Bang!

A very big head was smashed heavily on the table, and Du Kang exposed the back of his round head to everyone in an extremely decisive manner, screaming in despair: “I don’t want to live!”

Tao Mu and the other two suppressed their laughter and patiently comforted classmate Du Kang who made his debut in C position as “Pad”: “Things have already happened. Don’t think about it anymore. Let the flow take its course.”

“In fact, this kind of thing is nothing. Many people do it. As far as our school is concerned, I don’t believe you are the only one.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

“Yes. Otherwise, my classmates would not recommend this method to me.”

“Wait a minute!” Du Kang suddenly raised his head and turned to look at everyone. His movements were so fierce that he almost twisted his neck. There was also a clear red mark on his forehead.

However, at this moment, Du Kang was not concerned about this. He felt that he was betrayed by everyone. Now not only did he lose face, even his heart was cracking: “What do you mean by only one? Didn’t you say that 301 dorm shall advance and retreat together, everyone will be doing this? So, what, you guys didn’t, didn’t do it?”

Du Kang felt that he was in a state of extreme shock, even stumbling over his words.

In the face of a certain someone’s heartbroken little gaze, Tao Mu was the first to clear his name: “I have said that I will definitely not do it. It’s useless for you to force me. After all, my idol baggage is extremely serious!”

True, after all, he was someone who must use several skin care products to wash his face in the morning. Du Kang had been mentally prepared for a long time, and he could somewhat accept Tao Mu’s explanation. Then he moved his gaze to the 1.75m tall Wen Bao.

“Uh,” Wen Bao touched his nose, feeling a little embarrassed: “My shoes were feeling a little tight and I couldn’t even fit in the insoles. So——”

“Don’t mention shoe sizes to me!” The 1.9m northeast guy suddenly exploded: “If it wasn’t for the problem with the shoe size, would I have lost face?”

As Du Kang said this, he looked fiercely at the only southerner in the dormitory, and also the culprit who caused this accident (due to the consideration of the psychological shadow ​​Du Kang now suffered, this matter could no longer be simply classified as an incident): “What about you? Didn’t you suggest this? Why didn’t you do it in the end?”

Chu Sui’an blushed, he was really feeling a little guilty and sorry for Du Kang: “…..I, I was too embarrassed.”

Du Kang: Hehe!

Chu Sui’an felt even more guilty and swallowed his saliva, his Adam’s apple sliding up and down with difficulty: “I thought it over carefully and felt that Mu is right. After all, we are students in the drama department, and completely different from the guys in the science and engineering departments. Just in case it was discovered…..” How embarrassing!

And the facts had also proved that it was wise to act cautiously.

A thunderbolt struck his forehead with a “crack”, and the shadow surrounding Du Kang expanded at a speed visible to the naked eye: “So the three of you secretly betrayed the collective activity of our dorm and just left me alone, is that right?”

“I’m sorry!” Chu Sui’an clasped his hands in front and bowed his head in repentance: “I didn’t expect…..”

Du Kang felt that the grief and anger in his heart was so much it would overflow any second. A mouthful of old blood stuck in his throat, and his lips trembled for a long time as if he had Parkinson’s syndrome, but still didn’t manage to squeeze out a word.

“Are you guys human!” In the end, classmate Du Kang wailed in an extremely pained voice. He glanced over at Tao Mu, who had taken a small bowl and was stirring something inside. He asked angrily: “I’m already in such a miserable situation, what are you doing now?”

“I’m making some facial masks.”

“You got a bottle of yogurt, a bag of flour, and a tube of white toothpaste together. This can also make a facial?” Du Kang was shocked instantly, and even forgot his tragic situation——if it wasn’t for Tao Mu squeezing a small tube of toothpaste into it, Du Kang would have thought Tao Mu was making something to eat.

“That’s pearl powder!” Tao Mu corrected: “It’s quite uncomfortable after a day of sun exposure.”

Du Kang wondered: “Don’t you have facial masks already?”

“It’s not the same.” Tao Mu shook his head, and explained in the tone of an experienced person: “No matter how the product is advertised as pure and organic, it actually has chemical ingredients in it. It is not good to use too much, especially at our age.”

But homemade masks were different. Most of the ingredients he used were things that could be eaten and so it was more gentle to the skin.

In truth, Tao Mu rarely went to so much trouble like this. But he had stayed up late in the past six months and coupled with the dry weather in autumn and the strong winds, he couldn’t handle it anymore. It was better to go to the trouble than letting his face get ruined.

This was the dignity of an idol.

Tao Mu put it on himself, and he also didn’t forget to recommend it to everyone. The three guys felt that the mask was sticky this time, and it just looked troublesome. They really didn’t want to experience it. In the end, Tao Mu persuaded them with one sentence: “This has a cooling and refreshing feeling, even more comfortable than the morning mask.”

Really?

The three looked at each other, and finally sat in a row in front of Tao Mu, with their faces turned upright and obedient to Tao Mu’s actions.

Tao Mu, in the order in which the three roommates sat down, put the facial on Wen Bao, Chu Sui’an, and Du Kang. Just after painting Wen Bao and Chu Sui’an, they heard a knocking on the door.

It was so loud, as if someone had clenched his hand into a fist and smashed at the door twice. It was quite vigorous, and the door even shook.

“?” Tao Mu glanced at the alarm clock on the bookshelf with some confusion. It was nine o’clock in the evening, who could it be?

“Coming.” Tao Mu opened the door still with his face painted white.

The moment the door of the dorm opened, the unprepared people standing outside were treated to Tao Mu’s white pasty face, causing them to shout out in fright.

“…..That scared me to death!” The boys living in the opposite dorm patted their chests with lingering fears: “What are you doing?”

“Applying a facial.” Tao Mu stepped aside, “Come in?”

“Ang!” They nodded and entered in file. At the same time, they explained: “We just want to come and have a look. Just felt that the people in your dorm are quite funny. Especially Du Kang.”

After all, he was the first person to debut in the C position among the 2008 Beijing Film freshmen.

Boys were boys, they were always happy to get together and have fun. So the four of them discussed it in their dorm and came over directly. But they didn’t expect to get a shock.

It seemed that this 301 dorm was worthy of being the first dorm to debut in the C position of the Beijing Film’s ’08 freshmen, they were all quite interesting.

“Uh, Du Kang. We’re here to see you.” The boy in the lead, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, saw the red mark on Du Kang’s forehead and joked with a smile: “Yo, Du Kang, I see that your glabellum is glowing red. This is a good sign and proves that you will be famous.”

“Piss off!” Du Kang’s expression went dark. It was this kid who stood next to him during the military training and shouted his name out for all to hear!

“Aw, don’t! Your name is Du Kang, and my name is Du Ming. We were actually one family five hundred years ago.” Du Ming smiled: “We’re classmates and from the same clan, so you ignoring me for such a thing is not right is it? Besides, if it weren’t for me this morning, you wouldn’t be the freshman making the most waves of our 2008 Beijing Film class!”

“I would rather not be making waves! I would rather not get such limelight! If you want to then you take it!” Du Kang snorted, lifting his chin to the ceiling. “Little Taozi, conceal Zhen’s face.” (TN: Zhen=emperor’s personal form of address)

Tao Mu responded with a grin and an “aye”, holding the small bowl and walking to Du Kang. He wiped the last of the facial paste on Du Kang’s face.

Du Ming’s roommate looked at him, and suddenly said: “This undertaking is quite big!” The amount of paste for one person was almost that of the other three people.

Another person was not to be outdone: “It seems Du Kang, you not only have big feet, but you also have a big face.” After finishing speaking, he felt that he was quite humorous and began to chuckle to himself.

Du Kang: “!!!”

Tao Mu quickly held down the big northeast guy, who was so angry that his hair was standing up. Tao Mu was also a little unhappy: “What the hell are you even doing here? To insult others?”

After all, Tao Mu was from ten years in the future, and his mental age was ten years older than this group of children. In addition, he had been a superstar in his previous life, and he had also been a domineering CEO. Having been used to being in authoritative positions, his aura was quite powerful and intimidating, even with that funny big white face he currently had on. Everyone was instantly shocked.

The boy who thought he was very humorous just now pursed his lips, toughened his scalp and explained: “I didn’t mean it…..I was just joking…..” Why was he angry!

The other people were also a little stunned and looked at Tao Mu in a timid and awkward manner. The only boy who didn’t speak looked around and immediately understood. He grinned and said: “Hey, I say, didn’t we agree to come console Du Kang. You guys don’t say something comforting, and instead keep sprinkling salt on the wound. This is not good, right?”

The boys who had let their mouths run also reacted, grinning and apologizing to Du Kang: “Buddy, that’s not what we meant. Don’t get us wrong, we didn’t come here to make fun of you. We just felt that the people in your dorm are all very funny so we thought to come and drop in. And also to apologize. You are a magnanimous guy, and have already become famous with a kick, so don’t mind us, yeah?”

While talking, their eyes glanced at Tao Mu and couldn’t help complaining privately: This pretty boy looked amiable, so why was he so scary when he frowned? Besides, it was none of his business. The actual person didn’t even say anything, so what’s his issue?

Du Kang also understood. All of a sudden, his heart felt like it was soaked in warm water, feeling very comfortable and moved. The 1.9m tall boy actually squeezed Tao Mu’s sleeve shyly: “I’m fine. Don’t be angry.”

Tao Mu’s face eased slightly. He was used to being overprotective in his previous life, and he hated others bullying the people around him the most. These people came in and blabbed insensitively without any measure, taking personal attacks and stabbing knives as humor. When their target got angry, they would say “just kidding, why so serious” with an innocent look.

Let’s take today’s case as an example: the scene that morning could be considered as everyone’s heckling, and the remarks when they first entered the door could be said to be non-malicious ridicule. But things should not be taken overboard. This group of people targeted Du Kang endlessly since they arrived, and finally attacked Du Kang’s appearance and personality. Wasn’t this a bit too much?

Did they really think they were doing a comic routine? Others had no obligation to play along.

Seeing that these people had already apologized to Du Kang and Du Kang did not intend to pursue the matter, Tao Mu didn’t persist on the matter either. He picked up a bag of fruits that he had just bought in the supermarket downstairs from the table, washed it with salt water, and told everyone to sit casually: “Have some fruits. Take whatever you like. Don’t be courteous.”

He also took out a few packs of dried nuts from the cabinet——Da Hui picked them up yesterday to tour Beijing City, and at the order of brother Yao, he had also brought a large pack of dried nuts that were Tao Mu’s favorite from Night. There was so much Tao Mu had nowhere to put it all, so when he returned to the dormitory, he gave it to the other three roommates. The rest was stuffed into the cabinet, and whoever wanted to eat it could help themselves.

Du Ming and others had not yet recovered from Tao Mu’s aura, and they were all a little timid and very restrained. Tao Mu saw this and said with a smile: “You guys talk first, I’ll go wash my face.”

They were all 18/19 year old boys who had just entered university from high school. They had not yet experienced the darkness in the entertainment industry, and had not had time to transition from the silly white mode to a deeper level of scheming. They were still very silly and naive.

When Tao Mu finished washing and drying his face, the group of boys were already chatting in full swing.

That Du Ming held an apple in his left hand, a bag of roasted torreya nuts in his right hand and a bag of pecans in his arms. He appeared very excited when he saw Tao Mu: “Damn, being your roommate must be a very happy thing. So many delicious foods can be eaten casually.”

Unlike their dormitory, whenever someone bought something it was all put in their own cabinets and locked up. So cheap.

“Also, I see that your clothes are all famous brands. Your family must be rich, right?”

Tao Mu smiled lightly: “My family is not rich, but my elders like to spoil me. I also usually work part-time.”

“Which part-time earns so much, give me an introduction as well?”

“Nightclub!”

The four people in the dormitory opposite fell silent, staring at each other, almost choking on the dried nuts in their mouths. Obviously they had all misunderstood.

Tao Mu subtly scared everyone, and then elaborated calmly: “Being a martial arts body double, a model, taking wedding photos in a photo studio, and many other types of part-time jobs. It’s based on what you can do.”

“Then in the nightclub, you are…..” Someone asked carefully.

“A waiter that sells alcohol. Don’t you know that the percentage you get from the drinks sold in entertainment venues are very high?”

“Oh!” They all realized. No wonder, after all, looking at Tao Mu, he definitely did not seem like that kind of person. Of course, the eyes of some people flickered randomly, thinking about who knew what.

When the four people in the dormitory opposite were full on snacks and satisfied with the chat, it was almost ten o’clock. Du Ming and the others got up and left with their full stomachs. Before leaving, they took a few packs of dried nuts to eat back in their dorm. The guys in 301 cleaned the floor while asking Tao Mu: “Mu, why did you deliberately mislead them?”

Tao Mu raised his eyebrows and looked innocent: “How did I mislead them?”

“When you said you were working in a nightclub. Isn’t that the club opened by your brother? And you were only a teenager when you were working in the nightclub…..”

Tao Mu chuckled: “Why, are you afraid that they will spread rumors about me indiscriminately?”

Wen Bao scratched his nose, a bit too embarrassed to say bad things about people behind their backs. Anyway, he just had a bad impression of those people.

Chu Sui’an said in a low voice, “Others are okay. Just that Du Ming is a bit…..” Anyway, the feeling he gave off didn’t feel very good.

Tao Mu chuckled: “Isn’t that great. He ate mine and drank mine, only to slander me later. Just a few pounds of fruit and a few bags of dried nuts, and we can recognize his true nature, how cheap is the price.”

Tao Mu glanced at Du Kang as he spoke. The silly boy should learn a lesson from this. Don’t treat the other as a good friend like in your previous life, giving him things and resources only for him to turn around and stick a knife in your back, almost ruining and driving you out of the entertainment circle.

“They wouldn’t, would they?” Sure enough, Du Kang scratched his head carelessly: “If they were like this, then what kind of people would they become?”

“Becoming the kind they want to! It’s not our dorm room, and we don’t need to face them day and night. Just ignore them.” Wen Bao said, and seeing that Chu Sui’an kept squatting down to pick up things, he asked: “What are you doing?”

“There are a lot of nuts that have not been eaten, they are all mixed together.” Chu Sui’an adhered to the attentive and economical qualities of Shanghai men, with a distressed expression on his face: “And the fruit, all eaten in such half-baked ways. This is wasting food! “

Before he even finished, the other three roommates all bursted into laughter. Chu Sui’an was confused: “What’s so funny?”

“Aiyo hey, your Northeast dialect is too amazing. Xiao Anzi has just been with us for a few days, and he can now even use ‘half-baked’ so naturally.”

“This is not my fault.” Du Kang pointed to Tao Mu: “The person who likes to say this is clearly him.” Everyday saying that his website was half-baked or something.

Thinking of this, Du Kang asked: “Hey, how’s your website?”

“It’s almost done.” Tao Mu was sitting at the computer and preparing to start work: “It will be online in one week. What about the photos I asked you to collect?”

“This is only the first day of military training. I don’t even recognize everyone!” Wen Bao swept his hand: “Don’t worry. With your face, if you just stand in front of the girls and ask for a hundred yuan, they will even give it, let alone a picture. As for the boys, leave it to us brothers.”

Wen Bao and the others were pondering how to get photos from the boys of the ’08 class. But, on the next day, before Wen Bao and the others even took the initiative to get close to them, some guys took advantage of the break time between military training to come up secretly and ask Wen Bao and the others: “…..Just, the guy who looks the most handsome in your dorm room. Tao Mu, right? Is he really that in a nightclub?”

“What?” The three suddenly said, “No. Who said that? Isn’t this slanderous! Isn’t this too much?”

“Ai, don’t get angry. We also listened to the guys in dorm 302. They said Tao Mu personally confessed.”

“Confess my ass! That was just making fun of them. That nightclub is run by Tao Mu’s brother. This is too much. Isn’t this blabbing totally slanderous things. How can there be such people who like to pour dirty water on others?”

Du Kang angrily found the four people in dorm 302, and exploded in front of everyone: “I say, what’s up with you guys? In our dormitory last night, you ate ours and took ours and left a mess in our dorm. It seems all the food went to the dogs? Don’t you understand the saying ‘the mouth that eats the food of others is softened; the hand that takes the possessions of others is shortened’? What are you guys even?” (TN: saying essentially means the same thing as there is no such thing as a free lunch)

“Ai, how can you guys talk like that? What did we say?” The 302 dorm was also not happy: “We didn’t say anything?”

“If you said nothing can these rumors fly all over the sky? Except for us, only you guys know this, if not you guys then who said it?”

