Video Editor

After filming wrapped on "My Fair Princess 2", Zhao Yanzi returned to the Beijing Film Academy.

Actually, she didn't spend much time at school.

After the show became popular, she received one invitation after another: one TV station interviewing her today, another magazine cover shoot tomorrow, and yet another brand asking her to be their spokesperson the day after.

I rarely have time to come back, but my homeroom teacher called to say there was some kind of seminar and asked me to come back and share my filming experience.

Zhao Yanzi didn't want to come at first, but then she thought that since she was a star now, it would be nice to go back to school and enjoy the limelight.

On the day she arrived at school, Zhao Yanzi specially wore a newly bought red dress, sunglasses, and high heels as she walked in from the school gate.

The younger students she encountered on the way all stopped to look at her; some whispered "Little Swallow," while others took out their phones to take pictures.

Zhao Yanzi was secretly pleased, but her face remained indifferent. Occasionally, she would nod at someone as a greeting.

The seminar was held in the large classroom, and quite a few people attended.

The room was packed with students from the directing, acting, and cinematography departments.

Zhao Yanzi sat on the stage, talking about her experiences filming, how Aunt Qiong guided her, and funny stories from the set.

The people below listened attentively and applauded from time to time.

After finishing her lecture, the homeroom teacher smiled and said, "Yanzi, don't rush off. Spend more time talking with the younger students. You probably didn't know that we had a freshman in our directing department last year who got a perfect score?"

Zhao Yanzi was stunned for a moment, "Perfect score? Perfect score on the college entrance exam?"

"Yes, the top scorer in the national college entrance examination. He gave up Tsinghua and Peking University and applied to our directing department instead." The class teacher pointed to the audience, "That one, Su Ning."

Zhao Yanzi looked in the direction she was pointing.

A young man sat quietly in the corner, wearing an ordinary white shirt, nothing special.

But after looking at it a few more times, it seems a bit special.

Those eyes were so calm, so calm that they didn't seem like someone of that age.

“Su Ning,” the homeroom teacher called him up directly, “come up and chat with your senior sister? You’re going to be a director in the future, so get to know the actors better.”

Su Ning stood up, walked onto the stage, nodded to Zhao Yanzi, and said, "Hello, Senior Sister Zhao."

Zhao Yanzi sized him up. "You're the junior from the directing department who got a perfect score?"

"Ah."

"Why not go to Tsinghua or Peking University?"

"I want to study directing."

Zhao Yanzi laughed, "Interesting. So what kind of movies or TV shows do you want to act in in the future?"

"I haven't decided yet, since I'm still in the learning phase."

Zhao Yanzi asked a few more questions, and Su Ning responded very politely, but she could sense that this person was keeping a distance from her.

Not too far, not too close, not too cold, not too hot, there's nothing wrong with it, but it just makes you feel like there's a layer between you and it.

Having been in the entertainment industry for so long, Zhao Yanzi is used to the way men look at her.

Some were greedy, some were ingratiating, and some had naked desires.

But when Suning looks at himself, it's no different from looking at a glass of plain water.

After the meeting ended, Zhao Yanzi didn't leave immediately.

Instead, she chatted with the homeroom teacher for a few minutes, and then subtly inquired about Su Ning, asking, "Teacher, does Su Ning have a girlfriend?"

The homeroom teacher thought for a moment, "She seems to be from our school too, in the performing arts department, her name is Yan Ruyu. You should know her, right? She's in the same year as you."

Zhao Yanzi was stunned for a moment.

Yan Ruyu.

My classmate, the campus belle of Beijing Film Academy, Yan Ruyu, who just played Qing'er Gege.

At this moment, Zhao Yanzi stared wide-eyed in shock, "Su Ning... is Yan Ruyu's boyfriend?"

"Yes! You didn't know? They've been together for a long time. The courtyard house that Yan Ruyu lives in now was bought by Su Ning. I heard he even got her a car, a BMW."

Zhao Yanzi almost lost her smile.

She simply hummed in agreement, said she understood, and then turned and left.

After leaving the teaching building, Zhao Yanzi stood on the steps, not moving for a long time.

