QKYJ - 2

“Do you believe in fate?”

The university student from the Drama Academy’s performing arts department asked.

Shen Zhi tried her best to give a pleasant look to the senior, who was a year ahead of her. Such a cliché line used for hitting on someone indicated pure self-indulgence, narcissism to the extreme. Just as she was about to answer “No, I don’t,” someone suddenly cut in between them.

The boy was wearing a T-shirt, with black hair, a exposed forehead, no ear piercings, and his dark eyes were fixed straight ahead, even though there was nothing there.

“Move aside.” He pushed his way in, wiping sweat from his arm as he did, and pulled a phone from Shen Zhi’s hand.

Shen Zhi was momentarily stunned.

She knew him.

It was summer now. Before this, in winter, she had met a boy who wanted to sing “Dying to Love” for the entrance exam to a double-first-class drama academy.

Unbeknownst to her, the boys had already dispersed one after another. And Shen He emerged from among them. Shen Zhi couldn’t stare at him for long because the senior immediately returned to the main topic: “You’re so pretty, junior, you must have a boyfriend, right?”

Shen Zhi said nothing.

She couldn’t tell the troublesome truth, and a lie might lead to new problems, so she hesitated, not noticing that her classmate, who had already left, had turned back.

Shen He said, “I’m going to get takeout. Are you coming?”

She looked at him in surprise, and only after a few seconds did she realize he was talking to her.

“If you’re not coming, I’m leaving,” he said, turning to go.

Shen Zhi immediately replied, “I’m coming.”

She hurriedly handed the remaining phone in her hand to the senior. Anyway, he had asked earlier if she needed help. Shen Zhi followed him, and the two quickened their pace, fleeing as if escaping.

There was no moon that night, and the young boy and girl walked one after another. Shen Zhi wanted to ask his name, but Shen He had already picked up the takeout and immediately started tearing open the packaging. After taking a bite, he complained to himself, “Ugh, why is this tofu pudding savory?”

Shen Zhi said, “Is it supposed to be sweet?”

Shen He said, “Of course, it should be sweet.”

Shen Zhi said, “Savory is better.”

Shen He said, “Sweet is better.”

The two were at a stalemate, confronting each other with their eyes. “Choose one.” Finally, Shen Zhi spoke, asking him, “Coca-Cola or Pepsi?”

Shen He replied, “Coca-Cola.”

Shen Zhi asked, “Oasis or Blur?”

Shen He replied, “Oasis.”

Shen Zhi asked, “Tai Chi or aerobics?”

Shen He replied, “Of course, aerobics!”

Under Shen He’s cheerful expression, Shen Zhi unbelievably turned sideways and muttered, “How can someone be so completely different—”

Shen He put the tofu pudding he had taken a bite of back into its packaging and casually asked her, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she said, catching sight of the small receipt in his bag, and vaguely realizing something. “You’re ‘Shen *’?”

“That’s right,” Shen He replied. “I’m ‘Shen *’.”

Shen Zhi held up her own takeout receipt and said, “I’m ‘Shen *’ too.”

She laughed a few dry laughs, and he returned the same dry laughter. Then Shen Zhi apologized for taking the wrong takeout, but Shen He wasn’t particularly angry. After exchanging, he resumed eating, not at all bothered that she had touched it.

Shen Zhi said, “I’m sorry, I took a bite.”

Shen He said, “Your saliva isn’t poisonous.”

He sat down on the steps, not even caring if the ground was dirty. Shen Zhi stood by. She had originally intended to leave, but since she was the one who made the mistake, she felt a little sorry for him.

So Shen Zhi also sat down.

The two silently finished their tofu pudding, then each went back to the boys’ and girls’ dorms.

Thinking back carefully, they had never introduced themselves.

They had never formally said things like, “I’m Shen He,” or “My name is Shen Zhi” to each other.

________________________________________

During university, Shen He and Shen Zhi were the class monitors for the boys and girls, respectively.