“Ai, don’t slander others without evidence, okay? Why does it have to be us who said anything? Whoever said is the grandson——”

302 dorm’s classmate hadn’t finished talking yet, when he was suddenly interrupted by his roommate: “So what if we said it? We didn’t say anything false? That kid Tao Mu is not a rich second generation at all, and there is no money in his family. He wears so well and spends money so generously, isn’t it because he works in a nightclub? Why, is there something wrong with saying this?”

“Du Ming!” The other guys in 302 looked at Du Ming in shock. What did he mean?

“Fuck you…..” Don’t look at Du Kang’s usual grinning and chatty self, but when things came to a head, he couldn’t say a word. Angrily, he grabbed Du Ming’s collar and lifted the guy from the ground: “I think you are owed a beating.”

“Ai, what are you doing, don’t hit people!” The others in 302 saw this and hurried up to separate them.

Wen Bao was not tall, but he grew up in the alleys of Beijing, and the firecracker temper of Beijing men had him throw a punch straight away.

Chu Sui’an had been an obedient boy since he was a child. He didn’t talk a lot and didn’t know how to fight either. However, relying on his 1.8m height, he directly hugged a person in the 302 dorm, fixing him in place so that Wen Bao could beat him up. One person tied up the target while the other did the hitting, cooperating quite tacitly.

“Ai, what are you doing? There’s a fight! 301 Du Kang is hitting people!”

After the sanitary napkin accident yesterday, Du Kang had already made his debut in the C position among the ’08 freshmen. At this moment, when people heard someone yelling that Du Kang was hitting someone, many people were attracted over.

Tao Mu, who was holding a camera and taking pictures of everyone in the girls’ team, also heard the commotion and hurried over.

“What happened?”

“Your dorm is too overbearing, right? Hitting people as you please!” Du Ming glared with his two bruised eyes and yelled angrily: “I want to report to the instructor! Report to the teacher! How can you act like this!”

“Why hit people?” Tao Mu had been thinking about how to ask the girls for photos all morning. Besides, he was the subject of the rumors, and no one dared to bring this matter in front of him. So till now, Tao Mu didn’t even know about the rumors that had spread quickly among the ’08 boys.

“They talk nonsense and slander you.” Du Kang rubbed the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand angrily. He also did not escape getting scraped just now.

“Oh.” Tao Mu realized, not surprised at all. “Still shouldn’t have punched their faces!”

“See, Tao Mu in your dormitory understands reasoning——” Du Ming raised his chin high, but he hadn’t even finished his words yet when Tao Mu continued solemnly: “Just punch them in the stomach and let them spit out what they ate yesterday.”

Du Ming: “…..”

Dorm 302: “…..”

The group of onlookers: “…..”

The girls also heard the commotion and gathered around: “Tao Mu, what’s the matter? Aren’t you going to take pictures of us?”

“That’s right, why is there a fight?”

“It seems that Pad is fighting with someone?”

Du Kang’s face turned black when he heard this moniker. Seeing so many girls coming, Du Ming immediately showed his panda eyes and tried to curry sympathy: “…..Just because I told the truth, he came over and hit me, this is simply unreasonable. You guys say, is there a problem with what I said?”

As Du Ming spoke, he recounted what Tao Mu said last night as it was, and deliberately emphasized that it was Tao Mu who said he had worked in a nightclub: “I just told everyone exactly what he said. Why hit me? Is it because you’re ashamed? A guilty conscience? Embarrassed anger?”

However, this group of girls did not have one track minds like boys, especially in front of the top handsome guy they wanted to protect, their brains were even better.

“No, that’s not right. Tao Mu said that he has done so many part-time jobs. He was a model, a photographer, and a martial arts body double. How can you only talk about the nightclub?”

“Intentionally misleading?”

“Eating other people’s food, and deliberately misleading others to speak ill of Mu Mu behind the scenes. Why are you so disgusting?”

“And even saying that you didn’t mean it. If you didn’t mean it, how come all the boys know about this? If you didn’t do it deliberately, would the whole school know?”

“I think that’s exactly his intention. He’s jealous of Tao Mu, who is more handsome than him and has more girls liking him than him.”

“Just what kind of person is this!”

“Hurting others without benefiting oneself, a total villain!”

The large group of girls did not allow Du Ming to say a word, and directly nailed him to death under the title of villain.

Du Ming didn’t expect this to happen, and he was instantly furious: “I say, are you people sick in the head? Acting like idiot airheads when you see a handsome guy. What if he is really kept as a gigolo?”

Yo, no longer pretending?

Tao Mu looked on calmly and hooked a corner of his mouth. He was about to step forward and speak for himself.

When suddenly an intrepid soprano broke through the crowd: “So what? Our Mu Mu is handsome and likable. Putting aside that he isn’t being kept. Even if he is, then that’s because the wealthy woman has good taste. What’s it to you? You don’t even have the basic conditions for finding someone to keep you!”

“That is to say, this sister has no money, no power, no status. You wait for this sister to become famous in the entertainment circle. Tao Mu, I am willing to keep you, will you accept my offer?”

As soon as these words came out, the entire sports field suddenly bursted into laughter. Tao Mu didn’t expect such an unexpected development halfway through. The carefully calculated face slapping plot had now suddenly gone on a tangent.

When the other girls saw this they also followed up: “Tao Mu, I want to keep you when I become famous, do you agree?”

“Tao Mu, when I get rich, will you marry me? I will support you!”

“Tao Mu, can you be my boyfriend? I can be responsible for making money and supporting the family, and you can be responsible for being beautiful like a flower. This sister will treat you gently!”

“Mu Mu, let’s work hard together to give birth to a little baby who will look like you. You can be a full-time dad at home, and I’ll work hard outside to make money. I’ll hand over all of my salary to you!”

The boys were laughing like crazy. There was even one of them who raised his paw for fun, craning his neck and shouting: “Tao Mu, do you like men? I can also take care of you!”

So in an instant, Tao Mu became the “man people most wanted to keep” among the Beijing Film’s 08 freshmen, making his rocket speed debut after Du Kang.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Just don’t know if this title sounded better compared to the “technical type pervert with extremely serious idol baggage”.

Obviously Tao Mu didn’t like either of them! So he could only take advantage of this wave of heat to collect photos of boys and girls as quickly as possible.

On the tenth day of military training, he finally launched his FlyNews website online.

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At around five o’clock in the morning, Tao Mu, who didn’t even sleep much, received a call from his brother Xiao Qi, telling him that Da Hui was already waiting at the door in the seven-seater SUV and that Tao Mu should get up quickly.

“In such a big Beijing city, you won’t be able to finish seeing everything if you don’t get up early. Even if you get up early, you have to plan for avoiding morning and evening peaks, or else you would spend half the day stuck in traffic jams.” As an authentic Beijing native, Wen Bao had a lot of say on this matter: “So, people who make commercial blockbusters in Hollywood like to have street racing scenes but why do we rarely have such scenes in Chinese movies? It’s very simple. Unless you can drive at high speed in one second, otherwise you won’t be able to race your car at all. It is simply not realistic!”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Tao Mu chuckled lightly. The traffic in the city of Beijing was actually pretty mild now. At most, the 2nd Ring and the 3rd Ring experienced traffic jams. But ten years later, traffic jams could stretch from the 2nd Ring to the 5th Ring, and even into the neighboring province. On the highway during National Day, one could bring a tent and camp out or even have a party!

Du Kang, who would have a lot of achievements in the field of directing in the future, suddenly said: “Hey, you say, a scene like that would be great in a comedy movie. That is, having the male protagonist and villain try to imitate the Hollywood blockbuster street racing chase scenes in the 2nd Ring of Beijing, only to be directly blocked by the thousands of people stuck in traffic. And then a traffic cop rides in on a little electric motorcycle to come over to enforce the law, and they both get arrested and taken to the local police station…..”

Tao Mu had on a weird expression. He remembered the comedy movie that Du Kang won an award for in later years, and it seemed to have such a plot. Unexpectedly, this idea actually existed ten years ago.

Tao Mu thought this while taking a quick shower in the bathroom. In order to save time, he didn’t even do any hair styling, just put on a baseball cap and led the three roommates to the door to meet Da Hui. They then went to the hotel to meet uncle Chu and aunt Chu.

When non-natives came to Beijing, there were always so many scenic spots and activities they would want to visit and do. The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square to watch the flag raising, visit Prince Gong’s Mansion, eat Peking roast duck…..

Uncle Chu and aunt Chu were no exception. So everyone’s first stop was to watch the flag raising.

At 5:30 in the morning, the group of people drove to Tiananmen Square, and already there was a large crowd of people gathered around. The street lights in the square were still on. The boys guarded Chu Sui’an’s parents as they squeezed to and fro in the crowd, and finally squeezed to a good spot with a very wide view.

At 5:37, the flag-raising ceremony officially began. Watching the rising five-star red flag and hearing tens of thousands of people singing the national anthem, the solemn atmosphere continued until the end of the ceremony. Father Chu and mother Chu looked up at the national flag flying in the air, satisfied.

Wen Bao smiled and said: “It’s okay now. But if uncle and aunt come over on National Day, now that’s a magnificent sight. There will be at least 100,000 people watching the flag raising together. There is also a live accompaniment of the military band, which is also spectacular.”

Chu Sui’an looked at the soldiers wearing the honor guard uniforms with envy, and said sincerely: “It’s so handsome! Wonder when I will be able to wear military uniforms.”

Du Kang suddenly laughed: “That’s easy. We are students of Beijing Film, and you can just pick up two military dramas if you want to dress in military uniform.”

Wen Bao echoed: “Oh, wearing military uniforms. Likely all boys have this dream.”

Tao Mu’s heart moved, and he suddenly remembered that during the National Day in a certain year in his previous life, netizens from all over the country took photos of themselves in military uniforms together. And this year’s National Day was soon!

Putting aside Tao Mu’s thoughts, after that, everyone went to visit famous attractions such as the Forbidden City, Prince Gong’s Mansion, Wangfujing, etc. They then had roast duck for lunch, and finally climbed the Great Wall in the evening where they watched the sunset. In the end, Da Hui dropped off the very tired father Chu and mother Chu at their hotel to rest. The boys were then sent back to school.

The three roommates who had been walking around for a whole day went to bed and thoroughly passed out.

Only Tao Mu persisted on putting in some coding work in front of the computer.

Deeply influenced by his previous life, Tao Mu’s plan for the website was divided into two modes: a web version and an APP version.

The front-end language of the web version was HTML, and the back-end was PHP. Since it was 2008 now, the domestic programming environment was not as convenient as later years, and Tao Mu needed to implement a simple WEB server in C language that could support dynamic analysis of PHP programs. In addition, Tao Mu also needed an algorithm to support this function because he wanted to imitate the photo rating function of a certain foreign social software.

The mobile APP version required the development of Android applications. So the Android interface part used xml, and the application part used Java. The communication part also used jni, while the underlying code was still implemented through C language and C.

Because there was too much specialized knowledge involved, Tao Mu, who only had a basic understanding of programming, had to learn it all by himself while also practicing on actual implementation. At the same time, he also had to think about the marketing plan after the website went online in advance, in order to strive for rapid development and growth in the shortest time. In addition, he could not yet relax his vigilance on the international oil futures side…..

There were too many things to do. Fortunately, after rebirth, Tao Mu had a better memory, more concentration, and more energy, otherwise he really wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Even so, Tao Mu could barely handle it anymore!

“Mu’er! Mu! Mu Mu! Get up! Get up quickly! The sun is shining on your butt!”

Early in the morning, Tao Mu’s ears were suddenly pierced by a demonic voice, harassing him in the form of 3D surround sound.

Tao Mu, who had only just gone to bed early in the morning, buried his head in the pillow in a particularly pained way, trying to block out the demonic voice. As a result, his quilt was also tugged away from him.

“I say, Mu! Get up quickly. The wake-up call rang twice. You’re really gonna be late!” Du Kang stepped on the ladder, pushing Tao Mu in a crazy husky-like manner: “What time did you go to sleep last night! Are you staying up again? Woah, you actually have two laptops on at the same time. It’s not cool to show off your wealth like this. And also, just how much radiation is this, do you still want your handsome face!”

“Ah——” Tao Mu sat up with a broken expression. He had pale, chapped lips, messy hair like a chicken nest, and two huge dark circles under his eyes, the kind of eye-catching that was absolutely comparable to that of the national treasure. (TN: panda=national treasure)

For half a year nonstop, he had stayed up past midnight every day before going to bed. Even with Tao Mu’s godly looks, even he couldn’t hold up anymore.

“I didn’t go to bed until four o’clock this morning.” Tao Mu scratched his head and tried to keep his eyes wide open. He looked blankly at the three roommates around his bed. He half leaned against the head of the bed, as if his body was hollowed out: “What time is it?”

“Six o’clock.” Wen Bao was leaning on the bedside railing on tiptoes. He was wearing the military training camouflage uniform they had all received that day, and with his closely buzzed short hair and round face, he looked a bit like a veteran soldier. When talking to Tao Mu, he imitated the tone of the recruit squad leader in a popular military drama: “Get up quickly. It’s time to assemble. On the first day as a soldier, you can’t go around all muddleheaded. You can’t be late, you must act like a soldier.”

Tao Mu: “…..”

Chu Sui’an also pitched in: “This matter is very important, I hesitated whether to wake you up. I originally wanted you to sleep for five more minutes. After all, you don’t have much time.”

Tao Mu: “…..” Why did this line sound so familiar? Which drama was it taken from?

Du Kang cleared his throat and said solemnly: “Comrade Tao Mu, the situation now is very urgent. From now on, you must stay awake at all times.”

Tao Mu: “…..”

He finally knew why these three roommates had the ability to become film emperors in his previous life. It would seem they were usually a bunch of drama kings in everyday life. Life was like a play!

The three roommates looked at Tao Mu expectantly: “Don’t you want to say something to match the formation?”

“!” Tao Mu took a deep breath, only feeling dizzy. He slowly climbed out of the bed like a patient with Myers syndrome and floated into the bathroom all the way. There he took out his facial cleanser, washed his face, and then applied a face mask, pat on moisturizing serum, face cream, then under eye concealer, and finally finished with sunscreen.

All the movements were smooth and flowing. Ten minutes later, Tao Mu was again the top handsome guy who could win the hearts of all the Beijing Film girls with just his face alone.

The three roommates were like bumpkins who had never seen the world, watching on in the classic posture of a farmer with hands tucked into their sleeves outside the bathroom door. They looked up at Tao Mu’s actions in the way the non-tech savvy looked up at tech masters. Their eyes wandered over the dazzling array of skin care products on the shelves.

Wen Bao couldn’t help asking: “Uh, Tao Mu, what are you doing?”

“Putting on foundation, and then sunscreen!” Tao Mu’s eyes were still drooped like a pair of dead fish eyes, and he appeared to still be not fully awake. He subconsciously responded: “What’s the matter!”

The three roommates looked at each other. Du Kang carefully confirmed: “You wear makeup?”

Did this count as makeup?

Tao Mu was silent for a while, and his eyes swept across the three roommates who just washed their faces with soap after getting up in the morning——it probably counted!

“Don’t we have military training? We have to stand outside for many days in such strong sunlight. If you don’t put on sunscreen, the sunburns will be very painful after a while!”

Tao Mu still remembered that when he was running around in H Town, because there were no conditions, he basically exposed his bare face to the sky every day, using his human flesh to resist the brutal ultraviolet rays during the heat of summer. It was so bad layers of skin began to peel and his cheeks were so painful. Whenever it was nighttime, he was like a snake going through skin shedding.

It could not be more miserable.

Tao Mu, who had transitioned from Internet superstar to a film emperor in his previous life, knew the value of his face very well. Therefore, he would always work hard to maintain it. Although he wanted to let his acting chops speak for themselves, that didn’t mean he should give up the dignity of an idol star.

While talking, Tao Mu sat down at the desk, picked up the hairdryer and blew it over his hair. By the time it was dry, it was also styled as well. During this period, he also turned on the computer to listen to the morning news, particularly focusing on the news trends in international finance.

The three roommates watched Tao Mu sit in front of the mirror and simply use a hair dryer to blow his hair into a perfectly styled look. They were shocked once again.

They had long known that Tao Mu’s idol baggage was very serious. However, they didn’t expect that not only was the baggage heavy, but this skill repertoire was also very comprehensive——just his aura while sitting in front of the mirror and blowing his hair was more powerful than those famous makeup artists and stylists.

But this was no wonder. It was still 2008 and it was estimated that most girls did not have Tao Mu’s habit of doing skin care, let alone boys. Especially this group of little naive amateurs who had just left a simple high school life and hadn’t had time to switch to a career professional——they probably never even heard of such things as concealers. So of course their vision and skills could not compare to Tao Mu, who was deeply edified by the later years. At his peak as a Golden Crow film emperor, he made the rounds on five major fashion magazines each year, endorsed several international luxury brands, and had a personal styling team with more than 20 people.

