to fire them all. It was funny to see a group of middle-aged men line up to shake hands with a young man. Qin Guan had to stand up and talk to them one by one. Actually, Im not interested in the operations of thepany. You are all safe. Im not a mighty CEO who would fire a manager or an assistant... Qin Guan kept a gentle smile on his face until the veryst minute. The directors thought very highly of him. "Its rare to see such a young and humble stockholder." "Yes, some people pretend to be easy-going, but they are actually really proud behind closed doors..." Actually, they didnt know Qin Guan well. They just judged him based on his looks and what they read in the media. Easy-going? They should have seen him squatting on the ground to eat watermelon in the summer. The young men returned to their seats and began to talk, holding their hands in delight. "Ha! I shook hands with QIn Guan!" "For how long?" "Five seconds! I counted on my mind!" "Thats nothing. I talked to him!" "What did you say?" "I told him I was a loyal fan of his..." "I wont be washing my hand today..." The meeting was about to begin, when the Wang Brothers arrived. At first, all the departments reported the progress of their work. This was amon start for a shareholders meeting. When the main part ended, they talked about their investment n and fund allocation. Everyone took out their weapons. Some managers even rolled up their sleeves. When profit and resources were on the line, even friends turned into enemies. As the discussion got more and more heated, Qin Guan scooched closer to Wang, who was sitting nearby. "Shall we take care of the problem with the Ministry of Culture first? You are really vicious. Do you like to watch them fight? You could stop the fight with just one word." Wang shook his head at Qin Guan. "This is different from your ounting firm. We cant make a precise n. There are too many changes in the entertainment circle and too many trends to follow. Well decide on the basic capital allocation today. Thats the only certain source of capital for everyone. Its their livelihood." "We have too many people on site, so everyone has to pay attention and be polite. If this was an exclusive meeting, they would have really sprung to action." You sure sound happy... "You have a point, though. We shouldnt dy everyone." The Wang Brothers nodded and put an end to the argument. "I think everyone has a general idea of the investment focus of our programs in 2008. Have you read all the scripts? Well focus on Director Feng Xiaogangs romanticedy If You Are The One. Are there anyments?" "I agree!" "Fine by me!" Chapter 970: At The Construction Site Chapter 970: At The Construction Site Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia As soon as the meeting ended, Qin Guan was invited to the Wang Brothers office. "Bro, we wont let you take the risk alone. We are good friends, right? We should take the risk together. You are wee." They made a n eagerly without consulting Qin Guan. What could Qin Guan say? The two of them had to figure out the bright future of the script. Plus, he was a little impatient. They both saw through him. Friendship was more important than profit after all. However, a win-win situation beat everything. Besides, the main lead had to be approved by both of them, as well as the director. Qin Guan wanted to choose the actor. "Okay, but splitting the risk evenly is not a good idea. You can take 30%. I want to rmend a guy for the leading role." "No problem. Who is it?" "Wang Baoqiang." "Wang Baoqiang?" "The miner in Blind Well and Shagen in A World Without Thieves." The Wang Brothers remembered him. "His looks fit the part. We can discuss this with the director." After his role in Director Feng Xiaogangs film, the actor had be popr in the circle. However, he was still defined by his redneck image. After several attempts in shoddy TV shows, Wang Baoqiang had disappeared again. Qin Guan couldnt understand his choice. In his opinion, Huang Bo was a clever, hard-working man. He was serious with every tiny role and underwent all kinds of training in his spare time. He also tentatively rejectedmercials and variety shows. He was a steady actor! It was his personality that affected his fate. Wang Baoqiang was a in boy. Qin Guan made a decision and scheduled an appointment with him. The film "Mei Lanfang" was based on a real persons story. If it seeded, it would be a ssic, but if it failed, the consequences would be terrible. He had to have a meeting with his team. When his schedule was ready, Qin Guan realized that he would have a lot of spare time during the next half of 2007. Thus, he decided to carry out his evil n and try his best to achieve his next goal. He wanted to have a baby. A striking man showed up at the construction site of the Olympic stadium. The young man made Cong Nianweis work a lot of fun. "Did you know that directors from different departments will inspect our work today?" "I had no idea. I only pay attention to Qin Guan." "..." "Dont be nervous. The directors wont even look at us. They will just shake hands with the chief engineer." "I prefer my part-time job over their long, tedious speeches." "Exactly. Im so tired these days. If I dont get a big enough bonus, I wont ept another job like this." "Its a rare chance, though. My ssmates envy me for this chance. Its a precious experience for a future architect." The man, who wasnt taking the inspection seriously, took a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and lit one up amid the blowing wind. Chapter 971: A Good Script Chapter 971: A Good Script Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia As the pir of Huayi, Director Feng had never had to worry about finding capital. "We should rethink the leftover scripts. Indie films are not profitable. Most people wont pay to watch them, but they are necessary for the Chinese market. Director Chen Kaige is sincere." Why do all of you keep ncing at me? Am I such a narrow-minded man? Qin Guan was speechless. He had filed thatwsuit because the director had done something wrong. This hadnt been personal. He considered the matter resolved. Qin Guan thought of himself as a reasonable man that never passed on his anger to others. However, everyone was looking at him now, so he had to take a stand. "In my opinion, Chinese films should develop all around. The box office is only one factor. The operator of thepany could just carry out the original n. I have no objections to that." The person in charge of public rtions let out a long sigh of relief. She was d to see the shareholders and directors talk harmoniously. When they didnt, things were tougher for her. "Okay. Then we can get back to Director Chen about his proposal for Mei Lanfang." "Chen has gone through lots of difficulties during the past few years. After that Waterloo, it took more than one year for him to prepare for his next film, yet he has finally returned to his field of expertise. Thats great. Its much harder for directors to transform than it is for actors." "Yes. Not everyone is good at shootingmercial films. Chinese directors should stick to their own style and principles." This was just polite conversation. In fact, if they were given enough money and good actors, every director would transform, regardless of their style. Nobody would pass on such a chance. "The final project is a franchise coboration with Tiancheng. Its a big production, so a singlepany wouldnt qualify. If necessary, well unite agencies from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The franchise includes two films, each one for every year. John Woo will direct. The actors are still being cast." "All the departments cane up with suggestions for the casting. Well leave Qin Guans issue forter." Everyone nodded in agreement. "Now, lets talk about TV series. Nowadays, the market is filled with martial art and historical shows. The Ministry of Culture has specifically pointed out that film and TV productionpanies should be more creative and shoot shows about ordinary people or army life." "I have two good scripts in my hands. One of them I got thanks to Qin Guan. The other one came from Director Zhao Baogang. Everyone must be familiar with him." Thanks to me? Although Qin Guan was confused, he didnt break in. He just listened to the speaker. "Struggle is a city drama about young peoples lives. It stands out among the scripts, as it has nothing to do with family or neighborhood rtions. Plus, we do not have to invest much in it." "Yes, thats pretty good." After a short discussion, the show was approved. "The other show is more controversial. Are you familiar with former General Tan from the Beijing Military Region?" Who? "I heard that he was your neighbor in Yantai..." Grandpa Tan? Where was Grandpa Sun then? "In 2002, the Beijing Modern Drama Troupe made a theater y out of it. Its original name was Erna Raid. It was awarded at the Chinese Theater Festival. I wonder why the old general sent it to you. The scriptwriter also agreed to the proposal." "The investment will be left up to you." A good neighbor was better than a brother in another town. Qin Guan nodded repeatedly in excitement. He decided that he would both invest and star in the project. Actually, this was treasure. If it was made into a TV series, it would win even more awards. Its literature and cultural awards already indicated its distinction. This was Qin Guans opportunity to star in another ssic and make profit from it. Qin Guan tried his best to calm down. "I remember him. He is my neighbor. I value his trust, so I wont disappoint him. The budget is not much. I can cover it independently. Are there any regtions or sharing arrangements?" "Yes," an assistant replied. "Okay." Qin Guan nodded. "We will follow thepanys rules and procedures." What a considerate shareholder! He was even willing to take a risk for hispany. The big drama was yet toe. Chapter 972: China’s Road Chapter 972: Chinas Road Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Have you joined a team in college with your tutor?" "Yes." "Whats his annual project funding? Is it millions? Billions? Thats the basic price for a famous professor. Plus, how many architects win international awards? How many architects graduate from renowned colleges every year? How many graduates have the ability to open their own firms?" "Most people try their best to get a government position, which makes them practically no profit. Then, they have to wait for a promotion based on their seniority. This is the status quo of the Chinese construction industry. There are too many people involved in it." "Experience is an advantage in your CV, but its not enough for you to stand out. You are still a poor young architect." The young man, who was not convinced, pointed to Cong Nianwei, who was far away. "Sister Cong Nianwei is just as young, but she is really down-to-earth. She does not work for the government. Whats her end game?" The elder man smiled. "I do admit that she really loves her job. However, her silly husband is filthy rich. If you have a billionaire for a husband, of course you can focus on architectural design and bing a famous architect. Unfortunately, you dont have that kind of talent or luck." "You are biased! She is a good architect and Qin Guan is just as talented. He is not some silly guy!" "He is silly if he turned away a whole forest for a single tree." The young man looked over again and saw Qin Guan show up with a cup of juice. "Wei, take a sip and rest a little. Your lips are dry..." Qin Guan had no time to pay attention to anyone else. Cong Nianwei upied his mindpletely. I must keep her in high spirits. 2008 is my lucky year. Our wedding has to take ce in spring. March would be ideal. I should nourish her body before that. She is too tired. Will she be okay if she has to give birth to a child? Everyone was lost in their own thoughts. Cong Nianwei was focused on her work, while Qin Guan was thinking of having a baby. Suddenly, an inspection group showed up. It was already familiar with everyone on the construction site, so Qin Guan attracted the directors attention. "Who is that?" one of them asked. "Its Qin Guan. He is the president of QC ounting firm," an assistant replied. "Is he our partner?" "No, he is an actor. He has won acting awards in Cannes, Berlin and Venice and starred in Director Zhang Yimous film." "Oh, its him. Why would an actor open an ounting firm?" "He is a businessman first and an actor second." The assistant made a short introduction about Qin Guan. He made sure to mention his achievements and his ce on the Forbes Ranking List. By that time, Qin Guan ranked 108th on the list. His firm could also be considered the most sessful one in China. Even though it was a local ounting firm, QC had some advantages over the four biggest international ounting firms. After a short while, those foreigners would discover Chinas road to economic development. Thus, Qin Guan was not worried about Chinas temporarily inferior position in the high-end market. He also remained calm about the fortune people made on the inte. In his opinion, the Chinese economy shouldnt be relying on real estate or the inte. If their nation remained this unhealthy, it would follow into Japans or the US footsteps someday. Chapter 973: The Sixth Fuwa Chapter 973: The Sixth Fuwa Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia As a promising young man from another field, he had naturally attracted the directors attention. They felt ufortable watching such a young man idling around and ttering his wife. "A young idler eventually bes an old beggar. Mr. Qin has made great achievements, but he should still work harder." "He seems too carefree." "The Tourism Bureau will be producing an official promotional film for the Olympics. Isnt he an international award-winning actor? He could have a chance of participating in it. How many fans does he have?" "There are 90 million foreign users on his website." "Good, we could use such an advantage. Dont you need help, Lao Gao?" "Of course. I think he would be perfect for the China Airlines video." "I think he could portray Fuwa, the mascots of the Olympics." "People always call him a lucky boy. He could be the sixth Fuwa." "He will be a good resource of money. Ha ha!" After a short discussion, the directors found a new way to make money. Qin Guan was unaware of his impending misfortune. He was talking with Cong Nianwei about having dinnerter, when Wang pulled him away. "Brother Qin, our studio has epted some jobs for you." "What? I have already told them that Im on vacation. What jobs? Is it the money that blinded them?" "Youll get paid one penny for three films." "What the f*ck?" "Its three promotional films for China Airlines, the Tourism Bureau and the Olympics. China Airlines is footing the bill." Okay, that wouldnt take him a long time. "Fine. Ill do the Olympics film for Cong Nianweis sake, but who would dare hire me without paying me?" "The National Tourism Administration is responsible for the promotion, publicity and national image of the 2008 Olympic Games in China. Its also in charge of the poprization of Chinese culture and Chinas influence on tourism. The video will air in hundreds of countries. Its a rare chance. Money is not important." Well, that sounds reasonable. "But why did they approach me together all of a sudden? When did they inform our studio?" They just had... Wang shot a look at the group of people who were leaving the site. She believed that they were responsible for the jobs. Sister Xue sounded just as confused on the other end of the line. When Qin Guan turned around and looked in the same direction, he saw one of the directors waving at him. An assistant next to him gestured at him to call them. Qin Guan realized who the source of his new job was. As he shared the story with Cong Nianwei, she burst intoughter. "Why do you look so sad? Plenty of people would fight over such a chance." "I wanted to stay with you and watch you work, but now I dont have any time. This could harm our rtionship." You are justzy, darling. Chapter 974: The National Promotional Film Chapter 974: The National Promotional Film Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia After a good nights sleep, Qin Guan took Cong Nianwei to the construction site and headed reluctantly to his office. He had a gut feeling when it came to anything rted to national interests. As expected, he saw a strange smile on Sister Xues face. Wang didnt even dare to look up at him. "Tell me all the details! Whats up with your expressions?" Wang hastened to give him a file. Qin Guan nced inside and saw some normal proposals. The problem apparently was not in the job itself. "And here is the job of the Fuwa representative." "Is that the job the Olympic Organizing Committee proposed?" "Yes, obviously. You will be in charge of the mascot sales. Franchise stores will be set up in second-level cities, and your photos will appear along with the Fuwa, the Water Cube and the Birds Nest. The Olympic Organizing Committee trusts you." What a great job! Why am I not getting paid? This is unfair! As a patriotic young