Shen Zhi was chosen by the teacher.

Shen He was nominated by his classmates.

Shen Zhi was elected because of her steady personality. To be more direct, she was suitable to be a scapegoat.

Shen He’s election wasn’t entirely due to popularity. Some people certainly liked him, but others simply egged him on, wanting to cause him trouble, as a class monitor was just a grunt worker.

However, rather than Shen He being troubled, it was Shen Zhi who had more trouble.

They didn’t get along very well.

The first time collecting group membership information, Shen He didn’t discuss it with Shen Zhi and directly moved the teacher’s deadline up by a day.

A classmate from another class, who saw the notice, came to ask Shen Zhi, and Shen Zhi then asked Shen He.

He said, “Didn’t we agree before? I’m responsible for collecting, you’re responsible for organizing, no interference.”

She said, “I’m not trying to interfere with you…”

“If you collect it earlier, it’ll be easier for you to organize,” Shen He looked up and replied, enunciating each word. “That’s what I thought.”

“Actually, it’s not necessary.”

The two were silent for a long time.

“Then go ahead and extend it by half a day,” Shen He finally said.

She was wondering why he would give in, only to hear him add, “In a play, one sings the white face, and one sings the red face; it always makes things easier.”

For the first class outing, the teacher asked the class monitors to submit proposals. Shen Zhi thought long and hard, considering transportation, price, number of people, and many other factors, and made a plan. She finally thought Universal Studios was a good idea. Everyone had no objections.

During the vote, an unexpected situation occurred: the classmates were stubbornly incited by Shen He to choose Disneyland.

When Shen He went east, Shen Zhi went west.

Their opinions never aligned.

Although Shen He didn’t realize the reason, he had been somewhat reminded by those around him and had once tried to test his relationship with Shen Zhi.

So, when the professional course teacher asked them to imitate animals, in order to appear as friendly as possible, Shen He sincerely complimented her: “You barked like a dog quite well.”

Shen Zhi almost crushed the water cup in her hand but still forced out a polite smile: “You too.”

Shen He politely said, “Thank you.”

After that, he also drank water. She straightforwardly hit the bottom of his cup, causing him to choke and cough.

________________________________________

If they were in China, they were like Sun Wukong and Princess Iron Fan; if abroad, they were Tom and Jerry. As the saying goes, enemies are destined to meet. If they could, they would wish to be out of sight and out of mind, and draw a clear line once their four years as classmates ended. However—

“I don’t think it’s that simple,” Zhang Jiangnan said.

He was already a renowned veteran actor, having appeared in many well-known film and television works, and was now teaching at his alma mater. His daughter was a student from a few previous years, now a famous actress, Zhang Qingyue.

Zhang Jiangnan was Shen Zhi’s favorite professional course teacher.

Ironically, he enjoyed listening to Shen Zhi complain about Shen He.

“Aren’t you two on good terms?” the teacher, with thin-rimmed glasses and graying hair, asked.

“No,” Shen Zhi replied with a polite smile, suppressing the urge to grit her teeth, “Not at all.”

She had come to pick up scripts to copy but heard Zhang Jiangnan ask, “Is Feng Bin from your class still coming to class?”

Zhang Jiangnan looked gentle but was actually a very principled teacher, so much so that he would often fly into a rage during class, harshly criticizing poorly performing students.

Sun Mengjia was criticized so much that she didn’t dare enter the practice room for days; not to mention girls, even boys would be scolded to tears on the spot; even the most stable Shen Zhi had been reprimanded many times.

Everyone was young, cared about their reputation, and had strong self-esteem.

Not a few acted on impulse.

That day, Feng Bin slammed the door and left, and since then, he hadn’t attended class.

If this continued, his credits would definitely suffer. Shen Zhi didn’t care much about other people’s affairs, but that day, Zhang Jiangnan’s expression clearly showed some regret.

After having breakfast in the cafeteria, Shen Zhi still inquired about Feng Bin. The boys said he had stayed overnight at his girlfriend’s place; Feng Bin’s girlfriend was a student at a nearby 985 university.