Although Tao Mu just put on sunscreen and blew a simple hairstyle at this moment. But his aura was just too confident and impressive! This posture of one who had seen the best so the rest was not worthwhile, dominating jianghu and never being defeated——it could KO a bunch of stylists in seconds.

After simply styling himself, Tao Mu saw that there was more than enough time, and the three roommates squatting next to him were shocked and puzzled as they picked up the skin care products on the table and looked at them carefully. So, he felt that it was necessary to give his roommates for the next four years a good tutorial on the importance of men’s maintenance.

“Come, let me apply a facial on you guys.” Tao Mu took out a square box from the bookshelf and pushed the three roommates into chairs one by one.

“I, I don’t want it. I’m a man, I don’t need this!” Wen Bao’s face suddenly reddened into a tomato, extremely embarrassed as he tried to get away from Tao Mu: “I can’t do this. This——”

“Sit down!” Tao Mu slapped him back on the chair, not taking no for an answer. This was no longer the time when these three could overpower and stuff his shoes with sanitary napkins.

“I’m telling you that there is a prejudice in your thinking, do you know? What are we majoring in? The Drama Department of Beijing Film Academy. Does this face belong to us? It belongs. But at the same time it belongs to your fans, movie fans and the audience members. You must have professional ethics and protect your money making tool. The so-called workman must first sharpen his tools in order to do the work well. This is a truth that even our ancestors know.” While Tao Mu imparted skewed reasoning, at the same time he also began to put the face mask on Wen Bao’s face.

Wen Bao widened his innocent crescent eyes, and he said in a particularly confident manner: “I am going to let my acting chops speak for themselves, I don’t rely on face.”

Tao Mu believed this. So he was silent for a while, and then strolled over to Du Kang to apply a facial mask to the future award winning director——it was a pity that Du Kang was a big boned guy, and everything was proportionately big as well. Tao Mu looked at the facial mask that barely covered all of Du Kang’s face, and no matter how much he stretched it, it was still not enough.

Wen Bao glanced at Du Kang out of the corner of his eye and he became amused: “Your face is a bit big, and the mask actually can’t even cover it.”

Du Kang: “…..”

The future award winning director said with great embarrassment: “En. I ate really well since I was young, so I ended up growing big everywhere. I even have to buy underwear two sizes larger than the average person.”

The other three people: “…..”

When he arrived at Chu Sui’an, the style became much more normal.

After all, he was Mr. TV emperor, who was hailed as the “most exquisite man” by the media in the future. Chu Sui’an carefully patted the wet mask on his face: “Hey, this mask feels really refreshing. It’s quite comfortable.” The degree of acceptance was quite high.

“My facial masks can repair sun damage on skin.” Tao Mu looked at the three big white faces and said with emotion: “Beijing has a bad climate. It is too dry in autumn. The wind is also particularly strong. So one must do maintenance. Say, you are all in the drama department. In the future, you will have your faces on large and small screens and show it to the people of the whole country. If you are acting in a documentary film, then there’s no problem. But if you take on an idol drama or something, how can you not feel ashamed of poisoning the audience with your rough and weather beaten face? Let me tell you, when you’re young, it is very important to maintain it, otherwise even photoshop will not save you.”

While talking, Tao Mu took the time to tap out a couple hundred lines of code, waiting the ten minutes before having everyone tear off the masks.

The three roommates absolutely approved of Tao Mu’s exquisite attitude towards life. But they didn’t agree with Tao Mu’s argument: “How can us Beijing Film students act in idol dramas? Do you think this is Yan Film or something! The directors of idol dramas wouldn’t come looking for us.”

“That’s right! First of all, the style is not quite right.” The term style was also learned from Tao Mu. They all felt that the terms that popped out from Tao Mu’s mouth from time to time were particularly interesting.

Tao Mu smiled but did not say anything. He couldn’t tell them directly that in the next ten years, three of the four of them actually acted in idol dramas. Especially the biggest and loudest guy among them, who actually took on the role of the number one most beautiful man of the three realms despite his rough face. And then needing to have his face PS-ed to the extent even his own mother wouldn’t recognize him during the editing stage of the drama. Yes, that’s right, I’m talking about you!

——After the TV drama was released, it was ridiculed by the entire Internet. And as a result of the wave of doubts from the public, he was kicked out of the competition for the award he had been nominated for by the award ceremony organizers. In the end, he once again failed in taking back an award. This vexed him so much he retired from being an actor and became a director instead!

Tao Mu looked at classmate Du Kang and smiled meaningfully. The smile caused Du Kang to feel inexplicably nervous and wanting to go to the toilet.

It was already half past six when the four people in dormitory 301 arrived in the cafeteria.

Four exquisite boys who had meticulously gone through facial care and put on sunscreen appeared in front of a large group of rough face dudes. The sharp contrast was definitely not as simple as two plus two equals four.

Especially Tao Mu, who was originally very good-looking and had the addition of the superstar aura accumulated over ten years in his previous life. So even if he wore the most common military training camouflage uniform, people could still pick him out from the large crowd at a glance.

There was a sudden hush in the noisy cafeteria, followed by excited and suppressed whispers by many girls.

“How handsome!”

“Freshman?”

“What an impressive aura.”

“Wonder which class?”

“Must be from the drama department, right?”

“I know him, his name is Tao Mu, a freshman in the 2008 drama department, a native of Beijing, and he lives in dorm 301. I showed him around when he came to report to school.”

“I showed him around too!”

“I also showed him around, and helped with the luggage!”

“I took him to the tuition office!”

“…..”

Unlike the reactions of the girls who were simply gushing over how handsome he was, the other boys had more complicated opinions.

“Isn’t this too exaggerated?”

“It’s not exaggeration, it’s arrogance.”

“What’s the fuss! He just has a pretty face.”

“That’s right. If I didn’t know better I would have thought a big celebrity came to visit!”

“Even if a superstar came, it wouldn’t be like this. This is Beijing Film after all.”

Wen Bao and the others stood beside Tao Mu and said with a smile: “I say Mu’er, you seem to have provoked the mob. I can guarantee that after today, you will be the public enemy of all the boys in Beijing Film!”

“No.” Tao Mu smiled confidently: “Did you forget my ace? Everyone will like me.”

What kind of ace? The three roommates were stunned when they heard this, and immediately reacted: “You mean your half-baked website?”

“Using just a single website to deflect the hostility of hundreds of Beijing Film male students? Are you serious?”

Tao Mu smiled but remained silent. They walked to the ordering window to make their orders.

Tao Mu often stayed up late these days so he ordered a bowl of refined rice and red date porridge with rock sugar, a box of red bean buns, a stack of pork skin jelly, and a bottle of yogurt made by the Beijing Film Canteen.

The three roommates couldn’t stand Tao Mu’s breakfast choices, and they kept complaining: “Why do you have such sissy tastes? It’s all sweet?”

Yes! Exactly!

The crowd of boys listened with their ears perked, and seconded secretly in their hearts. He looked sissy and he also ate like a sissy.

The girls widened their eyes and looked excited: “So cute~”

“A boy who like sweets~~”

“A handsome boy who likes to eat sweets~~~”

“Mu Mu likes to eat red bean buns. I really want to give him my red bean buns~”

A 200 pound fatty sat in the corner of the cafeteria and looked down at the red date porridge, custard buns and yogurt in front of him. He remembered the whispers of a group of senior sisters when he went to order just now: “Wow, so fat.”

“Beijing Film actually has such a fat student.”

“He’s so fat and yet he still eats so many sweets…..”

“The main point is that it’s a guy who likes sweets. He took the last custard bun which is my favorite. So hateful…..”

This was simply a large-scale double-standard site.

The 200 pound fatty sniffled his nose with a sad look, lowered his head with a pained expression, and then demolished his entire tray of sweets.

At 6:40, all the freshmen gathered in the sports field. Tao Mu noticed that Du Kang was walking funny: “What’s wrong?”

“My shoes are a bit big.” Du Kang squatted down and tightened his laces: “Didn’t we put the pads inside. I specially changed for boots that are one size larger. But now the fit is a bit loose.”

Ah, he actually stuffed that thing in his shoes? Tao Mu looked at Du Kang in disbelief. This kid really didn’t want any idol baggage at all it seemed: “Then what are you going to do? How about you go change your shoes?”

“No need.” Du Kang waved his hand and straightened up: “I just need to tighten my shoelaces. It’s already time to gather and who would I change with? I’ll see about it after the lunch break.”

The key was that this matter had to be brought to the teacher in their school who was responsible for issuing military training combat uniforms. Du Kang was unwilling to go to the trouble and was also too lazy to do so. As a result, an accident happened.

That was the morning of the first day of military training, when all the teams had just finished doing the military standing posture for an hour and were practicing their marching steps.

Just as the instructor of a team shouted the signal, all the students kicked their right legs in unison, and then everyone saw a 45 size black military boot drawing a beautiful arc in the air, and finally landing directly in the middle of the sports field. At the same time, a little pink angel also floated out from the shoe, flipping mischievously in the air, and finally landing two meters in the opposite direction of the shoe.

The entire sports field suddenly fell silent. Then there was a tsunami wave of laughter. Even the birds around the sports field were startled into the air.

The instructor of their team suppressed a smile and said solemnly: “Whose shoe is this, put it back on quickly.”

Du Kang was still frozen in his kicking position, his eyes closed and face lifted up to the sky. He refused to admit that the shoe belonged to him.

However, his bare feet had already completely betrayed him.

The classmate standing next to Du Kang laughed madly. Without waiting for Du Kang to speak, he shouted: “Reporting to the instructor, the shoe is Du Kang’s!”

There was a stinky boy with a stomach full of bad water who emphasized with schadenfreude delight: “The sanitary napkins that flew out are also Du Kang’s!”

All the girls frantically inquired: “Who?”

“They actually put that kind of stuff in their shoes, this group of boys is disgusting.”

“The sanitary napkin boy is called Du Kang? Which class is he from?”

“What a pervert!”

So on the first day of military training, classmate Du Kang, who had been thinking about “being famous as early as possible”, really did become famous throughout Beijing Film in an unexpected way.

Also because of the particularity of this incident, in order to commemorate this incident, the boys and girls gave Du Kang a nickname that would follow him throughout his acting career——Sanitary Napkin Boy, or Pad for short!

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Du Kang tucked in his chin so low that it was almost buried in his strong chest muscles, simply wanting to die from embarrassment.

The other three of 301 also kept their heads down. It was foreseeable that with Du Kang making his hot debut at Beijing Film in this way, the rest of 301 dorm would surely ascend along with Du Kang as he seized the C (center) position of the freshmen.

Although, towards this “ascension” method, the other three “chickens and dogs” might not be all too happy about it_(:з)∠)_ (TN: from expression ‘chickens and dogs ascend to Heaven’ which refers to riding on somebody else’s success)

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Prev

It was dusk, and the sky had darkened. The setting sun was slowly submerged under the mists of the Xishan Mountains, rendering the entire Beijing City to look as if it was awash in an orange-red color. Neighbors in the same neighborhood who got off work at night rode bicycles and electric motorcycles through the narrow alleys. Lights were turned on in the dark rooms. The bright yellow lights could be seen from the windows of every household along with the sound of advertisements on the TV. The wok and the iron spatulas clanged against each other. The sound of cooking from the kitchens could be heard, along with the smell of fragrant food suddenly permeating the alley.

In the small yard of the orphanage, a group of children were running and playing all over the small area. The caretaker auntie stood at the door and yelled for everyone to come inside to eat. Tao Mu’s nose told him that today’s dinner was stewed Chinese cabbage with potatoes and fried saury.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

There were too many children in the orphanage and the funding was too tight. Even if dean Tao tried her best to provide nutrition for the children, most of the daily meals were cabbage, tofu, radish and potatoes. Every weekend there would be a big meal——basically a whole chicken stewed with potatoes, or a few pork ribs stewed with pickled vegetables, or a few fish stewed with tofu. With so many children and the caretaker staff of the orphanage eating together, it was conceivable how much meat everyone ended up getting in the end. And the taste of big pot meals…..there was no need to say more.

Tao Mu didn’t like to eat it. He had a picky tongue since he was a child, and would sneak out of the orphanage for a bite to eat at the small restaurant opposite, only to find himself an old grandfather who was very kind to him.

Now, grandpa was getting old and maybe he had suffered a lot of grievances back then. He had no way of finding justice for himself and needed Tao Mu, a younger generation, to stand up for and support him. Tao Mu couldn’t pretend to be ignorant, even if it’s just for the sake of the food he had eaten over these many years.

“Dean Tao.” After dinner, Tao Mu stuck to dean Tao and entered the office with her: “Please tell me. What happened to our old man before? Who is that bastard surnamed Yao? “

Dean Tao sighed: “I am also not very clear——”

“Impossible! You two have been old neighbors for so many years.” Tao Mu really didn’t believe it at all. He walked behind dean Tao and massaged her shoulders with great enthusiasm: “Dean, just tell me. I especially want to know. But I can’t ask the old man to his face. Today I just inquired a little bit, and haven’t even said anything yet, but he was very fierce with me. I can only come to you.”

Dean Tao sighed again: “Things have happened so many years ago, even if you know about it what can be done?”

“The old man is the old man of our family after all. If he is really bullied by others, I have to avenge him!” Tao Mu said with a serious face.

“Avenge?” Dean Tao shook her head subconsciously, and said with a sorrowful expression: “Sure enough, it’s what a child would say. Those people are big and influential, how can you avenge——”

“Dean, so you really do know.” Tao Mu’s eyes flickered slightly. He walked around to face dean Tao, squatted down, and looked up at dean Tao with a sincere expression: “Just tell me. Just like you said. If the old man is really wronged, and there is such a powerful enemy, I, as the younger generation of the old man, should know.”

Dean Tao was silent. She knew Tao Mu’s temperament. If Tao Mu knew the truth, he would definitely not let those people go. But dean Tao was really worried that if she told him the matter, Tao Mu would be implicated. After all, given the other party’s current family background, they were really not people ordinary people could provoke.

But if she didn’t say anything….. These past years, old man Song’s life was truly too bitter. He deserved to seek justice for himself and for the many lives in the Song family.

Dean Tao felt that even if Tao Mu couldn’t do much now, but when he became a big star and knew more powerful people, he could at least announce this to the public so that everyone knew what evil deeds surnamed Yao had committed in the past.

“Dean Tao? Dean Tao?” Tao Mu gently urged: “I promise, I just want to know what happened to the old man. No matter the truth, if I am not confident, I will not act rashly.”

In the eyes of dean Tao, her Xiao Mu was only 18 years old this year. It was precisely the age a young man was at where one was not very reliable, and yet liked to pretend to be a true adult.

But for some reason, the Tao Mu in front of her now made dean Tao feel that he had a more mature and restrained attitude than his peers. It seemed as if his words suddenly held weight. He really wouldn’t act rashly just because of a moment of anger.

Dean Tao struggled for a long time. She was still unsure whether she should tell Tao Mu about the past. Finally, she sighed silently: “Let me think about it.”

“Aw, no.” Tao Mu knew the importance of hitting the iron while it’s hot. With dean Tao’s character, he really didn’t know how long this consideration would take: “Just tell me, please. I promise, I will definitely not mess around.”

Tao Mu’s character had always been persistent, something that even two lifetimes could not change. Anything he decided on, even if it led him to a dead end, he still wouldn’t look back. Moreover, he was well aware of the various methods one could employ to stubbornly persist on something, and he knew how to choose and say different words according to the weakness of different people.

In the end, dean Tao was pestered by Tao Mu so much she told him the old events from that year long ago.

“…..People of our age still remember the Song Ji that was opened on Gulou Street. This Song Ji was opened by the Song family. The ancestor of the Song family was an imperial cook in the palace. Later, when the Qing Dynasty ended, the ancestor of the Song family began to do business in a shop on Gulou Street. The Song family only has one child in each generation, so when it reached old man Song’s generation, old man Song was also the only child. His father Song Liansheng had two apprentices at the time. The eldest apprentice was Yao Sheng’an, and the second eldest apprentice was Wang Yipin. Accepting apprentices at that time was different from now. People believed that teachers should be respected and treated as one’s own father. Everyone lived together like a family, and apprentices had to support their teacher in retirement. Of course, those apprentices who were highly valued by the teacher could also inherit their teacher’s business.”

“At that time, the head chef of Song Ji was still old man Song’s father and the Song family had an ancestral cookbook. Yao Sheng’an wanted this cookbook at the time, but old man Song’s father felt that Yao Sheng’an’s craftsmanship was not yet skilled enough, so he didn’t plan to pass the cookbook to his eldest apprentice but pass it onto his son.”