man, Qin Guan had decided to sacrifice himself for his nation. Actually, the promotional film had been scheduled after 2003, when China had won the Olympics bidpetition. The foreign promotional film would have to meet the requirements of the Olympic Organizing Committee and promote the image of the ancient, vigorous Chinese cities and Chinas flourishing development all over the world. The viewfinder era, the number of participating extras and the careful selection of thendscape was a first-time experience for Chinese documentaries. The short, almost 18-minute promotional film would be a synopsis of a history of a thousand years. Every director who was involved in the project considered this less than enough. Culture, humanity, and geography aside, how could such a beautiful country be shown adequately in such a short film? Thus, when the directors found out that themittee had hired another Chinese star for the short documentary, they were unhappy with its decision. Are you kidding? No Chinese star is that popr internationally. Nobody would recognize them around the world. Not unless this person is Qin Guan. At least one person out of 50 would recognize him. As a result, the director was excited when he saw Qin Guan enter the studio. "Ha! Its you! Themittee always causes me trouble. You are the only exception!" "You are so polite, sir. I was caught off guard too, you know. Im sorry to trouble you." "No, no. At first, we only selected ordinary people for the film. It was hard for us to hire a star because of our limited alternative choices. You are different, though. You are popr around the world. You are the first actor from the Chinese maind to own a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You are perfect for this film." Qin Guan had to work hard, both for the film and for the director! Chapter 975: Air China Chapter 975: Air China Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The newly-built Olympic stadium looked like a beautifulndscape as Qin Guan faced the blue Water Cube and turned his back to the camera. His slender figure was the most outstanding stroke on the painting. He turned around and smiled, as if he had just met a long-lost good friend. The sky was clear and the breeze seemed to slow down. It felt like he was asking the audience, "Are you here yet? I have been waiting for you for a long time." Anyone who saw his smile would reply, "Im sorry to have kept you waiting." "Cut! Well done, Qin Guan. Thank you for your help." "Im ttered. I should be the one expressing my gratitude for the opportunity to reach people globally." "No, you have really helped a lot..." "You are so polite, sir..." Wang broke in and put an end to their conversation by handing Qin Guan his schedule. "Its time to go, Brother Qin. We have an appointment with Air China." "Really? Okay, lets go!" When their car left the site, Qin Guan turned and told Wang, his heart still fluttering in fear, "He was so emotional, I couldnt say no to him. That would be like bullying him. This is not right for me. I prefer a calm director." His wish came true soon. He found a calm director waiting for him in the lounge. The man didnt say a single word during the introduction. He only expressed himself by nodding or shaking his head. Even during the shooting, he used gestures or bodynguage to express his feelings. Fortunately, Qin Guan was good at understanding and had experience in dealing with different kinds of directors. Plus, Air China was a generouspany. They had offered Qin Guan free flights for 10 years. Although this money was just pennies for a rich guy like him, this showed thepanys sincerity. They also wanted to amodate Qin Guans personal schedule and arrange their shooting during his next trip to America. Qin Guan decided to do his best for the film. He turned into a businessman again before the camera. He was wearing a suit and leather shoes as he got out of a red business car. There was even a Bluetooth headset hanging from his ears. He walked steadily, holding a silver suitcase in his hands, as if he was heading to an important business meeting. As soon as he entered the VIP lounge of Air China, the short film was finished. During the break, Qin Guan asked the staff a question. "Do VIPs enjoy a free pick-up service? I had no idea about that." Although Qin Guan had a VIP Air China card, he had never used that service. "All our VIP members can use that service after booking their tickets. Most people prefer using private cars, though. If you are interested in this service, we can provide you with a guide." Chapter 976: A Lovely Director Chapter 976: A Lovely Director Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia When this question was answered, Qin Guan went through the standard passenger procedure. He passed the safety check and got on his flight to London. The first-ss cabin was a sight to behold. When the viewers were presented with thefortable environment, Qin Guans job was over. It was a sunny day, so sunshine went through the portholes. The broad seats, the bright cabin, the considerate flight attendants... Every detail reflected the outstanding services of Air China. Of course, one had to have enough money to enjoy them. Qin Guan did what he usually did during a flight. Soon, he turned off his light and fell asleep on the adjustable chair. The film crew left the cabin silently and went to their own seats. Atst, the directors assistant had the opportunity to ask him some questions. "Are you angry about this assignment, sir? You know that everyone starts their career by shooting music videos and advertisements. Air China is actually a good chance for a rookie like you. Besides, Qin Guan is the protagonist! So many directors will envy you. Hey! What are you thinking about? Im talking to you!" Is there something wrong with the guy? He hasnt said anything ever since he met Qin Guan. Director Wen came back to his senses when the assistant patted his back. He rubbed his stiff face and turned around slowly to face the assistant. "What did I just do, Liu?" "Are you kidding? You just filmed an ad for Air China." "Oh. Was Qin Guan the protagonist?" "Of course. Youre scaring me, Wen. Are you okay? Did you lose your memory?" The director came out of his reverie. He hadnt been able to fall asleep at night ever since he had heard the news. When he had actually met Qin Guan personally, he had been stupefied. His mind had gonepletely nk. Although he had gotten to work automatically, he only came back to reality when Qin Guan disappeared. When his assistant found out the reason behind his behavior, he was left speechless. The first thing he did was y back the film. He was afraid that Wen would ruin it in this state. Soon, he let out a sigh of relief. The ad could be considered Wens best work. It was an inspired film without anymercial characteristics. "Could you do me a favor, Liu?" "What kind of favor?" "Could you ask Qin Guan for an autograph on my behalf?" "Why? You could ask him yourself." "Im too nervous to do it..." Qin Guan smiled and granted his request. The flight attendants caught on, too. "I really like your films, Qin Guan. I hope you will release even better ones next year." "Thanks. Maybe you wont need to wait till next year. Two American films of mine will premiere in China during the Spring Festival. One of them is a sci-fi thriller and the other one is aedy. There is one for everyone." Actually, both films were really funny, but the one that had been shot in the museum was especially so. Children would like such a funny, educational film, so the Chinese critics epted the two Hollywood blockbusters easily. The long queue for an autograph came to an end when the flight attendant approached Qin Guan with three pieces of paper. She wanted to ask for an autograph for the pilot and co-pilot as well. Qin Guan left the airport without seeing his silent fans again. As soon as hended, his job came to a temporary end. Chapter 977: The Unveiling Chapter 977: The Unveiling Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan had travelled to London to attend the Madame Tussauds ceremony. His wax figure would be unveiled soon, and other simr figures would be transported to China as soon as the first one had settled in at the headquarters. Qin Guan was the most famous Chinese film actor, so there would be a wax figure of him in every Madame Tussauds Museum around the world. Of course, the unveiling ceremony of the first sculpture was particrly significant, so the Chinese media had travelled to London for the event. The British media was also familiar with Qin Guan, so the ceremony was almost as grand as the one on the Walk of Fame. Actually, there was a crazypetition between the British and the American media. Two red Chinesenterns were hanging at the entrance, adding a delightful vibe to the New Years event. Reporters were standing in their own areas, waiting in silence. As Qin Guans car drew near, they all lifted their cameras. This was an inside joke of theirs. Lights shed all around as the reporters followed Qin Guan. When his foot touched the red carpet, the lights would be turned on. As soon as he left, they would be turned off. The event was like a silent TV drama. Qin Guan, who was amused, tried to jump forward, but the smart reporters caught up with him. The Chinese reporters remained silent. They couldnt find a single word to express their feelings. Fortunately, the red carpet event was short. When Qin Guan reached the entrance, all the Chinese reporters smiled in relief. Qin Guan pulled the red curtain down to reveal his wax figure. If one didntpare it to the real person, the wax figure seemed pretty good. The craftsman, who was a fan of Qin Guans, had put great care into the piece of art. In his opinion, every little detail was perfect. At first, he had thought that it looked as if it were alive. When the real person was standing next to it though, the figure was tarnished by theparison. The sculpture looked like Qin Guans shadow. The reporters took pictures energetically, without uttering a single word of praise. One picture was worth 1,000 words after all. The director of the museum felt sad. He could foresee the reaction of the readers and the audience. By the time Qin Guan flew to America the next morning, the news had been published in both China and the UK. Fans around the world had finally seen the wax figure. The photographers had been partial. They had taken close-up photos of Qin Guan meticulously. One could even have counted the hair on his eyebrows in those pictures. The wax figure had not been as lucky, though. Chapter 978: A 500,000,000 Box Office Chapter 978: A 500,000,000 Box Office Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The local media, who was kind to Madame Tussauds, used neutral titles such as "The unveiling of Qin Guans wax figure" or "Qin Guans figure has formally settled in at Madame Tussauds". The Chinese media were not as kind, though. They wanted to have a heated discussion. As a result, titles such as "The ugliest wax figure at Madame Tussauds" and "The real and the fake one" could be seen everywhere. Unfortunately, the figure itself couldnt withstand a careful survey. Qin Guans fans got really angry. They posted articles everywhere online, arguing over the equal treatment of every star and ming the poor ability of the sculpture on the craftsman. The Madame Tussauds staff felt offended. This was an excellent piece of their museum, but it was still a sculpture, and as such, it couldnt bepared to the real person. No sculpture could depict the charm of Qin Guans actions. The museum still had to issue a statement tofort the fans, though. This was the only real sculpture of Qin Guan in the world after all. The fans were reminded of that. They rarely had a chance to touch the real person, so this sculpture was a precious chance for them to take pictures with Qin Guan. Thus, all the Madame Tussauds Museums were flooded by visitors. Local fans went there almost every day, while tourists scheduled a visit during their trips. People took pictures with the figure one by one, turning it into a new attraction. There were some more striking news awaiting Qin Guan, though. As he left the UK and travelled to the US to attend the premiere of "I Am Legend", he found out that both "I Am Legend and "Night At The Museum"" had been nominated for a Saturn Award. The Teen Choice Awards and MTV Movie Awards also sang Qin Guans praises. The dates of the ceremonies were quite close to each other, which annoyed Qin Guan, as there was still a lot of work waiting for him back at home. Qin Guan gradually slowed down after his grand m and turned to his family and everyday life. He just wanted to enjoy life while he was still young, so he asked his agents to attend the ceremonies for him. He didnt care about the striking titles that would appear in the papers the next day. The first screening of "I Am Legend" received positive feedback, and the box office of the opening day reached 40 million dors. In three days, the 40 million turned into 90 million. ording to professional analysts, the movies global box office would reach 500 million. With a little luck, it could even reach 600 million. Qin Guan was in a good mood as he enjoyed his breakfast at the hotel and picked up thetest newspaper. "Thest survivor on Earth is yed by thest real star in the world. Nothing interesting." This is not a famous newspaper. I should read another one. "Its Qin Guan, not the film itself, that deserves your money..." Detroit News? Qin Guan waved over the waiter. "Excuse me? What other newspapers do you have?" "Chicago Reader, The Hollywood Reporter, Global Mail, Variety Show, News Daily, USA Today... If none of these satisfy you, we could get you any newspaper you like." Qin Guan nodded kindly. "Thank you. I want them all!" "One minute, please." The waiter left and returned quickly with a pile of newspapers. Chapter 979: Subprime Crisis Chapter 979: Subprime Crisis Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan finally found what he wanted in that pile of newspapers. His good mood was ruined by the reporters reviews, though. Despite its outstanding box office, the film was not as popr among critics, whod had great expectations about the film and were sharing their negative opinions about it. However, this did not influence the films box office in China. All the fans considered the reviews praise for Qin Guans work. "Im looking forward to Qin Guans performance in the film. Everything else about it has been criticized except Qin Guan. He must have given a good performance." "Why hasnt the film premiered internationally? Im really eager to see it." "Dont worry. This will be a wonderful winter holiday. We have two films of Qin Guans to look forward to. One drama and oneedy." The critics were nothingpared to Qin Guans fans. Soon, he heard news of victory from the other side of the ocean. After dominating the first ce on North Americas box office ranking list, "Night At The Museum" had pocketed 160 million dors during its opening week. All thements about the film were positive. Everyone loved it. As a result, Qin Guan became the first actor to be nominated for a Saturn Award for two films. Both the critics and the audience were looking forward to his sess. They were confident that Qin Guan would attract the attention of the Oscarmittee with his two outstanding films. It would not be a bad oue if one of them was selected for the next round. Unfortunately, when the Oscar nominees were revealed in February, people were surprised to see that neither film had been shortlisted. Qin Guans fans and some professional critics voiced their discontent. "Im confused about the Oscarmittees standards this year." "I wonder if Qin Guan is too focused on winning an Oscar. I know that all stars dream of winning one. At first, I thought it was possible for him, but this news made me rethink the matter. Could it take Qin Guan 30 years to win an Oscar? " "Yes. Back when Qin Guan participated in indie films, the Oscarmittee said that they preferred popr films and that the Oscars aremercial awards. Despite the fact that he won a Golden Globe, Qin Guan missed this opportunity. Today, the Oscarmittee has rejected him again, although his films did well both in terms of poprity and box office." "Exactly! Now, he has also starred in sessfulmercial films, which is unprecedented. However, it seems that is still not enough for him to win an Oscar." "I want to cry for him. Maybe China will buy the Oscars one day and Qin Guan will get on the stage to receive his award." That particr fan had a wild imagination. At the time, America had been going through an unparalleled crisis. A subprime crisis had taken over the world like a storm. The US was selling bonds to China, so some famous brands, who couldnt support themselves anymore, had been purchased by Chinese redneck entrepreneurs. However, the Oscars were a symbol of the film industry, so they couldnt be sold or purchased. They belonged to Hollywood. Without their origin, the Oscars would no longer be the same. Chapter 980: Watching A Romantic Movie Chapter 980: Watching A Romantic Movie Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Meanwhile, some smart filmpanies had seized a chance to cooperate with Qin Guan again. Just as Qin Guan finished his work in the US and was about to head back to China, he ran into the representative of Warner Bros. "I have a really tight schedule in 2008." "I know, but just take a look at the role. If you ept it, well do our best to promote the film for the Oscars." Qin Guan took the script dubiously. The guy had good reason to be so determined. This was the favorite film type of the Oscarmittee: a superhero movie. Everyone was familiar with the hero. It was Batman himself. Of course, as a traditional Marvel character, Batman couldnt suddenly be turned into an Asian. The supporting characters could, though. Yes, Qin Guan would y Batmans arch enemy, the Joker. The distinctive, impressive character would be a real challenge for Qin Guan. As the name suggested, Qin Guan would have to wear a mask for the role, so he would only be able to rely on his acting skills. Qin Guan grew even more excited as he read on. Although it was a traditional movie with a standard form, the role was a nice one. The viin left space for the actor to show his talent. Thus, Qin Guan kept the script despite his tight schedule. "Ill do it. Just contact my agent for details. I cant invite you in. Im about to catch a flight." "Okay, no problem. Your sry will be 18 million dors. Is that okay for... Hey!" Qin Guan ran to catch his flight. As soon as he returned to Beijing, he called the Olympic Organizing Committee. "Yes, I can get back to work right after the Spring Festival. The sooner, the better. Im not afraid of intense work." He just wanted to finish that embarrassing job as soon as possible, preferably even before the Spring Festival. When he hung up, he picked up Cong Nianwei from the construction site for a movie date. The closer they got to the cinema, the more crowded it got. The holiday was drawing near, so more and more couples had some spare time. In the winter, going to the cinema was naturally their first choice. Plus, this was the day Qin Guans film would premiere in China, so they wanted to contribute to the films box office. It took a long time for Qin Guan to find a ce to park his car. As soon as he fixed his clothes, he got out of the car. His face was covered in a hat and a scarf, so that only his eyes were visible. Qin Guan was holding Cong Nianweis hand, just like a boyfriend in love with his girlfriend would. They had booked a lovers seat to watch "I Am Legend". Milk tea, popcorn, Coca C and hot dogs were a must for lovers watching a movie. When the lights were turned off, Qin Guan realized that all the seats were upied. Even the seats at the edge of the theater were full! The response of the audience satisfied Qin Guan just as much. Everyone shouted and whispered during the movie. Some girls even hugged their boyfriends during the most thrilling moments. Cong Nianwei was not one of them. Qin Guan shot a sad look at her. "Darling, this is a really moving film. Its an indie sci-fi film that makes people think deeply about its meaning." Chapter 981: The Fuwa Actors Chapter 981: The Fuwa Actors Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Is this a post-apocalyptic movie? Why was it turned into a soap opera? Cong Nianwei was a calm girl that never got frightened during a film. Now that she had finished her job at the Olympic Stadium, she would have more time to prepare for the wedding. Every woman looked forward to her wedding, as this was a grand event in a womans life. In China, wedding ceremonies always began with the dress photos. Instead of the white dresses that women wore in Western countries, Asian women usually preferred red traditional Chinese outfits. The couple chose a day in March to take the photos, so that there would be enough sunshine. Qin Guans first job after the Spring Festival was really embarrassing. As he stood on the site, he caught himself feeling like a host of a childrens TV show. In his opinion, the advertisement should have been just a simple group photo of him and the five Fuwa. The sponsors would have been so satisfied with his face that they would have paid no attention to anything else. Qin Guan watched in shock as five real-life Fuwa came out of the dressing room inrge head pieces. Their heavy masks caused the Fuwa at the end of the line to fall over, which in turn caused the others to fall one by one like dominoes. Qin Guan was pinned beneath them. "Ah!" "F*ck!" "Ha ha! Qin Guan is under me!" A hand stretched out between them in an effort to hold on to something. "Are you stupid? Take off these masks!" Everyone did as the director told them. When they helped Qin Guan up, the award-winning actor looked confused. These five guys seem really familiar. Qin Guan actually knew them. Due to the importance attached to the film, even the Fuwa, who would not reveal their faces during the film, were yed by famous hosts and hostesses of childrens programs. As soon as Qin Guan came back to his senses and recognized them, he smiled. He wanted to get to know this group of people, whose childish disposition still shone through their work. Although they were all middle-aged, they still looked like children. They were not just acting. The children in them still lived in their hearts. The five hosts, who got lost in Qin Guans smile, smiled back like silly. The experienced director suddenly felt inspired. "Film this," he whispered to the cameraman. He was right. It was a perfectly harmonious scene. All the Fuwa held their heads in their hands as they gathered around Qin Guan, who was the promotional ambassador. It felt like the mascots were giving him their blessing. The family of Olympic athletes was happy and harmonious. Chapter 982: A National Treasure And An Award-Winning Actor Chapter 982: A National Treasure And An Award-Winning Actor Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Soon, everyone came back to their senses. One of the hosts stretched her hand out towards Qin Guan. "I apologize for our mistake." When Qin Guan stood up, he found himself standing among the colorful mascots. It was so ridiculous that he burst intoughter again, which made the othersugh as well. The director couldnt stand this anymore. "Hey, guys! I suggest we finish shooting the film first. Then, youll have plenty of time tough." "Okay. Sorry, director!" "Put on your masks. You are all experienced actors. You shouldnt need my guidance!" The five Fuwa got into their positions. "Attention, please. The Olympic mascot advertisement begins in three, two... Camera!" The five Fuwa gathered around Qin Guan and started jumping and waving their hands. Qin Guan showed his respect by cupping one hand in the other in front of his chest. "The Olympics are here. Please follow the mascots and join us!" Did anyone want to join the fun? A few minutester, the shooting ended with a frame of the five mascots clustering around Qin Guan. Then, the cameraman took a few more photos for the posters. It was an easy, smooth start for Qin Guans career in 2008. 2008 was a lucky year for him. His films were discussed everywhere online. "I cried when I watched I Am Legend. This was the first time I cried during a sci-fi film." "You must be really emotional, my friend. I admit that Qin Guan gave a good performance both mentally and physically, but I have to say that you are too sensitive." "Yes, thats right. I wonder why the Oscarmittee is still ignoring Qin Guan." "He has showed up on the red carpet plenty of times." "But he never won an award. Its different, dude." "These are American awards. No foreigner has ever won the Best Actor Award." "The Best Supporting Actor Award is fair game. Qin Guan just needs a chance!" "By the way, are there any news updates on his website?" "Yes. 2008 is an important year for all Chinese people. Qin Guan cantzy around on the job." "Hey! Speak of the devil! His blog was just updated!" "What happened?" "Its a post about the Olympics." The organizingmittee had taken advantage of Qin Guans film to release its promotional spot, which would air on more than 300 TV stations around the world before the Olympics. This was the first time Chinas culture and history would be disyed globally in such a simple, easy way. The short film was not enough to show the countrys charm entirely, but it was enough to impress the audience. The director tentativelybined pictures of pandas with Qin Guan by using an editing program. The cute, naive pandas were enjoying their meal in a green bamboo forest. Suddenly, the camera jumped to Qin Guan, who was smiling in the forest, holding a leave in his hand. He was standing in the breeze against the green background, as if he was saying "Wee to Beijing!" Chapter 983: Another Ad Chapter 983: Another Ad Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The video was first released on the official website of the Olympic Organizing Committee. Five minutester, it was also posted on Qin Guans blog. In half an hour, it had already gone viral online. In 2008, Chinese documentaries had reached a good level, so most of the audience was eager to watch it. Nobody asked anything about the only star in the film. In their opinion, an internationally renowned star like Qin Guan deserved such an opportunity. All the feedback was positive. The foreign fans were satisfied with the clip the Chinese fans uploaded. Soon, the clip was broadcast repeatedly on therge screen on Times Square. The foreign audience was shocked by it. "This is the real side of China. Its so beautiful!" "I like the red walls and the green tiles. They look really ancient." "China is a developed country. Can you see the tall buildings and the traffic jam?" "Dude, you are out of date. 2008 is Chinas time to shine. China is Americas biggest creditor! Its no longer a poor country." "Anyway, I want to visit China. Id like to go to Qin Guans hometown if I can." "So do I." Qin Guan had really contributed to Chinese tourism. The click rate on the website was increasing without a pause. Air China took advantage of this to release its own ad. The ad was on every airport screen wherever there were Air China flights. Passengers in different airports looked up with a yawn and saw a new film on the screen. As soon as they saw Qin Guans face, they paused before the screen in excitement. "Its Qin Guan!" "Wow! Air China is so generous! They hired Qin Guan for their publicity campaign!" "Im so lucky. I considered it a tragedy when my boss told me to go on a business trip just after the Spring Festival, yet I got to see Qin Guans new ad!" The girl began to surf online, checking for relevant information. "Ha! There has been no official release yet. Ill record it and post it online." The lucky passengers at the airport began to show off online. "Qin Guans new film was broadcast at the airport!" "Guess what I just saw at the airport? I only came here to see some friends off." "Im abroad, but I also saw Air Chinas ad. Its striking. So many foreign passengers are crowding around me!" "I think Air China will be famous. Some tourists have already started looking for the airlines counter." "Air China is really smart. They took advantage of the Olympics to reach new heights." "Hey, everyone in the airport! Could you please be more careful with your phones? I cant see the video clearly!" "Wheres the official broadcast? I cant find anything on Air Chinas website." Air Chinas technicians felt insulted. They were working on the website, but it would take some time before the video was uploaded. Eventually, it was. Chapter 984: Camera! Chapter 984: Camera! Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Unlike typical business websites, their website was warm and considerate. The whole page had a soft, warm color, so the frame of the video stood out against the background. When the door of the car opened and Qin Guan came out, the fans began to scream. "Qin Guan looks his best in a business suit. Is he dressed like a CEO?" "Hey, he is a real CEO." "I like that style. This is what my dream boyfriend is like. A man with slender legs and calm eyes who wears formal suits... I love this type of man..." "A hard-working man is the most handsome kind of man..." They were all lost in their own daydreams as they watched Qin Guan read his newspaper, dine on the airne and fall asleep on a luxurious chair... It felt as if they were right there with him. The video was perfect for daydreaming. Qin Guans two short ads satisfied inte users, yet some people were not that happy. Those promotional clips had reminded them of his new films. "I dont like that advertisement. I prefer to see his real acting skills." "Yes, by this time, Qin Guan had usually announced everything about his new films. The Spring Festival has already passed, yet he has said nothing!" "Maybe he is too busy with the Olympics?" "Oh, no!" Everyone began to whine. Meanwhile, Qin Guan was leaving home to join the crew of "Soldiers Sortie". His character would appear half-way through the show, so while all the other actors were already busy working, hed only just set out to meet them. The director was Kang Honglei, who had experience with military themes and focused on character interpretation and the rtionships between different characters. That was exactly why thepany had hired him. Wang Baoqiang, the protagonist QIn Guan had rmended, had been sent to the army for special training. Traditional military men encouraged such shows. At the time, family soap operas had been prevailing, so outstanding shows that depicted modern army life were hard to find. The show was based on a script about the personal and professional life of ordinary soldiers, so it certainly met the demands of the market. As soon as the military districts received the shows request, they tried their best to facilitate the crew by providing some low-security bases and training fields as shooting sites. When Wang finished his special training and joined the crew again, everyone noticed that his spirit had changed. Although he was still silly, he now had an inflexible willpower. Actors started joining the crew one after the other, including Duan Yihong, Zhang Guoqiang, Xing Jiadong, and Zhang Yi. All of them had been personally selected by Kang Honglei for their unique advantages. Although they had still been nobodies at the time, they did their best to bring their characters to life. They knew that this was a precious opportunity for them. Kang also used Qin Guan to encourage them. "Qin Guan will also be joining us. Cheers!" This was a good motive for them, as every actor who had cooperated with Qin Guan had be popr. Even Huang Bo, who was an ugly man, had be famous. There were so many advertisements and films for him to select from. At least, they were better than Huang... Chapter 985: Joining The Military Chapter 985: Joining The Military Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Only after they had joined the crew did they realize the difficulty of their roles. They had to have themon sense of a soldier, participate in the daily training and have dinner in the big messy army dining hall. Their stay with ordinary soldiers would help them get to know the Chinese military. Being a soldier was not about symbols or titles. It was all about the spirit in ones blood. Soldiers were unique people with specific manners. They were simple, determined and considerate with others. ording to Director Kangs n, they would have to blend into therge military family as an independent team before they started shooting. This was not a simple task. The shooting sites covered three military regions, so they had to follow the schedule of the army. They got up really early and went to bedte at night, so they were as exhausted as mules pulling a mill all day long. The other actors didnt forget Qin Guan, who was the only one to avoid this misery. They all swore to torture the lucky guy as soon as he arrived. Wang Baoqiang, who was the most honest one among them, didnt consider this a good idea. "Is that proper? He is Brother Qin." "Brother Qin? In the army, there are only veterans and new recruits. We are all older than him!" "Yes! That will be a whack!" Qin Guan had no idea about the danger awaiting him. This would be his first time meeting soldiers up close, so everything seemed really interesting to him. What a wonderful experience! A military officer led Qin Guan to the camp. He was a fan of his, so he was really excited to be assigned this task. He had gone to the cinema during the holidays and watched "I Am Legend". Both he and hisrades worshipped Qin Guan. Qin Guan turned to Wang Liying. "Girls are not allowed to stay here. You can return to the hotel. Ill call you if I need you." "Will you be okay?" "Of course. Ill be staying with the peoples army!" He patted the officer on the shoulder, making the man flush with excitement. The officer saluted Wang. "I promise Ill take care of him!" The two of them headed to the new light yellow dormitory building, which had been especially prepared for the crew. When they reached the door, the officer became