She was dressed very loosely and hadn’t put on much makeup. But students of performing arts were always somewhat conspicuous. Standing at the gate of another university, many eyes flowed over her face, but Shen Zhi wasn’t particularly timid. She took out her phone to contact Feng Bin but received an unexpected call.

She had saved Shen He’s number.

When she answered, Shen Zhi heard hurried breathing.

“Where are you?” Shen He asked.

Shen Zhi didn’t hide it and was about to say something, but her voice only managed: “How did you…”

She saw him crossing the road.

Shen He held his phone and rushed over. Shen Zhi instinctively raised the arm holding her phone and waved. Bathed in many people’s gazes, he saw her.

“You’re here to find Feng Bin?” Shen He said.

Shen Zhi stammered. She had just remembered he was also one of Feng Bin’s roommates, but the reason for her hesitation wasn’t that. “Teacher Zhang is a bit sad,” she said, gesturing to the A3 paper bound in her handbag, “The new script can’t be given to him either.”

Shen He turned sideways, casually messing up his fringe. He was also wearing black, dressed as casually as she was.

“Whatever it takes, just get him back,” Shen He said.

________________________________________

In an instant, Shen Zhi realized she had forgotten something. Shen He was always the one who got yelled at the most in professional classes.

He always seemed to have inexhaustible energy, impeccable creativity, and focus. Being too active occasionally got him into trouble, but he was unrepentant and always did things his own way.

The young boy and girl stood together at the gate of another university. They weren’t arm in arm, nor were they whispering to each other, and they even stood a certain distance apart.

No one present could be completely indifferent to them.

When Feng Bin arrived, his face was clouded. Shen Zhi didn’t persuade him much, just handed over the new script and added, “Teacher Zhang is just stricter.”

Shen He said, “You still have to attend class. The homeroom teacher will have a hard time, and our group is short a person. Old Zhang is fair; don’t take it to heart. Class is so much fun.”

Shen Zhi hadn’t provoked him, but Shen He’s words seemed to have hit a sore spot for Feng Bin.

“Fun? You’ve got the nerve to say that,” Feng Bin glared, “Anyway, the teacher always favors you, so it doesn’t matter if you don’t work hard. Don’t talk big, Shen He.”

Even when taunted like this, Shen He wasn’t angry at all.

“Old Zhang has class today,” he said.

However, another female voice spoke up.

“At least better than you.”

By the time Shen Zhi reacted, it was too late. She didn’t know why she had said such a thing.

Shen Zhi said, “Do you think you’re the only one working hard?”

Feng Bin seemed to choke.

Shen Zhi looked directly into his eyes, so she couldn’t spare a glance at Shen He’s expression.

Feng Bin roared, “Don’t think I won’t hit women.”

A slap swung towards her face. Shen Zhi raised her hand to block it but still heard a crisp sound. Feng Bin was probably impulsive for a moment and immediately showed remorse. However, the next second, he was unexpectedly pulled backward and instantly got a punch to the face.

“Wait,” Shen Zhi only managed to blurt out, looking at the expressionless Shen He, who was about to deliver another blow, “Now’s the perfect time to force him back.”

Shen He gripped Feng Bin’s collar tightly, his gaze falling on her reddened hand.

“Back?” he asked. “Why would I let him go back?”

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Shen He stated a completely opposite intention: “I’ll beat him to death right now.”

Shen Zhi was both annoyed and amused for a moment.

He had shown no temper just now and endured such unpleasant words. But now, he was furious, wishing he could impulsively kill. What had challenged his bottom line?

As if crazy, amid the wailing of her classmate, Shen Zhi couldn’t help but laugh.

“You lunatic,” she said.

When mentioning Shen He, Shen Zhi’s thought was, “How can such a person exist?” And when talking about Shen Zhi, Shen He thought, “Why is this person like this?”

Initially, that was their relationship.