“Yao Sheng’an probably felt that it was unfair so after that, he left Song Ji and set up a new business on his own. Later, during the special period, Yao Sheng’an reported on his teacher and Song Ji was shut down and sealed for this reason. The Song family’s ancestral recipes were also snatched away. Old man Song and his father were dragged onto the streets every day to accept criticism. Old man Song’s father couldn’t stand the anger and humiliation, so he hung himself in the middle of the night. Old man Song was also sent to a farm to work and receive reform. At that time he had only been married for a few years and his son just learned to walk. The main pillars of the Song family were both gone overnight, leaving the old and the young left. His wife could not bear the hardship, so she remarried, throwing the child to old man Song’s mother. The child had no one to teach him since he was a child, so by the time he grew into a teenager, every day he would mix with some gangsters and hooligans on the streets. Later, when the government led a crackdown, he was executed by a firing squad. The old man Song’s mother couldn’t bear it and went crazy. Everyday, she would wander madly on the streets, calling her grandson’s name, calling the old man Song, calling her husband. One day she slipped and fell into the lotus pond in Houhai and drowned. In the end, her corpse was recognized and collected by neighbors in the neighborhood…..”

“When the old man Song came back from the farm, it was to an empty hiuse with every family member gone. The government returned the Song family’s ancestral home and all the things inside. But what’s the use? The occupants were already gone.”

Dean Tao sighed deeply: “At that special time, there were too many instances of such regrets.”

Tao Mu had no expression on his face. After a long while, he asked darkly: “That Yao Sheng’an, is the founder of Sheng’an Group?”

Dean Tao nodded: “So you know too. Back then, Yao Sheng’an was very looked down on by his neighbours for betraying his teacher and benefactor. He couldn’t stay in Beijing anymore, so he ran to Shanghai. Later, he founded. Sheng’an Group, which has grown into a big business now. I hear that they are even well-known philanthropists.”

Tao Mu lowered his eyes: “He also has a grandson named Yao Wenxiao.”

Dean Tao shook her head: “That, I don’t know.”

Dean Tao looked at Tao Mu curiously: “How did you know?”

Of course he knew.

Tao Mu looked indifferent but he quietly clenched his fists. Both the Shen family and the Yao family were in Shanghai, and their families were of equal status, so naturally both families had a friendship. Yao Wenxiao was Shen Yu’s childhood sweetheart and one of Shen Yu’s admirers. The Star Media, which he established by himself, was the main force slandering Tao Mu in those days.

Tao Mu really did not expect that while he had dealt with Yao Wenxiao so many times in his previous life, there was actually such a deeper grudge between the two families that stretched back a long time ago.

After being reborn, Tao Mu originally wanted to avoid the things and people in Shanghai and live his own life in a down-to-earth manner. But now it seemed that there were some ill-fated relationships that one simply couldn’t avoid no matter how many twists and turns were taken. They existed in the same world, so a bitter fight was practically destined. Until one of them died, there was no way to avoid the hatred.

When Tao Mu left dean Tao’s office, it was completely dark.

Feng Yuan squatted on the corridor outside the office. Hearing the creak of the office door, he immediately stood up: “Brother Mu Mu, I will see you, go out.”

He held a flashlight in his hand and looked at Tao Mu eagerly.

Tao Mu smiled slightly, and reached out to touch Feng Yuan’s dry and brittle hair. In fact, Feng Yuan was only a few months younger than Tao Mu. But for some reason, he was born dark and thin, looking like a fifteen or sixteen-year-old child instead. In Da Mao and Xiao Pang’s words, these many years of feeding him pork elbows and fried chicken legs was really in vain.

But this dark and skinny kid who couldn’t even speak well was the person Tao Mu trusted the most in his previous life. And this life was no exception.

“Xiao Yuan.”

In the black alley, Feng Yuan raised his flashlight and walked in front to illuminate the way for his brother Mu. Hearing Tao Mu calling him, the child quickly turned around: “Brother Mu Mu?”

“I want to do something. And I need someone to help me.” Tao Mu looked up at the clouded sky and suddenly said, “I don’t believe in others, and I don’t want to trouble brother Yao and brother Xiao Qi. So come and help me.”

Feng Yuan’s eyes lit up and nodded vigorously: “Okay!”

Hearing Feng Yuan’s straightforward answer, Tao Mu’s lips curled up into a gentle curve. He turned his head to look at Feng Yuan, his dark eyes brighter than the stars in the night sky: “Xiao Yuan, I won’t let anything bad happen to you this time.”

Feng Yuan blinked and looked at his brother Mu. Although he didn’t know what his brother Mu was talking about, he nodded affirmatively: “Yeah.”

With a deep feeling of bitterness, Tao Mu rushed back to the dorms before curfew. Only to be met with sanitary napkins flying all over the room.

“What’s the situation?” Tao Mu looked at his three roommates with a shocked expression on his face. They were bent over and stuffing sanitary napkins into their shoes: “What are you doing?”

“Uh…..According to reliable information, it is very comfortable to put sanitary napkins in your shoes during military training.” Du Kang waved the little pink angel in his hand: “You should too.”

Tao Mu’s face turned black: “I don’t want it!”

Hearing Tao Mu’s resolute rejection, Du Kang sighed and shook his head: “I say big brother, I have found that your idol baggage is truly serious. But this thing today, it’s the collective activity of our 301 dormitory. You should just put your idol baggage down for now. In life, one must learn to stand aloof from worldly affairs.”

Stand aloof from worldly affairs, my ass! Please don’t use such a high-end and profound phrase in this context, okay? It made him feel so sorry for the phrase being insulted in such a way!

Tao Mu let out a “hehe”. He would rather not fit in than do this kind of thing. And he felt that his persistence had nothing to do with idol baggage.

“This kid, why won’t you listen!” Du Kang held the little pink angel and said in a tone of voice an old mother would say of their naughty boy, and turned his head to look at Wen Bao and Chu Sui’an. The three roommates exchanged looks for a while, then suddenly got up and threw themselves at Tao Mu. One hugged Tao Mu from behind, and the other two lifted Tao Mu’s legs to take off his shoes.

“You’re just refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, boy. Since you won’t listen, don’t blame us for forcing an honest girl into prostitution!” Wen Bao said in a singing opera voice, deliberately laughing insidiously while moving his fingers to Tao Mu’s skate shoes.

“Hey, don’t go too far!” Tao Mu struggled, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, watching his shoes forcefully being taken off by two roommates. The normally quiet Chu Sui’an, our future TV emperor Chu, shoved two sanitary napkins into the shoes in a manner of one not allowing any rejection.

“Du Kang, you really don’t want any face?!” Tao Mu couldn’t help complaining: “And you guys also, you’ll all be big stars and film emperors in the future. Is it okay to leave this kind of dark history on your record?”

“So this is a secret that our 301 dorm must not leak.” Wen Bao smiled like a cat that had caught a mouse, winking at Tao Mu: “In order to prevent traitors from appearing on the inside, everyone must be consistent in their actions. One’s weaknesses must be shared with each other. This is the safest way to keep secrets. Understand?”

“What do I understand, I!” Tao Mu was so pissed he laughed angrily: “Du Kang, just look at what bad ideas you have!”

“What does it have to do with me?” Du Kang retorted innocently: “This was clearly Chu Sui’an’s proposal, okay?”

What? ? ? ? ?

Tao Mu looked with astonishment at the feminine and melancholic features of the other’s facial features. Every gesture and move was very gentle and polite. He was even praised by the media later as the “most popular star in the Chinese entertainment industry with a gentleman and scholarly air”. Did he have smoke in his ears just now? He must have heard wrong, right?

Chu Sui’an pursed his lips in a particularly shy manner, and explained with great embarrassment: “I also heard this method from my classmates.”

Tao Mu: “…..” Fuck! ! ! It was really you! ! ! ! !

He didn’t expect the handsome and gentle big TV emperor Chu to be the most dangerous one hidden among the crowd! This was simply shattering one’s illusions of the guy!

Tao Mu looked at Chu Sui’an with a disillusioned expression. This kid was more than hiding a deeper side! No, this was clearly already revealing all of his deeper side!

Tao Mu sat down at the table in a daze, opened his “Introduction to Programming”, turned on his laptop, and entered a well-known international interactive learning platform, preparing to learn two chapters of the C language.

“What’s this?” Three big heads squeezed over in front of the computer screen, looking at the screen full of unintelligible English codes, and the “Introduction to Programming” spread out on the table, raising eyebrows as they asked: “Tao Mu are you reading a heavenly book?”

“Why don’t you say that I am reading the scriptures!” Tao Mu said in an angry voice, “Let me put it out there first, even if you stuff all my shoes with that thing, I won’t wear it!”

“En???!!!”

The three roommates stared at each other, squinted their eyes and rubbed their chins. Wen Bao rubbed his hands in a devious manner. The three of them approached Tao Mu with a smile: “Little brother, we know that your idol baggage is very serious.”

When Wen Bao said this, he also specially emphasized the word ‘very’: “However!”

Wen Bao’s words were sonorous, and he looked at Tao Mu with a piercing look, a look of confidence: “After entering the doors of my Eastern Depot, the choice is no longer in your hands. Today, you must obey, whether you like it or not!” (TN: Eastern Depot or Eastern Bureau was a Ming dynasty spy and secret police agency run by eunuchs)

As Wen Bao said this, he made a big wave of his hand, and the classic Peking opera veteran began to sing: “Little ones, go meet out his punishment ah ya ya ya ya ya——”

“Aye aye!” Chu Sui’an and Du Kang accepted the order in unison, and the two pairs of evil hands reached out to Tao Mu’s armpits.

“Aiya!” Tao Mu squeezed himself into a ball in order to defend himself against the evil claws of his roommates. However, he was outnumbered and weak, and his resistance was futile.

In the end, Mr. Tao, the future Golden Crow film emperor and Internet superstar, had to succumb to his roommates’ evil power, promising to join in on their questionable plan.

“Hey, no, we won’t need to go to military training tomorrow!” After fooling around, Tao Mu came back to his senses: “Didn’t we agree to take uncle and aunt to tour Beijing City. Why are you guys in such a hurry?”

“Oh!” Listening to Tao Mu’s words, the other three also reacted, looking at each other.

“That’s right, the military training will be the day after tomorrow! Who proposed the idea?”

“Chu Sui’an!” Seeing everyone looking at him, Du Kang did not hesitate to point out the culprit: “You suggested we go to the supermarket downstairs to buy sanitary napkins.”

“I was listening to the advice my seniors gave me.” Chu Sui’an also quickly explained: “I didn’t say we should get it right away.”

Then who did!

Du Kang and Chu Sui’an looked at Wen Bao silently. It was clearly this kid who started to unpack the pads as soon as he returned to the dormitory. So how come the blame was on others now?

“Is that right?” Wen Bao was truly bad, pointing at himself and widening his eyes in an innocent pretense.

Tao Mu could see that these three were all bad guys! None of them were good!

“Hey, I say Tao Mu, are you programming?” After a while, everyone was tired. Sitting at their own desks, Wen Bao tilted his head and looked at Tao Mu, particularly curious: “You actually know this?”

“I know a little bit.” Tao Mu smiled and replied humbly: “At best, I can just make a website and fix a computer or something.”

“That’s right, I think knowing how to repair computers is too important. Especially for celebrities.” Du Kang suddenly remembered a gossip and he looked at everyone with an expression of “you understand” on his face: “Just that Hong Kong star recently, quite a handsome guy. If it wasn’t for needing to repair his computer, so many photos wouldn’t have…..hey, have you all seen it?”

Boys aged 18 or 19 were at the stage where male hormones were currently doing wacky things to their bodies. Whenever they gathered together, there were only so many topics to talk about. Sports, celebrities, girls….. Sure enough, it didn’t take long for the content of their conversation to drift to girls, led by Du Kang. He said: “The way I see it, the school hunk of our 2008 Beijing Film class will be our Mu’er without exception. But as for the school babe, now that’s up for grabs. Hey, when you reported today, have you guys seen a particularly beautiful girl?”

“There are too many beautiful girls! Practically blinding the eyes.” Wen Bao immediately echoed: “I also want to know who the school babe of our Beijing Film will be. With our school’s students’ high attractive index, just what kind of devastating beauty can stand out from the crowd.”

“Want to know?” Classmate Tao Mu, who had been tapping away coding, raised his eyebrows and tapped a finger on the laptop screen, making a crisp sound: “It’s not difficult. As long as you can provide pictures of the girls.”

The other three males in the dormitory looked at each other and then turned a dazed expression on Tao Mu.

Under the white incandescent lamp, Tao Mu smiled meaningfully.

He knew some programming. Mainly because of the domestic investment environment in the previous life. Any project with a little profit and development potential could not bypass the Internet. Before he was reborn, the Internet plus finance was almost synonymous with netting in money.

As an under-qualified finance graduate, aside from the entertainment industry, the only thing Tao Mu was familiar with was financial investment. But for a thing like investing, if one didn’t know how to do it, it was the same thing as throwing away money. So from the beginning, Tao Mu’s investment direction was all related to the entertainment industry. For example, live streaming sites, game platforms, video sites, etc. Later, he gradually came into contact with e-commerce websites and social software.

In order to understand in more detail what exactly he invested in, what the operation modes and profit modes were, and where exactly did the development team burn the money at, Tao Mu began to learn programming by himself at that time—— The main purpose was to better communicate with the entrepreneurial side. So that he would not be deceived by others and have his investment money defrauded.

Of course, Tao Mu had no talent in IT programming. He had taught himself for two or three years, and at best he was a second-rate programmer. He could tinker with a website, mobile app, etc. Anything more complicated would not work. It was completely incomparable with those talented tech masters. Of course there was also no need for comparison.

However, he did not expect to be reborn and live life over again or that his second-rate skill would turn out to be one of the major capital on which he could rely on.

Tao Mu calculated that with the end of the Olympic Games, he would have already invested all the money he had on gambling platforms into the international oil futures market. According to historical data, international oil prices would fall to 32.4M gold per barrel at the end of December. A decline of more than 75% meant that Tao Mu’s money would have at least several dozen times turnover profit.

At that time, the profit made in the futures market would be enough to support his development of his website.

Tao Mu stared deeply at the computer screen, staring affectionately at what he had coded.

Learning of the experience of the old man Song was as if he was suddenly dosed with cold water, directly awakening Tao Mu. He could finally put aside those unrealistic fantasies and instead try to make himself stronger.

Only in this way could he guarantee that he would no longer be humiliated by others; only when he was strong could he have spare capacity to protect the people he cared about most.

After being reborn, Tao Mu believed that he had passed the stage where he was the most helpless and powerless. Towards some people and some things, he would not compromise and there was also no need to compromise.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

If he must avoid them because of his temporary personal lack of power. Then he would wait until one day when he had grown strong enough to break Shen Yu’s protagonist halo and break the curse of the plot. When the time came, he would make a comeback, returning stronger than before.

Tao Mu subtly squeezed the mouse and stared at the computer screen with a scorching gaze. In the eyes of the three roommates, that posture of determination and certainty caused them to look at each other with bemusement.

——Then, without Tao Mu’s knowledge, these bastard roommates quietly gave Tao Mu the label of “technical type pervert with extremely serious idol baggage”.

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Wen Bao, this average height, extremely amiable, and always smiling dude from Beijing was from a family that ran a chain of hot pot restaurants. And it was the most characteristic instant boiled mutton hot pot of old Beijing. At the time when Tao Mu was reborn, their hot pot restaurant had actually become a listed company. Described in the online words of later years, Wen Bao was a veritable young master of a large wealthy family. The kind that belonged to the category of people who could just inherit their family business if they didn’t do well in the entertainment business.

But this kid probably didn’t like being a domineering CEO, so he was very hard-working when acting. What Golden Crow film emperor, Golden Lily TV emperor, Golden Chime best actor award. Various kinds of awards took turns being brought back home. He was definitely not like Tao Mu and people like him who had to work hard for seven or eight years to win even one award.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

But speaking of, his achievement could still be considered high enough. All the elite students of the 2008 Beijing Film class from all departments were all included in this dorm. In the next ten years, those who won prestigious awards such as the best director and best screenwriter or film emperor and TV emperor would not exceed two hands. But today, he happened to run into three at once, and they were all in the same dormitory. And in the next four years they would be facing each other day and night. This luck meter was really off the charts!

Could it be said that after he was reborn and stayed far from the scope of the cannon fodder buff of the original plot, his luck had finally turned around?

Tao Mu was currently letting his imagination run wild, when suddenly a heavy arm threw itself on his shoulder.