shy again. "I cant go in, Brother Qin. See youter!" The man ran away as fast as a rabbit. "Hey! Where are you going?" Qin Guan looked at the mans retreating back as he pushed the door open. The officer had escaped just in time to avoid the actors n. As soon as he entered the dormitory, Qin Guan noticed that everyone inside seemed to be staring at him. All the actors were standing by their beds. When they saw him clearly, they let out a sigh of relief. "Wee, Qin Guan!" They apuded happily. Duan Yihong and Chen Sicheng smiled. The men got to know each other soon. Everyone was looking forward to the grand feast the soldiers would organize for them. Chapter 986: Push-Ups Chapter 986: Push-Ups Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia They spent a harmonious night together. Wang Baoqiang arrived a littleter. He was so happy that he could barely close his mouth. The next morning, all the actors followed Qin Guan and the others who would be acting that day knowingly. Nobody wanted to leave first. They just wanted to watch the legendary mans first scene. A superstar like Qin Guan had actually joined an ordinary TV show! This was really strange for them, but they decided to take advantage of this to see what the difference between them was. Thus, everyone followed Director Kang Honglei and waited for the shooting to start. "Where are they? The stylist is too slow." "Take it easy. They areing." "I dont mean Wang Baoqiang and Chen Sicheng. Im talking about the two ck guys! Where is Qin Guan?" Xu Sanduo, who was a new recruit, trembled in fear as he pushed the door of his dormitory open. His new roommates weed him. Qin Guan was a young squadron leader with high academic education. Sunshine filled the dormitory as the tall, handsome man stood up and smiled at the neer. His shoulder badges were dazzling. He was a general with unparalleled charm that made everyone get lost in his smile. Fortunately, Wang, who had been Qin Guans previous partner, was immune to his smile. However, his poor Mandarin shocked the audience. As a straight-A student, Qin Guan didnt need to act. He could just be himself. Acting was that deeply rooted in his blood. In the next scene, Qin Guan would have to perform military push-ups as a way of punishment. It would be a wonderful show. All the male onlookers looked at the drill instructor as they took pleasure in Qin Guans misfortune. The drill instructor would show Qin Guan the standard push-ups and correct his mistakes. "Keep your body straight and your legs apart! Your shoulder and arm must be on the same level!" His words were as simple and strict as possible. "Like this!" The soldier stood up and showed Qin Guan. "Try it!" What? All the onlookers were speechless. Duan Yihong was suppressing hisughter so hard that his face looked twisted. "No problem!" When Qin Guany down on his stomach and tried it, he shocked everyone. It was the exact same thing the instructor had shown. Qin Guan had copied him as wlessly as a trained soldier. "Has he been in the army?" "Impossible. He studied abroad!" "But this is exactly the same thing... Is there some kind of special training for actors?" The director wondered whether Qin Guan was a veteran. More than 10 push-upster, the director finally stopped QIn Guan. "Stop!" "Yes!" Qin Guan stood up without hesitation. "Well done!" The director didnt hide his appreciation. "Thank you!" Qin Guan saluted him like a soldier. Chapter 987: Life Is Like A TV Show Chapter 987: Life Is Like A TV Show Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Thanks to the director, the army epted Qin Guan. Soldiers were simple people, so military camp was the perfect ce for people with real practical learning. However, there were many actors around who had suffered a lot and wouldnt ept arade who hadnt been tortured like them. This was impossible! They were all eager to try another n. "Will he shoot any other scenes today?" "Yes. He has to run around the yground and perform a muster drill at night." "He better be in the dark." "Yes!" Wang Baoqiang, who was an honest boy, asked, "Is that proper? If anything goes wrong, Brother Qin will have to work overnight." "You dont need to worry about him. He is a smart guy." "But..." "Hush! Lets go!" They had fooled Wang once again. Qin Guan was about to experience his first night at the camp. When the lights went out, all the men in the dormitory took off their uniforms and put on tanks and shorts. "Lets go to sleep." Everyone went to bed, leaving only the camera to function in the moonlight. When Qin Guan covered his body with the quilt, the cameraman looked away. Wow! Wonderful! This is the first time I get lost in a frame. Director Kang nodded in satisfaction. Suddenly, he felt Duan Yihong pull at his sleeve. The cameraman turned off the camera silently. "Beep--" The assembly call started screaming in the quiet building. Chen Sicheng and Wang Baoqiang bounced off the upper bank nervously and started beating on the bed frame to wake the two guys sleeping below. "Muster drill!" Qin Guan was confused. There was no such scene in the script. ording to the original script, they would just have to go downstairs for the assembly. They didnt need to leave their dormitory like real soldiers. Qin Guan, who had been given no advance warning, didnt move. He justy still in bed and waited for the directors orders. The other three guys, who couldnt keep acting, realized that Qin Guan was watching them leisurely. This was stupid. "Im out. We are all idiots. He is justughing at us!" Director Kang realized what was going on. So you want Qin Guan to share your woes? He is no fool! Qin Guan felicitated his decision. "You all performed really well. I thought this was an extra scene involving you three. Is it a kind of weing ceremony?" Wang walked over to Qin Guan, looking ashamed. "This is my fault, Brother Qin. I conspired against you with them." "Ha! You dont need to be so serious. You didnt n this. Who was it? Was it Duan Yihong?" Duan, who had run down to the yground, shouted at them calmly, "Im ready for the next scene, director! Shall we begin now?" Life was like a TV show, and TV shows mimicked life. Qin Guan was the winner. Chapter 988: The Dining Hall Menu On Tuesdays Chapter 988: The Dining Hall Menu On Tuesdays Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Everyone burst intoughter as Kang Honglei pointed to him speechlessly. Despite all the jokes and the pranks, Qin Guan had built a good rtionship with the other actors. They became realrades, which helped the shooting go smoothly. Only the producer and the director could sense Qin Guans mood. As the main sponsor of the show, Qin Guan remained unsmiling when he saw the location expenses, the temporary actors and the military training. Winter went away and spring came. The actors were now able to endure hard training, such as carrying wood, shooting, long-distance running, cross-country kayaking and jumping over ground obstacles, without hesitation. Qin Guans acting awards didnt amount to much in this case. His talents were nothing before the mud and the rain. All the men had gotten a tan by working under the sunshine. They all looked like a group of in countryside boys. Eventually, Duan Yuhong achieved his goal with Qin Guan. As the actor who portrayed the trainer, he had an advantage over him. He didnt need to train personally. When Qin Guan was crawling in the mud, he was in charge of spraying water on him, which he did with a high-pressure hose. Kang, who was behind the camera, felt like he could read his mind. He was so happy, delighted, pleased, satisfied... He seemed to have realized his lifelong dream. Who else has sprayed water on an award-winning actor? Only me! I can die satisfied now. As Qin Guan climbed up from the mud desperately, there was only one thought on his mind: Would there be any food in the dining hall? The crew relied on the army for its amodation, so they had to obey the armys rules. There were strict regtions on every activity, so the dining hall had its own schedule as well. Unfortunately, the shooting schedule was not fixed. The small shop in the camp was their only hope. Instant food tasted terrible to a foodie like Qin Guan, who was eager to have some good dinner after working all day. Everyone hade to a tacit understanding. As soon as the director stopped the camera, they rushed to the same destination without even looking at each other. The dining hall on Tuesdays was different than it was on other days. There would usually be buns, which were the specialty of the cooking team. The cook had to be from North China, as the big buns were so delicious that nobody could deny their lure. Plus, they were filled with a meatball! The meatball, which was abination of pork and spices, was everyones favorite. The buns were there, sitting in their steaming baskets, all white, fat and sweet-smelling. The delicious food made everyone ignore any ssifications between juniors and seniors. Everyones eyes were fixed on the buns. When therge steaming basket was uncovered, steam immediately filled the kitchen. The oily cook looked like a sculpture of Buddha in a mysterious temple. Qin Guan felt much better. Chapter 989: A Special Skill Chapter 989: A Special Skill Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "What do you want?" "Two buns, a bowl of porridge and a cold dish... Oh, no. Three buns, please." The fat soldier looked up in surprise. Wow! Another potbelly. Who is he? He was shocked to realize that it was Qin Guan. It was actually him in the flesh! Some officials had said that Qin Guan woulde to their camp to shoot a film, but no one had actually seen him. "Whats the problem? They are right here!" Qin Guan pointed to the steaming basket behind him. The fat soldier came back to his senses immediately. The guys who distributed food in the dining hall were martial artists, so they could use the samedle to distribute food in different quantities. Whoever they liked would get three pieces of pork. Whoever they disliked would only get a side dish. Qin Guan, who was experienced at this, got his buns fast. The three white fat guys filled his lunch box. The porridge on the tray was sticky and crystal clear, and the cold dish seemed nice and tasty. Qin Guan got hungry just by smelling it. Suddenly, Duan Yihong showed up again with an evil smile and bent over to look at Qin Guans lunch box. He immediately noticed the discrimination. The buns in Duans hands were smaller, and his porridge was as thin as water. He frowned as he cast a look at the soldier. Are you kidding me? Qin Guan was the only famous actor there, so all the soldiers around were shooting curious looks at him. Duan, who was a smart guy, decided to steal from him. "Hey! I like your buns. Lets eat together." He took a bun out of Qin Guans box and took a bite. The soft crust parted to reveal the tasty, sweet-smelling meatball. It was the perfectbination of wheat and pork. The sweet porridge and spicy cold dish turned it into a wonderful dinner! More and more people gathered around Qin Guan to share his food. This was the best advantage of eating in a dining hall. After they had dined and wined to satiety, they had to get back to work. Before they left the Beijing Military Region, the cooking team received a notebook with the signatures of the crew. This was the crews way to express their gratitude. Then, they moved to another battlefield. Thest scene would be shot on a field training base. Qin Guans charm was covered up by makeup. This was the perfect look for a field battle. Chapter 990: An Awkward Proposal Chapter 990: An Awkward Proposal Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The ck and green paints added a unique charm to his face. The scene was simple for Qin Guan. He didnt need to do anything but act as background. It was difficult to row a boat with naked shoulders on the sea surface before sunset. The four men were crouching in a small boat. Qin Guan was thebor worker, while Chen Sicheng and Wang Baoqiang were lying on the floor. Duan was also rowing. Director Kang pointed the camera at Qin Guans naked back silently. He finished the scene as if there was no one else present. Then, he waved at the four guys. The show was officially over. Qin Guan did not attend the celebrating party. He chose to go home instead. He also turned down allte publicity events and other activities. He had to prepare for his own wedding ceremony. The rings, which had stayed in the safe for a long time, could finally be revealed to the bride. Crushed diamonds clustered around a 20-carat diamond to form the shape of a heart. The design symbolized the hearts of the couple. As Qin Guan got down on one knee at the firm before Cong Nianwei, who was still working on a draft, all the staff members were shocked. This should have been private, boss. You should have kept it just between you two. What are you doing? Actually, this was all Cong Nianweis fault. She had epted an offer from the Asian Construction Association to design a foreign vacation resort. The association aimed to promote the constructions location by hiring outstanding Asian designers. As a result, Cong Nianwei had neglected the wedding ceremony. When Qin Guan returned home, he found a mess waiting for him. Wedding agencies were making calls like crazy, while the bride was buried under a mountainous pile of architectural drafts. Qin Guan realized that if he didnt take action in time, their wedding ceremony would be postponed. Thus, he asked Chen Kang to send over the diamond from Switzend as soon as possible so he could propose. Although they had gotten a wedding registration, there was still a long,plicated process ahead. Back in ancient times, there had been six steps leading up to a feudal marriage. The question "Will you marry me?" couldnt fully express that sincerity in modern society. The pink diamond looked dazzling in Qin Guans hand. "Betterte than never. Cong Nianwei, I would like to ask you a question with all the courage and sincerity in my heart. Will you marry me?" The staff members around them covered their mouths to hold back their screams. Cong Nianwei looked around at the familiar office and the documents on her desk. Then, she let out a long sigh. "I will, Qin Guan. Ill stay with you forever, through rich and poor." "Great!" Qin Guan bounced up from the floor and presented her eagerly with the ring. "Let me finish. You dont need to be so nervous. Im here. I wont run away." "I know. So, do you ept my proposal?" "Yes!" "Okay, try it on." The scene didnt satisfy the onlookers. The romantic proposal was ruined by the couples casual attitude. Where were the passionate, loving words? Where were the tears? Where was the moving memory they were supposed to create? The reality was as simple as a breeze between the clouds. It was an awkward proposal... Chapter 991: The First Step Of The Wedding Chapter 991: The First Step Of The Wedding Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei didnt pay attention to anyone. Their heads were bent close as they tried on their rings. The two rings on their fingers were a symbol of their love. The diamond on the ring was not as one might have imagined. It was not as big as a "doves egg". Their love was just like that ring. in, but precious. The couple looked at each other tenderly and emotionally. Unfortunately, the onlookers ruined the beautiful atmosphere. "Boss, can I take some pictures?" "Can I share the news?" Qin Guan looked around and saw more people start to gather. Even his staff from the other building had run over. "No problem. My website will be updated soon. You can take photos." "Yes!" This was the information era, so everyone wanted to share the striking news with others. "Oh, I almost forgot." Qin Guan patted his head before he announced an important decision. "Everyone will get paid vacation time for three days as a way to celebrate!" "Hurray!" "Long live Cong Nianwei!" The smart employees knew that it had been difficult for their boss to say yes to the wedding. By then, she was already the master of the house, so they knew that they had to tter her. "Quick! Go home and get ready!" "Ready for what?" "Our wedding ceremony!" Thats why I promised you three days off. All the employees were dismissed. "Why did our boss ask us to assemble at the Pce Museum tonight?" "No idea..." As soon as they released the news online, Qin Guans website was updated. "The first step of our wedding was the proposal. My love for you couldnt be measured with money, but I tried my best to express my love by getting you the most precious ring in the world. I love you, my wife." In the picture, their ring fingers were really close to each other. The audience felt warm when they saw it. "What a beautiful ring!" "If my boyfriend proposed to me with it, I would ept without hesitation." "Are you kidding? Do you know how much this ring costs?" "Maybe he can afford it..." "You are really naive! ording to my experience, this ring must be at least five carats. A two-carat diamond costs as much as a few houses in the city!" "Really? Thats really expensive. Will the price of the ring be