Huayu98: Starting with mentoring pop divas

Li Shuo stretched as he walked out of the school's administrative office.

This "Mainland Exchange" practical project counts as 150 hours if you can complete it in one go.

It's like going back to the mainland for two weeks in June, then coming back to CAS and directly meeting the requirements. It's really "great".

Moreover, I thought there would be some troublesome additional conditions... but it turned out to be a buy-one-get-one-free deal, and I also had a natural opportunity to show my face and "earn" a spot.

Excellent, excellent!

He hummed the melody of "A Triumphant Smile" as he walked through the corridor, then stopped and looked to his right.

The corner of the stairs on the right is the very spot in "Fight Back to School 2" where Athena Chu held a copy of the novel "Waves" and "first met" Stephen Chow.

It's a pity I've passed by several times... but no cute girl like that has appeared... let him show off his literary skills...

Li Shuo reluctantly withdrew his gaze.

I raised my hand to check my watch.

It's past midnight, just in time for dinner.

No wonder there were so many more people in the corridor.

As he walked forward, he could feel all eyes on him.

The girls, in groups of three or five, glanced at his face, then pretended to be casual and looked back with smiles... and seemed to be discussing something very excitedly.

The boys were much more direct... sizing each other up, scrutinizing, and mostly not very friendly.

As for those who inexplicably look over and seem "particularly" friendly?

Good heavens! Li Shuo quickened his pace.

He's been to Hanki's cafeteria a few times this week.

The school's meals are decent enough to cover the tuition... but you still have to pay for them yourself!

The noisy food pick-up area is a row of stainless steel warming stations, somewhat like a university cafeteria, but much more refined.

Li Shuo took the tray and moved forward with the line.

He politely but coldly declined the invitations from several female students (who he couldn't tell were upperclassmen or underclassmen) to let him cut in line, treat him to a meal, or sit with him.

Today I chose the Chinese set meal again.

Steamed sea bass, scrambled eggs with char siu, black pepper beef tenderloin, garlic broccoli... and many other options, as well as three kinds of slow-cooked soups.

There were also Western food stalls nearby, selling steaks, pasta, pizzas, and salads, but he didn't even glance at them.

In the end, I chose a bowl of fruit slices... Surprisingly, there was still Watson's "Gela" soda in the beverage cabinet, which was about to disappear, so I took a bottle.

He finally finished his meal... and then found a corner seat to sit down.

The taste is indeed good.

He was eating with his head down when he caught a glimpse of a figure moving diagonally behind him out of the corner of his eye.

I turned my head to look.

It's that foreigner again.

He had seen this person several times at school in the past two days.

In the corridors, at the library entrance, in the cafeteria, and outside the administrative offices, he always seemed to want to get close but dared not, acting furtively.

Li Shuo paused with his chopsticks.

No way? Is it that "beautiful boy romance halo" again?

He stared at the man.

He has dark brown hair, striking facial features, and wears a high-grade Hanji school uniform.

The other person was also looking at him.

His eyes were incredibly complex—conflicted, nervous, and even…excited!?

Damn it! If this guy really is a foreign gay man, and he dares to come over and say anything nonsense, he'll have to "physically retreat" today.

As a result, the person took a deep breath, picked up the tray, and actually walked over.

Li Shuo clenched his fist instantly.

With a "thud," the plate was placed opposite Li Shuo.

Then, a fist salute?

Literally, it means clasping your hands together in a fist salute, a standard gesture of respect in the martial arts world.

"Boss!"

Li Shuo's chopsticks were suspended in mid-air.

This action...this gesture...how does it resemble Abel, the foreigner who worshipped Stephen Chow as his boss and joined every club in school?

He stared at the face opposite him.

With deep-set eyes and a high nose bridge, her expression was tense at the moment due to nervousness.

"Boss, my name is Philip Kadoorie."

The other person maintained the gesture of clasped hands and spoke fluent and clear Chinese.

"I've seen you before! I'd like to ask you to teach me real kung fu!"

Li Shuo put down his chopsticks.

"No," he raised his hand and pressed down, "You look older than me. Don't use all those 'you' and 'boss' titles... What kung fu? You've got it wrong!"

Philip was anxious and conflicted.

He gritted his teeth and carefully moved closer.

"Boss... I've seen you demonstrate your skills. Please don't be angry, I absolutely didn't mean to pry into your privacy... Please don't sue me!"

Li Shuo narrowed his eyes.

Show off his kung fu? He hasn't used any kung fu since he came to Hong Kong...?

Morning exercise? No, wait... there's definitely no one around.