“——I say, buddy, I just saw you at the school gate.” Du Kang threw his bedding onto the bed, not bothering to tidy up the bed: “I was in the front. Holy, I saw that bunch of girls surrounding you, all kinds like twittering birds, helping you run errands and picking things up for you. It really made me envious. You say, I was already there by seven o’clock in the morning but I’ve been waiting in line for such a long time, afraid to even drink anything for fear I would need the bathroom. But in the end I was cut off by a pretty boy like you.” 

“And I was wondering! How handsome was this guy for so many of these girls from Beijing Film to completely forget their reservedness and future superstar airs, and instead throw themselves over all starry-eyed. So, I craned my head and took a look! Alas! Oh my god, my eye was almost dazzled blind. You say, you’re not only this handsome, you also dress like this and are followed by such a large group of people next to you. It’s as if you’re some international superstar who came to visit our campus. I also saw that group of media reporters at the gates all practically rushing to your side. Some people even sighed that it’s a waste you applied to Beijing Film instead of Yan Film when you’re so handsome.”

“I was so sad at the time. You say, this is already the 21st century. Why do these people still look only at face like this! Fine, if they must look at the face then why not look at me? I have thick eyebrows and big eyes, and I’m 1.9m tall. Being admitted to Beijing Film also proves that I have decent looks too, so how come no one pays attention to me!”

“You don’t know, my mood at the time was just like being struck by thunder despite it being a clear sky. This heart of mine instantly shattered into pieces. Do you know the famous line in ‘The Romance of the Three Kingdoms’?”

“Since you (heaven) made me, Zhou Yu, why did you make Zhuge Liang too!” (TN: basically lamenting the fact that there is someone better than you who is outshining you at every turn)

“I thought at the time, whoever shares a dormitory with you must be really unlucky! Looking at your face every day, watching a bunch of girls throwing themselves at you while everyone else is just so much background. After a while, just how big will this ​​psychological shadow be! And it’s not just shadows, I estimate that people’s hearts would feel so defeated that green hair will grow out.” 

“But then, boom, this big thunder exploded on my head. When I opened the door and saw you, I knew it! It’s over! You say, just how will I live with such an inhumanly handsome guy like you. How will I make it in these next four years? The pressure is simply too great for me. The number 1 school hottie I have maintained for nearly two decades will now meet its demise today. Is it easy for me? Aren’t I just going to university to be an actor? Why must I be hurt like this…..”

Du Kang clearly didn’t need others at all, just by himself he could perform a lively stand-up comedy. And this fellow had never stopped his mouth ever since entering the dormitory.

Wen Bao tried to interrupt with his own input with difficulty, but didn’t succeed at all. He could only touch his nose sheepishly and wave his paw to interrupt Du Kang. He practically wanted nothing more than to rush up and cover Du Kang’s mouth directly: “No, I say, buddy, can we continue chatting when we get to the restaurant? Aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m hungry!” Unexpectedly, Du Kang grabbed his hand and said righteously: “I’m so hungry, my stomach has shrunk to press against my back. I’m just trying to divert my attention with a few words. Otherwise, I can faint on the spot. Faint from hunger, you know?”

There was even something to say about this?!

The other three looked at each other and were speechless.

No wonder he was nominated for the best actor more than a dozen times. Attending the award ceremonies but didn’t get a single award for seven or eight years. So in his anger, he changed his career to director and made a movie. Unexpectedly, he instantly won the best director and best picture in one breath. When he went on variety shows he would crush all fresh meat in the circle, setting off a bloody storm in the entertainment circle and establishing himself as a well-known big director/variety show celebrity!

This comedy logic was truly something to admit defeat to even if you don’t want to.

This was natural wit!

“Ai, you say, if I was to faint in hunger in the dorm room today, would the reporters give me a headline or something? In that way, will my road to fame be less difficult?”

Du Kang was not done yet. He stood there and began talking to himself, even laughing idiotically: “Don’t they say that one must be famous as soon as possible! If I can be so famous once, even starving to death will put a smile on my face.”

Wen Bao patted his head in exasperation and looked up at the ceiling. Why did he come to report with such a person! And even share a dormitory! How would he make it these next four years of university?

Due to Du Kang’s outstanding performance, the four roommates of 301 became very familiar with each other on the first day of reporting to school.

At noon, Wen Bao really took the large group of people to Wen Ju Xiang’s newly opened branch near Beijing Film, and treated everyone to eat lamb.

The decoration of the store inherited the characteristics of old Beijing. The old-style furniture made of fragrant rosewood, the red lacquer carved hollow partitions, the wooden tables and chairs were also in the old style, and there were all kinds of palace style lanterns hanging overhead. There was also a musician hired with a high salary who sat in a cheongsam and played the guzheng. To the melodious sound of the string instrument, Wen Bao proudly showed everyone around: “…..Sometimes we would also invite old artists to sing opera or perform comic dialog. It gets very lively.”

As he spoke, Wen Bao pulled everyone to the bar to take pictures: “You will all be big stars and film emperors in the future. My dad specifically told me that you all must take pictures when you guys come over. And make sure you leave your signatures. When you become famous, this shop will rely on your reputation to promote the shop.”

“This is your store?” Du Kang, who didn’t know Wen Bao’s details, was shocked. In fact, when Wen Bao came to report, he wore a round-neck T-shirt that was so faded from repeated washing, a pair of beige slacks that could be bought for 30 yuan in the wholesale market, and a pair of flip-flops on his feet. His short hair was also cut really close to scalp, and when he smiled there were two dimples. No matter how one looked at him, he appeared like the ordinary poor people squatting in the alley neighborhoods of old Beijing basking in the sun. As a result, Du Kang was completely unable to connect this high-end hot pot restaurant with Wen Bao.

“Yes! So in the future, when you come to eat you get a 20% discount.” Wen Bao curved his natural crescent eyes and said with a smile: “Roommate benefits, you know?”

“We’re roommates and you just give us a 20% discount? Can you be more stingy? Why don’t you give us two more plates of meat!” Du Kang snorted, pretending to act like a country bumpkin. He even groped around the bar, touching this and that, and asked the waitress wearing a cheongsam: “Ai, do you have any benefits for the boss’ family members? Say, we are all roommates of your young boss. For at least the next four years, we’ll all be living together, right? With such a close relationship, we should at least get a 50% discount, right?”

The little waitress giggled, and did not hesitate to joke back: “There is really no 50% discount. But how about two pots of herbal tea?” This autumn was dry and irritable, so drinking some herbal tea to cool the fire was just right. Four boys in one dorm room after all!

“Sister is too kind!” Du Kang gave the girl a thumbs up: “You didn’t shame the people of the capital!”

“I say, can you guys stop acting like smart alecks? Aren’t you all so hungry your stomachs shrunk to touch your backs!” Tao Mu handed the signed “Star Collection Book” to the front desk girl and looked at Wen Bao: ” Young boss, let’s go.”

Wen Bao admired Tao Mu’s signature for a while, shocked at its aesthetics: “Damn, Taozi, have you practiced signing signatures specially? It’s beautiful!”

When the other two heard this, they craned their heads and looked over. Chu Sui’an, who had never spoken much, said affirmatively: “This signature must definitely have been practiced. It has the momentum of flying dragon and dancing phoenix, the strokes so smooth and flowing. It’s better than the signatures of those big stars.”

Du Kang slapped a bear paw on Tao Mu’s shoulder: “I say, buddy, I can tell, your idol baggage is quite serious!”

Tao Mu’s smile was perfect as he said in a very reserved manner: “I’ve made you laugh, I’ve made you laugh.” It’s not like he could say that he was used to it in the past life. After all, having turned from an online star to a film emperor, this signature couldn’t be too shabby. If it was too shabby, even his managing team wouldn’t let him go, okay? So this pot could only be carried with tears.

When they heard this, Liu Yao and Meng Qi, as well as Song Daozhen and others who had seen Tao Mu fuss in front of the mirror for more than an hour before leaving the house, looked at each other in unison, secretly agreeing with classmate Du Kang——their puppy’s idol baggage was indeed very serious.

“Make you laugh my butt!” Du Kang couldn’t help it anymore. His sturdy arm hooked Tao Mu’s neck while the other paw messed up Tao Mu’s carefully crafted hairstyle with an embittered envy: “I say, kid, are you planning to take the idol road in our simple Beijing Film Academy! Kid, you’re quite clever! Taking such an unconventional gambit and blazing a new trail! Everyone is just following the standard rules, while you just have to take a different path, right? Let me look at your shoes. You’re wearing Meters/bonwe, aren’t you? Do you want to be their endorsement model?”

Da Mao and Xiao Pang also heckled next to him: “Ai, if Meters/bonwe really uses my brother Mu as their product endorser, with my brother Mu’s attractiveness index and fashion sense, their sales will definitely increase!”

“Attractiveness index?!” The three roommates, who had never heard of this word, were confused.

Xiao Pang explained patiently: “It is the rating of one’s attractiveness. My brother Mu said that there is a scoring standard for everything these days. This face is also the same. Whether you are handsome or not, whether you look good or not, all have a rating.”

“This term is a bit interesting!” Du Kang instantly laughed: “Then how about my looks, how many points can it score?”

Before Da Mao and Xiao Pang could reply, Chu Sui’an, who had not said much, suddenly said, “Hey, aren’t we gonna eat instant boiled mutton? Where does the mutton come from? Is it organic?”

The topic had changed quite bluntly. The large group of people looked at each other and burst into laughter.

Unexpectedly, Chu Sui’an, who was such a shy guy, actually had such a hidden surprising side! He could insult someone without saying anything directly.

Du Kang looked at Chu Sui’an with an expression that looked like he had been struck by a thunderbolt, the incredulous appearance full of comedic effects.

Chu Sui’an looked up at the lines on the ceiling with a calm face, and turned his head from time to time to discuss with his parents that the decoration style of the hot pot restaurant was particularly imperial family style. Especially the ceiling, the pattern on it was a bit like the ceiling of Prince Gong’s Mansion…..In short, it was a very country bumpkin manner. Looking and pointing everywhere, but just won’t look at Du Kang.

Wen Bao laughed so hard his tears were about to come out. Finally, this large group of people were brought into a private booth. Father Wen, who had been in the kitchen for a long time, personally prepared slices of mutton for everyone. The slices of mutton were cut as thin as cicada wings, so thin they could transmit light when picked up. In addition, there were beef tripe, frozen tofu, white radish, bean vermicelli, and various fresh and tender vegetables.

When the dishes were ready, father Wen even opened two bottles of Maotai and came to toast in person.

But when he saw old man Song, who was pushed to the main seat by everyone, he was shocked: “Song Shifu? Is it you, Song Shifu? Ai, it’s really you! What a coincidence…..”

Song Daozhen squinted at father Wen, but couldn’t remember.

Who was this person?

“You don’t remember me anymore?” Father Wen slapped his thigh with a distressed look: “I am Wen Aiguo, Wen Xiaojiu’er. Back in ’68, I just joined Song Ji as an apprentice. The chef of Song Ji at the time was still your grandfather. At that time, you were responsible for teaching us apprentices. My instant boiled lamb was actually a craftsmanship that I learned from you. Later I heard that your family was given trouble by the bastard surnamed Yao, and the whole family was criticized and denounced…..You were also sent to Linhai Farm——”

“Oh!” Song Daozhen interrupted Wen Aiguo’s words with an indifferent expression: “I remember it. It’s you.”

Wen Aiguo also noticed that Song Daozhen didn’t seem to want to bring up the past. He smiled immediately and said in a very warm and enthusiastic voice: “I say, you should also try my craft today. See if it has managed to inherit a bit of your techniques.”

As he spoke, he picked a piece of mutton with a pair of shared chopsticks, dipped it in the hot pot and then placed it respectfully on the small dish in front of Song Daozhen.

Tao Mu took a spoonful each of leek flowers, fermented bean curd, sesame paste, soy sauce, chili oil and braised shrimp oil in front of him and mixed a bowl of dipping sauce for the old man.

Wen Aiguo smiled enthusiastically with his back bent over slightly and said, “Try some?”

Song Daozhen picked up the lamb meat and dipped it in the small bowl of sauce, put it in his mouth and chewed slowly. He then praised it politely: “Not bad.”

Wen Bao’s eyes flickered and he looked at Tao Mu with a smile: “It seems that we two really have an affinity. My father actually knows your grandfather. According to the old saying, our two families are also family friends.”

“Yoh, it turns out that this young man is your grandson. This handsome face really looks like my senior brother.” Wen Aiguo looked at Tao Mu and complimented with a smile: “You and our Wen Bao are in the same dorm room? Look at the affinity of our family. You must come often from now on. Your orders will all be on the house.”

Wen Bao, seeing that his father still hadn’t figured out the situation, couldn’t help but subtly hint: “This is my classmate Tao Mu. These two are Du Kang and Chu Sui’an.”

Wen Aiguo was taken aback. What’s going on, the grandfather’s surname was Song, so why was his grandson’s surname Tao? Was it a grandson from the mother’s side?

Meanwhile, Wen Bao introduced his father to the parents present here. When dean Tao was introduced, Wen Aiguo felt that he realized something. He looked at dean Tao, who was sitting next to old man Song, and felt that he had touched upon something. He suddenly smiled with joy, and asked cautiously: “This…..is this Shimu?” The old companion that the old man found later? (TN: shimu is the wife of shifu)

Old man Song: “…..”

Dean Tao: “…..”

The group of melon eaters: “…..”

Old man Song slapped his chopsticks down and scolded, “What nonsense! This is the dean of the orphanage.”

“Ah? Oh, oh, oh,” Wen Aiguo finally realized that he seemed to have misunderstood something. However, he was someone who had dealt with people and business for many years, so he had a very thick-skinned face. He easily acted as if nothing had happened, and began to toast a glass of wine to apologize. Then he escaped under the guise of being busy.

The atmosphere became a bit embarrassing for a while.

Everyone looked at each other, and occasionally glanced at Song Daozhen, who had a face so dark that it seemed to be able to drip ink.

Tao Mu gave a light cough, raised his wine glass and asked Chu Sui’an’s parents: “Uncle and aunt, how long can you stay in Beijing this time? Have you walked around and seen the sights yet?”

Mother Chu immediately replied: “We haven’t had time to visit. Today we had to send An An to report to school. We were thinking about doing the serious things first, and then walking around tomorrow. After that we will be going back. From now on, An An will be in everyone’s care.”

“That’s for sure. Uncle and aunt, don’t worry.” Tao Mu smiled and said, “How about I show uncle and aunt around tomorrow. It’s rare for uncle and aunt to come here so as a local, I have to do my best as a host. “

After he finished speaking, he smiled and begged brother Yao: “Brother Yao, can you lend me the car tomorrow.”

Liu Yao squinted at Tao Mu, and teased their little puppy with a smile: “It’s fine to borrow the car. But do you have a driver’s license?”

Tao Mu was startled when he heard these words. He had completely forgotten about it.

It seemed he must take the driving exam as soon as possible, otherwise it would be too awkward.

Seeing their puppy staring blankly for a while, Liu Yao smiled and said, “I will ask Da Hui to follow you tomorrow.”

Chu Sui’an’s parents repeatedly thanked: “We really trouble you.”

“No trouble, no trouble.” Meng Qi smiled and said: “Beijing Film has so many students, but these four children just happened to get together in one dormitory. This is fate.”

“That’s true.” Chu Sui’an’s mother suddenly smiled and lectured her son: “An An, you must get along with your classmates in the future, do you understand?”

Chu Sui’an was a big boy, but he had to be treated like a child in front of so many people, so he instantly felt very embarrassed. He impatiently replied: “Aiya, I know. Mom, have you tried this. The lamb here is delicious. It is much more authentic than the lamb meat in our Shanghai city. This lamb does not smell at all. You should eat more.”

Tao Mu smiled and asked Du Kang: “You came over to report to school, but your parents didn’t come with you?”

Du Kang waved his hand: “They wanted to follow along. But I feel that as a grown man already in college, it would be too embarrassing to have my parents send me over. So I didn’t let them. And it saved two train tickets. The money can now be used for my living expenses next month.”

Du Kang felt that his calculations were very clever. But the others were very speechless. This young man was really…..sincere and straightforward!

Everyone enjoyed the meal.

After the meal, Wen Bao took the two non-local classmates to buy necessities such as soap and towels. On the way, he also took the two classmates and Chu Sui’an’s parents to visit the scenic spots and commercial buildings near Beijing Film.

Liu Yao and Meng Qi were planning to go back to the club to have a look while also sending dean Tao and old man Song back.

Da Mao’s father was still thinking about the stock market and wanted to chat with Tao Mu. But Tao Mu was preoccupied with what Wen Bao’s father had revealed at the meal. He declined the invitation of uncle Wang, and then got into brother Yao’s car.