revealed on the website?" "You can leave a message and ask about it." Soon, there was some information in the form of an advertisement of Cartier and Tiffany. The signature of the designer and the certificate became known. It was an 19.8-carat ring! This was a heavy blow for the girls hearts. "Its worth dozens of millions of dors! Stars like to show off with their small rings and the royals they marry. This is ridiculous. We can only enjoy it by looking from afar!" Everyone was suddenly attracted by the news released by Qin Guans staff. "Our boss has asked us to assemble at the Pce Museum tonight. He said that the second step of the wedding ceremony will take ce there." Chapter 992: The Second Step Chapter 992: The Second Step Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Really? At the Pce Museum? Is it even open at night? Your boss wants to attack the pce, right? Cheers!" Qin Guans staff fell silent. Nobody showed any sympathy for them... Anyway, they were still getting paid vacation time, which was really important. They were all trembling as they gathered outside the entrance of the Pce Museum. It was not gloomy and lonely, as they had expected. It was actually as crowded as a bazaar. "Are you a staff member? Queue up over there!" Maybe we came to the wrong site? When they entered the pce, they realized that it was different. It was not as calm as usual. Instead, people were shuttling all over the yard. There were lights, props, dressing rooms... Are they shooting a period show? Suddenly, a voice was heard through the loudspeaker. "Attention! Create a path in the middle for the couple to walk through and get into position!" Qin Guans friends had helped him find a crew that would shoot in the pce. He had hired them for one night, so that they would take his wedding photos. Cong Nianweis dream of having a traditional wedding woulde true. This was not a folk wedding, but a luxurious feudal feast. The audience was expecting the couple to appear in costumes of the Qing Dynasty, when Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei suddenly showed up hand in hand. They were wearing costumes thatbined the styles of the Tang, Song and Ming Dynasties, which had been Chinas golden time. The red brocade looked gorgeous and joyful under the lights. Golden and silver silk threads were rolling like waves and clouds as they walked. A ribbon with two red flower balls connected them together. One was on one end of the red ribbon, and the other was on the other end. They were holding hands as they thought about growing old together... Silence prevailed in the yard as people were wishing the couple the best silently. The yard became an ocean of shlights as cameras and cell phones worked endlessly. An engineering out of the museum after work, who was shocked by the scene on the square, got off his bike and asked a security guard, "Is that crew shooting a film? What kind of film is it? Is it another one about the Qing Dynasty?" The guard smiled. "Nope. This is the first time I see a couple take its wedding photos here." "What?" The engineer stopped. He decided to watch the grand event. Soon, his eyes were fixed on the costumes. He was in charge of repairing ancient clothes at the museum, so as an expert, he found Qin Guans formal outfit unique. It was thebination of the Tang, Song and Ming Dynasties, as well as its modern aesthetics that made it unique. The historicalbination impressed the old master, who had no idea about fashion. The outfit had been created by the best designer team in the Chinese fashion circle, so it certainly deserved praise. "Its brilliant!" The man, who couldnt move his eyes away from it, took out his camera and joined the group of photographers. Chapter 993: Teacher Chen Chapter 993: Teacher Chen Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia As the couple walked on those historical grey bricks, the starry sky bore witness to their happiness. The couple was drawing closer. The red head cover was unveiled, revealing the pretty girl behind it. Cong Nianwei smiled shyly as she looked at the man she loved. She was so flushed that she looked like she was slightly drunk. The groom was much more beautiful. Even the stars seemed inferior inparison to him. It was a blessed match. "Okay! Look at me!" The photographer was really excited. He was actually Qin Guans acquaintance. He had been the very person who had shot his first posters. He had be famous and opened his own studio ever since. Hed had topete with many other professionals to get the chance to take pictures at Qin Guans wedding ceremony. This would be an honor for his career. As the couple walked along the stairs made of white jade and stood at the main entrance of the grand hall, the photos were finallypleted. When the audience hailed, Qin Guan waved at them. "Thank you all! Wee to my wedding!" "Sure!" Everyone left satisfied. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a smile. "Shall we go home like this?" "Good idea!" The next morning, they woke up in theirrge queen-size bed. Unfortunately, the peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by the phone. "Shall I answer it?" "Who is it? Thats so annoying!" "Qin Guan! Turn on yourputer! Quick!" It was Sister Xue, and she sounded exasperated. Something big must have happened. They turned on theputer together and saw a bunch of photos on every website, forum, and blog. Although Qin Guan had already seen them in his previous life, he did not mind reviewing them again. It was Teacher Chen, who had detonated that huge bomb in the entertainment circle. This was the first time a celebrity had revealed their private life to the public and ordinary people had discovered this weird hobby. Some moralists used him of demoralization, but most viewers just watched for fun. Qin Guan was a little worried. "I wonder if Tse is okay." Nichs Tse was his best friend from Hong Kong. He hadnt been able to prevent Tse from marrying Cecilia Cheung, so all he had done was send him his best wishes. "Are you okay?" Qin Guan received a prompt reply. "Im fine, Brother Qin. Thank you for your concern." "What are your ns for the future? Do you need any help?" "Ill support my wife to the best of my ability. Everyone has the right to do so." Cecilia Cheung was very lucky. Other actresses had to cry their eyes out before the camera, while she had her husbands support. Qin Guan sighed and called Wang Liying. "Warn our actors and Huayi to be careful these days. The SARFT will not let such a chance go. They will regte the Hong Kong entertainment circlepletely." "Shall we release the news about your wedding?" "Later. Lets keep a low profile for now. Dont release the news before my album is out. Of course, the paid vacation time will be cancelled." "Got it!" Qin Guan hung up the phone with a sigh. A storm would sweep over the entertainment circle soon. For Qin Guan, who had already achieved so much, this was only a trifle, but for some people, who had just gone viral, this would be a disaster. Tang Wei, who was also famous for that erotic scene, was used as a scapegoat. Chapter 994: Strength In Unity Chapter 994: Strength In Unity Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The SARFT organized an urgent meeting for the event. Meanwhile, the erotic photos and all rtive news were still spreading online. It was quite a blight for the Chinese youth, who would now think that it was easy to be famous by taking off their clothes. This was a really bad notion to promote. Thus, a prohibition was issued in an urgent and strict manner. The SARFT sent a warning to all the involved stars, who seemed like they would stay away from the media for quite some time. It was quite an influential event, not only for the entertainment circle, but also for ordinary people, as it made people refresh their awareness and indicated that the moral degeneration of the world was getting worse each day. Qin Guan was counting the days at home before an open calendar. When shall I take the third step for my wedding ceremony? Suddenly, his eyes fixed on a date. He had nearly forgotten about that day. Would the wheels of history stop? All the events of his previous life had be reality one after the other during this life. Just like a butterfly, he couldnt change anything, except the fate of his and Cong Nianweis families. That day, which was a scar on the heart of every Chinese person, would inevitablye. Tomorrow would be May 12th, the day of that terrible earthquake, which had been the most serious earthquake after the one in Tangshan. An unprecedented disaster was on its way. Fortunately, Qin Guan could do more than he had done in his previous life. What should he do, though? Should he call the Seismological Bureau? They would think that he was crazy. All he could do was donate money to help the disaster area. When the disaster came at the appointed time, the Chinese government used its emergency mechanism immediately. The police, the fire brigade, the army, the local government and some volunteer organizations headed to the area. The Chinese were a race that had endured pain for thousands of years, so an indomitable, revolutionary spirit was deeply rooted in their blood. "Are you ready?" "Yes!" The staff of Qin Guan and Cong Nianweispanies had gotten organized to help the disaster area. Men followed Qin Guan to the site, while scrupulous girls stayed on the home front. Supplies were on their way, and the truck team was formidable. They were among the first group of volunteers to reach Sichuan and bring food, clean drinking water, medicine and clothes. He was not only the first guy from the entertainment circle, but also the first entrepreneur to get there. Before everyone coulde back to their senses, Qin Guan had already arrived in Sichuan. Meanwhile, another special group was headed to China. They were overseas Chinese immigrants, including Han Zhujiu, Xu Xiaoxiao and their team. As veterans, Han and his men were capable of searching for survivors, while Xu took advantage of his status in Chinatown to spread the news among every patriot. He Ming also took action. He encouraged the Chinese businessmen in his club to make donations. Even though they were far from their mothend, they were still descendants of the Yellow Emperor. As the country faced this crisis, all her children stood up for her. If enough candles united, they could light the whole territory up. Qin Guans website also helped the cause. "We are here. Come join us!" "Help Wenchuan!" His truck team aside, Qin Guan also deposited 10 million in the ount of the Red Cross. He was a man of actions, not words, so he did his best to ease the pain of the people living in the disaster area. Chapter 995: Accident Chapter 995: ident Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia If their idol was the leader, they would also take action! The fan club contributed a lot, both in terms ofbor and money. Thin streams united to form a long river that poured help to the disaster area. Meanwhile, Qin Guans team was driving in the traffic that headed to the Sichuan Province. He was moved to see that he was only a member of a bigger group of volunteers. At the intersection were the organizers sent by the government. Although they were advancing slowly, everyone still obeyed the rules. "Volunteers? Supplies? Okay, go that way." The volunteers were talking to each other. "Hey, dude. Hows the situation ahead?" "Its pretty terrible. Take care of yourselves and save as many people as you can!" The first 48 hours after the earthquake were the most important for the survivors. The key was to be as quick as possible. Qin Guan attracted wide attention among the crowd. "He looks really familiar!" "It must be Qin Guan! The award-winning actor!" "What is he doing here? Is this a charity act? Its too early for the disaster area." "Look at the team behind him! Hes brought supplies on demand!" "Wow, he brought his donation here personally. What a kind man!" "Well, he is rich!" "Not all rich men were kind enough to do this. Look at thebel! Thats medicine. It must have cost him a fortune!" More and more people started voicing their positive opinions about Qin Guan. Qin Guan didnt care about theirments, though. He just waved his cap in greeting at the volunteers. "Next one! Come here!" Qin Guans team moved forward. "Follow our military trucks to the front. Dont fall behind. We are in great need of medicine. Hey! Its you! Brother Qin!" Qin Guan recognized the military officer. He was the one who had taken him to the dormitory before he had started shooting "Soldiers Sortie". "What a coincidence! Fancy meeting you here!" "Take care, Brother Qin. We arecking manpower, and there are still some aftershocks going on. You must be aware of thendslides and all other possible dangers." "Thanks!" Qin Guan smiled. "You are as reliable as ever." The officer blushed. "Cheers! Well get going now. See you around!" They followed the military trucks ahead. The farther they got into the mountains, the more dire the situation became. Fallen trees and rocks served as natural barricades on the roads, and the ground ahead was cracked. Everyone fell silent as they advanced. All the drivers were driving carefully. Suddenly, the earth started trembling. It was another aftershock. "Look out! Turn off the engine and find shelter!" All the trucks pulled over. "Help... Help!" Qin Guan heard a weak voice shouting. "Do you hear somebody yelling?" "It seems toe from behind!" An experienced soldier looked down. "It must be a local resident! He must be trapped here!" "What shall we do?" They couldnt just stand by and watch. There was still some distance from the first emergency rescue spot. Fortunately, the team was well-equipped. The soldiers started preparing for the rescue. In a few minutes, a soldier climbed down with a rope. "Its two adults and a kid. Ill take the kid first." The survivors were the owners of a cottage nearby. The parents had escaped with their kid, yet before they had been able to reach a safe ce, they had fallen through a deep crack in the ground. The kid was saved first. Except for a slight dehydration, he was otherwise alright. "Second oneing!" The first adult was saved. The familys luck ran out while the soldiers were rescuing the second adult. "Another aftershock!" As the soldiers tried their best to salvage the situation, Qin Guan rushed over. Chapter 996: A Crazy Ending Chapter 996: A Crazy Ending Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Hold on! Dont give up!" The situation was under control immediately. The soldiers turned around to express their appreciation. "Thanks! Be careful!" Qin Guans expression shifted from appreciation to horror. "Look out!" The voice was still clear in his ears, when he heard faint creamse from afar. "Boss Qin! Be careful!" "Qin Guan! Watch out!" Time seemed to freeze as darkness clouded Qin Guans eyes. The sky and earth started spinning around as years seemed to go by in a short period of time. When Qin Guan woke up again, everything around him was white. Am I in a hospital? This is a lot of equipment for a disaster area. It was really quiet, but the light above him was on. Qin Guan felt terrible. Where am I? Did I lose my consciousness and get transferred out of Sichuan? Where is my assistant? Where is my wife? Is anybody here? Someone wasing. It was Cong Nianwei. Is this April Fools? Are you kidding me? Cong Nianwei, who was wearing a nurses uniform, stared at Qin Guan. "s! You woke up atst. I have to inform aunt as soon as possible." Aunt? Before Qin Guan could say anything, Cong Nianwei turned around and left. When she returned, Qin Guans mother was with her. She had tears in her eyes. "Qin Guan! You woke up! What a miracle! My son..." "Dont worry, aunt. He will recover soon." "Why are you calling her aunt? You should be calling her mom." Cong Nianwei flushed and left again. What the hell is going on? Qin Guan realized that something was wrong. Cong Nianwei looked a little older than he had expected. The calm girl seemed really shy, yet she was still lovely. His mother seemed pleased. "Son, you are finally back. You are over 30 years old. I know youve liked Wei for a long time, but no ordinary girl would want to marry you... You are always away on business trips and you drink too much wine. You were rejected in 99% of your blind dates... You seemed to get lucky during thatst date, but then you had an ident on that construction site..." Qin Guan swallowed his saliva as he tried his best to select the right words. "Was thatst date with Cong Nianwei?" "Of course. You were so happy when you came home. You kept singing for a full three days. You even shaved your beard!" Beard? Qin Guan was shocked. "Is there a mirror in the room? Whats the date today?" His mother handed him a small mirror. "You have been sleeping in this bed for a week. You must be confused." Qin Guan took the mirror and saw the familiar big fellow in it. The guy in the mirror was in, strong and short. A thick beard covered half of his face. It was the very beard hed had in his previous life. An ordinary man would have lost his mind, yet Qin Guan only asked one