Li Meiqi? That doesn't make sense either. What can you learn from a single moment?

Just then, Phil began to explain.

"That day you snatched the cameras from those two paparazzi in the Peninsula Hotel's rooftop lounge in New York."

His eyes were bright and he looked very expectant.

"I've watched that surveillance footage so many times! Your moves... are absolutely genuine! Please teach me, boss!"

Li Shuo's mind went blank.

Camera snatched at The Peninsula Hotel in New York!

"How did you get that surveillance footage?" He stared at Phil, his voice turning somber.

Philip hurriedly waved his hand.

"Boss, please don't misunderstand! The Peninsula Hotel is a family business... My uncle is in charge of its operation and management. He knew I was obsessed with Chinese kung fu, so he secretly copied the surveillance footage for me. And I really only watched it myself; I absolutely didn't share it with anyone!"

Li Shuo remained silent... "Is the Peninsula Hotel yours? Wait a minute, is this guy called Philip Kadoorie?"

This surname…

"That Kadoorie family from Hong Kong Island?"

"Yes, that's why I just said, don't listen to this and then sue the Peninsula Hotel..."

Phil looked a little nervous.

"Even if you want to sue... go ahead and sue me... at worst I'll just get another scolding from my father."

Li Shuo looked at him.

The Kadoorie family—isn't that one of the most prominent wealthy families in Hong Kong, owning CLP Group, the Peninsula Hotel, and later developing numerous Chinese real estate projects?

But this foreigner in front of me, with his hands clasped together and eyes full of expectation, doesn't look like a rich young master at all.

"How old are you?"

"nineteen."

"Um... just call me Li Shuo, don't make me sound old."

"..." Phil paused for a moment.

"But boss, talent knows no age! We in the West also have apprenticeships. When Leonardo da Vinci was learning painting from Verrocchio..."

"Alright, alright."

Li Shuo interrupted him.

"Please put your hands down, stop with the fist and palm salute, and stop with all those polite formalities... I really can't accept that..."

Philip then lowered his hands and sat down properly.

Li Shuo thought for a moment and decided not to dwell on the surveillance issue anymore. He picked up his chopsticks and continued eating.

"You said you watched the surveillance footage several times, what did you find out?"

Hearing this question, he assumed it was a test of his aptitude.

Phil immediately perked up.

"I tried to imitate it for so long... but I just couldn't learn it. But I know! The boss is using Tai Chi!"

He gestured as he spoke, almost knocking over his own plate.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." He quickly helped her up.

"I just think... Boss, your moves are amazing... I've practiced Choy Li Fut... Tiger Crane Double Form Fist... I've also been exposed to Wing Chun... I also learned Karate and Taekwondo when I was a kid, but as for the actual combat effectiveness... hehe."

Wow, you've learned quite a bit...

Li Shuo chewed his food without replying.

My mind raced for a moment.

Indeed... there's a reason why places like Hanji are expensive.

You never know who's behind that seemingly ordinary classmate at the next table.

You can meet anyone by chance, and they might become someone with absolute influence in a certain field a decade or two later.

He glanced at the person opposite him, who was staring at him expectantly, afraid of being rejected.

After thinking it over carefully, I suddenly remembered.

Philip Kadoorie…son of Mitchell Kadoorie, who is now in charge of the family business.

The fourth-generation heir of the Kadoorie family.

He will graduate from Brown University in the United States and then naturally join China Electronics Corporation, the Peninsula Hotel board of directors, and take over a bunch of important family businesses.

The foreigner in front of you, with his hands clasped together, eyes shining, and eager to become your apprentice on the spot, will be sitting in an office in Central, dressed in a suit and tie, signing deals worth hundreds of millions a decade or so later.

Li Shuo lowered his eyes and poked at the rice in his bowl with his chopsticks.

Fine.

It's not a bad deal to have such a "little brother".

Anyway, it's not bad now, but who knows about the future...

"Boss!"

Philip leaned closer again, as if to take credit.

"Ms. Chen just informed me about the inter-school original music exchange competition. Don't worry, I'll be there for you! I'll absolutely follow your lead!"

Li Shuo put down his chopsticks.

"You can write songs too?"

"Won't."

"You play musical instruments?"

"Won't."

"So you can sing?"

"Out of tune."

Then Filija explained, looking completely at ease.

"But I'm the one who took over, rebuilt, and upgraded the school's music club. I paid for all the equipment, and I'm still the club president!"

Li Shuo looked at him... and smiled.

So this is what it feels like to laugh when you're speechless...

Alright~ We've found the reason why the Hong Kong Inter-School Music Festival has been unsuccessful in recent years.