This time Liu Yao drove a seven-seat SUV, and Meng Qi sat in the passenger seat as usual. Dean Tao and Feng Yuan sat in the middle row, and Tao Mu sat at the back with his old man.

There was silence all the way. When they arrived, Tao Mu helped the old man get out of the car, and directly sent the old man back to the restaurant——

The old man’s restaurant was called Song Ji. Tao Mu hadn’t noticed it before, only thinking that the old man named it Song Ji for his own surname. But today, listening to father Wen’s words, it seemed that there was a long history here. And listening to what father Wen said, old man Song was originally a man with a wife and a son. But since Tao Mu’s first day in Song Ji in both lives, he hadn’t seen old man Song’s family members at all, not even distant relatives.

“Uhm——”

“Don’t ask.” Just as Tao Mu spoke, he was abruptly interrupted by Song Daozhen.

“You are not allowed to ask about this matter. Never ask. And never inquire about it. If you let me know that you are inquiring about it outside, then you will never be allowed to come into my door again in this life!”

Before Tao Mu could even finish speaking, the rest of his words were stunned back by the old man. And looking at the old man’s stern face and extremely serious manner——it was not at all like usual. Although he also liked to scowl at Tao Mu, it was as clear as day that he was just being untruthful, appearing unfriendly and blunt, but was actually warm and tender inside.

So the more the old man looked like this, the more serious the situation was. And as a result, Tao Mu became more curious.

What was going on with Song Ji? Why haven’t the old man’s wife and child ever visited him? Did the old man have any relatives? And who was the bastard surnamed Yao that father Wen mentioned? What did he do to wrong the old man and his whole family? Was it related to the old man being left alone and without any family?

The more Tao Mu thought about it, the more he hated his heartlessness in his previous life. He didn’t even know anything about the old man’s family affairs and what’s more, he didn’t even want to inquire about it. So now he wanted to figure out what was going on. But he didn’t want to go against old man Song and make him unhappy. So he nodded obediently at the moment: “Alright.”

Song Daozhen looked at Tao Mu’s large dark eyes and knew that Tao Mu hadn’t listened. But he didn’t have the energy to argue with Tao Mu. The appearance of Wen Aiguo, as well as the words he said, evoked the last thing Song Daozhen wanted to remember in his life.

He was tired and wanted to sleep. He could only see the Song Ji of the past in his dreams, and see those people of the Song family. And his young son who was not much older than Tao Mu. When he woke up from the dream he was still that lonely and stubborn old man with a reclusive and strange temperament. No children, no wife, no support.

“You go back. Aren’t you going to accompany your classmates’ parents to tour Beijing tomorrow. Then don’t come here. Let me have some peace for two days.”

Tao Mu was driven out of the small restaurant by the old man. He stood on the blue brick steps outside the courtyard. The two doors that were originally painted with vermilion lacquer had long been mottled and peeled off under the erosion of the years. Even the high door thresholds were half chipped away due to years of wind, rain and trampling. However, the old man never repaired any of it.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

He just let this small courtyard gradually decline under the erosion of time and oil smoke. He just lived in this empty courtyard by his lonesome. Every night after the restaurant was closed, he wandered the deserted patio with a big broom, walking through the silent promenade and bypassing the secondary doors. The dry broom would make a rustling sound on the bluestone slabs. Occasionally, the night wind would blow by and the old locust trees in the yard would also make rustling sounds. This was probably the only sound in the courtyard at night.

Tao Mu quietly clenched his fists that were hanging at his sides. He stood in front of the door for a while, then turned and entered the orphanage.

He felt that dean Tao might know something.

TN: bonus chapter coming up!

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“Wu!”

The dazzling sunlight sneaked in through the gaps in the curtains, slid across the floor and touched the bed. The golden rays crawled over the soft and fluffy quilt, gently kissed the owner’s collarbone, chin, bridge of nose, and finally landed on the eyelids.

The dazzling sunlight flickered over his eyes. Very annoying!

The sleeping person closed his eyes tightly in an unhappy manner. The thick eyelashes were like butterfly wings trembling, casting two fan-shaped shadows under the eyelids. He fumbled and grabbed the quilt and pulled it up over his head, curling up into a ball under the quilt as he turned over and continued to sleep. Suddenly a noisy knocking sounded from the door, followed by the doorbell which went “Ding Dong Ding Dong”.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

How could there be a two-pronged attack!

“Wu!” Tao Mu unconsciously uttered a small puppy dog whine from his throat and opened his eyes in a daze. The ceiling above his head and the slightly unfamiliar furnishings in the room confused him for a moment. Immediately after the return of awareness, Tao Mu sat up still hugging the quit and the memory of last night slowly returned.

The ringing of the doorbell went “Ding Dong Ding Dong” several more times before Tao Mu slowly got up and went to open the door.

Early in the morning, Song Daozhen rolled out the wonton wrappers in the back kitchen and personally wrapped more than fifty small wontons filled with green onions and pork, Tao Mu’s favorite, and then carried a bag of seaweed, a bag of mustard greens, a handful of coriander and a bag of dried shrimp as he took the two mile walk to Tao Mu’s apartment. Song Daozhen stared at Tao Mu, who looked asleep on his feet, half of his face covered in red sleep marks. He couldn’t help but nag: “Why haven’t you gotten up yet? Don’t you have to report to school this morning? It’s already past seven o’clock, why aren’t you up. Did you stay up late to play on the computer last night? You say, it’s a good thing that I stopped by. Otherwise, with no one to wake you, you wouldn’t have even noticed that you slept past the time. You say, kids nowadays, ah, why act like night owls! Not sleeping at night, and not getting up in the morning. Don’t you know that going to bed early and getting up early is good for your health! Staying up so late every day sooner or later your body will break down…..”

Listening to old man Song’s nagging, Tao Mu stretched out his hand to scratch his messy hair, narrowed his big eyes into a seam and leaned against the kitchen, “….I wasn’t playing on the computer. I was doing real business matters….. The opening time of the stock market in China and the international oil futures market is at that point, what can I do? It’s not like I can have a big organization change their times for me alone? Just so I can go to bed early and get up early? It can’t be!”

“Don’t talk back with this kind of useless stuff!” Song Daozhen gave Tao Mu an irritated glare and carried the ingredients into the kitchen. Seeing Tao Mu following behind him like a small tail and still in a daze, old man Song was actually very happy inside. But on the surface he put up a stern face and lectured, “Hurry up and wash your face. You move quickly, don’t dawdle, or else the small wontons will go soggy.”

Tao Mu let out a soft “Uh”, sniffed hard, and asked his old man: “Did you bring me two flatbread? I want to eat the flatbread you make. I want salted flatbread, but mung bean and white sugar is also not bad.”

“You sure have a lot of requests. If you want to eat, go make it yourself. Didn’t I teach you?” Song Daozhen snorted. Speaking of this, he was reminded that Tao Mu had applied to Beijing Film, and suddenly became angry: “…..Not learning perfectly good craftsmanship, but insisting on studying such a damn major. You say, just how many people in China want to become celebrities? Besides, is it a long-term plan to make a living with your face? The way I see it, you kid just learned badly from that group of “Night” people. Every day thinking about getting something for nothing…..”

Tao Mu covered his head and rushed into the bathroom. After washing, he finally felt more awake.

“I say, old man, how did you come over from the restaurant?”

“Cycling along the main road. Just take it as exercise!” Song Daozhen said as he turned on the stove neatly, throwing the little wontons into the boiling pot. After a while, a cloud of steam wafted out of the kitchen, and the small apartment of less than 40 square meters was suddenly filled with the fresh fragrance of small wontons.

But Tao Mu was shocked into a cold sweat: “You just cycled here? That is not good! There are so many cars coming and going! You can’t be like this in the future. It’s too dangerous——”

Tao Mu was about to say that when he got a driver’s license and then bought a car, he would do the picking up. Only to see old man Song stubbornly glare at Tao Mu and ask stiffly: “Why, you dislike me? You don’t want me to come over?”

“How can that be!” Tao Mu sneaked into the kitchen, stood behind the old man with an ingratiating smile, and massaged his shoulders: “I’m just worried about your safety! You wait for me to get a driver’s license and a car. I will pick you up every day to come here.”

“Your words are pretty. But when you go to college and meet new friends, you would be too busy playing around. Would you still even remember me?” Song Daozhen snorted again, but the more he talked the more sad he became.

This stinky boy went to H Town for more than two months and only called him that one time. After that, there was no hearing from him at all. And he even specially set up a landline, only to just get takeout calls.

“No way.” Tao Mu smiled and hugged his old man’s small and thin body, and patiently coaxed: “I will pick you up at least twice every week in the future. Let you inspect whether this houseguest of yours has kept the house clean or not. I will also go back to the orphanage to visit dean Tao on the weekends. At that time I will make good food for you and let you taste my craft.”

“Your words are pretty.” Though Song Daozhen continued to voice his disbelief, he was quite happy in his heart. As the saying went, old children, old children, whether old people or children, one must coax them like this.

“That won’t work either.” Song Daozhen waved his hand and motioned Tao Mu to take out the cooked small wontons. He began to nag again: “Aren’t you trading stocks every day? You have to stay up until midnight every night, and feel sleepy during the day. How will you drive? I say, you’d better watch yourself, don’t get into a car accident because of fatigue. Although the 2nd Ring Road and the 3rd Ring Road have traffic jams every day, you can’t ruin other people’s cars like that. If you really clip someone else’s car, aside from the compensation money, people will think you had run out to the main road to play bumper cars!”

“Don’t go shaming us capital people!”

Just look at what this old man said, downright mean he was.

Tao Mu served the old man a bowl of small wontons and said with a smile, “I say old man——”

But before the words were finished, the doorbell rang once again.

Tao Mu put down the spoon and went to open the door. This time, Liu Yao and Meng Qi were the ones who showed up. They also carried three bowls of egg and lean meat porridge and two boxes of steamed buns. It was clearly bought at the breakfast shop at the gate of the community.

“Oh ho, old man, you are sure early! If we knew you were coming too, we could have given you a ride as well. All those cars coming and going, it’ll be bad if it clipped or bumped you.” Liu Yao opened his mouth and said the exact same thing as Tao Mu.

Song Daozhen had just finished retorting at Tao Mu, and now switched his next target to boss Liu. He snorted: “No need. I’m fine riding a bike by myself. It’s good to move my muscles and bones once in a while. And it won’t trouble anyone either. My old bones have not reached the point I can’t even move by myself yet.”

“That’s not what I meant. Ai, how come you are always so contrary!” As Liu Yao sooke, his eyes swept over the two steaming bowls of small wontons on the small table, and instantly felt a craving——

To say that the old man surnamed Song had a bad temper was an understatement. But his cooking skills were truly superb. Both taste and smell were without criticism.

Tao Mu laughed. He went to the kitchen to get two more bowls, and ladled out a bowl of wontons for brother Yao and brother Xiao Qi: “Wontons with steamed buns are just right.”

The old man snorted. In his heart he grumbled that his wonton was originally just right. Now there were two extra people. So of course it needed to be eaten with buns to be enough!

But how could this steamed bun and wonton go together exactly? These two things obviously didn’t go together! The old man grumbled to himself, his wonton was a perfect match with his flatbread. Wonton with steamed buns were at best passable!

Sure enough, no wonder he ran a nightclub as he didn’t even know how to eat.

The four people ate their improvised breakfast. During breakfast, the old man remembered something and reminded Tao Mu: “When you are free, let’s go to the vegetable market together. This house has just been renovated. I didn’t stock up any food so the kitchen is completely empty. Later, let’s go to the market to get a bag of rice and a bag of flour. Chicken, duck or fish, we should also buy some. I’ll make you some buns, wontons, glutinous rice balls, and dumplings at home. You can eat them when you are hungry.”

In fact, Song Daozhen originally wanted to cook wonton in his own small restaurant. But he was old now and couldn’t carry it all. And it was also not convenient. It was better to cook it here and freeze it directly in the refrigerator. Tao Mu could then eat it whenever he wanted.

Liu Yao listened to Song Daozhen’s words and swallowed subconsciously. He said: “This is rice and flour which are all heavy things. It will be inconvenient for you two old and young ones. How about this, Meng Qi and I will drive you there, and then take you back. I’ll find two guys to help carry the things upstairs directly.”

Song Daozhen originally wanted to say that he also had workers in the restaurant, but he didn’t have a car. Besides, there were Tao Mu’s feelings to be taken into account!

This stinky boy was looking at him eagerly, and it was obvious that he wanted to let brother Yao and brother Xiao Qi go to the vegetable market together.

Don’t know what kind of stinky habits he learned in H Town! This time he was back, he seemed to be more clingy than before! Not only did he learn to be clingy, but also learn to behave like a baby. Always looking at you eagerly, and using a soft voice to coax you. One couldn’t disagree with him even if they wanted to!

“If you want to go, go!” Song Daozhen snorted: “Someone is willing to work for free, what do I have to complain about.”

Tao Mu laughed: “Then after I report to school, let’s go to the vegetable market.”

Liu Yao and Meng Qi rarely got up early, but they especially did so just to send Tao Mu to the school to report in. The two grown men went home yesterday and thought about the fact that the child finally went to college, and when he went to report, like all children he likely wanted all his family to accompany him. What father, mother, grandpa, grandma, aunts, and uncles!

Although their Xiao Mu did not have parents, they couldn’t not treat this kind of thing seriously. So Liu Yao and Meng Qi rushed over early to support Tao Mu.

Song Daozhen thought the same thing.

And these three men were not the only ones who had this idea. After they finished their breakfast, they waited patiently as Tao Mu spent more than an hour dressing himself, before strolling to the gate of Beijing Film. There, they saw dean Tao leading little Feng Yuan, as well as Da Mao and Xiao Pang with their respective parents.

Seeing Tao Mu coming over, the large group of people surrounded him: “How come you only arrive now? Why aren’t you more excited, this is Beijing Film! There are countless handsome men and beautiful women, and there are endless celebrities inside. You don’t want to see your celebrity classmates?”

Tao Mu looked at Da Mao and Xiao Pang in surprise: “Why are you guys here?”

Then he greeted their parents: “Hello, uncles and aunts.”

“Xiao Mu is really becoming more and more handsome.” The two uncles and aunts looked at Tao Mu’s increasingly handsome face and more and more refined dress, and couldn’t help but praise: “Just like a big superstar.”

They were not just being polite. After Tao Mu was reborn, his fashion philosophy and dressing style would naturally be affected by the fashion ethos ten years later. And he had been among the top of the pyramid in the entertainment industry in his previous life. He had his own agency team and makeup team. And after returning to the Shen family, he also deliberately learned the etiquette of the upper class. Therefore, his dressing style was more refined, his speech was more elegant, and his manners were more perfect.

Coupled with the invisible and intangible but definitely present aura that had been accumulated over the past ten years, Tao Mu stood out from his peers without a question. Just standing there with a gentle smile could cause people around him to look over involuntarily. It was as if he glowed all over.

A media reporter squatting at the gate of Beijing Film squeezed over with a camera and microphone, and wanted to interview Tao Mu.

Tao Mu avoided the reporter with disinterest.

Mr. Wang, the coal boss, was thinking about another thing: “Xiao Mu, when do you have time to have a chat with your uncle.” He mainly wanted to ask Tao Mu whether shorting the international oil futures was really reliable or not. If it really was reliable he would be getting his money ready!

Tao Mu smiled and said, “No problem.”

Boss Wang was still a little worried: “I say Xiao Mu. How sure do you feel——”

Before he finished speaking, Da Mao pulled his dad impatiently: “Aiya, it’s just some boring stuff, you have no end to it, seriously! Let’s hurry up and go report in. You guys aren’t anxious, but I want to see the big stars.”

Besides the big stars, there were also beautiful girls. Da Mao had applied for the architecture department of a local polytechnic university. So one could imagine the lack of quality and quantity of the girls in his own school. Xiao Pang’s situation was basically the same as that of Da Mao. The two brothers in hardship were counting on finding their first love in Tao Mu’s university!

Tao Mu laughed when he heard these words, practically being pushed into the school all the way by these two childhood friends.

Little Feng Yuan stood behind, because he needed to support dean Tao, so he could only stare at the backs of the three anxiously and grumble: “What are you pushing, pushing for! Not, not at all mature and lose, lose, losing brother Mu Mu Mu’s face!”

Dean Tao smiled and rubbed Feng Yuan’s prickly hair: “You can go ahead too.”

Feng Yuan thought for a while, and shook his head: “No, no. I want to accompany, accompany, accompany dean Tao.” There were too many people in the school, practically rubbing shoulder to shoulder. He was afraid their dean would get hit or pushed.