question. "Did Wei take care of me while I was sleeping?" "Wow! You call her Wei? When did you two get so close? You didnt have any time after that first blind date." "Maybe we dated in my dreams. I want to marry her!" Qin Guans mother patted her thighs. "Alright. Then propose to her. Ill call the matchmaker and express my appreciation." The two of them had forgotten to close the door. By that time, Cong Nianwei had notified Qin Guans doctor, so a group of people had heard their dialogue. Cong Nianweis colleagues fixed their eyes on her. Does this mean that shes getting married? That gentle girl is really unlucky. She has been single for too long. They all turned to the patient on the bed. He seems like an honest, simple guy. As long as his head is alright, then we are all happy for Cong Nianwei. Qin Guan was looking at Cong Nianwei eagerly. Cong Nianwei buried her face in her hands. "You idiot! She didnt say no! Thats basically a yes!" His mother poked his head with a finger. "Really?" Qin Guan got up excitedly, got out of bed and walked over to Cong Nianwei. "We can talk about itter, when you get off work." He took her hands. "Ah! Put on some pants!" Qin Guan looked down and realized that he was naked. He hastened to cover himself with the sheet. Cong Nianwei flushed again as she nodded faintly. Qin Guan grinned wider and wider, until he startedughing happily. I dont care that I returned to my previous life. I dont care that Im a loser again. You are my whole world, no matter where we are! ... "Doctor! Come and see! Why is our bossughing like this?" The exhausted doctor was pulled close by Qin Guans team. She shot a fierce look at them. "Hes having a really good dream. He is about tough himself awake!" Chapter 997: My Wife Is Coming Chapter 997: My Wife Is Coming Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The busy doctor abandoned Qin Guan, leaving his team with him. When Qin Guan returned to reality, he scanned his surroundings. There were simple military tents, busy doctors, nurses, and soldiers around him. The crowd shuttled back and forth orderly. "Hey! How are you feeling? If you have nothing serious, you should get up and give your bed to the other patients," a nurse said as she walked over. When he saw the familiar uniform, Qin Guan smiled unconsciously. His smile scared his team. Is our boss okay? "Tell me about the current situation." "The first group has reached the first rescue spot. They are already busy helping the soldiers with the rescue missions." "Well done!" Qin Guan nodded in approval. "When will the second supply arrive?" "Its on the way. Maybe the day after tomorrow. Oh, Boss Cong is also on her way here." "What? Its too dangerous here!" "I heard that her design of a temporary residence has been approved. It will take a shorter time to build and its more suitable for this environment. Plus, it will save a lot of money. Its an unprecedented innovation. As the main architect, she is the best person to oversee the construction here... She also heard about your ident..." "Who told her about it?" "She is worried about you. If she stays with you, then maybe you will rx..." It was toote to me anyone, so Qin Guan walked out of the tent and joined the busy crowd. "Wow! Is that Qin Guan? The superstar?" "Its rare to see a guy like him work with people like us!" "He is an honest man!" "Its said that he donated a lot of money to the cause." Some reporters took precious photos of Qin Guan against the simple, bleak background. "You are a ray of hope amid this disaster." Everyone felt a rare positive energy. In their opinion, this was the most beautiful moment in Qin Guans career. "Cheers! You are the best! We will be by your side forever!" "Qin Guan!" As he looked up sweatily, Qin Guan saw the person he had missed the most. "Wei! You really came here! That was really fast!" "I have no time to chat. We have a rescue teaming from Japan and some guys from international NGOs." Her work was much more important than his. As the designer of the temporary residence, she had to share all the rtive documents with the foreigners. This would be the greatest acknowledgment of her work. Qin Guan was proud of China. The wisdom of the Chinese people was inexhaustible. These ruins were both the end of a life and the start of a new one. Many peoples lives had be connected there. Thanks to the award-winning actor, the photos and news published by the reporters were filled with humanistic warmth. The children smiled in the pictures, while a young couple looked at each other shyly. No one paid attention to their two hands, which were interlocked. Be with me! I might have lost everything during this disaster, but you are my starting line. Where there was love, there was life. "What are you waiting for? You should get married!" Scared, the couple turned around and saw the award-winning actor waving at them. Chapter 998: A Group Wedding Chapter 998: A Group Wedding Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "You should get married here! The sky will be the ceiling, and the earth will be the floor. Everyone here will be invited. Nothing would be more meaningful than a wedding ceremony like this one! One couple getting married sounds lonely, but... Just wait!" Qin Guan ran back to his own tent, where Wang was busy working on something. She suddenly saw her boss rush in like a madman. "Can we have a wedding ceremony here?" "What?" "A wedding ceremony!" "For whom? You and Cong Nianwei? Here? Are you okay? Is there something wrong with you?" Qin Guan suddenly realized something. "Ha! I could also get married here! What a meaningful ceremony that would be! You are a really good assistant, Wang. Thats a great idea! Ill discuss it with Cong Nianwei immediately." Before Wang could regret saying anything, Qin Guan was gone with the wind. He ran to get his wife as fast as he could. Cong Nianwei epted his proposal without hesitation. "No problem! Ill be right here waiting for you," she said with a smile. Qin Guans proposal inspired the representative of the government, who praised the idea. "This will set a good example for people living in the disaster area. Although there was an earthquake, life still goes on. Happiness is waiting for us ahead! We can organize a temporary civil affairs department quickly. This auspicious time shouldnt be wasted!" After a vote, the idea was approved unanimously. When Qin Guan submitted his application, he realized that there were many couples like them. More than 30 lovers at the base had agreed to join this important group wedding. Some of them had even lost their families in the disaster. They were all representatives of the strong Chinese people. Most of them were young couples who had met and fallen in love during the fight against the earthquake. They were soldiers, nurses, volunteers and vigers. Of course, one couldnt forget about thest couple, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei, who had showed up like free riders. "This is our destiny. Ill cover all the expenses for the ceremony!" Qin Guans announcement was received positively by everyone. Wang smiled as she realized that the second step of Qin Guans wedding would be skipped. He had jumped directly to the third step. She wished him the best! The couples friends went crazy when they heard the news. How will we attend the ceremony? Whats the exact location? They all set out for Sichuan with supplies. When Qin Guans website was updated, his fans got excited. So did the reporters. This was striking news! The headline of the social section of the Xinhua Agency was "Happiness and Hope". All the fans andizens sent their blessings. Some careful fans saw the bright side of the news. "Does this mean that its a group wedding?" "Yes, thats good for us." "They must need help to organize such a grand event in the disaster area. Maybe we could join the festivities as volunteers!" "Yes! This is so much better than a ceremony on a private ind." "You have a point!" "Ha ha! I have already applied for volunteer work in Sichuan. Im so smart!" "Ourpany will send a rescue team there. I will rece someone on the team." "Ill go to Sichuan to hand over our universitys donation myself..." Their real destination would be Qin Guans wedding ceremony, though. The ceremony was held on May 21st 2008, nine days after Qin Guans arrival in Sichuan. The couple had been longing for it for a long time. It was a happy, lucky day for them, as they had known each other for nearly 10 years. "Please give me your hands. From now on, Ill be taking care of you for the rest of my life. I love you, Wei!" Chapter 999: Going To The Olympics Chapter 999: Going To The Olympics Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Fireworks bloomed above as confetti fell down on peoples shoulders like a shower. It was a simple, yet joyful wedding celebration. Long-lost smiles emerged on peoples face. Children were fighting over candy as adults were smoking "Red Happiness" cigarettes provided by Qin Guans staff. Locally distilled liquor filled mugs, lunch boxes, bowls and cups. Their selected wedding outfits were waiting silently in their house in Beijing. That day, only the silk flowers on their chests indicated that they were a bride and a groom. When night fell, spring insects started singing natures very serenade in the bushes. Filled with hope for their new life, the couple headed to the newly-built temporary houses. "We could choose the one I built personally." Qin Guan was eager to do this. They had never had such an experience before. Cong Nianwei had no reason to stop him. She nodded shyly and received a big smile in reply. Every minute of their wedding night was precious. The next morning, Qin Guan got upte. He brushed his teeth outside, smiling at each person that happened to pass by. "Excuse me. Is Comrade Qin Guan here?" "Who are you?" "I was sent by the Olympic Organizing Committee. I need him to confirm something." "Wait a minute! Xiao Wang! There is a man looking for your boss!" "Great! Ive finally found you! We have been trying to contact your studio for a long time. The principal said that it would be difficult to get in touch with you, but they gave me general directions so I coulde here personally. If it wasnt for the group wedding, I wouldnt have found you so fast." "I thought that Qin Guans work for the Olympics was over." "The directing team of the opening ceremony has invited Qin Guan to participate in the event. Director Zhang Yimou rmended him, and the government approved his proposal. He is expected to return to Beijing as soon as possible for the first rehearsal." "Wait a minute!" Although it was hard to turn down such an assignment, Qin Guan was hesitant. "I still have work to do here. Plus, my wife is here as well. We just got married. Were newlyweds! I cant leave her alone. It will be dangerous here during the next few days. Im worried about her safety." A member of his staff walked over with an old phone. Its strong signal was the only method of contacting the outside world. "Hi, Qin Guan. This is Zhang Yimou." "Hello, Director Zhang. Here is what the situation is like..." Qin Guan exined the situation quickly. Zhang was just as straightforward. "I know how you feel, Qin Guan. Many people from the entertainment circle are headed to the disaster area. In my opinion, China needs a lot of power to pull through. The Olympics will be a centripetal force for all Chinese people. Well show Chinas beauty everywhere around the world. This way, well attract global attention. This is just as significant as your work there. Although we are working in different fields, we are still working for the same nation. Ill be waiting for you in Beijing." When Qin Guan hung up, he saw several people, including Cong Nianwei, gathered around him. They were all looking at him with the same expression in their eyes. Qin Guan could feel their heartfelt wish. Go! We wish the 2008 Olympics our best! Cheers! Show the entire world our strength! The expectations of the people living in the disaster area forced Qin Guan to return to Beijing. On the ne on his way there, Qin Guan sat alone with tears in his eyes. He would never show anyone how sensitive he was. By the time he arrived at the rehearsal site, everyone was busy working. No one paid any attention to him. He was just a shining star in a gxy of stars. "Qin Guan? Youre here!" Someone finally noticed me. "F*ck! What happened to you? You seem so..." Chapter 1000: Another Ending Chapter 1000: Another Ending Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia What? Qin Guan had worked day and night in the disaster area without paying any attention to his looks. However, he had taken a bath at home before rushing to the rehearsal. After braving the wind and dew for so many days, his skin had be darker and tougher. Qin Guan was not the same person Director Zhang remembered. "Dontugh at me, director! Just tell me about my assignment." Director Zhang buried his face in his hands. "Your assignment is to get your fair skin back!" He had forgotten to turn off the loudspeaker, so everyone around the site heard him and burst intoughter. The news of Qin Guans return spread around, bing another striking headline. At the time, all news had been about the earthquake. All the Chinese people had been concentrated on that issue. They had even forced Sharon Stone to take back her inappropriatements at the Cannes Film Festival. The world-renowned star had found the gates of China closed before her. All the foreign products she represented changed their posters immediately and reced her with other stars. She had said that this was karma for the Chinese people, so no apologies on her part could fix that. She would just have to bear the consequences of her words. Qin Guan had returned just in time. Suddenly, positive news filled the media. "Qin Guan left the disaster area to join the Olympics ceremony rehearsal!" "We look forward to his performance in the opening ceremony!" There were also some different opinions. "Did he give up his work half-way?" "Did he decide to join the Olympics rehearsal to escape the hardships in Sichuan?" "Which job is more important?" As soon as thosements showed up, Qin Guans staff, fans and workmates in the disaster area stepped forward and rified the matter. "Have you ever seen a superstar like him drive a truck? He is just as good a driver as he is an actor!" He actually had been a good driver in his previous life. "My girlfriend and I were one of the 36 couples that got married along with him. No matter what people say, I will admire him for the rest of my life. He returned to Beijing to stand up for everyone in Wenchuan. He epted this assignment for themon good, not for personal profit." The moving posts and pictures made the people who had doubted Qin Guans motive feel ashamed. Qin Guan had no idea about this debate, as he had dedicated himself to whitening his skin. He had never paid this much attention to his skin before. Here Ie, Olympics! After working for several months, he was finally pushed to the stage by a satisfied Director Zhang. The Beijing Olympics started at 8:00 p.m. on August 8th, 2008 under the lights of the Birds Nest. The audience ratings in China, Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries reached 40%. This was a new record in the history of the Olympics. The drum beats tagged on the audiences heart strings, showing Chinas progress to bing a superpower. The essence of the Chinese culture was unfolded before the world in a splendid way. There were paintings, calligraphy, music, opera... The thousands of people performing were like a mighty ocean, while the solo of a single person was able to move the viewers emotions. After the group dance, silence prevailed in the stadium. A dazzling gxy appeared in the square, so mysterious that everyone was captivated by it. This was the beginning of the next chapter. "Back in ancient times, China had been called the nation of gentlemen..." A person walked along the gxy slowly in a loose white costume. He looked like an immortal. Qin Guan dominated the stage. His charm and power could lift the whole stadium up. When he took hisst step, hepleted his assignment at the Olympics. He was the representative of Chinese rituals and music. The audience got so lost in his charm, that it was unable toe back to its senses. "Director, the audience ratings just increased!" "Thats it! Congrattions, Qin Guan!" Qin Guan was hiding in a corner, calling his wife. "Darling, did you return to Beijing? Did you watch my performance on TV? Great, youre back! Starting right now, I wont be epting any more work. What for? For our honeymoon, of course! We are newlyweds!" Cong Nianwei smiled on the other end of the line. "Our honeymoon will have to be postponed indefinitely." "I know. You must get the Asian Design Award. We can attend the award ceremony together." "No, thats not why, although I did win the award. You are going to be a father! Im two months along already. Hey! Qin Guan! Are you still there?" Qin Guan wasughing like an idiot. "Im going to be a father! I love you, honey!" Ten years after his rebirth, Qin Guan