Chapter 2: Great Death, Great Life

“Come in.” Wu Yi glanced at Cheng Jinzhi at the door. He was hunched over, wearing an old-fashioned undershirt, a large palm fan in hand.

Several male students stood before Wu Yi—same as Cheng Jinzhi, they’d skipped class.

“Teacher Wu…” Cheng Jinzhi gazed intensely at the teacher before her. She’d thought she’d never see Teacher Wu Yi again in this lifetime.

“Don’t think staring at me like that will soften me up.” Teacher Wu Yi had been about to lecture Cheng Jinzhi, but seeing her unusual expression, he could only knock his knuckles on the desk. “Take a look yourself. How many classes have you skipped this semester?”

“Teacher Wu…” Just then, another teacher poked her head in, seemingly trying to speak up for Cheng Jinzhi. “Student Cheng did apply to the academic affairs office…”

“Then let the academic affairs office teach her. Don’t let me teach her.” Mentioning that only reignited Wu Yi’s anger.

Acting students were different from other departments. Many had signed with agencies or set up their own studios before even enrolling. Film school experience for them was mostly just gilding. By junior year, classes were practically empty—some filming, some rushing to appearances.

“Do you all think you’re big shots now? Stars?”

“No…” the male students cowered.

“There are so many outstanding veteran artists at this school. People who’ve won glory for our nation, who’ve received lifetime honors. You get a little applause and you’re floating off the ground. I’m embarrassed for you.” Wu Yi said. “Do what’s appropriate for your stage in life. You people truly don’t appreciate what you have.”

When Wu Yi lowered his head to drink water, the male student beside him made a face, silently mocking him. After the face, he glanced at Cheng Jinzhi and mouthed: “Old fossil.”

Cheng Jinzhi ignored him, keeping her eyes on Teacher Wu Yi. “Teacher, I know I was wrong.”

Hearing this, Teacher Wu Yi choked on his water. He looked up at Cheng Jinzhi with a complicated expression. “Cheng Jinzhi, what trick are you pulling now?”

Cheng Jinzhi was the most restless student in the class.

“No, after your teaching, I’ve come to realize my mistakes…”

“Keep going, keep acting.” Teacher Wu Yi set down his teacup. “I’ve barely said anything, and suddenly you’ve seen the light?”

“It’s because you teach so well.”

Hearing Cheng Jinzhi, the other male students chimed in agreement.

“Stop it. Your words sound sarcastic to me.” Wu Yi looked at Cheng Jinzhi again, and seeing her expression, found it funny. Most of his anger dissipated. “You started this trend. Having fun with yourself, aren’t you?”

“Wouldn’t dare…”

“Go on, then. Submit a ten-thousand-word self-criticism by tomorrow.”

“But the grade-level punishment…” the male student started, seeming unwilling to let it go. These male students had some fame and were afraid of negative news about skipping class.

“Depends on your performance.” After saying this, Wu Yi called out to Cheng Jinzhi. “Wait a moment. I have something to ask you.”

The male students snickered, seeming to think Cheng Jinzhi was in trouble now.

“Where have you been these past few days?” Teacher Wu Yi said. “Your grandma called and asked about you.”

Cheng Jinzhi’s grandmother had been in the same art troupe as Teacher Wu Yi. They had a good relationship.

Over these two days, Cheng Jinzhi had sorted through her thoughts. She’d returned to twenty years ago. At this time, she was still drifting through school, dreaming of stardom while coasting on her family’s wealth, not studying much. Because of her looks, she had a few small fans. Life was quite carefree.

“I was… wandering abroad.” If she remembered correctly, she’d been stringing along Rong Si these past few days. She’d run into Rong Si by accident. Rong Si was auditioning for a production, and the people in charge were practically drooling over her.

“That little actress auditioning? I guarantee she’s untouched.” The assistant director had pulled Cheng Jinzhi aside to say this. Cheng Jinzhi had come to find actors. She had a lesbian film called Girls’ Fortress in hand.

Cheng Jinzhi looked over and saw Rong Si, catching her eye at the same moment. Rong Si had grown more beautiful. Last time she’d seen her was when Rong Si was sixteen. Long, straight legs, cool temperament, serious lips pressed together, listening to the director’s spittle-flying direction while wiping sweat from her temples with the back of her hand. The director seemed about to “personally demonstrate.” Cheng Jinzhi had walked over right then. She didn’t know what she’d been thinking. What happened next went without saying. She promised Rong Si a role, and Rong Si agreed to sleep with her.

“This time you’re being honest—not using filming or studying as an excuse.” Teacher Wu Yi seemed somewhat pleased. He probably had very low expectations for Cheng Jinzhi. “Your grandma found you a drama society. She says to go register this weekend.”

The Daqian Drama Society was run by a student of her grandmother. Back then, when her grandmother told her to register, she’d gone once or twice, felt she wasn’t learning anything, and had Rong Si sign in for her regularly. Real learning rarely shows results in the short term. Rong Si understood that. Cheng Jinzhi, floating too high to care, naturally didn’t want to waste time on such things.

“Okay.”