On the other side, Da Mao and Xiao Pang looked at the bustling Beijing Film classmates around them, their two eyes practically not enough to see everything. No wonder it was Beijing Film, the cradle of Chinese actors. All the students have high physical appearance points. The guys’ facial features were well-defined and appearance dignified. Not to mention the girls, either with long, fluttering hair and the picture of one’s first love goddess, or with short hair that appeared neat and confident. There were also gentle and feminine, or glamorous and charming, or cute and lively, or pure and lovely…..just any one of them would be the number one school beauty level when put in other schools.

“Can’t take it! Can’t take it! I’m going to die! I say, brother Mu, I will come to your school to see you every week from now on? It would be great if you could introduce me to a girl anytime!”

Compared with Da Mao’s confidence, Xiao Pang was worried: “What should I do? I think these girls wouldn’t like me at all. Should I lose weight?”

Da Mao, who had a mine at home, glanced at the same round facial features on Xiao Pang’s round face, and said sincerely: “I think the girls don’t like you not only because you are fat but also because you are not handsome.”

If you were handsome, even fat people could find a girlfriend.

Xiao Pang’s face changed, his white melon face instantly became a dark melon face!

How could he land such a blow on people! He’ll seriously turn his face!

Tao Mu couldn’t help but chuckle, and was about to speak when the sophomore elder school sisters who were in charge of welcoming the new students gathered around him. With bright eyes, they asked: “Classmate, are you here to report in too?”

“Classmate, are you from the acting department?”

“What’s your name, classmate?”

“Classmate, I will accompany you to report in. I belong to the student council. You can go with me, so you don’t need to line up.”

“Classmate…..”

Da Mao and Xiao Pang who had been standing on both sides of Tao Mu were suddenly squeezed away by a group of girls. The two looked at the beautiful elder school sisters who surrounded Tao Mu in the middle, chirping like birds, and suddenly had the urge to have a heart attack.

How did the saying go, comparing yourself with other people would only vex you to death? This was a live comparison site! These girls were too superficial, right? How could they be captured by brother Mu’s face so easily? Couldn’t they patiently and carefully observe their beautiful inner beauty?

Although I am fat (ugly), I am very gentle (rich)!

Unlike Da Mao and Xiao Pang’s heart attack, Liu Yao, Meng Qi, old man Song, and dean Tao looked proudly at their puppy surrounded by a group of female classmates. Little Feng Yuan sighed with pride on the side: “No, no, no wonder it’s my brother Mu Mu, he’s just, just so attractive.”

Tao Mu was surrounded by a large group of enthusiastic school sisters, and their hospitality was hard to rebuff. The end result was that he, who had arrived much later, actually got his dorm key faster than those classmates who came to report early in the morning.

Little Feng Yuan, Da Mao and Xiao Pang helped Tao Mu carry all of the school issued blankets, washbasin and thermos all the way into dormitory 301. When they arrived there was already a classmate in the room.

Their large group arrived with quite a bit of fanfare, immediately filling the small bedroom. The three people who had been cleaning up were instantly startled.

“Hello, my name is Tao Mu. We will be roommates living together for the next four years, so please take care of me.” In front of outsiders, Tao Mu always greeted that person first.

“Hello, uncle and aunt.”

“Ai, ai, hello classmate.” Mother Chu, who was making the bed for her son in the upper bunk, smiled cautiously. There was no other reason, but Tao Mu’s aura was just too strong——putting aside other things for now, just that appearance, that temperament, that speech and manners, that posture of wearing sportswear and carrying a thermos and yet looking like he could immediately walk the red carpet——it really caused these two parents to be short of breath.

Standing in the middle of the room, father Chu, who was holding a rag to wipe the bookshelf and desk, pointed to his son: “This is my son Chu Sui’an. Xiao An, say hello to others!”

“Hello.” He was 1.8 meters tall, with delicate facial features that seem a little feminine. The handsome boy with a melancholic aura smiled shyly at Tao Mu: “I am Chu Sui’an. A native of Shanghai.”

The future Golden Lily TV emperor! Chu Sui’an, who was praised by the media as a model of a good-natured and economically down to earth man one wanted to marry the most!

Tao Mu’s mouth formed a perfect arc. It seemed that he was quite lucky: “I am a local of Beijing. My home is nearby. When everyone is settled, I’ll treat you all to eat something delicious. I hope you’ll like our old Beijing’s instant boiled mutton.”

Chu Sui’an smiled shyly: “I especially like this type of food.” After a pause, he felt that he was not too polite, and so he once again shyly smiled at Tao Mu and thanked him in a low voice.

Tao Mu’s eyebrows curved into a smile, and he waved his hand carelessly: “You’re welcome.” Of course, he knew that Chu Sui’an liked this. In fact, this kid had revealed it to reporters himself during a media interview in his previous life. In addition, during the years when Chu Sui’an settled in Beijing, he was indeed photographed many times by media reporters eating this hotpot dish with his friends.

Feeling Tao Mu’s enthusiasm, Chu Sui’an smiled shyly again. He was actually a person who didn’t talk very much. Before he came over, his parents were still worrying about their son’s wooden character and just how he would communicate with his classmates. But seeing Tao Mu now, the old couple felt more relieved.

No matter how the other two roommates in the dormitory were, at least Tao Mu was very easy-going and easy to communicate.

Mother Chu looked at the large group of people behind Tao Mu with some curiosity, and then questioned: “Student Tao Mu, are these all your family members?”

Tao Mu suddenly smiled as bright as the shining sun: “En~ These are my grandparents, these two are my older brothers, this is my little brother, and these two are my childhood friends and their parents. They are all here to send me off to school.”

Song Daozhen puffed out his chest with joy when he heard Tao Mu call him grandpa to outsiders. Dean Tao also looked at Tao Mu lovingly.

The educational environment of the orphanage was not as good as that of ordinary people, and there were only a handful of children who could enter the university. More people left school after completing nine years of compulsory education and wanted to work to support themselves. So dean Tao had rarely sent her children to college in these many years. Now that Tao Mu was doing so well for himself, she was also happy for her child.

In contrast, Liu Yao frowned a little——not satisfied with Tao Mu’s introduction. He felt that he should get the role of father. Why did the little puppy introduce him to outsiders as his elder brother! Even the stubborn old man with a bad temper got to be grandpa. Even if he couldn’t get to be dad, he should at least get to be godfather, right?

Meng Qi squeezed boss Liu’s palm while people were not paying attention, and glanced at old man Song again. His meaning was that it was not bad being introduced like this, lest brother Yao, who had quite the standing in jianghu, suddenly and inexplicably become reduced to being a younger generation of the old man for a lifetime. Liu Yao thought about it and agreed, but then when he thought about it again——damn, I didn’t even squeeze into the uncle generation, just directly pulled into the grandchildren generation by the little puppy!

Who was grandpa! Who was the grandson! Was there such a way of deciding seniority? So it seemed that no matter how he was ranked, he was still at a lower generation?

Boss Liu glared and was about to explode. Meng Qi squeezed the palm of his hand several times while others were not paying attention, and immediately calmed him down.

Little Feng Yuan supported dean Tao and was giggling secretly to himself. He also felt that he was his brother Mu’s younger brother, more closer than real blood brothers. Now it had been officially stamped, and he couldn’t be more satisfied.

Mother Chu said with a look of envy, “It’s good to have a local home. When sending children to report to school many people can also come over. Unlike our family, it’s just me and his dad accompanying him. His grandparents are very anxious at home. And oh, say, when a southerner like us goes to the north, the food and the environment, how can he get used to it! If you ask me he should have just applied for the Shanghai Theater Academy in the first place. Aren’t they all film schools just how different could it be. There are also many stars from Shanghai Theatre Academy——”

“Mom!” Chu Sui’an interrupted mother Chu’s words unhappily, and subconsciously said in Shanghai dialect: “Don’t say anything if you don’t know. I want to be an actor, not a star. Just…..”

Chu Sui’an didn’t finish speaking, immediately realizing that he shouldn’t speak his native dialect in front of outsiders. It was impolite. Subconsciously he spoke the official dialect: “Anyway, I just want to go to Beijing Film.”

“Okay, okay, I won’t say anymore. Aiyo, this kid is all grown up, he doesn’t like to listen to adults anymore.” Mother Chu looked at the ladies in the room and complained with a smile.

“Isn’t that true!” Da Mao and Xiao Pang’s mothers also echoed. So, the few middle-aged women got together and began to chat with each other.

Tao Mu went to his bed and laid out the bedding. He was a guy who was accustomed to work, so his movements were quick and handsome. After just a short while, he had cleaned up all his bed cabinets. Chu Sui’an watched Tao Mu eagerly, thinking about how to strike up a new conversation. Suddenly, they heard a noise outside——the other two roommates had arrived.

“Oh my god, I’m exhausted! I’m all sweaty——why are there so many people!”

Following the loud voice from outside, a boy with a height of over 1.9 meters and thick eyebrows walked in: “Is this 301?”

“Yes.” Tao Mu looked at this newcomer who brought his comedy buff as soon as he appeared, and introduced himself with a smile: “I am Tao Mu.”

“I’m Du Kang. From the poem written by Cao Cao, ‘how can I be free from sorrow? Only by Du Kang’s wine’. (TN: Du Kang was a legendary inventor of wine and Cao Cao was a famous statesman and general at the end of Han as well as noted poet and calligrapher, later warlord, founder and first king of Cao Wei). The big guy pointed to himself, “I am from the northeast. This is also our roommate, called Wen Bao.”

As Du Kang spoke, he pulled out from behind a boy who was about 1.75 meters tall and had an amiable handsomeness with a pair of smiling eyes.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

The boy curved his eyebrows in a smile at everyone, looking very much like a cat who stole the fish: “Hello everyone, I am Wen Bao from Beijing. It’s almost noon so how about I treat everyone to lunch? Our Beijing specialty, instant boiled mutton, how about it?”

Tao Mu was instantly amused. Counting him, among the four people in this dormitory, there was a Golden Lily TV emperor, a Golden Crow film emperor, a Golden Chime and Golden Crow double film emperor plus Golden Lily TV emperor, and a Golden Elephant Best Director.

——It was quite a complete set they had here.

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The plane flew all the way for two hours and finally arrived at the capital’s airport.

Tao Mu and the others came out of the airport and raised their heads——hey, it turned out to be a bright sunny day.

“There is no smog!” Da Mao and Xiao Pang exclaimed: “It seems that the weather in the capital is still quite friendly to us returnees!”

Yun Yi smiled and asked Tao Mu: “How are you guys going to get home? How about——”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Before he finished speaking, there was a loud and excited “Brother Mu Mu Mu Mu!!!” Coming from the front. Everyone followed the sound and saw a darkly tanned and thin child standing in front of a large black Cherokee car and excitedly waving at Tao Mu. Behind him were two adults——one with good looks and a gentle aura, the other with a sturdy figure, thick eyebrows, and fierce aura.

“Brother Mu Mu Mu Mu, you, you, you, you are finally back. I, I, miss you so much!” The dark and thin child jumped at Tao Mu like a monkey and reached out to take Tao Mu’s suitcase, saying eagerly: “When, when you went, why, why, why didn’t you take me, me. Take these, these, two wastes over, what’s the use. If they don’t give, give, give you trouble, then one should burn, burn, burn incense and worship Buddha in thanks.”

“Aiyo hey, I say, little stutter monster Feng Yuan, how can you talk like that? I fed you all those big pork shoulders and fried chicken legs for nothing? You just look down on your brother Da Mao like that?”

“And your brother Xiao Pang.” Xiao Pang added.

Feng Yuan snorted and then bear hugged his brother Tao Mu: “That’s, that’s, a different, different matter. No matter how many things you, you, you feed me, you can’t stop, stop me from telling the truth in front of brother Mu, Mu!”

“Your, your brother Mu, Mu is that good? Even, even, even all of our love these many years can’t compete?” Xiao Pang deliberately talked like Feng Yuan. The kid blushed down to his neck, and stubbornly suggested to his brother Xiao Pang: “You, you, don’t talk, talk like me!”

“Why, why, why? Huh?” Xiao Pang continued to poke fun at the other.

Feng Yuan was so anxious he could barely speak: “Dean, dean, dean Tao said that, talking like me will also, also make people get a stutter, and can’t change, change, change——”

“And can’t change it, right?” Xiao Pang finished and laughed at Feng Yuan: “Is it that hard to say.”

Feng Yuan gave Xiao Pang an eyeroll, and stood next to Tao Mu, his mouth pressed tight and silent.

Tao Mu laughed and rubbed Feng Yuan’s prickly little head: “Your brother Pangzi is teasing you. I bought you all many gifts. Help this brother get it all in the car.”

“Ai, okay!” Feng Yuan agreed happily. Without further ado, he immediately ran to the trunk with the suitcase. Tao Mu walked up to Liu Yao and Meng Qi on his own, and called shyly and embarrassedly: “Brother Yao, brother Xiao Qi.”

“It’s good to be back.” Meng Qi stretched out his hand and patted Tao Mu on the shoulder: “Are you hungry? Uncle Song made a table at home and we’ll send you over there.”

Tao Mu was a little surprised. Although Liu Yao, Meng Qi, and the old man all treat him really well, these two different sides happened to dislike each other. The old man thought that Liu Yao and his people were all gangsters, or “that kind of people”. And add to the fact that there were a bunch of sissy men with heavy makeup that minced around in the club, he was afraid that they would influence Tao Mu badly. Liu Yao didn’t like the old man’s odd temper and stuffy feudalistic ways. The two sides of people would quarrel whenever they meet.

But what was this today?

Liu Yao crossed his arms and snorted, looking up at the sky and ignoring Tao Mu.

So Tao Mu siddled over in front of brother Yao and looked at Liu Yao pitifully. His words also softly trailed: “Brother Yao…..”

Liu Yao snorted again, but before he could even finish putting on airs, he was pushed by Meng Qi: “Stop it already! I’ll fight you if you make the child cry.”

Liu Yao then looked at Tao Mu, and said in a deep voice, “Get in the car!”

Liu Yao’s voice was extremely deep, with a hint of hoarseness. It was the bass voice type highly regarded in the later years. When he was unhappy, his words would make a muffled resonance from his chest, which could make people feel nervous just hearing it. Everyone at Night would all become afraid whenever they saw Liu Yao’s unsmiling face and muffled talking.

But Tao Mu was not afraid. Because when he was pushed into a desperate corner in his last life and was cursed at by the whole Internet, Liu Yao used this exact voice to stand up for him. Later, he was implicated by Tao Mu and was forced by Shen Yu’s admirers to be unable to stay in Beijing. When he left, he also used this voice to comfort him.

So Tao Mu felt safe, at ease and comfortable when he heard this voice. Like a little kid who had the protection of his parents, no matter how much he had suffered or been wronged outside, even if he was taught a lesson at home, he would still have confidence that his family would always be on his side.

“Brother Yao, don’t be angry with me.” Tao Mu put his arms around brother Yao, who had a thick waist, and wheedled softly, “I know I was wrong.”

“Piss off! Who taught you to act so sticky. Do you also plan to let loose two drops of cat urine (TN: cat urine slang for tears)?” Liu Yao rolled his eyes impatiently, but didn’t break away, instead placing his big hand on Tao Mu’s head. He rubbed it hard: “Get in the car quickly. The whole house is waiting for you so we can eat!”

Inexplicably, this remark poked Tao Mu in the heart. The child felt his eyes grow hot, and immediately let go of his brother Yao’s arm: “You wait for me for a while. I have to go say some farewells.”

After Tao Mu finished this sentence, he strode towards the Yun family in a long stride, a happy and joyous expression in his eyes, something that had not been present while in H Town: “Thanks, but I won’t be going with you. My family has come to pick me up.”

Everyone in the Yun family took a look at Liu Yao, who made a very fierce image and Meng Qi, who attracted the gazes of all passerbys, and all understood. Yun Yi smiled and said, “Be careful on the road. We will keep in touch later.”

Yun Duo held mother Yun’s arm and said reluctantly, “Brother Xiao Mu, don’t forget me. Remember to call me.”

As soon as she spoke, she felt that this kind of thing was likely not possible, so she changed it to: “You have to answer when I call you. Don’t say that the phone is almost out of power as soon as you get my call!”

Don’t know what was up with Tao Mu. Every time he answered her phone, the first sentence that came out of his mouth would be “If you have something to say, then say it quickly, my phone is going to run out of battery.” If he didn’t like to talk to her, just say it straight. Always using this excuse every time.

Tao Mu remained unaffected and nodded at Yun Xingjian and his wife: “Goodbye, uncle and aunt Yun.”

He glanced at his semi-golden thigh again: “Goodbye brother Yun.”

Everyone in the Yun family watched Tao Mu jump into the big Cherokee car with joy, and suddenly felt that the child appeared a lot younger than he did before——finally he looked like an eighteen-year-old boy.