had finally realized his dream. He wanted to thank all hispanions along the way, including those who loved him, those who hated him, his friends and his family. This was his life. He regretted absolutely nothing. Chapter 1001: Encore Chapter 1001: Encore Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan didnt pay attention to anything. He just held his phone in his hand as he struggled to make his way through the crowd backstage. He was so full of energy, that he felt as if he was on a cloud. Wang Liying followed him eagerly. "Where are you going, Brother Qin? Calm down!" The opening ceremony was still going on, yet Qin Guan had reached the door like a smart monkey. If he rushed out to the square, he would make the next days headlines. Suddenly, Wang found her savior by the door. Abandoning any pretense of politeness, she shouted loudly, "Lang Lang! Catch Qin Guan!" Her roar silenced the crowd. Lang Lang, who was a smart guy, caught Qin Guan in time. "I got him! Now what?" Wang made her way through the crowd, "Brother Qin, the president is meeting us after the opening ceremony. Did you forget? Plus, you have another job!" At the end of the ceremony, all the athletes and actors would gather on the square like one big harmonious family. This was an olympic custom. Qin Guan was a solo actor, so his presence there was important. If he didnt stay, there would be gossip published in the media the next day. However, Qin Guans joy encouraged him to negotiate with Lang Lang. "Im your boss, Im the one who pays you. Release me, or I wont pay you this month!" Birds of a feather flocked together. Lang didnt take Qin Guans threat seriously. "Who cares? You can keep my sry as a gift for my nephew." Arent you generous? Why dont you share yourmercial profits with your nephew then? Before they could start fighting again, they noticed something strange. The backstage had gone as quiet as a deserted valley. All the actors had fixed their eyes on the three of them. "Qin Guan! Are you going to be a father? Congrattions!" Everyone suddenly clustered around him and started asking questions. The control director ran backstage. "Everyonee back for the encore! Get ready! Get into position! Remember to smile when you pass by foreign athletes!" Qin Guan had to go out again. He looked like an immortal in his loose robe as he walked through the square array of foreign athletes slowly. There was not a single person standing close to him. Everyone was afraid of looking ugly inparison to him. Thus, Qin Guan was easily spotted by the foreigners. "Oh my!" "Its Qin Guan!" "Ah!" Everyone rushed over to him shamelessly. "Can we take a photo together? We are fans of yous!" The sports stars were running after Qin Guan like ordinary fans. "Whats happening over there?" The chaos drew the attention of President Hu. "Wow! That young man is really popr. I know him. Its Qin Guan, right?" Qin Guan was so sessful that even the Secretary General had remembered him! "What a joyous night! Lets put an end to this sessful opening ceremony." The splendid fireworks marked the end of that exciting night. Chapter 1002: Do You Want An Autograph, President Hu? Chapter 1002: Do You Want An Autograph, President Hu? Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia The foreign athletes left first, but some happy people stayed in the Birds Nest. The group of national leaders stood out among the actors, who waited in line to shake hands with the leaders. Only one person among them was absent-minded. Its reallyte at night. Will my honey be afraid at home? She is pregnant now. I have to stay with her... "Qin Guan?" "Yes?" "I have watched your films. They are pretty good." "Thank you. Do you want an autograph?" Qin Guan replied unconsciously. Lang Lang, who was standing next to him, looked scared. He suddenly started pulling at Qin Guans robe like crazy. When Qin Guan came back to his senses, he realized that the man in front of him looked familiar. Of course! He saw the man every day on the Network News Broadcast! "How are you, Secretary General? May I have an autograph?" "Ha! You are so funny, Qin Guan!" Hu took a pen out of his chest pocket. "Where?" "Right here!" Qin Guan took off his white robe immediately. This could be a gift for my baby... Hu wrote down several big characters in lively cursive writing. Before Qin Guan coulde back to his senses, Hus secretary handed him a piece of paper. "Your signature, please." Are you kidding me? Only when he left the stadium, did Qin Guan realize the truth. Wang drove him home as fast as she could. She didnt want to do anything but find a corner to calm down. There was still a light on by their bed when he got home, but Cong Nianwei had fallen asleep. Qin Guan put the robe carefully in his closet. Only clothes of significance were stored there, including his first Armani Haute Couture and Cong Nianweis wedding dress. Now, another piece was added to the collection. Actually, the costume belonged to the organizingmittee, so hed had to argue with the staff in order to take it home. I should have asked the president to sign on my vest! Qin Guan turned around and saw Cong Nianweis sleeping face under the soft light. Happiness suddenly filled his heart. Sweet dreams, mother of my child! The next morning, Cong Nianwei woke up and found him cooking in the kitchen. "Morning! What would you like to have? Chinese breakfast or Western breakfast? You should watch what you eat from now on." "Anything will do." "Oh, I nearly forgot. Here you are!" He handed Cong Nianwei several phones. "What are these?" "Starting today, I wont be spending time on any trivial work. I will be the perfect stay-at-home husband until you give birth to our baby." "What? Have you shared this news with your staff?" "They can take care of themselves. I have faith in them." "But I have to work. Im only two months along!" "Dont worry, you can do anything you like. Ill just follow you around." "Soldiers Sortie" took advantage of the Olympics and premiered during the same period, soon bing popr all around the country. Characters and lines from the show quickly went viral online. It was a male show without any women, so fan clubs were gradually founded for each actor. Some people liked Chen Sicheng, who looked like an ordinary person. Others preferred Duan Yihong, who always smiled evilly. However, no one could bepared to the schrly Wu Zhe, who was portrayed by Qin Guan. Qin Guans image in a military uniform impressed his fans once again. After a long while, they came back to reality and realized that there were no more news about their idol. He didnt attend any events or prepare for an uing film. His website remained silent for a long time. Qin Guan seemed to have disappeared from the circle like the wind. His firm, on the other side, was functioning as usual. If it wasnt, Brother Wang would have called the police. Chapter 1003: The Bazaar-Going Actor Chapter 1003: The Bazaar-Going Actor Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Sister Xue took charge of his studio, and no one answered his phone. Sister Xue and Wang Liying didnt reveal his new address to anybody. For the sake of the health of the next generation, a pregnant woman couldnt breathe in the polluted air downtown. Xiaotangshan was the best hot springs resort in Beijing, so it was everyones first choice for vacation. Even the princes of the Qing Dynasty had set up their residences there. Modern people certainly knew how to have fun. There were sunshine-filled greenhouses andrge windows in Qin Guans vi. People could fish in the river, or enjoy the hot springs and various fruit and vegetables. There was a beautiful rural scenery around. Although the vi was in an urban area, it was not isted. A lot of luxurious vis were located there. The facilities wereplete, and peasants living nearby organized bazaars regrly and brought fresh vegetables, so the rich residents could experience the pleasure of living in the countryside. That day was a little different. A strange guy went there, attracted by the quality and good prices of the products. Early in the morning, a reporter from the Beijing Lifestyle Section went over to film and write about that unique ce. "As everyone can see, Im at the center of the Xiaotangshan bazaar. The whole ce is bustling with people..." "Unlike the markets downtown, everyone here uses temporary stands..." "You can find anything you want here. All the products are fresh and safe... Follow me! Lets find some delicious food!" The camera turned to the stands. "Can you see those big eggs? The chickens are raised by local peasants. Hey, Liu! Film this! My eyes must be fooling me!" Film what? The old woman selling the eggs? The eggs sure look good... "You glutton! I meant the customer!" The camera zoomed in to reveal the man bargaining with the old woman. It was Qin Guan, the very man everyone around the world had been searching for. He was wearing ck-framed sses, slippers and a loose shirt, and his hair was as messy as a chickens nest. "Can I have a discount? No? Can I have the basket for free then? I wont buy the eggs otherwise!" After a long silence, the old woman surrendered. "You are a good-looking boy, so Ill give you the basket as a gift..." Both the reporter and the cameraman were speechless. "Qin Guan! What a coincidence! Fancy meeting you here! Will you say hi to our viewers?" Wow! I was discovered. Is this a lifestyle channel? Thats fine. Qin Guan waved at the camera. "Hello, everyone. Im Qin Guan. If you are interested in the bazaar..." A long introduction followed, one even more detailed than the one the host had made. Qin Guan seemed like an average stay-at-home husband. "Youve bought too many vegetables." "My wife is pregnant. Im going to be a dad!" Qin Guan made the sign of victory proudly before the camera. Is that really the award-winning actor? The supermodel? Qin Guan waved goodbye at the reporter and left the bazaar on his motorcycle. When the bazaar was over, the reporter showed the video to his director, as if he was showing him a rare treasure. That evening, their viewers in Beijing were shocked. "Today, we got a big surprise in Xiaotangshan. We saw Qin Guan! The actor was buying eggs when I spotted him..." The viewers sat stunned before their TVs. They looked just like stone statues. As soon as they came back to their senses, they started calling their friends. "Turn on the TV! Quick! They found Qin Guan!" "Thats so interesting. What was he doing in Xiaotangshan?" "He is still handsome, even though he is a stay-at-home husband..." The short clip of Qin Guan was over in one minute, but its influence did not stop there. His fans in Beijing rushed to theirputers to tell everyone that Qin Guan had appeared again! Chapter 1004: The Guy From Warner Bros. Chapter 1004: The Guy From Warner Bros. Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia There were not just photos, but also a video. Some people posted the video on the entertainment section, so the curious fans clicked on it. What the f*ck! Thats a bazaar! Are you kidding me? F*ck! Thats Qin Guan! "Director! Come check out the audience ratings!" The director frowned at his assistant, who was in his office at the Beijing TV Station. "Calm down! What happened?" "Director, the audience ratings have increased by 9%!" "What? Am I dreaming? Were on the same level with the most popr programs around the nation!" "The clicking rate has also reached 80 million! Its still rising as we speak!" The director fell back against his chair. He felt like he was having a heart attack. Shall I send someone to Xiaotangshan to wait for Qin Guan? He was toote. As soon as the news had leaked, Qin Guans phones had started ringing one after another. Sister Xue was grinding her teeth. You went and exposed yourself! On the other side of the ocean, Qu let out a long sigh of relief. The guy from Warner Bros. had been visiting her office for about one month and crying his eyes out just in an effort to confirm Qin Guans schedule. This was Qin Guans fault. He had epted the script and then disappeared, leaving Qu to clean up the mess for him. The representative of Warner Bros was scared to see Qu wee him with a smile that day. "Congrattions, William. If you want to see Qin Guan, here is your chance. He showed up again in Beijing." Qu turned the screen of herputer towards him. "I think his studio will issue an official exnation for that video." "Really? Thank you so much, Ms. Qu. I must have misunderstood before. You are not the monster everyone thinks you are!" Great! Now, f*ck off! William left her office screaming, scratching and scrambling. Then, he headed straight to China. Qu was right. The next day, Qin Guans website was updated with a series of dazzling news. Qin Guan had taken his wedding photos at the Pce Museum! They were so beautiful! The traditional Chinese costumes of the couple looked brilliant! Was Cong Nianwei pregnant? Qin Guan was going to be a father. The couple would soon be weing a baby. Would it look like its father or its mother? The excited fans sent the couple their best wishes. "Congrattions to the new parents!" Sister Qu received hundreds of calls from mother and infant care brands. "Whats your offer for Qin Guan? Which brand are you representing?" "Er Lu!" Qin Guan hung up when he heard that name. In 10 days, that brand would go bankrupt. "We produce diapers! All we need is one photo and we will provide you with diapers for your babys entire life." "Its entire life? Are you an idiot?" ... Sister Xue had no idea that someone was following Qin Guan. William had paid some cab drivers to watch the area around Xiaotangshan. It was a stupid, but effective idea. In a few days, he spotted Qin Guan. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were in their small garden when they weed Sister Xue, who came to visit them on weekends. Before they could greet each other, a cab roared and pulled up to the entrance of the garden. A man rushed out of the cab. "Qin Guan! I finally found you!" When Sister Xue came back to her senses, she let out a long sigh of pity for the poor guy. "He is a representative of Warner Bros. He wants to have a discussion with you about that Batman film." Oh! I forgot about that film. I agreed to it back in America... Qin Guan opened the door for him awkwardly. "Come in, please." Chapter 1005: Driven Away Chapter 1005: Driven Away Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia William, who did not care about politeness, just entered the house. Although the inside was not luxurious, it was warm. There was a lot of attention to detail, from the mat at the entrance to the soft carpet on the floor. The furniture showed the high standards of the couples life. After waiting anxiously for two months though, William had no time to appreciate their perfect house. He was only concentrated on Qin Guan. "When will you travel to America, Mr. Qin?" "America? Why? Did I promise you that I would go to America? Okay, lets talk about this. I must wait for my baby and wife to recover one month after the birth. Oh, no. I also have to attend the babys 100-day celebration. As you know, thats a very important day for Chinese children." That would be in 2009. Is that right? William felt like crying, yet he couldnt produce any tears. The award-winning actor was shamelessly telling him that he would not go to America or shoot the film! Before Qin Guan could pull all his hair off, Cong Nianwei said gently, all the while caressing her underbelly, "You can go to America, Qin Guan." What? Am I dreaming? Wow! Is that an angel I see? She must be an angel! Cong Nianwei pushed Qin Guan away. "Wouldnt this be Qin Guans first superhero film?" "Yes. It would be the first time Qin Guan would get a chance to act in a Hollywood blockbuster that uses special effects." "I heard that many famous actors were interested in the role before you chose Qin Guan to y the Joker." "Yes, a lot of outstanding actors were interested in the part." "Thank you for being kind to my husband. As his wife, I have to support his career. By the way, if the film is popr, will yourpany promote it for the Oscars?" "Of course!" William raised his voice. He knew that this was a key point to solving the problem. Only this argument could convince thedy. Nothing was important for Qin Guan, but winning an Oscar was an obsession of his. If there wasnt an important award on the table, he wouldnt leave China. Cong Nianwei nodded. "I agree. Qin Guan will join you immediately. If I am not wrong, your crew must have already gotten to work." She was right. That was why William had aged 10 years while looking for Qin Guan. The film had a budget of 100 million dors. If "I Am Legend" could earn nearly 600 million dors, then so could Batman. The films box office would be really high! I have to stop salivating! Qin Guan was confused. Ten minutes earlier, he had been squeezing juice for Cong Nianwei, yet suddenly he had been kicked off to America! "I cant leave you home alone, darling!" "Did you forget? Our parents will being to Beijing today!" "Weiwei, Im here! Weve brought you plenty of snacks!" Cong Nianweis father entered the