BMW? Courtyard house? Perfect score on the college entrance exam?
Why forgo Tsinghua and Peking University to study directing at Beijing Film Academy?
I am reminded of Yan Ruyu's dressing room on set, a separate room with a dedicated makeup artist.

I remember Aunt Qiong holding Yan Ruyu's hand and introducing her to the reporter as Yan Ruyu.

I remember those added scenes, those lines written specifically for Yan Ruyu.

It turns out that it wasn't Aunt Qiong who was biased, but rather that Yan Ruyu had someone backing her.

A person even more formidable than Aunt Qiong.

At first, I thought Yan Ruyu was married to a wealthy businessman, but I never expected her to be such a eligible bachelor.

Zhao Yanzi bit her lip, feeling a mix of emotions she couldn't quite describe.

In fact, she had met too many rich people, including nouveau riche, rich kids, and old men, but Zhao Yanzi looked down on none of them.

But Suning is different.

Today I discovered something about Suning that isn't something built on money; it's an innate pride that comes from within.

His calm and quiet demeanor made people feel that he had everything and didn't care about anything.

Zhao Yanzi had never met a man like this before.

What's even more infuriating is that Suning has absolutely no interest in me.

……

The next day, Zhao Yanzi made an excuse and went to the directing department again.

As Su Ning came out of the classroom, Zhao Yanzi immediately went up to him, "Junior, are you free? I'd like to treat you to a meal."

Su Ning glanced at Zhao Yanzi, "Senior sister, you don't need to be so polite."

"It's not that I'm being polite, I just wanted to thank you. You cooperated very well at the last meeting," Zhao Yanzi said with a smile. "Let's go! There's a new restaurant near the school that's pretty good."

Suning did not refuse again.

Next, the two went to the restaurant, where Zhao Yanzi ordered several dishes and opened a bottle of wine.

Zhao Yanzi poured a glass for Su Ning first, then poured one for herself. "Junior, how long have you been with Yan Ruyu?"

"Almost a year."

How did you two meet?

"We were in the same school, so we naturally got to know each other."

Zhao Yanzi was taken aback. "Didn't you pursue her?"

"almost."

Zhao Yanzi felt even worse.

She realized that it must have been Yan Ruyu who had actively pursued Su Ning.
The aloof school beauty takes the initiative to pursue a freshman?
Then, Zhao Yanzi picked up her wine glass, took a big gulp, and asked, "Junior, what do you think of me?"

Su Ning simply looked at Zhao Yanzi calmly, without saying a word.

Zhao Yanzi laughed, a very charming laugh. "Don't misunderstand, I was just asking. What do you think of me as a person? How well do I act?"

"Senior sister acted very well. No one else could have played the role of Little Swallow."

Zhao Yanzi stared at Su Ning, trying to read something from his eyes.

But those eyes remained so calm.

Zhao Yanzi put down her wine glass with a sullen face. "Junior, you're really boring."

Su Ning smiled and said, "If you don't find this interesting, then I'll head back now."

Then Suning stood up, paid the bill, and left without a word.

Zhao Yanzi sat there, staring blankly at Su Ning's back, not moving for a long time.

To my utter surprise, Suning was so decisive and efficient.

……

Back in her dorm, Zhao Yanzi lay on her bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

He recalled the way Su Ning looked at him, the tone of his voice, and the way he stood up and left.

It's not an act; I genuinely don't care.

Zhao Yanzi suddenly felt envious of Yan Ruyu again.

No! Not just a little! I'm very envious! I'm jealous.

Yan Ruyu found a real eligible bachelor.

He's rich, capable, and not a womanizer.

You couldn't find a man like that even with a lantern.

She rolled over again and buried her face in the pillow.

Why? Why does Yan Ruyu have everything?
A pretty face, a Qiong Yi drama, and a boyfriend like that.

Zhao Yanzi risked her life to fight her way out of the Little Swallow's clutches.

Yan Ruyu did nothing, yet she had everything.

This is not fair.

But in this world, there is no such thing as fairness or unfairness.

Zhao Yanzi closed her eyes and told herself, "Don't think about it. You have Xiao Yanzi, that's enough."