“Don’t think about brushing me off. If you say you’ll go, then go.”

Back when she’d been injured filming the martial arts film, she’d lain in the hospital ignored by everyone, just waiting for meals each day. The wounds on her back risked splitting, so she could only wait for a caregiver to feed her. Her parents were fleeing from debt, her grandmother had already passed, and the relatives who’d been burned by her parents’ borrowing had stopped helping after the first two years—avoiding their whole family. But Teacher Wu Yi had come, carrying fruit. Wearing his reading glasses, he’d tremblingly peeled an apple for her. “Jinzhi, you’ve suffered late in life, but it’s not too late… Without experiencing a small death, there can be no great life…”

This rebirth—this was her great death and great life.

“Teacher, about the classes I missed earlier, I’d like you to give me some extra tutoring. Then Grandma and I will treat you to a meal. What do you think?”

Wu Yi was stunned by Cheng Jinzhi’s words again. He reached up and felt her forehead. “I thought your energy felt off when you came in. Are you catching a cold?”

Wu Yi truly couldn’t imagine Cheng Jinzhi becoming this studious one day.

“No, I just want to learn.” After Teacher Wu Yi passed away, she’d never had a teacher again.

“Fine.” Wu Yi looked at Cheng Jinzhi with a mixture of complexity and gratification.

As soon as she left the office, she was swarmed by a group of guys and girls. “Hey? The teacher kept you alone—didn’t break your legs, did he?”

“Those cowards earlier, no loyalty at all, abandoning our Jinzhi and running off.”

Cheng Jinzhi scanned the people around her. Some she didn’t recognize, some she vaguely did. In short, they were the rich second-generation gang she’d run around with during university. Xia You squeezed in. “Cheng Jinzhi, are you okay?”

Xia You was her college friend. Later, she’d faded after a couple of films and went to teach in a rural village at thirty. Afterward, she took some countryside photos, paid to enter international competitions—the kind where just participating gets you a participation award. When the domestic press release “Literary goddess wins another Puying Award” came out, Xia You was considered a third-rate actress in the public eye. Xia You’s situation was far better than Cheng Jinzhi’s. Cheng Jinzhi had been blackened from debut—black-red, black-red. Without resources, there was only the black. In the formula of domestic TV dramas, the naturally gorgeous Cheng Jinzhi could only play supporting roles, the green tea bitch who travels through ancient and modern times. Worse, her acting was desperate—that forced effort of trying too hard—which only made the tide of hate flood even higher.

“I’m fine. Everyone, go on, disperse.”

“It’s Ah Hui’s birthday today. His cheap dad’s throwing him a big party. None of you are allowed to run.” Ah Hui’s girlfriend grinned, baring her teeth. Ah Hui’s biological father had died early, and his star mother had remarried a generous coal tycoon. The tycoon treated Ah Hui well, buying him a villa near Jingying as soon as he entered university. “Also, Jinzhi, when are you going to bring that one around?”

That one? Cheng Jinzhi thought for a moment, then quickly remembered. They meant Gao Yi, the popular young flower actress Cheng Jinzhi had been pursuing. Gao Yi was blazing hot right now, having just secured her spot among this year’s Four Little Flowers with the summer hit xianxia drama Wielding the Sword. The Girls’ Fortress Cheng Jinzhi had acquired was meant for her—Gao Yi just found the nude scenes too much. Gao Yi’s acting was outstanding, which was what had attracted Cheng Jinzhi in the first place.

A while back, Gao Yi’s manager had discovered their thing and made Gao Yi keep her distance. Cheng Jinzhi had gotten into a huge fight with Gao Yi over it. Gao Yi looked soft and delicate, but she held absolute control in her relationship with Cheng Jinzhi. Basically, Cheng Jinzhi came when called and left when dismissed—though she’d throw a tantrum on the way out.

“There’s nothing between us.” Cheng Jinzhi said.

Everyone exchanged looks at that. Everyone knew how much effort Cheng Jinzhi had poured into Gao Yi.

Once the crowd dispersed, Xia You nudged Cheng Jinzhi’s arm. “You fought?”

“I’ve moved on.”

“So you did fight. Cut her some slack. With the way the new wave pushes the old, nobody wants any slip-ups.” Xia You offered a couple of words of advice.

Xia You and Cheng Jinzhi weren’t really close. Cheng Jinzhi knew that Xia You looked down on her—not exactly looked down on her, but looked down on their type, the second-generation rich kids who coasted on family money.

“Mm.” Teacher Wu Yi’s reaction earlier had settled much of Cheng Jinzhi’s rebirth-related emotions. She was still a twenty-something young person now. Being too earnest and proper compared to her previous ridiculous behavior would be hard for those around her to digest. In this most beautiful age, she needed to accomplish something.

“Boss Lady, you finally answered. Director Yi is looking for you.” Her manager called. “Girls’ Fortress—didn’t you say you wanted Gao Yi? I’ve contacted her manager.”

Director Yi was the rising star of art films. Girls’ Fortress was his most representative work for a long time.

“I don’t want Gao Yi anymore. I have a better choice.”