house, holding packages with local specialties. Qin Guans parents followed him in joyfully. Qin Guan was caught off guard. "Dad, mom! What are you doing here?" "Why are you asking?" Cong Nanweis father stared at him. "I dont need your approval to see my own daughter. What are you doing here? Dont you need to work? A man should work hard to support his wife and kids. I heard that you suspended all your work, which I findpletely unnecessary. Now that we are here, we can take care of Cong Nianwei. Go earn some money to buy your baby some milk powder!" Chapter 1006: Possessed By The Joker Chapter 1006: Possessed By The Joker Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Dad, my ie is about 10 million dors. Your grandchild is not an elephant. It couldnt possibly have that much milk powder! F*ck off! Qin Guans protest didnt work. Everyone worked together to get him to leave. He suddenly heard someoneughing. Qin Guan stared at the man from Warner Bros. "You must be satisfied now. Lets go to America! Go!" As soon as Qin Guans flight took off, his website was updated with an exciting headline: Qin Guan had left his nest! The whole world joined in the jubtion. This was a good beginning. His fans wouldnt be worried about his career anymore. Qin Guan, on the other hand, was not in a good mood. He had watched the original cartoon and checked out the material collected by the crew, but the city where he would be staying was not as beautiful as he had imagined. Chicago was a city where light and darkness intertwined. When the production added metal monsters and piles of rubbish, Gotham City came to life. This was the second film of the Batman franchise, but it was groundbreaking in terms of quality. It was the first time superheroes would be portrayed with aplicated human nature and actual feelings. All the characters seemed toe to life. The film was a simple blockbuster with outstanding visual effects and a simple plot. The dark side of human nature showed through its every scene. Wherever there were human beings, there was chaos. The troublemaker was the cunning Joker, who had no superpowers, but could scare people with his personality. The character was a big challenge for every actor, which was why so many superstars had been interested in it. However, Qin Guan had been approved by the creator of the cartoon, as well as the director and the productionpany. When they saw Qin Guan in person on the set, everyone tried to keep a distance from him. There was a distinct deserted area around Qin Guan. People were not shocked by his appearance, but by his gloomy mood. Everyone was afraid of being affected by his sorrow. Actually, Qin Guan was sad because his wife had forsaken him. He was right. Cong Nianwei couldnt stand having someone follow her around all day long, so she had taken advantage of this chance to push him to join the crew. This experience was not bad for his interpretation of the character, though. Qin Guan seemed to be possessed by the Joker. The actors and the director were captivated by his acting skills. The creator of the cartoon even burst into tears. A person who had never been addicted to a cartoon would never feel the same as they watched a fictional charactere to life. The man thought that he could finally die happy. Darkness was very closely associated with light. Only when Batman faced his nemesis did he realize that the Jokers ultimate goal was not to ruin a specific superhero, but to destroy the hope of all humanity. That way, even if god himself walked down the altar, his pious believers would still not have the courage to keep living. In the end, Batman had to hide behind the curtain. He was no longer the Knight of Light, but the Knight of Darkness. An arrest warrant was issued both for him and the Joker. When the director stopped the crew, Batman let out a long sigh of relief. He was happy to part ways with Qin Guan. It was ridiculous to see such a handsome guy dressed up as the Joker. Plus, Qin Guans gloomy vibe made everybodys mood worse. Everyone fixed their eyes on Qin Guan. Now that the film was finished, they could all return to reality. Qin Guan remained the same, though. He just kept pacing in circles on the floor. Chapter 1007: A Strange Task Chapter 1007: A Strange Task Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "I dont want to attend that fan meeting! I dont want to join the Marvel exhibition! I dont want to participate in the films promotion! The film is a product of the Hollywood assembly line. My presence wont affect anything. I just want to go home!" "I have read your email, Qin Guan, but you need to stay in America until you finish your job! My expected date of delivery is around next February. You are of no help at home right now. Plus, we call each other every day. There is no difference. Okay, Im busy. I have to go now. Bye!" Qin Guan felt like he had been abandoned in a foreign country. He could only fall asleep by holding Cong Nianweis photos in his arms. As a father-to-be, he was obsessed with his wife and new baby. Even the bustling American downtown couldnt fill the void in his heart. He had been invited to attend thergestic exhibition in the US as a way to promote "The Dark Knight". Warner Bros. had invested a lot in the movie, with the intention of creating another superhero legend that would make box office history. This was the first time Qin Guan was seeing so many characters from American cartoons. Unlike the elegant, fine cartoons in Japan, Americanic characters were tougher and more realistic. People had gathered in the exhibition hall from all corners of the nation, wearing all kinds of costumes. The average American loved superheroes. One could see DC and Marvel superheroes side by side, staring at each other with hostility. There was Iron Man, Spiderman, The Hulk, Batman... Qin Guan was the only guy not wearing a costume or any makeup. As a result, he attracted more attention than the others. I should have at least dressed up as a Doraemon. I look really odd now! Some people, who had gone there specifically for him, spotted Qin Guan immediately. The girls, who had seen Qin Guan in the films poster, thought that he was most likely the most handsome viin in film history. It was interesting how many humans liked viins. The Batman exhibition was upied by those girls, who were wearing different costumes and makeup. Their long legs shocked the other introverts in attendance. The girls rushed over to Qin Guan, screaming, "My love! My Joker! Please take me away! Ill be your ve forever!" Arent beautiful girls supposed to love superheroes? Costume stores had weed plenty of customers that day. As a result, viin costumes had been almost sold out. Chapter 1008: A Great Box Office Chapter 1008: A Great Box Office Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia Qin Guan finally escaped from the exhibition thanks to the help of Han Zhujiu and the security personnel. He looked like a real viin beaten by a superhero. His hair was a mess and his cor was loose, but his pants thankfully remained on his hips. He made a decision to wear a costume before showing up at such an event again. He would dress up as a faceless character, or a character with a mask covering his face. Being an ordinary person was akin to a sin at aics exhibition. The representative of Warner Bros, who couldnt keep his mouth shut, decided to use Qin Guan for international promotion. Before he could execute this idea, Qin Guan was pulled away by Qu Xuemei. When the international financial crisis broke out in 2008, the increasing unemployment affected countless industries. Redundant fashion magazines were also affected. Even tycoons suffered in terms of sales. Rich people looked up from their fashion magazines, which they had only been reading for fun, and turned to the "help wanted" ads in cheap newspapers. The storm was on its way to hitting the publishing industry. Magazines needed a beam of light amid that dim future, so they had to unite to create a timeless magazine. This was a task taken up by Vogue, who was the leader of the industry. The magazine, which wanted to make ast effort, started searching for beautiful men and women from the international film circle. The most famous, beautiful and fashionable individuals would create an unprecedentedly timeless magazine. When Qin Guan was almost kidnapped and taken to the Vogue headquarters, he found a lot of acquaintances of his in the dressing room. The editor of VOGUE must have gone mad. The magazine had invested its entire budget on this bet. Leonardo Di Caprio, Nics Cage, Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Bruce Willis, Will Smith and Brad Pitt, who always held himself back when he saw Qin Guan, were all there. Everyone had a general idea of who he was. Only Brad Pitt lied to himself. They all walked out of the dressing room one after the other in an assembly of ck suits, white shirts and leather shoes. The smell of cologne lingered around the room. This was a fashion miracle. The stars assumed their positions on the set automatically. They didnt need any assistance. They all sat ory down on the couch infortable poses, leaving the spot in the center to Qin Guan. Their gesture showed his status among them. When the photographer entered the room, he found the stars sitting quietly in ce. Some of them even cracked jokes about Qin Guan, who was about to be a father. The atmosphere was really harmonious, so Qin Guan wouldnt normally leave as soon as his job was finished. He often even went out with his colleagues. As Cong Nianwei finally let out a sigh of relief, Qin Guans movie premiered quietly all around the world. Everyone was shocked by its statistics and reviews. The films box office in North America reached 80 million on the opening day and 180 million during the first week! The experienced director of Warner Bros. announced his conclusion about the result, which was resolute. Chapter 1009: Another Billion-Dollar Movie Chapter 1009: Another Billion-Dor Movie Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "It will be another billion-dor ssic that will go down in film history. If everything goes well, well top the box office this year and Qin Guan will be invited to the Golden Globes. Film critics will pay homage to our work tomorrow!" He was right. The positive feedback put a perfect end to the film. The articles written about it were as artistic as oil paintings. The New York Times said that "The Dark Knight" was like a vignte with right on his side. This small step was a great leap for that entire film genre. No matter how cynical one was about Hollywood films, it was easy to be convinced by such a movie. The director had left enough space for the worlds greatest actor to express himself. When Qin Guans ruined face shot out of the window of a police cruiser, allughter was gone with the wind. Neon lights flickered behind him like bright pearls. It made sense for newspapers to praise a Chinese young man who had started his career in New York City. This was the birth of a new hero. New York was witnessing the miracle of someone realizing their dream. The Hollywood Times also made pertinentments about the film. "The Dark Knight has broken away from otheric adaptations and be aplex, dark and meaningful film franchise." "Qin Guans performance has given the film a Hollywood Golden-Age aura. He beat all the previous films of the series and turned this one into a ssic." As a result, all the movie tickets were sold out two weeks before the films first run in other countries. In China, the situation was even worse. Some crazy fans even slept in their sleeping bags outside the entrances of cinemas. The owner of Wanda came up with a 24-hour cinema service, so one could now watch the film at any time, which eased the pressure considerably. Screams rose and fell one after the other in all movie theaters. The men who had gone there for the superhero were scared. The new Superman film had also premiered during the same period. Eventually, the films box office reached nearly 1.1 billion. Qin Guan had set a new record! More and more people had the same thought. Its Oscar time! Fame and merit go together! By then, Qin Guan had been away from home for five months, so he had started to miss his wife and home. He couldnt stand this anymore! Even Wang Liying couldnt stop him from returning to China. "Brother Qin! Boss Qin! Wait! You have been shortlisted for the next round of the Golden Globes! Dont you want to win the award?" Qin Guan picked up his suitcase with a smile. "I have already won a Golden Globe. Do I even need another one? I have spent too much time on this movie. I want to see my wife and baby!" Wang, who was holding on to his legs, slid down on the floor. Suddenly, a pair of ck high-heels kicked Qin Guan down, making himnd on his face. Hey! I have put up with you for a really long time! I want revenge, you rebel! A pair offortable, cotton-padded shoes showed up before his face as he stopped abruptly. Its... Its Wei! Qin Guan was furious. Who had let a pregnant woman fly across the ocean? "I asked them to keep it a secret. I came here for my award ceremony. I didnt want to distract you, but now its all over. You finally stopped obsessing over your dream. I showed up at just the right time..." Chapter 1010: The Final Episode Chapter 1010: The Final Episode Trantor: Lan_ Editor: Efydatia "Darling, you are always so considerate with me. You have done so much for me! You should have told me. I would have taken care of you!" Their parents appeared behind Cong Nianwei and looked at the couple with silent smiles. They had always supported them with actual actions. Cong Nianwei shook her head at Qin Guan, "You have done so much for me. This is not just your dream, its the promise we made. Im the person who understands you the best." I want to cry... "Okay. Lets wait for the results here, in America. Lets go to Hollywood together!" As expected, Qin Guan won the Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe. Soon, the Oscars announced the nominees shyly. In the middle of February 2009, the most remarkable award ceremony of the international film circle began. That day, Qin Guan was no longer the most awkward being at the ceremony. He walked on the red carpet like the most shining star in the gxy. He didnt need to build up a momentum for Chinese films. He didnt need to show up for his sponsors. He attended the ceremony just for himself. All the cameras were fixed on him. The legendary actor had started his career in the fashion circle before he had even turned 20. A few yearster, he had won his first important acting award. By the age of 30, he was considered a miracle among the film and TV circle. Of course, everything would depend on the results of the award ceremony, but at the moment, he was the most attractive guy there. The most frequent Oscar guests felt something in the air. Everyone was anxious to find out who would win the Best Supporting Actor Award instead of the Best Actor or Actress Award. As the moment approached, everyones hearts started beating heavily. When the nominees names flickered on the screen, the host slowed down his voice. "The nominees for the Best Supporting Actor Award of the 81st Oscars are Qin Guan, Michael Shannon..." As Qin Guans name was read out loud, some nervous guests started pping their hands unconsciously. The host stood stunned for a few seconds. This is really awkward. Lets just announce the winner. "The winner is Qin Guan, with his performance in The Dark Knight!" This was both expected and unexpected. Qin Guan walked to the stage slowly with mixed feelings. "Thank you for the apuse. Some friends of mine, who were afraid of ack of apuse, paid some people to p for me..." Everyoneughed, including the other nominees. "I would like to express my appreciation for..." Qin Guan was familiar with eptance speeches, so although he was absent-minded, he delivered a fluent speech. Suddenly, Wang broke in with a cry, "Brother Qin! Cong Nianwei gave birth to a boy!" She burst into tears as she held the phone, while the father of the baby stood stupefied on the stage. "Ha ha! Did everyone hear that? I would like to express my gratitude to my wife, who encouraged me to ept this role. I would also like to express my appreciation to my son, who came to the world just in time. If he had been early, I wouldnt have showed up to receive this award. I have nothing else to say. I have to leave. You are all wee to our celebratory feast tomorrow! See you!" Arge bed and a smaller one had been ced close to each other in the hospital room. Qin Guan rushed upstairs, entered the room silently and set the award down on the bedside table. The next morning, when the mother and the baby opened their eyes, they would see the new toy right away. I love my family. I love all the people who stood by me through all my ups and downs. I love all the readers who read about my life. Ill be here forever. Im Qin Guan, a tough, yet simple man. I will stay with you whenever you smile or cry. Ill forever be a considerate man full of love... The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!