Little Swallow will continue to be popular.

But that voice grew weaker and weaker.

……

After "My Fair Princess" became a hit in Taiwan, Aunt Qiong didn't rest.

Because she understands this industry too well.

For a show to become a hit, it's not enough to rely solely on the show itself; it needs to generate buzz, tell a story, and make the audience feel that there's something to it.

So Aunt Qiong deliberately had someone from the company leak a message...

"The premiere date of 'My Fair Princess' was specially chosen by a feng shui master."

The news caused an uproar in the Taiwanese entertainment industry.

That place is known for its belief in this stuff; what celebrity hasn't worshipped the White Dragon King or Wong Tai Sin? But to pick a feng shui date for the premiere of a show like this is the first time I've ever seen such a fuss.

"Really? Did they hire a master?"

"I heard he's a highly skilled person from the mainland, and Aunt Qiong paid a hefty sum to hire him."

"No wonder! I knew the date was chosen perfectly. April 28th, auspicious and lucky, a day of instant success."

The reporter went to ask Aunt Qiong.

Aunt Qiong sat in her office, holding a teacup, smiling without saying a word.

Neither admitting nor denying, just laughing.

The reporter then asked, "Aunt Qiong, could you reveal who this master is?"

Aunt Qiong shook her head, "The master forbade me to say."

The reporter went back and wrote a report titled "The Secret Behind the Hit of Qiong Yao's New Drama: Feng Shui Masters Choose Auspicious Dates to Determine Fate".

The newspaper caused a sensation throughout the Taiwanese entertainment industry as soon as it was published.

The producers, directors, and investors all had their eyes red with envy.

They've filmed so many movies, spent so much money, begged and pleaded, but they still can't become famous.

But Aunt Qiong, she just found a master to pick an auspicious date, and her drama became a hit?

"Who exactly is this master?"

"I heard it's not from Taiwan, but from mainland China."

"From the mainland? There are such highly skilled people in the mainland?"

Suddenly, phone calls inquiring about the news flooded in.

Aunt Qiong's secretary was receiving so many phone calls that her hands were sore, all from people wanting to interview her or asking about that master.

Aunt Qiong refused to answer any questions, but when pressed, she would say, "The master said that heavenly secrets cannot be revealed."

However, the less Aunt Qiong said, the more curious others became.

The news reached Hong Kong and then the mainland.

The bigwigs in the film and television industry couldn't sit still any longer.

In recent years, as the mainland has developed a market economy, there are more wealthy people, but when it comes to making movies, money alone is not enough.

You need a good script, good actors, a good director, and you also need to be popular with the audience.

Audience appeal is a mysterious thing; no one can say for sure.

But Aunt Qiong found a master and picked a good day, and the show became a hit.

What does this show? It shows that this master is truly capable.

……

Then, on October 28, 1998, "My Fair Princess" premiered in mainland China.

This date was naturally set by Suning.

Aunt Qiong remembered it perfectly, not a day less.

During prime time on Toilet TV, Little Swallow tumbled out and flew out, making the audience in front of the TV burst into laughter.

By the third episode, the viewership ratings had broken records.

By the tenth episode, everyone was humming "There Was a Girl" in the streets and alleys.

By the time the series ended, it was said that the security situation was better than usual that day because there were no people on the streets; everyone was at home watching TV.

Public opinion across mainland China has gone completely mad.

Newspapers were filled with news about "Princess Pearl" every day, and magazines featured Little Swallow on the cover every issue.

Zhao Yanzi went from being a student at the Beijing Film Academy to becoming the most popular star in the country overnight.

Lin Daru, Su Age, and Zhou Erkang all became famous.

But what people in the industry are talking about, besides the play itself, is that mysterious feng shui master.

"Have you heard? The premiere date for Aunt Qiong's drama was chosen by the master. April 28th, Taiwan premiere. October 28th, mainland premiere. Not a day off."

"So amazing? Who is that master?"

"I don't know. Aunt Qiong won't say."

How much did you pay to hire him?

"I heard... ten million."

"My God! Ten million?" someone gasped.

Ten million in 1998 was an astronomical figure.