On the other side, Liu Yao’s face sank as he watched Tao Mu walking towards the Yun family. He asked Da Mao and Xiao Pang: “Was Xiao Mu bullied in H Town?”

Da Mao and Xiao Pang had always been slightly afraid of Liu Yao. Hearing this, Tao Mu’s harsh warning to them immediately flashed through their mind. The two looked at each other and said obediently: “How can our brother Mu be the one being bullied? Those grandsons are really snobbish, and they didn’t like brother Mu at first. But brother Mu was able to conquer them in a matter of moments——”

“Okay!” Liu Yao waved his hand, interrupting Da Mao and Xiao Pang’s lie: “Don’t talk about it now. We’ll talk later.”

Liu Yao looked at Tao Mu, who ran back in quick steps, and motioned everyone to get in the car.

The big Cherokee car drove all the way back from the airport, got off the expressway and cut into the 3rd Ring Road. Without any surprise they were met with a traffic jam. The entire 3rd Ring Road had been basically turned into a parking lot. Liu Yao said without looking back: “There are snacks in the car.”

Meng Qi, who was sitting in the co-pilot, smiled and turned his head and said, “Before your brother Yao came to the airport he deliberately took a lot of dried fruit snacks from the club with us. They are all your favorite snacks, Xiao Mu. But don’t eat too much or else uncle Song will be nagging you again.”

Tao Mu was startled when he heard these words, and watched Meng Qi pull out packets of pistachios, figs, broad beans, and braised peanuts from the small car refrigerator. There was also the sweet-scented osmanthus cakes and kidney bean cakes that Tao Mu loved.

He stretched out his hand to take the things in brother Xiao Qi’s hand, and thanked him with a smile.

Liu Yao was annoyed by the traffic jam. He rolled down the glass window, lit a cigarette, and observed their family’s little puppy in the inverted mirror. He saw Tao Mu tearing the snack bags and then dividing the snacks among Da Mao, Xiao Pang and Feng Yuan.

The expressions and manners were no different from before.

Meng Qi smiled and asked Tao Mu: “How’s your time in H Town? Have you seen a few big stars?”

Da Mao and Xiao Pang subconsciously wanted to take over the conversation, but feared that their mouths would let slip something which would result in Tao Mu being angry. They could only stuff their mouths with food sheepishly.

Tao Mu smiled and talked to the two about his troubles in H Town. During the retelling, he emphatically described how much money he had made from trading stocks: “Brother Xiao Qi, am I amazing? Do you want to think about it and let me take care of your private money. I promise you that in at least a year your money will be ten times more, and you won’t even be charged for handling fees!”

While Tao Mu was talking, he didn’t forget to peep at his brother Yao. Ai, this situation was just like a scumbag who had fooled around outside and wronged his wife, now he just wanted to make up for it. But there was no good method he could find, so he could only make it up materially.

Meng Qi chuckled lightly. He didn’t take Tao Mu’s words seriously, and coaxed him like a child: “Yo, is our Mu Mu that amazing?”

“Come on~” Tao Mu was lying on the backrest of the co-pilot. He bent his slender index finger and scratched the back of his brother Xiao Qi’s carefully done hair: “I’m amazing. Definitely better than that financial advisor brother Xiao Qi uses now. By the way, he didn’t cause you to lose money, did he?”

“No.” Meng Qi said with a smile: “In the middle of the year, your brother Yao felt that the situation was not very good, so I took the money out of the stock market.”

Tao Mu immediately gave his brother Yao a thumbs up, with an expression of flattery like a sycophantic villain: “Brother Yao is a wise man.”

“Piss off.” Seeing Tao Mu scooching over, Liu Yao pressed out the remaining half of the cigarette——completely unaware that the little puppy he had watched grow up had already learned to smoke.

The big Cherokee inched along the 3rd Ring Road that had turned into a parking lot, and headed towards Houhai lake. When they arrived at the orphanage, it was already more than two o’clock in the afternoon.

Dean Tao and the other children in the orphanage were waiting in old man Song’s small restaurant. The large group of people were so hungry their stomachs felt as if it had flattened to touch their backs, but no one shouted to eat. Hearing the noise of the car, they immediately swarmed out from the small restaurant: “Brother Mu, brother Mu you’re back~”

“Eat~ eat~”

Tao Mu pushed the door and got out of the car, looking at the old man Song who was standing behind the threshold of the restaurant’s front door. The golden afternoon sun poured down, engulfing everything in a hazy and dazzling golden halo. Tao Mu blinked in a daze, and stepped forward to greet him: “Old man, I’m back.”

Song Daozhen snorted coldly and scowled with his hands behind his back: “Why are you so late? Everyone is waiting for you, hurry up and get inside.” The way he said it, it was as if he completely did not see Liu Yao and Meng Qi who were following behind at all.

Liu Yao snorted from his nose. Feeling that his wrist was being pulled, he looked back and saw Meng Qi smile at him with warm eyes and a calming expression.

Liu Yao snorted again. Forget it, a grown man like him won’t bother arguing with an old man who had half a foot in the grave.

Dean Tao walked out of the room with an apron around her waist, smiling with kind eyes, “Xiao Mu is back? Are you hungry? Come in to eat!”

Saying so, she reached out and touched the sweaty heads of Da Mao, Xiao Pang and little Feng Yuan: “Look at these hot sweaty heads, go and wash your faces.”

The city of Beijing at the end of August was the time when there was always an autumn hot spell. At noon it reached 37 degrees. Because Meng Qi had poor health, he couldn’t use the air conditioner. The whole way back everyone had sweated quite a lot.

Da Mao and Xiao Pang responded and ran towards the bathroom. Feng Yuan followed closely behind, running even faster than the two of them. When the children in the orphanage saw this, they followed in a swarm, screaming and laughing around the room.

Dean Tao glanced at the children adoringly, and then talked to Liu Yao and Meng Qi: “You met a traffic jam outside, right? The way I see it, this Beijing city is good everywhere except for one thing, traffic jams all day long, it truly delays things.”

Meng Qi smiled and said, “We’re used to it. It’s just, Xiao Mu hasn’t eaten since this morning and he’s starving.”

“The meal will begin right away.” Dean Tao said, and couldn’t help touching Tao Mu who had been watching her silently: “What’s the matter?”

“Dean Tao.” Tao Mu looked at the kindly smiling old lady with some sorrow. Counting his previous life, he hadn’t seen dean Tao in four or five years. The only impression in his mind was that smiling face on the black and white photo.

Tao Mu didn’t know dean Tao’s personal affairs. As far as he could remember, dean Tao had already been the dean of the orphanage. She had no family, no husband, no children. Her whole life and her whole heart had been dedicated to this small orphanage and to the children in the orphanage. She treated all the children in the orphanage as if they were her own blood. She had been running the orphanage for so many years but hadn’t even received any salary. Her retirement wages were all used in the daily expenses of the orphanage. She hadn’t even bought herself new clothes for so many years.

However, those evil hearted real estate developers actually hired the Internet water army to slander dean Tao, saying she embezzled the funds of the orphanage, just because she did not agree to sell the land of the orphanage to developers to build real estate. They even bribed insiders to “report” dean Tao.

Dean Tao probably never thought that people’s hearts could be so sinister. Faced with accusations and doubts from the news media and netizens who didn’t know the truth, an old lady who was over 60 years old and didn’t even  know how to navigate the Internet was simply unable to even tell her side of the story. In the end, she suffered a heart attack caused by the abuse from those marketing accounts and died tragically in an ambulance.

In this life, Tao Mu absolutely won’t let that happen again!

“Xiao Mu? Xiao Mu?”

Tao Mu came back to his senses, and saw dean Tao looking at him with a smile: “What are you thinking about, so distracted, hurry up and wash your hands and eat.”

“Oh.” Tao Mu replied and went to wash his hands obediently.

Dean Tao, Song Daozhen, and two workers in the restaurant started serving dishes. Meng Qi also went into the kitchen to help.

Liu Yao sat at the dinner table solemnly, watching old man Song bring out a large plate of tender longevity peaches. He couldn’t help but feel a little dazed: “Is anyone celebrating his birthday today?”

Old man Song glanced at Liu Yao and snorted without saying a word.

Liu Yao suddenly realized: Oh, this was for Tao Mu’s birthday!

The two of them only communicated with one question and one snort, not even a look from the eyes and yet they completely understood each other.

Tao Mu was also stunned when he came out of the bathroom. Aside from the fact that the table was full of his favorite dishes, there was even a plate of longevity peaches right in the middle of the table——it was definitely dean Tao who heard his moment of idiocy on the phone that day and relayed it to the old man.

Then the old man took it seriously. Eagerly waiting for the day he came back to present him with a large plate.

This was to make up for his birthday!

Could it be that in the previous life, this stubborn and mulish old man also carefully prepared such a table full of dishes, only for him to not even show up?

And he never saw him show up in the rest of his life!

Tao Mu’s eyes reddened: Tao Mu, you really are a bastard! A complete bastard! The number 1 stupid idiot!

However, what Tao Mu didn’t expect was that old man Song had carefully prepared more things than he had imagined.

After dinner, without waiting for Liu Yao and Meng Qi to speak, old man Song took out a set of keys and handed them to Tao Mu: “The house price has plummeted recently, and there is no use for the money I saved in the bank. So I wanted to buy a house to collect rent in the future. I bought this new house, which happens to be in Dongcheng District, opposite Beijing Film. Aren’t you going to school in Beijing Film? It just so happens that this house will be perfect for your four years in the school.”

Tao Mu looked at the keys handed in front of him, a dazed look flashing across his face.

Liu Yao was also taken aback. He turned his head and glanced at old man Song, and sneered: “I say, old man, you going out of your way to buy a house, how big is it?”

“38 square meters.” Old man Song glanced at Liu Yao and emphasized: “The kind of apartment that is very popular now.”

“Yo, that’s not small at all!” Liu Yao snorted and turned to whisper with Meng Qi. But his voice was so loud the whole table could hear: “I wonder if it can even fit all the clothes of the little puppy!”

Tao Mu spent money lavishly, and learned from the young masters and princesses of Night, who loved to collect famous brands. After these many years, the clothes, shoes and hats could at least fill three houses. Thirty-eight square meters, compared to the employee dormitory he gave their little puppy it was much too cramped——

That’s right, boss Liu was extremely generous and was often known for his generosity in jianghu. The dormitories for his employees were all luxury villas or high rise apartments——basically they were all properties owned by boss Liu himself, but he was too lazy to rent them out and just used them as employee benefits.

“I think it’s better to let Yao’er (TN: pet name for a child, basically translates to ‘little child’) live in his brother Xiao Qi’s——”

Before he finished speaking, Meng Qi grabbed his arm and interrupted him.

“Actually, Yao’er can live anywhere. Uncle Song’s house is close to the school. If he were to live at my place, he would have to take the transit for two stops.” Meng Qi only had to look at Tao Mu to know that Tao Mu was already completely touched, looking eagerly at uncle Song. But he also didn’t want to disappoint his brother Yao. His little conflicted expression was simply distressing to watch.

Liu Yao looked at Meng Qi unhappily!

The house he had cleaned up all night long! He also redecorated it! He also bought new household appliances! Darn it, just a few words, and all the hard work they spent a week on was in vain!

Meng Qi’s little finger hooked Liu Yao’s palm, and consoled the other: “Let the child live in uncle Song’s house. But if he wants to hold a party or something on the weekend, it can be at our place. The best of both worlds. The best of both worlds.”

Liu Yao was silent this time.

Old man Song had been covertly staring at Tao Mu’s face from the moment Liu Yao uttered his first sentence. Later, seeing Meng Qi coming out to smooth things over and that Tao Mu did not object, he was finally relieved——

To be honest, he was really worried that Tao Mu would look down on his little apartment. But with his ability, his life savings, he could only afford such a small apartment less than forty square meters.

Fortunately, the stinky boy didn’t complain about him this time!

Old man Song thought this way, and quickly struck the iron while it was hot: “Xiao Qi, you drove your car over right, so why don’t you drive us over to check out the place. Let Xiao Mu recognize the address. He must be tired after a day of travel, so he can just directly sleep over there. After all, doesn’t he have to report to school in the morning tomorrow!”

Dean Tao also helped old man Song speak: “That’s the truth. Xiao Qi, we must trouble you.”

“It’s not troublesome.” Meng Qi smiled and looked at Tao Mu, then reached out and rubbed the boy’s head: “Let’s go!”

What was Tao Mu’s mood now? He felt as if a scoop of pepper was stuck in his throat. Choking him up, as if it would choke out the snot and tears if he let out his voice. Tao Mu didn’t want to cry in front of so many people, he didn’t dare to speak, so he just hung his head and nodded fiercely.

Everyone at the table could see that Tao Mu was affected. But no one pointed it out.

Liu Yao picked up the car keys and walked out, while old man Song and Meng Qi dragged Tao Mu to follow. Tao Mu held the luggage in one hand and supported the old man with the other. Dean Tao stayed behind in the restaurant to collect the leftovers and cold dishes, and little Feng Yuan and the other children in the orphanage also gathered to help. Da Mao and Xiao Pang looked at Tao Mu eagerly, although they wanted to follow up and join in the fun, but unfortunately the car had no more room. Besides, it was getting late and they should be going home too——for the sake of this meal, neither of them told their families they were coming back today.

They only had this bit of ambition!

Da Mao and Xiao Pang sighed and called their family members to pick them up. Without a doubt, they were treated to a scolding from their parents.

After putting down the phone, Da Mao told Tao Mu: “If you have time in these two days, stop by at our house. My dad has something to talk with you about.” Boss Wang saw his son’s pocket money snowballing in the stock market and couldn’t resist it anymore. This time that Tao Mu was invited to come over, it was estimated that they would be talking about it.

Tao Mu nodded. Helping the old man sit into the big Cherokee car.

Liu Yao silently drove the car all the way to the gate of the neighborhood where Song Daozhen bought the apartment. Across the street was the front gates of Beijing Film, and indeed it was really close.

It seemed that the old man had been deliberately planning this, don’t know how long he had been aiming for this place.

Careless! He was really careless!

Liu Yao snorted inwardly. If he knew earlier he would have bought a place here in advance. Choose the one with the largest area, the best apartment, and the best daylight. That way he wouldn’t have lost to 38 square meters.

Liu Yao grumbled in his heart as he followed the old man Song all the way.

Old man Song had limited funds but wanted to choose a good location. So other conditions would naturally take a back seat. The apartment he chose was basically the smallest in the entire neighborhood. And it was also on the top floor. Old man Song was worried about too much sun so when decorating, he specially asked the decorators to make a layer of sun protection on top of the waterproofing. He also chose an air conditioner that had the most powerful function.

Inside the small apartment, there was a kitchen, dining room, bedroom, study, and bathroom. Old man Song asked the decorator to open up all the partition walls except the load-bearing wall, so that the apartment would appear bigger and the lighting would be better.

Going in from the door, on the left hand side was the shoe cabinet and the photo wall hung with several photos of Tao Mu. On the right was the bathroom. There was a mirror sliding door installed that would fully take care of the stinky brat’s vanity. Inside was the most popular toilet in the market, and next to it was the shower, separated by a frosted bath screen glass.

Going back to the living room, there were white walls, warm yellow furniture, and a light green fabric sofa on the opposite side of the LCD TV hanging on the wall. Behind the fabric sofa, two large cabinets with sliding doors were installed into the wall, hung with Tao Mu’s most beloved brand-name clothes and hats. Old man Song and dean Tao had moved it all here specially from the orphanage.

Further inside was the dining room, where a small table was set with two small exquisitely made dining lamps hanging over the table.

Further inside past the dining room was the bedroom and kitchen separated by two partitions, one horizontal and one vertical. There was only one bed in the bedroom. Next to the bed was a desk and bookshelf. There was also an Apple desktop computer on the desk. Old man Song asked the young workers in his store to accompany him to the computer shop to choose it himself. It was said to be the best brand.

As for the kitchen, that was the easiest. With the expertise of old man Song, he definitely arranged the various utensils in the kitchen clearly and organized.

Extending further in was a small balcony with glass walls. There were several pots of green plants placed out on it. There was also a pot of pepper tree, a pot of persimmon tree, and a pot of kumquat tree that he took from the restaurant. It was currently the harvest season, so the small balcony was full of colorful autumn colors, adding a bit of nature to the overall apartment.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

It filled the house with a sense of home.

The apartment was not big and the decoration was not luxurious. It could be said to be the most simple house Tao Mu had lived in in his two lifetimes. However, Tao Mu could feel the sense of home from every furnishing in this house.

It was the “new home” for Tao Mu that Song Daozhen had been building and adding to little by little for who knew how many days and nights.

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