But then I thought, their show became a hit, and the advertising fees alone would be more than that.

Worth it.

The more the news spread, the more bizarre it became.

Some say that the master was an old man with a sage-like appearance, white beard and white hair, who lived deep in the mountains.

Some say that the master was a Taoist successor, capable of divination and predicting events with uncanny accuracy.

Some people say that the master is actually from Hong Kong and Taiwan, and lives in seclusion on the mainland, rarely venturing out of the mountains.

Various investors began frantically inquiring about it.

People in the film and television industry, investment, and real estate all want to find this master.

Filmmaking involves large investments and high risks; who wouldn't want to find an expert to guide them?
If we could ask a master to pick an auspicious date, wouldn't the play become a hit?

Someone used connections to find Aunt Qiong's secretary, offering two million for just an introduction.

The secretary shook her head with a wry smile, "It's not about money. If Aunt Qiong doesn't say anything, who would dare to ask?"

Some people went directly to Aunt Qiong's company, and the receptionist couldn't stop them; they insisted on seeing Aunt Qiong.

Aunt Qiong told her assistant to go out and deal with the situation, while she left through the back door.

Some people even went to great lengths to find Yan Ruyu, hoping to get some information from her.

When Yan Ruyu received the call, she was memorizing her lines in the courtyard. After listening, she only said "I don't know" and then hung up.

Listening nearby, Ma Dongmei asked curiously, "Chenchen, who is it?"

"I don't know him, why are you asking about a master?"

"Do you know?"

Yan Ruyu glanced at her and shook her head. "I don't know."

Ma Dongmei didn't believe it, but she didn't ask any more questions.

Suning drank tea under the eaves without saying a word.

As more and more people asked Aunt Qiong questions, she became increasingly silent.

Some people even offered five million, just to tell her who the master was.

Someone offered ten million for a chance to meet him.

Some people even offered exorbitant prices to have a master choose an auspicious date for them.

Aunt Qiong refused them all.

It's not that I don't want to earn this money, it's that I'm afraid to.

The young man said there were only three chances.

She still has two chances left, and she really can't bear to use them.

Besides, they don't care about the money at all.

Is someone who gives a ten million dollar check to his girlfriend as pocket money something you can just buy off with money?

However, the less Aunt Qiong said, the more mysterious the master seemed.

The less people in the circle know about this person, the more impressive they think he is.

Later on, even bigwigs from Hong Kong and Taiwan were alarmed.

A Hong Kong film tycoon made a special trip to Taipei to invite Aunt Qiong to dinner.

At the dinner table, the tycoon personally poured wine for Aunt Qiong, "Sister Qiong, could you introduce me to that master? I'm open to discussing any price."

Aunt Qiong smiled as she held her wine glass. "It's not about the money. The master said that if the time isn't right, we won't see outsiders."

The tycoon paused for a moment, then smiled, "Alright, then I'll wait for fate."

Aunt Qiong kept this in mind, and when she talked about it with her agent later, she sighed, "These people want more the more they can't have something. But they don't know that the other person doesn't care at all."

The agent nodded. "Will you still contact him in the future?"

Aunt Qiong was silent for a moment, then said, "We'll look for it. But we only have two chances. We have to use them wisely."

……

When the news reached the Beijing Film Academy, the students were abuzz with discussion.

In the cafeteria, several male students from the directing department were chatting animatedly while holding their lunchboxes.

"Have you heard? The premiere date of Aunt Qiong's drama was chosen by a feng shui master."

"Nonsense, right? You actually believe that?"

"Why don't you believe me? Their show was a hit! What about yours? It didn't even make a splash."

"That's because the acting is good, what does it have to do with feng shui?"

"You don't understand, there's a lot more to it than that."

Suning sat in the corner, eating quietly.

The person next to him suddenly asked, "Su Ning, do you believe in this?"

Su Ning thought for a moment, then said, "I believe you."

"You believe that?" The man laughed. "Didn't you get a perfect score? Why would you believe this?"

Suning offered no explanation and continued eating.

They thought to themselves, "What's the big deal? If they knew that the master was eating right next to them, they'd probably be shocked."

...(End of this chapter)